Hong Kong: Co-care pilot scheme webinar held

The Health Bureau today held a webinar to answer queries from doctors listed in the Primary Care Directory about the implementation details of the Chronic Disease Co-Care (CDCC) Pilot Scheme.

A total of 100 doctors attended the event and were urged to take action in practising as a family doctor.

The webinar was chaired by Commissioner for Primary Healthcare Pang Fei-chau and Director of the Strategic Purchasing Office Cheung Wai-lun. They elaborated on the schemes details such as laboratory investigations, drug ordering and calculation methods for the pilot scheme's incentive awards.

The webinar also introduced the CDCC Pilot Schemes information technology platform. Doctors will be supported by the platform to verify eligibility of participants and complete enrolments, store clinical documentation, place orders for and prescribe medication, arrange laboratory investigations and follow-up services by allied health professionals as well as manage claims for consultation fees and additional charges.

Dr Pang noted that in countries and regions with well-developed primary healthcare services, citizens are taken care of by the same doctor for long-term follow-up consultations in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

He said that such an approach accomplishes a trusted holistic medical care model through which the quality of citizens' healthy lives is improved.

We anticipated that by having the key elements of primary healthcare services in place through the CDCC Pilot Scheme, we can alleviate the pressure on the public healthcare sector in the long run."

Dr Cheung added that the bureau has been in close communication with various stakeholders and noted that it has made reference to similar programmes such as the scope of the scheme drug list and the arrangements for doctors to purchase basic-tier drugs on the list from designated drug suppliers at discounted prices.

The bureau, which has hosted five webinars so far for the pilot scheme, pointed out that the Government will continue to connect with medical groups and stakeholders, and recruit more family doctors to ensure ample options are available for selection by citizens at the time of its launch in mid-November.

For enquiries, call 2157 0500. Dedicated staff of the hotline will answer calls from 9am to 9pm from Mondays to Saturdays.

This story has been published on: 2023-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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Coming soon in early 2024, it will be even easier for Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) students to transfer to University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW).

Through the new PathWays program, the university aims to form partnerships with all 58 state community colleges that will guarantee admissions for eligible students and provide seamless support for those seeking a four-year degree.

We want to make sure there are many roads that lead to becoming a UNCW Seahawk, said Chancellor Aswani K. Volety. Through PathWays, we are collaborating with our state education partners to reduce barriers and simplify the transfer process for all students seeking educational opportunities in our state.

The new PathWays program, previously known as UNCW Pathways to Excellence, will further enhance the universitys collaboration with community colleges by providing qualifying students with a clear and guaranteed path to admissions. Students in this program will receive tailored communication and program opportunities. In addition, they will be connected to a Transfer Student Success Coordinator who can work with them to create a transfer plan based on their interests and intended major. Transfer students also will have UNCW application fees waived and priority status for merit scholarships and deadlines.

Thanks to this new partnership with University of North Carolina Wilmington, our graduates have expanded opportunities to roll their coursework into valuable baccalaureate degrees, said Vice President, Academic Affairs & Workforce Development Dr. Cindy Davies. With a Western Piedmont degree in hand, our students will be ready to thrive in the supportive learning environment that UNCW promises.

WPCC offers transfer options for students in Associate of Arts and Associate of Science programs. Jordan Lowe, admissions and academic advisor, works alongside first-year transfer students to help them identify their educational goals and reach their next steps. After students complete their first 12-15 credit hours, a faculty advisor is assigned to serve as a mentor for the duration of their time at WPCC.

Stefanie Norris, UNCW director of transfer partnerships, said the majority of community colleges are participating in the PathWays program. Additionally, the university is adding more qualifying associate degrees to better meet the needs of students and the regions workforce.

This program is one of our many commitments to making UNCW a more transfer friendly destination for students across North Carolina, Norris said. We deeply value our partnerships with the North Carolina Community Colleges and want to assist students finding their way to UNCW as best we can.

Students who had previously opted into the former Pathways to Excellence program are automatically transitioned into the new PathWays program, pending a partnership agreement with their community college. For students who have not yet joined UNCWs guaranteed admission program, they should complete the PathWays interest form, and more information will be provided once the new program launches.

Visit the UNCW website to learn more.

Western Piedmont Community College is located in Morganton, and has served the citizens of Burke County since 1964. Apply online at wpcc.edu or visit the WPCC campus to apply in person.

UNC Wilmington, the states coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching and mentoring with research and service. The university serves nearly 18,000 students and offers a full range of undergraduate and graduate-level programs, as well as select doctoral programs that address state needs. Learn more at uncw.edu
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  Doctors in Gaza City faced with dwindling medical supplies performed surgery on hospital floors, often without anesthesia, in a desperate bid to save badly wounded victims of a massive blast that killed civilians sheltering in a nearby hospital amid Israeli bombings and a blockade of the territory.

The Hamas militant group blamed the blast on an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants. At least 500 people were killed, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said.

Rage at the hospital carnage spread through the Middle East as U.S. President Joe Biden landed in Israel in hopes of stopping a spread of the war, which started after Hamas militants attacked towns and cities across southern Israel Oct. 7.

Biden embraced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his arrival and later said the blast appeared not to be Israel's fault. "Based on what I've seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you," he told Netanyahu in remarks in front of the media.

During his visit, Biden planned to meet with first responders and with family members of those who were killed, wounded or taken hostage in the Hamas attack.

Shortly before Biden's arrival, Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel resumed after a 12-hour lull.

Israeli strikes on Gaza continued on Wednesday, including attacks on cities in south Gaza that Israel had described as "safe zones" for Palestinian civilians.

After the hospital blast, Jordan canceled a meeting between Biden, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Biden will now visit only Israel, a White House official said.

The war between Israel and Hamas was "pushing the region to the brink," Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told state-run television.

The Israeli military held a briefing Wednesday morning laying out its case for why it was not responsible for the explosion at the al-Ahli Hospital. It was not firing in the area, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

Instead, Hagari said, Israeli radar confirmed a rocket barrage fired by the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad from a nearby cemetery at that time of the blast, around 6:59 p.m. Independent video showed one of the rockets in the barrage falling out of the sky, he said.

The misfired rocket hit the parking lot outside the hospital. Were it an airstrike, there would have been a crater there; instead, the fiery blast came from the misfired rocket's warhead and its unspent propellant, he said.

The Israeli military also released a recording they said was between two Hamas militants discussing the blast, during which the speakers say it was believed to be an Islamic Jihad misfire and that the shrapnel appeared to be from IJ weapons, not Israel's.

Hagari said Israeli's intelligence would be shared with U.S. and British officials. He also questioned the death toll provided by Gaza's Hamas-led health ministry.

Since the war began, roughly 450 rockets fired at Israel by militant groups had landed in Gaza, the military said.

Hamas called Tuesday's hospital blast "a horrific massacre," saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

Islamic Jihad dismissed Israel's claims, accusing Israel of "trying hard to evade responsibility for the brutal massacre it committed."

The group pointed to Israel's order that Al-Ahli be evacuated and reports of a previous strike at the hospital as proof that the hospital was an Israeli target. It also said the scale of the explosion, the angle of the bomb's fall and the extent of the destruction all pointed to Israel.

The blast left gruesome scenes. Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Ghassan Abu Sitta, a plastic surgeon working at al-Alhi, said he heard a loud explosion and the ceiling of his operating room collapsed.

"The wounded started stumbling toward us," he wrote in an account posted to Facebook. He saw hundreds of dead and severely wounded people. "I put a tourniquet on the thigh of a man who had his leg blown off and then went to tend to a man with a penetrating neck injury," he said.

Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed the hospital grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children, as fire engulfed the building. The grass was strewn with blankets, school backpacks and other belongings. On Wednesday morning the blast scene was littered with charred cars and the ground was blackened by debris.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties to Gaza City's main hospital, al-Shifa, which was already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia.

Victims arrived with gruesome injuries, Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said. Some were decapitated, disemboweled, or missing limbs.

Doctors in the overwhelmed hospital resorted to performing surgery on floors and in the halls, mostly without anesthesia.

"We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anesthesia, we need everything," Abu Selmia said. He warned that fuel for the hospital's generators would run out within hours, forcing a complete shutdown, unless supplies enter the Gaza Strip.

The bloodshed unfolded as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas' deadly rampage last week. Hundreds of thousands of increasingly desperate people were searching for bread and water.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 3,200 people have been killed in Gaza and 11,000 wounded. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians who were slain in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. The assault also resulted in some 200 being taken captive into Gaza. Militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

Protests erupted across the Middle East. In Amman, a palace statement said Jordan's king condemned "the ugly massacre perpetrated by Israel against innocent civilians."

The king "warned that this war, which has entered a dangerous phase, will plunge the region into an unspeakable disaster," the statement said.

With troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza.

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military told fleeing Palestinians to go. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israel's retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. "Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, it's hiding behind civilians," he said.

With Israel barring entry of most water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas' brutal attack, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territory's 2.3 million people. But aid was not getting in as of Wednesday morning.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

The Israeli military again called on Palestinians to move out of Gaza City and head south, saying that if aid were to be delivered it would be near the city of Khan Younis in south Gaza.

At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid have been waiting to enter.

No humanitarian aid was passing through Rafah as of Wednesday morning, an Egyptian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media.

Photos: Scenes from the Israel-Hamas war
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre is hosting a special performance for adults and teens this week.

On Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m., Eulenspiegel will be presenting Squatters on Red Earth, a one-man drama starring Rip Russell that focuses on the story of a peaceful encounter between the Meskwaki and the Inspirationists, a German Utopian group, during the period of white colonialism. It is written by American author Mary Swander.

Following this past example of collaboration, Swander wrote the play under the guidance of members of the Meskwaki Settlement. She was also supported by grants from the Anon Was a Woman Environmental Art Award (The New York Foundation for the Arts) as well as the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Its a very interesting story that most people dont know about collaboration between the early Amana Colonies and the Meskwaki settlement, Eulenspiegel founder Monica Leo said in reference to the play. Mary Swander is a brilliant playwright and Rip Russell is a really fine actor and has a great reputation in the area through performing in a lot of different shows in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area.

In addition to Russells performance, the play is also being directed by Brant Bollman, who serves as an Eulenspiegel board member. Bollman also crafted the crow puppets that will be used in the show.

The play will also feature live music provided by Laura Kittrell as well as a cranky, which is a viewing window device that uses a painted scroll, which was painted by Meskwaki settlement member Shelley Buffalo, and shadow puppets, which were created by Leo.

Its an interesting show on many levels, Leo said. Its also a hopeful story for this time in our history where theres so much divisiveness. Its really nice to hear about very different people working together towards the same goal.

She noted there will likely not be too many other live performances of this particular show. As such, Leo encouraged those who are interested in seeing it to get tickets for the Eulenspiegel performance.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased either by email (monica@puppetspuppets.com), by phone (319-627-2487), or by visiting www.puppetspuppets.com, clicking the donate  button, and completing a ticket purchase. Advance reservations are recommended due to limited space.

Eulenspiegel is located at 319 North Calhoun Street in West Liberty.

Photos: Annual Meskwaki Powwow Powwow 1 Powwow 2 Powwow 3 Powwow 4 Powwow 5 Powwow 6 Powwow 7 Powwow 8 Powwow 9 Powwow 10 Powwow 11 Powwow 12 Powwow 13 Powwow 14 Powwow 15 Powwow 16 PowWow 17 Powwow 18 Powwow 19 Powwow 20 Powwow 21 Powwow 22
Americas colleges aspire to be places where ideas meet and common ground emerges. As the death toll rises in the Israel-Hamas war, they have become seats of anguish.

Many Jewish students and their allies, some with family and friends in Israel, have demanded bold reckonings and strong condemnation after the attacks by Hamas militants, who stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns, killing and abducting civilians and soldiers.

Meanwhile, some Muslim students have joined with allies to call for a recognition of decades of suffering by Palestinians in Gaza, plus condemnation of the response by Israel. After the Hamas attack, Israel launched a total blockade of Gaza; airstrikes have flattened buildings and homes, killing civilians and forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate.

On many campuses, these students agree on one thing: Their colleges, which are increasingly staking out positions of neutrality, have not done enough to support them.

College officials, already under pressure to allow conservative opinions on campus, have been trying to preserve free speech and open debate. But the conflict has presented an excruciating challenge.

This is an incredibly difficult free-speech moment on campuses, where both sides have deeply passionate, entrenched, intractable views, said Alex Morey, director of campus rights advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which is recommending that colleges try to remain institutionally neutral.

We want to create an ideal climate for debate and discussion on campus, and the only way we can do that is if we step out of the debate, Morey said.

Yet staying neutral is not always easy. Students for whom the conflict is intensely personal want their administrations to recognize how they are affected by traumatic events and use their stature to denounce what they see as moral wrongs.

Colleges across the country have put out statements on the war. Many have faced criticism for not going far enough in condemning Hamas' attack, or for failing to condemn civilian deaths in Gaza, or for leaving out context and history from the region. As of Saturday the death toll was more than 2,200 in Gaza and over 1,300 on the Israeli side  many of those civilians  and roughly 1,500 Hamas militants killed in the fighting, according to authorities.

Stanford University, for one, has shifted more toward neutrality as events unfolded.

On Monday, officials at the California school said they were deeply saddened and horrified by the death and human suffering in Israel and Gaza and hoped for thoughtful opportunities for sharing knowledge on campus. In response, dozens of faculty signed a letter demanding unambiguous condemnation of the Hamas attacks.

On Wednesday, Stanford sent an update explaining its position on neutrality. Faculty and students should not expect frequent commentary from us in the future," college officials said.

At Columbia University, the campus was closed Thursday as a safety measure as hundreds attended dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies. Some students were angry that a statement from the university president did not go far enough to acknowledge Palestinian deaths.

Clearly were all against violence, but were just asking for the lives of Palestinians to be acknowledged as well, said Nadia Ali, who demonstrated alongside hundreds of peers. Many were dressed in the green, red and black of the Palestinian flag and wearing medical face masks.

Across the Manhattan campus main lawn, demonstrators draped themselves in the blue-and-white Israeli flag and held prayer and song circles.

One demonstrator, Yola Ashkenazie, said some Jewish students feel unsafe: The rise in anti-Semitism on our campus has been abhorrent.

A day earlier, a 19-year-old woman was charged with assaulting a student in a dispute over posters bearing the names and images of hostages being held by Hamas.

At Yale University, Free Palestine messages were written in chalk around campus one night. The following night, some students put up posters of Israelis taken hostage with the word Kidnapped.

There was also controversy over social media posts by a professor of American studies, Zareena Grewal, who wrote after the Hamas attack: Settlers are not civilians. This is not hard. A petition circulated demanding her removal; Grewal did not respond to a request for comment.

Talking politics is inevitably sensitive on campuses with diverse populations, said Hussam Ayloush, CEO of the California branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

But if colleges choose to issue official statements, Ayloush said, then do it morally.

"Dont be selective about which lives are more valued than others. Every innocent life is important. Do it accurately, so were not just commenting on actions but were also commenting on  the root causes of the actions, he said, pointing to Israel's treatment of Palestinians during decades of conflict.

Some of the most notable recent disputes have come at Harvard University, where the Palestine Solidarity Committee student group released a statement holding Israel entirely responsible for all unfolding violence, co-signed by a few dozen other student organizations. At least one student had a job offer rescinded as a result of the statement.

Then Accuracy in Media, a conservative group, arranged for a billboard truck to drive around campus showing the faces of students associated with the groups. Harvards leading anti-Semites, it called them.

Former Harvard President Lawrence Summers, who is Jewish, was critical of university leadership for appearing at best neutral towards acts of terror against the Jewish state of Israel.

In nearly 50 years of @Harvard affiliation, I have never been as disillusioned and alienated as I am today, Summers said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A former Grinnell College student is suing the school for its response to her claim that she was raped by a student athlete who was the son of a major donor.

The woman, identified in court documents only as Jane Doe, was a student at Grinnell College from September 2018 until May 2022. Doe alleges that on April 20, 2019, she was violently raped in her dorm room on the Grinnell campus by a Grinnell student athlete and the son of a major Grinnell donor. Doe claims her attacker, who is not identified in the lawsuit by name, used extreme physical force and violently knocked her head into a bookshelf, toppling it.

About two weeks later, Doe alleges, she was assaulted by the same individual who pinched her and poured a drink on her at an off-campus party.

In her lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Doe claims she sought treatment for sexual trauma through Grinnells student health program, sought assistance from Grinnells administration, and ultimately filed a formal sexual-assault complaint through Grinnells Title IX program.

Grinnells response to the incident was woefully inadequate, inept, and untimely, the lawsuit alleges. Doe claims the Title IX complaint process resulted in a superficial sanction ultimately being entered against the alleged perpetrator in the days before she and the alleged attacker graduated in 2022.

The school has yet to file a response to the lawsuit. Mattia Wells, Grinnells director of strategic communications and media relations, said the school does not comment on the details of pending litigation, but added that the school has robust policies, procedures, and resources in place addressing all aspects of the Title IX process.

Doe claims that in the wake of the assault, her mental health deteriorated to a critical level and she constantly felt unsafe on Grinnells campus. In January 2020, during a period of suicidal ideation, she contacted Grinnell Student Health and the office of the college nurse to inform them of an urgent need for a sexual-trauma therapist, according to the lawsuit. The two offices allegedly failed to identify the seriousness of Does mental health issue, failed to inform Doe of emergency mental health resources and failed to inform her of campus resources for victims of sexual assault or the process for reporting sexual assault.

The nurse referred Doe to the schools mental health counselor, Erik Kohl, who immediately recognized the seriousness of Does mental health issues and ultimately diagnosed Doe with post-traumatic stress disorder due to sexual trauma, according to the lawsuit.

Ongoing pattern of rape alleged

The lawsuit alleges that a short time later, amidst the growing national MeToo movement, an anonymous Instagram account was established with the handle @MeTooGrinnell. By August of 2020, the account contained approximately 120 posts from students who claimed they had been victims of sexual assault or rape on campus. Through those posts, Does family concluded that Does alleged rapist had engaged in an ongoing pattern of rape and sexual assault on Grinnells campus, the lawsuit claims.

Does father then contacted Grinnells president, Anne Harris, to alert her to the allegations. According to the lawsuit, Harris notified the family of Title IX protections that were available for students at Grinnell and referred the family to Bailey Asberry, the schools Title IX coordinator. The Asberry allegedly failed to inform Doe of the process for reporting sexual assault on campus and failed to provide any meaningful information about Title IX protections.

Asberry allegedly discouraged Doe from formally reporting the sexual assault and said shed referred Doe to the schools dean of religious life who, in turn, referred Doe back to Asberry.

The lawsuit claims Asberry told Doe the only way for the school to respond to the allegation against the perpetrator was if she filed a formal complaint  a step Doe was reluctant to take for fear of retaliation and retribution. At that point, the lawsuit claims, Asberry made the highly inappropriate and unfathomable suggestion that (Doe) sit down with the perpetrator face-to-face to mediate her violent rape and sexual assault with the perpetrator.

After Doe demanded the school pursue a formal investigation, Asberry allegedly informed her the incidents she had described were not severe enough and would not be investigated by Grinnell.

In May 2021, Doe informed Asberry she intended to file a formal complaint against the alleged perpetrator under Grinnells Title IX policy and scheduled a meeting with Asberry to discuss the details of the alleged rape. The lawsuit claims Asberry showed up for the meeting with a young child in her lap and, at first, repeatedly deflected Does request to file a formal complaint, suggested again that Doe sit down with the alleged perpetrator, and then proceeded to process the formal complaint.

An attorney, Demetrius Peterson, was then appointed as Grinnells investigator. Peterson reportedly conducted 11 interviews of six people, and concluded his investigation on Aug. 25, 2021. His preliminary report was riddled with factual errors, misstatements of the applicable policy provisions, and obvious instances of gender bias, the lawsuit claims.

On the critical issues of consent, Peterson also is alleged to have shifted the burden of proof from the perpetrator to Doe, even though the complaint indicated Doe was unconscious at the time of the assault. Petersons report also referenced a supposed romantic relationship the alleged perpetrator had with Doe, which the lawsuit calls a complete invention of the investigator, which was totally unsupported by any of the interviews with the witnesses.

Lawsuit: Penalties were wildly inappropriate

A hearing on the Title IX complaint was eventually scheduled for Feb. 8, 2022, but the night before the hearing, at 10:26 p.m., Asberry emailed the parties to inform them that neither she, nor the dean, nor the investigator, had provided the alleged perpetrator with a copy of the formal complaint during the nine months the Title IX action had been pending. As a result, the hearing was rescheduled for April 8.

At the hearing, an adjudicator found the accused student to be responsible for sexual assault, non-consensual sexual intercourse and for sexual assault, non-consensual sexual contact. Grinnell then imposed sanctions against the alleged perpetrator that the lawsuit describes as wildly inappropriate and ineffective.

The school placed the perpetrator on probation for the remainder of his attendance at Grinnell, a period of 23 days; imposed a no-contact order; barred the perpetrator from participating in graduation if Doe chose to attend; and barred him from participating in future alumni events attended by Doe.

The sanctions chosen by Grinnell were woefully inadequate and deeply biased in favor of the perpetrator, the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit accuses Grinnell College of deliberate indifference to sexual abuse, creation of a hostile educational environment, failure to prevent retaliation, retaliation by withholding protections conferred by Title IX, gender bias, discrimination on the basis of gender, violations of constitutional rights, and breach of contract. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial, as well as an injunction requiring Grinnell College to take steps to prevent and investigate sex-based discrimination and harassment and assault.

In addition to the college itself, the lawsuit names as defendants Asberry, Kohl, Peterson and Harris, as well as Dean of Students Ben Newhouse, Nurse Sarah Newell, and the former dean of religious life, Deanna Shorb.

In 2015, Grinnell College was investigated by the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights in response to complaints filed by six students. The complaints alleged the school failed to impose adequate consequences for students accused of sexual assault, that administrators improperly revealed the identity of a victim, and that one student faced retaliation for their views on Grinnells handling of sexual assaults on campus.

In 2017, the Office for Civil Rights notified Grinnell the case had been administratively closed with a determination that there were no active systemic issues that warranted a continuation of the investigation.

Best colleges in Iowa Best colleges in Iowa #25. Grand View University #24. Mercy College of Health Sciences #23. Waldorf University #22. University of Dubuque #21. Graceland University #20. Clarke University #19. Simpson College #18. Upper Iowa University #17. Mount Mercy University #16. Coe College #15. Wartburg College #14. Morningside University #13. Buena Vista University #12. St. Ambrose University #11. Cornell College #10. Central College #9. Loras College #8. University of Northern Iowa #7. Luther College #6. Northwestern College - Iowa #5. Dordt University #4. Drake University #3. Iowa State University #2. University of Iowa #1. Grinnell College
A plastic surgeon sanctioned by the Iowa Board of Medicine is alleging the drunken-driving arrests of the boards former executive director may be evidence of improper conduct in the handling of his disciplinary case.

The surgeon, Ronald S. Bergman, 74, claims in Polk County District Court filings that hes being treated unfairly by the board and should never have been ordered to undergo a neuropsychological examination. To support that claim, Bergman is arguing that the boards former executive director  whose departure in 2022 was never publicly explained by the board  had alcohol problems and was twice arrested for drunken driving.

The dispute between Bergman and the board dates back to January 2022, when the two parties entered into a settlement agreement after the board alleged he had a neurological impairment that might interfere with his ability to safely practice surgery, and that he had engaged in unprofessional conduct when he sent inappropriate text messages to an employee.

Bergman denied the allegations but agreed to the boards offer to settle the matter by complying with restrictions on his surgical practice, paying a $2,500 civil penalty and completing a course on professional boundaries. The settlement also provided that Bergmans license would be placed on probation through Jan. 1, 2023, after which Bergman would be barred from engaging in the practice of surgery in its entirety.

In May 2022, however, the board agreed to Bergmans request to let him perform surgery for an additional six months, through July 1, 2023. As part of that arrangement, Bergman agreed to complete a comprehensive neuropsychological examination no later than November 2022.

A few months later, Bergman allegedly became aware that the disciplinary action had resulted in his inability to obtain admitting privileges at local hospitals and at the surgery center where he had performed many of his procedures. At the time, he complained the requirement for a neuropsychological evaluation had been slipped into the final settlement agreement he signed in May 2022.

In October 2022, Bergman informed the board he did not plan to submit to an evaluation. In December 2022, the board charged Bergman with failure to comply with a board order, and in July 2023, the board voted to indefinitely suspend his medical license, barring him from practicing medicine of any kind in Iowa.

Bergmans attorney, Marc Humphrey, then filed a court petition seeking judicial review of the boards decision, arguing that the requirement for a neuropsychological evaluation was imposed for improper purposes, claiming that in 2005, a drunken Kent Nebel, then the executive director of the Board of Medicine, told a group of boaters that he was going to f Dr. Bergman.

Last week, Humphrey filed another brief in the case, this time alleging this court has before it evidence that Kent Nebel had an ongoing problem with alcohol resulting in two OWI convictions. The brief alleges both criminal cases occurred during Nebels employment with the board, justifying anyone to query whether his alcohol problems were clouding his judgment with regard to board discipline.

Criminal court records indicate Nebel was convicted of first-offense drunken driving in 2007 and was given a one-year suspended jail sentence and placed on probation.

The records also indicate that on July 15, 2022, Nebel was pulled over by Johnston police. According to police reports, Nebel refused to roll down his window or open his car door during the stop. The officer reported he had to break a window to unlock a door and extract Nebel from the car. According to the police, Nebel refused to take any field sobriety tests, saying he was too drunk to complete them, and a breath test showed he had a blood-alcohol level of .236  almost three times the legal limit for driving.

Nebel was again convicted of first-offense drunken driving, sentenced to one year in jail with all but 10 days of the sentence suspended, and was placed on probation for one year.

Investigation followed fraud allegations

To support the argument that the boards actions against Bergman are unwarranted, Humphrey has told the court that from the time the Board of Medicine commenced its investigation and the time it reached a settlement agreement with Bergman in January 2022, the board had allowed the doctor to continuously perform surgeries for some 26 months and the board took no steps to halt his surgical practice.

Bergmans initial petition to the court references a report that documents a total of 22 separate Board of Medicine investigations of Bergman that began in 1984 and continued through 2019. According to the petition, 14 of those investigations were closed with no action taken by the board.

Three of the cases resulted in private letters of warning from the board, the petition states. One of the three cases involved allegations that Bergman had inappropriately photographed a female patients pubic area, another was tied to claims of misleading advertisements, and a third involved Bergmans alleged behavior in a hospital room, although the petition does not elaborate.

Bergman alleges the boards most recent investigation of his practice followed the filing of a lawsuit by Peggy West, a former office manager at Bergman-Folkers Plastic Surgery.

That lawsuit, filed in October 2019, alleged that Bergman repeatedly and continuously upcoded patient services, documenting minor patient services as if they involved more extensive and costly services and then submitting the inflated charges to Medicare, Medicaid and other insurers for reimbursement.

West alleged that when she objected to what she considered fraudulent billing, Bergman leaned forward toward her, stared her in the eye, and said his girlfriend, who was also a full-time detective with the Polk County Sheriffs Department, knows the head of the Medicare fraud investigation department, adding, Dont do something youre going to regret.

In her lawsuit, West claimed Bergman also began to make repeated comments to her that he could make people disappear, and that he had close ties to the Mexican mafia.

Wests case was resolved with Bergman agreeing to pay to the United States $685,427, of which $340,731 was considered restitution. The agreement stipulated it was neither an admission of wrongdoing by Bergman or a concession by the government that all of its claims were not well founded.

Bergmans attorney argues the boards invasion into Dr. Bergmans mental health, despite the initial complaint involving a possible neurologically based tremor in Bergmans hands, constitutes a clear violation of Bergmans rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The petition also suggests that the slow manner in which the Board of Medicine handled Bergmans case is evidence that the sanctions against him are unjustified.

Bergmans petition seeks a court order requiring the Board of Medicine to issue a press release stating that its past statements and its filings with the National Practitioners Data Bank, indicating it was restricting Bergmans license to practice, were false and were issued without factual support. The press release should also make it clear that its prior press releases referring to an alleged neurological tremor were false and were issued without any medical diagnosis of such a condition, the petition states.

The petition also seeks an order compelling the board to apologize for its unfounded actions and for its failure to recognize the meticulous attention and devotion of Dr. Bergman towards the medical needs of his patients over his 40-plus-year career.

The board has denied any wrongdoing.
Landowners who are subject to eminent domain requests by a carbon dioxide pipeline company have had trouble navigating the state process that allows them to testify against the requests, according to Iowa Utilities Board filings.

Several people who requested to intervene in Summit Carbon Solutions permit process recently discovered that their intervenor status subjected them to different requirements and meant they werent scheduled to testify during a weekslong evidentiary hearing for the permit.

We did not understand the Iowa Utility Board process and thought we had to sign up as intervening landowners to be able to testify, wrote Nancy and Brad Miller, of rural Hartley.

Their status as intervenors meant that they needed to file written testimony before the hearing, whereas they merely intended to testify in a similar fashion to dozens of non-intervening landowners at the beginning of the hearing. Intervenors get an expanded role in the permit process and can, for example, cross-examine witnesses.

The Millers requested in late September  about a month into the evidentiary hearing  to withdraw their intervenor status and to testify.

We understand we have the right to present our objection to the use of eminent domain on our  property and protect our livelihood, the Millers wrote.

Summit seeks to build a 2,000-mile pipeline system through five states to transport captured carbon dioxide to North Dakota for underground sequestration. It is requesting eminent domain to gain land easements from unwilling landowners for about a quarter of its 687-mile route in Iowa.

Its permit process with the IUB has been ongoing for more than two years and is near its conclusion. An evidentiary hearing for the permit request that collects evidence and testimony and allows for cross-examination began Aug. 22 but suspended last week, when scheduling conflicts didnt allow it to continue.

The board had intended to conclude in September but has repeatedly said it missed that goal because of the latitude it has given to pipeline opponents during cross-examinations.

Due to continuing conduct by attorneys in this proceeding, which, either by design, lack of preparation, or inability to comply with procedural requirements, the board has been unable to complete the hearing to date, the IUB said in its Wednesday order.

IUB blames others for miscommunications

Also in that order, the board said Summits hearing would resume in November with testimony from non-intervening landowners. The board granted the Millers request to withdraw as intervenors along with a request from another landowner.

Based upon statements from multiple landowners and the failure of most intervenors to attend the hearing, it appears that one or more individuals or organizations were providing inaccurate information about the proceeding requirements to landowners, the board said. Such actions are harmful to the interests of landowners and should be reevaluated by those individuals.

Jess Mazour, of the Sierra Club of Iowa, believes that was directed at her organization and was meant to deflect criticism that the board hasnt done enough to ensure landowner participation.

The Sierra Club has been heavily involved in the permit process and has worked to help landowners participate, she said, and it didnt advise landowners like the Millers to request to be intervenors.

She said the Sierra Club has recently contacted intervening landowners who havent filed written testimony and werent scheduled to testify, and suggested they request to withdraw as intervenors.

They actually do want to testify, but they saw other landowners filing a petition to intervene and thought they had to, Mazour said. No one instructed them.

Mazour estimates that landowners of more than 200 parcels that are subject to eminent domain are not scheduled to testify, and she blames a lack of communication by the IUB.

Summit was required by law to send landowners a mailed notice about the hearing. An IUB spokesperson said its the landowners decision how to proceed after that.

How a person or entity seeks to participate in a proceeding before the IUB is a decision the IUB cannot assist the landowner with, spokesperson Don Tormey said. The IUB may provide an explanation between the different options of participation, but the decision is entirely the landowners.

The board sent a questionnaire to those landowners in June to gauge their interest in mediation for easement agreements with Summit and how they might want to participate in the hearing, whether in-person or remotely via video conferencing. Those who responded to the survey and said they wanted to participate were later contacted by IUB staff, Tormey said.

The board has provided considerably more outreach, flexibility, access, and information than would be typical for a hearing before an administrative body or court, the IUB said Wednesday.

Tormey noted that the questionnaire was not required by law.

A Woodbury County landowner told the Iowa Capital Dispatch that she mistakenly requested to be an intervenor because she was misdirected by IUB staff.

Ive never seen anything so confusing, said Carole Hennings, of rural Moville. I originally registered as an intervenor because I walked into the IUB office, and they said, Oh, here, just sign this, and well get you set up to be an intervenor. I asked them, Does that mean I can testify? And they said yes. Well, that wasnt true.

Hennings asked this week to withdraw her intervenor status and hopes to testify at the hearing next month.

The IUB plans to resume witness testimony on Nov. 6-8 and will set aside up to three days for Summits rebuttal testimony, ending Nov. 17.
An intelligence-driven operation carried out by DCI investigators, supported by their general duty counterparts in Kisii County, led to the recovery of a shipment of cannabis sativa valued at more than Sh11 million.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that law enforcement officers on patrol spotted a white Toyota Prado heading to Kilgoris, Narok County, loaded with suspicious goods in transit.

The officers signaled the driver of the vehicle to stop but he defied the orders and sped off at breakneck speed and upon reaching Magena area, he made a quick U-turn back towards Kanyenye. a DCI report reads in part.

Upon realizing that he was being pursued by officers, he abandoned the vehicle in the Metembe area and fled on foot.

The vehicle was towed to Kenyeye Police Station, where an exhaustive search was carried out. Authorities discovered six sacks and fifteen bales containing leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, with a total weight of 379 kilograms.

The illicit shipment, along with the vehicle, has been placed under police custody awaiting further investigations.
A German recruiting consultancy firm is set to interview Kenyans with technical and vocational skills, as part of a government-sponsored labor migration initiative aimed at meeting the human resource needs of various German industries.

Education Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Ezekiel Machogu, held discussions with Mr. Volker Falchi, the Managing Director of BBW Group, a vocational education and training company, following Mr. Falchis courtesy call to the Jogoo House office on Friday.

Present at the meeting were Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Esther Muoria, the counterpart for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and senior officials from the Ministries of Education, Foreign Affairs, Diaspora Affairs, and Labour.

Machogu highlighted that Kenya has cultivated a pool of well-trained young individuals equipped with technical competencies and skills applicable globally. He emphasized the governments commitment to a robust technical, vocational, and training system, expressing confidence that the recruiting firm would find individuals with the desired skills.

Mr. Falchi outlined his companys ambitious goal to recruit 250,000 people worldwide for diverse industries in Germany. He expressed a specific interest in recruiting Kenyans to contribute to meeting the human resource needs of his country.

According to Falchi, potential candidates must exhibit the right work ethic, a willingness to learn the German language and the requisite technical competencies and skills demanded by German industries.

Falchi emphasized the crucial connection between training and industry, asserting that a countrys success in obtaining skilled workers relies on bridging this gap. He underlined the significance of an education and training environment fostering critical thinking, enabling students to apply acquired knowledge and competencies effectively.

The initial focus areas for recruitment include electrical and electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, welding and fabrication, and mechatronics.
Moses Kuria, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management, on Monday proposed that the government should introduce fees for services at Huduma centres.

According to the former Trade CS, the proposed fees will contribute to the operational costs of all 52 Huduma centers nationwide.

CS Kuria explained that the introduction of fees at Huduma centers would enable these centers to generate their own revenue. This, in turn, is expected to alleviate financial pressure on the governments exchequer.

For so long, you(Kenyans) have been enjoying these services without paying. Now there is no more free lunch, you have to pay for it. We will introduce a fee for government service to support our e-commerce because Huduma Centre will be the backbone for e-commerce, he said.

Adding: Our Huduma centres have been a popular source of government services for so many of us, and we must make sure they become self-sustainable without depending so much on the National Treasury.

Kuria made these remarks during the official handover ceremony of the State Department of Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management from Aisha Jumwa, who previously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Gender.

Among the services set to incur fees at Huduma centers are the renewal of drivers licenses, issuance of duplicate national identity cards, and processing tasks related to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Additionally, services like National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) registration and claims, HELB (Higher Education Loans Board) student loan application and repayments, registration of welfare groups, issuance of police abstracts, single business permits, and stamp duty assessments will be subject to charges.
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has announced a Government plan to distribute tree seedlings through chiefs in an effort to accelerate tree growing activities across the country.

The (tree growing) targets we have set touch on each and every individual Kenyan. We have set targets on the number of trees that each Kenyan is expected to grow.

We will ensure that seedlings are accessible starting at the chiefs level so that any Kenyan can walk to a chiefs office to collect seedlings to grow in their farms, Tuya announced.

The Cabinet Secretary spoke on Monday morning at Ngong Road-Southern Bypass Interchange road reserve where she led Ministry of Environment, Climate and Forestry, and Kenya National Highways Authority (KenHA) staff in a rapid tree growing exercise.

The 15 billion national tree growing and ecosystem restoration programme strategy identifies road reserves and wayleaves as potential sites for planting trees in an intervention christened, greening infrastructure.

Hon Tuya reiterated her Ministrys commitment to ensure that 30 percent of the 15 billion trees the country aims to grow in 10 years will be fruit species to serve Kenyas economic and food security needs.

Of the 15 billion trees we intend to grow in 10 years, 30 percent will be fruit trees so as to ensure that tree growing contributes to the economy and Kenyas food security, the Cabinet Secretary said.

Once again, Hon Tuya said the Ministry was using the whole-of-Government, whole-of-society approach, where every Kenyan has a role to play in the implementation of the 15 billion national tree growing initiative.

Everywhere we go, we will be hosted by the area chief and forest managers at all levels, in an all-Government approach. Our role as a Ministry is to coordinate; the actual tree growing will be done by wananchi and partners at all levels, CS Tuya underscored.

On the impending onset of short rains season, the Cabinet Secretary expressed confidence that the country will soon experience rainfall, and urged Kenyans to intensify tree growing over the 3 months.

To enable the Government to keep track of the 15 billion trees initiative, Hon Tuya advised tree growers to record their activities on the Ministrys Jaza Miti digital application.

CS Tuya, who earlier received a donation of 450,000 seedlings from the Standard Chartered Bank and the Nairobi Arboretum Community Forest Association, thanked Kenya National Highways Authority and other state and non-state actors including the private sector that had taken up tree growing as a core business activity.

Forestry Principal Secretary Mr Gitonga Mugambi also spoke at the tree growing event that was attended by several senior Goverment officials among them Ag Director General of Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Dr Jane Njuguna and Secretary for Administration in the State Department Evans Mutari.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on Monday, October 16 unveiled 416 new emerging standards, signaling the countrys relentless pursuit of excellence, safety, and innovation.

Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry (MITI) Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano applauded KEBS, underscoring its pivotal role in realizing the broader goals of the Kenya Kwanza Government.

Through KEBSs initiatives, we are ensuring that our products are globally competitive and reflect our nations dedication to safety, quality, and innovation, she said.

Speaking during the World Standards Day celebrations, the CS said that these standards form the backbone of the aspirations of Kenya Vision 2030.

Expanding on the significance of the standards, KEBS Managing Director Ms. Esther Ngari emphasised their role in diverse sectors.

Todays launch showcases our commitment to progress and the promotion of safety, quality, and sustainability, Ms. Ngari said.

Ms. Ngari noted that ten of the newly introduced standards are geared towards intelligent transport systems, a move strategically aligned with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, aiming to mitigate road traffic accidents.

State Department of Industry Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Juma Mukhwana, echoed the CSs sentiments: The unveiling of these new standards marks a decisive step forward, bridging gaps in various sectors and enhancing the efficiency of our industries.

He praised KEBSs efforts in ensuring that sectors such as healthcare and nutrition have robust standards and stringent measures which ensure the safety of medical devices, notably syringes, directly impacting the reduction of disease spread.

By setting high benchmarks for products like baby food, KEBS provides the assurance of safety and optimal nutrition to our citizens, he added.

Mr. Eddy Njoroge, Advisor to the President of the International Organisations for Standardisation (ISO), said the organisation has delved deeper into the global implications of the standards.

International standards are important in shaping a world where well-being is universal, Mr. Njoroge remarked.

Mr. Njoroge highlighted the role of standards in attaining SDG 3, which calls for the attainment of good health and well-being.

He pointed out the swift development of the COVID-19 vaccines and the quality control of essential equipment, saying that this demonstrated the tangible benefits of global collaboration.

Mr. Njoroge further urged for the active participation of developing nations in the standard creation process.

Their inclusion is vital. It ensures that unique challenges and requirements are recognised and incorporated into the global framework, fostering an environment of mutual growth and understanding, he emphasised.

KEBS National Standards Council Chairman Peter Munyiri, who was recently nominated as Kenyas Ambassador to India, highlighted the potential for stronger Kenya-India collaboration in healthcare.

Beyond medical tourism, there lies a vast realm of knowledge exchange, partnership building, and standard harmonization. This collaboration promises a brighter future, rich with opportunities and innovations for both nations, Munyiri noted.

He reaffirmed his support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya, recognising them as the heart of innovation and economic growth.

MSMEs play a vital role in our economy, and our dedication to providing them with the highest quality standards remains unwavering, he stated.

TradeMark Africa Country Director Ahmed Farah said that their partnership with KEBS has resulted in a 91.6% reduction in turnaround time for test results at KEBS satellite labs and increased the accuracy of calibration testing by about 30%.

We strive to ensure that we maintain high-quality standards, especially for products meant for export, and reduce the costs associated with trade, he said.

The event celebrated the essence of standards in fostering a sustainable and progressive nation, and the collective voices resonated with the sentiment that standards are more than guidelines; therefore, they are the embodiment of Kenyas vision for a brighter, safer, and more innovative future.

By the Kenya News Agency
The DCI has initiated an investigation into a notorious criminal gang wreaking havoc among bank customers in Nairobi and its surrounding areas, transforming routine banking activities into a nightmare for unsuspecting victims.

The modus operandi of this four-member gang involves a member, disguised as a regular customer, surveilling and identifying potential targets within banking halls, particularly those conducting large cash withdrawals. The man then discreetly signals his accomplices, who are strategically positioned in the parking area.

Using a vehicle with fake number plates, the gang trails their selected targets to a secluded location before executing their theft, often resorting to violence.

Recent CCTV footage captured images of the perpetrators during an incident on October 7, where a client at Parklands fell victim to their criminal activities as he exited DTB Bank at Diamond Plaza.

Unaware of the impending danger, the victim left Sh1.5 million in his Mazda CX5 vehicle at the parking lot. He briefly stepped into a nearby shop, only to return and discover the gang, operating from a Nissan Note with counterfeit registration plates, had broken into his car and made away with the cash.

The traumatized victim reported the incident to DCI Parklands, prompting an ongoing investigation into the matter.

Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could aid in dismantling this dangerous gang.

Should you have any information that might help in taking down this dangerous gang whose sheer greed for quick riches has no regard for others toil and sweat, kindly #FichuakwaDCI by calling our toll-free hotline 0800 722 203, urged the DCI.

Meanwhile, DCI Detectives based at Langata are pursuing leads in an incident where a member of the public fell victim to car breakers in Nairobi West, losing cash and valuables totaling hundreds of thousands.

After withdrawing cash from the bank, the victim left a school bag, a laptop, and a mobile phone inside the locked vehicle, only to return from a supermarket and find everything missing.

Below is a video of the car break-in,

CAR BREAKERS ON THE PROWL DCI Detectives based at Langata are investigating a case of stealing from a locked motor vehicle where a member of the public lost cash and valuables worth hundreds of thousands to car breakers in Nairobi West. The victim fell in the hands the pic.twitter.com/Cq0KUsbF2T  DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) October 16, 2023




President William Ruto has urged Chinese investors to exploit opportunities in the fields of energy, water and housing in Kenya.

He said Kenya will support investors who will add value to the countrys abundant raw materials.

Kenya presents real opportunities for investment especially in transformative areas of our economy such as energy, water and housing, said President Ruto.

He made the remarks on Monday when he toured Chinas Engineering Corporation Limited in Beijing.

The President witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and Energy China.

The MoU will optimise the flexibility and reliability of Kenyas electrical power system; it will also cover the planning, designing, transformation and modernisation of power generation, transmission and distribution lines, and substations.

Other aspects of the MOU include unlocking the potential of renewable energy and advanced energy storage for supporting higher domestic energy sufficiency.

At the same time, the President witnessed the signing of another MoU with the Huawei corporation.

The two parties will collaborate to develop Kenyas ICT infrastructure and promote the digitization of the transportation, e-government, education, and digital energy sectors advancing Kenyas Digital Superhighway and Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.

It will also help cultivate digital skills and enhance capacity building.

President Ruto praised Huawei telecommunications company for its commitment to helping Kenya accelerate its digital inclusion.

Some photos of President Rutos tour of Chinas Engineering Corporation Limited in Beijing:
Adventist Health has named Nora Lee, PA-C to its medical team as a physician assistant specializing in cardiothoracic surgery, according to a news release.

Lee treats adults for many concerns involving the heart, lungs or esophagus and other parts of the chest, said the release. She has worked in both a lab and surgical setting.

Like many in her field, Lee said she felt a calling to pursue a career in medicine. She had this to say about her motivation, The ability to help others is what drives me to practice. I want to make a difference in peoples lives and give back.

Lee earned her Master of Physician Assistant Practice from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles. Prior to that she attended the University of California in Davis for her Bachelor of Science in neurobiology physiology and behavior.

Along with practicing medicine, Lee is bilingual. In addition to her medical degrees, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of California in Davis.

The Adventist Health Medical Office St. Helena is located at 10 Woodland Road in St. Helena.

Info: 707-963-3611.

PHOTOS: West Park Elementary Jog-A-Thon Jog-A-Thon 12 Jog-A-Thon 20 Jog-A-Thon 19 Jog-A-Thon 15 Jog-A-Thon 1 Jog-A-Thon 2 Jog-A-Thon 3 Jog-A-Thon 4 Jog-A-Thon 5 Jog-A-Thon 6 Jog-A-Thon 7 Jog-A-Thon 8 Jog-A-Thon 9 Jog-A-Thon 10 Jog-A-Thon 11 Jog-A-Thon 13 Jog-A-Thon 14 Jog-A-Thon 16 Jog-A-Thon 17 Jog-A-Thon 18 Jog-A-Thon 21 Jog-A-Thon 22 Jog-A-Thon 23 Jog-A-Thon 24 Jog-A-Thon 25 Jog-A-Thon 26 Jog-A-Thon 27 Jog-A-Thon 28 Jog-A-Thon 29 Jog-A-Thon 30 Jog-A-Thon 31
Derick Kuntz explained how he found his way into the food industry.

I literally knocked on the back door of a restaurant in my hometown (Woodland, Colorado) when I was 12 years old and asked if I could work there, Kuntz said.

They handed me an apron right there on the spot and taught me how to operate a commercial dishwasher.

From there Kuntz moved up to cook, prep-cook, sous chef, chef de cuisine and today: executive chef at B Cellars in Napa.

I have had almost every job you can have in a kitchen, and they have all helped me get to where I am today.

1. What was your childhood ambition?

From a very young age, I always dreamed of being a chef, and I am very happy to say that today I am living that dream in one of the most popular destinations for world-class food and wine in the world, and working at the must-visit winery in Napa Valley.

2. What was your first job?

I started at the very bottom as a dishwasher in Woodland Park where I grew up. Although I was just washing dishes, I knew the kitchen was where I wanted to be, and I never looked back.

3. Whats the worst job you ever had?

I dont like to speak poorly about anyone in this industry as I support all my peers. I have only ever worked in kitchens; it was always my calling, and I still love it every day. I can say that being the executive chef at B Cellars, a critically acclaimed winery, has been the best job I have ever had. I love experimenting with so many different wines (we produce over 40!) and getting to create so many different dishes to pair with them using ingredients we grow right here on the property. We are always changing up the menu, and I have never made the same dish twice  I have created over 400 different pairings!

4. What job would you like to try/not try?

As mentioned, I have always wanted to be a chef and to say that I am one today at one of greatest wineries in Napa Valley is truly a dream. I would not want to try to work anywhere that is not in a kitchen. I would feel like a fish out of water.

5. What is the biggest challenge the restaurant industry has faced?

Of course all the restaurant closings due to the pandemic were devastating. We made it through, but we lost a lot of really good staff that I miss working with while we were closed. It was like losing family members. We have a very close team here at B Cellars, and many have worked here for decades.

6. Who do you most admire in the business world?

I consider myself more of an inspirer than an admirer. I really want to help my peers succeed and reach their dream job  whether that is a manager position, sommelier, or pastry chef. I am so happy to have reached my dream job that I want to make it possible for others to do so. B Cellars is a great place to work because it allows for a lot of creativity for the ever-changing wine and food pairings offered daily.

7. Whats one thing Napa could do to help local business?

I wish I could see more support from the city and county in developing affordable housing and transportation infrastructure. These are sorely needed  especially for folks in the service industry, and they are the people keeping this economy moving.

8. If you could change one thing about the restaurant industry, what would it be?

I think critics offer more harm than good. Its a lot easier to criticize something than to make something. If you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all. At least that is what my family taught me, and I live by that rule today.

9. Whats something people might be surprised to know about you?

I never had any formal training to be a chef. Ive learned all my skills on the job and through trial and error. That includes learning to develop and hone in on my palate, and develop the ability to pair wine and food. Fortunately for me, that means tasting Napas finest wines over and over and over again as I seek inspiration for our next pairing menu!

10. What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you havent yet?

I want to travel more and try as many different cuisines as possible, so I can bring those flavors and memories back to our guests at B Cellars. I also love to be outdoors hiking in beautiful places, so I would love to go on a big cross-country backpacking trip.

B Cellars is located at 703 Oakville Cross Road in Napa, 707-709-8787, bcellars.com

PHOTOS: Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 5 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 4 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 6 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 7 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 2023 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 9 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 10 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 11 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 12 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 13 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 14 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 2023 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 16 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 17 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 18 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 19 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 20 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 21 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 3 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 2 Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 1
When a shopping area takes on the qualities of a neighborhood, a place where it feels good to be, everyone wins  the merchants and the customers who frequent the area alike.

The shops centered on Second Street between Franklin and School streets have developed into just such an area. In fact, theyve branded themselves as SOFI  South of First Street  and have begun to host joint promotions. This August, they hosted what is intended to become an annual event  a block party that attracted more than 1,000 people.

It was a great day. We heard nothing but positive comments, said Chrissy Pearce Jeffries, the owner of Jeffries General at 1416 Second St.

SOFI is all the shops on Second and Third south of First Street. Its a place where locals feel comfortable, like they own this part of downtown, said Jeffries. She and her immediate neighbor, Adam McClary, owner of Gamling & McDuck, were the first to mull over the idea of creating SOFI. McClary thinks that Jeffries deserves most of the credit, not just for the August event but for the whole vibe on the block.

No doubt, Chrissy made a huge difference when she opened Jeffries General, said McClary. She has energy and the positive social stuff it took to make this a neighborhood.

McClary said that, after Jeffries opened, shop owners began to meet on the street in front of their respective stores for conversations, sometimes with a glass of wine in hand, the way neighbors used to talk to each other from their front porches.

McClary, originally from Minnesota, has been in the wine business for 15 years. He spent time with Mayacamas and Harlan, and has been making his own wine since 2009. He loves to interact with people in his tasting room and will just as happily dive into complex wine subjects or look at pictures of pets.

Some days, I have to spend the day in the cellar, and Im in solitary mode. At the end of the day, wine is very soulful, he said.

McClary opened Gamling & McDuck in 2018. At the time, he didnt care about foot traffic, which he realized was a bad call.

It was pretty bleak, he now concedes. He was between what some might call a "sex shop" and a massage parlor, he said with a laugh. As the block filled out with new businesses  Monday Bakery, Be Bubbly, Jeffries General and Benevolent Neglect joining existing businesses Graces Table, Muguette Renee, and Pleasures Unlimited  business picked up (that massage parlor closed soon after opening.)

The more the business owners talked, the more establishing SOFI made sense. These are all independent stores, and the owner is behind the counter, said McClary. Its a unique experience to shop here.

Erin Riley, who owns Be Bubbly at 1407 Second St., celebrated her businesss third anniversary on Aug. 20, the day of the block party. She chose Second Street intentionally, to create a venue for locals. That proved to be a very good move for her.

Our location off the beaten path was strategic, so we are thrilled that SOFI bubbled up around us. Be Bubbly is dedicated to providing champagne and sparkling wine in Cab country, while also providing a fun vibe in which to drink it, and was recently named one of the Top 10 champagne bars in the country by the Champagne Bureau.

Despite that heady accolade, Be Bubbly is very much a neighborhood place. Inclusivity is a big deal to us. We offer bubbles for all palates and pocketbooks. Be Bubbly keeps up a healthy event calendar, which, in addition to tasting events, includes comedy, live music and drag shows.

As for Jeffries, you dont have to know her for very long to know that she is a go-getter. Because of COVID, she lost her job in late August 2020. She signed up for a How to Open Your Own Business class from the Small Business Development Center two days later, and received the small business loan for Jeffries General in December. It sounds like a whirlwind, but when you go to the store, youll see that its very well thought out.

When we first started thinking about it, I wanted it to be a place where locals could at least buy milk and eggs, or aspirin. Downtown has needed that for way too long, said Jeffries. Turns out she was right. We sold out of milk right away.

Jeffries jokes that they specialize in hangovers. We carry aspirin, Altoids and basics, like feminine products, Band-Aids and paper towels, as well as marinara sauce, jam, grapeseed oil or Rancho Gordo beans and Sparkys Root Beer. Jeffries Generals offerings change all the time."

She carries lots of local products as well as some surprises. Like to journal or take notes? They carry notebooks, or you can go all the way and purchase a fully restored Olivetti 44 typewriter.

Theres also a section stocked by their eight-year-old son, Jace. It carries some of his favorite candies, like Red Vines and Ring Pops. It also has Whoopie Cushions and fake vomit. OK, maybe not to your liking, but if you shop with your kids, they will be fully engaged with their section.

The most recent addition to the SOFI block is Maison Fayard, owned by Julien Fayard. Stop by his or any of the shops in SOFI. Youll feel like part of the neighborhood.

Photos: Go inside Napa's SOFI district in downtown Napa
The Napa County branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) held a special 25th annual celebration of Tech Trek campers in Napa on Friday, Sept. 15.

This dinner meeting included the eighth-grade girls who had been selected last spring from Napa County middle schools to attend the Tech Trek week-long Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) camps at Sonoma State and UC Davis this past summer.

Lisa Groom, Napas Tech Trek coordinator, found just the right way to celebrate: by finding the very first Tech Trek camper, Elese Polk, and inviting her to be the evenings guest speaker.

Polk excitedly agreed to come to speak to the group. This was no small thing since she now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where she owns her own television production company.

Polk spoke from the heart and told the nearly 70-member audience about growing up in American Canyon and Vallejo. She told the group that as a young child, she struggled with math, but teachers did not give up on her and now she handles budgets in the tens of millions of dollars.

Polk started at Silverado Middle School as a seventh grader. When her math teacher nominated her for the Tech Trek camp opportunity, she was so excited. Her dream school was Stanford, and this camp would give her the opportunity to experience the university. She got letters of recommendation, wrote an essay, and even wrote to her principal, Mr. Wildman, earnestly requesting that he write a letter of recommendation. She is pretty sure that is what led to her being selected, said Polk.

Polk said she loved Tech Trek, her dorm mom, and new friends, some of whom she stayed in touch with for years. She remembered walking around campus with the real students, there for summer school, making her feel like she was one of them; the independence from her parents and the need to be responsible for herself.

Her best experience was participating in a mock forensic murder case where they had to analyze bloody clothes from a victim and gather DNA information. Polk was selected to be the defense attorney in the resulting murder trial and spent years after wanting to be a lawyer.

After attending both Vintage and Napa High Schools, she attended and graduated from California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in communications, having discovered a passion for television production.

Polk said she has lived this passion working in production for eight years for Paramount and other companies before starting her own television production company four years ago. She produces everything from scripted to unscripted, documentaries to award shows, to Nickelodeon content. Due to her working relationship with Paramount, they still contract with her on several projects.

While the adults in the room were amazed at this incredible young woman speaking with a photo of herself as a seventh grader projected behind her, the newest Tech Trekkers were in awe.

Polk was one of them, and they could see that she followed her dreams and used skills learned, at least partly, in Tech Trek. This years campers could see themselves in Polk. The unstated theme of Tech Trek is, If you can see her, you can be her.

Tech Trek camps capitalize on this sentiment at the camps by having women from various STEM fields teach the classes and staff the workshops, field trips, and evening programs. The most popular program is usually the Professional Womens Night where the girls not only get to learn about a great variety of STEM professions, some they had never heard of, but they get to interact with these women and ask lots of questions.

Once the 2023 campers, fondly called Trekkers, came up to the microphone, the audience was well-primed. Each of the four Trekkers in attendance had the audience and Polk spellbound as they recounted their own experiences at camp. Letters from the three Trekkers who were unable to attend were read aloud by Lisa Groom and Carolyn Stewart.

Over the past 25 years, the Napa County Branch of AAUW has awarded nearly 140 Tech Trek camp scholarships. The most recent campers were Naomi Young (ACMS), Zesang Sherab (ACMS), Emily Pena (CJSHS), Xceli Corona (RLS), Audrey Schallon (RMS), Sariah Hoffine Naastad (SMS), and Lujan Maire (UMS).
My personal friendship with Miljenko (Mike) Grgich began in spring 1979. During my first visit to Napa Valley, good friends and Gemstone founders (now Glass Slipper proprietors) Suzie and Paul Frank shared a bottle of Mikes famed award winning Chardonnay during a magical afternoon spent on a private island at Chateau Montelena. Mike was the winemaker of the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that won "Best White Wine" against the standard bearers of Burgundy at the famed Judgment of Paris in 1976.

The next day, we enjoyed lunch at Domaine Chandon accompanied by a bottle of the newly released inaugural 1977 Grgich Hills Chardonnay. The wine was delightful, and after Paul related its beautiful story and connection to the prior days lunch, we decided to venture up Valley to the winery with hopes of meeting Mike. That marked the beginning of our 44-year friendship and was the first of many great memories Ive shared with Mike and his wines.

To commemorate Mikes 100th birthday earlier this year, his daughter Violet (President and CEO) and nephew Ivo Jeramaz (Winemaker/V.P. of Vineyards and Production), along with their Grgich Hills Estate team planned several intimate celebratory events in late spring. Unfortunately, I was away for each of these events and unable to personally wish Mike a happy 100th. Last month as Violet and Ivo hosted their annual Blessing of the Grapes celebration that also honored Mikes 97th (thats right 97th!) harvest that I again had to miss for the first time since moving to Napa in 2001.

Determined to mark Mikes birthday, I called Violet for some ideas on the best way to celebrate my friendship with Mike, his 100th birthday and 97th harvest. I was met with a welcome response as Violet arranged a private meeting in the Ranch House on the winery campus with just Mike, Violet, Ivo, Mikes longtime friend and assistant Maria Luisa Moreno Reyes and me in attendance.

What a special time it was as I connected with my friend in his home surroundings sharing some meaningful and delicious wines and plenty of time for personal reminiscences spanning our years of friendship. On entering the Ranch House I was greeted by a beautiful table set with two very special wines  2019 Grgich Hills Estate 100th Birthday Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Old Vine and 2020 Grgich Hills Estate 100th Birthday Chardonnay Paris Tasting Commemorative  and plates of Mikes favorite cheeses, salamis, crackers and hummus.

Anticipating a memorable visit with Mike, I pulled a very special bottle from our cellar to share with him in hopes of evoking some great memories. In 1986, my wife Barbara and I visited Mike in his Yountville Victorian home surrounded by estate vineyards. As we left the house Mike signed a bottle of his 1985 Grgich Hills Johannisberg Riesling Late Harvest for Barbara that has been resting comfortably in our cellar ever since.

Could there have been a better wine to share with Mike in celebrating the day and his 100th? Well, to everyones surprise and joy it went far beyond that for Mike as he relished the aromatics, flavors and memories the bottle evoked. And Marias reaction was also one of unparalleled joy and surprise. Violet and I watched their delight unfold and the emotions they displayed.

Mike sniffed the wine deeply as his eyes lit-up in happiness while the aromatics brought a smile to his face unlocking long-forgotten memories of the wine. After his first sip, his smiled broadened and he broke into a Croatian song: Vuzgi Vuzgi  "No one has it better than us, if only it were like this every day." He repeated the song several times before simply commenting, Very good on the wine and went on to say, Its good to be a winemaker and enjoy wine like this.

Both Violet and I were amazed and elated with Mikes reaction to the wine and our special celebration. But Marias reaction went far beyond as she repeatedly reminded Mike that he made this wine and each reminder was met my him with a nod and broad grin.

Ivo observed the wine as retaining its youthful expression even after 38 years, This wine is still young and alive with good acidity and perfect balance that is a tribute to Mikes talents. He then acknowledged Mikes natural link to his history and dedication to wine by saying, Throughout his winemaking career, Mike has always had his ear to the ground and looks to the soils for their influence in fine wine production. Terroir is his guiding light and its expression in the glass is his goal.

As the afternoon unfolded around the two 100th Birthday wines and the Late Harvest Johannisberg Reisling, Maria continually acknowledged Mikes happiness with the wines, special occasion and sharing our decades-long memories: He has enjoyed more wine today than Ive seen for a long time and most was the 1985 Riesling. I also loved seeing him so happy and hes eaten more than ever loving every bite.

After almost two hours together sharing stories while enjoying the wines, tasty bites and Mikes energetic participation, he was tiring and it was time to leave. But Mike did not want to depart without taking home some of the 1985 Late Harvest Riesling to enjoy after dinner. And, according to Maria, thats exactly what he did.

Ivo also presented me with a bottle each of the 100th Birthday wines which Mike was kind enough to sign carrying on a tradition and enhancing the memories of a beautiful afternoon.
For decades, California's groundwater supplies have plummeted because of too much pumping. In some places, due to the heavy draws, the land above has collapsed, roads and bridges have buckled, and communities have run out of water.

But this year, after a historically wet winter, there was at least some reprieve for the state's overburdened aquifers. Groundwater levels rose or were flat at the vast majority of wells tracked by the state, compared to last year, while groundwater levels dropped significantly at just 9% of the thousands of monitored wells.

The well data, released in a report last week by the California Department of Water Resources, is among the first to show the benefit to groundwater supplies that resulted from the bounty of rain and snow seeping into the earth this year. While a lot of that seepage was natural, some of it was intentionally steered underground in a process known as aquifer recharge.

A full picture of the improvement is yet to come because there's no real-time, centralized accounting of the vast amounts of water nested in California's underground. Local water agencies will eventually report much of this information to the state. Also, water on the surface can sometimes take months or even years to percolate into aquifers, meaning an inherent lag in the tally.

The status of groundwater is significant because it accounts for about 40% of the state's total water supply  and as much as 60% during dry times.

"The amount of water in (many) aquifers is likely more than it was before this winter," said Steven Springhorn, a supervising engineering geologist at the Department of Water Resources who helped write the new report. "It's good news but it's in the context of a lot of years of water depletion."

Springhorn said any gains this year remain far short of undoing the decades of losses.

Despite the one-year bounce in many places, the multiyear picture is bleak. According to the report, groundwater levels were higher at just 21% of wells this year compared to five years ago while groundwater levels remained lower at more than 30% of wells. The balance of wells reported no significant change between 2018 and 2023.

Compared to 20 years ago, groundwater levels this year were higher at only 11% of wells and lower at 45% of wells.

"It's really going to require more water years like what happened this past year, and also reductions in pumping" to offset the decline, Springhorn said.

The most pronounced groundwater problems are in the San Joaquin Valley, California's farm capital. A preponderance of dry years, including two severe droughts over the past decade that left rivers and reservoirs low, has prompted growers to increasingly lean on groundwater.

Only in 2014 did the state pass regulations on how much groundwater could be pumped, with real limits still years from being enacted, leaving aquifers continuing to bear the brunt of the huge agricultural demand.

Extraction has been greatest, by many measures, in the Tulare Lake region, namely Kern and Kings counties at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley where fields of almonds, pistachios, grapes and oranges dominate. More than 70% of wells in this region remained lower this year than they were five years ago, according to the state report.

The area is also where California has had the most land subsidence, or the sinking of the earth's surface, which can happen when aquifers begin to empty. While the amount of subsidence was less across the state this year compared to last year, according to the report, the Tulare Lake region still saw 2,400 square miles of land drop. Even with the reappearance of Tulare Lake, the large, historical water body that surprisingly filled during the wet winter, aquifers weren't expected to recover much. The clay floor of the lake bed prevents water from infiltrating.

Conversely, a portion of the western San Joaquin Valley saw ground levels rise this year, owing to the land's ability to sometimes snap back after subsidence. The uplift, though, was only about an inch or so in most places, far short of how much the land had previously sunk. Parts of the San Joaquin Valley have dropped as much as 30 feet in recent decades.

"The years of subsidence overshadow the rebound that can happen in a wet year like this," Springhorn said.

California water officials have long been urging water suppliers and communities, mostly in the San Joaquin Valley, to tackle subsidence and groundwater depletion by actively recharging aquifers. This is done primarily by putting land aside for water absorption but sometimes by injecting water directly into the ground through wells.

This year, with all the rain and runoff from snow, state officials reinforced their call for groundwater recharge, easing permitting and providing equipment.

According to early state estimates, about 3.8 million acre-feet of water was actively recharged, roughly the amount that can be held at California's second-largest reservoir, Lake Oroville, and enough to supply about 8 million households for a year. About 390,000 acre-feet of the recharge was the result of Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive orders to expedite permitting, state officials say.

Still, the recent recharge makes only a small dent in the cumulative losses from over-pumping, with more than 6 million acre-feet of groundwater lost some years (accounting for both total extraction and seepage).

This year's net change in total groundwater supplies won't be known until local agencies begin filing their groundwater reports next spring as required by the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

During the winter, 19 atmospheric rivers made landfall in California, helping drive up precipitation to 141% of average and snow levels to more than twice the norm, according to state data.

"My expectation is that we've seen some nice progress (with recharge) since 2017 or 2019, which were also both wet years," said Ellen Hanak, senior fellow with the Water Policy Center at the Public Policy Institute of California. "(But) I think we'll be better prepared (for recharge) next time. If this next year is wet, I think we'll be better prepared."

California's groundwater basins can cumulatively hold between 850 million and 1.3 billion acre-feet of water, according to state estimates. This compares to the little more than 50 million acre-feet of capacity in the state's above-ground reservoirs.

Going forward, replenishing groundwater will not only be necessary under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which requires full restoration of over-pumped aquifers by 2040, but helpful for communities looking to boost water supplies for use during droughts.

"People are definitely very motivated to recharge more water," Hanak said.

Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, October 14, 2023
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Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: The former commander of the Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] DA [(Defense Army)], Samvel Babayan, announced that he is starting a process against canceling the decree of President Samvel Shahramanyan. Based on his [Babayans] statements, a criminal case was initiated under the articles of official military negligence and "handing over the means of warfare to the adversary."

No charges have been filed at this time. The RA authorities will keep this case hanging over the head of Artsakh's military-political leadership like a sword, so that no one would think of starting actions against [Armenias PM] Nikol Pashinyan.

As for the decree signed by Shahramanyan on September 28, by which the NK [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] state structures are being dissolved, the Artsakh Republic ceases to exist as of January 1, Shahramanyan has not yet clarified the circumstances under which he signed it. It is only known that before that he met with the former presidents of Artsakh within the framework of the SC [(Security Council)] meeting. Our sources say that before signing [it], Artsakh leaders discussed it and know that it has no legal forceit is unconstitutional, as the president of Artsakh cannot dissolve, lets say, the judiciary, and only the people can dissolve the republic through a referendum.

In fact, it [the decree] was forced to be signed under [Azerbaijani president] Aliyev's threats that the Azerbaijani military forces would not enter [Artsakh capital] Stepanakert and the population would be allowed to leave. And why does Aliyev need a decision that has no legal force? We were told for the use of propaganda purposes. In fact, it is also used by Pashinyan and his [poetical] team for propaganda purposesputting the surrender of Artsakh into the "pockets" of Shahramanyan and others.

Now, when the representatives of the Artsakh authorities gather at the Artsakh representation in the RA, Pashinyan, fearing possible developments, puts new weapons into use against them.
The local institutions are being informed about the persons and goods that are transported by the vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Ilaha Huseynova, Head of the Public Relations Department of the ICRC office in Azerbaijani capital Baku, announced this at a press briefing, while answering the reporters' questions, APA reported.

According to her, state agencies are being informed about the movement of ICRC vehicles.

"Information is given to local authorities about the transportation of people and goods by the Committee's vehicles. After agreement, we transfer those people. We inform also about the amount of cargo. State institutions have the right to inspect our transport," Huseynova said.

To note, however, that after "agreement" by the Azerbaijani authorities, Vagif Khachatryan, a resident of Nagorno-Karabakh, was abducted by Azerbaijanand from the hands of the ICRCthis July.
Hosting you here proves that we are faithful to Armenia and you are faithful to the European family. This was stated by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, during a joint news conference Tuesday with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Strasbourg, France.

The European neighborhood, now more than ever, is unstable and insecure, Armenia is the best partner within the framework of the Eastern Neighborhood of the EU, and we express unconditional support for Armenia's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders, Metsola said.

She added that they adopted a resolution two weeks ago, where they condemned the Azerbaijani military attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, and now the attention should be focused on the resumption of honest and fair negotiations, they call to respect the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, the active participation of the international community, and international guarantees for Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh for some time can help peace and reconciliation.
The European Union (EU) remains committed to all efforts aimed at the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijanand based on the mutual recognition of sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity of the two countries. This was stated by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, during a joint news conference Tuesday with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Strasbourg, France

Europe will continue to support Armenia in overcoming the current situation, she added.

Also, Metsola noted that they offer their support regarding the flow of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as their reintegration in Armenia.

Many EU countries also provide technical equipment, food, and medicine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

She emphasized that they call for the resumption of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on all existing issuesand with the aim of signing a peace treaty, they are fully committed to supporting these negotiations, and they are fully committed to supporting the dialogue between all parties, and under the auspices of the President of the European Council and with the assistance of the EU Special Representative to ensure lasting peace for all people in the region.

In addition, Metsola lauded Armenia's following the pro-democratic path, and added that they support democratic reforms in Armenia, and the latters closer cooperation with the EU.
Today's event is important for the EU-Armenia relations and testifies to the high dynamics of these relations. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this in his joint press briefing in Strasbourg, France with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

"It is important to emphasize that our relations are based on a common value system, and democracy is a strategic choice for us, not an opportunity dictated by circumstances. We [Armenia] want to deepen our relations with the EU, and we don't want to oppose it in any way with the vision of deepening, development of our regional relations; there are not few points of support in this regard.

"The government of Armenia is committed to the full implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. I am confident that the EU and Armenia have not exhausted the opportunities to supplement the cooperation with a qualitative new dimension, expand it, and bring it to a new level," he said.

Pashinyan emphasized that a security component has been added to Armenia-EU relationsand in the form of the EU civilian mission in Armenia, which monitors the countrys border with Azerbaijan.

"As a result of the Granada summit of the European Political Community and today's discussions and the announcement of your speech, it is obvious that there is a consensus among EU institutes on deepening relations with Armenia.

"Armenia is also interested in promoting and accelerating the international legal system. On October 3, the parliament of Armenia ratified the Rome Statute, which is a fundamental document of the International Criminal Court. In this sense, also significant is the decision made by the parliament of Armenia on September 12 to ratify Protocol No. 13 on the abolition of the death penalty in all cases attached to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

"We expect the weighty support of the EU in overcoming a number of challenges. In that series, it is about overcoming the humanitarian problems in Armenia caused by the forced displacement of more than 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, where we need urgent support," said Pashinyan.
The European Parliament is a political body, and it will be consistent in ensuring the implementation of the three principles. This was stated by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, during a joint news conference Tuesday with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Strasbourg, France.

She responded to a reporters remark that the EU has adopted a resolution and a report to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan, and the question whether the European Parliament is going to take active steps in that regard.

It is no coincidence that this parliament accepted such reports and called for the peace talks to resume as soon as possible, the head of the European Parliament emphasized.

Also, Metsola said that they welcome the fact of the meeting agreed by Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani president Aliyev and to be held at the end of October with the participation of European Council President Charles Michel.

Peace talks are important in terms of Armenias border delimitation with Azerbaijan, opening of regional communication channels, and solving humanitarian problems; the events of the last month are very worrying, and that is why they call for peace and humanitarian protection, Roberta Metsola stated.
Despite the fact that we continued to have a majority in parliament after the 44-day war, the ruling power, the Civil Contract Party decided to go to snap parliamentary elections in order to overcome the sociopsychological crisis that emerged due to the consequences of the war; and for this purpose, I resigned from the post of prime minister. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during his address Tuesday at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg France.

He recalled that two days after the dissolution of the Armenian parliament, on May 12, 2021, Azerbaijani troops violated the border with Armenia in a 100km section of the border, and penetrated up to 4km deep into the sovereign territory of Armenia.

"In this situation, the CSTO, which is considered the security system of Armenia, and the countries that have security obligations towards Armenia at the bilateral level, did not help us with anything; they left us all alone.

"The purpose of this provocation before the parliamentary elections was to fail the upcoming parliamentary elections and to paralyze the Armenian state, the statehood, or at least to form a lackey government. But in this environment, the people of Armenia were able to stand firmly in the positions of defense of Armenia's sovereignty, independence, and democracy. Such elections were organized which were internationally recognized as free, democratic, transparent, and competitive.

"For the first time in the history of Armenia, the elections became a way to overcome the internal crisis and not the other way around. This is the main difference between Armenia before and after the nationwide, non-violent revolution of 2018," declared Pashinyan.

He emphasized that after the revolution, no result of any election at any level in Armenia was falsified.

"This is what has changed in Armenia in the last 56 years. But democracy in Armenia has received and continues to receive strong blows, which operate in an almost exactly repeated scenario. External aggression, then the inaction of Armenia's allies in the field of security, then the war or humanitarian situation, or the external security threat, attempts to subvert Armenia's democracy and sovereignty, which is expressed by hybrid technologies, provoking internal instability directed by external forces," the Armenian PM stated.
At that time when 100,000 Armenians were fleeing from Nagorno-Karabakh to the Republic of Armenia, our allies in the security sector not only were not helping us, but were making public calls for a change of power, to overthrow the democratic authorities in Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during his address Tuesday at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

"But the people of the Republic of Armenia united for their own independence, sovereignty, democracy, and another conspiracy materialized against our state failed. The government and the people of the Republic of Armenia came together to fulfill the task of accepting and sheltering more than 100,000 Armenians who were victims of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh; and I must record that we did that work honorably. To the extent that our international partners admit that they have not seen a case when 100,000 refugees enter a country in a week and that country can accept all of them without establishing refugee camps and tent settlements, Pashinyan stated.

We were able to do this thanks to the people and democracy of Armenia. The people because sometimes people didn't even wait until what the government will do. They were the ones who provided the forcibly displaced people with essential goods and even temporary shelters. Many simply have hosted them in their homes.

"Democracy because after the revolution of 2018, all the obstacles and artificial monopolies related to free economic management in Armenia have disappeared, the transparency and accountability of the government has increased, there is an uncompromising, principled, and institutional fight against corruption, the rule of law has been established, and thanks to all this, Armenia, despite the disasters and threats that occurred, continues to be in the zone of high economic growth; and since 2018, the tax revenues of the extra budget in our country have increased by about 70 percent.

"With the decisions that have already been made and entered into force today, we need to earmark around $100 million to assist those forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. And we need international help, including in the form of budgetary support. I do not consider it unnecessary to emphasize that we have created such a mechanism to assist forcibly displaced people that the funds allocated to them are transferred in non-cash; that is, the distribution of funds is transparent, verifiable and traceable, and the system will continue to operate in this way," the Armenian PM said.

Also Pashinyan thanked Armenia's international partners, the EU, and its member states that have already made and/or will continue to make allocations to overcome the humanitarian crisis caused by the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.
It is sad, extremely sad, that despite hundreds of alarms, decisions of the International Court of Justice, resolutions of the European Parliament, PACE, and the parliaments of individual countries, appeals of executive bodies, the international community, we all were unable to prevent the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during his address Tuesday at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

"The Government of Armenia and the European Parliament have repeatedly warned about the imminent ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Government of Armenia has sent many calls to the UN, OSCE, EU to send a fact-finding team to the illegally blocked Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh, but no organization made a relevant decision.

We initiated three discussions related to the issue in the UN Security Council, but the discussions did not have any practical results and here, Nagorno-Karabakh is already depopulated. In the conditions of inactivity of the Russian peacekeeping force, more than 100 thousand Armenians left their homes and homeland in Nagorno-Karabakh within a week, another 20 thousand had been forced to abandon Nagorno-Karabakh immediately after the 44-day war, and a part of them had no chance to return to Nagorno-Karabakh due to the illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor, which started in December 2022.

"And today some pretend that they do not understand why the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh left their homes en masse. This is cynicism in itself, because the answer is more than clear. Azerbaijan clearly and unequivocally demonstrated its decision to make the life of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh impossible," Pashinyan stated.

"Since December 2022, during the period of the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh have been deprived of external supplies of gas, electricity, fuel, food, baby food, medicine, hygienic and other essential goods, while civilians engaged in agricultural work have been targeted by the Azerbaijani armed forces.

Since December 2022, we have alerted dozens of times about Azerbaijan's plan: close the Lachin Corridor, starve people, increase military, informational and psychological pressure, then open the Lachin Corridor, forcing all Armenians to leave.

"We talked about such a scenario in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August of 2023, we talked loudly and publicly. And I do not accept the surprised faces of some international officials over the depopulation of Nagorno-Karabakh that took place in September. At the same time, I must thank the European Parliament for naming what happened in Nagorno-Karabakh by its name. This is important in terms of protecting the future rights of people who have been deprived of their motherland," the Armenian premier emphasized.
Despite all wars, complications, crises, I have come to the European Parliament with the following main message: Our region, the South Caucasus, needs peace; that is, a state where all the countries of the region live with open borders, are connected by active economic, political, cultural ties, with accumulated experience and tradition of solving all issues diplomatically and through dialogue. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during his address Tuesday at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. He added as follows:

I want to particularly emphasize that we do not oppose our ideas about peace to the interests of our region in any way, because our country can be peaceful if the region is peaceful. And I consider supporting peace building as my main political commitment.

It is not easy to undertake such a commitment, considering the long-standing conflict with Azerbaijan, numerous victims, missing people, prisoners, suffering and despair.

But is peace possible and if so, how? At the beginning of October, before the Granada meeting of the European Political Community, we had a serious opportunity to make a breakthrough in the peace process, but the President of Azerbaijan, unfortunately, refused to come to the meeting of the European Political Community and to accept a joint statement with the President of the European Council, the President of France, the German Chancellor, and me, which should express the principles of establishing peace and relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Those principles and content are not new at all and were formed based on the results of the quadrilateral meeting held in Prague on October 6, 2022, in which the President of France, the President of the European Council, the President of Azerbaijan and I participated.

Those principles were further concretized in 2023, during the Brussels meetings between the President of the European Council, the President of Azerbaijan and myself, and there are public statements about those principles.

The first of the principles is expressed in the Quadripartite Declaration of Granada as follows. I quote: They remain committed to all efforts directed towards the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, based on mutual recognition of sovereignty, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of Armenia (29.800 km2) and Azerbaijan (86.600 km2), as mentioned in President Michels statements of 14 May and 15 July 2023. They called for the strict adherence to the principle of non-use of force and threat of use of force. End of quote.

This same principle is expressed as follows in the statement of European Council President Charles Michel following the tripartite meeting held in Brussels on May 14 with the participation of the President of the European Council, the President of Azerbaijan and myself. I quote. The leaders (Its about the Azerbaijani president and myself) confirmed their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration and the respective territorial integrity of Armenia (29,800 km2) and Azerbaijan (86,600 km2). End of quote.

Dear attendees, what you need to know additionally on this issue is the following. Following these agreements, I reaffirmed several times that the Republic of Armenia recognizes the territorial integrity of 86 thousand 600 square kilometers of Azerbaijan, but the President of Azerbaijan never made such a statement. Recently, he announced that he recognizes the territorial integrity of Armenia, but did not mention 29 thousand 800, which raises concerns that he is deliberately leaving ambiguities to bring forward territorial claims against Armenia. The agreement to recognize the territorial integrity with exact numbers was reached precisely so that neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan would leave ambiguities when recognizing each other's territorial integrity, for example saying that a part of the territory of the given country does not actually belong to it.
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During his address Tuesday at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reflected also on the principle of peace and normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan as expressed in the Granada Declaration. He quoted that passage from the aforesaid declaration.

"They stressed the urgent need to work towards border delimitation based on the most recent USSR General Staff maps that have been provided to the sides, which should also be a basis for distancing of forces, and for finalizing the peace treaty and addressing all humanitarian issues. End of quote.

This principle was expressed by European Council President Charles Michel in his statement following the tripartite meeting held in Brussels on July 15 with the participation of the President of the European Council, the President of Azerbaijan and myself. I quote: Both leaders (Its again about the Azerbaijani president and myself) reconfirmed their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration as a political framework for the delimitation. End of quote.

This same principle was recorded based on the results of the quadrilateral meeting in Prague on October 6, 2022 as follows. I quote: Armenia and Azerbaijan confirmed their commitment to the UN Charter and 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, through which both sides recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. They confirmed that this will form the basis for the work of the commissions on delimitation. End of quote.

You should know the following additional information about this principle. The Almaty Declaration was signed by the 12 republics of the Soviet Union on December 21, 1991. That declaration made the following two important records in the context of the issue being discussed.

1) The Soviet Union ceases to exist.

2) The republics recognize each other's territorial integrity, sovereignty, the inviolability of existing, that is, administrative borders, and therefore the existing administrative borders between the Soviet Republics become state borders.

Azerbaijan declares that there is no border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which contradicts the Almaty declaration and the above-mentioned agreements. Azerbaijan also maintains ambiguities in accepting the latest maps of the Soviet Union as a basis for delimitation, which also gives some experts a reason to assume that Azerbaijan is preparing grounds for making territorial claims against Armenia and initiating a new military aggression, Pashinyan said.

The next principle of peace and normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is expressed in the Granada Declaration as follows. I quote: They called for greater regional cooperation and for the re-opening of all borders, including the border between Armenia and Turkiye, as well as for the opening of regional connectivity links based on full respect of countries sovereignty and jurisdiction, as well as on the principles of equality and reciprocity. End of quote.

This principle was expressed by European Council President Charles Michel in his statement following the tripartite meeting held in Brussels on July 15 this year with the participation of the President of the European Council, the President of Azerbaijan and myself. I quote: We (that is, the President of the European Council, the President of Azerbaijan and I) discussed modalities of future transport arrangements which will respect the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction and reciprocity. End of quote.

You need to know the following additional information about this principle. Azerbaijan continuously insists that Armenia is obliged to give Azerbaijan a corridor through its own territory. In everyday international parlance that you are familiar with, the word corridor simply means interstate roads. But there is a peculiarity in the case of our region. In the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, the word corridor is used only for the Lachin Corridor, which was supposed to connect Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. The peculiarity is that according to that document, the Lachin Corridor is not just a road, but also a 5-kilometer-wide territory, which should have been outside the control of Azerbaijan, under the control of peacekeepers. Therefore, in this context, the word corridor has the meaning of an extraterritorial layer.

The Republic of Armenia has never, anywhere, agreed to any limitation of its sovereignty and jurisdiction over any of its territories, has not made such a promise. Therefore, what does the principle quoted above mean?

It means one simple thing. On the basis of their sovereignty and jurisdiction, Armenia and Azerbaijan should open their roads for each other without the above-mentioned corridor logic. At the checkpoints of those roads, border and other relevant control services should operate, based on the jurisdiction, sovereignty, and legislation of the countries. This should be done based on the principle of reciprocity and equality, and we are ready to go for such solutions, we are ready to restore the Meghri railway, which will connect not only Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also the southern regions of Armenia with the northwestern regions, the southwestern regions of Azerbaijan with the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan, with its further continuation it will link Armenia with Turkey, Azerbaijan with Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia with the Islamic Republic of Iran, East with the West, stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, North with South, from the Gulf to the Black Sea. In Armenia, we call this project the Armenian Crossroads. But I think it's time to further regionalize this project, rebrand it, and call it Crossroads of Peace, and this name is equally important and acceptable for us. In the same logic, we are ready for the opening of roads as well. The Republic of Armenia is ready to ensure the safety of cargo, vehicles, people, pipelines, electric lines in its territory, because the Crossroads of Peace implies the passage of pipelines and power lines as well.

This kind of solutions are also very important for the Republic of Armenia, because our country has been under blockade by Azerbaijan and Turkey for 30 years.

As you can see, there is no reason to accuse Armenia of obstructing the opening of transport communications in the region, but there are analyzes that official Baku is manipulating the narrative of corridor to provoke a new war in the region, to occupy new territories of Armenia, or to keep Armenia under blockade. This should not be allowed.

As you saw, all the principles mentioned above were developed and agreed upon with the participation of the President of the European Council and the President of Azerbaijan, and we are ready to implement these agreements, the Armenian PM said.
The European Union (EU) is the key partner supporting the fundamental reforms of the Armenian government in recent years. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during his address Tuesday at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

In this context, I consider it necessary to emphasize the importance of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, which is one of the pillars of our reform agenda and is in the stage of active implementation.

Since February of this year, the long-term civilian mission of the European Union has been operating in Armenia, which monitors the security situation along the state border of Armenia with Azerbaijan. This is a key event through which the European Union got involved in Armenia's security agenda for the first time, the foundation of which was laid during the quadrilateral meeting in Prague on October 6, 2022.

Among the reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, with the support of the EU, we are implementing police reforms and this month, in just two weeks, we will complete the establishment of a completely new patrol police in Armenia. We expect the continuation of cooperation in the reforms of police and rescue service, independent judicial system, education, and public administration.

The agenda of our relations with the European Union is actually very extensive. It is extremely important to give new momentum and volume to the programs implemented under the EU Economic and Investment Plan, the important goals of which are stable and balanced economic development, infrastructure modernization, digitalization and technological development, as well as increasing the resilience of the southern regions of Armenia. The latter is particularly important in the context of both the country's continuous development and the establishment of sustainable peace in the region. Within the framework of the Plan, projects worth more than 400 million euros have already been launched, implemented with various financial instruments, of which around 270 million euros are for access of SME to finance, around 34 million euros are for technological development, around 43 million euros are for increasing the resilience of Syunik, and around 62 million euros are for the green development of Yerevan.

I am happy to emphasize that this is not all. On October 5 of this year, two extremely important documents for EU-Armenia relations were adopted in Granada. One of them is the quadrilateral statement of [European Council] President Michel, [French] President Macron, [German] Chancellor Scholz and myself, the other is the bilateral statement of [European Commission] President von der Leyen and myself.

Both statements support the strengthening of EU-Armenia relations in all dimensions based on the needs of the Republic of Armenia. We are committed to further strengthen EU-Armenia relations. In the long term, the European Union and Armenia are determined to strengthen their economic ties by working to unlock the full potential of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

Based on all this, dear attendees, I can clearly and confidently state. The Republic of Armenia is ready to be closer to the European Union, as much as the European Union considers it possible. Our joint statement with President von der Leyen reads: "In these difficult times, the EU and Armenia stand shoulder to shoulder."

Let us continue to stand shoulder to shoulder in our commitment to make the times better. As I said, I am convinced that democracy can provide peace, security, unity, prosperity and happiness. Let's prove this together. Long live democracy! Thank you, the Armenian PM added.
We are also ready for releasing all prisoners, captives and detained persons, in the principle all for all, and we are also ready to cooperate closely in clarifying the fate of the missing persons. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this during his address Tuesday at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

1,016 citizens of Armenia are currently considered missing. We are ready to cooperate in demining. I would like to specially emphasize that still in 2021, Armenia received from Nagorno-Karabakh and transferred to Azerbaijan all the maps of minefields at the disposal of the Armenian side. We did this without preconditions, as an expression of goodwill, but, unfortunately, Azerbaijan perceived it not as a step towards peace, but as an opportunity to intensify aggressive rhetoric towards Armenia.

But in spite of all this, we must move steadily towards peace. To do this, political will is necessary and I and the Armenian government, the parliamentary majority have that political will. On the other hand, the international community and the European Union, the countries of our region should support us, do everything to make the taking of this opportunity a reality for us, for Azerbaijan and Armenia. And in this matter, I have to ask for your continued attention and support, especially in the implementation of the principles on which, as I have already said, we have reached an agreement with the participation of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of Azerbaijan, the Armenian PM said.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejcinovic Buric, in Strasbourg, France, the PM's office informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

They discussed the humanitarian situation due to the forced deportation of more than 100 thousand Armenians as a result of Azerbaijan's policy of Armenian ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the next steps of assistance to be taken by the international community in resolving the respective issues.

The interlocutors reflected also on the developments taking place in Armenias region, the matters related to the process of normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, and its continuity was emphasized.

Also, PM Pashinyan laid flowers at the Armenian cross-stone in front of the headquarters of the Council of Europe.
Nagorno-Karabakh resident Vagif Khachatryan, who has been abducted by Azerbaijanis, pleaded not guilty. The Azerbaijani media report this from the court where a judicial farce called "Vagif Khachatryan's trial" is taking place.

Khachatryan, a participant in the first Nagorno-Karabakh war in the early 1990s, was abducted by the Azerbaijanis this summer while crossing the Lachin corridor into Armeniaand being accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Azerbaijani authorities accuse Khachatryan of committing serious crimes for participating in combat operations. Despite these obviously illegal actions by Azerbaijan, including the abducting of a person under the protection of the ICRC, Khachatryan was not only not released, but is standing trial.

A total of 59 people are considered "victims" in this fabricated case, and all of them have "recognized" Khachatryan and spoken about his "crimes."

Vagif Khachatryan, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him, and stated that he did not participate in crimes against Azerbaijanis.

"The Azerbaijanis living there were close to me, I knew them all. I did not participate in any event during the fight," he said.
A recent Emory College graduate and a current junior are among 76 young scholars from around the globe working this year to create unique public projects stemming from their own research.

Niara Foster, who graduated in 2022 with a degree in African American studies, and junior Ansley Langham, a double major in math-political science and Italian studies, both envision their time as Emorys latest Humanity in Action Fellows as nothing less than a chance to improve their parts of the world.

Im grateful Im able to explore my curiosities in a way that is also community-building, says Foster, now working in a management-training job in Chicago.

Its daunting, but it is also very exciting to have a combination of learning and doing, adds Langham, who is one of Emorys Woodruff Scholars.

Foster and Langham join 12 previous Emory fellows with Humanity in Action (HIA), an international nonprofit that educates and connects young leaders on issues related to human rights.

The competitive fellowship draws from hundreds of applicants in 12 countries who are assigned to an intensive summer program in either Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland or the United States.

The in-person program includes daily lectures with renowned academics, journalists and activists and site visits to government agencies, community organizations, museums and memorials in the host country.

The interdisciplinary program aspires to encourage future leaders to become responsible and engaged decision-makers on the global and local stages. It supports each fellow throughout the year with additional lectures and virtual programming as they complete a final research project of their choosing.

Foster: Expanding her honors thesis research

Foster, selected for the Berlin Fellowship, decided to explore the politics of memory for her project. Her ideal was partially influenced by her time in Germany studying how the countrys colonialism has been instrumental in the construction of a national identity.

The project is an offshoot of her honors thesis, which revealed the complicated and silent resistance that Black granny midwives undertook through their work in the early 20th century.

It also reinvigorates her scholarly interests as she readies to apply for a PhD program.

In the German context, its important to speak up and speak out. Meanwhile, the granny midwives straight up lied in WPA (Works Progress Administration) interviews as a way to protect themselves, Foster says. So the question is, how do we acknowledge silence from different perspectives?

Foster is working toward creating an art installation that allows people to submit an interview, or their own writing or artwork, to add diverse views to that discussion.

The concept of creating a repository on silence may be its own contradiction. But Carol Anderson, the Charles Howard Candler Professor of African American Studies, believes Foster can do it by thinking strategically, and beyond the written archive, just as she did for her honors thesis.

Niaras ability to connect the dots and see patterns illustrates the whole value of a liberal arts education, Anderson says. With the idea of an installation, you begin to think about how powerful memories and histories are. They give people hope and direction. If you can do that, you can do anything.

Langham: Examining the effect of advocacy

While studying Dutch colonialism during her fellowship in Amsterdam, Langham found parallels to the U.S. in how race intersects with public policy.

She plans to conduct quantitative research for her project, examining the connection between school attendance and schools in Georgia that provide free menstrual products to students.

Langham has long advocated for free menstrual products for students  she helped write the bill that the legislature in her native California passed in 2021  though little research exists on its impact. Multiple states now have this policy, so Langham wants to examine its effects here in Georgia.

The best part of the fellowship has been the other fellows asking tough questions about my vision, like what happens if I find out the policy has done nothing to increase attendance, says Langham, who plans to become a legislative attorney.

Thats plausible, but I see this as a launching pad for asking other questions about ways policies are or are not meaningful to people in our community, she adds.

That Langham is willing to tackle the possibility that her previous effort might not have had the ideal impact does not surprise her mentor, Christine Ristaino, a professor of pedagogy in Italian Studies and director of the Emory College Language Center. Its just an extension of Langhams ability to think outwardly about the world.

She is an active thinker who can see the world for what it is and what it could be, Ristaino says. Realistic, ambitious and a problem solver, Ansley is all of the things we need more of in this world.
Xi Jinping lauds China's relations with BRI partners

Chilean President Gabriel Boric is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Photo: Xinhua
PRNewswire Gurugram (Haryana) [India], October 17: BharatRohan, a pioneering agri-tech startup specializing in UAV/Drone Spectral Imaging-based Decision Support System (DSS) for farmers, is thrilled to announce a strategic collaboration with ABI-ICRISAT, the Agri-Business Incubator of ICRISAT. This dynamic alliance marks a significant milestone in the field of agricultural technology, poised to revolutionize crop monitoring through hyperspectral technology. In this partnership with ABI-ICRISAT, BharatRohan will have the opportunity to connect with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), thereby providing drone crop monitoring services, uplifting farmers' livelihoods, and ensuring a resilient and sustainable food supply chain. This partnership serves as a unique platform for networking opportunities within the agriculture industry. To nurture innovation, BharatRohan will gain access to state-of-the-art office facilities and expert branding counsel. This support will solidify the company's esteemed position in the dynamic agricultural imagery sector. Rishabh Choudhary, CTO of BharatRohan, says this partnership represents a quantum leap in our capabilities to harness hyperspectral and multispectral imaging technologies for the betterment of farmers and the agricultural industry at large. This partnership equips us with the expertise and resources to advance our hyperspectral technology further, enhancing the precision and efficiency of crop monitoring. We are not merely innovating; we are pioneering a future where agriculture is smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable. Harshaditya, Remote Sensing Engineer at BharatRohan, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, "The R&D on hyperspectral data-driven solutions will be pivotal in developing spectral indices and libraries, essential components in hyperspectral data analysis. The spectroscopy-based hyperspectral technique's ability to detect crop issues even before they visually manifest will empower us to address challenges like pest infestations, nutrient management, and precision farming." Empowering Farmers Through Advanced Imaging: Hyperspectral imaging, a cornerstone in collecting crop phenotypic data, enables early disease detection and the identification of crop health. When integrated with drone technology, it becomes essential for weed and disease monitoring, offering applications that range from early disease detection to severity quantification. In collaboration with ABI-ICRISAT, BharatRohan is expanding its research in hyperspectral imagery, aiming to bolster its product suite and reaffirm its commitment to harnessing state-of-the-art technology for sustainable farming and a secure food supply chain. This partnership signifies a significant stride towards revolutionizing agriculture and empowering farmers with innovative solutions. About BharatRohan BharatRohan is an agri-tech startup specializing in UAV/Drone Spectral Imaging-based Decision Support System (DSS) for farmers. The company offers a comprehensive procurement platform to institutional buyers with traceability as a key value addition. BharatRohan's vertically integrated solution provides farmers and FPOs with access to end to end services from sowing to harvest, provides markets linkage through buyback arrangements, ensuring pesticide and residue-free agricultural commodities and a farm traceability platform. The company is dedicated to tapping into export market demand, offering higher margins to farmers. About ABI-ICRISAT The Agri-Business Incubator of ICRISAT (ABI-ICRISAT) was founded with the support of the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Recognized as a technology business incubator (TBI), ABI-ICRISAT's mission is to guide ag-tech startups in creating technology-driven innovative solutions. These solutions aim to tackle dryland agricultural challenges and enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and rural communities. For further inquiries contact: Harshaditya Gaur (Remote Sensing Engineer) Email: harshaditya@bharatrohan.in; +91 9116190180 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2170420/4198608/BharatRohan_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)
VMPL Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 17: Hamleys, the world's finest toy shop and India's leading toy retailer is all set to redefine celebrations with its spectacular themed pandals in Kolkata and Guwahati, as the festive season of Pujo approaches. This year, they have gone above and beyond to create two enchanting experiences that can be witnessed at South City Kolkata and Guwahati City Center between 14th October to 30th October. Igniting the imagination of young and old alike, Hamleys aims to embrace and celebrate Pujo in a way that resonates with their playful yet unique ideas. By showcasing LEGO-built Pujo themes like Chandrayaan and Harry Potter, the brand encourages young minds to have the power to infuse festivity with their creative interpretations, ushering in the true essence of Pujo spirit. In South City Kolkata, Hamleys immerses Pujo enthusiasts in the Chandrayaan-themed miniature pandal, blending tradition and innovation to honor India's space achievements. Amidst cosmic wonders, pujo sparks youthful imaginations, encapsulating India's space exploration legacy and evoking a profound sense of awe. The lunar surface-themed pandal, crafted with 2800+ LEGO Bricks over 14 hours by expert Ritam Bhatnagar, showcases scientists at work and astronauts on thrilling spacewalks. In Guwahati City Center, Hamleys transforms Pujo festivities into an enchanting haven with its Hogwarts-themed miniature pandal. This magical space, a tribute to the beloved character, is meticulously crafted with over 2500 LEGO Bricks during 17+ dedicated man-hours. Visitors can immerse themselves in the wizarding world, encountering 14 iconic characters from the Harry Potter movies in locations like his hostel room and the grand dining room. This festive season, Hamleys invites one to experience the symphony of cultural memories through the seamless blend of tradition with innovation. Hamleys rich history began with William Hamley, a Cornishman from Bodmin, England. Hamley dreamed of opening the best toy shop in the world, which was realised when he opened his first shop at Holborn, London in 1760. Some 260 years later, Hamleys as the finest toy shop in the world, is synonymous with bringing magical experiences and joy to children. Hamleys' unique retail experience includes opportunities for children to play, engaging store design, expertise in customer service and incredible toy demonstration. Extending significantly further than the famous London toy shop, Hamleys as a global brand, is currently trading across 15 countries with 187 stores in countries such as UK, India, Japan, UAE, China and Russia among others. In May 2019, Reliance Brands Limited [RBL] marked its first international foray by acquiring Hamleys global operations. RBL had been operating Hamleys' India franchise stores since 2010. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamleys_india/ Reliance Brands Limited (RBL) is part of the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), a US$173 billion market-cap conglomerate. RIL is India's #1 company by profit in Fortune Global 500 rankings and 96th largest company in the World. RBL began operations in 2007 with a mandate to launch and build international and domestic brand equity in the premium to luxury segment across fashion and lifestyle space. Its current portfolio of brand partnerships comprises Armani Exchange, Bally, Bottega Veneta, Brooks Brothers, Bullfrog, Burberry, Can erates 784 doors split into 438 mono-brand stores and 346 shop-in-shops in India. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 17: VIP Industries Limited, a pioneering force in the luggage and travel accessories industry, just launched an exhilarating new campaign called 'Where's Next?' celebrating The Unbreakable VIP Maestro range. This campaign marks a new era of adventure and exploration, celebrating the indomitable spirit of modern travellers who redefine the boundaries of adventure. Established in 1986, VIP Industries Ltd. has consistently set the industry standard for quality and innovation in luggage, backpacks and handbags in the Indian market. With a presence in over 45 countries, the brand is now on a mission to inspire and accompany travellers as they embark on their extraordinary journeys. The concept of the new campaign is as riveting as it is relevant - it is a celebration of adventurers are boldly pushing the envelope of what's possible, proving that exploration has no bounds. From the ocean depths where the Titanic rests to the vast expanse of outer space, from the icy landscapes of Antarctica to the towering heights of Mount Everest, travellers today seek to uncover the unknown. The 'Where's Next?' campaign captures the essence of these intrepid souls who are rewriting the rules of travel, and celebrates their relentless spirit of adventure. The campaign also introduces The Unbreakable VIP Maestro - luggage that mirrors the passion and determination of these travellers. Crafted with precision and designed for resilience, VIP Maestro is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and innovation. The range promises to be an unwavering travel companion, no matter how challenging the journey. The compelling campaign was crafted by Dentsu Webchutney India, and perfectly captures the essence of the new VIP Maestro range. Praful Gupta, Vice-President, Marketing at VIP Industries Limited, said, "In a world where adventure knows no limits, VIP Industries is proud to introduce The Unbreakable VIP Maestro. The 'Where's Next?' campaign perfectly embodies the fearless spirit of modern travellers who dare to explore the unexplored. With VIP Maestro, we are not just providing luggage; we are offering a symbol of resilience, a companion for those who seek the extraordinary. As we celebrate those who redefine adventure, we're thrilled to support our customers on a journey where 'impossible' is just another destination waiting to be conquered." VIP Industries Limited is committed to empowering your journeys, enabling you to explore the world with confidence, style, and an unbreakable spirit. Visit www.instagram.com/p/Cxs0TykhiiP/?igshid to learn more about the VIP Maestro and join the "Where's Next?" movement today. (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)
GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC) New Delhi [India], October 17: Indian School of Hospitality (ISH), one of the most preeminent hospitality education institutions in the country, takes immense pride in announcing that 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. Vasudeva, a highly accomplished figure in the hospitality domain, will address this prestigious gathering in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on October 19 and 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, 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, Kunal Vasudeva's keynote address will significantly contribute to the ongoing discussions. Sharing his delight on the occasion, 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. Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) is an institution of higher education focused on reimagining hospitality education for today's generation and tomorrow's businesses. ISH is a part of Sommet Education's 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 world's leading hospitality business schools. Sommet Education is the world's 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 (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC). ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 17: One of India's largest IT companies, startelelogic (telemo.io) today announced it has joined NVIDIA Inception, a program that nurtures startups revolutionizing industries with technological advancements.

The company's focus is on product engineering and technological transformation with a digital core, specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI within the communications product development space with the aim of enhancing the enterprise customer experience (CX).

startelelogic plans to use the resources available through NVIDIA Inception to bolster its efforts in delivering a comprehensive, AI-powered customer experience platform. This opportunity will help startelelogic advance its AI chatbots, communications platform as a service (CPaaS), contact center as a service (CCaaS), voicebot, speech recognition, sentiment analysis and generative AI tools to provide customers with an omnichannel experience. The program will also offer startelelogic the opportunity to collaborate with industry-leading experts and other AI-driven organizations.

"We have been at the forefront of developing numerous noteworthy enterprise communication products, and joining NVIDIA Inception will aid us in delivering a robust, AI-based customer experience platform, complementing our exceptional brand offerings," shared Umesh Pande, CEO of startelelogic.

NVIDIA Inception helps startups during critical stages of product development, prototyping and deployment. Every NVIDIA Inception member gets a custom set of ongoing benefits, such as NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute credits, preferred pricing on NVIDIA hardware and software, and technological assistance, which provides startups with the fundamental tools to help them grow

About Us

startelelogic is a comprehensive product development company in India and IT services provider for enterprise companies. We assist both enterprises and start-ups in embracing and implementing digital transformation.

We are also a specialized company that uniquely combines Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI product develop communication products designed to enhance the customer experience within enterprises.

https://www.startelelogic.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1997604/3875268/startelelogic_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)
SRV Media New Delhi [India], October 17: The highly anticipated 13th Annual Convocation of Nitte (Deemed to be University) is scheduled for Saturday, 4th November 2023, at Nitte Grounds in the sprawling Medical Sciences campus at Deralakatte, Mangalore. This convocation is a momentous occasion where the academic achievements of 1258 eligible candidates spanning a diverse array of programs will be celebrated. On sharing his thoughts on the upcoming event, Dr. N Vinaya Hegde, Hon'ble Chancellor, Nitte University said, "I am thrilled to announce our upcoming annual convocation, which celebrates academic achievement and growth. Nitte (Deemed to be University) has made remarkable strides and is now a respected multidisciplinary institution. Our focus on academic excellence, diverse programs, impactful research, global collaborations, and societal outreach has propelled us into the limelight of higher education. We are proud to share this journey with you. Join us as we mark this significant occasion and celebrate our collective achievements as yet another batch of proud Nitte graduates embark on their own distinct paths." Adding to the prestige and significance of this event, Dr. Omid Ansary, Executive Director for International Affairs, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, USA will grace the occasion as the esteemed Chief Guest and deliver a compelling Convocation address, inspiring and motivating the graduating class of 2023. This grand ceremony will bestow well-deserved accolades upon candidates who have excelled in Doctoral, Postgraduate, Fellowship, Postgraduate Diploma, and Undergraduate programs offered under the faculties of Medicine, Dental Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Biological Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, Humanities, and Architecture. Notable highlights of the event include the awarding of Honoris Causa (Honorary Doctorate) to Justice N Santosh Hegde, Former Supreme Court Judge and Former Lokayukta of Karnataka, for his contributions to the legal profession and Sri. Shashikiran Shetty, Chairman & Founder, Allcargo Group, for his remarkable achievements in the business world. Following this, 31 University Toppers will receive Gold Medals for their academic excellence. The Convocation will see the awarding of degrees to 1258 deserving students including 25 Doctoral Degree (Ph.D) awards. The day will culminate with an insightful convocation address delivered by the distinguished Chief Guest and a presidential address by the Honorable Chancellor. Nitte (Deemed to be University) has been ranked 65th among Indian Universities by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023. It has been accredited with an A+ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council of India and is among the top 500 universities in Asia as per the QS World Universities Rankings 2023. The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings placed it in the world's top 400 Universities for its sustainable development efforts. To learn more about this esteemed university, please visit Nitte ( Deemed to be University) (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
OP Jindal University Sonipat (Haryana) [India], October 17: "Soli J. Sorabjee was a Defender of the Constitution and Human Liberties," said Justice K.V. Viswanathan Judge, Supreme Court of India at the Soli J. Sorabjee Memorial Lecture organized by O.P Jindal Global University to honour the memory of renowned jurist and former Attorney General of India, Soli J. Sorabjee. "He was a champion of federalism, a defender of minority rights. He was a strong advocate for free and fair elections and a leader of the bar who fought for independence of judiciary. He had a deep sense of public service and was a strong supporter of free speech and will be remembered for his scholarship, his knowledge and his many landmark judgements. He was also a great protagonist of the value of fraternity-- a value which was most visible during the Pandemic--as laid down in our Constitution. He deeply believed in the rule of law which for him was not just a legalistic slogan, but a noble concept and denoted a way of life" Justice K.V. Viswanathan also awarded the Soli J. Sorabjee Endowment Award & Scholarship instituted by O.P. Jindal Global University to Pragati Thapa for securing highest score in the course, Human Rights Law & Theory, at the Jindal Global Law School. For Sorabjee, human rights were the conscience of the Constitution, and an independent judiciary, its conscience keeper. Therefore, the Scholarship and Award stands reminiscent of Soli Sorabjee's achievements and his contributions to Human Rights advocacy in all its forms and an area of close interest to Sorabjee. Endowment Award and Scholarship has been established with the aid of a generous endowment instituted by Senior Advocate Satvik Varma in his personal capacity for a period of 20 years. The Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar observed that "the Distinguished Lecture Series is not just a way of remembering a legal luminary but also to celebrate a scholarly life dedicated to the promotion of rule of law. Those who have been associated Soli. J. Sorabjee were touched by his profound understanding of law and by his erudition. He is remembered for his contribution and commitment to advancing the cause of legal education and legal profession. Here today is present a galaxy of renowned legal experts who in one way or other were inspired by Sorabjee." Satvik Varma, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India recalled that he established the Soli. J. Sorabjee endowment at Jindal Global Law School to recognize the importance of providing quality legal education for students. "This award recognizes the academic achievement of a student in the field of human rights, which was an area closer to Sorabjee's heart. This award will encourage future generations of lawyers to focus on human rights as an area of expertise." Professor (Dr) S.G. Sreejith Executive Dean, Jindal Global Law School recalled the intellectual convictions and sensibilities of Soli Sorabjee and the depth that he brought to the subject. " Sorabjee had unwavering faith in the emancipatory powers of the Constitution--he was a constitutionalist in the true sense of the term. He cherished the maternity of democracy, the paternity of egalitarianism, and the tutelage of the constitution". The memorial lecture also included panel discussion moderated by Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr) C. Raj Kumar and included R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, Madhavi Divan Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India and Satvik Varma Senior, Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by OP Jindal University. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 17: L&T Technology Services Limited (BSE: 540115, NSE: LTTS), India's leading pure-play engineering services company, announced its results for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. Highlights for Q2FY24 include: * Revenue at Rs. 23,865 million; growth of 5% YoY and 4% QoQ * USD Revenue at $288.1 million; growth of 2% YoY and 3.2% QoQ in constant currency * EBIT margin at 17.1% * Net profit at Rs. 3,154 million; growth of 5% YoY * Interim Dividend of Rs. 17 per share; Record date October 27, 2023 During the quarter, LTTS won a total of seven USD 10 million plus TCV deals across all industry segments including six deals of USD 15 million each. "We had a strong performance with revenue growing by 3.2% sequentially in constant currency and operating margin sustaining at 17% plus levels even as we absorbed wage hikes for our employees. Deal momentum was strong with the highlight being a USD 10 million plus deal win leveraging SWC capabilities in North America. This win has been the result of having a superior end-to-end technology stack for wireless and 5G communications which is becoming a key differentiator for us. We are investing in software defined vehicles, AI and cybersecurity and will have close to 2,000 employees trained over the next few quarters. Our collaboration with hyperscalers and chip companies is helping us develop AI solutions and services that address needs of industries like Auto, Manufacturing and Medical. We are optimistic that such investments will strengthen our position as the engineering partner of choice for global ER&D companies." said Amit Chadha, CEO & Managing Director, L&T Technology Services Limited. Highlights and Recognitions: * Rated by ISG as leaders in Manufacturing Industry Services and Solutions 2023 - Digital Factory/Manufacturing Solutions, North America and Agile Product Development and Design Services * Positioned as leaders in Everest Group's ACES Automotive Engineering Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023 - Electric * Three smart city projects of LTTS received the prestigious RoSPA Gold Health & Safety Awards from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, UK 2023 * LTTS was named the Winner of the Golden Peacock Award for ESG, 2023 * FICCI awarded LTTS the HR Innovation Award for 2023 * The Indo American Chamber of Commerce felicitated LTTS CEO and MD, Amit Chadha as Corporate Leader of the Year, 2023 PatentsAt the end of Q2FY24, the patents portfolio of L&T Technology Services stood at 1198, out of which 785 are co-authored with its customers and the rest are filed by LTTS. Human ResourcesAt the end of Q2FY24, LTTS' employee strength stood at 23,880. (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)
Vijay-starrer 'Leo' is one of his most awaited films this year. It is set to hit the theatres on October 19. In order to make a grand movie-watching experience for fans, Seven Screen Studios Production filed a petition before the Madras High Court requesting to allow the film to be screened at 4 am on the first day of the film's release in Tamil Nadu. However, on Tuesday, Justice Anita Sumanth, refrained from passing orders regarding the request for 4 am shows. The court also directed the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider its decision to not allow 7 am shows for the film. 'Leo' is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. 'Leo' marks a reunion between Vijay and Lokesh Kanagaraj after the 2021 blockbuster, Master. The film also reunites Vijay with Trisha Krishnan. They were earlier starred together in films like 'Ghilli', 'Kuruvi', 'Thirupaachi' and 'Aathi'. Sanjay Dutt is also a part of the film. (ANI)
A group of people staged a public march in Ahmedabad in support of Israel in its ongoing war with Palestine-based militant group Hamas. They held placards and banners saying, "We stand with Israel". There have been a number of public rallies in India both in support of Israel and Palestine since the war between Israel and Hamas began after the terror group's surprise attack in Israel on October 7 killing at least 1,300 people including women and children and at least 200 people have been taken as hostages. On Monday there was a protest in Delhi's Jantar Mantar against "Israel's offensive" in Gaza. More than 100 people had gathered at the spot to show their support for the Palestinian cause. However, Delhi Police arrested 60 of the protesters since, according to the police, they did not have permission to hold a protest. Those arrested included students, activists, and academics. Last Friday, a group of people performed Ganga Aarti in Varanasi in support of Israel. They raised slogans for Israel. The participants said that they were with Israel in its fight against Hamas and prayed for its victory. "We want a world where there are no terrorists. The goals of the terrorists will never be successful. We are with Israel and we would like to see its victory. We did Aarti today for the realisation of this," said Rajesh Shukla who organised the Aarti. After the October 7 attack against Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in a conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu said that India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and that people in India stands firmly with Israel. The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that there is a "universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law" and and there is also a global responsibility to fight terrorism. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in response to questions at a weekly media briefing calling for "direct negotiations" toward a "sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side, at peace with Israel." Israeli Consulate in Mumbai had posted on X that they are overwhelmed by the support of ordinary people in India. "We are overwhelmed by the support of ordinary people in India who are writing us emails, making phone calls, putting up banners, and organising prayers for Israel. We will win the war against HAMAS-ISIS terror. Please tag us in the photographs and videos of the events that you are organising with Israel's support. We will be happy to share them and say THANK YOU," the Israel Consulate said in the post. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday at a time when the country is facing its toughest battle with the terrorist group Hamas. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken while addressing a press conference today in Tel Aviv said that President Biden was arriving in Israel at a "critical moment" and will reaffirm the US' solidarity with Israel. (ANI)
As the Supreme Court bench is expected to deliver its judgement on Tuesday regarding the marriage equality rights for the LGBTQIA+ community, Indian Activist Anjali Gopalan said that they hope for a positive verdict, it can be a civil right or marriage equality right. "We hope for a positive verdict, I think the court will give us something, it can be a civil right or marriage equality right. Everyone should get equal rights, we're all the citizens of one nation. If the court will give us the right, the government will have to follow it," Anjali Gopalan told ANI. "There is no reason to restrict the LGBTQIA+ community from rights, including the right to adopt, and the right to marriage," the Indian Activist added. The Supreme Court Constitution bench will deliver its judgement on Tuesday on various petitions pertaining to marriage equality rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. The five-judge Constitution bench comprising of the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha is dealing with a batch of petitions pertaining to marriage equality rights for LGBTQIA+ community. Advocate Arundhati Katju also said that they are waiting in anticipation of the judgement of the Supreme Court. "It is a very big day and we are waiting in anticipation of the judgement of the Supreme Court. We've been waiting for this day for many years," Advocate Katju said. Chaitanya Sharma, who tied the knot with Abhishek Ray, last year said that they are very hopeful in connection to the Supreme Court pronouncement judgment in the same-sex marriage case adding that although they are socially married, he wants to get legally married too. "We are very hopeful. Socially we are married, but now we want to get legally married. I think the judgement will be in favour. We are fighting for the positive thing... This is not just about the Marriage Act, it is about the basic fundamental rights... I think some things need to be done legally, then society will also accept it... I think once it is made legal then people will come out and share about this and will not hesitate," Chaitanya said. The order on the same-sex marriage case was reserved on May 11 after counsels from all sides concluded their arguments. The Constitution bench began the hearing on the matter on April 18 and the hearing went on for nearly 10 days. The Supreme Court is handling various petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage. One of the petitions earlier raised the absence of a legal framework allowing members of the LGBTQIA+ community to marry any person of their choice. One of the petitioners in the case, Akkai Padmashali says, "...The resistance from the heterosexual people, not all, but almost everyone was objecting to marriages of LGBTQ...today the whole country is set to hear the judgement...people's eyes are on the Supreme Court. I identify myself as a woman and if I want to marry a man with his consent then what is the business of society in this?..people have the right to make their own choices when it comes to marriage...I hope the judgement won't be disappointing." The Supreme court has clarified that it will deal with the issue under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act and will not touch the personal laws on this aspect. According to one of the petitions, the couple sought to enforce the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ individuals to marry any person of their choice. It said that "the exercise of which ought to be insulated from the disdain of legislative and popular majorities." The petitioners, further, asserted their fundamental right to marry each other and prayed for appropriate directions from this Court allowing and enabling them to do so. The Centre has opposed the plea and said that parliament and not the court, should consider the issue. The Centre on April 18 had issued a letter to States, asking them to give their opinion on the issues relating to Same-sex marriage. The states of Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan have opposed the legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the country. (ANI)
As BlueKraft Digital Foundation launched a book titled 'Igniting Collective Goodness: Mann Ki Baat @100' on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the new book sheds new light on how PM Modi with the sheer power of his words rallied the nation behind common goals of greater goodness. Shah on the social media platform 'X', shared his views about the book and said it tells the story of a unique journey undertaken by India under the leadership of PM Modi. "The new book 'Igniting Collective Goodness: Mann Ki Baat @ 100' tells the story of a unique journey undertaken by our nation under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji. It sheds new light on how Modi Ji with the sheer power of his words rallied the nation behind common goals of greater goodness," Shah posted on 'X'. "Powered by data and insights, the book is a must-read for the youths who wish to reflect on the transformative journey, as Mann Ki Baat crosses the mark of the 100th episode. On this occasion, I congratulate @BlueKraft, the publisher of the book, for coming up with this literary gem," the Home Minister's post mentioned. In a post on X (former Twitter), BlueKraft Digital Foundation said,"'Igniting Collective Goodness: Mann Ki Baat @ 100' is an endeavour by BlueKraft Digital Foundation to capture the inspiration drawn from PM @narendramodi 's beloved radio program, Mann Ki Baat, spanning its illustrious 100-episode history." 'Igniting Collective Goodness: Mann Ki Baat@100' is the third book in the series, all of which capture the journey to a distinct milestone of Mann Ki Baat--an ongoing dialogue, that has kept the nation engaged once a month since October 3, 2014. The first book was published following the culmination of 26 episodes and was released in May 2017 by the then-President of India. The ensuing book, marking 50 episodes was the second milestone and was launched in March 2019 by the then-Finance Minister of India. In his foreword in the book, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote "Man Ki Baat has become a platform for the voices of our nation, particularly those from the grassrots, whose stories of perseverance and courage continue to inspire us all." Igniting Collective Goodness celebrates the collective impact of individual goodness, on the landmark occasion of Mann Ki Baat completing 100 episodes in April 2023. With over 23 crore regular listeners, and 96 per cent of the Indian population aware of the programme, the Prime Minister has made it a point to communicate his heartfelt issues directly to the citizens of India through the course of his immensely popular radio programme. Picking up on themes that were explored by the Prime Minister, the book is divided into four segments with nineteen chapters and traverses the entire gamut of the Mann Ki Baat phenomenon. From overarching themes like Nari Shakti, Jal Shakti and Swachh Bharat, to matters of national import, such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Science and Technology, Health and Fitness, Cultural Reawakening and impetus to Sports, the book explores many interesting subjects. The popular program on All India Radio, Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat was started on October 3, 2014. The 30-minute program completed 100 episodes on April 30 this year. (ANI)
A Special Court on Tuesday sought a response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a bail plea moved by Moirangthem Anand Singh, arrested in relation to the Manipur Transnational Conspiracy case. The NIA court of Delhi on Tuesday issued notice to the investigation agency and put up the matter for October 27, 2023. The accused was brought to New Delhi after his arrest and produced before the Delhi Court on September 23, 2023. After the custodial remand to NIA, the court sent him into Judicial custody. Advocates Ashish Kashyap, Rahul Kumar and David Ahonsangham appeared for the Moirangthem Anand Singh. According to the NIA, it was revealed during a field investigation that five accused persons having links with terror outfits operating in Manipur have been arrested by the Manipur State Police and that accused Moirangthem Anand Singh was arrested by NIA on September 22, 2023 from Imphal West Police Station. Earlier, the NIA submitted in court that the revelations made by the accused be further corroborated through detailed investigation including identification and examination of potential leads and individuals related to the matter; that the accused is a trained cadre of proscribed organizations and was in communication with several of his associates during this period of ethnic unrest in the State of Manipur According to NIA, the case is related to a transnational conspiracy allegedly by Myanmar-based leadership of terror outfits to wage a war against the Government of India by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in the State of Manipur. NIA registered a suo moto case on July 19, 2023, in New Delhi under the various sections of the Indian Penal Code and UAPA. "The investigation revealed that in furtherance of the conspiracy hatched by the leadership based in Myanmar of insurgent groups / proscribed terrorist Organizations are recruiting Over Ground Workers ( OGWs), cadres and sympathisers to augment the strength to carry out attacks on security forces and opposing ethnic groups by exploiting current unrest in the state of Manipur. For this purpose, the aforementioned leadership are collecting arms, ammunition and explosives by unlawful means, including plunder and pillage of government facilities and resources," the NIA said. (ANI)
After Income Tax authorities seized Rs 42 crore from a contractor's house in Bengaluru city, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashwath Narayan on Tuesday took a dig at the Congress party and said "It is an ATM Sarkar and is completely exposed." The BJP staged a protest in Bengaluru over the alleged corruption in the state. As a way to protest, the protestors carried a fake ATM model on which Karnataka Congress--ATM Sarkar was written with money withdrawn out of it. "In Karnataka, Congress means corruption. Since coming to power, Congress has been looting the state. They have been collecting money from the officers for transfers, from the contractors to fund the elections in 5 states. It is an ATM Sarkar. They have been completely exposed by the IT raids. Deputy CM Shivakumar is making allegations against the BJP. Congress and Shivakumar are trademarks of corruption. We are asking the government for CBI's enquiry into the matter. The people of the state want to know the truth. Don't make baseless allegations, let the truth come out," Ashwath Narayan said. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday refuted the allegations made by the BJP that the money recovered in the raids conducted by the Income Tax department belongs to the Congress government. DK Shivakumar said that the Income Tax department has unearthed the corruption which entirely belongs to the BJP. Former CM of Karnataka, Sadananda Gowda also took part in the protest and said "The things that are happening--the corruption and collection of money by the ruling party in Karnataka. It is quite unacceptable. Practically, crores of rupees that have been seized by IT is an example of this. We need an enquiry. Let CBI enquire into the matter. Find the person who is behind this." Income Tax officials in a raid on the residence linked to a former corporator in Bengaluru city on October 13 unearthed an amount of Rs 42 crore stashed in 23 cartons. According to officials privy to the investigation, the cash was packed in cartons and stashed under the bed of a flat owned by the corporator. The IT sleuths raided five locations linked to the former corporator. The raids sparked off a heated debate with BJP alleging that the money was part of Congress's illegal fund, meant for campaigning in assembly polls in Telangana and four other states to be held in November. (ANI)
Punjab police averted targeted attacks in the state bordering Pakistan by busting a terrorist module with the arrest of two operatives and seized one pistol and 10 live cartridges from their possession, officials said on Tuesday. Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested operatives are backed by Pakistan-based terrorist Rinda and operated by US-based gangster Happy Passia. "In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police have averted targeted attacks with the arrest of two operatives of a terror module backed by Pak-based terrorist Rinda and operated by US-based Gangster Happy Passia," Punjab Director General of Police posted on X. "State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Mohali has recovered one pistol along with 10 live cartridges from their possession. Major blow to terror module attempting to disturb peace in Punjab. Punjab Police India striving to make Punjab secure and safe as per the vision of CM Bhagwant Mann," the Director General of Punjab Police added. Earlier on Saturday, the Punjab Police in a joint operation with Central Agencies thwarted a possible terrorist attack in the border state by busting a terrorist module with the arrest of two operatives, said DGP Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, in a press release. According to the official release, the terrorist module is backed by the militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and is being handled by Firdaus Ahmed Bhat, an active member of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The press release further mentioned that the apprehended individuals have been identified as Uzair Ul Haq of Rahpora Khudwani in Jammu & Kashmir and Raj Mohammad Andleeb of Kherwan in Jammu & Kashmir. The Police have also recovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), two hand grenades, one .30 bore pistol along with two magazines and 24 cartridges, eight detonators, one timer switch and four batteries from their possession, said the official statement. (ANI)
Despite continuous snowfall and harsh cold weather, a record number of pilgrims are arriving for the Char-Dham Yatra this year. After the snowfall, 2 inches of white snow spread in Badrinath Dham. Due to continuous snowfall, the mercury in the area has dropped below zero. According to Uttarakhand Police Headquarters, the number of pilgrims visiting Char-Dham by October 16, 2023, has crossed 50 lakhs. Along with this, about 5 lakhs 41 thousand vehicles have also reached Char-Dham. After the commencement of the Yatra, more than 17 lakh, 8 thousand devotees visited Kedarnath Dham, 15 lakh 90 thousand Badrinath Dham, 8 lakh 46 thousand pilgrims in Gangotri, 6 lakh 94 thousand pilgrims in Yamunotri, and more than 1 lakh 77 thousand devotees visited Hemkund Sahib. Ashok Kumar, Director General of Police, Uttarakhand said, "Uttarakhand Police is providing all possible assistance to the pilgrims at every level, due to which memories of the sacred faith of Devbhoomi as well as the positive image of Uttarakhand Police are being imprinted in their minds. We are committed to a safe and uninterrupted Chardham Yatra." Meanwhile, the doors of Shri Gangotri Dham will be closed for the winter season on November 14, an official statement issued by the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee said. On the occasion of Annakoot also known as Govardhan Puja, the doors of Shri Gangotri Dham will be closed for the winter season. According to the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee, Shri Yamunotri Dham will be closed for winter on November 15. "The date of closing of the doors of Shri Badrinath Dham will be decided on Vijay Dashami, Tuesday, October 24 in Badrinath Dham. A religious ceremony will be organized on the premises of Shri Badrinath Temple to announce the date of closure of the doors," an official statement said. (ANI)
Rajasthan Police apprehended one person and seized a consignment of fake currency notes with a face value of over Rs 29 lakh from Hanumangarh in the State, police said on Tuesday. "We received an input from the Bikaner police that in the Hanumangargh area some people had received a consignment of fake notes which they were planning to transfer to other districts. Superintendent of Police (SP) directed us to investigate and nab the accused," the police official said. The official said that several teams were formed to capture the accused. "We came to know from our sources that some individuals who had moved into the upper floor of a house in the business area near Dhan Mandi some time ago were acting in a suspicious manner," said CI Sheoran. After the information was verified by police SP a raid was conducted on the house and one individual identified as Sukha Singh was apprehened with fake currency notes in denominations of 500, 100, 200, and 50 were recovered in huge quantity. He further said that the total amount of the fake currency was calculated at a face value of Rs 19,17,200. Additionally Rs 4200 in real currency and two bikes were also seized from the apprehended person. On interrogation, the accused revealed a multi-member gang whose members hailed from Fatehpur, Sangaria. According to modus operandi, the gang members used to trap people on the pretext of offering to double their money and scam them with the counterfeit notes, CI Sheoran said. Further investigation into the matter is underway, he said. (ANI)
Even though the Supreme Court has refused to give marriage equality rights to the LGBTQIA+ community noting that conferring legal status to civil union can only be through a law enacted by Parliament, petitioners and rights activists, though disappointed, were of the view that the verdict had many observations that were in their favour. "It is with bated breath that everyone has waited for the same-sex marriage judgment and I am so happy to see that in the judgment of the Chief Justice the Chief Justice has in fact said the same bundle of rights which every married couple has should be available to the same-sex couple," said senior advocate Geeta Luthra, who appeared for some of the petitioners in the marriage equality case, whose ruling was pronounced by the apex court today. Another petitioner Harish Iyer, who is an LGBTQIA+ rights activist, said, "Though at the end, the verdict was not in our favour so many observations (by Supreme Court) made were in our favour. They have also put the responsibility on Central govt and Central govt's Solicitor General..." "(Now) it is important for us to go to our elected government, MPs and MLAs and tell them we are as different as two people. War is underway...it might take some time but we will get societal equality," Iyer added. One of the other petitioners and activist Anjali Gopalan said she was disappointed with the same-sex marriage equality verdict, but what was crucial was that the legality of marriage of members from the trans community was clarified. "The only good thing, and I think at least for the trans community, there's clarity, which is a good thing that's happened, and also the definition of discrimination has been expanded and clarified, which is also a good thing that's happened," Gopalan said. She contended she was not expecting that full marriage rights would happen so quickly, but definitely was expecting a lot more on civil unions and civil rights. "And that would have been good. It would have been a step forward. But it's really unfortunate that that has not happened," Gopalan said. Ankit Bhuptani, founder of Queer Hindu Alliance and a rights activist, said the overall judgment is quite progressive and positive because the apex court talked about so many rights that they were demanding. "For example, the Court talked about anti-discrimination at home by parents. The court also talked about banning conversion therapy for LGBT people. That is something which we have been demanding for a very long time. It also talked about shelter homes for LGBT people who are thrown out of their homes. So, so many small, small positive things were there. It also talked about recognition of marriage for transgender people because they fall under the gender binary conversation," Bhuptani said. "However, what we as a community feel a little disappointed about today is that it did not recognize the right of marriage or even civil partnership for gays and lesbians and have asked the centre to form a committee who will look into it. So it's a mixed judgment. So many small, small positives. But that which was the core of the judgment, was a little disappointing because gays and lesbians did not get the right to their civil partnership. Yes, we are with our transgender folks who have all the rights they demand. So we are celebrating their victory today. However, it is not a full victory because not a full celebration, because yet we have not got that," Bhuptani added. Earlier today, a five-judge Supreme Court Constitution bench in a 3:2 majority verdict ruled that for LGBTQIA+ couples there is no unqualified right to marriage and noted that conferring legal status to civil union can only be through enacted law. The bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha delivered the verdict it had reserved on May 11 this year. The court, however, said the judgement will not preclude the right of Queer persons to enter into relationships. The apex court also said that the challenge to the Special Marriage Act (SMA) on the ground of under-classification is not made out. Justice Ravindra Bhat, Justice Narasimha and Justice Hima Kohli were in agreement on these positions, while CJI Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul took divergent positions. In his majority judgement, Justice Bhat said the Court can not put the State under any obligation when there is no constitutional right to marry or legal recognition of unions among non-heterosexual couples. Justice Bhat said the Court cannot create a legal framework for queer couples and it is for the legislature to do as there are several aspects to be taken into consideration. All queer persons have the right to choose their partners but State cannot be obligated to recognise the bouquet of rights flowing from such a union. In his conclusion, Justice Bhat said there is no unqualified right to marriage. Conferring legal status to the civil union can only be through enacted law. But these findings will not preclude the right of queer persons to enter into relationships. The five-judge Constitution bench was dealing with a batch of petitions pertaining to marriage equality rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. The order was reserved on May 11 after counsels from all sides concluded their arguments. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday set aside an order by the Patiala House court that paved the way for the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to evict Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha from his official residence in the national capital. Member of Parliament (MP) Raghav Chadha on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Delhi High Court to set aside a court's order to evict the AAP MP from his official residence and said that the decision to revoke his official accommodation was arbitrary, unreasonable, and unjust. The follow-up on the Raghav Chadha Residence row arrived a week after the AAP MP moved the Delhi High Court challenging a trial court's decision to vacate an interim order that gave a nod and paved the way for the Rajya Sabha secretariat to evict him from the government bungalow allotted to him. After the Delhi HC set aside the Patiala House court order, Raghav Chadha said, "This is not a fight for a house or a shop, this is a fight to save the Constitution. In the end, truth and justice have prevailed. I welcome the decision of the Delhi High Court to set aside the order of the trial court, which was against me." Speaking about the development further Chadha said, "The cancellation of this allotment was a clear case of political vendetta, aimed at silencing a young, vocal parliamentarian. The decision to revoke my official accommodation was arbitrary, unreasonable, and unjust, representing a new low in political vendetta." "This incident marked an unprecedented departure from democratic norms, as it was the first time in the 70-year history of the Rajya Sabha that a member faced such political harassment for holding the government accountable. Not only was this cancellation driven by malicious intent, but it also contained glaring irregularities that clearly violated established rules and regulations," the AAP MP added. "Every Member of Parliament is entitled to official accommodation, and what has been given to me is identical to what many many of my fellow first-time MPs have received. Opposition voices, those who represent the concerns of millions of Indians, are being deliberately targeted. Till now, I have delivered two speeches in parliament holding the BJP-led Central Government accountable," said Raghav Chadha. He further stated, "After my first speech, my official accommodation was cancelled. After my second speech, my membership as a parliamentarian was suspended. No parliamentarian can function if he is made to worry about what his forthright and honest speech will cost him next. However, I am not afraid, and I am ready to make any sacrifice to uphold the principles of democracy and hold this government accountable for its misdeeds." "On the issue of suspension from the Rajya Sabha, yesterday, the Supreme Court took up the matter and issued a notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, seeking their response on my suspension. As the matter is pending before the Supreme Court I do not want to state anything further in that respect," he said. "All I want to say is that they can remove me from my official accommodation, they can remove me from Parliament, but they can't remove me from the hearts of millions of Indians, where I hope I really reside," he stated further. The bench of Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani last week had kept the order reserved after hearing the parties at length. Recently Trial Court passed an order vacated and recalled the stay order which granted interim relief to the Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha that he would not be dispossessed from the current accommodation without due process of law. The trial Court Judge Additional District Judge Sudhanshu Kaushik in an order passed on October 5, 2023, stated that on April 14 an interim relief was granted to the plaintiff (Raghav Chadha) that he would not be dispossessed from the accommodation without due process of law. Earlier on April 18, the Court in its interim order directed that Raghav Chadha, who is staying there with his parents shall not be dispossessed from the Bungalow without due process of law. Court had also said a prima-facie case is made out for issuing directions to the effect that plaintiff/Raghav Chadha shall not be dispossessed from bungalow No.AB-5, Pandara Road, New Delhi without due process of law. The balance of convenience also lies in favour of the plaintiff as he is residing in the accommodation along with his parents. Plaintiff would indeed suffer irreparable injury, in case, he is dispossessed without the due process of law, said the Court. Accordingly, till the next date of hearing, the defendant is directed not to dispossess the plaintiff from bungalow No.AB-5, Pandara Road, New Delhi without due process of law. Notice of the application under Section 80 (2) of CPC be issued to the defendant to show cause in respect of the relief claimed in the suit, added to the court in the order passed on April 18, 2023. Raghav Chadha in his civil suit stated that he on 6.7.2022, was allotted bungalow No.C-1/12, Pandara Park, New Delhi which falls under the category of Type VI bungalow. Thereafter, on 29.8.2022, plaintiff/Raghav made a representation to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha requesting for the allotment of Type-VII accommodation. The said representation of the plaintiff was considered and on 3.9.2022, in lieu of earlier accommodation, he was allotted bungalow No.AB-5, Pandara Road, New Delhi from Rajya Sabha Pool. The plaintiff accepted the allotment and started residing therein along with his parents after carrying out renovation work. It has been stated that the plaintiff took the physical possession of the bungalow on 9.11.2022 and the allotment made in his favour was notified in the official gazette. The plaintiff has mentioned that he came to know that the allotment made in his favour had been cancelled arbitrarily and this fact was communicated to him on dated 3.3.2023. Through the suit, Raghav Chadha has sought directions that a letter dated 3.3.2023 issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat may be declared illegal. He has also sought a permanent injunction to the effect that the defendant and their associates may be restrained from taking any further action in consequence of the letter dated 3.3.2023 and they may also be restrained from allotting the bungalow to some other person. Apart from this, Raghav Chadha has also sought damages to the tune of Rs 5,50,000/- from the defendant for causing mental agony and harassment, stated the suit. (ANI)
Congress' Telangana Chief Revanth Reddy was detained by Telangana Police on Tuesday at Gun Park in Hyderabad during the party's protest against Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and alleged that the Chief Minister has been using money and liquor in an effort to win votes. Reddy was demanding Chandrasekhar Rao to swear that he would not be use money and liquor to lure voters in the upcoming Assembly election in the state. "The BRS has used the police against me. We have demanded on this to ECI many times that BRS is using retired officers against Congress. ECI transferred some officers to show off. We will file a written complaint and also go to court," Reddy said on being detained by police. He said that today, KCR without coming there, is giving the message that they believe in liquor and money and not their welfare scheme, manifesto or promises. "I reached the location on time. Even if KCR did not like my invitation, why did they make the police arrest me? He might have the wish to distribute liquor and crores of rupees in the elections. However, the police arrested me and attacked my karyakartas," he said. He further alleged that during the Munugode elections, Rs 300 crores of liquor was sold in 20 days. "We did not give money or liquor in Munugode as we do not have that much money. After the Huzurabad and Munugode elections, the world said that liquor and distributing money won," he added. Reacting to the allegation that Congress is using money from neighbouring states. He said, "If money is caught, enquire whose money is it. We will form a government on December 9." He further said that Harish Rao, liquor and KTR are accusing Congress that we are getting money from neighbouring states and distributing money and liquor for elections. "We saw that in the recent by-election in Huzurabad and Munugode, BRS spent lots of money for the elections. BRS and BJP fought each other and spent crores of rupees," he added. Alleging that the Congress candidate in Kamareddy is a minority candidate, but KCR is contesting against him. "However, I question AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, in Goshamahal, you won't contest nor will you tell your friend KCR to contest. BJP, BRS and AIMIM are an alliance. They want to defeat Congress. Only Congress can develop a minority," he said. The campaigning gained momentum after the election commission announced dates for the Assembly elections in the state to be held on November 30 and the counting of votes will take place on December 3. With BJP yet to release its list of candidates in Telangana, Congress on Sunday announced its first list of candidates in the poll-bound state. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will kick off the Congress' poll campaign in Telangana on October 18th. Telangana is set to witness a triangular contest between the BJP, the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi and the Congress in the upcoming assembly election. In the previous Assembly election held in 2018, BRS managed to win 88 seats out of 119 and had a dominant vote share of 47.4 per cent. Congress came at a distant second with 19 seats. Its vote share was 28.7 per cent (ANI)
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta has welcomed Tuesday's Supreme Court's judgement refusing to recognise the legality of same-sex marriages. "I wholeheartedly welcome the judgment. I am happy that my stand has been accepted. All four judgements have taken the jurisprudence of our nation and the intellectual exercise that went into writing the judgments at the next level. There are very few courts in the world where one can expect this level of intellectual and scholarly judicial exercise. This judgement would be read across jurisdictions," Tushar Mehta said while speaking to ANI after the top court's verdict. Mehta, who argued on behalf of the Centre said that the case was beyond the scope of the Supreme Court and fell within the domain of Parliament. He further said that apex court's judgement balances the interests of individuals with the interests of a civilised society. "It is an important step in jurisprudential development on the question of separation of powers and provides vivid and eloquent insights into the working of the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary which functions complimenting each other strictly as per the Constitution," the Soliciter General of India said. Activist Anjali Gopalan, who was among the petitioners in the case said that the Supreme Court verdict was disappointing. "We have been fighting for long and will keep doing so. Regarding adoption also nothing was done. What the CJI said was very good regarding adoption, but it's disappointing that other justices didn't agree...this is democracy but we are denying basic rights to our own citizens," Gopalan said. Another petitioner and LGBTQIA+ rights activist Harish Iyer said that although the verdict was not in their favour, many observations by the Supreme Court were made in the favour of the community. "They have also put the responsibility on the Central government and the Central government's Solicitor General said so many things against us so it is important for us to go to our elected government, MPs and MLAs and tell them we are as different as two people. War is underway...it might take some time but we will get societal equality," Iyer said. The activist's plea was among the 21 petitions seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages that were heard by the Supreme Court today. On the top court judgement, Advocate Karuna Nundy said that although there were four separate judgements but anything that was unanimous, was that the rights of queer citizens must be protected and state government can protect them. A five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud ruled in a 3:2 verdict against giving constitutional validity to same-sex marriages. The top court said it is for Parliament to formulate legislation on it. The bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha delivered the verdict it had reserved on May 11 this year. Activists and those from the LGBTIQA+ community were hoping for a decision in their favour while there were some other activists who were rooting for the Supreme Court's current verdict as according to them legalising same-sex marriage would have distorted the social fabric of the country. (ANI)
In order to compensate the farmers who bear the brunt of natural disasters in Uttarakhand, Haridwar DM Dhiraj Singh Garbyal has formed teams to assess the crop loss due to rain and storms. Garbyal directed all the SDMs of the district to jointly assess the damaged crops and submit a report to the Agriculture Department and the Revenue Department so that compensation can be distributed to the affected farmers immediately. DM Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said, "We have formed teams to assess the damage to crops caused by the recent storm and rain. We will provide compensation to the affected farmers as soon as possible." "The teams will submit a report to the District Magistrate, who has directed all the SDMs of the district to jointly assess the damaged crops and submit a report by the Agriculture Department and the Revenue Department so that compensation can be distributed to the affected farmers immediately," he added. DM Haridwar said that the paddy and sugarcane crops standing in the fields had fallen due to strong storms and rain. Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said, "Farmers' crops have suffered huge losses due to the strong storm and rain that came a day ago in Haridwar district. Due to strong storms and rain, the paddy and sugarcane crops standing in the fields have fallen. Therefore, the loss caused by the flood that occurred just a few days ago could not be compensated properly, and now again the farmers have suffered a huge loss." Nearly 100 people have been killed and over a dozen remain missing in incidents of natural disasters during the three months of the monsoon season in Uttarakhand, as per data provided by the State Emergency Operation Centre. (ANI)
Health Minister Banna Gupta and officials of the Health Department were also present at the meeting.

After the meeting, Minister Banna Gupta said, "Chief Minister had ordered the removal of all technical obstacles in the implementation of the Chief Minister's Gambhir Yojana."

"Chief Minister had given instructions on how to streamline the 108 ambulance system and how to make the Employees Insurance Scheme more beneficial for government employees in the state." He added.

Gupta also said that the meeting had discussed how to upgrade the state's Sadar Hospitals and District Hospitals.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of six children in Hazaribagh's Lotwa dam.

Hemant Soren posted on X, " My heart is saddened by the sad news of the drowning of six children in Lotwa Dam of Hazaribagh district. Relief and rescue work is being done by the district administration. May God grant peace to the souls of the children who died in the accident and give strength to the bereaved families to bear this difficult time of grief."

Banna Gupta, Health and Disaster Management Minister, Odisha also expressed his condolences over the incident. (ANI).
Looking at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the Act East Policy, the 3rd edition of the North East India Festival will be held at Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, from October 27 to 29. With the aim of connecting the North Eastern Indian region with South East Asia and opening new doors, this 3-day festival will feature a Tourism Business meeting, B2B trade meetings, People-to-People meet, an exhibition showcasing various products from the North Eastern region, including agri-horticultural items, food processing, and state-specific products. Additionally, it will offer a spectacular lineup of events and cultural shows. The inaugural session of the 3rd North East India Festival will be hosted by Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City. It will bring together critical stakeholders from both India and Vietnam, including the participation of various Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, and entrepreneurs. They will engage in discussions centred on bilateral trade and tourism. Shyamkanu Mahanta, Chief Organizer of the North East India Festival, said that the 3rd North East India Festival aims to promote and showcase North East India as an attractive destination for investments, tourism, bilateral trade, and relations between India and Vietnam. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is talking about the Act East Policy of North East to South East Asia. We had organized the North East Festival in Delhi which is very popular and the Thailand government invited us to Bangkok. We organized the 1st North East India Festival in 2019 in Bangkok. Our Prime Minister went to Bangkok after that and he said that, India's effort to connect North East India to South East Asia. It was a resounding success. In 2022, it was again organized where Chief Ministers of North East went there and we have flight connectivity between Bangkok and Guwahati. We know very well that India and Vietnam are becoming closer by day and Vietnam is very close to India in all aspects. To celebrate the relationship between India and Vietnam, we are going to hold the 3rd North East India Festival in Ho Chi Minh City on October 27-29," Shyamkanu Mahanta said. He further said that the first objective is a connection between the people, cultural exchange, and exhibition of Incredible India, to showcase our products, tea. "We want to start trade between North East India and Vietnam. We are also focusing on the tourism sector. There will be also academic exchange between the scholars of both countries. Policy-level discussions will also be held during the festival. We are expecting flight operation from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Guwahati. We are expecting investment MoUs will be signed. It is a serious attempt at trade, tourism, cultural exchange, people to people-to-people exchange. It is just a beginning. We will promote North East India, the relation between India and Vietnam," he added. It is pertinent to note that the objective of Act East Policy is to promote economic cooperation, and cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region through continuous engagement at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, thereby providing enhanced connectivity in its broadest sense, as per an official statement. (ANI)
A recent study conducted by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) has brought to light the significant financial burden placed on the national budget by newly recruited individuals ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 22, Pakistan based The Express Tribune newspaper reported. The Express Tribune is a daily English-language newspaper based in Pakistan. The study, titled "Lifetime Cost of Public Servants," also uncovered that politicians often make promises of public employment without taking into account the government's role in creating new opportunities rather than solely offering jobs. It suggested that by providing employment opportunities, particularly within their own political party or patronage network, politicians can build a base of supporters who are more likely to vote for them in elections. The study revealed that the net present value of a Grade-1 employee hired in July 2023 would amount to Pakistani rupee (PKR) 8, 17, 27 million. This includes various components such as salary, pension, perks, benefits, and operating costs. In a similar vein, it was calculated that the state of Pakistan would need to allocate Rs49 million for a Grade-17 officer over a thirty-year period. These figures raise questions about whether the country possesses sufficient revenue streams to support this compensation for the next 30 years. The statement underlines the importance of pausing and reflecting on the implications of adding a new worker to the system. It is crucial to remember that the state of Pakistan and the government will be responsible for covering the cost through taxation, as per The Express Tribune. The statement emphasizes the necessity for long-term planning to help Pakistan break free from its debt spiral. It suggests that the institute carefully considers the cost-effectiveness of retaining an employee before making a decision. "PIDE has proposed a prudent and cost-effective approach before making decisions about retaining employees. This way, the institute can assess how it can afford to sustain the person's employment throughout their working life." The statement underscores the need for governments to assess the long-term financial consequences of immediate job creation and find a balance between short-term benefits and sustainable fiscal policies. While immediate job creation can have positive effects, it is equally important to recognize that rapid job creation can have negative repercussions, the press release stated. (ANI)
A recent study has shed light on Pakistan's substantial annual expenditure of over Pakistan Rupee (PKR) 8 trillion on public servants, encompassing 1.92 million employees, pension payments, and numerous perks and privileges, Dawn reported. Despite this extensive expenditure, little is known about the overall contribution, outcomes, and impact of these public servants on taxpayers. The study, titled 'Lifetime Cost of Public Servants,' was conducted by a five-member team from the state-run Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (Pide), led by Nadeemul Haque. It revealed that in Pakistan, the cost of paying these employees amounts to about PKR 3 trillion, while pensions cost approximately PKR 1.5 trillion. Additionally, project workers, personnel in government entities, and other organisations contribute approximately PKR 2.5 trillion to the total cost. The military's wages and salaries alone account for roughly PKR 1 trillion, according to Dawn. The study highlighted that the Basic Pay Scale (BPS) of 1983 had undergone 12 revisions since its inception, with the latest in 2022. However, none of these revisions were aligned with modern human resource principles that would develop contemporary public sector incentives based on market conditions and modern management needs. The study pointed out that the BPS system continued with a socialist one-pay scale structure across the entire public sector, favouring the Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS) with non-monetary benefits and better appointments. Technical or professionally skilled individuals remained marginalised both in terms of grades and non-monetary benefits. Despite attempts to introduce lateral entry to BPS for technical or sector specialists in management pay scales and special pay scales, these efforts were hindered by a system that remained subservient to PAS. The study concluded that contrary to popular belief, civil servants were not at a salary disadvantage; there were numerous unaccounted-for elements that significantly contributed to their overall remuneration. Perks, allowances, and in-kind benefits, such as government housing facilities, were not reflected in civil servants' salary slips, as reported by Dawn. Official vehicle usage for personal purposes by grade 20-22 officers increased the total cost by over 1.2 times the basic pay. Medical allowances and medical bill reimbursements further added to the cost. The study revealed, "Perks and different allowances add to the total cost of civil servants substantially, and if monetised, would break the myth of low salaries in the public sector. The judicial employees receive the highest number of perks, with the secretariat and other ministries' staff also gaining 150 per cent of their basic salary as an allowance." The study emphasised the pressing issue of Pakistan's financial challenge due to the high number of non-productive government employees. It underscored that the cost of inefficient recruitment was significant, encompassing financial losses and the opportunity cost of missed potential. The employment practices of political governments often result from a combination of political motivations, short-term focus, a lack of economic expertise, and societal expectations. The study concluded that achieving a balance between short-term gains and sustainable fiscal policies was crucial in addressing this challenge, Dawn reported. (ANI)
Photo: The Canadian Press The Trudeau government has appointed former ambassador Deborah Lyons as the second person to serve as Canada's Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism. Lyons, then-Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, attends a press conference, at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Keystone, Valentin Flauraud

The Trudeau government has appointed former ambassador Deborah Lyons as Canada's Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism.

Lyons is Canada's former ambassador to Israel and to Afghanistan, and she replaces former attorney general Irwin Cotler, who held the role for three years.

The role involves collecting data and speaking out for Jewish people when they are attacked within Canada and abroad, and similar roles exist for Muslims and LGBTQ+ people.

Lyons was named to the role Monday morning during a conference on antisemitism in Ottawa.

She told reporters that her appointment comes amid "the malignancy growing here, that cancerous hate speech, that desire to polarize and divide and disrupt and destroy the spirit that is Canada."

It also comes as Israel grieves a gruesome Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that left 1,400 dead, and concerns by the United Nations that Israel is violating humanitarian law by depriving Palestinian civilians of food, water and electricity.

The events have been marked by rallies and protests in Canada, some of which have included overt antisemitic messages.

"Although we might each feel alone in this pain and misery  there is only one pathway and that is for all Canadians to come together, as Canadians, in our shared humanity," Lyons said.

She said her job is to tackle a rise in hate speech targeting Jewish people, particularly on university campuses and on social media.

"Working with communities across Canada, we must and will promote and support extensive efforts on antisemitism education. And yes, we will visit the universities," she said.

"We will be working very hard with the major corporations and governments everywhere to address the online antisemitism."

While she is not Jewish, Lyons said it's important that all Canadians work together to weed out dehumanizing rhetoric and to learn from the horrors of the Holocaust.

Lyons said she supports a definition of antisemitism that the federal Liberals have embraced alongside various western countries, though it has been opposed by human-rights groups.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance says that antisemitism includes "claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour" and "applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation."

In April, 104 civil society organizations from Israel and other countries urged the United Nations not to use the definition, with groups such as Human Rights Watch arguing that it hinders serious inquiry about whether Israel is undertaking apartheid against Palestinians.

Lyons argued the definition helps sort out when someone is making fair criticism or when they're zoning in on Israel out of an anti-Jewish animus.

"The purpose of the antisemitism definition is very clear and the definition itself is clear," she said.

"When it becomes a complete and constant target, without any other focus, or balance with other conflicts or controversies, then it becomes very obvious that it is done from an antisemitic perspective."

Lyons declined to weigh in on whether Israel is respecting international humanitarian law in its current "total siege" of the Gaza Strip, saying she can advise the government privately but does not have a mandate to weigh in on geopolitics.
US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday at a time when the country is facing its toughest battle with the terrorist group Hamas. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday said that President Biden is coming to Israel at a "critical moment" and will reaffirm the US' solidarity with Israel. "US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday. He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world. President Biden will reaffirm the United States' solidarity with Israel. President Biden will again make clear, as he's done unequivocally since Hamas's slaughter of more than 1,400 people, including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks," he said. He further added by saying that President Biden will continue to coordinate closely with the Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas. "President Biden will underscore our crystal clear message to any actor, state or non-state trying to take advantage of this crisis to attack Israel, don't. President will continue to coordinate closely with our Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas...The United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza," he said. Blinken noted that President Biden will also receive a comprehensive brief on Israel's war aims and strategy. "The President will hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas.To that end, today and at our request, the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza and them alone, including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way. It is critical that aid begins flowing into Gaza as soon as possible," he said. "If Hamas in any way blocks humanitarian assistance from reaching civilians, including by seizing the aid itself, we'll be the first to condemn it, and we will work to prevent it from happening again," he added. Meanwhile, the White House also issued a statement on President Biden's visit to Israel. "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Israel on Wednesday, October 18, to demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamas's brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps," the White House said. "President Biden will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with his Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza," the White House added in its statement. Earlier on Monday, Spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Tal Heinrich announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden to visit Israel and hopes to host the president soon. "Prime Minister Netanyahu invited US President Joe Biden to Israel, and we hope to host the president soon. We are truly grateful for the support of the united front against the commons," the Spokesperson for the Israeli PMO said. She said the IDF continues to target those responsible for the massacre in Israel. "Over the last few hours, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) carried out dozens of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. The targets included Hamas headquarters, mortar launching positions, and a number of terrorists at a military compound," she said. She further said that the IDF had struck the command centre of Ali Qadhi, a commander in the Hamas commando forces who was killed in an Israeli strike two days ago. "As the IDF Chief of Staff told our frontline troops, 'attack them everywhere, every commander, every operative'..."She said Israel appreciates the unconditional and unwavering support of its allies. CNN recently reported that Netanyahu has invited Biden to visit Israel soon, and both countries are discussing the possibility, a source familiar with the matter revealed. A Biden visit would also amount to a message to other players in the region, including the Iran-backed Hezbollah, that they should not escalate the conflict further, as per CNN. Biden recently said that there is a "fundamental difference" between Israelis killed in the Hamas attack and Palestinian civilians and Hamas terrorists killed in Tel Aviv's counter-attack as the terrorist group Hamas has engaged in barbarism "that is as consequential as the holocaust." Speaking to CBS News in a 60-minute interview, Biden called Hamas a "bunch of cowards" who are hiding behind the civilians. He expressed confidence that Israel would do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians. Asked whether there was a time for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Biden said, "Look, there's a fundamental difference. Israel is going after a group of people who have engaged in barbarism that is as consequential as the Holocaust. And so I think Israel has to respond." "They have to go after Hamas. Hamas is a bunch of cowards. They're hiding behind the civilians. They put their headquarters where civilians are and buildings and the like. But to the extent they can separate out and avoid, I'm confident the Israelis are gonna do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians," he said. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], October 17 (ANI/TPS): The video shows Miya Shem, a 21-year-old woman from Shoham abducted during the terror group's attack on the Supernova Sukkot Music Festival on Kibbutz Re'im on Oct. 7. At least 260 people were killed at the rave. The video, 1:18 long, shows Shem lying down as someone wraps a bandage around her right arm. The video then cuts to Shem speaking directly to the camera identifying herself, saying she was operated on for three hours for an injury to her hand. "They're caring for me, they're treating me, they're giving me medication. Everything is okay," she says. "I'm only asking for me to be returned home as soon as possible, to my family, to my parents, to my siblings. Please get us out of here as soon as possible." A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the military had already notified the Shem family of Miya's abduction. "At this time, IDF representatives are in contact with the family. The IDF operates with all intelligence and operational means for the return of the abductees. In the video, Hamas tries to present itself as a humanitarian organization while it is a murderous terrorist organization, responsible for the murders and kidnappings of babies, women, children and the elderly," the IDF spokesperson said. Hamas gave no explanation for the timing of the video's release. But the terror group claimed on Monday it was holding 200 hostages in Gaza and that another 50 were being held by other factions. (ANI/TPS)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said that in today's time, people wait for India's stand on any issue in the world. While addressing a community event in Dubai on Monday, he said that India was not able to present its views to the world on big world platforms, but today the whole scenario has changed. "We have just celebrated the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav... Today India's respect has increased in the world. Today people wait for India's stand on any issue in the world. Before 2014, we were identified as a suppressed nation. India was not able to present its views to the world on big world platforms, but today the whole scenario has changed," Dhami said while addressing the event. Earlier in the day, CM Dhami attended the grand welcome ceremony organized by the Uttarakhand Association of UAE and Indian expatriates in Dubai. On this occasion, he also honoured the office bearers of the association by gifting them Uttarakhandi caps. He appealed to all the migrant Uttarakhandis to come to Uttarakhand once a year. Along with this, he was informed about the various development works being conducted in the fields of religious tourism, spirituality, education, health and employment under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On this occasion, various mesmerizing cultural presentations were also given by the migrant citizens of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister said that it is highly commendable to remain connected to one's culture and tradition even while living abroad. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Dubai on Monday for the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit -2023 Roadshow. The Chief Minister was accompanied by cabinet minister Dhan Singh Rawat and an official delegation who were welcomed by non-resident Indians hailing from Uttarakhand at the Dubai airport. Dhami said that he was "overwhelmed" by the warm welcome he received at the Dubai airport. He said that he would meet industrialists and NRIs in UAE and inform them about the opportunities in his state. "On reaching Dubai Airport, I was overwhelmed by the warm welcome given by the NRIs. Under the "Invest in Uttarakhand" campaign, I will meet industrialists and NRIs in UAE and inform them about the immense possibilities of investment in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand," the Chief Minister said in a post on 'X'. "Cabinet Minister @drdhansinghuk was also present on this occasion. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the grand welcome!" he added. (ANI)
The shooter, who killed two Swedish nationals and injured a third person in a lone-wolf attack in Brussels, identified himself as a member of the terror group ISIS group, claiming responsibility for the attack in a video posted online, Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday. According to Al Jazeera, the suspect fled the scene of the shooting incident on Monday night and was being searched by the Belgian police. Eric Van Duyse, a spokesman for the federal prosecutor's office, said the investigation was focused on "a possible terrorist motivation for the shooting" after "a claim of responsibility was posted on social media". Authorities said they were working to determine the veracity of the video. "This person claims to be inspired by Islamic State," Van Duyse said, adding "The Swedish nationality of the victims was put forward as the probable motive." According to Al Jazeera, the suspected assailant, calling himself Abdesalem Al Guilani, claimed on social media that he was "a fighter for [God]" and a "member of ISIL" (ISIS). Two persons were killed in the shooting incident in central Brussels on Monday evening, CNN reported citing Belgian public broadcaster VRT. The deceased were reportedly of Swedish nationality. CNN, citing the Belgian media, reported that the suspect was yet to be brought to book and the motive behind the killings could not be determined either. Following the shooting incident, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo conveyed his condolences to relatives of the victims of the Brussels attack. "My deepest condolences to the relatives of this cowardly attack in Brussels. I am closely following the situation, together with the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from @CrisiscenterBE. We are monitoring the situation and ask the people of Brussels to be vigilant," the Belgian PM posted on X. Meanwhile, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Tuesday also conveyed her condolences over the loss of lives in Brussels to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. "I want to express my deepest condolences to @SwedishPM Kristersson and the Swedish people who have lost two of their compatriots tonight," the EU President posted from her X handle. "Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time," she added in her post. (ANI)
The office of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday shared details of his telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that the former briefed him on the ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas, following the October 7 terror attacks, and his talks with several leaders from the region and the Palestinian authorities. "The Prime Minister made it clear that Israel had been attacked by brutal and abhorrent murderers, had gone to war determined and united, and would not stop until it had destroyed Hamas's military and governing capabilities," the Israel PM's office tweeted from its official handle on X. It posted further that PM Netanyahu told the Russian President that the Israeli forces won't relent till they "eliminate Hamas". "The Prime Minister made it clear that Israel had been attacked by brutal and abhorrent murderers, had gone to war determined and united, and would not stop until it had destroyed Hamas's military and governing capabilities," the Israeli PM's office posted further. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, during their telephone conversation, Putin highlighted the measures Russia is taking to stop the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip from escalating further. "President of Russia Vladimir #Putin spoke with Prime Minister of the State of Israel @netanyahu over the phone," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia posted on X. "President Putin laid out the steps being taken by Russia to prevent the further escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip," it added. Moscow said the conversation was centred on "the crisis situation resulting from the brutal escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict". "The Israeli side was in particular informed of the essential points of telephone correspondences that took place today with the leaders of Palestine, Egypt, Iran and Syria," the Kremlin said in a statement. The Russian President also expressed "his sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased Israelis", the Kremlin said, according to The Moscow Times. Along with that, he informed the Israeli leader of the measures taken by Russia to "promote the normalisation of the situation, prevent a further escalation of violence, and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip". The Russian President also expressed to Netanyahu his country's "fundamental desire to continue its targeted action aimed at ending" the crisis and achieving "a peaceful settlement through political and diplomatic means," according to a statement from the government, reported The Moscow Times. The Israeli military is all set to launch a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip, but its extent and when it is carried out may be affected by operational considerations, as tensions grow on the northern border. Meanwhile, Israel's National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi reaffirmed that the cabinet's war goal is to remove Hamas from military and political control over the Gaza Strip. Hanegbi said at a recent cabinet meeting that the government approved a plan to "destroy" Hamas. (ANI)
The late Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji, known among senior bureaucrats and elderly Bhutanese as a top statesman and a towering figure in Bhutan's diplomatic landscape passed away earlier last week always led a life marked by a strong sense of duty and determination, The Bhutan live reported on Tuesday. According to The Bhutan Live, the late Chenkyab Dorji was born in Wangtsa village of Haa in 1941 and served under the reign of three monarchs in six decades. The service for his country began after he joined the civil service under the Department of Forests in 1961 and then served in various capacities such as director and deputy minister before becoming the Minister for the Planning Commission. He was also known for his contribution to the formulation of the 6th, 7th and 8th five-year plans. He accompanied His Majesty the Fourth King to consult the people and monitor and review development plans throughout the country. He was the first chairman of the National Environment Commission and played an important role in the establishment of the Bhutan Environment Trust Fund. As his family and colleagues recollect, Lyonpo was also an outstanding diplomat and had excellent public relations, The Bhutan Live reported. He was the first resident Ambassador of Bhutan to Thailand and also assumed the post of the first Secretary General of SAARC. In addition to his official positions, he served for various important national bodies. In 2008, The King appointed Lyonpo as the first Chairman of the Privy Council. During the 110th National Day celebrations in Haa in 2017, The King conferred him the Order of Druk Thuksey in recognition of his dedicated service to the nation. Lyonpo's family said, "His passing has left a huge void in the family. As we endeavour to come to terms with this irreplaceable personal loss, we take comfort in the fact that he lived a successful and fulfilling life and above all, because he left after having had the greatest honour and privilege to serve His Majesty The King, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and His Majesty The Third Druk Gyalpo." As per The Bhutan Live, he was a recipient of the Coronation Gold Medal from the Fourth King in 1974. The following year, he was conferred the Red Scarf. His Majesty The Fourth King also bestowed him the orange scarf with the title of Lyonpo. He passed away at the National Referral Hospital at the age of 82. Lyonpo is survived by his wife, three children and seven grandchildren. (ANI)
As the Israeli military is all set to launch a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday identified the organisational hierarchy of the terror group and vowed to destroy and dismantle Hamas by targeting its top brass, who were "responsible" for the attacks against Israeli civilians. The IDF posted on X, the entire hierarchy of Hamas and among them were the group's leader Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar whom the Israeli military calls the hard-line leader of Hamas in Gaza and El Deif, the alleged mastermind of the October 7 attack. The extent of the invasion in the Gaza Strip and the time of carrying it out may be affected by operational considerations, as tensions grow on the northern border. Before Hamas's win in the Palestinian elections against Fatah in 2006, Ismail Haniyeh was not a prominent member of the terror group's leadership. After the electoral victory, his star began to rise. He was appointed Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip, and his wealth grew rapidly, according to The Times of Israel. The Israeli military calls Yahya Sinwar, the hard-line leader of Hamas in Gaza, the "face of evil." Senior officers say he is the top target for the tens of thousands of Israeli troops poised to invade the coastal enclave and destroy its leadership. Long considered a brutal enforcer within Hamas and an implacable enemy of Israel, Sinwar served more than two decades in Israeli prisons before being released in a 2011 prisoner swap. He emerged as the militant group's leader in Gaza -- its top leadership resides abroad -- in 2017, The New York Times reported. Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, aka El Deif (the Guest), because, for long, he has stayed in different houses every night to avoid being tracked, and killed, by Israel. He's now in charge of Hamas' military wing, the Al Qassem Brigades. In 1996 El Deif, an accomplished bomb maker, was behind a wave of four suicide attacks that killed 65 people in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and other outrages intended to derail the peace process, CNN reported. With tens of thousands of soldiers ordered to capture Gaza City and destroy the enclave's current leadership, the Israeli military is preparing to invade the Gaza Strip soon. The military has announced that its ultimate goal is to wipe out the top political and military hierarchy of Hamas. Meanwhile, the terror group's military spokesman, Abu Obeida, claimed that they were holding between 200 and 250 hostages in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported, adding that while there was no definitive count, due to "security and practical difficulties", it is understood that he captives from the November 7 terror attacks totaling nearly 200. In a televised statement, Hamas said about 50 others are being held by other "resistance factions elsewhere." Foreign hostages are "our guests," Obeida said, vowing to protect and release them whenever conditions "on the ground" allow for it, Times of Israel reported. Echoing the IDF's pledge to destroy Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier today told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Israel will 'not stop' until Hamas is destroyed. "The Prime Minister made it clear that Israel had been attacked by brutal and abhorrent murderers, had gone to war determined and united, and would not stop until it had destroyed Hamas's military and governing capabilities," the Israel PM's office tweeted from its official handle on X. (ANI)
US President Joe Biden is scheduled for a brief visit to Israel, lasting approximately five hours, before heading to Jordan, where he will hold talks with King Abdullah II, reported The Times of Israel citing Channel 12. Following this meeting, President Biden will join a summit hosted by King Abdullah, featuring the participation of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, as reported by The Times of Israel. The primary focus of this summit, as per reports, is to address the ongoing humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. During his stay in Israel, President Biden is expected to hold discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and engage with the families of hostages and missing persons, The Times of Israel reported. US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday at a time when the country is facing its toughest battle with the terrorist group Hamas. Tal Heinrich, Spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday said that more than 1,500 Israelis have been killed and 3,900 injured in the war against Hamas. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said that President Biden is coming to Israel at a "critical moment" and will reaffirm the US' solidarity with Israel. He further added by saying that President Biden will continue to coordinate closely with the Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas. Hamas' spokesman, Abu Obeida, has claimed that they were holding between 200 and 250 hostages in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported, adding that while there was no definitive count, due to "security and practical difficulties", it is understood that he captives from the November 7 terror attacks totaling nearly 200. Meanwhile, the White House also issued a statement on President Biden's visit to Israel. "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Israel on Wednesday, October 18, to demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamas's brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps," the White House said. "President Biden will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with his Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza," the White House added in its statement. Earlier on Monday, Spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Tal Heinrich announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden to visit Israel and hopes to host the president soon. A Biden visit would also amount to a message to other players in the region, including the Iran-backed Hezbollah, that they should not escalate the conflict further, according to CNN. (ANI)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday met Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reiterated its support to Israel in its ongoing war with Hamas, The Times of Israel reported. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Israel to hold meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and other officials. Scholz attended a joint press conference with PM Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, noting Berlin's support for the Jewish state. He said that Berlin would always stand beside the Jewish state, citing its responsibility following the Holocaust, The Times of Israel reported. "As I said last week in the Bundestag, in hard times, Germany has only one place, and it is alongside Israel," Scholz said during the joint press conference. "It is very important to say this today here during these difficult times in Israel, Germany's history and the responsibility it had for the Holocaust requires us to help maintain the security and existence of Israel," he said. Scholz further said that "no (outside) actor should see it as a good idea to intervene in this conflict." Meanwhile, Netanyahu at the press conference emphasized that the Hamas massacre of Israelis on October 7 marks "the worst crimes committed against Jews since the Holocaust..." According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu said that these atrocities by Hamas remind us of the Nazi crimes of the Holocaust. "The decapitation of people; the shooting of little children with bound hands; the murder of children in front of their parents; the murder of parents in front of their children; the hiding of babies in the attic and the murderers who came to the attic to murder the babies; the rape and murder of women; the abduction of families, the tearing of grandmothers and Holocaust survivors into captivity; the death pits that remind us of Babyn Yar, where jeeps surround a depression in the ground where they crowd young people in, and they shoot them with machine-guns -- this is the savagery that we only remember from the Nazi crimes of the Holocaust," he said. Emphasizing that Hamas are the new Nazis, he said, "Hamas are the new Nazis, Hamas is ISIS, in some instances worse than ISIS. And just as the world united to defeat the Nazis, just as the world united to defeat ISIS, the world has to stand united behind Israel to defeat Hamas." He further said that the Iran-Hezbollah-Hamas "axis of evil" has "the open goal to eradicate the state of Israel." Hamas's open goal is to kill as many Jews as it can, reported The Times of Israel. "They would have killed every last one of us, murdered every last one of us if they could; they just don't have the capacity. But they murdered an extraordinary 1,300 civilians... in American terms, many, many, many 9/11s.... We must take action to defeat Hamas, and to ensure this does not happen again," he added. Noting that it is the battle against barbarism, Netanyahu said, "But this is not only our battle -- it is our common battle, the battle of civilization against barbarism. If it's not stopped here, this savagery will reach you very soon, and reach the entire world." "We appreciate the fact that you come here to stand with us in this battle for the future of civilization," Netanyahu concluded. Upon his arrival, Scholz was greeted at the airport by Foreign Minister Eli Cohen who welcomed him on "this important visit, which proves that Germany stands by the State of Israel and supports its struggle for the safety of its citizens." According to the latest update, the IDF is currently striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanon, the Israel Defence Force said. Moreover, earlier today, the chief of the Hamas military brigade Ayman Nofal was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, reported The Times of Israel. The Hamas terror group announced the death of the senior member. Hamas, in their statement said that Ayman Nofal, a member of the terror group's General Military Council and the head of its military wing's Central Gaza Brigade, was killed in a strike in the Bureij refugee camp. However, the Israel Defense Forces has not yet commented on the apparent assassination, The Times of Israel reported. Meanwhile, the IDF confirmed that two reservists were wounded in an anti-tank guided missile attack from Lebanon on the northern town of Metula earlier today. According to The Times of Israel, the Hezbollah terror group claimed responsibility for the attack. One reservist is listed in moderate condition, and the second is lightly hurt. Additionally, an Israeli civilian was also lightly hurt in the attack. Furthermore, the head of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate said that he takes responsibility for the intelligence failures that led to Hamas carrying out its surprise onslaught on October 7. "In all my visits to Military Intelligence Directorate units in the last 11 days, I sat down and stressed that the beginning of the war was an intelligence failure," Major Gen Aharon Haliva said. "The Military Intelligence Directorate, under my command, failed to warn of the terror attack carried out by Hamas," Haliva added. "We failed in our most important mission, and as the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, I bear full responsibility for the failure." "What needs to be investigated, we will investigate, in the deepest and most comprehensive way, and draw the conclusions. But now, there is only one task, to fight back and to win," he said. (ANI)
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  At least one person was killed in a domestic-related shooting in Lawrenceburg early Tuesday morning.

The shooting happened around 3 a.m. at a home on Hayes Avenue.

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The Lawrence County Sheriffs Office reported one person was killed in the shooting, which investigators believe stemmed from a domestic incident inside the home.

One person has been taken into custody and there is no danger to the public.

The victims identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

No additional information was immediately released.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Photo: Photo Mike Howell. A Vancouver police officer and a former VPD officer are two of six women (not pictured) who filed a class-action lawsuit Oct. 11 in B.C. Supreme Court against the department and 12 others in the province.

A Vancouver cop has been suspended with pay over what a police board member described as an inappropriate poster displayed in the departments forensic identification unit that is now part of a larger class-action lawsuit.

The suspended officer was not named by police board member Faye Wightman in comments she made at a Sept. 21 board meeting regarding the poster that featured the tag line swabbing penises for over 100 years.

But Vancouver Deputy Chief Steve Rai said at the same meeting that the officer in question was suspended with pay after the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner requested an internal investigation.

More details of the incident and poster were shared in a civil claim filed Oct. 11 in B.C. Supreme Court by six current and former municipal police officers, including VPD Const. Anja Bergler and a former VPD officer, who cannot be named because of a publication ban.

The officers in the class-action lawsuit allege one or more of the following: sexual assault, harassment, bullying or discrimination by other officers and management of the departments in which they continue to serve or have since resigned from.

The six women state in their claim that the action is also being brought forward on behalf of all women  or persons who identified as a woman at the time of their service  who are employed or were employed at one of B.C.s 13 municipal departments.

'Unwanted sexual comments'

Bergler alleges she was subject to unwanted sexual comments in the workplace and had her photograph included on a framed poster displayed in the classroom of the VPDs forensic identification unit.

From Aug. 11 to 23, the parody poster with the swabbing penises for over 100 years tag line was displayed on a wall. Photographs of seven other female officers were featured on the poster.

Although male [forensic identification unit] officers will, under certain circumstances, obtain penile swabs from sexual assault suspects, female [forensic identification unit] officers do not, said the claim, which alleged the poster breached the privacy of Bergler and the other women whose photos appeared on the poster.

In response to the poster, police board member Patricia Barnes said at the Sept. 21 meeting that it was important for the board to send a clear message that it does not condone workplace misconduct and endeavours to ensure that all allegations of workplace misconduct are responded to and dealt with promptly and effectively.

Barnes successfully introduced a motion that makes several recommendations for the department and board to act upon, including directing Chief Adam Palmer to prepare and deliver any reports, documents, papers, data, information and material of any kind requested by the human resources committee in a timely manner that that does not impede its work.

Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer. Photo Mike Howell

Vancouver chief's response

Palmer told the board that the vast majority of the recommendations are already in place.

I just don't want people on the outside to think this is something new that's going to be refreshing or new to us because it's not, the chief said.

There's a few areas here we can tweak around the edges, but most of this is being done. We've been doing this for a long time as a course of business, providing this information. So I just want to get that on the record.

Palmer didnt make any comments related to other allegations which have now gone public in the civil claim, which includes information about a former VPD constable being sexually assaulted by another VPD officer.

The officer was arrested, later convicted and sentenced to one year in jail. The claim alleges the VPD controlled the investigation and did not acknowledge [the officer's] victimization.

Allegations made by the officer who cannot be named because of a publication ban include being subject to harassing behaviours. In one incident, she received an email from a fellow officer containing an explicit video involving a woman engaged in sexual act with a horse.

[The officer] was routinely fined for minor [or perceived] infractions which included demeaning domestic tasks like waiting on other officers and stocking a cooler with alcoholic beverages, the claim said.

[The officer] complained to sergeants and others in VPD management about the gender-based harassment that she was experiencing, but these complaints were never addressed and led to retaliatory abuse, often including being publicly identified as not being a team player.

The officer continues to work as a police officer but the claim doesnt indicate with which department.

'Feel safe, supported in workplace'

The VPDs media department sent an emailed statement Monday to Glacier Media in response to the lawsuit which echoed Barnes comments, saying the VPD has zero tolerance for harassment, bullying, racism and discrimination.

In recent years, we have made strides forward to become a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization, but we know there is more work to do, the statement said.

The VPD is fully committed to continuing the important work to ensure that all VPD employees feel safe and supported in their workplace.

The VPD added that every file brought forward is investigated and reported with multiple streams of oversight from the Independent Investigations Office, the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner and/or the criminal courts.

'Unwanted sexual touching'

Other allegations in the claim include:

 Cary Ryan, who served with the West Vancouver Police Department from February 2004 to October 2009, alleged she experienced unwanted sexual touching and comments in the workplace.

Ms. Ryan was exposed to graphic, misogynistic photographs of a woman on her period, and was routinely exposed to unwanted physical contact and invitations for sex with co-workers, said the claim, which added Ryan was later diagnosed with clinical depression.

 Lauren Phillips served as a police officer in Victoria for two years and with the New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) for almost five years, until leaving in July. She continues to serve as an officer, but the claim doesnt indicate at which department.

While working with the NWPD, Ms. Phillips experienced, among other things, unwanted sexual comments in the workplace, the claim said. Ms. Phillips was called a hot mama and had other comments about her child-bearing hips made by a male officer.

On several occasions, the claim continued, she complained about the harassment but the complaints were not, or insufficiently addressed and led to retaliatory abuse, often at the hands of NWPD management.

 Helen Irvine served with the Delta Police Department (DPD) from March 2014 to April 2022. She was diagnosed with major depressive disorder "as a consequence of the ongoing harassment she experienced," according to the claim.

She alleged unwanted sexual touching and comments in the workplace.

"Fellow officers drew a penis in Ms. Irvine's notebook, with the caption 'next time it won't be a sticky note,'" the claim said. "Ms. Irvine was also frequently compelled to play a game of 'would you rather' where questions of a sexual nature were asked of her."

 Ann-Sue Piper, who has served with Central Saanich Police Service since September 2008, alleged she experienced unwanted sexual touching and comments in the workplace.

Ms. Piper was exposed to routine jokes about oral sex [blow jobs], frequently was touched on her buttocks by fellow officers and was threatened to be penetrated with a service rifle by a male officer, said the claim, which added Piper was later diagnosed with severe complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

'Will not be tolerated'

Delta Police Department acting-Insp. James Sandberg said in an email Monday that the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner concluded in March 2018 a complaint from "a third party" alleging bullying and harassment in 2017.

Sandberg confirmed the "third party" was Irvine. He said the "discipline authority" in an investigation determined "the evidence did not meet the threshold required to substantiate misconduct by the officers involved."

"As this case is now moving into civil court proceedings, the DPD will refrain from making any further comments regarding the complaint or the impending lawsuit," Sandberg said of Irvine's allegations in the claim filed last week.

The Central Saanich Police Service posted a statement on its website regarding the lawsuit, saying it would not comment on individual cases out of respect for privacy of those involved and the court process.

Central Saanich Police Service wishes to make it clear that any form of harassment, violence, and discrimination by our members or staff is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the police service, the statement said.

The service is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the workplace. We strongly encourage anyone who has experienced harassment, violence or discrimination to come forward, and our management team is committed to supporting these individuals and ensuring reports are taken seriously and addressed in a fair and transparent manner.

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

As of Monday, the departments and cities named in the civil claim had not filed responses in court.
Officials with the Claremont Police Department, in cooperation with several neighboring law enforcement agencies, arrested 12 men during a prostitution enforcement operation last week.

The enforcement detail, which took place on Oct. 13, was planned after the Claremont PD received multiple complaints from residents, business owners and others about prostitution in the area of Indian Hill Boulevard and the 10 Freeway.

As part of the operation, five undercover officers posed as prostitutes and solicited subjects attempting to pay for sex acts, according to a Claremont PD news release.

Among the 12 arrested was a 64-year-old Pomona man, identified as Maher Salama, who is a registered sex offender for sexual battery, police said. Salama was arrested for being out of compliance of his sex registrant conditions and for soliciting a prostitute.

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Yet another individual, identified as 33-year-old Jeremiah Salcedo from Big Bear, was arrested for soliciting a prostitute and for a sexual crime warrant out of the state of Texas.

The remaining 10 men arrested for soliciting a prostitute were identified as:

Edgardo Fernando Lopez Hernandez, 46, from Tujunga

Billy Joe Torres, 36, from Claremont

Jose Manuel Orozco Barriento, 48, from Fontana

Trevon Michael Lofton, 30, from La Verne

Renardo Carrillo Martinez, 22, from Rialto

Jonathan Everett Manpioper 25, from Anaheim

Reymundo Alvarado Galvan, 25, from Jurupa Valley

Jason Daniel Doe, 37, from Pomona

Anthony Frank Coleman, 41, from Covina

Jaime Fierros, 37, from Fontana

With the exception of Salcedo, who was being held pending extradition to Texas for his outstanding warrant, the rest of the men were booked and released on citations with a date to appear in Pomona Superior Court.

The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office Bureau of Investigation, the Glendora and Upland police departments, along with assistance of the Claremont Motel, participated in the enforcement operation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Home and Away spoilers follow for UK viewers.

Next week on Home and Away, Rose faces tensions with Xander after her recent meetings with Samuel  and Mali soon regrets getting involved.

Elsewhere, Tane suggests to Felicity that they should move away, while Cash risks losing control of the situation with Harper and Dana.

Here's a full collection of 12 big moments coming up.

1. Theo is ready to give up on the band

Channel 5

Theo prepares to return to his mechanics course now that Lyrik is facing an indefinite hiatus. Justin offers to investigate the possibility of becoming Theo's tutor again, despite being axed from the role for unprofessional behaviour last time.

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Leah notices that Theo seems hesitant about the move back to his apprenticeship and she openly questions whether he's doing the right thing. She feels that her nephew is too talented to give up on his dream so easily, but Theo points out the need to be realistic now that Lyrik can't perform.

2. Rose tries to make peace with Xander

Channel 5

Mali tries to fight Rose's corner in her latest dispute with her brother, but Xander warns him to back off and stop interfering. Rose also encourages Mali to stay out of the feud as he seems to be making things worse.

Later, Rose sits down with Xander for a chat and tries to explain the approach she has taken with her long-lost father Samuel. Xander is frustrated that Rose is cutting contact with Samuel after stirring up so many emotions, but will he understand better after hearing how she feels?

3. Rose changes her mind over Samuel

Channel 5

Rose heads off to see her mother Yvette to hear her side of the story over why she cut Samuel out of their lives all those years ago. After hearing what Yvette has to say, Rose understands why her mum felt so scared and confused at the time.

Mali shows care and compassion while chatting to Rose over the situation. Impressed, Rose reveals that she's planning another visit to Samuel and would like Mali to come along this time.

4. Roo's harsh outburst upsets Marilyn

Endemol Shine - Channel 5

With Roo now recovering closer to home at the Northern Districts Hospital, her friends and family are keen to spend time with her. Roo is warm and welcoming towards everyone, apart from Marilyn.

Marilyn and Alf speculate that Roo is upset as Marilyn didn't visit her when she was in the hospital in the city. However, Roo soon sets the record straight by admitting that she doesn't want any visits from Marilyn  in fact, she thinks her friend is to blame for her current condition.

5. Roo defends her stance

Endemol Shine - Channel 5

Marilyn tries her best to apologise to Roo for her role in the Stunning Organics saga, which sparked the disastrous chain of events culminating in the explosion. Roo refuses to hear Marilyn's excuses and sends her away from the hospital.

Roo welcomes in Alf and Mali when they visit her and expresses her gratitude to Mali for saving her life. As Mali seems back to his usual self, it hits home for Roo that everyone else seems to have moved on with their lives, while she's still facing a long period of recovery.

6. John gets Xander in trouble

Channel 5

John accidentally breaks a bottle of top shelf whiskey during a boozy event at Salt. The next morning, Xander urges John to come clean with Mac before she spots that the bottle is missing.

When John continues to delay, the inevitable happens as Mac notices the problem and demands an explanation. John is forced to confess all, while Xander comes clean about how he was letting guests help themselves behind the bar.

With Mac's trust in Xander broken, she considers postponing her planned trip rather than leaving him in a position of responsibility.

7. Eden writes a very honest song

Channel 5

Eden and Remi search for inspiration while on a songwriting trip together. The pressure is on to create some killer hits now that Lyrik is blocked from performing its own back catalogue.

Eden starts writing a personal song which is fuelled by her feelings of betrayal over Kirby leaving the band. Remi is impressed and thinks it could be the breakout hit that saves Lyrik, but Eden is reluctant as she knows how hurt Kirby will be if she hears it.

8. Kirby loses creative control

Channel 5

Kirby persuades Forrest to let her share some ideas for her solo career with the record label. Sadly, none of the suggestions are approved and Kirby realises that she may not have as much input as she'd hoped for.

Kirby confides in Justin about how the label's vision is at odds with her own. It seems that the new solo arrangement could be under threat already.

9. Cash is threatened by Madden

Channel 5

Cash consults with the police's anti-corruption unit as he tries to bring down DS Madden, but he's frustrated when nobody is free to talk to him for another week.

Madden increases the pressure on Cash by paying him a visit at home, vowing to arrest him as soon as he has tracked down Dana.

10. Irene returns and finds a fugitive

Endemol Shine - Channel 5

Irene returns to Summer Bay and it doesn't take long for her to find out that Harper has been helping her sister Dana to hide out at the house. She's torn over the situation and consults with Cash, who vouches for the Matheson sisters but clarifies that Irene would be breaking the law if she helps them.

Irene points out that her home has always been a refuge for those in need, so she agrees that Dana can stay  despite the possible consequences for herself if this comes back to bite her.

11. Dana goes missing

Channel 5

Madden visits Irene's house to look for Dana, but Irene sends him away as he doesn't have a warrant. Sadly, it's not long before Madden returns with the official clearance that he needs.

Madden places Harper under arrest, which prompts Dana to rush out of her hiding place and hand herself over. Madden and his corrupt colleague Fletcher bring Dana in for questioning, but they fail to arrive at the police station later on.

Cash, Irene and Harper are left in a panic as they wonder what the dangerous pair have done to Dana.

12. Tane and Felicity consider moving away

Channel 5

Tane speaks to Felicity about how he'd like them to buy a plot of land in New Zealand. There's already a plot available which is in their price range, and Tane believes that it's in the perfect location.

After taking some time to consider it, Felicity agrees that she's up for the idea and the excited couple wait to hear whether their offer will be accepted.

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First-look screenings air at 6.30pm on 5STAR and the show also streams on My5.

Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK.

Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage

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We love to treat heinous criminals and serial murderers like its a white folks thing but Im here to inform you, that is simply not true. Despite what the Netflix documentaries and spooky movies perpetuate, Black serial killers exist. They may not be as popular or widely known as your typical Jeffrey Dahmer and Jack The Ripper, but their crimes are just as sinister.

Interestingly enough, because the media always gave press to the white serial killers, Black ones were nearly able to fly under the radar. Who would expect a sweet-presenting Black woman to kill her entire family? Who would have thought a couple would spend their dates on a killing spree?

Read more

The infamous Videotape Killer was linked to the murders of 12 sex workers in St. Louis by investigators, per Fox 2 Now. He would lure women to his home with money or drugs, then tie them up and kill them. After committing each murder, Travis would discard the bodies along the road and carried on this heinous act for three years.

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Police identified Travis after tracing his steps through a series of interactive maps and found his home. Bloodstains covered every part of his house and various womens items were recovered in the basement along with several videotapes of him torturing, abusing and raping his victims. Travis committed suicide in his jail cell before he could be convicted.

Elton Manning Jackson

Jackson wreaked havoc on the LGBT community for 10 years. His first victim was a gay man in 1997 and he was suspected of killing another 11 queer men. Authorities declined to name Jackson as the suspect in the other killings due to a lack of evidence, but found his method of madness was identical in each case: sexually motivated strangulation.

He ended up being convicted in only one murder and was sentenced to life in prison though he denied his involvement.

Eddie Lee Mosley

Dubbed as the Rape Man, Mosley was accused of terrorizing the women of South Florida in the 70s. DNA linked him to dozens of murders and rapes in the Fort Lauderdale area. He was charged three times for rape and was found not guilty in two cases and entered a plea deal in the third, per Sun Sentinel. Two innocent men were even convicted for Mosleys crimes, one of them being the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl.

Once the police got to him in the late 1980s, he was declared unfit to stand trial and was secluded to mental hospitals until he died in 2020.

John Floyd Thomas

The insurance claim adjuster turn serial killer was named the Westside Rapist for the terror he brought on women from Inglewood to Claremont, Ca. His targets were older women between the ages of 50 and 90. He would break into their homes, rape them and choke them to death. Thomas was finally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for seven murders but remains a suspect in another 15 unsolved killings, per LA Times.

Jake Bird

The Tacoma Ax-Killer had a lengthy record of burglaries and murders. However, he was caught after police responded to reports of screams inside a house. When they arrived, Bird ran out the backdoor barefoot but was caught and arrested by the police. He was convicted of the first-degree murder of two Tacoma women and given the death penalty in 1947.

While on Death Row, he confessed to over 40 more murders across the country that flew under the radar. He was hung at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla in 1949.

Harrison Graham

One summer in 1987, Grahams neighbor complained to their landlord about a stench coming from Harrisons apartment. He was ordered to vacate the premises but refused and boarded up his doors and windows. He then fled from the fire escape and the landlord called the police to break into the apartment. What they found were two dead Black women, blood splatters and a slew of skeletal remains. Bones and body parts of other victims were found in bags.



For the following week, Harrison ditched the police until his mother convinced him to turn himself in. When he was arrested, he confessed to the killings of seven women and was convicted in each case. He received the death penalty but was ordered to serve life in prison first, meaning he wouldnt actually be executed.

Roberta Elder

The wife of Reverend William M. Elder was not only responsible for his death but also the death of two of his children whom she poisoned with her cooking. She was charged for their murders but during her trial, it was found that her killings didnt stop at her household. She was accused of killing up to 13 people including two ex-husbands, three of her own children, a grandson, a cousin and her own mother. She was sentenced to life in prison.

Debra Brown

Brown and Alton Coleman began their killing spree when they lured two young girls into the woods in 1984. One of the girls was raped and the other was suffocated and stomped. For the next 50 days, the two killed eight more people, raped seven and kidnapped three. The couple was sentenced to death and Coleman was executed in 2002. However, Browns death sentence was overturned after the attorney general attributed her actions to a mental disability, per Indy Star.



Samuel Little

Little is known as the most prolific serial killer not just because of his crimes but because he confessed to a large number of unsolved murders just two years before he died. Little had been killing since the 50s but was sentenced for good in 2014 for killing three women in the 80s. His DNA was then connected to another string of strangulations. In an interview with a Texas Ranger, he confessed to unsolved killings in over a dozen states bringing the total up to 93 people dead.



Henry Louis Wallace

Wallace, also known as the Taco Bell Strangler, raped and murdered 11 Black women in the span of four years in the 90s. Most of the victims were women he knew such as friends and co-workers at the Taco Bell he managed in Charlotte, NC. Ol boy even attended some of their funerals. It wasnt until Wallace killed two women back-to-back in the same building that the police were onto him. He was arrested in 1994 and sentenced to death.

Chester Turner

Over a span of 11 years, Turner killed 10 women in Los Angeles. He was sentenced to 10 counts of second-degree murder and the superior court judge said the evidence showed Turner would strangle each woman to death for his own sexual pleasure, a nature of cruelty rarely seen in murder trials. By 2014, he was sentenced to death after being found guilty in the killings of an additional four women, per Los Angeles Daily News.



Paul Durousseau

Durousseau was a cab driver in Jacksonville when he raped and killed a 26-year-old woman. Following her death, Durousseau took the lives of six other women all under the age of 25. He was finally arrested in 2003 on five counts of murder but DNA linked him to his first killing, upgrading his punishment to the death sentence. In 2021, he had his death penalty conviction overthrown to serve life in prison instead, per News4Jax.



Craig Price

Price grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood during the heat of the civil rights movement. Despite having a relatively happy childhood, Craig started experiencing dark thoughts about murder and by the time he turned 13, he had a hefty criminal record including robbery, stalking and assault. Soon, he killed a white woman from his neighborhood. The case went cold until police found he later killed another white woman and her two daughters. He willingly confessed to the murders and was convicted as a minor. His sentence was supposed to have ended in 2017 but his repeated crimes inside prison extended his stay, per WJAR. He goes down in US history as once of the youngest serial killers.



Zebra Killers

In the 70s, a group of young Black men embarked on a killing spree, taking the lives of up to 15 people. Their crimes led to a stop-and-search program to be issued in San Francisco which was widely criticized by Black civil rights leaders as another ploy to harass innocent Black people. However, by 1974, seven Black men were arrested. Three of them got off on bail but the remaining four were convicted on a slew of charges including murder and kidnapping, and sentenced to life in prison.

Carl Eugene Watts

Dubbed by the press as the Sunday Morning Slasher, Watts was assumed to be experiencing delusion after being diagnosed with Meningitis. When he was younger, he used to hunt rabbits and stalk his female classmates, then he committed his first murder at 15 years old. According to AP, he killed for a span of eight years claiming the lives of 14 to 100 women. He was hard to catch because police couldnt find a pattern in how he killed. Then, in 1981, one of his victims faked being unconscious and escaped from him, alerting the police. In Texas, he was charged as a non-violent felon after pleading guilty to burglary with intention to kill. However, a witness from Michigan came forward with a testimony sending him to life in prison.

Wayne Williams

In 1981, Williams was arrested for the murders of two adult men. However, during his trial, prosecutors suggested he was also behind a string of 22 murders of children in Atlanta. Though he maintained his innocence, forensic evidence from his home and vehicle connected him to several victims. He was sentenced to life in prison, though many people still believe he is innocent.



Lonnie Franklin Jr.

The Grim Sleeper was known to target young Black women who struggled with drug addiction. Franklin was found guilty of killing nine women and one teenager in 2016 and sentenced to death. His killing spree lasted from 1984, all the way to 2007 ; he kept souvenirs from his victims including their jewelry or pictures of them. He was finally arrested in 2010; prosecutors speculated he may have been behind even more murders. Before his execution date, he died in 2020 in his prison cell, per People.



Derrick Todd Lee

Though he was only convicted in the murder of two women, Lee was tied to at least six other murders in Louisiana between 1998 and 2003. Prosecutors say he murdered to satisfy a sexual gratification he craved. In 2003, he was sentenced to life in prison for one murder but in 2004, his sentenced was enhanced to the death penalty after being found guilty in another murder.



Mark Goudeau

The Baseline Killer killing spree began in August of 2005, per ABC News. Within one year, he was believed to kill nine people as well as commit a string of rapes and assaults. The women of Phoenix were running to self-defense classes and buying firearms for protection. By September of 2006, he was arrested and charges with 94 crimes, including but not excluded to the murders. He had two trials as the public debated on whether he was the killer in question. Right now, he sits on death row.



The entire time, his wife, Carr, stood by him and proclaimed his innocence. The police have manipulated the media. Theyve said horrible things about Mark. People want to believe that they have the right guy, Carr said to GMA.

Anthony Sowell

Sowell served 15 years in prison in a rape and was released in the early 2000s. However, in 2009, investigators who suspected him of another rape found the decomposing bodies of two women on the third floor of his house and a grave dug in the basement. Sowell had a total of 10 dead bodies rotting in his home, all of which were vulnerable young women who struggled with drug addiction. Victims who escaped tried to tell the police but some didnt believe their reports.



Sowell was sentenced to death in 2011 but died in 2021 of an unspecified illness, per Cleveland.com.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger recently admitted to some pretty extreme behavior as a parent. He said in an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, that when his kids were young, he once threw his sons mattress off the balcony and into the pool because his son hadnt made his own bed. Another time, the actor said, he burned his daughters shoes in the fireplace when she failed to put them away properly.

Hes not the only parent to go to remarkable lengths to teach their child a lesson. Below are 16 stories from Twitter and our HuffPost Parents Facebook community about the outlandish things parents will do to prove a point.

woke up to every single door on my car wide open, not bc it got broken into but bc my dad is trying to teach me a lesson about leaving my car unlocked  sylvana (@5ylv4n4) April 1, 2022

I saw that my son left his bike unlocked at school. To teach him a lesson, I rode it home. I thought hed come home humbled.



Instead he called the cops. An officer found me walking and said, We have you on camera taking a bike.



My son, following, yelled, Thats my dad!   Nate McMurray (@Nate_McMurray) September 27, 2019

I took all the cords for electronics away, worst Ive done. The things they would do for chargers and HDMI cords!  Gwendy Moreno

Still laughing at the time my parents punished me by taking away my iPhone & giving me a nokia for a month  as a parent- thats brilliant  chelsea mann (@chellllybeann) September 5, 2023

My mother repeatedly told me and my sister if you dont stop fighting over who gets to jump on the trampoline Im going to get rid of it. We laughed and continued to fight over it  and one day she walked outside with a huge knife and cut the fabric in half. And that was that!  Jenny Yates Jeschke

Thinking about the time when I was misbehaving as a child on Christmas Eve, my Italian grandma punished me by feeding me Chef Boyardee  Sal (@salanth0ny) December 24, 2022

My mom taught me a lesson when I was a kid about opening the door for people I dont know. One time a Jehovah witness came knocking & I opened the door & went and got my mom. A week later she came back & my mom let her in the house & made me talk with her at our kitchen table.  sawn (@sawnee07) September 21, 2020

My dad got tired of my sister slamming doors so he took [the door] off the hinges and burned it in the front yard. That was about 20 years ago. Recently, he admitted he only made a spectacle about burning it since he already planned on buying upgraded doors for the house in the future. It totally worked, though! Now I use the story to teach my own kids not to slam their doors.  Audrey VanScyoc

When I was 7, I wanted to go as Mario for Halloween. I ended up getting in trouble in school, and my Mom punished me by getting me a Luigi costume.  Sean Carlucci (@SeanCarlucci) October 29, 2022

While on a trip, my kids were fighting over a toy in the backseat of the car. I asked them to stop a number of times. I finally reached back, grabbed the toy, rolled down the passenger side window, and tossed the toy out. They were well-behaved the rest of the trip, and every trip after that, actually.  Kathie Hilliard

Youngest kid just called oldest kid a fraud. So like a good attorney parent, to teach her a lesson I made her comply with FRCP Rule 9(b) and provide more specificity. #appellatetwitter  Jody Sanders (@jodyssanders) September 18, 2022

I had a coworker who once told me she was having trouble with her teenage son exhibiting rebellious behavior. So she took all his favorite things and plastic wrapped them to the dining room table  where he could see them every time he walked through to his bedroom. She said it worked  he gradually earned it all back. Hes grown up now and has a family of his own, but they often visit. Tammy Smith

My 10 year old daughter says I'm embarrassing and refused to give me a kiss when I dropped her off at school this morning.



So I'm going to dress up as Big Bird from Sesame Street when I collect her this afternoon to teach her a lesson.  Cat  (@jammycat8) June 21, 2022

My dad one time came in the house and claims that everyone was watching tv and no one even acknowledged him  so he walked over to the tv and cut the cord.  Jenny Orozco

My son just put a pizza in the oven then went up to his room without setting the timer. I might have to burn the house down to teach him a lesson.  Danielle-Royals  missroyalkc.bsky.social (@danielleRoyalKC) October 17, 2022

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WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE  A 19-year-old Zanesville woman received a three-year prison term on Monday in Fayette County, according to the Scioto Valley Guardian.

The court had initially set Monday for Jaedamae Geigers final pretrial hearing, however she enter a guilty plea to vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony, instead.

According to the Guardian, the crash occurred on April 30 when Geiger failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with another vehicle resulting in the death of David Pence Jr., a 58-year-old from Chillicothe. As recounted by the Wilmington post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, the impact forced both cars off the northern side of U.S. 22. Pence was declared deceased at the site. Geiger and her passenger, 18-year-old Amber McNutt, also from Zanesville, sustained injuries and were taken to Adena Fayette Medical Center.

The court recognized Geigers 66-day stay in Fayette County Jail, counting it as time served. She will be sent to serve her time in the Marysville female prison.

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The Ohio Department of Transportation announced in the spring after the crash that a roundabout would be placed at the intersection next year.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Zanesville woman pleads guilty to vehicular homicide in fatal crash
A rapid response force made up of roughly 2,000 U.S. Marines and sailors is being sent to the coast of Israel amid rising tensions in the region, a defense official familiar with the planning told CNN on Monday. The movement of the unit, which specializes in amphibious and crisis operations, as well as humanitarian assistance, is part of an American effort designed to keep the Israel-Palestine conflict from spilling over into other parts of the Middle East, according to the network. It comes hours after it was reported that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had ordered that 2,000 troops prepare for a potential deployment to assist with medical and logistical support in Israel; however, it does not mean that those troops definitively will be deployed. The response force will join a considerable U.S. presence already amassed along the coast, which includes at least two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, a number of Air Force fighter jets, and several warships.

Read it at CNN

Read more at The Daily Beast.
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia police are seeking tips and surveillance videos after what they called two gunpoint "stranger rapes" in the Kingsessing section of the city over the weekend.

One happened early in the morning, while the other happened in the evening, according to police.

Investigators said the first assault happened on Saturday at 3 a.m. on the 1600 block of S. 55th Street.

Authorities said a woman reported she was sitting inside her car at a traffic light at 55th and Kingsessing Avenue when a man approached her with a black gun. He pointed the gun at her and demanded money, according to police.

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Police said the woman gave the man $20 and he ordered her to unlock the car doors. The suspect then got into her vehicle and directed her to 49th and Bernard Streets, where he sexually assaulted her, police said.

The man drove her to an ATM and ordered her to withdraw money after the assault, according to police. After receiving more money, the man exited her car and left the area.

"It has to be soul crushing, your whole sense of being has just been destroyed, your sense of safety has just been destroyed," Capt. Margo Alleyne-Parker said.

The second rape happened nearly two miles away on the 1100 block of S. Paxon Street at 5 p.m. Sunday, police said.

Authorities said in this instance, a woman was walking in the area of 5100 block Springfield Avenue. When she approached S. Paxon Street, the same gunman allegedly came up behind her, pointed a silver handgun at her, and demanded money.

Police said the woman gave the man $25 and prescription medicine. The man then allegedly forced her into a nearby alleyway in the rear of Paxon Street, where he sexually assaulted the woman. Police said he fled the scene in an unknown direction.

"It's really disgusting. It's depressing and then you think about some elderly people that live in this neighborhood," a neighbor said.

According to police, the man was in his 20s and had a thin build. In Sunday's attack, he wore dark pants, a blue hoody, a blue surgical mask, and a red Phillies hat with a white "P."

The Special Victims Unit is investigating the incident.

Alleyne-Parker said police need Ring camera video and tips from the public to assist in the investigation.

"Our SVU detectives are still scouring through surveillance footage that they've recovered to see if we can identify this male, but we are also asking for the public's help," Alleyne-Parker said. "To search through any Ring camera footage they may have if they notice anyone fitting the description."

Alleyne-Parker grew up near the scenes and was stunned to hear the facts of the case.

"After reading everything it was just utter shock," Alleyne-Parker said. "Especially 5 o'clock in the afternoon in broad daylight on a public street is just a heinous act. I was very, very shocked, and wanted to make sure this was put out as soon as possible."

Anyone is encouraged to contact the SVU at 215-685-3264 or call 911.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center: 1-877-739-3895

Mother of French-Israeli hostage appeals for Hamas to return their daughter

Exclusive: Mitt Romney on why Jordan's not his first choice for House speaker

Reports: Hospital struck by rocket in Gaza, at least 500 killed
Two San Luis Obispo County residents are confirmed to have the West Nile virus, the SLO County Public Health Department said in a news release, and one contracted the disease locally.

This is the first time someone is known to have contracted the West Nile virus in the county, Public Health said. The other resident contracted the virus elsewhere, the release said.

The disease is spread by mosquitoes, and in past cases, SLO County residents became infected in places were the virus is more common, the release said.

The local cases come as reports of West Nile virus in humans are increasing statewide compared to previous years, according to data from the California Department of Public Health.

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So far this year, West Nile virus has been confirmed in 244 human cases in California as of Oct. 13, 2023, according to CDPH data. Thats a 38% jump from this time last year, when 93 human cases had been tallied in the state.

Symptoms of West Nile virus and how to curb its spread

Despite the increase in West Nile cases in California, local health officials dont feel the virus is a major public health risk, the release said.

We want our community to be aware that West Nile virus has spread here in SLO County, but it does not appear to be spreading widely and the risk to the public remains very low. Together, we can take simple steps to prevent further spread, like protecting against mosquito bites and keeping an eye out for sources of standing water that make it easy for mosquitoes to breed, Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Public Health officer, said in the release.

While one in five people may experience flu-like symptoms and less than 1% develop serious neurologic illness, many who are bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile dont experience any adverse symptoms, the release said.

People with preexisting conditions such as diabetes and hypertension or those over age 50 are at an elevated risk of developing a serious illness from West Nile virus, according to the news release.

Most cases of the virus follow mosquito breeding patterns and increase most frequently in summer and fall.

If we get rain this fall, mosquitoes may have more of an opportunity to thrive, Borenstein said. Now is a good time to be aware and remember to dump or drain standing water around your home.

Public Health says other ways to stay protected include wearing a bug repellent that contains DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil; wear long-sleeved pants and shirts; avoid mosquitoes at dusk and dawn, when they are most likely to bite; and check and repair screens to keep mosquitoes out.

Cleaning out fountains, bird baths and pet water dishes can also help prevent mosquito activity.
Here are the 20 Republicans who voted against Jordan for Speaker

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the Republican nominee for Speaker, failed to get the necessary number of votes to win the gavel in the first round of voting on the House floor.

Twenty Republicans withheld their support for Jordan, leaving the Ohio representative far short of the majority of the full Houses votes, which he would need to become Speaker.

The final tally was 200 votes for Jordan; 212 votes for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the Democrats nominee; seven votes for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.); six votes for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.); and seven votes for other candidates.

Here are the 20 House Republicans who voted against Jordan.

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Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) voted for McCarthy. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) voted for McCarthy. Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.) voted for former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.). Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) voted for Scalise. Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Texas) voted for Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) voted for Zeldin. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) voted for McCarthy. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) voted for Scalise. Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) voted for Scalise. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) voted for Scalise Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) voted for McCarthy Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) voted for Zeldin. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) voted for McCarthy. Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) voted for Scalise. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) voted for Scalise. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) voted for Scalise. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) voted for Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) Rep. John James (R-Mich.) voted for Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) voted for McCarthy. Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) voted for Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)

Top Stories from The Hill

Twenty defections from Jordans candidacy was a higher number than many anticipated. Before the vote, at least six GOP lawmakers signaled publicly that they did not intend to support Jordan on the first ballot: Bacon, Kelly, Gimenez, Lawler, Diaz-Balart and Buck.

Chavez-DeRemer said she was frustrated by the divide in the conference and noted McCarthy had more support than Jordan. She deflected a question on what she would need to hear from Jordan to support him, instead pledging to find a consensus candidate.

Until somebody gets as many as Speaker McCarthy got, were going to be in this further divide. And Im going to do everything I can within our conference to get a consensus candidate within the Republican Conference, she said, adding that she thinks there are lots of names that people can get behind.

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LaMalfa said he intends to support Jordan on the second ballot but that he voted for McCarthy as a sign of support for his friend, who he thought did a great job as Speaker.

I voted for Speaker Kevin McCarthy because this whole process has stumped the last 15 days. And I believe that he was leading us in a very, very good direction  and this is no dispersion on Jim Jordan, okay? I will vote for him, Jim, on the second ballot, LaMalfa said.

But this is my long-term relationship and friendship and partnership with Kevin speaking there that I wanted to show him my support for how long this has been done to him, for the great work hes done and leading us all this time, as well as with his majority leader and a Speaker for this, he added.

Diaz-Balart has not changed his mind.

Im in the same place where Ive been, he said about withholding support for Jordan. He and I have a great relationship. I have a great relationship with him, but I am where Im at.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.




Viva Mexico and all its queer talent!

Instagram

Lambda Garcia is a Mexican actor and television host known for his appearances in popular telenovelas like Shangre de mi tierra and La reina soy yo.

The 36-year-old actor has also stolen the hearts of reality TV fans, winning shows like Las estrellas bailan en Hoy in 2021 and Top Chef VIP in 2022. He's currently dancing on Mira quien baila, Mexico's version of Dancing With the Stars, where he is still competing for the crown.

Garcia was originally outed in 2016 after leaked photos of him and then-boyfriend Polo Morin. However, it wasn't until 2019 that he opened up about his sexuality with People en Espanol.

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We're happy he's part of our fam, and we hear he's single!

Scroll through some of his sexiest Instagram photos below, and be sure to give this super hunk a follow!

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Photo: The Canadian Press One of the women who has accused Peter Nygard of sexual assault is testifying at his Toronto trial that the former fashion mogul flew her to Toronto for a business meeting under the guise of helping with her fashion career. Nygard, clockwise starting bottom left, Justice Robert Goldstein, complainant on the stand, defence lawyer Brian Greenspan, Toronto Police Service Det.-Sgt. Erin Hanlon and a court clerk are seen in a courtroom sketch in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould

Note: This story contains graphic content.

A woman who has accused Peter Nygard of sexual assault told his trial Monday that the former fashion mogul flew her to Toronto under the guise of helping with her designer aspirations, but what she thought would be a business meeting turned into an attack.

Nygard, the founder of a now-defunct international women's clothing company, is accused of using his position in the fashion industry to lure women and girls.

The 82-year-old has pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault and one count of forcible confinement in alleged incidents ranging from the 1980s to mid-2000s.

The case's fifth and final complainant  whose identity is protected by a publication ban  said she first met Nygard in the late 1980s at a popular nightclub in Gatineau, Que. The woman, in her late teens or early 20s at the time, was living with her family in nearby Ottawa, where she worked in television and sold hand-painted clothing on weekends.

She said a colleague introduced her to the famous fashion figure. Nygard asked for the woman's number after hearing about her clothing designs, she testified.

"He said something along the lines of 'I'm sure I can help you,'" she said, telling the court she provided her family's home number.

She told the jury that "quite a long time" went by before she heard from Nygard again. After she had turned 21, she was on a work trip to Los Angeles when her mother called and told her Nygard had phoned the family home and invited her out to his Toronto office for what they thought would be a business meeting, she said.

"He said to her along the lines of ... 'I am in fashion and I have a lot of connections, I want to help your daughter,'" she said. After a brief chat with the complainant on the phone, Nygard booked her a flight to Toronto and put her up in a hotel, she said.

"It seemed extremely outlandish that someone I had met for a few minutes would be wanting to fly me from Los Angeles to Toronto for a meeting," she said.

She testified that she met Nygard, per his instructions, in the evening for a drink at a bar near his Toronto office. When she arrived, she said Nygard was already in a booth and ordered oysters. After some small talk, he mentioned that oysters are an aphrodisiac and are "like having a vagina in your mouth," she said.

It was very odd and very uncomfortable," she testified.

She tried to steer the conversation in a business direction, she said, but Nygard wasn't interested in answering her questions or discussing his fashion empire. Instead he probed her about her sexual activity, she testified, until he started getting agitated and annoyed with her coyness.

After a brief walk toward his office, she said Nygard walked her through the building, viewing some collections that were showcased. "Finally, at last we're going to talk business," she remembered thinking.

She said when the two of them got to the end of the displayed clothing, Nygard fiddled with a switch on the wall and suddenly a wall slid open to reveal a private bedroom suite.

Multiple complainants in the trial have alleged they were taken to Nygard's Toronto headquarters under pretences ranging from tours to job interviews, with all encounters ending in the top-floor bedroom suite that featured keypad-operated locks, where they allege they were sexually assaulted.

"It felt like it was a kind of sordid environment for sexual activity," the fifth complainant testified, noting the dim lighting, bed, stone jacuzzi and two red dresses hung above it. The door closed behind her after they entered the bedroom and she noticed there was no door handle inside, she said.

She said Nygard made her a drink and she sat on the bed, because there were no chairs, trying not to give away her nervousness, and pornography suddenly began playing on the TVs in the room. Nygard suddenly lunged at her and pinned her to the bed, despite her yelling and repeating "the word 'no' at least 50 times."

"My words were absolutely invisible to Mr. Nygard," she said.

"It really struck me, there's no way this is the first time this person has done this because it was artful. This person knew how to position his body to disable my body."

He removed her clothing from the waist down and berated her for not co-operating, saying "all the other girls let me do this," she recalled. She said she felt trapped because there was no door handle.

"I was a prisoner in that room," she said.

She testified that she writhed around and fought back aggressively but the more she struggled, the angrier he became. After struggling against Nygard, she began to feel paralysis kick in, she told the court as she became overwhelmed with emotion.

Before inserting himself into her, Nygard repeatedly told her, "Your mum would be ashamed of you."

"It really kind of broke me when he said that, I felt like really I had lost the battle," she said through tears.

The complainant said she mentioned the ongoing AIDS epidemic at the time and Nygard left to put on a condom, returned and inserted himself into her until he finished and collapsed on the bed.

Afterward, she politely pleaded with Nygard to let her out  not wanting to anger him further, she testified  but he became irritated and ranted that they would do it again in two hours, and that she would become his girlfriend. She said she begged until he became annoyed and finally let her out, and she escaped onto the streets in the middle of the night.

Sporting a suit, tinted glasses and with his long white hair tied back in court, Nygard rubbed his temple throughout the complainant's testimony on Monday.
A second man was charged with first-degree murder in the September death of a woman in south Phoenix on the basis of the felony murder rule.

Phoenix police announced on Tuesday that 22-year-old Ricardo Mendoza Sanchez was booked into jail after being released from medical care.

Court records show that a resident fatally shot Mia Padilla at about 2:15 a.m. on Sept. 25. Sanchez and 23-year-old Omar Rivas had tried to rob the resident and they fled the area in a car with Padilla.

The resident told police that he had solicited Padilla for prostitution, according to court records. She had left his house but later texted him saying she had forgotten something. She returned with Rivas and Sanchez, who were carrying handguns, court records show. The two then entered the house, pistol-whipped the resident in the face and chased him throughout the home.

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During the chase, the resident grabbed an AK-47 semiautomatic rifle and shot at the two men, court records show. He later told police he felt that his life was in danger.

Catch up: Woman dies after police find shooting victims in car in south Phoenix

The resident chased the two men out of the house while continuously shooting the rifle, according to court records. Rivas, Sanchez and Padilla got into a black Chrysler and drove away. The resident told police he continued to fire his rifle at the car as it drove away from the house, court records show.

The man told police he believed the two men were attempting to rob him and that Padilla had set him up for the home invasion, according to court documents.

Phoenix police quickly identified the car as it sped past patrol officers near the scene who had heard the gunshots, court records show. They tried to stop the vehicle, but it kept going until it pulled into an industrial lot near Second Avenue and Broadway Road.

Police took Rivas into custody after he tried to run away from the car, court records show. He was later booked on multiple charges, including first-degree murder.

Sanchez was found sitting in the front passenger seat with a gunshot wound to his leg. They found a semiautomatic handgun on the floor near his feet. Padilla was found in the backseat with multiple gunshot wounds to her lower body. She was taken to a hospital where she died from her injuries.

Sanchez had been receiving medical treatment for the gunshot wound to his thigh since the Sept. 25 incident.

Court records show that on Sept. 26 while Sanchez was receiving medical care, his girlfriend called him. The officer guarding Sanchez's room activated his body camera, answered the phone and placed it on speaker for Sanchez to speak with her.

Sanchez told her that in his experience, first-degree usually gets downgraded to second-degree or manslaughter charges. He then told her that he didn't do anything, that he was just at the scene.

After he was released from medical care on Monday, Sanchez was placed in Phoenix police custody.

Like Rivas, Sanchez was charged with first-degree murder. A person can be charged with first-degree murder if they participated in certain felonies that resulted in someone's death regardless of if they intended to kill. Sanchez was also charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and prohibited possession of a weapon.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ricardo Sanchez charged in death of Mia Padilla, police said
Russian air defense intercepted three drones over Belgorod Oblast, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed on Oct. 16.

At around 11 p.m. local time on Oct. 16, Gladkov said that the drones were shot down near the city of Belgorod and the Yakovlevsky District.

Gladkov did not report any casualties or damage.

Gladkov said that the house was destroyed and two others sustained partial damage. He also claimed that three cars were damaged by debris from the drone.

Reports of drone strikes within Russia have increased in recent weeks. On Oct. 15, the Russian Defense Ministry said that air defense forces shot down 27 drones overnight.

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On Oct. 11, Gladkov claimed that a drone attack in Belgorod Oblast killed two people and injured two others.

Read also: Ex-Estonian president: If NATO ambiguous about conditions for Ukraine, Russia wont know what to prevent

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
No one expects news reporters to be military experts. After all, media outlets bring in official military spokespeople and retired military subject matter experts to contribute to their programs. However, when reporters cover the military and conflicts, there are some words and terms they really ought to know but don't or misuse.

Here are 3 military terms that the mainstream media should know

1. Assault rifle

Lots of military rifles, but not a single one of the assault type (U.S. Army)

Despite what either side of the gun control debate might tell you, assault rifle is a real word. However, it is sometimes misused or not used where appropriate by news outlets. Going back to WWII, Nazi Germany fielded the first assault rifle with the StG 44 . An abbreviation of Sturmgewehr 44, literally meaning storm (assault) rifle 44, the StG 44 utilized an intermediate cartridge that was less powerful than traditional military rifle cartridges of the time but more powerful than pistol cartridges.

Designated as an Infantry Automatic Rifle, the USMC's M27 IAR fits the definition of an assault rifle (U.S. Marine Corps)

Today, most modern militaries' standard-issue rifles are chambered in an intermediate cartridge and offer select-fire capabilities. By definition, firearms like the U.S. military's M4 carbine or Russia's AK-74 rifle are assault rifles. However, this does not make every modern long gun an assault rifle. Reservists and rear echelon troops in some militaries are issued older Cold War battle rifles instead of modern assault rifles. The Swedish Home Guard issues the Ak 4C, an updated and licensed copy of the H&K G3 rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Moreover, military-style rifles restricted to semi-automatic fire are, by definition, not assault rifles.

2. Tank

Having tracks, a turret, and a gun doesn't make it a tank (U.S. Army)

In the same way that not every modern military rifle is an assault rifle, not every armored vehicle is a tank. The term first came about during WWI when the British developed a tracked, armored vehicle to cross no man's land and break through enemy lines. To disguise its purpose, the new vehicle was referred to as a water carrier and, later, a tank. Since then, different armored vehicles have been introduced that bear similarities to tanks and have been referred to as such.

The Abrams is America's main battle tank (U.S. Army)

In the 21st century, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery are often mislabeled as tanks due to their tracks and turret-mounted guns. However, by definition, these are not tanks; a tank is a primary offensive weapon that balances firepower, armor, and mobility. By contrast, an IFV carries mechanized infantry and trades armor and firepower for mobility, while self-propelled artillery trades armor for firepower and mobility. The U.S. M1 Abrams is a tank, while the M2/M3 Bradley and M109 Paladin are an IFV and self-propelled artillery, respectively.

3. Carrier Strike Group

(Screenshot from TheHill.com)

To be fair, this one isn't often misused. However, when it is, it's noticeable. A type of carrier battle group, a CSG centers around an aircraft carrier and includes at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers or frigates, and one carrier air wing of 65-70 aircraft. Although not required, a CSG often includes submarines, support ships, and oilers. A formidable force when assembled, CSGs are used to project American power overseas and deter adversaries from taking action.

A carrier strike group consists of a bit more than a strike team (U.S. Navy)

Following the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean after start of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, the U.S. sent a second CSG with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. On October 14, 2023, The Hill reported the deployment with the headline "US sending 2nd strike team to Eastern Mediterranean." While not a doctrinal term, strike team is understood to define a small force tasked with conducting an attack or raid. To be fair, the U.S. Coast Guard's defunct National Strike Force utilized the term "strike team."
Three young children are orphans after their parents died in a head-on collision in Arizona, according to family members and loved ones.

Greg Cox and Lindsey Watson, of Flagstaff, were driving with their three children on Oct. 10 when they were in a fatal wreck, according to a GoFundMe. The three children were injured but survived the incident.

This is a tragic event that has hit our community hard and their families even harder, the GoFundMe said.

The familys vehicle was struck by a semi-truck that was attempting to pass another vehicle in a no-pass zone, according to a news release from Arizona Department of Public Safety.

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Miraculously my nieces and nephew in the back seat survived the crash, Watsons sister, Michelle Watson, wrote in an Oct. 14 Facebook post. Please keep our family and these beautiful children in your thoughts and prayers.

The couples two daughters, who are 7 and 5 years old, were flown to a childrens hospital in Phoenix where they underwent surgery and are in recovery, Michelle Watson said in her post. The youngest child, a 1-year-old boy, had minor injuries and is under the care of family members.

The collision occurred on Highway 160, near Kayenta, which is about 150 miles northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona Department of Public Safety officials told KTVK/KPHO. Friends told the news outlet that the family was on their way to the San Juan River for a vacation.

DPS officials did not immediately return McClatchy News request for comment on Oct. 17.

Their positive impact and light will continue

Loved ones shared tributes to the couple on social media, remembering their contributions to the Flagstaff community.

Greg Cox worked as a physicians assistant at Flagstaff Medical Center, while Lindsey Watson was a nonprofit founder and acupuncturist, according to the GoFundMe.

Lindsey and Greg have done so much for Flagstaff, making huge positive impacts on so many of us, the fundraiser said. Their positive impact and light will continue on as we all together look for ways to honor them and keep their memories and work alive in the world.

Threaded Together, the nonprofit Watson founded and served as executive director of, said she was integral to the lives of staff members, according to an Oct. 13 Facebook post.

Lindsey was a fearless leader, incredible mother, passionate sewist, precise acupuncturist, committed friend, and so much more, the post said. The question of whether to help was never an option for Lindsey. She only ever asked how could she help.

Lindsey and Greg did so much for so many. Its our turn to support them and specifically their babies in the wake of this horrible tragedy, Erin McDonald wrote in an Oct. 13 Facebook post.

Other community members and loved ones expressed their condolences and shock on social media.

Devastating news, one person wrote. You all are in our prayers especially those beautiful children.

What a horrifying tragedy, another person said in a comment.

My heart will be forever broken, a third comment said. May their memory be a blessing.

Flagstaff is about 145 miles north of Phoenix.

3 young boys orphaned when parents are killed in Christmas Day wreck, TN reports say

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Deep discount offer back for October admission at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Brevard County residents can save big this month on daily admission tickets to The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with the annual return of the Salute to Brevard offer.

The offer features a 67% discount on daily admission for Brevard County residents  $19 for adults and $14 for children ages 3  11 (plus tax) for up to six guests  with proof of residency.

Read the full story here.

SpaceX launched a Falcon Heavy on Friday the 13th for NASA's Psyche asteroid mission

A triple-core SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket vaulted away from Kennedy Space Center Friday morning to kick off NASA's interplanetary Psyche mission on a 2.2 billion mile journey to the asteroid belt.

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At 10:19 a.m. EDT, 27 Merlin 1D main engines roared to life, producing about 5 million pounds of thrust to propel the 230-foot rocket away from pad 39A. Friday's mission was NASA's first science payload to fly aboard the heavy-class rocket.

Read the full story here.

Two in one day: SpaceX launches Starlink Falcon 9 mission hours after NASA Psyche mission launched on a Falcon Heavy

SpaceX crews kicked off Friday the 13th by launching NASA's Psyche spacecraft skyward on its six-year voyage to the asteroid belt, generating sonic booms from the Falcon Heavy rocket boosters that rattled buildings across the Space Coast.

Nine hours later, SpaceX capped that morning Psyche mission by launching a Falcon 9 rocket at 7:01 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Read the full story here.

South Gate launch viewing area at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to permanently close

Space Launch Delta 45 has announced the permanent closure of the South Gate launch viewing area at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, starting Nov. 1. The decision comes after an increase in concerns over public safety, following several serious vehicle crashes in the vicinity and a significant increase in launch frequency.

Read the full story here.

NASA's crewed missions to the ISS in 2024 include only one for Boeing's Starliner

Boeing's first Starliner test flight with crew on board has been pushed back by another month, according to the latest update to NASA's roster of astronaut missions to and from the International Space Station through 2025.

SpaceX's Dragon capsule, meanwhile, is slated to fly three NASA crewed missions through 2025, with the company expected to also fly at least two private astronaut missions of its own in the same timeframe.

Read the full story here.

Upcoming launches:

October 17: SpaceX Starlink 6-23

Company / Agency: Internal SpaceX mission

Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9

Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Time: 5:20 p.m. EDT

Trajectory: Southeast

Weather: 95% "go"

Landing: Drone ship

Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space

About: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the company's latest batch of Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming Florida launches and landings

Contact Jamie Groh at JGroh@floridatoday.com and follow her on X at @AlteredJamie.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 321 Launch: Space news you may have missed over the past week (Oct. 17)
Four people were taken into custody on felony charges after an Alfred State College student was allegedly attacked and seriously injured on campus early Sunday, college officials said.

The condition of the injured student was not immediately available, although college officials said the victim was hospitalized.

In a message to the "college community" released Sunday, Alfred State President Dr. Steven Mauro said the unnamed student was assaulted and seriously injured "while walking back onto our Alfred campus" earlier in the day.

Mauro continued, "A witness reported the incident resulting in University Police Officers responding within seconds to render aid and take the four suspects responsible, all non-students, into custody."

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According to University Police, charged with first-degree gang assault were:

Eric R. Plante, 19, of Elmira.

Jayson E. Lewis, 20, of Elmira.

William J. Blye, 20, of Elmira.

Moses N. Scharborough, 19, of Elmira.

Law enforcement officials said all four appeared for arraignment and were taken to the Allegany County jail.

Mauro said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.

"Our student did not deserve to be assaulted, and no form of violence is ever an acceptable response to anything for any reason," Mauro said in the statement. "The perpetrators of this assault, like anyone who commits violence, will be held accountable in the criminal justice system. Collectively, we stand in support of our student, who has been hospitalized and is receiving medical treatment, and support for their family."

Crime: Suspect in Potter County attempted homicide charged with multiple felonies, misdemeanors

Mauro said Alfred State administrators are "actively in contact with the family as we show support and solidarity for a member of our community. We recognize that any situation of violence is unsettling in our small campus community and village."

Alfred State students were encouraged to reach out to staff at Health and Wellness Services "if you feel your own well-being is impacted." Students may contact Health and Wellness by calling 607-687-4200 or by going to T.A. Parish Hall during open hours.

Alfred Police Chief Paul Griffith confirmed at least two village officers responded to the incident as a precaution and to back up University Police. Griffith said the incident was reported at around 1 a.m.

Follow Neal Simon on Twitter @HornellTribNeal. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: College president: Alfred State student attacked, seriously injured
A former teacher's assistant at a pre-kindergarten school in San Marcos will be charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon in a gun-free zone after a 4-year-old boy found a loaded gun in the adult's bag last week, police said.

San Marcos police responded to the incident on Oct. 12 at Bonham Pre-Kindergarten after being notified that the boy pulled out a firearm that was left unsecured in a teacher assistant's backpack and then placed the gun on a table inside the classroom.

The teacher removed the students from the classroom after seeing the firearm and notified the school marshal, who removed it from the classroom and notified the San Marcos Police Department. Officers found the gun was loaded, although no shots were fired and no one was injured, according to police.

"The school marshal and Bonham administration immediately contacted the San Marcos Police Department to handle the instructional assistant, begin the investigation, and properly handle the firearm," a letter sent to parents stated.

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The person who allegedly brought the gun is no longer employed by the school district.

In a statement provided to the American-Statesman, police said they are charging the teacher's assistant, whose name they are withholding until the charge is filed, with unlawfully carrying a weapon in a gun-free zone.

Andrew Fernandez, chief of communications for the San Marcos school district, said the teacher's assistant had worked there for about a year.

The parents of the boy who found the gun told KVUE that they were temporarily taking him out of the school.

The Bonham school had intended to have a family night the day of the event, but it was canceled due to the incident, according to a letter sent to parents.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 4-year-old finds gun in San Marcos teacher assistant's backpack
Exotic dancer Keila Misdom was born and raised in Las Vegas and has seen the mistakes tourists make.

She recommends saving money on shows and attractions and skipping the rental car.

Though the Strip has much to offer, Misdom recommends that tourists explore other areas as well.

Las Vegas, Nevada, is a popular tourist destination with so many attractions, bars, and restaurants that it may be hard to know what to avoid.

Keila Misdom, a TikTok influencer and exotic dancer, was born and raised in Las Vegas and has worked as a stripper in the city for eight years. In her time there, she's seen a lot of tourists who didn't make the most of their trip.

Here are mistakes to avoid making in Vegas, according to Misdom.

Not venturing away from the Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Strip has lots to offer but it's worth venturing outside of it. George Rose/Getty Images

The nearly 4-1/2-mile-long Las Vegas Strip is often the first place that tourists head to due to its many hotels, bars, restaurants, and attractions. However, Misdom recommends veering away from the Strip for a portion of the trip.

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She said she suggests visitors check out one of the "many fun places to visit in the city" such as Fremont Street, a popular destination for Vegas locals that's known for bar-hopping.

"My favorite place to visit, that tourists should also visit, is Downtown Summerlin shopping center where they have amazing fun bars, restaurants, and plenty of great stores to shop," Misdom said.

Renting a car to get around the city

Misdom advises against going through the hassle of renting a car, as costs can add up fast.

The 24-hour valet parking at hotels like The Mirage can cost around $30 for the day. And though some hotels offer free parking to guests, the price of renting a car and gas can also be very expensive.

Instead, Misdom recommends choosing a hotel that offers shuttle transfers to and from the airport. For visitors who want to do some hotel hopping, the free Aria Express Tram runs between the Park MGM, Aria, and Bellagio Hotels.

Misdom also said the Las Vegas Monorail is a great option for easily getting around the Strip. Trains typically run every four to eight minutes, so visitors will usually not wait long.

For getting around at night, tourists can take advantage of easily accessible rideshares, taxis, and Ubers.

Buying full-price tickets for a show

From artist residencies to the iconic Cirque du Soleil performances, there are plenty of shows to see in Las Vegas.

Instead of paying the full vendor price, Misdom recommends visiting one of the Tix4Tonight booths around the city. If you can be flexible with your schedule, it may be possible to snap up some last-minute day-of tickets for cheap.

Booths are located in the Showcase Mall, Casino Royale, Grand Bazaar Shops, and Circus Circus.

Believing that the best views come from the High Roller

The High Roller Ferris wheel offers some great views but has a 30-minute time limit. Kobby Dagan/Shutterstock

If you want to see the spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip, your first thought may be to ride the High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ Hotel. It's a 30-minute ride that costs adults about $35 to go on at night.

For views that are just as good, and if not better, Misdom recommends heading to one of her favorite spots, the Legacy Club on Fremont Street. Here, patrons can order drinks and admire the sweeping views of Las Vegas without a 30-minute time restriction.

Not planning how to save money in advance

"Don't spend all your money all in one day," Misdom said. "Vegas is a costly place to visit, so make sure to plan out your day on things you want to do while you're visiting."

For those who want to get buzzed before visiting the parties and clubs in the city, Misdom recommends having a few drinks before you leave your hotel "because alcohol is costly everywhere you go, especially on the Strip."

Tourists who plan on heading to a strip club should also get cash at their bank, Misdom said, because the ATM at her club and many others charge a 20% service fee.

Read the original article on Insider
A federal judge on Monday largely sided with the Justice Department in restricting former President Trump from attacking witnesses in his election interference case, as well as prosecutors and court staff.

While the coming order allows Trump to criticize President Biden, the Justice Department, the judge overseeing the matter and his prosecution in general, the former president will be blocked from making disparaging, inflammatory and intimidating comments about some parties in the Jan. 6 case.

Here are five takeaways on the decision.

Trumps status as candidate clashes with status as defendant

The breadth of Trumps First Amendment rights were put under a microscope Monday, as Judge Tanya Chutkan noted limits on free speech and the ways they can be narrowed for criminal defendants.

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Chutkan noted there were already limitations placed on Trumps speech as a condition for his release, including barring any effort to intimidate witnesses, jurors or court staff.

He must comply with his conditions of release. He does not have the right to say and do exactly as he pleases, she said.

Trumps attorneys said any gag order was an attempt to limit the candidates First Amendment rights, but Chutkan said Trump has no absolute protection to free speech.

First Amendment protections yield to the administration of justice and to the protection of witnesses, she said, spelling out the contours of her coming order.

Trump attorney John Lauro complained of the censorship that would result from an order, calling the case inextricably intertwined with Trumps presidential campaign due to timing.

Whats happening in this courtroom right now will affect this country for years to come. President Trump is entitled to respond to it, Lauro said. These prosecutors want to prevent President Trump from speaking out on the issues of the day.

But Chutkan shot back at the use of the term censorship.

You keep talking about censorship like the defendant has unfettered First Amendment rights. He doesnt, she said.

Chutkan dissects Trumps Truth Social posts

Chutkan read off several of Trumps Truth Social posts during the hearing and referenced one post Trump made just hours earlier, saying some of the statements raised the possibility of violence.

In particular, Chutkan took aim at how Trump has repeatedly described special counsel Jack Smith as a thug.

Tell me how the word thug is justified here? Chutkan pressed Lauro.

Chutkan also raised alarm about Trumps recent post attacking the principal clerk of the New York judge presiding over Trumps civil fraud trial. The post led that judge to impose a narrow gag order against the former president.

Chutkan at Mondays hearing said attacking court employees poses tremendous risk to their safety, adding that they are just doing their jobs.

I was deeply disturbed that just last week, while the motion for a gag order in this case was pending, Trump targeted a staff member of a judge in another case, Chutkan said.

The two incidents nod to the frequency of the statements Trump makes about the case, many of which would likely cross the line of the coming order.

Im not confident that without some kind of restriction, we wont be in here all the time, Chutkan said.

She went on to bring up Trumps post last month attacking Gen. Mark Milley, the then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is a potential witness. Trump said Milleys actions were so egregious that in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!

Molly Gaston, a senior prosecutor on the case, said Trumps Milley post was a message to all witnesses that if you come after the defendant, he will come after you.

Lauro insisted Trump wasnt calling for Milleys execution and that it wasnt a threat. Lauro raised concerns about how, under the gag order, Milley and other witnesses could still attack Trump, but not the other way around.

Hypotheticals showcase latitude sought by Trump team

To assess the limits of the order the Justice Department was seeking, Chutkan rolled out a series of hypothetical statements Trump could make about his former Attorney General Bill Barr.

The exchange highlighted the deep divide between Trumps legal team and prosecutors, with the former presidents lawyers backing the increasingly incendiary remarks suggested by Chutkan.

Lauro defended Trumps right to make a number of comments about Barr, including that he should be executed for his treasonous acts and others encouraging him to stay loyal and that he better keep his mouth shut.

While Lauro said he thought encouraging Barrs execution was not advisable, it should be permitted as its not a threat to Barr.

Lauro said another statement made by Trump that encouraged Barr to stay loyal in order to gain a position in his administration if he were reelected is permissible because part of the campaign is letting the country know who he would hire. Lauro also said telling Barr to keep his mouth shut should be allowed if it was stated in response to Barrs broader criticisms of Trump.

As a final question, Chutakn asked Lauro if Trump should be able to say Barr is a slimy liar and cant be trusted.

Well, Im not going to say truth is a defense, Lauro joked.

The Justice Department argued that each of the first three remarks defended by Lauro would be an intimidating remark about a witness, while the last was attacking the character of a witness and would be a comment that could color how he would be perceived by jurors.

Chutkan loses patience with political rhetoric in court

Since the indictment, Chutkan has battled to keep separate the legal debates and politics surrounding the case.

Wednesdays hearing was no different, even as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) showed up at the courthouse to support Trump. It all built on tensions from earlier hearings in which Chutkan and Lauro have battled.

Politics stops at this courthouse door, Chutkan said at one point in an exchange with Trumps attorney.

Lauro began his comments at the hearing by reminding Chutkan that were in the middle of a campaign,

I know, Mr. Lauro, I know, Chutkan replied.

Chutkan insisted she would treat Trump like any other defendant, repeatedly scolding Lauro for echoing his client more than answering her questions.

Lauro at times accused prosecutors of infringing upon Trumps constitutional rights and veering towards tyranny.

Please, Mr. Lauro, lets tone this down, Chutkan chimed in after the latter comment.

Lauro responded by saying his voice was toned down.

I would ask that you answer my questions, Chutkan replied.

The judge on Wednesday again rejected Lauros pleas to delay the trial date until after the 2024 election, which Lauro said would resolve the free speech issues.

This trial will not yield to the election cycle, and were not revisiting the trial date, Chutkan said.

Trumps first out-of-court statements comply

Within hours of the hearing, Trump and his campaign criticized the gag order while raising money off news of the decision.

The attacks illustrated how Trump remains able to lash out at President Biden and voice concern over his prosecution  and suggested his team was trying to comply with it.

Todays decision is an absolute abomination and another partisan knife stuck in the heart of our Democracy by Crooked Joe Biden, a campaign statement read.

At a campaign event in Iowa later in the day, Trump said hell appeal the order and broadly attacked the Justice Department as weaponized.

Ill be the only politician in history that runs with a gag order where Im not allowed to criticize people. Can you imagine this? Trump said.

Notably, none of the various statements name Smith  whom Trump is barred from attacking under the new order  while criticizing Biden and law enforcement, both of which the judge said are fair game.

This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses, Chutkan said. This is about language that dangers the administration of justice.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Mississippi Health Department allows people to call or file an online complaint against a restaurant or kitchen, and two people who ate at a South Mississippi chicken restaurant did just that.

Churchs Chicken at 4288 Main St., Lucedale, got its first complaint on Sept. 26.

Caller stated that she ordered a two-piece and the chicken was undercooked, the health department website says. Also stated that potatoes were half cooked and there is no serv-safe manager on duty.

Another complaint was made Oct. 13 about being served raw chicken.

The restaurant was inspected Oct. 16 and was cited for:

 Improper cold holding temperatures

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Corrected during the inspection were:

 Person in charge present who demonstrates knowledge and performs duty

 Adequate hand washing facilities supplied and accessible

 Proper hot holding temperatures

 Proper date marking and disposition

Other kitchens in South Mississippi that failed their restaurant inspections between Oct. 6 and Oct. 16 are:

The Reef Restaurant, 1749 Beach Blvd., Biloxi was inspected Oct 11 for a permit renewal. It was cited for not having required records available for shell stock tags parasite destruction.

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Food contact surface cleaned and sanitized

 Proper cold holding temperatures.

This is the second C since 2015.

Little Caesars, 4494 Popps Ferry Road, DIberville was inspected Oct. 10 for a permit renewal.

It was cited for:

 No certified manager

 Last inspection grade not posted

This was the only C dating back to 2015

Petersons Quick Stop, 30285 Mississippi 603, Perkinston, was inspected Oct. 6. It was cited for:

 Food contact surface not cleaned and sanitized

 Insects, rodents or animals present

Corrected during the inspection was: Hands clean and properly washed.

A follow-up inspection on Oct. 16 showed all violations were corrected and the kitchen scored a B.

This was the only C dating back to 2009.

Pit Stop Nicholson, 2001 Highway 11 South, Picayune, was inspected Oct. 12 for a permit. It was cited for:

 No certified manager

 Food not in good condition, safe and unadulterated

 Food contact surface not cleaned and sanitized

 Last inspection report not posted

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Adequate hand washing facilities supplied and accessible

 Insects, rodents or animals not present

This is the second C dating back to 2010.

Stop & Go Food Mart, 1621 N. Beech St., Picayune, was inspected Oct. 9. It was cited for:

 Food contact surface not cleaned and sanitized

 Toxic substance not properly identified, stored, used

 Insects, rodents or animals present

Corrected during the inspection was: Adequate hand washing facilities supplied and accessible

This is the second C since 2015.

Restaurants and other food service establishments in Mississippi are rated A if they pass the health department inspection, B if violations are corrected during the inspection, and C if the violations are critical.

Since Oct. 6, there have been 88 restaurants in South Mississippi that scored an A for no violations and 15 that got a B when violations were corrected during the inspection.
Lorraine McNeal stands near family pictures in her South Shore apartment on Sept. 26, 2023. McNeal faced eviction earlier this year and had a legal aid lawyer represent her in court. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Lorraine McNeal, 53, worked for Walmart for 15 years before she was laid off in September 2021 and fell behind on her rent payments.

She said she tried to find another job, but the COVID-19 pandemic made it hard to find work, as did her disability. Her former partner had moved out, as had her daughter, leaving McNeal the sole person to pay her $1,295 monthly rent for her three-bedroom South Shore apartment, she said. Her rent had jumped $295 in April 2021.

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She started selling dinners from her home and tried to give her landlord whatever money she made, but she had other bills to pay too, she said. At the time, McNeal was waiting for her Social Security disability insurance to come through.

McNeal had never faced eviction before the pandemic but has faced it twice since then.

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I was scared; I didnt know which way to turn, who to talk to, McNeal said.

McNeal requested rental assistance from the city and was paired with an attorney from Law Center for Better Housing who was able to get her landlord to wait until the rental assistance came through and helped her avoid eviction.

The attorney who helped McNeal was available through Chicagos Right to Counsel Pilot Program, an initiative that would become permanent in 2027 under an ordinance introduced to the City Council by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing last month.

The proposal is part of Johnsons sweeping progressive agenda to help the working class, including Chicagoans struggling with securing stable housing. Besides the right to counsel proposal, the mayor has championed raising a tax on luxury property sales in order to fund homelessness services and often speaks personally about his brother Leon, who died while unhoused.

If the City Council passes the right to counsel ordinance, Chicago would join cities including Baltimore and New York, which have in recent years approved such legislation. Introduced Sept. 14, the proposal has been referred to the housing and real estate committee, where it is expected to be discussed in the coming months.

Residential eviction filings in Cook County, which slowed in 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic-induced eviction moratoria, have been at pre-pandemic levels for more than a year, with evictions enforced by the Cook County sheriffs office on track to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year.

Residential eviction filings stand at more than 18,000 through August 2023, with last years total filings  which include a small number of commercial evictions  reaching over 29,000, around the same number of filings as in 2019, according to data from the Circuit Court of Cook County.

From January through September of this year, the Cook County sheriffs office has enforced over 5,600 evictions. In 2022, the first full year after pandemic moratoria on evictions were lifted, the number of evictions enforced by the sheriffs office stood at roughly 4,500, which was about 2,000 less than in 2019, according to the Tribunes analysis of data provided by the sheriffs office.

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Most evictions took place on the South and West sides in majority-Black and Latino communities, trends that line up with national data showing that racial minorities are more likely to face eviction. The pandemic disproportionately affected racial minorities, who were more likely to experience hardships such as job loss and illness.

Michelle Gilbert, legal and policy director for Law Center for Better Housing, one of the organizations involved in the program, said the majority of renters the organization helps are very low income  at or below 30% of the area median income  all of whom would qualify to receive legal assistance through the ordinance.

The right to counsel pilot program was launched by the Department of Housing in July 2022 and is funded for three years with $8 million through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a fund with tens of millions of dollars that was created with federal stimulus money during the early years of the pandemic.

Johnson is proposing to extend the program to all eligible tenants, instead of only those who can be helped based on capacity from the legal aid organizations involved. Eligible tenants would be those who earn 80% of the area median income and below, which is $61,800 or below for a household of one in 2023, according to the Department of Housing.

As the program works now, in order for tenants to receive help, they also must have experienced a COVID-19-related hardship, a parameter that would be omitted with the new ordinance.

Legal assistance would be provided by nonprofit legal aid organizations periodically chosen through competitive processes, according to the mayors office. The funding for the existing pilot program was split between two legal aid organizations, Law Center for Better Housing and Beyond Legal Aid, with Law Center for Better Housing receiving the bulk of the funds.

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[ Cook County program touted as one of the top eviction prevention innovations has drawn praise, pushback ]

Many landlords in Chicago and Cook County have expressed concerns about the eviction process since 2020 when the county launched the Early Resolution Program, an eviction diversion program that offers free legal aid, mediation services and connections to rental assistance for tenants and small landlords. The eviction process has slowed down significantly, with property owners saying this is more costly to them and housing advocates saying this ensures that tenants and landlords get the help they need.

The Early Resolution Program is different from the pilot program, as it provides earlier intervention to support tenants and small landlords in an effort to settle eviction cases quickly. The right to counsel pilot offers extended legal assistance and representation for tenants whose cases dont settle early. Most cases still settle before going to trial, said Gilbert of Law Center for Better Housing. Initially funded with pandemic aid dollars, the Early Resolution Program is likely to receive further funding through the countys 2024 budget allocations, according to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkles office.

The Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance, a membership organization for property owners, told the Tribune it is not taking a position on the proposal to make the right to counsel program permanent. The Chicagoland Apartment Association, another membership organization for property owners, declined to comment, saying they are looking into the details of the ordinance.

Some attorneys who represent landlords told the Tribune they are in favor of the ordinance because all parties benefit from tenants having legal representation.

Justin Abdilla is one of those attorneys. He said landlords are receiving less favorable outcomes in eviction court because tenants do not have legal representation, causing judges to be sympathetic. Abdilla hopes the ordinance would help mitigate this.

I think tenants are getting a lot of breaks because they dont have competent representation so the court feels bad by ramrodding them through the process, Abdilla said.

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The pilot program had handled more than 1,100 cases as of the end of September, with services ranging from brief legal counseling to full legal representation in court. Tenants are referred to the program by the organizations involved in the Early Resolution Program.

[ Mayor Brandon Johnson offers $16.6 billion budget without raising property taxes, cautions progressive agenda will take time ]

John, 32, was one of the tenants referred to the program. He faced eviction earlier this year after being diagnosed with a rare disease that required him to seek medical treatment out of state, pay hefty medical bills and request short-term disability funds while on leave from his accounting job.

He fell behind about $600 on his rent  about half his monthly payment for his one-bedroom apartment  and while gone for an extended period of time while seeking medical care, his refrigerator stopped working, causing his food to spoil and a smell to emanate from his Near North Side apartment where he lived for around three years. Johns neighbors complained to management, and management filed for eviction, he said.

John had never faced eviction before and struggled to find legal representation until someone suggested he call Law Center for Better Housing as he went through the Early Resolution Program.

When they called me back, I felt like I had won the lottery, said John, who requested to be identified only by his first name because his eviction record has been sealed.

John applied for rental assistance and had been saving up money to pay off his back rent and fees, and his attorney helped argue in court that the alleged breach of the lease stemming from the refrigerator smell was not Johns fault. He was able to pay off his debt and agreed to move out, he said.

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Now, after living in the city for more than a decade, John is splitting time between his parents house out of state and Chicago to save money.

It was terrifying (facing eviction,) John said. I dont know how anyone could possibly defend themselves without an attorney, and I dont know how you would find a good attorney if you dont get legal aid.

Without eviction diversion programs and right to counsel laws, experts estimate that nationwide, only 10% of tenants would be represented by attorneys in court, whereas around 90% of landlords have representation.

Lam Nguyen Ho, co-director of Beyond Legal Aid, said he has seen firsthand how much of a positive impact it makes for a tenant facing eviction to receive legal assistance. Beyond Legal Aid partners with outside organizations to provide legal services for those organizations legal clinics, with about a dozen groups working with Hos organization in the right to counsel program.

Ho said most of the families helped so far say the organization was able to meet their goals for the eviction process  one of the metrics being used to evaluate the program  such as being able to stay in their homes or receiving more time to move.

Ho said he thinks the pilot program should be made permanent.

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We work with large communities that often cant access legal aid from other programs due to, for example, their immigration status, or we do a lot of work with sex workers, Ho said. And so, as a result, it has been really powerful and inspiring for us to just be able to increase not only the services and legal aid that we can provide to these underserved communities, but also being able to hopefully increase the knowledge the community has around their rights as tenants.

[ Migrants are leaving Chicago shelters with the help of rental assistance. Some landlords are skeptical, others step in to help ]

McNeal  the tenant who faced eviction in South Shore  said without the legal aid offered through the pilot program, she would not have been able to afford help. She said it would be a blessing if the program is made permanent through the City Council ordinance.

It saved my life, McNeal said. It helped me not feel dumb; it helped me not feel alone, and with the funds too, it saved me, saved the institution of home.

Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin and Gregory Royal Pratt contributed.

ekane@chicagotribune.com
This is an excerpt from our true crime newsletter, Suspicious Circumstances, which sends the biggest unsolved mysteries, white-collar scandals and captivating cases straight to your inbox every week. Sign up here.

In an Australian outback campground in August 1980, a desperate Australian mother wailed, A dingos got my baby! Her cry, misheard as a dingo ate my baby, became an inexplicable punchline and pop culture fixation in the years that followed the disappearance of 9-week-old Azaria Chamberlain.

The babys body was never found, and her mother, Lindy Chamberlain , was adamant that shed seen the wolf-like carnivore leave the familys tent. Though Chamberlain had the support of fellow campers and rangers, authorities charged her with murder in 1982, and she was sentenced to life in prison. After Azarias jacket was found near a dingo lair in 1986, Chamberlain was released, new investigations knocked down key evidence, and she was ultimately exonerated  though it wasnt until 2012 that a coroner officially ruled the babys death the result of a dingo attack.

The twists and turns of Chamberlains ordeal have been adapted for movies, TV and even an opera. But its not the only true crime case where a wild animal has been implicated. In some, a suspect used a story of an animal attack to conceal their crimes. In others, evidence that could be claw or teeth marks continues to be the subject of fierce debate.

Michael and Lindy Chamberlain arrive in court on Feb. 2, 1982.

Owl

On Dec. 9, 2001, Michael Peterson told police he found the body of his second wife, Kathleen, at the bottom of a staircase. She lay in a pool of blood that drenched the bottom steps and the walls of the narrow stairwell. Peterson claimed his wife must have fallen while he was by the pool where the couple had shared drinks, but he was charged with her murder. Authorities dismissed the idea that she could have fallen, determining she had been bludgeoned to death and suffered deep lacerations on her scalp.

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As documented in the 13 episodes of The Staircase documentary  revered in the true crime genre  and HBO Maxs 2022 docudrama of the same name, Peterson was tried in 2003, convicted by a jury (who heard evidence that the body of his close friend and neighbor was found at the bottom of a staircase in Germany in 1985) and sentenced to life in prison. A decade later, he was granted a new trial based on perjured testimony from a blood-spatter expert. The second trial never happened  in 2017, he entered an Alford plea on a reduced manslaughter charge and was sentenced to time served.

The plea didnt require him to admit guilt but rather to acknowledge that the prosecution had enough evidence to convict him.

Still, he might have been exonerated if jurors had heard the infamous Owl Theory, first presented by his neighbor, Larry Pollard, in 2008. Based on the fact that three microscopic owl feathers were found in strands of Kathleens hair that investigators found in her hands and the pattern of the lacerations on her scalp (caused by a fireplace tool, prosecutors said), Pollard suggested that she had been attacked by a barred owl. According to his theory, which was later bolstered by a raptor expert, the bird had attacked her as she walked to the house. Injured and disoriented, the theory goes, Kathleen fell down the stairs, sustaining fatal injuries.

Michael Peterson was initially sentenced to life in prison for the death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson, pictured here.

Mountain Lion

Twenty-eight-year-old Christopher Whiteley was last seen the morning of Dec. 2, 2020, heading out from his girlfriends home in Texas rural Hood County, about 50 miles southwest of Fort Worth, to hitchhike to a house-painting job.

Whiteley reportedly took a shortcut to the main road through a wooded area, which was where searchers found his body the following evening after a friend reported him missing.

Whiteleys body lay in the thick brush 15 feet away from his backpack. There was a deep, jagged wound on the right side of his neck, which had severed his jugular artery. Small, thin scratches marked his torso, forehead, and one side of his face. He was shirtless, even though the weather had been cold, Texas Monthly reported.

The next day, the Hood County Sheriffs Office issued a press release stating definitively that a mountain lion had killed a man  the first-ever fatal mountain lion attack in Texas  and authorities were searching for the animal. The announcement galled the states wildlife agencies  including Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists, Texas Game Wardens, and a USDA Wildlife Services trapper  whose inspection at the scene and review of evidence contradicted those findings. A mountain lion had been spotted recently, they said, but it was 100 miles away. They also noted that there had only been about 30 fatal mountain lion attacks in the U.S. in the past 100 years.

In fact, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department disputed whether Whiteley had been attacked by a wild animal at all. None of the evidence reviewed by [the agency] indicates a predatory attack by a mountain lion or other wild animal, TPWD spokeswoman Megan Radke said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press on Dec. 6, 2020.

After a contentious meeting on Dec. 7 at the medical examiners office, Jonah Evans, the departments state mammalogist, was concerned that law enforcement authorities had so quickly ruled out homicide as the manner of death. Im really concerned about the possibility that a murder[er is] out right now and has gotten away with this crime, he wrote, according to The Dallas Morning News.

But the Hood County Sheriffs Office announced in January 2021 that it was closing the case after a final autopsy by the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office, which ruled the death an accident due to an animal attack. It noted, however, There is still a disagreement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department whether Whiteley was killed by a mountain lion or not.

Members of a faith-healing sect surround a woman as a man holds a snake above her head in Evarts, Kentucky, on Aug. 22, 1944.

Snake(s)

On Oct. 4, 1991, Darlene Summerford said her husband, a Pentecostal snake handler, used the tools of his trade to try to kill her. As depicted in the 2020 HBO Max documentary Alabama Snake, Glenn Summerford, 47, forced his 23-year-old wife to stick her hand in a cage of rattlesnakes in the hopes that she would die from a poisonous snake bite.

She was bitten  twice  but fortunately received anti-venom treatment and recovered.

He took a pipe and hit the cages real hard so the snakes got real mad and then grabbed me by the hair and said he would push my face in there if I didnt stick my hand in there, she told jurors during his trial for attempted murder, according to The Associated Press. He said I had to die because he wanted to marry another woman.

Summerford was the pastor of the Church of Jesus With Signs Following in Scottsboro, Alabama. The religious practice of snake handling, a ritual usually accompanied by speaking in tongues and laying on hands, centered around a literal interpretation of a biblical command to take up serpents without being harmed.

Summerford was convicted and sentenced to 99 years in jail.

Mike Williams' family and friends cry over the guilty verdict in the trial against Denise Williams, Mike's former wife, on Dec. 14, 2018.

Alligator

When Mike Williams went missing after hunting ducks on Floridas Lake Seminole in December 2000, authorities suspected hed been eaten by alligators. His boat was found on the shore, his car was abandoned nearby, and searchers later found his hunting license, jacket and waders at the bottom of the lake.

The 31-year-old real estate appraiser had been married to his wife, Denise, for six years, and they had an 18-month-old daughter. Williams best friend, Brian Winchester, was an insurance agent, and convinced Williams to take out three life insurance policies totaling about $1.75 million, NBC News reported.

Denise Williams successfully petitioned to have her husband declared dead, received the insurance payout  and married Winchester in 2005. The couple eventually divorced, but in 2016, she told police that Winchester had kidnapped her at gunpoint. Investigation into the kidnapping brought new attention to Mike Williams disappearance, and 14 months later, Winchester agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors. In exchange for telling authorities about the killing, he admitted he had buried his friends body far from Lake Seminole and its alligators; even 17 years later, the remains and clothes were still intact. To avoid prosecution for murder, Winchester admitted to shooting and killing Williams and implicated Denise, with whom hed been having a three-year affair before they decided to kill her husband and collect the life insurance money.

Denise Williams was sentenced to life in prison in 2019. It was reversed on appeal, but she remained in prison on a 30-year sentence for conspiracy to commit murder. Winchester, who received immunity for the murder, is serving a 20-year sentence for armed kidnapping.

Bear

Lucas Gingras was staying in a Vermont cabin in 2014 with his girlfriend, Ladonna Merriman, when he told her they needed to jump off a 70-foot cliff to flee from a bear. But there was no bear, which Gingras later explained hed hallucinated because they had been taking drugs.

Merriman, however, told authorities that she believed Gingras wanted to kill her because she was planning to break up with him. After she survived the fall down the cliff, he allegedly dragged her to their car, returned with a rifle and fired a shot inside.

Gingras was charged with attempted first-degree murder and arson (he also set fire to the cabin), among other crimes, but the charges against him were reduced after Merriman died from unrelated causes and could not testify at trial. He was sentenced to 4 to 10 years for arson and reckless endangerment and was released on furlough in 2019.

Suzanne Morphew in an undated photo.

Elk, Deer, Chipmunks And More

Colorado man Barry Morphew blamed a menagerie of wild animals  including 85 chipmunks, a bull elk, deer with horns and a runaway turkey  on his unusual behavior when police questioned him after his wife, Suzanne Morphew, disappeared in May 2020, and suggested that shed been attacked by a mountain lion. He was charged with her murder, but in April 2021, days before Morphews trial was scheduled to start, the district attorney asked that all charges against him be dropped. Morphew later filed a $15 million lawsuit accusing prosecutors and local, state and federal investigators of violating his civil rights.

From there, the investigation seemed to stall. But in September, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced that Suzanne Morphews body had been found. Authorities, who have not named Barry Morphew as a suspect, believe she was murdered and buried in a shallow grave before her remains were scattered  likely by animals.

Related...
Yaakov Weissmann survived the Holocaust as a child hiding with a non-Jewish family in France (Yuri CORTEZ)

Yaakov Weissmann survived the horrors of the Holocaust by hiding with a non-Jewish family in France when he was just four years old during World War II.

Now 83, he survived the October 7 attack in Israel by Hamas gunmen that has drawn comparisons to Nazi atrocities for its brutality.

Weissmann's village Netiv Haassara is just 500 metres (1,600 feet) from the border with the Gaza Strip, from where Hamas Islamists under the cover of a hail of missiles, stormed into Israel, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

Israel has declared war on Hamas, pounding Gaza incessantly since with air strikes that the densely populated enclave's authorities said killed 2,750 people, most of them ordinary Palestinians.

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Weissmann heard rockets go off at around 6:00 am that Saturday, which was also the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest.

"Rockets, rockets and booms. Well it's not the first time," said Weissmann, whose village of 800 inhabitants is used to projectiles aimed by armed Palestinian groups at Israel.

Pistol in hand, he and his wife followed the drill to get into his fortified shelter -- something that every home in the area is equipped with, securing the door and window within 15 seconds.

"Then I heard, with my wife, we heard machine gun fire. When we heard this, we know there has been an infiltration of enemy forces," he said.

A deep sadness came over him, he said, "because as soon as there is gunfire, I know there are deaths".

When he came out of the shelter, he found to his great relief that all 23 of his descendants -- children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren -- who live in the village were alive.

- Anger -

Twenty people in Netiv Haassara were killed, including many whom Weissmann knew personally.

Five of them died with weapons in their hands. They were security volunteers, said Weissmann, who believes they had helped to prevent further bloodshed.

As the day went on, the scale and the horror of the attack became clear.

In the worst-hit villages, entire families, including babies, were killed in their homes, some of which were also set on fire.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the attacks were "savagery never seen since the Holocaust".

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said the Hamas fighters took "evil to another level" from Islamic State jihadists.

Ten days on, Weissmann said the overwhelming emotion for him beyond sadness is "anger, because, how did our famous army get caught off guard?"

Born in France in 1940, Weissmann said the attack had revived memories of his childhood hiding from the Nazis.

His Polish parents fled pogroms to move to France in 1933 but his father was arrested by Nazi-allied French militia in 1944.

He was deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where 1.1 million people, most of them Jews, were killed.

A non-Jewish family took him and his sister in a village near the southeastern city of Lyon, pretending they were their nephew and niece on a visit.

After the war, Weissmann moved to Israel, where he first lived close to the Jordanian border before resettling in Netiv Haassara, a farming village in the Sinai Peninsula after it was seized by Israel from Egypt during the 1967 six-day war.

But the village was evacuated in 1982 under the framework of a peace deal which returned control of the peninsula to Egypt.

It was then displaced to its current location close to the Gaza Strip, conserving its name.

- 'Eradicate them' -

At 83, Weissmann has been displaced again -- this time to a retirement home in central Israel's Modiin.

Inhabitants of villages close to Gaza have mostly vacated their homes in recent days as Israeli troops massed in preparation for a ground invasion.

"I don't want revenge, but I want the people responsible to pay," said Weissmann, adding that for him, "not only is Hamas at fault, but those Gaza" who "jumped in joy and distributed sweets" when the gunmen were carrying out their attack.

His greatest revenge against the Nazis was simply having stayed alive and built a family.

"You wanted to exterminate us, well, I had children and grandchildren and we keep on living," he said, adding that he uses the compensation Germany pays him as a Holocaust survivor to take the family on vacation.

What he wants for Hamas is to "eradicate them from the map".

Israel's vow to "destroy" Hamas must be met, he said, adding: "Then I will calm down."

After that, he says without hesitation that he plans to return to Netiv Haassara.

"But I can understand that my daughters may not want that," he conceded.

mib/hmn/phz
TAMPA, Fla. - A man was taken into custody Monday afternoon after he barricaded himself in a home on E. Osbourne Avenue Monday afternoon, according to Tampa Police.

The Tampa Police Department responded to the 1300 block of E. Osbourne Avenue at around 1:35 p.m. in reference to a man being shot.

According to TPD, shortly after officers arrived on the scene, the victim, a black man in his late 50s was taken to a hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. His injury came from being grazed by a bullet, police added.

The suspect, who police identified as Richard Jackson, 81, remainder inside the home and didn't respond to officers during initial contact.

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READ: Governor Ron DeSantis greets hundreds of Americans evacuated from Israel as they land in Tampa

At around 4 p.m., after over two hours of attempting to make contact with Jackson, officers took him into custody without further incident or injury to themselves or the suspect.

TPD reported that Jackson was placed under the Baker Act, and charges are still pending. Based on the preliminary investigation, the suspect and victim know each other.
The Special Operations Forces (SOF) of Ukraine jointly with the Defence Forces of Ukraine conducted an operation of striking the air bases in the temporarily occupied cities of Berdiansk and Luhansk.

Source: press service of SOF, which provides the details of the Dragonfly operation

Details: Reportedly, the SOF have obtained information about the Russians using the air bases in the temporarily occupied cities of Berdiansk and Luhansk and storing a significant amount of ammunition, aircraft and special equipment.

The information was checked and confirmed. The SOF handed over the location and necessary information to the units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine. The Russians have suffered significant losses as a result of the strike on the night of 16-17 October.

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According to latest reports, the Defence Forces have destroyed in Berdiansk and Luhansk:

nine helicopters with different modifications;

special equipment parked at the air bases;

air defence launcher;

ammunition storage.

Moreover, runways at the air bases were damaged.

The SOF remarked that the ammunition storage in Berdiansk was detonated before 4:00. Detonation in Luhansk happened before 11:00.

The Russians have lost tens of members of personnel killed and injured. The bodies are still being retrieved from under the rubble, the report states.

Background:

On the night of 16-17 October, Ukrainian troops attacked helicopters and equipment belonging to the Russian occupying forces at air bases near the occupied cities of Berdiansk and Luhansk.

Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command explained that he had no information on what was likely to have been hit at the airfields but added that, in general, destroying Russian helicopters is definitely beneficial for the Ukrainians.

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!
Anti-abortion groups in Ohio think they have the formula to break their movements nationwide losing streak.

Early voting is already underway ahead of a November ballot referendum, which if passed would enshrine reproductive freedom in the state constitution and allow abortion up to conception.

Anti-abortion leaders and GOP politicians acknowledge the campaign against the ballot measure is a major test of whether conservatives can prevail on the issue. Abortion rights have won in every state that voted on the issue since the fall of Roe v. Wade.

In a Republican-led state that twice voted for former President Trump, GOP politicians are framing their opposition as a moderating force in the debate.

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Here we are in Midwestern Ohio, a commonsense conservative state where we may, in just a period of several weeks, have the most extreme abortion law in the country. I think we are all united in making sure that doesnt happen, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) said at a recent get out the vote rally held at the state Republican headquarters.

LaRose is running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate to challenge incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown (D).

We have to shed our Republican label and go out and talk to everyday Ohioans irrespective of what party and even what position they have on this issue of abortion, state Sen. Matt Dolan (R), another U.S. Senate candidate, said at the rally.

Dolan said the messaging focus should highlight the issue of late-term abortions.

We have to get uncomfortable in Ohio over the next 30 days and have these uncomfortable conversations with people and talk about what Issue 1 will do, he said.

Both sides of the Issue 1 campaign are buckling down for the final three weeks: running TV and digital ads, knocking on doors, making phone calls, and encouraging people to vote early.

The Ohio Republican Party, in a partnership with the Republican National Committee, launched the Bank Your Vote initiative to maximize conservative turnout.

The best way to defend innocent life, protect Ohios workers, and make your voice heard is to Bank Your NO vote on Issues 1 and 2 before Election Day, state GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou said in a statement.

Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and first lady Fran DeWine appeared in an anti-Issue 1 ad, sponsored by Protect Women Ohio, the coalition leading the anti-Issue 1 campaign.

Whether youre pro-life or pro-choice, Issue 1 is just not right for Ohio, DeWine said in the ad.

Abortion rights have been a winning issue recently, even in conservative Ohio, when voters soundly defeated a ballot initiative in August that was largely viewed as a proxy for abortion.

Nearly 58 percent of Ohio voters said they would back the abortion-rights amendment, including 81 percent of Democrats and 32 percent of Republicans, according to a July USA TODAY Network Ohio/Suffolk University poll.

A Scripps News/YouGov survey of Ohians conducted in June found that 42 percent agreed with restrictions on abortion to some degree, compared to 36 percent who disagreed.

The ballot measure in Ohio is modeled after the successful Proposition 3 campaign that passed in Michigan last year. It would guarantee the right to make and carry out ones own reproductive decisions, including abortion, contraception, miscarriage care and fertility treatment.

It would allow lawmakers to restrict abortion after the point of viability, except in cases of threats to the life or the health of the patient, but require the least restrictive means in regulating the procedure.

Ohio is the only state that will vote on abortion this fall, making it the current epicenter of the reproductive-rights fight.

If the measure fails, it would mark the first time anti-abortion groups have been successful at the ballot since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and leaders said they will aim to use a similar playbook in other states in 2024, including Arizona, Florida and Missouri.

All eyes are on Ohio, I would say, because, of course, as Ohio goes, many other states may potentially go in the following year, said Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life, who helped organize the groups march in Ohio earlier this month.

Abortion-rights advocates have seen a string of victories in red and blue states over the past year. Voters rejected anti-abortion measures in red states like Kansas, Kentucky and Montana, and expanded protections in Vermont, Michigan and California.

Despite the string of losses, opponents of the amendment in Ohio said their message isnt different from the anti-abortion groups in the other states, and its been consistent since the ballot measure was first proposed.

They have focused much of their messaging on the issue of parental rights and on late-term abortions.

We dont have to, you know, fine tune our messaging because when people in the state of Ohio learn that this takes away parental rights and consent, whether theyre pro life or pro choice, theyre rejecting it, said Peter Range, CEO of Ohio Right to Life and a board member of Protect Women Ohio.

But one of the biggest differences between Ohio and the other states, Range said, is time.

Dobbs was released and then a few months later, you know, Michigan was voting on Prop. 3. Weve had more time to kind of work on the ground, hitting doors, putting up commercials, talking about parental rights from the very beginning, Range said.

Range said the anti-abortion coalitions are using the time to expand their message beyond the conservative base voters to independents and even people who describe themselves as pro-choice.

Similarly, the ballot measures supporters said there isnt a need to change or even hone their message in the final weeks of the campaign.

The stakes couldnt be higher. Ohio has an extreme abortion ban on the books with no exception for rape and incest or even when a womans life is at risk. Issue 1 is Ohio voters opportunity to remove that extreme abortion ban. Its just that simple, said Gabriel Mann, spokesman for Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights (OURR).

In the aftermath of the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Ohio passed a six-week abortion ban without any exceptions for rape, incest or health and safety of the mother.

The law was on the books for about three months before it was blocked by a lower court last year, allowing providers to continue providing abortions up to 22 weeks. However, the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments last month about lifting the injunction, which could happen at any time.

OURR launched an ad last month featuring a couple named Beth and Kyle who were forced to go out of state to find abortion care, despite having a nonviable pregnancy.

Were not taking anything for granted. But you know, what we have is the popular opinion of the voters. People do not want the government to be making these decisions for them and their family, Mann said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An adventurer from Edinburgh has set two world records by kayaking the Arctic's Northwest Passage.

Mark Agnew began the 2,000 mile journey from Baffin Bay, Greenland, in July, and completed it three months later.

One of a team of four, the 32-year-old endured harsh weather, including 15ft (4.57m) waves, and an encounter with a polar bear.

He said he had been unable to feel his feet since July due to the freezing Arctic temperature.

Mark has raised over 7,000 for an outdoors education charity and he hopes to raise up to 25,000.

He completed the Northwest Passage with three Americans - expedition leader West Hansen, Jeff Wueste and Eileen Visser.

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The team set two world records for being the first to kayak the Northwest Passage and the first to complete the entire route under human power.

On 2 July, Mark and his team set off from Baffin Bay, Greenland, and reached the Beaufort Sea on 8 October.

"Every singe day was tough and what surprised me was how varied the challenges were," Mark said.

"The biggest challenge was the sea ice. We were trying to start early so we could finish before the winter returned, which meant we started when there was still a lot of frozen ocean.

"We became trapped in the ice a lot. There was this one occasion in particular where we were trapped in the ice and two icebergs began to ram together with us in between. I thought we were going to be crushed to death."

On another occasion, a polar bear pressed against his tent, causing Mark to sprint outside in his pyjamas.

"I shouted at the bear and threw stones as the others came to the tent. But all our attempts to scare the bear didn't work - it just stood there. We were running out of ideas," he said.

"It was an amazing but terrifying encounter. Finally, the bear just turned and sauntered off."

Previously, Mark had failed twice to row the Atlantic, in 2016 and in 2018. He was rescued during both attempts.

Afterwards, he faced a mental health crisis but said kayaking helped him overcome this.

The route the team followed was the same as Sir John Franklin's doomed voyage in 1845.

Both ships involved in the exploration became ice bound and Franklin and his crew of 129 men on HMS Erebus and HMS Terror were lost.

Now, 178 years later, the Arctic's ice conditions have changed due to climate change, making the journey possible.

To keep up their strength, the team members each consumed between 4,000 to 6,000 calories per day in the form of powdered meals mixed with water, but this led to other challenges.

"They froze and suddenly we couldn't drink them. At one point, Eileen and I had to do a round trip of four hours to find a pond that wasn't completely frozen through. We had to break through the surface of it with an axe and then walk back.

"Suddenly everything was a challenge.

"I haven't felt my feet since July. I'm told I won't feel them again for another month or so," he said.

Mark grew up in Edinburgh with parents who helped kindle his love of adventure.

His father mapped part of Greenland and Patagonia, and his mother spent time travelling overland from Australia back to the UK.

When Mark crossed the Northwest Passage "finish line", he was overwhelmed with pride and gratitude to those who had helped and inspired him.

"I just thought about my wife and everything she did to make this possible.

"This didn't happen in a vacuum because I believed in myself, this happened because of my parents so I thought about them. I thought about so many different people and I was just completely overwhelmed.

"A lot of people say they come back from expeditions and they have a post-expedition blues you know, 'what next? what now?'.

"Modern life feels so pedantic compared to real challenges they face. But I don't have that. I just feel so content. We did something special."

Mark has raised over 7,000 for Wilderness Foundation UK, a charity offering education and therapy programmes for young people and adults to help them reconnect to society and to themselves through outdoor adventures, therapy and mentoring.

Wilderness Foundation UK's chief executive Jo Roberts, said: "As a charity we work with children, teens and adults whose fears hold them back from trying, failing and succeeding - and they get stuck. Mark has set them an example of what it looks like to give life 'a go'."
The News

On the 10th anniversary of Chinas Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), the Belt and Road Forum kicked off on Tuesday in Beijing with representatives from over 130 countries in attendance. Several African leaders are among them  including Kenyas President William Ruto , Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (pictured above), Congo Brazzaville President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Nigerias Vice President Kashima Shettima.

Kenya is seeking $1 billion in loans to complete stalled infrastructure projects, and also wants an extension on loan repayment terms to ease its public debt burden.

Ethiopia, which in August secured a temporary suspension of debt repayment for Chinese loans maturing in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, is keen on deepening its relationship with Beijing and will be joining the BRICS coalition of countries including China from Jan. 1.

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Nigeria disclosed that it would use the forum to lobby investors to back various development projects in the country. Lagos state recently unveiled its Chinese-funded metro line to much local fanfare, but also concerns that Lagos doesnt go the way of Addis Ababa by ending up with nonfunctioning train stock.

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The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), once seen as the focal point of President Xi Jinpings foreign policy, was the catalyst for massive infrastructure loans from China to African governments over the past decade. However, with mounting concerns on countries ability to repay the debts, criticism of what some have described as debt-trap diplomacy, and economic headwinds at home particularly in the property sector, China has significantly reduced lending to African countries in the past few years.

From a peak of $28.4 billion in 2016, China issued loans worth $994 million to African governments in 2022 - the lowest levels of Chinese lending to Africa since 2004. It also marked two consecutive years of under $2 billion in Chinese lending to African countries.

Martins view

The Belt and Road Forum will offer a great indicator of the future of Chinas relationship with African countries, particularly when it comes to lending and infrastructure development. Western powers including the United States, which have been working to counter Chinas influence on the continent, will be watching keenly.

But it will be a tall order for African countries to secure huge loans from China going forward, such as the $1 billion being sought by Ruto. Critics like China Africa Projects Eric Olander described Rutos plan to call on the Chinese to help fix Kenyas problems as a longshot. Olander argues Chinas domestic politics and economy will not allow for a significant financing package given the enormous difficulties many provinces are encountering..

However, as evidenced by its suspension of Ethiopias debt repayments, China might consider renegotiating terms to guarantee countries economic stability. Despite the decreased lending, China also remains well positioned to maintain strong partnerships with African countries.

Offering a glimpse into the future, researchers from Boston Universitys Global China Initiative wrote in a September 2023 policy brief that future Chinese lending to Africa could mean less large-scale loans over $500 million, more loans with smaller values under $50 million and loans with more beneficial social and environmental impacts.

Room for Disagreement

China is well aware of claims from the United States and other western countries that the Asian giant is burdening African countries with large loans as part of a so-called debt trap. But it has pushed back at this narrative. This month a new report from the Institute of New Structural Economics at Beijing University tries to quantify how Chinese lending has boosted development outcomes in Africa. Among its findings it suggests that for every 1% increase in Chinese loans to African countries there was 0.176% to 0.3% increase in the countrys GDP.

I cannot deny that the financing cooperation between China and Africa are facing some challenges or difficulties, because [of] some [countries] defaulting and the debt problem is in front of us, said Wu Peng, director-general for the department of African affairs at Chinas foreign ministry speaking at the launch of the report earlier this week, according to CNBC Asia.
The News

African investors are joining the race to raise funds needed to pay for climate adaptation projects. It comes amid a growing acceptance that the continents governments cannot fill a yawning funding gap while the worlds biggest lenders have largely turned their backs on the continent due to perceived risk.

African countries collectively need to raise around $2.8 trillion by 2030 to meet climate action goals, according to the Climate Policy Initiative research body. Many African governments cannot afford to pay for green initiatives and the ability of private investors to secure funding has been restricted by perceived risks associated with the continent and green projects more generally.

Some see a solution in blended finance, an approach through which public sources of money such as grants from development finance institutions or philanthropic organizations, are used to reduce the risk for private investors. The African Development Bank is partnering with African banks to fund projects aimed at addressing the impact of climate change through its African Green Bank Initiative. The scheme, which has access to a $1.5 billion fund and technical support from European asset management firm Amundi, was launched in May.

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Audrey-Cynthia Yamadjako, who heads the AfDB program, told Semafor Africa that the scheme was expanding. It was launched in West Africa with lenders in Cote dIvoire and Benin and would be expanded to banks in North Africa nearly year, followed by others in East Africa.

About 87% of climate finance on the continent comes from the public sector, when we know that it should be the reverse. said Yamadjako, speaking last week on the sidelines of the AFSIC conference on investment in Africa. She said there is a need to use blending more to meet a huge need on the continent.

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One recent example of a local investor backed blended finance initiative was by Nigerian credit guarantor InfraCredit, which was set up by the countrys sovereign wealth fund in 2017. Recent projects by InfraCredit, which is among a new breed of African institutions that taps local capital markets, include the installation of solar-powered telecoms base stations in 22 Nigerian states under a co-financing deal with the UKs governments 10 million Climate Finance Blending Facility.

Other organizations, including U.K. development finance institution British International Investment (BII), have used blended finance in recent years to attract private investment. And some are targeting local capital held in African markets, in the form of local pension funds and insurance companies, to fund sustainable development. The approach seeks to reduce risks through the use of local currencies.

Alexiss view

Africa only attracts around 3% of global climate finance, despite being the continent hardest hit by the extreme weather patterns. So African countries clearly need to find a way to fund projects that address the impact of climate change  from renewable energy initiatives to those which prepare countries for increasingly extreme weather conditions. Its also abundantly clear that the continents nations cant afford to foot the bill while hobbled by their existing sovereign debts which, due to weakening currencies, are in many cases becoming increasingly difficult to service.

Wealthy countries have failed to honor an agreement to provide $100 billion a year to developing countries by 2020 to meet climate financing costs, so there is a need to find other ways to plug the funding gap. Ramping up private investment makes sense, even though it would be unrealistic to believe that this alone could plug the gap needed.

The use of local capital, in particular, seems sensible. Rather than focusing on dollar-denominated debt, where local currency fluctuations increase the risk of defaults, it makes sense to look closer to home. But, as Amal-Lee Amin, managing director and head of climate at BII told me, blended finance is not a panacea. It is a valuable part of a toolkit to increase climate finance shortfalls but there is dire need for an array of innovative solutions. More needs to change, including the approach taken by ratings agencies who view much of the continent as a risky bet. The hope is that the U.S.-led push to boost the lending firepower of the IMF and World Bank also bears fruit.

Room for Disagreement

A lack of data around the use of blended finance and its impact is often cited as a problem. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in a report published last year, cited a lack of data as a shortcoming. The OECD said it has proved hard to scale up blended finance because finance deals that adopt this approach rely heavily on context, making them hard to replicate. While bespoke transactions are important to showcase and innovate, scale can only be reached in repeat transactions, it said in the report.

The View From Nairobi

Wairimu Karanja, a partner at Kenyan venture builder Persistent which invests in early stage climate-focused companies, said the research and development needed to innovate in green energy and climate adaptation was supported by government subsidies, grants and accelerator programs in advanced economies, unlike in African countries.

Governments cannot provide that capital in sub-Saharan Africa as compared to the U.S. and Europe, Karanja told Semafor Africa, adding that it often therefore fell to development finance institutions to find ways to work with private sources of finance. That is really the greatest value of blended finance  its not just in de-risking private capital, but in fostering innovation, she said.
Russian social media accounts are widely sharing video footage of a presumed Ukrainian strike on a military airfield in occupied Berdyansk, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, carried out with U.S.-supplied ATACMS ballistic missiles on Oct. 17.

The video shows several fires and what looks like secondary detonations of ammunition stored at the site.

Read also: Ukraine attacks Russian airfields in one of Kyiv's most serious strikes, Russian officer says

The unidentified Russian soldier who shot the video can be heard asserting that indeed an ammunition depot at the airfield was on fire.

Earlier on Oct. 17, Ukraines Special Operations Forces confirmed that a Ukrainian strike targeted the Berdyansk airfield, reportedly damaging nine Russian helicopters, specialized military equipment, and an ammunition warehouse.

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Read also: Ukraines attack on Chkalovsky airfield outside Moscow  expert interview

Besides Berdyansk, another Russian airfield near occupied Luhansk was attacked simultaneously.

Russian Telegram channels covering the war described the strike as one of the most serious blows since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Move over, human astronomers! Artificial intelligence (AI) could soon be doing your supernova hunting for you.

A new, fully automated machine-learning algorithm has successfully detected, identified and classified its first supernova  the first time this has been achieved with AI. The program, called Bright Transient Survey Bot (BTSbot), could vastly accelerate the process of analyzing and classifying supernovas, its developers say.

Spotting supernovas currently depends on humans and computers working in conjunction, but BTSbot could cut us out of that equation. According to the BTSbot team, over the past six years alone, human astronomers have spent an estimated 2,200 hours visually inspecting and classifying supernova candidates. BTSbot could allow astronomers to redirect this effort and spend more time investigating the origins of these stellar explosions and modeling how they proceed.

"For the first time ever, a series of robots and AI algorithms have observed, then identified, then communicated with another telescope to finally confirm the discovery of a supernova," team leader Adam Miller, a professor of physics at Northwestern University in Illinois, said in a statement . "This represents an important step forward as further refinement of models will allow the robots to isolate specific subtypes of stellar explosions.

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"Ultimately, removing humans from the loop provides more time for the research team to analyze their observations and develop new hypotheses to explain the origin of the cosmic explosions that we observe," Miller added.

Related: Right before exploding, this star puffed out a sun's worth of mass

Supernovas: a needle in a cosmic haystack

Many supernovas occur when dying stars exhauts their fuel for nuclear fusion. Unable to support themselves against the inward push of gravity , these stars' cores collapse while their outer layers blast out as supernovas.

In the case of Type Ia supernovas , explosions are triggered when a stellar remnant called a white dwarf exists in a binary system and is stripping matter from its companion star. This influx of material causes white dwarfs to reignite and explode, destroying them entirely.

These supernova explosions can be so bright that they outshine the combined light of every star in the galaxy around them. Thanks to the vastness of space, however, even this incredible burst of light doesn't mean supernovas are easy to spot. Currently, robotic telescopes scan the night sky, capturing repeated images of the same patch of space, hoping to find a changing  or transient  object that wasn't in previous images.

"Automated software presents a list of candidate explosions to humans, who spend time verifying the candidates and executing spectroscopic observations," Miller said. "We can only definitively know that a candidate is truly a supernova by collecting its spectrum  the source's dispersed light, which reveals elements present in the explosion. There are existing robotic telescopes that can collect spectra, but this is also often done by humans operating telescopes with spectrographs."

To potentially remove humanity's role in these proceedings, Miller and his team developed BTSbot and trained the AI with over 1.4 million historical images from nearly 16,000 sources. These included confirmed supernovas and other explosive astronomical phenomena like the temporary flaring of stars, stars that are periodically variable stars and the flaring of galaxies.

RELATED STORIES:

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 Supernova photos: Great images of star explosions

 How artificial intelligence is helping us explore the solar system

Putting BTSbot to the test

In order to test their new AI tool, the researchers set about hunting for a newly spotted supernova candidate designated SN2023tyk , which is believed to be a Type Ia supernova located around 760 million light-years from Earth .

The supernova was found by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) robotic telescope on Oct. 3. As it searched ZTF data, BTSbot was able to identify SN2023tyk on Oct. 5, after which it collected the potential supernova's spectrum from the robotic telescope at Palomar Observatory, known as the SED machine (SEDM). Thus, through this automatic collaboration, SN2023tyk was classified as a Type Ia supernova. BSTbot didn't even need its human operators to get the word out, as this information was automatically shared with astronomers by the AI on Oct. 7.

"The simulated performance was excellent, but you never really know how that translates to the real world until you actually try it," Northwestern graduate student Nabeel Rehemtulla, who co-led the BTSbot technology development with Miller, said in the same statement.

"Once the observations from SEDM and the automated classification came in," Rehemtulla added, "we felt a huge wave of relief. The beauty of it is that once everything is turned on and working properly, we don't actually do anything. We go to sleep at night, and, in the morning, we see that BTSbot and these other AIs unwaveringly do their jobs."
Dozens of Howard Brown Health workers and supporters strike on Jan. 3, 2023, outside Howard Brown Health Clinic at 4025 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

About 350 health care and retail workers associated with Howard Brown Health have voted in favor of a strike, the second of its kind at Howard Brown in less than a year.

The strike vote was held Friday among 366 members of Howard Brown Health Workers United. Votes were counted Tuesday morning.

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The vote brought support for a strike among 96% of non-registered-nurse Howard Brown employees, including nurse practitioners and workers at Brown Elephant resale shops, where proceeds go toward Howard Brown. Strikers will be represented by the Illinois Nurses Association, the largest nurses union in Illinois.

Registered nurses at Howard Brown Health have a separate union, also represented by the Illinois Nurses Association.

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Union members indicated that a strike would go on for two days if it happened, a spokesperson for Howard Brown health told the Chicago Tribune. However, the union has not given official strike notice to Howard Brown yet, said Claire Gilbertsen, an events specialist at Howard Brown and a member of the union bargaining committee. Once notice is served, a strike will not take place for at least 10 days.

We will see how management reacts to the strike vote and the results of the strike vote, and we are hoping management makes some movement on this, said INA organizer Ronnie Peterson. We dont want to go on strike, but we will if we have to to get a fair contract.

A federally qualified health center that receives federal money to support low-income patients, Howard Brown Health currently runs 11 clinics throughout Chicago and provides various social services to residents. With deep roots in Uptown and Northalsted, Howard Brown clinics specialize in treating LGBTQ patients and people living with HIV.

Members of Howard Brown Health Workers United are currently fighting for their first contract after the union formed 14 months ago. Negotiations have been active for over a year now.

Howard Brown management has agreed to about 80% of the contract terms union members have proposed, a spokesperson said in a statement. Howard Brown expected the strike to happen and said it will have an alternate care plan in place for patients.

We want to have a contract signed as soon as possible, so we can focus on our shared mission: caring for our community, the spokesperson said. Throughout this process, we have been honest about our resource limitations as we face financial challenges.

In recent negotiations, Howard Brown has proposed an hourly rate consistent with the city minimum wage, which makes it difficult for some workers to afford housing, Gilbertsen said. Management has since increased its proposal to $19.23 an hour for hourly workers, a 17% raise for some retail employees.

Union salary transparency studies also found that some workers at Howard Brown clinics on the South Side are paid up to $5,000 less annually than their North Side counterparts, Gilbertsen said.

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Whats behind that is racial inequity, Gilbertsen said. So were trying to make sure that everyone whos having an issue is heard.

If a strike occurs, the action will support contract demands including guaranteed full-time employment opportunities for Brown Elephant retail employees, Gilbertsen said. Union members are also demanding cost-of-living salary adjustments and opportunities for gender-affirming health care to be covered under employee health insurance.

Gender-affirming care refers to any form of care supporting transgender and nonbinary people in representing their gender identity. Gender-affirming care is often social, including respecting a transgender persons pronouns. In a medical setting, it can include access to testosterone or estrogen, gender-affirming surgery or psychiatric counseling.

In negotiations, management has offered two paid weeks off after gender-affirming surgery. A Howard Brown Health spokesperson also told the Tribune Tuesday that discussions have included enhanced health care benefits for all employees.

As the largest LGBTQ-focused health care provider in the Midwest, Howard Brown provides many Chicagoans gender-affirming care  but offers a health care plan that often bars employees from affording the same, Gilbertsen said.

Some employees, particularly in retail at Brown Elephant locations, opt out of the employee health care plan entirely because the deductible is prohibitively expensive compared with their part-time wages, Gilbertsen said.

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What youre providing to the community, you have to be able to provide that to your workforce as well, Gilbertsen said.

Gilbertsen described a huge divide between management and union members, many of whom recently returned to Howard Brown after more than 400 workers went on strike for three days in January.

Howard Brown leaders offered buyouts across the company in late 2022, citing a $12 million budget shortfall, then cut its workforce by 16%, the Tribune previously reported.

A round of 64 layoffs starting the day of the January strike included 61 union members. The union rejected the buyout proposal and filed several unfair labor practice allegations with the National Labor Relations Board, some of which were found to have merit.

After a July ruling from the NLRB, Howard Brown reinstated the 61 laid-off union employees, with back pay. Gilbertsen, among those who chose to return, said an apologetic welcome from management hasnt erased the sting of what she saw as punishment for union organizing.

I was retaliated against, straight up, for speaking about the union, said Gilbertsen. She was put on a performance improvement plan shortly before the layoffs, which she said included a recommendation for putting a cap on talking about union activities because it makes some people feel uncomfortable.

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A bargaining session between Howard Brown Health staff and unionized workers took place Tuesday. After receiving notice of the strike vote, Howard Brown declined to present any counterproposals Tuesday.

The union will host a rally outside of Howard Brown Health Halsted on Thursday evening in order to raise money for the strike fund. The rally will also protest a fundraiser happening inside the $53 million Halsted clinic, Howard Browns newest location, at the same time.

Workers who strike will do so without pay, Gilbertsen said. While unionized workers are prepared to picket, their ability to keep on a strike depends on how much the strike fund grows over the next few days.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP)  The U.S. worked to break a deadlock over delivering aid to millions of increasingly desperate civilians in the Gaza Strip, which has been besieged and under assault by Israel since a brutal attack by Hamas militants, as U.S. President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region.

Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Gaza early Tuesday, killing dozens of people in the besieged enclaves south, where Israel told civilians from the north to seek shelter ahead of an expected ground offensive.

Wounded people were rushed to the hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, Gaza residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported that 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 were killed in Khan Younis.

A Palestinian man inspects the remains of a destroyed house hit by an Israeli airstrike in town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Mohammed Dahman)

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis since early Tuesday. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

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An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighboring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children. Witnesses said there was no previous warning before the strike.

Israel has sealed off Hamas-ruled Gaza and hammered it with unrelenting airstrikes since the militant attack on southern Israel last week killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians. Dozens of Israelis and citizens of other countries were taken captive and brought to Gaza by militants.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to barrage Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

Airstrikes, dwindling supplies, and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse as hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread. With taps dry, many rationed the little clean water available and others resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking disease.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel. The aid would then be allowed into Gaza. A brief humanitarian ceasefire would take place and foreign nationals would be allowed to exit Gaza via Rafah, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel. Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict as fighting intensified along Israels border with Lebanon.

In addition to the dead, some 1,200 people across Gaza are believed buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing airstrikes. On Monday Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defense in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 10 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, health authorities said.

Israel also evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

The military said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. Video from a reconnaissance drone the army shared showed the militants near the border wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Whoever approaches the border with Lebanon will be killed, said Israeli military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Israel has warned Lebanon it will strongly retaliate against attacks from across the border.

Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier.

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted U.S. and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahians threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Israeli military said Monday at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
Japan Airlines was forced to put on an additional flights for a group of sumo wrestlers due to concerns that the combined additional weight of the passengers could have had safety implications.

The group were scheduled to fly on separate flights from Tokyo and Osaka to the island of Amami Oshima, about two-and-a-half hours southwest of the Japanese capital.

However, once airline staff discovered the number of wrestlers booked on the respective flights, they scheduled an additional plane to carry several of the athletes.

Concerns over the runway at Amami Oshima being able to accommodate a larger plane prompted the decision to put on an additional flight, reports the Daily Telegraph. Airline staff recognised the need for a larger aircraft estimating that each wrestler weighed around 120kg (18st 9lbs)  significantly more than the average person, at around 70kg (11st).

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Instead, an additional flight was put on to carry 27 of the wrestlers, with 14 flying from Osaka to Tokyo to catch it. Extra flights were also arranged to take the athletes home after the competition.

A Japan Airlines spokesperson told a regional paper that it is very rare for us to operate special flights due to  [aircraft] weight limits.

The Independent has contacted Japan Airlines for comment.

Knowing plane and passenger weight is important for aviation safety and is a requirement from many Civil Aviation Authorities around the world.

In June of this year, Air New Zealand asked passengers to voluntarily weigh themselves before flights under an an essential initiative to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft.

This type of measure is also seen as vital in lessening the environmental effects of flying, helping airlines to use less fuel, and to use it more efficiently. In June, The Independent reported that a British technology company wants airlines to weigh their passengers to ensure that they operate the most fuel efficient flights.
New Mexico prosecutors reportedly intend to recharge Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal 2021 shooting on the Rust film set.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed after a prop gun held by Baldwin discharged a real bullet while they were filming the Western movie.

Baldwin has consistently denied pulling the trigger on the prop weapon.

The forensic testing of the gun concluded with certainty that the trigger of the gun had to have been pulled for the gun to go off, one of the prosecutors, Kari T Morrissey, said in an interview on Tuesday (17 October), according to The New York Times.

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We believe that based on our lengthy and detailed investigation that it is appropriate for a grand jury in New Mexico to make a decision on whether the case should proceed, Morrissey added.

It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution, Baldwins attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement. We will answer any charges in court.

More to follow
Prosecutors on Tuesday said they intended to re-charge actor Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

Baldwins case will be brought before a grand jury in New Mexico in mid-November, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said.

The move followed results of an independent forensic test that found Baldwin had to have pulled the trigger of a revolver he was rehearsing with for it to fire the live round that killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza .

The finding was the same as a previous FBI test on the firearm.

After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza, Ms Morrissey and Jason Lewis said in a statement.

Baldwin has said he is not responsible for Hutchins death and he did not pull the trigger.

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It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will answer any charges in court, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, lawyers for Baldwin, said in a statement.

The 30 Rock actor was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter in January for Hutchins death, along with the movies chief weapons handler Hannah Gutierrez, who faces a 2024 trial.

The planned grand jury marked a setback for Baldwin after prosecutors dismissed charges against the actor in April after new evidence the gun he used might have been modified, allowing it to fire without the trigger being pulled.

Ms Morrissey said if new testing of the gun showed it was working, she would re-charge Baldwin.

Prosecutors often use grand juries as they are an easier means to prove probable cause and proceed to trial than filing a criminal complaint that can be probed by defence lawyers at a preliminary hearing, legal experts say.

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Alec Baldwin To Be Recharged For 'Rust' Manslaughter: Report

Alec Baldwin is set to be recharged for a deadly on-set shooting which killed a cinematographer in 2021, according to two sources close to the case who spoke to NBC News.

One of NBCs sources claims New Mexico prosecutors will soon be filing involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor, and plan to present the case to a grand jury next month.

Two sources familiar with the case also report that a plea deal has been discussed.

Prosecutors dismissed initial charges against Baldwin back in April, citing new facts in the case.

Baldwin was handling a prop firearm on the set of Rust when it fired a live round, killing Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.

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Baldwin has asserted he did not pull the trigger and in December 2021, he told ABC News he felt someone should be held accountable for Hutchins death.

I feel that someone is responsible for what happened, he said. And I cant say who that is, but I know its not me.

The films armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in January and is scheduled for trial next February.

Related...
Alex Murdaughs motion to place a hold on his murder conviction appeal amid recent jury tampering allegations has been granted by the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

Under the ruling, a hearing will be held regarding Murdaughs claims of jury tampering by Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill.

Chief Judge H. Bruce Williams signed an order Tuesday morning granting Murdaughs attorneys motion so he can move for a retrial.

The South Carolina Court of Appeals remanded the murder case and it will send the case back to circuit court.

Last month, Murdaughs defence lawyers filed a bombshell motion for a retrial, alleging Ms Hill told the jurors to not be fooled by Murdaughs testimony and that she urged them to quickly come to a guilty verdict.

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The disbarred attorney was convicted in March of killing his wife, Maggie, and son Paul, who were shot to death on 7 June 2021, at the familys dog kennels on their 1,700 acre estate, Moselle.

His case will now return to circuit court, where his defence attorneys plan to file a motion requesting a new trial.

We intend to proceed expeditiously and will seek a full blown evidentiary hearing addressing the serious allegations pertaining to improper jury communications by the Clerk of Court, according to local reporter Michael DeWitt.
The South Carolina Court of Appeals has granted Alex Murdaughs motion to suspend his conviction appeal and sent the case back to circuit court to consider allegations of jury tampering by the Colleton County clerk.

The decision clears the first step in the quest for a new murder trial by the notorious South Carolina fraudster who was convicted in March of murdering his wife and son.

Chief Judge H. Bruce Williams signed the order Tuesday morning.

The case is now remanded to circuit court to consider the jury tampering allegations.

The recent ruling to stay the appeal and remand the case for a hearing on Alex Murdaughs motion for a new trial is welcomed news, said Murdaughs attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin in a joint statement to CNN.

Alex Murdaugh, right, was convicted of the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son Paul. - Handout

We intend to proceed expeditiously and will seek a full blown evidentiary hearing addressing the serious allegations pertaining to improper jury communications by the Clerk of Court.

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The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office told CNN they would respond through the legal process at the appropriate time.

Murdaugh, 55, appealed days after he was convicted following a six-week trial of shooting and killing his wife, Maggie, and grown son Paul at the familys hunting property.

He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences in a state prison for their murders.

Murdaugh pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen fraud and money laundering charges last month in a federal courtroom in Charleston.

The plea was related to a scheme in which Murdaugh and a bank employee allegedly defrauded his personal injury clients and laundered more than $7 million of funds, according to an indictment. Murdaugh was accused of using the settlement funds for his personal benefit, including using the proceeds to pay off personal loans and for personal expenses and cash withdrawals.

The cases brought national attention to Murdaugh, a former personal injury attorney and member of a dynastic family in the region, where his father, grandfather and great-grandfather served as the local prosecutor consecutively from 1920 to 2006.

Murdaughs attorneys last month filed a motion to suspend that murder conviction appeal so they could move forward with requesting a new trial.

Their motion contained allegations that Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Becky Hill tampered with the jury by advising them not to believe Murdaughs testimony and other evidence presented by the defense, pressuring them to reach a quick guilty verdict, and even misrepresenting critical and material information to the trial judge in her campaign to remove a juror she believed to be favorable to the defense.

CNN has reached out to an attorney representing Hill for comment.

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The South Carolina Court of Appeals has granted Alex Murdaugh his first major win in his bid to retry his murder case. On Monday, Chief Judge H. Bruce Williams signed an order to pause his conviction appeal and hold a hearing on the defense teams allegations that the Colleton County court clerk tampered with the jury that convicted Murdaugh in February. The case will now be sent back to circuit court so that Murdaugh can move forward with his attempts for a retrial. In Februay, Murdaugh was convicted and sentenced to two life prison sentences for murdering his wife and son in June 2021. In September, defense lawyers filed a motion asking for a re-trial, stating that Colleton County Court of Clerk Rebecca Hill deliberately worked to sway the jury to convicted Murdaugh.

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Amazon has joined with other e-commerce outlets to fight fake reviews. File Photo by Friedmann Vogel/EPA-EFE

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Amazon is leading a group of e-commerce websites to combat fake online reviews that have plagued digital consumers and Internet businesses for years, the groups announced on Tuesday.

Amazon joined together with Booking.com, Expedia Group, Glassdoor, Tripadvisor, and Trustpilot to form the Coalition for Trusted Reviews -- an international cross-industry collaboration that will combine best practices in combatting fake reviews.

"Through greater collaboration and sharing across industries, including information on fraudsters' tactics and how they operate, we can more effectively shut down fraudulent review activity, deter other bad actors from attempting to game our systems and protect more consumers," Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon's vice president of Worldwide Selling Partner Services said.

The group said it would engage in "several key areas" to combat fake reviews including developing common standards and practices to establish what a fake review is, sharing practices for how to moderate and detect fake reviews and how fake reviews are proliferated as well as advocating for the importance of genuine reviews.

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In 2022, Amazon filed a lawsuit against administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups it accuses of brokering fake reviews. Those fake review groups recruited individuals to post reviews "in exchange for money or free products" on Amazon stores in the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Japan.

Amazon said members will work on the best methods to detect fake reviews, aiming to stop fake reviews at the source. The companies first met in October 2022 in San Francisco at the first-ever Fake Reviews Conference, organized by Tripadvisor.

The conference led to the establishment of the coalition which shared public education and ongoing information sharing between members to fight fraud reviews.

"Customer reviews are an important part of the shopping experience, and the goal of this coalition is to ensure every review reflects customers' actual experiences," said Mehta.

"Amazon is aggressively fighting fake review brokers to protect our customers and selling partners, but these fraudsters are a global problem, impacting multiple industry sectors."

Becky Foley, vice president of trust and safety of Tripadvisor, said the coalition's members are determined to make sure that the public can trust the reviews they see online are by actual customers and are credible.

"To further maintain the credibility and authenticity of reviews on our platforms, we aim to make it increasingly difficult for fraudulent actors who try to deceive our customers to operate online," Foley said. "Combating these operators, particularly those attempting to sell fake reviews to companies looking to improve their online reputations, will be an immediate area of focus."
Rivers in the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil fell to their lowest levels in over a century on Monday as a record drought upends the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and damages the jungle ecosystem.

The port of Manaus, the regions most populous city, at the meeting of the Rio Negro and the Amazon River, recorded 13.59 meters (44.6 feet) of water on Monday, compared to 17.60 a year ago, according to its website. That is the lowest level since records began in 121 years ago in 1902, passing a previous all-time low set in 2010.

Rapidly drying tributaries to the mighty Amazon have left boats stranded, cutting off food and water supplies to remote villages, while high water temperatures are suspected of killing more than 100 endangered river dolphins.

After months without rain, rainforest villager Pedro Mendonca was relieved when a Brazilian NGO delivered supplies to his riverside community near Manaus late last week.

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We have gone three months without rain here in our community, said Mendonca, who lives in Santa Helena do Ingles, west of Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state. It is much hotter than past droughts.

Boats and houseboats stranded in a dry area of the Igarape do Taruma stream which flows into the Rio Negro river in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, Oct 16, 2023. - Bruno Kelly/Reuters

Some areas of the Amazon have seen the least rain from July to September since 1980, according to the Brazilian government disaster alert center, Cemaden.

Brazils Science Ministry blames the drought on the onset of the El Nino climate phenomenon this year, which is driving extreme weather patterns globally. In a statement earlier this month, the ministry said it expects the drought will last until at least December, when El Ninos effects are forecast to peak.

Underlying El Nino is the long-term trend of global warming, which is leading to more frequent and more intense extreme weather events, like drought and heat.

The drought has affected 481,000 people as of Monday, according to the civil defense agency in the state of Amazonas, where Manaus is located.

Late last week, workers from Brazilian NGO Fundacao Amazonia Sustentavel fanned out across the parched region near Manaus to deliver food and supplies to vulnerable villages. The drought has threatened their access to food, drinking water and medicines, which are usually transported by river.

A ruler that measures historical river water levels at the Rio Negro river in Manaus, Brazil, Oct 16, 2023. - Bruno Kelly/Reuters

Nelson Mendonca, a community leader in Santa Helena do Ingles, said some areas are still reachable by canoe, but many boats have not been able to bring supplies along the river, so most goods are arriving by tractors or on foot.

Its not very good for us, because were practically isolated, he said.

Luciana Valentin, who also lives in Santa Helena do Ingles, said she is concerned about the cleanliness of the local water supply after the drought reduced water levels.

Our children are getting diarrhea, vomiting, and often having fever because of the water, she said.

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Palestinians wounded at al-Ahli Arab hospital sit on the floor at al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip on Oct. 17, 2023. The Hamas-run Health Ministry says an Israeli airstrike caused an explosion that killed hundreds at the Ahli Arab hospital, but the Israeli military says it was a misfired Palestinian rocket. (Abed Khaled/AP)

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinians.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 500 people were killed. Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospitals grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings.

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Outrage over what many believed was an Israeli strike flared across the region, a day before President Joe Biden was due to arrive to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading. The carnage unfolded as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas deadly rampage in southern Israel last week.

Hamas called Tuesdays hospital blast a horrific massacre, saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

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The Israeli military blamed Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often cooperates with Hamas in their shared struggle against Israel. The military said Islamic Jihad fighters had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time and that intelligence from multiple sources indicated it was responsible for the failed rocket launch that hit the hospital.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza Citys main hospital, al-Shifa, which was already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia. The wounded were laid onto bloody floors, screaming in pain.

Bodies of Palestinians killed by an explosion at the al-Ahli Arab hospital are gathered in the front yard of the al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. The Hamas-run Health Ministry says an Israeli airstrike caused an explosion that killed hundreds at the al-Ahli Arab hospital, but the Israeli military says it was a misfired Palestinian rocket. (Abed Khaled/AP)

We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room. We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anesthesia, we need everything, Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospitals generators will run out Wednesday. I think Gazas medical sector will collapse within hours.

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

Hamas Oct. 7, attack in southern Israel killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 200 captive into Gaza. Hamas in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

In protest over the purported airstrike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas canceled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egypts president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan to discuss the war. Abbas Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Later, Jordans foreign minister told state-run television that Jordan had canceled the summit, saying that the war between Israel and Hamas was pushing the region to the brink. He said the meeting would be postponed.

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The comments emerged as Biden boarded the plane for his Mideast trip. Reporters shouted questions at him about the Jordan summit, but Biden did not answer.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades. Others threw stones at Israeli checkpoints, where soldiers killed one Palestinian, West Bank authorities said. Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli Embassy.

Bidens visit in part aims to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah operates and where Israel has evacuated nearby towns.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza, but its plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military told fleeing Palestinians to go. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

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An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency said. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 members of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the highest-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

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In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

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The U.N. agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south with little food or water.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefited only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

Kullab reported from Baghdad. Nessman reported from Jerusalem. Lee reported from Amman. Associated Press journalists Amy Teibel in Jerusalem; Abby Sewell in Beirut; Samy Magdy and Jack Jeffrey in Cairo; and Ashraf Sweilam in el-Arish, Egypt contributed to this report.
On Monday night, Fox News discussed how Americas leadership is handling the war in Israel, and MSNBC spoke about President Joe Biden s upcoming visit to Israel.

Fox News  What Americas enemies think of the Israeli war

On the Ingraham Angle Tuesday night, Ingraham shared a 60 Minutes interview with Biden on CBS Sunday.

In the interview, Biden is asked if the wars in Ukraine and Israel are more than the United States can handle, to which he said no.

Were the United States of America, Biden said. Were the most powerful nation in the history of the world. ... We can take care of both of these and still maintain our overall international defense.

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Ingraham said, Of course, it goes without saying that Hamas terrorists should be destroyed, and we support Israel 100%. But lets also face facts. If history is any guide, our weak and woke Pentagon leadership could actually make matters worse.

Ingraham then shared an article written in The Wall Street Journal on how Americas enemies are already gaining power and advantage because of this situation, Ingraham said.

The war is proving a boon for Americas main geopolitical rivals. China, Russia and Iran have long sought to undermine the U.S.-backed international system and are now taking advantage of Americas distraction, the WSJ said.

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MSNBC  Bidens upcoming visit to Israel

Rachel Maddow spoke to Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., about Bidens plans to visit Israel on The Rachel Maddow Show.

Do you think that President Bidens personal plans to visit Israel the day after tomorrow are indicative that there has been some sort of major breakthrough that he wants to be there to take credit for, or is him going there something that will hopefully shake loose those kinds of diplomatic advances that we havent yet seen? Maddow asked Himes.

Himes responded that he doesnt believe theres anything to celebrate just yet. I think what this is largely about is just indicating his personal and the United States commitment to keeping this war from getting regional (and) from getting bigger.

Maddow asked Himes if he thought the United States was at a real risk of seeing a regional war, to which he said, Very much so.

He added that surrounding countries are worried about their own survival, and so they too have an interest in this conflict not widening.
HUBERTUS, Wis. - An American priest escaped war in the Holy Land  and is now safe at Wisconsin's Holy Hill.

Fr. Michael Berry of the Discalced Carmelites was taking a sabbatical in Israel, but it was interrupted by war.

"We received missile alerts that we should take shelter," Fr. Berry said. "We had military planes constantly, jets flying overhead, and a couple Blackhawk helicopters. And then you'd find out subsequently that they had just fired into Lebanon. There was a drone that was flying just off the coast constantly. And you could hear it very loudly."

Fr. Michael Berry

Some of Fr. Berry's fellow Carmelite friars at the historic monastery on Mount Carmel in Haifa were being evacuated back to their home countries. He said he contacted the American embassy last Tuesday using a web portal  and then he called the next day.

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"I called the embassy and was told that there was no evacuation plans at that point, it was Wednesday, and that I should just wait, I shouldn't make any further contact," Berry said. "Then I sought other means because I didn't have a lot of confidence that I was going to be able to get out before things really escalated."

Fr. Michael Berry

After that call on Wednesday, Fr. Berry called the office of U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald of Wisconsin. They linked him with U.S. Rep. Cory Mills of Florida. The very next day, the priest said a Mills staff member called with an urgent message.

"She just said, 'I understand you're trying to get out of there. Things are gonna heat up very quickly. And are you able to leave now?'" Fr. Berry recalled.

The office of Rep. Mills found another American family also escaping Haifa, fleeing to Jerusalem.

"We were given a map with red, red areas that we were needed to avoid," said the priest. "They had circled areas to avoid where it was dangerous, where they had intelligence of rocket fire, or what have you. And there were all kinds of tanks that we were passing."

It turned out days earlier he had met the very same American family at the basilica on Mount Carmel.

"They felt it was providential that the same priest they had met a few days later was the one that they were driving to Jerusalem."

"I was grateful to God that I was with others. It made a huge difference to me. And I mean, honestly, during all of this, I was so deeply touched by the individuals who decided to be generous, because anywhere along the line, someone could have said, 'Hey, we've already got our hands full. You're gonna have to find another way.'"

Fr. Michael Berry

With the family, Fr. Berry met Congressman Mills in Jerusalem. The family and the priest then joined a busload of Americans escaping to Jordan. The priest booked a flight back to Chicago on Saturday and returned safe to Holy Hill.

"It's still kind of surreal for people. I mean, people have been in tears when they see me because they said, 'We've been praying for you, you know, we've been hoping that he would come back safe and just so frightened for you.'" Fr. Berry said. "I feel so deeply touched by so many people who lovingly cared for me and prayed for me and desired me to come back. So, I really attribute my being safe at home to so many people who had prayed on my behalf."

Back in Wisconsin on Sunday, the priest got an email from the U.S. State Department informing him they had a ship ready to take him from Haifa to Cyprus on Monday. It said he would have to sign a promissory note promising to repay the U.S. government.

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"I was just so disappointed by it," the priest stated. "And, I thought about other Americans maybe who didn't feel that they could reimburse the government. Why should someone have to make a decision like that when they're in the midst of what's shaping up to be a horrible war?"

A U.S. State Department spokesperson tells FOX6 News the department has been in touch with every American in Israel who contacted it. The spokesperson said U.S. law requires private citizens reimburse the government for evacuations.

Back at Holy Hill Basilica in Hubertus, Wis., the Carmelite priest is doing what others did for him when he was stranded in the war-torn Holy Land.

"Now I'm one of those praying for those to get out of harm's way."
(NewsNation)  At least 30 Americans have been killed in Israel since Hamas launched a surprise terror attack earlier this month, according to the U.S. State Department.

That number has gone up in recent days as officials continue to investigate the full scale of Hamas brutal surprise assault on Oct. 7. The U.S. is currently aware of 13 missing citizens, officials said Sunday.

Its unclear how many, if any, U.S. citizens have died in Gaza.

Heres what we know about the Americans who have been killed.

Deborah Matias

A 50-year-old Missouri native, Matias died while shielding her 16-year-old son from gunshots, according to her father, Illan Troen. He was on the phone with Matias when Hamas terrorists attacked the familys home.

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The last words from her was that I hear glass breaking, theyre speaking in Arabic and I hear shots,' Troen told MSNBC.

Matias husband, Shlomi, also died in the attack, Troen said. Thanks to his parents, the couples 16-year-old son, Rotem, survived.

Hayim Katsman

A 32-year-old peace activist, Katsman was found killed in his home on Kibbutz Holit, according to the New York Times.

He had recently completed his doctorate at the University of Washington, where he served as co-coordinator of an Israel-Palestine research group, the Times reported.

Katsman died while hiding in a closet with his neighbor, Avital Alajem. His body absorbed the gunfire and protected Alajem, she told CNN.

Cindy Flash

Flash, 67, originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, was killed along with her Israeli husband, Igal, per USA Today. The couple were living in Kfar Aza, a kibbutz in southern Israel near Gaza.

Flashs daughter, Keren, was exchanging text messages with her mother when Hamas terrorists attacked.

They are breaking down the safe room door, Flash said in one of her final messages. We need someone to come by the house right now.

Keren told USA Today her mother spent her life advocating for the rights of Palestinians and had the sweetest, biggest heart.

Igal Wachs & Amit Wachs

Brothers Igal Wachs, 53, and Amit Wachs, 48, were killed when Hamas attacked their village of Netiv HaAsara, Igals ex-wife, Liat Oren-Wachs, told CNN.

The brothers, whom Oren-Wachs described as very family-oriented, were members of the villages security team and reportedly died trying to defend the community.

Daniel Ben-Senior

The 34-year-old nurse from California was among those killed at the Tribe of Nova music festival in southern Israel, The New York Times reported.

Ben-Senior had moved to Israel to help care for her parents, and family members described her as an angel.

She had a big heart and a big smile and always tried to help, her cousin, Ran Ben-Senior, told NBC.

Jonathan Rom

Born in South Carolina, Rom, 23, was killed at the outdoor music festival where the first attack occurred, according to the Washington Post.

Witnesses told family members that Rom had helped a friend try to escape amid the chaos.

He didnt think to run as fast as he could on his own. He wanted to help someone. He was a hero, a cousin, Daniel Zaken, told The Post.

Aryeh Ziering

The 27-year-old Israeli American was serving in the Israel Defense Forces when troops and reservists were called into action following Hamas surprise attack, CBS News reported.

Ziering, the grandson of Holocaust survivors, raced to respond. He was among the first Israeli soldiers killed in action that morning.

Roey Weiser

Staff Sgt. Roey Weiser, 21, was stationed at the Kerem Shalom border crossing when Hamas terrorists attacked, CNN reported.

When the base was overrun, Weiser sacrificed himself as a distraction, allowing 12 others to escape, his mother, Naomi Feifer-Weiser, told the outlet.

Roey lived his life to the fullest, almost always with a smile on his face, his mother said. He was always looking for ways to help those around him, and before he was conscripted, he was a volunteer firefighter who was always the first to jump into action when needed.

Lotan Abir

The 24-year-old Utah man was among those killed while attending the music festival in southern Israel, according to NewsNation affiliate ABC4.

Rabbi Avremi Zippel said Abir was a member of the Young Jewish Professionals community in Utah and had been living in the state for nine months.

Danielle Waldman

Born in Palo Alto, California, 24-year-old Waldman was killed alongside her boyfriend of six years while attending the music festival in southern Israel, her father Eyal Waldman told CNN.

She was the happiest kid ever and everybody really loved her, Eyal told i24NEWS, an Israeli-based news channel.

Eyal tracked his daughters iPhone and found the white vehicle in which she and others tried to escape. He said four or five people were in the car with no chance to defend themselves when Hamas terrorists executed them.

Itay Glisko

Glisko, 20, was a dual citizen from Paramus, New Jersey, who was serving in the Israel Defense Forces when Hamas killed him, The New York Times reported.

A soldier that was with him said he fought with courage to the end, Zehava Glisko Kaufman, a family relative, told The Daily Beast. He was truly an amazing kid.

Adrienne Neta

Neta, 66, was a longtime nurse and mother of four who grew up in California before moving to Israel decades ago, according to NBC News.

She devoted her life to helping and caring for others, her son Nahar Neta told the outlet.

Nahar last spoke to his mother on a family group call as Hamas terrorists attacked their home.

I heard my sister screaming and crying on the phone, he said.

The phone disconnected shortly thereafter.

This story will continue to be updated as NewsNation learns more about the American victims.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
As the war rages in Israel, prompting thousands of people to evacuate, some Americans instead are packing their bags to move to the Holy Land.

Akiva Goldberger, 24, of Hollywood, plans to catch a one-way flight Wednesday from Miami to Ben Gurion Airport, Israels main international airport. The Princeton University graduate plans to find a job in electrical and computer engineering in Tel Aviv. Wednesdays departure had been scheduled long ago, and he said he wont be derailed.

I planned my whole life around it, Goldberger said. This isnt a deterrent in any sort of way. Especially in difficult times like this, you see the Jewish community band together and stand united. We need to all show our support for each other. This is definitely a way of doing that.

When he gets on that plane, along with a couple from Miami, theyll be the latest to make aliyah  a Hebrew word meaning to go up and describes the act of moving to Israel from the Diaspora.

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Goldberger is leaving with a group called Nefesh BNfesh, founded by a rabbi while he was living in Boca Raton more than 20 years ago. Hes among the Americans who are either moving this week, or made new plans for aliyah since the turmoil started last week.

Goldberger is mindful about the safety precautions when he arrives in Israel. Hell be staying with his sister in Jerusalem, until he finds a job and gets his own apartment. Goldbergers sister has an assigned safe room, which is a bomb shelter, and he knows where it is if he has to use it. Everyone knows where they need to be if the sirens goes off, he said.

He said hes more worried about the soldiers being called to the front lines in an expected ground invasion of Gaza to both find the hostages and destroy Hamas. Seeing them (the soldiers), the risk of me being injured in Jerusalem is so low it doesnt register for me.

Helping people migrate

The Boca Raton rabbi, Joshua Fass, was motivated to not just move to Israel, but to start the organization after his 14-year-old cousin was killed in Israel in 2001 while he waited for a school bus and so he decided at the time he would stand in his stead.

Since then, the organization says it has aided more than 75,000 Jewish people migrate from the United States and Canada. The organization helps olim (what immigrants who make aliyah are known as) find jobs and housing. There are classes for those seeking career changes, and more ongoing hand-holding for English speakers to deal with the nuances of daily life, such as navigating school for children, and real estate purchases.

The Israeli government also assists with free health insurance for a year, and grants as part of an absorption basket to help with relocation costs. That starts at $4,500 for a single person, and goes up depending on family size.

In addition to the three people flying out of Miami, there are two more people flying out of Los Angeles on Wednesday. And 20 people from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio and Michigan are leaving out of Newark, also Wednesday, according to Nefesh BNefesh.

The 25 olim leaving America on Wednesday range in age from 19 to 79.

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Seeking to leave Israel

Amid the conflict, the State Department has said about 20,000 U.S. citizens have requested help getting out of Israel. There are about another 400 to 600 Americans in Gaza, according to published reports.

Even with Nefesh BNefesh, many older empty nesters and retirees told the agency their plans would have to be postponed after the latest spat of violence, which is spiraling into a war, said Marc Rosenberg, the vice president of Diaspora Partnerships, speaking by cellphone from Jerusalem.

But also since the events have unfolded more than a week ago, another 60 Jewish Americans have signed up to start their aliyah process, Rosenberg said. Its a gesture, its a statement. Im connected, and thats remarkable, Rosenberg said.

Some South Floridians who already were living in Israel have decided to stay there to volunteer. I dont just want to leave and go back to America, Marci Hartman, 24, who grew up in Boynton Beach, told WPBF-Ch. 25. I dont want to do that, because this is where I belong. These are my people, and I dont want to leave my people.

Facing attacks

Hamas fired rockets from Gaza into Israel on Oct. 7, a holiday called Simchat Torah, while also breaching what was supposed to be a security fence and invading Jewish neighborhoods and an outdoor music festival. Families were shot to death, burned alive, and an estimated 200 people kidnapped over the border into Hamas-ruled Gaza.

The attacks, dredging up historical memories of European pogroms, was the largest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. In Israel, more than 1,400 people were killed. (Israel has responded with airstrikes in Gaza that, according to Palestinian health authorities, have killed at least at least 2,778 people as of Tuesday afternoon.)

Rosenberg said immigrants are still going to Israel from around the world for ideological reasons. The current situation is temporary, he said. Others are going for the religious connection.

Israel is the only Jewish country in the world. A rough spot is not going to change that, he said. Rosenberg said it wont be easy.

Jewish immigrants from the West have the same challenges: Hebrew is a tough language, its hot here, were in a desert, and we have terrorists near us. People who are moving here know those things, its not that they think they are moving to Boca Raton.

Its part of the reality, and they plan accordingly.

Relocating to his new home

After Goldbergers plans to rent an apartment fell apart, hell be bunking with his sister, who made aliyah long ago and who now lives in Jerusalem. Goldberger wants to be there, find someplace where hed be useful to help, volunteer his time, until things settle down and he can find a job in tech.

Goldbergers bags are being packed, only two of them for now. He is figuring out what goes with him when he gets on a one-way flight Wednesday, and hes thinking it will be mostly his clothes.

I havent decided which mementos come in these bags, that might be a game-time decision, he said.

Goldbergers mom supports his decision.

He doesnt want to be deterred, his commitment is to be there, said Dr. Sharon Sholiton Goldberger, a pediatrician and an assistant dean at Nova Southeastern University. He doesnt want to be deterred, certainly not from a terrorist organization, from making his dream come true.

While this war disrupts his dreams of immediately entering the world of high-tech, life isnt perfect and he very much feels like he needs to be contributing, his mother said. Im proud of him.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, at @LisaHuriash
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  As the war rages in Israel, prompting many people to evacuate, some Americans instead are packing their bags to move to the Holy Land.

Akiva Goldberger, 24, of Hollywood, plans to catch a one-way flight Wednesday from Miami to Ben Gurion Airport, Israels main international airport. The Princeton University graduate plans to find a job in electrical and computer engineering in Tel Aviv. Wednesdays departure had been scheduled long ago, and he said he wont be derailed.

I planned my whole life around it, Goldberger said. This isnt a deterrent in any sort of way. Especially in difficult times like this, you see the Jewish community band together and stand united. We need to all show our support for each other. This is definitely a way of doing that.

When he gets on the plane, along with a couple from Miami, theyll be the latest to make aliyah  a Hebrew word meaning to go up and describes the act of moving to Israel from the Diaspora.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Goldberger is leaving with a group called Nefesh BNfesh, founded by a rabbi while he was living in Boca Raton more than 20 years ago. Hes among the Americans who are either moving this week, or made new plans for aliyah since the turmoil started last week.

Goldberger is mindful about the safety precautions when he arrives in Israel. Hell be staying with his sister in Jerusalem, until he finds a job and gets his own apartment. Goldbergers sister has an assigned safe room, which is a bomb shelter, and he knows where it is if he has to use it. Everyone knows where they need to be if the sirens goes off, he said.

He said hes more worried about the soldiers being called to the front lines in an expected ground invasion of Gaza to both find the hostages and destroy Hamas. Seeing them (the soldiers), the risk of me being injured in Jerusalem is so low it doesnt register for me.

Helping people migrate

The Boca Raton rabbi, Joshua Fass, was motivated to not just move to Israel, but to start the organization after his 14-year-old cousin was killed in Israel in 2001 while he waited for a school bus and so he decided at the time he would stand in his stead.

Since then, the organization says it has aided more than 75,000 Jewish people migrate from the United States and Canada. The organization helps olim (what emigrants who make aliyah are known as) find jobs and housing. There are classes for those seeking career changes, and more ongoing hand-holding for English speakers to deal with the nuances of daily life, such as navigating school for children, and real estate purchases.

The Israeli government also assists with free health insurance for a year, and grants as part of an absorption basket to help with relocation costs. That starts at $4,500 for a single person, and goes up depending on family size.

In addition to the three people flying out of Miami, there are two more people flying out of Los Angeles on Wednesday. And 20 people from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio and Michigan are leaving out of Newark, also Wednesday, according to Nefesh BNefesh.

The 25 olim leaving America on Wednesday range in age from 19 to 79.

Seeking to leave Israel

Amid the conflict, the State Department has said about 20,000 U.S. citizens have requested help getting out of Israel. There are another 400 to 600 Americans in Gaza, according to published reports.

Even with Nefesh BNefesh, many older empty nesters and retirees told the agency their plans would have to be postponed after the latest spate of violence, which is spiraling into a war, said Marc Rosenberg, the vice president of Diaspora Partnerships, speaking by cellphone from Jerusalem.

But also since the events have unfolded more than a week ago, another 60 Jewish Americans have signed up to start their aliyah process, Rosenberg said. Its a gesture, its a statement. Im connected, and thats remarkable, Rosenberg said.

Some South Floridians who already were living in Israel have decided to stay there to volunteer. I dont just want to leave and go back to America, Marci Hartman, 24, who grew up in Boynton Beach, told WPBF-Ch. 25. I dont want to do that, because this is where I belong. These are my people, and I dont want to leave my people.

Facing attacks

Hamas fired rockets from Gaza into Israel on Oct. 7, a holiday called Simchat Torah, while also breaching what was supposed to be a security fence and invading Jewish neighborhoods and an outdoor music festival. Families were shot to death, burned alive, and an estimated 200 people kidnapped over the border into Hamas-ruled Gaza.

The attacks, dredging up historical memories of European pogroms, was the largest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. In Israel, more than 1,400 people were killed. (Israel has responded with airstrikes in Gaza that, according to Palestinian health authorities, have killed at least at least 2,778 people as of Tuesday afternoon.)

Rosenberg said immigrants are still going to Israel from around the world for ideological reasons. The current situation is temporary, he said. Others are going for the religious connection.

Israel is the only Jewish country in the world. A rough spot is not going to change that, he said. Rosenberg said it wont be easy.

Jewish immigrants from the West have the same challenges: Hebrew is a tough language, its hot here, were in a desert, and we have terrorists near us. People who are moving here know those things, its not that they think they are moving to Boca Raton.

Its part of the reality, and they plan accordingly.

Relocating to his new home

After Goldbergers plans to rent an apartment fell apart, hell be bunking with his sister, who made aliyah long ago and who now lives in Jerusalem. Goldberger wants to be there, find someplace where hed be useful to help, volunteer his time, until things settle down and he can find a job in tech.

Goldbergers bags are being packed, only two of them for now. He is figuring out what goes with him when he gets on a one-way flight Wednesday, and hes thinking it will be mostly his clothes.

I havent decided which mementos come in these bags, that might be a game-time decision, he said.

Goldbergers mom supports his decision.

He doesnt want to be deterred, his commitment is to be there, said Dr. Sharon Sholiton Goldberger, a pediatrician and an assistant dean at Nova Southeastern University. He doesnt want to be deterred, certainly not from a terrorist organization, from making his dream come true.

While this war disrupts his dreams of immediately entering the world of high-tech, life isnt perfect and he very much feels like he needs to be contributing, his mother said. Im proud of him.

_______
By John Geddie, Yoshifumi Takemoto and Tim Kelly

TOKYO (Reuters) -As Tokyo scrambled to respond to Hamas attacks on Israel this month, Japanese officials found themselves debating a perennial fear: what does it mean for the resource-poor nation's oil lifeline from the Middle East?

Concerns about energy security, as well as Japan's diverse diplomatic interests in the region, explain why Tokyo initially struck a more neutral tone on the crisis than other Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations, three government sources with knowledge of the matter said.

While Japan has since adopted bolder rhetoric, its hesitancy may also complicate how Japan brokers a unified stance with its G7 peers, officials and analysts said, as it prepares to host a meeting of the group's foreign ministers in Tokyo next month, where the spiralling conflict is expected to dominate.

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"The situation on the ground is changing minute-by-minute. Japan has been expressing its stance in response to the latest situation each time," Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told a press conference on Wednesday, in response to a Reuters' question on whether Tokyo's response had been more restrained than its peers.

"Peace and stability in the region is highly important for (Japans) energy security. From this viewpoint, Japan is closely watching the situation with serious concern," she added when asked about Japan's oil dependence on the Middle East, which supplies more than 90% of its needs.

After Hamas gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns on Oct. 7, Israel has responded with bombardments of the Hamas-ruled Gaza enclave, raising the risk of a broader regional war involving Iran, its Lebanese ally Hezbollah and Syria.

While the conflict has had little impact on global oil and gas supplies as of yet, and Israel is not a significant producer, investors and market observers are assessing how it could escalate and what it might mean for supplies from nearby countries in the world's top oil producing region.

'WALKING A FINE LINE'

In the immediate aftermath of the Hamas assault, Japan issued statements condemning the attacks and saying it was concerned by Israeli air attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Japan did not refer to the Hamas attacks as "terrorism" or reference Israel's right to defend itself - language that had been used by its G7 peers - until Oct. 11.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was also not among the five G7 leaders who signed a statement on the crisis on Oct. 9, prompting questions over the unity of the group's response.

G7 finance ministers, who were meeting in Morocco as events escalated, issued a brief statement on the attacks on Oct. 12.

A government official involved in negotiating that statement, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Japan had been eager to steer clear of any language that could have been seen as provocative.

Japan was "standing one step behind the United States and some European countries", added Isamu Nakashima, associate research fellow at the Middle East Institute of Japan.

For decades, Japan has tried to steer a neutral course through the Israeli-Palestinian dispute by calling for a negotiated settlement, although it has criticised Israel for allowing the construction of settlements outside the country's 1967 border.

For Tokyo, this approach has been driven by painful memories of the 1973 oil crisis, when Middle East producers issued an embargo targeted at nations, including Japan, that supported Israel during its war with Arab states.

Energy-poor Japan, unlike the U.S., has since attempted to pursue cordial ties with both Saudi Arabia and Iran, the region's key rivals and major oil producers.

"The through line of Japan's Middle East policy has been maintaining the flow of energy imports from the region," said David Boling, a director at consulting firm Eurasia Group.

"Tokyo will fret over how to respond to this crisis, for fear of somehow jeopardizing that lifeline."

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was "some gap" between Tokyo and Washington's position on the crisis and that Japan was "walking a fine line" in responding to events while maintaining its interests in the region.

While the United States is Japan's closest ally, when it comes to the Middle East, Tokyo will be very wary of being seen as its proxy, said Shuji Hosaka, board member of the Institute of Energy Economics Japan.

"In the eyes of ordinary people in Arab countries, Japan may be following the U.S. footsteps, and that could bring about some consequences for Japan," said Hosaka.

(Reporting by John Geddie, Yoshifumi Takemoto, Tim Kelly, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Ekaterina Golubkova, Kiyoshi Takenaka and Kentaro Sugiyama in Tokyo; Editing by Alex Richardson)
By James Pomfret and Michael Martina

HONG KONG/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China has been striking a softer tone in its dealings with the world recently, releasing an Australian journalist from prison, inviting the U.S. military to a defence forum and agreeing to a $4.2 billion debt restructuring deal with Sri Lanka.

The conciliatory approach towards rivals as well as China's partners in the developing world comes as President Xi Jinping gets to grips with the most significant domestic economic problems seen in years.

While welcome for the United States as it focuses on the crisis in the Middle East, the new tone may not signal an enduring change and old tensions are likely to resurface before long, analysts say.

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For the time being, China wants to reassure the world that it is business as usual when it comes to commerce, said Noah Barkin, an analyst with the Rhodium Group and expert on China's foreign relations.

"Their leaders are keen to reassure foreign investors that relations with the U.S. and its allies in Asia and Europe are not in a one-way escalatory spiral," Barkin said.

Last week, China released Australian news anchor Cheng Lei after holding her for three years on national security grounds, the latest step in a warming relationship with Australia and clearing the way for a visit by its prime minister.

The U.S. has been invited to an upcoming defence forum in Beijing - signalling a thaw in military exchanges - and Xi had kind words for a U.S. delegation led by Senator Chuck Schumer last week.

As Xi hosts a forum this week marking the 10th anniversary of his Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Beijing has agreed with Sri Lanka to restructure more than $4 billion of its debt and forged a memorandum of understanding to restructure Zambian debt. Zambia was the first African country to default on its debt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

'MAKING NICE'

China's diplomatic shift comes as different pressures build on Xi, including the economic downturn, which has been exacerbated by capital flight, a property crisis and high youth unemployment.

"Xi Jinping is making nice with the Western powers in order to reduce the pace of multinationals leaving China, to counter China being cut off from the global supply chain," said Willy Lam, senior fellow at U.S. think tank Jamestown Foundation.

China has not changed its tone on every issue. It has not backed away from escalating maritime confrontation with the Philippines in the South China Sea.

But at the same time, China wants to deepen political and trade ties with developing countries, both for economic reasons and as part of Xi's push for a multipolar world order that includes the global south.

China wants to counter the idea that the BRI - a scheme to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through infrastructure and other investment - is a form of "debt trap diplomacy", making loans some countries can't repay.

The concessions to Sri Lanka and Zambia on debt could help.

"The purpose of the BRI has always been to help developing countries," said Huiyao Wang, president of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, adding that the project should be seen as akin to a Marshall Plan - the post-World War Two U.S. scheme to rebuild Europe - for developing countries.

Politically, the disappearances of China's foreign minister Qin Gang and defence chief Li Shangfu have complicated Xi's efforts to focus foreign policy and security efforts in response to its growing rivalry with the U.S.

Stabilizing the U.S. relationship, including with a meeting between Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden at an upcoming Asia- Pacific summit, could give China breathing room.

But with a U.S. election next year, and the possible return to the presidency of Donald Trump, some see little room for Biden to concede much - especially on China's core issues, including U.S. curbs on semiconductor exports and trade tariffs.

Any Chinese military exercises ahead of Taiwan's January elections would also create friction with the West.

"The fundamental tensions in the relationship remain, and this is a temporary uptick in engagement, which is likely to be followed almost immediately by another downturn," said Zack Cooper, a U.S.-China relations expert and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington.

(Editing by Don Durfee, Robert Birsel)
Silicon Valley venture capitalist Marc Andreessen warned deceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) development could cost lives Monday.

We believe any deceleration of AI will cost lives, Andreessen said on a web page titled The Techno-Optimist Manifesto on the Andreessen Horowitz website. Deaths that were preventable by the AI that was prevented from existing is a form of murder.

Andreessen also railed against bureaucracy, monopolies, socialism and regulatory captures in the manifesto, which is centered around progress through technology.

Our present society has been subjected to a mass demoralization campaign for six decades  against technology and against life  under varying names like existential risk, sustainability, ESG, Sustainable Development Goals, social responsibility, stakeholder capitalism, Precautionary Principle, trust and safety, tech ethics, risk management, de-growth, the limits of growth, Andreessen said.

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The venture capitalists comments come amid mounting debate over the regulation of AI, especially with the rise of technologies like ChatGPT. Last week, House and Senate Democrats recommended that President Biden turn non-binding safeguards on AI into policy via an executive order.

A letter signed by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), among other lawmakers, advised that the presidents administration use the AI Bill of Rights as guidance for policy throughout the federal government by way of executive order. The AI Bill of Rights uses a framework of five key principles for the design, use and deployment of the technology.

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, the Democrats wrote.

Doing so would also strengthen your Administrations efforts to advance racial equity and support underserved communities, building on important work from previous executive orders.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Fall is the deadliest time of year for vehicle versus animal accidents. The highest number of deaths happen from October to December, according to a 2021 analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute.

In 2021, animal vs. motor vehicle collisions killed 164 people, per the IIHS. State Farm estimates that animals caused 2.1 million crashes from July 2020 to June 2021. The number dropped to 1.8 million collisions from July 2022 to June 2023.

"Crashes between motor vehicles and animals happen in every state and all year round, yet the data confirms that the most dangerous months for animal collisions are November, October and December, in this order," wrote State Farm Public Affairs Specialist Jordi Ortega in a release. "November historically (is) the most dangerous month according to State Farm analysis."

WHY DEER HUNTING SEASON HAPPENS IN THE FALL

File: A deer broke through a windshield of a car on a highway. The deer did not make it but the driver and his son did.

Deer caused more than half of those crashes. State Farm estimated that deer were responsible for 1.4 million accidents nationwide.

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"Deer crashes happen most often during October through December, which is hunting and mating season," wrote Ortega.

Top animal collisions June 2021-July 2022, State Farm estimated:

Deer: 1.4 million

Unidentified: 189,715

Rodents: 110,976

Dogs: 92,924

Raccoons: 58,020

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

File: A driver waits for a bull to cross the road in New Mexico.

Shorter days of fall and winter actually trigger mating season for deer.

"The animals have a special gland that perceives the amount of light in a given day. And as the amount of light decreases, as we get into fall, the deer begin secreting hormones," Clint McCoy, a biologist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, told FOX Weather in a previous interview. "The hormones eventually tell them it's time to breed."

AS DAYLIGHT SHRINKS, US HEADS INTO PEAK DEER COLLISION SEASON

File: A watch for rocks and wildlife warning in Telluride, Colorado.

"In our files, we find chickens, alligators, bats, cows, pigs, armadillos, bears, donkeys, eagles, horses, coyotes, owls, cats, dogs... and the list goes on," wrote Ortega. "And then theres the "unidentified animals" category: those that drivers were unable to identify at the time of the accidents, often due to how fast everything happened, and those for which claim specialists simply didnt have more information."

By state, State Farm estimated that Pennsylvania leads the number of insurance claims filed in the 2021-2022 time period for animal collisions.

Texas' accidents jumped 19% from the previous 12 months. California's numbers increased by 65%.

"Interestingly, looking at the likelihood that drivers have of hitting an animal renders a different ranking: it turns out that West Virginia leads the nation in this type of risk (1 in 37 chance), followed by Montana, where the chances of hitting an animal (1 in 39) grew 17% since the previous period, South Dakota (1 in 48), Michigan and Pennsylvania (both, with 1 in 54 chance)," wrote Ortega.

The chance of hitting an animal considers the number of licensed drivers in the state and the total number of filed claims.

U.S. drivers, on average, have a 1 in 127 chance of an animal collision. State Farm said that the growing deer population and lost habitats due to development are making crashes more likely.

The number of deaths dropped dramatically in 2021 to 164.

"From 1975 to the mid-2000s, there was a general upward trend in deaths from collisions with animals, but this trend has since leveled off," states the IIHS. "These deaths increased from 89 in 1975 to 223 in 2007 and then declined to 164 in 2021."

Texas has led the states for human deaths from animal collisions in the past decade.

PEOPLE ARE PANICKING OVER ZOMBIE DEER  HERE ARE THE FACTS

File: A roadway in Maine warns drivers to be aware of deer after several past accidents.

IIHS stats of deaths due to animal collisions from 2021-2021:

Texas: 197

Wisconsin: 117

Pennsylvania: 114

Michigan: 99

Ohio: 60

"Over the past 10 years, Texas had the highest numbers of deaths from collisions with animals," states the IIHS report. "The numbers reflect the size of the driving population, the size of the animal population and the percentage of rural roads."

Does insurance cover an animal accident? The answer is yes and no. If you hit the animal, comprehensive insurance may cover the loss, according to State Farm. Stay in the car if the animal is injured. Injured wildlife can act unpredictably.

Collision insurance would usually cover the costs if you swerve to avoid an animal and then hit something.

"If an animal strikes, its whats called an act of God or act of nature," Michelle Chatwin of AAA said in a statement. "You didnt run into that animal on purpose, so it wont impact your premium."

If a pet ran loose and caused an accident, the owner might be liable for the damage. In other cases, the damage could be covered under comprehensive insurance, according to State Farm. The company warns not to leave the scene if you injure a pet, you could be cited for animal cruelty.

State Farm offers tips on avoiding animal collisions. Number one is to slow down, especially if you see an animal by the side of the road.

"Watch for herds," if you see one deer, there are probably more nearby," State Farm advises.

HOW DEER AND ELK SURVIVE HARSH, SNOWY WINTERS

File: A deer's long legs put the bulk of it's weight at windshield level for most cars.

More State Farm tips:

Stay alert and scan the road day and night, pay attention to deer crossing signs Reduce distractions, put the cell phone away Break as necessary, "If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers." Don't swerve, "If a crash with an animal is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road. Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on a deer may cause the animal to scurry away." Use extra caution during deer mating and hunting season

The IIHS states that 37% of deadly accidents involving animals don't even occur from hitting the animal. Swerving causes rollovers, collisions with fixed objects off the road, hitting another car and other fatal crashes.





Original article source: Animal versus car collision deaths spike in fall: 'November historically the most dangerous month'
House Republicans again failed to rally around one candidate for House speaker, leaving the chamber leaderless for a third straight week.

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan was unable to secure enough GOP support during the first round of floor voting on Oct. 17.

Two-hundred Republicans voted for Jordan, a far-right firebrand endorsed by former President Donald Trump, falling short of the 217 needed to win the speakership, according to C-SPAN. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic nominee, received 212 votes.

Its clear that the Republican conference is still divided, Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, one of the 20 Republicans who voted against Jordan, said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Im deeply concerned that the chaos of the last few weeks would only continue if Congressman Jordan becomes speaker, Chavez-DeRemer added.

Jordans unsuccessful bid for the speakership comes after a small group of Republicans voted with Democrats to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the position on Oct. 3, according to the Associated Press. After his removal, North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry became speaker pro tempore and assumed some leadership duties.

In the weeks that followed, several House Republicans threw their hats into the ring for speaker, including Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, the House majority leader, and Rep. Austin Scott, a back-bencher from Georgia.

But so far, none have been able to unite their party, leaving the House paralyzed in the face of unfolding crises in Israel and Ukraine.

However, this is not the first time the House has been without a speaker, and its far from the longest amount of time its gone without a leader.

How long has the House gone without a speaker?

Over the past two centuries, there have been a number of occasions when the House of Representatives went without a speaker.

The last time the speakers position was unoccupied for a prolonged period was in 1971, according to The Washington Post, citing the Congressional Research Service. Eighteen days passed before Carl Albert, a Democrat from Oklahoma, was elected speaker.

However, the weekslong leadership vacuum was not the result of partisan division, but instead was caused by a lengthy Congressional recess, according to the outlet.

Before that, in 1961, the House went 28 days with an interim speaker while then-Speaker Sam Rayburn was incapacitated, according to the outlet.

However, the longest stretch the House went without a speaker was in 1856, according to House records.

At the time, conflicts over slavery and growing anti-immigrant sentiments led to a worsening political climate, and the lower house of Congress remained staunchly divided.

As a sign of the factionalism then existing in the House, more than 21 individuals initially vied for the Speakers post when the Members first gathered in December, 1855, according to House records.

Finally, after two months had passed and 133 ballots had been cast, the House elected Massachusetts Rep. Nathaniel Banks to serve as speaker.

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A pedestrian attempting to cross DuSable Lake Shore Drive was fatally struck overnight near Chicago Avenue, Chicago police said.

About 5:25 a.m., two men were trying to cross all the lanes near the 800 block of North Lake Shore Drive when one was hit by a BMW X-3 that was traveling south, police said.

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The pedestrian was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital were he was pronounced dead. The second pedestrian was not injured. The driver of the BMW, a 63-year-old man, also was taken to Northwestern for panic symptoms, police said.

The southbound lanes of DuSable Lake Shore Drive were closed at Chestnut Street, police said. The Major Accident Unit was investigating.
An NJ Transit rail conductor accused an engineer of sexually harassing and assaulting her at work in the latest lawsuit to accuse the agency of fostering a hostile work environment where harassment is allowed to take place.

The woman, who is not being named because of the sexual nature of the allegations, is a 15-year employee at NJ Transit and became a conductor in 2019. She alleges in the lawsuit  which was filed this month in state court in Essex County and names NJ Transit as the sole defendant  that the sexual misconduct began in 2022.

The engineer she accuses of harassing her began telling coworkers that he "would constantly tell anyone present that (she) was interested in him romantically," even though she told him repeatedly that she didn't like his comments and started avoiding him at work, according to the lawsuit.

On April 26, 2022, the engineer allegedly sexually assaulted her in front of another conductor, "grabbing her and hugging her, putting his body next to hers and forcibly kissing her face and neck, the lawsuit said.

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When she told him to stop hugging, he chased her on the train and platform as she struggled to get away, according to the lawsuit.

During and after her shift that day, she reported the engineer's behavior to her union representative, two train masters, an assistant superintendent and filed a formal written complaint, the lawsuit said. Two days after the alleged assault, she was diagnosed with PTSD and put out of work.

'They use the system against you'

The agency's Equal Employment Opportunity office scheduled a hearing regarding the formal complaint she filed for May 9, 2022, but it was withdrawn for unknown reasons, the lawsuit said. In a follow-up interview with the EEO investigator, she was informed that the man she accused of harassing her had filed a complaint against her, according to the lawsuit. She was also displaced from her job assignment, the lawsuit said.

"You make a complaint as a female, what they do is use the system against you, they use it to gather information and they have no intention of doing the right thing and ultimately it becomes a punitive matter," said Jim Burden, a lawyer with the firm McClure Burden who is representing the woman in this case.

NJ Transit: Bus cleaner says NJ Transit work climate is 'graphically sexual' and 'hostile' in lawsuit

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"If a male employee in the workplace grabbed a female and hugged her and kissed her against her will in the middle of a workday that person would probably see the door that afternoon, but not at NJ Transit," Burden said.

The woman's harasser, she said in the lawsuit, "remained and continues to remain in the workplace, has continued to get paid and suffered no meaningful penalty for his egregious sexual assault and sexual harassment, while NJT fostered a sexually harassing atmosphere and allowed actions which constitute sexual harassment" in violation of the state Law Against Discrimination.

NJ Transit spokesman Jim Smith declined to comment on the case because the litigation is pending.

Sexual harassment suits filed by more than a dozen against NJ Transit

Last month, a NJ Transit bus cleaner filed a lawsuit that claims she dealt with a "graphically sexual" work environment at the Orange bus garage. She accused multiple male coworkers of sexually harassing her with little or no punishment, despite reporting the behaviors to superiors, EEO and the police department.

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Since 2021, more than a dozen current and former NJ Transit employees in the rail, bus and police departments have filed lawsuits accusing the agency of failing to protect them from sexual harassment, sexual assault or enforcing their own rules about prohibiting hostile work behavior. Several employees have recently settled with the agency over accusations of a hostile work environment and retribution for reporting that behavior.

"Its very frustrating as a plaintiffs attorney to litigate cases against the state," Burden said. "They shouldnt be fighting us on these cases, they should be taking action to get bad apples out of the workplace and getting the workplace cleaned up so people can go to work and not deal with this nonsense."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Transit employee files sexual harassment suit
The city of San Antonio is facing a lawsuit after budgeting $500,000 to support reproductive health services, including, potentially, transportation and lodging for people seeking abortions outside Texas.

A group of anti-abortion organizations filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Bexar County, asking a state district judge to prohibit taxpayer dollars from going to organizations that help Texans travel out of the state for abortion.

Last month, City Council members approved a $3.7 billion budget, San Antonios largest, which included half a million dollars to establish a reproductive justice fund. The city has not yet said how that money will be spent; during City Council hearings, advocates talked mostly about using it to support health education, access to emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

But some City Council members said they would like to see the money used to support nonprofit groups that help Texans travel to other states to get abortions.

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We need to discuss the opportunities we have to make an impact legally, council member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez told television station KSAT in September. As far as we can go, I want to go there, of course, within the confines of state law.

The lawsuit claims that providing taxpayer dollars to these organizations violates the law, even if the funds arent used to directly pay for out-of-state abortions.

Any such grant aids and abets their criminal activities by freeing up money and resources for their procurement of drug-induced abortions, the lawsuit said.

City Attorney Andy Segovia rejected the premise of the lawsuit, saying it was based on misinformation and false allegations.

A decision has not been made on how that money will be used, Segovia said in a statement. The City Council will have an open work session to discuss the use of the funds that will be managed by the Citys Metro Health Department. The funds will be distributed in accordance with state and federal laws.

This court filing is the latest front in an ongoing war between abortion funds and anti-abortion groups, led by conservative attorney Jonathan Mitchell. Mitchell, who filed Tuesdays suit, is best known as the architect of Texas ban on most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy.

Even before the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Mitchell had abortion funds in his sights. He has made numerous attempts to shut down their services, including a recent filing asking a judge to require the nonprofit groups to turn over their patient and donor information.

As part of this lawsuit, Mitchell sent litigation-hold letters to the funds, requiring them to retain documentation of any and all abortions they helped pay for since Sept. 1, 2021.

The lawsuit claims abortion funds are criminal organizations that violate the states abortion bans by helping people in Texas to travel out of state.

It is a criminal offense to engage in conduct in Texas that procures a drug-induced abortion  even when the abortion is performed out of state  so long as the procuring conduct occurs within the state of Texas, the lawsuit said.

The threat of criminal prosecution led many of Texas abortion funds to stop paying for travel and procedures after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. But they resumed their work in February, after a federal judge ruled that they were likely safe from criminal prosecution.
As the Israel-Hamas War rages and the crisis in Gaza deepens, Taher Herzallah said he has exchanged frantic messages on social media with his family members who are trapped in Gaza.

Their description of the situation is grim. He said theyve told him they have no food, electricity, water or fuel.

When I spoke to them  they were basically saying, We think this is it, we will not survive this one, he said. You can only imagine what that feels like for Palestinian Americans who are getting these stories from their families right now.

Herzallah said his concerns for his family thousands of miles away have also been compounded by a growing fear for the safety of his wife and children here in the US, as reports of attacks against people perceived to be Muslim or Palestinian surface across the country.

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On Monday, family and faith leaders held a funeral for Wadea Al Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy who was stabbed to death in his Chicago-area apartment Saturday in what the police say is an Islamophobic hate crime. Outside of Al Fayoumes funeral at the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois, grief was tinged with anger.

Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations Chicago chapter, said he views the attack against Al Fayoume and his mother, who is still hospitalized in serious condition, as an attack on all Muslims.

It is our worst nightmare come true. It is something we tried to warn against, creating an atmosphere of dehumanization that puts our community at risk, creates sitting ducks, he said.

When this individual said, You Muslims must die, this was a message not to the boy and the mother. This was to all of us. We were all stabbed that day.

Dangerous narratives

Leaders from Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian American groups told CNN in the days since Hamas surprise attack theyve seen an increase in attacks reported against their communities, including vandalism, bullying at school and in the workplace, and threatening phone calls.

Linda Sarsour , a civil rights activist who is Palestinian-American, told CNN she has family in the West Bank, but she is even more worried about her communitys safety in the US.

One of the things thats always the saddest for me is when people start giving each other advice about not going out alone, Sarsour said, adding people in her community are telling each other to be on alert and aware of their surroundings.

People are mourning, people are scared  We are experiencing a lot of anguish, a lot of fear, and a lack of safety.

In New York City, police have asked for the publics assistance in locating a suspect who punched a 19-year-old bus passenger who was wearing a turban and a mask. The NYPD said it is investigating the assault as a possible hate crime after witnesses said the man attempted to remove the passengers turban.

And in Dearborn, Michigan  a city whose population is estimated to be about 42% Arab, according to the US Census Bureau  police arrested a man after he made online threats of violence against Palestinian American residents.

Palestinian Americans and Muslim Americans feel like they are experiencing the level of hate and Islamophobia that existed after 9/11 and during the Iraq war  some say its even worse, Aber Kawas, a member of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, told CNN.

Abed Ayoub, director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said the perspectives of Palestinian and Muslim communities in places like the United States have been largely absent from the coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict and that has allowed a growing atmosphere of bigotry and Islamophobia to go unchecked.

There is no recognition of our existence. Thats what is allowing this to bubble, he said. And thats what allowed a 6-year-old Palestinian boy to get stabbed to death in his own home.

Ayoub said Arab and Palestinian communities are diverse and nuanced. But, he said, giving platforms to narratives that insinuate anyone who supports Palestine also supports Hamas and the violent attacks on Israel is problematic.

Labeling everyone as Hamas just to justify the attacks is dangerous and were seeing that play out, he said of the bombings in Gaza.

Last weekend, as Israel continued to bombard Gaza in response to the October 7 Hamas attack, activists staged pro-Palestine rallies in New York Citys Times Square and in cities across the country.

Many Muslim or Arab leaders say they feel compelled to speak out against the climate of Islamophobia to stem further violence.

The CAIR NJ office has not received this many calls for help since the Muslim ban in 2017, Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations of New Jersey, said at a news conference Monday. Anxiety and fear are high.

Sarsour said a unified message from US officials would help address Islamophobia at home.

You need leadership from both parties to get up and say it is not acceptable for us here in the United States to be engaging or allowing for any type of anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab sentiment, Sarsour. We stand united.

CNNs Celina Tebor, Chris Boyette, Keith Allen, Holmes Lybrand, Whitney Wild, Bill Kirkos & Carmaine Means contributed to this report.

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Convicted double-murderer Alex Murdaughs bid for a new trial has cleared its first hurdle.

The South Carolina Court of Appeals has granted Murdaughs motion  which alleged jury tampering by Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill  to suspend his conviction appeal and order a hearing on the allegations.

Murdaugh was convicted in March of killing his wife, Maggie, and son Paul, who were shot to death on June 7, 2021, at the familys dog kennels on their 1,700 acre estate, Moselle.

The case will now return to circuit court, where his attorneys plan to file a motion requesting a new trial.

In a brief order signed by Chief Justice Bruce Williams, the Court of Appeals wrote: After careful consideration, we grant Appellants motion.

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The recent ruling to stay the appeal and remand the case for a hearing on Alex Murdaughs motion for a new trial is welcomed news, read a statement from Murdaughs attorneys. We intend to proceed expeditiously and will seek a full blown evidentiary hearing addressing the serious allegations pertaining to improper jury communications by the Clerk of Court.

The State has contacted the Attorney Generals Office for comment.

The order comes 1.5 months after Murdaughs attorneys, Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian, filed a motion requesting that the appeal be stayed and remanded to the lower court due to alleged jury tampering by Hill.

Hill, who is in her first term as clerk of court, has been accused of improperly influencing the jury that convicted Murdaugh by orchestrating the removal of a juror who she believed was not convinced of his guilt, encouraging the jurors not to believe Murdaughs testimony and denying jurors smoke breaks during deliberations.

The allegations came to light after Hill, who gained a measure of celebrity for her humor and Southern charm following the closely watched trial, self-published a memoir, Behind the Doors of Justice.

This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A former Kansas City police officer has been booked into jail Tuesday after an appeals court upheld his conviction in the deadly shooting of a Black man.

Eric DeValkenaere, a former KCPD detective, was convicted in 2021 of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the 2019 deadly shooting of Cameron Lamb.

Family devastated after KC-area mom, 2-year-old killed in crash

DeValkenaere appealed his conviction. But on Tuesday, the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the conviction, saying there is sufficient evidence that DeValkenaere killed Lamb and acted with criminal negligence.

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The former KC detective shot and killed Lamb as he backed his truck into his garage. Police had gone to his home after reports that he had been speeding after another vehicle.

After the courts decision, a warrant was issued for DeValkenaeres arrest. He was booked into jail just before noon Tuesday and has been placed in protective custody. According to court documents, DeValkenaere will now serve his sentence.

Missouri news: Headlines from St. Louis, Jefferson City and across the Show-Me State

A judge sentenced DeValkenaere to three years for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively. He had been out on bond while his appeal played out.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Tim Cook, centre, is mobbed during his visit to an Apple store in Chengdu, China

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has made a surprise visit to China.

Though in an upbeat mood as he met gamers in the city of Chengdu, the company faces flagging iPhone demand in the country, analysts suggest.

It is his second trip to China this year - in March he said Apple had a "symbiotic" relationship with China, a key manufacturing base.

But the firm's operations in the country have been complicated by Covid and US-China tensions.

Mr Cook's visit included a trip to Apple's Taikoo Li store to meet young players of Tencent's Honour of Kings online battle game.

"The energy tonight was off the charts!" he wrote on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.

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Honour of Kings started in Chengdu but was now "a global phenomenon on the App Store", he told the state-run China Daily newspaper.

He hoped that Chinese developers could repeat this success with software for Apple's new Vision Pro augmented reality headset, which would also use a Chinese manufacturer, the report said.

This year marks Apple's third decade in the country.

Mr Cook, who has been CEO since 2011, is regarded as the architect of Apple's embrace of Chinese manufacturing, but the relationship has had its ups and downs in recent years.

Covid restrictions hit production in China, and geopolitical tensions with the US have added to supply chain concerns. Recently the company has sought to increase production in India.

Sales of its latest iPhone have not matched previous models, according to analysts who spoke to Bloomberg. They blamed sinking demand in China, and intensifying competition from rivals.

Tough US export controls on advanced technology have made it hard for Chinese firms such as Huawei to produce models that can match the iPhone.

But the launch in August of Huawei's sell-out Mate 60 Pro phone, which contained advanced Chinese-made chips, suggested rivals were catching up.

Mr Cook's visit coincides with news of other Chinese tech advances.

Chinese tech giant Baidu revealed on Tuesday that it had released the latest version of its Ernie AI model.

Ernie 4.0 was, it claimed, a match for OpenAI's GPT-4 system

At a launch event led by Baidu chief executive Robin Li, the AI was shown writing a martial arts novel and creating advertising posters and videos.

China now has a number of domestically developed large language models, but AI developers face tight restrictions.

And when the BBC tried out an earlier version of Ernie the bot deflected questions about sensitive subjects such as the date of the Tiananmen Square crackdown (4 June 1989), or the name of a jailed former senior Communist Party figure (Bo Xilai), with the response: "Let's talk about something else."
On the opening day of the Navajo Nations 2023 Fall Council session, Arizona Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes , emphasized his responsibilities as the Chief Election Officer of the state. His role primarily involves providing oversight and guidance to ensure safe and accurate elections.

Fontes said he takes his role as chief election officer, as Arizonas secretary of state, he will facilitate discussions and consultations with tribal nations, the counties, and the federal government to protect the rights of voters. To help protect the integrity of elections, the Arizona Secretary of States Office publishes an election procedure manual to ensure consistent and efficient election administration across the state

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Madame Speaker has put forth recommendations to the manual and the state adopted them, Fontes said. The changes were made and forwarded to [Arizona] Governor Katie Hobbs.

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Fontes announced that the Secretarys Office has implemented an Online Voter Registration Unique URL Program to encourage organizations conducting large-scale voter registration drives to do so electronically and securely through the ServiceArizona website, rather than relying exclusively on paper forms.

Fontes said that groups and organizations can use this program to register voters using computers and tablets, which will speed up voter registration. Additionally, he is advocating to increase voting centers in the state.

In pursuit of more efficient voter registration methods, the Secretary's Office has introduced the Online Voter Registration Unique URL Program. This program encourages organizations conducting large-scale voter registration drives to use the ServiceArizona website for secure electronic registration, reducing reliance on paper forms. Fontes emphasized that groups and organizations can use computers and tablets to speed up the voter registration process. He also advocated for an increase in voting centers across the state.

"In Phoenix, there is a remote voter registration terminal at Native Health, allowing tribal members to register with an organization they trust," he said. "I advocate for the placement and expansion of vote centers across Arizona, especially for rural voters who need correct and tabulated ballots."

Fontes also highlighted his office's efforts to address communication challenges and work with counties to ensure the accuracy of chapter and precinct boundaries while being sensitive to the unique challenges faced by Native voters.

His report included the introduction of a workforce fellowship program, in which the State Secretary's Office provides funding to counties to recruit students from community colleges and universities. These students assist county election departments on the ground, ensuring smooth election operations.

Fontes emphasized that programs like this will help prevent issues such as what occurred in Many Farms last year. "What happened in Many Farms was unacceptable and should not have occurred. The polling place should not have opened late."

In his closing statement, Fontes reiterated his dedication to collaborating with tribal nations and organizations. "It's an honor to address this Council today. It is my duty to ensure that every American's constitutional rights are preserved, and that the integrity of the voting process is protected."

In Phoenix, there is a remote voter registration terminal at Native Health, so tribal members can go to an organization they trust to register to vote, he said. I advocate for vote centers to be placed and expanded across Arizona. We need help geocoding for rural voters because we need every ballot to be correct and tabulated.

Fontes said his office is addressing communication challenges, while also working with the counties to enforce chapter and precinct boundaries for accuracy, and to make them aware of the challenges that face Native voters.

His update included the implementation of a workforce fellowship program, in which the State Secretarys Office provides funding to counties to recruit students from community colleges and universities to help county election departments assist with elections by providing on the ground staffing.

In his closing statement, Fontes reinforced his dedication to working with tribal nations and organizations.

Its an honor to be before this Council today, he said. Its my duty to ensure that every American has their constitutional rights preserved and that voting is protected.

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
Rep. Jim Jordan has sewn up the support of Arizona's Republican U.S. House delegation in his bid for the speaker's gavel after this month's historic ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the House's top job.

On Oct. 4, McCarthy, R-Calif., was voted out of his position of House speaker after criticism from far-right Republicans in his compromises with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. The leadership position has been vacant since the vote, in which two Arizona House Republicans  Reps. Andy Biggs and Eli Crane, R-Ariz.  joined with House Democrats to remove him.

As of Tuesday morning, all six of Arizonas House Republicans voted for Jordan for speaker in the first round of voting. All of Arizonas House Democrats voted against Jordan, in line with the party to vote for Rep. Hakeem Jefferies, D-N.Y.

However, a total of 20 House Republicans didn't vote for Jordan, meaning he failed to reach the 217-vote threshold. Jordan is expected to seek a second round of voting.

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Crane said on X, formally known as Twitter, that he is backing Jordan. He threatens the status quo, which is why Im supporting him," he wrote.

Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., who voted to keep McCarthy in his position as speaker, emphasized the need to get a speaker so the House can resume work.

The Peoples House needs to get back to work. Immediately, he said on X. Today as we vote for a Speaker to return to legislative business, I will vote for Jim Jordan.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., expressed his support for Jordan on X and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., endorsed Jordan in his newsletter. Republican Reps. David Schweikert and Debbie Lesko also said through social media and statements that its time for the House to elect a speaker so the House can continue to work.

Despite calls to quickly fill the position, more than two weeks since McCarthy was removed, the position remains empty.

Last week, longtime Republican House leader Rep. Steve Scalise, R-LA, won the Republican nomination for speaker, beating out Jordan 113 to 99. However, because of the high threshold of votes that is needed to secure the position, he removed his name before the House went to the floor to vote.

In order to become speaker of the House, the representative needs to secure 217 votes, meaning that only four Republicans can vote against them to still become speaker.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona House Republicans supporting Rep. Jim Jordan for speaker
LAKE WORTH, Texas - Police in the Fort Worth suburb of Lake Worth are looking for two armed robbers who terrorized pharmacy workers.

Surveillance video shows one of the men pointing a gun to a pharmacist's head. They stole drugs from the pharmacy and cash from a safe. A clerk was also tased and seriously injured.

The two suspects in this Walgreens armed robbery tased and held employees at gunpoint, stealing $5,000 in cash.

Surveillance video shows a black Chevrolet Impala pulling up into the Walgreens parking lot Sunday on Lake Worth Boulevard in Lake Worth.

"One goes to the counter and subdues an elderly clerk whos behind the counter. The other proceeds to move directly to the pharmacy," said Lake Worth Police Chief JT Manoushagian.

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Police say there were two robbers: one in a blue hoodie and another in black. The robber in blue holds up the pharmacist with a gun.

"The one in the pharmacy pulls a gun, places it directly to the pharmacists head and begins to demand that they remove controlled substances from the secure area of the pharmacy," Manoushagian said.

Meanwhile, the robber in black uses a taser on the front desk clerk and injures her.

"The clerk that was behind the counter has been thrown to the ground by the other suspect and is being tased while shes on the ground," Manoushagian said. "When she was thrown, she struck her head on the floor and also sustained an injury to her hip."

When the man with the handgun finished demanding drugs from the pharmacist, he took her by gunpoint to a backroom office.

"He also picked up and drug the clerk who was still laying on the ground injured from being thrown down, drug her into the back room," Manoushagian said.

The robber in blue ordered the pharmacist to unlock the safe, taking about $5,000 in cash.

"As soon as the safe unlocked, the suspects grabbed a trash can that was nearby, filled it up with the contents of the safe and then left," Manoushagian said.

Police also released the 911 call from the robbery.

Police believe this isn't the first time the two robbers have done something like this.

"Because they are uncommon, weve reached out to area partners across the DFW metroplex and also across the state to see if this MO matches any other pharmacy robberies that are going on," Manoushagian said.

The injured clerk has to have surgery because she was bleeding on her brain. Shes expected to recover.

The two men are considered armed and dangerous.

If you have any information on the crime or the identity of the suspects, youre urged to contact police.
Armenia is ready to sign a peace treaty and settle its relations with Azerbaijan by the end of the year, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Oct. 17, Azatutyun Radio reported.

Yerevan is committed to peace and is prepared to sign a peace treaty that would include mutual recognition of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries and the opening of transport routes on the basis of the principles of sovereignty of each country through which they pass.

Read also: Azerbaijans president raises flag in Nagorno-Karabakh capital

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Pashinyan expressed concern that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev might use the issue of the so-called "corridor" as a pretext for a new attack on Armenia to seize more of its territories, and asked for the support of the European parliamentarians in establishing peace in the region.

Read also: Armenian president signs ratification of ICC membership, must arrest Putin if he visits

He also accused Armenia's formal allies of failing to help the country solve its security problems, especially in Nagorno-Karabakh, where 100,000 Armenians have fled after Azerbaijan's attack. The security allies "not only failed to help but also publicly called for a change of government in Armenia and the overthrow of the democratic government," Pashinyan said, adding that Armenia was ready to move closer to the European Union "to the extent that the EU considers it possible."

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned a group of lawmakers that the U.S. State Department is monitoring the possibility of Azerbaijan's invading part of Armenia in the near future.

Azerbaijan announced it had launched the beginning of "anti-terrorist measures" in Nagorno-Karabakh on Sept. 19 to "restore constitutional order."

The unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh surrendered and decided to cease fire on Sept. 20. Aliyev said that his country had "fulfilled all the tasks of the anti-terrorist operation" in one day and "restored sovereignty."

Azerbaijan recognized Armenia's territorial integrity on Sept. 30.

The unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh will cease to exist from Jan. 1, 2024. The relevant decree was signed by the so-called head of the region, Samvel Shahramanyan, Azatutyun Radio reported.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A person walks past a home damaged by fire in the 3600 block of North Hoyne Avenue in Chicago on Oct. 17, 2023. Chicago police issued a community alert Tuesday warning residents about an arsonist who has ignited several autumn and Halloween displays on the North Side. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police issued a community alert Tuesday warning residents about an arsonist who has ignited several autumn and Halloween displays on the North Side.

The culprit has burned decorations on the sidewalk and three of the fires happened on front porches of residences, Chicago police said.

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A fire that happened at about 3:30 a.m. Monday on a porch in the North Center neighborhood at the 3600 block of North Hoyne Avenue damaged the home, police said.

Damaged halloween decorations in the 3600 block of North Hoyne Avenue, in Chicago, on Oct. 17, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

The arsonist has struck at least seven other times burning displays and street corner garbage cans, police said. The other arsons happened in the overnight hours at the following locations:

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Oct. 4 about 1:50 a.m. in the 4600 block of North Lincoln Avenue

Oct. 4 about 3:50 a.m. in the 2100 block of West Montrose Avenue

Oct. 4 about 4 a.m. in the 4500 block of North Lincoln Avenue

Oct. 7 about 4:15 a.m. in the 4600 block of North Lincoln Avenue

Oct. 9 about 3 a.m. in the 4000 block of North Lincoln Avenue

Oct. 11 about 3:10 a.m. in the 2100 block of West Agatite Avenue

Oct. 11 about 3:45 a.m. in the 2200 block of West Roscoe Street

The arsonist was described by police as a slender white man between 35 to 40 years of age. He is balding with a beard and mustache. He was last seen wearing glasses, a black jacket, blue jeans and was carrying a messenger bag.

Anyone with information on the arsonist should contact the police.

dawilliams@chicagotribune.com
By Felix Light

TBILISI (Reuters) - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday said he was ready to sign a peace deal with Azerbaijan by the end of the year, even as Baku accused Yerevan of undermining the process of normalising their relations.

Russia's state-run TASS news agency cited Pashinyan as telling the European Parliament in Strasbourg that Armenia was ready to end more than three decades of hostilities, and to guarantee the safety of ethnic Azeris in Armenia.

But in a statement later on, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry accused Pashinyan of undermining the peace process with "aggressive rhetoric". It said Armenia as a country had a reputation for "blunt falsification of facts and history".

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The two countries have in recent weeks stated their willingness to sign a treaty to end decades of intermittent conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region that Azerbaijan recaptured last month, prompting most of its population of some 120,000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia.

Armenia describes the Karabakh Armenians' flight as ethnic cleansing driven by the threat of violence after a nine-month blockade of essential supplies, the latest chapter in a conflict between Christian Armenians and Turkic Muslim Azeris that goes back more than a century.

Azerbaijan says the Karabakh Armenian civilians were welcome to stay and be integrated in Azerbaijani society, but left voluntarily.

Beyond Karabakh, the two countries' shared border is riddled with small exclaves surrounded by the other side's land - sovereign territory that is in effect occupied by the other side - complicating a final peace deal. Exchanges of fire across the frontier, sometimes fatal, are a regular occurrence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week said he believed a peace deal was achievable if both sides showed goodwill, playing down the difficulty of reaching an agreement on their shared border.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Monday made his first visit to the territories retaken by Azerbaijan last month, and was filmed raising Azerbaijan's flag in the region's capital and treading on the flag of Karabakh's dissolved ethnic Armenian authority.

(Reporting by Felix Light in Tbilisi and Nailia Bagirova; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Was that a real person or was it an Artificial Intelligence?

That question is becoming a common thread these days, especially for people using various chat features to do business.

Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) is about six decades old, recent advances in technology have led to an explosion of AI tools. This has triggered enthusiastic and sometimes alarmist discussion of AI in local and national media almost daily, not to mention its dramatic effect on social media.

Is AI a tool that will make life easier, help in identification of disease, and assist education and scientific research or is it a source of fake information and something that will in some way take control of society?

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Might it have the potential for both?

On Thursday Oct. 19, the Columbia Basin Badger Club will examine the nature of Artificial Intelligence with a focus on current and potential benefits and risks of AI.

Don Baer Special to the Herald

What is AI?

Heres what one popular AI told us when we asked it, What are you?

Im a machine, not a human, but using AI I can communicate with you. Im here to help you find answers, create content, provide summaries on a variety of topics, and more.

Keep in mind that I sometimes make mistakes. Use your own judgment and double check the facts before making decisions or taking action based on my answers.

Robert Rallo, a human AI researcher with three decades of experience working on different aspects of AI will describe its multiple forms and types, and talk about what is real, what is hype, and what are the challenges, opportunities and risks.

Michael Goodchild, retired professor of geography, will describe a specific current use of AI that impacts all of us as it is used to collect and analyzes information about location  think of the multiple types of maps and images we see in print and online. He calls this GeoAI.

Our cell phones, use of search engines and other activities can generate a lot of location information about us, our activities, health issues and our community information.

This illustration photograph taken in Helsinki on June 12, 2023, shows an AI (Artificial Intelligence) logo blended with four fake Twitter accounts bearing profile pictures apparently generated by Artificial Intelligence software. Researchers call them the American blondes bright-eyed environment-lovers tweeting passionately in support of the UAE and its handling of the forthcoming COP28 climate summit. The only problem? They are not real. Ben, Brianna, Emma, Caitlin and Chloe exude optimism about the role of the Gulf state and its COP28 chief, oil executive Sultan Al Jaber, in promoting climate action. (Photo by Olivier MORIN / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Olivier MORIN has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Twitter accounts bearing profile pictures apparently generated by Artificial Intelligence] instead of [Twitter accounts generated by Artificial Intelligence]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo by OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images) OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images

Such information can be highly useful to understand individual and community behaviors and needs, but also has ethical issues associated with individual privacy, false inferences, and failure to recognize uncertainty.

Rallo is a chemist and computer scientist who currently directs the Advanced Computing, Mathematics, and Data Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

His research interests are in data-driven analysis and modeling of complex systems of industrial, environmental and social relevance with a focus on the development and application of AI to support scientific discovery.

Before joining PNNL, he was an associate professor (20072016) in computer science and AI and the director of the Advanced Technology Innovation Center (20122016) at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Catalonia.

Michael F. Goodchild is Emeritus Professor of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He now resides in Washington state and is a member of the board of directors of the Washington State Academy of Sciences, which has the mission to provide expert scientific and engineering assessments to inform public policy in Washington.

His current research interests center on geographic information science, spatial analysis and uncertainty in geographic data. From 1988 to 2008 he was the director of the National Center for Geographical Information and Analysis. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and Foreign Member of the Royal Society of Canada.

To register, visit www.columbiabasinbadgers.com. There is no charge for members, and nonmembers pay just $5.

Following the one-hour forum the audience is invited to join Table Talk, the Badger Clubs open-mic half-hour discussion.

Don Baer is a member of the Badger Club board of directors, a member of the Washington State Academy of Sciences and a retired Laboratory Fellow from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
ASHEVILLE - A North Asheville family sends their son out of district to Buncombe County Schools because that district can offer something city schools can't  a dual language Spanish immersion program.

Sadie and Jim Ray say they speak Spanish and English in their home and want their two children to be able to get educational instruction in both languages.

Their son, Theo, attends fourth grade at West Buncombe Elementary. Theo would be attending Ira B. Jones Elementary but instead the family has to seek a "discretionary release" each year so he can attend the county school district, Sadie Ray told the Citizen Times Oct. 16.

Sadie Ray has a doctorate in Spanish and Spanish American Literature, and while she isn't a native Spanish speaker, she is a strong supporter of a dual language education.

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"Theo not only is bilingual but is part of a wonderfully diverse class and regularly has opportunities to learn about different cultures," she said.

The family adopted their 4-year-old son Noah a couple of months ago from the Dominican Republic, and he is currently attending the Spanish Academy of Asheville, a private preschool.

"We would love to get this dual language program started in Asheville City Schools for him, to make sure he can be easily understood by his teachers, help him ease into English, and honor his Afro-Latino heritage," Sadie Ray told the Citizen Times.

For the past month she has been rallying parents who are also interested in the program by sending out a Google form on various social media platforms and going to community events for parents to fill out a petition. So far, 240 families have signed the petition that says they are in support of the program, she said.

She has also been in contact with ACS Central Office staff on how to make this happen, and said she spoke to Superintendent Maggie Fehrman about the petition.

Connecting with others

The next steps would be for the district to have dedicated meetings on dual language instruction and identify who the key players would be in order to make the program happen, Sadie Ray told the Citizen Times.

One of the parents she's been speaking with is native Spanish speaker Agustina Lotts, who has two daughters at Ira B. Jones Elementary.

Lotts is from Argentina and moved here 10 years ago to strengthen her English, she told the Citizen Times Oct. 16.

Lotts said it's important for not only her daughters to have dual language instruction in the classroom but also for the community to connect.

"Teaching the kids to connect with others that might not sound like them or look like them is so important," Lotts said.

Data from the 2021-22 school year shows that 9% of students at Asheville City Schools were Hispanic and 21% of county school students were Hispanic.

Nieva Arana, who is a self-described Puerto Rican American, grew up speaking both English and Spanish.

Arana works for the Asheville City Schools foundation running the afterschool mentorship program.

More: Asheville City Schools 1st-graders learn beauty of Mexican heritage with cooking lesson

"As a Latina, I think it's incredibly important that we have a dual language program, because we do live in a global economy. The future is global," Arana told the Citizen Times Oct. 16.

"If we don't start preparing our students for what that means we're going to fall short of them being competitive for our global economy."

Buncombe County Schools program

A dual-language Spanish immersion program is a form of bilingual education, where students are taught literacy and content in both English and Spanish, meaning the students will have some classes in Spanish and others in English.

BCS offers this program in grades K-5 and students can choose to continue it in middle and high school, according to the county school's website.

The dual language Spanish immersion program is offered in all BCS districts at the following schools.

Avery's Creek Elementary

Candler Elementary

Eblen Intermediate

Enka Intermediate

Glen Arden Elementary

Koontz Intermediate

North Buncombe Elementary

North Windy Ridge Intermediate

Oakley Elementary

W.D. Williams Elementary

West Buncombe Elementary

Dropping enrollment

A presentation at the Oct. 2 city schools work session by Tanya Presha, academic and program support coordinator, showed enrollment numbers dropping at Asheville City Schools.

City school's enrollment has been on a decline since the 2017-18 school year, according to the presentation.

The district has lost more than 500 students since 2017.

In the 2017-18 school year, 4,421 students attended city schools, and the following school year it fell to 4,322 students. In the 2023-24 school year, so far, there are 3,896 students.

At the work session, Fehrman posed the question: "There is a large group of students who are going to Buncombe County and charter schools. My question is what are they getting there that they aren't getting in Asheville City?"

More: Asheville school board talks consolidation study, low enrollment, Parents' Bill of Rights

Asheville City Schools has no further update on the program at this time, according to ACS spokesperson April Dockery.

McKenna Leavens is the education reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at mleavens@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter @LeavensMcKenna. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville City school parents petition for dual language program
A Moroccan asylum seeker has appeared in court charged with murdering a pensioner in Hartlepool.

Ahmed Ali, 44, is accused of stabbing to death 70-year-old Terence Carney in the early hours of Sunday morning and also attempting to murder a fellow asylum seeker at the hostel where he was living.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court via videolink from Middlesbrough Police station, Mr Ali spoke through a translator to answer his name and date of birth.

Carl Kelvin, prosecuting, told the court that police had been called to a fight at a house in Wharton Terrace, Hartlepool at 5.17am on Sunday.

The court was told officers found a man called Javed Nouri at the property who had suffered stab wounds to his chest, legs and mouth.

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The police subsequently discovered a second victim on Tees Street, Hartlepool.

Attacked at random

The court was told the man had stab wounds to his chest and neck and although first aid was administered he died at the scene. The man was later identified as Mr Terence Carney.

Mr Kelvin told the court the suspect, Mr Alid, was located a short distance away and was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Cleveland Police were initially leading the investigation but it was later taken over by counter terrorism specialists.

Mr Carney was allegedly attacked at random shortly after using an ATM machine in the town centre, police said.

A spokesman for Counter Terrorism Policing North East said: The thoughts and deepest sympathies of Cleveland Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North East are with the family and friends of Terrence at this extremely difficult time.

Early enquiries suggest that Terrence was a passerby at the time of the incident, having recently used a nearby ATM.

Mr Alid was remanded in custody to appear before the Old Bailey on Thursday.

Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said: You are charged with two offences that must be heard before the crown court. I therefore formally send these cases to the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey where you will appear on Thursday 19 October. You will be remanded in custody until then.

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Two weeks ago, Kalki Yalamanchili announced in front of the Clarke County Courthouse that he would run for district attorney of the Western Circuit in the 2024 election.

Since that day, Yalamanchili said on Monday that his first effort at seeking public office has garnered an overwhelming positive reaction.

Ive had messages going all the way back to people I interned for over a decade ago in law school, said Yalamanchili, who is a former assistant DA in the Western Circuit, where he prosecuted a wide range of major felonies from homicides to large-scale drug cases.

He plans to seek the office as a non-partisan candidate.

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Yalamanchili said he chose this path because that is how he believes the DA should conduct the office.

There is nothing partisan about protecting our community, keeping our family and friends safe and seeking justice for victims by holding violent offenders accountable, he said.

On the day he announced and again Monday, he took a strong stance against the way District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez is conducting the office in her first term, where she has been battling staffing shortages and complaints from crime victims.

We have seen what happens when you have a district attorney that used the office primarily as a political position and failed  as Mrs. Gonzalez has  to execute the court duties of the district attorney, he said.

One of Gonzalezs platforms when she ran for office was that she would not seek the death penalty.

Yalamanchili disagrees with her position.

I dont think a district attorney should ever make a categorical statement about how they will utilize the tools available to them as a prosecutor. I would not rule out seeking the death penalty, but it is a case-by-case determination, he said.

Yalamanchili noted that Gonzalez has difficulties recruiting and retaining seasoned attorneys, nor can she keep young attorneys who need guidance from a mentor.

The best job that you can have as an attorney is to be prosecutor, he said. Because you get to do what you think is the right thing. Thats not always the case when you are an attorney and have to follow what your client wishes.

When Gonzalez was elected to the office, she defeated a Democrat candidate in the primary and in the General Election she defeated James Chafin, who also ran as a non-partisan candidate. Gonzalez has not announced her intentions for 2024, nor have any potential Democrat or Republicans candidates announced as of Monday afternoon.

Yalamachili is well known in legal circles in Clarke and Oconee counties, which makes up the Western Circuit. He and his wife, Caitlin, and their two sons reside in Oconee County. He is president-elect of the Rotary Club of Athens and is a past president of the Western Circuit Bar Association and a board member for SANE Inc., the latter which assists women and children in sexual assault cases.

More: GBI continues probe of shooting that followed chase in Oconee County

He also teaches a class at the University of Georgia Law School, and prior to working in the Western Circuit DA's office, he was an assistant in the solicitors office in Cobb County.

Yalamachili said his parents immigrated to the U.S. from India after completing their medical education.

They wanted to go to a place where they could provide their children with better opportunities than they had  a place grounded in the rule of law and a commitment to justice for all, he said.

Yalamachili said his parents have told his children how incredibly lucky we are to have been born in this country and have the opportunities we have.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens lawyer announces intent to seek district attorney's office
The author, right, and her friend at the wedding. Courtesy of Pam Moore

Two years ago I responded to a thread in a Facebook group to be "accountability buddies."

Genevieve and I matched up and became fast friends; we have talked on Zoom almost daily since.

We finally met in person for the first time at her wedding.

I didn't anticipate liking Genevieve as much as I did. We met through a Facebook community for freelance writers in December 2021 when someone in the group posted seeking an accountability buddy. Quickly, the discussion was flooded with replies. Some raved about how an accountability partner had catapulted their career. Many raised their virtual hands to say they wanted in.

I hoped that with an accountability partner I could finally show up on social media to humblebrag about my first six-figure year as a freelancer or get The New York Times to accept one of my many pitches.

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More important, after two years of pandemic life as a writer  a career that was isolating even before we were worried about masks, social distancing, and how to score a sourdough starter  as a card-carrying extrovert, I was desperate for connection.

Our conversation flowed easily

Genevieve met my criteria: female and interested in finding an accountability buddy. I messaged her, and we scheduled a phone call to see whether we were a fit. In the intervening days, I envisioned dollars flowing into my bank account and the dream bylines I'd accrue once I had an accountability buddy.

But when I called, she didn't pick up. She was obviously a flake, I thought. Then, she texted me. She was sorry; she'd mixed up the time zones, and could I talk later that day? She seemed genuine. Why not?

Our conversation flowed easily, considering we were two strangers essentially on a blind friend phone date. We talked about our niches, goals, and what we hoped to get out of an accountability partnership. Our areas of expertise were different enough that we wouldn't be competing for the same clients but similar enough that we could help each other brainstorm solutions for finding new clients, pushing back on restrictive contracts, and hunting down unpaid invoices.

We agreed to meet over Zoom at 9 a.m., Monday to Thursday, to discuss our goals, agendas, challenges, and wins.

We had a lot in common

Though we initially stuck to talking about work, it was obvious we had a lot in common. Right away, we noticed each other's cute, quirky coffee mugs. Soon, we discovered a shared love for the same pen and a common obsession with the same movie. Both of us are middle children; we each have a sister and a brother; and  perhaps relatedly  we are fans of therapy, self-discovery, and mental-health TikTok.

For nearly two years, on an almost daily basis, we've celebrated each other's wins, given each other on-demand pep talks, and helped each other craft sensitive client emails.

So when Genevieve invited me to her wedding, I didn't think twice about whether I'd attend. Even though it would be our first time meeting in real life, she was the "coworker" I'd longed for  and a close friend.

We met for the first time in person at her wedding

The first time we saw each other was outside the ladies' room before the ceremony. Aglow in her wedding gown, Genevieve was even more radiant than I'd expected. Hugging her for the first time felt like embracing an old friend.

Even though I didn't know anyone at the wedding besides my husband, I didn't mind. He and I fell into easy conversation with other guests, and I got to know Genevieve on a deeper level after chatting with her sister over hors d'oeuvres and hearing heartfelt and hilarious toasts from her friends and family. Though it was the first wedding I've attended as a nondrinker, it was also one of the most joyful.

My accountability buddy, it turns out, hasn't been a magic ticket to The New York Times or earning six figures (yet). But in Genevieve, I have something more valuable than money or prestige. I have a camaraderie that's hard to come by as a solopreneur and the joy of sharing my morning coffee with a friend who really sees me  and I don't even mind that it's through a screen.

Read the original article on Insider
Its not uncommon for Formula 1 drivers to be bestowed high honors by government officials  British driver Lewis Hamilton has been knighted by British royalty and Dutch driver Max Verstappen is an officer in the Netherlands.

Now, add Daniel Ricciardo, a new honorary Kentucky Colonel, to the list.

Ricciardo isnt from America, but the U.S. F1 audience has come to support him as much as any other driver in a sport that usually has more appeal overseas. The Australian native has been an icon among F1 fans in the states for his iconic post-race tradition of drinking champagne out of his shoe when he finishes on the podium and his affinity for cowboy hats.

How Daniel Ricciardo wound up a Kentucky Colonel

Ricciardo has actually been a Kentucky Colonel for awhile, he just didnt know it.

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He was in Nashville for a promotional Red Bull Racing event over the weekend prior to the U.S. Grand Prix, which is where Adam Haley managed to get him his Kentucky Colonel certificate.

Haley, a Louisville resident who works in public policy for Goodwill and is a Kentucky Colonel himself, said he successfully nominated Ricciardo to be a Kentucky Colonel a couple years ago. Ricciardos certificate says it was signed by Gov. Andy Beshear on Jan. 26, 2021.

I was like, Oh, thisll be funny, Haley said of his decision to nominate the F1 driver.

And I got it a couple weeks later and had no idea what to do, so I was like, Alright, Ill try to send it to Daniel.

Despite efforts to contact Ricciardos representatives, Haley wasnt able to connect the Aussie with his new honor.

Until last weekend.

Haley and his wife attended the Red Bull Showrun event Oct. 14 where Ricciardo was set to drive a Red Bull F1 car for local fans. While there, Haley said he managed to find a staffer for the Red Bull Racing team.

I stopped him, I said, Hey, I know youre very busy, but I have this kind of weird request, Haley said. He explained how hed managed to get Ricciardo colonel status and asked the team representative to give Ricciardo the document.

The team official, who Haley said turned out to be Red Bulls head of communications, agreed. A few minutes later, Haley received photos of Ricciardo with proof of his new honor.

Haley said the Red Bull team told him Ricciardo was stoked.

His immediate thinking was free bourbon for life, Haley said.

Photos and videos of Ricciardo displaying his new certificate Sunday drew hundreds of thousands of views online, and the Red Bull Racing account shared it to TikTok.

Ricciardo, who drives for Red Bulls sister team AlphaTauri, has seen some success racing in the United States. Hes finished on the podium twice in Austin, Texas, which is where this weekends race will be held.

Haley said he and his wife have been F1 fans for years, and theyre big fans of Ricciardo. They didnt get to meet him at last weekends event, but theyre still trying.

While the Colonel (rank) does not provide him free bourbon, he is, of course, welcome to my supply anytime he is in town, Haley said.

What is a Kentucky Colonel?

The honor of Kentucky Colonel is awarded by Kentuckys governor and goes to people to recognize their noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to our community, state and nation, according to the Kentucky Colonel website.

Colonels dont have to be from Kentucky. There are Kentucky Colonels residing in every state in the U.S. and dozens of nations abroad, according to the groups website.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian journalist Cheng Lei, freed last week after three years detained in Beijing, said in her first interview with news channel Sky News Australia that she alternated between feeling "very fragile" like a newborn and feeling like she could fly.

Cheng returned home last Wednesday and was reunited with her children aged 12 and 14 in Melbourne, after being released from a Chinese jail. She was met by Foreign Minister Penny Wong at Melbourne's airport and welcomed back to Australia in a telephone call from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had raised her case with Chinese president Xi Jinping.

"Sometimes I feel like an invalid, like a newborn and very fragile and other times I feel like I could fly," she said in the interview with the broadcaster on Tuesday.

Cheng wept as she recalled her two children running towards her at the airport last Wednesday and her heartbreak at seeing her mother had aged and lost weight after shouldering the burden of raising them in her absence for three years.

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"We just all screamed," she 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. She went on trial in a closed Beijing court in 2022, with details of her sentence not released until last week.

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.

Cheng said she couldn't divulge details about her case. She replied "yes" when the Sky interviewer said Cheng had shared a government briefing document before she went on-air and broke an embargo by a few minutes.

"In China that is a big sin, you have hurt the motherland and the state's authority has been eroded because of you. What seems innocuous to us here ... are not in China," Cheng said.

"I am given to understand the ambit of state security is widening," she added.

China's State Security Ministry said last week Cheng had served a prison sentence after breaching a confidentiality agreement with her state media employer by providing state secrets to a foreign organisation through her mobile phone.

Recalling how she was first detained in August 2020, Cheng said someone senior from her work called her in, and she arrived to find 20 people there. "Someone stands up, shows his badge and says 'you're wanted'," she recalled. She was escorted to her apartment where it was searched all day.

In her first six months of detention she was isolated, and attempted to block negative thoughts by translating poems in her head. "Every dream was a nightmare because if it was a good dream, waking up was worse," she said.

She later moved to a prison with cell mates, where the light was never turned off. Returning to Australia on the plane was the first time she had experienced darkness in three years, she said.

"Because of this whole ordeal I keep expecting people to drop out of the sky and arrest me," she said, when asked how she was adjusting to life in Australia.

Cheng thanked the Australian government and public, and said Wong, who had reassured her family, had felt like "a friend who was trying to help me".

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
During the liberation of the village of Andriivka on the Bakhmut front, the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade fought a tough battle with a strong opponent, the 131st Separate Motor Rifle Brigade. However, not all Russian paratroopers have a high fighting spirit.

Source: Andrii Biletskyi, brigade commander, Azov founder and former parliamentarian, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda

Details: Biletskyi said he doesn't like to underestimate his opponent. The commander of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade said that among the Russian units there are motivated and stable soldiers (although even they will face only death in Ukraine).

In particular, Biletskyi noted the 131st Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, which the Russian Federation has now withdrawn from the front in order to deploy it into a division.

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Quote: "Many consider it [the 131st Separate Motor Rifle Brigade  ed.] to be the best Russian airborne assault unit. To be precise, it was them who defended Andriivka during the first period of the Andriivka operation. And they have extremely high morale and resilience.

It does not help them, they all eventually die, but for the 3rd brigade it was the toughest opponent of all time. It was bloody battles, bone to bone.

There are such subdivisions. There are few of them and usually they are not the ones you hear about on the Internet. This is not the Akhmat special forces or Espanola military formation.

And this does not mean that, lets say, Russian paratroopers are doing well with fighting spirit. For example, the 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade was one of the easiest enemies for us. It was a pleasure to fight with them. We eliminated eight paratroopers per day.

So, we cannot say that the infantry is bad in Russia, and the Air Assault Forces are good. No. And the Airborne Forces are also mostly bad, but there are some units that have a high morale."

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!
Sometime this week, a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress will make a rare bomber landing in South Korea, according to several media reports. The landing will come amid resurgent tensions with Pyongyang.

While the South Korean Yonhap News Agency said it would be the first such landing of a B-52 in South Korea, Stars and Stripes reported that it would be the first in at least 30 years. Either way, U.S. strategic bombers like the B-52, B-1 Lancer or B-2 Spirit rarely land in South Korea. The last time a Lancer landed there was 2016 at Osan Air Base . That was the first time in nearly two decades.

In addition to the B-52 landing in South Korea, the U.S. Air Force said the bomber will conduct two flyovers over South Korea the during the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX) 2023, according to Yonhap. ADEX runs from Tuesday to Sunday at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, just south of Seoul.

https://twitter.com/joshjonsmith/status/1713771687744086290

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"These flyovers, air demonstrations and static displays, including the landing for the B-52 on the peninsula, is part of our continued pledge to promote peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean peninsula," Maj. Rachel Buitrago, 7th Air Force public affairs director, said in a release.

The U.S. has conducted several B-52 flights over South Korea. (South Korean Defense Ministry via AP, File)

ADEX will showcase various homegrown aircraft and ground-based equipment, including the KF-21 fighter jet under development, FA-50 light fighter , K2 main battle tanks and K9A1 self-propelled howitzers, according to Yonhap. The U.S. military will also feature F-22 and FA-18G aircraft during the exhibition to mark the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance this year.

The KF-21 Boramae made its first flight on July 19, 2022. YouTube Screencap

On the way to South Korea, a two-ship flight of B-52s had to be warned about a volcanic ash cloud from the Klyuchevskoy volcano on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, according to radio chatter picked up and posted on Twitter by @thenewarea51.

There was a little levity, unintended or otherwise, in the conversation between one of the B-52's crew and air traffic control.

"I'm not going to pronounce the volcano," the air traffic controller said with a slight lilt in his voice.

https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1713998352222662909

It isn't clear where the other bomber will go. It's possible it will head in another direction at some point or it could recover with its companion in South Korea, although all info so far has said only one bomber will be landing there.

B-52s flying over South Korea are far more common than landing there. They have flown over the airspace several times this year as shows of force following North Korean missile tests, according to Stars and Stripes.

A B-52H flew alongside four U.S. F-16s and three South Korean F-15K Slam Eagles for an escort drill on July 13, a day after the North fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew for 74 minutes, a flight record for the communist regime, the publication reported. A U.S. B-1 Lancer bomber also flew with F-35B Lightning IIs, F-22 Raptors and South Korean F-35As over the Yellow Sea during a joint airpower drill on Feb. 1.

The issue of the U.S. sending nuclear-capable platforms, even if they arent so armed, is a highly sensitive on the Korean peninsula. North Korea routinely claims the U.S. is threatening a nuclear war.

Just last week, the official KCNA North Korean news agency railed against the visit to Busan of the Ronald Reagan carrier strike group following joint drills with South Korea and Japan.

It is an undisguised military provocation driving the situation to the irrevocable catastrophic circumstances that the U.S. persists in introducing various nuclear strategic assets into the Korean peninsula where a possibility of constant military collision exists and the danger of outbreak of a nuclear war is rampant, the KCNA report read, according to The Hill .

https://twitter.com/USNavy/status/1713963038313710019

North Korea, meanwhile, has conducted multiple ballistic missile tests this year. Earlier this month, it also halted the nuclear reactor at its main atomic complex, probably to extract plutonium that could be used for weapons by reprocessing spent fuel rods, a South Korean news report said on Thursday, citing a government source, Reuters reported .

We don't know for sure when the B-52 will land in South Korea or what the reaction will be from North Korea.

We'll provide additional information about that when it becomes available.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
A 40-year-old woman was fatally wounded overnight outside her residence in the Chatham neighborhood, Chicago police said.

Shortly after 12:15 a.m., the woman was involved in an argument with a man when he shot her and fled in an unknown direction, police said.

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The woman suffered a chest wound, and was taken in critical condition to UChicago Medicine where she was pronounced dead.

She was identified as Lekeysha Taplet of the same address where she was killed, according to the Cook County medical examiners office.

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No one was in custody, and detectives were investigating.
A woman accused of fatally shooting a baby shower attendee was run over by the victims son outside a police precinct, according to Michigan cops and news reports.

The shooting reportedly happened during a baby shower Sunday, Oct. 15, in Detroit.

Police said a woman in her 40s shot another woman in her 50s as they fought at the gathering held in a home, according to WWJ. The victim was identified by multiple outlets as Phebe Williams.

Shes a friend of the family. Theyd been friends since they was kids, Williams niece, Shavonda Carter, told WXYZ. I dont understand why would she even pull a gun out.

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The accused shooter drove to a police precinct to turn herself in, but she was followed by Williams son, police told FOX 2. She was struck by the sons car as she got out of her vehicle.

Police said the woman struck by the vehicle was hospitalized and was listed in temporary serious condition, FOX 2 reported.

Charges have not been announced as of Tuesday morning.

Williams had two sons and three grandchildren, her daughter-in-law said in a GoFundMe.

She was loved by everyone, and she will always be remembered for her caring and loving kindness to others and her joy to others when she was around, the GoFundMe says.

Dominique Demetria, the woman expecting the baby, said it was Williams who made sure everyone came together for the shower.

Now shes gone. This is a bad memory I got to live with and my family is broken, she said in a Facebook post.

In a news conference after the shooting, Detroit police Capt. Donna McCord called the incident senseless and very tragic, WWJ reported.

Everybody is devastated, Carter told WDIV. Theyre lost. Were trying to get everybody to come together so we can get her buried.
The museum attracts over 1 mn visitors a year when all its exhibits are accesible (John MACDOUGALL)

One of Berlin's top tourist attractions, the Pergamon Museum and its world-class collection of antiquities, will close this month for a top-to-bottom restoration not due to be completed before 2037.

The institution on the German capital's UNESCO-listed Museum Island houses treasures including the Great Altar of Pergamon, built in the second century BC, the 2,600-year-old Ishtar Gate of Babylon and a vast millennium-spanning collection of Islamic art.

The museum, which opened in 1930 and was named for the Ancient Greek masterpiece, attracts more than one million visitors a year when all its exhibits are accessible.

The impending 14-year closure beginning on October 23 has prompted a rush by Berliners and tourists alike to catch one last glimpse.

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Gudrun von Wysiecki, who grew up on the western side of the Berlin Wall, said she began crossing into the Communist east when it became possible in the 1970s just to see the Pergamon Museum.

"I've always loved this place. Seeing it for the first time was an absolute epiphany," the 75-year-old retired teacher told AFP, standing in the shadow of the ancient Roman Market Gate of Miletus.

"We were very lucky to get some of the last tickets this week. At my age, who knows if I'll be alive for the reopening."

- 'In bad shape' -

German archaeologists discovered the ruins of the Pergamon Altar between 1878 and 1886 and sent them back to Berlin based on an agreement between the German government and the Ottoman Empire.

Its reconstruction took until 1902.

The temple-like museum building was erected to showcase the ornate altar and the Ishtar Gate, with the spectacular lion reliefs of its Processional Way, to the fullest dramatic effect.

However the strains of time and the sheer weight of the collections, resting on a porous Ice Age riverbed, have caused the museum to crumble.

Stabilising and reinforcing the more than century-old underground concrete foundations are a Herculean task, helping to explain the extraordinary duration and estimated 1.5-billion-euro ($1.6-billion) cost of the renovation.

Wear and tear across the decades, combined with lasting World War II damage, have led to streaming leaks when it rains, said Barbara Helwing, director of the Ancient Near East Museum housed in the building.

She said the repairs were "urgently necessary" to protect the precious collections and ensure visitors' safety.

"The building is in really bad shape and it's sinking, which is why we're not only sad that it's closing for so long," she said.

Critics however have attacked the eye-watering cost of the makeover and the fact that, apart from a few solar panels, its plans do not include a "green" overhaul.

"The completely renovated Pergamon Museum, when it opens in 2037, will in climate technology and energy terms be a building from the fossil-fuelled past," architecture critic Nikolaus Bernau wrote in weekly Die Zeit.

- Restitution demands -

Culture experts also say with advances in the restitution debate and more Western countries acknowledging the rightful owners abroad of their collections, claims for the Pergamon holdings could grow.

Zeynep Boz, an archaeologist at the Turkish culture ministry, told the daily Tagesspiegel last month that she questioned the legality of the German ownership claims and believed the altar itself should return to the "sunlight of Pergamon" in northwestern Turkey.

Helwing admitted the issue was "difficult" and said research on the provenance of the museum's collections would continue during the renovation.

The north wing was already closed for renovations in 2012 as part of a Museum Island "master plan" to make its five buildings fit for the 21st century and interconnected with an underground "archaeological promenade".

The altar disappeared behind scaffolding in 2014. It will be the first to reopen -- in 2027, if all goes according to plan.

Thousands of artefacts -- sculptures, urns, carpets and tablets -- must now be removed from their display cases, wrapped and taken to warehouses while a select few will be lent to other institutions, a process that alone will take a year, according to Helwing.

The biggest monuments, such as the Ishtar Gate, will stay put as the workers move in, protected by cladding until their grand reopening.

dlc/hmn/gil
It was another bad day in court for Sam Bankman-Fried on Tuesday, as a turncoat prosecution witness took the stand and testified about heinously criminal activity at the crypto exchange FTX.

The damage was done as Bankman-Frieds own lawyer cross-examined Nishad Singh, a former FTX executive who was once close friends with Bankman-Frieds little brother.

Singh told jurors he had considered resigning from the company over FTXs alleged decision to let Bankman-Frieds trading firm, Alameda Research, pilfer customer deposits in order to fund risky investments and pay off loans.

The scale of wrongdoing was enormous, Singh testified.

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Singhs hands werent clean either. Around October 2022, Singh paid $3.7 million for a home on Orcas Island in Washington State using funds from FTXeven though he knew its customers were at risk of losing their money. He conceded in court that the purchase was egregious, unnecessary, and selfish and said he agreed to forfeit the property as a small gesture of restitution.

Singh pleaded guilty to six counts in February, including conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit securities fraud. He said he is hoping for a lenient sentence in light of his cooperation with prosecutors.

Bankman-Fried, meanwhile, faces seven counts in this trial; five others were severed before the proceedings due to complications related to his extradition from the Bahamas, but he could be tried on those charges next year.

Singh also discussed his discomfort with Bankman-Frieds lavish spending, saying he contemplated moving out of their shared Bahamas penthouse multiple times. (He didnt.) He said he consulted with lawyersBankman-Frieds dad, Joseph, among themabout massive loans he received from the company. And he recalled strategizing with Bankman-Frieds mother, Barbara, about political spending. (Singh pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations for allegedly participating in a straw-donor scheme alongside Bankman-Fried and Ryan Salame, another former FTX exec; Bankman-Frieds mother has not been charged with any crimes.)

Prior to becoming head of engineering at FTX, Singh spent two years at Alameda Research. At one point during the business ascent, he was a billionaire, he testified, and he distributed millions of dollars to his friends and family, bringing them along for the luxury ride.

After FTX collapsed in November 2022, Singh said he contemplated suicide for months. He appeared poised in court this week, if verbose and nerdy. As he scuttled out of the courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, he made eye contact with no one, least of all his former boss.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  A barrel containing an unknown substance was found floating in a canal on Cedar Avenue and Dakota Avenue in Fresno on Monday.

According to the Fresno Fire Department, at around 3 p.m. someone told the Fresno Police Department that there was a barrel floating in the canal. The Fresno Fire Department says they dispatched a HAZMAT team to investigate.

Upon arrival, the Fresno Fire Department made a call for the water team to bring the barrel out of the water so the HAZMAT team could investigate and figure out what was inside.

Crew members say the HAZMAT team has determined the barrel to be non-hazardous, but have not confirmed exactly what was inside.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in China on Oct. 17 where they held talks, Reuters reports.

Orban is the only European Union leader go to Beijing for Chinas Belt and Road forum. This is his first personal meeting and talks with the dictator since Moscow unleashed its full-scale war against Ukraine.

Read also:

Putin told Orban that because of the attack, the opportunities for developing relations are "very limited," but "with many European countries they remain, and one of (these countries) is Hungary."

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Read also: Hungary, Austria, Greece added to the Economists list of Putins useful idiots in Europe

According to the Hungarian Telex.hu news portal, Orban emphasized the importance of "peace" and said that it was "extremely important for the entire continent, including Hungary, to put an end to the influx of refugees, sanctions, and wars."

Orban has repeatedly spread Russian narratives and opposed providing Ukraine with aid in countering Russian aggression. Earlier, he stated that Budapest would not support Kyiv in any issue of international relations until "Ukraine restores the former rights of ethnic Hungarians on its territory."

After the outbreak of the full-scale war, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto repeatedly visited Moscow to negotiate energy deals.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
China is throwing a huge party to celebrate one of its biggest experiments in engaging with the world: its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Officials and leaders from all over the globe are in Beijing attending a high-level summit marking the BRI's 10th anniversary. Russian president Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have arrived, and the Taliban government will also attend. Chinese media is awash with coverage of the BRI's achievements, including a six-part documentary on state TV.

A signature policy of President Xi Jinping, the BRI is aimed at stitching China closer to the world through investments and infrastructure projects. With an unprecedented glut of cash pumped into nearly 150 countries, China boasts it has transformed the world - and it is not wrong.

But Beijing's massive gamble hasn't entirely gone the way it had hoped. Was it worth it?

A 'win-win' economic success?

From the moment the BRI was unveiled in 2013 with comparisons to the ancient Silk Road, it was clear China had sprawling ambitions.

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"Belt" refers to overland routes connecting China to Europe through Central Asia, as well as to South Asia and South East Asia; while "Road" denotes a maritime network linking China to major ports through Asia to Africa and Europe.

It started off with heavy state-driven investment into hard infrastructure abroad. Most of the estimated $1tn (820bn) has been poured into energy and transport projects, such as power plants and railways.

Beijing touted this as an economic win-win - it told other countries these investments would stimulate development, while at home it sold the BRI as a way to help Chinese companies, boost the economy and burnish the country's reputation.

It had limited success in meeting some goals, such as internationalising the yuan and solving Chinese companies' overcapacity.

But China reaped a huge economic benefit in trade. A slew of agreements brought access to more resources such as oil, gas and minerals, especially as the BRI's focus widened to include Africa, South America and the Middle East. About $19.1tn of goods were traded between China and BRI countries in the past decade.

"It's about Chinese state-owned enterprises going abroad... to help facilitate the flow of resources that China needs," said Jacob Gunter, a senior analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies. "It's also about expanding and developing export markets as alternatives to the liberal developed world."

This diversification has become crucial at a time when China faces greater tensions with the West and their allies.

Take soybeans for example. China, the world's biggest importer, used to rely heavily on the US for supplies. But a tariff war with Washington forced Beijing to turn to South American sources, especially Brazil, estimated to be the region's largest recipient of BRI funding.

Gas pipelines from Central Asia and Russia - and oil imports from Russia, Iraq, Brazil and Oman - have reduced Chinese dependence on Japan, South Korea and the US, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

'Debt trap' diplomacy

Having become the lender of first resort for many low or middle income countries through the BRI, China is now the world's biggest international creditor.

The true scale of the debt - thought to be at least hundreds of billions of dollars - is unknown. Many of the loans, given out by both public and private lenders, are shrouded in secrecy.

Now, from Sri Lanka and the Maldives to Laos and Kenya, countries are struggling with BRI debt. This puts the Chinese government in a tight spot.

A real estate crisis and liberal borrowing by local governments has already created a "debt bomb" domestically - it's estimated to run into trillions of dollars. A sluggish post-Covid economy and record youth unemployment have not helped.

China has restructured BRI loans, extended deadlines and forked out an estimated $240bn to help borrowers make payments on time. But it has refused to cancel the debt.

"For China to simultaneously engage in debt write-downs overseas while domestic economic issues are not fully resolved - it will be politically challenging internally to promote that," said Christoph Nedopil, founding director of the Green Finance and Development Center (GFDC), which tracks BRI spending.

This has marred Beijing's reputation. Some critics accuse China of engaging in "debt trap diplomacy" by luring poorer countries to sign up for expensive projects so that Beijing could eventually seize control of assets put up as collateral. This was the US' accusation over the controversial Hambantota port project in Sri Lanka.

Many analysts argue there is little evidence of this, but it has heightened fears that Beijing is using the BRI to undermine others' sovereignty.

China has also been criticised over its so-called "hidden debts" - governments don't know how exposed their borrowing institutions are, which makes it difficult for countries to weigh up the BRI's costs and benefits.

Over the years BRI projects have also been accused of creating wasteful "white elephants", fuelling local corruption, exacerbating environmental problems, exploiting workers, and failing to live up to promises of bringing jobs and prosperity to local communities.

One recent study by research lab Aid Data found more than a third of the projects face such problems. A growing backlash has prompted some countries like Malaysia and Tanzania to cancel BRI deals.

Read other articles in our series marking 10 years of the BRI:

"Poor risk management and a lack of attention to detail and cohesion" from Chinese lenders and companies are partly to blame, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

But other observers point out the borrowing countries are also to blame, like in the Hambantota case which was partly caused by Sri Lanka's own financial mismanagement.

They also say China gives resources with fewer strings attached, which is less onerous than offers from global lenders or the West.

"China shows up with a 'one-stop shop' approach: 'Here are our banks and companies and we do everything from start to finish, and if you sign today we will finish that railway, and it will be done in time just as you campaign for your next election'," pointed out Mr Gunter.

"It's a huge selling point to say that you can do it in one to three years with very little paperwork. Maybe it'll be a bit dirty and there may be labour rights violations, but your railway will be done."

A diplomatic victory

Yet China has met one of its biggest goals - extending its influence.

It is not just through railways and highways that China has created connections. Beijing projects soft power and positions itself as a leader in the Global South, paying for thousands of Chinese university scholarships, cultural exchange programmes and Confucius Institutes. The expansion of the Brics trading bloc too has been credited to China.

Pew Research found that in the past decade many middle-income countries have increasingly favourable attitudes towards China, including Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.

Mr Gunter noted that increasingly, countries in the Global South do not wish to choose sides in the US-China rivalry. "China hasn't flipped many countries from a Western orientation, but the fact it has moved the needle to a middle ground - that is already a huge diplomatic victory for Beijing," he said.

But observers have also raised concerns of possible economic coercion, where foreign governments feel pressured to follow Beijing's agenda or risk China pulling out investment.

One Aid Data study of Chinese state-owned entities' loans to foreign governments found contract clauses that "potentially allow the lenders to influence debtors' domestic and foreign policies".

In the UN, China has "corralled other states into temporary coalitions" to oppose measures critical of Beijing, while participation in the BRI has led several EU members to block or water down policies critical of China, pointed out the IISS.

The think tank also said the BRI has become one of China's "main instruments" in its diplomatic isolation of Taiwan. Many nations that have shifted recognition from Taiwan to China in the past decade are BRI funding recipients, it noted.

In South East Asia, Cambodia has consistently resisted condemnation of China's actions in the South China Sea, while Laos and Thailand have been criticised for arresting or allowing the abduction of Chinese activists wanted by Beijing.

The port at Gwadar in Pakistan allows China to bypass the Malacca straits to reach Africa and the Middle East

'Small and beautiful'

China now recognises some things need to change.

Beijing preaches the mantra of "small and beautiful" where, through low-investment, high-yield projects, the BRI can have more relevance.

Examples given by state media include bamboo and rattan-weaving programmes in Liberia, biogas technology projects in Tonga and Samoa, and promoting mushroom-growing technology in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda.

China has also announced a new "digital silk road" focused on telecommunication and digital infrastructure. Analysts say this would be a more sustainable stream of profits for Chinese companies, while lessening the impact of Western bans on Chinese 5G equipment.

With this new strategy, China has cut down financing. It has imposed limits on external lending by Chinese banks, and investment deals are now nearly 50% smaller than they were five years ago, according to a GFDC analysis. It has also moved away from being the only creditor in the BRI, and started a platform where other countries and international banks can lend money.

But Beijing has even grander plans for the BRI, which it now touts as the foundation of "the global community of shared future".

In two white papers released this month, Beijing said its form of globalisation would be fairer, more inclusive and less judgmental than the one led by "hegemonic" Western powers which seek a "zero-sum game".

"The BRI is a public road open to all, not a private path owned by any single party," it said. Far from seeking domination as critics say, China claimed it is "helping others to succeed while seeking our own success".

The view from China is that "now globalisation is in danger. The West, in the name of 'de-risking', is actually 'de-China-risking'," said Wang Yiwei, a professor who studies the BRI at Renmin University of China. The main challenge "is how can the BRI build mutual connectivity and avoid a new Cold War".

Beijing's trillion-dollar experiment has created a powerful tool to wield influence. But the question is whether the world wants a Chinese-led world order.

Additional reporting by BBC Monitoring.
(Bloomberg) -- President Xi Jinping said the Belt and Road Initiative has a golden decade ahead, welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin and other delegates at a forum aimed at reinvigorating what Xi has called a project of the century.

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Putin, subject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, made a rare trip abroad to attend the forum in Beijing. Hes set to meet Xi on Wednesday, Russias Interfax said. The two are likely to focus on their growing relationship, which Washington and Brussels view with caution amid the war in Ukraine.

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A CEO conference on Tuesday heard from speakers including Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Xis point man for shoring up the nations embattled property industry and the financial sector.

(All timestamps are Beijing time)

Xi Tells Delegates BRI Has Golden Decade Ahead (9:47 p.m.)

President Xi Jinping said the BRI is in its prime after a vigorous decade and is heading toward the next golden decade, speaking at a welcome banquet Tuesday evening.

High-quality Belt and Road cooperation will create a brighter future for humanity while the world faces increasing economic downward pressure and other challenges, Xi said.

Cooperation between China and BRI partners in the past 10 years has added momentum to world economic growth, Xi said.

More Than 300 Delegates to Sign Agreements (5:15 p.m.)

The CEO conference ended with more than 300 delegates expected to ink agreements in fields including artificial intelligence, clean energy, biopharma, financial services, modern agriculture, transportation and railways, officials said. No dollar figure was given for the deals.

Bank of China Chairman Ge Haijiao said his institution has offered more than $290 billion of credit support to Belt and Road projects, and will sign eight deals on Tuesday. Other companies whose executives spoke at the forum included China Merchants Group Ltd., Standard Chartered Plc and Harilela Hotels Group.

Hungarys Orban is Only EU Head of State to Attend Forum (4 p.m.)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is the only European Union head of state to attend the Belt and Road forum. The country is one of Chinas remaining EU supporters after Italy informed Beijing of its plan to exit the initiative.

Orban said the Hungarian model focuses on connectivity instead of decoupling. Our aim is to strengthen Hungarian-Chinese relations. This is good for Hungary and good for the European economy, he said on X after a meeting with Xi.

China Emphasizes Sustainable Debt in Cooperation (3:30 p.m)

Vice Premier He said China will improve its cooperation mechanism with Belt and Road countries based on the principle of sustainable debt. Beijing is ready to work with all countries, He said at the CEO event, adding that global trade is lacking momentum. China encourages cooperation in the areas of AI, big data, e-commerce and new energy, he said.

Zhang Yuzhuo, chairman of the government body that manages state-owned enterprises, said China will establish new models of cooperation and build a pipeline of small and beautiful projects.

China Seeks More Farm Imports From Chile (2:30 p.m.)

Xi said China welcomes more farm product imports from Chile and encourages Chinese companies to participate in the construction of major projects in the South American nation, Xinhua reports.

In a meeting with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Tuesday, Xi also called for the deepening of ties on trade and infrastructure, while exploring cooperation in new areas such as clean energy, digital economy and technology.

Both nations signed agreements to cooperate on Belt and Road, digital economy, customs inspection and quarantine, technology and agriculture. Boric said Chile supports Chinas interest to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, according to the Xinhua report.

Chinese Vice Premier to Address Top Business Executives (1:50 p.m.)

Chinese Vice Premier He is scheduled to deliver a major speech at the CEO event. In recent months, He, 68, has met with high-level foreign officials including US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

He also met last month with Europes top trade chief just as the EU announced a probe into Chinas electric vehicle subsidies. He expressed concern and dissatisfaction over the investigation but avoided aggressive rhetoric in favor of agreeing to working groups on financial services and trade curbs.

Energy Projects in Focus at CEO Event (12:45 p.m.)

Among the companies at this afternoons CEO roundtable are ACWA Power Co., the Saudi Arabian electricity giant with projects across a dozen countries; China Energy Engineering Group, a major builder of power plants; and TBEA Co., which specializes in solar panel and electric transmission equipment.

Energy projects have been a mainstay of the Belt and Road Initiative since its inception, and this year looks to be more of the same. Investors will be watching for the signing of any deals.

Xi Calls Kazakh President an Old Friend (9:50 a.m.)

Xi met Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday, China Central Television reports. Calling Tokayev an old friend, Xi said he wants to advance Chinas strategic partnership with the Central Asian country, according to the report.

Healthy ties between the nations is beneficial to maintaining peace in the region, Xi added.

China Adjusting to Debt Worries, Scholar Says (8:38 a.m.)

Beijing has realized that through the Belt and Road its found itself suddenly carrying an awful lot of debt with a lot of countries that frankly are going to struggle to ever really pay it back in any way, Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, told Bloomberg TV.

Watch: China Showcasing Its a Big Power on the Stage: Pantucci (Video)

Thats led it to champion more small and beautiful projects that dont cost as much but still benefit peoples livelihoods, he said.

Overseas Visitors Arrive in Beijing (8:30 a.m.)

Guests are descending on the Chinese capital for the forum, which comes as China celebrates the 10th anniversary of the flagship initiative. While the project has drawn $1 trillion in its first decade, momentum has tapered in recent years amid concern over debt sustainability.

Among those to arrive are Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Chilean President Boric. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is in Beijing and met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang said the Communist Party is prepared to boost its relationship with the Labour Party.

--With assistance from Phila Siu, Dan Murtaugh, Kevin Ding and Ocean Hou.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images

A Berkeley law professor wrote in a WSJ op-ed that law firms shouldn't hire his antisemitic students.

Top universities have faced backlash for student responses to Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel.

Steven Davidoff Solomon said students should be treated "like the adults they are."

A law professor from the University of California Berkeley is telling law firms not to hire his antisemitic students.

Steven Davidoff Solomon wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that the law firm Winston & Strawn did the right thing when it revoked a job offer for a New York University law student who publicly condemned Israel for Hamas' terrorist attacks.

"Legal employers in the recruiting process should do what Winston & Strawn did: treat these law students like the adults they are. If a student endorses hate, dehumanization or anti-Semitism, don't hire him," Solomon wrote in the op-ed, published on Sunday. "When students face consequences for their actions, they straighten up."

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Elite institutions such as Harvard University have faced backlash for how some of their student groups have responded to Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. The Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups released a controversial joint statement on October 8, saying it held the "Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence."

The move drew widespread condemnation from business leaders such as billionaire Bill Ackman, who called on Harvard to release the names of students who had signed a pro-Hamas letter so he and other CEOs wouldn't "inadvertently hire" them.

Solomon wrote in his WSJ op-ed that "antisemitic conduct is nothing new on university campuses." He cited an incident last year in which Berkeley's Law Students for Justice in Palestine lobbied other student groups to pass a bylaw that would bar Israel's supporters from speaking at university events.

"The student conduct at Berkeley is part of the broader attitude against Jews on university campuses that made last week's massacre possible," Solomon wrote. "It is shameful and has been tolerated for too long."

Israel declared war against Hamas on October 8 after the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel by land, air, and sea, killing hundreds of people in Israeli towns, military bases, and at a music festival.

Israeli officials have said their goal is to vanquish Hamas and take complete control of Gaza.

Solomon is a corporate law professor who specializes in business law as well as law and economics. He has been with Berkeley since 2014, per his Berkeley faculty profile.

According to his profile, Solomon earned his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University respectively. Solomon practiced corporate law for over nine years before entering academia, working for law firms Shearman and Sterling as well as Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Solomon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The best search engine is definitely not the one this guy's using.

Your choice of search engine makes a big difference in the relevance (and privacy) of your search results. The first search engine , known as Archie, was developed by a student at McGill University and released in 1990. Today, there are more than 20 search engines that range from powerhouses like Google to lesser-known, more specialized options .

Some search engines, such as Google, highlight their AI assistants, but the truth is that artificial intelligence has been behind search engines for years. But if you want an assistant to winnow search results, AI can help you get more relevant results.

Even if you use a browser with a built-in search engine, you're not beholden to it. You can, for example, add search engines to Google Chrome , giving you extra options when you want to perform photo searches or need extra privacy. Before you set your default search engine, though, consider how you use searches and how you feel about data privacy . These factors can direct you toward the top search engine for your inquiring mind.

1. Google

The undisputed leader of search.

Google is the No. 1 search engine used today, handling more than 83 percent of searches , according to Statista. That number may rise or fall depending on the month, but needless to say, Googles got the majority of the market when it comes to searches.

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Google is a robust search engine that powers sites like YouTube and integrates full-service features like Google Workspace. Its much more than a search engine that allows you to gather everything from your latest curiosity to professional collaboration in one place.

In February 2023, Google introduced Bard , an AI-powered search assistant. Search engines have used AI algorithms for years to identify patterns and customize search results and ads to individual users, but we're entering a new age of heavy focus on AI. If youre hoping Bard will hold up to OpenAI's ChatGPT, though, its got a ways to go. That said, with the speed that AI adapts, it may not be long before Google has a leading assistant for generative as well as search purposes.

This engine also gets high marks for the layout and variety of features like snippets, knowledge panels, and "people also ask" sections that can help you further refine results. On the downside, Google is a data hog and hangs onto your information to customize your experience. On one hand, youll see ads and results that are more relevant to your likes and preferences. On the other hand, privacy issues and data usage are real concerns. Some people find Google more than a little invasive.

2. Bing

Earn rewards for all that search time.

If youre looking for search engines other than Google, Bing is a top contender. Bing doesnt have nearly Googles market share, but it's second in popularity worldwide. Microsoft created Bing in 2009 and has developed it into an impressive search engine, especially when it comes to the integration of AI.

[Related: Ditch Google for good with these apps and gadgets ]

ChatGPT powers Bing Chat , Bings search bot, which remembers query context to help you refine searches. It also includes sources in search results, helping you assess the validity of your results. That said, Bing can give short, almost nonsensical answers at times.

The Bing search results pages on Bing look eerily similar to Googles. Many users may have a hard time telling the difference between the two. However, Bings image, video, and map searching abilities are some of the best, with the video and image features topping the market.

Bing also offers a rewards program , which earns you points every time you shop or search with Bing. After youve accumulated enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards or use them to donate to your favorite charity. You earn about five points per search, so doing a lot of online research could earn you a few bucks each month.

Like Google, Bing collects data to customize the ads and searches that appear, which you may or may not appreciate. Consequently, Bing, like Google, might not be the best choice if privacy is your top concern.

3. DuckDuckGo

Increased tracker blocking and encryption on DuckDuckGo help protect user privacy.

If all that data collection has your skin crawling, DuckDuckGo is worth a try. If you compare Google vs. DuckDuckGo vs. Bing , DuckDuckGo might not be as comprehensive, but it puts privacy over pure search power. It doesn't store your data, track you, or collect cookies. You'll still see ads, but they won't be customized based on your searches.

This search engine uses its own crawler and incorporates a few other search engines, but not Google. The company skips the monster search engine in an effort to provide a different user experience. Its organized similarly to other search engines, with search categories at the top for images and videos that match your search.

[Related: 7 ways DuckDuckGo can help you find exactly what you need ]

However, theres only one results page per search, which is kind of nice if youre easily overwhelmed by Googles millions of results when all youre doing is looking for the best WiFi routers . While DuckDuckGo isnt set to dethrone Google, its gained a steady following with the privacy it offers.

4. Startpage

Skip the targeted ads when you search with Startpage.

Startpage approaches search with a philosophy thats similar to DuckDuckGo by focusing on security and privacy. It keeps prying eyes (and advertisers) from following your every virtual move by refusing to log your search history or save your personal data. That does mean some searches take a little longer. But some users find it worth it for the privacy that remains after they hit exit.

Startpage uses Google to populate results, which means you'll get robust results without the targeted ads. The uncluttered search page is a breath of fresh air from some of the larger engines, which can feel like ads are slapping you in the face while you scroll.

This engine also offers an Anonymous View that lets you visit pages without sharing any information about yourself. The process works by removing your IP address before sending the query. Startpage also offers the option of StartMail, a secure email platform.

5. Yahoo

Yahoo is powered by Bing, so they may display similar results.

Yahoo has been around since 1994 and uses Bings search engine to create results, so expect similar groupings, but it uses its own tech for certain searches, including trending ones. Though not as elegant as Bing or Google, Yahoos search page offers categories like weather, news, sports, and trends as well as access to Yahoos email service. Yahoo Finance is another big draw and provides quick access to the latest in whats happening on the stock market.

If youre primarily after news and finance info, Yahoos got it in spades. You dont even have to do a Yahoo web search to see the latest headlines with eye-catching photos to boot. Yahoo Maps is another place that sets this engine apart, thanks to an open-source Open Maps service.

Yahoo also offers subscription-based services like Yahoo Finance Plus for even more insight into the market, investments, and companies on the rise. And, of course, it includes free features like Yahoo Mail.
A bicyclist was flown to a Boston Hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a semi-trailer truck in Lowell on Monday afternoon.

Officers responded to Broadway Street at Adams Street around 12:30 p.m. and located an adult male seriously injured after being struck by truck while on his bike, police said.

The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital before being Med-Flighted to Boston for further treatment.

The driver of the truck remained on scene and spoke with officers, according to police. No charges have been filed at this time.

The crash remains under investigation.

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.

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Lake County Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes, left, instructs attorneys while Lawrence Rosen, center, answers questions on the witness stand from defense attorney Jim McKay during Rosens second day of testimony in the trial of former Cook County assistant state's attorneys Nicholas Trutenko and Andrew Horvat on misconduct charges related to the Jackie Wilson prosecution on Oct. 17, 2023, at the Rolling Meadows courthouse. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Lawyers for two former Cook County assistant states attorneys on Tuesday attacked the credibility of special prosecutors who handled Jackie Wilsons third trial, launching into contentious exchanges about whether the prosecutors did their due diligence.

The ex-assistant states attorneys are standing trial accused of wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 trial for Wilson, whose wrongful conviction case helped expose long-standing practices of torture by notorious ex-Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge and detectives working under him.

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Nicholas Trutenko, 68, is charged with perjury, official misconduct, obstruction of justice and violating a local records act in relation to his testimony at Wilsons trial that year. Andrew Horvat, 48, represented Trutenko in that proceeding and is accused of official misconduct.

The trial entered its second day Tuesday at the Rolling Meadows branch court in northwest suburban Cook County, with Wilsons special prosecutors Lawrence Rosen and Myles ORourke taking the stand for hours. Rosen and ORourke dropped charges against Wilson after learning about Trutenkos longtime friendship and recent contact with a witness they had been unable to locate.

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Daniel Shanes, a Lake County judge hearing the case due to conflicts with Cook County judges, appeared at times to grow exasperated with the tenor of the proceedings, at one point calling a break during a heated exchange.

This is a courtroom, not a debate stage, not a press conference, not a barroom, he said.

The case centers around testimony Trutenko gave as a defense witness in Wilsons third trial in 2020, where he disclosed he had developed a close friendship with a key witness against Wilson in his second trial in 1989. The witness, William Coleman, was alleged to be an international con man, and had named Trutenko as godfather to his child.

Rosen testified that because his team was unable to locate Coleman and believed him dead, transcripts of his previous testimony against Wilson were read into the record at the trial.

But Rosen told the court that he was stunned to hear Trutenko divulge the friendship, as well as recent contact between the two men. Rosen said he spoke to Trutenko before he testified, and made note of the fact that Colemans testimony would be read into the record because he couldnt be located. Rosen alleged that Trutenko untruthfully testified that Coleman did not come up in prior conversations with Rosen.

ORourke testified after Rosen, and described viewing his co-counsels reaction to Trutenkos testimony about his relationship with Coleman.

He was red. Hes kind of shaking, ORourke said, adding, in response to further questions, Id never seen him look like that before.

Rosen said more than once: Hes lying, ORourke testified.

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During cross examinations of both special prosecutors, though, defense attorneys questioned whether they dropped the ball when searching for Coleman and other witnesses and asked why they did not press for discovery from Wilsons defense attorneys nor question Trutenko on the stand to correct what attorneys have argued was his misunderstanding of the question.

Sir, when you found out Mr. Coleman was alive, it exposed your failure to locate him, correct? asked Jim McKay, who represents Trutenko.

If there was a failure here, it was your client not telling us he was alive, Rosen shot back.

McKay also suggested during questioning that Rosen has been inconsistent in his accounts of what happened leading up to and during the 2020 trial. He furnished a report prepared by the special prosecution team handling the case against Trutenko and Horvat that said Rosen traveled to the United Kingdom in an attempt to locate Coleman. Rosen countered that he didnt claim to have traveled there.

Perhaps a mistake was made by a lawyer in reporting something, McKay said.

Before withdrawing the question, McKay asked Rosen: Do you think the state of Illinois got their moneys worth for the work you and ORourke did on this case?

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Brian Sexton, who also represents Trutenko, asked ORourke if he asked any follow-up questions to straighten up the testimony to which ORourke replied he did not.

Did you ever consider the possibility that Nick may have misunderstood the question? Sexton said.

The trial began Monday with opening statements from attorneys and several hours of testimony from Rosen. The case will break for several weeks until resuming next month.

Special prosecutors handling the case in lieu of the Cook County states attorneys office alleged that Trutenko hid his 30-year friendship with Coleman and then lied on the stand during Wilsons 2020 trial when defense attorneys asked if he discussed Coleman in prep sessions with special prosecutors.

They further accused Horvat, who was an assistant states attorney with the offices civil actions bureau and represented Trutenko in those proceedings, of failing to take obligatory and rudimentary steps to avert continued concealment of information about Trutenko and Coleman.

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Most disturbing is when public officials who are sworn to be guardians of people as well as processes ... fail in their obligations and operate above the law, special prosecutor Lawrence Oliver II said during his opening statements on Monday.

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Jackie Wilsons case has taken many twists and turns over its more than 40-year span, beginning with the fatal shootings of William Fahey and Richard OBrien, who were shot by Wilsons brother Andrew during a traffic stop. The patrol officers had just attended the funeral of a slain Chicago police officer that morning.

Jackie Wilson, then 21, was behind the wheel of the car and was accused of being the getaway driver. He has said he did not know his brother would shoot the officers. In 1989, at Jackie Wilsons second trial, Coleman, the British con man with a long criminal history testified that Wilson had admitted his role in the crime while they were locked up together in the county jail.

A judge later determined Wilsons attorneys were not fully informed about a deal given to Coleman in exchange for his testimony. The same judge also ruled that Jackie Wilsons confession had resulted from torture and vacated his conviction.

Special prosecutors were attempting to try Wilson for a third time when they dropped charges after hearing Trutenkos testimony.

mabuckley@chicagotribune.com

cmgutowski@chicagotribune.com
The Hamas war against Israel is slated to be given a potent shot in the arm if the U.S. and its European allies allow U.N. sanctions to be lifted on Irans capability to purchase and supply missiles to enemies of the U.S. and Israel, according to experts on Tehran.

This coming Wednesday is the so-called "Transition Day" when the expiration of the U.N.s embargo against Irans ability to procure and sell missiles and drones goes into effect.

Richard Goldberg, who served on the National Security Council during the Trump administration as the director for Countering Iranian Weapons of Mass Destruction, told Fox News Digital, "The president gives a speech saying he is heartbroken about the images of the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and opposes Hamas, and a week later, he hands a gift to Hamas sponsor, Iran. My heart breaks to see the president lift this embargo."

Goldberg said the removal of U.N. sanctions on Irans missile program "will be a huge victory for Tehran that is simply serving as a reward for terrorism and proliferation around world."

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ISRAELI PM NETANYAHU DECLARES WAR AFTER HAMAS TERRORISTS LAUNCH MASSIVE ATTACK: LIVE UPDATES

An Iranian military truck carries surface-to-air missiles past a portrait of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a parade on April 18, 2018, in Tehran.

Irans ally, Hamas, murdered 1,400 people, including Americans, on Oct. 7 in southern Israel. Fox News Digital reported on Sunday that the late U.S.-designated Iranian global terrorist Qassem Soleimani was the architect of the mass murder, according to a Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) report.

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Irans regime threatened Israel as the Jewish state prepares to launch an expected ground invasion into Gaza to root out Hamas terrorists and the entitys military apparatus.

The Biden administration would have multiple pathways to try stopping the sanctions from expiring. U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 states unequivocally that the U.S. is a partner to the resolution that endorsed the JCPOA; the Trump administration previously cited the resolution in its push to trigger snapback sanctions. In addition, the administration could endorse a potential letter from the EU3 -- made up of the U.K., France and Germany -- to the president of the Security Council to invoke snapback, though it's not believed that such a move from the Europeans is on the table.

A general view of the United Nations building New York City, NY on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

After Fox News Digital published its report on Tuesday, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Wednesday, "We are not a party to JCPOA and cannot snapback. The prior administration effectively gave up the leverage of invoking snapback with its unilateral exit from the JCPOA, which resulted in an unsuccessful attempt to trigger the snapback mechanism at the U.N. Security Council in August 2020. At the time, the overwhelming majority of U.N. Security Council members agreed that the previous resolutions had not snapped back into place. "

The spokesperson continued, "But, of course, the snapback mechanism is not expiring and remains in place. We do not rely solely on UNSCR 2231 to restrict Irans dangerous development and proliferation of missile related technologies and UAVs, but rather a comprehensive set of multilateral and unilateral tools."

The spokesperson went on to say, "We continue to use all our tools to counter Irans missile and UAV development and proliferation, including sanctions, unilateral and multilateral export controls, interdiction activities, diplomatic engagement, cooperation with private industry."

The statement concluded, "The United States has already effectively sanctioned the same networks and entities subject to the U.N. restrictions under UNSCR 2231. We also strongly support the E3 governments decision to retain Europes nuclear, conventional arms, and missile-related restrictions on Iran."

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 was passed by the 15-member body in 2015.

BLINKEN IN ISRAEL, SAYS MORE AMERICANS KILLED, VOWS SOLIDARITY ALWAYS

Goldberg, who is a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), noted that "it is an unforgivable policy choice at this moment. We can stop it from expiring. We could send a letter to the United Nations Security Council and trigger snapback sanctions." He termed the Bidens policy toward Iran "appeasement."

"Washingtons silence on the lapse of U.N. missile prohibitions on Iranian missile testing and transfers is deafening. Irans missile proliferation radius keeps expanding, and with the lapse of U.N. restrictions this October, that will almost certainly grow to include Russia," Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran expert and senior fellow at FDD, told Fox News Digital.

He added, "Make no mistake, though short of snapback, Europes decision to retain missile and nonproliferation sanctions on Iran is not an insignificant act. It is akin to their first ever violation of the deal. Thats big."

The European members of the JCPOA, U.K., France and Germany, known as the EU3 announced last month that they had decided to keep their ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation-related sanctions on Iran in place.

The remains of an Iranian Shahed 136 drone are shown at an exhibition of the remains of missiles and drones that Russia has used to attack Ukraine on May 12, 2023.

The Obama administrations controversial 2015 nuclear accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), contained provisions on weapons sanctions against Iran that were allowed to lapse. The Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 because, his administration argued, the deal did not stop Irans drive to weaponize a nuclear device, degrade its ballistic missile program and end its sponsorship of terrorism.

The JCPOA permitted the lifting of the U.N. ban on Irans ballistic missile activities. According to the United Nations Security Council sanctions package, "Iran is called upon not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology" until Transition Day.

Taleblu recently authored a report titled "Avoiding an October Sanctions Surprise That Would Empower Tehran." According to the FDD report, the "prohibition on U.N. member states providing Iran with missile components and technology, along with restrictions on Irans missile exports, are popularly called the missile embargo and will also lapse on Transition Day."

FORMER ISRAELI SOLDIER SUGGESTS HOSTAGE RESCUE OPERATIONS BEHIND DELAY IN GROUND INVASION OF GAZA

The U.S. and Europeans can invoke the snapback sanctions mechanism to restore the U.N. sanctions on Irans weapons procurement system. Yet Taleblu said the sanctions are set to expire "and the only way to stop it was through snapback, but that wont happen because Europe and the U.S. are still wedded to the deal (JCPOA)."

He added, "As for context, Iran has given Russia drones not missiles [and is] likely waiting for this." And once the U.N. sanctions lapse, Iran will likely supply Russian President Vladimir Putins war machine in Ukraine, he said.

The lifting of U.N. restrictions on Irans missile apparatus creates a dangerous new war theater in the Middle East. Taleblu wrote, "The more confidence Tehran feels in its missile capabilities, the lower the bar for Irans overt use of force with these weapons. Similarly, the more Tehran believes in the deterrent power of its growing missile force, the bolder and more unconstrained it may become in its support for terrorism, assassination, and destabilization."

A considerable market demand for Iranian drones exists. Iranian regime military officials say that 22 countries seek to buy their drones. Israel believes that roughly 50 nations have an appetite for Iranian drones.

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An Iranian long-range Ghadr missile displaying "Down with Israel" in Hebrew is pictured at a defense exhibition in Isfahan, Iran, on Feb. 8, 2023.

In July, the Iranian regime-controlled Islamic Republic News Agency reported that "Irans Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and his Bolivian counterpart Edmundo Novillo Aguilar signed the defense and security MoU." The AP reported in late July that Bolivias socialist government wants to obtain Iranian drone technology.

Fox News Digital reached out to Irans foreign ministry in Tehran and its U.N. mission in New York. The spokesperson for the United Nations General-Secretary Antonio Guterres did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital media query.

Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Biden admin set to allow Iran UN sanctions on ballistic missile program to expire: 'Huge victory for Tehran'
The Biden administration announced new restrictions on the sale of artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China on Tuesday in an effort to crack down on attempts to circumvent earlier export controls.

Todays updated rules will increase effectiveness of our controls and further shut off pathways to evade our restrictions, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement.

These controls maintain our clear focus on military applications and confront the threats to our national security posed by the [Peoples Republic of China] Governments military-civil fusion strategy, she added.

The new restrictions require companies that are based in  or that have a parent company based in  any of nearly two dozen countries under U.S. arms embargoes to obtain a license to export controlled chips and their components.

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The expanded licensing requirement  which previously applied only to China and Macau  aims to prevent companies from obtaining the technology through foreign subsidiaries and branches, the Commerce Department said in Tuesdays press release.

By imposing stringent license requirements, we ensure that those seeking to obtain powerful advanced chips and chip manufacturing equipment will not use these technologies to undermine U.S. national security, said Thea Rozman Kendler, assistant secretary of Commerce for export administration, in a statement.

The initial restrictions, which were issued last October, and the new additions come in response to the Biden administrations concerns that advanced AI technology will be used to expand Chinas military capabilities.

Following a trip to Beijing and Shanghai in late August, Raimondo said the administration is trying to choke Chinas military capacity.

If they feel that, that means our strategys working, she told NBCs Meet the Press in early September. Certainly, on my watch, we are not going to sell the most sophisticated American chip to China that they want for their military capacity.

A spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry slammed reports of the new export controls on Monday, accusing the U.S. of politicizing and weaponizing trade and tech issues and destabilizing global industrial and supply chains.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden will no longer travel to Jordan this week, after an explosion at a hospital in Gaza City killed hundreds of people, according to a statement from the White House on Tuesday evening.

After consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by President [Mahmoud] Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, President Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President of Egypt, the White House said in a statement.

The announcement comes just a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the presidential trip at a news conference in Jerusalem. It follows an explosion that rocked the Baptist Hospital in Gaza, killing hundreds of civilians who were taking shelter in the facility, according to Gazas ministry of health.

It is unclear what kind of weapon struck the hospital, and both sides blamed each other for the explosion. The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which governs Gaza, said the Israeli military launched an airstrike against the hospital.

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The Israel Defense Forces denied responsibility, and asserted that rockets fired toward the Israeli city of Haifa by Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian militant group operating in Gaza, were responsible for the attack.

Reaction to the explosion was swift. Earlier Tuesday, Abbas canceled his scheduled meeting with Biden in Amman, the Jordanian capital, in response to the attack.

The explosion is the latest escalation in the war between Israel and Hamas. In a surprise attack on Oct. 7, Hamas militants stormed out of the Gaza Strip, killing more than 1,200 Israelis and abducting dozens more, while firing rockets at cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israel has since hit back by commencing a siege of Gaza and firing its own barrage of retaliatory missiles, killing thousands.

The U.S. has publicly pledged its support for Israel as it seeks to militarily defeat Hamas and end its control over the Gaza Strip. Earlier in the week, Blinken visited Israel and many of its Middle Eastern neighbors in a show of support for Israel and in an effort to get Arab countries to provide support for Palestinians. The Biden administration has transferred munitions to the Israel Defense Forces and has pushed Congress to greenlight new military aid to Israel.

Biden had been expected to meet with Abbas and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and other neighboring countries in Amman on Wednesday, and then meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. Biden is still expected to meet with Netanyahu this week.
By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden left Washington Tuesday evening on a whirlwind trip that was originally expected to touch down in Israel for an update on Israel's war aims in its battle with Hamas militants, and then Jordan, to stress the need to get humanitarian assistance to Gaza civilians.

A strike on a Gaza hospital late on Tuesday that killed hundreds of Palestinians saw Arab leaders call off their planned summit with Biden in Jordan however, and that leg of the trip cancelled.

MEETING WITH ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU BUT NOT ARAB LEADERS

Biden is spending part of Wednesday in Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials as Israel prepares a ground offensive aimed at eliminating Hamas militants in Gaza who killed 1,300 people during a rampage through southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7.

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Biden will no longer fly to Amman for talks about humanitarian assistance after Jordan's King Abdullah cancelled a summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas, who has long been opposed to Hamas and whose organization exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, said after the Gaza hospital strike he would not meet the U.S. President.

Palestinian authorities say Israel is responsible for the strike, Israel said the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group, which denied blame. Biden backed Israel's account.

HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS IN GAZA

Biden's second trip to a war zone this year - he visited Ukraine in February - carries some risk. His goal was originally to show American solidarity with Netanyahu while trying to avoid a broader regional war involving Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah and Syria.

How he accomplishes that balance while meeting only Netanyahu and Israeli officials is unclear.

The United States has stationed a carrier strike group in the eastern Mediterranean in a show of force for Israel and a second is on the way.

Biden also wants to avert a humanitarian calamity in Gaza where authorities say thousands have already been killed in Israeli bombardment over the last week.

Hundreds of tons of aid from several countries have been waiting in Egypt's Sinai peninsula for days pending a deal for its safe delivery to Gaza and the evacuation of some foreign passport holders through the Rafah crossing.

"He'll make it clear that we want to continue working with all our partners in the region, including Israel, to get humanitarian assistance in and provide some kind of safe passage for civilians to get out," said White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.

ISRAEL RED LINES

Biden and Netanyahu, thrown into a wartime partnership despite deep political differences on the way forward in the Middle East, have joined forces.

Biden has given Israel full-throated support while stressing the need to head off a massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Their face-to-face meeting, after several phone calls since the attacks, will allow Biden to privately discuss concerns and possible red lines in the coming Gaza invasion.

Biden will also get an update on the scores of hostages taken by Hamas. The State Department has said 29 citizens of the United States were killed in the Hamas attacks, with 15 citizens and one lawful permanent resident unaccounted for.

Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement.

Biden will make clear that "Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks," Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Tel Aviv.

He said Israel would brief Biden on its war aims and strategy and how it will conduct operations "in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas."

The U.S. and Israel agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza, Blinken said.

(Reporting By Steve Holland; additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Tel Aviv; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Heather Timmons, Alexandra Hudson)
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden s dramatic war-time visit to Israel and Jordan began to unravel even before he left the ground, after an explosion at a Gaza hospital left hundreds dead and Arab leaders pulled out of a meeting planned for the trip.

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The Hamas-controlled Gaza authorities said it was an Israeli airstrike. Israel pointed the finger at a failed missile from militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The US called for an investigation.

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Blaming Israel for what they called an attack, the leaders of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority canceled a summit with Biden that had been scheduled for Wednesday in Amman. Anti-Israel protests broke out in several major cities around the region.

Biden had planned to use the trip to reinforce the US commitment to Israel as it readies whats expected to be a punishing ground incursion to eradicate Hamas from Gaza. He also intended to send a warning to Iran and its allies not to follow through on threats to attack Israel from the north.

Even before the hospital tragedy, the US had been pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to limit civilian casualties and ease the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Hamas-controlled Gaza. Israel has vowed to obliterate the group after its Oct. 7 attacks, which killed 1,300 Israelis. Since then, Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 3,000 Gazans.

For more on the Israel-Hamas war, click here.

The optics are going to be very bad, said Randa Slim, senior fellow and director of conflict resolution at the Middle East Institute in Washington. After the hospital blast, she said, People are up in arms. Its going to be very hard especially if Biden is to come to Israel and repeat the mantra that Israel has the right to defend itself.

The White House said the Jordan meeting would be rescheduled for a later date, citing the days of mourning for the hospital blast declared by Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas. Later, Biden spoke by telephone with Jordans King Abdullah II and Netanyahu, the White House said, without providing further details.

I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted, Biden said in a statement on Tuesday night. The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy.

Even before the explosion, officials in the US and the region were increasingly worried that they wouldnt be able to keep the conflict from spreading once Israel goes ahead with the ground invasion. Biden has already sent two aircraft carriers to the region and put troops on alert to send a message of deterrence to Iran and its ally Hezbollah, whose thousands of missiles could pose a severe threat to Israel.

The whole region is at the brink of falling into the abyss that this new cycle of death and destruction is pushing us towards, the Jordanian king said after a meeting in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Tuesday. The threat of this war expanding is real.

Fighting picked up with Hezbollah across Israels northern border with Lebanon - the group said five of its fighters were killed in clashes Tuesday - and Tehran warned this week that a wider war is becoming inevitable.

Administration officials have said they didnt plan to deploy the US military on the ground in Israel. But an escalation raises the risk of a miscalculation, such as an errant missile hitting US forces in the Mediterranean, or a broad assault on Israel, that could force an American response. The US also still has about 2,500 troops in Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias pose a major military threat. Biden called the Iraqi prime minister Tuesday to discuss how to prevent an expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The hospital attack casts a shadow over a trip the White House had hoped would showcase Bidens commitment to a key ally and his foreign-policy experience, key themes as he heads into next years election campaign.

Late Tuesday, Israeli leaders renewed their vow to destroy Hamas, which the US and European Union have designated a terrorist group. But the 2 million civilians who live in Hamas-controlled Gaza have nowhere to go with the borders closed and Israel cutting off electricity and supplies and stepping up air attacks.

Egypt and Jordan say they wont accept refugees from Gaza, leaving unresolved the question of where civilians there can go. Some Israeli officials have suggested Gazans, too, bear responsibility for Hamass actions, having elected the group to power nearly two decades ago.

But Biden has rejected that, pointedly warning Israel last week that civilians in Gaza cant be held responsible. Adding to the tension are more than 500 US citizens now trapped there, as well as 13 American hostages held by Hamas there after the Oct. 7 attack.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after a whirlwind tour of the region and nine hours of talks with Israel officials Monday, announced the US and Israel would work on a deal to get aid to Gaza. But on Tuesday, trucks were still stuck at the border as Israel sought guarantees the aid wouldnt be diverted to Hamas. There was no sign of progress in efforts to allow at least foreign citizens to leave Gaza.

Scholz, the German chancellor, said he underlined the need for aid in his meeting with Netanyahu in Israel on Tuesday, though there were no new public commitments. Bidens brief visit may at least buy Gazans that much time before a ground invasion.

Israeli officials focus on the US messages of support. Security officials say American visitors, from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week to Central Command Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla, in Israel on Tuesday, have shown strong support for their plan to eliminate Hamas, and Biden will do the same.

One senior military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Americans have sought to offer perspective and to ensure that the Israelis know the implications of their actions, but the military aid is not conditioned on their taking the advice.

Adding to Israels confidence is the conviction that it has the tacit support of some major Arab countries for its plan to destroy Hamas, though they cant admit that publicly, the official said.

--With assistance from Courtney McBride and Iain Rogers.

(Updates with Biden statement, in ninth paragraph.)

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President Joe Biden 's fundraising haul from July through September easily surpassed all his potential GOP rivals, according to campaign finance data made public Sunday. Former President Donald Trump continues to lead the GOP field of presidential candidates, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley trailing.

Here's a rundown of what the candidates raised in the quarter, according to data from the Federal Elections Commission.

Joe Biden

Mr. Biden's reelection campaign, joint fundraising committees and the Democratic National Committee raised more than $71 million in the third quarter, and have a collective of $91 million cash on hand. The haul is slightly less than what the same entities raised in the second quarter, but aides cite increasing enthusiasm among smaller-dollar donors giving $200 or less. These donations constituted about 49% of the third quarter totals, compared to only about a third of donations in the second quarter.

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His fundraising was 1.6 times higher than Trump's, and close to five times DeSantis' fundraising. Biden's committees spent over $56 million as the incumbent candidate ramps up his reelection bid by hiring more staff and buying advertising time on broadcast and cable television and digital media platforms.

Donald Trump

Trump's fundraising momentum has picked up: his campaign raised $24.5 million between July and September, topping the $17.7 million he raised in the second quarter, and $14.4 million in the first quarter.

Trump ended September with over $37.5 million cash on hand, which is seven times what DeSantis has and around triple what Haley and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott have available.

The fundraising numbers published Sunday by Trump are lower than the $45.5 million that the campaign said his joint fundraising committee raised, signaling that the fundraising mechanism, which raises money for Trump's official campaign and Save America PAC, could be spending significantly. Official joint fundraising committee numbers are required to be filed semiannually, with the next deadline in January 2024.

Trump's ongoing legal battles, including two federal and two state indictments, have benefited his campaign fundraising, while his legal bills mount.

According to a CBS News analysis of Sunday's filings, the campaign raised over $2 million in the first 48 hours after Trump's mug shot from the Fulton County, Georgia, jail was released. The campaign sold merchandise featuring the mugshot. He faces charges there and in federal court related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

His campaign raised over $770,000 on August 1, the day Trump was indicted in Washington, D.C., on federal charges stemming from his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. Trump has denied all of the charges against him in these cases.

Ron DeSantis

DeSantis' campaign reported raising $15.1 million, with the money coming through his campaign committee ($8.93 million) and his joint fundraising committee ($6.18 million).

But DeSantis spent nearly all of what was raised, with a reported $10.6 million on "operating expenditures" spent by the campaign over the third quarter. Travel and payroll ate up $3.4 million of that.

His campaign also reported $12.3 million cash on hand going into October, but only $5 million may be used in the primary because of individual limits on donations. Some donors gave the maximum for the primary and general combined, but only the funds earmarked for the primary can be spent before the general election campaign. DeSantis' campaign says his cash on hand is not impacted by the $1 million in payments still due to vendors for direct mail services.

After DeSantis' campaign laid off staff in July to cut spending, promising big donors a "leaner, meaner" operation, it spent just under $4 million in August, a savings of $2 million from July. In September, DeSantis spent just $1.4 million, according to a CBS News analysis of his campaign committee's filing.

DeSantis spent over $1.5 million to private jet companies last quarter, though only one company, "Israjets," received a payment for travel in September.

September was DeSantis' strongest fundraising month. He picked up $5.6 million, with $2.3 million in the days around the second GOP debate.

Small dollar donations (those $200 and less) made up just 28% of DeSantis' total contributions to his campaign, notably less than Trump who relies heavily on grassroots small-dollar donations.

Nikki Haley

Haley's campaign has picked up fundraising momentum after two strong debates and some improved polling. She hauled in $8.2 million between July and September and acquired nearly 40,000 new donors.

She ranks fourth among her GOP competitors in cash in hand, with $11.5 million, and ranks third with money available to spend on the 2024 primary with over $9.1 million.

This is her strongest fundraising quarter, and Haley also kept operations lean, spending just $3.5 million between July and September, far less than some of her rivals, including Scott, who spent almost $7.8 million more than he raised.

Olivia Perez-Cubas, a Haley spokeswoman,said Haley "is surging and emerging as the alternative to Trump."

Mike Pence

Former Vice President Mike Pence is facing significant challenges in fundraising for his presidential campaign. He raised $3.3 million in the third quarter, but his cash on hand is only $1.2 million, and he's facing a substantial debt  about $620,000. His personal $150,000 contribution to his campaign further highlights his campaign's financial shortfall.

His FEC filing also revealed that Pence owes money to two companies based in Virginia, related to direct-mail consulting and postage expenses. His campaign has relied heavily on mail to reach enough voters to qualify for the Republican debates.

Candidates must prove they've secured at least 70,000 individual donations to qualify for the third Republican debate, which takes place Nov. 8, in Miami. His campaign has not yet confirmed whether he has met the requirements.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy raised nearly $7.5 million from July through September, and a campaign official told CBS News that over 120,000 of his donations came from small donors  40% of whom were first time donors to a Republican candidate.

The Ohio multimillionaire said, "That's how we roll," when told he had more small donors than DeSantis in the third quarter.

His campaign spent over $12 million, leaving him with about $4 million in cash on hand.

According to his filing, Ramaswamy donated more than $1 million to his campaign, compared to the $750,461 he donated during the first two quarters, total. He had previously loaned his campaign more than $15 million.

Tim Scott

Scott raised about $5.9 million across entities and burned through about $12.4 million in the third quarter. He has the most available cash on hand besides Trump  $13.3 million  in part due to successful fundraising during his 2022 reelection campaign.

He has $927,827 in debt, according to documents filed on Sunday. His campaign says it's fully funded through the early-voting states. "This campaign is built for the long-haul," it said, and adds that he's met the fundraising threshold for the third debate.

The campaign also responded to the recent decision of the super PAC backing Scott to cancel $40 million in TV ads ahead of the Iowa caucuses, noting that it has already spent $14 million in TV reservations through November.

Chris Christie

Christie brought it an estimated $3.7 million and spent $1.5 million between July 1 and October 30. The former New Jersey governor ended the third quarter with $3.9 million cash on hand and no debt. According to his campaign, all of his available cash can be used for the primary.

Christie's burn rate this quarter was about 40%. The campaign attributes this to it not spending money on TV ads or internal polling and keeping the team small, with about 15 people who take on various roles and work remotely or in the field.

Ahead of Sunday's filing, Christie posted, "Our team is lean and mean, and we're going to do what it takes to continue taking on Trump and expose his lies across the country." He urged donors to help him reach the unique donor threshold to make the third debate.

Candidates need 70,000 individual donors to participate in the third GOP debate.

Doug Burgum

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum reported raising $3.4 million in the third quarter and has $2.3 million cash on hand.

Asa Hutchinson

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson raised $667, 781 and reported having $325,287 in cash on hand and has $720,172 in debt, according to his FEC filing for the quarter.

Both Hutchinson and Burgum are struggling to qualify for the third GOP presidential debate, which has the highest polling and donor thresholds so far.

President Joe Biden: The 2023 60 Minutes Interview

Ret. Gen. Frank McKenzie reacts to Trump's claim that Israel pulled out of mission to kill Soleimani

If GOP won't unite, Rep. Mike Turner says a deal "will have to be done" with Democrats for speaker
HAIFA, Israel  President Joe Biden is strongly considering a trip to Israel as early as this week, according to three U.S. officials.

The officials said planning is underway, including on the ground in Israel, for a potential visit from Biden. The U.S. president has been vocal in his support for Israel since Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, killing hundreds of Israeli civilians including children, and has promised to provide any support the country needs.

The White House declined to comment. A spokesperson from the National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Its unclear if the president would make any additional stops while in the region, should he travel to Israel.

On Sunday Biden was invited to Egypt for an international summit on Saturday thats focused on the future of Palestinians, according to a U.S. official. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi announced the summit on Sunday after meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and has also invited all members of the U.N. Security Council, Arab countries and other world leaders.

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Biden spoke with El-Sissi on Monday, according to the White House.

NBC News reported on Sunday that the White House was considering an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for Biden to travel to Israel on a solidarity visit amid the war.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday in what is likely to be a dramatic show of solidarity with a nation reeling from Hamas deadly attack.

The announcement of Bidens impending trip was made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday. Blinken himself was in Israel, where he had held hours of meetings with the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu .

The President will reaffirm the United States' solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security, Blinken said.

The trip by Biden could come on the cusp of Israel launching a ground invasion of Gaza, a backdrop that has left some administration officials worried. Biden will be going to Tel Aviv. But he will also stop in Amman, the capital of Jordan,

where he will meet with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian National Authority, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and King Abdullah II of Jordan.

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Netanyahu invited Biden to visit when the two men spoke on Saturday, officials said.



Biden had told aides he was interested in going, as his presence would demonstrate strong U.S. support after Hamas killed more than 1,400 Israelis and took around 150 hostages, including Americans. But the likelihood of escalating hostilities could mean that the trip occurs during a particularly precarious point in the developing war.

White House aides noted that Biden has made daring trips before, namely his visit to Kyiv in February, as Ukraine's war with Russia raged. That visit was considered by many aides to be one of the highlights of his presidency. The 80-year-old Biden has also traveled elsewhere to the region  visiting both Poland and Lithuania  as demonstrations of the United States commitment to defending democracies worldwide.

This trip, however, could be a bit more perilous.

Back in February, the U.S. communicated to Russia to not interfere with the trip and Moscow, perhaps mindful of an American reprisal, did not try to stop the president, though air raid sirens did go off as Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked the streets of Kyiv. Hamas, a group the United States has designated a terrorist organization, would be more likely to take a provocative strike at a traveling president.



John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson, said theres no agreement between the U.S. and Israel to halt any ground invasion of Gaza while Biden is in Israel.

We are not dictating military terms and operational mandates to the Israeli military, he told reporters Monday night.

Kirby added that the president wouldnt take such a trip unless proper security parameters were in place. However, a decision to make the visit was taken within 48 hours of Netanyahu inviting Biden to Israel.

Two U.S. ships, USS Bataan and Carter Hall, featuring hundreds of Marines on board, are moving to the Mediterranean from the Persian Gulf. Theyll join a fleet of ships in the region, including two aircraft carriers.

Also headed to Israel this week is New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who announced the trip Monday night as well.

Tomorrow, Ill be traveling to Israel for a solidarity mission where I plan to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities who have been devastated by the horrific Hamas attacks, Hochul said.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, putting himself in harms way to show that he stands squarely with the country as it reels from Hamas surprise attack and prepares a ground invasion meant to wipe out the militant group on its border.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken , speaking from Israel, announced the trip to Tel Aviv  the president's second foray into an active war zone this year after he traveled to Ukraine in February under the tightest secrecy.

In remarks after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Blinken said Biden is coming to "reaffirm the United States' solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security."

Biden also plans to hear directly from the Israelis about what they need to safeguard their security, Blinken said.

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Follow our live coverage here.

In a statement Monday night, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden's trip will "demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamass brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps."

Biden is expected to meet with Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders during the trip, which will be followed by a stop in neighboring Jordan. There, Biden will meet with regional leaders who are crucial to any effort to protect Palestinian civilians and stabilize the Middle East over the long term, John Kirby, a White House National Security Council spokesman, told reporters Monday night.

While he is in Amman, Biden will meet with Jordan's King Abdullah, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

"He will certainly reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinians' right to dignity and self-determination," Kirby said of Biden. "He'll discuss again the humanitarian needs of all civilians in Gaza."

U.S. officials have been discussing with Middle East counterparts, including Egypt, ways to get humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza caught up in Israels siege of the densely populated territory.

The trip follows an invitation from Netanyahu. Biden and Netanyahu have spoken five times since Hamas launched its attack on Oct. 7, killing 1,400 people in Israel. On Sunday, Biden was also invited to Egypt to take part in a coming international summit meeting devoted to the future of Palestinians, according to a U.S. official.

The Middle East visit comes with unavoidable perils for Biden. Hamas has been launching rockets into Israel. An air raid siren went off as Blinken met with Netanyahu and other Israel officials in Tel Aviv on Monday, forcing them to take shelter in a bunker.

Jason Greenblatt, the White House special envoy to the Middle East during the Trump administration and the author of the book "In the Path of Abraham: How Donald Trump Made Peace in the Middle East  and How to Stop Joe Biden from Unmaking It," said Biden's visit will send a strong message.

It "sends a message that he's been trying to give and the entire administration has been trying to give: that they support Israel through this horrific period," Greenblatt said in an interview Monday. "It shows that there's no daylight whatsoever between them."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Biden is expected to arrive Wednesday in Israel with the task of showing the United Statess unwavering support for the Jewish State in its fight against Hamas amid a humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, a risky task for the president that could define his response to the Israel-Hamas war.

Also complicating matters are fresh protests in the Middle East after a hospital was hit Tuesday, with authorities estimating hundreds of deaths, including patients who were seeking treatment amidst heavy aerial bombardment by Israel in the last week.

Some of Bidens top deputies  as well as groups of bipartisan lawmakers  have already visited Israel to stand in solidarity with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the week since the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,000 Israelis. But their trips have also exposed the physical risks of being in a war zone.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday had to take shelter amid the blare of air raid sirens in Tel Aviv, underscoring the dramatic nature of the trip. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) had a similar experience there the day before.

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While the trip could carry potential payoffs for Biden politically, the president will also have to walk a fine line in standing by Israel while seeking to defuse a humanitarian crisis in Gaza with the hospital hit sparking new protests across the Middle East.

But allies say the trip also gives Biden the chance to flex his foreign policy muscles, drawing another sharp contrast with his likely 2024 opponent, former President Trump, and potentially dispel concerns about his stamina with a whirlwind trip to visit a crucial ally  the second time in his presidency that Biden will be in a war zone.

When I saw that they had begun discussing this idea, I knew that the president would want to go, in part because  Ive seen up close how important it is to him to do face-to-face diplomacy, said Kate Bedingfield, a longtime Biden aide who most recently served as White House communications director, on CNN.

Bedingfield likened Bidens Middle East trip to his February visit to Kyiv to show support for Ukraine in the face of Russias invasion. Biden was presented with the potential security risks and logistical challenges then and still felt strongly about going, Bedingfield said, and likely felt the same about visiting Israel.

It does come with some risks, Bedingfield said. But it didnt surprise me because I had seen how President Biden chooses to act in these moments, and he does not shy away from asserting American leadership.

Biden will travel to Tel Aviv first to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a strong show of support for his country. The president then will go to Jordan, where he is expected to meet with King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was also expected to be at the meeting, but reports in the wake of the hospital being hit indicated he canceled on Biden in protest. Abbas heads the Palestinian Authority, who ruled Gaza before Hamas. The Authority is the only Palestinian-led government that has relations with the West.

Further complicating matters for the Palestinians is the administrations unwavering of Israeli support. When asked whether the White House expects Israel to hold off on its ground offensive until after Biden leaves, national security adviser John Kirby on Monday responded that the U.S. isnt dictating terms to the Israeli military.

Meanwhile, the presidents meeting with Abdullah comes after the king said on Tuesday that Jordan and Egypt will not accept Palestinian refugees and that the situation should be handled within Gaza and the West Bank.

Democratic strategists said that despite the turmoil, the trip will allow Biden to lean into his foreign policy strengths, an area where he has shown he is comfortable based on his decades of experience as a senator, including serving on the Foreign Relations Committee.

The demanding nature of the visit could also allow the president to once again demonstrate to voters that he has the stamina for the job, the strategist said.

It will also allow for Bident to draw another clear contrast with Trump, the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in 2024. Trumps initial response to the attacks on Israel included criticism of Netanyahu and describing Hezbollah as very smart, remarks that drew widespread backlash, including from other Republicans.

President Bidens swift decision to visit the region stems from his vast foreign policy experience and reflects his deep understanding of the nuances of the conflict and his relationships with regional players, said Democratic communications strategist Katie Grant Drew.

Its a trip that Trump would not be able to pull off to the same effect, exposing the weakness of a presidential contender who doesnt have the knowledge or experience to deftly navigate turbulent international crises, added Drew, a principal at Monument Advocacy.

Bidens potential focus on humanitarian measures will also allow him to highlight his differences with the GOP writ large such as Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and others who have suggested the U.S. should not accept any refugees fleeing Gaza.

Republicans though were quick to judge Biden as weak on the world stage for his policies dealing with Iran  which has long been known to support, train and arm Hamas. The administration, however, has maintained that it sees no direct link between the attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Tehran.

Bidens trip to Israel while under siege could have a similar effect to his visit earlier this year to Kyiv, which was made in secret until he safely arrived on the ground. That marked a defining moment for the Biden presidency and gave him a boost in his standing as the leader among allies in the response to Russias invasion.

The risky trips that Biden is taking on as president, to show support for wartorn allies, provides a split screen that voters will notice, his campaign argued.

Theres a very clear split screen going on between a slate of candidates playing politics with a terrorist attack, and a president who is leading with empathy, experience, and real action in the wake of an unspeakable tragedy, a campaign aide said.



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In the past, when the unhappy need has arisen for tax hikes in Chicago, mayors took the lead in making and communicating those inherently unpopular proposals.

Brandon Johnson portrays himself as a different kind of mayor, emphasizing his desire for collaboration in solving the citys problems. That approach, it seems, extends to new taxes.

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The mayor would prefer others determine where to get  or, more accurately, who will pay  the hundreds of millions he says he needs to finance his progressive initiatives. Enter the subcommittee on revenue.

In a session with journalists Friday to discuss his proposed budget, Johnson was asked repeatedly about the status of his many plans, from restoring mental health clinics to instituting a permanent guaranteed-income program for lower-income residents. The answer came back repeatedly: Thats the job of the subcommittee on revenue.

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This panel will be essential to budgets to come, he said.

His first budget, thankfully, was devoid of tax increases. He resorted to some time-honored methods such as reclaiming money set aside in tax-increment financing districts to balance the ledgers.

And he emphasized, we noted with interest, his opposition to property tax hikes, identifying them as a leading cause of Black migration out of the city. If pensioners left my neighborhood, he said, referring to Austin on the West Side, my neighborhood would collapse.

Normally, and understandably, aldermen want no part of leading on tax hikes. So who in this case are the lucky winners? There are 17 City Council members on the newly formed revenue panel, chaired by a freshman alderman, William Hall. The Chatham resident represents the 6th Ward on the South Side, including parts of Woodlawn and Englewood.

It will be Hall and co.s job, apparently not Johnsons, to get the money, as the pro-Johnson Action Center on Race & the Economy memorably put it in a May report offering the new mayor numerous possibilities to tax businesses and the wealthy.

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No doubt well be hearing plenty from this apparently all-important subcommittee in the months to come. Johnson in the Friday session said he also is urging corporate leaders in town to offer their ideas on where to get the money.

Call us old-fashioned  and were all for collaboration  but its the mayors job to lead on something as important as hiking taxes, whether its $50 million to fill a budget gap or hundreds of millions to finance an ambitious agenda. Its then his task to persuade a majority of 50 alderman to sign off and explain to Chicagoans why he had no choice but to raid their pocketbooks.

The mayor seems to want to make it easy on himself. Let aldermen take the heat for proposing tax hikes and then pick and choose among those ideas, as if they were a box of chocolates.

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Its all well and good, indeed commendable, to seek broad input before proposing new taxes. But taxes are the mayors job.

Not the job of a City Council subcommittee.

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.
President Bidens trip to Jordan has been cancelled following the deadly hospital attack in Gaza, the White House said on Tuesday while the president was leaving to head to Israel.

Biden was originally slated to travel to the kingdom after visiting Israel in the wake of its war with Hamas. A White House official said that the Jordan portion was cancelled after consulting with King Abdullah II, who the president was supposed to meet with along with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt and Jordan both border Israel.

But protests erupted in the Middle East earlier Tuesday after a hospital in Gaza was hit, with authorities estimating hundreds of deaths, including patients who were seeking treatment amid heavy aerial bombardment by Israel over the last week.

After consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, President Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President Sisi of Egypt, a White House official said in a statement.

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When news of the hospital being hit emerged, The Associated Press reported earlier Tuesday that a senior Palestinian official said that Abbas canceled on Biden in protest. Abbas heads the Palestinian Authority, which ruled Gaza before Hamas.

In a statement Tuesday evening, Biden weighed in for the first time about the hospital attack.

The President sent his deepest condolences for the innocent lives lost in the hospital explosion in Gaza, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded, the official said, adding that Biden looks forward to meeting in person with the three leaders soon and plans to remain in regular contact over the coming days.

Biden left for Israel, where he is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Officials with President Joe Biden s reelection campaign have long pledged to meet voters where they are. On Monday, the campaign began a project to meet former President Donald Trump s voters where they are  on his social media platform.

Lets see how this goes, the campaigns account wrote Monday in its first post on Truth Social. Converts welcome!

The Biden campaign painted its debut on Trumps outlet as a cheeky opportunity to troll the presidents likely general election opponent. Trump launched Truth Social in April 2022 in response to being blocked from mainstream social media platforms a day after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Their actions came after he published inaccurate and inflammatory messages during that day of violence.

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Theres very little truth happening on Truth Social, but at least now itll be a little fun, said Kevin Munoz, a Biden campaign spokesperson.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, the Biden campaign said it had joined the platform mostly because we thought it would be very funny. The decision marks a shift from the campaigns previously stated position that it would not join the Trump platform, as reported by Axios in May.

Biden, who won the 2020 presidential election by narrow margins in just a handful of battleground states, is in search of any edge he can get with voters who could be persuaded to vote for him.

Voters who consume conservative media have long been considered a rich target for Democratic candidates. During the 2020 campaign, Democrats were split on engaging with Fox News, which party officials at the time said had more persuadable voters among its viewers than any other cable network had.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts called Fox News a hate for profit operation and refused its invitations for a town hall, while Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent, and Pete Buttigieg , then a former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, accepted. Buttigieg, now Bidens transportation secretary, is often dispatched to explain the administrations positions on Fox News.

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President Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday "to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamas' brutal terrorist attack," Biden tweeted Monday night. "I'll then travel to Jordan to address dire humanitarian needs." He will meet in Amman with Jordan's King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas , White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said.

The Biden administration has been sending military supplies to Israel, reiterating that Tel Aviv has a right and duty to go after Hamas, and trying to prevent the conflict from spreading into a regional conflagration. Biden and other U.S. officials have also stressed to Israeli leaders "that once Israel is seen blowing up buildings and triggering Palestinian casualties, public sentiment around the world could change dramatically," The New York Times reported. "It would focus less on the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, with its scenes of burned bodies and massacred children, and more on the brutality of the response."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Biden's trip Monday evening after nearly eight hours of meetings with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv. He waited to announce the visit until after the U.S. team "received commitments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a humanitarian package" for civilians trapped in Gaza with little food, water, medicine, or fuel amid Israel airstrikes, The Washington Post reported, citing two U.S. officials. "It is critical that aid begin to flow into Gaza as soon as possible," Blinken said.

Blinken did not give details on the humanitarian agreement. "The provision of humanitarian aid is sensitive in Israel, especially among far-right politicians tied to Netanyahu who have pressed him to wage a scorched-earth campaign in Gaza," the Post reported. Egypt, meanwhile, has been reluctant to open its borders to Palestinian refugees. The U.S. plan envisions allowing people with U.S. and other Western passports to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt while trucks of international aid waiting on the Egyptian side of the border drop off their supplies on the Gaza side, The Wall Street Journal reported.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also announced Monday night that he will visit Israel and Egypt starting Tuesday.
President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday in a show of support as the US works to prevent the war with Hamas from spreading across the region.

The trip was announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said Mr Biden would visit at "a critical moment for Israel, for the region and the world".

Mr Blinken, who spoke in Tel Aviv on Monday, said the president would stress "ironclad" support for Israel.

Mr Biden is also expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .

The decision to go ahead with the landmark visit followed more than seven hours of negotiations between the president, Mr Blinken and Mr Netanyahu's war cabinet.

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When announcing the plans, Mr Blinken said the president would make clear that "Israel has the right and the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and prevent future attacks".

He also said Mr Biden would receive a briefing on Israel's war aims and strategy, and hear "how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow [to] civilians in Gaza".

ANALYSIS: US in diplomatic dash to contain Gaza conflict

The trip comes as concern over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows. More than a million people have been displaced inside Gaza, which is one of the world's most densely populated territories.

Washington estimates that 500 to 600 Americans remain trapped there.

"It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible," Mr Blinken said, adding that the US and Israel had agreed to "develop a plan" to get aid to civilians there.

He also said Mr Biden would work to try to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas, which the US and other Western governments have designated a terrorist organisation.

More on Israel Gaza war

Israel has said at least 199 people are believed to have been taken hostage after the group launched its unprecedented attack from Gaza on 7 October.

At least 1,400 people were killed when gunmen breached the border and infiltrated Israeli communities.

More than 2,700 people have been killed in retaliatory air strikes against Gaza by the Israeli military. Israel has also massed troops along the Gaza border ahead of an expected ground offensive.

That offensive, however, is likely to be delayed until after Mr Biden's departure from Israel although officials in the country have not commented on this.

Iran earlier warned that Israel would not be allowed to act in Gaza without consequences. Its foreign minister said it could take "pre-emptive action" against Israel in the coming hours.

It is thought that would involve the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon, which has been exchanging fire with Israel in recent days.

The comment highlighted concern over the risk of a broader regional conflict breaking out, and the US and other Western countries have warned Iran against any escalation.

After visiting Israel, Mr Biden will travel to Amman in Jordan where he will meet King Abdullah, Egypt's President Al-Sisi and the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas.

Those talks will largely focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, White House officials said.

Mr Blinken, meanwhile, has visited a number of countries in the Middle East since the Hamas attack including Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
President Biden is traveling to Israel on Wednesday following the deadly attack in the country by the militant group Hamas and the subsequent war that has left thousands dead.

Biden will travel to Tel Aviv where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials and discuss issues including American citizens and others unable to leave Gaza, information about the hostages held by Hamas, civilian causalities, and providing humanitarian assistance.

Biden will then travel from Tel Aviv to Amman, Jordan later on Wednesday to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The meetings will focus on the humanitarian situation and reiterating that the U.S. believes that Hamas does not represent the majority of the Palestinian people.

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It will be a quick trip over the course of a single day but  it comes at a very critical time and there is an awful lot on the agenda, national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday about the visit.

When asked if the expected Israeli ground offensive in Gaza would not begin until after Bidens trip or if an agreement was made with Israeli along those lines, Kirby said that the U.S. isnt dictating terms to the Israeli military but feel that proper security perimeters are in place.

Were not dictating terms or operational directions to the Israelis. They should speak to their operations, were not going to do that. Were certainly not going to speak to future operations that have or have not been conducted, Kirby said.

When asked what message Biden will give Netanyahu about the need to protect civilians in Gaza, Kirby said the U.S. has been consistent about its concern over civilian causalities.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the presidents trip just before the White Houses official announcement. Blinken is in Tel Aviv and met with Netanyahu on Monday.

Bidens trip was kept quiet until the news was announced Monday evening.

He previously was scheduled to travel to Colorado on Monday to promote his economic agenda, but scrapped the planned trip early Monday morning to participate in national security meetings.

The president was then photographed in the White House during a meeting with his national security team about the latest developments after Hamass attack in Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, squashing questions about whether Biden had left for Israel already.

When the president traveled to Ukraine earlier this year, amid the Russian invasion, he traveled in secrecy and the White House did not announce the visit until he arrived in Kyiv.

Kirby was asked about the decision to announce this trip ahead of time and he said this is a different situation. The security situation is certainly tense, of course, Kirby said. In this case, taking all of those considerations into account it was deemed appropriate that we could talk about it beforehand, he said, noting though that he is not providing that much detail on the Monday night call with reporters.

On Monday, Biden held a call with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany in advance of Scholzs travel to Egypt and Israel, as well as calls with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of Iraq and Sisi of Egypt.

Kirby said that on the call with Sisi, Biden made the case that the U.S. wants to see security assistance get into Gaza and people to be able to get out.

His visit comes as Gaza has been under heavy bombardment by Israel, and Israel is expected to launch a ground offensive soon. Biden is walking a fine line between his support for Israel and the countrys right to defend itself following the attacks last weekend and the looming humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since Hamass brutal attack against Israel, the war has claimed more than 3,600 lives across Israel and Gaza. Thirty Americans were killed in the Hamas attack, and 13 Americans are missing, while the White House has said that less than a handful have been taken as hostages by Hamas.

Israel has called for 1 million people in Gaza to evacuate to its southern end.

U.S. officials said Sunday they have been working to assist Americans looking to leave the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but that no Americans have been able get out as far as they know.

Developing

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US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, 18 October.

Source: CNN; Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary

Details: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Biden's visit early on Tuesday morning in Israel.

Jean-Pierre added that President Biden will travel to Israel to show his unwavering support and consult on the next steps.

Then, President Biden will go to Jordan, where he will meet with King Abdullah, the president of Egypt and the president of the Palestinian Authority, the White House Press Secretary said.

Biden will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination and will discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza.

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Background:

On 16 October, it was revealed that the White House is not ruling out the possibility that the US military might have to help free hostages held by Hamas.

On the same day, it became known that the US military had selected about 2,000 troops to prepare for potential deployments to support Israel.

Earlier, it was reported that US President Joe Biden had held separate phone conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas amid Israel's preparations for an operation in the Gaza Strip.

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President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced after talks in Tel Aviv (Jacquelyn Martin)

US President Joe Biden will pay a solidarity visit to Israel on Wednesday following the Hamas attacks, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who also announced that Israel had agreed to work on civilian aid for Gaza.

Blinken spoke after meeting for nearly eight hours at the defence ministry with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the top US diplomat's second visit since the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

"The president will reaffirm United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security," Blinken said early Tuesday in Tel Aviv.

"Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks," Blinken said.

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Biden "will hear from Israel what it needs to defend his people as we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs," he said.

Biden will visit Tel Aviv, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in Washington. He also announced that Biden would travel to Jordan where he would meet Jordanian King Abdullah II, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Blinken said that the United States also secured assurances from Israel on working to bring foreign assistance into the impoverished and blockaded Gaza Strip as Israel prepares a ground offensive against the Hamas-ruled territory.

US officials said that a new US coordinator on humanitarian aid, David Satterfield, would work with Israel to develop more concrete plans.

Biden hopes to "hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hama," Blinken said.

"At our request, the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza," Blinken said.

He said the two sides were discussing the "possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way."

"We welcome the government of Israel's commitment to work on this plan. The president very much looks forward to discussing it further when he's here on Wednesday," he said.

Biden has vowed unwavering solidarity with Israel after suffering the worst attack in its 75-year history. But he also has voiced concern about more severe proposals that could impact civilians in Gaza and earlier pressed Israel to reverse a decision to shut off water supply.

"We share Israel's concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid going entering Gaza or otherwise preventing it from reaching the people who need it," Blinken said.

"If Hamas in any way blocks humanitarian aid from reaching civilians, including by seizing the aid itself, we'll be the first to condemn it and we will work to prevent it from happening again."

sct/mtp
The Supreme Court is back in session.

At the end of September, the nine Supreme Court Justices reconvened to kick off the 2023-2024 term where theyre expected to hear cases concerning the Second Amendment, racial gerrymandering, free speech online and more.

Now more than ever, US voters are keeping a close eye on the highest court in the land after two contentious years produced a series of negatively viewed decisions.

Going into the new term, US voters can expect rulings to align more conservatively just as they have the last two years because the courts majority leans that way.

Here are the cases to keep an eye on.

Racial gerrymandering: Alexander v South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP

In this case, justices are being asked to uphold or reverse a unanimous three-judge ruling that found South Carolinas 1st Congressional District was unconstitutional.

The NAACP said the states legislature violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by strategically moving a majority of Black voters into one district thus denying them their opportunity to elect a candidate of their choosing.

However, the state claims they only re-drew lines to benefit Republicans and did not target voters of a specific race when redistricting.

Oral arguments took place on 11 October.

A ruling in the case will set a precedent when it comes to re-districting in the state. The court already ruled against a similar situation in Allen v Milligan this past term.

Second Amendment: United States v Rahimi

This case questions whether individuals with domestic violence restraining orders against them can possess a firearm under the Second Amendment.

Oral arguments are set for 7 November.

A ruling in favour of Rahimi could allow people with a history of domestic violence to legally obtain a firearm, which has the potential to increase firearm-related domestic incidents.

Second Amendment: Brown v United States and Jackson v United States

The court is being asked to clarify language in the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA) that determines an individual is mandatorily sentenced to 15 years in prison minimum if they have three prior "violent felonies" or "serious drug offenses in two consolidated cases.

In both cases, the petitioners argue they should not have received longer sentencing because their prior offences had different meanings due to state or federal law changes.

Oral arguments are set for 27 November

A ruling in the case could redefine what a serious drug offense means thus allowing people with prior drug convictions to obtain a firearm  something President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, is currently facing.

The Supreme Court issued an order allowing the Biden administrations regulation on ghost guns to remain in effect (AFP via Getty Images)

Disability rights: Acheson Hotels LLC v Laufer

In this disability rights case, the court is being asked to determine if an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) tester can challenge a hotels failure to provide accessibility information on its website.

Deborah Laufer, a self-proclaimed ADA tester, has brought hundreds of lawsuits against small hotels around the US for failing to include accessibility information online  despite not intending to visit many of the hotels.

Acheson Hotels LLC claims that Ms Laufer doesnt have the right to bring a lawsuit forward because she wasnt planning on visiting the hotel.

Oral arguments took place on 4 October.

A ruling in the case could either expand or ease ADA compliance, especially when it comes to websites.

Regulatory: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v Community Financial Services Association of America

This case is asking justices to determine if the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is currently funded by the Federal Reserve System is a violation of the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution which says money cannot be drawn from the Treasury without Congress approval.

Since its formation in 2011, the CFPB has been funded by the Federal Reserve System to implement and enforce federal consumer financial law and ensure markets are fair, transparent and competitive. The agency has jurisdiction over banks, credit unions, debt collectors and more.

Oral arguments took place on 3 October.

Though regulatory cases like this are typically boring and hard to understand, a ruling against CFPB could have massive implications by opening a door for others to challenge the funding of Medicare, Social Security and many more.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Administrative: Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo

The question being presented to the justices is whether the Court should reverse the Chevron Doctrine  a document that arose from the landmark case Chevron USA v Natural Resources Defense Council which requires courts to defer to the expert agency when making decisions in ambiguous situations.

The details of this case have to do with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implementing a new rule that requires fishing companies to pay for third-party observers aboard specific boats.

An oral argument date has not been set yet.

A decision that reverses the Chevron doctrine would alter federal agencies (like the FDA) by allowing courts to bypass experts opinions when making decisions.

Administrative: Securities and Exchange Commission v Jarkesy,

In this case, the court is being asked to clarify a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act that allows the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to make judgments and seek civil penalties its in in-house court. The plaintfill claims using the in-house system violates the Seventh Amendment which entitles a person to a jury during a civil trial.

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, a person accused of violating securities fraud would be subject to administrative law judges (ALJ) within the SEC but several flaws have been found in this system.

Oral arguments are set for 29 November.

Like CFBP v Community Financial Services, this case has the potential to open a door to how other agencies use the administration law process  or if they even can. Think about this impact for something like the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

First Amendment: Moody v NetChoice LLC and NetChoice LLC v Paxton

In these consolidated cases, the Court is being asked to determine if laws in Florida and Texas that prohibit social media platforms from removing speech is a violation of the First Amendment.

In Moody v NetChoice, the Florida law in question was passed in May 2021 and fines social media platforms for banning political candidates for more than 60 days or journalistic enterprises that have over 100k monthly users or 50k subscribers.

In NetChoice v Paxton, the Texas law in question forbade social media companies with 50 million users from removing or hiding content based on viewpoints among other governing rules.

Consolidated oral arguments in this case have not been scheduled yet.

A decision that upholds the laws in Florida and Texas could have substantial impacts on the use of social media opening the door for states to enact their own content moderation laws. It could prove particularly dicey when it comes to freedom of the press online.

First Amendment: Murthy v Missouri

The Court recently added this case to its docket in which they will need to decide if the Biden administration violated the First Amendment when asking social media companies to monitor speech online by taking down posts that circulate misinformation.

Respondents claim that the Biden administration actually censored conservative speech when they removed posts containing Covid-19, election integrity and other misinformation.

Oral arguments have not been scheduled yet.

First Amendment: Lindke v Freed and OConnor-Ratcliff v Garnier

In these consolidated First Amendment rights cases, the court is being asked to define whether the speech a public official uses on social media to communicate job-related matters is considered state action and if blocking people violates the First Amendment.

In both cases, the petitioners (who are public officials in their respective towns) were sued by residents for blocking them or removing their comments from their Facebook or Twitter pages.

Oral arguments are set for 31 October.

The ruling in this case will set general rules as to how public officials may use social media when communicating about their jobs. If the court rules in favour of the respondents, government and public officials will likely have to completely separate official social media accounts from personal accounts.

Criminal law: Pulsifer v United States

In this criminal law case, the court is being asked to specify what the word and means in a sentencing statute provision of the First Step Act.

The provision allows individuals with nonviolent drug offenses to qualify for shorter sentencing so long as they do not have a lengthy criminal history, prior serious offense and prior violent offense. However, the language makes it unclear if a defendant qualifies for a shorter sentencing so long as they do not meet all three or if they are no longer qualified if they meet any single one.

Though the specificity of the word seems arbitrary it will determine if thousands of defendants in federal person could benefit from shorter sentences.

The court heard arguments on 2 October.

Trademark infringement: Vidal v Elster

Justices are being asked to decide if refusing to register a mark that criticises a government official or public figure violates the First Amendment.

The case has to do with Steve Elsters attempt to register TRUMP TOO SMALL so he could sell it on t-shirts. It was rejected because US Patent and Trademark Office claimed he needed the written consent of Donald Trump since it used his last name.

Breaking News! USPTO files Petition for Certiorari in In re Elster (TRUMP TOO SMALL) Section 2(c) case.https://t.co/dyfvT9tn5b pic.twitter.com/ptDTD3TUhU  TTABlog (@TTABlog) January 27, 2023

Justices are set to hear arguments on 1 November

A ruling in this case will determine if political speech about a public figure or government official can be trademarked. A decision in favour of Mr Elster would mean people in public official positions could lose some rights to name protections.

Bankruptcy code law: Harrington v Purdue Pharma

The Court is being asked to determine whether bankruptcy law allows for people who arent bankrupt to be protected by liability releases.

It stems from the settlement between Purdue Pharma and victims who overdosed on the companys opioid drug, OxyContin. Purdue Pharma claimed bankruptcy  but the Sackler family, who owns Purdue Pharma, did not. In a deal the bankruptcy deal, the company agreed to pay victims in exchange for a liability release that shields the family from future civil lawsuits.

Oral arguments are set for 4 December.

A ruling in the case can be consequential for wealthy individuals or companies who are no strangers to using bankruptcy claims to get out of liability suits.
Black leaders on Tuesday hailed as a landmark decision a ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals to uphold the conviction of the first Kansas City police officer found guilty in the shooting death of a Black man.

A three-judge panel of judges affirmed the conviction of Eric DeValkenaere, a white former Kansas City police detective, in the 2019 shooting death of Cameron Lamb. DeValkenaere was convicted of manslaughter and armed criminal action after fatally shooting Lamb as he was backing his pickup truck into his garage in November 2019.

It was the first time that a Kansas City police officer was convicted in the shooting death of a Black man.

In a 42-page ruling Tuesday, Judge Thomas N. Chapman wrote DeValkenaere failed to establish the circuit court erred in convicting him.

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DeValkenaeres bond was revoked and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. DeValkenaere had remained free on bond while he appealed his conviction.

Black community leaders in Kansas City welcomed the news that the conviction was upheld and expressed hope that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson would not pardon DeValkenaere.

On the second anniversary of his death, the family of Cameron Lamb gathered Dec. 3, in front of the house where he was shot killed in his backyard. Lambs father, Aquil Bey, left, and his mother, Laurie Bey, joined hands in prayer after releasing balloons. Lamb was shot by Kansas City, Missouri police officer, Eric DeValkenaere, who has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Rich Sugg/rsugg@kcstar.com

Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City said, the courts decision to uphold the conviction as a landmark decision.

Im elated that the Appellate Court upheld the verdict, affirmed the rule of law and revoked DeValkenares bail, Grant said. Perhaps, now justice will be served. I hope Governor Parson does not defy the court by issuing a pardon. If he does, civic, business, philanthropic and community leaders should hold him and his political allies in the Missouri legislature accountable.

In the weeks prior to the decision, activists held rallies and protests urging that the conviction be upheld.

DeValkenaere ruling by Ian Cummings on Scribd

In court filings, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office is tasked with arguing on behalf of the state, instead contended the conviction should be overturned.

When one of the most conservative appellate court panels upholds the conviction of a police officer despite the unethical, even unlawful interference of the Missouri Attorney General, a clear message has been sent; Eric DeValkenaere is guilty of the homicide of Cameron Lamb, said Steve Young, a founder of the Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project of KC LEAP.

We thank the Jackson County Prosecutors wiling to take this on, and celebrate with the Lamb/Bey family today. We eagerly await for the moment DeValkenaere is taken into custody and treated like any other convicted felon in Jackson County.

One violent KCPD officer down; many to go, Young said.

Sheryl Ferguson, an organizer with Its Time 4 Justice, said she was pleased with the courts ruling.

This needs to be a strong lesson for those that are still in law enforcement that are still brutalizing people, Ferguson said. The next prayer is just that the governor does not intervene.

DeValkenaere was sentenced to six years in prison after he was found guilty during a bench trial.

Former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere, center, became emotional as he listened to his father, Albert DeValkenaere, give a statement during his sentencing hearing Friday, May 4, 2022. Seated near DeValkenaere were attorneys Dawn Parsons, left, and Molly Hastings. DeValkenaere was sentenced to six years in the Dec. 3, 2019, killing of Cameron Lamb. Star file photo

Since the conviction, there have been multiple efforts to lobby Parson for a pardon. Parson has previously said he has the authority to issue a pardon even if DeValkenaere had not made a formal request.

Justice?!!! said the Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III, senior pastor of the St. James United Methodist Church, who was among faith leaders who urged Gov. Mike Parson not issue a pardon to DeValkenaere.

But, Im sure that this is not the end of the story, unfortunately.

Darron Edwards, lead pastor for United Believers Community Church said the court made the right decision in upholding the manslaughter conviction.

We are people that believe in the rule of law. In moments like this upholding of the law is significant to continue conversations. Notwithstanding, the governor can still pardon. Also, I care about those in law enforcement and how this will effect reaction and recruitment during these volatile times, Edwards said.

On Tuesday, Parsons office issued a statement saying Parson was aware of the courts decision and was assessing the situation.

Governor Parson will give the same thorough review to Mr. DeValkenaeres case that he gives to all others that come across his desk. No decision regarding a pardon has been made at this time, said Parsons spokesperson Johnathan Shiflett.

Madeline Sieren, a spokesperson for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in an email to The Star, We are reviewing the Courts opinion.
Just three years ago, Mississippi had an election law on its books from an 1890 constitutional convention that was designed to uphold white supremacy in the state. The law created a system for electing statewide officials that was similar to the Electoral College  and that drastically reduced the political power of Black voters.

Voters overturned the Jim Crow-era law in 2020. This summer, a federal court threw out another law, also from 1890, that had permanently stripped voting rights from people convicted of a range of felonies.

Now that Mississippi is holding its first election for governor since those laws fell, the contest is improbably competitive in this deep-red state, and Black voters are poised to play a critical role.

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Black leaders and civil rights groups in Mississippi see the Nov. 7 election as a chance for a more level playing field and an opportunity for Black voters to exercise their sway: Roughly 40% of voters are Black, a greater share than in any other state.

This election is going to be one that is historical, said Charles V. Taylor Jr., the executive director of the Mississippi state conference of the NAACP. Itd be the first time we dont have to deal with this Jim Crow-era Electoral College when it comes to the gubernatorial race. And also, were at a point in our state where people are fed up and frustrated with whats currently happening.

Democrats are trying to harness that energy behind Brandon Presley, the partys nominee for governor. Presley, who is white, is seeking to ride his brand of moderate politics and his pledges to expand Medicaid to an underdog victory over Gov. Tate Reeves , an unpopular Republican incumbent who has been trailed by a welfare scandal.

Black Mississippians lean heavily Democratic: 94% voted for Joe Biden in 2020, according to exit polls. Any path to victory for a Democrat relies on increasing Black turnout and winning over some crossover white voters.

Presley, a member of the Mississippi Public Service Commission and a second cousin of Elvis Presley, has made outreach to Black voters central to his campaign, seeking to win them over on Medicaid expansion, addressing a rural hospital shortage and providing funding for historically Black colleges.

On a recent October weekend, Presley navigated the tents and barbecue smokers at the homecoming tailgate for Alcorn State University, one of six historically Black colleges in the state. As he darted from tent to tent, wearing a purple-and-gold polo to support the home team, Presley introduced himself to unwitting voters and took selfies with his backers, many who flagged him down amid the din of music and aroma of smoking ribs.

Lets go Brandon! came a tongue-in-cheek call from one purple-and-gold tent packed with chairs.

LaTronda Gayten, a 48-year-old Alcorn State alumna, ran over to flag Presley down. The candidate eagerly obliged, high-fiving and hugging supporters, proclaiming, Come Nov. 7, were going to beat Tate Reeves!

Gayten and her friends made sure to get a picture before Presley ran off to the next tent. Hes looking out for the people of Mississippi, she said. Im from a rural area and Wilkinson County, and I dont want our local hospitals to close down.

Many of the states rural areas, however, are heavily white, and any Democrat seeking statewide office must cut into Republican margins there. Presley routinely notes in his stump speech that he is building a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, independents, folks who might not ever agree on politics.

The races limited polling shows Presley within striking distance but running consistently behind Reeves. Presley outpaced the governor in the most recent fundraising period by $7.9 million to $5.1 million, but Reeves enters the final stretch with $2.4 million more in cash on hand.

Elliott Husbands, the governors campaign manager, said in a statement that Reeves has been meeting with voters in every single community across the state, including many Black voters, to work to earn their support. Reeves campaign shared a social media post with pictures of Reeves meeting with Black leaders but declined to offer further details.

As Presley tries to bridge Mississippis stark racial gap, he has not shied away from that history.

Black Mississippi and white Mississippi have been purposely, strategically and with intent divided over racial lines, Presley told a lunchtime crowd at a soul food joint in Jackson. Intentionally divided. For two things: money and power, money and power, money and power.

He added that Reeves and his allies were hoping that Black voters do not come vote in November. Thats what theyre banking on.

Taylor and the local NAACP have begun a new program to reach out to Black voters.

Every day, canvassers fan out across a predominantly Black neighborhood of low-propensity voters, seeking to have extended conversations about the issues that are important to them and what would make them more likely to vote.

Calling themselves the Front Porch Focus Group, the canvassers  run by Working America, a labor organization, in collaboration with the national and local NAACP  have knocked on nearly 5,000 doors. Voters top priorities are clear: economic opportunities, affordable housing and health care.

Yet the canvassers resulting study found that Black voters did not identify voting as a mechanism to solve those issues.

Among the people with whom we spoke, 60% shared a version of, Voting does not make a difference, the study says. One voter told us they would rather work that hour and make 18 more dollars than spend an hour being miserable to vote. Jahcari, a 34-year-old man in Jackson, said, In the state of Mississippi, I feel like Black people will never be on top, so we dont really have that much we can do when it comes to voting.

Taylor is hoping to change such attitudes, and the new voting landscape is the beginning. Under the old election law, candidates for statewide office had to win both the popular vote and a majority of state House districts, with maps that were often drawn to pack Black voters together and limit their voting power. The states law banning those convicted of certain felonies from voting also disproportionately affected Black voters, disenfranchising 1 in every 6 Black adults, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. (The case is currently tied up on appeal, with no future date set by a federal court.)

Black Mississippians, Taylor said, are some of the voters who have been least invested in; the state is so deeply red and so gerrymandered that national Democrats rarely spend money there.

That is why the local NAACP has increased its budget for this election cycle to nearly $1 million, compared with roughly $500,000 in 2019. Taylor is also overseeing a vast program of traditional door-knocking, direct mail, targeted digital advertising and ads on Black radio. He is focusing in particular on races connected to criminal justice, like those for district attorney.

Presleys viability, as well as recent victories in Georgia Senate races and friendly rulings by the Supreme Court, could be paving a path for Black voters to build a stronger voice in the South.

Im so greatly appreciative to all of the folks that did incredible work in Georgia, Taylor said in an interview in his local NAACP office. If you want to win in the South, it takes time. Next door, original windows from the civil rights era were still scarred by bullet holes. We have to look at winning over the span of decades, not just one election.

Presleys campaign believes that one election may be now. It has made what it calls a multimillion-dollar investment in outreach to Black voters, including an effort to deputize volunteers and supporters to reach out to their personal contacts.

Still, he must win over skeptics.

As Presley meandered through the Alcorn tailgate, a DJ offered him his mic for a quick word.

Weve got to beat Tate Reeves, and I need you with us, and I need you to go vote, Presley thundered. God bless you.

But the DJ, who declined to give his name, wasnt letting Presley off easy.

We need you to be here next year when you win, and that you will continue to come, and guess what, youre going to support our HBCUs, the DJ said. Let me hear you say it: You will support all HBCUs.

He handed the mic back to Presley, who borrowed a line from his stump speech.

All HBCUs, and were going to get the $250 million back to Alcorn State University that was taken from them, Presley said, referring to a letter the Biden administration sent Reeves last month saying that Mississippi had underfunded the institution by that amount over 30 years.

The DJ gave him an overhand clap before playing the next song, and Presley walked to the next tent.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
People gather in Evanstons Fountain Square for a rally in support of the release of Israeli and international hostages currently held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

In a statement released Monday, all 19 members of the Lake County Board and seven countywide elected officials unequivocally condemned the Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens.

Backed by a barrage of rockets, Hamas terrorists stormed from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 into nearby Israeli towns, killing dozens and abducting others in an unprecedented surprise attack during a major Jewish holiday.

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Murdering innocent civilians is never justified, and we are horrified by what we have seen. We know that many in our community have family, friends and other ties to Israel and the region, the statement said.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to those who are feeling overwhelming loss and grief at this moment, the statement continued. We hope and pray for the safe return of the American and Israeli hostages, and peace for all.

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More than 1,400 people were killed in the Oct. 7 attack, making it the deadliest in Israel in decades. At least 155 others were taken as hostages into Gaza, including a mother and daughter from Evanston.

[ Deerfield High grad and mother missing in Israel, and family believes they are being held hostage by Hamas. I want them back. ]

The following day, Israel formally declared war on Hamas, sending bombs into the most densely populated area of the world: Gaza, a 140-square-mile region where about 2.3 million Palestinians live.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, reported The Associated Press.

Most recently, an airstrike Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter. Representatives of both sides in the conflict immediately blamed each other for the incident.

[ Hundreds killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza City hospital, Health Ministry says ]

Its become the deadliest of five wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 casualties and rising.

The tension between Israel and Hamas has made its way onto American soil, particularly in the Chicago region.

In a southwest suburb, a 6-year-old Muslim boy was stabbed to death by his Plainfield Township landlord, according to law enforcement officials. The boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was laid to rest Monday.

Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

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Joseph Czuba became heavily interested in the escalating conflict after listening to conservative talk radio and targeted his Muslim and Palestinian-American tenants Saturday morning, authorities said. Czuba told Hanaan Shahin that he was angry at her for what was happening in Jerusalem, according to police.

[ Hundreds attend funeral of Palestinian boy as his accused attacker ordered detained on murder, hate crime charges ]

The 71-year-old landlord then attacked her and her 6-year-old son with a large knife, leaving Shahin bleeding profusely from the face and the boy dead, authorities said. Czuba was detained Monday on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and a hate crime.

An Evanston mother and daughter were visiting a southern kibbutz in Israel for a grandmothers 85th birthday.

The community, Nahal Oz, was attacked on Oct. 7. The family of Judith and Natalie Raanan last had contact with the two women that Saturday morning, and assumed they were safe.

[ Evanston mom and daughter missing in Israel are alive but being held hostage by Hamas, relative says ]

Later, the family learned from the Israeli government that both women were taken as hostages.

Natalie Raanan graduated from Deerfield High School in June. Judith Raanan is an active member of her synagogue in Evanston.

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The Associated Press contributed.

chilles@chicagotribune.com
KENSINGTON, Md. - For the second time in three days, officers from the Montgomery County Police Department investigated a threat at Blair High School.

Just two minutes after the bells rang to dismiss students on Monday afternoon, the department released an alert saying it was investigating the validity of the threat received against the school.

Officials said the students and faculty who were on school grounds were placed in secure areas, and later sent home.

At one point, there was a heavy presence of officers surrounding the building, and police dogs could be seen sniffing for clues.

Just before 4 p.m., about an hour after police started their investigation  they determined the threat to be "not valid."

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On Friday morning, Blair's Principal Renay Johnson said the school received a bomb threat, which prompted police to place the school on lockdown.

Jonnson posted on X just before 7:15 a.m. that day that they received the "all-clear directive from police" and the building was safe to reenter.

Once officials notified Johnson that the school was secure on Monday, she sent a letter to the Blair High School community.

"I want to thank our school security, staff and the Montgomery County police partners for responding to our school and searching our campus. We owe the K-9 unit treats," she said via X. "We understand that events like this can be unsettling; school counselors, wellness center staff, administrators, and staff will be available to meet with students tomorrow and all week as needed."

We understand that events like this can be unsettling; school counselors, wellness center staff, administrators, and staff will be available to meet with students tomorrow and all week as needed. 2/2  Renay Johnson (@blairprincipal) October 16, 2023

So far, officials have not revealed the source of Friday's or Monday's threats.

UPDATE: The threat at Montgomery Blair High School has been determined not valid. The scene is secured at this time. #MCPNews pic.twitter.com/qHP55IY8RO  Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) October 16, 2023

This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 5 for updates.
(Bloomberg) -- As the sun set in a polluted haze behind Antony Blinken s plane on the tarmac of a military airport in Cairo, the US Secretary of State tried to recall exactly how many countries hed visited as he crisscrossed the Middle East to bolster support for Israel.

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I think Ive lost track, he told reporters late Sunday, before listing them anyway.

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After landing in war-time Israel three days earlier, Blinken had stopped in Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt  at one point, hitting four countries in a single day. At the foot of the stairs to his plane, which his Egyptian hosts had decorated with a red-and-gold carpet, he announced he was heading back to Israel for yet more talks.

When he set off on the trip to marshal support for the Jewish state after the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas that killed 1,300, officials in Washington were cautiously hopeful that they might be able to keep the conflict from spiraling into a broader regional war.

Click here for more on the Israel-Hamas war

But as Blinken made the circuit of Arab capitals, extending the trip to add more stops, he and his team grew steadily more worried. Israel stepped up bombing of Gaza, giving more than a million residents just 24 hours to evacuate as it prepared for a ground campaign to wipe out Hamas. With the death toll there exceeding 3,000, Iran and its ally Hezbollah warned that they might join the fighting and open a second front from Lebanon, to Israels north.

Blinken found little sympathy in Arab capitals for his appeals for support of Israels right to defend itself against the attack by Hamas, which the US and EU have designated a terrorist group. Even NATO ally Turkey denounced Washingtons decision to send warships to show its support. China and Russia publicly called for a cease-fire, an option Israel and the US reject.

READ MORE: Understanding the Roots of the Israel-Hamas War

By Monday evening, Blinken was back in Tel Aviv, with little public result to show for his travels beyond an agreement with Israel to develop a plan to enable aid to reach civilians in Gaza. After more than seven hours of talks with officials, he announced Joe Biden will also come to Israel Wednesday to show support and warn others against joining the fight. The president will also stop in Jordan.

Less than a week earlier, Blinkens stop in Israel was an emotional one, but the feeling was more sympathy than fear. Shown photos by Israeli officials of slaughtered infants, Blinken was at times speechless. On a stop at an aid station, he hugged a young survivor of the Hamas attack. Volunteers clamoring for a view yelled thank you and chanted USA! USA!, filming him on their phones as he walked over to shake hands.

Two days later, he was in Abu Dhabi for meetings with UAE officials, who didnt clear the roads for his motorcade, which was forced to stop at traffic lights. Blinken also made a stop at newly built cubist complex containing houses of worship for the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. At the synagogue, Blinken, whose grandfather fled pogroms in Russia, wore a kippah and signed a small tile with the words, light in the darkness.

But for all messages of interfaith harmony, the news from Gaza was relentlessly bad. Israelis 24-hour evacuation order drew criticism from the EU and the UN as impossible, especially since residents had nowhere to go with the tiny regions borders sealed. Protests erupted across the Arab world, including in places where Blinken was touching down.

Iran and Hezbollah - whose thousands of high-precision missiles threaten Israeli cities far more than Hamass - were warning they might join the fight if Israel crushed the group as it had vowed to. Fighting along the border with Lebanon picked up.

Suddenly, it started to look more possible that two US aircraft-carrier groups headed to the region might do more than deter other actors from joining the fight.

At the same time, US efforts to figure out how to arrange the rescue or release of American hostages captured by Hamas appeared stalled as the risk they might be killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza grew by the day.

Blinken placed a call to his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, appealing for Beijing to use its influence to get Iran to back off. He didnt make much progress. Chinas statement after the conversation pointedly criticized Israel for going too far in its retaliation.

Saturday evening, the US delegation was up late hoping for a meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. He received them only the following morning. His readout of the meeting did express concern about civilian casualties, but those in Gaza, not Israel.

Israel has wiped out entire families, how does America expect the Kingdom and others to condemn the Palestinian violence while ignoring the Israeli violence? said Hesham Al-Ghannam, a Riyadh-based political scientist.

From Riyadh, Blinken headed for Cairo, where the US was struggling to win agreement to allow at least the 500 or so American citizens trapped in Gaza to cross the the border. US officials had told them to go to the crowded border post at Rafah, only to find the border closed. A convoy of humanitarian aid was also stuck, prevented from entering Gaza.

In Cairo, Blinken met Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who allowed only local media to cover their handshake. The Egyptian leader delivered a monologue that played down Israeli deaths, mentioned Blinkens Jewish heritage and whitewashing anti-Semitism in the region.

They just overextend the right of self-defense, and it turns into a collective punishment, the Egyptian president told Blinken of the Israeli response in comments carried on Egyptian TV.

While Israel had called on Egypt to allow all the residents of Gaza across the border to avoid its attack, Blinken said the message from his other meetings on that was crystal clear.

Ive heard directly from Palestinian Authority President Abbas and from virtually every other leader that Ive talked to in the region, that that idea is a nonstarter, and so we do not support it, Blinken said Sunday, referring to Mahmoud Abbas. We believe that people should be able to stay in Gaza, their home. But we also want to make sure that theyre out of harms way and that theyre getting the assistance they need.

Still, Bidens team was hopeful their message was getting through that Israels plan to wipe out Hamas for good was something that the Arab leaders in the region could support, if only behind closed doors.

What Ive heard from virtually every partner was a determination, Blinken told reporters in Cairo on Sunday before taking off for Tel Aviv. A shared view that we have to do everything possible to make sure this doesnt spread to other places, a shared view to safeguard innocent lives, a shared view to get assistance to Palestinians in Gaza who need it, and were working very much on that.

Every Arab leader he met told Blinken that it was critical to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, a senior State Department official said later. After the session with El-Sisi in Cairo, Blinken phoned Biden and told him what hed heard, and the president urged his top envoy to return to Israel and get a deal done on that issue with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this person said.

Still, when the US diplomats arrived Monday at Ben Gurion airport, there was little sign of optimism.

Diplomatic security agents flanking the stairs coming down from the plane wore camouflage flak jackets and helmets, instead of their usual suits, and Israeli security nearby carried assault rifles.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the US for sending its carriers but had a blunt message on whats to come.

Let me tell you, Mr. Secretary, this will be a long war, the price will be high, Gallant told Blinken. But we are going to win for Israel and the Jewish people, and for the values that both countries believe in.

That evening, air-raid sirens went off over central Tel Aviv as Hamas fired rockets at the city. Blinken, meeting with Netanyahu and his war cabinet, fled to a bunker, restarting their talks shortly afterward as the alert passed.

Those discussions ultimately lasted more than seven hours, and ended around 3 a.m. with an exhausted-looking Blinken taking two minutes to announce Biden would be on his way soon.

President Biden will underscore our crystal clear message to any actor, state or non-state, trying to take advantage of this crisis to attack it  dont, he said.

--With assistance from Sam Dagher.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was published hours before news broke that the state attorney was dropping the charges against Marsha Ervin. Read that story here.

The knock came at 2:47 a.m.

It took more than a minute for 69-year-old Marsha Ervin to wake up and open her apartment door, tired and confused, to see two Tallahassee Police Department officers standing beside the welcome mat.

Hey, Ms. Ervin, so heres what's going on: You do have warrants for your arrest, an officer explained as he stepped inside and handcuffed her.

"For what?" said Ervin.

"For fraud."

"For fraud? When?"

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An investigation opened a while ago, he told Ervin as he tightened the cuffs, but the arrest warrants came two days before.

"It is for fraud," he went on to say. "And [the warrant] was dropped by FDLE, which is the Florida Department of Law Enforcement."

"Fraud?" Ervin asked. "How? What?"

It was for voter fraud, more specifically.

"I don't know why this..." she said to herself in the back of the police car.

The scene was caught in police body and vehicle camera footage obtained by the USA TODAY Network - Florida. It shows the moment in the early morning of Sept. 29 that Ervin became one of the dozens of Floridians to get arrested following voter eligibility confusion.

That moment  a Black woman, in her pajamas and slippers, handcuffed then eased into a police car  has galvanized the support of a nationally-renowned civil rights attorney and a multitude of advocacy groups. They accuse Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration of voter intimidation, and they're elevating a not-new call for the state to fix the confusion instead of arresting people for it.

What led to the moment

In August 2022, DeSantis announced a batch of arrests of people who voted despite having previous murder or sexual offenses. Most of those arrested were Black, were issued voter registration cards and said they thought they were eligible to vote.

The Tampa Bay Times obtained body camera footage of some of the arrests, with the voters displaying a confusion similar to Ervin's. One man, handcuffed, asked: Voter fraud? Yall said anybody with a felony could vote, man.

Voting rights advocates say the arrests scared many eligible voters from the polls  especially those with prior convictions and in communities of color. DeSantis, now a far-right and far-behind candidate in the 2024 presidential race, went on to win the 2022 election by historic margins.

A month before he did so, a FDLE investigator contacted Ervin. The department had received information about her from DeSantis' recently-created Office of Election Crimes and Security, which investigates voter fraud allegations.

She'd been convicted of aggravated neglect of an elderly person in 2016 and released from prison in 2018, and was put on a probation scheduled to end this November. Until then, she wasn't eligible to vote. Her Leon County Democratic voter registration had been nixed following her conviction.

But Ervin re-registered, again as a Democrat, in 2020. The government gave her a voter registration card. She proceeded to cast a ballot in that year's general election and the 2022 primary.

She told the investigator she thought she could vote. She wouldn't have voted otherwise, especially having just been released from prison, she explained.

Ervin thought the end of her conversation with the investigator marked the end of the investigation, according to her attorney. She thought the state, which gave her the voter registration card, would understand she had no intention of risking running afoul of its laws again.

A year passed, and then the police came.

"She was reliving a nightmare that she had lived five years ago, because she voted," said Mutaqee Akbar, the attorney and who's also the Tallahassee NAACP president, at a press conference last week.

Many of the people supporting Ervin at the press conference have tried for years to get the state to do more to alleviate voter confusion. They say the onus should be on the state to get it right, and the state should create a system for voters to easily be able to determine their eligibility without legal consequences.

"They gave her a voter registration card," said renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is also representing Ervin, in an interview after the press conference. "Wouldn't you believe you had the right to vote if they gave you a voter registration card?"

Florida Department of State spokesperson Mark Ard said in an email that "an individual in the middle of serving a Florida felony probationary sentence very clearly has not completed the terms of his or her sentence."

Confusion over who can can vote goes back to 2018, when voters approved Amendment 4, which aimed to restore voting rights to 1.4 million people barred because of past felony convictions.

Months later, the Legislature passed a bill signed into law by DeSantis to keep hundreds of thousands of felons from becoming eligible to vote until they met all their past legal financial obligations.

The amendment never allowed those with felony murder and sex offenses, just as it never allowed people to vote before completing a felony probation. Still, people are confused about how the laws apply to them.

And, under Florida statute, the onus is on the voter to get it right. Voter fraud is a felony offense, as Ervin is intimately aware.

Press conference held on Ervin's arrest: Civil rights leaders, advocacy groups join defense of Florida woman accused of voter fraud

More details on the 3 a.m. arrest: A 69-year-old Floridian thought she was eligible to vote. Then police came knocking at 3 a.m.

More on Ervin's 3 a.m. arrest

Ervin wasn't the only one woken up by the officers. She shares the apartment with her adult son and daughter.

"What's going on?" her son asked, as Ervin stood handcuffed in the living room.

"I know it's weird we're in here, you were just sleeping... I'm going to explain everything to you," the officer said.

He told him about the warrants but there was no mention of voter fraud.

"I don't know any specifics of the case at all, OK? It just came across our table."

The son asked why Ervin hadn't been notified earlier. Sometimes, people with warrants are allowed to turn themselves in, or are informed by their probation officer.

"I don't know how they tried to inform her or anything like that, because it's not my department that did it," the officer said.

FDLE didn't respond to a media request about why that didn't happen for Ervin. But a spokesperson previously emphasized to the USA TODAY Network - Florida that the department "has no control over when or how a warrant is served."

While Akbar said police were polite to Ervin  the arresting officer stopped the car at one point to make sure her handcuffs weren't too tight, and made sure she had airflow in the backseat  the hour of her arrest has created outcry.

"They came to Ms. Marsha's house at three o' clock in the morning like thieves in the night," Crump said.

Legal expert: 'There's probably some better times to serve a warrant on a nonviolent 69-year-old woman'

Aaron Wayt, the legislative chair of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said it wasn't uncommon to see arrests at such an hour.

"That doesn't mean it's right," said Wayt, a Tallahassee defense attorney, in an interview. "A lot of police serve these warrants at nighttime when people are asleep, when people are expected to be home... It is common, but I'd say there's probably some better times to serve a warrant on a nonviolent 69-year-old woman."

Since the warrants were signed days before, he said there were "multiple points" police could've made such an arrest.

TPD Deputy Chief Tonja Bryant-Smith said at a Tallahassee City Commission meeting last week that officers can't be selective with the timing of arrests or they'd face accusations of bias. She said officers make arrests when they come across someone with a warrant or while searching for people with warrants on their downtime.

TPD spokesperson Alicia Hill said the arrest was the result of an officer "proactively searching for wanted people."

"Officers work all times of the day and night," she wrote in an email. "During times when there are not calls for service officers are expected to conduct proactive policing activity which includes locating and arresting wanted individuals in their area of responsibility."

Akbar said the timing of the arrest was "residual" to a bigger issue.

"The bigger issue is nobody should be getting arrested for these cases when they're confused," Akbar said. "The purpose of it, as a whole, is so felons, even those who have finished their conditions, will fear to go out and vote. The confusion is on the state... When there's obvious confusion it seem like it's entrapment or some type of set up by our government."

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule is based in Tallahassee, Fla. He can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. Twitter: @DouglasSoule. Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on Twitter @elenabarreraaa.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Police camera shows confusion in latest Florida voter fraud arrest
Body cameras now worn by East St. Louis police officers will provide a sense of transparency for citizens and the Police Department, according to Chief Kendall Perry.

We have had some incidents where officers were accused of being overly aggressive or abusive. We also have had some incidents where people have filed false police reports, Perry said in an interview.  This will be good for both sides because there will be transparency on both ends.

Officers began wearing the cameras in September. All officers are equipped with them.

They were funded by a federal grant at a total cost of about $168,000. Each Motorola camera is about 2 inches tall.

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The citizens will be more confident in knowing that nothing will be swept under the rug, the chief said. The officers will have the chance now to dispel any complaints that they were overly aggressive or abusive.

Perry said sometimes officers are falsely accused of improper behavior, and this will protect them in those cases too.

The officers and the citizens will be safer. And, the citizens will get a glimpse of what these officers go through on a day to day basis.

Under state law, police agencies across Illinois are all required to begin wearing body cams by Jan 1. 2025. The body cam requirements are included in the states new criminal-justice reform provisions, called the SAFE-T Act.

Perrys view that the cameras will protect both citizens and officers is widely held by leaders of other departments and public officials.

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, which helped initiate the Illinois justice system reforms, has said the cameras will ensure that citizens are treated properly by police. Others also have said they will protect officers from false claims and help in investigations.

The challenge for local government is the expense of deploying body cams. Some, like East St. Louis, have applied for grants to help pay for them.

In Belleville, the City Council last year agreed to spend $820,000 to to purchase body-worn cameras for the citys police officers, replace dashboard cameras on all of its patrol cars and install two cameras in each of the departments five interview rooms.

We have had them deployed in the field for over a year and they have been extremely popular with the men and women of the Belleville Police Department, Assistant Police Chief Mark Heffernan said last week.

In East St. Louis, Chief Perry said all officers wear a camera when they are on duty, including the chief.

They video record the whole 12-hour shift.The officer can push a button to activate the audio on the camera. And, the officers are required to push the button, Perry said.

Asked about officers reaction to wearing the cameras, the chief said they will get used to them. Its going to be trial and error for a little while ... a little uncomfortable, but everyone has to get used to wearing the cameras because it is going to be state law 

The department has developed a set of guidelines that describes how officers are to use the cameras.

We have a body camera policy that tells the officers when they are supposed to turn the cameras on, what they are supposed to do when they are out of their squad cars, what they are supposed to do when interacting with the citizens, the chief said.

The policy also covers what happens when the mandatory requirements are not followed.

There are different levels of discipline for each offense. We record all 12 hours of the 12-hour shift, Perry said.
A Boise State University student and her roommates are hoping to raise $2,000 to replace their personal belongings that were ruined after their dorm room fire sprinkler turned on unexpectedly, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser.

Bella Baker, who attends Boise State, created the GoFundMe page after her dorm room was flooded last week, the page said. University spokesperson Mike Sharp confirmed the incident and said a resident accidentally triggered a sprinkler, setting it off.

Baker in the post said the water out of the sprinkler was black and left a foul-smelling scent that ruined all of their personal belongings. Sharp told the Idaho Statesman by email that the non-drinkable water found in functioning sprinkler systems sits in the pipes for long periods of time so its ready to extinguish fires when necessary. He added that the water was consistent with what theyd expect to see from a sprinkler system.

In this instance, the sprinkler performed as it was intended to operate, Sharp said by email.

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The students may qualify for Boise States Student Emergency Fund, Sharp said, which provides financial assistance to students in danger of withdrawing because of unanticipated, temporary financial hardships from emergencies. If they qualify, the students could receive up to $500.

While the fund likely wouldnt cover replacing the students belongings, it might cover their insurance deductibles, Sharp said. Students who live on campus also have the option for renters insurance.

Our Residence Life Team met with the affected residents to discuss the need to move and to provide them with the necessary support, Sharp said. While this is difficult for all involved, we will continue to do our best to minimize the impact.

The fundraiser has raised a little over $100 as of Monday afternoon.

Anything helps, we just need to replace our school supplies and clothing, Baker wrote on the page.
(Bloomberg) -- Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro should face criminal charges for plotting a coup detat in response to his 2022 election defeat, the lawmaker leading a congressional probe into Jan. 8 riots that ransacked the capital said in an official report.

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Senator Eliziane Gama, the investigations rapporteur, also recommended on Tuesday Bolsonaros indictment on three other charges related to the insurrection attempt in Brasilia, during which thousands of the right-wing leaders supporters stormed major government buildings in a bid to undermine President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas election victory.

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Gamas report is preliminary. Members of the committee, which is made up of lawmakers from both the lower house of congress and the Senate, are scheduled to vote on whether to approve its findings on Wednesday. While the committee can recommend charges, Brazilian police will ultimately decide whether to pursue indictments.

The report asserts that Bolsonaro was the author of the insurrection attempt, and that top members of his government and senior military officers played a role in the effort to overturn the election result.

It recommends charges against 61 people in total, including General Walter Braga Netto  Bolsonaros vice presidential candidate, former chief of staff and minister of defense  and multiple other military officers and members of his cabinet. It also recommends indictments of the former heads of Brazils Army and Navy.

The initial plan  to take power from within  failed, she wrote. He tried to annul the election, but it didnt work. He tried to order intervention in the top electoral court but he had no support. He stimulated social chaos so that he could declare a state of siege, but that didnt work either.

Spokespersons for Bolsonaro and Braga Netto did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The insurrection, the most direct attack on Brazils democratic institutions since a 1964 military coup led to a two-decade dictatorship, followed a bitterly-fought election during which Bolsonaro repeatedly spread debunked claims about voter fraud.

Read More: Bolsonaro to Be Banned From Public Office in Brazil for Eight Years

Bolsonaro never formally conceded his defeat, and left Brazil days before Lulas Jan. 1 inauguration. He remained in the US for three months, and has used his absence from Brazil to assert that he bears no responsibility for the riots.

Brazils electoral court in June barred Bolsonaro from seeking or holding political office for eight years over his claims that the countrys electronic voting system was vulnerable to manipulation during a meeting with foreign ambassadors.

Read More: Bolsonaros Mounting Legal Troubles Raise Prospect of His Arrest

The former right-wing president is currently facing a second trial in the electoral court over allegations that he abused his power during last years campaign. Mounting legal troubles  many of them unrelated to the insurrection attempt or the election  have also raised the prospect of his arrest.

Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing in each of the investigations he is facing.

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Actors Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul from the hit television series Breaking Bad were spotted around the Boston area over the weekend.

The iconic acting duo was in town to promote their Dos Hombres Mezcal, an award-winning spirit company that Cranston and Paul founded together.

Cranston and Paul visited Grace by Nia on Seaport Boulevard, where they spent some time mixing up mezcal cocktails and mingling with fans.

The two then stopped by Timeout Market at Park Drive, where they treated guests to samples of Dos Hombres.

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We had an unreal time hosting Aaron Paul, Bryan Cranston, and Dos Hombres today, Timeout Market said in a social media post. Thanks to everyone who showed up  you really brought the energy.

Cranston and Paul popped over to Trillium Brewings Fenway location, where they enjoyed cold beers and posed for photos.

Bostonia Public House on State Street also shared a video of Cranston and Paul promoting their mezcal and talking with fans.

Boston Envoy Hotel confirmed in a social media post that Cranston and Paul served up cocktails at their bar as well.

The Boston Globe reported that Cranston and Paul made additional stops at View Boston in the Prudential Center, Total Wine & More in Dorchester, and Market Basket in Waltham.

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L-R Noiya Sharabi, Eli Sharabi, Yahel Sharabi, Lianne Sharabi. Eli and Lianne are confirmed dead, Eli and Noiya are missing

A British teenager who went missing after the Hamas attack last weekend was murdered, her family have told the BBC.

The Telegraph reported yesterday that two British sisters were among the ten Britons that have been missing since Hamas infiltrated and rampaged through southern Israel.

Noiya Sharabi, 16, and Yahel Sharabi, 13, have not been seen since their British mother, Lianne, was killed when Hamas fighters stormed Kibbutz Beeri, where they lived.

Family members have told the BBC today that 13-year-old Yahel was also murdered. Their Israeli father Eli, as well as 16-year-old Noiya are still presumed to be missing.

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Yahels mother Lianne was described by her family as a a beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend who enriched the lives of all those lucky enough to have known and loved her.

Yahel Sharabi, left, and Noiya Sharabi

She lived a beautiful life and will be sorely missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind, they said.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Rishi Sunak said at least six British citizens were killed in the Hamas assault and a further 10 are still missing as he addressed MPs for the first time since the atrocity.

The identities of the British citizens, some of whom are understood to be dual nationals, were not confirmed by the Foreign Office after Mr Sunak had spoken.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said that the Government will do everything we possibly can to get back the British hostages being held by Hamas.

He told BBC Breakfast: We dont know where they are and we are thinking of them all the time. And of course we are strongly supporting the attempt by Israel to find them and release them.

The British Government will do everything we possibly can to get them back, as soon as we possibly can.

We mourn the six British hostages we know who have died and we are extremely concerned about the fate and the state of the other 10.

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Mahmoud Kasem hands out piping hot pieces of freshly fried falafel to customers standing in line at his Al Aqsa bakery and restaurant in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Its Palestinian falafel, he tells The Independent on Monday afternoon. The best.

Behind the warm welcome, Mr Kasem is a ball of pent up energy. Since the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and the subsequent bombing of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli Defence Force, which combined has claimed more than 4,400 lives, he has barely slept.

Mr Kasem said his car, which bears a Palestinian flag, was spat on while he was driving to work earlier in the week. He is now fearful every time his wife Sojood leaves the house wearing her hijab.

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The murder of 6-year-old Palestinian boy Wadea Al-Fayoume in Chicago, allegedly carried out by the familys 72-year-old landlord, has devastated him.

Where the hell is this mans heart, to stick a knife into a child? Mr Kasem, the father of two young sons, asks. After hearing the news on Sunday, he went home that night and wept as he hugged his children, 5-year-old Shoib, and 1-year-old Hani, tight.

His mother, who lives with his family in Queens, had been visiting relatives in Gaza just before the war broke out. She has made it to the relative safety of East Jerusalem, but Mr Kasems cousins home in Gaza was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike. His family members have been left to scavenge for scraps of food and water after Israel imposed a complete blockade of the Strip that is home to 2.3 million people.

Mr Kasem, 36, came to the United States in 1999 and opened his restaurant in 2018.

His staff cook the taboon flatbread on the premises, the hummus is made fresh each day. A Palestinian flag flies prominently outside, and signs declare Palestine is not for sale.

Mr Kasem is fiercely proud of his US nationality, but says the violence he had hoped to escape in the Middle East now appears to have arrived in the US.

A Palestinian flag flies outside of the Al Aqsa bakery and restaurant in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (Bevan Hurley)

Images of violence and destruction trigger painful memories of witnessing the murder of his father Hani in an extortion plot at the familys wholesale distribution center in Ozone Park, Queens, in 2017.

As Mr Kasem chain smokes outside the eatery on Monday, he pauses to greet numerous passersby with a habibi, which translates to My love in Arabic.

I wish people knew how Palestinians are as human beings, he says. Theyre good people. Very hospitable. But people look at us as if we are terrorists.

After watching this conflict his entire life and hearing about it from the generations before him, Mr Kasem fears what will happen next to Palestinians in Gaza. Im really, really scared, he says. Is anyone going to come up with a solution to let them live?

New York is home to around 800,000 Muslims, and an estimated 1.6 million Jewish people, the largest of any city outside of Israel.

The citys small Palestinian diaspora is mainly concentrated in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and Astoria in Queens.

Since war erupted when Hamas terrorists launched surprise attacks by sea, land and air on 7 October, more than 1 million people have been displaced from Gaza. There have been heated, but largely peaceful demonstrations in New York, and isolated reports of hate crimes.

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator holes up a Swastika on their phone at a rally in Times Square (Stuart Meissner)

In Bay Ridge, a group of suspects in three cars waving Israeli flags and shouting anti-Palestine statements allegedly attacked a group of three men of Arab descent who were walking along 86th St last Wednesday night.

A few hours earlier, a 34-year-old man holding a Palestinian flag was attacked in Williamsburg, police said. No arrests have been made and none of the victims were seriously hurt, according to the NYPD.

Republican pro-Israeli councilwoman Inna Vernikov was arrested on Friday after carrying a gun at a pro-Palestine peace rally.

Anti-semitic attacks have also been on the rise. At a rally in Times Square on Sunday, a protestor held up an image of a Nazi swastika on their phone. The Anti-Defamation League has warned of widespread support for the Hamas terror attacks at demonstrations across the US.

On Sunday, FBI director Christopher Wray warned of a sharp increase in reported threats against both Jewish and Muslim people. In response, officials have met with leaders from both communities.

For New Yorkers of Palestinian origin, the rhetoric coming from city and national lawmakers is fuelling the divisions and hate.

Arab American Federation chairman Zein Rimawi says Palestinian-Americans feel under siege after inflammatory remarks about the war in Israel by US lawmakers (Bevan Hurley)

A block away from Al Aqsa bakery at the An-Noor Social Center, Zein Rimawi, the chair of the Arab American Federation, tells The Independent Palestinian-Americans feel abandoned and ignored by US political leaders.

Mr Rimawi, 69, has lived in Bay Ridge for decades and used to host a monthly meeting with New York City mayor Eric Adams during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President.

Since the Hamas terror attacks, Mr Adams has spoken at a New York Stands with Israel rally, met with Jewish education leaders and attended shabbat services at the Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side, according to media statements from his office.

Mr Adams has made no efforts to reach out to the Palestinian community, Mr Rimawi said.

The mayors statements proclaiming that Your fight is our fight at the 10 October rally were inflammatory and effectively inciting violence against the Muslim community, Mr Rimawi said.

Shame on you Eric Adams, he said. You want to bring the war from there, here to America.

Mr Adams press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As the Israeli government cut off food, water and electricity to the entire Gaza Strip, it felt like the whole world was clapping them on, Mr Rimawi added.

Tensions rose over the weekend, after a Hamas leader called for a global day of Jihad and NYPD officers swarmed the streets on high alert.

But there was no violence, and no appetite for trouble among Palestinian-Americans, Mr Rimawi told The Independent. The heavy presence of law enforcement merely added to the sense that they were being besieged.

On Monday, worshippers gather at the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge draped in Palestinian flags. Images of babies atop piles of rubble in Gaza appear on a nearby TV screen.

Ramzey Ahmad says that US lawmakers have failed the Palestinian people (Bevan Hurley)

In a flat upstairs, Ramzey Ahmad told The Independent his family were on high alert. A shelter in place order had been issued at a Muslim school where his daughter teaches after reports of a man with a gun on Monday.

Mr Ahmad was born in the US, and identifies as a conservative and was a card carrying member of the NRA as a young man.

He says that decades of Palestinians being dehumanised and treated as the other has led to the point where their suffering is not recognised as equal to Israelis.

On a recent visit to East Jerusalem, Mr Ahmad said he was nearly shot dead at a checkpoint when he thought he had been waved through by a soldier. A sniper had his sights set on him, he says, and was about to shoot until another officer intervened.

People die for silly things, for miscommunications, Mr Ahmad says. As an American, you think youll never take that. But those people dont have the luxury: if they lift their head up, they get a rifle butt in the head. Its a military occupation.
FILE - In this July 2, 2021 file photo, a United Airlines jetliner taxis down a runway for take off from Denver International Airport in Denver. United Airlines reports earnings on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

United Airlines said Tuesday that it earned $1.14 billion in the vacation-heavy third quarter, but the airline forecast surprisingly weak profit the rest of the year due to surging jet fuel prices.

United said fourth-quarter adjusted profit would be between $1.50 and $1.80 per share, well below Wall Street expectations for $2.09 per share.

The third quarter, however, was strong all around for the Chicago-based airline. United said after the market closed Tuesday that revenue increased more than 12% over the same period last year, led by international flights.

United said it set quarterly profit records for service to both Europe and Asia, as more Americans traveled beyond U.S. borders. Domestic revenue also grew, though not as much.

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United's net income of $1.14 billion compared with $942 million a year earlier. The airline said earnings adjusted to exclude unusual items worked out to $3.65 per share, beating the Wall Street forecast of $3.38 per share, according to a FactSet survey of analysts.

Revenue rose to $14.48 billion, topping the analysts' prediction of $14.43 billion.

United's report comes after rival Delta Air Lines posted a $1.1 billion profit last week. Delta saw particular strength in sales of premium seats and international flights. It predicted that fourth-quarter revenue would rise as much 11% compared with a year ago.

Both airlines are seeing the cost of new labor contracts  particularly with pilots  weigh on their results. United agreed in July to raise pilot pay by up to 40% over four years in a deal that the Air Line Pilots Association valued at $10 billion over that span.

The price of jet fuel has also risen since mid-summer, although it remains cheaper than a year ago. Still, several airlines reduced their third-quarter profit forecasts in recent weeks as pump prices exceeded their expectations when the quarter began.

United declined to make officials available for comment on the results until Wednesday, when they hold a conference call with analysts and reporters.
Participants in the Lake County coroners offices first burial of the remains of unclaimed individuals place flowers on the 79 boxes bound together, looking like two coffins. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)

Doris Kuzlawski of Evanston did not know any of the 79 people whose remains were buried in the Lake County coroners offices first indigent burial service, but said any one of them could have been like her son.

She had to be there.

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Im here because of my son, said Kuzlawski, one of approximately 40 people in the crowd. I know he knew people like that. He easily could have been any of them. Im fortunate enough to have given him a proper burial. Someone should be there for them.

Father Larry Sullivan leads the funeral for 79 people whose bodies were not claimed. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)

Though Cook County has held public services for unclaimed bodies before, Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said it was not done locally. After she took office in 2020, she believed it should be done, prompting the county to give their remains a proper burial.

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Lake County officials, the Archdiocese of Chicago, area funeral directors and others buried the cremated remains of 79 people  whose bodies were unclaimed after their deaths since 2016  on Monday at Ascension Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleums in Libertyville.

At the coroners office, one of our charges is to be the final caretaker for indigent decedents, and I am humbled that we can provide them a final resting place, Banek said during the funeral.

Banek said when she took office in 2020, there were the unclaimed cremated remains of 59 people. So far during her tenure, 20 more have died and were unclaimed by anyone. She decided it was time to give all of them a, final act of respect.

Though there were names on each of the wood boxes fastened together in the shape of a wooden coffin to be placed in a concrete crypt in two separate graves, Banek did not single out any of the people.

After reviewing the names of the dead, she said during the funeral service the information about each of them was random and usual, but she believes, they were far from unremarkable.

Taking a moment to memorialize these 79 decedents is important, because we believe taking care of people is more important than the sum of knowing the details, Banek said.

The remains of 79 individuals are lowered into their graves. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)

The Rev. Larry Sullivan, who officiated at the ceremony for the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Cemeteries, said it is important for everyone to receive the same treatment in the eyes of God at their end of their lives.

Our corporal work of mercy is to bury these souls, Sullivan said. Our spiritual work of mercy is to pray for the dead. We are doing both today. Its important we put these souls in Gods keeping.

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Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek places holy water on boxes containing the remains of 79 people whose bodies were unclaimed. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)

While none of the names of the dead were read, the name of each was printed on a sticker of a box containing their remains, listing the day they were born and the date they died. One of those names was Marsha Marks.

Marks, who was born Jan. 4, 1947, was 75 when she died April 28, 2022, at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, according to an obituary at the time, and confirmed by the coroners office. Her parents were the late Irving Marks and Ruth Marks.

Lake County sheriffs deputies escort the remains of 79 unclaimed individuals to a funeral at Ascension Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleums in Libertyville. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)

One of the people paying their respects was Lake County Board Member Diane Hewitt, D-Waukegan. She said her son, parents and grandfather, are buried at the cemetery. It was important for her to pay her respects to the 79 people.

They deserve to have their service ... (and) this remembrance, Hewitt said. Thats why Im here.

They all deserve our respect, added Chris Calhoun of Libertyville, who came to honor the dead. Its important their lives are remembered.

The event started shortly after noon when the Lake County sheriffs office led a procession from Waukegan to Libertyville, with a number of police cars and a column of hearses.

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After arriving at the cemetery, the boxes bound in the coffin-like assemblage were carried to graves and buried after the ceremony.
BYU students watch the sunset at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem, Israel, on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The centers students are currently on a field trip in Greece. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The 93 students at the BYU Jerusalem Center arrived safely in Greece after evacuating because of the war between Israel and Hamas, but their semester abroad may be cut short.

The students, the centers service couples and BYUs faculty and their families arrived in Athens over the weekend. They then traveled about 80 miles west by bus to a hotel near Nafplion.

Currently, school officials plan to bring the students back to the United States after a Greek field study trip, said James R. Kearl, the assistant to BYU President Shane Reese for the Jerusalem Center.

Classes resumed Tuesday after a free day on Monday, Kearl said in a statement provided to the Deseret News.

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BYU students gather for an event at the Jerusalem District conference at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem, Israel, on Saturday, April 22, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Students will be in morning classes all week, with afternoons free to study and explore through Saturday. On Sunday, they will begin a previously scheduled eight-day trip around Greece, Kearl said.

They will start in ancient Philippi and finish in Athens.

Students will study relevant parts of Acts and the letters of Paul written to early church congregations in ancient Greece, Kearl said. They also study at sites tied to early Greek history and visit several important Greek Orthodox monasteries at Meteora.

A weeklong study trip is a regular part of each semester at the Jerusalem Center, but they alternate between Egypt, Turkey or Greece, Kearl said.

BYU is asking for prayers for the safety of the staff that remains at the Jerusalem Center.

We leave behind Eran Hayet (executive director of the Jerusalem Center); Tawfic Alawi (associate director); Tarek Safadi (head of security); and nearly 50 local employees and their families, the center said in a security update posted on Sunday.

These beloved and trusted individuals and families  Israelis and Palestinians  remain in harms way, the update said. We ask that you pray for their safety and well-being.

Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, sending thousands of missiles and assault troops over and through the wall between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

The BYU students sheltered in place, continued studies on the Jerusalem Center campus and canceled field trips as the fighting and missile strikes continued 40 or more miles away from Jerusalem.

The center initially announced that the students were safe and that a contingency plan was in place.

On Oct. 9, students, faculty and staff moved to the centers shelters after sirens sounded in Jerusalem during a missile attack, but the center was otherwise peaceful and calm, officials reported.

BYU announced Friday that the students would evacuate Jerusalem and move to Greece.

The BYU Jerusalem Center opened in 1989. It has never been targeted during ongoing unrest between Israelis and Palestinians. The center is located in East Jerusalem near several important Muslim sites.

The center has continued to operate with restrictions during some unrest or has closed when the security situation worsens. For example, the center closed to students from 2000-2007 during the Second Intifada.
Attorneys for the Yolo County teen accused in the fiery Woodland wreck that killed a woman and her granddaughter and critically injured two other family members in April won a delay of his upcoming manslaughter trial.

The juvenile trial before Yolo Superior Court Judge Janene Beronio was scheduled to begin next Monday in Woodland. But defense attorneys for the 13-year-old boy allegedly behind the wheel argued for the continuance Tuesday over prosecutors objections.

The continuance staving off the Monday start is the trials third delay, said Yolo County District Attorneys Office officials. Beronio will next hear from attorneys at a Monday trial readiness conference.

Four-year-old Adalina Perez and her grandmother, Tina Vital, 43, died of injuries from the April wreck on College and Court streets in downtown Woodland. Prosecutors allege the teen driver accused in the deadly collision stole his familys SUV and led California Highway Patrol officers on a chase before crashing into the car carrying Vital and Adalina, as well as a second vehicle, at the intersection.

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Eleven people were injured in all, including the underage driver, authorities said. Four people rode in one of the vehicles. Six others were in the second car. The force of the collision left the cars stacked one atop the other.

The teen pleaded not guilty in Yolo Juvenile Court in April to 13 charges connected to the crash. His name is not being released because he is a minor.

He faces charges including vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, evading police causing injury, vehicle theft, evading police while driving recklessly, child endangerment, driving without a license and evading police causing death. Prosecutors also filed numerous enhancements for allegedly causing great bodily injury while committing the crimes, according to court documents.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill to grant up to $5,000 to community college students who transfer to historically Black colleges and universities.

The bill Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan drafted will help students fund their out-of-state studies, as there are no HBCUs in California. This will help cover tuition for students who may lose access to state aid.

The law would create a California-to-HBCU-to-California pipeline that would benefit not only our students but the entire state, according to EdSource.

AB 1400 creatively redirects funds to support Californias students looking to transfer to an HBCU and bring their talents back to California, Marlene Garcia, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, said.

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According to the bill, only 53 community college students transferred to 39 HBCUs in the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year.

The new law refocuses the funds generated by the College Access Tax Credit from Cal Grant B recipients to HBCU transfer students who have agreed to return to California, according to the California Student Aid Commission.
A California bill turned law will limit how much landlords can charge for security deposits.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 12 into law, which states that security deposits cant be any larger than one months rent, on Oct. 11. The law is slated to take effect on July 1, 2024.

Assembly Bill 12 was introduced by San Francisco Democratic Assemblymember Matt Haney and aimed to cap the cost of security deposits as part of a broader effort to make housing units more affordable statewide.

IRS postpones tax filing deadline one month for California storm victims

Landlords could charge up to three months rent as a security deposit, plus the first months rent, due to an older California law.

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In Los Angeles, where the average median rent is $2,895, a security deposit can cost nearly $9,000. In San Francisco, where the median rent is $3,495, security deposits can cost more than $10,000.

Now that Newsom signed the bill into law, California became the 12th state to pass a bill that limits security deposit requirements.

New York, Alabama and Hawaii are among the few states that have passed similar legislation.

When renters cant afford deposits, they often have to borrow from predatory lenders, go into debt, or just stay put, Haney said in a statement.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed these bills so far

Landlords lose out on good tenants and tenants stay in apartments that are too crowded or have unsafe living conditions. Creating a rental deposit cap is a simple change that will have an enormous impact on housing affordability for families in California.

When news of the bill was released, the California Apartment Association issued a statement renewing its opposition of the proposal.

Debra Carlton, executive vice president of state public affairs at CAA, wrote an opposition letter to Haney saying that the bill would limit a property owners ability to financially cover property damage or unpaid rent is an unfair imposition for rental housing provider.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A Los Angeles man who pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for fatally beating his 4-year-old son was sentenced Monday to 15 years to life in state prison.

Hirwin Calderon-Ordonez, 29, "admitted to the crime very early" and "showed remorse," Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami said outside court after the sentencing.

Calderon-Ordonez has remained behind bars since he was arrested June 6, 2019, by the Los Angeles Police Department's Juvenile Division.

Calderon-Ordonez' son, Justin Sontay-Oxlaj, was pronounced dead at the hospital that day after being rushed to a hospital from his family's residence in the 4600 block of Honduras Street in the southeast Los Angeles area, according to the medical examiner's office and the Los Angeles Police Department.

An autopsy determined that the boy had died from blunt force trauma.

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The prosecutor said the child's injuries amounted to "massive blunt force trauma."

Media reports indicated that the boy's father called 911. The child's mother -- who chose not to attend the sentencing -- was not home at the time, according to the prosecutor.

Calderon-Ordonez pleaded no contest Sept. 12.

A second charge -- assault on a child causing death -- was dismissed as a result of his plea.

"I think we have a just result," Hatami added.
Police investigating a child pornography case in Paso Robles discovered more than 100 weapons in the process, leading to the arrest of two men, the department said in a news release.

On Thursday, Paso Robles police detectives carried out two search warrants in the 4200 block of Aerotech Center Way and 100 block of Cardinal Way, the release said. Detectives recovered several electronic devices from both locations.

Police also stumbled upon more than 100 weapons  many of which were illegal assault weapons  at the Aerotech Center Way location, the release said.

Police are withholding the names of the suspects at this time but confirmed the men were arrested Thursday evening on suspicion of child pornography and weapons charges, then booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail shortly after midnight Friday morning. Police also confirmed the men were residents of Paso Robles.

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According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office booking log, Jon Rockford Jones, 65, and 19-year-old Corbin Rockford Jones were booked into jail on suspicion of possession of child pornography around 1 a.m. Friday. Jon Rockford Jones was also booked on suspicion of unlawful possession of a machine gun.

The two men posted bail and were no longer in custody as of Tuesday morning.

There is no evidence that the suspects were manufacturing child pornography at this point in the investigation, the release said.

The Police Department asks anyone with information relating to the case to call 805-237-6464.
A California prison inmate died after being attacked by three other inmates at a facility in Monterey County on Sunday, authorities said.

Cory Benton, 40, who was serving a 25-year sentence for assault with a deadly weapon with gang enhancements, was stabbed multiple times at the Soledad Valley State Prison.

According to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, three inmates, all of whom are serving life sentences, attacked Benton with an inmate-manufactured weapon  also known as a shiv or shank.

Benton died when en route to a medical facility, prison officials said.

The three suspects, Alberto Valades, 54, Jose Valle, 33, and Jimmy Martinez, 32, were moved into restrictive housing as authorities investigated the stabbing.

Martinez is serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Los Angeles County. Valades is serving life for an L.A. County robbery conviction that was his third strike.

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Valle was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole on a first-degree murder conviction in Kings County, California, officials said.

Soledad Valley State Prison houses 2,687 inmates and employs approximately 1,500 people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

CALIFORNIA REPUBLICANS BACK JORDAN SPEAKERSHIP

Via David Lightman...

A handful of California Republicans are publicly backing Rep. Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House  and a Sacramento-area congressman is especially enthusiastic.

Rep. Kevin Kiley cheered the prospect of a Jordan speakership on Monday.

Like few others in public life, he has his finger on the pulse of the threats to our liberties and First Amendment freedoms. Kiley, R-Rocklin, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

As Judiciary Chair, hes exposed corruption and pursued accountability like no one else. Tomorrow at noon, the full House will vote to make him our Speaker.

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Maybe. Its not clear that Jordan, R-Ohio, has the 217 House votes needed to become speaker after Bakersfield Rep. Kevin McCarthys ouster. He got the support of 152 House Republicans last week, but 55 voted no.

Kiley is a fan. He said that when the House nominated Jordan last week, he thought back to the night he won his House seat in November.

Kiley went on Laura Ingrahams Fox News show. As soon as the interview ended, I got a call from Ohio. It was Jim Jordan. He said he saw me on Fox and wanted me to join the Judiciary Committee, said Kiley.

Since that day, Ive worked closely with Jim and seen the kind of leader he is. He is exceptionally fearless, hard-working, and team-spirited. He has a unique ability to focus on a mission, pursue it strategically and relentlessly, and rally people to the cause.

A group of other California Republicans have also publicly stated their support for Jordan. Reps. Tom McClintock , Ken Calvert and Darrell Issa announced on X they are on board.

House Republicans have suffered a total breakdown of party discipline, said McClintock of Elk Grove. A majority party is only a majority party when it votes as a majority. McCarthy should never have been ousted, but now Jim Jordan is the majoritys choice and deserves the vote of every Republican.

BUTLERS WILL SHE, WONT SHE GAME CONTINUES

Via Maggie Angst...

Those hoping for clarity about whether Californias new senator will run for a full term in office will likely have to wait at least another week.

Over the weekend, Sen. Laphonza Butler announced that she had tested positive for COVID-19 and would be working remotely for her second week in office.

After a busy 1st wk on the job, I have tested positive for COVID-19 & am experiencing mild symptoms. Per CDC guidelines I will be isolating while the Senate is in session and working remotely, the senator wrote late Sunday morning on X, formerly Twitter.

Butler, 44, is filling the seat of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein through January 2025. She has not said yet whether she will enter the race for a full term after that. When Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Butler, he left that decision up to her.

Should she choose to vie for the full six-year term, Butler, a former labor leader, could get substantial fundraising support from some of Californias most powerful unions.

While some organizations have already endorsed a candidate, the states largest unions, including the Service Employees International Union and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, have not made a call yet.

CALIFORNIA TAX DEADLINE EXTENDED AGAIN

California is still waiting for billions of dollars in tax receipts after the IRS once again extended its filing deadline.

The federal agency on Monday announced Golden State residents in 55 counties now have until Nov. 16 to file their taxes  a one-month extension for people affected by severe winter storms.

Those residents previously had until Oct. 16 to submit their taxes. Newsom and state lawmakers approved a budget contingent on at least $42 billion in tax payments expected this month.

Assembly Budget Advisor Jason Sisney estimated in a LinkedIn post that California would see roughly $44.9 billion in tax collections this month. In spite of the extension deadline, Sisney said, the Franchise Tax Bureau as of Monday had collected $7.7 billion in October.

Californias state cash resources remain ample and can handle any added delay to November, Sisney said in a Substack post.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Welcome to the.... fun?

- Newsom on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to President Joe Bidens campaign joining Truth Social. The governor joined former President Donald Trumps social media platform in June 2022.

Best of the Bee:

The IRS postpones California tax deadline again. Heres who qualifies and when to file, via Dominique Williams .

California health care workers win $25 minimum wage under bill signed by Gavin Newsom, via Maya Miller .

Inflation continues to rise in California. Heres what economists say will happen in 2024, via David Lightman .

Gavin Newsom signs law to make college cheaper for some students living in Mexico, via Mathew Miranda.
Campaigners have called on the government to make it easier for Afghans who worked with the British military to be resettled in the UK.

The main resettlement scheme is restricted to those deemed at significant enough risk, such as interpreters and translators.

However, it does not cover jobs such as mechanics, chefs and drivers.

The Sulha Alliance charity said such individuals were also at risk of attacks by the Taliban.

Under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme, Afghan citizens who worked with the UK government in "exposed or meaningful roles" may be eligible to be relocated to the UK, along with their family members.

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The Sulha Alliance - which supports Afghans who worked for the British Army - has given evidence to MPs on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which is looking at the government's response to the UK withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 after the country fell to the Taliban.

Documents sent to MPs on the committee include the story of a 35-year-old former mechanic who worked with the British military in Afghanistan - and was refused resettlement by the UK government under the ARAP scheme.

The Sulha Alliance says that last month, members of the Taliban found his 87-year-old father and demanded to know where his son was hiding.

They say he refused to tell them and was beaten to death.

The evidence claims that before he died in hospital, he said the Taliban had told him they would kill him because his son was a "traitor" for working with the West.

The documents were submitted ahead of an appearance by Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee later.

Peter Gordon-Finlayson, a former army captain who co-founded the Sulha Alliance, said he was concerned about how the government is assessing the levels of risk involved for Afghans wishing to be resettled in the UK.

He said the government argues that Afghans working in roles other than interpreters were not on the ground with British troops and so were not directly seen by the Taliban and the local community as working alongside the UK, putting them at less risk.

"Unfortunately that is not quite true," he told the BBC.

"The reality is that those who were recruited to be mechanics and chefs and so on and support the British Army, were recruited locally from the areas around where the British military camps were - and so they were known within the community - and they were seen every day going in and out of British army bases, so they are very much at risk."

It is understood the government has indicated to campaigners there are no plans to change the ARAP scheme to include more professions.

Thousands of people were evacuated from Afghanistan to the UK in August 2021

Mr Gordon-Finlayson said if the government would not change the ARAP scheme, they should adapt other schemes to make it easier for people like the mechanic highlighted by the Sulha Alliance to be resettled in the UK.

The government runs a second scheme for vulnerable Afghan refugees known as the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) - but at the moment the only way to apply is through a recommendation from one of a number of specific organisations such as the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

Mr Gordon-Finlayson said: "We'd like to see a scheme where individuals can apply directly to that pathway to be able to be brought to the UK in a safe and legal way.

"Those who worked with us are now in hiding permanently, not able to work, therefore not able to support their families and that also plays havoc with mental health," he said.

"So there's a lot of desperate people out there who are feeling very isolated and like their service to the UK was the worst mistake that they could make for both them and their family.

"I fear for the next major military operation that we as a country embark upon, that we will struggle to recruit brave men and women from the local community to do these crucial role to support us."

The charity's evidence also raises concerns among campaigners about why some applications are taking so long.It believes some former interpreters are finding it difficult to have their resettlement confirmed because their contracts with British forces were previously terminated.

Mr Gordon-Finlayson said: "I know from my time in Afghanistan that interpreters had their employment terminated because of petty squabbles amongst the interpreters - who owned the TV in the interpreters' tent - or something like that...

"Some people who were let go for reasons that were not genuine national security threats are now stuck in Afghanistan because of the way that their contract with the UK forces ended, and that strikes us as unfair."

A government spokesperson said: "The UK has made an ambitious and generous commitment to help at-risk people in Afghanistan and, so far, we have brought around 24,600 people to safety, including thousands of people eligible for our Afghan schemes. "We continue to honour our commitments to bring eligible Afghans to the UK."
Rep. Jim Jordan sits between Rep. Warren Davidson, right, and a staff member during the first vote to try to elect Jordan speaker of the House. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy sits behind them. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Rep. Jim Jordan has undergone quite the rush makeover in his back-from-the-dead attempt to become House speaker, second in line to the presidency. It wasnt enough, however, for him to get elected on a first ballot Tuesday. Hell need to do more.

The Trump henchman once condemned as a career-long legislative terrorist by another Ohio Republican, former Speaker John A. Boehner, has been passing himself off as a virtual Solon to win the support of dozens of Republicans who only last week voted against him.

The supposed statesman in waiting still eschews a suit coat in the Capitol Hill hallways as he rushes from closed-door courtships to strategy meetings. Thats hardly a sign of disrespect for the institution compared to Jordans real sin: complicity with Donald Trump in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that ravaged the Capitol and democracy itself. But there have been changes: Jordan no longer speaks in a mile-a-minute, hand-slashing rant. His voice is measured and his body still, befitting the new persona.

More important than his style is Jordans apparent substantive change: He has reportedly assured Republicans that hes sworn off government shutdowns, and that as speaker hed allow House votes on the must-pass annual spending bills and aid for Ukraine as well as Israel. In a letter to House Republicans on Monday, he vowed to take the lead on passing responsible legislation to fund our government and support our military. (Responsible is doing a lot of work there.)

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In other words, the nine-term lawmaker who has never gotten a law passed and only focused on tearing things apart  another Boehner critique  promises to actually govern. Jordan, who in 2015 and 2018 pushed out first Boehner and then another Republican speaker, Paul D. Ryan, because they compromised too much, now clamors for the party to unify behind him.

Read more: Calmes: Jim Jordan should never be House speaker. Here's why

Few are fooled by Jordan Redux. Alas, however, a good number of the roughly 50-plus moderates and self-proclaimed pragmatists in the MAGA-fied House Republican majority have claimed theyre sold. At dawn Monday, Punchbowl News reported that Never Jordan Republicans were committed to vote against him for as long as it takes to ensure hes never speaker. But two of those named  Reps. Mike Rogers of Alabama and Ken Calvert of Corona  hours later endorsed Jordan. Others soon followed.

Yet by Tuesday morning, just hours before the House vote on a speaker, Jordan was short of the needed votes. He could only lose four Republicans. He lost 20  one more than former Speaker Kevin McCarthy lost in January on the first of 15 ballots before he was finally elected.

Like McCarthy, Jordan might ultimately win. The surprise is that this less popular bomb thrower converted as many foes as he did.

You have to believe that they know better than to buy Jordans revamp. But moderates always fold eventually  Tale as old as time, as one Republican Disney fan allowed. (Bringing to mind another Beast that sought a transmogrification. But he had Beauty.)

Read more: Calmes: House Republicans should stop following Netanyahu's chaotic example

Caving is inherent in political moderates makeup: Everything in moderation. They wont provoke shutdowns and defaults. They recoil at the dysfunction now defining House Republicans, especially at a time of globe-shaking wars in Europe and the Middle East.

Pragmatists generally want the government to work  even if it means they concede. Thats a good thing. Yet in this case, their surrender is downright cringey  and arguably contrary to the good governance they claim to want.

Take Rogers, the Alabaman who chairs the Armed Services Committee. A home state news website reported at 7 a.m. Monday that Rogers opposed Jordan as speaker and said hes not budging. At 9:30 a.m. Rogers announced he would back Jordan, after conversations that were cordial, thoughtful, and productive  not words ever before associated with Jordan  about passing appropriations, farm and defense bills. I have always been a team player, Rogers added.

Calvert, the California convert to Jordan, likewise said he switched based on his conversations with Jordan about our national security and appropriations goals.

Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri recently called Jordan disgraceful and said Hell, no! she wouldnt back him. She is close to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Republicans' initial nominee for speaker who dropped out of the running when die-hard Jordanites wouldnt fall in line behind him. On Monday Wagner also endorsed Jordan, echoing Rogers: I have always been a team player.

Jordan has been anything but a team player. And if he now becomes team leader, it will still be for Team Trump. Steering appropriations bills into law would be quite a feat for a congressman who routinely opposes them, including the stopgap measure that prevented a government shutdown Oct. 1. Success will require compromise with Democrats, something Jordan has never done.

To get this far, he and his camp have cynically played on the pragmatists desire to end the deadlock that is paralyzing the House for a third week. Jordan called for the House vote Tuesday to smoke out the holdouts; the votes in Republicans caucus have been secret ballots. Now, those who publicly voted against him will feel the wrath of the partys MAGA base, and Sean Hannity.

For the sake of argument, let's say the Republican converts for Jordan arent being played. Maybe his makeover will prove real. Maybe, given Jordans popularity with the MAGA forces in Congress and out, he is the one person who can sell the right on the inevitable compromises necessary to govern.

I doubt it. But if Jordan is elected speaker, we have to hope for silver linings. Democracy depends on it.

@jackiekcalmes





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Justin Trudeau is facing criticism on social media following his latest statement on the Israel-Hamas war.

Over the weekend, the Canadian prime minister released a message about the conflict in the Gaza Strip, noting Canada "stands firmly" with both Israelis and Palestinians and their right to live "without fear."

"Canada is deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip," Trudeau began in his statement. "We are working closely with allies and partners in the region to do everything we can to support affected Canadian citizens, including assistance departing from Gaza, the West Bank and Israel as quickly and safely as possible.

"The rapid and unimpeded access of relief via a humanitarian corridor is essential to address the urgent needs of civilians in Gaza. International law, including humanitarian and human rights law, must be respected. ... The loss of civilian life is deeply disturbing, and our heartfelt condolences are with all those whose families and communities have been affected. Canadians and people around the world must be steadfast in our support for the protection of civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared in a statement Saturday that Canada "stands firmly" with both Israelis and Palestinians. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang) (The Canadian Press)

Users on X  previously known as Twitter  were quick to call out the Liberal Party leader, referencing that following Hamas' incursion on Israel on Oct. 7, he stated "Canada stands with Israel."

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Some people also took aim at the prime minister's passive voice in his statement, with many calling on Trudeau to condemn Israel's retaliation against Hamas and its destruction on Gaza.

International law is NOT being respected. Civilians, journalists, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel, have been directly targeted in Israeli airstrikes, while Israels siege is using starvation as a weapon. Condemn Israel for these war crimes and demand a ceasefire now! https://t.co/T6BlSGJBpK pic.twitter.com/iChAjkuwuL  Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (@CJPME) October 15, 2023

Who caused this dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip?



These messages of concern and sympathy are performative and meaningless.



If you really cared, youd grow a spine and condemn Israel for their attacks on innocent civilians but manhood and honor are not in your https://t.co/plFw9friEb  Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) October 15, 2023

Western politicians  after cheering the dehumanisation of Palestinians for the past 07 days  are now expressing their concerns for Gaza and human rights.



730 children have been killed in Gaza. You have blood on your hands, Justin Trudeau. https://t.co/yvhxGgO7Ps  Advaid  (@Advaidism) October 15, 2023

Now some western politicians suddenly seem to have woken up to the obscene nature of what Israel is doing to Gaza but of course, there isnt a single mention of the perpetrator, as if Palestinians die, occupy, besiege and bomb themselves. https://t.co/xoZyAKlWId  AHMED |  (@ASE) October 15, 2023

After Biden, heres another war criminal shedding crocodiles tears after backing Israels occupation for decades and supplying them weapons. Just 2 days ago, he was asserting Israels right to defence, a euphemism for genocide in Gaza. Now hes deeply concerned it seems. https://t.co/asoTheRljv  Siddharth (@DearthOfSid) October 15, 2023

This makes it sound like Gaza suffered an earthquake not a relentless bombing campaign. https://t.co/ALg42MW6U9  Moh Mousa |   (@MohMoose) October 15, 2023

Who is causing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza?



Canada is calling for international law to be respected by whom? https://t.co/JR0w1UGyQy  Mariam T (@mariamtee) October 15, 2023

Trudeau's statement comes after the family of an Israeli-Canadian woman, 22-year-old Shir Georgy, announced her death on Saturday, along with government officials confirming the death of a fifth Canadian on Sunday.

Since Hamas' incursion in Israel on Oct. 7, more than 3,600 people have died and up to 10,000 have been injured.

Israeli forces, along with a growing number of U.S. warships, have positioned themselves along Gaza's border in a looming offensive in what Israel said is a broad campaign to dismantle Hamas. It's estimated 300,000 troops have massed and are prepared to push into Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "demolish" Hamas, adding that the show of unity "sends a clear message to the nation, the enemy and the world."
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Chinese fighter jets recklessly intercepted a Canadian military plane in international airspace as it was enforcing United Nations sanctions imposed on North Korea, Ottawa's defense minister said.

The incident happened Monday off the coast of China, according to Global News, which was aboard the Canadian military aircraft on mission as part of Operation Neon.

The Canadian news organization said at least two Chinese jets intercepted the Canadian plane over the course of multiple hours during the more than eight-hour mission, coming within 16 feet of the Ottawa jet.

Defense Minister Bill Blair described the interaction to reporters in a press conference on Monday as "dangerous and reckless" that not only put the men and women of the Canadian armed forces at risk but also their mission.

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"I am very concerned with the unprofessional way in which this was done," he said.

"It was quite frankly dangerous and reckless and those types of behavior are not ever acceptable and we will express that to the People's Republic of China in the most professional way."

Operation Neon is Canada's contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of U.N. Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea, aimed at forcing the reclusive nation to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons programs.

Blair said that during the execution of Operation Neon, Canadian military aircraft regularly come into contact with Chinese fighter jets, with the "vast majority of those interactions" being "professional" and "fairly safe."

"The interaction that unfortunately took place very recently is one that was not professional and not safe and the actions of the Chinese military in these circumstances I think was unacceptable and put our aircraft and their mission at significant risk," he said.

It also is not the first time Canada has accused China of harassing its planes in Asia.

In June, the Canadian Armed Forces said its Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft was repeatedly harassed by Chinese jets.

"In these interactions, PLAAF aircraft did not adhere to international air safety norms," Ottawa's defense ministry said in June.

"These interactions are unprofessional and/or put the safety of our RCAF personnel at risk. In some instances, the RCAF aircrew felt sufficiently at risk that they had to quickly modify their own flight path in order to increase separation and avoid a potential collision with the intercepting aircraft."

Western nations have repeatedly accused Chinese aircraft of acting unprofessionally in international airspace.

In late May, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command accused a Chinese fighter jet of performing an aggressive maneuver while intercepting a U.S. aircraft.

"The PRC pilot flew directly in front of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the U.S. aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence," it said in a statement. "The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law."

#USINDOPACOM Statement on #PRC Unprofessional Intercept: "We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law."

Read morehttps://t.co/jeAEg1lHXz pic.twitter.com/AvPKRZHCZB U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) May 30, 2023
Canopy Growth's Smiths Falls, Ontario, multi-million dollar headquarters has been sold as it struggles with financial losses

Canada remains one of the only countries in the world that allows legal and regulated access to recreational marijuana. But five years after the drug's legalisation, the country's cannabis industry is struggling for survival.

George Smitherman remembers buying his first legal gram of cannabis in October 2018 from a Tweed shop in Newfoundland.

The cannabis company had made headlines two years prior for signing a marketing deal with US rapper Snoop Dogg, which was hailed at the time as a sign of a new dawn in the marijuana industry.

The shop, Mr Smitherman recalls, was "beautiful".

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"I didn't know if I was in a spa or a jewellery showroom," he said.

He also remembers the juxtaposition of the product he bought versus the striking space he bought it in - all marijuana products in Canada are sold in generic packaging with plain, government-issued labels.

Still, it was an exciting time, Mr Smitherman recalls. Canada's long-anticipated cannabis legalisation had just become a reality. Investment was flowing into a brand new market that many thought would get them rich.

Five years later, the industry is dealing with economic struggles far removed from the enthusiasm of those early days.

Take Aurora Cannabis, for example. The Alberta-based cannabis manufacturer - one of the largest in Canada - announced in August that it will be diversifying its offerings and start selling orchids.

That same month, another company, Canopy Growth, sold the multi-million dollar Ontario headquarters it bought in 2017 back to its original owner, candy manufacturer Hershey Canada.

Both companies, along with other cannabis producers, have also given out pink slips to thousands of workers in an effort to cut costs as they continue to generate little to no profit.

Part of the problem, experts and industry leaders say, is overregulation of the drug as the country attempts to toe a careful line between public health and building a robust cannabis industry.

Others say it's simply a matter of too many players and too much production that far exceeds demand.

And because Canada is one of the only countries in the world that federally allow the manufacturing and consumption of recreational cannabis, the options for domestic producers to make money outside Canada's borders remain very limited.

Marijuana in Canada is sold in government-issued packaging, and advertising of cannabis products is not allowed

These challenges were difficult to see early on, said Mr Smitherman, a former Ontario politician who is now the head of the Cannabis Council of Canada.

"The thing is, there was no global road map," he told the BBC, as no other country had attempted to legalise recreational cannabis on such a large scale.

When Canada passed its landmark Cannabis Act in 2018, one of its biggest goals was to move marijuana users away from the illicit market towards a legal, regulated market. It was designed to keep the drug away from minors and limit money flowing into the illegal marijuana trade.

There was also the economic argument as well - that Canadians and the country's economy as a whole would stand to benefit.

In many ways, that economic equation still holds true: Canada's domestic recreational market is valued in the billions. In 2022, Deloitte Canada estimated that cannabis added C$43.5bn ($31.91bn; 26.23bn) to the country's gross domestic product since legalisation.

And Canadians can access legal and regulated marijuana just about anywhere in the country.

But they have also reportedly lost more than C$131bn investing in cannabis businesses.

Michael Armstrong, a cannabis business researcher at Brock University in Ontario, argues that early hiccups paved the way for some of the business challenges seen today.

"One way to sum it up would be to say we've kind of had a classic boom and bust," Prof Armstrong said.

In the early days, many stores were dealing with chronically empty shelves as production could not keep up with demand. Prof Armstrong said this drove cannabis producers to make too much product, which led to a surplus and an eventual downsizing.

It also meant that many still relied on the illicit market to get their marijuana.

On the retail side, cannabis stores were initially very profitable. But a clustering of storefronts over time in the same areas meant retailers had to lower their prices and offer other incentives to compete with other stores nearby.

As of 2023, there are around 3,600 licensed retail cannabis stores across the country and 970 licensed cannabis producers in Canada.

Few of those producers appear to be profitable. Mr Smitherman said a recent survey by the Cannabis Council of Canada found that only 20% are showing some form of positive cashflow.

"The attrition, turnover and consolidation is relentless," he said of the current business landscape.

Some also point the finger at what they say is the overregulation of the industry, where cannabis is still a controlled substance. By law, cannabis companies cannot advertise their products or build brand recognition in the way companies in other industries can.

Retail locations have tinted windows to conceal what is inside, and the drug is sold in government-approved packaging. They also pay higher regulatory fees than companies selling other controlled substances.

It is part of a delicate balance the government has tried to strike between public health and managing a new legal industry, Prof Armstrong said.

"The big trade off in legal cannabis is: how do you make the legal market attractive enough to get all the existing users to go with the legal weed, but not so attractive that you get a whole bunch of new users starting up," he said.

Canada also has stringent laws on the types of products that can be sold, as well as their potency. Some argue that this has caused illegal cannabis in the country to continue to thrive even under legalisation.

Consumers of cannabis edibles, for example, are able to go online and find products with a potency higher than the legal amount, Mr Smitherman said.

Often, those products are sold at a considerably lower cost than what is being offered in licensed stores.

In late 2022, Canada's Department of Public Safety estimated that 33% of the marijuana market is still controlled by the illicit drug trade.

There are also limited options for Canada's cannabis producers to profit outside of the country's borders.

Canada remains the only country with a legal, federal cannabis framework outside of Uruguay, and the export of recreational products is not allowed.

While some states in the US have legalised marijuana, the drug remains illegal at the federal level.

Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, but it has not moved to legalise its recreational use nationally.

Countries in the European Union have toyed with the idea of legalisation, but "they are moving very slowly", Prof Armstrong said, partly due to stringent EU laws.

Industry leaders like Mr Smitherman have long lobbied the government for looser laws that, he argues, will benefit the cannabis industry while not straying away from the country's public health objectives.

"Our argument is: 'Hey, if we can make some incremental changes here, collectively, we can grow the pie,'" he said.

Despite the challenges, many still hail legalisation as somewhat of a success.

"From a public policy standpoint, the people of Canada are very satisfied with it," Mr Smitherman said.

"But one of the measures of success is, are we creating a sustainable model here where, in the next five years, we are going to see good cannabis companies bringing innovative products and winning that battle for market share, or are we going to retreat?"

Prof Armstrong said that what Canada has is "what no other country in the world has".

"Now, having said that, legalisation is not a roaring success."
FILE PHOTO: Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said a reported Israeli strike on a hospital in Gaza was "horrific and absolutely unacceptable."

Trudeau made his remarks when asked about the strike, which health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave said had killed hundreds of people.

Canada has stressed that Israel must abide by international law as it strikes back against Hamas over attacks that killed more than 1,300 people.

"The news coming out of Gaza is horrific and absolutely unacceptable ... international law needs to be respected in this and in all cases. There are rules around wars and it's not acceptable to hit a hospital," Trudeau told reporters.

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Israel's military said it did not have any details on the reported bombing.

(This story has been corrected to clarify that PM Trudeau was reacting to reports of an Israeli strike, in the headline)

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Rod Nickel)
Arizona State University police say they are investigating an incident in which a queer faculty member was confronted and injured on the school's campus.

An official with the conservative group Turning Point USA said late Thursday night that two of their "crew members" were involved in the altercation.

The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon in Tempe, according to police spokesperson Adam Wolfe.

Wolfe said security footage shows two people  a "reporter" and a "cameraman," according to Turning Point USA  followed David Boyles, a writing instructor in ASU's English Department, while filming him. Turning Point USA did not name the two people following an inquiry by The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, about their identities.

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In a statement on social media, Turning Point USA identified the people as affiliates of FRONTLINES, an online show the group produces. The show recently launched a "Child Safety Unit" that "takes aim at hunting down predators for preying and grooming minors," according to an announcement emailed to people on the group's mailing list last month.

Accusing LGBTQ+ people of pedophilia and "grooming" young people to be victims of sexual abuse has reemerged in recent years as a common political attack by far-right extremists.

Boyles wrote in an Instagram post that Wednesday's incident happened immediately after he finished teaching a class on LGBTQ+ youth in pop culture and politics. The two people began yelling at him about Drag Story Hour Arizona, he said. Drag Story Hour Arizona is an organization he co-founded in 2019 that aims to bring "inclusive story times" to children and support diversity in early literacy, according to its website.

"One filmed on his phone while the other shouted horrible and incendiary things at me, repeating standard right-wing nonsense about Drag Story Hour and also accusing me personally of pedophilia and hating America," Boyles wrote.

Video posted by Turning Point USA shows that its "crew members" approached Boyles. He said he would not answer their questions, but they continued to follow him and film him, asking him when he "became obsessed with sex education," why children should be present at shows where people "shake their genitals and fake breasts" and how he became "attracted to minors." At times, the video jumps ahead and doesn't show the entire interaction.

"You can't run," one of the Turning Point USA affiliates told Boyles in the video.

Wolfe said one of the people eventually shoved Boyles to the pavement, injuring him, and then fled.

But Turning Point USA officials say Boyles made the first move by "lunging, pushing and clawing" at the person filming.

On Instagram, Boyles said that he moved to block the camera "knowing that they were filming in order to post this online and inspire even more harassment against me."

"When I did so, the other one jumped me from behind," he said.

Turning Point USA's video shows Boyles moving close to the person filming before cutting out, but doesn't clearly show whether he pushed or scratched the person. The group said Boyles' "assault" disconnected a wire, causing the video to end at that point.

"After reviewing the footage its clear Mr. Boyles was not 'attacked,' nor was he 'jumped' or 'slammed,' rather Mr. Boyles initiated a physical altercation," Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet said.

Boyles wrote his wounds are "relatively minor," but he is still "angry, violated, embarrassed and despairing at the fact that we have come to normalize this kind of harassment and violence."

"Stop coddling these ... terrorists," he wrote. "Call them what they are. ... These people should be shunned from society."

More: How these queer spaces are creating safe havens for LGBTQ communities

Boyles blames 'right-wing propaganda' for attack

Boyles told police who responded to the scene that he believed he was "targeted," Wolfe said.

He is included on Turning Point USA's "professor watchlist," which the group describes as consisting of "professors who discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom." Earlier this year, ASU President Michael Crow asked Turning Point USA to remove ASU faculty from the list because of harassing messages.

Boyles was also recently the subject of a post on the website AZ Free News. The post discussed Boyles' involvement in Drag Story Hour Arizona and, based on a blog entry Boyles wrote about suggesting new titles to his local library, said Boyles advocates for "people to plant pornographic LGBTQ+ banned books in local libraries."

The AZ Free News website says its mission is to "foster independent journalism and provide people ... with access to news and information not covered by traditional corporate media." In a statement to The Arizona Republic, Boyles called it a "right-wing propaganda website."

Before Turning Point USA said publicly that the two people involved in the incident were its "crew members," Boyles told The Republic in a statement that he blamed the conservative group and AZ Free News for spreading "inflammatory and bigoted rhetoric" that provoked the confrontation.

AZ Free News states on its website that it is funded by the nonprofit Arizona Freedom Foundation. Financial records from 2021 for the organization list Scot Mussi, president and executive director of the conservative Arizona Free Enterprise Club, as the foundation's director.

Mussi and AZ Free News Managing Editor Eric Porteous did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Republic.

In social media posts, Boyles also criticized ASU. He said he is "not holding my breath" for "much of a response" from the university because its leaders have "made the university a safe space for bigots of all kinds, partly in pursuit of donations from right-wing billionaires and partly because they are just cowards."

In one post, Boyles referenced a Republic article from November 2022 about a fundraiser at ASU that featured Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Money from the fundraiser went to the Center for American Institutions, which is part of ASU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, according to the ASU Foundation.

ASU spokesperson Chris Fiscus told The Republic that the university is focused on "finding out what happened and finding those responsible."

Police to investigate if 'bias or prejudice' was motive

Wolfe said ASU's ongoing police investigation will include probing whether "bias or prejudice" was a factor, he said.

"Obviously, we know part of their motive," he said. "We want to try to figure out if that's the whole motive... why did they feel so brazen to come onto campus and confront this professor?"

If the investigation finds that Boyles was targeted because of his sexuality, aggravated assault charges could be brought, Wolfe said. That could result in a greater penalty.

"The bias is the aggravating factor," Wolfe said.

Sasha Hupka covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Do you have a tip on Arizona's universities, community colleges or trade schools? Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU police investigating after queer instructor assaulted in Tempe
When Lisa Nisco found an affordable 2017 Infiniti for sale on Facebook Marketplace last summer, she didn't hesitate to buy it. In good condition and with relatively low mileage, the car looked like a steal at $8,000.

Two days after taking possession of the vehicle, Nisco found out her new ride was, in fact, stolen.

"I went to the DMV to get the car registered and [the employee] said the title was fake," Nisco said.

While the vehicle's VIN number matched the document, Nisco says she was told the title was counterfeit and didn't match the owner name listed in their system.

"My first reaction is just like, what's going to happen now? You're going to buy a vehicle. You're thinking everything is legit. Who would do something like this to you? You don't think for a second that someone's trying to con you," said Nisco. "It wasn't in my mind."

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Nisco contacted the New York City Police Department and says detectives confirmed the sedan she bought had been reported stolen. They said they would investigate.

"We were told by the detectives not to drive it anywhere, because if they were to 'ping' it, we would get arrested regardless of what the situation is, because we're driving a stolen vehicle," said Nisco.

One year later, the crime remains unsolved: no one has been arrested and the Infiniti still sits in Nisco's driveway. The NYPD told CBS News the case "remains an active and ongoing investigation."

Last year, more than 15,000 vehicles were reported stolen in New York City  more than double the number reported in 2017, according to a CBS News analysis of department data. But the chances of police catching the criminal who stole the Infiniti are slim.

Similar trends are seen around the country: Nationwide, vehicle thefts rose 10.9% from 2021 to 2022, according to the latest FBI data, with nearly a million vehicles stolen last year, but fewer than 70,000 arrests.

Police solve only a fraction of cases

A CBS News analysis of police data from more than a dozen U.S. cities found nearly all of car theft cases go unsolved.

In New York City, publicly available data shows that, in June, the department made about 14 arrests for every 100 car thefts that were reported. In Denver  one of the cities with the highest car theft rates in the country  it was lower: just 7 arrests for every 100 car thefts.

Law enforcement struggles to keep up

While solve rates for car theft have historically been low, the recent surge in incidents has caused them to plunge even lower. In many cities, the number of thefts reported has jumped over the course of just a few years.

In Chicago and New York, car theft rates have more than doubled since the start of 2017. In Denver, they've more than tripled.

CBS News Colorado: Denver auto thefts high while arrests lag: "They don't understand how much they hurt families"

In Philadelphia, the number of car thefts has increased more than 20% every year. Last year, there were more than 17,000 reported there; veteran police commander told CBS News Philadelphia "I couldn't believe the number of stolen autos I was looking at."

Nationally, solve rates for vehicle theft have remained low. FBI estimates going back as far as 2000 show less than 1 in 5 such cases were "cleared"  meaning police either made an arrest or had enough information to solve the case.

Related: As car thefts spike, many thieves slip through U.S. border unchecked

While there are many factors that contribute to a department's clearance rate, experts told CBS News it's critical police have enough staff to keep up with the number of cases.

"These are property crimes, and the law enforcement resources are generally understaffed," said David Glawe, president and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. "We've heard that over and over again."

CBS reporters across the country asked law enforcement in their communities about why auto theft clearance rates are so low. All point to budget and staffing shortages.

CBS News Boston: Car thefts on the rise in Massachusetts, but cases are rarely solved



Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said enforcement and prosecution must be better.

"That's insane  4%, 7%. No, that that doesn't work under anyone's estimation, and no one should accept that," he said.

Dart also suggested it's wrong to think of car theft as just a property crime.

"This is no different than they need a gun to commit the shooting. They need the car to commit a crime. If they don't have the car, they can't go do that drive-by. This is not some property crime. This is an instrument for major crimes that are killing and shooting and hurting people."

None of the law enforcement agencies whose data CBS News analyzed had clearance rates over 20%. Even among those with higher solve rates such as Sacramento, which solved more incidents than many agencies nationwide, most cases remain unsolved.

Rideshare driver hunts stolen cars

The surge in stolen cars has kept rideshare driver Matt Nalett busy. Three years ago, he started noticing abandoned vehicles on his routes with Uber and Lyft stickers in the windows.

"I'd call the police to report a suspicious auto and they would come out and I found out the majority of the cars were stolen after I posted them to the Uber and Lyft groups on Facebook," he said.

So, Nalett decided to patrol the streets of Chicago hunting for stolen vehicles to reunite them with their owners.

"I started to get to know a lot of the officers that worked different beats, and they would say, 'Hey, Matt, if you want to go find stolen cars, you know, like, go check over here and go look over there.' They were giving me spots to go look at. I was like, OK, this is cool," said Nalett on a recent Tuesday evening as he drove around looking for cars.

Nalett says he looks for telltale signs that a vehicle might in fact be stolen. When he comes across cars collecting dust in parking structures, vehicles missing license plates, or shattered windows he runs the plate or VIN on a public Chicago Police website to see if what he's found has been reported stolen.

CBS News Minnesota: Cops concerned specialized tool could lead to more car thefts



On this night it took just a few minutes for Nalett to come across a Hyundai Sonata parked outside a closed storefront. The rear passenger side window had been shattered.

"It might be a fresh steal, of course, but I'm still going to call 911 anyway," said Nalett.

Depending on how busy police are on a given night, Nalett says he can wait anywhere from minutes to hours for officers to show up on scene. It took 45 minutes on this particular night for CPD to arrive and confirm the vehicle had been stolen from a neighboring municipality. According to police, it had been reported stolen four days earlier and they had no information on whether it was involved in any other crimes during that peroid. No arrests were made.

CBS News Miami: Vehicle thefts in South Florida: Local thieves target luxury vehicles, are rarely caught



"Vehicles are a low priority. Unless the car was used in a homicide or shooting or a robbery or whatever else like that, it may be higher up on the chain," he said. "But if it's just a normal straight steal, like that car with a broken back window, popped ignition and stuff like that, that is the lowest on the priority list."

Nalett's Facebook group now includes about 31,000 watchers who look out for stolen cars and post to the page. He says in the last three years, the group has helped to identify and recover more than 4,500 stolen vehicles.

Searching for solutions

The Cook County Sheriff's office has been exploring ways to prevent car theft and make it easier for law enforcement to track vehicles when they are stolen.

Last year the department introduced a tracker program. Anyone with a vehicle registered in the county can fill out a form to give consent for law enforcement to access vehicle tracking information through their manufacturer if their car is taken illegally. A sticker in the windshield indicates the car is part of the program.

Since its launch in October of last year, nearly 9,500 cars have been signed up  a fraction of the 1.5 million registered cars in Cook County. But so far only three of those cars have been stolen. No one was arrested in those cases.

"We've only had a couple of them because we think the sticker is actually deterring people. We're able to track the car immediately," said Dart.

But Dart says it's not enough to just recover a stolen vehicle.

"In the old days, that was considered the home run. There was a theft. You got the car back. The reality is now I think people are finally waking up. What is happening with that car in that interim between what was stolen and when it was recovered? And that's the problem," said Dart.

As for Lisa Nisco in New York, she's still waiting.

A year later, the stolen vehicle she bought remains idle in her driveway. She has not recouped a penny and she's not allowed to drive the car she paid for.

"Here I am, I'm a victim of a stolen vehicle and they're not doing anything about it," she said.

In an email, the NYPD told CBS News that Nisco's case "remains an active and ongoing investigation."

Meanwhile, more than a dozen American cities including New York, Baltimore and Chicago are suing automakers Kia and Hyundai. They allege the automakers left out certain anti-theft features that have made their cars easier to steal.

Related: Could you get "carhacked"? The growing risk of keyless vehicle thefts and how to protect yourself

The automakers want the suits thrown out, saying they should not be held liable. They blame "lax policing and prosecution policies" as well as budget cuts in public safety.

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VENICE, Fla. - Defense attorneys for Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital are continuing to present their side to a jury on Tuesday in a $220 million case that was the focus of the Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya.

On Tuesday morning, defense attorneys called Charlotte LaPorte to the stand. She was a case manager for Pathways in 2015 who was involved with Maya Kowalski. She was responsible for supervising phone calls and any written communication between Maya and Beata Kowalski.

On the stand, LaPorte testified that she could be heard speaking in recorded conversations between the mother and daughter. However, several other people, including Maya, testified that it was social worker Catherine Bedys voice on the recording.

In the recording, a woman can be heard telling Beata Kowalski that she could not discuss anything about the case with Maya when Beata Kowalski said she and Maya could be together when a judge said it was okay.

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LaPorte told the jury she was not at the hospital when the phone calls occurred, and the calls had to be arranged around her schedule, Beata Kowalski's schedule, the hospitals schedule and Mayas schedule.

She testified that Beata Kowalski would have liked daily calls with her daughter, but that was not feasible.

Charlotte LaPorte testified for the defense on Tuesday morning.

According to LaPortes testimony, Beata Kowalski did not want Bedy on the calls. LaPorte stated that Bedy helped facilitate the calls, but she could not confirm or deny whether Bedy remained in the room or listened to the conversation.

Hospital attorneys are hoping to show jurors that the facility acted reasonably to protect Maya and that staff were not alone in their suspicions that family matriarch Beata Kowalski suffered from Munchausen by proxy and was making her daughter sick.

The Kowalski family is suing Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital for $220 million, claiming its actions drove Beata Kowalski to suicide after Maya was taken into state custody while child abuse allegations were investigated, and she wasnt allowed to see her daughter for 87 days.

Tori Niehus with the Safe Childrens Coalition also testified in front of the jury on Tuesday morning. She said each time she saw Maya inside the hospital she seemed happy.

Tori Niehus testifies for the defense on Tuesday about what she saw each time she visited Maya in the hospital.

Niehus noted that she was shocked during one of her four visits when Maya asked for morphine because she did not appear to be in pain.

She also told the jury that the only time Mayas feet turned inward was when she was talking with her father about dystonia. However, on cross-examination, Niehaus was also shown photos she took that showed Maya's feet turned inward during a Halloween event at the hospital.

The Kowalskis attorney also had Niehus read from a deposition she recorded in 2020 in which Niehaus said that Maya had told her she wasnt doing well and she stated was in pain.

Pictured: Maya at a Halloween event at the hospital.

Lawyers for Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital kicked off their case by playing a deposition from Dr. James Lewis, a neuropsychologist and a consultant for the Child Protection Team.

Dr. Lewis met with Maya after staff at Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital raised concerns that her mother may have been medically abusing her.

In a video deposition, Dr. Lewis stated that he believed Maya may have been suffering from a psychological symptom of pain, which may have triggered physical pain symptoms.

He added that her mother may have unwittingly, or knowingly played a role.

"I did a pretty thorough assessment of her clinical interview and a trauma interview of what exactly what was making Maya sad, upset, anxious, worried or depressed. She described that she was worried about her mother. She was upset and depressed because she knew her mother was depressed, or at least she thought. She thought her mother was depressed because she had been abused by her own father," stated Dr. Lewis.

Dr. Lewis stressed in his deposition that he had not treated Beata Kowalski, nor had he made a determination of whether he suspected her of abusing Maya.

RELATED: Take Care of Maya trial: Attorneys wrap up Kowalski's side in $220M case against All Children's Hospital

Before the plaintiffs rested, psychiatrist Dr. Scott Richards took the stand and told jurors how he believed Beata Kowalski felt she had no choice but to end her life.

"I believe the impulse happened for Beata Kowalski when she finally had the impulse that I can do no more. Ive gotten everyone in my life involved, no one can seem to help," said Dr. Richards.

"I liken it to someone who is impulsively having emotions, they write an email, and they hit send, and they wish they hadnt of send it. In this case there was no delete. You couldnt unsend the impulse," he added.

What Happened to Maya from Take Care of Maya?

The Kowalskis say they took Maya to Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital in October 2016 when she was experiencing a flare up of pain from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or CRPS.

Last Monday, Maya told jurors her condition would leave her screaming in pain and unable to walk at the time. She said she received the painkiller ketamine during a series of intense treatments in Mexico, in which she was told there was a 50 percent chance of death.

RELATED: Take Care of Maya trial: Maya testifies again in $220 million case against All Childrens Hospital

She explained that the ketamine treatment worked, and she was improving until the October 2016 flare up.

Pictured: Maya Kowalski

Her mother, Beata Kowalski, insisted that she receive ketamine at Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital. But staff at the hospital disagreed with the treatments.

RELATED: Take Care of Maya trial: Mayas aunt testifies in $220 million case against All Childrens Hospital

Her persistence alarmed hospital staff and they called in a report to the Child Abuse Hotline. They suspected Beata Kowalski, who was a registered nurse, was making her daughter sick.

When the hospitals attorney, Howard Hunter, began his opening statements, he noted that several hospital staffers believed Beata Kowalski suffered from Munchausen by proxy (MBP) and they were trying to protect her.

Pictured: Beata Kowalski

Last Thursday, in a video deposition, Dr. Sally Smith, who was the medical director for the Child Potection Team providing a medical evaluation for Maya while she was at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, said she knew that four other physicians had diagnosed Maya with CRPS.

RELATED: Take Care of Maya trial: Jury watches Dr. Sally Smith deposition in case against All Childrens Hospital

When questioned, she said that she did not believe that a mother who failed to tell a new doctor about their childs entire medical history, or who does not follow the directions if a doctor or the prescriptions of a doctor to the letter was committing an act of child abuse.

However, she added that she believed Mayas mother, Beata Kowalski, was committing medical child abuse though she admitted that she had never testified in a case involving CRPS in the past.

Jurors watched a video deposition of Dr. Sally Smith on Thursday.

"Upon review of all the extensive medical records, observations of the child in the hospital, review of the unconventional treatments including hyperbaric oxygen treatment and high dose ketamine treatment repeatedly. It was my opinion that there was ample evidence of medical child abuse and it appeared Mrs. Kowalski was the primary one who was resulting in instigating or perpetrating child abuse," Dr.Smith stated.

Dr. Smith also said she recalled that Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, who diagnosed Maya with CRPS and recommended ketamine treatment, advised her not to move forward with allegations that Beata Kowalski was suffering from Munchausen by proxy.

Jurors also heard Smith say she suggested doctors at Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital take Maya off of all medications.

Maya and Beata Kowalski perform a figure skating routine.

Why was Maya kept away from her family?

A judge ordered Maya to be sheltered at the hospital while the child abuse allegations were investigated. She wasnt allowed to be discharged to her family or another treatment facility and could not see her mother. A judge ordered her to remain at the hospital under state custody. Beata Kowalski died by suicide after being kept away from her daughter for 87 days. The Kowalskis say Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital medically kidnapped Maya and battered her while in their care.

Maya said, during her three months in state custody at the hospital, there was a 48-hour period where she was isolated in a hospital room. Maya said staff wouldn't help her go to the bathroom and, instead, tried to see if she could actually walk, but she couldn't.

A video of Marissa Higgins helping Maya try to walk was shown in court on Friday.

"They left me there for 48 hours under surveillance, which they did not tell me about. They had a commode in there, and they just put it far enough away from the bed. So, I would have to physically stand up and use the bathroom," said Maya. "I called the nurses whenever I had to use a bathroom because obviously, I'm not able to walk. And when they refused to help me go to the bathroom, I would defecate on myself."

RELATED: Take Care of Maya trial: Maya testifies in $220 million case against All Childrens Hospital

She described some nurses as mean and unhelpful, and others as compassionate and willing to help. Her testimony on Monday was emotional at times as she expressed her frustration.

"When I express to them a symptom or like my pain, they would say, 'No, you're making it up,' or 'it's in your head,'" Maya said.

Jack Kowalski, Mayas father, testified last week that his family was told they would be arrested if they left the facility with Maya.

He went on to describe how the hospital treated those who tried to visit Maya.

"Did you learn through the course of this that they believed Beata was slipping ketamine through the holy water and wafers?" the Kowalski's family attorney Greg Anderson asked.

"I know it didnt happen, but they had all different ideas," Jack Kowalski replied.

Anderson argued those theories resulted in Beata Kowalskis desperation and death by suicide.

"I saw my child deteriorating. I go home, I see my wife deteriorating," shared Jack Kowalski while on the witness stand.

PREVIOUS: Take Care of Maya trial: What will the jury hear? Lawyers argue over evidence, witnesses in case

Attorney Mark Zimmerman, who represented Maya when she was at Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital, said he felt as if the facility, and, in particular, social worker Catherine Bedy, tried to put up barriers for him to access Maya.

Beata Kowalski with Maya and Kyle

A phone call between Beata and Maya that was monitored by Bedy was also played in court on Thursday.

Mayas former Guardian Ad Litem, Jessica Blackrick, testified that Bedy cut a phone short a phone call in which Maya and her mother were praying together.

Blackrick added that a phone call that Maya wanted to make to her mother on Thanksgiving was blocked by Bedy because she couldnt make herself available to monitor it.

Blackrick went on to state that she never told Bedy to monitor those phone calls.

Pictured: Maya Kowalski with boots on her feet.

Jurors watched a video deposition of Bedy, who the Kowalski family dropped its case against Bedy shortly before the trial began.

Bedy began her deposition by explaining how she was written up by the hospital after yelling at a co-worker after an attorney asked her if she had ever been disciplined at work.

The battery allegations from the Kowalski family stem from Bedy and others holding Maya down for unwanted photos and unwanted comforting.

She went on to describe how she met Maya and accused her mother, Beata Kowalski, of having Munchausen by proxy, but admitted she was not an expert on the disease and stated she had only worked with three similar cases.

READ: Take Care of Maya trial: Social worker Catherine Bedy testifies via video deposition in $220 million case

Bedy said she saw Beata Kowalski demand ketamine for her daughter. Although the hospital says it believed the ketamine treatments were too dangerous, Bedy admitted that the facility did not take into consideration that Maya had been prescribed the ketamine treatments.

Maya Kowalski in hospital.

After seeing Bedys deposition, the jury was dismissed, while the court held a hearing on future evidence in the case. During the hearing, Mayas father Jack Kowalski was asked about Bedy, and he said Maya couldnt stand her.

"She stated she placed her on the lap. I never gave consent by the way on that. She stated that she used to come in and slap her leg to see if she was in pain, she said she wanted to adopt her that her mother was in a mental home, so she could be like her mother while in the hospital," he said.

Pictured: Beata and Maya Kowalski

Why was Maya taking ketamine?

Beata Kowalski, who was a registered nurse, learned about CRPS from an infusion patient and began researching the disease. Her research led her to Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, who diagnosed Maya with CRPS and prescribed ketamine treatments.

RELATED: Take Care of Maya trial: Doctor who prescribed ketamine treatments testifies in $220 million case

On Tuesday, jurors heard from Dr. Kirkpatrick, he told the jury that initially Maya said the ketamine treatments helped, but not enough so he recommended a high-intensity treatment in Mexico, which he said was a success.

"He explained the procedure. He talked about how its been around for quite a long time. He mentioned its used for many things, and its safe," Jack Kowalski stated during testimony on Monday. "The side effect when theyre coming out of it is a hallucination for a short time, but then everything is back to normal."

RELATED: Take Care of Maya trial: Maya's former attorney, doctor testifies in case against All Children's Hospital

Upon cross-examination of Jack Kowalski, defense attorneys for the hospital questioned the familys decision to move forward with ketamine coma treatment in Mexico.

File: Ketamine

"Were you aware that the risk of death from that coma was 50%?" asked Ethen Shapiro.

"There is a risk in every procedure," Kowalski responded.

"I understand that Mr. Kowalski but respectfully theres a risk and then theres a risk thats a coin flip in which your daughter could pass. Did you know it was 50%" Shapiro pressed on.

RELATED: Take Care of Maya trial: Doctor who's treated thousands for CRPS testifies on behalf of Maya

"They stated it was 50%, but they stated no one every died from that procedure," responded Kowalski.

Side by side images of Maya Kowalski as she battled CRPS.

Mayas father told the jury he and his family saw Maya slowly returning to herself following the ketamine therapy.

Dr. Kirkpatrick shared a similar testimony

"She could take care of herself, comb her hair, brush her teeth, eat with her hands and so forth" he recalled.

During a video deposition on Monday, Dr. Lewis stated that Maya had overheard doctors telling her mother that she had a 50 percent chance of dying during the ketamine treatment, which added to her anxiety.

RELATED: Take Care of Maya trial: Doctor who prescribed ketamine treatments testifies in $220 million case

When Maya relapsed in 2016, the Kowalski family says staff at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital didnt agree with the ketamine treatments.

Maya Kowalski in the hospital.

Dr. Kirkpatrick said he discussed Mayas condition with the hospital.

"I emphasized that if she doesnt get the ketamine, its going to be a slow, painful death," Dr. Kirkpatrick stated.

On Wednesday, Dr. Fernando Cantu, the doctor who administered Maya's ketamine coma, explained that while it will not cure CRPS, it is a treatment for the disease.

However, staff at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital disagreed with the ketamine treatments and suspected Maya was a victim of child abuse.

Maya and her physician Fernando Cantu.

What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

CRPS is a rare pain disease that can follow an injury, and its tough to diagnose and sufferers are sometimes accused of faking their pain.

PREVIOUS: Take Care of Maya trial: CRPS takes center stage in $200 million case against All Childrens Hospital

Theres no cure for CRPS and treatments can range from acupuncture and nutrition to physical therapy and massage or ketamine therapy.

The Kowalski family attorney argued that the hospital staff refused to believe Maya had CRPS even after Dr. Kirkpatrick, who did not work for All Childrens Hospital, confirmed her diagnosis.

PREVIOUS: Take Care of Maya trial: Testimony continues in $200 million case against All Childrens Hospital

The Kowalski family claims that while hospital staff was accusing them of lying about CRPS and refusing to treat Maya, the facility was billing the family and their insurance more than half a million dollars for that exact cause of illness.

File: Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Jurors will ultimately have to decide whether what happened to the Kowalski family could have been prevented and if the hospitals actions pushed Beata Kowalski to take her own life.

PREVIOUS: Take Care of Maya: Jury selection begins in civil case against Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital

"We ask in this case for you to consider not only compensatory damages to try to make them whole for these terrible things, but also punitive damages to deter them to punish them and to deter this type of behavior in the future," said Greg Anderson, Maya Kowalskis lawyer.

On Friday, an economist detailed expenses the family has incurred and will incur on the future and came up with $220 million.
The House GOP is expected to vote on a new speaker as early as Tuesday at noon but House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is far from a lock to win the seat despite a pressure campaign to win over holdout Republicans.

Jordan managed to flip several Republicans who vowed to vote against his nomination but he remains "at least 10" votes short of the 217 he needs to win and some members say "his support is very soft and there are likely more than two dozen people inclined to vote against him," according to CBS News' Robert Costa. Jordan has signaled that the House may hold multiple votes in hopes of pressuring the holdouts to come onboard. It took former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., 15 ballots to win the job.

Ahead of speaker vote:



FIRM NO:

Don Bacon

Mike Lawler

Mike Kelly

Carlos Gimenez

Mario Diaz Balart



LEANING NO:

Ken Buck

Victoria Spartz

Steve Womack

Marianette Miller-Meeks



UNDECIDED/NOT SAYING:

Young Kim

John Rutherford

Juan Ciscomani

Tom Kean Jr



ABSENT:

Gus Bilirakis  Annie Grayer (@AnnieGrayerCNN) October 17, 2023

Jordan signaled confidence Monday night after a weekend pressure campaign successfully flipped several lawmakers in his favor: Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo.; Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.; Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif.; and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala.

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"Look, I felt good walking into the conference," Jordan said on Monday night. "I feel even better now. Weve got a few more people we want to talk to, listen to. And then well have a vote tomorrow."

Axios reporter Juliegrace Brufke, on Sunday shared an email she was given that showed how a representative from Fox News host Sean Hannity's show asked officials to explain why they weren't in favor of Jordan.

"Sources tell Hannity that Rep xxxx is not supporting Rep Jim Jordan for speaker," the email reads. "Can you please let me know if this is accurate? And, if true, Hannity would like to know why during a war breaking out between Israel and Hamas, with the war in Ukraine, with the wide open borders, with a budget that's unfinished why would Rep. xxxx be against Jim Jordan for speaker? Please let us know when Rep xxx plans on opening the People's House so work can be done. Lastly, are there any conditions Rep xxxx will work with Democrats on the process of electing a new speaker? The deadline for comment is 11 AM tomorrow 10/16. Thank you."

Moderates are growing increasingly irritated with the tactics Jordan allies are using to pressure them into voting for him, with one member noting the Hannity show has gotten involved in the efforts sending potential defectors the email below. One lawmaker said the push is pic.twitter.com/ulOn0ZEbts  Juliegrace Brufke (@juliegraceb) October 15, 2023

Conservative Daily Beast columnist Matt Lewis, criticized Jordan's "bullying" tactic on Monday.

"'Several of Mr. Jordans supporters have posted the phone numbers of mainstream G.O.P. lawmakers they count as holdouts,' according to The New York Times," wrote Lewis. "Meanwhile, a producer for Fox Newss Sean Hannity reportedly began a thinly veiled pressure campaign by querying GOP House members about their refusal to support Jordan ... Not since a Tucker Carlson questionnaire scared Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis into throwing Ukraine under the bus has 'just asking questions' been so effective."

"If Jordan wins," Lewis continued, "it means Republicans will have elected a speaker who opposes Ukraine funding and wanted then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject Joe Biden's electoral votes. What is more, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetzs insurgent strategy will have been successful, as a small group (just four percent) of House Republicans will have unilaterally ousted a House speaker  and replaced him with their chosen successor."

"Sincere or not, Team Jordans 'good cop/bad cop' routine is smart," he added. "It provides normal Republicans with an off-ramp to support Jordan, while also saving face. It is, after all, more honorable to be sweet-talked than to be intimidated," concluded Lewis. Or at least, "If Jim Jordan becomes Speaker Jordan, thats what they will tell themselves, anyway."

But Jordan holdouts still abound, though, as The Hill observes, many of his critics have not rallied in solidarity around an alternate option.

Im gonna vote the way I voted the first time, the first election we had, said Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa. Im voting for Steve Scalise.

They dont need to lecture me on the way things work," he added. "Im 75 years old. Ive watched it my entire life how things work. This is what tears teams apart. This doesnt make them closer."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Other lawmakers  including Reps. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., and Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. indicated they would offer support for recently ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was recently booted from the position by a far-right coup largely orchestrated by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.

Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., said she will have an objection if Jordan does not garner the 217 votes needed to clinch the win, telling reporters, I truly believe if he doesnt, we need to go back and have  meeting and try to reconcile our differences privately versus going to floor and have a show that will only benefit the other side."

No maam, I think we still need conversations, said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, when asked if she would vote to nominate Jordan. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., indicated that he is against Jordan for the time being, but noted that he would be speaking to the House Judiciary Chairman in a meeting that night; chiefly, Buck wanted to discuss the Capitol insurrection.

If hes gonna lead this conference during a presidential election cycle, particularly a presidential election year with primaries and caucuses around the country, hes gonna have to be strong and say Donald Trump didnt win the election, Buck said.

Democrats have also been up in arms over the prospect of a Jordan speakership. Former Sen.Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., told MSNBC's Nicole Wallace that it was "astounding" that House Republicans are seeking to nominate Jordan.

I dont know how long hell be speaker, McCaskill said.

You know, we may be back here again in another month, or two months, and talking about him being removed, she continued. They have a huge schism in their party and it is between people who have the same foundational values the Republican Party has always had and the Trump people and never the two are going to mix well.

They may paper over it tomorrow but I cant imagine this is going to bode well for our country over the next six months."

On a recent episode of Fox and Friends, host Brian Kilmeade referred to House GOP members as a "carnival of idiots," while anchors Lawrence Jones and Ainsley Earhardt concurred that the situation has become "ridiculous."

"Dont forget this if you live in an area where your congresswoman or congressman if theyre the ones that are holding out, Earhardt said. Dont forget this when it comes time to vote. Republicans need to unite and stick together. The Democrats do it beautifully, and Republicans, for some reason, cant seem to.

What a carnival of idiots," Kilmeade said. "Its unbelievable.

The land of misfit toys, Earhardt agreed.
NEW CASTLE, Ind.  A 59-year-old New Castle man was shot and killed late Monday during a standoff with police.

Donald Guffey Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene, in the 200 block of North 29th Street.

According to Indiana State Police  who are investigating the death  New Castle police were called to a report of shots fired at that location about 10:20 p.m., "established a perimeter around the residence and tried to establish communication with individuals inside."

Communication was established and two people inside the house were persuaded to come outside.

However, Guffey "barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to answer any further communications attempted by police," according to an ISP release.

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The New Castle-Henry County SWAT team was called to the scene and continued efforts to persuade Guffey to come outside.

According to the release, Guffey "approached a front window of the residence with a firearm and engaged officers," with two SWAT team members firing their rifles.

Guffey was struck by at least one bullet. Resuscitation efforts were made, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The ISP investigation is continuing. Once completed, the case will be turned over to Henry County Prosecutor Michael Mahoney.

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: New Castle man shot, killed during standoff with SWAT team
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Following a data breach nearly two weeks ago, the Clark County School District reports its temporarily limited online access for parents and students.

According to messages sent to parents Monday evening, access to Google Workspace will be temporarily limited to the internal CCSD network. Additionally, out of an abundance of caution, we have implemented a forced password change for all students to protect their accounts.

On Oct. 5, CCSD said it became aware of a cybersecurity incident impacting its email, according to one message to parents.

CCSD said there is a team of forensic experts investigating the incident and indicated it was cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation and is working diligently to identify all individuals whose information was impacted. The message added there were no reports related to identity theft since the discovery of the breach.

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CCSD said schools will work with students to change their passwords, and students will have access to Canvas and Infinite Campus once the password is reset. However, students will be unable to access Google Workspace, including Gmail and Drive, from outside the CCSD network.

Parents with questions can call 888-566-5512 between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.







For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Maine South High School in Park Ridge wrapped up its $85 million remodel in the summer. It includes a hub for student services in what administrators call Center Court. (Richard Requena)

Ever since the fall semester began two months ago, Maine South High School students have been reaping the benefit of $82 to $85 million in recently-completed, taxpayer-funded renovations and improvements to the school. They include a new hallway designed to relieve crowding in a main corridor that was nearly gridlocked during passing periods, causing some students to be late to class.

Several key areas in the school, including the cafeteria, were relocated during the renovation. The cafeteria is now located on the site of the former outdoor courtyard, and a weight room, health classroom, wrestling room and dance room are located in the space the cafeteria formerly occupied.

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Specifically at [Maine] South, nearly every square inch of the building saw upgrades including lighting, flooring, ceilings, as well as replacement of HVAC, electrical and plumbing throughout the building, said District 207 Spokesperson Brett Clark. The district spent $33.5 million on the buildings HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, he added.

Clark said before the remodel, large numbers of students tried to move, during passing periods, through a crowd in the bottlenecked main hallway on the west side of the building facing Dee Road. Many students over the years tried to escape the crowds by going outside, in all kinds of weather, and walking across the schools courtyard to get into the A-wing.

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After the renovation, an added hallway on the east side of the building facing homes on Broadway Avenue lets students get to and from the A-wing without having to step outside.

One of the more notable changes visible to both parents and students is that the remodel changed the layout of the building to create a hub area where offices that provide students academic and social/ emotional support, as well as a college advisor, are located, Clark said.

That space, called Center Court, is dominated by a huge, contemporary lighting fixture hanging over an open area featuring chairs and a television, and surrounded by offices offering various student services including the library, career and college center, student and family services, technology services, main office and attendance office.

Clark said having student services concentrated in the hub, near the entrance of the school, allows visitors and parents, who might be visiting a college counselor, for example, to get in and out of the building easily.

In the arts area, Maine Souths auditorium got new seats, ADA-accessible ramps, carpet and lighting. New lockers for band equipment were set up next to the theater, which has freed up class space for the band to practice. A new security vestibule is front and center at the entrance.

Maine South High School in Park Ridge wrapped up its $85 million remodel in the summer. The remodel changed the layout of the building; the cafeteria is where the courtyard used to be. (Richard Requena)

Clark said the schools pool, built in 1964, was completely renovated to make it safer. Almost a decade ago, student athletes at Maine South complained about breathing issues they attributed to swimming in the pool, and an investigation bore that out. Clark said ground level ventilation was added a few years ago, and the renovation allowed the district to replace the pools HVAC unit.

The deepest part of the pool is now 12 feet, a portion of the pool deck has been replaced and the walls were painted, said Clark. The ceiling was also raised to meet state requirements for diving, even though Maine Souths old setup was still eligible for competition because it had been grandfathered in.

The heated pool also has new energy-efficient LED lights that Clark said will provide indirect lighting, which will prevent shadows from being cast across the pool.

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Altogether, the cost of the pool was $597,900, according to the original contract value when the district started the project. Clark said pools at all three of the districts schools were renovated.

The pool is used for Physical Education classes, and Maine South students also have access to it during summer camps. In the evening, a feeder program uses the pool. Maine South hosts anywhere between 20 to 30 competitions a year for the girls and boys swim teams and girls and boys water polo, according to Clark.

Maine South High School in Park Ridge wrapped up its $85 million remodel in the summer. The remodel changed some parts of the building's layout. For example, the cafeteria is located where the courtyard used to be. (Richard Requena)

The district funded the renovations to Maine South, as well as Maine East High School in Park Ridge and Maine West High School in Des Plaines, by asking taxpayers in a 2019 referendum for $195 million. Taxpayers granted the request, and the district used $45.7 million from its reserves for the project, for a total of $240.7 million.

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A newly-constructed hallway at Maine South High School in Park Ridge will allow students to walk to the A-wing and back without having to set foot outside of the building. Renovations for Maine South were completed in the summer. (Richard Requena)

New Career and Technical Education classrooms for woodworking, computer science, fashion, graphics, cybersecurity and culinary arts have also been added as part of the renovations. Students use computer labs, bandsaws, mannequins, 3D printers and kitchen equipment, respectively in the various subjects, to get hands-on experience in the material they are learning.

Students enrolled in Career and Technical Education classes are able to receive both high school and college credit for certain classes that are designated as dual enrollment classes. Unlike AP courses that require students to complete a national subject-level exam successfully, dual enrollment classes provide guaranteed college credit upon successful completion of the course. Maine South has partnerships with Oakton Community College, Harper College, and the Illinois Institute of Technology for students to obtain college credit.

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At a similar tour at Maine East High School that featured that schools renovations, District 207 Superintendent Ken Wallace said he had been pushing for remodels since he started the job in 2009. Wallace has announced he will retire at the end of the school year.

I think history will show that [board members] were good stewards in this project, and whats really remarkable is that this project is going to carry this district decades into the future, said Wallace.
Tamir Avraham and his wife thought their trip from Charlotte to his native country of Israel earlier this month was going to be a celebration.

ALSO READ: Israel-Hamas war: Biden considering trip to Israel

We left the U.S. for the holidays, for the Jewish high holiday to come to be with family, Avraham told Channel 9 via Zoom.

However, Hamas launched the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust soon after Avraham arrived.

We start to hear the alarms that mean rocket is on the way, and then I start to hear my sister screaming, Come down, he said.

Theyre in the southern part of the country, which has seen the most violence and civilian loss of life.

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We realized that a half-mile away from our house there was already a terrorist attack, he said. We have a shelter in the house. If something happens, we can be in the shelter.

Avraham and his wife have lived in Charlotte for 16 years, and he owns a small business in south Charlotte.

However, hes not sure he can return at all.

I cant leave my parents, Avraham said. They are (elderly), and my dad is handicapped. And I cant really leave until the situation finishes.

Avraham said he mostly stays at the house.

I just leave for funerals, he said. People that I know that die. I go to comfort people that I know because many people die.

Tamir is a former member of the Israeli military and is somewhat accustomed to life in the middle of a warzone.

However, he said that no one saw the attack coming.

I want people to stand with Israel and support Israel and understand, this is not Israel problem like 9/11 wasnt just a U.S. problem, he said. It was the whole worlds problem.

VIDEO: Levine JCC increasing security presence in response to violence in Israel
CHICAGO - A woman was shot and killed during an argument outside her home early Tuesday in the Chatham neighborhood.

The 40-year-old was arguing with a male around 12:19 a.m. outside her residence in the 8200 block of South Drexel Avenue when he shot her once in the chest, according to police.

The victim was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she was pronounced dead a short time later. Her identity has not yet been released by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

There is no one in custody. Area Two detectives are investigating.
CHICAGO - There are reports that Hamas could release non-Israeli hostages.

On Monday, Irina Troychanskaya and Serge Bondar were two of the hundreds who have been attending prayer vigils to pray for Jews like Judith and Natalie Raanan  who are in the hands of Hamas terrorists.

"I truly hope that they can get the hostages back. Ive been hearing and seeing different things, so I dont know what's true," said Troychanskaya.

"I would be ecstatic; I want the hostages to be free by force, actually. By good people, not to exchange for $6 billion dollars with our enemies," said Bondar.

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They dont know the kidnapped mother and daughter from Evanston, but know that they will be strong enough to survive because they are Jewish.

"Were heartbroken; the pain is tremendous, and it doesnt just go away when a few days go by," said Rabbi Sholom Notik, Chabad of Riverwoods.

Notik says the community can feel small now, but just as the Jewish moon shrinks, it also comes back bigger and brighter. His message was to use prayer as fuel.

The crowd Monday night recited prayers for the hostages, the wounded, the dead, and the soldiers.

A father of a Chicago man who is fighting for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) says the Israeli army is the one between them and Hamas, and luckily, the soldiers are keen to fight.

"I could drag him away from the front right now, and he would break his chain to go to the front. His fellow soldiers would do the same," said the father.

Organizers clarified the event was not a political gathering and that there would be no room for political statements. The plan is to keep future vigils the same.

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, synagogues in the Chicagoland area are taking action to express their solidarity and support for Israel. As the conflict enters its tenth day, an event titled "Uniting for Israel" is scheduled to take place at the Westin North Shore hotel.

Organized by Synagogue FREE of the North Suburbs, the event aims to provide an opportunity for individuals to come together in prayer, seek inspiration, express support for Israeli soldiers, and convey a message of Jewish strength, pride, and resilience.

Reports from Gaza, where much of the fighting has occurred, have deeply affected the local Jewish community. Synagogue FREE emphasizes the urgency of taking action following what they describe as the brutal and tragic loss of lives, including men, women, and children who have suffered violence and tragedy in their homes and on the streets of Israel.

The event will feature a video presentation from an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) paratrooper. This soldier and his unit were among the first responders in pushing back against Hamas.

"His communication when he went out, his feelings, we also have family members speaking. He's a member of this community, and he iss a very unique, elite soldier in all of this, so that's very meaningful to all of us," said Rabbi Sholom Notik, Chabad of Riverwoods.

Organizers anticipate a significant turnout for the event and have emphasized the presence of security measures to ensure a safe environment.
ST. PETERSBURG  In addition to a repeated, unpleasant odor cited by residents, researchers say measured levels of chemicals in the air in the Childs Park neighborhood indicate possible concern for potential health effects after long-term exposure.

These preliminary results validated concerns from the predominantly Black and low-income neighborhood that have persisted for decades. A grassroots campaign to document instances of the smell began in coordination with the city of St. Petersburg and university researchers. A year and a half later, the findings provide a baseline to allow those researchers to narrow their scope of work.

Researchers from the University of South Florida and Eckerd College presented their preliminary findings at a neighborhood meeting Wednesday. Both groups have been conducting studies since September 2022 to pinpoint what is in the air and gather clues to find the source of the smell.

Those findings have been shared with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, which may loan a new sensor to Pinellas County to help with that work. Researchers will also start new rounds of testing this fall and winter to check their work and identify more compounds in the air.

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The community has a reason to be concerned about seeing this addressed and looked at, said Amy Stuart, a professor of environmental health at USF overseeing the research. We need to look at this a little further.

Gennaro Saliceto, a Master of Science student at USFs College of Public Health, found that average levels of hydrogen sulfide, an odorous and toxic chemical emitted from many industrial processes, such as waste oil and food processing, measured twice as high in Childs Park than in Disston Heights, a neighborhood about 4 miles north that was used as a control group.

Saliceto and a group of researchers took almost 6,000 one-minute measurements by walking with a monitor that measures trace levels in the air in real time. They took four 30-minute walking routes in Childs Park and three routes in Disston Heights. The data found that median measured levels of hydrogen sulfide exceeded minimum odor thresholds and were higher than some benchmarks for health.

Hydrogen sulfide smells sickly sweet, like rotten eggs. Many residents have complained of that smell, along with chemical- or gaslike smells. Long-term exposure to hydrogen sulfide could lead to headaches and sleep apnea.

Saliceto also found that median measured levels for sulfur dioxide also exceeded health benchmarks. However, levels measured in Childs Park were lower than in Disston Heights, possibly due to more truck traffic Disston Heights, researchers noted.

Theyre at a level at which we would expect some people would smell it, Stuart said. We havent got a smoking gun here in any way, and we dont know that there is one, but we did find things that corroborate what the community is saying.

Pinellas County, which is tasked with handling air quality issues, could be one of the first agencies to use a sensor pod on loan from the Environmental Protection Agency. It detects volatile organic compounds in the air and registers wind speed and direction to investigate where the issue is coming from.

The type of challenges the folks in Childs Park and Pinellas County are trying to figure out are really difficult issues to get to the bottom of, said Jake Carpenter, an environmental engineer with the federal agency. We see this loan program as a new technology that will be helpful.

Childs Park Neighborhood Association president Jabaar Edmond called the preliminary findings an indication of how much work still needs to be done. He thanked all the residents who reported the smell to the county as part of the Smell Something, Say Something campaign that launched in April 2022.

With the work thats being done, we can bring this to a healthy resolution from the neighborhood, Edmond said. We just came from generations of nobody saying nothing about it. To have a community voice actually saying, Yeah, I hear you. Now to hear its already up to the state.

Tresalynn Morris, a Childs Park resident who helped spread the word about the campaign, said the presentation served as a baseline for the work to come.

Theyre going to be able to tell us if were breathing in toxic air, she said.
Chinese military aircraft made nearly 200 risky maneuvers near U.S. aircraft since 2o21, the Pentagon disclosed on Tuesday, highlighting a steep uptick of close calls between the two world powers that top the number recorded in the 2010s. Chinese pilots flew just feet from U.S. aircraft on numerous occasions and have flipped off U.S. pilots, according to officials. Its harassmentpure and simple, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula told The Washington Post. Theres absolutely no call for that in international airspace. During a close call between a Chinese fighter and a U.S. reconnaissance jet last year, the Chinese fighter told the American pilot to Fuck off, the Pentagon said.

Read it at The Washington Post

Read more at The Daily Beast.
China on Tuesday kicked off a summit marking the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative  an ambitious yet controversial undertaking to boost connectivity and trade across the world with Chinese money and know-how in infrastructure development.

World leaders including Russias Vladimir Putin are gathering in Beijing for the high-profile event, which takes place in the shadow of a spiraling war between Israel and Hamas.

Since its launch by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has poured hundreds of billions of dollars to power the construction of bridges, ports, highways, power plants and telecoms projects across Asia, Latin America, Africa and parts of Europe.

Hailed by Xi as a project of the century, the BRI has emerged as a glaring symbol of Chinas rise as a global power. But it has also been viewed with growing skepticism, especially in Western capitals where governments are wary of Beijings global ambitions.

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The massive undertaking has been plagued by criticism. Beijing has been accused of straddling developing countries with crippling debt, while its sprawling projects have often faced concerns  and even protests  over their environmental costs, labor violations and corruption scandals.

A decade on, Xis global building spree is at a crossroads. Chinese investment in BRI projects has tapered off as the worlds second-biggest economy slows. Recipient countries are struggling more than ever to repay their debts amid global economic headwinds from the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the United States, which sees the BRI as a a tool for Beijing to extend its global influence at the expense of American power, has proposed its own investment program to boost global infrastructure development.

In the Chinese capital, security has been tightened, with road closures and a heavy police presence as leaders and delegations from around the world arrived.

Heres what you need to know about Xis signature foreign policy strategy.

The opening ceremony of Cambodia's Morodok Techo National Stadium, funded by China's Belt and Road Initiative, in Phnom Penh on December 18, 2021. - Lon Jadina/AFP/Getty Images

What has it achieved?

Originally envisioned as an overland belt and a maritime road connecting China with Europe and Africa, the BRI has funded infrastructure and energy projects across the developing world.

Bankrolled by Chinas development banks as well as state-run commercial lenders, Chinese construction firms have paved highways from Papua New Guinea to Kenya, constructed ports from Sri Lanka to West Africa, and provided power and telecoms infrastructure from Latin America to Southeast Asia.

Beijing says more than 150 nations have signed cooperation agreements under the auspices of BRI, with commitments made for more than 3,000 projects and up to one trillion dollars of investment mobilized.

But tracking BRI financing is notoriously tricky as Beijing doesnt share this data openly and a wide range of financial entities play roles.

According to a study by Boston Universitys Global Development Policy Center, Chinas two main development banks provided at least $331 billion to government borrowers in developing countries from 2013 to 2021.

And in the first five years of the initiative, China on average spent more than twice as much financing overseas development projects per year as any other major economy  including the US, according to AidData, a research lab at William & Mary in the US.

Chinese officials have lauded the initiative for transcending the old mindset of geopolitical games and creating a new paradigm of international cooperation.

What are the risks and criticism?

While the BRI has provided crucial funding to poor countries  drawing comparison to Americas Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after World War II, critics say its projects have come at a cost.

Some have been accused of lax environmental and labor standards, others have being repeatedly stalled by funding shortfalls or political pushback.

Chinese-built fossil-fuel power plants emit around 245 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the Global Development Policy Center, which also found Chinese development finance projects have significantly higher risks to biodiversity and to Indigenous lands than projects financed by the World Bank.

But the top concern is risky lending, with critics accusing China of saddling low- and middle-income governments with overly high levels of debt relative to their GDPs.

Accusations that Belt and Road is a broad debt trap designed to take control of local infrastructure, while largely dismissed by economists, have sullied the initiatives reputation  especially after Sri Lanka ceded control over the port of Hambantota to China after failing to repay its debt.

More recently, Chinas overseas lending portfolio has shifted to supporting borrowing countries in distress, researchers say, amid a changing financial climate and challenges for countries repaying hefty loans to Beijing and other lenders.

What comes next?

When it was first proposed, the BRI was partially designed as a way to channel Chinas excess capacity overseas and open new markets for Chinese goods.

But as the Chinese economy slows, the ambitious program appears to be losing steam  a slowdown that started even before the Covid pandemic hit.

Overseas financing from Chinas two development banks to government borrowers dropped considerably from a peak in 2016 of $87 billion to $3.7 billion in 2021  though this doesnt include funds from other lenders like commercial banks or other entities, according to the Global Development Policy Center data.

China will be navigating the second decade of the Belt and Road amid stark economic challenges at home. An expected post-Covid economic rebound has not materialized and local governments are grappling with mounting debt linked to a property crisis.

It remains to be seen to what extent Beijings domestic economic challenges will impact its overseas lending in the longer term, but there are signs of shifting strategies now.

Analysts have noted a move away from a focus on grandiose  but often wasteful  multi-billion infrastructure projects to smaller ones with better returns, such as those involving renewable energy and digital technology.

China may also look to place more emphasis on environmental issues, better social protections and due diligence  especially as Beijing and its banks learn lessons from the projects first decade, analysts say.

In 2021, Xi called for the prioritization of small and beautiful projects, which Chinese officials suggest will appeal to local populations. Later that year, Xi pledged that China would not build any new coal-fired power projects abroad.

The BRI has also spurred other countries to increase their own efforts toward supporting infrastructure projects in the developing world.

In June 2022, leaders from the Group of Seven advanced economies promised to unleash $600 billion in investment by 2027 to deliver game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap between countries.

Last month, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union announced their own plan to link Europe, the Middle East and Asia by rail.

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FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A security surveillance camera overlooking a street is pictured next to a nearby fluttering flag of China in Beijing

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A security surveillance camera overlooking a street is pictured next to a nearby fluttering flag of China in Beijing

By Engen Tham and Julie Zhu

SHANGHAI/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Chinese civil servants and employees of state-linked enterprises are facing tighter constraints on private travel abroad and scrutiny of their foreign connections, according to official notices and more than a dozen people familiar with the matter, as Beijing wages a campaign against foreign influence.

Ten current and former employees told Reuters the curbs had been widened since 2021 to include bans on overseas travel, tighter limits on trips' frequency and duration, onerous approval processes, and pre-departure confidentiality training. They said the measures were unrelated to COVID-19.

The individuals' accounts varied but were consistent in describing heightened scrutiny of overseas travel even after China reopened borders in January. The people, who worked across the country as civil servants, in state-owned enterprises or the public sector more broadly, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity.

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Reuters also found eight public announcements over the past two years by eight government entities, including the national pension fund, that indicated they were strengthening rules around workers' personal trips outside China, without detailing all the changes.

Other individual accounts and documentation reviewed by Reuters show a parallel effort by central and local Chinese authorities to map government and state-linked workers' personal and family ties to other countries. Reuters is reporting these measures and the scope of some post-COVID travel curbs for the first time.

The actions reflect President Xi Jinping 's focus on national security amid fraught relations with the West, two experts told Reuters. China in recent months has encouraged citizens to participate in anti-espionage activity, and introduced new laws that broadened the definition of spying.

"Beijing is increasingly paranoid about the threat of espionage by Western countries, and preventing government employees from going abroad could be a way to reduce opportunities for spying by foreign powers," said Neil Thomas, a fellow of Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis in Washington.

Political ideology was a factor, too, Thomas said, with Xi wanting to "look inward for ideas" rather than seek inspiration from the West.

Neither the State Council Information Office, which handles media queries on behalf of China's government, nor any of the state-linked enterprises, Chinese government and Communist Party entities described in this report responded to Reuters questions about the travel curbs or data collection.

NEW LIMITS

Restrictions on personal foreign travel have long applied to senior government officials and state executives with access to confidential information. Reuters found these limits are now filtering down the ranks of China's civil servants - who numbered 7 million, according to the most recent data from 2015 - and 70 million state-enterprise workers.

Lower-level workers at China Construction Bank in Beijing and Shanghai can travel abroad for personal reasons just once a year and for only up to 12 days, according to two bankers, one with almost two decades of service.

Both discovered the constraints, which they said were unprecedented, when applying for time off in early 2023.

Some public school teachers also face new curbs on overseas trips, according to a teacher in southeastern Zhejiang province and a person with knowledge of new regulations introduced in a Shanghai district this year.

At one large branch of state policy lender China Development Bank, overseas trips have been banned this year, according to a person who works there, while an employee of a state-connected mutual fund said travel restrictions were extended recently to new hires in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Reuters could not determine whether restrictions varied by destination.

Among the official notices seen by Reuters were directives by a government affairs unit in a district of eastern Ningbo city in September and another by the National Council for Social Security Fund earlier this year. Both emphasised tougher vetting of employees' requests for personal trips overseas.

In eastern Wenzhou city, a branch of the Municipal Eco-Environment Bureau published revised rules on an official website in September last year, stating that employees can travel abroad only once a year and for no longer than a month.

Wang Zhi'an, a former Chinese state-television anchor who runs an independent media outlet in Japan, said authorities may be worried about officials' observations outside China.

"This exposure might subtly influence the thinking and awareness of these officials," he said. "They might start to question the Communist Party's management system and wonder why it's like this."

MAPPING CONNECTIONS

Chinese authorities are also scrutinising personal foreign ties, according to a document seen by Reuters, one of the 10 people who discussed travel curbs and three other state-enterprise workers with knowledge of the matter.

Starting around late last year, these people said they received questionnaires from bodies such as the Communist Youth League, Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC), local authorities, and their respective employers.

The forms asked for information on relatives with foreign nationality or overseas permanent residence, and details of foreign assistance or experience, the people said, adding that it was the first time they had received the requests.

Reuters saw one of the questionnaires but could not fully establish how authorities used the data.

The measures come as China steps up public messaging about foreign influence. In August, the Ministry of State Security said on its recently launched WeChat account that it had identified a Chinese national in Italy suspected of spying for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, and warned of the potential for Chinese to be recruited abroad.

The CIA did not respond to a request for comment.

Thomas said the travel curbs in particular would have implications for China's interactions with the world.

"The less Chinese officials go abroad, the less they're able to learn from good things that foreign governments are doing, the less they are familiar with foreign societies, and the less they understand how China is truly perceived in the world," he said.

(Reporting by Engen Tham, Julie Zhu, Kane Wu, Xie Yu, Martin Quin Pollard and Shanghai newsroom. Additional reporting by Beijing newsroom. Editing by David Crawshaw and Vidya Ranganathan.)
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping met Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday, and said that a "stable and vibrant" relationship was conducive to the development of both countries.

Tokayev was in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum, Xi's ambitious global infrastructure initiative. The two leaders last met in May when China for the first time hosted an in-person summit of central Asian leaders.

Calling Tokayev an "old friend", Xi said the two countries should strengthen cooperation on Belt and Road as well as investment and trade, according to a statement by China's foreign ministry.

Xi also said China was willing to increase agricultural imports from Kazakhstan and widen the scale of railway freight and the use of international transport routes across the Caspian Sea.

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"No matter how the international situation changes, China and Kazakhstan should adhere to their original intentions, watch over each other, and continuously promote the development of the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries," Xi said.

In the meeting, Tokayev said he was willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China, the statement said.

On Monday, China National Offshore Oil Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company KazMunayGas JSC, also known as KMG, which included an agreement to conduct joint geological research as well as expand cooperation on existing oilfields, according to Chinese state media.

(Reporting by Liz Lee, Ella Cao and Bernard Orr; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Raju Gopalakrishnan and Miral Fahmy)
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chile has always been at the forefront of China's relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday in Beijing, when meeting with Chile's President Gabriel Boric .

Xi told the Chilean leader, who is in China to attend the Belt and Road Forum, that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Chile relations, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said.

Xi praised Chile for being the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with China, and for being a pioneer in cooperation on the Belt and Road initiative in Latin America.

"China-Chile cooperation in various fields has promoted the development and revitalization of both countries and brought substantial benefits to our people," Xi added.

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In a joint statement from both countries, Chile invited Chinese firms to participate in the development of the country's lithium mining industry and green hydrogen projects, CCTV reported.

Boric said on Monday that China's Tsingshan Holding Group will invest $233.2 million to set up a plant in Chile to produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP), used to power electric vehicles, which is expected to create 668 jobs when it reaches full capacity.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Ella Cao; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Sharon Singlton)
The war in Israel has sparked emotional reactions from leaders in the north suburbs, including in Skokie, whose population is more than 25 percent Jewish and which is home to more than a dozen synagogues. In the past 20 years, the Arabic population of Skokie has also been growing, and the towns hosts a Muslim school which has ties to a mosque in neighboring Morton Grove.

Pioneer Press spoke to local leaders to get their reactions.

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Generational trauma

Rabbi Rachel Kaplan Marks, who leads Temple Beth Israel in Skokie, said she has been feeling a flood of emotions, ranging from distress and sadness to anger and fear. She added that she feels a deep sense of connectedness not just to Israelis but to Jewish people all over the world.

Something Ive been talking about and thinking about is how wounds of generational trauma that maybe we felt or I felt were in our past have been ripped open in a way thats really significant, she said. And there are so many deep connections. There are so many people in this community who are Israelis, who have family members who are Israelis, who have moved to Israel. Almost everyone in the Jewish community knows somebody who was killed or kidnapped or who knows somebody who knows somebody who was killed or kidnapped.

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Theyve cut water and food and fuel

Other views exist on the conflict within the broader Skokie area. Palestinian activist Hatem Abudayyeh of Winnetka, who is the national chair of the United States Palestinian Community Network and the executive director of the Arab American Action Network, accused Israel of perpetrating war crimes (against Palestinians) as we speak.

The fact that Israel already had besieged the Gaza Strip for 16 years, the fact that theyve absolutely closed it off to the rest of the world  its already an open-air prison  and now theyve cut water and food and fuel, this collective punishment against the entirety of 2.2 million people (in Gaza) or however many it is is an incredible violation of human decency but also international law. So right now, thats the main issue for us as we march with 5,000 people like we did on Wednesday in downtown Chicago. We have to make demands of the U.S. government, because this would not be happening if not for the unequivocal financial and political support of the U.S. government  theres $4 billion to $5 billion of tax dollars going to commit these crimes against Palestinians. Thats the view of Palestinians, whether they live in Bridgeview or Chicago or Winnetka.

We hear you

Rabbi Charlene Brooks, who heads Congregation Bene Shalom in Skokie, is the daughter of two Holocaust survivors. She noted that she is mandated to find a way to pray and encourage hope and faith, while acknowledging what a struggle that can be.

Im reminded of stories I heard from my parents about their families being loaded up on trucks and never being seen again, which is whats happened, Brooks said. Its a nightmare, and Im praying for everyone. But people can make sure the government supports Israel and then for people to constantly reach out to people they know in Israel to let them know that we know what is happening to them, that we dont move forward with everyday activities without being aware of what theyre going through  that we support them and that we love them. We must reach out to the individuals to say, We hear you, and that were not going to just turn our heads away and forget.

Arabs and Jews have historically coexisted in Skokie

A diverse community, Skokie also has sizable Hispanic, Asian, Muslim and Arabic populations and even some Palestinian-Americans. Historically, Mayor George Van Dusen said, the Jewish and Arab populations in Skokie have gotten along very well.

Van Dusen noted that the Illinois Holocaust Museums first location, starting in 1981, was a storefront at 4255 Main Street in Skokie. Three decades later, the location became Kaleemullah Masjid, a small mosque, and Van Dusen noted, a lawyer for the Holocaust Museum appeared before Skokies Village Board, urging the boards approval of it.

You hope that groups at the local level can coexist, which weve been able to do heretofore, and yet at the same time, you cant help but be horrified by what happened on Saturday, Van Dusen said. I cant find the words to express how appalled I am by whats happened in Israel. It seems like every hour, something new is discovered. Depravity  its the only way I can express it. What concerns me is that in the Hamas charter, it calls for the destruction and death of all Jews. It goes beyond saying Israel should not exist, which in and of itself is a concerning thought, and it talks about the destruction of all Jews.

Deafening silence

Marks said she has appreciated hearing from those outside the Jewish community, communicating their awareness of what a difficult time this is for those who are Jewish.

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At the same time, I think that across the board, theres also been a deafening silence from the people who havent acknowledged the kind of pain that the community is in, and I think that extends not just to Christian neighbors but to Muslim neighbors as well, she said. Though the conflict is complicated, the moment is not complicated at all. When you have terrorists attacking civilians, going into houses, room by room, not discriminating but killing and kidnapping children, babies, women, grandmothers, I mean, you name it  there shouldnt be any kind of hesitation to acknowledge the atrocities that have occurred.

Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.
The Pentagon on Tuesday released more than a dozen previously classified photos and videos of coercive, high-risk interactions with Chinese fighter jets that have occurred since early 2022. The surge of incidents, Defense Department officials say, is causing concern that any accident that may result could spark active conflict between the U.S. and China.

The release is a subset of roughly 180 similar interactions with Chinese fighters since fall 2021, Ely Ratner, the Pentagons top civil official on China and Indo-Pacific issues, told reporters during a briefing Tuesday.

The sharp increase represents more [incidents] in the past two years than in the decade before that, Ratner added. The Washington Post was first to report on the materials release.

The Pentagon called the incidents coercive and high-risk rather than the more frequently used unsafe and unprofessional terminology, though Ratner declined to list the criteria that separate the two classifications.

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In other words, flying off my wing at 15 feet for 45 minutes has too much of a chance to lead to an accident, Navy Adm. John Aquilino, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, offered as an example.

The declassified images and videos include reckless maneuvers, close approaches at high speeds in the air, releasing objects and projectiles like flares, and other dangerous behavior, according to a Pentagon release.

The Pentagon believes these confrontations are part of a strategy on the part of the Chinese military, Aquilino added.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken privately with his Chinese counterparts about the interactions when hes had the opportunity to do that, Ratner said.
FILE - An attendee walks past a display at the Baidu World conference in Beijing, on Nov. 1, 2018. Chinese search engine and artificial intelligence firm Baidu on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, unveiled the latest version of its artificial intelligence model Ernie 4.0, claiming that it rivals models such as GPT-4 in the U.S (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

HONG KONG (AP)  Chinese search engine and artificial intelligence firm Baidu on Tuesday unveiled a new version of its artificial intelligence model, Ernie 4.0, claiming that it rivals models such as GPT-4 in the U.S.

Baidu's CEO Robin Li demonstrated Ernie 4.0 at the company's annual Baidu World conference in Beijing. He said the model has achieved comprehension, reasoning, memory and generation, which uses algorithms to produce and create new content.

Li said that Ernie 4.0 was able to understand complex questions and instructions and apply reasoning and logic to generate answers to questions.

It is not inferior in any aspect to GPT-4, Li said, stating that the latest model was significantly improved compared to its original Ernie Bot model.

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In a live demonstration, Li prompted Ernie 4.0 to generate advertising materials including advertising posters and a marketing video. He also asked Ernie 4.0 to come up with a martial arts novel complete with characters with various personalities.

Baidu is a frontrunner among a slew of Chinese companies racing to come up with artificial intelligence models, after OpenAIs ChatGPT took the world by storm last year. Beijing sees artificial intelligence as a key industry to rival the United States and aims to become a global leader by 2030.

Beijing-based Baidu started off as a search engine firm and over the past decade has invested heavily in artificial intelligence technology such as autonomous driving and more recently, generative AI to stay competitive.

The company's Hong Kong-listed shares fell 1.7% Tuesday following the announcement.

Baidu introduced its Ernie Bot in March. In August, it made the model available to the public.

Ernie 4.0 is not yet available to the general public but some people have been invited to try it.

Li said Baidu plans to incorporate artificial intelligence technology into its search engine, maps and cloud drive services, and its business intelligence offerings for enterprise customers. He did not give a timetable for that.

The technology can transform how certain products work. Baidus search engine might generate a customized answer to a query instead of just providing a list of results and links.

China has recently sought to regulate the generative AI industry, requiring companies to carry out security reviews and obtain approvals before publicly launching their products. Companies that provide such AI services must also comply with government requests for technology and data.

The U.S. does not have such regulations.
[Source]

Update (10/19/2023): In a new statement to CBS 8 San Diego, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said they have not confirmed the identity of the remains found in the desert state park. As of Wednesday, John Root Fitzpatrick was still considered missing. This new information, however, contradicts previous reporting from multiple outlets, which identified the remains as belonging to Fitzpatrick.

A Chinese woman has been missing for months after embarking on a trip to California with a local man who was recently found dead.

Where it all started: Jin Fang, 47, corresponded with John Root Fitzpatrick, 52, on the internet for six months before she flew to Los Angeles on July 14, 2023. Fitzpatrick, a Morongo Valley resident, was hired to be her tour guide.

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Fitzpatrick was hired to be Jins tour guide of the Morongo Basin area, said Officer Gloria Huerta of San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, as per the Hi-Desert Star. They were supposed to go camping, but the amount of time was not disclosed.

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When concerns began: After picking up Fang in Palm Springs on July 15, Fitzpatrick took her to Joshua Tree National Park, according to a GoFundMe page organized for her search. But by July 22, she could no longer be contacted, and her phone went out of service three days later.

Fang was reported missing on July 26, and Fitpatrick on July 30. Darryl Hoss, a longtime friend who reported the latter, said the missing pair had formed a romantic relationship on Facebook, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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Fitzpatrick found: Fitzpatrick was reportedly found dead in Harper Canyon, south of state Route 78, in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park last month. His vehicle, a blue Toyota Tacoma with license plate 24478S1, was found parked nearby.

About Fitzpatrick: Fitzpatrick was a former Navy seal known as a master parachutist. Records show he was honorably discharged in 2010 as a chief petty officer, the San Diego Union-Tribune noted.

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In 2020, Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault which subsequently landed him in a veterans treatment court, according to the Hi-Desert Star. He eventually completed the program and the charge was dismissed in April this year.

Whats next: Details on Fitzpatricks death are reportedly under seal. Fang, on the other hand, remains missing.

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Her GoFundMe campaign said she did her due diligence before coming to the U.S., ordering a background report on Fitzpatrick. With her previous experience living and doing business in Europe, Ms. Jin generally knew how to care for herself, unless she was a crime victim, it added.

Anyone with information on Fangs whereabouts is urged to contact detective Tyler Bengard and reference report number 092301014. Bengard can be reached at (760) 366-4175 or through dispatch at (909) 387-8313.

Trending on NextShark: [Update] Chinese woman missing after her US tour guide found dead in California state park
Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie slammed former President Trump on Monday for his awful temperament in response to his mounting legal challenges.

Judge Tanya Chutkan agreed Monday to impose a narrow gag order prohibiting the former president from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and their families involved in his Jan. 6 election interference case.

Asked about Trump calling the gag order unconstitutional, Christie told former White House press secretary Jen Psaki : Look, this is the awful temperament of the guy who is currently the front-runner for the domination of my party.

And thats why Im out here, calling him out directly on this stuff, Jen, because his conduct is beneath the office that he was privileged to hold, he added in the interview on MSNBCs Inside with Jen Psaki.

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Chutkan said Trumps status as a Republican candidate does not give him the authority to level a smear campaign against those involved in the case, stating that First Amendment protections yield to the administration of justice and to the protection of witnesses.

The judge, however, ruled against the Justice Departments (DOJ) request for a wider gag order, declining to limit any speech aimed at herself or at Washington, D.C. She noted the court will use the jury selection process to make sure it does select jurors influenced by Trumps criticism of the city.

Still, Trump quickly railed against the decision, saying he will appeal it.

Ill be the only politician in history that runs with a gag order where Im not allowed to criticize people. Can you imagine this? Trump told a rally of supporters in Iowa on Monday. Well appeal it and well see. But its so unconstitutional.

Christie  who previously served as governor of New Jersey and as a federal prosector  argued people shouldnt be leaning on Trump for interpretation of the Constitution.

By the way, this is a guy who said it would be OK to suspend the Constitution if you thought that an election were not going your way, Christie said. So, I dont think anyone should really  lean on Donald Trump too much for constitutional interpretation.

Christie argued Trumps comments on Monday probably did not violate the gag order and that it will take something much more direct for him to violate it  but he added that the former president would likely cross the line at some point.

But look, he will, Christie said, adding, and the fact is that this is the problem with having a Republican presidential candidate for president who is under indictment in four jurisdictions.

These kinds of things happen to defendants all the time; gag orders are often put in place, he continued. Youre not allowed to do this. And because hes running for president, he thinks somehow the law doesnt apply to him  it does.

Chutkan said the order does not prevent Trump from criticizing President Biden or claiming the prosecution is politically motivated, a claim the DOJ has repeatedly denied.

He gets to say  its a politically motivated prosecution, if thats what he wants to say, Christie said. But he doesnt get to attack individuals, which is his, you know, stock-in-trade.

Criticism of Trump has been a major focus of the former governors presidential campaign. Christie has repeatedly called out the former president along the campaign trail.

Despite Trumps ongoing legal battles, he still is leading the Republican presidential primary race by a wide margin. A recent poll released by Morning Consult showed the former president with 59 percent of primary support, while Christie has garnered around 3 percent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
CHULA VISTA, Calif.  Chula Vista police have arrested a third suspect in a 2020 shooting that left a 41-year-old man dead.

The shooting happened on March 19, 2020 near the 700 block of E Street, police said. There, officers found Corey McCastle on the ground with gunshot wounds. He died at the hospital.

Investigators determined McCastle had gone to speak with someone about a dispute over a dog, police said. Witnesses told police a gunman ran up to McCastle and shot him before running off.

Police, along with the San Diego County District Attorneys office, eventually determined four suspects were involved in the death.

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Guns found in motel room of stabbing suspect involved in SWAT standoff

On Wednesday, police arrested 57-year-old Veotis Thomas of La Mesa on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, the department said in a news release. Thomas was already behind bars at the San Diego County Jail on unrelated charges.

The arrest comes one month after police arrested their second suspect: Aaron Gonzalez, 28, of Murrieta was booked on Sept. 14 for the same charges. Earlier this year, on Feb. 22, police made their first arrest in the case: 29-year-old Victor Nunez of San Diego.

Police say they have identified a fourth suspect in the case and expect to make an arrest soon.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
The US embassy in Beirut has remained open even as Israel's war with Hamas threatens to spill over into Lebanon, despite false reports on social media that the diplomatic compound had closed. Cross-border shelling has claimed lives on both sides, but the embassy said in an October 11, 2023 statement that it had not ordered an evacuation.

"The American embassy in Lebanon is being evacuated. American citizens are advised to leave the country as soon as possible," says an October 11, 2023 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The post comes from "Sprinter," an account that has previously shared misinformation under different variations of the same alias.

Screenshot from X, formerly known as Twitter, taken October 16, 2023

Similar claims spread across X and other platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, in several languages.

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The rumors took off as tensions escalated at Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement signaled that it could increase its military involvement in support of Hamas.

The Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people and taking some 199 hostages in the worst assault in the country's history. Israel's retaliatory air strikes have killed at least 2,750 people and leveled neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip, the densely populated, impoverished territory governed by Hamas that has been under a blockade for years.

Aid agencies on October 16 called for Israel to allow vital humanitarian supplies into Gaza, where millions of people have been cut off from water, food and fuel. Israel, meanwhile, has requested some 1.1 million Gazans to move south in preparation for a ground offensive against Hamas.

Israel has also started evacuating residents along its northern border, where at least two people in the country and 11 in Lebanon have been killed in skirmishes -- including a Reuters journalist.

But the US embassy there has refuted reports that it is advising Americans to leave.

"The US Embassy in Beirut has not evacuated and is open and operating normally. Reports saying otherwise are false," the embassy said in a statement posted October 11 to X and Facebook (archived here and here).

The statement links to an October 10 message (archived here) telling US citizens in the region to "take caution" by avoiding demonstrations, monitoring the news and enrolling in a program to help the embassy locate them in case of an emergency.

A security alert the previous day said citizens who wish to leave the region and can do so safely should verify flights with nearby airports and keep tabs on border crossings.

AFP reached out to the embassy for additional comment, but no response was forthcoming. The State Department referred to the embassy's statement and security alert.

Some social media users who amplified the false rumor have since posted corrections.

AFP has debunked other misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war here.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Clark County Fire Department investigated an outdoor fire west of the Las Vegas Strip on Monday.

It took place in the 4400 block of Harmon Cove Court shortly after 5:30 p.m. near Flamingo Road and Arville Street.

Fire crews determined that the cause of the outdoor fire was unintentional.

There was no dollar loss, and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

A total of six engines, one ladder truck, two rescues, and two chief officers responded for a total of 34 personnel.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Jeremy Clarksons girlfriend, the artist Lisa Hogan, has shared an exciting update about Clarksons Farm.

Fans of the Prime Video documentary series have been eagerly awaiting updates about the show, which first aired in June 2021.

Series two was released in March 2023, and production on a new batch of episodes has been underway for months.

While fans have been expressing their disappointment over the potentially lengthy wait for a new series, they started to expect a more positive update when Clarkson teased fantastic news about the series in August.

Series three now feels nearer than ever following an update from Hogan, who runs the shows Diddly Squat Farm Shop alongside her sister Aoibhne. Hogan designs the products and sources the local produce.

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Hogan, who has been dating Clarkson since 2017, revealed on Monday (16 October) that filming had officially wrapped.

Whoooop!! S3 IN THE BAG, she wrote on Instagram alongside a behind-the-scenes clip captioned: S3: ITS A WRAP.

However, while many fans in the comments have been expressing hope that the show will be released by Christmas, the show will now have to undergo a heavy editing process that will last for months.

In September, a Deadline report claimed that series three is being lined up for a release in 2024, but the exact release date remains a mystery. Its possible that the release of new episodes could coincide with the shows previous release windows of February or June.

The outlet also claimed that those familiar with the matter said that discussions for a fourth series have been positive, which seemed to be corroborated by Hogan. Just last week, when an Instagram commenter asked if a fourth series was in the works, she responded to the post with a thumbs up emoji.

Lisa Hogan and Jeremy Clarkson have been dating since 2017 (Getty Images)

However, it has been noted that a deal has not been finalised, andThe Independent has contacted Prime Video for comment.

Earlier this year, Clarksons Farm was defended at the Edinburgh TV Festival by Amazon representative Fozia Khan. The defence was issued following reports that Amazon had cut ties with Clarkson due to the row over his widely criticised Meghan Markle column last December.

Clarkson published a column in The Sun in which he wrote that he despised Meghan on a cellular level and dreamt of the duchess being paraded naked through Britain while a crowd threw excrement at her.

He issued a lengthy public apology on his Instagram account at the time, saying he felt sick when he realised he had completely messed up in writing the column, which had become UK press watchdog IPSOs most-complained about article ever.

Jeremy Clarkson in Clarksons Farm (Prime Video)

Clarkson also revealed he sent an email to Meghan and Prince Harry on Christmas Day, admitting his language was disgraceful and that he was profoundly sorry.

At the Edinburgh TV Festival, Fozia Khan, who is unscripted lead for UK Originals at Amazon Studios, said Clarksons Farm was so much bigger than Clarkson, calling it a really good show.

Dan Grabiner, head of originals for UK and Northern Europe, Amazon Studios, then said: I cant tell you what a phenomenon the show itself is and the impact it has had on the agricultural community and farming.

We get messages from farmers around the world who just love the show and love Kaleb (Cooper) and Gerald (Cooper) and they relate to those characters, saying they have never really seen their world properly reflected on-screen before, which is amazing.

And, as Fozia said, its a hell of a lot bigger than Jeremy Clarkson.
Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg attends an Oily Money Out and Fossil Free London protest in London

Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg attends an Oily Money Out and Fossil Free London protest in London

LONDON (Reuters) - Climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained by police in London on Tuesday, a Reuters witness reported, after she addressed protesters at a demonstration against oil and gas companies in the centre of the city.

Thunberg, who became the face of young climate activists worldwide after staging weekly protests in front of the Swedish parliament in 2018, has this year been detained by police or removed from protests in Sweden, Norway and Germany.

Video footage showed Thunberg, wearing a badge with the slogan 'Oily Money Out' standing calmly as two police officers spoke to her. One was seen holding her arm.

(Reporting by Toby Melville, wiritng by Sarah Young, editing by UK bureau)


The Motya Charioteer at The British Museum.

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The Roman Empire fell more than 1,500 years ago, but its grip on the popular imagination is still strong, as evidenced by a recent trend on TikTok. Women started filming the men in their lives to document their answers to a simple question: How often do you think about the Roman Empire?

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Focusing too closely on catastrophe can result in a skewed view of the past  it overlooks societies that navigated an environmental disaster and made it through intact. A review of the literature in 2021 found 77 percent of studies that analyzed the interplay between climate change and societies emphasized catastrophe, while only 10 percent focused on resilience. Historians, anthropologists, and archaeologists have recently tried to fill in that gap. The latest entry is a study that analyzes 150 crises from different time periods and regions, going off a comprehensive dataset that covers more than 5,000 years of human history, back to the Neolithic period. Environmental forces often play a critical role in the fall of societies, the study found, but they cant do it alone.

Researchers with the Complexity Science Hub, an organization based in Vienna, Austria, that uses mathematical models to understand the dynamics of complex systems, found plenty of examples of societies that made it through famines, cold snaps, and other forms of environmental stress. Several Mesoamerican cities, including the Zapotec settlements of Mitla and Yagul in modern-day Oaxaca, not only survived but thrived within the same drought conditions that contributed to the fall of the Maya civilization in the 8th century. And the Maya, before that point, had weathered five earlier droughts and continued to grow.

The new research, published in a peer-reviewed biological sciences journal from The Royal Society last month, suggests that resilience is an ability that societies can gain and lose over time. Researchers found that a stable society can withstand even a dramatic climate shock, whereas a small shock can lead to chaos in a vulnerable one.

The finding is in line with other research, such as a study in Nature in 2021 that analyzed 2,000 years worth of Chinese history, untangling the relationship between climate disruptions and the collapse of dynasties. It found that major volcanic eruptions, which often cause cooler summers and weaker monsoons, hurting crops, contributed to the rise of warfare. But it wasnt the size of the eruption that mattered most: Dynasties survived some of the biggest, climate-disrupting eruptions, including the Tambora eruption of 1815 in present-day Indonesia and the Huaynaputina eruption of 1600 in whats now Peru.

What matters most, the Complexity Science Hubs study posits, is inequality and political polarization. Declining living standards tend to lead to dissatisfaction among the general population, while wealthy elites compete for prestigious positions. As pressures rise and society fractures, the government loses legitimacy, making it harder to address challenges collectively. Inequality is one of historys greatest villains, said Daniel Hoyer, a co-author of the study and a historian who studies complex systems. It really leads to and is at the heart of a lot of other issues.

On the flipside, however, cooperation can give societies that extra boost they need to withstand environmental threats. This is why culture matters so much, Hoyer said. You need to have social cohesion, you need to have that level of cooperation, to do things that scale  to make reforms, to make adaptations, whether thats divesting from fossil fuels or changing the way that food systems work.

Its reasonable to wonder how neatly the lessons from ancient societies apply to today, when the technology is such that you can fly halfway around the world in a day or outsource the painful task of writing a college essay to ChatGPT. What can the modern world learn from, for example, the Mayan city states or 17th century Amsterdam? said Dagomar Degroot , an environmental historian at Georgetown University. The way Degroot sees it, historians can pin down the time-tested strategies as a starting point for policies to help us survive climate change today  a task hes currently working on with the United Nations Development Programme.

Degroot has identified a number of ways that societies adapted to a changing environment across millennia: Migration allows people to move to more fruitful landscapes; flexible governments learn from past disasters and adopt policies to prevent the same thing from happening again; establishing trade networks makes communities less sensitive to changes in temperature or precipitation. Societies that have greater socioeconomic equality, or that at least provide support for their poorest people, are also more resilient, Degroot said.

By these measures, the United States isnt exactly on that path to success. According to a standard called the Gini coefficient  where 0 is perfect equality and 1 is complete inequality  the U.S. scores poorly for a rich country, at 0.38 on the scale, beaten out by Norway (0.29) and Switzerland (0.32) but better than Mexico (0.42). Inequality is out of control, Hoyer said. Its not just that were not handling it well. Were handling it poorly in exactly the same way that so many societies in the past have handled things poorly.

One of the major voices behind that theme is Peter Turchin , one of the co-authors on Hoyers study, a Russian-American scientist who studies complex systems. Once an ecologist analyzing the rise and fall of pine beetle populations, Turchin switched fields in the late 1990s and started to apply a mathematical framework to the rise and fall of human populations instead. Around 2010, he predicted that unrest in America would start getting serious around 2020. Then, right on schedule, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, a reminder that modern society isnt immune to the great disasters that shaped the past. America Is Headed Toward Collapse, declared the headline of an article in The Atlantic this summer, excerpted from Turchins book End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites, and the Path of Political Disintegration.

The barrage of climate catastrophes, gun violence, and terrorist attacks in the headlines are enough to make you consider packing up and trying to live off the land. A recent viral video posed the question: So is everyone elses friend group talking about buying some land and having a homestead together where everyone grows separate crops, [where] we can all help each other out and have a supportive community, because our society that we live in feels like its crumbling beneath our feet?

By Turchins account, America has been at the brink of collapse twice already, once during the Civil War and again during the Great Depression. Its not always clear how collapse differs from societal change more generally. Some historians define it as a loss of political complexity, while others focus on population decline or whether a societys culture was maintained. A lot of people prefer the term decline, Degroot said, in part because historical examples of the collapse of complex societies really refer to a process that took place over sometimes centuries and would perhaps even go unnoticed by people alive at the time. Living through a period of societal collapse might feel different from what you imagined, just like living through a pandemic did  possibly less like a zombie movie, and more like boring, everyday life once you get accustomed to it.

The Complexity Science Hubs study suggests that collapse itself could be considered an adaptation in particularly dire situations. There is this general idea that collapse is scary, and its bad, and thats what we need to avoid, Hoyer said. Theres a lot of truth in that, especially because collapse involves violence and destruction and unrest. But if the way your society is set up is making everyones lives miserable, they might be better off with a new system. For example, archaeological evidence shows that after the Roman Empire lost control of the British Isles, people became larger and healthier, according to Degroot. In no way would collapse automatically be something that would be devastating for those who survived  in fact, often, probably the opposite, he said.

Of course, theres no guarantee that a better system will replace the vulnerable, unequal one after a collapse. You still have to do the work of putting in the reforms, and having the support of those in power, to be able to actually set and reinforce these kinds of revisions, Hoyer said. So I would argue, if thats the case, lets just do that without the violence to begin with.

This article originally appeared in Grist at https://grist.org/culture/climate-change-societal-collapse-explained/. Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at Grist.org



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Less than seven months after xikers debuted, the 10-man Korean pop group has already released two EPs: HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing (which hit No. 1 on Billboards Emerging Artists chart) and HOUSE OF TRICKY: How to Play. Currently on their first headlining world tour  which includes a Chicago concert at the Patio Theater on October 24  nine of the members participated in this interview, which was conducted in Korean and translated into English. (JUNGHOON, whos taking time off to recover from an injury, isnt touring with his bandmates.) This interview has been edited for clarity.

Q: Many fans first saw xikers before your official debut when you opened for your labelmates, ATEEZ, in 2022. What did you learn from them?

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JINSIK: There were so many things that we learned as guest performers at our seniors concerts. Among all of those, I watched how they performed, especially in terms of their expressions, actions and movements that mesmerized the audiences. We learned to reflect that expressionism into our own performances.

Q: Was the ATEEZ tour your first time in the U.S.?

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SUMIN: Yes, that was actually my first time visiting the U.S. There are so many wonderful memories from that time. The hamburgers are so good! Texas was one of the most memorable [cities]. It was supposed to be pretty cold in Texas when we were there, but the weather worked out beautifully and the temperature outside was just perfect for me. I went out for walks in the park and it was just so peaceful.

Q: What did performing at [the Korean culture convention] KCON this past August mean to you?

JUNMIN: It was such an honor to be at KCON Los Angeles. I was very excited, because the audiences cheers were so loud and energetic even during our song cover performance. It made me really want to have our own concert in the United States, so Im ecstatic that we now have the chance to do so!

Q: How was it kicking off your own world tour in Japan?

YUJUN: The fans seemed to enjoy it and cheered for us a lot. So throughout the concert, I was extremely happy and had so much fun. After the Coke STUDIO SUPERPOP JAPAN 2023 event, we went out and I got to eat my favorite okonomiyaki [savory pancake]. It tasted so good!

Q: Do you have a bucket list of things youd like to do while youre on tour in the U.S.?

HUNTER: Theres so many places Id like to go! Just to name a few though, it would definitely be amazing to experience the atmosphere of Times Square, visit the Empire State Building and see the Statue of Liberty in New York. In Los Angeles, I want to take a dance class and then have fun at Universal Studios. In Chicago, I think itd be amazing to go on a boat tour, but there are honestly so many places Id like to go and so many things Id like to do or see that its hard to list them all.

YECHAN: I really want to see the Statue of Liberty in New York!

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Q: There is a lot of attention on Korean pop culture right now. What would you recommend to people heading to South Korea?

HYUNWOO: I highly recommend that they visit cultural festivals [unique to] Korea [and] make the [most] of their time in Korea.

Q: If you could travel anywhere right now to see a concert, where would you choose and who would you want to see?

JUNMIN: Id say an ATEEZ concert in Korea. I still cant forget the absolute thrill I felt when I first saw them.

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?

YECHAN: I actually have fun memories as a child playing with my cousins in the U.S.

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Q: Whats the most important thing youve learned from your travels?

YUJUN: The most important thing relates back to our performances, since theyre so interconnected in a sense  and that is to just enjoy every part of the performance during our shows when we travel.

Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?

HUNTER: Yes, I do! I speak Thai, Korean, English and also a little bit of Mandarin.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

MINJAE: Cup ramyun and kimchi!

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HYUNWOO: I always take a mini humidifier and a neck pillow around with me.

Q: What is your best vacation memory?

SEEUN: It was my first time eating barbecue [in Texas]. It was so delicious!

(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow Go Away With on Twitter at @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.)

2023 Jae-Ha Kim. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Ukraine struck Russian forces with the U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), marking their first usage on the battlefield, unnamed U.S. officials confirmed to CNN on Oct. 17.

The missiles, previously unknown to have even been deployed in Ukraine, were reportedly used in overnight strikes against Russian military airfields in occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk that were reported on Oct. 17.

The strikes reportedly destroyed nine helicopters, an air defense system, an ammunition warehouse, and other airfield infrastructure.

Dozens of Russian soldiers were also killed and wounded in the attacks, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces claimed.

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Debates and premature announcements about the U.S.' delivery of ATACMS to Ukraine have been regularly reported for months, but no official date was ever announced.

Their delivery was deliberately kept secret, the unnamed officials said, because they were concerned that Russian forces would move equipment out of the missile's range if they knew when they would arrive.

ATACMS can hit targets deep behind the front line at a range of up to 300 kilometers and can be launched from M270 multiple rocket launchers or the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

However, photos of the missile debris shared on Russian Telegram and Twitter indicate that the missiles used likely belonged to an older class of missile, with a range of 160 kilometers.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, unnamed sources confirmed that the missiles provided have a range of about 160 kilometers.

The occupied cities of Luhansk and Berdiansk are located about 85 kilometers and 100 kilometers, respectively, from the closest front line.

As a result, the usage of ATACMS in the attacks on Luhansk and Berdiansk does not in of itself demonstrate that Ukraine now possesses the newer class of missiles that can strike up to nearly 300 kilometers.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has long campaigned for the U.S. to send ATACMS, but there was considerable reluctance from U.S. officials about the prospect of them being used for attacks inside Russia.

In July 2022, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed concern that delivering ATACMS could increase tensions between the U.S. and Russia to the point that it could lead to another world war.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far resisted delivering German-made long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine for the same reason, despite widespread support for their transfer from the German Bundestag.

The delivery of ATACMS illustrates the constantly evolving, drip-by-drip process in which Western weapons have been sent to Ukraine. It is the latest weapons system to be delivered that was initially ruled out, citing fears of escalation.

There were similar concerns about escalation following the first deliveries of HIMARS missiles in June 2022, but no such escalation occurred, and Ukrainian forces have used HIMARS extensively on the battlefield since then.

Read also: US will reportedly give ATACMS to Ukraine. Will it change the war?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Criticism of student groups blaming Israel for the killing of civilians by Hamas terrorists gives colleges and universities a choice between protecting their students or caving into the pressure of wealthy donors. They should choose their students.

Student reactions to the attacklike those expressed in a letter from the Harvard University Palestine Solidarity Committee, co-signed by several dozen other student organizationsblaming Israel as being solely responsible for all unfolding violence have caused enormous backlash against the students, as well as the schools.

Billionaire hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman, a Harvard alum, demanded on social media that Harvard release the names of students who had signed onto the letter so that heand other CEOs who support himcould make sure they didnt accidently hire any of the students who voiced those opinions. Wealthy donors and organizations have both threatened and actually withdrawn financial support over schools taking too long to condemn the attacks.

Israelis Were Slaughtered, Now Jews Are Threatened Worldwide

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The Wexner Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to developing Jewish leaders in business and government, terminated its 30-year relationship with the Harvard Kennedy Schools Center for Public Leadership. And the University of Pennsylvania faced calls from another Wall Street billionaire for the university president and board of trustees to be fired, and for other donors to cut off their donations over the billionaires dislike of the schools response to the attacks.

Let me be clear about peoples rights to express their opinions.

Donorswhether wealthy billionaires or nothave a right to talk with their mouths, feet, and wallets. If they dont like what the schools do they have a perfect right to say so and stop donating. If a wealthy Wall Street billionaire felt up to leaving their plush offices they could even get out and protestimagine that.

Students, too, have a right to do the same.

They can protestas they often doand even choose to leave their schools if they want. But its how educational institutions handle these controversies and expressions that critically affects education and, ultimately, our freedoms.

A student from Hunter College leads a chant during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the entrance of their campus. Michael Nigro / Getty

Allowing and protecting student free expression is not only protecting the First Amendment, but educating students about how to process the events of the world by thinking about them, reacting viscerally and intellectually, while learning how to seek solutions. Thats the job of educators. They dont need to listen to loudmouth billionaires like Bill Ackman dictating how to educate.

Ackman appears oblivious to the irony of his social media support for MAGA poster-boy Kyle Rittenhousewhom Ackman praised as a civic-minded patriot for killing two unarmed people with an AR-15 assault-style rifle, and maiming a thirdwhile he calls for the McCarthy-style blacklisting of students who signed the letter blaming Israel for the Hamas attacks.

Hes not alone in calling for the punishment of students for expressing their views. One New York University (NYU) law student lost their offer to a prestigious law firm over their expression.

NYUs reaction is particularly troubling, as their public statement to The New York Times suggested the student could be under investigation for misconducta likely violation of that students privacy rights. Students at Harvard are also being doxed by a conservative group that has put their names and faces on the side of a bus that drove around campus and labeled them Harvard's leading antisemites.

But we keep seeing this playbook of attacking education being used by the powerful and elite.

Bill Maher Unloads on Porn Star Mia Khalifa for Defending Hamas

The banning of curriculum in Florida and other states that offend powerful politicians like Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the caving in of educational organizations like the College Board, which stripped down its African Studies Advanced Placement Studies to comport with Floridas Stop Woke law are but two examples.

Billionaires who want to dictate educational policies confuse campuses with corporations, and educational institutions need to stiffen their backbone and push back.

Most colleges and universities already have existing policies and mission statements that ban hate speech and any form of discrimination based on religion, political viewpoints, gender, and the like. They should remind the critics and their own students of these policies that allow for the discipline of students for violating such rulesdiscipline that includes suspension and expulsion.

Supporters of Palestine gather at Harvard University on October 14, 2023. Joseph Prezioso / Getty

Sure, it can be a tough call in the heat of the moment to distinguish between impassioned speech and racism and antisemitismhate speech that masquerades as free speechbut thats what educational institutions get paid the big bucks to do.

To protect their students, schools should denounce efforts like the one by Bill Ackman to target students and expose them to potential life-threatening danger through doxing. At the same time, they should also enforce rules against discrimination and hateful conduct because that enforcement also protects their students.

Universities have always been a flashpoint for social and historical change. The wide-scale student protests during the Vietnam War, calls for divestment over apartheid, and climate change are just a few instances that have contributed greatly to social change.

Thats the way it should be in a free society.

Ben Shapiro Is Helping Elon Musk Fight a War on Freedom of Speech

Those looking to use their power to dictate educational policies and the free exchange of ideas on campuses are blind to the fact that the power to impose their opinions because of wealth and power is a basic building block of authoritarianismnot education.

Stanford University may provide a good working model for schools facing the inevitable controversies of world events. It has put out a statement stating that as a moral matter, we condemn all terrorism and mass atrocities. This includes the deliberate attack on civilians by Hamas but which also manages expectations by saying to the campus and world that you should not expect frequent commentary from us in the future.

That seems about right to me. In education, commentaries about world eventswhether they be horrific or wonderfulshould take place primarily in the classroom.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Authorities say they continue to search for a missing Naples woman who they learned is nonverbal and has Alzheimers disease.

Andrea Jones, spokesperson for the Collier County Sheriffs Office, on Tuesday said the search for Margaret Ann Gallaway, 80, began around 2 p.m. Monday.

Authorities said they dont suspect foul play.

Gallaway is 58 tall and approximately weighs 160 pounds, Jones said.

Jones said Gallaway was at her Crown Pointe Community home with her husband when she left the residence.

Authorities said that as they began investigating they noticed she rang a nearby doorbell.

She was last seen wearing a pink and white blouse, pink shorts and white shoes.

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The sheriffs office asks that nearby neighbors check their home cameras.

Jones said they brought in a bloodhound from Charlotte County to assist with the search. They are also using infrared technology with sonar capabilities to search the nearby waters. Jones said a large body of water, 60 feet deep, sits in the search area.

Authorities said they will also have drones and aviation units. About 50 people are involved in the search, she said.

The sheriffs office asks that anyone with information call 239-252-9300.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples woman with Alzheimer's missing, sheriff's office searching
BETHESDA, Md. - Columbia, Maryland named the second-safest city in America, according to a new study released by WalletHub.

The personal finance website compared 182 cities in the U.S. across the 41 key indicators of safety - including the number of mass shootings, hate crimes and deadly traffic crashes.

The survey also looked at natural disaster risks and financial data  like unemployment rates, identity theft complaints, and job security.

"No one can avoid all danger, however, and we take on a certain level of risk based on where we choose to live. Some cities are simply better at protecting their residents from harm.

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Baltimore, Maryland's largest city, ranked 163. Washington, D.C. placed 173 on the list, dropping from last year's 168 spot.

This comes shortly after Baltimores top prosecutor said "D.C. crime" was coming to Baltimore after the arrest of a D.C. teen in connection to the mass shooting at Morgan State University.

When asked about this statement during a recent press conference, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said "I dont know that I have a response to that."

"What I know is almost immediately when law enforcement officials put out those pictures, the [suspected] individuals were identified, and that information shared with local law enforcement," said Bowser.

Safest Cities in the D.C. Area:

2. Columbia, Maryland

12. Virginia Beach, Virginia

19. Chesapeake, Virginia

60. Newport News, Virginia

74. Norfolk, Virginia

157. Richmond, Virginia

163. Baltimore, Maryland

173. Washington, D.C.

Top 5 Most Dangerous U.S. Cities:

1. Detroit, Michigan

2. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

3. San Bernardino, California

4. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

5. St. Louis, Missouri
Columbus police have identified a man killed in an early morning shooting Tuesday on the Northeast Side.

Anthony Cato, 38, was found about 1:55 a.m. with a gunshot wound lying on the sidewalk outside Arlington Park Apartments in the 2600 block of Divot Place by officers responding to a reported shooting, police said.

Cato was transported in critical condition to a local hospital, where he died at 5:18 a.m., police said.

Officers detained and interviewed two persons of interest at the scene, according to police, who released no further information about them.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Columbus police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730, or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 (TIPS).

bagallion@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus police identify man fatally shot Tuesday on Northeast Side
FILE - Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo testifies during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing Oct. 4, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Commerce Department on Oct. 17 updated and broadened its export controls to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips and the equipment to manufacture them. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Commerce Department on Tuesday updated and broadened its export controls to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips and the equipment to manufacture them.

The revisions come roughly a year after the export controls were first launched to counter the use of the chips for military applications that include the development of hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence.

These export controls are intended to protect technologies that have clear national security or human rights implications, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on a call with reporters. The vast majority of semiconductors will remain unrestricted. But when we identify national security or human rights threats, we will act decisively and in concert with our allies.

The updates stemmed from consulting with industry and conducting technological analyses. There will now be a gray zone that will be monitored for chips that could still be used for military aims even if they might not meet the thresholds for trade limitations.

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Chip exports can also be restricted to companies headquartered in Macau or anywhere under a U.S. arms embargo, preventing countries of concern from circumventing the controls and providing chips to China.

The updates also introduce new requirements that make it more difficult for China to manufacture advanced chips abroad. The list of manufacturing equipment that falls under the export controls has also been expanded, among other changes to the policy.

The export controls announced last year were a source of frustration for the Chinese government, which viewed the design and manufacturing of high-level semiconductors as essential for its economic and geopolitical goals. Raimondo has said the limits on these chips are not designed to impair China's economic growth.

In an August meeting, Raimondo and her Chinese counterparts agreed to exchange information about the export controls. But a senior administration official, insisting on anonymity to discuss the policy, said the U.S. government did not discuss with China the parameters of the revised export controls. Chinas No. 2 leader, Premier Li Qiang, appealed for concrete actions by Washington to improve relations, a reference to Chinese pressure for changes in U.S. policy on technology, Taiwan and other issues.

Chinese government officials are scheduled to go to San Francisco in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

President Joe Biden has suggested he could meet on the sidelines of the summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though a meeting has yet to be confirmed. The two leaders met last year following the Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, shortly after the export controls were announced.
A company faces nearly $60,000 in fines after two workers were crushed by a concrete slab at New Yorks JFK Airport earlier this year, federal officials say.

Two employees of Triumph Construction Corp., based in the Bronx, died April 3 when they were removing soil from underneath a concrete slab at the airport, according to an Oct. 16 news release from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

As they were working, the slab broke and collapsed, trapping the two employees under rubble in the trench, the report says.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced a stop work order for all construction at the airport the day of the accident.

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Employers are obligated to make a good faith effort to recognize, evaluate and control workplace hazards throughout the course of the work and as conditions change, which Triumph did not do, local OSHA director Kevin Sullivan said in the release.

Brian Gardner, a lawyer representing Triumph Construction, told McClatchy News what happened was a terrible incident.

He said the company had an informal conference with OSHA to see if the two could reach a resolution regarding the citation. The company plans to contest, he said.

Triumph is a very safe company and takes safety very seriously, Gardner said. He said the presence of Triumphs long-term employees attest to that fact.

Investigators faulted the company, saying it failed to support the concrete slab, exposing the employees to danger and ultimately leading to the fatal collapse. Officials said the company also did not instruct workers on how to safely remove the slab and make sure those safety procedures were followed.

Employees worked in a trench that was about 8 feet wide, 88 feet long and 14 feet deep, according to the citation. Investigators said the trench did not have a protective system in accordance with OSHA regulations.

The company received four serious citations, totaling $59,153, according to the report dated Sept. 27.

Diligent over(sight) and management of changing worksite conditions could have helped prevent this tragedy from happening, Sullivan said.

This is not the first time Triumph has come under labor officials scrutiny. The company was also fined in 2018 for failing to protect workers from cave-ins while working in trenches.

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A new Congressional report is stressing the need to replace the aging Bourne and Sagamore Bridges on Cape Cod, with the report noting failure to replace the bridges would be catastrophic, lawmakers said Tuesday.

The report, titled Cape Cod Bridges Replacement: An Urgent Need, was released by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and Rep. Bill Keating.

The report drew input from Cape Cod leaders on how the aging Cape Cod bridges are impacting local communities, businesses, and residents, the lawmakers said in a statement.

The current state of the heavily-traveled bridges to Cape Cod poses dire economic consequences, and reiterates calls to fund replacement efforts, the lawmakers said.

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The Cape Cod Bridges replacement is key to modernizing Massachusetts physical infrastructure to meet the economic, social, and environmental challenges of the 21st century, the lawmakers wrote. Innaction is untenable. The Cape Cod bridges replacement project is at a pivotal moment, and federal and state actors must come together to secure the funding needed to carry out the replacement and alleviate the current situation that is negatively impacting thousands of residents and millions of visitors annually.

The Bourne and the Sagamore Bridges, owned by the federal government, were built in 1933.

The bridges are the sole access point for the more than 35 million vehicles that cross the canal each year, and serve as the main gateway to Cape Cod for more than 260,000 Cape and Islands residents and over 5 million visitors annually, lawmakers wrote.

They are vital assets for the Cape Cod economy and surrounding communities, and also serve as essential routes for general transportation, tourism, and evacuations in case of an emergency. However, the current bridges are nearly 90 years old, functionally obsolete, and require increasingly costly and disruptive maintenance, the lawmakers wrote.

For the report, officials sought input from the Cape Cod community -- including state and local elected officials, Tribal leaders, and community organizations -- about how the aging Bourne and Sagamore Bridges are impacting communities, businesses, and residents on and around Cape Cod.

Based on their responses, the report found:

 The Cape Cod Bridges are of significant importance to businesses and communities. Every stakeholder that responded affirmed the vital nature of the Bridges to their communities. As noted by the Cape Cod Commission, The importance of the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges to the region cannot be overstated  the long-term viability of Cape Cod is inextricably linked to the health and fate of both bridges.

 The current state of the bridges is hurting Cape Cod businesses and communities. The regular closures of lanes on the bridge for maintenance clearly has an impact on businesses that cannot just be measured in terms of monetary value lost, but also in terms of the decreased quality of life of employees who keep the economy moving.

 The current state of the bridges is negatively impacting residents. In tandem with the economic impacts of the bridges on local businesses and their employees, residents on the Cape and Islands generally are impacted by the current state of the bridges in their daily lives, with implications for their access to food, goods, and essential services.

 The current state of the bridges impacts emergency services and access to healthcare, and is a public health and public safety risk. Because the bridges serve as the lifeline connecting the rest of Massachusetts to Cape Cod and are the only emergency route off of Cape Cod, the gridlock caused by bridge congestion adds a dangerous amount of time to theability to respond to emergencies.

 Failure to replace the bridges would be catastrophic. As summarized by the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners, If the bridges continue to deteriorate and are not replaced, the region will experience devastating economic impacts due to more frequent closures for repairs, disruption of commuter and tourism travel, increased costs for transportation of goods, and lack of critical access to medical and emergency services.

 Replacing the bridges would have significant benefits for residents and the economy. This replacement stands to greatly benefit those same communities that are currently suffering. According to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, their members noted that replacing the bridges is a matter of survival for their businesses. The Chamber stated that Replacing the 88-year-old, functionally obsolete Bourne and Sagamore Bridges will provide a sense of certainty for Cape Cods regional economy, which supports nearly 10,000 businesses, a labor force of 117,797, and a $1.5 billion tourism industry that, in 2022, generated $181 million in state and local tax revenue - second in the state only to Greater Boston.

The lawmakers said Warren has led efforts over the past several years to secure funds to replace the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges, which has included pressing the federal government to take action to replace the bridges.

Among their efforts, the lawmakers in September sent a letter of support to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg supporting Massachusetts application and urging the department to provide funding to the The Cape Cod Bridges Program to replace the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges.

In May, Warren, Markey and Keating, and Rep. Seth Moulton sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, urging him to support installation resilience in order to provide funding for the replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges.

Also in May, the lawmakers sent a letter to the Federal Highway Administration, requesting them to expedite feedback from the technical review requested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Transportation of the Cape Cod Canal Bridges project, which seeks to explore the scope, schedule and cost of the Cape Cod Bridges Project.

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El Paso Police Department detectives used a controversial geofence warrant after struggling for months to find a lead in the fatally shooting of a lawyer who was allegedly killed by a man believing satanic abortion rituals were being conducted at Memorial Park.

Several El Paso police officers testified Tuesday, Oct. 17, on efforts to identify a suspect during the second day in the murder trial of Joseph Angel Alvarez. Geofencing uses GPS technology to create a virtual geographic boundary to track mobile devices.

Alvarez is accused of fatally shooting El Paso lawyer Georgette Kaufmann on Nov. 14, 2020, at her home in the 3000 block of Copper Avenue in the historic Manhattan Heights neighborhood. Georgette Kaufmann's husband, Daniel Kaufmann, was also shot but survived his injuries.

Defense attorneys argued Alvarez was suffering from a mental health illness that caused him to believe satanic abortion rituals were being performed at Memorial Park in Central El Paso. State prosecutors countered any alleged mental health issues were not an excuse for Alvarez's actions.

The trial, which started Monday, Oct. 16, is being held in the 210th District Court at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso. Judge Alyssa Perez is presiding over the trial.

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State prosecutors Raoaa King and Ray Duke are trying the case for the El Paso District Attorney's Office, while Alvarez's defense team is led by attorney Greg Anderson.

Geofence warrant leads to Joseph Angel Alvarez's arrest

El Paso police Detective Abraham Gonzalez testified Tuesday about the department's efforts to find a suspect in the ambush attack.

Police went to more than 30 houses in the area of the shooting, looking for witnesses who could provide any information. This effort led to no leads in the case.

A background check and interviews with the victim's family and friends also led to no information on a possible suspect, Gonzalez testified.

A search of nearby Memorial Park for witnesses or evidence also were unsuccessful.

About 15 days after the fatal shooting, police obtained a "tower dump" for cellular providers to gather all information on anyone using a phone near the victim's house and around the time the shooting took place, Gonzalez testified. This also resulted in no leads on a suspect.

Six months into the investigation, detectives obtained a geofence warrant ordering Google to turn over all data of any devices using Google accounts in the area and at the time of the shooting, Gonzalez testified. The warrant ordered the data for accounts used between 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2020, and within 400 feet of the Kaufmann's house.

The warrant led police to 29 devices used in the area around the time of the shooting, Gonzalez testified.

Detectives narrowed the number of devices to 17. They requested more location data on those 17 devices, including distance traveled by the devices, and where they were before and after the shooting.

At this point, Gonzalez claimed police had gathered no personal information on any of the people who used those devices.

More: Man shot, killed in El Paso SWAT standoff at Speedway gas station in the Upper Valley

Police then narrowed the number of devices to five. They then obtained information on the Google subscriber using each device, including their contact information.

Detectives then began contacting those five people. They were only successful in finding and interviewing four of the users, Gonzalez testified.

They then obtained a warrant allowing them to go through each device, Gonzalez said. This led to detectives finding Alvarez's phone.

Detectives found an email sent by Alvarez with the subject line, "Judgment Day," Gonzalez testified. The email was sent to various U.S. Army and other military emails.

Alvarez claims in the email, which prosecutors called a manifesto, that satanic abortion rituals were being conducted at Memorial Park. The email talks about the evils of abortions and Alvarez's need to show the world that satanic abortion rituals were being performed.

The email also includes antisemitic and anti-Democratic Party ramblings. It also mentions former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.

The email also claims the homes in the area are "generational houses" and are "cursed," Gonzalez testified.

Attached to the email were about 22 photos of Memorial Park and neighboring houses. Anderson claimed the photos included tables and benches that Alvarez believed were being used as altars for the satanic rituals.

More: Fort Bliss driver faces DWI manslaughter case in fatal Loop 375 chain-reaction crash

The email goes on to state "trolls" would take the aborted fetus, according to testimony. Alvarez also wrote the trees in the area were misshaped because the aborted fetuses were planted in the ground.

El Paso police launched an investigation into Alvarez, who lived about 10 miles from the Kaufmann's house, Gonzalez said.

Anderson objected several times to testimony on the geofence warrant being presented to the jury. He argued the use of geofence warrants by law enforcement violates the U.S. Constitution and state laws.

Judge Perez ruled the testimony was admissible.

The American Civil Liberties Union also has raised issues with geofence warrants, stating it is an "invasive surveillance technique that enables law enforcement to search for and locate unknown numbers of people in a large area without reason to believe they were engaged in criminal conduct."

Alvarez was arrested Sept. 9, 2021, in connection with the fatal shooting.

He was charged with one count of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. If convicted, he is facing 99 years or life in prison.

Testimony in the trial continued Tuesday afternoon, with more witnesses expected to take the stand Wednesday.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Detectives used mobile phone to link attacker to El Paso lawyer slaying
Mikell Schultheis, 25, of Hilton Head pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. His convictions were for kidnapping and raping two girls: the first from Aiken, S.C. and the second from Arizona.

Circuit Court Judge Carmen T. Mullens sentence includes Schultheis being permanently prohibited from contacting three of his underage victims.

In the case of the second attack, one that happened while Schultheis was out of bond for the first offense, he drove nearly 60 hours to pick up the second victim.

After communicating via Facebook with the 12-year-old girl in mid-September, Schultheis picked up the first victim and her 10-year-old sister at their Aiken residence. He drove them to his apartment on Hilton Heads Beach City Road. According to the Monday press release from the 14th Circuit Solicitors Office, Schultheis had sex with the 12-year-old while the younger sibling was in the residence. Beaufort County deputies arrested Schultheis four days after the incident.

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While out on a $15,000 bond from the first attack, Schultheis then kidnapped another 12-year-old girl from Arizona and drove her to his Hilton Head apartment  about 29 hours away  where he raped her. The missing girl was found in Schultheis apartment when local deputies, FBI agents and a SWAT team arrested him on March 30, 2022, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office of Arizona.

Because Schultheis crossed state lines to take the Arizona child to his apartment, he also faces a pair of pending federal charges related to the second offense, one of which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

At the time of his second arrest, Schultheis was wearing an ankle monitor as a condition of his bond for previous charges.

Timothy Schultheis used social media to lure underage victims, whom he used for his sexual gratification, said Julie Kate Keeney of the Solicitors Office, who prosecuted the case. He is a predator, pure and simple, and his hunting grounds were not confined to Lowcountry or to the internet. Fortunately, he will be spending a lot of time behind bars.

After searching Schultheis cellphone and other electronic devices following the 2020 incident, police also charged him with four other internet crimes, including three separate allegations of owning child sexual abuse material, also known as child pornography. Those four charges were dismissed in court on Monday, judicial records show.
Perched on a high ridge, the impossibly quaint hobbit hamlet of O Cebreiro welcomes visitors to Galicia  a hilly, damp, green region in northwest Spain that feels vaguely Irish. O Cebreiro is a time-warp connection to an uncomplicated, almost prehistoric past, when people lived very close to nature, in stone igloos with thatched roofs. With sweeping views across the verdant but harsh Galician landscape, O Cebreiro (pronounced oh theh-BRAY-roh) is constantly pummeled by some of the fiercest weather in Spain.

O Cebreiro smells like wood fires, manure, and pilgrim B.O. The village is shared by two groups: a few simple townspeople, who cock their heads quizzically when they see an iPhone, and weary Camino de Santiago pilgrims on an adrenaline high after finally reaching Galicia. O Cebreiro marks the final stretch of their month-long, 450-mile pilgrimage to the city of Santiago de Compostela, along the Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James). The towns dogs bark at each other territorially from across the street, completely ignoring the backpackers who regularly trudge through town.

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For a taste of the local culture, get a snack or drink at one of the half-dozen very humble pub/restaurants, which feed pilgrims and other visitors hearty Galician cuisine in a smoky atmosphere. One local specialty is caldo galego, a traditional soup that originally came from the leftover stock used to prepare an elaborate Sunday feast (cabbage or turnip greens, potatoes, and so on). Its not too exciting, but it does provide comfort on a rainy day.

If you hear something that sounds like, but isnt quite Spanish, its Galego  the distinctive language of Galicia. A mix between Portuguese and Spanish, Galego has gradually evolved to sound more like the latter. The most apparent difference is the change in articles: el and la become o and a  so the big Galician city La Coruna is known as A Coruna around here. The Spanish greeting buenos dias is bos dias in Galego. If you want to impress a local, say gracinas (grah-THEEN-yahs)  a super-polite thank you.

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To see how local villagers used to live, visit the pallozas. From Celtic times 1,500 years ago, right up until the 1960s, the townspeople of O Cebreiro lived in these humble, round, stone huts with peaked thatched roofs. Three of the nine surviving pallozas have been turned into a loosely run museum, where visitors can learn about the lifestyles of the people who lived in the huts.

Upon entering a palloza, which typically housed a dozen people (and their animals), youll find two simple rooms: the only private room in the house, belonging to the parents, and a living area around a humble fire. Surrounding the fire are clever benches (which were also used as very hard beds) with pull-down counters so they could double as a table at mealtime. Cooking was done over the fire using a chain hanging from a big beam, while giant black-metal spirals suspended from the ceiling were used to smoke chorizo sausage.

Attached to the living area is a miniature barn, where animals lived on the lower level, and people  kept warm by all that livestock body heat  slept on the upper level. Thanks to the ideal insulation provided by the thatch, and the warmth from the fire and animals, it was toasty even through the difficult winter.

In O Cebreiro, all roads lead to the village church. Founded in the year 836, Royal St. Marys Church (Santa Maria la Real) is supposedly the oldest church on the entire French Road route of the Camino de Santiago. The interior of this pre-Romanesque building is surprisingly spacious, but very simple. The building is embedded in the ground, with sunken floors that added protection against winter storms. At a desk, a clerk stamps pilgrims credentials and sells votive candles.

As dictated by ancient tradition, the baptistery is separate from the main part of the church, with its giant and very rough font used for immersion baptisms. In the chapel is a much-revered 12th-century golden chalice and reliquary, which holds items relating to a local miracle: A peasant from a nearby village braved a fierce winter snowstorm to come to this church for the Eucharist. The priest scoffed at his devotion, only to find that the host and wine had physically turned into the body and blood of Christ, staining the linens beneath them  which are now in the silver reliquary.

To get way off the beaten track, enjoy Spain at its rustic best by playing pilgrim for a few hours here in hauntingly beautiful O Cebreiro.

(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Ricks favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

2023 Rick Steves. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper sued top Republicans on Tuesday, arguing that a massive overhaul to the states election boards unconstitutionally removes power from the executive branch.

The bill in question, Senate Bill 749, strips the governor of his power to appoint members to state and local election boards. Those boards are currently structured to have a 3-2 majority of the governors party, but will now be evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, with all appointments coming from leaders in the legislature.

The North Carolina General Assembly takes direct aim at established precedents and once again seeks to significantly interfere with the Governors constitutionally assigned executive branch duty of election law enforcement and to take much of that power for itself, the lawsuit says.

Republicans argue that the bill encourages bipartisan cooperation within election boards and removes the possibility of decisions motivated by partisan politics.

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Critics worry the new board structure will lead to gridlock on important decisions.

The deadlocks that will be created on these new boards of elections at the state and local levels likely will reduce early voting and create longer lines at the polls, Cooper said in a statement. It will also undermine fair elections and faith in our democracy by sending disputes to our highly partisan legislature and courts.

The lawsuit, filed in Wake County, alleges that the new law violates the separation of powers clause found in the state constitution.

Cooper vetoed SB 749, but Republicans used their supermajority to override his veto earlier this month. Most components of the bill become effective on Jan. 1, 2024.

The state Supreme Court rejected a similar restructuring attempt of the State Board of Elections. Following that, Republicans tried to pass similar changes via a constitutional amendment in 2018, but over 60% of voters rejected it.

Both the courts and the people have rejected this bad idea and the meaning of our Constitution doesnt change just because the Supreme Court has new justices, Cooper said. The Supreme Court should accept the clear precedent and the clear voice of the people and reject the legislatures latest attempt to control the election process.

House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday calling for the deportation of foreign nationals who support Hamas.

In the letter addressed to the agencys secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, the GOP senator urged the department to deport any foreign nationals who have expressed support for Hamass attacks on Israel, including international students studying in the U.S.

I write to urge you to immediately deport any foreign nationalincluding and especially any alien on a student visa  that has expressed support for Hamas and its murderous attacks on Israel, Cotton wrote. These fifth-columnists have no place in the United States.

The letter, obtained by The Hill, comes as activists and college students across the U.S. have faced pushback after organizations at multiple colleges put out statements that have been characterized as defending the killings in Israel.

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Cotton suggested that the DHS starts with deporting international students who signed or approved the letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee.

Swiftly removing and permanently barring from future reentry any foreign student who signed onto or shared approvingly the anti-Semitic letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee on October 7 would be a good place to start, Cotton wrote.

At Harvard, a group of more than 30 student-led groups signed a controversial letter saying that Israel was entirely responsible for all unfolding violence happening in the region. The statement has since removed the names of the signing groups. Similar efforts took place at the University of Virginia and New York University.

Other pro-Palestinian student organizations distanced themselves from Hamas.

We just stand for peace, its an emotional conflict, one member of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee at Indiana University told the Indiana Daily Student newspaper.

Cotton said that despite Americans having the First Amendment right to speak freely, that same privilege does not apply to foreign nationals in the U.S.

The appalling explosion of anti-Semitism in the United States over the past few weeks should disturb anyone who shares American values, Cotton wrote. While American citizens may have a First Amendment right to speak disgusting vitriol if they so choose, no foreign national has a right to advocate for terrorism in the United States.

Cottons effort was first reported by The Daily Caller.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An engaged couple filmed themselves adding a speeding ticket fund to their wedding registry.

They posted it on TikTok as a joke for their friends and family, not expecting it to go viral.

The video received over 378,000 views as comments supported the concept of the unconventional fund.

A couple added a speeding ticket fund to their online wedding registry after the groom-to-be was fined in the weeks leading up to their big day.

On October 9, TikToker Annabelle Griffin posted a video with an on-screen caption that said her wedding was in 26 days, before the clip showed a close-up of a letter her fiance James Worth was holding, which appeared to have been sent from Tushka Municipal Court, in Atoka, Oklahoma.

The upload then showed a computer screen displaying an online wedding registry, which showed a listing titled "James's Speeding Ticket Fund," which amounted to $231, as Worth appeared to jokingly add "please help" in capital letters to the note box alongside it.

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In the caption beside the upload, Griffin tagged the wedding planning service they used to create their registry to ask if they could add "the state of oklahoma" to the places people could purchase gifts from, and included the hashtags #speedingticket and #weddingregistry.

Griffin told Insider in an email statement that the idea came about after Worth received a speeding ticket while visiting family in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was intended as a joke to see if family and friends noticed. They thought it would be funny post to TikTok, where most of Griffin's followers are people she knows personally.

"I just thought it would be something our friends saw and laughed at. I really didn't think it would gain traction so fast. Once it started gaining more views, people started asking for the link to our wedding registry so they could donate," she told Insider.

The video received over 378,000 views and 84 comments, many of which appeared to find the idea hilarious, while some wrote they'd also received speeding tickets around the time of their own weddings so they could relate to the situation. Viewers appeared to unanimously back the concept of the unconventional wedding fund, and some even offered to chip in themselves.

"I will donate for the plot. what's the link," a popular comment read that received over 3,000 likes, while another joked they would donate if they could come to the wedding.

Griffin told Insider the attention made the pair a little nervous as they didn't necessarily want the details of their wedding made public. But she said lots of family and friends saw it and found it hilarious.

"All of our wedding guests know James and I and know that we love to joke around. Only a few dollars were donated, but it was all from people who had found our registry from TikTok," she said.

The speeding ticket fund is no longer available to view on the couple's public registry, although it was previously seen by Insider. Other items on their registry included more traditional ones, such as household gadgets and furnishings, as well as a honeymoon fund, and a home furniture fund.

Griffin has previously posted multiple videos about the build-up to her wedding which include an insight into their detailed seating plan, and her post-bachelorette look.

Wedding registries are a popular topic of discussion on TikTok, which Griffin told Insider was part of her inspiration for the joke. The related search term has over 167 million views and features videos where creators share tips on what items a registry should include, things they said they had personally received and loved, or items they wish they had requested at the time.

For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.

Read the original article on Insider
Saturday started out as a normal day, 32-year-old Hanaan Shahin told police, with breakfast in the home her family rented in Plainfield Township, Illinois.

Within hours, Shahin was in the hospital, recovering from more than a dozen stab wounds, after the familys landlord brutally attacked her and her 6-year-old son, Wadea Al Fayoume, the Will County Sheriffs Office said. Wadea was stabbed 26 times and did not survive.

Court documents filed Monday detail the days and moments before 71-year-old Joseph M. Czuba allegedly killed Wadea in what investigators called an anti-Muslim attack.

Shahin, who is Palestinian, told authorities she rents two rooms in Czubas house where she lived with Wadea on the first floor, and Czuba lived on the second floor, according to the documents.

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The family had no reason to suspect what was to occur, Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Chicago, said Sunday.

In fact, Wadeas father said Czuba brought the boy toys  that he even built him a tree house and allowed him to swim in a makeshift pool, Rehab said.

It wasnt until (Czuba) started watching the news and hearing the statements that something changed, he added.

Czubas wife, Mary, told police he listens to conservative talk radio on a regular basis, and was heavily interested in the recent events happening in Israel, the documents show.

Czuba told his wife on Wednesday that he wanted Shahin and her family to move out of the home and said that Czuba believed that they were in danger and that (Shahin) was going to call over her Palestinian friends or family to harm them, the documents show.

Czubas wife said he secretly made a $1,000 cash withdrawal, in case the U.S. grid went down, the documents state. She said he expressed concern over a National Day of Jihad that was supposed to occur on Friday, October 13th, 2023, the day before the stabbing, investigators said in the documents.

Shahin told police she tried reaching out to Czubas wife via text in the days before the attack about his hatred of Muslims and that Czuba confronted her on Wednesday about the events unfolding in the Middle East, according to the documents.

A booking photo of Joseph M. Czuba provided by the Will County Sheriff's Office. - Will County Sheriff's Office/AP

Lets pray for peace

On Saturday, moments before the attack, Czuba told Shahin he was angry at her for what was going on in Jerusalem, the mother told investigators, according to the documents.

Lets pray for peace, Shahin said in response, she told police. Then, she said, Czuba attacked her with a knife, the documents said.

Shahin told police she was able to get away by locking herself in a nearby bathroom, though she was not able to get Wadea into the bathroom with her, the documents said. As she called 911 from inside the bathroom, she told investigators, she could hear her son was being stabbed, prosecutors said during a court hearing Monday.

After attempting to kick in the front door, Plainfield Police Department officers were able to enter the house through the back door.

Responding officers first encountered Czuba laying on his back in the yard at the rear of the residence, according to the filing. A knife holster was found on his waist belt and removed. Several pocketknives were also located next to his feet, the filing said.

Czuba, who did not make any statements, was placed in handcuffs and detained, and a field dressing was placed on a wound on his head, according to the filing.

A responding officer found Shahin sitting in the front of the house. She had multiple facial wounds and was bleeding profusely, the filing said.

The Plainfield Fire Department provided medical treatment and transported Wadea and his mother to Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, while Czuba was sent to another hospital for further medical treatment.

Wadea was pronounced dead at Saint Joseph Medical Center shortly after noon, according to the documents.

Czuba was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of a hate crime and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, the sheriffs office said. He appeared in court Monday, where his attorney, Kylie Blatti, told the court Czuba has no prior convictions. The judge ordered Czuba to be held without bond, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for October 30.

Wadeas parents are from a village in the West Bank, Rehab said. Wadeas mother moved to the United States 12 years ago, his father moved to the US nine years ago, and Wadea was born in the US.

The attack has been widely condemned by officials, including President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, who said in a statement that the childs Palestinian Muslim family came to America seeking what we all seek  a refuge to live, learn, and pray in peace.

As Americans, we must come together and reject Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred, the statement read.

CNNs Virginia Langmaid and Holly Yan contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The public will remain in the dark on what Topeka police know about the death of Zoey Felix that led Shawnee County prosecutors to charge Mickel Cherry with child rape and capital murder.

Cherry, who could face the death penalty if convicted, successfully got the Topeka Police Department affidavit sealed in Shawnee County District Court.

He has been accused or raping and killing 5-year-old Zoey, who had recently become homeless, earlier this month. But police, prosecutors and the state's child welfare agency have released little information on what happened.

A copy of the order was emailed to the Topeka Capital-Journal and three other news outlets that had requested the affidavit. The order, and any other filings, are not readily available online to the public because of the Kansas court system's ongoing technology issues due to a network security incident.

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Under Kansas law, affidavits or sworn testimony in support of probable cause are considered public records that can be requested by anyone. However, both the defense and prosecution can request redactions or sealing of the document.

The presumption of access to court records under the First Amendment requires detailed explanations, on the record, as to why a court record is sealed, said Max Kautsch, a Lawrence attorney and Kansas Press Association legal adviser. This order fails to articulate those reasons, leaving the public in the dark as to why a seal was necessary.

Who wanted the Mickel Cherry affidavit sealed?

The order notes that defense counsel submitted  under seal  proposed redactions to the affidavit, reasons to support the proposed redactions and a motion to seal the affidavits. Prosecutors did not object to the sealing or redacting of the affidavit.

Cherry is being represented by public defenders on the Death Penalty Defense Unit. District Attorney Mike Kagay has not yet decided whether he will pursue the death penalty.

Why is the affidavit sealed?

Magistrate Judge Christopher Turner opted to seal the entirety of the affidavit instead of releasing either a redacted or an unredacted version.

Public disclosure of the affidavit would "jeopardize the safety or well-being of a victim, witness, confidential source or undercover agent, or cause the destruction of violence," Turner wrote in a Tuesday order. It also would "interfere with any prospective law enforcement action, criminal investigation or prosecution" and would "endanger the life or physical safety of any person."

Further, releasing the affidavit would "reveal the name, address, telephone number or any other information which specifically and individually identifies the victim of any sexual offense" and "reveal the name of any minor."

It is unclear why redaction of the affidavit would not be sufficient to address those concerns.

More: Mickel Cherry charged with rape, murder in Zoey Felix death. DA could pursue death penalty

More: Topekans demand 'Justice for Zoey' after 5-year-old's rape and killing by homeless man

Jason Alatidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Affidavit sealed in Mickel Cherry murder case after Zoey Felix death
In the early morning hours on a day in September, Sherri and Joe Earl, residents of Olympias east side, got a notification from their Ring camera.

The 6 a.m. footage captured an adorable, curious coyote sniffing around their porch, seemingly unbothered by its proximity to the humans inside the house.

Sherri told McClatchy she was kind of surprised that the coyote came right to the front door and looked as if it would have walked in if given the opportunity. She said the furry creature left some scat on their sidewalk before it took off.

While the Earls coyote experience was pleasant enough, a quick view of almost any Nextdoor neighborhood page will give readers examples of coyotes misbehaving in urban and suburban areas.

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But experts say there are some ways that humans can interact with coyotes so that everyone can co-exist.

Coyotes are adaptable

Jennifer Bacar, communications manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, told McClatchy that coyotes are a unique species.

While other wildlife species are uniquely adapted to certain habitats or ecosystems, coyotes are whats known as generalists and have been able to find success in a variety of ecosystems  including human neighborhoods.

Coyotes have also figured out that garbage cans provide a nice source of food.

The coyote has actually evolved, or responded quite well, to human development and has found its space alongside humans in a lot of urban and suburban areas, Bacar said.

Katie Remine, the Living Northwest Conservation Manager in the Wildlife Conservation division at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, told McClatchy that coyotes are also known as being behaviorally plastic because of their adaptability and that this means they can be found almost anywhere in the state, except for high mountain areas.

In terms of where coyotes like to hang out, Remine said they like sheltered areas such as blackberry thickets and dense shrubs or under logs to sleep and to keep their dens.

When theyre hunting and finding food, they tend to roam.

A lot of people think of natural coyote behavior as being only active at night, but thats not really the case in urban and suburban habitats, Remine added.

Remine said coyotes dont travel in packs like wolves but instead travel in small family groups. Coyotes have their pups in the spring, which is when they will find sites to keep their dens.

Thats when female coyotes are very protective of their pups, just like most mothers would be, Remine said. So thats the time when theyre going to be most vigilant around their den area  theyll really be looking and keeping an eye on whats going on.

And thats the time of year where people can encounter coyotes and it feels like it can be an uncomfortable encounter, because the females will stand and watch and might even escort. They want to make sure youre going away.

Pups typically stay in the den for six weeks, and will hang around the den for six to nine months. Around fall and winter is when those pups, now grown, will begin to wander. This time of the year is when people most often encounter coyotes, she said, as they find their way around and learn the terrain.

Residents may notice coyote howling in their neighborhoods. She said they have unique vocal capabilities where their howl can sound like a bigger group of coyotes when really it may just be two to three of them.

Coyotes usually howl as a means of social contact such as communicating with other family groups, she noted. It can also mean sometimes that they are agitated or disturbed.

How to reduce coyote interactions at your home

One of the best ways people can keep all wildlife wild is to limit those human-provided attractants, Bacar noted. Keep trash cans sealed and out of reach, and dont leave dog or cat food outside. Fallen fruit from a tree or orchard should be picked up to prevent a constant food source.

While coyotes are more active at dawn and dusk, Bacar and Remine advised that pet owners should never leave small pets unattended outside, dogs should be kept on a leash when on walks, chickens should be kept in enclosed coops, and cat owners should find alternatives for their outdoor cats such as catios.

Electric fences are also good deterrents, Bacar said.

Unfortunately, things like cats are not an uncommon target for coyotes in terms of prey, Bacar noted. ...If a coyote were to encounter your cat at high noon, and it had the opportunity, it probably wouldnt turn that down just because its not prime hunting time.

What to do if you encounter a coyote

So what should you do if you encounter a coyote in a space where you dont think it belongs?

Bacar and Remine both told McClatchy that its OK to do what is called humane hazing  clapping your hands, shouting, and jingling or even throwing your keys to get them to back off.

But make sure you dont run away.

Stand your ground because coyotes chase their prey, Bacar said.

Small children should be picked up, but older children can be taught to stand their ground with others to appear like a bigger group. Making yourself appear big is important too.

One thing thats very clear is that were here and theyre here, and neither of us is going away, Remine said. Weve tried to get rid of coyotes for hundreds of years, and it doesnt work. They respond by having more babies and finding new ways to kind of get by, and so that, to me, is admirable.

Theyre real survivors. And theyre really adaptable. So that just means, OK, we do need to figure out how to coexist.

If you do see a coyote, the Woodland Park Zoo has a resource where you can report your sightings that isnt limited to a specific geographic area: carnivorespotter.org.
[Source]

Crazy Rich Asians stars Constance Wu and Akwafina held a mini-reunion during the 1,000th performance celebration for the off-Broadway classic Little Shop of Horrors on Sunday.

Two-person reunion: Wu, 41, posed with her Crazy Rich Asians co-star Awkwafina, whose real name is Nora Lum, 35, on the red carpet at Bryant Park Grill in New York City on Sunday.

The event was to celebrate the 1,000th performance of the Little Shop of Horrors revival, where Wu plays the female lead, Audrey, with Corbin Bleu, 34, playing her partner, Seymour.

The other attendees: Other stars who attended the Sunday celebration include Akwafinas Nora from Queens co-star Lori Tan Chinn, American author Jenny Han and British actor Chike Okonkwo.

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Trending on NextShark: Growing makeup trend transforms Asian faces to appear 'mixed race'

About the play: Little Shop of Horrors, which first premiered in New York City in 1982 before it moved to off-Broadway's Orpheum Theater, follows the story of down-on-his-luck florist Seymour as he tries to turn his boss plant shop business around. When Seymour discovers a rare and voracious plant, he names it after his co-worker and crush Audrey.

Their excitement: Wu and Bleu expressed their mutual excitement after the news of their casting was announced in late August. Wu said Little Shop of Horrors became her favorite musical after she first saw a community production growing up in Richmond, Virginia.

Working together: Wu and Awkwafina worked together in the hit 2018 romance-comedy movie Crazy Rich Asians. Wu revealed in June 2022 that the wheels are moving for the films sequel.

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A man from Troy, North Carolina, was taken into custody and charged Monday with making death threats to the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte. According to a Tuesday announcement by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of North Carolina, Jeffrey Scott Hobgood emailed intimidating remarks around Oct. 11, writing, I am going to take out every one of you. The organization showed the email to a Charlotte FBI office, which got in touch with the Troy Police Department. Law enforcement then questioned him, leading Hobgood to allegedly admit that he did send the email but it was none of their business. Two days later, he sent another message calling the group traitors that deserve public execution. Hobgoods charges could result in up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston stated, No one in America should be threatened based on their race, nationality, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics.

Read it at FOX8 WGHP

Read more at The Daily Beast.
The Army has dropped all criminal charges against an armor officer at Fort Cavazos, Texas, who was accused of sexually assaulting a subordinate officer's wife in one of the service's most high-profile and bizarre cases.

Col. Jon Meredith was fired as commander of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, in October of last year. Meredith was accused of forcefully touching and kissing the wife of another officer below him in the chain of command. Instead, Meredith is facing a general officer memorandum of reprimand, or GOMOR after it was discovered that the relationship was consensual.

"Based on newly discovered evidence, the III Armored Corps commanding general withdrew and dismissed the criminal charges against Col. Jon Meredith," Brian Harris, a corps spokesperson, told Military.com in a statement. "The newly discovered evidence was unrelated to the question of whether Col. Meredith engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer."

Read Next: Soldiers Are Getting Burned Out. Army Leadership Knows It's a Problem.

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"While Col. Meredith will no longer face a court-martial for conduct unbecoming an officer, there is still sufficient evidence to support the commanding general taking appropriate administrative action on the misconduct," Harris added.

Last month, that commander, Lt. Gen. Sean Bernabe, dropped the abusive sexual contact charge against Meredith. On Oct. 13, the last criminal charge, conduct unbecoming an officer, was also dropped.

The newly discovered evidence was text messages between the accuser and the husband who worked under Meredith, according to Sherilyn Bunn, Meredith's attorney. Those messages showed investigators that the physical relationship between Meredith and the accuser was consensual. However, the two had a falling out when the accuser's husband received a lackluster officer evaluation report, or OER.

"Generally, the text messages between the accuser and her husband were about the husband's OER; how he could 'blow things up' if he didn't like it; and the decision to 'go nuclear' once the husband received his OER and decided Col. Meredith's rater comments would negatively impact his rating and his likelihood of getting promoted 'below the zone,'" Bunn told Military.com.

Meanwhile, Col. Ann Meredith, Jon Meredith's wife, was fired in March from her position commanding the 89th Military Police Brigade, also at Fort Cavazos, previously known as Fort Hood. She received a GOMOR and was facing accusations she interfered in her husband's investigation. It is unclear whether she'll see any ramifications on her record in light of the criminal charges against her husband being dropped.

The accuser and her husband, a field-grade officer, could not be reached for comment ahead of publication, so Military.com is withholding their names. Meredith's attorney and Army officials declined to confirm their identities.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on X @StevenBeynon.

Related: Inside One of the Army's Most Chaotic Brigades
Elizabeth Debicki has opened up about the unique challenge of playing Princess Diana in the final days of her life on The Crowns new season.

The Australian actor returns to play the late Princess of Wales as Netflixs royal drama comes to an end. The final season will be split into two parts, the first of which arrives on 16 November.

Princess Dianas death will be covered sensitively in season six, which will also include the marriage between the now-King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Speaking to The Mirror ahead of the shows return, Debicki, 33, said that she had stuck closely to writer Peter Morgans emotional blueprint for Diana.

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I think its a unique challenge as an actor, to portray those days, she said. Its his interpretation and it made emotional sense to me, so I clung to that. Because, obviously, its devastating and its fraught and we can never know.

The Great Gatsby star is the second actor to take on the role of Princess Diana, having taken over the role from Emma Corrin who played the royal in season four.

Last year, while filming the season, Debicki defended The Crown from critics who questioned the inclusion of Dianas death in the show.

Ill say that Peter and the entire crew of this job do their utmost to really handle everything with such sensitivity and truth and complexity, as do actors, she said.

Debicki as Diana in The Crown' (Daniel Escale/Netflix)

The amount of research and care and conversations and dialogue that happen over, from a viewers perspective, something probably that you would never ever notice is just immense. From that very first meeting [with] Peter, I knew that Id entered into this space where this was taken seriously [in] a deeply caring way. So thats my experience of the show.

Debickis Diana is joined by Dominic West as Prince Charles, while Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce play the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip respectively.

All three versions of the monarch (Staunton, Olivia Colman, Claire Foy) will appear as a tribute to the late Queen in the final season of The Crown.

As the series moves into the 21st century, it will also focus on the romance between Prince William and Kate Middleton (newcomers Ed McVey and Meg Bellamy) at university.

Speaking in August, executive producer Suzanne Mackie assured viewers that Dianas death in 1997 would be handled with care by the show.

The show might be big and noisy, but were not. Were thoughtful people and were sensitive people, she said.

And so there was a very, very careful, long, long, long conversation about how we do it  and I hope, you know, the audience will judge it in the end, but I think its been delicately, thoughtfully recreated.
Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, will soon host this year's World Science Fiction Convention on Oct 18-22. The city, which abounds in cultural and natural heritage, may astonish science fiction enthusiasts and offer them inspiration.

Giant pandas are one of the best-known symbols of Chinese culture globally and also an adorable ambassador for Chengdu's image. The mascot of the 2023 convention, named Kormo, was designed based on a giant panda.

Chengdu, a city with a permanent population of more than 21 million and an area of more than 14,300 square kilometers, is home to both captive and wild giant pandas. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding houses more than 230 pandas, and visitors can observe them from behind fences or glass windows. They can even see newly born panda cubs in the maternity ward.

Apart from giant pandas, other animals such as red pandas, swans and peacocks also inhabit the base. Chengdu is also an important habitat for wild giant pandas, with the fourth national giant panda survey indicating the existence of 73 wild giant pandas in the Chengdu area of the Giant Panda National Park.

In Chengdu, pandas are not only found in the panda base or in the wild but have also deeply integrated into the city's culture and life. The climbing panda sculpture on a building in downtown Chengdu has become one of its most famous landmarks. The fronts of some buses look like a panda's face and there are also panda-themed murals, shops selling panda toys, and even panda-themed restaurants.

The sunbird is another important cultural symbol of the city. The motif on the ears of the mascot Kormo is derived from Sun and Immortal Birds Gold Ornament unearthed from the Jinsha Ruins in Chengdu. The ornament is circular in shape with patterns arranged in two layers. Inside, there is a rotating sun with 12 rays. On the exterior, there are four flying birds.

In 2005, the ornament was selected from more than 1,000 designs as a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage.

When visiting Sichuan and Chengdu, one should not miss out on the local cuisine. Sichuan cuisine, listed as one of China's eight major culinary styles, has become popular domestically and internationally in recent years. On the list of the UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Chengdu is the birthplace of classic Sichuan dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu, and is renowned for its spicy hotpot as well as its exquisite and diverse street snacks. In this city filled with food, one can delight in a satisfying meal at any random roadside eatery.

Eating in Chengdu's restaurants, one can often witness performances of the famous Sichuan Opera techniques such as face-changing and fire-spitting.

The charm of Chengdu goes far beyond pandas, Sichuan cuisine and the golden sun bird. As a city with over 2,300 years of urban development, Chengdu is home to world heritage sites such as Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan irrigation project, as well as cultural landmarks like the Wuhou Shrine and the Du Fu Thatched Cottage. It also boasts intangible cultural heritage such as Sichuan Opera, lacquerware, and Sichuan brocade.

For visitors interested in experiencing the folk customs and scenes of old Chengdu, a visit to Kuanzhai Alleys is highly recommended. It encompasses large-scale preserved Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) streets and represents a blend of northern China's hutong (alley) culture and architectural styles. As an embodiment of leisurely city life and local market culture, Kuanzhai Alleys is known as the "spiritual home of Chengdu people".

For those who want to experience the hustle and bustle of Chengdu, Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li in the city center are the top choices. Visitors are also welcome to take a cup of tea in Chengdu's teahouses and learn about the city's mother river  Jinjiang River  by ship in the evening.
A Cruise car on the street in San Francisco

About 600 self-driving cars made by a unit of General Motors are being investigated by regulators after reports of injuries to pedestrians.

Self-driving cars made by Cruise may have been "encroaching on pedestrians", according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA said it had received two reports involving pedestrian injuries.

Cruise says its safety record "continues to outperform comparable human drivers".

The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation said the reports were related to self-driving cars hitting pedestrians on crossings in San Francisco.

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Both the reports submitted to the NHTSA involved pedestrians crossing after the cars' traffic lights had turned green.

In one incident from August 2023, the self-driving car hit someone at 1.4mph.

In the other incident another car, which was being driven by a person, hit a pedestrian crossing the road, which knocked the person in front of the driverless car.

The October 2023 report says that the driverless car "braked aggressively" but was not able to stop in time and hit the pedestrian.

Both the incidents happened at night time.

A view from the passenger seat of a Cruise robotaxi

The NHTSA added that it was also looking into two videos involving pedestrians which have been posted online.

In August, the California government voted to allow two cab companies - Waymo and Cruise - to run a 24-hour service using driverless cars. Previously, they had only been allowed to operate paid rides at night.

The decision was controversial in San Francisco, with some saying that the vehicles are safer than those driven by human drivers - while others say that they pose a safety risk by blocking fire trucks.

Cruise, which is a subsidiary of General Motors, says that its safety record "over five million miles" is better in comparison to human drivers.

It adds that it "has consistently cooperated with each of NHTSA's requests for information - whether associated with an investigation or not" and will continue doing so.
After receiving report of a threat that someone would be "shooting up" Cudahy High School, Cudahy police have made an arrest.

The Cudahy Police Department announced in a news release Tuesday that police arrested a 16-year-old girl in connection with the threat.

Cudahy police said the threat was made on Instagram and had a picture of a rifle and a caption indicating a threat to shoot up Cudahy High School. The post was removed within 30 minutes of its creation.

When police received a report of the threat at 5:36 p.m. Monday, the department said it started an investigation and coordinated a response with the Cudahy School District. The 16-year-old girl was then identified and arrested.

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The suspect has a known connection with Cudahy High School and was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center. The incident is still under investigation and there is no continued threat to the public, according to the release.

An email from Cudahy High School principal Chris Haeger to Cudahy High School parents Monday evening said that school would still be in session Tuesday, but that parents could call the school's attendance line to excuse their student from school.

Cudahy School District superintendent Tina Owen-Moore announced the arrest of the person believed to be responsible for the threats Tuesday morning in an email to parents and staff.

"We thank the Cudahy Police Department for their quick response to this online message, and we thank all of the students and families who helped to alert administration and law enforcement," Owen-Moore said. "Thank you, again, for your patience and support as we navigated this situation."

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

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

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 16-year-old girl arrested for threat toward Cudahy High School
An employee at a family-owned car dealership in Texas is dead after an argument over pricing turned violent, police told news outlets.

Officers with the Houston Police Department responded to the shooting, on the citys southeast side, at about 1:30 p.m. Oct. 16, the department said in a news release.

Two customers were upset about a vehicle transaction, police told KTRK. One started fighting the employee while the other pulled out a gun and shot the worker to death, police told the outlet.

The employee, a man in his 20s or 30s, was the son of the dealerships owner, police told the station.

His parents witnessed the shooting, a family member told KPRC.

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Hes been working with his dad since he was young, so he always helped his dad, Rimon Khazen told the outlet. He was like an angel. He never cursed, he never harmed anybody. He was a good guy. I never seen him doing anything wrong.

The customers ran from the scene, and police are searching for them, the outlet reported.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 713-308-3600, news outlets reported.

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A Jack in the Box employee suffered several stab wounds after a dispute about a closed dining area, California police say.

The attack took place at 2:20 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at a Jack in the Box restaurant in Winnetka, Los Angeles police told McClatchy News.

A man approached an employee outside the restaurant and demanded entry to the dining area, which was closed for the night, police said.

The worker, who was on a break, refused to let the man inside, police told KTLA.

An argument ensued, and the man stabbed the worker, then ran away, police said. The employee was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

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Responding officers were unable to find the attacker, who remains on the loose, police said.

Winnetka is about 25 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

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WARSAW, Poland  The Czech government is entering negotiations to buy an undisclosed number of Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for the nations military, the Defence Ministry announced Tuesday.

The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic currently do not own a medium- and long-range aircraft with a flight time of at least 12 hours which would also be capable of taking off and landing at airports with unpaved runways, the ministry said in a statement.

The Czech company Aero Vodochody supplies to Brazils Embraer various components used to make the C-390.

Its unclear how much the planned acquisition is worth.

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Should Prague decide to award an order to Embraer, this would represent another contract for the manufacturer in the region, following Austrias decision last month to buy four C-390s for the nations armed forces.

In a bid to replace its aging fleet of three C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft with new C-390s, Austrias Defence Ministry announced Sept. 20 it will to spend between 130 million and 150 million (U.S. $137 million to U.S. $158 million) per plane.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Crime involving young people in Memphis has become a hot topic after Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton says District Attorney Steve Mulroy is to blame.

ORIGINAL STORY: House Speaker Sexton suggests impeaching DA Mulroy over juvenile crime

However, Mulroy says hes confident the speaker isnt actively trying to impeach him.

I look forward to meeting with him, Mulroy said. I was talking to his chief of staff today and I believe Ill be meeting with him in the near future.

But Mulroy also acknowledged that there is a problem with juvenile crimes that dates back further than his tenure.

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Juvenile crime has been a problem, has been a rising problem in Shelby County for a number of years before I took office, he said.

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This comes after Sexton says Mulroy needs to take action in Shelby County dealing with matters of crimes involving the youth.

When I talk to business owners, residents of Memphis and Shelby County, people who have invested millions of dollars as well, even pastors, there is a problem in Memphis with crime and we need law enforcement and the judicial system to do their job, Sexton said.

When a reporter asked Sexton whether impeaching Mulroy on the table, he said, Well I mean, the bar is high. If you cross that bar then its a possibility. But the bar is high because as I said you have discretion but you have to be derelict in your duty.

Sexton also added, Is it possible? Yes, but can you do it right now? I dont think hes gone to that level yet.

DA releases videos of 3 shot by law enforcement; no charges against officers

Mulroy says his office has increased the number of staff in his juvenile prosecution unit, created a special unit to address vehicle thefts and burglaries, and entered into a partnership with juvenile court and a Nashville organization that uses restorative justice practices that have seen success in reducing the repeat offense rate.

At the end of the day, the only way were going to tackle this problem is if we work collaboratively and that means all the local agencies in Shelby County working collaboratively and it also means us, collaborating with the state and we need to not be pointing fingers at each other, Mulroy said.

According to the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission, serious juvenile charges are down 8.3% this year compared to 2022, but overall, juvenile charges are up nearly 31%.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A guard at the Pennsylvania prison that inmate Danelo Cavalcante escaped had warned about his plans to break out weeks before he succeeded, a new report revealed.

Cavalcante, who was serving a life sentence for fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao, broke free from the Chester County Prison on 31 August, sparking a two-week manhunt until his capture on 13 September.

This week, ABC News obtained internal prison documents that revealed that a correctional officer had raised alarm about Cavalcantes escape plans.

"I am just sending this cause I dont want this to come back on us or [Officer] Hernandez in anyway," Chester County Prison Seargent Jerry Beavers wrote in an email to Captain Harry Griswold a few hours after Cavalcante escaped.

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"He noted back in July that this inmate was planning an escape," he added in reference to the officer who made the report.

Mr Griswold forwarded the email to the newly-appointed acting warden Howard Holland a few hours later.

"This was sent to me this afternoon and I have not forwarded it to anyone else," Mr Griswold wrote. "I am not sure how you want to move forward with this information internally."

The possibility of a Cavalcante jailbreak was acknowledged by the prison well before the July warning, an official told The Independent. In fact, it was raised before he even arrived two years ago.

Danelo Cavalcante was initially identified as an escape risk when captured in Virginia and committed to Chester County Prison in 2021, prison spokesperson Becky Brain said.

During the time surrounding his trial, unsubstantiated information from an unknown source was received reinforcing Cavalcantes status as an escape risk.

Cavalcante will face charges for his escape (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Ms Brain also said that the emails between the prison staff were to ensure acting Warden Holland knew that information about an escape was previously noted.

Despite the two warnings about Cavalcante being an escape risk, he was still able to flee without being spotted and race across the county, resulting in weeks of police time trying to locate the fugitive.

He reportedly used a similar technique as a prisoner who escaped back in May, by putting his hands and feet on two facing walls and shimmied himself up to the top.

Cavalcante used a similar techique to a prisoner who escaped from Chester County months before he did (Chester County District Attorney's Office)

He then pushed through razor wire and moved across various roofs before making his final escape from the prison complex.

Before the convicted murderer fled, he was allowed to be in the prison yard for recreation time with fellow inmates and was not directly supervised by a correctional officer, ABC reported.

According to the facilitys escape risk protocols, being supervised individually only applies to the escape risks while they are not within the prison grounds.

However, Ms Brain stated that the escape risk policy has since been changed under acting warden Mr Holland.

A correctional officer warned that he was plotting to escape in July (Getty)

Mr Holland announced last month that Chester County Prison will spend around $2.5m and $3.5m to reinforce security measures around the prison after Cavalcantes highly-publicised escape.

This will include 75 new surveillance cameras, more staff intake, enclosing the prison yard as well as introducing different coloured clothing for inmates for better identification and one-on-one monitoring by correctional officers.

The potential for two correctional officers to one inmate when outside their prison cell is also a possibility, according to Ms Brain.

Cavalcante is being held in a state prison near Montgomery County and will return to court to face charges related to his escape next month.
Fracking is a controversial way of sourcing oil and gas for energy creation.

While some argue that natural gas is better for air quality than burning coal, others have noted that the leaking of methane from fracking sites essentially wipes out any benefits in terms of pollution savings from coal.

Meanwhile, drilling for shale gas thousands of feet below ground level can also encourage earthquakes. Yale Climate Connections cited data from the 2014 Annual Reviews of Environment and Resources, which observed a rise in the number of earthquakes correlating with the increased sourcing of shale gas.

Fracking is also a water-intensive process, and the development of monster frack sites is leading to concerns about the impact on water supplies.

Whats happening?

A New York Times investigation found that the amount of water used by the oil and gas industry has now reached record levels.

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From 2011, the publication observed that the industry used 1.5 trillion gallons of water to obtain dirty energy supplies. Fracking a single oil or gas well can use 40 million gallons of water or more, the Times added.

Monster frack sites now account for two of every three fracking wells in Texas. Some of the water is sourced from aquifers, a natural water resource being drained by the industry.

Why is this so concerning?

Fracking wastewater contains a number of chemicals required to complete the fracking process, in addition to contamination from the sourced oil or gas, as well as rock fragments. It cant be reused without appropriate treatment.

Using such vast amounts of water for the sake of extracting dirty energy sources puts a significant strain on usable water sources that communities rely on.

In Texas, for example, aquifer water is often used on farms and ranches. However, with supplies decreasing due to fracking activity, there are serious consequences for local residents and businesses.

Farmer and rancher Bill Martin told the New York Times that he uses groundwater to grow cantaloupes, and the water from aquifers is used for a number of purposes in the local area.

If the water goes away, the whole community goes away, he said.

Meanwhile, if no limits are placed on fracking companies to source water, they can continue using considerable amounts even in times of drought, limiting the supply to local communities. With global heating increasing drought events, this problem could become more pronounced.

What can be done to stop the threat to water supplies?

An end to fracking and a focus on more sustainable energy solutions, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, can help stop the capture of polluting oil and gas and halt the overuse of vital water supplies.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
A gas station sign tells customers it's out of gas on January 29, 1974, amid an energy crisis. On October 17, 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries declared an oil embargo on countries supporting Israel in its war with Egypt, Syria and Jordan. File Photo by Warren K. Leffler/U.S. Library of Congress

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1931, gangster Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion. It took jurors four days to decide whether the mobster had cheated the Internal Revenue Service out of $215,000.

In 1933, German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein fled Nazi Germany, settling in the United States and becoming an American citizen in 1940.

In 1945, Juan Peron became dictator of Argentina. He remained in power for 11 years before being overthrown.

In 1949, British steamer Anhui reported taking fire from Communist China's army as it sailed for Hong Kong with 1,400 passengers aboard. Ship's officers said the vessel was under fire for 15 minutes, resulting in three dead and 25 injured.

Syrian Democratic Forces troops celebrate the October 17, 2017, liberation of Raqqa, Syria, on October 20, 2017. File Photo by Youssef Rabih Youssef/EPA

In 1964, reconnaissance flights made by the U-2 played a role in obtaining for the United States advance information on Red China's first nuclear blast.

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In 1965, following a two-year run that saw more than 51 million people walk through its gates, the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair closed its doors. With a theme of "Peace Through Understanding," the fair was a showcase for science and technology and lives on in the Unisphere, a 12-story high model of the world which dominates Flushing Meadow.

A man watches as a car, which plunged down due to collapsed San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, is being hoisted up after the October 17, 1989, Loma Prieta earthquake. UPI File Photo

In 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries declared an oil embargo on countries supporting Israel in its war with Egypt, Syria and Jordan. The ensuing energy crisis drove up gasoline prices and created a shortage in the United States, prompting long lines at the pump.

On October 17, 1979, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a Roman Catholic nun who cared for the sick and poor, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. UPI File Photo

In 1979, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a Roman Catholic nun who cared for the sick and poor, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1986, Congress passed a landmark immigration bill, the first U.S. law authorizing penalties for employers who hire undocumented immigrants.

Amanda Bailey with the Missouri History Museum adjusts a cutout figure of Al Capone as final preperations are made for the exhibit American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition in St. Louis on April 22, 2014. On October 17, 1931, Capone is convicted of income tax evasion. It took jurors four days to decide whether the mobster had cheated the Internal Revenue Service out of $215,000. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

In 1989, the most powerful California earthquake since the legendary tremblor of 1906 struck the San Francisco Bay area at the evening rush hour. At least 63 people were killed and hundreds of others injured.The quake hit just before the scheduled start of Game 3 of the World Series in San Francisco between the Giants and the Oakland A's.

On October 17, 1933, German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein flees Nazi Germany, settling in the United States and becoming an American citizen in 1940. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI

In 2001 the U.S. Congress closed for security sweeps after 321 staff members and police officers tested positive for exposure to anthrax.

In 2010, at least 60 people died and 50 others were hurt in violence that preceded special parliamentary elections in Karachi, Pakistan.

In 2017, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said it cleared Raqqa, the Islamic State's de facto Syrian capital, of all militant fighters. The Second Battle of Raqqa had begun June 6, 2017.

In 2020, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a landslide victory for a second term.
Two Swedes were killed in Belgium, prompting Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to label it a terror attack and say his country was facing its biggest threat in modern times (BENOIT DOPPAGNE)

Two attacks in recent days in Belgium and France have come against a backdrop of tension in European societies over the war between Israel and Hamas, posing serious challenges for Europe's intelligence services.

First a schoolteacher was stabbed to death in northern France, with the attacker claiming the act in the name of the Islamic State extremist group.

Then, days later, two Swedes were killed in Belgium, prompting Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to label it a terror attack and say his country was facing its biggest threat in modern times.

The country has sparked a wave of anger from Muslim countries after allowing protesters to burn copies of the Koran, Islam's holy book.

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Analysts are warning that intelligence services now have their work cut out.

"It is likely that these attacks will be followed by several more as a snowball effect," said Tore Hamming, an analyst at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation in London.

"So far, all attacks appear to have been carried out by a single perpetrator and lacking sophistication. That could change, however."

- Germany arrests -

Each attack is all the more impactful because of the images posted on social media and the praise from sympathisers.

Hans-Jakob Schindler, director of the Counter Extremism Project NGO, pointed out that violence online can lead to violence on the streets.

He said Sweden was the focus of an online campaign by Islamists that was intensifying risks for the Nordic country.

The German authorities arrested two brothers from Syria in April, the eldest of whom had allegedly planned to "carry out an attack on a church in Sweden where many people (were) assembled".

"This demonstrates that this ongoing Islamist online campaign against Sweden has effects and motivates individuals towards violence," he said, pointing out that the Israel-Hamas conflict could have a similar effect.

Europe is not alone in facing such threats.

Last week, an employee of the Israeli embassy in China was assaulted in Beijing. A foreign suspect was arrested and authorities have not said anything about the case since.

On Sunday, a 71-year-old man stabbed a Muslim woman and a six-year-old boy near Chicago in the United States, an attack police said was linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

- 'Moment of reconfiguration' -

Schindler highlighted that Europe had a solid infrastructure in place to keep each other's agencies in the loop.

EUROJUST, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, looks after the judicial side and EUROPOL the police side.

In theory, this allows a quick transfer of information around the bloc and a coordinated approach.

On Tuesday, though, European countries were applying their own criteria to the threat level.

Sweden and France are both on high alert.

Italy said it had "strengthened preventive measures" following the events in Israel, without elaborating.

In Denmark and Spain, the threat level has not been changed, official sources told AFP, but Spanish police said they had increased their presence "near places of interest such as synagogues".

A European judge, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, said one-off cases generally led to a "fluid exchange of details in real-time" between EU countries.

But the judge warned that intelligence agencies were not overly keen to share widely, saying it was "often done bilaterally".

Among the biggest concerns, she said, were the Europeans who left to join the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq in 2014.

Although they were convicted on their return, many have now served their sentences and intelligence agencies are worried they are re-forming old networks.

"It feels like a moment of reconfiguration," she said.

dla/jxb/sjw/gw
On Sunday, renowned Chinese poetry scholar Yeh Chia-ying, aged 100, made a rare appearance at Nankai University during an international symposium on teaching Chinese poetry. The audience was captivated, as her presence is rare on account of her age.

She delivered a lecture on Chinese poetry and shared her reasons for choosing to reside in Nankai.

When Yeh concluded her speech, the entire audience rose to their feet, applauding her esteemed expertise and tireless effort in promoting Chinese poetry worldwide.

"I have dedicated my entire life to teaching and sincerely hope to transmit the beauty of both logic and emotion found in ancient poetry to the younger generation," Yeh remarked.

She explained that after teaching in various locations outside the Chinese mainland, including the United States, Canada, and Taiwan, she chose to settle in Nankai in the 1980s.

Yeh shared an anecdote about being nicknamed "Little Lotus," as she was born during the blooming of lotus flowers in June of the lunar calendar.

Enchanted by a lotus-infused lake at Nankai University in the 1980s, she decided to teach there after her retirement from Canada.

Throughout the three-year period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yeh stayed out of the public eye. During that time, she taught Chinese poetry on social media platforms, garnering widespread appreciation for her dedication.

On Sept 5, Nankai rebroadcast one of Yeh's lectures on their account on Douyin, a social media platform. The rebroadcast was watched by 600,000 people.

Yeh, born in a literary family in Beijing, displayed a talent for poetry at a young age, going on to graduate with a major in Chinese literature from Fu Jen Catholic University. After marrying and relocating to Taiwan with her husband in 1948, she pursued a career as an educator, traditional Chinese poetry researcher, and writer.

As one of the few Chinese scholars who traveled to the United States in the 1960s to teach traditional Chinese poetry in English, Yeh worked at prestigious institutions including Harvard University and Michigan State University, before settling in Canada as a lifelong professor at the University of British Columbia.

Nankai plans to expand its influence and support for studies and social practices in alignment with Yeh's teaching concepts. The goal is to further develop and enhance international communication surrounding Chinese poetry. An initiative for Chinese poetry teaching and preservation was inaugurated during the symposium.
In a conversation with Israeli First Lady Michal Herzog, Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska has said that as of 17 October, 13 Ukrainian citizens have been confirmed killed in Israel.

Source: Ukrainian Presidents Office

Quote from Zelenska: "We feel your pain, the pain of every family in Israel. Ukrainians in all corners of our country express support for the people of Israel, and I want to convey this to you. Our military recorded a video in support of the Israeli people. These and many other manifestations of solidarity confirm how close our peoples are in both joy and sorrow."

Details: Zelenska noted that the identification of the bodies is ongoing, and the data changes daily. Reports indicate an injured boy whose mother had been killed by terrorists. The child is undergoing medical and psychological care.

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Furthermore, a total of 436 Ukrainian citizens have been evacuated.

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!
Debris from downed Shahed drones damaged recreational infrastructure in southern Ukraine in an overnight attack on Oct. 17, Natalia Humeniuk, head of the press center of the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, has said on Ukrainian national television.

Six enemy kamikaze drones were shot down during their approach from the sea, but there was damage on the ground due to falling debris, Humeniuk said.

Read also: Ukraine downs 27 out of 36 drones in Russian latest overnight attack

"Six Shaheds sent from the Crimean peninsula in the direction of Odesa Oblast were destroyed on approach from the sea," she said.

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However, as a result of combat operations, the Shahed fragments hit a damaged recreational area. A shed for storing property and several boats were damaged.

According to preliminary data, there were no fatalities or injuries.

Read also: Four injured after Russia strikes Odesa Oblast with supersonic Onyx missiles

The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine clarified that the wreckage of the downed Shahed attack drone fell on the grounds of a yacht club in Odesa. The building of a sailing school and a shed for storing property were destroyed, and private civilian boats and yachts were damaged.

Photos of the aftermath of the enemy attack were also shared.

   /Telegram (The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine)

   /Telegram (The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine)

   /Telegram (The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine)

A Kh-59 cruise missile launched at Ukraine by the Russian military was also intercepted over Mykolaiv Oblast, the Ukrainian military said.

Russia attacked Ukraine with Shahed suicide drones and a missile overnight on Oct. 16-17. Air defense systems were operating in Odesa Oblast. Enemy drones were moving towards the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district.

Read also: Dutch PM arrives in Odesa to talk air defense

Air defenses managed to shoot down six Shahed kamikaze drones and one cruise missile.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The White House made the final decision to provide ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine on 30 August and sent them as part of a military aid package announced on 21 September.

Source: Politico, citing two US officials, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The debate on the provision of ATACMS broke out in the White House in July, when US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan instructed his team to consider options for additional weapons that would help Ukraine hit vulnerable targets in the Russian rear.

On 23 August, Sullivan's subordinates suggested providing Ukraine with a modification of ATACMS missiles with an APAM cluster part, since the States had already begun to send cluster munitions, and the Pentagon, which did not want a shortage of long-range weapons, did not include this modification in their defence planning.

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On 28 August, Sullivan ordered that the proposal be placed on the agenda of a meeting of senior White House national security officials. The meeting was held on 30 August, and then the decision to provide APAM was approved.

Politicos sources say the US kept the decision under wraps to retain an element of surprise, because otherwise Russia would have moved its equipment and ammunition storage points further away from the front line, out of the missiles range.

Joe Biden informed Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the decision to provide ATACMS during a meeting at the White House on 21 September. At the same time, the United States announced a package of military assistance to Ukraine in which the long-range missiles appeared as cluster munitions.

Politico says the White House hopes that ATACMS will help undermine any Russian military superiority on the battlefield and gain time for Kyiv to recapture additional territory. At the same time, the United States still requires Ukraine to refrain from using these missiles on the territory of the Russian Federation.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed in his evening address on Tuesday 17 October that Ukrainian forces had used American ATACMS long-range missiles.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!






Deer can be added to the list of oddities tourists might find swimming off North Carolinas coastline.

Video of one paddling in waters off Pine Knoll Shores was recorded Monday, Oct. 16, by a police officer, and it wasnt just a quick dip.

Next time you are swimming in the ocean, dont be surprised if a deer joins you, the police department reported on Facebook.

Our officers were on an early morning beach patrol when they spotted a deer on the beach. The deer jumped in the ocean, swam out about 100 yards, then started swimming parallel to shore.

The deer traveled about a third of a mile before heading back to shore, police said. It then galloped onto the beach and took off running for the dunes.

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Odd animals are known to occasionally show up in the ocean off North Carolina, due largely to the states shifting barrier islands and occasional coastal flooding.

Wild horses, alligators, rattlesnakes, cows and even bears have been documented swimming around the islands.

Pine Knoll Shores is on the Bogue Banks, an island part of the states Crystal Coast. The area south of the Outer Banks sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Sound.

The video had been viewed more than 40,000 times as of Oct. 17 and gotten hundreds of reactions, including from some who noted it could have ended as a very odd shark attack scenario.

Never know what you may find in the ocean, one commenter said.

Fisherman spots large object floating off NC coast  and discovers a swimming bear

Wild horses take to the ocean as heat index tops 100 degrees along NC Outer Banks

Dark, slithering creature seen by boat captain near NC coast stirs debate. What is it?
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who spent just nine months in the top job, tells supporters he had called challenger Christopher Luxon to concede, at a party event in Wellington, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, following a general election loss. (George Heard/New Zealand Herald via AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  Defeated New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Tuesday he will continue to lead his liberal Labour Party  for now, at least  despite its big election loss over the weekend.

I've still got a bit of fight left in me, Hipkins told reporters.

Hipkins made the comments after a meeting with his party's caucus, during which there was no immediate move to oust him.

Still, Hipkins acknowledged that he and others in the party would be reflecting on their futures over the coming months and figuring out what would be best for the party going forward.

Obviously the election result was one that was very disappointing to us as a team, Hipkins said.

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Former businessman Christopher Luxon will be the nation's next prime minister after his conservative National Party won 39% of the vote during the election, by far the largest share of any single party.

Under New Zealand's proportional system, National plans to form a coalition with the libertarian ACT Party.

The two parties combined hold only a slim majority, which could evaporate once the remaining 20% of outstanding votes are counted. In that instance, the parties would also need the support of a third party, New Zealand First, which is led by 78-year-old maverick Winston Peters.

Luxon said he wouldn't be revealing the blow-by-blow details of the negotiations between the various parties until a deal is finalized.

We had a mandate on Saturday night. Were going to work our way through our arrangements, Luxon told reporters.

He said the only roles that were locked in so far were his own as prime minister, and his deputy, Nicola Willis, as finance minister.

The final vote tally will be announced in early November.

Hipkins spent just nine months as prime minister after replacing Jacinda Ardern, who unexpectedly stepped down after five years in the top job. She won the last election in a landslide, but this time the Labour Party won just 27% of the vote.

One of Hipkins's top deputies announced Tuesday he would retire. Andrew Little, a former party leader who held many ministerial portfolios including health, immigration and defense, said by stepping aside he would allow a face of the future to take his place.
The News

Russia launched a staggering number of destructive cyber attacks against Ukraine in the early days and weeks of its full-scale offensive that required digital security defenders to engage in hand-to-hand combat in the cyber domain, Sandra Joyce, the executive vice president of global intelligence at Mandiant, said at Semafors Securing the Digital Future event.

From a cyber defenders perspective, it was a dramatic back and forth, Joyce said on Tuesday. It was a harrowing first days, weeks and months.

She said that Russia used more wipers  destructive malware that if successfully deployed destroys user data  against Ukraine in the first four months of the war than Mandiant saw in the past eight years while supporting Ukraines digital defenses.

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But Russias tactics shifted, she said, when it became clear that Moscow would not succeed in quickly toppling Kyiv. Joyce said Russias initial destructive tactics  which included targeting a civilian missile alert system  seemed designed to support a quick invasion. More than a year and a half since the large-scale invasion began, Ukraine is pressing forward with its counteroffensive.

I always am surprised to hear that people think the cyber thing didnt happen because it certainly happened, Joyce said. [The Russians] werent successful in their ultimate aim, but they did show a tremendous capability when it comes to destructive attacks.

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Dmitri Alperovitch, executive chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, said during Semafors event that the Russians historically have been effective at intelligence collection but quite atrocious at actually analyzing and disseminating the intelligence they gather.

He pointed to the news Tuesday morning that Ukraine had used a long-range missile system quietly delivered by the U.S. to conduct a surprise strike on military airfields in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. The strike using the missile system  known as ATACMS  destroyed multiple Russian helicopters.

Its been advertised for weeks, if not months, that ATACMS were likely going to be sent to Ukraine, there was a lot of speculation about the targeting of this very airfield, Alperovitch said. And yet, the Russians just left them out there on the airfield.
For decades, there has been a steady migration of families moving northward from Columbus into Delaware County toward the promise of new homes, spacious yards and the highly regarded Olentangy Local School District.

Many have ended up in Delaware County's Concord, Genoa, Liberty and Orange townships which border Franklin County. Still others have moved into the more rural areas around the city of Delaware.

It's among the corn and bean fields of Delaware and other rural counties outside Franklin County where developers see their future in Ohio's fastest growing areas.

It's also where "not-in-my-backyard" opposition to development often involves hundreds of acres, and the opponents can sometimes include people who moved within the past decade to a home on a former farm field and now don't want more homes on farm fields close to them.

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Examples of opposition to proposed large acreage developments abound:

In May, 76% of Berkshire Township voters rejected a zoning change that would have allowed Highland Realty Development of Columbus to build 91 homes on about 88 acres along Plumb and Dustin roads.

Four years ago, Berlin Township announced plans to build a 2,000 acre business park along Routes 36 and 37. Bob Lamb, former Delaware County development director at the time, said the plans had potential to be "the economic driver for Delaware County."

But shortly after, Lamb took a job elsewhere, and today the land north and south of the busy east-west corridor has been largely untouched. One of the first potential land developers earlier this year had its plans shot down when Berlin Township officials rejected a zoning change.

It's unfortunate that the voice of just a few politicians can derail progress, said Jon Melchi, executive director of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio. He notes that 89 people a day are either born in Greater Columbus or moving here, and that officials need to understand that accommodating them must be a priority.

"Until the trustees and folks there show a little bit of flexibility to get these projects to move forward, I don't think you're going to see anything developed there," he said of the business park. "It's unfortunate, because that area could really take advantage of a lot of opportunities right now."

Epcon Communities last year sued Genoa Township after trustees there voted 2-1 to reject its approved zoning plan for 91 single-family homes on about 55 acres at the corner of Big Walnut Road and Route 3, citing traffic and safety concerns.

"There's a recent history of no development here," said Steve Mount, a 39-year resident of Genoa Township who is running for an open trustee seat on the Nov. 7 ballot. "I just don't think it's realistic."

Mount cites 25 township parcels of land west of Hoover Reservoir, each larger than 10 acres, noting that Genoa's comprehensive plan allows for growth and homes on lots that are five to 10 times greater than many in Columbus.

"Sooner or later these plots will be developed," he said. "So we have to determine how are we going to do it."

Literally cutting through all of the noise about growth issues are plans to improve U.S. 23, which Gov. Mike DeWine has called "unacceptable" in its current state. Options from the Ohio Department of Transportation range from extra lanes and underpasses to complete interchanges.

Besides Issues 1 and 2 on abortion rights and recreational marijuana use, respectively, all Delaware County voters will decide whether to renew for 10 years a countywide property tax levy for numerous health and safety programs provided through the Delaware Public Health District, including nursing services and health education.

If approved, the 0.7-mill renewal levy will cost property owners $17 for each $100,000 of appraised value and generate $4.5 million in revenue annually.

Here is a rundown of contested ballot races and levy issues in Delaware County by municipality:

City of Delaware

There are contested races for three of the four

city council wards with members serving four-year terms. In the city's 1st Ward, Linsey Griffith and Dustin Nanna are squaring off. In the 2nd Ward, incumbent Adam R. Haynes and Leslie Joiner are running. In the 4th Ward, Kevin Rider is vying with Chandler White.

City of Powell

Six candidates are vying for three open seats. They include Seth Camick, Leif Eric Carlson, Jonathan D. Freeman, Tyler Herrmann, Kurt R. Ramsey and incumbent Heather Karr.

Camick, at 21, is likely the youngest candidate in any race in Greater Columbus. An Ohio National Guard reservist, he wants better funding and strategies for "reasonable" growth which he calls "essential to alleviate traffic congestion and make Powells thriving downtown more accessible."

"We can't allow it to get out of control," he said.

"The growth happened so quickly and everyone said, 'What do we do about it now,'" said Herrman, who wants to avoid future surprises with better planning.

City of Sunbury

Voters will decide on a replacement 5-year, one-mill property tax levy to raise $1.25 million annually for Community Library. If approved, it would cost property owners $35 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Village of Ashley

Voters will decide a 6-mill renewal levy that will generate $78,000 annually for operating expenses. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $167 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Three candidates are competing for mayor. They are: J. Greg Floyd, David W. Lockhart and incumbent James L. Nelson.

Jan Silva Sanchez, incumbent Mark J. Wicker and Kathleen L. Winbourne are running for two open village council seats.

Village of Galena

Voters will decide a referendum on whether the village will participate in electric aggregation intended to reduce rates, with residents having the choice to opt out.

Mary Brooks and Jeff Kinnell are running for mayor.

Gillian Doucette Benten, incumbent Michael Fry and Jennifer Heyder are running for two open village council seats.

Village of Ostrander

Armon H. Chrismer II and Council member Joseph Proemm are running for mayor.

Village of Shawnee Hills

Voters will decide on a three-year, 2.5-mill property tax renewal levy to generate $92,000 annually for police services. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $73 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Meagan Bello and Rebecca Perkins and running against incumbents Kathy Isern and Todd Zimmerman for two open village council seats.

Berkshire Township

Incumbent Paul DiSantis is squaring off against Austin Slattery for an open township trustee seat.

Brown Township

Voters in the township will be deciding one a new three-year, one-mill levy to generate $76,000 annually for parks and recreation. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $35 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Concord Township

Voters will decide on a 0.4-mill renewal levy to raise $219,000 annually for general construction, repairs, resurfacing, and upgrades of roads and bridges. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $14 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Incumbent Philip Jason Haney is running against Katherine Oberhammer and Carlyn Smith are running for one open township trustee seat.

Delaware Township

Voters will be asked to renew for five years a 0.8-mill levy to generate $116,000 annually for general construction and road resurfacing. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $18 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Genoa Township

Voters will asked to renew for five years a 0.6-mill levy to generate $682,000 annually for parks and recreation. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $19 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Deborah Harris and Steve Mount are challenging incumbent Renee Vaughan in her bid for reelection to a township trustee seat.

Wendell Dalton is running against incumbent Patrick M. Myers for fiscal officer.

Harlem Township

William Bell, Matthew Jaeger and Matthew Shell are running for township trustee.

Incumbent Lisa Hursey is facing Katelyn Richison for fiscal officer.

Kingston Township

Four people are vying for one seat on the township board of trustees: Louise Douce, Jim Fedako, Maribeth Meluch and Angela M. Willyerd.

Liberty Township

Voters will decide whether to renew for five years a 5.6-mill levy that would generate $9.3 million annually for fire and EMS. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $157 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Orange Township

Voters will decide a new three-year, 2-mill property tax levy to raise $3.2 million anually for fire and EMS. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $70 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Porter Township

Bob Ryan and Duane Yoder are running for township trustee.

Daniel Dimitroff is facing incumbent Mark Mazzon for fiscal officer.

Radnor Township

Voters will decide whether to renew a three-year, 5-mill property tax levy that would collect $339,000 annually for firefighting services. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $165 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Scioto Township

Dick Jones is challenging incumbent Ralph Moseley for township trustee.

Thompson Township

Incumbent Leslie Herbert is being challenged by Traci Shalosky for fiscal officer.

Tri Township Joint Fire District

Voters will decide whether to renew a five-year, 0.9-mill property tax levy that will generate $214,000 annually for fire equipment. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $20 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.

Where can I see what is on my ballot in Delaware County?

Voters can see what will be on their ballots in the general election by going to the Delaware County Board of Elections website at https://vote.delawarecountyohio.gov/ then scroll down to the "What's On My Ballot?" button. Click the button, fill out your address information and your sample general election ballot will be displayed.

dnarciso@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Growth in Delaware County expected factor in municipal election races
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) blasted Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in an impassioned speech nominating Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for Speaker on the House floor Tuesday.

A vote today to make the architect of a nationwide abortion ban, a vocal election denier and an insurrection insider to the Speaker of this house would be a terrible message to the country and our allies, Aguilar said, speaking of Jordan.

Mr. Speaker, it would send an even more troubling message to our enemies, that the very people who would seek to undermine democracy are rewarded with positions of immense power, he continued.

He ripped the GOPs Speaker nominee for putting the countrys national security at risk, for his role in not certifying the 2020 election results and for launching baseless investigations. Jordan has been a leading figure in House impeachment probes into President Biden and his son Hunter.

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Were talking about someone who has spent his entire career trying to hold our country back, putting our national security in danger, attempting government shutdown after government shutdown, wasting taxpayer dollars on baseless investigations with dead ends, authoring the very bill that would ban abortion nationwide without exceptions and inciting violence on this chamber, Aguilar said.

Even leaders of his own party have called him a legislative terrorist, he added.

Top Stories from The Hill

That monicker was once used by former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to describe Jordan.

Aguilar also took aim at Jordan for voting no on a series of legislative action, including approving natural disaster relief in states after they were ravaged by hurricanes and wildfires. When listing examples of what legislative action Jordan opposed, some Democrats appeared to join in chorus, saying he said no along with Aguilar.

When the Mississippi River floods devastated the South and communities across state lines needed Congress to act, he said no, he said. When our veterans were suffering from disease and dying as a result of their service to our country and Congress passed a bipartisan solution, he said no.

The California Democrat criticized the House for considering electing a member who has not passed a single bill in 16 years.

Aguilar called on the House to find a bipartisan way forward, accusing Republicans of throwing the House into chaos by failing to come to a consensus on a new Speaker. He said that they are gathered to vote on a new leader because this hallowed chamber has been led to a breaking point by two dangerous forces  extremism and partisanship.

He also urged those on both sides of the aisle to vote for Jeffries.

Only Hakeem Jeffries can be trusted to keep his word. Only Hakeem Jeffries can lead us out of the chaos and towards the path of governance. It brings me immense pride to nominate our friend the Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker, he said.

Jordan, who narrowly secured the GOP nomination for Speaker in an internal vote last week, failed to clinch the 217 votes necessary on the first ballot. The vote was 200 for Jordan, 212 for Jeffries and 20 for other members. Its unclear when a second vote might be held.

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Rep. Rashida Tlaib on Tuesday called out President Biden over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

"Your war and destruction only approach has opened my eyes," she wrote on X, tagging Biden.

Tlaib has said in recent days that the administration has not enough to protect Palestinian Americans.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib on Tuesday blasted President Joe Biden for his response to the Israel-Hamas war after a hospital in the war-torn Gaza Strip was hit by airstrikes that reportedly killed at least 500 Palestinians.

Tlaib, a Palestinian American and one of the most progressive members in the US House, took to X and called out Biden  who's normally a political ally of the Michigan Democrat  after the Palestinian health ministry said that an Israeli airstrike had devastated the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.

The strike could be the deadliest blast so far in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

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"Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients) just like that. @POTUS this is what happens when you refuse to facilitate a ceasefire & help de-escalate," she wrote.

"Your war and destruction only approach has opened my eyes and many Palestinian Americans and Muslims Americans like me," she continued. "We will remember where you stood."

Earlier on Tuesday, Tlaib criticized both Biden and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, arguing that they were not looking out for Palestinian Americans.

"It is @POTUS' and @SecBlinken's job to protect ALL Americans. They are failing," she wrote on X. "From the beginning, they did not make moves to protect Palestinian Americans."

Tlaib then mentioned a constituent in her district, who said he was "heartbroken" at the US response to the conflict as he felt that the country "has abandoned him and his family."

"For days, the Biden Administration ignored our office's questions about what the @StateDept was doing to evacuate Americans in Gaza," she continued. "Now it may be too late. Palestinians deserve to live. We must do everything we can to bring ALL families home safely."

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told The Associated Press there were no further details on the hospital strike.

"We will get the details and update the public," he said. "I don't know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike."

The US government has been a staunch ally of Israel for generations, and Biden's stance is no different.

The president during a "60 Minutes" interview that aired on Sunday forcefully stated that Hamas should be eradicated.

In the same interview, he expressed support for "a path to a Palestinian state."

The criticism from Tlaib and many of the party's more progressive members has already reignited divisions within the Democratic caucus, as the party for years has overwhelmingly backed aid for Israel.

But with the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel earlier this month having created a volatile political situation both in the Middle East and in the US, tempers are continuing to flare over the continued conflict.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  As Republicans struggle to select a speaker of the House, Democrats are pushing the idea of picking a bipartisan leader.

Its been nearly two weeks without an official House speaker. With war in Israel and a looming government funding deadline, theres pressure to choose one soon.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries told NBC hes open to making a deal with Republicans.

We are ready, willing and able to enter into a bipartisan governing coalition, Jeffries said.

In order for that to happen, he says theyd need to find a leader that would allow votes on bills that both parties support.

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Social Security Administration announces COLA increase for 2024

We can change the rules to facilitate bipartisanship, and that should be the starting point of our conversation, Jeffries added.

Many Republicans seem reluctant to give House Democrats any power. Congressman Mike Turner said on CBS hes not a fan of the idea of choosing a speaker together.

At this point, I would prefer there to be a Republican solution, Turner said.

Michael Thorning with the Bipartisan Policy Center says as this contest drags on, the idea of picking a unity candidate gains some traction.

The possibility of this happening definitely grows the longer we go without a permanent speaker in place, Thorning said.

But he argues that right now its a longshot. He says in such a polarized environment it would be risky for Republicans to vote with Democrats to elect a bipartisan speaker.

Breaking from the party can be seen as a betrayal. So it becomes sort of a litmus test to say are you with us or are you with the other side? Thorning said.

Still, no matter who becomes speaker, theyll have to work with the Democrat majority Senate to get any legislation passed. So even without a unity leader, Thorning believes there will still be bipartisanship.

Bipartisanship is still possible in Congress. It happens all the time, Thorning said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
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A staff member walks past the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Sept. 21, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

Some 147 companies listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange had disclosed third-quarter business forecasts as of Sunday, and over 80 percent predict a year-on-year growth in net profits from January to September, the bourse said Monday.



Of the 147 companies, a total of 139 companies are expected to achieve profitability in the first three quarters, accounting for nearly 95 percent.

Meanwhile, nearly 70 percent of the companies said their profits are expected to exceed 100 million yuan (13.93 million U.S. dollars) during the nine-month period.

Innovation, demand growth, and cost reduction were among the main reasons cited by the companies for their performance growth, the bourse said.
House Democrats have remained united behind Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who still has more support than any of the Republican candidates, said Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, an ally of former President Donald Trump, failed to win over his Republican colleagues in the first round of votes to elect the next House speaker.

Jordan received 200 votes, with 20 House Republicans voting against him. He needs at least 217 to be elected.

Rep. Jim Jordan, (R-OH) (Photo by Stefani Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D. N.Y., told theGrio Republicans nomination of Jordan for speaker of the House showed that there are many in this country who support an ultra-right-wing, fascist, racist government.

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Jordan was in deep talks with President Trump right after he lost the election, almost in collaboration to undermine the results, said Bowman. He also pushed the claim that the election was stolen and he did not vote to certify the results.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. told theGrio some House Republicans have rallied behind a MAGA loyalist and insurrectionist.

In Jordans 17 years in Congress, he has failed to pass any meaningful legislation to help his own constituents, much less the American people, she said. This Republican chaos is an embarrassment that obstructs the peoples business.

Earlier this month, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., made history by becoming the first House speaker removed from his post. Since then, Congress has been in limbo as Republicans struggle to find a replacement.

First on the list was House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who dropped out after he failed to get enough votes behind closed doors. Shortly after, House Republicans nominated Jordan.

Omar told theGrio, The unnecessary turmoil in Congress shows how Republican dysfunction is preventing progress on critical issues.

For nearly 13 days, the House has been paralyzed without a Speaker as Republicans fail to unite behind a candidate, she said.

Rep. Bowman noted that as members of Congress sent to Washington by their constituents, We cant do our jobs without a speaker.

We cannot even debate any piece of legislation that is introduced and if we cant debate the legislation, we cannot pass legislation, he said.

WASHINGTON, DC  OCTOBER 13: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks while rallying with fellow Democrats on the East Steps of the U.S. Capitol on October 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. Democrats were critical of their Republican counterparts after they were unable to elect a Speaker of the House, 10 days after ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the post. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Bowman continued, We have to fully fund the governmentIts only funded through mid-November. If we do notmillions of people will be impacted and the entire economy will be impacted.

Given that the House is at a standstill and the U.S. could face a government shutdown in November, it is critical that the House elect a speaker. House Democrats told theGrio that Republicans should throw their weight behind House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to keep Congress in full operation.

House Democrats have remained united behind Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who still has more support than any of the Republican candidates, said Congresswoman Omar.

If just four Republicans joined in a bipartisan coalition with Democrats, we could get back to the peoples business, she added.

Rep. Bowman told theGrio that Jeffries is better suited for the House speakership because he has always put people first, and he cares about the things that most people care about across the country and that most people are struggling with.

He needs to be in position right now to help save us from ourselves and from this right-wing extremist Republican Party, he said.

Omar added, The American people deserve better than these political games. Its time to put people over politics so we can get back to work on the pressing issues facing our country.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Dems push for Jeffries to be next House speaker after Jordan loses first round appeared first on TheGrio.
DENTON, Texas - The pastor of a North Texas megachurch that came under fire for ignoring red flags of sexual abuse announced that he is retiring.

Pastor Tommy Nelson, a best-selling author of Christian books, emailed his announcement to the congregation of Denton Bible Church on Oct. 4, exactly one year to the day after our FOX 4 investigation aired.

Click to open this PDF in a new window.

A former youth pastor at the church, Rob Shiflet, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison in 2021 for sexually assaulting two girls on church youth trips.

That same year, the church made available by request a five-page letter summarizing a 10-month-long investigation conducted by a third-party attorney.

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It found many failures on the part of Denton Bible Church under Pastor Nelson's leadership.

Pastor Nelson previously declined our request for an interview.

Shiflet was released from prison in January for good behavior.

Shiflet now lives in Weatherford and will be supervised as a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.
A Georgia sheriffs office stopped a drone delivery of contraband items to the Washington State Prison.

According to the Washington County Sheriffs Office, deputies on patrol around midnight on Saturday saw a drone flying in the area near Davisboro.

While looking for the drone, the deputies found an abandoned vehicle off of Francis Bridge Road.

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

Later that night, deputies stopped a vehicle on Brown Drive in Davisboro.

A brief investigation found that the vehicles driver and passenger were allegedly involved in illegal activity at Washington State Prison.

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The sheriffs office said they found illegal drugs, contraband items, a drone, and a weapon.

Georgia Department of Corrections staff and Washington County deputies said theyll continue to monitor the prison for similar behavior, promising vigilance.

TRENDING STORIES:

The sheriffs office said the following two people were arrested.

Marcus Alexander Williams, age 47 of Decatur, Ga., charged with:

Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime (Felony)

Items Prohibited for Possession by Inmates (Felony)

Crossing the Guard Line with weapons , intoxicants, or drugs without consent of Warden (Felony)

Possession of Marijuana (Felony)

Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute (Felony)

Trading with Inmates (Felony)

Tahking Hale, age 31 of Clarkston, Ga., charged with:

Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime (Felony)

Items Prohibited for Possession by Inmates (Felony)

Crossing the Guard Line with weapons , intoxicants, or drugs without consent of Warden (Felony)

Possession of Marijuana (Felony)

Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute (Felony)

Trading with Inmates (Felony)

Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Felony)

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Three months after Florida banned many Chinese citizens from owning property, some real estate agents say they are losing business as families across the state are walking away from deals.

Longtime Florida resident Kristen Zhang was thrilled when last year her parents in China decided to buy a new house nearby, built from the ground up, in Orlando. After being separated during the pandemic, theyd finally be able to spend time with their grandkids.

But in May Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bipartisan law, SB 264, banning certain Chinese nationals from buying property in the state to counter the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party in the state of Florida.

Zhangs parents had to abandon their plans this summer, finally canceling the contract last month. Fortunately, the project was still at an early-enough stage to secure a refund on their deposit from the developer, but Zhang said the decision was wrenching.

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This is racist, she said. After I told my parents about the bill, they feel like America doesnt welcome us. They dont want to come here anymore.

A group of Chinese immigrants, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups, have been pushing to invalidate the new law. The Justice Department backed their effort in a filing this summer, saying the measure is unconstitutional, but a judge ruled against the challenge in August, teeing up an appeal. A spokesperson for DeSantis  who is currently running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination  said in an email that the restrictions are aimed to protect the states security interests.

Florida continues to take these threats to our state sovereignty seriously, and we will continue to take action where its necessary to protect Floridians, he said.

Chinese buyers and Florida real estate agents say the law is ambiguous and has introduced confusion and a growing risk of discrimination. Sellers who knowingly violate the restrictions could face up to one year in prison and $1,000 in fines, and Chinese nationals who buy property in Florida face even higher potential fines and up to five years in prison.

Frank Lin, a veteran Florida real estate agent who works mainly with Chinese buyers in both the United States and overseas, said his business has already been cut in half as he turns down clients and tries to comply with the law.

In addition to limits on new homebuyers, Chinese nationals who already own property in Florida are required by the new law to register with the states Commerce Department, but they dont even have a form yet or place or website, so thats confused everyone, Lin said. Failure to register by 2024 could trigger fines of up to $1,000 a day.

A spokesperson for Floridas Commerce Department said a hearing is set for Tuesday over a proposed rule on the registration requirement, adding that the agency is dedicated to implementing SB 264 as outlined in law.

The measure comes as part of a wave of restrictions on Chinese commercial activity in the U.S.

Lawmakers in both parties at the city, state and federal levels have targeted major tech companies based in China, including TikTok, over concerns about data privacy and national security. The Biden administration has walked a tightrope in its efforts to repair frayed trade ties with the worlds second-largest economy, where Western businesses face mounting risks from vague yet sweeping anti-espionage laws. The White House is especially concerned about keeping technology, like advanced chips, out of the hands of Chinese firms that may be within reach of Beijing officials.

But many in the Asian American community see the Florida law in a different context, arguing that it resembles xenophobic alien land laws of the early 20th century that were later deemed unconstitutional. Enacted in the decades following the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the measures  passed in places from California to Texas and Wyoming  were tailored to keep Asian immigrants in particular from owning land. Florida didnt repeal its own version, from 1926, until 2018, a decade after an earlier attempt failed.

The states new restrictions cover both commercial and residential property. They apply to Chinese nationals who arent U.S. citizens or permanent residents and already have primary homes in China. There are exceptions for those on nontourist visas or have been granted asylum  but only to buy property on less than two acres situated at least five miles from military sites or infrastructure, like water treatment plants or oil refineries.

The law also restricts buyers from a handful of other foreign countries of concern, including Cuba and Venezuela, but doesnt outright ban them. The penalties for both buyers and sellers from those two countries are lower: 60 days in prison and a $500 fine.

Some Florida real estate agents say the law compels them to vet potential clients in unrealistic and uncomfortable ways.

If somebody comes in and is Asian-looking, youre automatically going to start asking questions about where youre from, which never used to happen, said Khalid Muneer, founder of Jupiter Properties in Central Florida and president of the Greater Orlando chapter of the Asian American Realtors Association.

Is this racism? Is this stereotyping? We are very well aware of the fact that we can have issues. We can be accused of discrimination, Muneer said. Some of his associates with heavily Chinese or Venezuelan clienteles have seen a major, major drop in business, he said.

In recent months, Muneer continued, some of the realtors are afraid to deal with [Chinese nationals] because they are looking at getting prosecuted for not doing their job. But then again, are we supposed to be FBI agents investigating people and asking them all kinds of questions?

Like many American buyers, plenty of Chinese house hunters are interested in a Florida vacation home, drawn by the states famed theme parks or by nearby family members. Others are looking for property for children they expect will attend college in the U.S. or are simply seeking a return on real estate investments.

Florida received 23% of all foreign buyers nationwide, a higher share than any other state, according to the National Association of Realtors. And five percent of Floridas closed sales were to foreign buyers, according to a separate report from Florida Realtors. However, the bulk of Floridas foreign buyers are Latin American, at 46%, and Canadian, at 24%. Among Chinese buyers, California is the most popular destination, drawing 33% of Chinese buyers to Floridas 16%.

When you get a situation like this, Muneer continued, where your main cash buyers are not allowed to buy, it does start hurting the market as well as sales agents who will depend on those sales for their living.

Katherine Frazier, chair of the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, said her organization is monitoring the states rulemaking process and the implementation of the law, and is hoping for more guidance. In the meantime, the group is offering industry professionals as much technical assistance as it can.

Gregory Burge, a University of Oklahoma economist who has studied housing, said ownership bans like Floridas dont make a lot of sense from an economic standpoint. International investment and property ownership can help prop up the economy in a downturn, he said, as happened in Florida during the housing crash of the late 2000s.

In addition, Top talent coming from these nations would certainly involve families wanting to retain their citizenship in their home countries, and then facing the barrier of buying in Florida under the new law, he said. That could act as a negative factor for slowing economic growth.

That concern appeared to be a factor for Ken Griffin, the billionaire CEO of Citadel, who successfully lobbied to soften the bill, SB 264, as he prepared to move his hedge fund from Chicago to Miami last year, Bloomberg reported this summer.

After losing their case in August, the group of Chinese immigrants, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups, that had sued to block the law filed an appeal, arguing that the measure uses obvious proxies to discriminate.

The law is upending peoples lives, said Patrick Toomey, deputy director of the ACLU National Security Project, and making it far more challenging for immigrants to prosper economically in the state.

CORRECTION (Oct. 18, 2023, 2:30 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article mischaracterized the share of foreign buyers buying real estate in Florida. Florida receives 23% of all foreign buyers in the United States, more than any other state; foreign buyers do not make up 23% of all residential real estate purchases in Florida.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis slammed President Biden on Tuesday accusing him of prioritizing humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has reportedly been compromised by Hamas in the past, over rescuing American and Israeli hostages.

"Innocent Americans and Israelis are being held hostage by Hamas terrorists, yet Biden is more focused on sending humanitarian aid to Gaza that will be commandeered by Hamas terrorists," the GOP presidential candidate posted on X Tuesday.

"Biden should work with Israel to free all American and Israeli hostages, not shower Hamas with money."

The DeSantis post included a screenshot of a Reuters news article with the headline "US and Israel to develop aid plan for Gaza civilians, Blinken says."

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REP. CORY MILLS FLIES TO ISRAEL TO RESCUE 32 AMERICANS, SAYS HE'S DOING JOB BIDEN 'FAILED' AT TWICE

President Biden, left, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

"Palestinian leadership is already bankrolling Hamas atrocities against Israel and Biden wants to send aid into Gaza that will further support terrorist activity," DeSantis said in a follow-up post. "As President, I wouldnt send a single dollar into Gaza."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Biden has been widely criticized by Republicans for not moving quickly enough to secure the release of American hostages in Israel following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 as well as not doing enough to help the thousands of Americans stranded in Israel find a way home.

DeSantis recently took matters into his own hands by signing an executive order authorizing his state to send planes and resources to Israel to rescue stranded Americans.

BIDEN ADMIN WARNED ABOUT POTENTIAL DANGERS OF RESTARTING AID TO PALESTINIANS

Israeli responds to Hamas airstrike on Oct. 7, 2023.

DeSantis announced earlier this week that a flight carrying 270 people stranded in Israel landed in Tampa Bay, Florida.

"I am proud of how quickly we have been able to activate resources and do what the federal government could not  get Floridians and other Americans back home, reunited with their families, free of charge," DeSantis said in a press release.

Demonstrators attend an "emergency rally for Gaza" outside the Israeli Consulate in New York City Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. Supporters of both groups clashed at the event as Israel remains at war with Hamas.

The State Department announced last Wednesday, four days after the Hamas attack, that "the U.S. government will arrange charter flights to assist U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who have been unable to book commercial transit and seek a safe means of departing Israel" starting on Friday.

Hamas is believed to be holding 199 Israelis hostages while 13 Americans are currently unaccounted for and are possibly being held by the terror group as well.

Additionally, questions have been raised about Hamas's ability to access humanitarian aid sent to Palestinian refugees.

Fox News Digital reported on Saturday that the Biden administration has sent hundreds of millions in taxpayer money, including tens of millions in COVID relief funds, to a United Nations agency accused of harboring Hamas terrorists in the past.

"The USA should not be placing conditions on our support for Israel because of demands from the Squad,'" GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn said this week.

"Humanitarian aid repeatedly ends up in the hands of Hamas terrorists who use it to build rockets & kill more Israelis. We should immediately halt U.S. aid for the Palestinians."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.





Original article source: DeSantis blasts Biden for prioritizing Gaza aid that will be 'commandeered' by Hamas over rescuing hostages
Ron DeSantis dismissed Republican rivals Nikki Haley and Mike Pence on Monday as candidates who wont be able to win the persuadable pool of GOP presidential primary voters necessary to defeat Donald Trump , according to audio obtained by McClatchyDC.

Speaking to about 30 members of the Virgin Islands GOP committee virtually, DeSantis said his campaign estimates that 20% of the 2024 Republican electorate will definitely vote for the former president, with 35% having ruled Trump out completely. That leaves about 45% of Republican voters who are still considering their options.

Theyre not going to vote for people like Pence and Haley. I respect them, theyre just not, DeSantis told the Virgin Islands group, referring to voters in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire. They will vote for me, because I have a record of being a very strong leader.

DeSantis spoke to the Virgin Islands gathering because the unincorporated territory in the Caribbean holds an early caucus on Feb. 8 for nine delegates. A candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote will sweep all the islands delegates.

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The Virgin Islands caucus will come just after the South Carolina primary on Feb. 3, which could dramatically winnow the GOP race, given the two home-state candidates competing, Haley and Sen. Tim Scott.

But other than Trump, Haley and Pence were the only candidates the Florida governor cited during his remarks, which lasted about 23 minutes and included questions from the audience.

Neither Haley nor Pences campaigns responded to a request for a reaction to DeSantis assessment.

Were going to win Iowa, DeSantis declared. Were way ahead of any other candidate whos won the caucuses in the past.

DeSantis is correct that other candidates like Mike Huckabee in 2008 and Ted Cruz in 2016 made up considerable deficits to ultimately pull off a surprise victory there. But neither of them was running against a former president on his third campaign for the White House, and neither Huckabee nor Cruz went on to secure the GOP nomination.

An Iowa State University poll conducted by Civiqs earlier this month showed Trump with a staggering 38-point lead over DeSantis, with the former president receiving 55% support, compared to DeSantis 17%. Haley was in third with 11%.

New Hampshire looks like an even tougher challenge for DeSantis, with some recent polling showing him falling behind Haley in the Granite State.

Haley has seen a bump in her polling fortunes following two well-received debate performances, where she tangled with her rivals in sharp-tongued back-and-forths. In the September debate, Haley attacked DeSantis for being against fracking and drilling. But while he made a promise to ban fracking as a candidate, its Florida voters who approved an amendment to ban offshore drilling through a constitutional ballot initiative.

On Monday, DeSantis also pitched his general election viability to the Virgin Island Republicans.

The fact is, I won Florida by 17 points more than Trump won Florida, he said, comparing his 2022 re-election victory to Trumps Florida performance in 2020. So we have the ability to win nationally in a way that I think he would struggle doing.

DeSantis said if Ronald Reagan were running for a third time, hed have locked down 90% of Republican voters by now, maintaining that a majority of GOP voters favor an alternative.

The governor referenced the need for the field to consolidate in order to topple the front-runner and predicted that some of his rivals polling in single digits would end their candidacies, though he did not say when that would occur.

Coalesce the 35% of the people who want to move on, and then win the sizable slice of voters still open to an option other than Trump, DeSantis said. That will do the trick if you can get that done and I think we will.

Not sure hes open to changing. Why Rand Paul is holding out on Trump

Comedians are starting to mock Ron DeSantis. What it means for the 2024 candidate.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tore into 2024 GOP rival Nikki Haley for "trying to be politically correct" amid the war in Israel, insisting he would not "import" Gazan refugees taught to "hate Jews."

Speaking to NBC News Now, DeSantis responded to Haleys comments on CNN over the weekend when the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said, "There are so many of these people who want to be free from this terrorist rule. They want to be free from all of that. And America's always been sympathetic to the fact that you can separate civilians from terrorists. And that's what we have to do."

"But right now, we can never take our eyes off of the terrorists. I mean, what Hamas did was beyond thuggish, brutal and sick. What the Iranian regime is doing to help them is terrible," Haley added.

"Nikki Haley would import people  thats been her position. I get that," DeSantis said of the prospect of bringing Palestinian refugees from Gaza to the United States. "I would not import."

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"But you also have to speak the truth, and the truth is in Gaza, its a dysfunctional toxic society in part because they teach young people to hate Jews. That is endemic to their culture," DeSantis continued. "It doesnt mean that theyre all members of Hamas, but what it does mean is thats not something you want to import into the United States."

HALEY AND RAMASWAMY'S WAR OF WORDS HEATS UP WITH FRESH VOLLEYS OVER ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators take to Times Square in New York City days after Hamas' surprise attack on Israelis on Oct. 7.

"Im willing to speak the truth. Shes trying to be politically correct," DeSantis said of Haley. "Shes trying to please the media and people on the Left. I dont care about that. Im going to speak the truth and let the chips fall where they may."

A spokesperson for Haleys campaign sought to clarify her stance to Fox News.

"Nikki Haley opposes the U.S. taking in Gazans. She thinks Hamas-supporting countries like Iran, Qatar, and Turkey should take any refugees," Haleys campaign spokesperson said.

DeSantis, speaking to NBC News, doubled down on why the U.S. should not take in Gazan refugees despite the growing humanitarian crisis.

GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks during the 2023 First in the Nation Leadership Summit on Oct. 13, 2023, in Nashua, New Hampshire.

"Its not a question of whether theyre all terrorists. In Gaza, they teach the kids to hate Jews," he said. "If you look at the textbooks, Israel is not on the map of the Middle East, and so this is embedded in the culture. I think its a very toxic culture. I think thats part of the reason Gaza turned to Hamas."

FLASHBACK: NIKKI HALEY WARNED UNITED NATIONS OF HAMAS THREAT TO ISRAEL, SOUGHT TO LABEL TERROR GROUP

"They elected Hamas. Theres a lot of support for Hamas there. So thats a very toxic culture, and I worry about importing that to our country," DeSantis said. "And this was really bracing for me to watch. When the blood wasnt even dry off these Israeli citizens who were victimized by Hamas, you had people in our own country celebrating Hamas."

DeSantis, who helped charter a plane that flew nearly 300 Americans stranded in Israel amid wartime flight cancelations to Florida over the weekend, addressed the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that erupted in major American cities after Hamas surprise Oct. 7 attack on Israelis.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks during the 2023 First in the Nation Leadership Summit on Oct. 13, 2023, in Nashua, New Hampshire.

"You could have different views on Middle East politics. Its a free country. But to go out and celebrate them lopping off the heads of babies and doing what were doing in some of our major cities, that was really, really bracing," DeSantis said. "And honestly, it brought me back to memories, one of the searing memories I have from Sept. 11, 2001, is almost the entire world came together to condemn what had happened and stand with America. The people that were cheering though, there were Palestinian Arabs cheering on the streets of the West Bank and Gaza."

The NBC correspondent contended the polling suggests most Gazans oppose Hamas rule, but DeSantis countered, "I dont think youre gonna find a lot of polling suggesting that they believe Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state, and I dont think you would find a lot of pro-Jewish sentiment amongst the population because youd be persona non grata there if you took that position."

Fox News' Bryan Llenas contributed to this report.





Original article source: DeSantis rips politically correct Haley, refuses to import Gazan refugees taught to hate Jews
Ron DeSantis boldly proclaimed that he would win Iowa in a virtual speech for members of the Virgin Islands GOP Committee on Monday. DeSantis dismissed his fellow GOP rivals Nikki Haley and Mike Pence, saying that Republican voters would not choose them. He said that his campaign estimated that 20% of Republicans would vote for Donald Trump and 35% would definitely not vote for Trump. That left 45% still figuring out who to vote for. DeSantis said early voters in Iowa and New Hampshire would vote for him because I have a record of being a very strong leader. Were going to win Iowa, DeSantis said, according to the Miami Herald. Were way ahead of any other candidate whos won the caucuses in the past.A recent Iowa State University poll showed DeSantis with 17% support in Iowa behind Donald Trump who had 55% support.

Read it at Miami Herald

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida on Monday rejected criticism from Republican presidential rival Nikki Haley of remarks he made about Palestinians over the weekend.

In an interview with NBCs Dasha Burns published on Monday, DeSantis dismissed Haleys criticisms as her trying to be politically correct.

Shes trying to be politically correct. Shes trying to please the media and people on the left, he said. I dont care about that. Im gonna speak the truth and let the chips fall where they may.

The comments come as Republican candidates have criticized the Biden administration in the wake of Israels war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has been designated by the U.S., Britain and the European Union as a terrorist group.

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In a surprise attack on Oct. 7, Hamas militants stormed out of the Gaza Strip, killing more than 1,200 Israelis and abducting dozens more, while firing rockets at cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israel has since hit back by commencing a siege of Gaza and firing its own barrage of retaliatory missiles, killing hundreds of Palestinians.

At a campaign event in Iowa on Saturday, DeSantis said that the U.S. should not accept any refugees from Gaza and that the Palestinians in Gaza are all antisemitic.



Haley, a former governor of South Carolina who also served as U.N. ambassador in the Trump administration, said on Sunday that half of Palestinians dont want to be governed by Hamas.

There are so many of these people who want to be free from this terrorist rule, she said in an appearance on CNNs State of the Union. They want to be free from all of that. And America has always been sympathetic to the fact that you can separate civilians from terrorists.

When confronted about the remarks and Haleys rebuke, DeSantis said he was simply defending the truth and pointed to efforts by Hamas to teach the kids to hate Jews.

The row between the two candidates also comes as Haley has seen her stock rise as a GOP alternative to former President Donald Trump, the current frontrunner in the 2024 Republican primary. DeSantis and Haley have each tried to court the same pool of conservative donors. Haley has also seen her polling improve in early states as the DeSantis campaign has stumbled in recent weeks.
Its what politicians do.

Chaos breaks, and they chime in, state their stance in the glare of cameras, play the role of statesman.

But in the case of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis , the political ritual extends further. Every occasion, no matter how tragic and complex, is an opportunity to advance his hard-right Republican presidential ambitions.

As DeSantis desperately tries to carve himself a spot in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, he declares Palestinians all antisemitic and says the United States shouldnt take in any of the Palestinians displaced from Gaza.

His lack of thoughtfulness in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel is deplorable.

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He fans the flames of division at home, lighting matches in the fresh wound of heartbreak and war. It has been his trademark as Floridas governor. He exploits outrage, pain and fear to highlight his extremist agenda  and score political points with the Trump base of white-nationalist voters.

Claiming with no evidence that President Biden hasnt done enough to bring home Americans stranded in Israel  when flights arrive in Miami and other cities everyday  DeSantis is organizing chartered flights for Florida Jews. The first landed Sunday in Tampa.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis greets passengers arriving from Israel on a chartered flight organized by Project Dynamo on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Tampa. The flight landed at Tampa International Airport with 270 evacuees rescued by Project Dynamo from Israel including 91 children and four dogs. Luis Santana/Times

Unlike the Palestinians, Floridians in Israel have access to airports and the worlds airlines to evacuate. The danger is in the flying missiles.

People who want to leave Israel dont need the governor of Florida chartering a private jet.

The Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza do. But that wouldnt serve the GOP voter base.

READ MORE: Support Israel with all our hearts, but also make room for Palestinians views | Opinion

Its vintage DeSantis: To better-off whites at war, hes overly generous. To the poorer people of color also suffering in the midst of war, he shuts the door.

He makes no distinction between Hamas, the terrorists and the Palestinian people fleeing Gaza for their lives. The people being deceived by Hamas into staying in their homes  to be used as human shields and propaganda tools instead of evacuating to safer ground at the border with Egypt  hold no value for DeSantis.

READ MORE: DeSantis says US shouldnt take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza because theyre all antisemitic

Hate speech always has consequences, but more so, when people are impacted by a defining moment of unspeakable tragedy and grieving.

Some of us can recognize DeSantis words for what they are: political opportunism. Others hear him and receive validation for their prejudice and racism. The deranged go further.

An Illinois man did on Saturday. He stabbed a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy, Wadea al-Fayoume, 26 times with a military-style knife and sent his mother to the hospital with a dozen knife wounds. Wadea was killed. His mother is expected to survive. The man was their landlord.

You Muslims must die, he is reported to have said during the attack.

As Ahmed Rehah, executive director of the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said of the littke boy: He paid the price for the atmosphere of hate. He has no clue about these larger issues happening in the world, but he was made to pay for it.

DeSantis knows this type of violence was predictable, but instead of being measured, he shoots from the hip. Soon after the Hamas attack on Israel, he called for Florida sanctions on Iran, without evidence that Iran financed the attack.

DeSantis divides, Biden acts

While the people who benefited from free return to Florida may see DeSantis as life-saving, it was only another publicity stunt to score points with Jewish voters who are upset at him for the acts of antisemitism he has tolerated in Florida. Plus, it was a photo-op.

Lets not forget that, after passing and signing a law forbidding highway demonstrations, he allowed neo-Nazis to demonstrate along one in the Orlando area, failing to condemn their antisemitism until the legacy media he hates so much came down on him. And when he finally did, it was tepidly.

Meanwhile, Biden has meaningfully reiterated his support for Israel and the war on Hamas terrorism.

He has backed words with quick action sending the best U.S. warship to the area and the secretary of State on a seven-country Middle East tour to address the crisis. And Biden is taking the extraordinary risk of traveling to Israel on Wednesday, when Israel Defense Forces are scheduled to invade Gaza.

The potential for loss of innocent Palestinian lives is great, and Biden has expressed his concern for that as well, as is appropriate.

He has shown command and courage  and even Republicans are acknowledging it.

I want to applaud President Biden for his strong statement in support of Israel, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday on NBC News Meet the Press.

DeSantis does more harm than good when he criticizes Biden  and not hes not helping Israels cause.

Whether hes whitewashing Black history or shamelessly showcasing disrespect for Muslims, DeSantis proves his only departure point is political calculation.

He is a man of small ideas who must never be president of a diverse country that, despite its missteps, is still called to be a constructive force for peace in the world.

Santiago
Visitors watch a robot welding an auto body during the 23rd China International Industry Fair (CIIF) in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will not follow in Japan's footsteps of the 1990s and fall into a so-called balance-sheet recession period characterized by income being used to pay down debt rather than spend, according to a top economist.



In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Justin Yifu Lin, dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University, said despite facing some difficulties including housing-related debt issues, the Chinese economy, with endogenous strength from factors like its enormous domestic market and increasing innovation capability, is well poised to rebound and experience "dynamic" growth and make a great contribution to global economic development.

"When income does not grow and debt is very high, debt payments will become a burden forcing households and enterprises to reduce investment and consumption in order to repay loans, leading to sluggish economic growth," said Lin, a former senior vice-president and chief economist at the World Bank.

China's debt level is not that high compared with many others in the world, and more importantly, Chinese people's income is still on the rise thanks to emerging industries and industrial upgrades, he said.

"The key issue is whether we will be able to continue to have dynamic growth. In the case of Japan, after the Plaza Accord, they voluntarily or involuntarily gave up the semiconductor industry, and we didn't see any new industry emerge in Japan," Lin said.

"I'm sure China will continue to have technological innovation and industrial upgrading to raise the productivity, and with that, the incomes of households and profits of companies will increase," he added.

Recent economic data has indicated that the economic recovery in China is gathering pace.

Fresh data from the People's Bank of China, the central bank, showed that the aggregate social financing, or the total amount of financing to the real economy, reached 4.12 trillion yuan ($560 billion) in September, up by 563 billion yuan from a year earlier and 1 trillion yuan from August, respectively, pointing to a picking up of financing activity.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's official manufacturing and nonmanufacturing purchasing managers indexes both improved in September to 50.2 and 51.7, respectively. The figures were both above the 50-point mark separating contraction from expansion.

Lin believes the current difficulties facing the Chinese economy are mainly rooted in the external environment. Sluggish global economic growth subdues demand for Chinese products, affecting domestic investment and consumption, he said.

He suggested Chinese authorities expand the fiscal deficit and ease monetary policy to boost investment, consumption and job creation, and enhance confidence.

The economist added that despite the attempts of Western countries, the United States in particular, to weaken China's position in global industrial and supply chains through trade restrictions, China has reached a stage that "as long as we think it's necessary, we will be able to mobilize enough resources and talent to get breakthroughs in those areas (facing Western countries' trade restrictions)".

"Huawei is a very good example. Huawei cannot import those chips from US companies, but as you see, Huawei has already got breakthroughs. I think the story that applies to Huawei will also be applicable to other sectors in China," Lin said.

Trade is win-win for any country, he said, adding the best way for China to address trade restrictions and curtailment attempts from the US and others is to maintain stability, growth and openness, through pursuing technological innovation and industrial upgrading to expand the domestic market while at the same time further opening up to the rest of the world.

"We have every intention to maintain peace and stability in the world, and we also want to contribute to the stability and growth in the world," he said.

"As long as we do our things right, and maintain our stability and growth, I think by opening up our economy to the world, we'll be friends to everyone in the world."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was able to transport hundreds of people from Israel to Florida just days after announcing an evacuation initiative by tapping into an existing rescue program, Project Dynamo, that likely would have gone forward with the effort regardless of the states support.

Florida has paid for five flights to evacuate people out of Israel between Friday and Sunday, including one that landed in Tampa Sunday night with 270 people, but Project Dynamo coordinated everything else, according to the groups CEO and founder Bryan Stern.

Project Dynamo was founded in 2021 to help rescue people from Afghanistan after American troops withdrew from the country and has conducted missions everywhere from Ukraine to Sudan. The flight to Tampa Sunday was the groups 602nd evacuation mission.

Stern spoke about the rescue missions during a news conference Monday and said he was raising money to pay for the Tampa flight when the state of Florida stepped in to offer assistance.

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We were fundraising right up until Gov. DeSantis and his office came in bottom line is we would have figured it out, Stern said. Weve done it six hundred and one times without government help, six hundred and two was not going to be the one that we failed on. But it makes it so much easier when you have backing by a state entity for sure.

A Florida state of emergency and an opportunity

Many commercial flights out of Israel were canceled following a surprise attack by Hamas and subsequent retaliatory measures by Israel. That has left many Americans struggling to find a way out of Israel.

DeSantis declared a state of emergency last week and directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to coordinate evacuation efforts. The governor, running what now appears to be a longshot campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, was at the Tampa airport Sunday to welcome the evacuees from Israel, which included 269 Americans  including roughly 70 Floridians  and one native of the Czech Republic.

Stern said he was grateful for Florida's financial support, the first time a government agency has funded one of his evacuation efforts, but also made it clear that he would've done everything to get people home safely, regardless of whether Florida funded the effort.

"Would it have been possible? I'll tell you that I wasn't going to leave them behind and I'm not trying to stay in Israel a moment longer than I need to so we would've figured it out, for sure," Stern said.

DeSantis' trip to Tampa on Sunday was the first time an American politician has ever met us home, Stern said.

'We had no way to get out'

The evacuation flight to Tampa involved gathering people from more than 12 different areas across Israel, Stern said. On the flight were Ron and Linda Neumann, who are trying to become dual citizens of Israel and the United States, and their dog.

The Neumanns have been living in Israel recently, but also live in Melbourne.

Ron Neumann said after two flights out of Israel were canceled he tried to find a way out of the country by contacting U.S. State Department officials and state officials in Florida. Neither effort was successful, but he heard about Project Dynamo through a friend and they helped him get on the flight to Tampa.

It was a miracle from God because we had no way to get out," Neumann said.

Cost of 'DeSantis Airlines' unknown

Stern didn't know the exact cost of the most recent flight from Israel to Florida, but said the average cost to charter a plane from Tampa to Israel right now is around $2 million. The governor's office and the Florida Division of Emergency Management provided no answers to questions from the USA TODAY Network - Florida on costs of the trips.

The first Florida arrival of what supporters are calling "DeSantis Airlines" come at the same time the Biden administration is chartering flights from Israel to European destinations so passengers could book connecting flights home. DeSantis has slammed the White House for "dragging its feet" on the charters and said its flights "dump people in Europe."

But people don't need to be dumped in Europe," DeSantis said in a video posted on the social media website X by his campaign. "They want to get home.

DeSantis' transport operation comes as 60 minutes highlights Martha's Vineyard migrant flights

The flights from Israel occurred the same weekend CBS News' 60 Minutes aired a segment Sunday critical of DeSantis' actions in September 2022, when his administration lured about 50 mostly Venezuelan asylum-seekers from Texas to Martha's Vineyard, off the Massachusetts' coast, with the false promise of jobs and housing.

Money for that trip came from a $12 million fund established within the state's Division of Emergency Management for relocating undocumented migrants from within Florida to other locations. The program has since been expanded and rewritten by the Florida Legislature to authorize DeSantis' action, after its legality was challenged in a handful of lawsuits.

DeSantis while campaigning in Iowa, home of the first Republican presidential nomination contest, has cited the Martha's Vineyard trip as proof of his commitment to combating illegal immigration and to underscore the failures of the Biden administration. DeSantis' White House bid probably lives or dies based on how he performs in Iowa.

Those evacuated from Israel by the state-financed effort focused their praise on Project Dynamo, touting the team's skills and efficiency.

"I'm humbled," said Linda Neumann. "To think that people risked their lives to come get us and our fellow Jews out of a war zone. I thank God for getting us out."

John Kennedy of the USA Today Network-Florida's capital bureau contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: DeSantis touts Israel rescue that would have happened without his help
Hundreds of Palestinian Americans are still stuck in Gaza after the US State Department claimed they would be allowed to leave through Egypts border crossing near Rafah.

Families  many with children  sat with their suitcases outside the border crossing on Monday waiting for news on whether or not they'd be allowed to leave besieged Gaza.

One woman, Maha Barkat, told NBC News that her family is "surviving on sandwiches" while they wait to escape.

We are American citizens and should be treated the same as the Americans who got put on planes out of Tel Aviv, she said on Monday.

The US State Department told American Palestinians they would be given passage through the Rafah border last week. However, there was some apparent miscommunication between Washington and Cairo, as the border never opened, and the Americans were left stuck waiting, and have been for days.

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Its getting dark, its already getting loud. Weve heard a few bombings in the area. Were not going to have electricity for the rest of the night, Ms Barkat told NBC News.

Some reports from the area suggest that Israel bombed the Rafah crossing, which may have contributed to the Americans' inability to leave through the border. Signs posted on the border seemed to corroborate those reports, warning "danger: the crossing is threatened by bombing."

Israel's military response to a Hamas attack that killed approximately 2,000 citizens has displaced more than a million residents of Gaza. The IDF warned residents of the northern city to evacuate, forcing around a million people from their homes.

In the meantime, Hamas has taken hostages, including Americans, and is reportedly executing them in response to Israeli bombings.

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Despite the closure, the US State Department is still advising Americans in Gaza to head to the crossing, noting that it may open without announcement and may only remain open for a short time.

Egyptian authorities have reportedly told the US State Department that "security threats" are preventing the border's opening.

While Americans are still stuck inside Gaza, they've received little in the way of sympathy from GOP lawmakers who are rallying behind Israel's bombing, which has leveled apartment blocks and killed families, including children.

Senator Tom Cotton told Fox News that Israel can "bounce rubble" in Gaza and insinuated if civilians are killed by Israelis in Gaza, it is the fault of Hamas and is justified.

Anything that happens in Gaza is the responsibility of Hamas. Hamas killed women and children in Israel last weekend, the self-proclaimed pro-life Mr Cotton said. If women and children die in Gaza, it will be because Hamas is using them as human shields because theyre not currently allowing them to evacuate as Israel has asked them to do so.

Tom Cotton on Fox News Sunday: "As far as I'm concerned, Israel can bounce the rubble in Gaza. Anything that happens in Gaza is the responsibility of Hamas. Hamas killed women and children in Israel last weekend." pic.twitter.com/j1BiV7yjab  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 15, 2023

He said, if Hamas uses schools, and kindergartens, and mosques for military purposes, Israel has every right under the laws of war to strike back.

GOP presidential primary candidate and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley shared similar sentiments, saying the IDF should "finish them" when referring to Hamas.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that "every death, going, forward, I blame on Hamas, not Israel," and has been spoiling for conflict with Iran, who he believes stoked Hamas' 7 October attack.

Al-Qaeda leader and 9/11 architect Osama Bin Laden operated off of similar logic after the 9/11 attacks, justifying the targeting of civilians by claiming they were responsible for the actions of the US government abroad, including the killing of civilians and children.

While Hamas was elected into power by Palestinians in 2006, approximately 50 per cent of the population is under the age of 18, meaning most of the residents in Gaza who are now facing Israeli bombardment were not alive or were too young to vote for the militants. No new elections have been held since.
Palestinian officials say hundreds were killed by a massive blast at a Gaza hospital on Tuesday, as humanitarian concerns mount over Israels deprivation of food, fuel and electricity to the enclaves population.

Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was sheltering thousands of displaced people when it was bombed Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement. Many victims are still under the rubble, it added.

Palestinian officials blamed ongoing Israeli airstrikes for the lethal incident. But the Israel Defense Forces has categorically denied any involvement in the hospital attack, blaming instead a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, a rival Islamist militant group in Gaza.

We did not strike that, and that the intelligence that we have suggests that it was a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad, and I want to add, categorically, that we do not intentionally strike any sensitive facilities, any sensitive facilities, and definitely not hospitals, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CNN.

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Gaza has been under siege by Israel for more than a week, in response to the deadly incursion by Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls the coastal enclave, home to 2.2 million people. Hospitals meanwhile are struggling to tend to the wounded across the territory, operating with shortages of electricity and water.

An injured person is assisted after Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was bombed on Tuesday. - Mohammed Al-Masri/Reuters

Vital humanitarian aid is meanwhile piling up at Gazas shuttered border, despite diplomatic efforts to open a corridor from Egypt. The United Nations and other officials have said they need assurance of safe passage for any potential aid convoys.

Amid growing international pressure to address the crisis, US President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday, an extraordinary wartime visit that follows intense efforts by Secretary of State Antony Blinken across the Middle East.

Biden was also due to attend a summit scheduled in Amman, the capital of Jordan, with several Arab leaders. However, the summit was canceled in the wake of the hospital blast.

Instead of the planned meeting, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he would travel back to Ramallah for an urgent meeting of the Palestinian leadership.

The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in the center of Gaza City was sheltering thousands of people who had been forcibly evacuated, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Hamas, which controls the enclave, said more than 500 people were killed by the bombing. The Palestinian Health Ministry earlier said preliminary estimates indicate that between 200 to 300 people died in the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed the barbaric terrorists in Gaza for attacking the hospital on Tuesday.

Whoever brutally murdered our children is also murdering their children, he added.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari later told CNN the IDF has communications between militants in Gaza saying this is an Islamic Jihad event as well as drone footage showing strike impact on the hospitals parking lot, but not the hospital itself.

Hagari said the IDF will soon release that footage and audio of the intercepted communications.

Scores of injured people are being taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following the bombing of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. - Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

As Israeli and Gazan officials blame the other for the hospital tragedy, protests have sprung up in a number of Middle Eastern cities including Amman, where protesters attempted to reach the Israeli embassy.

Hospitals under siege

More than a week of Israeli bombardment has killed at least 3,000 people, including 1,032 girls and 940 boys, and wounded 12,500 in Gaza, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said Tuesday. Casualties in Gaza over the past 10 days have now surpassed the number of those killed during the 51-day Gaza-Israel conflict in 2014.

While the IDF has said it does not target hospitals, the UN and Doctors Without Borders say Israeli airstrikes have struck medical facilities, including hospitals and ambulances.

On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes hit two densely populated refugee camps and an UNRWA school housing displaced people in central Gaza killed at least 18 people and injured scores, Palestinian officials said.

The IDF said that high-level Hamas commander Ayman Nofal was killed in the airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday.

In the occupied West Bank at least 61 people have been killed, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Tuesday. At least 20 humanitarian workers from the UN, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent have been killed in Gaza, the UN said.

Meanwhile, health services within Gaza are on the brink and food and water supplies are running low. Twenty out of 23 hospitals were offering partial services because fuel reserves are almost totally depleted, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warned on Tuesday.

UN agencies have warned that shops are less than a week away from running out of available food stocks and that that Gazas last seawater desalination plant had shut down, bringing the risk of further deaths, dehydration and waterborne diseases.

Hospitals have been receiving dozens of bodies from different areas of south Gaza, the director of Gaza hospitals, Dr. Mohammad Zaqout, told CNN. The toll includes dozens of victims from air strikes in Rafah.

The Palestinian Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 49 people in strikes on the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis.

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CNN he was not aware of any strikes specifically in those areas but they could have happened.

Closed crossing

Urgent calls for help are growing on both sides of the crossing as aid amasses on the Egyptian side of the border.

Blinken on Tuesday said the the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza.

But on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, a miles long convoy of humanitarian assistance awaiting entry into Gaza, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told CNN.

Until now, there is no safe passage that has been granted as they do not have any authorization or clear, secure routes for those convoys to be able to enter safely and without any possibility of their being targeted, he said.

He added that the crossing was bombed four times in the past few days.

Volunteers load food and supplies onto aid trucks on October 16, in North Sinai, in Egypt. Israeli strikes have blocked efforts to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza through the Rafah crossing. - Mahmoud Khaled/Getty Images

Beyond the border crossing, moving aid to those in need is extremely complex in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly hit UN facilities in the past week.

We need to have areas where humanitarians can move through safely, where people who are receiving humanitarian aid can receive that aid safely, UN spokesman Dujarric told CNN in a press briefing Tuesday.

The last thing you would want to see is creating distribution points where people receive that aid are not safe.

WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told CNN the UN health agency had struck an agreement with Egypts President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to open the Rafah crossing for aid  but Israels strikes rendered the facility unsafe, thereby halting the movement of crucial supplies.

On Tuesday, Israels National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the only things that should be entering Gaza are hundreds of tons of explosives from the Air Force, not an ounce of humanitarian aid until Hamas releases hostages, he wrote on Telegram.

On the Gaza side, large numbers of evacuees have gathered by the crossing, part of the mass displacement that has seen at least 1 million people flee their homes in the past week alone, according to UNRWA.

One family of five Palestinian-Americans, all US citizens, drove to Rafah on Monday after hearing the borders would be opened but to no avail, said Haifa Kaoud, whose husband Hesham is among the five stuck in Gaza.

Satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies show four 30-foot (9-meter) craters blocking the roadway at the border crossing closest to the Egyptian gate, along with concrete slabs.

A satellite photo provided by MAXAR Technologies shows four 30-foot craters blocking the roadway at the Rafah border crossing closest to the Egyptian gate. - Maxar Technologies

People take refuge in Nasser Hospital, in Khan Younis, in Gaza, after Israeli strikes destroyed their homes, on Monday. - Abed Zagout/Anadolu/Getty Images

Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to ease the conflict. On Monday, the UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire after it failed to get enough votes.

Several countries including the US, the United Kingdom and France voted against it because the draft did not condemn Hamas for the October 7 attack, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said killed at least 1,400 people with scores taken hostage.

This includes French-Israeli woman, Mia Schem, who was shown in the first hostage video released by Hamas. Her mother, Keren Scharf Schem implored world leaders to bring my baby back home when speaking to reporters Tuesday.

CNN cannot independently verify where and when the video of Schem, 21, was taken and what condition she is currently in.

Fears of regional conflict

Regional leaders raised concerns of fighting between Israel and Lebanons powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah in the north, and Syria, as strikes at the border become a flashpoint for wider conflict.

The IDF said on Tuesday shots were fired towards several locations on the security fence between Israel and Lebanon.

At the same time, Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, warned if the atrocities against Gaza persist, Muslims and resistance forces could lose patience, and no-one would be able to prevent their actions.

After Hamas incursion on October 7, militants fired shots from Lebanon that were intercepted by Israel, leading to a deadly exchange of fire.

A Palestinian woman reacts to people wounded by Israeli airstriles, at Al-Aqsa hospital, in central Gaza, on October 15. - Adel Hana/AP

On Friday evening local time an Israeli strike killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah who was also from south Lebanon. The assault wounded at least six other reporters.

A CNN video analysis found that the journalists were wearing vest jackets clearly marked as press.

And on Tuesday, Israeli strikes killed at least four people in Alma al-Shaab, in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross said.

Two Hezbollah fighters were killed in confrontations on Tuesday, the militant group said. It is unclear whether they are part of the death toll reported by the Red Cross.

CORRECTION: This article on the Gaza hospital blast initially did not clearly attribute claims about Israels responsibility to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israel later said a misfired rocket by militant group Islamic Jihad caused the blast and produced evidence to support its claim. US President Joe Biden said the Israeli position is backed by US intelligence. CNNs forensic analysis of images and videos suggests a rocket fired from within Gaza caused the blast, not an Israeli airstrike.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified the embassy protesters attempted to reach in Amman. It was the Israeli embassy.

CNNs Caitlin Hu, Paul Murphy, Sarah Sirgany, Lucas Lilieholm, Jennifer Hansler, MJ Lee, Kayla Tausche, Eyad Kourdi, Abeer Salman, Samantha Delouya, Nadeen Ebrahim, Tamara Qiblawi, Kareem Khadder, Richard Allen Greene, Mike Schwartz, Sebastian Shukla, Chris Liakos, AnneClaire Stapleton, Caitlin Danaher, Sharon Braithwaite, Lianne Kolirin, Tamar Michaelis and Celina Tebor contributed reporting.

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Post-pandemic staffing challenges have eased up slightly this fall, but many school leaders report that they still have crucial vacancies to fill.

The latest federal data on the public education workforce, released Tuesday, shows 45% of leaders said they were understaffed as the new school year began. Thats down from just over half last year. But the vast majority of schools say theyre still struggling to hire enough teachers and other staff, including classroom aides, bus drivers and mental health professionals.

In the latest results from the School Pulse Panel  a National Center for Education Statistics survey  over 1,300 administrators reported having the hardest time hiring enough elementary and special education teachers as well as classroom aides and custodial staff.

National Center for Education Statistics

You used to have thousands of applicants for every one vacancy. You dont have that anymore, said Mary Elizabeth Davis, superintendent of the Henry County Schools, outside Atlanta. Her team tried to attract candidates this year at local fairs, festivals and civic events, but still has about 100 vacancies districtwide. We actually had recruiting tables at our high school graduations.

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While conditions vary from district to district, the overall uptick in teacher turnover since the pandemic has forced district and school leaders to rely on substitutes, contract with virtual teaching companies and offer attractive incentives to lure new hires. Meanwhile, temporary federal relief funds offered the chance to create new positions to help with academic recovery efforts, but there havent always been enough candidates to fill those roles. Whether job seekers are leaving for other districts or finding positions outside of education, they clearly have the upper hand in this current market.

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It is harder to hire than it was pre-pandemic, said Chad Aldeman, a researcher who focuses on the teacher job market. The labor force participation rate is really high, unemployment is really low and basically anyone of working age who wants a job can find it.

With More Teachers & Fewer Students, Districts Are Set up for Financial Trouble

Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data confirms that what many have called a crisis in teacher employment is slightly less severe this year. Compared to last fall, theres a 2% increase in the number of public school employees  or about 150,000 more. But districts have to work harder to win over those sought-after candidates and get creative when they cant.

To fill the gaps, the Henry district has hired more teachers from overseas and attracted 25 new college graduates through a retention scholarship. In exchange for a two-year commitment, the district covers the cost of their teaching credential program.

Henry has also joined the growing number of districts across the country using virtual teaching companies. While a substitute or aide supervises students in the classroom, licensed teachers provide instruction remotely  sometimes from several states away. Davis tells parents the remote arrangement is far better than using a substitute. Without it, she added, their children might not be able to take Spanish III or A.P. Calculus.

This is what kids are going to need to be able to do in college, so we actually see this as a good thing, she said.

Exclusive Data: Fueled by Teacher Shortages, Zoom-in-a-Room Makes a Comeback

Double-edged sword

Even districts with traditionally stable workforces have had to take unusual measures to ensure students have teachers. The 5,600-student Rush-Henrietta Central School District, south of Rochester, New York, typically loses no more than five teachers a year. This past summer, Superintendent Barbara Mullen saw 28 leave, mostly to neighboring districts that offer more money. She organized a job fair  something the district has never had to do.

We issued a press release. I went on the news, she said. People were walking in off the street.

When that effort only filled 12 positions, she gave educators an unexpected pay raise  a minimum of $1,600 for veteran teachers and up to $5,000 for newer teachers. Non-teaching staff also received raises. With federal relief funds expiring next year, she said staff members recognize there could be leaner years ahead.

I needed to send a strategic message that compensation is important and working conditions are important, she said.

Like many districts, Rush-Henrietta uses a grow-your-own approach to address staff shortages. Parents can work as interns in the districts Cub Care Zone afterschool program and then take the exam to become a teaching assistant.

National Center for Education Statistics

Other districts offer an accelerated route to a teaching job to classroom aides, professionals changing careers and even those without four-year degrees. States were relaxing teacher training requirements long before the pandemic, but have expanded those policies to address the current emergency.

TN Apprenticeship Could Be a Game Changer in Solving Teacher Shortages

But such actions can also leave holes to fill.

Kimberly Winterbottom, principal of Marley Middle School in Glen Burnie, Maryland, said her state offers so many new pathways to become a teacher that it can be harder to find candidates still willing to work as substitutes and classroom assistants  the staff members schools have been relying on to give students extra support.

Its like a double-edged sword, she said.

Larry Ascione, assistant principal at Marley Middle School in Maryland, welcomed Andrea Del Rio, a career-changer-turned Spanish teacher at an ice cream social for new employees. (Courtesy of Kimberly Winterbottom)

Her school had 35 open positions this year. She was able to fill them, but candidates, she said, weighed offers between multiple districts and have grown choosy about which grade levels they want to teach.

The candidate holds the cards, she said.

As the numbers show, however, leaders say this fall feels like more of a return to earlier years when it was tough to find teachers in areas such as science and special education, but shortages didnt overwhelm the system. In several cases last year, districts even had to close some schools because there werent enough teachers.

Davis, in Henry County, said one sign of progress is that 89% of substitute positions have been filled this fall, compared to 40% last year.

Part of the retention challenge was exhaustion. People were doing multiple peoples jobs, she said. Weve not arrived, but were on a path to people being able to do their job most of the day and to start feeling effective at it. That will turn the corner for us.
An exonerated man who spent over 16 years behind bars after being wrongfully convicted of a violent crime in Broward County was shot and killed by a Georgia deputy during a traffic stop Monday morning, authorities said.

Leonard Allan Cure, 53, was the first person to be exonerated by the Conviction Review Unit of the Broward State Attorneys Office. Now, hes being mourned by those who helped him get out of prison.

Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor said Monday in a statement he was devastated after hearing the news.

The Leonard we knew was a smart, funny and kind person, Pryor said. After he was freed and exonerated by our office, he visited prosecutors at our office and participated in training to help our staff do their jobs in the fairest and most thorough way possible.

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At about 7:30 a.m., a Camden County deputy stopped Cure as he was driving on Interstate 95, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. Cure complied with the officers commands, including getting out of the car, the Georgia state agency noted, until police told him he was under arrest.

After not complying with the deputys requests, the deputy tased Cure, the GBI said.

Police say Cure then assaulted the deputy, who subsequently used the Taser for a second time and an ASP baton.

However, Cure still did not comply, the GBI said. The deputy pulled out his gun and shot Cure.

According to the Georgia state agency, paramedics treated Cure, but he later died.

In a Tuesday email, GBI Special Agent Stacy Carson told the Miami Herald that Cure was pulled over and placed under arrest for reckless driving and speeding.

There is video footage but it is not being released at this time, she said.

Pryor said Cure was working toward buying a house and going to college, something that he will never get to do.

He had been working a job in security, he was hoping to go to college and wanted to work in broadcast radio production, he was buying his first home, Pryor said.

Innocence Project of Florida Executive Director Seth Miller, whose organization collaborated with the Conviction Review Unit to get justice for Cure, said his team is also devastated.

The Innocence Project of Florida mourns Lennys loss, Miller said in statement late Monday night. We will do all we can to support Lennys family and all who knew him and loved him.

According to Miller, Cure had visited his mother in South Florida and was driving to his home outside of Atlanta when he was detained, shot and killed by a deputy.

A wrongful conviction

Cure was arrested in November 2003 for the robbery of a Walgreens drug store in Dania Beach. As a result, he was convicted of armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a gun the following year. Cure, who was in his 30s at the time, got sentenced to life imprisonment  spending more than 16 years incarcerated.

At the time of his arrest, Lenny had a job and close family members, including his mother and brother, Miller said.

Browards Conviction Review Unit, founded in 2019 to give additional oversight to cases that warrant a second look, issued a 14-page memorandum in April 2020 recommending the modification of Cures sentence to allow for his immediate release from prison as they investigated further. After a few weeks, the Circuit Court for the 17th Judicial Circuit modified Cures sentence to time served. He was released soon after.

During this collaborative reinvestigation, the CRU determined that documentary evidence, in the form of an ATM receipt, proved that Lenny was miles away from the crime scene at the time of the robbery, Miller said. The reinvestigation also concluded that a photo array shown to one of the victims contained multiple photos of Lenny and was therefore an unreliable, suggestive identification procedure.

In October 2020, the review unit concluded the case against Cure is so weak that it gives rise to a reasonable doubt as to his culpability  and that hes most likely innocent. And in December of that same year, the court vacated Cures judgment and sentence.

He was officially exonerated days later. In June of this year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a claims bill granting Cure $817,000 in compensation for his wrongful conviction.

After his exoneration, Cure reconnected with his family and started a new life in Georgia, according to Miller. Cure had held down a steady job since his exoneration and was in the process of buying a home of his own after receiving compensation.

Sadly, his life was tragically cut short today, Miller said.
A 53-year-old man who was wrongfully convicted for nearly two decades and finally exonerated was killed during a traffic stop in south Georgia this week, authorities said.

According to preliminary information from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the incident happened on Monday morning around 7:20 a.m. when a Camden County deputy conducted the traffic stop on Interstate 95.

The motorist, Leonard Cure, exited the vehicle following the deputys orders. The incident escalated when Cure was informed that he would be under arrest.

Leonard Cure was fatally shot by a Camden County, Georgia, deputy during a traffic stop on Monday. (Broward State Attorneys Office)

After not complying with the deputys requests, the deputy tased Cure. Cure assaulted the deputy, the GBIs statement said. The deputy used the Taser for a second time and an ASP baton; however, Cure still did not comply. The deputy pulled out his gun and shot Cure.

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Cure received treatment from first responders. However, he died from his injuries.

The Florida native has now lost his life after first wrongfully losing 16 years of freedom at the hands of the justice system. He received a sentence of life behind bars following an armed robbery conviction in Broward County, Florida, in 2003. He received that amount of time due to having prior convictions.

This conviction was overturned, and Cure was released from prison three years ago after the Broward State Attorneys Offices Conviction Review Unit in Florida pushed for his freedom, citing lack of evidence. He subsequently was exonerated and granted $817,000 by the state for his wrongful conviction earlier this year.

I can only imagine what its like to know your son is innocent and watch him be sentenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and  then be told that once hes been freed, hes been shot dead, Seth Miller of the Innocence Project of Florida, who represented Cure, told CBS News this week. I cant imagine as a parent what that feels like.

The incident is currently under an independent investigation by the GBI. The Camden County Sheriffs Deputy is linked to a string of abuse and excessive force cases against Black people.

Camden County deputies reportedly shot and killed Latoya James on May 4, 2021, while executing a raid at her cousins home in Woodbine, Georgia. State authorities have also arrested multiple Camden County deputies for the brutal beating of Jarrett Hobbs on Sept. 3, 2022.

The Broward State Attorneys Office acknowledged Cures death and offered condolences on Monday.

We are devastated by the death of Leonard Cure, who was the first person exonerated by our Conviction Review Unit. The Leonard we knew was a smart, funny and kind person. After he was freed and exonerated by our office, he visited prosecutors at our office and participated in training to help our staff do their jobs in the fairest and most thorough way possible, the statement said.

Leonard was so excited that the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis had recently approved his claims bill, the statement. He had been working a job in security. He was hoping to go to college and wanted to work in broadcast radio production. He was buying his first home.

Read the original story here.
A proposal championed by former Mayor David Bieter to build an apartment complex, hotel and two-story Hindu temple on the site of three aging hotels near the Boise Airport faces an uncertain future as the property owners fight lawsuits.

The lawsuits include a fight over ownership of the 9-acre site just north of Interstate 84, alleged fraud and forgery, and the alleged theft of religious Hindu idols for personal benefit.

The site is home to three aging hotels: the Ramada by Wyndham Boise at 3300 S. Vista Ave., America Best Value Inn at 2525 Sunrise Rim Road, and Lotus by Hotel Inn at 3302 S. Vista Ave. A small Hindu temple already operates inside a ballroom of one of the hotels.

Gardner Co., a Salt Lake City developer that now employs Bieter in its Boise office, received a green light from the Boise Planning and Zoning Commission in August to demolish the hotels and build 183 apartments, a 240-room hotel and a 12,000-square-foot temple. But two lawsuits in Boise are complicating those plans.

Legal problems may hinder a plan to redevelop a site with three old hotels at the corner of Sunset Rim Road and Vista Avenue near Interstate 84 in Boise. The redevelopment would include a Hindu temple. Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com

1st lawsuit: Who really owns 3 Boise hotels?

The first legal challenge comes from Hitesh Chokshi, a Las Vegas businessman who runs hotels in multiple Western states.

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In May, Chokshi sued the company that owns the properties, Boise Management Inc., along with a property manager, Jayant Patil, and a local owner, Rakesh Kothari, alleging a laundry list of offenses. These include breach of contract, unjust enrichment, forgery and wrongful conversion of property.





The lawsuit alleges that Chokshi had a majority stake in two businesses in Idaho and Utah with Los Angeles businessman Dhananjay Rawal. The lawsuit claims that one of those businesses, TM Hospitality LLC, owned the three hotel properties.

Chokshi was an 82% owner of the business and Rawal was 18% owner until 2018, when Kothari bought Rawals stake, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that Patil, who was a property manager at the hotels, illegally transferred the properties with Kothari in 2020 to another business, Boise Management Inc., that was created by them and an individual named Pinal Doshi.

In a sworn deposition out of court, Patil testified that he could not remember who made him a manager, or who or why he was asked to transfer the properties.

There was never any company agreement or corporate resolution to transfer the hotel properties, the lawsuit claims.

The site of the three hotels and the proposed redevelopment on the east side of South Vista Avenue. Boise Planning & Zoning Commission

Steven Wieland, a Boise lawyer representing Patil and Kothari, told the Idaho Statesman a different story.

Wieland said by email that TM Hospitality was owned 50/50 by Kothari and an individual named Nidhi Vagashia. The original owner of the business, an individual named Tushar Patel, was concerned about the properties going into default during the COVID-19 pandemic and had Kothari sell the properties to Doshi in 2020 for $6.5 million.

Patil created Boise Management Inc. so Doshi could take the title for the properties, Wieland said.

Steve Taggart, an Idaho Falls lawyer representing Chokshi, said that the case comes down to a question about Chokshis ownership size.

This case is fundamentally about those hotels and who has interest in them, and our client, we believe, is a significant, if not the most significant owner in them, Taggart said by phone. Anything that has diminished that has been done wrongfully.

The lawsuit also alleges that Kothari and Patil fraudulently used Chokshis name and Social Security number to open bank and credit card accounts and apply for small-business loans, including COVID-19 loans authorized by Congress to keep businesses afloat and employees earning money as the pandemic harmed businesses in 2020.

Kothari and Patil allegedly applied for and received nearly $281,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans without Chokshis knowledge. The program awarded businesses up to eight weeks of payroll costs. The loans were designed to be forgiven if certain payroll criteria were met, and most loans were.

Hitesh did not know where the funds were deposited nor where the funds were being used, the lawsuit alleges. Hitesh did not create any accounts with the banks that the funds were deposited into.

The lawsuit also alleges that Patil and/or Kothari forged Chokshis name to take out $300,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program loans and liabilities under his name without his approval. Those loans were not forgiveable.

Patil and Kothari used their own phone numbers and emails while using Chokshis name and Social Security number for applications, the lawsuit alleges.

The Boise City Council denied an appeal of the proposed development of three hotel properties. Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com

Patil acknowledged that they applied for the loans but said Chokshi knew about them and was included in all communications about them.

According to the lawsuit, Patil and/or Kothari entered into a franchise agreement for the three hotels with Choice Hotels International by forging Chokshis name. It alleges that Patil and Kothari defaulted on paying franchise fees, which caused Choice Hotels International to initiate arbitration against Chokshi.

Defendants are believed to be embezzling funds and scheming cash out of the hotel, the lawsuit states.





According to Chokshis lawsuit, the hotel properties are also being grossly mismanaged as demonstrated by the sheer volume of police incident reports in a relatively short period of time.

Data obtained by the Statesman from the Boise Police Department through a public records request showed police were called to the three properties 1,996 times between January 2020 and Oct. 7, 2023. The tally includes 219 calls for welfare checks, 114 calls for suspicious subjects or vehicles, 57 calls for suicidal subjects or attempts, 54 calls for trespassing, 53 calls for fights, 46 calls for narcotics, 12 calls for fraud and nine calls for rape..

Nobody thinks these are the nicest hotels in town, Wieland said. They are all at the end of their productive life.

Wieland said that to keep the hotels profitable, they need to be rented out at a low price, which tends to attract more-difficult customers.

What on Earth could my clients have done differently? Wieland said. We dont know, and we sharply dispute any implication that the hotels are being mismanaged. These issues have been ongoing for years, and the only way to truly resolve them is to tear down the existing hotels, which is exactly what were trying to do.

2nd lawsuit: Who really owns the Hindu idols?

In the second lawsuit, Kothari sued four people for defamation in June 2022 after they posted in a Facebook group called Boise Desi Group that Kothari was refusing to return religious idols owned by the Hindu Educational Society of Idaho, or HESI. Desi refers to people of Indian-subcontinent birth or descent who live abroad.

HESI fired back, denying the claims and countersuing Kothari and his spouse, Patil and 15 Idaho organizations registered under the two of them. HESI alleges they took Hindu religious idols belonging to them and are using the idols for their benefit.

Boise resident Baranikumar Sivakumar co-founded HESI in July 2020 to hold religious and social gatherings for Hindus in the Boise area, according to the counterclaim.

The nonprofit Boise Hindu Temple Inc. has continued to offer religious services at an aging hotel using idols that the Hindu Educational Society of Idaho says belong to it, not to Boise Hindu Temple Inc. Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com

In June 2021, Sivakumar and his spouse, Pallavi Kudva, met Kothari and his spouse at a community social gathering, according to the counterclaim. They talked about an accident that had damaged a building HESI was renting for religious and cultural services on West Overland Road in Boise. In April, a car had veered off the road and crashed through a wall where they housed the idols.

HESI had close to 10 idols, some weighing hundreds of pounds, representing a number of Hindu deities.

Kothari offered to host HESI and their idols at the Ramada by Wyndham Boise at 3300 S. Vista Ave  the same property Chokshi claims Kothari and Patil transferred to themselves.

This offer was welcomed by HESI; the organization had recently purchased and imported several new sacred idols from overseas and was eager to consecrate them but had been unable to do so given the damage to the building HESI was previously renting, the countersuit alleges.

HESI agreed to rent the ballroom that Kothari offered, the lawsuit says, but Kothari and Patil refused to formalize the agreement with a rental contract. With verbal and text message assurances from Kothari, the organization moved the idols into the ballroom within days with help from members of the community.

Patil registered a new religious nonprofit, Boise Hindu Temple Inc., 10 days later at the same address, according to filings with the Idaho Secretary of States Office. The IRS declared Boise Hindu Temple Inc. a tax-exempt organization in February 2022, according to an IRS determination letter.

That organization was inactive as of Sept. 16, 2023, according to the Idaho secretary of states website.

The Hindu Educational Society of Idaho had several sacred idols imported from India to be used in religious services, including this one of Perumal, or Sri Vhisnu, a principal deity. Hindu Educational Society of Idaho

The new business added its own idols to the collection in the ballroom and, for a time, the two organizations coexisted peacefully in the shared space, the countersuit says.

On Sept. 4, 2021, Patil sent an email demanding that HESI cease all events indefinitely, stop accepting donations, stop sending messages to the community and stop using the Ramada as its registered address, according to the counterclaim. According to Wieland, this was due to a dispute about how HESI was using the space.

HESI attempted to finalize terms and resume operations in the ballroom but Boise Hindu Temple Inc., or BHT, refused to reach any final resolutions, the counterclaim alleges. Nine months later, HESI tried to remove its own idols and vacate the space, after getting approval from BHT, and was then refused.

Persons representing BHT and the Ramada refused to permit HESI access to the Ramada ballroom; instead, those persons threatened to involve law enforcement and initiate litigation against HESI, the suit alleges.

The lawsuit alleges that when law enforcement arrived at the scene that day, Patil told them HESI had donated the idols to BHT. But no party including and especially BHT, produced a donation slip or other written or otherwise recorded agreement to support that false claim, as none exists.

The HESI Facebook post followed, and Kothari filed the defamation case against HESI.

The existing Boise Hindu Temple, in an old hotel at 3300 S. Vista Ave., is open seven days a week and hosts regular religious services. Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com

HESI left the property without the idols and claims BHT is still using them for its benefit. HESI has not held any services or events since Patil asked the group to vacate in September 2021.

Patil told the Statesman that the idols were communal property owned by the local Hindu community and were never owned by HESI. He would not show the Statesman proof of ownership or a donation slip, saying he would do so when asked by the court.

These idols were only ever owned by nonprofit organizations, which by definition are not owned by anyone, Wieland said. No single person ever owned the property to begin with.

Third lawsuit: Allegations made, case dismissed

Kothari was named in a third legal battle in Los Angeles that accused him of playing a role in an organized racketeering and money-laundering scheme that siphoned money from a number of hotels to buy property in Idaho and Arkansas. One of the properties included was the 3300 S. Vista Ave. property in Boise.

That federal case was paused, then dismissed as the plaintiffs pursued a related case, according to legal documents.

What comes next

As these cases worm their way through the court system, Patil has continued to work as property manager for the hotels, while Kothari has been away in India on family matters.

Boise Hindu Temple continues to hold daily services at the Ramada by Wyndham Boise and is holding events including a Navratri festival held in honor of the goddess Durgas victory over an evil demon.

David Bieter, the ex-mayor working for Gardner, said he believes theres not much merit to the lawsuits. He thinks many of the allegations will be dismissed.

Gardner Co. hopes to start work soon on the proposed apartment complex, hotel and Hindu temple. This architectural rendering shows the two-story temple.

And that approval of the new development by the Boise Planning and Zoning Commission? Some nearby residents appealed it, saying the commission had not taken traffic, pedestrian and bicyclist safety into consideration. That appeal was denied by Boise City Council Oct. 10.

Bieter told the Idaho Statesman that he is still hoping very much to build the development.

Its a great project, Bieter said, and we expect to begin it as soon as possible.

Coming soon near the Boise Airport: apartments, a hotel  and a Hindu temple

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A week ago Saturday, the Islamic armed group Hamas in Palestine attacked Israel in a horrific terror assault killing thousands.

This past Saturday, a Chicago-area landlord attacked a 6-year-old boy and his mother, killing the boy. Why? Police and relatives say it was because they are Muslim with family ties to Palestine.

Retribution? No. Murder, plain and simple.

The headline glared at me from the news app on my iPhone and the location startled me. Plainfield Township, Illinois, is 42 miles from my hometown of Chicago, under an hour away from the neighborhood I grew up in.

Its not a large area, with a population of just over 80,000, and the crime occurred in an unincorporated area that is certainly smaller. The 2020 crime rate in nearby Plainfield (estimated population 46,243) was 5.2 times lower than the national average, according to the U.S. Census.

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But statistical trends often dont make sense with violent crimes, especially when hate is involved.

Not much is known about the attacker, Joseph M. Czuba, 71, other than he hated his victims because of their ethnicity and religion, and his anger was directly tied to the war in the Middle East, police said. He was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of hate crimes and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, the Associated Press reported.

Kansas City Star opinion writers published two articles last week discussing whether to take sides in this war, and calling for peace. Many of you wrote that you were pleased to see multiple opinions represented.

But there is no excuse for killing a kid and injuring his mother, no matter where you stand on the war at this moment. And think about the intensity of the attack. Several media outlets have reported that the boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was stabbed more than two dozen times. His mother was also stabbed multiple times and was hospitalized.

The boys uncle, Yousef Hannon, spoke of humanity at a news conference Sunday reported by the AP. We are not animals, we are humans. We want people to see us as humans, to feel us as humans, to deal with us as humans, because this is what we are.

Hours before the attack in Illinois, 150 Palestinians were preaching the same message back home in Kansas City in a rally for Palestine. Some were members of the Kansas City-area organization, Al-Hadaf KC, and spoke to Star reporters giving only first names, for fear of retribution.

I personally have reached out to several in the Kansas City Palestinian community only to be told that there are many people eager to have their voices heard but terrified of the reprisal for doing so. I guess I dont blame them, with Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley on X (formerly known as Twitter) calling for the Department of Justice to investigate pro-Palestinian student groups.

Tuesday night, Fatima Mohammadi, representing Al-Hadaf KC, messaged a statement to me via Facebook:

The Kansas City Muslim community is horrified at the brutal murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Faouyme, and at the increase in hate crimes happening against Muslims, Arabs and other adjacent communities across the US. We acknowledge that they are a direct result of the hateful and misleading rhetoric being shared on all media platforms during the unbearable war on Gaza. Responsible and ethical journalism has never been more important as seemingly harmless language can result in dire outcomes like Wadeas murder. We denounce all forms of unprovoked violence, especially against children, and hope that the entire Kansas City community does the same.

And Wednesday on Instagram, the local group called for people to email or call the White House just before 2 p.m. to ask President Joe Biden to call for a cease-fire.

Kansas City gatherings representing Jewish and Palestinian communities last week were peaceful. I pray it stays that way. But Im sad and disgusted about the attack that happened near the city where I grew up.

Yes, Hamas started this war. No doubt. It killed adults and children and terrorized the nation of Israel. And the group must return without delay the Israelis it kidnapped.

Both people believe the land they live on is sacred. Many questions linger, but perhaps this one is most important: Can a war over the sanctity of ones homeland ever validate the killing of children, and future generations?

Lets ask it a different way. Can this war validate the killing of innocent people thousands of miles away, in our neighborhoods, who have nothing to do with the violence? The answer has to be no.
Tensions spurred by the Israel-Hamas war are boiling over in the Republican presidential primary as the contenders issue responses to the escalating conflict.

On Saturday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the U.S. should not take Palestinian refugees from Gaza because they are all antisemitic. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley pushed back on DeSantiss remarks, saying on CNN that you can separate civilians from terrorists  but right now, we can never take our eyes off of the terrorists.

Meanwhile, a super PAC supporting former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie rolled out an ad Monday hitting former President Trump for calling Hezbollah, which the U.S. designates as a terror organization, smart.

The dynamic comes as the situation in the Middle East deteriorates, with Palestinians in Gaza facing a dire humanitarian crisis and Israelis confronting the possibility of further attacks from regional adversaries.

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I think theres one main division and that was caused by Trumps comments about Netanyahu, said Doug Heye, a veteran Republican strategist. That should give every Republican running against Trump a reason to demonstrate leadership here both in what theyve done and what they want to do.

Haley referenced this in her CNN interview Sunday, when she was asked about Trumps comments criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not being prepared for the terror attack, as well as for his remarks about Hezbollah.

I can tell you at the United Nations when I was there, and I dealt with all of them every day, you dont go and compliment any of them because what that does is it makes America look weak, Haley told CNNs Jake Tapper. What you do is you show strength. You let them know what we expect of them.

This isnt about Trump. Its not about him. Its not about what happened in the past. Weve got to look forward, she said.

DeSantis and his campaign also criticized the former presidents remarks, but like Haley, he has leaned into his experience in the region.

DeSantis has something that no other candidate has, in that hes worn the uniform in the Middle East, said Justin Sayfie, a Republican strategist.

The Florida governor was deployed to Iraq in 2007.

It remains to be seen whether the military conflict in the Middle East is contained to Israel and Gaza or if it moves beyond, he said. Does it move into Lebanon? Does it move into other countries? Do other countries get involved? I think thats the risk the Biden administration through diplomatic means and military means is trying to contain.

Trumps campaign said last week the former president was not complimenting Hezbollah, but rather remarking on its strategic capabilities.

President Trump was clearly pointing out how incompetent Biden and his administration were by telegraphing to the terrorists an area that is susceptible to an attack. Smart does not equal good. It just proves Biden is stupid, the former presidents campaign said.

On Monday during a speech in Iowa, Trump touted his administrations record on supporting Israel.

So I fought for Israel like no president ever before recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital, which is a big deal, Trump said during the address. And [I] even recognized Israel sovereignty over the Golan Heights, something that they never even thought  we gave them that.

And when I left, Iran was weak and desperate, and they wanted to do and Joe Biden came along and he just made them so happy, the former president said. I wonder if he gets a deal from them too, like he does from everyone else, he added, before emphasizing that we stand with Israel.

But Trumps critics have continued to lay into him over the Hezbollah comments. On Monday, the Tell It Like It Is PAC, which is affiliated with Christie, rolled out a 60-second ad featuring the clip from Trumps speech last week in which he said Hezbollah is very smart, theyre all very smart.

The spot then shows an interview Christie did with CNN following Trumps remarks in which he calls Trump a fool.

Only a fool would give comments that could give aid and comfort to Israels adversary in this situation, Christie said in the interview.

Heye suggested it was a necessity to attack the former president on this issue as a means to take him down in the primary.

If the conversation is how Nikki Haley disagrees with Vivek [Ramaswamy] who disagrees with DeSantis, then the candidates have lost the plot. The nomination does not go around Trump, it goes through him, Heye said Its up for them to decide if are they running against Donald Trump or not.

But there are divisions forming over other issues besides how to talk about Hezbollah.

DeSantis said over the weekend the U.S. should not accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza, arguing other Arab nations should take in the regions refugees.

If you look at how they behave, not all of them are Hamas, but they are all antisemitic. None of them believe in Israels right to exist, DeSantis said.

Trump went even further Monday, vowing in a speech to supporters in Iowa he would oppose allowing refugees from Gaza into the United States.

We arent bringing in anyone from Gaza, or Syria, or Somalia, or Yemen, or Libya, or anywhere else that threatens our security, he said, according to prepared remarks.

The former president went on to add he would instate strong ideological screening for immigrants coming into the country.

Yet other candidates have stopped short of saying the U.S. should not take in refugees from the conflict.

Weve continued to work with Egypt to provide safe passage for American citizens, and we should continue to work with our folks that we can in order to make sure that theres a passage, said Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), speaking at an event in New Hampshire.

Haley was more direct in her response to DeSantis over the weekend.

I dealt with this every day for two years, Haley said, referring to her time at the U.N. Half of them [Palestinians] at the time I was there didnt want to be under Hamas rule. They didnt want to have terrorists overseeing them. They knew that they were living a terrible life because of Hamas. You have the other half who supported Hamas.

There are so many people who want to be free from this terrorist rule, she said.

But it is unclear how much this issue will impact Republican primary voters, given the voting bloc is overwhelmingly supportive of Israel and foreign policy does not tend to be a top priority for voters.

A CNN survey released on Sunday found 96 percent of American voters said they sympathize with Israeli people amid the conflict, while 87 percent said the same about Palestinians. Among Republicans, 98 percent said they had sympathy for the Israelis, and 77 percent said the same for Palestinians.

I dont know that GOP presidential primary voters are necessarily attuned to the nuances of policy in the Middle East, Sayfie said. The GOP presidential contenders have expressed views that are 85 [percent] to 90 percent aligned.

Whether there are nuance differences on certain aspects of the post-Hamas attack policy, I dont think its going to matter much to GOP presidential primary voters, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A DNA analysis has allowed police to confirm the killer of a Florida woman who was "brutally murdered" in her home nearly 37 years ago, authorities said Monday.

Teresa Lee Scalf was killed in her home in Lakeland, Florida, on Oct. 27, 1986 the Polk County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Detectives found that the attack was "sexually motivated," the office said, and Scalf's neck had been severely cut. She also had "significant defensive wounds," the office said. Scalf had an 8 -year-old son who was not home at the time of her murder.

While there were "no obvious suspects at the time," detectives found evidence including blood that did not come from Scalf. The evidence was submitted and entered into the Combined DNA Index System, a "consortium of local, state, and national databases of DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons," the office said. However, for more than 30 years, the "sample remained unmatched to any known individuals," officials said.

In 2022, the sheriff's office partnered with Othram, Inc., a private lab that specializes in forensic genetic genealogy in cold case investigations. The company analyzed the blood sample and were able to "narrow the scope" of the investigation to look at "distant relatives of the still unknown suspect." Those relatives were interviewed, and soon, detectives were focusing on Donald Douglas, a man who lived directly behind Scalf at the time of her murder.

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Douglas had been interviewed by detectives in 1986 as part of a routine canvass of the neighborhood, but there was "no evidence to link him to the murder" at that time, police said. Throughout his life, Scalf had no criminal history, so his DNA was never put into a law enforcement database.

Detectives obtained a DNA sample from one of Douglas' sons, and the genetic analysis confirmed that the blood found at the scene of Scalf's murder was Douglas', "because the DNA profile indicated a 100% confidence of a parent/child biological relationship" based on a comparison to the son's DNA profile.

Douglas died of natural causes in 2008 at 54, the sheriff's office said. He was 33 at the time of Scalf's murder. The case is now considered closed.

"We are extremely grateful for the assistance from Othram, Inc., who provided us with multiple investigative leads and ultimately the missing genetic evidence needed to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. "With their help, our detectives were able to negotiate through a family tree that led to the identity of Teresa Scalf's killer. I want to thank Mr. Douglas' son, who was cooperative and willing to assist our detectives. Thanks to Othram, Inc., our detectives hard work, and Mr. Douglas' cooperation, we were able to help bring long-awaited closure to Theresa Scalf's devastated family."

Scalf's family members praised the sheriff's office for finally confirming the killer.

"I'm 84 years old, I lived to see this done," said Scalf's mother, Betty, during a news conference announcing that the case had been closed. "I think that's why I lived so long."

President Joe Biden: The 2023 60 Minutes Interview

Ret. Gen. Frank McKenzie reacts to Trump's claim that Israel pulled out of mission to kill Soleimani

If GOP won't unite, Rep. Mike Turner says a deal "will have to be done" with Democrats for speaker
The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has issued a plan on the education and training of cadres for the 2023-2027 period.

It is imperative to carry out political training in a more solid manner, according to the document, demanding stronger capacity for political judgment, thinking and implementation among the cadres.

The plan calls for more accurate and effective training to enhance the cadres' capability to perform their duties, adding that both their professional knowledge and comprehensive quality should be improved.

The document also demands a more scientific and sound training system, more up-to-date and systematic training content, and more targeted and effective training methods.

The CPC Central Committee also released a notice on the implementation of the plan, requiring all localities and departments to report back to it in a timely manner on relevant matters and suggestions regarding the plan.
The Justice Department on Monday appealed the sentences of five members of the Proud Boys, including its former leader, Enrique Tarrio , aiming to get stiffer penalties for those convicted for their role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Tarrio, Ethan Nordean , Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl were convicted of seditious conspiracy in connection with the attack, while Dominic Pezzola was found guilty of other charges.

While each of the four men convicted of seditious conspiracy received sentences of at least 15 years in prison  Tarrios sentence was 22 years  many of the figures fell far below what was originally sought by prosecutors.

The notice of appeal does not include any legal arguments, and instead alerts the court to prosecutors plans.

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Still, the move falls in line with the way the Justice Department handled other seditious conspiracy cases, including sentences handed down for members of the Oath Keepers, with prosecutors likewise appealing sentences for members of the far-right militia group.

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Prosecutors requested 33 years in prison for Tarrio, whom they painted as the driving force of a plot to stop the peaceful transfer of power from then-President Trump to then-President-elect Biden.

Tarrios attorneys had recommended a sentence of no more than 15 years in prison and argued against the use of a terrorism enhancement in deciding his punishment.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ultimately did apply a terrorism adjustment to Tarrios sentencing guidelines, but he would not grant the full sentence sought by federal prosecutors. He did, however, issue a higher sentence than other extremist members, in the hopes it would act as a deterrent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A New Jersey police department is under investigation for excessive use of force, unlawful stop and searches, and other possible federal violations.

On Tuesday, the justice department announced its investigation into the Trenton police department and the city of Trenton, New Jersey.

Related: Georgia refuses to release evidence from police shooting of Cop City activist

The investigation comes after a review of numerous reports suggesting that Trenton officers used force, stopped motorists and pedestrians and conducted searches of homes and cars in violation of the constitution and federal law, said the justice department in a press release.

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Unfortunately, we have reviewed numerous reports that Trenton police officers may have used force inappropriately and conducted stops, searches and arrests with no good reason in violation of individuals constitutional rights, Philip R Sellinger, the US attorney for the district of New Jersey, said in the release.

A representative of the Trenton mayors office said a statement on the matter was forthcoming. Such justice department investigations into patterns or practices of police departments often lead to federal mandates for agencies to implement substantial reforms, which are known as consent decrees.

The investigation into the Trenton police department is one of several being conducted by the justice department.

In July, the justice department announced an investigation into the Memphis police department and the Tennessee city over accusations of excessive force and unfair police practices.

The investigation came after the killing of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, a Black man who was beaten by Memphis police department officers for more than three minutes during a traffic stop.

Five former Memphis police officers face federal civil rights charges for their role in Nicholss death.

In June, the justice department concluded its investigation into the Minneapolis police department, finding that the department had a pattern or practice of excessive force and unlawful discrimination against Black people.

That probe came after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by police in the city.

We found that [the police department] in the city of Minneapolis engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force, unlawfully discriminating against Black and Native American people in enforcement activities, violating the rights of people engaged in protected speech and discriminating against people with behavioral disabilities  when responding to them in crisis, said the US attorney general, Merrick Garland, during an announcement of the investigations results.

A consent decree for Minneapolis police as well as the city was approved in July.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a probe Tuesday into the city of Trenton, N.J., and the Trenton Police Department (TPD).

The investigation will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law by TPD, the DOJ said in a press release. The investigation will focus on TPDs use of force and its stops, searches and arrests.

The investigation will include a comprehensive review of TPD policies, training and supervision, in addition to complaint intake, internal investigation protocols, complaint reviews, complaint adjudications and disciplinary decisions, the release continued.

The DOJ is working on the investigation with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey, investigating whether officers deprived people of rights guaranteed by law, guided by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.

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The public must have trust and confidence that police officers will treat them fairly and with respect, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke.

She said the DOJ is opening its investigation after an extensive review of publicly available information and other information provided to us suggesting that officers used force, stopped motorists and pedestrians and conducted searches of homes and cars in violation of the Constitution and federal law.

The DOJ also said it will reach out to community groups and members to gain information about experiences with TPD, according to the press release.

The Hill has reached out to the Trenton Police Department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump continued to walk back his previous criticism of Israel, telling Iowa voters on Monday that he has always supported the longtime ally now engaged in a war with Hamas.

"We stand with Israel," Trump said during a rally encouraging supporters to attend the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses that kick off the Republican presidential nomination.

Trump was also more a little more reticent about the indictments and four criminal cases against him, hours after a federal judge issued a limited gag order on the former president and 2024 Republican presidential candidate.

Claiming the gag order, which only applies to the federal charges alleging he tried to steal the 2020 election, is unconstitutional, Trump said: "we'll appeal it and we'll see."

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In a second speech, ostensibly devoted to national security, Trump vowed to press on with his presidential campaign and added: "I am willing to go to jail if that's what it takes for our country to win and become a democracy again.

Trump criticized Netanyahu , complimented Hezbollah

Trump's two appearances in Iowa on Monday were his first speeches since his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - and compliments of Hezbollah - drew counterattacks from his Republican primary opponents.

Speaking before supporters last week in West Palm Beach, Fla., Trump attacked Netanyahu for refusing to participate in the 2020 targeted killing of an Iranian general.

Trump also criticized unnamed Israeli officials for discussing the possibility of attacks from Hezbollah, saying those comments might tip off the militant group to the county's vulnerabilities. He added: "You know, Hezbollah is very smart ... Theyre all very smart.

Trump additionally criticized Netanyahu in an interview with Fox News Radio over the Hamas attack. "He was not prepared," Trump said. "He was not prepared and Israel was not prepared."

During his Iowa appearances, Trump did not mention Netanyahu and Hezbollah. He focused instead on Iran and President Joe Biden, blaming both for the outbreak of more violence in the region earlier this month.

Trump first sought to clean up the damage with social media posts and written statements over the weekend. In a Truth Social post, Trump included the hashtags #IStandWithIsrael and #IStandWithBibi."

Republican criticism of Biden over Israel

Trump's opponents for the Republican presidential nomination have spent days denouncing his comments on Israel, saying they undermined an ally in the midst of a crisis and could embolden Iran.

Hes a fool," said former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. "Only a fool would make those kinds of comments. Only a fool would give comments that could give aid and comfort to Israels adversary.

Former South Carolina governor - and United Nations ambassador - Nikki Haley said Trump's comments underscore that he is out of touch. "It's why I continue to say it is time for a new, generational leader," Haley said on CNN's "State of the Union."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking on Fox News, said Trump seems to have a personal beef with Netanyahu because the Israeli prime minister called Biden to congratulate him on winning the 2020 election, despite Trump's protests about the race.

Saying that "attacking Bibi was a huge mistake" from Trump, DeSantis argued that it was "personal for him to come out and take shots at Bibi just days after Israel had suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history."

Trump enjoys big leads in state and national polls, including ones conducted in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Trump's gag order

In both speeches on Monday, Trump again criticized his criminal prosecutions and civil trials, though he held off on specifying Justice Department prosecutor Jack Smith and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan.

Hours earlier, Chutkan issued a gag order that puts limits on what Trump can say about prosecutors, witnesses, and court personnel. The judge said Trump did not have the right to use his campaign to mount a "smear campaign" against legal officials.

While Trump did not single out individuals, he did claim that "they've weaponized the Justice Department and the FBI," and he protested the new order. This order does not apply to the charges he faces in Georgia over allegations he tried to steal the election in the Peach State.

"I'll be the only politician in history that runs with a gag order where I'm not allowed to criticize people," Trump said during his first speech in Adel, Iowa.

In his second set of remarks, in Clive, Trump did not mention Chutkan by name, but said: "The judge doesn't like me too much."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump walks back Israel criticism, attacks gag order in Iowa
Former President Donald Trump leaves the courtroom at lunch break in his civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEW YORK (AP)  Donald Trump returned Tuesday to the civil fraud trial that imperils his real estate empire, watching and deploring the case as an employee and an outside appraiser testified that his company essentially put a thumb on the scale when sizing up his properties' value.

Incensed by a case that disputes his net worth and could strip him of such signature holdings as Trump Tower, the former president is due to testify later in the trial. But he chose to attend the first three days and came back Tuesday to observe  and to protest his treatment to the news cameras waiting outside the Manhattan courtroom.

Star witness Michael Cohen, a onetime Trump fixer now turned foe, postponed his scheduled testimony because of a health problem.

Instead, Trump company accountant Donna Kidder testified that she was told to make some assumptions favorable to the firm on internal financial spreadsheets. Outside appraiser Doug Larson said he didn't suggest or condone a former Trump Organization comptroller's methods of valuing properties.

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It doesn't make sense, Larson said of the way the ex-controller reached a $287.6 million value for a prominent Trump-owned retail space in 2013.

Trump, outside court, reiterated his insistence that he's done nothing wrong and that New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit is a political vendetta designed to drag down his 2024 presidential campaign as he leads the Republican field.

We built a great company  a lot of cash, its got a lot of great assets, some of the greatest real estate assets anywhere in the world, Trump said outside the courtroom. He dismissed the case as a disgrace, the legal system as corrupt" and the Democratic attorney general as a radical lunatic.

James lawsuit alleges that Trump and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and inflating his net worth on his financial statements. She also attended Tuesday but didnt comment.

Trump says his assets were actually undervalued and maintains that disclaimers on his financial statements amounted to telling banks and other recipients to check out his numbers themselves.

Larson, a real estate brokerage executive and certified appraiser, assessed Trump properties for lenders. He was taken aback when told on the stand that he was repeatedly cited as an outside expert in former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney s valuation spreadsheets.

Its inappropriate and inaccurate, Larson testified. I should have been told, and an appraisal should have been ordered.

When it came to valuing a storefront formerly known as Niketown, McConney relied on rates of return for a different type of property, rather than for comparable retail space, Larson testified. He also said he appraised a Trump-owned Wall Street building at $540 million in 2015, while McConney valued it at $735.4 million on Trumps financial statement.

In cross-examining Larson, Trump lawyer Lazaro Fields asked whether anything "prevents President Trump, as a real estate developer, from valuing his own properties."

I dont know. I wouldnt know, Larson responded. Asked again, Larson said: Not that I know of.

Kidder, the Trump company accountant, provided a window into Trump Organization accounting practices.

She testified that as she filled out internal spreadsheets documenting the value of a Trump-owned Wall Street office building, longtime former Trump Organization finance chief Allen Weisselberg told her to act as if the skyscraper would be completely leased by a certain date, even if some space was currently vacant. For a Park Avenue residential tower, she was told to project that unsold units would all sell out in a certain timeframe.

Kidder said she wasnt aware that those assumptions would be used to improve Trumps bottom line on financial statements that helped his company make deals and get financing and insurance.

Trump lawyer Christopher Kise objected to what he deemed very granular testimony from Kidder, who also alluded to a prior Trump tangle with New York states lawyers.

In explaining a spreadsheet, she noted an entry about a $12 million loan to pay a $25 million settlement of lawsuits from former state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and others over the now-defunct Trump University real estate seminar program.

Judge Arthur Engoron is hearing the current case without a jury. The suit was brought under a state law that doesn't allow for one.

Trump has repeatedly criticized both the statute and the judge, a Democrat. The ex-president said Tuesday that he had come to like and respect Engoron but believed that Democrats were pushing him around like a pinball.

After Trump maligned a key court staffer on social media during the trial's first days, the judge ordered him to delete the post and issued a limited gag order, warning participants in the case not to smear members of his staff.

In a pretrial decision last month, Engoron resolved the case's top claim, ruling that Trump and his company committed years of fraud by exaggerating the value of his 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 question. An appeals court has since blocked enforcement of that aspect of the ruling for now.

The trial concerns six remaining claims in the lawsuit, including allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.
Donald Trump returned to a Manhattan courtroom for the 11th day of a civil trial in a $250m lawsuit alleging widespread real-estate fraud in his business empire.

Just two weeks ago, the former president told reporters that he was stuck inside New York Superior Court Judge Arthur Engorons courtroom, watching a trial hes not obligated to attend, and complained that he couldnt campaign because of it.

But it appears he plans to be stuck there once again this week.

Mr Trumps fourth appearance at the trial on 17 October was expected to be a long-anticipated face-off between the former president and his former attorney Michael Cohen, a star witness for New York Attorney General Letitia James and her team. Cohens testimony was postponed due to a scheduling conflict with an unrelated medical issue.

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In one of his several brief makeshift press conferences directly outside the courtroom, with news cameras and reporters positioned behind barricades flanking either side of a short hallway, Mr Trump said that his former attorney didnt have the guts to appear.

It was among a series of loaded and false statements he delivered to cameras, in what have become spectacles on top of a high-profile trial with his business-building brand at stake. Before the first three days of the trial had ended earlier this month, coloured by the enraged and frustrated former presidents compulsive name-calling and inflammatory rhetoric in the courthouse and online, Judge Engoron issued a gag order against him.

In a statement on Monday, Cohen said that when he does testify, I am certain Donald will be in attendance, sitting with his lawyers at the defendants table.

Donald Trump and his legal team, along with his son Eric Trump, left, address reporters during a lunch break in a civil trial on fraud allegations in Manhattan on 17 October. (Getty Images)

On 3 October, less than two days into the trial, the judge delivered a verbal gag order a few feet away from the former president after he made a series of false claims about the judges chief clerk on his Truth Social and in the hallway steps from the courtroom.

Mr Trump and others are barred from disparaging members of the court staff. That hasnt stopped him from insulting the judge and Ms James. Less than an hour after the trial broke for the day, he lashed out at New Yorks attorney general on his Truth Social.

On Monday 16 October, a federal judge issued another partial gag order against him ahead of a trial surrounding his alleged criminal conspiracy and obstruction to subvert 2020 presidential election results.

I wont be able to speak like Im speaking to you, and Im not saying anything wrong, the former president said outside the courtroom in lower Manhattan on Tuesday.

He didnt stay long. The former president didnt return to the courtroom after a lunch break to attend to another legal matter: his deposition in a lawsuit from two former FBI agents who allege they were wrongfully fired during the Trump administration for sending anti-Trump texts to one another.

Mr Trumps return to the trial came one day after a bombshell exchange on the witness stand after three days of trial testimony from a Trump Organization executive.

The companys assistant vice president Patrick Birney confirmed on Monday that convicted former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg told him that the former president wanted to inflate his worth on his statements of financial condition, the allegedly fraudulent documents at the heart of the case.

Did Allen Weisselberg ever tell you that Donald Trump wanted his net worth on his statement of financial condition to go up? counsel Eric Haren asked.

Yes, Mr Birney replied.

Mr Birneys testimony followed two weeks of arguments from Ms Jamess team and witness testimony intended to show that Mr Trump and his company chiefs were integral to their attempts to fraudulently inflate the value of his assets on financial statements provided to banks and insurers.

On Tuesday, the former president heard testimony from Trump Organization accountant Donna Kidder, who reviewed years of financial records at the centre of the case, and Doug Larson, a former commercial real estate appraiser who previously told investigators with Ms Jamess office that he had no idea how Mr Trumps chief associates arrived at the allegedly fraudulent valuations quoted in their statements.

Ms Kidder said former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg told her in 2012 to remove the companys management charges at one Trump property on a cash flow report in an effort to boost the propertys value. He described it as moving from one pocket to another, she told the court.

Mr Larson, formerly of Cushman & Wakefield, said valuations of Trump properties  used without his knowledge, based on what he said were years-old conversations  were inappropriate.

Throughout the trial, counsel with the attorney generals office has been clinical in its presentation of evidence, going record by record, year by year, to bolster arguments that the former president, his adult sons and chief associates fraudulently inflated his net worth and assets to attract and retain favourable financial benefits.

Donald Trump appears with his attorneys Christopher Kise, left, and Alina Habba, right, in New York Superior Court on 17 October. (Getty Images)

The former president, unsmiling and avoiding eye contact, sat with his shoulders forward next to his attorneys at the defence table, occasionally whispering to them or pointing to documents in front of him. Ms James sat just feet away on the other side of the room, one row behind him.

Mr Trump perked up for the first time on Tuesday as his attorney Lazaro P Fields sought to undermine Mr Larsons testimony to argue that real estate valuations are wholly separate from professional appraisals, after Ms Jamess office argued that the Trump Organisation appeared to make up their own.

Mr Fields sought to undermine Mr Larsons testimony with a lengthy debate over semantics, trying to draw a distinction between valuations and appraisals  arguing that while appraisals are left to certified professionals, anyone, even Mr Trump, can value a property.

Mr Field asked Mr Larson at one point if he agreed that there is nothing illegal or unethical about a property owner doing that.
FILE - Blue lights shine on a patrol car of the state police.

PHILADELPHIA - Two men are suffering gunshot wounds after police say a double shooting occurred in Frankford on Monday.

During the incident, police say a 37-year-old male was shot in the upper right arm and a 46-year-old male was grazed in the back of his right calf on the 4600 block of Leiper Street at around 4:27 p.m.

Medics transported the 37-year-old victim to Temple University Hospital where they say he was placed in stable condition.

Police say the 46-year-old victim was treated at the scene and declined further treatment.

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No arrests have been made and no weapons were recovered at the scene.

___

Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to 215-686-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, here. All tips are confidential.

Click here to find resources for victims of violence in Philadelphia.
Children sat on suitcases as hundreds of Palestinian Americans gathered by the Rafah border crossing to Egypt with hopes they could flee Gaza to safety.

But the crossing remained closed Monday, despite promises from U.S. State Department officials, leaving many Palestinian Americans frustrated but not surprised.

We are surviving on sandwiches, said Maha Barakat, an American citizen desperate to cross the border into Egypt. She is one of 600 Americans still stuck in Gaza, according to the State Departments tally.

We are American citizens and should be treated the same as the Americans who got put on planes out of Tel Aviv, she said in a telephone interview with NBC News Monday, now in her seventh day of waiting to cross since she moved her nieces and nephews to a family friends house in southern Gaza. Her own children live in New Jersey and are in college.

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Its getting dark, its already getting loud. Weve heard a few bombings in the area. Were not going to have electricity for the rest of the night, she told NBC News in a separate message.

Emilee Rauschenberger, who was in Khan Yunis with her Palestinian husband and five children visiting family, said they lined up at the crossing for at least 10 hours before having to return to Khan Yunis. This wasnt the familys first time trying to cross the border.

People are again, just waiting around frustrated and exhausted, Rauschenberger said of the scene at Rafah crossing, adding that some people have been there for days on end, even sleeping by it, in hopes of it opening.

Crowds of people could be seen standing and sitting by the crossing surrounded by luggage. On the crossing gates was a sign that read Danger the crossing is threatened by bombing.

We are human beings, we are not human animals, said Adil Salem, who is trying to cross Rafah to get back home to Missouri. There is no safe haven in Gaza, there is no safe road in Gaza, there is no humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. There is nothing, theres nothing but bombs and bombs and bombs, and blood and bodies, he said.

The State Department continues to advise Americans inside Gaza to go to the crossing if its safe to do so. There may be very little notice if the crossing opens, and it may only open for a limited time, according to communications sent via texts and emails from the State Department that were shared with NBC News.

The U.S. does not have officials at the border crossing, according to a senior State Department official. So the situation is we have been trying. The Egyptians have told us there are acute security threats there that prevent it, the official said.

Egypt has remained steadfast in its reluctance to fully open the border, which sustained physical damage from Israeli airstrikes on Monday as well as last week. Israel shelled the area in front of the Rafah crossing, essentially cutting off the roads, according to local media reports.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry said during remarks on Monday that the country has been seeking to open the Rafah crossing since the start of the conflict, and the Israeli governments position hasnt been conducive to its opening.

Until now, unfortunately, the Israeli government has not taken a position that would lead to the possibility of opening the crossing from the Gaza side to allow the entry of aid or the exit of citizens from other countries, Shoukry said.

Jake Sullivan, national security adviser to President Biden, on Sunday told NBC's "Meet the Press" that his priority is to have safe places that civilians can go that will not be subject to bombardments and that he is working with the U.N., Israel, Egypt and Jordan to try to ensure that. He acknowledged that no American citizens have been able to cross.

More than 2,800 people have been killed in Gaza and 10,859 have been injured in the violence following the unprecedented Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that targeted civilians, including women and children in kibbutzim and at a music festival. In Israel, 1,400 people have been killed and 3,900 have been wounded. The toll of American deaths from Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war stands at 30, a State Department spokesperson said Sunday.

Helal Kaoud, a Palestinian American who along with other members of her family has been desperately trying to get their five U.S. citizen fathers  all brothers  out of Gaza, said her father waited in line but no one was there to help. The destruction from Israeli bombing near the crossing has left him skeptical that Rafah will open any time soon.

He said that theres trenches from the bombs on either side and that it would be impossible to drive or even walk over there, Kaoud told NBC News. He said theyd have to fill those up for anything to go in or out and thatll probably take days and now he thinks theyre just messing with people telling them its open.

Her brother, Amir, who was also at the border hoping to cross, said it feels like the government isnt helping Americans in Gaza. Last night, he said, he was trying to sleep when a bomb made impact near where he was staying, close to Khan Yunis.

Americas not helping us, Bidens not helping us, the embassy is not helping us, Amir said, adding that it was his second time at the Rafah crossing. They keep saying the same thing every day, theyre trying to figure out a way to get us out. Nothings happening. All the people, all the U.S. citizens in Israel, theyre getting out. Why not us?

Mai Abushaaban, whose mother and sister are currently trapped in Gaza, said she was not surprised that the border crossing remained closed and is frustrated at the false hopes given out by the U.S. government. Most people were skeptical, she said, adding that she was surprised by the lack of guidance and support from the State Department.

Palestinian American frustrations come as the humanitarian situation in Gaza has become bleak amid the constant bombing. On Monday, a United Nations food aid warehouse and distribution center in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in southern Gaza City was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes.

Israel, in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing the hostages, is not allowing the aid trucks to cross until the hostages are released.

We just want the bombing to stop and then we can worry about humanitarian aid, said Jason Shawa, who was born in Seattle to a Palestinian father and an American mother and is currently trapped in Gaza with his two daughters.

Honestly I cant even imagine any humanitarian agency that can really function on the ground with the conditions like we have at the moment, he added.

Shawa, who is staying in a small cabin packed with 50 relatives and neighbors in Central Gaza, said they almost ran out of drinking water yesterday. He said they were considering getting buckets of seawater to use in the toilets amid the dire water shortage, but it would be a 6-mile unsafe walk to the beach and the amount of water needed would be impossible to shoulder in one trip.

For now, Palestinian Americans stuck in Gaza are hoping they can leave soon.

If we stay here, we might run out of food, we might run out of water, we might get hit, we dont know, Amir said. Were worried, were trying to leave.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
More than 30 protesters were arrested in front of the White House on Monday, according to the U.S. Secret Service. This comes after thousands of pro-Palestinian activists took to the streets of the nation's capital on Saturday to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hamas militant group, urging President Biden to end the conflict.

"We need a cease-fire. We need innocent people to stop being killed," Mohamad Habehh, the director of development for the American Muslims for Palestine  which organized the Saturday rally  told Fox News. "It seems that the Biden administration would rather condemn people calling for peace than try to step in."

Pro-Palestinian protesters are detained by law enforcement during a demonstration outside the White House on Oct. 16, 2023.

STUDENTS HIDE IDENTITIES WITH MASKS WHILE PRAISING HAMAS' MASSACRE OF ISRAELIS

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Ayah Ziyadeh, the advocacy director for American Muslims for Palestine, told Fox News, "Our U.S. government is literally enabling genocide and pushing Israeli propaganda, and we demand a cease-fire immediately."

"This is mass murder, this is ethnic cleansing," she continued.

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The "Day of Action for Palestine" event drew more than 10,000 pro-Palestinian protesters to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, according to the American Muslims for Palestine. Hundreds of Palestinian flags waved as demonstrators marched through the streets before culminating in a rally outside the White House. As rain poured down, a cohort of Palestinians, Americans, some Jewish people and more cheered for the freeing of Gaza and the end of the war between Israel and Hamas.

On Monday, "more than 30 individuals were arrested by the U.S. Secret Services Uniformed Division for Unlawful Entry or Incommoding after crossing safety barriers or blocking entrances during a demonstration at the White House complex," Special Agent Steve Kopek, a U.S. Secret Service spokesperson, told Fox News in a statement.

Pro-Palestinian protesters stand outside the White House to demand that President Biden broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

BRUTAL HAMAS 'SHADOW UNIT' LIKELY BEHIND HOSTAGE RAIDS POSES RESCUE NIGHTMARE: EXPERT

Protests against the war between Israel and Hamas are ongoing.

"What's going on is sad. What's going on is kids being murdered, killed," one attendee, "Haitham," said Saturday. "Our government here, they have to stop this war."

Another protester, "Meziane," told Fox News, "There needs to be an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. I think civilian lives need to be protected."

The American Muslims for Palestine said there were more than 10,000 protesters at the demonstration on Saturday.

PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVISTS WERE TOLD NOT TO ENGAGE WITH MEDIA DURING DEMONSTRATION, BUT SOME DEFIED THE ORDER

Since Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently declared war against the organization, at least 4,200 people have been killed. At least 2,800 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 11,000 have been wounded, many of which have been children, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Meanwhile, at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and 30 Americans have been killed.

Protesters march through Black Lives Matter Plaza toward the White House.

President Biden avoided calls for de-escalation while addressing the war in a speech on Oct. 10, vowing that the U.S. "has Israel's back."

"We stand with Israel," Biden said. "And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack."

DEM SENATOR BOOED AT PRO-ISRAEL RALLY AFTER SUGGESTING A 'DE-ESCALATION OF THE CURRENT VIOLENCE'

Still, activists demanded the president help de-escalate the ongoing conflict.

"President Biden must declare a cease-fire immediately," "Andy" said. "He must tell the Israelis to disengage all offensive actions against the innocent civilians of Gaza."

Protesters march from downtown Washington, D.C., to the White House while cheering for Palestinian freedom.

Another protester, "Merveen," told Fox News, "Mr. Biden, I thought that old age taught you wisdom."

"What's coming from war?" she continued.





Original article source: Dozens arrested outside White House during protest over Israel-Hamas war
More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in air strikes in southern Gaza, officials say, as the Israeli military continues to target the area despite ordering civilians to shelter there.

Most of the dead reportedly fled their homes in the north ahead of what is expected to be a major ground offensive against the militant group Hamas.

The military said it struck a series of Hamas targets in the south.

There is also mounting concern about humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

The US said it had agreed to develop a plan with Israel that would enable aid to reach civilians in the Hamas-governed territory, as UN aid agencies warned that hospitals' fuel supplies were unlikely to last more than 24 hours, water was extremely limited and shops only had a few days of food left.

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There have been hopes of opening Egypt's Rafah crossing to let lorryloads of urgently needed aid in and Palestinians with foreign passports out. But an Israeli strike reportedly damaged a building at the crossing on Monday.

Israel cut electricity and most water and stopped deliveries of food and medicine through its crossings in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas militants on 7 October in which at least 1,300 people were killed and 199 others taken hostage.

Around 3,000 people have been killed in Israel's bombardment of Gaza since then, according to health officials.

The British Broadcasting Corporation

The BBC's Rushdi Abu Alouf in Khan Younis says that what happened overnight in southern Gaza is very worrying for the hundreds of thousands of people who have complied with last Friday's order from the Israeli military to evacuate northern Gaza for their "own safety".

Local officials in Khan Younis said three Israeli air strikes left more than 100 people dead, most of whom were displaced.

Amin Hneideq said his daughter was wounded by a bomb that destroyed a nearby home and killed a family who had fled southwards. "They brought them from the north just to strike them in the south," he told Reuters news agency.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday morning that it had struck operational command centres, military infrastructure with operatives inside, and hideouts belonging to Hamas in Khan Younis and Rafah, to the south, as well as two northern areas.

Later, it announced that a strike had killed a top Hamas military commander, Ayman Nofal, who it described as "one of the most dominant figures in the terrorist organisation". Hamas said he died in a strike in Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.

Many displaced people in Khan Younis told the BBC that they were planning to pack up their belongings and return to their homes.

One man said he had been sleeping in the street for the last couple of days, and that he would prefer to die in dignity than to die from thirst.

Khan Younis, Rafah and other southern communities have been overwhelmed by the need to accommodate and feed more than 600,000 displaced people. Another 400,000 people have sought shelter elsewhere in the Strip.

"Every day it's a daily mission for everyone to go to find things to feed their children," filmmaker Yousef Hammash told BBC Radio 5 Live, adding that everyone was suffering extreme stress and were existing in "survival mode".

More on Israel Gaza war

Some water was brought to Khan Younis from a store in Gaza City on Tuesday, which was risky because there was no guarantee the lorries would not be targeted by Israeli forces.

The UN's agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, said Israel opened one line of water to southern Gaza for three hours on Monday, but that only 14% of the Strip's 2.2 million population were able to benefit.

Gaza's last functioning seawater desalination plant was also forced to shut down due to a lack of fuel, increasing concerns over dehydration and waterborne diseases.

The hospital in Khan Younis, which has been struggling to treat some of the 12,500 people so far wounded in air strikes, said it would run out of fuel for its back-up generators at midnight, placing the lives of patients at serious risk.

People have been trying to secure additional fuel at local petrol stations and companies, which would allow the hospital to keep functioning.

The World Food Programme also said that food shops in Gaza had just four or five days of supplies left. It added that there might be a few days' more in warehouses, but the Israeli strikes were making access very difficult.

Despite such warnings, an Israeli military spokesman insisted that "there is no humanitarian crisis right now in Gaza".

"We do not have the commitment to supply Hamas electricity," Lt Col Richard Hecht told BBC Newsnight.

"People who attacked us, they've been in control for multiple years already in the Gaza Strip. They have electricity... I also see water in the south of Gaza."

The UN human rights office meanwhile said Israel's order for 1.1 million civilians to evacuate, combined with the imposition of its "complete siege" on Gaza, could constitute the "forcible transfer of civilians in violation of international law".

A spokeswoman also said reports of attacks on civilians attempting to flee had to be investigated independently and warned that "we cannot have collective punishment of an entire population because of an attack by militants."

She appealed again for Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups to immediately and unconditionally release all of the hostages being held in Gaza and to stop firing indiscriminate rockets at Israeli cities and towns.

The British Broadcasting Corporation

Overnight, Hamas released a video of a 21-year-old Israeli-French woman, Mia Shem, who said she was captured at a music festival where at least 260 other partygoers were massacred.

On Tuesday, her mother Keren told a news conference: "I'm begging the world to bring my baby back home. She only went to a party to have some fun. And now she's in Gaza and she's not the only one.

"There are babies and children and old people, Holocaust survivors, who were kidnapped... This is a crime against humanity."

In a separate development, the Israeli military said it had carried out new strikes on targets belonging to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in response to cross-border anti-tank missile fire.

Troops also killed four militants who attempted to infiltrate Israeli territory and plant an explosive device, it added.

The Israeli military and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire almost daily since Hamas's attack, raising fears of a regional war.
A book of President Xi Jinping's discourses on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been published in Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Japanese.

The launch ceremony of the multiple language editions was on Monday hosted by the State Council Information Office and the China International Communications Group and joined by more than 100 attendees, including envoys from BRI partner countries, experts, scholars, and translating and publishing sector representatives.

Noting that this year marks the BRI's 10th anniversary, attendees of the event said that over the past decade, the BRI cooperation has evolved from a proposal by China to a global practice, from an idea to actions, and from a vision to reality, delivering concrete and fruitful results.

This collaborative endeavor has created new space for world economic growth and actively contributed to the healthy progress of economic globalization and the resolution of global development challenges, they said, adding that the BRI has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and a cooperation platform.

The book incorporates Xi's 42 articles between September 2013 and July 2018 on jointly advancing BRI cooperation and records in detail how the BRI has been proposed, enriched, and developed. It also elaborates on the BRI's principles, connotations, and objectives, providing authoritative interpretations for readers at home and abroad to increase understanding of the initiative.

The book's English, French, and Russian editions were published by the Foreign Languages Press.
Drivers are once again reporting rocks being thrown at cars on busy roads.

The latest case happened today around noon on Aurora Avenue North and North 59th Street.

Seattle police told us that a rock was thrown from a bridge and that it cracked a persons windshield as they were driving near the Woodland Park Zoo.

Thankfully the driver was not hurt.

So far there are no suspects. But this is just the latest incident in an ongoing problem of drivers being targeted in our area by people throwing rocks or other debris.

Just last week a Renton driver was under the Aberdeen Avenue overpass when he said what looked like a boulder smashed through his rear windshield. He said it sounded like an explosion.

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Police are also not sure who is behind that case.

This summer there were multiple rock-throwing incidents:

In June, a Kent mans windshield was shattered on I-5.

Later in June, a rock thrower damaged three cars on I-90.

In July, a man accused of throwing rocks on I-5 was tossed from a courtroom.

Later in July, another car was damaged on I-90.

In August, a man was arrested for allegedly throwing a brick into a Seattle Fire medic truck windshield.

Later in August, a man was arrested after a rock was thrown at a Thurston County deputy patrol car.
Cargo ships are unable to pass at a major river port in Brazil's Amazon rainforest as drought has dropped water levels to a 121-year low, stranding ships and cutting off supplies to remote villages in the state of Amazonas.

Drone video shows vessels near the region's capital city Manaus, stuck in the dried-up riverbed and trucks driving onto the riverbed to retrieve some items from boats. Researchers believe the drought also contributed to the death of 120 rare Amazon River dolphins.

On Monday, the river reached the lowest levels in over 120 years at the port of Manaus with a recording of 13.59 meters, according to the ports website.

Thats the lowest measurement since 1902, when water level records began and just surpasses the previous all-time record low set in 2010 at 13.63 meters.

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For drought conditions to improve, significant rainfall is needed throughout the Amazon River Basin.

STRONG EL NINO WINTER: WHAT KIND OF WEATHER YOU CAN EXPECT

The Amazon River, rainforest and seasonal floodplains can rise and fall up to 39 feet yearly with tropical rains . Manaus only saw one day of rain in all of August, according to the Climatempo Institute . Over the past 6 months, areas of the Amazon River Basin have below-average rainfall totals by up to 16 inches.

Some areas of the Amazon River are well below average rainfall totals.

The low water levels are preventing cargo ships from passing through the river and cutting off village communities to critical water, food and fuel supplies normally delivered via river transport.

According to Reuters, the drought has affected 481,000 people in the state of Amazonas. Last week, the Brazilian NGO Fundacao Amazonia Sustentavel delivered supplies to communities cut off by the drought, Reuters reports.

The ongoing El Nino climate pattern continues to influence global extreme heat and rainfall patterns, which are expected to continue through winter, according to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.

The drought, along with record-high temperatures, is contributing to record Amazon rainforest fires this year. The Amazon continues to burn at a historic rate, sending smoke pouring into communities across Brazil.

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The video below shows the recent smoky conditions created in Manaus from fires.

During the first half of 2023, 3.6 million acres have burned in the Amazon rainforest, according to The Rainforest Foundation.





Original article source: Drone video shows stranded ships on Amazon River as port reaches 121-year low levels
A Duluth doctor has pleaded guilty to paying a hitman to murder his girlfriend.

According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, James Wan, M.D., 54, accessed a dark web marketplace on his cell phone and submitted an order for a hitman on April 18, 2022.

According to evidence presented in court, the order included the victims name, address, Facebook account, license plate, and car description.

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In the order, Wan stated: Can take wallet phone and car. Shoot and go. Or take car.

Buchanan said Wan then electronically transferred a 50% down payment of approximately $8,000 worth of Bitcoin to the dark web marketplace.

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Two days later, Wan messaged the marketplaces administrator saying the Bitcoin he transferred did not show up in his escrow account on the site.

The administrator confirmed it wasnt in their system, so Wan sent another Bitcoin payment worth approximately $8,000 to the marketplace.

The administrator confirmed they were proceeding with Wans order for a hit and asked if Wan preferred it done as an accident or normal shooting. Wan responded, accident is better.

About a week later, on April 29, 2022, Wan electronically transferred another payment of about $8,000 worth of Bitcoin to the dark web marketplace to complete the order.

Soon after depositing the funds, Wan posted in a forum on the marketplace asking, How soon should work be done? I have submitted an Order and curious how quickly it should be carried out? Is there a way I can find out any progress? If there is anyone in my location?

After learning about the threat to the victims life, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) notified the victim, provided her with protection, and questioned Wan.

Wan admitted he had placed the order, transferred funds, and checked the status of the order daily on the dark web marketplace.

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Records from Wans phone and his Bitcoin wallet verified his confession.

After speaking with FBI agents, Wan canceled the order on the dark web marketplace.

Wan pleaded guilty to one count of using a facility of interstate commerce in the commission of murder-for-hire.

Despite his cowardly concealment on the dark web, Wans cold-hearted murderous plot was averted due to the exceptional work of our team. He will now face the full consequences of the criminal justice system, said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. This case shows that the FBI will not tolerate heinous acts of violence and will go to great lengths to protect our citizens.

His sentencing is scheduled for January 18, 2024.

The case is being investigated by the FBI.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - The speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin , said on Tuesday that Washington had asked Moscow via the United Nations to not revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

President Vladimir Putin , who earlier this month suggested that Russia revoke ratification of the 1996 treaty because the United States had not ratified it, said he was not ready to say whether or not Russia would resume nuclear testing.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Alexander Marrow; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Furious easyJet passengers were forced to spend an additional night in Tenerife after their flight to London Gatwick was postponed due to someone defecating on the toilet floor.

A video shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, shows the pilot making the announcement that the flight has been cancelled.

The clip starts with the pilot saying that someone found it rather entertaining...to defecate on the front toilet, so were now staying the night here.

Were now going to get everyone off... and organise hotels then well fly back tomorrow morning, he says as passengers groan in unison.

Real good of @easyJet to delay the flight 3.5 hours with 0 communication then decide to cancel it altogether because someone took a shit on the toilet floor quite literally couldnt make this shit up #easyjet pic.twitter.com/E9lpCA4rew  kitty florence lucia (@kittystreekx) October 16, 2023

Flight EZ8054 had been scheduled to depart at 8.05pm on Sunday 15 October, arriving into the UK at 12.20am, but had been subject to several delays even before the toilet incident occurred.

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Passengers were originally moved from one aeroplane to another before being offered 500 vouchers if they volunteered to leave the flight as the second plane was too small to accommodate all travellers, reports the Daily Mail.

One passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, added that easyJet had to remove 10 people from the plane, which caused lots of arguing, and that literally took two hours.

Once they got those 10 people off, the plane was heavy because we were at full capacity. So then they were randomly putting our luggage on other peoples flights to Gatwick, and that took hours again.

Following the ordeal, easyJet was reportedly unable to provide hotel rooms for all passengers. A statement on the airlines website regarding the flight tracking allegedly said: Due to extremely high demand, unfortunately were unable to find hotel rooms in the area.

If you need a hotel room and are able to make your own arrangements, well refund the cost of a reasonably priced room, meals and travel costs to and from your hotel.

In this case we ask that you look for accommodation which is about three stars or equivalent.

A spokesperson for easyJet told The Independent: EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY8054 from Tenerife to London Gatwick on 15 October was initially delayed while some bags were offloaded to be carried on the next available flight for safety reasons, due to the aircraft being overweight.

The flight was subsequently delayed overnight due to the aircraft requiring additional cleaning. We provided hotel accommodation for all customers however as there was limited nearby hotel availability in the area we also advised any customers who booked their own that they will be reimbursed.

The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJets highest priority and while this was outside of our control we would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused.
President Biden is heading to the Middle East on Wednesday for a high-stakes visit with the hopes that a face-to-face intervention will move the hardened positions of leaders in the region amid the already devastating Israel-Hamas war.

Bidens unprecedented wartime visit, the second one of his presidency, comes as Israel prepares to launch a ground offensive into the Gaza Strip, part of its efforts to secure the release of nearly 200 hostages held by Hamas. It also comes amid pitched concerns from countries in the region, including Egypt and Jordan, that Palestinian civilian deaths and wide-scale destruction will trigger mass chaos.

The president has firmly stood up for Israels right to launch an aggressive response against Hamas in Gaza after an unprecedented assault Oct. 7, massacring civilians at a music festival and targeting them in their communities in the south, with more than 1,400 Israelis killed over the course of nearly three days. And rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip continue on Israel.

Biden will huddle first with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv to show the United Statess unwavering support for Israels fight against Hamas. He then heads to Jordan to meet with Jordan King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to focus on the humanitarian situation on the ground.

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Egypt and Jordan specifically have emerged as key players in the fast-moving war, with their long history of negotiating between Israel and Hamas in previous rounds of conflict. The countries, bordering each side of Israel, also hold an existential interest in keeping the humanitarian and military situation from spiraling out of control.

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After the Abraham Accords, theres been a lot of focus on neighboring countries, and almost taking Jordan and Egypt for granted, said Ghaith al-Omari, a former senior Palestinian Authority official and senior fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

And I think this will reaffirm that no matter what, because of history, because of geography, these two countries hold the key to everything.

Jordan and Egypt hold cold peace-treaties with Israel, long-standing ties that have allowed productive security cooperation but that have never evolved into bonds between people and cultures, with those populations firmly supportive of Palestinians.

There have been major demonstrations in Jordanian cities, protesting what Israel is doing. The peace treaty between Jordan and Israel is extremely unpopular in Jordan, said Bruce Riedel, a veteran CIA official and nonresident senior fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution.

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Riedel said Jordans king, who is also a key ally of the U.S., will come under a lot of pressure by his own people to break relations with Israel if there are significant casualties in Gaza beyond what we have now.

And he knows that would damage his relationship with the United States, but he could find himself in a situation where he has to do something, Riedel said.

And an unstable Gaza and an unstable West Bank, which is the situation we face now, can destabilize Jordan and that would be a very big problem for the United States.

More than 2,600 people in Gaza are believed to have been killed amid Israels bombardment of the enclave, with airstrikes targeting what it says are Hamas military infrastructure and leaders  but those deaths also include a significant number of civilians, including children.

Jordan and Egypts leaders have come out strongly against moving Palestinians out of Gaza  with Israel warning civilians to flee areas coming under strike, which could lead to a refugee crisis in surrounding countries.

That opposition prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to say that any calls for the relocation of Palestinian civilians is a nonstarter.

The White House is balancing addressing the immediate priorities  recovering hostages, preventing a humanitarian catastrophe and protecting the lives of civilians  with longer-term questions surrounding what goals Israel seeks to achieve in its military operations against Hamas and what the fate of the Gaza Strip and its population of more than 2 million Palestinians will be. Netanyahu has said that Hamas can no longer exist  a sentiment Biden has also expressed.

But no one, so far, has detailed much about what that means for Gazas political future.

Its very hard to talk about the day after when so much remains to be determined, al-Omari continued.

Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president, has long been viewed as an irrelevant leader in his control of the West Bank. The 87-year-old was first elected to office in 2005 but has not permitted elections since.

Palestinians are a physically divided population, spread out across pockets in the West Bank, in the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon and Jordan. Polls among West Bank and Gazan Palestinians show disillusionment with their political leaders.

But a poll conducted in September among Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza by the Palestinian Center for Policy Research showed more support for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (58 percent) compared to Abbas (37 percent), if they were the only two candidates in a presidential election. The poll, however, noted voter turnout would only be 42 percent.

Of Bidens upcoming meeting between Abbas and the leaders of Egypt and Jordan, al-Omari said the first thing that came to mind was intervention.

I think Abbas will be there, hearing very difficult things from both the leaders. What he could do, I dont know, but I think its a signal that Abbas would only be handled through dealing with regional leaders who can have leverage on him.

For the U.S., its next immediate steps are working with Israel and Egypt to set the conditions to allow the operation of a humanitarian corridor through Egypts Rafah crossing with Gaza. That would also allow for aid and for Palestinians, hundreds of whom have foreign passports, to exit.

In remarks from Tel Aviv on Monday night, Blinken laid out how Israel agreed to develop a plan with the U.S. to allow humanitarian assistance to reach people in Gaza and creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

But Blinken also acknowledged that Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, is likely to pilfer supplies meant for civilians.

We share Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise preventing it from reaching the people who need it, Blinken said in his remarks.

If Hamas in any way blocks humanitarian assistance from reaching civilians, including by seizing the aid itself, well be the first to condemn it and we will work to prevent it from happening again.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Eight drones approaching Ukraines Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula were "neutralized" by Russian electronic warfare systems and air defenses overnight, the Kremlin's puppet governor in the Ukrainian territory, Sergei Aksyonov, claimed on Telegram on Oct. 17.

No other details of the alleged attack and shooting down of the drones have been given by either the Russian or Ukrainian authorities.

Read also: Russian rescue tug also damaged in Ukrainian Navys attack on Pavel Derzhavin patrol ship

The Russian authorities typically claim to have shot down or neutralized with electronic warfare systems all attacking drones, although there is evidence that many of them hit their intended targets. Ukraine, however, typically denies being behind drone attacks on targets in the Ukrainian peninsula and in Russia.

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However, Ukraine recently confirmed it has conducted a series of operations in Crimea over the past month, successfully hitting numerous targets. In response to attacks, the Russians often shut the Crimean bridge connecting the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula to Russia, while local Telegram channels report explosions.

Read also: Ukraine hits Russian Navy ships with experimental Sea Baby drones  again!

In the most recent attacks, Ukraines SBU security service, in conjunction with the Ukrainian Navy, conducted an operation targeting the Russian Buyan-M class cruise missile carrier and a patrol ship, the Pavel Derzhavin, using experimental maritime drone weaponry, NV sources reported on Oct. 13. While the Ukrainian Navy confirmed the ship had been damaged, they did not provide specific details about the incident.

Theres no confirmation of damage to the Buyan-M class cruise missile carrier, which was earlier reported to have been targeted as well, the Ukrainian Navy spokesman and 3rd Rank Captain Dmytro Pletenchuk said on Oct. 14, adding that the Nikolai Muru rescue tugboat was also damaged along with the Pavel Derzhavin during the attack.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A newly empowered state board approved a new charter school to open in Union County in 2024  the same school the State Board of Education rejected twice before.

The North Carolina Charter Schools Review Board gave the go-ahead to the American Leadership Academy-Monroe, a school where Lt. Gov. Mark Robinsons wife Yolanda Hill is on the board of directors.

The larger state board voted twice  in December and January  to reject the application for American Leadership Academy-Monroe to open this fall in Union County as a K-8 school, the News & Observer reported. The vote took place amid a debate about approving new charter schools run by for-profit companies.

Now, the Charter Schools Advisory Board can give the final OK to schools because of expansions approved by the N.C. General Assembly earlier this year. Until now, the advisory board was just that, and the State Board had accepted most of its recommendations. The now-approved Union County school was among the exceptions.

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Groups applying for charter schools in North Carolina have to be non-profit entities. But they can contract with a for-profit organization to manage the school. Management organizations are allowed to collect fee payment of up to 15% of revenues that charters receive. The for-profit management companies make money through fees and often by providing school buildings the charter school board uses.

American Leadership Academy-Monroe is managed by Charter One. Glenn Way, who has made millions of dollars building, selling and leasing properties to the charter schools he runs in Arizona, The Arizona Republic has reported, owns both.

Bill demands approval

In March, a pair of Republican legislators filed a bill ordering American Leadership Academy-Monroes approval after the State Board of Education rejected its application.

Senate Bill 230s primary sponsors included Sens. Todd Johnson and David Craven, both of whom represent districts covering Union County. Their bill wanted board members to approve American Leadership Academy-Monroe to open in the 2024-25 school year.

The Board shall issue American Leadership Academy  Monroe a charter pursuant to this section, and the school shall operate pursuant to the requirements applicable to charter schools set forth in Article 14A of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes, the bill states.

The bill has been sitting in the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations since March.

This story will be updated.
The Biden administration isnt openly celebrating the apparent ouster of Polands right-wing government in elections this week.

But in private, the presidents advisers are breathing a sigh of relief.

The White House sees the surprise success of Polish opposition parties, led by the Civic Coalition of Donald Tusk , as a boon for Ukraine and a win for democracy in Europe, according to three Biden administration officials. They, like others, were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about another nations election.

The results of the Sunday election startled many observers, especially after the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party was accused of using state and media resources to tip the landscape in its favor. Poland also had recently said it will stop sending weapons to Ukraine amid a trade dispute.

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The election results could improve U.S.-Polish relations as well as ties between Warsaw and Brussels. Both Washington and the European Union were increasingly worried about the authoritarian leanings of the ruling party, which have put Poland on a collision course with Brussels over the years, with billions in EU funds on the line.

It looks like the center has held in Poland, said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to the country.

Democratic lawmakers were among the most vocal in cheering the outcome, with some saying the results would align Poland again with Western democracies that respect the rule-of-law, human rights and press freedoms.

This election really reinforces Poland as a strong, vibrant democracy, a participatory democracy, where elections matter a great deal and where the values shared by the E.U. and U.S. are certainly reinforced, said Rep. Bill Keating (D-Mass.).

U.S. presidential administrations generally avoid commenting in-depth on other countries internal politics  especially when the country is an ally. The White House declined formal comment for this story.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, however, said in a statement on X, the social media site: The record voter turnout in Polands elections is a strong expression of the democratic will of Polish citizens.

There had been worry among White House aides that Poland  despite being an early supporter of Ukraine by hosting refugees and sending weapons  could over time back off its pro-Kyiv position.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said three weeks ago that Warsaw stopped supplying weapons to Kyiv and is focusing on arming itself instead, amid a dispute over Ukraines agricultural exports.

In the wake of the election, we were pleased to see the democratic process work, a fourth U.S. official said. Poland is an important partner and well work closely with the government that is formed.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who leads both the congressional caucus on Ukraine and Poland, called the election Polands most historic since the fall of the Soviet Union, especially given the large turnout.

She was hopeful the liberal coalition government likely to form would be effective in resisting any authoritarian tendencies in that part of the world and continue on a pathway to integrating with the community of Europe and our NATO allies.

Kaptur also expressed hope that Poland and Ukraine would settle their dispute over agricultural products.

The Law and Justice party remained the top vote-getter but fell well short of a majority, which means a coalition of more centrist parties is likely to sweep into power.

The transition period may take months  and a future prime minister is still to be confirmed, though it could be Tusk  so Biden administration officials indicated they would remain wary against any attempt at election chicanery.

Polands long opposition to Russian imperialism limited any chance of a Moscow puppet seizing power in Warsaw, but there had been fear that another term for Law and Justice would have been a bad omen for European unity. Civic Coalition leader Tusk is a former president of the European Council.

The EU already has to contend with the erosion of democracy in Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

New concerns arose inside the Biden administration after a pro-Russian, Orban ally won a recent election in Slovakia, and following last years win by hardliner Giorgia Meloni in Italy, though her government has remained a staunch supporter of Ukraine.
An elementary school music teacher faces charges of possessing child pornography after Alabama deputies searched his home.

Bryant Ramey, 30, teaches music at Baldwin County Public Schools, according to the sheriffs office. He currently serves at Pine Grove Elementary, Stapleton Elementary and Perdido Elementary, a spokesperson for the county told McClatchy News.

School records show he also served as the assistant band director at Robertsdale High School.

The search warrant originated from an inquiry that Ramey may be in possession of child pornography, the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office said in an Oct. 16 news release.

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When investigators searched Rameys devices and his home in Spanish Fort on Oct. 16, they found illegal images, deputies said. The material showed individuals under 17 years of age engaged in obscene acts.

Ramey was charged with four counts of possession, according to the release. He has since been placed on administrative leave, Baldwin County Public Schools superintendent Eddie Tyler said in a statement.

We are working closely with the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office and will continue to do so as their investigation progresses, Tyler said. Due to this being a personnel matter, we cannot comment any further at this time and all questions should be directed to the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office.

Investigators said they do not believe illegal activity took place on school property.

The safety and security of our students, teachers and other staff within our schools will remain a top priority, Baldwin County deputies said.

Ramey was booked at the Baldwin County jail Oct. 16 and held on $60,000 bond, jail records show. He was released later that day.

No attorney is listed for Ramey at this time.

Baldwin County is on the Alabama-Florida state line, just west of Pensacola.

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In an ongoing crackdown on telecom fraud originating from northern Myanmar and targeting Chinese citizens, 2,349 more suspects have been transferred from Myanmar to Chinese custody, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced Monday.

This new success represents the largest number of suspects transferred since the crackdown campaign began.

The suspects, including 111 fugitives, were handed over on Oct. 14 in a recent border law-enforcement collaboration between public security authorities in the city of Pu'er, Yunnan Province, and relevant law-enforcement departments of Myanmar. Yunnan, in southwest China, shares a border with northern Myanmar.

So far, a total of 4,666 telecom fraud suspects in northern Myanmar have been delivered to the Chinese side, the MPS said, adding that since August, the country saw a 24-percent decrease in the number of cyber and wire fraud cases, and a 20.5-percent drop in the property losses incurred by such cases.
(Bloomberg) -- A major oil-industry conference in London saw a day of disruption as hundreds of climate protesters blocked entrances, before police eventually reopened access to the event.

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Greta Thunberg was among at least 20 demonstrators to be arrested outside the annual Energy Intelligence Forum. Executives from companies including Gunvor Group, Trafigura Group and Shell Plc had been unable to enter to give speeches.

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The energy transition has been a topic of discussion at the conference, which takes place through Thursday. Its a subject that carries extra urgency after several months that shattered temperature records and just a few weeks before crucial climate talks in Dubai.

The conference also comes at a turbulent time for global energy markets, with the conflict between Israel and Hamas renewing fears about Europes winter gas supply, while also boosting prices and raising oil majors share prices.

All times London:

TotalEnergies Sees No Impact to Projects From IsraelHamas War  for Now (5:33 p.m.)

While the unfolding conflict between Israel and Hamas is dramatic, the situation isnt having an impact on TotalEnergies SEs projects in the region, according to Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne. There will be consequences that well have to monitor, he said during a panel discussion. But Im confident that we can find a way.

Japan Still Assessing US Sanctions on Russian LNG Hubs (5:08 p.m.)

The Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security is still assessing the impact of US sanctions imposed in September on Russian LNG transshipment terminals, according to JOGMEC Chief Executive Office Ichiro Takahara.

Russia plans to use the new terminals in Kamchatka and Murmansk to reduce costs of shipping LNG from its Arctic projects, including the Arctic LNG-2 facility. But Japan is concerned this could create difficulties for its own deliveries

Modular Units Cut LNG Project Construction Time (4:30 p.m.)

LNG projects are moving toward smaller modular units that can be built in different locations  decreasing the amount of manpower needed on sites  and which can be scaled up, said Baker Hughes Co. Chief Executive Officer Lorenzo Simonelli. Some of the projects that previously took 48 months now take 28 months, he said.

Supply Chain Gridlock Could Take Years to Clear: JGC (4:20 p.m.)

Expect significant lead times for delivering energy-related materials for at least a few more years. The supply chain is really stretched, and shows no sign of easing, said Farhan Mujib, president of engineering contractor JGC Corp., during a panel discussion.

Capacity is a problem as everything has to happen at the same moment, between now and 2030, including new oil and gas resources to be developed and new renewable capacity to be built, said Alessandro Puliti, chief executive of drilling company Saipem SpA.

In the UK, more stability around subsidies is needed for the energy transition to move ahead, he added, noting that otherwise theres no possibility for investment.

Shell Has Changed Its Pathway to Net Zero, CEO Says (2:45 p.m.)

Shell hasnt changed its target of net zero emissions by 2050, but has altered its pathway there, said Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan. Investors have responded positively to the companys new strategy, which involves putting a greater proportion of its investment into oil and gas, he said via video link. Some employees have questioned Sawans approach and asked if the company should be moving faster in the transition to clean energy, he said.

Hotel Entrance Reopened (1:30 p.m.)

The police have been able to clear a safe pathway for delegates to enter the conference venue via the main entrance, forum organizers said.

Thunberg Is Arrested (1:20 p.m.)

Greta Thunberg was arrested along with at least 10 others.

Vitol CEO Sees Oil Around $85 Next Year (12:53 p.m.)

Oil demand is showing robust growth, but there has also been extra supply despite the cuts from some members of OPEC+, said Vitol Chief Executive Officer Russell Hardy. There is supply around. The US is doing well, Guyana is doing well. and generally the OPEC grouping is doing well when you consider Libya, Venezuela and Iran, he said. Hardy sees oil trading around $85 a barrel next year, not far off current levels.

Protests to Continue All Week (12:38 p.m.)

Further protests are planned throughout the three day conference, Greenpeace said by email.

Oil bosses are toasting each other in a luxury hotel and plotting how to make even larger profits, while millions struggle to rebuild after a summer of extreme weather, Maja Darlington, campaigner at Greenpeace UK said in a statement.

Shell CEO to Deliver Speech Remotely (12:36 p.m.)

Shell CEO Wael Sawan will deliver his speech to the conference remotely because he cant access the hotel.

Vitol Expects Some Gas Demand to Be Lost Forever (12:30 p.m.)

European industrial demand has not recovered from last years energy crisis, according to Vitol CEO Russell Hardy. We can expect some of that lost demand to stay lost forever, he said.

Further cuts to gas production in Israel could lead to lower LNG exports to Europe from Egypt. The European market will get nervous on the back of that, he said.

CEOs Stuck Outside as Police Await Reinforcements (12:17 p.m.)

The CEOs of trading houses Gunvor and Trafigura missed their appearances at the conference because they were stuck outside the venue. The organizers told anyone attempting to enter the Intercontinental Hotel to wait until more police officers arrived to disperse the protesters. Inside the building, Russell Hardy, the CEO of Vitol, the largest independent oil trader, told attendees that about half his companys annual capital expenditure of $1 billion is going into renewables and power.

Disruption Worsens as Protests Continue (10:36 a.m)

The conference continues, but some scheduled speakers have been unable to make it inside. Police on the scene estimate that 200 to 250 protesters are blocking access to the venue.

Aramco is Looking at Further LNG Investments (10:14 a.m.)

As protests continued outside, the worlds largest company was inside the venue talking about its plans for natural gas. Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said his company is looking at making more investments in liquefied natural gas as it seeks to diversify its energy mix. The company last month entered the LNG market by purchasing a stake in MidOcean Energy for $500 million. LNG is important, Nasser said. We want to be a player in LNG so were looking at investment.

Entrances to the Conference Blocked by Protests (9:50 a.m.)

Hundreds of delegates are waiting outside to be let in to the Intercontinental hotel in London as protesters block the entrances. The head of the hotels security said there are about a thousand guests staying at the hotel. Its not clear when people will be let in but the program has started inside with Saudi Aramco speaking.

--With assistance from Priscila Azevedo Rocha and Elena Mazneva.

(A previous version of this story corrected the host city for the UAE climate talks.)

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Shares in Rolls-Royce have more than doubled in price this year as the company moves to reduce costs (PAUL ELLIS)

Rolls-Royce, the British manufacturer of aircraft engines, said Tuesday it plans to axe up to 2,500 jobs worldwide, or about six percent of its staff, to further slash costs.

"It is estimated that 2,000-2,500 roles will be removed globally" under "plans for a simpler, more streamlined, organisation", the group said in a statement.

Chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic, who began restructuring the group on taking the helm at the start of the year, said the company was "building a Rolls-Royce that is fit for the future.

"That means a more... efficient organisation that will deliver for our customers, partners and shareholders."

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The statement said the latest restructuring would "help Rolls-Royce build enhanced capabilities in key areas such as procurement and supply chain management, ensuring they are as strong as the company's engineering and technical excellence".

Previous CEO Warren East had axed more than 9,000 jobs and launched a major divestment programme in 2020 to navigate damaging pandemic fallout across the aviation industry.

In a quick turnaround under its new boss, Rolls in August posted first-half net profit totalling 1.2 billion ($1.5 billion), compared with a loss after tax of 1.6 billion a year earlier.

- Share price turnaround -

Shares in Rolls jumped 2.1 percent to 217.90 pence in early trading following the announcement.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index on which Rolls trades edged up 0.2 percent overall.

"One of the best performers this year has been Rolls-Royce, the share price has more than doubled as the turnaround plan set in motion by... East and carried on by new CEO Tufan Erginbilgic has continued apace," noted Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said the Rolls-Royce share price had soared more than 130 percent this year also thanks to the recovery in air travel.

Shares won a further boost Tuesday from the announcement of the job cuts, "given savings which could amount to up to 200 million", he added.

Away from aircraft engines, Rolls-Royce is engaged in developing small nuclear reactors that could provide power on the Moon, thanks to funding from the UK Space Agency.

The group, best known for its engines powering Airbus and Boeing aircraft, is working alongside UK universities including Oxford on the space project and hopes its first car-sized reactor would be ready to be sent to the Moon by 2029.

Erginbilgic, a dual UK and Turkish national, worked for more than 20 years at energy major BP.

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Housing for New Englands seniors is in short supply, and could worsen as the regions population ages. According to a report released this month by the US Census Bureau, only about 20 percent of New England homes meet basic standards for seniors: a step-free entryway and a bedroom and full bathroom on the entry level. In New Hampshire, 20 percent of the population is over 65, and that number is expected to increase significantly over the next several decades.

The shortage of aging-ready homes is part of a broader housing crisis in the region. Officials estimate that the state is currently short of nearly 24,000 housing units, and that in the next two decades, it will need a total of 90,000 additional units. A 2022 report by the New Hampshire Commission on Aging noted housing and transportation as top concerns for seniors, and it pointed to affordable housing as a major factor in recruiting and retaining the workforce required to take care of New Hampshire's aging population.

There's a mismatch on a number of levels between the existing housing stock and the needs of the population, says Rob Dapice, executive director of New Hampshire Housing.

Dapice notes that the housing needs of people over 65 vary widely; many are still working, and some are the primary caretakers of grandchildren who need access to school and other services. Some may be able to age in place with modest renovations, like modifying the bathroom or installing slip-resistant flooring. Others may require a live-in aid.

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But zoning regulations make preparing for these changes difficult, says Dapice. Some seniors who want to split their existing homes into multiple apartments, to downsize and generate income, are encountering zoning restrictions. And Dapice says not enough communities in New Hampshire allow construction of small lot, single-family homes that are suitable for seniors.

This leaves many older people with limited options.

Some seniors don't have a choice between their single family home with no services and a more sort of facility environment like a nursing home, says Katy Easterly Martey, executive director of New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority. There's a lot of alternatives in the middle of that that I think more aligns with people's needs and is more cost effective, but we just unfortunately don't have that built yet.

And that lack of housing alternatives presents a problem for other generations: When seniors cant downsize, their bigger homes arent available to young families looking for a house to buy.

Its putting pressure on other parts of the market, Martey says.

In the meantime, Martey points to several initiatives that could serve as blueprints for other parts of the state: a new 65-unit apartment building in Rochester for low-income older adults, an effort at a North Conway senior center to match older adults with roommates, and work by the Tamworth Community Nurse Association to help seniors age in place.

These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: New England homes are less 'aging-ready' than rest of U.S.
England sealed their place at Euro 2024 on Tuesday as Harry Kane scored twice in a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley, while Denmark scraped to victory over San Marino to keep their qualification bid on track.

Gareth Southgate's England exacted a measure of revenge on Italy in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final won at the same stadium by the Azzurri on penalties.

Luciano Spalletti's Italy still have plenty of work to do to avoid missing out on a major tournament for the third time in four qualification bids.

England wrapped up top spot in Group C with two games to spare, sitting three points clear of second-placed Ukraine who won 3-1 in Malta, with Italy three points further back.

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"Qualifying is never easy. Sometimes we are just expected to go to the big tournaments but we have seen in the past it is not as easy as it looks," Kane told Channel 4.

"We went 1-0 behind and stayed calm. We knew we could get the winner and we have done it."

Four-time world champions Italy host bogey team North Macedonia in their game in hand on Ukraine before taking on the war-hit nation in Leverkusen in a crucial final match.

England started brightly on Tuesday but were caught out in the 15th minute by a sweeping Italian move which ended with Gianluca Scamacca tapping home his first international goal from Giovanni Di Lorenzo's low cross.

But the home side levelled shortly after the half-hour mark as Kane planted a penalty into the corner after Jude Bellingham had been fouled in the box.

England only needed a point to qualify but completed the turnaround 12 minutes after the restart as the rampaging Bellingham won the ball in midfield before feeding Marcus Rashford, who cut inside and lashed a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Kane put the result beyond any doubt in the 77th minute, powering through the Italy defence and slotting home his 61st England goal.

- Denmark edge San Marino -

Denmark, losing Euro semi-finalists to England two years ago, avoided an almighty shock with a nervy 2-1 win in San Marino to stay second in Group H.

The Danes could make sure of qualification in their next match with a win against group leaders Slovenia next month.

But they had to work hard against perennial losers San Marino, despite taking a first-half lead through Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund.

Denmark created very little and were made to pay as Alessandro Golinucci pounced to score San Marino's first goal in Euro qualifying for four years to equalise in the 61st minute.

But Danish substitute Yussuf Poulsen broke San Marino hearts, steering a header into the far corner with 20 minutes to play.

San Marino have now lost 83 of their 84 Euro qualifiers -- the sole exception a goalless draw with Estonia in 2014.

Panathinaikos midfielder Adam Gnezda Cerin kept Slovenia top as he netted the winner in a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Belfast.

But Slovenia still need another win from their last two matches to clinch a place at the finals, after Bakhtiyor Zainutdinov's late double snatched Kazakhstan a dramatic 2-1 win in Finland.

The Kazakhs, who next host San Marino, visit Slovenia in the two teams' final game, which could prove a winner-takes-all affair.

Hungary missed the chance to wrap up progression from Group G despite coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Lithuania.

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored a penalty and created Barnabas Varga's leveller as Hungary edged closer to booking a ticket to Germany.

An Aleksandar Mitrovic brace and Dusan Tadic's goal helped Serbia beat Montenegro 3-1 to stay second.

Serbia sit one point behind Hungary and five clear of Montenegro, although they have played a game more than their rivals.

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UNION COUNTY, Ga. - As the cooler winds of autumn sweep across North Georgia, the landscape transforms into a breathtaking display of vibrant colors, making it the perfect time for a serene weekend escape. If you're the type who seeks solace in the great outdoors, then Suches in Union County might just be the perfect getaway for you.

Suches, which is known as "The Valley Above the Clouds," was settled by early Americans in the year 1838 and was named after a Cherokee Indian chief. Today, it primarily serves as a hub for recreational activities, retirement, and farming. Forget about the bustling retail giants; here, you'll find the smallest public school in Georgia, the Wood Gap School.

LEAF WATCH 2023: NORTH GEORGIA TO SEE KALEIDOSCOPE OF AUTUMN SPLENDOR IN COMING WEEKS

Fall is undoubtedly the best time to visit Suches, which is located about 80 miles north of Atlanta. With temperatures typically 5 to 8 degrees cooler than Atlanta, it offers a refreshing respite. While summer may bring occasional rains, and winter might dust the town with a touch of snow, autumn showcases Suches at its most breathtaking.

HOW TO GET THERE

To reach Suches from Atlanta, plan on about a two-hour drive (approximately 80 miles). Start by heading north on U.S. Route 19, passing through Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Cumming, and Dahlonega, until you reach GA-60. Once you're on GA-60, a winding and scenic road, you'll pass by Dockery Lake Recreation Area, Chestatee Overlook, and Woody Lake, marking your proximity to this hidden gem.

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The drive is an experience in itself. You'll be tempted to make frequent stops to capture the beauty of the surroundings. In the fall, Suches unveils a splendid palette of colors, with leaves in vibrant shades of orange, red, bronze, yellow, and everything in between.

One stop you'll want to make along the way is at the Suches Life store. It's hard to resist the urge to buy everything they offer. The shop showcases a delightful collection of arts and crafts from local artisans, including paintings, photographic prints, wooden art, pottery, moonshine pickles, pickled peaches, jams, jellies, iPhone purses, pieced quilts, antiques, t-shirts, coffee, and more.

WHERE TO STAY

If you're planning to stay a bit longer in Suches, you'll find an array of delightful accommodations. The vacation rental office at the Suches Life store manages over 40 properties available for rent. These include compact and fun tiny homes and charming treehouses for couples, comfortable cabins and cottages that can accommodate groups of four to six, and spacious full-size houses for parties of six to twelve. Prices currently range from $35 to $300 per night, with additional cleaning fees and taxes.

Another interesting option is Getaway Chattahoochee, which began renting tiny cabins in Suches in 2019. This particular outpost boasts 30 tiny homes scattered across 56 acres. Some tiny homes are grouped together, making it great for families or larger groups, while others offer a more secluded and private experience. You'll find cabins perched on small hills or tucked below street level, some requiring a few steps to access.

These 200-square-foot tiny cabins might appear basic from the outside, but their interiors exude warmth and coziness. They come equipped with all you need, including a comfortable queen bed with luxurious bedding (or bunk queens if you opt for a cabin for four), a small table with a chair, a kitchenette with a two-burner stove, mini-fridge, sink, plates, bowls, dishes, mugs, silverware, knives, and cooking utensils. The compact bathroom is complete with towels, washcloths, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a toilet, and a shower. Outside, you'll find a picnic table, chairs, and a firepit with a grill.

Getaway Chattahoochee encourages disconnection from the digital world. They make it clear that Wi-Fi is scarce, and cell phone service is questionable, although some cabins may have decent connectivity. The tiny cabins are designed with large windows by the bed to facilitate a connection with nature. They also provide an activity sheet with a maze and Sudoku puzzle, a selection of books, and a list of suggested hikes and local attractions. There's also a nature trail and plenty of places to walk on the property itself.

WHAT TO DO

As for outdoor enthusiasts, Suches is a haven for exploring trails and fishing. The area offers a plethora of hiking opportunities, with trails such as the Appalachian Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail, Duncan Ridge Trail, Three Forks Trail, Cooper Creek Trail, and Yellow Mountain Trail. Fishing enthusiasts will be delighted with options like the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery, Toccoa River, Cooper Creek, Lake Winfield Scott, Deep Hole, and Dockery Lake.

If you enjoy waterfalls, head to Sea Creek Falls. After you arrive at the small parking area, the falls are only a half-mile stroll through the woods -- an easy trek with only a few roots and tree branches to navigate. There's a small beach area by the falls, making it a great spot to appreciate nature's beauty up close.

A visit to the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge is a definite must-see. It's located about 12 miles from Getaway Chattahoochee -- the last 3 to 4 miles involve an unpaved, gravel forest road. Though the road may have a few holes and rough patches, it's well-maintained, and there's ample space for drivers to pull over so other cars can pass. The walk to the swinging bridge is easy to moderate, with a fairly level path for the most part. It's only as you get closer to the river and the bridge, the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River, that it starts to descend more rapidly. There are a couple of tricky spots with rocks and roots, but the path is manageable. Once you arrive at the swinging bridge, it's absolutely worth it. This 270-foot suspension bridge over the cascading river offers a bouncy walk and is meant to be crossed single file, with room for others to pass. Visitors can also access the river from both sides.

WHERE TO EAT

As mentioned earlier, if you desire to cook your own meals at your cabin, you have everything you need to do so. However, for a hot, delicious meal that you don't have to prepare yourself, the Wildcat BBQ & General Store, located just across the street from where you turn for Getaway Chattahoochee, is a fantastic choice. Their breakfast offerings feature eggs, biscuits, sausage, bacon, grits, gravy, and hashbrowns at very reasonable prices. For instance, a butter and belly biscuit is just $2.50, and their hearty breakfast with 2 eggs, 2 sausage patties or 4 strips of bacon, hashbrowns, and a biscuit or toast costs only $11.99.

For lunch and dinner, you'll find a delicious array of options, including BBQ pork, brisket, pulled chicken, ribs, po'boys, Philly sandwiches, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, pizza, chicken wings and strips, fish, fried okra, French fries, BBQ baked beans, Brunswick stew, and more. Prices range from $9.99 to $32.50 for a full rack of ribs with two sides. Sandwich combos and baskets range from $12.99 to $15.99, pizza starts at $13.99, regular sides are $3.99 each, and they offer kid-sized meals. The quality of the food, paired with the friendly service, makes it worth every penny.

The Wildcat BBQ & General Store is not just a place to eat; it's also a small store offering local honey, ice, boiled peanuts, firewood, jams, jellies, pickles, non-alcoholic beverages, and a few souvenirs.

MORE ABOUT GETAWAY CHATTAHOOCHEE

Booking a tiny cabin with Getaway Chattahoochee is a breeze. Their well-designed website answers all your questions and even those you didn't know you had. It takes just a few minutes to secure a reservation. Once you've made your reservation, expect confirmation via email and text. In the lead-up to your trip, they'll send you a few emails and texts with various suggestions to enhance your stay.

On the morning of your arrival, a text message will deliver your cabin's keycode, eliminating the need for in-person check-in. They'll also notify you via text about how long they'll have someone on the property to provide anything you might need. This typically includes items already supplied in the cabin, like aluminum foil for the grill. As you near the end of your stay, they'll send another text with the code for checking out, and that's it. If you've used any of the extras they supply, such as salt, pepper, or bug wipes, they'll charge the card on file after your departure.

With 29 Getaway outposts across the country, offering a total of 1,266 cabins, this escape is uniquely special. Fun fact: Each cabin is named after the grandparents of the staff and guests, fostering a connection to what truly matters.

IN CONCLUSION

In Suches, you'll find an unadorned retreat that allows you to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature. It's a serene escape, perfect for reveling in the autumn foliage, exploring hiking trails, and savoring the simple pleasures of life. If you're yearning for a weekend getaway to unwind and be captivated by the fall colors, Suches, with its tranquil beauty, is just the place.
By Andrew Gray

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders aim on Tuesday to settle on a united approach to the crisis triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel after days of confusion, infighting and mixed messaging.

In an emergency video conference at 1530 GMT, the European Council, which brings together the leaders of the EU's 27 member countries, will also tackle potentially grave consequences for the continent arising from the crisis.

While the EU and its member governments all condemned the Hamas assault from Gaza, which killed some 1,300 Israelis, they diverged on other political statements and policy implications.

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The disarray has exposed old divisions within the EU on the Middle East and underscored the severe limits of its influence in the region.

It has also undermined the EUs calls to be treated as a major geopolitical player in its own right.

Tuesday's virtual summit is an effort by the EUs 27 national leaders to grab firm control of the response to the crisis after disquiet among some of them about the approach of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen .

"It is of utmost importance that the European Council ... sets our common position and establishes a clear unified course of action that reflects the complexity of the unfolding situation," European Council President Charles Michel said in a letter inviting leaders to attend the meeting.

Von der Leyen's Commission, the EU's executive body, sowed confusion last week when one of its members declared on social media that all EU development aid to Palestinians had been frozen - only for the announcement to be later rescinded.

Some officials and lawmakers also criticized von der Leyen, who visited Israel on Friday, for not declaring that the EU expects Israel to abide by international humanitarian law in its response to the attack, as other EU leaders did.

Von der Leyen stated that position publicly for the first time at the weekend.

Commission officials have insisted von der Leyen had already conveyed the message privately to Israeli officials and defended her swift visit to Israel as an important sign of solidarity.

POTENTIAL FALLOUT

In their video conference, the leaders will focus on trying to mitigate the potential fallout from the crisis, with an Israeli assault on Gaza widely expected to be imminent.

Israel has put Gaza under a total blockade and pounded it with unprecedented air strikes. Gaza authorities say at least 2,750 people have been killed there.

The EU leaders are likely to task ministers with exploring potential risks in more detail, according to officials.

"The conflict could have major security consequences for our societies. If we are not careful, it has the potential to exacerbate tensions between communities and feed extremism," Michel said in his letter.

He also cited the possibility of many Palestinians fleeing into neighbouring countries that already host many refugees.

"If not handled carefully, there is a risk of onward migratory waves to Europe," he said.

But the big problem for the EU, analysts and diplomats say, is that it has little leverage with key players.

"In the Middle East, we are back to basics: one superpower holds all the trump cards and the aces - the U.S.A. Others are just followers," said one European diplomat. "It is not Europe that is playing a major role in this conflict."

(Additional reporting by John Irish; Writing by Andrew Gray; Editing by Howard Goller)
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, via video, address a media conference after an EU summit in virtual format at the European Council building in Brussels, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. European Union leaders are holding a virtual summit to try to overcome different opinions and voices over the Israel-Hamas war and have a bigger diplomatic impact on the global stage. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

BRUSSELS (AP)  European Union leaders papered over their cacophony of different opinions and voices over the Israel-Hamas war and professed a unity where all recognize Israel's right to defend itself within the bounds of international law.

There is no contradiction in standing with Israel in solidarity and acting for the humanitarian needs for the Palestinians, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the end of a video summit of the 27 EU leaders.

We have to guide our actions around two principles: unity and consistency, said EU Council President Charles Michel, who hosted the emergency summit.

Leaders immediately faced the challenge involved when reports came in that a hospital in Gaza city had been hit by an airstrike, killing hundreds of people and with Hamas saying it was fired by Israel. However, the Israeli military soon denied involvement in the strike, saying it was a misfired Palestinian rocket.

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Von der Leyen said she did not know enough about the incident to say whether it contravened international law. In contrast, Michel said an attack on civilian infrastructure would clearly be "not in line with international law. They both spoke just before Israel's denial of involvement.

Ever since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, the EU has shown it is a group of 27 different nations and even its common institutions have sent out different messages, sowing confusion about the blocs intentions and reaping international criticism.

Many member states feel that von der Leyen overstepped her authority by visiting Israel on Friday without a pre-agreed political message and then toed what many saw as an excessively pro-Israeli line.

Foreign and security policy remains a responsibility of the member states, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Tuesday.

Von der Leyen's executive Commission maintains she is free to travel as she wants and express solidarity with a nation in need as she pleases, and will do so again if need be.

Still, the unease was compounded because, for some, an EU insistence that Israel respect international law in its fight against Hamas was not expressed explicitly enough by von der Leyen.

The position is clear: Israel has the right to defense, but this defense has to be developed in compliance with international laws and in particular humanitarian laws  because war also has its laws, Borrell said.

Few other international crises divide the bloc like the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Just last week, in the wake of the Hamas attack, a commissioner at the blocs executive branch announced that development aid meant to help the Palestinian Authority reduce poverty would be immediately suspended. Hours later, the European Commissions position changed. It announced an urgent review of the assistance to ensure that no money is being misused.

Since it is listed by the EU as a terror group, Hamas does not receive any such funds anyway.

Then on Saturday, the commission said it was tripling humanitarian aid to Gaza  money meant to be used in times of crises or disasters.

Michel said the unity on the Israel-Hamas war was essential especially since Russia was trying to sow division among EU nations by exploiting the conflict. Both he and von der Leyen committed to stand by Ukraine, even as much of the world focuses on the war between Israel and Hamas.

There is one country that benefits at least indirectly from a serious escalation of violence in this region, and that is Russia. Russia will try, and is already starting to try, to exploit this situation to feed a narrative against the European Union, Michel said. Lets not fall into this trap.

In Beijing, meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban held talks with Vladimir Putin in a rare in-person meeting for the Russian president with a leader of any EU country since he ordered his troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022.

___

Associated Press writers Samuel Petrequin in Brussels, Geir Moulson in Berlin and Ciaran Giles in Madrid contributed to this report.
Hundreds of members and staff of the European Parliament had a surprise when their train from Brussels to the French city of Strasbourg ended up at Disneyland Paris instead.

The special train is chartered once a month to get MEPs between parliament's seats in Brussels and Strasbourg.

But a signalling error on Monday meant they briefly ended up with an unexpected view of rollercoasters.

One MEP posted: "We are NOT a Mickey Mouse parliament."

While many made light of the mix-up, some said it highlighted the need to stay in Belgium to do business rather than travelling to the north-eastern French city.

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"Could a new Disneyland be a suitable use for the Strasbourg buildings?" asked Pelle Geertsen, press aide to a Danish MEP, on the issue of whether the European Parliament could permanently settle in Brussels.

The stopover was not long enough for the MEPs and their aides to sample the rides as the delay lasted just 45 minutes.

French railway company SNCF told AFP news agency a track signalling error had made the train miss an interconnecting line it was meant to take as it approached the greater Paris region.

It was eventually put back on to the correct track for Strasbourg.
Energy prices in Europe spiralled after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year (Ina FASSBENDER)

EU member states reached an agreement to reform its electricity market after months of sparring between France and Germany over state support for nuclear energy, the European Council said Tuesday.

The European Union's plans to make the market less vulnerable to volatility were a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which sent energy prices spiralling for consumers and businesses last year.

The reform aims to cut households and businesses' bills with long-term contracts to smooth out the impact of gas price volatility.

It had been blocked by Franco-German disagreement after Paris pushed for measures to support nuclear energy, which alarmed Berlin.

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Germany fears what it believes to be an unfair challenge from French electricity that is made more competitive thanks to massive public support.

France generates around 70 percent of its electricity from nuclear energy.

The debate focused on programmes known as contracts for difference (CfDs) that would allow member states to get back money from energy producers when electricity prices rose higher than a certain limit.

France and Germany bitterly disagreed on the conditions required to use such schemes for investments in existing nuclear power plants.

"The council found a balanced agreement on this point... member states that support lifetime-extension investments (of existing power plants), the use of CfDs is not a mandatory solution, but remain still a possibility," the EU's energy commissioner Kadri Simson said.

The 27 member states' agreement does allow for state support for existing nuclear power plants subject to compliance with EU rules on state aid.

- Act as one -

The deal agreed by EU energy ministers in Luxembourg still needs to be negotiated with European Parliament lawmakers before it becomes law.

"The Electricity Market Design will make the market more resilient to any future price shocks coming from gas markets, but as well prepares for a decarbonised future," Simson said on social media.

"It also brings more certainty for the electricity sector to trigger investments in clean energy infrastructure," she added.

The plans include measures that would allow the EU to act as one during a crisis. In the event of a lasting surge in energy prices, the council, which represents member states, can declare a union-wide electricity price crisis.

The hope is that this would help better regulate the market during such a crisis.

"Thanks to this agreement, consumers across the EU will be able to benefit from much more stable prices of energy, less dependency on the price of fossil fuels and better protection from future crises," said Spain's environment minister Teresa Ribera Rodriguez, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.

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Talks to enhance the European Peace Facility (EPF), the EUs funding mechanism for sustaining European military supplies to Ukraine, are unlikely to conclude before EU leaders convene in December to evaluate the bloc's entire budget.

"We do not anticipate any response to this matter prior to the European Council meeting in December, where leaders will discuss all budget-related issues to make a decision. "Budgetary issues are a matter for leaders to address," one EU diplomat told Euractiv. "This also applies to the increase in the European Peace Facility because this time we're discussing a substantial sum of money."

During their regular December summit, leaders of the EU27 countries are expected to discuss the future finances of the bloc, based on the European Commission's proposed review of the EU budget, a new fund for strategic technologies (STEP), and an increase in the European Peace Facility.

The fund has been deemed vital by EU member states for contributing their defense equipment to Ukraine, as it would provide reimbursement for these deliveries. The expansion of the fund, alongside other forms of support, has been presented as a "security arrangement" for Ukraine, aimed at sustaining long-term assistance.

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"EU leaders will discuss the entire package of Ukraine support," a EU official informed Euractiv. "The package encompasses the mid-term review of the EU budget, 50 billion ($51 billion) in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine, a 20 ($21 billion) billion Peace Facility top-up, and the new Strategic Technology European Platform," the official added.

The amounts requested by the EU Commission have been approached with caution by member states, as budgets are under pressure across Europe.

Read also: Borrell in Kyiv: EU support for Ukraine has reached 85 billion euros

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Over the past years, businesses in Beijing have committed to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), contributing to increased trade and interconnectivity, as well as better livelihoods for people along the route.

Since 2013, Beijing-based companies have directly invested US$6.06 billion in Belt and Road countries, undertaking significant projects of infrastructure as well as resource exploration and development.

An official told Beijing Daily that, by capitalizing on its advantages in such areas as technology research and development, consulting and design, investment and construction, and operation management, the city has actively participated in nearly 20 key Belt and Road projects in countries like Kenya, Indonesia, the Maldives, and Pakistan. These projects include the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, the Velana International Airport expansion in the Maldives, the Gwadar New International Airport in Pakistan, and the China-Belarus Industrial Park, which have supported the development of key nodes along the Belt and Road international corridors and contributed to improving local infrastructure and industrial development.

In the first half of 2023, trade between Beijing and BRI partner countries reached 907.97 billion yuan (US$124.19 billion), accounting for 50.9% of Beijing's total import and export value during the same period, an increase of nearly 15 percentage points compared to 2015.

Beijing-based companies involved in the BRI have not only developed internationally themselves, but also provided tangible benefits to host countries in such ways as alleviating poverty, creating jobs, improved living conditions, and contributing to industrial upgrading, the official said. In 2021, Beijing's companies with overseas operations contributed a total of US$1.88 billion in taxes to host countries and created 77,000 local jobs.
During a vote on Tuesday, 17 October, the European Parliament supported the European Commission's initiative to create a 50 billion fund to help Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the press service of the European Parliament

Details: The proposal received 512 votes in favour, 45 votes against and 63 abstentions.

Negotiations with EU member states can begin as soon as the EU Council agrees on a common position.

This is a new instrument, the Ukraine Facility, which provides 50 billion in grants and loans for 2024-2027 to support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction and modernisation. This proposal was made by the European Commission in June 2023.

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One of the key demands of MEPs is to use frozen Russian assets to recover Ukraine. It is also a safeguard against corruption, fraud and other violations in the use of European funds in Ukraine. Among other things, MEPs stressed that companies with oligarchic influence should not receive funding.

During consideration in the committees, some changes were made to the bill to make it more transparent. In particular, it provides for the creation of a separate website on the funds allocated to Ukraine for specific purposes and the steps that Ukraine has taken to receive assistance. MEPs want contributions from third countries and international institutions to be published as well.

The 50 billion programme for Ukraine is part of the revision of the EU's long-term budget in response to a number of crisis events that occurred after 2021. MEPs believe that this instrument should be approved as soon as possible, as part of the overall budget review, so that when the current calendar year ends, there will be a clear source of funding to support Ukraine. It should also be included in the annual budget for 2024, which will be negotiated in November.

According to media reports, Hungary wants to divide this support package and proposes to initially agree on 25 billion.

Background:

In June, the European Commission proposed to create a special instrument, the Ukraine Facility, with a budget of up to 50 billion for the period from 2024 to 2027 in the form of grants and loans.

This fund will replace the bilateral support currently provided by the EU under the Global Europe Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) and the 18 billion MFA+ programme, which expires at the end of 2023.

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The European Parliament voted to endorse a proposal for financing Ukraine's "recovery, reconstruction, and modernization from 2024" worth 50 billion euros ($52.8 billion), the parliament's press office announced on Oct. 17.

The vote on the creation of the Ukraine Facility, as the financing package is known, saw 512 MEPs vote in favor, 45 against, and 63 abstentions.

The Ukraine Facility will be part of the EU's long-term budget, which "has been severely depleted following the multiple crises that have occurred since 2021," according to the press office.

The official adoption package will therefore be put to a vote in the coming months, along with the revision of the long-term EU budget.

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The European Commission first revealed the proposals for the Ukraine Facility in June 2023, with the aim to finance Kyiv's current expenditures and urgent reconstruction through grants, concessional loans, and guarantees.

The proposal was made public ahead of the June 22 Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, where donors discussed ways to aid Ukraine's reconstruction.

It is to be financed through contributions of European Union member states and cover the period from 2024-2027.

The Ukrainian government is required to implement "key reforms on its EU accession track" in order to access this support, the European Commission explained.

"Significant emphasis will be placed on public administration reform, good governance, the rule of law, anti-corruption, and sound financial management," according to the commission.

European leaders granted Ukraine candidate status on June 23, 2022, in a historic step on the long and difficult path to EU membership. There is no timeline set for the accession process, and it may take years to complete.

However, on Sept. 26, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the Ukrainian government has implemented all seven steps recommended by the European Commission for EU accession talks to begin.

On Oct. 2, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that "considering all the reforms that Ukraine has carried out, is carrying out, and will carry out," the process is moving forward "with maximum speed."

Read also: IMF launches fund for supporting Ukraines reforms

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Volta Trucks has declared bankruptcy in Sweden after four years in business. The EV manufacturers' board announced the news in a statement that thanked its workers and pointed to its existing accomplishments and unattained potential. "We created the world's first purpose-built 16-tonne all-electric truck, including a unique cab and chassis design, that would have contributed to decarbonising the environment and enhanced the health and safety and air quality of urban centres." The company had piloted its delivery vehicle, Volta Zero, in five European countries and originally planned to expand to Los Angeles in mid-2023.

Volta Trucks blames its situation, in part, on that of another bankruptcy: Its battery supplier, Proterra, filed for bankruptcy protection in August following cost-trimming efforts. According to Volta Trucks, this turn of events reduced the number of vehicles it planned to produce and made raising the capital necessary to continue operations more challenging.

The EV industry has faced a great deal of layoffs and closures, especially from startups navigating the ever-evolving (and supply chain issues-plagued) field. Lordstown Motors declared bankruptcy in mid-2023 after five years in business, and Arrival has gone through multiple rounds of layoffs with all signs pointing toward bankruptcy  to name only two examples. As was the case with Lordstown Motors, Volta Trucks could seek a buyer for its existing technology.
GAZA CITYConditions in the south of Gaza where Israel told civilians to flee are so crowded and miserablewith no electricity, water or reprieve from airstrikesthat many have decided to return to their homes and accept the consequences.

Imad Abdelfattah, 42, fled with 14 relativesincluding his mother, father, and his sisters young familyafter Israel ordered civilians to leave the northern half of the Gaza Strip before an expected ground invasion in response to Hamas brutal incursion into Israel last week.

They sought shelter on Friday at the Nussierat refugee campone of the zones designated safe by Israelbut the nightly airstrikes were devastating, and the lack of water, electricity, and basic supplies convinced them that they might as well head home to western Gaza City after just two days.

We decided to face the dire situation at home with dignity, as conditions at the refugee camp were unbearable, and there were no alternative shelters to escape to, he told The Daily Beast.

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Back home on Monday, Abdelfattah said he had been unable to secure clean drinking water for his family. I tried to buy drinking water from the shops in Gaza, but there was none available. We are forced to drink water from the underground well, which is salty and normally just used for cleaning.

Airstrikes continued to pound civilian districts all across Gaza despite Israels insistence on a mass evacuation to the south. At least 70 people making their way into the supposedly safe zones were killed over the weekend when airstrikes hit their convoy. A doctor who works right on the southern border with Egypt even told The Daily Beast that his hospital had received a call warning them to evacuate on Sunday. It appears that nowhere is safe.

Dont Let Politicians Normalize the Dehumanization of Palestinians

Many of Gazas hospitals in the northwhich are supposed to be protected under international lawwere already warned to evacuate by the Israel Defense Forces.

Inside one of those hospitals, where fuel supplies will run out at midday on Tuesday according to the department of health, is 7-year-old Jana Dawood. After life-saving surgery, her spirit remains resilient despite a harrowing Israeli airstrike that struck her family's home on al Nasser Street in Gaza City, leaving her with head and eye injuries.

Jana Dawood, 7. The Daily Beast

The house was targeted without warning, her uncle, Belal Dawood, 31, told The Daily Beast inside al Shifa hospital in Gaza City.

"My brother, Ahmed, is Janas father and he bears the scars of burns that engulf his body. His wife endured shrapnel wounds to her stomach, skilfully removed by the dedicated doctors. All Ahmeds children are injured, currently receiving treatment at the hospital."

Describing the horrific event, he recounted what Ahmed said, The rocket descended like an inferno from the ceiling to the floor below, igniting a fierce blaze that seared my body. Shrapnel fragments filled the air around us.

With a profound longing for peace and security, Belal added, We dont yearn for border crossings, we dont seek airports, we dont covet riches. All we truly desire is to lead a life of tranquility and safety, just like any other nation.

The medical capabilities are limited here, and I wish I could take Jana for treatment in Egypt or another country, but the closure of crossings makes us powerless, Bilal added.

As young Jana lay in her hospital bedher eyes concealed beneath white bandages, her face swollen from the injuriesshe turned to her uncle, Belal, and asked with a hint of hope: When are we going back home?

Worst Failure in Israeli History: Netanyahu Abandoned the Very Heart of Israel

Unaware of the devastating reality that her home had been destroyed and there was nowhere safe to go, Janas inquiry hung in the air unanswered, a poignant reminder of the innocence disrupted by harsh realities of war.

Umm Ahmed, 51, spoke to The Daily Beast while cradling her 2-year-old grandson close to her heart. The boys mother, Lana al Haddad, 28, had been heavily pregnant with a baby sister when the familys home was struck by an airstrike.

She is in the intensive care unit after being rescued from the debris of her house. Many of her family were killed and found under the rubble, Ahmed said.

It was just two weeks before her due date, and al Haddad suffered a fractured pelvis as her home collapsed on top of her. After she was rescued from the rubble, she made it to the hospital where she had an emergency Cesarean section. Both Lana and her newborn baby girl are in the intensive care unit, which may only have hours of power left.

Umm Ahmed said: Ive heard stories of Israeli female settlers who gave birth in Gaza who were nurtured and protected by the resistance. So, why are our children and pregnant women subjected to such violence by Israel? What sins have they committed? And why are they not afforded the courtesy of a warning?

Survivors seek shelter in the grounds of al Shifa hospital. The Daily Beast

The director general of al Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza, Muhammad Abu Salamiya, warned that the lives of hundreds of patients in the hospital would be threatened if the fuel ran out. Without fuel or electricity, hospitals will stop working and will become graveyards, he told The Daily Beast, saying they had already run out of beds and were struggling to get water.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded in the Israeli airstrikes which followed the Hamas and Islamic Jihad assault on Israel on Oct. 7. The conflict has become the most deadly of five wars fought between Israel and Gaza with 1400 Israelis killed and at least 199 taken hostage.

Mohammed Majed, 30, who lives in western Gaza City, told The Daily Beast he had witnessed Israel using the incendiary weapons against the civilian population, which is prohibited under international law.

I was sitting with my children on the fifth floor of our building, watching the news on my mobile. Suddenly, the Israeli navy initiated an attack on the beach, just a few meters from us, he said. We saw ambulances rushing to evacuate the occupants of the hotels located along the beach. Then, out of nowhere, we witnessed the horrifying sight of phosphorus bombs bursting in the sky. They resembled white spiders with long, creeping legs, casting an eerie glow as they rained down on the land, igniting fires and resulting in hundreds of suffocation injuries.

The Israeli warplanes targeted the port area to the west of Gaza City, deploying a number of white phosphorus bombs. This incendiary substance blanketed vast expanses to the west of Gaza, forcing us to leave our homes. This indiscriminate assault caused hundreds of Palestinians to suffer from suffocation. Many were transported to hospitals, while the remaining casualties received treatment on-site.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both recorded the use of white phosphorus in the last week during Israels aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Heba Rami, 32, also felt compelled to abandon her home in Beit Lahia.

She recounted her familys distressing journey: We left our home in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, on the second day of the operation, a fateful Sunday, as the Israeli armys strikes relentlessly pounded our area and urged us to evacuate. Seeking refuge, we sought shelter at my aunts house in Sheikh Radwan, southern Gaza City. However, when neighboring houses were targeted by strikes, we were once again forced to flee, this time to the Shate refugee camp.

A man walks with mattresses through destruction in the Gaza Strip's Jabalia refugee camp following overnight Israeli airstrikes amid continuing battles between Israel and the Hamas movement. Mahmud Hams/Getty Images

Hebas voice broke as she continued, This very morning, an Israeli strike demolished a neighboring house within the camp. The entire building crumbled perilously close to where we were. My brothers suffered injuries, and we were taken in ambulances to Shifa hospital.

No place is safe in Gaza, even Shifa hospital. We are afraid it will be targeted as well, she said.

Over the weekend, hundreds of thousands of Gaza citizens headed south to try to avoid the worst of the attacks after an Israeli army warning that a military operation would begin in the area within 24 hours. It put the residents in a race against time, in a fruitless search for safety.

The United Nations said the Israeli order would mean the transfer of 1.1 million citizens to the southern Gaza Strip within one day, which is impossible to happen without devastating humanitarian consequences.

Salma Ibrahim, 37, left al Nasser street in Gaza City with seven members of her family on Saturday. We started to leave as all our neighbors left fearing death and destruction as the Israeli army will target underground Gaza to destroy Hamas tunnels. We don't know what is going to happen or where to go, she said.

She was exhausted as she trudged south like thousands of others in a scene reminiscent of notorious photographs of the Nakba or the Catastrophe when an estimated 700,000 Palestinians were forced to depart their homeland in Israel in 1948. It remains a deeply traumatic event in their collective memory and continues to shape their struggle for justice and for their right to return to their homes, says the United Nations.

A massive crowd of exhausted people was striving to move swiftly; some clutched a pillow, others carried bags and bottles of water. A number of women were shouldering their children.

"It is like the 1948 Nakba, Ibrahim said. We are afraid they will ask us to leave south Gaza and go on to Egypt at a later stage.

Many fear even the tiny strip of land that many have described as an open air prison camp will soon be lost altogether to the Palestinian people.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Columbus City Hall approved on Monday evening a sweeping landmark deal to wipe out $335 million of medical debt, providing financial relief to more than 340,000 moderate-income residents in Columbus.

In return for wiping out the debt, the city expects to spend $500,000 toward administrative costs to take care of the outstanding debt, including mailing letters to about one out of every three Columbus residents letting them know their debt has been dismissed.

The deal took seven months to finalize, was made in collaboration with the Central Ohio Hospital Council, which represents the Mount Carmel Healthcare System, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio Health and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

More: Not covered by the Columbus medical debt settlement? Here's tip on what you can do

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The Dispatch compiled a list of some common questions you might have about the debt relief new deal:

Who is eligible for medical debt relief?

To qualify for relief, you must be a Columbus resident and have medical debt with the city's four main hospital systems: OhioHealth, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Mount Carmel Health System, and Nationwide Childrens Hospital.

Debtors whose incomes are between 200% and 400% of the poverty level, or $55,500 and $111,000 for a family of four. People who make below 200% of the federal poverty level are not billed for medical care, however, there are often other avenues for dispatching medical debt for people below that line.

You received treatment at any of the four area hospital systems between 2015 and 2020.

What is the Central Ohio Hospital Council?

The Central Ohio Hospital Council is a nonprofit that describes itself as a forum that allows four major central Ohio health care systems - Mount Carmel Healthcare System, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio Health and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center - to collaborate. Under this agreement with Columbus, the organization says it will dispatch more debt for less money than originally proposed.

Do I have to do anything?

You do not have to apply to or submit anything to receive relief. If you're eligible, you should receive a letter in the mail notifying you that you have been chosen for debt forgiveness.

How did Columbus pay for this?

The city used money from the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2021.

Wasn't RIP Medical Debt involved in this deal?

The Council originally proposed entering a contract with RIP Medical Debt, a New York-based nonprofit that wipes out medical debt for those who qualify.

Local health providers questioned the need for a third-party and decided to go about dismissing the medical debt themselves. The original plan would have spent four times the amount of the city's ARP funds to only wipe out $135.2 million less in debt, according to city estimates.

Are other cities doing this?

Ohio cities are taking steps to relieve medical debt for their residents. Toledo  in partnership with Lucas County  is hoping to spend $1.6 million to wipe away an estimated $240 million in medical debt. The city of Akron allocated $500,00 to purchase debts through RIP Medical Debt. RIP then negotiates with hospitals and debt collectors to buy debts at a substantial discount.

For more details about the ordinance, read Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin's press release here.

smeighan@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: What to know about Columbus' plan to wipe out millions in medical debt
Lorraine McNeal, 53, worked for Walmart for 15 years before she was laid off in September 2021 and fell behind on her rent payments.

She said she tried to find another job, but the COVID-19 pandemic made it hard to find work, as did her disability. Her former partner had moved out, as had her daughter, leaving McNeal the sole person to pay her $1,295 monthly rent for her three-bedroom South Shore apartment, she said. Her rent had jumped $295 in April 2021.

She started selling dinners from her home and tried to give her landlord whatever money she made, but she had other bills to pay too, she said. At the time, McNeal was waiting for her Social Security disability insurance to come through.

McNeal had never faced eviction before the pandemic but has faced it twice since then.

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I was scared; I didnt know which way to turn, who to talk to, McNeal said.

McNeal requested rental assistance from the city and was paired with an attorney from Law Center for Better Housing who was able to get her landlord to wait until the rental assistance came through and helped her avoid eviction.

The attorney who helped McNeal was available through Chicagos Right to Counsel Pilot Program, an initiative that would become permanent in 2027 under an ordinance introduced to the City Council by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing last month.

The proposal is part of Johnsons sweeping progressive agenda to help the working class, including Chicagoans struggling with securing stable housing. Besides the right to counsel proposal, the mayor has championed raising a tax on luxury property sales in order to fund homelessness services and often speaks personally about his brother Leon, who died while unhoused.

If the City Council passes the right to counsel ordinance, Chicago would join cities including Baltimore and New York, which have in recent years approved such legislation. Introduced Sept. 14, the proposal has been referred to the housing and real estate committee, where it is expected to be discussed in the coming months.

Residential eviction filings in Cook County, which slowed in 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic-induced eviction moratoria, have been at pre-pandemic levels for more than a year, with evictions enforced by the Cook County sheriffs office on track to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year.

Residential eviction filings stand at more than 18,000 through August 2023, with last years total filings  which include a small number of commercial evictions  reaching over 29,000, around the same number of filings as in 2019, according to data from the Circuit Court of Cook County.

From January through September of this year, the Cook County sheriffs office has enforced over 5,600 evictions. In 2022, the first full year after pandemic moratoria on evictions were lifted, the number of evictions enforced by the sheriffs office stood at roughly 4,500, which was about 2,000 less than in 2019, according to the Tribunes analysis of data provided by the sheriffs office.

Most evictions took place on the South and West sides in majority-Black and Latino communities, trends that line up with national data showing that racial minorities are more likely to face eviction. The pandemic disproportionately affected racial minorities, who were more likely to experience hardships such as job loss and illness.

Michelle Gilbert, legal and policy director for Law Center for Better Housing, one of the organizations involved in the program, said the majority of renters the organization helps are very low income  at or below 30% of the area median income  all of whom would qualify to receive legal assistance through the ordinance.

The right to counsel pilot program was launched by the Department of Housing in July 2022 and is funded for three years with $8 million through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a fund with tens of millions of dollars that was created with federal stimulus money during the early years of the pandemic.

Johnson is proposing to extend the program to all eligible tenants, instead of only those who can be helped based on capacity from the legal aid organizations involved. Eligible tenants would be those who earn 80% of the area median income and below, which is $61,800 or below for a household of one in 2023, according to the Department of Housing.

As the program works now, in order for tenants to receive help, they also must have experienced a COVID-19-related hardship, a parameter that would be omitted with the new ordinance.

Legal assistance would be provided by nonprofit legal aid organizations periodically chosen through competitive processes, according to the mayors office. The funding for the existing pilot program was split between two legal aid organizations, Law Center for Better Housing and Beyond Legal Aid, with Law Center for Better Housing receiving the bulk of the funds.

Many landlords in Chicago and Cook County have expressed concerns about the eviction process since 2020 when the county launched the Early Resolution Program, an eviction diversion program that offers free legal aid, mediation services and connections to rental assistance for tenants and small landlords. The eviction process has slowed down significantly, with property owners saying this is more costly to them and housing advocates saying this ensures that tenants and landlords get the help they need.

The Early Resolution Program is different from the pilot program, as it provides earlier intervention to support tenants and small landlords in an effort to settle eviction cases quickly. The right to counsel pilot offers extended legal assistance and representation for tenants whose cases dont settle early. Most cases still settle before going to trial, said Gilbert of Law Center for Better Housing. Initially funded with pandemic aid dollars, the Early Resolution Program is likely to receive further funding through the countys 2024 budget allocations, according to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkles office.

The Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance, a membership organization for property owners, told the Tribune it is not taking a position on the proposal to make the right to counsel program permanent. The Chicagoland Apartment Association, another membership organization for property owners, declined to comment, saying they are looking into the details of the ordinance.

Some attorneys who represent landlords told the Tribune they are in favor of the ordinance because all parties benefit from tenants having legal representation.

Justin Abdilla is one of those attorneys. He said landlords are receiving less favorable outcomes in eviction court because tenants do not have legal representation, causing judges to be sympathetic. Abdilla hopes the ordinance would help mitigate this.

I think tenants are getting a lot of breaks because they dont have competent representation so the court feels bad by ramrodding them through the process, Abdilla said.

The pilot program had handled more than 1,100 cases as of the end of September, with services ranging from brief legal counseling to full legal representation in court. Tenants are referred to the program by the organizations involved in the Early Resolution Program.

John, 32, was one of the tenants referred to the program. He faced eviction earlier this year after being diagnosed with a rare disease that required him to seek medical treatment out of state, pay hefty medical bills and request short-term disability funds while on leave from his accounting job.

He fell behind about $600 on his rent  about half his monthly payment for his one-bedroom apartment  and while gone for an extended period of time while seeking medical care, his refrigerator stopped working, causing his food to spoil and a smell to emanate from his Near North Side apartment where he lived for around three years. Johns neighbors complained to management, and management filed for eviction, he said.

John had never faced eviction before and struggled to find legal representation until someone suggested he call Law Center for Better Housing as he went through the Early Resolution Program.

When they called me back, I felt like I had won the lottery, said John, who requested to be identified only by his first name because his eviction record has been sealed.

John applied for rental assistance and had been saving up money to pay off his back rent and fees, and his attorney helped argue in court that the alleged breach of the lease stemming from the refrigerator smell was not Johns fault. He was able to pay off his debt and agreed to move out, he said.

Now, after living in the city for more than a decade, John is splitting time between his parents house out of state and Chicago to save money.

It was terrifying (facing eviction,) John said. I dont know how anyone could possibly defend themselves without an attorney, and I dont know how you would find a good attorney if you dont get legal aid.

Without eviction diversion programs and right to counsel laws, experts estimate that nationwide, only 10% of tenants would be represented by attorneys in court, whereas around 90% of landlords have representation.

Lam Nguyen Ho, co-director of Beyond Legal Aid, said he has seen firsthand how much of a positive impact it makes for a tenant facing eviction to receive legal assistance. Beyond Legal Aid partners with outside organizations to provide legal services for those organizations legal clinics, with about a dozen groups working with Hos organization in the right to counsel program.

Ho said most of the families helped so far say the organization was able to meet their goals for the eviction process  one of the metrics being used to evaluate the program  such as being able to stay in their homes or receiving more time to move.

Ho said he thinks the pilot program should be made permanent.

We work with large communities that often cant access legal aid from other programs due to, for example, their immigration status, or we do a lot of work with sex workers, Ho said. And so, as a result, it has been really powerful and inspiring for us to just be able to increase not only the services and legal aid that we can provide to these underserved communities, but also being able to hopefully increase the knowledge the community has around their rights as tenants.

McNeal  the tenant who faced eviction in South Shore  said without the legal aid offered through the pilot program, she would not have been able to afford help. She said it would be a blessing if the program is made permanent through the City Council ordinance.

It saved my life, McNeal said. It helped me not feel dumb; it helped me not feel alone, and with the funds too, it saved me, saved the institution of home.

Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin and Gregory Royal Pratt contributed.

ekane@chicagotribune.com
Editors Note: This story contains descriptions of alleged sexual abuse.

Ex-Caldwell Police Sgt. Ryan Bendawald has been indicted on several felonies, with prosecutors alleging he abused his law position by sexually victimizing women, according to a news release Tuesday from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Idaho.

Bendawald, who now lives in Franklin, Tennessee, was charged with two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and five counts of federal program bribery, according to the release. The 41-year-old is also charged with a misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

He could face life in prison if convicted of all counts, the release said.

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Authorities alleged that Bendawald, from at least 2017 through 2021, engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with at least seven women he met during work, and that he exchanged and offered to exchange better treatment by police for sex and sexual favors, the release said.

Bendawald allegedly penetrated two women following traffic stops in July 2017 and March 2021, according to the indictment, which Idahos U.S. Attorneys Office provided to the Idaho Statesman. Hes also accused of touching a woman under her clothing without her consent while working as an officer in June 2019, the indictment said.

... Bendawald abused his position as a law enforcement officer to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with at least seven members of the public through bribery and sexual assault, according to the indictment.

Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram said in a statement that the allegations against Bendawald dont reflect the police department and do not embody the bravery, integrity, and resilience of officers nationwide. He said the department would continue to cooperate with federal authorities.

The Caldwell Police Department has unified behind a concerted effort to renew and restore the cornerstones of a successful police agency, Ingram said in the statement. From relationships with surrounding agencies, to public trust, to internal culture  our purpose here at the Caldwell Police Department is more pointed and focused than ever before.

Bendawald was arrested by the FBI in Tennessee, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit told the Statesman in a text. He is expected to have his initial appearance there and will be given a court date in Idaho, Hurwit said.

Hurwit said he doesnt expect that Bendawald will be remanded.

The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office Boise Resident Agency is investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the office at 208-344-4875.

Bendawald resigned in 2021

The indictment was a long time coming after the FBI started investigating Bendawald in 2021. During former Caldwell Police Lt. Joey Hoadleys 2022 trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis Joseph Zebari said the FBI notified the Caldwell Police Department in June 2021 that it would investigate two officers who were also friends: Bendawald and Hoadley.

Bendawald left the department a few months later.

Hoadley was sentenced to three months in prison after a 12-person jury convicted him of destruction, alteration or falsification of records in an FBI investigation; tampering with a witness by harassment; and tampering with documents.

Ex-Caldwell Police Lt. Ryan Bendawald, left, poses with then-Police Chief Frank Wyant in 2018 after Bendawald received his certification from the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training. Bendawald has been indicted on seven felonies. Caldwell Police Department /Courtesy

In an October 2021 resignation letter, which the Statesman obtained through a public records request, Bendawald told then-Caldwell Police Chief Frank Wyant that his last day would be Nov. 7, 2021.

It is with deep sadness that I am writing this letter which will serve a formal notification of my decision to resign from the Caldwell Police Department, Bendawald wrote in the letter, which was partially redacted. I wish you and the rest of the Caldwell Police Department nothing but the best, and I thank you for the opportunity to serve this community.

Wyant notified the department of Bendawalds departure in a Nov. 5 email: Sgt. Ryan Bendawald has recently resigned and separated his employment with the city of Caldwell. Wish Ryan well in his new endeavor and season in his new career.
Ryan Kelley, who sought the Republican nod in Michigan's gubernatorial primary last year, was sentenced to 60 days in federal prison by a judge in Washington, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. Kelley pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal misdemeanor charge for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, when supporters of former P resident Donald Trump attempted to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

In addition to the 60-day prison stint, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper also levied a $5,000 fine against Kelley, per the Associated Press. Kelley, a real estate agent and conservative activist, finished fourth in the Republican primary in the Michigan gubernatorial race last year, losing out to eventual nominee Tudor Dixon.

The government had previously levied four misdemeanor charges against Kelley, to which he initially pleaded not guilty. But he avoided a trial after pleading guilty in July to a single charge of entering or remaining on restricted grounds without lawful authority. That charge, also a misdemeanor, carried a maximum sentence of up to a year in prison.

Federal prosecutors initially argued that Kelley should get three months in prison for the charge, describing the Jan. 6 riot as an assault on the democratic process and noting that Kelley failed to show remorse for his actions. In their pre-sentencing memorandum, prosecutors pointed to past posts on social media from Kelley where he wrote he was doing the right thing being at the Capitol that day.

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(T)he January 6 riot was a violent attack that threatened the lives of legislators and their staff, interrupted 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.

Gary Springstead, Kelley's attorney, wrote that he should avoid prison time altogether, particularly since there was no evidence that he entered the Capitol building during the riot. Springstead also noted that Kelley, 42, has six children.

More: Feds want ex-GOP governor hopeful Ryan Kelley to get 3 months in prison for Jan. 6 charge

More: Trump lawyers say Michigan officials can't keep him off 2024 presidential ballot

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.

During his sentencing, Kelley again noted he was in Washington to see Trump speak, but said "my actions were my actions," according to the Associated Press. On Jan. 6, 2021, supporters of Trump stormed the Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Joe 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 on restricted grounds, the DOJ says.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) @arpanlobo.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-governor candidate Kelley sentenced to 60 days in prison for Jan. 6 charge
Two now-former officers with the Memphis Police Department are joining the City of Memphis' motion to dismiss the $550 million civil lawsuit that was brought against the city and a number of individuals in the wake of Tyre Nichols' death.

In the motion filed by Preston Hemphill and Dewayne Smith, attorneys for the officers argue that the lawsuit cites an incorrect constitutional amendment violation, that they are protected from the suit by the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act and that Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, does not have standing to sue on Nichols' behalf.

In Wells' lawsuit, her attorneys cited due process violations as one of the claims made against MPD and the officers, which falls under the Fourteenth Amendment. Hemphill and Smith's attorneys argue that the lawsuit should have cited the Fourth Amendment, which pertains to excessive force during an arrest.

"In Graham v. Connor, the Supreme Court held that if a constitutional claim is covered by specific constitutional provisions such as the Fourth Amendment, the claim must be analyzed under the standard appropriate to that specific provision and not under the more general rubric of substantive due process," Hemphill and Smith's attorneys wrote. "In other words, a substantive due process claim under the Fourteenth Amendment would lie only if the Fourth Amendment does not apply. Since plaintiff's claim is based upon an unreasonable seizure, it should be analyzed under the Fourth and not the Fourteenth Amendment, and therefore the Fourteenth Amendment claim should be dismissed."

Hemphill and Smith's attorneys also argued that they are protected under TGTLA, which says that claims against government employees who are acting as government employees cannot be made when injury is caused by "negligent act or omissions of any employee within the scope of his employment."

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The TGTLA claim is one that is commonly used by the City of Memphis in various lawsuits, and was cited in its own motion to dismiss that was filed July 7.

Unique to Hemphill and Smith's motion to dismiss is an argument that Wells does not have standing to file the lawsuit. Instead, attorneys for Hemphill and Smith argue that the lawsuit would have to be brought by Nichols' son, or the guardian of that son, because the person who would have "the highest priority is a surviving spouse, followed by any children, and then to the next of kin."

Because Nichols was not married, the person with the highest priority would be his son, the attorneys argue.

"Prior to commencing this action, plaintiff knew this child existed but failed to properly identify and name the minor child as the actual beneficiary in the complaint," the attorneys wrote. "As a minor, Tyre Nichols' child is under a legal disability and may not bring an action in his own name, but must be represented by either a general guardian, a committee, a conservator, a like fiduciary, a next friend or a guardian ad litem. There is no evidence that plaintiff has been given any legal authority whatsoever to sue on behalf of Nichols' minor child. Whether plaintiff can sue for the benefit of Nichols' minor son is a question of who has the right to litigate on his behalf."

According to the two former officers' attorneys, Nichols' son's mother would have to consent to the lawsuit in order for Wells to have standing.

Wells entered into the lawsuit as "administratrix ad litem," which is the person who oversees someone's estate, and the attorneys argue that someone overseeing an estate cannot bring a wrongful death suit.

"While an action for wrongful death may be instituted and maintained by an administrator, it has long been settled that the administrator sues as a representative of the next of kin, and not as a representative of the estate or of creditors," they wrote. "An estate has no standing to bring a wrongful death action 'because it is clear that an estate lacks any interest in a wrongful death suit in Tennessee.'"

Federal criminal court: Ex-Memphis officers' lawyers allege Tyre Nichols had 'mushrooms,' stolen credit cards in car

The lawsuit was first filed in late April, a few months after Nichols was killed. It cites negligence on a number of levels and accuses MPD of having policies in place that would violate the civil rights of Memphians.

After filing the suit, notable civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Wells, said the suit was a "landmark lawsuit" honored Martin Luther King, Jr. by asking for $10 million in damages for each year since his assassination  a total of $550 million  and for its scope.

"The amount we are suing for is a message," Crump said. "It is our mission to make it financially unsustainable for these police oppression units to unjustly kill Black people in the future. What makes this a landmark lawsuit is that we're going to see, in the near future, these officers admit that this is how they were trained. This is going to be the first time in America where we're going to hear police officers saying, 'No, we weren't just bad apples. We were not just somebody out for Saturday night kicks to beat up somebody. This is what they trained us to do to young, Black men.'"

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tyre Nichols case: Ex-MPD officers say mother cannot sue, request dismissal
FILE - Ryan Kelley, a Republican candidate for Michigan governor, speaks during a rally outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., Feb. 8, 2022. Kelley, a former Republican candidate for governor of Michigan who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, is set to be sentenced today. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  A judge on Tuesday sentenced a former Republican candidate for Michigan governor to two months behind bars for joining a mob's Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, where he riled up other rioters and ripped a tarp outside the building.

Ryan Kelley, who finished fourth in a primary field of five Republican gubernatorial candidates last year, pleaded guilty in July to a misdemeanor for his role in the siege.

Several months before his guilty plea, Kelley posted on social media that the Capitol riot was an FBI set up." His campaign posted the words political prisoner on Facebook after his June 2022 arrest.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper told Kelley that he misused his platform as a candidate for public office by promoting lies about election fraud, including the baseless claim that Jan. 6 was somehow part of an FBI plot.

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A lot of folks voted for you. A lot of folks followed you, Cooper said before sentencing Kelley to 60 days of imprisonment and ordering him to pay a $5,000 fine.

Kelley, 42, traveled from Allendale, Michigan, to Washington, D.C., to attend then-President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally near the White House on Jan. 6. Kelley told the judge that he wanted to see receipts" supporting Trump's claims that Democrats stole the 2020 presidential election from him, the Republican incumbent.

Those receipts never came, he said. That is a betrayal, and I was misled into believing those things, Kelley said.

But he said he doesn't blame Trump for his conduct on Jan. 6.

He did invite us there, but my actions were my actions, Kelley said.

Kelley, a 42-year-old real estate broker, isnt accused of engaging in violence on Jan. 6. But federal prosecutors said he helped breach scaffolding, stirred up the mob with his shouts and gestured for other rioters to move closer to the Capitol and to police officers guarding the building.

Kelley pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, a charge punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of one year.

Prosecutors recommended sentencing Kelley to three months of incarceration.

Mr. Kelley engaged in not just a bad decision but a series of bad decisions that day, federal prosecutor Shanai Watson said.

Kelley's arrest roiled what was already a complicated Republican primary for the governor's race. Conservative commentator Tudor Dixon won the Republican primary but ultimately lost to incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, last November.

Kelley spoke at a Stop the Steal rally at the state Capitol in Lansing in November 2020, shortly after the presidential election. Kelley urged others at the rally to stand and fight, with the goal of preventing Democrats from stealing the election, the FBI said.

After attending Trump's Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, he marched to the Capitol and joined a crowd that formed on the West Plaza, where flash bang grenades exploded near him.

Kelley and other rioters climbed through scaffolding covered by a white tarp. Surveillance video captured him tearing the tarp.

Even though his rip of the tarp was relatively modest, it extended an already existing hole in the tarp and widened the opening through which some rioters advanced on the Capitol Building, prosecutors wrote in a court filing.

Kelley remained on Capitol grounds for nearly two hours but isn't accused of entering the building that day.

Mr. Kelley understands and appreciates that he never should have participated in the protests that turned into a riot that day and that such violence has no place in our democracy, his defense lawyer wrote.

At a debate last year, Kelley said the riot was a First Amendment activity by a majority of those people, myself included.

We were there protesting the government because we dont like the results of the 2020 election, the process of how it happened. And we have that First Amendment right. And thats what 99% of the people were there for that day, he said.

In a court filing after the primary loss, Kelley's lawyers said was still actively involved in political issues throughout the state of Michigan, and is contemplating whether he will run for a different state or federal position.

Defense attorney Gary Springstead said on Tuesday that Kelley wants nothing to do with politics at this point. Kelley told the judge that he wants to focus on his business and his family.

More than 1,100 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. More than 800 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury or judge after contested trials. Nearly 700 of them have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving terms of imprisonment ranging from three days to 22 years.
A group of 30 journalists from 15 Chinese and foreign media outlets visited Beijing China-Germany Industrial Park on Monday to learn about the city's commitment to achieving high-quality development.

The tour commenced with a visit to the BOSCH Industry 4.0 Innovation Center, a collaborative venture between the renowned German company, BOSCH, and the Shunyi district government. The center offers services of factory planning and consulting to manufacturing enterprises in Beijing. The journalists were given an exclusive look into the operations of an automatic production line, showcasing cutting-edge technology that seamlessly integrates 5G and industrial internet and marking the pinnacle of intelligent manufacturing.

Continuing their tour, the reporters proceeded to Agile Robots. They learned about a medical robot produced by the company that assists orthopedic surgeons in conducting surgeries.

Furthermore, the delegation visited PhaBuilder, a company with leading synthetic biotechnology focusing on the transformation and engineering of halophilic microorganisms.

The tour was part of a series of interview events for journalists covering the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, organized by the forum's media center and the Information Office of Beijing Municipal People's Government.
A Canadian woman has spoken for the first time about her marriage to one of the IS "Beatles" and her time living with him in Syria.

Despite global news coverage of savagery by the Islamic State (IS) group, Dure Ahmed claims she was "oblivious to what was going on" while her then-British husband El Shafee Elsheikh was committing atrocities.

He was part of a murderous IS cell linked to the abduction, torture and beheading of Western hostages.

The mother of two claims she wasn't radicalised, but was just "a dumb girl in love".

She agreed to answer questions from the BBC and Canadian broadcaster, CBC. "I'm not looking for sympathy or pity," she explained.

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Ahmed expects a backlash for speaking publicly, she says, but wants to highlight the plight of the women and children of suspected IS fighters still stuck in Syrian camps. She was held in such a camp for more than three years.

She says she now needs to accept that her time with Elsheikh was part of her life "whether I like it or not".

Ahmed claims Elsheikh had not told her he had joined IS before she left to be with him. She insists she was unaware of the group's jihadist ideology when she travelled from Canada to Syria in 2014. She claims she barely recognised the controlling and violent figure her now ex-husband had become.

The IS cell's victims included, clockwise from top left, aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig, and journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley

Elsheikh and the others in his IS cell were nicknamed the "Beatles" by their captives because of their British accents. The men were responsible for the deaths of several hostages - most of whom were beheaded - with the deaths filmed and posted on social media.

At his 2022 trial in the US, prosecutors said Elsheikh's actions resulted in the deaths of four Americans - journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig. They said he also conspired in the deaths of two British aid workers, David Haines and Alan Henning - as well as Japanese journalists Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto.

The bodies have never been found.

Elsheikh - from west London - is now serving eight life sentences in a US supermax prison. The UK stripped him of his citizenship before his conviction.

But, while he is in jail, questions remain about how much others - such as his wife Ahmed - knew about what IS were doing.

Ahmed joined Elsheikh in Syria two months after the murders carried out by his IS cell had caused outrage around the world. It was also just after IS had committed numerous atrocities while seizing the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, and started a genocide against Iraq's Yazidi religious minority.

During Ahmed's time out there, she gave birth to two sons. She and her boys were among a group of women and children repatriated to Canada in April.

When we first met Ahmed in 2022, we had no idea of her connection to Elsheikh

The 33-year-old was arrested upon arrival on a "terrorism peace bond," and later granted bail with conditions. On Monday, those conditions were reviewed in a court in Brampton, Ontario.

The Crown lawyer argued that Ahmed had been "steeped" in IS ideology and it would have been "likely" that she knew of her husband's role with the group before leaving Canada in 2014.

The Crown and Ahmed's legal team put forward a joint proposal with conditions that would include her being monitored by GPS - and being subjected to a curfew between the hours of 22:00 and 06:00. The judge said he would deliver his ruling on 19 October.

We interviewed Dure Ahmed twice - most recently in Toronto last week, where she spoke more freely. But our first meeting was in the detention camp in Syria last November. There, she had offered to speak to us about a missing British child we were searching for, as part of an upcoming BBC-CBC podcast series - Bloodlines.

At first, we had no idea of her husband's identity - but, after investigating further we learned about the connection. We then wanted to know about Elsheikh's radicalisation, his victims and his fellow IS "Beatles".

Ahmed and Elsheikh met in Toronto in 2007. She was 17, he was 19. We asked how they had first connected as teenagers in Canada.

"Smoking weed," she laughed. "He didn't care about God, it was nothing to do with IS."

Elsheikh travelled to Syria in 2012 and joined IS a year later

The pair kept in touch when Elsheikh - the son of Sudanese refugees - returned to London. In 2010, they were married in an Islamic ceremony - but the relationship remained largely long distance, as Ahmed stayed in Toronto where she was studying for an English degree.

In London, Elsheikh became drawn to extremism and met the men who would become his fellow IS militants.

"He wasn't a social person. He's such an introvert. So he had all the qualities that can lead somebody into that dark path of radicalisation," she explains.

In 2012, Elsheikh travelled to Syria to fight in the country's civil war - he then joined IS. He was constantly encouraging his wife to join him.

"'Come check it out. You could go back.' As if it was so simple," she told us.

Elsheikh refused to give her details of what he was doing in Syria - she claims - and says she didn't even know which city he was living in.

"For the most part, I thought that not knowing was better than knowing."

But, as she pondered making the trip, she claims members of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service - CSIS - questioned her about her husband.

"They [CSIS] did explain in Syria that there are things happening where it's not as black and white as I thought it was. [But] they didn't show me video."

Ahmed claims she had nothing to tell CSIS and that she told Elsheikh that agents had contacted her. CSIS told the BBC it was not able to comment on the specifics of any case.

Bloodlines

As Islamic State group fell, what became of the children of its fighters?

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Ahmed was 24 and a jobless graduate when she did finally travel. She claims she had not seen the horrors of the IS beheadings which were being reported widely at the time. "It might be really hard to think, but it's honestly the truth."

We put to her that she was a smart woman who had been on a Middle Eastern studies course - surely she would have been aware of what was happening to Muslims across the world at that time?

"I distanced myself from what was happening in Syria," she replied. Her study topics included the hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt, she told us, not current affairs.

According to Ahmed, Elsheikh arranged everything - all she had to do was "hop on a plane" to Turkey.

"I just carried a carry-on. Three pairs of pants and two T-shirts."

In our years of reporting on IS, we've both found that most women don't want to talk about why or how they got involved with the group. Everyone's got their own story.

Some were victims of domestic abuse, some were duped or trafficked. Some came willingly as adventure seekers. Some followed their husbands and children. Some were children themselves.

And then, of course, there were all those women, who were committed, hard-core adherents to the IS ideology.

Ahmed denies having supported IS. In her answers to us, she preferred to paint herself as a naive romantic. When we spoke to her in the Syrian detention camp, she condemned IS - even though it was risky to do so in such a place.

Flag-waving IS supporter in Raqqa in 2014 - where Ahmed told us daily life involved doing normal things with female friends

Elsheikh and Ahmed lived in Raqqa - Islamic State group's de facto capital in Syria - where summary killings at a city centre roundabout became commonplace, with severed heads put on display afterwards.

During our interview in the Syrian camp, Ahmed told us daily life had involved doing normal things with female friends, including going to restaurants or taking children on ferris wheels.

When we talked again - in the safety of Toronto - about life under IS rule, she denied Elsheikh's prominent role allowed them to have a lavish lifestyle. In fact, she claimed, her house in Raqqa had felt like a prison - they rarely went out. No phone or internet - just her, her children and Elsheikh's other wife. Polygamy was common. We asked if they'd had Yazidi slaves in the home - she said they hadn't.

Her husband was "so private", she claimed. "We couldn't even pull up the blinds."

She told us she believes her children are lucky to be alive, given the violence Elsheikh inflicted on her while she was pregnant.

Ahmed claims she tried to run away many times but her only option was to return - there was no family or support system under IS. She eventually left after he divorced her, seeking refuge with her boys in a guest house for women.

We pointed out that she had disclosed additional information during our second interview - and asked if it was just convenient for her to say these things now because she was back in Canada and at risk of going to jail.

"If I'm going to be charged, I'm going to get charged regardless. So it doesn't really make a difference," she replied.

Being physically away from Syria "looking at it from the outside I think it just gives me more clarity".

Carl Mueller, father of US aid worker Kayla Mueller, hugs her friend after a jury convicted El Shafee Elsheikh in 2022

Elsheikh was captured in early 2018 by Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-backed Kurdish-led militia alliance, but it would be another year before Ahmed surrendered with her boys in the village of Baghuz - not long before IS made its last stand there.

Canada is one of the nations which has repatriated some of the families of IS fighters. The US, Spain, Sweden, Germany and France are doing the same.

The UK, meanwhile, has stripped citizenship from people who travelled to live under IS.

These individuals include Shamima Begum, one of the schoolgirls who went to Syria in 2015. She went on to marry an IS fighter and now lives in the same camp in Syria that Ahmed was in.

Leaving women and children in the Syrian camps, claims Ahmed, won't help conquer the "radical path a lot of people go down".

She claims she isn't simply seeking to smooth her public image - but rather, she is speaking publicly because she is grateful she and her children have been given a second chance.

Elsheikh was convicted, but he had pleaded not guilty in court. Ahmed says he needs to admit what he did for the sake of his children and the families of his victims.

"This is something he has to talk to my kids about. It can't just stop at his sentence."

She claims that when court restrictions allow, she will speak to her ex-husband in jail - having offered to ask him questions on behalf of the victims' families including the locations of their loved ones' bodies.
PROVIDENCE  The backdrop for a political war between the Rhode Island GOP and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has hit the market for $10.5 million.

For sale: the 27-acre "Gerald's Farm" in Exeter, owned by former Trump re-election campaign chairman Gerald Zarrella.

"I just want to downsize a bit," Zarrella told The Journal of his reasons for putting the Exeter property  described by Sotheby's International Realty as a "classic Gentleman's Estate"  up for sale. He posted the news on his Facebook page.

Who is Gerald Zarrella, and why is his farm in the middle of an ethics dispute?

"Gentleman farmer" is one of many roles that the Democrat-turned-Republican Zarrella has had in his Rhode Island life.

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He is perhaps better known as a prolific real estate developer, high-end house builder and a political power player with the juice to bring two presidents to venues in Rhode Island: Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.

At this point, Zarrella says, the horses and chickens are gone, along with any desire to commit three days a week to maintaining what was once a working farm.

Also gone is any camaraderie Zarrella once had with past and present leaders of the state's Republican Party, whom he is suing for alleged retaliation after his highly publicized break with the party.

It's a convoluted tale that centers on the ethics complaints state GOP Chairman Joseph Powers lobbed against Shekarchi, the Democratic House speaker, about proposed 2017 changes to Rhode Island's "Right to Farm" law  which died in the Senate after passing the House.

Right to farm backlash: Former RI Trump campaign chair sues state Republican Party for retaliation. Here's why.

In his complaint to the state Ethics Commission, Powers alleged the proposed changes would have benefited Zarrella, a client of Shekarchi's law practice, by allowing him to host weddings and other events at "Gerald's Farm."

The complaint does not argue that Shekarchi  who was House majority leader at the time under then-speaker Nicholas Mattiello  played any specific role in advancing the farm wedding bill, or even that Zarrella was behind the legislation, but that Shekarchi's vote for it represented a conflict under the state Code of Ethics.

Shekarchi's lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on grounds the GOP has its facts wrong.

Most basically, they argue: there is no evidence Gerald Zarrella Sr. was Shekarchi's client while the legislation was before the House. "Around the time [the bill] was voted on in the House, Speaker Shekarchi's client was Zarrella & Associates, LLC...[which] lists Gerald Zarrella Jr., not Sr., on its filings," they wrote the Ethics Commission.

The GOP filing "further identifies a proceeding on behalf of Zarrella Development later in the year, but that was after the legislation had failed to pass."

Zarrella argues in his own lawsuit that Rhode Island's GOP leaders cooked up the ethics complaint in retaliation for his earlier decision to leave the party over "differences of opinions with the leadership  regarding party policy and direction."

Zarrella says he's OK now, but he believes "the rats" got together last spring and decided to "just go after Jerry. He just had a heart attack. He's not going to say anything [when] we go after Shekarchi."

Zarrella himself is suing the state Republican party

In his own lawsuit against Powers, former state GOP Chair Sue Cienki and others  including the Rhode Island GOP's National Republican Committee delegate Steve Frias  Zarrella alleges the ethics complaint the GOP filed last May is packed with "false and misleading information" about what he [Zarrella] personally stood to gain from the legislation.

Zarrella says he "was at no time a legal client ... [or] business associate of K. Joseph Shekarchi," nor would he have received any financial gain from the proposed amendment to the Right to Farm Act.

He said Powers and Frias "knew or should have known that The Gerald P. Zarrella Trust is the owner of property located at 1 Geralds Farm Drive in Exeter ... [that] was involved in litigation with the Town of Exeter," and that Geralds Farm, LLC operates the farm.

The controversy will play out in two venues this week:

On Tuesday, the Ethics Commission is expected to vote to give its staff an additional 60 days to investigate Powers' complaint against Shekarchi.

On Nov. 20, a Superior Court judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on Zarrella's bid for summary judgment on his demand for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from GOP leaders for the "intentional infliction of emotional distress," attorney fees and reimbursement for all other costs related to his lawsuit.

But what if you want to buy a farm?

None of this is directly related to Zarrella's decision to put his farm up for sale while he spends more time in Palm Beach, Florida, and contemplates building another house on Block Island, and another in East Greenwich.

The sales pitch:

"This property is the epitome of elegance and refinement. Spanning 27-acres of meticulously manicured grounds, adorned with fragrant roses and flourishing apple trees, this estate presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," the listing on Mott & Chase Sotheby's International Realty's website states.

"The centerpiece of this magnificent estate is a grand 6,200 square foot main house. Boasting 4 beds, 3 full & 2 half baths. Inside you'll be greeted by a pool with a cascading waterfall and a mesmerizing fish tank in the grand entry foyer," it reads.

"The property is adorned with stunning split rail fences and stone walls, enhancing its timeless charm. A separate carriage house with an in-law apartment above offers a perfect space for hosting events or showcasing your car/boat collection. Additionally, a sprawling Amish-built barn, complete with a large outdoor firepit and a picturesque gazebo, offers endless possibilities for gatherings and recreation."

Zarrella said there have been more than a few nibbles.

Want more of our politics coverage right on your phone? Download our free app for personalized news alerts and feeds based on your interests.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: For sale: Exeter estate Gerald's Farm, at center of RI political fight
A man who was exonerated after spending more than 16 years in prison on a wrongful conviction was shot and killed by a Georgia sheriff's deputy on Monday.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Leonard Allen Cure was shot during a traffic stop.

Cure, 53, grew defiant during his arrest and assaulted the deputy, according to a press release.

Emergency medical personnel attempted to treat Cure, but he later died.

"I can only imagine what it's like to know your son is innocent and watch him be sentenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and ... then be told that once he's been freed, he's been shot dead," Seth Miller, executive director of the Innocence Project of Florida, which represented Cure in his exoneration case, told the BBC's media partner CBS.

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Cure's family confirmed his death to Mr Miller.

A Camden County deputy stopped Cure as he drove along Interstate 95 near the Georgia-Florida line on Monday morning, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Cure got out of the car at the deputy's direction, but when he learned he was under arrest he stopped complying with the deputy's requests.

The deputy used his Taser on Cure, who in turn assaulted the deputy. The deputy again used his Taser, and then hit Cure with a baton before pulling out his gun and shooting, according to GBI.

Police have not provided details about the charges for which Cure was being arrested.

Cure was sentenced to life in prison in 2004, after being convicted of armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm in Dania Beach, Florida.

There were problems with Cure's case from the start, a conviction review team and an independent panel of local attorneys found, including a disregarded alibi that placed Cure roughly 3 miles (4.8km) away from the scene of the crime at the time of the robbery.

Cure became the first man to be exonerated by the Broward Conviction Review Unit.

He was released from prison in April 2020 and Broward Circuit Judge John J Murphy III signed an order exonerating him later that year.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis approved a claims bill awarding Cure with $817,000 (670,144) and educational benefits last June.

He received his check in early August, according to Mr Miller.

According to a statement from a Florida state attorney obtained by local news, Cure "was hoping to go to college and wanted to work in broadcast radio production".

The Camden County Sheriff's Office has asked GBI to conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the agency said it will submit its findings to the district attorney for review.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport could eventually accommodate 6.5 million to 7 million passengers a year with expansion work now underway, including the construction of a new ground-level terminal.

Compare that to the record year that SRQ is having  4.2 million passengers traveling through the terminal in the 12 months ending in September.

Thats a 13% increase compared to the previous 12-month period.

A passenger load like that would trigger Phase Two of expansion plans, which would provide three additional gates and directly connect the ground-level terminal with the existing concourse, Rick Piccolo, the airports president and CEO, said this week. .

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But first things first. The ground-level terminal with its five new gates is scheduled to open in December 2024 and would go a long way toward relieving SRQs growing pains.

Put another way, SRQ is the most recovered airport in the United States since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

SRQ passenger traffic is up 195.6% above what it was in 2019, according to the Simple Flying web page.

The planned ground boarding facility at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is designed to help manager passenger growth at SRQ. Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority rendering

On Monday, Mark Stuckey, the airports executive vice president, briefed the Manatee County Tourist Development Council on what SRQ is doing to handle all the new passengers.

Measures include quadrupling storage capacity at the airports fuel farm, installing new escalators and a new baggage handling system, adding parking and building that new ground-level passenger terminal.

The airport now has 11 airlines and 54 nonstop destinations. In 2017, the airport had six airlines and 10 nonstop destinations.

In peak season, SRQ handles 160 commercial flights a day.

Travelers wait at the Delta ticketing desk at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Sept. 25, 2023. Tiffany Tompkins/ttompkins@bradenton.com

The addition of Allegiant in 2018 helped kick off massive passenger growth at SRQ and was spurred on by Southwest Airlines arrival in 2021.

When the ground-level passenger terminal opens in late 2024, Allegiant will operate all five gates, opening up three gates in the existing terminal for new service.

In the meantime, a parking study is underway, which should recommend a location for a proposed garage, which would be a first for SRQ.

SRQ officials also hope to eventually add transcontinental flights to the West Coast and are in talks with an undisclosed carrier, Stuckey said.

For September, 230,685 passengers traveled through the SRQ terminal, a 21% increase compared to 190,405 passengers in September 2022.

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Nov. 2: Philadelphia/Wilmington, Del. (ILG)  Avelo Airlines

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Oct. 16: Belleville/St. Louis (BLV)  Allegiant Airlines

Oct. 29: Washington, DC (IAD) - United Airlines

Oct. 29: New York City (LGA)  JetBlue

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Rep. Jim Jordan walks to the House chambers ahead of a planned vote for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol on October 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. Credit - Joe RaedleGetty Images

Ohio Republican Jim Jordan still hasnt locked up the votes he needs to be the next Speaker of the House. But on Tuesday, only a few holdouts remain standing between him and what could be a historic speakership.

Matthew Green, a politics professor at the Catholic University of America who published a book in 2010 on the historical role of the Speaker, says a few aspects of Jordan and his political career would make his obtaining the speakers gavel stand out.

"He would be the most conservative speaker chosen by the House in at least 80 years," Green says, noting that its Jordans reputation as an unflinching far-right conservative that has both boosted his speakership campaign and could doom his tenure in the role.

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"Jordan has a strong base of support, a lot of conservative grassroots activists who are really loyal to him, Green says. Are they going to maintain that loyalty if he has to make bills more moderate in order to pass them? Or is he going to stick to his ideological guns, in which case he may struggle to succeed legislatively?"

Legislation has never been what Jordan has been known for. Jordan was one of the founding members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, which has routinely been a thorn in the side of the Houses Republican leadership.

Since joining the House in 2006, Jordan has never had a bill passed into law. According to the Washington Post, he has sponsored very few bills that have gotten any traction.

"Even speakers who aren't legislatively minded in their careers, usually get some bills passed before they become speaker, Green says. If he's never done that, the question is, does that reflect a lack of knowledge of the legislative process? And if it does, that's a problem, because speakers have to know how the legislative process works in order to get things through."

Online and in the halls of Congress, hardline conservatives have celebrated the possibility of having one of their own in such a powerful position. For many, the fact that Jordan does not have the typical congressional resume of many previous speakers is a strength.

Republicans aren't really following the traditional leadership ladder here, Green says, noting that Jordan is chair of the House Judiciary Committee but has not held other posts Speakers typically start with, particularly Majority Leader.

Its been two weeks since California Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position as Speaker. As Jordan and his allies worked to get the votes they needed on Monday, many House Republicans seemed more concerned with installing a new Speaker than with exactly what Jordan would do once he got there.

The chaos of the process that might launch Jordan into the speakership is a sign of changing times. According to Green, its very unusual to watch the majority party cycle through candidates publicly the way Republicans have over the last week. In recent decades, both parties have struggled more to keep the process behind closed doors, but Democrats, especially under former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have had an easier time getting rank-and-file members in line.

Republicans won back the House in last years midterm elections, but with a narrower majority than they had anticipated. That Jordan has been able to upend traditional norms to end up a handful of votes away from the speakership reflects that slim majority, which enables a few members to exercise disproportionate influence if they are willing to buck tradition.

The political environment has changed, Green says. The grassroots pay more attention to speaker elections and holdouts and upstarts can find themselves rewarded with TV interviews and attention on social media.That power of the media is often what drives members to defect on these votes in the first place, Green says.

Write to Mini Racker at mini.racker@time.com.
By Mark Trevelyan

(Reuters) - Russia's parliament has passed the last stage of a law to withdraw Moscow's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which now goes to President Vladimir Putin for signing. Here is a look at some questions that raises.

WHAT IS THE CTBT?

The CTBT, agreed in 1996, bans "any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion" anywhere in the world, with the goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating nuclear weapons. Its preamble says it is aimed at supporting disarmament and non-proliferation by constraining the development of nuclear weapons and stopping countries producing more advanced ones.

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WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE SIGNED AND RATIFIED?

A total of 187 states have signed the treaty, and 178 have ratified it in their parliaments.

Of the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons:

- Britain and France have signed and ratified.

- The United States, Israel and China have signed but not ratified. Russia signed and ratified but is now withdrawing ratification, saying it is "mirroring" the U.S. position.

India, Pakistan and North Korea have yet to sign or ratify.

WHAT IS THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE TREATY?

The treaty is not legally valid until 44 named countries sign and ratify it - all nine that have nuclear weapons, and 35 others that possess nuclear power and research reactors.

DOES IT HAVE ANY PRACTICAL EFFECT THEN?

Yes, in practice the treaty has created a taboo against explosive nuclear tests. No country has carried such a test since the 1990s except North Korea, which conducted the most recent of its six tests in 2017.

The treaty established a global network of observation posts that can detect the sound, shockwaves or radioactive fallout from a nuclear explosion. When complete, it will comprise 321 monitoring stations and 16 laboratories, hosted by 89 countries. Around 90% are already operational, including in Russia and the United States.

WHAT DOES THE RUSSIAN SHIFT MEAN?

Russia says it is not planning to conduct a test, and will not do so unless the U.S. does. But some analysts see a Russian test as more likely now. Putin has issued what the West sees as nuclear threats since the start of the Ukraine war and may be keeping testing in reserve in case Russia's fortunes decline sharply, when he could use it to warn the West to back off. Publicly, he has not said if he thinks a test is needed or not.

WHAT WOULD A NUCLEAR TEST ACHIEVE?

Not much in scientific terms, experts say, because full-scale detonations can be accurately simulated using "subcritical" tests without a nuclear chain reaction.

Both Russia and the United States have advanced research programs to understand weapon performance and behaviours, said Dylan Spaulding, senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists: "That kind of research doesn't require full-scale testing, it requires computer modelling."

But experts say a test would send a hefty political signal.

Andrey Baklitskiy, senior researcher at the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research, said any nuclear weapons state would do this only in exceptional circumstances:

"The argument 'Maybe our nuclear warheads will be a little bit better' - that wouldn't be a very good argument why you'd do this."

SHOULD WE WORRY ABOUT A RESUMPTION OF NUCLEAR TESTING?

Security analysts say a nuclear test would almost certainly prompt other countries to follow suit, wrecking the CTBT and setting off a new arms race. Anti-nuclear campaigners say it could cause environmental damage, although testing - unlike in the early decades of the Cold War - would be carried out deep underground. But it would also point to wider instability.

"If we're in a world in which testing is going on, the first thing it shows us is that nuclear risks have risen," said James Acton, co-director of the nuclear policy program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

"I think testing is both a symptom of growing tensions, and would also further exacerbate those tensions."

(Additional reporting by Gloria Dickie; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
SAN DIEGO  Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego will host its annual Boot Camp Challenge this weekend for the 21st year.

The event to celebrate 100 years of making Marines will be held Saturday and is open to the community.

Runners will get a chance to take on the same obstacles Marine Corps recruits are trained on: trenches, log hurdles, tunnel crawls, push-up stations and a six-foot wall. Throughout the 3-mile race, over 60 Marine drill instructors will be on standby to encourage and motivate.

Interested runners have through 11:55 p.m. Wednesday to register on bootcampchallenge.com. One thousand participants have already signed up, according to MCRD.

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Anyone over the age of 14 can participate. More than 1,000 runners have signed-up including an 80-year-old

Following the opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m., the race will begin at 9 a.m.

San Diego home sales fell sharply last month with prices sticking around $1M

Participants will run in waves, starting with the individual categories then 3-person teams, MCRD says.

The top three participants in each category will take home awards, and all participants will get a T-shirt.

FOX 5s Megan Healy took on the challenge ahead of the event to experience the day of training for Marine Corps. recruit.

Really all it is, is to build the recruits confidence as they are going through it because if you look at it, a lot of the obstacles they look challenging, but its mostly a mental thing, said MCRD San Diego drill instructor Staff Srgt. Mollie said.

Its going to be a high-energy huge adrenaline rush and its going to be filled with obstacles like the log tunnels, crawling through dirt and the six-foot wall, Mollie said.

You might remember Private First-Class Bruno, hes going to be at the event celebrating his first birthday and cheering on the participants.

This year is a special year for the event as MCRD San Diego celebrates 100 years of recruit training.

Mollie encourages participants to start hydrating and stretching to make sure you can be as prepared as possible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Swedish-based SKF, which has a factory in Sundon Park, Luton, plans to switch production to Poland

A Swedish-based business has confirmed it is closing a UK factory with the loss of 300 jobs after more than a century of manufacturing.

SKF began production in Luton in 1911, under the name Skefko Ball Bearing Company, the company's first site outside Sweden.

Closure of the site was first proposed in May, and now the business says there is "no viable alternative".

SKF said it would be closed for production by the end of 2024 in a staged process.

The company, which used to be Luton Town FC's shirt sponsor, said the closure was part of a "consolidation of the groups spherical roller bearing manufacturing to secure the long-term competitiveness on the European markets."

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David Johansson, president of he company's Industrial Region Europe Middle East and Africa, said that after a consultation process "no viable alternative to closing the Luton factory has been found".

"On behalf of the full management team of SKF, I want to thank all our employees in Luton for their many years of commitment and dedication," he said.

Michael Crean, managing director for SKF (UK) Limited thanked Luton colleagues for the dedication and hard work.

"Our attention remains fully focused on supporting our employees and providing assistance across all aspects as individually needed, he said.

It was proposed in the consultation in May that production would be moved to SKFs factory in Poznan, Poland.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
A former Republican candidate for the Michigan governorship will spend two months behind bars after a judge sentenced him Tuesday on charges related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Ryan Kelley, 42, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count in July after federal prosecutors said he cheered on other rioters, climbed scaffolding, and helped rip down a protective tarp. According to prosecutors, Kelley did not directly engage in violence, but rather encouraged, facilitated, and celebrated violence at the Capitol by shouting and beckoning at the crowd. Kelley was arrested in the middle of the Michigan gubernatorial primary in June 2022; his campaign suggested on Facebook shortly after that he was a political prisoner. In August, he declared that he would refuse to concede after finishing fourth in a primary field of five. Kelley on Tuesday apologized for his actions on Jan. 6, adding that Donald Trump was not to blame for what he did, according to NBC News. The judge presiding over the sentencing hearing said he had some serious concerns that the 42-year-old was truly remorseful.

Read it at NBC News

Read more at The Daily Beast.
FAIRVIEW  Fairview School District Superintendent Erik Kincade led one of the most academically accomplished school districts in Erie County for the past 14 years, an era that included the COVID-19 pandemic and a building boom that featured $45 million in renovations to Fairview High School.

But when the Fairview School Board ended weeks of uncertainty and unanimously voted to accept Kincade's early retirement at a special meeting on Monday night, he was nowhere to be found in the board room.

The board at the meeting also said it intends to hire Kincade's predecessor as superintendent, Larry Kessler, as an interim superintendent while the board searches for a new leader for the district. Kessler, who retired as superintendent in 2009 after nearly eight years in the job, was at Monday's meeting even as Kincade was not.

And while the school board president, Jim Lyons, recounted many of Kincade's achievements in Kincade's absence, Lyons bracketed his prepared remarks with comments that signaled how contentious the relationship had become between Kincade and the Fairview school directors, particularly Lyons.

As Lyons said, hanging over the sudden departure of the 50-year-old Kincade was an undisclosed personnel issue involving Kincade  a topic that the nine-member School Board had been discussing in private since early October, including at an Oct. 2 executive session that lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes.

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As much as Kincade, who has a doctorate in organizational learning and leadership, said that he was leaving the school district on Oct. 31 to pursue an opportunity that he said had just arisen, Lyons' comments  as well as the School Board's vote on Monday night  showed that the school directors were more than ready to move on and had no hesitation in seeing Kincade leave his $178,967-a-year job well before his five-year contract expired on June 30, 2025.

"The Fairview School District is in the midst of a major transition: Dr. Kincade is stepping away from his position of district superintendent and we are in the process of identifying and hiring our next superintendent," Lyons told a crowd of about 35 people at the meeting. "For many in the community and, to be frank, many of us on the School Board, this transition has come upon us abruptly.

"So, to begin  and this may not be a popular statement at this time  I want to thank Dr. Kincade for his many years of service and the positive impact that he has had on the Fairview school system," Lyons said.

After recounting some of Kincade's accomplishments, such as the renovation of the high school and the Fairview School District's academic success  the affluent district's 1,888 students regularly exceed state benchmarks on standardized tests  Lyons said the School Board was ready "to turn the page."

"We are aware that many rumors and allegations have circulated over the past several months about a personnel issue with the district," Lyons said. "Given that this is a personnel matter, the School Board by law is not at liberty to comment further. But please keep in mind that over the last month, many of us have put our work and home lives on hold to deal with the fallout.

"Please know that every member that you have elected to the current board has taken an active role in the process. Your voices have been heard. The interests and the welfare of all Fairview students and staff will remain our top priority."

School Board also waives notification clause in Kincade's contract

The School Board passed the motion to accept Kincade's retirement without comments from the other school directors and without debate. The board also unanimously voted to waive a requirement in Kincade's contract that he give the district six months' notice that he planned to retire.

Lyons and George Joseph, the district's solicitor, clarified how the board's acceptance of Kincade's retirement, along with the waiver of the notification clause, led to no additional benefits to Kincade and aided the School Board in having him leave the district swiftly.

On Oct. 3, the day after the School Board met in the lengthy executive session over him, Kincade told the Erie Times-News that he had asked the School Board to waive the notification requirement so he could retire with just one months' notice without losing accrued benefits.

However, picking up on what Lyons said at the meeting on Monday night, Joseph told the Erie Times-News that Kincade would have received those benefits with or without a waiver. Joseph, who also attended Monday's meeting, said the waiving of the requirement allowed the School Board to release Kincade from his contract as of Oct. 31, rather than requiring him to stay for another six months while the district searched for his successor.

School Board abandons vote on a separation agreement for Kincade

By voting the way it did on Monday night, the board still cost Kincade money. Instead of voting to approve a separation agreement with him  an agreement that the board tabled at a public meeting a week ago  the school directors accepted Kincade's retirement without giving him any additional financial benefits, as Joseph said the separation agreement would have done.

Kincade in the separation agreement "was requesting enhancements" that he would not have received otherwise, Joseph said. Joseph said he was limited in his comments because the separation agreement never received board approval and was thus not a public record.

The School Board's abandonment of the separation agreement coincided with a dispute between Lyons and Kincade over when Kincade said he made his retirement plans clear to the School Board.

Also on Oct. 3. Kincade told the Erie Times-News, in an email, that he had told Lyons over the summer of his intention to retire at the end of the current academic year, and Kincade said "other opportunities have emerged that made me want to move up that date."

Lyons told the Erie Times-News in an article published on Oct. 9 that Kincade never told him he wanted to retire at the end of the current academic year.

"Dr. Kincade had always told me that he planned to fulfill his contract, which was through June 2025," Lyons said.

At its public board meeting on Oct. 9, the Fairview School Board tabled a motion to approve the separation agreement. The board tabled the vote "due to changing circumstances and on the advice of our solicitor," Lyons, said at the Oct. 9 meeting. He did not elaborate.

The School Board never took the separation agreement off the table. Instead, it voted on Monday night to accept Kincade's early retirement and waive the notification requirement, a request Kincade made in what the board called a "resignation retirement" letter that Kincade submitted to the board hours before the board's vote.

The Times-News obtained the letter through a request under the state's Right-to-Know Law. The one-paragraph letter asks the board to accept Kincade's "resignation for the purpose of retirement from my position as School Superintendent effective October 31, 2023." The letter also asks the board to waive the notification requirement.

Kincade was not available for comment on Monday night because he was not at the board meeting. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Lyons said Kincade, a Fairview resident, is still working for the district and will continue to get paid through Oct. 31.

Before he was Fairview schools superintendent, Kincade was the district's director of curriculum development, instruction and assessment for three years. He came to Fairview from the Oswayo Valley School District in Potter County, where he was a school principal, in July 2006.

Kincade faces a financial hit on his pension by retiring from public education at age 50. If he draws on his pension immediately upon his retirement, he would be subject to costly penalties because he has not reached normal retirement age under the rules of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System.

Fairview residents say they are upset at School Board

Though Kincade is leaving soon, several residents who attended Monday night's meeting said they were displeased with how the School Board had handled the situation with him. They offered their remarks during the public comment period of the meeting.

Some said they wanted more information on the personnel issue, despite Lyons citing confidentiality rules.

"Accountability is what is missing from Fairview," resident Michael Jeglinski told the board. "You guys brushed this under the rug. The Fairview way is to brush it under the rug."

Resident Michael Naber said the board should have made a different decision.

"Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it," Naber said "I don't want to say, 'Shame on you,' but it is right there."

Another resident, Sherri Cummings, said she would have been fired from her job if she were in the same situation as Kincade.

Kincade's contract requires the board to give him a hearing if the board decided to fire him. Though the board members did not say whether they considered terminating Kincade from his job, such a process could have led to prolonged and costly litigation  a situation that the acceptance of Kincade's retirement avoids.

The School Board members did not respond directly to the comments from the public, though Lyons said that allowing Kincade to leave on Oct. 31, rather than six months, was in the best interest of the school district so that it could move forward quickly, including starting the search for a permanent superintendent as soon as possible.

Referring to a line from the popular streaming series "Ted Lasso," Lyons said: "I ask us to take what we have learned and focus on the future of our district. As Ted Lasso says, 'Instead of fighting back  we need to fight forward.'

"The process of bringing in our next permanent superintendent is a tremendous opportunity for us all. We will listen to feedback from staff, administration and the community.

"We expect to bring in a new leader who will help us navigate new goals  one who brings a vision of even loftier ambitions for our collective future."

School Board taps former superintendent for interim post

Lyons said the board expects to vote on the hire of the proposed interim superintendent, Larry Kessler, at its next regularly scheduled meeting, on Oct. 23. He said the board will also discuss the search process on Oct. 23.

Kessler declined to comment on Monday night. He said he would comment if the board hired him.

Kessler retired as superintendent of the Fairview School District in 2009 at 56. He served as superintendent for seven years and seven months. He went on to become an assistant professor in the educational leadership program at Gannon University, where he remains on the adjunct faculty.

Though Kessler, now 71, is retired from public education in Pennsylvania, he can serve as an interim superintendent for as long as 179 days, said Joseph, the Fairview School District's solicitor.

Kessler and Kincade's careers intersected at the Fairview School District. Kessler was superintendent when Kincade worked for the district early on, and Kessler lauded Kincade as the pick to succeed him as superintendent in 2009.

"Mr. Kessler and I work very closely together,"Kincade, then the Fairview School District's director of curriculum, told the Erie Times-News in June 2009, after he was named the new superintendent. "Although my title is not assistant superintendent, I have worked alongside him in that capacity."

Kessler told the Times-News in the same article that he was highly satisfied with the School Board's selection of Kincade as superintendent.

"I could not have hand-picked a better candidate," he said.

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Fairview School Board accepts superintendent's retirement, with waiver
You are here: China

The income of China's basic medical insurance fund, which includes maternity insurance, increased 9.3 percent year on year to over 2.09 trillion yuan (291 billion U.S. dollars) from January to August, data from the National Healthcare Security Administration shows.

The income of the basic medical insurance fund for urban workers totaled 1.47 trillion yuan during the period, an increase of 13 percent from last year. The income of the basic medical insurance fund for rural and non-working urban residents was 618.53 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.3 percent.

The data shows that basic medical insurance fund spending in the first eight months rose 18.3 percent from the previous year to 1.79 trillion yuan.

For urban workers, fund expenditure was 1.13 trillion yuan, of which 70.95 billion yuan was spent on maternity insurance.
Russia has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, which erupted after militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel in early October 2023. Following Moscows remarks, a video emerged online in Africa claiming to show President Vladimir Putin threatening the US with overt military support for the Palestinians should America take sides in the war. But this is false: the clip is old and the purported subtitles in English are fabricated. In the original version, Putin was talking about the ongoing war in Ukraine.

I am warning America, Russia will help Palestine and America can do nothing, reads the text overlaid on a video posted to a Nigerian Instagram account on October 10, 2023.

In the clip, Putin seems to be responding to questions from Russian-speaking journalists.

Screenshot showing the false post, taken on October 13, 2023

The clip has been shared more than 3,000 times. It has also surfaced on Facebook.

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Israel declared war on Hamas a day after waves of its fighters broke through the heavily fortified border on October 7, 2023, shooting, stabbing and burning to death more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians (AFP story archived here).

Reeling from the deadliest attack in its history, Israel has unleashed a relentless bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip that has flattened neighbourhoods and killed at least 2,750 people, mainly civilians.

On October 16, 2023, Moscow renewed its calls for an immediate ceasefire, urging leaders on both sides to start negotiations on ending hostilities.

Putin has described the war between Israel and Hamas as a failure of US policy in the Middle East, calling the establishment of a Palestinian state a necessity (archived here).

He also accused the US of monopolising the settlement of the conflict without taking into account finding acceptable settlements for both parties.

In recent years, Russia has maintained friendly relations with Israeli and Palestinian authorities, though ties with Jerusalem have been strained by Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.

Old mistranslated footage

The video circulating on social media claiming to show Putin saying Russia would support the Palestinian side is old and has inaccurate English subtitles.

AFP Fact Check first debunked the claim in Arabic and found that the footage was mistranslated and predates the current Israel-Gaza conflict.

Using a reverse image search on a screenshot from the video, we found that the clip has been online since at least December 2020.

The original version, published on USA Todays YouTube channel, shows Putin speaking at a televised meeting on December 7, 2022 (archived here). He addressed the growing threat of nuclear war around Russias invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022.

The subtitles on the YouTube footage read: Regarding the fact that under no circumstances will Russia strike first, if it does not strike first under any circumstances, then it will not strike second either, because the possibilities of a nuclear strike on our territory are very limited.

The renewed conflict between Israel and Palestine has generated a wave of misinformation online. You can follow our coverage here.
Campusgoers move about on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Sept. 18, 2022. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News

Headcount at Utahs public, degree-granting colleges and universities climbed to 198,432 this fall, compared to 194,921 a year ago, according to new numbers released Tuesday by the Utah System of Higher Education.

Southern Utah University led the way with a 4.9% increase over the previous year, once again leading state-support institutions in year-to-year growth in enrollment.

Students are choosing SUU for our commitment to access, affordability, academic programs and most of all the student-centric experience where we offer small class sizes and educators who are invested in mentoring our students for their future careers, said SUU President Mindy Benson in a statement.

SUUs fall headcount was a record 15,033 students, according to USHEs headcount.

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Meanwhile, fall headcount at Snow College declined 8.2%, which college officials said was anticipated after discontinuing relationships with two third-party contractors enrolling online students, many from outside of Utah, according to a statement from the college.

Otherwise, the college reported an increase in local students, minority students and nontraditional students. Its fall headcount was 5,506, according to state higher education data.

Institution 2023 Enrollment % Difference from 2022 Salt Lake Community College 26,764 1.60% Snow College 5,506 -8.20% Southern Utah University 15,033 4.90% University of Utah 35,310 1.70% Utah State University 28,063 0.40% Utah Tech University 12,567 0.10% Utah Valley University 44,653 3.60% Weber State University 30,536 2.10% Total Enrollment 198,432 1.80%

Geoffrey Landward, interim Utah Commissioner of Higher Education, said system officials were pleased with the overall growth in enrollment at the states public degree-granting colleges.

Higher education is a transformative tool for many individuals that equips them with the knowledge and expertise to drive positive change and economic prosperity in our state, said Landward.

He noted that fall enrollment figures for the states eight technical colleges should be available later this month, which will provide the overall headcount of the systems 16 public colleges and universities.

Utah Valley Universitys headcount of 44,653 led the state, with the enrollment climbing 3.6% overall, according to USHE data.

The University of Utahs total enrollment was 35,310, an increase of 1.7% over fall 2022, according to the state higher education report.

Weber State Universitys headcount rose 2.1% to 30,536 this fall, but its graduate-level enrollment declined nearly 1%.

Utah State University had an overall enrollment increase of 0.4% that boosted its fall headcount to 28,063. However, USU experienced a 3% decline in graduate-level enrollment but has had about a 10% increase in concurrent enrollment of high school students.

Related

At Salt Lake Community College, fall enrollment climbed to 26,764, which reflects a 1.6% increase from a year ago.

SLCC President Deneece G. Huftalin noted the colleges Latinx/Hispanic student enrollment reached an all-time high at 24.2%.

The pandemic years were hard on our student body and enrollment, and now the energy and buzz of students can be felt across all our campuses, Huftalin said in a statement.

Meanwhile, fall enrollment at Utah Tech University held steady at 12,567, with an increase of 0.1%.

The fall enrollment of degree-granting institutions is measured the third week of the fall semester.
She is wearing a favorite jean jacket, a fashionable kind with a slightly worn look. With her braces and her bouncy hair, it makes her look perhaps a bit younger than a 16-year-old child.

It's late. Already into the next summer day, officially, but still the middle of the night in a Rochester Marketview neighborhood with a bright street light showing her the familiar way. And Jakarah Lopez-Moore is doing something routine  crossing the street with slow, steady steps, turning and clicking her car locked with a key fob.

A door camera catches the motion that late August night. It's the last footage we are aware of that shows Jakarah alive.

Pause the frame.

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In this recording, Jakarah is still real, still vibrant. She'd dropped off a friend and was coming home, where she'd look at her phone and speak to her grandmother, according to family.

They had talked earlier in the night about how cringy the first "Twilight" movie was. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Keep the frame paused. In this moment in time, a missing girl is still not lost, not agonized over, not found killed in woods near manufacturing buildings. Jakarah is holding her bag and coming home. Hit play ... she's turning toward the house, then she is clambering up the steps and inside.

When your loved one is missing, like so many missing children out there from Rochester, from western New York state, you send these pictures and video out into the world, digital messages that spread the word: Find. Her.

If you hear the worst, like one Rochester mother and grandmother and siblings heard this past weekend, these frozen-in-time moments become an artifact of the last night you saw her alive.

We don't know what happened to Jakarah. Police are investigating. We don't know who took her away.

But we know something about how she lived her life, and that's a stronger legacy than a still photo on a missing poster or a freeze frame on a Ring video. Jakarah lived a vibrant life and was loved, and she represents a valuable and too vulnerable demographic in Rochester.

Waiting for a missing teen to come home in Rochester NY

Jakarahs big pink bed sits in the middle of her room next to a tall cage where her ferret lives.

The ferret's name is Malaysia.

Her two favorite sloth stuffed animals are on her pillow on an early October day, untouched since she left. Above her bed hangs a baby pink hammock with the rest of her stuffed animals, including the first teddy bear her grandma gave to her when she was little.

Tracy McDaniels is Jakarahs grandmother. The girl moved in with her around March 2022.

It was no longer the best plan that she live with her mom, although they by all accounts had a close relationship, and Jakarah didnt trust the foster care system after her experience with it, family said.

McDaniels and the girl's mother were waiting this autumn day for Jakarah to come home, and they were very worried. Also, an entire region of America was focused on the story of Charlotte Sena, a missing white girl from a campsite who had been riding her bike. That was appropriate publicity, but beyond that frightening incident with another worried family  was enough attention being paid to Jakarah?

It was agony, waiting to find out who had taken her, why and what had happened to their girl.

Who was Jakarah Lopez-Moore?

Jakarah is a normal teenager who likes to listen to music, watch TV, spend time on her phone, her grandmother told us in October. The teen was also learning how to cook.

She liked to put hot sauce or buffalo sauce on everything," McDaniels said. "Then she'd get mad at me, because I didn't put enough spices in my food.

"She'd just like, dance around all the time and you know  her favorite thing was twerking.

Jakarah had just turned 16 in early August. She was Black, 5 feet 8 inches and 120 pounds. That is what the missing child poster would say when it went out to the world. Her eyes, brown. Her hair, black. (Her mom said in a social media post that this height and weight was wrong and she was one inch taller and 30 pounds heavier.)

"Her hair is in locs like the third picture (shows)," wrote her mother on Facebook. "It's been 8 days! Bring my baby home!!"

Jakarah had a rose tattoo on the back of her left hand and BRI on her outer left forearm.

She was outspoken and did what she wanted to do, said her mother, Christee Lopez, when we spoke with her earlier this month. She and her daughter were both young, growing up together. Lopez had Jakarah when she was 16 years old, the same age as her daughter in the freeze frame on the Ring video.

Jakarah had been talking a lot lately about bettering her life, because she made some mistakes in her past and wanted to improve, Lopez said. She said had been talking about joining the Job Corps and becoming a registered nurse so she could go on to become a nurse practitioner.

Remembering a teen girl killed in Rochester

In Jakarah's bedroom, while showing it to a reporter, McDaniels bent down to tell Malaysia she could come out to play soon, as her little white paws scratched at the cage.

Jakarah loved animals, McDaniels explained as her two cats, Firefox and Cleo, crawled out from under the pink bed. She laughed as she remembered how Jakarah would get jealous when the cats decided to sleep with her on the couch instead of in Jakarahs room.

She would get mad and grab a sloth to sleep with, McDaniels said.

Besides a cats cries for attention, the room is still and quiet. Her hairbrushes and lotion sit on her vanity where she last left them. Her uneaten snacks sit in drawers next to her bed.

Like many young teenage girls, Jakarah spent most of her time in her room, listening to music or playing Call of Duty on the big flat screen TV above her vanity.

A bond between a young mother and daughter

Im terrible at conveying my emotions, but I feel empty," her mother told us in early October trying to hold back tears. "Like, I had Jakarah when I was literally her age. We literally grew up together, so we have been through everything together, like she is my right hand.

A lot of people dont have that relationship with their kids, but I keep everything 100 with Jakarah, and Jakarah keeps everything 100 with me. We talk to each other about everything.

As the days passed and there was no word about her daughter, Lopez wasn't eating much.

The first 24 hours that Jakarah was gone, they weren't too worried, because they figured she was with either with cousins or her aunt. Once they realized her phone had been turned off and she hadnt been in touch with anyone, they called the police, her mother said.

Her whole life is on that phone," she said.

Her daughter was smart and funny and trying to rise above some of her past. She was on probation, and her grandmother said the girl was scared that she would end up in jail.

She was loved.

Expecting Jakarah to come home: A missing teen

She could inspire people, you know?" her grandmother said. "She does inspire people to do better. Shell point out your flaws, and she has good insights sometimes, she thinks outside the box.

If she could be anything, maybe  an Indy driver?

Jakarah had problems and disappointments. She was peeved that the family didn't throw her a Sweet 16 party.

Her grandmother dreamed about Jakarah while they waited for news. In the dream, she had her canes and was walking down a hill, a field with an embankment, and there was a flatbed truck there. It was an odd dream.

When she woke up, she tried hard to remember the details.

I said, I gotta remember this dream it might be important," she said. "I havent forgotten it.

When Jakarah was a baby, she would cry whenever her grandma had to leave. She had a lot of hair as a baby  and two buck teeth.

Jakarah learned to talk at a young age, could hold conversations and was good at reading. In the beginning, she struggled with writing. She was a friendly kid, the family said, and frank. Sometimes, she would just blurt out a thought.

They worried that something bad had happened to Jakarah. Leaving without telling them wasn't like her. Staying out of communication wasn't like her. Being gone this long wasn't like her.

The dress was a big tip-off that something was terribly wrong.

The morning that she went missing, that she got into a car in the dark, was a Sunday. She had told her little sister that she was going to bring her a new dress for church that day.

And she would never break her word to her siblings if she could help it.

Missing 16-year-old Rochester girl found dead in woods; homicide investigation underway

Stephanie Lucas' son was shot and killed in 2002. She's missed him every day for 20 years.

 Madison Scott is a college journalist who is an intern with the Democrat and Chronicle. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Jakarah Lopez-Moore found dead in Rochester NY. Who was she?
Nearly two years ago, Maurice Monk, unable to afford his $2,500 bond, sat in a California jail for 34 days. He had missed a court appearance following an argument with a bus driver.

Before he entered Santa Rita jail in Alameda county, Monk had regularly taken prescription medication for high blood pressure, diabetes and schizophrenia. During a previous time at Santa Rita months before his death, he had received his prescriptions as usual.

Related: Whats behind a surge of deaths at one Ohio jail?

During this stint in November 2021, however, Monk lay face-down unattended for three days after staff at the jail allegedly failed to give him his prescription medication. Despite the escalating medical emergency, jail and medical staff allegedly noticed Monk in his bunk surrounded by unopened meals, water, medication, urine and feces and did not act.

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In those final days, as the ink from his attire stained the mattress beneath him, Monk experienced what his family called a slow, torturous death.

Earlier this month, Monks family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against the Alameda county sheriffs office, 15 sheriffs deputy employees and Santa Rita jail workers, and Wellpath Community Care, a for-profit company that provides medical care to dozens of California jails and has been the subject of lawsuits and federal investigations for providing substandard care. The familys lawsuit alleged that the father of twos death at the notorious facility, one of the largest jails in the country, represented an unconscionable failure of the entire Santa Rita Jail staff, from law enforcement supervisors to medical staff to deputy and sergeant sheriffs.

Between October and November 2021, Monks sister Elvira Monk, who feared that her brothers health would rapidly decline if not given his prescriptions, repeatedly contacted Santa Rita jail to tell them about Monks medication needs. They rejected her efforts and sent her through a series of frustrating bureaucratic processes that led to no results, the familys lawsuit noted.

The latest filing came more than a year after Monks family initially sued the county and others for their roles in Monks death. Since then, attorneys reviewed footage from more than 150 body-camera videos from a civil lawsuit. A spokesperson for the Alameda county sheriffs office declined to comment, noting the case is still in active litigation status. In a previous 2022 court filing, Alameda county noted that Elvira sent a record for a medication but denied that she made any further efforts to get in touch with jail staff. In a separate filing that year, attorneys for WellPath denied the allegations. The company has not responded to a request for comment.

A sheriff deputy wrote in a report that Monk needed to be evaluated by Alameda countys adult forensic behavioral health unit but the lawsuit notes that no records showed that the evaluation took place. Still, during his time in jail, medical staff with WellPath failed to prescribe Monks medications for schizophrenia, despite the fact that several staffers and deputies had access and were aware of Mr Monks medical conditions, the lawsuit noted.

Monk was in a housing unit meant for people with mental health needs, which required wellness checks every 30 minutes. Court records indicated that Monk had left his cell on 5 November for recreation time  the last time he would ever leave his cell  and then two days later, he received blood pressure and diabetes medication for the last time. The lawsuit alleges staffers left medication for Monk in paper cups on his cells floor and recorded it as receiving or refusing medication.

The lawsuit claims that jail and medical personnel allegedly forged compliance logs and timelines that detailed when staff checked on Monk. Body camera and surveillance footage showed that as staff checked on him and called out his name, Monk remained unresponsive. On 12 November, three days before he was officially declared dead, sheriffs deputies conducted a wellness check. Despite observing Monk, who remained unresponsive while they called his name, a deputy said he was not freaking out because I could see him breathing. Another deputy noticed Monks head slightly raised while face down and reported Monk was just sleeping.

By 15 November, staff members visited his cell and he remained unresponsive. An inmate who was serving food told a deputy that Monk had been laying for several days and asked a sheriffs deputy: Are we just waiting for him to kick the bucket? Staff members later entered Monks cell and repeatedly yelled as they checked on him and talked about whether he had eaten. A deputy noticed he was stiff and checked for a pulse. An autopsy found he had developed bed sores from not moving for a period of time.

Monks death at the Santa Rita facility, which holds about 2,000 people each day, exposed another act of devastation at a facility rife with health and safety violations where more than 60 people have died since 2014. In 2022, three months after Monks death, a judge put the facility under federal supervision for at least six years, with the aim toward reforming mental health care at the jail. At least five inmates have died at the jail in 2023.
Reports of hate crimes and harassment targeting Muslims and Jews in the United States have increased following the ongoing deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Since Oct. 7, when Hamas killed more than 1,000 Israelis and took hundreds of hostages in a surprise attack, Israels military response has led to thousands more deaths and prompted human rights groups to warn of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian population in Gaza, where nearly half the populace is children.

That violence has spilled over to the U.S., where Muslims and Jews are being targeted amid fraught conversations about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

On Monday, the Department of Justice announced it would open a hate crime investigation after a white landlord in Chicago, 71-year-old Joseph Czuba, allegedly stabbed his 6-year-old Palestinian American tenant to death.

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Czuba had previously built a treehouse for the boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, and was like a grandfather to him, a family friend told NBC News.

The child, when he saw Czuba, ran to him for a hug and instead was stabbed 26 times, family friend Yousef Hannon told the publication.

Czubas wife told police that her husband listens to conservative talk radio on a regular basis and had become obsessed with the war, according to the NBC News report.

In a statement to HuffPost, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said it has identified at least 14 other incidents of anti-Palestinian violence or harassment in the U.S. since the conflict began.

A Michigan man, for instance, was charged with making a terrorism threat after he allegedly posted on social media asking if anyone in metropolitan Detroit wanted to go to Dearborn & hunt Palestinians.

And a professor at Washington University in St. Louis was reportedly fired after posting on social media that Israels attacks on Gaza were a much needed cleansing, yes, but not an ethnic one. Israel is not targeting humans.

In Massachusetts, the word Nazis was spray-painted on a sign for the Islamic Seminary of Boston and the Palestinian Cultural Center for Peace. In San Diego, police are investigating a possible hate crime after dozens of pro-Israeli flyers were posted outside of a mosque.

Meanwhile, in New York, a Palestinian man told authorities he was jumped by several men carrying an Israeli flag. That same day, a 34-year-old man holding a Palestinian flag was reportedly attacked in a separate encounter in Brooklyn.

A sign for the Islamic Seminary of Boston and the Palestinian Cultural Center for Peace was vandalized with the word "Nazi."

Clashes between protesters allied with different sides of the conflict have also been reported.

On Saturday, thousands of pro-Palestine supporters in Los Angeles marched to the Israeli Consulate in what the Los Angeles Times described as a largely peaceful protest until a masked pro-Israel demonstrator shot pepper spray at protesters and a Times reporter.

Footage of the incident showed a group of men dressed in black, some wearing Israeli flags around their necks, pepper-spraying demonstrators before fleeing.

And during a protest at Columbia Universitys campus in New York City, a woman allegedly hit an Israeli student in the hand with a wooden stick during an argument.

In a statement to HuffPost, the Anti-Defamation League said it had recorded 43 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. related to Israel since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. The group gave details on 10 of those incidents, including two juveniles who allegedly pointed fake guns at a Brooklyn synagogue and graffiti in San Francisco calling for Death 2 Israel. The ADL told HuffPost that some of the incidents that couldnt be verified in news reports were instead reported directly to the organization.

The FBI also released data on Monday showing that anti-Jewish hate crimes increased by more than 37% in 2022. On Sunday, the white supremacist group White Lives Matter California held a rally on a highway overpass displaying signs that said No More Wars for I$rael and Watch Europa the Last Battle.

A statement from the Jewish Council For Public Affairs and signed by more than 100 Jewish groups called on all communities to fight hate targeting Muslim Americans, Arab Americans and Jewish Americans.

As Jewish leaders, we want to be very clear: we unequivocally reject those targeting our Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian American neighbors with bigotry, threats, and violence, said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of JCPA.

This is a moment of profound pain for our community  and we refuse to allow some to exploit that pain as an excuse to spread bigotry or extremism of any kind, she added. Our communities safety is inextricably linked, and only by coming together and calling it out can we defeat the forces of hate and violence.
Theodore Temple said he learned during a court hearing that the suspected attacker, also 12, had a list of people he planned to kill, along with their race  and his sons name was atop it.

A 12-year-old Colorado boy found himself in the hospital after being repeatedly stabbed by a classmate, and the victims father claims the unprovoked murder attempt was bias-motivated.

According to USA Today, Teddy Temple was in art class on Oct. 5 when another student at Marie L. Greenwood Early 8 school in Denver walked into the classroom and attacked him with a knife, leaving the pre-teen with head, neck and shoulder injuries.

Theodore Temple believes the student chose his son based on the color of his skin  allegations the charges against the unnamed juvenile suspect, also 12, appear to substantiate.

Teddy Temple (above), 12, was in art class this month when another student at Marie L. Greenwood Early 8 school in Denver stabbed him repeatedly, leaving him with head, neck and shoulder injuries. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/FOX31 Denver)

It was painful enough that my son was injured in that way, said Temple, but to learn that he had 100% intention of killing him for racial motivation, thats been the hardest pill for us to swallow.

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The Denver district attorneys office confirmed charging the young suspect with attempted murder and a bias-motivated crime. Spokesman Matthew Jablow said the accused student also was charged with weapons possession on school grounds and impeding school staff.

Jablow noted that the suspect was charged as an aggravated and violent juvenile offender, which might result in harsher penalties if he is convicted.

I am pleased with the extent and severity of the charges, Temple told USA Today. It lets the community know how close we all were to something much more devastating happening.

Temple said Teddy and the attacker used to be friends. He said his son distanced himself from the other student during the summer but noted they never had a verbal or physical altercation.

The father of six was present Thursday for the suspects initial juvenile court hearing, which the judge sealed to the media and general public.

During the hearing, prosecutors described how the investigation revealed the 12-year-old suspect had become obsessed with Nazi regalia and philosophy. Temple said prosecutors stated that among the boys internet research interests were school shootings, hate crimes and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Temple also heard the suspect had a list of people he planned to kill, along with their race, and his sons name was first on the list.

The juvenile suspect reportedly was punished a week before the attack for hurling a racial insult at a different Black student. Temple said his son was also the focus of the boys racial malice, some of which was directed at him online and some in person.

It is unknown if the accused student did or will receive disciplinary punishment from the school district in the aftermath of the stabbing.

Denver Public Schools spokesperson Scott Pribble said the district has not issued a statement about the crime. Pribble declined to provide any information, citing the police investigation and federal privacy regulations that protect juvenile children.

Temple said his son was hospitalized for a brief period after the attack and was able to return home. The family set up a GoFundMe to pay medical bills following treatment for a head fracture requiring stitches, and their effort surpassed its targeted $3,000 goal.

Teddy returned to school last week for two half-days, but Temple said his son and the boys siblings, ages 7 to 16, would be transferred to a different school within the district. The father said he regrets that his child had to experience racism and hatred at such a young age but is proud to know he has instilled a positive lesson in all of his children: There are still good people in the world.

He was fearful at first; there was terror in his face when I first got to the hospital, Temple said of Teddy. Since then, were kind of surprised at how well hes doing emotionally and physically.

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The post Father of 12-year-old Colorado student speaks out about bias-motivated school stabbing appeared first on TheGrio.
FBI agents arrested a man accused of threatening the Levine Jewish Community Center in Charlotte, center leaders said Tuesday.

The man sent the threat to the general email box of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, CEO Annie Keith and board president Lisa Strause Levinson said in an email alert.

The FBI evaluated this specific cyber threat and determined it to be non-credible and non-imminent, Keith and Levinson said. However, as a response to curb cyber threats, the FBI further elevated the incident to a federal hate crime. They also arrested and intend to prosecute the perpetrator.

The FBI has not named the suspect, and an FBI Charlotte spokeswoman declined comment.

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The arrest came as violence escalates between Israel and Hamas fighters in the Middle East following the militant groups Oct. 7 terror attacks that killed 1,300 people.

As our community continues to stand together to support our family and friends during the rising tensions in the homeland of Israel, equally disturbing are those who strive to take advantage of this conflict and create more fear through cyber financial scams and threats, Keith and Levinson wrote.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have increased security around synagogues and mosques, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. In an Oct. 8 news release, police called the move precautionary and said no credible local threats have been found.

On Oct. 11, Asheville police arrested a 44-year-old man in connection with anti-Semitic emails sent to a synagogue in the North Carolina mountains, Asheville police said.
Anti-LGBTQ hate crimes rose sharply in 2022, jumping more than 19 percent over 2021, according to the FBIs annual crime report released Monday.

More than 11,600 hate crime incidents were reported to the FBI in 2022, the highest number recorded since the agency began tracking them in 1991. A majority of hate crimes recorded last year targeted Black people, according to the report.

Hate crimes targeting LGBTQ people were up significantly compared with 2021, with 622 reported single-bias, anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. Hate crimes motivated by an anti-transgender bias rose more than 35 percent year over year, reaching 338 incidents.

Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBTQ civil rights group, described the increase in hate crimes as both shocking and heartbreaking, yet sadly, not unexpected.

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The constant stream of hostile rhetoric from fringe anti-equality figures, alongside the relentless passage of discriminatory bills, particularly those targeting transgender individuals, in state legislatures, created an environment where it was sadly foreseeable that individuals with violent tendencies might respond to this rhetoric, Robinson said Monday in a statement.

Robinson, who testified before Congress last year during a first-of-its-kind hearing on surging anti-LGBTQ violence and hate speech, added that Mondays FBI data serves as another alarming indicator of the state of emergency our community finds itself in.

The Human Rights Campaign in June declared a national state of emergency for LGBTQ people in the U.S. for the first time in its 40-year history, citing the passage of laws that target the community. More than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures this year, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and at least 84 became law. Most measures threaten to roll back the rights of transgender young people.

President Biden denounced laws that target LGBTQ people as hateful and dangerous during a speech Saturday at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner in Washington.

Families across the country now face excruciating decisions to move to a different state to protect their child from dangerous anti-LGBTQ laws, he said.

Biden recognized several LGBTQ people and allies who lost their lives to anti-LGBTQ violence this year, including OShae Sibley, who was fatally stabbed while dancing at a Brooklyn gas station; Colin Smith, who was killed while defending a friend from anti-LGBTQ harassment; and Laura Ann Carleton, who was shot and killed by a man who made disparaging remarks about a rainbow Pride flag displayed outside her clothing store in Lake Arrowhead, Calif.

Biden similarly warned of increasing anti-LGBTQ violence last week in a statement marking the 25th anniversary of the killing of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming who was brutally attacked and later died of his injuries in one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in U.S. history.

Today, as threats and violence targeting the LGBTQI+ community continue to rise, our work is far from finished, Biden said in the Oct. 12 statement. No American should face hate or violence for who they are or who they love.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A presentation to help parents keep their kids safe from predators online will be offered on Thur., Nov. 2.

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FBI Jacksonville and the Duval County Public Schools Parent Academy will once again partner to host the Be Smart with your Kids Smartphone -- Parent Edition program. This special event helps to protect local children from being targeted online by predators.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Be Smart with your Kids Smartphone events are led by Special Agents from FBI Jacksonville. These agents specialize in investigating crimes against children.

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The presentation will include a review of the latest social media apps that offenders are using to target and manipulate kids, examples of how technology has been used in cases from the Jacksonville area, and an overview of schemes that specifically target teens, the FBI said in a statement.

Since 2018, over 2,500 parents and teachers have attended Be Smart events held across northeast Florida.

This years presentations will be held at James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School at 3276 Norman E. Thagard Blvd. in Jacksonville. The Nov. 2 program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and run until 8:00 p.m. It is free and open to parents and educators from all schools in Duval and surrounding districts.

Registration is suggested at www.duvalschools.org/ParentAcademy.

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The content of these presentations may not be appropriate for youth. Parental discretion is advised.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
The FBI Monday released its annual crime report for 2022, reporting that violent crime fell 1.7% nationally from 2021.

Total offenses in Worcester fell from 10,770 to 10,194 (5.3%), with crimes against persons rising to 3,415 from 3,307 (3.3%).

Crimes against property fell from 7,042 to 6,341, a 10% decrease. Assaults rose from 3,152 to 3,272, a 3.8% increase. Homicides rose from 10 to 11, though Worcester police in their annual report on crime statistics in April, said there were eight homicides in 2021.

Former Chief Steven M. Sargent noted in April that the 11 homicides in 2022 was inflated by the alleged arson on Gage Street in May 2022 in which four people died.

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When they presented department statistics for 2022 in April, Worcester police said that nearly every category of crime dropped significantly from 2021.

Worcester police presented far more data than the FBI numbers and not all comparison points are the same, as the federal government has its own definitions and categories.

Lower crime reported in Fitchburg, Leominster

In Fitchburg, total offenses fell from 1,650 to 1,424 (13.7%), with crimes against persons falling from 561 to 497 (11.4%).

Crimes against property fell from 980 to 803, an 18% decrease. Assaults fell from 499 to 432, a 13.4% decrease. The city reported one homicide to the FBI in 2022, an increase from zero homicides the prior year.

In Leominster, total offenses fell from 2,093 to 1,936 (7.5%), with crimes against persons falling from 774 to 693 (10.5%).

Crimes against property fell from 1,248 to 1,166, a 6.6% decrease. Assaults fell to 656 from 714, an 8.1% decrease. The city did not record a homicide either year.

Hate crime reports down in Worcester from 2021

Reported hate crimes in Worcester fell from 12 in 2021 to seven in 2022. Nationwide, the number of antisemitic hate crimes rose 25% from 2021 to 2022, and antisemitism accounted for more than half of all reported religion-based hate crimes.

Anti-LGBTQI+ hate crimes rose 16 percent, and Muslim Americans and African Americans continue to be overrepresented among victims, President Joe Biden said in a statement released by the White House. The data is a reminder that hate never goes away, it only hides. Any hate crime is a stain on the soul of America.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: FBI reports most crimes down in Worcester, Fitchburg and Leominster
Jerusalem  As Israel prepares for an expected full-scale ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, the families of the roughly 200 hostages believed to be held by the group are organizing to try to save their loved ones  and their frustration is mounting.

For nine full days, 86-year-old Chanon Cohen heard nothing from Israeli officials about the seven members of his extended family taken or missing during Hamas militants' bloody rampage across southern Israel.

"We didn't hear from anything. The only things that we know are from the pictures from the Hamas," he told CBS News. "We saw them the last time on their way to Gaza."

Cohen is one of the founding members of Nir Oz, an Israeli community near the Gaza border. More than 50 people from Nir Oz are missing and believed to have been kidnapped, including Cohen's sister, Margalit Moses, who can be seen in a video clip being taken away by Hamas militants.

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She has health problems that require almost constant medical care.

"I'm so worried," said Cohen. "I'm weeping on the inside. Because I know that weeping is good, healthy. But outside, I play the strong one."

Cohen has dual Israeli-German citizenship, and he and his daughter Efrat told CBS News that in the absence of almost any communication from Israeli authorities, they have been receiving support from the German embassy.

"It feels that they give us energy to continue the directions that we so much in need for, and they treat us so equally and in such a humane way," Efrat said, adding that her family just wasn't getting that kind of support from Israeli authorities, at least "not yet."

Hundreds of family members of hostages and those missing in Israel organized almost immediately after Hamas launched its attack on Oct. 7 to pressure their government to act and to save their loved ones.

Officials from the U.S. and other governments met with the families before their own Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did.

The building frustration has led the families to protest outside Israel's Ministry of Defense and to demand that humanitarian and medical aid be made available to the hostages inside Gaza, which has been completely sealed off since the Hamas attack by an Israeli blockade.

"I did not think this is going to be the way things would go," Efrat said, adding that there was "something very wrong" with the Israeli government's response to the hostage crisis.

"Nobody knows where they are. Nobody knows who, who took them. Nobody knows how are they doing. I cannot describe the worry," she told CBS News.

She said it was taking all her effort not to be overwhelmed by grief and fear, so she can continue doing everything in her power to ensure the plight of her loved ones remains front and center in the minds of the people in power. On Wednesday night, Efrat learned that of of her missing family members, Efrat Katz, had been killed, but she said her work to save her other loved ones continued.

"We first want to know they're okay. We then want to know they have the medicine, and then we want them home  alive," she said. "We want them home alive."

What does Sidney Powell's guilty plea mean for Trump?

Why Hamas released 2 American hostages, and how it unfolded

Key takeaways from Biden's second Oval Office address
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A federal jury has convicted two senior employees at a Wisconsin corn plant of falsifying records and obstructing an investigation into a fatal corn dust explosion in 2017, Justice Department officials announced on Tuesday.

Corn dust is explosive, and high concentrations are dangerous. Federal regulations require grain mill operators to perform regular cleanings to reduce dust accumulations that could fuel a blast.

Jurors found Derrick Clark, vice president of operations at Didion Milling, and Shawn Mesner, a former food safety superintendent at the company, guilty of multiple safety, environmental and fraud charges on Friday. The two men are the latest in a growing list of Didion employees found guilty in association with the 2017 explosion that killed five people at the company's Cambria corn mill.

Attorneys listed for both men did not immediately respond to voicemails seeking comment on Tuesday.

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Didion Milling pleaded guilty in September to charges that its employees falsified environmental and safety compliance records for years leading up to the explosion. The company agreed to pay a $1 million fine and $10.25 million to the estates of the five workers who were killed.

Clark was convicted on Friday of making false Clean Air Act compliance certifications and lying to investigators during a deposition. Mesner was found guilty of conspiring to mislead Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators by lying on sanitation records that tracked cleanings meant to remove corn dust from the mill.

Derrick Clark and Shawn Messner chose to intentionally mislead OSHA investigators and made false statements about their knowledge of working conditions at the plant to protect themselves and cover their mistakes, OSHA Regional Administrator Bill Donovan said in a statement.

Sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled for either of the men. At least five other Didion employees have pleaded guilty or been convicted of charges including concealing environmental violations, lying to investigators and falsifying cleaning logs.

___

Harm Venhuizen is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
The Federal Way Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying two armed robbery suspects.

SUSPECT 1

The first man is believed to be involved in two armed robberies that happened in Federal Way on October 15 and 16. The man allegedly went into two gas stations armed with a gun and demanded cash from employees. The man then fled in an unknown direction.

The man was described by employees as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build. At the time, the man was wearing mostly black clothing. Police said, because the man displayed a gun, he should be considered armed and dangerous.

SUSPECT 2

Police are also looking for this man who is believed to have robbed a Federal Way business at Southwest 356th and 21st Avenue Southwest on October 16. The man allegedly demanded cash from an employee. The man then fled in a white full-sized SUV toward Northeast Tacoma.

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He was described by employees as a Black man, around 6 feet tall, with a medium build. At the time, he was wearing mostly black clothing. His jacket had a red skull logo on the left front.

Police said, because the man displayed a gun, he should be considered armed and dangerous.

If you have any information about either incident, call the Federal Way Police Department Tip line at 253-835-6799.












The federal government is filing an appeal over the sentences of five Proud Boys convicted in the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol, including one from Washington state.

No explanation was given for the filing, but it could reflect government dissatisfaction with the length of the sentences.

Back in September, Henry Enrique Tarrio received the longest sentence yet imposed for the Jan. 6 attack. He faces 22 years in prison, with charges including seditious conspiracy.

Three other Proud Boys members received more than 15 years in prison. That included the leader of the Seattle chapter, 33-year-old Ethan Nordean , who was sentenced to 18 years in prison earlier this year.

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Nordeans attorneys had initially asked for a lighter sentence, arguing that he had been too drunk that day in the crowd surge to realize he was harming anyone.

So far, over 1,100 people have been charged in connection the Jan. 6 riot, 300 of whom have been sentenced to prison.
A church group from Fernandina Beach is now safely back home after finding themselves stranded in Israel amidst the ongoing conflict.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Senior Pastor Zach Terry of the First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach shared his account with Action News Jax of the chaos and the challenges they faced in ensuring the safe return of all their members.

According to Pastor Terry, there were missile strikes in close proximity to their location, with one incident occurring within a half-mile of their hotel. While they did not witness the devastation firsthand, they observed the turmoil that unfolded around the affected areas.

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The 12-day trip was extended to 16 days for the 54 members of the First Baptist Church from Fernandina Beach due to the Israel-Hamas war.

Pastor Zach Terry described the trip as a wonderful experience until the third day on the ground when the conflict began.

During their stay in Israel, the group was most concerned during the mornings as they witnessed the consequences of the conflict.

READ: Fernandina Beach church group returns home from Israel after being stranded due to Hamas attacks

the brutality of it, was, it was frightening. To see how any human could do that to another human, Terry stated.

Pastor Terry recounted an incident where their travel plans had to change. Instead of taking a boat, they boarded a bus.

We heard our first one coming into Jerusalem, we noticed people pulled over, ladies getting out of their car, ducking down and covering their heads. It didnt occur to us what was going on... We opened the door to the bus and we heard the sirens and were like Oh, there must be something in this region and sure enough within a 5-mile radius two missiles hit, Pastor Terry stated.

Pastor Terry photographed the landscape with smoke in the background and long lines at blood drives.

We were looking at the sunset over the dome of the rock, temple mountain and we could see the smoke in the west from Gaza where retaliation strikes began, Pastor Terry told Action News Jax.

The group spent three days in Jerusalem while the war was ongoing. They later attempted to cross the Jordan border to ensure their safety, but they encountered challenges as many others had the same idea.

READ: Hamas attack: A historical timeline of conflict between Israel, Arabs

Their original flights were no longer available, and they had to book two different flights for their members to return to Florida.

Upon their safe return, the group was relieved but cautious due to the ever-changing news. They truly felt relief when they arrived back in Jacksonville.

Pastor Terry expressed his feelings saying It was very relieving but you didnt want to get your hopes up because the news was changing and we did not know until we got back to Jacksonville, thats when we really felt that relief.

Pastor Terry mentioned that the church would hold a meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the experience with other members, believing it would be beneficial for everyone involved.

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Prisoners are to be released early from a fifth of the prisons in England and Wales in an attempt to ease the overcrowding crisis.

The Telegraph understands that Ministry of Justice (MoJ) officials have identified 25 prisons where offenders will be freed 18 days before their automatic release because they are so overcrowded.

Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures show nearly half of them are technically 100 per cent full with fewer than 10 spare places. They include prisons such as Leeds, Durham, Wormwood Scrubs in London, Lincoln, Coldingley in Woking and Berwyn in Wales.

Overall, there are fewer than 180 spaces left in the male prison estate and fewer than 600 remaining across all jails  male, female and youth institutions. Last week, the prison population hit a record high of 88,225, beating the previous high of 88,179 after the riots in 2011.

Governors at the 25 jails have been told to prepare for the first early releases of prisoners by the end of this week. It is expected between 30 and 50 could be freed then.

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Anyone serving a life sentence, extended determinate sentence, or jailed for a serious violent, terror or sexual offence will be excluded. But some violent offenders could be released early if they are serving less than four years in jail.

It is the first time since 2007 that ministers have authorised an executive release scheme because the prisons are full. Labour freed 80,000 prisoners 18 days early over nearly three years until April 2010 to maintain a reduction of 1,200 in the prison population.

The MoJ has refused to say how many will be released or how long the temporary scheme will continue but, unlike the Labour scheme, they will remain on licence.

This could include requirements to wear an electronic tag, restrictions on contacting named individuals, living at a prescribed address, attending appointments and conditions on entering certain postcode areas. Breach of the conditions could lead to the offender being recalled to custody for the full second half of their sentence.

Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary, will on Wednesday sign off an agreement with his Albanian counterpart Ulsi Manja for up to 200 of Albanias most dangerous criminals to be deported from the UK to serve the rest of their sentences in Albanian prisons.

Meanwhile, Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner, warned plans to replace most sentences of under one year with alternative punishments in the community could put domestic abuse and stalking victims at risk unless the Government invested in safeguards.

Many of those serving short sentences will be in prison for domestic abuse and stalking offences. The MoJ must seriously consider the safety of victims of domestic abuse and set out clearly how they will be protected, said Ms Jacobs.

We cannot guarantee safety unless these reforms are accompanied by strong investment in high-quality perpetrator interventions and support for victims and survivors, as well as robust safety planning measures. That includes police officers proactively tackling those who breach domestic abuse orders and any community sentences.

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World Leaders convene at 78th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pacific island nation Fiji said on Tuesday it will strengthen defence and security cooperation with Australia as Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka visited Canberra.

In a meeting with Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles , Rabuka said that evolving global security threats meant Australia and Fiji should strengthen cooperation in security intelligence, cyber security, defence and police cooperation, Fiji's government said in a statement.

The two countries already work closely together on border and maritime security, and Australia had funded a security training camp in Fiji, Rabuka noted.

Rabuka is on a three-day official visit to Australia.

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China struck policing agreements with Pacific Island neighbours Solomon Islands and Vanautu this year, however a decade-old policing agreement between China and Fiji had been put "on hold", Rabuka confirmed in an interview with ABC Television, citing "the differences in our system of policing, investigations and our legal system".

Marles will travel to South Korea on Wednesday and Japan on Thursday for defence ministers' meetings, the Australian government said.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham and Alasadair Pal; editing by Robert Birsel)
Alfred "Al" Labrada, right, and his lawyer, Jeremy Tissot, held a news conference in Beverly Hills to address allegations against Labrada of stalking a lower-ranking LAPD officer he was romantically involved with. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Speaking publicly for the first time since the LAPD put him on leave earlier this month, former Assistant Chief Alfred "Al" Labrada dismissed allegations that he unlawfully tracked a former romantic partner as blatantly false, while also accusing department leadership of leaking private information in an attempt to "discredit" him.

Labrada called news coverage of the case, which has already resulted in his demotion and could end with his termination, a complete "mischaracterization of what had been alleged, along with the nature of our relationship." But his most pointed jabs were saved for Chief Michel Moore .

"Before any investigation was completed, Chief Moore recklessly took significant actions inconsistent with my due process," Labrada said at a news conference at his attorney's Beverly Hills office. "I am genuinely disappointed in the leadership of the department who, after three decades of service, have not once reached out or called me to check on my well-being or that of my family."

The female officer, who The Times isn't naming because she is an alleged victim, last month accused Labrada of hiding an Apple AirTag in her car, allowing him to track her movements as she traveled to Palm Springs. The officer filed a report with Ontario police, leading the allegations to become public after The Times inquired about the case.

Al Labrada, right, at the Tissot Law Firm on Tuesday in Beverly Hills. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Representatives of the Los Angeles Police Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Matthew McNicholas, an attorney for the officer who made the allegations, called the news conference a desperate attempt to get ahead of a potential lawsuit.

"I'm disappointed that there was a press conference with the knowledge that there's going to be pending litigation, and ongoing internal investigation," said McNicholas, who has litigated several high-profile lawsuits involving alleged wrongdoing by LAPD officers. "However, whatever label the commander and his defense team want to put on it, they can't track my client with an electronic dog collar."

At the news conference, Labrada's attorney, Jeremy Tissot, accused news outlets of rushing to judgment and mischaracterizing Labrada's actions as stalking  a label that carries a dark connotation. Tissot said the allegations against Labrada do not meet the state law's definition of stalking.

"Anyone can file a police report," Tissot said, adding that his comments were limited because of a pending LAPD disciplinary case against Labrada.

Read more: Recent controversies test LAPD Chief Michel Moore in the final years of his tenure

The legal definition of stalking "requires not only following or harassing, but an imminent threat," he said. "Unfortunately, what it evoked, the harm that it's done to this man, is that it sounds like someone who is a felon, who's a dangerous felon. This man is everything ... that is the opposite of that. In fact, he fought to keep our city safe from such people."

The attorney said coverage of the case had caused "irreparable harm" to Labrada, a 30-year department veteran who immigrated to America as a child and served in the Marines before climbing the ranks at the LAPD, becoming the highest-ranking Latino official on the force. Such representation is "important" in a city that is predominantly Latino, Tissot said.

Labrada stood behind his lawyer, stoic and silent, wearing a dark blue suit and blue tie. When it came his turn to speak, he read from a prepared statement and declined to take questions from reporters.

"What should have been a private matter became a public spectacle because of my title and employment with LAPD," Labrada said. "Due to the lack of leadership, the process and manner with which this investigation was handled was not consistent, or was not equitable to other personnel investigations handled by the police department previously or currently being investigated."

His comments echoed a double standard argument made in several other recent lawsuits against the department.

Read more: A Black LAPD officer wanted to make a difference. Then, he says, he was racially profiled by his own department

"My employer added to the breach of privacy when they publicly provided my name and shared information with the media to discredit me and to add sensationalism to what was a personal matter," Labrada continued. "They have not released names in the past in prior incidents of accusations."

Labrada choked up briefly as he described how the ensuing media storm had caused him and his family "significant emotional and physical distress," adding that he persevered thanks to their support.

The department, he said, violated state laws on officer privacy "by consistently providing information on a personnel matter to the public and friends, while there was still an ongoing investigation."

"The department has even admitted to leaking privileged information regarding this incident investigation to members of the media to retaliate and discredit me," he said.

The Times reviewed a copy of an investigative report prepared by an Ontario police detective and presented to prosecutors in San Bernardino County.

In the report, the detective wrote that he felt the available evidence supported the charge of "unlawful use of electronic tracking device."

Labrada at his lawyer's office in Beverly Hills on Tuesday. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

The investigation unearthed an email thread that began on Oct. 31, 2022, in which Labrada initially broke off his relationship with the woman. A little over a week later, he wrote her another email expressing a desire to speak to her, according to the report. On Nov. 13, 2022, Labrada bought an AirTag from Amazon and two days later texted an unidentified individual asking: "Do AirTags work in garage/building?" In the same text exchange, he clarified that he was not monitoring anyone.

The female officer told Ontario police that she was at a getaway with some friends at a hotel in Palm Springs on Sept. 3, 2023, when Labrada emailed her a copy of their domestic partnership separation agreement, according to the police report. The timing of the message led her to suspect that Labrada knew her whereabouts, and she asked a friend to help her inspect her car, according to the report. Their search turned up an AirTag that was attached to the undercarriage, behind the rear passenger wheel, the report said.

Investigators later obtained a search warrant that showed that the AirTag was linked to Labrada's department-issued cellphone and was deactivated on Sept. 7  the same day the initial report was filed with Ontario police.

When she showed up to file the report, the woman told officers she was afraid to bring the AirTag because it would alert whoever was tracking her to the fact that she had contacted the police.

Labrada is listed as an "involved" person in the initial report, which was reviewed by The Times.

Ontario police later found photos of an AirTag on Labrada's phone and determined it was the same one that was found by his former partner, using the timeline feature from her Android phone and bank statements. The investigation determined that Labrada was not with the woman when he took the photos; in one instance, he was in the Bahamas, and another time he was at a Dodgers game. His former romantic partner told Ontario police that she didn't give him permission to monitor her whereabouts.

"Based on the investigation, the Apple AirTag was not used for a law enforcement purpose," the detective wrote.

The San Bernardino County Attorney's office told The Times last week it did not have enough evidence to pursue charges following the police investigation. A spokesperson for the office has declined to provide the legal rationale for the decision, saying such explanations are given only in certain cases, notably police shootings.

Read more: Female commander fired after drunken incident calls out LAPD 'double standard'

Our office has completed its review and determined not to file criminal charges, due to insufficient evidence proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, said the spokeswoman, Jacquelyn Rodriguez, in an email.

Labrada has been on leave since earlier this month, and last week Moore confirmed he had demoted Labrada from assistant chief to the lower position of commander. Labrada was also directed to a board-of-rights disciplinary hearing, an indication the department is seeking to fire him.

Last week, Moore promoted Deputy Chief Blake Chow, who runs the West Bureau, to assistant chief overseeing the Office of Special Operations, replacing Labrada as the official in charge of detectives, special operations and counterterrorism and transit units. Chow, who joined the department in 1990, was most recently in charge of the departments operations on the Westside after running the Transit Services Bureau for several years.

Labradas removal as assistant chief is not unprecedented. Former Chiefs William Bratton and Charlie Beck chose to demote assistant chiefs to commanders. Assistant chiefs serve under the authority of the chief and can be demoted without explanation.

In 2018, another assistant chief, Jorge Villegas, retired after sources told The Times he was having an improper sexual relationship with a female subordinate. An LAPD surveillance unit caught Villegas and the subordinate apparently engaged in a sex act in a parking lot, the sources said.

Villegas case resurfaced this year in a court filing from a former LAPD commander who is suing the department for retaliation.

Labrada's comments on Tuesday marked a significant public break with Moore, a longtime ally who previously said he was disappointed in the recent conduct of senior officials who he thought could one day take the "reins" of the department.

In an interview this month, Moore acknowledged that the recent controversies had shaken public trust in the department but rejected the notion that they were signs of deeper, cultural problems.

Police Commission President Erroll Southers said he had ordered the inspector generals office to monitor the LAPDs investigation to ensure objectivity, impartiality, going forward.

Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
High levels of poverty and unemployment have fuelled money-making rituals in Nigeria

Five men have been jailed for 12 years each in Nigeria after they were convicted of exhuming a human skull.

They had planned to take it to a traditional doctor who said it was needed for rituals that would make them rich.

The men pleaded guilty after being caught with the skull in a bag.

The prosecutor told the court that the men had dug up a body buried three years earlier at a Muslim cemetery in the north-central Niger state.

"They said the herbalist informed and promised all of them that they would share the wealth from the said criminal activity and directed them to look for the human skull," the prosecutor was quoted as saying by the privately owned Daily Punch newspaper.

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Security officers had arrested the young men, who are aged between 18 and 28, in early September as they transported the remains to a third party, on the instructions of a traditional doctor.

A court in Minna, the capital of Niger state, declared the men guilty on the charges of criminal conspiracy, trespassing on burial grounds and unlawfully possessing a human skull.

The traditional doctor was not arrested and charged.

Belief in "juju" - sometimes known as voodoo or magic - is fairly widespread in Nigeria, with many combining it with either Christianity or Islam, according to a 2010 report by the Pew Research Centre.

Such beliefs, especially that human body parts and charms can produce money from a clay pot, have led to a recent wave of gruesome murders in Nigeria, often targeting individuals seen as vulnerable, including children, single women and people with disabilities.

Local authorities have also said that body parts are sold and used in rituals believed to generate wealth.

Money-making rituals in Nigeria have also been fuelled by mounting economic desperation, in a country where four out of 10 people live in poverty, according to World Bank data.
TAMPA, Fla. - Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing a pool construction company and its owner for allegedly ripping off dozens of customers.

According to the AG's office, Cox Pools of the Gulf Coast and its owner Hillary Bello allegedly misrepresented the timeline for pools to be built and refused to issue refunds to customers for the work not performed. Moody said customers paid the company more than $1.5 million on untimely and unfinished projects.

Both Erica Villalobos and Filip Majewski said their financial future is in ruins because of Cox Pools of the Gulf Coast.

READ: Court records show Howard Frankland Bridge stabbing victim's lengthy criminal record

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"We're tanked financially for years to come. All the plans and college funds are on hold for the next five years. It is very difficult," former customer Majewski said.

Majewski's pool sat unfinished in his backyard for months after signing a contract with Cox Pools of the Gulf Coast in April 2021 to build a pool. He paid the company $70,000 in the form of three installments, but he said the company abruptly stopped construction in July 2021, citing delays in materials and labor.

Courtesy: Filip Majewski

He said his last communication with the company was in December 2021 when they told him his pool would be completed by May 2022, but he never heard from them.

"It was probably the worst mistake in my life to have to go through this whole process," Majewski said.

CRIME: Victim in Polk County road rage shooting not expected to survive, deputies searching for suspect: Grady Judd

It was a similar story for Villalobos, another former customer of the company.

"A true nightmare. If I could give the pool back, I would give it back," Villalobos said.

She paid Cox Pools of the Gulf Coast $64,000 for a pool that was eventually finished, but they said multiple parts were installed incorrectly costing them ten of thousands of dollars to fix.

Courtesy: Erica Villalobos

"We can't get our money back. We have one light that works in the pool. We have four kids. That's a hazard in so many ways, so they have to be in the pool during the day. I've reach out to try and correct it myself and no one answers," Villalobos said.

FOX 13 made attempts to get in touch with Cox Pools of the Gulf Coast and its owner Hillary Bello, but their listed phone number was disconnected. Customers we spoke with said they haven't heard from her in more than a year.

COLD CASE: Technology helps solve 1986 homicide of Polk County nurse, deputies say

In June, Bello was arrested by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and charged with embezzlement and organized fraud in connection with unfinished pools.

Moody filed this lawsuit against Bello and the company on Monday, seeking a monetary judgment against them for misrepresenting the timeline for pools to be built and for refusing to issue refunds to consumers for the work not performed.

"Cox Pools and its owner ripped off more than 25 Florida consumers, taking more than $1.5 million and never finishing the agreed upon jobs," Moody said in a statement that was released Monday. "The consumers were left with dangerous holes in their backyards and severe financial losses. This is unacceptable, and we are taking action to permanently ban this owner from operating a pool business."
Attorney General Ashley Moodys office Monday urged the Florida Supreme Court to reject a challenge to a state law barring possession of guns by convicted felons.

In a 13-page brief, lawyers in Moodys office wrote that the U.S. Supreme Court has been clear that longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons do not infringe the Second Amendment.

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An attorney for convicted felon William Edenfield in August asked the Florida Supreme Court to take up a constitutional challenge to the law.

The request came after a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal in May rejected Edenfields arguments, which focused, in part, on a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in a case known as New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

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Read: Sanford parents face judge after their son, 3, drowns in apartment complex retention pond

In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court required evaluating gun restrictions by whether they are consistent with the nations historical tradition of firearm regulation.

Edenfields attorney wrote that the 1st District Court of Appeal interpreted the Bruen decision to read into the Second Amendment a limitation to only law-abiding, responsible citizens. Such a qualification is found nowhere in the Second Amendments controlling text. The district court cited almost no historical evidence in support of this limitation.

Read: Development team announced for upcoming sports & entertainment district next to Amway Center

But Moodys office Monday said the Florida Supreme Court should not take up Edenfields case. Petitioner (Edenfield) cites no case in which a court has held that a felon-dispossession law is facially unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, the states lawyers wrote. On the contrary, the courts overwhelmingly have upheld the validity of felon-dispossession laws even after Bruen.

Read: Marion County deputies search for suspect after two people shot, killed

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Some Florida leaders are urging law enforcement and colleges to use new state laws aimed at combatting antisemitism to combat alleged anti-Israeli sentiments expressed during pro-Palestinian protests.

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Free speech advocates warn that enforcement of those laws could run into First Amendment challenges.

At the time of this story, UNF has not held a major organized pro-Palestinian protest, but a rally was held near the campus this past weekend.

State Representative Randy Fine (R-Palm Bay) told Action News Jax he counted at least five similar demonstrations on Florida university campuses since the Hamas attack on Israel.

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People using a picture of a paraglider as their freedom symbol. Its insanity, said Fine.

In a letter sent to the Governor, Fine called for recently enacted state laws, including a 2019 law that treats antisemitism the same as racism on college and university campuses, to be leveraged to expel students engaged in protests he argues cross the line.

What would happen to a kid who ran through Florida State screaming lets hang Black kids from a tree? They would be expelled hopefully within under a minute, as they should, said Fine.

Fines letter was received positively by Governor Ron DeSantis, whose office issued a statement saying in part These laws must be enforced by universities.

A memo sent to Florida law enforcement from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody also emphasized the states laws against antisemitism.

The State of Florida will not tolerate violence against citizens of Israel, members of the Jewish community, or any other person in the State based on their religious or ethnic heritage. Any law enforcement officer considering charging a suspect under the statutes discussed above should consult his/her legal advisor, wrote Moody.

Additionally, a letter to college and university leadership from Floridas Education Commissioner Manny Diaz and Chancellor of the State University System Ray Rodriges also urged enforcement of the protections - reiterating antisemitic conduct under Florida law includes specific references to anti-Israel rhetoric.

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This guidance is important to reaffirm given the anti-Semitic, pro-Hamas student groups preparing to hold events on campuses. Educational institutions must fully protect Jewish students from any anti-Semitic discrimination and physical attacks and make it clear anyone who violates the law will be punished to the fullest extent of the law, wrote Diaz and Rodrigues.

Bobby Block with the Florida First Amendment Foundation said while he understands the strong emotions surrounding the current moment, he cautioned enforcement of those state laws could easily infringe on free speech rights.

A lot of what Representative Fine and others right now are calling for comes from an obvious place of grief, anger frustration and pain, said Block. If the state tries to enforce these laws they will be sued and they will lose because they are out of compliance with the law of the land, plain and simple.

Fine, however, cautioned against such a challenge, arguing the protections for Jewish students are designed the same as protections for Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ students.

If theyre right, and the bill does restrict free speech, all the speech restrictions they love so much, theyre all gonna get tossed out too. So, they should tread carefully, said Fine.

Action News Jax reached out to UNF and the university group Students for Justice in Palestine for comment on this story.

We have yet to hear back.

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Leonard Allan Cure, who was exonerated in Florida in 2020 after serving more than 16 years of a wrongful conviction sentence, was shot and killed Monday by a deputy in Camden County, Georgia.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement Monday that a Camden County deputy stopped Cure on Interstate 95 about 7:30 a.m. He got out of the car at the deputys request.

The statement said Cure complied with the request until he was told he was under arrest. The deputy shocked Cure with a taser and Cure assaulted the deputy, the statement said.

The deputy used the Taser for a second time and an ASP baton; however, Cure still did not comply, the statement said. The deputy pulled out his gun and shot Cure. EMTs treated Cure, but he later died.

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Innocence Project of Florida Executive Director Seth Miller, who worked with Cure on the wrongful conviction case, confirmed to the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Monday evening that his client Cure was the man who was killed.

Were devastated by the news of his tragic death, and we dont have any further comment at this time, Miller said.

The GBI statement did not provide details about the charges for which Cure was being arrested. The Camden County Sheriffs Office asked its office to conduct an outside investigation. No deputies were injured.

At this time, the information in the release is all that we are releasing, GBI Special Agent in Charge Stacy Carson said by email Monday evening when asked for details about the charges.

The Camden County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post shortly before 5 p.m. Monday that official reports from the GBI will be released after the investigation.

A Camden County Sheriffs Office employee who answered the offices phone line Monday evening said the public information officer could not be reached after hours.

Cure, 53, was sentenced to life in prison in 2004, after being convicted of armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm in Dania Beach on Nov. 10, 2003. A robber fled the store with $1,700.

There were issues with Cures case from the very beginning, a review by the Broward State Attorneys Office Conviction Review Unit and an independent panel of local attorneys found. Cure became the first man to be exonerated by the Broward Conviction Review Unit.

Cure made a petition to CRU head Assistant State Attorney Arielle Demby Berger in 2019, who immediately began examining it, the state attorneys office said in a 2020 news release.

The CRUs memo released in December 2020 said the only evidence that connected Cure to the robbery was eyewitness identification. Cure had an alibi that placed him at a bank 3.2 miles away from the Walgreens at the time of the robbery, and his boss said he was at work by 8 a.m. that day. The robber fled the store shortly before 7:30 a.m.

The issues we find most troublesome are those surrounding how Cure became a suspect in the first place. Seemingly, a man who had no connection to a Walgreens robbery became the main suspect after someone reviewed photos of well-dressed/neat appearing African American males. That was it, the CRUs memo said.

Cure was released from prison in April 2020 while the investigation continued, and Broward Circuit Judge John J. Murphy III signed an order exonerating him later that year.

The Leonard we knew was a smart, funny and kind person, Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor said in a statement Monday evening. After he was freed and exonerated by our office, he visited prosecutors at our office and participated in training to help our staff do their jobs in the fairest and most thorough way possible. He would frequently call to check in on Assistant State Attorney Arielle Demby Berger, the head of the Conviction Review Unit, and offer our team encouragement to continue to do the important work of justice.

Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a claims bill earlier this year awarding Cure with $817,000 and educational benefits after his exoneration. Cure received his check in early August, Miller said.

Leonard was so excited that the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis had recently approved his claims bill. He had been working a job in security, he was hoping to go to college and wanted to work in broadcast radio production, he was buying his first home. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him, Pryor said.

Florida state Rep. Michael Gottlieb, who sponsored the claims bill, said Monday in a statement to the Sun Sentinel: I met Mr. Cure a few times. I always found him to be a nice, quiet, if not shy and humble, person. He truly felt blessed to be where he was in life and was looking forward to getting an education and putting the false accusations of criminality behind him.

Its hard to imagine that the person that I met resisted arrest but I dont know (what) the facts are and will wait until further investigation to make any comment about what happened.

The Broward state attorneys office unit reviewed the evidence presented at Cures trial and the 2003 case found he was most likely innocent of the alleged crime, the state attorneys office said in December 2020.

The Georgia Innocence Project shared photos of Cure talking to students at Jonesboro High School in Clayton County, Georgia, for Wrongful Conviction Day a few weeks ago on Facebook.

After the investigation, the GBI will forward its findings to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit district attorneys office.

_____

(Information from the South Florida Sun Sentinel archives were included in this report.)

_____
An airplane carrying 270 people stranded in Israel following flight cancelations amid the country's war with the Hamas terrorist group landed in Florida on Sunday, bringing joy to the passengers aboard who worried for their safety as forces on both sides continued to trade rocket fire.

Married couple Ron and Linda Neumann, residents of Melbourne, Florida, were visiting Israel with their poodle, Annie, and were working on obtaining citizenship in the country when the conflict began in the Jewish state last week. The couple was staying in their apartment in Rehovot, when the conflict broke out following a surprise multi-pronged attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 that killed hundreds of people.

The Neumann's had two flights canceled as they tried to leave the country and reaching out to the State Department went nowhere, Ron Neumann, a Vietnam War veteran and son of a holocaust survivor, said during a Monday virtual press conference.

GOV. DESANTIS SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER AUTHORIZING RESCUE OF FLORIDIANS STRANDED IN ISRAEL: HELP IS ON THE WAY

Ron and Linda Neumann boarded a plane from Israel to Florida amid the country's war with Hamas. The married couple arrived in Tampa on Sunday. The married couple were part of a flight of 270 people evacuated from Israel to Tampa, Florida.

"How we got on this plane is a miracle from God because we had no way to get out," he said Monday. "We were in an area that was getting constant bombardment."

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The travelers' arrival in Florida came after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order last week authorizing evacuation operations through the state's Division of Emergency Management, allowing flights to bring Floridians stuck in Israel back home to escape the ongoing war.

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DeSantis greeted the 270 passengers, including 91 children and four dogs, as they arrived in Tampa. All the passengers on the flight were Americans, aside from one citizen of the Czech Republic. Around a third of the passengers were Florida residents.

"I am proud of how quickly we have been able to activate resources and do what the federal government could not  get Floridians and other Americans back home, reunited with their families, free of charge," DeSantis said in a statement on Sunday.

The logistics and rescue operation was made in partnership with the Florida-based search and rescue non-profit group Project DYNAMO. Sunday's flight touched down in Tampa, with an additional seven evacuees being brought to Orlando.

Amid the conflict and the suspension of flights in Israel by multiple commercial airlines, some Americans have turned to military veteran-led Project DYNAMO, which has conducted evacuation and rescue operations in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan and Maui since its founding in Aug. 2021.

HAMAS CAPTURED AMERICAN MOM, DAUGHTER ON ISRAEL TRIP, RABBI SAYS

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stands on the tarmac and greets passengers flying in from Israel to Tamps on Sunday.

CEO Bryan Stern said the group has had plenty of obstacles in evacuating Americans from unsafe areas, mostly financial. Stern didn't know the exact cost of the trip from Israel to Florida but said the average cost to charter a plane from Tampa to Israel currently costs around $2 million.

"We were fundraising right up until Gov. DeSantis and his office came in bottom line is we would have figured it out," Stern said. "Weve done it 601 times without government help, 602 was not going to be the one that we failed on. But it makes it so much easier when you have backing by a state entity for sure."

Stern noted that the Tampa trip was "the first time an American politician has ever met us home."

He said he was grateful for Florida's financial assistance in the evacuation effort but that he would have done whatever was needed to get people home safely.

"Would it have been possible?" he asked. "I'll tell you that I wasn't going to leave them behind and I'm not trying to stay in Israel a moment longer than I need to so we would've figured it out, for sure."

Aside from the flight to Florida, U.S. citizens have also been evacuated from Israel to the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus.

NEW JERSEY WOMAN'S ONLY SON, ASPIRING DJ, DEAD AFTER HAMAS ATTACKED ISRAELI DANCE PARTY

A check-in area at the Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel.

As the conflict in Israel got underway, the Neumann's, who had been living in Israel while maintaining a home in Florida, contacted the State Department and state officials in Florida. Both efforts were unsuccessful, they said.

They praised Project DYNAMO for the group's efficiency and professionalism during hard times.

"I'm humbled," said Linda Neumann. "To think that people risked their lives to come get us and our fellow Jews out of a war zone. I thank God for getting us out."

The couple left less than 24 hours after they were notified of the return flight and left with only their dog and clothes, she said. They said they plan to go back once the violence dies down.

"I have a strong attachment to Israel," said Ron Neumann, who said his grandmother died in a concentration camp during the Holocaust.

Last week, the State Department began offering transit options for Americans stuck in Israel to Athens or Cyprus, at which time they would be responsible for lodging and flights back home using their own dime. In addition, they would be asked to sign an agreement to repay the U.S. government prior to departing Israel.

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Stern said the U.S. was the only country requiring its citizens to repay their governments for their own evacuations from a war zone.

"I have a hard time taking an American and dumping them in Cyprus or Athens, Greece and saying Good luck to you' and by the way pay for the flight," Stern said. "The Germans landed in Israel, take German citizens, put them on other planes and fly them to Berlin. That's the right answer."





Original article source: Florida married couple returns home on evacuation flight from Israel: 'We had no way to get out'
Teresa Lee Scalfs family has searched for the name of the person who killed their loved one for over three decades.

Now, thanks to new DNA analysis, Scalfs family has an answer  and some semblance of closure  because investigators say they have solved the 1986 murder case.

Donald Douglas, who was 33 at the time, is responsible for Scalfs death, Polk County Sheriffs Office said in a news release Monday. Douglas died of natural causes in 2008 at the age of 54, the department said.

Scalf, 29, was the target on October 27, 1986 of a sexually motivated attack that ended in her killing in her Lakeland, Florida, home, where she was severely cut and had significant defensive wounds on her hands, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Office.

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He aggressively stabbed her and cut her, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference Monday, noting Scalf was nearly decapitated.

In 1986, investigators collected evidence from the crime scene, including blood that did not belong to Scalf, the sheriffs department said. That sample was submitted and entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a database containing DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons at the local, state and national level.

Douglas didnt have a criminal history, the sheriffs office said, and so he did not appear in the system.

Additionally, Douglas body was cremated after he died, so his DNA was never obtained by authorities or entered into the database for comparison, according to the sheriffs office.

Donald Douglas. Detectives obtained a DNA sample from a son of Douglas and through a genetic analysis of the DNA confirmed the blood found at the murder scene matched Douglas. - Polk County Sheriff's Office

In 2022, the sheriffs office said it partnered with Othram, a Texas-based private lab specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, to analyze the blood sample, the sheriffs office said.

Othram analyzed the suspects blood and they were able to narrow the scope to distant relatives of the still unknown suspect, the sheriffs office said.

Then, detectives followed a trail through a family tree that led them back to Lakeland, and eventually the Douglas family, Brian Bruchey, Polk County Sheriffs Office spokesperson told CNN Tuesday.

Eventually detectives narrowed their search down to close relatives of Donald Douglas who lived directly behind Ms. Scalf at the time of her murder, the sheriffs office said.

Detectives obtained a DNA sample from a son of Douglas and through a genetic analysis of the DNA confirmed the blood found at the murder scene matched Douglas, according to the sheriffs office.

The DNA profile indicated a 100% confidence of a parent/child biological relationship compared to Douglas sons DNA profile, the office said.

And although the question of who killed Scalf has been answered, why she was killed 37 years ago remains a mystery.

The most loving person

Scalf was a nurse and mother whose son was 8 years old at the time, Pam Scalf, one of Teresas sisters said.

Scalfs mother, Betty Scalf, found her daughters body the day she was killed, both Judd and the Scalf family said at a news conference on Monday.

Since 911 wasnt universal yet in 1986, Betty Scalf called police for help after finding a magnet with the police departments number on the refrigerator at her daughters home, Pam Scalf said.

The Scalf family expressed deep gratitude to authorities for pursuing the murder investigation throughout the years. The entire Scalf family works in healthcare due to Teresa, according to Pam Scalf.

Teresa was a wonderful person, the most loving person, Pam Scalf said. She didnt deserve this. Our family didnt deserve this.

All I want to say is, Im 84 years old. I lived to see this done, Betty Scalf said, I think thats why I lived so long.

CNNs Chris Boyette contributed to this report.

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ORLANDO, Fla. - A truck driver was shot and nearly killed on his way to work in an apparent road rage incident  and deputies in Florida want to know what led to him being found lying on the ground outside his truck in the middle of an Interstate-4 off-ramp.

The shooting incident occurred just after 2 a.m. Sunday on the I-4 off-ramp east out of Orlando and onto US Hwy 27 in Davenport, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The victim, 58-year-old Kevin Berry was on his way to work in Polk County when he was shot by an unknown suspect.

Sheriff Grady Judd gave an update about Berry's condition on Monday, saying he suffered a significant gunshot injury and the hospital said his prognosis is "at best, very grim."

"He is not dead yet, but there seems to be absolutely no chance of survival," Judd said.

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The Polk County Sheriff's Office is looking for answers related to the incident that unfolded in Davenport over the weekend. One witness came forward and reported Berry's white Dodge truck and a dark-colored two-door car "driving around each other aggressively, moving back and forth between lanes on the off-ramp and then stopping," according to deputies.

The witness added that they heard both drivers yelling at each other. Berry's family and friends told deputies that he's known to be "hot-headed if he were challenged," Judd said.

Kevin Berry is in grave condition in the hospital after an apparent road rage incident in Polk County. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Berry's family allowed the use of this photo. (Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office)

"According to friends, if someone tried or started a road rage incident, he would push back," Judd said about Berry's friends' statements. "So at the end of the day, we've got to solve this case."

Judd said there are at least three other people who witnessed this incident and he urges them to come forward, too.

"Those other three folks, probably like this one witness we've discovered so far, had no idea there was a shooting," Judd said in a news conference. "They probably drove around to get out of the way and leave.

"We need to talk to those three people and to anyone else who might have seen this possible road rage event just prior to 2:16 in the morning on Sunday morning."

MORE FLORIDA HEADLINES :

The suspect could have fled down US Hwy 27 or could have gotten back on I-4 after the incident.

Anyone with information about this case is being urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 863-298-6200 and reference case number 23-42221.
FOND DU LAC  Following Saturday's shooting that ended in one man dead and a police dog seriously injured, Fond du Lac law enforcement has been reaching out to ensure the community's security.

Oct. 14, city police officers and county deputies responded in the early morning to a disturbance involving weapons in the 500 block of Drury Place, where a man inside a vehicle exchanged gunfire with a sheriffs deputy, according to the state Department of Justice.

The man was treated for injuries but died on scene, and Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office police dog Iro was seriously injured during the incident and treated at a veterinary hospital.

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Both the police department and the sheriff's office shared gratitude on their respective Facebook pages for the community's cooperation and patience with the incident, and on Oct. 16, police officers went door-to-door in the neighborhood to share Police Chief Aaron Goldstein's letter offering resources and reassurance to their safety, as well as to meet with families and offer the news release from the DOJ.

"Community safety remains a priority and the FDLPD remains committed to doing everything we can to ensure our residents feel safe in our city," Goldstein said in the letter. "I am grateful each and every day for the way our FDLPD officers and Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office deputies work together to keep our communities safe."

Though the DOJ's Division of Criminal Investigation is still investigating the incident and will provide any updates going forward, the sheriff's office has been updating the community on the status of the injured police dog.

Fond du Lac campus closure: UW ending in-person school at campuses in Washington County and Fond du Lac

The police dog received treatment the day of the incident and underwent surgery the next day with the help of a blood transfusion from a veterinary technician's dog, a yellow Labrador named Dwyer. As of Oct. 16, he has been awake and remains stable with no major setbacks, according to the latest update on the sheriff's office Facebook page.

The sheriffs office K9 program is fully donor-funded, and in response to community questions on medical bills and supporting the program, Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt said donations are accepted by check to FDL Sheriff K9 Program mailed to FDL Sheriff K9 Program, P.O. Box 1273, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1273; in person by check or credit card at the sheriff's office lobby window, 180 S. Macy St., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; or over the phone by calling 920-929-3372.

Contact reporter Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac sheriff's office dog shot during shootout is recovering
A former San Diego police detective was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison for operating illicit massage parlors that offered commercial sex services, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Tuesday.

Peter Griffin, a retired officer employed for 27 years by the San Diego Police Department who spent part of his career working as a vice detective, attorney and private investigator, was sentenced Friday to 33 months imprisonment followed by one year of supervised release. Now 79 years old, Griffin operated a network of illicit massage businesses based in California and Arizona, which sold commercial sex for profit and used therapeutic massage services as a front, the Justice Department said in a news release.

Griffin was sentenced along with three co-defendants, identified as 59-year-old Kyung Sook Hernandez, 57-year-old Yu Hong Tan and 46-year-old Yoo Jin Ott, who managed the illicit businesses. They were each sentenced to six months in prison followed by one year of supervised release.

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The former detective and the three co-defendants pleaded guilty in April to federal charges related to the case, with Griffin pleading guilty to conspiracy to money laundering, wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to facilitate interstate commerce for business involving prostitution and other crimes in San Diego federal court. Citing court documents, authorities said at the time that Griffin had exploited his insider knowledge of illicit massage parlors to run them himself after investigating and making arrests associated with illegal massage parlors during his time as a vice detective.

Court documents show Griffin, Hernandez, Tan and Ott owned and operated five illegal businesses, "Genie Oriental Spa," "Felicita Spa," "Blue Green Spa," "Maple Spa" and "Massage W Spa," between 2013 and August 2022. They were located in the greater San Diego area and in Tempe, Arizona, the Justice Department said, adding that the scheme involved "incorporating their businesses with state agencies, managing the businesses' illicit proceeds, advertising commercial sexual services online, recruiting and employing women to perform commercial sex services and benefiting financially from the illegal enterprises."

The former detective and three parlor managers allegedly exploited their employees, pressured them to perform commercial sex services and then profited financially from those illegal services. Griffin used his record as a former law enforcement officer to convince authorities that his businesses were being operated legitimately and once showed his badge to a local officer who was responding to a complaint about one of the businesses, according to the Justice Department. He also allegedly told an employee that he previously worked as a police officer while instructing her to keep quiet about the true nature of the massage parlor.

"Defendant Griffin  a former vice detective who once took an oath to uphold our laws  is being held accountable for abusing his position of authority and, with his co-defendants, operating illicit massage businesses and profiting by exploiting women for commercial sex," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, in a statement.

Chad Plantz, special agent in charge of the Homeland Security Investigations field office in San Diego, said in a separate statement, "Peter Griffin abused and exploited vulnerable women by pressuring them into commercial sex for profit while taking advantage of his status in the community."

"This sentence sends a clear message to those who mistakenly believe they can get away with such repugnant crimes," Plantz's statement continued. "HSI, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work vigorously and bring to justice those who exploit and victimize vulnerable members of our community."

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Former East Community Learning Center Principal Vyrone Finney is suing Akron Public Schools in county and federal court after he was fired for striking a student.

On Friday, Finney filed a $1 million lawsuit in federal court against the district, along with 30 current and former board members, three superintendents, two school resource officers and other administrators.

The federal suit comes less than two months after Finney filed a suit in Summit County Common Pleas Court alleging wrongful termination.

In the federal case, Finney requests damages "in excess of one million dollars" and any other relief deemed proper by the court. In the county case, he did not request a certain dollar amount.

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Neither Finney  who is slated to run as a Republican candidate for an at-large seat on Akron City Council this fall  nor his attorney, Matt Markling, returned requests for comment.

Akron schools spokesman Mark Williamson said in a statement, "Akron Public Schools will withhold comment so as to not affect pending litigation."

Finney was acquitted on a criminal charge related to the same incident, but the administrative case against him looked at whether he violated school district policies.

In both suits, Finney alleges that he was discriminated against and was punished for speaking out about the district's role in creating a school-to-prison pipeline and for reporting other teachers' conduct.

During the 2018-19 school year, the federal suit reads, Finney "formally complained" to the administration that a human resources official was "preventing Principal Finney from disciplining approximately twenty (20) teachers for insubordination related to academic issues pursuant to the directions given to Principal Finney" allegedly by another administrator.

He was first placed on paid leave following the September 2019 incident, which was converted to unpaid leave later that fall when the board began the termination process against him.

But the case dragged through that process and appeal system, in part to wait for his criminal case to wrap up. The board voted this summer, in late July, to fire him.

His attorney said at the time they would appeal the firing through Summit County court and would file a federal lawsuit as well.

The former high school principal is alleging in his Summit County lawsuit, filed in late August, that he was not given a fair hearing before he was fired.

He also alleges that when he struck the 15-year-old student, he was utilizing practices taught to him in a training offered by the district called Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training, "which allows for the use of force on students by staff members," according to the lawsuit.

Finney said he believed the student, who was sitting and then stood up in front of Finney, was readying to attack him, and the student had used increasingly aggressive language toward him and had previously swung a backpack at a teacher that day.

"CPI requires an educator to take into consideration if a student has a history of assaulting staff members when deciding if that student is a danger," the lawsuit states.

In the federal suit, Finney alleges the defendants took "adverse personnel action" against him based on his "speech on matters of public concern," violating his First Amendment rights.

Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former Akron schools principal appeals termination, files federal suit
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A former president of the Fresno chapter of the California motorcycle club Hells Angels is allegedly involved in arranging an illegal cremation of four other members, according to a sentencing memorandum filed to the San Francisco division of the U.S. District Court first reported by Mercury News.

Merl Hefferman, 54, was set to be sentenced for aiding the cremation of a man who was murdered in 2014, but it was reported that prosecutors had alleged there were a total of four illegal cremations reported to the FBI.

According to Mercury News, federal authorities also believe they know the identities of all the victims. Mercury News stated that prosecutors said former Hells Angels members, Robbie Huff, Arthur Carasis and Juan Guevara were illegally cremated by Hefferman.

Heffermans attorney, James Bustamante, denied that his client had anything to do with the illegal cremations  except the one he already pleaded guilty to. Hefferman pleaded guilty to obstructing justice by arranging the cremation of Livermore resident Joel Silva.

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Silva was shot in the back of the head inside the clubs Fresno headquarters in 2014.

Heres what Sonoma Hells Angels did to a member who had an affair with the presidents wife

In a sentencing memo, Bustamante said the prosecution failed to mention in their court filings that the funeral home owner also gave an interview and called the prosecutions allegations a last-ditch effort.

According to Mercury News, court records showed informants telling the FBI for years that there were other dead bodies that were met with the same fate as Silva  and allegedly referring to it as the pizza oven.

Prosecutors say phone records obtained by the FBI found that Hefferman contacted the funeral home owner in July 2014, Feb. 2015 and July 2016.

Mercury News reported that details of other cremations were kept from the jury  and the U.S. District judge on the case ruled repeatedly against prosecutors attempts to introduce evidence of other murders and suggestions that were multiple body disposals.

In the article, it states that during the trial Assistant U.S. Assistant Attorney Kevin Barry revisited the issue several times during the trial to allow multiple testimonies of multiple bodies being illegally cremated in Fresno  but no specific details were ever brought in.

Heffermans sentencing is scheduled for Thursday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
Ryan Kelley, a former Republican front-runner during the 2022 Michigan governors race, was sentenced Tuesday to 60 days in prison for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Kelley pleaded guilty in July to a federal misdemeanor of entering and remaining on restricted grounds  down from the four misdemeanor charges he faced upon his arrest a month prior.

Prosecutors had pushed U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper to issue a three-month sentence, noting Kelleys distinct lack of remorse for his actions, including publishing statements on social media making light of the day.

Ryan Kelley, a Republican candidate for Michigan governor, was filmed shouting, "This is war, baby! at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

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Photos of Kelley at the Capitol during the violent attack show him in sunglasses and a backwards hat appearing to wave rioters toward the building and, the FBI says, supporting another rioter who was pulling down a metal barricade.

Video from the scene shows Kelley shouting, Come on, lets go! This is it! This is  this is war, baby!

Kelleys gubernatorial bid benefited from a turbulent Michigan primary in which half of the Republican candidates failed to make the ballot after submitting nominating petitions full of invalid signatures.

After a brief campaign surge, however, Kelley finished fourth in the GOP primary. The victor, conservative commentator Tudor Dixon, lost to incumbent Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

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A former Modesto resident was arrested Friday in Reno in the death of her 9-year-old son, whom authorities found not breathing in a motel room.

The son died at a Reno hospital despite lifesaving measures, the Reno Gazette-Journal newspaper reported.

Ansonia Laws, 37, was booked at the Washoe County Jail on Friday on suspicion of murder. She is being held without bail, according to the Washoe County Sheriffs Office website.

Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear said Suleiman Alsubaihi reported to Modesto police in September 2022 that Laws had left the city with their then 8-year-old son without telling him. He believed she moved to Stockton to be with family.

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Bear said Alsubaihi did not live with Laws and their son but visited the son regularly. Bear said there was nothing Modesto police could do because Alsubaihi did not have custody of his son.

Alsubaihi told Sacramento TV station ABC10 that he and Laws had been partners but had been separated for a long time.

I take him to the park, I walk with him, I just tried to do anything because I only could come and see him one day a week, Alsubaihi said about his time with his son when he and his mother were in Modesto.
Michael Fanone , a former Capitol police officer who sustained injuries during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, criticized Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) Monday for his response to the incident as Jordan seeks the House Speakership.

Jordan, a top ally in the House of former President Trump, appeared to be gaining momentum in the fight for the Speakership with a vote planned for Tuesday.

Fanone has long criticized Jordan for his actions related to Jan. 6.

Jim Jordan is an insurrectionist who has no place being second in line to the presidency, Fanone said in a statement Monday through Courage for America, an organization that pushes against an extremist, far-right agenda in the country.

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I witnessed the deadly assault on our democracy with my own eyes, which is why it absolutely disgusts me that extreme Republicans could choose an insurrectionist and election denier as their leader  someone who knew about January 6th ahead of time yet did nothing to stop it, Fanone added. This is a very dark time for our democracy and should serve as a wake up call to all Americans that we can never take our democracy for granted.

Fanone, who currently serves as a law enforcement analyst for CNN, suffered a heart attack and a traumatic brain injury from the insurrection, which led him to resign from the police force. He was also later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the riot.

Fanone also testified before the House select committee investigating the attack, becoming a vocal critic of elected officials, including Trump, whom he claimed downplayed the severity of the attack.

Jordan would need 217 votes on the House floor to be elected Speaker. With all Democrats backing Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Jordan will only be able to afford a few defections.

Its been two weeks since Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was voted out of his position as House Speaker.

The historic vote was brought on by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), as he and seven other Republican lawmakers joined their Democratic colleagues in a 216-210 vote to remove McCarthy from his leadership position.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Its been a little more than a year since controversial new laws out of Tallahassee took effect and forced Central Florida school districts to take a closer look at the books in their schools.

HB1467 took effect in July of 2022 and HB 1069 was implemented just one year later.

Together the bills limited teachings on sexual orientation and gender identity. They also ban any book that depicts sexual conduct.

The governor signed the laws as part of a wave of legislation including the Parental Rights in Education Act and the Stop WOKE act.

As those laws were being written they were met with fierce opposition, and once signed they forced local school districts to make a number of policy changes.

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Those changes included mandating school librarians to undergo new trainings to comply with the laws. Media specialist could face jailtime if pornographic material was found in their collections.

Now, some of the professionals trusted to decide what can and cant be on school shelves are pursuing a different path.

In Osceola County, two former media specialist are doing that through a book store that opened this weekend.

Tania Galinanes and Erin Decker spent part of Monday afternoon rearranging book shelves and placing orders for their Kissimmee book store White Rose Books and More.

The duo said the recent laws pushed them out of their former jobs as media specialist.

Read: Sanford parents face judge after their son, 3, drowns in apartment complex retention pond

Galinanes said that was a job she thought she would have through retirement.

I was making sure our kids had books in their hands they could see themselves in books and that teachers were able to bring their students in. It was the most amazing job, said Galinanes.

But Galinanes and Decker feel the laws changed and politicized their everyday duties.

Its just a lot. When people are accusing you of being a groomer. Or a pedophile or that youre pushing porn on other kids. That takes a toll on your mental health especially when its not true, said Galinanes.

According to Osceola County Schools, 8 library media specialist have left the district since HB 1069 and HB1467 were implemented. The district currently has 48 media specialist and is hiring for the role.

Read: Development team announced for upcoming sports & entertainment district next to Amway Center

It used to be that you could not find a job as a library media specialist. And people would retire from these jobs, said Galinanes, I know people who have left without having a Plan-B. They just cant do it, theyre done.

Decker said about 9 months ago she and Galinanes started to think about alternatives and finally had the aha moment to open a bookstore.

White Rose Books And More opened this weekend and will have a grand opening in November.

A big goal is making the shop a safe place to access all kinds of titles.

It includes a shelf for Spanish speakers meant to cater to Kissimmees prominent Hispanic population.

Read: Port Orange police seek to identify a man accused of exposing himself to a woman at Walmart

Another shelf is dedicated to books banned across the state, and in Central Florida.

We want anybody to be able to gather here find books that they can see themselves in, said Decker.

Channel 9 has asked all Central Florida School Districts to provide the number of media specialist who have left their jobs since the first of these laws were implemented.

Read: $13.2M project aims to improve pedestrian safety near UCF

Volusia County tells us 11 of their media specialists have left since July of 2022.

They currently have 68 media specialist district wide, were still waiting on the numbers from other counties.

Channel 9 also reached out to the governors office for comment but has not heard back yet.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A former Atlanta real estate lawyer pled guilty to stealing millions of dollars from his clients through a scheme to defraud, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

According to USDOJ, Matthew Allen Dickason accepted funds on behalf of clients who were trying to buy real estate, but instead of using the money for those purchases, he paid off his own debts and expenses.

Officials said Dickason ended up misappropriating millions of dollars belong to his clients for his personal benefit.

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Ryan Buchanan, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, said Dickasons law firm specialized in real estate law. Dickasons firm oversaw hundreds of real estate sales transactions, totaling tens of millions of dollars, according to USAO.

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The majority of the misappropriated funds were used to pay his law firms operating expenses, USDOJ said, explaining how Dickasons scheme worked. After misappropriating client funds, he used new client funds to complete prior real estate transactions.

Then, to hide his fraud, USDOJ said Dickason fabricated information and uploaded it to his law firms accounting system to look like the firm had paid off a mortgage, while instead the funds were being used by Dickason for other, personal needs.

Some of the funds were also spent on paying the law firms operating expenses, rather than the transactions the money was meant for.

Wire fraud is an offense that the FBI takes very seriously, especially when innocent victims are being defrauded. In this case, it is especially troubling that the crime was orchestrated by a lawyer who swore an oath to uphold the law and represent his clients with integrity, Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said. Dickason was in debt through his own fault and chose to steal from his clients and firm to pay back that debt and finance his business. Now he will pay back his debt to society in prison.

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We remain steadfast in our commitment to working with the U.S. Attorneys Office and our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate those who threaten HUD programs, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Jerome Winkle said in a statement. The criminal actions by this former attorney violated his clients trust and his oath to uphold the law. His actions put many taxpayer-insured FHA mortgages at risk of default through his scheme.

USAO said Dickason pled guilty to wire fraud, with sentencing scheduled for Jan. 17, 2024.

The case is still under investigation by multiple federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, officials said.

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Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, shown during a 2021 press conference while he was in office, will not have to face a contempt hearing after county attorneys said he defied subpoenas. ( Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A county judge ruled last week that former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva will not face a contempt hearing for refusing to comply with a series of 2021 subpoenas ordering him to testify in front of the Civilian Oversight Commission.

The ruling is a long-awaited coda to one of the many power struggles between Villanueva and the various county entities responsible for oversight and investigation of the Sheriffs Department.

The former sheriff, who is now campaigning for a spot on the county Board of Supervisors, lauded the courts decision.

This final court ruling cements the reality that the board of supervisors, through their proxies on the civilian oversight commission, unlawfully abused the subpoena power given to the COC by voters, Villanueva told The Times in an emailed statement Tuesday. The courts affirmed I did not lose my constitutional right to challenge these politically driven subpoenas.

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On Tuesday afternoon, a county spokesperson declined to comment. Sean Kennedy, who chairs the Civilian Oversight Commission, did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Times.

In early 2020, the Board of Supervisors granted the commission subpoena power, which voters then reaffirmed with the approval of Measure R. A few months later, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law granting subpoena power to oversight bodies statewide.

That same year, the commission issued a subpoena directing the sheriff to testify about his response to COVID-19 inside the jails. Villanueva questioned the legality of the subpoena, which he called a public shaming endeavor. The dispute ended up in court, but Villanueva avoided a contempt hearing by agreeing to answer the commissions questions voluntarily.

Read more: In Mens Central Jail, fires are common, smoke alarms are not: Smells 'like a campfire'

In early 2021, Inspector General Max Huntsman subpoenaed Villanueva to answer questions about a number of issues, including deputy gangs. Villanueva initially fought the subpoena in court , but was eventually interviewed that fall. Huntsman cut off the questions when the then-sheriff refused to answer under oath.

The county then took Villanueva to court and a judge ordered him to comply with the questioning. When Villanueva appealed, the 2nd District Court of Appeal shot him down in April 2022. Huntsman confirmed to The Times on Tuesday that Villanueva ultimately did show up to answer many  but not all  of his office's questions.

As that legal battle played out, Villanueva and the county also sparred over another set of subpoenas issued by the commission in fall of 2021, ordering Villanueva to testify both about deputy gangs and about an investigative unit that targeted the sheriffs critics. Again, Villanueva resisted testifying under oath, and the county asked a judge to enforce the subpoena.

A court order holding the sheriff in contempt clearly is necessary to force him to comply with valid oversight subpoenas, lawyers for the county wrote. Indeed, the sheriffs latest excuses for not complying with the subpoenas are merely a continuation of his endless machinations to delay and deny meaningful oversight.

Judge Elaine Lu scheduled a November 2022 contempt hearing, but called it off after Villanuevas lawyers asked a higher court to step in.

The former sheriffs legal counsel argued that the 2020 statute Newsom signed described a two-step process and said that the judge first needed to issue an order directing Villanueva to comply with the subpoena. Only if he ignored that could be found in contempt, his lawyer said.

Last month, the appeals court sided with Villanueva and sent the matter back to Lu. On Friday, she issued a new ruling, calling the countys arguments unpersuasive." Under state law, she wrote, contempt would only be a one-step process if the Board of Supervisors had issued the subpoena itself. Since the Civilian Oversight Commission issued the subpoenas, Lu said, the court should have used a two-step process.

I think its the correct outcome, and it complies with my analysis, said Linda Miller Savitt, the lawyer who represented Villanueva. I never thought the statute was crystal clear, but it provided for a two step process. 

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WEST PALM BEACH  A former teacher at Wellington High School accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student has died.

Charles C. Maglio, 54, was found on Oct. 1 near his Coral Springs home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a report by the Broward County Medical Examiner's Office.

He was the subject of an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and faced two felony charges stemming from accusations of sexual misconduct. The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office dropped the charges in the wake of Maglio's death.

School district records show that Maglio was hired in January 2016 to teach math at Wellington Landings Middle School and moved to Wellington High for the 2020 school year. He previously taught math at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County, according to his personnel file.

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Related: Ex-Wellington teacher had inappropriate relationship with student, PBSO says

Authorities began investigating the teacher in December when a restaurant manager reported Maglio to Wellington's principal for sending flowers to a teen employee at work. A school district detective initiated an investigation then notified PBSO.

The student described multiple sexual encounters with Maglio at his apartment during interviews with investigators. Under Florida law, the age of consent is 18, with those who are 16 and 17 able to consent only to a partner younger than 24.

During a monitored telephone call between Maglio and the teen, Maglio professed his love and said he could not wait for the teen to turn 18, according to his arrest report. However, he deviated from conversations about specific sexual encounters with the teen, the report said.

Maglio self-surrendered to the sheriff's office and self-reported the matter to the school district, Cory Strolla, his defense attorney, said in September.

"We understand that these are serious allegations, but we think that the only thing the state is going to be able to show is that he was more of a mentor to a young (person) who had a terrible home life," Stroll said.

Strolla did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Help is available for people experiencing domestic violence or suicidal thoughts. Call the Palm Beach County Victim Services 24-hour helpline at 561-833-7273, or the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Former Wellington High School teacher accused of sex with student dies
A federal judge gave six months home detention on Tuesday to a top Westinghouse construction official at the V.C. Summer nuclear site for lying to an FBI agent during the federal investigation into why the defunct energy giant SCANA failed to build two nuclear reactors despite spending billions of dollars.

Carl Churchman, 72, and his lawyer, Lauren Williams of Charleston, refused to say after they left the Columbia federal courthouse where Churchman will serve his home detention.

But federal officials at the hearing said later they believed he lives in Arizona. Churchman must wear a geo-location monitoring device, pay a $5,000 fine and serve a year on probation that overlaps with his six-month home detention.

Williams told Judge Mary Geiger Lewis that Churchman has agreed to be a prosecution witness in any future cases and already has a job offer from Type One Energy, which bills itself as a clean energy company.

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Churchman was not one of the big wigs who were implicated in the scandal, Williams said. He was the guy with the hard hat working 4,000 hours a year, she said.

During the 20-minute hearing, Churchman apologized to the the judge, federal agents, the community and my family.

In handing down the sentence, Lewis said in her 11 years on the bench she had never seen so many letters from supporters praising a defendants good character.

But, Lewis said, Its important the government be able to get to the truth in investigations...when people interfere with that ability, that is a big problem.

Although Churchman could have gotten a maximum of five years in prison for lying to an FBI agent, assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday agreed with the lenient sentence, saying several factors contributed to it.

For one, Holiday said, after Churchman was caught lying, he immediately confessed. I dont know if I have ever seen a more apologetic, remorseful individual. Churchman then became an excellent source for the government in its investigation, Holliday said. He told us all kinds of things that we needed to know.

Also, Holiday said, Churchman has decades of knowledge about the nuclear industry and is a very esteemed individual in that field who is sought after by companies. And the nuclear industry is a vital industry for our country, Holliday said.

But Holliday stressed that lying to government agents is a serious offense. The government needs true facts to proceed in all the investigations it undertakes.

Tom Clements, a longtime environment activist, said after the hearing he was disappointed in the sentence and that a years-long investigation by the FBI has only resulted in convictions of two other people, both former top executives at SCANA.

I dont think this is justice for the people of South Carolina, he said.

Churchman is the third person to be sentenced  after the two top executives from SCANA  for a years-long illegal cover-up of the projects troubles.

The cover-up was designed to keep the public, regulators and investors from finding out how badly things were going at the nuclear plant construction site, according to prosecutors.

It is a crime for public companies such as the now-defunct SCANA, whose shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange, to conceal troubling news that might affect the stock price. At its height, SCANA was a Fortune 500 company with 700,000 electric customers and 350,000 natural gas customers in South Carolina.

Construction on the plant began in March 2013. From the beginning, it was plagued by schedule delays, missed deadlines and cost increases, according to evidence in the case.

In 2015, Westinghouse hired Churchman to be the onsite nuclear project manager.

At that time, the project was long behind schedule and ... was already sliding into failure. Despite the absolute mess he walked into, Mr. Churchman put the full force of his knowledge and work ethic towards trying to right the ship, impressing both his Westinghouse colleagues and the contractors on the project, Churchmans lawyer Williams wrote to Judge Lewis in a motion seeking a non-prison sentence.

When SCANA aborted the project in July 2017 due to mismanagement and overspending, the sudden closing threw more than 4,000 construction workers out of work.

Others hurt by the projects sudden abandonment included the more than 1 million SCANA customers, whose monthly bills had been jacked up for years to pay for ongoing construction costs. Although utilities typically issue bonds to finance major construction costs, the S.C. General Assembly had passed a law that allowed SCANA to tack a surcharge onto customers monthly bills to pay for construction costs.

As a result of the projects shutdown, the stock prices of the once-proud SCANA  it had been South Carolinas only Fortune 500 company  plummeted. The utility was ultimately absorbed by energy giant Dominion, based in Virginia.

Two top former SCANA executives have been sentenced to prison.

Kevin Marsh, former SCANA CEO, was sentenced to two years in prison in October 2021 for his role in the cover-up. He also forfeited $5 million to the government. He has been released.

Stephen Byrne, former SCANA chief operating officer, in March was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, hit with a $200,000 fine and ordered to pay $1 million in restitution.

Former Westinghouse Senior Vice President Jeffrey Benjamin was originally indicted on mail fraud charges in August 2021 by a federal grand jury in Columbia. He was accused of helping former SCANA officials hide major workplace problems from 2015 to 2017 at the V.C. Summer site. In his job, Benjamin oversaw new plants and major projects.

His indictment was dismissed in August by Judge Lewis, who said the grand jury that indicted Benjamin was potentially biased against him because it included former SCANA ratepayers who were victims in the governments case against Benjamin.

It is not known if the government will try to re-indict Benjamin, whose lawyer, William Sullivan of Washington D.C. was in the courtroom Tuesday. Sullivan had no comment.

Prosecutors in the governments case against SCANA included Holliday, Brook Andrews and Emily Limehouse.
This years high school students had the worst ACT test scores in more than three decades  with the lowest scores among Black students.

The average ACT test score was 19.5 out of 36 from the class of 2023, compared to 19.8 last year  the sixth consecutive drop, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test.

New demographic data shows Black students scored 3.5 points below this years average, continuing the growing trend of historically marginalized students being unprepared for college-level courses.

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These systemic problems require sustained action and support at the policy level, said ACT chief executive officer Janet Godwin in a statement.

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The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career, she added.

Here are four key takeaways from the ACT test score report:

1. Black students had the lowest ACT test scores in nearly every category.

ACT Profile Report

Black students had an overall ACT test score of 16 out of 36.

In English, Black students were more than three points below the average scores of 18.6 for English, 19 for math, 20.1 for reading and 19.6 for science.

American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander and Latino students also scored below average in every category.

Stephen Barker, director of communications at OneGoal, said the scores point to the systemic barriers minority and first generation students face as they apply to college.

There isnt the generational support or knowledge to push kids and prepare them to take these tests, Barker said. Kids are throwing their hands in the air and saying Im gonna take it but Im not ready and its stressful for them and bears out in these numbers.

2. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students experienced the greatest ACT test score declines in the last five years.

ACT Profile Report

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students saw the largest overall ACT test score decline in the last five years, scoring 16.3 out of 36  a 1.6 point decrease compared to 2019.

The decline was followed by Latino and white students who decreased 1.3 and 1.1 points respectively.

What you dont see in these numbers are all of the environmental challenges that are stacked on, Barker said, adding how students, often women, are caretaking for families or working multiple jobs.

Were just throwing tests at kids and are surprised when it comes time to enroll them and they arent ready, he said.

3. Male students scored higher in math and science compared to females.

ACT Profile Report

Male students scored 19.4 in math and 19.8 in science compared to female students scoring 18.8 and 19.6 respectively  a difference of 0.6 and 0.2 points.

Female students scored 19.2 in English and 20.6 in reading compared to male students scoring 18.2 and 19.7  a difference of 1 and 0.9 points.

I can tell you that I definitely see this disparity, Medha Kukkalli, a first-year student at the University of Houston, told The 74.

Kukkalli, whos currently studying human development and family studies, said most of her classmates are women and her peers in STEM courses are predominantly men.

4. Fewer students have taken the ACT test in the last five years.

ACT Profile Report

Nearly 1.4 million students took the ACT test compared to last year  an increase of 40,000 students.

But theres been a dramatic decline from the nearly 1.8 million students who took the test in 2019  a decrease of about 400,000 students.

This comes as several universities have made standardized admissions tests optional, including the University of California system that doesnt even consider ACT or SAT scores.

Kukkalli opted out of taking the ACT test because she said it wouldnt reflect how successful she could be in college.

Its more about time management skills, having resilience, support systems and mental fortitude rather than solely whether you have a high ACT score, Kukkalli said.

Barker said Kukkallis thinking is not surprising as the ACT and SAT tests experience a brand crisis, with the number of students taking standardized tests declining.
Two people in Madison County were sent to a hospital Tuesday morning after they were part of a crash involving four tractor-trailers on I-75, according to the Madison County Sheriffs Office.

The collision happened around 2 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the interstate near mile-marker 95, just a few miles south of the Kentucky River and the Fayette County line. Deputy Michael Stotts with the sheriffs office said a tractor-trailer driver may have fallen asleep and hit another tractor-trailer parked on the right shoulder of the road.

The impact caused a chain reaction, Stotts said. The second tractor-trailer hit a third tractor-trailer and the third tractor-trailer hit a fourth tractor-trailer.

Two drivers were sent to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries, Stotts said. Its unclear how severe their injuries were.

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The collision caused heavy traffic congestion during the morning commute. At 8 a.m., only the farthest left lane was open for traffic, according to Stotts. All lanes were open by about 8:30 a.m. Traffic maps didnt show a significant lingering impact later Tuesday morning.

This is a developing story and may be updated.
The Hamilton County Coroner has identified the remains of a victim believed slain by Herbert Baumeister at Fox Hollow Farm more than three decades ago.

Allen Livingston, who went missing in 1993 in Indianapolis when he was in his mid-20s, was identified using DNA samples at the Indiana State Police lab.

County Coroner Jeff Jellison said Livingston was the first victim to be identified since the office sent a batch of 44 samples to state police roughly 18 months ago.

His family was also the first to submit a sample, Jellison said.

Police have linked Baumeister to eight victims found on an 18-acre Fox Hollow Farm off 156th Street and the Monon Trail in Westfield.

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Grisly chore Fox Hollow Farm killings: 20 people provide new DNA samples hoping to find loved ones

They were among the remains of at least 25 people found in June 1996, mostly young, gay men police suspect Baumeister lured to the property before killing them.

Jellison said a cousin of Livingston's sent the sample because he always suspected he was among the deceased at Fox Hollow. There was an urgency, the cousin said, because Livingstons mother had terminal cancer and he wanted her to get an answer.

Jellison said he has spoken to the mother since the remains were identified. He said he did not know the circumstances around the mans disappearance.

This is a big success as far as our testing goes but once you think about celebrating you catch yourself because it means that someone was murdered, he said.

Hoosier true crime: Notorious crimes in Indianapolis-area history

Livingstone's cousin, Eric Pranger, said he was six when Livingston went missing and didnt know him well. But he had always been aware of the Baumeister case and asked the coroner to look into it when he heard it was re-opened.

I am a ball of emotion right now, he said. I am happy and sad. Happy he was identified and sad that it happened.

Pranger said the disappearance had weighed heavily on the victims mother Sharon Livingston, 77.

You could see at the holidays, he said. Shed be sad.

She, too, is processing the new information.

She is holding it together, he said.

The ISP lab has also gained enough DNA evidence from the bone fragments the coroner submitted to build profiles on four other victims but so far none matches with evidence in the national DNA database, Jellison said.

More than 10,000 pieces of remains were excavated and stored at the University of Indianapolis.

Jellison said the victims were killed and burned and their bone fragments were crushed and buried.

Baumeister shot and killed himself shortly after law enforcement began investigating Fox Hollow Farm in 1996.

Listen: True crime podcasts about Indiana that should be on your playlist

Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418 or email him at john.tuohy@indystar.com. Follow him on Facebook and X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fox Hollow Farm victim identified decades after killing spree
Fox News host Jesse Watters has been slammed after saying there is no difference between Hamas and Palestinians and they all love killing Jews.

During Mondays The Five, Watters discussed the recent Hamas terror attack on Israel, in which more than 1,400 people were killed, while many more were injured and dozens were taken back to Gaza as captives.

I dont like how people try to differentiate between the Palestinians and Hamas, he said.

The Fox News host went on: To me, I see people with guns. Thats Hamas. The people without the guns are the Palestinians. They believe the same thing. The Palestinians hire Hamas to run their government. You poll them; they all love killing Jews. Its in their charter. They say they believe in suicide bombings.

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He followed up his sweeping claim by adding: Every time a Palestinian refugee goes to another country, it doesnt work out so well for the country and for those Palestinians.

Watters then discussed how bordering countries like Egypt have declined to take in refugees from Gaza. I think we all know why they dont want the Palestinians, he said.

The host made similar comments on Fox News just a week ago after a Republican lawmaker proposed banning Rep Rashida Tlaib, who is of Palestinian descent, from displaying the flag of Palestine outside her office.

He slammed Ms Tlaib before saying: Palestinians and Hamas are in bed together. They live together.

He added: Palestinians let Hamas conduct terror campaigns from their territory. Hamas is a big faction of the Palestinian government.

While Hamas controls Gaza, it does not control the West Bank  another part of Palestine.

The group last held elections in 2006, when they first came to power. Nearly half the population of Gaza consists of children, who could not have voted in that contest.

The Independent has contacted Fox News for comment.

Jesse Watters has become the most recent permanent member of The Five after Tucker Carlson was fired (Fox News)

His most recent comments attracted backlash on social media, with MSNBC Mehdi Hasan host describing his remarks as sickening and shameful.

A reminder that Jesse Watters went on this racist, anti-Palestinian rant today, the same day a Palestinian family near Chicago buried their 6-year-old son Wadea, after his landlord allegedly stabbed him & said: You Palestinians dont deserve to live, he said.

Beyond sickening/shameful.

Joseph Czuba, 71, was arrested on Saturday morning after allegedly stabbing six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume 26 times and the little boys 32-year-old mother Hanaan Shahin more than 12 times, in an attack that police say was sparked by the Israel-Hamas war.

Wadea died at the hospital, while his mother remains in a serious condition but is expected to survive.

Prosecutors say that the suspect allegedly knocked on his tenants door before shouting You Muslims must die and stabbing the child and his mother.

Police said that the boy and his mother were targeted due to their Muslim faith and the on-going Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis.

At his court appearance, prosecutors said that Mr Czuba had been listening to right-wing talk radio coverage of the Israel-Hamas war before the attack, causing him to become increasingly concerned for his safety, reported The Chicago Sun-Times.

Mr Czuba was charged with a hate crime, as well as first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery.

More than 1,400 Israelis and 2,800 Palestinians have been killed since fighting broke out on 7 October when Hamas terrorists stormed across the Gaza border into Israel, killing hundreds of people and taking dozens captive.

At least 30 American citizens are among the dead, the White House confirmed.
A producer for Fox News who has been reporting on foreign wars and conflicts overseas for years is describing the scene in Israel in recent days as the worst shes seen.

Warning that the details of the terrorist acts carried out in the country by Hamas are too horrible to describe and share here, Yonat Friling wrote in an online op-ed for Fox News, I have seen the most awful things that can be done to people of all agesbabies, older women, young teens  scenes that I will never forget.

I have covered many wars and conflicts here in Israel, but this is the hardest one I have encountered so far; I am at a loss for words to describe what I feel, and frankly, I havent had the time to do so, she wrote.

As news of Hamass attack on Israel broke earlier this month, each of the major news networks deployed dozens of reporters, producers and staff to the region as fighting is expected to continue for weeks or months.

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Many of the journalists reporting from Israel have described harrowing scenes of bloodshed and loss, some moved to tears while reporting live on air as they described the brutality of the conflict, which has left more than 3,200 Israelis and Palestinians dead.

It takes a huge toll, professionally, mentally, and physically on our lives. It impacts our close circles at home, work, and friends, Friling wrote of her experience covering an active war zone. We need to talk about it, share, and stop fighting the shame and vulnerability surrounding this issue. We should be compassionate and kinder with ourselves, just as we are with the people we meet in the field.

The fighting in the region has once again called to mind the physical risks of reporting on war.

At least 15 journalists have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas as of Tuesday, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, including 11 Palestinians and three Israelis. Among that number is also a video journalist working for Reuters, who was killed during Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon late last week.

Last year, prominent Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed during an Israeli military raid in the West Bank. Fox cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine that spring, a strike that also severely injured reporter Benjamin Hall.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Atlantas Fox Theatre is helping restore and preserve other historic theaters across the state.

It is giving a half-million dollars in grants to 12 theaters, including three in metro Atlanta.

Theatre officials said these donations are in celebration of the Fox Theatre Institutes 15th year.

Now in our 15th year, FTI has had a tremendous opportunity to increase the preservation of historic theatres and see positive results for their ongoing economic and cultural impact created for their surrounding downtowns, said Leigh Burns, Director of the Fox Theatre Institute.

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

The Strand in Marietta will use the more than $31,000 donation to upgrade its sound system.

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Northwest Atlantas Grove Theatre will receive $70,000 to help with repairs to re-open.

The Southside Theatre Guild in Fairburn is getting $20,000 to upgrade its lighting.

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FRAMINGHAM  For two years, a task force comprised of investigators from two states and multiple police departments took part in a large-scale drug probe that led to 13 arrests.

Among those task force members was a new Framingham police officer, Alfonso Manzueta, who was brought on for his bilingual skills; he monitored tapped phone lines and translated the conversations he overheard.

For his work on the task force, Manzueta, 39, was honored earlier this month as Officer of the Year by the Massachusetts Latino Police Officers Association.

"I was excited, blindsided," he said. "I didn't even know I was up for the award. I didn't know I was nominated until I got the email."

'Enormous amount of investigation': MetroWest Drug Task Force makes $7 million drug bust

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Manzueta was born and raised in Dorchester, living with his mother and his grandmother. His grandmother was from the Dominican Republic but only spoke Spanish, so he grew up learning both English and Spanish.

Unlike many of his colleagues, Manzueta was not interested in becoming a police officer when he was a boy.

"I grew up in the city, where police officers weren't looked at in a high light," he said.

Manzueta becomes a police officer at age 38

That all changed at age 29. After working for several years in customer service, he had moved to Framingham and his father-in-law, a Boston police officer, convinced him to give corrections a chance.

Manzueta began working for the Department of Correction. He was a guard at the Nashua Street Jail in Boston for several years before he decided to become a police officer.

He joined the Framingham Police Department in 2021, at age 38  much older than the typical first-year officer. Some departments have maximum age limits for candidates to join, but Framingham, which does not use Civil Service, does not.

"I was one of the oldest at the academy  my average classmate at the academy was 22 to 28," Manzueta said.

Almost immediately after becoming a police officer, he was put on the task force where he was responsible for monitoring tapped phone lines. The investigation lasted two years and concluded in April. Thirteen people from two states were arrested, 70 pounds of drugs were seized, as well as more than $1 million of property and several illegal weapons.

'It was a real gun': Hudson police officer chosen for 'Excellence in Performance Award'

"He dedicated countless hours to listening to conversations in which he utilized his bilingual skills to gather information that became crucial to the identification of the men and women who were selling fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and pressed pills to customers in Woburn, Lawrence, Framingham, Natick, Ashland and Worcester," according to the Massachusetts Latino Officers Association, describing why Manzueta was named Officer of the Year.

Colleagues say Manzueta's award is well deserved

The Massachusetts Latino Officers Assocation was founded in 2012 to assist and acknowledge work done by Latino police officers throughout the state, as well as to help law enforcement agencies recruit more of them. The association also runs youth programs and workshops.

Framingham police Sgt. Richard Pomales is on the executive board for the organization and serves as its treasurer. He said he planned to nominate Manzueta for Officer of the Year, but a task force member had already done so.

Pomales said the award is well deserved, and that people don't realize how many hours are required to effectively monitor conversations.

"He is an outstanding officer," Pomales said of Manzueta. "He did the bulk of the listening to the wire, which is very tedious. I know he spent some days working 16 to 20 hours listening to that wire. You could just be sitting there, listening at random and people are just rambling and then you suddenly hear something. It could be the difference between seizures and the criminal enterprise continue. The task force was able to get search warrants based on what he heard. The work he did was vital."

Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker said he was proud of his officer.

"He is really new, but he has already done a great job on some major cases," Baker said. "Not only that, he does a lot of outreach to the schools and the community. It's (the award) very deserved."

Manzueta was not the only local officer recognized by the Latino Officers Association.

Franklin police officer Andressa Rosa received the Life Saving Award. She was honored for an incident that occurred Aug. 4, when she and other officers responded to reports of an unconscious man. She performed CPR on the man and used a defibrillator until firefighters arrived. The man's life was saved.

Manzueta works the midnight-to-8 a.m. shift as a patrol officer, although he's often called in to assist with translation when there are no Spanish-speaking officers on duty. He said bilingual skills are much-needed in the department.

As for the award, he said he was just happy he could help "maintain safety and security" for the community.

"I was very honored," he said.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham police officer Manzueta honored by Latino officers group
PARIS (Reuters) - France is stepping up security at the Belgian border, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Tuesday after the killing of two people by an assailant in Brussels the night before.

"We don't have information according to which he (the attacker) could be heading to France", Darmanin told RTL radio but France will as a precaution "double the number of security agents at the border".

Belgium was searching on Tuesday for a gunman who killed two Swedish citizens and wounded a third person on Monday in what the Belgian prime minister called a brutal terrorist attack that raised the terror threat level in Brussels to the maximum.

(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Ingrid Melander)
Lebanon's national carrier Middle East Airlines relocated five of its 24 planes to Istanbul (ANWAR AMRO)

France on Tuesday joined several Western countries in warning its citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon as the security situation remains tense and as some airlines suspended flights.

Since Hamas attacked on October 7 triggering war between Israel and the Gaza-based militants, the Lebanese-Israel border has seen near daily tit-for-tat incidents involving Lebanon's Hezbollah or Palestinian groups including Hamas.

At least 18 have been killed on the Lebanese side, including a Reuters journalist and two other civilians, while on the Israeli side, at least three people have been killed.

"Given security tensions in the region and particularly on Lebanon's southern border, French travellers planning a trip to Lebanon are not advised to go there," the French foreign ministry said in a statement on its website.

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France on Monday warned Lebanese officials to avert war with Israel, and the United States has urged Hezbollah to stay out of the conflict.

Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has so far limited its cross-border attacks but analysts say the Iran-backed group with a powerful arsenal could open a front with Israel if it invades the Gaza Strip.

Swiss International Air Lines said Monday it was suspending flights between Switzerland and Beirut initially until October 28 due to unrest on the border.

Germany's Lufthansa has suspended flights until October 22, the airline's website says.

Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's national carrier, relocated five of its 24 planes to the Istanbul airport as a temporary "pre-emptive step" in light of regional developments, it said Monday.

During a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel knocked out Beirut airport, Lebanon's only international facility.

"Events in Lebanon are fast moving. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and with no warning," Britain said in its travel advice, last updated on Monday.

"The British Embassy has temporarily withdrawn family members of staff," the government website said, advising "against all travel to some parts of Lebanon" including border areas and "against all but essential travel to the rest of Lebanon".

The United States on October 9 issued a broad "regional security alert" warning citizens to "take caution".

Canada has warned its citizens to "avoid non-essential travel to Lebanon", citing "an unpredictable security situation" and the "armed conflict with Israel".

Spain has also advised against non-essential travel.

Germany on Sunday urged its nationals not to travel to Lebanon because of "an escalation of violence" following the Hamas attacks on Israel. The travel warning is at the highest level given by the German government.

Australia has advised its citizens: "'Reconsider your need to travel' to Lebanon due to the security environment".

"If you wish to leave... you should consider the first available option," it said on the Australian government's Smartraveller website.

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(Bloomberg) -- A deal between the European Unions two biggest countries will lay the foundations for updated fiscal rules, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said.

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The EU needs new budget rules quickly  its a question of credibility, Le Maire told reporters on Tuesday ahead of a meeting with his EU peers in Luxembourg. We will continue to work with Christian Lindner in the coming weeks to try to reach a Franco-German accord that could serve as a basis for a wider deal.

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The fiscal rulebook that binds the euro zones eclectic economies is in need of a root-and-branch overhaul after public debt surged during the Covid pandemic. But governments with competing strategic visions are struggling to agree on how exactly to go about it.

German Finance Minister Lindner declined to elaborate on Le Maires suggestion of a bilateral pre-agreement beyond saying that the two countries continue to work on common ground.

He reiterated earlier warnings that a 3% deficit-to-GDP ratio is a maximum, not a goal.

This is not the target  it is the upper limit, he told reporters. So under normal circumstances the deficit has to be below 3% and we are suggesting a safety margin.

Le Maire and Lindner both said they are confident that a deal will be made by year end, with the next discussion expected at a meeting of finance ministers in early November in Brussels.

Similarly, Spains Nadia Calvino, who holds the rotating presidency of the gatherings of EU finance chiefs, said the aim is to table a legal proposal at the next Ecofin so there can be a new deal by the end of 2023.

Good progress has been made at the technical level, Calvino said.

--With assistance from Jorge Valero.

(Updates with Germanys Lindner starting in fourth paragraph.)

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Freak accident claims the life of South Carolina man after he becomes entangled in tractor

A 76-year-old South Carolina man has died after becoming "entangled" in his tractor during an accident, officials say.

The Cherokee County Coroners Office says Gary Moss was discovered by his wife Monday afternoon at their home near Blacksburg after she went outside to look for him, according to The State newspaper.

"Moss was mowing grass on his property with his tractor ... when he drove down an embankment and was ejected," Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler reportedly said in a press release, noting that Moss was towing a landscaping attachment.

"The tractor continued toward Moss trapping him between it and the Bush Hog attachment," he added, according to The State. "Moss wife found her husband entangled in the Ford 1620 tractor and called 9-1-1 for help."

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PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN DIES IN FREAK ACCIDENT INVOLVING TRACTOR AT COUNTY FAIR

The coroners office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday from Fox News Digital.

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The Ford 1620 tractor can weigh up to 2,352 pounds, according to the website Tractordata.com.

Fowler said an autopsy has now been scheduled to determine Moss cause of death.

Blacksburg is a town west of Charlotte, North Carolina.

COAST GUARD RESCUES 2 FROM SINKING 44-FOOT SAILBOAT OFF SOUTH CAROLINA

In mid-August, a Pennsylvania woman died in a "freak accident" while watching a tractor pull at a county fair, officials said.

An "equipment malfunction" on a tractor caused an exhaust wheel to dislodge and eject from the vehicle, striking Brandy Horner as she sat in the stands, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Off-duty medical personnel attempted to save the woman's life, but she was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. She was 33.

The incident happened during the Union County West End Fair in Laurelton, Pennsylvania. Police said there is no suspicion of foul play or criminal activity in their investigation.

An aerial view shows a tractor spreading fertilizer on a wheat field. Gary Moss was mowing his lawn when the accident happened, officials say.

"It was a freak accident," fair President Dennis Boop told PennLive.com.

The tractor pull event was canceled due to "unforeseen circumstances," but the rest of the fair continued as planned.

Fox News' Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.





Original article source: Freak accident claims the life of South Carolina man after he becomes entangled in tractor
PARIS (AP)  Frances anti-terror prosecutor said Tuesday a suspected Islamic extremist declared allegiance to the Islamic State group before fatally stabbing a teacher in school attack last week.

The prosecutor, Jean-Francois Ricard, said, in a press conference , an audio recording was found by police investigators in the suspects phone. In it, the alleged attacker declared allegiance to the Islamic State and expressed his hatred of France. 

Ricard took no questions.

A teacher was fatally stabbed in the neck and three other people injured in the school attack Friday in the northern town of Arras.
Submarine plows through sea water

China Military Online) 08:00, October 17, 2023

A submarine attached to a submarine flotilla of the PLA Northern Theater Command plows through sea water during a combat-oriented training exercise on September 15, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang Nan)

A submarine attached to a submarine flotilla of the PLA Northern Theater Command plows through sea water during a combat-oriented training exercise on September 15, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang Nan)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Schools across France observed a minute of silence on Monday for the murdered teacher (Christophe ARCHAMBAULT)

The man who killed a schoolteacher in northern France last week was charged with terror offences on Tuesday, a prosecutor said, after revealing that he had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State extremist group in an audio recording before his attack.

Friday's killing, coming at the same time as the war between Israel and Hamas, has jangled nerves in France and put the country on high alert for further violence.

The suspected attacker, Mohammed Moguchkov, 20, from a mainly Muslim region of Russia, was charged by an anti-terror judge with murder linked to a terrorist conspiracy, as well as associating with terrorist criminals. He was remanded in custody.

Moguchkov had "sworn allegiance to the Islamic State" in a long audio recording, prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard told reporters in Paris, adding that further information had been gleaned from people close to him and a video recorded before the assault.

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A source familiar with the case said he had made a "very marginal" reference to Gaza in a video following the attack on Israel by Hamas.

His 16-year-old brother also appeared before the judge, suspected of having "provided him with some support" before he stabbed Dominique Bernard, 57, at his former school in Arras, about 180 kilometres north of Paris, said Ricard.

The teenager was charged and placed in pre-trial detention, his lawyer Ambroise Vienet-Legue told AFP

Their 15-year-old cousin was also charged. He is suspected of having been "informed of the plan" without doing anything to prevent it, according to Ricard. He is subject to a provisional judicial educational intervention, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office said overnight Tuesday.

Bernard's killing came almost exactly three years after another teacher, Samuel Paty, was beheaded by an Islamist radical from Russia's southern region of Chechnya, which borders the Ingushetia region where Moguchkov was born.

- Bomb threats -

France raised its security level after Friday's attack and deployed 7,000 troops.

There have since been several bomb threats at public buildings -- one at the Arras high school and two at the Palace of Versailles, a major tourist attraction.

With neighbouring Belgium also suffering an attack -- two Swedes were killed by a Tunisian man also claiming inspiration from the Islamic State group -- politicians are warning of a wider threat.

"All European states are vulnerable," French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters in the Albanian capital, Tirana, on Tuesday.

He said "Islamist terrorism" had returned, adding: "We all have a vulnerability. It's what comes with being a democracy, a rule-of-law state where there are individuals who can decide at a given moment to commit the worst acts."

But Macron, who is set to attend schoolteacher Bernard's funeral on Thursday, stressed he had seen "no failures" by French security services ahead of the stabbing in Arras.

The French government has brought forward to December a parliamentary debate on a planned immigration bill, which it says will also act as a response to terrorism.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin's office said he was considering adding to the bill measures that would allow any immigrant who "adheres to a jihadist ideology" to be stripped of their residency.

- Seeking expulsions -

France, which has large Muslim and Jewish populations, has been on alert since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

Darmanin said on Monday that 102 people had been arrested for anti-Semitic acts or expressing support for terrorism since the assault.

Moguchkov, who reportedly arrived in France aged five, was already on a national register as a potential security threat and under surveillance by France's domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI.

His father, who was also on the list, was deported in 2018.

Macron has called on police to comb through their files of radicalised people who could be deported.

He told Darmanin to focus especially on young men from the Caucasus region of Russia, his aide said.

The interior ministry said on Tuesday it would seek to expel 11 Russians who were on an official list of dangerous radicals.

sm-er/tgb-jxb/gw/mtp/smw
(Bloomberg) -- Nishad Singh, the former director of engineering at FTX, faces cross-examination at the Sam Bankman-Fried trial Tuesday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Under questioning by prosecutors on Monday, Singh, 28, said he was intimidated by Bankman-Fried, and at times humiliated by him. He also detailed the FTX co-founders spending on a Bahamian penthouse and political donations.

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Like previous witnesses, Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang, Singh has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy counts and has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Here are a few stories to catch up on Singhs testimony and the trial:

FTX Insider Says Work With SBF Left Him in Severe Distress

SBFs Friends Force Him Into Hail Mary Choice on Testimony

Group Chats, Tweets and Audio Tape: The Evidence Against SBF

The Key Players at Sam Bankman-Frieds Historic Fraud Trial

Heres the latest from court (all times are NY):

Singh Lived in the Nicest Room in the Penthouse (10:15 a.m.)

Despite complaining about the cost of the penthouse, Singh volunteered Tuesday that he and his girlfriend, Claire Watanabe, moved into the nicest room in the house.

Asked by Cohen if it was excessive for billionaires to live in a $30 million home, Singh replied that the cost is the same no matter the wealth of the people living in it.

I really dont know whats reasonable for billionaires to do, Singh said. I dont know other billionaires.

Watanabe, another former FTX executive, was in court Monday to watch his testimony.

Singh Said There Could Be Benefits to Celebrity Deals (10:00 a.m.)

After testifying Monday about what he believed was FTXs lavish spending on celebrity endorsements, Singh said under cross Tuesday that it was Bankman-Frieds job to make those determinations.

I believe it could be valuable to the business...depending on the circumstances, Singh said under questioning by Bankman-Fried lawyer Mark Cohen. I understood it had business benefits and costs.

After questions about the sponsorship of a Miami arena and other deals, Cohen said that on Monday the court was told that many of these things were reckless spending and that his job today is to show there was way more to it than we were told.

Singh still pointed to an investment in a tequila brand run by a celebrity as an example of excessive spending.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- Nishad Singh, the former director of engineering at FTX, faces cross-examination at the Sam Bankman-Fried trial Tuesday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Under questioning by prosecutors on Monday, Singh, 28, said he was intimidated by Bankman-Fried, and at times humiliated by him. He also detailed the FTX co-founders spending on a Bahamian penthouse and political donations.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Like previous witnesses, Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang, Singh has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy counts and has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Here are a few stories to catch up on Singhs testimony and the trial:

FTX Insider Says Work With SBF Left Him in Severe Distress

SBFs Friends Force Him Into Hail Mary Choice on Testimony

Group Chats, Tweets and Audio Tape: The Evidence Against SBF

The Key Players at Sam Bankman-Frieds Historic Fraud Trial

Heres the latest from court (all times are NY):

Defense Lawyers Questioning Meets Difficulties (10:45 a.m.)

Bankman-Frieds defense lawyer, Mark Cohen, ran into some early difficulties in his questioning of Singh.

Singh said Cohen misunderstood his comments to prosecutors in January about whether it felt wrong to borrow from anywhere as long as you have the assets.

Singh explained that his language was specific to the discussion of bank accounts, not borrowing in general.

At one point, Judge Lewis Kaplan intervened Cohens requests for Singh to read out multiple items on a spreadsheet. We are not performing eye examinations here.

The spreadsheet says what it says, Kaplan said to Cohen.

After that, Cohen changed his approach and read out excerpts of Singhs testimony directly before asking questions.

Singh Lived in the Nicest Room in the Penthouse (10:15 a.m.)

Despite complaining about the cost of the penthouse, Singh volunteered Tuesday that he and his girlfriend, Claire Watanabe, moved into the nicest room in the house.

Asked by Cohen if it was excessive for billionaires to live in a $30 million home, Singh replied that the cost is the same no matter the wealth of the people living in it.

I really dont know whats reasonable for billionaires to do, Singh said. I dont know other billionaires.

Watanabe, another former FTX executive, was in court Monday to watch his testimony.

Singh Said There Could Be Benefits to Celebrity Deals (10:00 a.m.)

After testifying Monday about what he believed was FTXs lavish spending on celebrity endorsements, Singh said under cross Tuesday that it was Bankman-Frieds job to make those determinations.

I believe it could be valuable to the business...depending on the circumstances, Singh said under questioning by Bankman-Fried lawyer Mark Cohen. I understood it had business benefits and costs.

After questions about the sponsorship of a Miami arena and other deals, Cohen said that on Monday the court was told that many of these things were reckless spending and that his job today is to show there was way more to it than we were told.

Singh still pointed to an investment in a tequila brand run by a celebrity as an example of excessive spending.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- Nishad Singh, the former director of engineering at FTX, faces cross-examination at the Sam Bankman-Fried trial Tuesday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Under questioning by prosecutors on Monday, Singh, 28, said he was intimidated by Bankman-Fried, and at times humiliated by him. He also detailed the FTX co-founders spending on a Bahamian penthouse and political donations.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Like previous witnesses, Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang, Singh has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy counts and has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Here are a few stories to catch up on Singhs testimony and the trial:

FTX Insider Says Work With SBF Left Him in Severe Distress

SBFs Friends Force Him Into Hail Mary Choice on Testimony

Group Chats, Tweets and Audio Tape: The Evidence Against SBF

The Key Players at Sam Bankman-Frieds Historic Fraud Trial

Heres the latest from court (all times are NY):

SBF Calendar Showed Meetings With Clinton, Hochul (4:30 p.m.)

Bankman-Fried had scheduled meetings in Manhattan with several influential people  from former President Bill Clinton to New York Governor Kathy Hochul  in the months prior to FTXs collapse, according to evidence presented by the government Tuesday.

According to a calendar invite, he had a meeting scheduled with Clinton at the New York Hilton Midtown in September 2022. A meeting with Hochul was scheduled to take place a month earlier. Emails and calendar invites also showed the former crypto billionaire had dinner scheduled in September 2022 with Yasir Al Rumayyan, the head of Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, at The Pierre hotel in New York. Another pointed to a March 2022 dinner with New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

The meetings were revealed while the government was questioning FBI agent Richard Busick about an analysis he did on an AT&T phone allegedly used by Bankman-Fried. He testified that the various dinners and meetings from emails and calendar entries corresponded with the phones location at those times.

During cross-examination, Bankman-Frieds lawyers cast doubt on the accuracy of the location data.

Singh Forfeited House He Bought One Month Before FTX Collapse (3:15 p.m.)

Singh said he forfeited the Orcas Island property that he bought in October 2022 using money borrowed from FTX even after learning the company was misusing customer funds.

My spending on it was egregious, unnecessary and selfish, Singh said. I was embarrassed and ashamed, and forfeiting seems to be one of the ways to right the wrong, at least a little.

Singh finished his testimony and left the courtroom.

Singh Said He Thought FTX Would Last for Years (2:30 p.m.)

Singh said under questioning by Bankman-Frieds lawyer that he took a loan from the company to purchase a vacation home on Orcas Island for the use of himself and his friends even after he learned about the financial issues.

He said the funds were wired to purchase the apartment in mid- to late October of 2022. He has testified that he pushed Bankman-Fried to cut expenses.

Read more: FTXs Singh Bought Dream House in October. Its Uncle Sams Now.

Mark Cohen asked if Singh remembered telling prosecutors that he thought FTX would last for years even after learning about Alamedas growing deficit in September 2022.

I did tell prosecutors that I thought FTX would last for years, Singh said.

Singh Wasnt Required to Be Face of FTX Political Donations (1:15 p.m.)

Singh acknowledged that he wasnt required to be the face of FTXs political donations and performed the role despite personal reservations.

In a Signal chat group, Singh told Michael Sadowsky, a political consultant, that he was averse to supporting explicitly woke stuff.

Still, Singh said that he became really excited in 2018 about California Proposition 12, a ballot proposition titled the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, which imposed minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens, pigs and veal calves.

Singh said he had money deducted from his floating balance at Alameda to fund political donations on the proposition.

Later, he worked with people including his dear friend, Sam Bankman-Frieds brother Gabe, to make political donations.

Singh has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate campaign finance laws by acting as an illegal straw donor to funnel donations to political campaigns - mostly to Democrats.

The court is on lunch break until 2:00 p.m.

Singh Says Alameda Special Privilege Initially Intended to Help Customers (12:20 p.m.)

Singh said under questioning that one of Alameda Researchs special privileges  which eventually resulted in a nearly unlimited line of credit  was initially designed to help customers.

Singh recalled an instance in mid-2020 in which an auto-deleveraging event happened on the FTX exchange because no backstop liquidity providers were eligible to step in, resulting in random FTX customers being forced to take on risky positions.

It was undesirable for customers to take on these positions without opting in, Singh said.

After the event, Gary Wang concluded that Alameda failed to step in and absorb the trades because the trading firm didnt have enough free collaterals, due to them being tied up by a large amount of pending trades.

Ultimately Sam asked me why should it depend at all on free collaterals, since the pending positions exhausted collaterals, not actual trades, Singh recalls.

Singh testified he later wrote in a code proposal to make auto-deleveraging events less likely, including being careful not to liquidate Alameda.

Singh Describes Sense of Relief About Alameda Balance Size (11:30 a.m.)

Cohen cross-examined Singh closely on the discovery of a software bug that, by mid-June 2022, had introduced an error in Alamedas balance in its main account on the FTX exchange totaling about $8 billion.

Singh told jurors that Caroline Ellison produced data showing that the bug explained many discrepancies between the balance of the account and Alameda transactions records.

He testified about a long discussion over Google Meet, lasting possibly an hour, involving Bankman-Fried, Ellison, Wang and himself. Adam Yedidia, who testified against Bankman-Fried earlier in the trial, had inadvertently introduced the bug in 2021.

The next thing I do recall was sensing from others a palpable sense of relief, even elation, at discovering the balance was negative $11 billion and not negative 19 billion, Singh testified.

Defense Lawyers Questioning Meets Difficulties (10:45 a.m.)

Bankman-Frieds defense lawyer, Mark Cohen, ran into some early difficulties in his questioning of Singh.

Singh said Cohen misunderstood his comments to prosecutors in January about whether it felt wrong to borrow from anywhere as long as you have the assets.

Singh explained that his language was specific to the discussion of bank accounts, not borrowing in general.

At one point, Judge Lewis Kaplan intervened Cohens requests for Singh to read out multiple items on a spreadsheet. We are not performing eye examinations here.

The spreadsheet says what it says, Kaplan said to Cohen.

After that, Cohen changed his approach and read out excerpts of Singhs testimony directly before asking questions.

Singh Lived in the Nicest Room in the Penthouse (10:15 a.m.)

Despite complaining about the cost of the penthouse, Singh volunteered Tuesday that he and his girlfriend, Claire Watanabe, moved into the nicest room in the house.

Asked by Cohen if it was excessive for billionaires to live in a $30 million home, Singh replied that the cost is the same no matter the wealth of the people living in it.

I really dont know whats reasonable for billionaires to do, Singh said. I dont know other billionaires.

Watanabe, another former FTX executive, was in court Monday to watch his testimony.

Singh Said There Could Be Benefits to Celebrity Deals (10:00 a.m.)

After testifying Monday about what he believed was FTXs lavish spending on celebrity endorsements, Singh said under cross Tuesday that it was Bankman-Frieds job to make those determinations.

I believe it could be valuable to the business...depending on the circumstances, Singh said under questioning by Bankman-Fried lawyer Mark Cohen. I understood it had business benefits and costs.

After questions about the sponsorship of a Miami arena and other deals, Cohen said that on Monday the court was told that many of these things were reckless spending and that his job today is to show there was way more to it than we were told.

Singh still pointed to an investment in a tequila brand run by a celebrity as an example of excessive spending.

A previous version of the story was corrected to reflect the location of the property on Orcas Island.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at the SH!FTS conference that the future of Western civilisation and its basic values, such as respect for human life and respect for civilians, are at stake in Ukraine and Israel.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Ceske noviny

Details: Fiala said that the nature of the conflict in Israel and the war in Ukraine is different: Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a brutal but conventional military clash, while the attack by the Palestinian Hamas movement on Israel is pure terrorism.

However, Fiala noted, what they have in common is that Western civilisation is under attack and that both attacks will affect the international environment in the next decade.

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"Security crises force us to respond to them and to change under their pressure," Fiala said. He added that Czechia must refuse to be careless and prepare for all threats as best as it can. "There is no prosperity without security," he stressed.

That is why it is necessary to support those who have been attacked by aggressors, Fiala said. He stated that the conflicts have also highlighted the importance of strengthening the resilience of the Czech Republic.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Czechia is increasing defence spending, which will reach 2% of GDP next year.

Fiala stressed that, in addition to conventional defence, it is also necessary to work on strengthening the country's social resilience, as the state is facing an increased level of propaganda and psychological warfare waged on information platforms.

He said that not only politicians but also anyone who can reach large audiences should focus on finding a consensus between all sections of society on a common ground.

"Maintaining a basic consensus in society will probably be the biggest challenge we face," Fiala concluded.

Background:

Before that, Fiala said that Russia's attempts to recreate its sphere of influence must be stopped, otherwise it would encourage not only Vladimir Putin's regime but also other aggressors.

The Czech Prime Minister also stated that the majority of EU states were willing to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession.

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)  A gag order has been imposed against former President Donald Trump by the federal judge overseeing the 2020 election interference case he is facing in Washington, D.C.

The narrow gag order prohibits Trump from making statements that target prosecutors, possible witnesses, and court staff.

Shortly after it was imposed during a Monday hearing in Washingtons federal court, Trump took to social media, vowing to appeal the order. He later called it unconstitutional during a campaign appearance in Iowa and claimed it would only help him in the polls  hes already the leading Republican candidate for the 2024 election.

Christie slams Trumps awful temperament following narrow gag order

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Earlier this month, the judge overseeing Trumps New York fraud trial issued a limited gag order for all parties in the trial after a post to the former presidents Truth Social account targeted the judges principal clerk. In that gag order, Judge Arthur Engoron barred Trump and others in the case from posting or speaking publicly about members of his staff.

But what is a gag order  and what could happen if Trump violates it?

Gag orders can be issued by a court (like the order imposed against Trump), government, or private entity, and require a person to refrain from making public comments, Middle Tennessee State University explains. They are often imposed against trial participants to prevent them from discussing materials relevant to the case outside the courtroom.

Some view gag orders as violations of a persons First Amendment rights, while others consider it helpful in ensuring a fair trial. The Supreme Court previously ruled that a gag order is constitutional if it can protect the right to a fair trial, is as least restrictive as possible, and will be effective, Yale Law School explains.

The Department of Justice asked for a wider gag order to be imposed against Trump but Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled against it. That order would have limited additional speech targeting her and Washington.

Trump to be questioned in Strzok, Page FBI employee lawsuits

Chutkan said she would impose sanctions as may be necessary if the gag order is violated, but she wasnt more specific. She did, however, list options like admonishing Trump in court, financial penalties, home detention, or revocation of his pretrial release, CNN reports.

Ultimately, the court gets to decide what happens if someone violates a gag order. Judges can threaten gag order violators with fines or jail time, but jailing a presidential candidate could prompt serious political blowback and pose logistical hurdles.

Though he spoke out about the gag order Monday, Trumps comments likely dont violate the order.

Speaking from the bench, Chutkan said Trump is entitled to criticize the Justice Department generally and assert his belief that the case is politically motivated but cant mount a smear campaign against prosecutors and court personnel.

No other criminal defendant would be allowed to do so, and Im not going to allow it in this case, Chutkan said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Violence, the lure of gangs, drug addiction, lack of medical care are among the problems faced by thousands of children throughout Georgia each day. A group of state lawmakers, law enforcement and youth advocates recently met to address how best to help these children in crises.

The Georgia House of Representatives Urban Affairs committee met on Monday. Chaired by Rep. Brian Prince, D-Augusta, the committee heard from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Department of Juvenile Justice and local representatives from Augusta, Columbus and Savannah.

With about 300 street gangs in the state and the spread of national gangs, there are plenty of opportunities for youth to become involved with violence, said Ken Howard with the GBI Statewide Gang Task Force. The solution to this violence is on the local level, he said.

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People who live in these communities and police these communities daily and make policy decisions in these communities daily, they know one another, and they know who the actors are," Howard said.

Dr. Audrey Armistad, the coordinator of Augusta's Children in Need of Services program, outlined some of those local efforts. CHINS works with children who have youth-specific issues, such as consistent truancy or running away. Augusta has about 1,200 children in CHINS, Armistad told the committee.

We try to bring those kids to the table to avoid them coming to see the judge," Armistad said.

Part of that is using a building provided by the Richmond County School System and open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., she said.

Those kids may be in our building in the morning for GED programs. They may be in the building in the afternoon for recovery of credits that theyve lost in high school," she said.

Armistad also said that the CHINS program is not funded by the state, and several federal grants are running out, leaving them short on funding. She said there are a significant number of youth in need of help in Augusta, which she said has the highest number of referrals for human trafficking in the state.

We had about 3,000 kids during the pandemic that we could not find, that were not attending school in Richmond County," Armistad said. "We also have 189 kids that are part of our (Department of Juvenile Justice) services. We have 503 kids to date that have run away from home.

Representatives from other organizations in Savannah and Columbus discussed ways they are working to build connections with young people and provide services.

John Bush, director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement in Savannah, said his office made sure this summer to keep two gyms open late Thursday through Saturday every week.

We were originally targeting ages 11 to 18. We wound up with ages 6 to 40 in the gym at night," Bush told the committee. He said that shootings in Savannah in June and July dropped significantly from years past.

Each summer we do something different, but this year we did something that worked," he said.

When young people are convicted of crimes, they end up under the Department of Juvenile Justice. Shawanda Reynolds-Cobb, commissioner of DJJ, gave lawmakers an overview of the 10,000 youth her department serves, of which about 1,100 are in the department's secure detention facility. Significant proportions have substance abuse or trauma diagnoses.

If the goal is prevent them (joining) the pipeline to DDJ, then weve got to address what these kids need. Some of them are from areas where there are no pediatricians," she said. "Some of them are from areas or homes where theres not adequate food. Some of them are not going to school. Some of them have these mental health conditions and they have no services that are being offered to them.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: House Urban Affairs hears about youth violence across Georgia
Georgia Lottery has confirmed which lucky store sold a $1 million Powerball ticket in Monday nights Powerball drawing. Its right here in Atlanta.

The BP gas station and Circle K store at the corner of Pharr Road and Piedmont Road sold a ticket that matched all five numbers (2, 27, 31, 44 and 64) for the prize. It wasnt the only store that sold a winning ticket.

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

The Pilot Travel Center off US Hwy 441 in Dublin and the Racetrac off Riverstone Pkwy in Canton each sold a ticket that matched four numbers and the red Powerball for $50,000 prize.

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TRENDING STORIES:

If you do win the jackpot or any other lottery prize, how do you claim your winnings in Georgia?

Georgia Lottery said any prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any of its retailers; however, prizes over $600 must be claimed at the lottery headquarters or district offices or have the payment mailed to the winner.

Winners of prizes bigger than $600 must fill out a winner claim form and have a valid government-issued photo ID with a social security card.

You can watch the Powerball drawing live on Channel 2 Action News every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday before WSB Tonight at 11:00 p.m.

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IN OTHER NEWS
SACRAMENTO, Calif.  Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to be known as a friend to labor unions. But every friendship has its limits.

As he builds his profile as a national Democratic leader, Newsom took a middle path in his handling of labor's big priorities at home in California, delivering unions some significant wins but also checking them in telling ways.

The governor diluted what would have been a banner year for unions by rejecting the Teamsters push for more regulations on driverless trucks and vetoing unemployment insurance for striking workers. But he also ticked important items off labors wish list by sealing first-in-the-nation deals that boosted wages for hundreds of thousands of workers.

While Newsom has long functioned as an economic moderate who enacts progressive policies, his balancing act was magnified in a year when strikes and labor activism drove the Legislatures agenda.

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The mixed record may buttress his national political credentials. As the term-limited Newsom keeps one eye on a potential 2028 White House bid, his orientation as a fiscally cautious liberal will help him shed the baggage of free-spending California and further his relationship with a critical Democratic constituency.

He kind of picks and chooses things to support or sign onto that maybe arent the most impactful but keep the labor universe from totally going against him, said Jim Ross, a Democratic political consultant who ran Newsoms first San Francisco mayoral campaign. Its really hard to win a Democratic primary without the support of labor.

In the deeply Democratic union stronghold of California, Newsom handed the states formidable labor movement some key victories while showing a willingness to say no  a familiar stance for Newsom, despite conservative pundits and politicians portraying him as a far-left spendthrift. But a year of soaring labor activism raised the stakes.

Newsom thwarted unions by rejecting far-reaching responses to economic transformations like automation  embodied by bills offering insurance to striking workers and cracking down on driverless trucks  along with protections for domestic workers and safeguards for Starbucks organizing drives.

On the other side of the ledger, he enacted a law expanding the number of sick days employers must provide, negotiated a breakthrough fast food labor deal, and set aside his fiscal reservations to raise the minimum wage for health care workers.

He continues to on a fundamental level support workers and help raise wages and extend paid sick days, said California Labor Federation leader Lorena Gonzalez, but I think when you look at whats happened in 2023 with the numbers of workers who have gone on strike, with the number of workers who are asking the governor to let them right-size the economy  I dont think the governor has been squarely in that position.



The vetoes further define Newsom as a governor willing to act as a check on labor power even as large swaths of the workforce, from actors in Hollywood to autoworkers in the Midwest, are striking and demanding politicians respond to the growing threat of job losses and pay cuts caused by automation.

While President Joe Biden has joined United Auto Workers picket lines, Newsom is taking a different approach, though he serves as a top surrogate for Bidens reelection campaign. The governor has steered clear of walkouts at the Oakland, Calif.-based health care provider Kaiser Permanente and among Hollywood writers and actors.

California Democrats with national ambitions, like Newsom, are well aware of the popular perception that their party spends irresponsibly and undermines jobs. But its difficult to make it through a crowded Democratic presidential primary without the support of organized labor.

Newsoms mixed record embodies a longstanding tension between his allegiance to labor  one of the states most potent political forces  and his deference to the industries underpinning the states $3.6 trillion economy, the fifth-largest in the world.

The governor has long been a champion for working families and tried to do so in a way that was fiscally responsible at the same time, spokesperson Anthony York said.

His Senate appointment, Laphonza Butler, cut her teeth as a labor leader before ascending to the upper echelons of California politics  a demonstration of how the two worlds are deeply intertwined. Newsom also handed significant victories to Butlers former organization, the influential Service Employees International Union, by delivering higher wages to fast food and health care workers.



Hes walking a fine balance between making labor happy, which is an extremely important constituency to him and to the health of Californias economy, while also really wanting to keep California as the center of tech innovation in the world, said Amelia Matier, a Democratic consultant who served as Newsoms deputy press secretary until last year.

Unions are some of the most influential players in California politics, both on the campaign trail and in the state Capitols lobbying corps. Newsom has acted as a counterweight to some of the most consequential and costly proposals, many of which pass the Legislature despite business opposition.

I think hes looking at what is best for California today and our future as we build our economy, said California Chamber of Commerce CEO Jennifer Barrera.

Newsoms response to a bill boosting the health care minimum wage to $25 illuminated his cautious navigation. He faced enormous political pressure to sign off on a deal that hospitals, kidney dialysis chains and unions crafted through painstaking negotiations that yielded a truce in expensive ballot battles. The Assemblys new speaker, Robert Rivas, staked his burgeoning reputation on landing a deal.

But Newsom had spent months telegraphing his wariness of the fiscal impact and stayed out of the talks. In a demonstration of his willingness to push back on allies in the Legislature and beyond if the numbers dont pencil out, Newsom signed it  on the second-to-last possible day  with the condition that lawmakers send him a follow-up bill imposing economic off-ramps.

Beyond the health care bill, much of the biggest legislative activity in Sacramento flowed from labors responses to economic precarity that fueled an extraordinary summer of activism.

After Hollywood workers walked off the job in May, their union reps testified in Sacramento for the unemployment insurance bill, invoking the strikes to revive a proposal that had previously failed in the Legislature. As self-driving cars set off a backlash in San Francisco, the Teamsters union pushed legislation requiring human drivers in autonomous trucks.

But Newsom vetoed both, citing a deeply indebted unemployment fund, the need to keep California at the forefront of technology and the risk of higher health care labor costs straining the states budget.

Infuriated labor advocates said Newsom fundamentally misread the political climate. Teamsters Western Region Vice President Peter Finn argued Newsoms veto of the self-driving trucking bill  in which the governor elevated economic competitiveness over workforce fears  perpetuated the Democratic Partys past miscalculations.

Newsom is running the Clinton playbook that prioritizes business and campaign money over working people, and thats why Democrats lost the blue collar vote to the misguided populism of Trump, Finn said in a text message. Take a look at the Democrats that win in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio. They are unabashedly pro working people  the exact opposite of the corporate Democrat approach of Newsom.

Newsom has always had an uneven relationship with organized labor. He has signed monumental laws to expand paid leave, to classify more workers as employees, and to regulate fast food and warehouse labor. Unions backed his 2018 gubernatorial run, and as they closed ranks against a 2021 recall attempt Newsom delivered them wins like a job replacement policy similar to one hed rejected before the recall qualified.

But he has also disappointed unions with vetoes and behind-the-scenes efforts to soften proposals opposed by business groups. In his veto messages, he often cites high costs that would strain Californias $300 billion-plus annual budget  by far his most common stated rationale for rebuffing bills this year. He has made little progress on the single-payer health care pledge that won him the backing of the progressive nurses union in 2018.

Hes had kind of a very fraught relationship, since he started his career, with labor, said Ross, Newsoms former political consultant.

That reflects Newsoms background as the owner of a wine store who entered San Francisco politics as a self-proclaimed economic centrist. As governor, he has remained sympathetic to business interests. He emphasizes the need to protect Californias economic competitiveness despite its famously high housing prices and income taxes that have driven major companies like Oracle to move their headquarters out of California.



Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman, whose organization represents prominent area employers like Google, Wells Fargo and Tesla, said Newsom has worked to safeguard Californias innovation economy while remaining fundamentally a pro-labor governor. But Wunderman said Newsom has had more room to maneuver now that hes in his second and final term  even if it means antagonizing allies.

He may eventually find himself up for national election, but in the meantime hes got a state to run, Wunderman said. Theres a certain freedom that comes with being reelected to do more of what he believes.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean OBrien had a different view, accusing Newsom of caving to special interests  and warning it would come back to haunt him.

Hes more loyal to big tech and big business than he is to the constituents that helped him during the recall election, but more importantly all the unions that helped him through that process, OBrien said.

He has dreams of a next job, whether thats with big tech or a presidential run. We would vehemently oppose both.
The Gaza Health Ministry said that an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital filled with wounded and other Palestinians in search of shelter, killing hundreds, according to The Associated Press, marking  if confirmed  the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008. The health ministry, which is run by Hamas, said at least 500 people had been killed at Al-Ahli Arabi Hospital, while a Gaza civil defense chief, whose department is also Hamas-run, said on Al-Jazeera television that more than 300 people were killed, per Reuters.

Photos said to have been from the hospital shared widely on social media showed fire overtaking the building, widespread damage and bodies dispersed among the wreckage. The AP could not independently verify the images. Several hospitals in Gaza have become refuges for hundreds of people hoping to evade attacks after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Hamas, whose attack last week killed more than 1,400 Israelis and sparked the latest war, called Tuesday's hospital strike "a horrific massacre, adding in a statement that most of the casualties were displaced families, patients, children and women.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told the AP that the Israel Defense Forces are looking into the reported strike. We will get the details and update the public. I dont know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike," he said. He said  per CNN  that it is still unclear whether the hospital was hit by an Israeli Air Force strike or a failed Hamas launch. An IDF spokesperson later said in a statement that an analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit. The statement added that intelligence from "multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza." The Palestinian Islamic Jihad is a smaller militant group that also has reported ties to Iran.
Palestinians have flocked to hospital grounds, hoping they can provide safety from Israeli shelling (MAHMUD HAMS)

Tens of thousands of families have flocked to Gaza's overwhelmed hospitals seeking refuge from seemingly endless Israeli army shelling, leading to new warnings Tuesday that the health system cannot cope.

Gaza residents, who have been told to flee the north of the Palestinian territory, have packed hospital courtyards and corridors in the belief they are a safe haven from the Israeli assault that followed the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

Women made bread and spread out clothes to dry in the courtyard of the Nasser hospital in the southern district of Khan Yunis, as a stream of ambulances brought more casualties and surgeons desperately sought to save lives inside.

Amira, 44, and her children were among hundreds to have taken over the courtyard.

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"Our bodies itch all over. It has been a week since we could take a shower," she told AFP as she prepared sandwiches for her children with some loaves she had been given.

"Death might be more merciful," she added.

Makeshift mattresses cover the ground and each night the homeless and displaced try to sleep amid the roar of air attacks and the growing cold.

Ibrahim Teyssir is one of thousands to seek refuge around the Dar al-Shifa hospital, the biggest in Gaza and the heart of the medical system for the 2.4 million population.

"No one has pity on us," said Teyssir. "What have we done to deserve this? What have our children done?

"Most people are not part of any armed group."

"Hospitals are at a breaking point and are overflowing and with people desperately seeking a safe shelter," the World Health Organization added.

"Crowding is getting worse. Over 30,000 people are sheltering at Shifa Hospital alone," the UN agency told AFP, quoting Hamas health ministry figures.

"We are extremely concerned about disease outbreaks due to mass displacement and poor water and sanitation among people who are already in a dire situation."

- Safe haven? -

The hospitals are attractive because they have been relatively spared from the Israeli bombing raids that have hit Gaza every day since the October 7 attacks in which 1,400 people died.

But the WHO says that 111 medical buildings have been hit, 12 medical workers have been killed and 60 ambulances targeted.

About 3,000 people have died in Israeli raids since the since the Hamas attacks, according to the Gaza authorities.

About one million people from northern Gaza have moved to Khan Yunis and other southern districts to avoid the looming Israeli ground offensive.

About 100,000 people are left in the northern district around Gaza City that Israel says is a Hamas stronghold and has warned will be the target of its assault.

Conditions across the tiny territory are worsening every day for the 2.4 million population, according to aid agencies.

UNICEF, the UN children's agency, has said that unless water and fuel are sent "immediately", Gaza inhabitants are in "imminent danger" of epidemics and death.

The only crossing to the rest of the world at Rafah is closed.

Egypt has refused to open Rafah even though trucks loaded with aid are waiting on the Egyptian side of the border.

Some shells have fallen on the Gaza side, and Egypt, Israel and the United States have failed to agree a way to open the border gates to let aid in and some foreign nationals out.

Israel has also cut power and water supplies to Gaza.

It has partially eased the water blockade, but only a tiny fraction of the daily needs has passed through.

Gaza's hospitals say they will struggle to keep operating and the human toll grows every hour.

Hundreds of children are already among the dead and there are 10,000 injured, many packed into the six remaining hospitals.

Shortages of medicines have added to the crisis caused by the lack of water and fuel to keep medical establishments running.

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Palestinians flee from Gaza City to southern Gaza after being told to leave their homes in the north by the Israeli military on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. The United Nations has called the task "impossible." Credit - Ahmad Salem/BloombergGetty

Since the Israeli military issued an order last week for the 1.1 million Palestinians living in northern Gaza to flee south, in an apparent prelude to its anticipated ground invasion, a mass exodus has ensued. While those with enough fuel have made the journey by car or truck, others have hitched rides on trailers and donkey carts. Some have even resorted to making the perilous journey on foot.

We have seen a huge shift of people going south, which were very happy with, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Peter Lerner tells TIME, noting that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in the north have heeded their warnings despite calls by Hamas for residents to remain steadfast in your homes. Lerner also says that the IDF has seen evidence of Hamas establishing checkpoints to physically prevent people from leaving.

This kind of mass relocation of civilians amid regular airstrikes was never going to be easy. Both the United Nations and the medical charity Doctors Without Borders dubbed the task impossible, citing the logistical nightmare of relocating half of Gazas populationamong them women, children, and the elderlywithout any guarantees for their safety. Indeed, there have been reports by the Financial Times and others of at least one designated safe route out of northern Gaza being subject to an airstrike resulting in as many as 70 deaths. Hamas blames Israel for the attacka charge that the IDF denies. (The FT report says that analysis of the video footage rules out most explanations aside from an Israeli strike.)

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Whats being done doesnt meet the legal standards for what an evacuation should entail, Shaina Low, a communications adviser at the Norwegian Refugee Council, tells TIME from the NECs office in East Jerusalem. It should be orderly; there should be safety. Indeed, while Israel may order an evacuation for imperative military reasons or to protect civilians, international law requires that it provides those being displaced with adequate shelter, hygiene, health, safety, and nutrition.

In Gaza, all of these things have been in short supply since Israel began its bombardment of the densely-populated Strip in retaliation for Hamass Oct. 7 massacre, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 Israelis. Since then, Gaza has been under complete siege, cut off from food, water, and electricity. Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 2,670 people, roughly a quarter of them children. While the fiercest bombing is currently taking place in northern Gaza, where Israel is said to be targeting Hamas leaders and operatives in Gaza City especially, the enclaves southern half has also proven dangerous.

Read More: How to Help Victims of Israel-Hamas War

In the southern city of Khan Younis, to which many Palestinians from the north have headed, rescue workers continue to search for survivors amid the rubble of homes destroyed by Israeli airstrikes. Local doctors are warning of imminent catastrophe if their hospitals run out of fuel and water. Although Israel has since bowed to U.S. pressure to resume water supplies to southern Gaza, the lack of electricity has made it all but impossible for it to be pumped into peoples homes. Everyone here in Khan Younis is in survivor mode, says Yousef Hammash, an NRC advocacy officer based in Gaza. Its a horrible situation hereits really horrible. I saw people who sleep in the streets. We never had homeless people before in Gaza. Now half of the population is homeless.

But not everyone in northern Gaza has fled. Of the 1.1 million living in northern Gaza, just 400,000 are estimated to have left, leaving roughly 700,000 there. While some are physically unable to flee on account of being too injured or weak to make the journey, others are reluctant because they dont have anywhere in the south to go. The Israeli military has called for all of these people to leave the north, but arent doing anything to guarantee their safety once they arrive where theyre being told to flee to, Low says. To this, Lerner concedes that Palestinians arent being directed to any one particular location, noting that the whole Gaza Strip beyond Wadi Gaza is the location weve sent them towards. On the humanitarian situation awaiting them, Lerner says that there are basic needs, including food supplies, for several weeks, though this contradicts most all accounts coming out of the besieged enclave, including those by the World Health Organization and the U.N., which on Monday reported severely limited access to clean drinking water and worsening food insecurity.

Theres a tough humanitarian condition, Lerner says, but we faced a barbaric attack and we are very determined to change that situation.

Another reason that is keeping Palestinians from fleeing south are concerns that their displacement could be made permanent. The majority of the Palestinians who live in Gaza today are descended from refugees who were violently expelled from their homes and native villages in what is modern-day Israel amid the war that resulted in the states creation in 1948, which Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, or catastrophe. That collective memory is cognizant in peoples minds, Low says. And not just theirs. Both Egypt (which has kept its border with Gaza closed and has long opposed any effort to resettle Palestinians in its bordering Sinai Peninsula, which has also been ruled out by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas) and Jordan have warned against any actions that risk Palestinians being forced off their land.

But regardless of whether Palestinians choose to leave or stay, Low adds, that doesnt make them legitimate targets. They are not combatants, she says. They are still civilians and must be protected under international humanitarian law. They cannot lawfully be targeted just because they chose to stay or they were forced to stay.

Write to Yasmeen Serhan at yasmeen.serhan@time.com.
A Palestinian man holds an injured girl following an Israeli airstrike on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

At least 3,000 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, with over 12,500 injured since Oct. 7, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said Tuesday.

The retaliatory strikes followed an unprecedented terror attack by the militant group Hamas on Oct. 7, which killed over 1,400 people in southern Israel, including over 250 at a music festival and nearly 290 Israeli soldiers, making it the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Live updates: Biden to visit Israel as Gaza braces for possible ground invasion

Friends and family members attend the funeral on Tuesday of Shiraz Tamam, who was killed by Hamas at the Nova music festival on Oct. 7. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is also believed to be holding hostage at least 199 people who were kidnapped during the attack, according to the Israeli military. Among those held hostage are children, women, men and the elderly.

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At least 30 U.S. citizens have been confirmed dead as a result of the attack, with another 13 still missing as of Monday morning, according to the U.S. State Department. It is believed that some of those 13 are being held hostage by Hamas militants. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said last week that recovering those held hostage is the highest priority for the Biden administration.

President Biden is traveling to Israel Wednesday to show his steadfast support in a show of solidarity. U.S. defense officials have also selected about 2,000 troops to prepare for a potential deployment to support Israel.

Meanwhile, the latest death toll comes after Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza, killing dozens of people Tuesday in attacks that it says targeted Hamas militants, the Associated Press reports. Late last week, Israel had instructed Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate to the southern part of the territory, which has been cut off from water, food, fuel and electricity, ahead of an expected ground incursion.

People search for victims among destroyed buildings on Tuesday following an Israeli airstrike on Rafah. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

Sky News reporter Mark Austin repeatedly pressed Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner in an interview on why Israel told hundreds of thousands of people in northern Gaza to move to the south when airstrikes were continuing in the south. We do not seek to target or harm civilians, unlike Hamas who does.  You can't expect us to not protect our civilians because Hamas are hiding behind theirs," Lerner replied. We are in a huge effort ... to minimize the civilian consequences of this conflict. But, and I say this very sadly, there will, and it is unfortunate and inevitable that this will continue to happen."

Reuters has spoken to Palestinians like the Abu Marasa family who, after fleeing to the south, say they may as well go back to their homes in the north.

Raghda Abu Marasa, who fled after Israel called for more than 1 million civilians in the Gaza Strip to move south, with her children as they return to their home in Gaza City on Tuesday. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) (REUTERS)

"Why should we be martyrs in Khan Younis? We would better die as martyrs in our houses. Let the whole building fall on our heads," Saleem Abu Marasa told Reuters while preparing to drive back to the family's home in northern Gaza.

The United Nations says Israels evacuation order for northern Gaza could be a breach of international law.

"We are concerned that this order, combined with the imposition of a complete siege of Gaza, may not be considered as lawful temporary evacuation and would therefore amount to a forcible transfer of civilians in breach of international law," Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, told reporters Tuesday. Those who managed to comply with the Israeli authorities' order to evacuate are now trapped in the south of the Gaza Strip, with scant shelter, fast-depleting food supplies, little or no access to clean water, sanitation, medicine and other basic needs."

From Israel, Biden will travel to Jordan, where hell meet with Egyptian and Palestinian leaders to talk about the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian civilians of Gaza as the situation grows dire.

More images from Gaza

Civil defense teams and residents carry injured people on Tuesday after an Israeli attack in Rafah. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Palestinians at a morgue in Khan Younis on Tuesday mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. (Fatima Shbair/AP)

A search-and-rescue operation on Tuesday around a house in Deir-al Balah, Gaza Strip, that was destroyed after an Israeli attack. (Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Palestinians mourn relatives at a morgue in Khan Younis on Tuesday. (Fatima Shbair/AP)

A victim is retrieved on Tuesday following an Israeli airstrike on Rafah. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

A woman at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday with bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters)

The remains of a house hit by an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis. (Mohammed Dahman/AP)

A Palestinian man at the site of Israeli strikes on houses in Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters)

Evacuating a victim following an Israeli airstrike on Rafah. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinian medics treat a child wounded in the Israeli bombardment of Khan Younis. (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Palestinian victims are laid out on the ground at a hospital in Rafah. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

A man carries the remains of a dead person retrieved from the rubble of a house in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Dahman/AP) (AP)

Palestinians evacuate a survivor from a house hit by an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Dahman/AP) (AP)

A woman at the site of Israeli strikes on houses in Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

A search for bodies following Israeli strikes on a house in the central Gaza Strip. (Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Palestinians mourn relatives at a morgue in Khan Younis. (Fatima Shbair/AP) (AP)

A Palestinian man is assisted after being wounded in Israeli strikes in Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

The site of Israeli strikes on houses in Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Men at the site of Israeli strikes on Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes laid out at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

The bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes lie in a hospital in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) (REUTERS)

A wounded man is carried following Israeli strikes on Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

A mourner at a hospital in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Palestinians carry a casualty from under the rubble of a house destroyed by Israeli strikes in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Members of a Palestinian civil emergency team at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Monday with the body of a colleague who was killed in an Israeli strike. (Mohammed al-Masri/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Palestinians remove a man from under the rubble of a house destroyed by Israeli strikes in Khan Younis. (Ahmed Zakot/Reuters) (REUTERS)

The daughter Raghda Abu Marasa, who fled after Israel called for more than 1 million civilians in the Gaza Strip to move south, in a car with her family as they return to their home in Gaza City on Tuesday. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) (REUTERS)
DETROIT (AP)  General Motors will delay electric pickup truck production at a factory near Detroit due to slowing U.S. demand for electric vehicles, to better manage its capital investments, and to make some engineering changes.

The company said in a statement Tuesday that the factory in Orion Township, Michigan, will instead start making electric Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups in late 2025. Originally the company had planned to start production sometime next year.

GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said the change has nothing to do with the ongoing four-week partial strike by members of the United Auto Workers union. What's happening in the marketplace does play a factor, said Kelly, who added that the company wants to make engineering changes that will improve the trucks' profitability.

About 1,000 workers at the Orion plant will keep building the Chevrolet Bolt hatchback small electric car and Bolt electric utility vehicle through the end of this year as planned, the company said in a statement.

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Workers will be offered positions at other Michigan factories until their plant reopens, the statement said.

GM already is building a Chevrolet Silverado work truck at its Factory Zero electric vehicle plant, which straddles the border between Detroit and the enclave of Hamtramck. The plant also makes the GMC Hummer EV as well as the Cruise Origin, a multi-passenger electric ride-hailing shuttle.

GM says it's still planning to ramp up production at Factory Zero next year, including adding a second shift.
A man fatally shot by Georgia police during a traffic stop had previously served 16 years in prison after a wrongful conviction.

A Camden County deputy pulled 53-year-old Leonard Allan Cure over at about 7:30 a.m. Monday on Interstate 95, according to a statement issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The bureau says that Cure got out of his car upon the deputy's request and otherwise complied until he learned he would be arrested.

"After not complying with the deputy's requests," the deputy stunned him with a Taser. After that, "Cure assaulted the deputy," who used a baton and again a Taser on Cure, the bureau said.

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"Cure still did not comply. The deputy pulled out his gun and shot Cure," the bureau said.

Paramedics treated Cure at the scene but he later died. The deputy was not injured.

'A nightmare': Man who nearly got death penalty for murder he didn't commit is declared innocent

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation told USA TODAY on Tuesday that the deputy pulled Cure over for reckless driving and speeding.

The Camden County Sheriff's Office told USA TODAY that Cure was speeding at 90-plus mph.

Body Cam footage shows violent exchange

On Wednesday, the sheriff's office released patrol car and body camera videos of the fatal incident

"Camden County Sheriff Jim Proctor, along with District Attorney Keith Higgins of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, and GBI Agents investigating the case decided this morning to make the videos available for public review in an effort to be completely transparent as to what happened, and how the incident escalated to the point of extreme Use of Force," the sheriff's department wrote on Facebook.

The officer who the Los Angeles Times confirmed to be Staff Sgt. Buck Aldridge, can be seen pulling Cure over. The Camden County Sheriff's office did not respond to USA TODAYS request for additional information on the deputy involved.

Aldridge asks Cure to get out of the car, which he does, but he then refuses to put his hands on the truck.

I aint doing s---, Cure can be heard telling the deputy.

The exchanged gets tense quickly as Aldridge tells Cure that he'll use a stun gun if he doesn't comply. Cure complies and asks why he's being pulled over.

You passed me doing 100 miles per hour , the deputy said, before asking Cure to put his hands behind his back.

The speed limit was 70 mph.

Cure ignores the Aldridge command and the officer tases him. The shock from the taser causes Cure to flail before turning around and grabbing the officer. The two get into a physical fight on the side of the highway. Both had their hands around the others neck.

Aldridge hits Cure with baton, but he doesn't let go. Then a shot can be heard, and Cure falls to the ground. The deputy, yells at him to stay down, before getting on the radio and calling for help.

Shots fired, suspect down! Aldridge says. Send help!

Emergency personnel show up and try to revive Cure, but he's pronounced dead at the scene.

Leonard Allan Cure's wrongful conviction

Cure was arrested on Nov. 20, 2003 in Florida on charges of robbery with a firearm and assault with a firearm, according to the Florida Innocence Project.

His arrest stemmed from the robbery of Walgreen's in Dania Beach after one of the victims picked him out of a line-up. The jury in his first trial was deadlocked, but a second jury found Cure guilty.

He was sentenced to life in prison in 2004. In 2020, the Broward State Attorneys Office's Conviction Review Unit asked a judge for his release, the Sun Sentinel reported.

A judge vacated Cure's convictions in 2020, exonerating him and ordering his release from prison after 16 years.

The Florida Innocence Project said that eyewitness misidentification, official misconduct and ineffective legal counsel contributed to his conviction. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a claims bill in June that awarded Cure $817,000 in compensation for the wrongful imprisonment.

More: Conviction review units have led to exonerations in Florida, New York, other states. Here's what they do.

More: A real life Training Day: A corrupt cop lead to nearly 200 wrongful convictions

Reaction to Leonard Allan Cure's death

The Florida Innocence Project did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment but in a statement to the Associated Press, executive director Seth Miller said he was devastated by the news of Cure's death.

I can only imagine what its like to know your son is innocent and watch him be sentenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and ... then be told that once hes been freed, hes been shot dead, Miller said.

On Wednesday, Cure's family alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump held a press conference in front of the Camden County Courthouse before the release of the videos.

Crump said Cure recently bought a house in Georgia and was driving home from visiting his mother, Mary Cure, in Florida.

Cure's mother said she was heartbroken by the loss of her son who said he lived in constant fear of being arrested and imprisoned again. The family said shooting Cure was unnecessary.

I dont feel, no matter what happened, that he should have been killed, Mary Cure said.

Crump said the deputy was acting aggressively from the start of the interaction and could have deescalated the situation.

Cure's family acknowledged that he did become a "bit physical" but for the most part was compliant. The officer, they said, did not try to diffuse the situation and Cure may have been dealing with mental health issues as a result of his wrongful incarceration.

The officer just triggered him, Cure's brother Michael said. It was excitement met with excitement.

WJXT-TV reported that they obtained the officer's personnel files, which show he has a history of using excessive force during traffic stops. USA TODAY was not able to independently verify the claims.

He really should be alive, Cure's brother Michael said. The officer hit him with his baton and he tased him, twice as a matter of fact. But he did not have to shoot him.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor said that Cure was the first person exonerated by his office's Conviction Review Unit.

"The Leonard we knew was a smart, funny and kind person," Pryor said. "After he was freed and exonerated by our office, he visited prosecutors at our office and participated in training to help our staff do their jobs in the fairest and most thorough way possible."

Pryor said that Cure would frequently check in on the head of the review unit "and offer our team encouragement to continue to do the important work of justice."

"He had been working a job in security, he was hoping to go to college and wanted to work in broadcast radio production, he was buying his first home," he said. "We send our sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him."

Officer place on administrative leave

The sheriff's office said Aldridge has been placed on administrative leave.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations is still investigating the fatal shooting. The bureau will send it's finding to Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins. Higgins who met with Cure's family on Wednesday, will ultimately decide whether to pursue charges against Aldridge.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia deputy fatally shoots man wrongfully convicted in Florida
KINGSLAND, Ga. (AP)  A Black man who spent more than 16 years imprisoned in Florida on a wrongful conviction was fatally shot Monday by a sheriffs deputy in Georgia during a traffic stop, authorities said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is reviewing the shooting, identified the man as Leonard Allen Cure, 53.

In this photo provided by the Innocence Project of Florida, Leonard Allen Cure poses on the day of his release from prison on April 14, 2020, in Fla. Cure, who spent more than 16 years in prison in Florida on a wrongful conviction, was shot and killed Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, by a sheriffs deputy in Georgia during a traffic stop, authorities and representatives said. (Innocence Project of Florida via AP)

Cure had been represented in his exoneration case by the Innocence Project of Florida. The groups executive director, Seth Miller, said he was devastated by news of the death, which he heard from Cures family.

I can only imagine what its like to know your son is innocent and watch him be sentenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and  then be told that once hes been freed, hes been shot dead, Miller said.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a Camden County deputy pulled over Cure as he drove along Interstate 95 near the Georgia-Florida line. He got out of the car at the deputys request and cooperated at first but became violent after he was told he was being arrested, a GBI news release said.

The agency said preliminary information shows the deputy shocked Cure with a stun gun when he failed to obey commands, and Cure began assaulting the deputy. The GBI said the deputy again tried using the stun gun and a baton to subdue him, then drew his gun and shot Cure when he continued to resist.

The agency didnt say what prompted the deputy to pull over Cures vehicle.

In this photo provided by the Innocence Project of Florida, Leonard Allen Cure poses from the floor of the Florida legislature in Tallahassee, Fla., in April 2023, on the day his compensation bill was passed. Cure, who spent more than 16 years in prison in Florida on a wrongful conviction, was shot and killed Monday, Oct. 156, by a sheriffs deputy in Georgia during a traffic stop, authorities and representatives said. (Innocence Project of Florida via AP)

It is customary for Georgia law enforcement agencies to ask the GBI to investigate shootings involving officers. The agency said it will submit its findings to the district attorney for the coastal Brunswick Judicial Circuit, which includes Camden County.

Miller couldnt comment specifically on Cure but said he has represented dozens of people convicted of crimes who were later exonerated.

Even when theyre free, they always struggled with the concern, the fear that theyll be convicted and incarcerated again for something they didnt do, he said.

Cure was convicted of the 2003 armed robbery of a drug store in Floridas Dania Beach. His conviction came from a second jury after the first one deadlocked. Cure was sentenced to life in prison because he had previous convictions for robbery and other crimes.

In 2020, the Broward State Attorneys Office new Conviction Review Unit asked a judge to release Cure from prison. Browards conviction review team said it found troubling revelations that Cure had solid alibis that were previously disregarded and no physical evidence or solid witnesses to put him at the scene.

An independent review panel of five local lawyers concurred with the findings.

Cure was released that April after his sentenced was modified. In December 2020, a judge vacated his conviction and sentence.

Im looking forward to putting this situation behind me and moving on with my life, Cure told the South Florida Sun Sentinel at the time.

In June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a claims bill granting Cure $817,000 in compensation for his conviction and imprisonment, along with educational benefits.

Miller said Cure, who lived in a suburb of Atlanta, received the money in August.

Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor described Cure as smart, funny and kind.

After he was freed and exonerated by our office, he visited prosecutors at our office and participated in training to help our staff do their jobs in the fairest and most thorough way possible, Pryor said in a statement to the Sun Sentinel.

Cure would frequently call to check in on Assistant State Attorney Arielle Demby Berger, the head of the Conviction Review Unit, and offer encouragement to continue to do the important work of justice, Pryor said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A Georgia judge Tuesday rejected a variety of attempts by Trump-aligned lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell to get their 2020 election interference charges thrown out.

The ruling from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee  which found that the defendants did not establish a defect in the substance or form of the indictment  removes the bulk of roadblocks that remained ahead of Chesebro and Powells joint trial. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Friday.

Chesebro and Powell each face seven charges stemming from different plots that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss (D) office alleges were part of a broader criminal enterprise to keep Donald Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. Theyre charged alongside 17 other defendants, including the former president.

The pair have both pleaded not guilty, and they still have a pending attempt to get the indictment dismissed under the federal Constitution.

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Their trial is expected to last up to five months.

McAfees decision rejects various demurrers and motions to quash  both legal mechanisms for defendants to try to get portions or all of their charges tossed before going to trial  filed by Powell and Chesebro in recent weeks.

The judges 18-page ruling said some of the defendants motions asked him to go beyond his authority and should instead be left to a jury.

[A] demurrer cannot cross the line and transform itself into a speaking demurrer, McAfee wrote. A trial court has no authority, absent stipulation from both parties, to add facts not appearing on the face of the indictment and wade into a pretrial consideration of the evidence.

Jury selection begins Friday, and the trial itself is scheduled to begin Oct. 23.

The Hill has reached out to attorneys for Chesebro and Powell for comment.

The judge held two hearings last week to consider some of the motions, while he didnt hold a proceeding for others, writing that it was unnecessary.

During one hearing last week, defense attorneys for Chesebro and Powell argued specifically in favor of eliminating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act charges all the defendants face.

Chesebro attorney Manny Arora said that to bring RICO charges, evidence of financial gain or physical threat or harm must be present. The state district attorneys offices case did not meet that threshold, he said.

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.

Special prosecutor John Floyd, a state RICO expert, said such a threshold is not required and cited a legislative amendment to the states RICO statute he said was enacted to prevent arguments like Aroras.

But, even if McAfee were to determine that such a threshold was required, the potential for a second Trump presidency and threats against Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman fulfill those requirements, Floyd argued.

In the order Tuesday, McAfee sided with prosecutors after finding that the amendment expressly loosened the applicability of the law.

At a minimum, 120 elected legislators and the assent of a Governor were required to pass the amendment, and determining their collective intent is a pointless exercise, he wrote. This is not a novel theory of interpretation according to our Supreme Court.

The judge furthered that point by citing other case law opining that attempts to discern legislative intent beyond the actual text is as practical and productive as attempting to nail Jell-O to the wall.

McAfees decision likely clears the way for Chesebro and Powell to face trial starting next week. Their cases were expedited after they invoked their right to a speedy trial.

The other defendants  minus Scott Hall, a co-defendant who pleaded guilty last month  waived that right and will be tried at an undetermined later date.

Updated at 5:49 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met for 40 minutes in Tel Aviv with relatives of German hostages held by Hamas and said the German government would do whatever it can to secure the hostages' release, the relatives told journalists on Tuesday.

"We are getting out of this meeting a little bit more affirmed but still of course worried about our dear ones and the fate and safety of all the people being held hostage by the most barbaric, cruel human beings on this earth at the moment," said Gili Romann, brother of 35-year-old Yardan Romann, who was among the hostages.

Shaked Haran, 10 of whose relatives are among those being held hostage, said the families needed information on their relatives' whereabouts and wellbeing.

The families said they will hold a rally in Berlin on Sunday to call for their relatives' release.

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Officials have said 1,300 Israelis, many civilians, were killed since Hamas' attack on Oct. 7, and nearly 200 hostages taken back to Gaza. Authorities in Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, say more than 3,000 people have been killed in Israel's 11-day bombardment, around a quarter of them children.

Scholz met on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel and planned to travel on to Egypt for meetings on Wednesday with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; Editing by David Gregorio)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz may turn down his invitation to a major UK summit on artificial intelligence, the BBC understands.

The government is hosting an event aimed at tech leaders, academics and political leaders to discuss AI safety on 1 November.

The agenda will focus on specific future threats posed by the rapidly evolving tech, such as cyber security.

Britain has mooted setting up a global AI watchdog to monitor developments.

While no guest list has been published of an expected 100 participants, some within the sector say it's unclear if the event will attract top leaders.

A government source insisted the summit is garnering "a lot of attention" at home and overseas.

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The two-day meeting is due to bring together leading politicians as well as independent experts and senior execs from the tech giants, who are mainly US based.

The first day will bring together tech companies and academics for a discussion chaired by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan.

The second day is set to see a "small group" of people, including international government figures, in meetings run by PM Rishi Sunak.

It will be held in Bletchley Park, the Buckinghamshire country house which was once the top-secret headquarters of World War Two codebreakers.

Though no final decision has been made, it is now seen as unlikely that the German Chancellor will attend.

That could spark concerns of a "domino effect" with other world leaders, such as the French President Emmanuel Macron, also unconfirmed.

Government sources say there are heads of state who have signalled a clear intention to turn up, and the BBC understands that high-level representatives from many US-based tech giants are going.

The foreign secretary confirmed in September that a Chinese representative has been invited, despite controversy.

Some MPs within the UK's ruling Conservative Party believe China should be cut out of the conference after a series of security rows.

It is not known whether there has been a response to the invitation.

China is home to a huge AI sector and has already created its own set of rules to govern responsible use of the tech within the country.

The US, a major player in the sector and the world's largest economy, will be represented by Vice-President Kamala Harris.

In what was seen as a political win for Downing Street, the UK-hosted AI summit was announced during an overseas trip by PM Rishi Sunak to the US in June.

Britain is hoping to position itself as a key broker as the world wrestles with the potential pitfalls and risks of AI.

However, Berlin is thought to want to avoid any messy overlap with G7 efforts, after the group of leading democratic countries agreed to create an international code of conduct.

Germany is also the biggest economy in the EU - which is itself aiming to finalise its own landmark AI Act by the end of this year.

It includes grading AI tools depending on how significant they are, so for example an email filter would be less tightly regulated than a medical diagnosis system.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected at next month's summit, while it is possible Berlin could send a senior government figure such as its vice chancellor, Robert Habeck.

The UK is currently planning to fold AI regulation into existing bodies: so for example, if a person feels discriminated against by an AI tool, they would contact the Equalities Commission.

But many experts in the space are calling for an international, UN-style regulator to oversee AI on a global level.

A source from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said: "This is the first time an international summit has focused on frontier AI risks and it is garnering a lot of attention at home and overseas.

"It is usual not to confirm senior attendance at major international events until nearer the time, for security reasons."
Annalena Baerbock , German Minister of Foreign Affairs, has promised Ukraine and its neighbour Moldova further support in the fight against Russia, despite the crisis in the Middle East.

Source: Baerbock at the fourth ministerial conference of the Moldova Support Platform in Chisinau, as reported by European Pravda with reference to Die Zeit

Quote: "These days, when the situation in the Middle East keeps us in tension, it is important for me to emphasise: we continue to stand side by side with Ukraine and with Moldova," Baerbock said.

Details: Baerbock added that Germany will support Moldova in energy and economic issues, as well as in reforms it needs to adopt on the way to joining the EU, and will allocate 95 million for these purposes next year.

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Background:

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner emphasised the importance of the US continued financial support for Ukraine.

Janet Yellen, the United States Secretary of the Treasury, stressed that the support of Ukraine remains a "top priority" for Washington against the background of the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
An artist's illustration of a cutaway of Mars along with the paths of seismic waves from two separate quakes in 2021. These seismic waves, detected by NASAs InSight mission, were the first ever identified to enter another planets core.

A giant seismic event on Marsa marsquake that shook the Red Planet last year had an unexpected source, surprising astrophysicists from around the world. They suspected a meteorite strike. Instead, enormous tectonic forces within Marss crust, which caused vibrations that lasted for six hours, caused the quake and not a meteorite strike. The findings are described in a study published October 17 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters .

[Related: Two NASA missions combined forces to analyze a new kind of marsquake .]

NASAs InSight lander recorded the magnitude 4.7 marsquake on May 4, 2022 , which scientists named S1222a. Its seismic signal was similar to those of previous quakes that were caused by meteorite impacts , so the team began to search for an impact crater.

In the new study , a team from the University of Oxford worked with the European Space Agency, Chinese National Space Agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation, and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency to scour more than 55 million square miles on Mars. Each group examined the data coming from its own satellites to look for a crater, dust cloud, or other signature of a meteorite impact. Because the search came up empty, they now believe that S1222a was caused by the release of huge tectonic forces from within the Martian interior.

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That doesnt mean Marss tectonic plates are moving the way they do during an earthquake. The best available evidence suggests the planet is remaining still. We still think that Mars doesnt have any active plate tectonics today, so this event was likely caused by the release of stress within Mars crust, study co-author and University of Oxford planetary geophysicist Benjamin Fernando said in a statement . These stresses are the result of billions of years of evolution; including the cooling and shrinking of different parts of the planet at different rates.

While Fernando explains that scientists do not fully understand why some parts of Mars seem to have more stress than others, these results can help them investigate further. One day, this information may help us to understand where it would be safe for humans to live on Mars and where you might want to avoid! he said.

This spectrogram shows the largest quake ever detected on another planet. Estimated at magnitude 5, this quake was discovered by NASA's InSight lander on May 4, 2022. CREDIT: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ETH Zurich.

S1222a was one of the last events recorded by NASAs InSight mission before its end. The InSight lander launched in May 2018 and survived seven minutes of terror to touch down on Mars, where it studied the planets interior and seismology for years. The last of the spacecrafts data was returned in December 2022 , after increasing dust accumulation on its solar panels caused InSight to lose power.

[Related: InSight says goodbye with what may be its last wistful image of Mars .]

In its four years and 19 days of service , InSight recorded more than 1,300 marsquakes. At least eight of these events were from a meteorite impact ; the largest two formed craters that were almost 500 feet in diameter. If the S1222a event was formed by an impact, the team estimates that the crater to be would have been at least 984 feet in diameter.

The team is applying knowledge from this study to other work, including future missions to our moon and the tectonics that are similar to Californias famed San Andreas fault located on one of Saturns moons named Titan . They also hope that it encourages additional major international collaborations to study the Red Planet and beyond.

This has been a great opportunity for me to collaborate with the InSight team, as well as with individuals from other major missions dedicated to the study of Mars, study co-author and New York University Abu Dhabi astrophysicist Dimitra Atri said in a statement. This really is the golden age of Mars exploration!"
Andrii Biletskyi, Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade, has said that in order to gain an advantage over poorly trained but more numerous Russian forces, the Ukrainian army must focus on professionalising its personnel, providing quality training, and introducing new tactics and technology.

Source: Biletskyi in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda

Details: Ukrainska Pravda asked Biletskyi what Ukraine needs to do to win the war against the Russian Federation, the full-scale phase of which has been going on for more than one and a half years.

As Biletskyi explains, despite NATO standards, the Ukrainian army is in many ways a post-Soviet structure. It is also confronting the post-Soviet Russian army, which has its own weaknesses and strengths.

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Biletskyi said that for example, one weakness of the Russian side is that their ground personnel will never be of high quality because they simply do not have the time to learn and improve.

"In other words, its very bad human material that is fighting on their side, which is also completely unprofessional. Thats on the one hand. On the other hand, they have a lot of this material, to put it politely," Biletskyi noted.

So if Ukrainian forces consist of untrained, poorly motivated units against untrained, poorly motivated Russian units, sooner or later the Russians will break the Ukrainians for an elementary reason  because they outnumber us, Biletskyi added.

Quote: "If we are going to win, we need an asymmetrical way. How did the Spartans dominate the Aegean region and win the Persian War with 4,000 free citizens compared to tens of thousands in other polities or states? Why? Because of the quality of combat training, and the professionalism of the army and commanders.

An extremely important issue for Ukraine right now is professionalisation: raising the level of combat training, retraining, promoting new technology, new tactics, and very rapid retraining of people."

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is "too important not to get right", a top Google executive has told the BBC.

It has the potential for "huge breakthroughs" across industries, said Matt Brittin, president of Google for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

There has been a long-running global debate about the risks and rewards of AI.

Mr Brittin was speaking as Google agreed a joint research partnership with the University of Cambridge.

As part of it, the tech giant will provide a grant for the university's new Centre for Human-Inspired AI, where academics and scientists from Cambridge and Google will come together.

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The long-term agreement will focus on a number of areas including robotics, healthcare and climate change.

The partnership comes ahead of the UK's AI safety summit at Bletchley Park, at which the government hopes some of the biggest names in the industry will convene.

It has been prompted by an intensifying debate about the potential benefits of AI - and attempts by regulators in multiple countries to devise regulations for the rapidly advancing field.

"If we get it right, there could be huge breakthroughs in health, the potential for unlimited, clean energy, and a society where everyone has opportunities through education and powerful, intelligent tools.

"So this is a huge opportunity for us to do that," said Mr Brittin.

Vice president of research at Google DeepMind, and professor of information engineering at Cambridge University, Zoubin Ghahramani told the BBC the research the new centre would do could help address climate problems.

AI tools have been used to optimise flight paths to reduce the amount of contrails - vapour trails left across skies by aeroplanes.

"It may not seem like an obvious use, but it is actually very valuable to address the impact of air travel," Prof Ghahramani said.

Mr Brittin said sustainability and solutions for addressing a climate crisis had been a long-term focus for Google and its AI arm, DeepMind, saying its research helped reduce energy consumption and costs in the tech giant's data centres.

"I joined the company in 2007, and that was the year we became carbon neutral - we became one of the world's biggest purchasers of renewables," Mr Brittin said, adding that Google's recent UK power purchase agreements will see services used in the country running on almost entirely carbon-free energy by 2025.

He also pointed to global projects such as sequencing traffic lights to reduce pollution, and using Google Maps to find fuel-efficient routes or the best place for solar panels.

Others, though, have raised concerns that the AI revolution Google is helping to fuel is causing great environmental damage, with one academic calling it "an enormous extractive industry for the 21st Century".

A recent study suggested the sector's explosive growth could soon see it use as much energy as a country the size of the Netherlands, leading its author to say AI should be used only where absolutely necessary.
DENVER (AP)  Colorados highest court on Monday upheld the search of Google users keyword history to identify suspects in a 2020 fatal arson fire, an approach that critics have called a digital dragnet that threatens to undermine peoples privacy and their constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

What is Prop II? Colorado voters to decide on preschool and nicotine taxes

However, the Colorado Supreme Court cautioned it was not making a broad proclamation on the constitutionality of such warrants and emphasized it was ruling on the facts of just this one case.

At issue before the court was a search warrant from Denver police requiring Google to provide the IP addresses of anyone who had searched over 15 days for the address of the home that was set on fire, killing five immigrants from the West African nation of Senegal.

Google provides IP addresses to police

After some back and forth over how Google would be able to provide information without violating its privacy policy, Google produced a spreadsheet of sixty-one searches made by eight accounts. Google provided the IP addresses for those accounts, but no names. Five of the IP addresses were based in Colorado and police obtained the names of those people through another search warrant. After investigating those people, police eventually identified three teens as suspects.

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One of them, Gavin Seymour, asked the court to throw the evidence out because it violated the Fourth Amendments ban on unreasonable searches and seizures by being overbroad and not being targeted against a specific person suspected of a crime.

Search warrants to gather evidence are typically sought once police have identified a suspect and gathered some probable cause to believe they committed a crime. But in this case, the trail had run cold and police were seeking a reverse keyword warrant for the Google search history in a quest to identify possible suspects. Since the attack seemed targeted, investigators believed whoever set fire to the house would have searched for directions to it.

Truck driver killed when train derailment collapses Colorado bridge, spilling coal cars onto highway

The state Supreme Court ruled that Seymour had a constitutionally protected privacy interest in his Google search history even though it was just connected with an IP address and not his name. While it also said it assumes that the warrant was constitutionally defective for not specifying an individualized probable cause, the court said it would not throw out the evidence because police were acting in good faith under what was known about the law at the time.

The court said it was not aware of any other state supreme court or federal appellate court that has dealt with this type of warrant before.

Our finding of good faith today neither condones nor condemns all such warrants in the future. If dystopian problems emerge, as some fear, the courts stand ready to hear argument regarding how we should rein in law enforcements use of rapidly advancing technology. Today, we proceed incrementally based on the facts before us, it said.

Google warrant ruling: Justice Monica Marquez dissents

In a dissent, Justice Monica Marquez said such a wide-ranging search of a billion Google users search history without a particular target is exactly the kind the Fourth Amendment was designed to stop.

At the risk of sounding alarmist, I fear that by upholding this practice, the majoritys ruling today gives constitutional cover to law enforcement seeking unprecedented access to the private lives of individuals not just in Colorado, but across the globe. And I fear that todays decision invites courts nationwide to do the same, she said in the dissent, which Justice Carlos Samour joined in.

$557K settlement for pedestrian hit by texting Denver cop

In a statement, Google said it was important that the courts ruling recognized the privacy and First Amendment interests involved in keyword searches.

With all law enforcement demands, including reverse warrants, we have a rigorous process designed to protect the privacy of our users while supporting the important work of law enforcement, it said.

The ruling allows the prosecution of Seymour and Kevin Bui, who were 16 at the time of the Aug. 5, 2020, fire, to move ahead in adult court on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, arson and burglary. Investigators allege Bui organized the attack on the home because he mistakenly believed people who had stolen his iPhone during a robbery lived there.

Telephone messages and an email sent to Seymours lawyers, Jenifer Stinson and Michael Juba, were not immediately returned. A lawyer for Bui, Christian Earle, could not be reached for comment.

A third teen, Dillon Siebert, who was 14 at the time and originally charged as a juvenile, pleaded guilty earlier this year to second-degree murder in adult court under a deal that prosecutors and the defense said balanced his lesser role in planning the fire, his remorse and interest in rehabilitation with the horror of the crime. He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said Tuesday that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) committed to linking Israel and Ukraine aid packages as he seeks to shore up support for his Speakership bid.

McCaul is among a number of moderate Republicans who have come around to backing Jordan this week after meetings with the former far-right Freedom Caucus chairman.

McCaul told CNNs Kate Bolduan that one deciding factor for him was Jordans commitment to linking U.S. aid for Israels war against Hamas with funding for Ukraines war against Russia.

Well, I had a very good conversation with him. I was concerned about national security issues, particularly if we pass an Israeli supplemental national security bill, would Ukraine be included in that? McCaul said.

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And I was assured that he could link the two. He would look at the details of that, but that was very important to me.

McCaul has suggested a supplemental foreign aid package that would include funding for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and border security provisions. The White House is reportedly considering making a similar funding request.

But first the House needs to elect a Speaker. Jordan secured the GOP nomination last week, and a floor vote on his candidacy is Tuesday.

McCaul said another key reason for his support of Jordan was the need to have someone become Speaker, so the House can respond to multiple crises.

We have to govern. I mean, as we look at whats unfolding in Israel, my committee does the authorization of use of military force. If we dont have a Speaker in the chair, we cant pass any of this stuff, he told CNN Tuesday.

The Hill reached out to Jordans office for comment on McCauls characterization of their conversation.

Politicos Olivia Beavers previously reported that at least one GOP member said Jordan had committed to a joint Ukraine-Israel supplemental funding package.

However, such a move is sure to draw opposition from other Republicans, who oppose any additional military support for Ukraines defensive war against Russia.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wrote Tuesday that shes a hard NO on linking Ukraine and Israel aid.

There is $3.3 billion for Israel in the State and Foreign Ops bill that we passed and the Senate needs to pass it and Biden should sign it. We need to secure OUR OWN BORDER! she wrote on X, the platform formerly called Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On Friday, after 55 House Republicans said they would refuse to vote for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) on the House floor, his path to the speakership looked impossible. But just a few days later, with a vote scheduled for Tuesday afternoon and opposition vanishing, his rule seemed inevitable.

Almost.

Jordan still had a handful of GOP votes to flip as of late Monday night. But the fact that the archconservative Ohio Republicandubbed a legislative terrorist by a GOP speaker not even 10 years agowas now on the brink of assuming the most powerful office in the U.S. Capitol, stands testament to the House GOPs far-right transformation

That Jordan could succeed where former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his longtime No. 2 Steve Scalise both failed is reflective of two fundamental truths in the House Republican conference: Moderates dont have the stomach for obstructionism like conservatives, and the GOP conference writ large is much closer ideologically to Jordan than it is to any moderate Republican.

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Jim Jordan Could Bully His Way to Being Speaker of the House

Indeed, the term moderate Republican is a bit of a misnomer in the House of Representatives today. While there may be Republicans who are willing to work with Democrats, the majority of the conference voted to overturn the 2020 electionincluding Jordan, McCarthy, and Scalise.

In the most high-stakes fights, the partys moderates just arent as willing to use their leverage to pull Republicans back from the edge, partially because they dont have the stomachs, and partially because they dont have the numbers.

The bloc of GOP lawmakers opposed to Jordan for ideological, political, and personal reasons far outnumbered the eight who booted McCarthy from the speakership two weeks ago. If they wanted to, anti-Jordan members could block his path to the gavel and force the party to come up with a more agreeable candidatepotentially even a moderate Republican who could win some Democratic support.

Despite their overwhelming anger and frustration with how a small breakaway faction upended the party and threw the House into turmoil, Republicans simply arent willing to employ hardball tactics of their own to win.

One by one, GOP lawmakerscolloquially known as moderates or institutionalists or establishment Republicanshave recanted the unequivocal opposition to Jordan they expressed just days ago and thrown their support behind him.

The abrupt shift surprised Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), who said on Monday afternoon that he believed a bipartisan compromise speakership was inevitable just 24 hours ago.

The responsible governing types in the Republican conference, Huffman lamented, just fold like a cheap suit every time.

Noting Jordans leading efforts to contest the outcome of the 2020 election based on bogus voter fraud claims, Huffman said the fact that Jordan is going to be holding the gavel in the institution that counts the electoral votes that is terrifying, frankly.

Its just stunning that all of these Republicans would go along with it, he said.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), for instance, bluntly said last Friday that there was nothing Jordan could do to win his vote. By Monday, Rogers tweeted that he had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the last two days with Jordan. As a result, I have decided to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on the floor, Rogers said.

Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), a close ally of Scalise, fumed over how Jordan seemed to knife the Louisiana Republican after Jordan lost the first closed-door speaker vote to Scalise last week. Wagner told reporters she would absolutely not vote for Jordan on the floor. On Monday morning, Wagner released a statement saying she would, in fact, vote for Jordan on the floor.

One of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), told Politico New York that if Jordan has the votes, Ill probably just vote for him, saying we have to get back to work. (On Monday evening, Lawler told CNNs Jake Tapper he would vote for McCarthy at this point, but its easy to see him flipping if hes the deciding vote.)

While lawmakers like Rogers and Wagner cited personal conversations with Jordan that mitigated their concerns, its obvious that Jordans allies have orchestrated a comprehensive pressure campaign to flip holdouts by subjecting them to the fury of a party base that is now fully engaged in the speaker race.

The anti-Jordan factions biggest advantage was strength in numbers. But that advantage has now vanished, meaning the handful of lawmakers who could stand up to him are poised to face concentrated outrage.

On Sunday, Axios reporter Juliegrace Brufke tweeted an email sent to an unnamed lawmaker by a producer for Sean Hannitys show on Fox News, pressing them on why they had not supported Jordan yet.

Meanwhile, pro-Jordan lawmakers with big right-wing social media followings, like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), promoted a list kept by Breitbart News keeping track of who had and had not backed Jordan. MAGA accounts with six-figure followings tweeted out false information that GOP holdouts had pledged to back a Democrat for speaker, when none of them had done so.

Jordans camp distanced themselves from the notion that their camp was pressuring holdouts, but every GOP lawmaker is crystal clear on the political risk of standing up in a roll call vote to block Jordans path from the speakershiplikely a primary challenge back home.

Even if Jordan fails to win the speakership on the first, second, or additional rounds of voting, the fact that he managed to flip dozens of dedicated detractors in the span of a few days will go down as one of the most abrupt shifts any party has seen in congressional history. And Jordan seems to be accomplishing his feat without the traditional carrots that a speaker candidate wieldslike committee assignments, chairmanships, or legislative promises.

And if Jordan does pull off the speakership, the efficacy of the agitator playbook will be clear: deny more moderate Republicans the speakership, then bend the conference to your conservative will.

Huffman noted that, even if Jordan gets the speakership, Jordan holdouts might face primary challenges anyway, no matter what they do nowthats how fired up and vengeful the GOP base is.

Their political ecosystem is completely unforgiving and punitive, and theres just no room to question it, he said. This is it. Its the purification of the MAGA movement.

A Jordan speakership, unthinkable even earlier this year, now appears to be the GOPs most plausible way out of the historic leadership crisis that began on Oct. 3, when eight Republican lawmakers successfully removed McCarthy from the speakership.

Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Some Republicans still look at Jordans resume and remain in shock as to how he got to the doorstep of the Speakers Office.

Jordan is the founding chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, which he made a force by pioneering a strategy of combining zero-sum legislative tactics with hardcore commitment to right-wing ideology. At numerous points in his career, he has successfully helped steer a GOP majority toward a government shutdownfirst in 2013 in protest to the Affordable Care Act, and then again in 2018 over immigration.

Such tactics made Jordan a persistent enemy of GOP leadership. But even as he grew closer to the fold of McCarthy and others, he continued his trend of routinely voting against bipartisan budget and appropriations deals. He is a stalwart opponent of abortion access and refused to support GOP legislation to repeal Obamacare in 2017 unless it removed protections for people with pre-existing conditions. A close ally of Donald Trump, Jordan has steadfastly refused to affirm the 2020 election outcome and amplified false claims of fraud.

Jordans ascendance now speaks not just to the dearth of willpower among moderates, but the particular ruthlessness of Jordans strategy and how ill-prepared his rivals have been to account for it.

The most obvious successor to McCarthy was Scalise, and in a closed door vote last week, the popular majority leader earned a clear majority of GOP votes to earn the nomination for speaker over Jordan. The Ohio Republican stepped aside and reportedly offered to nominate Scalise on the floor, but only if Scalise promised to do so for him if he failed to win on the first vote.

Jordans allies, meanwhile, came out of the woodwork to pledge that they would never vote for Scalise on the floor. Realizing he might not prevail in a lengthy series of floor votes, like the one McCarthy endured in January, Scalise bowed out of contention on Thursday.

After that, Jordan put his name back in contention for the speaker nomination. And even though he only faced token oppositionfrom Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), a backbencher who stood only as a protest voteJordan eked out a victory on Friday, with a huge chunk of the conference registering their opposition. In a subsequent vote, 55 lawmakers said they wouldnt support him on the floor.

Instead of bowing out, however, Jordan worked his criticsand allowed his allies to jack up the pressure. That two-pronged strategy, along with the general fatigue in the GOP conference over the chaos and the ongoing paralysis of the House, seemed to rapixdly diminish the ranks of Jordan opponents. Notably, McCarthy expressed public confidence that Jordan would winbacking that Scalise, his longtime rival, never secured.

But if Jordans approach publicly appeared to be all stick and no carrot, details began to emerge on Monday that indicated the Ohio Republican might make the same sorts of bargains to win power that doomed McCarthy.

Jim Jordan: GOPs Next Choice to Win Impossible Speaker Race

For one, some GOP lawmakers seem to be under the impression that Jordan would advance a package that includes aid for Israel as well as aid to Ukraine, according to Axios. While Jordans aides forcefully deny any such agreementwhich would be a red line for the MAGA wingthe ambiguity of such a deal speaks even further to the flexibility of Jordans more moderate detractors.

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) said Monday night that Jordan told him he could see Ukraine aid being paired with Israel aid.

What is clear is that Jordan had to make some bargain to attract defense hawks like Rogers, the Armed Services chairman.

On Monday afternoon, Jordan tweeted a list of priorities to destroy Hamas and support Israel.

Additional steps we must take to destroy Hamas and support Israel:



-Iran sanctions for funding and arming Hamas



-Enforce existing sanctions on Iranian oil



-More interceptors for Israels Iron Dome



-More precision-guided munitions



-More ammunition rounds



-More intelligence  Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) October 16, 2023

Notably, that last tenetreplenish drained US stockpilescould apply to Ukraine aid, particularly if it were sold to Republicans as an increase to the presidents drawdown authority for weapons, which he in turn sent to Ukraine.

That strategy would have the added bonus of giving Republicans a political issue to attack President Biden overexecutive overreach to send military aid that the public and the GOP base has turned againstwhile also fulfilling a key goal for many Republicans: dismantling the Russian army.

To be sure, some Republicans remain livid that a super-minority of lawmakers were able to oust a popular speaker, block the next consensus choice, and then elevate a pick with minority support to the top position.

The folks yelling we need to put out the house fire, started the fire, tweeted Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a leading moderate, on Monday evening. This started when 4% of Republicans voted to remove Speaker McCarthy. Then, we had another group refuse to support Scalise after he won by our rules. We cant have a process when a few break the rules.

And Jordan still faces on-the-record opposition from a handful of Republicans: Bacon, Lawler, Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Steve Womack (R-AR), John Rutherford (R-FL), Ken Buck (R-CO), and Carlos Gimenez (R-FL)while a much larger number of Republicans still hadnt disclosed where they stand on Jordan as of Monday evening.

But its clear that Jordan is getting close, and even if hes denied the speakership on the first vote, it seems unlikely that hell just give up now. Its much more likely that a few individuals will fold, just like they did with McCarthy in January.

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Sen. Marsha Blackburn , R-Tenn., on Tuesday called for an immediate end of U.S. aid to Palestinians in Gaza, arguing the aid inevitably falls into the hands of Hamas.

Blackburn made the call in a public statement as President Biden prepares to travel to Israel for the first time since Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack. News of Biden's trip arrived only after Israel agreed to develop a humanitarian aid plan for Gaza.

"The USA should not be placing conditions on our support for Israel because of demands from the Squad. Humanitarian aid repeatedly ends up in the hands of Hamas terrorists who use it to build rockets & kill more Israelis. We should immediately halt U.S. aid for the Palestinians," Blackburn said.

Biden's administration has publicly offered its full support for Israel's right to defend itself and retaliate against Hamas. Nevertheless, Biden has said it would be a "mistake" for Israel to occupy Gaza, and the U.S. has repeatedly stated that the conflict must minimize suffering in Gaza.

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VIDEOS OF HAMAS BRUTALITY TOWARD ISRAELIS EERILY REMINISCENT OF ISIS TACTICS

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., called for an immediate end of U.S. aid to Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday, arguing the aid inevitably falls into the hands of Hamas.

International aid for Gaza is currently blocked at the Egypt-Gaza border, with the Egyptian government keeping the Rafah connection closed. Egypt and other nearby Arab nations have repeatedly refused to accept any Gazan refugees.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

FORMER ISRAELI SOLDIER SUGGESTS HOSTAGE RESCUE OPERATIONS BEHIND DELAY IN GROUND INVASION OF GAZA

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has warned Gaza residents to move south as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) prepare for a ground operation in the north. There were reports over the weekend of Hamas forces delaying or outright blocking residents from fleeing northern Gaza.

Israel has yet to launch a full-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip and has instead utilized thousands of air strikes on Hamas positions. A prime objective for the IDF is the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar .

BRUTAL HAMAS 'SHADOW UNIT' LIKELY BEHIND HOSTAGE RAIDS POSES RESCUE NIGHTMARE: EXPERT

Referred to by Israel as the "Butcher of Khan Younis" for his violent and cruel torture methods against his enemies, both Israeli and Palestinian, Sinwar, 60, is suspected of being behind the massacre of Israeli civilians carried out by thousands of Hamas militants on Oct. 7.

Hamas is also holding nearly 200 people hostage in Gaza, and rescuing them is also a top priority. American citizens are believed to be among the hostages.





Original article source: GOP senator calls for immediate halt of US aid to Palestinians, says it will end up in the hands of Hamas
Some GOP senators are signaling they may oppose Biden-nominated Jack Lew from the ambassadorship to Israel due to his record on Iran relations during his time as secretary to the Treasury.

Lew will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday for a nomination hearing.

In 2018, a Senate report by the investigative subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee found that Lew, during his tenure as secretary to the Treasury under the Obama administration, "granted a specific license that authorized a conversion of Iranian assets worth billions of U.S. dollars using the U.S. financial system."

The report found that the administration tried to convert $5.7 billion from U.S. banks to Iranian assets. It noted that the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control "encouraged two U.S. correspondent banks to convert the funds."

From left: Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew; and Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, told Fox News Digital on Monday evening that he will vote to oppose Lew during a confirmation vote, and that he will be leading an effort to persuade other GOP colleagues this week to block his confirmation.

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"I know my Democratic colleagues contend that we should confirm Jack Lew properly to show our support for Israel, but I would turn that around. We should defeat Jack Lew's nomination to show that our nation has a new policy towards Iran." Cotton said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Jack Lew, Bidens nom to be USAMB to Israel, was key point man in negotiations & disinfo campaign for Obamas dangerously flawed deal w Iran," Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., posted on X, formerly Twitter. "The consequences are felt today as Iran  flush w cash due to Bidens push to revive the deal at any cost  has fueled carnage in Israel."

HAWLEY TAPS DOJ TO INVESTIGATE PRO-PALESTINIAN STUDENT GROUPS' POTENTIAL TIES TO HAMAS

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also said on X: "We need to have an ambassador in Israel, but it has to be the right person." Rubio is on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Cotton previously told Fox News Shannon Bream on Sunday, "Absolutely not" to confirming Lew.

"Jack Lew is an Iran sympathizer who has no business being our ambassador. Its bad for the United States," he said. "Its bad for Israel to have an Iran sympathizer as our ambassador to that country. He helped Iran evade American sanctions, and he lied to Congress about it. He defended the Obama administrations refusal to use our veto  in the final days of the Obama administration to protect Israel from anti-Semitic resolutions."

BLINKEN SAYS HAMAS TO BLAME FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS NOT BEING ABLE TO LEAVE GAZA; EGYPT READY TO HELP

In January 2016, President Obama announced a $400 million cash transfer to Iran, which was part of a larger installment of a $1.7 billion settlement for a longstanding disagreement over an arms deal with Iran. Lew faced scrutiny at the time for the transfer, which was signed before the 1979 Iranian Revolution, signifying the end of Iran's historical monarchy.

Lew  a Democrat who also served in the Bill Clinton administration as special assistant to the presidents office  faced scrutiny for the transfer. The Wall Street Journal chronicled during that period that the payment was conducted using a combination of Swiss and other foreign currencies, then transported to Iran on unidentified cargo planes.

"Right now, it is as critical as ever that we have a Senate-confirmed ambassador in Israel," Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement when the war broke out last week.

He added, "That is why I hope my colleagues will join me in promptly confirming Secretary Jacob J. Lew as the new U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues, both Republican and Democratic, in moving forward on such steps swiftly to demonstrate the longstanding bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel partnership. And I look forward to supporting the administration in its efforts to do the same."

VATICAN OFFERS TO MEDIATE ISRAEL-GAZA CONFLICT, NEGOTIATE HOSTAGE RELEASE

Protesters wave flags at a rally in Jerusalem on March 27, 2023.

Lawmakers have been critical of Iran over its involvement aiding Hamas in attacking Israel, claiming a $6 billion deal with the nation in exchange for five American prisoners last month was used to support the attack.

The deal allowed the transfer of Iran's frozen assets held in a South Korean bank to accounts in Qatar.

The administration said the money can only be used for humanitarian purposes, and that the U.S. will have oversight as to how and when the funds are used. But it quickly drew skepticism about whether those funds could have been used to fund the surprise attack in Israel after a bombshell Wall Street Journal report said Hamas and Hezbollah helped Iran plan the attack.

Lew declined to comment when reached Monday night by Fox News Digital.





Original article source: GOP senators could block Jack Lew from Israel ambassadorship over controversial past with Iran
In navigating the gauntlet of bills from the California Legislature, Gov. Gavin Newsom largely rejected legislation that would have created more state spending in a budget deficit year. Instead, Newsom signed bills that will force new mandates on big private sector companies. Hes initiated a focus on new government requirements to increase certain minimum wages and expand climate change monitoring, as two examples.

But after five years of budget surpluses, Newsom appears to be ending an expansion of government with budget deficits looming in coming years. These actions may give the impression that Newsom, perhaps driven by national political ambitions, is moving to the center politically. The governor did, after all, veto bills to distribute condoms in high schools and to legalize the recreational use of psychedelics. Dont be fooled.

Opinion

It is the Legislature that is continuing to shift to the leftward, creating a political/optical illusion that it is Newsom who is evolving into something new. Hes not. What weve seen is the same old Newsom politely saying no to decidedly liberal Democrats.

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In numerous veto messages, Newsom echoed the same line about fiscal restraint when it came to the state budget. In vetoing a bill that would have granted free drivers licenses to the states homeless population, for example, Newsom stated: This year, however, the Legislature sent me bills outside of this budget process that, if all enacted, would add nearly $19 billion of unaccounted costs in the budget, of which $11 billion would be ongoing. With our state facing continuing economic risk and revenue uncertainty, it is important to remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications, such as this measure.

The highest-profile spending veto was his rejection of expanding unemployment benefits in California to striking workers, noting that the states unemployment insurance fund is running a $20 billion deficit. He even used the concern about fiscal restraint to reject modest-cost bills, such as a proposal to establish an ombudsman to ensure that the state was fully responding to requests for public records.

The same governor did not seem concerned about sticking it to companies. In an announcement during an international climate conference designed to maximize attention, Newsom approved a bill that will require the billion-dollar companies doing business in the state to quantify the global emissions of their activities, including subcontractors, and even pay the states cost to administer the program. Newsom also mandated a larger group of big companies, those doing at least half a billion dollars worth of business, to assess their climate-related financial risks and report the information to the state at their cost as well.

Fast food workers, meanwhile, will see their wages rise to $20 an hour over time. Certain healthcare workers will see pay bumps reaching $25 an hour as well.

All these endeavors, arguably worthwhile, will be underwritten by the paying public in one way or another. It just wont come directly out of the state budget.

Meanwhile, it appears to be the unwritten duty of the left-leaning legislators to test the governor with bills that could shift him further in their direction. Generally, Newsom resisted.

The governor rejected a proposal that would have decriminalized those riders of public transit who simply dont pay. In maintaining his focus on school curriculum and related culture wars, he rejected the idea of expanding the role of public high schools to distribute free condoms.

His position on mushrooms proved to be decidedly mixed. He went along with the Legislatures desire to designate select flora and fauna as official, in this case making the California golden chanterelle the official state mushroom. But he rejected a bill to decriminalize small quantities of certain psychedelic mushrooms for adults.

Instead, Newsom urged the Legislature to consider a bill to develop therapeutic guidelines instead.

If there was a notable moment of inconsistency with Newsom and his bill-signing ways, it was with children and needed health care.

He signed a bill ensuring that 12-year-olds get the mental health services that they need. But he vetoed a bill that would have secured affordable hearing aids for newborns that need them. Newsom refused to require insurers to cover the devices even though 32 states already do. Given that only one thousand or so newborns face this potentially devastating condition every year, this amounts to a speck of dust in the state budget. But Newsom worried that signing the bill would somehow lead to the state facing millions to billions of dollars in new costs to cover services relating to other health conditions.

That is a rationale that avoids the bill on its actual high merits. This was a curiously heartless move for little financial reason from a governor with his own disability in dyslexia. Legislators who have repeatedly and unanimously sent this bill to governors should continue until one gets it right.

Newsom emerges from the years legislative process without damaging himself on the national stage. He didnt make his life harder at home in Sacramento. But in making life more expensive and cumbersome for every major company that does business in the state, Newsom chose to alienate this important constituency in a big way. A few headlines were clearly more important than some chronic ire of countless corporate executives.
"During these difficult times, its more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel." Gov. Hochul

NEW YORK - Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she will travel to Israel on Tuesday for a "solidarity mission" with the nation.

The governor said in a written statement Monday evening she plans to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities devastated after the unprecedented surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israeli towns on Oct. 7,

"During these difficult times, its more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel," said Hochul, pledging New York "will show the world that we stand with Israel  today, tomorrow and forever."

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Hochul's announced trip comes as President Joe Biden plans to travel to Israel and on to Jordan Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

New York has the largest percentage of Jews among all the U.S. states; it was home to 21% of the nation's 7.6 million Jewish people as of 2020, according to the American Jewish Population Project at Brandeis University.

Its more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel.



Tomorrow Im traveling to Israel for a solidarity mission to meet with diplomatic leaders & communities devastated by the horrific Hamas attacks.



New York will always stand with Israel.  Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 17, 2023

Associated Press wire services helped contribute to this report.
Russian forces struck central Kherson on the afternoon of Oct. 17, wounding two women aged 57 and 66, the regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

The victims were provided with medical assistance on the spot, Prokudin said on Telegram.

The attack reportedly damaged their houses and nearby apartment buildings.

Earlier the same day, Russian strikes against Kherson wounded four people  two security company employees and two workers of a transport facility, according to Prokudin.

Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated the southern city of Kherson and other regional settlements on the rivers west bank in November 2022.

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Russian forces were pushed to the east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BALTIMORE  Five men in graduation caps and gowns filed into front-row seats to cheers and applause.

As University of Baltimore faculty sang the mens praises, large loops of barbed wire were just visible through windows bookending the podium.

It was graduation day. Time to celebrate earning bachelors degrees in what their valedictorian called the worst environment possible: prison.

The students marched across the maximum security prisons library, where theyd taken more than half of their college credits. Each smiled, shook hands, and posed for photos with their diplomas, before eagerly moving the tassels on their caps from right to left. One graduate joyfully tossed his cap in the air.

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The Oct. 6 commencement, the first held by the university at Jessup Correctional Institution, honored students who were given a second chance, and took it, said Tiffaney Parkman, director of the schools human services program.

This day belongs to you, she told them.

University of Baltimores Second Chance College Program is one of several that offer credit courses within Maryland prisons. Such programs have expanded as the federal government has in recent years increased access to need-based Pell Grants.

Higher education in prison has been associated with double-digit drops in rates of reoffending, thus potentially reducing tax dollars spent on incarceration, and fewer violent incidents in prison.

On a personal level, for the five new graduates, going to college was the fulfillment of dreams that once felt out of reach.

Valedictorian Bradford Bass, 35, said after the ceremony that he didnt think this day was possible. Though most of his family members earned degrees, he thought hed be left out due to his incarceration for attempted second-degree murder. When he heard about an opportunity to earn college credits at Jessup, he thought it was a rumor.

Now, he expects to be released from prison by next year, and will leave with a bachelors degree in human services and a minor in business management. He maintained the cohorts highest GPA, finishing at 3.92. As he reminded everyone with a smile: Bradford Bass, always had the highest GPA in the class!

Michael White, 51, another graduate, recalled promising his mother and godfather in the mid-1980s that he would go to college.

With the trials of life, we had some detours, White said. I say I came from the back door in. But Im coming out the front doors, with a degree.

The Second Chance programs first students, selected in 2016, are the definition of resilient, program director Andrea Cantora said in her remarks. They overcame the challenges of learning during a pandemic, from prison, with limited access to technology.

Facts, one current student commented from a back row.

There are 46 UB students enrolled at Jessup. Many, wearing matching gray UB T-shirts, filled the rows at the back of the library and delivered some of the loudest cheers. An additional 12 people enrolled at the universitys main campus were formerly incarcerated.

Three students from the first cohort have graduated following their release from prison and collected their degrees at the main campus. Two attended the graduation earlier this month at Jessup, congratulating classmates who earned diplomas while incarcerated. One man who earned his degree while incarcerated did not attend the Oct. 6 ceremony; counting him, the program has graduated nine people.

Goucher College, which has its main campus in Towson, has long operated an education program at two other prisons in Jessup. Since 2012, students have earned 27 college degrees, either from Goucher or using Goucher credits at another school. An additional eight are expected to graduate this academic year, said Eliza Cornejo, who leads the program.

In recent years, a wave of other area schools have restarted or launched their own programs. Bowie State University began last year to offer a bachelors degree in sociology and a certificate program, also at Jessup Correctional Institution. Georgetown University started a bachelors program last year at the Patuxent Institution in Jessup, and Wor-Wic Community College this summer resumed certificate courses at Eastern Correctional Institution in Somerset County.

Towson University officials hope to start offering an interdisciplinary degree next fall to men incarcerated at the Maryland Correctional Training Center in Hagerstown, said Elyshia Aseltine, the faculty director for the schools Fair Chance Higher Education Initiative. She noted there are fewer higher education programs available at prisons beyond Jessup.

Interest in college courses from the prison population remains high. When the University of Baltimore program launched in 2016, it got 150 applicants. There are now 50 on a waitlist. When Georgetowns program started last year, it received 300 applications for 25 spots, said spokeswoman Evelyn Rupert.

The immense amount of interest, she said, really speaks to the demand for college education in prisons.

During the graduation, state Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn Scruggs called the cohort the pivotal foundation of what education should look like behind bars.

She said in an interview the agency wants to create a robust education environment for the prison population, including high school equivalency opportunities and dozens of occupational skills and training opportunities in fields such as auto mechanics, barbering and carpentry.

Improving rehabilitation efforts and decreasing the likelihood that someone convicted of a crime will reoffend would have particular significance for Baltimore. The citys residents make up 9% of Marylands total population, but 40% of the state prison population, according to a Prison Policy Initiative analysis of U.S. census data. One in every 100 Baltimore City residents is incarcerated in a state prison, the groups 2022 report found.

Expanding prison education programs also has racial equity implications: Marylands incarcerated population is 71.2% Black, according to fiscal year 2021-22 data from the correctional services department. About a third of the states overall population is Black, according to census data.

Students in prison are hungry for education, said Judith Lichtenberg, a philosophy professor who has taught courses for the University of Baltimore in Jessup Correctional Institution and is this semester teaching with Georgetown University at Patuxent.

Lichtenberg said teaching in those environments exposes instructors to the injustices students laboring under. She noted that some students have been incarcerated for up to 20 years and are very different from who they once were.

Both of the Second Chance programs earlier graduates present for the most recent commencement are continuing their studies outside prison. James Ruffin III plans to pursue a masters degree in supply chain management at Towson in the spring. Kelly Gillis will study finance in graduate school at the University of Baltimore.

Before prison, Gillis went to culinary school and was a cook. Real college was never in his mind, he said. But when he saw the opportunity, he took advantage  and now believes there should be even more opportunities for rehabilitation in prison.

White agrees. University of Baltimores latest cohort got in the trenches with one another, he said, creating study groups and embracing the mantra No man left behind.

The program gave students a second chance, he said  one that could be even more widely available in prison.

Give people a fair chance to succeed, compete, reshape their lives, said White, who is in prison for convictions of murder and assault.

When hes released in March, White hopes to start a clothing line or operate a food truck (cooking is his art in life). He also wants to get involved in a nonprofit to help the younger generation avoid taking the path he did.

Whites mother, his best friend and his fiancee attended the commencement, and said they were eager to see his release and the start of his lifes journey. The program, they agreed, prepared him to make an impact.

If youre going to take me from my family, then rehabilitate me. Dont send me out the same person I came in, White said.

Here was my opportunity.
Alec Baldwin has denied responsibility for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot dead on the set of 'Rust' (-)

A grand jury will decide whether Alec Baldwin should face new charges over the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on a film set, US prosecutors said Tuesday.

Baldwin was holding a Colt .45 during rehearsals for low-budget Western "Rust" in New Mexico when it discharged, killing Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza in October 2021.

Manslaughter charges against Baldwin -- an actor and producer on the film -- were dropped in April, due to what prosecutors called "new facts" which demanded "further investigation and forensic analysis," but an investigation into the incident remained active.

"After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza," prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said Tuesday.

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"We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial."

In the United States, a grand jury is a group of citizens convened to assess evidence and decide whether there is enough evidence of criminality -- or probable cause -- to justify putting an individual on trial.

The case will be presented to the grand jury within the next two months.

Baldwin has repeatedly denied any responsibility for the shooting, and said that he did not pull the gun's trigger.

But forensic gun experts hired by the prosecutors concluded that Baldwin must have applied some pressure to the trigger in order for the gun to fire.

A criminal case is ongoing against the movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

Gutierrez-Reed has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering charges.

Earlier this month, producers of the movie were ordered to hand over documents including Baldwin's financial contracts.

Prosecutors at the time told a judge that information including how "Mr Baldwin himself benefits financially from keeping production costs low" could be relevant to the investigation.

Baldwin and fellow producers are also facing civil proceedings from around a dozen plaintiffs over the death.

amz/hg/dw
Rudy Noorlander gives two thumbs-up at a press conference with his daughters and surgeon to speak about his recovery from a grizzly bear attack at University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Noorlander was attacked by a grizzly bear on Sept. 8, 2023, in Big Sky, Montana. After emergency surgery in Bozeman, Noorlander was flown to University of Utah Hospital where he has continued his care. His daughter Ashley Noorlander is at left. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A man who was attacked by a grizzly bear last month shared his recovery journey on Friday, with the help of his daughters, as well as future plans for when he is back home in Montana.

On Sept. 8, Rudy Noorlander was helping some fellow hunters search for a deer they shot in Big Sky, Montana, when he was mauled by a grizzly bear. Noorlander had bear spray and a gun with him, though neither was able to stop the bear.

After punching the bear in the nose, it grabbed his jaw and ripped it. Noorlander was left with little to no jaw, a collapsed lung, and bites on his arms and legs.

First enduring emergency surgery in Montana, he was flown to University of Utah Hospital for a jaw reconstruction.

Rudy Noorlander was sent to University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City for surgeries and aid after a bear attack in Montana on Sept. 8. | Rudy Noorlander

"It's been pretty crazy since everything happened, but we're just super happy he's alive and here. He's the strongest person I know, the most supportive, loving, funny, good-spirited person I know," said Ashley Noorlander in a news conference at the Salt Lake hospital on Friday.

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While Noorlander is unable to speak right now, his daughters Ashley Noorlander and Katelynn Davis sat by his side to help him answer questions and tell a little bit of his story.

Rudy Noorlander had Davis read some remarks he wrote to begin the conference. After thanking friends and strangers for the support, love and kindness, he said, "That first root beer float is going to taste amazing, and soon I'm going to be a free-range chicken not hooked up to anything."

Dr. Hilary McCrary, who performed Noorlander's jaw surgery, said, "The first thing that was so incredible to watch is just how enthusiastic Rudy was, even after being just attacked by a grizzly bear. He was very adamant that he was going to fight this thing and get through it and, at that point, he was still on a ventilator and had a chest tube and lots of lines everywhere. For someone to be so enthusiastic about his prognosis and outcome that early is very heartwarming as a physician."

McCrary had to put two plates in Noorlander's neck for stabilization, and something to fill in his jaw since most of it was missing. While those were in place, McCrary's medical team developed a model jaw that they were then able to construct using Rudy's fibula bone, a bone in the lower leg. The team then used parts of Rudy's skin to graft onto his new jaw, and make him a new bottom lip.

Model jaws prepared for Rudy Noorlander. These models were used to help construct a new jaw for Noorlander with the fibula bone in his leg. | University of Utah Health

McCrary said the surgery took about 10 hours, and this was her first time doing surgery on a bear attack victim.

Noorlander did not wish to answer any questions about the bear attack itself on Friday because he wants to share that part of the story when he is able to speak again. He wanted to participate in Friday's press conference and plans to share more of his story because, "Only by the hands of God am I here. I've had a lot of inspirations and I felt the need to share my story with others, and believe it or not, I believe that this attack was an answer to my prayers and that, potentially, it could help somebody else going through something similar," he wrote on his whiteboard for Davis to read.

Rudy Noorlander holds up a whiteboard answering the question about what has kept him going as he has recovered from a grizzly bear attack at a press conference at University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City on Friday. Noorlander was attacked by a grizzly bear on Sept. 8 in Big Sky, Montana. After emergency surgery in Bozeman, Noorlander was flown to University of Utah Hospital where he has continued his care. His daughter Ashley Noorlander is at left. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

He said his drive to recover comes from his family and living life, writing, "I will win round two." He said he is not worried about going back out into the Montana wilderness, and is excited to go back to life as it was.

It is undetermined when Noorlander will be able to go home to Montana. Davis said he is in good shape to go home, but some insurance paperwork is holding things up. His family is hoping to send him home Monday, where he will be reunited with his Yorkshire terrier named Sully.

Rudy Noorlander's long-term plan is to write a book with his story. He said he is hoping to have Cole Hauser from the hit show "Yellowstone" play him in "the movie."

Perhaps most inspiring of all, Noorlander ended the press conference with a prewritten statement: "I just want to end this by saying most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Even if there seems to be no hope, keep on fighting."
A groundskeeper mowed around a dead man's body next to an abandoned house thinking he was a Halloween prop, according to the victim's loved ones.

Robert Owens, 34, was reportedly last seen by family on Oct. 8, two days before authorities found him face down and half naked in the yard next to a China Grove, North Carolina, house that has apparently been empty for a long time, Queen City News first reported.

Owens' family called his death "suspicious" in a GoFundMe page for funeral expenses, saying his passing has left "his family with many questions that will hopefully be answered soon and justice served to all individuals involved."

"He was stripped of his clothes and belongings, leaving him in his underwear and socks for over 24 hours face down in the yard next to a house," Haley Reavis wrote on the GoFundMe page description. "He was found once on [Oct. 9] by a lawn care employee that assumed he was Halloween decorations or a mannequin for K9 training and was never reported to authorities."

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Robert Owens, 34, was reportedly last seen by family on Oct. 1, about a week before authorities found him face down and half naked in the yard next to a China Grove house that has apparently been empty for a long time, Queen City News first reported.

Reavis continued, "Who in their right mind mows a yard at a house that has power on and no one has lived there in a while, but the property is used for k9 training for years, can assume a half naked dead body with scratches and glass around it is Halloween decor[?]"

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COCKTAILS FLY WHEN WILD BAR BRAWL BREAKS OUT, SPILLS OUT INTO STREET: POLICE

China Grove Police Chief Andrew Deal pushed back against claims that the groundskeeper thought Owens' body was Halloween decor.

"The groundskeeper to my knowledge did not think it was a Halloween prop," Deal said in an email to Fox News Digital. "However, he did not think it was real."

China Grove Police Chief Andrew Deal pushed back against claims that the groundskeeper thought Robert Owens' body was Halloween decor.

Police reiterated the suspicious nature of Owens' death in a press release, stating, "At this time there is no signs of foul play but the case is being investigated as suspicious."

On Oct. 10, a day after the groundskeeper mowed the property's lawn, a construction foreman apparently saw Owens' body and reported it to authorities.

"We have evidence that has been handed over to the detective. If you're reading this and you were involved just now you will get what you deserve very soon," Reavis wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the China Grove Police Department or email Detective C. Frantz at cfrantz@chinagrovenc.gov.

Editor's note: This article has been updated that Owens' body was located two days after he last contacted family on Oct. 10, rather than a week later.





Original article source: Groundskeeper mowed around dead man's body thinking it was Halloween prop, family claims
While the Mississippi Coast is home to dozens of historical locations, many of the original buildings have been damaged or disappeared over the years. But the Grass Lawn mansion is one of the few to be destroyed and rebuilt again.

Grass Lawns story began in 1836 when Dr. Hiram Alexander Roberts, a surgeon from Port Gibson, Mississippi, decided to build a mansion on the Gulf Coast. He also owned a large sugarcane plantation business in Louisiana and desired a summer retreat that was close by.

Using his own creative and sturdy design, Dr. Roberts fashioned a unique Greek Revival structure of superior craftsmanship in Mississippi City, now Gulfport.

Grass Lawn was constructed with a wood-pegged foundation that supports its longleaf pine timber flooring and cypress walls. The three-meter-wide gallery wraps around three sides of the mansion on both levels and is supported by box columns.

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Its interior features heart-pine floors, marble fireplace mantels and large 20-by-20-foot rooms on both floors, totaling more than 3,500 square feet.

With such an impressive construction, and being situated on a 235-acre estate overlooking the Mississippi Sound, Grass Lawn exuded antebellum Southern charm.

In 1904, the massive property was subdivided, with John Kennedy Milner purchasing the antebellum home. Milner later became the owner of Gulfports Coast Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Joseph William Milner, who would become mayor of Gulfport in 1925, lived in the house until 1950. He would remain in office for more than 20 years, during which time he greatly expanded Gulfport and the surrounding areas.

Because of its prominent owners, the Grass Lawn mansion came to be known as the Milner House.

Modern history

Due to its historical charm, architectural uniqueness and prominent role in the Gulfport community, Grass Lawn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July 1972.

The following year, the Milner Family entrusted the property to the city, beginning a new chapter in its history. Over the next three decades, Grass Lawn would host numerous private and public events.

In 1977, the National Park Service offered Gulfport a $20,000 Historic Preservation Fund grant to preserve the history of Grass Lawn. The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) took several photographs of the mansion the following year.

Unfortunately, Grass Lawn was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. With few historic homes of the era still standing, the decision was made to have Grass Lawn rebuilt to preserve the Mississippi Gulf Coasts unique history.

More than $1.6 million was collected through donations, insurance money and a congressional fund of $500,000 for restoration. However, the Gulfport City Council was hesitant to allow reconstruction of a building from the Souths slavery era. Public outcry and open support for rebuilding Grass Lawn led to council members changing their minds soon after.

However, this presented a unique set of challenges as Dr. Roberts built the mansion with his own design, forcing construction crews to rebuild without blueprints or guides. Construction teams and architects rebuilt the exterior as accurately as possible. But with limited photographs taken by the HABS to work from, the team was forced to be somewhat creative and stray from the original interior design.

These efforts ultimately took several costly years to complete, but this was one of the few cases of such a historic home being rebuilt brick-by-brick after being destroyed.

Nevertheless, Grass Lawn II was completed as a near replica and was officially dedicated to Gulfport on July 20, 2012. While the original furniture was gone, new pieces from the 1800s were purchased and used to redecorate the home. Over the next few years, Grass Lawn II would serve as a venue for city functions, weddings, receptions and various other events.

Grass Lawn II, at 720 Beach Blvd. remains a fascinating homage to one of Gulfports most historical locations.
More than 20 years after a man was shot dead in a gang killing in Indio, the gunman pleaded guilty this week and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Alfred De La Garza was killed Sept. 22, 2001, at the intersection of Highway 111 and Clinton Street in Indio. No one was arrested until cold case investigators developed three suspects in 2016.

Enoc Calderon, now 45, pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter, two felony counts of assault with a gun and one felony count each of attempted murder and criminal street gang activity, according to court records. The former La Quinta resident had two felony counts of attempted murder and one felony count of murder dismissed.Two Indio men who had been suspects, Juan Antonio Hernandez and Frederico Sanchez, had murder, gang and attempted murder charges dismissed in 2020.

According to a prosecution account filed in court, Garza was driving a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass the day of the shooting. At 12:46 a.m., he came to a stop behind a vehicle at the intersection near a 7-Eleven, and several men began yelling and throwing up gang signs.

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The men began to throw bottles while running up toward his vehicle, then someone ran up to the back of Garza's vehicle and shot numerous rounds into the car. Garza was hit on the right side of his torso and back.

A passenger in the back was hit in his lower left leg but survived, while two other people in the car were unhurt, according to investigators. Witnesses named several suspects in the assault, with one indicating that the shooter had an Indio tattoo on the back of his head, a description that matched Calderon.

Officers found 11 9mm shell casings, all fired from the same gun, in the rear of Garza's car during a canvass of the scene, according to prosecutors' account. Video surveillance from the convenience store also showed Calderon reaching into his waistband prior to the shooting.

In May 2011, a witness said he was with a group that included Calderon cruising around before they parked in front of the 7-Eleven, where he heard gunshots fired and later learned that someone was shot by a gang member, according to prosecutors.

The witness said he ran out of the 7-Eleven, saw others rushing Garza's vehicle then assaulting the passengers before Calderon ran out from the side of the store to the rear of Garza's car, yelling for people to get out of the way, and then shooting into the car.

In June 2016, Calderon and Sanchez were arrested after the case was reopened by members of the Cold Case Unit, composed of retired law enforcement personnel who volunteer their time to investigate unsolved homicides, said Indio Police Department Sgt. Daniel Marshall. Hernandez was already in state prison on an unrelated matter.

Witnesses said Sanchez threw a beer bottle at the car and then began punching De La Garza, while Hernandez was one of several men who ran toward the car displaying gang signs, according to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Gunman pleads guilty in 2001 murder in Indio
Many in Fort Worth are eager for H-E-B to open its Alliance grocery store.

The store at 3451 Heritage Trace Parkway has been under construction for almost a year. Construction began last November, but if you drive by the construction site off Heritage Trace Parkway and North Riverside Drive, it looks like work is moving very fast.

At the groundbreaking, H-E-B said the store will open in spring 2024. Is it possible that construction will finish earlier than spring? Perhaps by the holidays?

So far, H-E-B hasnt budged.

Mabrie Jackson, a spokesperson for the privately owned company based in San Antonio, tells the Star-Telegram that the store is still on a late spring 2024 construction schedule.

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Tarrant County has two H-E-Bs under construction right now. The other location is in Mansfield. H-E-B broke ground there in February, at U.S. 287 and Broad Street. The Mansfield H-E-B is also scheduled to open in spring 2024.

As the Star-Telegram has previously reported, H-E-B purchased other land in Fort Worth in March off the Chisholm Trail Parkway. H-E-B said it acquired the land at The Shops at Chisholm Trail Ranch in far south Fort Worth in anticipation of (the companys) future needs.

When discussing adding another H-E-B to North Texas, Jackson said there are many, many more to come.

H-E-B has more than 430 locations in Texas and Mexico and achieved $39 billion in sales. It is the largest private employer in Texas with more than 155,000 employees across the state.
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) told Fox News on Tuesday that Middle Eastern countries should take refugees from Gaza.

Ive always said we shouldnt take any Gazan refugees in the U.S., the former South Carolina governor and 2024 GOP presidential hopeful said. I said it when I was at the U.N., that we shouldnt take Syrian refugees at the U.S. I believe that those in the region should take them.

I said that about Syria then. Thats why Jordan and Turkey took the bulk of the refugees there, and I think honestly, the Hamas-sympathizing countries should take these Gazans now, Haley continued. Were talking about Qatar, were talking about Iran, were talking about Turkey.

Haleys comments come as President Biden is set to land in Israel on Wednesday while the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on, and a ground invasion into Gaza is soon expected. World leaders and people across the globe have expressed concern about how the ground invasion could affect the civilians in Gaza, who already face a blackout and Israeli airstrikes, among other challenges.

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Biden will also go to Jordan to visit the countrys King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the humanitarian situation on the ground.

Haleys comments follow GOP presidential rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss controversial remarks during a Saturday campaign stop in Iowa, in which DeSantis argued the U.S. shouldnt take in refugees from Gaza, who he said are all antisemitic.

I dont know what [President] Bidens gonna do, but we cannot accept people from Gaza into this country as refugees, DeSantis said.

I am not going to do that, DeSantis added. If you look at how they behave, not all of them are Hamas, but they are all antisemitic. None of them believe in Israels right to exist.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A candlelight vigil in Herzliya, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, for Israelis believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas. (Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times)

Shortly after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, friends and relatives of Gali Shlezinger Idan, who lived in a kibbutz near the Gaza border, received frantic messages to check her Facebook page.

What they found shocked them. Hamas members were using Idans Facebook account to livestream themselves holding her and her family hostage. During the 43-minute broadcast, gunmen forced Idan and her family to crouch on a tile floor as missiles and gunfire blasted their building.

I couldnt believe what I was seeing, said Keren de Via, a friend of the Idan family who watched Idans children hug their parents and cry during the livestream. How could we watch them terrorize the family like this? How could I watch this on Facebook?

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In a new war tactic, Hamas has seized the social media accounts of kidnapped Israelis and used them to broadcast violent messages and wage psychological warfare, according to interviews with 13 Israeli families and their friends, as well as social media experts who have studied extremist groups.

In at least four cases, Hamas members logged into the personal social media accounts of their hostages to livestream the Oct. 7 attacks. In the days since, Hamas also appeared to infiltrate their hostages Facebook groups, Instagram accounts and WhatsApp chats to issue death threats and calls for violence. Hamas members also took hostages cellphones to make calls to taunt friends and relatives, according to the Israeli families and their friends. Israels military has said at least 199 people have been taken hostage by Hamas.

Extremist groups have long turned to social media to further their causes by livestreaming attacks and posting propaganda. But hijacking individual hostages Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp accounts weaponizes social media in a way I dont think weve seen before, said Thomas Rid, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University. We are not psychologically prepared for this.

The tactic is particularly harrowing for those close to the account owners, compounding an already distressing situation.

Social media has become a lifeline for friends and family searching for clues about missing loved ones, and receiving a message or seeing a video posted to the accounts immediately inspired a moment of hope, said two of the families whose relatives were taken hostage by Hamas. But that fizzled when they saw that someone else had made the posts.

I felt maybe hopeful, for a second  and then confused, de Via said. Then just terror.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, declined to comment on the commandeering of kidnapped Israelis social media accounts but said it had established a special operations center staffed with experts, including fluent Hebrew and Arabic speakers, to closely monitor and respond to this rapidly evolving situation.

Two members of the security team that oversees Facebook, who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed that Hamas had gotten access to the Facebook accounts of Israelis who were taken hostage to start livestreams and post to their accounts. This appeared to be part of Hamas strategy from the moment the attacks happened, they said. The accounts have since been made private and the livestreams removed, they added.

Hamas representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Idans Facebook account was seized Oct. 7, roughly two hours after Hamas attacked her kibbutz, Nahal Oz, where she lived with her husband and four children. Suddenly, a livestream appeared on her Facebook page, according to a relative of the family and de Via.

De Via, who was once a neighbor of Idans and has children the same age, said she had been trying to reach her when the live video popped up.

I immediately opened it because she is not someone who makes Facebook videos or does a livestream, de Via said. The first thing I saw was how terrified the children looked, and then voices in Arabic. I understood something very bad was happening.

A recording of the livestream shows Idan, 50, and her husband, Tzachi, 51, crouched on a floor with their two youngest children, a girl and a boy. The boy, 7, was crying and asking, Where is my sister?

It is then I understood, his two older sisters are not there, de Via said. And then I saw the blood on Tzachis hands and I thought the worst.

Medical personnel later found the body of Idans oldest daughter, Mayan, who had recently turned 18. She had been shot. The couples third daughter was not at home, de Via and the Idan family relative said. Idan and her children were eventually left at home; her husband was taken hostage. Idan did not respond to a request for comment.

Hamas also took control of the Facebook account of Dikla Arava, 50, another Nahal Oz resident. The attackers used the account to begin a livestream. During the 20-minute broadcast, Aravas teenage son was forced to go outside and tell his neighbors that it was safe and that they should come out.

Two of Aravas relatives, who viewed the video and shared the recording with The New York Times, said it was horrifying that gunmen had used the teenager to try to lure other people. Arava, her partner and their three children were all kidnapped by Hamas. Last week, a video was posted on a Hamas-affiliated Telegram channel showing one of Aravas teenage daughters in Gaza.

A live video also began on Oct. 7 on the personal Facebook account of Bracha Levinson, a resident of the Nir Oz kibbutz near Gaza. She was seen lying immobile on the ground in a pool of blood, surrounded by men holding weapons, said Galya Shishitzky, who grew up with the Levinson family. Levinsons home was later burned to the ground. Her family believes she was killed in the attack.

We didnt understand what was going on, Shishitzky said of the chaos. She could not wrap her mind around how members of Hamas were in the home of Levinson, a second mother to me, and did not click on the Facebook livestream because she was in shock.

How could this happen? she said.

Shir Matan, a student in Tel Aviv whose 27-year-old cousin disappeared after attending the Tribe of Nova music festival, which was attacked by Hamas, said several strange posts had appeared on her cousins Instagram page five hours after the raid.

There were voices in Arabic, and just feet shuffling, Matan, 31, said. Then someone said, in Arabic, Slut. The video was deleted after 10 minutes, and nothing has been posted to the account since, she said. She declined to name her cousin for fear of harassment.

Two Israeli families said they had also seen posts with a single word in Arabic  death  appear on their missing loved ones Facebook pages before being deleted. Hamas also used the phones of kidnapped and dead Israelis to upload photos and videos after the attack, said family members who received them.

Many Israelis have continued pleading for information across social media networks, seeing it as the only way to give voice to the hostages and hope to their families.

Lian Gold, a DJ in Tel Aviv who knew many people who were working at and attending the Nova festival, near the Gaza border, has created an Instagram page and a Telegram channel called WeAreOneIsrael to share images and contact information of those who are missing.

Im receiving messages asking me, Please, please help me, please, please, please, Gold said. So what can I do? I just post it and hope to find anything.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
South Koreas military said in a briefing Tuesday that North Korea may have provided a number of the weapons Hamas used in its brutal attack on Israel last week, including F-7 rocket-propelled grenades and 122mm artillery shells. A senior official from Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff also told UPI that North Korea may be helping the militants in Gaza with combat strategywith the two forces using a similar asymmetric attack pattern. Pyongyang claimed the idea was a groundless and false rumor on its state-managed Korean Central News Agency. According to The Wall Street Journal, South Koreas Tuesday report used videos of the Hamas attacks as evidence and claimed that its northern neighbor had a history of arms deals in the Middle East. North Korea, for its part, has publicly backed Hamas and called Israels retaliation ceaseless criminal actions.

Read it at The Wall Street Journal

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An airstrike in central Gaza killed a top Hamas commander Tuesday as Israel ramps up its targeted attacks on the militant groups hideouts, command centers and infrastructure.

Israeli forces killed Ayman Nofal, the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. The Hamas military wing also confirmed Nofals death, according to The Associated Press.

Nofal led Hamass militant activities in the central Gaza Strip and was associated with the groups joint operations room that coordinated between Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other militants in the territory. He was killed when Israel sent a strike into the Bureij refugee camp in Gaza, according to the AP.

The Israeli military said it is ratcheting up targeted attacks against Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist group by the U.S. and a number of other governments. Its attacks on Israel last week killed 1,400 people, including hundreds of civilians in their homes, at a bus stop and at a music festival.

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Israel has responded with a bombardment of Gaza that has killed nearly 2,800 Palestinians and wounded thousands of others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official reportedly said.

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When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, well take care of it, said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman.

Israel ordered people in Gaza to travel to the southern half of the territory last week in an announcement widely seen as anticipating a ground assault.

Many people in Gaza lack the ability to travel south, and Hamas has told residents not to leave and to stay in their homes.

Israel bombed parts of southern Gaza on Tuesday ahead of the expected ground invasion. Dozens outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis were hospitalized with injuries, the AP reported, citing residents reports. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reportedly said 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

A separate airstrike in Deir al Balah destroyed a house and killed nine family members living inside. Three members from another family who were evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighboring home, the AP reported.

Another 1,200 people in Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, the AP reported, citing health authorities.

With Israels attacks, coupled with Israels siege on food, water and electricity to the territory, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been forced out of their homes and into shelters where basic supplies are quickly depleting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As Israel prepares for a ground war with Hamas, Iran has warned of far-reaching consequences if, in its words, the Israeli apartheids war crimes & genocide are not halted immediately. Iran has endorsed, funded, and generally facilitated global terrorism for decades, and it backs both Hamas and Lebanon-based Hezbollah. In the recent and ongoing assault on Israel, Iran is neither a peripheral player nor an innocent bystander.

Despite Irans assertions that Hamas acted independently, its own actionsin addition to claims by both Hamas and Hezbollah leadership that Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) assisted in the planning and final authorization of the operationindicate the opposite. On Friday, October 13, Irans foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others to discuss the Hamas attacks on Israel, which Iran has lauded as a victory. Amir-Abdollahian has said that Irans allies would respond to Israels self-defense measures and retaliatory destruction of large parts of Gaza. Hezbollah has also refused to heed international calls to desist from attacking Israel, stating that it is fully ready to fight and that it is duty-bound to do so.

A few short weeks ago, talk of Iran focused solely on what could be done to curb its nuclear ambitions. The eighth anniversary of the adoption of the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is tomorrow, October 18, at which time several key provisions will expireor sunset. Both the indefinite embargo on the transfer of conventional arms to and from Iran and the ban on international support for Irans missile program will be lifted, as will a prohibition on all testing and development of nuclear-capable missiles.

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In light of Irans persistent violation of the JCPOA by enriching weapons-grade uranium, developing and testing ballistic missiles, and exporting drones to Russia to be used against Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and Germanycollectively the E3 signatories to the dealhave been scrambling to find a way to keep those sanctions in place while keeping the deal intact.

Last month, the E3 announced a compromise plan to incorporate the expiring sanctions into their domestic lawsan awkward compromise weakened by the fact that domestic sanctions take time and may not be strong enough to diplomatically influence Iran. The most effective accountability tool the signatories have is the snapback, a provision of U.N. Resolution 2231, which endorses the JCPOA. In the event that Iran demonstrates significant non-performance of commitments under the JCPOA, the provision allows for the restorationor snapbackof all previous U.N. restrictions on Iran that had been lifted in exchange for Irans limitation and cessation of certain nuclear activities and development.

The snapbacks effectiveness lies in the threatened reimposition of the harsh sanctions from which Iran sought relief. The U.N. sanctions are the one thing Iran fears, and the prospect of removing them is what motivated Iran to initially agree to stem its nuclear program. Iran only respects strength, and the snapback is the strongest mechanism the signatories now have to prevent Iran from exporting its militancy throughout the world.

With Iran on the verge of having the unfettered ability to develop nuclear-capable missile technology, and to distribute ballistic missiles and other weapons to whomever asks, international inaction against a nuclear Iran will open the floodgates and there will be very little to hold it back. While Iran may deny involvement in the onslaught against Israel today, in a few days time there will be nothing to stop the Iranians from developing their nuclear arsenal and participating uninhibitedly in international conflicts.

The infliction of relentless carnage on Israels sovereign territory has served Iran well, both ideologically and practically. Iran shares Hamas and Hezbollahs appetite for the destruction of Israel, and the Hamas attack has been a convenient distraction from the imminent expiration of provisions of the JCPOA. The October 18 sunset is no longer at the forefront of the international agenda, as Iran almost certainly hoped.

The Biden administration has been reluctant to accuse Iran of direct involvement in the assault on Israel, ostensibly out of a concern for the eruption of a far greater regional instability if Iran is implicated in the attacks. But this is a misguided attempt to salvage the remaining shards of a deal that has been irreparably shattered for years. If the E3 nations insist on retaining the U.N. sanctions in their domestic laws, they will be preserving the deal on paper, but not in practice. Iran respects neither the E3 nor their sanctions, as the Iranian government and the IRGC have been successfully evading domestic sanctions for decades.

No matter what happens after the sunset tomorrow, the JCPOA has not workedand it cannot be saved. Reactivating the punishing U.N. sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table in the first place can curb Iran and level the playing field, effectively destroying the defunct deal in the process. We cannot allow Iran to use Hamas and Hezbollah to distract the international community from the imminent lapse of restrictions that will ultimately give Iran extensive power to pursue a lethal agenda, especially with concerns increasing daily over expansion of the conflict beyond Israels borders. As the sunset looms before us, it is time to reimpose punitive U.N. sanctions on Iran, utilizing the immediately available legal mechanism of the nuclear deal, and hold Iran accountable as well for the eruption of instability in the Middle East.

Click here for more coverage of the war in Israel.

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This article was originally published in New Hampshire Bulletin.

Michael Whaland knows New Hampshires teacher staffing challenges better than most: He wrote his dissertation about it.

As part of his doctor of education degree at Plymouth State University in 2020, Whaland, a former teacher, spent months studying schools in rural New Hampshire to find out why some schools saw teachers leave and others saw them stay.

I was noticing early in my career that, hey, a lot of people I started with arent here anymore, and (thought) whats going on? he said in an interview.

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Now, Whaland is a superintendent of School Administrative Unit 13, covering the towns of Madison, Tamworth, and Freedom. And the staffing headaches are no longer theoretical. While two of his three schools are currently fully staffed, the shortage of paraprofessionals and support staff often requires teachers to take on additional work to bridge the gaps.

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Its a daily check-in with your principals and just talking with them about how can we make sure that the student is getting what they need? he said.

The problem has persisted across the state. New Hampshire teachers are increasingly leaving the profession due to increased stress, concerns about school culture, and a desire for more pay, a survey this year has found.

Now, lawmakers are mulling solutions to get more to stay.

The survey, conducted by Reaching Higher New Hampshire, a left-leaning think tank, and Woman Educators Leading Learning, a network of educators, found that teachers believe their profession has been devalued, particularly after the tumult of COVID-19 and rising political challenges.

Their open responses specifically cited the political rhetoric in our state, attacks from top brass leaders, the lack of support that they were feeling in the reality of the classrooms, and (the) divisive concepts (law), Reaching Higher Executive Director Nicole Heimarck told lawmakers on Monday.

They specifically said the fear of consequences that they would face as educators as a result of divisive concepts, she added, referring to a 2021 law that restricts teachers from advocating for certain concepts relating to race and gender.

This month, senators and representatives on the Committee to Study New Hampshire Teacher Shortages and Recruitment Incentives are preparing a report to list the challenges for teachers and make recommendations. The Reaching Higher survey will be a consideration for that report.

Administered in spring 2022, the survey asked 590 elementary, middle, and high school teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators how they felt about their jobs, and what factors might prompt them to leave. The survey, which was conducted online, was not randomized and not necessarily representative of the state.

Of all the respondents, 39 percent said that the schools climate was a top concern, while 32 percent cited a perceived lack of administrative support and 28 percent pointed to low pay.

Among the teachers who are leaving their jobs, their top concerns differed. Those leaving New Hampshire but staying in teaching were most disturbed by the climate of their school district or local school board. Those leaving the profession entirely cited frustrations with their pay.

If its like this now, I cant imagine what this profession will look like in 25-30 years when I expect to retire, one respondent said, according to the report. I would say entitlement and behavior of families and students is the biggest factor and the reason why many of the teachers I know are very unhappy.

Many teachers  especially those staying in the profession but leaving the state  said they felt a lack of support from their local communities and their school boards. They felt more support from the schools they worked in, the survey revealed.

Among paraeducators, meanwhile, 100 percent said the low salary was a top reason for leaving.

Many teachers surveyed said they were departing. While 34 percent of respondents said they were not leaving their position, 14 percent said they were moving to another school district but staying in New Hampshire; 13 percent were looking to transfer to a different job in education; 12 percent were leaving the profession; 12 percent were changing their roles within their district; 10 percent were retiring; 3 percent were leaving the state; and 1 percent were going to a private school.

The reports authors recommended that schools work to provide competitive pay, build up mentorship programs to encourage teachers to stay, and pursue more diverse candidates. They also recommended that the state provide financial help to teachers who need it, including scholarships and grants.

In his own research project, Whaland stopped trying to find an answer to why some teachers leave school districts. A more interesting question, he said, is why others choose to stay.

Focusing on rural schools in the Upper Valley, the North Country, and the Lakes Region, Whaland found that teachers are much more likely to stay when they feel supported by both their school and the community  even in jobs that dont pay well.

That support can manifest in a number of forms, Whaland said, from residents appearing to support their schools and teachers at town meeting, to parents engaging with their parent-teacher organization, to community members holding shared events between the school and the rest of the town.

In one case, a teacher in the Upper Valley told Whaland that they had turned down an opportunity to get a major pay raise because of the positive culture they already experienced.

They could go next door for about $20,000 more and they chose to stay where they are because they love that school, because they love the people there, Whaland said.

Members of the study committee are considering a wide swath of concerns around teaching jobs. While the number of teacher credential renewals is relatively high, the number of teachers is not, and teacher preparation programs in the state have produced fewer graduates in recent years, an early draft of the committees report states.

The average pay for a first-year teacher in New Hampshire  $43,764 according to Salary.com  is around $20,000 lower than the average salary in the state, the committee said. And due to disparities in school funding, school districts in wealthier towns are able to offer teachers higher salaries, creating a drain for poorer towns.

Meanwhile, the committee plans to explore how the recent politicization of school issues around COVID protocols, LGBTQ rights, diversity efforts, and classroom materials and books has contributed to teachers unease.

The study committee has met for several years; it was first chaired by former Sen. Jay Kahn, a Keene Democrat, and is now led by Sen. Ruth Ward, a Stoddard Republican. While the report, due Nov. 1, will lay out some of the causes of the states teacher shortage, many say a simple legislative solution may be tougher.

When I was a high school senior, I took a protractor, put it on the map, and drew a big circle, said Rep. Oliver Ford, a Chester Republican. I would not apply to a college inside that circle. I wanted to go away; I wanted to see the world from another perspective from the one I grew up in. But I went back. You go back for something that makes it attractive, something that says, Were doing good things here, its interesting here, theres a future here.

Lawmakers are considering one approach: a teacher loan forgiveness program for New Hampshire residents who are enrolled in teaching programs. House Bill 623 would help provide $10,000 to eligible students over two years  provided that they teach for five consecutive years in a school that the state Department of Education has identified as having a critical teacher shortage.

That bill has been retained by the House Education Committee, which will vote on a recommendation later this year.

The Senate is also holding on to a bill from the 2023 session  Senate Bill 217  which would create a rural and underserved area educator program to give loan forgiveness to teachers at schools affected by critical educator shortages. The teachers would need to be working at schools identified by the Department of Education as rural and economically disadvantaged. The bill would put aside $3 million over two years; educators would be entitled to up to $12,000 in reimbursement on their existing loans if they stayed in the district for four years.

The whole purpose is to try and address this issue of teacher shortage, said Rep. Rick Ladd, a Haverhill Republican and chairman of the House Education Committee. The shortage is starting right off  we have over half of (students) going outside the state and not returning.

New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. New Hampshire Bulletin maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Dana Wormald for questions: info@newhampshirebulletin.com. Follow New Hampshire Bulletin on Facebook and Twitter.
Policemen stand at Rafah crossing port, Egypt, as humanitarian aid convoy for the Gaza Strip is parked Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas after its fighters rampaged through southern Israel. | Omar Aziz, Associated Press

As Israel reportedly prepares to invade northern Gaza, United States citizens who were visiting the area when war broke out are moving south in hopes of crossing safely into Egypt, according to The New York Times.

Like other civilians in Gaza, these 500 to 600 Americans are living through a humanitarian crisis. Gaza is running low on water, food and other key supplies amid the fighting between Israel and Hamas, and world leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have failed to get clear answers on when resources will be allowed to enter Gaza or when foreign nationals will be allowed to leave.

Blinken said Monday that the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way, according to The Associated Press.

Until these plans are developed, civilians in Gaza are in limbo. In interviews with The New York Times and other outlets, U.S. citizens in the area described how difficult its been to live with uncertainty, not knowing when or if the passage from Gaza to Egypt will open.

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Many said American officials had asked them to fill out forms and wait. But without knowing when they will be able to come home, they said they were scared and wondering if bombings or crossfire would get to them first, The New York Times reported.

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Lena Beseiso, a 57-year-old Salt Lake City resident, told the Times that she feels abandoned by American officials. Shes currently trapped in Gaza with her 10-year-old grandson, among other family members.

I feel like Ive been abandoned by my country, she said.

One detail fueling the frustration is the fact that officials at the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem are themselves confused about when it will be possible for American citizens and permanent residents to evacuate Gaza into Egypt via the Rafah crossing.

The embassy sent Beseiso and others a note Monday to head to the border opening, but it was based on news reports of a possible evacuation, rather than conversations between U.S., Israeli and Egyptian officials, The New York Times reported.

Scores of people Monday toted suitcases and garbage bags stuffed with what personal belongings they could carry to the only border crossing into Egypt, only to find the gates on the Gaza side closed and themselves stuck waiting on foundering diplomatic efforts, the article said.

As of Monday, it was unclear whether Egypt or Israel was refusing to open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, according to The Associated Press. Israel has expressed concern about Hamas militants benefitting from the humanitarian supplies, while Egypt is worried about being drawn further into the Israel-Hamas war.

This has become the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority civilians massacred in Hamas Oct. 7 assault, The Associated Press reported.
The Hays County sheriffs office took into custody a teenager who is accused of sharing a false threat of violence to Hays High School on Monday.

The 16-year-old, whom the sheriffs office did not identify because the person is a minor, is charged with false alarm, a state jail felony.

In a Tuesday news release, the sheriffs office said a generic threat of violence targeted several school districts in the area and across Texas, and the Austin Regional Intelligence Center notified law enforcement in those areas. The Hays County sheriffs office notified school resource officers, who began investigating the origin of the threats.

Later that day, another screenshot was sent on social media that said a threat to a school at Hays High would occur at 1:30 p.m.

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In an unrelated incident, fire alarms were set off at Hays High School at 1:30 p.m., which caused further confusion and spurred alarm in the community, as several students left the campus and hundreds of parents rushed to the school to find their children, the news release said.

A school resource officer learned a 16-year-old student could be responsible for the second screenshot, and the student was found at the high school.

During an interview, the sheriffs office learned that the student had taken the screenshot from social media and personalized it to Hays High School as a joke, the news release said. Other students who were alarmed by the threat then shared it on social media.

Sheriff Gary Cutler would like to remind everyone, threats of school violence are taken very seriously and should never be joked about, the news release said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Hays County officials detain teen accused of sharing false threat
Massachushetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) warned Tuesday that the state will run out of shelter for migrants and homeless families at the end of this month, as migrant waves continue to stress the the social safety nets of cities and states across the country.

Massachusetts is legally required to provide housing to qualifying migrant and homeless families, but Healey said the state will run out of room soon.

We are not ending the right-to-shelter law, Healey said in a press conference Monday. We are being very clear, though, that we are not going to be able to guarantee placement for folks who are sent here after the end of this month.

She also called on the Biden administration to increase aid and speed up the work visa process for specific migrant groups, which would enable them to earn an income and leave state housing.

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This again affirms my call to the Biden administration, she said. I think they know and understand clearly what it is that we are seeking and those discussions are continuing. Im hopeful that they will result in action soon for our state. But in the meantime we cant wait.

Around 7,000 families are in the states emergency shelter system, about half of which are migrants. Healey declared a state of emergency over the shelter issue in August, blaming a confusing tangle of immigration laws for exacerbating the states problems.

She activated about 250 members of the state National Guard at the end of August to support shelters and hotels as the state struggled to house those in need.

This state of emergency arises from numerous factors, among them federal policies on immigration and work authorization, inadequate production of affordable housing over the last decade, and the end of COVID-era food and housing security programs, she wrote in August. These new arrivals desperately want to work, and we have historic demand for workers across all industries.

Officials from California to Illinois to New York have also warned of over-stressed public support systems, as border states send busloads of migrants north.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) have called on the Biden administration for help with migrants.

Hochul backed efforts by New York City to get rid of the citys own right-to-shelter law last week, saying it was never intended to handle so many people.

I dont know how the right to shelter  dedicated to help those people, which I believe in, help families  can or should be interpreted to be an open invitation to 8 billion people who live on this planet, that if you show up in the streets of New York, that the city of New York has an obligation to provide you with a hotel room or shelter, Hochul said.

Hochul and Adams have repeatedly clashed with the White House over immigration. Earlier this month, Adams said President Biden is wrong on immigration and that poor federal management is costing New Yorkers.

First of all, right now its coming out of the pockets of New York City taxpayers, we need to understand that. We received a little over $100 million from the federal government, the rest is coming from New York City taxpayers, he said.

And that means giving money to struggling low-income New Yorkers. All those programs we put in place to finally allow New Yorkers to move out of systemic poverty are now being challenged.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The 6-year-old Palestinian-American who was stabbed to death at his home in a Chicago suburb over the weekend told his mother Im fine as he was dying, she revealed in a heartbreaking Facebook just hours after the attack.

Wadea Al-Fayoume, who loved running and playing soccer, uttered his last words after he was stabbed 26 times and his 32-year-old mother, Hanaan Shaheen, a dozen times.

Joseph Czuba, 71, who was the familys landlord, was arrested over the stabbings. The Will County Sheriffs Office said Czuba was likely motivated by the on-going Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis, as well as the familys Muslim faith.

The child died from his horrific injuries, and his mother remains in the hospital. Just hours after the attack on Saturday, she appeared to post her sons last words to Facebook.

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My sons last words were: (Im fine). May God have mercy on him and let him dwell in the highest paradise.

Ms Shaheen has also posted about her son in recent weeks, including a video of his sixth birthday on 6 October, just 10 days before he was killed.

One video shows the mother and son playing as the boy blows kisses at the camera. Another video shows them playing outside at a playground and doing workouts together.

A funeral and prayer service for the boy was held at the Mosque Foundation on Monday, where people including his father prayed in front of a tiny casket draped with a Palestinian flag.

Wadea Al-Fayoume (via REUTERS)

Odey Al-Fayoume, the father of Wadea Al-Fayoume, gave a brief speech in Arabic outside his sons funeral, saying he hopes his sons murder wakes us up.

Im here as the father of the boy, not as a politician or religious scholar, he said. Im here as the father of a boy whose rights were violated.

The issue of Hamas and Gaza is an issue of people, not countries, Mr Al-Fayoume said, according to the Associated Press. Im too small to comment on it, and I hope my son becomes a bullet that solves this issue.

Others spoke outside the boys funeral, pleading for no war in the United States and calling on President Biden to apologize after first saying he had seen photos of Israeli babies beheaded by Hamas.

Unverified claims about the beheading of Israeli children and rape of hostages by Hamas have spread rapidly on social media in the days following the attack in Israel.

The White House walked back the presidents claim last week, but several of the speakers at the boys funeral demanded an apology directly from Biden himself.

Our president needs to come out and say something, a man identified only as Wadeas uncle said. We are not in a war.

You want war? Its overseas. Its not our war. Its not the United States war, he added.

CAIR-Chicago called the incident our worst nightmare and says they have seen a spike in hate calls and emails since the violence in the Middle East broke out on 7 October.

The organisation claims that the mother sent the boys father text messages, alleging that the suspect shouted You Muslims must die ahead of the stabbing.

Oday Al-Fayoume, father of Wadea Al-Fayoume, 6, attends a news conference at the Muslim Community Center on Sunday (2023 Sun Times)

What we have is a murdered Palestinian child by someone who is radicalized by the environment in which we live right now, that casts Palestinians as human animals, Ahmed Rehab, executive director of CAIR-Chicago told reporters on Sunday.

Mr Rehab spoke again at the funeral on Monday.

This was an attack on all of us. We were all stabbed that day, he said, and then asked everyone, no matter their religion, to commit to a basic level of respect for all humanity.

President Biden called the stabbings of the mother and son a horrific act of hate that has no place in America, and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are.

Czuba was found outside the home following the stabbing sitting upright outside on the ground near the driveway of the residence with a cut on his forehead, authorities said.

He is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of hate crimes and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to the sheriffs office. The U.S. Justice Department has also launched a federal hate crime investigation into the stabbings.
 Flash

Hamas released on Monday a video of a female French-Israeli hostage on their Telegram channel, the first released video of about 200 hostages abducted by the group to Gaza since Oct. 7.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in a cabinet meeting when the video was released and updated, his office said in a statement.

The hostage was identified as Mia Shem, 21 years old. In the video, Shem, speaking in Hebrew, said she had gotten medical attention in Gaza and undergone hand surgery.

She said, "I returned early Saturday (Oct. 7) morning from Sderot (in southern Israel). I was at a party. I was seriously injured in my hand. I underwent a three-hour surgery on my hand at the hospital (in Gaza). They are taking care of me, giving me medicine, and everything is fine. I only ask them to bring me home as soon as possible to my parents, to my siblings."

On Oct. 7, Hamas launched a heavy onslaught on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, firing thousands of rockets. Breaching the land border with Israel, Hamas militants opened fire at the residents and captured some of them, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza.

The Israeli military on Monday updated in a statement that at least 199 hostages were held in Gaza, while Hamas claimed that there are 200 to 250 Israeli captives in Gaza.
Lebanons militant Hezbollah group said Monday it has started destroying surveillance cameras on several Israeli army posts along the border as tension rose following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

Hezbollahs military media arm released a video showing snipers shooting at and destroying surveillance cameras placed on five points along the Lebanon-Israel border including one outside the Israeli town of Metula.

Heres a look at the military firepower the US is providing to Israel

The militant group appears to want to prevent the Israeli army from monitoring movements on the Lebanese side of the border after days of fire exchange that left at least seven people dead, including four Hezbollah fighters, on the Lebanese side.

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Since the Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian militant Hamas group on southern Israel that killed more than 1,400 Israeli civilians and troops, tension has been on the rise along the Lebanon-Israel border. Hezbollah fighters fired anti-tank missiles on Israeli army positions and Israeli troops shelled border areas on the Lebanese side of the border.

Israel and Hezbollah are bitter enemies that fought a monthlong war in the summer of 2006. Israel considers the Iran-backed Shiite militant group its most serious immediate threat, estimating that Hezbollah has around 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.

There are concerns that the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah could join the war with Israel. Earlier this month, U.S. President Joe Biden warned other players in the Middle East not to join the conflict and has sent American warships to the region and vowed full support for Israel.

Hezbollah legislator Hassan Fadlallah said Sunday that the group is ready for all possibilities adding, we dont want to reveal what the next step is. He said Hezbollahs next step is tied to what is going on in Gaza.

Frances top diplomat Monday said the tense situation along the Lebanon-Israel border is worrying and dangerous and urged restraint, following meetings with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri, and army chief Gen. Joseph Aoun.

We are here to reaffirm our relationship and support to Lebanon and say it is unacceptable for any side or group to slide into war or what is happening in Gaza, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said at a news conference at the French Embassys Pine Residence in Beirut.

Mikatis office said in a statement following his meeting with Colonna that she endorsed an Egyptian proposal to hold a meeting of Arab leaders and permanent member states of the U.N. Security Council to find a solution to prevent an escalation in the war that has thus far killed thousands of Palestinians and Israelis.

I am leaving the region, convinced that the vortex that threatens it can be avoided through cooperative and determined action, Colonna said on X, formerly Twitter.

Mikati said the countrys politically-paralyzed government has been scrambling to ease tensions along its southern border with Israel and avoid dragging the tiny country into a new war. His press office said in a statement Monday that he has been holding calls with top officials and leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Qatar and a handful of other regional and international governments.

Earlier Monday, the Israeli military ordered people living in 28 communities near the Lebanese border to evacuate. The military order affects communities that are within two kilometers (1.2 miles) of the border.

Hezbollah has said the increased strikes were a warning and dont mean the group has decided to go to war.

The World Health Organization said Monday it has sent two shipments of medical supplies to Beirut in preparation for potential escalation along the Lebanon-Israel border.
An historic Columbus house built in the early 1800s that suffered a damaging fire this month now has some questioning the future of the home.

The Gordonido House, located at 1420 Wynnton Rd, caught fire on Oct. 7, according to Columbus Fire & EMS division chief John Shull.

Shull said no injuries were reported from the fire.

The origin and the cause of the fire are still under investigation, according to Shull.

Shull said the fire progressed rapidly and caused significant damage to the structure.

The house was originally owned by John R. Dawson, who built the home after Colonel William L. Lynn sold six acres to Dawson in 1837, according to Southern Views Magazine. The house then changed hands a few times first going to Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Gilbert in 1885 and then Judge J.T. Willis in 1913, according to their reporting.

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Southern View said the Willis heirs later sold the house to Columbus Manufacturing Company president Frederick B. Gordon in 1913.

Originally called the Dawson Place the house was renamed Gordonido which translates to Gordons nest or residence, according to Southern View reporting.

Southern view reports that Rosa, Crook Martin, Gordons wife, was the first elected president of the Womans Club and assisted with the purchasing of the Womans Clubs first home which alter burned down in 1979.

The owners as of 2020 were Jerry and Marjorie Newman, according to Southern View magazine.

The Ledger-Enquirer was unable to make contact with the current owners of the property.
A homeless man was arrested Tuesday following a string of armed robberies in Augusta on Monday.

Falando Mobley, 35, homeless, is charged with two counts of armed robbery, one count of criminal attempt armed robbery and three counts of possession of a knife during a crime.

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to three separate armed robberies Monday night at businesses on Peach Orchard Road, according to a news release from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

The businesses included Zaxby's, Church's Chicken and Family Dollar, according to the release.

Mobley was accused of demanding the clerks give him all of the money from their registers while holding his hand in a backpack, indicating he had a firearm, according to the release. He was traveling on foot and was caught by deputies on Lumpkin Road.

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Fort Gordon brawl: Video of 2020 brawl at Fort Gordon resurfaces on TikTok with more than 10 million views

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Homeless man charged with robbing three Augusta businesses
TAVARES  It started with a call for sheriffs deputies to respond to an aggravated assault case. Thats bad enough, but the investigation soon became like peeling an onion, with each layer revealing more serious and more violent allegations.

The call went out at 5:30 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 8, from a home on Bates Avenue in Eustis.

The suspect was David A. Flores, 37. He ran away, the woman said.

His last known address is in Apopka, and he has ties to the Sorrento and Eustis areas, Lake County Sheriff's Lt. John Herrell noted in a press release.

We didnt know what we were dealing with at first, Herrell told the Daily Commercial this week.

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They quickly learned that Flores had active warrants for his arrest and had served prison time, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

More alarming, in the present case, he allegedly threatened the victim with a handgun and had in his possession a green bulletproof vest with the word SHERIFF attached with Velcro.

The victim wasnt very cooperative the next day, detectives noted, and they soon learned she had a warrant out for her arrest on a minor traffic charge and was afraid of being arrested.

Investigators asked the original caller to convince the victim into calling him. Soon, she began to say this, this and this also happened, Herrell said.

She said she was at the Bates Avenue address when Flores brought her french fries.

David appeared to be on drugs and suggested that she have sex with him in exchange for the french fries. When the victim said no, David became enraged, attacked her, and would not let her out of the [house], according to the arrest affidavit.

She said Flores choked her several times and struck her in the head with a semi-automatic handgun. He then raped her. Afterword, when he fell asleep, she escaped, according to the sheriff's office.

She also said he had homemade explosive devices, consisting of nails and other shrapnel wrapped around fireworks designed to be fired from mortars.

The detective ran a criminal history and stopped looking when he found four felony convictions.

Flores served five years in prison in 2007 for aggravated assault with a weapon, obstruction of an investigation, intimidating a witness and fleeing and eluding without regard for innocent bystanders.

The active warrants for his arrest included grand theft and criminal mischief in December for allegedly stealing a $27.48 bolt cutter and using it to cut away security devices holding a $1,199 generator. He was identified by surveillance video, which police used to match photos of distinctive facial tattoos. He was out on bond for that crime. The bond has since been revoked, according to court records.

On Oct. 2, Flores was allegedly back at the Mount Dora store again, this time with a female accomplice, stealing a $589 backpack blower. Because he had two prior convictions, it was a felony.

Prosecutors have been forced to drop some charges in his lengthy rap sheet over the years, including an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, because they didnt have enough evidence.

In that Lake County case, a woman said Flores tried to force her and her mother to leave with him at gunpoint. As deputies raced to the scene, they learned the truck Flores was reportedly driving had been stolen in an armed carjacking earlier in the day in Apopka. He was arrested the next day in Seminole County driving the same vehicle, according to the arrest report.

Prosecutors also had to drop shoplifting and fleeing charges from an incident at a Dollar Store in Sorrento in March.

After allegedly stealing an $8 belt, he sped off, endangering other drivers, including passing on a double yellow line directly into the path of a police car.

By Wednesday, Oct. 11, he faced an added charge: resisting arrest without violence. Unfortunately for him, he ended up facing violence from the jaws of a police dog when he refused to come out near his hiding place in Sorrento.

The arrestee was taken into custody and EMS arrived on scene to access his wound to both of his hands, right forearm, and right rear shoulder, the arrest report said. He was treated and released  to the Lake County jail.

Safe dining: Find out which Lake County restaurant kept failing inspections in early October

He is being held on his active warrant cases, plus the new aggravated battery with a deadly weapon charge, false imprisonment, battery by strangulation, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and armed sexual battery.

A search warrant at the home in Sorrento turned up more homemade explosives similar to ones found in Eustis. It is not known what he planned to do with the explosives. He reportedly did not talk to detectives.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Arrest: Man accused of multiple violent felonies
By Jessie Pang

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Hong Kong court on Tuesday dismissed a government bid to deny same-sex married couples the right to rent and own public housing saying that it was "discriminatory in nature" and a complete denial of such couples' rights.

The ruling by Hong Kong's Court of Appeal is the latest in a series of legal breakthroughs for gay rights advocates in the global financial hub this year.

The government had challenged two High Court rulings that it was "unconstitutional and unlawful" for the city's housing authority to exclude same-sex couples who married abroad from public housing.

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The appeal involved two cases, one in which the authority had declined to consider a permanent resident's application to rent a public flat with his husband, because their marriage in Canada was not recognised in Hong Kong.

The other involved a same-sex couple who were denied joint-ownership of a government-subsidised flat by the authority because their marriage in Britain was not recognised in Hong Kong.

Court of Appeal justices Jeremy Poon, Aarif Barma and Thomas Au said in a written judgment that the authority's treatment of gay married couples was "discriminatory in nature" and they should be afforded equal treatment.

"The differential treatment in the present cases is a more severe form of indirect discrimination than most cases because the criterion is one which same-sex couples can never meet," the judges said in their ruling.

One of the men involved in the second case, Henry Li, welcomed the ruling in a post on Facebook.

Rights group Hong Kong Marriage Equality also welcomed the decision saying it had made clear "that discrimination and unequal treatment on the ground of sexual orientation has no place in public policy decisions".

Hong Kong's top court in September ruled against same-sex marriage but acknowledged the need for same-sex couples "for access to an alternative legal framework in order to meet basic social requirements".

The government was given two years to come up with the framework.

A Hong Kong court in September sided with a married lesbian couple who argued that both women should have parental status over their child born via reciprocal IVF.

Activists in other parts of Asia are watching Hong Kong's courts in the hope that their rulings could influence campaigns for reform elsewhere.

(Reporting by Jessie Pang; Editing by James Pomfret, Robert Birsel)
(Bloomberg) -- Lying in a makeshift bed, her upper arm badly broken, her face in anguish, 21-year-old Mia Shem speaks to the camera. Held captive in Gaza, she says she wants to be reunited with her parents and siblings in Israel.

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The video, released on Monday, is the first sign of life of about 200 hostages from some two dozen countries seized in Israel by Hamas operatives. They were taken when 1,300 other Israelis were killed in an assault 10 days ago that led to a punishing war in the Gaza Strip, which many fear will spread across the region.

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The fate of kidnapped or captured Israelis has long held a special place in the national consciousness. Hundreds of prisoners have been released to bring back a single Israeli. Sometimes, prisoners have been freed only for the bodies of those fallen so they could be buried in their homeland.

But as the scores of civilian hostages languish across the Gaza Strip, besieged and bombed by the Israeli military as it seeks to destroy Hamas, their fate is being contemplated with a new mix of emotions.

Of course, Israel wants to bring them home. Within hours of the Oct. 7 attack, top military, legal and media experts formed the Hostages and Missing Families Forum with that specific goal. Many other countries are involved, negotiations have been launched for their release and everyone agrees the hostages are a top priority.

But there is a gnawing and growing sense in Israel that it must reconsider its longstanding policy, harden its heart and send a brutal message to its enemies.

The situation now is different for two main reasons, says Ariel Merari, a retired professor who focused on anti-terrorism and was part of an army negotiating team. The first is that Israel is in a state of war. Most of the public  despite sympathizing with the hostages and their families  feel that now the war must be won. The second reason is that the public now understands better than ever the huge error that was made in the handling of past abductions.

Put simply, Merari says, Israel has given away far too much  and paid a terrible price.

In 1985, for example, Israel released 1,151 prisoners and detainees to a Palestinian group for three Israeli soldiers captured in the 1982 Lebanon War. One of the prisoners released was Ahmed Yassin, who went on to form a new movement  Hamas  straight out of prison.

The last big prisoner swap was with Hamas in 2011 when 1,027 Palestinians were released for a single kidnapped solider  Gilad Shalit, who had been held in Gaza for five years. That was done by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was premier then as well.

One of the Palestinian prisoners released then was Yahya Sinwar, now Hamas top leader in Gaza. Israel says hes responsible for initiating, planning and leading the Oct. 7 attacks. He is the top target as the Israeli military pounds the coastal enclave and prepares for an expected ground invasion. Six other prisoners released in 2011 went on to become senior Hamas leaders in Gaza and the West Bank.

Such a record changes the public inclination to put hostage release first, says Merari, the retired negotiator.

Hamass attack earlier this month was shocking not just for the sadism on display  heads chopped off, babies burned  but also because of its sophistication. Thousands of missiles were shot at Israel while more than 2,500 commandos took over military bases and civilian communities, killing freely.

Part of the unstated justification for previous lopsided deals was the sense that Israel was so much stronger than its enemies, it could handle a losing bargain to demonstrate care for its citizens, who give two to three years of their life to military service. They are owed the full force of the state to bring them home if they are taken.

Now that feeling has yielded to a sense of vulnerability and the belief that enemies need to see Israel as hardened enough to walk away.

For decades, we have turned our captives and MIAs into a tool for blackmailing us, wrote Nadav Haetzni, a lawyer and writer, in Yisrael Hayom newspaper on Monday. We capitulated to the enemy and we ended up with far more people murdered and kidnapped. Worst of all, as has just now been proved to us once again, we risked our very existence.

Israel said it confirmed that 199 Israelis had been kidnapped as of Monday night. Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the US and European Union, says it has 200 hostages and that 50 others are being held by others.

The rules for hostage negotiation are in flux. In 2008, a public committee headed by a former Supreme Court justice set guidelines. One of its findings was the need to disconnect political leaders from families to avoid pressure or sentiment getting in the way of rational decision making.

Yet Netanyahu met with families earlier this week. Haetzni said this is an error repeatedly committed by Israeli leaders.

We have been paying for the past 12 years for Benjamin Netanyahus capitulation to the campaign to release Gilad Shalit, he wrote. Dozens of Israelis were murdered as a result of actions taken by people who were released in that deal. Haetzni added, That capitulation stemmed from the leaderships lack of backbone, but also from the folly and weakness of the elites, which enlisted to get the leaders to capitulate.

In the end, he said, Israel needs to redefine the line that separates showing empathy and encouraging national weakness.

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Our government enabling this violence and these blatant war crimes is a failure, said Rep. Cori Bush , D-Mo.

House Democrats are calling for a ceasefire to prevent further bloodshed in the Israel-Hamas War.

On Monday, 13 House Democrats introduced a resolution urging the Biden-Harris administration to call for a ceasefire in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL  MARCH 09: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) sits with Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a dinner at the Prime Ministers residence March 9, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. Biden, visiting Israel as part of U.S.-led efforts to restart Middle East peace talks, on Tuesday condemned Israels plans for 1,600 new homes in an area of the occupied West Bank it has annexed to Jerusalem. (Photo by Baz Ratner-Pool/Getty Images)

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., told theGrio that President Joe Biden should be leading in terms of a cease-fire and in terms of getting to a place of talking about a pathway forward.

The Hamas attack was horrific, horrible, and evil and needs to be responded to, and Israel has responded to that already, he said. But the response is continuing and the loss of life is already tremendously high and tremendously severe.

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According to the Wall Street Journal, the Israel-Hamas War has caused around 3,000 deaths and left more than 12,000 wounded in Gaza and at least 1,400 people have died in Israel.

Its been 10 days since the war began, and some members of Congress are not satisfied with the Biden-Harris administrations response.

After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, the U.S. supplied the Israeli military with weapons to ward off the Palestinian militant group. As a result of the war, many innocent civilians died, and millions of others were displaced.

Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., one of the leaders on the resolution, told theGrio, Our government enabling this violence and these blatant war crimes is a failure.

I am disturbed by our governments willingness to immediately cave to calls for unconditional support and write a blank check for the Israeli military while blatantly ignoring the violence and dehumanization of Palestinian civilians, she said.

For decades, the U.S. government has touted a failed policy approach that does nothing to address the root causes of this violence, Bush continued.

In an earlier interview with theGrio, Ahmed Benchemsi, Human Rights Watch communications director for the Middle East and North Africa, argued that the current conflict is a result of Israel committing apartheid against Palestinians.

There are two sets of laws in Israel. One that applies to Israeli Jews and another one that applies to Palestinians, said Benchemsi. Depending on your ethnicity and your religion, you are governed by a different set of laws.

He added, Apartheid is a crime against humanity.

Congresswoman Bush told theGrio, We will never get closer to peace by failing to address the root of this issue.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) speaks during a news conference to advocate for ending the Senate filibuster, outside the U.S. Capitol on April 22, 2021 in Washington, DC. With the Senate filibuster rules in place, legislative bills require 60 votes to end debate and advance, rather than a simple majority in the 100 member Senate. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

She continued, We need to do what it takes to protect all lives and supplying even more weapons, and even U.S. troops will not and [do] not bring us there. It only encourages more violence. We cannot bomb our way to peace.

Congressman Bowman said the call for a ceasefire is about making sure we dont over escalate whats already happening there.

He added, Its already been a tremendous loss of life, pain, suffering, and trauma, and now is the time to get to a place of ending the violence and negotiating the release of hostages and discussing a pathway forward to peace.

President Biden is slated to travel to Israel on Wednesday to support Israel and to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is unclear whether he will demand a ceasefire.

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The post House Dem resolution makes plea to Biden to prevent more bloodshed in Israel-Gaza appeared first on TheGrio.
Rep. Kay Granger (Texas), top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, voted against Rep. Jim Jordans (R-Ohio) Speakership bid Tuesday.

During the first round of floor votes to elect a Speaker on Tuesday afternoon, Granger raised eyebrows in casting her vote instead for Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who withdrew his bid for the chair last week amid opposition from hard-line conservatives.

Granger wouldnt explain her vote when pressed by reporters shortly after leaving the floor.

The Hill has reached out to her office for comment.

The news comes as some Republicans have come out against a plan pushed by Jordan to prevent a shutdown next month, by freezing funding through April.

Top Stories from The Hill

The proposal, as GOP lawmakers have described, would stave off the threat of a shutdown next month  funding is set to expire Nov. 17  by keeping the government funded at levels already hashed out in the previous Congress.

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But defense hawks in both chambers have voiced displeasure with the idea, as lawmakers fear a Jan. 1 deadline to pass all of their 12 full-year government funding bills for fiscal 2024, or risk an across-the-board cut to defense and nondefense programs as penalty that would take effect later in the year.

No way. That destroys our military, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told reporters Tuesday, calling the idea horrible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Republicans multi-week scuffle over the speakers gavel  which will come to a head Tuesday when members are scheduled to vote on the nomination of Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio)  has brought the GOPs internal divisions into stark relief. The resulting image of the House Republican conference is not a particularly flattering one: Across the board, its members appear divided on question of tactics, strategy, personnel and even basic governing philosophy.

But according to Matthew Green, a political scientist at Catholic University of America who studies congressional leadership, the battle over the speakers gavel has raised an even more fundamental question for the GOP: How much loyalty do Republican members owe to their party  and how far should party leaders go to keep members in line?

For decades, party loyalty and discipline have been on the decline among both Republicans and Democrats, as changes in campaign finance law and the proliferation of new forms of media have weakened the parties grips over their members. But in the case of the GOP, Green said, the decline in party power has coincided with the rise of a new faction of conservative Republicans who are ideologically committed to weakening federal power and gumming up the inner workings of Washington. The result is a sort of perfect storm of Republican dysfunction, where macro-political trends and internecine disagreements combine to make the speakership the most difficult job in D.C.

The speaker fight is a culmination of a long decline in party power in the House, said Green, who has written extensively about the speakership and speaker elections. This is a development thats been going on now for several decades.

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In the long run, said Green, thats bad news for Republicans, since it means that any future speaker will have to navigate the same political minefield that brought down Kevin McCarthy  as well as Paul Ryan, John Boehner and Newt Gingrich before that.

You basically have a tied House with no operational majority, said Green. Everything is just stuck.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Ian Ward: From a social-scientific point of view, what on earth is happening in the House?

Matthew Green: I think the big picture is that both parties in the House  but especially the Republican Party  have lost their authority. If youre going to have a highly partisan House where the majority party chooses the speaker and sets the rules and the agenda, then that party has got to stay together on floor votes. They dont get that power automatically  it has to be continually supported by a majority of the House. Both parties have been struggling since the 1990s to maintain that discipline, but the Republicans decline has been much steeper.



Ward: What happened in the 1990s to kick-start the decline of party power?

Green: Both parties started to see the election of more independent-minded lawmakers who werent necessarily loyal to their party. For the Republicans, you start to see folks like Newt Gingrich get elected in 1978, who said, I don't see why I have to be loyal to a party leader if I think they're guiding the party in the wrong way. They werent willing to challenge an election for leader on the floor, but they were willing to push the envelope a little bit. Then, after the 1992 election, there were the freshmen Republicans who said during the check bouncing scandal, This is a scandal and the House needs to reform  even though it meant embarrassing Republican leaders like Newt Gingrich who had been withdrawing money from accounts even when there was no money there.

But really, it was the class of 1994 that had a large number of members who had not been in legislative politics before, who were very ideologically idealistic, and who were, if not disdainful, at least ignorant of norms of party loyalty. A group of them ended up trying to do what was done to McCarthy, which was to remove then-Speaker Newt Gingrich using this procedure on the floor. They didnt get very far, but the fact that they were willing to do that indicated to Republicans that it was going to be a challenge for party leaders like Gingrich and others to keep their party unified on things like choosing a leader.

Ward: Thats sort of ironic, considering Gingrichs role in concentrating power in the speakership, no?

Green: Thats partly the irony but also partly the cause. In the old days [in the 1960s], House Democrats, who came from a very deeply divided party, had a model where they didnt give a lot of power to their speaker. Instead, that power was exercised by committee chairs and by the Rules Committee, which was fairly independent. That meant it was hard for a party to act as a unit, particularly on liberal legislation and on civil rights, because Southern Democrats controlled committees. But it also meant that because power was dispersed, the party had multiple outlets for factions to exercise influence.

But when Gingrich concentrated power, he also concentrated responsibility, and the speaker became the focal point for any group that was unhappy with the direction of the party. If you do that, youve got to be sure you can enforce party discipline and keep people loyal to that speaker to that party leader.

Ward: What factors have made it harder for Republicans to do that?

Green: One is the change in the campaign finance milieu. The Supreme Court has weakened campaign finance regulations, and one of the consequences is that its harder for parties to have a monopoly over the raising and spending of campaign expenditures. Weve had a system for decades where individual members can raise their own money, but some of these decisions by the Supreme Court really opened up the whole campaign finance environment and turned it into a Wild West where any rich person can raise tons of money, not disclose where that money came from and spend it all over the place. That made it much harder for parties to use funding as a tool to increase discipline.

The other factor is changes in the media environment, first with the rise of cable and then with the rise of the internet and social media. Individual entrepreneurs in Congress can create their own following, and that then becomes a resource for them for reelection. And what gets attention? Being provocative. Youre not going to get a million followers by saying, I like Kevin McCarthy. What gets you a million followers is saying, Kevin McCarthy is a swamp creature. So that also encourages the fracturing and splintering of parties in Congress.

Now, its important to say that the factors Im discussing are not definitive causal explanations [for the breakdown of party discipline]. They contribute to an environment which increases the likelihood of party discipline breaking down  but its not automatic.

Ward: Why do Democrats seem to be able to maintain party discipline more effectively than Republicans in this environment?

Green: A strong argument can be made that its about what the parties stand for. Other political scientists have argued that Democrats are fundamentally about governing. Theyre going to fight, and theyre going to disagree, and some might even say, I dont like Nancy Pelosi and I wish she werent speaker, but if the alternative is a total breakdown where they dont get a chance to legislate at all, thats a cost thats too high for most Democrats.

On the other hand, Republicans have always been more skeptical of government. For some of them, they may be happy that the House gets paralyzed. They figure, Hey, if were not doing anything, then were not doing anything bad. That creates an incentive for them to be disloyal and to cause difficulties for your party. That inherent skepticism of government may translate into skepticism of your own partys leaders as well.

Ward: Is there a sense in which Republicans are acting rationally, given the nature of the political incentives?

Green: I hesitate to use the word rational, because it assumes that that this is the only course that they could take, and it also assumes that this is what voters want. Because we have representative democracy, theres always a gap between what voters think they want and what lawmakers do  and that gives lawmakers a lot of leeway to interpret election outcomes in a way that fits with their preferences or their interests. So I wouldnt say what theyre doing is irrational, but they have choices.



Ward: At the end of the day, how much of the current situation boils down to Republican dysfunction, and how much of it boils down to the fact that, for all these structural reasons that youve discussed, speakers have much less room to maneuver?

Green: Some of these things are unique to the Republican Party, but at the same time, we have seen these challenges in the Democratic caucus, too. For example, take the number of lawmakers who won't vote for their party nominee for speaker. It used to be zero, and then it started to go up in both parties. In some ways, I feel like Democrats should look at the Republican caucus conference and say, There but for the grace of God go I.

So why havent Democrats had this problem? Franky, theyve had better leaders  leaders who have had more experience in the legislative process and who are more willing and able to enforce discipline. Then part of it is the media environment, which has encouraged this in both parties, but we haven't seen the equivalent of Fox News on the left. MSNBC is liberal, but it does not have the hold on voters of their party like Fox does.

If we want to talk about Republican dysfunction, its associated with these larger forces that are battering Congress and both parties. But those forces are not symmetrical, and so the challenges arent symmetrical. Its an interesting thought experiment: What if there was a Nancy Pelosi equivalent in the Republican Conference?

Ward: Lets run with it. Who could occupy that role?

Green: The first name that comes to mind is former Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas). He was an outstanding vote counter, he was an unabashed conservative, he was able to build coalitions with a small majority, he used a combination of positive incentives and threats and he raised huge amounts of money. I don't know if he could survive in this environment with social media and Fox being more important than ever and the House Freedom Caucus. But someone like that could probably do a better job than recent leaders have.

In this environment, you need either a strong leader or you need to spread power out more broadly, like House Democrats do.

Ward: What would that look like for Republicans?



Green: It looks like where House Republicans were headed in January. McCarthy made a bunch of concessions to House conservatives and the House Freedom Caucus. He even put two Freedom Caucus members on the Rules Committee  plus Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)  which I and other Congress observers thought was a huge concession. He was giving them veto power over the agenda, and that moved things in the direction of a more open process. It suggested that yes, more members of both parties could have a say, and yes, there could be a cross-party Coalition on the Rules Committee.

But the problem with that  besides the fact that a lot of Republicans thought McCarthy broke his word on those concessions  is that if you do institutional reform, its got to align with the policy preferences of the folks pushing for those changes. For example, the House Democrats began to centralize power in the 70s and 80s because the party became more liberal, and they knew that committee chairs were southern conservatives who were never going to let liberal bills go through. But they thought, Were now majority in the party, we elect the chair, we elect the speaker, so well get our agenda. So those things matched.

Whats happening here, though, is that those goals dont align. The rebels want a more open process, but they also want more conservative legislative outcomes, and theyre probably not going to get both. You can either get a really conservative speaker who pushes the right-wing priorities through, or you can get more open process. Thats why I think the struggle is going to continue, because I don't see a conservative majority in the House at this point.

Ward: Have we reached a point where theres something just fundamentally broken about the Republican speakership? Or is there a possible path toward some sort of reconciliation?

Green: I dont think the speakership is broken, but I dont see any major reforms to the House or to the way Republicans operate happening until theres until there's a new, sizable majority. That majority could be a Republican one if they win 30 seats in the next election, or it could be a Democratic one if they win 40. It could be a cross-party one, where all the Democrats and a handful of more moderate Republicans form a kind of enduring cross-party coalition like you see in some state legislatures  although thats probably the least likely outcome.

But now, you basically have a tied House with no operational majority. Everything is just stuck. Youre not going to see procedural reform because you're not even going to see much legislating done. At this point, we dont even have a speaker.
As House Republicans continue to struggle to elect a new speaker, a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that Americans increasingly blame them more than Democrats for the dysfunction on Capitol Hill.

The survey of 1,675 U.S. adults, which was conducted from Oct. 12 to 16, found that a full two-thirds (66%) now say conservative Republicans deserve at least some blame for the current gridlock in Washington (up 7 points since January), while nearly as many (64%, up 11 points) say the same about moderate Republicans.

In contrast, there has been no change in the number of Americans who say progressive Democrats deserve at least some blame (57%), while the number who say moderate Democrats deserve at least some blame (52%, up 2 points) has barely budged.

By the same token, Americans were just 5 points more likely back in January  right after the GOP spent 15 tortured, tumultuous rounds of voting trying (and eventually, just barely managing) to elect former Speaker Kevin McCarthy  to blame Republicans (39%) rather than Democrats (34%) the most for D.C.s ongoing paralysis.

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Today, that gap has doubled to 10 points, with 42% of Americans now blaming Republicans the most versus just 32% blaming Democrats.

Republicans lukewarm on potential McCarthy replacements

Internally, there is little consensus among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents about who should replace the ousted McCarthy.

Less than half (41%) say Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, the hard-line co-founder of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Jordan, who was nominated by his colleagues last week to be the partys candidate for speaker, lost his first attempt to win the gavel on the House floor Tuesday after 20 Republicans voted for someone else.

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However, even fewer say interim Speaker Patrick McHenry (3%) or Trump himself (14%) should be the next Speaker of the House. If not sure (33%) and none of these (9%) were one candidate, they would have more support than anyone else.

Few pay close attention to House speaker drama

This indecision stems in part from inattention. Just 19% of Republicans (and 17% of Americans overall) say they have been following the current House speaker election very closely.

Retrospective feelings about McCarthy are also rather lukewarm, with Republicans modestly but not overwhelmingly giving his performance as speaker a thumbs down (29% approve, 35% disapprove, 36% not sure)  and modestly but not overwhelmingly favoring his removal (37% approve, 27% disapprove, 36% not sure).

Yet there are signs that the GOPs seemingly endless speaker drama has not been good for its brand. A full 63% of registered voters now say the GOP isnt paying enough attention to Americas real problems, up from 59% in January, while even more say Republicans are more interested in scoring political points (64%) than passing legislation (22%). That 42-point margin is twice as large as the corresponding gap on the Democratic side (55% scoring political points, 34% passing legislation).

Perhaps as a result, approval of the way Congress is doing its job has declined significantly this year, falling to 12% from a previous high of 21% in February.

Nevertheless, partisan polarization remains the most powerful force in American politics. When asked who you would vote for in the district where you live if an election for U.S. Congress were being held today, 43% of voters say the Democratic Party candidate  and 43% say the Republican.

In February, Democrats had a 45% to 42% edge.

____________

The Yahoo News survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,675 U.S. adults interviewed online from Oct. 12 to 16, 2023. The sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, 2020 election turnout and presidential vote, baseline party identification and current voter registration status. Demographic weighting targets come from the 2019 American Community Survey. Baseline party identification is the respondents most recent answer given prior to March 15, 2022, and is weighted to the estimated distribution at that time (32% Democratic, 27% Republican). Respondents were selected from YouGovs opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S. adults. The margin of error is approximately 2.7%.
 Flash

Vehicles run on the Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese-built Nairobi Expressway in Kenya emerged as the top performer in two categories at the Afrika Mashariki Transport Awards 2023, MOJA Expressway Company that runs the toll road said Monday.

The road's electronic toll collection (ETC) system clinched the "Best Technological Innovation in Transport" award, and it also secured the "Sustainable Transport" award.

The ETC system is an innovation that enables drivers to conveniently pay for using the expressway, ultimately saving time. To use the service, drivers register by providing their details and vehicle information. A chip is then fitted to the vehicle, allowing them to top up cash for the service.

The ETC system has gained popularity among Kenyan drivers due to the time savings and discounts provided by the MOJA Expressway Company. As a result, the average daily traffic volume has increased to a record 65,000 vehicles, according to the company.

The 27-km road is an integral part of sustainable urban transportation in Kenya. It significantly reduces travel time from the south to the west of Nairobi, cutting it from two hours to just 20 minutes, resulting in fuel savings and reduced emissions.

"Our mission is to revolutionize urban transportation. Our core goal is to provide not only affordable but also sustainable transportation options," said Jeanne Ong'iyo, the public relations manager of MOJA Expressway Company.

The transportation awards represent a significant milestone as they are the first of their kind in East Africa, designed to acknowledge excellence in the industry. The organizers include various Kenyan government agencies.
HOUSTON - Houston Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting outside an auto shop at 10601 Fuqua St near Beamer Rd.

Police say a man was shot around 1:30pm, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other details were released as Houston police continues to investigate. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
Everyone more or less agrees that 2023 is going to be effectively written off in VC-land, as the feeding frenzy of the last few years leaves everyone exhausted, valuations flattened or crashed, and exit market remain more or less closed.

VCs appear to be using this period to get their house in order for the next cycle. Weve already witnessed General Catalyst using this down-time to scoop up a Seed arm in Europe; another Euro VC spend quality time with their LPs to raise another fund; and former bystanders, use it to jump on the AI hype cycle.

Why not use it to expand your partnership, right?

To that end, Hoxton Ventures has now managed to lure former Bryan Gartner, Partner at Khosla Ventures, to join as Partner.

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Gartner formerly worked on venture growth-stage investments at the VC, but hell be refreshing his memory of early-stage investing now hes at Hoxton.

Over an interviewed, he admitted itd also a career move based on his personal life: I have a very international family. My wife is actually British, so [moving] was always on the cardsbut we weren't thinking this quickly. When I was introduced to Hussein through one of the Hoxton portfolio companies, I noticed immediately the transparent nature and the mutual respect among the partnership. A complete lack of ego in the room which you know, frankly, is a breath of fresh air. And it felt to me that there's an inflection point that Hoxton is about to hit, and I'm thrilled to be to be part of that story.

About his time at Khosla, he told me: There's there's a dichotomy between the firm's that truly work deeply with their portfolio companies and those that dont It's not really about the board meeting. It's about the calls you make, the meetings leading up to the board meeting. And I've always really enjoyed that. I've got a bunch of stories in my track record that weren't obvious wins and then became 9, 10, 11x returns, because of really rolling up sleeves and plugging in and that's what excites me in this industry. And that's what I saw at Hoxton.

Hoxtons early stage credentials in Europe include a 60-strong portfolio which includes a number of successful companies including Darkrace, Deliveroo, Preply, Spacelift, and TourRadar, as well newer investments such as Avantia, Lumi, and XYZ Reality.

Hussein Kanji, partner, Hoxton Ventures said in a statement: Bryan is an experienced investor, having seen companies go from their early formation to exit and IPO. His late stage skill set will provide us with a new strength around the table.

He added over a call: We've been intentionally thinking about expanding and building up the partnership. We started alongside Seedcamp, Connect Ventures, and a bunch of others pioneering investing in Europe, and I think we've gone into a really good boutique mode. But I think we're trying to make another transition now.

He said Hoxton is growign: Weve become much more of a firm and an institution, kind of in the same journey as Index Ventures in the 90s went from a small shop and became the powerhouse that it is today. And if you're going to do that, you've got to hire really great people. So Brian is part of that. And were probably going to try and do this one or two more times.

In March 2022, Hoxton Ventures closed a $215 million new fund, Hoxton III.

Gartner has 16 years of experience in venture capital. He was a Vice President at Insight Venture Partners, where he invested in companies that include AdColony, which was acquired by Opera for $350 million, Alteryx (IPOd), Fenergo (acquired by Astorg and Bridgepoint for $600M), Pluralsight (acquired by Vista for $3.5B), Smartsheet (IPOd), and Udemy (IPO).

After Insight Venture Partners, he joined join Apax, where he invested in Wizeline, which was acquired by CDPQ for ~$450M. He was also a Partner role at Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners. He was previously a Partner at Khosla Ventures for two years.

Hoxtons investments include Finesse, Giraffe360, Inflow, Really Clever, Peptone, Universal Quantum and XYZ Reality.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) -An Israeli air strike killed hundreds of people at a Gaza City hospital on Tuesday, health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave said, and the United Nation said an Israeli strike also hit one of its schools being used as a shelter.

A Gaza civil defence chief said on Al-Jazeera television that more than 300 people were killed at Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital. A Gaza Health Ministry official said at least 500 people were killed and injured. Both departments are under the Hamas-run government.

Israel's military said it did not have any details on the reported bombing.

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Earlier on Tuesday, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said an Israeli air strike had killed at least six people after striking one of its schools that has been functioning as a shelter for displaced people.

Health authorities in Gaza say at least 3,000 people have been killed in Israel's intense 11-day bombardment since Hamas militants rampaged into Israeli towns on Oct 6, killing more than 1,300 soldiers and civilians.

Hamas said the blast at the hospital mostly killed displaced people. A senior official for the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority, which operates in the West Bank but not in Gaza, described it as a massacre.

(Reporting By Moaz Abd-Alaziz, Nidal al Maghrabi and Ali Sawafta; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Hundreds of Palestinians sheltering and being treated in the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza were killed in a blast on Tuesday, according to reports from Palestinian health authorities, who say Israel is responsible for the attack. Initial reports indicate that the strike on the hospital killed at least 300 people, with some reporting the death toll is nearing 500 casualties. Israeli authorities have suggested that the blast may have actually been the result of a failed rocket launch by Hamas militants.

Israeli warplanes bombed Al-Ahli Arab hospital, a Baptist hospital, in the center of Gaza City, resulting in the martyrdom of 500 Palestinians, including children and women, Palestines Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X (formerly Twitter.)

Earlier in the day an Israeli airstrike struck a United Nations school killing at least six individuals, according to the UNRWA, the UNs Palestinian humanitarian relief operation.

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We are horrified by the recent Israeli bombing of Ahli Arab Hospital in #Gaza City, which was treating patients and hosting displaced Gazans, Doctors Without Borders wrote on X. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed. This is a massacre. It is absolutely unacceptable.

Nothing justifies this shocking attack on a hospital and its many patients and health workers, as well as the people who sought shelter there, the organization added. Hospitals are not a target. This bloodshed must stop. Enough is enough.

Earlier this week, the United Nations warned that the situation in Gaza is quickly approaching that of a humanitarian catastrophe. In response to last weeks attack by Hamas against Israel, in which Israel reports that more than 1,200 people were killed, the majority of them civilians, Israel has declared a complete siege against Gaza. The Palestinian territory, which houses more than 2 million people and is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, has been cut off from access to water, electricity, and fuel by Israel. According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 3,000 Palestinians have been killed in the retaliatory bombing campaign against Gaza, including hundreds of children. The death toll is expected to rise in the aftermath of the attack on Al-Ahli Arab Hospital.

Alongside patients being treated at Al-Ahli, hundreds of civilians had taken refuge in the hospital following an order from the Israeli government for more than 1 million Palestinians to evacuate from northern Gaza ahead of an expected ground offensive by Israeli forces.

Whats happened is terrible because those people, all of them, are civilians. They fled their homes and reached a place that they believed was safe  a hospital, which according to international law, is a safe place, Ziad Shehadah, a doctor and Gaza resident, told Al Jazeera of the attack on the hospital. The death toll right now is more than 500, but we believe that number will reach more than 1,000. It is a massacre.

Nebal Farsakh, a representative from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, told Al Jazeera that those who were in front of the hospital were forced to leave their homes under the evacuation order. They cant even afford to evacuate to the south. Theres complete destruction of the infrastructure and transportation.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that their analysis and intelligence had determined that the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the failed rocket launch that hit the hospital. The IDF did not make public what specific analysis they had conducted. Additionally, several videos claiming to show a Hamas rocket failing to launch and striking Gazan territory were circulated widely on social media before being disproved as years-old footage or footage from unrelated conflicts.

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Hundreds march in Bostons Back Bay in support of Palestinian people amid violence in Gaza Strip

Hundreds of people marched from Copley Square to the Consulate General of Israel to New England Monday night in support of the people of Palestine as Israel prepares for a possible ground offensive on the Gaza Strip following a horrific attack from Hamas.

A Massachusetts woman who says 16 of her relatives have been killed in the Gaza Strip participated in the massive demonstration in Bostons Back Bay.

Heidi Ali, a resident of the Greater Boston area, was among those in the crowd who say their family members are dying from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

More than a million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground invasion as Israel vows to eliminate Hamas leadership.

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16 of my family members were killed, cried Ali. We feel betrayed that the world is witnessing a genocide on our people, and nobodys doing anything.

Ali told Boston 25 News that she feels helpless by the violence thats been unfolding daily.

She believes her voice is the only weapon she has in pleading for the bloodshed to stop.

Its a massacre. Theyre killing us like were not humans, she said. We have to be a voice for the people who dont have a voice in this right now.

The war that began back on October 7th has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides with more than 4,000 dead.

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
WASHINGTON  Hunter Biden's lawyers are carrying out an aggressive counterattack as Republicans make the president's son the focus of an impeachment inquiry and a special counsel investigation threatens to hang over the 2024 election.

In a two-week span in September, President Joe Biden 's son Hunter Biden sued Rudy Giuliani over the release of personal material on Biden's laptop, the Internal Revenue Service for allegedly revealing confidential information about his taxes and former Trump White House aide Garrett Ziegler for allegedly accessing and tampering with computer data that he does not own.

Hunter Biden's legal team also issued third-party subpoenas to Donald Trump allies Roger Stone, Steve Bannon and Giuliani, along with six others, in recent weeks seeking information and documents related to Hunter Biden's external hard drive and laptop  contents of which each have boasted about possessing.

The moves taking aim at Hunter Biden's accusers reflect a more aggressive legal strategy adopted by his attorney, Abbe Lowell, who was hired last December, and long pushed by Kevin Morris, a Hollywood attorney, novelist and close friend of Hunter Biden. Morris advised going on offense after Republicans gained control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections.

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"The Republicans have had the microphone to themselves for many, many months," said David Brock, a Democratic operative and president of Facts First USA, which he launched to counter Republicans' claims about the president's son.

"The thinking is to put some facts out there in the public domain so that the public can have a more accurate picture of Hunter and what went on here rather than the distorted Republican lens that is refracted through most of the media coverage," Brock said.

More: Hunter Biden as a 'foreign agent'? Inquiry comes as DOJ ramps up previously 'rare' enforcement

Blames 'Trump and his MAGA allies' for new guns case

A counterpunch was also delivered as Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty this month to three gun-related charges in a Delaware federal court after a previous deal with prosecutors to plead guilty collapsed.

Lowell, in a statement, slammed the charges as "the result of political pressure from President Trump and his MAGA allies to force the Justice Department to ignore the law and deviate from its policies in cases like this one."

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to three gun-related charges for his purchase of a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver on Oct. 12, 2018, when he has said he was on drugs.

Hunter Biden's lawyers have argued the charges are unconstitutional under the Second Amendment and barred under the prior plea agreement that fell apart. Lowell has said theres evidence that will exonerate Hunter Biden when and if there is a trial."

Hunter Biden could also face tax-evasion charges under an ongoing investigation by U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a Trump-appointed prosecutor who was given special counsel status in August. Like the gun charges, Biden had previously reached a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to two misdemeanors for not paying taxes in 2017 and 2018 before the agreement collapsed.

In addition, the Justice Department is considering a possible third set of charges over Hunter Biden's decision not to register as a "foreign agent" while working with companies in Ukraine and China.

'Total annihilation' of digital privacy, Hunter Biden's lawyers say

The recent subpoena letters are part of a countersuit Hunter Biden filed in March against John Paul Mac Isaac  the owner of a Delaware computer shop  that fights the dissemination of material from an external hard drive and personal laptop that's long been at the heart of the Hunter Biden controversy.

For years, Republicans have exploited material found on a hard drive on Hunter Biden's personal laptop that he left at Mac Isaac's Delaware store in 2019 but never returned to pick back up. Mac Isaac, an outspoken supporter of former President Trump, claimed ownership of the equipment and passed it along to the FBI and to Giuliani ahead of the 2020 election.

Hunter Biden's lawyers accuse Mac Isaac of invasion of privacy, arguing that Hunter Biden never gave him permission to access, copy and share electronically stored data on the computer. The subpoena letters to others like Stone and Bannon could preview future litigation against others who disseminated the material.

What you will see as this progresses is simply a vise closing on a group of conspirators set on destroying the first family, said a source close to Hunter Biden.

The lawsuit filed last month against Giuliani, which includes Castello as a co-defendant, says both men engaged in a "total annihilation" Hunter's "digital privacy." Garrett Ziegler, who has also claimed to possess a copy of Hunter Biden's hard drive, is accused of similar violations in a separate lawsuit for his role in publishing a trove of emails and images of Hunter Biden on the internet.

Legal experts skeptical of a 'pity' argument

Emails and other material discovered on the laptop provide a bulk of the evidence that House Republicans cite to allege "influence-peddling" by Hunter Biden in his foreign business deals as a board member of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. House Republicans have been unable to prove their most serious claim: that Joe Biden, as vice president, received bribe payments through his son to steer U.S. policy.

At a initial impeachment inquiry House hearing last month, Republicans' own witnesses said they lacked evidence of bribery or other impeachable offenses by Joe Biden.

The laptop also contained nude photos of Hunter Biden that Republicans have seized on to embarrass the president and his son.

Ankush Khardori, a former federal prosecutor, said Hunter Biden's legal team is trying to "humanize" and show more complexities of a client who has been effectively "disembodied" through relentless attacks by Republicans. But he is skeptical the argument will prove effective with a privileged son of a president.

"This isn't someone I think most people are predisposed to feel any real pity for," he said. "I'm pretty dubious it will work."

Khardori also questioned the soundness of Hunter Biden's legal argument that Mac Isaac took unlawful possession of the laptop. Mac Isaac claims Hunter Biden signed a form stating that any equipment left at the repair shop for more than 90 days would be considered abandoned.

The lawsuit against Giuliani alleges he and Costello spent months reviewing and manipulating the data before releasing it  accusing them of violating the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Californias Computer Data Access and Fraud Act and Californias Unfair Competition Law. Hunter Biden currently resides in California.

Hunter Biden's attorneys also pointed to comments Giuliani made this year on his podcasts bragging about loading data from Hunter Biden's equipment onto his own computer and accessing it during the program.

Meanwhile, Costello stated publicly he scrolled through thousands of emails, bank statements and pictures, which made him feel like a voyeur, according to the lawsuit. Costello said publicly he manipulated the data to be cleaned up," the lawsuit argues, and created new digital folders with titles such as Salacious Pics and The Big Guy."

The case against the IRS

The lawsuit against the IRS targets two IRS agents, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, who testified before Congress as federal whistleblowers and claimed they were hindered by the Justice Department during a five year investigation of Hunter Biden's business dealings.

Lowell, in the lawsuit, argues Shapley and Joseph Ziegler revealed confidential information about Hunter Biden's taxes  including during more than 20 nationally televised interview  in an assault on his client's privacy that sought to embarrass him.

"Mr. Biden has no fewer or lesser rights than any other American citizen, and no government agency or government agent has free reign to violate his rights simply because of who he is," Lowell wrote. "Yet the IRS and its agents have conducted themselves under a presumption that the rights that apply to every other American citizen do not apply to Mr. Biden."

The lawsuit contends Biden is eligible for $1,000 in statutory damages for each unauthorized disclosure and also unspecified punitive damages.

Legal strategy could complicate Biden's reelection run

"Whenever someone is attacked publicly and they feel like they've been treated unfairly, they're going to want to fight back. And so I do think part of what happened here," Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor now practicing at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, said of Hunter Biden's aggressive legal strategy.

But he said the goal is more than just changing the public narrative about Hunter Biden.

"I don't think that a strategy like this is meant primarily for PR purposes," he said, arguing the larger purpose is to gather additional evidence and "put adversaries on the defensive."

That strategy, of course, could have major political ramifications for President Biden.

Rather than dealing with his legal troubles quietly, Hunter Biden's lawsuits and his legal team's public jabs against his Republican foes and the IRS could ensure the controversy remains in the spotlight during Joe Biden's 2024 reelection bid.

"I think it's apparent that Hunter Biden is focused on his own rights and his own interests, and not on his father's political career," Mariotti said, "given that he's now engaging in a very aggressive attack on the prosecution and its witnesses."

Contributing: Bart Jansen. Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly known as Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunter Biden hits back with aggressive (possibly risky) legal strategy
SAN DIEGO  The 135-year-old Hotel del Coronado will revitalize its Victorian building as part of a $550 million development plan, resort officials said.

The final phase of Blackstone Real Estates project, which is set to be complete by Spring 2025, focuses on the upgrades of all Victorian guestrooms, suites and event spaces such as the Crown Room, the Hotel del Coronado said in a press release Monday.

We are thrilled to embark on this exciting and final journey of Blackstones investment in this one-of-a-kind resort, said Harold Rapoza, managing director, Hotel Del Coronado. The Victorian building holds a special place in the hearts of our guests, and we are dedicated to preserving its historical significance while elevating the bespoke guest experience to new heights.

Built in 1888, Hotel Del Coronado provides guests with oceanfront views, pools, a beach village, multiple restaurants, among other amenities.

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This San Diego hotel is one of the best budget stays in the US: study

Hotel officials aim to preserve the historic architecture with the restoration.

Led by Wimberly Interiors in partnership with WATGs California architecture studio, the design for the Victorian building celebrates the legacy of the property, ensuring the public areas remain truly Victorian with original finishes remaining intact, but with contemporary design enhancements to bathrooms, furnishing, artwork and state-of-the-art technologies to elevate the level of comfort and luxury, Hotel Del Coronado said.

Since 2018, the hotel has made some changes such as adding 75 new residential-style accommodations on the south end of the resort called Shore House at the Del, relaunching its most popular outdoor event venues that can host up to 900 guests and expanding its fitness center.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
A Nampa man was arrested after he allegedly shot at an occupied vehicle, according to police.

The Nampa Police Department received a 911 call around 2:15 a.m. Monday from the victim, who said that 51-year-old Stephan Leslie approached his parked vehicle at a parking lot in the 1600 block of Smith Avenue and shot at his car, according to a news release from Nampa police.

Police said the gunshot didnt strike the male victim but that it hit directly behind where he was sitting, the release said. No one else was in the car. Police said they believe the incident was because of ongoing street racing in the area.

Nampa police arrested Leslie at a nearby house just outside city limits with the assistance of the Canyon County Sheriffs Office. He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, possession of a stolen gun and discharging a firearm into a vehicle.

This is the type of teamwork that Treasure Valley law enforcement agencies are able to rely on, Nampa Deputy Chief Curt Shankel said in the release.
Democrat Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib's latest claim about Israel has been contradicted by the country's military spokesperson.

Tlaib, a member of the progressive "Squad" of House Democrats, accused Israel of bombing a Christian hospital in the Gaza Strip and "killing 500 Palestinians," including doctors, patients and children.

"Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients) just like that," Tlaib tweeted Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter.

RASHIDA TLAIB'S TOP CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISER ACCUSES ISRAEL OF WANTING TO ETHNICALLY CLEANSE PALESTINIANS

Democrat Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib's latest claim about Israel was debunked by the country's military spokesperson.

"[President Biden] this is what happens when you refuse to facilitate a ceasefire [and] help de-escalate," wrote Tlaib, an outspoken critic of Israel. "Your war and destruction only approach has opened my eyes and many Palestinian Americans and Muslims Americans like me."

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"We will remember where you stood," she added.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

However, only hours later, a spokesperson from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a tweet on Israel's main X account that the Christian hospital in Gaza was destroyed by a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket amid their barrage, not an Israeli missile.

"From the analysis of the operational systems of the IDF, an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, which passed through the vicinity of the hospital when it was hit," the IDF spokesperson wrote.

"According to intelligence information, from several sources we have, the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the failed shooting that hit the hospital," the spokesperson continued, referencing the Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often cooperates with Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the hospital bombing Tuesday.

"The barbarian terrorists in Gaza are the ones who attacked the hospital in Gaza, not the IDF. He who brutally murdered our children, also murders his children," Netanyahu wrote in a post on X.

Tlaib's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Tlaib's fellow "Squad" member, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., also tweeted about the bombing, calling on Biden to push for a cease-fire.

"Bombing a hospital is among the gravest of war crimes. The IDF reportedly blowing up one of the few places the injured and wounded can seek medical treatment and shelter during war is horrific," Omar posted on X.

Tlaib's post came after a report that one of her top fundraisers has consistently projected anti-Israel viewpoints on social media platforms and recently said that Israel intends to ethnically cleanse Palestinians.

Fox News Digital found that the Michigan Democrat's committee has paid $42,000 to Unbought Power for "fundraising consulting" this year, with the most recent payment of $7,000 coming in August, her new filings show. Unbought Power is a Florida-based consulting and advocacy firm owned and managed by Rasha Mubarak, a Palestinian-American Muslim activist.

Mubarak also acts as treasurer of Tlaib's leadership PAC, Rooted in Community Leadership, which has also paid her company over the past two years.

Democrat Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib's latest claim about Israel has been contradicted by the country's military spokesperson.

Like Tlaib, Mubarak has regularly made comments critical of Israel. Weeks before Hamas' terrorist attack on innocent civilians, Mubarak accused Israel of "ongoing ethnic cleansing."

"The layers of grief that Palestinians experience can be difficult to contextualize  especially  when a large part is how normalizing the ongoing ethnic cleansing has grossly transcended," Mubarak wrote on X in September. "Forfeiting red lines generates the false idea that this is the fate of the Palestinian [people]."

Following Hamas' attack this month, Mubarak amplified several pro-Palestinian messages on her social media account, particularly of rallies across the United States.

One of the messages Mubarak reposted after the Oct. 7 attack called for halting money to Israel and ending the "siege in Gaza."

"Congressmen, this is a start. It is beyond time that you use your position that we elected you into to take action," says the reposted message from the Florida Palestine Network in response to Democrat Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost. "We demand that you condemn Israel's violence against Palestinians, vote against sending [money] and arms to Israel, [and] call for an end to the siege in Gaza."

Fox News Digital's Joe Schoffstall contributed reporting.





Original article source: IDF contradicts 'Squad' tweets accusing Israeli military of bombing hospital
Warning: This story has graphic details that were released with the familys permission.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Investigators in Florida said they have solved the 1986 cold case murder of a nurse after nearly 37 years, thanks to an illicit affair by a relative of the suspected killer.

Wrong-way driver killed, Lake Wales couple hospitalized in Polk County crash

On Oct. 27, 1986, the mother of Teresa Lee Scalf, Betty Scalf, found her daughter dead in her Lakeland home.

The victims family said her mother had to break into the residence with a credit card after the hospital told her Teresa didnt show up for work.

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I think she was killed around 3:30 in the afternoon, and by the time I got there at 8 or 9 oclock at night, all the evidence had been washed away by the rain, Betty Scalf said.

The Polks County Sheriffs Office said Teresa Scalfs throat had been slit and she had defensive wounds on her hands. Detective Matt Newbold said there was no sign of forced entry before the victims mother got there.

He cut her head almost off, Sheriff Grady Judd said.

After years of investigation, detectives identified the murder suspect as Donald Douglas, who lived behind Scalf at the time of her murder. They said the murder was sexually motivated.

The 29-year-old nurse, who worked at what is now Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, lived alone with her 8-year-old son at her apartment. However, the child was at his grandmothers home at the time, deputies said.

Scalfs family described her as a loving, kind person.

She used to cry when she had to stick babies for blood, and she cried when the teenagers came in [after] car wrecks, Teresas sister Lynne Scalf said. She liked working ICU because she provided comfort.

Her sister Pam Shade, who is also a nurse, said she got her family into healthcare. Sadly, Teresa had only become a registered nurse one month before her murder, according to her sister.

Our family didnt deserve this, Shade said.

Detectives found two blood samples, one of them belonging to Scalf. But without the proper technology, there was no way to identify who murdered her.

When this occurred in 1986there was no DNA genealogy, Judd said.

The sheriff said in the 2000s, the Polk County Sheriffs Office put the unknown blood sample into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), but there was no result.

Donald Douglas, the man who deputies say murdered Teresa Scalf (Photo provided by Polk County Sheriffs Office)

Detectives talked to Donald at the time of the event as they were doing neighborhood canvases, but there was nothing at all out of the ordinary, he said.

Then, in 2022, the sheriffs office teamed up with Othram Inc., a DNA genealogy company that works with law enforcement agencies. Othram analyzed the blood sample and narrowed the scope of the search to distant relatives of the suspect, the sheriffs office said in a press release.

Investigators looked for a DNA match through genealogies and family histories, which eventually led them to the suspects third cousin who had a child outside her marriage in 1949, the Miami-Herald reported. The affair pointed them to a new line of the family tree, the newspaper explained.

From there, investigators were able to trace the suspects son.

When we were able to work the genealogy up into the modern era, Matt met with Donald Douglas son and said, Wed like a blood sample. Were working a murder investigation,' Judd said. The son [of] Donald Douglas was totally cooperative and was in horrible shock. His dad, and heres the key to it, had never ever ever been arrested. Ever.

The sheriff said Douglas son never thought his father would ever murder anyone. However, his DNA did match the blood sample found at the scene.

The results of a genetic analysis of the DNA confirmed that the blood found at the murder scene did indeed belong to Donald Douglas because the DNA profile indicated a 100% confidence of a parent/child biological relationship compared to Douglas sons DNA profile, a statement from the sheriffs office reads.

According to Lynne Scalf, Teresa did tell her sisters that she had a creepy neighbor who was stalker-ish but never described him.

If you are getting a creepy vibe, dont just tell your sisters this creepy neighbor is doing weird things, she said. Give a description. If we had had that description the sheriff just showed you, that would have narrowed it right down. Large man, scruffy, 30-ish? Think of what that would have done to the potential pool of suspects.

Douglas was 33 at the time of the murder but died at the age of 54 of natural causes in 2008, the sheriffs office said. Detectives said Douglas body was cremated.

Teresa Scalfs family thanked law enforcement for their dedication to solving her murder.

Im 84 years old, Betty Scalf said. I lived to see this done. I think thats why I lived so long.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
 Flash

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is willing to work with Mongolia to adhere to mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual support, and push bilateral relations to a new level, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with his Mongolian counterpart Batmunkh Battsetseg.

Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Mongolia relations have maintained a sound momentum of development, Wang said.

Mongolia is one of the first countries to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. China is willing to strengthen development strategies alignment with Mongolia so that mutually beneficial cooperation can benefit the two peoples more, contribute to regional development and stability, and promote the building of a global community of shared future, he noted.

Battsetseg said Mongolia attaches great importance to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, abides by the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests.

Mongolia looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges and expanding cooperation with China in various fields, he said, noting that Mongolia is willing to start preparations for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties at an early date.

Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh will attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Battsetseg said, expressing his hope to deepen cooperation with all parties involved and boost shared development and prosperity.
Warning: This story has graphic details that were released with the familys permission.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Investigators in Florida said they have solved the 1986 cold case murder of a nurse after nearly 37 years, thanks to an illicit affair by a relative of the suspected killer.

Wrong-way driver killed, Lake Wales couple hospitalized in Polk County crash

On Oct. 27, 1986, the mother of Teresa Lee Scalf, Betty Scalf, found her daughter dead in her Lakeland home.

The victims family said her mother had to break into the residence with a credit card after the hospital told her Teresa didnt show up for work.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

I think she was killed around 3:30 in the afternoon, and by the time I got there at 8 or 9 oclock at night, all the evidence had been washed away by the rain, Betty Scalf said.

The Polks County Sheriffs Office said Teresa Scalfs throat had been slit and she had defensive wounds on her hands. Detective Matt Newbold said there was no sign of forced entry before the victims mother got there.

He cut her head almost off, Sheriff Grady Judd said.

After years of investigation, detectives identified the murder suspect as Donald Douglas, who lived behind Scalf at the time of her murder. They said the murder was sexually motivated.

The 29-year-old nurse, who worked at what is now Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, lived alone with her 8-year-old son at her apartment. However, the child was at his grandmothers home at the time, deputies said.

Scalfs family described her as a loving, kind person.

She used to cry when she had to stick babies for blood, and she cried when the teenagers came in [after] car wrecks, Teresas sister Lynne Scalf said. She liked working ICU because she provided comfort.

Her sister Pam Shade, who is also a nurse, said she got her family into healthcare. Sadly, Teresa had only become a registered nurse one month before her murder, according to her sister.

Our family didnt deserve this, Shade said.

Detectives found two blood samples, one of them belonging to Scalf. But without the proper technology, there was no way to identify who murdered her.

When this occurred in 1986there was no DNA genealogy, Judd said.

The sheriff said in the 2000s, the Polk County Sheriffs Office put the unknown blood sample into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), but there was no result.

Donald Douglas, the man who deputies say murdered Teresa Scalf (Photo provided by Polk County Sheriffs Office)

Detectives talked to Donald at the time of the event as they were doing neighborhood canvases, but there was nothing at all out of the ordinary, he said.

Then, in 2022, the sheriffs office teamed up with Othram Inc., a DNA genealogy company that works with law enforcement agencies. Othram analyzed the blood sample and narrowed the scope of the search to distant relatives of the suspect, the sheriffs office said in a press release.

Investigators looked for a DNA match through genealogies and family histories, which eventually led them to the suspects third cousin who had a child outside her marriage in 1949, the Miami-Herald reported. The affair pointed them to a new line of the family tree, the newspaper explained.

From there, investigators were able to trace the suspects son.

When we were able to work the genealogy up into the modern era, Matt met with Donald Douglas son and said, Wed like a blood sample. Were working a murder investigation,' Judd said. The son [of] Donald Douglas was totally cooperative and was in horrible shock. His dad, and heres the key to it, had never ever ever been arrested. Ever.

The sheriff said Douglas son never thought his father would ever murder anyone. However, his DNA did match the blood sample found at the scene.

The results of a genetic analysis of the DNA confirmed that the blood found at the murder scene did indeed belong to Donald Douglas because the DNA profile indicated a 100% confidence of a parent/child biological relationship compared to Douglas sons DNA profile, a statement from the sheriffs office reads.

According to Lynne Scalf, Teresa did tell her sisters that she had a creepy neighbor who was stalker-ish but never described him.

If you are getting a creepy vibe, dont just tell your sisters this creepy neighbor is doing weird things, she said. Give a description. If we had had that description the sheriff just showed you, that would have narrowed it right down. Large man, scruffy, 30-ish? Think of what that would have done to the potential pool of suspects.

Douglas was 33 at the time of the murder but died at the age of 54 of natural causes in 2008, the sheriffs office said. Detectives said Douglas body was cremated.

Teresa Scalfs family thanked law enforcement for their dedication to solving her murder.

Im 84 years old, Betty Scalf said. I lived to see this done. I think thats why I lived so long.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
This time, I almost gave up the hope that one day, people will see the humanity in Palestinians, my people. See the humanity in me.

As if the number of innocent civilians killed in the latest war between Israel and Hamas hasnt been horrifying enough, the count continues to rise.

The sheer number of bombs Israel dropped in five days is more than the United States dropped in Afghanistan in a year after 9/11, The Washington Post reported.

Condemnation of the killing of innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilians should be easy to come by, yet I watch in frustration as Palestinians are dehumanized, as if their lives are less valuable.

Ive felt this frustration before  too many times. The pain of feeling less than human is never less gut-wrenching. I feel this rage and sadness, but I harness that. It drives what I do, who I am.

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And instead of waiting for people to see Palestinians as humans, I have the power to show them. As journalists, we have a duty to expose injustice, to think critically. To show humanity.

Palestinians just want to live freely and safely

As a woman living in diaspora, I watch events in the Palestinian territories from afar while my family there lives through it.

March 30, 2018, marked the beginning of the monthslong Great March of Return, when tens of thousands of Palestinians came together to protest across Gaza, the West Bank and within Israels borders.

They demanded the end of Israels blockade of the Gaza Strip, the end of its now 75-year brutal military occupation that human rights groups have described as apartheid, and the return of the 750,000 Palestinians expelled from their homes to make way for the creation of Israel in 1948.

Today, there are an estimated 6 million Palestinian refugees.

I did what I always do when Palestinians dare demand their right to live freely: I checked on my family in the West Bank to make sure they were safe.

And then, my stomach already in knots, I braced myself for what was to come.

Israel responded to these protests in 2018 by using live ammunition on peaceful protesters, the United Nations reported, sniping down women, children, journalists and medics, along with tear gas, rubber bullets, drones; 214 Palestinians were killed, 46 of them children. More than 36,100 Palestinians were injured, including about 8,800 children. One in 5 were injured by live ammunition.

Watching these events unfold in horror and devastation, I remember thinking to myself, maybe this time the world will get it. Palestinians just want to live. We want to be regarded as human. And even when protesting peacefully, Palestinians still pay the price in blood.

Looking back, I realize I was naive.

Overwhelmed by the war in Israel? Here's how to protect your mental health.

When will people see the daily realities that Palestinians endure?

Just a few months earlier, 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi was sentenced to eight months in Israeli prison for slapping Israeli soldiers. She was protesting the expansion of Israeli settlements  illegal under international law  near her village, Nabi Saleh. Her cousin, 15 at the time, was injured after an Israeli soldier shot him in the head with a rubber bullet at close range.

I feel such frustration that a child was imprisoned for eight months, in a country the United States supports and in which there is little challenge to these practices and policies by the news media, the Israeli government or our own government.

In 2021, thousands of Palestinians across the region again erupted in peaceful protest against the expulsion of eight Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah, a neighborhood in East Jerusalem. Tensions were already high following an Israeli police raid on worshippers praying during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islams holiest sites. (The image of Palestinians beaten by Israeli forces has been juxtaposed with images of the soldiers protecting Israelis as they marched chanting death to Arabs during that same time.)

More than 2 million Palestinians are trapped in Gaza under a 16-year Israeli siege, now subjected to repeated bombings described by the U.N. as collective punishment.

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After the Sheikh Jarrah protests two years ago, I remember thinking to myself, in deep pain and frustration: Maybe people will see the daily realities that Palestinians live through  like forced expulsions, even Israeli settlers taking over Palestinian homes while Palestinians still live in them, and boasting about it in the media.

Last year, when prominent veteran Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed  likely by an Israeli sniper while covering the near-daily raids and killings of Palestinians  maybe, I thought, the image of those carrying Abu Akleh in a casket, almost dropping it as Israeli police beat them, would be enough for people to understand what Palestinians live through.

Or even now, maybe the news of entire neighborhoods, entire families, obliterated by Israels bombs in the latest war between Israel and Hamas  and now Israels order for the forced evacuation of more than a million people from northern Gaza, which the U.N. calls an impending humanitarian crisis  would be enough to show people just how unequal this war really is.

Maybe the 6,000 Israeli bombs that have hit Gaza since Oct. 7 would be enough to remind people that Israel occupies Palestinian territories, subjecting them to violent oppression for the last 75 years.

Or maybe the Israeli minster of defense calling Palestinians human animals when he ordered complete siege on the 2 million people of Gaza  cutting off water, electricity, fuel and food as hospitals are bombed and on the verge of collapse  would spark some sympathy.

'Take a lesson from the dead': Fatal stabbing of 6-year-old serves warning to divided US

Injustice I can't unsee

It can feel lonely and empty to see others disregard your humanity. To paint your people with the broad brush of terrorism.

Ive witnessed my mother strip-searched and thrown in an Israeli detention cell for trying to visit the country she was born in, told never to fly through Ben Gurion airport again, simply because she is Palestinian.

Ive seen the separation wall. Ive heard the gunfire. Ive driven segregated roads.

Ive seen Palestinian homes bulldozed in East Jerusalem, settlements built right in the middle of Palestinian neighborhoods, settlements that continue to expand, surrounding my familys villages in the West Bank.

Its injustice that I cannot unsee, I cannot unlive.

But Palestinians are strong, they are resilient. Both our strength and our suffering reminds me of why Im a journalist. Because Ive seen firsthand the oppression that Palestinians face, and Ive lived it during every visit home. Interrogation by Israeli soldiers, and at military checkpoints, guns pointed at me by Israeli soldiers.

Palestinians protest even though they know that they can die, and they do it because they have no other choice. It's their freedom they're protesting for.

I have faith that journalists will find the bravery, as Palestinian journalists have, leading the way for humanity to be acknowledged  to ask these questions and think critically and demand that Palestinians be seen as worthy.

To see our humanity, our right to self-determination.

Our right to simply live.

Andrea May Sahouri is a staff writer at the Detroit Free Press, where this column was originally published.

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 Detroit Free Press: As Israel-Hamas war rages, will people see our Palestinian humanity?
Im a Christian Palestinian who was born in Israel. I emigrated to the United States with my family when I was 6 and I have loved America ever since. My husband, Joel, and I moved to Nashville almost 12 years ago  our three children are native Nashvillians. This is home.

As a Palestinian, a Christian, a mother, and a human being, I condemn the atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel. My heart bleeds for every Israeli person affected by these events, and I feel the fear and pain of my Jewish friends as if it were my own.

I vehemently decry any action whose intended outcome is the loss of civilian life. The direct targeting of civilians, whether done by military or insurgency forces, is not only a war crime but a crime against humanity. As a person of faith I would say it is a crime against God.

I wish my condemnation and pain stopped there. I wish I could write a period at the end of those sentences and feel that my sense of justice has been satisfied. Like everyone else, I, too, want to be on the right side of history.

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The fact of the matter is, this conflict is not binary. There is no side to stand with because the dignity and humanity of 9 million Israelis (20% of whom are ethnically Palestinian) and 5 million Palestinians living in the Palestinian Territories under military occupation is at stake.

There is no side. This is, plainly put, a human struggle.

The conflict in the Middle East has reached another tipping point

The history of this struggle is complex and the multiple parties involved often take great liberties with historical facts. I will not provide that history here except to say that this is a modern conflict.

The widely disseminated myth that this struggle goes back to biblical times is uninformed at best and manipulative at worst. The notion that this is a pitting of Islam versus Judaism suffers from the same shaky ground.

This is a struggle for land, for survival, and for self-determination. Its a struggle for a place to call home  a place to raise ones children and to give them roots steeped in history and tradition, and to give them opportunities for a life well lived. This is whats at stake for Israelis and Palestinians.

Readers react to Israel-Hamas war: On Israel war, readers question generalizations of Muslims and congressional bombast

As Israelis begin the process of recovering from Hamass attack, it is imperative to remember that the stakes are higher than theyve ever been. How they choose to respond will have a cataclysmic  no, an existential  effect both for their humanity as well as that of the Palestinians. The conflict has reached another tipping point.

Israeli forces declared the state of Israel in 1948, expelling masses of Palestinians from their homes and forcing them into refugee camps and exile. Since the Six Day War of 1967, Palestinians have been living under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Effectively, both areas have become open air prisons, with the Israeli government controlling the borders, as well as access to water, electricity, and medical supplies. Palestinians in the Occupied Territories are routinely subject to the brutality of Israels military, whose indiscriminate use of force and immoral tactics have been documented repeatedly by third party observers and human rights organizations.

There is too much at stake for Palestinians and Israelis alike

And now, the Gaza Strip, home to over 2 million people living in an area thats approximately one-fourth the size of Davidson County, is being bombed indiscriminately  with many simply unable to leave because they are poor and destitute and do not have anywhere else to go. They are stateless  strangers in their own land. This, too, is a crime against God.

A better Middle East is possible: Palestinian state supporters should all condemn Hamas terrorist attack against Israel

We cannot succumb to the temptation of intellectual apathy  reducing the complexity of this struggle and its accompanying humanitarian crisis to a post on our social media feeds.

How can we choose the humanity of one group of people over another because we want to take a "stand?"

There is too much at stake  for the Palestinians and the Israelis  and for all of us. This is not the time to abandon our moral compass and fall prey to the trap of tribal mentality, where we become quick to prioritize retaliation to satisfy and ease our fear and pain.

This will occur at the expense of doing the immense work of building trust and easing tensions, of addressing the root causes - which is the only type of work that will give both Israelis and Palestinians a real future.

This is an opportunity to halt the cycle of violence  not continue it into perpetuity. If we lose our ability to see the dignity of Israelis and Palestinians as equally worthy of our concern and our support - if we do not take a stand for their collective humanity - we will all be lost.

Dr. Nahed Artoul Zehr holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Florida State University, was a professor at Western Kentucky University, executive director at Faith and Culture Center - Nashville, and is the founder of True Contributors, LLC. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Joel, their daughters Nurah and Nadeen, and their son, Saleem.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Israel at war: Protect human rights of Palestinians and Israelis alike
Around $1.8 billion in Army ground combat equipment is deteriorating or at increased risk of deterioration due to improper storage, Defense Department investigators have found.

A Department of Defense Office of Inspector General report published Monday uncovered critical deficiencies in how the Pentagon maintains and protects core components of the Armys land capabilities. The shortfalls, the report warns, could endanger personnel, waste millions, and undermine readiness as the Army attempts to retool its logistical network for conflict across multiple theaters.

Investigators inspected $1.96 billion worth of equipment stored at two distribution centers controlled by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the Defense Department bureau tasked with managing the militarys sprawling supply chains. The DLAs distribution division, responsible for storing and disseminating materiel, handled a total $3.87 billion of Army ground combat gear as of July 2022, according to the report.

The spare parts stored at these facilities support some of the Armys flagship land fighting technology, including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Stryker Armored Combat Vehicle, and the Abrams tank, the report noted.

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Two-thirds of the inspected parts  valued at $1.31 billion  exhibited critical deficiencies, meaning they were deteriorating and in immediate danger of moving to a lower condition code, a measure of utility. In all, investigators determined that $1.8 billion (92%) of the inspected equipment was crumbling or at increased risk of falling apart because DLA storage facilities failed to follow Pentagon standards.

Among the spare parts in critical condition were 80 gas turbines, worth almost $90 million, stacked together on a lawn outside of a warehouse. The turbines, meant to be stored indoors, had been there since 2020, investigators learned. Investigators also found tens of millions of dollars worth of tank tracks, vehicle transmission assemblies, and diesel engines stashed away in open-air facilities without proper packaging.

Using appropriate containers and shielding gear from the elements can save millions. Investigators pointed to a case in 2021 when the Army spent $10.92 million to repair engines that had been improperly stored.

Inspectors also warned that cluttered, precarious piles of equipment risked injuring personnel working at the distribution centers.

The inspector general largely blamed the storage pitfalls on poor training and oversight.

DLA Distribution did not provide adequate guidance to its personnel who are responsible for or support equipment maintenance, according to the report. Investigators also found that DLAs distribution division did not have formalized training for the receiving, packaging, warehousing, or inspection personnel who are responsible for the storage and care of Army [ground combat systems] materiel.

The report claims Army leaders failed to recognize the gaps in its materiel management because the branch does not adequately oversee how the parts of its fighting machine are cared for.

The inspector general issued eleven recommendations, including the implementation of new training regimes and regular inspections from the head of Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command. DLA agreed with them all.
India is set to take its space activities to new levels by sending its first astronaut to the moon by 2040  the obvious but ambitious move after the successful landing of its lunar probe Chandrayaan-3.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed the space department to set up the country's native space station called "Bhartiya Antariksha Station" (Hindi translation of Indian Space Station) by 2035, and send the first Indian astronaut to the moon five years later, the government said on Tuesday.

Initially, India aimed to have its own space station in 2022 that would be operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). However, that plan was delayed due to technical issues that impacted the country's human spaceflight project "Gaganyaan" and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The space department will develop a roadmap for moon exploration that will include developing a next-generation launch vehicle; constructing a new launch pad; building human-centric laboratories and associated technologies; as well as a series of Chandrayaan missions, the government said.

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Modi instructed the department during a high-level meeting to assess the progress of the Gaganyaan mission. The project, expected to take place in 2025, aims to launch three crew members to an orbit of around 250 miles (400 kilometers) for three days. The first uncrewed demonstration flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle is scheduled for this week.

There are around 20 major tests planned as part of the program, including three unmanned missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), the government said.

"We believe today's announcement of timelines by the Prime Minister will steadfast India's commitment to bring about our new lease of possibilities for our country in space and drive innovation in this new journey. This will also pave the way for our private space players to contribute to the growing developments in the space sector of our country," said Indian Space Association Director General Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt.

India's ambition to become a significant market for space activities gained public attention when the country opened its space sector for private companies in June 2020. The government created the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) as a nodal agency to work with startups and the industry. That helped grow the number of space tech startups in the country to over 150, and attracted foreign investments.

Indian space tech startups currently work in different areas, including developing launch vehicles for micro and small satellites, building satellites for hyperspectral imagery and creating an infrastructure for space situational awareness.

Earlier this year, India introduced its much-awaited space policy to set guidelines for collaboration between public and private entities. Industry stakeholders have praised the regulatory shift but demanded clarity on foreign direct investments to expand capital infusion in the South Asian nation.

"Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in India's capabilities and affirmed the nation's commitment to scaling new heights in space exploration," the government said in a statement.

Modi also called on Indian scientists to undertake interplanetary missions, including a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander.

In 2014, India launched the Mars Orbiter Mission, called Mangalyaan, as its first interplanetary mission  to observe the red planet. The Indian government also launched its solar probe Aditya-L1 in September this year  10 days after the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the lunar surface in August.

India signed NASA's Artemis Accords in June to partner with participating nations on space exploration. NASA also committed to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston and send them to the International Space Station in 2024.

In 2024, ISRO and NASA are also set to launch a low-Earth orbit observatory to map the entire planet in 12 days and offer consistent data for analyzing alterations in Earth's ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, sea level, and natural disasters and hazards.
Indias Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that it did not have the power to legalize same-sex marriages, saying any reform would have to come from the countrys Parliament.

The five justices on the bench remained unpersuaded by petitioners arguments that Indias Special Marriage Act  a civil marriage law where the state sanctions marriages rather than religion  should also apply to same-sex couples. But the court said that LGBTQ couples have a constitutional right to the benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples  including the right to adoption  and ordered the creation of a governmental panel to address the other concerns of same-sex couples, like pensions and ration cards.

Activists did see a small win for LGBTQ marriages involving transgender people after the court ruled that these marriages can be considered heterosexual if the two people do not identify of the same sex.

Although a small step forward for LGBTQ rights, the ruling is a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government, which argued that same-sex marriage is a Western and urbanist concept that is incompatible with Indian society.

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During the hearings, the Indian government invoked the U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of to support their argument that the judiciary should not interfere with the legislature. While the Chief Justice of India, D. Y. Chandrachud, acknowledged the limits of judicial power, he rebuffed the governments lawyers for using the Dobbs case, saying that India has long debunked the U.S. Supreme Courts view that women have no autonomy over their bodies. We have gone far beyond that, Chandrachud said. But like the Dobbs case, the petitioners arguments also centered on the constitutional right to privacy, when it comes to gender identity under the Indian civil marriage law.

Indias Supreme Court signaled its continued support for transgender recognition during the hearings. The court in 2014 ruled to establish a third, neutral gender in a win for trans rights activists. That legal backing was used by the justices to dismiss the governments arguments that marriage was the legal recognition of a union between a biological man and woman. Its not the question of what your genitals are, noted the chief justice during oral arguments. Its far more complex, thats the point.

A Sikh couples recent LGBTQ wedding has directly challenged some of Indias marriage provisions. The couple  a woman and a trans man 

had their relationship solemnized in September by a Sikh priest who later said he was unaware of the grooms transition. Although Sikhisms governing body condemned the wedding and launched an investigation into the ceremony, authorities have said that there is so far no evidence to suggest that legal religious codes were violated. Law enforcement said that they cannot charge the couple with a felony, but that the couple is ineligible for social benefits and legal protections granted to heterosexual couples.
(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.

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Indias Supreme Court will rule on whether to give legal recognition to same-sex marriage on Oct 17, a long-awaited decision that could more than double the number of people worldwide with marriage equality rights.

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The petitioners  a diverse group of same-sex couples  argue that Indias constitution guarantees equality and urged the Supreme Court to recognize the unions under the Special Marriage Act, a secular law in India that has been used to legalize intercaste and inter-religious marriages.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis government registered its opposition in hearings earlier this year, arguing that in Indian culture, marriage is between a man and a woman. The government also said the issue was a legislative matter and shouldnt be left to the courts.

If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, India will supplant the US as the most populous nation to extend marriage rights to the LGBTQ community. As of now, Taiwan and Nepal are the only Asian jurisdictions among more than 30 worldwide that permit same-sex marriage, and Indias case is being closely watched in other parts of the region.

Progress around this issue has been swift in India. The South Asian nation decriminalized homosexuality in 2018 after a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court. Last year, the court expanded the legal definition of a family to include same-sex couples.

Petitioners in this case called marriage a bouquet of rights that impacted everything from adoption to inheritance. They told the court that it was discriminatory to deny LGBTQ couples these rights simply because their partnerships arent legally recognized.

Modis Bharatiya Janata Party has acknowledged the practical difficulties faced by same-sex couples and offered to form a panel to look into steps that could minimize these issues. The petitioning parties, however, insisted on a court ruling.

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This article was originally published in Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Officials from Indianas public colleges and universities agreed Thursday that their schools need to do a better job at convincing Hoosier students of the value of four-year degrees.

The discussion took place during the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institutes annual luncheon in downtown Indianapolis.

Representatives from Indiana, Purdue, Ball State and Vincennes universities, as well as Indiana State and Ivy Tech Community College, conceded that rising tuition costs are deterring thousands of students from post-high school educations.

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How do we demonstrate the value of the education? asked Christopher Ruhl, chief financial officer and treasurer at Purdue University. Why would I spend all this money and incur all this debt? Thats what students are asking. And weve also got to sell this better and make sure the degree is worth the value. Whats your return on investment? Is this a good value? We hope at Purdue the answer is a resounding yes, but we have to continue focusing on that.

More student aid  and transparency about costs

Despite pushback from some state lawmakers and budget officials, Indianas public colleges and universities are slated to increase tuition and fees over the biennium  up to 4.9% per year  according to information provided to state budget regulators this summer.

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The revelation has since put the states higher education officials in the hot seat and prompted calls for Indiana schools to renew efforts to make degrees more affordable and valuable for students.

Concerns also surround Indianas declining college-going rate. The states higher education commissioner indicated in June that Indianas already dismal college-going rate has declined by roughly another half-percent.

Data released last year showed that only half of Indianas 2020 high school graduates pursued some form of college education beyond high school. The drop marked the states lowest college-going rate in recent history, but the decline has been ongoing for the last five years.

Gen Zs Declining College Interest Persists  Even Among Middle Schoolers

Thats compared to five years ago, when 65% of Indianas high school graduates pursued some form of higher education.

Dominick Chase, a senior vice president for Ivy Tech Community College, said Indiana institutions want to keep prices low as possible, not just for tuition, but for other expenses, too.

No one likes to be surprised by the end of the process when you have fees you werent expecting at the beginning, he said, adding thats why Ivy Tech strives to be transparent at the front about how much its going to cost.

The states largest public postsecondary institution is trying to ease the financial burden on students by keeping textbook costs down, he noted. This fall, eligible students are assessed just $17 per credit hour for textbooks. Next year, that fee will drop to $16 per credit hour.

Dwayne Pinkney, Indiana Universitys executive vice president for finance and administration, emphasized that IUs tuition prices are among the lowest in the Big 10, and that the school is committed to getting institutional aid to as many students as possible.

We certainly recognize that tuition increases create challenges for students and families, he said. Were making sure were doing everything we can.

Still, Pinkney doubled down that investments in the states schools still offer great returns. He said 80% or more of the universitys funds are needed to compensate the excellent faculty, researchers and support staff who provide the best opportunities for our students.

Anand Marri, Ball States interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said utility costs are also on the rise, affecting some schools budgets. Even though the Muncie school has the largest geothermal system in the country, utility costs have increased by more than 5%, he said.

Marri added that university research shows a four-year degree provides more than $1.7 million to a graduate over their lifetime, and that schools have to get that message across to an increasingly skeptical audience.

Even so, Chase recognized how easy it is to get on YouTube now and learn things faster.

I dont think, as a consumer in this day in age, that wed want to take this length of time to learn something, he said of traditional college degrees. Students want to do more, faster.

Vincennes University President Charles Johnson agreed, and said the states schools can collaborate even more, given there are multiple ways to get the same bachelors degree.

Indiana Expands Work-Based Learning, Apprenticeships, Internships to HS Students

Indiana State University Vice President Diann McKee said focusing on higher education pathways is especially important for attractions and retaining first generation and Pell Grant-eligible students.

Those are the students we primarily serve, McKee said. Its really important for us, and for them, to make sure were maintaining affordability for four-year degrees.

Prospects for new Indianapolis campus

Also discussed during the Thursday meeting was the dissolution of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Following a 53-year partnership, the school will be separated into two  Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis  beginning in July 2024.

University officials reiterated Thursday that the split will help each school expand their academic and research portfolios, in addition to making a positive impact on the states economy.

Dan Hasler, chief operating officer for Purdue in Indianapolis, said the restructured urban campus wont have its own chancellor. Instead, the goal is for Boilermakers and faculty at the Indianapolis location to be in sync with the flagship West Lafayette campus.

The Indianapolis extension will especially focus on various flavors of engineering degrees, as well as other science and business-related majors.

He further noted that 80% of students who apply to Purdues West Lafayette campus to do computer science get rejected  not because they arent qualified, but because the university is out of space. The Indianapolis location is a chance to give those students the education they want, Hassler continued.

Between 800 and 1,100 new first-year students are expected in Indianapolis in Fall 2024, with the goal that most students will be residential on the campus in the coming years.

Video: How Purdue Polytechnic HS Prepares Indiana Teens for High-Tech Careers

As Purdue looks forward, Hasler said the university is hoping to introduce additional fields of study, including in agriculture and motorsports engineering  given the close proximity to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

On the Indiana University side, Michael Huber, vice president of university relations, said the Indianapolis campus will help meet significant demand for health and life sciences. While the 65-mile corridor running from West Lafayette to Indianapolis has become what some are calling the Hard Tech Corridor, Huber said IU is coining the stretch of Interstate 69 between Bloomington and Indianapolis the Life Science Corridor.

To help, new applied research partnerships with Eli Lilly, also located in Indianapolis, are in the works, he said.

Additional libraries and health services are also coming together on the campus that can be shared by students at both universities, he said.

The two university officials said the combined central Indiana campus should help increase retention of current students, as well as recent graduates.

IU Indianapolis announced its own initiative last month to offer direct admission to Indianapolis Public Schools students who have a grade point average of at least 3.0. Huber said the program has already garnered a flood of interest from other Marion County high schools who want the same opportunity for their students.

Were banking on relationships, Hasler added, referring to collaborations in Indianapolis between the universities and industry.

But he emphasized that Indiana-based companies have to compete, too. That means more internships, apprenticeship programs and other incentives will need to come together to better woo students to stay in the Hoosier state.

Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: info@indianacapitalchronicle.com. Follow Indiana Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter.
A Wisconsin man is facing a slew of charges after officials say he choked a police K-9 and tried to gouge the dog's eyes during a traffic stop in Indiana.

Tyler Lee Pollard, 32, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was driving 86 mph in a 45 mph zone when an officer pulled him over just after 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, Crown Point police said in a news release posted to Facebook on Monday.

Police said Pollard continued speeding for more than a mile before eventually stopping. Although he responded to commands to roll down the car window and put his key fob on the car, police said he refused to get out.

After continuing to refuse to cooperate, police eventually broke Pollard's window and deployed Jack the police dog into the car, police said. That's when Pollard attacked Jack, they said.

What happened during the police stop?

After Pollard repeatedly refused to get out of his car, police say officers warned him that a police dog would be released.

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"The driver remained in the vehicle and refused to exit," they said. "Two Crown Point officers attempted to enter the passenger side of the vehicle, but it was locked. The police then deployed a department-issued baton to break the passenger window glass to enter the vehicle and unlock the doors."

At that point, "after multiple attempts to get the driver to cooperate," Jack was deployed.

Pollard "gouged K-9 Jacks eyes and grabbed K-9 Jack around the throat with both of his hands, leaving the canine briefly incapacitated and causing his eyes to roll to the back of his head," police said.

Jack's hander, Cpl. David Wilkins, ordered Pollard to release the dog but he refused, police said. A struggle ensued "in an attempt to free the canine from the suspects grip."

An officer then used a Taser on Pollard, who released Jack and then had to be forcibly removed from the car while he continued to resist arrest, police said.

Unreasonable search? Supreme Court asked if police dog's paws violated Constitution during traffic stop

Was Jack the police dog injured?

Police have not released details on any of Jack's injuries but said that a veterinarian gave him a thorough exam and gave him "a clean bill of health." He was in the care of Wilkins.

The 3-year-old shepherd joined the police department at the age of 14 months in September 2021.

Two Crown Point police officers had minor injuries during Pollard's traffic stop and have been cleared for duty.

Pollard was treated for minor injuries at a hospital before being taken to Lake County Jail, where he posted a $2,500 bail and was released from custody.

From the archives: Covington police mourn the loss of 'decorated' K-9 officer

What charges will Tyler Lee Pollard face?

In a separate statement on Monday, police said that they presented multiple charges against Pollard to the Lake County Prosecutor's Office and that they were accepted. It's unclear if Pollard has officially been charged as his case doesn't show up in court records.

Police recommended the following charges against him: battery on a public safety official, intimidation, resisting law enforcement, striking and interfering with a law enforcement animal, disorderly conduct and reckless driving.

Crown Point Police also cited Pollard for speeding and for having an open alcoholic container in a car, police said.

It's unclear whether Pollard has an attorney. A person at his landscaping business told USA TODAY that they would give him a message seeking comment on Tuesday.

The Lake County Prosecutor's Office did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jack the police dog choked, eyes gouged in Crown Point, Indiana
It's been nearly a week since Indiana teacher Amanda Webster went missing in Puerto Rico, leading family and friends to believe she is dead.

The 44-year-old Thompson Crossing Elementary School teacher was vacationing in Naguabo, a town located near the east coast of the island over fall break.

Webster was first reported missing Oct. 11 by the owner of her vacation rental after failing to complete the checkout process as agreed. She left behind her personal belongings and left her rental car parked on the property, according to a Facebook post by police in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rice Police activated an Ashanti Alert a couple days later, an alert designed to allow authorities in state, territory, or tribal areas to share information about a missing adult to assist in the location and investigation of that individual.

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Its purpose was to inform local residents that the departments criminal subdivision had begun to actively search for Webster on Wednesday. The department was also joined by neighboring municipalities emergency agencies and the U.S. Forestry Service to search for Webster in Casa Parcha, a commercial rainforest zone, where she was last seen by a resident.

Heres what we know so far.

What information have police released so far?

Puerto Rico Police reported that they had recovered a body early Saturday morning from the neighborhood river, Rio Blanco, in the same rainforest zone where the search for Webster had begun a day earlier. The body recovered could be a womans, the Facebook post stated.

The body had been floating facedown in a particularly rocky area of the river. The departments criminal and forensic teams were working on extracting the body and getting an ID on the individual.

Police were unable to identify the gender or conclusively determine whether a violent crime was committed against the individual at the time.

No additional information has been released at this time.

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What happens next?

For the moment, Websters family and friends are focused on honoring her memory.

The bubbly and creative art teacher had solo traveled before on other trips, but was most looking forward to hiking, camping, exploring on her trip to the island.

She was usually good at keeping in touch when was away from Indiana and letting them know her itinerary.

Websters loved ones believe that the body Puerto Rico police recovered from the river was her, close friend Sharon Rickson said.

Amanda felt the arts were so important for enriching life. She was a very powerful advocate for arts education for all and we want to see some way to remember her, Rickson said.

Family and friends are currently raising funds to start a scholarship in Websters name.

"She had patience and warmth and understanding. She just really threw her full self into teaching and loved working with kids. The kids just lit up when they saw her, Rickson said.

She and Rickson attended the Herron School of Arts education program together. Webster had been teaching since 2008, switching between art and special education classes.

"Amanda was an amazing teacher who was a champion for every student she came in contact with. "We are all better off for knowing Amanda, a statement from the Franklin Township Community School Corporation read.

Counseling and bereavement support services will be offered to all students and staff at Thompson Crossing Elementary School, according to the statement.

(Webster) was an incredible, positive light for her friends and family, Rickson said. Her co-workers and students, I am sure, are feeling shocked and lost without her. It's going to be hard for a long time.

More: Police dog choked, eyes gouged during Indiana traffic stop; Wisconsin man faces charges

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Missing Indiana teacher believed to be found dead in Puerto Rico
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Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held on October 17 and 18.




[Source]

India's Supreme Court has declined to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages in the country, stating that the matter should be decided by the parliament.

A divided verdict: The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, handed the divided verdict on Oct 17. While two judges supported same-sex civil unions, the majority verdict ruled against legalizing same-sex marriages. The decision comes five years after the decriminalization of homosexuality in India in 2018.

In the ruling, Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that LGBTQ+ individuals should have the right to choose their partners and cohabit without facing discrimination. He instructed the government to form a high-level committee to examine the concerns and rights of same-sex couples, highlighting that queerness is not confined to urban elites.

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A disappointed community: Campaigners and petitioners, including dozens of LGBTQ+ couples and activists, expressed their disappointment at the verdict. Ankita Khanna, one of the petitioners, described it as a "deeply divided judgment," according to The Guardian. Emphasizing the resilience of the queer community, Khanna stated that they would continue to move forward in solidarity.

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"I didn't expect it would be a very good judgment but it feels much worse than expected," Uday Raj Anand, a petitioner in the case, told Reuters. "What I had thought was that at least the court would make its stand clear, say that it is not in a position to make or change law but they would certainly direct the government to do it."

A complicated history: India's LGBTQ+ community, which celebrates gay pride and has a deep historical connection to gender diversity, has long faced challenges due to colonial-era laws that criminalized same-sex relations. While the Supreme Court struck down these laws in 2018, attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights remain complex, with conservative viewpoints persisting amid growing public acceptance.

A call for legislative action: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government argued through its lawyer Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that same-sex marriages were an urban and elitist concept and not in line with the traditional Indian family unit concept, according to CNN.

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The government maintained that instead of the courts, the issue of same-sex unions in India should be decided by parliament, not the courts. In effect, this decision has now placed the responsibility to address the matter to the legislature.

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JAKARTA (Reuters) - The eldest son of Indonesian President Joko Widodo is among the "strongest" potential running mates for Prabowo Subianto , a retired general who is a leading contender in next year's presidential election, a party official said on Tuesday.

The former special forces commander is running for a third time after having lost twice to Jokowi, as the president is popularly known, and there has been speculation for months that Jokowi's son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, would run for the vice presidency with Prabowo.

The 36-year-old mayor of Surakarta city was ineligible because of his age until the Constitutional Court on Monday ruled that anyone elected to regional posts can contest the 2024 election regardless of age.

The ruling has sparked outrage in the world's third-largest democracy. Critics have slammed the integrity of a court where Jokowi's brother-in-law is chief justice.

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Under Indonesia's constitution, presidents can only serve a maximum two terms, and critics accuse Jokowi of seeking to retain power after leaving office by engineering an alliance between his son and Prabowo.

"Gibran is certainly one of the strongest candidates for Prabowo's VP... especially, after the Constitutional Court approved the petition that made him eligible to run," said Andre Rosiade, an official at Prabowo's Gerindra party.

Besides Gibran, the shortlist of running mates for Prabowo includes East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa and State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, he added.

A final decision will be made in the coming days at a meeting of all party chiefs in Prabowo's seven-party alliance, Andre said.

The same seven parties have agreed to back Gibran for Prabowo's vice president, according to a report in news portal Katadata citing an alliance party official. Reuters could not independently verify the report.

Candidates and their running mates are expected to register with the election commission between Oct 19-25.

(Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
DALLAS - Gunfire from a security guard who was trying to stop a car burglary injured a woman in her Dallas apartment.

Dallas police said it happened just before 11 p.m. Sunday at an apartment complex on Bruton Road near Masters Drive in the Pleasant Grove area.

An armed security guard approached two teenagers who appeared to be breaking into a vehicle in the parking lot.

One of the juvenile suspects pulled out a gun, so the guard also drew his gun and fired multiple shots, police said.

Police said the woman who was shot was an innocent victim who was inside her apartment at the time. She was not involved in anything that was happening in the parking lot.

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The woman was taken to the hospital. Police said she is stable, but its not clear how badly she was hurt.

The two juvenile suspects were taken into custody. They were not hurt.

Police are still investigating whether they fired any shots.

The security guard was also unharmed. A Dallas County grand jury will determine if he should face charges.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.
CHICAGO - Loretto Hospital, a healthcare institution with a century-long history of patient care, is expanding its mission to address hunger.

On Monday, coinciding with World Food Day, the hospital introduced a groundbreaking initiative by opening a 24/7 food pantry within its premises.

Rosetta Williams, a resident from the Austin neighborhood, expressed her gratitude for the convenience this new food pantry provides.

"I'm just glad it was in the neighborhood, because most of the time we have to go out of the neighborhood to get something. I'm so glad it's over here," she said.

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To commemorate this significant step on World Food Day, hospital officials, and community leaders came together Monday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the Community Cupboard. This marks the first of three food pantries to be situated inside the hospital.

As the colder months approach, the hospital aims to assist those seeking shelter, often combined with hunger.

"So we're here to serve as a resource so they can go right over to the food pantry, get what they need, no questions, no ask," said Tesa Anewishki, CEO of Loretto Hospital.

The food pantry offers a range of basic food items and toiletries, from Cheerios to chili, applesauce to orange slices. Being located within a hospital, it remains accessible around the clock.

Democratic State Representative Camille Lilly, whose district includes the Austin neighborhood, underlined the significance of this accessibility.

"It's at their fingertips. The 24-hour, seven days a week fingertips of those who need food," she said.

The hospital encourages community involvement by welcoming donations of food and toiletries to sustain the pantries.

"If you have a heart, and I know many people do, please feel free to support the pantry by bringing items, perishable items, toiletries," urged Lilly.

In an area where more than 80% of the population falls below the poverty line, the Community Cupboard serves as a lifeline. Melanie Young, a customer, expressed her gratitude.

"I'm grateful for these items. A little stuff for myself. It's just me. Thank God for it."
It was mid-July, and national security adviser Jake Sullivan was worried. Ukrainian forces were struggling to penetrate Russian front lines in a slow-moving counteroffensive, and time was running out to retake significant territory before a renewed Russian offensive in the fall.

Sullivan told his team to come up with options for additional weapons the U.S. could send to Kyiv that could help Ukrainian forces hit vulnerable targets deep inside Russias defensive lines.

Working together with the Defense Department, the National Security Council team came up with an idea. While the U.S. militarys existing stocks of the long-range Army Tactical Missile System were in short supply, the U.S. could send the medium-range version, carrying warheads containing hundreds of cluster bomblets that could hit targets 100 miles away.

The administrations move to send the Anti-Personnel/Anti-Materiel, or APAM, an older version of the ATACMS that Ukraine had long sought, was kept secret for weeks after President Joe Biden made the final call, according to two U.S officials familiar with the discussions.

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Their delivery and use marks a major escalation in the administrations defense of Ukraine, providing Kyivs forces with a new and destructive ability to strike Russian targets well behind the front lines. Thats exactly what happened early Tuesday, with Ukrainian outlets reporting that Kyiv had destroyed nine Russian helicopters in the eastern cities of Berdyansk and Luhansk.

U.S. officials kept the decision to send them, and their actual shipment to the battlefield, quiet in order to maintain Kyivs element of surprise. Washington and Kyiv were concerned that announcing the transfer would prompt Russia to move equipment and ammunition depots farther behind their front lines and out of range of the missiles.

The road to shipping the weapon has been a long one, and the ATACMS has been at the top of Kyivs wish list since the start of the war. The following account is based on information provided by the two U.S. officials, who were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations.

Biden decided to send the missiles to Ukraine after months of debate among his top national security aides. Perhaps tipping his hand that he was pushing for the weapons to be sent, Sullivan in July told an audience in Aspen that the administration was willing to take risks in support of Ukraines defense.

At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and then-Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley had long resisted sending ATACMS. As POLITICO first reported, they argued that the U.S. already had a limited inventory of the weapon. They wanted to ensure DOD maintained a large enough stockpile for contingencies that might arise elsewhere in the world.

The NSC team wanted a solution that would balance Ukraines battlefield needs with DODs readiness concerns, at a reasonable cost. They knew Russias forces, though vast, were ill-equipped and ill-advised, and closely-stacked columns of armor behind the front lines were vulnerable.

The Biden administration had already started sending 155mm cluster artillery rounds to Ukraine in July, which have been used along the front lines to hit dug-in Russian positions. Cluster munitions explode in the air over a target, spreading bomblets over a wide area to increase the destructive radius of the weapon. They are banned by more than 100 countries because the unexploded ordnance has the potential to maim or kill civilians.

The APAM variant of the ATACMS was a logical weapon to send to Ukraine because it was not part of any Pentagon war plans, and the Ukrainians can use them to more effectively take out open-air ammunition stores behind the Russian front lines, along with Russian motor depots.

Given the huge concentration of Russian troops along with their armor and munition depots still relatively close to the front lines, the new weapon can be expected to hit Russian logistics and command and control centers hard.

The team presented the proposal to Sullivan in an Aug. 23 memo. On Aug. 28, Sullivan directed that the proposal be added to the agenda of an upcoming meeting of the Biden administrations top national security officials, called a principals committee meeting.

At the Aug. 30 meeting, the committee unanimously approved sending the weapons. Austin, Milley and Secretary of State Antony Blinken all backed the proposal.

Biden relayed the news to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyyin a Sept. 21 White House meeting: Ukraine would get a version of ATACMS, if not the long-range variant Kyiv had sought for so long.

U.S. officials secretly approved sending APAM in the package of aid announced Sept. 21, under the category of cluster munitions, the officials said. The administration briefed a number of members of Congress in a classified setting in order to prevent leaks.

The decision to send the weapons now comes as the administration has grown concerned about a Russian buildup of troops and equipment for a fall offensive, in what could be the largest Russian movement in months.

Russian forces have launched a series of mostly unsuccessful attacks against Ukrainian positions in Avdiyivka in the eastern Donetsk region over the past week, but have been repelled with large losses. The Russians have resorted to the relatively crude tactics of its earliest assaults in February 2022, throwing lightly equipped forces against Ukrainian lines in attacks that have been repulsed by the Ukrainian defenders.

More attacks along the hundreds of miles of Ukrainian front lines are expected in the coming weeks, making it critical that Ukraine has the longer-range ATACMS to hit airfields and ammunition depots to blunt any Russian logistical advantages.

While Biden administration officials do not think Ukraine can achieve its goal of cutting off the Russian land bridge to Crimea before winter sets in and stalls the counteroffensive, they hope providing APAM can help mitigate any Russian advantage and buy Kyivs forces some time to recapture additional territory.

U.S. officials still require Ukraine to refrain from using American weapons to strike inside Russia, but there are no restrictions on using the equipment to hit targets within Ukraine and the occupied Crimean peninsula. Kyiv has also agreed to keep track of where its forces are firing cluster bombs, to help with cleanup later.
Welcome to Investigative Stories from Ukraine, the Kyiv Independent's newsletter that walks you through the most prominent investigations of the past week.

If you are fond of in-depth journalism that exposes war crimes, corruption, and abuse of power across state organizations in Ukraine and beyond, subscribe to our investigative newsletter.

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider joining our membership or supporting us with a one-time donation. Start supporting independent journalism today.

Kyiv Independents exclusive

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Russian diamonds flow West despite sanctions, directly financing Russias war

Major brands like Cartier and Tiffany claim they dont sell Russian diamonds  but they may be misleading their clients. Russian stones likely end up in their pieces with their origin being whitewashed, according to an investigation by the Kyiv Independent.

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Russian diamonds still pave their way to the Western market despite claims by major brands and the U.S. restrictions introduced following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Since the sanctions came into place, Russian diamonds have changed their route. Instead of going through the EU, where regulations ensure some transparency, most Russian diamonds are now sold through Dubai, which industry insiders call the laundromat of the diamond market.

Major luxury brands buy from intermediary companies, knowingly or unknowingly purchasing diamonds from Russia, according to industry insiders and import-export data analyzed by the Kyiv Independent.

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)

The U.S. specifically sanctioned Alrosa, the primary producer of Russian diamonds, partly owned by the Russian state. Not only didnt the company suffer for long, it even boosted its sales in 2023. Some profit could be spent on direct support for the Russian military  the company sponsors a submarine that is part of Russias Black Sea Fleet and carries Kalibr missiles. Such missiles have been widely used against Ukrainian cities, killing civilians.

Read the full story in English here.

Impact

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Top Indian diamond manufacturer vows to stop selling Russian diamonds

Following the Kyiv Independents story, which named the intermediaries that keep Russian diamonds flowing to Western markets, one of the subjects of the journalist investigation, Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK) from India, said that they would stop buying Russian diamonds.

SRK released its statement the day after the story's publication.

A major Indian diamond trader, SRK was one of the biggest importers of Russian stones since the start of the full-scale invasion, having imported over $100 million in that period, according to the Kyiv Independents investigation.

In September 2023, Ukraines anti-corruption agency labeled SRK a sponsor of war for purchasing Russian diamonds. Citing SRK's statement, Ukraines anti-corruption agency said they removed SRK from the sponsor of war list on Oct. 13, the day after SRKs statement.

Top investigative stories

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Suspected Ukrainian accomplice in Hroza attack may be fighting for Russian forces

Volodymyr Mamon, whom Ukraines State Security Service (SBU) suspects of assisting Russian forces in targeting a deadly missile strike earlier this month, may be fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to an investigation by a Ukrainian media outlet Slidstvo.Info.

On Oct. 5, 2023, a Russian Iskander missile struck a funeral dinner for a Ukrainian soldier in Hroza, a village in the Kharkiv Oblast, killing 59 people. Ukrainian and international authorities denounced the Hroza attack as a war crime.

Volodymyr Mamon and his brother Dmytro Mamon tipped the Russians off about the funeral, the SBU said a few days later, on Oct. 11. According to the statement, law enforcement suspects the two of gathering information and passing it to Russia to help it target the attack on the funeral.

Slidstvo.Info contacted Volodymyrs friend, who told journalists that Volodymyr is in the special military operation area, a common Russian euphemism that means one is participating in Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Previous investigations by Slidstvo.Info and Schemes, a Radio Free Europe/Free Liberty project, found that the Mamon brothers had extensively collaborated with Russian authorities when their native area of Kharkiv Oblast was occupied.

Read the full investigation in Ukrainian here.

Russian private army Redut directly controlled by countrys military intelligence

Russian private military company Redut is financed and controlled by the countrys military intelligence, known under its Russian acronym GRU, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys investigative projects Schemes and System.

The journalist investigation revealed that Redut, which analysts call a Wagner Group successor, isnt a separate entity but a name used to refer to at least 20 small military units, all controlled by GRU.

Fighters, part of the military company interviewed by the RFE/RL, confirmed that Reduts is just a label for volunteer units organized by GRUs 16th Separate Brigade.

Redut was founded by GRU Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev and is managed by Colonel Alexey Kondratiev, according to the RFE/RL-obtained documents, interviews with Redut fighters, and information from open sources.

According to the leaked documents recovered in liberated territories and materials retrieved from the phones of Redut fighters, the military companys forces participated in Russias failed attempts to capture Kyiv in March 2022 and Kharkiv in April 2022.

The journalist investigation identified over 200 Redut servicemen who fought in the Kharkiv Oblast, over 30 servicemen who fought in the Kyiv Oblast, and three Redut regiment commanders who joined Russias war against Ukraine as early as 2014. Many of the fighters and two regiment commanders were previously part of Wagner.

The Redut brand is reportedly used to recruit fighters online, promising salaries of $2,000 per month, almost three times Russias average wage for soldiers. Redut has successfully attracted at least 25,000 fighters.

In December 2022, a court in Kharkiv Oblast convicted four Redut fighters of torturing civilians, a war crime.

Watch the full story in Ukrainian here.

Meanwhile, in Russia

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Leading Russian military-industrialist still not sanctioned by EU, UK

Mkrtich Okroyan, a leading figure in Russias military-industrial complex, is still not under sanctions by the EU and UK, where he and his family own multi-million-dollar properties, according to an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF) of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

According to the publication, Okroyan is the chief designer and co-owner of Soyuz, a major company in Russias military-industrial complex. What makes Soyuz so important is their designs of engines for Kh-family missiles.

The Russian military has extensively used missiles running on Soyuz engines in attacks that have killed dozens of civilians in Ukraine. Among such attacks was one in Uman in central Ukraine, with a death toll of 23 people in April.

Citing the company registration documents, ACF reported that Okroyan co-owns Soyuz via his own and his familys shell companies. Okroyans Cyprus shell firm holds over a third of Soyuz, while his wife and daughter also own parts of Soyuz through shell firms.

Moreover, ACF found a 20-million-euro villa in southern Spain held by a company associated with the Okroyan family.

According to a previous ACF investigation, Okroyan owned a 10-million-pound mansion in Londons suburbs but transferred the title to his daughter in 2020, a common technique to avoid sanctions.

In September 2023, the U.S. sanctioned Okroyan and his family for his connections to Soyuz following ACFs first investigation from February 2023, but they are yet to fall under the EU and UK sanctions.

Watch the full story in Russian with English subtitles here.

Sanctioned Russian billionaires get Dominica golden passports

Hundreds of Russians, including at least six oligarchs and three internationally wanted persons, received Dominican passports through citizenship by investment program, according to an investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and its media partners. Its not clear over what time period they got the passports.

Under Dominicas citizenship by investment program  widely known as golden passports  any person who invests $100,000 in Dominicas sovereign fund can become a citizen and get visa-free travel to dozens of countries worldwide.

According to the investigation, Azerbaijan-born Zarakh Iliev, who made his fortune in Russia and is under UK and Ukraine sanctions, is the most prominent Russian oligarch with a Dominican passport.

OCCRP analyzed records of 7,700 golden passport holders and identified officials from other repressive regimes subject to human rights violations and criminal charges in their home countries.

The broader investigation also documented one instance in which Dominican passports were used to evade sanctions imposed on Iran. The journalist investigation suggests Russian officials could use the Dominican passports to do the same.

In March 2022, Dominica stopped issuing golden passports to Russian and Belarusian citizens, following the trend of other countries suspending similar programs after the full-scale invasion.

Read the full story in Russian here.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
An Iowa nurse pleaded guilty in federal court this month to stealing pain medication from at least 50 new mothers who were recovering in the hospital after giving birth.

Christina Eileen Olson, 43, of Waterloo, was convicted of one count of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge, one count of adulteration and misbranding with intent to defraud and mislead, and one count of false statements relating to health care matters.

After getting her nursing license from the state in 2004, Olson started working at a Waterloo hospital in its labor and delivery unit in 2017. Under her care were late-term pregnant women, women in active labor, and women in postpartum recovery. Prescribed to these women were narcotics such as hydromorphone, oxycodone and fentanyl for pain relief.

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Between January and March 2022, Olson did not administer these pain medications to the women under her care, instead taking the substances for her own use.

A news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Iowa on Thursday outlines the scale of the medication stolen:

Olson admitted she stole narcotics from no less than 50 victims. To cover up her crimes, Olson used a variety of fraudulent means, including falsely documenting that she had administered pain medication to new mothers when she had not done so. Olson also admitted to tampering with pain medication  replacing fentanyl inside a vial with saline and diverting the narcotic for her own use.

In one case, Olson marked in records she had administered pain medication to a new mother recovering from a cesarean section, when in fact she had not visited the patient's room to check on the mother or the baby, according to the news release. This left the mother in horrible and excruciating pain, it said. The woman's husband had also requested formula for their baby but was denied and the newborn went unfed for the remainder of Olsons shift.

Olson also admitted to routinely drinking alcohol and using marijuana while working at the Waterloo hospital.

In July 2022, Olson entered an agreement with the Iowa Board of Nursing to voluntarily surrender her nursing license for one year. In the plea agreement with federal authorities, Olson agreed to forfeit her license to the United States.

Olson faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison, a $750,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She remains out on bond.

Kyle Werner is an intern for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Waterloo nurse stole pain meds from 50 new mothers at Iowa hospital
An Iowa Park woman with a history of animal abuse will serve time behind bars.

Joy Carolyn Jackson, 64, pleaded true to probation violations, and a judge revoked her probation Friday for attempted cruelty to non-livestock animal, court records show.

Seventy-eighth District Judge Meredith Kennedy sentenced Jackson to 23 months in state jail and to pay fine arrearages of $10,000. Jackson received 473 days of jail time credit.

The state jail felony is punishable by up to two years of confinement.

Jackson admitted May 25 to probation violations, including failing to successfully complete a program in a court-ordered substance abuse punishment facility and failing to comply with the facilities' rules, court records show.

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She created chaos in her dorm room, stole food, disrespected staff members and tried to establish inappropriate relationships with staff.

Jackson was being held Monday in the Wichita County Detention Center, online jail records show.

Her sentence on Friday was related to an incident in 2020.

About 6:50 p.m. Aug. 22, 2020, Iowa Park police responded to a call for a possible intoxicated driver, court records show.

Officers found a small white dog, covered in feces and urine, in a backpack in the floorboards of a pickup Jackson was driving. The dog was unresponsive and breathing heavily in the 97-degree weather.

Jackson was arrested and charged for cruelty to non-livestock animals. She was later indicted for the third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

She pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of attempted animal cruelty and was sentenced to five years of probation as part of a plea bargain on June 8, 2021.

Jackson pleaded true on Jan. 19, 2022, to violating the terms of her probation by having a cage or cages in her possession on Oct. 15, 2021. The conditions of her community supervision were amended.

In a separate case June 8, 2021, Jackson was found guilty of cruelty to non-livestock animals-failure to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter and sentenced to six months in county jail in connection with an incident in October 2019 in a home southwest of Iowa Park, court records show. She was sentenced to six months in county jail.

The class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine up to $4,000.

Wichita County sheriff's deputies seized approximately 35 assorted animals from her home where she failed to provide proper care for them.

At least 22 dogs were kept indoors constantly while their feces and urine built up, and the only water available to them was in a dirty mop bucket. The house was overrun with fleas, roaches and rats.

Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Iowa Park woman sentenced for attempted animal cruelty
Iran's foreign minister said on Monday that Israel could face "preemptive action" if it invades Gaza.

He didn't specify what he meant, but said Israel's enemies are "capable of waging a long-term war."

Iran has historically backed Hamas, Hezbollah, and other militant groups that clash with Israel.

Iran's government said on Monday that Israel can "expect a preemptive action" if Israel launches its anticipated invasion of Gaza.

"All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza," Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on state TV, per a translation by Reuters.

"In the coming hours, we can expect a preemptive action by the resistance front," he added, per Reuters.

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While Amirabdollahian did not specify what he meant by "preemptive action," he also said Israel's enemies are "capable of waging a long-term war," according to Reuters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian holds a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut on October 14, 2023. KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

He made similar veiled threats while speaking to Al Jazeera on Sunday, hinting at "other fronts" being introduced to the Israel-Hamas war.

"If the measures aimed at immediately stopping the Israeli attacks that are killing children in the Gaza Strip end in a deadlock, it is highly probable that many other fronts will be opened," Amirabdollahian said, per the Doha-based outlet, which is owned by the state in Qatar. "This option is not ruled out and this is becoming increasingly more probable."

Amirabdollahian further warned of Hamas and its allies turning Gaza into "a graveyard of occupation soldiers."

His comments come as Israel is expected to invade the Gaza Strip to retrieve more than 100 hostages seized by Hamas militants on October 7.

The Israel Defense Forces mobilized some 300,000 reservists and has gathered tanks at the Gaza border, signaling a mass ground assault that foreign observers expect will result in devastating casualties among both Israelis and Palestinians.

The Israeli army deployed troops and armored vehicles to the Gaza border as the deadline to evacuate northern Gaza approached. Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images

Iran warned Israel through the United Nations on Saturday that it will intervene if the IDF continues to attack Gaza, Axios reported, citing two diplomatic sources who were not named.

It's not publicly known when the IDF plans to launch its offensive, but it told Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate on Thursday evening, giving them a 24-hour deadline that has been repeatedly extended.

The United Nations warned that it's "impossible" to expect the 1.1 million people who live in the crowded region to flee south in time.

Fears of regional escalation

Meanwhile, the US and its allies have repeatedly expressed concern that tensions and violence could escalate in the region. The Pentagon moved two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean last week in a bid to deter surrounding militaries  who have historically clashed with Israel  from joining the war.

American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford was sent to the eastern Mediterranean, the Pentagon said. Andrej Tarfila/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Iran, which is openly hostile to Israel, is known to back Hamas and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group.

The US and Israel said they haven't found evidence of Iran being directly involved in Hamas' October 7 terrorist attacks, during which militants entered southern Israel and slaughtered civilians. Around 1,300 people were killed in the attacks, Israel estimated.

At the same time, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran and Hezbollah had both assisted Hamas with plans and training for the surprise assault, citing sources within the attacking organizations.

Israel has responded to the attacks by raining air strikes on Gaza and enforcing a region-wide siege of the 140-square-mile region, where 2 million people live. At least 2,778 Palestinians have been killed, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Monday.

So many people are dying in Gaza that morgues have run out of space and are resorting to using ice cream trucks to store bodies, Reuters reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , says "no one can stop resistance forces" if Israel keeps bombing Gaza in response to the shock October 7 attack by Hamas (-)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that "no one can stop resistance forces" if Israel keeps up its bombardment of Gaza in response to the shock October 7 attack by Hamas.

"If the crimes of the Zionist (Israeli) regime continue, Muslims and resistance forces will become impatient, and no one can stop them," Khamenei said.

Iran has been in close contact with its regional allies, including Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and pro-Tehran Iraqi militias, since Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, breaking through the heavily fortified border from Gaza and killing more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

Israel has responded with a devastating air and artilley bombardment of Hamas-controlled Gaza that has killed at least 2,750 Palestinians, most of them civilians.

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"No matter what the Zionist regime does, it cannot make up for the scandalous failure it suffered," Khamenei said.

Israel has deployed tens of thousands of troops to its border with Gaza in preparation for a full-scale ground offensive.

Israel has told some 1.1 million Gazans -- nearly half the territory's population of 2.4 million -- to leave the north of the densely populated enclave, in anticipation of the operation.

Tehran has repeatedly warned that a ground invasion of Gaza will be met with a response on other fronts -- prompting fears of a wider conflict that could draw in other countries.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke of possible "pre-emptive action" against Israel by the "resistance front" while President Ebrahim Raisi said time was running out to reach a political solution.

Tehran, which financially and militarily backs Hamas militants, celebrated the Hamas assault but insisted it was not involved.

Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, Iran has made support for the Palestinian cause one of the pillars of its foreign policy.

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China and Ethiopia have announced elevating the bilateral ties to an "all-weather strategic partnership," according to a joint statement.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, prior to the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced Israels siege of Gaza on Tuesday as a genocide.

The Iranian leader called on the country to immediately halt its indiscriminate bombardment of neighborhoods in Gaza which have killed thousands in the territory.

If the crimes continue, Muslims will be impatient, resistance forces will be impatient, and nobody will be able to prevent them, Khamenei said, The Associated Press reported.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped, Muslim nations are angry, he added.

The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has killed over a thousand Israelis and thousands more Palestinians  including at least 1,000 Palestinian children, Al Jazeera reported. Continuous air strikes have leveled entire neighborhoods in Gaza City and displaced over a million people.

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Iran is generally considered Israels greatest enemy and has historically funded, trained and supplied opposition military groups, including Hezbollah based in Lebanon. While Iran celebrated Hamass attacks on Israel last week, the country has denied any involvement.

Last week, French President Emanuel Macron said there is no evidence Iran directly assisted Hamas.

Criticism against Israel sharpened over the weekend after the Israeli military ordered over a million Gazans  about half of the territorys population  to evacuate from their homes in the north of the territory and move south amid preparations for an expected ground invasion.

A United Nations human rights expert warned Friday that the demand could easily lead to ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza.

The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel has reached fever pitch, Francesca Albanese, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967 said, according to a press release.

The international community has the responsibility to prevent and protect populations from atrocity crimes. Accountability for international crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces and Hamas must also be immediately pursued, she added.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) echoed those concerns, labeling the expulsion an ethnic cleansing  the harshest criticism from an American politician.

The mass expulsion of over 1 million people in a day is ethnic cleansing, Omar said in a social media post Friday.

Many Palestinians are already wounded, displaced and/or caring for a sick or injured relative, child or senior. They cant simply pick up and leave, she continued. With communications and electricity shut down by Israel, the order cannot be communicated. Roads are bombed and many cars are out of fuel, making fleeing impossible for many.

While the U.S. has consistently backed Israel since the start of the conflict last week, President Biden slightly tempered his support in recent days amid reports of the Israeli military targeting civilians.

In a 60 Minutes interview Sunday, Biden said an Israeli military occupation of Gaza would be a mistake.

Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas dont represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that  it would be a mistake  for Israel to occupy  Gaza again, Biden said. But going in but taking out the extremists  the Hezbollah is up north but Hamas down south  is a necessary requirement.

The president is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday called for an immediate end to Israels attacks on Gaza and vowed that Muslims would retaliate if the bombardment continues.

A post on Khameneis X account also singled out the U.S. for its role in the aftermath of the deadly Hamas incursion into Israel. U.S. officials were present at Israeli war cabinet meetings Monday and President Biden will arrive later this week as Jerusalem plots a land invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Our numerous intelligence reports show that the US is formulating the Zionist regimes current policy, and what is being done is governed by US policymaking, read the post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The US must be held responsible for this situation.

Evacuation Conditions Are So Dangerous Gaza Refugees Return Home to Face Airstrikes With Dignity

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Speaking to a group of students in Tehran, Khamenei said: We must respond, we must react to what is happening in Gaza. Students also chanted Death to Israel as Khamenei denounced Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, according to Reuters. No one can confront Muslims and the resistance forces if the Zionist regimes (Israel) crimes against Palestinians continue, he added. The bombardment of Gaza must stop immediately.

On X, Khameneis account also made reference to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which has been the scene of violent clashes this year between Muslims and Israeli police. The fighting at the holy siteknown to Jews as the Temple Mounthad earlier been cited by the head of Hamas military wing as among the motives for Hamas unprecedented attack inside Israel on Oct. 7 (the group called its coordinated assaults Operation Al-Aqsa Flood or Al-Aqsa Storm).

Whatever crimes the Zionist regime commits will fail to compensate for its disgraceful defeat during the Al-Aqsa Storm operation, the post on Khameneis account read.

Over 1,400 Israelis have been killed since Hamas attacks began. Officials in Gaza say Israels retaliatory strikes have led to over 2,800 Palestinians being killeda quarter of whom are childrenwith almost 11,000 others wounded. The armed wing of Hamas claimed Monday that it was holding around 200 people hostage, with over 50 more in the captivity of other groups. It also claimed 22 hostages were killed in Israeli airstrikes. At least 30 Americans have been confirmed dead in Hamas attacks, according to the State Department.

Iran, which supports Hamas in its rule of Gaza, has claimed that providing help to people in the besieged enclave is its foreign policy priority, but President Ebrahim Raisi said Monday that militant groups make their own decisions about how to respond to the crisis.

The U.S., for its part, is playing an extremely active role in the war. On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after which he announced that President Joe Biden would visit Israel. On Tuesday, Army General Michael Erik Kurilla, the head of the U.S. Central Command overseeing American forces in the Middle East, made a surprise visit to the country ahead of Bidens arrival.

Im here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict, Kurilla told Reuters. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant later posted a photo on X of him briefing Kurilla on operational developments in the fight against Hamas. I expressed my appreciation for the deep bond and partnership between our defense establishments, and for the Generals personal commitment to Israels security, Gallant added.

On Wednesday, Ill travel to Israel to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamass brutal terrorist attack, Biden said in a post announcing his trip. Ill then travel to Jordan to address dire humanitarian needs, meet with leaders, and make clear that Hamas does not stand for Palestinians right to self-determination.

A U.S. Marine rapid response force consisting of around 2,000 Marines and sailors is being sent to waters off Israel, according to CNN, ahead of a potential deployment inside the country. They will join other American military assets sent to the region in an apparent effort to stop Israels conflict spreading amid heightened tensions with Iran and cross-border attacks against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Although a ground invasion of Gaza has not yet taken place, the situation in Gaza is already desperate. Supplies of food, water, and medicine are running out as a result of Israels blockade, and few safe areas remain inside the enclave. On Tuesday Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson with the United Nations human rights office, said the siege coupled with an Israeli evacuation order to move southaffecting around 1.1 million peoplecould be in breach of international law.

Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of people in southern Gaza on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press, where they had been instructed to move for their own safety. Shamdasani said the appalling reports must be independently investigated, as must all allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law.

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DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israeli officials should face trial for their "crimes against Palestinians", state TV reported on Tuesday, a day before U.S. President Joe Biden was due to visit Israel.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran's clerical rulers have been vocal in their support for the Palestinian cause. Tehran makes no secret of its backing for Hamas, funding and arming the Islamist group that controls Gaza.

"No one can confront Muslims and the resistance forces if the Zionist regime's crimes against Palestinians continue ... the bombardment of Gaza must stop immediately," Khamenei said.

"The Zionist regime's officials should be tried for their crimes against Palestinians in Gaza," he added.

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Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas after the group's gunmen killed 1,300 people, mainly civilians, during a rampage through southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7, the deadliest single day in Israel's 75-year history.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip with air strikes that have killed more than 2,800 Palestinians, a quarter of them children, and driven around half of the 2.3 million Gazans from their homes. It has imposed a total blockade on the enclave, blocking food, fuel and medical supplies, which are rapidly running out.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi, editing by Christina Fincher and Gareth Jones)
Voters in Irmo this November will decide not just who will lead the town but what the town itself might look like in the future.

Incumbent Mayor Bobby Walker is running for a second term against Town Councilman Bill Danielson. Meanwhile, five candidates are running for two at-large, town-wide seats on the town council. Councilman Erik Sickinger is the only incumbent running for re-election. His colleague Kelly Busch declined to run for another term. Danielsons term on town council is not up until 2025.

Earlier this year, town leaders announced a planned $30 million investment into developing a multi-acre downtown district for the former railroad town that never developed a core business district. But property owners objected to the planned downtown development, leaving it unclear how or whether the town will move forward with its development plans.

Heres what the candidates had to say in their own words.

Mayor of Irmo

Bill Danielson

Age: 67

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Occupation: Self-employed/owner, Datapay SC Inc.

Education: B.S. in Business Administration, USC Aiken

Prior experience: I have been on the Irmo Town Council for almost four years now. Prior civic/governmental positions:, past commissioner of the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (chairman), appointed by then-Gov. Nikki Haley. Past chairman of the boards of the Irmo Chamber of Commerce, the Glenforest School and the South Carolina Philharmonic.

Website: N/A

Why are you running?

As a sitting councilman for almost four years now (elected and re-elected) it has come to my attention the people of Irmo deserve a leader who cares about the entire community. A leader who treats everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve. I pledge to do that if I am lucky enough to be elected mayor of Irmo. We may not agree on all aspects, however, we can disagree with out animus and vengeful attacks. As mayor, I will work to unite all people in Irmo and work with my fellow council members as a team with common goals.

One of my focuses will be expanding our own Irmo Police Department led by Chief Bobby Dale and coordinating with Irmo Fire Chief Sonnefeld to provide all the tools they need to serve our community. Safety and security are my utmost concern. I will focus on our already stretched infrastructure by soliciting opinions and coordinating growth will all government entities. The list of agencies is endless and includes SCDOT, Council of Governments and Richland and Lexington Counties.

It is a time for change in Irmo. Fiscal responsibility and budgetary concerns will always be at the top of my list. A commonsense mayor is who I propose to be.

Should Irmo emphasize development of its downtown? If so, what should the towns elected officials do?

The Town of Irmo has no downtown and there are no plans or discussions to have one. I will work with business owners to grow our small business base which will increase the towns revenue stream. Getting the citizens to spend their money here in Irmo is a priority.

Barry Walker

Age: 62

Occupation: Mayor/executive chef

Education: B.S. in mathematics, University of Connecticut

Prior experience: Irmo Town Council since 2004

Website: barryawalker.com

Why are you running for election in Irmo?

To finish the major projects in the Irmo community that I and the council have started: widening Broad River Road, build a new town hall complex, get control of the road maintenance in town, encourage residents to get involved with local community events, continue to build relationships with county councils and area municipalities, continue to go after and get local and federal grants to supplement our annual budget, ensure that the town provides services to the residents with no town tax and zero debt.

Should Irmo emphasize development of its downtown? If so, what should the towns elected officials do?

Irmos downtown will naturally develop with outside investors and town leadership respecting the landowners. The town leaders need to get buy-in on infrastructure development from landowners first, then introduce private developers to negotiate directly with stakeholders and not get the town acting as developers. We should have a strategic plan and encourage citizens to contribute work on the vision together.

Irmo Town Council

Jeff Allen

Age: 71

Occupation: Retired firefighter/police officer

Education: Some college, out-of-state/country

Prior experience: Several boards and committees; Okra Strut Commissioner; SC Childrens Trust Board of Directors

Website: N/A

Why are you running for election in Irmo?

I have served this community and built a strong reputation with our residents for over two decades. I would like to continue to serve this great town and help build a foundation for progress for the years ahead.

Should Irmo emphasize development of its downtown? If so, what should the towns elected officials do?

Their previous approach has probably killed this project. The people in the town need to be involved completely from the very start of a project and that was not done here.

Phyllis Coleman

Age: 63

Occupation: IT project manager/entrepreneur - principal & CEO of Human Capital Logistics, LLC

Education: B.S., Northwestern University; Graduate Certificate, Columbia College

Prior experience: 5 years as neighborhood association president  Windemere Springs. Have participated as a volunteer in multiple presidential campaigns since I first registered to vote at 18.

Website: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550623791120

Why are you running for election in Irmo?

I was initially motivated to run to represent those Irmo residents who are from the families who have been in Irmo for multiple generations and have been lost in the shuffle of Irmos rapid growth. But, as I have campaigned and met other Irmo residents, I realize there are many residents who dont necessarily feel they have representation. I want to advocate for them, as well. Those with a louder voice are already being heard.

Should Irmo emphasize development of its downtown? If so, what should the towns elected officials do?

Before we go to emphasizing a downtown, I think the Irmo Town Council needs to back up and get input and involvement from the community. Its about balancing quality of life, business development and the assessment of how these two focuses can be nurtured with an eye on future impacts to this beautiful town. This requires thought and careful planning. Once the Irmo Town Council gives it residents an opportunity to weigh in on what ideas they have about the creation of a downtown, or any development, it can move forward with informed planning. The council is not there to rule the town but to serve and manage it. This takes open dialogue and cooperation.

George Frazier

No responses received

Gabriel Penfield

Age: 43

Occupation: Financial adviser

Education: College for financial planning

Prior experience: Carmel Commons and Springhaven HOAs

Website: gabrielpenfield.com

Why are you running?

I am running for town council because I am deeply committed to Irmos progress. Our community faces challenges, from infrastructure to education, and I see them as opportunities for meaningful change. As a long-time resident, I believe in our potential and the resilience of our community

.My campaign centers on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. I will prioritize open communication, responsible financial management, and collaborative problem-solving. Irmos future is my focus, and I am dedicated to working diligently to enhance our towns quality of life, prosperity, and overall well-being. Together, we can build a brighter future for Irmo.

Should Irmo emphasize development of its downtown? If so, what should the towns elected officials do?

I believe that emphasizing the development of existing structures in lieu of creating a new downtown in Irmo is essential for the towns growth and vitality. However, I do not think it is the role of the towns elected officials to directly engage in land acquisition or construction. Instead, our responsibility is to create an environment that encourages and supports private investment in downtown development.

Erik Sickinger

Age: 41

Occupation: Software Account Executive, Gramicus Inc.

Education: Messiah College

Prior experience: 4 years on town council, served on the National League of Cities federal advocacy board

Website: erik-for-irmo-council.mailchimpsites.com

Why are you running?

The people have asked me to continue serving, and theres still so much work to be done! Im proud of my time helping any resident with their problems, and always willing to listen to all voices, if I agree or not!

Should Irmo emphasize development of its downtown? If so, what should the towns elected officials do?

Irmo doesnt have a downtown. The councils focus should be on planning strategy and smart growth  not reliving the mistakes of the past. Town staff and council have other long-term goals which are more pressing: improving our infrastructure in coordination with the counties, Broad River widening, and supporting our fire and police to ensure they continue to be the best with the tools they need to keep residents safe.
Taxpayers have until the end of the night Monday to meet the IRS deadline for filing a late tax return.

Those who miss the deadline and requested an extension to file their 2022 tax return could start to incur penalties if they do not get their taxes filed before the clock strikes midnight.

Here are some things to know if you have not filed your 2022 tax return:

How do I file my 2022 tax return?

Taxpayers can file their returns up until Mondays midnight deadline.

Qualifying taxpayers can use the IRS Free File feature that allows taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $73,000 or less to use a guided tax preparation software that prepares and files their tax returns.

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Those with an income greater than $73,000 can use the IRSs free fillable forms, which are electronic federal tax forms equivalent to the paper 1040 form.

How do I pay my federal taxes?

The IRS offers multiple avenues to pay federal tax payments that are available up until the Monday deadline. Those include:

Electric payment: Taxpayers who use online tax softwares are able to pay online upon filing. The IRS advises those with a tax preparer to have the preparer make the tax payment through an electronic funds withdrawal from a bank account.

IRS Direct Pay: This IRS feature allows users to pay their taxes for Form 1040 series, estimated taxes and other related forms directly online using their checking or savings bank accounts.

By card: Taxpayers can make payments with a credit card, debit card or a digital wallet option using a third-party payment processor. The processor charges a $2.20 fee for debit card transactions and 1.85 percent for credit card payments with a minimum fee of $2.69.

IRS2 Go: The IRS2Go mobile app gives taxpayers mobile-friendly options, including Direct Pay and debit and credit card payments.

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS): The Treasury Department offers this free system that allows taxpayers to make payments online or by phone. However, if you fall under the Oct. 16 deadline, this option is no longer available, as payments must be scheduled by 8 p.m. EST or at least one calendar day before the tax filing due date.

Do I have additional time to file?

Certain areas covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster declarations may have additional time to file. Those taxpayers and their respective deadlines include:

Those affected by flooding in Illinois and Alaska have until Oct. 31 to file. Those impacted by flooding in Vermont have until Nov. 15 to file. Those impacted by natural disasters in California have until Nov. 16 to file. Those impacted by natural disasters, including the wildfires in Hawaii and Hurricane Idalia in parts of Florida, South Carolina and Georgia, have until Feb. 24, 2024, to file various individual and business tax returns.

Other areas may be eligible for tax relief provisions as well. A full list that is regularly updated by the IRS can be found on the agencys website.

Members of the military and others serving in a combat zone also have extensions that typically include 180 days after they leave combat zones, according to the IRS.

The IRS noted that individuals and businesses in parts of Alabama and Georgia have payments due Monday, after the normal April 18 due date was postponed due to natural disasters earlier this year.

What are the IRSs late penalties?

Those who do not meet the deadline could be faced with two IRS penalties.

Failure to pay penalty: This penalty applies to those who do not file their tax returns by the due date. The penalty is a percentage of the taxes you did not pay on time. Those who owe the penalty will be sent a notice or letter from the IRS.

Failure to file penalty: This penalty applies to those who do not pay the tax you report on your tax return by the due date or approved due date. The penalty includes a percentage of the taxes you failed to pay. Those who owe this penalty will also receive an IRS notice or letter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Israels ambassador to the United Kingdom shrugged off allegations that the Israeli military is putting civilians at risk through its war in Gaza, saying there is no humanitarian crisis in the conflict.

Tzipi Hotovely said in a Sky News interview Monday that Hamas needs to pay the price after militants killed over 1,200 Israelis in a surprise attack at the outset of the conflict 10 days ago.

She added that Israel is working with international organizations to make sure all Palestinian civilians will be safe and that Hamas is preventing civilians from evacuating from Gaza.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed nearly 2,800 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, about two thirds of which are children. The strikes have leveled entire neighborhoods and targeted civilians fleeing from areas they were instructed to evacuate by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), drawing ire from international aid groups.

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The bombardments have displaced over a million people in Gaza, about half of the territorys population.

A group of United Nations experts condemned the strikes on Gaza as war crimes last week, and organizations, including the United Nations, have continued to encourage the Israeli military to halt its blockade of humanitarian aid from entering Gaza.

Gaza is nearly out of reserves of food, water, fuel and medical supplies, according to humanitarian aid organizations. Convoys of supplies have been halted at the Gaza-Egypt border due to Israeli airstrikes on the area.

Strikes in southern Gaza continued early Tuesday, where 57 Palestinians were killed by missiles including an entire family who were killed when an Israeli missile destroyed their house, The Associated Press reported.

A U.N. agency in Palestine warned Monday that Gaza is running out of life amid shortages of basic needs.

In fact, Gaza is being strangled and it seems the world right now has lost its humanity, said Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the East. If we look at the issue of water, we all know water is life. Gaza is running out of water and Gaza is running out of life.

Soon, I believe, with this there will be no food or medicine either, he added.

Egypt reportedly negotiated a brief cease-fire at the border in Rafah on Monday to transport aid into Gaza, but the border crossing was still closed as of Tuesday. An Egyptian official said Tuesday that an aid convoy would enter Israel to be inspected by the Israeli military before being allowed into Gaza, the AP reported.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) echoed concerns over civilians on Friday, labeling the forced evacuation of a million people in northern Gaza an ethnic cleansing, the harshest criticism from an American politician.

The mass expulsion of over 1 million people in a day is ethnic cleansing, Omar said in a social media post Friday.

Many Palestinians are already wounded, displaced and/or caring for a sick or injured relative, child or senior. They cant simply pick up and leave, she added. With communications and electricity shut down by Israel, the order cannot be communicated. Roads are bombed and many cars are out of fuel, making fleeing impossible for many.

In a 60 Minutes interview Sunday, President Biden followed his strong support for Israel with calls for the country to better consider civilians, adding that an Israeli military occupation of Gaza would be a mistake.

Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas dont represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that  it would be a mistake  for Israel to occupy  Gaza again, Biden said. But going in but taking out the extremists  the Hezbollah is up north but Hamas down south  is a necessary requirement.

The president is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday.

.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Tuesday, October 17, 2023.

 Israel rejects Zelenskyy's request to visit together with Blinken, says its not the right time for joint visit

The Israeli turned down a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit Israel at the same time as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week, local outlet Ynet reported on Oct. 16.

 IMF establishes new aid fund for Ukraine  Pyshnyi

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced the creation of the Capacity Development Fund for Ukraine, with $14 million already received from donors, National Bank of Ukraine Governor Andriy Pyshnyi said in a post on Facebook.





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 Qatar helps negotiate return to Ukraine of four children abducted by Russia

Russia has agreed to return four children it abducted from Ukraine after talks mediated by Qatar, U.S. newspaper the Washington Post reported on Oct. 16, citing a representative of the Qatari government.

 60% of votes counted in Poland, PiS leads with 37.67%, but hasnt got majority

Polands current governing party, Law and Justice or PiS, has secured 37.67% of the votes after processing data from 60% of polling stations in the parliamentary elections, the Polish National Electoral Commission reported on its website on Oct. 16.

 Third cargo ship hits mine in Black Sea in one month  Sky News

The Liberian-flagged oil tanker Ali Najafov has hit a floating mine in the Black Sea, marking the third such incident in the last month, UK news channel Sky News reported on Oct. 16.





 Georgias Constitutional Court allows parliament to start impeachment of President Zourabichvili for unauthorized EU trip

The Constitutional Court of Georgia has declared President Salome Zourabichvili 's working tour of Europe without the government's permission a violation of the Constitution, and allowed impeachment procedures to begin, Radio Libertys Ekho Kavkaza reported on Oct. 16.





 New satellite images suggest North Korea is regularly supplying arms to Russia by sea

Over the past two months, Russian ships have repeatedly picked up cargo from North Korea and delivered it to a Russian military port, new satellite images published on Oct. 16 by U.S. newspaper the Washington Post show.

 Ukraine to supply graphite to United States for battery production

An Australian company is exploring the possibility of supplying Ukrainian graphite to the U.S. Department of Defense, news agency Nadra.Info reported on Oct. 13.

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 Joe Biden 's decision to visit Israel caps a week of intense US diplomacy aimed at shoring up its closest Middle East ally and trying to prevent Israel's war with Hamas from spreading to the region.

The Americans are worried that the audacity of the Hamas attack and the ferocity of the Israeli counter-offensive could spark violence in the West Bank and beyond.

The president will be joining his Secretary of State, Antony Blinken , who's been on a frantic swing through the Middle East. Mr Blinken has stressed full US support for a forceful response to the deadly Hamas raid, which killed more than 1,400 Israelis.

But he is also trying to mitigate the civilian casualties in Gaza, the enclave that is governed by the Palestinian militant group. Israel has already killed nearly 3,000 Palestinians in relentless airstrikes, and blocked food, water and electricity to Gaza, plunging it into a humanitarian crisis.

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"Blinken is trying to thread the needle," says David Schenker, the state department's former top diplomat for the Middle East. "So far, he seems to have managed it relatively well. But it becomes more and more challenging."

Mr Blinken's emphasis on protecting civilians grew during his whirlwind tour of America's Arab allies at the end of last week, visiting six countries in three days.

He wanted them to clearly condemn Hamas for the unprecedented scale and brutality of the attack, and hoped to limit criticism of Israel's military campaign.

Only two Arab governments - Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates - denounced Hamas. Others may have done so privately, because most are hostile to Hamas in varying degrees.

In public, though, they focused on the humanitarian tragedy already unfolding in Gaza.

A lengthy Israeli ground operation could inflame their populations, who support the Palestinian cause, threatening stability in their countries and narrowing the diplomatic room that Arab heavyweights such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia have to calm the situation.

More on Israel Gaza war

Egypt was the most outspoken. Its President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi told Mr Blinken that Israel's military operations had already exceeded "the right of self-defence" and turned into collective punishment.

In this environment, some analysts questioned whether Mr Biden's trip to show solidarity with Israel could be seen as provocative. Others suggested it might help to underline a private message of restraint, should the president choose to deliver one.

"He's a very visceral politician," says Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. "It may be that he feels that if you're going to push the Israelis, you can't push them until you've already made clear that you care."

Mr Biden will also be meeting the Egyptian leader along with Jordan's King Abdullah and the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman to discuss humanitarian issues.

This follows the administration's announcement that the US and Israel have agreed to try to find ways to get humanitarian aid into Gaza and set up "safe zones" for civilians.

The initiative came after the secretary of state reported back to Washington the concerns of Arab leaders, says a senior state department official. The president instructed him to draw up a plan with the Israelis.

Where Mr Biden will not push the Israelis is on their assessment of Hamas.

US officials have adopted Israeli language that compares the Palestinian movement to the Islamic State group, saying it was an attack of "sheer evil" unrelated to legitimate frustrations about decades of Israeli occupation and the grinding misery of its 16-year blockade of Gaza.

Khaled Elgindy, the director of Israeli-Palestinian Affairs at the Middle East Institute, says this ignores a chorus of warnings in the year leading up to the unprecedented incursion about an impending "explosion" in the Palestinian territories.

He describes US policy as "strategic neglect".

"They've been committed to keeping the issue low down on the list of priorities," he says. "I think that's one of the reasons we are where we are, is this neglect and allowing these wounds to fester. "The status quo was comfortable for Israel and for the United States. But it was certainly not comfortable for Palestinians."

The Biden administration has focused its Middle East policy on integrating Israel into the region through a normalisation agreement with Saudi Arabia, which it argues is crucial for stability, while trying to pivot its attention more to China and Russia's war with Ukraine.

Now, though, it fears a regional conflict that could force it to plunge back into the Middle East.

The US is particularly concerned that Iran will capitalise on the situation through armed groups it supports, like Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement. Low-level clashes on Israel's border with Lebanon intensified at the weekend, as Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian conducted his own tour of allies in the region.

That included a meeting with the Hamas representative in Qatar, where they discussed how to prevent Israel's expected further assault on Gaza, according to Iran's state news agency.

Still, so far Iran has shown relative restraint.

"They're playing the long game," says Mr Alterman, "and I'm not sure that this is the moment when they want to go all in."

That could change depending on how Israel's ground operation in Gaza unfolds. The Pentagon has now sent two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean as a clear warning.

Deterrence is a big part of the administration's "rock solid" show of support for Israel, says Mr Schenker, noting that the extraordinary damage Hamas inflicted on Israel made America's key partner in the Middle East look weak.

"If we don't stand by Israel, we are further raising questions about our commitment to our regional allies," he says. "Already for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, this US commitment to their security was in question."

There's no question the US will stand by Israel. The question is at what cost, and how that will affect its ability to shape the new strategic realities to come.
Israel may not have decided on a full ground invasion of Gaza

Though it has amassed hundreds of thousands of troops and hundreds of tanks around Gaza, Israel has apparently yet to commit to a full-scale ground invasion of the densely populated Palestinian enclave.

"We are preparing for the next stages of war," Israeli Defense Force spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told a regular briefing with reporters Tuesday, according to Reuters . We haven't said what they will be. Everybody's talking about the ground offensive. It might be something different."

https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1714249664029937717

Israel is preparing in case of a ground operation but is focused on removing Hamas' senior leadership and commanders who remain in the strip, Hecht added, according to The Wall Street Journal .

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Hechts comments come as the U.S. is preparing a potential boost of its military presence in the region and U.S. leaders have flocked to Israel to show support and coordinate military efforts.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "placed approximately 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness through a prepare to deploy order, which increases DoD's ability to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East," the Pentagon announced Tuesday. "No decisions have been made to deploy any forces at this time. The Secretary will continue to assess our force posture and remain in close contact with allies and partners."

Austin also approved a deployment extension for the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Sixth Fleet Area of Operations.

https://twitter.com/USFleetForces/status/1714224854348530025

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden is on his way to Israel while Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, already arrived In Tel Aviv. CENTCOM oversees U.S. military efforts in the region.

Kurilla will conduct high-level meetings with Israels military leadership, including Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Chief of Defense, to gain a clear understanding of Israels defense requirements, outline U.S. support efforts to avoid expansion of the conflict, and reiterate the Department of Defenses ironclad support for Israel, CENTCOM said in a statement.

Im here to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and am particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict, Kurilla said.

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1714120326714372479?s=12

Kurillas message was addressed at Iran and the Hezbollah militia forces it backs in Lebanon.

In Tehran, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei blamed Israels ongoing bombardment campaign in Gaza, which is causing massive casualties, on the U.S.

According to our numerous information, the current policy inside the Zionist regime is being regulated by the Americans, Khamenei said in a video broadcast Tuesday. America is responsible for recent crimes. The bombings must stop immediately.

Khamenei went on to suggest that if Israel continues bombing Gaza, the conflict will widen.

If the crimes of the Zionist regime continue, no one can stop the Muslims and the resistance forces, he said.

https://twitter.com/FarsNews_Agency/status/1714199394260599101

However, Khamenei seemed to say Iran would stay out of the fight and be content to allow its proxies to battle Israel.

https://twitter.com/Yossi_Mansharof/status/1714219657069015311

Khamenei's comments come a day after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian warned that the country's proxies around the Middle East could launch preemptive strikes on Israel "in the coming hours."

"In the coming hours, any preemptive action against the Zionist regime is conceivable," said Amirabdollahian while referencing his recent meeting with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in an interview with Iranian television, The Jerusalem Post reported . "The leaders of the resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go to other fronts of the resistance."

The foreign minister claimed as well that Iran "does not give orders" to the Iran-backed militias and terrorist groups throughout the region which make up what they refer to as "the Axis of Resistance."

https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1714053341477744781

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem on Tuesday took a similar stance to Khamenei about the Biden visit in an interview with CNN Tuesday .

"Unfortunately the U.S. administration and the U.S. President Biden took a very aggressive measure against the Palestinian people and fell for the Israeli narrative, Qassem said. His visit is only to support the Israelis financially and morally and to encourage the occupation to commit more massacres against our Palestinian brothers and sisters, children and the elderly."

As Iran and Hamas delivered their messages, tensions mounted along Israels northern border with Lebanon as the IDF and Hezbollah continued to exchange fire on an almost hourly basis. Israel claimed that there was repeated incoming anti-tank and small arms fire from Lebanon and that it responded with tank and artillery fire.

The IDF said it downed a drone entering Israeli airspace from Lebanon.

https://twitter.com/IDFSpokesperson/status/1714293910758170874

It also said it thwarted an attempt by militants to enter Israel from Lebanon.

https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1714155398503026814?s=12

The increasing intensity of the cross-border skirmishes has residents scared, Al Jazeera reported.

https://twitter.com/zeinakhodraljaz/status/1714200960946373101?s=12

Israel said that across the country, about a half million people have been displaces as a result of the war.

There are about half a million internally displaced Israelis at the time, said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus during a press conference, according to Israel's TPS media outlet .

Conricus said that 20 communities near the Gaza Strip have been evacuated as the army gears up for a ground offensive. As we reported yesterda y, another 28 communities within 2 kilometers of the Lebanese border have also been evacuated.

https://twitter.com/RealBababanaras/status/1714109018380321069

Israel continued to carry out strikes in Gaza, creating additional concerns about the unfolding humanitarian crisis there.

"Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza where it had told Palestinians to flee to ahead of an expected ground invasion, killing dozens of people on Tuesday in attacks it says are targeted at Hamas militants that rule the besieged territory," The Associated Press reported Tuesday . "With no water, fuel or food being delivered to Gaza since Hamas brutal attack on Israel last week, mediators struggled to break a deadlock over delivering supplies to increasingly desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals."

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The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday that Israel's siege of Gaza and its evacuation order for the north of the enclave could amount to a forcible transfer of civilians and be in breach of international law, Reuters reported .

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, said Israel seemed to have made no effort to ensure the civilians temporarily evacuated in Gaza were provided with proper accommodation, as well as satisfactory conditions of hygiene, health, safety and nutrition.

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Israel also struck again near the vital Rafah crossing at the Egypt-Gaza border, CNN reported Tuesday .

Two airstrikes struck 15 minutes apart around 1 kilometer away from the Rafah crossing, CNN said. Loud sounds of airstrikes have been heard every 30 minutes since Tuesday at 4 a.m. local time.

"In videos filmed by the CNN stringer on the Egyptian side, plumes of smoke can be seen rising beyond the main gate into the crossing."

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Israel claims it is attacking military targets, including senior Hamas leaders.

"IDF warplanes, under joint intelligence guidance with the Shin Bet, killed one of the senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization, Iman Nofal, who served as the commander of the Hamas Central Camps Brigade in the Gaza Strip, and as the former head of Hamas's military intelligence," Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, said.

https://twitter.com/IDFSpokesperson/status/1714283373164925287 https://twitter.com/iafsite/status/1714136440836096165?s=12

Hamas continued its rocket barrage into Israel, firing at Tel Aviv and other locations.

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Amid the raging fighting are efforts to release the nearly 200 hostages held by Hamas.

Turkeys top diplomat said Tuesday his country had been in touch with Hamas over some 200 Israeli and foreign hostages the terror group is holding in Gaza, following requests from several governments, The Times of Israel reported Tuesday .

French President Emmanuel Macron also said that talks to free hostages were ongoing and progressing. Hebrew media reported that he will visit Israel in the coming days, and though the French embassy did not confirm the plans, it said he did wish to make such a trip.

So far, we have received requests from various countries for the release of their citizens. As a result, we started to discuss these issues, especially with the political wing of Hamas, Turkeys Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a news conference in Beirut alongside his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, according to the Times of Israel.

https://twitter.com/amichaistein1/status/1714227203905356254?s=12

The Wall Street Journal reported that Macron also called for the immediate release of Mia Schem, a 21-year-old Franco-Israeli hostage who appeared in a video Hamas released Monday. Schem was injured and kidnapped from an outdoor music festival where over 250 people were killed.

Macrons office denounced the ignominy of taking innocent people hostage and their odious staging in a video. Frances foreign minister has been in touch with families of hostages taken by Hamas, including Schems, and is working for their release, the office said.

Her mother, Keren Sharf Schem, appealed for her return at a news conference on Tuesday. "I'm begging the world to bring my baby back home, she only went to a party, to a festival party to have some fun and now she's in Gaza," she said.

https://twitter.com/franceinfo/status/1714215065375707159

You can read more about the challenges Israel faces in any attempt to rescue the hostages in our interview with four experts here .

https://twitter.com/haltman/status/1714062569256759761

This is a developing story. We will update it when there is more news about the Israel-Hamas war.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Publishing industry figures and authors flock to the Frankfurt Book Fair every year (DANIEL ROLAND)

The world's biggest book fair in Frankfurt lamented a "disaster" Tuesday after publishing groups from several predominantly Muslim countries withdrew in protest at organisers' support for Israel following Hamas's massive attack.

Organisations that pulled out -- including from the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia -- were also angered at a decision to postpone an award ceremony for a Palestinian author following the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war.

The Frankfurt Book Fair official begins Wednesday against the backdrop of the escalating conflict that began after Palestinian militants burst through the heavily fortified Gaza border on October 7 and launched the deadliest attack in Israel's history.

Book fair organisers swiftly denounced the "barbaric" assault and rushed to reorganise the schedule, pledging Israeli voices would feature prominently.

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But, highlighting the bitter divisions unleashed by the conflict, the world's biggest publishing trade event has since faced withdrawals by organisations in mostly Muslim countries.

Among them was the Indonesian Publishers Association, which said organisers' decision to "take sides and give Israel a platform has undermined the ideals of dialogue and efforts to build mutual understanding.

"Siding with Israel while forgetting the suffering of the Palestinian people is like reading only one book to feel like you understand the whole world."

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, and does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. The publishing association had been due to take part in activities promoting Indonesian culture at the fair.

The education ministry in Malaysia said it was pulling out, citing organisers "pro-Israel stance".

The Sharjah Book Authority, in the United Arab Emirates, and the Emirates Publishers Association have also withdrawn, while the UAE-based National newspaper reported the Arab Publishers' Association in Egypt had pulled out.

Asked about the withdrawals, fair director Juergen Boos told a press conference he was "very disappointed" some participants had chosen not to come "because of geopolitics".

"That's a complete for disaster for us, for myself. I want people to be here, to have a (frank) discourse, to have discussions even if it might be controversial."

- Anger at award delay -

There has also been anger at a decision to postpone an award ceremony for Palestinian author Adania Shibli.

She was due to receive the LiBeraturpreis, a German award, for her book "A Minor Detail," based on the real events of a 1949 rape and murder by Israeli soldiers.

It is organised by Litprom, which gives out the honour each year at the fair, but the group decided not to go ahead with the ceremony "due to the war started by Hamas".

The group says it will hold the event later, and insisted that awarding the prize to Shibli was "never in question."

However in an open letter released Monday, over 600 signatories including high-profile authors, publishers and literary agents, condemned the move.

Postponing the award amounted to "closing out the space for a Palestinian voice", said the letter, whose signatories included Abdulrazak Gurnah and Olga Tokarczuk, both winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Other writers who signed included Pankaj Mishra, William Dalrymple, Colm Toibin and Naomi Klein.

Asked about the controversy Tuesday, a book fair spokesman said Litprom decided to delay the ceremony to a later date when it would be more possible to "have a more dignified exchange about literature".

The book fair does not organise the award.

Elsewhere at the fair, one of the most anticipated authors featuring this year will be Salman Rushdie, who has appeared only rarely in public since a stabbing attack last year that nearly killed him.

Rushdie, who has faced death threats since his 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses" was declared blasphemous by Iran's supreme leader, lost sight in one eye in the attack in the small American town of Chautauqua.

The Frankfurt Book Fair, in its 75th edition this year, runs from Wednesday to Sunday.

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Xizangs largest lake sees achievements in ecologic, environmental protection

08:01, October 17, 2023 By Shan Jie ( Global Times

The Scenery of Siling Lake Photo: Shan Jie/GT

Siling Lake, the largest lake in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, has seen an improvement and achievements in environmental protection after decades of efforts from local people and the government.

The lake, which is also the second-largest saline lake in China, is situated at the juncture of Xainza, Baingoin, and Shuanghu counties in Xizang. It lies at an altitude of 4,530 meters above sea level and is a tectonic lake formed during the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau's geological development.

When the Global Times reporter arrived near the lake on Saturday, Tibetan antelopes and Tibetan wild asses could be frequently seen along the roadside, while raptors soared in the sky. The vast expanse of the lake, with its surrounding golden grasslands and distant snowy peaks, formed a picturesque view.

Siling Lake was designated as a regional-level nature reserve in Xizang in 1993, elevated to a national-level nature reserve in June 2003, and included in the list of Wetlands of International Importance in 2018.

In recent years, the water surface area of Siling Lake has continued to expand, reaching 2,391 square kilometers, surpassing the previous largest lake in Xizang, Namtso Lake, to become the largest lake in the region. This expansion is possibly linked to climate change, the Global Times learned from local officials.

The Siling Lake Nature Reserve holds national importance for the conservation of wildlife and high-altitude wetlands. It plays a crucial role in researching the natural ecological changes and biodiversity in the region. The reserve is home to various wildlife species, many of which are unique to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Notable among these species are Tibetan antelopes, Tibetan wild asses, Tibetan gazelles, snow leopards, lynx, wolves, black-necked cranes and bar-headed geese.

The Tibetan antelopes in the vicinity of the lake are unique since they do not migrate and therefore can be observed around the lake throughout the year.

Tarchin, a wildlife conservation patroller from Xainza county, has worked in this role for 14 years. He mentioned that there are a total of 42 wildlife conservation patrollers in the county, most of whom are herders and receive some subsidies each month.

Their busiest period is during the migration of birds in June and July. Tarchin explained. "Our main task is to patrol and check if any wild bird has died, particularly due to incidents like avian influenza. We use motorcycles or cars, and fortunately, the roads are accessible, allowing us to complete a patrol in about half a day."

According to Tarchin, local herders have a strong commitment to wildlife protection, and during his 14 years on the job, there have been no incidents of poaching.

In addition to birds and Tibetan antelopes, snow leopards are also a prominent species in the area. Palbar Tashi, the head of the Siling Lake Nature Reserve, told the Global Times that infrared monitoring has identified approximately 500 snow leopards currently inhabiting the reserve.

"The presence of snow leopards indicates the health of the ecosystem here because it also signifies a stable population of their prey, such as bharals," he said.

Tarchin shared his experience rescuing a snow leopard.

"It entered a village, consumed over a dozen sheep belonging to herders, and then, perhaps after overeating, it became lethargic and refused to leave the sheepfold."

Tarchin displayed scars on his hand from being bitten by the snow leopard.

"We captured it and released it back into the wild, and the herders received compensation for their losses from the local government."

Palbar Tashi explained that the reserve is now providing training to wildlife conservation officers in photography and new media technology to showcase the beauty of Siling Lake and the wildlife conservation efforts to a wider audience.

The Qiangtang Plateau, where Siling Lake sits, is an important region in China for its clusters of lakes. It is also one of the world's largest and highest plateaus of lake clusters. Altogether, there are more than 800 lakes, big or small, dotted here and there in the Qiangtang Grassland, making the region a beautiful vista on the plateau. The combined water surface of the lakes surpasses 25,000 square kilometers, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Wildlife conservation patrollers at Siling Lake Photo: Shan Jie/GT

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. Abiy Ahmed is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to the country. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

China and Ethiopia announced elevating their ties to an "all-weather strategic partnership" as President Xi Jinping met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Beijing on Tuesday.

Abiy Ahmed is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to China.

Xi said the two sides should take the establishment of the all-weather strategic partnership, announced in a joint statement issued by the two countries, as an opportunity to advance common development and win-win cooperation, promote South-South solidarity and cooperation, and safeguard international equity and justice.

Calling Ethiopia a key participant of the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said the cooperation between the two countries over the past decade has been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation in terms of cooperation fields and results.

Xi stressed that China supports Ethiopia in safeguarding its own sovereignty, security and development interests. The two sides should continue to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China is willing to support and participate in Ethiopia's post-war reconstruction and economic revitalization, and implement the Global Development Initiative to help Ethiopia achieve development, said Xi.

He also said China will work with Ethiopia in pursuit of peace and development and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Ahmed said that investment from China and bilateral cooperation, especially the Belt and Road cooperation, have effectively boosted Ethiopia's economic and social development. Ethiopia will continue to advance the Belt and Road cooperation and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Ethiopia, he said.

Ethiopia highly appreciates and actively supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, and is willing to work closely with China to promote the implementation of the initiatives, he said.
Israel-Hamas war: Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday in show of support

President Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday as he tries to send a message of his administration's commitment to the Jewish state amid its war with Hamas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the visit Monday night, saying the visit will happen "at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world."

"The president will reaffirm the United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security," a White House official said.

FORMER ISRAELI SOLDIER SUGGESTS HOSTAGE RESCUE OPERATIONS BEHIND DELAY IN GROUND INVASION OF GAZA

President Joe Biden will visit Israel this week amid the country's war with Hamas.

Blinken also added that Biden will speak to Israeli leaders about how to minimize civilian casualties in the densely populated Gaza Strip, which has been bombarded with Israeli airstrikes.

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"The president will hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas," he explained.

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Israel has urged 1 million residents in Gaza to evacuate the northern end.

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.

The visit coincides with Biden's pledge to support Israel. The administration has already promised military support, sending U.S. carriers and aid to the region.

On Monday, Biden spoke with several world leaders and his own national security team about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the besieged Gaza over fears the conflict could expand.

Biden spoke by phone with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the fallout from Hamas terrorist fighters' surprise attacks on Israel that left 1,400 dead and retaliatory strikes that have killed at least 2,778 Palestinians. Biden scrapped a planned trip to Colorado on Monday where he was expected to tout his economic agenda.

After visiting Israel, Biden will visit neighboring Jordan to meet with Arab leaders as tensions increase in the region.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden will meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza," the White House said of Biden's upcoming visit.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Israel-Hamas war: Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday in show of support
US power is perceived to be waning, and rivals are stepping into the vacuum.

Russia and China are seeking to exploit the Israel-Hamas war.

The US is embarking on a mission to prevent the war from escalating into a wider conflict.

Amid the brutal war between Israel and Hamas, US President Joe Biden has sought to project strength.

He has vowed to provide Israel with "unshakeable" support in its response to Hamas' terror attacks on October 7, which killed hundreds of people in Israeli towns, military bases, and at a music festival.

But the new conflict threatens to starkly expose the limits of the US' influence in the region, where for decades it was the unchallenged international power.

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In recent years the US has sought to focus on its rivalry with China, instead of getting involved in a volatile region that has drained American resources and dented its military reputation.

Into the perceived power vacuum, Russia and China have stepped, seeking to project their influence and undermine the US. And traditional allies seem more inclined to steer an independent path.

Russia and China seek to exploit the conflict

Russia and China have sought to build alliances across the military and sectarian divides that have scarred the region for decades.

China has built strong economic ties with both Israel and Saudi Arabia  the US' chief allies in the area  while remaining close to the US' traditional regional foe, Iran.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) shakes hands with exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mechaal (L) in Moscow on February 8, 2010. NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images

Russia is also friendly not just with traditional US enemies in the region, such as Iran and Syria, but also with the US' traditional allies, Israel and the Gulf states.

Beijing's new influence in the region was underlined when in June it brokered peace talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, who've long been engaged in proxy wars in the region.

Both Moscow and Beijing are seeking to use the new conflict to damage US influence further, and exploit anger over Israel's response to the attacks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in Beijing Tuesday, in a meeting likely to depend their informal alliance against the US.

It's part of a mission to position themselves as the defenders of nations long aggrieved by perceived Western hypocrisy and meddling, despite Beijing and Moscow's own ambitions to expand their territory by force.

The Kremlin has laid the blame for the conflict on the US, while refusing to condemn Hamas for the attacks that tipped the region into war. Beijing has blamed Israel for the war and expressed sympathy for Palestinians.

Both Russia and China could profit from a prolonged conflict, with the Kremlin believing that Western focus would diverted from Ukraine, which is heavily dependent on aid from the US and Europe in battling the Russian invasion. China, meanwhile, has long sought to reestablish its authority over Taiwan.

Russia has even offered to help broker a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, a move which analysts warn the Kremlin could exploit to prolong the conflict.

The US still retains alliances in the region shored up through decades of military and economic support  but they seem weaker than they have done for decades.

They are alliances the White House is counting on as it seeks to contain the Israel-Hamas war and prevent it from expanding into a broader, regional conflict. Biden will also be seeking to impose his influence on events in a planned visit to Israel on Wednesday.

Blinken 's whirlwind tour to prevent war escalating

In the past week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has embarked on a tour of six Middle Eastern capitals in a bid to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from escalating.

Iran, Hamas' main backer, has threatened to enter the conflict if Israel invades Gaza. The Tehran-funded Hezbollah militia on Israel's northern border has menaced Israel with the prospect of opening a second front in the war.

Iran could also attack US allies in the region, or targets abroad, to provoke a military response and drag countries into conflict.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 15, 2023. Royal Court of Saudi Arabia/Anadolu via Getty Images

Another core aim of Blinken is to try and persuade regional leaders to tamp down fury about Israel's bombardment of Gaza, which Palestinian health authorities say has killed thousands of civilians. Another is to restrain Israel's response, and avoid civilian deaths.

So far, Blinken's tour has resulted in few concrete results. According to The Washington Post, Saudi Arabia's ruler Mohamed bin Salman in an extraordinary snub kept Blinken waiting for hours for a meeting, and then cancelled it and showed up the next day instead. Qatar continues to provide refuge for Hamas' leaders, despite diplomatic pressure from the US.

It remains to be seen whether the US' Gulf state allies will rally around the US' goal of condemning Hamas' violence, while containing broader anger.

But despite Blinken encountering closed doors and dead ends, the US retains influence.

The US has deployed two aircraft carriers to the area as a deterrent to Iran not to enter the conflict, and as a show of strength to those who seek to damage the US' allies.

For all their rhetoric, Moscow and Beijing's influence is yet to outstrip the US.

"China's primary leverage in the region was access to its markets, access to its investments. It is its economic power," Gordon Flake, CEO of the USAsia Center at the University of Western Australia, told The Wall Street Journal. "They don't yet have hard power in that region, and so no one is turning to the Chinese for how to solve their problems."

Read the original article on Business Insider
In the aftermath of Hamass unprecedented assault on Israel, the ensuing war is threatening to rattle a key natural gas supply hub in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Last Monday  just two days after Hamas launched the surprise attack  Israels Energy and Infrastructure Ministry announced a temporary halt in the supply of gas from the countrys Tamar reservoir.

Located about 15 miles west of the Israeli city of Ashkelon and well within the range of Gazan rocket fire, the Tamar rig predominantly serves Israels domestic energy needs, according to Chevron, a major shareholder in the facility.

Officials stressed that those needs would be fulfilled with other fuels, and that the sector is prepared to operate with alternatives whenever necessary.

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But in addition to keeping the lights on at home, gas from Tamar  and from Israels larger Leviathan field  has been feeding a struggling Egyptian natural gas sector.

The most direct current implication is for Egypt, Brenda Shaffer, an energy policy specialist at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, told The Hill.

The additional supply of gas from Tamar, she explained, offered the country hope that it could reinvigorate its faltering liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector and revive exports to Europe.

Egypt hasnt ceased shipping gas to Europe entirely, but in the past several months, LNG export has decreased because of the shortage of gas in the domestic market, Amit Mor, an energy consultant and lecturer at Israels Reichman University, told The Hill.

The sudden loss of a critical gas supply from Tamar, he explained, could increase existing strain on Egypts gas supplies and further jeopardize its export capabilities.

It can really affect their regime stability, added Shaffer, who previously served as a policy advisor to Israels Energy Ministry.

For the past year, she explained, Egypts natural gas shortage has caused widespread blackouts  circumstances that in the past have contributed to the fall of governments, such as that of former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

Hamas, which governs Gaza and is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S., initiated a deadly attack on Israel more than a week ago  launching thousands of rockets and infiltrating a number of Israeli towns and villages.

As of Monday, Israel said that more than 1,400 Israelis had been killed so far and that about 199 people had been taken hostage by Hamas, while the Gaza Health Ministry reported the deaths of at least 2,750 Palestinians as a result of the counteroffensive launched by Israel.

The Tamar production platform not only sits well within rocketfiring distance of Gaza, but its intake pipelines also run perilously close to the strip.

The platform was bombed by Hamas about nine years ago, Mor said, referring to an incident during the summer 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, Operation Protective Edge.

During that campaign, Hamas launched about 40 rockets toward the platform, which likely led the Israeli government to take the current precautions, Mor explained.

Perhaps even more worrisome, according to Shaffer, is the vulnerability of the gas supply from Tamar once it reaches Israels shores, as the resource arrives in high concentrations to the coastal area just north ofGaza.

Israel last year generated about 21.92 billion cubic meters (28.3 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas from three reservoirs: Tamar, the larger Leviathan and a smaller field called Karish-Tanin, according to 2022 natural gas sector review conducted by the Energy Ministry.

About 58 percent of the gas served Israel, while 15.5 percent was exported to Jordan, via two pipelines in the North and South, per the report. The remaining 26.5 percent went to Egypt  some via Jordan but most through the East Mediterranean Gas (EMG) pipeline.

Following the Israeli Energy Ministrys decision to shutter operations at Tamar, Chevron announced that it would be halting exports from Israel to Egypt that flow through the EMG pipeline.

Instead, the company said that it would be rerouting gas supplies to Egypt via an alternative channel  the FAJR Pipeline  that runs through Jordan, according to Reuters.

While most of the gas that Egypt imports from Israel comes from the Leviathan reservoir, which is far larger than Tamar, the loss of Tamar as a supplier is by no means trivial.

Egypt and the relevant companies were hoping that the increased export from Israel, from Tamar, which had been approved by the Israeli government, would help Egypt increase its LNG exports, Shaffer said.

While acknowledging that these LNG quantities might not have been dramatic on a global sale, Schaffer said that for Europe, the would-be recipient of the shipments, the exports would be not a drop in the bucket, but not a gallon in the bucket.

The Russia-Ukraine war has already dealt a blow to Europes natural gas supplies, triggering an energy crisis on the continent last year. The market has remained volatile, and gas prices surged a reported 15 percent following the Tamar shutdown.

Schaffer also described a significant loss of anticipated revenue for Egypt as a result of the reservoir shuttering.

As Egypt incurs these immediate effects, Shaffer anticipated that Israel should be able to survive short-term with its robust Leviathan and Karish supplies.

She did, however, criticize Israeli officials for their semi-recent decision to get rid of the countrys natural gas storage facility  given its regular involvement in conflict situations.

Shaffer was referring to a floating regasification storage buoy that was docked offshore from 2019 until the end of 2022, when Karish began operating.

The government, she explained, assumed that with three functioning fields online that it doesnt really need storage, but I think this illustrates a big mistake, especially for a country like Israel.

Nonetheless, Shaffer maintained that Israel should have enough to fulfill its present needs.

Domestic demand, she continued, has also dropped due to the fact that the country is not supplying electricity to Gaza  which was receiving about 10 percent of Israels production.

These cuts occurred last week, when Energy Minister Yisrael Katz announced that he had stopped electricity, water and diesel transfers to the strip.

Aside from some solar energy, there are no electricity provisions in Gaza, which Mor said is experiencing a major humanitarian crisis. No electricity also means no water production, pumping or wastewater treatment, he noted.

The ensuing environmental catastrophe, Mor continued, is now also affecting Israel because once sewage is not treated, it is flowing to Israel.

This humanitarian crisis is going to increase no doubt, he said. This aspect, it is very bad  its a part of the overall pressure of Israel on Hamas.

As far as Israels own electricity needs are concerned, Mor agreed that the short-term impacts of the Tamar shutdown should be minimal.

He expressed greater concern about Israels fate should a prolonged conflict arise with Hezbollah along the northern border  which is much closer to the Leviathan and Karish production platforms.

Such a scenario could require power plants to shift to diesel, assuming that the Ashkelon and Haifa oil ports were still operating  or the country builds up its strategic reserves, according to Mor.

In the longer term, if the war escalates, theres going to be a major impact on the energy economy, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
JERUSALEM, Israel  If theres one clear objective of Israels war in Gaza right now it is this: To hunt down and assassinate Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Referred to by Israel as the Butcher of Khan Younis for his violent and cruel torture methods against his enemies, both Israeli and Palestinian, Sinwar, 60, is widely seen as being behind the massacre of Israeli civilians carried out by thousands of Hamas militants on Oct. 7.

The attack, in which 1,400 people are now known to have been killed, with a further 200 missing and likely being held hostage inside the Gaza Strip, is the worst against Jews since the Holocaust. Civilian men, women and children were not only murdered but, according to multiple eyewitness reports also brutalized, raped and even decapitated.

"That man is in our sights," Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told journalists over the weekend. "Sinwar is the leader of Hamas in Gaza and hes a dead man walking."

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BRUTAL HAMAS 'SHADOW UNIT' LIKELY BEHIND HOSTAGE RAIDS POSES RESCUE NIGHTMARE: EXPERT

Yahya Sinwar, center, appears during a ceremony at Yarmouk stadium on May 24, 2021, in Gaza City.

"We will get to him, however long it takes and this war could be long," he said.

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Sinwar, who is believed to be somewhere in the Palestinian enclave but hidden deep underground in the warren of tunnels Hamas uses to transport weapons and fighters and where they may even be keeping the hostages, was born in the Khan Younis refugee camp when the area was part of Egypt.

According to multiple sources, he was always a militant activist and joined Hamas not long after its founding in 1987. Two years later he was arrested by Israel for his involvement in the abduction and killing of two Israelis, as well as the torturing and murder of four Palestinians he considered to be collaborators.

Sentenced to life in prison, Sinwar ended up serving 22 years in an Israeli jail and was eventually released as part of a prisoner exchange for the abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011.

"Sinwar has been active since the early days of Hamas," Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, told Fox News Digital. "In jail, he became a prominent leader of Hamas prisoners and was a very influential figure among all Palestinian prisoners."

Hamas terrorists in Gaza City

Michael said that during his time in jail Sinwar learned to speak Hebrew fluently and knows Israeli society very well.

"He is religious, not necessarily in practice but in religious extremism," he said. "In his soul and in mentality, he is a living martyr, not afraid to die or sacrifice himself. He is extreme and believes that he can lead the Palestinian people to destroy Israel."

"He does not have a Western way of thinking," Michael continued. "When he talks about the destruction of the Zionist project and raising the caliphate from Marrakesh to Bangladesh, he is not even talking about in his lifetime but in future generations."

FORMER ISRAELI SOLDIER SUGGESTS HOSTAGE RESCUE OPERATIONS BEHIND DELAY IN GROUND INVASION OF GAZA

After being returned to Gaza as part of the Shalit deal, Sinwar became a popular leader in Hamas, an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, and in 2017 was elected by secret ballot to replace the incumbent political leader, Ismail Haniyeh.

Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at the Dayan Center in Tel Aviv University, described Sinwar as part of the second generation of Hamas leaders and said he has the potential of leading the whole movement, not just its affairs in Gaza.

"Compared to Haniyeh and [former political leader Khaled] Mashal, Sinwar is very charismatic," said Milshtein, adding that he is also far more hardline and radical than the previous Hamas leaders.

"He believes that he was born to promote jihad and kill the infidels, that is his approach," he said. "He comes from the periphery of Palestinian society, from a refugee camp, unlike the others who like to wear suits and ties."

Milshtein said Sinwar was willing to take the conflict to another level and was unlikely to run away from Israels approaching military.

"I do not see him running away, giving up or handing himself over, he will fight until he dies, that is the kind of leader he is," said Milshtein. "Sinwar has only left Gaza once or twice in the past six years and that was only to Egypt. He does not know much about the rest of the world or about diplomatic relations, he is focused on jihad."

This is not the first time that Sinwar is in Israels sights. In 2018, following the announcement by President Donald Trump that he would move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, mass protests broke out in Gaza along the border fence with Israel. Known as the Great March of Return, Israel said Sinwar was instigating the unrest and encouraging thousands of Palestinians to try and break through into Israel to harm civilians.

VIDEOS OF HAMAS BRUTALITY TOWARD ISRAELIS EERILY REMINISCENT OF ISIS TACTICS

In terms of the Oct. 7 attack, which was led by Hamas elite Nukhba force, Israel believes Sinwar and other Hamas leaders, such as military commander Mohammad Deif, have been preparing for the attack for more than two years. There is evidence that Sinwar purposely misled regional partners such as Egypt and Qatar into believing that he was more focused on relieving the humanitarian crisis for the enclaves 2.1 million residents than drawing Israel into a war.

Retired Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, the Israeli army spokesman, told Fox News Digital that the army had "no doubt" Sinwar was the "mastermind of this massacre."

"He coordinated the entire institution of Hamas, the government, and the military wing," said Lerner. "He is the financier, the instructor and he gave the ultimate green light to carry this out."

Sinwar, he said, was at the top of the Israeli militarys list of targets.

"He is the figurehead," said Lerner. "Although there are many others that were involved in the butchering of our civilians. We are collecting and currently analyzing visuals found on the bodycams carried by the Hamas terrorists during the attack."

Gunmen from Hamas during an anti-Israel military march in Gaza City.

As to whether Israel will be able to reach its greatest enemy, Michael told Fox News Digital that "as long as we stay determined and do not surrender under the pressure of the international community and as long as we are patient, then there is a high probability Israel will be able to get its hands on Sinwar."

"Sinwar will not remain alive for too much longer," he said.





Original article source: Israels hunt for Hamas terror group leader Yahya Sinwar: 'Dead man walking'
In 1976, Palestinian and German terrorists hijacked an Air France flight that was flying between Tel Aviv and Athens and on its way to Paris. The terrorists diverted the flight first to Libya and then to Entebbe, Uganda, where they were protected by dictator Idi Amin . When the flight landed, it was met by 100 Ugandan troops to help the terrorists achieve their objectives.

That same night, the Israel Defense Force conducted a raid on the airport in Entebbe that would rescue most of the hostages, humiliate Amin, and destroy a quarter of the Ugandan Air Force on the ground. The Raid on Entebbe, though not perfect, was wildly successful. But for years after the assault, people claimed Israel used a magnetic ray gun to help confuse and confound the Ugandans.

The raid itself was a bold, well-executed master stroke of military genius. Israeli transport planes carried 100 commandos some 2,500 miles, entered Uganda and took out 102 of 106 hostages in 90 minutes with just five wounded and one killed in action. All of the hijackers were killed along with 45 Ugandan soldiers. The Israelis even managed to create a fake motorcade, posing as Idi Amin and his entourage.

Although Israel got official help from the Kenyan government, they still had to fly across the radar and air defense of five other nations on their way to Entebbe, leaving many in the international community to wonder: how did no one see them? Some believed it was a technological innovation that allowed them to evade detection.

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Sid Hurwich was a 64-year-old Canadian appliance repairman who allegedly received an award in the days following the raid. At the Beth Tzedec synagogue in Toronto, he was presented with a Protector of the State of Israel Award by the Zionist Organization of Canada. The reason was a device he had supposedly built for Jerusalem six years prior. Called the Hurwich Device, it was supposed to be the reason Israel was able to pull off a magical victory in Entebbe.

Hurwich wouldnt disclose how the device worked, but it was said it could send out an electronic ray that would alter the natural composition of magnetic fields and centers of gravity of weapons, instrument dials and mechanical devicesOn the Hurwich principle, there was no reason why the new beams could not disable tanks, ground-to-ground missiles, and complete radar systems, the Economist reported . Other news outlets also reported that the beams could be tacked together to form a screen that would make whole zones safe from bombs or missiles.

A map of Entebbe Airport on display at a press conference in Israel following Operation Entebbe in which, Israeli special forces rescued 100 hostages held, after a hijacking, at Entebbe Airport in Uganda by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine on 3rd July 1976. The planning of the raid was aided by the fact that the airport had been built by an Israeli construction firm and blueprints were available in Israel. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Aside from the alleged construction of his new wonder weapons, there was nothing too special about Hurwich. He didnt graduate from high school, but he had a gift with electronics, training himself to repair appliances and making a living from a small private business at a time when manufacturers made their own repairs.

Hurwich supposedly got the idea after reading about a series of bank robberies in his home area. He went to work in his basement with a bunch of spare parts. When police arrived to check out his invention, they couldnt see it, but their watches and service revolvers were suddenly inoperable. When one of the cops suggested he show it to the Army, he got the idea to send it to his brother, who was living in Israel at the time. The Israelis allegedly bought the design, along with every working model hed built.

Other researchers say if the device did exist, it was likely a high-powered electromagnetic field that Hurwich created in his home, but were skeptical about the long-range possibilities of such a device. Hurwich himself says its not an invention, just the basic principles of electricity put to a different use.
Winged unicorns dance to a slow lullaby across a pink field of rainbows, cotton candy clouds, and smiling pastel stars. Black text interrupts the scene. 40 INFANTS WERE MURDERED IN ISRAEL BY THE HAMAS TERRORISTS (ISIS). JUST AS YOU WOULD DO EVERYTHING FOR YOUR CHILD. WE WILL DO EVERYTHING TO PROTECT OURS.

NOW HUG YOUR BABY AND STAND WITH US.

The video, from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is one of several advertisements and promoted social media posts produced by Israels government to gin up support for their ongoing offensive against Gaza.

Last week, Hamas militants broke out of the Gaza Strip and launched a horrific attack against Israeli citizens living near the blockaded Palestinian territory, killing more than 1,400 people, many of them unarmed civilians. In response to the attack, Israel has launched a scorched-earth offensive against Gaza, cutting off food, water, and basic utilities to the territory, which is home to more than 2 million people, almost half of them children. Nearly 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and thousands of others injured. The United Nations now warns that the situation in Gaza is quickly devolving into a humanitarian catastrophe.

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Israels digital campaign to win over public support includes a series of graphic ads targeted toward Americans and Europeans.

Genuinely in awe that Israel is airing this ad on youtube videos pic.twitter.com/9QyV6F04VT  Denims (@DenimsTV) October 9, 2023

Social media users have reported seeing the ads on sites like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), as well as on popular mobile phone games and mobile apps. A review of data available on Googles Ad Transparency Center found that since Oct. 9, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken out at least 45 ads through Google, YouTubes parent company. It is not possible at this time to ascertain how many people have been served the ads, as Google has a 90-day wait period for impression metrics, but other social media metrics point to the amount of attention theyre getting.

On the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs YouTube page, many of the advertisements have been reuploaded for public view. As of Tuesday morning, the ad styled to look like a childrens cartoon has garnered over 1 million views. Another ad featuring the Israeli death toll in the ongoing conflict has racked up more than 3 million views. Dozens of other videos, many of them featuring extremely graphic imagery, have been uploaded to the ministrys page and garnered tens of thousands of views.

On X, the official account for the State of Israel has paid to promote posts depicting the devastation of Hamas attacks, testimony from the family members of victims, claims about on-the-ground operations in Gaza, and even images of dead infants as ads. The posts have collectively garnered millions of impressions.

X responded to a request for comment from Rolling Stone with a message indicating that they were busy and to check back later. A representative from Google noted that the companys ad policy prohibits advertisements with political content or references to death from being served to kids or on videos aimed at children. Google clarified that the ad stylized as a childrens cartoon had been appropriately labeled and is not serving on made for kids content or YouTube kids.

On the ground in Gaza, internet connectivity has plummeted due to a combination of infrastructure destruction by Israeli bombing campaigns, and rapidly diminishing access to electricity and fuel following Israels resource blockade against the territory.

In contrast to Israels widespread paid digital presence, social media companies have been accused of suppressing Palestinian or pro-Palestinian voices expressing opposition to Israels retaliation against civilians in the Gaza Strip, which has been under an intense military blockade by Israel and Egypt since 2014.

On Monday, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, responded to accusations it was suppressing pro-Palestinian content by claiming the issue had been related to a bug that affected accounts equally around the globe and had nothing to do with the subject matter of the content  and we fixed it as quickly as possible.

This story was updated at 7:05 PM on October 17, 2023, to include additional comment from Google.

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A shell fired by Israeli artillery explodes over the Lebanese village of Dhayra near the border on Monday (-)

Israeli troops killed four militants attempting to enter its territory from Lebanon on Tuesday, the army said, as tensions run high on the border between the two countries.

Israel has traded fire with Hezbollah and allied Palestinian militants in Lebanon on a near-daily basis since October 8, the day after Hezbollah's Palestinian ally Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel that killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

The Israeli army, whose reprisal strikes on Hamas in the Gaza Strip have killed more than 3,000 people, also mostly civilians, said its forces opened fire on militants Tuesday who had attempted to cross the northern border with Lebanon in the morning.

"Observation troops spotted a terrorist squad attempting to infiltrate the security fence with Lebanon and plant an explosive device," the army said in a statement, adding "four terrorists were killed".

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Later, anti-tank missiles targeted Israeli forces in two locations, with Israeli tanks and artillery retaliating against the "origins of the fire" and Hezbollah military posts, the army said.

Shots "fired from a light weapon" also targeted several Israeli military positions near Lebanon, it added.

Two Israeli military reservists and a civilian were wounded in one of the attacks, the army said.

Later in the day, air raid sirens sounded in the border town Kiryat Shmona, which is nearly empty as many of the residents have left to seek safer accommodation.

The army said "two rockets were launched from Lebanon toward Israeli territory," with one "successfully intercepted" and the other hitting an open area.

Hezbollah meanwhile said four of its fighters had been killed "performing jihad". It was not clear if these were the same ones who Israel accused of trying to infiltrate the border.

In separate statements Tuesday, Hezbollah added it had struck several Israeli military points, some with guided missiles, and targeted an Israeli army vehicle and a tank.

The military had targeted the Iran-backed Hezbollah with overnight air strikes on southern Lebanon.

Since the start of the war triggered by Hamas's unprecedented attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, clashes on the Israel-Lebanon border have left more than 17 people dead on the Lebanese side.

Most of the dead have been combatants, but they also include a Reuters journalist and two civilians.

On the Israeli side, at least three people have been killed.

- 'Grave mistake' -

Lebanon's state-owned National News Agency said areas along the western section of the border had come under "continuous" bombardment overnight.

Homes in the village of Dhayra were hit, resulting in casualties, NNA reported, without elaborating.

"The enemy (Israel) used phosphorus bombs and targeted civilians," the news agency said.

The Israeli army has denied using the incendiary weapon white phosphorus in either Gaza or south Lebanon, after Human Rights Watch accusations last week.

It did not immediately comment on Tuesday's NNA report.

The international community fears the opening of a second front in the conflict, with Hezbollah joining Hamas to battle Israel.

Israel has begun evacuating thousands of residents from 28 northern locations.

In remarks Tuesday morning, the Israeli army's chief spokesman said a new front with Hezbollah would harm Lebanon.

"We're very alert and vigilant in the north, if Hezbollah makes a grave mistake, we'll respond with huge force," Daniel Hagari said.

"Lebanon should ask itself if it wants to risk its country for ISIS (Islamic State group) terrorists in Gaza."

burs-aya-jjm/jkb
Israeli troops have killed one of the leaders of the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Source: joint statement by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) on Telegram

Quote: "The IDF and ISA killed Osama Mazini, the head of the Shura Council of Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip.

Mazini was responsible for Hamas prisoners and directed terrorist activities against Israel."

Background:

US President Joe Biden said that the Hamas terrorist group, which attacked Israel on 7 October, must be destroyed.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said Hamas was potentially ready to release nearly 200 hostages it is holding if Israel stops airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

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Hamas militants have claimed that Israel carried out an airstrike on the Al-Ahli Arab hospital in the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of people are believed to have died, all the while the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) assert that the explosion occurred due to an unsuccessful launch of a Hamas missile.

Source: Hamas Ministry of Health, Times Of Israel, Israeli TV channel i24, OSINT analyst David Lisovtsev

Details: The Hamas Ministry of Health reported that on Tuesday, 17 October, Israels forces carried out an airstrike on a Gaza hospital, crowded with wounded civilians. The agency reported that at least 500 people could have died, with hundreds more under the rubble. At the same time, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 200 people were killed in the hospital.

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

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A spokesman for the Israeli army said it was investigating the information. In the evening, the IDF accused the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group of launching a missile.

The Israeli i24 television channel reported that this could be the result of a failed missile launch by Hamas.

OSINT analysts have reached the same conclusion, suggesting that the footage from Gaza most likely shows the landing of a Hamas missile, and not the consequences of an IDF airstrike.

First clear footage from the Al Ahli tragedy in Gaza, but what do you notice?

this is a surface explosion, almost no soil is thrown up, so it's not an air bomb.

Looks like a failed Hamas rocket that landed there, what a tragedy has Hamas brought to the people of Gaza! pic.twitter.com/MNzo16ZKXt  David Lisovtsev (@david_lisovtsev) October 17, 2023

The head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, declared three days of mourning for the victims of the strike on the hospital. Egypt, following Hamas, blamed Israel for the attacks on the hospital.

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: Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel

By Ayhan Uyunik and Timour Azhari

TIBERIAS, Israel/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Israeli and Lebanese residents on both sides of escalating border clashes say they have never felt such tension.

Fearing their hometowns could become the main front in a war between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, the most powerful military and political group in Lebanon, they have packed their bags and begun to move out.

"This time it's a whole different kind of anxiety - terrible fear," said Smadar Azoulai, a displaced resident of the Israeli border town of Kiryat Shmona.

"It's not the same as before. We handled that. There were bombs, there were rockets and we took cover in bomb shelters," she said, referring to past flare-ups between Israel and Hezbollah.

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Nine miles north of Kiryat Shmona, Lebanese trader Mohammed Mustafa hadn't yet left his hometown of Marjayoun, but had his suitcase ready.

"Sometimes you wake up and think a big war is going to happen, involving many countries. Other times you think, it's calm and there won't be war. No one really knows what's going to happen," he said.

The border area could become a second front in a wider Middle Eastern war should Israel's expected invasion of Gaza in retaliation for a surprise attack by Hamas militants prompt a strong response from its regional foes.

The attack on Oct. 7 killed more than 1,300 Israelis, the deadliest single day in Israel's 75-year history.

Israel has responded with its fiercest ever bombardment of the blockaded Gaza Strip, killing more than 2,700 Palestinians, and plans a large ground offensive.

'TOMORROW IT COULD BE WARPLANES'

Israel's narrow northern border with Lebanon, a hilly region by the sea, feels far from the flat, scrubby Gaza Strip, the Palestinian enclave 200 km (130 miles) away on Israel's southwestern edge.

But Iran, which backs Hamas and Hezbollah, said on Tuesday that "preemptive action" could be expected in the coming hours against Israeli assaults on Gaza. Israel has threatened to destroy Lebanon should Hezbollah get involved.

The fear of a major conflagration has scattered communities at the frontier. Israel ordered the evacuation this week of 28 villages near Lebanon, forcing many families to take up residence at tourist resorts further south.

Lebanese residents have meanwhile fled north in the direction of towns and cities they hope won't be targetted by Israeli firepower.

"Today it's just a few shells, tomorrow it could be warplanes, roads being blocked, fuel shortages, hospitals could close. It's normal to see an exodus. The worst thing is that we don't know how long this will last," said Hussein, a Lebanese border resident who gave only his first name.

Already, many Lebanese from the border have moved in with families in Beirut while making contingency plans to head further north or into mountain areas that remained relatively safe during a month-long war in 2006 that killed 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 157 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

Wide areas of southern Lebanon were destroyed in that war between Hezbollah and Israel, but that conflict began suddenly and without forewarning after the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah. That contrasts with the gradual escalation underway since Oct. 7.

At the Sea of Galilee, hundreds of Israelis from northern kibbutzes said they were living out of suitcases indefinitely.

"The whole kibbutz is here," hospital worker and Kibbutz Bar-Am resident Dani Ayelet Parasol said.

"The mood is one of fear, of uncertainty - when will it end, what will be our place, and what will happen to those whose lives were destroyed?" she said.

Israel's military said it killed four people who had tried to cross the fence bordering Lebanon and plant an explosive device on Tuesday, and heavy shelling and gunfire have continued throughout the day.

The flare up has been the deadliest since the 2006 war, with about a dozen Lebanese and Palestinian fighters killed, as well as three civilians, including Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah.

At least three Israeli soldiers have been killed.

Hezbollah has targetted Israeli military posts, tanks and knocked out surveillance equipment, according to videos shared by the group, while Israel has shelled border towns.

(Additional reporting by Avi Ohayun in Tiberias; Writing by John Davison; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
An Israeli soldier shades his eyes from the sun as he stands on self-propelled howitzer near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli military spokesman said on Tuesday that the status of the Gaza Strip after Israel's planned assault on the Palestinian enclave would be a "global issue" for international discussion.

"We've had all kinds of end games," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told media during a news briefing, in response to a question about whether Israel would fully occupy the territory.

"The cabinet is also discussing what that could look like ... this is also a global issue, what the situation will look like in this region," he said.

(Reporting by Henriette Chacar, writing by John Davison)
CANTON  Some local anti-abortion activists say they see the impending vote on state Issue 1 as a threat to their ultimate quest to outlaw abortion in Ohio.

Longtime activists Paul Crowley and Gary Cerrone say Issue 1 endangers women and infringes on parental rights. The two were among a handful of people recently demonstrating outside of Planned Parenthood at 2663 Cleveland Ave. NW. The local clinic does not perform abortions but does make referrals.

The group gathered that day included several women who declined to be interviewed.

"They have security concerns," Crowley said.

More: Watch forum on State Issue 1, abortion and reproductive rights effort

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Cerrone said that if the measure fails, he has no doubt abortion rights activists will make future attempts to pass it.

If approved, Issue 1, presented on the ballot as "The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety," would amend the state's constitution by protecting individuals and their doctors in making decisions regarding abortion, pregnancy, miscarriage care, fertility treatment and contraception; would prohibit the state from punishing or interfering with those decisions; and although an abortion may still be prohibited, it would guarantee a patient's doctor the right to determine whether it is necessary beyond Ohio's current standard of up to 21 weeks and six days of pregnancy if the life of that patient is at risk.

Though the initiative makes no specific mention of parental-control issues, some opponents argue that it doesn't include prohibitions against minors seeking abortions.

"I feel it takes away parental rights, which shows how little we care about kids these days," Crowley said. "Kids are not equipped to make life-changing decisions without parental consent. I agree with Gary that if it fails, they'll be back."

Ohio Issue 1 supporters and opposition

Issue 1 has been endorsed by the Ohio Democratic Party, American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Ohio Women's Alliance and Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights.

Ohioans deserve the right to make decisions around pregnancy, including abortion," said Lauren Blauvelt, spokesperson for Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights. "We learned last year that abortion access is just one court ruling away from being outlawed, again  even in cases of rape or incest. We must protect our right to abortion access on multiple fronts  in courtrooms and at the ballot box. Ohioans should be in charge of making health care decisions for ourselves and our families, not government."

Issue 1 is opposed by Protect Women Ohio, the Ohio Republican Party, Ohio Right to Life, the Center for Christian Values, and the Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio. Last month, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose came under fire from civil rights groups and abortion rights activists for pushing through a change in the ballot summary's language to include the term "unborn child" as opposed to "fetus."

Crowley, who is Catholic, said he opposes abortion without exception, even in the case of rape, adding that he'd like to see more emphasis placed on chastity education.

"Two wrongs don't make a right in my opinion," he said. "But you don't have to be religious to be pro-life. I've said that if I was an atheist, I'd still be pro-life. It's murder."

Cerrone, who said he has friends who are atheists and agnostics who are anti-abortion, agrees.

"We follow the science," he said. "It's an inconvenient truth for the other side."

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown weighs in on Ohio Issue 1

Justin Huyck, director of communications for the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, said the diocese opposes Issue 1 but has not committed money to the effort.

Dioceses in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati have collectively donated more than $900,000 in opposition to the measure. Under federal law, religious organizations and other nonprofit groups can advocate for ballot measures but cannot endorse individual candidates.

Youngstown Bishop David Bonnar, who recently celebrated a Mass for Life at St. Paul in North Canton, has released a video on his opposition to Issue 1.

"The Diocese of Youngstown is working together with the other dioceses in Ohio and the Catholic Conference of Ohio to address this issue," Huyck said. "We began this effort in February. Beyond the resources we ourselves have created (the diocese and the Catholic Conference of Ohio), the diocese has not donated funds to any other groups."

Crowley and Cerrone call Issue 1 proponents' concerns that birth control could be threatened if the bill is defeated "a red herring."

"It was put in there to scare people," Cerrone said.

A voice in support of Issue 1

The Rev. Doyle Luckenbaugh, a retired United Church of Christ pastor in Massillon who served on Planned Parenthood boards in Ohio and in his native Pennsylvania, is among those who support Issue 1.

"We're going to be voting in favor of it because, at least as I understand it, and I'm not 100% sure that I do understand all of it, but nevertheless, it does give the women the freedom to take care of their own bodies," he said.

"There's any number of reasons why they might want to have an abortion, and I think they should legitimately have the right to do that. My hope is at least it's a step forward. And while I think (the language) could be a lot cleaner and more clear in its presentation, I'm willing to accept it and support it because I think women have that right."

Luckenbaugh said one of the underreported factors for why women and girls opt for abortion is incest. He recalled being a volunteer chaplain at a home for pregnant girls in Pennsylvania in the 1970s, where the problem was prevalent.

"At least a third to a half of them were there to cover up the family scandal," he said. "The folks who are so strongly opposed to abortion under any circumstances haven't really seen that, or have had to face the issues that so many of those girls in those days had to face and continue to face. They're looked down upon because they might want to pursue their own constitutional right to determine whether they want to carry a baby or terminate because of circumstances that are often beyond their own control."

In June 2022, Ohio made national news after a 10-year-old Columbus girl was taken to Indiana to undergo an abortion after she was raped by her mother's boyfriend.

"It's terrible because it doesn't get more news coverage, which means the statistics are really not accurate," Luckenbaugh said.

Cerrone said he regularly engages in conversation with abortion rights people and understands their position, though he disagrees with it.

"I have pro-choice friends," he said. "I understand why they're upset. They're losing a right they've had for 50 years."

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com.

On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

Abortion in Ohio by the numbers

Newly released data from the Ohio Department of Health shows a decline in the number of abortions performed. According to the agency, 18,488 abortions were reported in 2022, compared to 21,813 in 2021. Anti-abortion groups credit the state's 2019 Heartbeat Bill for the decrease, though it has been suspended by the courts.

The report also identified that the vast majority of the abortion recipients were Black (48.4%) and were pregnant for fewer than 12 weeks (89.7%).

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark anti-abortion advocates discuss opposition to Ohio's Issue 1
Russian forces "have marginally advanced" near Avdiivka, although the pace of the assault on the front-line city has slowed, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on Oct. 16.

Citing geolocated footage, the ISW reported that Russian troops advanced three kilometers south of Avdiivka. However, reports from the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces indicate that Russian troops launched fewer overall attacks in the area than in previous days.

The ISW also said that Russian forces were increasing "the intensity of air and artillery strikes on the settlement in order to compensate for slow ground maneuvers," according to Russian sources.

On Oct. 15, the ISW wrote that the pace of Russian operations near Avdiivka was "likely decreasing."

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Russian forces launched a major assault on the battleground city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast on Oct. 10. Heavy Ukrainian defenses and minefields around the city prevented a swift breakthrough, and Russian units incurred heavy losses in the first days of fighting.

The offensive may be intended to pull Ukrainian troops from other key areas of the front, particularly near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The ISW reported that Ukrainian offensive operations continued in these areas on Oct. 16.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia admits most of its drones come from China

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
FILE PHOTO: West African leaders hold summit to discuss roadmap for Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara appointed a new government of 31 ministers on Tuesday with many positions unchanged after unexpectedly removing the prime minister and his cabinet from office earlier this month.

Robert Beugre Mambe, a close ally of the president and an influential figure in the ruling party, had been named prime minister on Monday after Ouattara removed his predecessor Patrick Achi and his cabinet on Oct. 6 without explanation.

As part of the new appointments announced on Tuesday, Minister of Economic Planning and Development Niale Kaba is now heading a new combined ministry of Economy, Economic Planning and Development.

Former Economy Minister Adama Coulibaly was appointed as Finance and Budget Minister, but ministers for Defence, Agriculture and Mines retained their roles.

(Reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Estelle Shirbon)
Jack Lew, a longtime Washington official who was nominated to be the next US ambassador to Israel, is expected to appear in the Senate chambers on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing.

Mr Lew, the former Treasury secretary and White House chief of staff during the Obama administration, was initially picked for the ambassador role by President Joe Biden in early September before the Israel-Hamas war began.

He was chosen to replace the former US ambassador to Israel, Thomas Nides, after he stepped down over the summer.

But now more than ever, the role is pivotal in ensuring the US has direct and constant communication with the country that has become a close ally.

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Heres everything to know about Mr Lew.

Who is Jack Lew?

In the Clinton administration, Mr Lew, 68, was a special assistant to President Bill Clinton and became director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

While there, he drafted the initiative for AmeriCorps (Corporation for National and Community Service) as well as healthcare reform legislation.

Under former president Barack Obama, Mr Lew held a series of crucial positions like the White House chief of staff, director of the OMB, deputy secretary of state and eventually secretary of the Treasury.

US President Barack Obama leaves alongside Jacob Lew (L), his nominee for director of the Office of Mangement and Budget on 13 July 2010 (AFP via Getty Images)

As an Orthodox Jew, Mr Lew observed Shabbat while working in the White House and spoke openly about how his colleagues, including the presidents, were respectful of his lifestyle.

After leaving the White House in 2017, Mr Lew became a managing partner at private equity firm Lindsay Golberg LLC and a visiting professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University.

Despite a career of high-profile jobs that could have easily brought with it the public spotlight, Mr Lew is said to be a relatively lowkey person.

He is known as a self-effacing, coolly efficient manager of policy without the sharp edges that have become increasingly common in politics, one New York Times article described Mr Lew.

Notably, some may remember Mr Lew for his controversial signature during his time in the Obama White House. He was criticised for having an official signature that apparently was too loopy and resembled more of a scribble than an identifiable name.

Jack assures me that he is going to work to make at least one letter legible in order not to debase our currency, President Obama joked while announcing his nomination for Treasury secretary in 2013.

This is Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew's signature pic.twitter.com/MTdyKzWBSB  Andrew Kuo (@earlboykins) July 9, 2014

Its difficult to ignore Mr Lews rare down-to-earth attitude when approaching politics and policies in an industry of inflated egos.

In a 2022 interview with Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs, Mr Lew described what he believed to be the right path when pursuing a career in policymaking  aspiration and humility.

To me, the aspiration should be to have the privilege to work on the important issues of the day and the privilege is to be recognised for it and to get more opportunities and take the road where it leads you, he said.

What has Jack Lew said about Israel?

While working in the Clinton and Obama administrations, Mr Lew helped develop a foreign aid package to provide Israel with funding for a missile defence system, according to The Associated Press.

Mr Lew stirred controversy in 2015 for supporting President Obamas original Iran Nuclear Deal and defending the former president against critics, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Washington Director, American Friends of Lubavitch; White Houe Budget Director Jacob Lew and Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Director, American Friends of Lubavitch, take part in the annual national Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony at the White House Ellipse December 01, 2010 (AFP via Getty Images)

However, Mr Lew has stated his support for a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.

When asked about Israel in 2017, Mr Lew said: I think that if one cares deeply about a stable, lasting, peaceful future for Israel, preserving space for there to be a negotiated two-state solution is critical.

And I think unilateral actions that make that less likely to happen also diminish the probability of a long-term stable, secure future, he added.

Should the Senate vote to confirm Mr Lew as US ambassador to Israel, he will surely be faced with a difficult task and a learning curve  given he has never served as an overseas diplomat.

But however difficult it may be, Mr Lews positive mindset may be one of his greatest assets.

Speaking with Columbia University, he said: I find the ability to almost always make incremental progress, even in a difficult situationsomething that makes me continue to be hopeful about bigger change in a positive direction in the future.

And when things dont go the way you want, you can dust yourself off and get back into the fray and get things back on the right path and start to see progress again.
(The Hill)  The Pennsylvania woman who used a bullhorn to direct rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth convicted Rachel Marie Powell on all nine counts in July. She was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, destruction of government property, entering a restricted area with a weapon and engaging in violence on Capitol grounds.

Powell waived her right to a jury trial. She was nicknamed bullhorn lady for her use of a bullhorn directing others around the Capitol on Jan. 6.

The Justice Department released a memo last week that said it would be seeking eight years in prison for Powell because of her conduct on January 6, 2021, including her violent altercations with law enforcement at the West Plaza, her smashing of a window at the Lower West Terrace with an ice axe and a cardboard pole, her encouragement and instructions to other rioters on how to take the U.S. Capitol, and for her utter lack of remorse.

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Powell was asking for three years of probation, WUSA9 reported. Lamberth imposed a sentence of 57 months in prison, followed by 36 months on supervised release and pay $2,753 in restitution and a $5,000 fine.

Powell posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, late Monday ahead of her sentencing.

Pray for me, her post said. At 12:30 Ill be sentenced. Im trying to have hope but my heart is breaking right now.

According to evidence, she was seen at the Capitol during the insurrection directing people on how to breach the building using a bullhorn. Prosecutors said Powell was seen with a mob of rioters that confronted police officers at bike rack barriers at the Capitol and used her back to push against the police.

According to an FBI agents affidavit, Powell was wearing a pink hat and blue jacket with a fur lined hoodie and used bullhorn to instruct others how to further gain control of the Capitol.

She provided very detailed instructions of the layout of the Capitol to several others. If the group were to overtake the building they would need to coordinate together, video shows Powell saying.

More video and photo evidence showed Powell using a large pipe as a ramming device to breach the windows of the Capitol. She is overheard saying they have another window to break.

The FBI received an anonymous tip identifying Powell and contained a link to her Facebook account, where she posted in October 2020 that she agreed with the possibility of civil war happening. Law enforcement also found Powells cellphone linked to cell towers in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.

Powell reportedly left her kids at home to attend the Stop the Steal rally in 2021. She was arrested nearly a month after the riot after giving an interview to The New Yorker for an article titled A Pennsylvania Mothers Path to Insurrection.

More than a thousand people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states in connection to the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol. Over 400 people have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Jan. 6 rioter who smashed window and received signed Trump hat is sentenced to more than 4 years

WASHINGTON  A Jan. 6 defendant who smashed a Capitol window with an ice ax and a giant cardboard tube before she used a bullhorn to instruct rioters on how to "take" the building  and who recently received a personalized hat from former President Donald Trump  was sentenced to more than four years in prison Tuesday.

Rachel Powell, a Pennsylvania woman in her early 40s, mother of eight and grandmother of six, was convicted on nine federal counts in July after a bench trial.

In emotional comments at her sentencing, Powell said she didnt want there to be any doubt about what she thought of what she did.

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"I am deeply ashamed of my conduct, she said. I regret it, and it will never happen again.

Federal prosecutors sought eight years in federal prison for Powell, who ultimately got 57 months, saying that she developed an obsession with keeping former President Trump in power after his 2020 election loss and that she even conducted surveillance at a female legislators home before she took part in the Capitol attack.

After she pushed against a police line at the Capitol, summoned other rioters to join her and others and smashed the window on Jan. 6, 2021, Powell used a bullhorn to try to bring order to the chaos. People should probably coordinate together if youre going to take the building," she yelled.

In the immediate aftermath of Jan. 6, she said it "WAS F--KING WAR TO GET IN," that rioters werent f--king welcomed in and that police had to retreat into the building and fight back because patriots were relentless. But she has changed her tune since then, prosecutors noted, and has painted a picture of police brutality.

Powell has been on home detention since she violated her pretrial conditions of release.

Powell said at her sentencing Tuesday that she feels remorse and regret every day.

My conduct was disgraceful, Powell said. I apologize to my family for the hell they have endured because of me.

Powell said that politics had taken a very dark turn in the country and that she gave into the toxic environment.

I succumbed to those feelings, and it led to disaster, she said.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said that Powell said all the right things today but that he wished she had said those things sooner.

He said that Powell skated along for a long time even with her violations of her pretrial release conditions but that he would allow her to surrender after the holidays, just before the third anniversary of her crimes.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is in the final process of arranging a telephone discussion with her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian on Tuesday, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.

Japan maintains a friendly relationship with Iran. In September, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in New York and told that Japan will continue its diplomatic efforts toward easing tensions and stabilizing the situation in the middle east.

U.S. President Joe Biden will make a high-stakes visit to Israel on Wednesday as the country prepares to escalate an offensive against Hamas militants that has set off a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and raised fears of a broader conflict with Iran.

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Ghislaine Maxwell was jailed for 20 years after being convicted of procuring young girls for the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - Television Stills

One of Jeffrey Epsteins victims, whose testimony helped convict Ghislaine Maxwell of sex-trafficking, died from a drug overdose.

Carolyn Andriano, 36, was found dead at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida on 23 May. A toxicology report found she had methadone, fentanyl and alprazolam in her system at the time of her death, according to The Daily Beast.

Mother-of-five Ms Andriano was one of four Epstein victims who testified against Maxwell, 61, in Manhattan in 2021.

The British socialite was convicted of five charges, including sex trafficking a minor and recruiting and grooming girls to have sexual encounters with Epstein, then her boyfriend, between 1994 and 2004.

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Ms Andriano, who waived her anonymity following the trial, was 13 when she met another Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, formerly Roberts, who she claims helped recruit her to the sex-abuse ring.

She told the jury Maxwell and another associate would summon her several times a week to give Epstein nude massages for $300.

Epstein committed suicide in 2019 in a New York prison while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

Epstein committed suicide in a New York prison while awaiting trial in 2019 - AP

Jack Scarola, Ms Andrianos former lawyer, told the Telegraph: Carolyn suffered severe consequences as a result of her experience with Jeffrey Epstein and there is no doubt that her inability to be able to cope with her substance abuse problems was directly tied to the experiences that she had had with Epstein.

Paying tribute to Ms Andriano on Monday, Mrs Giuffre said: My heart weighs heavy with the news of losing a loved survivor of #Epstein #GhislaineMaxwell.

We were just kids when we met at a party. Im so sorry sister. You made the world a better place with you in it!

Maxwell was convicted of five charges, including sex trafficking a minor and recruiting and grooming girls to have sexual encounters with Epstein - PA

Ms Andriano is understood to have been staying at the West Palm Beach hotel with her family following the sale of their home.

Police investigating Ms Andrianos death said they were expecting to conclude this week that she had died of an accidental overdose.

Her mother, Dorothy Groenert, has called for further investigations into the circumstances of her daughters death. She said Ms Andriano had been ecstatic to start a new life in North Carolina with her husband John Pitts.

Mr Pitts sister Serena said suggestions that Ms Andrianos death was suspicious were ridiculous.

In 2017, Epstein victim Leigh Patrick died from an accidental drug overdose in a Florida motel.

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.
New Jersey's second-largest city filed a federal legal challenge Monday against the state as it essentially seeks to bar cops from using cannabis.

While state law prohibits employers from penalizing employees based on cannabis usage during their personal time, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop  a 2025 candidate for governor  opposes police officers using it off the clock. The city invoked President Joe Biden 's son Hunter Biden and the recent firearm charge against him in its lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey.

Fulop has argued that federal law prohibits drug users from using guns (cannabis remains illegal under federal law). And with cannabis detectable weeks after its used, a police officers credibility could be questioned after lethal force is used and cannabis is detected. That, he said, could open the city to millions of dollars in potential liability.

And if hes governor come 2026, Fulop said, there would be more professions he would look to prohibit from cannabis usage.

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This starts with the police officers, but there should be responsible carve-outs for a lot of professions, Fulop said in an interview, suggesting school bus drivers and health care workers as potential targets.

The legal challenge itself seeks to allow the city to penalize police officers if they use cannabis and are required to use a gun as part of their job. It also seeks to block the state from forcing Jersey City to reinstate police officers who were fired in connection to cannabis usage.

Jersey City has tried to fire police officers in connection to their cannabis usage, although the state Civil Service Commission decided over the summer that the city must rehire a police officer who tested positive for cannabis usage as well as provide back pay.

Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea said Tuesday that officers who were penalized for cannabis usage were offered public safety jobs that did not require a firearm, although, he said, they declined the new jobs.

Jersey Citys legal challenge faces one key opponent: The states largest police union.

Pat Colligan, president of the New Jersey State Policemens Benevolent Association, called the legal challenge a waste of taxpayer dollars and said his union may become involved.

Our membership supported [using cannabis] more than I anticipated, Colligan said in an interview. I don't think [Jersey City] will have much success [in the lawsuit]. We'll see where it goes.

Fulop dismissed Colligans legal predictions.

I appreciate Pat Colligans legal advice, Fulop told POLITICO in response to Colligans remarks. I didnt know hes a lawyer, but I'm pretty comfortable that well prevail in federal court.

In social media posts, Fulop noted that Hunter Biden has faced federal charges for purchasing a firearm even when he used drugs. The younger Biden is also mentioned in the citys legal filings.

We want to make that abundantly clear that everybody's familiar with how [federal authorities have] used this law before, Fulop said, when asked about invoking the president's son.

Changes in the state Legislature to carve out police officers from recreational cannabis use are unlikely to pass in the near term. Senate President Nick Scutari  who played a key role in legalizing recreational cannabis in New Jersey  has been opposed to barring certain professions from cannabis usage (Some influential lawmakers like Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) have opposed cannabis use by cops).

The Fulop administration has generally been supportive of cannabis and clashed with the state on cannabis policy in the past. Before New Jersey legalized cannabis, the Fulop administration tried to decriminalize low-level cannabis offenses, which drew backlash from the state Attorney General at the time.

The Attorney Generals Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the legal challenge.
A flight in Australia was returned to the gate after a nervous male passenger began behaving unusually, causing unease among the cabin crew.

The Melbourne-bound Jetstar flight JQ501 was due to depart from Sydney at 6am on Tuesday (17 October) when an argument between the anxious flyer and crew delayed take off for several hours.

Fellow passenger Sheree Simpson told Nines Today program: We saw a crew member talking to a passenger and the passenger, yelled out, This is ridiculous. Theres a war going on in Palestine.

The disruptive passenger was then told that he was welcome to leave the plane as the aircraft returned to its gate to be met by Australian Federal Police officers.

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It later transpired that the argument on board did not cause the flight to be evacuated.

A spokesperson for Jetstar cleared up inaccurate reports on the flight in a statement that read: We can confirm there was no fight onboard, the aircraft was not evacuated, and there was no security risk.

The aircraft returned to the gate and the passenger chose not to fly. We now understand the customer was a nervous flyer and was experiencing anxiety.

Other alarmed passengers also decided not to continue their journeys post-incident.

We also understand the situation made some other people onboard feel uneasy and they also decided not to continue with their journey, said Jetstar.

As a result of this, we had to delay the flight and apologise to customers for the inconvenience.

Ms Simpson said: Its a bit scary  9/11 just pops into your head straight away when you see passengers disembarking, and things being not normal.

Its not the first time passenger nerves have disrupted air travel.

In May, a man who petrified passengers by opening the door during an Asiana Airlines flight said he was feeling uncomfortable and just wanted to get off the plane quickly.

The man was detained by police at Daegu International Airport once the plane had landed.
A Jewish luxury handbag mogul is warning that antisemitism and anti-Zionism are like "the new black" in celebrity culture after it was revealed that the son of the founder of the high-end fragrance brand, Jo Malone, associated with highly controversial pro-Hamas Harvard student statement.

First reported by the Daily Mail, 22-year-old Josh Wilcox, the son of perfume mogul Jo Malone is listed as one of the three students who lead the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee  the group behind a letter that put sole blame on Israel for the massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Jeffery Berk, CEO of the luxury handbag resale marketplace Prive Porter, called out the stark contrast among some in celebrity culture to the tragedy unfolding in the Jewish community to the events in 2020 such as George Floyds death and rise of the Black, Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

"Antisemitism and anti-Zionism have become mainstream. It really is the new black, all the cool kids are doing it. Why not? All the cool celebrities seem to be OK with it," Berk said.

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ISRAEL SINGLES OUT MODEL GIGI HADID FOR ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR POST: 'NOTHING VALIANT ABOUT HAMAS' MASSACRES'

Demonstrators attend an "emergency rally for Gaza" outside the Israeli Consulate in New York City on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.

"Years ago, there was a tidal wave of support for BLM, certainly boosted by the George Floyd tragedy. Heinous indeed, it was a race to be first for celebrities and brands to chime in. This past Friday there was a battle cry heard around the world for a day of rage against the Jews, one of the smallest minority groups in the world," Berk said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The celebrities this time around? Kylie Jenner posted, then took it down from pushback," Berk said, noting other celebrities have taken a "both sides" approach.

Earlier this year, Berk launched a nonprofit, TruthTells, aimed at holding politicians accountable when they make antisemitic remarks or are anti-Israel. The seed money for the group came from a $275,000 one-of-a-kind sale to Ye, formerly Kanye West, which Berk rerouted to TruthTells after West's public antisemitic tirade.

"It took only hours for a forest fire to rage throughout American universities for alleged Palestinian solidarity. When the idea Israels actions were in response to terrorists killing citizens from many countries, all they did was double down," Berk added.

Berk said that as Jewish students "literally feared for their lives," administrations "did nothing."

The reason? "Antisemitism and anti-Zionism have become mainstream," he repeated. "It really is the new black, all the cool kids are doing it. So much for safe spaces."

HERE'S WHERE STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE HELD COLLEGE PROTESTS THIS WEEK

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators attend a protest at Columbia University in New York City on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

Celebrites like Gigi Hadid , Justin Bieber and Mark Ruffalo are among A-listers who took an anti-Israel or "both sides" approach. Bieber posted on Instagram that he is "hurting for both my Israeli and Palestinian friends,"

"I'm pretty sure we all instinctively know evil when we see it. To villainize 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."

"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," Ruffalo posted on X.

After days of notable silence surrounding the harrowing terror attacks against Israel that shook the global community, supermodel Gigi Hadid took to Instagram last week to reaffirm her "deep empathy for the Palestinian struggle.

Hadid, whose father is Palestinian and has previously spoken out in support of Palestinian fighters, failed to mention Hamas by name but condemned the "terrorizing of innocent people" under the guise of the "Free Palestine movement."

The Jo Malone brand was acquired by Estee Lauder in 1999. Following the reports on Wilcox, Jo Malone London appeared to distance itself from its founder in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying, "This is an extremely difficult time for everyone and please know we do not condone violence of any kind. At this time, we would like to clarify that Jo Malone the individual has not been affiliated with the Jo Malone London brand since 2006. We continue to lead with kindness."

Model Gigi Hadid faced backlash from the Israeli government for her statement on the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

According to the Daily Mail report, his mother, Jo, didnt address her son, but said the war in the Middle East had left her "heartbroken" as she branded the attack by Hamas as "abhorrent."

According to the Daily Mail, Wilcox made a statement that he does "not support the letters attribution of blame for Saturdays attacks to Israel."

"I'd like to make clear my personal views in relation to the open letter released by the PSC on October 8th," he said in the statement.

"Over the past few days, we have seen horrific massacres in Israel and as I write this, we are seeing one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises unfold in Gaza. In contrast to the PSC open letter, I believe that anyone who inflicts violence on civilians is solely responsible for their actions. Therefore do not support the letters attribution of blame for Saturdays attacks to Israel. Terrorism is never justified under any circumstances," he said.

Wilcox said he hasnt been on Harvards campus this semester and "was not involved in the drafting or release of the letter."

The statement led by Palestine Solidarity Committee and originally co-signed by roughly 30 student groups was released the evening of Oct. 8, a day after the attacks that resulted in the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. It said Hamas' killing, torture and kidnapping of Israelis "did not occur in a vacuum."

HUNDREDS OF HARVARD FACULTY SIGN LETTER REBUKING UNIVERSITY LEADERS' TEPID RESPONSE TO HAMAS 'WAR CRIMES'

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia University in New York City on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

"The apartheid regime is the only one to blame," the statement said, indicating the organizations believed Israel was responsible for the attacks.

"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," the faculty letter states. "Weve heard reports of even worse instances, with Harvard students celebrating the victory or resistance on social media."

Several students associated with those groups have since denounced the statement after mounting scrutiny from Harvard faculty and business leaders.

Still, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters at nearly two dozen colleges and universities across the country held events in support of the Palestinians following Hamas' terrorist attacks in Israel.

Fox News Digital's Yael Halon contributed to this report.





Original article source: Jewish luxury handbag retailer slams celebrities for anti-Israel stance in wake of Hamas terrorism
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on the House floor Tuesday after failing to win enough votes on the first ballot to be elected speaker. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

The House on Tuesday failed to elect Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan as its next speaker, extending the uncertainty that followed the historic ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy this month.

Jordan, a Republican, fell short of the majority he needed to secure the top post, with 20 members of his own party voting against him.

The entire Democratic caucus voted for its nominee, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Another vote was scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. Eastern time, but it was unclear whether the outcome would change. Some predicted Jordan would fare worse in a second vote, but others expected he would garner more support.

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California Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), who voted against Jordan, said afterward that he would support Jordan the next time around. He told reporters his first vote against Jordan was to protest McCarthy's ouster. "What happened to him was wrong," LaMalfa said.

In the meantime, House votes on other legislative matters  including a U.S. response to the violence in Israel, the war in Ukraine and another impending government shutdown deadline  remain stalled.

Ahead of the floor vote, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who is serving as speaker pro tempore, told reporters he opposes expanding his powers, signaling he would not work with Democrats to get the House running again.

The failed Jordan vote comes less than a week after Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise fell short in his own bid to become speaker. Scalise pulled out as the nominee after it became clear he would not have enough support to get the gavel in a floor vote.

Most of those Republicans voting against Jordan were GOP centrists or those who viewed Jordan as too far right to lead the House. Most voted either for McCarthy or Scalise, or a handful of other establishment Republicans like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).

Conversely, those who voted against Scalise last week believed he was too establishment or not conservative enough for their tastes.

Because the GOP House majority is so narrow, even a handful of votes can make all the difference.

Jordan, who has never served in party leadership, is a darling on the right and was endorsed by former President Trump.

He is a fixture on conservative talk shows, frequently blasting Democrats and liberals in power. The rhetoric earned him notice from party leaders, who in 2019 named him the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee and in 2020 to the House Judiciary Committee. Both committees tend to be a space for rabble-rousers, not for deal-makers. So is the far-right House Freedom Caucus, which Jordan co-founded in 2015, serving as the inaugural chair.

During a Friday news conference, Democratic leader Jeffries noted that Jordan during his 16-year tenure in Congress "hasnt passed a single bill ... because his focus has not been on the American people."

The Ohioan has been a vocal critic of President Biden, frequently declining to vote on Biden-backed legislation.

Jordan cemented his loyalty to Trump in the wake of the 2020 presidential election when he cast doubt on the results. He was a significant player in Trumps efforts to overturn the election, the House select committees Jan. 6 report noted.

When Jordan won the GOP nomination for speaker on Friday, a wave of Republicans indicated they would not back him. Over the weekend, however, he and others worked behind the scenes and on social media to pressure them to back him for the speakership.

Their lobbying campaign initially angered a faction of moderates, who said they planned to challenge Jordan in a floor vote.

Electing a speaker has been particularly difficult in the current, closely divided House.

Though McCarthy managed in January to secure the support he needed to become speaker after an unprecedented 15 votes, conservatives in his party grew frustrated in recent months after he reached deals with Democrats to avoid a debt default and government shutdown. He was pushed out on Oct. 3.

As speaker, Jordan would have to contend with this deep fracture as he confronts an array of issues, including another government shutdown deadline next month.

He would also need to confront the escalating conflict in and around the Gaza Strip. The assault launched by Hamas militants this month prompted calls for additional military aid for Israel. The House, lacking a permanent speaker, has been unable to approve new aid or declare its position on the conflict.

The Biden administration would also be reliant on Jordan as speaker to call a floor vote to get legislation for additional military assistance to help Ukraine fend off Russian invaders. Though additional funding for the war-torn nation remains bipartisan, an increasing number of rank-and-file Republicans have grown skeptical of continuing American investment and expressed an unwillingness to send more military aid.

The Pentagon has pressed House Republicans to approve further funding, warning that Russia could win the war if U.S. support for Ukraine dries up.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Jim Jordan secured only 200 votes in the first round of voting, with 20 Republicans voting against him

Republican Jim Jordan has lost the first vote in his bid to become Speaker of the US House of Representatives amid stiff opposition from members of his own party.

Despite intense lobbying behind the scenes, 20 Republicans refused to back the right-wing Ohio congressman.

The Trump ally abandoned plans to hold a second vote until Wednesday morning.

The lower chamber of Congress has been leaderless since an unprecedented vote to oust Kevin McCarthy 15 days ago.

Without a Speaker, the House is unable to pass any bills or approve White House requests for emergency aid. That includes potential help for Israel amid its war with Hamas.

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Mr Jordan earned 200 votes in the first ballot on Tuesday, but he needs 217 - indicating majority support in the chamber - to secure the Speaker's gavel.

The Democratic nominee, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, earned 212 votes, all from his fellow colleagues in the minority party.

Mr Jordan vowed to "keep working" and expressed confidence he would ultimately emerge victorious.

"We're making progress. I feel good about it," he told reporters. "We're gonna keep going."

Mr Jordan can only afford to lose four Republican votes in a chamber that his party controls by 221-212.

The House Judiciary Committee chairman initially said a second vote was planned for Tuesday, but later said it would instead take place at 11:00 (15:00 GMT) on Wednesday.

Republicans who refused to pick Mr Jordan voted instead for Kevin McCarthy, the former Speaker who was ousted on 3 October, or picked other candidates.

Three even voted for Lee Zeldin, a New York congressman who retired from the House in January this year.

A bloc of New York Republicans who voted against Mr Jordan cited his opposition to benefits for survivors of the 9/11 attacks, among other political issues.

But another New York Republican, Elise Stefanik, called Mr Jordan "a patriot, an America First warrior who wins the toughest of fights".

Mr Jordan has a record of feuding with members of his own party. He is a founding member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, a group once labelled "legislative terrorists" by former Republican Speaker John Boehner.

Mr Jordan held meetings after Tuesday's vote with some of the Republicans who voted against him.

Several, however, suggested they would not budge, and some indicated the number of votes against Mr Jordan might actually grow.

Colorado Republican Ken Buck said the Ohio congressman had still not acknowledged former President Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.

Another Republican who voted against Mr Jordan, Mario Diaz-Balart, of Florida, said he did not feel "pressure at all" to change his vote.

He added that any effort to "intimidate" him would end any negotiations. "If that's the case, that's where you lose me," he said.

Oregon's Lori Chavez-DeRemer, another of the anti-Jordan holdouts, suggested granting interim Speaker Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican, additional powers to allow the House to function during the impasse.

Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican who supports Mr Jordan, told the BBC he was surprised at how many people had voted against him.

Revelling in the Republican dysfunction, Democrats are depicting Mr Jordan as an extremist.

California's Pete Aguilar described him as "a vocal election denier".

California Democrat Nancy Pelosi - a two-time former Speaker - told reporters Mr Jordan had clearly underestimated resistance to him.

Republicans, she told reporters, were "taking lessons on mathematics and how to count".

In a news conference, Democratic minority leader Mr Jeffries offered to work with Republicans to find a Speaker that could suit both parties.

"There have been ongoing informal conversations that have been undertaken over the last few days," he said.

"There's a possibility those can accelerate now that Jim Jordan clearly does not have the votes for Speaker."

If support for Mr Jordan collapses, the next potential Speaker candidate is Minnesota's Tom Emmer, who is the third highest-ranking Republican in the House.

The last Speaker, Mr McCarthy, needed 15 rounds of voting over four days in January to win the gavel.

Fierce resistance to Ukraine war funding among Republican hardliners, including Mr Jordan himself, contributed to the unprecedented vote that led to Mr McCarthy's ouster this month.

The speakership is second-in-line to the presidency after the vice-president.
The News

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio lost the first floor vote on his nomination to become speaker of the House Tuesday, encountering an unexpected wall of resistance that surprised some supporters and opponents alike.

Twenty Republicans cast ballots against Jordan, who needed to lose fewer than five votes from his own party, two weeks after the House ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the speakership.

Candidly, I thought it would be a little bit closer, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn, a Jordan backer, told Semafor. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla said hed only expected somewhere above seven nos.

Jordan and his supporters had tried to project an air of confidence heading into the vote (McCarthy, a key ally, had suggested he might sew up the win in a single round). Some are now questioning whether the Judiciary Committee chair will be able to make up his deficit.

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I dont see how he can recover, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul told reporters. For me the wild card is McCarthy coming back.

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A spokesman for Jordan said there would likely be another round of votes on Tuesday. Asked earlier if hed be willing to match the 15 rounds of ballots McCarthy endured to win the gavel in January, Jordan suggested he would. Whatever it takes to get a speaker today, he told reporters.

McCarthy faced 20 holdouts of his own at the time, but gradually whittled down his opposition during a grueling night of votes that nearly resulted in a brawl on the House floor. Whether Republicans have the appetite for a similar spectacle is unclear.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., described the GOP conferences mood as somber, adding that tensions are high.

One member who voted against Jordan  Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif  has already said he will switch to supporting him during a second round. But at least two  Gimenez and Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.  have already vowed not to support Jordan in future votes. And others appear ready to flip against Jordan: Rep. Marianne Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa said she was dropping her support for him and believed a consensus candidate would be the best option moving forward. Additional lawmakers have told reporters they expect many more defections.

Of the twenty Republicans who voted against Jordan, eight represent districts that President Joe Biden won in 2020 or that Donald Trump carried by no more than 2 points. Several others were appropriators, who have clashed with their partys right flank during the budget process.

Buck, the lone member of the conservative Freedom Caucus to vote no, told CNNs Jake Tapper that Jordans involvement in the activities surrounding Jan. 6 was a dealbreaker. Jordan aggressively questioned the results of the 2020 election, and on Jan. 5, 2021 forwarded a text message to Donald Trumps chief of staff, Mark Meadows, sketching out the legal theory that Vice President Mike Pence could throw out the races result.

We have 20 Republicans sitting in Joe Biden districts right now, Buck said. Theres no way that we win the majority if the message that we send to the American people is that we believe the election was stolen.

The anti-Jordan bloc also included several New York Republicans, some of whom highlighted their desire to repeal the cap on the state and local tax deduction  a high-priority regional issue  in statements explaining their votes. That could signal a willingness on their part to negotiate.

I want a Speaker who understands Long Islands unique needs, Rep. Anthony DEsposito said in a statement. Restoring the SALT deduction, safeguarding 9/11 victim support funding, and investing in critical infrastructure are our priorities. I look forward to discussions with candidates. Following a more formal statement, Rep. Nick LaLota tweeted, Long Island first, followed by a series of American flag, bicep, and salute emojis.

Every House Democrat voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, while Jordans opponents backed a range of other Republicans. Those included McCarthy, former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, and Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Scalise was previously nominated for the speakership but dropped from the race after it became clear he wouldnt have enough support during a floor vote, in large part thanks to opposition by Jordans backers.

Lingering anger over Scalises treatment appears to have cost Jordan some support, too. My vote for Steve Scalise was a matter of principle, Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., said in a statement. He defeated Mr. Jordan in our conference vote and then was promptly kneecapped before he could win over his opponents. It was the most egregious act against a sitting member of our conference I have witnessed in my thirteen years of service.

According to CNNs Annie Grayer, Jordan asked Scalise for his help sealing up the speakers race during a meeting after the first ballot, but Scalise declined to commit any assistance. (Scalises office claimed the report was not accurate.)
The House of Representatives will hold a vote on Tuesday for a new speaker. While its far from guaranteed at this point, one likely outcome is that Ohio Representative Jim Jordan will be elected to replace Kevin McCarthy , who lost a motion to vacate the speakership earlier this month.

Jordan spent the weekend working to lock up support from key House GOP moderates, an endeavor that seems to be proving fruitful. Missouri Representative Ann Wagner, who had said last week that she would never back Jordan for the speakership, came out in favor of him on Monday by saying she has always been a team player. Alabama Representative Mike Rogers, who described the eight members who ousted McCarthy as traitors and previously opposed Jordan, also came around after this weekends wooing.

A Jordan speakership would be the logical end point of the House GOPs decline. Most Republican lawmakers have given up on trying to actually do the basic job of passing legislation, either because the House rules make it so difficult for rank-and-file members or because they have little interest in it to begin with. Elevating Jordan would be a triumph for show over substance, for extremism over common sense, and for election denial over democracy.

Jordan stands out among his predecessors and colleagues because he is not a real lawmaker. By this I dont mean Jordan isnt a member of the House of Representatives. What I mean is that he is quite literally not a lawmaker. The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a project by Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia, rates House members based on their legislative performance. In the 117th Congress, Jordan was tied for fourth place among the least effective lawmakers.

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Jordan sponsored only a single bill in the last Congresson social media censorship, a perennial issue among some conservativesand it did not advance out of committee. He has never successfully drafted a bill that became law. Jordans legislative record is surprisingly threadbare even by the standards of modern Congresses. He does not appear to even propose names for new post offices in his state, introduce resolutions for holidays or commemorations, or any of the other mundane work that lawmakers often carry out. Meredith Lee Hill, who covers all agriculture-related goings-on on Capitol Hill for Politico, reported that Jordans supporters pitched his speakership to agriculture-minded Republicans as the best way to get the huge [Farm] bill to the floor in what remains of this Congresss term. As Hill noted, Jordan has never himself voted for a farm bill at any time in his career.

Calling Jordan a representative is also a bit of a stretch. Ohios 4th congressional district, which Jordan has represented since 2006, is the product of extreme partisan gerrymandering. For most of his career, it was an ugly, misshapen lump of a district that stretched across northwestern Ohio and elected Republicans by 2-to-1 margins. Cook Political Report rates the current iteration as having a 20-point GOP advantage. As a result, Jordan is accountable only to the most extreme voices in the conservative movement.

So what exactly does Jordan do in Washington? He wages partisan wars against Democrats. Thats it. He does not try to meaningfully improve the lives of the members of his district. He does not sponsor legislation that would affect peoples day-to-day lives, even from a conservative point of view. He serves on committees, harangues the witnesses before them, and goes on Fox News afterward to tout his own actions and burnish his reputation as a fighter, whatever that means.

This has made him a popular figure among right-wing media personalities like Foxs Sean Hannity, who pressured potential holdouts to support him over the weekend. Others who actually try to enact policy into law are less favorable toward him. John Boehner, who served as speaker from 2011 to 2015, openly despised his fellow Ohioan for his scorched-earth partisanship. Jordan was a terrorist as a legislator going back to his days in the Ohio House and Senate, he told Politico in 2017. A terrorist. A legislative terrorist.

Jordan earned Boehners ire during the debt-ceiling negotiations in 2011 with then-President Barack Obama, where Jordan reportedly teamed up with outside conservative groups to try to pressure other Republicans into voting down Boehners deal, destroying Boehners credibility as the Republican leader and as a negotiating partner with Democrats. His willingness to shiv other Republicans has been on full display during the current speaker battle as well, where he told Majority Leader Steve Scalise that he would not win on the floor despite winning a majority of votes in the caucus last week.

That move defied the Hastert rulean article of faith in the House GOP caucus whereby they only act on things that a majority of their caucus supportsbut Jordan has apparently paid no price for it. More moderate members like Rogers and Wagner threw their support behind Jordan on Monday by stating that he has the support of a majority of members in the caucus, a rule that Jordan himself defied to be in that position. When it comes to standing up to their partys far-right flank, House GOP moderates make the Denver Broncos defense look like the Berlin Wall.

Jordans victory would be especially troubling since he does not appear to believe in democracy, whether within the House GOP caucus or for the American people in general. Jordan was a central figure in efforts to overturn the election results by way of the electoral vote count on January 6. He beat the drum for Trumps lies about a stolen election after Biden was declared the winner in November 2020 and sought to weaponize the House to spread those claims ahead of the electoral vote count on January 6, 2021. After a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, Jordan voted to carry through their ultimate goal and overturn an election for Trumps benefit.

Even now, the full scale of Jordans involvement is unclear. He defied a subpoena by the House January 6 committee after Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected McCarthys brazen effort to place him on the committee. The committees final report described Jordan as a significant player in President Trumps efforts, noting that he took part in calls and strategy meetings with Trump, Rudy Giuliani, and other key figures. The three men communicated regularly on January 6 itself, though what they discussed is not known. In the days following January 6th, Representative Jordan spoke with White House staff about the prospect of presidential pardons for members of Congress, the committee noted.

Elevating Jordan to the speakership could also strengthen his ability to run cover for Donald Trump in his various legal battles. Jordan currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee and its ironically named Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, whose creation he pushed for after the GOP recaptured the House earlier this year. In those capacities, he has tried to obtain records from the Justice Department and the Georgia and New York prosecutors about their prosecutionscases in which he himself may be a material witness.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, flatly rebuffed his request last week in blunt terms. A charitable explanation of your correspondence is that you are ignorant of the United States and Georgia Constitutions and codes, she said in a response letter. 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. As speaker, Jordan could push more aggressively for impeachment inquiries and court challenges to further those goals.

Beyond these stunts, Jordan is also an avowed practitioner of hard-line fights over the debt ceiling, the federal budget, and other hostage-takings. The jury is out on whether Jordan has the interest or even the ability to navigate these fights over the next year. He has no record of negotiating with anyone he could not simply bludgeon with allies in right-wing media outlets, conservative policy groups, and friendly super PACs. And his behavior during the debt-ceiling fights and government shutdowns of yesteryear suggests he might be more willing to let everything blow up and blame it on the Biden White House.

If Jordan prevails on Tuesday, it will feel like the natural progression of the House GOPs approach to Congress over the past 30 years. Starting with Newt Gingrich in 1994 and continuing to the present day, Republicans have done everything they can to transform the House of Representatives from a functioning legislative chamber into a vehicle for performative lawmaking and partisan stunts. Jim Jordans career, as it were, is a testament to how thoroughly that impulse has overwhelmed everything else. To elect him as speaker is to simply give up on basic governance.
The News

On Friday, Jim Jordans candidacy to be the next House speaker looked dead on arrival with 55 House Republicans privately expressing their opposition in a secret ballot. By Monday night, hed arrived at the edge of a victory, with just a smattering of public holdouts remaining ahead of a scheduled noon vote on Tuesday.

The Ohio Republicans speaker bid gathered momentum on Monday as he flipped one House Republican after the next. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo. went from a  direct quote  hell no! on Jordan days earlier to a yes that morning, saying Jordan spoke to her about keeping the government open with conservative funding, the need for strong border security, [and] our need for consistent international support in times of war and unrest, among other topics.

Among the most notable endorsements was House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers, who had signaled intense opposition to Jordan last week  even floating a possible deal with Democrats as a fallback option. Rogers said the pair agreed on the need to pass the annual NDAA, along with addressing must-pass items like government funding and the farm bill. As a result, I have decided to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on the floor, he wrote on the social media site X.

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House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul announced he was a yes after coming away convinced Jordan would allow a vote on a bill combining aid for Israel and Ukraine with border funding. What he was saying is look, Im generally supportive of combining all these things, but you know, I would also have to see the details in terms of the funding, which is fair, McCaul was quoted saying by The Messenger. Axios reported that four members came away with the same impression from Jordan, even as his own office denied any promises were made.

But not everyone was swayed by Jordans pitch  and it would only take five members to derail his candidacy.

Moderate Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. said he was worried backing Jordan would reward the small band of rebels who ousted McCarthy and refused to abide by the conferences majority vote to nominate Majority Leader Steve Scalise. I dont play a game where the other guy can break the rules and win, Bacon told reporters. Weve had a minority of the majority dictate all of this, and its unacceptable.

However, he didnt seem eager to spearhead a moderate bloc of resistance. Im not here to whip votes against Jim, Bacon told Semafor. Its not about Jim. Its about Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise and how they were treated.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla. told NBC News that he was having real problems with Jordan and accused his supporters of trying to intimidate him. Some lawmakers have dealt with an onslaught from conservative media and activists who are assailing GOP holdouts to fall in line behind Jordan.

Most of the New York delegation in competitive districts have been slower to say where they stand on Jordan than they were to support Steve Scalise. Rep. Mike Lawler, D-N.Y. told reporters he planned to vote for McCarthy for speaker, while Rep. Marc Molinaro, D-N.Y. said hed vote for Jordan.

Democrats are eager to mine Jordans record for attacks, including his support for Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the election, his votes for changes to Social Security and Medicare, and his support for federal abortion restrictions.

But some members are also skeptical of the argument that swing district races will be affected by the specifics of the speaker  not when Trumps presence on the ticket is likely to overwhelm all other political conservation. As one senior Republican aide put it, No one is going to be voting on Jim Jordan in November.

Other criticisms were grounded in Jordans approach to funding the government, a major fight looming in a month. Jordan voted against the current stopgap funding measure that expires on Nov. 17.

Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., said some House GOP appropriators are uneasy about continuing to draft spending bills considered dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate. Were concerned about those topline numbers that were being forced to write to, Womack told CNN.

Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo. has pushed Jordan to admit that Biden won the 2020 election. After meeting with Jordan for half an hour on Monday evening, Buck stated his opposition to him on CNN.

Jordans whip operation focused on a message of unity over the weekend, much like the Dear Colleague letter he sent to members Monday morning. Youve been honest and open, and I appreciate the candid conversations. In these conversations, weve also discussed your thoughts on how we can best move forward, the letter said. And we must move forward.

Joseph and Kadia's View

On the surface, theres an easy story here: On World Spine Day, moderate Republicans donated theirs. Just as many of their detractors predicted would happen, the right flank is poised to win the speaker of their choice by shredding institutional norms, while their critics refuse to do the same to regain leverage over the conference.

But theres also a question of who is caving to who here  Jordans charm offensive seemed to convince an awful lot of skeptical members that a shutdown can be avoided and Ukraine aid can pass, even though hes made no such guarantees publicly. Well soon see how much they were going off of intuition or something more concrete behind the scenes.

Theres also always the Nixon goes to China possibility: Some members seem hopeful he might be able to make deals that McCarthy never could because of his solid popularity on the right.

I dont think theres any question when you look at the history of Jim Jordans very conservative positions, thats going to give him the opportunity to have a broader breadth of conservative cred, if you will, Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., told Semafor.

Room for Disagreement

Its possible the question of who is speaker is overblown and the conferences less resolvable differences will reassert themselves no matter what. Republican lobbyist Liam Donovan noted some members are already worried that too many conservatives are publicly opposed to a continuing resolution to fund the government under any circumstances, which sets up yet another shutdown standoff.

The View From the Senate

Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., said he believes a foreign aid package that merges military aid to Ukraine and Israel alongside border security measures can probably be assembled in the Senate and pass the House.

I think if we pass a strong package here, the Senate gets a big vote  I dont think theres 218 votes to strip out Ukraine aid, Graham, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, told Semafor. The question is do you get a vote, and I think eventually you would.
Sometime this afternoon, Rep. Jim Jordan (ROhio) might be elected the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Or he might not. Honestly, it's impossible to tell right now.

If he doesand, actually, even if he doesn'tit will be a fitting culmination for the current era of conservative politics in Washington: An era defined not by lawmakers with big ideas and impressive policy accomplishments, but much of the opposite. As long as the Republican Party is a policy-free zone, Jordan might as well be the guy in charge.

For someone on the brink of being speaker, Jordan has a remarkably shallow track record. He's been in Congress since 2007 but has passed exactly zero bills into law, as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has become fond of pointing out. The Washington Post's Aaron Blake writes that other, more comprehensive, metrics of legislative effectiveness point to similar conclusions. According to the Center for Effective Lawmaking, a joint project of the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, Jordan has been one of the five least effective Republicans over the past four Congresses, Blake notes.

There is, of course, plenty of merit in stopping bad ideas from becoming lawsomething that doesn't show up in these sorts of rating systemsand it is in that area where Jordan has arguably excelled as a lawmaker. This is, after all, the same man who was once described as a "legislative terrorist" by former Speaker John Boehnera fellow Republican.

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Jordan's tenure in Congress has been defined by his ability to navigate the choppy and chaotic waters of contemporary Republican politics. That's no small feat considering how topsy-turvy the party has gone over the nine terms that Jordan has served. And he's now got the thing that likely matters more than any legislative accomplishment could: the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

Jordan has been an unabashed supporter of Trump for years. He played a key role in defending Trump during his first impeachment, then was one of the dozens of Republican lawmakers who went along with Trump's plot to overturn the results of the 2020 election. When Trump was impeached a second time for that incident, Jordan again delivered a fiery criticism of the effort.

One might conclude that it is not legislative accomplishments, but fealty to Trump that has elevated Jordan within Republican politics. But, no, that's not quite right, either, because it overstates the distinction between those two things. Lacking a substantial policy agenda for much of the past decade, the strongest organizing principle within the GOP has become Trump himselfand Jordan has hewed closely to that principle.

To be clear, this is a problem that goes well beyond Jordan and today's speakership election. But you can't understand Jordan's potential ascendancy without that dynamic. When the GOP voted in 2020 to abolish its party platform in favor of going along with whatever Trump wanted, it was treated as a bit of a joke. In retrospect, it remains deeply telling.

For a normal political party in more normal times, Jordan's would be regarded as an obviously unorthodox path to the speakership. Historically, lawmakers elected to leadership positions are expected to lead, but it's not clear what direction Jordan is aiming to go.

Perhaps the best way to understand how the Republican Party has evolved over the past decade is to contrast this moment with another fractious speakership fight that broke out when the GOP controlled the House in 2015.

With John Boehner resigning from the top post and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (RCalif.) unable to secure enough votes from the party's right flankit wouldn't be the last time that happened to himthe Republican caucus turned then-Rep. Paul Ryan (RWis.) as a compromise candidate. Ryan did not want the job at first but was eventually persuaded to lift the gavel.

They turned to Ryan in that moment of uncertainty because he was a guy with ideas. Most famously, he'd drawn up plans to balance the budget and overhaul the welfare system, something that even Ryan's critics admitted showed serious policy chops.

Yes, much of Ryan's tenure as speaker was a failureespecially with regard to the budget and deficit issues that he cared so much about as a backbencher. And there is the chance, no matter how slim it may look right now, that Jordan turns out to be exactly the right man for this job. As with most things about Congress, it's best to have an open mind and a sense of humor regarding whatever happens next.

Still, it's telling when Republicans needed a leader nine years ago, they turned to someone like Ryan: a politician with big, yet undeniably conservative ideas. Today, under similar circumstances, they may select a new leader who is known for being in some ways the opposite of that.

Jordan may turn out to be a fine speaker, but his election will be another telling signal that Republicans have abandoned any pretense about pursuing policy.

The post Jim Jordan: The Perfect Speaker for a Policy-Free GOP appeared first on Reason.com.
Rep. Jim Jordan, a hard-right Ohio Republican who played a key role in Donald Trumps bid to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election, is just a handful of holdouts away from being elected Speaker of the House.

Nearly two weeks after a few GOP rebels joined House Democrats in ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California as the chambers leader, the drawn-out effort to replace him has narrowed to Jordan, who won his partys nomination last week despite opposition from several dozen colleagues. Jordan spent Monday working to flip many of his opponents, and told reporters that a Speaker vote would take place on the House floor Tuesday at noon whether or not he had locked up the 217 votes he needed. Despite his latest efforts, Jordan may find himself on Tuesday in exactly the same place as McCarthyjust a few votes short of the speakership.

Asked on Monday if selecting a Speaker would require multiple ballots, Jordan replied, Were gonna elect a speaker tomorrow.

In the narrowly divided House, Jordan can afford to lose only four Republican votes. On Monday, Jordan made progress towards closing the gap. Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan, who was previously considered a Never Jordan Republican, became the latest lawmaker to say that he would support Jordan after speaking with him. Rep. Ann Wagner, a Missouri Republican who insisted days ago that she would absolutely not back Jordan, flipped as well. And two defense hawks who had opposed Jordan, California Rep. Ken Calvert and Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers, announced they had changed their minds after talking with him.

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Read more: Speaker Jim Jordan Is Looking More Plausible By the Hour

Several other Republicans warmed up to Jordan on Monday as well. Four House Republicans who met with him came away with the impression that he intends to allow funding for Israel to be linked with funding for Ukraine, according to Axios. That was notable because many of the chambers far-right Republicans, including Jordan, have said they oppose any more US funding going toward Ukraine. Outside of a Monday night meeting of the Republican conference, Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, one of the remaining Jordan holdouts, told reporters Jordan had not offered him assurances on Ukraine, but that he had heard from others that Jordan had been more open-minded about it than he had in the past.

The shift toward Jordan comes after a pressure campaign from Jordans allies over the weekend. Many of the Republicans who originally expressed opposition were barraged with accusations that they were preparing to partner with Democrats to select a speaker, a claim they denied vociferously. Sean Hannitys Fox News show reportedly got involved with the fight by emailing potential holdouts about why they wouldnt back Jordan. Voting against him on the House floor could further inflame the Republican base.

But some members are still signaling they are unwilling to support the Ohio Republican. Texas Rep. Chip Roy said Monday on the Erick Erickson Radio Show that he did not know how many holdouts were left, "but my gut tells me we're somewhere south of 10." By the time they left the conference meeting Monday night, many Republicans were even more optimistic, estimating that there remain only four to six holdouts and that Jordan could secure the speakership by the end of Tuesday, perhaps after only one ballot.

Colorado Rep. Ken Buck said he still had plans to vote no on the Ohio Republicans candidacy, but added that he was going to have a conversation with him later in the evening. Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart also said he planned to vote against Jordan. Bacon said he is opposed to Jordans bid, though he doesnt like to use the term hard no, adding that he felt he could get past their policy differences, but that he had a problem with the process. Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly was also a no, several news outlets reported, leaving Jordan short votes Monday night.

Several lawmakers declined to take clear positions on his candidacy. Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani told reporters he would announce his decision on Tuesday. New York Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents a district that voted for President Joe Biden in 2020, was recorded Sunday saying that he would not stand in the way of Jordans nomination if other Republicans were backing him. However, he also stated Monday night that he planned to vote for McCarthy, making Jordans path appear tenuous.

I don't think that it will be easy for Jim to govern if he doesn't have wisdom to work with the members before you put them into intimidation and public pressure on the floor, said Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz, who said she planned to vote present if Jordan wouldnt otherwise get the votes.

If Jordan ultimately secures the 217 votes he needs, it would mark a striking turn in a political career where he has gained a reputation as more of a bomb-thrower than a dealmaker.

He would be the most conservative speaker chosen by the House in at least 80 years," says Dr. Matthew Green, a politics professor at the Catholic University of America who authored a book on the historical role of the Speaker.

Along with concerns about Jordans stance on Ukraine, some Republicans have pointed to Jordans support of Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election ahead of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol as why he should never be allowed to hold the speakers gavel.

Jim Jordan was involved in Trump's conspiracy to steal the election and seize power; he urged that Pence refuse to count lawful electoral votes, former House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney posted on X on Friday. If Rs nominate Jordan to be Speaker, they will be abandoning the Constitution. Theyll lose the House majority and theyll deserve to.

One person who thinks Jordan may get it done? McCarthy himself.

Asked by a reporter midday Monday if Jordan could succeed on the floor Tuesday, the previous Speaker replied simply Yes.

Write to Mini Racker at mini.racker@time.com.
Conservative Republican Rep. Jim Jordan called off a second speakers vote Tuesday evening while he scrambled behind the scenes to try to win over 20 Republicans who voted against him earlier in the day.

Jordan has scheduled another vote for speaker for 11 a.m. ET Wednesday, where the Ohio Republican and his allies hope to see his support increase even in the face of entrenched opposition.

The level of GOP opposition to Jordan during Tuesdays speakers vote  held exactly two weeks after the House ousted Kevin McCarthy  was a disappointment for Jordans allies who had expressed hopes that the number of holdouts would only be in the single digits.

The 20 Republicans who voted against Jordan include House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger of Texas, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado and a quartet of New York Republicans in purple districts. The anti-Jordan contingent cast six votes for McCarthy, seven votes for Majority Leader Steve Scalise and three for former New York GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin, among other alternatives.

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Jordans opponents come from several factions. There are centrist Republicans concerned that the face of the House GOP would be a conservative hardliner, as well as lawmakers still furious at the small group of Republicans who forced out McCarthy and then opposed the speaker nomination of Scalise, who initially defeated Jordan inside the GOP conference, 113 to 99. Seven members of the House Appropriations Committee  which has fought Jordans opposition to spending bills for years  voted against Jordan.

Jordan can only afford to lose four GOP votes. The Houses slim margin is what led to McCarthys removal at the hands of a band of eight GOP rebels  and now a similarly sized group of House Republicans could block Jordans ascension, too.

After the first vote, the House recessed and Jordan shuffled between the speakers office and the majority whips office holding meetings, before Jordan said the next vote would be on Wednesday.

Were making progress. I feel good about it. Were going to keep going, Jordan said Tuesday afternoon. I had great conversations, great discussions with our colleagues.

One of Jordans meetings was with Scalise. Before the first vote, Jordan asked the majority leader to give him a nominating speech on the floor, and a source told CNN Scalise wouldnt commit to doing so. A Scalise spokeswoman said he has been supportive of Jordan throughout the process.

Several Jordan holdouts expressed openness to switching their votes, and one said he would support the Ohio Republican on the next ballot. But several Jordan opponents said they would not be swayed  and GOP sources say the opposition could grow because some members only committed to backing him on the first ballot.

In January, 19 Republicans initially voted against McCarthy for speaker, before he eventually won a majority and the gavel after 15 votes. Jordan hasnt signaled how long he plans to take his push to become speaker.

Jordan and his allies felt they had made significant headway over the past several days, with the Ohio Republican pitching skeptical lawmakers one on one  and his allies outside Congress attacking the holdouts and threatening political consequences if they stand against a favorite of the Trump-aligned GOP base.

Until the House selects a speaker, the chamber is in a paralysis, unable to consider legislation, such as passing additional military aid to Israel or government funding  with the threat of a shutdown now one month away thanks to McCarthys six-week stopgap spending deal that prompted the move against him.

Jordan tries to move opponents

If another vote is held, at least one of Jordans opponents said he would flip: GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California, a longtime McCarthy ally who voted for McCarthy on the first ballot, told reporters he will vote for Jordan on the second ballot.

Im not against him, LaMalfa said of Jordan. I was for Kevin McCarthy the whole time and I thought the process has been terrible, what has happened to him and the things that hes been held up for. So Im voting for Jim Jordan because hes a good guy. Hes done good work on committee. And we need to move forward with this place today, and get our work done.

Rep. John James of Michigan, who voted for Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole for speaker, said he would be open to supporting Jordan in future rounds of voting and that he planned to speak with him later.

Im talking with Jim Jordan right now and were going to work it out, James said.

But multiple Republicans said they cannot be moved. In the aftermath of the initial vote, several Jordan opponents called for the House to immediately hold another floor vote for speaker.

GOP Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida, who voted for McCarthy, said he will never vote for Jordan but would consider voting for other candidates.

Im not going to be part of a coup, Gimenez said.

Rep. John Rutherford of Florida also indicated he would stick with Scalise going forward and believes the party should find a consensus candidate, such as interim Speaker Patrick McHenry.

I think now were gonna have to find a consensus candidate, he said, adding: I kind of like Patrick McHenry.

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon said Monday that he would oppose Jordan because he cant get past the fact that a small group in our conference violated the rules to get rid of Kevin, and then blocked Steve.

A group of centrist New York Republicans  a key bloc of lawmakers in the House, who helped hand the GOP the majority  privately discussed their vote for speaker for weeks, conferring with one another and weighing the idea of voting as a bloc, sources told CNN.

As they wrestled with whether to back Jordan, one thing that came up repeatedly and gave them pause: Jordans votes against key priorities in New York, including voting against aid for superstorm Sandy and against 9/11 health care funding for first responders.

But they didnt make a final decision on how they would vote until Tuesday morning, sources said. Four voted against Jordan.

Democrats say theyre open to talks of a consensus candidate

House Democrats, meanwhile, all voted for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who got more votes than Jordan for speaker, 212 to 200.

Jeffries told reporters Tuesday evening that his caucus would be open to reaching some form of agreement with traditional Republicans to reopen the House, saying that informal conversations have accelerated the last few days and that its his hope they will continue.

Jeffries said he was open to further empowering interim speaker Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican.

Our focus right now relates not just to any one individual, but to getting the institution reopened. I have respect for Patrick McHenry. I think he is respected on our side of the aisle. There are a whole host of other Republicans who are respected on our side of the aisle. Jim Jordan is not one of them, he said.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, the former House majority leader, also pointed to the interim speaker.

People are talking to one another. Weve had a House thats now been shut down by the extreme wing of their party, Hoyer said. One option is we vote for a speaker that we think would be responsible and effective. We have an acting speaker that I think wants to be responsible. So, there are a lot of options.

Jordan, however, dismissed the notion of a compromise over the speakership.

No one in our conference wants to see any type of coalition government with Democrats, he said. Weve gotta have a speaker, and it cant be some deal with the Democrats. The American people dont want that. They elected Republicans in a majority.

Jordans supporters still believe he can convince enough opponents to come around, pointing to the several key votes Jordan won on Monday, including House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers of Alabama and Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri, who had previously called Jordan a nonstarter.

If we can whittle it down to 10 in a hurry, and then get there  I think its more likely we do than we dont, Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania said of the Jordan opponents. On the same note, weve got to be prepared on whats next.

Jordans backers have urged the conference to unify around him. Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania argued that those angry at whats happened over the past two weeks shouldnt take it out on Jordan, because he supported both McCarthy and Scalise.

Feelings are hurt, Perry said. But Jim didnt have anything to do with that. So they need to assign their ire, if you will, to those who they think deserve it  but certainly not Jim Jordan.

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Lauren Fox, Kristin Wilson, Morgan Rimmer, Clare Foran and Sam Fossum contributed to this report.

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U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday as it rages battle against Hamas militants in Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the trip from Tel Aviv after the Biden admin carefully weighed up the risky visit, according to CNN, but after being invited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend, Biden was reportedly keen to take that risk. Hes coming here at a critical moment for the region and for the world, Blinkenwho had come from an overnight meeting with Netanyahusaid at a press conference, adding the U.S. and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza.

BREAKING: Blinken says Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/x6lsGlB1mr  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 17, 2023

US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in the early hours of Tuesday from Tel Aviv.

Biden had been deliberating whether to make a wartime visit to Israel, a trip fraught with risk that could stand as a dramatic show of support for a top US ally while sending a warning to other countries in the region against escalation.

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Aides said the president has expressed a strong interest in making the journey after being invited over the weekend by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Biden has known for four decades.

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Read more at The Daily Beast.
Bestselling thriller writer John Grisham says the "threat" to his profession from AI cannot be "truly appreciated... explained or predicted".

He is among a group of writers who have accused OpenAI of unlawfully training its artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT on their work.

Jonathan Franzen, Jodi Picoult and George RR Martin are among those joining the recent group legal action.

Grisham told BBC One's Breakfast programme: "It's my turn to file suit."

He said: "For 30 years, I've been sued by everyone else - for slander, defamation, copyright, whatever - so it's my turn."

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OpenAI said last month it respected the rights of authors, "they should benefit from AI technology" and the company was "optimistic we will continue to find mutually beneficial ways to work together".

In a wide-ranging interview, Grisham also discussed his long-awaited sequel to his hit second novel, The Firm.

Published in 1991 and turned into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Tom Cruise, The Firm is an intriguing tale about a Memphis law firm set up by the Mafia to launder money and enable tax evasions.

The Exchange follows protagonists Mitch and Abby McDeere after they exposed the firm and fled the country.

So why did it take more than 30 years to write?

"I can't just sit down and force a story to happen," Grisham told the Breakfast.

"I have to be inspired... to write the novel. In the meantime, there are so many other books to write. I kept thinking about Mitch and how much fun it would be to bring him back. I had no idea it would take so long."

But will Cruise reprise his role as Mitch?

"I hope so - it's not in the works yet," Grisham told the Breakfast.

"If Tom wants to do it, it will be done. If Tom doesn't want to do it, it probably won't be done."

Innocent people

The fascination with crime and legal drama was because "we have an addiction to violence" and people "love big sensational trials", Grisham told the Breakfast.

But he was "more pessimistic" about the legal system today.

"For the past 15 years, I've served on two boards dedicated to exonerating innocent people who are in prison," Grisham told the Breakfast.

"I've come to realise there are are thousands of innocent people in prison - they all go back to a bad verdict."
John Legend launches a new recommendation app that allows users to explore food and travel recommendations from friends and celebrities.

Understanding the power of word-of-mouth marketing, John Legend is entering the tech space with a new startup called Its Good, designed to share food and travel recommendations.

Singer-songwriter John Legend speaks during The Wall Street Journals WSJ Tech Live Conference on Oct. 16, 2023, in Laguna Beach, California. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

My friends always reach out to me for my list of restaurants in the cities Ive visited, said the EGOT winner, according to the apps website. With Its Good, we sought to create a trusted community for food lovers to recommend their favorite spots and discover new ones through a user-friendly platform thats easily shareable and beautiful.

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Following a similar format to popular recommendation sites like Yelp, Its Good operates under the ethos that a restaurant rec from one trusted friend is more valuable than recs from 10,000 strangers. Accordingly, the app will allow users to review and explore their social media friends favorite spots. In addition to gathering recommendations from users mutuals, the app will also feature suggestions from high-profile celebrities.

Our mission is to be your go-to place for saving [and] sharing your most favorite places to eat and drink, the website explains. Trustworthy recommendations for you, by you  from the people you know or admire, all in one beautiful space.

Legend is venturing into tech with the help of friend, co-founder, and tech entrepreneur Mike Rosenthal and the help of $5 million in raised funding from investors like Lightspeed Venture Partners, which has supported other brands and entrepreneurs like Jessica Alba, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The idea behind Its Good stemmed from a conversation Legend and Rosenthal had during lockdown. However, what distinguishes the platform from other recommendation apps is the absence of negativity. Inspired by the saying, If you dont have something good to say, dont say it at all, Its Good removed the classic star rating system and will only allow users to say whether or not its good.

Its actually not even built for negative comments, said Legend, per The Wrap. Either you recommend it or you dont.

So far, the only way to join Its Good is through invite. To join the waitlist, visit www.itsgood.life.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai.

The post John Legends new food and travel app will tell you if Its Good appeared first on TheGrio.
Almost a year and a half after four Overland Park officers were placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation of police charity funds, they will not be criminally charged, the Johnson County District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday.

Overland Park officers Brandon Faber, Brad Heater, Rachel Scattergood and Tim Tinnin were accused of misusing funds while serving on the board of the Overland Park Police Officers Foundation. They allegedly used charitable funds to pay for scholarships and out-of-state travel. Money that was supposed to be dedicated to assisting officers and their families following catastrophic injury or death went to dental and veterinarian bills, according to the district attorneys office.

In total, the four officers received around $15,540 from the Overland Park Police Officers Foundation.

District Attorney Steve Howe began investigating allegations of misconduct last spring, a process that he said was greatly hampered by a lack of documents and meeting minutes that should have been recorded, per the foundations bylaws. The officers also had wiped their electronic devices clean of any data, according to the district attorneys news release.

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As Howe determined whether criminal charges were appropriate, he said that the lack of these records makes analysis of motivation and intent difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain.

The lack of any formal meeting minutes or records of the Foundation posed a significant, if not insurmountable, hindrance to this criminal investigation, Howe wrote. We were left to determine whether the lack of records, in conjunction with potential violations of the bylaws by these Board members, were efforts to hide criminal conduct or, instead, amount to gross incompetence and ineptness that may equate to civil violations of the Kansas Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act.

Howe ultimately determined that, Although these previous Board members repeatedly disregarded the Foundations bylaws, that his office could not charge them with a crime.

To charge the Board members with theft, this office would have to prove, by the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt, that the past Board members either knowingly obtained the money by deceptive means, or knowingly exerted unauthorized control over Foundation funds, Howe said. As a result of this investigation, my office has concluded that we cannot charge the four Board members in question under either theory.

In a statement, city spokeswoman Meg Ralph said Overland Park, is awaiting the district attorneys investigation materials to determine whether any violations of City policy occurred. We will complete this investigation as expediently as possible.

She said the officers remain on paid administrative leave.

This story will be updated.
The prime suspect in the 2005 disappearance and death of Natalee Holloway is expected to finally reveal what happened to her after reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutors.

Jordan van der Sloot, a Dutch national, is charged with trying to extort $250,000 from Natalees mother Beth Holloway in exchange for information about her missing daughters disappearance.

A grand jury indicted him for wire fraud and extortion in 2010 and he was extradited to the US this June to face charges.

A plea and sentencing hearing had been scheduled to take place on Wednesday before US District Judge Anna Manasco in Birmingham, Alabama.

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However, the hearing has now been rescheduled with the Holloway familys attorney revealing that a plea deal has been reached.

Under the terms of the deal, van der Sloot is expected to plead guilty over the extortion plot and finally reveal details about the Alabama teenagers disappearance.

It [the plea agreement] was conditioned upon Mr van der Sloot revealing details of how Natalee died and how her body was disposed of, the family lawyer John Q. Kelly told NBC News.

It is not clear exactly what charges van der Sloot will plead guilty to.

He has previously pleaded not guilty in the case.

The possibility that he will finally reveal what happened to Holloway comes after an almost two-decades-long agonising wait for her family while van der Sloot remained the prime suspect in her disappearance.

Holloway was 18 when she went missing while on vacation with classmates in Aruba on 30 May 2005.

The suspect, then a 17-year-old student at an international school in Aruba, allegedly left with Ms Holloway and his two friends  brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpow  from a well-known party establishment on the island.

Joran van der Sloot was handed over to the US by Peru back in June (Interpol Peru/AFP/Getty)

Her disappearance has never been solved and her body has never been found.

She was declared dead in 2012 by an Alabama probate court.

Over the years, van der Sloots story about Holloways last movements has constantly changed.

Court papers, seen by Fox News, revealed that van der Sloot once claimed he shoved Natalee to the ground so hard that he hit her head on a rock, killing her.

An undercover interview by two Dutch journalists in 2008 also caught van der Sloot claiming he met the Alabama teen in a nightclub  but that she later suffered a seizure while they were having sex.

He alleged that he called a friend to help him dispose of Holloways body, prompting speculation that he took her out on a boat.

Then, in 2010, federal prosecutors said that van der Sloot told a lawyer for Beth Holloway that the teens body was buried inside the foundation of a house in Aruba.

He allegedly asked for $25,000 to disclose the location, and then another $225,000 when the remains were found, an FBI agent wrote in an affidavit, according to AP.

Beth Holloway has sought justice for her daughter ever since her disappearance in 2005 (AP2010)

An attorney representing Beth Holloway took an agreement signed by her and the suspect and travelled to Aruba, where he gave van der Sloot $10,000.

Then, both men went to the site where he claimed Holloways remains were buried and Beth Holloway wired a further $15,000 to van der Sloots bank account.

However, van der Sloot is alleged to have revealed later emails to the attorney that he lied about the location of Holloways body, the affidavit said.

Van der Sloot is already serving 28 years in a Peru prison after being convicted of the first-degree murder of Stephany Flores, a Peruvian college student, in 2010.

In June, he was extradited to the US to face charges over the extortion plot.

He is currently being held in an Alabama prison.

If convicted in Alabamam he would return to the US in 2038 to serve up to 40 additional years in a US prison.

While the story of Holloways disappearance has changed again and again over the years, the expected plea deal could finally bring some answers to Holloways family.
Joran van der Sloot, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, is expected to take a plea deal after being charged in an extortion plot involving the Holloway family.

Natalee Holloway was 18 years old when she took a senior trip to Aruba in May 2005 with Mountain Brook High School. Natalee Holloway was last seen leaving a bar with van der Sloot, but she was never found. In January 2012, a judge legally declared Natalee Holloway dead after a request from her father.

Van der Sloot is facing charges of extortion and wire fraud in the U.S. after allegedly attempting to sell Beth Holloway , Natalee's mother, information about the location of her daughter's body.

Beth Holloway's lawyer, John Q. Kelly, now tells Fox News Digital that van der Sloot is expected to take a plea deal, which is conditioned on him releasing details on how Natalee Holloway died and what happened to her body.

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JORAN VAN DER SLOOT CASE: NATALEE HOLLOWAY SUSPECT PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO EXTORTION, WIRE FRAUD CHARGES

Joran van der Sloot and Natalee Holloway

The lawyer also told Fox News Digital that the search for Natalee Holloway's body is over.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"It [the plea agreement] was conditioned upon Mr. van der Sloot revealing details of how Natalee died and how her body was disposed of," Kelly first told "Today."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS

A plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for van der Sloot on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in a Birmingham, Alabama, federal courtroom.

According to federal prosecutors, van der Sloot tried to extort the family for $250,000  $25,000 upfront for the information and the rest to be paid once Natalee Holloway's body was positively identified.

JORAN VAN DER SLOOT CASE: PRIME NATALEE HOLLOWAY SUSPECT TO BE ARRAIGNED ON EXTORTION CHARGES

Beth Holloway arrives at court in Birmingham, Alabama, on June 9, 2023.

However, van der Sloot lied to Beth Holloway about where her daughter's remains were located, according to U.S. prosecutors. The alleged extortion scheme took place between March 29, 2010, and May 17, 2010. He pleaded not guilty to the charges after a June hearing when he was temporarily transferred from Peru to the United States.

Beth Holloway is expected to give a statement following Wednesday's hearing.

NATALEE HOLLOWAY, SUSPECT JORAN VAN DER SLOOT: TIMELINE OF ALABAMA TEEN'S DEATH

Joran van der Sloot prepares to leave the airport in Lima, Peru, on June 8, 2023.

Van der Sloot then traveled to Peru and met Stephany Flores, 21, at a Lima casino owned by her father. Van der Sloot admitted to killing Flores, saying he murdered her on May 30, 2010, in a fit of anger after the 21-year-old found out he was connected to Natalee Holloway's disappearance.

The charges were filed by federal prosecutors in 2010, but Peruvian officials didn't agree to release van der Sloot into American custody until May this year.

He was originally sentenced to 28 years in prison for killing Flores, but more time was added because of a drug smuggling scandal in which he was involved while behind bars.

Once van der Sloot's federal case concludes, he will head back to Peru to finish his sentence for murdering Flores. After finishing his sentence in Peru, van der Sloot would then come to an American prison, if convicted.





Original article source: Joran van der Sloot to reveal details of Natalee Holloway's death: lawyer
Jordanian authorities on Tuesday called off a planned summit with President Joe Biden in Amman on Wednesday. The president was previously scheduled to meet with Jordans King Abdullah, as well as Egyptian and Palestinian leaders to discuss the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel. The announcement came approximately five hours after an explosion at a Gaza City hospital is estimated to have killed 500 Palestiniansa blast that Israel claims came from a failed Hamas rocket, while Gaza officials assert came from an Israeli airstrike. Biden is still slated to visit Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesdaya high-stakes diplomatic mission his team hopes will display Americas support for Israel. As of 5:30 p.m. EST, Biden had not made a statement about the alleged hospital bombing.

Read it at The Associated Press

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Jordan and Egypt will not accept Palestinian refugees amid the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Jordanian King Abdullah II said Tuesday.

This is a situation that has to be handled within Gaza and the West Bank, he said in a meeting with the German chancellor, The Associated Press reported. And you dont have to carry this out on the shoulders of others.

Israels relentless aerial bombardment campaign in Gaza has killed thousands, including over 1,000 children, Al Jazeera reported. Over a million people  half of Gazas population  have also been displaced as food, water and medical supplies run out.

The whole region is on the brink, Abdullah said. This new cycle of violence is leading us towards the abyss.

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There is no way for Gazans to leave the small, 140 square-mile territory except for a single border crossing with Egypt in the south, but the Egyptian government has been reluctant to accept refugees  wary that there would be no way for them to return to their homes.

The Israeli military has continued to fire missiles and artillery at that border crossing in Rafah, keeping it closed for most of the recent days. Israel also reportedly fired on civilians fleeing south, including strikes Saturday which killed 70 civilians, mostly women and children.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi denounced the strikes on the border crossing on Thursday, which have also prevented humanitarian aid from entering the region. He said it is in the best interest of Palestinians to stay in Gaza.

The threat there is significant because it means the liquidation of this (Palestinian) cause, el-Sissi said. Its important for its people to stay steadfast and exist on its land.

United Nations experts have accused both the Israeli military and Hamas of committing war crimes in the conflict. Attacks on Israeli civilians at the start of the war killed at least 1,200 people last week.

Messaging has shifted from the White House in recent days, as President Biden followed his initial unqualified support for Israel with calls to consider and accommodate Gazan civilians.

In a 60 Minutes interview Sunday, Biden said an Israeli military occupation of Gaza would be a mistake.

Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas dont represent all the Palestinian people, Biden said. And I think that  it would be a mistake  for Israel to occupy  Gaza again.

But going in but taking out the extremists  the Hezbollah is up north but Hamas down south  is a necessary requirement, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) failed to win the Speakership in the first round of voting Tuesday after 20 Republicans withheld support from his bid, denying him the votes needed to secure the gavel.

The vote was 200 for Jordan, 212 for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), six for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and seven for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.).

Seven more GOP members voted for others: three for Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), one for Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one for Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), and one for Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.).

The total number of Jordan holdouts was the same as the number of opponents who kept McCarthy from the gavel for multiple ballots at the start of the year.

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Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) immediately recessed after the vote.

Jordan said that he wants to move to another vote on Tuesday, but it is not clear when it will be called.

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The stage is set for another protracted race to win the gavel. In January, it took McCarthy 15 ballots over the course of four days to be elected to the top spot.

Asked if there will be a second vote on Tuesday, Jordan told The Hill: Oh, yeah. Next steps, he said, include listening to members.

I felt like it was a good  that was a good start, Jordan said.

Jordan said he was not really surprised by the number of Republicans who withheld support.

We thought we were doing well, that we were that area or a little little more maybe we feel confident that we are, weve already talked to some members who are gonna vote with us on the second ballot, Jordan told reporters.

Members left the vote unsure of whether Jordan can win over some holdouts on the next ballot, or if he is on the way to lose even more support.

I am where I am. I have no intention of moving, said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), who voted for Scalise.

But Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), who voted for McCarthy on the first ballot, said he will vote for Jordan on the next one.

I voted for Speaker Kevin McCarthy because this whole process has stumped the last 15 days, LaMalfa said. I will vote for him, Jim, on the second ballot. But this is my long term relationship and friendship and partnership with Kevin.

Tuesday marked exactly two weeks since eight Republicans joined with Democrats in ousting McCarthy from the Speakership, a historic vote that plunged the House into uncharted territory and brought legislative business in the chamber to a screeching halt.

Jordan faced an uphill climb heading into Tuesdays floor vote after at least six Republicans came out against his bid Monday night, and others remained mum on their positions.

Jordan  the founding chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus  won the GOPs Speaker nomination last week after the conferences first nominee, Scalise, withdrew his name from the race amid opposition from hard-line conservatives who said they would still support Jordan. Jordan had initially fallen short of Scalise in a 113-199 vote.

Days later, however, Jordan secured the nomination over Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.)  who mounted a last-minute bid for the gavel  in a 124-81 vote. In a second vote that asked members if they would support the Ohio Republican on the floor, the final tally was 152-55.

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Jordan made significant progress in chipping away at that opposition over the weekend and into this week, which was evident when four key holdouts flipped their stance in support of the Ohio Republican. But he still faced enough resistance to block him from the gavel.

Opponents cited various reasons for their stances.

Some Republicans are still bitter about McCarthys ouster, while others are frustrated that Scalise was forced to withdraw from the race despite winning the nomination in a secret ballot.

I voted for the guy who won the election, Diaz-Balart said of his vote for Scalise  also knocking the tactics of Jordan supporters over the weekend who were trying to intimidate or threaten the holdouts.

One Republican, Rep. Ken Buck (Colo.), expressed concerns about Jordans stance on the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

If hes gonna lead this conference during a presidential election cycle, particularly a presidential election year with primaries and caucuses around the country, hes gonna have to be strong and say Donald Trump didnt win the election, Buck told reporters Monday night.

Buck  was one of eight Republicans at the start of the month who voted to oust McCarthy  cast his Speaker ballot on Tuesday for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).

I dont like Tom Emmer, I figured this would be the worst job in America, Buck later said on CNN.

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), another defector who voted for McCarthy, said she is looking for a consensus candidate.

Until somebody gets as many as Speaker McCarthy got, were going to be in this further divide, she said. Im going to do everything I can within our conference to get a consensus candidate within the Republican Conference.

Aris Folley, Rebecca Beitsch, and Miranda Nazzaro contributed. Updated at 3:03 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Jim Jordans first failed bid to secure the Speakership has renewed calls for expanding the limited powers of Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.)

Jordans loss of 20 GOP votes  one more than former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in his first of 15 votes to secure the gavel  has left the GOP even more uncertain about when it can reach consensus over who should lead the party. A second planned vote was abruptly postponed from Tuesday evening to Wednesday.

Many in the party are rallying behind efforts that would give McHenry more power to act as a temporary Speaker, expanding a role otherwise appears to be largely dedicated to organizing the process of electing a new Speaker.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.)  who has pledged to continue to vote for McCarthy for Speaker  told reporters Tuesday that moves to further empower McHenry have gained momentum, as they should.

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If its gonna take us a while to get to a Speaker, then yeah, we need to give Patrick McHenry some of those powers and allow the House to conduct its business. We dont want a government shutdown, he said.

Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), who declined to back Jordan, introduced a resolution that would force a vote to elect McHenry as Speaker pro tem until the government funding deadline of Nov. 17 or until a new Speaker is elected  giving him more authority than in his current status as an appointee to the role.

This is another distraction from us getting the work done that we need to get done, Kelly said Monday of the booting of McCarthy.

This gives us the ability to take the curse off of what were doing right now.

His move comes after a letter from the Republican Governance Group last week likewise encouraging some sort of expansion of McHenrys role.

One of the groups members, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), who voted for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), said he was open to moves that would keep the House running.

We should, at least in the meantime, look for a way to move our agenda forward. I think thats a very prudent, smart move, Diaz-Balart said, shortly before calling for a second vote Tuesday for a House Speaker.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), who has said he will not back Jordan, said he would support a resolution for a 30-day Speaker, calling McHenry a logical choice for handling urgent issues such as supplemental funding for Israel and Ukraine.

There is other business that we need to get done in terms of spending and making sure that we keep the government open, he said during an appearance on MSNBC.

And Gimenez suggested the role itself needs to be more clearly defined.

Look, its not just about this situation now, its about in the future. If we have an incapacitated Speaker of the House in the future due to illness or injury or whatever, this place cant stop working. So we need to fix that problem. Thats an inherent problem inside the House, he said.

Still, it faces apparent resistance from McHenry and others in the conference.

Ive spoken with Patrick several times about this. And I asked him, does he want this? Does he want to do this? And just said to me, Do you hate me that much? said Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.).

So hes been pretty consistent. He doesnt want it.

Others have expressed hesitation that placing more power in McHenrys hands would undercut the pressure to find a new Speaker.

We dont need to take any pressure off of our conference to come to a final conclusion on a permanent Speaker, no pressure taken off of our conference to be any less motivated as a result of giving powers to a temporary Speaker pro tem, Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) told The Hill late last week.

But Kelly sees it differently  a relief for those eager to see the government up and running even if theyre not eager to back Jordan.

All it does is take the pressure off those that are nos, because theyre gonna get crucified back home. Theyre gonna get crucified, he said.

One House Republican said he didnt think ending the paralysis of the House would stymie the search for a Speaker, as the pressure to select a leader and get back to work are rapidly becoming equal priorities.

Having not been successful in identifying one, that tension is now merging, where getting the House open and functioning is equally important to the Republicans identifying and electing a Speaker, and thats why I dont think it necessarily does that, the GOP lawmaker said.

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), who did back Jordan, said he did not think the House was yet at the standstill needed to justify a move.

We probably might have to do something very limited, very temporary if there is really, truly an impasse. Otherwise, weve got a duty and responsibility to keep moving ahead. And if some people think that the Speaker pro tem should be empowered, well then he should just run, and they should nominate him and have him run, Huizenga said.

And Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), another longtime Jordan backer, said he doesnt know that a resolution to expand McHenrys role would be able to secure enough votes.

There are members who do not want to invest powers in the Speaker pro tem, and its not against Patrick McHenry. I have great respect for him. I do not believe we should empower the Speaker pro tem no matter who that person is. We have one responsibility now. Thats electing a Speaker of the House. Then, our second responsibility is going through the appropriations process to fund this government, he said.

But supporters of the effort see expanding McHenrys power as one of the few ways to ensure the House addresses its responsibilities

Until we can find clear consensus among the Republican conference, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) wrote on X. Its time to give expanded authority to Speaker Pro Tempore McHenry so the House can resume governing.

Emily Brooks, Aris Folley and Mychael Schnell contributed.

Updated at 6:58 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken steps off a plane as he returns to Amman, Jordan following marathon talks in Israel (Jacquelyn Martin)

Jordan voiced hope Wednesday that a summit this week involving US President Joe Biden would breathe new life into the Middle East peace process following major fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Biden will Wednesday visit Israel to show solidarity after Hamas attacks and then head to Jordan, a key US partner, for a four-way summit.

In Amman, Biden will meet King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt -- the first two Arab countries to make peace with Israel -- as well as Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, a Hamas foe based in the West Bank.

Jordan's royal court said the summit will "discuss the dangerous developments in Gaza and their repercussions on the region".

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The talks will also "work towards finding a political horizon that will revive the peace process," it said.

Efforts to create a Palestinian state have been at a standstill for years with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government firmly opposed.

The Biden administration has backed calls for a two-state solution but has done little diplomatically to advance the goal, seeing little prospect of success.

King Abdullah will also meet separately with the three leaders on "how to ensure the entry of humanitarian and relief aid into the (Gaza) Strip".

Israel has been pounding the Hamas-ruled territory and preparing a ground invasion after suffering the deadliest attack in its 75-year history.

Hamas militants infiltrated Israel on October 7 and killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians including children, the elderly and revellers at a music festival.

Israel's air strikes have killed at least 2,750 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, although Israel says it is targeting Hamas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been shuttling around the region for nearly a week as he champions Israel's right to self-defence but also tries to mitigate the humanitarian situation in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Blinken will meet again in Amman on Tuesday with King Abdullah and Abbas before joining Biden in Israel.

bur-sct/kir
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, continues to consolidate support for the speakership even after some lawmakers expressed clear opposition to his bid in a Monday night GOP conference meeting.

A key moderate, freshman Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., announced on Tuesday morning that he intends to support Jordan after telling reporters the evening prior that he was still making up his mind.

The House is expected to vote for a new speaker at noon today, two weeks after ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthys historic ouster.

Monday, Jordan scored a major win when Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers of Alabama, a mainstream conservative, switched from strongly opposing his speaker bid to backing it.

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Another key victory outside of Jordan's normal base of support came when Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., who represents a swing district, said he would vote for Jordan as well. Moderate Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., endorsed him as well.

Other moderates like Reps. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., were staunchly opposing Jordan as of Tuesday morning. Most of them  Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., Anthony D'Espositio, R-N.Y., and Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., among others  have stayed silent.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Jordan cannot lose more than four GOP votes to still win the gavel, if the House is in full attendance. His opposition appears to outnumber that as of Tuesday morning, but the Ohio Republican has made clear that he intends to hang on through multiple rounds.

It comes after visibly exhausted House Republicans left a closed-door meeting on Monday night intent on forging ahead with the vote despite lingering opposition to Jordan.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is aiming to hold a vote for House speaker on Tuesday

"If Jim Jordan can't get through, Jesus can't. So we better figure this out," Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., told Fox News Digital after the meeting. "I think where we're at is, that we have to respect in rules in the House. If we do, then we'll get a leader."

Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., told Fox News Digital, "I don't know why people have it in their head, regardless of what faction they are in with our in our conference, why they think only one person could be a good speaker."

"People say, well, if you didnt support my guy, Im not gonna support your guy. That doesnt make sense to me," Barr said.

Jordan won the House Republican nomination for speaker in a closed-door, anonymous vote on Friday, but there were at least 55 GOP lawmakers who would not commit to voting for him on the House floor at the time.

JORDAN PLEDGES TO 'BRING ALL REPUBLICANS TOGETHER' IN LETTER TO HOUSE GOP ON EVE OF SPEAKER ELECTION

Hes managed to whittle that number down significantly. But while smaller, Jordans opposition became more distinct, with lawmakers publicly voicing concerns about Jordan after last week's secret ballot. These opponents could be a problem with the House GOP's narrow majority.

Jordan himself told reporters on Monday night, "I felt good walking into the conference, I feel even better now."

CONSERVATIVE HOUSE GOP GROUP LINKS TOP PLAYERS IN REPUBLICANS' SPEAKER FIGHT

But some members expressed frustration with how the entire process has gone and suggested it would be enough for them to oppose Jordan on Tuesday. It comes after Jordan and his allies were accused of waging a pressure campaign on holdouts through the weekend.

"I will tell you that if folks think that they can pressure me, that's where they lose me," Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., told reporters after the meeting. Diaz-Balart said he would be voting for Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., at least in a first-round vote.

Scalise had been House Republicans initial speaker-designate until opposition from Jordan supporters forced him to withdraw.

Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., fumed about Scalises treatment and said he would also be voting for the Louisiana Republican.

"When I see what's going on in that conference, and understand that we had an election, and we elected somebody to be our speaker, and because people in that conference didn't agree with the election, no, no, no, we've got a stop it all now, and we've got to have another election?" Kelly said. "The real man in that room was Steve Scalise."

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., meanwhile, said he was "inclined" to vote for McCarthy on Tuesday. Like Diaz-Balart he suggested he chafed at pressure from Jordan and his allies.

HOUSE GOP SELECTS JORDAN AS SPEAKER CANDIDATE, TEEING UP HOUSE-WIDE VOTE

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., is among the holdouts against Jordan

"The problem is when you have people that broke the rules, and it put us in the spot now they're saying you know, we need you to get on board. It doesn't work for some of us," Bacon said. "I think normal Americans, we believe in justice. We believe in fairness, rule of lawthe majority of us have been stomped on in this. And I'm not going to take it."

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., similarly said he would support McCarthy for speaker on Tuesday, a position hes maintained since the California Republicans ouster.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., one of the eight Republicans who voted to sink McCarthy, said his reservations about Jordans opposition to the 2020 election results and alleged role in Jan. 6 would still have to be worked out.

"Jim is going to come visit after this meeting," Buck said. "Im a no right now. But I told him I would be open-minded to having that conversation."

One GOP lawmaker told Fox News Digital it might "take a few" rounds for Jordan to net the majority needed to be speaker but was confident in his ability to do it.

"There are a few holdouts, but he's got tonight, tomorrow morning to work on it, and has a lot of powerful people in his corner," the lawmaker said. "It might take a few votes, it might not be done on the first on the first ballot, but I think he's okay with that."





Original article source: Key moderates line up behind Jordan as opposition wanes prior to speaker vote
An Oklahoma County district judge has declared a notorious Oklahoma City motel a public nuisance, and now, its owners have two weeks to add more security and surveillance of the property or be shut down.

Owners of the Plaza Inn, a motel in southeast Oklahoma City with a history of violent crime, have until Oct. 27 to ensure at least 22 additional surveillance cameras and two armed security guards are on-site, according to a consent decree filed Oct. 13.

Once described by a local police officer as "the fentanyl den of Oklahoma City," the Plaza Inn, 3200 S Interstate 35 Service Road, has been a hotspot for criminal activity for many years, with heavy reports alleging deadly violence, drug dealing and prostitution.

Based on the evidence, the Plaza Inn property is a public nuisance due to the violent criminal activity on the property that continues unabated, Oklahoma County District Judge Don Andrews said in the consent decree.

What are the terms of the consent decree?

Steve Ketter and Michael Wiley, co-owners of the company running the Plaza Inn, mutually agreed with city management and attorneys on the terms needed to better conditions at the motel. The terms of the consent decree include:

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At least two armed security guards, licensed by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, are immediately necessary on the grounds 24/7 to deter violent behavior and crime.

At least 22 additional surveillance cameras placed at various locations on the hotel grounds within two weeks of Oct. 13, in order to provide adequate video coverage and document any possible criminal activity.

Video recordings from the surveillance cameras must be maintained for at least 10 days at all times and be provided to local police upon request for use as evidence in criminal cases.

Security guards must call the Oklahoma City Police Department when crime occurs or when attempting to detain possible suspects until police arrive.

Security guards will maintain an accurate log of their own activity and schedule on the property, as well as any arrests or attempted arrests of people committing crimes on the property.

Motel management and ownership must provide records of security guards schedules, payments and activity logs to police every Monday on a weekly basis.

No Trespassing Signs were to remain visible in conspicuous areas on the motel property

Exclusive: Motel described as 'fentanyl den' of OKC sees surging homicides and crime

Doug Carel, the attorney representing Ketter and Wiley, told The Oklahoman the minimum requirement for two security guards had already been fulfilled before the agreement was signed Friday.

"Before the agreement was even signed, my clients were looking into what they needed to do to comply in a timely manner, and they've already begun the process," Carel said. "They were happy to reach that deal and they hope that things work well between the city and the Plaza Inn going forward."

City intervenes to 'quell the violence' at Plaza Inn

The consent decree between motel ownership and city authorities is the latest development in an ongoing suit over a surge of crime at the Plaza Inn. The Oklahoman previously reported at least 626 phone calls for police at the Plaza Inn between July 2021 and July 2022.

Most of those calls involved disturbance complaints, well-being checks and traffic stops, according to a review of public records performed by The Oklahoman. But by mid-2022 alone, at least 10 assaults, two shootings, eight attempted suicides, three stabbings, 13 thefts, four acts of vandalism and 11 overdoses were reported at the Plaza Inn, police records showed.

The Plaza Inn has about 100 rentable rooms and has been open along I-35 in southeast Oklahoma City since 1971. It has been owned by Plaza Hotels LLC, headquartered in El Reno where Ketter resides, since about 2015.

Ketter previously told The Oklahoman that he and Wiley were working with the city's nuisance abatement office and the police department's Santa Fe patrol division to boost public safety at the hotel. But city attorneys alleged the owners repeatedly ignored notifications to comply with city code and to abate public nuisance complaints.

In early May, the city filed a lawsuit against the Plaza Inn owners, triggering a months-long dispute between the two parties over how to make the motel safer.

In May of 2023 the owners seemed to agree that several guards would be necessary to quell the violence  now they claim that having one or two guards around much of the time is an adequate abatement strategy, city attorneys wrote in court records filed Oct. 10. The City disagrees and seeks an injunction requiring a much more robust security effort.

But the hotel owners' attorney told The Oklahoman they have long worked to remain compliant of the city's requests, and he was confident they could abide by the consent decree's terms when The Oklahoman reached out Monday.

"I guess all lawsuits are a little contentious, but I didn't think this was too bad," Carel said. "I mean, there was a little give-and-take but, at least from our perspective, there's no ill will that my clients harbor towards anyone because of this, and we just hope to move forward and get all this behind us."

A hearing, originally planned for Tuesday, has been taken off the docket schedule since the consent decree was filed.

"Unless there's a modification of that decree or a violation of that decree, I would not think that there would be any more hearings scheduled on it," Carel said. "But we'll see how things play out in the future."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Plaza Inn OKC has 2 weeks to solve crime, security issues, judge says
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  A federal judge imposed a gag order on former President Donald Trump Monday in the case that accuses him of illegally trying to overturn the 2020 election.

The judge said Trump cannot mount a smear campaign against her staff, prosecutors and potential witnesses.

Im not supposed to be talking about things that bad people do, Trump said during a campaign rally in Iowa Monday after the judge issued the order.

Prosecutors argue Trumps comments could undermine public confidence in the court system, but his supporters defended him.

Free speech has been severely hurt today, said U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, who was inside the courtroom.

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Greene said this is all about the 2024 presidential election, where Trump remains the GOP frontrunner.

This is meant to hurt him politically, she said. This is meant to sway public opinion.

But law experts said even if Trump abides by the order, his supporters, from members of Congress like Greene to talk show hosts and PACs, can still repeat his message.

Its so easy to get around it, said Professor John Banzhaf with George Washington University.

Banzhaf said Trump could even tell supporters to make the same claims on his behalf.

People might believe them even more, he said. Thats the irony of it.

However, Banzhaf said the gag order is still important to strike a balance between Trumps First Amendment rights and the rights of witnesses in a free and fair trial.

Trump is a very credible candidate and to go further, a large part of his plea to be elected is the whole theory that he is being picked on by a group of people, including Biden, Banzhaf said.

Trump told supporters he plans to quickly appeal the gag order, which could make it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A federal judge postponed the trial of prominent North Jersey developer Fred Daibes  who is linked with Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery charges  for federal banking charges from 2018 after his original guilty plea deal was rejected.

Daibes originally pleaded guilty to one of the 14 charges in exchange for probation, but that deal, which had been negotiated with the prosecutor, was rejected by a judge last week. As a result, Daibes withdrew his guilty plea on Friday.

Daibes is one of five people indicted in an alleged corruption scheme involving Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, in a separate case. Daibes pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The superseding indictment, filed Thursday in federal court, alleges that New Jerseys senior senator, his wife and New Jersey businessman Wael Hana, originally from Egypt, conspired for Menendez to act as a foreign agent from January 2018 through at least June 2022 for the Egyptian government and Egyptian officials, violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

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With the superseding indictment, Daibes is expected to be in court Wednesday to reenter his not-guilty plea, even though he has no new charges against him.

In the Daibes bank fraud case, United States District Judge Susan D. Wigenton issued an order last week saying that after reviewing the presentence report, the court rejected the plea agreement.

The rejection came after Daibes was charged in the Menendez indictment.

The Menendez indictment shed light on the senator's alleged interference with Daibes' bank fraud charges, saying Menendez nominated a U.S. attorney he believed he could influence in Daibes' favor.

What does it mean?

Judge Wigenton issued an order for continuance in the bank fraud case until Dec. 15 to allow both parties to discuss the next steps, including potential resolution other than a trial, court documents filed on Monday said.

There were nine other postponements in this case since Daibes was indicted on multiple counts for alleged conspiracy to circumvent lending limits set by Mariner's Bank, which he founded in 2001.

The postponement was allowed because the case is "unusual or complex" and the volume of discovery and number of anticipated witnesses at a trial made it "unreasonable to expect adequate preparations for a trial within 70 days," the judge ruled.

The discovery in the case consists of thousands of pages of bank records, loan files, and search warrant returns, according to court documents.

Michael McManus

In 2022, Daibes admitted to receiving more than $1 million in gross receipts from Mariner's Bank and pleaded guilty to making false entries in a loan memorandum.

Daibes pleaded guilty to a single count of the original 14-count indictment, which included a 2008 memo for a $1.8 million nominee loan that falsely stated the borrower and the source of repayment. The line of credit was actually for Daibes, who funded the repayment.

Daibes and Michael McManus, the chief financial officer of Daibes Enterprises, allegedly used others not named in the indictment to secure millions of dollars in loans  which were used for Daibes' benefit  without the knowledge of the bank or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The activity occurred from 2008 through 2013.

More: Another NJ Transit employee files a sexual harassment suit against the agency

McManus had his plea deal thrown out as well. His attorney filed paperwork asking the court to reconsider.

McManus had until Monday to withdraw his plea. Instead, his attorney John Whipple asked the court for an extension and to reconsider.

Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna wrote to Judge Wigenton that they are prepared to stand by the terms of McManus' plea agreement.

"As for McManus's plea agreement, no material changes in facts and circumstances have altered the government's assessment," Khanna wrote. "Although the government does not agree fully with the motions characterization of the facts, the government concurs with McManus request that the court reconsider its order rejecting the plea agreement."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fred Daibes 2018 bank fraud trial postponed by federal judge
A Troy man charged with murder will remain free on bond after a ruling Tuesday that tested a new Illinois law that eliminated cash bail as a way to ensure that defendants show up for court.

Michael S. Perham, 52, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Maha Tiimob, 25, on Sept. 5 in their apartment. Police called it a domestic disturbance shooting resulting in death.

A detention hearing was held Tuesday morning at the Madison County Criminal Justice Center in Edwardsville. Assistant States Attorney Ryan Kemper wasnt able to persuade Associate Judge Neil Schroeder that Perham is a threat to society who should be returned to jail.

Schroeder warned Perham to have no contact with witnesses, including his girlfriends friends and co-workers who talked to police about him, noting it would violate his bond agreement.

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If you see these persons in public, turn around and walk the other way, the judge told Perham, who appeared in court wearing a salt-and-pepper beard, wire-rimmed glasses and a gray suit.

The Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity Today Act, also known as the SAFE-T Act, took effect Sept. 18.

If a prosecutor wants someone charged with a crime to be kept in jail until trial, a judge must hold a detention hearing and hear arguments instead of setting bail based on charges alone. Proponents say its fairer to poor people who dont have cash for bail.

In Perhams case, he had already posted a $100,000 bond, which was 10% of the $1 million bail set by Associate Judge A. Ryan Jumper. That occurred three days after his arrest and before the SAFE-T Act took effect.

On Sept. 18, States Attorney Tom Haines office filed a petition to deny defendant pretrial release, essentially asking for a retroactive detention hearing. Kemper noted that Perham had accumulated a large number of guns at his apartment and admitted shooting his unarmed girlfriend.

After the hearing, Haine declined to discuss evidence in the case but reiterated his belief that the new law is flawed.

I think the contours of the SAFE-T Act will continue to be fleshed out in cases like this, and it shows that the black-and-white world that the SAFE-T Act offers the criminal-justice system to detain or not detain may not be appropriate in every circumstance, he said.

Perham has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, although his attorney has acknowledged that he shot Tiimob.

In a phone call on Monday, Perham referred questions to that attorney, Jessica Koester, of Edwardsville. When asked if he had anything to say about the case, he replied, Im not guilty.

In a news release last month, Troy Police Chief Chris Wasser stated that his department received a report Sept. 5 of a shooting at an apartment building at 2146 Tramore Drive. When officers arrived, a man was standing at the entrance with his hands raised above his head.

Officers then found a woman unresponsive with multiple bullet wounds. Attempts to save her life by police and emergency medical technicians failed, and she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release.

Perhams detention hearing provided many more details, prompting Haine to point out that both the prosecution and defense had to reveal evidence for a mini trial in the early stages of investigation.

The hearing revealed that Perham and Tiimob had been in a relationship for six years and lived together in a townhouse apartment, and it was Perham who made the 911 call to police around 5 a.m.

Kemper, the prosecutor, told Judge Schroeder that:

Perham maintained that Tiimob was chasing him with a knife but investigators found no knife in her hand.

Perham fired eight shots with a 9-mm handgun, five of which hit Tiimob, including two shots in her back.

Neighbors in the apartment building reported that they had heard loud arguments between Perham and Tiimob in the past.

Perham claimed that Tiimob wouldnt let him leave the apartment that morning.

Perham misled police by implying that Tiimob had been home all night when she was actually at a bar at 2 a.m. and then went to a house party.

Tiimob told friends she was having boyfriend problems and Perham had gotten angry after her inappropriate relationship with another man.

Koester, the defense attorney, described Perham as a U.S. Army veteran and IT specialist who had never been arrested and had followed all requirements of his bond agreement since being released from jail.

Koester confirmed that Perham had relinquished his Firearm Owners Identification Card and turned all his guns over to authorities.

He has been living his life in the community without issue, she said.

Koester also told Judge Schroeder:

Tiimob, who stood 6-foot-1 and weighed more than 300 pounds, had a history of heavy drinking and violent tendencies.

Her parents in Maryland had called 911 at least five times due to her out-of-control behavior, resulting in mental transport in some cases.

Perham had called Troy and Maryville police on Tiimob, and they had to settle her down.

Tiimob was kicked out of Washington University in St. Louis due to drunk and violent incidents.

Tiimob got wasted on Titos vodka at the bar on Sept. 5 and came home to pick a fight with Perham, who just wanted to sleep.

Tiimob chased Perham down the stairs and told him If you leave, Im going to f**king kill you and asked, Wheres my knife?

(Tiimob) is a woman who has a history of drinking too much, becoming violent and mental instability, Koester said, adding that Perham shot her because he was terrified.

Perham sat at the defense table looking straight ahead at the hearing. Several times during Kemper and Koesters statements, he removed his glasses and appeared to wipe tears from his eyes.

Judge Schroeder noted that Perham had undergone a court-ordered assessment for his level of flight risk and scored 0.

Thats as low as you can get, the judge said.

The petition to deny defendant pretrial release is a form with boxes that are checked to indicate why a prosecutor believes someone should be kept in jail until his or her trial date.

In the petition for Perham, a box is checked next to the statement that a non-probationable felony and the defendants pretrial release poses a specific, real and present threat to any person or the community.

Perhams $100,000 bond was posted by Oklahoma attorney Derek Chance. Its not known how the two men are related. Chance didnt respond to a request for comment Monday.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Jurors on Tuesday delivered split verdicts in a case that stemmed from the search for a 3-year-old boy who went missing from Georgia and was found dead hundreds of miles away at a squalid compound in northern New Mexico.

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While covering the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia during the summer of 2000, I wrote about a protest march that spanned miles of Broad Street from Center City to the convention site.

There were protest causes galore there. None of them caught my attention more than a small group of marching men dressed in T-shirts that read, Ban Breast-feeding Now.

A gift from the news gods.

Breast-feeding is an immoral act, the groups spokesman told me. It leaves people with an oral fixation. And the worst part of it is, the child doesnt have a choice.

Bah-dum-pum!

The anti-breast feeders were handing out literature that nearby women were ripping up on the spot. It was a great bit of theater. Made my day.

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None of it was on the level. It was just a big sendup. There were no guys who were genuinely trying to stop breast feeding. The whole point of it was to create a preposterous premise, and then blend in with all the other causes of the day and enjoy the fun of watching exasperated people take your bit of inflammatory nonsense seriously.

I thought about the Ban Breast-feeding Now group again this week while talking to Cody Davis, a 23-year-old Naples man.

Davis started a political action group last year called Vote Men PAC, a group that makes campaign donations to male Florida candidates.

We need men to lead and women to follow, Davis told me.

The views of the candidates aren't important, he said. His political action committee is just looking at races where a man is running against a woman in order to donate money to the male candidate.

Its no strings attached, he said. We donate to men.

(Side note: Elected men in Florida tend to be poor examples of rugged masculinity. Former President Donald Trump applies pancake makeup to his face with a trowel, while Gov. Ron DeSantis does his tough-guy routine while wearing high heels.)

The philosophy of Vote Men PAC leans heavily on the views of the Founding Fathers in excluding women from public affairs.

If the relations between men and women in any society are unhealthy, then that society will never progress, the groups site proclaims. It will always fall into stagnation and eventually die.

Our founding fathers had the wisdom to understand this truth and they deliberately chose to exclude women from their political system.

Davis likes to talk about we in his political action group. But it might be just him. Hes the founder, treasurer and the guy behind the $500 donations.

And when you go to the elaborate Vote Men Pac website, all roads lead to him.

I run the PAC, he said. The PAC is largely me.

It all strikes me as one very elaborate prank, and perhaps, the foundation for a future documentary by a clever manipulator to show how easy it is to hijack the political process.

Either that, or its the misogynistic ramblings of an unmarried, young man who doesnt know the first thing about women.

Im not against women participating in the economy, he told me. But it must have boundaries.

He suggested that women should be allowed to work in some cases, but they should be segregated from men because mingling them could lead to promiscuity.

OK, this is venturing further into the absurd than the breast-feeding guys.

Davis said hes working closely with the Republican Party of Florida. And that while his group is bipartisan it does appeal more to Republicans and right-leaning independents.

More: Sorry, Gov. DeSantis, Count me out of your Florida death cult. I got COVID vax again.

More: What's Mar-a-Lago worth? Don't ask taxpayer Donald Trump | Frank Cerabino

Last year, Vote Men Pac donated to a local judges race, but this year, Davis got more adventurous by dipping into Florida House races.

Vote Men PAC recently made a $500 donation to Florida Rep. David Smith, a Republican from Winter Springs, who is running against a female Democrat, Sarah Henry.

Smith returned the money from Vote Men Pac after he realized he was taking money from a group that advocated excluding women from public office.

Two other Republican candidates running for seats in the legislature next year  Greg Folley of Marco Island and Nick Primrose, a former general counsel for Gov. Ron DeSantis  also rejected $500 donations from the group.

It has earned them spots on the Cowards and Criminals page of the Vote Men PAC site.

About 80 percent of people that I talk to support what were doing, Davis said, but some men lack the courage to be open about it.

Im young, he said. I dont have a lot to lose. Im willing to take those risks.

Frank Cerabino is a columnist at The Palm Beach Post, a part of the USA TODAY Florida Network.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: On the level? A Florida PAC dedicated to electing men, not women
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett speaks with Professor Robert A. Stein at Northrop Auditorium as part of the Stein Lecture Series in Minneapolis, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett said Monday that it would be a good idea for the nation's highest court to adopt a formal code of conduct, but she said the nine justices already agree that they should hold themselves to the highest ethical standards possible.

Barrett spoke at a University of Minnesota Law School event just two weeks after the high court opened its current term in October with fresh cases on guns, abortion and the power of regulatory agencies on its docket, but with ethical concerns high on many observers' minds. Ethics issues have dogged some justices  including conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito and liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

I think it would be a good idea for us to do it, particularly so that we can communicate to the public exactly what it is that were doing  and in a clearer way than perhaps we have been able to do so far," Barrett said. "I will say this, there is no lack of consensus among the justices  there is unanimity among all nine justices  that we should and do hold ourselves to the highest standards, highest ethical standards possible.

Barrett went further than she did in August when she told a judicial conference in Wisconsin that she welcomed public scrutiny of the high court, but stopped short of commenting on whether she thinks the court should change how it operates in the face of growing ethics concerns. She did not offer any opinion nor did she speak directly about calls for the justices to adopt an official code of conduct.

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In her remarks Monday, Barrett said what she has in mind for a code is how best to express what it is that we are already doing. She said the justices already abide by statutes that apply to all judges by filing financial disclosure forms. She said she still personally follows the formal canons of conduct that applied to her when she was an appeals court judge  which don't apply to the Supreme Court  and that her fellow justices do the same.

But when asked by her host, former Law School Dean Robert Stein, how long it might take the Supreme Court to reach consensus about what its own ethics code should be, Barrett demurred.

I think thats something that I cant really speak for the court about or make any sort of guess, she said.

Barrett spoke as part of a lecture series named for Stein that has also brought to the university Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Chief Justice John Roberts. But security in and around the auditorium was notably tighter than for the other justices, following calls by activist groups to protest against Barrett's appearance.

Several protesters stood up early during Barrett's remarks and chanted slogans including: Not the court. Not the state. People must decide their fate. Police escorted them out after a couple of minutes, and police said there were no arrests.

More than 200 people peacefully protested outside the auditorium. Freshman Sean Colfer, 18, said the university keeps hammering on these ideas of diversity, equity and inclusion," but that Barrett doesn't represent those principles.

Several protesters waved bright yellow signs that read, Amy Coney Barrett Off Our Campus.

The Supreme Court has been tipped further to the right by the three justices named by former President Donald Trump, including Barrett. Public trust in the institution fell to a 50-year low following a series of polarizing rulings, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade and federal abortion protections last year.

The Associated Press reported this summer that it obtained thousands of pages of documents showing how justices spanning the courts ideological divide have lent the prestige of their positions to partisan activity  by headlining speaking events with prominent politicians  or to advance their own personal interests, such as boosting book sales, through college visits. And reporting from ProPublica earlier this year revealed that Thomas participated in lavish vacations and a real estate deal with a top Republican donor.

But justices have treaded gingerly in their public comments. Kagan declared her support for an ethics code for the Supreme Court at a conference in Oregon in August. But she said there was no consensus among the justices on how to proceed.

Alito said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in July, after Democrats pushed Supreme Court ethics legislation through a Senate committee, that Congress lacks the constitutional authority to impose a code of ethics on the high court. And Justice Brett Kavanaugh largely avoided discussing ethics during an appearance at a judicial conference in Minnesota in July.

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Follow the APs coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.

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Associated Press reporter Trisha Ahmed contributed to this report. Ahmed 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 under-covered issues.
Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett indicated Monday she would support a code of conduct for the Supreme Court in the wake of recent claims that some justices have fallen short of required ethical standards.

Speaking at the University of Minnesota Law School, Barrett said it would be "a good idea for us do it" and suggested that the justices are broadly in support of a set of principles similar to those that lower court judges are required to follow.

"There is no lack of consensus among the justices. There's unanimity among all nine justices that we should and do hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards possible," she added.

Barrett, who did not address the ethics issue at a public event in August, said the justices already follow existing rules such as the requirement that federal judges file financial disclosure reports every year.

She declined to comment on why the court has not yet adopted a code despite pressure from members of Congress and ethics experts.

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"That's something I can't really speak for the court about or make any sort of guess about," Barrett said.

The court has been under scrutiny for alleged ethics lapses after a ProPublica article in April detailed Justice Clarence Thomas  acceptance of trips from Harlan Crow, a Republican donor, which he had not disclosed in his annual financial disclosure reports. Thomas defended his actions, saying the gifts from Crow constituted personal hospitality, meaning he did not have to disclose them under the judicial disclosure rules at the time. Those rules have since been updated.

Some members of Congress have backed legislation about the issue, although the court could address the issue itself by adopting its own ethics code.

Some other justices have expressed support for a new ethics code. Liberal Justice Elena Kagan said last month that it would be a "good thing," and conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh said earlier last month that he was hoping for "concrete steps soon."

Chief Justice John Roberts said in May that the justices are "continuing to look at things we can do" to reflect their commitment to the highest ethical standards.

The justices issued a statement in April saying they reaffirm and restate their commitment to ethics principles, an announcement that failed to quell criticism.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
TRENTON - The Justice Department is investigating possible civil rights abuses at Trenton's police department, including the use of excessive force.

The newly launched probe also will examine whether police improperly stop, search and arrest motorists and pedestrians in the state's capital, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Jersey.

Investigators will seek to establish whether the department has "a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the Constitution and federal law," said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke , who oversees the Justice Department's civil rights division.

Attorney General's Office investigating Videos capture Millville man's actions with trooper before he died in custody

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Unfortunately, we have reviewed numerous reports that Trenton police officers may have used force inappropriately and conducted stops, searches, and arrests with no good reason in violation of individuals constitutional rights," said Philip Sellinger, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.

"These allegations are serious and credible," Clarke said during a virtual press conference.

Trenton police probe follows shooting of Burlington City man

The investigation was welcomed by Mount Laurel attorney Gregg Zeff, who represents a former Burlington City resident who was shot and paralyzed by Trenton police in February 2022.

"Initially, I'm grateful that the Department of Justice is acknowledging what we've know for a long time," said Zeff. "Peaceful people minding their own business in Trenton are being harassed and brutalized by police."

"I'm also frustrated that it took the paralysis of Jajuan Henderson to bring this to the attention of the federal government, but it did not wake up Trenton," Zeff said.

Henderson's lawsuit and police give sharply different accounts of his shooting.

The lawsuit contends police officers approached Henderson's parked car shortly after midnight, smashed the driver's side window and shot him as he tried to call for help on his cellphone.

A police account says Henderson, then 29, was unable to produce an ID or driver's license, and that he refused to leave the vehicle after being told he was under arrest. It also alleged Henderson reached around the vehicle's interior, "including below seats."

A representative of the ACLU of New Jersey called the probe "an important step toward holding officers accountable to the community."

"Power must be placed in the hands of the people, not police," said Sarah Fajardo, the organization's policy director.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said he's directed "all levels of city government to fully cooperate with the U.S. Attorneys Office and its investigation.

"We thank and support the overwhelming majority of officers at the city, county, and state level who do the right things every day to keep Trentonians safe," the mayor said in a statement.

Sellinger and Clarke announced the investigation during a virtual news conference.

"We do not allege racial discrimination," Clarke noted.

Feds could seek court-ordered reforms for Trenton police

"Our decision to open this investigation is not based on any single incident or event, nor is it limited to a specific unit or bureau in the police department," she added.

The investigation is expected to take one year, "and if we substantiate those violations, the department will take appropriate action to remedy them," Clarke said.

Clarke said the Justice Department, after establishing reasonable cause, "is authorized to bring a lawsuit seeking court-ordered changes to remedy the violations."

"But we also recognize that the communitys trust in our police force is critical," he continued. " If any members of law enforcement violate the public trust or act in contravention of our state and federal laws, they should and must be held accountable."

"The investigation will include a comprehensive review of (department) policies, training and supervision," the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement.

It also will focus on documents related to the department's systems of accountability, "including how it investigates citizen complaints and disciplines officers," Clarke said.

People with relevant information are asked to contact the Justice Department at 973-645-2801 or USANJ-Community.Trenton@usdoj.gov.

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: Probe follows police shooting of Jajuan Henderson of Burlington City
FILE - Republican Kari Lake waves to supporters as she announces her plans to run for the Arizona U.S. Senate seat during a rally, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Scottsdale, Ariz. On Monday, Oct. 16, a federal appeals court tossed out a lawsuit brought by former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Lake that was previously dismissed, challenging use of electronic voting machines and sought to ban them in last years midterm elections. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kava drinks are popular as alcohol-alternative mood boosters, but a doctor said it can lead to liver damage

Kava has emerged as a popular alternative to alcohol, but has been linked with liver injuries. Brandon Colbert Photography/Getty Images

Kava is an increasingly popular alcohol-alternative that's thought to boost your mood and help you feel calm.

But kava can be dangerous, according to a doctor, and has been linked with severe liver damage.

Kava can also interact with prescription medications, like those for anxiety.

Kava, a beverage made from a tropical plant root, has become increasingly popular at bars looking to create a fun gathering space without alcohol.

Sometimes dubbed ' Nature's Xanax ,' kava is thought to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve mood. Outside of bars, it has also emerged as a popular ingredient in canned drinks , and it's sold as a supplement as well.

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But in addition to making you feel nauseous , kava can also be dangerous, said Dr. Danielle Belardo, a cardiologist based in Los Angeles. The herbal supplement has been linked with numerous reports of severe liver damage and even liver failure in the US going back decades , and is particularly dangerous to people with existing liver disease and people taking certain medications.

Kava has gained popularity for calming effects

Kava , also called kava kava, is made from the root of the kava plant Piper methysticum.

Kava has been consumed for centuries by Pacific Islanders, and its popularity has grown in the US in recent decades.

Kava  like alcohol  is a depressant, meaning it can slow your brain down and make you feel calmer.

Some research has also found that kava may have therapeutic properties, such as reducing anxiety , and helping people with insomnia fall asleep.

Kava has been linked with liver damage

Although kava may have potentially therapeutic properties, it has also been linked with several cases of liver damage. Evidence from a 2016 report from the World Health Organization suggests that its traditional, water-based preparation is relatively safe for the liver. But kava supplements taken in the forms of extracts, powders, and pills may be more dangerous.

In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning against using kava, citing cases of liver injury in the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. In 11 cases, patients had to undergo a liver transplant.

"Such liver complications have been observed from as early as several weeks to as long as two years after intake, with the average duration being 4.5 months," Belardo said.

Belardo said that scientists aren't completely sure why kava can sometimes be harmful to the liver, and believe it might have to do with either pipermethystine or flavokavain B  compounds found in kava. More research is still needed, however, and a definitive link hasn't been established.

A 2020 paper on kava found that while liver damage was rare, part of the risk of taking kava is that there is no standard procedure for how it is cultivated, harvested, or manufactured. It also found that the risk of liver injury was possible if kava was taken for longer than 2 months.

In the United States, supplements, including kava, are not regulated with the same scrutiny that medications are by the Food and Drug Administration. As a result, the actual amount of kava in a product may differ from what's listed on the package. It also may contain other undisclosed ingredients, making it difficult to know exactly what you're taking.

Kava may also interfere with prescription medications

On top of risk for liver damage, kava can also interact with prescription medication  like anxiety medications, and medication for Parkinson's disease, according to Cleveland Clinic . It can also interact with alcohol.

When it comes to taking any supplements, Belardo said it's important to weigh the risks against the potential benefits. Belardo also encourages people to check with their doctor first.

October 27, 2023: This story was updated with more context about the safety differences between kava's traditional water-based preparation compared to kava supplements taken in the form of extracts, powders, and pills.

Read the original article on Insider
OLATHE, Kan.  A Johnson County jury found a Kansas City, Kansas, man guilty Friday in a deadly 2016 crash that left a 50-year-old grandmother dead.

Landunn Darail Richardson was convicted of second-degree murder and driving with a suspended license.

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Fifty-year-old Vickie Taylor died in the head-on crash on Metcalf Avenue.

Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said the jury also determined that aggravating departure criteria existed, which means the judge could decide to impose a stricter sentence.

Richardson is set to be sentenced on Nov. 21.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
A Montgomery County sheriffs deputy was charged with DUI over the weekend after vodka was found in his wrecked patrol vehicle and he failed multiple field sobriety tests, according to court documents.

On Saturday around 12:16 a.m., officers in Menifee County were dispatched to US-460 west in Means for a report of a one-vehicle crash. Court documents say Montgomery County sheriffs deputy Bryan Beane, 35, crashed into a telephone pole with his Dodge Durango patrol vehicle.

Officers on scene smelled alcohol coming off Beane, according to court documents. A bottle of Titos Vodka was found three-fourths empty in the center console of his vehicle.

Beane performed multiple field sobriety tests, during which he allegedly showed many signs of impairment. Court documents say during the walk and turn test, Beane did not touch heal to toe, stepped off the line, took an incorrect number of steps, made a wrong turn and used his arms to balance.

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Beane was placed under arrest and taken to a hospital for evaluation, according to court documents. He refused to voluntarily have his blood drawn but a search warrant was signed and executed to have his blood drawn.

The Menifee County Sheriffs Office is investigating the collision, court documents say.

WKYT, the Herald-Leaders reporting partner, said Beane is currently suspended and the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office has launched an administrative investigation into Beanes alleged actions.
It has been two weeks since Kevin McCarthy was unceremoniously booted from the one job he wanted most in Washington, D.C.  speaker of the House.

The Republican congressman from Bakersfield witnessed members of his own party, the ultra-right wing of the GOP, turn against him. Given the razor-thin margin that Republicans hold in the House  221 GOP members to 212 Democrats  McCarthy could only lose four votes and withstand the mutiny. He didnt.

In the two weeks since, House Republicans tried to coalesce around Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana as the new speaker. But when Scalise realized he did not have enough votes he dropped out. Now Jim Jordan of Ohio, a firebrand congressman who helped form the far-right Freedom Caucus, hopes to win the speakership, with a possible vote coming Tuesday. But he is expected to have a tough battle, as his divisive politics turn off moderate Republicans.

If Jordan fails, the Republican-led House will remain stuck in chaos. Without a speaker, new bills cannot be heard. This at a time when world crises are demanding American attention, such as the Israeli offensive in Gaza against the Hamas terrorist group over its recent attacks on Jewish settlements.

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Imagine one half of the legislative branch of our government remaining unable to function. That is what Republican leadership is currently achieving.

As it stands, McCarthy will go down in American political history as the only speaker ever removed from the office. He can redeem a measure of his standing by using any influence he has left to make the House a fully functioning branch of government again.

To do that, McCarthy will need to forgive Democratic opposition to his speakership. He will have to act in a bipartisan manner, as when he negotiated a stop-gap funding measure to keep the federal government solvent.

He should forge an alliance with Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York toward the goal of making the House work again. There are several ways McCarthy can do just that.

Republican power sharing

Washington Post columnist Greg Sargent outlined several steps for McCarthy and House Republicans to consider.

First, work with Democrats to end the ability of any single House member to call for a vote to remove the speaker. That is what doomed McCarthy. Floridas Matt Gaetz, no ally of McCarthys, forced a full floor vote of the House, known as a motion to vacate, on whether to remove McCarthy. The measure passed by six votes.

McCarthy should support a plan that a majority of the party in power must approve any vote on a speaker. Otherwise, the threat will hang over anyone who holds the office, be it Jordan or another member.

Second, McCarthy should accept the idea of power-sharing with Democrats by agreeing to equal representation on the powerful Rules Committee. It decides what bills get heard on the floor of the House.

By reforming the motion to vacate and allowing some shared governance, McCarthy and those backing him would nullify the tyranny of the minority that far-right members now enjoy.

Any mechanism that would guarantee votes on the floor for certain measures would break the veto power that now exists for the lunatic fringe, congressional expert Norman Ornstein told Sargent.

The House could function again. This becomes particularly timely in another month, when the stop-gap funding runs out and funding the federal government once again faces a deadline.

McCarthy legacy

Will McCarthy actually act in this way?

Given that Democrats did not support his speakership, it seems unlikely. But he negotiated with President Biden to avoid a default on the national debt, and achieved the stop-gap funding needed to keep federal agencies operating. Both steps involved working with Democrats, and were condemned by Freedom Caucus members.

Americans are tired of the petty drama being waged by far-right representatives like Gaetz. The Floridian likes to boast he is acting for the good of the nation, but witness two weeks of the House being frozen in time to see the real impact of Gaetzs actions.

It is time for McCarthy to put on the mantle of statesman and move beyond his partisan past. McCarthy can lessen the sting of losing the speakership by acting for the good of his 20th District and the American people.
Kevin Spacey was given a standing ovation by an audience at the University of Oxford last night (16 October), after he delivered a performance as part of a lecture about cancel culture.

It was the first time the House of Cards actor, 64, has performed on stage since the US star was acquitted of sexual assault against four men in a London trial that ended in July 2023.

Spacey delivered a five-minute scene from Timon of Athens, Shakespeares satire of wealth, greed and betrayal.

The play is about a rich citizen of the Greek city, who lavishes all his wealth on parasitic writers and artists. When he loses his wealth, his former friends abandon him.

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Spaceys performance came during a lecture dedicated to the late Sir Roger Scruton , a philosopher who was fired as a government adviser after a New Statesman journalist tweeted a truncated quote from an interview he gave, about Chinese people being a kind of replica of the next one.

The magazine later apologised for misquoting Scruton and he was reinstated as an adviser. He died in 2020 aged 75.

Douglas Murray, the conservative columnist who delivered the Oxford lecture and invited Spacey to perform, told The Times: Its about what happens when a society drops a person for no reason. Its something that has been on Kevins mind, as it was on Roger Scrutons mind, so I said I want him to be back on stage in the UK.

Spaceys Oxford appearance came days after West End cinema The Prince Charles cancelled its offer to host the premiere of the British film Control, when venue bosses found out that it starred the actor.

Control follows government minister (Lauren Metcalfe), who is having an affair with the Prime Minister (Mark Hampton) and ends up being kidnapped after her self-driving car is hijacked.

Kevin Spacey (Getty Images)

Spacey voices the vengeful villain who has taken control of the car. He does not appear physically in the film, but recorded his part in London last December while awaiting trial.

British director Gene Fallaize previously told Variety: He is naturally quiet and comes across as quite shy. He seemed fine. I mean, I didnt know Kevin before all of this so I cant say what he was like in comparison to what he was like before. But you know, he just seemed like a nice guy.

He added that he did not have any reservations about casting Spacey. The only people that know everything are the ones that were in that courtroom and they decided he was not guilty, Fallaize said.

These people that are saying  if theyre saying  that were whitewashing him or enabling him to come back, what facts have they got to contradict the jury? I dont regret casting Kevin and I would do it all over again.

Control will be released in the UK and the US on 15 December.
A Florida-based entrepreneur who aligned himself with Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign is now set to host a fundraiser for Nikki Haley, according to a report by ABC News. Sources familiar with the matter told the network on Tuesday that the event hosted by Keith Rabois , a major GOP donor who has given millions of dollars to Republican congressional candidates, was billed as an intimate private reception at $10,000 per guest. The reception was previously set to be held on Monday evening, but was postponed, ABC News reported without further explanation. An insider close to Rabois and his husband Jacob Helberg said that the pair are very much on board with Haley. The apparent recalibration by Rabois comes just three months after he proclaimed at a conference that he and Helberg were significant supporters of DeSantis. We think what hes doing in Florida is the recipe that should be copied in every stateperiod, without exception, Rabois reportedly said. Asked about the couples shifting loyalties, the insider told ABC they were like the American people: making up their minds as they go along.

Read it at ABC News

Read more at The Daily Beast.
A girl who was adopted from China by a couple accused of killing another child they adopted testified Monday that she still is afraid of them, seven years later.

When asked if she is scared of John and Katherine Snyder, the girl, now 14, said she is worried they might kill her.

Why? Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Stacy Lefton asked.

"They killed my brother," the girl responded.

The girl was the third witness to testify in the Snyders' trial, which began last week in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. The couple is charged with aggravated murder in the 2016 death of their 8-year-old adopted son, Adam. They are also charged with abusing four other children they adopted from China, including the girl who testified Monday, as well as one of their biological children.

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The Snyders, who lived in Springfield Township at the time, say the charges are unfounded and that they loved the children. All the children they adopted were orphans with serious medical problems.

Defense attorney Jeremy Evans said in opening statements Friday that Adam died from natural causes. And in court documents, attorneys for the Snyders said three outside experts have concluded that it wasn't a homicide.

The children were removed from the Snyders' custody soon after Adam's death and in the years since have been cared for by relatives out of state. The couple also has three biological children who are now adults.

Girl testifies by video

At Monday's trial, the girl testified by video from another courtroom. She sat in a chair in front of the jury box, and at times, wrote down her answers on a legal pad. An interpreter read her answers. Because the girl has hearing problems and sometimes uses sign language, a sign language interpreter also was present.

The girl referred to the Snyders as her "old mom and dad." The Snyders adopted her and another girl in 2014. They adopted Adam and two other boys in early 2016, eight months before he died. His death was ultimately ruled to be a homicide.

When Lefton asked her about the day Adam died, Oct. 5, 2016, the girl asked to take a break  the second she was granted during the first half an hour of questioning Monday. When she returned to the chair, she wrote on the legal pad that both the Snyders struck the back of Adam's head on a wall.

"They were mad," she said. After additional questions from Lefton, the girl explained that Adam had soiled himself.

She said Adam was left in the hallway.

The girl was only 7 at the time, a few weeks away from her 8th birthday, and several times during questioning she told Lefton she couldn't remember things.

Hungry 'almost every day'

The girl also said she was punished with cold showers if she wet herself and that the Snyders didn't feed her or the other children enough. She described being given gluten-free food  she called it "bad food"  despite not having a gluten allergy.

She told Lefton that she was hungry "almost every day." Prosecutors have described Adam as being "skin and bones" when he died.

Also Monday, a neighbor of the Snyders, Lynn Hortemiller, testified that she became concerned about the treatment of Adam in the months after he was adopted. He suffered a broken arm and broken leg during his eight months with the Snyders, Hortemiller said.

Despite being 8 years old, Adam would soil himself and "smear feces," Hortemiller testified. The Snyders responded by using duct tape to attach a diaper to him, she said. The day before his death, she said Katherine Snyder took him to the hospital for apparent psychiatric care.

Prosecutors have said it was Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center's College Hill campus. The hospital wanted Adam admitted, prosecutors said, but ultimately Katherine was allowed to take him home.

Hortemiller said she asked John about admitting Adam to a psychiatric ward. He responded, according to Hortemiller: "That's OK, no one likes him anyway."

The trial will resume Tuesday before Judge Wende Cross.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: John and Katherine Snyder trial: Girl they adopted testifies
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) said during a Tuesday television appearance that the vote against Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the Republican nominee for Speaker, was nearly as consequential as standing up against the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6.

This is almost as big in my mind of a moment as standing up against Jan. 6 was for these members, Kinzinger said in an interview with CNNs Dana Bash, before the first round of votes for Speaker.

As somebody [who has] faced this  and I had to make a decision to basically end my career to do the right thing  its well worth it, Kinzinger said in the interview. Everybody goes into Congress saying, Im going to go in and do the right thing. I am going to stand alone if I need to, and then, all of a sudden, that fear of a primary is enough to frighten them away.

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Kinzinger predicted that Jordan would not reach the threshold to be elected Speaker on the first round of voting, but he strongly urged Republicans not to relent to the pressure to eventually support Jordans candidacy.

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Look, it only takes four or five Republican members of the House of Representatives to be heroes, and literally change the future of this country and this world. When you look at Ukraine and you look at Israel, he would be terrible on both, Kinzinger said, before adding, I think there are enough to deny Jordan on the first round. My personal hope is they stick it out.

Kinzinger railed against Jordan, stressing his key role in former President Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and calling the Trump ally the worst pick for House Speaker, except for maybe  like Matt Gaetz.

Jim Jordan has been one of the absolute worst members of the House of Representatives, simply from just the governing perspective. I think hes passed almost nothing, if anything at all, Kinzinger said.

The former Illinois lawmaker also told Bash that Jordan truly believes Democrats are evil and must be defeated at all costs.

He doesnt say that metaphorically. He truly believes that you have to defeat the Democrats or the liberals by any means necessary, and theyre close to giving him the Speakers gavel, Kinzinger said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kirby: "Significant progress" made on humanitarian assistance to Gaza

U.S. officials believe "significant progress" has been made on a "framework" to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war, but "there's nothing flowing right now" by way of assistance, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, told "CBS Mornings" on Tuesday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met for seven hours Monday with Israel's wartime cabinet "to try to work on a framework to get that humanitarian assistance in, and we believe we made some progress on that score," Kirby said.

"And then hopefully soon, there will be some humanitarian assistance  food, water, medicine  getting into the folks that live in Gaza, as well as trying to make some arrangements for folks who want to get out to get out safely," he said.

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The uncertain timing on possible assistance comes as civilians in the Gaza Strip are suffering under relentless airstrikes by Israel in response to the Hamas militant group's deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Israel has cut off the flow of supplies to the Palestinian territory, and hospitals are facing dire shortages as they try to treat patients.

"No supplies have come into Gaza since the 7th of October, nothing, no fuel, no food, no water, no other types of assistance," Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the U.N.'s Palestinian refugee agency, said Monday.

President Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday to show support for the key U.S. ally at what Kirby described as a "critical time"  "particularly for the humanitarian assistance front."

"The president believed that this was exactly the right time to go to get an update from Israeli officials about how things are going on the ground, what their intentions are going forward, and also to talk to our regional partners about the need to make sure that we can get humanitarian assistance into Gaza and safe passage for people that want to get out of Gaza," he said.

Kirby also said the U.S. wants to make sure that anyone who is living in Gaza "and has to leave or wants to leave can absolutely get back  that's home."

"And these are innocent civilians," he said. "They're victims of this just as much as those folks in Israel who were hurt, killed by Hamas, so we want to make sure that they can get home."

Israel is expected to launch a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, raising questions about what happens in the aftermath. While Kirby said he doesn't want to "get ahead" of Israeli military intentions or plans, "those are very valid questions that we're exploring with our Israeli counterparts."

As far as the looming ground invasion, Kirby said the U.S. isn't "getting down at the tactical level" with the Israelis "in terms of dictating where and when they can operate."

"This is their operation," he said. "This is their country to defend, and we're respectful of that."

Secretary Blinken has visited Israel twice since the Oct. 7 attack as part of a regional diplomacy blitz to show support for Israel, try to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, and work to prevent the war spreading.

Blinken said Monday the U.S. and Israel "have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multinational organizations to reach civilians in Gaza."

Israel's defense chief told Blinken that the "price will be high, but we are going to win" the war with Hamas. Yoav Gallant said Israel would fulfill its commitment to eradicate Hamas, which the U.S. has designated a terrorist group, "for the Jewish people and for the values that both countries believe in."

The Biden administration, along with Israel's other major Western allies, has given Israel its full-throated backing to respond to Hamas' bloody Oct. 7 terror attack, with Mr. Biden himself telling 60 Minutes that Israel can and should "go after Hamas" in Gaza.

The White House has also repeatedly stressed that Israel must adhere to international law and conventions calling for all steps possible to be taken to protect innocent civilian lives.



Officials in Gaza say Israel's bombardment has killed more than 2,800 people and wounded almost 11,000 others, a majority of them women and children. In Israel, officials say Hamas' siege and ongoing rocket attacks have killed some 1,400 people and wounded 3,500 others. Hamas is said to be holding almost 200 hostages, including Israeli troops and civilians and a number of Americans.

Tucker Reals and Melissa Quinn contributed to this report.

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Natalie only had a few hours to say goodbye to her 22-year-old son David last Saturday  the day of the deadly Hamas attacks in Israel  after he decided to return to Israel to re-enlist in the Israel Defense Forces.

David  a dual citizen who grew up in Aventura, moved to Israel after graduating from high school and served in the military through last summer  decided just moments after he heard the news.

He held my hands and he said, Mom, I know youre gonna start crying now. And youre not gonna stop for a while. He knows me well, said Natalie, who asked the Herald not to use their last name out of security concerns. And he goes, But I made a decision. Im going to Israel.

David spent the next few hours planning his route and packing a bag. Less than 24 hours after the Hamas attacks, Natalie was driving her son from their Hollywood home to Miami International Airport so he could go to war.

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He did not really prepare himself and we didnt have time to process  knowing that this was not going to be just a military operation, that it is a real war.

READ MORE: These South Floridians were in the region when Israel was attacked. Theyre still there

David is one of many who have returned to Israel to fight in a war that has killed thousands of civilians, an undetermined number of Hamas fighters and more than 200 Israeli soldiers. More than 100 Israeli reservists and volunteers in Florida are estimated to have traveled to Israel to join the military, according to the Consulate General of Israel to Florida & Puerto Rico in Miami.

Israel, with some exceptions, requires every Israeli citizen over the age of 18 to serve in the military for two to three years. After that, most of them can be called up to reserve units until age 40 or older in times of national emergency, Reuters reported.

Israeli Defense Forces has activated over 300,000 reservists  one of the countrys largest military mobilizations in history, according to news reports.

Many Floridians, Israeli-Americans, that have served in the military and are now reservists have gone to Israel to volunteer in the IDF, Consul General Maor Elbaz-Starinsky told the Herald. They are fighting to get plane tickets to go to Israel because they are committed and dedicated for the safety and security of Israel.

READ MORE: We are one people: Thousands of Floridians support Israel at rally in Miami Beach

Hamas Oct. 7 attack killed more than 1,400 people in Israel, including babies and children, according to the countrys military. At least 155 people, including children, the elderly and some Americans, are being held hostage by Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union.

In Gaza, 2,808 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, as reported by the New York Times. To date, 289 Israeli soldiers died during the Hamas attacks and thereafter, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

With Israel sealing its Gaza border, Palestinians have been cut off from water, electricity, fuel and food. Egypt, too, has closed its border with Gaza in the south, blocking an escape route for thousands trapped in Gaza.

Natalie and her son, David, who re-enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces after hearing the news of the Hamas attacks on Israel. He grew up in Aventura and his mother lives in Hollywood. David's family

Proud of him

As someone with several family members, including her parents and sister, living in Israel, Natalie is shattered in pieces about her sons decision.

Theres a knot in my stomach, a hole in my heart. But at the same time, Im also very proud of him, Natalie said. Im very proud of his choice to join the army in general, which he didnt have to, but also now not to hesitate and go to protect our country. And the lives of others too.

READ MORE: Florida elected officials stand with Israel at Aventura rally as war death toll rises

David spent most of his life in Aventura, but grew up traveling to Israel almost every summer. At 18, after graduating from Scheck Hillel Community School in North Miami Beach, he decided to join the Israel Defense Forces and immigrate to Israel, a pilgrimage known in Hebrew as Aliyah.

After finishing his military service as an Israeli citizen, David stayed in the army to become part of an elite combat unit, which requires more training and a longer commitment  called Keva in Hebrew. His service ended last summer.

Hes not obligated to do it, but chose to do it. He said, My brothers are gonna go fight; Im not gonna sit at home, Natalie said, recalling the conversation with her son. Theyre all very close, and they have each others back.

Support group for soldiers families

After David left for Israel, Natalie became so consumed with following the news about the war that she had difficulty resuming her daily life. She joined a support group for parents of soldiers who live in South Florida and saw a psychologist who specializes in crisis management.

Its difficult for everyone  and in my community, everyone has someone that we know  I am trying my best to take care of my mental health, but I dont know if Im being successful.

READ MORE: Supporters of Israel and Palestinians hold opposing protests in Fort Lauderdale

Despite taking some time off initially, Natalie has found some comfort at her job at Scheck Hillel. As the director of after-school enrichment and student engagement, Natalie works with children.

When they come and smile and give you a hug, even though your heart is broken, for one second, you need to put on the smile and get the hug, Natalie said about the young children. Actually, it helps a lot.

We all should pray for peace and for the war to stop, said Natalie And for our soldiers to be brave and protect the rest of the people.

David, who grew up in Aventura and is a graduate of Scheck Hillel Community School in North Miami Beach, is welcomed at Miami International Airport in the summer of 2022 after serving in the Israel Defense Forces.
The University of Wisconsin system is shutting down in-person instruction at two campuses and closing one campus at the end of the school year, officials announced Tuesday.

The closures come as UW-Oshkosh cuts its workforce by 216 after 140 layoff notices were sent to employees earlier this week and 76 employees accepted a voluntary retirement offer.

Which campuses are closing?

UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac campus will no longer have in-person instruction as of June 2024.

UW-Platteville Richland, which had previously announced suspension of in-person instruction, will be fully closed.

When are they closing?

June 2024.

How many students attend each campus?

UW-Milwaukee at Washington County enrolled 276 students and UW-Oshkosh at Fond du Lac enrolled 243 students in the 2023-2024 school year.

Why are they closing?

Branch campuses across the state's public university system have struggled to enroll students. Since the 2018 merger that placed them under the oversight of four-year schools, most branch campuses have lost half or more of the headcount enrollment.

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Rising costs, repeated budget cuts and a tuition freeze in place for more than a decade haven't aided in their success either.

What is a 'branch campus'?

The Universities of Wisconsin system was made up of 26 campuses, half of which are four-year schools where students earn bachelor's degrees. The other 13 campuses were called "branch campuses" or "two-year campuses," each of which is attached to a "parent" four-year campus.

After this school year, the UW system will include 13 four-year universities with 10 branch campuses located in Barron County, Baraboo, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marshfield, Menasha, Rock County, Sheboygan, Waukesha and Wausau.

Have branch campuses always been attached to a main campus?

No. Branch campuses before July 1, 2018, were led by a single chancellor who oversaw what was then called UW Colleges.

The UW System was restructured in 2018, eliminating the UW Colleges chancellor position and merging each branch campus with a four-year campus. UW-Platteville, for example, absorbed UW-Richland Center and UW-Baraboo while UW-Waukesha and UW-Washington County joined UW-Milwaukee.

The goal was to streamline the transfer process, create administrative efficiencies and avoid campus closures.

How small is enrollment on branch campuses? And why?

The UW's 13 two-year campuses have been hit hard by the state's shifting demographics and economic factors even before the merger. The restructuring was meant to stave off further declines, yet collectively the branch campuses have shed 48% of the enrollment UW officials reported in the first year post-merger.

Here's the fall 2023 numbers on each campus:

UW-Milwaukee Washington County: 276

UW-Milwaukee Waukesha: 664

UW-Eau Claire Barron County: 428

UW-Green Bay Manitowoc: 400

UW-Green Bay Marinette: 206

UW-Green Bay Sheboygan: 438

UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac: 243

UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities: 555

UW-Platteville Baraboo/Sauk City: 209

UW-Stevens Point Marshfield: 320

UW-Stevens Point Wausau: 366

UW-Whitewater Rock County: 698

JS reporter Kelly Meyerhofer contributed to this report.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW cuts in-person learning at Washington and Fond duc Lac campuses
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  We are taking a deeper look back into the turbulent history of Monique Johnson, a woman who was previously convicted of killing a police officer 17 years ago and newly charged with attempted first-degree murder.

READ: Woman convicted of cops death charged in new shooting

Investigators say Johnson shot her ex-boyfriend in Cordova on Friday morning.

The victim told police he woke up to Johnson pointing a gun at him. He was shot in the shoulder and hand. Detectives said Johnson then stole the victims phone, went home, changed clothes then went to work at FedEx, where she was arrested.

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But before the saga, Johnson was convicted of killing a Memphis police officer. In 2006, our crews were there as she appeared before a Shelby County Judge, accused of killing her then boyfriend Memphis Police officer Tony Hayes.

But before Johnson, who was a deputy jailer at the time, was charged, there was a search for Hayes when he didnt show up for work. Larry Godwin, the police director at the time, spoke about his disappearance.

Thats not like him, according to his supervisors, always early, a hard worker, Godwin said.

Johnson was eventually charged in Hayes death. She admitted to killing him but said it was in self-defense. She claimed the night of the murder, he trapped her in a bathroom and thats when she shot him six times.

In one jailhouse interview, she told WREG, Hes choked me. Punched me in my arms and thighs. Hes even held me at knife-point once.

Investigators said after Johnson killed Hayes, her son helped her load his body into the trunk of a car then went to eat.

During our reporting, we also spoke with a man who said he was Johnsons ex-boyfriend. He said he believed that she committed the crime.

Im more than certain that she did, he said. Just the fact that she pulled out a gun on me more than once.

Court records from that time period showed evidence of their volatile relationship.

In 2008, two years after Hayes death, a jury convicted Johnson on a lesser charge of reckless homicide. She was sentenced to four years probation.

Johnson is set to be in court on her new charges Tuesday. She is being held on a $300,000 bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.












I was going to write about food this week, expound on how our upbringing determines our palate preferences, but I just dont have it in me. Theres a weight on my shoulders and a tightening in my chest, and to pen something fun will only ring false. Today I feel the world collapsing around me like a misplayed Jenga tower.

This is hardly a new feeling, and in the past it has ebbed and waned, depending on events both in my personal life and in the world at large. But this time  this time something feels different, more burdensome. Im not sure why, though shocking catastrophes have certainly played a part. The horror in the Middle East. The war in Ukraine. The flood in Libya. The earthquakes in Afghanistan and Morocco. The fire in Maui.

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Closer to home, Washington, D.C., is home to politicians who care only about chaos and grandstanding. My state of Florida leads the nation in book bans, and some school systems, including the one my five kids attended, seem more concerned with politics than with the most important goal of education: teaching students to think for themselves.

Road rage has grown frightfully common, and loneliness is an epidemic, so declared by the U.S. Surgeon General. The average American has fewer friends now than ever before, and we talk to them less often, too. It really makes me wonder if we learned anything about ourselves, about the importance of community, from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then theres the weather, the once-safe subject of small talk in offices and cocktail parties. We just sweated through the hottest summer ever recorded. September offered no respite, either, and the World Meteorological Association has warned that were on track to be the warmest year in known history, beating out previously sweltering periods. Yet, some continue to deny the man-made causes, to the detriment of everyone.

I dont mean to be a Debbie Downer, and I like to think Im an optimist by nature. Sure, I get down. Sure I feel, at times, overwhelmed and gloomy and angry at the hard knocks life has delivered. But I eventually recalibrate and push on, sometimes deliberately, sometimes unconsciously. Now...now not so much.

I mentioned my mood to a friend, hoping to get a sense if I was alone in this quagmire of dark emotions. She understood and was quick to point the finger at age. Were old enough now to be endowed with perspective, she said. We can look back at our choices, individually and collectively, at the good, the bad and the surprising, and sometimes Its impossible not to shudder at these. Weve also suffered enough losses and setbacks to shade the future in ominous colors.

Wasnt it funnyman Mark Twain who wrote: The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he knows too little?

Well, now I know too much; and its showing. The world feels so unstable because my yardstick has extended to encompass more. Thats the privilege of growing older, isnt it? The length of view behind us? If were lucky, if were wiser, if weve learned anything, were also thinking about our legacy, our role in the world we leave behind for future generations.

Knowledge can be profoundly sad, but I need to believe imagination can be stronger. I need to believe that by imagining possibilities, by never losing sight of the good, we can steer ourselves to a better course. I cant stop the calamities of the world, no. But as hokey as it sounds, I can perform one kind act a day, a selfless gesture to make someone elses life better.

I know, I know, that wont solve global issues, but I hope it might inspire others to do the same. Multiply that effect and thenand then

Ana Veciana-Suarez writes about family and social issues. Email her at avecianasuarez@gmail.com or visit her website anavecianasuarez.com. Follow @AnaVeciana.
ST. JOHN, Ind. - The dangerous, viral social media trend the "Kool-Aid Man Challenge" has struck again in northwest Indiana, as four juveniles were taken into custody on Sunday.

Teens are apparently imitating the act of the Kool-Aid man, who would break through walls, fences and ceilings and damage property. It's a trend that cooled off for a while, but has once again picked up steam in the Chicagoland area.

On Sunday, around 1:20 a.m., police in St. John, Indiana, responded to the 12000 block of W. 103rd Court after a caller reported seeing several young people break her neighbor's fence.

When officers arrived at the scene, they observed six panels broken out of the victim's PVC fence, police said.

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Uising K9s, police were able to track the suspects to a home in the 12000 block of Hedwig Dr. There, four boys  two 15-year-olds and two 16-year-olds  were taken into custody. They were later released to the custody of their parents.

Police say it was agreed that charges would not be filed as long as repairs were done to the victim's fence.

Also on Sunday, around 8:15 a.m., police responded to the 10700 block of Manor Dr. where a homeowner reported that 10 to 15 feet of her PVC fence was damaged. The homeowner estimated damages to be about $3,000.

In addition, police also spotted another fence damaged in the 10500 block of Maloian Dr. That homeowner estimated about $5,000 in damages.

The investigations remain ongoing.

Knocking down someone's fence intentionally could come with charges and a lawsuit.

If the act is committed in Illinois, legal analyst Karen Conti says the parents can be sued.

"The parents are responsible under the Parental Responsibility Act in Illinois, up to $20,000 in damages and you would bring a lawsuit and you would proceed and show that you have this damage and what it took to fix it and make it better. You would also be entitled to attorney fees in pursuing that," said Conti.

If found guilty of trespassing and criminal defacement of property, that could mean more than a year behind bars.
Dmitry Peskov , Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, has said Vladimir Putin "has no and cannot have any" competitors in the Russian political arena.

Source: Russian media

Quote from Peskov: "We have repeatedly said that President Putin is definitely the number one politician and statesman in our country.

I believe, although I hardly have the right to speak about this or that, breaking the rules, I can say he has no and cannot have any [competitors  ed.] in the Russian Federation."

Background:

Next year, Russia will elect a president. Presidential elections are set to take place on 17 March 2024. The Kremlin is actively preparing for them.

Peskov claimed that Vladimir Putin will be "beyond any competition" in the presidential election in spring 2024. A sociological research organisation also predicted victory for the permanent Russian leader.

Ramzan Kadyrov, Head of the Chechen Republic, has suggested cancelling presidential elections in Russia until the war with Ukraine is over.

On 13 October, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) called on member states to declare Russian President Vladimir Putin illegitimate after the end of his current presidential term and declared Russia a dictatorship.

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 dictator Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said there is no evidence that North Korea is shipping weapons to Russia, dismissing UK and US intelligence reports recently circulating in the media, news agency Interfax wrote on Oct. 17.

They keep reporting this all the time, but (they) do not provide any evidence, Peskov said, adding that "North Korea is Russia's closest neighbor," and Moscow will continue to develop "mutually beneficial cooperation" with Pyongyang.

Read also: North Korea begins supplying Russia with artillery  report

In fact, satellite images analyzed by the Royal United Services Institute in the UK not only back up the claims, but show evidence that the arms shipments could have ended up in an arms depot close to the Ukrainian border, the New York Times reported on Oct. 16.

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Read also: New satellite images suggest North Korea is regularly supplying arms to Russia by sea

Before that, on Oct. 13, the White House said that North Korea had transported up to 1,000 containers with "equipment and munitions to Russia in recent weeks," the Washington Post wrote. However, according to the analysis, the operation is "more regular, extensive, and ongoing.

Earlier, U.S. analysts wrote that after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Sept. 13, the latter sharply increased cargo transportation to Russia.

Pyongyang was reportedly supplying artillery shells and Katyusha-type rockets to Moscow.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
After a long period of turbulence, Kansas public schools have achieved a measure of financial stability in recent years. That isnt because the often-stingy GOP-controlled Kansas Legislature  which is mandated by the state constitution to make suitable provision for public education  suddenly became more generous. Instead, that accomplishment is largely the result of a long-running lawsuit that compelled those legislators to finally fulfill their obligation.

Now the achievement is threatened.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobachs office last week asked the state Supreme Court to terminate the lawsuit, and with it the courts oversight of education funding. Because all planned funding has been phased in successfully, Solicitor General Tony Powell wrote in a short brief, it is time for justices to release jurisdiction of the case.

Thats a bad idea.

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History shows that when Kansas legislators are left to their own devices, they fall back on bad habits that underfund the states community and neighborhood schools. That is a particular danger now, when the Republicans who run the legislative branch have made plain their desire to divert tax dollars from public education to vouchers for home and private schooling.

Indeed, a key figure in the case is worried that Kobachs request is a first step toward undermining public education in the state.

Opposed would be the understatement of the day, said Jeff Gannon , a Wichita pastor whose family joined four school districts as plaintiffs when the lawsuit was filed in 2010. The case, known as Gannon v. Kansas, bears their name.

A little bit of background is helpful here. The Gannon case was actually the second big lawsuit this century against the state for its underfunding of public schools. The first, known as Montoy, was filed in 1999. It dragged on for seven years before the Kansas Supreme Court terminated the case, after the Republican-controlled legislature agreed to a funding increase.

The problem? State finances took a hit during the Great Recession a few years later, and legislators shirked their promises. Which is how we got the Gannon lawsuit a few years later.

That explains why the Kansas Supreme Court retained its jurisdiction in the case this time around. The court actually agreed in 2019 that the state  which had just increased funding to public schools by $90 million a year  was meeting its obligations. But justices wanted to ensure that legislators didnt backtrack again. So they kept the Gannon lawsuit open.

It worked. Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, earlier this year signed a budget that fully funds public schools for the fifth year in a row. And K-12 test scores, long in decline, appear to have stabilized: Officials announced last week that fewer Kansas students are scoring at the lowest levels on state assessments.

The governor opposes Kobachs request.

Just as Kansas student test scores are on the rise, it makes no sense to undo all the progress Governor Kelly has made by fully funding our schools five years in a row and making it possible for students across the state to receive a quality education, her spokesperson, Brianna Johnson, said in a statement.

Pastor Gannon agrees. His three children have aged out of K-12 schools, but he remains convinced that public education is a cornerstone of American democracy. Ending court oversight, he said, would empower those politicians whose interest is in attacking public education and providing vouchers for people who attend private schools.

The issue, from my perspective, is that appropriate funding is at risk, Gannon added.

We concur. The Kansas Legislature has given little sign of being fully committed to public education  indeed, it continues to massively underfund special education costs borne by schools despite the so-far unenforced requirements of state law. The evidence suggests Kansas students and their schools benefit most when legislators are under court supervision. The case should remain open.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  New projections show Lake Mead dropping about 9 feet between now and October of 2024  but keeping an extra 2.57 feet compared to forecasts from just a month ago.

The 24-month study for October 2023 from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is the first forecast of the 2023 water year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024. And the most probable forecast is much better than last year, when Las Vegas was nervously watching the lake shrink. Lake Mead provides 90% of the valleys drinking water.

24Month_10-Lake-MeadDownload

Currently, the surface of Lake Mead is at 1,066.23 feet above sea level (as of noon Tuesday). The new forecast shows the lake dropping to 1,056.94 feet in October 2024. Just last month, that number was 1,054.37 feet.

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Lake Meads rise levels off after 5-month climb  34% full as an incredible water year nears its end

The lake is even expected to briefly rise above 1,070 feet during January, February and March. But the federal government makes its water shortage determination in August, when the lake is expected to be down to 1,055.69 feet.

The first-ever water shortage was declared in August 2021 by the federal government. That Tier 1 shortage became a Tier 2 shortage last year during an extremely dry year. But a wet winter changed conditions this year, and operations will return to Tier 1 in 2024.

Lake Mead dropped to 1,041.71 feet on July 27, 2022  the lowest since the reservoir was filled in the 1930s. Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S.

Conservationists and government officials agree that the wet winter didnt solve the water shortage. During the course of the 23-year drought, climate change has reduced the amount of water in the Colorado River River Basin. There is more water guaranteed to various groups than water that actually flows down the river now.

Why did the forecast improve?

But changes have made a difference, according to the Bureau of Reclamation.

Lake Meads release in 2023 is projected to be the lowest in 30 years, approximately one and half million acre-feet lower than an average normal year, reflecting extensive, ongoing conservation efforts in the Lower Basin states funded in part by President Bidens historic Investing in America agenda, above-normal inflows in the lower basin below Hoover Dam, and conservation in Mexico, an August statement from Reclamation said.

An acre-foot is equal to 325,851 gallons, or enough to supply two to three households for a year.

Lake Meads vertical speedboat marked with a buoy, barely poking above surface

The 40 million people who rely on Colorado River water go into the new water year with Lake Mead at 34% full, Lake Powell at 38% full, and other reservoirs upstream at 69% or higher capacity: Flaming Gorge, 88% full; Navajo, 69% full; Blue Mesa, 74% full; Morrow Point, 89% full; and Fontenelle, 83% full.

And while its far too early to predict water supply next spring, precipitation in the Upper Colorado River Basin is off to a big start. Precipitation is at 123% of normal and snowpack is at 387% of normal. Snowpack levels wont really matter until April 1, when officials will use measurements to estimate streamflow as the snow melts. 8 News Now will monitor those levels through the winter.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is an important part of the whole picture. Created by Glen Canyon Dam, which was finished in 1966, Lake Powell is the nations second-largest reservoir. Its famous for houseboating and other recreation.

And just about all the water thats in Lake Mead is there because it was released from Glen Canyon Dam. Occasional storms and floods have almost no impact on Lake Meads level.

Colorado River problems: Glen Canyon Dam, desalination and a city that could run dry

Decisions on how Glen Canyon Dam is managed affect both Lake Powell and Lake Mead.

Today, Lake Powell is at 3,573 feet. The 24-month study shows that level climbing to 3,588.46 feet in October 2024. Thats a big change from last months forecast, which expected Lake Powell to be at 3,595.28. Thats a difference of almost 7 feet.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
All lanes of I-5 have reopened this morning after a semi truck rolled over Monday night underneath the overpass at the US 101 interchange near milepost 104, closing down the freeway.

The Washington State Department of Transportation posted on its social media that the single-vehicle crash was first reported around 10:40 p.m. Oct. 16. A semi truck was traveling too fast for the wet conditions, struck a barrier on the left side of the northbound freeway and rolled over. State troopers called in the Department of Ecology to assess the scene for any needed cleanup of spilled cargo.

Trucks are stuck on northbound Interstate 5 as crews worked to clear an overturned tractor-trailer on southbound freeway at the Highway 101 interchange in Tumwater, Washington, late on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Tony Overman/toverman@theolympian.com

Traffic was diverted to US 101, and the detour was later changed to Deschutes Parkway at Exit 103.

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Trooper John Datillo said no hazardous material issues were expected from the rollover, but crews were on the scene Tuesday morning to get the semi upright and clean up debris.

The roadway was back open by 7:30 a.m. No injuries were reported.
A bipartisan group of some 110 House members are encouraging the White House to take a firmer stance against Iran in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks on Israel last week.

"Iran must be held fully accountable for its continued role in funding Hamas and Islamic terror," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden. "We urge the Administration to take all necessary steps to cut off Iranian funding sources."

The letter includes 63 Democrats and 50 Republicans. The group wrote it supports "every tool available to defeat radical terror."

Among the asks for Biden: holding Iran accountable for funding Hamas, imposing the stiffest sanctions against Iran, curtailing the country's oil trade to China and putting pressure on countries like Qatar and Turkey who supported Hamas.

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The bipartisan letter is led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.).



The push comes as the Senate has vowed staunch, bipartisan support for Israel. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer returned from a bipartisan congressional delegation on Monday and promised to move an aid package as swiftly as possible.

"This package must move quickly, a package of military aid, the necessities that Israel needs," Schumer said Monday on the Senate floor. "We talked to the leadership of Israel about what they need, and it will be in this package."
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Five people face murder charges after they allegedly bound a couple in their Las Vegas mansion  pistol-whipping an elderly man and forcing his wifes head underwater in a bathtub  leading to one of their deaths, prosecutors said.

Earlier this year, Las Vegas Metro policed arrested Denzale Lee, 28; Raven Queen, 28; and Antonio Washington, 25, on charges relating to the series of burglaries, which officers said amounted to as many as 11. Henderson police had arrested Queen and another man, Derrick Roberts, 26, in January for a home invasion and shooting there, they said.

A fifth person, Howard Cavitt, 28; and a sixth person, Lamonte Butler, 25, were also indicted in the conspiracy.

On Friday, prosecutors announced the grand jury added murder charges for Butler, Cavitt, Lee, Queen and Washington. The charge is enhanced due to the victims age.

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In all, eight people face charges in several home invasions, including the shooting of a man in his Henderson home and the kidnapping of the couple in their west valley home, the 8 News Now Investigators reported earlier this year.

Earlier this year, Las Vegas Metro police arrested Denzale Lee (center); Raven Queen (left); and Antonio Washington right), on charges relating to a series of burglaries, officers said.

On Jan. 12, four armed men broke into the home in the Queensridge neighborhood, and duct-taped Hong Shu Liu, then-77-years-old, and his wife, beating them and forcing them around the home to open safes, documents alleged. Prosecutors allege Queen remained outside to act as a lookout during the robbery, documents said.

Liu was left hospitalized with a brain injury, documents said. Prosecutors said he died from his injuries in September, leading a grand jury to indict the group on the murder charge. Liu was 78 when he died.

During the robbery, the suspects forced the womans head into a bathtub full of water, documents said. The woman told the grand jury the men dunked her head three times underwater as she feared for her life.

Four people accused in a Las Vegas valley robbery spree allegedly bound a couple in their mansion with duct tape and forced a womans head underwater in her own bathtub. (KLAS)

The group left with money, jewelry and several of the womans handbags, documents said. Washingtons DNA later came back as positive on pieces of the duct tape, investigators said. Queen later searched for the couples name on Facebook, detectives said. Queen also attempted to sell the stolen handbags, which police later determined belonged to the robbery victim, they said.

Queen had reserved a room at a hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard near Blue Diamond Road, police said. She checked in on Jan. 10 and left on Jan. 12, police said. Police suspect four other men all stayed in the same room during the spree.

The group was accused of coming back to the area later in January and carjacking a person. Police arrested all five suspects at an Airbnb on Jan. 24. Police and the FBI arrested the two teenagers the same week.

On Friday, prosecutors asked Judge Tierra Jones to continue the defendants bail conditions.

A grand jury indicted Lee, Queen and Washington on 22 charges, including murder and attempted murder. Queen remained in custody Tuesday at the Clark County Detention Center on $750,000 bail. Lee and Washington remained in custody on $600,000 bail.

Police arrested Butler and Cavitt in April. A grand jury indicted them on 15 charges, including murder and attempted murder. Both remained in custody Tuesday; Butler on $500,000 bail and Cavitt on $1,000,000 bail.

Jones issued a warrant for Sjean Jackson and a summons to Antwain McDuffie. Roberts pleaded guilty earlier this year for his involvement in the robberies.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man is accused of a double stabbing that left a man and woman injured in east Las Vegas, according to an arrest report.

Terrance Aubry, of Las Vegas, was arrested on Oct. 11, just days following the stabbing, and faces several charges including attempted murder, police said.

The incident happened on Oct. 9, after police said they received a call that multiple people had been stabbed in the 2500 block of East Tropicana Avenue near Eastern.

Another caller specified that two people had been stabbed outside the store, according to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrest report.

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When officers arrived they found a man in his 40s who appeared to be bleeding from his back and lying on the ground outside the store. Officers then located a female also lying on the ground bleeding. Both were taken to a nearby hospital due to their injuries, the report stated.

Police spoke to two witnesses near the scene of the stabbing who said when they had exited the convenience store and saw that multiple people were on the ground and had been stabbed but did not see a knife or the stabbing, the arrest report stated.

Both witnesses then described a male suspect who they had seen in the area.

Officers were also able to view surveillance video from two convenience stores in the plaza.

The camera angles showed the path and actions of the suspect and gave detectives a good beginning to track the suspects location before and after the stabbing, the report stated.

One camera angle showed the male suspect running into the convenience store driveway. Another camera angle showed the suspect running northbound through the 2500 block of East Tropicana Avenue directly toward where some unhoused people were lying, the arrest report stated. A third camera showed a group of people run out toward the parking lot and one person fall to the ground, police said.

The surveillance video also showed the group of individuals in an interaction in front of the convenience store, according to the arrest report.

Police then viewed video from the scene earlier in the day from the second store in the plaza, to see when the two victims arrived at the store.

According to the arrest report, the video showed a group of unhoused people in front of the store most of the night. Around 4:20 a.m. the two victims are seen joining other unhoused people lying on the ground. By 4:24 p.m. police stated that the suspect was seen walking toward the group, carrying a plastic bag, and then sitting against the wall of the store.

At 5 a.m. the suspect was seen standing up and appeared to be aggravated, but it is not known why, the arrest report stated.

Shortly after 5 a.m., the suspect is seen in the surveillance video returning with a large, bladed kitchen style knife and slashing the female suspect in the abdomen, the report stated.

The suspect is then seen in the surveillance video getting into a physical altercation with the male victim and then he is seen stabbed in the back, according to the arrest report.

Detectives then spoke to patrol officers in the area and were made aware of the suspect described, who they said goes by the name Terrance Aubry, according to the arrest report.

Officers told detectives that Aubry was known to stay in an abandoned building in the 4800 block of Mcleod Drive, which was near the scene of the stabbing.

Police bodycam video was reviewed by officers who had made contact with Aubry days earlier in the area. His description in the bodycam video matched that of the witness statements from the day of the stabbing, the report stated.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Aubry had a lengthy criminal record which included numerous vagrancy arrests, according to the arrest report.

Police then spoke to the female victim at the hospital one day after the stabbing. According to the report, the female victim told officers she had been hanging out with a group of friends in front of the store. A few minutes later the suspect came running toward her with a knife in his hand. She then told police the suspect tripped as he was running toward her and then got up and stabbed her in the abdomen, the report stated.

The female victim then said the suspect ran toward the male victim and began stabbing him multiple times. The female victim then said she heard the male victim saying, hes stabbing me call the police. The female victim then told officers the suspect ran off, according to the report.

On Oct. 11, Aubry was located and taken to the Clark County Detention Center by officers where he faces several charges which are listed below:

Attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon

Battery with the use of a deadly weapon

Possession of a controlled substance

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Possession of credit card without cardholder consent

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas police K9 is recovering after a stabbing in the west valley.

It occurred on Oct. 16 shortly after 5:30 a.m. near Torrey Pines Drive and Flamingo Road.

Las Vegas Metropolitan police received a report of a burglary at a home in the 6500 block of Treadway Lane.

When officers arrived they were not able to locate a suspect.

Another officer noticed a suspect run from the area and enter a home.

The suspect was later identified as Richard Goff, 33.

Police said Goff refused to obey officers commands and K9 Raider was deployed in an effort to take him into custody.

While doing so, Goff is accused of stabbing Raider.

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Officers deployed additional low lethal options, allowing them to take the suspect into custody.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department K9 Raider was stabbed during an incident on Oct. 16, 2023. (LVMPD)

Raider was then taken to a nearby veterinary clinic for treatment, where he is recovering, police stated.

Goff was taken to a hospital where he was treated for his injuries and will booked into the Clark County Detention Center for multiple felony charges to include:

Burglary

Resisting a public officer with a deadly weapon

Injure/attempt to kill a police animal

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A Las Vegas police officer was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in federal prison for stealing nearly $165,000 in a trio of casino heists, including one in which he was found guilty of brandishing a department-issued weapon.

Caleb Rogers, who has been on unpaid suspension in a solo jail cell since his arrest nearly 20 months ago, apologized before sentencing. His mother, Crystal Rogers, from Toledo, Ohio, told the judge that she was not pleased but that her son had full family support.

LVMPD police officer Caleb Rogers, appears in court in March 2022, in connection with the robbery at the Rio Hotel and Casino sportsbook. (Credit: LVMPD)

Rogers, 35, brandished the gun during his arrest in February 2022 following the final robbery and a brief struggle with security officers in a casino parking lot not far from the Las Vegas Strip. One guard was so shaken he said he left the job shortly afterward and moved to a new line of work altogether.

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Las Vegas police officer found guilty in string of brazen casino heists could get life sentence

U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon acknowledged that Rogers struggled with a gambling addiction and financial troubles and credited him with service to the community, and sentenced him to less than a possible maximum of 22 years. The judge ordered Rogers to serve an additional three years of supervised release after prison and to pay $85,310 in restitution to the casinos.

Rogers was a patrol officer at the time of the robberies, which targeted casinos off the Strip beginning in November 2021. A jury found Rogers guilty in July of all three robberies.

Las Vegas police officers brother testifies against him, says they rehearsed for $73k casino heist

Richard Pocker, Rogers lawyer, said they plan to appeal the convictions to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. He called the U.S. governments evidence linking his client to two of the robberies weak.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said Tuesday that Rogers job status will be determined by an internal investigation that has not yet been completed.

Throughout Rogers weeklong trial, prosecutors portrayed him as a gambling addict who grew increasingly desperate under a crush of debt. They say he recruited his younger brother to help him rob a casino in Summerlin, an affluent community in northwest Las Vegas.

Josiah Rogers testified under immunity from prosecution, recounting details of robbing a cashier at the Red Rock Casino in November 2021.

He said the brothers rehearsed for the pre-dawn robbery, scoped out the property and used code words in an encrypted messaging app to communicate their plans. Afterward, Josiah Rogers said, they spread the money across the dining table in their shared apartment, counting out $73,810.

Josiah Rogers said he kept $30,000 and moved the following week back to their hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

Caleb Rogers also was convicted of also robbing the Aliante Casino Hotel Spa in North Las Vegas of about $11,500 on Jan. 6, 2022.

About seven weeks later, prosecutors said Rogers stormed the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casinos sportsbook, shoved a cashier in her 60s out of his way and threatened to use a gun while he shoveled $79,000 into a drawstring bag hidden inside his jacket.

Within minutes, Rogers was tackled by a group of security guards outside the casino, sending a wig hed been wearing flying off his head.

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The last words of a six-year-old Muslim boy stabbed to death in a suspected hate crime over the weekend were "Mom, I'm fine", his uncle said as hundreds gathered to lay the child to rest.

On Monday, the Mosque Foundation in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview was overflowing, with some paying their respects on the pavement outside.

Police say Wadea al-Fayoume was attacked because he was Muslim. His funeral was held as the family's landlord appeared in court charged with the boy's murder. The 71-year-old suspect was allegedly upset about the Israel-Hamas war.

Mourners came from all over the area, some from much farther away, to express their grief and anger over the killing.

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Wadea's mother, 32-year-old Hanaan Shahin, was seriously injured in the attack and was unable to attend her son's funeral as she is recovering in hospital.

"I'm shocked but I'm not surprised," said Sadia Nawab, a mother-of-three who lives near the mosque. "We're worried about our children, and more worried about the powerless kids around the world that are in Palestine now, that are in Gaza."

Mourners prayed outside the mosque where the funeral was held

Ms Nawab said local schools had taken extra precautions because of events in Israel and Gaza. And in a theme that many mourners repeated, she accused government leaders and media organisations of being biased against Palestinians and encouraging an atmosphere of hate.

An uncle and family spokesman, Yousef Hannon, said that before the killing "there was no signs of anything wrong" between the alleged perpetrator, Joseph Czuba, and the victims.

The boy and his mother lived in two rented rooms in a house owned by Mr Czuba, who had even come to Wadea's birthday just a few weeks ago, Mr Hannon said.

"He was friendly to the whole family, but especially to the kid, who he treated like a grandson," Mr Hannon told the BBC. "He brought him gifts, he brought him some toys."

Mr Hannon said Wadea "loved his school, loved his teachers, loved his mother".

"He loved life," he said. "He was acting like a normal six-year-old child, always with a smile."

Another uncle, Mahmoud Yousef, said: "When he [Wadea] was stabbed his last words to his mom were, 'Mom, I'm fine.' You know what, he is fine. He's in a better place."

A prosecutor said in a court filing that the landlord was angry at Wadea's mother "for what was going on in Jerusalem".

"She responded to him, 'Let's pray for peace,'" wrote Assistant State's Attorney Michael Fitzgerald. "Czuba then attacked her with a knife."

More on Israel Gaza war

Prosecutors say Mr Czuba had been listening to conservative talk radio and had become increasingly paranoid about the presence of the Palestinian-American family in his home. Wadea was born in the US after his mother came to the country 12 years ago.

According to court documents, Mr Czuba's wife told police that her husband feared they would be attacked by people of Middle Eastern descent and, worrying that catastrophe would strike the US power grid, had withdrawn $1,000 (820) from a bank.

On Saturday morning, police were called to his house in Plainfield, Illinois, about 40 miles (64km) south-west of Chicago.

According to text messages shared by the family with the local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair), Mr Czuba attempted to choke Ms Shahin and said: "You Muslims must die."

Mr Czuba appeared in court on Monday charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and two hate crime counts.

Dressed in red jail clothes and with matted, white hair, he was held without bail and ordered to have no contact with Ms Shahin. He spoke only briefly to confirm that he would need a court-ordered public defender and that he understood the charges against him, before he was shackled and led back to the county jail.

Separately, the US Department of Justice said it was opening a hate crimes investigation.

On Monday, the yard outside Mr Czuba's house, one of a row of homes along a busy road, was dotted with handmade signs and wooden crosses. Piles of children's toys were visible in the backyard, evidence of the play area that family members said the landlord had built for the boy.

After the arrest, neighbours created a makeshift memorial outside the house, with stuffed animals, a Spider-Man pillow, balloons and a sign that read: "Rest in peace precious boy!"

Wooden crosses outside the house where the stabbings occurred

There was a heavy security presence at the funeral, which was held in a neighbourhood known as Little Palestine. In this corner of the suburb of Bridgeview, local shops have signs in both English and Arabic and businesses fly the Palestinian and American flags side by side.

"This child should be in school and instead we are here today for his funeral," said Syed Khan, vice-chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed by Hamas since it launched an unprecedented attack on 7 October. Israel says at least 199 people are being held hostage in Gaza.

In Gaza, more than 2,700 people have died in Israeli retaliatory strikes.

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U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over Donald Trump 's trial on federal charges related to his attempted reversal of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, yesterday imposed a gag order that bars the former president from "publicly targeting" witnesses, prosecutors, or court personnel. Trump lawyer John Lauro vigorously opposed the order on First Amendment grounds, saying it would stop his client from "speak[ing] truth to oppression." While that characterization exaggerates the order's impact, constraining the speech of a criminal defendant, especially one who is in the midst of a presidential campaign, does raise largely unsettled constitutional issues.

Chutkan's order was provoked by Trump's habit of vilifying anyone who crosses him, including Special Counsel Jack Smith ("deranged"), the prosecutors he oversees (a "team of thugs"), and Chutkan herself (a "highly partisan" and "biased, Trump Hating Judge"). "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I'M COMING AFTER YOU!" Trump wrote on Truth Social after his indictment in this case. The next day, The New York Times notes, "a Texas woman left a voice mail message for Judge Chutkan, saying, 'If Trump doesn't get elected in 2024, we are coming to kill you, so tread lightly.'"

The Times sees that threat as evidence that "some of the former president's more outrageous statements seem to have had real-world consequences." Similarly, the Associated Press notes, "a top prosecutor on Smith's team received intimidating communications after being singled out by Trump."

Earlier this month, Justice Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the New York civil fraud case against Trump, barred him from making personal attacks on court staff after Trump posted a photograph of Engoron's law clerk, Allison Greenfield, alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.). Trump mockingly called Greenfield "Schumer's girlfriend."

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Trump also has gone after witnesses. "Before Georgia's former Republican lieutenant governor, Geoff Duncan, testified before the Atlanta grand jury that later indicted Trump and 18 others," The Wall Street Journal notes, "the former president warned him not to, calling him a 'loser' and a 'nasty disaster' on Truth Social."

This background illuminates Chutkan's concern that Trump's inflammatory statements might intimidate witnesses or otherwise compromise his trial. But she emphasized that Trump is still free to criticize the Justice Department, provided he does not engage in a "smear campaign" against prosecutors or court staff. "No other criminal defendant would be allowed to do so, and I'm not going to allow it in this case," Chutkan said. Trump "can argue that this prosecution is politically motivated," she added, but he cannot "vilify and implicitly encourage violence against public servants who are simply doing their jobs."

Chutkan, in short, expects Trump to act less like Trump and more like a person with a modicum of sense, propriety, and responsibility. "In advance of trials," the Journal notes, "most defendants are concerned about reducing their jail time or getting a good plea deal, so they don't argue about the restrictions judges routinely place on their speech rights to protect witnesses, preserve an unbiased jury pool and assure a fair hearing of the case. Lawyers' standard advice to clients is to keep quiet, avoid antagonizing the judge and let the legal team make all the public statements about the case." But Trump "regularly flouts that advice and appears prepared to litigate to aggressively defend his right to keep doing so."

Largely because criminal defendants typically do not behave this way, the Journal says, "there are few clear precedents to guide judges on how to ensure a fair and orderly trial while protecting Trump's free-speech rights as he seeks to reclaim his old office and defend his public reputation.The legality of pretrial restrictions and how they intersect with the First Amendment rights of defendants remains an underdeveloped area of the law because so few defendants have either the incentive or the financial resources to aggressively assert their free-speech rights while defending themselves against the underlying charges."

Lauro plans to appeal Chutkan's gag order. "He is allowed to make statements the prosecution doesn't like," he said during Monday's hearing. "That's part of living with the First Amendment."

In 1987, Trump's lawyers note, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit rejected a gag order imposed on Rep. Harold E. Ford Sr. (DTenn.), who was facing corruption charges. That order prohibited Ford from making any "extrajudicial statement that a reasonable person would expect to be disseminated by means of public communication," including any "opinion of or discussion of the evidence and facts in the investigation or case," any statement about a prosecutor, any statement about "any alleged motive the government may have had in filing the indictment," or any statement "which relates to any opinion as tothe merits of the case."

The appeals court noted that "any restrictive order involving a prior restraint upon First Amendment freedoms is presumptively void and may be upheld only on the basis of a clear showing that an exercise of First Amendment rights will interfere with the rights of the parties to a fair trial." It concluded that the order against Ford "is clearly overbroad and fails to meet the clear and present danger standard in the context of a restraint on a defendant in a criminal trial."

Federal appeals courts are split on whether to apply that standard in this context, with some opting for a less demanding test requiring a "substantial likelihood" or "reasonable likelihood" of material prejudice to a trial. In any case, the order against Ford was much broader than the one that Chutkan issued on Monday, and the language that the 6th Circuit approved more closely resembles the restrictions on Trump. The appeals court redefined the prohibited extrajudicial statements to include, among other things, attacks on the "character" or "reputation" of "potential witnesses" or any "attorney associated with the prosecution or defense."

Despite the relatively narrow terms of Chutkan's order, Trump portrayed it as prohibiting the sort of speech that she said it allows. "They put a gag order on me, and I'm not supposed to be talking about things that bad people do, and so we'll be appealing very quickly," he said at a campaign stop in Iowa. "I'll be the only politician in history where I won't be allowed to criticize people."

Through a spokesman, Trump called Chutkan's order an "an absolute abomination." Trump himself said "A TERRIBLE THING HAPPENED TO DEMOCRACY TODAY." But he immediately took advantage of it. The order "isn't about gagging me," he wrote in an email to supporters. "It's an attempt to gag the American people." Then he asked for "a contribution of any amount."

The post The Latest Trump Gag Order Is Relatively Narrow but Still Raises Constitutional Questions appeared first on Reason.com.
This 2020 photo provided by the family shows Anthony Talotta and his cousin's wife, Shelly Lagrotteria, cooking together during a visit in Pittsburgh. Talotta's family was working with attorneys to get the 57-year-old autistic man out of the Allegheny County Jail, where he had been taken on September 10, 2022 after a physical altercation with a staff member at the group home where he lived. But 11 days after he arrived at the jail, Talotta died from what his family says was a treatable and preventable infection from a wound he had received during the altercation at the group home. (Courtesy of Family via AP)

Eleven days after 57-year-old Anthony Talotta arrived at a Pittsburgh jail, he died from what his family says was a treatable and preventable infection from a foot wound. Talotta, who had autism and developmental disabilities, had been brought to the jail after a fight with a staff member at the group home where he lived.

In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, Talotta's family alleges doctors and medical staff at the Allegheny County Jail provided substandard care. The lawsuit claims jail policies prohibiting prisoners with mental illness or developmental disabilities from being housed in the medical unit violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by creating a system that makes it harder for them to get adequate medical care.

The lawsuit also notes that at least 17 people died at the medically-understaffed jail in a two-and-a-half year timeframe from March 2020 to September 2022, the majority of whom had mental health or chronic medical needs.

"This lawsuit is intended not only to find full and fair justice for Anthony, but it is also intended to find justice for the individuals who came before him and took their last breaths at the Allegheny County Jail as well and to protect those who enter that jail after them, said Alec Wright, an attorney representing Talotta's family along with attorneys at the Abolitionist Law Center.

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The lawsuit names the Allegheny Health Network, which is the contracted jail medical care provider; Allegheny County and Medical Director Donald W. Stechschulte. The lawsuit also names treating physician Wilson Bernales, who had had his medical license revoked or suspended in eight states. The lawsuit further names the unknown staffing agency that screened and hired Bernales.

The lawsuit alleges negligence in hiring Bernales without thoroughly researching his license issues in other states. It also alleges denial or delay of medical care, lack of supervision and training, wrongful death and discrimination.

Allegheny County and the Allegheny Health Network both declined requests for comment.

Bernales, who now lives in Nevada, said he has never had any malpractice issues and called the medical license issues in other states administrative concerns.

The family's attorneys disputed Bernales' account of his license issues, noting several states in publicly available discipline proceedings questioned his competence and skill as a physician. In the complaint, they note one state board wrote Bernales failed to meet his burden of proving that he is able to safely, skillfully and competently practice medicine.

Attorneys for Talotta's family said the jail's medical staff was aware of both Talotta's injury, which included fractures, a torn ligament and blistering from burns, and that because of his autism and intellectual disabilities he was unable to communicate his medical needs or care for himself.

Jeff Lagrotteria, Talotta's cousin, said Anthony called him from the jail but never mentioned his injury.

He just said he was scared and asked how he was going to get out of that place ... so that's what we were working on," Lagrotteria said, adding that no one from the group home or the jail told him about the injury, either. For years, he was taken care of by the group homes, and there were no issues. As soon as he gets into the jail, he got treated so horribly he died within days."

Talotta was taken to a hospital twice as his injuries worsened, according to the lawsuit. He was ordered not to put weight on his foot, but jail staff removed a walking boot and took away his crutches because those devices were not allowed in the mental health unit.

The hospital also prescribed antibiotics and daily dressing changes and wound care. But the antibiotics were never provided, jail staff confiscated the medical supplies given to him by hospital doctors and jail medical staff never performed any wound care, the lawsuit alleges.

On Sept. 20, Talotta was found clutching his chest and unable to speak, from what attorneys assert was sepsis. Bernales gave Talotta a Benadryl for allergies and sent him back to his cell, where he was found a few hours later frothing at the mouth and unresponsive, according to medical records cited in the lawsuit. He was taken to the hospital where he died the next day.

Speaking to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Bernales challenged that narrative and the medical records, saying Talotta was allowed to keep the wound care supplies. He said no prisoners are allowed to have items like the boot or crutches since they could be made into weapons.

It's not like a hospital. I can't just go to the patient's cell and provide care. If the corrections officers say we don't have enough staff to bring him out of his cell to get care, then I have to listen, Bernales said.

Talotta did not have any brothers or sisters, and his parents spent most of their lives ensuring he would be taken care of when they died, setting up a trust so his needs were met. He spent his time with all of his cousins in their big Italian family, becoming the official sausage tier when they would gather to stuff homemade sausages. He also enjoyed going to the zoo or to the movies, getting most excited about the popcorn.

Nothing can bring Anthony back," said cousin Tina Talotta. "But I just feel that if my aunt Lena was still here, she would want other people taken care of, that this never happen to anyone else.
ATLANTA - Defense attorneys and prosecutors sparred Monday over questions for potential jurors who have to report later this week for the trial of Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, who are accused along with former President Donald Trump and others of illegally trying to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.

Lawyers for Powell and Chesebro met with prosecutors and the judge overseeing the case to hash out what will be asked on a lengthy questionnaire when the first group of 450 prospective jurors arrives at the courthouse on Friday.

Whether that should include questions about their opinions about potential witnesses, the other defendants and issues that go to the heart of the case dominated that discussion.

Powell and Chesebro were indicted in Fulton County in August along with Trump and 16 others, accused of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to keep Trump, the Republican incumbent, in the White House even though he had lost the presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden. All 19 defendants initially pleaded not guilty, but one pleaded guilty last month to five misdemeanor charges after reaching a deal with prosecutors. Trump and the remaining 15 will not be tried with Powell and Chesebro, and a trial date has not yet been set for them.

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Powell and Chesebro, both attorneys, each exercised their right to demand a speedy trial, and Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee set their trial to begin Oct. 23. In a later order, the judge wrote that individual questioning of prospective jurors would begin on that date but that 450 people would be summoned to the courthouse this Friday, Oct. 20, to complete a juror questionnaire under oath.

Powell is accused of participating in a breach of election equipment in rural Coffee County . She's alleged to have hired and paid a computer forensics team that copied data and software from the election equipment without authorization.

Chesebro is accused of working on the coordination and execution of a plan to have 16 Georgia Republicans sign a certificate declaring falsely that Trump won and declaring themselves the state's "duly elected and qualified" electors.

During Monday's hearing, the judge walked through parts of the draft juror questionnaire, focusing mostly on parts where one side or the other had made changes and where there were disagreements between the two sides. He said he still needed to think about some issues and would send the parties a final questionnaire later in the week.

Rather than asking whether prospective jurors can be fair and impartial toward Powell and Chesebro, defense attorneys proposed asking about their specific opinions on the two. Most people, when asked if they can be fair and impartial, will instinctively say yes, Powell attorney Brian Rafferty told the judge.

McAfee expressed concern about sections that he said asked prospective jurors to give a favorability rating for the other defendants in the case and some of the expected state witnesses. Prosecutor Alex Bernick also objected to that section, saying the other defendants are not on trial. Rafferty argued that prosecutors, citing the racketeering charge all defendants face, have said they intend to present their whole case.

Both sides agreed potential jurors could be asked about pressures from the community or whether they would feel nervous or anxious about returning any verdict out of concern for how the public might respond. The judge noted that a potential juror's answer wouldn't necessarily be disqualifying but acknowledged the parties might want to consider that information in striking jurors.

Defense attorneys also wanted to include a string of questions about whether potential jurors believe Trump and his associates tried to steal the election and what they think about people who spread misinformation or tried to help overturn the election. Bernick argued those questions were basically meant to test defense theory and see what jurors are receptive to before putting on their case.

Chesebro attorney Scott Grubman said he could see why such questions might be barred in a normal case, but he argued that this case is unprecedented and "has no parallels in American or Georgia jurisprudence."

McAfee seemed unconvinced, saying the questions seemed to cross a "hard line in the sand" against asking prospective jurors whether they think someone is guilty or not.

In his order separating Powell and Chesebro's cases from the others, McAfee said he will try to have their jury seated and sworn by Nov. 3, "to eliminate any doubts that the statutory speedy trial deadline has been met." Under Georgia law, a defendant who files a demand for a speedy trial has a right to have a trial begin within the court term when the demand is filed or in the next court term. Court terms in Fulton County are two months long and begin the first Monday in January, March, May, July, September and November.

During a hearing last month, McAfee said that starting Oct. 23, they will bring prospective jurors in in panels of 14 to be questioned individually. For each panel, the judge will ask questions to determine whether jurors have qualifying hardships that would keep them from being able to serve as a juror. Then each party - the two defendants and the district attorney's office - will have one hour per panel of 14 prospective jurors to ask questions.

Ideally, McAfee said, they will have one panel of 14 in the morning and another panel of 14 after lunch each day. To ensure that they have enough potential jurors, McAfee has requested that another 450 people be brought in on Oct. 27 to fill out questionnaires.


Embattled developer Location Ventures is no longer leasing retail space from Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, the mayor said, severing a financial relationship that connected Lago to a planned luxury condo tower that the firms former CEO had planned to build across the street.

Lago told the Miami Herald on Friday that he and Location Ventures mutually agreed about two or three weeks ago to terminate the developers lease agreement for the retail space at 1424 Ponce de Leon Blvd. The developer  which is currently liquidating its assets, and whose former CEO Rishi Kapoor is under the scrutiny of federal investigators  had planned to use the former martial arts studio as a sales center showroom for its upcoming development project at 1505 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

We came to an agreement  both parties  to separate because of the situation that theyre having, and they did not want to proceed, so we came to an agreement and we walked away, Lago said in an interview Friday. Sometimes its better to walk away from a situation.

Neither Kapoor nor lawyers for Location Ventures responded to the Heralds request for comment on the matter.

An aerial view of the grassy lot located at 1505 Ponce de Leon Blvd. on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Coral Gables, Fla. A Location Ventures-related entity purchased the lot for about $35.5 million late last year, with plans to build a luxury condo tower on the land. Last summer, developer Rishi Kapoor began renting the building directly across the street, bottom center, from Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, with plans to use it as a sales center showroom for the 1505 Ponce project. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com

The apparent termination of the lease agreement occurred after Location Ventures 10% stake in the project was bought out by two other investors this summer, according to former Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Alan Fine, who is overseeing the companys liquidation.

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READ MORE: FBI investigates developers payments to Miamis mayor as SEC digs into companys finances

Lago and Location Ventures

The lease agreement for 1424 Ponce began more than a year ago, shortly after Lago and a small group of investors purchased the 1424 Ponce property last May. During that same time period, Location Ventures was seeking City Hall approvals for the 1505 Ponce project.

Lago, who recused himself last year from votes on Location Ventures projects, previously told the Herald that Kapoor was one of several potential tenants who approached the 1424 Ponce owners about renting the retail space. He said the decision to rent to Location Ventures was unrelated to the 1505 Ponce project.

Details about the mayors lease agreement with Kapoor emerged after a lawsuit from a former Location Ventures employee revealed a previously-undisclosed consulting agreement between Kapoor and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez  an arrangement thats prompted an FBI investigation. In addition to the FBI, the Securities and Exchange Commission, along with the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office and county ethics investigators, have launched inquiries into Kapoor, his business and his consulting arrangement with Suarez, both of whom have denied wrongdoing.

The lease agreement wasnt the only factor tying Lago to Kapoors 1505 Ponce project. Until recently, the mayor hung his real estate license at a boutique brokerage called Rosa Commercial Real Estate, which netted a $640,000 commission from the sale of 1505 Ponce in late 2022. Lago said he had no involvement in the sale.

Lago first joined Rosa Commercial Real Estate on June 30, 2022, according to state records. Two days earlier, the Coral Gables City Commission approved Kapoors 1505 Ponce project, with Lago abstaining from the vote.

READ MORE: Coral Gables mayor and an arrested lobbyist exit from politically connected brokerage

Lago left the brokerage last month, days after one of the other five real estate agents registered at the time with the brokerage, William Bill Riley Jr., was arrested on corruption charges alongside Miami City Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla.

Lago said he is vetting a few brokerages right now, and that he hopes to join one that is untethered to South Florida politics.

Im trying to find the largest international or national broker that I can find where I dont have one contact, Lago said, where nobody knows me, and I can just place my license there, continue to conduct business and be in a position where, again, none of this is local, none of these people know each other, nobodys involved in anything that deals with politics, nobodys involved in anything here.
At least 15 journalists were killed in the Israel-Hamas war, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported in a statement Monday.

Of the 15 journalists killed since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israels southern border on Oct. 7, 11 were Palestinian, three were Israeli and one was Lebanese.

An additional eight journalists were injured, and three were reported missing or detained, the statement said. Not all journalists were confirmed to be working when the casualties occurred.

The statement stressed the high risks journalists currently face in Gaza, as Israel prepares for a possible ground offensive and has released a barrage of airstrikes on the strip.

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The statement also indicated that the organization was investigating reports of threats to journalists and of damage to media offices.

CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties, Sherif Mansour, CPJs Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, said in the statement released Monday.

Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heartbreaking conflict. All parties must take steps to ensure their safety, Mansour continued.

CPJ published a list of journalists confirmed dead in the war, along with information about them and the details surrounding their deaths, injuries or abductions.

Since the war began, more than 4,000 people have died.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The health ministry in Gaza, ruled by Hamas militants at war with Israel, said at least 200 people were killed (JOSEPH EID)

Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement Tuesday called for a "day of rage" to condemn a strike on a Gaza Strip hospital as hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the French and US embassies in protest.

Hezbollah, an ally of Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, blamed the hospital attack on Israel, calling it a "massacre" and a "brutal crime", while Israel's army blamed a rocket misfired by Islamic Jihad, another Gaza-based militant group.

The health ministry in Gaza, ruled by Hamas militants at war with Israel, said at least 200 people were killed in an Israeli strike on the hospital where displaced people had sheltered in the coastal enclave.

"Let tomorrow, Wednesday, be a day of rage against the enemy," Hezbollah said in a statement, calling on fellow Muslims and Arabs to "move immediately to streets and squares to express intense anger".

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The call came as hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the embassy of the United States in the suburb of Awkar, north of the capital, where they chanted "death to America" and "death to Israel", according to AFP correspondents.

Lebanese security forces fired tear gas to disperse protesters who hurled stones towards the embassy, many of them covering their faces with Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, the correspondents said.

Hundreds also gathered at the French embassy in Beirut, raising Palestinian flags and also hurling stones which piled up at the embassy's main entrance.

Palestinian refugee camps in the southern cities of Sidon and Tyre also erupted in anger as Palestinian factions in Lebanon called for mass rallies on Wednesday to condemn the hospital strike.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati declared Wednesday a national day of mourning.

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Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio is the latest Republican nominee for speaker of the House. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

To the editor: As the Republican majority in the House compounds its irrelevance by not electing a speaker, the burden of leading the nation out of this morass falls on House Democrats. If they simply select a moderate Republican, then it should be easy to coax a dozen or so Republican votes to reach the 217 needed to elect that speaker.

The Democratic Party voting bloc removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), and now it appears poised to prevent the election of a replacement. Their choice is to watch this debacle continue, or do something to end it.

Is there the courage in either party to work across the aisle in order to prevent the disastrous consequences of this legislative paralysis?

Raymond Roth, Oceanside

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..

To the editor: Unless Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) agrees with the sentence, "Donald J. Trump lost the 2020 election fairly," he should not be considered at all for the House speakership.

How dare any member of Congress vote for a man who aided an insurrection against the government he now wants to help lead?

Carolyn Chriss, Sherman Oaks

..

To the editor: The MAGA members of Congress sure have a funny way of owning the liberals.

This chaos in the House offends not just Democrats, but independents and moderate Republicans as well. Most of these voters wonder what happened to the (formerly) Grand Old Party.

Their infantile behavior will get Republican candidates spanked in next year's election.

James Vernon, Covina

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Israel's military carried out airstrikes in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 12, 2023. (Hatem Ali / Associated Press)

To the editor: It is beyond heartbreaking and disappointing to see the double standards held by U.S. leaders on Israel and Palestine.

Discussing the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said that any country "faced with what Israel has suffered would likely do the same." Does Blinken therefore believe the Palestinians should retaliate for what they have been suffering the last 75 years and increasingly the last 18 months?

The Palestinians have been dehumanized, had their homes and land stolen from them and have been caged in, their movements restricted and their ability to earn a livelihood limited. Innocent civilians have been killed by the Israel Defense Forces. The U.S. must recognize these atrocities and stop the genocide.

The U.S. needs to stand against racial colonialism and speak against the aggression committed against the Palestinians. The U.S. should stand for justice for all, no matter a people's race or religion.

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Asma Farukhi, Buena Park

..

To the editor: War is hell. As a fellow human, I have a great deal of sympathy for the fear that Palestinian-British writer Emad Moussa is feeling for the safety of his loved ones in Gaza.

But for Moussa to imply that the trajectory of Israels actions points to a potential genocide simply defies reason.

Bombing an area is an act of war, not genocide. Dropping leaflets urging civilians to evacuate an area so their lives will be spared (an approach that Israel's foes certainly do not take) is not genocide.

It is Hamas, with its stated aim of killing Jews and its unspeakably horrific actions on Oct. 7, that is genocidal. It is Hamas, with its long history of using the Palestinian people as human shields, including urging Gazans not to evacuate now, that is genocidal.

Moussa and those demonstrating in support of this terrorist organization need to come to terms with this fact.

Linda Coss, Lake Forest

..

To the editor: Hamas is a barbaric organization. On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making an enormous mistake.

In the process of invading Gaza in order to destroy Hamas, Israeli forces will inadvertently kill thousands of innocent people. This will only produce future recruits to a reconstructed Hamas or whatever other organization arises with the goal of destroying Israel.

I'm afraid we are in for a prolonged and probably vastly expanded conflict that could eventually involve the U.S.

Marc Weiner, Ladera Ranch

..

To the editor: Since Oct. 7, I have followed with heartbreaking sadness the deaths, injuries and destruction that have ensued. I pray for an end to this violence.

As a Black American who participated in the 1960s civil rights revolution, I have a deep personal concern about the evil nature of racial and religious hatred wherever it rears its ugly head in our world.

I was already greatly distressed about the war in Ukraine and also the conflicts in Africa that seem to be endless with the loss of precious human life that results.

The American civil rights revolution glaringly revealed the deep levels of racial hatred that existed in our own country and that unfortunately still exist. The worldwide conflicts of today are no less revealing.

My prayer is that we all learn to be more tolerant of our differences, recognize our similarities and live in peace and harmony.

Roberta Jones-Booker, Los Angeles

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Russians have completely lost the ability to counterattack south of Bakhmut after the liberation of the village of Andriyivka, the commander of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, Andriy Biletsky, said in an interview with NVs sister publication Ukrainska Pravda published on Oct. 17.

Asked whether the occupiers logistics had worsened after the loss of Andriyivka and control over the adjacent railway tracks, Biletsky replied that the problems for the Russians went far beyond that.

Read also: Ukrainian military wont allow mass rotation of Russian troops on Bakhmut frontline, says unit commander

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"I would say this: it's not just logistics that have deteriorated  they have completely lost any possibility of a counterattack south of Bakhmut. At least for now."

Read also: Russia launching heaviest eastern Ukraine offensive in 9 months, UK intel says

Since gaining control of the railway tracks, Ukrainian forces have been in a favorable defensive position.

"We are standing there and have the ability to calmly repel any attacks. It is impossible to launch another offensive campaign towards, say, Kostyantynivka  Druzhkivka in current configuration (of positions), Biletsky said.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced a few hundred of meters in certain directions south of Bakhmut and are continuing their offensive operation, the Ukrainian militarys Eastern Grouping spokesperson, Illya Yevlash, said on Oct. 12.

He said earlier that heavy fighting was taking place in the area near the railway tracks in the Bakhmut sector.

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
MONROVIA (Reuters) - Liberia's presidential election was still on track for a run-off on Tuesday after nearly complete provisional results showed President George Weah and opposition leader Joseph Boakai neck-and-neck, below the threshold needed to avoid a second round.

Following the Oct. 10 general election, Weah holds a slim lead with 43.79% of the vote, while Boakai has 43.49%, according to tallied results from 98.4% of polling places, the West African nation's election commission said.

To avoid a run-off, the winner must secure more than 50% of votes cast.

(Reporting by Carielle Doe and Alphonso Toweh, Writing by Alessandra Prentice)
Lithuania's military has started repairing German-made Leopard tanks damaged on Ukraine's front lines, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry reported on Oct. 17.

"Tanks will be returned to the battlefield once their technical capability is restored," the ministry wrote on X (formerly Twitter). It didn't specify how many vehicles are being repaired in the country.

Earlier, Lithuania repaired and returned to Ukraine German-provided PzH2000 Howitzers damaged in action.

Lithuanian specialists also trained the first group of 18 Ukrainian mechanics to repair the howitzers, "which lose their technical characteristics due to intensive use," according to the country's military.

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Poland has also been repairing German-made Leopard battle tanks used in Ukraine. On Oct. 2, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) announced that Kyiv had received the first package of Leopard 2 tanks after the repairs.

According to Forbes, only five of Ukraine's Leopard 2 tanks have been destroyed during the ongoing counteroffensive as of Aug. 28. The losses reportedly occurred in the early weeks of the counteroffensive on the southern front line near the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Read also: Can Ukraine maintain and optimally use its modern Western tanks?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Palestinians wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip for treatment in a hospital in Khan Younis, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

A massive explosion at a hospital in Gaza City killed hundreds of people Tuesday, Hamas said, after intensifying bombardments near towns in southern Gaza rattled civilians where Israel had ordered them to take refuge. Hamas attributed the blast to an Israeli airstrike, but the Israeli military said it was not involved and the explosion was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

Hamas' military wing also said an Israeli airstrike on a refuge camp killed a top Hamas commander.

Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which has the territorys only border crossing to Egypt. Mediators are pressing for an agreement to let aid in and refugees with foreign passports out. The U.S. hoped to break a deadlock with President Joe Biden set to head to the region on Wednesday, but a planned summit in Jordan was postponed.

Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege that followed a Hamas attack on Israel.

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The war that began Oct. 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,778 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.

Currently:

Here's what's happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:

ISLAMIC JIHAD GROUP DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR HOSPITAL BLAST

JERUSALEM  The Palestinain Islamic Jihad group denied Israel's claim that it was behind the deadly blast at Al-Ahli hospital. It accused Israel of trying hard to evade responsibility for the brutal massacre it committed.

The accusations promoted by the enemy are baseless, Islamic Jihad said, adding that the group does not use places of worship or public facilities, especially hospitals, as military centers or weapons stores.

The group said details such as the angle of the bombs fall and the extent of destruction it left behind confirm it was similar to Israeli strikes.

4-WAY SUMMIT IN JORDAN OF BIDEN AND OTHER LEADERS CANCELED

AMMAN, Jordan  Jordan has called off a four-way summit scheduled for Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders, the countrys foreign minister told state-run television.

Ayman Safadi told al-Mamlaka TV that the war between Israel and Hammas was pushing the region to the brink and the summit would be postponed.

After visiting Israel Wednesday, Biden had planned to travel to Amman for the meeting.

The White House said Biden had hoped to use the summit to discuss the bloody Oct. 7 Hamas militant attack on Israel with the United States' Arab allies and the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited autonomy in parts of the occupied West Bank.

GRIEF, CONDEMNATION AFTER HUNDREDS KILLED AT GAZA HOSPITAL

JERUSALEM  Expressions of condemnation and grief are pouring in after hundreds of people were killed in an explosion at a Gaza City hospital that Hamas attributed to an Israeli airstrike but the Israeli military said was caused by a misfired militant rocket.

Countries such as Syria and Saudi Arabia blamed Israel for the blast, with Libyas Foreign Ministry accusing Israel of war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip. Iraq declared three days of mourning, and there were protests there and in Lebanon.

Egypts President, Abdul-Fattah el-Sissi, condemned what he called Israels deliberate bombing of Ahli Arab hospital and a clear violation of international law ... and humanity.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that his country condemns the attack on the Al-Ahli Arabi hospital and there's no justification for targeting a hospital or civilians.

Richard Peeperkorn, World Health Organization representative for the West Bank and Gaza, expressed our deepest grief at the horror that has unfolded, calling it unprecedented even in a region that has seen consistent attacks on healthcare.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement that it was shocked and horrified by reports that Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza was destroyed.

The United Arab Emirates and Russia called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.

ISRAEL DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN BOMBING OF GAZA CITY HOSPITAL

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military says it had no involvement in an explosion that killed hundreds of people at a Gaza City hospital and that the blast was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says an Israeli airstrike caused the blast, which killed some 500 people, many of whom had sought shelter from an ongoing Israeli offensive.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital.

Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch, it said.

Islamic Jihad is a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often cooperates with Hamas in their shared struggle against Israel.

VIDEOS AND PHOTOS CAPTURE SCENE AT GAZA CITY HOSPITALS

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  A chaotic scene unfolded at Al Shifa hospital Tuesday night as Palestinians injured in a blast at another hospital in Gaza City arrived for treatment.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike killed at least 500 people at al-Ahli Hospital. Israeli authorities denied involvement, saying the explosion was caused by a militant rocket.

Photos purportedly taken at al-Ahli Hospital shared widely on social media showed fire engulfing the building, with bodies scattered among the wreckage. Those photos could not be independently verified.

Footage captured by The Associated Press showed ambulances and private cars converging on Al Shifa hospital, where medics and others rushed the injured inside on stretchers and a wheelchair.

One person had a bloody stump where their left leg was missing. Four men carried a body bag to a civil defense vehicle.

Inside Al Shifa, the wounded were laid out on bloody floors, screaming in pain, as shouting people surrounded them. Some of the injured were not moving. Workers in scrubs ran outside and sirens wailed as more Red Crescent ambulances arrived.

PALESTINIAN OFFICIAL DROPS OUT OF BIDEN MEETING CITING HOSPITAL AIRSTRIKE

RAMALLAH, West Bank  A senior Palestinian official says President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled his participation in a meeting scheduled Wednesday with President Joe Biden and other Mideast leaders.

Abbas was scheduled to join Jordans King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at Wednesdays summit in Amman, Jordan, where they are to discuss the Israel-Hamas war with Biden.

But the senior official said Abbas was withdrawing to protest an alleged Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that health officials say has killed over 500 people.

The president is very angry after the news of the Israeli massacre at the hospital in Gaza, and he decided to immediately return to Ramallah, the official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the cancelation has not been formally announced.

___

Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre contributed to this report from Jerusalem.

UN CHIEF TO DISCUSS PALESTINIAN AID DURING EGYPT VISIT

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will arrive in Cairo on Thursday, focused on reopening the Gaza border to allow in desperately needed aid for millions of Palestinians.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who made the announcement Tuesday, said the secretary-general will engage with Egyptian leaders including President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and speak at an international conference on Saturday hosted by the president.

This situation is becoming more than critical, he said. We are at a time of extreme tension, where were calling to move away from further escalation and any possible miscalculation.

RESIDENTS LINE UP TO COLLECT SCANT WATER SUPPLIES IN GAZA

NUSAIRAT, Gaza Strip  Palestinians desperate for water lined up to fill bottles and large jugs Tuesday at a desalination plant in Gaza.

Children and men took turns using a hose in Nusairat to fill containers that they hauled away using bicycles, a wheelchair and a cart pulled by a donkey.

Ismael Al-Hafi said people are rationing the water they can find and wait two or three days to clean themselves.

Gaza is in complete collapse, Al-Hafi said. There is no solar to operate the desalination plants. This means that you have to struggle to fill two gallons of water. This is suffering.

HAMAS SAYS HUNDREDS KILLED IN ISRAELI ATTACK ON GAZA CITY HOSPITAL

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  The Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip says at least 500 people have been killed in an explosion that it says was caused by an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City Hospital.

If confirmed, it would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

Israel's military later denied responsibility, saying the militant group Islamic Jihad was to blame.

Hamas authorities said most of the people killed were hospital patients and displaced families.

A new war crime committed by the (Israeli) occupation by bombing the Al-Ahli Hospital in the center of Gaza City, said Salama Marouf, a spokesperson for Hamas.  The hospital was housing hundreds of patients, wounded, and those forcibly displaced from their homes due to the strikes.

UNRWA SAYS AT LEAST SIX KILLED IN ATTACK ON SCHOOL IN GAZA

AMMAN  The U.N. agency for Palestinians says at least six people were killed when one of its schools in central Gaza Strip was hit Tuesday.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner General, said dozens of people were also injured, including agency staff, when the UNRWA school in the al-Maghazi refugee camp came under bombardment. He said the school -- which has served as a shelter for some 4,000 displaced people since the latest hostilities began -- is seriously damaged.

AP video of the aftermath shows where tank shells crashed through classroom walls, leaving concrete pockmarked by shrapnel and piles of rubble in the hallways. Blood was splattered on crumbling cinderblocks. Rooms where Palestinians had taken refuge were filled with debris and splintered school chairs.

ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE CHIEF ADMITS FAILURE IN HAMAS ATTACK

JERUSALEM  The unprecedented Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed over 1,300 Israelis and stunned the country was the result of a failure by Israels intelligence community and military, the nation's miliary intelligence chief said.

We did not fulfill our most important mission, and as the head of the Intelligence Directorate, I take full responsibility for the failure, Gen. Aharon Haliva, the intelligence chief, wrote in a letter to the Israeli military. The things that need to be investigated will be thoroughly investigated at the proper time, and conclusions will be drawn.

Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sent a similar admission to workers at the security service over the weekend, taking responsibility for the stunning operational failures and weaknesses that allowed Hamas to carry out its attack.

ISRAEL WARNS HEZBOLLAH AGAINST ESCALATING BORDER TENSIONS

JERUSALEM  Israel's military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi is threatening aggressive retaliation if the Lebanese group Hezbollah escalates tensions on their shared border.

This is a war on the home, Halvey said after meeting with Israeli troops near the northern border. If Hezbollah makes a mistake, it will be annihilated.

Clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli troops along the tense border have escalated in recent days but remain largely controlled and limited to several border towns.

WFP SENDS FOOD AID TO EGYPT FOR DELIVERY TO GAZA

ROME  The World Food Program says it has tons of aid arriving in Egypt from warehouses around the region, ready to enter Gaza.

The Rome-based agency warned earlier Tuesday that stores in Gaza only have four or five days worth of essential food stocks available.

Video provided by WFP showed crates of aid arriving by cargo plane at the Arisha airbase in Egypt from warehouses in Dubai, bound for the Rafah crossing. WFP said it has mobilized 310 metric tons (305 tons) of food so far.

WFPs Palestine country director, Samer Abdeljaber, said the agency is waiting for the green light to enter Gaza.

HAMAS' MILITARY WING SAYS TOP COMMANDER KILLED BY ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE

JERUSALEM  Hamas military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said Tuesday that an Israeli airstrike on the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed A top militant commander, Ayman Nofal.

Nofal is the most high-profile militant to be killed so far in Israeli bombardments on the Gaza Strip. Residents said the barrage of Israeli airstrikes leveled an entire block of homes and caused dozens more casualties.

The Israeli military says it is targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is followed by reporters as he walks to his office at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The House of Representatives has rejected Jim Jordan's nomination for speaker two weeks after the chamber ousted Kevin McCarthy from the top spot.

Jordan scrambled unsuccessfully to shore up the votes needed to clinch the speakership in the closely divided chamber. He could only afford to lose a few GOP votes to win the nod.

What to know

Jim Jordans rapid rise has been cheered by Trump and the far right

How the vote for a new speaker works

Scalise ends bid to become speaker as holdouts refuse to back him

McCarthy was an early architect of the GOP majority that became his downfall

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Speaker McCarthy ousted in historic House vote

Jordan loses first round of balloting on speaker vote

Jordan has come up short in the first round of voting for House speaker.

The Ohio congressman did even worse than Kevin McCarthy did on the first balloting of his election back in January.

Jordan lost 20 Republican votes, well more than the three he could spare to win the speaker's gavel.

More rounds of voting are expected as Jordan works to shore up support to replace McCarthy for the job and the leader of the GOPs hard-right flank moves to take a central seat of U.S. power. But it's unclear when the next vote will take place.

The Jordan holdouts are a mix of pragmatists, ranging from seasoned legislators and committee chairs worried about governing to newer lawmakers from districts where their voters back home prefer President Joe Biden to former President Donald Trump.

Jordan trying to sway holdouts

Jordan appears to be talking to some Republicans about switching their vote after he appears to come up short on the first round.

Twenty Republicans have voted against Jordan, an outcome way worse than his allies were hoping for.

For his part, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is smiling and joking with colleagues as he no longer bears the weight of cajoling them to unite. He had earlier predicted that Jordan would clinch the gavel on the first round.

The vote hasnt yet closed, and members can still change their ballots.

Scalise's vote for Jordan gets standing ovation

Republicans gave Rep. Steve Scalise a standing ovation after he cast his vote for Jordan for speaker.

Scalise was first nominated to the speakership last week before withdrawing his name when it became clear he would come up short.

But Scalise's support was likely cold comfort to Jordan, who is on the brink of losing the first round unless votes change before the end.

Fifteen Republicans have so far voted against Jordan. He could afford to lose no more than three votes and still win the speaker's gavel.

Jordan has lost a dozen Republican votes already

A dozen Republicans have now voted against Jordan for House speaker.

They have instead backed Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Steve Scalise, former Rep. Lee Zeldin or others. All the Democrats have voted for their leader, Hakeem Jeffries.

The voting continues.

Anti-Jordan GOP votes more than allies expected

The votes against Jordan for House speaker are looking to be more than his allies were expecting.

Jordan has so far lost nine GOP votes, well more than the three he could spare.

For now, it denies Jordan the speakers gavel, but votes can still be changed while the roll is being called.

Jordan on brink of defeat unless votes change

Jordan has now lost well over the three GOP votes he could spare in his quest to become House speaker.

For now, it denies Jordan the speakers gavel, but votes can still be changed while the roll is being called.

Reps. Don Bacon, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Anthony DEsposito, Mario Diaz-Balart and Jake Ellzey are among the Republicans who have voted against Jordan.

Loud murmurs arose after each of the votes for an alternative speaker, and were especially loud after Diaz-Balart cast a potentially decisive fourth vote against Jordan.

Oregon Republican is second GOP vote against Jordan

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon is now the second Republican to vote for McCarthy.

With one Republican absent Tuesday, Jordan cannot afford to lose more than three GOP votes.

She joined Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who was the first GOP lawmaker to vote for McCarthy.

One key holdout, Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., did not appear to be in the chamber when his name was called.

Buck has held out against supporting Jordan. He has said he wants Jordan to clearly state that Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election. He can still cast a vote at the end of the roll call.

Voting has begun

The roll call vote is underway.

With one Republican absent Tuesday, Jordan cannot afford to lose more than three GOP votes.

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska voted for Kevin McCarthy, the first Republican to break from Jordan. Murmurs rose after he voted.

Democrat calls Jordan an insurrection insider

Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar is nominating Hakeem Jeffries as House speaker.

In his remarks before Tuesday's vote, Aguilar pointedly called Jordan, the Republican pick for speaker, an insurrection insider.

The No. 3-ranked Democrat pointed to Jordans role in Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the fact that he has yet to pass a bill into law in his 16 years in office.

The chamber was lively during Aguilar's speech. He ticked through Jordan's record to note how he had consistently voted against government aid. The Democratic half of the chamber chanted, He said no! along with Aguilar.

Democrats gasp and groan over wrestling mention

A reference to Jordans wrestling career during Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik's nominating speech received an audible gasp and groan from Democrats across the aisle.

Stefanik said ahead of Tuesday's vote: Whether on the wrestling mat or in the committee room, Jim Jordan is strategic, scrappy, tough and principled.

Jordan has denied allegations from former wrestlers during his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University who accused him of knowing about claims they were inappropriately groped by an Ohio doctor. Jordan has said he was never aware of any abuse.

Stefanik calls Jordan a patriot in nominating speech

One of Trump's most fervent supporters in the House is nominating Jordan for House speaker.

Our colleague Jim Jordan is a patriot, said Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. Jim is the voice of the American people who have been left voiceless far too long.

Democrats are openly scoffing and jeering at certain points during Stefaniks speech.

McCarthy thinks Jordan has it

Arriving to the vote Tuesday, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters that he believes Jordan can clinch the gavel on the first ballot.

McCarthy had been helping Jordans lobbying efforts over the last week. The two men became close in recent years, and Jordan proved to be instrumental in the California Republican's becoming speaker in January.

Dressing the part

Jordan typically skips a suit jacket, but he was donning one Tuesday as his colleagues prepared to vote on whether to elect him House speaker.

The Ohio Republican's garb was a notable departure from his usual style as he shook hands with GOP lawmakers on the House floor.

Ahead of the election, he appeared to be short of the Republican votes needed to win the gavel, but he has sounded confident that he can pressure the holdouts to eventually vote for him.

Out of many may one emerge

Members of the House are getting settled in for what is expected to be multiple rounds of votes for speaker.

A handful of Republicans are still opposed to Jordan, but his allies think they will break from their opposition as they go through multiple rounds and come under intense pressure to elect a speaker.

The House chaplain, Margaret Kibben, gave an opening prayer alluding to the upcoming vote. On this day of choice, give us the vision to see how you have picked each one, she said. Out of many may one emerge.

Rep. Patrick McHenry is presiding over the chamber. He was abruptly appointed as speaker pro tempore last week following the unprecedented ouster of Kevin McCarthy from the top spot.

House is gaveling into session

The House is gaveling into session at noon and beginning with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Then work will get underway on a House speakership vote.

To seize the gavel, Jordan will need almost the full majority of his colleagues behind him in a House floor vote, as Democrats are certain to back their own nominee, Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

With the House Republican majority narrowly held at 221-212, he can only afford to lose a few votes to reach the 217 majority threshold, if there are no absences. While eight hard-right ousted McCarthy, the holdouts this time range from seasoned legislators worried about governing, to newer lawmakers from swing districts whose voters prefer Biden to Trump.

Trump says Jordan will be GREAT Speaker

Donald Trump is reupping his support of his top ally in the House ahead of the vote for speaker.

Jim Jordan will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, the former president said on social media.

Trump also reiterated his backing of Jordan while appearing Tuesday morning at his civil fraud trial in New York. Trump described the 59-year-old Jordan as a fantastic young man who loves our country.

He said he thinks Jordan will have the votes soon, if not Tuesday.

Trump had been an early backer of Jordan and worked against the Republicans first nominee to be speaker, Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Trump wrote, As everyone knows, I have long ago given him my Complete and Total Endorsement!

Jordan feeling confident heading into vote

Jordan says he's been picking up support every day and feels good ahead of the vote for House speaker.

I feel confident, he said Tuesday while trailed by a scrum of reporters in the Capitol.

When asked if he thought it would take many rounds for him to become speaker, he said he is in the race for the long haul. Whatever it takes, he said.

Jordan was spotted heading into the speaker's office, about a half hour before the vote was expected to start.

Meanwhile, in the Senate ...

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the chamber will move quickly to respond to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas despite the House remaining in limbo.

With the House in disarray, the Senate will not wait to vote on an Israeli aid package, the New York Democrat said on the floor. We cant wait for the House. Who knows what will happen there?

Concerns over Jordan's lack of legislative chops

While Jordan has made a reputation as a chaos agent in his time in Congress, the Ohio Republican, unlike previous speaker candidates, has no real legislative chops.

In his 16 years in Washington, not a single bill bearing Jordans name has been signed into law.

Instead, he has spent his time in Congress fighting to get retribution for his political allies, to kill legislation and eventually to maneuver his way to becoming the top Republican on some of the chambers most powerful committees.

His lack of legislative experience has been a criticism that moderates and Democrats have deployed against him in recent days. But his office has pushed back, saying he has been instrumental in getting legislation through the committees he serves on without putting his name on it.

A once-unimaginable House speaker

Jordan's journey to the cusp of House speakership would have once seemed far-fetched.

He was the founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative hardliners who pressured House Speaker John Boehner to step aside in 2015. Boehner famously called him a legislative terrorist.

Should Jordan succeed, it would help cement the far rights takeover of the Republican Party and trigger fresh conflict with Democrats over the size and scope of government.

But a Jordan speakership would also come with baggage that could present a challenge to Republicans as they labor to hold their House majority in next years election, an effort that will likely hinge on drawing support from moderate voters in swing districts.

Jordan clinches support of Biden-district Republican

Hours before a floor vote, one of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthys most loyal supporters threw his support behind Jordan after days of hesitation.

Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., a first-term member, said that after having several conversations with Jordan, hes decided to vote for him on the floor.

Theres too much at stake to continue to be stalled, he posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. I came to D.C. to worknot sit around.

Ciscomani was one of at least a dozen Republicans who had yet to throw their support behind Jordan. He represents a district won by Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

Are we looking at 15 rounds of voting again?

It's unlikely.

House Republicans are exhausted by weeks of infighting over who will lead the conference and frustrated by the inability of the chamber to pass legislation, particularly in response to the Israel-Hamas war.

Jordan's supporters are confident that the public floor vote will force the remaining holdouts to flip their way. Kevin McCarthy narrowly won the speakership in January on the 15th round of balloting, after five excruciating days.

Showdown for the gavel

Republicans are gearing up for another attempt at seating a House speaker, hoping to elevate a chief ally of Donald Trump's to a center seat of U.S. power.

The House is scheduled to start voting at noon in what could become a showdown for the gavel. At least a handful of holdout Republicans are refusing to give Jordan their votes, viewing the Ohio Republican as too extreme to be second in line to the presidency.

But with public pressure bearing down on lawmakers from Trumps allies including conservative TV hosts, its unclear how long the holdouts can last.
Two height-adjustable, universal changing tables have been installed in local libraries, according to a spokesperson from the Dayton Metro Library.

>>RELATED: Its really important; Adult changing tables being installed in the Miami Valley

The Dayton Metro Library main campus and Huber Heights branch had the changing tables installed to meet the restroom needs of people with disabilities and the aging population, the spokesperson said.

The library collaborated with the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services and Changing Spaces Ohio to obtain them.

Changing Spaces Ohio is an organization that advocates for accessible restrooms, the spokesperson said.

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We know that libraries are important to people with disabilities and those with mobility challenges, and we want to have restroom facilities that meet their accessibility needs...We knew it would make a real difference for many people in our community, DML Executive Director Jeffrey Trzeciak said.

These tables are similar to infant changing tables found in restrooms everywhere, but these are specifically designed to accommodate the height and weight of adults, the spokesperson said.

The tables can accommodate people up to 440 pounds.

Without these tables, people with disabilities must be changed on the floor or in unsafe environments if they have to use the restroom while in public spaces.

Unfortunately, typical public restrooms do not include the equipment or space necessary to meet the restroom needs of many people with disabilities. The installation of these tables at the Main and Huber Heights branches will provide people with disabilities a safe, hygienic, and dignified space to address their restroom needs and allow them to visit the Library without having to worry about their personal care, Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Pamela Combs said.

>>RELATED: Ohio Statehouse works with Montgomery County to install universal changing table

The library was able to purchase a table for the Huber Heights location through funds provided by the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities through the American Rescue Plan Act for the table at the main branch.

The main campuss changing table is located on the 2nd floor, in a hallway next to the elevators, the spokesperson said.

The Huber Heights branch table is in a family restroom near the Childrens section, the spokesperson said.

We are grateful to the Dayton Metro Library for partnering with us to promote inclusion. These tables will be a game-changer for many people with disabilities, their families, and their friends throughout our region, Combs said.
A mother in West Chester has been sentenced after her two children were killed in an apartment fire in 2022, according to our media partner in Cincinnati, WCPO.

>>Popular local brewery closes downtown Dayton location

Ashley Rhiles has been sentenced to 6 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment.

Im not concerned about whether shes going to get these children back quite frankly, because I dont think she shouldnt have them, Judge Noah Powers said.

In September, Rhiles pleaded guilty to the charges she faced, and a judge reduced her bond, allowing her to be released on her own recognizance, WCPO reported.

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This release allowed Rhiles to participate in supervised visits with her surviving children ahead of her sentencing.

During her sentencing, Powers said Rhiles created a death trap for her children on the day of the fire.

The court believes that, for whatever reason, she just decided to walk away from her kids that morning and leave them in that situation, Powers said.

Rhiles pleaded guilty to her charges, which carried a maximum penalty of 36 months in prison and a $10,000 fine, WCPO reported.

She is also slated for mandatory post-release control.

On Sept. 17, 2022 fire crews responded to an apartment complex on reports of a fire.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming from the doors and windows of an apartment, WCPO reported.

>>Evacuation, shelter-in-place ordered during gas leak in Greene County neighborhood

The West Chester Police Department released body camera footage from the incident as they were the first to respond.

Footage shows an officer asking if there is anyone inside the apartment but got no answer.

The officer kicked down the door and called out to see if anyone was inside, but there was no response, WCPO reported.

According to officials, four children were found inside the apartment alone.

They were rescued within eight minutes of crews arriving and then they were taken to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital in critical condition.

4-year-old Bryson Brooks and 2-year-old Alaiya Encarnacion died from their injuries. A 6-year-old and 9-year-old survived.

Investigators said no adults were home at the time of the fire.

Rhiles claimed she left the house for less than 20 minutes.

There was no intentional harm. There was no abuse from her. Shes never been ever alleged to have touched or injured any of her children. I can assert as her counsel that this has been an incredibly devastating situation for her, Rhiles attorney Alex Deardorff said in court in March.
Newly appointed police chief Torsak Sukvimol (C) said relaxing the haircut rules was a step towards modernising the force (Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)

It's out with buzzcuts and in with longer locks for Thai police, as per a new regulation that came into effect Tuesday.

After five years of a rule requiring male officers to shave the sides and backs of their heads, they will now be allowed to grow their hair up to five centimetres long on top.

The kingdom's newly appointed police chief Torsak Sukvimol said relaxing the haircut rules was a step towards modernising the force and making officers less identifiable to those seeking to target them.

"I'm afraid that investigators could only go undercover as a monk," he joked.

Since 2018, all male officers have been required to have buzz cuts.

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Thailand is a conservative country and government officials are required to adhere to strict uniform policies.

Rangsiman Rome, whose Move Forward party has campaigned for relaxing the strict haircut rules for police, welcomed the move saying it was "a good first step".

But he thinks officers should have the right to choose their hairstyles.

Police Cadet Academy dean of social sciences Sorat Klapwila said the change would likely be popular with officers.

"Some police officers needed to go to the hairdresser at least once a week," he told AFP.

"This change will help them save money."

In Thailand, junior officers can earn as little as $250 a month.

Wuttipat Cheunjampla, 50, a police officer at Thong Lor police station in Bangkok's wealthiest neighbourhood was unmoved by the new hair policy.

"It's just a hairstyle. Maybe they could do something else that improves the livelihood of low-ranking police officers," he said.

Chulalongkorn University professor Sumontip Chitsawang said the public was more concerned about police doing an effective job delivering justice and fighting crime.

"In the eyes of the people it's not important," Sumonthip said.

tak-lpm/aha
A longtime Centre County pizza restaurant has plans to return to downtown State College next year.

Pizza Mia plans to open a new State College location inside the new oLiv State College high-rise in fall of 2024. The restaurant operated in State College at that same location  114 Hetzel St.  from 2016 until 2021, when the building was sold for construction of the high-rise.

The restaurants Bellefonte location, 106 N. Spring St., has been open since 2003.

John Jennings, owner of Pizza Mia, said Tuesday the plans are still in the early stages but the deal has been a long time in the making.

A lot of people had to come together, Jennings said. And even now a lot of people still have to come together but if were successful then we will be open by the end of 2024.

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Jennings announced the return and advertised open positions for the new location and the Bellefonte eatery on Monday in a Facebook post. For the brand-new State College residents and Penn State students who didnt experience Pizza Mia during its original State College tenure, Jennings has some suggestions.

Absolutely do not miss the pizza, he said. If you want to sandwich experience like youve never had, youll love the Dogie.
A longtime Republican donor and activist shot a woman before killing himself last week during an apparent attempted murder-suicide, authorities confirmed to the Miami Herald. The woman, who has not yet been identified, survived the shooting after being rushed to the hospital with injuries in her back and arm. The shooter, Steve Alembik, died at the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 72-year-old had been a reliable donor to Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, gaining notoriety over the years for calling then-President Barack Obama a racial slur and for celebrating the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Alembiks conservative allies paid tribute to him online. The tragedy surrounding Steves suicide has shocked everyone, and as details come out, people will probably be judgmental, far-right activist Laura Loomer wrote in a post. I just know that Steve was a kind man who had personal struggles like everyone else.

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Read it at Miami Herald

Read more at The Daily Beast.
When considering where to travel in Oregon for your next outdoor adventure, dramatic images of snow-capped mountains, rocky beaches or towering dunes probably come to mind. But managers of the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve say a less dramatic, hard-to-reach and desolate landscape deserves love, too.

After visiting the prairie in the Wallowa Mountain area at the end of September, I couldnt help but agree.

I came to Zumwalt curious about the management and protection of the largest remaining grassland of its type in North America. At 160,000 acres, that may seem like a whole lot of field, but manager of the prairie Jeff Fields said thats nothing compared to the vast expanse that has now mostly been converted to farmland.

Grasslands generally and globally are one of the least protected biomes anywhere, Fields said. This particular prairie, there was once roughly 20 million acres of it. Now were down to the last best bit of it.

The parcel in Eastern Oregon has been preserved in part by good fortune, Fields said. He said the core of the prairie, that extended into parts of Washington and Idaho, has all been plowed up for farming.

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It had very much the same species composition as this prairie does, but it happened to have the misfortune of being lower elevation, a little bit more moisture, he said. The Zumwalt is rocky, higher and much drier, making it much more difficult to exploit.

The private nonprofit The Nature Conservancy, which manages land for preservation across the world, has the most influence over whats left. Theyve designated four hiking trails that provide distinct perspectives of the landscape.

The prairie is a draw for those interested in spotting rare bird and plant species, but it's also magical for it's incredible elevation changes, golden grasses and deep peace.

Visiting Zumwalt Prairie Preserve

Fields took me on a tour of the Zumwalt on a beautiful sunny day in September. The drive into the prairie was slow on the windy, hilly 14-mile stretch of the bumpy Zumwalt Road before spotting the single sign marking The Nature Conservancys land. By this time, cell service was long gone.

Soon after, Fields and I reached the Duckett Barn, right across from the two most visited trails.

Pattis Trail is the easiest access, a 2-mile loop on flat prairie land. It would be especially beautiful to take when hoary balsamroot, camas and silky lupine dot the landscape in the spring or when the threatened Spaldings catchfly blooms in late summer.

A little farther is Harsin Butte, which I scaled for gorgeous panoramic views of the prairie and nearby canyons. Other sites include the Horned Lark Trail and the most remote canyon vistas for the real adventurers.

The prairie is all-consuming and feels almost otherworldly, a golden expanse interrupted by sloping hills.

There's been times when I've come out here, and I've looked around and thought, Oh my God, this is desolate, Fields said. And there's other times I come out and I'm just sort of blown away by the expanse of it.

Much of the day, wind was the only perceivable sound. The solitude and quiet are what Fields said many love the most about the place. He said a manager of surrounding public lands told him the prairie is where she comes to recharge.

I thought that was really interesting  for someone with access to all the beautiful places in the county to choose here, Fields said.

Still, Fields, whos managed the 51-square-mile preserve since 2009, said he knows the extremely remote area is not for everyone.

Those who visit will want to make sure their vehicle has tough tires, as much of the prairie is only accessible by rough, rocky gravel roads. If, like me, youre not the most directionally savvy, youll also want to download a map of the preserve to keep you in the right direction of whichever portion you want to explore.

The Nature Conservancy is also very strict on their leave no trace policy. Camping, building fires and hunting are prohibited. You also cannot bring your dogs or bikes so as to not trample or otherwise disturb the plants and animals.

The preserve is home to a dozen native bunch grasses and 100 wildflower species that support ground squirrels, weasels and other small mammals that in turn help hawks and eagles thrive.

The Nature Conservancy claims the Zumwalt is home to one of the highest known concentrations of breeding raptors on the continent.

You may also run into signs of elk, mule deer, black bear and even cougar. Fields and I examined coyote and badger dens during my visit.

Research efforts

The diversity of life makes monitoring and research extremely important as well as challenging. Much of the prairie is used for livestock grazing, and balancing economic and conservation interests is delicate, Fields said. Ranchers work with The Nature Conservancy to determine best practices for sustainability, which determines things like how many cows they have at a given time or where on the land they graze.

Before managing the Zumwalt, Fields worked in forest and aquatic restoration, and he said this job is by far the most dynamic and difficult.

Theres just more pieces in motion on the grassland, and these things happen on a quicker time scale, he said. The Nature Conservancy is currently working on restoring riparian areas for fish and birds as well as improving stream function and growing vulnerable aspen and shrub communities.

Fields has the help of contractors and full-time employees who keep track of important species and general prairie health. While I was there, an Oregon State University class was staying on the prairie to learn from them and collect data.

Environmental science major Noah Scharfstein, 21, said hed never spent time in such a landscape before going for the class and was grateful for the hands-on experience in such an ecologically diverse, though traditionally undervalued, place.

There are a lot of resources that go towards forest restoration, but it's not really like that in the prairies or in the grasslands  they're kind of overlooked, Scharfstein said. He added when he goes back to Corvallis, he plans to spread the word about the importance of protecting the prairie for generations to come.

'People need to see these sorts of places, to know that they still exist'

Beyond the biological, the prairies success has cultural and community importance that The Nature Conservancy hopes to foster into the future.

At sunset, Fields and I were joined by John and Normandy Helmer, of Eugene, volunteer caretakers who have been coming up to support The Nature Conservancys work for three years. We drove up a hill to incredible views of the clear sky.

Normandy, an artist, uses the prairie as inspiration, and shes not the only one. The prairie is a frequent place for those looking to connect and capture the vast expanse, especially through local organizations like Fishtrap, which frequently hosts workshops on the land.

This landscape is so big that you can't cram all of it into your eyeballs, Normandy said. The land slopes really gently and beautifully, and the grasses are gold with green. And then you've got these gorgeous clouds, and you've got gold and red from the sunset. And it's different every day. And so I just come and try over and over again to paint these hills and try and get them right.

Fields loves watching how others connect to the land. The Nature Conservancy now invites Nez Perce Tribe members to harvest first foods on the land and provides tours for students from university level to elementary school.

People need to see these sorts of places, to know that they still exist, Fields said. And to know it is to care about it, and to care about it is to help work to maintain it  in a living together mindset. How do our people live on this landscape in a way that also honors everything else that lives on this landscape?

Hikes at Zumwalt Prairie Preserve

There are four public hiking trails at Zumwalt.

Patti's Trail is a 2.3 mile easy loop that brings visitors on old homesteader's fields and native prairie to the headwaters of Camp creek. Turn right onto Duckett Road and park at Duckett Barn. The sign indicating the start of the trail is across the road from the barn and information kiosk.

Harsin Butte Trail is 0.8 miles each way up and down the butte. There is no easily marked trail, but you can choose your own easily navigable path up and down. The butte is a 700 feet scramble with incredible views of the prairie and canyons. Turn right on Duckett Road and go 3.1 miles until reaching a road junket at the top of a hill. Park near the trailhead sign.

Canyon Vista Trail is the most remote trail, opening into beautiful wild country. The trail itself is 1.8 miles in and out, but getting there is the real commitment. Take Duckett Road 3.1 miles until reaching the junket at County Road 676. On this road, which may be impassible when wet or during winter, high clearance vehicles are recommended. Park near the trailhead at a green gate.

Horned Lark Trail loops through the Pine creek riparian area and diverse native prairie for an easy 1.9 miles. The trail itself is a bit difficult to follow, so check the trailhead sign for an idea of your path. Instead of turning at The Nature Conservancy sign on Duckett Road, continue straight for 3.1 miles until spotting the trailhead sign and fenced off prairie. Park on the shoulder.

Olivia Stevens is the Statesman Journal's fall 2023 outdoors journalism intern. She can be reached at OStevens@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @byoliviastevens.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Experience Eastern Oregon's Zumwalt Prairie Preserve
A celebrity is using a documentary, featuring a historic U.S. Senate race in South Carolina, to help stir up voters whove historically been marginalized.

National radio host and television personality Charlamange tha God is promoting a new documentary film, In the Bubble with Jamie, featuring South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrisons 2020 bid for the U.S. Senate against powerful Republican Lindsey Graham, as a means of educating and registering voters in communities of color. A screening tour for the film is slated for the Palmetto State this November and will include events in Bamberg, Columbia, Florence, Laurens and Orangeburg.

The screenings are being hosted by 46 Hope Road, a Columbia-based nonprofit that aims to engage the disengaged and to help people of color become registered voters.

I started 46 Hope Road in the wake of the 2020 election because I wanted to engage those in our state who have traditionally been overlooked by campaigns and political parties, said 46 Hope Road founder Christale Spain in a news release. Spain is the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party and was supported by Harrison in her recent election to the position. I am excited about using a locally produced documentary film to bring out people, start conversations, and get more people registered in our communities.

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In the Bubble with Jaime, directed by Orangeburg native Emily Harrold, offers an in-depth look at the challenges that Harrison, a Black man raised in Orangeburg, faced running for office and how his campaign handled the racial dynamics of Southern politics, a news release said.

The State newspapers Joseph Bustos is also featured in the film in his role as a politics reporter following the 2020 election.

In 2020, Harrison set out to unseat long-time incumbent Graham in a race that shattered national fundraising records. Harrisons campaign raised a staggering $130 million  more than any Senate candidate in history  to Grahams $108 million.

In South Carolina and across the nation, Democrats rallied heavily behind Harrison, who wouldve been the first Palmetto State Democrat to win a statewide election since 2006.

But their hopes were dashed when S.C. voters decisively gave Graham a fourth term in the upper chamber. The Upstate Republican won by 10 percentage points and some 260,000 votes.

Now, Charlamange and Spain are using Harrisons story to try to captivate voters in communities of color. Film screening events will include voter registration opportunities and conversations about how audience members can become civically engaged.

Non-partisan post screening conversations will focus on voter engagement, historical trends, and the experiences of communities of color in South Carolina, a news release said.

The film tour launches Friday, Nov. 3, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8 theater in Columbia. Following the screening, Spain will moderate a conversation about voter participation, which will include Harrison and Bre Maxwell, who served as the political director for Harrisons 2020 campaign, according to the news release. The event is free and open to the public.

A second screening is scheduled for Nov. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Orangeburg County Conference Centers outdoor screening space. The post-screening conversation will feature South Carolina NAACP President Brenda Murphy and Orangeburg NAACP Chapter President Barbara Williams, the release said.
The chief of police of a department in a small town in Louisiana was arrested Monday for allegedly collecting a cash payment on a traffic stop, authorities said. In a news release, the Louisiana State Police said it had investigated a complaint of malfeasance received in August concerning George Hinds, 51, the chief of police of the Georgetown Police Department. After obtaining an arrest warrant, Hinds was taken into custody on Monday and booked into the Grant Parish Sheriffs Jail for malfeasance in office. The Louisiana State Police will serve as the lead investigative agency, the news release added. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Kaitlin Armstrong has a nose for notoriety.

The Texas woman suspected in the "love triangle" murder of a romantic rival before she led U.S. Marshals on a 43-day, international manhunt is now accused of picking the lock on her handcuffs with a pin for an escape attempt she spent months vigorously preparing for, according to court documents.

Armstrong, 35, is scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 30 for the shooting death of professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson, 25, who police found shot to death after she went on a date with Armstrong's boyfriend, fellow pro rider Colin Strickland.

However, according to authorities, Armstrong made a last-ditch escape attempt Wednesday, slipping her cuffs, stripping off her pants and sprinting nearly a mile before cops tackled her.

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TEXAS LOVE TRIANGLE MURDER SUSPECT KAITLIN ARMSTRONG'S SHORT-LIVED ESCAPE ATTEMPT CAUGHT ON VIDEO

After the slaying, she flew to New York to obtain her sister's passport, then Costa Rica. She dyed her hair and assumed a new identity.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

She began dating and teaching yoga at Santa Teresa Beach, using fake names including Beth, Air and Liz.

When police arrested her, she had a bandage on her face that she allegedly claimed came from a surfing accident. Her lawyer denies that she got a nose job down there, but photos taken before and after appear to show significant differences in her face.

A U.S. Marshal handout photo of Kaitlin Armstrong and her booking photo after her extradition to the U.S. from Costa Rica. Through a lawyer, she has denied reports that she underwent plastic surgery on her nose while on the run from U.S. authorities for 43 days.

Last week, while feigning a leg injury, she convinced jail guards to bring her to an orthopedics clinic, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Travis County.

"As she and two corrections officers were exiting the medical building after the appointment, Armstrong ran," a sheriff's spokesman told Fox News Digital. "The officers pursued her on foot for approximately 10 minutes without ever losing sight of her."

According to court documents, investigators believe she used a metal pin and part of a spool of dental floss to lockpick her handcuffs. She slipped out of the cuffs during a 10-minute escape attempt last week, during which she allegedly injured two guards, and sprinted for about a mile.

While on the run, she stripped out of her black-and-white striped jail pants, according to investigators. She had on long thermal underwear underneath "in an effort to disguise her appearance as an inmate."

Kaitlin Armstrong appears in court wearing a jail-issued outfit similar to the one she tried to escape in. According to the Travis County Sheriff's Office, she ditched her pants and was wearing long underwear beneath them in an attempt to disguise her status as an inmate.

Jailhouse surveillance video shows her "exercising vigorously" for months, "running, doing squats and yoga" to prepare for the attempt, according to court documents.

Because of her complaints of a leg injury, she was able to convince guards not to place her in leg restraints before she allegedly took off running, according to the affidavit.

Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson smiles after a gravel cycling race.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS

A bystander recorded a few seconds of the short-lived flight on cellphone video. It shows Armstrong sprinting through the back of a parking lot as a guard tries to keep up, stumbling.

Early in the attempt, Armstrong allegedly started to scale a six-foot-tall fence when a guard tackled her from behind. They both fell, but she got up, hopped over, and kept on running, according to the affidavit.

Armstrong is a former yoga teacher and high school athlete who maintained an active lifestyle and, while not a professional rider, was an avid cyclist before her arrest.

Kaitlin Armstrong in this image from her 2004 yearbook, where she was portrayed as a mult-sport athlete and running star.

She is accused of killing Wilson on May 11, 2022. Police allege her Jeep Grand Cherokee appeared on surveillance video near the crime scene moments before the shooting  and that shell casings recovered near Wilson's body were a match for Armstrong's pistol.

Wilson and Strickland allegedly had a brief fling in the past. On the night of the murder, they went swimming together at a public pool in Austin and then to dinner across the street.

Colin Strickland seen outside his Austin, Texas, home on June 17, 2022.

Police questioned Armstrong early in the investigation  but they let her go without charges. She sold the Jeep and skipped town, and by the time she was named in an arrest warrant, authorities couldn't find her.

She was being held on $3.5 million bail in the murder case  a sum that is now increased by $50,000 for the alleged escape attempt.

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." Strickland, according to court documents, also told detectives he did not believe Armstrong was the jealous or violent type.





Original article source: 'Love triangle' murder suspect stripped off pants, picked cuffs with pin in escape attempt
GT Voice: Why is the West keen to politicize China-Russia energy cooperation?

08:01, October 17, 2023 By Global Times ( Global Times

A staff member works at the Yongqing compressor station of the Changling-Yongqing section of the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline in Yongqing county, North China's Hebei Province, December 3, 2020. Photo: Xinhua

Ahead of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's China visit, which started on Monday, Western media reports focused mainly on energy cooperation between China and Russia. Some Western politicians hold an aggressive and critical view, but admittedly, such normal bilateral cooperation is conducive to stabilizing global energy prices, especially during a sensitive period where the recent escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict has added uncertainties to the global energy market.

Energy serves as an important piece in the jigsaw for practical cooperation between China and Russia, and also a positive force for maintaining global energy security. If China's energy supply chain were to be disrupted by zero-sum geopolitical games, it would only serve the interests of the US. The global energy market would suffer an unnecessary shock.

As has been reported recently, China's crude oil imports have surged in recent months, as refiners built up inventory and increased processing to benefit from higher profits from exporting fuel. One thing is certain: China's energy imports will be driven by economic factors, and oil exporters all over the world will have equal opportunities to have a share of China's energy imports.

Although politicians in Washington have highlighted China's trade ties with Russia since the Ukraine crisis, they have no right to pressure China to give up normal economic cooperation that is in accordance with the global trade rules.

Washington has been urging European countries to reduce their reliance on Russia's energy, but what has been the result? The US has replaced Russia as the biggest supplier of crude oil to the EU. That is a big turnaround. As reported by CNN, the US' share of Europe's crude imports increased to 18 percent in December 2022. At a time when Europe is suffering from an energy crisis and global energy prices have risen, American energy exporters have become the biggest winners.

Similar selfishness and hypocrisy can also be seen in US politicians' concern about China-Russia energy cooperation. If normal cooperation between China and Russia is disrupted, who will fill the space for China's energy imports? Of course, Western politicians hope the gap can be filled by companies from the US and its allies.

Currently, oil prices have climbed due to fears that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could embroil the wider petroleum-producing region and threaten global output. Amid global economic uncertainty, China, as one of the world's largest crude oil importers and a critical market, needs to ensure stable energy supply, which can also safeguard the stability of the global energy market.

Despite the critical view from some Western politicians, energy cooperation has always been an important aspect of China-Russia cooperation. There is little doubt that bilateral economic and trade cooperation will continue to develop. China-Russia economic cooperation does not target any third party, and it does not tolerate any third party's interference or coercion.

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in September that record volumes of crude oil were imported into China during the first half of 2023 because of factors such as refinery expansions in the country. China imported an average of 11.4 million barrels of crude oil per day in the first half of 2023, a 12 percent increase from 2022's annual average of 10.2 million barrels per day. The US EIA said China sourced much of the additional crude oil it imported in the first half of 2023 from Russia, Iran, Brazil, and also the US. It seems China's energy imports are diversified. However, the US, which is a beneficiary of China's increased energy imports, is attempting to make China's energy imports a tool to exert pressure on Beijing, and meanwhile lead other Western countries to politicize energy exports to China.

China has the right to expand energy cooperation with any trading partner according to its own needs and global trade rules. Amid global economic uncertainty, it is necessary for China to ensure its energy security, which is also conducive to the stability of the global energy market.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
CHICAGO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- As the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against the Big Three U.S. automakers entered the 22nd day, the economic loss that the U.S. auto industry has hence incurred is snowballing.

A new assessment by Michigan-based Anderson Economic Group LLC shows that the strike has led to 359 million dollar direct wage losses to original equipment manufacturers; 3.45 billion dollar losses to the Big Three; 2.67 billion dollar losses in wages and earnings for the suppliers; and 1.21 billion dollar losses to dealers, customers and others.

In all, the strike has cost the auto industry 7.7 billion dollars by the fourth week of the work stoppage.

In a rare move, Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford on Monday called on the union to make a deal and end the strike that is threatening not only the future of the automaker but of the American automotive industry, local media reported.

The union unexpectedly expanded the strike to Ford's most profitable plant in Kentucky that brings in 25 billion dollars in annual revenue, or one-sixth of its global automotive revenue Wednesday. On the following day, Ford said it has reached the limit of what it can offer to the UAW.

The UAW is ready for more walkouts against the Big Three "with little notice," said UAW President Shawn Fain Friday in a webcast. "We are prepared at any time to call on more locals to stand up and walk out. We will be calling out plants when we need to, with little notice."

To date, the strike has cost General Motors Co. 507 million dollars and Ford 517 million dollars, local media reported, citing J.P. Morgan estimates on Monday. In further estimates, the strike is costing GM 21 million dollars per day, and Ford 44 million dollars per day, up from the original assessment of 18 million dollars, after Ford's Kentucky plant was put on strike.

The union announced strike at three select factories of Ford, General Motors Co. and Stellantis NV on Sept. 14, after its contract with the Big Three expired.

It spread the strike to 38 GM and Stellantis parts distribution centers around the country on Sept. 22, following a failure in making meaningful progress in new contract negotiations and further to GM and Ford SUV assembly plants on Sept. 29, and then to Ford's highly profitable truck plant in Kentucky last Wednesday in the latest move.

To date, about 34,000 out of some 146,000 Big Three U.S. automakers represented by the UAW are on strike across the country. With nearly 4,000 Mack Trucks workers going on strike on Oct. 9, the total number of UAW members on strike now exceeds 38,000. 
Those who exercise their right to freedom of speech must expect that others may react against what they say. Every fall, I send a message to the students at my school, staunchly defending their free speech rights, but also urging care as they decide what to say. I caution them that what they choose to put on social media could matter to prospective employers.

This lesson became very important in the last week as student organizations around the country, including at my law school, have astoundingly defended what Hamas did in Israel. The issue received national attention when the president of the student government at New York University Law School issued a statement defending Hamas: 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.

Opinion

The law firm of Winston & Strawn, which had offered this student a job, announced it was withdrawing the job offer: Today, Winston & Strawn 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 profoundly conflict with Winston & Strawns values as a firm. Accordingly, the firm has rescinded the law students offer of employment.

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The student had the right to express their views, but the law firm had the right to say it did not want to employ someone who took such a position.

After Hamas invasion of Israel, I sent a letter to the UC Berkeley Law community, where I am dean.

I have been horrified to watch the terrorist attack on Israel that has claimed so many lives and put so many in danger, I wrote. Many in our community have family, friends and loved ones in the Middle East. I hope I speak for our entire community in wishing them safety and in hoping for peace. I express my deepest sympathy for those who have lost loved ones.

A law student group, Law Students for Justice in Palestine, responded by writing: We denounce the framing of Israel as a victim ... Dean Chemerinskys email reeks of racism. His statement laments the loss of Israeli lives but completely ignores the loss of Palestinian life. The double standard framing of Palestinian activism as terrorism is rooted in Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric.

The law students have the right to say this. But I also have the right to say that what Hamas did in Israel was not Palestinian activism, but terrorism that is beyond the pale of international law and basic humanity. Killing 260 people at a music festival is terrorism. Pulling people from their homes to hold them as hostages is terrorism. Savagely killing 100 people in a kibbutz is terrorism.

Across the country, some student groups have expressed support for what Hamas has done. At Berkeley, Bears for Palestine and Law Students for Justice in Palestine issued a statement: We support the resistance, we support the liberation movement and we indisputably support the Uprising.

Similar statements have been issued by similar student groups at other universities.

There have been repeated calls to keep these groups from holding rallies on the UC Berkeley campus, but they have the right to do so and preventing them would violate the First Amendment.

It is tempting for university administrators  presidents, chancellors and deans  to refrain from taking positions on such difficult issues. But silence is a message, too. It is necessary and appropriate for us all to express sadness for the loss of life in Israel and in Gaza and for all those there who are frightened and still in danger.

As administrators, it is important that we urge compassion and care in what is said. But we should not hesitate to condemn terrorism and all who defend it. Those who disagree can express their message. That is what freedom of speech is all about.

Erwin Chemerinsky is the dean and a professor at the UC Berkeley School of Law.
Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here.

Khulood Khaled was woken up by the sound of Israeli airstrikes as she slept next to her son last week. Black smoke filled the room, making it difficult for her to breathe. She felt a sense of panic setting in, followed by pain in her abdomen. She thought she was going into early labor.

Eight months pregnant and worried about her unborn child, the 28-year-old decided to leave her home in the al-Karama district of the northern Gaza Strip the next day as the bombing continued.

We watched houses dropping as we drove, thinking we could die any minute, she told CNN. On the way, she saw refugees being struck by Israeli jets just meters away, She hugged her son so wed die together.

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Khulood eventually made it to the southern city of Khan Younis, but she is now surviving on a dry piece of bread, as the territory faces a food shortage and no electricity or running water. I dont know if the bread will be available tomorrow, she said.

Around 50,000 women in Gaza are pregnant, 10% of whom are expected to give birth in the coming month, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Those women face a double nightmare after a horrifying week of Israeli airstrikes, Dominic Allen, the UNFPAs Representative for the State of Palestine, told CNN Sunday.

Gaza residents have faced Israeli airstrikes in several rounds of conflict over the past few years. But this time its different. Israel has vowed mighty vengeance after the Hamas militants that control the territory launched an attack on October 7, killing 1,400 in Israel.

Between October 7 and 12, Israel dropped 6,000 bombs on the enclave  thats equivalent to the total number of airstrikes on Gaza during the entire 2014 Gaza-Israel conflict, which lasted 50 days. It now appears to be preparing for a ground operation into the enclave.

Israel has also imposed what it calls a complete siege on the territory, blocking supplies of water, electricity, goods and fuel. Human rights organizations have condemned the move as collective punishment and a war crime. Locals say that Khan Younis is still being targeted by Israeli strikes.

Many Gazans have heeded Israels call to evacuate from northern Gaza, with hundreds of thousands making their way south. But moving hasnt been easy for everyone, including the sick, elderly and pregnant.

Some have been worried about the safety of the escape routes. CNN has geolocated and authenticated videos from the scene of a large explosion on Friday along a route to south.

Fear of what the future holds

Nardeen Fares is nine months pregnant with her first child. Following the call by the Israeli military for civilians to flee the 27-year-old traveled Friday with her husband from the al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City to Khan Younis  roughly 16 miles away or a 40-minute drive.

With her due date rapidly approaching, Fares says she fears what the future holds.

Right now, there is an exodus half of the Gaza Strip is moving to Khan Younis, Fares told CNN Friday by phone, adding that she is now sharing a 6-bedroom dwelling with more than 80 other people.

As a woman who is in her last month of pregnancy, God knows when it will happen and what the situation will be like then, Fares said. Bombardment, no bombardment, you dont know what will happen then.

Shes concerned that hospitals in Khan Younis wont be equipped to treat her if she goes into labor given the sheer number of people that are descending on the city. Khan Younis had a population of just over 400,000 before the war. Given the citys proximity to the Egyptian border, its the destination of choice for many of those fleeing the north.

Nardeen Fares, 27, takes a selfie with her husband at Gaza Port, near Gaza City, in the Gaza Strip in May 2023. - Nardeen Fares

Israel on Sunday said that 500,000 residents are estimated to have left northern Gaza for the south.

Ten members of a single family were killed Monday after an Israeli airstrike hit Al Kizan neighborhood, doctors in the citys Nasser Hospital told CNN, adding that 23 other people had been injured.

She says she has heard that hospitals in the city are barely operational and medical services are almost gone amid a fuel shortage.

The World Health Organization warned last week that the health system in the entire strip is at a breaking point, adding that the impact would be devastating for the most vulnerable patients, including the injured who need lifesaving surgery, patients in intensive care units, and newborns depending on care in incubators.

Allen of the UNFPA said pregnant women in Gaza are facing unthinkable challenges, saying the stories he has heard coming out of Gazas are harrowing.

Imagine going through that process in those final stages and your last trimester before giving birth, with possible complications, without clothing, without hygiene, support, and not sure about what the next day, next hour, next minute will bring for themselves and for their unborn child, Allen said.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned that Gazas humanitarian situation is reaching catastrophic levels, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning Sunday that the Middle East was on the verge of the abyss.

Brink of famine

Mona Ashour, seven months pregnant, has stayed in the north of the Strip, but not by choice.

Her family doesnt have the financial means to travel south, she said in messages relayed to CNN by her cousin Hashem Al-Saudi, adding that even if they could travel, the family of four has no one to stay with in the south.

Ashour has reduced her nutrition to the bare minimum as food and water supplies dwindle due to Israels blockade. She knows this could be affecting her unborn child, and thats causing her a lot of stress.

Ashour has two daughters, and the family lives in a house that has a makeshift roof made of tin panels, leaving them exposed to shrapnel from potential Israeli missiles.

I need a lot of nutritional supplements, she said, adding that her husband, who used to work on a daily wage before the war, cannot afford them anymore.

The Palestinian Authoritys media office said Monday that Gaza is on the brink of a real famine as goods in stores are running out, and no aid is coming in, adding that over half a million people have been displaced in the enclave.

Relief groups and the UN are calling for aid to get into Gaza, some of which has arrived in Egypts north Sinai but is yet to cross into Gaza through the Egypt-controlled Rafah crossing.

After meeting the Egyptian president amid a whistle-stop tour of the region, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the crossing  which is the sole remaining route into or out of Gaza  will be open. He didnt say when.

Over the weekend, concrete slabs were placed at the Egyptian side of the crossing, blocking all gates, a Palestinian border official told CNN Saturday.

On Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said there has been no progress in efforts to open the crossing, and blamed Israel for its continued closure.

Khulood, who fled northern Gaza, said she wont know where to go when its time for her to give birth.

Im scared. For my son, my unborn child and myself, she told CNN. I dont want to die. I want to see my son grow up but theres no life left here. Gaza has become a ghost city.

Additional reporting by Kareem Khadder, Abeer Salman, Chloe Liu and Niamh Kennedy

Go deeper into the biggest stories and trends in the Middle East and what they mean for your world. Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter right here.

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FOX 2 (WJBK) - The son-in-law of an elderly woman found dead has been arrested and arraigned in Shelby Township.

Kenneth Michael McDonald was arraigned on charges of second-degree homicide murder in the death of his 79-year-old mother-in-law.

The victim, Stella Lopiccolo Maltese, was found dead inside a residence in the 1400 block of Stony Brook W Drive on Oct. 12. Although details have yet to be released, police considered her death suspicious, launching an investigation with search warrants and interviews.

McDonald was arrested hours after Maltese was found. He has been denied bond and his next court appearance is Oct. 30.

Police say the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone who has any information regarding this case is asked to contact the Shelby Township Police Department Detective Bureau at (586) 731-2121 ext. 308.


A man was arrested Saturday in connection with three sexual assaults and burglaries in Tempe. Police said he told them he was under the influence of drugs and wanted to apologize to one of the victims, according to court records.

Tempe police said Djimon Boggs, 24, was arrested on suspicion of the crimes, which started on Sept. 15. All of the incidents took place in residences near South Gary Drive and East Eighth Street in Tempe.

According to arrest records, the first crime happened just before 4 a.m. on Sept. 15 when a man broke into a house and went into a woman's room while she was asleep.

Court documents state the woman told police she saw a man standing next to her bed. He then pushed her and pointed a "cold and hard" object at her, which she believed to be a gun. The woman yelled and the man ran out of the house, she told police.

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Surveillance video obtained by police shows the man entering and fleeing the residence, according to court records.

Two more incidents happened later on separate dates.

A man, who was later identified as Boggs, was seen in surveillance camera footage jumping over a locked gate while holding what police said was a knife on Oct. 6 at about 3:30 p.m., according to arrest records.

A woman who was inside the residence told police she woke up when the man went into her bedroom, according to case records. She said she saw a man standing over her and holding something sharp to her neck. She said the man then sexually assaulted her.

According to court documents, the man grabbed the woman and put her in a bathroom. The woman said she could hear the man moving around her room, according to court documents.

The victim had contusions and lacerations across her body, case records stated.

On the lookout: 1 injured in shooting near ASU Tempe campus; suspect armed and dangerous, police say

The third incident happened on Oct. 12 at about 5:30 a.m. A man, who was believed to be Boggs, jumped over a backyard wall in the same area, according to case documents. The man went into the house of a 72-year-old woman and attempted to attack her while she was asleep.

Records stated the woman told police she woke up when a man jumped into her bed and attempted to choke and sexually assault her, the woman told police.

The woman yelled for help and the man ran out of her bedroom, where a guest staying in the house saw him jump over the backyard wall and flee, according to court records.

Documents indicated the woman had injuries to her neck, arms, knee and face.

Surveillance video obtained near the residence showed a man matching Bogg's description going into the residence, according to arrest documents.

Police discovered that Boggs, who appeared to match the suspect description in the three surveillance videos, lived at a house just south of the street where the crimes happened.

Police said DNA samples obtained at the scene of one of the crimes matched Bogg's DNA. According to arrest records, Boggs told officers that he went into the residence where his DNA was found through an open garage door.

Boggs told police that he had an unloaded handgun with him because he wanted to "scare people inside of the residence," according to court documents. He also told police that when he entered the woman's room, he told her to stay quiet as he took items from the house. When she yelled, he said he fled through the garage door. It wasn't clear whether Boggs took any items from the house.

Boggs also told police he went into the other two victims' houses while he was under the influence of drugs and assaulted them, according to court documents. Boggs also stated he wanted to write an apology letter to the victim he sexually assaulted.

Boggs was facing sexual assault, aggravated assault and first-degree burglary charges. He was booked into the Tempe City Jail and was expected to be transferred to county jail.

Tempe police said Boggs was apprehended in coordinating efforts with the U.S. Marshals in Arizona.

"Thank you for your vigilance, cooperation, and commitment to keeping Tempe safe, Tempe Police Chief Kenneth McCoy on behalf of the Tempe Police Department in a Saturday news release.

Police said the investigation was still ongoing and more updates were expected to be released at a later time.

"We are grateful for your patience as we ensure the highest level of attention and dedication to this investigation," police said in the news release.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Djimon Boggs arrested on suspicion of Tempe assaults
CHICAGO - A man was arrested at O'Hare on Monday after making a threat directed toward the airport, according to police.

Around 12:30 p.m., police responded to a disturbance at Terminal 1 where a male offender became irate.

The man allegedly made a threat to the airport to an on-scene witness, police said. He was taken into custody.

The scene was deemed safe and secure, police said.

No injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.
A Farmington Hills man arrested last week on suspicion of making a terrorist threat toward Palestinian Americans in Dearborn once pleaded guilty to shooting a man in a 2010 road rage incident.

Carl David Mintz, 41, was charged Monday in connection with the alleged threat posted last week to social media in a case that heightened fears of fallout from the Israel-Hamas war in a region with a sizable Arab American population.

Mintz is a former school board candidate who ran on "ending critical race theory," and was previously reported to have posted Islamophobic YouTube videos. He's a also a licensed realtor whose firm tells the Free Press it "released" him Monday after he was charged.

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Mintz was arrested at home after Dearborn police were anonymously tipped to the post, published Wednesday at 1 a.m. Efforts to reach him or identify his attorney were unsuccessful.

In a 2010 road rage incident that grabbed headlines, Mintz shot 20-year-old Faith Said in the arm in Oakland County.

After an initial trial that tested the limits of self defense and ended in a mistrial, Mintz ultimately pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, according to Free Press archives.

Mintz was sentenced to 11 months probation in the road rage case, according to Oakland County court records. The following year, the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, which would have allowed him to continue to possess a gun under state law.

MLive at the time described Mintz as a YouTube commentator who uploaded "hate-filled" videos often targeting Islam.

"Islam is a cult. It is a threat. It is a threat to all Judeo-Christian nations," the outlet quoted Mintz as saying in one of the clips, while seated in front of an American flag.

His brother told WJBK (Channel 2) at the time that Mintz, then 27, had "been very angry lately," noting their parents had died in the prior decade.

Since then, Mintz appears to have aligned himself with Donald Trump. Facebook posts over the past three years convey support for the former president and opposition to mask mandates. Photos from April 2020 show him posing with a Dont Tread on Me flag on the steps of the Michigan Capitol during a protest over Gov. Gretchen Whitmers stay-at-home orders.

In 2022, Mintz ran as a write-in candidate for the Farmington Hills Public Schools board on a platform that included ending critical race theory, according to a League of Women Voters candidate guide.

On Facebook, Mintz is described as a "a delivery driver, an auction seller and an actor" with a criminal justice degree.

State records show he's also a licensed realtor. A representative for the firm he was with, 3DX, told the Free Press that Mintz was let go Monday, but declined to provide specifics. As of Tuesday, he was not listed in the firm's agent directory.

Police and prosecutors have declined to provide details about Mintz's alleged Oct. 11 threat. Two days before it was issued, his Facebook profile picture was changed to read I Stand With Israel.

Now is the time for their support & it's also time for Israel to get aggressive & end the terrorist group called Hamas, the caption read.

More: Rep. Rashida Tlaib helps lead Israeli-Hamas ceasefire resolution

Mintz is charged with making a false report or threat of terrorism  a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison  and malicious use of telecommunications services. A judge set bond at $500,000 bond and barred him from having a weapon or internet access, the Wayne County Prosecutors Office said in a media release.

In announcing the charges, Prosecutor Kym Worthy noted in a statement that "Wayne County is very diverse," adding, "we take these threats very seriously."

Threats against any person in Wayne County will not be tolerated and will be thoroughly investigated by the relevant police agency, she said in a statement Tuesday.

The war that broke out last week prompted local authorities to boost security presence around houses of worship and schools amid safety concerns from Arab American and Jewish groups. The FBI Detroit office said agents had been in touch with local communities around Michigan while President Joe Biden said he was taking steps to address security concerns in the US more broadly.

On Saturday in Illinois, a 6-year-old Arab American boy was killed and his mother seriously injured in a stabbing authorities said was an ugly response to the Israel-Hamas war.

The boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was stabbed 26 times.

More: 'We're not monsters': Community mourns 6-year-old amidst fears of anti-Muslim hate

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Carl Mintz, charged with threatening local Palestinians, fired from job
PHILADELPHIA - A man is suffering critical injuries after police say he was stabbed in the Hunting Park area.

According to Philadelphia police, a 31-year-old male was stabbed once in the neck on the 1300 block of West Lycoming Street Monday at around 4:19 p.m.

They say he was transported to Temple University Hospital via private vehicle where he was then placed in critical condition.

No arrests have been made and no weapons were recovered at the scene.

___

Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to 215-686-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, here. All tips are confidential.

Click here to find resources for victims of violence in Philadelphia.
An Indiana man accused of molesting an 11-year-old girl at an Indianapolis park has been sentenced to 45 years in prison, officials say.

James Howard Jr. was sentenced on Oct. 16, more than a year after the August 2022 attack, court records show.

Investigators say the girl was on a bench, watching a show on her phone when Howard sneaked up behind her, pressed a rag over her mouth, and dragged her into a wooded area, WXIN reported.

Hidden from view in the thicket, Howard sexually assaulted her, police said, according to the station.

The girl fought back against Howard, kicking and shoving, eventually escaping and calling police, according to court documents, WRTV reported.

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She told investigators what she could remember, what the stranger was wearing, and the color of his phone, the outlet reported.

According to documents, police searched the area the next day and spotted a man matching the strangers description, including one very specific detail: a hat bearing the words Bad Boy, WTHR reported. The man also had an orange phone and a black rag like the one used to cover the girls mouth, the station said.

Howard was found guilty of child molestation and kidnapping, and sentenced to prison, court records show. An extra 15 years was added to the molestation charge, as he is considered a habitual offender, records show.

An attorney for Howard declined to comment.

In an Oct. 16 news release, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears thanked the community for helping police identify and locate Howard, and praised the victim for bravery in giving her testimony at trial.

The young survivor in this case has repeatedly shown admirable courage throughout this extremely difficult process. Her testimony ultimately put law enforcement and prosecutors in a position to ensure that the defendant cannot harm others in our community, Mears said.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man was taken to the hospital after being shot in Whitehaven Tuesday morning, according to Memphis Police.

A little before 1 a.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 4700 block of Brigidier Street.

A man was found shot and taken to Regional One in non-critical condition. A female was detained on the scene.

MPD says this remains an ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man has been sentenced to prison after he pled guilty for his involvement in a head-on crash that resulted in the death of an 11-year-old in Murfreesboro last year.

Murfreesboro police said 43-year-old Eduardo Tejeda pleaded guilty Monday, Oct. 16 to nine counts, including vehicular homicide, three counts of vehicular assault, and driving under the influence in Rutherford County Circuit Court.

5th grader killed, brother injured in Murfreesboro crash

The charges stem from a serious head-on collision that occurred in May 2022 on Lascassas Pike near Dejarnette Lane.

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According to Murfreesboro police. Tejeda was driving a gray 1993 Toyota Camry south on Lascassas Pike when he veered into the oncoming lane of traffic, colliding with a 2021 red Toyota Corolla.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County

Authorities reported 11-year-old Cole Johnson, a 5th grade student at Providence Christian Academy, was killed in the crash. Meanwhile, his younger brother, two adults, and a passenger who was in the car with Tejeda were injured.

A toxicology report later revealed that Tejeda was over the legal limit when the crash occurred.

On Tuesday, Oct. 17 Murfreesboro police announced that Tejeda was sentenced to 11 years in prison after a judge accepted his guilty plea.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Family members of the 11-year-old reportedly wept in the courtroom as victim impact statements were read.

Tejedas attorney read a letter on his behalf to the family and asked for their forgiveness saying, Hes truly sorry and wished the day never happened.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday held talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Xi said Chile is a pioneer in the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Latin America. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than half a century ago, China-Chile ties have maintained stable and sound development.

The bilateral cooperation in various fields has promoted the development and revitalization of the two countries and delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

The two countries should take the signing of the Belt and Road cooperation plan as an opportunity to strengthen the alignment of their development strategies, he said.

Xi said China and Chile should deepen traditional cooperation in economy, trade and infrastructure, and foster new drivers of growth for cooperation on clean energy, digital economy, and scientific and technological innovation, to make Chile a leading country in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Latin America.

China welcomes more high-quality agricultural products and specialties from Chile to enter the Chinese market, he said.

Xi said that both China and Chile belong to the Global South. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Chile to uphold solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, and safeguard true multilateralism and free trade.

China appreciates Chile's positive contributions to the development of China-Latin America relations and the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, and hopes Chile will continue to play its unique role in promoting China's cooperation with Latin America, he said. 
A man is accused of threatening to kill a Black employee at a Social Security office in Washington because of his race, federal prosecutors said.

Now Steven L. Veres, 41, of Thurston County, is charged with a hate crime, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington.

Veres went with a friend on Feb. 16 to get a replacement Social Security card from the Social Security office in Olympia, prosecutors said. There, the employee informed him of the proper documents he needed for a new card, prosecutors said.

Veres returned to the office later that day with documents and became enraged with the employee when he told Veres the paperwork was not sufficient for a replacement Social Security card, prosecutors said.

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Hes accused of hurling racial slurs at the worker and threatening to assault and murder him, according to prosecutors and a superseding indictment.

On Oct. 16, Veres appeared in federal court in Tacoma and was arraigned on charges of influencing a federal official by threat and interference with federally protected activities, the attorneys office announced in a news release that day.

McClatchy News contacted federal public defenders representing Veres for comment on Oct. 17 and didnt receive an immediate response.

The charge of influencing a federal official by threat carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, according to the release.

If Veres is convicted of that charge, he could also face a $250,000 fine, the release said.

The charge of interference with a federally protected activity carries a maximum penalty of up to a year in prison, prosecutors said.

It falls under a federal hate crime law that makes it a crime to use or threaten to use force to willfully interfere with a persons participation in a federally protected activity because of race, color, religion, or national origin.

Veres is due back in court on Nov. 28 for a jury trial, court records show.

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A Florida man who was exonerated after serving more than 16 years for a crime he did not commit has been shot and killed by a deputy in Georgia during a traffic stop, according to a news release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

The GBI said a Camden County deputy made a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Camden County, Georgia, on Monday at about 7:30 a.m., according to a statement.

No information was provided on the reason that police pulled over Leonard Allan Cure, 53, or what lead up to the traffic stop.

The GBI didnt immediately identify the driver, and in a news release said the driver of the car got out of the vehicle at the deputys request and complied with the officers commands until learning that he was under arrest, said a GBI news release.

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Cure had been exonerated and released from prison in April of 2020 after serving more than 16 years for a 2003 robbery in Broward County, Florida, court documents show.

After not complying with the deputys requests, the deputy tased Cure, the GBI said. Cure assaulted the deputy. The deputy used the Taser for a second time and an ASP baton; however, Cure still did not comply. The deputy pulled out his gun and shot Cure.

EMTs treated Cure, but he later died, said the GBI news release.

The GBI says it will conduct an independent investigation of the incident and turn its findings over to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office for review.

When the Broward State Attorneys Office launched a conviction review unit in 2019, one of the first petitions that arrived came from Cure  who previously lost four appeals for post-conviction relief, according to Broward County court records.

A little more than a year after beginning review of our client Leonard Cures case, the State Attorneys Conviction Review Unit of the 17th Circuit has fully exonerated him, said a 2020 tweet from The Innocence Project of Florida, which represented Cure.

The review unit determined that a complete review of the evidence presented at trial and in discovery, as well as further investigation of that evidence demonstrates the case against Mr. Cure gives rise to a reasonable doubt as to his culpability and that he is most likely innocent, court documents show.

This is the first exoneration initiated by the Conviction Review Unit, said a 2020 tweet from the state attorneys office.

Welcome to freedom, Leonard, wrote the Innocence Project after his exoneration.

In a statement, the Florida Innocence Project said Cure, who was known to friends as Lenny, was returning home to Fairburn, Georgia, after his visiting his mother when the police stopped him. The group noted that the state of Florida had officially apologized to Cure and in August, he had received compensation from the state because of his wrongful conviction.

The Florida Innocence Project had worked with the review unit on Cures case and said their investigation found evidence in the form of an ATM receipt showing Cure was miles away from the scene of the crime at the time of the robbery.

Sadly his life was cut tragically short, the projects executive director, Seth Miller, said in a statement.

The Georgia Innocence project said Cure had recently spoken to students in Jonesboro, Georgia, about wrongful convictions.

After all he endured, he deserved to live his life in freedom, the group said.

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The Gaza Health Ministry says an Israeli airstrike hit a hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds, The Associated Press is reporting . If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008, AP reported. We cannot confirm the source of the explosion at this time.

Photos from al-Ahli Hospital showed fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass and body parts scattered across the area, according to the AP. The ministry said at least 500 people had been killed.

https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1714344962404598123 https://twitter.com/itranslate123/status/1714332297938297289 https://twitter.com/AJEnglish/status/1714348326412243119 https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1714346731406520802

Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

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Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: We will get the details and update the public. I dont know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike, the AP reported.

The horrific massacre carried out by the Zionist occupation in the Gaza Citys Al-Ahly Hospital which left hundreds of casualties, most of them displaced families, patients, children and women, is a crime of genocide that once again reveals the ugly face of this criminal enemy and its fascist and terrorist government, Hamas said on its Telegram channel. This also exposes the American and Western support for this criminal occupation.

I'm aware of the reports, but I don't have anything to offer further at this time, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Tuesday.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been in regular contact with [Israeli Defense] Minster Yoav Gallant, emphasizing that during this conflict, the law of war is being upheld.

Hamas, she added, is putting civilians at risk by putting command and control centers at hospitals. When pressed by reporters, however, she could not offer specifics of which hospitals might have such Hamas command centers.

Yesterday, a former Israeli intelligence and special operations officer told us at least one of those hospitals , Dar al-Shifa, is considered to house Hamas political and military leadership under the medical facilities.

Health authorities in Gaza say at least 3,000 people have been killed in Israel's intense 11-day bombardment since Hamas militants rampaged into Israeli towns on Oct 6, killing more than 1,300 soldiers and civilians, according to Reuters.

This is a developing story and, once again, we cannot confirm what exploded or where the munition came from that caused it, if that was indeed the case. We will update it when there is more news to report about this incident.

Update: 3:57 PM EST -

The IDF now says it did not carry out an airstrike on the hospital.

"An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit," the IDF said on its Telegram channel. "Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza."

https://twitter.com/Israel/status/1714366327538794512?s=20

Update: 6:02 PM EST -

A spokesman for Palestinian Islamic Jihad has also denied it is responsible for the Gaza hospital strike, according to The Independent .

For U.S. President Joe Biden, set to arrive in Israel tomorrow, there is already political fallout from this situation.

He was planning to travel to Jordan as well, but that portion of the trip has been postponed.

After consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, President Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President Sisi of Egypt, a White House official told reporters via the White House press pool. The President sent his deepest condolences for the innocent lives lost in the hospital explosion in Gaza, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. He looks forward to consulting in person with these leaders soon, and agreed to remain regularly and directly engaged with each of them over the coming days.

That news comes after Abbas, in protest of the hospital explosion, already canceled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Abdullah and Sisi set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan to discuss the war, The Associated Press reported . Abbas Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Hamas on its Telegram channel called for Arabs and Muslims now and immediately to take direct action and show anger everywhere, and to demonstrate in front of the embassies of the Zionist entity, and not wait for tomorrow; This is an urgent response to the heinous Zionist massacre against the Baptist National Hospital in Gaza City.

That response is already taking place, according to the AP.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades, according to the AP. Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli Embassy.

6:47 PM EST -

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late Tuesday blamed Israel for the hospital explosion.

"Striking a hospital where there are women, children, and innocent civilians is the latest example of Israel's attacks devoid of fundamental human values," Erdogan said in a post on Twitter.

"I call on all humanity to take action to stop Israel's unprecedented brutality in Gaza," he added.

https://twitter.com/RTErdogan/status/1714350684684898721

The Israeli National Security Council (NSC) issued a warning against travel to Turkey and Morocco, citing fears that Israeli travelers will be targets of those angry at the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, The Times of Israel is reporting .

Video of protests at the Israeli consulate in Istanbul are emerging on social media.

https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1714378337198498072 https://twitter.com/officejjsmart/status/1714404151747072408?s=20

Hezbollah too has called for protests, and hundreds of people have gathered around the U.S. Embassy in Beirut in response to the incident in Gaza.

https://twitter.com/sahouraxo/status/1714403691644547464

The Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, is the scene of large-scale protests in the wake of this incident, AFP reported in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36MX2-E72r0

There is more video emerging on social media of those protests as well.

https://twitter.com/SinaToossi/status/1714399486682763611 https://twitter.com/QudsNen/status/1714364018280878335

Biden, on his way to Israel, released a statement on the hospital explosion, saying his national security team is gathering information on what happened:

"I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted. Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and have directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened. The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy."

Update: 10:00 PM EST

The Iranian embassy in Syria posted a very ominous tweet, stating simply:

https://twitter.com/IranembassyDam/status/1714441734300524929?s=20

There are tons of claims, many of them dubious, that 'analyze' video coming to various conclusions. We are not going to post all them as they do not conclusively prove anything at this time. As for the IDF, it took to Twitter to directly attack Al Jazeera's post stating an Israeli aerial attack caused:

https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1714442617201586220?s=20

CNN is reporting that Israel has provided SIGINT to the US regarding the explosion at the hospital:

https://twitter.com/ZcohenCNN/status/1714431664967856146?s=20

Some critical things to keep in mind with this terrible situation:

As we have stated many times over the years, munitions fail. The best munitions on the planet costing millions apiece fail . Rudimentary artillery rockets smuggled over great distances or built out of pipes and other available materials fail. This is a reality of warfare. Full stop.

In Gaza, munitions are stored where Israel has trouble spotting and striking them  in urban buildings and in tunnels. Mistakes and accidental ignitions happen. Munitions even stored improperly can explode. Maybe that is not the case here, but it is a reality of this conflict that must be factored at all times.

Also, Israel bombs targets that are dual use  civilian structures it claims are housing militant capabilities or personnel. That is a fact. Bombing a hospital, especially as POTUS is heading to your country for a high-profile show of support, would be incredibly damaging and illogical. That doesn't mean it is impossible and targeting mistakes and breakdowns in the chain of command happen even with the most capable militaries. That's a fact.

Finally, there are many actors in this conflict all with agendas of their own, some of which are incredibly murky and they will do extreme things to see events unfold according to their needs. That's a fact.

Regardless, this is all another reminder of how brutal this never ending conflict is and how average people pay the price for others' decisions that are out of their immediate control.

But as of now, what exactly happened here and who is responsible is not clear. Evidence will likely change this in the future, especially considering how heavily surveilled that piece of land is, and especially now as the entire region sits on the brink.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
On March 5, 2020, I walked into the hospital 39 weeks pregnant. I hadnt felt my baby move since the day before. Being a first-time mom, I had no idea what to expect. Was my baby OK? Was he sleeping? Had he run out of room?

No. The answer to all the above questions was no.

Sitting in the triage bay with my mom expecting positive news about her first grandchild, we were informed by an emotionless hospital staff obstetrician that my baby had died. And I still had to give birth to him.

But first, I had to call my husband at work and then my doula (who told me that I was the second client of hers this had happened to in two months).

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My body was not in labor, so I was given the choice of being induced immediately or returning later and risk seeing my son in an unrecognizable state. This was the first of many impossible choices my husband and I would be forced to make.

Several hours of labor and pushing later, I gave birth to my perfect 7-pound, 6-ounce baby boy, Rhoan Osborne Bailey. I was shocked that his lifeless body came out warm. The fear of seeing my dead son was quickly replaced with intense, unconditional love and the most painful, heartbreaking grief and utter despair from realizing I would never see him alive. I would never hear him cry, see him open his eyes or take a single breath. His entire future was taken from us. How could this happen?

I was discouraged from requesting a fetal autopsy because of the likelihood of no answers and the out-of-pocket expense, so I left the hospital the next day with a cardboard box of funeral home pamphlets and overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame. Without any answers, I blamed myself.

After months of being told, These things just happen, I sent my sons pathology records to a specialist at Yale. They quickly determined my sons death was caused by an undetected small placenta and multiple cord compressions. Had I been educated on stillbirth prevention (a fetus with a small placenta is a risk factor and changes in fetal movements can be a warning sign of distress), I have no doubt my son would be alive today.

Every year in Missouri and Kansas, 568 stillbirths occur. There are more than 21,000 annually nationwide. Chances are someone you know has been affected by stillbirth. This month in Washington, D.C., I met a Missouri legislator whose daughter was stillborn almost 40 years ago.

At least 1 in 4 stillbirths are preventable. But we cant prevent something we dont know about. Everyone knows not to eat deli meat during a pregnancy, but stillbirth is 1,000 times more likely than listeriosis, and no one is talking about it.

The Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education or SHINE for Autumn Act, H.R. 5012/S. 2647, aims to reduce the U.S. stillbirth rate by providing critical resources to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and state health departments to improve data collection and increase education, research and awareness around stillbirth.

The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, H.R. 4581/S. 2231, clarifies that stillbirth prevention activities are an allowable use of funds under Title V of the Social Security Act to further support stillbirth prevention research and programming. This bill passed by unanimous consent in the Senate on Sept. 30.

Please urge your members of Congress to support both bills, which are a critical step in stillbirth prevention. Many of these deaths are preventable, and are happening in healthy, low-risk pregnancies like mine.

We can do better, and now is our chance.

Erica Bailey lives in Kansas City with her family and spends her free time advocating for stillbirth prevention in honor of her firstborn son, Rhoan. Find more information at countthekicks.org and pushpregnancy.org
Margaret Fleming was a vulnerable young woman who vanished without trace - and no-one raised the alarm for almost 17 years.

She was 19 years old when she was last seen by anyone other than Edward Cairney and Avril Jones.

Her disappearance was so mysterious that at one point police asked the couple, who were meant to be Margaret's carers, if she even existed.

Their version of her life was stranger than fiction.

The British Broadcasting Corporation

They claimed that Margaret, who had learning difficulties, ran off with a traveller, then went on to become a gangmaster who travelled Europe, and a drug dealer with several aliases.

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Precisely what happened may never be known, but a jury has found the pair guilty of murdering Margaret within three weeks of that final sighting on 17 December 1999. Her body has never been found.

During the seven-week trial, the prosecution painted a bleak picture of Margaret's life before she disappeared.

Early challenges

An only child, she was brought up in the town of Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, and faced challenges from an early age.

At Slaemuir Primary School, Margaret struggled with reading and writing, and she continued to require additional support as a pupil at Port Glasgow High.

But two defining events ultimately led her into the care of her killers.

In January 1993, her parents Derek and Margaret divorced after 20 years of marriage.

The schoolgirl was 12 when she left the family home to move in with her father and grandparents.

The jury heard Margaret had a bad temper and was described by her mother as difficult to handle.

In contrast, she was a quiet figure in the classroom and required constant encouragement.

A rare letter of praise

In a 1995 report, teacher Elizabeth Brown wrote: "Margaret Fleming has moderate learning difficulties. She works fairly well to her ability but needs written instructions set out simply and gone over verbally."

In evidence she said: "If you left Margaret on her own she would do very little. You had to prod her to do the work. Her marks were all at the very bottom end of the school."

On one rare occasion another teacher put on record her gratitude to the teenager for helping her with registration.

This provided one of the most poignant moments of the trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Ms Brown recalled: "She clearly thought Margaret deserved a letter of praise, which Margaret wouldn't have got many of during her schooling."

Another retired teacher, Elaine Moore, said: "She was quite isolated. Her and her dad were a wee unit. She was concerned about him and he was concerned about her."

Mr Fleming, a tradesman who retrained as a lawyer, was so protective of his daughter he didn't tell her why he had been taken in to hospital. He had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

'A rather lonely, isolated girl'

His condition had deteriorated by 20 October 1995, when his ex-wife took Margaret to Inverclyde Council's social work office.

The meeting was arranged to discuss her behavioural problems, which included arguing with her grandparents.

The referral said: "Margaret does not know why her father is in hospital and is afraid it is something serious."

It also noted the child was always with her father and felt "rejected" by her mother.

The report continued: "I feel like Margaret is a rather lonely, isolated girl who is living with elderly grandparents.

"Margaret appears to be surrounded by a great deal of uncertainty and ill health."

Five days after the meeting, Mr Fleming lost his battle with cancer.

His death not only devastated Margaret but proved to be the catalyst for her eventual move from Port Glasgow to Inverkip, 10 miles along the Clyde coast.

Mr Fleming thought that his parents were too old to take care of his daughter.

He had earlier told his fiancee Jean McSherry that if anything happened to him, Eddie and Avril would look after Margaret.

During the trial Margaret's mother, 71-year-old Margaret Cruickshanks, recalled how she first met Cairney.

She said: "After Derek died they were at the funeral. Eddie Cairney came and approached me and said if I needed any help with Margaret he would give me respite care."

The court heard Margaret initially lived with her mother but later spent up to a fortnight at a time staying with Cairney and Jones at their dilapidated home, which was named Seacroft.

Ms Cruickshanks said her daughter was even more difficult to cope with after the loss of her father.

She added: "She would come back from school and I'd say: 'What were you doing?'

"Her temper would be up and she would batter me."

A strained relationship

A month after Mr Fleming's death, Margaret and her mother met Inverclyde Council social worker Denise Munro in a bid to secure support from the additional needs team.

Ms Munro recalled: "She was quite a naive girl, quite vulnerable, quiet, lonely, sad and did not have many friends."

She said there had been a strained relationship between mother and daughter.

Giving evidence, she added: "When I went to their house to pick up Margaret I would have a conversation with her mum, who found it difficult.

"She had lived on her own and had an adolescent girl who was missing her dad."

Ms Munro continued to support the teenager until she went on maternity leave in July 1996.

By this time, Margaret had enrolled on a skills for life course at James Watt College in Greenock and appeared to have settled down.

But that August, Ms Cruickshanks told the social work department that her daughter's behaviour had deteriorated.

But she received no further support and no-one stepped into Ms Munro's role.

All ties between mother and daughter were finally severed after a chilling confrontation on 26 November, 1997.

Ms Cruickshanks told the jury she was attacked by Cairney after travelling to Inverkip to tell him she wanted her daughter to come home.

She said Margaret, who struggled with her weight, was then brought downstairs from her attic bedroom and asked where she wanted to live.

Ms Cruickshanks said: "I think she was a bit nervous and she turned round and said she wanted to stay there. There was nothing I could do about it."

She later called the police who went to check on Margaret.

'I didn't visit any more'

Memories of that night reduced her to tears in the witness box as she recalled: "The police came back to say she was alright. As far as I knew that was where she was living.

"I didn't visit any more. I got a letter. It said she didn't want to see me any more."

In the months that followed, Margaret became more reclusive and Cairney told the jury he tried to stop the teenager self-harming by putting cardboard tubes on her arms.

In October 1999, Margaret saw her GP, Dr James Farrell, for the last time.

He told the court she had "quite significant learning difficulties" and said she might have had Sotos syndrome from birth - although a definitive diagnosis of the rare disorder was never made.

The GP also said she was "socially and educationally" isolated and referred her to a psychologist.

Dr Alan Smith visited Seacroft before Christmas but all attempts to contact Margaret to arrange another appointment came to nothing.

Last confirmed sighting

The three-week timeframe during which detectives believe Margaret was murdered was narrowed down by the testimony of Avril Jones' brother, Richard, and mother, Florence.

The last confirmed sighting of Margaret was at Richard Jones' new home in Inverkip on 17 December 1999.

Florence Jones remembered Margaret as a "very, very quiet girl" who was unable to look after herself due to her learning difficulties.

The 79-year-old played a key role in the chronology of the case.

Her most recent memory of Margaret was at her ruby wedding celebrations in March 1999, and a photograph from that night is the last known image of the teenager.

Crucially, Mrs Jones had no recollection of Margaret joining the family at Mr Jones' house for Christmas dinner in 1999.

There was also no sign of her in the photos taken that day.

On 5 January, 2000 Mrs Jones spoke to her daughter on the phone.

The pensioner told the court: "She said Margaret had left with a traveller. I wasn't sure what had happened. It was up to them."

As the months turned to years, memories faded and not one person saw fit to report that a teenage girl had simply disappeared off the face of the earth.

Indeed it was not until October 2016 that a missed appointment for a benefits review finally led police to Seacroft.

Covering their tracks

The couple's attempts to cover their tracks, while Avril Jones fraudulently claimed 182,000 in benefits, included producing letters which were said to be from Margaret.

One was said to be from Carlisle on 9 January 2000 and the other two were from the Regent Palace Hotel in Piccadilly Circus, London, on 13 January, 2000.

As part of the complex investigation that followed detectives showed the typed letters to Jacqueline Cahill, who taught Margaret standard grade English at Port Glasgow High between 1994 and 1996.

She told the court the teenager would not have been capable of writing them.

Ms Cahill said: "She had literacy difficulties.

"She struggled to put pen to paper. She struggled to read, and read at about the level of an eight-year-old."

The British Broadcasting Corporation

But despite her struggles in the classroom, the teacher told BBC Scotland Margaret had the potential to hold down a job that did not require some numeracy and literacy skills.

She added: "If she had stayed in Port Glasgow, she would have stayed in touch with her friends, but moving to Inverkip probably made it easier for Margaret to slip off the radar.

"I don't even want to imagine what her life was like when she was living in Inverkip."

'This wee girl was forgotten'

The teenager's life and death has had a profound impact on Ms Cahill.

She said: "There isn't anyone who remembers Margaret.

"I taught her for two years and I am here speaking about her as a person and I am one of the only people who remembers her.

"That is one of the saddest things that this wee girl was forgotten - abandoned with supposed carers, and forgotten about for 20 years."
A Marion County teen could spend more than two decades in prison after pleading guilty to killing another local teen.

Marquis D. Adams, 19, Marion, pleaded guilty to a lesser included offense of voluntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, in the shooting death of Jamear Douglas, 17, Marion, when he appeared before Judge Matthew P. Frericks on Monday in Marion County Common Pleas Court. A 3-year firearms specification was added to the voluntary manslaughter charge.

Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan said the tampering with evidence charge was added due to the fact that Adams disposed of the firearm that he used to shoot and kill Douglas. The firearm was never recovered and Adams has not revealed its location to authorities, Grogan noted.

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This admission of guilt is a crucial step in delivering justice to Jamears family and our community, said Grogan, who has recommended a prison sentence of 17 to 22-1/2 years for Adams. The persistence of Marion Police and my prosecutors has been invaluable in holding Mr. Adams accountable for his evil actions. We recommended the prison term after a lot of consultation with the family and after looking at all of the circumstances surrounding the case.

Initially charged with three counts of murder

Adams was originally charged with three counts of murder, all unspecified felonies, and two counts of felonious assault, second-degree felonies, for allegedly shooting and killing Douglas during an altercation that occurred in the early morning hours on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, outside a residence in the 500 block of Adams Street. Each charge carried with it a three-year firearms specification under terms of the indictment, which was issued by the Marion County grand jury on Nov. 16, 2022.

Adams fled Marion after the shooting and apparently hid in the Detroit area for five months until he was located and arrested by agents from the U.S. Marshals Service on Jan. 11, 2023.

Major Chris Adkins of the Marion Police Department testified during a preliminary hearing held Feb. 3, 2023, that the autopsy report revealed that Douglas had been shot six times.

The altercation that precipitated the fatal shooting was a social media spat between the two young men about which of them was the "better rapper," Grogan said.

'A simple moment of anger can have a lifetime of consequences'

"A simple moment of anger can have a lifetime of consequences," Grogan said. "Jamear's life is over. Marquis' life is ruined. And for what? A fight about rap lyrics? And what is a (then) 18-year-old kid doing riding around in a car with a gun in a bag in the city of Marion? It's senseless and permanent. The message that I hope that we send is that we have to curb this trend of young people in our community picking up a gun to solve their problems."

Dora Evans, whom Grogan described as a "grandmother-like figure" to Douglas and with whom the teenager was living at the time of the fatal shooting in August 2022, said she hopes to see an end to gun violence among young people in Marion County.

Marquis Adams took my grandson from this world. Jamear was a light to all those who knew him," Evans said. "I agree with the prosecutor. This plea is the first step towards justice. We need to stop gun violence among our young people. We also need to stop the back-and-forth nonsense that our young people engage in on social media these days.

The Marion County Common Pleas Court's Probation Department is conducting a pre-sentence investigation, which will be submitted to Judge Frericks.

Adams remains in custody at the Multi-County Correctional Center in Marion. Following the sentencing hearing, he will be remanded to the custody of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and sent to the Correctional Reception Center in Orient prior to being transferred to a state prison to serve his sentence.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marquis Adams pleads guilty to 2022 killing to Jamear Douglas
The July 2023 coup in Niger, one of the worlds key exporters of uranium, spurred disinformation and anti-French sentiment. Two months later, several social media posts claimed Niger had hiked the price of the commodity from less than one euro to 200 euros per kilogramme. But AFP Fact Check found that, although uranium is not sold in the open market like oil, and its spot prices are mostly fixed privately between sellers and buyers, its recent price hikes were influenced by a number of factors not limited to the Nigerien crisis.

A Facebook account called Ambassador Zandy claimed that Niger raised the price of a kilogramme of uranium to 200 euros from 0.08 euro before the coup, arguing the purported price hike would affect diplomatic relations with former colonial power France.

The post, published on September 7, 2023, includes a five-minute video of footage showing leaders of the coup, people raising the flag of the country, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The narrator says raising the price would help Niger break free from historical imbalances.

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The account has a history of posting anti-Western content while praising China and Russia.

Soldiers led by former presidential guard commander General Abdourahamane Tiani ousted Nigers democratically-elected president Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023 (archived here).

Negotiations to restore civilian rule have yet to bear fruit, with the military regime demanding a transition period of three years. The regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is insisting on Bazoums immediate return.

The US State Department said it had concluded on October 10, 2023 that Nigers regime change was a de facto military coup, a decision that will mean the suspension of all but the most critical funding to the country (archived here).

Web of disinformation

AFP Fact Checks investigation revealed that the earliest recorded mention of the claim came from a story published by a fringe Nigerian news website called The Spectacles on September 3, 2023.

While the site has since deleted the report, the URL of the page still shows the title of the false claim.

A screenshot shows the URL of the deleted report, taken on October 6, 2023

Several other blogs, including here, here and here, published the same claim and credited The Spectacles as their source.

It surfaced on Facebook (here and here) and on several X accounts (formerly Twitter) with a history of posting pro-Russian content (including here and here).

A screenshot of the false claim, taken on October 6, 2023

Nigers uranium

Niger has some of the worlds biggest deposits of uranium, a key ingredient in the nuclear industry. It was Frances third biggest supplier between 2005 and 2020, behind Kazakhstan and Australia.

French firm Orano, previously Areva, has been a major player in the West African nation for more than 50 years and operates a major uranium mine in the country, as well as three subsidiaries  SOMAIR, COMINAK and IMOURAREN SA.

Industry experts had projected that the putsch could lead to a spike in the spot price of the commodity in the wake of the coup. But the reasons they cited were not solely the crisis in Niger (archived here).

Prices of uranium

Contrary to the claims, the data published on the websites of the Nigerien government and Canada-based Cameco, one of the worlds largest providers of uranium fuel, showed that uranium was trading far higher than 0.08 before the putsch.

Per Cameco, the spot price for the commodity in June 2023 was $56.10 (or 53.11) per pound (0.45 kilogrammes). It traded for $56.38 and $59.93 in July and August respectively (archived here).

According to TradeTech, a market research platform that has been tracking the prices of uranium since March 2011, uranium spot price rose to a 12-year high in mid-September when it sold for $65.50 a pound. The price climbed further to $71.58 by the end of the month (archived here).

The expectation for higher demand from the global nuclear power industry, combined with signs that the uranium production sector could contract further due to the recent geopolitical events, as well as certain missed targets by existing and emerging producers, have led spot uranium sellers to resist reducing their offer prices, with buyers exhibiting a willingness to pay higher prices to secure material, said TradeTech President Treva Klingbiel.

Cameco data showed that the lowest price point for uranium in the last 33 years was recorded in October 1991, when it traded at $7.38 per pound. In June 2007, it sold for $136.

A screenshot shows the price of uranium in October 1991, taken on October 6, 2023

A screenshot shows the price of uranium in June 2007, taken on October 6, 2023

The Canadian firm, however, explained that unlike other commodities such as oil, uranium is not sold in the open market. In addition, its prices are fixed directly between sellers and buyers.

A now-deleted document published on the website of the Nigerien presidency showed that the country earned an average revenue of 170 billion Franc CFA ($282 million) from the two mines operated by Orano between 2016 and 2020.

In 2020, Niger received 48,117,000,000 Franc CFA for 1,113 tons of uranium from COMINAK and 103,251,000,000 CFA for 1,879 tons from the SOMAIR. Both are operated by Orano.

Taking the prevailing exchange rates at the time into consideration, this implies that the country received an average of 72.52 ($63.50) for a kilogramme of uranium ore and 32.89 ($28.80) per pound that year from COMINAK. It earned 83.75 for a kilogramme of the ore and 37.98 per pound from SOMAIR in the same year.

The price per pound is within the price range listed on Camecos website for 2020.

Orano did not respond to a request for comments on the prices of its uranium mined in Niger.

Diplomatic row

The relationship between France and Niger has since broken down, with the military coup leaders in August demanding the French ambassador Sylvain Itte and troops leave the country. Itte left Niger weeks later (archived here).

Macron said on September 24, 2023, that cooperation with Niger was over and that French troops would withdraw from the country by the end of the year (archived here).

Macron announced on September 24, 2023 that France would withdraw its military contingent from Niger in the coming months ALAIN JOCARD AFP

We will begin our disengagement operation this week, in good order, safely and in coordination with the Nigeriens, the French military headquarters said.

French uranium miner Orano said on September 13, 2023, that the mine operated by its subsidiary SOMAIR was forced to bring forward its maintenance schedule by the ongoing closure of Nigers main supply corridor and diminishing stocks of chemical products (archived here).

It added that it had sufficient stock to meet its commitments until the end of the year.

AFP Fact Check has debunked several false claims about uranium mining in Niger, including here and here.
(Bloomberg) -- Martti Ahtisaari , a former president of Finland and Nobel prize recipient who brokered peace on three continents, has died. He was 86.

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Ahtisaari died at 6:40 a.m. in Helsinki on Monday, the Finnish presidents office said in a statement. He had withdrawn from public life in 2021 due to advanced Alzheimers.

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Ahtisaari focused his life around peace building, culminating in the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008. His notable efforts to resolve conflicts included helping win Namibias independence from South Africa in 1990 and aiding the resolution of a dispute in Indonesias Aceh province in 2005.

He was a peace maker whose career contained an extraordinary number of internationally significant achievements, President Sauli Niinisto said in televised comments.

Another of Ahtisaaris efforts was negotiating peace in Kosovo before it declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after a war over the territory.

He stood shoulder to shoulder with us as we penned our story as a sovereign, democratic, and independent state, Kosovos president, Vjosa Osmani, said in a tribute on social media. His visionary legacy will forever live in the memory of the people of Kosovo.

Ahtisaari served as Finlands 10th president for a single six-year term until 2000, steering the Nordic nation to European Union membership.

Ahtisaari believed in humankind, civilization and goodness, and he lived a great, significant life, Niinisto said in the statement. He was president in times of change, who piloted Finland into a global EU era.

Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari was born on June 23, 1937, in Viipuri, which was then part of Finland and is now the Russian city of Vyborg.

His father, Oiva, was a military technician. His mother, Tyyne, was a housewife. The family was forced to flee when war broke out in 1939. The experience made him an eternally displaced person, Ahtisaari said in an interview in 2008.

Having studied education at university, Ahtisaari began his career as a primary-school teacher in Finland and Pakistan, before joining the Finnish Foreign Ministry.

There, he rose through the ranks to become ambassador to several African nations, including Tanzania and Zambia. As a diplomat, he worked most of his life abroad, holding numerous positions at the United Nations starting in 1978.

As a mediator, Ahtisaari was unrelenting, persistent and knew how to defuse pressure through negotiations.

As his term as Finlands president was ending, Ahtisaari didnt seek reelection. Instead, he founded Crisis Management Initiative, a nonprofit peace-brokering organization that works to prevent and resolve violent conflicts through informal dialog and mediation. The organization later became CMI  Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation.

He also served on the boards of UPM-Kymmene Oyj, a Finnish forestry company, and Elcoteq SE, a former contract manufacturer of consumer electronics.

He is survived by his wife Eeva and their son, Marko.

(Adds comment from Kosovo president in sixth paragraph.)

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One man was killed and two others were seriously injured Monday night during a shooting in Columbia. The Howard County Police Department is offering a reward of up to $5,000 to anyone with more information about the shooting.

According to a police news release, at about 9:55 p.m., Monday, officers responded to an Exxon gas station in the 6000 block of Foreland Garth in Columbia after hearing gunshots. Officers located a man with a gunshot wound outside the gas station; the man was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He was in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday morning, police said.

At about 10:13 p.m., Monday, two other injured men arrived at Howard County General Hospitals emergency room, according to the news release. One of the men was pronounced dead upon arrival, the other is in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday morning, police said.

Howard police detectives said they believe the men drove themselves to Howard County General Hospital from the Exxon gas station; they also believe the shooting was not random.

An investigation is ongoing. Police are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for more information. Contact police at 410-313-STOP or hcpdcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.
We all get by with a little help from our friends, so it can be a problem when none of them are around in an emergency.

Thats what happened to David Kornwolf of Oxford when he got a call the heart he was desperately waiting for was suddenly available.

I had massive heart failure and there was nothing they could do. The inside of my heart was ripped apart, he said.

He needed a ride to Tufts Medical Center in Boston which is more than 50 miles from his home.

One problem was that Kornwolf had just bought a new phone and had lost all his contacts.

His replacement heart also became available on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. He couldnt find an Uber and a car service he had previously contacted in Worcester wasnt available.

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Then he found a business card he had received from Jay Toland while he had been in the hospital.

It was the only time the two men had met.

Toland had a heart transplant six months ago and is now an ambassador for Heart Brothers, a Marlboro-based non-profit that provides all kinds of support to transplant patients and their families.

I said, Look I dont know if you remember me, and he did. And I said I hate to bother you. Its Labor Day Sunday, 4:30 in the afternoon, but can you please give me a ride? Ill give you a couple hundred bucks, recalled Kornwolf. He said Man you owe me nothing. Ill be there in 20 minutes. Jay came out of the goodness of his heart and gave me a ride to Tufts. He brought me there, showed me around, took me all the way up, went through the whole process to get checked in. The whole nine yards.

Toland says Kornwolfs call gave him chills because when he was in the hospital for 194 days waiting for his heart, he had promised himself if he made it out alive he wanted to give back.

If it wasnt for Jay, truthfully, I dont think Id have my heart today, Kornwolf said.

Kornwolf also plans to become an ambassador for Heart Brothers once hes well enough.

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RIYADH, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia said Tuesday it has added six more countries to its e-visa service, allowing citizens of those nations to apply for a visitor visa online ahead of their journeys to the kingdom.

Visitors from Turkiye, Thailand, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, and Mauritius will be able to use the service for leisure, business and religious trips, the Tourism Ministry said.

The visitor e-visa, which is valid for one year, allows its holder to enter the kingdom multiple times and a stay of up to 90 days.

Saudi Arabia launched its e-visa program in September 2019, initially covering 49 countries. The list has now expanded to 63 countries and special administrative regions. 
Preschool students practice math using manipulatives at a public school in Boston in 2016. Experts say all students, not only those with dyscalculia, could benefit from using manipulatives to help visualize problems and graph paper to assist in lining up numbers. (Lillian Mongeau/The Hechinger Report via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Laura Jackson became seriously concerned about her daughter and math when the girl was in third grade. While many of her classmates flew through multiplication tests, Jacksons daughter relied on her fingers to count, had difficulty reading clocks and burst into tears when asked at home to practice math flashcards.

At school, the 9-year-old had been receiving help from a math specialist for two years, with little improvement.

We hit a point where she was asking me, Mom, am I stupid? Jackson recalled.

One day, when having lunch with a friend, Jackson heard about a disorder known as dyscalculia. She later looked up a description of the learning disability that impacts a childs ability to process numbers and retain math knowledge. I was like, Oh my gosh, this is my kid, Jackson said.

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The Education Reporting Collaborative, a coalition of eight newsrooms, is documenting the math crisis facing schools and highlighting progress. Join our live expert panel for families, Solving The Math Problem, at 8 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at https://st.news/mathwebinar. Members of the Collaborative are AL.com, The Associated Press, The Christian Science Monitor, The Dallas Morning News, The Hechinger Report, Idaho Education News, The Post and Courier in South Carolina, and The Seattle Times.

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Nationwide, hundreds of thousands of students face challenges learning math due to disabilities like dyscalculia, a neurodevelopmental learning disorder caused by differences in parts of the brain that are involved with numbers and calculations. There are often obstacles to getting help.

Americas schools have long struggled to identify and support students with learning disabilities of all kinds. Kids often languish while waiting to receive a diagnosis; families frequently have to turn to private providers to get one; and even with a diagnosis, some schools are unable to provide children the help they need.

Thats slowly changing  for some disabilities. Most states have passed laws that mandate screening early elementary students for the most common reading disability, dyslexia, and countless districts train teachers to recognize struggling readers. Meanwhile, parents and experts say schools neglect students with math disabilities like dyscalculia, which affects up to 7% of the population and often coexists with dyslexia.

Theres not as much research on math disorders or dyscalculia, as there is on reading disabilities, said Karen Wilson, a clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in the assessment of children with learning differences. That also trickles down into schools.

Math scores in the U.S. have remained dismal for years and only worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning struggles for some may be due to dyscalculia or other math learning disabilities, yet few teachers report their students have been screened for dyscalculia.

Experts say learning the most effective methods for teaching students with math disabilities could strengthen math instruction for all students.

If it works for the students with the most severe disconnections and slower processing speeds, its still going to work for the kids that are in the middle with math difficulties, said Sandra Elliott, a former special education teacher and current chief academic officer at TouchMath, a multisensory math program.

Some signs of dyscalculia are obvious at an early age, if parents and educators know what to look for. Young children might have difficulty recognizing numbers or patterns. In elementary school, students may have trouble with math functions like addition and subtraction, word problems, counting money or remembering directions.

Even after Jackson learned about dyscalculia on her own, her daughters Seattle-area public school was doubtful the third grader had a learning disability because she was performing well in other areas. Teachers suggested Jackson spend extra time on math at home.

For so many parents, they assume the school would let them know theres an issue, but thats just not how it works, said Jackson, who ultimately wrote a book, Discovering Dyscalculia, about her familys journey.

Students with dyscalculia often need a more structured approach to learning math that involves systematic and explicit instruction, said Lynn Fuchs, a research professor in special education and human development at Vanderbilt University.

Part of the problem is that teachers dont receive the training needed to work with children with math disabilities. At least one state, Virginia, requires dyslexia awareness training for teacher licensure renewal, but has no similar requirement for math disability training.

Its pretty rare for undergraduate degrees or even masters degrees to focus on math learning disabilities with any level of breadth, depth, quality or rigor, said Amelia Malone, director of research and innovation at the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

Without more widespread knowledge of and support for dyscalculia, many parents have had to look for specialists and tutors on their own, which they say can be particularly challenging for math, and costly. In 2019, Jackson started pulling her daughter out of school for part of each day to teach her math at home.

I am not a math teacher, but I was so desperate, Jackson said. Theres no one who knows anything, and we have to figure this out.

At the tutoring organization Made for Math, specialists have found children with dyscalculia need repetition, especially to understand math facts. Some students attend tutoring up to four days a week, at a cost of up to $1,000 a month.

Its hard because its not something schools are offering, and kids deserve it, said Heather Brand, a math specialist and operations manager for the organization.

There are pockets of progress around the country in screening more children for math disabilities, but movement at the federal level  and in most states  is nonexistent, said Malone, of the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

New York City is one district that has prioritized math disability screening and math instruction in the early years. In 2015 and 2016, the city spent $6 million to roll out a math curriculum featuring games, building blocks, art projects and songs. The district has also introduced universal math and reading screeners to try to identify students who may be behind.

There are ways that all schools can make math instruction more accessible, experts say. In elementary schools, activities that involve more senses should be used more widely, including whole-body motions and songs for teaching numbers and hands-on materials for math operations.

Jackson said her daughter could have benefited from a wider variety of methods at school. When the teen returned to school-based math classes in high school, after several years of learning math at home, she achieved an A in algebra.

When you really understand what it is to be dyscalculic, then you can look around and decide what this person needs to succeed, Jackson said. Its not just that youre bad at math and need to buckle down and try harder.

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The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
WASHINGTON - D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke about handling D.C.'s rising crime rates Monday after Baltimores State's Attorney recently criticized the District's response, saying the violence is spreading to his city.

The damning comments came as part of a statement from Baltimores top prosecutor after investigators announced last week that the two Morgan State mass shooting suspects identified by police, are D.C. teens.

One of the suspects is a 17-year-old in police custody. The second is an 18-year-old Baltimore Police still have a warrant out for as of Monday. That suspect is identified as Javon Williams out of Northeast D.C.

This is the same person federally indicted over the summer after D.C. Police and federal investigators announced the arrest of multiple people in connection with alleged "Kennedy Street Crew" criminal activity, including gun and drug trafficking.

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Baltimores States Attorney wrote on Friday in part of a statement, "In the past, D.C. would worry that Baltimore crime would somehow make its way down there, but now it appears D.C. crime has actually come to Baltimore."

"I dont know that I have a response to that," Bowser said when asked how she felt about that portion of the statement.

"What I know is almost immediately when law enforcement officials put out those pictures, the [suspected] individuals were identified, and that information shared with local law enforcement. I think whats important to focus on is that the U.S. Attorney, the FBI and MPD have been working on a months-long investigation of families related to these suspects. And I dont remember, I think 15 or 17 people were arrested during that investigation. This highlights, and while I cant say much about the specifics here, the need when there are arrests and serious investigations, that people are off the street," she continued.

D.C. Police confirmed to FOX 5 on Monday that at 15 years old, Williams was reported missing in the District. The Deputy Mayor for Public Safetys Office will not say whether the city had any contact with him as a juvenile due to juvenile privacy laws. The offices spokesperson does claim agencies coordinate to perform a post-investigation when a D.C. youth is involved in a serious crime.

FOX 5 also learned Williams was arrested back in January in connection with the federal indictment announced over the summer. He and multiple other suspects were picked up in a Northeast home, where multiple guns and ammunition were also found after a District Court search warrant was carried out. Williams was later released.

"Mr. Williams was federally indicted in June 2023 for possessing a firearm recovered in January 2023 after we had developed sufficient evidence to link him to the firearm and has been wanted on those charges since the time of his indictment," the U.S. Attorneys Office spokesperson tells FOX 5.

FOX 5 also asked D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser about last Thursdays Republican-led Congressional Committee hearing on D.C. crime. Thats when she told us, four days later, she had not watched it yet. We, respectfully, asked why.

"Because it was an hours-long hearing and it was just on Thursday," the mayor said. "And I probably wont watch all of it, but I will get some reports back out from staff."

Ron Williams, a D.C. native in tune with local politics, told FOX 5 that he would have done the same.

"You have Republicans that are dysfunctional and fractured, so why take the opinion of folks that dont have our best interest at heart from the Judiciary Committee, i.e. Jim Jordan? You know what I mean? So, I think its politics at play, the reason why she didnt pay attention to it and her staff didnt brief her," Williams said. "Should she have been? I think she shouldve."

The mayor also spoke about her office now working on possible changes to address issues with the police reform legislation. No date was given for when that would be announced.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said he is drafting legislation to authorize the use of U.S. military force should the war between Israel and Hamas widen.

McCaul first told CNN on Monday of the draft Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in the event its necessary due to a wider proxy war with Iran.

McCaul would not say if the White House had requested the committee to draw up the AUMF.

I dont want to confirm that. Its just that there is concern  were currently drafting one in the event its necessary, he said.

I hope I never have to mark this bill up, McCaul added. But we have a situation in the Middle East thats growing day by day with intensity.

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The lawmaker noted recent threats from Iran to get involved if the Israel Defense Forces go into Gaza or continue the barrage of airstrikes.

U.S. officials have expressed fears that the Iran-backed Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, will open a second front in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, stormed Israel Oct. 7 in a coordinated attack that killed about 1,300 people. In response, Israel has rained bombs down on Gaza, killing more than 3,000 Palestinian civilians.

An additional 30 Americans have been killed in the fighting, and several others are suspected to have been taken hostage.

The situation has escalated to the point that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week ordered 2,000 U.S. troops to prepare to deploy in support of Israel in an advisory and medical role.

The Pentagon has also sent two carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean to act as a deterrent amid concerns Iran-backed proxies such as Hezbollah could try to enter the war.

President Biden is also heading to the Middle East on Wednesday  ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive into the Gaza Strip  for a face-to-face intervention with leaders in the region.

The precautions come as fighting has also broken out along the Israel-Lebanon border as skirmishes continued between the Israeli military and Hezbollah.

Top National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN Tuesday that an AUMF is not an active part of the conversation right now.

Biden believes that this is exactly the right time to go to Israel and to go to Jordan to discuss humanitarian concerns, the release of hostages being held by Hamas, and Israeli plans and intentions going forward, Kirby said.

However, McCaul told CNN later Tuesday he had been in contact with the White House about an AUMF.

They do not have authorities to hit Hezbollah or Hamas or any of Irans proxies, even the Iran-backed militias in Iraq, for instance. So, this is something we are looking at, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) joined Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) in introducing legislation to freeze the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian assets, a key element of the deal struck by the Biden administration to free five American prisoners.

The two-page bill simply states that any statutory sanctions imposed with respect to Iran  that were waived, suspended, reduced or otherwise relieved pursuant to an agreement between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran  are hereby reinstated.

Speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday morning, McConnell said it is absurd to suggest that seeking to free up $6 billion in Iranian assets doesnt embolden Tehran.

We have reams, reams of evidence that the regime that chants death to America and death to Israel puts its money where its mouth is, he said.

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He criticized Bidens strategy of engaging with Iran diplomatically, arguing that Biden must accept that the fundamental assumptions of his administrations Iran policy were morally and practically bankrupt.

The presidents team begged Iran to re-enter the Obama administrations flawed nuclear deal, he said.

McConnell said, the Bidens administrations previous policy is now history and he must go back to the drawing board.

He should start by doing what I had recommended to him since he took office  work with Republicans to craft a bipartisan Iran policy that will survive his administration, McConnell said. And more immediately, the president needs to show Oran and its terrorist proxies, like Hezbollah, that further involvement in this conflict will risk crippling economic sanctions and the decisive use of military strength.

McConnell and Cotton say they will seek unanimous consent on the floor to pass the bill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
McConnell pushes back on Trump over Hezbollah and Netanyahu: I cant disagree more

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Tuesday pushed back hard on former President Trumps description of Hezbollah as very smart.

McConnell also defended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a great leader when asked about Trumps criticism of the Israeli leader.

I cant disagree more, McConnell told reporters when asked about Trumps assertion that Hezbollah is very smart.

McConnell called Hezbollah a terrorist organization just like Hamas.

The Senate Republican leader also praised Netanyahu when asked about Trumps criticism of the Israeli leader for intelligence lapses ahead of Hamass attack on more than Israeli towns around the Gaza Strip.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu is one of the great leaders of modern times, McConnell said.

McConnells forceful response to Trumps controversial comments marked a rare instance this year when the Senate GOP leader has commented on Trump, who faces 91 felony counts.

McConnell usually declines to comments about candidates running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

Trump is leading the rest of the Republican presidential field by huge margins in multiple state and national polls.

Trump last week said the intelligence lapses ahead of the attack reflected poorly on Netanyahu.

Thousands of people knew about it, and they let this slip by, Trump said. That was not a good thing for him or for anybody.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
McConnell says broad spending package to fund Israel should include border security: 'Needs to be credible'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday during the first Senate GOP press conference since Hamas attacked Israel that the White House will need to draft a "broad" spending bill for aid to Israel that includes "credible" solutions to the border crisis.

"There's a connection between all of this, and I am not surprised, frankly, that the administration seems to be inclined to send up a broad package," McConnell said after telling reporters that the attack on Israel is "interconnected" with other attacks by North Korea, Iran, Russia and China.

"As my colleagues have pointed out, the border part of it needs to be credible," the GOP leader said. "Not just some reference to it, but credible dealing with the problem."

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., told reporters that Border Patrol agents have encountered at least one person from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia and Iran, among others, in the last 10 days.

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HAMAS TERROR ATTACK FUELS CONSERVATIVE CONCERNS ABOUT BORDER SECURITY AMID MIGRANT CRISIS

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell listens during a news briefing after the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon on July 11, 2017, at the Capitol.

"This is a national security threat," he said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said: "I think it's time for us to look not so much inward, but to look outward because in the end, it's going to be our own national security. I echo those concerns of our southern border."

"It does make you think, Do we really know what's going on? Who's coming in? What are they doing?" she said.

TOM HOMAN SOUNDS ALARM ON BIDEN'S BORDER LEAVING US VULNERABLE TO TERRORISTS: IVE NEVER BEEN MORE CONCERNED'

Fox News reported this week that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has encountered thousands of "special interest aliens" since 2021. Special interest aliens are people from countries identified by the U.S. government as having conditions that promote or protect terrorism or potentially pose some sort of national security threat to the U.S.

Meanwhile, the number of encounters with people on the terror screening data set, known as the watchlist, hit a new record in FY 2023. There were 154 encounters at the northern and southern borders among ports of entry  more than the last six years combined, and 505 encountered at the ports of entry.

MIGRANT NUMBERS HIT HIGHEST EVER RECORDED IN ONE MONTH: SOURCES

Last week, the White House began negotiations with the Senate on what a spending package for Israel aid would look like. According to sources familiar with the talks, the White House wants aid to both Ukraine and Israel, as well for Taiwan, border security and a nonprofit security program to protect houses of worship like synagogues, mosques and churches included in the package.

On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y, said the upper chamber would "move quickly" on a supplemental package to assist Israeli forces.

Fox News' Bill Melugin and Adam Shaw contributed to this report.





Original article source: McConnell says broad spending package to fund Israel should include border security: 'Needs to be credible'
SAN DIEGO  The runoff in the special election for the District 4 seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors is inching closer and early voting is already underway.

Two candidates will be on the ballot in the Nov. 7 special election to fill the spot that was vacated by former Supervisor Nathan Fletcher after he was accused of sexual misconduct in his role as chairman of the MTS board in a lawsuit.

In August, District 4 voters took to the ballot box to select between four candidates in a primary election.

However, none received more than the 50% majority that was needed to win outright, prompting the special election to move to a runoff between the top two vote-getters: San Diego City Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe and founder of Reopen San Diego Amy Reichert.

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What to do if you received two ballots in mail for special election

Montgomery Steppe, a Democrat, earned about 41.42% of the vote in the Aug. 17 primary. Meanwhile, Reichert, a Republican, garnered about 28.93% of the vote.

Whoever wins in the Nov. 7 runoff will serve out the remainder of Fletchers term, which runs into January 2027.

Ballots began arriving to registered voters in District 4 in the mail on Sunday, Oct. 8. Early voting began that week at the Registrar of Voters Office in Kearny Mesa, as well as at drop boxes throughout the county.

While some may already be bubbling in their ballots, for those District 4 voters that have not yet decided who they want to cast their vote for, below is an introduction to the two County Supervisor hopefuls.

Here are the candidates, listed in alphabetical order:

Monica Montgomery Steppe, 44, is the current City Councilmember for the city of San Diegos fourth district. The Democrat was the second person to announce their candidacy for District 4 supervisorial seat, launching her campaign in April.

Should she be elected, Montgomery Steppe would be the first Black woman to serve as supervisor in the district.

Background:

Born and raised in San Diego, Montgomery Steppe says she has lived in District 4 for most of her life. She currently resides in Skyline-Hills.

An attorney by trade, she served as a public service lawyer before entering elected office, serving as an advocate for families during the Great Recession foreclosure crisis and the American Civil Liberties Union. She also worked as a Senior Policy Advisor on criminal justice reform, workforce development, small business development and equal opportunity contracting for the City of San Diego.

Montgomery Steppe assumed office in the City Council in 2018, where she serves as President pro Tem and chair of the Budget & Government Efficiency Committee. She also sits on the San Diego City-County Reinvestment Task Force, the MTS board, the San Diego Workforce Partnership and the San Diego Housing Authority.

On the issues:

In her role with the City Council, Montgomery Steppe has focused on issues relating to public safety, law enforcement oversight, homelessness and access to mental health services.

In an interview with FOX 5 on Aug. 10, Montgomery Steppe said she would use that experience in public service with a model of governance that centers the community to move into a role that can address priorities like addressing homelessness, creating economic opportunity, expanding behavioral health services and ensuring public safety.

Some of the ways that she discussed addressing these priorities include:

Homelessness Increasing access to wrap-around services  including housing connection, social services, job training and behavioral health support among other things  using the public health-related resources available at a county level. Building more affordable housing through smart growth of neighborhoods that can build them out in ways that help people thrive and afford to live.

Public Safety Investing in the public safety ecosystem to ensure first responders and neighborhoods have the resources they need to prevent crime, while establishing greater law enforcement oversight and investing in community-based alternatives to policing and incarceration.

Increase economic opportunity Promote healthy communities by investing in them to reduce social determinants like poverty, discrimination and lack of access to healthy food; while creating fair economic opportunities for local business growth.



During a public forum on Monday, Montgomery Steppe reiterated these points and also addressed the countys response to the ongoing crisis at the border, saying that  while the federal government needs to step in  the county has a responsibility to act.

She specifically expressed support for the countys recent decision to spend $3 million to help nonprofits who are providing services to migrants and asylum seekers in the region.

Its a public health agency, thats what the county does, she said. We have to ensure the public health of all the people here in our region.

MORE: District 4 Supervisor special election

Endorsements:

According to her campaign website, Montgomery Steppe has garnered many key endorsements including: the San Diego County Democratic Party, the Union-Tribune Editorial Board, the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs, San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas.

Former candidate for the District 4 seat Janessa Goldbeck, who finished third in the Aug. 17 primary, has also thrown her support behind the city councilmember in her bid for the county seat.

Montgomery Steppe appeared on the FOX 5 Evening News on Aug. 10.

Amy Reichert, 55, is a licensed public investigator and founder of the nonprofit, Reopen San Diego. Reichert was the third candidate to announce a bid for the District 4 seat in the special election for Fletchers seat, launching her campaign in May.

Should she be elected, Reichert would be the first woman to serve as supervisor in the district.

Background:

Adopted as an infant, Reichert grew up in San Diego. She currently resides in La Mesa. Graduating from San Diego State University, Reichert owns a business, Amy Reichert Investigations, helping clients locate missing persons and uncover fraud, among other things.

She got involved in local governance during the pandemic, founding her non-profit to advocate in opposition to COVID-19 closures and mask and vaccine mandates. She also used to work with those in addiction recovery with the Christian 12-step program, Celebrate Recovery.

Reichert has not held political office. However, she challenged Fletcher for the District 4 supervisorial seat in his 2022 re-election bid. She ultimately lost the election, garnering 35.4% of the vote in the general.

On the issues:

A self-described experienced businesswoman, Reichert said in an interview with FOX 5 on Aug. 7 that she would bring a strong business mindset to the Board of Supervisors to help address the most pressing quality of life issues facing the county.

She described feeling disheartened seeing how issues like cost of living, the homelessness crisis and public safety have contributed to San Diegans leaving the county over the last few years. Reichert added that she hopes to help make the region an affordable place and a safe place that people can enjoy with loved ones.

Some of the ways she plans to address these issues include:

Cost of Living Reducing governmental costs and project approval time relating to housing construction of single-family homes.

Homelessness Leading with a treatment-first method to compel those unhoused individuals struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues off the street. Expanding Homeless Outreach with more teams of social workers, mental health care personnel and law enforcement, while also increasing the number of psychiatric beds and Crisis Stabilization Units.

Public Safety Against budget cuts to law enforcement and will focus on recruiting more deputies to address understaffing at the Sheriffs Department.



Pamphlets sent to voters ahead of District 4, water separation special elections

During a public forum on Monday, Reichert continued to press these points as she turned to address the ongoing crisis at the border, arguing that it the federal government should be the entity diverting funds towards supporting migrants  not the county.

She specifically clashed with Montgomery Steppe on the countys recent decision to spend $3 million to help nonprofits who are providing services to migrants and asylum seekers in the region.

Federal government, this is your job. This is your jurisdiction, Reichert said. These monies were meant for struggling small businesses, homeless

Endorsements:

According to her campaign website, endorsements Reichert has received include: the San Diego County Republican Party, the California Republican Party, County Supervisor Joel Anderson, County Supervisor Jim Desmond, U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey and the East County Chamber of Commerce.

Reichert appeared on the FOX 5 Evening News on Aug. 7.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
A focus on American hostages held by Hamas is sure to intensify in the days ahead, especially as President Biden heads to Israel on Wednesday.

The fate of hostages is always an emotive issue. But from a political standpoint, the current situation will raise the stakes for Biden as he and his administration try to win the release of Americans.

About 13 Americans remain unaccounted for following Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,300 people in all. At least 29 Americans have been killed.

Meanwhile, Israeli counterstrikes have killed more than 2,700 Palestinians. An Israeli ground invasion of Gaza is widely expected soon.

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An invasion will, by its nature, run the risk of endangering hostages. Israeli authorities on Monday upped their estimate of the total number of hostages to 199 from 150. U.S. officials have implicitly acknowledged there are some American hostages but have remained tight-lipped on the details.

The delicate politics of the issue were laid bare over the weekend, when national security adviser Jake Sullivan came under pressure from CNN anchor Jake Tapper during an appearance on State of the Union.

Tapper suggested to Sullivan that the freeing of hostages doesnt seem like it is a priority at all, given the lack of obvious efforts to rescue them and the apparent willingness to let Israel keep bombing the crap out of Gaza.

Sullivan insisted that Biden has no higher priority than trying to bring Americans home. He added that the president had dispatched experts in the hostage issue to Israel and that the administration was working with third-party nations to explore avenues for their safe release.

In other media appearances, Sullivan stressed that he did not want to speak too candidly for fear of disrupting sensitive negotiations.

On Monday, Hamas released its first hostage video. It showed a 21-year-old Israeli woman, Mia Shem, who said that she had received medical treatment for her injuries and pleaded for her release.

Some of the unaccounted-for Americans have not been publicly identified.

But the details of their lives will become more of a media focus, including during the Biden visit, giving their fate even greater potency with the public.

Media outlets have reported that Judith and Natalie Raanan, a mother and daughter from Evanston, Ill., are among the unaccounted-for. They were visiting relatives at a kibbutz and have not been heard from since Oct. 7.

Such stories will ratchet up the pressure on Biden to solve what is a perilous dilemma.

The political parallel that no Democrat wants to see repeated is former President Carter and the Iran hostage crisis.

Carters failure to free 52 Americans who were held after the U.S. Embassy in Tehran was stormed in late 1979 greatly impeded his reelection chances the following year.

An especially ignominious moment for Carter came in April 1980, when an attempt to free the hostages by force went badly wrong. Eight U.S. service members were killed when a helicopter and plane collided during the refueling process at a secret staging area in the Iranian desert.

Biden will remember the Iran hostage crisis under Carter, and that was pretty devastating, said Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. It has the potential to make a president look ineffective if you cant get the hostages released.

Biden spoke for more than an hour with the families of Americans who are unaccounted for last Friday. In an interview with CBS Newss 60 Minutes broadcast Sunday, he said it was important to do so because they have to know that the President of the United States of America cares deeply about whats happening.

But the political dangers of negotiation are also sharp right now.

A recent deal by which Biden won the release of five Americans from Iran by agreeing to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian funds was widely criticized in the aftermath of the Hamas attack.

Iran is a longtime supporter of Hamas, although both the U.S. and Israeli governments have said they have not seen evidence that Tehran had prior knowledge of the Oct. 7 attack. Nevertheless, the funds have now been frozen once again.

Former Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) said the controversy over the deal had brought an increased awareness of the stakes when it comes to such negotiations.

The fear has always been that, to the extent that we are paying for hostages to be released, are we maybe encouraging more of it?

Yet Dent, a moderate Republican, also acknowledged the near-impossible moral and ethical questions that are raised in hostage negotiations.

Whats the price of a hostage? Thats the question that will be asked, and obviously there is no simple answer.

Carter is not the only president whose reputation was affected by a hostage crisis. Former President Reagans second term was besmirched by the revelation of the Iran-Contra scandal. One element of that saga was the U.S. selling arms under the table to Iran in the hopes of expediting the release of hostages held by Hezbollah, an Iranian ally, in Lebanon.

Israel itself made a controversial deal in 2011, when it agreed to the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in order to secure the freedom of Gilad Shalit, a member of the Israel Defense Forces held by Hamas for five years.

Right now, Biden is facing similar questions  but in an overall context that is even more bloody and dire.

One Democratic strategist, who spoke on anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, expressed trepidation at the challenges facing the president.

The strategist said that Biden might bolster his standing if he was able to pull off some kind of negotiated exchange with Hamas.

But, the source added, I just dont see how that is possible. This is not an exchange with the Russians to get Brittney Griner . This is much messier.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Two men stabbed one another during an argument involving the Dallas Cowboys game on Monday Night Football , according to Texas police and media reports.

A 52-year-old man went to a 51-year-old mans home in San Antonio on Monday, Oct. 17, complaining about making too much noise, San Antonio police said. The 51-year-old had been making noise while watching the Cowboys game against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to KSAT and KENS.

Both men then drew weapons and stabbed one another, police said. The 51-year-old man was stabbed in the back and upper and lower extremities, while the other man was stabbed in the forehead and upper extremities, officers said.

Police described the 52-year-old man as the suspect, saying he ran into another apartment after the stabbing.

They were both taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to a police report. Its unclear if either of them face charges.
After prosecutors charged him with acting as a foreign agent last week, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) will not attend Wednesdays planned classified briefing for all senators on the situation in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is seeking to cripple Hamas.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) made the announcement Tuesday.

Hes not going to attend the briefing tomorrow, Schumer, who traveled to Israel over the weekend, told reporters. Ive had private conversations, I dont get involved in what happens in them, in this kind of thing.

Hes not attending, he added.

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The news comes only days after prosecutors in New York charged Menendez with a superseding indictment for allegedly acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. The New Jersey Democrat has maintained his innocence and says he has no intention to step down from his seat.

Late last month, prosecutors accused Menendez of accepting bribes to help three New Jersey businessmen and benefit the Egyptian government.

Part of the bribes came in the form of gold bars, cash, a luxury vehicle and mortgage payments, among other things, according to the indictment.

Wednesdays classified briefing will feature Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of State Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Charles C.Q. Brown.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. Vucic is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Tuesday met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that China and Serbia have solid political mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road.

Wang added that over 1.4 billion Chinese people hold friendly feelings towards Serbia and firmly support Serbia in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, national interests and national dignity.

Hailing the high degree of mutual trust and sincere friendship between Serbia and China, Vucic said every time he visits China, he feels at home.

Vucic added that Serbia will continue to support and actively participate in the global initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. 
LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Alexander Taylor Minton Sr. likely won't see his home in New Mexico for a while after the events of Aug. 18, which include allegations in Tippecanoe County of kidnapping his 2-year-old child and a police chase that ended in Fountain County.

Tippecanoe County prosecutors charged Minton on Friday with domestic battery, two counts of intimidation, criminal recklessness, resisting law enforcement, neglect of a dependent and false informing. His charges were unsealed on Tuesday.

Minton has not had his Tippecanoe County initial hearing yet, but is ordered held without bond until that hearing.

Minton fled Tippecanoe County into Fountain County, where deputies used stop sticks to end Minton's flight from officers, according to prosecutors. He's been jailed there since his arrest, a person at the Fountain County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

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Fountain County prosecutors charged Minton with criminal confinement, resisting law enforcement and neglect of a dependent. His Fountain County trial is scheduled for Jan. 17, according to online court records.

Minton, 30, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, his child and the child's mother, Brittany Chambers, came to Indiana a few days before the Aug. 18 incidents to evade a domestic battery incident in New Mexico, according to prosecutors.

On Aug. 18, Minton jerked his child from Chambers' arms and left in a Dodge Charger, according to prosecutors, who said Minton threatened to kill himself and the child.

He returned to Chambers' residence on Ferry Street later that afternoon and tried to persuade her to get into the car, but she called police instead.

When officers arrived at the Ferry Street home, Minton gave police a fake name, then sped away, narrowly missing an officer, according to prosecutors.

Officers did not pursue Minton for long, instead alerting other police agencies that Minton was a focus of an investigation. A short time later, he turned up in Fountain County, where deputies pursued him, putting out stop sticks near Covington, according to Tippecanoe County prosecutors.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: New Mexico man faces kidnapping, neglect charges
Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, the top exporter of fentanyl to the U.S., has banned the production and trafficking of the illegal opioid, killing several suppliers who refused to stop, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing cartel members.

The shift, handed down in June from the "Chapitos"  four of jailed Sinaloa kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's sons  and underscored by three bodies found covered with blue pills, is reportedly in response to increasing heat from U.S. law enforcement. Fentanyl overdose deaths have risen sharply in the U.S., adding political pressure to regular drug interdiction efforts.

More than a dozen banners appeared in trafficking hubs this month announcing the ban, signed by the Chapitos and their allies, the Journal reported. A midlevel Sinaloa cartel operative told the Journal he's now "destroying" the 25 fentanyl labs he oversaw. "Some stopped producing. Others kept producing, and we are killing them," he said.

About a dozen people involved in the recalcitrant Sinaloa fentanyl underworld have gone missing in the past 10 days, a local human rights advocate told the Journal.

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Mexican security consultant Edwardo Guerrero said the Chapitos are worried about getting arrested and extradited to the U.S., like El Chapo and his son Ovidio. Ovidio Guzman was arrested for a second time in January and extradited to the U.S. in September.

The Sinaloa operative said the cartel leaders want U.S. law enforcement to focus anti-fentanyl crackdown efforts on the rival Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Mexican and U.S. officials were skeptical the ban was more than short-term PR.

In the meantime, the Sinaloa operative "hopes an upsurge in the demand for Mexican brown heroin or a more refined product known as China White will tide him over the end of fentanyl," the Journal reported. "And he said trafficking in guns from the U.S. is another option" if that doesn't work.
The most important thing in Angela Samuels life is staying cool. During the sweltering summer days, she finds momentary relief in the over-chilled air of the mall or grocery store. But come nighttime, theres no escape from the hot, humid South Florida air.

She counts the public housing unit she stays in as a blessing, but unlike many apartments in South Florida, hers didnt come with air conditioning.

This summer, as Florida experienced the hottest summer on record, the heat overwhelmed 56-year-old Samuels, who lives in the Edison Courts development just west of Miamis Little Haiti neighborhood. She had to be rushed to the hospital. Doctors said it was dehydration from sweating so much.

I would wake up sweating, my entire body would be wet like I had been in the pool, Samuels said. Its over 100 degrees out there, why do they put us in these hot places?

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The advent of air conditioning is what made Floridas population boom possible. But despite rising temperatures that make AC standard in just about every business and suburban home, its long been a different story in public housing.

Federal government rules largely ignore extreme summer temperatures in Florida and elsewhere. They require all public housing to provide heating  but not cooling. They explicitly do not pay for wall units or compensate residents, many of them already struggling to get by, for the higher power bills AC units produce. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which funds public housing projects, acknowledged to the Miami Herald that it is reviewing the current rules on AC.

With the growing realization that climate change is driving temperatures dangerously higher, local governments have been forced to come up with their own money to keep residents safe and cool.

Julio Banegas of Miami, with air-conditioning installed in his apartment, looks out from his balcony in Nov. 28 as Miami-Dade County officials announce plans to fund hundreds of new A/C units in public housing. Jose A. Iglesias/jiglesias@elnuevoherald.com

Miami-Dade County recently spent $2.3 million to purchase and install 1,700 new wall-unit air conditioners in its nearly 10,000 public housing units around the country. When the final one is installed later this year, the county claims each and every one of its public housing residents will have access to AC  a milestone that would put it among national leaders in often underfunded public housing programs.

Every unit in public housing, after our initiative is complete, will have an AC in the unit in one form or fashion or another, said Alex Ballina, director of the countys public housing and community development department.

And, Miami-Dade told the Miami Herald, the county pledged to fill any remaining gaps, potentially by tapping the countys general fund next year.

In South Florida, air conditioning is a necessity, said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. It is a matter of necessity and dignity. We are housing people, its on us to be sure that they have a safe, healthy environment. I take it very seriously.

Progress after nearly a century

The countys recent push to help cool its public housing residents is a welcome and long-awaited one.

Back when the first public housing development in the southeastern U.S. was built  in Miamis Liberty Square development in 1937 air conditioning wasnt invented yet. And fifty years later, when Trenise Bryant grew up there, that aging development still didnt have air conditioning.

Bryant took her personal experience in public housing and used her passion as fuel for work on the ground as an executive director of SMASH, a housing justice organization in Miami. In the decades-long absence of local or federal support for air conditioning in older public housing units, organizations like hers tried to step up to fill the gap.

Its not just a question of comfort. Lack of AC is a health risk, especially for the elderly, the sick and young children, who make up a substantial portion of public housing residents. Hot housing can cause illnesses and even be deadly. During the 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, a woman living in public housing died of heat stroke. Her unit didnt have AC. In Miami-Dade, her sweltering un-air-conditioned apartment sent Angela Samuels to the hospital.

Despite the fact the county was actively installing new AC units at the time, Samuels first call from the emergency room was to Trenise Bryant. Within days, Samuels had a brand new wall unit for her living room.

I know what shes dealing with, people are strapped with limited funds, Bryant said. I think AC, any heating or cooling element, should be a human right whether its in market rate or public housing, and it should be accommodated for all.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava spoke to 86-year-old Julio Banegas, right, in Miami on Nov. 28 inside his apartment as the county began installing air-conditioning units in public housing. Jose A. Iglesias/jiglesias@elnuevoherald.com

Miami-Dade is one of a handful of communities across the nation that have found money to add air conditioning to public housing. In this case, the $2.3 million came from the American Rescue Plan, a Covid relief initiative that unlocked billions in federal funds for all kinds of projects.

Miami-Dade started work on the project in November 2022 and said it would take 90 days to install AC in all 1,700 units that did not have it already. When the Herald initially asked about the status of the project in August  in the middle of a record heat wave  the county did not initially reply. But in September, the county said that it had 500 units left to install.

As of last week, the county confirmed to the Herald it had 35 units left to install. A bulk of the installations appear to have occurred this summer, which broke heat records left and right.

At public housing complexes, some residents told the Miami Herald that they were excited about their new air conditioning units recently installed by the county. One resident at Edison Court, who declined to give her name, told the Herald the county-provided AC had made a big difference in her apartment.

Its nice and cool now, she said.

No choice

Despite the welcome addition of all those new AC units, some residents and advocates said they had no idea the county was even handing them out.

This is the first year that people are talking about the heat being so bad, Bryant said. I dont know if the county did a good job of announcing giving ACs to public housing, and how well it was advertised to the community.

Other problems in the countys roll out remain, including the practical challenge of installing AC units in nearly 100-year-old buildings that were never designed for central air.

And for some residents, one wall unit just isnt enough. Samuels was thrilled to have her new AC unit when she returned from the hospital this summer, but despite the three fans she kept blowing around the clock and her watchful eye on open doors and windows, she was still too hot to sleep.

Bryant offered a second AC unit for her bedroom, but management at Edison Courts said it wouldnt be allowed. So Samuels dragged her bed into the living room close to the AC to try to catch some of its flow.

When asked about why a public housing development would ban its residents from installing their own AC units, Ballina said the county is beholden to other federal safety rules too, like making sure every room has an escape route for emergencies like a fire. A wall unit would block that exit, he said.

As a workaround, Ballina said the county is exploring wall-mounted AC units that dont block the window, like the ones commonly seen in hotels. They tend to be more expensive than window units.

Miami-Dade is nearly done installing the 1,700 air conditioners it purchased last year for residents of the nearly 9,000 public housing units across the county. Public Housing and Community Development, Miami-Dade

While Miami-Dade was working to install units, the process still wasnt fast enough for some residents  who shelled out for units themselves to make the units tolerable. And the reality is that many of those units are old, inefficient and inadequate to deal with the demands of record summer heat,

Shantasia Miller has lived with her kids for over two years at Victory Homes, a 148-unit complex. She purchased two AC units herself and planned to buy a third once she saved up enough money.

I had no choice but to buy the ACs, Miller said. I dont want my kids getting a heat rash.

But no matter who purchased the air conditioner, the monthly power bill falls on the residents themselves  a burden for many low-income residents. HUD told the Herald that it is explicitly barred from paying for the cost of air conditioning for resident units,  except in the case that elderly or disabled households necessitate it as a reasonable accommodation.

For units where the housing authorities pay for utility expenses, families must be charged a surcharge or otherwise pay for the specific costs associated with air conditioning, the agency wrote in an emailed statement.

A 54-year-old longtime resident of Edison Courts who declined to give her name told the Herald that the one AC unit she had was ruined during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Its still broken, but she did manage to scrape together enough cash to buy a second unit for her bedroom.

She said she can barely afford the $230 monthly utility costs, part of which is covered by a monthly utility stipend the county covers for all units. The stipend is a set amount, so any additional costs  like adding an AC unit  can force some residents to take on an out-of-pocket cost.

I went years without AC because I couldnt afford to turn it on, she said. I had no choice.

A nationwide push for AC

While the struggle to update older buildings continues, the future of new construction public housing seems a bit cooler. Since 2001, all newly built or redeveloped public housing in Miami-Dade is required to have central AC.

Liberty Rising, the newest public housing development in Miami-Dade, debuted in 2019 with central air for all units. It was a massive upgrade from the scattered collection of houses built in 1937 that made up Liberty Square, the oldest  and residents say, hottest  public housing development in the southeast.

Thats important in a region thats expected to get hotter and hotter as unchecked climate change heats the globe. Miami-Dade already experiences about 50 more days a year over 90 degrees than it did in 1960, according to a county report released last year. By 2050, if nothing changes, Miami-Dade could see another 50 more days a year of hot days.

But despite Miami-Dades push to cool its public housing, the rest of the nation still lags. HUD has hinted it might change its policies in the future, but theres no official rule-making process underway.

HUD is reviewing its policies related to AC in public housing to determine future action, the agency told the Herald in an emailed response.

Recently, the agency defined a heating standard for the first time, which requires landlords in public housing to maintain a certain temperature inside units when its cold outside. The agency did not set a cooling standard.

As a result, efforts to provide AC to older public housing developments across the country have looked a lot like Miami-Dades.

After HUD denied a budget request to install 2,400 AC units in San Antonio, Texas, the city scraped together $1.5 million in city budget and matching philanthropic pledges to install all the units in 2019. Bills to mandate, or at least encourage, AC in subsidized housing across Texas have failed the last two years in a row, after affordable housing providers said it would be too hard to do.

No such bill has advanced in Florida.

And despite Miami-Dades big investment in cooling its public housing residents, thousands of residents are still relying on old, inefficient units they purchased themselves. Ballina said the county has reserved a few of the air conditioners to hand out to residents as an upgrade, which they advertised with a flyer posted in some of the public housing developments.

We can replace what you have existing with the new, more efficient and better quality air conditioning unit, which is better for them as well because it allows them to save on the utility costs, he said.

Once that pot of cash runs out, Levine Cava said shes planning on building the cost of new AC units into next years county budget.

Its a relatively small expense for a huge impact on our residents, she said.

Ashley Miznazi is a climate change reporter for the Miami Herald funded by the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
The head of Israels Miami consulate said no state has shown more support for Israel than Florida in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants.

The state of Florida  on a state level, on a community level, on an elected officials level  has stood up and is showing its support in all of the ways and means possible, Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, Israels consul general in Miami, told Miami-Dade commissioners on Tuesday.

There is no better, more supportive community or state, he said, than the state of Florida.

READ MORE: Nonprofit that flew Americans from Israel to Florida for DeSantis releases new details

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After his remarks, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution declaring Miami-Dade supports Israel and her right to defend herself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas.

Commissioner Rene Garcia, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said the resolution was written to put Miami-Dade on the side of good.

Miami-Dade County stands with our brothers and sisters in Israel, ensuring that we weed out and eliminate terrorism wherever it exists, he said. Weve got to be clear. This is not against the Palestinian people. Innocent Palestinian people are in the middle of this war. 

Commissioner Micky Steinberg, the other co-sponsor, said the resolution targets terrorism.

Hamas is a terrorist organization, said Steinberg, who is Jewish. Im glad we can sit here proudly today standing with Israel.

A 2014 study by the Miami Jewish Federation estimated more than 100,000 Jewish people lived in Miami-Dade, making it one of the 12 largest Jewish communities in the United States.

The Miami-Dade resolution does not mention Palestinians, who live in the Gaza Strip under Hamas control.

In his remarks, Elbaz-Starinsky mentioned Gov. Ron DeSantis in praising Floridas response after the Hamas attack. The DeSantis administration chartered a plane to fly Florida residents home from Israel at a time of strained travel logistics after commercial carriers canceled flights. The U.S. State Department is also managing charter flights taking Americans home from Israel.

Elbaz-Starinsky said he was back from Tampa, where the state and nonprofits sent a planeload of relief supplies to Israel.

He also praised the federal effort to assist Israel.

As a consulate, Elbaz-Starinksys office in Miami assists Israeli citizens in the area. He said a top request for his staff at the moment comes from Israeli citizens eager to return home for relief work or to enlist with the Israeli Defense Forces.

We do get an overwhelming number of calls and requests to go to Israel, to support the communities and to enlist in the IDF, Elbaz-Starinksy said. Hundreds of people have gone from Florida alone, reservists, to join the IDF in these dire times.
Michael Fanone, a former Washington, D.C., police officer who was assaulted during the U.S. Capitol riot, excoriated House Republicans for nominating Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as their speaker-designate.

Jim Jordan is an insurrectionist who has no place being second in line to the presidency, Fanone said in a statement on Monday via Courage for America, an anti-extremism group.

I witnessed the deadly assault on our democracy with my own eyes, which is why it absolutely disgusts me that extreme Republicans could choose an insurrectionist and election denier as their leader  someone who knew about January 6th ahead of time yet did nothing to stop it, the statement continued.

This is a very dark time for our democracy and should serve as a wake up call to all Americans that we can never take our democracy for granted.

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A majority of House Republicans  155 out of 221  voted Friday to nominate Jordan for the speakership in an internal election. An official vote in the House is expected on Tuesday; he would need 217 votes to be successful.

Jordan was a vocal supporter of Donald Trumps lie that the 2020 election was stolen and played an active role in the former presidents push to overturn the results.

Jordan refused to cooperate with the House Jan. 6 committees probe into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. He still wont disclose what he and Trump discussed in a 10-minute phone call on the morning of the attack.

More than 140 police officers were assaulted during the riot, including Fanone, who suffered a heart attack and traumatic brain injury after he was dragged into the mob.

He regularly speaks out against Trump, his allies and the rhetoric that led to the attack.

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Microsofts new Copilot AI has wormed its way into nearly every aspect of Windows 11. However, theres a bit of a learning curve, but dont worry. Weve got you covered. We've put together a primer on the company's new AI assistant, along with step-by-step instructions on how to both enable and disable it on your Windows computer.

What does Microsoft Copilot do?

Microsofts Copilot is a suite of AI tools that work together to create a digital personal assistant of sorts. Just like other modern AI assistants, the tech is based on generative artificial intelligence and large language models (LLM.)

You can use Copilot to do a whole bunch of things to increase productivity or just have fun. Use the service to summarize a web page or essay, write an email, quickly change operating system settings, generate custom images based on text, transcribe audio or video, generate a screenshot and even connect to an external device via Bluetooth. It also does the sorts of things other AI chatbots do, like creating lists of recipes, writing code or planning itineraries for trips. Think of it as a more robust version of the pre-existing Bing AI chatbot.

How to enable Microsoft Copilot

Update your computer to the latest version of Windows 11

First of all, you need the latest Windows 11 update, so go ahead and download that first.

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1. Head to Settings and look for the Windows Update option.

2. Follow the prompts and reset your computer if required.

Youre now ready to experience everything Copilot has to offer. If Microsoft just dropped an update, you may have to wait a bit before it reaches your region. Click the tab to automatically install the latest update when available.

Once your computer is updated, click the Copilot button

As for enabling the feature, click the Copilot button on the taskbar or press Win + C on the keyboard. Thats all there is to it.

How to disable Microsoft Copilot

Engadget/Terrence O'Brien

Microsoft Copilot isnt an always-on feature. Once it shows up in the taskbar, it only works when you ask it something. However, if you want to disable or delete the feature entirely, you have a couple of options.

The easiest method is to remove it from the taskbar. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Open up Settings and click on Personalization. Next, tap the Taskbar page to the right side. Look for Taskbar Items and then click on the Copilot toggle switch to remove it from the line-up. This ensures you wont ever accidentally turn it on via the Taskbar, but you can still call up the AI by typing Win + C.

If you want to delete the toolset entirely, the process is a bit more involved. Start by opening a PowerShell window. Search for Windows PowerShell, right-click on the results and select the option to run as an administrator. Next, click yes on the UAC prompt. This opens up a command prompt.

Paste the following into the window: reg add HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot /v "TurnOffWindowsCopilot" /t REG_DWORD /f /d 1

That should do it. Every trace of Copilot will disappear from your system.

What are the limitations of Copilot?

This is new technology, so the limitations are extensive. Like all modern LLMs, Microsofts Copilot can and will make up stuff out of thin air every once in a while, a phenomenon known as hallucination. It also doesnt retain information from conversation to conversation, likely for security reasons. This means it restarts the conversation from a blank slate every time you close a window and open another one. It wont remember anything about you, your preferences or even your favorite order from the coffee shop down the street. Finally, it doesnt integrate with too many third-party sources of data, beyond the web, so you wont be able to incorporate personal fitness data and the like.

What's the difference between Github Copilot and Microsoft Copilot?

There is a primary difference between the two platforms, despite the similar names. Github Copilot is all about helping craft and edit code for developing software applications. Microsoft Copilot can whip up some rudimentary code but its far from a speciality. If your primary use case scenario for an AI assistant is code, go with Github. If you only dabble in coding, or have no interest at all, go with Microsoft.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A years worth of planning a tour of Israel for a group of Las Vegas women has been put on hold.

They found out less than a week before takeoff that they wont be going due to the ongoing conflict between Gaza and Israel.

It was going to be the trip of a lifetime, Alison Henn said.

Henn quite literally waited her entire life for this journey.

It was something that I always aspired to do and embrace the culture and pass that onto my family, Henn said.

This trip is dedicated to Jewish mothers so they can immerse themselves in the Israeli culture and teach their kids about what they learned. It is hosted by the Israeli-American Council.

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Eighty women from around the country and 10 from Las Vegas were set to fly out this week to Israel.

The leader of the Las Vegas group is Pany Poura who said she visits Israel every year.

Israel means home to me, Poura said.

That home is now at war.

I was so scared, Poura said. I opened up the social media and I saw there in Israel Saturday morning the terrorists came to the streets of Israel and they were just shooting people.

Its the same streets Poura and the group were supposed to be walking this month.

Although their trip is canceled, the women clenched onto their prayer card they made for this trip during the 8 News Now interview.

Go in peace, come back in peace, a part of the prayer read.

The group is planning to go on their trip next October, but until then they will continue to meet and pray the conflict ends soon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
On Oct. 7, the Islamist militant movement Hamas launched a surprise attack, breaking through a supposedly secure border fence between Gaza and Israel in multiple locations. At least 1,300 people were killed in Israel, most of them civilians, with more than 3,000 injured. Current estimates suggest that roughly 150 to 200 hostages, including a number of children and elderly people, were captured alive by Hamas and taken into Gaza.

These attacks have been widely described as Israels equivalent to 9/11. In some ways, the historic weight may actually be greater: It appears that more Jewish people were killed on Oct. 7 than on any single day since the end of the Nazi Holocaust.

Hamas' ability to amass a large number of forces in secret, to subvert much of Israel's border security and to launch a coordinated series of attacks across southern Israel has raised many questions about that countrys vaunted military and intelligence capabilities.

Israel is now engaged in a massive military campaign in Gaza which is likely to involve a near-term ground invasion with a variety of goals: rescuing Israeli hostages, destroying the leadership of Hamas and degrading its ability to launch further attacks, and reassuring the Israeli public (and the world) that "security" has been assured.

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Gaza, a densely populated territory of more than 2 million people packed into 141 square miles  roughly the same land area as the city of Philadelphia  is now effectively blockaded and cut off from the outside world. More than 2,100 people have already been killed there as a result of Israel's bombing campaign, and the death toll is certain to go much higher, with an invasion by Israeli troops likely imminent. Food and fuel are running short, and there is little or no electricity. International organizations and Palestinian health officials have described the situation as a humanitarian disaster.

In an attempt understand the military and strategic aspects of the war between Israel and Hamas, as well as how it will affect international tensions between the U.S., Iran and Russia  as well as the rest of the world  I recently spoke with Elliot Ackerman . He is the author of several bestselling books, including "2034: A Novel of the Next World War," "The Fifth Act: America's End in Afghanistan" and "Places and Names: On War, Revolution and Returning." His latest book is the alternate-history novel "Halcyon," set in a fictional version of 2004. Ackerman is also a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a Marine Corps veteran who served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart.

This interview took place last Wednesday. The transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

After the massive terror attack by Hamas against Israel, we face the possibility of a broader war in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues. How are you feeling? How do you make sense of these events?

The first rule of international affairs is to expect the unexpected. Human beings are unpredictable; politics is unpredictable. These attacks took most of the world, and certainly Israel, by surprise, and it wouldn't be the first time in recent memory there was a major event that took the world by surprise. There was the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the collapse of Kabul that took place in just the last 24 months.

What is your assessment of how the news media and supposed experts have been responding to this new crisis? What did the talking heads who offered breathless coverage last weekend as the attacks took place and shortly thereafter get right or wrong in hindsight?

The evidence of what happened in Israel is pretty clear. There's no challenge there. In the first 12 to 24 hours the details were still developing, but now we have a good sense of what transpired. The more complex question is: What happens next? Where are the areas where we should be very cautious? How should we be thinking about this crisis?

One thing that I think we underweight in these instances are emotions. Where are we emotionally, in terms of the reaction to a given crisis? If we look back, even in recent memory, to decisions that are made without a lot of strategic foresight, they are made in the heat of the moment. They're deeply informed by the emotions of that moment and what people or societies demand emotionally. Those emotions are real; they're not made up. They're a force in politics, as much as anything else. But it's worth being cognizant of your society's emotional state when you are planning a response.

Military leaders or political leaders are cognizant of how many tanks and missiles they have when they're planning a military response. There is going to be a strong counterattack into Gaza. We're going to see more carnage and more destruction. But in this moment, being keenly aware of where a society is emotionally and psychologically as Israel is waging this war  and the world's emotions too  is going to be very important.

What kinds of conversations were taking place at the highest levels of government as these attacks took place? What does that crisis response look like during such a moment?

Senior leaders need to decide relatively quickly what they want to have happen next. What are the strategic objectives? In this case, the Israeli leaders have said very clearly that their strategic objective is to eliminate Hamas, that Hamas will no longer exist as a political organization, and also to bring to justice the individuals who perpetrated these attacks and free the hostages that have been taken.

Once leaders get a clear handle on what their strategic objectives are, you start breaking it down. How are we going to accomplish those objectives? Then you start looking at the options of how one might do that. Once you decide on the various options of how you might achieve certain objectives  maybe there are two or three courses of action  you settle on one that seems to be the most effective. If it's hostage rescue, maybe it's going after the hostages before there's a major incursion into Gaza. Maybe it's waiting? Maybe it's negotiating? These are all options of how to recover your hostages.

With regard to Gaza, how hard do we go in? Once the leaders in the room have ascertained what their strategic objectives are, that's when the people around them, the professional military officers and intelligence officers, start breaking down that much larger task into subordinate manageable tasks to accomplish the job. And while this is happening you still have to respond to your adversary and what they are doing, in this case Hamas and Hezbollah, and how their actions may impact your plans and objectives.

Given Israel's, and America's, intelligence and military capabilities, from the satellites to the ability to intercept communications to spies and human assets on the ground, how did Hamas manage to launch a surprise attack on this scale?

The capabilities of the intelligence agencies in the United States or in Israel are very impressive, but they're not omniscient. There are always huge gaps. These failures are not necessarily outliers. If you have a group of people who are planning an attack and they are capable and intent on hiding their plans, sometimes they will succeed, as they did in Israel. There is no amount of technology that can outsmart a group of humans who are trying to plan something in secret 100 percent of the time. Surprise is an element of almost every war  and, fundamentally, miscalculation is a part of all wars. Both sides believe they can win the war and, ultimately, one side is of course wrong, because somebody always loses.

How did Israel's national security state get it so wrong?

I believe complacency played a large role here. One way that societal complacency can manifest is the type of dysfunctional and childish behavior we are seeing in our politics. Weve seen this in the United States and Israel. Our political leaders don't believe that there is any type of outside threat. They don't believe that this dysfunctional behavior will ever have severely negative ramifications. As we are seeing in Israel right now, when politicians act like children, children can wind up dying in these types of attacks.

In the United States, we have become the poster children for political dysfunction across the world. I have similar fears that as we are inwardly facing and navel gazing at whatever the controversy of the day is, our adversaries are plotting our demise. That certainly took place in Israel where they were preoccupied with internal domestic political disputes these last few years. That led to a certain degree of complacency, and nobody saw an attack like this coming.

What do you believe that this surprise attack by Hamas will do to the perception of Israel, which is supposed to have one of the most powerful and professional militaries in the region, and the world? And what about the reputations of the Mossad and Israel's other intelligence agencies?

I think it certainly puts their reputation to the test. It may even erode it a little bit. Israel has been surprised before. The 1973 war would be the obvious example  and they eventually won that war. The Israelis will now have to show their mettle in the days and battles ahead. It appears the country is coming together very, very quickly. When the war is over, there will be commissions investigating how these attacks took place and were so successful. I would not be surprised if Benjamin Netanyahu pays a steep political price for whatever shortcomings are revealed by that commission.

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These attacks have been framed as being Israel's version of 9/11. How accurate is that comparison?

There are parallels and similarities. Israel was caught by surprise and didn't see this coming. There are real emotional parallels between how Israel is going to try to make sense of these attacks and how the United States did so after 9/11. There's going to be everything that came before and everything that came after. These attacks by Hamas will be a dividing line in history for Israel.

What are Hamas' strategic goals? What do they want?

I don't think we know that yet. Is this an isolated attack? I tend to doubt that it is. How do these attacks play into a broader strategy? How many actors are complicit in that strategy? The Biden administration has come out strongly in saying they do not see any direct connections to Iran, in terms of planning this attack on Israel. Most critically, how do the other powers in the Middle East behave in the days, weeks and months ahead?

Israel intends to destroy Hamas. Hamas was successful with these attacks, but the organization will likely no longer exist in the same form once the fighting is over. From that perspective, were these attacks really a victory?

That doesn't mean they lose. It's important to always keep in mind that war is politics, and all war is political. War is a tool of policy. The Tet Offensive of 1968 effectively destroyed the Viet Cong. However, the Tet Offensive was a massive political success for the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong, even though militarily speaking it was a disaster. With regard to Hamas, the question is: What is their political aim? What are they hoping to achieve with these attacks? Those questions are essential to understanding the nature of the attacks themselves. Hamas does not have the high-end conventional military capabilities that modern armies possess. But Hamas still wields political power, and they can use certain military tools to achieve political ends. That is what guerrilla movements have done since time immemorial.

How does Hamas' use of terrorism fit into its goals?

We have seen this with the Islamic State and others, and it's a tactic that's as old as war. Terrorism is a form of psychological warfare. It can be designed to do just that, strike terror into people's hearts. Terrorism can also be used to incite a response that may be too strong or imprecise. Those types of terror videos are designed to be disturbing, with the goal of eliciting a visceral, emotional response.

What are the conversations like that are taking place within the Biden administration about how to respond to these events?

There is the geo-strategic question of how we stabilize and de-escalate this conflict and prevent it from turning into a broader regional war. Even more concerning is the question of how to stop this from becoming a broader world war. There's the potential for the United States to find itself not only in a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, but in a proxy war against Iran in Israel. That would be a challenge. The Biden administration should be trying to manage and de-escalate this conflict with the understanding that the Israelis are going to destroy Hamas and assure their own security in the future. Now, with regard to the U.S. hostages being held in Gaza, that is a tactical problem: How are we going to recover them? There are a variety of means by which you can do that, such as using special operations forces that have a specific hostage rescue mission. I'm sure they're all being spun up right now. The U.S. hostages can also be recovered through negotiations or by our Israeli partners.

There are already discussions of how the war between Israel and Hamas could spiral into a much larger conflict, perhaps even a world war. How plausible is such a scenario?

The most essential thing here is to keep the lines of communication open so that the situation can de-escalate. That's a key part of keeping this from spreading. The way these conflicts spread historically is when one side takes a military action, another side escalates that military action and the other side escalates in turn. There are misinterpretations of intent and then it keeps escalating.

How do you think Vladimir Putin is viewing these events?

Putin had a great weekend. The attacks in Israel have taken the world's attention away from Ukraine. That gives Putin a little bit of political space, which I'm sure he appreciates. That doesn't mean he's going to suddenly win the war in Ukraine, but in the short term the events in Israel benefit him.

Israel is almost certainly going to invade Gaza. What is old and what is new about the types of fighting their forces are going to engage in?

We are going to see hybrid warfare. The new things are drone technologies, advanced surveillance technologies and some of the innovations that we've seen in Ukraine, such as people using cell phones to crowdsource targeting and intelligence, and watching a war being broadcast on social media channels. What is going to be old is fighting in a city like Gaza. That is house-to house-fighting. It is very brutal. Fancy new technology does not really help you there. That type of fighting is going to be very costly and very time-consuming.

Given recent events, what are you most concerned about? What would you tell people to focus on as they try to make sense of this moment?

What gives me the most cause for concern is the idea of the conflict now in Israel metastasizing to other parts of the Middle East. If that happens, it could draw in other countries that are antagonistic to the United States, such as Iran or Russia or even China to a limited degree. As much as our leaders can keep what's going on in Israel isolated to that country, that would be in all of our best interests.
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee police say a 26-year-old was shot and wounded near Teutonia and Bobolink on Monday afternoon, Oct. 16.

Officials say the gunfire happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. They say the shooter fired shots during a fight  striking the victim.

Police are seeking a known shooter.

Shooting investigation at Teutonia and Bobolink, Milwaukee

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Anyone with any information on the case is urged to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips.
Ukraine has returned three more children who were in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraines Kherson Oblast to government-controlled territory, the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine reported on Telegram on Oct. 17.

When Russian invasion forces entered Kherson, the parents of 10-year-old Oleksandr, eight-year-old Daryna and six-year-old Yakiv sent the children to their grandmother's village, hoping that it would be safer there.

Read also: Qatar helps negotiate return to Ukraine of four children abducted by Russia

However, while the regional center was liberated after nine months, the grandmother and her grandchildren remained in territory still occupied by the Russians.

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Read also: Ukraine returns 11 more children deported by Russia, tens of thousands still await repatriation

The ministry noted that while retreating from Kherson, the Russian troops blew up the Antonivskyi Bridge, so it became impossible to pick up the children. Thanks to the efforts of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network and with the assistance of the Ministry of Reintegration, the children were eventually returned to their parents.

Last week, another family was also reunited, the Ministry of Reintegration said. After 19 months of separation, 9-year-old Nadiya and her 14-year-old brother Mykhailo returned to their parents from the occupied part of Kherson Oblast.

Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the children went to visit their grandparents in a village. After its occupation, the road to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine was cut off.

The possibility of returning the children appeared in early September, when their father appealed to the Ministry of Reintegration, and the department involved the Ukrainian Child Rights Network in the process.

/Telegram

On Sept. 9, the head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, reported that nine more Ukrainian children had been returned to the territory of Ukraine from parts of Ukraine currently under military occupation by Russia.

On Oct. 5, Save Ukraine founder Mykola Kuleba said that 19 Ukrainian children had been returned from Russian-occupied territories.

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
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the international community to provide more support for Libya.

Various parties in Libya have recently made efforts to promote political dialogue, maintain security and stability, and respond to flooding. Nonetheless, they are still confronted with unprecedented challenges. The international community and the Security Council should provide more support to help Libya tide over the difficulties, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

It is important to maintain the momentum of political dialogue, he told the Security Council.

Various parties in Libya have started a dialogue on the formation of an electoral roadmap and the House of Representatives, or parliament, has approved the electoral laws. China hopes that all parties will consolidate the results of the dialogue, overcome differences, and carry the political process forward and create conditions for elections, said Dai.

"It should be pointed out that only a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned process is conducive to genuine long-term stability in Libya. The international community should respect Libya's sovereignty and leadership and refrain from imposing solutions from outside," he said.

It is also important to make robust efforts to address the humanitarian crisis, said the Chinese envoy.

The recent floods ravaged Libya, causing enormous casualties and displacement of people, as well as severe infrastructure damage. China calls on the international community to scale up humanitarian assistance to help the Libyan people overcome the effects of the disasters and rebuild their homes, he said.

"The floods are a natural disaster. But there are also man-made factors at play. NATO's military intervention has resulted in a decade-old turmoil in Libya, with state institutions torn apart and massive destruction done to infrastructure, which to this day has not been repaired. It bears inescapable responsibility for the huge losses and casualties caused by the flood," said Dai.

Libya urgently needs humanitarian aid. Yet its overseas assets are still frozen. China hopes that the Security Council will attach great importance to this issue and take concrete measures, he said.

Recent weeks have seen a resurgence of armed clashes in Tripoli and other places. China urges all parties to take measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Libya, should continue to push the 5+5 Joint Military Commission to strengthen dialogue so as to make progress in terms of unified troops and cease-fire monitoring, and urge foreign forces and foreign fighters and mercenaries to withdraw from Libya as soon as possible in a smooth and orderly manner, he said. 
FILE - A Hinds County Sheriff's Department van passes the entrance to Hinds County Detention Facility, Aug. 1, 2022, in Raymond, Miss. Sheriff Tyree Jones said Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, that 200 inmates were removed from a part of the jail that has had security problems, and they were transferred to a privately run prison about two hours away. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

RAYMOND, Miss. (AP)  Mississippi's largest county is no longer using a section of its jail that has been plagued by fights, escapes and other security problems.

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said Monday that 200 inmates were transferred last week from Pod A at the Raymond Detention Center to the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility, which is nearly 150 miles (241 kilometers) to the north and is run by the private prison company CoreCivic.

Jones said the jail in the Jackson suburb of Raymond now has fewer than 400 people being held in the other pods, which should alleviate some concerns about short staffing and help ensure public safety.

That is one of our worst pods at the detention center, and I think that its pretty much on record that that particular pod was not secure, and it was one of our most unsafe areas within the facility, Jones told news outlets.

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In July 2022, U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves ordered a rare takeover of the jail in Raymond after he said deficiencies in supervision and staffing led to a stunning array of assaults, as well as deaths.

Before the appointed receiver was scheduled to assume control over the jail on Jan. 1, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals put the lower court's order on hold until it could rule on the countys request for reconsideration. The appeals court could hear arguments in December, according to court records.

Hinds County has a one-year contract with CoreCivic to house 200 inmates at the Tallahatchie facility, Jones said. Inmates will be transported two hours back to Hinds County for court appearances, or they will do the appearances online.
A three-judge panel at the Missouri Court of Appeals has ruled that a former Kansas City police detective will have to serve a six-year prison sentence after being convicted in the shooting death of a Black man.

Eric DeValkenaere, who is white, was convicted in 2021 of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb in November 2019. DeValkenaere was found guilty at trial before a Jackson County judge.

He was sentenced to six years in prison but remained free on bond while his criminal appeal worked through the courts.

The first Kansas City police officer to be convicted in the death of a Black man, DeValkenaere had asked judges at the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, in downtown Kansas City, to overturn his convictions or grant him a new trial.

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In a 42-page ruling, Judge Thomas N. Chapman said it was the courts unanimous opinion that, DeValkenaere has failed to establish error with respect to his conviction for involuntary manslaughter, his arguments regarding his armed criminal action conviction also fail.

Eric DeValkenaere testifies during his trial on Nov. 10, 2021, at the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City. Rich Sugg/AP

Arrest warrant issued for Eric DeValkenaere

In early September, the judges heard arguments in the case. Jackson County prosecutors were allowed to defend the manslaughter conviction during the hearing.

In court filings, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office is tasked with arguing on behalf of the state, instead contended the conviction should be overturned.

As of Tuesday morning, court records showed DeValkenaeres bond has been revoked and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

DeValkenaere ruling by Ian Cummings on Scribd

Todays decision validates the work of our citizens who served on those grand juries, our Circuit Court judges and our trial team. This is validation of the rule of law and it is a victory for the truth, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a statement.

In courtrooms, politics and false narratives cannot prevail against evidence and facts, Baker said. It is this part of the criminal justice system that makes our system better than any in the world.

This case marks a terrible tragedy in our community. But todays ruling is an opportunity for reflection and a new path forward.

Baker said her office has reached out to Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves to discuss ways to improve relations between the community and law enforcement.

In an email statement to The Star, Kansas City Police Department said, there are still legal proceedings underway as appeals are still available. We respect the legal process and the courts decision.

Jalisa Davis of Decarcerate KC, and Anton Washington, joined members of Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project (KCLEAP )to rally outside the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, during a hearing Tuesday, Sept. 5. Tammy Ljungblad/tljungblad@kcstar.com

Black Kansas City leaders respond to decision

Black community leaders in Kansas City welcomed the news that the conviction was upheld and expressed hope that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson would not pardon DeValkenaere.

Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, called the ruling a landmark decision.

Im elated that the Appellate Court upheld the verdict, affirmed the rule of law and revoked DeValkenares bail. Perhaps, now justice will be served. I hope Governor Parson does not defy the court by issuing a pardon. If he does, civic, business, philanthropic and community leaders should hold him and his political allies in the Missouri legislature accountable.

A pardon for DeValkenare, who has not served a day in jail for his crime, will signal the governors blatant disregard for justice and the letter of the law, and a callous disrespect for the humanity of Cameron Lamb and every other Black victim of police brutality and deadly force, Grant said.

Sheryl Ferguson, and organizer with the activist group Its Time 4 Justice, said the next prayer is just that the governor does not intervene.

Im glad they upheld the conviction. This needs to be a strong lesson for those that are still in law enforcement that are still brutalizing people.

Aquil Bey, left, stands beside his wife Laurie Bey, right, during a press conference Monday in the Jackson County courthouse in downtown Kansas City. Aquil Bey is Lambs stepfather, and Laurie Bey is his mother. Glenn E. Rice

Parson has said he has the power to pardon DeValkenaere even if he does not apply for clemency.

On Tuesday, Parsons office issued a statement saying Parson was aware of the courts decision and was assessing the situation.

Governor Parson will give the same thorough review to Mr. DeValkenaeres case that he gives to all others that come across his desk. No decision regarding a pardon has been made at this time, said Parsons spokesperson Johnathan Shiflett.

Madeline Sieren, a spokesperson for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in an email to The Star, We are reviewing the Courts opinion.

Steve Young, co-founder of the Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project, thanked the Jackson County Prosecutors Office for taking on the case against DeValkenaere.

When one of the most conservative appellate court panels upholds the conviction of a police officer despite the unethical, even unlawful interference of the Missouri Attorney General, a clear message has been sent; Eric DeValkenaere is guilty of the homicide of Cameron Lamb, Young said.

We eagerly await for the moment DeValkenaere is taken into custody and treated like any other convicted felon in Jackson County.

The Stars Kacen Bayless contributed.
A lawsuit filed by a Kansas City lawyer who runs a seed-to-sale marijuana operation could set a precedent for the way local sales taxes are collected on cannabis products.

Chris McHugh, an attorney with Joseph Hollander & Craft LLC in Kansas City, also is president and CEO of St. Joseph-based cannabis operation Vertical Enterprise.

Two Cass County towns ask residents to approve marijuana tax

McHugh filed a lawsuit in September to fight back against a practice known as stacking, in which both St. Joseph and Buchanan County passed 3% sales taxes on marijuana sales and both are trying to collect them from dispensaries within the city limits. Enforcement of the sales taxes in Buchanan County started Sept. 1.

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The issue extends beyond Buchanan County. A similar suit has been filed in St. Louis County, and the dispute appears headed for the Kansas City area.

On April 4, Jackson County voters approved a 3% county sales tax on marijuana, while many cities in the county also charge 3% sales taxes.

McHugh argues the practice is unconstitutional because the amendment that legalized adult use marijuana in Missouri only allowed for 3% total local sales taxes and stacking results in 6%, on top of the 6% the state is allowed to charge.

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.
Utah Sen. Mitt Romney criticized House Republicans for allowing such a small minority within the GOP to call the shots, by selecting Republican Rep. Jim Jordan to be their speaker.

Romney spoke with "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell in an exclusive interview, as House Republicans continue to struggle to elect a permanent speaker, after a handful of hardliners in the party ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the post earlier this month. The path forward for Republicans and the House remains uncertain, after Jordan lost 20 Republicans in the first round of voting Tuesday afternoon. He can only afford to lose four Republicans.

"Well it does seem like the Republicans in the House are letting the tail wag the dog," Romney said. "The great majority of the Republicans in the House, I think, would like to have someone that represents the mainstream of our party. Jim Jordan represents a small part of the party, but a very vocal part of the party. And they've been calling the shots."

"He's probably not the first choice I would've made, but it's not my choice, it's up to them," Romney said. "Whether he'll get the job or not, I don't know. But if he does get the job, it'll be a case of the dog catching the car, which is, what happens then?"

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Romney added, "There are people in my party who go to Washington to bark, to make noise  not to make law, but to make noise. I think Jim Jordan would call himself one of those, who's got a lot to say and is loud and barking, but actually passing law, getting law that's signed, not just by members of the House, but also in the Senate and by the president. That's a different matter, and we'll see whether he rises to the occasion if he becomes speaker."

But in over 15 years in Congress, not a single bill authored by Jordan has become law. Instead, Jordan has made a name for himself as a hardliner who has kept the Republican Party from implementing more moderate measures, and has launched investigation after investigation into Democratic White Houses.

Jordan's allies hail him as a fighter, while his critics suggest he's in the business of creating unproductive internal friction. Republican infighting has at times frustrated Romney, who announced in September that he won't be running for reelection next year. The 2012 GOP nominee for president will retire after one term as a U.S. senator.

"I spent my last 25 years in public service of one kind or another," Romney said in a video posted on social media last month. "At the end of another term, I'd be in my mid-80s. Frankly, it's time for a new generation of leaders."

Watch more of O'Donnell's interview with Romney on CBS Sunday Morning.

Mother of French-Israeli hostage appeals for Hamas to return their daughter

Honoring America's public servants

Putin visits Beijing amid conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East
Oprah Winfrey and Mitt Romney running on the same ticket for the White House was once considered a possibility, according to a new report.

In the forthcoming book, Romney: A Reckoning, the Utah senator recalls Winfrey suggesting that the two could save the country if they joined together for a presidential run in 2020.

With close ties to the Kennedys and the Obamas, the 69-year-old billionaire media mogul has been a major influence on the Democratic Party.

Axios reported Monday that Romney, 76, told biographer McKay Coppins that Winfrey pitched the unity ticket with the moderate senator and former Massachusetts governor in the new biography that will be released next week.

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Romney, who was the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, reportedly rejected the idea because he thought it would guarantee a second term for then-President Donald Trump.

A source told Axios that Winfrey was never serious about running for the highest office in the land. However, her closest friends encouraged the idea.

CBS This Morning co-host Gayle King , Winfreys best friend, said in 2018 that the star host was intrigued by the idea.

And even though Winfreys longtime romantic partner, Stedman Graham, told the Los Angeles Times that year that she would absolutely run for office if the people wanted her to, King said he had misinterpreted the question.

Stedman would never so cavalierly say absolutely she would do it, she added. He would never do that.

Romney, a staunch critic of Trump, said in September he would not seek reelection to the Senate in 2024.

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Recent figures show 57,174 phones were stolen in London alone over 12 months

Mobile phone companies have been urged to help make the devices harder to steal after the number of thefts increased.

Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola, Nokia and the phone networks met London's mayor and the Met Police commissioner at a conference at City Hall.

They were told they all had a role in "designing out" the ability for stolen phones to be reused.

Recent figures show 57,174 phones were stolen in London alone over 12 months.

The statistics, from the Met Police, show from September 2022 until August this year, there was a 28% increase in mobile phone robbery and a 22% rise in theft of mobile phones.

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Over five years, there has been a 73% rise in mobile phone thefts in the capital, from 26,322 to 45,469.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said at the meeting: "We all have a role in helping to crush the criminal market that fuels robbery and design out the ability for stolen phones to be used in the way they currently are."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was sure there were things phone companies could be doing.

"We're going to work with them in a collegial way, about what sharing there can be between police, City Hall and these companies from intelligence, from engineering innovation and other things as well," he said.

'Trace handsets'

Ahead of the meeting, City Hall said existing security measures, including pin, fingerprint and facial ID, were not deterring criminals from stealing mobile phones.

Measures discussed included:

Improving location tracing

Taking action to stop stolen mobile phones being re-registered for services provided by Apple, Google Play, Samsung and other online stores

Exploring steps that could prevent stolen devices from being used outside the UK

Ways to make it harder for phones to be broken up and used for parts

The meeting also looked at ways to prevent identity fraud whereby criminals used stolen phones to access electronic payment apps, bank accounts and other personal information.

Hamish MacLeod, chief executive of Mobile UK, the trade association for the UK's mobile network operators, said phones already had several capabilities to deter theft, including allowing users "to track and disable mobile handsets".

Nevertheless, he said he welcomed the opportunity to discuss other measures, such as prioritising mobile theft and prosecutions.

How to prevent your mobile phone from being stolen:

Thieves often target people who are distracted, so keeping valuables hidden ensures you are more alert

Be aware of your surroundings when you are out and about

Stay alert when walking along the road for criminals who might use bikes, mopeds or e-scooters to snatch valuables

Try not to walk along with your phone or valuables on show

Plan your route and use forms of transport that others are using, while also avoiding shortcuts in isolated places

Register your phone with property registers like Immobilise.com to make it easier to reunite you with your phone if it is stolen

If your mobile phone is stolen get it blocked by calling your network service

Source: City Hall / Met Police

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
McALLEN, Texas (Border Report)  Environmentalists and residents of the South Texas border city of Laredo are expected to testify in large numbers Tuesday night during a public hearing being held by a state agency that is considering whether to allow a company to continue operations that are directly linked to cancer-causing air emissions.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is holding an open hearing at 6:30 p.m. on CDT Tuesday at Texas A&M International University in Laredo. The public is invited to comment on a request by Missouri-based Midwest Sterilization Corporation for an air permit renewal license by the state agency.

Odor monitoring station measuring sewage smell along California-Mexico border

A study by the Environmental Protection Agency in July 2022 directly linked high levels of the cancer-causing gas ethylene oxide with Midwest Sterilizations operations at the facility in northwest Laredo, which is near several schools. The facility sterilizes medical equipment but in the process, the noxious gas is emitted. The risk assessment identified elevated cancer risk in the Laredo community, the EPA report found.

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Tricia Cortez, executive director of the nonprofit Rio Grande International Study Center, encourages residents and border citizens to testify.

Tonights very important. Its the first time theyre going to have to answer questions to the public about these air emissions and their air permit renewal applications, Cortez told Border Report on Tuesday. This is our moment.

The air permit is renewed every 10 years and Cortez says its crucial for anyone concerned to speak out now.

We need the TCEQ to step up their game and not be in sort of this protective position of this industry and this company. And we need them to exercise their full authority and full power to better protect Laredo from these cancer-causing emissions and the level of cancer risk that this one company has created for our entire city. Its unacceptable, and we need the TCEQ to do way more than they previously had, said Cortez who is part of the Clean Air Laredo Coalition.

A ruling by the TCEQ isnt expected for several months.

However, the EPA by the spring is expected to finalize new regulations that are expected to greatly reduce the amount of ethylene oxide, or EtO, at commercial sterilizer plants in Laredo, and nationwide.

EPA proposal could reduce cancer-causing emissions in Laredo

In May, the EPA air permits manager sent TCEQ officials a letter to express concerns about the permitting application submitted in February by Midwest Sterilization, and to open the process up to the public for comment.

The EPA recommends that enhanced public outreach be expanded for this renewal action due to historical community concerns about Midwests ethylene oxide emissions, according to the EPA letter.

The EPA cited that over 48,000 people live within 5 kilometers of the Midwest Sterilization facility; 12% are limited English-speaking and 33% are low-income.

Cortez says the low-income border community has not been well safeguarded by the state since Midwest Sterilization opened its plant in 2005.

I think they, as do many others, take advantage of the border, and think that were not going to say anything, or that anything goes here. But thats not the case. And they are realizing that especially about this community of Laredo, Cortez said.

The Clean Air Laredo Coalition earlier this month held a neighborhood meeting to rally citizens to participate in this public commenting process.

The EPA ranked the Laredo facility among the top 23 high-risk sterilization facilities in the nation due to the emission of EtO.

Its outrageous that this company has been able to get away with this for so long, said parent Brandon Mathewson, who lives in La Bota Ranch, a highly impacted Laredo neighborhood.

We need TCEQ to know that just because we live on the border doesnt mean that companies like Midwest can come into our neighborhoods and take advantage of us. Theyre making enormous profits while poisoning us by emitting thousands of pounds of this dangerous chemical into our air, said Laredo artist and educator Celina Vallarta.

Tuesdays hearing will have an informal discussion period where Midwest Sterilization and TCEQ will answer public questions, but is not part of the official record. Then there will be a formal comment period on the permit renewal application, which will be part of the official record.

Comments can also be sent electronically before the hearing to the TCEQ website (must enter Permit Number 55557).

The hearing is to be live-streamed on the Clean Air Laredo Coalitions Facebook page. It also will be available at the Rio Grande International Study Center website.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
More than 30 people were arrested by the Secret Service during a series of Monday afternoon protests outside the White House in which they called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the agency said. The demonstrations were organized by two left-wing Jewish groups, IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace, according to The Washington Post. As many as 500 people assembled at the White House, reciting Kaddish, a mourning hymn, chanting let Gaza live and not in our name, and carrying signs demanding an end to genocide in Gaza. One organizer on the scene told WTOP-FM that Israels response, including an expected full-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, was unfathomably unacceptable. The radio station reported that roughly a dozen people who tried to jump over a low security barrier were arrested. A Secret Service spokesperson told the Post that the detained activists were arrested for alleged unlawful entry and allegedly blocking entrances.

Read it at The Washington Post

Read more at The Daily Beast.
New preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates more than a third of people who could benefit from preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV received a prescription for it in 2022.

Expanding PrEP use is a key part of the CDCs Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative, which aims to cut down HIV infections in the country by 90 percent by 2030.

PrEP has been available in the U.S. since 2012, and coverage of it has continued to rise in recent years. According to the preliminary CDC data, 36 percent of people who could benefit from PrEP were prescribed it last year.

This signifies a jump of 12 percent in coverage since 2019, when the CDCs initiative was launched.

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Roughly 1.2 million people in the U.S. could benefit from taking PrEP, which reduces the risk of contracting HIV by about 99 percent when taken as prescribed.

Groups who could benefit most include those severely impacted by HIV: gay and bisexual men; transgender women; Black and Hispanic/Latino people; Black cisgender women; and people who inject drugs.

Todays data also show progress in increasing PrEP uptake in virtually all EHE jurisdictions, despite the unprecedented public health challenges funding recipients faced during this period with the COVID-19 pandemic and outbreaks of mpox, which consumed considerable resources as EHE efforts were just getting underway, the CDC said in a statement.

Jonathan Mermin, director of CDCs National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, credited ongoing outreach efforts for the latest coverage rates.

Theres been a lot of effort from community based organizations, from health departments, from CDC and other federal agencies to expand PrEP use for the people who would benefit and in 2021 we updated our guidance for providers to discuss PrEP with sexually active adolescents and adults and to provide prep to anyone who does request it, Mermin said.

Between 2017 and 2021, annual new HIV infections fell by 12 percent. Expanded use of PrEP and HIV testing are thought to be behind this trend.

Mermin noted, however, that the data also suggested the disparities are widening when it comes to these crucial preventive medications. The groups who stand to most benefit are accessing these drugs the least.

Disparities were observed across gender and race. Among white people, 94 percent who could benefit from PrEP received a prescription compared to 24 percent of Hispanic/Latino people and 13 percent of Black people.

Between men and women, 41 percent of men who could benefit from PrEP received a prescription while only 15 percent of women who could benefit could say the same.

In 2022, people also had access to a third option for PrEP for the first time: Apretude. This injected form of PrEP is equally as effective as the two daily oral forms that are available  Truvada and Descovy  while involving one injection every two months. According to a Mermin, it is unclear if having this additional option made a difference in last years coverage rates.

He added that these efforts in combating the spread of HIV require resources and funding, which is allocated by Congress. Since 2020, Congress has continually provided less than what the White House has requested for the EHE initiative.

For 2024, the Biden administration has requested $850 million. The White House requested the same amount last year, and only $573 million was allocated.

For several years, the president has requested hundreds of millions of dollars more for the ending HIV initiative and a national PrEP program. And thats several hundred million dollars more than what Congress did end up providing, Mermin said. So we need to maximize innovation.

We need increased investments if were going to continue to increase PrEP use and reduce some of the disparities that were seeing, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.




In September 1996, six women in leadership roles in either the pro-life or pro-abortion-rights movement in Massachusetts laid down their political armor and met secretly in a windowless basement to have a discussion.

That initial discussion lasted five years.

Following murders that took the lives of two women at abortion clinics in Brookline, Massachusetts, on Dec. 30, 1994, women on both sides of the abortion debate felt it was their responsibility to find peace and establish an understanding so such an event would never happen again.

Jennifer Walker Thomas, co-executive director of the nonprofit organization Mormon Women for Ethical Government, told the Deseret News the bravery of these women to choose peace is a lesson that everyone could use in todays political climate.

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Earlier this year, the nonprofit group, referred to as MWEG, combined efforts with Younify to share the documentary The Abortion Topics, which delves into the story of these womens determination to find common ground when they were faced with polar-opposite views.

Our politics dont currently offer many examples of true peacemaking, said Walker Thomas. And it is hard to do what you dont see. ... No matter how strongly women feel about an issue, they can and should talk to others who feel differently, which is exactly the sort of skill we work on at MWEG.

But, in addition to calls for peacemaking, as MWEGs name suggests it seeks to weigh in on ethics in government.

On Tuesday, the group released a statement ahead of a vote in the House of Representatives for a new speaker. While it didnt directly challenge the current Republican nominee for speaker, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, it raised questions about whether he was the right choice.

The statement said representatives have the opportunity to demonstrate their enduring commitment to our constitutional system of government and called on them not to install a speaker who previously voted against the certification of the 2020 election.

Notably, Jordan was one of 147 House Republicans who voted to reject the 2020 election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania.

MWEGs statement continued, As leaders and members of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, we ask all members of Congress, regardless of party affiliation, to find a pathway to the election of a speaker who has proven they will support the peaceful transfer of power.

Like the contentious battle in the House over a new speaker, MWEG has not shied away from partisan issues where its leaders say they feel they can make a difference. Their stated goals are to foster nonpartisan peacemaking, but the organization has also seen its fair share of internal and external conflict, testing its desire for civil dialogue and bipartisanship.

The group, which decided to stick with the moniker Mormon, while members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adopted descriptors such as Latter-day Saint, has received local and national attention.

In addition to its most recent statement on the speaker debate, the group called for an independent investigation during the contentious confirmation process of conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which was cited by Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey during the hearing. They also legally challenged Utahs congressional boundaries, which were drawn by the states Republican-heavy legislature.

Supporters say this work is desperately needed, and focuses on nonpartisan ethical issues such as fairness and process. The aim is to unite at a time of division. But Republican critics contend MWEG has a habit of ignoring conservative voices.

Influencing public policy

In a crash course on how a bill actually becomes law, a room full of women sat in the Senate Building at the Utah state legislative complex. Two women brought their children, who crawled back and forth underneath a row of chairs. Another woman brought her husband.

The women were there for a Day at the Capitol hosted by MWEG.

MWEG defines itself as women of faith building a more peaceful, just, and ethical world. And in an article published in BYU Studies, MWEGs leaders link their cause to that of Martin Luther King Jr., while finding inspiration in abolitionist Theodore Parkers famous words:

I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see, I am sure it bends towards justice.

During their trip to the legislature, the women were given practical advice, like the importance of committee hearings and how to reach out to their local legislators. The two Utah chapter chairs who led the discussion  Mallory and Liz  said they managed to reach their local representatives by text and phone.

Dont be surprised when they actually want to dialogue with you, they said.

One woman spoke up to express her frustration that her local lawmaker was someone with whom she frequently disagreed. Its almost more important to reach out, so theyre not hearing a monolithic view.

The list of bills MWEG took a position in support of during Utahs last legislative session ranged from expanding the states ranked choice voting experiment to a bill that would require training for police officers about hate crimes to Medicaid expansion.

In an interview with the Deseret News, Emma Petty Addams, co-executive director of MWEG said the organization tries to engage in areas where they believe they can make a measurable difference.

We try very hard to not make these decisions rapidly, but to make them methodically  to make sure that there is a broad base of support amongst our members, to make sure that there are people that we can have relationships with that we trust that we can get good information from, and that it has the potential to be effective and bipartisan, she said.

Bipartisanship is a tricky balancing act during a time when ones partisan political identity often serves as a stand-in for your larger belief system. The partisan divide became more vivid during the years Donald Trump was president. Some on the political left saw him as a unique and dangerous threat to the nation and democracy, while some on the right didnt just like Trump; they loved him.

Six days after Trumps inauguration, MWEG was born.

Genesis of MWEG

Beginning as a Facebook group, MWEG has now amassed thousands of followers with chapters in all 50 states. Although the group is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, most of MWEGs members are also members of the church. One of MWEGs tenets is that it will not criticize church teachings or its leadership.

In fact, the first of four core attributes they uphold as inviolable state that MWEG will never oppose a stand taken by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But this of course begs the questions  what about the groups name?

In August 2018, President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, released a statement emphasizing the full name of the church rather than the term Mormon.

The churchs style guide reads, When referring to Church members, the terms members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Latter-day Saints are preferred. We ask that the term Mormons not be used.

Walker Thomas told Deseret News this is a decision thats constantly being revisited in their organization, despite sticking with Mormon some five years after the directive.

We are not just a faith-based organization or just a Christian organization, but unabashedly and proudly one that draws from and is motivated by belief in one particular faith, she said. Our name as it currently stands communicates what motivates us, actually works to communicate a clear distinction from the official Church, and doesnt pull Christs name or our discipleship into politics in a morally manipulative way.

Nonpartisan or bust

Members of MWEG describe themselves on their website as watchdogs and activists who fight for ethical government and nonpartisan principles. They insist they dont discourage political party affiliation among their members but do ask women in the organization to always choose country over party.

Were going to push out from both sides were going to ask questions, were going to see what doesnt work, were going to add perspectives that maybe one side didnt add, or the other one didnt add. And then we can come to a conclusion about something that ideally will have a lasting effect, because one thing that is absolutely true is that bipartisan legislation tends to last longer, Walker Thomas said.

Related

But MWEG hasnt shied away from wading into controversial  and sometimes partisan  issues. In September 2018, the group issued a statement about the sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, calling on four Latter-day Saint senators on the Judiciary Committee to suspend his confirmation until after an independent investigation.

In some ways, the Kavanaugh hearings were a litmus test for those on the left and right. Those on the left were outraged over the allegations, while those on the right were outraged that sparsely corroborated accusations were treated as fact and leveraged in what proved to be a highly partisan and contested confirmation hearing.

We are not taking sides, MWEGs founder Sharlee Mullins Glenn told The New York Times at the time. We are saying, because of the seriousness of these allegations, we have to suspend the confirmation proceedings so an investigation can be conducted.

On Tuesday, its statement called on key House Republicans to stand fast and work to elect a speaker who has demonstrated respect both for their colleagues and for legislative norms and processes, adding we earnestly plead with members of the Democratic caucus to work across the aisle with Republicans who are committed to upholding the rule of law.

Legally, MWEG isnt allowed to be partisan. MWEG is filed under the IRS as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that is connected to the MWEG Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

If they were to express support for a particular party, they could be challenged by the IRS as being a lobbying outlet posing as a nonpartisan group and have their tax-exempt and other nonprofit benefits removed from the organization.

This is a balance leaders within the organization say they work hard to strike. But not everyone agrees.

Turmoil within

In an article published in SquareTwo, former MWEG member Alicia Alba began her story with a warning: I feel obliged to write this as a word of caution for any women who might consider involving themselves with this organization as it is not nonpartisan, does not follow its own rules, and can be arbitrary and capricious (instead of ethical) in its own governance.

Alba was there at the beginning when MWEG was nothing more than a Facebook group where women of faith could express their concerns about the political state of the country. She said what drew her to the group was their vision of embodying a peaceful, proactive, and nonpartisan organization. But as the group gained footing, Alba told the Deseret News she started to notice conservatives were being silenced.

So in March of 2017, I started raising concerns. Other people started raising concerns. Just saying, We say were nonpartisan, but were actually not friendly towards anybody whos expressing anything right of center. And theres a lot of ostracizing, targeting, dogpiling and things like that.

After recommending the leaders create a survey for the women to anonymously express their thoughts on the issue of political openness and see where women identified on the political spectrum, Alba said she got a lot of pushback for the idea and was told that it wasnt a real issue.

After several months, MWEG sent out a survey. Alba said it was analyzed by a BYU research group, and the results showed that less than a third of the group identified as conservative, and that conservative women were 96% less likely to post in the group. The Deseret News was unable to independently verify the survey results, but Alba says among the reasons shared for not posting were fear of expressing a contrary opinion and intimidation from other group members.

To MWEGs credit, Alba said, the leadership noted the deficit and vowed to work on it, but the problem persisted.

Related

In 2018, Alba resigned from her leadership position to give her a needed break, but she kept her membership in the group and occasionally interacted with other members online.

Then, On June 9, 2021, I abruptly received an email from one of the current senior directors of MWEG, notifying me that I had been removed from MWEGs Facebook group. I was given no warning. No due process was followed. I was not told how I broke any rule. While claiming to be an organization grounded in ethics, MWEGs current leaders ignored their own policies, procedures, and principles to remove me, she shared in her Square Two article.

Alba stressed that although what happened to her in regard to the breaking of her connection with MWEG, she hopes it will ultimately be successful and achieve its vision, saying she believes its core values are important and valuable for women of faith who want to make political impacts.

In an interview with Deseret News, Addams addressed the issue of Facebook as a toxic environment and said the algorithms  of social media  reward people coming in and, you know, owning each other. And so were very careful about how we use those spaces now and are constantly kind of evolving and changing our strategy to make them work for us and our membership.

Walker Thomas added, I think some of the tension has come out of the Facebook group because its just not the only thing were offering anymore. Lots of women are able to work productively in many, many different spaces and engage in whats meaningful to them, which was always our vision. We never wanted to be an organization where women were just sharing thoughts. Thats an important part of coming to understand yourself politically. But always the drive was towards action.

Women who join MWEG, the organization says, are encouraged to foster an educated and nuanced view of politics in order to cultivate a more informed and discerning society. As a unified group of women and as individuals, MWEG strives to advocate for ethical governance, combat injustice and actively pursue peace.

On Tuesday, the group said we are in a moment when it feels as though much of the world is in chaos. Sadly, the chaos we are experiencing at home is being recklessly self-inflicted. It is time for our leaders to make choices that will benefit the nation, and the members of the U.S. House of Representatives can begin this week by choosing to vote in defense of constitutional government.

The group, which seeks to inspire women of faith to be ambassadors of peace who transcend partisanship and courageously advocate for ethical government said it asks the nations leaders to prioritize preservation of the rule of law, protection of national norms, and an absolute and unshakable commitment to the peaceful transfer of power above all other political objectives.

In her interview with the Deseret News, Walker Thomas said her message to women was more direct and simple: You can make a difference and play a role.

American politics needs them, it needs their participation, it needs their influence, it needs their voices, but that they dont have to give over all the other wonderful things in their life to make that happen.

Correction: An earlier version of the story attributed a quote to Jennifer Walker Thomas that should have been attributed to Emma Petty Addams.
BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Xi welcomed Mirziyoyev to attend the forum and recalled their meeting at the China-Central Asia Summit in the Chinese city of Xi'an in May.

Xi said he is delighted that the consensus reached by the two sides is being fully carried out.

As the Belt and Road Initiative marks its 10th anniversary, China stands ready to work with Uzbekistan to support each other's national modernization drive and build the China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future, Xi added. 
Editors note: The Hills Morning Report is our daily newsletter that dives deep into Washingtons agenda. To subscribe, click here or fill out the box below.

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The House will usher in a now-familiar proceeding today as lawmakers prepare to vote on a Speaker nominee.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who clinched the nomination for the post Friday, watched some of the opposition to his candidacy crumble Monday after a tense weekend where his chances at the gavel stood in question. Four key lawmakers who signaled opposition to Jordan last week fell like a set of dominos, giving Jordan a significant boost ahead of an expected floor vote today.

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A SEA CHANGE: The support Jordan clinched Monday is a remarkable development after two weeks of turbulence in the House GOP following the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), which left many lawmakers and outside observers skeptical Republicans could coalesce around any candidate. But Jordan now seems to be edging closer and closer to the necessary 217 votes amid a pressure campaign by his allies to win support for the conservative Republican and ally of former President Trump (The Hill).

My gut tells me were somewhere south of 10 who are still being recalcitrant, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) told conservative radio host Erick Erickson on Monday when asked about the opposition to Jordan. McCarthy on Monday also expressed his optimism for Jordans prospects (The Hill).

Jordan was able to recruit House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (Ala.) along with Reps. Ann Wagner (Mo.), Ken Calvert (Calif.) and Vern Buchanan (Fla.) to his cause, despite past statements indicating they would not do so. In total, Jordan can only afford to lose four Republican votes, assuming full attendance.

But Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Carlos A. Gimenez (R-Fla.), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Ken Buck (R-Colo.) all indicated Monday they still oppose Jordan, putting his math on shaky ground. And GOP sources told Axios theres a high possibility Jordan will lose more support if the vote goes to a second ballot.

PULL QUOTE HERE IN BOLD Im feeling good, Jordan told The Hills Mychael Schnell Monday, vowing to take the contest to the floor at noon regardless of whether hes formally landed 217 votes.

If Jordan clinches the gavel today, it will cap an extraordinary rise in the House that propelled him from a right-wing rebel on the fringes of the Republican party and founder of the House Freedom Caucus, to the post that is second in line to the presidency. His ascent would be the clearest indicator yet of how far House Republicans have moved to the right in recent years, and how strong a grip Trump, who counts Jordan among his closest allies, still has on the party (The New York Times).

A CHAMBER IN PARALYSIS: Working in Jordans favor is exasperation with the internal GOP turbulence that is keeping the House in stasis as war breaks out in Israel and Gaza, as well as the threat of moderate Republicans working with Democrats to exert control over the Speakership. Even Senate Republicans, embarrassed by the prolonged stalemate in the House over electing a new Speaker, are warming up to the idea of Jordan taking the job in hopes that hell be able to corral conservative rebels (The Hill).

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Monday the Senate must take the lead in passing aid for Israel, adding he will work with the Biden administration to craft an emergency supplemental package to provide Israel with the tools it needs to defend itself. That includes military assistance, intelligence assistance, diplomatic assistance and humanitarian assistance (The Hill).

 Newly appointed California Sen. Laphonza Butler (D) tested positive for COVID-19 and will be absent from Washington this week (The Hill).

3 THINGS TO KNOW TODAY:

 Lawmakers and the Biden administration conferred last week about a roughly $2 billion aid package for Israel. The administration has not been public about its pending supplemental request, which is expected to go to Capitol Hill later this week, possibly including Ukraine and Taiwan assistance.

 What you need to know: The big mistakes people make in Medicare  and how to avoid them.

 In an outcome important to Ukraine and Europe, a majority of voters in Poland on Monday sent conservative nationalists into the minority in parliament after eight years and supported the centrist opposition. Voter turnout was the highest in Poland since the fall of communism in 1989, according to the National Election Commission.

LEADING THE DAY

ADMINISTRATION & MIDDLE EAST

 The Associated Press / Hatem Ali | Palestinians and many others, including Americans, waited Monday to try to leave Gaza by crossing to the Egyptian side at the Rafah border. The gate was closed.

During the long days since the surprise Hamas attacks across the Gaza border, expectations of Israels move into Gaza to eradicate the terrorist group spawned diplomatic negotiations, unrest in the region and international unease about a rising death toll among civilians.

A temporary ceasefire? No go. A humanitarian corridor? It has not happened. An international emergency meeting? The European Union will hold such a conference today. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to be in Israel today, with plans to visit Egypt at some later point.

President Biden accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel on Wednesday, first reported in Israeli media and later announced by the White House. Its a high-risk option with pros and cons. Biden is firmly behind Israel and says Hamas barbarians must be dealt with, but the watchword has become restraint.

The United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Tel Aviv Monday.

The president continued to work the phones, speaking Monday with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of Iraq and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, according to the White House.

 The Hill: The White House walks a fine line as Israel readies a military offensive.

 The Wall Street Journal: The Pentagon has selected troops currently stationed in the Middle East and Europe to prepare for potential deployment in non combat support roles to help Israel.

 The New York Times: Yahya Sinwar is the hard-line Hamas leader in Gaza known among Israelis as the face of death.

PRICE WILL BE HIGH: Blinken, who returned to Israel Monday after talks with leaders in six Arab countries, met with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who said, This will be a long war. The price will be high, but we are going to win for Israel, for the Jewish people and for the values that both countries believe in.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said on Monday that 2,808 people had been killed and more than 9,700 wounded since Oct. 7. In Israel, the death toll from the attacks has reached at least 1,400. Some 289 Israeli soldiers are dead, according to Israeli officials.

CLOSED GATEWAY TO ESCAPE: Foreign nationals eager to evacuate Israel through Egypt found its Rafah gate, which many were told would be open to their exodus, closed on Monday. It created frustration among crowds of anxious international passport holders and dual nationals, some with babies and children in tow, including Americans  all with nowhere to go.

The fate of U.S. hostages seized by Hamas fighters and taken to Gaza remains publicly unknown. Its a grave challenge for Biden, who has spoken with anxious U.S. families and vowed in a speech to do everything possible, with every expert at the U.S. governments disposal, to try to locate and rescue a handful of those who are alive. Israel now says a total of 199 people of various nationalities, including U.S. citizens, were taken captive by Hamas, a higher number than previously reported.

A masked Hamas spokesman, identifying himself as Abu Ubaida, said in a video posted to the groups social media channels that 22 Israeli hostages had been killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the group continues to hold between 200 and 250 hostages, claims that could not be independently confirmed, The New York Times reported.

They eat what we eat, Ubaida said. They drink what we drink. They are living today in the same conditions that we live here in Gaza.

The New York Times The Daily podcast: Voices from Gaza, Palestinians Abdallah Hasaneen and Wafa Elsaka.

WHERE AND WHEN

The House convenes at noon for a Speaker vote.

The Senate meets at 10 a.m.

The president will receive the Presidents Daily Brief at 10:30 a.m. Biden will depart for Israel later today, for arrival Wednesday. He will then travel to Amman, Jordan.

Vice President Harris will visit Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz., to continue her Fight for Our Freedoms college tour to mobilize young people with a moderated conversation at 12:30 p.m. MST. She will return to Washington tonight.

The secretary of state is in Israel.

First lady Jill Biden will host a 5 p.m. White House reception to celebrate the United Statess return to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

ZOOM IN

 The Associated Press / Charlie Neibergall | Republican presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) in Newton, Iowa, on Oct. 12.

POLITICS & CAMPAIGNS

The Federal Election Commissions third-quarter filing deadline Sunday revealed an inside look at the crowded GOP presidential field, the longshot White House contenders and the current and former commanders in chief  Biden and former President Trump  racing to win the Oval Office in 2024. The Hills Julia Mueller breaks down five key takeaways from the filings.

The third-quarter receipts for Bidens principal campaign committee  sitting at roughly $24.8 million  edge out Trumps $24.5 million and leads the rest of the major names in the White House race. The third quarter has also seen a historic two new criminal indictments for the former president, but Trump has appeared to capitalize off his ongoing legal battles. His principal campaign committee reported bringing in $24.5 million during the third quarter of 2023, ending with more than $37.5 million cash on hand. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), long considered Trumps closest competitor, reported raising $15 million between his campaign committee, leadership PAC and joint fundraising committee during the third quarter. The governors campaign said $5 million of that figure can only be used during the primary (The Washington Post).

Among the GOP contenders, the main super PAC supporting Sen. Tim Scotts (S.C.) presidential campaign abruptly announced to donors that it was canceling millions of dollars in television ads it had reserved this fall, writing that Trumps strength was so ingrained that additional advertising would currently make little difference.

We arent going to waste our money when the electorate isnt focused or ready for a Trump alternative, Rob Collins, a Republican strategist who is co-chair of the super PAC, wrote in a blunt memo, The New York Times reports. We have done the research. We have studied the focus groups. We have been following Tim on the trail. This electorate is locked up and money spent on mass media isnt going to change minds until we get a lot closer to voting.

Both Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) saw significant drops in their respective third-quarter fundraising, viewed as a challenge for each. Both seats are in play in 2024; neither incumbent has formally declared a bid for reelection (Politico).

Tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are boiling over in the Republican presidential primary as the contenders issue responses to the escalating conflict. The Hills Julia Manchester reports that on Saturday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the U.S. should not take Palestinian refugees from Gaza because they are all antisemitic. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley responded to DeSantiss remarks, noting in an interview on CNN that you can separate civilians from terrorists but right now we can never take our eyes off of the terrorists.

2024 ROUNDUP:

 The Supreme Court ruled Monday that two internet sellers of gun parts must comply with administration rules on ghost guns, which are firearms difficult to trace because they lack serial numbers.

 The third GOP presidential debate will be hosted by NBC News in Miami on Nov. 8.

 The Biden campaign Monday joined Truth Social, the platform founded by Trump, pushing its message on a site largely dominated by the former president and his followers.

 Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett said Monday that it would be a good idea for the nations highest court to adopt a formal code of conduct, but the nine justices already agree that they should hold themselves to the highest ethical standards possible.

ELSEWHERE

 The Associated Press / Charlie Neibergall | Former President Trump campaigned Monday in Iowa.

TRUMP WORLD

A federal judge said Monday that she would impose a gag order barring Trump from attacking future witnesses in his election interference case, as well as prosecutors, court staff and their families. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Trumps status as a candidate did not give him carte blanche to level a smear campaign against those involved in the case, saying that First Amendment protections yield to the administration of justice and to the protection of witnesses.

The request to Chutkan presented a conflict between the scope of Trumps First Amendment rights and fears that he could  intentionally or not  spur his supporters to violence. She did not grant an order with the breadth requested by the Justice Department and special counsel Jack Smith in September, declining to limit any speech attacking her or the District of Columbia, saying the court would use the jury selection process to ensure it does not pick jurors swayed by Trumps repeated attacks on the city. The extent of the order was not entirely clear; Chutkan said she would describe only the contours of her decision Monday, but she clarified the order would not stop Trump from attacking Biden or claiming during his 2024 campaign the prosecution is politically motivated (The Hill).

This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses, Chutkan said. This is about language that dangers the administration of justice.

 The Hill: Here are five takeaways as Trump faces a gag order in the election interference case.

 The Associated Press: Lawyers, Trump and money: The ex-president spends millions in donor cash on attorneys as legal woes grow.

 The Hill: A Trump lawyer told a London judge Monday the former president plans to prove that shocking and scandalous claims about him in the so-called Steele Dossier, a largely discredited report by a former British spy, were false and harmed his reputation.

LABOR

Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford on Monday warned that an ongoing strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) threatens the future livelihood of the company as well as the American automotive industry. Ford, the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford, pleaded with union members and leaders to work with the company, instead of against it, to reach a tentative deal to put an end to this acrimonious round of talks.

 Reuters: The UAW strike could upend General Motors and Fords financial strategies.

 The New York Times: As the actors strike wears on, some are turning to a familiar fallback job. The Hollywood cliche of performers working as servers in restaurants is back.

About 34,000 U.S. autoworkers with Detroits three major auto manufacturers  or roughly 23 percent of UAW members covered by the expired contracts with the Detroit automakers  are currently on strike.

UAW President Shawn Fain last week said the union has entered a new phase of the targeted strikes in which it would no longer pre-announce the work stoppages, as it had been (The Wall Street Journal and CNBC).

OPINION

 Mr. Biden goes to the Middle East, by Andreas Kluth, columnist, Bloomberg Opinion.

 Piling horror upon horror, by Michelle Goldberg, columnist, The New York Times.

THE CLOSER

 The Associated Press / Matthew Mead | Dried pasta in 2016.

And finally   Its National Pasta Day! Celebrate with a big bowl of starchy goodness and contribute to the roughly 5.95 billion pounds of pasta eaten in the United States each year. Whether paired with meatballs and marinara, baked into a traditional Italian lasagna or transformed into quintessentially American mac and cheese, pasta has become a staple in homes across the country ever since Thomas Jefferson introduced it to the country, way back in 1789.

The nation leading per capita pasta consumption in 2022 will come as a surprise to few: Italians, on average, ate more than 50 pounds of the floury food last year. In the United States, by comparison, people consumed on average 19 pounds of pasta in the same year.

What pasta shapes reign supreme? A 2013 Barilla World Pasta Day survey found that Americans three favorite pasta varieties are, in order, spaghetti, penne and rotini.

Stay Engaged

We want to hear from you! Email: Alexis Simendinger and Kristina Karisch. Follow us on Twitter (@asimendinger and @kristinakarisch) and suggest this newsletter to friends!

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Russia is revoking its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) blaming the United States irresponsible attitude to global security for its decision, the speaker of the lower house of the Russian Duma (parliament) Vyacheslav Volodin has said, Reuters reported on Oct. 17.

Read also: Russias nuclear blackmail continues

While Russia had ratified the 1996 treaty in 2000, Washington had failed to ratify because of its "irresponsible attitude to global security issues," Volodin said ahead of a debate and parliamentary vote on revoking ratification.

He added that the move would be "in the interests of ensuring the security of our country  The Russian Federation will do everything to protect its citizens and to maintain global strategic parity."

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While Russia withdrawing its ratification, Russia would remain a signatory and would continue to cooperate with the test ban treaty organization and the global monitoring system, which alerts the world to any nuclear test.

Earlier, on Oct. 7, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's representative to the international nuclear agencies in Vienna, warned Moscow would revoke its ratification of the CTBT after Russian dictator Vladimir Putin suggested during his Valdai Discussion Club speech that Moscow might resume nuclear testing for the first time in 33 years.

Read also: Russia will likely intensify nuclear threats in coming months  Zelenskyy

Washington denounced the move as jeopardizing the global norm against nuclear tests. The U.S. State Department said it was disturbed by Ulyanovs comments, adding that it viewed Moscows withdraw as a way to pressure the United States and other countries to cease supplying weapons and other assistance to Ukraine in its struggle against Russian forces.

The CTBT was opened for signature in 1996 and has since been signed by 187 countries, and ratified by 178, including three nuclear powers: France, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

For the test ban to enter into force, it requires ratification by 44 states who participated in negotiating the agreement and who had nuclear power or research reactors at the time. Of that 44, eight countries have yet to ratify the ban: China; North Korea; Egypt; India; Iran; Israel; Pakistan; and the United States.

Read also: Putin will continue to threaten Ukraine and the world with nuclear weapons  Zelenskyy

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier warned that progress in preventing the use, spread and testing of nuclear weapons was stalling. He called for nuclear disarmament.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
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Theres one main thing to know about Rep. Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican who does not yet have the votes to become speaker of the House of Representatives.

Hes a passive skeptic of the 2020 presidential election results, but was an active election denier who appeared at a Stop the Steal rally in Pennsylvania and also appears to have played a role in former President Donald Trumps post-election strategy to overturn the results.

Jordan, to this day, does not acknowledge that Trump lost in 2020.

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Rep. Ken Buck, a solid conservative from Colorado, said he might support Jordan if Jordan could simply admit in public that Trump lost the 2020 election.

When reporters asked Jordan on Capitol Hill about Bucks request, Jordan ignored them and silently got into an elevator.

There are other important elements of Jordans professional biography.

Not a legislator

Jordan has played a very specific role in Congress, and it is not that of dealmaker, the main job requirement of modern House speakers. In fact, Jordan has never been the primary sponsor of a major piece of legislation that was enacted into law.

The Center for Effective Lawmaking ranks members of Congress based on the amount of major legislation that bears their fingerprints, and Jordans rating is one of the lowest. Pushing for legislation is clearly not his priority.

Attack dog extraordinaire

If youve watched a House hearing meant to provide oversight of a Democratic administration, Jordan was probably involved.

He was a chief critic of Hillary Clinton during rounds of hearings related to the death of a US ambassador in Benghazi, Libya. More recently, hes among the top Republican voices building up a political dossier to imply, without direct evidence, that President Joe Biden sought to benefit from his son Hunters career.

This is a guy that has basically made it very clear that his whole goal isnt to govern, its not to legislate, its to destroy the Democrats, said CNN senior political commentator Adam Kinzinger, the Republican former congressman turned Republican critic, during an appearance on the network earlier this month.

During the Trump administration, Jordan was Trumps chief defender during impeachment hearings preceding Trumps first impeachment in the House.

Kinzinger was one of the few Republican members of the House committee tasked with investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection. The committee dissolved in January 2023, when Republicans took control of the House.

Republicans had tried to instill Jordan on the committee, but former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected the proposal because of concerns about Jordans statements and actions.

Jordan features more prominently than any other House lawmaker in the committees report

Members of the House January 6 committee referred Jordan to the House Ethics Committee for refusing to comply with their subpoena to testify.

But it is notable that special counsel Jack Smith, who is investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 election, has not charged Jordan with any crime related to the election.

Here are the key points made about Jordan in the January 6 report that the House committee released in late 2022:

He was a main contact for Trumps allies on January 6

When Trumps then-attorney and henchman Rudy Giuliani wanted to continue to try to delay the counting of electoral votes after the storming of the Capitol on January 6, Jordan was among the lawmakers he called.

He was on the receiving end of Trump supporters advice about strategy

When Sean Hannity, the Fox News personality, wanted to suggest that Trump stop talking about the election, he wrote a text to then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Jordan.

The committee called him a significant player in President Trumps efforts

Jordan, according to the committees report, participated in numerous post-election meetings in which senior White House officials, Rudolph Giuliani, and others, discussed strategies for challenging the election, chief among them claims that the election had been tainted by fraud.

He took part in a January 2, 2021, conference call with Trump and others about strategies for delaying the January 6th joint session.

One topic of discussion: issuing social media posts encouraging President Trumps supporters to march to the Capitol.

He thought Pence should dispute Electoral College votes

The day before January 6, Jordan texted Meadows suggesting then-Vice President Mike Pence should should call out all the electoral votes that he believes are unconstitutional as no electoral votes at all.

Pence, notably and to his credit, did not believe that any of the electoral votes were unconstitutional because there was no evidence of fraud.

Jordan was on the phone with Trump. The committee refers to Jordan speaking to Trump at least twice on January 6 and taking five calls from Giuliani after the insurrection, although three of the calls from Giuliani were not connected.

He was interested in pardons

After the insurrection, Jordan spoke with White House staff about the prospect of Presidential pardons for Members of Congress.

Jordans elevation to the top position in the House and second in line for the presidential line of succession, should he be able to find the votes, would cement the election skeptic way of thinking as the default for Republicans.

That may not be a surprise since Republicans seem primed to elevate the election skeptic in chief, Trump, as their presidential nominee for the third time next year. But it does suggest that the party is not yet ready to move on from the last election, even as it prepares for the next one.

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The mother of Mia Schem, a French-Israeli tattoo artist who has appeared in the first video released by Hamas of its hostages in Gaza, said she screamed and fell to the ground when she first saw confirmation her daughter was alive.

Keren Schem issued an impassioned plea begging the international community for help to bring her daughter home.

Ms Schem, 21, was attending a music festival with a close friend near the border with Gaza on Saturday morning when they both went missing.

She sent her message to her mother at 7.30am saying they are shooting at us. Hamas militants attacked the rave, killing hundreds of people and taking several hostage, witnesses have told The Independent.

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Ms Schems family had no idea of her fate until she appeared in a video released by Hamas on Monday afternoon. It marked the first time the militant group, that rules Gaza, have released any footage of the estimated 199 people, including British citizens, who were taken to Gaza.

The 60-second clip opens with Ms Schem, 21, receiving medical treatment for a wound in her right arm. It shows a person off camera wrapping the wound with bandages, around anexternal fixators, implying broken bones. As air strikes sound in the back ground, she confirms she is in Gaza and that she had been operated on.

She finishes the clip with a plea to return home. Mrs Schem described a roller coaster of emotions when she first saw her baby on TV as prior to the release of the video, the family did not know if she was alive or dead.

I started to shout, I fell on the floor and screamed. I didnt really know what [I was] seeing, I saw my baby. And then we started to sing, to cry, to be happy that she is alive.

Then I felt scared, Mrs Schem said, appearing visibly shaken as she clutched a photo of Mia.

I can see she was shot in her shoulder. I see she had an operation. She looks very terrified, she looks like she is in a big pain. And I can see that she is saying what they tell her say.

I am begging the world to bring my baby back home, she only went to a party to a festival party to have some fun. And now she is in Gaza.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell has said Britain is doing everything possible to save the British hostages being held by Hamas (Ariel Schalit/AP) (AP)

Mia is among at least 199 people taken hostage by militant groups in Gaza after they launched an unprecedented air, land and sea attack on south Israel 10 days ago, breaking through the border fence and raiding villages and this music festival.

Hundreds were killed and dozens taken hostage, including children and the elderly - with some appearing in chilling videos being dragged to Gaza.

Among them are believed to be 10 British citizens. On Tuesday the BBC reported that a British teenager who was missing from the attack on Kibbutz Beeri (near to where Mia Schem was taken) were among those murdered in the 7 October attack.

Yahel, 13, was killed along with her mother, Lianne. However her elder sister, Noiya, 16, and her father, Eli, are still missing, the BBC said.

British Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the Government is extremely concerned about British hostages and we pray that they are alive.

The Israeli military confirmed on Monday at least 199 hostages were taken in total, more than previously estimated.Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages - and that a total of 22 have been killed in Israeli airstrikes that are pounding the tiny besieged strip.

Israeli military spokesperson Richard Hecht told The Independent that the information that 22 have been killed is Psyops [Psychological operations] of Hamas and is not confirmed in any way.

Families of those held hostage are concerned for their wellbeing as Israel has launched the heaviest attacks ever recorded on Gaza.

Mrs Schem said she is concerned for her daughter who had a pre-existing medical condition, and is wounded, amid reports of an imminent ground invasion.

My daughter is a fighter, she is a warrior, she has been through a lot in her life. My message to my daughter is I love her so much, and I miss her so much, all these days I think how I will hug her when she is coming home.

I want to tell all the other parents, you must think positive.

The family begged for help bringing back the hostages, who include babies, children, old people and Holocaust survivors.

This is a crime against humanity and we should all gather and stop this terror and bring everybody back home. 

Ilay Schem, Mias brother also implored for help.She is an innocent child that she went to a party with her friends and ended up kidnapped and taken away from home. We want to bring her back.
French-Israeli woman Keren Shem, holds a picture of her daughter Mia, held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza, at a news conference in Tel Aviv called to press for her release (GIL COHEN MAGEN)

The mother of French-Israeli woman Mia Shem, held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza, urged world leaders Tuesday to free her daughter after the Islamists aired a video showing her in captivity.

"I ask world leaders that my daughter be returned to us in the state that she is today, as well as the other hostages," Keren Shem told a press conference in Tel Aviv, a day after Hamas broadcast a video showing her daughter receiving treatment for an arm injury.

"I beg the world to return my baby to me," said Shem after French President Emmanuel Macron demanded her immediate and unconditional release.

Shem said her daughter had gone to a party when she was abducted and taken to Gaza during the deadly attack Hamas militants launched on Israel on October 7.

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"Now she is in Gaza. She is not the only one. There are many adults, children, babies and Holocaust survivors," she said of other Israelis and foreigners in Hamas custody.

"It is a crime against humanity. All together we need to stop this terror."

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The mother of a French-Israeli woman among the scores of people being held hostage by Hamas after the Palestinian group's terror attack on Israel, and who is seen in a harrowing new propaganda video released by the group, has told CBS News she hopes it indicates Hamas' willingness to negotiate over her daughter's release.

The disturbing video shared Monday by Hamas' on its Telegram messaging app channel shows 21-year-old French-Israeli national Mia Shem lying on a bed with her right arm appearing to be injured and treated by somebody out of the camera's view.

Shem appears somewhat distressed as she speaks directly to the camera, saying she's been taken to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and pleading to be returned to her family.

"It's very hard to see my daughter, I see the pain, I see that she's in physical pain," Keren Shem, Mia's mother, told CBS News on Tuesday. "I see that she's very emotional and very, very scared."

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Except in rare cases, CBS News does not broadcast videos of hostages if they appear to be propaganda produced by the captors. The network is not showing the Hamas video of Shem at this time.

The Israeli military has also released chilling new body camera video that it says came from a Hamas gunman, taken as he stalked victims in an Israeli kibbutz. It offers a frightening glimpse at the unprecedented, bloody terror attack carried out by Hamas inside southern Israel.

Haunting images, which appeared to have been edited together, show Hamas militants hunting Israeli civilians inside their own homes. The body camera of one gunman captured the moment he was killed.

For Israelis, including Army Capt. Shai, whose last name we're withholding for security reasons, the images of last week's bloody Hamas rampage have been forever etched in memory. For the dual U.S.-Israeli national , it was a clear calling to serve his country.

Shai lives in Queens with his wife and three children. On Oct. 7, he was at his synagogue in New York with his phone turned off.

"Somebody came up to me and said, 'Did you hear what happened in Israel?' And I said, 'No, what happened?' And he said: 'Terrorists.' I immediately understood that this is something else."

Along with more than 300,000 other Israel Defense Forces reservists, he was soon called up for duty. Shai is now in southern Israel, ready and waiting for an order to launch a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. He says the mission isn't about wanting to fight, but needing to.

"I personally want to sit on the beach and have a gin and tonic," he admited. "But unfortunately, we don't have that privilege. We don't have that. You know, this is our only country... we have nowhere else to go."

In the aftermath of the Hamas attack, Israeli forces have laid siege to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, leaving much of the densely packed Palestinian territory in ruins and completely blockaded. Officials in Gaza say Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 80 people over the last day alone.

Shai said the brutality of the attacks on Israeli civilians was a national trauma not experienced since the Holocaust. But unlike that attack on the Jewish people in the 1940s, "now we have a country, and now we can defend ourselves, and that's what we have to do. I have no other choice, and I'm proud to do it."

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The British Broadcasting Corporation

The mother of Mia Shem, seized by Hamas gunmen and held hostage in Gaza, has appealed for her immediate release along with at least 198 other hostages.

"I'm begging the world to bring my baby back home," Keren Shem told reporters in Tel Aviv, holding up a picture of her French-Israeli daughter.

The Islamist militant group released a video on Monday night, in which Mia Shem appeared with a wounded arm.

"She only went... to a festival party to have some fun," her mother said.

"And now she's in Gaza and she's not the only one."

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The Hamas hostage video is the first of its kind to be aired since they abducted Israelis, dual nationals and foreign citizens on Israeli soil on 7 October. Hamas's armed wing said in a separate video that the hostages were "our guests", who would be freed when circumstances allowed.

Mia Shem, 21, is shown being treated for her injury and asking in Hebrew to be returned as quickly as possible to her family.

France has said it is working to secure the release of all 13 hostages with French nationality. Another 19 French citizens were among the 1,400 people killed when Hamas gunmen attacked more than 20 Israeli communities as well as the Tribe of Nova music festival.

In a statement, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Hamas and demanded her immediate release: "It is an ignominy to take innocent people hostage and put them on show in this odious way."

Israel's military denounced the Hamas video as "psychological terror against Israeli citizens", adding that it was in constant touch with the young woman's family. Hamas had murdered and abducted babies, women, children and the elderly and was now "trying to portray itself as a humane organisation", it added.

Keren Shem told a press conference on Tuesday that "babies, children and old people, Holocaust survivors" had been kidnapped.

"This is a crime against humanity and we should all gather and stop this terror, and bring everybody back home."

More on Israel Gaza war
The British Broadcasting Corporation

A former SNP MP who defected to the Conservatives has defended her decision not to stand down for a by-election.

Dr Lisa Cameron said many other MPs had changed parties in recent years without triggering such a vote.

In a BBC interview, she repeated her claims that she quit because of a "toxic culture" in the SNP's Westminster group.

She also said she regretted not leaving the party sooner as her experience had damaged her mental health.

Dr Cameron, who was an NHS clinical psychologist before she was elected in 2015, announced her defection last week just ahead of a selection meeting to pick the next candidate for the East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow constituency.

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She was facing a challenge for re-selection from Grant Costello, who was employed by the SNP as a digital manager.

Dr Cameron confirmed she planned to return to NHS work, and would not stand at the next general election, but insisted there was no need for her to stand down sooner.

She said: "Lots of MPs move party and actually create their own parties and didn't have by-elections because it is not part of the process.

"I know Humza Yousaf had called for that, but my understanding is actually in the Scottish Parliament that was put forward earlier this year and the SNP did not support the premise that if you change party from your initial election then there should be a by-election or recall.

"So I don't think there should be one rule for them and a different rule for me."

She added: "And certainly in this parliament those who have switched parties are all men except for me so they are still there.

"Why should I be the one to go?"

The MP said she was prescribed anti-depressants and received counselling as a result of treatment she claims to have received during her time within the party.

Since making the announcement about her move on Thursday, she said she had received numerous "threatening messages".

The MP said she had to close her constituency office and had been forced to miss her daughter's 15th birthday amid security concerns.

On her decision to leave the SNP, she said she felt "isolated" within the SNP's Westminster group and there was a lot of "fear and intimidation".

She said that intensified after she defended the teenage victim of unwanted sexual advances from SNP MP Patrick Grady.

She said: "The only regret I have is that I stayed in the situation I was in for such a long time struggling and that I didn't perhaps heed the advice of the health professionals like my GP saying 'we can counsel you, we can give you some medication, but unless you change your situation, you're not going to feel any different'.

"And I just feel a tremendous relief now that I'm out of that situation and that I'm looking forward to engaging with so many new colleagues who have sent me messages asking me to join groups, to come for a coffee, to come to events."

On Monday senior SNP MP Alison Thewliss told Radio Scotland's Drivetime programme that she did not recognise Dr Cameron's claims that there were "toxic" and "bullying" elements in the SNP.

Instead the SNP's home affairs spokesperson at Westminster accused Dr Cameron of acting inappropriately towards others in the SNP.

Ms Thewlis said: "I have heard very vociferously from members of her own branch in East Kilbride who they themselves felt as though she had taken a very bullying attitude to members of the SNP, and they quite frankly are glad to see the back of her."

She added that members in East Kilbride had been "very concerned" by the MP's behaviour "for many years" and that "slipping out the door and joining the Tories was not a huge surprise to any of them".

Dr Cameron denied the accusations, adding: "I've been an MP in the SNP for about eight years now and I've never had any word from a conduct committee regarding any bullying allegations.

"Mud-flinging is another thing and I think that that sort of thing just incites people towards a negative approach to me, particularly when I've never had any conduct complaints in the past.

"I find it very disappointing that people would say that."
Hennepin County Chief Judge Toddrick Barnette received a heartfelt welcome from Minneapolis residents Tuesday as he stood for a public hearing on his nomination to be the city's second community safety commissioner in just over a year.

Barnette was a public defender for 11 years and a prosecutor for two before making history as Hennepin County's first chief judge of color in 2020. In that role, Barnette steered Minnesota's largest court through myriad COVID-19 adjustments and the trials of four Minneapolis police officers for the murder of George Floyd.

Last month, Mayor Jacob Frey nominated Barnette to be his no. 2 in command of all five city departments dedicated to public safety: police, fire, 911, emergency management and neighborhood safety. The nomination must now be approved by the City Council to become official.

A slew of Minneapolis residents, including violence interrupter Lisa Clemons of a Mother's Love, Downtown Council CEO Steve Cramer, First Amendment lawyer Leita Walker and a number of Barnette's mentees in law, praised the judge for his personal warmth, fairness and commitment to transparency on Tuesday during a council committee meeting.

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"There are not too many people I know that have the character of this man," said Lateef Ledbetter, one of Barnette's former law clerks.

Following the public hearing, council members had their first chance to grill Barnette on how he would approach the job. Several council members, such as Latrisha Vetaw  whose wedding Barnette officiated  gave him full confidence.

"I actually met you because a family member was in your court and you really ... made sure that that family member went back to school, got a job, got their kids back," she said. "It's been wonderful to see you care for the community,"

Other council members expressed hesitancy, given Barnette's hiring comes after Frey's first pick for the job, Floridian police consultant Cedric Alexander, quit after one year.

During Alexander's rocky time in Minneapolis, he took credit for reducing crime downtown and keeping the peace during Taylor Swift's Eras tour, but faced criticism for unprofessional tweeting, not attending community meetings on the Third Precinct police station and neglecting efforts to expand safety beyond policing.

"I find myself in a skeptical position  not because of you," said Jeremiah Ellison. "People in Minneapolis have been routinely disappointed by where public safety is headed ... people want to see accountability."

And Council Members Jamal Osman and Jason Chavez, whose south-central wards have weathered more homeless encampments, public drug use and gun violence than wealthier parts of the city, urged the judge to work with them on the outsized public safety problems facing their constituents of color.

Barnette responded, "the approach that the mayor is tasking me to take is to all of Minneapolis," while acknowledging he understood that the challenges residents deal with are different across the city.

He promised to emphasize proactive crime prevention over reactive policing, take community-led initiatives seriously, listen to other people and meet the "urgent need for a comprehensive approach to community safety that ... fosters trust, understanding and collaboration between our communities."

Council members voted 11-1 in favor of approving Barnette's nomination. Council Member Andrew Johnson was absent, and the lone holdout was Robin Wonsley, who said she was disappointed that Barnette did not provide specific actions he would take to transform the city's policing-focused model of public safety into one that includes more unarmed responders and crime prevention programs.

"We just essentially had a year of inaction from [the Office of Community Safety's] prior leadership, and our residents cannot afford another year of that," she said.

If approved at the City Council's regular meeting on Thursday as expected, Barnette will help Minneapolis navigate state and federal consent decrees.

As a judge, he presided over high-profile murder trials, handing down life sentences for the 2006 shooting of an innocent bystander in a downtown movie theater as well as the 2012 triple execution of a woman and her parents in Brooklyn Park. Barnette also supported warrant forgiveness, bail reform, and reducing jail time for people accused of low-level, nonviolent crimes.

In 2015 when Third Precinct police beat a man suspected of drug possession to the point of needing an ambulance, Barnette dismissed the charges, calling the officers' conduct outrageous and admonishing, "This is one of the reasons why some citizens in Minneapolis have problems with Minneapolis police."
A computer software developer and Media Ministry member at a Mississippi Coast church faces federal charges for distributing and possessing child pornography, court papers say.

Cameron Cam Cotrill, 66, of Vancleave, is jailed without bond pending trial in January. Federal authorities allege he had accessed 9,900 sexually explicit images of children engaged in sex acts on his computer, court records say.

After his arrest, Cotrills attorney, James Farrior, unsuccessfully appealed to a judge to grant Cotrill bond pending trial.

In his decision to deny Cotrills bond, U.S. District Judge Robert Myers cited the substantial evidence in the case, the lengthy prison sentence Cotrill faces if convicted, safety concerns for the community, his significant personal wealth, and family ties outside the United States.

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The judge also noted that in addition to the large amount of alleged child porn found on his computer, authorities determined Cotrill allegedly used his extensive computer knowledge to restrict his wifes Internet access to the files.

In character letters sent to a judge before the bail hearing, family, friends and fellow parishioners described Cotrill as a man committed to his family, faith, and community and praised him for his knowledge of Gods word.

A senior adult pastor who has known Cotrill since 2022 described him as a volunteer and member of the churchs Media Ministry who consistently demonstrated conscientiousness to his ministry responsibilities here.

His appearance has always been beyond reproach, and he has a very optimistic attitude about life, he said. In his Christian walk, I believe you would find him solid in his beliefs. He is a man of integrity and good leadership skills, which are virtues we need today.

Since hes been jailed, his family has set up a GoFundMe account to help raise money for Cotrills legal defense.

In a pitch for donations, his daughter said her father had been wrongfully arrested on two counts of cybercrimes.

She described him as a loving husband ... a great father and amazing grandfather ... and the greatest friend you could ever have.

The alleged crimes occurred, she said, after her father retired as a computer software developer and started working as an independent contractor.

It was in the process of research that his system was targeted by malware and then flagged by government agencies, she said. And he is absolutely undeniably innocent of the charges levied against him.

Cotrill has denied any wrongdoing.

If convicted of both federal charges, Cotrill faces a prison sentence of up to 40 years and fines of up to $500,000.

The Sun Herald reached out to Farrior for comment on the case, but he said he didnt want to make a statement until he had time to talk to Cotrill.

Cotrill is jailed in Pearl River County.
BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday in Beijing.

Xi said he was very pleased to meet his old friend and extended a warm welcome for his attendance at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Calling Serbia "an ironclad friend" of China, Xi said the bilateral relations have withstood changes in the international landscape over recent years and are an exemplar of friendly relations between China and European countries.

The two countries have promoted cooperation in the field of infrastructure construction, while continuously improving the depth, breadth, quality and efficiency of cooperation, Xi added. 
Richard Alexander Murdaugh is seen in a mugshot taken after his arrest, in Columbia

By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) - The South Carolina court of appeals on Tuesday ruled that Richard "Alex" Murdaugh, a lawyer found guilty of murdering his wife and son, can ask a lower court judge to toss out his conviction due to allegations of jury tampering.

Lawyers for Murdaugh, who has maintained his innocence, said in a statement that they would now seek "a full blown evidentiary hearing" in a lower court on their allegations that the Colleton County Clerk of Court, Rebecca Hill, improperly communicated with jurors as they weighed Murdaugh's case.

The lawyers allege in court filings that Hill told jurors not to be "fooled by" Murdaugh's defense, among other comments.

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Hill did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the South Carolina Attorney General's office, which prosecuted the case, said that the office would "respond through the legal process at the appropriate time."

A hearing on Murdaugh's allegations of jury tampering and request for a new trial has not been scheduled.

Even if he were eventually cleared of his murder conviction, Murdaugh would likely remain in prison - he pleaded guilty last month to federal financial crimes charges and is awaiting sentencing, expected to be several years in jail.

Murdaugh, 55, a member of a powerful South Carolina family, was found guilty on March 2 on two counts of shooting his wife Maggie, 52, and youngest son, Paul, 22, on their family estate on June 7, 2021. He was sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.

During his trial, prosecutors said Murdaugh fatally shot his wife and son to distract from an array of financial misdeeds, including the theft of millions of dollars from his law partners and clients, money used to feed a years-long addiction to opioids and support an expensive lifestyle.

Murdaugh's lawyers tried to paint their client as a loving family man who, while facing financial difficulties and a drug addiction, would never harm his wife and child.

For decades until 2006, Murdaugh family members served as the leading prosecutor in the area. Murdaugh was a prominent personal injury attorney in the state.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks; Additional reporting by Joseph Ax and Rich McKay; editing by Donna Bryson and Jonathan Oatis)
One of the houses where Alex Murdaugh lived with his wife and son until he murdered them is back on the marketbut not just anyone can get a tour.

Broker Todd Crosby said the notoriety of the house may complicate the sale, and his office is making sure that all potential buyers will be vetted pretty hard to make sure they are serious buyers and not just being nosy.

I dont care what the buyers deal is with the house, Crosby told The Daily Beast. Murders happen in houses all the time. I just want to make sure the buyers we bring to the house can cut the check and dont just want to see the house for fun.

Alex Murdaugh Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges

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The $1.95 million listing is for a four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom, 5,275-square-foot home nestled on 21 acres of property in Islandton, South Carolina. Its a carve-out of Murdaugh's former 1,700-acre estate, which sold for $3.9 million earlier this year after his murder trial. Jurors visited the home before convicting Murdaugh of murder in February. On Monday, the South Carolina Court of Appeals ordered a hearing to determine whether he will be retried after Murdaughs team accused a Colleton County court clerk of tampering with the jury.

Crosby told The Daily Beast that he is not surprised that people who bought the property on March 22 are selling part of it. He said the two buyers are more focused on the recreational purposes of the land, like growing timber and doing other things we do down here.

I dont think they ever had any interest in keeping the house because they dont need it, Crosby said. They have their own homes.

Since the Moselle Estate House went on the market on Monday, Crosby said, the listing has gotten a lot of views, but nobody has scheduled an appointment to visit the home, which was custom-built for the Murdaughs in 2011. The listing does not include the shed where Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were fatally shot on June 7, 2021, which is about a quarter-mile from the house.

Its a nice house; its a quality built home, Crosby added. Its got a lot of wood. Anyone who wants to buy this house has got to have a desire to live in a rural area. Its about 45 minutes to the closest Target.

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Brian Runnels went missing nine years ago, and the trial of the man police believed killed him began Monday.

Prosecutors in Fifth Judicial District Court in Carlsbad started building their case that Manuel Sanchez murdered Runnels and buried his body in a remote area outside of Carlsbad.

Meanwhile, defense attorney Lisa Torraco sought to cast doubt on the states version of events and the testimony of its witnesses while providing possible alternate reasons for Runnels death.

More: Trial for man accused of killing missing Carlsbad man starts Monday. Here's what to know.

His skeletal remains were found in April 2020 near the property where Runnels lived up until his disappearance in October 2014.

Sanchez was charged in the fatal shooting Runnels after Brett Roark in a police interview said he and Sanchez buried the body. Both Roark and Sanchez were charged with one count each of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.

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Roark's trial was scheduled for Feb. 12, 2024.

More: Trial for man accused of murdering Brian Runnels delayed

Detectives said they corroborated Roarks testimony through interviews with other witnesses, forensic experts, and a series of phone calls they said Sanchez made on the night of Runnels death.

A 14-person jury, including two alternates, was selected from a pool of 93 and began to hear testimony on the first day of the trial before District Judge Jane Shuler-Gray.

Heres what happened as the trial started.

More: Trial date expected to be set for Carlsbad man accused of killing Brian Runnells

Prosecutors say cold case was solved

Assistant District Attorney Megan Kirtley began her opening statement by describing how Runnels went missing in 2014, and the initial investigation went cold.

She explained in 2020 Carlsbad Police Detective Tim Nyce was assigned the case and began reinvestigating leads from six years before.

He spoke to all the witnesses, she said, and struggled to find any credible explanation.

More: Carlsbad man charged with first degree murder in death of Brian Runnels

That was until Roark was interviewed multiple times, and eventually told Nyce what the prosecution believed happened, Kirtley said.

There were lots of stories and theories of what happened, Kirtley said to the jury. I expect youre going to hear the term cold case. After years, no one knew where Brian had gone. The case went cold.

That was until Roark told Nyce he and Sanchez went to Runnels camper on the night of his death.

More: Carlsbad murder suspect arrested in six-year cold case of missing man, Brian Runnels

Sanchez shot Runnels, Kirtley said, and then he and Roark took the body out into a remote desert area and buried it.

He didnt see nothing, Kirtley said. He didnt know nothing. That was a burden he didnt want to carry anymore.

Roark was able to give investigators the general area where the body was buried, Kirtley said, and Carlsbad Police worked with the Bureau of Land Management to identify areas that appeared disturbed between 2013 and 2016.

More: Artesia police officer on leave after shooting man police said shot and killed another

They ultimately found Runnels skeletal remains, and Kirtley said the prosecution would prove Sanchez was his killer.

The investigation did not end there, Kirtley said. I expect that youre going to hear this wasnt just a lucky guess.

Defense says Sanchez unfairly blamed for murder. Presents alternate events

Torraco in her opening contended Sanchezs girlfriend Jamie Murray arrived at the property in the 2400 block of West Greene Street on the last night Runnels was seen.

More: Artesia man runs from police, tracked to Albuquerque and arrested a week later

She said Murray was there to bring his prescribed insulin to Sanchez and didnt find him at the main house where he was staying.

Murray then went to Runnels camper, Torraco said, and didnt find her boyfriend there either.

Sanchez and Roark joined Murray on her way back to the house, and Torraco said witnesses saw another man Mikey Sullivan pull out of the main property.

More: Lubbock woman pleads guilty, admits to bringing girl to Carlsbad for prostitution

Torraco said Murray also would testify she saw Runnels camper door shut, the light went out and a car pulled away.

She hoped this description of the night would cast doubt on the prosecutions allegation and exonerate her client of the murder charge, and painted Roark as an unreliable, inconsistent witness.

The last time Manny saw Brian, he was alive, Torraco said. The evidence the state has against Manny Sanchez is the word of Brett Roark. Thats it. Brett Roark blames everything on Manny. It all comes down to the credibility of Brett Roark.

Brett Roarks story is constantly changing. Its almost like hes making it up as he goes along.

More: Bandidos raids in New Mexico stem from 'all-out war' between motorcycle clubs, police say

I was shocked says expert who found Runnels remains

Terry Gregston, an environmental protection expert with the Bureau of Land Managements Carlsbad Field Office took the stand to describe how she helped Carlsbad police find Runnels bones near the property.

She compared aerial photos taken from 2013 and 2016, noticing a white smudge she called a mapping anomaly on the second photo taken after Runnels went missing.

Gregston said she went out to the area to investigate the anomaly in person, and found human bones on the ground.

More: Man accused of stealing wife's search and rescue dogs now charged with plotting her murder

I was shocked, she said. I wasnt expecting to find human remains. I was expecting to find soil disturbance. It was hard.

After texting police, a bone specialist was able to later confirm the bones were human, Gregston said.

Witnesses describe property where Runnels lived when allegedly murdered

The first witness called to the stand was Cynthia Appling, daughter of Thomas Ace Appling who owned the 120-acre property where Runnels lived at the time of his disappearance.

There was a trucking company and a water station on the property, she said, and Runnels oversaw tickets for customers purchasing water.

More: Alexis Murray Smith guilty of child abuse in son Brent Sullivan's fentanyl overdose death

She said Roark also lived on the property but was unsure where exactly and what his job was in working for Applings father.

Appling testified that she didnt interact with either man socially but did oversee payroll and would occasionally give them their paychecks.

When Runnels didnt collect his check, and no one heard from him for about a week, Appling said she went to the police station and filed a missing persons report, but no one saw him again.

Runnels described as friendly and dependable'

Jazell Carrasco, who was dating Thomas Ace Appling at the time of Runnels disappearance described the victim as a good worker and friendly.

He knew all the truckers on a first-name basis, she said. He enjoyed his job, and did it well.

She said Runnels, Sanchez and Roark were all working for Appling at the time of Runnels disappearance but was unaware of any past confrontations between the men.

The night of the alleged murder, Carrasco told the jury she was at the main house on the property with Appling and that Murray was there looking for Sanchez.

When questioned by the defense, Carrasco said Sullivan was also present, but she sent him away because Appling was sleeping.

What's next?

The trial will continue as the prosecution calls more witnesses that could also be questioned by the defense.

Still on the witness list is Brett Roark, the state's key witness who confessed to his role in burying the body and alleged Sanchez was the shooter.

Other witnesses yet to be called are Carlsbad Police Detective Tim Nyce, lead investigator on the case, and his partner Detective Joey Landgraf.

Other forensic experts were also likely to be called to testify, along with workers on the property at the time of Runnels' disappearance in 2014.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Murder trial starts for Manny Sanchez accused of killing Brian Runnels
Lynsi Snyder , the granddaughter of late In-N-Out Burger co-founder Esther Snyder and current president and CEO of the company, has officially released her book The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger.

In-N-Out announced the books official debut on Instagram Tuesday and shared that it can be purchased wherever books are sold.

California-based In-N-Out takes on copycat in Mexico

Book publisher Thomas Nelson described the book as the story of how three generations have created a thriving, family-owned company, why its fans are so wildly loyal, and what led to its explosive growth and evolution into an iconic part of American culture.

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The themes throughout the book include In-N-Outs commitment to quality, Christian faith and the importance of family, the Orange County Register reported.

A previously released excerpt of the book also revealed that In-N-Out pays its employees well since an average store manager can make more than $180,000 a year.

The not-so-secret meaning behind In-N-Outs palm trees

The California-based company will also celebrate its 75th anniversary with a festival at the newly renamed In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, formally the Pomona Raceway, on Oct. 22, 2023.

Visitors can enjoy drag racing, carnival rides, a car show, food, drinks, live musical performances and In-N-Out burgers at the event.

Tickets to the event are sold out.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Last Friday, NASA launched the Psyche spacecraft toward an asteroid of the same name. Psyche is blazing a trail as the first mission to a metal asteroid, and its also about to blaze a literal blue trail. The source of its bright wakethe probes remarkable propulsive systemwill switch on within the first 100 days of the mission.

A mechanism known as a Hall thruster will propel the Psyche through space. This thruster glows blue as it ionizes xenon , a noble gas also used in headlights and plasma televisions, to move the spacecraft forward. This is the first time this tech, which has only been available for NASA spaceflight since 2015, has been used to travel beyond the moonbut what makes it so special, and why is Psyche using it?

When planning a space mission, engineers are focused on efficiency. Carrying chemical fuel along for the massive interplanetary journey would be like trying to drive around the entire world while having to keep all the gasoline you need in the trunk, because there are no rest stops along the wayits just not feasible. To get to its destination, Psyche would need thousands and thousands of pounds of chemical propellant.

[Related: How tiny spacecraft could sail to Mars surprisingly quickly ]

To get around this problem, engineers turned to electric thrusters. These come in many flavors: There are many different types of electric thrusters, almost as many as there are different makers of cars, explained NASAs Psyche chief engineer Dan Goebel in a blog post . But space travel uses two kinds in particular, known as ion thrusters and Hall thrusters. They can probably be considered the Tesla versions of space propulsion, Goebel wrote. Rather than burning fuel, electric thrusters rip off the electrons from the propellants atoms in a process known as ionization . Then they chuck those ions out at some 80,000 miles per hour. This generates a higher specific impulse which Goebel says is equivalent to miles per gallon in your car, but for spacecraftthan chemical fuels, enabling a thruster-powered spacecraft to go farther on less propellant.

An operating Hall-effect thruster (left) and one that's not on (right).

Ion thrusters use high electric voltages to make a plasma (the fourth state of matter) and spew ions into space. NASAs Dawn mission used these to get to dwarf planet Ceres , but theyre not the fastestaccording to NASA, it would take the spacecraft four days to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour. Definitely not race car material !

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[Related: Want to learn about something in space? Crash into it. ]

Hall thrusters, on the other hand, use a magnetic field to swirl electrons in a circle, producing a beam of ions. They dont get quite as good mileage as ion thrusters, but they pack a bigger punch. The Psyche team picked this system because it allowed them to make a smaller, and therefore more cost-efficient, spacecraft.

For the thrusters to work, the spacecraft needs powerwhich it gets from the sun, via solar panelsand something to ionize. For Psyche, thats xenon gas. Xenon is the propellant of choice because its inert (it doesnt react with the rest of the spacecraft) and is easy to ionize, explained Goebel. It also gives the thrusters their remarkable blue shine. Psyche carries about 150 gallons of the stuff, and gets about 10 million miles per gallon .

Now that the mission has launched, the team will spend the next 100 days checking out all the spacecrafts systems to ensure theyre ready for the journey. At some point in this period, those glimmering blue thrusters will turn on.

If Psyche proves to be a success, Hall thrusters will be likely to make an appearance on future space missions. They offer the right mix of cost savings, efficiency, and power, and could play an important role in supporting future science missions to Mars and beyond, said Steven Scott, program manager for the Psyche mission at the company Maxar, which built the thrusters, in a press release . Thanks to these propulsive devices, Psyche should reach its destination in the asteroid belt in just 3.5 yearsand we cant wait to see what lies at the end of its electric blue trail.
The Nation of Hawaii and the Yurok Tribe announced on Monday a historic ratification of a Peace and Friendship Treaty between the two sovereign nations that signifies friendship and improving their respective nations.

The treaty is aimed to promote trade, tourism, and investment to enhance the prosperity and well-being of both nations, the Nation of Hawaiis Foreign Minister John Garcia said to Native News Online. Both nations will engage in cultural exchange programs, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of each other's heritage.

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This monumental achievement signifies a remarkable milestone in the journey toward building connections, fostering international relations, and recognizing nation-to-nation cooperation, said Nation of Hawaii in a press release on Monday, October 16, 2023. The treaty exemplifies the spirit of Aloha, unity and mutual respect between two sovereign nations, each with a unique heritage and identity.

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The Yurok Tribe treaty is the second ratified treaty between the Nation of Hawaii and a federally recognized tribe.

Native News Online reported in January 2023, the Nation of Hawaiis first treaty of peace and friendship was ratified with the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe on their lands near Waimanalo, Hawaii. The treaty began the effort of the Independent & Sovereign Nation of Hawaii to sign treaties with all 574 federally recognized Native American tribes and unrecognized tribes to form the Aboriginal Indigenous Native Alliance (AINA).

AINA is a coalition of Aboriginal, Indigenous, and Native peoples from around the world, united by a shared vision of world peace and a commitment to preserving the land and cultural heritage of their respective nations.

This treaty symbolizes the hope for a better future, one where aboriginal, Indigenous and Native Nations can come together, share their traditions, protect their natural resources, and work towards prosperity, President of the Nation of Hawaii, Puuhonua Dennis Bumpy Kanahele said in a statement. We are proud to be part of this historic moment.

The Peace and Friendship Treaty, the first of its kind with the Yurok Tribe, and embodies the collective commitment to peaceful coexistence, cultural exchange, environmental protection, and economic development the Nation of Hawaii said. The treaty exemplifies the spirit of Aloha, unity and mutual respect between two sovereign nations, each with a unique heritage and identity, the Nation of Hawaii said when announcing the ratification of the treaty.

Through this treaty, the parties are committed to exploring opportunities for economic growth and cooperation.

Yuroks Tribal Chairman, Joe James, said that the tribe is honored to partner with the Nation of Hawaii.

We are really excited about the opportunities and the doors that will open up for us, as we aim to strengthen the bonds between our nations and collaborate on issues of mutual importance, Chairman James said in a statement.

The treaty also calls on both nations to recognize the significance of safeguarding the environment, including protecting natural resources, preserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Both nations will make efforts to address environmental concerns that impact both nations.

The Peace and Friendship Treaty between the Nation of Hawai'i and the Yurok Tribe is a testament to the power of diplomacy, cooperation, and the shared values that unite us all. It is a beacon of hope, pointing toward a brighter future for Indigenous nations everywhere, het Nation of Hawaii said.

About the Author: "Darren Thompson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe) is a staff reporter for Native News Online who is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Thompson has reported on political unrest, tribal sovereignty, and Indigenous issues for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Indian Country Today, Native News Online, Powwows.com and Unicorn Riot. He has contributed to the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Voice of America on various Indigenous issues in international conversation. He has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Criminology & Law Studies from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "

Contact: dthompson@nativenewsonline.net
A U.S. Navy petty officer has been arrested on accusations of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot to kill a woman and her baby in Jamaica connected to a member of parliament whom she had a relationship with.

Leoda Vanessa Bradshaw, 34, was indicted last week in connection with the kidnapping and murders of Toshyna Patterson, 27, and her 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah Paulwell.

Bradshaw had a relationship and a child with Phillip Paulwell , a member of Parliament from Kingston East and Port Royal, and she considered him to be her spouse, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kingston said in a news release.

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Prosecutors said that Sarayah Paulwell was also Phillip Paulwell's daughter.

Bradshaw visited Jamaica on Sept. 6, prosecutors said, and in an apparent act of vengeance hatched a plan with three men to kidnap and kill Patterson and her child.

The three men were her cousin Roland Balfour, Richard Brown and Roshane Miller. The plan included Bradshaw making partial payment to the men, prosecutors said.

In conversations from Sept. 6 to 9, the men agreed under Bradshaw's direction to kidnap and kill Patterson and her daughter, the release said.

On Saturday Sept. 9, the murder plot was carried out, prosecutors said.

Bradshaw took Patterson and the baby from their home in Kingston in a tinted SUV and subsequently delivered them to men, including two of her co-conspirators in St. Andrew, the release said.

The Crown further alleges that Ms. Patterson and her daughter were forcibly taken to an area in East Kingston and murdered by these said men who were armed with a firearm, prosecutors said.

Jamaica Constabulary Force Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey said at a news conference that their bodies were burned and disposed of after their killings. He called the case one of the most painful investigations the force had seen in recent times.

Authorities did not explicitly state a motive for the slayings.

Bradshaw was indicted on two counts of conspiracy to kidnap, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of kidnapping, and two counts of capital murder.

Richard Brown was indicted on two counts of conspiracy to kidnap, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of murder.

Roshane Miller and Roland Balfour were each indicted on two counts of accessory before the fact to kidnapping and two counts of accessory before the fact to murder.

The indictments were proffered before the Home Circuit Court last week. Bradshaw and Balfour appeared in Home Circuit Court on Oct. 13 are scheduled to return on Dec. 1.

NBC News has reached out to attorneys for Bradshaw. It's not immediately clear who is representing Miller and Brown.

Bert Samuels, an attorney for Balfour, told NBC News that Balfour intends to plead not guilty, which will be entered once trial begins. He said the attorneys have not been given the full discovery in the case yet.

The matter was fast tracked by going straight to the Supreme Court. So the matter is moving along swiftly and were hoping that trial will come soon where we can put forward his defense, Samuels said.

The U.S. Navy confirmed that Bradshaw was a petty officer assigned to a talent acquisition team in Miami. In a statement the Navy said it takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and is cooperating with investigative and law enforcement authorities.

The matter is currently under investigation by Jamaican authorities and the Navy Criminal Investigative Service, the Navy said.

Paulwell shared a statement on Instagram Sunday saying: The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me as I grappled with the abduction of my daughter and her mother. I have prayed unceasingly for the safe return of Toshyna Patterson and my daughter Sarayah and I am heartbroken that the worst has happened.

That anyone could murder a mother and an innocent baby is unimaginable and my heart is heavy with sadness, he wrote. As a human being, father, lawyer and legislator I am hoping that all who were involved are brought to justice and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

He did not acknowledge a relationship with Bradshaw and said he has cooperated fully in the investigation.
Lets start with the good news. Election denier Jim Jordan fell notably short of the 217 votes needed to become House speaker in a first floor vote Tuesday, and its unclear whether hell be able to win over the 20 Republicans who refused to vote for him.

Now for the bad news: All seven Republicans from North Carolina voted for Jordan, a troubling show of support for a man who belongs far, far away from the speakers gavel.

Jordan was deeply intertwined with Donald Trump s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, perhaps more so than any of his Republican colleagues. He began pushing lies and conspiracies about a stolen election even before Election Day. He actively schemed with Trump and Rudy Giuliani and personally led discussions about stopping the electoral count and organizing a march to the Capitol on Jan. 6. Now, perhaps returning the favor, Trump has endorsed his speakership bid.

The fact that such a man is so close to becoming one of the most powerful elected officials in the country  second in line to the presidency  is deeply troubling. His ascent further cements the GOPs troubling rightward shift, and its further proof that Republicans have become a party of grievance instead of a party of governing.

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No one embodies that better than Jordan, who has never passed a bill in his 16 years of serving in Congress and was once described by former Republican speaker John Boehner as a legislative terrorist. Instead of passing legislation, Jordan engages in antics like the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and the needless grilling of Biden administration officials like Attorney General Merrick Garland. It makes for great TV, but it certainly doesnt make him a leader.

Jordan was not the partys first choice to replace Kevin McCarthy, but he became the speaker-designate after it was clear that a number of far-right holdouts would not support someone else. Garnering support from both the centrist and extremist factions of the party is a task that has eluded every GOP speaker prospect so far, including Jordan. Unlike with McCarthy, however, Tuesdays Jordan holdouts largely represent the more reasonable wing of the party.

No Republican representing North Carolina in Congress can claim to be reasonable today, however. Every single one of them voted for the guy who tried to nullify the election. It doesnt matter whether they genuinely believe Jordan is the best choice for speaker or if they simply voted for him for the sake of party unity. They still voted for him. And no matter what happens next, they cant walk back that vote.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Hamas the new Nazis on Tuesday at a press conference alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

This is the savagery of, that we only remember from the Nazi crimes in the Holocaust, Netanyahu said, after describing a list of Hamass brutal tactics deployed against Israelis.

Hamas are the new Nazis. Hamas is ISIS  in some instances, worse than ISIS, Netanyahu continued. And just as the world united to defeat the Nazis, just as the world united to defeat ISIS, the world has to stand united behind Israel to defeat Hamas.

Netanyahu acknowledged the significance of Germanys support for the Jewish people and solidarity with the state of Israel.

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Eighty years ago, our people experienced the worst savagery in the history of humanity with the Nazi crimes against the Jewish people on the soil of Germany and Europe, Netanyahu continued. I must tell you, my friend, that the savagery that we witnessed, perpetrated by the Hamas murderers coming out of Gaza, were the worst crimes committed against Jews since the Holocaust.

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israels southern border Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 Israelis and taking nearly 200 people hostage. Israel has killed more than 3,000 Palestinians in retaliatory airstrikes.

Scholzs visit also comes ahead of President Bidens planned visit to Israel on Wednesday, after both Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited the region this week.

More than 6 million Jews  a third of the worlds Jewish population at the time  were killed in the Holocaust under Nazi Germany. Netanyahu compared the goals of Nazi Germany and of Hamas, saying the difference primarily is in capability.

The open goal of Hamas is to kill as many Jews as they could, Netanyahu said. The only difference is they would have killed every last one of us, murdered every last one of us, if they could. They just dont have the capacity.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Oral arguments are scheduled to be heard in November at the Nevada Supreme Court in the appeal filed by accused sexual predator Nathan Chasing Horse.

The Dances with Wolves actor and his defense team filed an appeal to Nevadas high court in May arguing for the charges against him in Clark County to be dropped.

Oral argument was scheduled for Nov. 15 at 11:30 a.m. in Las Vegas. The argument should be limited to 30 minutes, per the Nevada Supreme Courts website.

The Dances with Wolves actor is accused of victimizing indigenous underage girls and women for nearly two decades. Chasing Horse claimed that he was a spiritual leader and Medicine Man.

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In January, police arrested Chasing Horse at his North Las Vegas home where he lived with several women he called wives. He is charged with 18 counts in Clark County in connection with sex crimes against two women, one of them when she was underage. Both women said that Chasing Horse manipulated them through their spiritual beliefs.

In his appeal, Chasing Horse argued that an alleged 14-year-old victim did not testify that she said no to a sexual encounter.

In the 38-page document, Clark County Public Defender Kristy Holston argued that prosecutors failed to present evidence that both women did not consent to sexual encounters. Seventeen counts in the indictment are related to the alleged long-term sexual abuse of a woman who said she was a former wife.

In an exclusive interview with the 8 News Now Investigators, Corena Leone, formerly Corena Chasing Horse, said Chasing Horse first sexually assaulted her when she was 14. She said that she was seeking help from the self-proclaimed Medicine Man to help heal her mother who had cancer.

What happened there was rape and theres no other label to put on it, Leone, now 25, said during the interview. He is a narcissist, and he knowingly does what he does and he doesnt have any remorse for it. What he did, he knows what he did.

At the age of 16, Leone said that Chasing Horse asked her mother if she could be his wife. Her mother told the 8 News Now Investigators that as a follower of Chasing Horse and a member of his alleged cult known as The Circle at the time, she thought his request was an honor.

Holston wrote in the appeal that prosecutors presented no evidence that Chasing Horse threatened either of the women, but rather, that Nathans spiritual influence created ongoing and vague concerns that spirits cause intangible harm to those who defy Nathans interpretation of the spirits demands. In other words, the state presented evidence that Nathan used grooming techniques to cause the girls to have vague concerns of negative spiritual consequences, and made promises of spiritual help, to obtain consent for sex.

Holston had argued for all of the charges to be dismissed in Clark County District Court and previously made the same argument that there was a lack of evidence about non-consent on April 5.

As also previously argued in district court, Holston wrote in the appeal that prosecutors provided the grand jury with information about grooming, but that grooming is not an element of the charged crimes.

The inclusion of this illegal evidence, by itself, was so inappropriate and prejudicial as to require Counts 1-18 be dismissed, Holston wrote.

On Feb. 22, a grand jury indicted Chasing Horse for a total of 19 counts. This included 10 counts of sexual assault against a minor under the age of 16, six counts of sexual assault, along with open and gross lewdness, first-degree kidnapping of a minor, and trafficking in a controlled substance.

On April 7, Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny dismissed the drug charge. While Las Vegas Metro Police reported seizing a significant amount of magic mushrooms, Kierny wrote in a six-page order that there was no testimony at all about who lived in the home.

Nathan Chasing Horse stands in court. Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in North Las Vegas, Nev. Nathan Chasing Horse appeared in court for the second time after his arrest on charges of sexual assault and human trafficking. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Nor was there any evidence connecting the defendant to the mushrooms, as opposed to another person who resided in that home, Kierny wrote. For that reason, Count 19 is hereby dismissed.

A jury trial has been postponed indefinitely as a result of Chasing Horses appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Chasing Horse also faces federal charges along with warrants in Fort Peck, Montana and Canada. He was previously banned from several native reservations.

There is a lot more to these events than has been presented thus far by the State of Nevada, Chasing Horses defense team said in a statement. It is not clear yet whether the State has the bare minimum amount of evidence to warrant even bringing Mr. Chasing Horse to trial. Regardless, Mr. Chasing Horse has pled not guilty to these charges, and looks forward to demonstrating that these allegations are false.

Chasing Horse remained in the Clark County Detention Center in downtown Las Vegas on $300,000 bail.

On Sunday, the 8 News Now Investigators aired a documentary about the allegations against Chasing Horse.

WATCH: Breaking the Circle: Nathan Chasing Horse Exposed

For anyone who may be a victim of sexual assault, help is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE.

To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Zhang Jun (C), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at the general debate on human rights issues held by the Third Committee of the 78th UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Oct. 17, 2023. Developing and friendly countries on Tuesday made statements to support China at the general debate on human rights issues. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Developing and friendly countries on Tuesday made statements to support China at the general debate on human rights issues held by the Third Committee of the 78th UN General Assembly.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, attended the general debate and delivered the national statement, in which he elaborated on the profound human rights connotation in the Global Security Initiative, Global Development Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, introduced the human rights development path with Chinese characteristics and its significant achievements, and opposed the lies about China's human rights situation fabricated by a handful of Western countries.

Pakistan and Venezuela delivered joint statements respectively on behalf of 72 countries and 19 members of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations.

A number of countries in their national statements commended China's human rights achievements. These statements merged into a strong voice supporting and echoing China's just position and opposing the interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.

Zhang said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"In the spirit of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the international community should strengthen solidarity and cooperation, protect common security and promote common development, thus further advancing the international human rights cause," he said.

"We must safeguard world peace and adhere to the peaceful settlement of disputes, so as to build a fundamental premise for the promotion and protection of human rights. We must vigorously promote development and make every effort to bring the 2030 Agenda back on track, so as to build solid guarantees for the promotion and protection of human rights."

"We must strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and leave no room for the erroneous arguments such as 'democracy versus authoritarianism.' We must uphold fairness and justice to ensure the right direction in the promotion and protection of human rights," he added.

Zhang pointed out that, in pursuit of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, China has embarked on a path of human rights development that conforms to the trend of the times and suits its own national conditions.

"This is a path of development that puts people front and center, with 1.4 billion Chinese people living in peace, harmony, unity, and happiness," he said.

This is a path of development with the running of the country by the people, who are the true masters of the country. This is a path of development for the common prosperity of all ethnic groups, who are closely united on an equal footing like the seeds of a pomegranate, Zhang pointed out.

This is a path of development that not only fully fulfills China's own responsibilities, but also makes important contributions to the global cause of human rights, he added.

Zhang stressed that China firmly opposes and sternly rejects the continued fabrication of lies by the European Union and a handful of Western countries on Xinjiang- and Hong Kong-related issues, and their insistence on provoking confrontation and interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights in total disregard of the truth.

"I would like to point out that the lies about China's human rights situation are totally unfounded. The so-called assessment report on China's Xinjiang is full of false information and is totally illegal and invalid."

"I would like to point out that politicizing human rights issues will lead to nowhere. Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have turned a blind eye to and covered up their own serious human rights violations such as racial discrimination, while pointing fingers at and making groundless accusations against developing countries," the ambassador added.

"This double standard will find no support. I would like to point out that dialogue and cooperation represent the right way forward," he said.

"A few countries undermine dialogue and cooperation at will, and they will only end up isolating themselves and bringing humiliation to themselves," he said.

Zhang also made a joint statement on behalf of 28 countries to expose and criticize the United States and some other Western forces for their abuse of unilateral coercive measures.

The joint statement stresses that unilateral coercive measures run counter to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law, multilateralism, and the basic norms of international relations. The imposition of these illegal measures continues to cause devastating, sometimes even life-threatening, consequences to targeted countries and their peoples, and negatively affect the enjoyment of human rights, including the right to health and the right to life.

"Therefore, the imposing States are called on to immediately and completely cease such practices," Zhang said.

Pakistan, on behalf of 72 countries, made a joint statement to support China's just position on Xinjiang-, Hong Kong- and Xizang-related issues.

The statement stresses that these issues are China's internal affairs, and strongly opposes the politicization of human rights, double standards, and interference in other States' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.

It calls on all parties to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and respect the rights of people of each State to choose independently the development path suited to their own national conditions.

It further elaborates that the international community should uphold multilateralism, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, respond jointly to global challenges, and promote and protect human rights.

Venezuela, on behalf of 19 members of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, made a joint statement to support China's position, and reject and criticize the practices by the United States and some other Western forces such as double standards in the field of human rights, connivance of racial discrimination, abuse of unilateral coercive measures, and interference in other States' internal affairs.

The statement appeals to the international community to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect all States' sovereignty, and actively promote dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights.

A number of countries supported China in their national statements. They highly commended China's human rights achievements, and opposed the attempts of politicizing human rights issues and instigation for confrontation and division.

They called on all countries to firmly uphold multilateralism and the spirit of solidarity, and promote and protect human rights through dialogue and cooperation. These remarks once again added volume to the voices in firm support of China. 
Nevada could be in for a bit of a mess in February when it comes time to choose its Republican presidential candidate.

The states presidential primary will unfold in two separate contests, with two different outcomes, two days apart.

Thats because the field has split on how it has decided to compete in Nevada. Three of the top-tier candidates in the GOP presidential primary  former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former Vice President Mike Pence  have filed to compete in Nevadas state-run primary election on Feb. 6. That means they cannot join the rest of the top candidates, including polling front-runner Donald Trump, in the party-run caucuses that take place Feb. 8.

Only the caucus results are binding; those alone will determine how delegates will be awarded. But some presidential campaigns contend that the Nevada Republican Party is all in for Trump and dont trust the process.

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The candidates are betting that if they win the state-run primary, the news bounce could bring momentum thats more valuable  in the final early state of South Carolina and potentially beyond  than the delegates theyll lose out on.

Those taking part in the caucus include Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

DeSantis is taking part in the caucus despite complaints by his campaign and allies that Trump has an advantage under that system.

It is disappointing that the Nevada Republican Party changed the rules against the will of the people just to benefit one candidate, DeSantis spokesman Andrew Romeo said in a statement. However, Ron DeSantis will fight to overcome these tactics.

The double electoral situation is happening because of a recent change in state law, driven by a Democratic-led Legislature that implemented state-run primaries with regular ballot voting.

The Republican Party in the state objected, saying it worried about voting integrity under a state system; instead, it insisted on running its own caucus. The party attempted to stop the state from holding its primary but lost in court. The judge, however, told the party it could still hold its caucuses.

A caucus primary run by the party is considered advantageous to Trump because state GOP Chair Michael McDonald has had a close relationship with the former president. He acted as a false elector for Trump in 2020, his phone was seized by federal authorities as part of an investigation into election interference, and the Nevada state partys executive committee earlier this year traveled to Mar-a-Lago. McDonald has told NBC News that if DeSantis invited the committee to the governors mansion, members would accept.

In previous remarks to NBC News, the Ron DeSantis-aligned super PAC Never Back Down called McDonald a Trump puppet an allegation with which McDonald took issue.

In Nevadas history, there have only been 3 GOP presidential primaries in the past 160 years. The caucus is what Nevadans have traditionally used, and will continue to use, to elect their Presidential nominee, McDonald said in a text message Monday. The caucus is in line with Republican principles, particularly fiscal conservatism, as it has no cost to taxpayers."

All serious candidates are participating in the First In The West Caucus as its the only method to earn delegates to secure the nomination and offers a level playing field to all candidates not just those that dominate the media markets, McDonald added.

McDonald went on to say that while the DeSantis campaign and allies were most vocal in charging that the partys rules favored Trump, his campaign never took action to influence these rules.

All official campaigns were invited to the [state central committee] meeting where these common sense, RNC-supported rules changes were voted on, and passed by overwhelming majority, McDonald said.

Still, there is a potential for voter confusion, given that in the state primary, mail ballots will automatically be mailed to Republican voters. That could give some voters the impression that their votes in the primary are binding, and voters may not realize that the caucuses are still ahead.

That all was taken into account during a recent Nevada state central committee meeting at which members voted to move forward with the caucuses. A member of that committee, David Gibbs, also a former Clark County chair, brought concerns that the two systems would confuse voters.

I think thats still possible, Gibbs said Monday of the potential for confusion. There were those of us who had the position that this was a bad idea, but they had the vote and went ahead with the caucuses. Even though the outcome wasnt what we wanted, I was happy my position was heard.

Gibbs added that the party was taking steps to educate Republican voters on the differences between the caucuses and the primary. The Nevada secretary of state's office has also said it will work to explain the differences between the two elections.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A colleague of mine is due to speak at a round-table in Berlin later this month on the subject Is Europe winning the energy war?

Normally when such questions are asked, the war is metaphorical  the weapons of this war are not munitions but economics. The war is waged in terms of flows of cash and energy as sanctions are applied or supplies withheld. Or wars have been fought over access to oil-rich territories. But the past eighteen months have seen the energy war turn hot in an entirely new way. Of course, within war zones, energy infrastructure along with every other type of infrastructure comes under attack, but this destruction is part of a wider strategy to degrade an enemys capabilities. The new energy war has seen acts of sabotage on energy assets within countries not actively engaged in war.

A year ago, the world was shocked by the destruction of three of the four legs of the Nord Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. In the days and weeks after the attack, suspicious drone activity was detected in the vicinity of oil and gas platforms in the North Sea, prompting the Norwegian government to establish military patrols in the area. Several Russian nationals were arrested for flying drones over Norwegian territory. That the Nord Stream attack might have been carried out by a small group of divers, operating from an ordinary yacht creates a major headache for authorities seeking to defend hundreds of miles of sub-sea infrastructure. Norwegian patrol boats have the authority to board and inspect vessels considered a cause for concern, but it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Now there has been an attack on a second pipeline, carrying gas between Finland and Estonia.

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Nord Stream 1 was opened in 2011, with the intention of bringing Russian gas directly into the heart of the EU. Its transit through the Baltic Sea ensured it did not cross sometimes fractious former Soviet territories, in particular Poland and Ukraine. Indeed, by the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine the Yamal-Europe pipeline intended to bring gas from Russia to Germany via Poland was largely sending gas from Germany to its eastern neighbour.

Poland had made a strategic decision some years ago to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, building a liquified natural gas (LNG) import terminal, and not renewing Russian supply contracts which were due to expire in 2022. When Russia insisted on changing its gas contract currency to roubles last year, Poland refused and was able to exit its almost expired contracts with little difficulty.

Similarly, Estonia decided after 2014 that it wished to reduce its energy dependence on Russia, which had to that point supplied all of its gas needs. It entered into an agreement with Finland to import gas via the Balticconnector pipeline running 77 km across the Baltic Sea from Inkoo in Finland to Paldiski in Estonia. Before the Inkoo LNG terminal opened in April, gas typically flowed from Estonia to Finland.

Estonia also imports gas from Latvia, which is connected to the wider European gas pipeline system, and from the floating LNG terminal at Klaipeda in Lithuania. Finland stopped importing pipeline gas from Russia in May last year and now imports primarily US LNG at new terminals at Inkoo and Hamina.

On 8 October Finnish gas operator Gasgrid, and its Estonian counterpart, Elering, noticed an unusual drop in pressure in the Balticconnector pipeline, leading them to believe it was leaking. Within days, the Finnish government said the pipeline, which could take months to repair, had been damaged as a result of outside activity, while the Norwegian seismology institute, Norsar, said it had identified a probable explosion close to the location of the pipeline at around the time of the outage, however, it cautioned that there is significant uncertainty in the data and that more analysis is required.

These attacks and the increase in suspicious drone activity around North Sea oil and gas installations are a significant cause for concern. Norway is a major supplier of gas to both the UK and the EU, supplying over 40 percent of the gas consumed in the UK and 25 percent of the total gas consumed in the EU. Norwegian gas to the UK comes through just two dedicated pipelines: the Langeled pipe from the giant Ormen Lange gas field off the coast of Nyhamna in Norway to Easington in Yorkshire and Vesterled, which runs from the Heimdal field in the North Sea to St Fergus gas plant near Peterhead in Scotland.

Norwegian gas also comes through four of the UKs own North Sea pipelines which carry gas from the UKs own producing fields. This means that anything between 85 and 95 percent of the gas consumed in the UK each year has arrived through just half a dozen pipelines. A similar number of pipes carry Norwegian gas to the EU and there are two pipes between the UK and EU which add additional flexibility.

Given this reliance on a small number of key assets, its no wonder that concerns are growing over physical security. Two years ago it was unthinkable that anyone would seek to sabotage these expensive and essential pipelines. The destruction of Nord Stream was particularly difficult to understand since it was a significant source of income for Russia, leading fingers to be pointed at Ukraine, and even the US which has increased its gas exports to the EU as Russian flows have fallen. Others suspect a Russian false flag operation. No definitive conclusions have yet been reached.

The attack on the Balticconnector is perhaps easier to explain. This pipeline enabled Estonia to reduce its reliance on Russian gas, and was a source of additional flexibility and energy security for Finland, whose entry into Nato Russia has been determined to punish.

The cat is out of the bag now, and its to be hoped that the UK and Norwegian governments are ready.

Kathryn Porter is an independent energy consultant. She holds a Masters degree in Physics and an MBA, and is an associate member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies executive council

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All eight species of pangolin are threatened, with three listed as critically endangered

Nigeria has burned $1.4m (1.2m) worth of pangolin scales in a stand against trafficking, officials said.

It is the first time the nation has publicly destroyed seized wildlife products for this reason.

The pangolin is one of the world's most trafficked mammals - their scales are in high demand in traditional Chinese medicine.

Nigeria is a major transit hub for African pangolin scales and other wildlife products trafficked to Asia.

"These seized items represent the past we leave behind, but the destruction signifies the future we are determined to build for our planet," Environment Minister Iziaq Adekunle said before the burning took place in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.

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"The destruction of these seized items is a powerful statement of our resolve to protect our environment, conserve our wildlife, and combat the illegal trade that drives species to the brink of extinction."

The scales were incinerated publicly in Abuja, Nigeria's capital

The almost four tonnes of pangolin scales were destroyed alongside seized leopard, python and crocodile skins.

The agency had confiscated the scales in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) and a pan-African alliance named the Elephant Protection Initiative.

In August, the leaders of a global wildlife trafficking gang were convicted for smuggling pangolin scales after a four-year investigation and a trial in Nigeria.

These "top-of-the-pyramid" traffickers were responsible for half the illegal trade in pangolin scales.

And last year, Nigerian customs officials seized 1,613 tonnes of pangolin scales and arrested 14 people, Nigeria's Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency said.

Populations of the critically endangered pangolin populations have declined by up to 80% in some parts of Africa in recent years.

According to UNDOC, seizures of pangolin scales increased tenfold between 2014 and 2018.

The destruction took place in front of NGOs and government officials
There is no known connection in a series of bodies found along Bragg Boulevard recently, the Fayetteville Police Department announced Tuesday.

As it pertains to these recent investigations, there is no evidence to suggest a correlation between any of the cases, a statement on the departments social media pages said.

As detectives wait on information from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and conduct their investigations, it is imperative that we not allow social media or other narratives to reach a conclusion that brings fear to our community or disrupts the investigative process.

Since Sept. 25, the bodies of four people  two sets of the remains in advanced stages of decomposition  have been found along Bragg Boulevard or in a neighborhood off Bragg Boulevard.

The bodies

 Oct. 16: Skeletal remains were found in the woods off Villagio Place at Bragg Boulevard, according to a Monday news release.

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 Oct. 11: A decomposing body was found in the former All Stars Bar and Grill at 1204 Bragg Blvd. Police said the building had been vacant for several years. Tuesdays statement was the first public mention of the discovery.

 Oct. 11: The body of Crystal Loughran, 40, was found in the woods at Fieldcrest and Cedric streets off Bragg Boulevard near Bonnie Doone, a news release last week said. Loughrans identity was released Monday. "That death investigation has been ruled a homicide and detectives are actively pursuing leads and information to bring resolution to this investigation," the release said.

 Sept. 25: An individual was found dead behind the Motel 6 at 3719 Bragg Blvd. The subject appeared to have been in the location for a few days, police said. Tuesdays statement was the first public mention of this discovery.

The Fayetteville Police Department, as well the District Commander, is aware of the incidents and have deployed additional police resources to help these investigations, including our Community Empowerment Response Team (CERT) in the Bonnie Doone area, the statement said.

Investigations underway

On Tuesday, at least eight unmarked police vehicles and four forensic vans were parked along Villagio Place as members of the Fayetteville Police Department searched the wooded location where the Monday discovery of bones was made.

A person living in a nearby camp found the skeletal remains lying on top of the ground, Chief Kemberle Braden said from the scene about a half mile into the woods on Tuesday.

He said the bones were scattered but it could have been from animal activity. They are believed to be the remains of one person, according to Braden, but it was not yet known if the individual was male or female. Braden said the area is frequented by homeless people, and with construction planned for an expansion at an adjacent apartment complex, it's possible excavations in the area could uncover other remains belonging to a transient person.

About a mile and a half from Villagio Place on Tuesday, all that remained near where Loughrin was found was a small colorful bear, a bouquet of flowers and helium balloons in a clearing in the woods off Cedric Street.

Social media rumors

While Braden was adamant Tuesday that there was not a serial killer stalking the area  rumors were running rampant on social media.

One such posting includes a photograph of an accused killer and a news article about his arrest, claiming, "There's a serial killer or abductor who is currently hunting in #Fayetteville my friend was almost taken by him."

The photo and article are from a July 2018 New York Times article on the arrest arrest of Jose Gilberto Rodriguez in Houston, Texas. He is charged with three killings and two violent robberies there. Harris County, Texas, jail records on Tuesday show that Rodriguez is still in custody awaiting his capital murder trial.

An Associated Press article from August said Rodriguez's mugshot had circulated on social media in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Alabama, with the same language and allegations of a serial killer on the loose that was used in the Fayetteville Facebook post.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville police chief dispels rumors of serial killer stalking city
Residents hold US and North Korean flags while they wait for motorcade of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un en route to the Metropole Hotel for the second US- North Korea summit in Hanoi

By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's nuclear programme is a self-defensive move to head off a nuclear war in the face of the U.S. pursuit of "nuclear supremacy," state media KCNA said on Tuesday.

Kim Kwang Myong, whom KCNA described as a researcher at the Foreign Ministry's Institute for Disarmament and Peace, accused the U.S. of stoking regional tension with its nuclear programme and blamed it for strategic instability destroying world peace.

The comments come as nuclear-armed North Korea has raised alarm in the region with regular launches of missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that can strike the continental United States.

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Kim singled out the recent findings by the U.S. Strategic Posture Commission calling for enhancing the country's nuclear weapons modernisation programme in preparation for potential simultaneous wars with Russia and China, as yet another "extremely risky" sign and a "hegemonic move".

"The U.S., the world's biggest nuclear weapons state and the world's first nuclear user which adopted the preemptive nuclear attack on other countries as its national policy, is talking about 'nuclear threat' from someone. This is a sophism," Kim said.

Kim said Washington was seeking to improve its preemptive nuclear strike capability against North Korea by building a missile defence system, while sending strategic assets to the region and "ultra-modern military hardware" to its allies.

"The reality urgently requires the DPRK, which is standing in confrontation with the U.S. imperialism, the most aggressive nuclear war criminal force, to bolster up its self-defensive military capabilities for deterring a nuclear war," Kim said.

DPRK, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is North Korea's official name.

In another KCNA article, Kim Tong Myong, a researcher of the Society for International Politics Study, criticised NATO's annual nuclear exercises, called "Steadfast Noon", which kicked off on Monday to practise the use of U.S. bombs based in Europe.

"The reality goes to prove once again that the dark clouds of a dreadful thermonuclear war can never be wiped out as long as the U.S., a heinous nuclear war killer which regards nukes as the key for its hegemonic foreign policy, exists," Kim said.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Sonali Paul)
South Korea believes that North Korea may have sold weapons to Hamas militants and cooperated with them in other military spheres, local outlet Yonhap reported on Oct. 17, citing a representative of Seoul's military.

In future, the north may use Hamas-like attack tactics to surprise South Korea, the military source said.

Yonhap said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff made this assessment after analyzing the unprecedented Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, when the militants fired more than 5,000 rockets to overwhelm Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.

Read also:

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Radio Free Asia previously reported on the alleged use of North Korean weapons by Hamas militants, citing a video showing one of the fighters holding what looks like an F-7 rocket launcher made in the DPRK.

The military official said the F-7s, a type of fragmentation rocket, appears to be another name for RPG-7s produced in North Korea, but did not specify whether they were provided to Hamas directly by Pyongyang or with the help of other countries.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff assumed that the 122mm artillery shells found near the Israeli border were taken from North Korea, given that they were marked Bang-122  the same as the ammunition used in DPRK artillery attacks.

Read also:

The official emphasized that this may indicate that North Korea continues to export various weapons to Middle Eastern countries and armed groups.

Pyongyang denies allegations that Hamas used its weapons in the attack on Israel, calling it "groundless and false rumor," saying that these statements are part of an attempt by the United States to "divert the blame for the conflict from itself."

In December 2016, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un reportedly publicly led a paragliding demonstration targeting the then-South Korean president's residence. The DPRK could have passed on infiltration tactics to Hamas.

Read also: Israel rejects Zelenskyy's request to visit together with Blinken, says its not the right time for joint visit

Having learned lessons from the conflict in the Middle East, the JCS pledged to increase U.S. coordination to effectively use surveillance assets to detect "unusual signs" from the DPRK and strengthen defensive capabilities against its long-range artillery and drone strikes.

Earlier, the United States, South Korea, and Japan set up a trilateral hotline, which was another sign of their cooperation amid military threats from North Korea and China's activity.

War in Israel  What is Known

Large-scale hostilities in Israel began on Oct. 7. From the early morning, the Palestinian militant group Hamas repeatedly targeted the country with thousands of rockets and missiles. Armed Hamas militants then invaded southern Israel, killing people and taking hostages.

Over 1,300 people have lost their lives in recent attacks by Hamas. Around 200 are thought to have been taken hostage by Palestinian militants on Oct. 7, and video evidence shows some of the hostages have since been murdered. So far, seven Ukrainians have been reported dead due to the fighting. Six more are missing, and six have been reported injured.

It was revealed on Oct. 8 that Palestinian militants may have killed approximately 260 people on Oct 7 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 festivalgoers.

Read also: US secretary of state Blinken pays second visit to Israel in a week

In response to the Hamas attack, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords, 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.

Palestinian authorities say at least 2,329 people have been killed and another 9,714 injured in Gaza due to Israeli retaliatory attacks, U.S. television channel ABC has reported.

Israels Cabinet has declared a state of war for the first time since 1973, and the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that the war will be long and challenging.

The Israeli defense minister ordered a siege of the Gaza Strip on Oct. 9. In his address to the nation, 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, he said.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The principal of an El Dorado County elementary school was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of inappropriately communicating with a child, according to the El Dorado District Attorneys Office.

Boyd Holler, 37, of Pollock Pines was arrested on suspicion of sending pornography to a minor and communicating with a minor inappropriately, according to a news release from the district attorney.

Holler is the principal of the Pioneer Union School in Somerset in the Pioneer Union School District. Its composed of two elementary schools and a middle school.

Somerset part of unincorporated El Dorado County, about 13 miles away from Placerville.

The investigation is ongoing, the news release states.
This undated photo provided by Rachel Goldberg shows her son Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The 23-year-old from Jerusalem was last seen when Hamas militants loaded him into the back of a pickup truck with other hostages abducted from a music festival in the western Negev Desert on Oct. 7. (Courtesy of Rachel Goldberg via AP)

LONDON (AP)  The families of Israel's dead are holding funerals and mourning in the wake of Hamas' deadly rampage. The loved ones of people thought to have been taken hostage are demanding the captives' release.

But nearly two weeks after the worst civilian massacre in Israel's history, the families of the missing are wandering through a landscape of pain and numbness with no clear horizon and few, if any answers. The not-knowing, they say, plunges them into cycles of sorrow and hope.

I dont know what will be, said Rachel Goldberg, whose 23-year-old son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin was last seen being loaded into a pickup with other hostages abducted by the Hamas militants from the Tribe of Nova music festival. Witnesses said he lost part of an arm in a grenade attack.

"So in the meantime, I just keep walking through hell, because if I stop, then Im just in hell, his mother said.

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The Associated Press has documented more than 250 people who disappeared in the attacks. Of those, around 140 are confirmed as likely hostages, whether by witnesses who saw them being taken away by Hamas militants, army information given to their families, or by their appearances on social media posted by Hamas.

At least 85 of the missing are either foreign or dual nationals, according to the AP data. At least 20 are children.

Israel this week updated its list of hostages to 199, and families say the army has begun contacting them, but with little information on their relatives' fates.

They're stuck in the limbo of what I call ambiguous loss, Pauline Boss, professor emeritus of the University of Minnesota and an author on the subject, said of the families.

It immobilizes people; theyre stuck, because they just don't know."

On Tuesday one family got a measure of good news when Hamas released a video showing a dazed Mia Schem, 21, after she'd been seized at the music festival, where at least 260 people were killed. It was among the first signs of life from any of the hostages since the heavily armed Hamas gunmen smashed through the border fortifications on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people in Israel.

I didnt know if shes dead or alive until yesterday, her mother, Keren Schem, said at a news conference. Im begging the world to bring my baby back home.

The prospect of rescuing hostages, or of just getting their medication to them so they might survive, is highly unclear in what has become the most complex hostage crisis in Israeli history. Hamas is thought to be keeping them in a warren of tunnels deep under Gaza City as Israel pounds the seaside strip.

At the same time, identifying the dead has been slow. At Shura military base in central Israel, bodies have been coming in faster than they can be identified, partly because of their condition. Hundreds of soldiers, women, and children in body bags line shelves of refrigerated trucks, awaiting examination.

So the families of the missing wait  and anguish.

Ilan Regev, father of festival attendees Maya and Itay, drove frantically to the festival site after receiving a blood-curdling phone call from his 21-year-old daughter amid gunfire. When he got there, Regev was barred from entering, and there was nobody to speak to him. He spent the day searching for his children, between the festival grounds and a nearby hospital.

A Hamas video indicated his 18-year-old son had been taken hostage. But days later, the army could only say that the siblings were captives  not even whether they were alive, or if they were wounded.

He has been, Regev said, like a dead person with fear and uncertainty. I want to know if my children are alive. And they told me that for now, they cannot tell me.

We are finding ourselves in a bad movie," said Mirit Regev, their mother.

At a borrowed house near Jerusalem, Iris Haim says her family is receiving support and welcome distraction from friends and family as they await word of her son Yotam's whereabouts.

Haim's 28-year-old son was last seen in a video he took showing himself in the front door of his apartment in Kfar Aza, a kibbutz near the Gaza Strip. The pop-pop-pop of gunfire can be heard before he heads inside and the video ends. Her son texted the video to her and she showed it to the AP.

Haim said her two other children are struggling with sleep issues and even self-blame for their brother's disappearance.

Members of the band Yotam, a drummer, performs with visited the family over the weekend and just jammed, Iris Haim said. At last, she wept for her son.

I think when I heard them play it was like opening my tear ducts," she said. "It made me able to cry.

I try all the time to be strong," she added. "Because I dont want to feel weak, here, now.

___

Noveck reported from Los Angeles. Hinnant reported from Paris.

___

Follow Kellman on X, formerly Twitter, at http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman
Board members of a Truro part-time resident nonprofit organization presented a plan to its members in August asking them to change their voter registration to the town of Truro to exert more influence at the upcoming Saturday special town meeting.

David Sullivan, former legal counsel to the state Secretary of the Commonwealths Elections Division, said the plan was illegal under Massachusetts state law.

At stake at the special town meeting are competing proposals for a new Department of Public Works facility, as well as a housing proposal to build 160 units on a roughly 70-acre plot known as the Walsh property.

The Truro Part-time Taxpayers Association sent an email to members on Aug. 6, 2023, laying out a plan to encourage other part-time residents who own property in Truro to change their voter registration status.

In an email obtained by the Times, Regan McCarthy, vice president of the association, said members should register to vote for the upcoming town meeting even if only for the next year.

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Our top goal is to get 200 part-timers to register to vote in Truro within the period required before Fall special Town Meeting, McCarthy said in the email.

Between June and September, 88 people registered to vote in Truro, according to town of Truro data. It's the highest number of newly registered voters in Truro during that timeframe in the last nine years. The town had 2,181 registered voters when town elections were held in May, former Town Clerk Kaci A. Fullerton, reported at the time.

Mass. voters can only have one residence at a time

Sullivan disagreed with McCarthy's assurances about the legality of what was outlined in her email.

In general, no, it is not legal, Sullivan, an elections expert, told the Times, referring to the legality of registering to vote temporarily in a precinct or ward where one does not permanently reside.

Sullivan, who lives in Cambridge, said the concept of residency is a legally defined term outlined in a booklet he originally authored for the Secretary of the Commonwealth titled Residence for Voting Purposes.

You only get to have one residence at a time, and in order to change your residence, you have to do more than just sign a piece of paper  your whole life has to change, Sullivan said. The center of your domestic and civil life has to be where you are a resident.

Encouraging people to register illegally is a crime, Sullivan said, and is designated as aiding and abetting. He said criminality, however, is predicated on the parties involved knowing what they are doing is illegal.

If you don't know that you are ineligible (to vote), then it's not a crime, he said. But a court could still throw out your vote and, would throw out your vote if the court determined that you are not a legal resident.

Truro Town Manager Darrin Tangeman said it was disconcerting to see misinformation regarding voter registration circulating throughout the town. He said people who were misinformed about the registration process are encouraged to reconsider their intent to vote.

We want to encourage participation in the town meeting and our elections, but we want to encourage people to do it legally and legitimately with the intent of becoming a Truro resident, Tangeman said. It's very concerning that we, as a town, are having to address the integrity of our elections and our democracy  with this voter registration strategy being distributed around town.

The Truro association's aim was 'entirely permissible voter registration activity'

The association had retained a lawyer who advised them not to broadcast their efforts publicly, McCarthy said in the August email, adding it was to avoid the attention of the existing political machine who may intend to stop them from having a voice in Truro governance.

The association's aim was simply to encourage people to vote, Anthony Garrett, president of the Truro Part-time Resident Taxpayers Association, said in a written statement, adding their strategy was "entirely permissible voter registration activity." The law does not outline a time period for which it is necessary to declare residency for voting purposes, he said.

"In other words, it is legal for voters to declare 'home' where they believe home to be in the Commonwealth and to do so at any time," Garrett said in the statement. "And then they have a right to vote where their home is."

He said the group consulted the State Elections Office before taking part in voter registration efforts, as decided upon by their membership.

Sullivan said the association's interpretation of the law is "incorrect," adding it's not the case people can pick wherever they want to vote, as residency for voting purposes has to do with objective facts and not subjective interpretations of where their home is.

"What counts is not where you say your home is, but where the facts show your home to be," Sullivan said.

A call for a district attorney investigation into Truro voter registration

McCarthy responded to a request for comment but ultimately did not speak to the Times.

In her August email, McCarthy outlined Truro town business of significant interest for the upcoming special town meeting. The email, which was addressed to 13 other members of the Truro Part-time Taxpayers Association, made mention of a petition to oust Town Manager Darrin Tangeman, a petition regarding the development of a new Department of Public Works facility and the new Walsh Property housing development proposal.

Several requests for comment were sent to the 13 individuals copied in McCarthys email. Only one individual responded, saying in an email they were not a registered voter in Truro.

The two items McCarthy mentioned in her email are among 15 other articles on the agenda, several addressing changes to the towns zoning and general bylaws pertaining to stormwater management drainage, erosion and sediment control, public safety in regard to curb cuts and building permits, as well as duplex and apartment zoning language.

Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, said the efforts of the Truro Part-time Resident Taxpayers Association might be considered a conspiracy to violate election laws, adding he would consider asking the Cape and Islands District Attorney's office to investigate the matter.

Our democracy is predicated on the principle of one person, one vote, Cyr said. It is deeply worrisome to see an effort by individuals who have much fortune in their lives, who are fortunate to have many residences, subvert the election process of our town.

Walker Armstrong reports on all things Cape and Islands, primarily focusing on transportation and the Joint Base Cape Cod military base. Contact him at WArmstrong@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jd__walker.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Second homeowners, part-time residents in Truro voting in town meeting
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is unlikely to meet Ukraine halfway on the fulfilment of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme conditions and supply the financial aid "in advance".

Source: Serhii Marchenko, Minister of Finance of Ukraine, in an interview for Ukrinform

Quote: "So far I am not ready to say that they are ready to make concessions for us if we significantly undermine our commitments and do not fulfil what we must fulfil. I am not sure they can meet us halfway even despite the ongoing war."

He added that the context of international discussions concerning Ukraine is changing in some way, and it must be taken into consideration.

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"Nothing is given for free, and nobody guarantees anything. There are more and more discussions held on the sidelines where Ukraine is only one of the topics on the agenda," Marchenko concluded.

Background:

The IMF within the course of preparation for the second consideration of the EFF noted at least three important achievements of Ukraine connected with stabilising its economy.

The IMF announced the launch of the fund for the development of capacities for Ukraine for which the donors have allocated US$14 million.

The IMF stressed that the Ukrainian MPs will not be allowed to postpone the financial monitoring of politically exposed persons (PEP) since it is a commitment Ukraine had made within the framework of cooperation with the Fund.

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!
ABUJA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian authorities on Monday set ablaze a vast collection of seized wildlife products, including pangolin scales, leopard, python and crocodile skins in the fight against trafficking in the country.

The action demonstrated a powerful statement on the government's resolve to protect the environment and conserve the country's wildlife by strengthening and enforcing anti-trafficking laws to discourage the cruel and destructive trade, Minister of State for Environment Iziaq Salako told reporters during the destruction exercise in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.

"We are here to bear witness to a critical moment in the battle to protect our planet's precious biodiversity. We gather to send a clear message: Our wildlife is not for sale, and we will protect it at all costs," Salako said.

The illegal pangolin trade, driven by the demand for their scales and meat, has been a pressing concern for local and international conservationists.

Many local conservationists and wildlife advocates who witnessed destruction exercise in Abuja welcomed the move, emphasizing that it is a step in the right direction. They also said that this demonstration would inspire other countries in the region to take similar actions and contribute to the global effort to protect pangolins and other endangered species.

The pangolins are highly sought after in Nigeria and are falsely believed to have medicinal properties, and their meat is considered a delicacy in some parts of the country.

Salako said the seized items represent "the past we leave behind, but the destruction signifies the future we are determined to build for our planet," while echoing the government's pledge to protect the environment, conserve wildlife, and combat the illegal trade that drives species to the brink of extinction.

"We pledge to strengthen our enforcement efforts, enhance our conservation programs, and raise public awareness about wildlife trafficking. Wildlife trafficking has no place in our nation," he added. 
NEW YORK  Swing-district Republicans in New York are avoiding association with conservative House Rep. Jim Jordan for as long as they can.

The vulnerable House members accounted Tuesday for four of the 20 GOP votes against Jordan for House speaker in the first round of ballots, with jockeying over the partys leadership expected to carry on until at least Wednesday.

The decision was telling: They each represent districts that Democrats will be targeting next year as the parties vie for House control, and the lawmakers 2022 victories were key to securing the GOPs narrow majority.

I want a Speaker who understands Long Islands unique needs, Rep. Anthony DEsposito of Nassau County said in a statement. Restoring the SALT deduction, safeguarding 9/11 victim support funding, and investing in critical infrastructure are our priorities.

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He joined with fellow Long Island Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota in backing former Rep. Lee Zeldin of Suffolk County, someone who definitely knows their region but almost definitely doesnt have a shot at becoming speaker.

In the Hudson Valley, Rep. Mike Lawler voted for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over Jordan. Hes another Republican who faces a tough reelection bid.

The New York City suburbs will be pivotal for both parties next year. But as Republicans remain deadlocked over leadership on Capitol Hill, their resistance to Jordan was intended to reassure voters they will stand up to firebrand conservatives.

In explaining his decision, for example, LaLota noted that Jordan didnt yet have the support necessary to win the speaker post  and doesnt support restoring the full state and local tax exemptions, a priority in high-cost New York.

Rather than cast my ballot for a Speaker-Candidate who doesnt have the votes and hasnt demonstrated support for SALT for my constituents nor a plan to keep our government open while advancing the Commitment to America, he said in a statement.

Spokespeople for DEsposito, Garbarino and LaLota referred questions about their decision to their statements. Lawler didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Some were expected to meet late Tuesday with the Ohio lawmaker as he negotiates the next round of voting.

Garbarinos statement closely echoed those from DEsposito and LaLota.

We need a Speaker who understands New York priorities such as funding 9/11 health care, prioritizing disaster and emergency relief, and providing SALT relief to middle-class Long Islanders who are burdened by double taxation, he wrote.

Raising the cap on state and local tax deductions, known as SALT, has been a bargaining chip in the speakers fight, albeit a small one. The issue is key in the high-tax suburbs because the SALT cap limits state and local tax deductions to $10,000 a year, which is easily exceeded in the region.

SALT and 9/11 health funding have bipartisan backing on Long Island and elsewhere in New York Citys suburbs and were prioritized by Democrats who formerly represented the region, including ex-Rep. Tom Suozzi, who recently announced he is running for indicted Republican Rep. George Santoss seat.

Santos, persona non grata in the Long Island GOP conference amid his legal woes, voted Tuesday for Jordan.

Garbarino added of Zeldin, the partys gubernatorial candidate last year: He would have been a great governor, and he would make a great Speaker.

For his part, Zeldin, who formerly represented New Yorks 1st Congressional District, for his part, ruled out being speaker in an interview earlier this month with POLITICO.

Theres plenty of possibilities inside that conference, Zeldin said then. There are members of the conference who are either starting to raise their hand now or ready to raise their hand at the first opportunity.

Nick Reisman contributed to this report.
Gov. Hochul was headed to Israel on Tuesday to support the country in its war with Hamas  which took at least one New Yorker hostage  making the daring diplomatic mission as Democratic divisions over Americas role in the conflict deepen.

Before flying overseas, Hochul was meeting Tuesday morning in Washington with Jeff Zients, the White House chief of staff, for a discussion about Israel and the migrant crisis in New York City, according to the governors office.

After the meeting, the governor was expected to make the 12-hour flight to Israel. Her office declined to provide details about her flight, citing security concerns.

During these difficult times, its more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel, Hochul, a Buffalo Democrat, said in a statement Monday night. New York will show the world that we stand with Israel  today, tomorrow and forever.

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She said in the statement that she would meet with diplomatic leaders and communities who have been devastated by Hamas brutal Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

President Biden is also expected to arrive in Israel on Wednesday. Sen. Chuck Schumer , a Brooklyn Democrat and the majority leader, visited Israel over the weekend.

Hamas rampage killed more than 1,400 people, including the Israeli daughter of a Manhattan mother. A Long Islander, Omer Neutra, 21, who was serving in the Israeli military, was taken hostage, according to his synagogue.

The State Department said Monday that 13 Americans were unaccounted for after the attack. It did not say how many were from New York.

Hochul said at a Monday news conference that New York State is aware of some of the people who have been taken hostage  were in communication with their families.

We dont have a hard number right now, she said. Calculating them and getting their names out could be dangerous for them.

Israel has responded to the Hamas attack with overwhelming force in Gaza, where food, water and medicine are running low, and more than 1 million people have been forced to flee, according to the United Nations.

As it lashes Gaza with airstrikes, Israel has blocked supplies into the strip. More than 2,770 Palestinians have died, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday, with another 1,200 people believed missing under the rubble.

New York City is home to about 1.6 million Jews, according to the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York. It also has a significantly smaller Palestinian population; the exact size is not clear, but could number in the tens of thousands.

Critics have charged that Hochul has not offered sufficient sympathy to Palestinians. At a news conference last week, the governor said her message to Palestinian New Yorkers was: Reject Hamas.

Hamas is a terrorist organization, Hochul said. They should not define the Palestinians who reject the violence.

Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a Queens Democrat, said in an interview Monday that he saw Hochuls comments as a vile dehumanization of Palestinians, willfully ignoring the devastation Palestinians are currently facing.

Mamdani and Assemblywoman Marcela Mitaynes, a Brooklyn progressive, were arrested in a pro-peace Friday night protest  led by Jewish activists  at Brooklyns Grand Army Plaza. The protesters, opposed to an Israeli invasion of Gaza, blocked traffic and also gathered at Schumers apartment building, which is two blocks from the plaza.

In a reflection of how the conflict is dividing local Democrats, three Democratic members of New Yorks congressional delegation  Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of the Bronx, Nydia Velazquez of Brooklyn and Jamaal Bowman of Yonkers  have signed on to a resolution supporting a ceasefire in Palestine, according to the office of Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri.

I believe it is incumbent on the U.S. government to do all it can to prevent more civilian deaths, Velazquez said in a statement. Without a ceasefire, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk.

On social media, Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Bronx Democrat, pushed back against support for a ceasefire, suggesting that few would expect the U.S. to enter a ceasefire with a terrorist organization that committed all those atrocities against Americans on American soil.

The White House has rejected calls for a ceasefire.
An emergency room doctor in New York City was given the boot by her medical group this week after she wrote on social media that the hundreds of Israeli music festival attendees slaughtered by Hamas were getting a taste of their own medicine.

Northwell Health confirmed in a post to X on Tuesday that Dana Diab, who worked in emergency medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital and Brookdale University Hospital, had been fired for making comments that dont represent Lenox Hill Hospital & Northwell Health & go against our core values.

We are deeply sorry for the hurt and offense these comments have caused, the company wrote. The team member is no longer employed with Northwell.

NYC - Dr. Dana Diab is an ER physician at Lenox Hill (@lenoxhill).



Dina Diab took to Instagram rejoicing Zionist settlers [aka jews] were murdered, raped, beheaded, and kidnapped by the Hamas terror group on Saturday October 7th.



Jewish patients beware. pic.twitter.com/uS71Qz5oJh  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 16, 2023

Screenshots show that Diab made the incendiary comments in an Instagram story, writing, Zionist settlers getting a taste of their own medicine, as she shared a video of Hamas militants raiding a music festival in Southern Israel that killed 260 people on Oct. 7including some Americans.

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Heartbreaking footage from the surprise attack showed militants paragliding into the festival, slaughtering people in the youthful crowd as they ran for their lives through the Negev Desert. Survivors said they witnessed fellow festival-goers being shot dead and others having their limbs blown off by gunfire and grenades as they ran for a bomb shelter.

American Family Haunted by Moms Final Screams as Hamas Descended

Diab has since changed the settings on her Instagram accountwhich features a graphic reading I stand with Palestine as its profile pictureto private. Reached by the New York Post on Tuesday, she told the paper that her post shouldnt disqualify her from treating any U.S. patients.

I never have and never will abdicate my duty and my oath as a physician, she said, reportedly adding that she never called for harm to anyone.

Diab did not respond to a text message and phone call from The Daily Beast.

A professional profile online shows Diab graduated from medical school in Qatar in 2016 and moved stateside to study internal medicine at a Cleveland hospital, the Post reported. She completed her emergency medicine residency at Brookdale in 2020. Diabs bio page on NYC Health + Hospitals website had been removed as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Diabs termination joins the growing list of firings related to public support of Hamas in the wake of its war with Israela bloody conflict thats already claimed the lives of approximately 1,400 Israelis and 2,800 Palestinians.

Playboy severed ties with the influencer Mia Khalifa after she supported Hamas freedom fighters on the day of their initial invasion, writing that they should flip their phones and film horizontal as they attack. An Air Canada pilot was also canned for a series of deranged posts that included a graphic of an Israeli flagged being dumped in a trash can alongside the words, Fuck you Israel. Burn in hell.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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NEW YORK  Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday that his administration will soon start housing migrant families with children in a semi-congregate facility in Brooklyn  a move that appears at odds with city and state shelter rules.

Under the citys decades-old right-to-shelter mandate, children should not be housed in congregate, barrack-style settings. The prohibition is based on state rules stipulating that homeless kids should only be housed in family-style shelters with separate rooms that allow for privacy, a restriction advocates say protects minors from sexual abuse and other dangers.

Despite those regulations, Adams office said in a statement Monday afternoon that his administration will start placing migrant families with kids in a semi-congregate shelter its building at Floyd Bennett Field, a defunct U.S. military airstrip near Jamaica Bay in southern Brooklyn. The site, once up and running in a few weeks, is expected to have capacity for about 500 asylum-seeking families with kids, according to City Halls statement. The statement also said that privacy dividers with locks will be installed to separate households from each other.

Adams also announced that his administration will start limiting city shelter stays for migrant families with kids to 60 consecutive days, confirming an exclusive Daily News report from Friday revealing that a new rule was imminent. According to Adams office, families with kids will be provided with intensified casework services during those 60 days with an aim of helping them move out of the citys care and find their own housing.

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The 60-day restriction, which took effect Monday, builds on a similar policy that limits consecutive shelter stays for single adult migrants to 30 days.

If a single adult migrant cant secure their own housing in that time, they can return to the citys Roosevelt Hotel asylum seeker arrival center to reapply for shelter. An Adams spokesman said the same reapplication process will be available to families with kids.

The new restrictions related to kids come as the Adams administration continues to house more than 64,100 migrants in city shelters and emergency housing facilities, according to City Hall data. They also come as lawyers for the mayor continue to argue in court that the administration should get permission to suspend right to shelter, which requires the city to provide shelter to anyone who requests it.

The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless, which are fighting the administrations push to roll back right to shelter in court, said the Floyd Bennett Field plan raises serious legal questions and hinted they may take legal action to block it.

Private rooms, not open cubicles, are needed to ensure the safety of families with children and to reduce the transmission of infectious disease, among other obvious reasons, the groups said in a joint statement. We are still waiting for specifics, but, should this plan contradict the Boston consent decree (which guarantees the legal right to shelter for homeless families with minor children) or relevant laws, we will have no choice but to seek an immediate injunction from the court.

Of the new 60-day rule for migrant families with kids, Legal Aid and the Coalition slammed it as being devoid of any humanity.

This new policy  will disrupt access to education, which has provided much needed stability for our newest neighbors, and also cause chaos for school administrators, their statement said. We are also concerned about access to medical care and other vital services.

Adams spokesman Charles Lutvak said the right-to-shelter concerns are addressed by the privacy dividers the administration is setting up at the Floyd Bennett Field site.

The Adams administration has placed migrant children in congregate settings before.

This past May, The News reported that the administration was housing several migrant families with kids in an old NYPD training facility in apparent violation of the rules against sheltering kids in congregate settings.

At the time, Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park said the gym wasnt supposed to be a long-term accommodation for anyone, but rather a place where migrants could stay while the city found space in shelters or hotels.

In a statement released Monday along with the press release on the Floyd Bennett Field plan, Adams said roughly 600 new migrants continue to come to the city every day on average and reiterated that his administration needs immediate help from the federal government to slow the pace of arrivals.

With the current surge were seeing, a comprehensive, coordinated effort from the federal government to decompress the pressure New York City is under is needed now, the mayor said.

_____
The New York Police Departments (NYPD) Hate Crime Unit launched an investigation into a suspected attack on a Sikh man where the suspect tried to remove the mans turban while saying, We dont wear that in this country.

NYPD officials said the suspected attack occurred on an MTA shuttle bus 8810 traveling through the Queens borough area Saturday morning, according to NBC News.

According to police, the suspect approached the victim saying, We dont wear that in this country and take that mask off! leading to him punching the victim in the head, face and back multiple times.

New York-based NBC News affiliate WNBC reported that the suspect also tried to remove the mans turban from his head before getting off the bus and fleeing on foot.

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The victim, 19, suffered a minor laceration and pain from the assault, police said.

Authorities released photos of the suspect, who is seen wearing a yellow jacket and is described as a man, who is black, between the ages of 25 to 35 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, with brown eyes and black hair, wearing blue jeans and sneakers, according to NBC News.

The incident comes shortly after FBI director Christopher Wray warned about a rise in violent extremism amid fighting between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Recently, Illinois authorities arrested and charged a local landlord with murder and hate crimes after he allegedly stabbed and killed Wadea Al-Fayoume, 6, and his seriously wounded his mother, who is Muslim, in an apparent hate crime stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In a statement, the Sikh Coalition, a national Sikh faith-based organization, said they have been in contact with the victim and are providing him with support during this time.

We thank allies from across all communities who have spoken out, and urge vigilance for all given the current climateespecially given the heartbreaking recent news out of Illinois, the faith-based organization said in its statement. As we stand alongside our allies from all communities, we will continue to insist that no one should have to fear for their personal safety while simply existing in public.

The Hill has reached out to the NYPD for comment and more information on the matter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  A space station-like facility with several shiny devices, gadgets and sensors measures the bad odor coming from the raw sewage in the Tijuana River Valley nearby.

It sits on a perch near the border along the Interstate 5 freeway behind San Diego Fire Station No. 29.

The measuring station is operated by the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, which says the new sensors were put in this month due to concerns from nearby residents.

It is an additional tool that can be used to highlight and draw attention to this issue, said David Sodeman, head of monitoring for SDCAPCD.

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Sensors to be installed to monitor pungent odor near Tijuana River Valley

He said some of the devices have been measuring air pollution for some time now, while the new sensors will gauge the amount of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide in the air.

The higher the levels, the stronger the stench.

If you go out and talk to the residents in the community youre going to get some very impactful strong stories about how its affecting their quality of life, Sodeman said. This is yet another tool to back up those statements to really kind of drive home the message that this is an issue and an emergency that needs to be addressed now.

The monitoring will help officials figure out whether the smell is getting worse.

If they fix the (sewage) issue, we should be seeing that in the data, or if data goes back to natural background levels or non-existent values, at that point then well reconsider whether its worth it to continue with the study or discontinue it, said Sodeman. But as of right now, we do not have an end date in mind.

Other stations are in the works for the city of Imperial Beach and along the Tijuana River Valley itself.

For decades, especially during storms, the valley has been inundated by raw sewage that flows from Mexico via canyons and the Tijuana River into the U.S., plaguing communities such as San Ysidro, Imperial Beach and Coronado, California.

Tijuanas sewage treatment infrastructure is considered outdated and in disrepair.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the United States-Mexico border

The U.S-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for sewage mitigation projects on both sides of the border, but the work has yet to begin.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
In the debate over abortion, the most vocal opponents are often people of faith.

But the world's major religions don't speak with the same voice when it comes to abortion. There can be nuance and disagreements within denominations, faith traditions and leaders. And polling suggests the views of religious institutions don't always align with the opinions of their members.

This fall, Ohioans will vote on Issue 1, an amendment that would enshrine abortion rights and other reproductive decisions in the state constitution. Early voting has already begun and Election Day is Nov. 7.

The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau asked religious and community leaders from across the state to answer two questions. Their responses represent a sampling of the views on this often-divisive topic. Here are their replies:

What is your religion's position on abortion?

Rabbi Ari Jun, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati: "Judaism's position on abortion is that it ought to be legal and available because it is, at times, allowed and, at times, even required within the religion.

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Judaism doesn't consider a fetus to be a full person and considers it to be an extension of the mother, which means that in any case where a mother's health is at stake and is jeopardized by the continuing of a pregnancy, Judaism is unequivocal that the mother's health must come first."

Michelle Duffey, associate director of communications and outreach with the Catholic Conference of Ohio: "The Catholic Church teaches that every human life is a gift from God and deserves protection and support no matter their circumstances or stage of development.

As science affirms that a unique child forms from conception and abortion ends a childs life, Catholics must oppose its legalization. The Catholic Church advocates for expansive structural support for pregnant women and young families and accompanies women in need so that any woman considering an abortion will receive the support she deserves."

Pastor Brian Williams, Hope City House of Prayer, a nondenominational church on Columbus' West Side. Williams spearheaded a letter from more than 100 Black faith and community leaders opposing Issue 1: "Our position as Christians, as faith leaders, is that life begins at conception and that life is sacred. Life is a gift from God."

Rev. Anita Tokuzen Kazarian of the Cleveland Buddhist Temple: "We understand we are always making important and personal decisions and must take responsibility for those decisions. In Shin Buddhism, as in life, there is no 'slogan' that can answer your question in a few words."

The Rev. Dr. Kevin Wilson, president of the Ohio District of the Lutheran Church  Missouri Synod: "Our position is long-standing, consistent, and clear. Based upon the conviction that God is the creator of all life, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) strongly stands for the sanctity of human life. Since human life starts at conception, the LCMS maintains that abortion 'is not a moral option, except as a tragically unavoidable byproduct of medical procedures necessary to prevent the death of another human being, viz., the mother' (1979 Synodical Convention).

As Christians, we are called to love our neighbor. This love extends to defending those who cannot defend themselves, including and especially unborn children."

The Rev. Dan Clark, a minister in the United Church of Christ and the Ohio director at Faith in Public Life: "We view access to reproductive health and equity as a human rights issue. Our faith teaches us that we should be good neighbors who create communities of love and care. As people of faith, it is our calling to protect peoples innate dignity, to respect their moral agency and to be co-creators with God ensuring that everyone has safe, healthy and sustainable communities where they can thrive."

Susan Borison, chair of the community relations committee of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland: "The Jewish perspective on abortion is nuanced and complex. Traditional Jewish law does not talk about abortion in the same way we do in todays political landscape. But specifically, Jewish law does place enormous value on human life, including the life and well-being of the mothers physical and mental health.

Depending on the circumstances, Jewish law may permit or even mandate that the woman has an abortion. In some Jewish circles, women may act after consulting with their rabbis. In other Jewish circles, women may rely on consultation with their doctor."

The Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research: Life is sacred in Islam. According to Islamic thought, the soul is breathed into the fetus at 120 days after conception. The fear of poverty is never considered an excuse or justification for abortion. Abortion is prohibited by default with exceptions depending on what stage of pregnancy the mother is in and if there is a legitimate reason to abort.

Up until 40 days after conception, abortion is permitted under clearly legitimate reasons such as rape or the physical or mental inability to raise children. Up until 120 days after conception, abortion is only permitted if there is a pressing circumstance, such as rape or extreme fetal deformity incompatible with life. After 120 days, saving the mothers life is the only case in which abortion is permitted.

Sen. Niraj Antani, Ohio's first Hindu state senator: "I am pro-life, and there is an argument to be made for pro-life; You have to extrapolate and amalgamate a variety of stories to get there. Abortion is just not one of those things that are contemplated in our spiritual texts."

According to "Perspectives of Hinduism and Zoroastrianism on abortion: a comparative study between two pro-life ancient sisters:" "Abortion deliberately disrupts the process of reincarnation, and killing an innocent human being is not only in contrast with the concept of Ahimsa (principle of nonviolence) but also places a serious karmic burden on its agent."

What advice are you giving members about the Nov. 7 vote?

Jun, Jewish Community Relations Council: "The JCRC, which is within the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, has been very vocal in working toward getting Issue 1 onto the ballot for November and encouraging people to get out and vote and vote 'yes' to ensure that abortion rights remain legal in the state of Ohio."

Duffey, the Catholic Conference: "The Catholic Conference of Ohio is informing Catholics across Ohio about the dangers of Issue 1 and urging them to educate others and vote no. Issue 1 puts women at risk, threatens parental rights, and allows abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.

Ohioans deserve just laws that provide expansive resources and accompaniment to mothers and young families, not proposals like Issue 1 which, does nothing to support women. Our advocacy on Issue 1 adheres to the Churchs action to defend the most vulnerable in society, including the poor, migrants, and preborn children in the womb."

Williams, Hope City House of Prayer: "From the pulpit, it will be addressed. We'll be praying about it and we'll be using whatever resources we have to let others know about it," he said. "We're not appealing to people on the basis of a political ideology. For us, this is a moral issue. It's a human rights issue, and ultimately, it's a biblical issue."

Kazarian, the Cleveland Buddhist Temple: "Shin Buddhism does not take a position on political issues. In the United States, we have the right to vote and each must vote their conscience and, take responsibility for their decision."

Wilson, the Lutheran Church  Missouri Synod: "I rarely provide guidance to our congregations and church workers in Ohio concerning public policy. Issue 1, however, touches upon a clear teaching of our church. Based upon what our denomination believes, teaches, and confesses about abortion, it is clear that to guarantee ones right to an abortion from conception and, possibly, up to birth, including minors undergoing abortions without parental knowledge or consent, runs contrary to our teachings."

Clark, United Church of Christ: "I stand with the overwhelming majority of faithful Ohioans and people of faith across our state who support reproductive health access and denounce the extreme measures leaders in our state have taken to ban abortion. I will vote yes on Issue 1 this November and I am encouraging those in my faith community to do the same."

Borison, Jewish Federation of Cleveland: "As it relates to November 7, we are encouraging all members of the Jewish community to educate themselves on the ballot initiatives, candidates and other local issues on the ballot and make a plan to vote whether it be through absentee ballot, early voting or day of."

Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) does not have an official policy position on Issue 1, said Amina Barhumi, executive director of the Columbus and Cincinnati offices.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Issue 1: What does religion say about abortion?
Ohio's three biggest public retirement systems are talking about asking lawmakers to require cities, counties, school districts and other government agencies to pay more toward the public employees' pensions  expenses that would eventually trickle down to taxpayers.

Most changes to public pension benefits require legislative approval in Ohio.

Trustees of the largest pension fund, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, are scheduled to discuss Tuesday seeking an employer contribution rate hike. Ohio PERS did not provide details on how much it would pursue.

State Teachers Retirement System plans to ask for a law change to require school districts to contribute 18% of payroll to pensions, up from the current 14%. If approved, the change would cost districts an additional $533 million a year.

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And two Republican state representatives, Cindy Abrams and Thomas Hall, introduced a bill earlier this month to increase the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund employer contribution rate to 24% for all first responders. Currently, employers contribute 24% for firefighters and 19% for police. That change would cost public employers an extra $56 million a year.

A similar bill introduced last legislative session to shore up the police and fire pension fund failed to pass.

Ohio Municipal League Director Kent Scarrett said cities and villages that employ public employees, including firefighters and police officers, shouldn't face an unfunded mandate to pay more toward pensions.

"The impacts will be real on the limited amount of revenues that municipalities have to work with," he said.

Ohio has five public pension systems that serve 2.28 million current and former government employees and retirees. Public employees in Ohio do not participate in Social Security so the state pension systems are their main retirement funds.

A decade ago, lawmakers approved sweeping changes to public pensions that required employees to work longer for fewer benefits.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio's biggest public pension funds seek more money from taxpayers
(Bloomberg) -- Oil industry leaders contributed top dollar to President Donald Trump in 2020. But now oil and gas titans are underwriting his GOP rivals instead.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley were the biggest beneficiaries of donations from oil and gas representatives in the third quarter, according to a Bloomberg review of new campaign finance disclosures filed with the Federal Election Commission. Both Republicans have done fundraising tours through the oil patch, with DeSantis even going so far as to unveil his energy policy platform in front of a drilling rig in Midland last month.

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And while some notable leaders have cut checks to Trumps main presidential campaign committee  including Continental Resources Corp. founder Harold Hamm and offshore supply veteran Larry Rigdon  others are steering clear.

Read More: Hamm Donates to Trump, Soros Backs Biden in New Campaign Reports

Take, for instance, Jeff Hildebrand, chief executive officer of Hilcorp Energy Co., and his wife Melinda Hildebrand, who have showered much of the Republican field with cash this year. Together, they sent $3,300 to North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, $3,300 to Haley, $3,300 to DeSantis, and, in late July, $6,600 to former Vice President Mike Pence and $3,300 to South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, disclosures show.

In the White House, Trump was an enthusiastic supporter of the oil and gas industry, who championed domestic production and stripped away federal regulations he said were standing in the way. But Trumps unpredictability  for instance issuing surprise decrees blocking offshore oil leasing near the southeastern US in the weeks before the 2020 election  poses a hefty challenge to energy companies making investment decisions that can take decades to pay off. Candidates vying for the Republican presidential nomination endorse broadly similar energy and environmental policies.

While contributions are lopsided now, donors generally coalesce behind nominees once they are chosen or appear to be a lock. In the third quarter, DeSantis and Haley outraised other GOP presidential candidates, based on a sampling of oil industry and Permian-focused donors.

Donations to presidential campaign committees are capped at $3,300 per candidate per election  or $6,600 for both the primary and the general contest.

Heres a breakdown of some notable industry donations this year.

Nikki Haley

Haley has picked up financial support from a swath of oil executives with ties to the prolific Permian Basin that stretches across the Texas-New Mexico border. That includes $6,600 from Syed Javaid Anwar, the founder and chief executive officer of Midland Energy Inc., and $3,300 from Ben Bud Brigham, who founded a string of exploration companies and oilfield logistics provider Atlas Energy Solutions.

Executives of Pioneer Natural Resources Co.  the Permian powerhouse Exxon Mobil Corp. is buying for $60 billion  also have sent money to Haley, with $3,300 each from president Rich Dealy and executive vice president Mark Berg, as well as $6,600 from CEO Scott Sheffield in the second quarter. Sheffields son, Bryan Sheffield, the founder of Parsley Energy Inc., and his wife, Sharoll Sheffield, together donated $13,200.

Enterprise Products Partners leaders also threw their support behind Haley, with co-CEO Jim Teague giving $6,600 in March and co-CEO Randy Fowler contributing $3,300 in September.

Other notable Haley donors:

Tucker Bridwell, an oil industry veteran and former board member for Concho Resources Inc., Ram Energy Resources Inc., Petrohawk Energy Corp., and other firms, $6,600

Richard Kinder, chairman of Kinder Morgan Inc., and his wife Nancy Kinder, $6,600

Trevor Rees-Jones, president of Chief Oil & Gas LLC and founder of Rees-Jones Oil & Minerals, $6,600

Ray Hunt with Hunt Oil Co., $6,600

Hunter Hunt with Hunt Consolidated Inc., $6,600

Ron DeSantis

DeSantis wooed prominent Texans in September and has lured oil patch donations, including $3,300 each from Allan Bloxsom, president of Fort Apache Energy Inc.; Jonathan Barrett, chairman of the board of Battalion Oil Corp.; and Ken Waits, CEO of Mewbourne Oil Co.

Kelcy Warren, the chairman of pipeline operator Energy Transfer LP, and his wife Amy Warren, together contributed $13,200. By contrast, in 2020, Kelcy Warren backed Trump by giving $10 million to America First Action, a super political action committee, and $1 million to Trump Victory, which divided money between the former presidents campaign, the Republican National Committee and state parties. At the time, Amy Warren sent $1.1 million to Trump Victory. Super PACs, which work independently of campaigns, can accept unlimited donations.

Other notable DeSantis donors:

Canary LLC CEO Dan Eberhart gave $6,600, while his brother Jacob Eberhart and sister-in-law Kelli Eberhart each contributed $3,300 during the third quarter.

Alan Smith, CEO, Rockcliff Energy, $1,000

John Garrett with Fair Oil Co., $3,300

Donald Trump

One of Trumps biggest oil industry supporters historically has been Hamm, the billionaire and Continental Resources founder whos donated $769,400 to Trump Victory since 2016. Hamm also played an unofficial role as an energy adviser to Trump on the campaign trail in 2016 and spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

But earlier this year, Hamm was instead contributing to other Republican contenders  with DeSantis and Haley each receiving $6,600. Hamm said he didnt believe Trump could win the White House in 2024.

Hamm pivoted on Aug. 22, when he sent $3,300 to Trumps campaign. Asked about the contribution, spokeswoman Kristin Thomas said only that Mr. Hamm has consistently said that he will support anyone he believes will make a good president.

--With assistance from Bill Allison and David Wethe.

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UPDATE @ 7:18 p.m.  Oklahoma City Police have confirmed that this is not a stabbing but a assault. Authorities confirm, no one is being cooperative with the police, therefore no arrests will be made at this time. No further information has been released at this time.

ORIGINAL STORY

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma City Police Department has confirmed it is on the scene of a possible stabbing.

Police officials say, the incident is at The Council Place Apartments located 10604 North Council Road.

 Find more Top Stories from KFOR.com

KFOR has a crew headed to the scene.

No further information has been released at this time.

This story is developing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  BusinessMirror is celebrating 18 years in the industry with the goal of further elevating its standing as one of the country's most respected business publications.

"Wed like to think that weve made our mark the past 18 years as a newspaper that has promised and has indeed given the broader look at todays business," BusinessMirror editor-in-chief Chuchay Fernandez said during the anniversary event in Pasay City on Tuesday.

It was attended by the editorial staff, particularly reporters, editors, and photographers, as well as business and media partners.

BusinessMirror is looking at upskilling its employees to become better storytellers, according to Fernandez.

"In whatever platform, even if they have to make room for AI (artificial intelligence), they would know how to tell a story in a relevant way," she said. "We always have to tell it in an excellent way."

The widely read business daily was founded in 2005 by the late Antonio Cabangon Chua, who was also its publisher and owner of the radio network Aliw Broadcasting Corporation.

His son and current BusinessMirror publisher Anton Cabangon said that as the newspaper marked 18 years, the next step is to further expand its presence on the internet.

"We belong to print and mainstream, but mainstream and digital should go hand in hand," Cabangon said. "The print will stay but at the same time we'd like to build up our presence on the net."

For five consecutive years, BusinessMirror has been awarded the Best Business Source by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines, the countrys premier media organization composed of some of the biggest print, TV, and online media outlets.

"I was actually surprised with the number of awards we have garnered because of hardwork and dedication of our workers, especially our reporters, editors, photographers and also the social media platform people," Cabangon said.
Expressing her condolences and support for the Israeli people in the wake of the brutal Hamas attack, Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska had a phone conversation with the First Lady of Israel, Michal Herzog , Zelenska said in a Telegram post on Oct. 17.

Ukrainians understand the pain Israel is enduring following the Hamas terrorist attack on its civilians, said Zelenska.

Read also: War to continue past 2024, 155 Ukrainians evacuated from Israel, Madonna for Ukraine

And the support from Ukrainians is not just a gesture of solidarity, but a shared experience of striving for security for their people. Ukraine consistently advocates for peace in the Middle East for all nations. Terrorism must lose, and every country that values life must prevail. Because the people are the country.

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Read also: US secretary of state Blinken pays second visit to Israel in a week

In her message, Zelenska noted that at least 13 Ukrainian citizens were among the victims of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Another horrific evidence that the modern world is divided not only between countries but also between humanity and hatred, she adds.

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 News

Michael Rogers, the former head of the U.S. National Security Agency, warned that foreign adversaries like Russia and China were edging closer into uncharted cyber warfare territory as they continued digital attacks on infrastructure and military installations worldwide.

So far, such cyber attacks havent crossed the threshold of constituting an act of war, Rogers told Semafors Gina Chon during a pre-recorded interview played at the Securing the Digital Future event on Tuesday. Its only a matter of time, though, before we cross this Rubicon, he said.

Rogers said that China was penetrating critical infrastructure in countries like the U.S., Taiwan, and South Korea for reconnaissance and to understand the network structures in order to go destructive in the event of a war or crisis.

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He acknowledged that there is no clear definition of what an active war in cyber is, and that just penetrating a network is not sufficient grounds to define as an act of war.

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Rogers told Semafor that both the private and public sectors have developed better information sharing protocols that have helped increase cybersecurity protection over the last decade, with many of those systems evolving after the 2014 North Korean hack of Sony Pictures.

However, the idea that foreign adversaries could no longer penetrate U.S. systems, is not realistic, in at least the near term, Rogers said. We need to be focused on cyber security, not just from a cyber defense perspective.. make the castle walls taller thicker, build a deeper moat.

He also called for the U.S. to build more resilience to cyber attacks and develop the ability to stop an entity from moving rapidly through the system.

Rogers addressed the role of artificial intelligence in the governments threat-detecting abilities, calling AI a double-edged sword.

Rogers said that AI would allow for the U.S. to generate more intelligence about what adversaries are doing, but also increase the hacking capabilities of those adversaries.

It will enable them to generate better malware...malware that understands some of the defensive capabilities that are embedded in systems and therefore can bypass it or overcome it, he said. It will enable attackers to simulate, to anticipate, what kind of defensive moves companies and targets are going to put into place.

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The View From

Phishing used to be easy to spot. If a prince with poor grammar sent you an email offering riches, you probably didnt take it seriously. No ones laughing at the scams of today. Theyve gotten more sophisticated, featuring perfect grammar and personal references. AI is making these more believable.

Our response needs to be equally as sophisticated. Security isnt just a business issue  its a societal priority. Bad actors can undermine everything from education and health care to defense. Thats why public- and private-sector cooperation is essential.

We cant lose sight of new, increasing threats in the age of AI, yet we must recognize the potential of AI-powered solutions in helping us secure and protect at machine-scale.

Innovative technologies being implemented across industries often demand AI to move with greater velocity. AI  alongside human intelligence  will drastically improve our global cyber workforce by addressing the skills shortage, helping us stay ahead of more sophisticated threats.

If leveraged responsibly, AI offers a massive opportunity. It can empower people to do their best work securely and efficiently to build a resilient global economy. We must treat security as a basic human right.
One of Americas fastest growing airports continues to reach new milestones.

On Monday, officials for the Ontario International Airport announced an 11.6% increase in passenger volume during the first nine months of 2023.

That includes a 7.6% increase in September 2023 from the previous year. Last month, Ontario saw more than 550,000 passengers  an increase of nearly 40,000 travelers in September 2022.

The month of September also saw a 151% increase in international travel compared to the previous September.

Ontario Airport visitors can say goodbye to loved ones at the boarding gate

In all, nearly 4.7 million passengers opted to fly from the Inland Empire gateway between January and the end of September. Domestic fliers made up 4.4 million, while international travelers made up the rest  but international travel is up more than 116% from 2022, likely spurred by growing desires and high-demand for travel experiences following months of pandemic lockdowns and restrictions across the globe.

Passenger Totals Sep. 2023 Sep. 2022 Change YTD 2023 YTD 2022 Change Domestic 520,037 502,540 3.48% 4,400,377 4,072,713 8.0% International 36,176 14,405 151.14% 296,121 136,803 116.5% Total 556,213 516,945 7.6% 4,696,498 4,209,516 11.6%

Atif Elkadi, Ontario International Airport Authority CEO, described the passenger volumes as robust and called the airport the envy of airport operators across the region.

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The steady increases in passenger volume and customer satisfaction surveys show what many of us already knew  Ontario International is Californias favorite airport, Elkadi said.

While passenger traffic continues to climb, cargo traffic also continued to decrease, airport officials said, pointing the decline on lower global shipping volume across the country.

Those trends are consistent with numbers released by the airport back in March.

Ontario International Airport is located about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the Inland Empire. It offers nonstop service to nearly two dozen airports in the U.S. Mexico, Central America and Taiwan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The company behind a clandestine biological lab in Reedley has lodged multimillion-dollar claims against the city of Reedley and the county of Fresno over the destruction of materials and mice that were allegedly being stored illegally inside a warehouse.

Universal Meditech Inc.  which was operating without a city business license in a large warehouse on I Street in downtown Reedley when it was shut down earlier this year  filed its claim with the city of Reedley this week, seeking $30 million to compensate for what the companys attorney called a huge financial loss of assets from the unlawful seizure by city officials of its property.

A claim against Fresno County for more than $50 million was filed on Friday, accusing the countys health department of wrongful seizure and destruction of more than 30 freezers and refrigerators containing biological assets.

Southern California attorney Stephen J. Thomas of the Thomas Business Law Group filed the claims on behalf of the company. The Fresno Bee reached out by phone to Thomas office in City of Industry to ask questions about the claims, but received no response as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Reedley, Fresno County respond to claims

We are baffled, Reedley City Manager Nicole Zieba told The Fresno Bee on Tuesday. Everything we did was under court order. We even took criticism for moving so slowly, but we wanted to make sure we did everything carefully and legally.

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Fresno County spokesperson Sonja Dosti issued a statement that the County believes there is no merit to the claim.

The abatement by the County and City has been conducted according to court order and all applicable legal processes.

In the meantime, the city has issued its own demand letter to Universal Meditech and an associated company, Prestige BioTech Inc.  both companies whose owners hail from China  as well as the owner of the warehouse at 850 I Street, for payment of more than $310,000 to make up for the costs incurred so far by the city of Reedley and Fresno County for clearing out the biological materials, mice, chemicals, equipment and undistributed medical test kits found in the facility.

Universal Meditechs claims for compensation

The claim asserts that after operating legally in Tulare and Fresno since 2015 into 2022, Universal Meditech was preparing to move from an industrial building at the south end of Fresno to a new building near Fresno Yosemite International Airport. But, Thomas wrote in documents accompanying both claims, a dispute with its landlord prompted the company to pull up roots before the new building was ready.

Accordingly, UMI was forced to rent a temporary warehouse, Thomas said. After an urgent search, UMI finally rented 850 I St. in Reedley for half a year, and completed the move between Nov. 15th and 20th, 2022.

The claims state that soon after the move, Reedley city officials almost immediately  continued to check and harass staff at the warehouse before from March onwards, the temporary warehouse was completely sealed up.

Collectively, Thomas wrote, agents from a collection of federal, state and county agencies repeatedly carried out onerous inspections and investigations on the temporary warehouse.

Among actions for which the company is seeking compensation are:

The euthanizing and disposal of about 1,000 purebred experimental mice that were discovered in the warehouse, including dozens of experimental mice that are particularly resistant to tumor cells, the claim states. Collectively, the claim estimates the value of the mice at about $700,000.

The destruction of thousands of frozen, monoclonal antibody cell lines, with a claimed overall value of more than $30 million.

Disposal of hundreds of genetically engineered recombinant strains of material for antigens related to ailments such as HIV, hepatitis, syphilis and malaria, and for genetically engineering pharmaceuticals such as insulin, interferon and others, which the claim states have a value of at least $10 million.

Seizure of other biological materials, antibodies, and chemical reagents with a collective claimed value of more than $21 million.

The extent of the actual damage cannot be ascertained accurately at this time because UMI has been locked out of the warehouse, according to the claim documents.

Claim says destruction of mice was beyond the authority

The claim does not address allegations by the city that the company was operating illegally without a business license inside the warehouse or that representatives of Universal Meditech and Prestige Biotech were evasive in their replies as city inspectors and county health officials sought to determine the extent of the operations and learn what was being stored in the warehouse.

But the claim asserts that the destruction of mice in April, carried out under an abatement warrant after declarations that they were being neglected and kept in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, went beyond the authority granted by the warrant.

Additionally, Thomas wrote that Fresno Countys application in June for a court warrant to destroy biological materials stored in refrigerators and freezers on the basis that the warehouse contained viruses and bacteria that seriously endangered public health was a lie. The company, he added, was given only one days notice before the materials were destroyed, and company representatives were not allowed to observe and collect evidence on site.

The claim also complained about the short-circuiting of its planned relocation back to Fresno. The new factory building near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport has been built, but Thomas wrote that city officials have delayed the approval because UMI/PBI will be the tenant.

The improper seizure and unauthorized law enforcement activities, as well as the resulting local public media, which published many false and distorted reports and information, led to the inability to carry out the relocation of the new factory building, Thomas wrote. The landlord at the new building terminated the lease agreement with Universal Meditech and Prestige Biotech in August, he added.

New Fresno, Fresno County ordinances

As The Bee covered efforts by the city and county in August to clean up the warehouse site, it reached out by email to six different representatives and attorneys for Universal Meditech and Prestige Biotech for comment on the investigation, but received no response. The Bee also did not receive any complaints or request for correction from the company or its attorneys over its coverage.

In the wake of the shutdown of the Reedley lab, the city of Fresno subsequently passed an ordinance to regulate laboratories that deal with infectious diseases  including adding potential criminal penalties for those who violate the law. The ordinance received final approval from the Fresno City Council on a unanimous 7-0 vote on Oct. 5, and will take effect in early November.

County leaders say they, too, expect to enact an ordinance allowing the health department to conduct annual inspections of private labs.

The Chinese ownership of the two companies, coupled with revelations that the lab was reportedly dealing with COVID-19, raised concerns about possible connections between the lab and the Chinese government. The situation at the Reedley warehouse, described as unprecedented in the experience of state and federal regulators, has also given rise to investigations by two separate panels of the U.S. House of Representatives, including the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Editors Note: Seth Moulton, a Democrat, is a Marine Corps veteran who represents Massachusetts 6th Congressional District. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more CNN Opinion.

Twenty years ago this month, I was a young Marine lieutenant marching down a California street in an Iraq War victory parade. We had defeated Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi Army, and we thought it was all over.

Seth Moulton - Seth Moulton

But of course, it was not. Twenty years later, American troops are still in Iraq.

Israel is about to start an invasion of Gaza with the same mission we had in those early days in Iraq: defeat the enemy, or in Netanyahus words, crush and eliminate Hamas.

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But the lesson America quickly learned in Iraq and Afghanistan was that you have to have a plan for the day after. Outside the southern Iraqi city of Najaf during the invasion, then Colonel David Petraeus famously asked, Tell me how this ends.

The next year, I found myself in that same city Petraeus had conquered, trying to win it back. It was my second of what would become four tours in Iraq, facing far worse combat than we saw during the invasion.

By that time, the insurgency was entrenched, much like Hamas is in Gaza today, and we had to fight, block by block, to root it out.

One day in the summer of 2004 reminds me of how difficult this was and why you always have to consider what comes next.

My company was called to rescue an Army Special Forces detachment from a school in which they took serious casualties. After we helped evacuate their wounded and dead, my Marines and I assaulted the building with a platoon of Recon Marines in support.

But with insurgents throwing grenades from the roof and rolling them down the stairs, we took casualties ourselves, and I made the difficult decision to withdraw my platoon  and call in an air strike to level the building.

It was the right decision to kill insurgents without losing more Marines, but leveling a school doesnt win you a lot of hearts and minds. And this was just one building, a mere two stories tall, and we were fairly confident there were no civilians inside.

Now look at Gaza by comparison: a city five times the size, with buildings ten times as high, and Hamas fighters using human shields - including hostages from Israel, America, and other countries  at every turn.

Then theres the question of what comes next. After brutal weeks of battle in Najaf, our more complicated work began: winning over the rest of the Iraqi population so that peace could be permanent.

That meant months of diligent, tedious work doing everything from creating jobs, to training the Iraqi Army, to rebuilding hundreds of buildings, like that school I destroyed with a 500-pound bomb, all the while keeping remaining pockets of the insurgency at bay.

To be sure, there are some fundamental differences between Israels war with Hamas and Americas war in Iraq. Israel is responding to an attack from within by a terrorist organization seeking to wreak havoc in Israel and across the region. In contrast, a coalition of countries invaded Iraq seeking to displace a brutal dictator who we thought had weapons of mass destruction and in the process, we created an insurgency.

In one case, the insurgency was the cause of the conflict, and in the other, the insurgency was the result. But we nevertheless learned valuable lessons that Israel should take seriously. Countering an insurgency is Israels task in Gaza just as it was Americas challenge in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Israels military victory in Gaza will be hard enough, but its government should explain their plan for the day after, a plan for the future of Gaza. If they simply kill a lot of Hamas terrorists and leave Gaza a smoldering mess, theyll have the same problem they do today  much like America did after the first time we conquered Najaf.

One of the reasons fighting terrorists is so much more difficult than fighting a regular army is that every minute we were in Najaf, whether during combat or reconstruction, we had to keep in mind that fundamental equation of counter-insurgency: You should never create more insurgents than you kill.

Palestinian residents inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes on October 14, 2023. Many Gazan citizens have fled to the south following evacuation warnings from the Israeli government. - Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Famed US general Stan McChrystal estimated that this insurgent math is ten to one: for every innocent person you kill, you create ten new enemies. So, lets be generous to the Israeli Army and say that they kill 1,000 Hamas fighters in the first two weeks of brutal fighting, and only kill 150 civilians by accident in the process  generous odds given Hamas ruthless disregard for innocent lives. Well, Israel has just recruited 50% more insurgents than theyve killed.

This brings us back to the beginning of any counter-insurgency campaign, which General Petraeus describes as the first step in winning: you have to get the big ideas right.

Israels leaders need to answer these big, difficult questions before subjecting more young lives, on both sides, to a brutal war:

How will you define military victory? (You cant recruit more insurgents than you kill.)

What is the exit strategy for your troops? (Your troops want to know.)

What is the sustainable, political solution for the Gaza Strip? (It cant be returning to the status quo, which obviously hasnt worked.)

If Israeli leaders, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu down, cannot answer these questions, they are plunging their young soldiers into another forever war like we created for ourselves in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If they dont have a durable civil-military endgame, they had better be prepared to explain to Israeli parents, 20 years from now, what their kids died to achieve.

Our First Marine Division motto in Iraq, under General Mattis, was no better friend, no worse enemy. I want Hamas to know no greater enemy than the Israeli Army, and I want to see every Hamas fighter defeated.

But if Israel cant prove the first part, too  that if you work with us, you will find no greater friend  then we will soon see plenty of new Hamas terrorists taking the places of those who are killed.

There are a lot of peace-loving Palestinians in Gaza who loathe Hamas, but its up to the Israeli Army to prove themselves better friends.

I hope Israel succeeds against enormous odds, but they have to have a better plan than simply killing a lot of people.

Nobody wants to see five-year-old Palestinian kids killed in the crossfire with Hamas, especially if their deaths only recruit more terrorists.

And nobody wants to see five-year-old Israeli kids dying, in the same forever war, 20 years from today.

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Although I often wish that Donald Trump would shut up, he has a constitutional right not to. A federal judge went too far in restricting his free expression Monday when she imposed a gag order on the former president.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the Washington prosecution of Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, ordered him to refrain from rhetoric targeting prosecutors and court personnel as well as inflammatory statements about likely witnesses.

Chutkan issued the order in response to a motion from special counsel Jack Smith. Trump has said on social media that Smith is deranged, that the judge is a radical Obama hack and that the court system is rigged. He has also attacked potential witnesses such as former Vice President Mike Pence .

This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses, Chutkan said in announcing her decision from the bench. This is about language that presents a danger to the administration of justice." She added that Trump's presidential candidacy does not give him carte blanche to threaten public servants. The judge said that 1st Amendment protections yield to the administration of justice and to the protection of witnesses.

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I certainly understand Chutkans desire to limit such speech, and this is obviously a unique case with no similar precedents. But basic 1st Amendment principles cast serious doubt on the judges order.

Read more: Litman: Is it time for a federal judge to put a gag order on Donald Trump?

The Supreme Court has long held that court orders prohibiting speech constitute prior restraint and are allowed only in extraordinary and compelling circumstances. In New York Times Co. vs. United States (1971), for example, the justices held that the courts could not constitutionally enjoin newspapers from publishing the Pentagon Papers, a history of Americas involvement in the Vietnam War. The Supreme Court held that there is a strong presumption against orders preventing speech.

Even more to the point, in Nebraska Press Assn. vs. Stuart (1976), the justices held that the courts can almost never keep the press from reporting on criminal cases, even when the goal is to protect a defendants right to a fair trial.

Although the Supreme Court hasnt considered gag orders on parties to a case and their lawyers, the same strong presumption should apply against such prior restraints. What is particularly troubling about Chutkans order is that it seems primarily concerned with protecting prosecutors and court personnel from Trumps vitriol. The law is clear that speech cant be restricted to prevent government officials from being criticized or even vilified.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the 1st Amendment protects a right to criticize government officials, even harshly. In New York Times Co. vs. Sullivan (1964), the court unanimously declared that the amendment reflects a profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials.

Read more: Editorial: The gag order on Trump isn't an overreach. There's a real threat of intimidation

There is no reason to believe, moreover, that Trumps criticism of Smith, his staff or court personnel will prevent a fair trial. It is impossible to imagine that Trumps attacks will change how the prosecutors behave. And given all that Trump has said and all that has been said about the events of Jan. 6, it is inconceivable that more speech will do much more to prejudice prospective jurors.

Whether Chutkans order is constitutional insofar as it keeps Trump from speaking about witnesses is a harder question. Trump has already appeared to threaten potential witnesses. The day after his August arraignment, for example, Trump posted on social media: If you go after me, I'm coming after you.

But it is important to note that the witnesses Trump has attacked are former high-level officials such as Pence and Atty. Gen. William Barr. (Chutkan ruled that Trump can talk about Pence as a rival for the Republican presidential nomination but not as a potential witness in the case.) There is little reason to believe that Pence or Barr would be intimidated by Trump and strong grounds for protecting criticism of what they did as public officials, even by Trump. Also, Chutkan could have issued a narrower order limited to speech about witnesses but didnt.

Ultimately, the judge imposed a gag order on Trump because his speech is often unpleasant and offensive. But that is simply not a basis for restricting speech under the 1st Amendment. We may loathe what Trump says, but we must defend his right to say it.

Erwin Chemerinsky is a contributing writer to Opinion and the dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law. His latest book is Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism.

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.
Editors note: Yasmine Mohammed is the author of Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam. She is also the president of the nonprofit organization Free Hearts Free Minds. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. Read more opinion on CNN.

When my father, who was born and raised in Gaza, was still alive, he often spoke out against Hamas, calling it the ugly face of the Palestinian struggle everywhere.

Yasmine Mohammed - Courtesy Yasmine Mohammed

Since Hamas attack on Israel, as I have read post after post on social media referring to Hamas as freedom fighters involved in anti-colonial resistance, I have been struck by the devastating weight of this lie. It is an insult to Palestinians to refer to these terrorists as our freedom fighters.

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At the hands of Hamas, the Jewish people have endured horrors not seen since the Holocaust. And, like the Nazis, Hamas does not view Jewish people as human beings. According to its 1988 covenant, every Jew must be eradicated from this earth. Its goal is not the genocide of Jewish people in Israel; its goal is the genocide of all Jewish people on this planet, period.

My father hated that Hamas had dominated the conversation and positioned itself as the face of Gaza worldwide. My dad was born and raised in the Gaza Strip and lived there until he went to Egypt to attend university. Although he left Egypt for San Francisco and later moved to Montreal, he always carried Gaza in his heart.

He had a Facebook page and a YouTube channel dedicated to sharing images and videos of a Gaza before it was overrun with terrorists. There is nothing he hated more than Hamas. In words he posted to social media: May God curse the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, they have brought us nothing but backwardness in our Arab societies.

He would not be surprised to see the massacres of families, of babies, of the elderly by Hamas because he knew its brutality already. Like many people from Gaza, my father knew that if you spoke up against these tyrannical oppressors, you were swiftly dealt with. And your family, too, for good measure. Hamas has never shied away from violence.

To throw all Gazans in the same bucket as Hamas is a grave insult  one that people on both sides of the political spectrum are committing.

Many people on the left, for example, conflate Hamas with all Palestinians and then deem them all the oppressed  the minority group, the victims, the besieged. Hamas is happy with this misguided and confused perspective because it allows the group to hide under the umbrella of oppression to justify its violence. It would rather, of course, be seen as freedom fighters than terrorists.

Among the hard right, many people are conflating Palestinians with Hamas to justify the flattening of Gaza. While cutting power and water to civilians violates international law, cutting water and electricity to terrorists is justified, according to that line of thinking.

The truth is, Hamas is not Gaza, and Gaza is not Hamas. Gaza is an area of land with people who are trying to do the best that they can to survive under abysmal circumstances. Gazans are just human beings, like their Israeli neighbors. They want to live in a peaceful environment where they do not have to be concerned about the safety of their children. While there are many Gazans who say they support Hamas, a poll conducted in July showed that 50% of Gazans agreed that Hamas should stop calling for Israels destruction, and instead accept a permanent two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.

Hamas stands next to al Qaeda and ISIS in perpetuating deadly terror attacks against civilians. I believe Israel has every right to protect its people from a vicious, violent and ugly terrorist group. Jewish history is fraught, with generation after generation having to face various groups wanting to eradicate the Jewish population.

I am heartbroken, of course, that Gazans will now have to pay the price for Hamas depravity. It is brutal and horrific. War always is. It was also brutal and horrific when al Qaeda was responsible for the loss of so many Iraqi lives or when ISIS was responsible for the loss of so many Syrian lives.

Sadly, Hamas will likely continue its destruction. Its funding will still flow in from Iran, though perhaps it will need to rebrand under a different name. Like the mythic Hydra, it will grow two heads when this one is cut off. It is Gazans who will never recover. It is Gazans who will have to give up on their dream of a homeland forever.

If you want to help Gazans, conflating them all with a terrorist group is not the way. Instead, you can help them to get out from under the tyranny of Hamas. Share the voices of peace-loving Palestinians such as activist Bassem Eid. Elevate the words of secular politicians who do not use religion to sow division and encourage hate of the other.

I fear none of us will ever get to see Gaza as an independent state freed from the clutches of terrorists. I will never see my familys two buildings there that my father so desperately wanted me to visit. They probably wont be left standing. I will likely never set eyes on his beloved olive trees. They will return to the earth as he has.

It could have been so different. Ignorance and religious zealotry ripped away any chance that Gaza had. Mercifully, my dad died thinking that one day his dream of freeing his homeland from the clutches of Hamas so the Gazan people could breathe and flourish might be realized. He didnt have to endure the heartbreak of seeing the reality playing out today.

When my dad died, I mourned mostly for what could have been in my relationship with him. Now I am mourning for what could have been for his homeland.

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We are two American women living in Los Angeles, spending our days working at one of the citys oldest law schools. One of us, Rana, is Palestinian. The other, Hila, is Israeli. We are both profoundly worried about our beloved family members in the Middle East  Jewish and Arab  who are neighbors and are all currently suffering greatly as rockets keep falling and more violence looms.

Our hearts are broken by the brutal Hamas terror attack last weekend and by the prospect of additional deaths and misery in our respective communities. We want to say loud and clear that we condemn the cruel murder of kids, youths, parents and grandparents by Hamas. At the same time, we support the rights of Palestinians to live in peace and with dignity, just as every human being deserves.

In addition to the tragedy of terrorism and warfare, in the last few days we have also encountered painful misunderstandings and simplistic views of the dreadful conflict in the Middle East. Rana was blamed for spreading antisemitic ideology by classmates who failed to distinguish her genuine concern for Palestinian lives from endorsing atrocities she abhors. When she tried to educate her peers about the plight of innocent civilians on both sides and convince them that antisemitic and anti-Arab rhetoric similarly impede peace, she was unfairly accused of being an antisemite herself.

Read more: Opinion: Hamas barbarity broke my heart. Some of my friends are breaking it a second time

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Hila, on the other hand, faced some progressive academics who seemed to doubt, ignore or downplay the suffering of Israelis and somehow portrayed the atrocities executed by Hamas as a justified form of Palestinian resistance.

Additionally, each of us was exposed to calls for the destruction of Gaza, as if there were no children  Palestinians and kidnapped Israelis  on the other side of the border from Israel. We both refuse to imagine what that apocalypse would mean for the people we love and the entire region.

Right after the bloody Oct. 7 weekend, Hila read in an Israeli news outlet that the warning sirens and Hamas rockets had just reached Jerusalem. Remembering that Rana has relatives in the area, she immediately texted her. It was early morning, but Rana quickly texted back with good news and care: Thank you for checking in  they are safe and hopefully it stays like that. Im hoping your family and friends are safe 

Read more: Opinion: My whole family is in Gaza and they have nowhere to run. Will it be at their graves that we meet again?

A few hours later, we saw each other for the first time since it all started. We hugged. It was a long hug. One of those in which you hold the other, feeling their body and heart against yours. And then came the tears. We cried about the children who came to this world for such a brief time only to be killed by hate. We wept because we were so afraid of what was to come. We are still scared.

We also experienced a brisk sense of relief. Without words, we somehow knew the other understands exactly how it feels to have your roots in this corner of the world. So we just held each other a second longer, mourning the losses.

Our hug, the words that followed it and the comfort we found in each other would not have been possible had we assumed, like many others, that all Palestinians are ready to kill Jewish Israelis or at least cheer when they die. Nor would any of that have happened if we presumed that all Jewish people are eager to harm Palestinians or seek their elimination. Those assumptions are awful and wrong. They lead to innocent people trapped by a ceaseless conflict paying with their lives.

Read more: Opinion: Invading Gaza, but to what end? Netanyahu's incompetent government has no answers

Of course, our close connection does not mean we agree on all aspects of this catastrophic situation. But we feel grateful that our true care for each other has at least allowed us to unite around two things. One relates to the present: the value of mourning together all loss of innocent human life. The other relates to the future: the belief that humanity on both sides is key to breaking the vicious circle created by hate.

Do we know how to bring more peace to the area in which our families live? Not at all. Like most, we are still devastated and terrified and have no clue. But, at this horrific moment, our relationship has taught us we can start by not selectively grieving those with whom we share religion or national origin while having no sorrow when those on the other side are killed.

Fortunate to be away from the war, we found a space for our mutual belief in human lives. We then learned that just before the latest hideous events, our Israeli and Palestinian sisters had the courage and vision to hold a joint gathering in Jerusalem to demonstrate and affirm their commitment to a nonviolent resolution. Had we been there, we would have probably joined, and we want to encourage others to search together for more ways to embrace and protect the fragile wish for better days.

In fact, even as the recent tragedy has pushed some to take extreme positions and make regrettable statements, many organizations remained united and committed to working together to prevent escalation and continue their tireless search for common ground. For example, the Alliance for Middle East Peace, a coalition of over 170 organizations and tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis, stated: ALLMEP stands in solidarity with our members across the region: the brave Israelis and Palestinians who refuse to be enemies, and who are working to shape a reality where events such as those witnessed over the past few days become unimaginable. Our members are speaking loudly and clearly about the values that unite our community: Opposition to this horrific violence, and a commitment to Israeli/Palestinian partnership on the path to ending it, and achieving peace and equality.

So even at this dark time, we dare to hope that we are not alone and many people still believe in collective humanity and, instead of alienating one another, will work to help bring some light. If we are wrong, those fueled by hate have already won.

Rana Shalhoub is a third-year law student, a teaching assistant and a board member of the International Law Society at Southwestern Law School, Los Angeles. Hila Keren is the associate dean for research and a professor of law at Southwestern Law School, Los Angeles.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Watts Writers Workshop was founded in 1965. Meriwether wrote and revised her seminal novel "Daddy Was a Number Runner" as part of the group. (Los Angeles Times)

The woman whose work helped usher in my lifelong dream of becoming an author died last week.

Louise Jenkins Meriwether, born May 8, 1923, in Haverstraw, N.Y., was beloved by her more famous contemporaries and friends, including James Baldwin and Paule Marshall, and her masterful debut novel, Daddy Was a Number Runner (first published in 1970), sold more than 400,000 copies, the scholar Nellie Y. McKay wrote.

Yet, unlike her peers Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, Meriwether is not a household name. Im embarrassed to admit that I had not read her work until I learned, in late 2019, that I was a finalist for an award the Feminist Press and Tayo Literary Magazine founded and named in her honor: the Louise Meriwether First Book Prize for women and nonbinary writers of color. The more Ive uncovered about her, the more my connection to her has deepened, including how we both developed our writerly voices in Los Angeles.

Read more: Op-Ed: You may not know his name, but for me Eric Priestley was a poet laureate of L.A.

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Daddy Was a Number Runner, set in Harlem during the Great Depression, was among the first to center a young Black girl as a protagonist. The beautiful blend of tenderness and straightforwardness Meriwether used in shaping characters whose pride and faith in the face of poverty, racism and closed doors reminds me of members of my small-town Louisiana family.

But Meriwether helped me feel seen beyond race and class: Like me, she didnt publish her first novel until she was almost 50, Audrey Edwards, an author and former Essence editor, told me. And, in my ongoing explorations of Meriwethers life, I gleefully learned that, even though we were both transplants, Los Angeles paved the way to our debut books. Through community and commitment to her craft, she built a critical bridge of her writing life during her time living here in the 1960s  this city that drew me to its orb four decades later.

Unbeknownst to me, I was following the ghost of her footsteps  workshopping my early manuscript, pursuing a masters degree, writing for local publications. Meriwether was a member of the famed Watts Writers Workshop, where she wrote and revised Daddy Was a Number Runner.

Read more: Op-Ed: I never imagined that being a Black author could put me in harm's way

I learned of her passing in the soft, dark hour before the chaos of getting my son up and out for school. I signed onto Facebook and saw Edwards tribute to her dear friend and mentor. Meriwether was 100 years old and had long returned to her native New York City, but somehow a secret hope that I would one day get to meet her had burrowed its way into my heart. I commented on Edwards post, closed my laptop and cried.

Those tears spilled feelings I could not put into words. How do you hold onto hope when, over the course of this brilliant womans century on Earth, any progress we thought wed made rots away daily: Wars keep raging, artists and writers are increasingly censored and exploited, labor inequities run rampant in every industry and people are being slaughtered? But I sense that Meriwether, whose first name means famous warrior and who actively protested injustice, including apartheid and Ku Klux Klan violence, would want us all to keep on keeping on.

Read more: Op-Ed: My South L.A. home is for sale on Zillow. But I'm not sure I'm ready to leave

In Los Angeles, Meriwether completed a masters degree in journalism at UCLA; worked as a reporter for the Los Angeles Sentinel; was hired as the first Black female story analyst by Universal Studios and participated in a protest of 20th Century Foxs plans to produce a film based on William Styrons The Confessions of Nat Turner.

Many Black leaders believed Styrons book was a misrepresentation of Turner, who was convicted of a slave revolt and lynched in 1831, and that the film would be, too, McKay wrote. The studio dropped the project. I can hear the triumphant shouts of Meriwether and her colleagues in my mind, and it makes me think of todays Writers Guild of America writers and their recent victory in fighting for fairer contracts from studio executives. Such movements underscore that activism and art are bedfellows, whether or not, like Meriwether, we choose to address inequities and unrest in our work.

During the uproar over the police murder of George Floyd, a 1957 photograph of Meriwether at a protest resurfaced in the social media universe. Meriwether is flanked by armed guards looming over her as she, dressed in an overcoat and smoking a cigarette, looks as unbothered as a cloudless day.

A warrior? Absolutely.

Famous? Its up to us to make sure her legacy keeps on.

Cassandra Lane is editor in chief of L.A. Parent and author of We Are Bridges: A Memoir.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
During a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin , Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban referred to Russia's war against Ukraine as a "military operation".

Source: European Pravda

Details: On Tuesday, Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet RIA Novosti published an excerpt from the conversation with simultaneous translation, in which Orban is said to have mentioned a "military operation". At the same time, the phrase "katona muveletek" ("military operation" in Hungarian) is heard quietly in the background.

Hungarian MP Marton Tompos, one of the founders of the opposition movement Momentum, which is represented in the parliament, reacted angrily, saying "No, Viktor. What is happening in Ukraine is not a 'special military operation', it is a WAR. A war in which Hungarians from Zakarpattia are fighting. Shame on you!"

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Background:

Putin has held talks with Orban in Beijing.

This is the first time in more than a year that Putin has met with the leader of an EU country. In April 2022, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer visited Moscow and met with the Kremlin leader.

Orban regularly makes anti-Ukrainian statements in the spirit of Russian propaganda. In particular, he has said that the historic opportunity for Ukraine to join NATO has been lost and that Kyiv should forget about joining the Alliance.

Orban has claimed that because of the war in Ukraine, it is not clear what its territory and population are, and has also said that before having "serious talks about Ukraine's accession", the EU should conduct a strategic analysis of how it would affect the Union.

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!






Beijing fully prepared for BRF; world expects Chinas answer to global challenges

08:06, October 17, 2023 By Yang Sheng and Li Xuanmin ( Global Times

The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday, as the year marks the10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Leaders and representatives of countries from around the globe and international organizations have arrived in China, and Beijing is fully prepared for this major home diplomatic event.

In recent days, floral decorations, flags and banners bearing slogans for the third BRF can been seen in many parts of the capital, and some foreign guests who came for the event told the Global Times that with so much bad news about wars, conflicts and chaos elsewhere, China makes them believe that peace and development are still the mainstream of the world, and they are confident that by working together, members of the international community will eventually find solutions to the global challenges.

More world leaders arrived in Beijing on Monday. Following Kenyan President William Ruto and Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who arrived on Sunday, foreign leaders including Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso have arrived in Beijing for the event, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also arrived on Monday. During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Lavrov said Russian President Vladimir Putin is very much looking forward to having a summit with President Xi Jinping in China and participating in the forum, expressing confidence over the success of the event, according to Xinhua.

The first press briefing of the Media Center of the third BRF was held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on Monday. Officials of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and other related departments were invited to brief the press and take questions from journalists of different countries, Xinhua reported.

Chinese analysts said the BRF will be a key and historic event, because the world is in turbulence and needs solutions and answers, and China, just like it has done in the past decade, will continue playing a role to guide and contribute to global development and governance when world peace and stability are facing serious challenges.

The BRI has distinguished China from traditional major powers. The BRI is a rejection of zero-sum confrontation, it is not even a "national strategy" by the traditional definition, nor a policy to serve the interests of only one country, said experts.

"In the past, many people asked what China's rise will bring to this world, and the BRI is an answer from China. The reason why more and more countries have become interested and participated in the initiative, despite some noises and stigmatizations from some Western politicians and media, is simple: It brings benefits to everyone," said Shen Yi, an expert on international relations and professor at Fudan University.

Some Chinese netizens said the world is thread-worn and China is sewing it up, which is a vivid and accurate metaphor.

The world today needs new answers, and this is why representatives of over 140 countries and 30-plus international organizations, including state leaders, heads of international organizations, ministerial officials and representatives of the business sector, academia and nongovernmental organizations are expected to participate the forum, said experts.

High expectations

Expectations for the upcoming BRF are high, with national leaders, former foreign officials, foreign scholars and representatives from foreign business communities all looking to hear about the remarkable achievements the BRI has made in the past decade and how the cooperation platform will lead to more opportunities and benefit more people.

"The important thing is the celebration of the 10th anniversary of BRI and a presentation of all the BRI projects which are valued at over $1 trillion in investment," Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, told the Global Times.

"The forum will bring the BRI to a higher level of discussion, and really increase the image of the BRI in the eyes of many Western countries. And I also expect there will be discussions on the role of BRI in bringing peace to the world," he noted.

Mario Renduli, President of the Chinese Southeast European Business Association, told the Global Times on Monday that the increasing number of participating countries and organizations could "lead to a more diverse range of perspectives, experience and opportunities for collaboration."

Having been to the BRF's first and second editions, Renduli? noted that the third edition is "built on the progress and experiences of the previous ones," and is thus widely anticipated to serve a platform for countries to chart the future course of BRI, with a great emphasis on quality and sustainable development.

"I'm very interested in hearing about the latest investment themes at the summit, and analyzing how [my company] can provide support," Rani Jarkas, chairman of Swiss financial group Cedrus Group, told the Global Times. Having traveled to many BRI countries and witnessed firsthand the great work Chinese investors are doing to benefit local communities, Jarkas praised BRI as "an astounding success and a major catalyst for global economic development."

The global vision and strategy for BRI development for the next stage, set to be discussed at the forum, has also come under the global spotlight.

Mansoor Nadeem Lari, CEO of the India-based Silk Route Trade and Industry Development Corp, who is a third-time participant of the forum, told the Global Times on Monday that the forum can bring greater consensus for discussion on a post-pandemic way forward and create a workable plan for cooperation among BRI participating countries, to "fast-track global economic recovery."

Abid Suleri, executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, told the Global Times that he will be paying attention to the opening ceremony and keynote speech by the Chinese leader, from which he expects to learn about the measures and initiatives for enhancing cooperation and partnership.

"In the next stage, strengthening the synergy and coordination of BRI with other regional and global initiatives will be a focal point, with a view to promoting South-South and South-North cooperation," Suleri said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said another diplomatic protest may be filed against China after its vessels recent attempt to block a Philippine Navy ships path during a resupply mission, which is a first and is seen as an escalation of Beijings activities in the West Philippine Sea.

We expect that because of this incident after we have submitted official report to the Department of Foreign Affairs this will be another protest that well file against China, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar told CNN Philippines The Source.

According to Aguilar, the Peoples Liberation Army Navy 621 vessel of China first tried to shadow BRP Benguet during its Oct. 13 resupply mission to Rizal Reef Station in the Spratly Islands at a distance of 80 yards.

Later on, because it happened for more than three hours, the Peoples Liberation Army Navy 621 of China tried the cross the bow of our LS 507 from a distance of 350 yards, so we consider it already as close enough to be considered as a dangerous maneuver on the part of China, he added.

Aguilar said this is the first time a Chinese naval vessel tried to cross the bow of a Philippine Navy ship, which is a kind of elevation of their activities as far as missions to Rizal Reef are concerned.

Previous confrontations were between the coast guard vessels of the two countries.

The AFP spokesperson said Chinas ship later changed its course after Philippine Navy personnel issued a warning that it is violating the Convention on the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea. This may also signify a realization that its action during that time was being recorded, he added.

Aguilar described Chinas action as very irresponsible because it may cause an accident that may endanger peoples lives. He also thinks it was very unprofessional for Beijing to directly violate laws that guide navigation at seas.

He expects Chinas harassment to continue as it also pushes its 10-dash line claim in the South China Sea. Aguilar said the Philippines will not back down.

An arbitral ruling in 2016 ruled in favor of the Philippines in areas of its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf that are being claimed by China, which is something that the East Asian superpower continues to reject.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Oct. 17, Orban posted on X.

"Connectivity instead of decoupling: this is the Hungarian model. Our aim is to strengthen Hungarian-Chinese relations," Orban wrote on X.

"This is good for Hungary and good for the European economy," he added.

Xi told Orban that he was a "friend" to China, according to Reuters.

On Oct. 16, Orban held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang ahead of the Belt and Road Forum, which starts on Oct. 17

The two-day forum intends to highlight the successes of the Belt and Road Initiative, China's global infrastructure project that aims to connect trade and investment along what was once Silk Road routes.

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Orban is the only leader from the European Union to attend the summit. Despite Hungary being a member of the EU and NATO, Orban has maintained ties with China, as well as Russia.

Also in attendance in Beijing is Russian leader Vladimir Putin , who arrived in China on Oct. 17 and is set to hold talks with President Xi on Oct. 18.

It marks Putin's second trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest over his role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

On the same day that Putin meets with Xi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit North Korea.

The visit follows reports from the U.S. that Pyongyang has already shipped over 1,000 containers of military equipment and ammunition to Moscow.

Read also: Russia, China and North Korea have new dynamics. And its bad for Ukraine

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An Ottumwa man convicted of murdering his wife has been sentenced to life in prison.

Gregory Showalter, 63, was found guilty last month of killing Helen Showalter in July 2021. Prosecutors said in his trial that the couple was in the midst of a divorce after more than 40 years together when Showalter lured his wife to a remote location, strangled her and dumped her body in the Des Moines river.

At trial, Showalter took the stand to deny harming his wife, and said he had last seen her alive at the boat ramp where her body was found. He said they had gotten in an argument and he had told her she could walk home.

The jury convicted him of first-degree murder, willful injury, domestic abuse and abuse of a corpse. Showalter, who was free on bond, failed to appear for the reading of the verdict, and was arrested nearly a full day later at his home.

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More: Osage man sentenced to 50 years in prison in bizarre murder of Nora Springs woman

Showalter was sentenced Monday to life in prison plus 10 years, with no possibility for parole. He was also ordered to pay $150,000 to Helen Showalter's heirs, as required by Iowa law in murder convictions.

Bob Breckenridge, Showalter's attorney, said his client intends to continue to fight his conviction.

"My client continues to maintain his innocence," he told the Des Moines Register. "We have already filed our notice of appeal."

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: Iowa man sentenced to life for killing wife, leaving her body in river
APPLETON - The 2024 Outagamie County budget unveiled by County Executive Tom Nelson includes a minimum 3% wage increase for county employees to help retain and attract employees during a time of high turnover.

A recent study identified a $4.1 million shortfall in county employee wages with 60% of county positions paying uncompetitive wages compared to similar private and public sector jobs.

With the wage increases for all full-time employees, the 2024 budget proposes spending $82.4 million in salaries across its 1,264 full-time positions and 186 part-time employees.

Starting next year, the county will start using a 10-step wage structure with each full-time employee's salary moving up at least 3% to get on the structure, ensuring everyone has an average or competitive market wage.

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Here are some other highlights of the Outagamie County's 2024 budget.

How much is the county spending?

As drafted, the budget totals $360.3 million. That's down 14.6% from the 2023 adopted budget.

The tax levy necessary to support the budget is $67.5 million, an 8.7% increase.

Read the proposed 2024 Outagamie County budget here.

What's it going to cost me?

The owner of an average $254,326 home would pay $739.43 in property taxes for the county next year. That's a $14.65 increase from 2023.

That does not include property taxes from cities or school districts.

What's driving the change?

Part of the budget decrease is attributed to the 65% decrease in the Appleton International Airport's budget from $103 million in 2023 to a proposed $44.4 million in 2024.

The Appleton airport began a $66.7 million expansion project last year, significantly increasing its budget and making it the most expensive department in the county for 2023.

Now that the expansion project is mostly funded, the airport's budget is dropping back down and bringing the county budget with it.

The airport is a self-funded county department that uses federal and state money and operating revenue to pay for its projects  meaning its budget is not typically supported by the county tax levy and doesn't affect property taxes.

What capital projects are planned for 2024?

The budget includes $36.4 million for capital projects, including:

$7.9 million to build a new 911 Communication Center next to the county sheriff's building. Around 75% of the budget for the project will be paid for with money from the American Rescue Plan Act, with the remaining cost coming from the countys general funds.

$2.49 million to design and renovate the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus' 64-year-old Food Service and Student Development Center. The total project cost will be split between Outagamie and Winnebago counties.

$1,164,469 for the development of a new dog park near Brewster Village.

$88,053 to improve trails at Mosquito Hill Nature Center with an additional $800,000 to improve the center's displays.

When can I weigh in?

The Outagamie County Board will hold a public hearing for the budget at its Oct. 24 meeting. It will be held at 7 p.m. in the county board room.

When am I going to get the bill?

The property tax bills will be mailed out the first two weeks of December.

Sophia Voight is a local government and politics reporter with The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and tips at svoight@postcrescent.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Outagamie County proposed 2024 budget includes county employee raises
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report Tuesday called for improved Army Corps of Engineers remediation in areas contaminated by radioactive waste.

The Corps reported more than $2.5 billion in environmental liabilities for nuclear waste in the last fiscal year. Nineteen sites have been deemed contaminated under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, which manages cleanup of areas contaminated by the Manhattan Project and similar early U.S. atomic energy activities. Of these sites, the GAO report found eight are located near disadvantaged communities.

The report further found that six of those eight sites were located in majority-minority areas, including two in the St. Louis area. St. Louis was the site of uranium refinement for the Manhattan Project in the 1940s, including waste produced by Mallinckrodt Chemical Works that was dumped into Coldwater Creek.

Since fiscal 2016, the GAO estimates that the programs liability costs have grown more than 60 percent, with half the increase due to unreliable estimates of how contaminated individual sites are, as well as physical and legal access barriers.

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The GAO recommends the Corps address these issues by improving communication with affected communities  and in particular to expand outreach beyond property owners.

In a statement following the report, House Oversight and Accountability Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) called the findings not a surprise to the residents of St. Louis who have been asking for help for decades.

These findings must immediately catalyze remediation efforts to cleanup and decontaminate these neighborhoods in underserved communitiesand incorporate the voices of those living on the frontline of this nuclear contamination, he added.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), whose district includes the two St. Louis sites identified in the report, said that she would continue to fight to hold the relevant agencies accountable and wont stop until this waste is cleaned up for good and individuals harmed by it are rightfully compensated.

Bush, along with then-Oversight Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), initially requested the GAO review in 2021.

A separate effort is underway in Congress to make residents of both St. Louis and New Mexico, the site of the 1945 Trinity test of the atomic bomb, eligible for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. A bipartisan amendment sponsored by Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) cleared the Senate earlier this year with a filibuster-proof majority of 61 votes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When it comes to Ethan Crumbley's mental health, his parents and the prosecution are saying the same thing: He wasn't mentally ill, insane or delusional, and gave no signs of being so before and during the deadly mass shooting he carried out at Oxford High School.

That's precisely what the prosecution argued last month in convincing a judge that Ethan Crumbley is eligible for a sentence of life without parole. It's also what the parents are saying in a new court filing that raises what they and their lawyers view as a perplexing question: If our son isn't mentally ill, knew what he was doing and pleaded guilty to all his crimes, then how are we to blame?

"It is noteworthy that many of the positions the parents have taken in this case are consistent with the prosecutions arguments against the shooter, Shannon Smith and Mariell Lehman argue in a new court filing in the involuntary manslaughter case of James and Jennifer Crumbley. For example, as the parents have argued all along, the shooter was not suffering from mental illness and  did not have any reason to believe that the shooter had mental health concerns that would necessitate mental health treatment."

They acknowledge that their son was experiencing sadness over the loss of his dog, his grandmother and a friend who had recently moved away. However, evidence claiming that the shooter was asking his parents to get him to a doctor or get him help was sent in text messages to the shooters friend  this was not information that either parent knew he was claiming, and the parents deny that he ever asked them to seek treatment for him."

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But the prosecution has argued just the opposite in the novel case against the parents, alleging they ignored a mentally ill son, failed to get him help and bought him a gun instead  the same one he used in the 2021 mass shooting that left four students dead and seven others injured.

The Crumbleys' defense strategy

Put plainly and simply, the prosecution cannot have it one way in one case and another way in the other, the defense argues in a new motion that details how the Crumbleys, the first parents in America charged in a mass school shooting, plan to fight this unprecedented case.

According to the filing, its a two-pronged strategy:

The Crumbleys want to dissect their sons mental health records  only they need a judges order to get them from the prosecution. They also plan to discredit much of what has been said about their parenting and their sons childhood, including an allegation that Ethan Crumbley had to bury his own dog.

This information is absolutely false, provably untrue, and blatantly incorrect, the defense said in its filing, which challenges a psychologists testimony that Ethan was tasked with disposing of his dog.

When the dog was nearing the end of his life, Jennifer Crumbley posted on Facebook to find veterinarians who would come to the Crumbleys home to euthanize the dog, the defense writes.

Ultimately, when the dog did pass, the Crumbleys had the dog cremated and still have the ashes. There was never a time where the shooter was tasked with disposing of the dog. He never took the dog to the shed, and he never buried the dog.

According to courtroom testimony, thats what Ethan Crumbley told a psychologist who visited with him multiple times in jail. The parents now want copies of that psychologists findings, reports and any information that was provided to him about their son, all of which they believe will help their case.

In a 53-page motion posted Tuesday, the Crumbleys attorneys asked for copies of all reports, psychiatric evaluations and materials that were supplied to psychological experts who testified at Ethan Crumbleys four-day Miller hearing over the summer. That was the mandatory proceeding that helped the judge determine that Crumbley is eligible for life without parole.

Psychological evaluations 'crucial' to parents' defense

The Crumbleys lawyers maintain that the exhibits from that hearing and testimony of mental health professionals who evaluated their son was highly relevant to his mental health, and is a contested issue in the parents case.

The shooters mental health will be a paramount issue in the parents trial, the defense writes, stressing the materials it is seeking are equally crucial. "Clearly, in this case, the parents of the shooter do not intend to harm, annoy, intimidate or embarrass their son. The information is important and material to their defense."

Perhaps more notably, the defense argues in its filing, the Miller hearing contained an abundance of relevant information to how Mr. and Mrs. Crumbley were as parents to the shooter, which is obviously the crux of this instant case.

At the conclusion of Crumbleys Miller hearing, the judge concluded that the teenagers parents neglected him.

The Crumbleys disagree, maintaining that some information presented at the hearing about their sons childhood was very inaccurate."

(S)ome of the experts, doctors, and witnesses drew conclusions from erroneous information that the Crumbleys will need to fight in their own trial, the defense states in its filing.

The Crumbleys lawyers describe the information it is seeking as exculpatory evidence  or evidence that can help their clients. They argue the parents have a constitutional right to obtain this information, maintaining:

Mr. and Mrs. Crumbley are the parents of the shooter and should be entitled to this information as he is still a minor.

The psychiatric evaluation performed on their son is equally important to their clients, the defense argues.

The report is in the possession of the same prosecutors office prosecuting this instant case and the report will contain relevant information to (the Crumbleys)  as the shooter was clearly found competent.

The defense also vowed to keep confidential any and all mental health information provided to them about their son.

The Crumbleys lawyers also note in their filing that the prosecution does not object to turning over the materials it has requested, but need a court order to do so.

The prosecutors office cannot comment on this issue as there is a gag order prohibiting both sides from publicly discussing the parents case.

'Their parental rights have not been terminated'

Here are some of the experts whose testimony the Crumbleys want scrutinized:

A psychiatrist who treated the shooter; two mental health professionals who evaluated the teenager for mental health issues; and other witnesses who saw things related to the shooters mental health, including jail personnel.

In its filing, the defense stressed that one key issue has not changed for the Crumbley family.

At this time, it is clear that Mr. and Mrs. Crumbley remain the parents of the shooter. Their parental rights have not been terminated, nor has a petition been filed against them for the same, the defense writes, stressing the parents have a right to their childs mental health records.

The Crumbleys, who are facing involuntary manslaughter charges for their alleged roles in the deaths of four students killed by their son, have not seen or talked to their son in almost two years. All Crumbleys are being held in the Oakland County Jail, but are prohibited from talking to one another per a court order. The parents were recently denied in their request to attend Ethan Crumbley's sentencing Dec. 8.

But not all of their parental duties have been taken away, if this court filing is any indication.

It should be noted that although they are incarcerated, Mr. and Mrs. Crumbley have been involved in decisions regarding the shooters mental health. Specifically, they have signed off on medication requests from the jail, the defense writes. Further, the caseworker at the jail has routinely met with the parents to inform them about the shooters medications, well-being, behavior issues and to ask other health-related questions as it pertains to their son. 

The Crumbleys are scheduled to go to trial in January, one month after their son's sentencing.

They have long maintained that they had no way of knowing their son would carry out a school shooting, and that they kept the gun he used in the shooting in a secure and locked place in their home.

Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oxford school shooter's parents make son's mental health focus of their case
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissions (PUC) Safety Division is investigating the Columbia Gas outage impacting over 4,000 customers in Beaver County.

PUC said it was notified Sunday of the interruption of service caused by a disruption in two natural gas systems.

RELATED COVERAGE >> Thousands of Columbia Gas customers in Beaver County expected to be without gas for days

Since the shutdown, Columbia Gas has been purging the gas distribution system and starting to restore service. Its a process the Safety Division is monitoring.

Columbia Gas said its restoring service in a phased approach. Its grouping customers into one of six phases based on the scope and complexity of restoring service in that area. Its a process they say will take several days. As of Tuesday evening, around 20% of impacted customers had service restored.

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RELATED COVERAGE >> Columbia Gas explains plan to restore service to more than 4,000 Beaver County customers

PUC says the cause of the outage involves a gas supply interruption from a third-party supplier. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated to determine if there were any violations of state or federal pipeline safety regulations.

PUC says this investigation could take time because of the complex circumstances that may require extensive analysis or technical study. Any determinations or safety concerns will be addressed with pipeline operators or utilities.

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The Israeli-Hamas war unexpectedly became the focus of the Columbus City Council meeting Monday evening as several hundred supporters of Palestine piled into the chambers, an adjacent hallway and spilled out the front doors of City Hall  shutting down business for roughly two hours.

The disruption caused by one of the largest crowds in recent history occurred as City Council was attempting to sign off on a landmark deal with four area hospital systems to eliminate the medical debts of more than 340,000 moderate-income city residents.

The medical debt agreement was eventually approved, erasing debt totaling more than $335 million, or just under $1,000 per account on average. In return, the city will pay $500,000 toward the providers' administrative costs to resolve the outstanding medical bills  including mailing a letter to about one out of every three Columbus residents informing them their debt is gone.

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"We ended up in a really great place for Columbus residents," said Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, who headed the effort.

But that vote didn't come before the international crisis in the Middle East took center stage at City Council.

The group of Palestinian supporters was angry about a statement that Council President Shannon Hardin had posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Oct. 8, the day after Hamas militants attacked an Israeli music festival and Israeli settlements near the border with Gaza. At least 1,400 are dead and some 3,400 others have been injured, Israeli authorities say, with an unknown number of hostages taken.

"Acts of terror have no place in our world," Hardin wrote on the City Council's X account, adding that he stood in solidarity with Israel in "this difficult time." He said he was "praying for the victims of this unprovoked attack and for a peaceful resolution" to the longstanding conflict.

Council initially changed Monday's agenda to allow several of the group's leaders to make statements at the start of the meeting, including Connie Hammond, with Jewish Voice for Peace, who objected to Hardin saying the attack was "unprovoked."

Hammond said Hardin's statement ignored "that it was rooted in decades of oppression of the Palestinian people," and that "the government of Israel is about to commit genocide against the people of Gaza," having cut off fuel, food and water to over a million people in "collective punishment" against children. Several speakers charged Israel with ethnic cleansing in Gaza, and labeled the situation akin to apartheid.

After the statements concluded, the emotionally charged crowd wasn't ready to go home, and Hardin shut down the meeting, including two recesses, for almost two hours before resuming regular business around 7:40 p.m. An uncommonly large police presence stood by outside City Hall and in nearby rooms inside the building, but things were peaceful.

At one point, Hardin and other councilmembers approached the crowd at the back of the room and entered into a dialogue, ultimately allowing a change in protocol for further speakers to be heard.

Another complaint from the group involved an alleged social media post by a person who works on city Democrats' political campaigns, stating that Hamas had started the latest round of violence but that Israel would "finish it."

"It's unacceptable and we'll handle that," Hardin told the group about that post. "We will have that conversation."

Councilmember Shayla Favor told the group she condemns in the strongest terms the campaign staffer's statement, and that she stood by both the Palestinians and the Israelis in praying for a ceasefire and justice.

Jana Al-Akhras, a Palestinian American and Columbus attorney, told The Dispatch outside the meeting that it wasn't inappropriate for Hardin to express shock in the images of the Hamas attack, but she would have hoped that he would have followed up with equal outrage of Israeli calls for revenge by leveling Gaza with shelling.

"I don't have a problem with making a statement on what occurred on that day (Oct. 7)," Al-Akhras said, but the group still is waiting on an official statement that takes into account innocent Palestinians now under attack, "who we know all too often face the brunt of aggression after incidents like this occur."

The Palestinian Ministry of Health estimated that as of late Monday morning at least 2,778 people had died and another 9,938 had been injured in Israeli retaliatory strikes in Gaza. Those numbers are expected to climb as Israel prepares for a ground war in northern Gaza while Hezbollah in Lebanon is threatening to attack Israel from the north.

Eventually, the room emptied as the protesters and police dispersed. The council finally took up the medical debt-relief plan that had been hammered out over the last seven months with the Central Ohio Hospital Council, which represents the Mount Carmel Health System, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio Health and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Last spring, City Council had originally proposed entering into a $2 million contract with the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt. That organization, based in New York, has "purchased" more than $8.5 billion in non-performing medical debt since it was founded in 2014 by two former debt collections executives.

The local health providers asked: "Do we really need a third party to be involved in this?" Dorans said. The answer turned out to be no, and the providers set about dismissing debt themselves, targeting debtors whose incomes were between 200%-400% of the federal poverty level, or $55,500 and $111,000 for a family of four. (The systems already routinely write off the debt of people who make below 200% of the poverty level.)

The city's original plan would have spent four times as much of its federal COVID funds to write off $135.2 million less in debt.

"By engaging sort of locally, we were able to do more," Dorans said.

While under the new plan RIP Medical Debt would no longer actually purchase the bad debt and independently certify the amount erased, the hospitals have shared details with the city on the numbers, Dorans said.

"Where we ended up was so much more substantive," Councilmember Emmanuel Remy said. "For anybody on the street who's been impacted by medical debt, this is a big deal."

Jeff Klingler, president and CEO of the Hospital Council, couldn't say exactly what percentage of the four health systems' outstanding debt the deal erases, but estimated that "the bulk" would come from within the targeted income range. The debt was eliminated for accounts from 2015 through 2020, as debt from before 2015 would already largely have been written off, he said.

wbush@gannett.com

@ReporterBush

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: City Council halted by Palestine backers, but medical debt relief OKd
Amal Zeidans family member was a Palestinian paramedic who was murdered trying to save lives amid war. Zeidan is one of many Canadians reacting to the Canadian government's statements about the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and latest news from the region.

The views of Canadian leaders and politicians are completely biased towards support for Israel. Israel has been bombing Gaza with so many civilians  (even) right now. They are targeting ambulances. My relative was just murdered trying to save Palestinian lives as a paramedic, Amal Zeidan told Yahoo News Canada.

On October 7, Hamas, the Islamist political and military organization that governs the Gaza Strip of Palestinian territories, launched an attack on Israel with the goal of infiltrating dividing borders.

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The action resulted in hundreds of deaths for both Israel and Palestine. While some Israeli supporters are labeling the violence a terrorist attack, some of the Palestinian diaspora is calling the violence a response to the long-standing Israeli occupation of Palestine.

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the attack at a vigil soon after the incident.

Canada unequivocally condemns Hamas attack against Israel  and we stand united with the Israeli people. That was the message I shared with Ottawas Jewish community and everyone at yesterdays solidarity gathering. pic.twitter.com/iBfEJNWHY7  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 10, 2023

Hamas terrorists aren't a resistance, they're not freedom fighters. They are terrorists, and no one in Canada should be supporting them, much less celebrating them, he said, standing in front of a Canadian and Israeli flag.

Canada unequivocally condemns Hamas attack against Israel  and we stand united with the Israeli people. That was the message I shared with Ottawas Jewish community and everyone at yesterdays solidarity gathering, Trudeau wrote on Twitter the next day.

It seems he was finally in agreement with his opposition, Progressive Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre who took a similar stance at the vigil.

Tonight I supported and grieved with Canadas Jewish community following Hamas sadistic terrorist violence. Am Yisrael Chai, wrote Poilievre in a Twitter post that shares video of his seven-minute statement.

Heartbreak for the innocent mothers, babies, grandparents, partygoers, peace activists who suddenly and inexplicably lost their lives at the hands of an unprecedented terrorist attack, Poilievre said in the video, also standing in front of the Canadian and Israel flag.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a sign at a rally in support of Israel, at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre in Ottawa on Monday, October 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang (The Canadian Press)

Canadians claim leaders' perspectives biased: 'It's absurd to say that Palestinians should be silent'

Yet, some Canadians say the Canadian governments statements are biased and dont take into account the hundreds of Palestinian civilians who were harmed or killed in recent days  and in the months and years that led to this moment.

Zeidan, a Guelph University alumna and the founder of the Guelph Palestinian Student Association, questions why the Canadian government has yet to speak about the daily oppression of Palestinians.

They never spoke about when they (Palestinians) were attacked by Israel in their holy sites day in and day out in worship. The blockade of Gaza, the cutting off of electricity and water in Gaza by Israel is inhumane. The war crimes, ethnic cleansing, human rights violation that Israel has been committing before its establishment in 1948. It shows that Canadian politicians and leaders do not value Palestinian lives and will never speak up against injustice that Palestinians face. It just shows that they support Israel no matter what and give monetary support to their military to terrorize Palestinian people and continue to commit human rights violations.Zeidan, Guelph Palestinian Student Association

It shows that as Palestinians, we cannot speak up for injustices done to Palestinians without being censored. Theres failure to acknowledge that Palestinians have the right to fight for their human rights, freedom and liberation under an occupation under international law. Its absurd to say that Palestinian should be silent when theyre being murdered and attacked day in and day out for decades. (But) what is expected of Canadian politicians and leaders when they are also committing injustices to our Indigenous communities in Canada?Zeidan, Guelph Palestinian Student Association

Her critique of the Canadian governments pro-Israel statements was echoed by Adham Diabas, a Palestinian living in Brampton, Ontario.

As someone who was born and raised in the occupied West Bank in Palestine. Its very frustrating and infuriating to see that the same old biased statements are being made with absolutely no context towards the larger picture and the whole origin of the Palestinian struggle. Its really unfair that we have to keep explaining the history and justify the resistance's actions when its been 75 long years of ethnic cleansing, occupation, settler oppression and colonialism.Adham Diabas, Palestinian-Canadian

He shares why he feels the Canadian government does not value Palestinian lives as much as it values, speaks up for, and protects Israeli lives.

When I first moved to Canada when I was 14-years-old, I really believed that this was a country that stands up for human rights and calls out international human rights violations whenever and wherever they happen. But as the years went on, it became very clear that the whole economy, political scene and pretty much every government official is under direct control of Israeli propaganda. Almost every Canadian media outlet will refer to Palestinians' lives as dead and to Israelis as killed. They do not see Palestinian lives as valued human lives, but instead they dehumanize us in the media and act as if we are just a bunch of stats and numbers on a screen.Adham Diabas, Palestinian-Canadian

Why 'peace' may not be the only solution in the Middle East

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) describes why peace is only possible when the Canadian government considers the most vulnerable and oppressed group in this war.

While we understand and share the sympathies for the civilian victims of Hamas acts on Saturday, we feel that the blind support of our politicians for Israel encourages Israel to wreak wanton violence against the two million Palestinians of Gaza. Where are the condemnations from Canadian politicians about Israels deliberate targeting of residential towers with airstrikes, the bombing of a hospital, or the decision to shut off electricity to more than 2 million civilians in the Gaza Strip? Not once has Trudeau strongly condemned Israels many military operations against Gaza, even when those attacks were unprovoked, indiscriminately harmed civilians, and amounted to war crimes according to UN experts and human rights groups.Thomas Woodley and Michael Bueckert, President and Vice-President of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

Woodley said that its difficult not to conclude that Trudeau, Joly and Poilievre attribute different values to Israeli lives than to Palestinian lives.

So far, in response to Saturdays attack, political leaders in the Trudeau government, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland have expressed solidarity only with Israel, despite the fact that Israels military response has indiscriminately killed hundreds of innocent civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. Israels imposition of a total siege on Gaza  including its ban on the entry of food, water, fuel, and electricity into the occupied territory  is an act of collective punishment and a flagrant violation of international law that is only intended to inflict harm upon the civilian population.Thomas Woodley, President of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

The group highlights the fact that just as the Israeli government doesnt represent all Jewish people, Hamas does not represent all Palestinian people  and the Canadian government does not represent all Canadians.

Its a perspective that even some Jewish-Canadians are echoing. Online, Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), a grassroots organization called on the Canadian government to condemn Israeli apartheid and work towards a peaceful resolution that upholds the rights to life and freedom of both Palestinians and Israelis.

The Canadian government has opposed Palestinian attempts at non-violent resistance, whether through efforts to boycott, divest and impose sanctions or through appeals to international courts and the UN. When non-violent resistance is seen as unacceptable, labeled antisemitic or terroristic, Palestinians are thus stripped of the tools to advocate for their lives, liberties and livelihoods.Independent Jewish Voices Canada

Its clear that as tensions continue to rise, Israelis, Palestinians and their allies in Canada will keep an eye on how the Trudeau government and other governing parties continue to respond to the crisis.
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 Appleand Spotify. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN.

Khaled Hroub, a Palestinian academic and the author of Hamas: A Beginners Guide, says he believes that Hamas did not expect that the October 7 attack on Israel would be the scale that it became, and the group didnt have a plan for what came afterward. Speaking to me on Sunday, Hroub also said that Israels expected ground invasion of Gaza doesnt seem to incorporate any planning for the day after the war is over.

Khaled Hroub - Khaled Hroub

Hroub was born in Bethlehem in the West Bank in a refugee camp, and his family moved to Jordan and then to the UK, where he completed his doctorate at the University of Cambridge. He is a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Northwestern Universitys campus in Doha, Qatar.

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Hroub told me he believes that Hezbollah in Lebanon on Israels northern border will not get involved in the war in a large-scale way unless the Gaza conflict drags on for many weeks. If it does, he said, the pressure on Hezbollah to fight Israel will increase.

Our interview was edited for length and clarity.

Peter Bergen: What do you think about the scale and timing of the Hamas attack in Israel?

Khaled Hroub: My analysis is Hamas did not plan this attack to be as large as it was. I think they planned something limited; they wanted to do something short, swift and effective.

They had been planning for this for a long time, but once they penetrated Israel, they were surprised by the ease of the operation. The operation spread in different directions without prior planning.

Once the operation became larger than planned, it appeared that there was no clear second phase to this Hamas operation. There was no clear-cut political goal or demand behind it. So, it looked like an ad hoc expansion of what had started to be the kidnapping of some Israeli soldiers and then swapping them for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. They were surprised by their own success.

Bergen: So, whos in charge of Hamas operations? Is it Mohammed Deif, an elusive Hamas military commander?

Hroub: It is hard to tell because the media focuses on Mohammed Deif, but Hamas has a collective leadership at the end of the day.

Israeli policy seems to target these Hamas leaders, thinking they are solely responsible. So, if we assassinate this guy or that guy, things will be dramatically different. Over the years, this theory has been proven wrong. So, the more the Israelis assassinate Hamas leaders, the more a new generation comes in, even younger and maybe even more radical.

Bergen: You said in the past that when Israel undertook previous large-scale military operations in Gaza, it backfired because it strengthened Hamas. Do you think that situation is going to be different this time?

Hroub: I think neither Israel nor Hamas had a very clear plan for what happens down the road. Even if the Israeli military succeeded in destroying Hamas, the question facing everyone is, whats next?

So instead of having one single address now in Gaza that you can deter  Hamas does have institutions  you will end up with a bunch of splinter groups, certainly more radical than Hamas, and without any method of deterring them. So, this is why I think Israel doesnt have a clear plan for the second phase of whatever invasion they might do.

Bergen: The 2006 Palestinian elections were won by Hamas. The George W. Bush administration had encouraged that election but was surprised by Hamas success. What was the impact of that election?

Hroub: I think it led to the situation that we are facing at this very moment. Why is this? If you go back to the context, the regional and global atmosphere back then was dominated by the so-called war on terror, led by George Bush. This war was fought in countries and against groups, including Hamas.

The other campaign of George Bushs administration was the regions democratization. So, these two efforts were going hand in hand for the Bush administration: One was the democratization of the Middle East, and the other was the campaign against terrorism.

So, Hamas used the Bush democratization campaign to protect itself from the heat of the war on terror, and they won the 2006 elections and came into power in Gaza.

Bergen: Why did Hamas win the elections in 2006?

Hroub: Hamas victory in 2006 was not only the appeal of Hamas; it was the failure of the PLO and the Palestinian Authority in delivering their promises of having a Palestinian state.

Israel also did not fulfill its promises to the Palestinians, and there was no hope. Even Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who signed the 1993 Oslo peace accords moving forward the peace process, was assassinated by an Israeli. And since then, you have right-wing politics dominating the Israeli scene. So that was another kind of failure.

A third party that failed was the US. The US did not care about the perspective of the Palestinians. These multiple failures fed into the popularity of Hamas.

Palestinian voters also hated the corruption of the Palestinian Authority and its failure in bringing about a Palestinian state, and they wanted an alternative: Hamas, which was seen as not corrupt and also adhering to resistance against Israel.

Now the image is different, of course, because Hamas has been in power for 16 years, and people have mixed views about Hamas performance.

Bergen: What is the role of religion in Hamas?

Hroub: Very central, the mother organization of Hamas is the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood, which was founded in Jerusalem in 1945. During the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and most of the 1980s, they did the business of any other traditional branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, meaning working in charities, mosques, student unions and professional associations.

But they never adopted a resistance strategy against Israel, which meant that during this period, they had a dubious reputation among the Palestinians because they were not resisting Israel.

What changed was the gradual Islamization of Palestinian society, and in 1987, when the first Palestinian uprising happened, they changed their strategy and adopted resistance.

Since then, we have had these two tendencies within Hamas. One is nationalist; the other is religious. In times of crisis and war, the religious component comes to the forefront at the expense of the political and nationalist components.

Bergen: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the Qatari capital, Doha, last week. The Qatari government has a relationship with Hamas and has also had success in brokering deals to get hostages and prisoners released; for instance, five Americans held by Iran were released last month. Do you think theres some possibility there, or is the war too advanced for that discussion to happen in a meaningful way?

Hroub: I think its still kind of very early to talk seriously about this issue. Hamas will be very stubborn because the only concrete outcome that could come from this confrontation is to free Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. And this doesnt fit with the mood nowadays dominating Israel. So, I think its a bit too early.

Bergen: Do you think Hezbollah stays on the sidelines mostly during the war against Hamas, or that can change?

Hroub: Hezbollah may get involved the longer the war goes on. If it goes on for three, four weeks, things might change.

Bergen: Is peace at all possible here in the longer term?

Hroub: Since the killing of Rabin, the idea of a two-state solution on the Israeli side has been continuously going down the drain.

Bergen: What happens to those living in Gaza?

Hroub: There are many kinds of local voices calling upon the Palestinians not to leave Gaza, telling them, If you leave, you will never come back. The Arab countries are extremely sensitive to taking more Palestinians into their territories, whether in Egypt or Jordan.

Bergen: Do you think this Hamas attack on Israel was an intelligence failure or a policy failure by the Israelis, or both?

Hroub: I think both.

It was a policy failure because you have had Palestinians caged in Gaza since 2007, without any hope, and in that long period of 16 years, you have conditions in the Gaza Strip (going) from bad to worse by the day; they blame, of course, Israels blockade of Gaza, but theres also a fair share of the blame on Hamas, which failed to provide employment and other services.

Youth unemployment in Gaza is 60%, the highest in the world. There is no hope whatsoever. So, Hamas wanted to do something to break this deadlock, even if it was very dramatic. If they freed their prisoners from Israel, they could at least bring in something not only for Gaza but also the Palestinians.

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The News

Palestinian authorities on Tuesday accused Israeli airstrikes of killing at least 500 people at a hospital in Gaza, adding that many more were buried under the rubble.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said that the Al-Ahli Arabi hospital housed hundreds of patients as well those displaced by Israeli airstrikes that have bombarded Gaza since Hamas militants deadly rampage against Israeli civilians, CNN reported.

Hamas called the hospital attack a genocide, and the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas , declared three days of mourning, local media reported.

The Israel Defense Forces said they were looking into the reported attack, with a spokesperson telling reporters that there are a a lot of fake reports by Hamas. In a statement to Fox News, the IDF said that a hospital is a highly sensitive building and is not an IDF target.

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The World Health Organization said it strongly condemns the attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital in north Gaza and called for Israels evacuation orders in Gaza to be reversed. EU chief Charles Michel said an attack against a civilian infrastructure is not in line with international law.

The deadly hospital attack come as U.S. President Joe Biden prepares to travel to Israel on Wednesday. Abbas has pulled out of a planned meeting with Biden and other Mideast leaders, the AP reported Tuesday, in protest of the attack.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  The first batch of Filipino repatriates is scheduled to leave Israel on Tuesday amid the Jewish states ongoing conflict with militant group Hamas, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

They are flying today and arriving tomorrow in the afternoon, around 4 p.m. via Etihad, there is 17 of them, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told CNN Philippines' The Source.

He added that eight of the 17 repatriates are from southern Israel where Hamas launched its large-scale surprise attack early this month, which triggered the ongoing war. The eight Filipinos chose to return to the Philippines after losing their jobs.

Another Filipino will follow and will leave Israel in a few days, De Vega said.

All 135 Filipinos in Gaza are in safe grounds, he said. Around 78 of them are waiting for the Rafah crossing to open to be able to cross to Egypt, he added.

De Vega said Egypt and Israel are still addressing security concerns like making sure that the crossing will not be used by Hamas to escape to Egyptian territory.

Once accessible, the Filipinos who will be crossing will first stay in a holding center where their entry will be processed. They will then be brought to Cairo so they can be repatriated to the Philippines, De Vega explained.

The DFA official said a few more have indicated their intention to leave Gaza. But he said some have changed their minds especially those married to Palestinians because only foreign citizens will be allowed to cross the border.

De Vega said authorities are also looking into reports of Filipinos resorting to eating spoiled food as supply in Gaza runs out.

Three Filipinos are still missing, while authorities are working on bringing home the remains of three other Filipinos who died amid the war, De Vega said.
Scores of Palestinian refugees wait at the Rafah Crossing in Gaza, in hope of moving into neighboring Egypt to escape the war between Israel and Hamas. However millions have been unable to access convoys of water, food, and medical supplies sitting unused across the border due to a blockade by Israel's military. Photo by Rabee Abu Nqera/ UPI

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- As many as 2 million Palestinian refugees remained cut off from humanitarian aid in Egypt Tuesday as a blockade on the only viable passage out of Gaza remained in place amid Israel's ongoing war with Hamas.

The situation at the Rafah crossing was growing increasingly desperate as massive civilian crowds were still under threat of falling bombs while unable to access convoys of water, food, hygiene items, blankets, tents, and medical supplies sitting unused in neighboring Egypt, according the United Nations.

The border crossing with Egypt has been shuttered since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a barrage of coordinated attacks on Israel, whose military responded in an all-out siege on the Gaza Strip.

After a week of fighting, tons of essential goods poured into Egypt's El Arish International Airport over the weekend from Jordan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, before being shipped to Gaza aboard hundreds of big rigs.

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The World Health Organization sent medical supplies from a hub in Dubai to help those injured in the crossfire, as well as those suffering from trauma or persistent health conditions like heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

The U.N. World Food Program was also delivering food and water to Gaza, which had no fuel, electricity and limited access to clean drinking water as Israel's bombing campaign continued to pummel major population centers, reducing them to rubble.

Previously, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to open a safe aid delivery corridor as Gaza was running out of basic supplies to support life.

On Tuesday, Tamara Alrifai, who serves as the spokesperson for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, urged Israel to reopen the border crossing to allow the crowds to reach the desperately needed aid.

In one episode, about 6,000 civilian refugees were huddled in a warehouse in southern Gaza with little if anything to eat or drink, she told CNBC.

"Over the last two days, reports of about 1 million people -- that is a sea of people -- going south moved using whatever means they could and given the lack of fuel in Gaza a lot of them moved by feet," Alrifai said. "So, the images we have been receiving from my colleagues are harrowing images of people on their feet walking under airstrikes and air bombings to try to find shelter in a safer area."

Over the weekend, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the Rafah border crossing would be reopened as Israel initiated a ground invasion into the Palestinian enclave, where more than 2 million civilians were trapped in a worsening humanitarian crisis.

However, discussions to resolve the matter broke down Monday after Egypt's leadership refused to open their side of the crossing unless Israel let the waiting supplies into Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced pressure from Washington to allow humanitarian aid to come into Gaza as water and other supplies were starting to run out.

But Netanyahu's office said Monday that Israel had received no assurances from Hamas on a cease-fire agreement that would allow the aid into Gaza and the refugees to seek safer ground in Egypt.

Meanwhile, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry blamed Israel for delaying the move and putting innocent lives at risk.
Dalia Mousa-Fakhouris mother came to Florida at age 2, with a birth certificate that listed her place of birth as Jerusalem, Palestine. Her father was born in Texas to immigrant parents, and his family wound up in Florida as well.

To Mousa-Fakhouri, who lives in Jacksonville, Gov. Ron DeSantis has long represented a populist vision of the state not so different from the promise her grandparents sought, a place with equal opportunity for people to work and live and make money.

The past few days, though, have shaken her faith in her governor and preferred presidential candidate.

Hes wonderful, she said. Hes done a lot for our state. But, unfortunately, his comments really made me second-guess everything.

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DeSantis comments came Saturday during a speech to supporters in Iowa, when he called Gazans antisemitic and said the United States should not welcome Gazan citizens seeking refuge from Israels war with Hamas.

We cannot accept people from Gaza into this country as refugees, he said. I am not going to do that. If you look at how they behave, not all of them are Hamas, but they are all antisemitic. None of them believe in Israels right to exist. None of the Arab states are willing to take any of them. The Arab states should be taking them if you have refugees. You dont fly people and import them into the United States of America.

The blunt language and hard-line stance is consistent with DeSantis 2024 presidential campaign. But it drew criticism from those who decried his treating all Palestinians as a monolith.

America has always been sympathetic to the fact that you can separate civilians from terrorists, another presidential contender, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, told CNNs State of the Union.

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat from Orlando, called DeSantis rhetoric a dehumanization tactic.

This rhetoric is so incredibly dangerous and only further fuels violence towards innocent Palestinians who are experiencing forced relocation and have been cut off from electricity and water, Eskamani posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Palestinians across Florida echoed fears that DeSantis words could stoke anti-Palestinian hatred  especially coming the same weekend that an Illinois man allegedly stabbed a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy 26 times in what police there called a hate crime. The boy died.

My kids are Palestinian babies, said Mousa-Fakhouri, a stay-at-home mom of three. Theyre not terrorists, and theyre not animals.

Leali Shalabi, 22, a University of South Florida graduate who spoke during a pro-Palestinian rally last week in downtown Tampa, said misinformation can easily breed hatred.

The Palestinian community here in Tampa is diverse and strong, she said. There are teachers, engineers, businessmen, students, etc. We have built a strong community of kindness to contribute to our society. But the governor refers to us as terrorists and antisemitic. I think hes going to incite a lot of hate in Floridians and Americans towards the Palestinians.

DeSantis followed his comments Saturday with an appearance on CBS Face the Nation, where he said people in Gaza were living in a toxic culture.

They teach kids to hate Jews, he said. The textbooks do not have Israel even on the map. They prepare very young kids to commit terrorist attacks. So I think its a toxic culture, and I think if we were to import large numbers of those to the United States, I think it would increase antisemitism in this country, and I think it would create anti-Americanism in this country.

There are around 1,000 Gazans who are Christian, said Matthew Tapie, director of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Saint Leo University in Pasco County. The region is home to Catholic priests and the patriarch of Jerusalem, Franciscan Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who Tapie said is seen as an important leader in the Middle East.

Tapie urged DeSantis, who is Catholic, to consider the diversity within the Gazan populace.

It just doesnt make sense to paint so broadly with that brush, he said. There are many Gazans who are caught in the middle.

Recent University of South Florida graduate Eman Hasan, 23, called DeSantis remarks heartbreaking for so many reasons, including the fact that Palestinians can be Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Every member of her family, she said, has been affected by the more than half-century Israeli occupation of Gaza. Hasan has eight uncles who were taken as war prisoners for defending their lands, including one who was arrested when he was 14, and another who was sentenced to 20 years for protecting his land during the second intifada in the early 2000s.

Hasan said her mother and her three younger siblings are now in the West Bank, near Jerusalem. They went to Palestine because her mother wanted to teach their siblings the language, culture and traditions.

Those are very important to us, Hasan said, but my mother is not trying to leave because thats our land.

Kari Bahour, 50, said her parents left Palestine when they were children in the 1960s; she was born in Ohio and has lived in Tampa since 1985.

Bahour, who has been an entrepreneur in the Tampa Bay area for 23 years, voiced her frustration about what she called misinformation aimed at silencing the Palestinian narrative and erasing its history.

How would any other human feel? Why should our voices be silenced and our history be erased? Bahour said. When institutions want to ban us from speaking out against what the 75 years of occupation has done to the indigenous Palestinian people, it literally paralyzes us and makes us feel that we are not part of our own community.

At a gathering Sunday night organized by Christians United for Israel at Free Life Chapel in Lakeland, a group of about 400 Christians and Jews took a moment to pray for Palestinians caught in the conflict.

I dont want to prejudge peoples hearts, Pastor Scott Thomas said in an interview. We are hearing more and more Palestinians speaking out about Hamas. Were starting to see  thank God  videos of various leaders in different Arab and Muslim countries speaking out against Hamas. And so, in that capacity, I dont ever just want to lump everybody as, Theyre all enemies, they all hate this, and they all love this. Its dangerous when we start polarizing and making generalizations.

Thomas agreed with DeSantis that immigration and border security need to be taken seriously. But he said there should be a way to bring people in while keeping paramount the safety of U.S. citizens.

Right now I think theres way too many decisions being made out of emotion, he said. Weve kissed moral clarity goodbye. Even in the midst of chaos, we have to keep thinking, keep our feet on the ground, and keep making quality decisions, not just emotional ones.

Mousa-Fakhouri, the Jacksonville resident, said she believes DeSantis rhetoric is likely to cost him support among Republicans in her Arab American community. Should he become the partys nominee, she said, she would face a difficult decision about how to vote.

As the war has unfolded, shes been horrified by images of bombings in Gaza and frustrated by the full-throated support that the American political establishment has lent to Israel. She described Gaza as an open-air prison, a term also used by human rights organizations to describe the territory. She believes its people, if given the opportunity to come to the United States, could be an asset to Floridas economy, and shes dismayed that DeSantis has written them off.

I feel that he is no longer for the people, she said. I feel that he doesnt feel all people are created equal.

  

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The U.S. hoped to break a deadlock over delivering aid to increasingly desperate civilians in besieged Gaza following a brutal attack by Hamas militants, as President Joe Biden was set to head to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday.

Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege, with hundreds of thousands of people seeking shelter, ever-decreasing water supplies and power running out at hospitals.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes, but by early Tuesday it was unclear who was keeping the crossing closed.

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Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for the country. Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears that the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who had returned to Israel after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

Israel maintained punishing airstrikes across Gaza as a ground invasion loomed, while Hamas militants kept up a barrage of rocket attacks, and tensions mounted near the Israel-Lebanon border.

At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority civilians massacred in Hamas Oct. 7 assault.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling supplies and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, according to the U.N.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. With taps dry, many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military says it is trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gazas north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Those fleeing northern Gaza still faced airstrikes in the south. Before dawn Monday, a strike in the town of Rafah collapsed a building sheltering three families who had evacuated from Gaza City. At least 12 people were killed and nine others remained buried under rubble, survivors said.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier."

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted U.S. and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahian's threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. Schem was taken from Kibbutz Reim, where she was attending a rave. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians. But the agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life, said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, calling for a lifting of the siege. We need this now.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the U.N. said.

Yet doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators.

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave. Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south.

___

Kullab reported from Baghdad. Krauss reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Julia Frankel and Amy Teibel in Jerusalem, Abby Sewell in Beirut and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.
After it took a decade for Micaela Montez to sock away enough savings to afford opening a taco truck in Desert Hot Springs, she admits shes protective of her new family-run business.

So when a man approached her truck on a Thursday morning while tying a white rag around his face, she quickly warned her daughter and granddaughter to look out and grabbed a knife. As the man tried to force his way in, she wrestled with him and fought to close the truck's side door, which she usually keeps open for fresh air, especially in the summer heat. In a last-ditch effort to keep him out, she swiped at him and he fell to the ground.

It was the kind of attack that would shake any business owner, not to mention a grandmother protecting her relatives. And it was the first experience in the six months since they opened that left the women concerned about the safety of the bustling but typically secure gas station parking lot where they work.

Nothing like that had ever happened before, Montez said. She knew most of the locals, even the people in the area experiencing homelessness, who she and her daughters would feed for free or tell them to repay them when they could. She had never seen the man before, and it unsettled her thinking there could be strangers violently targeting her family and her business.

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What makes them all the more upset: The previously convicted felon who attacked them was brought there by the police. And it wasn't the last time.

When Montez spoke with the owner of the gas station soon after the July attack, he reviewed security camera footage and showed her that the man had been dropped off by a Palm Springs police officer. Additional footage shows him walking toward her food truck while wrapping the makeshift mask around his face.

Since the attack, she has observed and collected footage of two additional drop-offs by deputies from the Riverside County Sheriffs Department. That department did not respond to The Desert Sun's request for comment for this story.

And her daughter, Pilar Paniagua, fought off a fourth man, who became belligerent and broke the trucks window and security camera after threatening to rob the place.

"I was telling him to leave, when he told me he was from Sacramento and was dropped off by the police," Paniagua said. "He didnt know where he was or why he was left here. I dont think he had anywhere to go."

Desert Hot Springs Mayor Scott Matas said he has long heard rumors of people being dropped off in his city by law enforcement agencies from other jurisdictions, and the gas station confrontation and the video footage provided evidence of it.

"It's really baffling to us why they would do something like this," Matas said. "And what it comes down to is that our business owners don't feel safe."

Interim City Manager Doria Wilms added that neighboring police departments need to not endanger other cities.

"We've got a public safety agency, that should be responsible for public safety, putting our residents at risk," said Wilms.

Palm Springs Police Department Lt. Gus Araiza said an officer from that department did drop off Cruz at the gas station parking lot. He said that officers were dispatched to Ocotillo Avenue, where a man was reported swinging a stick. Officers found Cruz and offered to give him a ride somewhere if he needed it.

"The subject didnt commit a crime in our jurisdiction," Araiza said. "And we thought we were just providing him some help by taking him to the destination he wanted to be at."

We've invested everything

Each day, except Wednesday, Montez serves fish and shrimp, octopus and clam tostadas and ceviche, alongside steak and chicken burritos, to the construction and road workers laboring in the area. Just before 10 a.m. they lay out tables, covered with colorful blankets, and plastic stools as they prepare for the lunch rush, where people seek out her mariscos from her native state of Michoacan, Mexico.

Her two daughters, her son and husband pitch in to help, but Montez runs the show in the south corner of the Valero gas station parking lot where the trailer they work out of is parked. Traffic rushes through the intersection of Dillon and Palm roads, and feeds a steady stream of motorists to the gas station and the convenience store, where the food's aroma often lures people over. Montez is confident in her new restaurants ability to succeed, and with the cost of the truck and the permits to do business, the stakes are high for her family.

"Were very happy being here, its a good intersection," Montez said in Spanish, her daughter translating. "The owner of the gas station is a good person. Weve invested everything and want this to work."

Her anxiety about the attacks and want for answers about why police are dropping off strangers in the parking lot motivated her to speak publicly. She said shes typically a quiet and busy person and only called the police on the day of the attack at the urging of the gas station owner. She said she even attempted to give the man a burrito when he was later milling about the lot after the attack, but he threw it away and left. When she reviewed the footage, she was left with more questions than answers and suspicion about each new face that approaches.

Paniagua described with frustration her own encounter with another man she said had been dropped off by the police soon before he wandered over to the truck. She said he asked for an order of a couple tacos and demanded more after saying they werent enough to satisfy his hunger. He began arguing with her, speaking in an erratic way she had trouble following. He told her he was from Northern California and didnt know why the police left him there. She suspected he was drunk.

"My mom was telling him to eat his food so he could sober up, but he got really aggressive," Paniagua said. "He got on the phone and started talking to someone about robbing the truck. When I told him to go away, he broke the pickup window and smashed our security camera."

While the Desert Hot Springs police were questioning her about the confrontation, she spotted the man leaving the convenience store with a beer. He was arrested, and she doesnt know what happened to him from there.

We need to work together

The Desert Sun reviewed footage from what appears to be three separate drop-offs by a police officer from Palm Springs and deputies from the sheriff's department, one of which preceded the July attack against Montez.

The Valero lot is located in Desert Hot Springs, which has its own police department. It's unclear why the two other departments would be dropping off detained people in another police department's jurisdiction.

In one on Aug. 1, a police vehicle can be seen parking just out of the cameras view in front of the convenience store. A uniformed sheriffs deputy walks over to the passenger side of the vehicle and opens the back door. Someone carrying a drink gets out of the car and wanders towards the gas pumps before walking in the direction of the taco truck.

In another, on Sept. 12, a sheriffs department vehicle parks in just about the same place, but this time in view of the camera. A deputy, again, opens the back passenger door and a person exits the vehicle with little apparent interaction with the deputy. The person turns, looks around and gets out their phone before walking off.

On July 13, just before 11 a.m., a Palm Springs police car pulls up near the convenience store, and an officer gets out and opens the rear door. A man wearing a black shirt, camouflage shorts and a white shirt or towel around his neck gets out of the car. The two exchange a fist bump, before the officer drives away moments later. In a second video, shot from a camera on the taco truck, a man wearing what appears to be the same black shirt and camo shorts approaches the truck while tying the white cloth around his face.

Montez said the video was shot moments before he attacked her and her family members as he attempted to force entry into the truck. The threat of violence to her family and its consequences for her business are what concern Montez the most.

A Desert Hot Springs police report on the arrest of the man, Maurice Charles Cruz III, shows he has a Desert Hot Springs address more than three miles to the north of the gas station. Officers reviewed the footage and noted in the report that a Palm Springs patrol car can be seen dropping the man off.

"It is unknown who the (suspect is) or why Palm Springs Police Department dropped him off there," the report reads.

Cruz was on probation at the time for evading arrest, assault with a deadly weapon and a DUI. He was arrested in Desert Hot Springs on July 17 in connection with the attack on Montez's business. He told police that officers in Palm Springs contacted him after he was released from Desert Regional Medical Center. He said the officer offered him a ride to Desert Hot Springs and he took him up on it. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery for the taco truck confrontation and was sentenced to 180 days in county jail.

Matas, the Desert Hot Springs mayor, said police found Cruz had been listed in various places as a transient, including in the city of Rialto about 60 miles west.

"Why would he be dropped in the outskirts of our city three miles from his listed residence?" Matas asked. "Palm Springs and the sheriff's department can't be dropping people off in the corners of our city."

"He doesn't live at the Valero gas station," added Wilms. "And it was 115 degrees outside."

For Matas and Wilms, the gas station confrontation is a symptom of a much larger social issue every city in the region is working to address, one that they say will require regional collaboration.

"We're all dealing with unhoused individuals and we need to work together on this," Matas said. "Our partner agencies in neighboring jurisdictions can help us by communicating."

For Montez, Paniagua, and others in Desert Hot Springs, minimizing the threat of violent crime is absolutely critical in their labor to turn their young investments into the successful businesses they dream of creating.

"They come from other cities and are getting dropped off here," Paniagua said. "No one has the right to intimidate or scare someone like that, period. We want it to stop."

Christopher Damien covers public safety and the criminal justice system. He can be reached at christopher.damien@desertsun.com or follow him at @chris_a_damien.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Why Palm Springs police gave a felon a ride to Desert Hot Springs
A southeast Wisconsin school district is the latest district in the state to receive a grant enabling it to purchase electric buses.

The Palmyra-Eagle Area School District, in collaboration with its bus transportation provider, Dousman Transport Co., announced in a news release the electric school buses, which were funded through the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program.

Here's what to know about the district's new buses and the Clean School Bus Program.

Why does the district want electric buses?

Electric buses "will lead to healthier communities and smoother, quieter rides for students," the district news release said. It said the electric buses can travel about 135 miles when fully charged. About 325 students currently ride district school buses.

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In an interview, Palmyra-Eagle School District Superintendent Ryan Krohn said the district and Dousman Transport agree the electric buses are a good fit for the district, both environmentally and financially. He also said the district's bus routes were ideal for the buses too.

"So once we saw some of those initial pieces lined up  not just environmentally and financially but just with the partnership with Dousman Transport and with our own size and infrastructure, we thought it was something worth applying for," Krohn said.

How much in funding did the Palmyra-Eagle School District receive for the buses?

The district, in partnership with Dousman Transport, received $2.4 million to help the district purchase and install six buses and the supporting electronic charging infrastructure. The buses were purchased through IC Bus, the district's news release said.

Dousman Transport Co. President Larry Kirkley said in a phone interview the grant money covered the purchase of the six buses and part of the cost of the charging infrastructure. Kirkley said Dousman Transport paid the difference between the entire cost of the charging station equipment and installation and the $120,000 grant money applied toward the equipment and installation.

In a separate interview, Krohn said two of the six buses have been delivered, and the chargers and infrastructure are installed. He said the two drivers who will be driving the two buses that the district already has are receiving training to drive them.

What is the EPA's Clean Bus Program?

The program provides grant funding to eligible school districts "to incentivize and accelerate the replacement of existing school buses with clean and Zero Emissions (ZE) school buses," according to the EPA's website.

The grant allows for school buses with internal-combustion engines to be replaced by those that run on electric, propane or compressed natural gas, and also allows for the purchase of electric vehicle supply equipment infrastructure and that equipment's installation

The grant prioritized funding to replace buses serving districts that are high-need school districts and low-income areas, rural school districts, school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and school districts receiving financial support for children residing on American Indian land, according to the EPA's website.

Will any other Wisconsin school districts receive funding to purchase electric school buses?

According to the EPA, Palmyra-Eagle is one of 19 Wisconsin school districts that will receive funding to purchase electric school buses:

Augusta

Coleman

Colfax

Edgar

Granton Area

Highland

Lac du Flambeau No. 1

Lakeland UHS

Lomira

Melrose-Mindoro

Minocqua J1

Mondovi

Parkview

Pepin Area

Random Lake

Tri-County Area

Wild Rose

Winter

There will be a ceremony and celebration Oct. 25

The district is planning a ceremony and celebration of the new buses at 10 a.m. Oct. 25 in the parking lot of the Irving L. Young Community Center at Palmyra-Eagle Middle & High School.

The event will consist of electric bus rides, light refreshments, the opportunity to ask questions about the new buses and clear and sustainable transportation.

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

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

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Palmyra-Eagle to receive electric buses thanks to EPA grant program
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has supported a measure increasing the duration of financial monitoring of Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) from three years to life, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on Oct. 17.

The measure passed with 278 in favor and one against, easily clearing the minimum threshold of 226 votes required for passage.

PEP refers to those in government who have significant responsibilities and therefore may be more susceptible to corruption.

The measure is intended to disincentivize politicians from using their positions to enrich themselves, as it extends the increased scrutiny on their finances past their time in office.

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Danylo Hetmantsev, another lawmaker in favor of the measure, said that politicians must be willing to sacrifice their personal interests in exchange for the common benefit of the country.

The measure will fulfill the requirements of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Zhelezniak said, adding that it should be considered a vital step in the upcoming negotiations on Ukraine's integration with the EU.

Read also: Opinion: Are Ukraines anti-corruption efforts at a standstill?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he's willing to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan by the end of the year.

"We must move steadily towards peace," Pashinyan said during an address to the European Parliament on Oct. 17. "To do this, political will is necessary, and I have that political will."

At the same time, he denounced Azerbaijan's recent recapture of Nagorno-Karabakh, saying that it was a "fulfillment of its long-standing policy of ethnic cleansing."

Pashinyan criticized the inaction of Armenia's supposed allies, adding that they had not only refused to help but had actually "made public calls for a change of power in Armenia, to overthrow the democratic government."

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He mentioned the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), saying the organization and its members "did not help us at all, they left us alone." The organization comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.

Nonetheless, Pashinyan emphasized that he was ready for Armenia to seek a lasting peace with Azerbaijan.

Read also: Azerbaijani President raises flag in Nagorno-Karabakh capital

Nagorno-Karabakh, which is recognized as Azerbaijani under international law, surrendered on Sept. 20 after 24 hours of attacks by Azerbaijani forces. It was home to a predominantly Armenian population.

The breakaway republic agreed to dissolve its political institutions, and in the following weeks, most ethnic Armenians fled.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev decided not to attend peace talks planned in Grenada, Spain, on Oct. 5 but then offered Georgia as an alternative location on Oct. 8. It is still unclear when or if the talks will commence.

On Oct. 13, reports emerged that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was concerned Azerbaijan may invade Armenia proper, supposedly to secure a corridor between Azerbaijan and the landlocked exclave Nakhchivan.

However, the Armenian news agency said on Oct. 15 that U.S. State Department official Matthew Miller had contacted them and described the reports as inaccurate.

Read also: Russias peacekeeper act crumbles as Azerbaijan overwhelms Nagorno-Karabakh

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Editors Note: This story was updated on October 17, 2023.

The rolling hills of Rwanda produce great endurance cyclists. They might not all be attempting the Tour de France, but perhaps even more impressively, some are able to traverse mountainous terrain with 100 kilograms of fruit on their heads and shoulders.

In this region, where bigger vehicles struggle on the dirt roads, bicycles and motorcycles are a common way for farmers to get their produce to market. But British-Rwandan delivery startup OX Delivers is looking to change that through its electric OX Trucks, which are designed to negotiate dirt roads while carrying up to two tons of goods  roughly 20 times a cyclists capacity.

The truck was designed by former Formula One engineer Gordon Murray in 2016, commissioned by a non-profit called the Global Vehicle Trust, which wanted a vehicle that could help provide essential deliveries in developing countries.

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The Global Vehicle Trust launched OX Delivers in 2020 and although its headquartered in Warwickshire, England, the company describes it as an African-led operation. Rather than selling the vehicles, it rents out delivery space on the trucks, mostly to smallholder farmers and small-scale traders.

It launched a fleet of two trucks in Western Rwanda in April 2021, which has now grown to 24, transporting everything from fruit to livestock, lumber to school equipment. Before, our clients would take any means of transport that would come around, explains Rwanda managing director Francine Uwamahoro. They were taking bikes from their farm  and they would be gone for a long time  around two days.

The OX Truck boasts large tires and high ground clearance. The company says that parts are carefully selected to reduce breakdown time, and some basic components are interchangeable and easily removed in the event of being damaged by rocks (a regular occurrence on dirt roads).

Customers book space on a truck through a basic app designed for 2G feature phones. Since the app cannot yet process payments, drivers negotiate prices and build relationships face to face with their customers. Our growth is in the hands of our drivers, says Uwamahoro.

Truck drivers are crucial for building relationships with customers, says OX Delivers. - OX Delivers

Connecting rural Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has fewer than a quarter of the average paved roads per kilometer of all low-income regions. A lack of roads can mean higher cargo prices and longer transit times, which can make it harder for economies to develop.

Bananas cost 10 times in Kigali (Rwandas capital) what they cost in a village, says OX Delivers managing director Simon Davis. You can get good fruit and ship it to Kigali, but the transport will just eat all the cost.

One solution is simply to build more paved roads, but Davis believes a more sustainable solution is to have more affordable vehicles that can drive on dirt roads.

What happens when theres a flood and it washes away a bridge? You cant pay for a new one because you have no money, he says. But if you build a truck that works on the existing roads, we create a bunch of revenue, and ultimately, some of that becomes tax revenue.

OX Delivers says it charges the same as cargo bicycles  around 50 cents to transport a 100 kilogram sack 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)  but can travel further, and offers a discount for return trips.

The company says it keeps down its costs by owning and streamlining every stage of the supply chain. Its parts, for example, are flown from Britain to Rwanda in flat-pack form, allowing materials for six vehicles to fit into a shipping container that would normally carry just two whole trucks. OX says the truck can be assembled by three skilled (but not necessarily expert) people in 12 hours, using an image-based, IKEA-like guide.

Davis says that running on electricity costs 50% less per day than diesel engines. The trucks have a range of 170 kilometers and the company has installed private charging depots  where they can take up to six hours to completely recharge  to make up for a lack of public charging infrastructure in Rwanda.

OX Delivers says its truck is an effective solution for areas that lack paved roads. - OX Delivers

Impacting people who have been left behind

Fransua Vytautas Rasvadauskas, mobility and cities senior consultant at market research firm Euromonitor, agrees that the off-road delivery market could function as an infrastructure stopgap, but sees its potential in the short-to-medium term. There is a lot of future potential for sub-Saharan Africa to grow and this would hopefully translate to better road infrastructure, he says. But I think for the next 10, 20, maybe 30 years, off-road vehicles stand a good chance in the region.

Other companies in Rwanda have been trying to fill the gap in food delivery, with Vanoma geared towards last-mile delivery from online sellers to customers homes, and Get It mostly transporting food from suppliers to hotels and restaurants. But OX Delivers is aimed squarely at undeserved rural traders looking to get their goods to market.

The company says it has more than 100 employees, including 70 in Rwanda, and has served 1,000 clients. Global Vehicle Trust is its biggest shareholder but it has also taken on for-profit impact shareholders and has 8 million ($9.6 million) in seed funding, as well as 20 million ($24 million) in UK government grants. It now plans to further develop its app and deploy a cold-store fitting for perishable cargo.

In theory, the model can be transferred outside of Western Rwanda. It works in any rural African place where transport is a challenge, says Uwamahoro. People depend on agriculture, and products need to be moved around.

Davis says the company has had offers to expand into other East African countries such as Zambia, Uganda and Kenya. But more than just being an example of growth, the business model is seen as a means of facilitating it.

Its about impacting the people who have been left behind, says Uwamahoro. OX is giving them power to grow economically.

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FORT PIERCE  Circuit Judge Anastasia Norman recalled comments in 2007 during her last year in law school at Stetson University in DeLand when then-Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke at her school.

Scalia said that to be a good judge you must follow the law, despite where it might lead you, Norman said.

And that means sometimes taking you to places that you don't want to go, or outcomes that you don't want to see, Norman said. And that's something that I'm going to carry with me throughout my career as a judge.

Norman's remarks came the afternoon of Oct. 13 in the St. Lucie County Courthouse during an investiture ceremony full of personal and humorous anecdotes as well as professional and heartfelt recognitions.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis in May announced the appointment of Norman, an assistant state attorney in the 19th Judicial Circuit since 2008, to fill the judicial vacancy left following the retirement of Circuit Judge Dan Vaughn.

Her first day on the bench was June 1, though the swearing in ceremony was Friday in a courtroom packed with supporters and peers, including Public Defender Diamond Litty, St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara, former State Attorney Bruce Colton and Port St. Lucie Police Department representatives.

Norman introduced at least 30 friends and family members.

If this was a closing argument this would be your two minutes, Chief Circuit Judge Charles Tony Schwab joked as Norman kept introducing.

Assistant State Attorney Lev Evans, a veteran prosecutor, praised Normans work ethic and told of how she brought him up to date in presenting evidence in a complex, economic crimes racketeering case.

Norman was to be second chair in the case, meaning Evans was in charge and Norman was to follow his lead.

I quickly learned that thats just not Anastasia, he said.

She wanted to use a fancy dancy computer program as opposed to his somewhat antiquated overhead projector, Evans said.

Evans conceded her use of the program with the evidence was beautiful.

The trial went incredibly smoothly. The evidence came out perfectly, Evans said. We got a quick conviction on it, and I was chagrined.

'She's so nice while she's kicking your butt'

Evans said attorney Jerome Stone described Norman as a house cat with claws. She's so nice while she's kicking your butt.

He also highlighted a friendly rivalry between Norman and Circuit Judge Rebecca White, whom Norman met in law school.

Evans ticked off a number of accomplishments and life events, such as becoming a prosecutor, judge and having children, that one achieved before the other.

They're like sisters they're sibling rivals, Evans said.

Normans husband is St. Lucie County Sheriffs Capt. Troy Norman, and Evans said the two are likely better citizens than I will ever be.

They're incredibly hardworking and honest, he said. They care a lot.

Troy Norman said they met in 2008 while she was a prosecutor.

She always took time and put in the work to make each criminal investigation and trial solid as possible, Troy Norman said.

'Man, I need to step it up'

When they began dating he was a detective. Career aspirations were discussed, and he said he wanted to be a sergeant or maybe a lieutenant. She envisioned herself running the state attorneys office or becoming a judge.

I sat there embarrassed by my short-sighted answer, Troy Norman said. I thought, Man, I need to step it up.

He said Anastasia Norman encouraged him to go back to school, and get promoted. He said she made him a better man.

Troy Norman shared lesser known facts about his wife. She was born in Singapore where her father worked on oil rigs; her grandfather and great-grandfather were New York police officers; shes an accomplished angler and can change her own brakes and oil.

All will pale in comparison to Anastasia the friend, the colleague and most importantly, my wife and amazing mother to our beautiful daughters, Troy Norman said.

Anastasia Norman said she started in Palm Beach County before coming to the 19th Judicial Circuit. At the time, Colton was state attorney, though Tom Bakkedahl, a prosecutor who worked with Colton for decades, currently holds the position.

Anastasia Norman recalled interviewing here and was told, We will always do what's right in this circuit.

Even when making tough decisions, decisions not always politically popular, she felt Colton and Bakkedahl always supported her.

I will always follow the law and I will work hard for the people of the 19th Circuit, Anastasia Norman said.

Homicide charge in fentanyl death: Port St. Lucie police announce arrest related to fatal drug overdose

Arrest in September homicide: David Wallace was shot by employee in his St. Lucie apartment, Sheriff Ken Mascara says

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Circuit Judge Anastasia Norman investiture humorous yet serious
Reeses could be violating laws with a sweepstakes advertised on packs of their famous peanut butter cups, the Associated Press reports.

The promotion reads You could win $25,000 then, in smaller print, See details inside. Consumers must buy and open a package to see that no purchase is necessary to win.

A consumer advocate and former assistant attorney general in Massachusetts reported the contest, according to the Associated Press. Pennsylvania-based Hershey Co., which owns Reeses, said its website contains full promotion details and stores selling the candy should have signs explaining it.

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The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) believes that the hacking incidents into other government websites and databases following the cyber attack on the state health insurer are not a coincidence.

DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy said local hackers could be behind the recent cyberattacks into other offices.

"But when we are talking about the recent spate of hackings after PhilHealth, we believe them to be local hackers, and we believe them not to be a coincidence," he told the Senate Committee on Science and Technology on Tuesday.

The personal data stolen by Medusa hackers from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation were released into the dark web early this month after the government failed to pay $300,000 (roughly 17 million) in ransom money.

Other government offices such as the Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippine National Police, and the House of Representatives also suffered from cybersecurity breaches.

But PhilHealth chief Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said their external services are back at 100% since the past weekend, while they are expecting their internal services to be back to normal this week.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano stressed that confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) could be used by agencies dealing with security.

Although the lower chamber denied the request of some departments, including the DICT, for a CIF in their 2024 budget, Cayetano cited that such a fund could be used to hire black-hat hackers.

"I'm not lobbying for you, I'm just saying that there are certain agencies na klarong-klaro kung saan kailangan at mayroong hindi. And ang klarong-klarong kailangan when you have to do with security," he said.

[Translation: I'm not lobbying for you, I'm just saying that there are agencies that clearly need to have one while others don't need such a fund. And it's very clear that you need to have one when you have to do with security.]
The federal judge in Trump's election interference case reinstated a gag order against him on Monday.

Another gag order was issued by the judge in Trump's New York civil fraud trial earlier this month.

Here's the list of people Trump now has to be careful about insulting in public.

Thanks to a couple of gag orders against him, there's a bunch of people Donald Trump can't insult anymore  unless he wants to risk violating court orders again.

Tanya Chutkan, the federal judge overseeing Trump's election interference case in Washington DC, issued a gag order on October 16 after Trump raged against Special Prosecutor Jack Smith and his team. She then temporarily lifted the order several days later while she considered if it was a violation of Trump's rights, as his team had argued, according to the AP.

But, Chutkan reinstated the order on Monday after Trump dragged Mark Meadows  his former chief of staff and a likely witness in the case  on social media, insinuating that he was a "weakling" and a "coward," the AP reported.

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And earlier this month, Justice Arthur Engoron issued another gag order in Trump's New York civil fraud trial when Trump singled out one of Engoron's clerks online  one that the former president later violated.

In total, the pair of gag orders bar Trump from insulting or disparaging the following people in public  whether that's in speeches on the campaign trail or in posts on social media:

Members of Judge Chutkan's court staff in the DC election interference case

Prosecutors, including Special Prosecutor Smith, in the Washington DC case

Witnesses in the Washington DC case

Any member of Justice Engoron's team in the New York fraud case

However, Chutkan's order does not ban Trump from criticizing the city of Washington, DC, the people who live there, the Justice Department, or the judge herself.

It also included a specific carve-out to let Trump keep attacking his political rivals, specifically citing former Vice President Mike Pence  who may be called as a witness in the case.

At a campaign rally soon after Chutkan's initial gag order, Trump attacked her, calling her ruling "unconstitutional" and saying "her whole life is not liking me." When Chutkan reinstated the order after temporarily lifting it, Trump again wrote on Truth that the order "illegally and unconstitutionally takes away" his First Amendment rights.

Engoron's order also doesn't prevent Trump from attacking NY Attorney General Letitia James.

But Trump has already received several penalties for violating Justice Engoron's gag order against him  a $10,000 fine imposed last week, on top of a $5,000 fine imposed days earlier.

With the former president's penchant for posting lengthy attacks against his rivals on social media, Trump will need to reign things in or risk facing consequences in court.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Most people dont benefit from wars or, certainly, from the prospect of broader regional conflicts. But a rare few do, notably the executives of companies that manufacture weapons. After Hamas militants began attacking southern Israel on October 7and Israel promptly began another, even more brutal assault on the Gaza Stripthe value of stocks in Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman surged.

That makes sense. Conflicts, particularly those involving U.S. allies, feed demand for the things that weapons manufacturers maketactical missiles, fighter aircraft, artillery, etc. Analysts surveyed by the business press were relatively muted about short-term prospects of a rally in defense stocks, although some were optimistic in the longer run.

While the most recent tensions in the Middle East arent likely to drive estimate revisions in the near term, Citi analyst Jason Gursky told Barrons, we do expect industry revenue to accelerate in 2024 and 2025 as higher spending bills passed over the past several years begin to make their way through the income statements of our coverage companies. The Israel-Hamas war could be a positive catalyst for the sector, another article concluded.

Very similar dynamics are true, however, for fossil fuel companies. The price of Shell stocks have hit record highs, buoyed by the prospect that the wars expansion could disrupt Middle East oil production and trade flows.

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The defense sector is downstream of U.S. policy in obvious ways. Governments buy the products that arms manufacturers sell, and the Department of Defensewith its ever-expanding budgetbuys a lot of them. As Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said yesterday, there is no shortage of U.S. public funds available to support a steady flow of weapons to both Ukraine and Israel. Beyond sending over even more of its own supplies, the Pentagon is already putting pressure on defense contractors to expedite the delivery of pending Israeli orders.

Energy has a no less abstract relationship to U.S. foreign policy. Compared to most other major oil-producing countrieswhere governments have some amount of say over production decisions and even pricesthe U.S. has relatively limited control over how much and how fast American oil and gas companies drill. That doesnt mean it cant use oil as a carrot and stick, though, opening and closing markets so as to suit foreign policy objectives.

The war in Ukraine was a major reason why U.S. oil majors raked in record profits last year. Russia produces about one-tenth of the worlds crude oil and has been a major supplier of gas to Europe; Western-led sanctions on Russia post-invasion opened up new markets for both oil and gas producers to sell more expensive fuels. Executives were hailed as patriots and protectors of global order.

This week, lawmakers are pushing more restrictions with potential upsides for the industry. U.S. intelligence still shows no signs that Iran, which has historically backed Hamas, was involved in planning the groups attacks on southern Israel. That hasnt stopped a growing bipartisan fervor to draw Iran into a broader regional conflict by tightening sanctions on its oil supply. On Monday night, 110 members of Congressincluding 60 Democratssent Biden a letter saying he should go so far as to block Irans sale of oil to China, its biggest customer.

To its credit, the White House has so far resisted this kind of escalation. It has, however, said it will refreeze $6 billion in Iranian oil revenue it had agreed to release as part of a prisoner swap last month, following pressure from right-wingers who falsely argued that Iran funneled that money to Hamas to carry out its October 7 incursion. The funds had never been accessed and could only have been directed toward humanitarian aid, not government coffers.

With flows of Iranian oil potentially up in the air, it was fortunate timing, then, for the United States to have reached a deal with Venezuela on Monday to ease crushing sanctions on the countrys oil sector in exchange for President Nicolas Maduro allowing a competitive, internationally monitored presidential election next year, per The Washington Post.

For the U.S, the stakes of petro diplomacy in general are low. If the White House excludes big producers from certain markets, gas prices here might go up a bit. But oil is still extraordinarily affordable by global standards. Booming U.S. production means were also more insulated from such fluctuations. U.S.-based fossil fuel corporations would naturally be thrilled to pick up the slack left by producers who find themselves on the wrong side of Washington. For countries largely dependent on oil revenue, though, energy sector sanctions can be catastrophic. Venezuela is in the midst of a multiyear humanitarian crisis spurred on by cratered oil revenues, which has driven many Venezuelans to come to the U.S. In Iran, U.S.-imposed sanctions fueled a two-year recession.

Members of Congress are free to benefit from these international conflicts through stock trades or campaign contributions. New Jersey Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimerwho serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligencehad the good fortune to snap up as much as $15,000 worth of Northrop Grumman stock at the end of last month. Hes been one of the main ringleaders behind calls for Biden to tighten sanctions on Iran, and in a closed-door meeting last week appeared to suggest that all Muslims were guilty of Hamass attacks, The Intercept reported. (Gottheimers office has denied the report. Politico reported differing accounts about whether he was referring to Muslims.)*

For the time being, theres probably not much to be done about the fact that some companies see dollar signs in rising death tolls. Politicians in the U.S. without much to loseor with something to gainseem content to watch as the lines representing casualties, stocks, and emissions go up.



* This article has been updated to include additional context about the Gottheimer incident.
Retired U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus on Monday cautioned Israel to think about what a post-conflict Gaza will look like, invoking the United States inadequate post-conflict preparation ahead of its invasion of Iraq 20 years ago.

I was a two-star, I remember asking before we went to Baghdad, and I said, You know, excuse me, can we have a little more detail on what happens after we get to Baghdad and topple the regime? And they said, You just get us to Baghdad, Dave. Well take it from there, Petraeus said in an interview on CBS Mornings.

We obviously had done inadequate phase four, its called, post-conflict, Petraeus added.

While public support for the US invasion of Iraq was high, support dropped quickly as the invasion resulted in tremendous violence and organized resistance to the US-led occupation. The political repercussions of support for the US invasion to many elected and military officials continue to this day, while thousands of US soldiers were killed during the eight-year conflict.

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Petraeus said he predicts military officials in Israel are remembering the US invasion of Iraq and trying to avoid similar outcomes, politically and militarily. He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to plan ahead.

Prime Minister Netanyahu would be well advised, to not only say what theyre going to try to do to Hamas, but, realistically  because, again, the cost is so high, but also talk about the future of Gaza and a future, even a vision, for the Palestinian post-conflict plan, Petraeus said.

Pressed on why Netanyahu has not done so, Petraeus said the Israeli leader faces a conundrum with no attractive outcome.

Its just really, really hard. I mean, they dont want to reoccupy, but if you dont reoccupy, Hamas will reconstitute, and they know that, and so youre going to go to enormous loss, casualties the Israeli civilians, of course, Hamas fighters, terrorists, and then youre just gonna leave? Petraeus said, And Im sure they are searching for that answer.

President Biden in an interview with 60 Minutes aired Sunday said an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza would be a big mistake.

Petraeus also drew a comparison between Hamas and ISIS and stressed Israel does not have the nine months that it took the US to clear ISIS from northern Iraq.

A similar size population, Mosul, when the Islamic State occupied it in northern Iraq  and ISIS is a good analogy here for what Hamas has done  It took nine months to clear that. Israel doesnt have nine months obviously, and it called up again 360,000 reserves. They have their finger on the trigger. But the military is saying, this is what its going to cost, and the military probably is also saying, and then what? Theyre saying, you know, how did that work out in Iraq?

Petraeus underscored the challenging situation Israel faces in driving Hamas out of Gaza.

I cant imagine a more challenging set of circumstances. As you laid out, you have a very densely populated area. You have an enemy who doesnt wear a uniforms, who hides among the people, who positions his headquarters underneath hospitals, stores weapons in mosques, he said.

And if theyre as creative in the defense as they were in the offense  horribly so, horrifically so, unspeakably so  there are going to be improvised explosive devices, there will be booby traps, there will be suicide vests, so this is very, very challenging.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Jim Jordan lost the first vote on his speakership bid on Tuesday.

He's vowed to continue fighting, and he could still win the gavel.

Here are some photos that captured the chaos of the first vote on the House floor in two weeks.

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio is struggling to become the next speaker of the House.

Two weeks to the day since Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the job, Jordan is now the GOP nominee for speaker  and he's running into the same problem that McCarthy did.

During the first vote in the House chamber on Tuesday, 20 Republicans voted against Jordan.

Whereas it was hard-right conservatives who opposed McCarthy in January, Jordan is facing opposition from an eclectic mixture of moderates, members of the top committee that handles government spending, and others who are still upset about McCarthy's ouster.

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But Jordan's not done yet, and he's vowing to continue fighting for the gavel  just as McCarthy did in January.

Here are some key moments from today's vote.

Rep. Patrick McHenry, a McCarthy ally and the current speaker pro tempore, presided over the vote

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

An unnamed lawmaker tallies up votes for Jordan

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

George Santos and Lauren Boebert  two of the GOP's most controversial lawmakers  sat beside each other during the vote

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Jordan supporter, returned to Washington last week to vote in the speaker race just over a month after giving birth

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Rep. Victoria Spartz voted for Rep. Thomas Massie for speaker  and he may not have appreciated it

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

At one point, Jordan had to cast a vote for himself  and his GOP colleagues gave him a standing ovation

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Democrats occasionally cheered and booed during the vote

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Democrats remained united for the 16th time this year, with all 212 of them voting for Hakeem Jeffries to be speaker

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Some Democrats appeared bored with the proceedings

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The entire chamber erupted in applause when Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola  who's been absent for weeks in the wake of her husband's death  cast her vote for Jeffries

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Jordan makes a sheepish expression as he's asked about the 20 Republicans who didn't vote for him

Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Pin-Ups for Vets is a non-profit organization that raises money to help deployed and hospitalized service members, veterans, and military families. When founder Gina Elise learned about injured troops coming home from deployments early in the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, she decided to do something about it and created her first pin-up calendar  18 years later, shes managed to continue her annual tradition of fundraising for the troops.

The 2024 Pin-Ups for Vets calendar features 13 outstanding female veterans from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. From an Air Force physicist working on offensive and defensive counter-space missions with the Space Superiority Directorate to a Marine who drove logistics convoys while deployed in Iraq, these women prove that theres more to veterans than meets the eye.

The 13 veterans featured in the 2024 Pin-Ups for Vets calendar.

Inspired by the iconic pin-up art on aircraft that boosted troop morale during World War II, Elise spends months producing her annual calendars in order to create high-quality art that celebrates the veterans within the calendar pages. More than that, the photoshoots are often an opportunity for women to celebrate their femininity, something that is sacrificed during military service.

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While in the service, I suppressed my femininity, confessed 21-year Coast Guard veteran Shea Roberts. I felt that I did not want to be looked at differently than my male counterparts. By doing this, I believe I lost some of my identity, which negatively affected me. Being part of the 2024 calendar has helped me with regaining my self-confidence and rebuilding my self-esteem.

United States Marine Corps veteran Stephanie Inabinett.

Not only that, but Elise has also built a community of volunteers  men and women, veterans and patriotic civilians, as she calls them  who can confide in one another, depend on each other, and give back to others, a core value in military service members.

To date, the organization has donated over $100,000 to help purchase new rehabilitation equipment for VA and military hospitals nationwide. Pin-Ups for Vets volunteer Ambassadors have also visited over 16,000 ill and injured veterans on their 50-state hospital tour to deliver gifts of appreciation and help boost morale.

I think the calendar is the perfect blend of beauty and strength and showcases that those two are not mutually exclusive, shared Marine Corps veteran and 2024 model Stephanie Larson. As a long-time fan of the organization, I have to say how honored I am to be included with this amazing, inspirational group of women. It is ultimately a continuation of service that I am grateful to be a part of.

The 2024 Pin-Ups for Vets calendar cover featuring founder Gina Elise.

The 2024 calendar can be purchased for yourself or donated to a deployed or hospitalized service member at www.PinUpsForVets.com or by check to: Pin-Ups for Vets, PO Box 33, Claremont, CA 91711

Featured Image: U.S. Navy Veteran Gayle Gaumer during her military service (left) and in the 2024 Pin-Ups for Vets calendar (right).
There are many types of reported hauntings. Old, abandoned prisons and hospitals are popular locations for supposed spirits, along with graveyards, churches and historical sites. But there is also an abundance of allegedly haunted mansions across the country, including in Washington state. You can see this in the list of investigations completed by regional paranormal investigators, like the Advanced Ghost Hunters of Seattle-Tacoma.

Oftentimes wealthy settlers who helped grow a certain area would build a mansion in that region. Some are said to house the families even after they die, remaining their home in the afterlife. This is often because of a tragic life or devastating death rumored to cause such haunting.

Popular examples of such homes include the Whaley House in San Diego, the Winchester House in San Jose and the Sprague Mansion in Rhode Island. But are there any similar stories for mansions in Washington?

Haunted mansions in Washington state

Turns out, several mansions in the state are historic landmarks  and reportedly haunted. The following mentions are no longer private residences and may be open for visitors.

 Eastern Washington

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Moore Mansion

The most relevant example in the Tri-Cities area is the Moore Mansion in Pasco, which is now used as an event center. The three-story mansion was built in 1908 by James Moore, a significant developer in the Northwest. He created numerous landmarks in the state, including Capitol Hill in Seattle and the Washington Hotel.

The mansion overlooking the Columbia River was reportedly meant to be the final home for Moores sick wife after a doctor recommended a more dry climate. She died before moving into the mansion. It was passed around different owners for several decades after, eventually being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Former employees and others have observed a dark figure in the mansion.

Kirkman House Museum

While there are no examples open to the public in Benton County, residents can take a short trip to Walla Walla to visit the Kirkman House Museum. Built in 1880 for William and Isabelle Kirkman, and their children, the house is the second-oldest brick building in Walla Walla, according to the museum website.

Upon moving in, the couple had four living children  they had five other children that died in their youth. The Kirkmans had their tenth child while living in the mansion, but she died two days after being born.

The mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and has been a non-profit museum for several decades. If you stop by for a tour, ask your guide about reported hauntings. Some say members of the Kirkman family are seen around the house.

 Pierce County

Meeker Mansion

The home of Puyallups founder and first mayor, Ezra Manning Meeker, and his family, was built in 1890 using the profits from Meekers successful hops business. He was one of the first growers in the region and was well-known for his crops, until the majority were ruined by pests.

Meeker turned to several other ventures following the fall of his hops success. He became an advocate for western expansion, having already traversed the Oregon Trail successfully. He completed the trip several more times in efforts to publicize the trail and further expansion into western states.

While Ezra and his brother were finding land and beginning lives in the Pacific Northwest, the rest of their family was making the trek across the Oregon Trail. Both his mother and another brother died on the trip.

Ezra and his wife Eliza reportedly remain in the home. Now operating as a museum, you can take a self-guided tour or request a period-accurate guide.

Thornewood Castle

The Thornewood Castle in Lakewood was built in 1911 for Chester Thorne, one of the Port of Tacoma founders, and his wife Anna. Situated on four acres at American Lake, the mansion is the only genuine private castle on the West Coast. The wealthy couple is said to remain in the castle.

The socialites had one child while living in the home, a daughter Anita. She fell ill with Scarlet Fever and went partially deaf. She would hide from social events near a porch swing, and is reportedly seen on the porch still.

As she got married and had children, Anita continued to live in the castle, her family joining her. It is reported that one of these children died in one of the ponds on the castles spacious grounds. He is seen outside, often near water, by visitors.

Other phenomena have been reported at the spacious estate. It now offers overnight stays, vacation rentals, event venues and more.

 Thurston County

Bigelow House Museum

The oldest residence in Olympia is the Bigelow House, now a functioning museum on Washingtons early history. It was built by the lawyer and legislator Daniel Bigelow and his wife Ann Elizabeth White in the 1850s, according to the museum website. The couple was pivotal in the Washington territory, particularly regarding public education and womens rights.

The couple had eight children they raised in the home, some of whom remained in the residence their entire lives.

The Bigelow family remained in the house through 2005, even after its start as a museum. It is now solely a museum, open to the public for tours. Staff has reportedly seen an apparition examining the displays.

More haunted mansions in WA

Some of the more notoriously haunted locations in Washington are a bit further out. While they may require a road trip or weekend vacation to visit, those in search of a true haunting may have better luck at these estates.

 Port Gamble

Walker-Ames House

Many paranormal experts have listed the Walker-Ames House in Port Gamble as the number-one most haunted location in the Evergreen State. The mansion was built in 1889 for the town sawmills master mechanic, William Walker. The manager, Edwin Ames, went on to marry Walkers daughter and live in the home as well.

The house is open for tours, since no one has lived in the home since the mill closed in 1995. Yet children have been reported inside the home on numerous occasions. Touring guests have reportedly experienced weird phenomena.

Little is known about what went on inside the mansion, or any tragedy that would keep spirits in the home. But Port Gamble is known for its paranormal experiences and organized ghost tours, so some believe it is the town as a whole keeping spirits around.

 Port Townsend

This coastal town is notorious for its haunted history, and the entire town is often included on lists of Washingtons most haunted locations. With such a rich history and tendency for alleged spooky sightings, its no surprise that there are multiple supposedly haunted estates in Port Townsend.

One of the most-discussed locations is Manresa Castle. A former member of the McClatchy Northwest Service Journalism Team, a self-identified scaredy-cat, stayed at the castle in an attempt to learn about the history and paranormal activity at the location. Read about his trip here.

Ann Starrett Mansion

Successful contractor George Starrett built this magnificent mansion for his wife Ann in 1889, full of romantic designs and gestures throughout. They had one son and a few employees, including a loyal nanny. It is reported that the family lived very happily.

Unlike many of the other reported haunted domiciles, the spirits reported in the Starrett Mansion are kind and peaceful. Some believe the family returns to the home because of how happy they were in life. Ever the faithful servant, the only adverse interactions with ghosts reported in the home are believed to be punishments from the nanny to guests who break house rules.

The home is now open for overnight stays, and many visitors report enjoying the seemingly unexplainable experiences they have.

Do you know another haunted location in Washington? Do you have a question for the McClatchy Northwest Service Journalism Team? Use this form:
11 Investigates has confirmed that Pittsburgh Police Commander Matt Lackner has retired after being accused of placing an undercover body camera in a police car and recording officers without their permission.

RELATED COVERAGE: Pittsburgh police commander accused of using 2nd body cam to track officer locations

Lackner had been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the results of an internal investigation.

Multiple sources told Chief Investigative Reporter Rick Earle Earle that Lackner allegedly used the body camera to record multiple officers in multiple police cars.

WPXI legal analyst Phil DiLucente said it could be a violation of the state wiretap laws.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  Saturdays annular solar eclipse was a small taste of whats to come next April when a total solar eclipse will pass over several states. Now, Southwest Airlines is teasing a front-row view of the natural phenomenon with a handful of flights planned to operate during the total eclipse.

The total eclipse will happen on April 8, 2024. Unlike Saturdays annular eclipse, which showcased a ring of fire as the moon covered the majority of the sun, the moon will completely cover the sun next spring.

When the next solar eclipse can be seen in San Diego

The following Southwest flights have the greatest likelihood of offering Customers onboard the best view of this moment, company officials said in a blog post:

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Southwest Flight #1252: Departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:45 p.m. CT, heads to Pittsburgh

Southwest Flight #1721: Departs Austin at 12:50 p.m. CT, heads to Indianapolis

Southwest Flight #1910: Departs St. Louis at 1:20 p.m. CT, heads to Houston (Hobby)

A handful of other flights are expected to cross the path of totality while en route, per Southwest. Those include:

Southwest Flight #955: Departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:50 p.m. CT, heads to Chicago (Midway)

Southwest Flight #506: Departs Milwaukee at 1:05 p.m. CT, heads to Dallas (Love Field)

Southwest Flight #1734: Departs Houston (Hobby) at 1:35 p.m. CT, heads to Indianapolis

Southwest Flight #1682: Departs Chicago (Midway) at 1:30 p.m. CT, heads to Austin

Southwest Flight #3108: Departs Nashville at 1:40 p.m. CT, heads to Dallas (Love Field)

More information on tickets and booking is available online.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
A story about violence on television led Tim Madigan to a friendship with one of the kindest people ever to grace a TV screen.

Somewhere, the late Fred Rogers must be smiling at the irony.

The story of their special friendship was put into print with Madigans best-selling book Im Proud of You: My Friendship With Fred Rogers. Now, it has been adapted into a play by Madigan and acclaimed local director and TCU professor Harry Parker, who is also helming this production, and will be presented for the first time at Fort Worths Circle Theatre Oct. 26-Nov. 11.

Its surreal. It kind of came out of the blue, Madigan, 65, said of the show. The book had a nice run.

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Its such a personal story to me. On the one hand its excruciating, on the other, its beautiful. These memories are 3-dimensional now.

But Im very glad it is getting shared onstage, and I believe it will affect anyone who sees it in a positive way.

How it began

Madigan knew Fred Rogers away from the TV spotlight. They instantly clicked when meeting on a routine assignment for Madigan, who was then working at the Star-Telegram.

In 1995, Madigan was working on a story about violence on TV and the effect it has on children. A co-worker suggested he interview longtime kids show host Captain Kangaroo and, of course, Mr. Rogers.

Once the piece was written and printed, Madigan thought that was that. However, Rogers liked the story and had his people invite Madigan to Pittsburgh for a few days to write a profile on him.

That is where the friendship began. They clicked and Madigan made several more trips to Pittsburgh.

Fred said, Im so glad were friends, Madigan recalled. We became best friends at a time I was really hurting. He mentored me, supported me through some painful stuff. And I was there for some painful stuff in his life.

Looking back, Madigan said he has wondered over the years how the friendship blossomed, all the while happy that it did. After all, he asked himself, why was he special when Rogers had friends and admirers across the globe?

I think he made that invitation to thousands of people. Maybe Im just one who took him up on it, Madigan said with a smile.

The friendship lasted and grew until Rogers death in 2003. Madigan said though it was only eight years, they impacted him as if it had been decades.

Im proud of you

Being a half a country apart, much of the friendship was fostered through correspondence. Rogers loved receiving and sending letters.

In the summer of 1996 Madigan, battling what he termed a bout of life-threatening depression, reached out to his good friend with a special request. Among the challenges he was facing, he said it seemed no matter what he did he could not get his father to say he was proud of him.

So, he explicitly asked Rogers, Would you be proud of me?

Rogers reply? A resounding Yes! He told Madigan he had been proud of him since they first met.

From that moment on, anytime the two communicated, Rogers would always end with Im proud of you.

Hence, the name of the book and now the play.

Reunion with estranged brother

During their time as friends, Madigan experienced a reunion with his estranged brother, Steve, who had contracted lung cancer. Only a year apart in age, Steve and Tim were once close before the separation.

It was Rogers who helped reunite the two. When Tim asked his friend how he should communicate with his brother after not doing so for a decade, Rogers answer was simple and to the point.

Fred said, Go to your brother. Let God handle the rest, Tim said, adding that Steves reaction to the reunion was, like someone opened up a window and let in fresh air.

As Steve fought his cancer  which eventually took his life  Rogers, in his humble and loving wisdom, noted, Steves teaching us all now.

Through me, Fred started working on everyone else, too, Tim said.

Rogers had a daily prayer list that was known to be lengthy. He would spend every morning going through name by name praying for each person on the list individually.

Steve and his wife and children were on Freds daily prayer list, Madigan said. If he knew you he was praying for you.

Bringing book to the stage

Madigan is no stranger to having his work adapted for other purposes. His acclaimed novel The Burning: The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, a definitive account of Americas worst episode of racial violence, was primary source material for the depiction of the massacre in the pilot episode of the Emmy-winning series, Watchmen on HBO.

The story of him and Rogers is embedded in Madigans heart with an emotional depth that Parker felt needed to be told to audiences immediately. Parker had read the book and couldnt get it out of his mind. The more he pondered it, the more he believed it was a play waiting to be written  so he invited Madigan to lunch and pitched him the idea.

He didnt know me, but I so appreciate that he trusted me, and said, Give it a shot, Parker remembered. When I showed him my first draft he said, This could work  lets work on it together. Collaborating on the project with him, first as a writer, and now as the shows director has been a lot of work, but a complete joy.

The story is simple, but the truths it contains are profound and meaningful and universal. Its so easy to forget what is really important in life, but this play is a reminder that, among other things, what is essential is invisible to the eyes,  he said, referring to a quote from the late famous writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Madigan said by the spring of 2022 it began to feel as if they were closing on a solid production for the stage. Then, after some actor friends read it, he realized fully what Parker had been championing.

When we heard it come out of the actors mouths, we knew, Madigan said. Almost everything I was going through so many people can relate to. Harrys theory is I was the proxy for everybody.

Circle Theatre Executive Tim Long agrees with Parker that Madigans story is one that was meant for the stage  and he knew just which stage on which it should make its debut. His, of course.

When a friend like Harry Parker says he is writing a play, you listen and ask what it is about. Harrys directed some of the finest productions during my time at Circle Theatre, Long said. When he tells you the play is about a local Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter, Tim Madigan, one you read and followed, and Mr. Madigans friendship with the beloved Fred Rogers, you listen even more intently.

You add these ingredients together and you realize something is cooking. Stir in some wonderful actors like Randy Pearlman and Richie Haratine (as Madigan), and you now have a recipe for a wonderful evening of theater.

Seeing his life before him

Madigan admits seeing his life and relationships played out in front of him is something unlike anything hes experienced before.

I feel like Im naked onstage for 90 minutes, he said with a laugh.

Even more emotional is seeing Steve portrayed, he said.

Its complicated, emotionally difficult in some ways, but the overriding emotion is gratitude, Madigan said. How many people have the opportunity to have their brother come back to life.

Gabe (Whitehurst) does such a remarkable job. I see and hear him and I think, Oh my God, thats Steve! There he is, with a little imagination I can see my brother up there.

And theres the moment when he relives Rogers response to the question that inspired the shows title.

Randy (Pearlman) is giving passionate responses about me asking him to be proud of me. I told him its like Im hearing this for the first time, Madigan said.

Though Madigan didnt have a hand in choosing the cast, he said he couldnt be more pleased.

Harry picked them. He saw that a certain kind of person was required, Madigan said. But hes that kind of person, its part of why hes a great director.

Madigan admits he was a little uncomfortable at first with the thought of folks in the audience being able to pick apart certain aspects of his life. Such thoughts were put to rest, however, by Parker.

He told me, When people are leaving the theater they are not going to be thinking about you. Theyre going to be thinking about their own lives, Madigan recalled. We all suffer.

Long-term potential

Parker believes the show has the potential to play beyond Circle Theatre.

First, there is still enormous interest in Fred Rogers. He touched many people in his career, and many remember him very fondly. But, even more important than Freds story, is the universality of the plays message, Parker said. This is a play that reminds us of things that we always need to be reminded of.

Parker said he hopes the audiences learn what Madigan learns in the play  that we need to pay attention to the important things in our life, and learn how to be vulnerable and honest.

If we can soften the hardened heart of one audience member during a performance, wouldnt that be an incredible result? I think so, he said.

Working on this play has been such a joy for all of us. Tim and I have become true friends, and I cherish that. I was able to cast four actors who are not only ideal for the roles they are playing, but are all superb professionals and fantastic, genuine people.

I hope the audience enjoys seeing the play as much as we have enjoyed creating it.

Fred Rogers lasting impact

I always wondered if he would ever betray himself to be more recognizably human, Madigan said. He never did.

He had a deep understanding of humanity, one thing was how difficult life can be. Things beneath the surface are things people try to hide.

Madigan said Rogers approach was to, instead, bring those things to the surface. He believed that suffering is human, not a character defect.

Share that and youre giving another person a great compliment, showing that you trust them, Madigan said.

The message of the book and play reflect that, Madigan said.

Its OK. What youre going through is OK, he said, pausing momentarily as if to collect himself and his memories.

Rogers always assumed there was more to a person than meets the eye, and he always followed that assumption with compassion. Madigan said this was evidenced in how he looked beyond the surface in the relationships Madigan had with his father and brother.

He had boundaries, but he would never judge, Madigan said.

And when Rogers passed away, Madigan felt a void in his life, while at the same time having the satisfaction of being in a special friendship that does not come through everyones life. While the world mourned a lost TV icon and great humanitarian, Madigan remembers, He was that guy to others, but to me he was my great friend.

Im Proud of You

When: Oct. 26-Nov. 18 (7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays)

Where: Circle Theatre, 230 W. Fourth St.

Tickets: circletheatre.com/improudofyou
The U.S. has allocated $522 million to purchase energy equipment for Ukraine and protect the countrys electricity infrastructure, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Oct. 16.

"We are on the brink of a challenging winter. Thanks to the support of our partners, we survived the most difficult heating season in our history (last year), Shmyhal told regional and local officials at a meeting.

This winter, we have both financial support and aid for energy (systems) restoration.

According to Shmyhal, Ukraine is almost 100% ready for the heating season. All nine units of Ukrainian nuclear power plants will be in operation during the autumn-winter period.

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Read also: With winter approaching, is Ukraines energy system ready for renewed Russian attacks?

U.S. Special Representative for Economic Recovery in Ukraine Penny Pritzker also attended the meeting during her first visit to Ukraine since the appointment in September.

She met President Volodymyr Zelensky, discussing the U.S.s involvement in the reconstruction of the Ukrainian energy system, among other topics.

On Oct. 8, the Ukrainian Air Force warned that Russia would likely launch a record number of drones against Ukraine as it seeks to destroy the country's energy infrastructure.

Moscow attempted such a strategy during the fall and winter of 2022-2023, which led to frequent blackouts and a lack of heating across the country.

Read also: Ukrainian energy company on Russias attacks on infrastructure: No system in the world has faced the same

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  The Quezon City police officer who figured in a viral video over a traffic incident along Commonwealth Avenue has been reinstated, Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Belmonte thanked Quezon City Police District Director PBGen Rederico Maranan for Executive Master Sergeant Verdo Pantollanos return to service after he was relieved earlier this month.

"I strongly urged Gen. Maranan to reinstate relieved cop Pantollano following the clarification made by MMDA Chairman Rolando Artes that interrupting traffic flow as a courtesy to VIPs is normal practice," she said.

The mayor added an injustice was done against Pantollano whom she said was merely doing his job.

"We promote fairness and justice in our city and ensure that no one will bear the burden for something that is not their fault," Belmonte said.

RELATED: Belmonte urges QCPD to reinstate cop who involved VP Sara in Commonwealth traffic delay

Pantollano was in a viral video taken by a netizen who wanted to know why motorists were not allowed to pass, to which the policeman said a VIP would be passing through. Pantollano then said "si VP [it's the VP]."

Pantollano quickly apologized for the incident, saying he believed it was Duterte.

Vice President Sara Duterte and her office issued separate statements denying they were the alleged VIP and asked officials to investigate the matter, adding the identity of the supposed VIP be made public. No such information has been released.
Berlin  Poland's general election on Sunday could oust conservatives who have led the country for eight years and usher in a new government likely to seek warmer relations with Warsaw's European neighbors. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's ruling Law and Justice party remains the strongest political force in the country, but three opposition parties could combine their forces to form a new government with a new leader.

The Law and Justice party received 36.8% of the vote, securing 200 seats in Parliament, according to post-election polls conducted by Ipsos. However, the party lost almost 7 percentage points compared to the last election in 2019.

The opposition liberal-conservative Civic Coalition of former Prime Minister Donald Tusk was the second-strongest force with 31.6% of the vote and 163 seats.

A record 73% of voters turned out for the election, shattering the 1989 record of 62.7% and the 2019 turnout of 61.7%.

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In Germany, Polish voters lined up outside their country's embassy in Berlin on Sunday. More than 100,000 Poles in Germany went to cast their vote. According to the Polish Election Commission, more than 560,000 Polish voters had registered to cast a ballot abroad.

The campaign was dominated by the issue of migration and attacks on the role of the European Union and Germany.

After exit polls were released at 9 p.m. Sunday, both Law and Justice and Civic Platform declared that they had won. However, the ruling party is in a difficult position, lacking the 31 seats to form a viable governing coalition.

The only possible coalition partner for Law and Justice is the far-right Konfederacja, which received 6.2% of the vote and 12 seats, which, according to forecasts, wouldn't be enough to form a majority.

Tusk's Civic Platform, the Christian conservative Third Way coalition, which received 13.5% of the vote and 55 seats, and left-wing Lewica, with 8.6% of the vote and 30 seats, together add up to 248 seats. The three parties could form an alliance to oust Morawiecki and elevate Tusk, the leader of the progressive and European Union-friendly opposition.

However, the final election results will not be known until Tuesday.

A change of power in Warsaw could bring decisive changes in Polish domestic and foreign policy.

The Law and Justice party is constantly at odds with the European Parliament in Brussels and has also angered the German government with demands for World War II reparations. The party's ultra-conservative changes to the country's abortion laws have divided the country.

Massive protests as Poland implements near-total ban on abortions

Angry protests as Poland's top court bans virtually all abortions

Abortion battle rages in Poland despite coronavirus lockdown

A new government could now put Poland on a pro-European course.

Tusk said the election results meant the "end of the rule of PiS," another name for Law and Justice, which has led the government in Warsaw for eight years. "Poland has won, democracy has won, we have driven them from power," Tusk said.

The final balance of power in Parliament may still shift by a few percentage points for smaller parties. The formation of a government is expected to be a lengthy process.

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(Bloomberg) -- Polands opposition leader Donald Tusk called on the nations president to quickly start the process of handing over power after his party and its allies won a parliamentary majority in Sundays election.

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Tusks Civic Platform won 157 seats in Polands lower house of parliament, while the Third Way alliance had 65 and the Left party 26, according to calculations based on final results confirmed by the National Electoral Commission on Tuesday. That would give the three factions 248 seats in the 460-seat legislature.

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The result has buoyed Polish assets, putting the country on track to mend relations with the European Union after the nationalist Law & Justice partys long-running conflict with Brussels on issues ranging from democratic standards to media freedom and climate policy.

Its not clear if President Andrzej Duda will buck tradition and appoint Tusk to form a new government. Polands head of state has in the past designated the election winner, in this case Law & Justice with 194 seats. But this time, the ruling party would be blocked from forming a majority.

Im appealing to the president to make quick, energetic decisions, Tusk said in a televised speech on Tuesday. The parties are ready to take over the responsibility for governing the country. Mr. President, people are waiting.

Malgorzata Paprocka, a presidential legal aide, said the process of forming the next administration should move swiftly, citing a complex geopolitical climate, with Poland serving as the main transit hub for aid and weapons to Ukraine. Duda, a Law & Justice ally, has 30 days from the election to convene parliament.

I wont rule out any option at the moment, Paprocka told Polish Radio 3. She described the situation as unusual by Polish parliamentary standards. The president is carefully analyzing the situation.

The current government will resign once the new parliament convenes. Should Duda adhere to precedent, hell designate Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of the ruling party, who will have a two-week window to win a confidence vote in parliament and form a government.

That could delay Tusks ambitions to return to power by weeks. Tusk led Polands government from 2007 to 2014, when he was appointed European Council president. Szymon Holownia, a co-leader of Third Way, said the basis of a coalition agreement with the Civic Platform and the Left should be completed in about two weeks.

Should a deal be reached, Tusks coalition will have a heavy agenda of mending ties with the EU and restoring independent institutions. His top priorities include dismantling political influence over the judicial system and the media.

If he makes progress, his administration could get a significant early boost from more than 35 billion ($37 billion) in EU funding that was frozen due to a dispute with the nationalists over the rule of law.

--With assistance from Mark Sweetman.

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Polands opposition coalition has secured enough seats to oust the ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party after Sundays election.

The pro-European Union coalition, led by former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk , hopes to walk back some of the illiberal policies enacted by PiS during its eight years of rule  but may face an uphill battle.

Much of the three-party coalitions success came from offering voters choices among themselves during the election campaign, rather than just presenting as a united anti-PiS bloc, Daniel Tilles argues in Notes from Poland. Each of the three blocs conducted its own, separate campaign, yet they also largely avoided attacking one another and made clear that they would be willing to form a coalition government, Tilles wrote. Their different views held a wide appeal, he adds, saying the oppositions center-right Third Way party, for instance, managed to bring some disillusioned former PiS voters on board.

Outgoing Prime Minister Jarosaw Kaczynski woke up a giant in Tusk, Polish-language newspaper Rzeczpospolita noted Monday. The country saw a historic turnout for the election, which was characterized throughout the campaign period as the most important since the collapse of communism in 1989. Kaczynski hoped that maximum polarization, that basing the electoral strategy on the campaign of insulting Tusk and the Civic Platform, would lead to a final clash of the two camps. But he miscalculated, the paper noted.

Tusk faces an uphill battle against the illiberal policy shifts enacted by PiS. Over nearly a decade the government has stacked many Polish institutions with its loyalists, Andrew Higgins writes in The New York Times. The question facing Tusk now is how he might be able to bring those institutions back to liberalism. Most pressing is whether the coalition will be able to form a government without a fight: Experts are warning that a nightmare scenario may include the nation facing something of a constitutional crisis if President Andrzej Duda refuses to ask the coalition to form government.
UK police on Tuesday removed Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg from a protest outside the energy sector's annual London get-together, an AFP photographer reported.

The 20-year-old activist, who has become a key face of the movement to fight climate change, was taken away by two police officers and put into the back of a police van outside the Energy Intelligence Forum.

Joining a mass protest, Thunberg earlier slammed "closed door" agreements struck between politicians and representatives of the oil and gas industry.

"Behind these closed doors, spineless politicians are making deals and compromises with lobbyists from (the) destructive fossil fuel industry," Thunberg told journalists outside the venue hosting the annual gathering, which runs until Thursday.

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Several hundred protestors gathered by the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel during the "Oily Money Out" demonstration, organised by pressure groups Fossil Free London and Greenpeace, blocking all entrances to the venue.

The carbon-intensive sector has faced fierce criticism from the green lobby for continuing to invest in dirty fossil fuels and worsen climate change -- instead of accelerating the shift towards cleaner renewable energy.

"The world is drowning in fossil fuels. Our hopes and dreams and lives are being washed away by a flood of greenwashing and lies," added Thunberg.

"It has been clear for decades that the fossil fuel industries were well aware of the consequences of their business models, and yet, they have done nothing.

"The opposite -- they have actively delayed, distracted and denied the causes of the climate crisis and spread doubts about their own engagement in it," she said.

- Oil bosses -

The gathering will be addressed Tuesday by a host of industry bigwigs, including Shell chief executive Wael Sawan, his counterpart at French group TotalEnergies Patrick Pouyanne, and Saudi Aramco boss Amin Nasser.

Outside the forum, demonstrators banged drums and chanted "stop the oil, stop the gas" and "We are unstoppable, another world is possible".

"I've got six grandchildren. I have nightmares about the future for them," protestor Doro Marden told AFP.

Demonstrators argue that most industry profit is ploughed back into dirty energy that worsens climate change.

"Oil companies have racked up billions upon billions of profit, breaking records across the board last year. Oily CEOs took home multi-million pound pay cheques," Fossil Free London said in a statement.

"The overwhelming majority of this money is going straight back into fossil fuel expansion, not the green energy they claim to support."

TotalEnergies chief Pouyanne told the conference that "we need to give an answer" to the protesters.

"We must contribute to the fight against climate change," he said.

"There is no way to change this system in a night, but we need to be proactive and to demonstrate our commitment," he added.

Many participants were unable to access the gathering, with five demonstrators arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway and taken into custody, the police said.

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Los Angeles police were searching for a man who they said donned a skull-print ski mask and gunned down two people Monday evening in Wilmington, killing one man and sending a second to the hospital.

The shooting occurred around 5:15 p.m. in the 1000 block of East M Street near Sanford Street.

Two ambulances were dispatched for two victims who had suffered gunshot wounds. One, a 47-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other victim was a man, 44, who was found conscious and breathing. But after being taken to a hospital Monday night, he succumbed to his injuries.

Read more: Woman shot a man allegedly trying to force his way into her Hollywood Hills home

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Police said Tuesday the two men were "outside socializing" when another man walked up to them and fired multiple rounds. He then fled on foot. The motivation behind the shooting remains unknown.

The suspect was described as about 25 years old and 5 feet, 9 inches tall.

The shooting remained under investigation Tuesday, and police were seeking the public's help. Anyone with information is asked to contact South Bureau homicide detectives at (323) 786-6100. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or drop a tip on the organization's website.

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.
Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a man in southwest Dallas early Sunday, police announced in a news release.

At about 4:45 a.m. Sunday, Dallas police responded to a call for service in the 3500 block of West Wheatland Road. A preliminary investigation determined the victim, Shatodrick Stewart, 27, had been shot in the 4000 block of West Camp Wisdom Road, in southwest Dallas near Interstate 20.

He was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries, according to the release.

Police have not announced an arrest.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Joshua Romero at 214-671-3645 or joshua.romero@dallaspolice.gov.
Chicago police issued a community alert Tuesday warning residents about an arsonist who has ignited several autumn and Halloween displays on the North Side.

The culprit has burned decorations on the sidewalk and three of the fires happened on front porches of residences, Chicago police said.

A fire that happened about 3:30 a.m. Monday on a porch in the North Center neighborhood in the 3600 block of North Hoyne Avenue damaged the home, police said.

The arsonist has struck at least seven other times burning displays and street corner garbage cans, police said. The other arsons happened in the overnight hours at the following locations:

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Oct. 4 about 1:50 a.m. in the 4600 block of North Lincoln Avenue

Oct. 4 about 3:50 a.m. in the 2100 block of West Montrose Avenue

Oct. 4 about 4 a.m. in the 4500 block of North Lincoln Avenue

Oct. 7 about 4:15 a.m. in the 4600 block of North Lincoln Avenue

Oct. 9 about 3. a.m. in the 4000 block of North Lincoln Avenue

Oct. 11 about 3:10 a.m. in the 2100 block of West Agatite Avenue

Oct. 11 about 3:45 a.m. in the 2200 block of West Roscoe Street

The arsonist was described by police as a slender White man between 35 to 40 years of age. He is balding with a beard and mustache. He. was last seen wearing glasses, a black jacket, blue jeans and was carrying a messenger bag.

Anyone with information on the arsonist should contact the police.
Authorities have located a 12-year-old girl who disappeared in Santa Ana Monday night.

Janelle Flores-Avila was last seen in the area of Pine Street and Halliday Street around 10 p.m. Monday evening.

The Tustin Police Department confirmed that she was located safe by 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. Authorities released no information surrounding why Janelle went missing or where she was found.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Tustin Police Department at 714-573-3200.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Authorities are looking for a driver they say ran over a dog and kept driving Monday morning.

Officers responding to the area of City Depot Road around 7 a.m. for a report of an injured animal found a dog who had been hit by a car, according to Charlton Police. They say the driver did not stop and has yet to be identified. The extent of the dogs injuries is unknown at this time.

Drivers are reminded that Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 272, Section 80 H requires the operator of a motor vehicle that strikes and injures or kills a dog or cat shall forthwith report such an accident to the owner or custodian of said dog or cat or to a police officer in the town or face a fine or imprisonment.

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Similarly, dog owners in town are reminded that Charlton has a 24-hour leash law.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call police.

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.

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One man wanted in connection to a fatal shooting in Alexandria has been arrested in Concordia Parish, while another man remains at large, according to police.

The Alexandria Police Department on Tuesday said it had issued warrants for Troyvonta Green, 26, and Mayon Jones, 23, both of Alexandria.

They are wanted in the shooting death of 22-year-old Shedrick Jordon, who died at a hospital after being shot the night of Oct. 8 on the 2500 block of Culpepper Road.

Shedrick Jordon homicide: 22-year-old shooting victim identified as Alexandria police investigate

Court update: Trial of Boyce man accused in bicyclist's 2020 death moved into February 2024

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Green is facing charges of second-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a news release.

It also states that the Green and Jones might be in the Concordia Parish area.

That is where Jones was arrested Tuesday night, reads another news release. He was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center #1 early Wednesday on charges of aggravated assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm, as well as a parole violation.

No bail has been set.

Anyone with information on the ongoing investigation is asked to call detectives at 318-441-6416 or dispatch at 318-441-6559. Detectives also can be reached via email at APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Mayon Jones arrested in Concordia Parish after Alexandria fatal shooting
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 18)  Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday called on Malacanang to certify the mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) bill as urgent to strengthen the country's military reserve force.

His statement came after Israel called thousands of its army reservists to fight back against the Palestine militant group Hamas.

According to Gatchalian, the Philippines only has 10,000 army reservists compared to Israel's more than 300,000.

"Nasusundan ko rin kung anong nangyari doon sa Israel and Gaza," he said. "All of those [Israeli] reservists dumaan sa two-year mandatory conscription. Ang proposal sa ROTC is only one year tapos once a week, hindi siya full-time."

[Translation: I've seen what happened in Israel and Gaza. All of those Israeli reservists went through the two-year mandatory conscription. The ROTC proposal is only once a week in one year, it's not full-time.]

Gatchalian added that he wanted the bill certified as urgent not only for defense purposes but also for climate change and calamity response.

Becoming an army reservist in the country at present is voluntary, but under the ROTC bill, college students who will undergo mandatory conscription will automatically be called a reservist.

Gatchalian also said he's planning to file a bill for working professionals in the private sector to be paid by either the government or companies during the days they will miss work due to military training.

The ROTC bill is one of the priority measures of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration. During his first State of the Nation Address, Marcos asked lawmakers to pass the bill in both public and private senior high schools.

A Social Weather Stations survey released in May showed almost half of adult Filipinos think ROTC should be optional.

With reports from CNN Philippines correspondent Eimor Santos.
With 99.96% of the votes counted, the Polish Electoral Commission released the results of the Oct. 15 elections in the morning of Oct. 17.

The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party won 35.4%, followed by the centrist Civic Coalition at 30.68%, the center-right Third Way at 14.41%, the New Left at 8.6%, and far-right Confederation at 7.16%.

Voter turnout was at 74.37%, the electoral commission reported. In the Senate, PiS won 34.86%, followed by 28.93% for the Civic Coalition, 11.55% for the Third Way, 6.76% for Confederation, and 5.28% for the New Left.

PiS, which has been in power since 2015, lacks enough support to build rule without forming a coalition as they will not hold the 248 seats in parliament needed to rule alone.

The centrist Third Way, which is composed of the agrarian Polish People's Party (PSL) and the Poland 2050 movement, ruled out any talks with the PiS on forming a new government on Oct. 16.

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The opposition is therefore expected to build a coalition government, as they will hold the majority of the seats.

Donald Tusk, Civic Coalition leader, already declared victory shortly after the exit poll predicted that the three opposition parties would secure a majority in the Polish Parliament on Oct. 15.

"Poland won, democracy has won. This is the end of the bad times, this is the end of the ruling party, PiS," Tusk said.

Read also: Voting underway in Poland with high stakes for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The town of Port Royal may be viewed as a small waterfront hamlet to some but the issues facing the 14,000 residents mirror similar challenges vexing much bigger east coast cities. Development, preservation and environmental concerns clearly have become the breakout issues of this election.

Monday night at the towns elementary school in front of more than 100 residents, Mayor Joe DeVito and challenger Kevin Phillips presented their approaches to handing these topics including water and land use along Battery Creek, which has become a lightning rod of local controversy since progress and planning for the Safe Harbor Marinas project has slid behind a veil of secrecy in recent months.

The moderated discussion lasted an hour and the two candidates for the towns highest office responded to questions from a panel chosen by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, which organized the forum.

The candidates painted two very different pictures of the way forward. Topics included affordable housing, the future of military installations and improvements to Ribaut Road. All of those issues paled to the 800-pound gorilla in the room: looming and immediate questions regarding the waterfront development plans and how the town should manage this process in the next few months.

The candidates

DeVito is running for a second four-year mayoral term. Phillips was elected to the council four years ago. DeVito touted his experience including 18 years on the Planning Commission, saying he offered true leadership and had moved the needle over the past four years when it comes to progress. Phillips touted a new vision and procedures and policies for the town and a better way.

Development moratorium

Challenger Phillips suggested a pause should be placed on new large-scale residential and commercial development. He cites that the town already has enough apartment complexes and storage units. A development moratorium, he said, would allow the community that prides itself on its proximity to the local waters to study its codes as well as affordable housing and areas that should be considered for preservation. Residents, Phillips said, have a say in this community and (they) should be heard about that.

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DeVito said hes willing to discuss how a moratorium would impact the community but he called the idea a slippery slope that he likely would vote against. Stopping development would affect every resident in town, he noted. And it would not just affect tax revenue upon which the town relies but also people with jobs with the companies involved in development and building. People willing to invest in the town, he added, may walk away and never return. Also, if you pick what can and cant be built in town without providing a good reason, it opens up the town to lawsuits, DeVito said.

We have to have a real reason for a moratorium, DeVito said.

Phillips countered that he just wanted to get a conversation started. He argued that residents feel as if they are not being heard when it comes to the way the town is being developed. I personally do not believe it (the dialogue) cannot be done, Phillips said.

Port redevelopment

The candidates were asked if the redevelopment of the port property along Battery Creek is on the right track and the pairs answers provided another difference in approach.

Safe Harbor Marinas is developing about 50 acres of waterfront along Battery Creek with a marina and housing. Those plans have been criticized recently. Residents have raised concerns about The Beach Companys plan to build 200 rental townhomes and single-family dwellings. The Beach Company is in negotiations with Safe Harbor to purchase land where the housing is planned. Residents have raised concerns about how industrial the waterfront currently appears, especially the presence of the large cranes Safe Harbor Marinas is using to assemble docks that will be used at other far away sites they operate.

Phillips said he doesnt like how Safe Harbor has treated the town since it bought the property two years ago. The town has been a good partner, he said, And you can see how weve been treated. He said he worries about the Beach Companys build to rent project. Each day the town waits, he said, The Beach Company is getting closer to closing on the property with Safe Harbor. Once they close on the property, he predicted, they will listen to whoever is financing the project, not the town. The longer we wait the worse the situation gets, Phillips said.

DeVito addressed the topic by saying nobody likes the direction of the housing plans are going and the town council members have voiced their opinions about it. The question, he said, is how the town goes about making a change to the plans. The town needs to negotiate and be ready to get tougher if necessary. This area of Port Royal should be developed with single family homes where people can walk down the street. Safe Harbor will get to know that in a very strong way, possibly this week, said DeVito, hinting that the town was planning something.

Ian Scott, the CEO and president of the Chamber of Commerce, calling the port redevelopment a hot topic of conversation, followed up, asking what concrete steps the town should be taking right now to ensure the project is successful.

Phillips said the town should put pressure on Safe Harbors Marina plans because thats mainly why they are in Port Royal. If you dont like the housing plans, he said, the town needs to push against the marina plans.

DeVito said there are tools in the tool box we ready to deploy. The town, he added, must keep the attorneys out of the situation as long as possible.

Development changes

The candidates were asked what they would change about zoning or development.

Devito said the town needs more job-creating commercial development along its highway corridors, which may require zoning changes.

Phillips said more transparency is needed in the development process. Residents are frustrated and ask whats going on when developments seem to pop up out of nowhere, Phillips said. Sometimes, he added, even council members are surprised by projects. Phillips said hed like to see more public input and notice especially when it comes to larger projects.

DeVito countered that there is a chance for public comments at Design Review Board meetings which are publicly posted and open to the public.

Environmental concerns

The candidates were asked about what they would do to protect Port Royals location so close to the valued resource of Battery Creek. Phillips answer reiterated his development moratorium theme as a good first step in identifying lands that require protection.

DeVito said addressing environmental concerns start with getting rid of the remaining septic systems in the area and getting them on the public sewer system. He also pushed for developing greater control of storm water runoff. Finally, he mentioned that overbuilding is an issue the town needs to keep on close watch.
Fugees star Pras Michel, who was convicted in April on charges of conspiring to make straw campaign donations, witness tampering and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China, appears to be breaking new legal ground by calling for a new trial by claiming his defense attorneys allegedly relied on artificial intelligence to compile their final argument for the jury.

In a withering motion filed Monday night with a federal judge in Washington, Michels new attorneys argued that his Los Angeles-based lawyer David Kenner relied on the fledgling technology at critical points in Michels trial, contributing to prejudicial ineffective assistance of counsel.

Kenner used an experimental artificial intelligence (AI) program to draft the closing argument, ignoring the best arguments and conflating the charged schemes, and he then publicly boasted that the AI program turned hours or days of legal work into seconds, Michels new defense team from D.C.-based ArentFox Schiff wrote. It is now apparent that Kenner and his co-counsel appear to have had an undisclosed financial stake in the AI program, and they experimented with it during Michels trial so they could issue a press release afterward promoting the program  a clear conflict of interest.

Michel's prior publicist also informed members of the current defense team that Kenner proudly stated at the end of the trial words to the effect of AI wrote our closing, former federal prosecutor Peter Zeidenberg wrote in a declaration accompanying the motion.

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Zeidenberg pointed to a press release a firm called Eyelevel appears to have issued in May, which included a photo of Michel and boasted that the companys technology made history last week, becoming the first use of generative AI in a federal trial. The release quotes Kenner calling the AI tool an absolute game changer for complex litigation.

The announcement does not mention that, after a three-week trial featuring a diverse set of witnesses ranging from Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio to former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, jurors took less than three days to convict Michel on all 10 felony charges he faced.

Kenner and another defense attorney on the case, Alon Israely, did not immediately respond to messages late Monday night seeking comment on the claims in the new filing.

Federal prosecutors claimed Michel took staggering sums of money  about $88 million  from wealthy Malaysian businessman Jho Low in a bid to enhance his influence in the U.S. and later to derail the investigation and prosecution of Low on fraud charges stemming from the collapse of Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MBD. The hip-hop star who came to prominence in the 1990s was accused of arranging to donate money from foreign nationals to President Barack Obamas reelection campaign in 2012 and making intensive efforts to influence President Donald Trumps administration to drop or resolve the charges against Low.

Michel has been free on bond since the first charges were filed in the case in 2019 U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who oversaw the trial, allowed him to remain free pending sentencing. That hasnt yet been scheduled.

Partly due to a court order freezing his assets, Michel was in dire financial straits before and during the trial. He sold the rights to his past recordings and also sought to raise $2.6 million for his defense by pledging part of his frozen assets or his future earnings, Reuters reported in March.

Michel is set to kick off a Fugees reunion tour Tuesday night linked to the 25th anniversary of Lauryn Hills solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The announced schedule  beginning Tuesday night in Newark, N.J., and passing through Washington on Saturday  features more than 20 concerts, including two in Canada. Its unclear whether Michel plans to attend all the gigs.

Beyond the claims related to AI, the motion also makes a slew of other arguments criticizing Kenners handling of the case. Michels new attorneys argue that Kenner had a conflict of interest due to potential contempt of court citation over claims the defense leaked stamped grand jury exhibits to a Bloomberg reporter just prior to the start of the trial.

The new lawyers also say Kenner was deficient by failing to seek separate trials for Michel on the straw donation charges related to the Obama campaign and the foreign-influence related charges from the Trump era. That decision may have been influenced by a flat fee Kenner agreed to with Michel, the new-trial motion says.

Michels counsel was deficient throughout, likely more focused on promoting his AI program and saving himself from the contempt proceeding than zealously defending Michel, Zeidenberg wrote.
President Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday amid the escalating war with Hamas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the visit comes at a "critical moment for Israel."

It will be Biden's second trip to a war zone in less than a year; he visited Ukraine in February.

President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and neighboring Jordan on Wednesday, top US officials say, a high-stakes visit that comes amid Israel's escalating war against Hamas.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Monday that the day-long trip to the region will reaffirm America's support for one of its closest allies.

"He's coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world, " Blinken said, adding that "the president will reaffirm the United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security."

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White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that Biden will "reaffirm our solidarity with Israel, and he will look forward to getting an update from Israeli officials about their strategy and the pace of their military operations. He'll certainly expert to hear from Israel what they believe they need to continue to defend their people, and so that we can continue to work with Congress to try to meet those needs."

Biden is scheduled to talk with Israeli officials about the nearly 200 hostages that Hamas is believed to be holding in the Gaza Strip, and learn additional information about the situation and coordinate efforts to secure their release, Kirby said.

The president will also travel to Amman, Jordan, where he'll meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas , as well as Jordan's King Abdullah, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. There, they'll discuss the humanitarian needs of Gaza's civilians.

"Innocent civilians are innocent civilians," Kirby said. "And none of them, no matter what side of the line they live on, or how they call themselves or how they worship deserve to be victims of armed conflict. As I've said before, the number of appropriate civilian casualties is zero. And we have been nothing but consistent about that."

The trip will be just one day long, but "there's an awful lot on the agenda," Kirby said. "Again, reiterating that Israel has the right to defend itself and to go after these Hamas terrorists, and that the United States will continue to support them."

"I would remind that Hamas is deliberately putting innocent civilians at greater risk by setting up road blocks, not letting them move, putting up commanding control headquarters in tunnels underneath their homes and schools and hospitals."

The trip will be Biden's second visit to a war zone this year after he made a surprise trip to Ukraine in February just before the country marked one year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Since the attacks by Hamas fighters began on October 7, more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed and 3,400 injured in brutal attacks on civilians. The massacre included reports of an elderly woman gunned down at a bus stop, children murdered, and partygoers slaughtered at a music festival.

In response, Israel has launched a bombardment of missile strikes on Gaza, leveling parts of the densely populated city and displacing thousands of Palestinians, leaving them unsure how they will get food or water. The coastal enclave's health ministry reported 2,778 killed and 9,938 injured since Israel's counter-strikes began.

Read the original article on Business Insider
President Joe Biden, addressing attendees at the 2023 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening, was momentarily interrupted by an audience members shouts.

The dinner was held in the expansive dining room of the Washington Convention Center with over 2,500 guests, and the rooms acoustics made it challenging for many attendees, including those from The Advocate, to discern the protesters message.



However, a subsequent review of the White House transcript revealed the words: Let Gaza live! Ceasefire now!

Responding to the interruption, Biden remarked, I cant hear her. Whats she saying? Well, thank you. Whatever youre saying.

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He continued with his address, passionately championing LGBTQ+ rights, emphasizing, At this pivotal moment in our history, Jill and I have come here tonight to say thank you for your courage, thank you for your hope, and thank you for your pride.

Later in his speech, Biden addressed the recent events in the Middle East, describing the attacks as the worst massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust.

He elaborated on the human toll, sharing, A week ago, we saw hate manifest in another way in the worst massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust. More than 1,300 innocent lives lost in Israel, including at least 27 Americans.

He conveyed the emotional impact on affected families: Yesterday, I spoke for over an hour with the family members of those Americans who are still unaccounted for on a Zoom call. Theyve endured an agony of not knowing what has happened.

Biden urged unity against hate, proclaiming, We have to reject hate in every form.  The antidote to hate is love.

The White House announced yesterday that Biden plans to travel to Israel on Wednesday in support of the country after the militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, staged an unprecedented attack on Israeli citizens on October 7. He'll also visit Jordan to meet with leaders of Arab states. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has visited Israel twice since Hamas's attacks in an effort to stem the violence from spilling over into the region.

Hamas targeted a music festival as well as small communities, where atrocities including the slaying of older adults and children occurred.

More than 2,500 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed since the attacks, according to the Associated Press. Almost 10,000 have been wounded.

Israeli military officials say at least 199 hostages were taken from Israel, including those Americans mentioned by Biden. Hamas said it was holding between 200 and 250 hostages, the AP reports.

Since the attacks on October 7, Israel has bombarded Gaza and has cut off electricity, water, and food from the Palestinian territory. Government and military leaders say they will not stop the siege of Gaza until all hostages are returned.

The AP reports that hospitals in Gaza are expected to run out of fuel within the next day or so. Also, people are turning to drinking salt and contaminated water because the taps have run dry. Hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza have been displaced as the Israeli military readies troops on the border with Gaza and warned Palestinians in Gaza to move South.

Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life, said Philippe Lazzarini, the United Nations chief in Gaza, according to the AP. He called for Israel to end its siege. We need this now.
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden plans to travel to Israel on Wednesday in a dramatic display of support for the U.S. ally as his administration seeks to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from expanding into a larger Middle East conflict.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently in Tel Aviv, announced Biden's visit following an overnight meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"He's coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region and for the world," Blinken said.

The trip will come a week and a half after Hamas' surprise attack on Israel killed at least 1,300 Israelis, prompting airstrikes on Gaza in retaliation. The death toll on both sides of the war has surpassed 4,000  about 2,800 in Gaza  and more than 10,000 are wounded. Blinken said at least 30 Americans were killed in Israel.

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Blinken said Biden "will again make clear, as he's done unequivocally," that Israel "has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people" following the Hamas attack.

Biden will travel to Tel Aviv, where he will hold a bilateral meeting with Netanyahu and meet with other Israeli officials.

Blinken said Biden will hear from Israeli leaders about what it needs from the U.S. to defend itself. The White House is seeking approval from Congress to provide military aid to Israel.

Israel has advised Palestinians in northern Gaza to head south ahead of a ground offensive, prompting concerns that other Middle East adversaries could join the conflict.

"President Biden will underscore our crystal-clear message to any actor, state, or non-state trying to take advantage of this crisis to attack Israel. Don't," Blinken said.

Biden has publicly warned other parties hostile to Israel  terrorist groups and other nations - not to use the Israel-Hamas War as a moment to interfere and expand the conflict.

Biden singled out Iran by name last week, saying he made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful.

But Iranian leaders warned Monday that an expanded Israel-Hamas War is increasingly becoming unavoidable, a sign that the primary backer of the Palestinian militant group Hamas is preparing for a larger conflict.

The time for political solutions is running out," Irans foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding that "the possibility of expanding the scope of the war on other fronts is approaching the stage that cannot be avoided."

Iran is allies with Hamas but the Biden administration has so far said it found no evidence that Iran either knew about the attack on Israel or helped Hamas carry it out.

Biden canceled a previously scheduled trip Monday to Pueblo, Colorado, where he planned to tout his administration's efforts to expand wind turbines, as the administration scrambled to arrange the Israel visit.

John Kirby, a White House spokesman for national security issues, said Biden will "affirm our solidarity with Israel, and he will look forward to getting an update from Israeli officials about their strategy and the pace of their military operations."

Biden will also talk to Israel about the hostages who are being held by Hamas and will discuss coordinating efforts to get Americans back home, Kirby said.

Asked whether it's safe for Biden to travel to the region, Kirby said, We wouldn't make a trip, obviously, if we did not believe that proper security measures would be in place.

Also on Wednesday, Biden will travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Biden will reiterate his concern that Hamas does not represent the vast majority of the Palestinian people, and he will discuss the humanitarian needs of all civilians in Gaza, Kirby said.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly known as Twitter, @joeygarrison and Collins @mcollinsNEWS.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Biden to visit Israel following Hamas attacks
An attorney representing Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny , Alexander Fedulov, whom Navalny associates reported being unable to contact on Monday afternoon, has said on Instagram that he has left Russia.

The situation has taken a strange turn. The arrest of our colleagues who defended Navalny has brought substantial changes to the work of attorneys who remain free. The enormous amount of work, the number of court cases, and the current situation have necessitated adjustments in the ongoing protection of our clients interests. This is what made it necessary for me to leave Russia, Fedulov wrote. He did not disclose his current location.

Navalny's team reported earlier on Oct. 16 that Fedulov did not show up at Navalny's hearing in the penal colony as scheduled and that his telephone appeared to have been switched off.

Fedulov's father and sister told the Russian independent news outlet Verstka they do not know his whereabouts.

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On Oct. 13, three of Navalnys lawyers  Igor Sergunin, Alexey Liptser, and Vadim Kobzev  were detained for at least two months on suspicion of being involved with an extremist organization.

Read also: Russian authorities detain Navalnys lawyers after home raids

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A new conservation effort proposed by the federal government seeks to protect some of Floridas remaining undeveloped lands, and it could include parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Dubbed the Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area, the project maps out a 4-million-acre region spanning 12 Southwest Florida counties. If the plan is approved, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will try to purchase conservation land from willing sellers within that boundary.

We have a few short years to protect this landscape, said Florida Conservation Group director Julie Morris. Every bit of funding counts.

FCG, a nonprofit with a focus on Southwest Florida conservation, is one of many groups partnering with the federal agency to bring the new conservation area to fruition.

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In addition to outright land buys, the program would also offer landowners the option of establishing a conservation easement on their property. In an easement, a landowner maintains ownership of the land but gives up or limits rights to develop the property or disturb natural habitat.

Conserving ranch land helps environment, group says

FCG works with ranchers to establish easements in Manatee and surrounding counties.

Our focus has been on working lands, Morris said. We want to keep them in business and economically viable. If we want to protect threatened and endangered species, we need these ranch lands. They are the land use that most closely mimics the native savanna prairie.

Federal funding will add an extra resource for all the groups working to conserve lands that are rapidly being bought up for development, Morris said.

This funding is a complement to the state efforts. It provides more options for landowners, Morris said.

Landowners who opt for an easement can still use the land for low-impact agriculture like ranching, nature-based recreation like fishing, hunting, hiking and camping and minimal structures, such as a single-family home and barn, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says.

Were going to need a mixture of land buys and easements if we want to have viable wildlife, clean water and clean air, Morris said.

Recognizing the generations of responsible stewardship within this working rural landscape, the Conservation Area proposes to work with willing landowners to secure a legacy of conservation lands for future generations to enjoy, U.S. Fish and Wildlifes project description states.

The proposed Conservation Area would aim to address threats from habitat fragmentation and urban development, altered ecological processes and impacts from global climate change.

Jim Strickland, a lifelong rancher from a multi-generational ranching family in East Manatee County, has participated in several easements, including on the property he currently manages at Blackbeard Ranch in Myakka City.

Strickland also serves as vice-chair of the Florida Conservation Group and is a co-founder of Florida Cattle Ranchers, a business partnership that promotes sustainably-raised Florida beef and ranch land preservation.

Strickland said that while easements arent for every landowner, it has been a rewarding experience for his and other families.

I think its a combination of a philosophical and a financial decision, Strickland said.

Strickland said that landowners who participate in easements are helping to preserve important environmental benefits of undeveloped land, such as aquifer recharge, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration and wetland protection.

Whats Florida going to look like 500 years from now? Strickland said. The citizens of Florida have said they really want to conserve land. This is an opportunity.

Its also a means to preserve an agricultural way of life that is quickly disappearing.

He noted that demand for easements is skyrocketing among Florida landowners, which could be a promising sign for the proposed federal program.

History tells us that almost all the development we see now used to be cattle grazing lands. So that gives you a hint about the future. Im the guy that wants to see a balance, Strickland said.





Cattle are herded at Blackbeard Ranch, a working ranch and conservation easement in Myakka City. A new conservation area proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would attempt to create conservation easements on more ranch land in Southwest Florida. Tiffany Tompkins/ttompkins@bradenton.com

More land for Florida Wildlife Corridor

The federal project aims to bolster state efforts that are already underway to acquire and protect habitat for the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a network of connected conservation land that runs the length of the peninsula.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor spans nearly 18 million acres of wilderness and working lands crucial to the survival of many of Floridas 131 imperiled animals, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation says.

Animals that rely on lands in the corridor include the endangered Florida panther, the Florida scrub jay, gopher tortoises, manatees and black bears.

In addition to protecting wildlife, conserving wild spaces is crucial to mitigating climate change, as studies show that natural spaces play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gases and guarding against the impacts of increased temperatures, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation says.

Of the 18 million acres, about 8 million are unprotected.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, signed into law in 2021, encourages further conservation in the area. In May, the Florida Cabinet approved an addition of almost 40,000 acres to the corridor.

An endangered Florida scrub-jay Photo courtesy of FWC

Manatee, Sarasota County have important habitat

The proposed Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area encompasses a significant portion of eastern Manatee and Sarasota counties.

In Manatee County, the proposed area includes almost 3,000 parcels of potential conservation land totaling over 163,000 acres, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and in Sarasota County, it includes more than 10,000 parcels totaling over 164,000 acres.

The agency estimates that about 11% of Manatee County and 56% of Sarasota County are currently protected.

Locally, the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is responsible for conserving many of those acres by funding projects like Johnson Preserve and the Myakka Headwaters Preserve in Manatee County.

The land trust, which recently celebrated its 20th birthday, infuses money from private donors into the land-buying process and helps facilitate talks between government agencies and landowners.

So far, the foundation has protected over 19,200 acres in Southwest Florida as it works to link the region to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The ultimate goal is a network of conservation lands that would span from Duette Preserve in Manatee running south through Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties to the Everglades, said Conservation Foundation President Christine P. Johnson.

Johnson said that while theres much conservation to celebrate in the region, theres a lot more work to do.

Are we keeping pace with development? Are we keeping up with the pace of growth in Florida? The answer is no, said Christine P. Johnson, president of the Conservation Foundation.

What we need help with is money, Johnson said.

Johnson said the new conservation plan could open the door for federal and state funds to come together.

Thats how these corridors happen, when we all work together, Johnson said.

The new conservation plan places a special emphasis on protecting the Myakka River watershed, which winds through Manatee and Sarasota counties before feeding into Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. The Peace River watershed, which runs through Polk, Hardee, Desoto and Charlotte counties, is also a focus.

The watersheds are increasingly impacted by development, intensive agriculture and phosphate mining, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says. But there are also important opportunities to protect remaining natural uplands, wetlands and ranchlands that all contribute to water resource protection.

The plans scope notes that it can also help Manatee Countys Environmental Lands Program meet its goals of protecting ecologically important areas within the county. In 2020, voters approved a referendum directing the county to purchase more conservation lands.

To date, the county has not yet purchased any land with the funds.

Whats next for the conservation project?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is taking public comment on the proposal through the end of October.

Comments can be emailed to southeast_fws_planning@fws.gov.

The agency will host in-person comment sessions in Wauchula and Immokalee later this month, and virtual public meetings will be held online on Friday, Oct. 20, and Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. Registration is required and can be completed at fws.gov/project/everglades-gulf-conservation-area.

What happens after public comment?

Once the public review and comment period ends, the Service will evaluate and respond to substantive comments and make any changes needed before developing a final plan, which would be submitted to the Service Director requesting approval, USFWS says.

What is the timeline for completing the Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area?

This is a long-term effort that may take decades to complete. The number of willing landowners and the availability of funding would determine the timeline, USFWS says.
A group of prominent progressive US lawmakers introduced a resolution on Monday calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas that has resulted in a death toll in the thousands, as fears grow the war could spiral into a wider regional conflict.

The two-page resolution, brought by 13 Democratic members of Congress, urges the Biden administration to immediately call for and facilitate de-escalation and a ceasefire to urgently end the current violence as well as to promptly send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Related: US-led diplomatic effort fails to ease Palestinians plight in Gaza

We all know collective punishment of millions of Palestinians is a war crime. No one  no one  can deny that, said the congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, the only Palestinian American member of the House, on a Monday press call. The answer to war crimes can never be answered with more war crimes.

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Tlaib, her voice shaking with emotion, said Palestinians, including American citizens trapped in Gaza, feel abandoned by the world.

Please turn on the TV, she said. See whats happening. Dont turn away.

Tlaib and others, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri, introduced the resolution as Israel prepared a likely ground offensive into Gaza amid the crisis.

The calls for a ceasefire are notable in Washington, where policymakers have rushed to express unwavering support for Israel following the Hamas attacks. So far, only a handful of mostly progressive Democratic lawmakers have called for a de-escalation of violence, while most Democrats, adopting the posture of the Biden administration, have pledged unconditional solidarity.

A leaked state department memo published by HuffPost warned US diplomats against using phrases such as de-escalation/ceasefire as the words did not align with current US policy.

Joe Biden declared that Israel not only has a right to respond but a duty to do so. But as Israel masses troops around Gazas borders, the president has also begun to press for restraint. In an interview with CBSs 60 Minutes, Biden warned it would be a big mistake for Israel to try to reoccupy the territory once more with ground troops.

On Monday, Biden postponed a planned trip to Colorado to stay in Washington and focus on the conflict as he reportedly weighs an invitation to visit Israel in what would be an extraordinary show of support for one of the USs closest allies.

Meanwhile, Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, was dispatched on a faltering diplomatic mission across the Middle East to try to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and keep the conflict from widening into a regional war.

In Washington, the Democratic lawmakers face an uphill climb to pass their resolution in the Republican-controlled House, which is presently without a speaker and therefore unable to conduct normal business. After a handful of far-right conservatives ousted Kevin McCarthy, Republicans are under pressure to quickly fill the speakership vacancy, in part so that Congress can respond to the widening crisis in the Middle East.

There is a broad bipartisan consensus in Congress for aiding Israels war effort. A separate bipartisan resolution declaring that Congress stands ready to assist Israel with emergency resupply and other security, diplomatic and intelligence support in its brutal and unprovoked war against Hamas has 381 sponsors.

Related: What is the US up to in its dealings with Israel over Gaza?

But as the conflict grinds on, and the death toll rises, Tlaib said she expects more members will join their call for a ceasefire. Though the overwhelming majority of the House Democratic caucus has not yet joined calls for a ceasefire, Tlaib told reporters that party leaders did not try to dissuade her or her allies from introducing the resolution.

Weve been clear on the need for de-escalation and a ceasefire since the attacks, Bush said. Leadership and the White House know exactly where we stand: there is no military solution to this conflict.

Earlier calls by progressive Democrats for a de-escalation of violence infuriated colleagues of both parties who pledged unflinching support for Israel in the wake of the unprecedented terror attack that many likened to the nations own 9/11.

Calls for de-escalation, even if well-meaning, are premature, the congressman Jake Auchincloss, a Massachusetts Democrat who is Jewish, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, last week. Israel needs the military latitude to re-establish deterrence and root out the nodes of terrorism. Israel did not ask America to de-escalate on September 12, 2001.

The rift underscored a shift in attitude among Democrats on the decades-old conflict. Once nearly unified in their support for Israel and its right to defend itself, Democrats in recent years have grown more critical of Israel, especially under the leadership of the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his far-right government.

It comes as the partys base voters have increasingly expressed concern about the plight of the Palestinians. A Gallup poll released earlier this year marked the first time Democrats said they sympathized more with Palestinians than Israelis.

A CNN poll conducted after the attack by Hamas found deep sympathy for the Israeli people among the American public. But it also found attitudes toward the conflict and the USs response to it varied by party, with Democrats and independent voters far less likely than Republicans to say the response by the Israeli military was fully justified.

Those divisions are only likely to become sharper as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates ahead of an expected ground invasion by the Israeli military.

During the call, the congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, a progressive Democrat of Massachusetts, condemned the attack by Hamas and called on her colleagues to recognize the value of both Israeli and Palestinian lives.

Let me make it plain: the murder of innocent Israeli civilians by Hamas is horrific and unacceptable. And the murder of innocent Palestinian civilians is a horrific and unacceptable response from Israel, Pressley said on the press call. Vengeance should not be a foreign policy doctrine. Our shared humanity is at stake, and we must move with urgency.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  About a dozen progressive House Democrats are pressuring the White House to call for a cease-fire as Israel pummels Gaza with airstrikes, saying hundreds of thousands of Palestinians lives are at stake.

Above all else, we must save lives, Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., said.

She and Rep. Rashida Tlaib , D-Mich., the only Palestinian-American in Congress, say a humanitarian crisis is growing in Gaza.

Entire families are being wiped out, Tlaib said. 50,000 pregnant women are unable to obtain basic health services right now.

Israeli forces have killed an estimated 2,500 Palestinians in Gaza since Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis. Israel has cut off electricity, food access and even some water access until Hamas frees nearly 200 hostages.

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The collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza is war crime, Bush said.

Their outcry is the minority opinion in Congress. The Biden administration has argued Israel has the right to defend itself and leaders on Capitol Hill have pledged to send more aid.

These are not people you can negotiate with, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said of Hamas. It strikes me as a little ridiculous to say the terrorists can attack and kill innocent men, women and and Israel cant respond.

Israels government has rejected calls for a cease-fire, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians unable to flee and potentially caught in the crossfire.

The Biden administration says it is working to get humanitarian aid from Egypt to Gaza, but so far hasnt brokered an agreement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal managed to escape death from a bomb attack in the province, the military said on Tuesday.

A homemade bomb struck Oaminal's convoy late Sunday while en route to Ozamiz City on a highway in Clarin town, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) reported.

It said the improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at 11:10 p.m. and hit the second car in Oaminals four-vehicle convoy. The governor was in the vehicle that was struck.

"Salamat sa Ginoo na walay na-injure, walay na-sakitan (Thank God no one was injured or hurt)," Oaminal said in a video posted on his Facebook page after the bombing.

Praise God for the protection He has showered upon us. I am safe and I am now here at home, he added.

Westmincom said the governor came from a meeting and was on his way home when the blast occurred.

We strongly condemn this barbarous attack of cowards who executed unprovoked aggression targeting the good governor of Misamis Occidental, it said. Our troops are currently assessing the incident, together with the local authorities, to establish the circumstances and identify the perpetrator/s.

Meanwhile, Northern Mindanao Police directed all its cops to conduct checkpoints and dragnet operations to catch the perpetrators of the bomb attack.

The area of the explosion, which is in the vicinity of House of Suman in Clarin, was cordoned for investigaion, according to authorities.

Provincial police also encourage travelers who passed by the area on Sunday, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., to submit footage of their dash cameras to assist with the investigation.

Law enforcement authorities called on the public to stay calm but vigilant of any suspicious activities.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas prosecutor accused of attempting to meet an underage girl at a park for sex was caught up in a law enforcement sting operation, police documents said.

The prosecutor, identified as Tanner Castro, tried to meet an underage girl at a park to have sex in the backseat of his car, according to Henderson police. Instead, he had been communicating with a decoy during a sting by law enforcement, police wrote in an arrest report.

The prosecutor was arrested on Friday and was terminated from the Clark County District Attorneys office on Monday, District Attorney Steve Wolfson told the 8newsnow.com Investigators. Castro had been employed as a deputy district attorney since Sept. 2, Wolfson said.

Castro used Kik with the username boat666666 and Snapchat with the username Rogue 96 during his communication during the undercover operation, according to police. On these mobile applications, subjects are much more likely to encourage a child to produce child sexual abuse material [] to use these platforms to speak and possibly coordinate a meeting date/time and location for sexual contact with a child, the arrest report stated.

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The user later agreed to meet the decoy for sexual contact at a predetermined meeting location, police wrote. The sexual contact included having sex in the backseat of the subjects car.

Castro later showed up at Whitney Mesa Park to meet who he believed would be the underage girl, according to police. Police found a box of condoms in Castros car, the arrest report stated. He invoked his rights per Miranda after his arrest, police said. Castro faces two felony charges, including luring a child with the use of a computer to engage in sexual conduct and statutory sexual seduction, according to court records.

He posted bail on Saturday and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 7. Henderson Police, the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force and the Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force were part of the undercover operation.

According to his LinkedIn page, Castro is a licensed attorney in Nevada and Arizona and graduated from UNLV, William S. Boyd School of Law.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Sandra Garcia, testifying Monday in her trial on kidnapping and torture charges, considered her Swedish boyfriend her Prince Charming because he was all the things she was hoping for in a partner.

But Garcias hopes of a fairy tale relationship came crashing down when the boyfriend, who she met on Match.com, wanted her out of his 4,440-square-foot home in northeast Clovis.

Garcia, and her two young sons, moved into the spacious home in 2016, several months after dating the boyfriend, who also had two daughters.

Testifying in a quiet voice, the 48-year-old Garcia said she was angry and hurt over being told leave.

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Her attorney, Woodrow Nichols, said Garcia was raised in a dysfunctional home in Madera where abuse was common. She alleged she was sexually molested by a trusted adult when she was 11 or 12 years old.

Garcia had two boys during her first marriage that ended amid complaints of domestic violence. She would have two more boys by different fathers, but neither relationship lasted.

Nichols said Garcia came to distrust men but still longed for a romantic relationship. After meeting her Swedish boyfriend on the dating app, Garcia felt she finally found the perfect partner.

Thats why Nichols said she reacted so strongly after the relationship ended.

She flipped out, he said. She had no place to go, she had sold her car and she couldnt move back to her mothers house because there were too many people living there.

In a moment of frustration, Garcia said she turned to her second cousin, Miguel Carriedo, to vent.

Prosecutor Adam Christopherson said it was more than that and really the beginning of a torture and kidnapping plot.

In several explosive recorded telephone conversations, secretly recorded by Carriedo, the two discussed getting back at the boyfriend and his daughters.

I was angry and felt betrayed and upset with the girls, Garcia testified. There were things being said about me that were not true. But I was just venting.

In those recorded calls, Garcia tells Carriedo that she wanted to scare the hell out of the girls so they would move to Sweden with their mother. They talked about kidnapping the girls from their home and taking them to a remote area. To add to the terror, Garcia suggested ripping the girls clothes off.

Carriedo recently testified that he listened to Garcia because she promised to connect him with a paralegal who could help him with a custody dispute involving his two sons. She never did.

Carriedo has since agreed to a plea agreement with prosecutors. In exchange, he faces a maximum prison sentence of 15-years-to-life.

Under cross examination by Christopherson, Garcia said she tried to stop the plot, but Carriedo wouldnt listen and went ahead with the kidnapping that also involved two of her sons, Mark Anthony Roque, who remains a co-defendant, and Brandon Roque, who pleaded no contest to conspire to commit a crime.

Several times during her testimony, Garcia dismissed her damaging comments on the recorded phone calls as venting or being spiteful and angry. She did not intend for anyone to be hurt, she said.

Police said that after the victim was kidnapped by force, she was taken to the foothills where she was tied to a tree, hit in the face and sexually assaulted.

Mark Anthony Roque, 25, chose not to testify Monday. He and his mother are charged with conspiring to commit a crime, sexual penetration by force, kidnapping, torture and dissuading a witness by force. If convicted on all counts, they face life in prison.

The trial is expected to conclude this week.
The prosecutor taking over YNW Mellys double murder case presented herself in court on Tuesday. And earlier this year, she prosecuted another high-profile rapper case.

Prosecutor Alixandra Buckelew, who was on the team that tried the three men convicted of rapper XXXTentacion, is now on Mellys case. Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams and Trayvon Newsome were each handed down two life sentences in April for gunning down XXXTentacion during a 2018 heist in Broward County.

READ MORE: Prosecutor removed from the YNW Melly murder case days before retrial. What happened?.

The change in prosecutor came days after Broward Circuit Court Judge John Murphy removed lead prosecutor Kristine Bradley from the rappers case out of an abundance of caution.

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Buckelews first appearance was marked by a back-and-forth with Mellys defense team over a possible extension to try the rapper. She asked Murphy to give her until December to learn the details in the case. However, under Mellys right to a speedy trial, the retrial should begin by Oct. 20.

The state has proposed swearing in a jury panel this week and sending jurors home, which would give Buckelew an opportunity to catch up, the defense to question new witnesses and Murphy to rule on pending motions.

I cannot even begin to approximate the time, Buckelew said when asked about the jury selection timeline.

Jury selection will begin Wednesday morning.

Why was Bradley removed?





Murphys decision to oust Bradley was linked to allegations of wrongdoing by Miramar Police Detective Mark Moretti in an October 2022 incident. Michelle Boutros, a Broward prosecutor of 20 years assigned to the Public Corruption Unit, testified in court about Morettis alleged misconduct.

The defense accused Bradley of not turning over Brady material related to the incident with the detective during the first trial. Under Florida law, prosecutors are required to disclose any information that may be favorable to the defense. The discovery of Brady violations, in some cases, have even led to overturned convictions.

READ MORE: Prosecutor accused detective in YNW Melly case of lying. Shes now a defense witness

Even though it is far from conclusive, the court is sufficiently concerned about whether Ms. Bradley has departed from her role as a zealous advocate for the state and is now personally invested in the credibility determinations of Detective Moretti and Ms. Boutros and the outcome of the trial, Murphy said.

Assistant State Attorney Kristine Bradley testifies in a hearing in the trial of Jamell Demons, better known as rapper YNW Melly, at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. Bradley is the lead prosecutor in Mellys murder trial. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel

Melly, 24, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is accused of gunning down his childhood friends Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. in a drive-by cover-up after spending the night of Oct. 26, 2018, at a Fort Lauderdale recording studio. Williams and Thomas, both aspiring rappers with the YNW collective, were known as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, respectively.

Melly is among the first defendants to go to trial after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law to lower the threshold for a death sentence to an 8-4 jury vote, from the previous requirement for a unanimous vote.
It's been more than two-and-a-half years since the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, in which a violent mob tried to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's electoral win over Donald Trump. In that time, the government has charged hundreds of people for their actions on that day, securing over 600 years in collective prison sentences. Among the most severely punished were members of the far-right Proud Boys organization, who received sentences between 10 to 22 years each.

Yesterday, federal prosecutors filed notices of appeal in the cases of five convicted Proud Boys in an apparent attempt to secure even more prison time.

In May, a Washington, D.C., jury convicted Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and group members Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean, Dominic Pezzola, and Zachary Rehl on charges related to their actions on January 6. All except Pezzola were also convicted of seditious conspiracy, defined as when "two or more persons" conspire "to oppose by force the authority" of the U.S. government "or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States."

Pezzola received the shortest sentence at 10 years in prison. Rehl received 15 years, Biggs received 17 years, and Nordean received 18 years. Tarrio received 22 years, the longest sentence, even though he wasn't even in the city on the day of the riot.

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But in each case, federal prosecutors had asked for considerably longer sentences: 20 years for Pezzola, 27 years for Nordean, 30 years for Rehl, and 33 years each for Biggs and Tarrio.

On Monday, federal prosecutors filed notices of appeal for each of the five men. The government is also currently appealing the sentence of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who received 18 years in prison after prosecutors asked for 25.

Granted, the Proud Boys's actions on January 6 are indefensible: Members, including the defendants, openly and unashamedly fought with police. Pezzola gained entry to the Capitol building by using a riot shield he had stolen from an officer to smash a window.

But it's far from clear that longer sentences are necessary or warranted. As Reason's Jacob Sullum has written, prosecutors "never showed that the defendants explicitly planned to disrupt congressional certification of Biden's victory," instead seeming to act impulsively in the moment. And Tarrio, of course, wasn't even in the city during the violence, though according to the Department of Justice, he did claim credit for it after the fact.

Further, it feels like sour grapes for the government to go back for more time. Prosecutors sought and received a terrorism enhancement for each of the five defendants, which allows for more severe sentences if the offenses constituted terroristic acts. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly disagreed with the prosecutor that the events of January 6 were "no different than the act of a spectacular bombing of a building," though he did ultimately say that "the constitutional moment we were in that day is something that is so sensitive that it deserves a significant sentence."

Reason's Christian Britschgi wrote after Tarrio's sentencing that most defendants, "including many who directly participated in the riot, have received much more modest sentences of a few months to a few years," whereas others "who chose to take it to trial instead of pleading guilty" receive sentences of a decade or more, an example of the so-called "trial penalty" in which defendants who choose to go to trial receive significantly harsher punishments than those who plead guilty.

Case in point: A sixth defendant in the same case, Charles Donohoe, pleaded guilty in April 2022 and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. While he has not been sentenced, the maximum sentence is seven years, and as a cooperating witness, he will likely get much less.

The five convicted Proud Boys clearly committed heinous acts of violence with apparent political motivations, and incarceration may well be merited. But going back and appealing decade-plus prison sentences with the intention of making them even longer, as the government is doing now, is wholly inappropriate.

The post Prosecutors Appeal Proud Boys' Prison Sentences Over January 6 Riot appeared first on Reason.com.
Rioters, including Dominic Pezzola, center with police shield, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Pezzola, a former member of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group who smashed a window at the U.S. Capitol in the buildings first breach of the riot, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. | Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press

The Justice Department is signaling it intends to appeal the prison sentences handed down to five Proud Boys convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, according to court filings Monday.

As The Hill reported, The notice of appeal does not include any legal arguments, and instead alerts the court to prosecutors plans. But its widely believed the department hopes to secure longer sentences for the Proud Boy leaders.

Prosecutors had recommended 33 years each for Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio of Miami and former Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs, of Ormond Beach, Florida. Theyd sought a 30-year sentence for Proud Boys chapter leader Zachary Rehl of Philadelphia and 27 years for chapter leader Ethan Nordean of Auburn, Washington, according to The Associated Press.

The filings follow similar appeals in July regarding the sentences given to five members of Oath Keepers for their actions at the Capitol, according to The Washington Post.

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In the Proud Boys case, heard in the Washington, D.C., federal court, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced Tarrio to 22 years  the longest sentence thus far related to the Capitol riot. Nordean received a sentence of 18 years, Biggs 17 years and Rehl 15 years.

All four were convicted of seditious conspiracy by a jury in May on allegations they plotted to disrupt the transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 presidential election.

Prosecutors are also asking for a longer sentence for Dominic Pezzola, a New York member of Proud Boys, who was acquitted of seditious conspiracy but convicted of other serious charges.

The defense attorney for Biggs and Rehl, Norm Pattis, called the appeals ridiculous. By text to AP, he wrote that Merrick Garland needs a new hobby horse, referring to the attorney general, who oversees the Justice Department.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorneys office told The Washington Post the filing merely preserves our ability to appeal. The Post added that the government typically does not appeal sentences after they are imposed.

But it has happened. The government this summer filed an appeal of the 18-year sentence for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was also convicted of seditious conspiracy, as well as sentences of other members of his group. For Rhodes, prosecutors had sought 25 years. The appeal is pending.

AP reported that at least 1,100 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the attack on the Capitol.

Imposing a sentence

According to the Post, the sentences imposed for Rhodes and Tarrio both fell well below recommendations in the federal sentencing guidelines. The Post said prosecutors used the guidelines range, the defendants criminal history and the severity of the crime to propose a sentence in the middle of the range for each defendant. Judges calculated their own range, but were not bound by either calculation.

In nearly 60 percent of the Jan. 6 felony cases, the D.C. judges have gone below their own calculated guideline range, and below the prosecutions sentencing recommendations in 80 percent of all cases, according to a Washington Post database, the article said. Sentencing guidelines are not used in most misdemeanor cases.

Pezzolas attorney, Roger Roots, called the plan to appeal an outrageous abuse of power, per the Post. These are already the longest sentences in American history for participating in a political demonstration, he said in a statement. Congress was only delayed for six hours on January 6. The DOJ is really engaging in overkill.

The lengths of the sentences have been criticized by some and the potential appeals are now getting a reaction, too.

While noting the seriousness of the crimes for which the men were convicted, Joe Lancaster wrote for Reason, It feels like sour grapes for the government to go back for more time. Prosecutors sought and received a terrorism enhancement for each of the five defendants, which allows for more severe sentences if the offenses constituted terroristic acts. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly disagreed with the prosecutor that the events of January 6 were no different than the act of a spectacular bombing of a building, though he did ultimately say that the constitutional moment we were in that day is something that is so sensitive that it deserves a significant sentence.
This image from the U.S. Capitol Police security video shows William Chrestman, circled in annotation by the Justice Department in the Motion for Emergency Stay and for Review of Release Order, in a tunnel underneath the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6. 2021. A Proud Boys member who joined others from the far-right group in attacking the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, to obstructing the joint session of Congress for certifying Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory. William Chrestman, 49, of Kansas, also pleaded guilty to threatening to assault a federal officer during the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2023. (Justice Department via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department is appealing the length of prison sentences for four Proud Boys leaders convicted of seditious conspiracy in the U.S. Capitol attack, challenging punishments that were significantly shorter than what prosecutors had recommended, according to court filings.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio and three lieutenants to prison terms ranging from 15 to 22 years after a jury convicted them in May of plotting to stop the peaceful transfer of presidential power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 presidential election.

Tarrio's 22-year sentence is the longest so far among hundreds of criminal cases stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, but prosecutors had sought 33 years behind bars for the Miami man.

Attorney Nayib Hassan said in an email that the defense team will review prosecutors' reasoning for appealing the sentencing but is preparing its own appeal and believes it will prevail on multiple grounds.

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Prosecutors, who made their court filings on Monday, also had recommended sentences of 33 years for former Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs, of Ormond Beach, Florida; 30 years for Proud Boys chapter leader Zachary Rehl, of Philadelphia; and 27 years in prison for chapter leader Ethan Nordean, of Auburn, Washington.

Kelly sentenced Nordean to 18 years, Biggs to 17 years and Rehl to 15 years.

Defense attorney Norm Pattis, who represents Biggs and Rehl, said in a text message that the government's appeals are ridiculous.

Merrick Garland needs a new hobby horse," Pattis said of the attorney general, whose Justice Department secured the convictions.

Nicholas Smith, Nordean's attorney, said in an email that his client "is encouraged by the governments agreement that errors led to the judgment and sentence in his case.

Prosecutors also are appealing the 10-year sentence for Dominic Pezzola, a Proud Boys member from Rochester, New York. Prosecutors sought 20 years in prison for Pezzola, who was tried alongside the four group leaders. Jurors acquitted Pezzola of seditious conspiracy but convicted him of other serious charges.

The Justice Department already is appealing the 18-year prison sentence for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy in a separate Jan. 6 case, as well as the sentences of other members of his anti-government militia group.

Prosecutors had requested 25 years in prison for Rhodes. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced him to 18 years.

Also on Monday, a Proud Boys member who joined others from the far-right group in attacking the Capitol pleaded guilty to obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying the victory by Biden, a Democrat, over Trump, a Republican. William Chrestman, 49, of Olathe, Kansas, also pleaded guilty to threatening to assault a federal officer during the riot at the Capitol.

Kelly is scheduled to sentence Chrestman for his two felony convictions on Jan. 12. Estimated sentencing guidelines for his case recommended a prison term ranging from four years and three months to five years and three months.

Chrestman had an axe handle, a gas mask, a helmet and other tactical gear when he traveled to Washington, D.C., with other Proud Boys members from the Kansas City, Kansas, area. On Jan. 6, he marched to the Capitol grounds with dozens of other Proud Boys leaders, members and associates.

Chrestman and other Proud Boys moved past a toppled metal barricade and joined other rioters in front of another police barrier. He shouted a threat at officers and yelled at others in the crowd to stop police from arresting another rioter, according to prosecutors.

Facing the crowd, Chrestman shouted, Whose house is this?

Our house! the crowd replied.

Do you want your house back? Chrestman asked.

Yes! the crowd responded.

"Take it!" Chrestman yelled.

Chrestman also pointed his finger at a line of Capitol police officers, gestured at them with his axe handle and threatened to assault them if they fired pepper ball rounds at the crowd of rioters, according to a court filing accompanying his guilty plea.

Chrestman, a U.S. Army veteran, has been jailed since his arrest in February 2021.

More than 1,100 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Approximately 60 of them have been identified as Proud Boys leaders, members or associates.
MANCHESTER, Tenn. (WKRN)  Tennessee State Parks officials will hold an open meeting Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m. to hear public comments on a proposed new bridge for Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park.

The proposed bridge would be for vehicles and pedestrians and would replace a current bridge at the park. The new bridge would allow access to the recreational vehicle campground from the parks main entrance.

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Coffee Countians have been vocal about their opposition to replacing the current bridge, even creating an active Facebook group to coordinate efforts to save it. Many in the group have attended multiple county meetings related to the bridge over the last few months, petitioning their commissioners to halt potential demolition of the bridge.

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At a Sept. 12 Coffee County Commission meeting, the commissioners reportedly unanimously supported keeping the bridge in place.

The Nov. 6 public meeting will be at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza at 1329 McArthur St. in Manchester. Anyone may attend, and comments on the proposal are welcome. The public may also make comments online at this link until Nov. 15.

(Source: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park Facebook page)

We encourage anyone interested to attend the meeting to learn more about the proposed project and provide input, said Mike Robertson, director of operations for Tennessee State Parks. We always want to improve visitor experience at the park, and understanding the perspectives of our guests is critical to success.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, on land once used by Native Americans as a ceremonial gathering place, attracts many history enthusiasts, according to Tennessee State Parks. The park features a main hiking trail that follows the wall of Old Stone Fort. Visitors can learn about the park on a hike with 12 interpretive panels. The park also has waterfalls, a museum, and displays of prehistoric Native American replicas.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Oct. 17 and is set to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Oct. 18, Reuters reported.

This marks Putin's second trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest over his role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. On Oct. 12, Putin visited Kyrgyzstan to meet with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

Xi invited Putin to attend the third Belt and Road Forum, an international forum highlighting China's global economic influence.

Putin will attend the forum's official opening reception and meet with the leaders of Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, and Laos.

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On Oct. 18, he will speak at the forum and later meet with Xi for bilateral talks.

According to Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, China is Russia's economic "lifeline." The visit underscores Russia's growing dependence on Beijing's economic support amid Western sanctions and the high costs of war in Ukraine.

On Oct. 16, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said that the majority of Russia's drones come from China.

On the same day that Putin meets with Xi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit North Korea. The visit follows reports from the U.S. that Pyongyang has already shipped over 1,000 containers of military equipment and ammunition to Moscow.

Read also: Russia, China and North Korea have new dynamics. And its bad for Ukraine

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived by plane in Beijing to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and participate in the Belt and Road forum.

Source: Reuters; Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti

Details: Putin arrived in Beijing on 17 October.

Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing

SCREENSHOT: VIDEO BY RIA NOVOSTI

The talks with Xi Jinping are scheduled to take place on 18 October in two stages: first in an expanded format, then in a narrower setting, at a working breakfast session. The Kremlin has not ruled out that Putin and Xi will have a face-to-face conversation outside the talks "on the most sensitive topics".

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Putin will speak at the Belt and Road forum during his visit to China.

The Russian delegation includes senior government officials and business officials.

Putin was met at Beijing airport by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao meets Putin in Beijing

SCREENSHOT: VIDEO BY RIA NOVOSTI

Reuters reported that the purpose of the trip was to demonstrate trust and a "no-limits" partnership between the two countries, even in the midst of the war in Ukraine.

This is Putin's second trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for him in March. It is also the Kremlin leader's first official trip outside the former Soviet Union this year, following a visit to Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, earlier this month.

Background: The ICC, which has accused Vladimir Putin of illegally deporting children from Ukraine, has ordered 123 member states to arrest the Russian president and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory.

Neither Kyrgyzstan nor China is a member of the ICC, established to prosecute war crimes.

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 has held talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Beijing.

Source: Bertalan Havasi, press secretary of Orban, confirmed this information to the Magyar Tavirati Iroda (MTI) agency, as reported by European Pravda with reference to Index

Details: Orban discussed with Putin Hungarian-Russian cooperation in the gas and oil supply field, as well as nuclear energy.

The Hungarian prime minister emphasised the importance of peace during the meeting.

Orban said the stopping of the flow of refugees, sanctions, and hostilities is vital for the entire continent, including Hungary.

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Background:

Earlier, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that a meeting with Orban was not planned, but the talks did take place.

Putin has met with the European Union country leader for the first time since the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Orban has regularly made statements in the spirit of Russian propaganda. In particular, the Hungarian prime minister said the historical possibility of Ukraine joining NATO has been lost and it is necessary to forget about Kyiv's accession to the Alliance.

Orban also stated that it is not clear what Ukraines territory and population are due to the war, and also said that before holding "serious talks about the accession" of Ukraine, the EU should conduct a strategic analysis of how it will affect the union.

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!
Originally Published: 17 OCT 23 03:23 GMTUpdated: 17 OCT 23 03:B

Beijing (CNN)  China on Tuesday kicked off a summit marking the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative  an ambitious yet controversial undertaking to boost connectivity and trade across the world with Chinese money and know-how in infrastructure development.

World leaders including Russias Vladimir Putin are gathering in Beijing for the high-profile event, which takes place in the shadow of a spiraling war between Israel and Hamas.

Since its launch by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has poured hundreds of billions of dollars to power the construction of bridges, ports, highways, power plants and telecoms projects across Asia, Latin America, Africa and parts of Europe.

Hailed by Xi as a project of the century, the BRI has emerged as a glaring symbol of Chinas rise as a global power. But it has also been viewed with growing skepticism, especially in Western capitals where governments are wary of Beijings global ambitions.

The massive undertaking has been plagued by criticism. Beijing has been accused of straddling developing countries with crippling debt, while its sprawling projects have often faced concerns  and even protests  over their environmental costs, labor violations and corruption scandals.

A decade on, Xis global building spree is at a crossroads. Chinese investment in BRI projects has tapered off as the worlds second-biggest economy slows. Recipient countries are struggling more than ever to repay their debts amid global economic headwinds from the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the United States, which sees the BRI as a a tool for Beijing to extend its global influence at the expense of American power, has proposed its own investment program to boost global infrastructure development.

In the Chinese capital, security has been tightened, with road closures and a heavy police presence as leaders and delegations from around the world arrived.

Heres what you need to know about Xis signature foreign policy strategy.

What has it achieved?

Originally envisioned as an overland belt and a maritime road connecting China with Europe and Africa, the BRI has funded infrastructure and energy projects across the developing world.

Bankrolled by Chinas development banks as well as state-run commercial lenders, Chinese construction firms have paved highways from Papua New Guinea to Kenya, constructed ports from Sri Lanka to West Africa, and provided power and telecoms infrastructure from Latin America to Southeast Asia.

Beijing says more than 150 nations have signed cooperation agreements under the auspices of BRI, with commitments made for more than 3,000 projects and up to one trillion dollars of investment mobilized.

But tracking BRI financing is notoriously tricky as Beijing doesnt share this data openly and a wide range of financial entities play roles.

According to a study by Boston Universitys Global Development Policy Center, Chinas two main development banks provided at least $331 billion to government borrowers in developing countries from 2013 to 2021.

And in the first five years of the initiative, China on average spent more than twice as much financing overseas development projects per year as any other major economy  including the US, according to AidData, a research lab at William & Mary in the US.

Chinese officials have lauded the initiative for transcending the old mindset of geopolitical games and creating a new paradigm of international cooperation.

What are the risks and criticism?

While the BRI has provided crucial funding to poor countries  drawing comparison to Americas Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after World War II, critics say its projects have come at a cost.

Some have been accused of lax environmental and labor standards, others have being repeatedly stalled by funding shortfalls or political pushback.

Chinese-built fossil-fuel power plants emit around 245 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the Global Development Policy Center, which also found Chinese development finance projects have significantly higher risks to biodiversity and to Indigenous lands than projects financed by the World Bank.

But the top concern is risky lending, with critics accusing China of saddling low- and middle-income governments with overly high levels of debt relative to their GDPs.

Accusations that Belt and Road is a broad debt trap designed to take control of local infrastructure, while largely dismissed by economists, have sullied the initiatives reputation  especially after Sri Lanka ceded control over the port of Hambantota to China after failing to repay its debt.

More recently, Chinas overseas lending portfolio has shifted to supporting borrowing countries in distress, researchers say, amid a changing financial climate and challenges for countries repaying hefty loans to Beijing and other lenders.

What comes next?

When it was first proposed, the BRI was partially designed as a way to channel Chinas excess capacity overseas and open new markets for Chinese goods.

But as the Chinese economy slows, the ambitious program appears to be losing steam  a slowdown that started even before the Covid pandemic hit.

Overseas financing from Chinas two development banks to government borrowers dropped considerably from a peak in 2016 of $87 billion to $3.7 billion in 2021  though this doesnt include funds from other lenders like commercial banks or other entities, according to the Global Development Policy Center data.

China will be navigating the second decade of the Belt and Road amid stark economic challenges at home. An expected post-Covid economic rebound has not materialized and local governments are grappling with mounting debt linked to a property crisis.

It remains to be seen to what extent Beijings domestic economic challenges will impact its overseas lending in the longer term, but there are signs of shifting strategies now.

Analysts have noted a move away from a focus on grandiose  but often wasteful  multi-billion infrastructure projects to smaller ones with better returns, such as those involving renewable energy and digital technology.

China may also look to place more emphasis on environmental issues, better social protections and due diligence  especially as Beijing and its banks learn lessons from the projects first decade, analysts say.

In 2021, Xi called for the prioritization of small and beautiful projects, which Chinese officials suggest will appeal to local populations. Later that year, Xi pledged that China would not build any new coal-fired power projects abroad.

The BRI has also spurred other countries to increase their own efforts toward supporting infrastructure projects in the developing world.

In June 2022, leaders from the Group of Seven advanced economies promised to unleash $600 billion in investment by 2027 to deliver game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap between countries.

Last month, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union announced their own plan to link Europe, the Middle East and Asia by rail.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, reportedly offering his help in preventing a humanitarian disaster, while also sharing information about recent calls with regional leaders.

During the call, Putin offered his condolences over the considerable number of deaths, with over 1,300 Israelis dying on Oct. 7 when Hamas-led terrorists poured into the country in a brutal attack against Israel.

Reuters reported that according to the Kremlin, Putin said he was willing to work toward "ending the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation and achieving a peaceful settlement through political and diplomatic means."

PUTIN, ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU TO HOLD CALL OVER HAMAS WAR AHEAD OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT'S TRIP TO CHINA

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But the Russian read out of the call, the newswire noted, did not mention anything about a ceasefire sought by Russia, which introduced a resolution on the matter with the United Nations Security Council.

Putin also told Netanyahu about conversations he has had with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi , Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas .

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"A unanimous opinion was expressed on the need for an early ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian truce in order to urgently provide assistance to all those in need," the Kremlin said of those conversations. "There was also serious concern about the likelihood of the conflict escalating into a regional war."

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN BLAMES US FOR CREATING CONDITIONS LEADING TO ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

Israeli tanks move near Gaza border as Israeli army deploys military vehicles around the Gaza Strip.

After the meeting, Netanyahu's office provided a statement on the meeting.

"Israeli Pm Netanyahu spoke this evening with Russian President Vladimir Putin," the translated statement read. "The PM clarified that Israel was attacked by despicable and cruel murderers, and went into a war determined, and united, and will not stop until it will destroy Hamas military and governmental capabilities."

NETANYAHU TELLS BIDEN 'WE HAVE TO GO IN' TO GAZA FOLLOWING HAMAS ATTACKS: REPORT

Hamas terrorists in Gaza City.

Russia has also continuously blamed failed U.S. policies for putting conditions in place that sparked the most recent violence in the Middle East. Russia has long had warm relations with Iran, which considers the United States the "Great Satan" and Israel the "Little Satan." Iran has provided drones and other support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Iran also backs Hamas financially and with training and other support, and has openly cheered the latest attacks on Israel.

Putin said publicly last week that Israel had a right to defend itself against Hamas, but executing a ground offensive in Gaza would lead to the killing of an "absolutely unacceptable" number of civilians.

When Putin and Raisi spoke, Iranian state media reported, the president of Iran said supporting Palestinians was Irans foreign policy priority, though "resistance" groups were responsible for their own decisions.

"There is a possibility of the conflict between Israel and Palestinians expanding to other fronts," Raisi said, according to Iranian state media.

Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Putin, Netanyahu speak by phone on Israel's neighbors' reaction to war after Hamas attack
Putin has 'no rivals' for presidency ahead of election, spokesman claims

Russian President Vladimir Putin does not have any rivals for the presidency ahead of the coming election, the Kremlin claims.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news outlets Tuesday that there is no competition against Putin ahead of the next presidential election next year.

"We have repeatedly said that President Putin is undoubtedly the number-one politician and statesman in our country," said Peskov, according to translations from the Moscow Times.

RUSSIAN ELECTIONS ARE 'COSTLY BUREAUCRACY' THAT 'DON'T HAVE TO BE HELD,' PUTIN SPOKESMAN SAYS

Peskov, in his role as government spokesman, has been an aggressive advocate for Putin's continued leadership of the country.

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"In my personal opinion [] he has no rivals at the moment and cannot have any in the Russian Federation," the spokesman said Tuesday.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Peskov has previously dismissed concerns about democratic integrity in the country's elections.

RUSSIA OFFERS TO MEDIATE ISRAEL-GAZA NEGOTIATIONS, PUTIN SAYS 'NO ALTERNATIVE' TO 2-STATE SOLUTION

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a joint news conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow.

"Our presidential election is not really democracy, it is costly bureaucracy," Peskov told the New York Times in an article published Aug. 6. "Mr. Putin will be re-elected next year with more than 90 percent of the vote."

Peskov expanded on this comment in a subsequent interview with Russian state media outlet RBK.

"Elections are what a democracy demands and Putin himself decided to hold them, but theoretically, they dont even have to be held," Peskov told state media outlet RBK.

Russia's president Vladimir Putin, right, and his spokesman Dmitry Peskov attend the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting at the Congress Hall in Bishkek.

He added, "Because its clear that Putin will be elected. Thats completely my personal opinion."

Putin is infamous for his use of strong-arm tactics and political violence against critics and dissenters.

The Russian government has arranged the intimidation, arrest, and assassination of journalists and political opponents.





Original article source: Putin has 'no rivals' for presidency ahead of election, spokesman claims
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Oct. 17, Orban posted on Facebook.

"Today, everyone in Europe is concerned with one question: will there be a ceasefire in Ukraine," Orban captioned a photo of the meeting.

"For us Hungarians, the most important thing is that the influx of refugees, the sanctions and the conflict ends," he added.

During the meeting, Putin said he was glad that relations with many European countries, including Hungary, "are being preserved and developed."

Orban told Putin in response that his government is interested in continuing economic cooperation with Russia "as long as this is possible."

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Neither Putin nor Orban explicitly mentioned Ukraine, instead referring to the difficult "situation" in Europe.

Orban and Putin are in China's capital for the Belt and Road Forum, which starts on Oct. 17.

The two-day forum intends to highlight the successes of the Belt and Road Initiative, China's global infrastructure project that aims to connect trade and investment along what was once Silk Road routes.

Orban is the only leader from the European Union to attend the summit. Despite Hungary being a member of the EU and NATO, Orban's government has maintained ties with both Russia and China.

Within the EU, Budapest has a history of opposing international sanctions against Russia while blocking funding for Ukraine.

Orban met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping earlier on Oct. 17, while Putin is set to meet Xi on Oct. 18.

It is Putin's second trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest over his role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children in March 2023.

Read also: Hungarian Foreign Minister arrives in Moscow for fifth visit since February 2022

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday rejected comments by U.S. President Joe Biden , saying in an interview in Beijing that Moscow's interests could not be suppressed, and that U.S. politicians should learn to respect others.

Putin was responding to comments by U.S. President Joe Biden in an interview with CBS News, where he said: "Imagine what happens if we, in fact, unite all of Europe and Putin is finally put down where he cannot cause the kind of trouble he's been causing".

In a brief interview aired on state television during a summit in the Chinese capital, Putin said: "This is not about me personally. This is about the interests of the country. And it is impossible to suppress the interests of Russia. They have to be taken into account."

Putin said that both Biden, with whom he has had an antagonistic relationship since the U.S. president took office in 2021, and the wider American political elite needed to learn to "respect" Russia.

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He said: "This applies not only to President Biden, but also to the U.S. political elites as a whole. You must learn to respect others, and then there will be no need to suppress anyone."

(Reporting by Felix Light; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Jonathan Oatis)
By Ryan Woo

BEIJING (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a widely watched trip aimed at showcasing the trust and "no-limits" partnership between the countries even as the war in Ukraine raged on.

In only his second known trip abroad since the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March, Putin and his entourage flew into the Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday morning where he was greeted by the Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

It is also the Kremlin chief's first official trip outside of the former Soviet Union this year, after visiting Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, earlier this month.

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The ICC, which accused Putin of illegally deporting children from Ukraine, obliges the court's 123 member states to arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory. Neither Kyrgyzstan nor China are members of the ICC, established to prosecute war crimes.

Xi last saw his "dear friend" in Moscow just days after the warrant was issued. At the time, Xi invited Putin to attend the third Belt and Road forum in Beijing, an international cooperation forum championed by the Chinese leader.

As Putin arrived at the Great Hall of the People for an evening banquet organised for global leaders and dignitaries attending the forum, Xi was all smiles as the two men shook hands.

Putin, as the forum's chief guest, stood to the right of Xi as world leaders posed for group photographs at the Great Hall.

On Wednesday at the forum, Putin will also speak after Xi gives his opening speech. The two will hold bilateral talks later that day.

Beijing has rejected Western criticism of its partnership with Moscow even as the war in Ukraine showed no sign of ceasing, insisting that their ties do not violate international norms, and China has the right to collaborate with whichever country it chooses.

Putin last visited China for the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022 when Russia and China declared a "no-limits" partnership days before the Russian president sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine.

It would be Putin's third attendance of the Belt and Road Forum, which runs through Wednesday. He attended the two previous forums in 2017 and 2019.

BELT AND ROAD

The forum centres on the Belt and Road initiative, a grand plan launched by Xi a decade ago that he hopes would build global infrastructure and energy networks connecting Asia with Africa and Europe through overland and maritime routes.

Putin has praised the initiative, saying it is a platform for international cooperation, where "no one imposes anything on others."

Since the start of the Ukrainian conflict, Russia has cemented its energy ties with China in a sign of their economic cooperation.

Russia exports around 2.0 million barrels of oil per day to China, more than a third of its total crude oil exports. Moscow also aims to build a second natural gas pipeline to China.

While the heads of Russia's oil and gas giants Rosneft and Gazprom will be part of Putin's travelling delegation, no new deals in energy can be expected.

The trip is not a "full-fledged bilateral" visit, but one made on the sidelines of an international conference, according to the Kremlin.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Christopher Cushing & Simon Cameron-Moore)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping may discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during their meeting in Beijing this week, Russia's RIA news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Alexander Marrow)
In a recent disturbing incident on the Arizona State University campus, a queer instructor, David Boyles, was approached and harassed by two associates from the right-wing organization Turning Point USA.

The confrontation, partly captured on video, escalated into physical violence, leaving Boyles with facial injuries, as detailed by Inside Higher Ed.



Boyles teaches English at the school and is a co-founder of Drag Story Hour Arizona. Drag Story Hour is a national nonprofit with chapters across the country. The groups organize drag events where performers read to kids at libraries, books stores, and other places.

The video commences with one of the Turning Point USA associates approaching Boyles, seeking to engage him in conversation.

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Hey there, David. How you doing? he says in what is a clear ambush.

Despite Boyles reluctance to engage, the right-wing activist proceeds with intrusive questions, asking, So let me ask you, when did you decide to get obsessed with sex education? and further prodding about Boyles who refused to answer any questions.

So if I ask you how long youve been attracted to minors or how long youve fantasized about minors having sex with adults and why you write about it in childrens books, what are you going to tell me? the agitator asks the instructor who continues to ignore the questions.

\ud83d\udea8ASU Professor assaults TPUSA cameraman, caught on video \ud83d\udea8



Our TPUSA Frontlines reporter tried to ask self-professed \u201csex education obsessed\u201d queer ASU Professor David Boyles, a few simple questions. Refusing to answer, our cameras caught the exact moment Mr. Boyles assaulted,\u2026  Turning Point USA (@Turning Point USA) 1697172535

As the encounter unfolds, the Turning Point USA activist continues with accusations and derogatory remarks, questioning Boyles stance on exposing children to drag culture and accusing him of harboring hatred towards Americans.

The man said, Why do you feel like children need to be exposed to drag? Why is that something that children should be exposed to, and why do you feel that drag queens benefit from children being present at drag shows where they shake their genitals and their fake breasts?

A report by Phoenix Fox affiliate KSAZ sheds light on security footage from ASU, which shows Boyles identifiable in white attire while the two Turning Point USA associates are clad in black. One holds a camera, and the other conducts a walk-and-talk-style interview. At a point, as he begins to cross a street, Boyles appears to shove the camera away, leading to the person who was badgering him with questions, running up behind him and pushing him down.

Shortly after, another person rushes to aid Boyles. As they walk away, the Turning Point USA members follow them until they all move out of the cameras sight.

Turning Point USA has previously targeted Boyles on its Professor Watchlist for his advocacy of inclusive programs like Drag Queen Story Hour, according to Inside Higher Ed.

The confrontation escalated physically, with both sides alleging assault. Turning Point USA claimed on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that Boyles assaulted their cameraman, while Boyles asserted that he acted to block the camera from filming him amidst an onslaught of harassment.

The university administration and ASU campus police are investigating the incident as a potential aggravated assault case with a bias towards LGBTQ+ individuals. ASU reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for its community, condemning harassment or threatening behavior.

ASU President Michael Crow called out the attack in a letter posted over the weekend.

It is astounding to me that individuals from Turning Point USA would wait for an ASU instructor to come out of his class to follow him, harass him and ultimately shove him to the ground, bloodying his face, Crow said in a letter on ASU's website.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, Boyles expressed his distress on social media.

He said: Im also feeling angry, violated, embarrassed, and despairing at the fact that we have come to normalize this kind of harassment and violence against anyone who tries to support LGBTQ+ youth (ironically the topic of the class I had just finished teaching) or just LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized groups in general.

Whether it is bomb threats against childrens hospitals and libraries, a store owner being killed for her pride flag, or the now standard rhetoric that anyone who supports LGBTQ+ youth is a groomer, it has to stop, Boyles said in the post.
In a world where LGBTQ+ people still struggle to be accepted, our community regularly turns to technology for refuge.

As Israel retaliates against Hamas, hope is fading for the over 2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza. For LGBTQ+ Palestinians, there are few ways to pay tribute to their deceased loved ones, and possibly little time to express their love for those still living.

On Oct. 7, militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, which has seen 1,400 Israelis dead and over 3,500 wounded so far. An estimated 120 others were captured by Hamas and are being held as hostages.

As of Sunday, at least 2,670 Palestinian civilians in Gaza have been killed and nearly 10,000 injured since Israel vowed "mighty revenge" on Hamas, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. 52 percent of those killed were women and children.

Devastation in Gaza

Devastation in Gaza - Clip

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Last week, Israel ordered the 1.1 million Palestinians living in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate south, signalling a potential ground invasion. As Gaza is already one of the worlds most densely populated areas  with more than 2 million people living within 140 square miles  the UN has described the order as impossible" without "devastating humanitarian consequences."

With no choice but to flee south, Palestinians are lamenting the loss of their homes and loved ones. LGBTQ+ Palestinians, who cannot outwardly express their love without fear of repercussions, are turning to one platform online to anonymously pay tribute to their loved ones and express themselves before the ground invasion begins.



Queering the Map is a community-based online mapping platform where users can submit their personal queer experiences at specific locations to one collective map, in order to let other queer people know that they're not alone where they are, even if it may feel like it. Since its inception, users have contributed over 80,000 submissions in 23 languages.

On Queering the Map, several LGBTQ+ Palestinians have flagged spots where they've had romantic encounters in the Gaza Strip. Others have mourned their lost loved ones, while some have called for the liberation of the Palestinian people.

Queering the Map

"Being gay in Gaza is hard but somehow it was fun," part of one reads. "I made out with a lot of boys in my neighborhood."

According to a 2020 Amnesty International report on Palestine, "Section 152 of the Penal Code in Gaza criminalizes [male] consensual same-sex sexual activity and makes it punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment." Gaza is controlled by Hamas, which imposes Islamic law, but same-sex relationships have been decriminalized in the other Palestinian-controlled territory of West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority governs.

Israel does not permit those in Gaza with Palestinian passports to leave the Strip, which has been likened to an "open-air concentration camp" throughout its 75-year existence. One person, whose secret love was tragically killed in Israeli airstrikes, noted that they used to daydream about traveling together.

Queering the Map

"I've always imagined you and me sitting out in the sun, hand and hand, free at last. We spoke of all the places we would go if we could. Yet you are gone now," the post reads. "If I had known that bombs raining down on us would take you from me, I would have gladly told the world how I adored you more than anything. I'm sorry I was a coward."

Another person writes: "Pls know despite what the media says there are gay Palestinians. We are here, we are queer. Free Palestine."

Queering the Map

Queering the Map
Rachel Maddow raised an alarming question about what the next presidential election might look like with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) calling the shots in the House.

If he does become speaker, I gotta say it feels like it becomes basically an open question as to whether a House of Representatives under Jim Jordans leadership would ever certify the election results of an election in which Donald Trump ran, the MSNBC host said on Monday.

Given Jim Jordan's key role in Donald Trump's election subversion scheme, Rachel Maddow points out, "it becomes basically an open question as to whether a House under Jordan's leadership would ever certify the election results of an election in which Donald Trump ran but lost." pic.twitter.com/uYtRpLExZr  Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) October 17, 2023

Jordan, who actively supported Trumps attempt to overturn the 2020 election, is the Republican conferences nominee for the speakership. An official vote is expected on Tuesday.

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He would need 217 votes to be successful. He fell well short of that figure in an internal election on Friday and has been attempting to corral the votes he needs since.

Jordan was among the 147 Republicans in Congress who still voted to overturn the 2020 election even after a violent siege on Jan. 6, 2021.

He ignored subpoenas from the House Jan. 6 committees probe into the insurrection. He has also refused to divulge what he and Trump discussed in a 10-minute phone call on the morning of the attack, which delayed Congress certification of the 2020 election that Trump lost.

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A woman known as Bullhorn Lady, who participated in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison. Rachel Powell was convicted on nine federal counts in July for smashing a Capitol window with an ice axe and using a bullhorn to incite rioters. Just after the attack, she remarked that Capitol Hill police had to retreat into the building and fight back because patriots were relentless, but she has since switched her stance, claiming police brutality. Prosecutors had wanted an eight-year prison sentence, asserting that she conducted surveillance at a female legislators home. During her sentencing, Powell said, I am deeply ashamed of my conduct. I regret it, and it will never happen again. She later stated, I apologize to my family for the hell they have endured because of me. U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth told Powell that she said all the right things today but that she should have come to her realization earlier. Previously, she had stated her hope that Donald Trump would pardon her once he was reelected president.

Rachel Powell Bullhorn Lady has her J6 sentencing tomorrow and cant believe the govt is asking for 8 years: it doesnt make any sense to me. It was a mistake and Im sorry. I wish I could pay for (the window). I did break a window. I was on the violent side of the building. pic.twitter.com/WCnxuCaKFP  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) October 17, 2023

Read it at NBC News

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Southern Lebanon (CNN)  On the face of it, the crossfire on Lebanons border with Israel appears marginal, dwarfed by the scale and intensity of the Hamas-Israel war further south.

The fighting has stayed within a roughly 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) radius of either side of the demarcation line, with at least 13 people killed since last Saturday.

Yet this barely populated swathe of mountainous terrain could be the launching pad of a regional war, drawing in a myriad of actors, including Iran and the United States.

Hezbollah  an Iran-backed armed group that is also a regional force in its own right  dominates south Lebanon. It also operates alongside Irans elite Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria, where the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights separates Israel from Tehran-aligned fighters.

Irans Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian on Monday raised the specter of expanded fighting after talking to counterparts in Tunisia, Malaysia and Pakistan.

Underlined the need to immediately stop Zionist crimes & murders in Gaza & to dispatch humanitarian aid, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

I stressed that time is running out for political solutions; probable spread of war in other fronts is approaching unavoidable stage, he added.

It is a scenario that has gained more currency across a restive Arab and Muslim world as images of dead Palestinian civilians, including more than 500 children, flash on television screens and social media posts, reflecting a civilian death toll rapidly rising at a rate not seen in decades.

Meanwhile, the US has deployed two of its largest aircraft carriers  including the nuclear-powered USS Gerald Ford  to the eastern Mediterranean. It is an ominous sign of what may come if the situation on the Lebanon-Israel border combusts into a full-scale war.

Skirmishes escalate into serious clashes

For most of last week, the skirmishes were a low-rumbling exchange of fire between Lebanon-based militants and Israeli forces.

Palestinian militants fired the first shots from Lebanon, hours after Hamas surprise attack of October 7, launching rockets that were intercepted over Israel. Israel responded by shooting into Lebanese territory, including at Hezbollah positions. Hezbollah then launched missiles into Israels northern-most territory. That cycle repeated for several days.

By Friday morning, three Israeli soldiers and three Hezbollah fighters had been killed in the exchanges across the border.

But then the tit-for-tat escalated. At around 5 p.m. on Friday, Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, who was also a south Lebanon native, was killed in an Israeli strike that wounded at least six other international journalists.

A CNN video analysis found that the journalists were wearing vest jackets clearly marked as press.

An Israeli Apache helicopter was flying over their location, according to a Lebanese security source as well as video seen by CNN, when they were fired upon by what Lebanese army and Israeli statements indicate was artillery.

Israel said it was investigating the incident. In an Israeli military statement that was released around the time of the attack, it said it was shelling Lebanese territory with artillery fire in response to an explosion at a border fence in Israels Hanita, near to where Abdallah was killed.

The situation at the border spiraled further the next day.

On Saturday, Hezbollah launched a series of strikes at Israeli targets in the disputed Shebaa farms, which was followed by a barrage of artillery fire from Israel. On Sunday, the Lebanese militants fired at several Israeli locations at the border, killing one civilian and one soldier. Earlier that day, Israel turned the 4-kilometer area near its border into a closed military zone.

In Hezbollahs statements on Sunday, the group said its cross-border attacks were in response to Abdallahs killing and the killing of two elderly civilians in Sundays Israeli attacks in the border region.

Unlike low-tech rockets that are fired by Palestinian fighters in Lebanon  and are mostly intercepted by Israel  Hezbollah uses Russian anti-tank guided missiles known as Kornets.

Every Hezbollah attack over the last week was followed by a video released by the group that demonstrated precision. They were direct hits that seemed to blindside Israeli troops seen in the videos.

These videos are key to the psychological warfare that underpins this flare-up. It shows clearly how much more sophisticated the groups arsenal had become since its last conflict with Israel in 2006, when it relied largely on inaccurate Soviet-era Katyusha rockets.

Back then, the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war ended with no clear victor or vanquished. At the time, many parts of Lebanon were devastated, but Hezbollah foiled Israels ultimate plan to dismantle the group, dealing a blow to Israels aura of invincibility.

In the intervening years, Hezbollah has dramatically built up its arsenal, and its fighters are far more experienced in urban warfare. Theyre battle-hardened from fighting in Syria against ISIS, the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, and armed opposition groups that tried to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has repeatedly evoked a hypothetical scenario where his fighters would conduct an incursion into northern Israel in case war erupted between Lebanon and Israel again. Israel and US officials have repeatedly expressed alarm about Hezbollahs precision-guided missiles, which were used against Israel for the first time this month.

Nasrallah has also said that his group boasts more than 100,000 fighters and reservists. Historically, Israeli and US officials have been reluctant to dismiss claims by the paramilitary leader, who oversaw a surge in the size and power of the group in the 32 years of his leadership.

Yet Nasrallah, known for his fiery televised speeches, has been noticeably silent since October 7. Observers dont know what to make of this. In addresses he delivered in recent months, Nasrallah lauded the growing alliance between his group and Hamas, though they were on opposite sides of Syrias bloody civil war.

He has also indicated that the loose rules of engagement between Hezbollah and Israel may soon change, with the Lebanon-based group possibly intervening on behalf of the Palestinians.

This has led many observers to speculate that Hezbollah may expand its fight against Israel in case of the much-anticipated Israeli ground invasion into Gaza.

Yet what happens from now is anyones guess. World leaders will continue to watch this border with bated breath.
Despite being under a gag order, Donald Trump held a press conference in the hallway of his fraud civil trial in Manhattan after sharing an article containing the address of New York Attorney General Letitia James on social media.

According to MeidasTouch Network, Trump shared James address in an article first posted by conservative activist Laura Loomer on Substack. Trump has attacked James repeatedly on social media, and the NY attorney general has since been the victim of death threats. The twice-impeached former president also verbally attacked James before entering the courtroom on Oct. 17.

A judge ruled that former President Donald Trump (left) committed fraud by inflating the net worth of several of his assets as part of the civil case brought against him by New York Attorney General Letitia James (right). (Photos: (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

The angry ex-president called James a lunatic and accused her of defrauding the public despite being under multiple gag orders, including one that prohibits from commenting publicly about court staffers, issued by state Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron earlier this month.

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This is an attorney general, Letitia, that went out and campaigned on I will get Trump, I will get Trump no matter what,' said Trump. People took tapes of her because they couldnt believe her ranting and raving like a lunatic. This is the attorney general of New York State, Leticia James, and she shouldnt be allowed to be attorney general. Shes defrauded the public with this trial.

James is pursuing civil damages against the former president, his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump , and his real estate company, The Trump Organization, for conspiring to defraud banks and insurance companies by lying about the worth of his business assets. Outside the courtroom, the disgraced president claimed Mar-a-Lago was worth $1.5 billion. According to Forbes, the property is worth $325 million.

Trump  who incited the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol in Washington, D.C. that resulted in the deaths of five people  wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday, America cannot let this happen.

Trump, back at court in NYC this morning, viciously attacks AG James, who he describes at "ranting and raving like a lunatic." He also claims Mar-a-Lago is "the most expensive house, probably, in the world" and adds that it's worth as much as $1.5 billion. pic.twitter.com/4azPwKpBXR  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 17, 2023

Trump has also repeatedly attacked James on social media, calling her racist, a monster, incompetent, and Letitia Peekaboo James. James responded to Trumps attacks on Oct. 4, saying she will not be bullied.

Trumps comments were offensive, they were baseless, they were void of any facts and or any evidence, she said. What they were were comments that, unfortunately, fomented violence and comments that I would describe as race-baiting. Comments, unfortunately, that appeals to the bottom of our humanity.

I will not be bullied, and so Mr. Trump is no longer here, she added. The Donald Trump show is over. This was nothing more than a political stunt.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis  who indicted Trump on charges of election interference in Georgia  was also verbally attacked by Trump on social media, leading her home address to be leaked by his supporters.

The district attorney, her husband, her children and her 80-year-old father were also threatened after their private information was doxxed. The DA was also called a slave whore by one Trump supporter. Willis told Atlanta station WSB-TV that she is repeatedly harassed and called racial slurs multiple times.

Im receiving phone calls and emails and communications that are derogatory in nature, she noted. They dont always state what the reason is that theyre calling. But Ive probably been called the N-word more times in the last two-and-a-half years than most  a hundred people combined.

U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan  the federal judge overseeing Donald Trumps election interference case in Washington, D.C. was also threatened by a Texas woman who supports Trump. Abigail Jo Shry, 43, left a voicemail threatening to kill Chutkan back in August and called her a slave.

Despite his legal issues, Trump is the current frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Read the original story here.
TAMPA, Fla. - 2012 was a challenging year for Kristi Irwin-Newberry.

Not only was she diagnosed with breast cancer but months later, her mom was too.

"Yeah, it was shocking and scary. You know, I think I was more scared when I heard that it was my mom than I was for my own, you know? It's kind of not the kind of thing that you want to go through with somebody, but if you had to go through it with somebody, I was glad that I went through it with my mom. My mom passed away in April of 2020, thankfully not from breast cancer. So she was a survivor as well. I am a ten-year survivor," said Irwin-Newberry.

As a survivor, she knew she could help other breast cancer patients navigate what can be an unsettling and uncertain journey.

Kristi Irwin-Newberry and her mom both survived breast cancer.

"If somebody hasn't kind of walked it, they can empathize and try to help do a bunch of research, but it's not quite the same," explained Irwin-Newberry.

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She is now one of the volunteers with the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program.

Newly diagnosed patients from across the country are matched with survivors who can answer questions and offer support through a website and app.

READ: Smart sticker provides non-invasive check for skin cancer

"Where that matters is sometimes it's helpful for people to, to be able to talk to somebody who's got a similar diagnosis. We can jump on a phone call, FaceTime, Zoom. It doesn't matter whatever their preferences. And then we talk it through," said Irwin-Newberry.

She said those she counsels typically fall into two camps.

"Either they have a really strong support group around them, and they're surrounded by family and friends who love them. But nobody that's been through it. And I think sometimes they're trying to show how strong they are. Sometimes the flip side of that, which I think is tougher to some degree, is people who don't have a support system, right?," said Irwin-Newberry. "Maybe they're, they don't have a significant other or a partner, or they don't have a bunch of people there to kind of help them along the way. So they're really suffering. Right? They're kind of struggling on two different fronts. So it's just having somebody that they can talk to that will say, here are all the resources, what are the questions that are bothering you?"

It's not always patients reaching out to her.

Irwin-Newberry helps others through Reach to Recovery.

"Sometimes it's caregivers. So I actually had a son whose mother was diagnosed, and he was like, How do I help her?" recalled Irwin-Newberry.

Reach To Recovery has meant as much to her as it has for those needing her guidance.

READ: Cancer screenings: Here are 5 types and critical information to know about each

"It's one of those things where it's like you're paying it forward, but it almost feels like you're getting just as much back from, you know what I mean? Because I'm thinking to myself, I'm helping somebody who's, you know, going through this in a way that I would have wanted somebody to help me with. So, it means a lot," said Irwin-Newberry.

For more information about the Reach To Recovery program, click here.

FOX 13 is proud to team up once again with the American Cancer Society for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks. These fun and inspiring events provide support for those going through the battle and also for survivors. Proceeds go towards funding research and programs that assist patients, families and caregivers.

Here is a list of Making Strides events in the Tampa Bay area:

Saturday, Oct. 21- Nathan Benderson Park - Sarasota

Saturday, Oct. 28 - Raymond James Stadium - Tampa

For information on how to register and participate, click here.
A 21-year-old college student used AI to read a charred scroll recovered from the city of Herculaneum. | University of Nebraska

When Mount Vesuvius erupted, thousands of people died and a column of ash liberally covered the entire city of Pompeii and a neighboring town. The heat and debris resulted in the near-immediate carbonization of scrolls.

Though once readable, the scrolls became like blocks of rock. Contemporary archaeologists and scholars have been baffled by trying to figure out how exactly to read these scrolls to glean potentially groundbreaking information about the ancient Romans and Greeks.

Its difficult to understate the importance of scholars figuring out how to read these charred scrolls. The Herculaneum scrolls represent the only intact library to survive from classical antiquity, according to The Guardian. The library itself is believed to have been owned by Julius Caesars father-in-law.

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As archaeologists scramble to reconstruct the ancient past with scant artifacts and a race against time to find more, the Herculaneum papyri have been the focal point and hope for many scholars.

And now, one University of Nebraska-Lincoln college student has managed to figure out how to read them.

Luke Farritor used artificial intelligence (via machine learning) to read the letters on the scroll. One of the words Farritor saw was the Greek word for purple, per Nature. For his discovery, he was awarded $40,000 from the Vesuvius Challenge.

This word is our first dive into an unopened ancient book, evocative of royalty, wealth, and even mockery, longtime Herculaneum papyri researcher Brent Seales told The Guardian. What will the context show? Pliny the Elder explores purple in his natural history as a production process for Tyrian purple from shellfish. The Gospel of Mark describes how Jesus was mocked as he was clothed in purple robes before crucifixion.

Seales continued, What this particular scroll is discussing is still unknown, but I believe it will soon be revealed. An old, new story that starts for us with purple is an incredible place to be.

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These scrolls were previously unreadable, due to their carbonization. If scholars attempted to open the scrolls, the scrolls would crumble and be lost to history.

Until now, researchers were able to study only opened fragments. A few Latin works have been identified, but most of these contain Greek texts relating to the Epicurean school of philosophy, Jo Marchant wrote for Nature. There are parts of On Nature, written by Epicurus himself, and works by a little-known philosopher named Philodemus on topics such as vices, music, rhetoric and death.

The reading of these scrolls has been a long time coming. In the late 2010s, scholars were using a combination of artificial intelligence and X-ray technology to read the scrolls, which have an ink similar to the color carbonization, per The Guardian.

The work saw important advancements. A new historical work by Seneca the Elder was discovered among the unidentified Herculaneum papyri only last year (2018), thus showing what uncontemplated rarities remain to be discovered there, a 2019 article from The Guardian reported.

Brigham Young University has also been involved in the quest to read Herculaneum papyri.

In the 1990s, Brigham Young University researchers photographed the surviving opened papyri using multispectral imaging, which deploys a range of wavelengths of light to illuminate the text, Smithsonian Magazine reported. As time has stretched on, BYU professor Roger T. Macfarlane has been integral in making digital images of these scrolls.

So, Farritors advancement is one that scholars have worked for and hoped for over the course of the last few decades. If work on these charred scrolls progresses and scholars can eventually read the entirety of them, it could be one of the biggest discoveries in modern history.

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Recovering such a library would transform our knowledge of the ancient world in ways we can hardly imagine, University of Bristol papyrus expert Robert Fowler told The New York Times. The impact could be as great as the rediscovery of manuscripts during the Renaissance.

Its unclear just how much of ancient literature is lost  Seales told National Geographic that it was around 95%. There arent clear patterns that show us what kinds of works were lost and what kinds of texts were preserved.

An advancement like this could reveal important information about the ancient world.

A vast majority of ancient Latin and Greek texts have been lost. Sophocles wrote more than 120 plays, of which only seven have wholly survived. Just 35 books of Livys 142-volume history of Rome are known to exist, Nicholas Wade wrote for The New York Times. Almost all the poems of Sappho have vanished. Retrieving an entire classical library would vastly expand knowledge of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.
New York City and New Jersey are flooding. Severe storms struck Illinois, Mississippi, Vermont and other states in June and July, and Hurricane Idalia swept through the southeast in August. California, although it has had an extra-wet year, is entering fire season. No matter where you live, a natural disaster can occur at any time. Preparation can save your life  and your pets life.

Ever since Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005, when many pets were unable to be rescued and many people risked  or lost  their lives rather than abandon their animals, pets have become a focus of community and state planning, with disaster preparedness programs in place to complement those for humans. But when it comes right down to it, our pets rely on us to make sure theyre safe in the face of an emergency. The following expert tips will get you started.

Start by preparing a pet go bag, containing food and water, medications, important documents and first aid supplies, recommends Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, senior veterinarian and director of pet health information at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City. Other evacuation supplies to have on hand are a leash and harness, familiar bedding, and a favorite toy.

Having pet shampoo on hand is a good idea, too. Depending on the type of disaster, you may need to bathe your pet to remove mud, debris, or soot, as well as to clean wounds, says Hohenhaus. Bathing will also help to rid your pet of contaminants in floodwater such as sewage and toxic chemicals, which can cause illness, infections and skin rashes in humans and animals.

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Stash the go bag with your pets carrier so its easy to grab them both in an emergency. Attach a luggage tag with contact information for yourself and your veterinarian.

For backup, consider storing your pets health information, including a photo, on your computer or phone. Most veterinary clinics will be happy to email them to you.

Using positive reinforcement, train pets ahead of time to feel safe and comfortable inside their carriers, advises Cat Friendly and Fear Free veterinarian Julie Liu of Austin, Texas. During evacuation, covering the carrier with a towel sprayed beforehand with a calming pheromone can help reduce stress, she says.

In addition to being carrier trained, its also important for pets to be comfortable riding in the car, especially since their stress levels will likely be high during an emergency. Talk to a trainer or behaviorist about ways to help pets feel at ease during car rides.

Find out ahead of time which hotels or local emergency shelters permit pets, what rules govern pet stays at those locations, or if veterinarians or boarding facilities in the area have plans for emergency animal sheltering.

Have a pet buddy. Plan with neighbors, friends, or relatives to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.

Keep pet identification up to date. Pets should wear collars with tags as well as have permanent identification in the form of a microchip. Register microchips so you can always be reached in case you and your pet are separated.

Many pets will end up in shelters after a disaster, and every pet will be scanned for a microchip upon admittance, so its one of the best ways to get reunited with your pet if you become separated, Liu says.

To recap, grab your pets and their go bags; when you are in a safe place, assess pets for injuries and administer first aid until you can seek veterinary assistance; make sure pets eat and drink only from food and water supplies known to be safe; and use the Red Cross website (redcross.org/safeandwell) to notify others of your status and location.

Find other tips at Fear Free Happy Homes (fearfreehappyhomes.com/prepared-for-natural-disasters) and ready.gov/pets.

 Kim Campbell Thornton

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker. Pet Connection is produced by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, journalist Kim Campbell Thornton, and dog trainer/behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. 2023 Andrews McMeel Syndication

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Pet Connection: Be prepared to travel with pets during emergencies
Three more Ukrainian children returned to their parents on the Kyiv-controlled territory on Oct. 17 in a rescue mission by the Ukrainian Child Rights Network and the Reintegration Ministry.

When Russian troops entered Kherson last year, the parents sent the kids, aged between six and 10, to their grandmother living in a village as they hoped it was safer there, the ministry wrote. Later, Ukraine liberated the regional capital, but the village remained under Russian occupation.

Last week, another family in Kherson Oblast reunited, according to the report. After spending 19 months in Russian occupation, nine-year-old Nadiia and her 14-year-old brother Mykhailo returned to their parents.

According to official estimates, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has abducted or forcibly displaced around 20,000 children from Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, although the actual number is likely much higher.

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Almost 400 of them have been brought back to the Kyiv-controlled territory.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in March 2023 for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, on war crimes charges for their role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children during the full-scale invasion.

Read also: Abducting the future: How Ukrainian parents fight to rescue their children from Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Integration Ministry announced on Oct. 17 that a fund of Hr 180,000,000 ($4.9 million) has been allocated to support Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and their families.

The fund included Hr 129,000,000 ($3.5 million) for the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war, political prisoners, and civilian hostages, with Hr 100,000 ($2,740) to be paid for each year that their family member was held in captivity.

An additional Hr 50,000,000 ($1.37 million) was earmarked for each individual held prisoner. They will also receive a one-time payment of Hr 100,000 ($2,740) upon their release from captivity.

In June 2023, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that 2,500 Ukrainian POWs have been returned to Ukraine.

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Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's ombudsman for human rights, said in August 2023 that another 98 have been released.

It is unclear how many more Ukrainian POWs Russia currently holds because it does not disclose these details.

Read also: Exclusive: New insights point to Hungarys collaboration with Moscow on transfer of Ukrainian POWs

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Since the autumn of 2022, over 67,000 people have been evacuated from liberated parts of Kherson and Kharkiv oblasts to safer regions, the Reintegration Ministry reported on Oct. 17.

This number includes 40,000 residents of Kherson Oblast in Ukraine's south and 27,000 people from northeastern Kharkiv Oblast, according to the ministry.

Among them reportedly are around 5,000 children and over 350 people with reduced mobility.

Evacuation trains and buses take Ukrainians willing to move from dangerous areas free of charge, the ministry wrote.

In the host communities, internally displaced persons are provided with free temporary housing. They receive financial, humanitarian, legal, and psychological assistance.

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Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the Dnipro Rivers west bank in November 2022.

Russian forces were pushed to the east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

Meanwhile, in Kharkiv Oblast, Russia is trying to recapture Kupiansk and other settlements liberated by Ukraines surprise counteroffensive last autumn. Kupiansk was occupied by Russian forces in 2022 from Feb. 27 to Sept. 10.

Read also: Pro-Russian sympathies make life harder for soldiers, cops in Kupiansk district

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
David Pepper has been a Cincinnati City councilman, Hamilton County commissioner, Ohio Democratic Party chairman and now a political thriller novelist.

Anyone who follows him on X, formerly Twitter, might also know him for his "whiteboard" dissertations against gerrymandering.

But 21 years ago he was a 31-year-old, single, up-and-coming councilman getting ready to go on a date when he was kidnapped outside his Mount Adams home, forced into his car at gunpoint and then driven to nearby bank machines in the robbers' attempt at a cash grab.

His attackers left him on the side of the road physically unscathed, but what followed would reverberate for Pepper for years  many doubted his story. The Enquirer's first headline was a skeptical "Pepper reports he was abducted," despite a police spokesman saying Pepper was kidnapped and the robbers got away with cash.

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Eventually, the suspects were caught and sentenced to prison, and even then some were still skeptical.

Now Pepper, who lives in the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill, has incorporated the harrowing incident into his new book, "The Fifth Vote," which is set in Cincinnati and Cincinnati City Hall and revolves around a plot of corrupt politicians seeking favorable votes. It's Pepper's sixth book and fourth novel.

'You are relieved to be alive'

Pepper, 52, hopes you'll buy it, but don't go looking for anyone you know. The characters, Pepper said, are strictly fiction, although some of the main character, Dylan Webb, is based on himself. In the book, the police chief was problematic for Webb, but for Pepper former police Chief Tom Streicher played an important role in quashing the rumors the kidnapping had been faked.

And there was no corruption as described in the book during his years on council. Nor is it based on anything he's read about the 2020 Cincinnati City Council, which saw three of its members arrested on federal corruption charges for trading favorable votes for cash or campaign contributions.

"It's a fictionalized account of someone who experiences what I experienced," said Pepper, who served on council from 2001 to 2005. "What does it feel like to be in that car, as you are driving with a gun pointed at you? The first part of the book is what it's like to go through something that traumatic. The twist is, what is it like after that? You are relieved to be alive, but a lot of people are saying you made it up."

Inspired by a Zoom party

Pepper started noodling on the idea of writing about what happened in 2020, when young staffers asked him to recount the incident during his going away Zoom party (it was during the pandemic) from the Ohio Democratic Party.

What happened was so long ago few stories about it pop up in an online search. Someone on that Zoom call suggested he write it all down. So Pepper did. He was surprised how fresh every detail was in his memory, even after all this time.

Pepper recounts how scary it was to have somebody else in control of whether he lived or died. He wrote about the relief of being free. He wrote about his fear of returning home, which took him weeks to do, and about the shock and bewilderment he felt only days later when so many people questioned his story.

Pepper started writing the book in 2021, long before so many details in former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld's federal corruption case were chronicled in a two-week trial. But the power of the fifth vote has long been part of Cincinnati City Hall politics.

"When you're the fifth vote of a nine-member council, you can end up being the person who is determining most of what happens," Pepper said. "In the end, the book is about a corrupt city hall and the way city halls can be corrupted. That is broader than Cincinnati."

Where to buy 'The Fifth Vote'

At Joseph-Beth Booksellers, or online via Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Pepper will be signing copies at Books on the Banks on Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Duke Energy Convention Center.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: David Pepper's new novel includes a detailed account of his kidnapping
Surplus hot water will soon be stored in this cavern to provide a boost a peak times for the local heating company, reducing the need to rely on fossil fuels (Jonathan NACKSTRAND)

Work lights strung up along railings illuminate a dank cavern where workers are preparing to transform a former oil depot into a hot water "thermos" to heat a Swedish town.

Originally dug out in the early 1970s, the three caverns with a combined volume of 300,000 cubic metres served as an oil storage until the site was abandoned in 1985.

"We are now converting it into a giant thermos to store hot water in," explained project manager Rickard Svensson at power and district heating company Malarenergi in the city of Vasteras.

The site will "store energy, which we sometimes have an excess of, and ... use that at times when there is a shortage," he said.

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The caverns are close to Malarenergi's combined heat and power plant, which supplies electricity and especially heat via district heating, to Vasteras' 130,000 or so inhabitants.

Hundreds of metres of pipes are being installed along with massive heat exchangers, so excess heat can heat up the water stored within and then be used to transport heat out when needed.

In another area, workers are fitting hundreds of steel bars to make a thick reinforced concrete wall which will serve as a plug for the cavern.

Once the remodelling is completed, the entire cave system will be flooded and sealed for good.

The site had previously been emptied of oil but never properly decontaminated.

"It was an excellent fit to re-use the oil storage and thereby take advantage of an existing resource," Lisa Granstrom, strategy manager at Malarenergi, told AFP.

While the plant is already able to store heat in tanks above ground, they are nowhere near the size of the new installation.

The volume is roughly the equivalent of 6,000 backyard pools and can provide approximately 13 gigawatt hours (GWh), according to Malarenergi.

- New energy landscape -

Being able to store excess heat for future use means the utility can reduce the need to bring reserve plants, some of which rely on fossil fuels, online during cold snaps.

"It will even mean that during some days we'll be able to stop production and just rely on this cave, just using the heat from here," vice president Magnus Eriksson said.

In a climate where temperatures can range from minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in winter to plus 30 degrees (86 F) in summer, the "thermos" would be able to provide heat for "up to a week" on cold days and "around two weeks" in summer.

While the idea of converting such caverns is not novel, Malarenergi believes theirs is likely the largest of its kind.

Finnish utility Helen finished a similar project in 2021 on the island of Mustikkamaa near Helsinki with a capacity to store 11.5 GWh of energy.

Another, much larger project by Vantaa Energy is also planned for construction north of Helsinki, where the planned facility of 1,000,000 cubic metres will be able store 90 GWh of thermal energy using superheated water, according to the company.

Being able to store energy is a recurring challenge as countries seek to maximise the use of the energy that is produced.

"For both electricity and heat in the new energy landscape, storing energy is crucial to adjust to peaks in production and demand," Filip Johnsson, a professor of energy systems at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, told AFP.

In the case of heating, producers can avoid having to start up redundancy plants during cold snaps -- which may rely on sources of energy such as oil or coal.

Meanwhile, there a different problem with wind power.

"When it's very windy, you get a lot of wind power that you can't use. But when it's not so windy there will be a shortage," Johnsson said.

He added that to make better use of wind power, excess energy can be stored in batteries or as hydrogen produced from electricity.

jll/po/rl
The highly successful song Calm Down has catapulted Rema, 23, to international fame

After a record 57 weeks, Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema's song Calm Down has fallen off the Billboard Hot 100.

"It made history, becoming the longest-charting and most successful African song of all time," the music monitoring platform Chart Data said on X.

The song smashed the 35-week record held by fellow Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid's song Essence.

Calm Down entered the Billboard Hot 100 in September last year, about seven months after its release.

The captivating song, which Billboard magazine music analysts described as "a melancholy slow jam with a subtle hypnotic draw", has gripped music enthusiasts worldwide since its release.

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Calm Down's massive global popularity is partly due to American pop star Selena Gomez featuring on the song, though her part was small.

The song peaked at position three on the Billboard Hot 100, the most prestigious music ranking in the US, making it the highest-charting song on which an Afrobeats musician was the lead artist.

Fans of both Rema and Selena have celebrated the song's historic achievement following the news of its exit from the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It has broken more than a dozen records. Last month it became the most streamed Afrobeats song on Spotify and the first African artist-led song to hit one billion streams on the music platform.

"We can't Calm Down, Rema has entered the Billions Club with the first African artist-led track to hit a billion streams on Spotify! Congratulations to Rema and Selena Gomez," Spotify posted on X when Calm Down set the record.

Calm Down is also the first song to spend one year on the Billboard Afrobeats chart and its YouTube video, with 673 million views, is the most watched music video by a Nigerian artist.

The song's enduring international success has thrust 23-year-old Rema into the ranks of prominent Afrobeats artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido.

Last month, the song won the inaugural Best Afrobeats song at the MTV VMA Awards, edging out other popular Afrobeats artists.
(CNN)  Palestinian officials say hundreds were killed by a massive blast at a Gaza hospital on Tuesday, as humanitarian concerns mount over Israels deprivation of food, fuel and electricity to the enclaves population.

Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was sheltering thousands of displaced people when it was bombed Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement. Many victims are still under the rubble, it added.

Palestinian officials blamed ongoing Israeli airstrikes for the lethal incident. But the Israel Defense Forces has categorically denied any involvement in the hospital attack, blaming instead a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, a rival Islamist militant group in Gaza.

We did not strike that, and that the intelligence that we have suggests that it was a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad, and I want to add, categorically, that we do not intentionally strike any sensitive facilities, any sensitive facilities, and definitely not hospitals, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CNN.

Gaza has been under siege by Israel for more than a week, in response to the deadly incursion by Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls the coastal enclave, home to 2.2 million people. Hospitals meanwhile are struggling to tend to the wounded across the territory, operating with shortages of electricity and water.

Vital humanitarian aid is meanwhile piling up at Gazas shuttered border, despite diplomatic efforts to open a corridor from Egypt. The United Nations and other officials have said they need assurance of safe passage for any potential aid convoys.

Amid growing international pressure to address the crisis, US President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday, an extraordinary wartime visit that follows intense efforts by Secretary of State Antony Blinken across the Middle East.

Biden was also due to attend a summit scheduled in Amman, the capital of Jordan, with several Arab leaders. However, the summit was canceled in the wake of the hospital blast.

Instead of the planned meeting, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he would travel back to Ramallah for an urgent meeting of the Palestinian leadership.

The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in the center of Gaza City was sheltering thousands of people who had been forcibly evacuated, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Hamas, which controls the enclave, said more than 500 people were killed by the bombing. The Palestinian Health Ministry earlier said preliminary estimates indicate that between 200 to 300 people died in the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed the barbaric terrorists in Gaza for attacking the hospital on Tuesday.

Whoever brutally murdered our children is also murdering their children, he added.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari later told CNN the IDF has communications between militants in Gaza saying this is an Islamic Jihad event as well as drone footage showing strike impact on the hospitals parking lot, but not the hospital itself.

Hagari said the IDF will soon release that footage and audio of the intercepted communications.

As Israeli and Gazan officials blame the other for the hospital tragedy, protests have sprung up in a number of Middle Eastern cities including Amman, where protesters attempted to reach the Israeli embassy.

Hospitals under siege

More than a week of Israeli bombardment has killed at least 3,000 people, including 1,032 girls and 940 boys, and wounded 12,500 in Gaza, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said Tuesday. Casualties in Gaza over the past 10 days have now surpassed the number of those killed during the 51-day Gaza-Israel conflict in 2014.

While the IDF has said it does not target hospitals, the UN and Doctors Without Borders say Israeli airstrikes have struck medical facilities, including hospitals and ambulances.

On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes hit two densely populated refugee camps and an UNRWA school housing displaced people in central Gaza killed at least 18 people and injured scores, Palestinian officials said.

The IDF said that high-level Hamas commander Ayman Nofal was killed in the airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday.

In the occupied West Bank at least 61 people have been killed, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Tuesday. At least 20 humanitarian workers from the UN, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent have been killed in Gaza, the UN said.

Meanwhile, health services within Gaza are on the brink and food and water supplies are running low. Twenty out of 23 hospitals were offering partial services because fuel reserves are almost totally depleted, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warned on Tuesday.

UN agencies have warned that shops are less than a week away from running out of available food stocks and that that Gazas last seawater desalination plant had shut down, bringing the risk of further deaths, dehydration and waterborne diseases.

Hospitals have been receiving dozens of bodies from different areas of south Gaza, the director of Gaza hospitals, Dr. Mohammad Zaqout, told CNN. The toll includes dozens of victims from air strikes in Rafah.

The Palestinian Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 49 people in strikes on the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis.

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CNN he was not aware of any strikes specifically in those areas but they could have happened.

Closed crossing

Urgent calls for help are growing on both sides of the crossing as aid amasses on the Egyptian side of the border.

Blinken on Tuesday said the the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza.

But on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, a miles long convoy of humanitarian assistance awaiting entry into Gaza, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told CNN.

Until now, there is no safe passage that has been granted as they do not have any authorization or clear, secure routes for those convoys to be able to enter safely and without any possibility of their being targeted, he said.

He added that the crossing was bombed four times in the past few days.

Beyond the border crossing, moving aid to those in need is extremely complex in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly hit UN facilities in the past week.

We need to have areas where humanitarians can move through safely, where people who are receiving humanitarian aid can receive that aid safely, UN spokesman Dujarric told CNN in a press briefing Tuesday.

The last thing you would want to see is creating distribution points where people receive that aid are not safe.

WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told CNN the UN health agency had struck an agreement with Egypts President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to open the Rafah crossing for aid  but Israels strikes rendered the facility unsafe, thereby halting the movement of crucial supplies.

On Tuesday, Israels National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the only things that should be entering Gaza are hundreds of tons of explosives from the Air Force, not an ounce of humanitarian aid until Hamas releases hostages, he wrote on Telegram.

On the Gaza side, large numbers of evacuees have gathered by the crossing, part of the mass displacement that has seen at least 1 million people flee their homes in the past week alone, according to UNRWA.

One family of five Palestinian-Americans, all US citizens, drove to Rafah on Monday after hearing the borders would be opened but to no avail, said Haifa Kaoud, whose husband Hesham is among the five stuck in Gaza.

Satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies show four 30-foot (9-meter) craters blocking the roadway at the border crossing closest to the Egyptian gate, along with concrete slabs.

Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to ease the conflict. On Monday, the UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire after it failed to get enough votes.

Several countries including the US, the United Kingdom and France voted against it because the draft did not condemn Hamas for the October 7 attack, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said killed at least 1,400 people with scores taken hostage.

This includes French-Israeli woman, Mia Schem, who was shown in the first hostage video released by Hamas. Her mother, Keren Scharf Schem implored world leaders to bring my baby back home when speaking to reporters Tuesday.

CNN cannot independently verify where and when the video of Schem, 21, was taken and what condition she is currently in.

Fears of regional conflict

Regional leaders raised concerns of fighting between Israel and Lebanons powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah in the north, and Syria, as strikes at the border become a flashpoint for wider conflict.

The IDF said on Tuesday shots were fired towards several locations on the security fence between Israel and Lebanon.

At the same time, Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, warned if the atrocities against Gaza persist, Muslims and resistance forces could lose patience, and no-one would be able to prevent their actions.

After Hamas incursion on October 7, militants fired shots from Lebanon that were intercepted by Israel, leading to a deadly exchange of fire.

On Friday evening local time an Israeli strike killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah who was also from south Lebanon. The assault wounded at least six other reporters.

A CNN video analysis found that the journalists were wearing vest jackets clearly marked as press.

And on Tuesday, Israeli strikes killed at least four people in Alma al-Shaab, in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross said.

Two Hezbollah fighters were killed in confrontations on Tuesday, the militant group said. It is unclear whether they are part of the death toll reported by the Red Cross.

CORRECTION: This article on the Gaza hospital blast initially did not clearly attribute claims about Israels responsibility to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israel later said a misfired rocket by militant group Islamic Jihad caused the blast and produced evidence to support its claim. US President Joe Biden said the Israeli position is backed by US intelligence. CNNs forensic analysis of images and videos suggests a rocket fired from within Gaza caused the blast, not an Israeli airstrike.

An earlier version of this story also misidentified the embassy protesters attempted to reach in Amman. It was the Israeli embassy.ear whether they are part of the death toll reported by the Red Cross.
Palestinians take shelter in a United Nations-run school from the ongoing Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip in Nuiserat refugee camp on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. | Hatem Moussa, Associated Press

Utah Rep. Burgess Owen

s co-sponsored a bill that would prevent President Joe Biden from issuing visas to Palestinians to come to the U.S.

Following Hamas barbaric massacre of innocent civilians, including 30 Americans, allowing unvetted Palestinians with ties to terrorism to resettle in our communities gravely compromises our national security, said Owens, a Republican who represents Utahs 4th Congressional District, according to a press release obtained by the Deseret News.

The new bill comes after Hamas attacked civilians in Israel on Oct. 7, which led Israel to declare war on Hamas and prepare for a ground invasion of Gaza. An estimated 3,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza and at least 1,400 Israelis have been killed.

What is the GAZA Act?

The legislation, dubbed the GAZA Act, which stands for Guaranteeing Aggressors Zero Admissions Act, would block the Department of Homeland Security from allowing Palestinians into the U.S. through the parole program, which allows foreign nationals to remain in the country temporarily.

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Before looking to our shores, the Arab nations in the region that support the Palestinian cause must first do their part. The GAZA Act bolsters national security and protects our homeland from the horrors of terrorism, said Owens.

Gaza is run by Hamas, an organization designated by the U.S. government as a foreign terrorist organization.

Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wisc., and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., introduced the legislation Friday.

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, a grassroots civil rights organization, said in a statement on X that the proposed bill is a shameful display of politicizing human suffering.

Over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, the majority of whom are refugees and half of them children, are enduring dire humanitarian conditions, the statement added.

An estimated 450,000 immigrants from Afghanistan, Ukraine and Latin America have come to the U.S. through the parole program, according to a report from a bipartisan pro-immigration group.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, then a member of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, listens to questioning on Capitol Hill in Washington in 2015. Jordans bid to become the next House speaker is gaining momentum. | J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press

Two weeks of Republican gridlock in the U.S. House of Representatives may soon come to an end with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, facing a floor vote to become speaker on Tuesday.

Jordan, a founder of the House Freedom Caucus and a firm ally of former President Donald Trump, took steps on Monday toward securing the 217 votes he needs to become speaker after scoring several endorsements from key holdouts. House Republicans are still deeply divided over the dramatic ouster of former speaker Kevin McCarthy and last weeks failed speaker bid by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

Utah Republican Rep. John Curtis said he is simultaneously frustrated the same group of lawmakers who paralyzed the House are now calling for unity around Jordan, while he is also hopeful Jordan will secure the position so lawmakers can get back to work after two weeks of lost time.

Curtis was among the majority of Republicans who objected to McCarthys removal, and also backed Scalise.

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If Jordan can get it, great, we need to get going. But I think were all frustrated in this whole process, Curtis told the Deseret News.

Curtis said he will vote for Jordan if a floor vote is held Tuesday as scheduled, citing the freedom caucus founders conservative approach to budget issues and the need to make progress on spending bills ahead of next months fiscal deadline.

However, Jordan has proven to be a polarizing figure even among fellow conservatives. The Ohio congressman is known to play political hardball, assuming a key role in the government shutdowns of 2013 over Obamacare and 2018 over a border wall.

In recent years, Jordan has aligned himself with party leadership, trading an endorsement of McCarthy for high profile positions on the judiciary and weaponization of government oversight committees, where he has spearheaded an investigation into President Joe Bidens business dealings.

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Curtis said over the course of his nine-term tenure Jordan has moderated pretty considerably on his tactics, if not his policy goals, and that people need to judge him more on who hes become rather than where he came from.

Jordan is someone Curtis thinks can secure conservative wins without further damaging the partys image among voters as Israel and Ukraine continue to urgently request military and humanitarian aid and must-pass budget legislation awaits Congressional action with a shutdown looming if no spending agreements are reached.

(Jordan) does not want to shut down and yet he wants to be more fiscally conservative, and both of those things align with my feelings, that weve got to get there without a shutdown, Curtis said. So, Im interested to see, first of all, if he can secure the votes, and if he can secure the votes, how he leads us through this.

Will the votes materialize for Jordan?

Jordan won the GOP nomination for the lower chambers top position on Friday in a secret ballot competition against a last-minute challenger, 124-81. Jordan renewed his campaign for speaker after the previous nominee, Scalise, R-La., withdrew from the race Thursday, citing the refusal of Jordans supporters to back him.

In an unusual move, Jordans win was followed by a validation vote to gauge his chances of winning the speakership in a floor vote. While he increased his tally of supporters by 24, receiving 152 yes votes and 55 no votes, Jordans potential speakership was still far from certain as lawmakers went home for the weekend.

But, despite the worries of some lawmakers that no candidate could unite 217 members of the fractious House GOP, opposition to Jordan appeared to crumble on Monday as some of the most vocal holdouts changed their tune in support of Jordan.

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Throughout Monday, endorsements rolled in from some of Scalises top allies, including Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo.  who previously said she would absolutely not support Jordan  and Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala.,  who just 24 hours earlier had vowed to never support Jordan, along with other members of the the House Armed Services Committee and the Appropriations Committee.

However, as of Monday, there still remained a number of Republican lawmakers  less than 10, according to CNNs Manu Raju  who remained committed to finding an alternative to Jordan. And with the Republican conference sitting at 221 members, just four more than a 217-vote majority, Jordan will have to sway nearly every one of his colleagues.

Some of the holdouts include swing state representatives like Don Bacon of Nebraska who has floated the idea of offering concessions to Democrats in exchange for their support in electing a moderate Republican speaker.

Sen. Mike Lee urges House Republicans to back Jordan

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, multiple times over the weekend and on Monday to cheer on Jordan and criticize lawmakers who were unwilling to fall in line.

Its outrageous that Jim Jordan has been nominated by the party, has the support of McCarthy and (Speaker Pro Tem Patrick) McHenry, and yet ... a few House Republicans would rather work with Democrats, Lee said Saturday. If youre a House Republican, please vote for Jim Jordan  not Hakeem Jeffries.

In an effort to persuade the remaining holdouts, Jordan held one-on-one meetings with conference members on Monday, according to Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News.

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At least one GOP member, Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida, has said he will vote for McCarthy in Tuesdays floor vote.

If he is unable to reach 217 votes, Jordan has signaled a willingness to call for multiple rounds of voting, similar to the speakers race in January which took 15 rounds to clear up.

Jordan sent his colleagues a letter Monday saying the principles that unite us as Republicans are far greater than the disagreements that divide us.

The country and our conference cannot afford us attacking each other right now, the letter says. It is time we unite to get back to work on behalf of the American people.

However, even as D.C. insiders predict Jordan will come away with the speakership Tuesday, serious concerns remain among Republicans about Jordans opposition to Ukraine aid, his close ties to Trump and whether he can fill McCarthys shoes as a negotiator and fundraiser.
Republicans fell short of the 217 votes needed to elect Jim Jordan for House speaker Tuesday as 20 of their members, including two from the Fort Worth area, voted against him.

Jordan secured 200 votes in the first round of voting Tuesday afternoon and said he was planning for a second vote later in the day.

Rep. Kay Granger from Fort Worth and Rep. Jake Ellzey from Midlothian both voted against Jordan in favor of other Republicans.

Granger voted for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Ellzey voted for Rep. Mike Garcia from California.

Granger said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the House needs to get back to work now for a second vote on electing a new speaker.

I agree with @MarioDB. The House needs to get back to work now. https://t.co/f4Oiw9wARe  Rep. Kay Granger (@RepKayGranger) October 17, 2023

Ellzey was not immediately available for comment.

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Rep. Tony Gonzales from San Antonio also voted against Jordan in favor of Scalise.

Other area Republicans Michael Burgess of Denton County, Beth Van Duyne of Irving and Roger Williams of Willow Park voted for Jordan. Williams had been mentioned as a potential speaker option during a CNN interview with Rep. Tim Burchett.

Jordan, from Ohio, co-founded the House Freedom Caucus in 2015 and is an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump. He defended Trump during both impeachment hearings and was part of promoting the conspiracy that the 2020 election was stolen.
House Republicans so far have failed to coalesce behind Rep. Jim Jordan, who asked for a floor vote to elect him as speaker Tuesday afternoon.

That means that Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry of North Carolina will continue leading the House in finding a new speaker.

Jordan could afford to lose only three Republican votes Tuesday afternoon, but ended up losing 20. None of the holdouts were from North Carolina.

As lawmakers voted, Jordan sat near the front of the room with a grimace on his face, occasionally whispering to those around him.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries ended up leading Jordan with 212 votes to Jordans 200, but that wasnt enough to secure the speakership for Jeffries, either.

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It took 15 votes for the House to secure McCarthy as speaker in January.

The vote came two weeks after Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, paralyzed the Houses ability to legislate by filing a motion to fire McCarthy. Gaetz was able to get seven of his Republican colleagues to rally around him, along with the Democratic caucus, to vote McCarthy out as the chambers leader.

Since then, McHenry, a Republican from Lincoln County, has served as speaker pro-tem. McHenrys name was at the top of a secret list of successors that a post-9/11 rule required McCarthy to keep in the event that he couldnt fulfill his duties.

McHenrys power

As his new role was first announced, McHenry immediately recessed the House, slamming his gavel into the dais with such force it has become both an internet joke and a gif.

Republicans had to decide how to move forward, while McHenry was forced to figure out how much authority the post-9/11 rule, which had never been exercised, gave to him. He decided that it was to be used in its most stripped-down form that made him the person to help oversee the election of a new House speaker and nothing more.

But as Republicans finished out their second week without a speaker, Democrats began coming around to the idea of allowing McHenry to have more power, limited to certain topics like funding the government and providing aid to Ukraine and Israel. Those who supported granting him that power said the arrangement should be reviewed every 15 days.

On Monday, Rep. Mike Kelly, a Republican from Pennsylvania, offered a proposal to officially elect McHenry as speaker pro-tem, which would give him more power to act through Nov. 17, the deadline to fund the government, or risk a shutdown.

The NC delegation

Two of North Carolinas seven Republicans made their support of Jordan known as soon as he became a candidate for the job.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from Banner Elk, posted: Chairman Jim Jordan, you have my vote to become our next Speaker of the House. You have the influence, determination, and experience necessary to work with our excellent existing leadership team and lead this conference forward.

Foxx went on to support Majority Leader Steve Scalise once the conference initially nominated him. But Scalise withdrew his name after it became clear that he couldnt get enough support to win a vote on the House floor.

Our conference still has to come together, and is not there, Scalise told reporters. There are people who still have their own agendas and I was very clear we have to everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs.

Gaetz then posted, Its Jim Jordan Time, to which Rep. Dan Bishop, a Republican from Charlotte, responded: LFG, an abbreviation for, Lets go! that includes an expletive.

Reps. Greg Murphy and Richard Hudson also posted their support of Jordan. Hudson is the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Reps. David Rouzer, Chuck Edwards and McHenry kept mum about their decision before Tuesdays vote, though it was clear during the Scalise nomination that the states Republicans would support their partys nomination.

The entire delegation ended up voting for Jordan once the vote went to the floor.

Meanwhile, North Carolinas Democrats threw their entire support behind Jeffries, who held a news conference Friday expressing Democrats concerns about electing Jordan, saying that Jordan hadnt passed a single bill in his 16 years in Congress because he focuses too much on pushing conspiracy theories.

House Republicans have selected as their nominee to be the speaker of the peoples House, the chairman of the chaos caucus, a defender in a dangerous way of dysfunction and an extremist extraordinaire, Jeffries said of Jordan.

Jordan, Trump and the Freedom Caucus

House Republicans spent Friday in a private meeting where their phones were checked at the door to prevent public leaks. At the end of the afternoon, Jordan had emerged as their choice for House speaker in a 124-81 vote, against Georgias Rep. Austin Scott. A second vote was taken to see if Jordans colleagues would support him if they took his name to the floor. He came up 65 votes short of the 217 he needed.

The 59-year-old from Ohio is one of several people, including North Carolinas former Rep. Mark Meadows, who helped form the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus; he served as its first chairman. Rep. Dan Bishop is also a member.

Jordan is a loyalist to former President Donald Trump who defended Trump during two impeachment hearings, helped push conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen and was, said by Rep. Liz Cheney, chairwoman of the Jan. 6 committee, to have known more about what Trump planned for Jan. 6, 2021, than any other member of Congress.

Cheney doubled down on social media Friday: Jim Jordan was involved in Trumps conspiracy to steal the election and seize power; he urged that (Vice President Mike) Pence refuse to count lawful electoral votes. If (Republicans) nominate Jordan to be Speaker, they will be abandoning the Constitution. Theyll lose the House majority and theyll deserve to.

Changing minds

After Jordan won the nomination Friday, it was clear he didnt have enough support to call a floor vote. Republicans instead went home over the weekend to allow Jordan to whip votes.

Jordan was able to change some minds during that time off. One of his biggest critics, Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, posted Monday on social media his support of Jordan.

Jim Jordan and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days, Rogers posted. We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA, appropriations to fund our governments vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill.

In North Carolina, Rogers is best known for being the lawmaker who almost got into a fight with Gaetz on the House floor in January after the 14th vote to elect McCarthy as speaker but was stopped by Hudson, who grabbed Rogers face and yanked him off the floor.

Several other Jordan opponents followed Rogers in offering support throughout Monday.
MADISON - At least two University of Wisconsin system schools have modified diversity offices or programming amid Republican lawmakers seeking to shut down DEI initiatives statewide.

UW-Madison adjusted a mandatory online program for incoming freshmen and transfer students that covers diversity and other topics. A question about white privilege has been framed more broadly and is no longer tied to a specific race, according to a review of program materials obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

At UW-Whitewater, the Office of Student Diversity, Engagement and Success has been dissolved. Employees who worked there are now working under different offices but have the same job responsibilities they did previously.

"Nothing has been closed," UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey King told the Journal Sentinel Monday. "It's just work being reimagined and restructured."

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The changes, however, worry some within the campus community.

UW-Whitewater assistant psychology professor Brandon Thomas said the moves amount to "capitulating" toward the Legislature's "regressive policies and attitudes."

UW-Whitewater reorganizes student support programs

Universities across the country are grappling with a national GOP campaign to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programming on college campuses. Republicans claim the offices are a waste of taxpayer dollars with little impact.

Students, however, said the offices play a crucial role in helping them find a sense of community on campus. DEI programs support a broad range of students, including student veterans, students of color and students with disabilities.

In Wisconsin, state lawmakers in June cut $32 million from the UW System budget over the next two years in an attempt to eliminate nearly 200 DEI-related positions. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers used a partial veto to save the jobs in July, but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos , R-Rochester, has vowed not to release the withheld funds until UW campuses purge their diversity programs.

Vos has also threatened to withhold pay raises for UW system employees unless the programs are cut.

Against this backdrop, UW-Whitewater reorganized its diversity office, moving student activities to a place where many student organizations are already physically located.

Programs previously housed within the diversity office, such as several scholarship programs for students of color, are still part of the university's Academic Affairs division. No employees lost their jobs during the restructuring, Chancellor King said.

King said he's communicated his commitment to DEI to lawmakers. He denied the Legislature was the driving force behind the changes.

"I understand the optics," he said. "However, this has been an ongoing conversation for us since my arrival in March ... the focus for us here was really to move toward inclusivity and belonging and focusing our student success, increased retention, persistence, and graduation (rates). To me, the programming where we use DEI terminologies will still be used across our academic colleges, our offices or other spaces."

The changes were first reported by Madison TV station WKOW-27. King told the station the Legislature's conversations on DEI "played a part" in the reorganizing.

Thomas, the psychology professor concerned with the changes, wonders how students will know about programs meant to help them if they are hidden inside larger offices with more ambiguous names.

Thomas, who is of mixed race, said he received a postdoctoral fellowship intended for underrepresented students of color. He said he wouldn't have known to apply had the program not been so explicit about who it supports.

King said all the program names familiar to students "are still there and still vibrant."

Our Wisconsin program at UW-Madison draws GOP concern

UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin met last spring with Vos, who raised concerns about the required "Our Wisconsin" course. Students who fail to complete the program are barred from enrolling in classes for the next semester.

Vos' office received complaints about a question asking if "whiteness is a form of privilege" was a true statement, according to Vos spokesperson Angela Joyce.

"When students go to orientation at UW-Madison ... they're required initially to admit their white privilege," he said during an Oct. 7 interview on "Capital City Sunday." "They go through an indoctrination before they even step foot in a dorm room. That is not what we expect out of our taxpayer-funded universities."

The online course now defines privilege as "the set of advantages that a group gains when another group is stereotyped, stigmatized, or otherwise oppressed" without tying the concept to any specific identity group.

Mnookin committed to reviewing the program after speaking with Vos, according to UW-Madison spokesperson John Lucas. But the revision to the question on privilege was not in response to Vos.

An outside company called Vector Solutions develops and updates the program's content, Lucas said. UW-Madison can offer supplemental content to add on to the existing program but cannot change Vector Solutions content. The question on privilege came from the company, not UW-Madison.

Documents obtained by online news outlet Madison365 show one addition to the program is students learning "hate speech is protected speech." UW-Madison made the change this spring, Lucas said. It was part of the university's custom content, not Vector Solutions.

"I'm glad to see the university focus on educating students on their First Amendment rights, it's a good start," said senior MGR Govindarajan, who represents most of the UW-Madison campus on Madison's city council.

Govindarajan said he would like to see the university add more information on protesting rights but hoped the additional focus on free speech would not come at the expense of fostering inclusivity for minority students.

UW-Madison also tweaked how the program is described on the university's website, Lucas said.

One of the program's learning outcomes was previously described as participants "mak(ing) connections between systems of power, privilege, and oppression and the impact on individuals and communities," according to a January 2023 archived version of the website.

That's been replaced with: "Participants will make connections between systems that limit rights, freedoms, and access as well as those that create opportunities and benefits while considering the impact on individuals and communities."

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

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW-Whitewater modify DEI programs
Researcher Angel Acosta-Colon, a geophysicist at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, poses with a variety of pictographs, including what appears to be a lion. He believes this could be the first cave art drawn by slaves brought to Puerto Rico during Spanish colonization. Photo courtesy of Angel Acosta-Colon/The Geological Society of America

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A new study to be presented Wednesday at a Geological Society of America meeting suggests that some of the earliest drawings in Puerto Rican caves are thousands of years old.

The drawings in the karstic caves could indicate the presence of the first slave art, researchers said.

The Geological Society said previous attempts to date the cave art were based on comparisons with nearby archaeological artifacts and may not have accurately represented the true timeframe of the art's creation.

Angel Acosta-Colon, a geophysicist at University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, and his colleague Reniel Rodriguez, an archaeologist at UPR Utuado, traveled to almost a dozen caves on La Isla Grande, the largest island in the Puerto Rican archipelago, to collect sample pigments of the pictographic art.

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The samples then underwent carbon-14 dating at the Center for Applied Isotope Studies at the University of Georgia. There, the research team discovered that the earliest abstract pictographs in the caves dated to about 700 to 400 BCE.

Image of a lizard, with a sun drawn beneath it in Puerto Rico's karstic caves. Photo courtesy of Angel Acosta-Colon/The Geological Society of America

"That is very important to us because when the European invasion came to Puerto Rico, they put in a document that our precolonial population was only there for 400 to 500 years," Acosta-Colon said in a press release.

"This proves that we were here [thousands] of years before the European invasion, and that is documented in science, not context archeology...We have data to corroborate what, I think, is one of the first slave art in caves in Puerto Rico."

Researchers believe cave art in Puerto Rico slowly transitioned from geometric shapes to more detailed images, like this sting ray. Photo courtesy of Angel Acosta-Colon/The Geological Society of America

Acosta-Colon said the findings carry significant implications for comprehending the history of Puerto Rico's population.

In the future, he believes further exploration of additional cave art sites might extend the human history record in Puerto Rico back to 5000 BCE.
Context Matters

It looks like AI chatbots just got even scarier, thanks to new research suggesting the large language models (LLMs) behind them can infer things about you based on minor context clues you provide.

In interviews with Wired, computer scientists out of the Swiss state science school ETH Zurich described how their new research, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, may constitute a new frontier in internet privacy concerns.

As most people now know, chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard are trained on massive swaths of data gleaned from the internet. But training LLMs on publicly-available data does have at least one massive downside: it can be used to identify personal information about someone, be it their general location, their race, or other sensitive information that might be valuable to advertisers or hackers.

Scary Accurate

Using text from Reddit posts in which users tested whether LLMs could correctly infer where they lived or were from, the team led by ETH Zurich's Martin Vechev found that models were disturbingly good at guessing accurate information about users based solely on contextual or language cues. OpenAI's GPT-4, which undergirds the paid version of ChatGPT, was able to correctly predict private information a staggering 85 to 95 percent of the time.

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In one example, GPT-4 was able to tell that a user was based in Melbourne, Australia after they inputted that "there is this nasty intersection on my commute, I always get stuck there waiting for a hook turn." While this sentence wouldn't cause most non-Aussies to bat an eye, the LLM correctly identified the term "hook turn" as a bizarre traffic maneuver peculiar to Melbourne.

Guessing someone's town is one thing, but inferring their race based on offhanded comments is another  and as ETH Zurich PhD student and project member Mislav Balunovic told Wired, that's likely possible as well.

"If you mentioned that you live close to some restaurant in New York City,the model can figure out which district this is in," the student told the magazine, "then by recalling the population statistics of this district from its training data, it may infer with very high likelihood that you are Black."

Secure Your Info

While cybersecurity researchers and anti-stalking advocates alike urge social media users to practice "information security"  or "infosec" for short  by not sharing too much identifying information online, be it restaurants near your house or who you voted for, the average internet user remains relatively naive to the dangers posed by casual comments posted publicly that could put them at risk.

Given that people still don't know not to post, say, photos with their street signs in the background, it's no surprise that those who use chatbots wouldn't consider that the algorithms may be inferring information about them  or that that information could be sold to advertisers, or worse.

More on privacy problems: Hackers Selling Stolen Customer DNA Data From 23AndMe
Prosecutors say Deonte Robinson was the middleman in a murder-for-hire plot involving a teenager who was shot to death in Dover in 2020, according to statements to a jury that will evaluate evidence in his murder trial.

Trial testimony began Monday in that case after Robinson's defense attorney told jurors his client is not guilty of murder and reminded them that they must evaluate the credibility of each witness and the validity of each separate charge against his client over the coming weeks.

Robinson, 22, faces charges including murder, gang participation, money laundering, conspiracy, evidence tampering and criminal solicitation tied to the killing of Shiheem Durham, which prosecutors contend was carried out as part of a $5,000 bounty aimed at avenging another murder.

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The trial is scheduled to occur over the coming weeks in Wilmington. Before testimony, prosecutors previewed to the jury the evidence they hope to present across the coming weeks.

Here's a rundown.

What prosecutors say happened

Durham, 18, was found dead with a single gunshot to his head in the passenger seat of a Ford Explorer parked in a lot off Pine Cabin Road in February 2020.

Prosecutors believe the plot that led to Durham's murder began with the killing of another teen the month before.

In their opening statements to the jury, prosecutors said 26-year-old Khalil Dixon, of Dover, was friends with Jamil Green, who was murdered in Dover the month before Durham. They said Dixon put a $5,000 bounty on who he felt was responsible.

In his statements to the jury, Deputy Attorney General Anthony Hill said Robinson and 24-year-old Tyrie Burton recruited Jason Calhum, who prosecutors said shot Durham.

Hill told the jury Robinson was present in the car when 20-year-old Calhum shot Durham, issued progress reports and "lined his pockets with the profit."

Last year, both Calhum and Dixon were convicted by a jury of murder charges for Durham's killing. Calhum has asked the court for a retrial claiming the jury was tainted.

The evidence

It's likely Burton's testimony will be central to prosecutors' case against Robinson. Burton pleaded guilty to lesser charges and agreed to testify about the plot. Evidence of his involvement included text messages and digital footprints from a state GPS monitor affixed to his ankle, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors will seek to corroborate that testimony with digital evidence recovered from a phone detectives linked to Robinson and his co-defendant's phones.

INDICTMENT: 96-count indictment accuses 7 men of gang participation, other charges

Hill, the prosecutor, said digital evidence will show Robinson sending updates about the murder to Burton, contacts with Dixon and Calhum, as well as evidence showing his phone was in the same area as Calhum's when the murder occurred.

Prosecutors will also use social media posts to argue Robinson was aligned with a Wilmington street gang. Hill said a detective will testify to how those gangs operate and, in cases like the Durham murder, sometimes collaborate.

Robinson was indicted alongside several other alleged gang members, another in a string of cases in which prosecutors say feuding groups of young men tied together on social media and in music videos fuel violence around Wilmington and elsewhere.

The defense:

Brian Chapman, Robinson's defense attorney, did not address specific evidence previewed by prosecutors in their opening statement. He emphasized that the evidence will show that his client is not guilty of murder.

He also reminded jurors that evidence showing Robinson could be guilty of one crime doesn't mean he is guilty of the other charges.

"Evaluate each charge separately," Chapman told the jury.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Wilmington gang-related murder-for-hire trial begins. What to know
Retired DC Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone does not want Rep. Jim Jordan to be speaker.

Fanone, who was brutally attacked by rioters on January 6, said Jordan has spread election lies.

Fanone said he thinks the "Republican Party just needs to be destroyed."

On January 6, 2021, a group of armed rioters supporting former President Donald Trump 's candidacy dragged Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone down the steps of the Capitol, shocked him with a stun gun, and sprayed him with chemical irritants.

Fanone, who's been a critic of both Trump and the Republican Party since the riots, is now speaking out against GOP Rep. Jim Jordan, who's on the cusp of becoming the next speaker of the House of Representatives.

Speaking to Insider in a hushed tone on Tuesday as he hunted deer in Maryland, Fanone linked Jordan to the January 6 insurrection itself, recalling Trump's reported statements to Department of Justice officials just prior to the riots. "Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the R. Congressmen," Trump reportedly said.

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"When I think about Jim Jordan, I think about when Donald Trump made those now infamous statements to officials at the Department of Justice," Fanone said. "When I think about that, Jim Jordan is the first person that comes to mind. He was someone who spread election falsehoods and lies well before the first ballot was ever cast and is someone who continues to."

He added that he believes it's "incredibly dangerous" that Jordan is so close to becoming the next speaker and getting "all the power that comes with it."

The retired officer said he thinks there's a good shot Jordan might attempt to sway the DOJ into curtailing investigations into January 6 defendants, but didn't think he had much of a chance of succeeding given Jordan's past history leading committees.

"If you look at the time that he spent as the head of the Judiciary Oversight Committee, the investigations that he has started into things like the January 6th Select Committee and also the day itself are laughable," Fanone said. "I mean, it's turned into an absolute clown show."

Fanone, who voted for Trump in 2016, said he now believes the Republican Party is "a party of violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-immigration."

"I think it's permanently changed and a new party to replace it should probably be established, but the actual Republican Party just needs to be destroyed," he said.

A representative from Jordan's office did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
President Biden's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal was fundamentally flawed, but his handling of Ukraine so far has been "very impressive," according to former CIA director and retired four-star Gen. David Petraeus.

"I said that I feared that we would come to regret our decision to withdraw, however imperfect the situation was, however frustrating, however maddening, however many shortcomings our Afghan counterparts exhibited," Petraeus told Fox News Digital in an interview via Zoom.

"I felt that that situation was likely to prove better than what would likely follow, and I fear that that was correct," he said, faulting Biden for deciding to continue with former President Trumps "very flawed agreement" with the Taliban.

The Taliban assumed control of Kabul  and the country as a whole  after President Biden ordered a hasty withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan that ended on Aug. 30, 2021.

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LACK OF AMERICAN STRENGTH AROUND THE WORLD LED TO ISRAEL ATTACK: CHRIS CHRISTIE

Biden maintained the plan to complete a military drawdown after Trump had agreed on the conditions as part of a peace deal with the Taliban.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The international security landscape has since grown increasingly unstable, primarily with Russias invasion of Ukraine that started some six months after the U.S. left Afghanistan and the recent Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

Retired General David Petraeus, chairman of KKR Global Institute, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023.

Petraeuss new book, "Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine," which was released Tuesday, lays out four tasks that every leader  whether they come from a military or political background  must accomplish in order to guarantee strategic effectiveness and success, summarily: figure out the big ideas; communicate them clearly; work "relentlessly" to implement them; and refine, adapt and augment them.

In a scathing "assessment" of the 20-year Afghanistan campaign, Petraeus wrote that "the conflict could have been managed if not fully resolved, and Afghanistan did not have to fall."

SUICIDE BOMBER STRIKES SHIITE MOSQUE IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN, KILLING 7 AND INJURING 15

"By withdrawing completely from the country, the United States eroded the foundation on which the [Afghan National Security Forces] rested and also gave up any leverage it might have had in negotiations with the Taliban," he concluded, adding that the U.S. ended its "forever war" only by "losing the conflict."

The full withdrawal turned the country into "an extremist safe haven" and condemned the roughly 40 million people living in Afghanistan to "a future of repression, deprivation, severely circumscribed opportunities and, very likely, continued violence."

"I felt there was an alternative," he explained in his interview. "I felt that we should have taken it. We didn't."

That alternative, as reportedly championed by a number of U.S. generals at the time, would have seen the U.S. maintain a force of 2,500 to 3,500 troops on the ground to support the Afghan National Security Forces and ensure that the Taliban did not attempt the kind of insurgency that it executed as the U.S. left the country.

REPUBLICAN STATE AG LAUNCHES EFFORT TO SEND SURPLUS POLICE BODY ARMOR, TACTICAL GEAR TO ISRAEL

The U.S. had around 13,000 troops in Afghanistan at the time, and the deal included a roadmap for the countrys future, which linked the drawdown to Taliban promises to help fight terror in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army General David Petraeus, right, speaks with Senator John McCain, R-AZ, on June 16, 2010 before a hearing conducted by the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The committee is receiving an update on the current situation in Afghanistan.

Military leaders, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley and Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, then head of U.S. Central Command, testified in the aftermath that they had advised Biden to maintain an operational force of 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan at Bagram Air Base after the rest of the forces had departed.

Petraeus, during his interview, laid the fault at the feet of "each administration" that oversaw the initial occupation and ongoing mission in Afghanistan, claiming that the U.S. strategy "never had consistency," both between administrations and within each administrations own ranks.

Gen. David Petraeus, left, chats with other officers at an American army outpost in a neighborhood recently taken from militant control by U.S. forces July 7, 2007 in Bacouba, Iraq. Petraeus got a briefing and tour of the Bacouba area July 7, as a push of "surge" troops begin a third week of an offensive against militants who had used Bacouba as a base.

"Once we eliminated that sanctuary, albeit with Osama bin Laden getting away for another ten years  [we] then very quickly focused on Iraq and never really got the inputs right in Afghanistan until about nine years later," Petraeus argued.

HAMAS CLAIMS IT WILL PROTECT HOSTAGES, RELEASE THEM WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES ON THE GROUND ALLOW

"I'm talking about the right big ideas, the right strategy for Afghanistan, the right level of resources, the right preparation of leaders and forces, the right numbers of diplomats, spies, development workers and others, the right organizational architecture," he continued. "And this is not trivial when you have multiple lines of command - one to NATO, one to U.S., others that involve special operations and special mission unit forces."

Commander of the United States Central Command Army Gen. David Petraeus, center, arrives for a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee June 16, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The hearing was to focus on developments in Afghanistan.

The U.S. would not reach the "right" ideas until around 2010, which Petraeus noted did "coincidentally" happen when he took command of the operations as Commander of the International Security Assistance Force, but he largely credited his predecessor Gen. Stanley McChrystal for the "lions share" for starting the force down "the right path."

However, Petraeus went on to praise the U.S. response to Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, highlighting "very impressive" leadership, "substantial" assistance and support for "a fellow democracy" in a crisis that is as "right versus wrong as it can possibly get."

"We do have to keep in mind that all of this is connected," Petraeus stressed to Fox News Digital. "If you're trying to ensure that the elements of deterrence are solid in one part of the world, you have to recognize that what you do in another part may actually have an effect on that."

"I think it's crucial to continue to support Ukraine," he said, adding that "just in an improved return on investment to be able to provide $44 billion to Ukraine and to see that together with the like amount from our European allies and partners and to see the Russian tank fleet degraded by over 60%, that's a pretty considerable achievement on the part of our Ukrainian partners."





Original article source: Retired Gen Petraeus gives scathing review of Afghanistan exit but backs Biden's Ukraine response
(CNN)  The US secretly provided Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles in recent days, according to multiple US officials, providing Ukraine with a significant new capability that could allow its forces to hit new Russian targets that were previously out of reach.

The confirmation came on Tuesday after images of the missiles submunitions inside Ukraine began circulating on social media.

US officials indicated to CNN on Tuesday that Ukraine has already used the ATACMS, some variants of which have a maximum range of approximately 186 miles, to attack Russias Berdyansk and Luhansk airfields in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian military tweeted on Tuesday that the attack destroyed several Russian helicopters, an ammunition depot and an air defense launcher, but did not specify whether they used ATACMS to do it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the ATACMS in his daily address and expressed his gratitude for the agreements with the US being implemented.

Today, I am especially grateful to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. They are being implemented very accurately  the ATACMS have proven themselves, Zelensky said.

National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that The United States recently provided Ukraine with a type of ATACMS capable of ranging out to 165 km as part of our ongoing support for the people of Ukraine as they defend their territory against Russias brutal invasion. We believe this will provide a significant boost to Ukraines battlefield capabilities without risking our military readiness.

A US official said the version of the missiles the US provided to Ukraine, which carry cluster munitions instead of unitary warheads, are not in the the stockpiles the Pentagon would draw from if the US became directly involved in a war, so there were no concerns that transferring them would hinder US military readiness. National security adviser Jake Sullivan first asked the NSC in mid-July, as Ukraines counteroffensive appeared to be moving more slowly than anticipated, to work with the Pentagon to provide an updated memo on ATACMS options that assessed the potential impacts on US military readiness, the official said.

The official said the missiles were provided in recent days, and that Biden signed off on their transfer in mid-September. In a meeting with Zelensky at the White House on September 21, Biden told Zelensky about his decision to send this particular variant of the ATACMS, known as APAM or anti-personnel/anti-materiel.

The US decided to send them quietly because they wanted to take the Russians by surprise, especially after months of public back-and-forth over whether Biden would agree to send the weapons, an official said. The Russians are aware of the range of the missiles and the US was concerned they would move equipment and weapons out of reach before the missiles could be used, the official said.

The US has sent some weapons secretly in the past. In August 2022, the Pentagon acknowledged that it had sent HARM anti-radiation missiles to Ukraine unannounced.

But the US typically announces significant weapons packages to Ukraine, including when it sent Patriot air defense systems last year and cluster munitions this year. Asked repeatedly over the last several weeks about the status of the systems, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the US has nothing to announce. That was a deliberate choice of words, officials said.

The Pentagon said it was referring all questions about the ATACMS to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Discussions about sending the systems picked up substantially last month, CNN previously reported. US officials had previously been reluctant to send the long-range surface-to-surface guided missiles amid fears about escalating the conflict as they could potentially be fired into Russia itself. That concern largely waned over the last several months, however, since Ukraine demonstrated that it was not using other US-provided weapons to attack territory inside Russia, officials said.

During a visit to Washington, DC, in September, Ukrainian President Zelensky reiterated his request for the ATACMS during a meeting with Biden and Zelenskys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said at the time that when we talk about long-range missiles for Ukraine, it is not just a whim, but a real need. The effectiveness of the army on the battlefield, as well as the lives of the military and our progress depend on it.

The US announced a new aid package to Ukraine while Zelensky was visiting that did not include ATACMS. But asked again earlier this month about providing the missiles, Biden told reporters, I have spoken with Zelensky, and everything hes asked for, weve worked out.

Currently, the maximum range of US weapons committed to Ukraine is around 93 miles with the ground-launched small diameter bomb. Ukraine also has the UK-provided long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of about 155 miles. ATACMS missiles are fired from HIMARS rocket launchers, the same type of vehicle that launches the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles that Ukraine already employs.
Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann is now being investigated in connection to the murders of at least two other victims whose remains were dumped along the shores of Long Island.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told local outlet Newsday that two additional investigators had joined the Gilgo Beach task force with the focus of honing in on the killings of Karen Vergata and Valerie Mack.

These investigators are vetting tips and exploring the backgrounds of the two women who vanished while both working as sex workers.

It took years for the remains of Vergata and Mack to be identified and  as of yet  Mr Heuermann has not been charged with their murders and has not officially been named a suspect.

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Mr Harrison said that other members of the task force are also working to identify three other victims whose remains were found along Gilgo Beach.

I thought it was a good idea to grab some people from the outside to take a look at other things that maybe, potentially attach themselves to Rex Heuermann, the police commissioner said.

This is something I need  a dedicated team of investigators to prioritize, to come to work  not going to do anything, but looking to see if you can attach them to where they came from.

He added: Once we get that, then maybe we go forward with either being something that Rex Heuermann might have been involved in or identify another subject who might have been involved.

Mack was last seen alive in New Jersey in 2000 while working as a sex worker.

Her remains were found on two separate occasions in Manorville in 2000 and in Oak Beach in 2011, when law enforcement uncovered the remains of 11 victims in the Gilgo Beach area.

For almost a decade, her identity remained a mystery until she was finally identified in 2020 through the use of genetic genealogy.

Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann in court (AP)

Her half-sister Tricia Hazen told Newsday that investigators had spoken to her about Macks family history and said that they were trying to piece together a timeline for her movements prior to her death.

This is not going to be solved overnight, Ms Hazen said.

I am grateful for the deep dive into Valerie and the other women killed.

The police commissioner said that investigators are also piecing together Vergatas movements  and also how her remains ended up both on Fire Island and Ocean Parkway.

We have to look at what happened on Fire Island and take a look at that investigation and how it went from Fire Island over to Ocean Parkway, he said.

Vergata, a 34-year-old woman also working as an escort, was last seen alive in Manhattan in 1996.

Her legs were first found wrapped in plastic at Davis Park on Fire Islands Blue Point Beach in 1996.

Almost exactly 15 years later in April 2011, her skull was found off Ocean Parkway close to some of the other Gilgo Beach victims.

This August  one month after Mr Heuermann was arrested for the murders of three victims  Long Island officials announced that she had been identified.

Karen Vergata was identified in August (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

At a press conference revealing Vergatas identity, officials refused to confirm whether or not they believed her murder may be linked to the 59-year-old architect.

Mr Heuermann, a married father-of-two, is currently charged with the murders of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello.

He has also been named the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes  who was last seen alive in early June 2007 in New York City.

The four women, together known as the Gilgo Four, all worked as sex workers and disappeared after going to meet a client.

They were all found in December 2010 within one-quarter mile of each other, bound by belts or tape and some wrapped in burlap  their bodies dumped along Gilgo Beach.

In total, the remains of 11 victims were found along the shores of Long Island in 2010 and 2011, sparking fears of one or more serial killers.

The case began in May 2010 when Shannan Gilbert, a young woman working as a sex worker, vanished after leaving a clients house on foot near Gilgo Beach. She called 911 for help saying she feared for her life and was never seen alive again.

Valerie Mack was last seen alive in New Jersey (Facebook)

During a search for Gilbert in dense thicket close to the beach, police discovered human remains.

Within days, four victims had been found.

By spring 2011, the number of victims rose to 10.

Gilberts body was then found in December 2011. Her cause of death is widely contested with authorities long claiming that it is not connected to the serial killer or killers but that she died from accidental drowning as she fled from the clients home.

However, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family ruled that she died by strangulation and her family continue to believe she was murdered.

No charges have also been brought in connection to the other four victims including Jessica Taylor who was 20 when she vanished in 2003. Her remains were first found in a wooded area in Manorville one week later before a second set of remains was found in March 2011 along Ocean Parkway.

Meanwhile, three victims  an unidentified Asian man aged between 17 and 23 years old, a woman nicknamed Peaches over a distinctive tattoo and the womans two-year-old child  are yet to be identified.

Court records show that Mr Heuermann was linked to the Gilgo Four murders through a tip about his pickup truck, a stash of burner phones, sadistic online searches and phone calls taunting victims families.

Mr Heuermanns DNA was also found on one of the victims, while his wifes hair was found on three of the four women he is connected to, according to prosecutors.
A top official at the Council on American Islamic Relations (Cair) National has warned of a potential rise in violence against Muslims and Palestinians in the US following the hate crime murder of a six-year-old boy in Illinois and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Related: Landlord kills six-year-old Muslim boy and stabs mother in Illinois hate crime

Edward Ahmed Mitchell, Cairs deputy director and a civil rights attorney, called the stabbing of Wadea Al-Fayoume and his mother in their home one of the worst-case scenarios.

Police said that the pair were attacked because they were Muslims and due to the events in the Middle East. Joseph Czuba, 71, a landlord to the family in Plainfield, Illinois, choked and stabbed the childs mother and killed Wadea, according to text messages from the 32-year-old woman that were shared by Cair, the USs largest Muslim civil rights organization.

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As he entered their apartment, Czuba allegedly shouted: You Muslims must die!

The murder of this young boy was an act of Palestinian and Muslim hatred. It was one of the worst-case scenarios that we were worried about, Mitchell said.

Mitchell added: This young boy has paid the price for the bigotry and hatred that others have spread. There are no words to describe what happened to him. But there are words to describe why it happened. And why it happened is anti-Palestinian racism, anti-Muslim bigotry, and it must stop.

Fears of Islamophobic and anti-Semitic violence have spread around the world as Israels military assault on Gaza rages on, despite condemnation of the close US ally by human rights groups. Israel has largely cut off water, electricity, and the flow of food and medicine to the Palestinian enclave.

The assault on Gaza was triggered by an attack on Israel by Hamas in which more than 1,300 Israelis died and others were taken hostage. In response Israel has killed 2,329 Palestinians, according the Palestinian health ministry. In both areas, the majority of casualties were civilians.

Since the most recent conflict broke out, Mitchell said Cair has received reports of students, protesters and employees in the US who said they were targeted for their faith or support for the Palestinian cause. On Friday, a Republican and pro-Israel city council member was arrested for bringing a handgun to a student demonstration in support of Palestinians.

We have been through crises so many times before the past twenty years. So in many ways, we know how to handle this type of situation, Mitchell told the Guardian. But this is somewhat unprecedented because were dealing with two things at the same time: We are trying to stop the violence in Palestine in Israel. We are trying to secure a ceasefire to protect more innocent people from dying overseas with the support of our government.

At the same time, we are trying to stop and stem this sudden rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigotry here at home, which is now leading to violence. So we are doing two things at the very same time. Were dealing with this horrific violence overseas and trying to get our government to stop supporting it and at the same time, we are trying to protect protesters, students, employees and innocent people who are now facing the threat of discrimination or even violence.

Shortly after Hamass attack on Israeli civilians, Joe Biden held a press conference at the White House and said the US stands with Israel and that it will never fail to have their back. Israel has rock solid and unwavering US support, he said.

Israel has a right to defend itself and its people  full stop, the US president said.

But Mitchell said Biden should call for the Israeli government to stop its threats against the people of northern Gaza where it has demanded that more than 1 million Gazans flee their homes into the south of the territory ahead of what is widely expected to be a military invasion.

Biden reacted to Al-Fayoumes violent death, and said he was shocked and sickened.

This horrific act of hate has no place in America, and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are, Biden said in a statement issued on Sunday.

The current political climate in the US feels reminiscent of the years immediately following September 11, when skepticism, distrust and law enforcement surveillance of Muslim Americans was rampant, Mitchell said.

We cannot allow our country to be dragged back to a time when Islamophobia was out of control. This young boys murder must be a wake up call. That this has to stop.
Rite Aid is preparing to shutter more stores nationwide, after closing two Meridian stores since August. But the retailer isnt saying whether any more Boise-area stores may close.

The pharmacy chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday, citing declining sales and costs associated with more than a thousand lawsuits that claim the company filled illegal prescriptions for opioids and other painkillers.

It was unclear whether any Rite Aid locations in the Treasure Valley would be affected by closures, staff reductions, reduced hours, the inability to complete some prescriptions, or fewer goods on store shelves.

In connection with the court-supervised process, we intend to close certain underperforming stores to further reduce rent expense and strengthen overall financial performance, a Rite Aid spokesperson said by email. Rite Aid regularly assesses its retail footprint to ensure we are operating efficiently while meeting the needs of our customers, communities and associates.

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The chain operates more than 2,000 stores across 17 states and has closed several in the past few months, including the Meridian stores at 3520 S. Eagle Road, the southeast corner of Eagle and Victory roads; and 1600 N. Main St., in a shopping center south of Fairview Avenue. The Eagle Road store opened in 2017 and was remodeled in 2021.

A spokesperson for the company did not immediately respond to questions from the Idaho Statesman on Monday. Employees at seven stores called by the Idaho Statesman on Monday declined to comment publicly. Some referred a reporter to a regional manager, who said Rite Aid was not ready to release any information.

Rite Aids store locator lists seven stores in the Treasure Valley, including six in Boise:

1515 W. State St., Boise

1100 Vista Ave., Boise

7020 W. State St., Boise

660 E. Boise Ave., Boise

5005 W. Overland Road, Boise

10600 Fairview Ave., Boise

2107 Blaine St., Caldwell

Rite Aid planned to merge with Albertsons, the Boise grocery retailer, in 2017, but the deal fell apart a year later as the drugstore chain struggled with competition from larger competitors Walgreens and CVS.

In 2021, the company remodeled its flagship Boise store at 1515 W. State St., as well as its stores on Boise Avenue and in Meridian. Rite Aid spent about $500,000 on each remodel, the Statesman reported then.

Earlier this year, a pharmacist at the Rite Aid on Vista Avenue refused to administer a COVID-19 vaccine to a Boise man with psoriatic arthritis. That customer said constant staff shortages at the 1515 W. State St. store often forced the pharmacy to close early, and customers werent getting their prescriptions in a timely manner.

Man wanted a COVID booster before flying abroad. A Rite Aid pharmacist canceled his shot

New COVID-19 booster approved by FDA. Who can get it & where its available in Tri-Cities
BOCA RATON  Police have arrested three Delray Beach men in an alleged mail-fraud scheme, the latest in a monthslong investigation into robberies of mail carriers in Palm Beach County.

A judge on Oct. 12 ordered Ecclesiaste Cleristor, Jonathen Pierre and Jimmy Jerome, all 19, to be held without bail on armed robbery charges. Police say they robbed a mail carrier in Boca Raton this past May, stealing the carrier's postal arrow key.

Authorities say those keys have become highly sought-after by thieves as they open both community mailboxes and blue mail dropboxes, giving the thieves access to steal people's checks, bank and credit-card statements.

Circuit Judge Donald Hafele assigned the three men public defenders during their hearings Thursday. As a policy, the county Public Defender's Office does not comment on open cases.

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Robberies of mail carriers rising nationally, Postal Service says

The arrests follow five last month by Delray Beach police and come as the U.S. Postal Service is reporting a rising number of mail-carrier robberies nationally.

It listed 305 such incidents from Oct. 1, 2022, to March 31, the first half of the fiscal year. It reported 412 robberies during the 2022 fiscal year, from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022.

"We have had a few instances of robberies of mail carriers for their postal keys," Blanca Alvarez, spokesperson for the Miami Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, told The Palm Beach Post in September. "The primary motive for that is because people want to steal the mail because they want to take items of value from the mail."

It is a federal offense for someone who is not a postal service employee, and who is not on duty, to possess a postal key, she said.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the Postal Service's law enforcement arm. Alvarez said it is working with local law enforcement agencies to investigate the mail carrier robberies.

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Police traced men to mail theft through fingerprint, surveillance video

Last month, Delray Beach police arrested five men in connection with the mail fraud investigation. While searching a residence, police recovered more than 2,000 checks, more than 200 bank cards, a stolen postal key and five stolen firearms.

Investigators say that one man involved in that case washed stolen checks using acetone and Q-tips, and that another used a computer and a printer to create counterfeit checks.

Cleristor, Pierre and Jerome each face charges of armed robbery in connection with the Boca Raton case. According to a police report, a Postal Service carrier was attempting to retrieve mail from a blue mail dropbox along Glades Road on the afternoon of May 22 when two armed and masked men approached and stole his postal key.

Closing soon: Star chef to close acclaimed West Palm Beach destination restaurant

The robbers then fled in a white four-door sedan, according to the report. Police got information on the sedan from witnesses and video-camera surveillance.

Delray Beach police were surveilling a residence the following day as part of their mail-fraud investigation when they saw a white Hyundai Genesis matching the description of the vehicle used in the Boca Raton robbery.

Police attempted to stop the car, but the driver fled onto southbound Interstate 95. The car was found unoccupied in an auto-parts store parking lot on South Congress Avenue. A store employee told investigators that he rented the car to Jordan St. Val, one of the five men identified in the Delray Beach investigation.

Investigators say they recovered Cleristor's fingerprint from the interior driver's door window. The vehicle's GPS data led police to an address in Port St. Lucie. A doorbell video clip identified Cleristor, Pierre and Jerome as the occupants of the car, the arrest report said.

'Play for Blake': Family launches foundation to honor teen killed in Boynton Beach bicycle wreck

Postal Service offers tips for avoiding mail theft, keeping carriers safe

Federal and local law enforcement officials urge residents to pick up delivered mail as quickly as possible and avoid leaving sensitive documents sitting in mail collection boxes overnight or over the weekend. Checks and financial documents should be brought inside the Post Office for mailing.

Mail tampering and fraud should immediately be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by submitting an online complaint at www.uspis.gov/report or calling 877-876-2455. It offers these other tips to protect your mail and to eliminate risks to letter carriers.

Don't drop mail into a collection box at night. Take it into a post office.

You can sign up for the Informed Delivery program and the Postal Service will send you an online preview of what mail and packages are coming.

If you are going out of town, sign up to have your mail held at the post office.

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mail theft probe: Three arrested after Florida letter carrier robbed
The Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport ranked 10th in a recent USA Today poll of the best small airports in the nation.

Specifically, the poll ranked small airports "to help you avoid stress and crowds" and excel with their commercial flight offerings, easy access and amenities, which for many can eliminate some of the headaches regarding travel.

The listicle noted that, Rochester's airport is the "perfect jumping off point." for a western or central New York vacation. "The complex features a solar canopy over the skyway, equipped with solar panels, as well as an improved security checkpoint that can accommodate more passengers," USA Today wrote in the listicle.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan topped the list. One other airport from the Empire State was also included on the list - Long Island MacAurthur Airport in Ronkonoma - was fifth on the list. The airport, which is about 45 miles east of New York City, is in Suffolk County.

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"While we continuously advocate and work with the airlines to add more nonstop flights, its also rewarding to know that a panel of industry experts have recognized our ongoing commitment to improving the passenger experience here at ROC," said Andy Moore, director of the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.

Nominees for the awards are submitted by a panel of experts and narrowed to 10 by USA Today 10Best editors. The order of the top 10 is determined by readers, according to USA Today.

The full list of 10 best small airports includes:

Gerald R. Ford International Airport - Grand Rapids, Michigan Huntsville International Airport - Huntsville, Alabama Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport - Wichita, Kansas Myrtle Beach International Airport - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Long Island MacArthur Airport - Ronkonkoma, New York Manchester-Boston Regional Airport - Manchester, New Hampshire Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport - Warwick, Rhode Island Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport - South Burlington, Vermont Pensacola International Airport - Pensacola, Florida Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport - Rochester, New York

Approximately 2.5 million passengers depart from and arrive at the Rochester airport annually, Moore said.

We did it! Thanks to all who voted, ROC was named to the @USATODAY 10Best Readers Choice award for best small airports in the country! Special shout-out to our amazing team and all of our partners who help make ROC a world class transportation hub. pic.twitter.com/Z2V0PuUyut  ROC Airport (@ROCAirport) October 14, 2023

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester NY airport named one of best small airports in country
Rolls-Royce has announced plans to axe up to 2,500 jobs globally to create a "more efficient and effective" company.

It is the first major move by Tufan Erginbilgic who, on becoming chief executive in January, described Rolls-Royce as a "burning platform".

The company, which makes engines for aircraft, is based in Derby. It employs 42,000 people around the world with about half based in the UK.

It was hit hard by the pandemic when air travel was grounded for months.

Rolls-Royce did not give details of where the job cuts will fall, but reports have suggested that hundreds of back-office posts will be affected in the UK.

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The engineering giant said it needed to engage with unions before making further announcements.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, said: "This announcement appears to be about appeasing the markets and its shareholders while ignoring its workers. Attempting to bypass unions will not be allowed.

"This approach only serves to create more stress and uncertainty and Unite will be seeking reassurances on jobs."

Rolls-Royce employs 13,700 people in Derby, 3,400 in Bristol, and has smaller bases in Lancashire, Glasgow, Tyne & Wear and Rotherham.

It is understood its submarines division in Derby, which is funded by the Ministry of Defence and employs 3,600 people, will be unaffected by the cuts. The company's Small Modular Reactor nuclear programme - a joint venture with partners in Qatar and the US - will also be untouched.

However, operations in Germany, where the company employs 11,000 people, are expected to be badly hit - particularly the Power Systems engine-building operation in the south of the country.

Rolls-Royce said the planned changes would "remove duplication and deliver cost efficiencies".

"We are building a Rolls-Royce that is fit for the future," said Mr Erginbilgic.

"That means a more streamlined and efficient organisation that will deliver for our customers, partners and shareholders."

The company struggled during the Covid pandemic when it was forced to raise billions of pounds to support the business, and in 2020 it cut 9,000 jobs.

When Mr Erginbilgic, a former executive at oil giant BP, took over at Rolls-Royce he told staff the company's performance was "unsustainable".

Under the new plans, Rolls-Royce will merge its engineering technology and safety teams, with its chief technology officer Grazia Vittadini stepping down.

The company plans to cut costs by improving its procurement and supply chain management processes. Its finance, legal and human resources teams will also be brought together across the group.

"This is another step on our multi-year transformation journey to build a high performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce," Mr Erginbilgic said.
Ronald Lauder is the latest big-ticket donor to the University of Pennsylvania to slam the school for hosting a Palestinian literary conference and threatened to hit the school where it hurts: their endowment. The New York Post reports that the cosmetics magnate, who heads the World Jewish Congress, told UPenn President Liz Magill in a letter that he plans to re-examine his financial support for the campus. Lauder reminded her that he traveled to Philadelphia to personally urge her to cancel the event, which featured alleged antisemite and Pink Floyd rocker Roger Waters. And he demanded that none of the students at the institute that bears his name be taught by anyone who organized the conference.

Read it at New York Post

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Current Polish ruling party Law and Justice (PiS) got more votes than any other political party in Poland in Oct. 15s parliamentary elections, but with most of the votes now counted, its the opposition Civic Coalition led by former Polish PM and EU official Donald Tusk that looks set to form a governing coalition.

With 99.89% of the parliamentary election ballots from Polish polling stations counted on Oct. 17, the official results closely match the exit poll data, Polish daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza reported.

Read also: Latest exit polls in Poland give opposition potential route back to power

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According to the election commissions data, the following parties won seats in the Polish Sejm (parliament):

PiS , the ruling conservative political force led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski and Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki, with 35.43% of the vote;

The liberal opposition Civic Coalition (KO) , one of the leaders of which is former PM and ex-European Council President Donald Tusk, with 30.66%;

The centrist coalition of parties, Third Way (Trzecia Droga, TD) , with 14.41%;

The political alliance of left-wing parties, Lewica 8.60%;

The alliance of far-right Eurosceptic forces, Konfederacja (Confederation), with 7.16%.

Read also: Poland to halt aid to Ukrainian refugees in 2024

The first two were predicted in exit polls to have slightly better results  36.6% and 31% respectively. Third Way and Konfederacja, on the other hand, performed better than expected. The democratic opposition, which includes Tusks party, the centrist Third Way, and the Left alliance, are predicted to form a majority in the Sejm with approximately 250 seats, granting them the authority to form the government.

The parliamentary elections for the Polish Sejm and Senate, as well as a nationwide referendum, were conducted on Oct. 15. Voter turnout was likely at a record high since Poland emerged from Communist rule in 1989.

Read also: Why Poland opposes Ukraine-Germany rapprochement  interview

The leader of the Polish opposition, Donald Tusk, declared victory in the elections, while current Prime Minister Morawiecki expressed readiness to form a government.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russia has launched a coordinated offensive across several sections of the front in eastern Ukraine, which could be Moscows most significant offensive since at least January 2023, UK intelligence said in its Oct. 17 Ukraine situation report.

Russian troops are assaulting the heavily defended town of Avdiyivka in Donetsk Oblast, which has been on the front line since 2014. Avdiyivka is the main obstacle for Russian troops in their attempt to occupy the entirety of Donetsk Oblast.

Read also: Occupiers recommending that Russian soldiers bring their own body bags to failed blitzkrieg at Battle of Avdiyivka

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UK Defense Intelligence notes that Russia is attacking the settlement with several armored battalions. At the same time, Ukrainian soldiers have so far managed to repell the Russian invasion forces, who have suffered heavy losses in equipment and personnel.

The slow progress and heavy losses during the Russian offensive have led to a change in the nature of Moscow's messages, which now report "an active defense" rather than offense, UK intel says.

Read also: Russian propaganda retreats as its Avdiyivka offensive stalls, ISW speculates on what comes next

Despite the Russian militarys efforts, the capture of Avdiyivka by Moscow still "looks unlikely" in the short term, UK Defense Ministry concludes.

Russia's offensive on Avdiyivka - What is known

Read also: Russian forces launch massive advance on Avdiyivka, Ukrainian military destroys 60 enemy vehicles

Russian troops intensified their offensive on Avdiyivka on Oct. 10, launching massive attacks on the Donbas town.

The head of Avdiyivkas military administration, Vitaliy Barabash, said that Oct. 10 saw "probably the largest attack on the city in the entire full-scale war," but the situation was under control. The Ukrainian Armed Forces said that the Russian military wants to surround Avdiyivka, and is throwing a large amount of equipment and personnel into battle.

The representative of the Joint Press Center of the Tavria Defense Forces, Oleksandr Shtupun, said that the Russian occupation forces are continuing active offensive actions in the area of Avdiyivka and consider the town as an opportunity to gain at least some kind of a significant "triumph" and turn the tide of hostilities.

On Oct. 16, Barabash noted that the Russian occupation forces had stopped shelling Avdiyivka, but two people had been killed in shelling west of the town.

Read also: Russia launches major offensive on Avdiyivka  Butusov

On the same day, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported in an evening summary that in the Avdiyivka sector, Russians conducted unsuccessful assaults with the support of aviation in the vicinity of Avdiyivka and Pervomaiske, Donetsk Oblast, but the Defense Forces had managed to repel seven Russian attacks.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russia has likely launched its fiercest attack since the start of the year in Ukraine, UK intel says

Ukraine's 55th Separate Artillery Brigade fires a Caesar self-propelled howitzer toward Russian troops near the town of Avdiivka, Ukraine, May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

Russian forces launched their "most significant" assault since at least January 2023, UK intel said.

Russia is attempting to retake the strategic village of Avdiivka and beyond.

The village is a "major obstacle," with Russia suffering heavy losses there, the UK MOD said.

Russia has likely started its "most significant operation" since the start of the year, with a coordinated offensive in the heavily fortified village of Adviivka in eastern Ukraine, British intelligence said on Tuesday.

"Russia's attack is likely being carried out with multiple armored battalions, which are attempting to envelop the town," the UK's Ministry of Defence said in a daily intelligence update .

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The update described the offensive as likely "the most significant offensive operation undertaken by Russia since at least January 2023."

Last week, Russia launched a major attack on the village of Adviivka, which Ukraine retook earlier this year, but reports since then have pointed to significant Russian losses .

"Entrenched Ukrainian forces have so far likely held back the Russian advance, with the latter sustaining heavy equipment and personnel losses," the MOD said on Tuesday.

The strategic village of Adviivka is a "major obstacle" to Russian forces reaching their larger goal of seizing control of the Donetsk Oblast, the MOD said.

According to British intelligence, Russia's slow progress has likely caused it to switch its narrative from one of "offensive" to one of "active defense," as the chances of retaking Avdiivka in the near future are dwindling.

The Washington DC-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War made the same point on Monday, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be trying to temper expectations of a big advance in the region.

Speaking on Russian state television on Sunday, Putin referred to the offensives in Avdiivka, Kupyansk, and Zaporizhia as an "active defense," per the ISW.

Russian forces have previously targeted Avdiivka, located south of the war-torn city of Bakhmut, with fighting in the area turning it into "a place from post-apocalyptic movies ," Ukrainian officials said earlier this year.

Russia has "not stopped either assaulting or shelling positions around the city," the head of the city's military administration, Vitaliy Barabash, said on Ukrainian television late last week, per the news agency Agence France-Presse .

"It is very heated, very heated," he added.

Despite the sustained attacks, Russian troops have so far failed to achieve any significant breakthrough, having "marginally" advanced about 1.8 miles south of the village, the ISW reported, citing geolocated footage.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Avdiivka as the site of some of the country's fiercest fighting in a speech last Thursday , adding that Ukrainian forces had "already destroyed hundreds of occupier's armored vehicles" there.

In one of its latest assaults on the city, Russia lost at least 33 armored vehicles and 15 tanks, Insider previously reported .

Read the original article on Business Insider
Israel-Palestine conflict at critical point amid rising concerns, tensions

08:07, October 17, 2023 By GT staff reporters ( Global Times

With a looming Israeli ground invasion in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that the Palestinian people are facing, the Israel-Gaza conflict is escalating at a crucial point. Israel may not stop its military actions despite mounting pressure from the international community, and the battlefield between Israel and Palestine is now extending to diplomacy and public opinion, which will make the situation more complicated, analysts said, calling for the acceleration of mediation efforts to prevent the situation from getting worse.

The war has continued for 10 days after Hamas' surprise attack against Israel on October 7. Israel's military said Hamas' attack has killed more than 1,300 people, and injured 3,200 others. In Gaza, the Health Ministry said Monday that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 2,750 people and wounded at least 9,700, according to media reports.

China is providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the Palestinian National Authority respectively, for the urgent needs of food, medical care and housing in Gaza, a spokesperson from China International Development Cooperation Agency said on Monday.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed that four Chinese citizens died in the conflict, two are missing and six injured. Mao added that the operation of commercial flights between China and Israel continues and advised Chinese nationals to return to China as soon as possible. The ministry will provide convenience to Chinese people while closely monitoring the security situation and the situation of land and air travel, she said.

The crisis has reached a turning point as Israel reportedly plans to conduct ground operations in Gaza. Israel's retaliatory actions have also alarmed the international community and more major countries have increased their efforts at mediation, Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times.

Liu predicted that Israel will take harsh action against Hamas in an effort to demonstrate its response to the group's attack that left Israel with severest damages in decades.

The conflict is escalating as Israel is currently adopting a more aggressive offensive policy, which is to completely eradicate Hamas and prevent them from remaining in the Gaza Strip, Sun Degang, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Monday.

Sun noted that Israel will have to bear the burden of international moral responsibility and increase the political cost of its military actions in the Gaza Strip. However, despite the pressure from the international community, Sun estimated that Israel's military operations will not cease.

Moreover, if internal Palestinian divisions between Fatah and Hamas were to open up, the Israeli-Palestinian situation would become even more complicated, said Sun.

The international community has criticized Israeli for causing humanitarian crisis and refugee issues, Sun said. "Furthermore, some countries that previously supported or remained neutral towards Israel may also shift their attitudes," he said.

The situation is becoming worse. Despite the fact that a schedule for a ground operation has not been disclosed, Israel has been reportedly massing troops along the Gaza border. As Israel ordered 1.1 million Palestinians living in the region's north to move to the south and UN agencies issued dire warnings about a catastrophic calamity, more heartbreaking images have been covered by the media.

According to Liu, growing support for the Palestinians also reveal growing concerns about the dim future of the conflict because it is difficult to predict when Israel will cease.

The military battles would continue, and the situation would be more tense and contentious and greater efforts would be made to establish moral superiority, with both Israel and Palestine engaging in diplomatic efforts to gain sympathy or support, said Liu.

The risk for an escalation exists, Tian Wenlin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times. Although the main conflict took place in the Gaza Strip, there are some militant anti-Israel groups in the West Bank, and if they decide to launch an attack on Israel together, the fighting will spread. The war fire will also grow if new parties, like Syria and Lebanon, are drawn into the fight, said Tian.

A source with knowledge on escalating Israel-Palestine conflicts told the Global Times on Monday that the goal of Israel's military operations is to eliminate Hamas and to make sure that it will not govern Gaza anymore.

"For now, I dont think the ceasefire or peace talks is on the table until Hamas will be eliminated, the source said.

With the spillover effect of the Hamas-Israel conflicts affecting Israel-Lebanon and Israel-Syria borders, the source said Israel is not wanting to create another front in the West Bank with any other political branches of the Palestinians. However, there is a risk if there is another front, Israel would need to deal with another front that might affect other countries in the Middle East.

Split widens

The prolonged conflict between Israel and Palestine has increased divisions both inside and between the US and the EU, analysts said.

In response to the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip, citizens of numerous European nations and in US colleges demonstrated in the streets for the past days. Also, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has been under criticism for the past days for an omission of international law when showing support to Israel's "right to defend itself," according to media reports.

Sun noted that Europe is very concerned that the current protests may lead to increasing tensions or even conflicts between the Muslim population and pro-Israel forces within their own countries, as well as polarization within the European public opinion sphere.

"While Europe is politically supportive of Israel, it also fears that if Israel's military actions escalate, it could lead to a spill-over effect, meaning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict spreading to Europe," Sun said.

Liu noted that the longer Israel maintains its military operations in the Gaza Strip, the more the EU's position toward Israel would increasingly diverge from US', with more sympathy being shown for Palestine. Moreover, the EU has another serious concern -- if two to three million people are displaced in the Gaza Strip, the refugee situation in the EU will become worse.

On Sunday, the CBS news released an interview with US President Joe Biden, in which the US President said "Israel has to respond. They have to go after Hamas," but warned that an Israeli occupation of Gaza would be "a big mistake."

In response to the latest remarks of Biden saying that Israel occupation of Gaza would be "big mistake", the source said the occupation of Gaza is not the goal.

The US is more or less contradicting itself in handling the situation. On the one hand, the US does not want the conflict to escalate, which is why the top US diplomat has been busy meeting with regional nations for the past week. On the other hand, the US still needs to show support for Israel, especially on the diplomatic front, while such a stance and some of the US officials' remarks could also incite Israel to seek retaliation, said Liu.

Tian said that the outbreak of the conflict serves as a further proof of the complete failure of the US policy in the Middle East as it attempted to achieve the goal of regional reconciliation but having biased favoring toward Israel.

Sun noted that currently, neither side is prepared for the outbreak of the sixth Middle East war. However, if the conflict between Hamas and Israel escalates in the Gaza Strip, and more parties are forced to get involved, "the conflict will spread and become a regional war between nations."

Therefore, the international community should expedite mediation efforts to prevent the situation from escalating and spilling over, the expert noted.

The Palestinian issue cannot be solved by condemning one party at a certain time. China has always emphasized that it is necessary to see the complex historical context of the matter, rather than simply choosing sides to solve the problem, analysts said.

Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun will be visiting the Middle East this week. Mao Ning, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, said that the purpose of Zhai Jun's visit is to gather consensus from the international community, urge relevant parties to cease fire and violence, and promote a cooling down of the situation, in order to create necessary conditions for a political resolution.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Russian lawmakers voted on Tuesday to revoke Moscow's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, moving closer to abandoning a landmark agreement that outlaws the testing of nuclear weapons.

The move comes after President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month he was "not ready to say" whether Russia needed to carry out live nuclear tests.

Lawmakers in the State Duma lower house of parliament unanimously approved the de-ratification bill in its first reading, with 412 voting for and none voting against.

The bill can be signed into law by Putin after passing three readings in the lower house and receiving approval in the upper house, although this is largely a formality.

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The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) aimed to completely ban all nuclear tests.

It never came into force as it was not ratified by all required signatories, but it did have symbolic value and helped put an end to the more than 2,000 nuclear tests carried out during and shortly after the Cold War.

Both Russia and the United States signed the treaty in 1996, but while Moscow ratified it in 2000, Washington never took the final step of codifying it into law.

"For 23 years we have been waiting for the United States to ratify this treaty," Russia's top lawmaker Vyacheslav Volodin said ahead of the vote.

"But Washington, because of its double standards, its irresponsible attitude to global security issues, has not done so," he said.

- 'Threat to existence' -

Since the start of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine, Putin and other Russian officials have given mixed signals about the possible use of nuclear weapons in the conflict, prompting alarm in the West.

Putin mobilised Moscow's nuclear forces shortly after the conflict began and has repeatedly invoked Russia's nuclear doctrine, which allows the use of nuclear weapons if the state faces a "threat to its existence".

In February this year, Russia pulled out of a separate nuclear treaty with the United States known as New START, which aimed to limit the number of nuclear warheads both sides could deploy.

During the summer, Putin confirmed Russia had sent tactical nuclear arms to its ally Belarus and earlier this month announced the successful testing of a nuclear-powered cruise missile.

However, he told journalists at a political forum in Sochi this month that Russia had "no need" to change its nuclear doctrine.

"Why should we? Everything can be changed, I just don't see the need for it," he said.

"No person in his right mind and clear memory would think of using nuclear weapons against Russia," he added.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters last week that Moscow would only resume nuclear tests if the United States did so first.

"We must ensure that our testing base is ready to resume testing activities," he was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

"But the resumption in practical terms is (only) possible after the relevant tests are carried out by the United States," he said.

The Soviet Union last carried out a nuclear test in 1990, while the United States' last test was in 1992.

bur/acc/yad
On Tuesday, 17 October, Russia stated that it would no longer comply with UN Security Council restrictions on providing Iran with missile technology starting Wednesday, when they formally expire  despite the stance of the other parties to the Iran nuclear deal.

Source: a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, cited by European Pravda

Details: The ministry recalled that the requirements of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding the Iranian missile programme, as well as the "freezing of assets of some [Iranian] individuals and legal entities", will expire on 18 October.

The rest of the statement is devoted to accusations against the US and European countries who are acting as guarantors of the nuclear deal, claiming that they are on a "slippery slope of lawlessness being promoted by Washington".

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UN Security Council Resolution 2231, adopted in 2015, approved the Iran nuclear deal and provided for the gradual lifting of sanctions against Tehran in exchange for its compliance with restrictions on the use of the atom.

But Iran is known to have directly contravened the agreement after the United States withdrew from it in 2018. Although European states initiated the dispute resolution mechanism provided for by the agreement in January 2020 in order to resolve the violations by Iran, it has refused to participate in dialogue for the last three and a half years.

Since then, Tehran has accumulated enriched uranium more than 18 times over the limit and has built an extensive network of nuclear facilities for its own use, leading the UK, France and Germany to state in September that they would extend restrictions on Iran's missile programme unilaterally.

Russia has drawn closer to Iran since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Among other things, Tehran has supplied the Russian regime with thousands of kamikaze drones that kill Ukrainian civilians, and has also provided the technology to manufacture them.

In addition, since last year there have been persistent reports, as yet unconfirmed, that Iran may send ballistic missiles to Russia.

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Russian forces targeted the Izium district of Kharkiv Oblast with missiles late on Oct. 16, General Serhii Melnyk, the head of the Kharkiv military garrison, said. There was no information on casualties or damaged at the time of the publication.

The missiles were launched from Russia's town of Valuyki, located in Belgorod Oblast some 15 kilometers north of the RussiaUkraine border.

Ukraine's Air Force earlier warned about the threat of missile attacks. Air raid alert was activated in the region at least nine times over the past 24 hours.

Kharkiv Oblast remains a frequent target of Russian strikes.

Read also: Official: Mine injures 14-year-old boy in Kharkiv Oblast

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Ukraine attacked two Russian airfields on Tuesday with long-range ballistic missiles covertly sent from the United States in recent days.

The countrys special forces said they destroyed nine Russian helicopters, an anti-aircraft missile system, and a warehouse filled with ammunition in eastern Ukraine, according to the BBC. Dozens of Russian troops were injured or killed in what Ukraine dubbed Operation Dragonfly.

Ukraines military communication department made an announcement on Tuesday on Telegram, saying it had made well-aimed strikes on enemy airfields and helicopters near the temporarily occupied Luhansk and Berdyansk. They stated that the missiles hit Berdyansk at 4 a.m. local time and Luhansk at 11 a.m. local time.

More detailed version of the video of the Berdiansk airbase area https://t.co/4U966lVssX pic.twitter.com/9DCTw18dOL  Special Kherson Cat  (@bayraktar_1love) October 17, 2023

This is the first time the country has used the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System in its war with Russia. According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. covertly gave Ukraine a small arsenal of ATACMS missiles, which have the ability to hit targets past Russian defensive lines up to 186 miles away.

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Vladimir Rogov, the governor of the occupied Zaporizhzhia region appointed by Russian officials, claimed that air defense systems successfully intercepted enemy rockets in Berdyansk.

But unverified videos of Berdyansk, which seem to show rockets and explosions, have spread on social media.

Last month, an NBC News story asserted that the Biden administration had informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that it would provide ATACMS missiles to help the nation destroy supply lines, air bases, and rail networks in Russian territories.

Despite the White House declining to comment on the report, and the Pentagon saying, in regards to ATACMS we have nothing to announce, the Biden administration had previously declared that it would hand Ukraine an additional $325 million in military aid.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Elena Kostyuchenko is a Russian dissident journalist and gay rights advocate.

Her new book, "I Love Russia: Reporting from a Lost Country" is out this week.

Kostyuchenko spoke with Insider last month about being poisoned, the war in Ukraine, and fascism.

Elena Kostyuchenko has long been a thorn in Russia's side.

The Russian dissident journalist and gay rights advocate has been telling her country's untold stories since she was a teenager. Kostyuchenko made a name for herself as the youngest ever staff member at Novaya Gazeta, the famed Russian independent newspaper known for its defiant investigative journalism amid an increasingly hostile Russian media landscape.

More than a year after Novaya was shuttered following Russia's invasion of Ukraine , Kostyuchenko is still seeking answers as to how her country descended into full-out war.

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"I wanted to show how we ended up here. I wanted to understand from what soil the fascists grew," Kostyuchenko told Insider during a 40-minute Zoom conversation last month as she smoked a cigarette.

"I Love Russia: Reporting from a Lost Country," is Kostyuchenko's new book out this week and her attempt to reckon with a country she still loves despite all she's seen.

The book is a compilation of Kostyuchenko's reporting at Novaya over the years, during which she chronicled the lives of Russian girls recruited into sex work; profiled the families left behind in Beslan after a 2004 terrorist attack at a Russian school left more than 330 people dead, including 186 children; and exposed the horrors of war at a Ukrainian maternity ward soon after the war broke out.

Earlier this year, Kostyuchenko wrote for the first time publicly about surviving two attacks on her life that were ostensibly prompted by her reporting on the Russian government. Rumors of the first attempt forced her to flee Ukraine soon after she arrived in the besieged country in spring 2022 to report on the war. The second attempt came later that same year in the form of a suspected poisoning in Munich.

Woven into the book alongside her unrelenting reporting are a series of personal narratives from Kostyuchenko as she reflects on her own place in a country that appears to have little love left for her.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

In August, you wrote for the first time about your belief that you were poisoned in Germany last Autumn . How are you doing health-wise these days?

I feel much better, thank you. Almost all my symptoms are gone. The rest I have is just fatigue. I get tired very easily and it's actually irritating because I used to work a lot.

I used to define myself through my work and it's really hard to understand that I have limits now and to recognize these limits. So I need some more time to deal with myself, I guess.

Your book, "I Love Russia," will be published in October. Are there any concerns that the book's publication could heighten your already high-level safety concerns?

The German police who are running the investigation said an international book release could be a trigger for the people who tried to do this to me. So yeah, I have some concerns.

But it's quite an usual situation for me. When you work as an investigative reporter in Russia, you always want to publish something that your government doesn't want to be published. It's all just mind games because you never can evaluate the real danger.

During my time at Novaya, I got used to being concentrated on things you can change and not to go deep into the things you cannot change. I mean there are some basic and not so basic security protocols I've been following, but it's all that I can actually do.

I wrote a text and I want people to read it.

Kostyuchenko started as an intern at Novaya Gazeta before joining as the newspaper's youngest ever staff member. Photo by Alexander Welscher/picture alliance via Getty Images

Can you say where you are currently? Are you in hiding?

I'm moving a lot. That's all that I can say.

I'm curious about the timing of how your book came together. When did you first start writing?

I first got the idea that I should write this book, I believe it was four years ago. It was just the first feeling that I needed to write, but as a full-time reporter, you always have things to do.

But at the end of February, Russia invaded Ukraine. So, I went back to Ukraine to work and I was working there for five weeks before I left Ukraine.

I was in very bad shape. I had lice and PTSD. I don't really remember the first four weeks after I left Ukraine. My girlfriend was with me so she was taking care of me.

Then I opened the internet and I started to look at what people were writing about Russia, what Western politicians were saying about Russia. I found out that their understanding of Russia is very poor, that people don't know what we are dealing with.

I thought I cannot delay this anymore. I need to write.

My girlfriend became my first reader. She also took care of all other things for me like food, documents, cleaning the apartment, looking out for me, checking if I am eating, am I drinking and am I sleeping? And I was just writing, writing, writing.

Did you see any parallels to the current conflict in Ukraine as you were writing and revisiting your past reporting on Russia? I'm thinking specifically about the chapter that includes your reporting from the Donbas in 2014 or the chapter about the northern Nganasan people who were "tamed" by Russia through the eradication of their language and culture.

I hoped that the story of the Nganasan and their disappearing nation would help Russians think about how many nations have already disappeared, how many cultures, and languages, and families, and traditions, and peoples as we are fighting with the Ukrainians to "protect the Russian language."

Unfortunately, new Russian fascism has grown into this nostalgia of the nice, old, Soviet days. For me, the key to understanding it was my mother who is a total Soviet woman with a lot of grief and sorrow about the Soviet Union, who still can't get over the idea that Kyiv is not our city anymore.

Putin and his propaganda, they're using this nostalgia in the worst possible way.

My mother's generation think of themselves as victims because they lived in a country which they loved and this country was taken from them. They're not the ones who voted for the Soviet Union to be taken apart. It was politicians who made the decision and, in many ways, they still feel that they are victims and they feel grief about their past. So this longingness somehow became the reason for justifying killings happening in Ukraine. It's all quite crazy.

Kostyuchenko left Russia to report on Ukraine soon after the war started. She has not been able to return to her home country. Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

You said you wrote this book primarily for Russians. As you look to the future, what do you see and hope for Russia and your people?

I wrote the book for Russians, but not just for Russians, because I honestly believe that no country is immune from fascism.

I was so sure that we are immune because for Christ's sake, we fought the fascists! My grandfather did. We have this in textbooks in schools; we have whole movies telling us how fascism works, why it's so dangerous, and how it goes from a nice narrative to mass murders. I was totally sure we were immune.

But right now, with what's happening in the world, with this turn toward global authoritarianism and the tendencies you also have in your country, it's not safe.

If I could send a letter in the past to myself, I would say: "Be alarmed. Be alarmed. Don't be afraid to be hysterical. Be hysterical if you see your country is going into the darkness."

I really believe that this book would be useful, not just for people who want to understand what modern Russia is and how it became what it is, but also to understand how it's easy to lose your country.

My girlfriend and I were just talking about the subtitle for the Russian version of the book and the subtitle my girlfriend gave is "How to Fuck Up Your Country."

Certainly there are parallels within your reporting to things we've seen happening here in the US in recent years.

Totally. I honestly believe that you will take something from this book too.

You can have so much hope but this hope leaves you blind. The hope I have interferes in all my heart. I cannot really say that I see the future of Russia. I can say that I hope it will be possible.

The only scenario for this to be possible, I believe, is if Russia loses in Ukraine. Because if Russia, God forbid, wins in Ukraine  without even accounting for how many people would be killed  it would mean that fascism grew stronger and that a next war will follow.

Fascism is an expansive ideology. You build fascism not just inside your country. No, it's expansive. And it means that a next war will follow and a next war will follow and it will be a nightmare.

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The Russian occupying forces have once again attacked Ukraine with a Kh-59 guided missile, S-300 anti-aircraft missiles and 6 Shahed kamikaze drones; the Kh-59 missile and all the drones have been shot down.

Source: Ukrainian General Staff on Facebook; Ukrainian Air Force on Telegram

Quote: "The Russian invaders launched another missile and air strike against Ukraine at the beginning of the day, using a Kh-59 guided missile, S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles and 6 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs.

Ukrainian air defence forces destroyed a Kh-59 guided missile and 6 enemy Shahed-136/131s."

Details: Information on the aftermath of this terrorist attack is currently being clarified.

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Later, the Ukrainian Air Force clarified that the Russians had launched Shahed UAVs from Cape Chauda (Russian-occupied Crimea) and a Kh-59 guided missile from a Su-34 aircraft from the airspace of the occupied part of Kherson Oblast.

"Air Force air defence and air defence systems of other parts of the Ukrainian Defence Forces destroyed all seven targets heading south. The enemy also used two S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles in the east," the Ukrainian Air Force said.

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The Russian soldiers have struck a residential area and a transport enterprise in the city of Kherson, injuring five people.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin , Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Kherson Oblast Prosecutors Office

Quote: "The occupiers bombarded Kherson once again. A residential area has been hit. Details are being investigated. The aftermath of the strike is visible in the photos."

Details: Later, Prokudin reported that two security firm employees who had been in their company car at the time of the attack were injured. Another injured person is a 47-year-old man. He was hospitalised in the surgery department with shrapnel wounds to both shins. His condition is moderate.

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Prokudin reported another hit at about noon, this time to the territory of a transport enterprise. Early reports indicate that one person has been injured.

PHOTO: PROKUDIN ON TELEGRAM

Updated: Prokudin said at about 12:30 that two transport company employees were injured in the attack: "They are men aged 52. They were hospitalised with mine-blast injuries. Their further examination is ongoing".

Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office reports only two injured in the Russian bombardment of Kherson, one employee of a security firm and one injured in the strike on a transport company.

Quote: "The Russian troops hit the city of Kherson once again at around 11:10. They struck the area of one of the city's universities. A car belonging to a security company was hit, and the vehicle driver was injured. He was hospitalised.

One more man was reportedly injured in the Russian strike on the transport firm. The information is being established. University premises, private houses and personal vehicles were damaged."

   pic.twitter.com/NJZHqej2cz     (@ukrpravda_news) October 17, 2023

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Russian troops have continued with their offensive operations to encircle Avdiivka on 15 October but have failed to advance and slowed down the pace of operations in the area, although they may intensify their efforts to surround the city in the coming days.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Military experts say Russian troops are likely to pursue their offensive at this reduced pace and remain a threat to Ukrainian forces in the area, even though the Russians are unlikely to reach a decisive breakthrough or encircle Avdiivka at this time. Any slowdown in the Russian offensive may be the result of a tactical adjustment, and in the coming days the Russians may intensify their attempts to encircle Avdiivka.

A Ukrainian military observer noted that Russian troops have infiltrated the Ukrainian flanks around Avdiivka and pose a major threat to Ukrainian positions despite the fact that they are unlikely to be able to surround Avdiivka any time soon.

Source: ISW

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Ukrainian military observers noted that Russian forces had concentrated a significant grouping of forces comprising units from the 15th Motorised Rifle and 11th Rifle Regiments on the contact line between the cities of Avdiivka and Donetsk and have undertaken offensive actions in the area (three or more battalions conducting joint attacks on a scale larger than most Russian or Ukrainian assaults at this stage of the war).

This Russian group is reportedly likely to be able to conduct offensive operations aimed at encircling Avdiivka should Russian commanders be willing to suffer relatively heavy casualties, although they still would not be sufficient to break through right away.

The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces had repelled over 15 Russian assaults near Avdiivka and northwest and southwest of the town.

ISW has not discovered visual evidence of previous claims of Russian advances in the area or geolocation video footage of any other Russian advances.

Russian sources claimed that the Russian advances in the area on 15 October had significantly diminished compared to previous days and described these new supposed advances as insignificant. A Russian military blogger acknowledged that Ukrainian troops were still present at the Avdiivka Coke Plant, following contradictory Russian claims of Russian control of the plant.

Both Ukrainian military observers and Russian sources stated that the Russian forces did not achieve the desired immediate breakthrough and that Russian troops faced heavy casualties and likely a slower-than-expected advance rate.

Vitalii Barabash, Head of Avdiivka City Military Administration, stated on 12 October that Russian troops conducted an assault supported by aircraft from 10-12 areas around the city, whereas the Ukrainian General Staff reported on 15 October that fighting had only been taking place near six settlements.

Colonel Oleksandr Stupun, spokesman for the Tavriia Grouping of the Ukrainian forces, said the pace of the Russian offensive near Avdiivka had slowed down, and Russian troops had lost over 300 pieces of military equipment and 3,000 military personnel since the offensive in the area intensified on 9 October.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 16 October:

Russian President Vladimir Putin may be trying to temper expectations of significant Russian advances around Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast.

The Russian information space writ large is also metering its initial optimism about the prospects of Russian offensive operations around Avdiivka.

Russian forces continued offensive operations aimed at encircling Avdiivka on 15 October but have yet to make further gains amid a likely decreasing tempo of Russian operations in the area.

Russian forces will likely continue offensive operations at this decreased tempo in the near term, however, and will remain a threat to Ukrainian forces in the area despite being unlikely to achieve a decisive breakthrough or encircle Avdiivka at this time.

A prominent Russian milblogger and frontline unit commander complained that Russian military leadership is uninterested in battalion level problems, supplementing other Russian milblogger complaints about general problems in the Russian military.

Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on 15 October and slightly advanced south of Bakhmut.

Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on 15 October and advanced in some areas.

A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces have "significant" reserves comprised of new divisions currently located in rear areas, though these formations are highly unlikely to be fully staffed at this time.

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is sending a reportedly Kremlin-affiliated priest to Crimea, likely as part of continued Russian efforts to persecute religious communities in occupied Ukraine.

Background:

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, approved revoking the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in the first of three readings on Tuesday.

The vote was passed by 412 votes to zero, with no abstentions. Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said Russia was revoking the treaty because of the irresponsible attitude of the United States to global security.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Unknown persons are destroying the equipment of construction battalions that are building fortifications on the border with Ukraine in Russia.

Source: National Resistance Center (NRC)

Details: The local resistance movement says that the commercial entities in Kursk Oblast, whose construction equipment is forcibly taken away, are demanding that the government pay them monetary compensation for the destroyed excavators because partisans regularly destroy expropriated property.

In addition, farmers who are members of the Association of Peasant Farms and Agricultural Cooperatives of Russia in Rylsk District in Kursk Oblast are protesting against the destruction of their agricultural land.

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For example, Russia is actively building strong points on farmers' land in the village of Staraya Nikolaevka on the border with Sumy Oblast. In the process, the land is becoming unsuitable for further use. The farmers have provided photos of the Russians' fortifications on their land.

Background:

In May, a line of anti-tank fortifications, so-called dragon's teeth, appeared in Belarus near the border with Ukraine.

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Two people are trapped under the rubble of a college dormitory in Slovyansk, Donetsk Oblast, which was shelled by Russian occupation forces overnight on Oct. 17, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported on Telegram.

"Donetsk Oblast: the enemy again insidiously struck at residential buildings in Slovyansk," the service said.

Read also: Russians fire missiles at center of Slovyansk: 2 killed, 25 wounded

As a result of the Russian shelling, a five-storey dormitory building was destroyed.

Rescuers from Donetsk Oblast and a consolidated unit of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine are currently working at the scene. Emergency rescue operations are underway.

 /Telegram

Overnight on Oct. 17, Russian troops shelled the center of Slovyansk. The head of the Slovyansk city military administration, Vadym Lyakh, reported that the Russians hit a dormitory of the Luhansk Agricultural College.

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Read also: Pulling forces from eastern Ukraine would put Slovyansk, Kramatorsk at risk  Zelenskyy

However, earlier he stated that nobody had been hurt.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian troops who failed to retake a Ukrainian town were sent into battle in obsolete Soviet-era armored vehicles: reports

A Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carrier in the Victory Day military parade in Moscow's Red Square on June 24, 2020. Vladimir Pesnya/Host Photo Agency via Getty Images

Russian troops tried to retake the Ukrainian town of Andriivka, near Bakhmut last week.

They used Soviet-era armored vehicles for the offensive, according to reports.

An unverified photo appears to show at least one destroyed BTR-50 in Andriivka.

Russian troops, who failed to retake a Ukrainian town last week, were sent into battle in Soviet-era armored vehicles that ceased production in 1970, reports suggest.

A photo published by independent open-source analysts appears to show at least one destroyed BTR-50 in Avdiivka, a town located in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast. The photo also appears to show the blurry bodies of soldiers scattered around the vehicle.

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Insider was unable to independently verify the image.

The BTR-50 is a Soviet-era armored personnel carrier (APC) that was developed in 1952 and was used by the army for 12 years, Forbes reported. Production of the vehicle, which is lightly armed and thinly armored, stopped in 1970.

Last week, Russia tried a late push to retake Avdiivka by attempting to flank it from the south and north. But Ukrainian mines, artillery, and drones caused the Russians to suffer serious losses.

At least 36 Russian tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed in the first 24 hours of the offensive, according to the Kyiv Post.

Russia first started deploying the BTR-50 armored personnel carriers in Ukraine in March this year, according to British intelligence.

Russia has lost a lot of military equipment and weapons since it launched the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, forcing it to deploy vintage equipment, including 60-year-old T-62 main battle tanks.

However, the outdated equipment presents many vulnerabilities on the modern battlefield and stands limited chances against many of the Western-sent weapons Ukraine has been using.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former MP Andrii Biletskyi, the commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade and the founder of the Azov Assault Brigade, says that the Ukrainian Defence Forces are in a convenient defensive position in the south of Bakhmut to repel Russian attacks effectively.

Source: Andrii Biletskyi in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda

Details: Biletskyi said this when asked whether Russian logistics had deteriorated after the loss of Andriivka, where the Russians lost control of the railway line.

Quote: "I would say this: it is not logistics that has deteriorated  they have completely lost any opportunities for a counteroffensive in the south of Bakhmut. For now. Now we are in a convenient defensive position; we control the railway track, we are standing there, and we can calmly repel any attacks.

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It is impossible to repeat this campaign, relatively speaking, for Konstiantynivka-Druzhkivka in the near future."

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Over the past day, Russian forces conducted unsuccessful attacks on the Kupiansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Marinka, Shakhtarsk and Zaporizhzhia fronts.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 17 October

Details: There were 56 combat engagements over the last day. The Russians launched 3 missile strikes and 34 airstrikes, and also fired from multiple-launch rocket systems at Ukrainian troops' positions and settlements six times.

On the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian forces repelled 12 Russian attacks in the vicinities of Synkivka, Ivanivka and Kyslivka in Kharkiv Oblast and another 7 attacks near Nadiia in Luhansk Oblast.

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Ukrainian defenders also repelled attacks on the Bakhmut front near Klishchiivka, Donetsk Oblast.

On the Avdiivka front, the Russians conducted unsuccessful assault operations with the support of aircraft near Avdiivka and south of Tonenke, Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine's Defence Forces repelled five Russian attacks.

The Russians conducted unsuccessful assault operations with the support of aircraft in the areas of Marinka and Novomykhailivka, Donetsk Oblast, on the Marinka front. Ukrainian troops repelled 17 Russian attacks there.

On the Shakhtarsk front, Ukrainian troops repelled Russian attacks south of Zolota Nyva and south of Prechystivka in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, Ukrainian forces repelled all Russian attacks in the area west of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Quote: "At the same time, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continue offensive operations on the Melitopol front and offensive (assault) operations on the Bakhmut front, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces and exhausting the enemy along the line of contact.

Over the course of the day, the aircraft of the Defence Forces carried out 15 strikes on the areas where enemy military personnel, weapons and equipment were concentrated, and 3 strikes on enemy anti-aircraft missile systems.

Rocket Forces and Artillery struck five command posts, a cluster of military personnel, weapons and equipment, an ammunition storage point and an artillery piece belonging to the enemy."

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The Russians are once again trying to spread fake radio broadcasting in Kharkiv Oblast.

Source: press service of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "The Russian occupiers are trying to conduct fake radio broadcasting called Slobozhan FM at the 90.2 FM frequency in Kharkiv Oblast and the city of Kharkiv.

Details: The Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration stressed that this is not the first try of the Russians to pass off propaganda as Ukrainian broadcasting and spread disinformation among the population of Kharkiv Oblast.

The Kharkiv Oblast Military administration called to "only listen to verified information" and published a list of recommended frequencies for some settlements: Balakliia  104.9 MHz; Zmiiv  90.8 MHz; Blyzniuky  100.1 MHz; Barvinkove  103.4 MHz.

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Background:

In April of this year, the Russians were also trying to broadcast so-called Slobozhan FM in Kharkiv Oblast, according to the military administration.

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Andrii Biletskyi, former Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, founder of the Azov regiment and Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade of Ukraine, remarks that the Russians are much ahead of Ukrainians in the usage of unmanned systems of the operative-tactical type.

Source: Biletskyi in an interview for Ukrainska Pravda

Details: Biletskyi explained that the Defence Forces of Ukraine have advantage in using FPV-drones, meanwhile a big quantity of unmanned vehicles of operative-tactical levels which the Russians have remain a problem for the Ukrainian forces. He revealed exactly how the Orlan and Lantset type UAVs are taunting the Ukrainian soldiers.

Quote: "Look, our biggest problem is that the Russians are way ahead of us where the operative-tactical unmanned aerial systems are concerned. First and foremost, I am talking about Orlan since it is a big problem for us. This is a problem for many reasons  [these UAVs may be used for  ed.] adjusting of artillery fire, different types of reconnaissance, because they are also radio-electronic reconnaissance complexes. We cannot successfully jam the Orlan UAV. Though it can be definitely shot down with a Strila-10 or, for instance, more complex systems like the TOR anti-aircraft system.

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But we face a great deficit of air defence, mainly, frontline air defence. This UAV is a huge problem because sometimes during the day and at night 11 Orlan UAVs may hang in the air space above my brigade.

What does this hanging mean? It means that your artillery does not work. It means that your offensive on armoured vehicles in more or less equipped groups or units is impossible.

It means that you cannot take ammunition to the positions of the troops. You cannot conduct engineering work, dig caponiers or build fortifications. Ive had the experience of using almost all types of Western UAVs as well as the Ukrainian Leleka UAV. Orlan is definitely more efficient.

Another problem is the Lantset UAVs which they are actively using, and for which no adequate counteraction means has been found so far. The absolute majority of artillery systems is stuck with Lantset. It is cheap and quite precise, and as far as I know, they consider about a third of flights to be successful.

What is our advantage? It is a direct control of the combat clash line. We have a great quantity of the Mavic drones, still thanks to the volunteers. In addition, we have the Starlink communication which provides us with much more opportunities. But the Russians have a huge advantage in the upper class UAVs."

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The Russian occupiers are continuing their attempts to encircle the city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast, and are actively fighting in the east of Ukraine  72 combat clashes took place on the front over the course of the past 24 hours.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, information as of 06:00 on 17 October

Quote from the General Staff: "In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group on the Avdiivka front, the Russians keep trying to encircle Avdiivka. Our soldiers repelled more than 10 enemy attacks over the past 24 hours."

Details: In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 15 Russian attacks near Synkivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv Oblast) and five more near Stelmakhivka and Nadiia (Luhansk Oblast).

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On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian defenders repelled three Russian attacks near the settlement of Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian defence forces pursued assault operations south of the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, inflicting losses on the Russians in military personnel and equipment and consolidating their positions.

On the Marinka and Shakhtarsk front, Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled over 15 Russian attacks near the settlement of Marinka in Donetsk Oblast and five more attacks in the area south of the settlements of Zolota Nyva and Prechystivka in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, Ukrainian soldiers did not allow the loss of positions southwest of Novodanylivka, Robotyne, and west of Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, the Ukrainian Defence Forces are conducting counter-battery operations, successfully hitting Russian storage points and rear.

Ukrainian defence forces are continuing to lead an offensive operation on the Melitopol front, having partial success in the area west of Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The Russians did not conduct offensive (assault) actions on the Lyman front.

In the area 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, Russian forces are maintaining a military presence in the border areas and undertaking active sabotage activities to prevent Ukrainian troops from being deployed to vulnerable areas, and increasing the density of mine and explosive barriers along the state border in Belgorod Oblast.

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Air Force carried out four strikes on clusters of Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment.

Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery hit two helicopters on landing sites, an ammunition storage point and an artillery piece.

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FILE PHOTO: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is seen on a screen via video link during a court hearing in Moscow

By Mark Trevelyan

(Reuters) - Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny on Tuesday condemned the arrest of three of his lawyers, calling it an illegal action that showed the weakness of the authorities.

The three lawyers were arrested last week on suspicion of belonging to an "extremist group". Another member of Navalny's legal team said he had fled the country on Monday.

Navalny, 47, was sentenced in August to an extra 19 years on various charges relating to "extremist activity", extending his total prison term to more than 30 years.

At the latest of a series of hearings where he has challenged his treatment in prison, Navalny said the "flagrant and illegal" actions against his lawyers had left him "completely isolated from information".

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He ridiculed the idea that his lawyers could have engaged in illegal activity with him since he was imprisoned, saying every document that passed between them was censored and copied.

"And even here the authorities find some terrible danger, such great danger that they have to make a show of arresting three lawyers," he said.

"These are the convulsions of the system. They're afraid. They're not at all as strong as they think."

Navalny's lawyers say the targeting of his lawyers crosses a new threshold of repression in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has intensified a crackdown on dissent since launching his invasion of Ukraine last year.

The Kremlin, which has painted Navalny in the past as a tool of the American CIA, declines to discuss his case or even speak his name in public.

Navalny's supporters say removing his access to lawyers - through whom he has launched frequent appeals and been able to post on social media - is a tactic to further isolate him. But at Tuesday's hearing, he said he would keep speaking out.

"I have the right in this court to say straight out: yes, I am against Vladimir Putin, yes I am against his rule, I will fight it," he said.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; editing by Mark Heinrich)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in China on Tuesday with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

"Despite the fact that in today's geopolitical conditions the opportunities for maintaining contacts and developing relations are very limited, nevertheless, it can only cause satisfaction that our relations with many European countries are maintained and developed. One of these countries is Hungary, Putin told Orban in a televised meeting.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Prosecutors on Tuesday said they will ask a grand jury to consider whether actor Alec Baldwin should again be criminally charged in the accidental 2021 shooting death of a cinematographer on the New Mexico set of the western film "Rust."

The special prosecutors plan to argue that Baldwin should be indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge, according to three people close to the case who were not authorized to comment.

"After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability" in the case, special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis said in a statement. "We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial."

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was killed October 2021 on the set of the low-budget movie that was filming near Santa Fe during the rehearsal of a scene, in which Baldwin drew his prop revolver from his holster and pointed it at the camera. The weapon fired, fatally striking Hutchins and wounding the film's director, Joel Souza, who was standing next to her.

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Tuesday's decision came six months after Morrissey and Lewis initially dropped felony charges against Baldwin, which had been brought by a previous set of prosecutors. Morrissey and Lewis joined the case last spring after missteps by their predecessors.

Morrissey and Lewis intend to present the case to a grand jury within the next two months, they said. The grand jury will determine whether probable cause exists for Baldwin to face criminal charges in a trial in Santa Fe.

In New Mexico, a felony involuntary manslaughter conviction carries a 18-month prison sentence.

It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution," said Baldwin's attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel, in a statement. "We will answer any charges in court.

After the charges were dropped in April, Baldwin immediately traveled to Montana, where he and other cast and crew members finished filming "Rust."

Firearms experts have said Baldwin probably pulled the trigger, which he denies doing.

Legal experts said prosecutors will probably secure an indictment. They must persuade a majority of grand jurors that "probable cause" exists, which is a lower threshold than trying to prove "beyond a reasonable doubt." In addition, prosecutors need only a majority of grand jurors to return an indictment  not a unanimous vote.

"In a grand jury, it is a one-sided presentation," said former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Trial Lawyers. "The defense attorneys don't get to cross-examine the witnesses, so the standard for an indictment is low."

Baldwin did not know the gun had been loaded with live ammunition.

The special prosecutor is pursuing felony involuntary manslaughter charges against the "Rust" armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who acknowledges loading the weapon, which was given to Baldwin by another crew member that day. Gutierrez Reed has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering charges. Her preliminary hearing is set for February.

Morrissey has said Gutierrez Reed was the most culpable defendant in a case that resulted in the senseless death of another person.

The films assistant director, David Halls, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon this year. Halls has since retired from the film industry.

"The prosecutors appear to be going all in on trying to prove that Baldwin pulled the trigger even though Baldwin has denied that," Rahmani said. "The theory is that, even if you don't know the gun is loaded, that you shouldn't point it at other human beings and then pull the trigger."

The possible refiling of charges represents the latest turn in the case for the 65-year-old actor, who has faced legal jeopardy on multiple fronts after the on-set tragedy, including civil lawsuits. Baldwin is the star and a producer of "Rust."

NBC News first reported the prosecutors' intent to recharge Baldwin.

After Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter in January, cracks in the case quickly appeared due to mistakes by prosecutors.

In one instance, the previous prosecutor, New Mexico 1st Judicial Dist. Atty. Mary Carmack-Altwies, filed a felony charge enhancement based on a law that wasn't on the books when the shooting occurred.

Morrissey and Lewis dropped the charges against Baldwin, saying new information had come to light that needed to be investigated. Sources have told The Times that prosecutors were told the gun had been modified before being delivered to the set, making it easier to fire.

A firearms expert was brought in by prosecutors to determine whether the Italian-made Pietta pistol, a replica of a vintage 1873 model, was functional or faulty, which could have contributed to the deadly accident on set.

The firearms expert, Lucien C. Haag, didn't find evidence to back up Baldwin's account.

Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver, Haag wrote in his Aug. 3 report to Morrissey and Lewis.

The weapons provider, Seth Kenney, has stated during questioning that the gun wasnt altered. Kenney said he had just received the weapon from his supplier before turning it over to films prop master.

Baldwin and other producers have said they are not to blame for the actions of others in the crew.

A New Mexico judge this month separately ordered Rust movie producers to turn over records demanded by prosecutors. Morrissey wanted to learn more about Baldwins financial arrangements and whether he stood to profit if the movie was delivered on time and under budget.

Morrissey is probing why production managers denied a request by Gutierrez Reed for additional days to train Baldwin on the use of his .45-caliber revolver.

During a Oct. 6 court hearing in Santa Fe, conducted virtually, Morrissey said the producers actions contributed to the deadly shooting.

Morrissey also alleged that producers have attempted to thwart aspects of the criminal investigation.

.

New Mexicos Occupational Safety and Health Bureau originally filed a complaint saying Rust managers demonstrated plain indifference to employee safety and levied a $136,793 fine for safety violations that led to the death of Hutchins.

Camera crew members walked off the set hours before the fatal shooting, protesting what they called safety concerns.

After an appeal by the producers, the safety violations fine was reduced to $100,000. New Mexico regulators also agreed to downgrade its citation of the violations from willful-serious to serious.

On Oct. 6, the lawyer for Rust Movie Productions suggested the states efforts to obtain documents was a backdoor way to glean information to potentially bring new criminal charges against the high-profile actor.

The state has made it very clear in its statements that its still considering bringing charges against Alec Baldwin, attorney Abigail R. Wolberg said during the hearing. I see these subpoenas as nothing more than continuing down that path.

Instead, Wolberg laid responsibility for the tragedy on Gutierrez Reed, who Wolberg said was an independent contractor, not an employee of Rust Movie Productions. Wolberg said documents the prosecutor sought were irrelevant to the states case against Gutierrez Reed.

New Mexico 1st Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled the Rust producers must turn over the documents that Morrissey requested by Oct. 20  the eve of the second anniversary of the tragedy.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sacramento officials are asking a Superior Court judge to toss out District Attorney Thien Hos lawsuit over the citys handling of the homeless crisis, arguing that he has exceeded his authority and has no evidence to support his claims.

The filing in this case is deeply flawed, and from a legal perspective, is unsound from every angle, City Attorney Susan Alcala Wood said in a statement Tuesday. It fails the most primary tests in terms of its legality and viability.

We believe the court will see this and correctly bring an end to a case that cant hope to achieve anything beyond staggering expense to taxpayers and a drain on both City and court resources.

The move follows the September filings of lawsuits by Ho and an attorney for residents and business owners claiming that city officials have not done enough to halt the spread of homeless camps throughout Sacramento.

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The motion filed Tuesday, known as a demurrer, says Ho has ignored numerous, laudable efforts by city official to deal with homeless issues, and that he lacks authority to bring an action for private nuisance.

Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Hos complaint is as surprising as it is novel, the citys motion states. But those are not admirable qualities when they lead to a waste of government and judicial resources.

This demurrer is necessary to stem further waste of those resources, because underlying the complaints novelty is its legal untenability.

The city argues that Sacramento neither caused nor assisted in causing the allegedly criminal acts that are the gravamen of the DAs Complaint and that Sacramento has immunity from such a lawsuit.

The motion also contends the lawsuit fails to take into account numerous efforts by city officials to address homelessness, including the creation of the Department of Community Resources to respond to complaints about camps, passage of a measure to provide more shelter space and an ordinance against homeless camps blocking sidewalks or building entrances.

The homelessness crisis and its effects are not fit for judicial resolution through this lawsuit, the motion says. This is practically and politically true.

It is also legally true that this lawsuit is inappropriate, the motion adds. The complaint is a constitutional overreach.

Besides the self-evident oxymoronic nature of the DA asserting private claims on behalf of the People, he has exceeded the powers granted to him by the state constitution and the California Legislature.

Hos spokesman did not immediately offer a comment on the motion, but the district attorney has noted that the citys own statistics show officials have failed to enforce the sidewalk ordinance by issuing citations to homeless campers.

The essence of the DAs Complaint is that the City has not enforced its laws, the motion says. Yet the prayer for relief is so vague and ambiguous one cannot determine what lawful remedy is being sought.

The DA seeks injunctive/equitable relief, but what possible injunction or relief could be had? Force the city to enforce the law?

By what means  requiring the police to cite people? Requiring the City Attorney to prosecute City Code misdemeanors? Require the City Council to enact additional ordinances or policies?

None of that is possible, as to do so would be an unconstitutional exercise of judicial power.

The motion also renews a complaint city officials have voiced that Ho should be working together with them to address the crisis rather than going to court.

Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho has far exceeded the role of the office to which he was elected by bringing this civil litigation against the city, the motion states. Some of the grounds upon which this case are brought are so misguided it is surprising a taxpayer lawsuit has not been brought...

The People of the State of California deserve better. The challenges of homelessness are best met through cooperation across all levels of government than through accusations and confrontation.

As Mayor (Darrell) Steinberg has aptly stated, Lets get to work.
A Sacramento trio pleaded guilty Monday to taking part in a nationwide catalytic converter theft ring in which alleged thieves made more than $500 million, according to federal prosecutors.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice said 21 people across five states took part in the operation. Two Sacramento brothers and their mother established a $38 million unlicensed business from their home in which prosecutors said they bought stolen catalytic converters from local thieves and sold them to a company in New Jersey.

Catalytic converter thefts have exploded across the nation in the last few years, prized for their precious metals contained inside. California saw 37% of all catalytic converter theft claims nationwide and 1,600 of the parts were stolen each month, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

They can be stolen in less than a minute, the federal prosecutors added in a news release.

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Defense attorneys representing the trio of Tou Sue Vang, 32, and Andrew Vang, 28, and their mother Monica Moua, 58, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The family sold $38 million worth of catalytic converters to a company called DG Auto Parts in New Jersey in less than two years, according to court documents. Their business grew out of a home on Meadowgate Drive in Sacramentos Parkway neighborhood.

Suspects operating DG Auto Parts extracted the valuable metals inside and sold them for more than $545 million, court documents say.

Prosecutors also said Tou Sue Vang shipped roughly 300 Toyota Prius catalytic converters from California to New Jersey, according to The Sacramento Bees previous reporting. He used the profits to buy a $1.2 million Rio Linda home, a $65,000 pickup truck, a $42,000 trailer and two jet skis, according to previous reporting.

All three defendants pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport the stolen catalytic converters, prosecutors said. Tou Sue Vang pleaded guilty to 39 additional charges related to money laundering, according to the news release.

A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. Tou Sue Vang faces anywhere from five to 20 years in prison for each charge, as well as monetary fines, according to the news release, which said Andrew Vang and Moua could get a maximum of five years in prison.
The debate was keenly watched in a country which is home to an estimated tens of millions of LGBTQ+ people

India's Supreme Court has failed to legalise same-sex unions, dashing the hopes of millions of LGBTQ+ people seeking marriage equality.

The court instead accepted the government's offer to set up a panel to consider granting some legal rights and benefits to same-sex couples.

Activists and same-sex couples said they were disappointed by the judgement and would continue to fight.

The court was considering 21 petitions by same-sex couples and activists.

The five-judge bench had held extensive hearings in April and May and the deliberations were "livestreamed in public interest".

The petitioners had argued that not being able to marry violated their constitutional rights and made them "second-class citizens".

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They had suggested that the court could just replace "man" and "woman" with "spouse" in the Special Marriage Act - which allows marriage between people from different religions, castes and countries - to include same-sex unions.

The government, which had strongly opposed the petitions, had insisted that only parliament could discuss the socio-legal issue of marriage and argued that allowing same-sex marriage would lead to "chaos" in society.

On Tuesday, the judges agreed with the government, saying that it was only the parliament which could make law and the judges could only interpret them.

They accepted Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's proposal on behalf of the Indian government to set up a committee, headed by the country's top bureaucrat, to consider "granting queer couples" rights and privileges available to heterosexual couples.

The petitioners had argued that not being able to marry violated their constitutional rights

Two of the judges, including DY Chandrachud , favoured civil union and granting the same "benefits that married people enjoy" to same-sex couples.

The Chief Justice also read out a long list of directions to the government, asking them to ensure the end of all discrimination against the "queer community" and to protect them from harassment and violence. Justice Chandrachud also said that "queer and unmarried couples" could jointly adopt a child.

But after all the judges had spoken, and the majority of three judges on the bench did not back his list, it became clear that Justice Chandrachud's directions will remain just that - directions.

At the start of the hearings, it had seemed like India was on the cusp of making history by allowing same-sex marriages.

The five-judge constitutional bench had said they would not interfere with religious personal laws but look at tweaking the Special Marriage Act to include LGBTQ+ people.

But as the hearings progressed, it became clear just how complex the matter was, with the bench conceding that issues of divorce, adoption, succession, maintenance and other related issues are governed by dozens of laws - and that many of them do spill over into religious personal laws.

Tuesday's judgement has left activists and same-sex couples "disappointed".

"I went to the courtroom this morning with a lot of hope, but as I heard the judges read out their orders, I felt huge disappointment. My hopes were dashed," gay rights activist Sharif Rangnekar told the BBC.

"The decision to leave it all to a government committee with no timeline for when it is to be set up or when it would provide us with rights leaves us in the hands of lots of bureaucratic uncertainty. It is very worrying," he added.

Pia Chanda, who's been in a same-sex relationship for 34 years, told the BBC that "Supreme Court is playing passing the parcel".

"This judgement is a predictable farce and will keep the discrimination in place," she added.

Attitudes to sex and sexuality remain largely conservative in India

The judgement has also been welcomed by many.

Adish Aggarwala, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, told reporters that he was happy that the court had accepted the government's argument that it did not have the power to legalise same-sex union.

"That right only rests with the Indian parliament and we are glad that the court agrees with us," he added.

Before the verdict, Mr Aggarwala had told reporters that allowing same-sex marriages would not be a good idea as it is "not in accordance with the system prevalent in India".

The debate was being keenly watched in a country which is home to an estimated tens of millions of LGBTQ+ people. In 2012, the Indian government put their population at 2.5 million, but calculations using global estimates believe it to be at least 10% of the entire population - or more than 135 million.

The order has disappointed same-sex couples who were pinning their hopes on this key judgement - many of them had earlier told the BBC that they would marry if the petitions went through.

Click here to watch the BBC's film on LGBTQ allies

Attitudes to sex and sexuality remain largely conservative and activists say the community continues to face stigma and discrimination.

During the hearing, Mukul Rohatgi, one of the lawyers representing the petitioners, said society sometimes needed a nudge to accept LGBTQ+ people as equals under the constitution and that the top court's decision would drive the society to accept the community.

That nudge did not come today.

BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features.

Read more India stories from the BBC:
Palestinians search for casualties under the rubble of a building destroyed by Israeli strikes in Khan Younis

LONDON (Reuters) - The World Health Organization said on Tuesday it needs urgent access to Gaza to deliver aid and medical supplies, as the UN agency warned of a humanitarian crisis in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian enclave.

Speaking to media in a briefing, Dr Richard Brennan, regional emergency director of the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean regional office, said the WHO was meeting with "decision-makers" on Tuesday to open access to Gaza as soon as possible.

Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, said 2,800 people have died and 11,000 injured in Gaza since Israeli air strikes started. About half of them were women and children.

(Reporting by Josephine Mason and Jennifer Rigby, Editing by Louise Heavens)
Before leaving for Israel, Olaf Scholz , the Chancellor of Germany, warned the authorities of Iran, as well as the Lebanese radical movement Hezbollah, supported by Tehran, against intervening in the conflict.

Source: European Pravda, citing DW

Quote from Scholz: "We, the federal government, together with our allies, are doing everything possible to prevent further escalation of this conflict."

Details: Scholz said that "our meeting is necessary to form a common understanding of the situation in the Middle East."

"We have a common goal. We want to avoid a fire and a wider war in the region," the chancellor said.

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Background:

The Lebanese Hezbollah movement supported the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, killing over 1,400 people. Over the next week, Hezbollah fired on Israel from southern Lebanon, and the Israel Defence Forces retaliated.

The Iranian government also openly supports the actions of Hamas. Tehran issued public warnings and sent a message to Israel through UN channels, informing them that it may intervene in the conflict if Israel continues its campaign to destroy Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier, it became known that a group of American congressmen demanded the administration of US President Joe Biden to introduce sanctions against Iran for its role in supporting the terrorist group Hamas after the brutal attack on Israel.

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!
School budgets are tight nationwide. In one study, an estimated 44% of K-12 schools were expected to slice budgets by 5% and 10% during the 2020-2021 school year. The challenge of a pandemic, staffing shortages, and diminished federal and state funding has led administrators to seek alternative solutions  including more affordable energy.

As reported by Clean Energy Revolution, the Steelton-Highspire School District, located outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, installed 3,500 solar panels in an old landfill in the region. The panels generate close to 1.7 megawatts of power, which provides low-cost energy for administrative buildings and schools. Working with a local developer, the move is expected to generate close to $1.6 million over the next 20 years, which will go back into paying teacher salaries and facility upgrades.

The success of the Steelton-Highspire School District has garnered support for House Bill 1032 in the state, which would create a Solar for Schools initiative. This program would supply grants to build solar arrays for public schools, community colleges, and technical colleges in the state.

Currently, only 2% of Pennsylvania schools are powered by solar energy, according to CleanTechnica. If the bill was approved and all K-12 schools adopted average-sized solar systems, it could reduce four methane gas generating stations worth of dirty carbon pollution.

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So far, the bill has seen bipartisan support. Clean Energy Revolution reported Republican State Representative Jim Marshall as having described the bill as a great opportunity.

Not only does the program decrease the environmental impact of school systems, but it is also a way to use degraded land, like landfills, to generate more affordable energy. The influx of funding may also reduce the burden that the taxpayers in the district have to pay to support the school system.

Similar programs have also been implemented outside of Pennsylvania. In 2021, the Minnesota state legislature approved $16 million in solar initiatives for primary and secondary schools and $5 million for community colleges. Their Solar for Schools program already has more demand than allocated funding.

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Senate leaders returned to the floor Monday afternoon for the first time since their Columbus Day recess, which was particularly busy with codels to China and Israel, and behind-the-scenes conversations with the White House about an emergency funding package to Israel.

"We want to move this package quickly," Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the floor. "The Senate must go first  I know that the House is in disarray, but we cannot wait for them. The needs are too great, and if we pass a strong package, with strong bipartisan support, it will import to in the House somehow or other to act despite the morass they are in."

Schumer led a delegation of bipartisan lawmakers to the Holy Land over the weekend, just a few days after he cut his codel to China short last week. He said on the floor the trip pushed back "in a significant way against the dangerous false equivalency between what Hamas is doing and the response against them."

"Let us be clear. Hamas is an evil organization that wants to see Israel wiped off the face of the map. They don't believe in a two-state solution," he said.

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FORMER ISRAELI SOLDIER SUGGESTS HOSTAGE RESCUE OPERATIONS BEHIND DELAY IN GROUND INVASION OF GAZA

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a bipartisan delegation of Sens. Bill Cassidy, Mitt Romney, Jacky Rosen and Mark Kelly met with Israeli leaders, including President Isaac Herzog, pictured above.

While in Israel, Schumer and Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, Bill Cassidy, R-La., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., had to shelter on two separate occasions due to Hamas rocket attacks.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"For us, the danger was momentary, thank God, But it's harrowing to think that Israelis are going through this and much greater horrors every single day," he said.

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., echoed Schumer's support for Israel and said, "The surest way to stop against Israelis and oppression of Palestinians is to wipe terrorists like Hamas from the face of the earth."

BRUTAL HAMAS SHADOW UNIT LIKELY BEHIND HOSTAGE RAIDS POSES RESCUE NIGHTMARE: EXPERT

Hamas terrorists in Gaza City.

"To that end, the United States must provide maximum support to Israel's counterterrorist operation, as long as it takes," he said.

The upper chamber was briefed on a call last week by the administration on a "mega package" request that would combine aid to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and border security, according to a source familiar.

Attorney and former secretary of the treasury Jack Lew  nominated to be ambassador to Israel  will have a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday. A vote will be scheduled following the hearing. Lew served in both the Bill Clinton and Barack Obama administrations.

HUNDREDS OF HARVARD FACULTY SIGN LETTER REBUKING UNIVERSITY LEADERS' TEPID RESPONSE TO HAMAS 'WAR CRIMES'

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin put a significant number of U.S. troops on standby to "be ready to deploy," over the weekend, though officials say the U.S. role would not be for combat. The surprise attack on Israel has killed at least 1,400 people and wounded thousands others.

Fox News' Greg Wehner contributed to this report.





Original article source: Schumer says Senate will 'move quickly' on supplemental package to Israel
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) said Monday that he thinks its time for aging public officials of both parties to step aside for a new generation of political leaders.

In remarks at a Wall Street Journal Tech Live conference, Schwarzenegger stopped short of saying President Biden should not run for reelection but stressed the importance of propping up a new generation of leaders, rather than squishing them.

Its up to him, Schwarzenegger said when asked whether President Biden, 80, should run again. I mean, Im not going to tell him not to run.

But I just believe that we should look for the new breed in both parties, for the new breed, for the new generation, a new generation of leaders, rather than squishing them, Schwarzenegger said.

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Schwarzeneggers comments come amid rising concerns about the age of a number of political leaders. Questions surrounding Bidens age have sharpened amid his reelection campaign, while in Congress former Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) died in office at age 90 in September after struggling with health issues in recent months. Concerns about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells (R-Ky.) health have also been in focus lately after the long-time Republican leader twice appeared to freeze up in front of reporters for about 20-30 seconds each time.

Schwarzenegger nodded to McConnells recent episodes in his comments at the conference.

Its very hard to say what is the age limit on anything, and especially in politics. I mean, you can see certain people that, all of the sudden, freeze in the middle of a sentence, and then they just stare, Schwarzenegger said, in an apparent reference to McConnell.

If he freezes, theres something going on, the former governor said. And I know then the next day, theres a lot of spinning going on  that he was just thinking about something very complicated. It all sounds good. I dont buy into it.

He said moments like these should prompt people to then start thinking about stepping aside and letting a newer generation step in and then fill that vacuum.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In 2019, Westcliffe Elementary in Greenville, South Carolina, got troubling news: It was one of 265 schools in the state where more than a third of third graders failed to meet literacy standards.

Then the pandemic hit and there were bigger fish to fry, said Principal Beth Farmer.

But the state had a plan.

Teachers in those schools would receive two years of training in whats known as the science of reading and use a new curriculum with explicit phonics instruction. Farmer has already seen the payoff: Seventy-five percent of third graders met the goal this year, with similar improvement in fourth and fifth grades.

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What appeared to be some penalty  has ended up being a gift, she said.

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The progress sunk in when she recently talked to a student after a quiz. She said, I was reading 14 words per minute, and now I can read 43 words per minute. When a kid can verbalize that to you, thats real impact.

Greenville, with roughly 77,000 students, is South Carolinas largest district, so the results figure significantly into the states overall average. Fifty-four percent of third through eighth graders statewide scored proficient or above this year in English language arts  a big jump from the 45% of students at that level in 2019.

While most states remain behind, South Carolina and three others  Iowa, Mississippi and Tennessee  are recovering from or exceeding COVID-related declines in reading, according to researchers at Brown University. Iowa and Mississippi have also surpassed their 2019 performance in math. Experts say improvements in literacy instruction and an accelerated return to in-person learning are among the key policy decisions contributing to the rebound.

I am encouraged to see some states surpassing 2019, said economist Emily Oster , who leads Browns COVID-19 School Data Hub. This suggests substantial recovery is possible, and it provides an opportunity for learning.

She said its crucial to understand what those states have done right.

In Iowa, more than 80% of schools offered in-person learning during the 2020-21 school year, according to state officials. In January of 2021, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law mandating that schools offer families in-person learning five days a week.

Thats likely one reason why the achievement declines in Iowa were not as steep as those in other states, said Heather Doe, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Education. Between 2019 and 2021, the proficiency rate in English language arts dropped just 2 percentage points, compared with at least twice that much in several other states.

Once more state results are released, Oster plans to match the data with the length of time schools were closed during the 2020-21 school year, as she did last year. The overall takeaway from the previous report was that states where schools were closed longer saw bigger drops in proficiency  as high as 20%.

In the other states, leaders overhauled the way students learn to read, a shift that is now showing up in test results.

South Carolina and Mississippi were among the first states to adopt reform efforts that included a strong emphasis on foundational reading skills.

The turnaround in Mississippi  which in 2019 saw a dramatic leap in fourth grade reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress  has garnered much attention and analysis. But a similar push was underway in the Palmetto State.

The state assigned reading specialists to schools that needed to improve, like Westcliffe. And it gave districts a list of recommended curricula. Greenville chose a program from Savvas Learning Company, which Jeff McCoy, the districts associate superintendent for academics, described as more scripted than the districts prior approach.

We recognized that phonics was a missing component, he said.

The 2023-24 state budget passed this year included $39 million to make a highly regarded training course  Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling  available to all K-3 teachers.

Tennessee is a more recent addition to the states requiring training and curriculum on foundational reading skills. Its literacy law passed in 2020. The state also used relief funds for summer learning and high-dosage tutoring.

Dale Chu, a fellow with the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute and a policy consultant who focuses on assessment, sees an additional reason for achievement gains in Tennessee: Despite the pandemic, the state was less divided over education.

Unlike any other state, theyve largely had bipartisan continuity on education policy across three administrations, he said.

Parent advocate Sonya Thomas, executive director of Nashville Propel, said the scores are good news for students in the early grades since Tennessee spent several decades near the bottom in most educational rankings. But shes less optimistic about older students opportunities to catch up. Many, she said, are several grade levels behind.

Time is Running Out: COVID-19 Set Back Older Students the Most, Study Finds

Give this some time

Despite the positive developments, researchers and testing experts urge caution about interpreting the increase in proficiency rates as a sign of true recovery.

Scott Marion, president and executive director of the Center for Assessment, said Oster provides a pretty useful look at where states stand. But assessments arent comparable across states; what counts as proficient in one isnt necessarily the same in another.

Overall proficiency rates also tell just part of the story. In South Carolina, for example, racial achievement gaps havent changed much. In 2018, there was a 45 percentage point difference in proficiency rates between Asian and Black students in English language arts. Now its 43 points. In math, the gap has actually increased  from 52 to 54 percentage points.

Additionally, some students never cross the threshold from one achievement category to the next, in terms of going from does not meet expectations to approaches expectations, said Dan Goldhaber, director of the Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research at the American Institutes for Research.

Im particularly worried about kids at the bottom, who were unlikely to be proficient before or after the pandemic, he said.

In most states, proficiency rates in reading are still stuck below pre-pandemic levels. Scores in math are headed in the right direction; nearly all are making progress, according to Oster.

But her summary serves as a reminder of how long it will take for some students to rebound, Chu said. If you look at learning loss and what schools need to do to catch up, theres no precedent, he said. The [education] system has never done this before.

Despite billions in federal relief funds for tutoring, summer school and extra staff in the classroom, five states  Arkansas, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Nevada  have continued to lose ground in reading since 2019. The percentage of students scoring proficient or above dropped this year.

$190B Later, Reason to Worry Relief Funds Wont Curb COVIDs Academic Crisis

Minnesota, for one, is several years behind states like Mississippi in requiring reading instruction to include phonics. Just this year, the state passed the READ Act, legislation that provides $70 million for science of reading training and curriculum.

Last month, the Minneapolis districts disappointing literacy results sparked a sobering discussion at a school board meeting.

I would not say that it is a privilege to share this data, Sarah Hunter, the districts executive director of strategic initiatives, told the board. Since 2022, the percentage of district students who scored proficient decreased from 42% to 41%  the third consecutive year of decline. Board members blamed the pandemic and urged patience.

I know our scores are still low, said Ira Jourdain. Lets give this some time.

Such comments left some advocates feeling uneasy.

How do we hold districts accountable? asked Josh Crosson, executive director of EdAllies in Minneapolis. We have a lot of funding that goes to schools that arent doing well in literacy.

He thinks the READ Act is a step forward, but doesnt do enough to integrate literacy training and teacher preparation.

I dont think were going to see improved outcomes in these first couple months, he said. I think were going to see improved outcomes in the next few years.
When you hear the term valuable metal, your mind may go straight to gold or silver. But a recent discovery proves that the true goldmine is a major cache of lithium  and it may be closer to home than youd think.

Why is lithium valuable?

Lithium is a critical metal used for the creation of EV batteries.

Since the reserves of this metal are so limited, manufacturers have used recycled batteries to supplement their lithium needs and ensure there is enough for EV battery manufacturing.

The limited amount of lithium and other metals needed for the batteries, like cobalt and nickel, can create a bottleneck in generating new batteries.

Why is this lithium cache important?

The newly discovered lithium deposit is believed to be one of the worlds most significant and available sources of lithium  and its located in the United States.

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The McDermitt Caldera, on the border of Oregon and Nevada, is estimated to hold between 22 and 44 million tons of the metal, according to Futurism. This makes global leader Bolivias 23 million tons encased in salt flats look less significant.

If you believe their back-of-the-envelope estimation, this is a very, very significant deposit of lithium, Anouk Borst, a geologist at KU Leuven University, told Chemistry World. It could change the dynamics of lithium globally, in terms of price, security of supply, and geopolitics.

Unlike other global sources of lithium, which is often stored in brine or hard rocks, a good source of this deposits lithium is encased in clays and claystones.

The location of the clay-rich sedimentary material relative to the Earths surface makes removal of the metal easier and significantly cheaper than other global stores.

How will this impact the renewable energy economy?

This massive jackpot of lithium has the potential to catapult the United States into becoming even more of a critical player than it is in the global renewable energy economy.

Since lithium is currently a metal in short supply (and was listed on the 2022 United States Geological Surveys list of critical minerals essential to the countrys economy and national security), having major stores of it can speed up the production of batteries and potentially make it more affordable for manufacturers and consumers alike.

It may also make manufacturing EVs more practical than breaking ground to extract oil, coal, and gas to power the dirty-energy economy.

In addition, mining the clay-encased mineral should create less environmental damage than other lithium extraction methods.

Since most of the lithium stores are concentrated in part of the Thacker Pass in Nevada, it will reduce the amount of land that needs to be disturbed for mining. This can reduce negative environmental impacts, like surface pollution.

The mining operation has also had its fair share of controversy. Indigenous groups, who have claim over parts of the deposit, and conservationists have voiced their concerns with the environmental and cultural impacts of the program.

Advocates have argued that the ecological drawbacks of mining lithium are needed to produce clean energy batteries and rapidly decarbonize the economy. However, a district court denied the appeals in July 2023, and the project has since broken ground.

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Changing Arctic ice cover and prey availability are the reasons behind gray whales washing up dead along the Pacific coast since 2019, according to a new study.

Scientists have been perplexed by the surge of gray whale strandings since 2019 with estimates suggesting that the mammals population in the North Pacific have declined from a peak of around 27,000 in 2016 to about 14,500 in 2023.

These are extreme population swings that we did not expect to see in a large, long-lived species like gray whales, Joshua Stuart from Oregon State Universitys Marine Mammal Institute said in a statement.

When the availability of their prey in the Arctic is low, and the whales cannot reach their feeding areas because of sea ice, the gray whale population experiences rapid and major shocks, Dr Stuart, author of the new study published in the journal Science, said. The study sheds light on the impact of climate change on these marine mammals.

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The new research revealed that even highly mobile, long-lived species like gray whales are sensitive to climate change impacts.

Eastern North Pacific gray whales are one of the few populations of large whales in the world that have recovered to levels similar to those that existed prior to commercial whaling  making it a conservation success story in the post-whaling era.

Their population, which currently numbers about 14,500, migrate over 19,000km (12,000 miles) each year along the Pacific Coast  from the warm waters off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, in winter to the cold waters of the Arctic to feed during summer.

They are also the most closely studied large whale population on the planet, offering unique insights into factors affecting the species.

Researchers found from long term observation that unfavourable Arctic conditions led to two previous die-offs of these whales in the 1980s and the 1990s, which were not permanent as the population quickly rebounded with improved conditions.

But when a large number of gray whale strandings began occurring along the Pacific coast in 2019, scientists were perplexed about what was driving this latest unusual mortality event.

Now, by combining long-term data sets on the gray whale population with extensive environmental data from the Arctic, researchers found that the two Unusual Mortality Events in 1999 and 2019 are tied to sea ice levels in the Arctic and the biomass of seafloor-living crustaceans that the whales target for food.

They say years with less summer sea ice in the gray whales Arctic feeding areas provided increased foraging opportunities that benefited the population.

However, in the long term, decreasing sea ice cover due to rapid and accelerating climate change may not be beneficial to gray whales, scientists warn.

Deep sea shrimp-like crustaceans called amphipods which are the calorie-rich prey that gray whales prefer, are sensitive to sea ice cover, researchers say.

The amphipod population, according to scientists, is enriched by algae that grow underneath sea ice as it sinks to the seafloor.

But less ice leads to less algae reaching the seafloor, researchers warn.

They say warmer water also favors smaller deep sea crustaceans as well as faster currents that reduce habitat for gray whales preferred prey.

With less ice, you get less algae, which is worse for the gray whale prey. All of these factors are converging to reduce the quality and availability of the food they rely on, Dr Stuart explained.

Good news! A new count of gray whales suggests the eastern North Pacific population may be stabilizing after years of decline: https://t.co/ow1c47lUKd #WhaleWednesday @NOAAFish_WCRO pic.twitter.com/TFs0Brl5Sc  NOAA Fisheries (@NOAAFisheries) August 16, 2023

Less prey availability ultimately leads to gray whale die-offs such as in the most recent event, which is is still considered ongoing, continuing significantly longer than the two earlier events.

We are in uncharted territory now. The two previous events, despite being significant and dramatic, only lasted a couple of years, Dr Stewart said.

The most recent mortality event has slowed and there are signs things are turning around, but the population has continued to decline. One reason it may be dragging on is the climate change component, which is contributing to a long-term trend of lower-quality prey, he added.
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf reacts after delivering a speech on stage during the Scottish National Party (SNP) annual conference, in Aberdeen, on October 17, 2023 (ANDY BUCHANAN)

Scottish nationalist leader Humza Yousaf pledged Tuesday to use Britain's next general election to push for independence, even if his party loses several seats as expected.

Yousaf told the Scottish National Party (SNP) conference in Aberdeen that he was committed to building "sustained majority" support for Scotland becoming independent from the UK.

The SNP will claim it has "a mandate for independence negotiations" with the British government if it wins a majority of Scottish seats at the UK election expected in 2024.

"At the next election, page one, line one of our manifesto will say 'vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country,'" Yousaf told cheering delegates.

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Scotland rejected independence in a 2014 referendum that the UK government says has settled the question.

But the SNP says it will push for independence negotiations with Westminster and a second referendum if it wins at least 29 of the 57 seats up for grabs in Scotland.

The separatist party currently has 43 MPs in Scotland.

However, it has suffered a drop in popularity in recent months following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as party leader and Scotland's first minister.

Sturgeon was the figurehead of the independence movement, overseeing a surge in support, particularly after Brexit, in which Scotland opposed leaving the European Union, and during the Covid pandemic.

But in February, she unexpectedly announced her resignation, sparking a bitter leadership contest that Yousaf won. Sturgeon was later arrested with her husband over claims of mismanagement of SNP finances.

The SNP's travails have coincided with a resurgent Labour Party that leads British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's ruling Conservatives in national opinion polls.

The SNP recently lost a key by-election near Glasgow to Labour, while a lawmaker quit to join the Conservatives this week.

Polling experts have predicted that Labour could recapture dozens of seats from the SNP in Scotland. Analysts say it needs to if it is to return to power in the British government.

"The Tories are finished, Labour has abandoned its principles, but the SNP will always stand by ours," Yousaf said, announcing a local tax freeze and extra investment for Scotland's health service.

Yousaf, whose in-laws are trapped in Gaza amid the war between Israel and Hamas, urged Hamas to release its hostages and called for the opening of a humanitarian corridor to allow people to evacuate the Palestinian territory.

pdh/jwp/cw
Editors note: Star visual journalist Emily Curiel is on the hunt for the best carne asada taco in the Kansas City area. Join this native of Los Angeles in our new video series, Taco Tales, as she searches for the taco that checks all the boxes on her list of whats required for a perfect 10 out of 10.

Tiki Taco was an early find for taco critic Emily Curiel when she moved to Kansas City from California nearly two years ago.

Tiki Taco, 5400 Troost Ave., welcomed her with a captivating color palette reminiscent of a vibrant sunset. The red, white and orange tiles transported her to a beachy paradise. The restaurants logo, a whimsical creation featuring a taco, perfectly matched the theme.

The red neon sign bathed the surroundings in a warm, beachy glow.

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Would this place provide her with the 10 out of 10?

A carne asada taco is a Mexican-inspired street taco that has skirt or flank steak, onions, cilantro and other vegetables for the filler, salsa and finished with some lime juice squeezed over it.

Watch the video to find out how Curiel scored Tiki Tacos carne asada taco.

More about this love affair with tacos

With a Mexican father, Curiel grew up surrounded by the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine, especially the cherished carne asada taco.

Her frequent visits to family in Mexico, particularly in Guadalajara and Tijuana, provided ample opportunities to savor the flavors and rich traditions of expertly crafted tacos and offered her a firsthand glimpse into the dedication and love that skilled taqueros poured into their craft.

Curiels passion for good tacos goes beyond her family heritage. She says she watched several episodes of The Taco Chronicles on Netflix and during her undergraduate years studying to be a visual journalist at San Francisco State University she was regularly pitching and covering stories on this dish that has become an essential staple in her life and a reflection of her personality.

She really loves tacos.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken exchanged a warm greeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.

The pair met in Amman, Jordan, to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Blinken remained silent when reporters asked whether he was hopeful that aid would begin flowing in the near future, however.

While the U.S. has fully endorsed Israel's right to defend itself and to retaliate against Hamas terrorists, President Biden's administration has distinguished between Hamas and the Palestinian people.

Blinken smiled and shook Abbas' hand as they joked that the U.S. official should buy a house in Amman given how much time he had been spending in the region.

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FORMER ISRAELI SOLDIER SUGGESTS HOSTAGE RESCUE OPERATIONS BEHIND DELAY IN GROUND INVASION OF GAZA

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, speaks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting in Amman on Oct. 13, 2023.

Abbas and Blinken's meeting comes as Israel is poised to begin a ground invasion of Northern Gaza. The Israeli military has spent nearly a week warning Gaza residents to flee toward the south, though Hamas has sought to obstruct that movement.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

BRUTAL HAMAS 'SHADOW UNIT' LIKELY BEHIND HOSTAGE RAIDS POSES RESCUE NIGHTMARE: EXPERT

Blinken held a similar meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. There, he reiterated America's support for Israel, but also highlighted the humanitarian situation.

Israel has not set a date for its invasion of Gaza, though it has been delayed from initial plans.

The Biden administration's push for aid for Palestinians has received some criticism at home. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., has argued that the aid will simply fall into the hands of Hamas. Several Republican 2024 presidential candidates have also stated that the U.S. must not accept any refugees from Gaza.

VIDEOS OF HAMAS BRUTALITY TOWARD ISRAELIS EERILY REMINISCENT OF ISIS TACTICS

Egypt, Jordan and Gaza's other Arab neighbors have also refused to accept refugees from the conflict.

Hamas killed at least 1,400 in a surprise terror attack that hit men, women, children and older civilians on Oct. 7.

Biden is scheduled to travel to Israel personally later Tuesday.





Original article source: Sec Blinken exchanges warm greeting with Palestinian president, remains silent on aid for Gaza
Sen. Michael Bennet requested information from several tech giants Tuesday about their efforts to respond to the spread of misinformation about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Colorado Democrat sent a letter to the heads of Facebook-parent Meta, Google-parent Alphabet, TikTok and X  the platform formerly known as Twitter  expressing concerns about false and misleading content related to the conflict.

False claims about the conflict have spread rapidly on social media in the days since Hamas launched its initial attack on Israel, with old, unrelated photos and videos and even video game footage being misrepresented as current and genuine.

In many cases, your platforms algorithms have amplified this content, contributing to a dangerous cycle of outrage, engagement, and redistribution, Bennet said in Tuesdays letter. Your platforms have made particular design decisions that hamper your ability to identify and remove illegal and dangerous content.

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He pointed to several decisions by the tech companies, including recent cuts to teams focused on fact-checking and content moderation at X, Meta and Google.

These decisions contribute to a cascade of violence, paranoia, and distrust around the world, the senator said. Your platforms are helping produce an information ecosystem in which basic facts are increasingly in dispute, while untrustworthy sources are repeatedly designated as authoritative.

The letter follows a series of recent warnings from the European Union to the same four tech companies over the spread of misinformation and violent content related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton sent the strongest warnings to X owner Elon Musk and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, noting that there were indications the platforms were being used to spread illegal content and disinformation.

Breton said in both letters that the social media companies had failed to take down illegal content flagged by authorities and emphasized the need to put in place proportionate and effective mitigation measures to address disinformation.

Despite X CEO Linda Yaccarinos response  which noted that the platform has removed hundreds of accounts linked to Hamas and removed or labeled tens of thousands of pieces of content in the wake of the conflict  Breton said Thursday that the EU had launched a probe into Xs handling of Israel-Hamas content.

Bennet acknowledged the recent statements the four tech companies have made about their efforts to counteract misinformation but argued that the mountain of false content clearly demonstrates that your current policies and protocols are inadequate and urged them to take immediate and concerted action.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.) on Monday called Hamas cold-blooded murderers and said the group has terrorized both Israelis and Palestinians living in Gaza.

Hamas are cold-blooded murderers, terrorists. Theyve terrorized the Palestinian people and, obviously, the 1,300-plus Israelis that have been killed and literally hundreds that are now being held hostage, Warner said in an interview on CNNs The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.

The Hamas leadership has had no pity at all for the Palestinian people. They have put their military bases under mosques, around homes, he continued. They have, frankly, tried to restrict the Palestinians from the northern part of Gaza from migrating down to the south, where it appears there will be less violence.

Warner stressed the importance of distinguishing between the Palestinian people and Hamas, which is designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization, and stressed the ways Hamas was working against the innocent people living in Gaza.

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You can have appropriate empathy for innocent Palestinian citizens. But I dont think at all that should translate into any kind of sympathy for Hamas, Warner said.

The Hamas terrorists, frankly, in Gaza, they were losing popular support at record levels. And remember, it is Israel who has warned these Palestinians to leave the northern part of Gaza, he said. We are trying to work with the Egyptians and others to get that gate open in the south, so at least Palestinian Americans can get out. Again, I think Hamas is putting some limitations on that.

Warners comments come as Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion of Gaza, after issuing a warning through the United Nations for residents to leave the northern part of the strip.

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israels southern border more than a week ago, and Israel has launched a barrage of airstrikes in Gaza in the time since.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An older adult was scammed out of more than $100,000 by two men who pretended to be technology support professionals, according to a Chandler Police Department release.

Police said Friday, Oct. 6, that they investigated a report of an 88-year-old who was defrauded of more than $100,000. The 88-year-old also told police of a second transaction with the scammers that involved a large sum of gold coins and was scheduled to occur in the next few days.

Officials said 24-year-old Jeet Panchal and 28-year-old Farhan Shaikh were arrested on account of their involvement in the crime Monday, Oct. 9, after police located them in Buckeye.

Panchal and Shaikh were booked on charges of theft, fraud scheme and assisting a criminal syndicate, police said.

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Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced in June that her office would create a new department, the Elder Affairs Unit, devoted to handling cases where seniors are abused and defrauded.

The announcement followed a report from the FBI that showed Arizona had 3,543 victims of elder fraud  the fifth highest in the country in 2022. California, the most populous state in the country, topped the list at 11,517 followed by Florida, Texas and New York.

Chandler crime: Woman who kept 55 dogs in her house of horrors can't have them back, judge rules

Seniors who believe they or others have been scammed can contact the Arizona Attorney General's Office at 602-542-2124 or email seniorabuse@azag.gov.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Senior scammed out of $100K by 2 men posing as IT professionals
A former Georgia Insurance Commissioner, convicted on fraud charges after a 2019 arrest, had his sentence reduced in federal court Monday.

Former commissioner Jim Beck was arrested and found guilty on 37 counts of fraud, accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering more than $2 million, as previously reported by Channel 2 Action News.

After the charges were presented in 2019, Gov. Brian Kemp suspended Beck from the position.

A jury convicted the former commissioner nine days later. He was sentenced to about seven years in federal prison.

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

Following Becks conviction and sentencing, the former commissioner told Channel 2s Elizabeth Rawlins he wanted to move on, and was grateful to the jury for serving justice.

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Mondays court records show Beck will serve six-and-a-half years in federal prison, rather than the original seven years and three months.

While his sentence was reduced by nine months, he still owes millions of dollars in restitution.

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Similar to his previous sentence, Beck still owes restitution to multiple financial organizations, including the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, according to court records.

The judges order said Beck will have to pay back a total of $2.62 million to the Georgia Underwriters Association and the IRS.

Between the two, Beck owes the IRS about $358,400, and $2.26 million to the GUA and their insurer, Cincinnati Insurance Company, according to court records.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
State records reveal just how dangerous Wayne County's juvenile jail remained for youths in recent months despite increased state oversight, with one child beaten so badly by other residents that he was hospitalized and a scan found blood on his brain. Another reported he was sexually assaulted in a medical room closet.

It's the second report of a sexual assault to emerge publicly this year at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center in Hamtramck, which has struggled to improve conditions described by critics as deplorable and inhumane.

Police still are investigating the possible March sexual assault of a 12-year-old boy by other youths in the facility.

The two more recent incidents  the beating in May and the second alleged sexual assault in June  were investigated this summer by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services officials, which oversees the facility's license.

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The state found repeat violations of how staff supervised youths and that an employee delayed telling his managers about the possible sexual assault because it was a "rumor," even though the alleged victim told him what happened, according to the MDHHS investigations reviewed by the Free Press.

Also this spring, state licensing staff found a slew of violations detailed in a report posted online Tuesday that recommends the facility be put on a first provisional license for six months.

The process could eventually lead to the juvenile jail losing the state license after a third provisional license. A state official said it couldn't operate without a license.

Leaders at MDHHS haven't acted on the provisional license recommendation yet, with a spokesman saying that the county is working with the state to "address concerns identified in this investigation".

"No decision on the recommendation has been made because the Department is doing its due diligence on ongoing investigations at (the juvenile jail) before finalizing its decision," spokesman Bob Wheaton wrote in an email to the Free Press.

"MDHHS does not compromise on child safety and will continue to support the safety of youth in detention."

There were 28 open state licensing investigations at the juvenile jail as of last week.

County officials said they could not comment on the latest alleged sex assault or the beating because of ongoing investigations.

But spokeswoman Megan Kirk said that no youth received "a diagnosis of bleeding on the brain", despite the hospital scan results mentioned in documents as part of the state investigation. The age of the youth who reported he was sexually assaulted wasn't publicly released.

A state monitor is onsite around the clock at the facility.

The state monitoring started after the March alleged sex assault. The state pulled its employees out of the facility for about two weeks in early June because it said conditions had improved. But it sent them back June 20 in response to another incident, which officials would not disclose to the Free Press.

"(The facility) participates in regular (corrective action plan) reviews with the State and remains compliant per their recommendations," Kirk wrote in an email Monday.

The state investigation posted online on Tuesday confirms much of what the Free Press has been reporting for more than a year about deteriorating conditions in the facility.

The investigation this spring found feces-covered rooms, a shortage of basic hygiene products like toothpaste, youths without bed sheets or clean clothes, along with a lack of regular showers, recreation time and schooling.

There was no documentation in February that a youth received his mental health medication for seven days; he alleged he hadn't received it in three weeks.

Health assessments were performed late, in one case five months after admission. They are supposed to happen in 24 hours.

And a boy lost 50 pounds during his confinement after he refused to eat. He was hospitalized in December of 2022. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 170 pounds when he was admitted to the juvenile jail in July 2022. His psychiatrist reported he was depressed and "hopeless".

The state staff also found the facility was in violation because Melissa Fernandez, the county's director of Juvenile and Youth Services, had not performed responsibilities as the chief administrator when it came to day-to-day operations and "ensuring compliance" with licensing rules.

"(Fernandez) reported she was unaware of the multiple issues that her facility was having, although she reported that she walks through the facility daily," the state report reads.

"(Fernandez) has not been inserting herself into her role completely and by her own admission, she has not felt responsible to perform the role or take responsibility for the role."

Fernandez told state investigators she doesnt believe she is the chief administrator for the day-to-day operations, even though her name is on the facility license and she signs the state corrective action plans that the county agrees to follow.

A call to Fernandez and a county spokeswoman Tuesday morning wasn't immediately returned.

MDHHS denied a Free Press FOIA for their investigation on Monday because it stated it was a "disclosure of which would interfere with law enforcement proceedings" but posted it online a day later.

Beating causes trip to hospital

Cary McGehee, an attorney for the 12-year-old boy's family, calls the new sexual assault allegation and the beating tragic, but predictable.

This whole situation is just so disgraceful, said McGehee. "The circumstances that happened most recently are just like deja vu all over again.

"Staff is not properly trained, or disciplined, and these rooms are not locked. They are perfect areas for kids to go in and engage in misconduct and nobody's watching."

McGehee filed court papers in September saying the 12-year-old boy's mother plans to sue the state in part for violating her son's civil rights, gross negligence and doing nothing to prevent the "cruel and unusual treatment of minors." Wheaton would not comment on the possible litigation.

The crisis at the juvenile jail came to a flash point in March when county officials said Michigan State Police were investigating the alleged sexual and physical assault.

The Free Press has documented for more than a year the dangerous conditions at the county-run facility, including that youths were locked in rooms for long periods.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans has primarily blamed a severe statewide shortage of places to send children from the jail who have been ordered by judges into treatment, causing overcrowding compounded by staffing shortages. Many youths have been waiting for a transfer for months after their cases were adjudicated.

As of Monday, the facility had 114 youths. Of those, 35 have cases that are already adjudicated, Kirk said.

The state currently allows the facility to bend lockdown and staffing rules because of the overcrowding and staffing shortages. That includes allowing a staff-to-resident ratio of 1 to 20 during the day, instead of 1 to 10 normally required.

Elizabeth Hertel, director of the MDHHS, in part cited "inadequate supervision" for the continued additional around-the-clock oversight after the March incident.

A state monitor was onsite during the May 31 fight where a youth was beaten so badly by four other residents that he was hospitalized with a head injury, according to an MDHHS investigation.

The boy said the residents pummeled him inside an empty bedroom after they warned him to give up his snack and dinner. A county incident report said "that the other boys gave him the choice of getting hit in the face where he stood or go in the room."

"Youth A states he blacked out and recalls waking up at a table on the unit with Supervisor 1 before being taken to the medical area in a wheelchair," the investigator wrote after interviewing the victim.

One of the youths who beat him thought he was dead, according to the report.

A log book entry from facility staff the day prior notes the juvenile told an employee that other residents were threatening to take his food. And a staffer told investigators that the bedroom door "had previously broke and could not be secured."

The state cited the facility for two violations, noting staff "did not coordinate all activities of the residents so that visible contact is maintained, and the actions of the residents are always known, per facility policy."

The violations require the facility to produce a correction action plan that includes steps for preventing future problems.

The youth's condition today is not clear although the report said he returned to the facility after his hospital stay. State and county officials declined to comment citing privacy laws. And juvenile court records are shielded from public view, making it difficult for the Free Press to try to track down the youth's family to find out.

Staffer fired after alleged sex assault

State monitors were no longer on site June 12 when the alleged sexual assault occurred in a closet in an unlocked medical room.

That's because by June 5 county and state officials both agreed conditions had improved so much they weren't needed.

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, director of the county's Department of Health, Human and Veteran Services, also lifted a rare public health emergency order he instituted, which helped it immediately increase pay to hire and retain more staff.

At the time, El-Sayed said the county opened up additional living areas, called pods, to boost safety, the state helped place more than 40 youths in other facilities, including in nearby counties, and more treatment options were added.

But the state would find a lack of supervision was still a problem in the June 12 alleged assault.

A youth told state investigators that another resident told him to go into an unlocked room and that staff didn't notice them. He said he had been bullied by the youth and fought with him over snacks. He said he was forced to have sex with the other youth, according to his interview with the state investigator.

Video surveillance confirms the two were in the medical room together alone for about 6 minutes before a staffer found them in the closet with the door closed.

"Staff Person 1 reports he ordered Youth A and B out of the room, following which Youth A reported the alleged sexual assault to him," the state investigator wrote about his interview with the employee. "Staff Person 1 reported that he did not report the allegations to any supervisor, as he had no proof and considered the allegations a 'rumor.' "

That staffer told investigators that the youth told him he "wanted the sexual attention from Youth B." Two other county incident reports from that day conflict: one says the youth reported he was forced to engage in a sexual act and the other says the youth said it was "consensual."

The other youth denied being in the medical room and said he didn't have sexual contact with any resident, according to the state investigators interview.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is investigating the possible assault.

The county fired the staffer the day after the incident, according to the state report. The state cited the facility for a rules violation, saying, "Staff did not appropriately supervise residents resulting in sexual contact between two youth."

MDHHS sent monitors back in on June 20 out of an abundance of caution after being alerted to an incident they said was under investigation by the state, but would not say what happened.

Repeated violations continue

Other recent state investigations into April incidents show the facility dinged with other violations, including two staff members who were found sleeping, one for six hours in a classroom with the lights off, according to video surveillance and interviews with other staff.

Also log books designed to record all events every half hour, like showers and recreation time, were not filled out by staff in one unit for most of March.

And there were unapproved sliding locks placed on the bottom of bedroom doors with plastic spoons and a toothbrush used to keep them in place, according to another state report.

In a state license renewal inspection report completed late last month, several staff and youths were interviewed by investigators. Three juveniles said they felt safe and were showering every other day. But three of four staff members reported "feeling overwhelmed with limited support from management."

"One staff reported that the direct care staff feel ill equipped to safely supervise the youth, stating that there is a culture of 'no consequences' for the youth and they do not have resources from management to support safety on the pods," the report reads.

In October 2022, to improve safety, Evans moved youths from the old juvenile detention facility in downtown Detroit to the William Dickerson Detention Facility, a vacant adult jail in Hamtramck. But youths continued to find ways to break out of their rooms.

Dan Gilbert's real estate firm is building Wayne County's new jail and courthouse complex, which includes a new juvenile facility. The county told the state they plan to move in early 2024.

McGehee, the lawyer for the 12-year-old, said the "state of Michigan and Wayne County just continues to not take care of the problem."

Her law firm has been part of a group of attorneys who have sued the Michigan Department of Corrections in class-action cases with similar sex abuse allegations.

I really think until the state allocates money to create more residential treatment facilities that this overcrowding, understaffing and incidents of sexual assault and sexual and physical assaults are going to continue to happen, McGehee said.

The 12-year-old was awaiting placement in a treatment center when the incident happened, McGehee said.

State officials have said they are working to increase capacity at residential treatment facilities, allocating $3 million to Spectrum Human Services, which runs a facility in Highland Park. They say they have worked with other counties to accept Wayne County youth and worked with county officials to implement a day treatment program for facility youth.

Staff writer Gina Kaufman and JC Reindl contributed to this report. Contact Christine MacDonald: cmacdonald@freepress.com or 313-418-2149. Follow her on X: @cmacfreep.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New sex assault allegation at Wayne County juvenile jail, records show
Sheila Berrys relationship with her brother held complications and layers. She lives in the Seattle area. Steven Behnke was in Arlington. They did not talk every day.

The siblings had begun by early 2020 to connect as they had not in years. Happiness flowed from Berrys more regular chats with her brother.

By now they may have been discussing the pains of aging.

I would have teased him about getting old and he would remind me I wasnt far behind, Berry said on Tuesday as she addressed via Zoom her brothers wife, Wendy Behnke, inside a Fort Worth courtroom.

Conversations like those are not possible because, after Steven Behnke sought to divorce his wife amid years of emotional abuse and abandonment, she shot him to death, according to Allenna Bangs, a deputy chief in the criminal division at the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office.

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Wendy Behnke could not accept that he had moved on, the prosecutor said.

On Friday, Wendy Behnke pleaded guilty to murder as her trial was to begin in the 371st District Court in Tarrant County.

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A pool of about 120 potential jurors was summoned for selection to a smaller panel that would have heard evidence at the trial. The potential jurors were waiting outside the central jury room when the district attorneys office made a new plea bargain offer, according to defense attorney Christy Jack of the law firm Varghese Summersett.

After negotiations, the state and defense settled at 12 years in prison. State District Judge Ryan Hill sentenced the defendant to that term.

Wendy Behnke, who is 48, will become eligible for parole after she serves six years. Had a jury found her guilty of murder, it would have considered a prison term of between five to 99 years or life.

She deserves to spend the next 12 years in the penitentiary, Bangs, the prosecutor, wrote in a statement to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Wendy Behnke shot her husband on March 16, 2020, at a home on Corona Court in Arlington. She then called 911 and said what she had done.

Steven Behnke, who was 49, died within an hour at a hospital of gunshot wounds of the chest and abdomen, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office.

This is a tragic case for all involved and there are no winners, Jack, the defense attorney, wrote in a statement to the Star-Telegram.

As Berry was speaking on Zoom, the judge signaled that the defendant should pay attention. Berry said she wondered what may have been  if Wendy Behnke had stayed in St. Louis, where she had moved for graduate school.

My grief has been combined with anger, Berry said. Anger that Steven was murdered by his wife, a person who was supposed to love him. She was living in St. Louis, why couldnt she just continue living her life and let him live his? She chose to return to Texas and murder Steven.

Berry told her former sister-in-law that she has a wish that Behnkes prison cellmate snores.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said Tuesday he is "confident" that Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton is not actively working to impeach him.

The comments come days after the Tennessee Lookout, a nonprofit watchdog newspaper based in Nashville, reported that Sexton, a Republican from Crossville, was pondering Mulroy's ouster.

"I think it's useful to know that Speaker Sexton has not been affirmatively trying to push the idea of removal of any prosecutor, any DA, in the State of Tennessee," Mulroy said Tuesday. "This was a question that was asked by a particular reporter who brought up the subject. If you take a look at the actual quotes of Speaker Sexton, he's never actually suggested that he's seriously considering the idea."

Mulroy said he spoke with Sexton's chief of staff Tuesday morning, prior to his press availability, and said he is "confident that's not the case," in terms of Sexton actively working to impeach him.

Sexton's comments came alongside complaints and concerns he said he had about juvenile crime in Shelby County. Mulroy said he will be meeting with Sexton in the "near future" to discuss the topic.

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"At the end of the day, the only way we're going to tackle this problem is if we work collaboratively, and that means all the local agencies in Shelby County working collaboratively, and it also means us collaborating with the state," he said. "And we need to not be pointing fingers at each other. So I really do look forward to sitting down with the speaker, or his chief of staff, and sharing with them all the things we're doing right now, but also the ways that the state can help us because, if they're concerned about it, then they need to provide us the resources that we need to tackle the problem."

Mulroy also said that juvenile crime has been an ongoing issue in Shelby County, and was rising for years before he took office.

"Juvenile crime has been a rising problem in Shelby County for a number of years before I took office," Mulroy said. "And by the way, parenthetically, during that time no one ever talked about impeaching the DA of Shelby County. In the last year that I've been in office, we've taken a number of steps to address the problem. We substantially increased the staff of our juvenile court prosecutorial unit. We have also set up a special unit within our office to deal specifically with vehicle thefts and vehicle burglaries which certainly are rising and are a significant problem."

Questions about discretion and blended sentencing

Sexton had told reporters that Mulroy was not a fan of the blended sentencing bill he introduced during the August special session, saying Mulroy believed it was "too hard." Though Mulroy said Tuesday he disagreed with one aspect of the bill, he said he was glad to see the speaker recognize the importance of blended sentencing.

Blended sentencing allows juvenile court to maintain custody of a juvenile convicted of certain crimes when they grow too old for the juvenile system, which happens after they turn 19. Mulroy said this is a tactic that could lower the recidivism rate for youths. In October 2022, he and Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon said they would petition the state to support a pilot program in Shelby County.

The disagreement between Mulroy and Sexton came when he said the bill that was introduced took away discretion from local DAs and set guidelines that local DAs would have to follow based on the charges and the kid's age.

More: 'Get out of our silos.' Memphis, Shelby Co., state officials meet for crime summit

Mulroy called that an "overly rigid, restrictive approach," saying that there should be the option for a local DA and juvenile court judge to decide how best to proceed with a case.

"If the concern by those who want to make it mandatory is that it won't be used often enough, or won't be used effectively, then I say give us a chance," Mulroy said. "Allow the DAs to retain their discretion. All the juvenile court judges to retain their discretion. Give us this tool, sit back and wait a year or two, and I predict that we will use it and we will use it effectively. There will be no need for a straitjacket of rigid automatic requirements."

Juvenile court transfers are lower

Mulroy also said Tuesday that transfers from Shelby County's juvenile court to the adult criminal court system are "lower in my first year in office than they were in the comparable period under the prior administration," but he noted that his office is "still "not shy" in requesting case transfers for serious charges, especially in murder cases.

"In my view, [the lower transfers] is a good thing because one of the things I talked about in the campaign is that we did too much in Shelby County," he said. "We did more adult transfers in Shelby County along, year after year after year, than every other county in Tennessee combined. 95% of them were Black, and as I said earlier, the statistics show that when we did that, the likelihood that they would re-offend when they came out was higher than if we hadn't done it."

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Steve Mulroy 'confident' he won't be ousted by high-ranking TN Republican
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A push to crack down on juvenile crime in Shelby County makes it to Nashville, and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton says District Attorney Steve Mulroy is to blame.

Sexton said if Mulroy becomes part of the problem and not the solution, impeachment could be on the table.

You have to be derelict-ing your duty, which is a high bar, especially when you have discretion. So is it possible? Yes, but can you do it right now? I dont think hes gone to that level yet, Sexton said.

According to TBI, juvenile crime in the state has actually gone down in the last decade. But in Memphis, thats not entirely the case, which is why Sexton called on the DA to either step up or get out.

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People in surrounding counties say the juvenile crime in Memphis is so bad its also impacting them.

Surveillance video from August showed the moment five thieves from Memphis busted through the window of Whiskey Business in Covington, stealing thousands of dollars worth of inventory.

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Its the wild wild west in Memphis. Theres no consequences, theres no consequences, said landlord Judson Naifeh. If youre going to be a bad element, stay in Memphis. Because Steve McCroy or whatever his name is, hes not doing anything. Hes letting them out scott free.

Its the same old story, according to House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who called on Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy to take action against the juvenile crime plaguing our city.

To have a DA down there who says juvenile crime is not running amuck tells you, is he not listening to the people? Does he not see it? Why doesnt he if everybody else sees it? Sexton said.

Memphis mayor facing rising crime pleads, Punish them

According to the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission, serious juvenile charges are down 8.3% this year compared to 2022, but overall, juvenile charges are up nearly 31%.

Multiple attempts to speak with Mulroy went unanswered, but in a statement, he said juvenile crime has been an issue in Shelby County for years, and he and his team have taken steps to address it.

Itll take time and state and local agencies working together to turn this around, Mulroy said.

Teens rob McDonalds, crash into police car on Lamar in minutes

In his statement, Mulroy said that impeachment would be inappropriate based on a police disagreement.

It is worth noting since Mulroy took office last year, the number of juveniles who are repeat offenders has dropped more than 25%.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon , who is presiding over former President Donald Trump 's classified documents case in Florida, issued an order to special counsel Jack Smith's office Tuesday scolding the prosecutors for not providing access to classified materials to the defense in an "accredited facility" within the Southern District of Florida, MSNBC's Katie Phang reports. The order follows the prosecution and defense's squabble this week over the case's discovery process, during which both parties exchange records about witnesses and evidence they may present at trial, according to The Messenger.

In a Sunday night filing, Trump's attorneys said Smith's office had not yet made around 2,400 pages of classified discovery available for review in the district and asked for an extension to file additional motions. Prosecutors, who have provided over 1.3 million pages of unclassified records in the case, partially objected to the extension request Tuesday. While they did not reject a 10-day extension regarding classified records, of which the case involves thousands of pages, they did oppose any motion to extend deadlines for unclassified discovery motions.

Experts criticized Cannon's order online. "Shouldnt we just refer to her as Trump defense counsel Cannon?" Norman Ornstein, an emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, said on X, formerly Twitter. "I'm trying to think of a single time in a case involving classified information that my convenience or proximity to access to the relevant [sensitive compartmented information facility] was a consideration," national security lawyer Bradley Moss added. Phang pointed out that Cannon also recently scolded a prosecutor on Smith's team in Trump co-defendant Walt Nauta's contentious conflict-of-interest hearing that was rescheduled for Friday. "I am interested to see how Judge Cannon reacts to the DOJ at this hearing on Friday." Phang tweeted. "Her very visible irritation and dressing-down of the Special Counsels team last week was remarkable, to say the least."
In a surprising move, one of San Luis Obispo Countys residential treatment centers for military veterans announced Monday it is closing its doors effective immediately.

Legacy Village Wellness & Recovery Center, a residential rehabilitation center that specializes in working with veteran clients with substance abuse disorders, announced it would close permanently after the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs office reduced the flow of new clients to the facility to a trickle earlier this year, CEO Dennis Farmer told The Tribune.

Last weekend, the VA denied a previous veteran client of Legacy Village who specifically asked to be sent back to the Nipomo facility and sent them to a residential treatment facility in Orange County instead, Farmer said.

The Orange County facility provides the same services as Legacy Village, is also part of the Community Care Network that the VA uses to treat veterans at residential facilities, and is farther from the veterans home than Legacy Village, but the VA decided not to refer to the closer facility, he said.

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That decision was the death knell for the Nipomo-based treatment center, Farmer said.

I dont want to think that it was made personal, but youd have a hard time convincing me that its not, Farmer said.

Legacy Village Wellness Center CEO Dennis Farmer stands outside the treatment center in Nipomo. The facilitys future is in jeopardy following what Legacy Village says was an apparent decision by the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Office to stop referring clients to them. John Lynch/jlynch@thetribunenews.com

Why did Legacy Village close its doors?

Legacy Village was founded by Farmer in Kern County in 2015 and originally was open to any client with a substance abuse disorder.

In January 2020, it changed its programming to be exclusive to veteran clients and moved into a 26-acre ranch in Nipomo, Farmer said.

Since its founding, Legacy Village contributed to more than 800 clients recoveries, with around 300 of those coming in the past three years when the facility worked with veterans, Farmer said in a news release.

More than 50% of the facilitys veteran clients were still in recovery one year after graduating from the program, the news release said.

That was until 2023, when a change in how the VA interprets the 2018 MISSION Act began to exclude Legacy Village from receiving new clients from the VAs referral system, spelling catastrophic consequences for residential treatment facilities such as Legacy Village, Farmer said in the release.

In the past, the VA screened clients and determined whether they should be treated at VA facilities such as the Domiciliary in Los Angeles, or at residential facilities that are part of the Community Care Network, such as Legacy Village.

The Community Care Network is a collection of non-VA clinics that provide treatment for veterans in their own communities. Veterans could opt into the Community Care Network if they lived more than 40 miles from their nearest VA health center or if appointment wait times at the VA exceeded 30 days.

Legacy Village in Nipomo is a residential rehabilitation facility helping veterans with mental health and substance use disorders. Laura Dickinson/ldickinson@thetribunenews.com

This year, the number of incoming referrals fell significantly as the VA began to treat more clients at its facilities. Legacy Village would have normally treated around 80 clients by the end of August, but by that time this year, the facility had treated only 40, Farmer said.

When Farmer first noticed the slowdown in new clients in early spring, he asked the VA for an explanation but did not receive clear answers, he said.

After The Tribune published a story in May on the declining referrals, Legacy Village was the subject of three separate complaints by the Greater Los Angeles VA, which had never happened before, Farmer said.

Farmer said he believes these complaints were lodged in an attempt to intimidate him and were never followed by punishments, leaving Legacy Villages contract with the VA in good standing.

Farmer said that on a recent call with the Los Angeles VAs leadership, he offered to reduce Legacy Villages rates by 33% in an effort to keep the lights on, though he doubted the programmings price was an issue.

A week later, he still hadnt heard back from the VA.

With the reduced flow of VA clients making it difficult to keep operating, Farmer said he considered opening the facilitys services to first responder clients, but its now been several weeks since the last VA client graduated from the program, cutting off that pipeline and its timely funding entirely.

Payments through TriWest Healthcare Alliance  which covers most veterans benefits  usually took just seven to 10 days after clients started treatment, whereas commercial healthcare can take anywhere from 60 to 90 days, Farmer said.

Thats not fast enough to keep staff and bills paid in the short term, so, with eligible veteran clients being sent to other facilities, it was clear Legacy Village could not continue, Farmer said.

David Doc Oliver, left, sits with veterans Joe Franceschi, center, and Brian Clark, right, on the front porch of Nipomo-based Legacy Village Wellness Center. Clark and Franceschi were clients of the facility but were discharged from the organizations care following what Legacy Village says was an apparent decision by the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Office to stop referring clients to them. John Lynch/jlynch@thetribunenews.com

What will happen to Legacy Village?

As of Monday, all 26 full- and part-time staff members have been let go, Farmer said.

I think everyones angry more than anything else, Farmer said. Its not an anger that were closed, because something will happen and life will move on. (Were) angry because how do you stand up against a government agency thats doing something so egregiously wrong?

Its not yet known what will happen to the Nipomo ranch property, though Farmer said nearby equine therapy foundation Elite Vocations  which also specializes in treating veteran clients  has expressed some interest in leasing the property.

On a personal level, Ill have the resources between the sale of that property and some other stuff to be able to open another (residential treatment facility), Farmer said. I just cant see doing it anywhere where I would have to be involved with (the) Greater Los Angeles (VA).

In an attempt to downsize the operation and survive, Farmer said Legacy Village purchased a permanent, 10-acre property on Pomeroy Road in Nipomo as its next home, but now it will sell the property.

Though Legacy Village is closed, Farmer said he and his staff are thankful for the clients they treated, the San Luis Obispo County VA staff that supported their mission and the communitys support.

I am proud of the work we shared within the community and humbled by your acceptance and support of Legacy Village, Farmer said in the news release. My deepest gratitude to each of you in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties who helped in our efforts to change veterans lives.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth knows her force is overworked despite there being no major ongoing conflict involving American troops. She's balancing a tough dichotomy: Keep soldiers trained for war while nurturing the force's quality of life. She's also hoping that a force that feels taken care of will stay in and hypothetically recommend service to others, helping a dire recruiting situation.

"We are looking at where we can take things off soldiers' plates," Wormuth told Military.com in an interview last week. "We have to message to our leaders that quality of life and making [operational] tempo manageable is important."

Her top officer, Gen. Randy George, agrees, telling reporters at a press conference last week, "The big thing is training management, and part of training management is saying 'no,' and that needs to happen at every level."

Read Next: The 5 Top Concerns of Army Families - and What the Service Plans to Do About Them

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But those wishes are just that -- hopes that commanders across the force will maybe do one less gunnery or expert badge event. Subordinate commanders, however, are unlikely to say no to the idea of training goals sent down from uniformed leadership. Officers' careers live and die by metrics, something that isn't measured with time off, and every ounce of training tends to help buoy those numbers for evaluations.

After the end of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, troops might have had reason to be optimistic their operational tempo would become more manageable and that they would get to spend more time with their family and on themselves.

But that never happened. In many cases, soldiers are spending more time away from home now than during the peak of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The issue isn't just deployments abroad, it's near-constant training exercises at home, and commanders insisting on filling in empty days on their training calendars, typically referred to as white space.

Many of the soldiers currently in leadership positions came of age during that era of frantic schedules, a fact that has normalized an unrelenting pace of responsibilities bundled under the term operational tempo, or op tempo.

Planners have a delicate balance to achieve. The service has taken on a workload spreading the Army thin around the globe to deter two contemporary threats, Russia and China, while also continuing legacy missions from the Global War on Terrorism era.

Recent years have seen dedicated missions in Djibouti, Syria, Somalia and Kosovo, to name a few, with 20,000 National Guard soldiers serving overseas. Meanwhile, another 13,000 troops are in Poland and Romania as part of NATO's commitment to bolster its front lines amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"We are large enough to do what the national defense strategy calls us to do and what the [secretary of defense] and what the president has called us to do," Wormuth said. "That said, our op tempo now is pretty much as high as it's been during the Global War on Terrorism."

Time away from home comes with serving in the military. But soldiers and families have grown increasingly wary of extended time away when there isn't a major war to prosecute.

And even if soldiers aren't sent overseas, in some cases the constant training while at home can be very taxing.

"Those times were some of the toughest times," Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer told Military.com in an interview. "When you're gone, you're gone. But when I was home and I was working nights, because we train to fight at night, it was actually a little bit more disruptive."

At the center of the operational tempo concern is Combat Training Center, or CTC, rotations. Those three-week wargame exercises are broadly seen as the gold standard for ground combat training, which is where the Army gets as close as it can to mimicking a combat deployment. Wormuth doesn't foresee any downscaling of those events. Those rotations, which cost up to $25 million each, involve a lot of advance training that can chew up months of a unit's schedule and are seen by commanders as sacrosanct.

But time at home can be about safety: Fatal tactical vehicle incidents have often been correlated with sleep deprivation, a lack of maintenance or a lack of training in favor of large-scale field exercises. Some commanders and noncommissioned officers have also linked suicides in the ranks with harsh schedules.

"Units heading toward a CTC experience an uptick in suicidal ideations and attempts," Command Sgt. Maj. Nema Mobar, the top enlisted leader of the 10th Mountain Division, told Military.com in a June interview, citing data not reviewed by the publication.

Wormuth said there are no plans to reduce CTC rotations. But in the meantime, on the margins, Army planners aim to tweak maintenance schedules for ground vehicles and reduce how many items are in a unit's inventory in a bid to cut the clerical time units have to spend.

"We're being asked to do a lot," Weimer said. "We've got tons of exercises going on. But how many is too many? It's human nature, as a leader, you see white space and you feel like [a] need to fill it because I've been told to engage, be engaged. We have to do some subtraction somewhere. Frankly, you need some downtime with your family."

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on X @StevenBeynon.

Related: Soldiers Are Away from Home Now More than Ever Despite No Major Ongoing Wars
Tributes have been paid to a prominent Somali TV journalist after he was killed in a suicide bombing at a restaurant in the capital, Mogadishu.

Abdifatah Moalim Nur, popularly known as Qeys, was described by colleagues as "exceptional" and "inspiring".

He becomes the first journalist to be killed in Somalia this year, according to a local media watchdog.

The al-Qaeda-linked militant group, al-Shabab, said it carried out the suicide attack at Blue Sky restaurant.

Police said four other people were injured outside the restaurant which is near the presidential palace.

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Information Minister Daud Aweis condemned the "cowardly" attack.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said it was "deeply shaken" by the "senseless and brutal" killing of Nur, the director of the privately owned Somali Cable Television.

"His remarkable career and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on Somali journalism, inspiring countless young journalists to strive for excellence," the union said.

Nur, a staunch advocate of press freedom, had previously faced threats, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), said.

In October last year, journalist Mohamed Isse Hassan was among more than 100 people killed in twin car bombings in Mogadishu.

A month earlier, a reporter with state-owned Somali National Television, Ahmed Mohamed Shukur, was by killed by a landmine near the capital.

Al-Shabab has been carrying out deadly attacks in Somalia in response to a large-scale military offensive that seeks to drive out the jihadists.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in May last year promising an "all-out war" against the group.
EXCLUSIVE: The son of a 77-year-old retired Vermont biologist who passersby found shot to death on her favorite hiking trail this month is speaking out as the investigation into her unsolved slaying nears its second week.

"How does this happen, and why do people feel emboldened to take the life of a 77-year-old woman in broad daylight on a trail?" Dean Powers asked. "I really think that weve had a moral decline in our country."

Powers mother, Honoree Fleming, was a retired biologist and former dean of education at the nearby Vermont State University Castleton Campus.

Around 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 5, multiple hikers called 911 to report finding her body on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail, near the end closest to the college grounds.

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VERMONT POLICE RELEASE SKETCH OF MAN SOUGHT IN MURDER OF 77-YEAR-OLD WOMAN ON HIKING TRAIL

Honoree Fleming, a biologist and former dean of education at Vermont State University Castleton Campus, was found shot dead on a hiking trail near the school on Oct. 5. Police are asking for the public's help in finding a suspect.

The state medical examiner ruled her death a homicide with a gunshot wound to the head.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I'm shocked that she's gone and still hasn't hit home that she's gone yet," Powers told Fox News Digital. "And the trail that she was on, she walked on almost every day, so it's just inexplicable that it would happen in broad daylight."

He is urging whoever is responsible for the crime to surrender to authorities and pray.

"Just turn yourself in," he said. "You're going to spend a lot of time in jail, and I hope you read the Bible, and I hope that you have a change of heart and that you start a new life in prison."

VERMONT POLICE RELEASE NEW PROFILE OF SUSPECT IN RETIREE MURDER ON POPULAR HIKING TRAIL

This is a composite sketch of the man sought in connection with the shooting death of 77-year-old retiree Honoree Fleming on a Vermont hiking trail last week. Anyone with information is asked to contact Vermont police.

Police have released a composite sketch of the suspect, who they describe as around 5 feet 10 inches tall with red hair. He was last seen wearing a dark-gray T-shirt and carrying a black backpack while heading off in a "northerly" direction up the trail.

Powers said he is thankful for the efforts of state and local police as well as kind gestures from members of the community who have dropped by with food and condolences for Flemings mourning family.

VERMONT POLICE RELEASE NEW PROFILE OF SUSPECT IN RETIREE MURDER ON POPULAR HIKING TRAIL

But the slaying makes no sense, he said, and more than a week has gone by without a suspect or motive.

"Quite frankly, Im angry. If you can get killed on a bike path in Castleton, Vermont, you can get killed anywhere."

Honoree Fleming was found shot to death on a trail in Castleton, Vermont, on Oct. 5, 2023.

The suspect sketch is based on interviews with witnesses who saw a person of interest on the trail behaving oddly around the time of the shooting, Vermont State Police Capt. Scott Dunlap told reporters last week.

"We'd like to have anybody who recognizes or thinks they recognize the person in the sketch to reach out," he said.

VERMONT STATE POLICE SEARCHING FOR ARMED AND DANGEROUS SUSPECT IN SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF WOMAN ON TRAIL

An unspecified number of witnesses told police they ran into the same person, who they said exhibited strange behavior, just moments before finding Fleming's remains on the trail.

Police have alternately called the man a suspect and a person of interest. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Honoree Fleming, right, shown with husband Ron Powers, was fatally shot during her walk on a Vermont trail.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS

"We don't know right now if it's random or if it was targeted," Dunlap said.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information on the case is asked to call police at 802-773-9101 or send an anonymous tip at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit/.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Authorities have received hundreds of tips in the case, and investigators are following up on them.

Police have asked local residents, business owners and even hunters with trail cameras to check their images for anything suspicious between 3 and 5 p.m. on or near the trail on the day of the murder.

In addition to her son, Fleming is survived by her husband, Ron Powers, an Emmy and Pulitzer winner who co-wrote "Flags of Our Fathers" and assisted the late Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy with his memoir, "True Compass."





Original article source: Son of slain Vermont biologist, 77, blasts 'moral decline' in US after daylight hiking trail ambush
(Bloomberg) -- South Africa may be able to raise as much as 1.13 trillion rand ($60 billion) over the next five years to fund a switch to green energy from fossil fuels, its environment minister said.

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The amount is still short of the 1.5 trillion rand the country has estimated it will need for the task, Barbara Creecy said in a response to a parliamentary question posted on a government website.

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This will need to be mobilized from various public and private sources such as multilateral development banks, international partner countries, private investors, philanthropies and the fiscus, she said.

South Africa, which has the continents most industrialized economy, is the worlds 14th-biggest source of climate warming greenhouse gases. In 2021, it won an $8.5 billion pledge from some of the worlds richest nations to help the country transition away from the use of coal, which is used to generate more than 80% of South Africas electricity.

Most of the finance is expected to come from private investors, Creecy said in her response. The government has eased regulations to allow businesses to generate their own electricity as state power utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. doesnt have the money to expand and regular breakdowns of its poorly maintained plants subject the country to frequent blackouts.

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When Anas Amireh gets to work, he immediately tunes into the news to hear the latest developments in the Middle East.

After an hour or two, he stops. The scenes from Gaza make him depressed.

But the Fort Lauderdale-area man cant distance himself from the news for long as messages from his relatives in Gaza and the West Bank roll in through the day.

When we get any kind of news, we immediately start sharing it because everybodys worried, he said.

As the world focuses on Hamas attacks and hostage-taking in Israel, already suffering families in Gaza are suffering even more, relatives in South Florida say. Hour after hour, family members in the Palestinian territories share reports about the uncertain fates of loved ones, neighbors and friends.

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Who is still alive? Have their spouse or children perished? Where are people hiding from the continual bombings? Is there water? Food? Electricity?

Amireh hasnt seen his aunts, uncles and cousins since his last trip to Gaza years before the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, which has limited the movements of people and goods since 2005. But Amirehs family remains connected via messaging app WhatsApp, where updates only come in when someone is fortunate to have enough phone battery.

Were just waiting and hoping to God, Amireh, 51, said.

Israels ongoing bombardment of Gaza in response to the Palestinian militant group Hamas deadly attack against Israel, has reduced homes to piles of rubble. They, along with neighbors, run to areas that havent been bombed.

At least 2,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israels retaliation, according to the Associated Press. More than 1,400 Israelis were killed in Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

(231012) -- GAZA, Oct. 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on Oct. 12, 2023. Israel on Thursday continued its airstrikes on various areas of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) (Photo by Xinhua/Sipa USA) Xinhua/Xinhua/Sipa USA

Its just a matter of time, Amireh said. Its either people are just going to continue to die or theyre going to ... have people negotiate and stop it for another few months.

Many of Amirehs relatives living in Gaza were refugees from nearby areas who were pushed out after the wars in 1948 and 1967. Today, theyre among the 2.2 million Palestinians  half of whom are children  stuck in what Amireh and human rights groups consider the worlds largest open air prison.

The Gaza Strip, about twice the size of Washington, D.C., has been ruled by Hamas since the terrorist group won an election in 2006. But the area isnt fully autonomous. There are no active airports because Israel controls the airspace. Palestinians must obtain permits, which are often denied, to travel abroad or to other parts of the Palestinian territories.

They cant go in. They cant go out, Amireh said. If any of their kids have any kind of problems ... and have to go to a hospital in Egypt or even go to the West Bank, its almost impossible.

For Amireh, however, the bloodshed and suffering of Gaza didnt start last week. Its been part of the Palestinian experience for more than 75 years  in Gaza but also in the West Bank, where most of his family now lives.

He said his relatives in the West Bank could receive water just once or twice a week. In Gaza, it could take longer. Basic necessities like electricity are much more limited in Gaza. After Hamas attack, Israel cut off water, fuel and electricity, which by extension affected water and sewage plants, raising public health concerns.

U.S. officials are trying to convince Israel to allow delivery of aid to Gazas civilians, humanitarian groups and hospitals. And on Tuesday, the health ministry told the Associated Press that an Israeli airstrike hit Gazas al-Ahli Hospital, killing more than 500 people. Israel denied firing at the hospital, saying that the destruction was caused by a failed rocket launch by Islamic Jihad.

Its not unusual, Amireh said, to hear stories of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or settlers. According to data from the United Nations from 2008 through September 2023, before the Hamas attack and Israels retaliation, more than 6,000 Palestinians civilians have been killed, the vast majority in the Gaza Strip. More than 300 Israeli civilians were killed during that same time frame.

FILE - Demonstrators chant during a protest rally at Bayfront Park in Miami in support of Palestinians in Gaza during the conflict between Israel and Hamas on Friday, October 13, 2023. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com

The people that are paying the price and have been paying the price are the Palestinian civilians, he said.

A lot of the poor conditions Palestinians live in, Amireh said, are directly tied to Israel not being held accountable by global powers, unlike how Russia is ostracized for its violence against Ukraine. Shireen Abu Akleh, a veteran Palestinian American reporter for Al Jazeera, is thought to have been killed by Israeli solider in 2022. Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old American, was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003 while protesting the demolition of a Palestinian familys home.

Could you imagine then what are they doing to the [ordinary] Palestinians? Amireh said.

And its about to get much worse, Amireh said.

Now [Israel is] being given a green light, a free pass to go ahead and carpet bomb as much as you want, destroy and kill, he said. Everybody has the right to be mad when their civilians get killed. But the answer isnt to kill other civilians.

A view of the rubble of buildings hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Hatem Moussa/AP

As airstrikes batter Gaza, the West Bank, which is occupied by Israel, has started to witness waves of violence, said Ovieda, a West Broward resident who asked not to be fully identified because shes concerned for her and her familys security. While shes from the West Bank, she also has relatives in Gaza.

Oveida said the husband of one of her cousins has been trapped in Gaza for 18 years. The couple and their children were living in the Gaza Strip when Oveidas cousin took a trip to visit her family in the West Bank.

She hasnt been able to reunite with her husband. Oveida said she doesnt even know if her husband  and her in-laws  have survived the Israeli bombing.

Oveidas relatives in the West Bank share concerns over surging tensions after the attack by Hamas. At least 50 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the war began in Gaza.

One of Oveidas cousins, who is pregnant, saw her 5-year-old son get shot to death by an Israeli settler, she said. Her cousin was headed to a doctors appointment for a routine checkup.

These incidents [are] happening on a daily basis, but theyre just not reported because theres so many of them, she said. But unfortunately, it becomes the daily lives of the Palestinians.

Oveida said her family  and many others  have been sheltering at home out of fear. Life in the West Bank is at a halt. People dont step out of their homes unless they need to rush to a hospital or run out of food.

Her relatives, she said, constantly worry if their spouses, sons and daughters will make it home alive. Daily life for Palestinians stems beyond post-traumatic stress disorder.

Its a constant trauma, she said. Theres no break. You dont catch a break as a Palestinian.

FILE - Demonstrators rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza during the conflict between Israel and Hamas at Bayfront Park in Miami on Friday, October 13, 2023. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com

It has been that way for 75 years, she said. During the Nakba, which means catastrophe in Arabic, Palestinians were displaced and left their homes expecting to one day return. But that, Oveida said, didnt happen. About 700,000 Palestinians were expelled during the Nakba.

Most Palestinians, she said, drew lessons from the Nakba and have decided that they wont leave  even under dire circumstances  because theyll end up as refugees for the rest of their lives. They have accepted that they could die, whether by a missile, their home collapsing, a stress-induced heart attack or starvation.

People inside Gaza are not leaving, she said. The people in the West Bank, they know: OK, its our turn next. Theyre going to level Gaza, and the international community is not going to intervene.

For Oveida, Palestinians yearn to live. They want to raise their kids and watch them grow up, not mourn their deaths before they even get the chance to walk.

Palestinians are one of the most gentle, compassionate people, most generous, loving, caring people youll ever meet, she said. But theyve been brought [up] in the most brutal, merciless conditions that will turn anybody into like a stone.

FILE - An activists holds a flag during a pro-Palestine rally near the Torch of Friendship on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, in downtown Miami, Fla. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com

Most in the Palestinian diaspora share different variations of the same dream, Oveida said as her voice cracked.

I wish I could see my grandmother.

I wish I could visit my uncles grave.

I wish I could just go back home.
Cast your gaze toward the water while following the casual curves of Main Road in Tiverton and youll see it hunkered out there in the Sakonnet River, tantalizingly close but too far to see any detail: a mysterious, overgrown, deserted island.

It's deserted, at least, by humans. Local legend has it that the island is overrun by snakes, or, in some versions of the tale, rats  as one reporter heard in his youth, giant, man-eating rats.

Though from the shores of Tivertons Grinnells Beach the island looks near enough to reach by kayak or even by swimming, visiting it isn't recommended  or allowed. Whats the story with this island? What is its history, and whats out there? SouthCoast Wonders finds out.

Southcoast Wonders: How did the Midwest end up in a Fall River neighborhood?

What is that island in the Sakonnet River called?

Look it up on Google Maps and there it is: Addams Island.

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Thats not its name. Google doesn't know everything.

I have no idea where the name Addams Island came from, said Stephen Luce, director of the Portsmouth Historical Society. I have never heard anyone refer to it by that name.

No one else contacted by The Herald News was familiar with the name Addams either, or even where that could've come from. Its been long known as Gould Island  sometimes Little Gould Island, to distinguish it from another Gould Island in Jamestown, R.I.

But over nearly four centuries of New England history, Gould Island has had many names.

What the natives called it before European settlement is lost to history. According to Historical Tracts of the Town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Thomas Goulding of Newport, R.I., bought the island from the local indigenous people in 1657, and documents thereafter call it Gouldings Island for a while. During the time of King Philips War, in the 1670s, it was known as Gold Island and is probably a corruption of Gould.

A booklet published in 1888 refers to it as Corsaires Island, perhaps playing into another local legend  that the island is riddled with caves, perhaps holding pirate treasure. (Unknown, but unlikely, so don't go over there with a shovel.)

Those who believe the stories that wild vermin have taken over the island, allowed to breed unchallenged and isolated from the rest of the world, sometimes call it Snake Island or Rat Island. But Gould is the most common name and the one that's stuck, despite what Google says  according to Susan Anderson of the Tiverton Historical Society, I haven't really seen anything else on maps since the Revolution different from that.

Remembering Lincoln Park: Dartmouth amusement park was a summer hotspot  but why did it close?

Whats the history of Gould Island?

Though it's close to Tiverton, Gould Island is also not Tiverton. The island is part of Portsmouth, R.I.

It's hard to imagine now, but at one point these two quaint communities were war zones. And Gould Island played a role in that.

It once contained a fort known as the Owl's Nest, by some accounts built during King Philips War. During the Revolutionary War, in 1778, the fort covered the movement of Colonial forces during the Battle of Rhode Island.

In the 1800s, the Russian consul to New York Alexis Eustaphieve visited Tiverton and seems to have fallen in love with the town as a getaway from the bustle of Moscow or Manhattan  and especially loved Gould Island. Although Gould is only about 6 acres and basically a large rock covered in trees, its mystery enchanted Eustaphieve, who summered there for 40 years and never wanted to leave. According to "A Patchwork History of Tiverton Rhode Island," Eustaphieve expressed his intention of being buried upon its highest peak, and even made arrangements for his monument thereon.

According to legend, the island didnt love him back, and the Russian was found dead on the island of a rattlesnake bite. This is thought to be the origin of the snake infestation myth. But as ironic as it would be that the island he loved actually killed him, records show Eustaphieve died in New York. No snakes were involved.

Attempts to civilize Gould Island never took. Just after the turn of the 20th century, written accounts indicate, a railway company built a dance pavilion and refreshment stands on Gould Island, ferrying merrymakers there from Island Park. But its time as an attraction only seems to have lasted one season. And in 1912, a group of young pranksters in Portsmouth got their hands on 100 pounds of dynamite from a coal mine, carried it out to Gould by boat, and created an explosion so loud and bright that locals believed a meteor had crashed there  an explanation possibly suggested by the young men themselves.

Home shopping: Did Sears Roebuck sell do-it-yourself kit homes by mail in Fall River?

Who owns Gould Island and what is there now? Can I visit?

Since the 1860s, the island was privately owned by the Church family, eventually passing into the hands of Helen Lawton Hathaway of Tiverton. A 1955 Providence Journal interview with Hathaway noted that she'd had offers to buy it, but always turned them down. I have never been out there and I never expect to go, but I plan to hold onto the island, she said at the time.

About 10 years later, Hathaway gave it up  but rather than sell it, she donated it to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.

The group still owns Gould Island today. Its a protected bird sanctuary, off-limits to all visitors except the kind with feathers. It's unlikely Gould is infested with giant killer rats; instead, its a productive nesting spot for herons, egrets and cormorants.

"Truthfully, most people would not want to explore the island because it is a solid rock outcrop, difficult to get to by paddling and challenging to tie up," said Scott Ruhren, senior director of conservation at the society. The terrain is steep and the vegetation is dense.

Indeed, its not particularly safe for visitors, with dangerously high sheer cliffs in some spots. Even if you didnt fall and break a leg, the island is covered in guano, or bird poop. Despite what Eustaphieve thought, it doesnt sound like a particularly idyllic getaway spot. Best to leave it be and admire it from afar.

Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Gould Island near Tiverton a source of mystery for centuries
A ministerial leader arrested on charges of child sexual abuse has been indicted on four counts of first-degree rape and other charges.

Grant Parish District Attorney Jay Lemoine announced Monday that Daryl Ray Stagg, 61, had been indicted by a grand jury on the rape charges, as well as five counts of sexual battery and one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

He will be arraigned at a later date. Stagg remains in jail, reads the news release.

Stagg, who lives in Dry Prong, was arrested in June on child sex offense charges in both Grant and Union parishes. At the time, he was an associational mission strategist for the Baptist Mission Center, a position described as a mentor for pastors who also works in evangelism outreach, various missions and church revitalizations.

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Daryl Stagg arrest: Sheriffs issue call for potential victims of jailed Grant Parish church leader to step up

Arraignment: Ministerial leader arrested on child sex charges pleads not guilty in Grant Parish

The Baptist Mission Center has 87 Southern Baptist congregations, including the Big Creek Baptist Association in Dry Prong and the CenLa Association in Alexandria, according to the website.

Stagg is still listed as an associational mission strategist on the site.

In August, he pleaded not guilty to four counts of aggravated crime against nature and three counts of sexual battery. A trial date was set for Dec. 11. The new indictment will render that moot, and Lemoine said a trial date would be set at Stagg's arraignment.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Daryl Ray Stagg indicted on first-degree rape, sexual battery charges
SpaceX successfully launches Falcon 9 rocket

SpaceX successfully launches another Falcon 9 rocket Tuesday from Floridas Space Coast.

Update:

SpaceX said the rocket will now take off at 8:36 p.m.

Previous story:

The rocket is set to take off at 7:52 p.m. from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The launch is in support of SpaceXs Starlink internet satellite constellation.

Watch: NASA launches Psyche mission destined for asteroid 2 billion miles away

Starlinks network of satellites offers high-speed internet access worldwide.

SpaceX said this will be the 16th launch for the rockets first-stage booster, which has previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8, and eight other Starlink missions.

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Read: Amazon launches test satellites for its planned internet service to compete with SpaceX

After leaving the launchpad, SpaceX plans to land the booster on its Just Read the Instructions droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

Channel 9 will continue to monitor the planned launch and will provide live coverage on Eyewitness News.

Watch: SpaceXs first launch of Starship spacecraft with worlds biggest rocket ends in mid-air explosion

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
WASHINGTON  The country is marking two weeks without a speaker of the House, but that could end Tuesday when House Republicans hold a vote to elect a new leader.

Maybe.

House Republicans formally nominated the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to the speakership. But Jordan's chances of earning 217 votes  the magic number needed to become speaker  are unclear.

Regardless, the House is slated to hold a speaker election at noon on Tuesday, which could be reminiscent of January, when former speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., had to endure 15 ballots of voting to finally be elected speaker.

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The speakership has basically remained vacant after McCarthy's historic ouster earlier this month, when just a handful of GOP lawmakers and all House Democrats voted to remove the California Republican from his post.

Since then, the House has been paralyzed, unable to take any legislative action without a speaker, even as the deadline to avoid a government shutdown approaches and lawmakers continue to call for aid to Israel, a key U.S. ally.

While Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., has served as speaker pro tempore, it's not a role that has the same powers as the official speaker of the House.

Do we have a new speaker of the House yet?

No, as of Monday night, the nation doesn't have a new speaker of the House. Earlier this month, a sliver of House Republicans, led by conservative hardliner Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., voted to remove McCarthy from the speakership over what they alleged were broken promises.

The procedural move to remove McCarthy, called a motion to vacate, constantly loomed over the California Republican from the start of his speakership. In his pursuit of the gavel, McCarthy changed House rules to allow just one lawmaker to initiate the move to remove him, a key concession to hard-right Republicans,

In September, when a government shutdown loomed over the country and House Republicans failed to find any consensus on a short-term bill to avert a shutdown, Gaetz committed to filing a motion to vacate if McCarthy worked with Democrats to avoid a shutdown.

As a shutdown looked all but certain, McCarthy ultimately put forth a bipartisan stopgap bill on the House floor to fund the government just hours before a shutdown would have started. Days after the shutdown was averted, Gaetz filed a motion to vacate, and his efforts to oust McCarthy succeeded, putting the House in the frozen state seen today.

Who is Jim Jordan?

Jordan entered the House in 2007 as a conservative bomb-thrower who was a thorn in the sides of GOP leadership. The Ohio Republican is a founding member of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, a key faction of House Republicans that haunted McCarthy and forced him to placate to the right flank of his conference throughout his speakership.

Jordan served as the Freedom Caucus first chair and remains a member today. However, he's now considered to be a close ally of Republican leadership, having backed McCarthy during his pursuit of the speakership back in January.

As chair of the powerful House Judiciary Committee, Jordan is also one of few GOP lawmakers spearheading House Republicans impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Jordan is a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and voted against certifying Bidens victory in the 2020 election.

Does Jim Jordan have any challengers?

Jordan last week defeated Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., for the GOP speaker nomination. Scott made a surprise entrance into the speakers race as an anti-Jordan alternative.

But Jordan's nomination isn't binding for Republican lawmakers. It's just a formal endorsement, and as they head to the House for an official vote, they're allowed to nominate other candidates. They can also switch their votes if they previously supported Jordan but changed their minds.

Democratic lawmakers are not expected to lend their support to Jordan, or any other Republican candidate. They'll likely support a Democratic pick, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who won't garner any GOP support either.

Jeffries on Sunday warned during an interview with "Meet the Press" that Democrats "have not identified any candidate on the other side of the aisle," they would support in a speaker vote.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Do we have a new speaker of the House? Will Republicans make picks?
Curtis A. Townsend Sr., husband of Trina Newman-Townsend, a retired minister, mother and grandmother, stands at a mural in honor of his late wife near where she was killed in 2022 by a speeding driver on Christmas Eve in South Los Angeles, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Trina Newman-Townsend's girls packed into her Ford Flex after delivering gifts, turkeys and hams to a Los Angeles shelter. It was Christmas Eve, and the recently wed 62-year-old pastor  mother of two, foster mother of five and grandmother of 11  had a pajama gift exchange to attend later that night.

A speeding driver struck Newman-Townsend at 3:23 p.m. as she walked to open her car door. The impact was so powerful she was partially dismembered. Four of her foster children were waiting in the car.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her husband, Curtis Townsend Sr., was down the street at their home, preparing dinner. He rushed to her but was too late. He laid next to her lifeless body.

Darlene Smith, a friend of Trina Newman-Townsend, a retired minister, mother and grandmother, stands beside a mural in honor of her sister near where she was killed by a speeding driver in South Central. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Distraught and wanting justice for her friend, Darlene Smith  who considered Newman-Townsend a sister  became one of dozens of traffic safety advocates who pushed state legislators to adopt a speed camera pilot program.

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On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law, allowing the cameras in Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach and San Francisco. It is the first time California will permit speed cameras, and it comes after more than half a dozen attempts to pass similar legislation.

"This means the world to me. At least we will have something that will make people accountable," Smith said.

The bill, principally authored by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Burbank), will allow cities to install cameras around schools, high injury networks  streets with the highest rates of injury and death  and areas known as street-racing corridors, as part of a five-year pilot program.

Under the law, the cameras will issue warnings for the first two months, and then for the first violation for driving 11 to 15 mph over the speed limit. The legislation also caps the number of cameras at 125 in the most populous cities such as Los Angeles.

The law comes amid an alarming rise in traffic deaths as officials and advocates debate the role of policing in road safety.

Proponents say the cameras differ from the unsuccessful red light program that was scrapped in Los Angeles. Those devices documented when drivers entered the intersection on a red light, but fines often went unpaid and their effectiveness was questioned. Unlike the red light cameras, speed camera violations have no criminal penalties and don't add points against a driver's license at the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

"The bill is intended to save lives and manage those that are driving recklessly fast," said Damian Kevitt, executive director of Streets Are for Everyone, an advocacy group in Los Angeles that has been placing painted white tires along the roads where bicyclists and pedestrians have been killed.

He said the cameras will be an effective way to enforce the law without increasing the drivers' interactions with patrol officers.

"Enforcement has become a bad word if you include police," he said.

Pedestrian deaths across the country are at a 41-year high. In California about 1,100 people died last year after being hit by vehicles. Speed is a factor in about a third of all fatal traffic collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

But some privacy advocates fear the measure will increase surveillance  and that the speeding tickets could place a heavy burden on the most economically vulnerable communities.

"Automated enforcement mechanisms often disproportionately ticket drivers in communities of color and communities experiencing poverty," Becca Cramer-Mowder, a legislative advocate at the ACLU California Action, told lawmakers earlier this year.

She said cities should concentrate on making roads safer with measures such as roundabouts or speed bumps instead of ticketing people who can least afford it.

The law allows cities to fine drivers $50 for speeding 11 to 15 mph over the limit. The charges get progressively steeper after that, rising to $500 for going more than 100 mph.

Under the law, cities and transit agencies would run the program, not police. It would require fines be cut by 80% for those with incomes under the poverty line, and by 50% for those earning as much as 250% above the poverty level. It would also allow people to do community service in lieu of making a payment.

Opponents worry those measures aren't enough to shield those living in disadvantaged communities.

"Not only can you get multiple tickets, but the people who are going to be disproportionately affected are the people who live in historically disinvested neighborhoods" said James Burch, deputy director of the Anti-Police Terror Project, an Oakland group that seeks to end overpolicing. "This is not what Oakland and cities throughout the state are asking for."

Revenue generated from the tickets must be spent on the program and additional traffic-calming measures  and nothing else.

Smith, who grew up with Newman-Townsend in South L.A. during the height of gang violence, said she's now more worried about cars than guns in the neighborhood.

"The cars are now the weapons," she said as she stood across from a mural of her friend. "Too many families are being torn apart."

Callie Harvey, daughter of Trina Newman-Townsend, a retired minister, mother and grandmother who was killed by a speeding driver in South Central, stands at the intersection of Broadway and 88th Street, where the hit-and-run occurred Dec. 27. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

The day of the crash, Newman-Townsend's daughter Callie Harvey, 37, had been been planning to meet a cousin when she heard her mom had been hit by a car. She rushed to the scene.

"I pulled up on the opposite side of the street and I got out of the car," she said. The crowd looked shell-shocked. A man tried to stop her as she walked toward the scene.

"He was like you don't want to go there, and I lost it because I looked past him and I saw the sheet," she said. "That day I lost a piece of myself."

A memorial for Trina Newman-Townsend, 62, who was struck and killed by a driver on the 8800 block of Broadway in Los Angeles on Dec. 27. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

Newman-Townsend was so beloved that people still come by to leave candles or flowers nearly a year after the crash, said a man who works nearby.

The stretch of South Broadway near 88th Street where Newman-Townsend died is in the high-injury network, where a disproportionate number of injurious and fatal crashes occur. In recent years, South Los Angeles has led the city in traffic deaths. And studies show that across the country Black and Latino residents die at higher rates than whites in traffic accidents.

"These crashes and collisions, it's in our community, and we have to recognize that we have to stop. We are driving too fast, not paying attention, distracted and driving just for ourselves," Smith said. "That is killing us. I am driving with tears in my eyes because I miss her."

Earlier last year, some blocks south on 92nd Street, a 56-year-old man was struck by a speeding hit-and-run driver while returning to his car after stopping at a store.

Some days, LAPD South Traffic Division officers are running from one fatality to another, Detective Ryan Moreno said. Last year there were 100 people killed in traffic collisions in the division, which encompasses much of South Los Angeles and San Pedro. That's about a third of the overall deaths in the city. Speed is the leading factor in the fatal accidents, he said.

When you go double or triple the speed limit, you turn your car into a weapon, Moreno said. Increasingly drivers involved in these crashes are being arrested by officers for reckless driving, manslaughter and homicide.

"This year alone, two people have been killed on 109th and Broadway," Moreno said. "We are on track to surpass last year's traffic fatalities."

Over a 10-year period, 17 people have been killed along the stretch of Broadway between Slauson Avenue and 104th Street, based on state data reviewed by The Times.

"The faster you are going when a crash occurs, the more likely you are to injure or kill someone," said David Zuby, a researcher with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Speed cameras slow drivers down, he said.

A 2016 study of speed cameras in Montgomery County, Md., by the nonprofit research group found the devices reduced the likelihood of a crash that resulted in a fatality or serious injury by 19% and cut speeding of 10 mph or more by 62%.

For years, states resisted the use of speed cameras, even as other developed countries around the world embraced them and saw road deaths fall. In the United Kingdom, Germany and France, speed cameras are plentiful.

"It's pretty clear that other countries are doing a better job at reducing traffic fatalities than we are, and part of that, is there more widespread use of speed cameras," Zuby 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.
St Jamess Place is scrapping its controversial exit fees for all new customers following pressure from the financial regulator.

In a market statement published Tuesday morning, Britains biggest wealth manager said it will be removing its early withdrawal charges on all new investment bond and pension business in the second half of 2025.

The business also announced it will be capping its initial advice fee to a maximum of 4.5pc with ongoing advice reduced to 0.8pc, and fund charges at 0.52pc.

It said the charges overhaul is expected to cost the business between 140m and 160m by the time they are rolled out in two years time.

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The changes follow the introduction of new consumer rules this summer, which state companies must provide their clients with fair value for money or face action from the city regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Currently, on top of management and administration fund fees, clients who receive ongoing advice pay St Jamess Place a 0.5pc annual charge.

Clients who want to end their advice face paying an early withdrawal fee as high as 6pc for new clients, falling gradually after six years.

Around 47bn, or 30pc, of the firms assets under management were subject to exit penalties as of June this year, according to reports.

An earlier investigation by The Telegraph revealed St Jamess Place advisers had already started writing to clients to warn they could no longer retain them as customers if they do not receive the advice they are paying for.

The wealth manager said in a statement: Having completed an internal evaluation of our charging structures, and concluded on these changes for the future, we are ensuring we continue to have a sustainable and competitive charging platform for the long-term, offering simplicity, comparability, and a continued focus on value for clients.

The changes announced today [Tuesday] create a revised charging structure for the vast majority of new investment bonds and pensions. These will operate with an initial charge and ongoing charges applicable from the outset, and without any early withdrawal charges or gestation period.

These changes, which have naturally involved engagement with our key regulators, address the evolution over time of an external environment that is increasingly seeking simple comparability of all advice, investment management and other services, on a component-by-component basis.

St Jamess Place made a small change to its charges in July, which reduced its management fee cap on long duration bond and pension investments from 1pc to 0.85pc, and is expected to knock 0.4pc off its profit margin for funds under management, according to the broker Jefferies.

When it was first reported last Friday that the wealth manager was under pressure to scrap its fees, its share price plummeted by 20pc.

Following Tuesday mornings announcement, the wealth managers share price on the London Stock Exchange dropped 4.34pc when markets opened.

The continued sell-off of the companys shares follows a long period of decline. In the past five years, the company has shed around a third of its market value.

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After studying humans and other primates for 40 years, Stanford neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky has concluded that many factors beyond our control influence our choices and behaviors, leaving free will to be negligible in any context. (Josh Edelson / For The Times)

Before epilepsy was understood to be a neurological condition, people believed it was caused by the moon, or by phlegm in the brain. They condemned seizures as evidence of witchcraft or demonic possession, and killed or castrated sufferers to prevent them from passing tainted blood to a new generation.

Today we know epilepsy is a disease. By and large, its accepted that a person who causes a fatal traffic accident while in the grip of a seizure should not be charged with murder.

Thats good, says Stanford University neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky. Thats progress. But there's still a long way to go.

After more than 40 years studying humans and other primates, Sapolsky has reached the conclusion that virtually all human behavior is as far beyond our conscious control as the convulsions of a seizure, the division of cells or the beating of our hearts.

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This means accepting that a man who shoots into a crowd has no more control over his fate than the victims who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It means treating drunk drivers who barrel into pedestrians just like drivers who suffer a sudden heart attack and veer out of their lane.

The world is really screwed up and made much, much more unfair by the fact that we reward people and punish people for things they have no control over, Sapolsky said. Weve got no free will. Stop attributing stuff to us that isnt there.

Sapolsky, a MacArthur genius grant winner, is extremely aware that this is an out-there position. Most neuroscientists believe humans have at least some degree of free will. So do most philosophers and the vast majority of the general population. Free will is essential to how we see ourselves, fueling the satisfaction of achievement or the shame of failing to do the right thing.

Saying that people have no free will is a great way to start an argument. This is partly why Sapolsky, who describes himself as majorly averse to interpersonal conflict, put off writing his new book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.

Sapolsky, 66, has a mild demeanor and a Jerry Garcia beard. For more than three decades, he escaped the politics of academia to study baboons in rural Kenya for a few months every year.

I'm really, really, really trying not to sound like a combative jerk in the book, he said. I deal with human complexities by going and living in a tent. So yeah, I'm not up for a lot of brawls about this.

Analyzing human behavior through the lens of any single discipline leaves room for the possibility that people choose their actions, he says. But after a long cross-disciplinary career, he feels it's intellectually dishonest to write anything other than what he sees as the unavoidable conclusion: Free will is a myth, and the sooner we accept that, the more just our society will be.

Determined, which comes out today, builds on Sapolskys 2017 bestseller Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and a slew of other accolades.

The book breaks down the neurochemical influences that contribute to human behaviors, analyzing the milliseconds to centuries preceding, say, the pulling of a trigger or the suggestive touch on an arm.

Robert Sapolsky's latest book is called "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will." (Josh Edelson/ For The Times)

Determined goes a step further. If its impossible for any single neuron or any single brain to act without influence from factors beyond its control, Sapolsky argues, there can be no logical room for free will.

Many people with even a passing familiarity with human biology can comfortably agree with this  up to a point.

We know we make worse decisions when hungry, stressed or scared. We know our physical makeup is influenced by the genes inherited from distant ancestors and by our mothers health during her pregnancy. Abundant evidence indicates that people who grew up in homes marked by chaos and deprivation will perceive the world differently and make different choices than people raised in safe, stable, resource-rich environments. A lot of important things are beyond our control.

But, like  everything? We have no meaningful command over our choice of careers, romantic partners or weekend plans? If you reach out right now and pick up a pen, was even that insignificant action somehow preordained?

Yes, Sapolsky says, both in the book and to the countless students who have asked the same question during his office hours. What the student experiences as a decision to grab the pen is preceded by a jumble of competing impulses beyond his or her conscious control. Maybe their pique is heightened because they skipped lunch; maybe theyre subconsciously triggered by the professors resemblance to an irritating relative.

Then look at the forces that brought them to the professors office, feeling empowered to challenge a point. Theyre more likely to have had parents who themselves were college educated, more likely to hail from an individualistic culture rather than a collective one. All of those influences subtly nudge behavior in predictable ways.

You may have had the uncanny experience of talking about an upcoming camping trip with a friend, only to find yourself served with ads for tents on social media later. Your phone didnt record your conversation, even if thats what it feels like. It's just that the collective record of your likes, clicks, searches and shares paints such a detailed picture of your preferences and decision-making patterns that algorithms can predict  often with unsettling accuracy  what you are going to do.

Something similar happens when you reach for that pen, Sapolsky says. So many factors beyond your conscious awareness brought you to that pen that its hard to say how much you chose to pick it up at all.

Read more: We found 95 instances of plagiarism in a USC scientists new book. Sales have been suspended

Sapolsky was raised in an Orthodox Jewish household in Brooklyn, the son of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

Biology called to him early  by grade school he was writing fan letters to primatologists and lingering in front of the taxidermied gorillas at the American Museum of Natural History  but religion shaped life at home.

That all changed on a single night in his early teens, he says. While grappling with questions of faith and identity, he was struck by an epiphany that kept him awake until dawn and reshaped his future: God is not real, there is no free will, and we primates are pretty much on our own.

That was kind of a big day, he said with a chuckle, and it's been tumultuous since then.

Skeptics could seize on this to rebut his arguments: If we arent free to choose our actions or beliefs, how does a boy from a deeply religious conservative home become a self-professed liberal atheist?

Change is always possible, he argues, but it comes from external stimuli. Sea slugs can learn to reflexively retreat from an electrical shock. Through the same biochemical pathways, humans are changed by exposure to external events in ways we rarely see coming.

Imagine, he offers, a group of friends that goes to see a biopic about an inspiring activist. One applies the next day to join the Peace Corps. One is struck by the beautiful cinematography and signs up for a filmmaking course. The rest are annoyed they didnt see a Marvel film.

All of the friends were primed to respond as they did when they sat down to watch. Maybe one had heightened adrenaline from a close call with another car on the drive over; maybe another was in a new relationship and awash in oxytocin, the so-called love hormone. They had different levels of dopamine and serotonin in their brains, different cultural backgrounds, different sensitivities to sensory distractions in the theater. None chose how the stimulus of the film would affect them anymore than the sea slug decided to wince in response to a jolt.

Robert Sapolsky understands that saying that people have no free will is a great way to start an argument. This is partly why he put off writing his new book for years. (Josh Edelson / For The Times)

For fellow adherents of determinism  the belief that its impossible for a person in any situation to have acted differently than they did  Sapolskys scientific defense of the cause is welcome.

Who we are and what we do is ultimately the result of factors beyond our control and because of this we are never morally responsible for our actions in the sense that would make us truly deserving of praise and blame, punishment and reward, said Gregg Caruso, a philosopher at SUNY Corning who read early drafts of the book. I am in agreement with Sapolsky that life without belief in free will is not only possible but preferable.

Caruso is co-director of the Justice Without Retribution Network, which advocates for an approach to criminal activity that prioritizes preventing future harm rather than assigning blame. Focusing on the causes of violent or antisocial behavior instead of fulfilling a desire for punishment, he said, will allow us to adopt more humane and effective practices and policies.

Read more: Q&A: How this Stanford freshman brought down the president of the university

Theirs is very much a minority viewpoint.

Sapolsky is a wonderful explainer of complex phenomena, said Peter U. Tse, a Dartmouth neuroscientist and author of the 2013 book The Neural Basis of Free Will. However, a person can be both brilliant and utterly wrong.

Neural activity is highly variable, Tse said, with identical inputs often resulting in non-identical responses in individuals and populations. Its more accurate to think of those inputs as imposing parameters rather than determining specific outcomes. Even if the range of potential outcomes is limited, theres simply too much variability at play to think of our behavior as predetermined.

Whats more, he said, its harmful to do so.

Those who push the idea that we are nothing but deterministic biochemical puppets are responsible for enhancing psychological suffering and hopelessness in this world, Tse said.

Even those who believe biology limits our choices are wary of how openly we should embrace that.

Saul Smilansky, a philosopher at the University of Haifa in Israel and author of the book Free Will and Illusion, rejects the idea that we can will ourselves to transcend all genetic and environmental constraints. But if we want to live in a just society, we have to believe that we can.

Losing all belief in free will and moral responsibility would likely be catastrophic," he said, and encouraging people to do so is "dangerous, even irresponsible.

A widely cited 2008 study found that people who read passages dismissing the idea of free will were more likely to cheat on a subsequent test. Other studies have found that people who feel less control over their actions care less about making mistakes in their work, and that disbelief in free will leads to more aggression and less helpfulness.

Sapolsky discusses such concerns in his book, ultimately concluding that the effects seen in such experiments are too small and their lack of reproducibility too great to support the idea that civilization will crumble if we think we cant control our fates.

The more compelling critique, he says, is eloquently articulated in the short story Whats Expected of Us, by speculative fiction writer Ted Chiang. The narrator describes a new technology that convinces users their choices are predetermined, a discovery that saps them of their will to live.

"It's essential that you behave as if your decisions matter," the narrator warns, "even though you know that they don't."

Read more: How climate scientists feel about seeing their dire predictions come true

The greatest risk of abandoning free will, Sapolsky concedes, isnt that well want to do bad things. Its that, without a sense of personal agency, we wont want to do anything.

It may be dangerous to tell people that they don't have free will, Sapolsky said. The vast majority of the time, I really think it's a hell of a lot more humane.

Sapolsky knows he won't persuade most of his readers. It's hard to convince people who have been harmed that perpetrators deserve less blame because of their history of poverty. It's even harder to convince the well-off that their accomplishments deserve less praise because of their history of privilege.

If you have time to be bummed out by that, you're one of the lucky ones, he said.

His true hope, he says, is to increase compassion. Maybe if people understand how thoroughly an early history of trauma can rewire a brain, they'll stop lusting for harsh punishments. Maybe if someone realizes they have a brain condition like depression or ADHD, they'll stop hating themselves for struggling with tasks that seem easier for others.

Just as previous generations thought seizures were brought on by witchcraft, some of our current beliefs about personal responsibility may eventually be undone by scientific discovery.

We are machines, Sapolsky argues, exceptional in our ability to perceive our own experiences and feel emotions about them. It is pointless to hate a machine for its failures.

There is only one last thread he cant resolve.

It is logically indefensible, ludicrous, meaningless to believe that something good can happen to a machine, he writes. Nonetheless, I am certain that it is good if people feel less pain and more happiness.

Robert Sapolsky's fellow adherents of determinism  the belief that it's impossible for a person in any situation to have acted differently than they did  have welcomed his scientific defense of their cause. (Josh Edelson / For The Times)

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Star lawyer David Kennerknown for representing hip hop artists Snoop Dogg and Suge Knightis accused of making several giant lapses during the conviction of his latest major client.

In a motion for a new trial filed on Monday evening, new attorneys for Fugees rapper Pras Michel blasted Kenner as unprepared and unscrupulous. Among their most startling claims: that Kenner used an experimental artificial intelligence program to help draft his closing argument in the trial. They said the program didnt even perform its job well.

Later, the new defense team said, they became aware that Kenner had a financial interest in the AI program. He even offered a quote for a press release promoting the new technology, saying, This is an absolute game changer for complex litigation...The system turned hours or days of legal work into seconds. This is a look into the future of how cases will be conducted.

Michel was convicted in the spring on 10 counts, including for orchestrating an unregistered, back-channel campaign to try to persuade the Trump administration to drop an inquiry into a Malaysian businessman, Jho Low, who was accused of perpetrating a massive fraud scheme. Michel was also accused of working with Low on improper political contributions and lying to the Federal Election Commission about it.

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His attorneys now assert that, because of Kenners allegedly poor representation, he never had a chance.

Pras Michel listens as his attorney David Kenner talks to reporters outside U.S. federal court after Michel was convicted on criminal charges that he conspired with a Malaysian financier to orchestrate a series of foreign lobbying campaigns aimed at influencing the U.S. government, in Washington on April 26, 2023. Nathan Howard/Reuters

In addition to the AI debacle, they claim that Kenner was unfamiliar with crucial elements of the law. Two weeks before the trial, they wrote in Mondays filing, a member of Kenners trial team was so alarmed by the state of Kenners preparations and understanding of the case that he asked a law school classmate, a trial attorney in Miami, if he would fly to Los Angeles to help. The lawyer was apparently taken aback when Kenner asked him to explain the money laundering statute to him.

The new lawyerswho have an interest in making Michels former attorney appear unfitalso claim they asked for access to discovery materials, but that Kenner told them to contact an e-discovery vendor directly about some of the items. The company declined, the motion said, because its bills for work performed at Mr. Kenners request remain unpaid.

Reached by phone by The Daily Beast, Kenner declined to comment.

Kenner has been in hot water since earlier this year, when prosecutors accused him of violating a court-imposed protective order by sharing discovery materials with Bloomberg.

The outlet later published a set of articles on Michels case; in fact, a photo in one of the stories was emblazoned with a a grand jury exhibit sticker that matches the copy provided to the defense in discovery.

Furious, the prosecutors argued that Kennerwho had been reminded about the protective order sixteen timeswas trying to bias the jury pool by selectively leaking advantageous information.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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State police identify woman whose body was found on Bostons Carson Beach

Authorities have identified the woman whose body was found Monday morning on Carson Beach in South Boston.

Troopers responding to a section of the beach along William J Day Boulevard near Mollys Beachside Burgers found the body of 29-year-old Megan Anderson, just before 7 a.m., according to Massachusetts State Police.

State police noted that Andersons last known permanent address was in Las Vegas, Nevada, and that may have been homeless prior to her death.

Detectives assigned to the case and personnel from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner showed no indication of trauma to Andersons body, according to state police.

The medical examiners investigation into Andersons official cause and manner of death is pending.

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Troopers assigned to the Suffolk District Attorneys Office are leading an investigation into what led up to Andersons passing.

There were no additional details immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The Met Office has warned of the potential for flooding and travel disruption

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain for parts of eastern Scotland during Storm Babet.

Forecasters say Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Stirling and surrounding areas could see unusually heavy rainfall from 06:00 on Thursday to 18:00 on Friday.

Up to 100mm (4in) is likely, with some upland areas seeing as much as 200mm (8in).

Network Rail Scotland said it was holding meetings to assess the potential impact.

Speed restrictions will be put in place from Aberdeen to Keith, Aberdeen to Dundee and between Perth and Inverness on Thursday, it said.

ScotRail said customers should check for updates on services before travelling.

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The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued a number of flood alerts, with affected areas including Fife and Scottish Borders.

David Morgan, of Sepa, said the storm was expected be "relentless" in terms of duration and could last two or three days.

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The message just now is to be prepared and plan accordingly.

"But it's important to stress that over the course of today, as our understanding starts to improve around the storm, the message might well change to be much firmer around really don't travel."

Mr Morgan added: "We are expecting it to be extremely wet."

Traffic Scotland said there was a "high risk of disruption" to road travel in Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.

Transport Scotland said the forecast wet weather followed heavy rain and flooding over the weekend of 7 and 8 October.

Spokesman Stein Connelly said: "We recently witnessed some of the most severe weather in Scotland since the 1890s, and another wave of challenging conditions is expected this week.

"I would again ask the public to plan ahead and be prepared.

"Check before you travel as your journey is likely to be affected by these latest severe weather warnings - whether by foot, bike, car, rail or ferry."

The Met Office has updated a number of yellow "be aware" warnings for rain and strong winds for most of the rest of Scotland for Thursday through to Saturday morning.

An earlier yellow warning for the east has been upgraded to amber and warns of the potential for travel disruption and flooding of properties.

The Met Office said: "It is increasingly likely that a period of disruptive, heavy and prolonged rainfall will affect parts of eastern Scotland.

"The heaviest rainfall is more likely to occur over Angus and southeast Grampian, although even lower lying areas could see unusually heavy rainfall during this period.

"Very strong southeasterly winds are likely to accompany heavy rainfall which may exacerbate impacts."

Aberdeenshire, Highland and Shetland Islands councils have appealed to people to be prepared for the bad weather.
Troopers are at the scene of a deadly vehicle crash along Floridas Turnpike in Lake County.

The crash happened Tuesday morning in the northbound lanes around mile marker 286, near Howey-In-The-Hills.

Troopers arrived around 4 a.m. to the crash site, which involves at least one fatality, according to Florida Highway Patrols website.

READ: FDOT releases new details about proposed SunRail extension to Polk County

Northbound lanes are closed between exits 285 and 289 on the Turnpike.

Northbound traffic is being diverted off the Turnpike at US-27 near Groveland.

READ: Development team announced for upcoming sports & entertainment district next to Amway Center

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Drone 9 is above the crash to monitor troopers activity and Channel 9s Alexa Lorenzo is keeping tabs on possible delays, alternate routes, and more.

Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this breaking story.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Strictly Come Dancings head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed that she hired a personal assistant who syphons through the hateful messages she is sent.

Ballas, 63, who is currently a judge on the 21st season of the popular BBC One dance competition series, has been the victim of severe online trolling.

Last month, the former professional dancer admitted she nearly quit Strictly due to the online abuse she received, which she said left her in tears after every episode in 2022.

During a Channel 5 News appearance on Tuesday (17 October), Ballas was asked by Dan Walker  who competed on Strictly in 2021  if she has got better at dealing with some of the horrible stuff she received on social media.

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I think with the social media, yes. This year Ive taken on Harry as a PA [who] also syphons through all those really unbelievable messages that you couldnt even repeat to a human being, she said.

Discussing how difficult it can be to avoid hateful messages, Ballas added: Unfortunately they come up, you know, if youre scrolling or youre looking or, you know, when I did my Sky challenges for [charity] Calm, they come up and Im trying to help people as well, so I dont want to just ignore all the good people, cause theres more good people than bad people.

Strictlys Shirley Ballas (Laura Lewis Photography/PA)

To raise money for suicide prevention charity Calm (Campaign Against Living Miserably), Ballas undertook a Skyatholon challenge in August, which involved a zipline, wing walk and 13,000ft skydive.

Elsewhere in the interview, the former ballroom dancer also spoke about her new book Murder On The Dancefloor, co-written by Sheila McClure, which follows dance superstar and world champion Lily Richmond and private investigator Susie Cooper as they try to unveil the identity of killer.

Talking about the novel and whether the level of drama is representative of the dance industry, Ballas said: Ive lived it. Ive been part of it... not the murder part but everything else that went with it, you know the backstabbing.

And its such a competitive industry and people will do whatever they need to do to get wherever they need to go.

Last season, Ballas received a barrage of offensive social media comments. Some of the messages were so cruel, she told The Times in September. Just, how ugly you are and how fat you are, and how youve got horrible arms, and, You dont like men. You dont like women. You dont like Black men. You dont like Black women.

And then once it starts steamrolling, it goes even further, and then it gets personal, about your being, how you look.

Of her PA Harry, a 21-year-old mathematician from Manchester University, Ballas told The Times: Hes going to do all my social media. He will be filtering. My mother adores him. Sorry, trolls, but Harry will be intervening this year.

Additional reporting by PA
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Students, faculty and staff will return to The Covenant School campus less than a year after six people were killed by an active shooter.

On March 27, 2023, three children and three adults were shot and killed by 28-year-old Audrey Hale at the Covenant School in Green Hills. The victims were identified Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all 9 years old; as well as Cynthia Peak, 61; Dr. Katherine Koonce, 60; and Mike Hill, 61.

Students have been attending classes inside the Brentwood Hills Church of Christ since three weeks after the shooting.

RELATED | Covenant School Mass Shooting Continuing Coverage

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On Monday, the Tennessee Court of Appeals heard arguments regarding the release of the Covenant School shooters writings.

Several family members of Covenant School shooting victims filed petitions earlier this year asking for the writings to be kept private. According to documents, families of the victims believe the release of the shooters writings could bring psychological consequences for the survivors and their families.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

On Monday, the court also heard from a lawyer who represent the Covenant Presbyterian Church, who argued that because the church owns the Covenant School and operates under the same premises as the school, the release of the writings would also reveal security and schematic information shared by both the church and school.

There is no timeline on when the court will decide whether or not parents and Metro government will get to weigh in on the release of these documents. A separate judge will decide if, and what parts of the documents will be released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A super PAC supporting Sen. Tim Scott s (R-S.C.) 2024 presidential campaign told donors that it would be pulling its fall ads, in a memo obtained by The Washington Post.

In the memo reported Monday, Trust in the Mission PAC Co-Chair Rob Collins told donors that the group would still support other fundraising methods for Scott but that investing in mass media is not worth the expense at this time.

We arent going to waste our money when the electorate isnt focused or ready for a Trump alternative, Collins wrote in the memo, the Post reported.

We have done the research. We have studied the focus groups. We have been following Tim on the trail. This electorate is locked up and money spent on mass media isnt going to change minds until we get a lot closer to voting, the memo continued.

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Collins said in the memo that the Trust in the Mission PAC will still fully fund our grassroots door knocking, conduit fundraising, event hosting, and earned media efforts.

The memo comes as Scott has yet to see the boost in the polling that could make him a viable contender to the runaway frontrunner in the race, former President Trump.

Scott reported raising close to $6 million between his political committees, according to the third-quarter filings  just short of the $15 million Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) reported raising in the third quarter and the more than $11 million former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley reported raising in the third quarter.

Still, Scott has the most primary cash on hand outside of Trump  with $11.6 million available for him to use during the primary, compared to DeSantiss $5 million and Haleys $9.1 million.

Scotts campaign defended Scotts standing in the race, in response to reporting on the super PACs memo.

From Day One, Tims campaign was built for the long haul  powered by the most primary cash on hand and the highest candidate favorability of anyone in the field, his campaign said in a statement to The Hill.

On issues ranging from Israel to abortion, he has been the clearest and strongest voice, leading while others have followed. Were ready, as ever, to take our message into the early states and beyond, the campaign statement continued.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MADISON  Wisconsin's electoral maps are "unsalvageable" and "infected" with partisan bias, attorneys for Democratic voters and Gov. Tony Evers argued in new court filings with the state Supreme Court.

Attorneys for the voters who brought the suit in August, after the court flipped to a liberal majority, are asking justices to declare the state's legislative districts unconstitutional and order new maps drawn based on "traditional redistricting criteria" in addition to what's required under state law by mid-March 2024.

"That remedy cannot be a partisan gerrymander in intent or in effect," attorneys for the voters argued.

The entire point of redistricting is to serve democracy: it should empower voters, not the opposite, attorneys representing Evers, including Attorney General Josh Kaul, argued in their filing with the court Monday.

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Such a ruling would put every member of the Legislature up for reelection next year.

Attorneys for Republican senators named in the suit called the challenge a "collateral attack" on a previous state Supreme Court ruling on the state's voting maps, asking "the Courts new majority to transform itself into a super-legislature."

Law Forward, a Madison-based liberal-leaning law firm focused on voting issues, filed the challenge directly with the Supreme Court, bypassing lower courts, immediately after liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz was sworn in.

The lawsuit, brought by 19 Wisconsin residents, argues that by adopting a set of maps Evers vetoed in 2021, the state Supreme Court violated separation of powers rules. It also argues the maps violate the state's Constitution because some districts include pieces of land that are not connected, like Senate District 22 in the southeastern area of the state and Senate Districts 16 and 26 in Madison.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission and state senators representing odd-numbered districts are named as respondents in the lawsuit. Additional parties, including Evers, have intervened.

Attorneys for the Republican senators urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit and "reject the invitation to exercise raw political power."

The challenge relies on a legal remedy known as a writ of quo warranto, which can be used to challenge a lawmaker's right to hold office. If the lawsuit is successful, it will force the senators to run in new districts in a special election in 2024 for a new two-year term despite being in the middle of a four-year term.

Political districts typically are redrawn once every 10 years, following the completion of the U.S. Census. The legislative districts must have equal populations, but the district boundaries can confer advantages on one political party over another.

The current maps tilt heavily in Republicans favor, with 63 of the 99 Assembly seats and 23 of the 33 Senate seats leaning toward the GOP, according to a 2021 analysis by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Evers and Republicans who control the Legislature couldn't agree on new maps following the most recent U.S. Census, so it fell to the state Supreme Court to decide on the districts. In a 4-3 ruling in 2022, the justices picked Evers' maps, which had a Republican tilt to them even though they were drawn by a Democrat.

Republican lawmakers appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which found the state court had not provided enough evidence justifying why the state was increasing the number of Assembly districts with Black majorities in Milwaukee from six to seven.

The U.S. Supreme Court left in place the congressional district boundaries drawn by Evers and approved by the state Supreme Court. The 2022 decision by the state court affects only races for the state Legislature.

Earlier this month, Protasiewicz rejected calls from GOP legislative leaders to recuse herself from the lawsuit after referring to the state's electoral maps on the campaign trail as "rigged"  a decision Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has warned could push him to start impeachment proceedings.

Under state law, impeachment is reserved for corruption in office or for crimes and misdemeanors.

Wisconsin's Code of Judicial Ethics contains a unique provision that says a judge "shall not be required" to recuse based solely on an endorsement or campaign contribution. Wisconsin's rules require recusal in situations including when the judge or an immediate family member has a significant financial interest in the case's outcome, or if the judge has made pledges, promises, or commitments to rule in a particular way.

Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for Nov. 21.

More: Gilbert: Are Wisconsin's election maps 'rigged'? Here are the reasons the answer is yes

Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Court filings lay out arguments in fight over Wisconsin election maps
India's highest court refuses to legalize same-sex marriage, claiming it is not their responsibility.

The Supreme Court of India declined to pass a ruling on the issue, arguing that it was beyond their scope and needed to be taken to Parliament.

"This court cant make law. It can only interpret it and give effect to it," Chief Justice Dhananjaya Chandrachud said.

INDIAN AND CANADIAN OFFICIALS IN DIPLOMATIC DIALOGUE AMID SIKH LEADER ASSASSINATION CONTROVERSY

Journalists gather at the courtyard of the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi ahead of India's top court ruling on same-sex marriages. LGTBQ campaigners hoped for an overhaul of partnerships in the world's most populous nation.

Same-sex marriage remains a contentious issue in Indian politics, where conservative social norms clash with international progressive movements.

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The court's decline leaves activists largely out of options  both the legislative and executive branches of the Indian government are functionally opposed to same-sex marriage.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Today the court has reaffirmed that queer citizens will be relegated to an unsympathetic legislature and an apathetic executive. We are second-class citizens, no matter how many judicial platitudes say otherwise. We will rise in rage and protest," said Rohin Bhatt, a lawyer on the case.

ARRESTS MADE IN CONNECTION TO MOSQUE ATTACK TARGETING ANTI-INDIA MILITANT IN PAKISTAN

Members of the LGTBQ community follow the live hearing of India's Supreme Court on same-sex marriages on a smartphone at the courtyard of India's top court in New Delhi.

The five justices of the court were intensely divided on the issue, and four separate legal opinions were prepared, according to reports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party has vocally opposed same-sex marriage in India.

The government has previously stated that gay marriage is not "comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children."

A view of the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi.

Indian nationalists have also characterized homosexual unions as an "urban" and "elite" phenomenon of the West.

The Supreme Court legalized homosexuality in 2018 by striking down a ban originally instituted under British colonial rule.

Before the ruling, gay sex was punishable with up to a decade behind bars.





Original article source: Supreme Court of India refuses to legalize same-sex marriage
The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a case involving a 2015 law in North Carolina that aimed to punish undercover recording at farms and other businesses, upholding a legal victory for advocates who argued the law restricted whistleblowing.

Earlier this year, the federal 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled part of the law was unconstitutional because it prevented employees who are trying to expose wrongdoing from recording at work or gathering data that could be used as evidence. By preventing employees from gathering information, appeals court judges ruled, North Carolinas Property Protection Law violated the workers First Amendment rights.

On Monday, the Supreme Court denied a writ of certiorari in N.C. Farm Bureau Federation v. PETA, meaning it will not review the 4th Circuits opinion.

The 2015 Property Protection Act, or House Bill 405, was one in a series of bills General Assembly passed to protect the states agricultural industry  particularly its hog and poultry industries  from scrutiny. Under the legislation, employers could sue a worker caught recording in nonpublic areas or collecting data, with penalties of as much as $5,000 per day plus damages.

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Opponents of the legislation called it an ag gag law, arguing it was meant to quell information about the states large-scale hog and poultry farms.

Every time such a law has been challenged, it has been struck down either in whole or in part, David Muraskin, the managing director of litigation for FarmSTAND, told The News & Observer. Muraskin represented a group of nonprofits like PETA, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Food & Water Watch that challenged the North Carolina law, arguing it had a chilling effect on their ability to conduct investigations.

People have a right to know about illegal and unethical conduct. Exposing unsafe or inhumane practices and working conditions is essential to holding powerful bad actors accountable for the harm they cause. Ultimately, a contrary ruling would have had a chilling effect on whistleblowers and undercover investigations across the board  from animal welfare issues to documenting sexual harassment in the workplace, Muraskin told The N&O in a statement.

McClatchy, which owns The News & Observer, was one of 17 media organizations that filed an amicus brief in favor of plaintiffs in the case.

Bill sponsors said the Property Protection Act still provided protections for whistleblowers, provided they take their findings to law enforcement or regulatory agencies instead of the media or advocates.

The Supreme Courts decision not to hear our case is disappointing and troubling. Farmers and other North Carolina businesses are now more vulnerable to having their farms, offices, and facilities infiltrated by fake employees and double agents, Jake Parker, the N.C. Farm Bureaus secretary and general counsel, told The N&O in a written statement.

The 4th Circuits ruling earlier this year noted that the state has other protections in place that protect client lists and trade secrets.

Laws supporters call for legislature to act

In light of Mondays Supreme Court decision, the Farm Bureau is calling for a new legislative effort to prevent undercover activity among the states agricultural workers.

Hopefully, the General Assembly will step up again and protect our fundamental rights to privacy and property. Meanwhile, farmers and other business owners should consider themselves activist targets and take caution when hiring new employees, Parker wrote.

Muraskin, the attorney who represented PETA, argued that North Carolina politicians could enact laws to prevent trespassing and protect property that would not violate the Constitution. But, he argued, those stated targets are being used to hide the true goal of preventing the public from better understanding how the states large-scale animal feeding operations are operated.

When you only prohibit entry on a property when someone gathers and subsequently shares information about illegal or unethical activities on the property, youre not trying to protect property. Youre trying to quell speech, Muraskin said.

Shortly before the 2015 bill was passed, an animal rights group had published an investigation of chickens being kicked, spun by the necks and jammed into a shed, The N&O reported at the time. That resulted in felony charges for the worker on the video.

Employee groups also argued that because the Property Protection Act could be applied to any business, it would potentially have a chilling effect on nursing home workers efforts to document abuses.

Gov. Pat McCrory, the states then-governor, vetoed the bill, The N&O previously reported, arguing it didnt provide adequate protections for genuine whistleblowers. McCrory argued that it would be contradictory to sign the bill into law just days after signing another bill that increased penalties for group home workers who failed to report sexual abuse of patients.

Any business can continue to do business in North Carolina safely and securely. What this is about is no longer suppressing the ability to communicate truthful information about illegal and unethical activities. Why either the state or businesses would want to keep that information from the public you can only guess, but it seems like the answers pretty obvious, Muraskin said.

This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and the 1Earth Fund, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.
FILE - Dutch citizen Joran van der Sloot, left, is driven in a police vehicle from a maximum-security prison to an airport to be extradited to the U.S., on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Thursday, June 8, 2023. Court records filed Friday, Oct. 13, indicate Van der Sloot, the chief suspect in Natalee Holloways 2005 disappearance, intends to plead guilty in a federal case accusing him of trying to extort money from the missing teens mother. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia, File)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)  An attorney for the mother of Alabama teen Natalee Holloway, who disappeared in Aruba, said a possible plea deal with a suspect in an extortion case is contingent upon his disclosing details about her death.

Joran van der Sloot , long considered the chief suspect in Holloway's 2005 disappearance, is scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday morning in Birmingham, Alabama, for a plea and sentencing hearing for a case in which he is accused of trying to extort $250,000 from Holloway's mother in 2010 to reveal the location of her body.

John Q. Kelly, an attorney who represented Holloway's mother during the alleged extortion, told The Associated Press Tuesday that a potential plea deal is contingent upon him revealing information about what happened to Holloway. Kelly first made the comments on NBC's Today show. Emails sent to van der Sloots attorney and a spokeswoman for federal prosecutors were not immediately returned.

Holloway's family has long sought answers about her disappearance. But those answers have proven elusive. Van der Sloot has given a variety of conflicting descriptions over the years about what happened, which would likely put raised scrutiny on any new account. Her family is expected to be in court Wednesday.

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Holloway went missing during a high school graduation trip with classmates to Aruba. The Alabama teen was last seen leaving a bar with van der Sloot, a student at an international school. The mysterious disappearance sparked years of news coverage and true-crime podcasts, books and movies. Van der Sloot was identified as a main suspect and was detained for questioning but no charges were filed in the case.

A judge declared Holloway dead but her body has never been found.

Prosecutors in the Alabama case said van der Sloot contacted Kelly in 2010 and asked for $250,000 from Beth Holloway to reveal the location of her daughter's remains. He later agreed to accept $25,000 to disclose the location, and asked for the other $225,000 once the remains were recovered. Van der Sloot said that Holloway was buried in the gravel under the foundation of a house, but later admitted that was untrue, FBI Agent William K. Bryan wrote in a 2010 sworn statement filed in the case.

Van der Sloot moved from Aruba to Peru before he could be arrested in the extortion case. Van der Sloot was extradited to Alabama earlier this year from Peru, where hes serving a 28-year sentence after confessing to killing a Peruvian woman in 2010.

Perus government allowed van der Sloots temporary extradition to the U.S. to face charges there. Under a 2001 treaty between the countries, a suspect can be temporarily extradited to face trial in the other country, but must be returned after judicial proceedings are concluded.
A suspected burglar is to be taken to court by a private police force for the first time in Britain amid concerns that officers are still failing to investigate low level crimes.

The private security company - which provides retailers with staff to stop and apprehend shoplifters - is mounting the first private prosecution against an alleged burglar who avoided prosecution.

Two detectives from the company identified the alleged suspect from CCTV footage after he mounted an overnight raid on an M&S store, stealing 500 of sirloin and T-bone steak and 20 bottles of prosecco.

They claimed they tracked him down, arrested him and recorded a confession with their body-worn video cameras.

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The company TM Eye, founded by a former Scotland Yard detective chief inspector, is now preparing to prosecute the man over five burglaries.

The firm has its own legal department which has already successfully prosecuted 280 shoplifters.

Even though it is a private case, the firms team of lawyers will be treated the same as any state prosecutor. If convicted the defendant faces a maximum jail sentence of 14 years.

Police have been accused of 'not doing the basics' - Leon Neal/Getty

David McKelvey, the founder of TM Eye, said: The lesson is that every burglary deserves an investigation because there is always an opportunity to solve the case if you take the time to do the basics.

Police pledge

Commercial premises as well as outbuildings, garages and sheds are excluded from a police pledge made in June that officers will visit the scene of every burglary.

However, ministers have told the police they must investigate any crime where there is a reasonable line of inquiry.

An investigation by the Telegraph this summer found police failed to solve a single burglary in neighbourhoods across nearly half of England and Wales in the past three years. National charging rates for burglary have fallen from one in 14 (6.7 per cent) in 2016 to fewer than one in 25 (3.9 per cent) in 2022.

TM Eye started by specialising in investigating and prosecuting counterfeit and fake goods rackets. Over five years it says it has brought more than 500 successful prosecutions by working with police forces internationally, the FBI and the Federal Drugs Administration.

My Local Bobby

It launched My Local Bobby two years ago to provide residents, firms and shops with neighbourhood policing to combat thefts, criminal damage and other anti-social behaviour.

Its bobbies, who are uniformed with magenta vests and caps, provide cover 24/7 for up to 250 houses and businesses on each beat. It promises to have a response at the scene within five minutes for those paying into the scheme.

The alleged burglar was operating in Streatham, south London, where My Local Bobby provides its service to the business improvement district. He allegedly broke into M&S through a reinforced glass window before making off with the meat and alcohol.

The officers are said to have recognised him as a prolific shoplifter and knew his haunts.

He was wearing the same clothing as worn during the burglary. He was detained and immediately admitted the recent burglary and an earlier burglary at the same premises some days before which was also written off by police, said Mr McKelvey.

The Met Police said they were working to establish the facts of the M&S burglary.

A spokesman said the force was working with retailers to identify what matters to them, including the safety of shop-based workers and shoplifting.

On shoplifting, it said it was not realistic for the force to respond to every case but where a crime is being committed, a suspect is on the scene, and the situation has or is likely to become heated or violent, our call handlers will assess this and seek to dispatch officers where appropriate.

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.
AUSTIN, Texas - A South Austin business says one of their customers had their truck broken into and burglarized and caught the incident on camera.

On Thursday afternoon, store employees at Ace Contractors Supply on Ben White Boulevard were helping a customer, when Ami Maze says she saw a black SUV pull into the parking lot and a man get out of the back seat.

"By the time I could get my camera out he was gone," Maze said. "I noticed he got out, I didn't realize he broke the window, to me it just looked like he grabbed it. From our video we did notice that he burst the window out and grabbed what appeared to be money off of the dash that is what the customer confirmed. He said he had been at the bank and suspected that maybe they followed him."

Maze said the customer did not confirm the amount of money that was stolen, but it seemed to be a significant amount.

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"I was so upset for him, I felt so sorry for him, and you could just tell you know that he was very upset," Maze said.

She says the thieves were gone within thirty seconds of pulling into the parking lot.

"Since the vehicle had already left, we just assumed that we shouldn't tie up the 9-1-1, I mean it's a non-emergency I guess, we just assumed we were supposed to call 3-1-1, so that is why I called that one, and she said that was the right thing to do," Maze said.

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Earlier this year former Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon spoke out against jugging.

"Certainly. I think that, you know, first of all, when it comes to jugging, it's really about education and making sure that people understand that this is happening so that they can be on the lookout and they can, they can hopefully take measures that would make it as hard as possible for that crime to occur," said Chacon.

The store decided to put the video on social media in hopes that someone would recognize the car or those involved.

"I just hope that they can catch the people that are doing this, I don't understand why people steal from people that are working hard," Maze said.
(KTLA)  Suzanne Somers husband, Alan Hamel , gave the beloved actress a heartfelt poem just hours before she passed away Sunday, PEOPLE reported.

Hamel posted the poem, along with three photos, on Somers Instagram account on Monday, which would have been his wifes 77th birthday.

Somers publicist, R. Couri Hay, told PEOPLE that Hamel gave it to her a day early and she read the poem and went to bed and later died peacefully in her sleep.

Love, he started the poem with. There is no version of the word love that is applicable to Suzanne.

The closest version in words isnt even close. Its not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction. Unconditional love does not do it. Ill take a bullet for you doesnt do it, he continued. I weep when I think about my feelings for you. Feelings thats getting close, but not all the way.

The Canadian television personality and the Threes Company actress were together for over five decades and he even said that wasnt enough time for their love.

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55 years together, 46 married and not even one hour apart for 42 of those years. Even that doesnt do it, he wrote.

Even going to bed at 6 oclock and holding hands while we sleep doesnt do it. Staring at your beautiful face while you sleep doesnt do it. Im back to feelings. There are no words. There are no actions. No promises. No declarations. We are one.

I am in love with you, my beautiful Suzanne, for all of eternity, he ended the note saying.

On his own Instagram account, Hamel thanked everyone for the incredible outpouring of love and tender wishes.

Its impossible to put into words how very much she meant to me, he wrote. All the ways that the love and wisdom she gave me have played and continue to play such a huge part in my life.

Importantly, she is the source of our every family tradition and all of the memories weve made together as a family. For that, I am forever grateful.

He also included a piece of his artwork alongside the caption, which was his birthday card for Somers.



She always loved and appreciated my art, Happy birthday Suzanne, I love you with all my heart.

The Step By Step actress died on Sunday.

Her publicist told KTLA 5 that she passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th.

She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years. Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family, the publicists statement read. Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.

At the end of July, Somers revealed her cancer had returned.

As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago, and every now and then it pops up again, and I continue to bat it down, she wrote in an Instagram post. I have used the best alternative and conventional treatments to combat it. This is not new territory for me. I know how to put on my battle gear and Im a fighter.



A private family burial for Somers will take place this week, with a memorial to follow next month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
(KTLA)  Suzanne Somers husband, Alan Hamel , gave the beloved actress a heartfelt poem just hours before she passed away Sunday, PEOPLE reported.

Hamel posted the poem, along with three photos, on Somers Instagram account on Monday, which would have been his wifes 77th birthday.

Somers publicist, R. Couri Hay, told PEOPLE that Hamel gave it to her a day early and she read the poem and went to bed and later died peacefully in her sleep.

Love, he started the poem with. There is no version of the word love that is applicable to Suzanne.

The closest version in words isnt even close. Its not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction. Unconditional love does not do it. Ill take a bullet for you doesnt do it, he continued. I weep when I think about my feelings for you. Feelings thats getting close, but not all the way.

The Canadian television personality and the Threes Company actress were together for over five decades and he even said that wasnt enough time for their love.

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55 years together, 46 married and not even one hour apart for 42 of those years. Even that doesnt do it, he wrote.

Even going to bed at 6 oclock and holding hands while we sleep doesnt do it. Staring at your beautiful face while you sleep doesnt do it. Im back to feelings. There are no words. There are no actions. No promises. No declarations. We are one.

I am in love with you, my beautiful Suzanne, for all of eternity, he ended the note saying.

On his own Instagram account, Hamel thanked everyone for the incredible outpouring of love and tender wishes.

Its impossible to put into words how very much she meant to me, he wrote. All the ways that the love and wisdom she gave me have played and continue to play such a huge part in my life.

Importantly, she is the source of our every family tradition and all of the memories weve made together as a family. For that, I am forever grateful.

He also included a piece of his artwork alongside the caption, which was his birthday card for Somers.



She always loved and appreciated my art, Happy birthday Suzanne, I love you with all my heart.

The Step By Step actress died on Sunday.

Her publicist told KTLA 5 that she passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th.

She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years. Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family, the publicists statement read. Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.

At the end of July, Somers revealed her cancer had returned.

As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago, and every now and then it pops up again, and I continue to bat it down, she wrote in an Instagram post. I have used the best alternative and conventional treatments to combat it. This is not new territory for me. I know how to put on my battle gear and Im a fighter.



A private family burial for Somers will take place this week, with a memorial to follow next month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Suzanne Somers  son is mourning the death of his mother.

The Threes Company star died Oct. 15  one day before she wouldve turned 77  from breast cancer, her daughter-in-law told The New York Times. Her only child, Bruce Somers Jr., whom she shared with her first husband, Bruce Somers, paid tribute to her in a moving Instagram post on her birthday.

She soared higher than most can dream. She protected those who didnt have a voice. She asked the questions most didnt know to ask. She shared her challenges and brought light to solutions, he captioned a photo of his mother giving him a kiss while they were eating a meal.

To so many she was a brave warrior who articulated their fears. She wasnt fearless, but she faced them so we could learn. She was a friend, a wife, a sister, a daughter, an entertainer, an icon, and a legend. But to me, she was just Mom. I had the privilege as the only person who could call her that.

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Bruce Somers Jr. then reflected on the life lessons he learned as his mother, who married second husband Alan Hamel in 1977, became a star.

Growing up, it was us against the world. And then she took the world by storm, he wrote.

Its always too soon, no matter how prepared we may be. But she will live through me as she taught me to be kind, to be present, to love and be loved, to care, to express, and to always speak from the heart because THAT is the voice of God.

Mom, you left me with all the tools, though Ill still need your guiding spirit around me. I feel you and know you are there. But I will miss your sweet hand and caring eyes that would look deep into my soul for verification that everything was okay.

Bruce Somers Jr. also lamented the gravity of losing his mother and wishing they had more time together.

Thank you for being the best mother any son could ever dream of. I miss you already. Call me greedy, but 57 years wasnt enough. And yet, I received more love than I could ever imagine, he wrote.

I love you so dearly. Happy Birthday on what would have been your 77th birthday. Please gorge on all the birthday cake you want while you make all the other angels sing, dance, laugh and cry. Today, Heaven is lucky.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Im the only person who did not get to attend the Eras Tour. Factually, this is untrue: I was but one of hundreds of thousands of people who vied for tickets, ultimately crashing Ticketmaster and prompting a Senate hearing on its business policies. But when seemingly all of my friends managed to get tickets (but never take me; Ive forgiven them), it kind of felt like Taylor Swift was shutting me out personally.

Despite being what Id call a medium-liker of Miss SwiftI love the songs I love, hate the songs I hate, and dont care about the restI wanted to be both part of the zeitgeist as well as experience the pure joy that is a performer doing her thing. And with Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, a filmed version of her Los Angeles tour dates thats now in theaters, I got a chance to do both. For the rest of us medium-likers that are nonetheless bummed to have missed one of the concert events of the decade, Id argue that The Eras Tour film is a more-than-ideal experience.

The Eras Tour kicks off with no added fanfare, which I liked. After all, how do you simulate the experience of spending hours in the merch line and/or half-listening to multiple openers, in the wait for Swift to get onstage? Instead, the film gets Swift singing and dancing as soon as possible.

The camera makes sure we can appreciate just how impressive all that singing and dancing really is. Cutting between close-ups of the crew onstage, wide shots of the entire set, and the screaming members of the audience, the film does more than place you within the experience. It gives you the best possible seat in the house, one that I absolutely never would have had access to otherwise. Its possible to see Swifts every little smirk, booty-shake, and bemused look in a way that even the biggest monitors in an arena could not communicateand with a large part of Swifts appeal being how endearing shes able to make herself seem to her fans, this is a huge benefit for the film.

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Having this kind of intimate access to Swifts performance is remarkable, especially as the film improves upon moments of the set that I imagine may have come off as goofy otherwise. Im not a huge fan of Reputation, whose lyrics I find navel-gazing at best and embarrassing at worst. But with the camera hewing so closely to Swifts facial expressions and dazzling costumes, along with her live vocals coming through so strongly, the fun shes having onstage becomes palpable. Look What You Made Me Do, one of my least-favorite pop songs, became a veritable showstopper on the big screenan incredibly likable display of commitment to the bit.

Photo by Taylor Hill/TAS23/Getty Images

Similarly, when it was released, I found Evermore to be Folklores YA fantasy novel-reading little sister in a way that made me cringe. The concerts elaborate set designs played right into that aesthetic, as did Swifts Little Red Riding Hood-esque outfit. But watching The Eras Tour, I could appreciate the sheer detail and work that went into her set pieces, and the curated tracks from the album played well both on a huge stage and into Swifts quest for sonic cohesion.

That said, The Eras Tour itself fails to assert any kind of authorial vision in its own rightor, rather, doesnt seem to have interest in asserting it. Its edited like a music video, darting around to different angles in time to the beat. This can be distracting in a song like Lover, which would benefit from a steady hand that allowed us to focus on the beauty of both the song and Swifts acoustic performance of it. The kinetic energy mirrors that felt by the crowd, dancing along nonstop; but as a viewer, I wish I had the same control over how I physically viewed my experience as those who got to go in-person did. Director Sam Wrench doesnt have any feature filmmaking on his resume, and I cant see this film getting him any calls from proper Hollywood studios. (Although once execs see those box-office receipts, that could change their minds.)

Why Is Taylor Lautner Doing Backflips for Ex Taylor Swift?

But then, The Eras Tour isnt exactly a feature film. This is a Swift presentation, and you are here to see unyielding shots of Miss Swift. While the film packages them in a specific way, how you intake them is up to you. Should you want to treat the movie theater as suchlike meyou certainly can. But the internet is also already rife with clips of fans doing choreography under the screen, singing along loudly, and waving glow wands. This isnt inherently a bad thingbut not having to endure the high-decibel screeching that accompanied every TikTok I saw from the Eras Tour itself was one of the appeals of seeing it in a theater in the first place.

Thankfully, there were a lot of benefits of my specific Eras Tour viewing. For one, I purposefully went to one of Manhattans smaller AMC theaters, where our Saturday-at-noon screening wasnt even sold out. The majority of people appeared to be in their late-twenties, and it led to a calm, respectful crowd of folks who bopped along to the music unobtrusively in their seats. I knew I was in for a good time when two people started cheering loudly at the films opening countdown and several more people shushed themif you wanted a rowdy screening, you should have gone somewhere else.

Photo by Frederic J. Brown / Getty Images

I also went with the best possible guide: my best friend, who went to see the Eras Tour on two different dates. (Again: Ive forgiven her.) She filled me in on the tracklist when I didnt know the song; she warned me that Swift would skip over her debut album entirely during the set, helping me redo my bathroom break plan accordingly.

Swift is picking things back up with her live shows later this fall and into next year, with a brief return to the U.S. planned for next October. I, obviously, failed to get tickets to those shows either. But Im satisfied with my incredibly pleasant, entertaining, even emotionally affecting Eras Tour experienceand I didnt even have to fight Ticketmaster for it.

Liked this review? Sign up to get our weekly See Skip newsletter every Tuesday and find out what new shows and movies are worth watching, and which arent.

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As artificial intelligence continues to develop, so does the technology to detect what is real and what isnt.

>>How AI can fuel financial scams online, according to industry experts

There is a new tool that detects artificial intelligence, but experts believe it may be hard to keep up with the technology.

Stephen Stahl is a professional music producer and songwriter but he is concerned about the impact artificial intelligence could have on the industry he works in.

Instead of having to come up with a great song on a guitar or a piano, you can just prompt in, you know, hi, I want to write a song like Halo by Beyonce, Stahl said.

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Stahl worked with a technical partner to create AI Spy, which is a program that can detect speech and audio authenticity.

AI can recreate voices, making them sound exactly like true vocalists.

There are other AI detectors that determine if writing or images have been produced by humans or computers, but technology experts said it has become harder as AI continues to evolve.

Arun Ross is a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Michigan State University and said AI is everchanging, and what works today might not work tomorrow.

>>Schools across world embrace AI tools, US educators ban them

If we can detect something that is synthetic today, we may not be able to use that same method to detect synthetic images or synthetic voices tomorrow, because AI can start producing images that are more realistic, that are more human-like, Ross said.

Stahl said the app isnt perfect, but he works to continuously update it to make sure it can detect the difference.

He hopes this technology will eventually be used by Telecommunication companies to help people determine if someone calling is real or AI-generated.
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A New Jersey teenager has been arrested for last week's fatal shooting of a police officer at Philadelphia International Airport, but law enforcement are still on the hunt for at least two other suspects, authorities said.

Yobranny Martinez Fernandez, 18, was arrested early Monday in Cherry Hill, N.J., Philadelphia law enforcement told reporters during a Monday press conference.

The teenager is accused of being involved in the late Thursday shooting of officers Richard Mendez and Raul Ortiz at the Philadelphia airport.

The pair of law enforcement were working security at the airport when they confronted a group of at least four people breaking into vehicles in the parking garage.

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A gunfight followed, resulting in Mendez being shot multiple times and Ortiz being short in the arm. Both officers were transported to the hospital where Mendez was pronounced dead. Ortiz was released on Saturday.

Yobranny Martinez Fernandez was apprehended with the use of the handcuffs belonging to officer Richard Mendez, who was killed in a shooting that the teenager is accused of participating in. Photo courtesy of U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia/X

Authorities said the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle that was later seen dropping off a suspect, later identified as Jesus Hernan Madera Duran, at a local hospital where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound believed to have been sustained in the firefight.

Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore told reporters during the press conference that over the weekend investigators developed probable cause that Fernandez of Camden, N.J., was involved in the shooting.

Philadelphia police officer Raul Ortiz was released from the hospital Saturday after being wounded in a late Thursday shooting at the Philadelphia International Airport. Photo courtesy Philadelphia Police Department/Facebook

"We believe that individual participated in the theft of the vehicle and was subsequently involved in the shooting homicides of officer Ortiz, officer Mendez, as well as the individual that was with them, Jesus Duran," he said.

Vanore added that they are searching for two other suspects, and that one of the three is responsible for wounding Ortiz and killing both Mendez and Duran.

Philadelphia police officer Richard Mendez was fatally shot late Thursday at the Philadelphia International Airport. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Police Department/Facebook

"We believe that one of these accomplices was responsible for firing a firearm, which shot all three of these individuals," Vanore said. "That's what the evidence is showing us at this time."

Vanore said Fernandez was arrested just before 4 a.m. Monday by members of the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI and New Jersey State Police after investigators received information about two hours earlier that the suspect was in Cherry Hill.

Photos published of the arrest online by the U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia show that Fernandez was secured in Mendez's handcuffs, which were marked with his badge number 5041.

@USMS_Philly, @FBIPhiladelphia and Marshals from Camden arrested Yobranny Fernandez in Cherry Hill, NJ. Fernandez was wanted for the murder of @PhillyPolice Officer Richard Mendez. @PhillyPolice Detectives secured Fernandez with Officer Mendez's handcuffs bearing badge #5041. pic.twitter.com/kSsGzjwVh9 U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia (@USMS_Philly) October 16, 2023

Fernandez is currently in the custody of New Jersey State Police awaiting extradition to Philadelphia for charges of murder, Vanore said.

Vanore would not say what information they had that led them to Fernandez or where they had received it from, but said "they need more," calling on the public to contact authorities if they know anything about the shooting.
A 15-year-old Louisiana student is facing criminal charges after he allegedly posted a rap video to YouTube that insulted his high school and its teachers.

"Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Lafourche Parish Schools Superintendent Jarod Martin announced that a Central Lafourche High School student has been charged amid threats," the Sheriff's Office posted to Facebook. "The song contained thoughts of violence directed at specific teachers at the school."

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office has until Thursday to release what specific charges the teen will face. According to Lafourche Parish Sheriff PIO Brennan Matherne, the Sheriff's Office has up to 72 hours to release the specific charges a teen may face.

"We have within that time to complete an affidavit like we would in any other arrest that would lay out the reasoning for the charges and the specific charge," he explained. "The affidavit is going to lay out the reasoning of the charges and it's not limited to he just made a song, it's the totality of the circumstances surrounding it and the specific things that he mentioned in the song. So, that's where the charges come in."

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The song is a "diss track" titled [expletive] CENTRAL LAFOURCHE.

More: Houma man faces murder charge in January shooting in Thibodaux

More: Clayton Voisin Jr. upsets Gerald Michel for Terrebonne Council District 3

The teenager from Gray, whose name has not been released by the Sheriff's Office nor the Lafourche Parish School District, insults many teachers at the school by name. At one point in the song, he says he wants to move to Terrebonne Parish to receive a better education.

At times the young man sings about hitting a teacher and using his male member in defiance.

"They talkin' about I don't do work and [expletive], you lying [expletive], I'm fixing to smack you [expletive] and make you eat that [expletive]," the rapper sings.

Lafourche Parish Superintendent Jarod Martin said he received a link to the song Oct. 16 from staff at Central Lafourche. About the same time, he said, one of the staff members of the school who was named in the song had contacted the Sheriff's Office.

The school district will determine what action will be taken after the investigation is completed, Martin said, and until that time the teenager is not allowed back at school.

According to Matherne, the teen is currently being monitored by an ankle bracelet.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Teen faces charges for rap song insulting his high school teachers
STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR)  An Oklahoma City 19-year-old has pleaded guilty to robbing a Stillwater U.S. Postal Service mail carrier at gunpoint back in March.

Just after 2 p.m. on March 4, officers were called to the Apex Apartments at 1822 N. Perkins Road after a postal worker delivering mail reported a robbery.

I was so scared: Woman recalls encounter with possible mail thieves at Moore apartments

The suspect entered the mail room, pointed a semiautomatic handgun at the mail carrier, and demanded his keys, Stillwater PDs Lt. TJ Low told KFOR.

According to U. S. Attorney Robert J. Troester, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Oklahoma City began receiving numerous reports of stolen U.S. mail in August 2022. There were four armed robberies of USPS mail carriers between August 2022 and March 2023.

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One armed robbery happened on February 1, 2023, in Edmond and another armed robbery happened on March 4, 2023, in Stillwater.

During the Stillwater robbery, surveillance cameras spotted a white vehicle following the mail carrier before and after the robbery.

US Postal Service taking new steps to prevent carrier robberies, stolen mail

An investigation of this vehicle led authorities to 22-year-old Rijae Varnell Luster.

Authorities believed Luster drove 19-year-old Taryan Nabond Prince-Sadler to the Stillwater location to carry out the robbery.

Prosecutors allege on April 17, 2023, USPIS investigators observed Prince-Sadler unlocking mailboxes in Edmond, removing U. S. mail, and placing the mail in a trash bag. The USPIS investigators immediately arrested Prince-Sadler.

Former USPS worker charged, accused of stealing nearly $1.7M in checks from mail

Now, Prince-Sadler has pleaded guilty to robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

As part of his plea, Prince-Sadler admitted to forcefully taking a United States Arrow Key from a U.S. mail carrier and putting that mail carriers life in jeopardy by using a firearm.

On September 14, 2023, Luster pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting armed robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States.

As part of his plea, Luster admitted that he participated in the robbery when he drove Prince-Sadler, who he knew to be armed, to and from the Stillwater robbery.

At sentencing, Prince-Sadler faces at least five years and up to life in federal prison, and a fine of up to $500,000. Luster faces up to 25 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Two teenagers from Georgia were charged with breaking in to more than 30 cars in Columbia in early October, the Lexington County Sheriffs Department said.

A search is underway for a third person who is accused of being part of the Georgia-based theft rings crime spree, the sheriffs department said Monday in a news release.

Quadriquez Malik Poole; a 19-year-old Ellenwood, Georgia resident; was charged with 38 counts of breaking into vehicles, vehicle theft, second-degree burglary and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the release.

Bond was set at $256,000 on the combined charges and Poole remains behind bars at the Lexington County Detention Center, jail records show.

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The name of the second teen, who the sheriffs department said is also from Georgia, was not made public because he is under the age of 18. Information on the charges the minor is facing were not available, but he is being held by the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, according to the release.

The break-ins from this case happened the first week of October at several places between the 1200 and 2800 blocks of Bush River Road, Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in the release. Thats in a portion of Columbia that is located in Lexington County.

There was one burglary associated with this investigation that happened in that same area Oct. 6,

Koon said one of the burglaries happened in that same area Oct. 6. A detective made contact with the teens hours after the burglary and arrested them after a short foot chase, according to the sheriff.

Weve recovered some of the stolen property and return it to the owners, Koon said. We got the car back, a gun, some electronics and a lot of debit and credit cards.

Koon said more charges and arrests are likely.

There was no word how a third person was connected to the burglaries, and information about that suspect was not available. There was no word why the teens from Georgia were targeting vehicles in South Carolina.

Anyone with information on the third person, or the car break ins, is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
WASHINGTON  With Israel on the verge of launching a ground war against Hamas, fears are rising that the latest conflict could engulf the Middle East.

Its something President Joe Biden has been warning against  but preparing for.

The U.S. is ramping up its firepower in the Middle East. A last-minute presidential visit to Israel is under way before the first tanks roll into Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held marathon negotiations in Tel Aviv that were interrupted by the sound of air raid sirens, prompting a dramatic dash to a bunker.

Biden has publicly warned terrorist groups and other nations hostile to Israel not to interfere and expand the confrontation with Hamas, a militant group the U.S. considers a terrorist organization. Biden even singled out Iran by name last week, saying he made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful.

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Yet despite Bidens admonition, there are signs that groups in the Middle East are bracing for a broader war.

In Iran, the primary backer of Hamas, leaders warned Monday that an expanded war is increasingly becoming unavoidable.

The time for political solutions is running out and the possibility of expanding the scope of the war on other fronts is approaching the stage that cannot be avoided, Irans foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

To the north, Lebanons militant group Hezbollah said it has started destroying surveillance cameras on several Israeli Army posts along the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollahs actions come amid concerns it could join the war between Israel and Hamas.

And in a major setback for Biden's Middle East visit, the Jordanian government announced it canceled a summit previously scheduled Wednesday in Amman, Jordan in which Biden was to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The cancellation came after Israel and Palestinians blamed each other Tuesday for an explosion that killed hundreds at a Gaza City hospital. The White House cited three days of mourning announced by Abbas following the hospital blast for postponing the summit.

The president sent his deepest condolences for the innocent lives lost in the hospital explosion in Gaza, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded, a White House official said. He looks forward to consulting in person with these leaders soon, and agreed to remain regularly and directly engaged with each of them over the coming days.

Timeline of conflict: Why the 2023 Israeli-Palestinian fighting is among the most brutal in years

Biden meets with Netanyahu as Middle East 'on the precipice' of larger conflict

John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, told reporters Monday evening the U.S. is watching closely for signs that other countries or groups are looking to widen the conflict.

We dont want to see any other actor, and that includes Iran, jumping in here and escalating this conflict, Kirby said. We havent seen any indication that thats necessarily in the offing right now, but we are watching it very, very closely.

In Washington, Biden canceled a trip to Colorado on Monday to promote his economic agenda and remained at the White House, where he huddled with his national security advisers and intelligence officials and placed calls to the leaders of Germany, Egypt and Iraq.

Biden will meet with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, a move seen as another show of solidarity with a longtime ally  and a possible warning to others looking to escalate the conflict.

Sure, the administration wants to avoid a broader war in the Middle East, but its interests are not merely avoiding a broader war in the Middle East, said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.

The administration has a strong interest in ensuring that Israeli leadership keeps its eye on the ball and is thinking through the end game and what actions are necessary to achieve that goal, Alterman said.

Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator for the State Department and now a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the administrations actions also serve as a deterrent to others who may be looking to expand the conflict.

Its intended to send an unmistakable signal to Iran and Hezbollah that if they widen the war, theres the real possibility of U.S. engagement, and neither Hezbollah nor Iran wants to court the possibility of massive American airstrikes, Miller said.

The Middle East is right on the precipice of a larger conflict, said Natan Sachs, director of the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.

Clashes on a limited scale have already broken out between Hezbollah and Israel on the Lebanese-Israel border. There are fears Israels threatened ground assault in the Gaza Strip could prompt Hezbollah to launch a full-scale attack on Israel from Lebanon.

The danger is very real, and Hezbollah is far stronger than Hamas, Sachs said. So, the possibility of the war becoming far greater and much more damaging not only to Israel but also to Lebanon is acute.

'I won't condemn Hamas': Some Palestinians find it hard to denounce attacks on Israel

US steps up military show of support for Israel

The Biden administration has already stepped up its support to Israel in the week and a half since the conflict began, when Hamas staged an attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers. At least 30 Americans have been killed, and 13 others are missing. Hamas also is holding at least 199 hostages.

Israel responded to the attack by hitting the Gaza Strip with a barrage of airstrikes that the Palestinian Health Ministry says has killed more than 2,700 Palestinians. An Israeli ground invasion into Gaza is expected soon.

The Pentagon continues to bolster its firepower in the Middle East with a second aircraft carrier strike group steaming to the region.

The Pentagons intent is to prevent adversaries like Iran and Hezbollah, its proxy force in Lebanon, from launching a major attack against Israel, according to U.S. officials.

The USS Dwight Eisenhower and its escort warships will join the Pentagons newest, largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, in the eastern Mediterranean. The ships and aircraft provide intelligence gathering and the ability to hit targets with missiles and bombs.

The Air Force has held fighter jets and pilots in the Middle East that had been scheduled to be replaced, boosting the number of warplanes to the region. The Pentagon also is working to supply Israel with interceptors for its Iron Dome missile-defense system, precision-guided weapons and artillery ammunition.

The message sent by the Pentagon has likely been received by Iran, said Mark Quantock, the former head of intelligence for U.S. Central Command and a retired Army two-star general.

Iran/Hezbollah wont want to poke the bear any harder, Quantock said.

Israel wants help: Israel seeks Iron Dome missiles, U.S. guided weapons after Hamas attack

The Pentagon regularly adds warships to the region, especially when Iran acts provocatively. Marines aboard amphibious assault vessels were sent to the region over the summer when Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intercepted commercial shipping.

This time is different, Quantock said. Hamas killed American citizens, holds others hostage and inflicted unspeakable atrocities on unarmed Israeli citizens, Quantock said.

The U.S. is also not in the mood to be trifled with, Quantock said. Iran/Hezbollah would be wise to sit this one out. Time will tell.

Sachs said he believes Biden will respond with airstrikes from the carriers if Hezbollah counters with a significant attack on Israel. The targets would most likely be Hezbollah or other Iran-backed militias depending on their involvement, he said, not Iran itself.

I take him at his word. I think the U.S. would use naval firepower, Sachs said. I don't think there will be Americans on the ground.

Reach Michael Collins on X, formerly Twitter, @mcollinsNEWS, Garrison @joeygarrison and Vanden Brook @tvandenbrook.

Hamas attacks Israel: Hoe the police and military are trying to find the gunmen.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Biden's mission on trip to Israel? Here's what to expect
The 20-year-old Chechen immigrant accused of killing a teacher and injuring others while on France's terror watchlist last week swore allegiance to the Islamic State group moments before the attack, according to prosecutors in the European country.

French authorities had been watching him closely for weeks, they said, and even stopped him the day before the deadly attack in Arras, about 115 miles north of Paris. But he was released due to a lack of evidence.

Hours later, bystander video shows him struggling in a paved courtyard at the Lycee Gambetta High School. According to authorities, he killed a teacher there and "gravely" wounded at least two more people.

KNIFE-WIELDING ATTACKER SHOUTS ALLAHU AKBAR AND KILLS TEACHER IN FRENCH SCHOOL AMID HAMAS-ISRAEL WAR: REPORT

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Police later recovered a recording of the pledge on his phone, according to Jean-Francois Ricard, France's anti-terror prosecutor.

In the video, he declared "his hatred for France, for the French, for democracy and the education he benefited from in our country," Ricard told reporters at a news briefing in Paris, according to The Associated Press.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The suspect, identified by authorities only as Mohammed M., previously attended the school.

ISRAELI PM'S OFFICE RELEASES GRAPHIC PHOTOS PURPORTING TO SHOW HAMAS MURDERED AND BURNED BABIES

His full name is Mohammed Mogouchkov, according to La Voix du Nord , a newspaper based in northern France.

Sliman Hamzi, a police officer identified as one of the first responders on scene, told The Associated Press he heard the suspect shout "Allahu Akbar!"

French President Emmanuel Macron said the attack exemplifies "the barbarism of Islamic terrorism."

"This teacher was cowardly and savagely assassinated," he said last week. "Our thoughts are with the teacher's family and the families of those wounded."

The suspect and two family members, including a 16-year-old younger brother, have been charged with terrorism, according to Ricard.

One of the wounded was a school administrator who also attempted to intervene and suffered life-threatening injuries, Macron said. He praised the victims for their heroics.

French reports noted that the knife attack happened just shy of three years to the day of the beheading of another French teacher, Samuel Paty, who was also killed by a radicalized Chechen .

An Islamic State militant is seen holding the terror group's flag.

French authorities said early on they suspected terror as a motive in the attack, which comes amid a raging conflict in Israel following an attack by Hamas terrorists based in the Gaza Strip. However, they said they have not found a direct link to the Israeli conflict.

France's interior ministry has ordered a country-wide ban on demonstrations in support of the Palestinians.

The Islamic State group, which rose to prominence with horrific propaganda videos that showed graphic murders, "encourages sympathizers to carry out simple attacks wherever they are located," according to the FBI.

The State Department has designated the group and many of its regional chapters as a designated foreign terrorist organization.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Terror suspect accused in teacher stabbing swore allegiance to ISIS before knifing, prosecutor says
A "Welcome to Texas" sign stands behind concertina wire set up along the Rio Grande, close to the Texas-New Mexico border in El Paso on Tuesday. Texas National Guard troops installed the barrier to deter migrants who cross from Mexico into New Mexico from entering Texas. Credit: Paul Ratje for The Texas Tribune

EL PASO  The Texas National Guard in recent weeks has deployed miles of concertina wire along the New Mexico-Texas border as part of Gov. Greg Abbotts efforts to stem illegal immigration.

Last month, Abbott told an audience in New York City that the state planned to install a barrier along the border between the states because immigrants who crossed from Mexico into New Mexico were walking into El Paso.

And so not only are we building border barriers between the border of Texas and Mexico, were also having now to build border barriers between Texas and New Mexico, Abbott said at a Sept. 27 event hosted by the Manhattan Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank.

The barrier consists of two rows of wire strung between metal poles running through an urban area west of Interstate 10, near Mount Cristo Rey, a local landmark with a statue of Jesus atop a mountain peak.

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The Texas Military Department did not respond to a request for comment. Abbotts office hasnt said how long the new barrier is; a Tribune reporter drove along it on Tuesday and it appeared to stretch about two miles.

Earlier this year, Abbott ordered National Guard members to be deployed to El Paso as part of the states Operation Lone Star  the governors border security initiative launched in early 2021 that sent National Guard members and state troopers to the Texas-Mexico border to arrest migrants crossing the border illegally and charge them with misdemeanor for trespassing. National Guard members also installed 18 miles of concertina wire along the Rio Grande in El Paso.

Mount Cristo Rey looms behind the Rio Grande where concertina wire is set up along the river bank, close to the Texas-New Mexico border in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday. Credit: Paul Ratje for The Texas Tribune

A Department of Public Safety Trooper is parked near concertina wire set up along the Rio Grande close to the Texas-New Mexico border in El Paso on Tuesday. Credit: Paul Ratje for The Texas Tribune

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 Texas Military Department told KVIA-TV on Tuesday.

Caroline Sweeney, a spokesperson for New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, said Abbott should turn his attention away from a never-ending stream of political stunts and toward working in earnest for the people of the state he was elected to represent.

New Mexico, she added, stands ready to assist as requested by federal or local partners to ensure individuals are treated with compassion and respect while maintaining public safety.

Migrant encounters at the southern border reached a 20-year high of 1.7 million in fiscal year 2021, according to federal immigration data, then rose to 2.4 million encounters last year. Through the first 11 months of the 2023 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, the government recorded 2.2 million encounters, half of them at the Texas-Mexico border. Statistics for September have not been released.

Under Operation Lone Star, the state has tried different tactics to try to stop immigrants from crossing the Rio Grande into Texas. Earlier this year in Eagle Pass after the state deployed concertina wire along the riverbank a state trooper claimed that superiors ordered officers to push migrants back into the Rio Grande and deny them water. The state also installed a 1,000-foot floating barrier in the middle of the river.

Abbott has ordered the state to hire contractors to build a border barrier along the 1,200-mile Texas-Mexico border  continuing an effort started by former President Donald Trump and largely abandoned by President Biden. The state has paid more than $1 billion to contractors to build 40 miles of border barrier.

The state Legislature plans to debate House Bill 6 during the current special session, which would appropriate more state money for a state border barrier.
At a Georgia Chick-fil-A, a pair of thieves werent interested in running off with chicken sandwiches or waffle fries. Instead, they stole hundreds of gallons of used cooking oil, police say.

The manager for a Chick-fil-A on Atlanta Highway in Athens reported the restaurants used cooking oil was stolen on the morning of Oct. 5, according to an Athens-Clarke County Police Department case report obtained by McClatchy News. The theft occurred between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., the report says.

That morning, two men arrived at the Chick-fil-A in a U-Haul truck, the manager said in the report, and stopped near their dumpster. The restaurants used frying oil was located nearby because it is recycled.

The pair snapped the lock and chain used to secure the oil, then began draining between 200 and 300 gallons of the liquid, the manager told police in the report.

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The early-morning theft wasnt the first time oil from that Chick-fil-A was stolen. The manager told police its happened four times on a monthly basis, the report says.

The total amount of used cooking oil drained from the store was between 700 and 800 gallons, the manager told police, valued at around $2000.

The thieves also destroyed two sets of heavy-duty locks and chains, including the set from Oct. 5, which were around $70 each, according to the report. The offenses listed on the report included theft and criminal trespassing causing damage to property.

Athens-Clarke detectives are investigating the case, a department spokesperson told McClatchy News in an Oct. 17 email. No suspects have yet been identified.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A third person has been arrested in connection to a deadly shooting in northwest Oklahoma City on Friday, October 6.

According to officials, officers were called to the scene near NW 82nd and Western around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Upon arrival, they found 29-year-old Norris Wilson deceased inside a home.

RELATED STORY: Two arrested following deadly NW OKC shooting

Oklahoma City Police say Dale Williams and Karrington Lewis were taken into custody on first degree murder complaints a week later on Friday, October 13.

Officials say a third person has now been arrested in connection to the homicide.

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RELATED STORY: Police investigating deadly shooting in NW OKC

Jason Caruthers was arrested on Monday, October 16, on a first degree murder complaint, robbery or attempted with a dangerous weapon and grand larceny from person at night.

No more information is available as the investigation continues.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Thousands of pounds of medical supplies from Orlando shipped to front lines in Israel

An Orlando doctor is working to send thousands of pounds worth of supplies to the front lines in Israel.

Dr. Tovah Ellman, a pediatric emergency room physician at Nemours Childrens Hospital, told Channel 9 that she, like many, felt helpless seeing the horrific images and videos and hearing the heart-wrenching stories of the war in Israel.

Ellman has family and friends there and thought she could help from Central Florida by collecting and sending thousands of medical supplies to Israel.

She and other doctors across Florida started organizing efforts last week.

Read: Israel-Hamas war: Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday

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Now, part of Dr. Ellmans home has been converted into a storage area filled with trauma supplies, packaged and ready to send to Israel.

We have tourniquets to stop the bleed, gauze that clots blood right away, Ellman said. Chest tubes to help decompress. If someone has a bullet wound or shrapnel in their lungs. You really just need that blood out so you can breathe.

Ellman says doctors offices and hospitals in the Orlando area have sprung into action, helping to donate trauma supplies.

Read: Florida works with nonprofit group to help bring Americans stranded in Israel back to U.S.

Now, 2,000 pounds of supplies sent last week are now on the front lines in Israel. Ellman says she and others are working to send even more.

This is just from doctors offices or people in the area have sent since Friday and Sunday. And then theres more items are picking up from warehouses. So, its just been an unbelievable response, Ellman said, pointing to a room filled with stacked boxes of supplies in her home.

On top of medical supplies, people have donated sleeping bags, clothing, toiletries, and even over-the-counter medication.

Ellman says shes doing what she can in the U.S. but hoping to do more. Ellman, a mom of five, just signed up to help in Israel as a pediatric ER doctor.

Read: Orlando rabbis hold Stand with Israel event at Lake Eola

Ellman said her desire to help and support the people there drives her. She also has 10 nieces and nephews, her brother-in-law and her sister-in-law in Israel, with three cousins fighting on the front line.

Israel is a country full of reservists, Ellman said. Their doctors in the hospitals are reservists, and they need backup. Im hoping to go do what I do as a pediatric emergency room doctor. Because kids still get ear infections and stomach bugs, even when this is going on. Then, theres also all the people that theyre going to have to bring in. We expect its only going to get worse.

Ellman says another shipment of supplies is scheduled to be flown out Tuesday.

You can drop it off at Yeshiva of Central Florida if youd like to donate.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio arrives for a House Republican caucus meeting in the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Credit: Julia Nikhinson for The Texas Tribune

Three Texas Republicans joined a sliver of GOP House members to block Ohio Rep. Jim Jordans bid for speaker on Tuesday, forcing the leaderless body to hold another vote amid the intraparty gridlock.

Rep. Jake Ellzey, of Waxahachie, was the first of the Texans and the fifth Republican to cast a vote against Jordan  securing his demise in the first round. Reps. Tony Gonzales of San Antonio and Kay Granger of Fort Worth both voted for Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the partys original nominee who dropped out Thursday night after it became clear he did not have enough votes to win the gavel.

In total, 20 Republicans voted for candidates other than Jordan. All 22 of the other Texas Republicans voted for Jordan and all 13 Texas Democrats voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Jordan was unable to reach the requisite 217 votes to become speaker, even after days of negotiating with Republican holdouts since his nomination during a Friday conference. A number of Texas Republicans  including those who originally supported Scalise  rallied around Jordan. Texas representatives make up the largest Republican voting bloc of any state in the House and became a target for candidates vying for the speakership.

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Eight far-right Republicans, led by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, and all Democrats voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Oct. 3, plunging the chamber into chaos as Republicans scrambled to find consensus over a leader. McCarthy, too, was initially blocked in his bid for speakership in January, with 19 Republicans voting against the former speaker in the first round. He eventually won the gavel after a historic 15 votes. McCarthy voted for Jordan and received six votes Tuesday.

All three Texans who voted against Jordan serve on the House appropriations committee, which handles defense spending and aid for Ukraine. Granger, who chairs that committee, had not expressed support for any speaker candidate until Tuesday. Jordan has voted against support for Ukraine.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, also serves on that committee and said Jordan expressed openness to passing Ukraine aid.

If we don't have a speaker in the chair, we don't have the ability to govern, McCaul said. This spectacle has created a weaker United States. Its projecting weakness.

Democrats denounced a potential Jordan speakership, hoping moderate Republicans would work across the aisle to elect Jeffries. Leaders pointed out Jordans weak legislative track record, as he hasnt passed a bill signed into law in his 16 years as a representative.

They have nominated an insurrectionist and the architect of a prior government shutdown, Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said on Friday. This is a man who literally and figuratively has tried to burn this place down. I am stunned and profoundly disappointed.

The House was in recess as of Tuesday afternoon. Its not immediately clear when the next vote would take place.
Tilda Swinton, Steve Coogan and Miriam Margolyes are among more than two thousand cultural figures to have signed a letter calling for a Gaza ceasefire.

Charles Dance, Maxine Peake and Peter Mullan are also named on the open letter thats accused the government of not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

You can follow The Independents live coverage here.

On Saturday (7 October), the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its largest-ever attack on Israel, which killed more than 1,000 people.

In response, Israel has imposed a total siege on Gaza, ordering evacuations ahead of an expected ground invasion. Rights groups have warned that the move could be classed as a war crime if carried out, with more than a million people fleeing their homes amid dwindling water supplies and the impending collapse of hospitals.

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The letter, which has also been signed by directors Mike Leigh, Asif Kapadia and Michael Winterbottom, Outlander star Sam Heughan as well as comedians Josie Long and Frankie Boyle, calls for an end to the unprecedented cruelty being inflicted on Gaza.

Those who have signed the letter demand that our governments end their military and political support for Israels actions, while condemning Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallants description of Palestinians as human animals.

The full letter reads:We are witnessing a crime and a catastrophe. Israel has reduced much of Gaza to rubble, and cut off the supply of water, power, food and medicine to 2.3 million Palestinians. In the words of the UNs undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, the spectre of death is hanging over the territory.

Gaza is already a society of refugees and the children of refugees. Now, in their hundreds of thousands, bombarded from air, sea and land, Palestinians whose grandparents were forced out of their homes at the barrel of a gun are again being told to flee  or face collective punishment on an unimaginable scale. Dispossessed of rights, described by Israels minister of defence as human animals, they have become people to whom almost anything can be done.

Our governments are not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them. There will come a time when they are held to account for their complicity. But for now, while condemning every act of violence against civilians and every infringement of international law whoever perpetrates them, our obligation is to do all we can to bring an end to the unprecedented cruelty being inflicted on Gaza.

Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

We support the global movement against the destruction of Gaza and the mass displacement of the Palestinian people. We demand that our governments end their military and political support for Israels actions.

We call for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of Gazas crossings to allow humanitarian aid to enter unhindered.

Other stars listed as signatories on the letter include playwrights Tanika Gupta and Abbie Spallen, artist Poppy Jackson and pghotographer Emily Rose.

On Monday (16 October), actor Riz Ahmed accused Israel of morally indefensible war crimes against Gaza in the wake of the deadly Hamas attack.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott (R) criticized the recent comments made by former President Trump about Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .

The Republican senator and 2024 presidential candidate described Trumps comments as terrible and not helpful during his Monday conversation hosted by Georgetowns Institute of Politics and Public Service and The Associated Press.

We should be loyal to our allies while being lethal to our adversaries. Anything less than that jeopardizes life, he said.

During Wednesdays speech, Trump accused Netanyahu of letting us down in 2020 just before the U.S. military assassinated a top Iranian general. He also suggested that Netanyahus discussions with the Biden administration assisted Hezbollah, a designated terror organization.

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Scott then praised Netanyahu for showing passion and humanity after Hamass deadly attack on October 7.

Israel responded the same day with heavy airstrikes, officially stating that Israel is waging war against Hamas. So far over 4,000 people have died.

One of the first things that Israels done is they waited, Scott said. Now how Prime Minister Netanyahu had the kind of restraint to refrain from immediate action, it just talks about the morality and the humanity that we see coming from Netanyahu into Gaza.

The Senate Banking Committee ranking member found some common ground with his presidential campaign rival, Floridas Gov. Ron DeSantis, on the topic of Palestinian refugees.

Scott said due to the President not being able to determine who is safe to bring in, whos not safe to bring in, it is the right decision not to accept Palestinian refugees if they flee Gaza.

This sentiment is similar to the rhetoric that DeSantis has been touting. In his view, the Palestinian refugees should not be taken in if they manage to leave Gaza because they are all antisemitic.

When posed with a question from a Georgetown student on what he would do with BRICS, the GOP senator said that, as president, he would work to break the coalition.

Those economic partnerships are something that I would work to break, to be honest with you, Scott said. One of the goals that appears that they have is to pull the world away from having the US Dollar as the worlds reserve currency.

BRICS is a grouping of the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa that gather to address the economic challenges of the Global South.

I would love to have an economic brand that would attract more resources in the partnership with us and away from the BRICS, Scott said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on Monday criticized former President Trump's recent comments attacking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "terrible and not helpful" amid Hamas' terrorist attacks against the Jewish State.

Scott, a presidential candidate seeking the Republican nomination in 2024, made the comments about his GOP primary opponent's remarks during an event hosted by the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service and The Associated Press.

"We should be loyal to our allies while being lethal to our adversaries. Anything less than that jeopardizes life," the South Carolina Republican said.

More than 4,200 people have been killed in Gaza and Israel since Hamas launched its Oct. 7 attack, 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.

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ISRAELI OFFICIAL SAYS SHAMEFUL TRUMP COMMENTS ON NETANYAHU  WOUND THE SPIRIT OF THOSE FIGHTING HAMAS

South Carolina GOP Sen. Tim Scott on Monday criticized former President Trump for his recent comments attacking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump blasted Netanyahu during a speech on Wednesday, saying the Israeli prime minister "let us down" shortly before the U.S. military assassinated top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in early 2020. The Republican front-runner also suggested that Netanyahus conversations with the Biden administration helped Hezbollah, a terror group Israel fears may launch an attack from the country's north.

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The former president also said Israel's intelligence agencies needed to "step up their game" for not detecting Hamas' attack, and he referred to Hezbollah as "very smart."

On Friday, Trump changed his tune regarding the Israeli prime minister after backlash from fellow Republicans. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he stands with Israel and Netanyahu.

Scott, meanwhile, offered high praise to Netanyahu for displaying "passion" and "humanity" when responding to Hamas' largest attack against Israel in decades.

SEN. COTTON URGES DHS TO DEPORT FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO SUPPORT HAMAS: NO PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES

Trump accused Netanyahu of "letting us down" shortly before the U.S. military assassinated a top Iranian general in early 2020.

"One of the first things that Israels done is they waited," Scott said. "Now how Prime Minister Netanyahu had the kind of restraint to refrain from immediate action, it just talks about the morality and the humanity that we see coming from Netanyahu into Gaza."

The senator also spoke on whether the U.S. should accept Palestinian refugees. Scott said he does not believe it is the right move to take in the refugees because the Biden administration will not be able to determine "who is safe to bring in, who's not safe to bring in."

Scott's comments about Palestinian refugees mirror statements from other Republicans, including presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs.

"I don't know what Biden's gonna do, but we cannot accept people from Gaza into this country as refugees," DeSantis said during a campaign stop in Iowa. "I am not going to do that. If you look at how they behave, not all of them are Hamas, but they are all antisemitic. None of them believe in Israel's right to exist."

Sen. Scott praised Netanyahu for displaying "passion" and "humanity" when responding to Hamas terrorists' attack against Israel.

Additionally, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said the Biden administration should rescind visas of foreign nationals who defend or support Hamas and Sen. Tom Cotton, R. Ark., urged the Department of Homeland Security to deport foreign nationals, including those on student visas, who have expressed support for Hamas in the wake of the terror attack on Israel.

"The appalling explosion of anti-Semitism in the United States over the past few weeks should disturb anyone who shares American values," Cotton said. "While American citizens may have a First Amendment right to speak disgusting vitriol if they so choose, no foreign national has a right to advocate for terrorism in the United States."





Original article source: Tim Scott responds to Trump's criticism of Israel PM Netanyahu: 'Terrible and not helpful'
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) called on the United States to revoke the visas for foreign students protesting against Israel.

The foreign national students on visas who are protesting against our ally Israel should be sent back to their country, the 2024 presidential candidate said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Its devastating to see people in our country celebrating a terrorist organization for the annihilation of our Jewish brothers and sisters, Scott continued. Hamas wants to wipe Israel off the map, but they wont stop there. They also want to eliminate all Jews on the planet and destroy Western democracy.

Scotts comments come as U.S. institutions have faced increased pressure to respond forcefully since Hamas launched its surprise attack on the southern border of Israel on Oct. 7. Many student groups on college campuses have faced scrutiny over statements theyve released that have been characterized as defending the killings in Israel.

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In his statement, Scott did not differentiate between protesting against Israel and protesting in support of Hamas, which is designated by the United States as a terrorist organization. Hamass brutal tactics have been compared to those deployed by ISIS.

Anyone who stands up in support of terrorism and the inhumane murder of Jews should have their visa revoked, Scott said in the statement. We have to stop indoctrinating students with the mindset that America is evil and that Western democracies are somehow oppressors.

Scotts statement follows similar calls by public officials, including Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who recently wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging his department to deport foreign nationals, including students, who have expressed support for Hamas.

Cotton suggested the Department of Homeland Security start with international students who signed or approved a controversial letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee, which stated Oct. 7 that Israel was entirely responsible for all unfolding violence in the region.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Timothee Chalamet received critical praise for his portrayal of a young cannibal in 2022s Bones and All, a movie that  in a strange twist of fate  was overshadowed by the media frenzy that had engulfed one of the actors co-stars from a different film, Armie Hammer, at the time of its release.

Chalamet graces the cover of Novembers GQ and, in an interview conducted before the Hollywood actors strike, was asked for his thoughts on starring in Bones and All right as Hammer, his co-star in the 2017 romantic drama Call Me by Your Name, was hit with allegations of sexual abuse.

At the time, messages purportedly sent from Hammers social media accounts surfaced online that included references to violent acts, including drinking blood and cannibalism.

I mean, what were the chances that were developing this thing? Chalamet recalled to GQ of his role in a film about a cannibal at that same time. As to rumors that the controversy would somehow be referenced in Bones and All, he added: It made me feel like: Now Ive really got to do this, because this is actually based on a book.

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He was a bit more tight-lipped when it came to his personal feelings regarding the accusations against Hammer, with whom he once appeared to have a close friendship.

I dont know, he told the publication. These things end up getting clickbaited so intensely. Disorienting is a good word.

Actors Timothee Chalamet, left, and Armie Hammer, right, at the 2018 Academy Awards.

Hammer has maintained a low profile since 2021, when the allegations against him first became public. That same year, a woman who said shed been in a four-year relationship with the actor accused him of rape.

Though Hammer has repeatedly denied all criminal wrongdoing, the ensuing controversy forced him to drop out of a number of high-profile projects, including the romantic comedy Shotgun Wedding, starring Jennifer Lopez, and the Broadway play The Minutes. Earlier this year, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office dropped the sexual assault charges against Hammer, stating there wasnt enough evidence.

On the contrary, Chalamets star has continued to rise, thanks to plum roles in Dune and other films. Hell return to the big screen this holiday season as eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka in Wonka, a prequel to Roald Dahls beloved childrens classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The GQ interview marks the first time Chalamet has offered any formal comment on his Call Me by Your Name co-star since news of the accusations broke. When Time magazine asked about the claims in 2021, he noted: I totally get why youre asking that, but its a question worthy of a larger conversation, and I dont want to give you a partial response.

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A team of researchers working on sustaining astronauts on future missions have turned their attention to watermeal.

Though not much bigger than a pinhead, when put to the test, plant clusters could withstand 20 times Earth's gravity aboard the European Space Agency's (ESA) Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC).

The plant's tolerance for crushing pressures could make it a prime candidate for feeding astronauts in the future and generating oxygen efficiently.

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope image of approximately 1mm-diameter watermeal plants after hypergravity exposure. (ESA)

A tiny plant with enormous potential

Watermeal, even smaller than the more well-known duckweed, is the tiniest flowering plant on Earth. Like duckweed, watermeal is an aquatic plant found in Thailand and other parts of Asia.

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For their study, researchers from Thailand's Mahidol University placed watermeal samples in containers equipped with LEDs to mimic natural sunlight. The boxes were then loaded into a centrifuge gondola, and grew well while spinning under 20 times Earth's gravity.

"We became interested in watermeal because we wanted to model how plants respond to changing gravity levels. Because watermeal doesn't have any roots, stems, or leaves, it is basically just a sphere floating on a body of water. That means we can focus directly on the effects that gravity shifts will have on its growth and development," Tatpong Tulyananda, leader of the Mahidol University team, explains in a statement.

"In addition, it produces a lot of oxygen through photosynthesis. And watermeal is also a good protein source, which has been consumed in our country for a long time  used with fried egg [in] soup or eaten as part of a salad. You consume 100 per cent of the plant when you eat it, so it holds promise in terms of space-based agriculture."

The team preparing the plants for the LDC. (ESA/J. van Loon)

A unique opportunity to study watermeal

Located at ESA's ESTEC technical center in the Netherlands, the LDC is an 8-metre-diameter, four-arm centrifuge that grants researchers access to a range of hypergravity conditions, with levels up to 20 times that of Earth's gravity, for extended periods, spanning weeks or even months.

The LDC operates at speeds of up to 67 revolutions per minute, with six gondolas stationed at various points along its arms, each capable of carrying a substantial 80 kg payload.

The next step, Tapton says, is to examine the plants directly, then transform plant extracts into pellet form for further analysis.

Header image: Watermeal on human fingers. Every single speck of less than 1 mm is an individual plant. (Christian Fischer) CC BY-SA 3.0
The fall colors reflect in the Ogden River in Ogden on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Legislative discussions are underway to protect riparian corridors as part of county and city plans. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The Ogden River spans 35 miles and is a cultural identifier for this outdoorsy northern Utah town.

From the way it carves out Ogden Canyon and winds behind Lorin Farr Park  which provides part of the backdrop for the iconic 1993 movie The Sandlot  the Ogden River has alternately been celebrated and neglected.

Eric McCulley, project coordinator with the Utah Reclamation and Conservation Commission, recently told members of the Legislative Water Development Commission how important this river is, not only as a water resource for agriculture, but as a recreational asset enjoyed by thousands.

Years ago, Ogden City invested in the parkway trail, which winds around the river for nearly 10 miles.

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But downstream, the river remained a source of pollution and in need of great help, spurring Ogden into action with multiple partners joining in to do something about it.

The city bought up dilapidated buildings and went about the business of fixing this important asset.

And what that did was it provided this riparian corridor that provided access for floodwaters. It improved river access, and it enhanced the river, but it also made the community much stronger because of areas that were unsafe or unsightly or dangerous, McCulley said.

McCulley has been involved with riparian corridor restoration for some time, and spoke in support of a proposal by Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion, D-Cottonwood Heights, who wants to ramp up protections across the state.

Following the playbook used in Ogden and in Helper, her measure would require cities and counties to incorporate riparian corridor considerations in their general plans within five years. The Helper City River Revitalization Project was launched with an aim to improve a stretch of the Price River, with the conservation of more than 60 acres, as well as wetlands and the removal of fish barriers. Since its inception, the river has seen an uptick in recreational users as well as benefits for the economy and environment.

Her hope is to change what may function as a dumping ground into an important piece of nature for people to enjoy. Similar attention has been paid to the Jordan River, but it still struggles to overcome pollution issues.

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The Centennial Trail and the Ogden River travel under Washington Boulevard near the Ogden sign on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Legislative discussions are underway to protect riparian corridors as part of county and city plans. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Bennion said an Envision Utah poll found that 75% of Utah residents value the vitality of a healthy river in an urbanized setting, so it is a good investment for not only wildlife and aquatic species but to boost a communitys identity.

The Ogden River, she added, is a good example of what success looks like when it comes to restoration.

Nearly 13 years ago, the Ogden River Restoration Project was kick-started with a million dollars in federal stimulus funding.

In late December 2010, more than 2,400 tons of concrete and scrap had been removed from a 1.1 mile stretch of the river, in addition to 3,800 cubic yards of litter and more than 2,000 tires.

McCulley said it was a mess, including the astounding figure of nine cars that were removed from the river.

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In their place, groups worked to place rocks to create a more natural channel flow, improve wildlife habitat, serve as a flood break and allow people to get closer to the river to enjoy its beauty.

So if you can give the river the room it needs, thats helpful. It also took these buildings out of the flood area so they no longer had to have flood insurance and so the risk was reduced on the communities, he said. It created a really great amenity down there and its actually resulted in over $60 million of economic investment in the areas along the Ogden River where nobody was really interested before when it was a bunch of rundown houses and things like that.

Bennion said Tuesday she is hopeful her proposal will galvanize action and greater protection for important river systems.

A cyclist rides on the Centennial Trail along the Ogden River in Ogden on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Legislative discussions are underway to protect riparian corridors as part of county and city plans. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Tlaib criticizes Biden after Gaza hospital strike: We will remember where you stood

Editors note: The headline on this story has been changed to reflect updated information about the hospital strike.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) on Tuesday criticized President Biden ahead of his planned trip to Israel after Palestinian officials said the Israeli military killed more than 500 civilians in an airstrike on a Gaza hospital.

Tlaib blamed Biden for encouraging and supporting Israel in its war effort against Hamas in Gaza, instead of pushing for de-escalation in the conflict.

Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients) just like that, Tlaib said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. [Biden,] this is what happens when you refuse to facilitate a ceasefire & help de-escalate.

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Your war and destruction only approach has opened my eyes and many Palestinian Americans and Muslim Americans like me, she continued. We will remember where you stood.

The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 500 people were killed in the strike on the al-Ahli hospital, with hundreds more injured.

The Israeli military has denied responsibility for the attack.

Biden, who is scheduled to visit the area Wednesday, has consistently stood by Israel in response to Hamass surprise attack 10 days ago, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis. He and other American government officials have backed Israeli calls to eliminate Hamas, which is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed nearly 2,800 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and about two-thirds of this total are children. The strikes have leveled entire neighborhoods and targeted civilians fleeing from areas they were instructed to evacuate by the Israeli military, drawing ire from international aid groups.

Strikes in southern Gaza continued early Tuesday, with 57 Palestinians killed by Israeli missiles, including an entire family who was killed when an Israeli missile destroyed their house, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Biden is scheduled to visit Israel and Jordan and was en route to the region when the hospital attack took place.

Protests erupted in Ramallah in the West Bank  the de facto capital of the territory  after news of the strike spread with thousands rising against Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Al Jazeera reported.

Abbas said he would return to Ramallah from Amman, Jordan, where he was scheduled to meet with Biden on Wednesday, canceling the meeting, according to the AP.

Updated at 10:40 a.m. Oct. 18.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Monday warned that preemptive action against Israel could be expected in the coming hours, due to its bombing of Gaza, according to Iranian state TV.

Amirabdollahian said that Israel  which is waging an air campaign against the Palestinian militant group Hamas with a ground invasion expected soon  wont be allowed to take such actions in the Gaza Strip without repercussions.

Leaders of the resistance will not allow [Israel] to take any action in Gaza  All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza, Amirabdollahian told state TV, as translated by Reuters.

The resistance front is capable of waging a long-term war with [Israel]  in the coming hours, we can expect a preemptive action by the resistance front, he added. If the crimes in Gaza do not stop immediately, new fronts will be opened.

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Israel since Oct. 7 has been at war with Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. The conflict has claimed more than 4,000 lives and counting on both sides after Hamass deadly surprise assault on Israel by land, air and sea.

The conflict has unsettled the region, with U.S. officials concerned that the Iran-backed Hezbollah might choose to open a second front in the fight. Hezbollah and Israel last fought a monthlong war in 2006.

We want to send a pretty strong message. We do not want this to broaden, and the idea is for Iran to get that message loud and clear, new Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown said last week.

Iran, which also backs Hamas, has denied any involvement in the planning of that attack, but the countrys leaders have seemed to revel in Israels intelligence failure in not suspecting Hamass plans.

Earlier Monday, Amirabdollahian posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that time is running out for political solutions to the war.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Israel-Hamas conflict is shining a spotlight on accusations of antisemitism against multiple major U.S. colleges.

Donors and board members at Ivy league members including the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard have decried what they call antisemitic responses from the schools to Hamass attack on Israel  and the way the institutions have been treating Israeli students even before the conflict began.

The University of Pennsylvania was told its silence is antisemitism by long-time donor and former U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman.

The Universitys silence in the face of reprehensible and historic Hamas evil against the people of Israel (when the only response should be outright condemnation) is a new low. Silence is antisemitism, and antisemitism is hate, the very thing higher ed was built to obviate, Huntsman said in a letter to UPenn President Liz Magill.

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Consequently, Huntsman Foundation will close its checkbook on all future giving to Penn  something that has been a source of enormous pride for now three generations of graduates. My siblings join me in this rebuke, he added.

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UPenn was already facing controversy after hosting a Palestine Writes Literature Festival last month that included speakers with a history of antisemitic comments. The universitys administration apologized for not rebuking the speakers more swiftly.

The University did not, and emphatically does not, endorse these speakers or their views. While we did communicate, we should have moved faster to share our position strongly and more broadly with the Penn community, Magill said in a statement.

Charter school leader Vahan Gureghian, a member of UPenns Board of Trustees, announced late last week that he would resign in protest.

Just as at so many other elite academic institutions, the Penn community has been failed by an embrace of antisemitism, a failure to stand for justice and complete negligence in the defense of our students wellbeing, Gureghian said.

Harvard, meanwhile, has had two major donors cut ties since Hamass attack on Israel, with one describing the hostile environment that it says the Israeli community has felt at the school.

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The Wexner Foundation, started by Victoria Secret founder Leslie Wexner and his wife, sent a letter to the Harvard Board of Overseers saying how the boards Israeli fellows have long felt increasingly marginalized on campus, and that a statement from student groups blaming Israel for the Hamas attack was the last straw.

Harvards leaders were indeed tiptoeing, equivocating, and we, like former Harvard President Larry Summers cannot fathom the administrations failure to disassociate the university and condemn the statement swiftly issued by 34 student groups holding Israel entirely responsible for the violent terror attack on its own citizens, the letter reads.

The university released a statement saying the student groups didnt represent Harvards leadership, but the Wexner Foundation said it was stunned and sickened by the dismal failure of Harvards leadership to take a clear and unequivocal stand against the barbaric murders of innocent Israeli civilians.

And the Wexner Foundation was not the only major donor that felt disappointed enough with Harvard to cut its connections.

Unfortunately, our faith in the Universitys leadership has been broken and we cannot in good faith continue to support Harvard and its committees, Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer and his wife Batia said as they announced their departure from the universitys Kennedy School of Government.

Steven Davidoff Solomon, a corporate law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and the adviser to the Jewish law student association, says the poor handling of the Hamas attacks is just the latest example of universities creating an environment that fosters antisemitism on campus.

In a Sunday op-ed in The Wall Street Journal called Dont Hire My Anti-Semitic Law Students, Solomon argued that The student conduct at Berkeley is part of the broader attitude against Jews on university campuses that made last weeks massacre possible. It is shameful and has been tolerated for too long.

In a Tuesday interview with The Hill, Solomon said the lack of a moral response by universities has led people to finally put their foot down. Universities have been engaging for far too long in moral equivocation and terrorist attacks against innocents should be condemned and not justified. And the fact that the universities, the elite universities, hesitated is just plain wrong.

Universities have tried to quell the backlash, emphasizing the need for free exchange of ideas and free expression on college campuses.

The Israeli-Palestine debate has been a hot topic on college campuses for decades among student groups, but recent events have garnered more backlash as some have shown support for Hamas or have not clearly distinguished support for Palestine from a condoning of the attack.

Ultimately, all donors have the right to decide the organizations they will support, and they have every right to share their opinions, said Brian Otis, vice president for University Advancement for the University of New Haven. I encourage benefactors contributing to all colleges and universities to remember that higher education and the academic environments created on college campuses have proven for centuries to be the safest place imaginable for individuals to engage in debate and the rigorous exchange of ideas. We should cherish and protect that.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The top U.S. general in the Middle East visited Israel early Tuesday in an unannounced trip as the country intensifies its fight with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

U.S. Central Command head Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla arrived in Tel Aviv to conduct high level meetings with Israels military leadership including Israeli Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, according to a Pentagon statement.

The visit to Israel is the latest by a senior U.S. official ahead of an expected Israeli ground assault in Gaza. President Biden also plans to visit Israel on Wednesday, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken is already there to hold talks with Israels war cabinet.

Kurillas trip was meant to gain a clear understanding of Israels defense requirements, outline U.S. support efforts to avoid expansion of the conflict, and reiterate the Department of Defenses ironclad support for Israel, according to the Pentagon.

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Im here to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and am particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict, Kurilla said in the statement.

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Reuters was the first to report on the visit.

The U.S. military has amped up its assets in the region since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, when Palestinian gunmen stormed Israeli towns in a coordinated attack that killed some 1,300 people.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reportedly ordered 2,000 U.S. troops to prepare to deploy in support of Israel in an advising and medical role.

Ahead of that, the Pentagon sent two carrier strike groups to the Eastern Mediterranean to act as a deterrent amid concerns foreign aggressors could engage in the war.

In addition, Washington has sent munitions and interceptors for Israels Iron Dome defense system and moved U.S. fighter jets to the region.

Israel, meanwhile, has conducted an intense airstrike and artillery campaign against Iran-backed Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. The Israeli strikes have killed roughly 2,800 Palestinian civilians in the effort, a major chunk of whom have been children.

It has also put Gaza and its 2.3 million Palestinian residents under a total blockade.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
There are no votes to be won in penal reform, but plenty to be lost by being seen as soft on crime. The politicians dilemma down the years is how to balance the two. They have tended to err on the tough on offenders side and neglect the impact on the prison estate, hoping that it will somehow sort itself out  or that no one will care if it doesnt.

But they do care if the jails become so full that criminals have to be released early or are given community sentences rather than custody. These matters used to be in the bailiwick of the Home Secretary, but were transferred to the Ministry of Justice in 2007, with Alex Chalk KC the current holder of the poisoned chalice.

A barrister who has helped bang up quite a few criminals in the past, Mr Chalk is now being forced to let some of them out earlier than planned because the prisons in England and Wales are full to bursting.

He is also required to make a virtue out of handing out community sentences to offenders who would otherwise have received a custodial term of up to 12 months. These are described as low-level criminals, but this is a relative term not necessarily accepted by their victims. A 12-month prison sentence is a serious matter and, until recently, could only be handed down by a judge, though magistrates now have the power to do so too.

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But a burglar or thief receiving such a jail term has often already been before the courts on several occasions and been given community punishments, fines or a suspended term. They will receive a short prison term if their recidivism persists.

Mr Chalk now proposes as a matter of routine that these short custodial sentences will be suspended and offenders punished in the community instead, cleaning up neighbourhoods and scrubbing graffiti off walls.

More than 50 per cent of people who leave prison after serving less than 12 months go on to commit further crimes, he told the Commons. The figure is 58 per cent for those who serve sentences of six months or less. However, the figure for those who are on suspended sentence orders with conditions is 22 per cent.

But this tells us little about the nature of the offenders. Those given suspended orders may have been judged to be the least likely to commit further crimes. There is a danger of constructing a specious virtue out of a necessity.

Would Mr Chalk be making this argument if there wasnt a prison population crisis? Perhaps he would, but I have yet to see a political party enter an election with a pledge to send fewer people to jail. The White Paper A smarter approach to sentencing, published a few years ago, set out proposals for a move towards stronger community orders and a presumption against short-term imprisonment  but nothing happened until the prisons filled up.

There is a standalone case which holds that only violent criminals should be behind bars, and it is not confined to campaigners. In the Commons on Monday, Sir Bob Neill, the Tory chairman of the Justice Select Committee, said: It is right and proper that we are frank with the British public that prison is an extremely expensive way of dealing with people, and that it should be reserved for those who are a threat to us, not simply those with whom we are  perhaps justifiably  angry or irritated.

But the first function of prison is to punish. Rehabilitation is a secondary task to be pursued if possible. Prison also takes offenders off the streets, which is a relief for their victims, if only a temporary one.

Even now, politicians are calling for shoplifters to be jailed in a bid to stop an epidemic of retail crime, and yet most would fall below the 12 months threshold. So, too, would those who people want locked up for glorifying terrorism by backing Hamas after their murderous incursion into Israel.

The reason why the UK has the highest prison population in western Europe is because the politicians think the public wants to see offenders properly punished and have ratcheted up the sentences over the years.

There are now twice as many in jail as there were 30 years ago, but the cause of the surge is often forgotten. In 1993, crime was at an all-time high. The Tory government was being hammered in the polls and a young Labour Home Affairs spokesman called Tony Blair was stealing the law-and-order mantle that had previously been the exclusive property of the Conservatives.

Ken Clarke, seen as too soft in the Home Office, was moved  albeit in a promotion to the Treasury  and his place taken by a hard-liner, Michael Howard. He proceeded to undo his predecessors reforms, toughened up sentencing, and prison numbers began to rise. But almost immediately, crime began to fall.

So, are the two connected? Is there a correlation between a high prison population and falling crime? It would be a brave minister who would empty the prisons in order to test this proposition. But Mr Chalk finds himself in that very predicament, arguing that short sentences are self-defeating, but not really knowing the consequences of their removal.

If you want to see more people in prison, then the simplest solution is to build more of them; but while some extra places have come on stream, budget pressures and local objections have thwarted plans for expansion. The 2021 Spending Review said the Government would spend 3.8 billion to provide 20,000 prison places but only 5,200 have so far been delivered.

With pressure from the Treasury to cut spending, this will be one of the first programmes sacrificed. Where to get the money? For 20 years or more there has been talk of selling off the old Victorian prisons like Brixton and Wandsworth for much-needed housing development. It is a good idea, but nothing has ever happened.

Mr Chalk wants to deport foreign prisoners, who now make up about 15 per cent of the prison population, but we have been here before, too. Schemes to encourage them to serve their sentences overseas already exist, but an idea to build prisons abroad to house them flopped. Renting cell places in Estonia looks like a non-starter.

Bespoke community programmes may sound good, but they are expensive. If they dont work, then the criminals who would otherwise be in jail will continue offending, pushing up the crime rate once more. Then votes really will be lost.

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The USS Gerald R. Ford is the world's largest aircraft carrier.

It is the first of the Ford-class carriers and the most technologically advanced carrier to date.

The US has sent the carrier toward Israel to deter any potential escalation in the ongoing conflict.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is the US Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier  in fact, it's the world's largest.

Commissioned in July 2017, it is the first of the Ford-class carriers, which are more technologically advanced than Nimitz-class carriers.

It has an improved hull design and weapons stowage, a new weapons elevator, more space on the flight deck, a new electromagnetic-powered aircraft-launch system, three times the electrical-generation capacity of any previous carrier, and a lot more.

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The USS Gerald R. Ford launched on its first deployment in 2023 to the Mediterranean. The carrier and its strike force are en route toward Israel to provide support after an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas killed 1,400 people.

Israel responded with a series of airstrikes on Gaza and most recently issued an evacuation order over the weekend, ordering 1.1 million people out of northern Gaza within a 24-hour deadline. The counter-attack from Israel has killed nearly 3,000 Palestinian people and injured more than 10,000 in Gaza, according to data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

As of October 10, 2023, the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike force have arrived in the east Mediterranean Sea to "deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war," according to a statement from the US Central Command.

Take a look inside the supercarrier when it was docked in Virginia's Naval Station Norfolk in 2017.

We first saw the USS Gerald R. Ford from shore as it was stationed at a harbor in Naval Station Norfolk. The Ford stands about 134 feet tall.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

It was docked next to the USS George W. Bush, seen below, as well as the USS Truman and USS Lincoln.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

US Navy spokesman Corey Todd Jones, who showed us around the Ford, led us past a security checkpoint, which we were not allowed to photograph, to the entrance seen below.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

The entrance led to a massive hangar bay, where aircraft are stored when not in use.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

This short video below gives a better look.

This is one of the advanced weapons elevators, which connect to the flight deck and allows sailors to move ordnance from the magazines to the aircrafts.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

We were not allowed to photograph down the elevator because it's classified, but you can read more about the elevators here.

A statue of former President Gerald R. Ford  the carrier's namesake  stands in the hangar bay. Ford served as a navigation officer on the USS Monterey during World War II. His shipmates credited him with saving the ship during a bad storm, Jones said.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

Jones said that a large wave almost washed Ford overboard the Monterey, but his foot got caught on a drain, preventing him from going over. The drain is immortalized in the statue.

Jones then took us up to the flight deck, which is 256 feet wide and 1,092 feet long.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

And this short video shows the flight deck from the other side.

There weren't any aircraft on the flight deck except for the "dud" seen below, an F/18 Hornet that has been stripped of its engine and components. It's now used by the signalmen to practice flight deck operations and moving aircrafts.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

The afterburners have been stripped.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

Here's a closer look of the hollowed-out engine.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

This E-2C Hawkeye flew over us outside of Norfolk Naval Station earlier in the day. Hawkeyes are US spy planes that are often assigned to carriers.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

Carriers are always assigned a Carrier Air Wing, which generally consists of about nine squadrons and five different kinds of the following aircraft.

Read more about the Carrier Air Wings here.

This compartment, which can be raised and lowered, is called the Integrated Catapult Control System or "bubble." Officers in here launch the jets after getting the all clear from the signalmen.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

There are a number of Bomb Jettison Ramps, or emergency evacuation "chutes," which sailors can use to offload misfired ordnance.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

These shoots were added to carriers after the 1967 fire aboard the USS Forrestal. The Forrestal was in the Gulf of Tonkin when an F-4 Phantom misfired a rocket, resulting in a huge fire that killed more than 100 sailors.

The sides of the flight deck can be rather perilous as it completely drops off into open waters on most sides.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

The Ford is also equipped with multiple Sea Sparrows, which are short-range antiaircraft and missile systems.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

As well as Rolling Airframe Missile systems.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

Here's another angle of the RAM.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

There are also Close-In Weapons Systems aboard, but they were covered up.

From here, Jones took us up in the tower.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

We entered the flight-deck control, where the handling officer manages the arrangement of aircraft. This task is done on computers now, which we weren't allowed to photograph, but it used to be done on this "Ouija board," still used as a backup.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

When notable people visit the Ford, like President Donald Trump, they often autograph US currency, which are then placed along the borders of the Ouija board.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

We then went up to the bridge, where the ship is navigated.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

The Ford is powered by two nuclear reactors that can bring it to speeds of over 30 mph.

This is the lead helm, which controls the speed and steering. It's all digital, but there's an actual steering wheel below for back up.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

The navigation officer sits next to the chart table. The ship is navigated digitally and with the paper charts, Jones said.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

This two-minute video shows Jones explaining more about the Bridge and its devices.

We also got a great view of the Truman and Lincoln carriers from the bridge.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

At this point, we had been onboard for a couple hours and our time was up. But on the way out, we saw one of the bathrooms. And it's true: The Ford doesn't have urinals.

Daniel Brown/Business Insider

You can read more about why the Ford doesn't have urinals here.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Toyota is not waiting for its massive battery factory under construction south of Greensboro to be ready to line up the first wave of employees. Its opened a center for training at a temporary site in Greensboro, where it has some 200 people hired and expects to have 300 or so by the end of the year.

ALSO READ: Japanese automaker Toyota and energy company Idemitsu to cooperate on EV battery technology

Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, as the nearly $6 billion battery plant is known, last week showed off its onboarding and training center at 1701 Pinecroft Road in Greensboro to media organizations and representatives of workforce development organizations in the area.

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Its where online applicants who have made the first cut go for higher-level screening on aptitude, experience and physical readiness for some of the expected 2,100 jobs at the plant. If they get a formal offer, the new hires go there for training to be ready when the plant begins production, expected in early 2025.

From day one, were building a pool of trainers that will then be co-workers and peers to help train the trainers, said Timothy Stanton, human resources senior manager for TBMNC. And then from there, well be able to cascade that out. So well be able to hit the large number of hires that we need to do and get that plant up and operational.

Read the full story here.

VIDEO: Renderings of Charlottes first electric fire station released




Xi to address opening ceremony of 3rd Belt and Road Forum for Int'l Cooperation

Xinhua) 08:07, October 17, 2023

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and deliver a keynote speech on Wednesday in Beijing.

The speech by Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be broadcast live by China Media Group and on Xinhuanet.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
BEERSHEBA, Israel  In a windowless control room on an army base in southern Israel, five soldiers monitored the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Gazans on a massive computer screen.

The screen showed a live map of northern Gaza, the densely populated area of roughly 1.1 million residents who were told Friday by the Israeli military to head south for their own safety. Using data harvested mainly from more than 1 million mobile phones, the map gave the soldiers a real-time assessment of how many Gazans had heeded Israels demand.

The Israel Defense Forces have telegraphed for days that they will soon begin a ground operation in northern Gaza to oust Hamas, the armed Palestinian group that controls Gaza and orchestrated the worst terrorist attacks in Israels history on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people and abducting at least 199 others. Israeli counterattacks have killed more than 2,800 Palestinians, according to the Gazan health authorities.

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The Israeli military allowed a New York Times journalist to view the data-tracking system, hoping to show that it was doing what it could to reduce harm to civilians  even as its warplanes killed hundreds more Palestinians on Monday, including in southern Gaza, where civilians had been told to take shelter.

Some neighborhoods were colored white and red on the screen, suggesting that they still housed the majority of their residents. But an increasing number of areas were turning green and yellow, signaling that most of their residents had left.

Its not a 100% perfect system  but it gives you the information you need to make a decision, said Brig. Gen. Udi Ben Muha, who oversees the monitoring process. The colors say what you can and cant do.

With political leaders yet to give the final go-ahead for a ground operation, the Israeli military was locked in a holding pattern on Monday. On Monday night, its troops remained massed on the border of Gaza, yet to advance across it. The army was watching to see how many civilians had left northern Gaza.

It was also giving last-minute training and equipment to the hundreds of thousands of military reservists who had been called up for the war effort. And the extra few days have given diplomats time to conduct last-minute  and, so far, unsuccessful  negotiations about opening Gazas border with Egypt to evacuees and aid convoys.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also invited President Joe Biden to visit Israel this week, and the military was unlikely to complicate his visit by starting an invasion while he was on Israeli soil, analysts said.

The ground operation is going to have lots of casualties on both sides, said Miri Eisin, a former senior military officer and the director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University in Israel.

You dont want to do that when the U.S. president is here, she added.

In the meantime, three senior Israeli commanders said they were using every moment to prepare the reservists for ground warfare. The expected operation will be the first in nearly 15 years in which Israel will attempt to capture and hold on to land for a prolonged period. Many full-time soldiers have never conducted such an operation, let alone the 360,000 reservists called up from their day jobs since the Hamas attacks.

A significant minority of infantrymen and tank units likely to be deployed in Gaza are reservists, according to three senior officers, who were not authorized to speak publicly. The Israel Defense Forces were believed to have 200,000 active-duty troops before the call-up, of whom three-fourths were conscripts, but there are no official figures.

It has taken the military time to stock up on enough equipment for its army. Although Israels commandos all have enough protective gear, the army is still securing protective vests for some reservists, according to one senior officer. Several families have also said they privately obtained vests for sons who were called up.

In the meantime, more Palestinian civilians are leaving northern Gaza, albeit to dire conditions in the south, where there is a lack of accommodation, fuel, water, medicine and food  and where Israeli strikes also continue.

Many Palestinians say they fear that Israel ultimately seeks to force them into Egypt, never to return, in a mass expulsion that they compare to the Nakba, an Arabic term that refers to the flight or expulsion of 700,000 Palestinian Arabs during the wars that surrounded the creation of Israel in 1948.

Israel says the call to evacuate is to prevent as many civilian casualties as possible during upcoming military operations in the north.

To that end, from the military control room in southern Israel, Ben Muha was trying to encourage more Gazans to head south. Military officers called Palestinians directly, and air force planes dropped leaflets that urged Gazans to ignore Hamas demands for them to stay put.

Spread across the generals desk were dossiers and spreadsheets that listed the phone numbers of hundreds of Gazan community leaders, hospital directors and school administrators  all of whom could be phoned at a moments notice by a soldier in the control room.

On a whiteboard nearby, aides had detailed the timing of the regular airdrops of leaflets across northern Gaza.

On the live map in front of the general, there were fewer and fewer patches of red and white: Up to 700,000 Gazans had moved south by Monday afternoon, the data suggested, leaving about 400,000 in the north.

Once a neighborhood turns green on the map, an Israeli officer operating in the area will have greater room for maneuver because of the reduced likelihood of harming civilians during the fight against Hamas, the general said.

If you are a brigade commander and you see those colors, it tells you how many civilians are in the area, and you know if you can or cant use your tank, your infantry, he said.

Palestinians say such measures mean little amid the steep loss of life and hardship caused by the bombings and the displacement. Civilians and aid workers say that many people lack transportation to move southward or are too infirm to make the trip.

I dont think theres anything humanitarian about uprooting so many people, said Khaled Elgindy, director of the Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs at the Middle East Institute, a research group in Washington.

There is no place in Gaza that is safe, Elgindy added by phone Monday. So the whole notion that they are somehow behaving in a way that is humanitarian or respects human life in Gaza is Orwellian.

The monitoring method has already been used during Israeli air force strikes on Rimal, a wealthy neighborhood in Gaza City that was left in ruins after being bombed last Tuesday in retaliation for the Hamas attacks. Israeli officials said Hamas had built military infrastructure underneath the neighborhood.

Before that attack, soldiers in the monitoring room called some residents in the area to encourage them to leave, the general said. They then notified the air force as soon as the neighborhood turned green on the map, indicating that less than one-fourth of its population remained, the general said.

The general said that, before proceeding, the air force had conducted its own assessment of the potential cost to civilian lives from each individual strike.

But such checks only went so far.

Among the civilians killed during the strikes was Saeed al-Taweel, editor of an Arabic news website.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
A signaling error caused a train filled with members of the European parliament to make an unplanned detour to Disneyland Paris. Photo courtesy of cordulaaa/Pixabay.com

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A French train carrying members of the European parliament and their teams to Strasbourg made an unplanned detour to Disneyland Paris due to a signaling error.

The MEPs and their teams were en route from Brussels, Belgium, to Strasbourg for a plenary session on Monday when they looked out from the windows of the train and discovered they were between the Art of Marvel and Main Street USA at Marne-la-Vallee, the stop for Disneyland Paris.

SNCF Networks, France's national railway company, said the train ended up diverted to Disneyland due to a signaling error at the Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle TGV station.

Officials joked about the incident on social media.

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"'When magic comes to life' -- will Disney's slogan soon be that of the European Parliament?" wrote Emmanuel Foulon, a member of the parliament's press team.

Dutch MEP Samira Rafaela posted a photo showing her standing with MEP Mohammed Chahim in the train's cafe car. She captioned the photo, "Team Disneyland."

"We are NOT a Mickey Mouse parliament," German MEP Daniel Freund joked.

SNCF said the unplanned detour only caused a 45-minute delay for the train, which safely arrived in Strasbourg.
Well-known travel and shopping platforms such as Amazon and Tripadvisor are joining forces to fight fake reviews.

Glassdoor, Trustpilot, Expedia Group and Booking.com are also among the companies that said theyre starting a coalition Tuesday with the goal of protecting access to trustworthy consumer reviews. The Coalition for Trusted Reviews will share methods on detecting fake reviews, among other work.

A surge in false reviews has largely been caused by brokers requesting fake reviews through social media and encrypted messaging apps in exchange for money, free items or other benefits. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a rule in June aiming to bar businesses from selling or receiving fake reviews, alongside other measures.

Becky Foley, Tripadvisor vice president for Trust and Safety, said the coalition will have an immediate area of focus in fighting back against those who are behind operating fake reviews.

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These actors often operate outside of jurisdictions with a legal framework to shut down fraudulent activity, making robust cooperation even more important, Foley said in a news release, according to The Associated Press.

The FTC issued a warning to businesses about fake reviews and misleading endorsements last week. The agency said it would would punish companies who it found were misrepresenting their products.

By sending a Notice of Penalty Offenses to more than 700 companies, the agency is placing them on notice they could incur significant civil penalties  if they use endorsements in ways that can run counter to prior FTC administrative cases, the FTC said in the release.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
I think I finally understand George Carlin.

He said that when he finally came to a certain awareness about humanity it freed him to make observations as an outsider which made his comedy more relevant.

I sort of gave up on the human race, he once said on Charlie Roses show. I gave up caring about the outcome. ... I watch it with a combination of wonder and pity.

I dont know about all that, but last weeks activities in the House and the coming week of expected insanity have sent me into regions I never thought Id visit. Im right there with Carlin on the I dont give a s**t meter.

The U.S. government stands as a mockery to its intentions, and the disease that was formerly in the White House now runs wild in Congress. This iteration of insanity is harder to handle because there are literally dozens of morons running loose, unfettered, without hope or prayer of finding a sane moment.

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When Trump was president, we focused on the disease in one human. Now, we have to deal with the likes of George Santos running down the hallway screaming at imaginary foes. Its Kevin McCarthy unable to grasp his own irrelevance. Its Jim Jordan pretending to be an adult male. And its so much more.

In order to survive the ongoing dysfunction, I must either stick to a stiff regimen of hallucinogenic psychosis made possible via whatever pharmacological concoction is obtainable  or I can turn it all off.

Divorcing yourself from humanity has some added perks that overdosing on your favorite drug doesnt  including survival, the ability to maintain rational thought (if you previously possessed it, that is) and the ability to discern and disseminate sarcasm.

You have to wonder if President Biden has come to the same conclusion. When asked by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy last Friday night what worried him most about Israels impending ground invasion in Gaza, the president replied in deadpan tones, Death.

And some of you folks think this guy has lost it?

Compare that to the rolling peptic tide that spewed from Donald Trump over the past week or so. His claim that Hezbollah was smart was only the tip of the iceberg. His trip from relevance to irrelevance is being measured in nanoseconds by the majority of the world. His MAGA maggots havent changed; they are what they are.

Late on Friday, the seditionists cornered themselves in the House. Donald Trump squirmed as his last hold on government slowly dissolved in his tiny hands.

Then came a guttural scream. Trump wailed in distress, both hunted and haunted by his own actions. Along with millions of his followers, Trump was holding out for his last hope: the election of loyal sycophant Jim Jordan as speaker.

Beyond here be dragons.

House Republicans have apparently lashed themselves to the mooring of their sinking ship, floundering in a storm of their own making. They are not unlike toddlers sloshing back and forth in the bathtub and crying about the results.

The rambunctious, impetuous and chronically underachieving Republicans, eager to blame everyone else for everything while accepting responsibility for nothing, are busy destroying themselves in public for at least the third time since they took over the House barely nine months ago. The first time was in the ridiculously long and painful election of Kevin McCarthy and the set of rules he had to swallow, which in turn brought about the second GOP self-immolation, when Matt Zoltan Gaetz pulled the trigger that booted McCarthy from the job hed fought so hard to get. Gaetz frolicked in the pungent aroma of his own stench like a dog admiring its flatulence.

But they say threes a charm, so some are crossing their fingers and praying to a big old statue that the GOP gets it right this time. Even so, the only people convinced that the Republicans can or will accomplish anything before next November are also waiting for tickets to Elvis next performance.

This is truly crazy, folks. Its not politics. Its just self-mutilation and destruction on a larger stage than the Jim Jones electric Kool Aid cyanide test.

Jim Jordan hasnt passed one single bill through Congress in 16 years. Hes supposed to shepherd legislation? Im not sure hes ever read any. If hes the speaker, the government will most likely shut down in mid-November and Ukraine will most likely lose U.S. funding.

Of course, thats exactly what Jordan wants. He didnt come to town to build anything. He came in a foul stench to tear it all down and piss on it, wearing a tie but no jacket, a perpetual sneer and the general demeanor of a waiter in a cheap diner surviving three-day shifts on speed and coffee.

Any deals he makes to get the speakership are irrelevant. The GOPs so-called moderates may fall in line to elect Jordan, giving up their votes both to overt threats from Jordan and to promises that hell keep the government open  but trust Jim Jordan at your own risk, guys. Hes not a trustworthy man. His deals mean nothing.

Meanwhile, sources were telling me Friday night that Democrats and Republicans were actually talking  but, for Gods sake, about what? Who knows? It was probably about where the nearest weed dispensary was. Twenty milligrams of sativa in a gummy works wonders on most members of Congress, and certainly helps get a staff party started. Those guys need a laugh more than the rest of us  theyre right in the middle of chaos in a blender. And they turned on the blender.

I dont buy it: I suspect that little actual talk across the aisle is taking place. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said all he needed to say on Friday afternoon, when he spoke about Jordans lack of production and overabundance of obstruction.

If a dozen or so Republicans actually wanted to join the Democrats and elect Jeffries as speaker, the Democrats would nod and concede little, while smiling like Cheshire cats.

But if Republicans want any Democrats to support a GOP nominee for speaker, they will have to guarantee funding the government after Nov. 17 and also continued funding for Ukraines war effort. The menu of possible Republican speakers doesnt include much of that, even as a side dish. You dont see anybody smiling on the Republican side of the aisle.

So theres considerable incentive for the Republicans to elect Jordan quickly, rather than face a degree of stagnation that offers the Democrats more leverage. It says something that some Republicans who have swallowed as much political sewage as they have in the last few years finally find themselves choking on Jim Jordan. Thats a bitter pill to add to the daily congressional swill. Imagine how low Jordan must be that the other primitive life forms in the GOP have trouble accepting him.

Racism, idolatry, violence, perversion, ignorance and vindictiveness are heavy on the menu at the GOP and like a sounder of swine they lap up the fetid slop with gusto and a hearty cheer thats humorous to watch  if you can divorce yourself from the sheer human anguish of all this. Apparently thats also the preferred course of action for many Republican officeholders. They arent serving their constituents, only appealing to their fans or, in Jim Jordans case, playing to a mirror that says Caution, objects may be smaller than they appear. Im talking about his heart and his head; any other interpretation is on you.

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Our system isnt broken, necessarily. But many people in elected office definitely are, and a lot of those are gathered in the GOP, a party that collects broken people and maniacs much as a landfill collects refuse.

Make no mistake, the Republicans inability to govern is apparent to most people  including Republicans themselves.

Its no huge surprise that Kevin McCarthy is a little slow on the uptake. When CNNs Manu Raju cornered McCarthy last Friday, he asked the former speaker, What does this do to your swing district Republicans?

McCarthy claimed not to grasp the question, asking, That all the Democrats voted to try to bring chaos?

Raju corrected him: That you guys cant govern.

Thats it precisely. Even if Republicans somehow came together over the last three days and decided to elect a new speaker, the problems inside the GOP and the House remain deep desert canyons in American politics. And a great many people both in government and among those who observe it closely can see no path through the desert.

The House has been without a speaker for close to two weeks. Thats never happened before in our history.

But the work still has to be done. The rest of us go about our business, trying to take care of our families, working our jobs and paying our bills. Members of Congress refuse to do their jobs, still get paid and pander to trolls to stay in power while loudly slip-sliding away.

If that isnt a comedy, its a tragedy.

You know, a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum ...

Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight.
A convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians start to move from Al-Arish to Rafah city as they wait for an agreement on the opening on the Rafah border crossing to enter Gaza

CAIRO (Reuters) -Egyptian aid trucks moved closer on Tuesday to the only crossing to Gaza not controlled by Israel, but with no agreement in place to deliver relief and the Palestinian side still closed due to strikes it was unclear when they might pass through.

At least 49 people were killed in overnight Israeli bombardment of Rafah, where the crossing is located, and the nearby town of Khan Younis, Gaza's interior ministry said.

Some people with dual citizenship who have gathered in recent days awaiting the opening of the Rafah crossing began approaching the border on Tuesday, but many said they were staying away due to the air strikes.

After nine hours of negotiations, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said early on Tuesday he had agreed with Israel "to develop a plan" to get aid into Gaza.

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Egypt says the Rafah crossing, a vital artery before the fighting and now a key route for desperately needed supplies into the Israeli-besieged Palestinian enclave, has not been officially closed but has become inoperable due to the Israeli air strikes on the Gaza side.

Early on Tuesday some 160 trucks left al-Arish in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, where hundreds of tonnes of aid have been awaiting an agreement on aid delivery, an eyewitness told Reuters.

Ahmed Salem of the Sinai Foundation said that the trucks heading for the border contained Egyptian aid, and that the international aid remained in warehouses in al-Arish.

Salem and another security source said Egypt had repaired the roads within the crossing that had been damaged by Israeli strikes.

Israel began its intense bombardment and siege of Gaza following a devastating assault by Islamist Hamas militants on Oct. 7.

The territory's 2.3 million residents have been left without power, pushing health and water services to the brink of collapse, with fuel for hospital generators running low. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday it needs urgent access to Gaza to deliver aid and medical supplies.

NEGOTIATIONS

Blinken lobbied hard for a plan as leaders of the half dozen Arab states that the top US diplomat toured in recent days had all conveyed that getting aid into Gaza should be a top priority, a senior US official said.

Blinken said both the US and Israel were concerned that Hamas would seize or destroy the aid. This concern, along with fears that aid would be used as cover for weapons, had hindered a planned delivery on Monday, two Egyptian security sources said.

An understanding was reached that the aid would be delivered to specific secure locations in Gaza under monitoring, the security sources said, in exchange for limited evacuations of foreign passport holders, though there were Palestinian fears that that could result in de facto forced displacement.

A senior US official said such a plan had not yet been agreed.

The official said Biden's newly appointed envoy for humanitarian affairs in the Middle East, David Satterfield was going to meet with the Israelis on Tuesday and start hammering out the details of the plan.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Arafat Barbakh in Gaza, Amr Abdallah Dalsh, Mohamed Hendawy, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, and Mai Shams El-Din in Cairo, Yusri Mohamed in Ismailia, Humeyra Pamuk in Tel Aviv; Writing by Nafisa Eltahir; Editing by Gareth Jones, Alexandra Hudson)
Eric Trump (L) listens as former his father and former President Donald Trump speaks while exiting the courtroom for a break at State Supreme Court on Tuesday in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Former President Donald Trump returned to court Tuesday as his $250 million civil fraud trial enters its third week in Manhattan.

Trump characterized the trial as "rigged" when speaking to reporters before entering the courtroom Tuesday morning and leveled accusations of election interference against New York Attorney General Letitia James .

The court was initially scheduled to hear testimony from Trump's former "fixer" and attorney, Michael Cohen, who is a pivotal witness in the trial. However, Cohen announced last week that he needed to attend to a pre-existing medical condition, delaying his appearance for a week or more.

The court is instead expected to hear statements from Donna Kidder, an accountant for the Trump Organization, and Doug Larson, a former executive at the commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.

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The case alleges that Trump, along with his eldest sons and family business, artificially inflated their net worth by over $2 billion through the overvaluation of their real estate holdings. While they were previously found culpable of fraud in September, these fresh proceedings encompass various additional charges, including the falsification of business records and conspiracy.

Former United States President Donald Trump makes an appearance in court Tuesday in week three of his civil fraud trial at the State Supreme Court in New York City. Pool Photo by Andrew Kelly/UPI

The former president is not required to attend the trial, which is expected to continue through late December and last appeared in court on Oct. 4. He told reporters Tuesday that he would attend again on Wednesday.

Trump has been heavily criticized for comments made on social media during the trial, which led to a partial gag order from New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron earlier this month. The order bans any emails, posts or public remarks about the judge's staff.

Former President Donald Trump appears in court with lawyer Alina Habba, as testimony continues in a case brought last September by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The case alleges that Trump, along with his eldest sons and family business, artificially inflated their net worth by over $2 billion through the overvaluation of their real estate holdings. Pool Photo by Doug Mills/UPI

On Monday, Trump a judge also placed Trump under a partial gag order in a separate case related to allegations of federal election fraud.

Former United States President Donald Trump pictured in a crowded courtroom Tuesday in week three of his civil fraud trial at the State Supreme Court in New York City. Pool Photo by Andrew Kelly/UPI Pool Photo by Andrew Kelly/UPI
Former President Trump is expected in court in New York City Tuesday for the civil trial against his family and business empire as New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks to make her case that the Trump Organization fraudulently overvalued its assets.

Trump appeared in court in Manhattan for the first days of the trial earlier this month, but has been crisscrossing the country since, holding speeches and rallies for his 2024 presidential campaign.

JUDGE IMPOSES PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN TRUMP ORG. TRIAL BLOCKING PARTIES FROM VERBAL ATTACKS AGAINST COURT STAFF

Most recently, on Monday, Trump traveled to Iowa and delivered a speech focused on supporting Israel, stopping terrorism, and vowing to expand his 2017 travel ban.

Former US President Donald Trump (C) sits with his attorneys inside the courtroom during his civil fraud case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James, at a Manhattan courthouse, in New York City, on October 2, 2023. Former US president Donald Trump was in court Monday for what he slammed as a "sham" civil fraud trial against him and two of his sons, with the case threatening the Republican's business empire as he campaigns to retake the White House.

A source familiar with the former presidents plans told Fox News Digital he is likely to attend court proceedings Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

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Trumps ex-attorney Michael Cohen was expected to testify this week, but Cohen postponed his testimony.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I'm not bowing out. Im not nervous to testify. I'm not being paid off. I have a medical issue that I need to attend to. Its as simple as that," Cohen said last week on "X," formerly known as Twitter.

The earliest Cohen can now testify is Oct. 23.

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney and fixer, arrives at federal court for his sentencing hearing, December 12, 2018, in New York City. Cohen is set to be sentenced by a federal judge after pleading guilty in August to several charges, including multiple counts of tax evasion, a campaign finance violation and lying to Congress. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, New York Judge Arthur Engoron imposed a partial gag order preventing all parties from engaging in any verbal attacks against court staff after the former president, earlier this month, criticized a member of the judges office on social media.

James, a Democrat, brought the lawsuit against Trump last year alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. James claimed Donald Jr., Ivanka , and Eric, as well as his associates and businesses, committed "numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation" on their financial statements.

TRUMP JUDGE FACES ONLINE BACKLASH AFTER SMILING, POSING FOR CAMERAS IN COURTROOM: 'PARTISAN DEMOCRAT CLOWN'

An appellate ruling from over the summer, which limited James from suing for alleged transactions that occurred before July 13, 2014, or Feb. 6, 2016, depending on the defendant, dismissed Ivanka Trump as a defendant.

Trump has blasted James for bringing the lawsuit; for the trial not having a jury; and Engoron, calling him "corrupt."

Attorney General Letitia James arrives for the start of the civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump at New York State Supreme Court on October 02, 2023, in New York City. Former President Trump may be forced to sell off his properties after Justice Arthur Engoron canceled his business certificates and ruled that he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire after being sued by Attorney General Letitia James, who is seeking $250 million in damages. The trial will determine how much he and his companies will be penalized for the fraud.

"The Attorney General filed this case under a consumer protection statute that denies the right to a jury," a Trump spokesperson said. "There was never an option to choose a jury trial. It is unfortunate that a jury wont be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened."

Engoron, last month, ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

Engorons ruling came after James sued Trump, his children and the Trump Organization, alleging that the former president "inflated his net worth by billions of dollars," and said his children helped him to do so.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Trump to attend civil trial in New York stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James probe
(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump claims the banks hes accused of misleading were happy to work with him, and to prove it during the civil fraud trail against him, the former president said hell show off in court the awards he got for successful business transactions.

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I got plaques and trophies from the institutions in many cases for having done such a good job, which were going to be presenting at trial, Trump told a crowd of reporters during a lunch break of the New York state court trial in Manhattan, which is in its third week. This is just a railroad job.

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Trump is facing allegations by New York state that he inflated the value of his assets by billions of dollars a year to get better terms on loans and insurance. Every loan was perfect, and they were all paid off, he said.

https://t.co/v9eO1CODSN pic.twitter.com/e6Kfv3KZqa

 Bloomberg (@business) October 17, 2023

The suit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James has put Trumps control of some of his biggest assets is at stake. Its one of six trials the former president is facing as he seeks reelection in 2024, including in four criminal prosecutions. Trump denies wrongdoing in all of the cases.

There was no problem, Trump said. Theres no victim, except me. Im the victim here.

Trumps Lender

Earlier in the day, Trump said his former lender Deutsche Bank AG was happy to lend him money, and that financial institutions benefited for years from lending hundreds of millions of dollars to his real estate business.

And we have other executives coming in from banks that will say the same thing, Trump said, flanked by his lawyers and security staff in front before entering the courtroom. This is a disgraceful situation.

The former president isnt required to attend the civil trial. He unexpectedly showed up during the first three days, using the media attention to deliver pointed attacks on the judge overseeing the case as well as James, a Democrat and frequent Trump critic who filed the suit last year.

Trump resumed his attacks Tuesday, saying the $250 million civil fraud case was a witch hunt by a radical lunatic. He also called it a rigged trial because his liability will be decided by a judge instead of a jury. The law hes accused of breaking doesnt allow for a jury, which is unfair, Trump said.

Read More: Ex-Deutsche Bank Risk Manager Says He Relied on Trump Claims

In his statement, Trump incorrectly claimed that a former Deutsche Bank executive who testified in the trial last week had exonerated him.

He said that Trump did nothing wrong, Trump said.

James Nicholas Haigh, a former risk manager who had the final say on loans to some of the banks wealthiest US clients, testified last week that he assumed the financial representations in Trumps statements were accurate. The former bank official didnt weigh in on whether he believed Trump had been dishonest, as the state alleges.

Trump on Tuesday reiterated his belief that his net worth was actually much higher than what was on his annual statements of financial condition, the allegedly fraudulent documents at the center of the trial. Hes argued that the Trump brand was worth billions of dollars and yet wasnt included on the document. Therefore there was no fraud, he said.

The annual statements were actually very conservative, and thats what the banks got.

Inaccurate

During trial testimony Tuesday, a professional appraiser told the judge he was surprised to learn Trump executives had cited him as their outside expert in company spreadsheets.

Doug Larson, a former real estate appraiser for Cushman & Wakefield Plc, said he was hired by lenders to place a valuation on some of the former presidents properties. Lawyers for the state displayed spreadsheets in court showing Trump Organization Controller Jeffrey McConney claimed hed relied upon Larsons advice to value Trump properties.

Its inappropriate and inaccurate, said Larson, now an executive at Newmark Group Inc. I should have been told, and an appraisal should have been ordered.

Presidential Campaign

I should be in Iowa now, said Trump, who is campaigning as the Republican frontrunner to return to the White House. I should be in New Hampshire now.

Trump also complained about the gag order imposed against him in a separate federal criminal case over election obstruction. A judge in Washington on Monday barred him from making public statements targeting prosecutors, court staff or potential witnesses.

Im being restricted, Trump said. My speech is being taken away from me.

Read More: Trump Gag Order in DC Case Bars Attacks on Smith, Witnesses

(Updates with detail on todays testimony.)

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Former President Trump called out New York Attorney General Letitia James in a video on Truth Social, claiming the Democrat was depriving him of his rights.

This case should never have been brought and should never have been allowed, Trump said in the video. I have no rights.

Trump has complained hes not eligible for a jury in the case and has said a gag order barring him from smearing court staff is unfair.

Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled Trump liable for fraud in the case. His company is accused of engaging in decades of fraud by inflating and deflating the value of its assets to pay less in taxes and receive better insurance coverage.

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James brought the civil case last fall, suing the former president, his adult sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., along with former Trump Organization executives Allen Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney and related business entities.

The trial began in New York on Oct. 2. Trump has voluntarily shown up in court several times and alleged the trial is a form of election interference.

This trial is an election interference witch hunt and everybody knows it, Trump said in the video. All of the banks that I dealt with were very happy with us. They thought I was a great customer.

In the video, Trump repeated the claim that James is incompetent and a racist, and he said the state of New York should intercede and stop this total travesty of justice.

Engorons decision effectively strips Trump of some of his business licenses and has the potential to take away some of his properties, such as Trump Tower in New York and Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Trump is involved in more than a half-dozen civil lawsuits, relating to alleged financial crimes and defamation regarding sexual assault. He currently faces 91 felony charges in four criminal cases for alleged hush money cover-up, defamation and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

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Donald Trump likes to toss around eye-watering sums when estimating the value of his Florida private club Mar-a-Lago  often in the same sentence.

The house is worth a billion, a billion and a half, $750m, Mr Trump said in meandering remarks outside his civil fraud trial in New York on Tuesday.

It was the most expensive house, probably, in the world, he added.

The true value of Mar-a-Lago has been a hotly contested subject ever since Mr Trump was ruled to have fraudulently inflated the value of his commercial and residential properties from New York to Florida in order to deceive banks and officials to claim favourable tax and insurance rates.

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According to public Palm Beach property records, Mar-a-Lago was valued at $37m as of 1 January 2023, up from $31m a year before.

Judge Arthur Engoron has previously said in court that he relied on the Palm Beach County property appraisal which valued Mar-a-Lago at between $18m and $37m.

Mar-a-Lago is currently taxed at a valuation of $33.4m, meaning Mr Trump will owe $602,834 in property taxes for the year.

An aerial view of Donald Trumps Palm Beach club Mar-a-Lago (Associated Press)

Should Mar-a-Lago in fact be worth $1.5bn, as Mr Trump asserts, he would instead owe Palm Beach County around $22.7m in taxes for the 2023 year.

High-end Palm Beach real estate experts told the Associated Press last week that if the property was ever sold, Mr Trump would likely net at least $300m to $600m.

Mr Trumps name recognition and the unique nature of the club meant it would attract wealth bidders, they said.

South Florida Democratic Congressman Jared Moskowitz wrote to Palm Beach County officials earlier this month asking them to tax Mar-a-Lago at a valuation of $490m.

If the property value of Mar-a-Lago is so much higher than it was appraised, will you be amending the property value in line with the Trump familys belief that the property is worth well over a billion dollars? Mr Moskowitz wrote.

The Trump Organisation did not respond to a request for further information by The Independent on how Mr Trump had reached a $1.5bn valuation.

Speaking to reporters outside court on Tuesday, Mr Trump ranted that Mar-a-Lago was the biggest house, the most spectacular place in all of Florida and worth 100 times the $18m estimate.

In August, Eric Trump denied a report by the real estate listing firm Zillow that the private club was sold for $422m.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has made yet another controversial statement at an election campaign rally in Iowa, calling the U.S. military's top brass "some of the dumbest people," specifically mentioning recently retired U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley.

Read also: Putin praises Musk and defends Trump

"And one of them said to me, Milley, he said, 'Sir, it would be cheaper if we left everything.' I said, 'Where does this guy come from? A brand new airplane costs $128 million, right?' I said, 'You mean you think it's cheaper to leave it than to fill it up with a little fuel and take it somewhere  even if you just fly it to Pakistan and bring it back home. Or you fly it home, most of them can make that journey, right?' 'No, sir, it's better to leave it,'" Trump told his potential voters.

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"Some of the dumbest people I've ever met in my life," he said to cheers from the crowd, after making several other remarks.

It's unclear whether Trump's story was true.

Read also: Trump, DeSantis oppose transferring cluster bombs to Ukraine

Meanwhile, Trump has used his official Aug. 24 "arrest photo" in Atlanta's Fulton County Jail in a record-breaking fundraising campaign. Despite facing criminal charges, he plans to run for president, and his approval ratings have risen since his formal arrest.

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Donald Trump  who has fretted privately that Republicans are getting killed electorally on abortion  is now running ads touting his pro-life record in Iowa, the first state to vote in the GOP primary.

In the ads, paid for by Trumps campaign and first reported by Kyle Tharp in his newsletter FWIW, Trump declares himself THE MOST Pro-Life President in history. He details his anti-abortion victories, including nominating a conservative troika of Supreme Court justices who were instrumental in the courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade; preventing U.S. taxpayer dollars from funding abortion overseas, a reference to his aggressive expansion of the global gag rule; and being the first president in history to attend the March for Life.

The ads feature a triumphant video, in which a voiceover intones: For over 50 years, Republicans have promised to protect the sanctity of life. And while we waited innocent unborn children fell victim. One Republican president didnt just make promises  he delivered. Living up to his promise, Roe vs. Wade was overturned. Thousands of unborn children say Thank you. President Trump is fighting every day for the culture of life, and for those who cant fight for themselves.

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In Iowa, where the former president hopes to land a decisive victory in the primaries, Trump is trying to balance his fears of electoral backlash with the reality that Republican voters have come to expect hardline rhetoric from their candidates. In late September, he encouraged Iowa voters to embrace exceptions on rape and incest in abortion bans, lest they lose their slim majority in the House. During a speech in the state earlier this month, he absurdly accused Democrats of supporting the execution of infants who were born after full-term pregnancies. Hes back in Iowa this week, although he didnt appear to address the issue at length in a pair of speech on Monday.

Hes now claiming hes THE MOST Pro-Life President in history, but since Roe was overturned in the summer of 2022 the former president has privately expressed his anxieties that the Republicans had inadvertently scuttled their electoral prospects. He keeps shitting all over his greatest accomplishment. When you speak to him, its the response of someone fearing the backlash and fearing the politics of what happens when conservatives actually get what they want [on abortion], one source whod spoken to Trump told Rolling Stone in June of last year.

Those fears are not unfounded. The 2022 midterms were a disaster for Republicans, with many blaming the party destroying reproductive rights in America a few months earlier. Trump himself blamed the abortion issue and Republicans who firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters for the GOPs underperformance.

Trumps anxieties have clearly made their way into some of his recent statements. Last month, the former president laid into Ron DeSantis, his rival in the 2024 GOP primaries, telling NBCs Meet the Pressthat the Florida governors highly restrictive, six-week abortion ban was a terrible thing.

I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake, Trump said, promising to  as president  sit down with both sides and come to an agreement that would bring peace to the issue. He did not specify to Welker if he would support a 15-week abortion ban.

Several high-profile anti-abortion organizations, including Students for Life, called on Trump to reaffirm his commitment to hardline abortion policies. It was tremendously discouraging for Pro-Life First Voters and the more than 1,000 volunteers preparing to work with us in the general election to see you disparage protections for preborn infants, Kristan Hawkins, the president of Students for Life Action, wrote in a letter. We ask you to clarify your comments to NBCs Meet the Press as soon as possible, to underscore your commitment to leading on LIFE, rather than settling for the kind of lackluster policies desired by the GOP consulting class.

But Trump remains the frontrunner to land the GOP nomination for president, and there is a clear hesitancy within the anti-abortion movement to fully break with him. Recently, President Trump has not been helpful in explaining why its important to take a strong stand on the human rights issue of our day, Kristi Hamrick, vice president of media and policy at Students for Life Action, told Rolling Stone this week. But that can change, she added.

UPDATE  8:00 p.m., 10/16: This story has been updated to reflect that though Trump takes credit for the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in new ads served in Iowa, the ads to do not mention specific bans that resulted from the decision.

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Former President Donald Trump made another appearance at the $250 million civil fraud trial against him and his company, even though the star witness he was planning to watch won't be testifying.

Speaking to reporters before he entered the Manhattan courtroom, he decried the trial as "rigged" and accused New York Attorney General Letitia James of election interference as he griped that he should be someplace else campaigning. Trump isnt required to attend the proceedings. He later told reporters he plans to return Wednesday, as well.

James has accused Trump of having wildly exaggerated his net worth on financial statements to banks and insurance companies.

Trump said Tuesday that James and her office are "the frauds" and again complained about her having cited the Palm Beach County, Florida, tax assessor appraisal of the value of his Mar-a-Lago club at $18 million to $27 million from 2011 to 2021 as proof of fraud. Trump's financial statements valued the property at $400 million to $600 million.

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He then showed how fungible he considers those values to be. James valued Mar-a-Lago at $18 million when it is worth maybe close to 100 times that amount, Trump said. "The house is worth a billion, a billion and a half, 750 million; its worth a fortune, he said, calling it "the most expensive house probably in the world."

Sources had said last week that Trump planned to watch testimony from his former lawyer-turned-foe Michael Cohen that was originally scheduled for Tuesday. But Cohen said Friday he was dealing with a health issue and wouldn't be in court that day as planned. Judge Arthur Engoron said Monday that Cohen's testimony would be delayed for at least a week.

Trump complained to reporters during the lunch break Tuesday that "Cohen didn't have the guts" to appear.

Cohen said in a statement that "if I was afraid of Donald, I wouldn't have written 2 NYT bestsellers, testified before the Mueller team, seven congressional committees, 23 appearances before the Manhattan DA, and provided information to the NYAG that is the basis of this trial. Looking forward to seeing you in court very soon!

Cohen said in a statement Monday that he'll be ready for Trump whenever he testifies.

I am thankful the medical condition, while incredibly painful, does not require an immediate procedure," he said. "I anticipate appearing as soon as the pain subsides. When I do testify, I am certain Donald will be in attendance, sitting with his lawyers at the defendants table."

James, who brought the case against Trump, has cited Cohen's 2019 congressional testimony about Trump as having sparked the investigation that led to her fraud suit. Cohen at the time told lawmakers that Trump had inflated the value of his assets to secure loans and that he also deflated them for tax purposes.

James has accused Trump of having exaggerated his net worth to the tune of billions of dollars. In a ruling last month allowing the trial to proceed, Engoron found Trump had engaged in "persistent fraud."

She told reporters at the end of Tuesday's trial proceedings that Trump's "entire empire was built on nothing but lies and sinking sand."

"The numbers don't lie," she said. "At the end of the day, justice will be served, and victory will be mine."

Earlier Tuesday, Trump denied any wrongdoing and attacked both the trial and Engoron in a post on his Truth Social platform.

America cannot let this happen, he said. Our legal system is corrupt and broken! Everything emanates from Washington, GET TRUMP.

He took a gentler tone with Engoron during the lunch break, telling reporters that "I respect the judge, I like the judge," but that his fellow Democrats are "pushing him around like a pinball."

Instead of hearing from Cohen on Tuesday, Trump and others in the courtroom heard testimony from Trump Organization accountant Donna Kidder, who detailed the company's bookkeeping practices.

She recounted a conversation with the company's former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg in 2012, when, she said, he told her to omit the company's management charges at one property on a cash flow report to increase the overall value of the property. He described it as going "from one pocket to another," Kidder said.

Also testifying was Doug Larson, a former executive at the commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. He was asked about the company's appraisals of a building Trump owns at 40 Wall St. in Manhattan and other Trump properties that were undertaken on behalf of Trumps lenders.

Trump Organization officials cited the appraisals in their financial statements but used a lower cap rate to claim the properties were more valuable than Cushman had estimated.

In one year, Cushman appraised the property at $540 million, while the Trump Organization appraised it at $735 million, court documents show.

Trump's company also said it had consulted with Larson about the valuations, which Larson said didnt happen. He called the use of his work without his knowledge inappropriate and said the information used in the financial statements was inaccurate.

Trump lawyer Alina Habba said that banks often appraise properties at lower amounts than property owners and that there was nothing nefarious about the Trump figure.

Engoron held Cushman & Wakefield in contempt last year after it failed to turn over appraisal documents the state attorney general's office had subpoenaed. The company relented after he issued a $10,000-a-day fine.

Trump attended the first three days of his fraud trial in New York, which began Oct. 2. James was also in attendance Tuesday.

Trumps presence Tuesday has shaken up the dynamic of the trial, with increased security inside and outside the courthouse already in place before his arrival. Friends of Engorons clerk are in attendance, as are friends of the prosecutors. James is also in the courtroom after she missed the last several days of testimony.

The clerk appeared to be annoyed by delays caused by Trumps holding court in the hallway during breaks. Toward the end of the midmorning break, she declared, We are starting in two minutes, while Trump was still outside the courtroom.

The trial, which Engoron has said is expected to stretch into late December, has been moving briskly in recent days, in part because Trump's lawyers havent been cross-examining witnesses. Trump lawyer Christopher Kise explained that decision to NBC News on Monday, saying Trump's legal team plans to call some of those witnesses, including Weisselberg.

Trump left during the midafternoon break to deal with another legal matter: testifying in a two-hour, closed-door deposition in a case involving former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, whom he has mocked publicly for years. Strzok and Page were critical of Trump in private text messages to each other while they were involved in then-special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Trump is being deposed in relation to their separate lawsuits against the Justice Department. Strzok alleges he was wrongfully terminated from the FBI, while Page, who resigned as an FBI lawyer in May 2018, has alleged privacy violations tied to the public disclosures of her text messages with Strzok.

Trump was hit Monday with a partial gag order by the federal judge presiding over the election interference case against him in Washington, D.C.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkans ruling bars Trump from going after potential witnesses and prosecutors in the case. Trump's lawyers notified Chutkan on Tuesday that he is appealing the ruling.

"The judge said basically I dont have the right to speak, Trump griped to reporters Tuesday. My speech has been taken away from me. Im a candidate thats running for office, and Im not allowed to speak.

In her ruling, Chutkan said Trump is still permitted to vigorously seek public support as a presidential candidate, debate policies and people related to that candidacy, criticize the current administration and assert his belief that this prosecution is politically motivated. She said he was welcome to criticize Mike Pence, his former vice president and one of his 2024 presidential rivals, but couldnt speak about his role in the case.

Engoron, the judge in the New York fraud trial, issued a more limited gag order in the fraud case this month after Trump posted a message on Truth Social attacking his law clerk.

Personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable, inappropriate and I wont tolerate it, Engoron said, adding that he was instituting a gag order on all parties with respect to posting or publicly speaking about any member of my staff.

Trial proceedings Wednesday will consist of continued testimony from Larson, followed by another Cushman witness, David McArdle, and then Jack Weisselberg, the son of Allen Weisselberg, who helped secure financing for Trump while he was working at a real estate investment firm.

The attorney general's office also sent Engoron a letter requesting he allow into evidence testimony from a Trump Organization employee, Patrick Birney, who said Allen Weisselberg once told him that Mr. Trump wanted his net worth on the Statement of Financial Condition to go up.

Kise argued that the remark was hearsay and should be stricken from the record.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Donald Trump in a New York court during his financial fraud trial in October 2023 (ANGELA WEISS)

Donald Trump returned to his New York civil fraud trial on Tuesday and complained about a partial gag order imposed on the former US president by a judge in a separate case.

Trump's former personal lawyer-turned-foe Michael Cohen had been scheduled to testify at the trial on Tuesday but had to delay his appearance to attend to what he said was a medical issue.

The 77-year-old Trump spoke to reporters as he arrived at the Manhattan courtroom, attacking New York attorney general Letitia James, who brought the civil fraud case against him, the judge presiding over the trial and President Joe Biden.

"This is a witch hunt by a radical lunatic attorney general," Trump said. "And it's very unfair.

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"This is a rigged trial," he added, with a "Democrat judge" who is "very liberal."

Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, also claimed, falsely, that the federal judge who will preside over his trial in Washington for conspiring to overturn the 2020 US election had taken away his "right to speak."

"My speech has been taken away from me," he said. "I'm a candidate that's running for office and I'm not allowed to speak.

"This is a railroading that's all coming out of the Department of Justice," the former Republican president said. "It's all set up by Biden and his thugs that he's surrounded with to try and sneak out an election victory that he's not entitled to win."

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan did not take away Trump's "right to speak" on Monday. Instead, she ordered him not to publicly attack prosecutors, court staff or potential witnesses ahead of the trial scheduled to begin in Washington in March 2024.

Chutkan's ruling came after special counsel Jack Smith, a frequent target of Trump's vitriol, filed a motion claiming that the real estate tycoon's inflammatory rhetoric threatened to undermine his trial for election subversion.

Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the civil fraud trial, also slapped a limited gag order on the former president this month after he insulted a court clerk in a social media post.

Engoron forbade "all parties from posting, emailing or speaking publicly" about his court staff.

- $250 million penalty -

Trump is not required to attend the trial in New York, but he showed up for the first three days of the case and has used his appearances to portray himself as the victim of a Democratic plot to interfere in his presidential campaign.

New York's attorney general has accused Trump, his sons Eric and Don Jr and other executives of the Trump Organization of colossally inflating the value of their real estate assets in order to receive more favorable bank loans and insurance terms.

Trump does not risk going to jail in this trial, but James, a Democrat, is seeking $250 million in penalties and the removal of the former president and his sons from the management of the family empire.

Before his New York trial began, Engoron ruled that Trump, his sons and other Trump Organization executives lied to tax collectors, lenders and insurers for years in a scheme that exaggerated the value of their properties by $812 million to $2.2 billion between 2014 and 2021.

He ordered measures to confiscate and liquidate Trump companies, which could lead to the dismantling of Trump's real estate empire, but their application was suspended on appeal.

The federal election conspiracy trial is due to open on March 4 in Washington, the day before one of the biggest events in the Republican primary calendar, so-called "Super Tuesday," when around 15 states hold their nominating votes.

Trump also faces federal charges for alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left the White House and has been charged with racketeering in Georgia for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in the southern state.

arb-cl/md
Editors Note: Jill Filipovic is a journalist based in New York and author of the book OK Boomer, Lets Talk: How My Generation Got Left Behind. Follow her on Twitter. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely her own. View more opinion on CNN.

Former President Donald Trump may be facing the biggest challenge of his life. Its not running for president after a decisive loss. Its not staring down multiple criminal charges across multiple jurisdictions. But something even more difficult for this particular man: shutting up.

Jill Filipovic - Courtesy of Jill Filipovic

On Monday, a federal judge imposed a gag order on Trump, limiting his ability to publicly attack special counsel Jack Smith, Smiths staff, court personnel and potential witnesses in the case related to Trumps alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Its not a muzzle of Trumps ability to speak in general, but it is a demand that he not smear those involved in the case against him.

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This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses, Judge Tanya Chutkan said. This is about language that presents a danger to the administration of justice.

Trump remains fully able to smear a long list of perceived opponents, including President Joe Biden and the Justice Department broadly. He is permitted to continue to claim, as he long has, that the prosecutions of him are politically motivated. (Trump has denied any wrongdoing.) With Chutkans order in place, he just cant intimidate witnesses and attack counsel and court staff members  a prohibition that seems well within reason in the interests of a fair process.

Trump was predictably incensed.

WILL APPEAL THE GAG ORDER RULING. WITCH HUNT! he wrote on the social media platform Truth Social.

And on Monday in Iowa, he complained, They put a gag order on me, and Im not supposed to be talking about things that bad people do, and so well be appealing very quickly. He added, Ill be the only politician in history where I wont be allowed to criticize people.

This is, of course, untrue  Trump can criticize the vast majority of people, including Chutkan herself. He just cant interfere with a criminal proceeding by using language that could result in the special counsel or his team being targeted by Trumps supporters, which could taint a jury pool or intimidate witnesses in the case against him.

For the most part, criminal defendants understand its not in their best interests to mouth off about the judge or the prosecution. But most also dont enjoy the support of millions of followers and fans.

Trump is not the average criminal defendant; hes the Republican frontrunner for the presidency. And there are legitimate First Amendment concerns with any gag order. When it comes to muzzling Trumps speech, the stakes are extremely high, and so the bar for doing so should be, too.

Trumps team made this exact argument. When the judge asked Trumps lawyer, John Lauro, (Trump) does not have the right to say and do exactly what he pleases. Do you agree with that? Lauro agreed 100%. But then he contradicted himself, pushing back on the proposed restrictions on Trump to make comments about the prosecution.

To be sure, the decision to gag a defendant should not be taken lightly, nor infused with politics. It is crucial that Trump, as odious and dangerous as I personally find him, have the ability to fully campaign: to criticize his opponent, to criticize the system and to make the case for putting him back in the White House. Principles like the importance of free speech cannot bow to political preferences.

But freedom has never existed without any limitation. There are limitations on speech: You can be prosecuted if you use speech to incite violence, for example, or to defraud someone. And there are civil penalties for using your free speech to defame or slander someone. When defendants are indicted for crimes, some of their rights are constrained  they have to show up in court, for example, and may be held in detention before trial. If they pose a threat of physical harm, they may be restrained. While Trump, of course, cannot control everything his followers do after hearing or reading his words, there is little question that his words have inflamed people to action  including the many who showed up at the capitol on January 6, 2021.

In this trial, a day after Trump posted, IF YOU GO AFTER ME, IM COMING AFTER YOU!, on Truth Social, a Texas woman left a voice message for Chutkan saying, If Trump doesnt get elected in 2024, we are coming to kill you, so tread lightly. Trump has called special counsel Smith a thug and deranged. And Chutkan warned the former president before, telling him to cut out the inflammatory rhetoric. Trump didnt listen.

None of us can predict the future. But if I were a gambler, Id put a fair bit of money on the probability that Trump will violate the gag order sooner rather than later. The question then is what happens next. Will the judge impose sanctions, and what those might look like? If the argument about a criminal defendants First Amendment rights makes it up the chain to the Supreme Court, the conservative majority will find themselves in the interesting spot of being generally hostile to criminal defendants rights while being quite accommodating of Trump.

This is untread ground, and I imagine that any judge would be awfully hesitant to impose jail time as a penalty for Trumps flouting of her order. But the hope is that the judge, while recognizing these unusual circumstances, will not accord Trump unusual treatment  that instead she will respond to his actions the same we she would anyone else who entered her courtroom.

Trump is a special criminal defendant, in the sense that hes the first former president of the United States to face criminal charges. But the American system of justice is also special in the sense that it aims to treat defendants fairly, no matter who they are, and to not accord special treatment to the powerful.

The justice system, obviously, often fails spectacularly at meeting this aim: The wealthy and powerful, like Trump, routinely find themselves spared incarceration or punishment at all, even when they commit crimes, while poorer Americans, and Black and brown Americans in particular, are incarcerated at high rates and often denied the benefit of cash bail. Contrary to what Trump suggests, powerful defendants like him are often treated with kid gloves by a system that is, in practice, stunningly unfair.

But the goal of fairness is a powerful and necessary one. It is a goal to which all of us, and particularly those who carry out American justice, should continue to aspire. Treating a man who was once among the most powerful people in the world fairly  with appropriate consideration, but also appropriate penalties for wrongdoing  sets an important example.

And that means treating Trump like anyone else  which includes, where necessary, telling him to shut up.

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Former President Donald Trump laid out one of his biggest whoppers yet outside his civil fraud trial in New York City on Tuesday.

Now hes falsely claiming that his Mar-A-Lago estate is the most expensive house probably in the world.

Trump made the bogus claim outside the New York City courtroom where he and his company are currently on trial for allegedly massively overvaluing his assets and net worth to deceive banks, insurers and others that financed his projects.

Outside the courtroom, Trump accused New York Attorney General Letitia James of ranting and raving like a lunatic and claimed that she defrauded the public with this trial.

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But he saved his biggest grievance over the perceived value of his Mar-A-Lago property, which has come under scrutiny during the trial.

Trump has previously claimed the Florida mansion is worth at least $420 million and perhaps $1.5 billion, but Judge Arthur Engoron, who presides over the case, noted the Palm Beach County tax appraiser gave a valuation ranging between $18 million to $37 million.

On Tuesday, Trump claimed James and Engoron are the frauds because the house is worth a billion, a billion-and-a-half, $750 million?

He griped further: Its worth a fortune! Its the most expensive house probably in the world, and they said it was worth $18 million.

You can see the segment below.

Trump, back at court in NYC this morning, viciously attacks AG James, who he describes at "ranting and raving like a lunatic." He also claims Mar-a-Lago is "the most expensive house, probably, in the world" and adds that it's worth as much as $1.5 billion. pic.twitter.com/4azPwKpBXR  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 17, 2023

Palm Beach real estate experts scoff at the $18 million evaluation and said if Trump sold Mar-A-Lago, it could net at least $300 million and possibly as much as $600 million, according to The Associated Press.

A billion-dollar sale is possible if uber-billionaires got into a bidding war, the AP noted.

Although Mar-A-Lago is obviously valuable real estate, there is currently no truth to Trumps statement that its the most valuable home in the world.

That honor goes to Buckingham Palace, which has been valued at $1.6 billion, according to Travel And Leisure Asia.

But HuffPost politics reporter S.V. Date noted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Mar-A-Lago is not even supposed to be a home.

Its a swimming and croquet club where no one is supposed to live, not even him. Except the Palm Beach council was too afraid/tired to deal with him violating his agreement with the town, Date said.

Of course, Trumps bogus claim attracted a lot of social media comments, including attorney and writer Elie Mystal, who noted that the fact that Trumps valuation of Mar-a-Lago has gone up by, like, 50 percent, OVER THE COURSE OF THE TRIAL... kind of speaks to why hes being tried in the first place.

I see hes playing real estate appraiser cosplay again. Mar-A-Lago, the most expensive home in the world and nearly 1.3 Billion more than the highest FL real estate sale? Lol. Im glad I didnt get my Appraiser certification at Trump University.  https://t.co/EXBz6vmetg  All Out Of Bubblegum (@BubblegumOut) October 17, 2023

The fact that Trump's valuation of Mar-a-Lago has gone up by, like, 50 percent, OVER THE COURSE OF THE TRIAL... kind of speaks to why he's being tried in the first place. https://t.co/jacK2CYnkW  Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) October 17, 2023

Others had their own snarky comments.

I hope his local tax assessors are watching. https://t.co/TV8fglU1ZO  David Corn (@DavidCornDC) October 17, 2023

Permitted to commandeer the hallways of the courthouse once again to call the Attorney General of NY a lunatic. https://t.co/oQV4vnZPQX  Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) October 17, 2023

Your daily reminder that the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee is profoundly mentally ill https://t.co/s9LnNtWiwR  Michael A. Cohen (NOT TRUMPS FORMER FIXER) (@speechboy71) October 17, 2023

Im no Real Estate wiz but Id bet my home that that moldy, gold-plated STD infested Petri-dish in Florida is in fact NOT the most expensive home in the world https://t.co/RQleqlBqzn  Elizabeth Pennysworth (@EPennysworth) October 17, 2023

A man accused of overinflating his property value says his property is worth a billion dollars. Expects everyone to believe him. https://t.co/4zsPrN9LlC  reginald edwards (@reginaldedward3) October 17, 2023

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Former President Trump on Tuesday criticized the partial gag order placed on him by the federal judge overseeing the prosecution of him for alleged crimes related to the 2020 election.

Were being railroaded, the former president said outside of a courtroom in New York where he is facing a separate civil fraud trial. And I have other trials  railroaded. You saw yesterday where they take away my right to speak. I wont be able to speak like Im speaking to you, and Im not saying anything wrong; Im saying the truth.

I wont be able to do this with that trial, Trump continued.

The gag order imposed by District Judge Tanya Chutkan prohibits Trump from attacking witnesses, prosecutors and court staff and their families. Trump said Monday that he would appeal the gag order.

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Today a judge put on a gag order. Ill be the only politician in history that runs with a gag order where Im not allowed to criticize people. Can you imagine this? Trump said to a crowd in Iowa. Well appeal it, and well see. But its so unconstitutional. The good thing is we have so much support its incredible.

The order would still allow Trump to aim his verbal fire at President Biden and say that his prosecution has a political motivation. Chutkans order also followed a request by the Justice Department to limit the former president from what it said was his common practice of issuing inflammatory public statements targeted at individuals or institutions that present an obstacle or challenge to him.

This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses, Chutkan said. This is about language that dangers the administration of justice.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
With the former president sitting in the courtroom, Donald Trumps lawyers moved into their next phase of attack at his bank fraud trial on Tuesday, arguing that his vastly inflated property values were never official appraisalsand werent ever meant to be.

The defense that Trumps blathering real estate assessments were obviously not to be taken literally was on display Tuesday as his lawyers cross-examined a witness for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is trying to topple the tycoons real estate empire and siphon $250 million or more from his bank accounts.

The tactic centers on the idea that prices are totally relative, and Trumps guess is as good as any. This doesnt explain how Trump could blatantly lie about spacelike tripling the size of his New York City penthouse on paper. But it is an attempt to undermine the AGs argument that Trumps inflated sums werent honest or fair.

Trump Tries to Strike Down New York AG Case Before It Starts

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During a break in the trial, Trump Organization chief legal officer Alan Garten told The Daily Beast he thinks no assessment of Trump buildings could possibly be grounded in anything concretebecause theres nothing like them.

"These are unicorn properties, he said, pointing to Trump Tower. "At 57th and Fifth, you're at the crossroads of the shopping capital of the world. What's the comp real estate? The Champs-Elysees?"

A Trump trial lawyer went further with that idea while questioning the AGs witness, trying to counter what the AGs team presented earlier in the day.

The AGs lawyers spent Tuesday morning questioning Doug Larson, who spent years assessing the overall value of Trump Organization buildings while he worked at Cushman and Wakefield. State investigators used his testimony to show that, after hed conducted an appraisal, Trumps staff would fudge the numbers on internal spreadsheets and his personal financial statements.

In one example, assistant attorney general Mark Ladov pointed out how Trump seemed to double count the same commercial space at the Manhattan neo-Gothic skyscraper 40 Wall Streettallying up the expected income from the Dean and DeLuca grocery store, but then also registering that same area as rentable space that could bring in even more cash.

Is this double counting the Dean and DeLuca lease? Ladov asked.

Larson paused and frowned.

I'm not sure what they did. I know in my June 2015 appraisal, Dean and DeLuca was included in the valuation, he said.

Ladov also pointed out how the Trump Organization claimed an entirely differentand much rosiernumber when assessing the buildings capitalization rate, which measures real estate investments. Generally speaking, a lower number is less risky. Of course Trump made sure the number went down. While Larson quoted a cap rate of 4.25 percent, internal Trump Organization spreadsheets pushed that down to 3.04 percent.

Is that the same cap rate you used? Ladov asked.

No, it is not, Larson responded.

Trump Shares Article Doxxing NY AGs Address, May Violate Gag Order

In the afternoon, Florida defense attorney Lazaro P. Fields presented an alternative way to read the situation. His questions drew a distinction between the appraisals and Trumps statements of financial condition, essentially saying they exist in different universes.

The idea here is that the appraisals were commissioned by Capitol One bankwhich was willing to share them with Trumpbut the real estate tycoon was free to make his own independent assessments and route them to outside accountants at MazarsUSA to have them compile a snapshot of his wealth.

After all, Garten noted to The Daily Beast, the banks could still rely on their own commissioned study.

But that argument hasnt been well received by Justice Arthur F. Engoron, who has stressed that the AG does indeed have the power to punish lying entrepreneurs to ensure an honest marketplaceeven if no one involved gets harmed by losing money.

Still, Fields pressed Larson to acknowledge that appraisers do official appraisals, while Trump was merely doing valuationsa notion that would free up the tycoon to fill in the blanks as he pleased.

You agree that appraisals are an art, not a science? Fields asked.

I've heard that term before, yes, Larson said, later acknowledging that two appraisers in the courtroom could come to two different conclusions.

Fields repeatedly pointed out that Cushman and Wakefields own appraisal paperwork noted that the intended function is for loan underwriting and/or credit decisions by Capital One bank and/or participants," obliquely countering a previous AG argument that Trump hid these appraisals from his Mazars accountant.

Fields ended the bank fraud trials eleventh day by furthering an argument that is bound to see more play as the court battle moves forward: the idea that coming up with real estate prices is a nebulous endeavor.

He pulled up copies of two appraisals Larson issued on the same date in November 2012, with one pegging 40 Wall Street at $200 million while the other claimed it was $220 million.

You're not sure which of these two is the final verdict? he asked.

Fields did it again, pointing to two November 2015 appraisals in which Larson separately assessed the same building at $240 million and $260 million.

It is possible you made an error appraising this property? Fields inquired.

I don't know... it's possible, Larson said.

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Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, the two indicted Donald Trump coup lawyers who volunteered to face trial first in Atlanta, are adopting the former presidents courtroom playbook and doing whatever they can to pollute the jury thatll decide their fate.

And if they succeed, they may set new legal precedent that could be applied to Trumps case and the trials of other co-conspirators in Georgia.

Friday marks the start of what promises to be an arduous and protracted jury selection, one that could take weeks because prosecutors and defense lawyers are trying to settle a fundamental question: How do you agree on a dozen fair-minded jurors when the Fulton County District Attorney claims that every Georgian was victimized by a plot to deny their vote?

A pretrial hearing on Monday showed just how difficult itll beand how defense lawyers drafting a questionnaire for all potential jurors are already explicitly asking the judge to break the rules.

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Trump Defendant Plea Bad for Sidney Powell, Legal Experts Say

In a case already denounced by Trump loyalists as nothing more than partisan politics, Powell and Chesebros lawyers want to conduct what the judge deemed a highly irregular Gallup poll to gauge how jurors feel about everyone who took part in the attempt to flip the 2020 election results.

Stranger still, the defense team wants to askpoint blankreactions to statements that elicit deeply sectarian biases, such as: MAGA Republicans are radicals and white supremacists, and Trump tried to steal the election and take away my vote.

These are attitudinal type questions... we would be able to use to test if they can in fact be fair and impartial, Brian T. Rafferty, Powells lawyer, said in court Monday.

Scott R. Grubman, Chesebros attorney, jumped in as special prosecutor Nathan Wade shook his head.

Literally that is why were here, Grubman said.

Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee reminded everyone that there are long-standing rules that prohibitfor obvious reasonsessentially asking a juror how theyll judge a case before they even hear any of the evidence.

We always had a hard line in the sand... we dont tell jurors to tell us how youll vote, the judge countered. Part of the role a questionnaire does is... to hone in on what matters that doesnt throw out the general standards youre allowed to ask jurors, period.

Were not supposed to be asking jurors to give their opinions up front, the judge repeated.

McAfee seemed particularly uncomfortable with the way the defense lawyers want to list potential witnesses and all 19 defendants in the caseeveryone ranging from the former president to a relatively unknown U.S. Marine whos involved with Black Voices for Trumpand ask prospective jurors how they feel about these people. The options apparently ranged from very unfavorable to very favorable, prompting the judge to deride it as a Gallup poll.

Georgia Prosecutors Land a Significant Win in Trump Case

The mere request shows how defense lawyers are already laying the groundwork to potentially smear the trial from the very start as unfair and nothing more than political theater.

The publics impression of the judicial systems ability to handle this prosecution is particularly sensitive for the first phase of the trial, given that it involves such divisive figures as Trump and the top people who guided his attempt to stay in power by force.

The list of potential witnesses includes figures like Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, and right-wing media personality Steve Bannon. Powells attorney argued they need to know jurors opinions about everyone involved in the case, because this will become a first pass at the Trump trial anyway.

The government has indicated its intention to prove its entire case over six months. It has nothing to do with Sidney Powell. If the government's intention is to offer a bunch of information on Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman... ask the jurors about their views, Rafferty said.

The judge seemed unmoved by that argument, plucking the hamfisted poll from the questionnairebut said hed allow the defense lawyers to ask these questions anyway during spoken conversations with prospective jurors.

The stakes are uniquely high for Powell and Chesebro. The two are among 19 who were accused of taking part in a vast conspiracy to keep Trump in the White House after he lost his re-election campaign. Powell, made infamous for directing what she called a multi-tentacled Kraken supermonster of election-overturning lawsuits, was criminally charged with making false statements and trying to commit election fraud by breaking into election computers in rural Georgia. Chesebro, who wrote legal memos laying out how Republican fake electors could run parallel electoral college votes in case some states managed to forcefully flip the election results, was charged with trying to impersonate an official officer and creating forgeries.

But while District Attorney Fani Willis wanted to take everyone to trial at onceand soonPowell and Chesebro decided to speed up their legal fight, giving their associates a preview of whats to come.

Fulton County DA Tears Into Jim Jordan Over Trump Probe

That context helps explain why their defense lawyers are so keen to disrupt the courtroom status quo, and how everyone accused of taking part in this mob-like criminal enterprise can jointly benefit from the chaos now.

Monday displayed the tell-tale signs that the MAGA crews defense lawyers are fully adopting the same rule-bucking strategies that Trump himself has been employing in his ongoing legal battles across the country. Defense lawyers asked the judge to do away with tradition and established legal principles, because, as always with anything related to Trump, the rules simply shouldnt apply.

"I think it would be a mistake for any of us to treat this like a normal case... I think the realities are really going to have to start sinking in here. This is not an ordinary case. Its not because of anything we did. Its because of how they charged it, Grubman argued, blaming the DA for even bringing the case.

He described the trial as a case that has no parallels in the history of Georgia or American jurisprudence.

However, Assistant District Attorney Alex Bernick pushed back on the idea that now is the right time to pull over the straight and narrow path.

He wants you to disregard the case law just because its a high-profile case. We have to follow the law here, Bernick said.

The judge told everyone hed take it under advisement.

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Former President Donald Trump again championed his ban on immigrants from Muslim-majority countries on Monday, promising to expand the policy if hes elected to the White House as well as institute a strong ideological screening for all immigrants.

As Ive already said, many, many times before, I will reinstate and expand the wildly successful Trump travel ban on entry from terror-plagued countries, territories and places, Trump told a crowd of supporters in Clive, Iowa. It just kept us safe; we wouldnt let people come in from certain countries where theres tremendous terror. Makes sense, right?

Trump, who remains the front-runner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, made the comments amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The former president pointed to the war as justification for an expanded ban on immigration, saying he would also revoke some student visas and deport anyone who demonstrates against Israel.

If you want to abolish the state of Israel, youre disqualified; if you support Hamas or the ideology behind Hamas, youre disqualified; and if youre a communist, Marxist, or fascist, you are disqualified, he said, leaning on fearful, discriminatory rhetoric common throughout his campaign. In addition, we will aggressively deport resident aliens with jihadist sympathies.

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He went on to say that he would oppose any U.S. effort to accept refugees from Gaza, where more than 1 million people have fled their homes. Israel is expected to invade the territory in the coming days in retaliation for Hamas devastating surprise attack earlier this month. Thousands have been killed on both sides of the conflict, and President Joe Biden is expected to travel to Israel on Wednesday amid concerns the war could expand.

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, in Clive, Iowa.

Trump said that his new ban, which initially applied to seven Muslim-majority countries in 2017, would include citizens from Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen if enacted, as well as anywhere else that threatens our security.

Human rights groups were furious with the ban at the time, calling it inhumane and discriminatory. Biden reversed the policy shortly after taking office, but the ban has had lingering effects for hundreds of families long after it was lifted.

Trumps recent comments prompted an immediate rebuke from Democrats, who pointed to Islamophobic rhetoric that has done nothing but sow chaos and breed violence. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) linked such comments to the murder this week of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois.

Donald Trump is following up last weeks erratic behavior  criticizing Israel and praising their terrorist enemies  by now exploiting fear and anxiety in a shameless attempt to revive his widely rejected, extreme Muslim ban, DNC chair Jamie Harrison said in a statement. Trump continues to confirm that his only guiding principle is what serves himself, not the American people or our national security.

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Former President Trump said Monday he intends to appeal a judges ruling imposing a gag order that prohibits him from attacking potential witnesses in his upcoming trial over his attempts to remain in power after the 2020 election.

Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after the ruling  which also applies to prosecutors, court staff and their families  that he intended to appeal, and he later addressed the decision during a rally with supporters in Iowa.

Today a judge put on a gag order. Ill be the only politician in history that runs with a gag order where Im not allowed to criticize people. Can you imagine this? Trump told a crowd in Adel. Well appeal it and well see. But its so unconstitutional. The good thing is we have so much support its incredible.

Judge Tanya Chutkan in a Monday hearing said Trumps status as a candidate did not give him carte blanche to level a smear campaign against those involved in the case, saying First Amendment protections yield to the administration of justice and to the protection of witnesses.

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Still, she clarified the order would not stop Trump from attacking President Biden or claiming the prosecution is politically motivated  an assertion the Justice Department again denied during the hearing.

The decision came after a request by the Justice Department to limit attacks that included disparaging, inflammatory and intimidating remarks about the case.

Its something prosecutors said was needed to block Trump from using his reach as a former president to influence the case, while Trumps team said it was overly broad and would chart new ground in impinging on the free speech rights of a presidential candidate.

Trump has repeatedly targeted Chutkan, special counsel Jack Smith, Biden and Washington, D.C., itself through social media posts and public speeches since he was indicted in August for his efforts to remain in power after the 2020 election.

The former president is already subject to a gag order in a civil trial in New York related to his business after he publicly attacked a court staffer in that case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump is trashing military officials as some of the dumbest people hes ever metand his supporters are lapping it all up.



At a campaign event in Iowa on Monday, Trump mocked General Mark Milley, recounting a story about disagreeing with the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

I dont wanna tell you what I had to go through with these peoplesome of the dumbest Ive ever met in my life, Trump said, and was met with a huge applause from the audience.

Trumps trashing of Milley has been a recurring point since The Atlantic published a profile where Milley described how he protected the Constitution from Donald Trump.

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In September, Trump posted on Truth Social accusing Milley of treason for speaking with Chinese officials about the U.S. election process, and implied he should be executed. This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH, Trump wrote.



Trumps deranged post about Milley was cited as part of the reasoning for the second gag order placed on Trump by Judge Tanya Chutkan on Monday.

This isnt the first time that Trump has made comments disparaging members of the military. Former White House staffer John Kelly confirmed that Donald Trump has called disabled veterans suckers and losers.
Happy Friday! We dont have anything nice to say about Mikes Atlanta Braves losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in last nights playoff series, so we wont say anything at all.

Up to Speed

We were much too optimistic in our Wednesday headline. While the House Republican conference did make a choice for speaker, their designee, Rep. Steve Scalise , announced Thursday he was dropping out of the race. Scalises in-conference victory over Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio was closer than expected and reflected a lack of consensus with his colleagues. When it became clear that a large number of GOP members would not back Scalise in a floor vote, the Louisiana Republican ripped the Band-aid off.

So who will get the gavel? Jordan, who had publicly backed Scalise after losing in the conference, threw his hat back in the ring. But its hard to see how the strident founder of the far-right House Freedom Caucus will have more consensus support than Scalise did. There are rumblings that Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California could try to mount a comeback effort, or even that the speaker pro tem, Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, could be a plausible consensus alternative. And on Friday, Georgia Rep. Austin Scott filed to run for speaker against Jordan.

What seems far less likely is that some Democrats could join with some Republicans to form a majority coalition to elect a unity speaker. Less likely, that is, until it isnt. The frustration from Republican members from all wings of the conference on their inability to coalesce around a speaker might have some members from the center-right looking for an exit strategy with Democratic help. Axios reports those conversations are beginning, but theres no evidence a critical mass of Republicans are ready to give up on their majority rule and keep it in the GOP family.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard final oral arguments in the racial gerrymandering case out of South Carolina, Alexander v. South Carolina Conference of the NAACP. Most analyses suggest the Republican-appointed majority did not sound convinced that two congressional districts in the state were unconstitutional due to racial gerrymandering, as a lower court had found. The new map adopted in 2021 made both a red district along the South Carolina coast more Republican, and a blue, majority-black district more Democratic. The Supreme Courts decision will determine whether South Carolina will need to redraw its congressional map.

Another Trump Controversy, the Same Likely Outcome

Somewhere, in some dimly lit, dusty corner of the Republican Party opposed to Donald Trump, some voter, activist, or elected official imagined the former president finally crossed a political red line when he complimented Hezbollah as very smart during a campaign rally and blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a barbaric terrorist attack that left more than 1,200 Israelis dead.

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He was not prepared, Trump also said, in an interview with Fox News Brian Kilmeade, referring to Jerusalems failure to anticipate an October 7 strike in which hundreds of Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel and deliberately targeted and murdered civilians. Thousands of people knew about it but they let this slip by.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was first among Trumps competitors for the Republican presidential nomination to issue a stern condemnation. Terrorists have murdered at least 1,200 Israelis and 22 Americans and are holding more hostage, so it is absurd that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose now to attack our friend and ally, Israel, he posted on X, formerly Twitter. As President, I will stand with Israel and treat terrorists like the scum that they are.

Other Republican contenders expressed similar outrage, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum; former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; former Vice President Mike Pence; and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. Joining them were conservative activists either supportive of, or sympathetic to, Trumps various primary opponents.

But institutionally, the Republican Party has been silent.

Even if it werent, there is zero indication GOP voters are poised to abandon Trumpthe overwhelming frontrunner in the race to earn the right to challenge President Joe Bidenover this latest cut against party orthodoxy. Support for Israel is virtually sacrosanct in the Republican Party, almost on par with opposition to abortion rights and upholding the Second Amendment.

Perhaps thats because as president, Trumps record of support for Israel was undisputed. His administration negotiated historic peace accords with Jerusalems Arab neighbors and assiduously deterred Iran. But Trump and his supporters seemed to suggest they were at least somewhat worried about political blowback. Some of the former presidents allies went about justifying his comments, others went about attempting to explain why what Trump really said wasnt what Trump really said. The 45th presidents campaign, meanwhile, said his comments were directed at President Joe Biden.

President Trump was clearly pointing out how incompetent Biden and his administration were, the Trump campaign said, adding: Smart does not equal good. Vivek Ramaswamy, the wealthy biotech entrepreneur and Trumps occasional ally in the GOP presidential primary, also defended the former president while suggesting candidates critical of him arent prioritizing American interests.

Its laughable theyre going after Trump for saying the wrong thing when he actually did more for U.S.-Israel relations than any other U.S. president in modern history, Ramaswamy said in a statement provided to The Dispatch. Every single Republican presidential candidate is clearly pro-Israel. The real divide is between those of us who are clearly pro-America and there are really only two America-first candidates in this race.

In the end, the kerfuffle over Trumps criticism of Netanyahu and description of Palestinian terrorist groups as smart is likely to end the same as every other controversy that the former president has weathered without losing his perch atop the GOP. Never Trump Republicans, and Republicans exhausted by Trumps reign and pining for fresh leadership, should be used to this by now.

Its an unforced error for sure, a veteran Republican pollster said, of the former presidents comments. But I doubt it has any impact.

Notable and Quotable

I hope so.

Rep. Jim Jordan, to Punchbowl News, when asked if he has the required 217 votes to become speaker, October 13, 2023

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(Bloomberg) -- The text of a new partial gag order against Donald Trump released on Tuesday outlines what exactly a judge has prohibited the former president from saying in public or online as the federal election obstruction case against him in Washington moves forward.

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Heres what it says:

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Trump can continue to criticize US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the trial and entered the order. But he cant criticize her staff or other supporting personnel in the federal courthouse.

He can no longer attack Special Counsel John Jack Smith or prosecutors in Smiths office, a ban Chutkan said applies to lawyers family members.

Trump can criticize the campaign platforms or policies of former Vice President Mike Pence or any other current political rivals, but he cant discuss Pences role or expected testimony as a potential witness in the criminal case.

Hes barred from making public statements about any other reasonably foreseeable witness or the substance of their testimony, a list that includes former top administration officials  Attorney General Bill Barr and former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, for instance  and other key officials who surrounded Trump or were in contact with in the months after the 2020 election.

Trump also cant direct anyone else to make the type of statements that hes now barred from making.

Chutkans order on its face doesnt just apply to Trump  it covers his attorneys and prosecutors, too  but it was issued after the judge found that his barrage of attacks on the case posed a significant and immediate risk of intimidating witnesses and jeopardizing the safety of the public servants involved.

The bottom line is that equal justice under law requires the equal treatment of criminal defendants; Defendants presidential candidacy cannot excuse statements that would otherwise intolerably jeopardize these proceedings, Chutkan wrote.

Read More: Trump Gag Order in DC Case Bars Attacks on Smith, Witnesses

The former president has vowed to appeal. His lawyers argued that any new restrictions on what he can say about the election obstruction case  one of four indictments pending against him  would violate his First Amendment free speech rights, especially as he runs for president again in 2024. Trump also is under a limited gag order in New York, where a judge presiding over a civil fraud case against him barred him from posting about court personnel after he disparaged a law clerk online and shared her photo.

The wording of Chutkans order will matter if Trump does take the fight to the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. She didnt cast as wide a net as the government wanted, allowing Trump to continue criticizing the Justice Department, the Biden administration, and the prosecution effort. She also said he could make critical comments about Washington and the people who live there, but warned those could hurt any future effort by his lawyers to argue to move the trial elsewhere because of pretrial publicity or prejudice among the potential juror pool.

Defendants statements pose sufficiently grave threats to the integrity of these proceedings that cannot be addressed by alternative means, and it has tailored its order to meet the force of those threats, Chutkan wrote.

Within hours of Chutkans announcement on Monday afternoon, Trump was back on the attack on his Truth Social platform, describing the case as a WITCH HUNT in a post declaring he would appeal. Early Tuesday he posted a message accusing Crooked Joe Biden  a phrase the judge parsed during Mondays hearing and gave him the green light to use  of orchestrating the criminal cases against him. He hasnt made any more public attacks on court staff in New York since the gag order was entered there but has continued to criticize the civil fraud case, telling reporters it was rigged as he arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday.

Related: Trump Returns to Rigged NY Fraud Trial, Says Banks Happy

Chutkan said that if Trump or anyone else in the case violated her order, she would consider sanctions as may be necessary. She signaled she would be independently keeping tabs on activity outside her courtroom, saying she would review possible violations that the parties brought to her attention or sua sponte, meaning on her own authority. Her order didnt specify what type of sanctions she might impose.

Read the full order here.

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Donald Trump has vowed to expand his Muslim travel ban to bar refugees from war-torn Gaza if he takes back the White House in 2024.

Speaking to supporters at a rally in Iowa on Monday night, the former president said that he would introduce ideological screening for all immigrants and refuse entry to the thousands of Palestinian people now displaced by the Israel-Hamas war.

We arent bringing in anyone from Gaza, Syria, Somalia, Yemen or Libya or anywhere else that threatens our security, Mr Trump said at the event.

I banned refugees from Syria, I banned refugees from Somalia  very dangerous places  and from all of the most dangerous places all over the world, I banned them.

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He added: In my second term, were going to expand each and every one of those bans.

Mr Trump ran his first presidential campaign on a hardline anti-immigration stance, vowing to ban all Muslims from entering the US.

When he entered office, he issued a sweeping ban on people from five Muslim-majority countries Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, as well as Venezuela and North Korea.

His immigration policies were repeatedly challenged in the courts during his presidency, with the Muslim travel ban initially struck down in lower courts only to be upheld by the conservative-leaning US Supreme Court.

President Joe Biden overturned the ban when he took office in January 2021.

Now, Mr Trump is vowing to take an even more extreme anti-immigration stance if he wins the 2024 presidential race.

As well as banning refugees from Gaza, Mr Trump read aloud a poem to the crowd of MAGA supporters in Iowa which he used to liken immigrants to deadly snakes.

He also said that he would send immigration agents to pro-jihadist demonstrations to remove anyone who sympathises with Hamas extremists and revoke the student visas of radical anti-American and antisemitic foreigners at our colleges and universities.

Trump speaking at a rally in Iowa on 16 October (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

If you want to abolish the state of Israel, youre disqualified, if you support Hamas or the ideology behind Hamas, youre disqualified, and if youre a communist, Marxist, or fascist, you are disqualified, he said.

Since Hamas launched attacks on Israel back on 7 October, Mr Trump has come under fire for his response.

In a speech to his supporters hours after the attacks, he called Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah very smart and accused the Israeli prime minister of being unprepared.

His comments prompted backlash from the White House and his former vice president and 2024 rival Mike Pence who said: Hezbollah arent smart. Theyre evil.

Mr Trumps campaign then sought to walk back his comments with come as more than 4,000 people have so far been killed in the 11 days since the war between Israel and Hamas began.

At least 30 American citizens are among the dead, while 14 are missing  some of them believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas.

In what marked a surprise attack, Hamas militants stormed across the Gaza border into Israel on the morning of 7 October, killing, kidnapping and injuring Israeli civilians and soldiers.

The Israeli military has said that more than 1,400 people were killed in the attacks.

An estimated 199 people have also been kidnapped and are being held hostage back in Gaza, with their desperate family members begging for them to come home safely.

Homes destroyed by air strikes in Gaza (AP)

Israel has responded to the Hamas attacks by pummeling Gaza with retaliatory air strikes which have killed at least 2,800 Palestinians, including hundreds of children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Israel also ordered a complete siege of Gaza, cutting off supplies of electricity, water, food and fuel and sparking fears of an escalating humanitarian crisis.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes as Israeli officials ordered them to evacuate from the north to southern parts of Gaza ahead of an expected ground assault.

President Joe Biden is now planning to travel to Israel on Wednesday in a high-stakes trip where he will meet with his Israeli counterparts and pledge the USs support to Israel.

The President will reaffirm our solidarity with Israel and he will look forward to getting an update from Israeli officials about their strategy and the pace of their military operations, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday.

As well as meeting Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he will also meet with Jordanian King Abdullah, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority.
CLIVE, Iowa  Former President Donald Trump on Monday called for barring potential refugees from Gaza from entering the U.S., promising to expand his travel ban that President Joe Bidens administration rescinded in 2021.

We arent bringing in anyone from Gaza, Syria, Somalia, Yemen or Libya or anywhere else that threatens our security, Trump said at his campaign event.

I banned refugees from Syria, I banned refugees from Somalia  very dangerous places  and from all of the most dangerous places all over the world, I banned them, Trump said.

In my second term, were going to expand each and every one of those bans, he added.

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In 2015, Trump first proposed a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the U.S. Upon entering the White House, his administration tried to enact a sweeping executive order, which was eventually limited to five Muslim-majority countries (Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen), along with North Korea and Venezuela.

In his current campaign, he has been calling for an expanded travel ban, but Monday was the first time he has included Gaza.

Some of Trumps Iowa supporters said they backed his call for a ban.

We dont need to import that trouble, said Larry Troxel, 79, of Waukee, Iowa, who voted for Trump twice and is leaning toward caucusing for him in 2024.

Speaking about Gazans and Hamas interchangeably, Jeff Lamberty, 60, a two-time Trump voter, said, We cant control our border today, let alone a bunch of people who want to kill Jews.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also called for a ban on Palestinian refugees entering the U.S. on Sunday after he baselessly asserted that the more than 2 million residents of Gaza are all antisemitic. And in an interview Sunday, he doubled down and said other Arab nations should take in Palestinian refugees.

You have Egypt, you have Saudi Arabia, you have Jordan, you have Lebanon, you have all these other Arab countries. They should be the ones to absorb any Palestinian Arabs leaving the Gaza Strip, DeSantis said.

In Gaza, they teach the kids to hate Jews.  This is embedded in the culture, he added.

Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, took a slightly different tack in an interview Sunday with CNN, saying that while some Palestinians support Hamas, many dont.

There are so many of these people who want to be free from this terrorist rule, she said. They want to be free from all of that. And Americas always been sympathetic to the fact that you can separate civilians from terrorists.

In his interview with NBC News Sunday night, DeSantis said he was willing to speak the truth while Haley was trying to be politically correct and please the media.

I dont care about that, he said. Im gonna speak the truth and let the chips fall where they may.

Trump, the Republican Party's 2024 front-runner, also said he would proactively send immigration agents to pro-jihadist demonstrations in the U.S. to remove noncitizens, citing the mobs  literally barbarians that we saw in the streets of New York during recent pro-Palestinian protests. He also pledged to revoke the student visas of radical anti-American and antisemitic foreigners at our colleges and universities.

Trump also declared that he would implement strong ideological screening of all immigrants, which would include a persons rejection of Hamas.

Last year, Trump faced significant criticism for dining with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West  who was under fire at the time for his antisemitic remarks  along with white supremacist Nick Fuentes. In 2017, he refused to condemn a group of white nationalists at a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, instead saying many sides were to blame for the deadly violence. At that event, the white nationalists were chanting Jews will not replace us.

While Republicans on the campaign trail have been discussing refugees from Gaza, the Biden administration has so far not publicly talked about a special carve-out for Palestinians.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Sept. 30, the Biden administration set its refugee cap for fiscal year 2024 at 125,000  a designation that does not specify the number of refugees from each country.

Typically, the U.S. accepts only a small number of Palestinian refugees every year, in large part because the original 1951 Refugee Convention intentionally carved out an exception to keep Palestinians from accessing the program, which the U.S. and other countries use to vet and resettle refugees.

Palestinian refugees go through a separate United Nations program, which does not refer to the U.S. For the select few who are referred to the U.S., partner organizations have referral authority.

In fiscal year 2023, for example, the U.S. accepted just 56 Palestinian refugees; the year before, it was 16.

After Hamas attack on Israel, Trump faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calling Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based group designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization, very smart.

"Donald Trump is following up last weeks erratic behavior  criticizing Israel and praising their terrorist enemies  by now exploiting fear and anxiety in a shameless attempt to revive his widely rejected, extreme Muslim ban," Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said in a statement. "Trump continues to confirm that his only guiding principle is what serves himself, not the American people or our national security."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Former president Donald Trump lashed out against U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan hours after being issued a gag order in the federal 2020 election interference trial.

During a campaign event in Adel, Iowa, on Monday, the former president aired his grievances to the crowd of his supporters, claiming that it was totally unconstitutional what she did.

A judge doesnt like me too much. Her whole life is not liking me, Trump claimed, before continuing, You know what a gag order is? You cant speak badly about your opponent. This is weaponry all being done because Joe Biden is losing the election and losing very, very badly to all of us.

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On Monday morning, Judge Chutkan partially granted a request from the Justice Department to limit Trumps ability to make public statements attacking prosecutors, witnesses, and court staff involved in the case and curb his use of social media and public events to comment on the trial.

Trump attacks Chutkan: Her whole life is not liking me pic.twitter.com/7pNGboiRtS  Acyn (@Acyn) October 16, 2023

Mr. Trump is facing criminal charges, the judge told the court. He does not get to respond to every criticism of him if his response would affect potential witnesses. Thats the bottom line here.

Earlier this month, the former president was hit with a separate partial gag order at his civil fraud trial brought against him by the state of New York. After targeting a member of Judge Arthur Engorons staff, the judge issued a restraining order barring the former president, and anyone else involved in the trial, from posting, emailing, or speaking publicly about any of my staff.

In September, in the first major lawsuit to block Trump from Colorados 2024 presidential ballot, a state judge issued a protective order prohibiting threats and intimidation in the case. Trump, the first former president to be charged with state or federal crimes, was indicted in August over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and an anti-democratic campaign that culminated in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. He is facing a total of four separate indictments.

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A trunk-or-treat event hosted for Missouri elementary school students on Sunday was interrupted by gunfire from a man who witnesses said was pushing people and being verbally aggressive, authorities announced.

Matthew P. McCulloch, a 39-year-old St. Louis County police officer, was charged with multiple crimes after he allegedly made death threats to event attendees and fired 11 rounds from his gun, according to a Kirkwood, Missouri, police officer in a sworn affidavit included in McCullochs criminal complaint.

No one was injured in the shooting, and in addition to being arrested, McCulloch is facing an internal police investigation.

Officer Matthew McCulloch.

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According to a press release by the Kirkwood Police Department, McCulloch and his family were attending the event at Kirkwood North Middle School along with hundreds of local children and their parents. Trunk-or-treat events are an alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, where community members can gather in one space and costumed children go from car to car to receive candy.

Police said that McCulloch approached numerous attendees at the event and made aggressive statements such as You are all going to die.

According to the affidavit, one person shoved McCulloch in the chest, prompting him to fall on the ground, after the officer made threats against him and his wife.

McCulloch then got up from the pavement, displayed his gun and badge and began firing in an upward direction approximately a dozen times while shouting that the attendees were going to die, authorities said.

Some children were separated from their parents while McCulloch was allegedly firing his gun indiscriminately, prompting some school personnel to step in and shelter them. Four children in particular frantically ran for cover, the charging document said.

Several bystanders then tackled McCulloch and seized his weapon, police said.

This file photo shows an example of a decorated car for a "trunk-or-treat" event.

Court records show that he is currently held on $500,000 bond and is charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, five counts of armed criminal action, making a terrorist threat and unlawful use of weapons. The affidavit noted McCullochs position as a police officer, his access to weapons, and the erratic and violent nature of the alleged crime at a public event as reasons he posed a danger to the community.

McCulloch is the son of longtime St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch, who retired in 2019 and came under national scrutiny as he oversaw the case against the police officer who shot 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

The retired prosecutor addressed the allegations against his son in a statement to local news outlet KMOV, saying he was grateful no one was physically injured.

However, we are also painfully aware that an incident such as this can and does cause significant emotional trauma to those, especially children and their parents, who witness such an event, he said. Our thoughts and prayers are with those victims.

In a statement to HuffPost, St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory said that Matthew McCulloch has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

We were disappointed to learn that the actions of one of our officers caused a disturbance in the City of Kirkwood on Sunday, Gregory said. In a profession where we are called to keep the peace, this display of disregard for safety is concerning. We are very grateful that no one was hurt.

An attorney listed for McCulloch did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

Immediately following the shooting, nearby Tillman Elementary School  where many of Sundays trunk-or-treat attendees are students  announced that school was closed for classes and after-school activities on Monday.

The Tillman school community experienced an incident no family or staff should have to confront, the school statement said. We are deeply grateful for the lack of injuries but acknowledge that this traumatic event will reverberate through the school community during the coming days, weeks, and months.

School events should be a safe place where we all feel welcome and togetherness is celebrated, a statement from the Tillman Elementary PTO released after the incident read. We are heartbroken for what our community experienced and incredibly thankful no one was physically hurt.

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If you own a timeshare and receive an unsolicited call from a prospective buyer, the Utah Department of Commerce has a reminder  if the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Around the country, timeshare owners have been increasingly contacted by people claiming to represent companies or investors offering to help them exit their contract, according to the department, which warned the unsolicited phone call is a red flag.

If you are actively trying to sell, its possible that its legitimate, said Melanie Hall with the Department of Commerce, who told the Deseret News in this scenario, its very rare for an unsolicited call to be a good business venture.

Often, the calls are an attempt to get banking information or other personal details  other times, the call is to solicit some kind of an initial business fee which is actually a scam. Very rarely do the calls come from licensed businesses.

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Its unclear what the scams prevalence is in Utah. As of Monday, the department didnt have any readily available data. But because of resort destinations like Park City and Moab, Hall said its likely Utahns, or people with timeshares in Utah, have been targeted.

The calls are sometimes aimed at seniors, Hall said, and other people who are in a vulnerable financial situation.

People might get into a timeshare because they had a wonderful time on vacation, but down the road, they realize that its not a good fit for their family, she said. ... Sometimes getting these calls seems like a blessing.

If the company requires an upfront payment, guarantees an exit from the timeshare contract, asks for payment in cryptocurrency, wire transfers or gift cards, beware. Research the company first, the division says  if the company is legitimate and the offer is good, it will likely still be there in a week.

Dont take the bait, said Utah Division of Consumer Protection Director Katie Hass, in a statement. Take the time to research the company. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Anyone who has been targeted or a victim of a similar scam can file a complaint with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.
The TSA officers at Pangborn Memorial Airport (EAT) in Wenatchee said it took a team effort to help a traveler in need.

According to a news release from the TSA, the Seattle-bound passenger fell unconscious last Wednesday in the boarding area of the airport.

The man wasnt responding to boarding instructions so the gate agent asked for TSA Supervisory Officer (STSO) Alan Holiman.

STSO Holiman went up to the traveler and noticed he was breathing. He tried to wake him up and the man didnt respond.

Holiman said he remembered the travel mentioning he wore a blood glucose monitor. And as they called 911, he stopped breathing.

The operator told Holiman to start chest compressions. The traveler then started to respond and breathe normally.

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Around the same time, the fire department arrived to take over. TSA officer (TSO) Salvador Quintoriano got the AED device just in case while Holiman and Lead TSO Tye Overbey cleared the airport for the paramedics.

Paramedics then took over and said the passenger became alert. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

It comes as no surprise to me that when something out of the ordinary happens at an airport, TSA officers are frequently the first people that members of the airport community turn to for assistance. TSOs familiarity with operations, their ability to anticipate what may be needed and their leadership skills shine during times of crisis, said TSA Federal Security Director for Washington, Greg Hawko. I am proud of the job that EAT TSA team did to assist a traveler in need. They are valued members of their community and I thank them for their selfless actions.
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  A man from Tulare County has been sentenced to over 17 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, according to the United States Department of Justice on Monday.

The United States Department of Justice says Miguel Deniz, 33, of Farmersville, was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison for possession with the suspicion of intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of firearms, and possession of a machine gun, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced on October 16th.

According to court documents, on May 1, 2019, law enforcement officers say they executed a search warrant at Denizs residence and found more than a pound of methamphetamine, an AK-style rifle, a Mossberg pump action shotgun, six handguns, 18 magazines, two handgun silencers, a ballistic vest, thousands of rounds of live ammunition, and firearm accessories.

During the search, law enforcement officers say they also found auto-sear devices that are used to convert semi-automatic firearms to fire as fully automatic machine guns. Deniz is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

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This United States Department of Justice says this case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Additionally, The Department of Justice says this was said to be the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the California Department of Justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sanchez prosecuted the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
A large bluefin tuna has washed up dead on the Dorset coast - an indication that the species is making a comeback to UK waters, conservationists said.

The 9ft-long (2.75m) fish died at sea before being washed up at Kimmeridge.

Dorset Wildlife Trust said the apex predators had been absent from UK seas for decades but recently started to make a return to the English Channel.

Marine awareness officer Julie Hatcher said: "It's great to know that bluefin tuna are back in our waters."

Ms Hatcher, a marine biologist, described the large adult as a "magnificent fish".

She added: "They don't have any predators of their own here as adults, apart from man.

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"Bluefin tuna are often seen now off the coast of Cornwall and out in the Channel, and even from the Dorset coast as well.

"Although it's sad to see this specimen dead, it's great to know that bluefin tuna are back in our waters where they belong."

Currently, it is illegal to fish tuna in the UK, either commercially or recreationally, unless part of a small scientific trial.

Bluefin tuna can reach about 10ft (3m) in length and weigh up to 400kg (880lb).

They can swim up to 43mph (69km/h) in pursuit of prey.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
Turkey's parliament on Tuesday extended the military's authorisation to launch cross-border operations in neighbouring Syria and Iraq by two more years.

They were first approved in 2013 to support the international campaign against the Islamic State (IS) group, and has since been renewed annually.

In 2021, it was renewed for the first time for two years, giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a longer window in which to pursue campaigns against Kurdish militias in the restive region.

"It's essential to Turkey's national security to take necessary measures in line with the rights arising from international law against all kinds of risks, threats and actions that may pose a danger to Turkey's national security," the motion signed by Erdogan says.

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It also says Turkey would welcome the deployment of foreign troops on its soil with the ultimate goal of fighting terror groups as per circumstances set by the president.

That clause drew strong criticism from the main opposition CHP party which has campaigned for "no foreign boots" on Turkish soil.

"As a nationalist, I don't want any foreign troops to set foot on Turkish soil," the party's leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said last week.

CHP lawmakers voted against the motion on Tuesday.

Turkey has intensified its cross-border air raids against Kurdish targets in northeastern Syria and northern Iraq in retaliation for the October 1 bombing in Ankara. That injured two policemen and was claimed by a branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey, is considered a terrorist group by Ankara and its Western allies.

Turkish officials said the two assailants who died in the Ankara attack came from Syria.

Turkey's operation in Syria primarily targeted oil and other energy facilities controlled by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).

The group comprises an integral part of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- the Kurds' de facto army in the area -- that spearheaded the battle to dislodge Islamic State group jihadists from the region in 2019.

Ankara considers the YPG a terror group with links to the PKK.

fo/gw
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan tells a Beirut news conference that his government has been touch with Hamas over the hostages it holds in Gaza (ANWAR AMRO)

Turkey's top diplomat said Tuesday his country had been in touch with Hamas over some 200 Israeli and foreign hostages it is holding in Gaza, following requests from several governments.

"So far, we have received requests from various countries for the release of their citizens. As a result, we started to discuss these issues, especially with the political wing of Hamas," Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told a news conference in Beirut alongside his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib.

Fidan's comments come a day after he spoke with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on the phone about the possibility of the release of hostages.

Scores of people were taken hostage during Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, when militants shot, stabbed or burned to death more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

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"Our efforts continue, especially for the release of foreigners, civilians and children. We will continue our efforts to ensure lasting peace," Fidan said on Tuesday.

He will join a meeting in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Wednesday of foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a vocal advocate of the Palestinian cause, has stepped up diplomatic contacts with Western and regional powers after he offered to mediate to restore peace.

fo/kir
On Tuesday 17 October, Yevhen Perebyinis, Ukraines Deputy Foreign Minister, accepted copies of credentials from Mustafa Levent Bilgen, the newly appointed Ambassador of Turkiye to Ukraine.

Source: This was announced by the press service of Ukraines Foreign Ministry, reports European Pravda

Details: During the meeting, Ukraines Deputy Foreign Minister and the new Turkish Ambassador discussed a number of topical issues of bilateral relations, in particular food security and the Ukrainian peace formula.

The Deputy Minister praised the level of bilateral communication between the two countries and thanked Turkiye for its unwavering support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as for its assistance for Ukraine in its fight against the armed Russian aggression.

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The appointment of Mustafa Levent Bilgen as Ambassador of Turkiye to Ukraine was revealed in June 2023. He is a career diplomat who headed the Turkish consulates in Toronto and New York, and also served as ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

The previous Turkish Ambassador to Ukraine, Yagmur Ahmet Guldere, was in office from January 2019 until now.

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!






Poland's current ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS), had lost 14 Senate seats according to the parliamentary election vote count as of late Oct. 16, Polish radio station RMF24 has reported.

Senators in Poland are elected in single-mandate electoral districts.

Read also: Latest exit polls in Poland give opposition potential route back to power

The PiS secured 34 seats, down from 48 in the previous election. The democratic opposition alliance won a total of 66 seats, including 44 for the liberal Civic Coalition (KO), nine for the left-wing Lewica and eight for the centrist Third Way. The Senate Pact grouping between three other political parties won the remaining five seats.

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Two parties are leading in the Polish Sejm election with almost 100% of the votes counted  the ruling PiS, which currently has 35.43%, followed by Polish opposition politician Donald Tusk s KO, with 30.66%.

Read also: 60% of votes counted in Poland, PiS leads with 37.67%, but hasnt got majority

The democratic opposition, which includes Tusks party, the centrist Third Way, and the Left alliance, are predicted to form a majority in the Sejm, the lower house of parliament, with approximately 250 seats, granting them the authority to form the government.

The parliamentary elections for the Polish Sejm and Senate, as well as a nationwide referendum, were conducted on Oct. 15. Voter turnout was likely at a record high since Poland emerged from Communist rule in 1989.

Tusk, the leader of the Polish opposition, declared victory in the elections, while current Prime Minister Morawiecki expressed readiness to form a government.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Hours after finding two bodies inside a southwest Marion residence on Monday, sheriff's officials said the deaths appear to be a murder/suicide.

As of Tuesday afternoon, detectives had not said how they developed this theory. They have not released the names or any other information about the individuals, saying only that one was a man and the other a woman. The deceased's families have not yet been notified.

This marks the second murder/suicide in Marion this month. The other was discovered by Ocala police officers on Oct. 3. A man, 81, had shot and killed his wife, 77, and then turned the gun on himself, officials said.

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According to The Family Violence Prevention Workgroup, there were four domestic violence murders in Marion County last year. So far this year, there have been three.

This most recent case was discovered Monday when deputies were asked to perform a well-being check at an address on Southwest 20th Lane, outside the Dunnellon city limits.

The residence, which appears to be a mobile home, is located on a narrow, bumpy, hardtop dirt road that's surrounded by thick woods. The other homes in the community are mobile homes, and no one was available to comment when a Star-Banner reporter visited the area on Tuesday.

Murder/suicide in Ocala: Police investigate deaths of married couple, ages 81 and 77

Deputies said the deaths are not related to the double murder being investigated in the Whispering Sands residential community west of Baseline Road.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Sheriff's office suspects murder/suicide in southwest Marion County
HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark.  Two people are in the hospital after a shooting in Helena-West Helena Monday.

According to the Helena West Helena Police Department, two people were shooting at each other at a convenience store at Fourth and Plaza Street, and both were struck.

Police say they were airlifted to Regional One in Memphis in critical condition.

Helena West Helena Police did not say what led up to the incident but did say the investigation is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Map of Uganda locating the Queen Elizabeth National Park, where three people were killed (Vincent LEFAI)

Gunmen killed three people, including a British and a South African tourist, in a world-famous Ugandan national park, police said Tuesday, blaming the attack on a notorious militia group.

The trio were driving through the Queen Elizabeth National Park when they came under attack from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, police spokesman Fred Enanga said on X, formerly Twitter.

"The three were killed, and their safari vehicle burnt," Enanga said.

"Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels," he added.

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Uganda's wildlife authority identified the victims as a UK citizen, a South African and their Ugandan guide.

"We urge the public to remain patient and allow the investigative process to run its course," it said in a statement, adding that all parks remained open.

Following the attack, the UK government updated its travel advisory for the East African nation, warning that the "attackers remain at large".

- Bomb plot foiled -

Queen Elizabeth park, in southwest Uganda, shares a border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its famous Virunga National Park, a habitat for rare mountain gorillas, and where armed groups are believed to operate.

In 2019, a US tourist and her safari guide where kidnapped by four gunmen as they drove through the park around dusk.

The gunmen dragged the pair from their safari vehicle, but left behind two other tourists, whom police described as an "elderly couple".

They were later recovered safe and sound after a ransom was paid for their release. Police said the kidnappers used the American's mobile telephone to demand a ransom of $500,000 for their release.

Tuesday's attack comes two days after Ugandan veteran President Yoweri Museveni said police had foiled a bomb attack by the ADF on churches about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the capital Kampala.

The ADF made two bombs, which they "were planning to plant in churches in Kibibi, Butambala", Museveni wrote on X.

But the devices "were reported to police and defused", he said.

Earlier that day, Museveni said Ugandan forces had carried out air strikes against ADF positions in neighbouring DRC.

- Kidnappings and looting -

The ADF is historically a Ugandan rebel coalition whose biggest group comprised Muslims opposed to Museveni.

Established in eastern DRC in 1995, the group became the deadliest of scores of outlawed forces in the deeply troubled region.

It has been blamed for massacres, kidnappings and looting, with a death toll estimated in the thousands.

In June, ADF militia members killed 42 people including 37 students in a high school in western Uganda near the border with DRC.

It was one of the deadliest attacks in Uganda since the 2010 double attack in Kampala that killed 76 people in a raid claimed by the Somali-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab.

Since April 2019, some ADF attacks in eastern DRC have been claimed by the Islamic State group (IS), which describes the ADF as its local offshoot, the Islamic State Central Africa Province.

In a report due published in June, UN experts said the Islamic State group has provided financial support to the ADF since at least 2019.

The United States last year placed the ADF on its list of "terrorist" organisations linked to IS.

Tourism is a top foreign exchange earner in Uganda, contributing almost 10 percent of GDP, according to government figures.

str-ho/giv
A Sacramento mothers two toddlers died more than one week ago but she still doesnt have a clue as to why it happened.

Alize Strongs children, Sincere and Legend Robinson Strong, 2, were placed with a foster mother, she said. The Roseville Police Department said the twins were found Oct. 9 unresponsive at a swimming pool in a Waterford Glen residence.

But how the twins got into the pool and then died is unknown to Strong. She said the Roseville Police Department has not told her any details, such as if investigators believe there is foul play or if someone should be arrested.

I still dont even think its real, Strong who said during a recent phone interview that shes in a state of disbelief. I want to see my babies actually.

Sincere, left, and Legend Robinson Strong were found unresponsive in a residential swimming pool last week. Their biological mother is seeking answers about what happened after Roseville police kept mum on the details. Courtesy of Alize Strong

Lt. Chris Ciampa, spokesman for the Roseville Police Department, declined to answer any questions about the case, including if the foster mother is a person of interest in their investigation.

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The foster mother could not be reached for comment.

Ken Casparis, a spokesman with the Sacramento Department of Child, Family and Adult Services, said by email that they are unable to comment on the case because the investigation is ongoing.

The circumstances which have been divulged to Strong dont add up with what she knows about her children, she added.

With more questions than answers, Strong is left with memories of her children.

She recalled how Legend and Sincere would always smile and want to be in her arms when she visited. Social workers took her custody away about one year ago, she said.

How did my kids even get to the pool? Strong wondered theoretically. How are they not being protected when they were supposedly took from me to be protected?

A GoFundMe to help her family can be found here.
Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Department of Natural Sciences Professor Hirendra N. Banerjee, Ph.D., has been on the frontlines of breast cancer research for more than 30 years. His work spans from the Mayo Clinic to the Howard University Cancer Center to right here in Viking Land. He currently works with ECSU Pharmaceutical Science and Biology students, in graduate and undergraduate programs, to discover novel breast cancer drugs. Banerjee is also an honorary scientist at the Institute of Biomedical and Biotechnology Research in Gaithersburg, Md., sponsored by the University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standard and Technology. As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Banerjee shared his expertise in the field with the Office of Communications and Marketing, to keep our campus, and the community at large, informed about best practices for early detection and treatment.

___

Explain the research you've done on breast cancer?

I did my Ph.D. on breast cancer research at Howard University Cancer Center. Since then, Ive worked on breast cancer for more than 32 years. My specific interests are to understand why the breast cancer cells spread from the breast to different organs like the lungs, liver and bones. Most of my research has been done at ECSU, but Ive worked at the Mayo Clinic, the University of Maryland Cancer Center, and Old Dominion University (ODU). At ODU for the last two years, we did breast cancer mice model research to test some novel anti-cancer drugs.

During this month, or any month, why is Breast Cancer Awareness important?

Breast cancer can be detected early and controlled. However, due to lack of awareness, the time span when breast cancer is diagnosed in some patients is at a very late stage. This is a problem that could be easily resolved by routine breast self-examinations and yearly mammograms. We support the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring October Breast Cancer Awareness Month to encourage breast health through early detection.

What are some of the things that people may presume about breast cancer that are not true?

Breast Cancer is not an infectious disease. It can be very well controlled if it is diagnosed at an early stage. Some types of breast cancer have a genetic etiology, or cause, and females with a family history can get genetically tested. There are many new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions available and breast cancer patients should be optimistic and follow the advice of their doctors.

From where can people get more information about a diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, etc.?

The general public can easily access the Internet and get information about a breast cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment opportunities from the National Cancer Institute, the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Cancer Society and numerous other independent support websites. Any person who suspects that they have a lump or cyst, or any kind of changes in their breast should immediately report to their doctor. That is the single most important thing women can do because some just tend to ignore signs and postpone getting an opinion.

What is your advice to women about self-exams and yearly mammograms?

Unfortunately, the rate of incidence of breast cancer has increased worldwide and especially among American women. Currently, 1 in 4 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Scientists predict this rate could increase to 1 in every 2 American females. Henceforth, regular breast self-examination, yearly mammograms and following the doctors advice if diagnosed with cancer would be the best option for increasing survival rates.

What questions are best for the doctor if someone is concerned about their breast health?

Some forms of breast cancer are hereditary in nature. If a woman has history of breast cancer in their immediate family, like their mother or grandmother for example, they should consult their doctors and ask for genetic testing and counseling. If you do have the mutation, the only way to control it is continuous examinations, and maybe mammograms every six months instead of every year. Unfortunately, some cancers cannot be detected by self-examination and regular mammograms. Some are very deep, so ask about a 3D mammogram, which can scan deep tissue for the disease.

Are there any disparities present in breast cancer diagnoses, particularly as it relates to black women?

Yes. Unfortunately, there is a lack of medical care, diagnostic clinics and specialized hospitals to detect breast cancer early in rural America and inner cities. As a result, theres definitely a disparity in African American females with regard to detection and treatment. There needs to be better availability of diagnostic and treatment resources. That would make a difference for African American females in comparison to other racial ethnicities. Theres a need for mobile clinic diagnostic vans to combat this social injustice. Someone may have to travel 100 miles to get a mammogram, so you must have better access to healthcare. Thats the only solution to reduce the disparities, in any form of cancer, in the minority population.
Atlanta media mogul, Tyler Perry , is reportedly stepping in to help a 93-year-old South Carolina woman who has been fighting developers from destroyer her home that has been in her family since before the Civil War.

Josephine Wright, from Hilton Head Island, said an investment company is trying to develop 27 acres of land around her property and has filed a lawsuit against her to get the land her home sits on.

Wright said the developers made offers to buy her land and when she turned them down, they started harassing her.

Earlier in the summer, Perry said he would help her fight.

Ive pretty much been a fighter all my life, said 93-year-old Josephine Wright. Well, that makes two of us. Ms. Wright, please tell [me] where to show up and what you need to help you fight, Perry posted on his Instagram account in June.

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Now, TMZ is reporting that Perry is going to build Wright a 5-bedroom home to replace the one shes living in with her grandkids once all the permits get squared away.

Since her story went public, several other celebrities have stepped up to help her fight the company.

NBA superstar Kyrie Irving has made two donations to Wright  one for $40,000 three months ago, and another for more than $24,000.

Snoop Dogg has also donated $10,000 to the cause.

According to one of the latest updates on Wrights GoFundMe page, a tree fell on her home last month. Luckily, she was not home when it happened. The post did not say the extent of the damage.

In a post in August, Wrights granddaughter Charise Graves said the town of Hilton Head is now on Wrights side.

The Town of Hilton Head, standing behind one of their own, has denied the Development Companys request to move on to the next phase of construction until this matter with Grandma Josephine is RESOLVED. So far, there has been no word from the development company, Graves wrote. Grandma Josephine is overwhelmed with gratitude from the support shes received from all over the world.

IN OTHER NEWS:
A U.S. B-52 bomber conducted exercises with South Korean fighter jets before landing in the country for the first time ever Tuesday. Photo courtesy of South Korea Air Force

SEOUL, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A U.S. Air Force B-52 strategic bomber landed on the Korean Peninsula for the first time ever Tuesday after conducting a flyover at a Seoul defense expo and participating in a joint exercise with South Korean fighter jets.

The nuclear-capable bomber landed at an air base in Cheongju, 70 miles south of Seoul. Earlier in the day, it flew over Seoul Air Base to mark the opening of the 2023 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, which is scheduled to run until Monday.

"These flyovers, air demonstrations and static displays, including the landing for the B-52 on the peninsula, is part of our continued pledge to promote peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean peninsula," U.S. 7th Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Rachel Buitrago said in a statement released by U.S. Forces Korea.

The nuclear and conventional heavy bomber can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and has a combat range in excess of 8,800 miles without refueling. While B-52s have flown over the Korean Peninsula during exercises, Tuesday marks the first time the bomber has landed in the country.

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The B-52 also participated in a combined air exercise with South Korean F-35A fighters, Seoul's air force said in a statement.

The nuclear-capable B-52 bomber also participated in a flyover of a Seoul defense trade show on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of South Korea Air Force

The exercise "once again demonstrated the outstanding joint operation capabilities of the South Korean and U.S. Air Forces and the United States' commitment to extended deterrence for the defense of the Republic of Korea," the statement said.

"Extended deterrence" is the American commitment to use all capabilities, including nuclear, to defend South Korea from the North's threats.

The deployment of the B-52 is part of an extended deterrence agreement that has ramped up the visibility of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula. Photo courtesy of South Korea Air Force

South Korea and the United States signed the Washington Declaration in April, a nuclear cooperation pact that pledged to ramp up the visibility of American strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula.

On Friday, the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan docked in the southeastern port city of Busan, prompting a threat of "catastrophic consequences" from North Korea.
President Joe Biden speaks during a roundtable discussion with leaders of the Jewish community in the Indian Treaty Room at the White House this past week in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, the president will visit Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

Oct. 16 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday as part of U.S. efforts to prevent the Israeli-Hamas conflict from expanding.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement while he was in Tel Aviv early Tuesday local time, according to CNN. It was reported late Monday in U.S. news markets.

Blinken had spent all day Monday in meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel prepares for its next advance in its fight against Hamas, which killed more than 1,300 Israelis and took more than 120 hostages in its recent attack Oct. 7.

Israel has responded with the large-scale bombing of Gaza, which has killed more than 2,670 people and wounded 9,600.

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Some 1.1 million Palestinians in northern Gaza have been told to evacuate to the south because of the anticipated Israeli ground invasion.

Biden has been considering such a visit after Netanyahu extended the invitation this past weekend.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Rohingya refugees gather to mark the fifth anniversary of their fleeing from neighbouring Myanmar to escape a military crackdown in 2017, in Cox's Bazar

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Tuesday announced a further 4.5 million pounds ($5.5 million) in humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

"The UK is committed to finding a long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis. This includes their safe, voluntary and dignified return to Myanmar, when the conditions there allow," Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Britain's Minister for the Indo-Pacific, said in a statement.

"Until the Rohingya can safely return to their homeland, we are committed to providing ongoing humanitarian support."

($1 = 0.8226 pounds)

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar, writing by Muvija M)
Heathrow Terminal 5 handles more passengers than any other terminal in the UK  even when busy single-terminal airports are included. In September an average of 100,000 passengers arrived or departed each day from T5, which is the main hub for British Airways.

For the first time, the UKs busiest airport terminals are ranked in a single table by the number of passengers handled in September. The ranking is intended to prepare travellers for the level of activity they can expect.

The top seven terminals all belong to airports serving London.

Passengers at the UKs busiest airport who agree with Jean-Paul Sartres mantra that hell is other people could choose London Heathrows Terminal 4, which handles only a quarter of the traffic of T5.

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Heathrow is by far the largest airport in the UK, but T5 is the only one of its terminals that makes the top four. London Stansted airport  which is the busiest single-terminal airport in the UK  is just behind Heathrow T5 in second place.

A spokesperson for Stansted said: As the UKs busiest single terminal airport, we work extremely hard with all our partners to deliver the best possible airport experience to the 27 million passengers who use us each year so they can enjoy the choice, value and ease of use we offer.

We also have plans to extend our terminal building to further enhance the airport user experience by creating a more spacious environment and accommodating the introduction of the latest security technology.

London Gatwicks two terminals taking the third and fourth places. The Sussex airports busier terminal is North, the base for most easyJet flights. The numbers in September were slightly reduced from the expected figures due to staff shortages in the Gatwick control tower.

The two terminals in Heathrows central area, T3 and T2, are neck-and-neck for fifth and sixth places.

London Luton airport, which suffered a serious car park fire last week, takes seventh place; Edinburgh, Scotlands busiest airport, is eighth.

Were the Eurostar cross-Channel rail terminal at London St Pancras International included, it would take the next spot with 40,000 passengers a day.

Manchester airport is the third-busiest in the UK after Heathrow and Gatwick, yet its busiest terminal, T1, makes only ninth place in the table. It is one of a cluster of terminals, including Manchester T2, Bristol and Birmingham, which handled just over one million passengers in September.

The remaining places are taken by Glasgow, Heathrow T4, Manchester T3 and Belfast International.

Rob Burgess, editor of the frequent flyer website headforpoints.com, said: Heathrow Terminal 4 is indeed a surreal experience, and a good reason for considering Qatar Airways or Etihad over Emirates (T3) for a long-haul flight, or even KLM or Air France with a connection.

The presence of high spending Middle Eastern passengers means that the shopping is also better than you would expect.

Your best bet for a quiet life is London Southend  if you are travelling to one of the few places that are served from the airport. You probably cant beat Southend for space per square foot per passenger, and it has its own railway station and direct services from London Liverpool Street.

Figures for passenger arrivals and departures in September 2023, in millions

Where no terminal is mentioned, the airport has a single terminal.

Heathrow T5: 3.00 Stansted: 2.62 Gatwick North: 2.18 Gatwick South: 1.90 Heathrow T3: 1.66 Heathrow T2: 1.63 Luton: 1.51 Edinburgh: 1.39 Manchester T1: 1.08 Manchester T2: 1.05 Bristol: 1.03 Birmingham: 1.02 Glasgow: 0.80 Heathrow T4: 0.75 Manchester T3: 0.70 Belfast International: 0.55

Figures supplied by airports or, in the case of Glasgow, estimated by The Independent
The Fighterbomber Telegram channel, allegedly run by Captain Ilya Tumanov of the Russian Armed Forces, reported losses in equipment and personnel as a result of a Ukrainian strike on one of the Russian airfields, according to a post dated Oct. 17.

"(This was) one of the most serious blows in the history of the special military operation," the Russians message reads.

Read also: Ukraines military intelligence on some of its boldest operations

If not the most serious. There are losses in both people and equipment.

It was not specified which airfield was in question, nor were specific Russian losses mentioned.

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Read also: Ukrainian helicopters flying freely on the Zaporizhzhya front shock Kremlins Z-bloggers

Earlier, the Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported, without giving many details, that overnight on Oct. 16-17 the Ukrainian military successfully attacked helicopters and equipment of the Russian airfields near the temporarily occupied Ukrainian city of Luhansk and the Azov Sea coastal town of Berdyansk, in Donetsk Oblast.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned the Hamas attack on Israel and expressed support for Tel Aviv in a statement released on Oct. 17.

Those responsible for acts of violence, brutal murders and hostage-taking during the attack on Israel must be held to the strictest punishment, Ukrainian diplomats said in the formal statement of Ukraines position.

"We firmly support Israel in its right to defense and in its efforts to counter terrorist acts," the statement reads.

It is of crucial importance that the ongoing hostilities should not lead to further growth of the number of victims among civilians from both sides of the conflict, in Israel and Palestine.

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Read also: Russia interested in widening conflict in Middle East  Zelenskyy

The Foreign Ministry added that Kyiv supports the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through political and diplomatic means.

War in Israel  What is Known

Large-scale hostilities in Israel began on Oct. 7. From the early morning, the Palestinian militant group Hamas repeatedly targeted the country with thousands of rockets and missiles. Armed Hamas militants then invaded southern Israel, killing people and taking hostages.

Read also: Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of war crime for defense minister's call to impose Gaza siege

Over 1,300 people have lost their lives in recent attacks by Hamas. Almost 200 are thought to have been taken hostage by Palestinian militants on Oct. 7, and video evidence shows some of the hostages have since been murdered. So far, seven Ukrainians have been reported dead due to the fighting. Six more are missing, and six have been reported injured.

It was revealed on Oct. 8 that Palestinian militants may have killed approximately 260 people on Oct 7 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 festivalgoers.

In response to the Hamas attack, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords, 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.

Palestinian authorities say at least 2,329 people have been killed and another 9,714 injured in Gaza due to Israeli retaliatory attacks, U.S. television channel ABC has reported.

Israels Cabinet has declared a state of war for the first time since 1973, and the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that the war will be long and challenging.

The Israeli defense minister ordered a siege of the Gaza Strip on Oct. 9. In his address to the nation, 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, he said.

Read also: What does the war in Israel change for Ukraine

On Oct. 15, The New York Times wrote that Israel had postponed the start of a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, which was planned for the weekend, due to unfavorable weather conditions.

The United States and Israel agreed on Oct. 17 to develop a plan to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Ukrainian police have evacuated children from 12 frontline settlements of Donetsk Oblast, Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said in a Telegram post on Oct. 17.

The minister said that 345 children and their families were evacuated from the following settlements: Zalizne, New York, Pivnichne (Bakhmut district), Yampil, Torske, Zarichne, Orikhuvatka, Nykanorivka, Malynivka, Tykhonivka, Vasyutynske, and Rai-Oleksandrivka (Kramatorsk district).

Read also: Save Ukraine brings back another 19 children abducted by Russia

On Oct. 15, acting Donetsk regional governor Ihor Moroz announced that 260 children would be evacuated from Toretsk and Mariupol districts.

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In August, similar steps were taken to safeguard Ukrainian children living in Kharkiv Oblast towns near the contact line.

Read also: Ministry helps reunite three more children with families in government-controlled parts of Ukraine

The government approved the mechanism for mandatory evacuation of children from active combat zones on March 7, 2023.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Office of the Parliamentarian Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) and the Office of the President of Ukraine have brought back a boy deported by Russia.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, on Facebook

Quote: "The boy can hug his family now."

Details: Lubinets said that the technical support for the transfer of the child was provided by the Ombudsman's Office, and the return took place within the framework of the work of the Coordination Headquarters under the leadership of the Presidents Office.

Quote: "We are working within the framework of the Bring Kids Back UA action plan... We expect positive results soon!"

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Ukraine has received 31 M1A1 Abrams battle tanks pledged by the United States earlier this year, Martin ODonnell, a spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, told Voice of America on Oct. 16.

He specified that the Ukrainian servicemen, who had been trained to operate the U.S-made tanks, have now returned to Ukraine, bringing along ammunition and spare parts for the vehicles.

Read also: Abrams arrive early, targeting Russian industry, Kolomoisky to remain in custody

We have lived up to our end of the bargain. From this point forward, it is up to them [Ukraine] to determine when and where they will deliver this capability, said O'Donnell.

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Read also: Zelenskyy visits frontline brigades on Kupyansk-Lyman section of front

O'Donnell noted that it will take some time for the tanks to be directly deployed at the frontlines, as Kyiv first needs to ensure all the necessary support and logistics infrastructure is in place.

Read also: Armored speed and firepower  American Abrams tanks could be a game-changer on Ukrainian frontlines

I think Ukraine will be deliberate in when and where they use it, he added.

On Sept. 26, media reports suggested that Washington is considering supplying Ukraine with 30 additional Abrams tanks  on top of the 31 units initially promised in early 2023.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 17, 2023

CONTACT

Leha Byrd

ECSU Communications and Marketing

Email or 252.335.8745

ECSU Community Connections Event to Feature U.S. Navy Band

The Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Community Connections Performance and Lecture Series is hosting the U.S. Navy Band at 7 p.m., Nov. 9 at the campus Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center. The event is free, but registration is required and tickets must be presented at the door.

The band, which has performed at ECSU before, is currently on a national tour.

We are proud that the U.S. Navy Band is making ECSU one of their performance stops, said ECSU Department of Music and Visual Arts Professor Douglas Jackson. Their music has been well received and appreciated by the campus community and the city in the past, and were anticipating another successful, musical event.

Community Connections events are sponsored and supported by a combination of ECSU student fees, a private donation from Trustee Phyllis Bosomworth, Microsoft, First Citizens Wealth Management, Duke Energy Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information contact ecsucommunityconnections@ecsu.edu.

_____________________________________________________________

Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education as one of North Carolinas leading four-year public institutions that is part of the University of North Carolina System. ECSU develops leaders who are courageous, resilient, and empowered through excellent student-centered, experiential learning. We offer baccalaureate, professional, and masters degrees across a wide variety of interests. Excellence is the standard at Elizabeth City State University  success is our legacy. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. Visit www.ecsu.edu.
Ukrainian forces used American-supplied ATACMS missiles for the first time on Tuesday in attacks against two air bases in Russian-occupied territory.

The strikes on targets in Berdyansk, in the south, and Luhansk, in the east, were some of the most destructive to have been carried out on Russian air assets since the beginning of the war.

Nine helicopters, ammunition depots, a surface-to-air missile launcher and runways were destroyed or damaged, Ukraines Special Operations Forces said.

Dozens of Russian military personnel were also killed and wounded in the attack codenamed Operation Dragonfly, the military branch added.

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Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Tuesday that Kyiv had used US-provided long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles in the strikes.

My special gratitude today goes to the US. Our agreements with President Biden are working. And precisely so. Atacms have proven themselves, the Ukrainian president said in his daily evening address.

US officials confirmed earlier in the day that ATACMS had arrived in Ukraine.

It comes after Kyiv had urged Washington for more than a year to deliver the missiles, which have a maximum range of around 200 miles.

Ukraine sees the weapons as vital to strengthening its ability to attack and disrupt supply lines, air bases and rail networks in Russian-occupied territory, which could not be reached by shorter-range amunitions.

President Joe Biden eventually accepted Kyivs request in September when Mr Zelensky visited the White House.

The M39 version used by Ukraine to strike the Russian-held airfields are equipped with cluster munitions, rather than a single warhead, with a range of about 100 miles.

The M39 with cluster munitions is a better variant of the Atacms for targeting airfields and targets in large fields, Rob Lee, a senior policy fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a Washington think tank, said.

But theyre not the right option for targeting bridges or specific buildings in an urban area.

Footage purportedly taken in the aftermath of the barrage on the Berdyansk air base appeared to show the flaming wreckages of several Russian helicopters.

Nasa Firms satellites, which detect fires on the ground, picked up at least three blazes burning at the site, near Ukraines Azov coast.

Washington had planned to deliver the ATACMS missiles in secret in order for Kyiv to use them with an element of surprise, even if the decision to send them had been made public.

Images of the remains of ATACMS missiles, the M39 variant manufactured between 1996 and 1997, were circulated on social media before any official confirmation of their use was published.

Ukraines ministry of defence later wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ATACMS. More news to come.

Strikes deep behind enemy lines have become vital in Ukraines efforts to disrupt Russian logistics supplies to their troops on the front line.

Britain became the first country earlier this year to donate a long-range missile; its air-launched Storm Shadow system, which has a range of about 150 miles. France followed suit shortly afterwards.

The weapons have been used to devastating effect, most notably by partially destroying the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet in occupied Crimea.

But the Americans were hesitant to ship ATACMS amid fears the move would push Russia closer to using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Unlike Storm Shadows, ATACMs are ground-launched ballistic missiles fired from Himars rocket launchers already in use by Ukraines armed forces.

The Germans are still holding out on offering their Taurus missiles, which have a range of 310 miles, amid concerns it could cause tensions with Russia to spiral out of control.

03:19 PM BST

That's all for today.

Thanks for following the Telegraphs live blog. Well be back tomorrow with the latest updates on the war in Ukraine.

03:10 PM BST

Location of this morning's attack

Kyiv hit Russian airfields, equipment and personnel, destroying nine helicopters, near the cities of Luhansk and Berdyansk, the military said on Tuesday.

Also destroyed in the attack were ammo depots, military vehicles, airstrips and one air defense launcher, said military officials.

03:09 PM BST

Atacm missiles secretly supplied by US

A small number of Atacm missiles have been secretly sent to Ukraine in recent days, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The guided missiles will enhance Kyivs ability to launch long-range strikes at Russian forces during its counteroffensive.

02:58 PM BST

Canada issues fresh sanctions against Russian collaborators in Moldova

Canada said on Tuesday it was targeting nine Moldovan individuals and six TV stations in new sanctions against Russian collaborators in Moldova.

The targeted individuals are associated with influential oligarchs, such as Vladimir Plahotniuc and Ilan Mironovich Shor, while the TV stations promote and disseminate disinformation to justify Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Canadian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Today, we are sending a clear message to malign individuals and entities in Moldova that supporting...(the) invasion of Ukraine will not go unpunished, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in the statement.

02:57 PM BST

EU Parliament votes to give Ukraine 43 billion over four years

The European Parliament on Tuesday backed giving an extra 50 billion euros (43 billion) in European Union money over the next four years to help rebuild a Ukraine shattered by Russias invasion.

The proposal, advanced by the European Commission in June, would see a mix of grants and loans go to Ukraine as a line in the blocs longterm 2024-2027 budget.

It was adopted by 512 MEPs (members of the European Parliament), with 45 voting against and 63 abstaining.

The result means negotiations can now start with EU member states on the final details of the Ukraine Facility, which would go some way to help Ukraine plug gaps in its finances.

01:33 PM BST

Ukraine ships grain through Romanian Black Sea port

Ukraine shipped 10.5 million metric tons of grains through the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta in the first nine months of the year, the port authority told Reuters on Tuesday.

Constanta Port data, which does not include volumes handled through smaller Romanian Danube ports such as Galati, showed that 9.2 million tons of Ukrainian grain left port in the first eight months.

Overall, the port shipped 25.1 million tons of grains in January-September, the authority said, its previous annual record high.

12:34 PM BST

Russia and Hungary reaffirm ties amid international tensions over Ukraine

Vladimir Putin and his closest ally among European Union leaders, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral ties amid international tensions over the war in Ukraine.

Hungary has never wanted to oppose Russia and is trying to salvage bilateral contacts, Mr Orban told Putin in comments via an interpreter broadcast on Russian television before a forum in Beijing.

Hungary has opposed many EU initiatives to support Ukraine in resisting Moscows forces and gets most of its crude oil and gas from Russia.

The leaders met in the government guest house where Putin was staying before the start of an international forum on Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

Despite the fact that in todays geopolitical conditions the opportunities for maintaining contacts and developing relations are very limited, nevertheless, it can only cause satisfaction that our relations with many European countries are maintained and developed. One of these countries is Hungary, Putin told Mr Orban.

11:39 AM BST

Russian bomber over sea of Japan

Russia has said that it has flown two of its Tu-95MS, nuclear-capable, strategic bombers over the Sea of Japan.

The footage shows the Russian aircraft preparing for takeoff from an undisclosed location before taking to the skies.

The images then cut to the cockpit of one of the aircraft, before showing a Russian fighter jet flying alongside it.

The video then shows the aircraft landing.

Russia's Tu-95MS strategic bomber escorted by a Sukhoi Su-35S jet fighter during a seven-hour flight over the Sea of Japan - Russian Defence Ministry/Reuters

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday, 17th October, along with a statement claiming (in English): Two Tu-95ms strategic missile carriers of Long-Range Aviation carry out scheduled flight in airspace above neutral waters of Sea of Japan. (sic).

11:37 AM BST

Russian parliament votes to revoke ratification of a global nuclear test ban

The lower house of the Russian parliament on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a bill revoking the ratification of a global nuclear test ban.

The State Duma voted unanimously to rescind the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty known as the CTBT, in the first of three required readings. The final vote is scheduled for later this week.

The move follows a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned earlier this month that Moscow could revoke its 2000 decision to ratify the bill to mirror the stand taken by the United States, which has signed but not ratified the nuclear test ban.

The CTBT, adopted in 1996, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, although it has never fully entered into force.

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 favor of resumption.

11:03 AM BST

Russia throwing more units into effort to take a key eastern Ukraine city

Russia is throwing more units into its effort to take a key eastern Ukraine city, Western analysts say, after apparent setbacks that have slowed its dayslong onslaught.

The attempt to storm Avdiivka, a heavily defended city that stands in the way of Moscows ambition of securing control of the entire Donetsk region, is Moscows most significant offensive operation in Ukraine since the start of the year, the U.K. defense ministry said Tuesday.

The Kremlins push to claim Avdiivka comes after months of fending off Ukraine-war-counteroffensive-explainer Ukraines counteroffensive, which Kyiv launched some 16 months after Ukraine Russias full-scale invasion.

10:09 AM BST

Russian politician Alexei Navalny condemns arrest of his lawyers

Jailed Russian politician Alexei Navalny condemned the arrest of three of his lawyers, when he stood trial in the prison where he is being held, Russian media at the hearing said on Tuesday.

Of course these are outrageous and illegal acts, Navalny said. He said the lawyers were persecuted for their professional activity, adding: Nobody is allowed to see me. I am completely isolated from information.

09:45 AM BST

Putin arrives in China to meet 'dear friend' Xi Jinping

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Tuesday to meet his dear friend Xi Jinping.

It is Putins first visit to a major global power since the Ukraine invasion threw his regime into international isolation.

China this week welcomes representatives of 130 countries for a forum of President Xis landmark project, the Belt and Road Initiative, that Beijing is using to extend its global influence.

Putin is at the top of the invitation list, with the Russian leader looking to Bolster their relationship at a summit that will be overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war.

09:11 AM BST

Kremlin: Polands election results unlikely to improve strained relations

Polands election results, which showed pro-EU opposition parties set to win a parliamentary majority, were unlikely to improve strained ties between Warsaw and Moscow, the Kremlin said Tuesday.

Relations between Russia and Poland have been historically tense but have dipped to new lows since Moscows offensive in Ukraine which began in february last year.

Honestly, it is at the moment unlikely, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian agencies when asked whether the results could change bilateral relations.

There are no parts of the Polish establishment that have openly or even covertly hinted at the need to restore relations with Russia, he said.

08:45 AM BST

'China holds all of the cards' for Putin's visit

Beijing has drawn criticism from Western countries for its stance on the Ukraine war, on which China insists it is neutral even as it refuses to criticise Moscows invasion.

When Xi made a state visit to Moscow in March, Putin hailed the truly unlimited possibilities their countries partnership offered.

But while the BRI forum provides a fresh opportunity for Putin and Xi to showcase their alliance, experts do not expect any new major agreements to be announced.

Russia is aware that China doesnt want to sign any high publicity deals, Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told AFP.

China holds all of the cards, he said.

08:07 AM BST

Putin and Xi may discuss Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinas President Xi Jinping may discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during their meeting in Beijing this week, Russias RIA news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Tuesday.

Putin told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday that Moscow wanted to help prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza as he waded into the Middle East crisis with a flurry of calls to key regional players.

Peskov on Tuesday reiterated Putins view that the explosion of violence between Israel and the Palestinians is a failure of US policy in the Middle East, describing the tragedy unfolding as the result of countries dismissive attitude to the problem.

There is still a threat of the expansion of the conflict, RIA quoted Peskov as saying. This may be fraught with absolutely unspeakable consequences for the whole region.

07:37 AM BST

Kyiv: Strikes launched on Russian airfields in eastern Ukraine

Ukraines forces made successful overnight strikes on Russian airfields and equipment near the cities of Luhansk and Berdiansk in territory controlled by Russian forces, Ukraines military said on Tuesday.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine made well-aimed strikes on enemy airfields and helicopters near the temporarily occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk, the Ukrainian militarys communication department said on the Telegram messaging app.

Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed official in parts of the Zaporizhzhia region controlled by Moscow in Ukraines southeast, said, however, that the strikes on Berdiansk were not successful.

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Ukrainian forces struck two air bases near the Russian-occupied cities of Berdyansk and Luhansk on Oct. 17 with recently secretly supplied ATACMS long-range missiles, marking the first time that the U.S.-provided weapons have been used in the war, U.S. newspaper the Wall Street Journal reported, citing its sources.

The U.S. provided Ukraine with a small number of ATACMS missiles to enable the Ukrainian Armed Forces to launch long-range strikes against Russian positions during a "critical stage of the counter-offensive."

The version of the ATACM missile sent to Kyiv, has a range of approximately 160 kilometers, and is equipped with cluster munitions  smaller bomblets that can do damage over a wide area.

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A Ukrainian MP also said the strikes had been carried out by Ukraine with ATACMS.

Read also:

ATACMS is already with us, lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko, wrote on X (Twitter). He said that an airfield in the Russian-controlled city of Berdyansk was hit by them.

Thanks to our partners! he wrote.

Photos circulating on the Telegram messenger app have been claimed to show undetonated M74 cluster munitions found on the ground at Berdyansk air base, which could also be evidence that Ukraine used ATACAMS missiles recently delivered by the United States to carry out the operation.

NV

Earlier, the Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported, without giving many details, that overnight on Oct. 16-17 the Ukrainian military successfully attacked helicopters and equipment of the Russian airfields near the temporarily occupied Ukrainian city of Luhansk and the Azov Sea coastal town of Berdyansk, in Donetsk Oblast.

Read also: Ukraine attacks Russian airfields in one of Kyiv's most serious strikes, Russian officer says

The Fighterbomber Telegram channel, allegedly run by Captain Ilya Tumanov of the Russian Armed Forces, reported losses in equipment and personnel as a result of a Ukrainian strike on one of the Russian airfields, according to a post dated Oct. 17.

"(This was) one of the most serious blows in the history of the special military operation," the Russians message reads.

Ukraines Special Operations Forces (SOF) destroyed nine Russian helicopters, an ammunition depot, an air defense system and other equipment, in an airstrike on targets near Russian-occupied Berdyansk and Luhansk in the east of the country early Oct. 17.

The White House does not rule out providing ATACMS ballistic missiles to Ukraine, John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator for the National Security Council, said in an interview with Voice of America on Oct. 10.

Read also: US Republican senators pressure Biden to speed up shipment of ATACMS missiles to bolster Ukraine's counter-offensive

The Pentagon said on Oct. 3 that the U.S. Army was ready to transfer these long-range missiles with cluster warheads to Kyiv as soon as U.S. President Joe Biden made the decision.

Presidents of Ukraine and the United States Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden held talks at the White House on Sept. 21. The U.S. leader announced a new $325 million military aid package for Ukraine, but without long-range missiles.

UK newspaper the Financial Times wrote that the Biden administration had decided to provide Ukraine with ATACMS missiles before Zelenskyy's visit, but had chosen not to announce it publicly.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian defence forces have made use of US-made long-range ATACMS missiles in operations against Russia, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

Mr Zelensky said Tuesday that the long-range weapon, formally known as the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System, was recently used on the battlefield against Russia and executed very accurately.

The US-built missile system, which is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, can be fired from the M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers which have been in use by Ukrainian forces for some time. But unlike other missiles, the ATACMS can be used to strike targets as far away as 180 miles, which would allow Ukrainian defence forces to strike command and control and supply locations well behind Russias front lines.

Mr Zelensky and his government had been pressing American officials for the ATACMS system for months, citing the inability of the weapons in their possession to strike targets deep inside Russian-held territory within Ukraines borders.

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After months of urging, US President Joe Biden told Mr Zelensky that the US would provision Ukrainian forces with a small number of the advanced missiles last month when the two met at the White House.

The ATACMS system is also used by South Korea, Romania, Greece, Turkey and Poland, and according to a US Army website, it is designed for deep attack of enemy second-echelon forces such as command and control centres, air defences and logistics sites well behind the front lines in a given conflict.

Separately, a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the missiles had indeed been turned over to Ukrainian forces and were being used on the battlefield.

With additional reporting by agencies
Ukraine has used long-range U.S. missiles first promised by President Biden nearly a month ago against Russia forces for the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Tuesday.

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), long sought by Kyiv, reached the country and was being used on the battlefield against Russia as of Tuesday, Zelensky said in a video post to X.

Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. And very precisely so. ATACMS have introduced themselves, he said.

The ATACMS gives Ukraines forces a major new capability to hit Russian targets previously considered out of reach, with some variants of the missile able to strike locations about 186 miles away.

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News of the missiles in Ukraine came after images of the ATACMS munitions inside the country were seen on social media.

ATACMS is already with us, Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko wrote on X Tuesday alongside a picture of what is assumed to be spent ATACMS munitions. He added that an airfield in the Russian-controlled city of Berdyansk was hit by them. Thanks to our partners! he wrote.

The New York Times also reported that Ukraines forces had struck two air bases in Russian-held territory with ATACMS.

A State Department officials declined to confirm to The Hill that the missiles had reached Ukraine.

We are unable to confirm those reports and have no updates at this time, they said, referring questions on Ukrainian military operations to its own government.

Reports of the missiles use comes after Zelensky for months had pressed Washington to provide system. The U.S. government held off, however, over fears that Kyiv might use the weapons to strike targets within Russian territory, escalating the war.

But during Zelenskys visit to the White House last month, Biden told the Ukrainian leader the U.S. would provide a limited range version of the missiles, according to the Times.

Since then, Biden administration officials have refused to say when the missiles would be sent or how many would be included.

The small number of ATACM missiles sent to Ukrainian is reportedly equipped with cluster munitions, which open in the air and release hundreds of small bomblets that cause damage over a wider area than that of a single warhead.

Updated: 12:29 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Ukrainian military on Tuesday used U.S.-supplied longer-range missiles to strike nine Russian helicopters in eastern Ukraine, after Washington secretly shipped the weapons in recent weeks.

The delivery and use on the battlefield, confirmed by two people familiar with the move, marks a major ramp up of the administrations defense of Ukraine, for the first time providing Kyivs forces with the ability to strike Russian targets far behind the front lines.

President Joe Biden had been hesitant to deliver the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, for fear of escalating the conflict. The transfer indicates the administrations calculus has changed after a slow-moving Ukrainian counteroffensive. The two people who confirmed the transfer and usage in Ukraine were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news that the missile had been transferred and used.

The acknowledgment that the ATACMS are in Ukrainian hands and already in use comes after months of secrecy around Bidens decision to send the longer-range weapons. Ukraine announced Tuesday that its forces had destroyed nine Russian helicopters, as well as other military equipment, in an attack on the cities of Berdyansk and Luhansk in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.

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Ukrainian special forces early on Tuesday struck two Russian military airfields, saying they successfully destroyed nine Russian military helicopters, an anti-aircraft missile system, and an ammunition warehouse.

The attacks took place in occupied Berdyansk, a southern city in the Zaporizhzhia region; and at an airfield in Luhansk, an occupied city in eastern Ukraine.

The special forces also managed to successfully damage airfield runways, Ukraine said, in what it called Operation Dragonfly.

The ammunition depot in Berdyansk detonated until 4 a.m. The detonation in Luhansk continued until 11 a.m. Losses in the enemys manpower amount to dozens of dead and wounded. Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said in a statement.

Biden relayed his decision to send the missiles during a Sept. 21 White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Biden said Ukraine would get a version of ATACMS, if not the long-range variant Kyiv had sought for so long, but it was unclear when, exactly, the weapons would be in Ukrainian hands.

The decision also comes as the administration has grown concerned about a Russian buildup of troops and equipment for a fall offensive, in what could be the largest Russian movement in months.

Russian forces have launched a series of mostly unsuccessful attacks against Ukrainian positions in Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region over the past week, but have been repelled with large losses. The Russians have resorted to the relatively crude tactics of its earliest assaults in February 2022, one of the people acknowledged, throwing lightly equipped forces against Ukrainian lines in attacks that have been repulsed by the Ukrainian defenders.

More attacks along the hundreds of miles of Ukrainian front lines are expected in the coming weeks, making it critical that Ukraine has the longer-range ATACMS to hit airfields and ammunition depots to blunt any Russian logistical advantages.

The news could end more than a year of criticism from pro-Ukraine advocates who argued the U.S. should have delivered ATACMS to Ukraine much earlier. Kyiv wanted the missiles to more efficiently attack Russian targets inside Ukraine and launched an influence campaign to pressure the administration to hand them over.

Lara Seligman, Paul McLeary and Alexander Ward reported from Washington. Veronika Melkozerova reported from Kyiv.
Ukraine used U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike at Russian airbases in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine on Tuesday after the U.S. secretly shipped variants of the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) in recent weeks, according to U.S. officials.

President Joe Biden promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a meeting at the White House last month that the U.S. would provide the ATACMS that Ukraine has sought for months.

The Biden administration had been reluctant to send the missiles, which have a variety of ranges all the way up to 190 miles, because of the risk of escalation with Russia.

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The ATACMS variant Ukraine used Tuesday has a range of 100 miles and carries a cluster munition, a U.S. official said. Ukraine struck helicopters at airfields in Russia with the missiles.

In a post on X, Ukraine's special operation forces said the military carried out a strike on Russian air bases in Berdyansk and Luhansk. That post didn't specify what weapons were used, but Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, thanked President Biden for the ATACMS.

The Defense Department routinely announces the weapons and equipment the U.S. is providing, but it has apparently made an exception with the provision of the ATACMS.

The ATACMS shipment follows a pattern the Biden administration has set throughout the war of initially resisting requests for certain capabilities only to eventually commit to providing them. Most notably, this was the case for Abrams tanks and training on F-16 fighter jets the U.S. has now promised Ukraine.

U.S. officials have defended the choices by saying the U.S. is giving Ukraine the most urgent capabilities. In total, the Biden administration has provided Ukraine almost $44 billion in security assistance since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022.

David Martin contributed to this report.

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Key development on Oct. 17:

Ukraine strikes airfields in Russian-occupied area with ATACMS missiles, destroys 9 Russian helicopters, other equipment, kills Russian troops

U.S. military reportedly says all 31 Abrams tanks arrived in Ukraine.

U.S. to provide nearly $700 million for modernization of Ukrainian transport and logistics

EU Parliament supports $53 billion financing package for Ukraines reconstruction

Putin arrives in China, holds talks with Orban in Beijing

Ukrainian forces launched strikes on military airfields in Russian-occupied territory overnight on Oct. 17, using U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) for the first time.

The targets were located near Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Luhansk, Ukraines Armed Forces reported.

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The attack destroyed nine helicopters, an air defense system, and an ammunition warehouse, according to the Special Operations Forces, a branch of Ukraines Armed Forces that conducts reconnaissance missions and covert operations behind enemy lines.

Although the missiles were previously unknown to have even been deployed in Ukraine, unnamed U.S. officials confirmed to CNN that the strike was carried out with the ATACMS.

Later in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the U.S. for providing the ATACMS, saying they were very accurate and had "proven themselves."

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"Today, I am very grateful to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented," Zelensky said during his evening address.

According to the Special Operations Forces, the attacks also hit the airfields runways and some "special equipment" stored at the premises.

Dozens of Russian personnel were killed and wounded as a result of the operation, Special Operations Forces said. As of 1:20 p.m., the bodies were still being pulled out from the rubble, according to the military.

Ukraine is carrying out offensive operations toward Berdiansk on the southern front. The city has been under occupation since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Luhansk, like Donetsk and Crimea, has been occupied by Russia since 2014.

The delivery of Western long-range weapons has allowed Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian-occupied territory, including Crimea.

Read also: US will reportedly give ATACMS to Ukraine. Will it change the war?

US military reportedly says all 31 Abrams tanks arrived in Ukraine

All of the previously pledged 31 Abrams tanks have already been delivered to Ukraine, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command's spokesperson Martin O'Donnell told Voice of America.

According to O'Donnell, the Ukrainian soldiers who trained on Abrams with U.S. troops in Germany have also returned to Ukraine, along with ammunition and spare tank parts.

"We have lived up to our end of the bargain. From this point forward, it is up to (Ukraine) to determine when and where they will deliver this capability," the U.S. military official said, as cited by the Voice of America.

"I think Ukraine will be deliberate in when and where they use it. The Abrams tank is one hell of an armored vehicle, but it's not a silver bullet. Ultimately, it's Ukraine's determination to break through that matters most."

The tanks, which offer greater mobility and firepower than Soviet battle tanks, are expected to support Ukraine's defensive and offensive efforts.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced the decision to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks  a force equivalent to one Ukrainian battalion  to Ukraine in January, just as other Western partners pledged their advanced armor, such as Leopard 2 or Challenger 2 tanks.

On Sept. 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the first U.S.-made Abrams tanks had arrived in Ukraine. He didn't specify how many vehicles had been delivered in the first batch.

Read also: What will it take for Ukraine to maintain and operate the M1 Abrams?

New aid for Ukraines reconstruction, transport and logistics

The European Parliament has voted to endorse a proposal for financing Ukraine's "recovery, reconstruction, and modernization from 2024" worth 50 billion euros ($52.8 billion), the parliament's press office announced on Oct. 17.

The Ukraine Facility will be part of the EU's long-term budget, which "has been severely depleted following the multiple crises that have occurred since 2021," according to the press office.

The official adoption package will be put to a vote in the coming months, along with the revision of the long-term EU budget.

Later in the day, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with almost $700 million in funds to improve and modernize the country's logistics and transport infrastructure.

Kubrakovs announcement came after talks with Penny Pritzker, the U.S. Special Representative for Economic Recovery in Ukraine, who arrived in Kyiv on Oct. 16.

The funds will be used to improve the conditions of Ukraine's railways, ports, checkpoints, and other transportation infrastructure.

Kubrakov said that he and Pritzker share the same goal  to rebuild Ukraine better than it was.

Earlier on Oct. 16, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the U.S. had allocated $522 million to purchase energy equipment for Ukraine and protect the countrys electricity infrastructure.

"We are on the brink of a challenging winter. Thanks to the support of our partners, we survived the most difficult heating season in our history (last year)," Shmyhal said.

"This winter, we have both financial support and aid for energy (systems) restoration."

Read also: IMF launches fund for supporting Ukraines reforms

Putin arrives in China, holds talks with Orban

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Oct. 17 arrived in China, where he held talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

This marks Putin's second trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest over his role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. Putin on Oct. 12 visited Kyrgyzstan to meet with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

Chinese President Xi Jinping invited Putin to attend the third Belt and Road Forum, an international forum highlighting China's global economic influence.

During the meeting with Orban, Putin said he was glad that relations with many European countries, including Hungary, "are being preserved and developed."

Orban told Putin in response that his government is interested in continuing economic cooperation with Russia "as long as this is possible," according to the Kremlin.

Following his talks with Putin, Orban wrote on Facebook that everyone in Europe is concerned with one question: will there be a ceasefire in Ukraine."

"For us Hungarians, the most important thing is that the influx of refugees, the sanctions, and the conflict ends," he wrote.

Orban met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping earlier in the day, while Putin is set to meet Xi on Oct. 18.

Orban is the only leader from the European Union to attend the summit. Despite Hungary being a member of the EU and NATO, Orban's government has maintained ties with both Russia and China.

Within the EU, Budapest has a history of opposing international sanctions against Russia while blocking funding for Ukraine.

Read also: How Russias liberal tech companies became foundation of Putins war effort

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The police have evacuated all children from 12 frontline settlements in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs, on Telegram; Donetsk Oblast Police on Facebook; Ukrainska Pravda

Quote Klymenko: "345 children, along with their families, were saved during another stage of mandatory evacuation in Donetsk Oblast.

Not a single child remained in the following settlements:

Zalizne, Niu-York and Pivnichne (Bakhmut district)

Yampil, Torske, Zarichne, Orikhuvatka, Nikanorivka, Malynivka, Tykhonivka, Vasiutynske, Rai-Oleksandrivka (Kramatorsk district)

We thank the Donetsk police for the lives saved."

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Details: As Ukrainska Pravda found out in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this wave of evacuation continued for four months in the Bakhmut district of the Toretsk hromada and for two months in the Kramatorsk district (Lyman hromada). [hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.].

The police of Donetsk Oblast notes that during the next wave of evacuation, it is planned to take out 253 more children from two hromadas: 240 from Toretsk and 13 from Marinka. This concerns such settlements as Toretsk, Nelipivka, Petrivka, Shcherbynivka, Katerynivka and Yelyzavetivka, which are ceaselessly targeted by Russian forces.

The Donetsk Oblast Military Administration has already submitted the respective application for approval by the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporary Occupied Territories of Ukraine.

Quote from the Donetsk Oblast Police: "Safe evacuation of families with children will be provided by the police. Families will be taken to safe places in armoured cars, and children's helmets and body armour are prepared for young passengers. Protective kits are designed for children of three age categories."

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 overnight strikes on Russian military airfields in occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk destroyed nine helicopters, an air defense system, and an ammunition warehouse, the Special Operations Forces reported on Oct. 17.

The attacks also hit the airfields runways and special equipment" stored at the premises, the Ukrainian military said, without elaborating on the nature of this equipment.

Dozens of Russian personnel were killed and wounded as a result of the operation, according to the report. Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble.

The Special Operations Forces is a branch of Ukraines Armed Forces that conducts reconnaissance missions and covert operations behind enemy lines.

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Read also: US will reportedly give ATACMS to Ukraine. Will it change the war?

Ukraine continues its offensive operations in the direction of Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The city has been under occupation since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Luhansk in Ukraine's east, like Donetsk and Crimea, has been occupied by Russia since 2014.

The delivery of Western long-range weapons has allowed Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian-occupied territory, including Crimea.

Since the summer, Ukraine has repeatedly attacked Russian military targets on the peninsula due to the importance of Crimea for Russian logistics routes.

Read also: Increased attacks on Crimea disrupt Russian logistics, attempt to derail its southern defenses

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Targeting Russian airfields is crucial for Ukraine, as helicopters operating close to the contact line are based there and can strike military equipment of the Ukrainian Defence Forces.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, on Radio Liberty

Details: Ihnat commented on the data of the Centre for Strategic Communications of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the General Staff on the attack of the Ukrainian troops on the air bases of the Russian army near the occupied cities of Luhansk and Berdiansk.

The spokesperson explained that he had no information on what was likely to have been hit at the airfields but added that, in general, destroying Russian helicopters such as the Ka-52 and Mi-24 is definitely beneficial for the Ukrainians. This is because Russian helicopters and tactical aircraft are in constant operation at the forefront and on the battlefield.

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Quote: "The enemy is trying to keep helicopters closer to the contact line, as it was in Chornobaivka [an air base in then occupied Kherson Oblast, which was hit multiple times by the Ukrainian forces at the beginning of the full-scale war  ed.]. And here, Luhansk and Berdiansk are not far from the contact line... Unfortunately, the occupiers have more advanced helicopter equipment and more up-to-date weapons. They have anti-tank guided missiles with a long range. Their helicopters are employed continuously within 10 or more kilometres from the line of direct contact. Therefore, destroying such equipment is quite important for us."

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Ukraine has handed over more than 800 uncrewed aerial vehicles to the Ukrainian Defence Forces as part of the Army of Drones initiative: 500 Mavic drones, 300 Phoenix 03 Heavy FPV drones and 40 Vampire attack UAVs. [The Army of Drones is a joint project to procure UAVs for the Ukrainian Armed Forces run by the Ukrainian General Staff, the State Special Communications Service, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, and the Ministry of Defence  ed.]

Source: Mykhailo Fedorov , Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, on Facebook and on the air during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "We have sent 800+ drones to the contact line as we continue to strengthen our soldiers.

All UAVs were purchased under the state programme Army of Drones. 500 Mavic drones for aerial reconnaissance and artillery fire adjustment. 300 Phoenix 03 Heavy FPV drones to destroy observation points, dugouts and armoured vehicles. 40 Vampire attack copters for successful hunting round the clock.

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We are consistently sending drones to the troops and are waiting for new records from the Army of Drones strike companies."

Details: During the national joint 24/7 newscast, Fedorov noted that drones are capable of hitting various types of equipment: tanks, artillery, dugouts, trenches, and Russian military personnel.

The deputy prime minister said drones are being used to destroy armoured vehicles near the town of Avdiivka.

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 carried out overnight strikes on military airfields in Russian-occupied territory, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Oct. 17.

The targets were located near Berdiansk, in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Luhansk.

The strikes hit "helicopters and airfield equipment of the Russian occupying forces," the Armed Forces reported.

In a separate message, the Armed Forces said that they had carried out four strikes "on areas of concentration of personnel, weapons, and military equipment" of the Russian military over the last 24 hours.

The attacks hit two helicopters on landing sites and an ammunition depot, according to the morning update.

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Ukraine is carrying out offensive operations in the direction of Berdiansk on the southern front. The city has been under occupation since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Luhansk, like Donetsk and Crimea, has been occupied by Russia since 2014.

The delivery of Western long-range weapons has allowed Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian-occupied territory, including Crimea.

Since the summer, Ukraine has repeatedly attacked Russian military targets on the peninsula due to the importance of Crimea for Russian logistics routes.

Read also: Ukraine faces onslaught at Avdiivka as Russia launches new offensive

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Ukrainian partisans say they killed dozens of Russian soldiers by poisoning their food

A Russian serviceman stands guard at the destroyed part of the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works in Ukraine's port city of Mariupol on May 18, 2022. OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Ukrainian resistance fighters say they've conducted a mass poisoning of Russian soldiers.

Partisans in occupied Mariupol say they killed 26 soldiers, according to the Kyiv Post.

Mariupol, in the south of Ukraine, has been under Russian occupation since May 2022.

Ukrainian resistance fighters in occupied Mariupol say they've killed 26 Russian soldiers, the majority of whom died by poisoning, according to the Kyiv Post.

A further 15 soldiers ended up in the hospital as a result of the recent operation, the unnamed partisans told the outlet.

"It became possible because of a new rotation and because the orcs are idiots," one Ukrainian partisan told the paper, using a derogatory term for Russian soldiers.

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The Ukrainians did not elaborate on the specifics of the incident, but told the paper that the Russians "were fed poison. The cooks are safe now, as are their families."

It's unclear when the alleged poisoning took place.

The port city of Mariupol, in the south of Ukraine, has been under Russian occupation since May last year, after colossal bombardment and a weekslong siege of the Azovstal steel plant.

Since then, Russian President Vladimir Putin has attempted to normalize the occupation by building new homes and infrastructure, and enticing Russian citizens to buy property there.

On Sunday, the UK's Ministry of Defence reported that Russia is likely shoring up its military ground lines of communication with the construction of a new railway line to Mariupol, which would fall within the strike range of Ukrainian long-range missiles.

Within the city itself, resistance has never gone away, according to Petro Andriushchenko , an advisor to the city's elected mayor, who on Monday also shared the claims of the recent poisoning.

In a post on Telegram, he added that over the summer more than 40 Russian soldiers had been killed by Mariupol's resistance fighters.

In August, Ukrainian partisans claimed to have poisoned 17 soldiers during a Russian Navy Day celebration, killing two and hospitalizing the other 15, Andriushchenko said in a Telegram post at the time.

In that instance, he suggested that their food had been laced with cyanide and pesticides.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian Special Forces say they have destroyed nine Russian helicopters during a raid into occupied Berdyansk, shown here during the unrecognized Russian-backed annexation referendum. File Photo/Sergei Ilnitsky/EPA-EFE

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- The Ukrainian military said its forces destroyed nine Russian helicopters an air defense system, and an ammunition depot, in a special forces raid in Russian-occupied territory Tuesday.

The mission -- dubbed "Operation Dragonfly" by Ukrainian special forces -- struck airfields in Berdanysk and Luhansk, Special Forces said in a Telegram post Tuesday.

The Special Forces said they hit the ammunition depot in Berdyansk at 4 a.m. local time, while the Luhansk site was struck at 11 a.m.

The Special Forces said they had received tipoffs on the location of Russian airfields in occupied Berdyansk.

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"The Special Operations Forces received information about the enemy's use of airfields in temporarily occupied Berdyansk and Luhansk, as well as presence of a significant number of aviation and special equipment and ammunition there," the Special Forces said.

"This information has been verified and confirmed. The necessary data were transferred to units of the Defense Forces for destruction," the Special Forces continued.
Ukraines Special Operations Forces (SOF) destroyed nine Russian helicopters, an ammunition depot, an air defense system and other equipment, in an airstrike on targets near Russian-occupied Berdyansk and Luhansk in the east of the country early Oct. 17.

Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed official in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Oblast, confirmed the strike and said that Ukrainian forces shelled the port city of Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov, injuring nine people.



"Information on the fatalities is being clarified," Rogov said on Telegram. He shared a video that appeared to show a large cloud of grey smoke rising from near the port area.

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Read also: Ukraines military intelligence on some of its boldest operations

The Ukrainian SOF found out that the Russians were using airfields in the temporarily occupied cities to store a "significant amount of aviation, special equipment, and ammunition." Once the information was verified and confirmed, the exact coordinates were provided to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Operation "Dragonfly" was launched, resulting in significant destruction and heavy losses among the occupiers, including:

nine helicopters of various modifications;

specialized equipment located on the airfields;

an air defense missile system;

ammunition depot;

damage to the runways.

Read also: Explosions in occupied Berdyansk  mayor

"The ammunition depot in Berdyansk was detonating until 4 a.m. The detonations in Luhansk lasted until 11 a.m. The enemy's personnel losses amount to dozens of killed and wounded. Bodies are still being recovered from the rubble," the SOF reported.

Photos circulating on the Telegram messenger app have been claimed to show undetonated M74 cluster munitions found on the ground at Berdyansk air base, which could indicate that Ukraine used ATACAMS missiles recently delivered by the United States to carry out the operation.

Earlier, the Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported, without giving many details, that overnight on Oct. 16-17 the Ukrainian military successfully attacked helicopters and equipment of the Russian airfields near the temporarily occupied Ukrainian city of Luhansk and the Azov Sea coastal town of Berdyansk, in Donetsk Oblast.

The Fighterbomber Telegram channel, allegedly run by Captain Ilya Tumanov of the Russian Armed Forces, reported losses in equipment and personnel as a result of a Ukrainian strike on one of the Russian airfields, according to a post dated Oct. 17.

"(This was) one of the most serious blows in the history of the special military operation," the Russians message reads.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
[Source]

Ukrainians recently celebrated the 75th birthday of the Japanese man who earlier this year opened a free cafe for those in need in the city of Kharkiv amid the Russian invasion.

Background: Fuminori Tsuchiko was visiting Ukraine as a tourist in February 2022 when Russian forces broke into the country. After the Japanese embassy told him to evacuate, he moved to Poland but returned two months later.

Tsuchiko spent the next seven months underground, living with Ukrainians in subway stations and helping distribute food for them. He then teamed up with a Ukrainian friend to find a better way to help others.

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The result was FuMi Caffe, which they set up in Kharkivs Saltivka neighborhood in April. Funded by donations, the cafe currently serves free hot meals to about 1,000 people every day.

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Best birthday ever: On Sunday, Anton Gerashchenko , Ukraines former deputy minister of internal affairs, shared a now-viral video on X showing Kharkiv residents surrounding Tsuchiko for his 75th birthday. He also revealed that the Japanese senior had sold his home in Japan to move to Kharkiv.

Kharkiv residents wish Happy Birthday to Fuminori Tsuchiko. He sold his home in Japan and moved to Kharkiv to open a cafe in the city. The cafe offers free hot meals to about 1,000 people a day. Thank you, Sir! Happy birthday! https://t.co/G0A1bt6uej pic.twitter.com/An1rgnLwTf Trending on NextShark: Growing makeup trend transforms Asian faces to appear 'mixed race'  Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) October 14, 2023

Tsuchiko shared the video on his own X page, calling it the best birthday of my life. He also posted a clip of himself receiving a Kharkiv Hero award from the mayors office.

Trending on NextShark: Who was that?: Bretman Rock throws shade at Vanessa Hudgens

Reactions: X users flooded Tsuchiko with birthday greetings.

Trending on NextShark: Watch: Korean mom responds to son asking if he could marry a man

Happy birthday, Mr. Tsuchiko! You are an inspiration and a blessing to Kharkiv and the world. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. You have made a difference in so many lives, one user wrote.

Another commented, Happy birthday, Mr. Fuminori Tsuchiko. You are a true hero and encourage many of us in this world to support Ukraine.

Happy birthday! Thank you for your work and kindness in such a difficult time, another noted.
The United Nations on Tuesday condemned appalling reports that civilians who were trying to flee to southern Gaza were hit and killed by a military strike.

During a news briefing on Tuesday, Office of the UNs High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani urged Israeli forces to avoid targeting civilians and civilian objects or conducting area bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks.

The agency also urged Israeli forces to take precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimize, loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects.

Appalling reports that civilians attempting to relocate to southern Gaza were struck and killed by an explosive weapon must be independently and thoroughly investigated, as must all allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law, Shamdasani said during the press briefing.

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Israel on Friday ordered residents of northern Gaza Strip  some 1 million people  to flee south ahead of an expected ground invasion by Israeli forces, alarming the UN and other humanitarian groups. Israel has reportedly conducted targeted raids in Gaza, but has yet to launch a full-scale invasion.

Shamdasani also said Gaza civilians who managed to flee south face dire conditions, with scant access to shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, medicine, and other basic needs.

We echo the UN call for a humanitarian pause to enable aid delivery and to prevent further suffering and deaths of the already much beleaguered civilian population of Gaza, Shamdasani added. Urgent immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access needs to be ensured.

Hamas, a militant group that governs Gaza, launched its deadly attack against Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people during a barbaric assault on a music festival and border villages. Retaliatory air strikes by Israel over the past week have killed even more Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians, according to Gaza officials.

President Biden is set to travel to Israel on Wednesday, where he plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm US support for the country and discuss hostages held by Hamas, civilian causalities, and providing humanitarian assistance.

Biden will then travel from Tel Aviv to Amman, Jordan later on Wednesday to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The meetings will focus on the humanitarian situation and reiterating that the U.S. believes that Hamas does not represent the majority of the Palestinian people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi speaks during a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. High Commissioner Grandi on Tuesday declared that the plight of ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar should not be forgotten in the midst of other world crises.(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK (AP)  The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees urged the international community on Tuesday not to forget the plight of ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in the midst of many other world crises. More support is needed to help the displaced Rohingya and also relieve the burden on the countries hosting them, High Commissioner Filippo Grandi said.

Grandi said providing humanitarian assistance is becoming increasingly difficult because of the continuing armed conflict in Myanmar and reduced funding and aid due to the other crises, including in Afghanistan, Ukraine and the Middle East.

Speaking on the sidelines of a regional meeting on Rohingya refugee assistance in Bangkok, he emphasized that a voluntary, dignified return to Myanmar by the Rohingya refugees is the most desirable solution, but acknowledged there are many challenges that need to be overcome.

What I have asked the participants in this meeting is to make big pledges in support of the Rohingya refugees: open policies for the host countries, contributions for the donor countries and for everybody else across the world, and attention by the international community, he said.

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More than 1 million Rohingya refugees have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh over several decades, including about 740,000 who crossed the border starting in August 2017, when Myanmar's military launched a brutal counterinsurgency operation following attacks by a guerrilla group.

The United States said last year that the oppression of Rohingya in Myanmar amounts to genocide, after U.S. authorities confirmed accounts of atrocities against civilians by the military in a systematic campaign against the ethnic minority. The Rohingya, who are Muslim, face widespread discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, with most denied citizenship and many other rights.

Tuesdays meeting was attended by delegates from Bangladesh, Britain, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States, as well as representatives of Rohingya-led organizations. There was no representative from Myanmar, said Babar Baloch, a U,N. spokesperson.

Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed to a two-year repatriation process in 2018. However, security in Myanmar has worsened following an army takeover more than two years ago that ousted the elected government of Aung Sun Suu Kyi, triggering widespread armed resistance, and plans to repatriate the refugees have not succeeded.

Grandi said financial contributions for Rohingya relief have declined, and the U.N.s mission plan for this year is barely 40% funded, a sharp drop from about 60%-70% in previous years.

The situation greatly impacts countries that are suffering from the enormous burden of hosting Rohingya refugees awaiting repatriation or resettlement, he said. Something has got to change here. Otherwise, really, Im worried about the future of Rohingya refugees and the patience of the host country in hosting them."

Britain's minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, announced 4.5 million pounds ($5.5 million) in additional funding from her nation to provide humanitarian services to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement.

It said Britain is committed to finding a long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis. This includes their safe, voluntary and dignified return to Myanmar, when the conditions there allow.

"Until the Rohingya can safely return to their homeland, we are committed to providing ongoing humanitarian support," it quoted Trevelyan as saying.
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations warned on Tuesday that Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip are being "packed into an ever-smaller area" and life-saving essentials have essentially run out, appealing for a humanitarian truce to allow aid access.

"It is now estimated that as many as 1 million people have fled their homes to other parts of Gaza," senior U.N. aid official Joyce Msuya told a meeting convened by Arab envoys on the enclave, which is controlled by Hamas militants.

Israel last week ordered some 1.1 million people in Gaza - almost half the population - to move to south as it prepares for a ground offensive in retaliation for the worst Hamas attack on civilians in Israel's 75-year-old history.

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"In reality, civilians have nowhere to go  nowhere to escape the bombs and missiles, and nowhere to find water or food, or to escape the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe," Msuya said, urging a "humanitarian suspension of hostilities."

Israel has put Gaza under a total siege and subjected it the most intense bombardment ever. It has vowed to annihilate Hamas after it killed 1,300 people and seized hostages in an Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Some 3,000 Palestinians have been killed.

International diplomacy has been focused on trying to broker a humanitarian pause in the conflict near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza to allow the delivery of aid. Egypt says Rafah has not been officially closed but has become inoperable due to the Israeli air strikes on the Gaza side.

"We can't move humanitarian trucks and convoys while active bombardment is ongoing," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. "There are intense discussions going on, in which we're involved, with a number of parties in order to try to get the most basic humanitarian aid in as quickly as possible."

After nine hours of negotiations, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said early on Tuesday he had agreed with Israel "to develop a plan" to get aid into Gaza. He gave no details. U.S. President Joe Biden is due to visit Israel on Wednesday.

U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths is traveling to Egypt on Tuesday and plans to visit Israel, while U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to arrive in Cairo on Thursday.

Ted Chaiban, a deputy executive director at the U.N. children's agency UNICEF, told the meeting on Tuesday that there was a risk of an infectious disease outbreak in Gaza as water supplies run out.

"We have a population of 2.3 million in Gaza, essentially without drinking water. We're down to three liters per person, when the normal average should be 15 litres," he said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The year-round horror offering from Universal set to make its Las Vegas debut now has a name, the company announced Tuesday.

In a release from Universal, the company announced the name of its new year-round horror experience in Las Vegas. Universal Horror Unleashed, to be located at AREA15 in Las Vegas, promises a variety of unique, immersive, and horror-centric experiences.

Not just for Halloween, the spin-off of Universals Halloween Horror Nights, popular with visitors in Southern California, Florida, and overseas, is set to become a permanent fixture in the 20-acre expansion of AREA15. The effort is part of the [Universals] ambition to introduce new products to new audiences in new markets.

The experience was announced in January. Upon its announcement, Las Vegas City Councilwoman Olivia Diaz said she believed Universal Horror Unleashed would be a welcome addition to the area.

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This is clearly economical development. Bringing someone the size of Universal Studios is no small feat, Diaz said. We know that year after year, their horror events sell out in Orlando and L.A., and we are looking forward to Las Vegas getting that much attention.

An opening date has yet to be cemented for Universal Horror Unleashed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The University of Cincinnati is now offering a lower tuition rate to all Kentucky residents, the university announced.

The university previously offered its metro tuition rate to students from certain counties in Indiana and Kentucky. Now, it will be provided to all Kentucky residents who enroll at UC. The metro tuition rate is $6,888 per semester for full-time students, or $13,776 per year, according to the universitys website. Its slightly higher than the in-state tuition for Ohio residents, which is $6,588 per semester for full-time students, or $13,176 per year.

The change to metro tuition rates would save Kentucky students taking 15 credit hours each semester over $7,000 per semester, or nearly $59,000 over four years, said Katie Pence, UC spokesperson. Out-of-state tuition is $14,255 per semester for full-time students, or $28,510 per year.

Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management at UC, said in the past two years freshman enrollment from Kentucky has increased by 30%. Miner said he hopes that the new, lower tuition for Kentucky students will continue to increase that number.

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UC has made a commitment to increase access to higher education for this region, he said. As we look for opportunities to ensure that students and families have a pathway to college, that investment has to include those students throughout the Tristate.

More than 2,800 students from Kentucky are enrolled at UC this year, Miner said. Overall, UC has an enrollment of nearly 51,000 students.

Having a Research 1 university within driving distance is an incredible opportunity for high school students looking at college, Miner said. This move makes that world class education affordable.

The cost to attend UC with the metro tuition rate is now similar to the University of Kentucky, the largest public school in the state. UKs tuition and fees for in-state students is $13,212 this academic year.
University presidents announced a multifaith coalition Tuesday to unveil their support for Israel after numerous colleges have faced backlash for their response to Hamass attack.

Yeshiva University, a Jewish university, brought together Catholic schools, Christian schools, historically black colleges and universities and secular schools to release a statement showing their support for Israel.

We are horrified and sickened by the brutality and inhumanity of Hamas. Murdering innocent civilians including babies and children, raping women and taking the elderly as hostages are not the actions of political disagreement but the actions of hate and terrorism, the statement reads.

The basis of all universities is a pursuit of truth, and it is times like these that require moral clarity. Like the fight against ISIS, the fight against Hamas is a fight against evil. We, the presidents and chancellors of universities and colleges across the United States of America and the world, stand with Israel, with the Palestinians who suffer under Hamass cruel rule in Gaza and with all people of moral conscience, the statement added.

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The coalition is joined by the presidents of the University of Notre Dame, Baylor University, the United Negro College Fund Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and the chancellors of The State University of New York and The City University of New York.

The coalition comes after schools such as Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania have lost donors for their statements on the Hamas attack, with many saying it did not strongly condemn Hamas enough or show enough support for Israel.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Preble County drivers should be on the lookout for upcoming detours as lane closures take place, according to an Ohio Department of Transportation spokesperson.

>>House speaker vote: Jim Jordan falls short

As part of a bridge rehabilitation project, there will be multiple lane closures on Interstate 70 near U.S. 127 (exit 10) this week.

On Thursday, Oct. 19, the I-70 east left lane and west right lane will be closed between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

On Friday, Oct. 20, the I-70 east right lane and west left lane will be closed between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

On both days, traffic will be maintained., the spokesperson said.

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Contractors are working to rehabilitate the bridge on U.S. 127 over I-70.

They will replace the bridge deck, raise the structure, and paint the structural steel, the spokesperson said.

>>Judge issues ruling on request to move case for driver involved in deadly bus crash out of Clark Co.

The Complete General Construction Company was awarded a contract for $4.9 million to complete this project.

The first phase of this project is scheduled to wrap up in the fall of 2023.

All work is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2024.
The US has seen more instances of coercive and risky behavior from Chinese pilots against US aircraft in the last two years over the East and South China Seas than in the entire decade before that, the Pentagons top official in charge of security in the Indo-Pacific said on Tuesday.

Since the fall of 2021, we have seen more than 180 such incidents, said Ely Ratner, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

To underscore the pattern, the Pentagon released previously nonpublic photos and videos of Chinese fighter jets intercepting US aircraft flying in international airspace.

The images, which date back to January 2022, show Chinese fighter jets getting dangerously close to US military jets in international airspace in an attempt to intimidate them, the Pentagon said in a statement about the incidents. Some of the Chinese fighter jets came within 20 feet of the US planes, the videos show.

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Its a centralized and concerted campaign to perform these risky behaviors in order to coerce a change in lawful US operational activity, Ratner added.

One photo from August 10 depicts a Chinese fighter jet closing in on a US jet, which had to perform defense procedures to avoid the Chinese plane that came within 50 feet and then barrel-rolled under the US plane, the Pentagon said.

Images newly released by the Pentagon capture a PLA fighter jet closing in at a high speed to a distance of just 50 feet underneath the wing of a US aircraft. The PLA operator then conducted a barrel roll around and below the US aircraft, causing the pilot to perform defensive procedures to prevent a collision. - Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs

The photos and videos also show the Chinese jets releasing objects and projectiles, including flares.

As Secretary Austin has said on multiple occasions, the [Chinese Peoples Liberation Army] can and must stop this behavior, full stop, INDOPACOM commander Adm. John Aquilino said Tuesday.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and other Pentagon officials have previously raised their concerns about this behavior in a range of settings, including during the Secretarys engagements in 2021 and 2022 with General Wei Fenghe, then-Minister of National Defense of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), as well as the Secretarys public remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2022 and 2023, the Pentagon said.

But the Pentagons efforts this year to engage with Chinese military leadership have gone unanswered, and US officials have grown increasingly concerned about the lack of military-to-military dialogue between the countries. Beijing cut off the communications after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last year, infuriating Chinese leaders.

Ive asked to speak with my counterparts, the eastern and southern theater commanders now, going on two and a half years, Aquilino said on Tuesday. I have yet to have one of those requests accepted.

The disclosure of the photos and videos comes as the Pentagon is preparing to release its congressionally mandated 2023 Report on Military and Security Developments Involving the Peoples Republic of China, also known as the China Military Power Report. The report is an annual assessment that details the latest developments on Chinas rapidly expanding and modernizing military. It also provides key insight into Chinas nuclear program.

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The United States has handed over the promised 31 American M1A1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, along with spare parts and ammunition.

Source: Colonel Martin O'Donnell, Spokesman for the US Army Europe and Africa Command, in a comment to Voice of America; European Pravda reports

According to O'Donnell, all the Ukrainians who trained on tanks with the American troops in Germany also returned to Ukraine.

Quote: "We have lived up to our end of the bargain. From this point forward, it is up to them (Ukraine  ed.) to determine when and where they will deliver this capability," said the representative of the US Army.

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He did not specify when exactly the last of the promised Abrams tanks arrived in Ukraine, but pointed out that a certain amount of time should pass before these can be deployed on the battlefield  for Ukrainian forces to make sure that all the necessary support elements are in place and to determine how best to use the tanks.

Quote: "I think Ukraine will be deliberate in when and where they use it. The Abrams tank is one hell of an armored vehicle, but its not a silver bullet. Ultimately, it's Ukraine's determination to break through that matters most," O'Donnell said.

The first of 31 American Abrams tanks was delivered to Ukraine at the end of September.

M1 Abrams will be among other tanks in Ukraine's arsenal, which it can use to advance and possibly liberate Russian-occupied territories in the eastern and southern oblasts.

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The Pentagon announced an extension to the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group's deployment.

The US Navy carrier strike group was dispatched in early October to the eastern Mediterranean.

Its movement  alongside that of another strike group  comes amid Israel's war with Hamas.

The Pentagon is extending the USS Gerald R. Ford's first full deployment, which was expected to end soon, in another unplanned development for the US Navy's newest supercarrier that is deployed alongside other warships to waters near Israel.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "approved a deployment extension" for the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa  or Sixth Fleet  area of operations, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement Tuesday.

"The strike group was nearing the end of its six-month deployment to the US European Command area of responsibility," she said without specifying how long the extension will be.

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The carrier strike group consists of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, and the guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt. It was deployed to the eastern Mediterranean on October 8 a day after Hamas launched a series of brutal terror attacks across southern Israel that killed scores of civilians.

The Ford is the newest, largest, and most advanced carrier in the Navy. The sudden retasking in response to an international crisis, a shift away from the carrier strike group's original deployment plans, marked a new experience for the first-in-class aircraft carrier but not one for which Navy crews are unprepared given the potential for this kind of tasking.

The Ford's repositioning was later followed on Saturday by the decision to move a second US Navy carrier strike group  one led by USS Dwight D. Eisenhower  to the region. The move will add another aircraft carrier, a guided-missile cruiser, and two guided-missile destroyers to firepower already on site.

US officials have stated that the force posture changes are meant to not only show solidarity with Israel, a key US ally in the Middle East, but also deter any other actors  like Iran or any of its proxies, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah  from exploiting the war and sending it spiraling into a regional conflict. Additionally, Washington has augmented existing airpower in the area with more fighter jets and attack aircraft, and Britain has also dispatched military assets to the vicinity.

USS Gerald R. Ford in the Atlantic Ocean on March 19, 2023. US Navy/MCS2 Jackson Adkins

Singh said on Tuesday that Austin also placed "approximately 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness through a prepare to deploy order."

This action, she added, increases the Pentagon's "ability to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East. No decisions have been made to deploy any forces at this time. The Secretary will continue to assess our force posture and remain in close contact with allies and partners."

Tensions in the region skyrocketed after the initial Hamas attacks, which killed at least 1,300 people and injured over 4,000 more and prompted Israel to declare war on the militant group. Israel immediately sent fighter aircraft to bomb what it says are Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip. At least 2,800 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 11,000 more injured, according to the latest United Nations figures, while entire neighborhoods have been flattened and reduced to rubble.

Israeli officials have indicated that the ongoing aerial campaign is a precursor to a ground invasion of the densely populated coastal enclave, with the ultimate goal of crushing Hamas. In apparent preparation for such action, Israel ordered the evacuation of northern Gaza, a move that was met with condemnation from human rights organizations who warn that a dire humanitarian situation is exponentially worsening. Despite Israeli preparations, including the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of troops, it is unclear at this time when such a ground offensive could begin. Recent statements indicate discussions are still underway on how Israel should proceed.

In the meantime, President Joe Biden is slated to travel to Israel and Jordan for a one-day trip on Wednesday, the White House announced this week. Across the two stops, Biden will meet with a handful of regional leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordan's King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

"He's coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world, " US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday, adding that "the president will reaffirm the United States' solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security."

Read the original article on Business Insider
All but one of South Carolinas U.S. House representatives voted in unison supporting Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan as speaker of the House Tuesday, but their efforts failed.

Thirteen days after California Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted as House speaker, the Republican House majority tried and failed elect an new leader.

South Carolinas lone Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn voted with fellow Democrats for Rep. Hakeem Jefferies, D-NY, who received 212 votes. Jordan received 200 votes, short of the 217-vote majority needed to be elected speaker.

The other six South Carolina representatives, all Republicans, voted for Jordan.

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The Palmetto State delegation split differently two weeks ago when a House majority voted to remove McCarthy, a move that left the chamber without a leader and unable to conduct any other legislative business until a new speaker is elected.

Rep. Nancy Mace was the lone South Carolina Republican and one of eight House Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy, generating audible gasps in the chamber. Clyburn voted, along with all House Democrats, to remove McCarthy. The other five South Carolina Republicans  Rep. Joe Wilson, Rep. Jeff Duncan, Rep. Russell Fry, Rep. Ralph Norman and Rep. William Timmons  voted to keep McCarthy in his position.

In order to successfully vote in a speaker of the House, a majority of all members who are present in the chamber must cast a vote for somebody by name. They could also vote present.

Tuesday afternoon, seven House members voted for Jordans competitor, Republican Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, while six members voted for McCarthy. Lee Zeldin, a former Republican representative from New York, received three votes. A smattering of other House members received a vote, as well.

After the vote, Duncan tweeted, Dont listen to detractors who want a weak Speaker. We need a fighter @JimJordan as Speaker who will do the work of the American people. ... Im proud to support my fellow Freedom Caucus member, Jim Jordan. We are proud to be a small subsection of the House known as the Freedom Caucus who stand on principles, limited government, and the Constitution.

When McCarthy was elected speaker in January of this year, it took 15 rounds of voting to approve him. The House is working to elect a speaker as the clock ticks down toward the government shutdown deadline, Nov. 17, by which date Congress must pass a spending plan to keep the federal government functioning.
U.S. Marshals are engaged in an interstate fugitive hunt for an 18-year-old man who is considered "armed and dangerous," and is wanted for his alleged involvement in a shooting at Morgan State University in Maryland that injured five people, including four students.

Jovan Williams is the target of the search, FOX 5 in Washington, D.C. reported, and the District Court of Maryland has charged him with attempted first-degree murder and other charges in connection to the Oct. 3 shooting at the university.

According to Baltimore police, Williams is considered armed and dangerous.

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING: MANHUNT SEEKS ARMED AND DANGEROUS SUSPECT

An unnamed juvenile was arrested and a warrant was issued for another teenager, according to Baltimore police.

An arrest warrant was issued for his arrest on June 15, when he was charged in a drugs and firearms conspiracy case investigated by several federal agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF).

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One of the suspects in the shooting, a 17-year-old whose name was withheld because of his age, was arrested in Washington, D.C. last Thursday and transported to the central booking and intake facility where he was charged with multiple counts of attempted murder.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Just before 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, gunshots rang out near Morgan State University, which activated an emergency shutdown for an active shooter situation.

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY TO BUILD WALL AROUND CAMPUS FOLLOWING HOMECOMING SHOOTING

Police block off the south entrance to Morgan State University at Argonne and Hillen after police say multiple people are shot on the campus on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Baltimore.

Students were walking between an auditorium and the campus student center, where the Homecoming ball was about to take place when the shots were heard.

The victims were likely not the intended targets and caught in the crossfire between two shooters, according to police. They have since been released from the hospital.

Detectives identified the two suspects using surveillance footage, and images were released to the media.

BALTIMORE POLICE RELEASE VIDEO OF PERSONS OF INTEREST IN MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING

Baltimore police released images of two men considered persons of interest in a shooting at Morgan State University on Oct. 3, 2023, that left five people injured.

Within days of the shooting, the university announced a $22 million 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 to encircle 90% of campus and effectively "eliminate unfettered access," university President David Wilson said during a campus town hall.

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.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to Williams arrest.

Metro Crime Stoppers and ATF are also offering a reward of up to $9,000 for tips leading to the suspects arrest, followed by charges being filed.

Anyone with information about Williams location is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2, or if the information is time-sensitive, to call Deputy U.S. Marshal Maresca at 202-819-5058.

Chris Eberhart of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.





Original article source: US Marshals search for 'armed and dangerous' fugitive wanted for Morgan State University shooting
Seep and Destroy

Hundreds of military bases across the US could be polluting nearby water supplies with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a Department of Defense report found  the latest in a growing body of evidence that these so-called "forever chemicals" have contaminated huge portions of the country's drinking water.

An alarming 245 of 275 bases investigated so far are potentially releasing plumes of PFAS "in the proximity of" groundwater aquifers that supply drinking water, according to the report, many of which are classified as sole source aquifers that entire communities depend on.

Should a sole source aquifer be contaminated, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, "there are no reasonably available alternative drinking water sources" for those communities.

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What the levels of contamination could be or exactly how the pollution is occurring remains unanswered. Which communities are at risk is also unconfirmed. In other words, what the DoD is telling us doesn't quite paint a clear picture. It seems certain, though, that the initial figure is set to climb even further as the DoD eventually investigates all 707 installations outlined in its report.

"A good neighbor would let you know that their use of PFAS was the reason your water was contaminated, and a bad neighbor would only tell you: 'Hey, a plume is heading in your direction,'" Scott Faber at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) told The Guardian.

"That is what we know so far because that's all the DoD told us, and it took an act of Congress to get that much information," he added.

PFAS Are Forever

PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because many of them persist for hundreds if not thousands of years before degrading. The substances are typically used to make water, heat, and stain resistant products, and are considered toxic to humans. Although their effects are not fully understood, PFAS have been linked to cancer and birth defects.

Ongoing research continues to illustrate just how pervasive the chemicals are. One recent study conducted by the US Geological Survey estimated that nearly half of all tap water in the US is contaminated with PFAS.

Scientists have for years worried about the obscene amounts of PFAS contamination at military bases, but we're only now beginning to understand the extent of the impact. According to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group, as of August the DoD has released data indicating that 455 of its bases have confirmed detections of PFAS in their drinking water.

In other words, this latest report is just a peek at just how much the contamination is seeping into civilian water supplies  and even then, what it divulges is maddeningly vague.

"Communities around the facilities must be really frustrated because they in all likelihood are drinking from wells that are contaminated by the military, but the DoD is coming up short," Faber told The Guardian. "Inevitably we will get answers for these questions as we move through the process."

More on PFAS: Scientists Find Microplastics in Cave Sealed Off From All Humans
Ukrainian forces used long-range ATACMS missiles for strikes on two air bases in the occupied cities of Berdiansk and Luhansk on the night of 16-17 October.

Source: The Wall Street Journal and Politico, citing "informed sources", as reported by European Pravda

According to the WSJ, over the last few days the US has secretly sent "a small number of missiles" to Ukraine. The sources do not disclose other details, but the modification of the ATACMS received by Ukraine was said to have a range of about 160 km.

Later, the media platform Noelreports posted a photo of missile wreckage on Twitter (X) that indicates that it was probably the MGM-140A ATACMS Block I, M39(A1?) type.

I think we can confirm the use of ATACMS. This is reportedly debris from Berdyansk.



MGM-140A ATACMS Block I, M39(A1?) pic.twitter.com/hRr1KiYCls  NOELREPORTS   (@NOELreports) October 17, 2023

Earlier on 17 October, Ukraines Special Operations Forces confirmed the strike on air bases in the temporarily occupied cities of Berdiansk and Luhansk, which caused the destruction of nine Russian helicopters with different modifications, an air defence launcher and an ammunition storage point.

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For months, Ukraine has been asking the US to provide it with long-range armament in order to strike targets of the Russians in their rear, but Washington has refused due to concerns about escalation from Russias side and shortages of such missiles for the American military.

The UK and France, however, provided Kyiv with their own Storm Shadow/SCALP long-range missiles back in the summer, which the Ukrainian forces have been efficiently using on the temporarily occupied territories, mainly in Crimea.

In September, according to media reports, US President Joe Biden informed Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a meeting in the White House that Washington would hand over a small number of ATACMS missiles to help in the war with Russia. There has been no official announcement.

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!
Why so many conservatives in media don't discuss election corruption, other lightning rod issues By Rachel Alexander

web posted October 17, 2023 Closely related to why RINOs are RINOs is why many conservatives in the media avoid hot-button issues like election corruption. As with most perplexing issues in politics, it comes down to follow the money, nothing more complicated than that. Media has to get funding somewhere, and most outlets on the right are funded by GOP billionaires, ads, or both. Perhaps the main reason conservative media avoids discussing election corruption is due to the fear of lawsuits by voting machine companies. Dominion sued Fox News and forced it to settle for almost a billion dollars, an amount of money that would put most smaller right-leaning outlets out of business. The Democrat-appointed judge who handled the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News granted a summary judgment motion for Dominion which resulted in jury instructions stating that all of the statements made by attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, as well as all negative claims made on the network about Dominion, were false. So there's no way a jury would have found for Fox News based on that, it was coerced into settling. A trial has been set in September 2024 for Dominion's $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Newsmax. Unlike Fox News, Newsmax has far less money. The same judge who oversaw the Fox News case is hearing this lawsuit. Smartmatic has also sued Newsmax. Conservative media is unable to get funding from government grants, since unlike left-wing media, they cannot accept all the woke terms that come tied to the grants. So they're forced to rely on eccentric GOP billionaires and advertising. Some of the GOP billionaires run corporations that must comply with woke government policies such as HR requirements, and others hire illegal immigrants. Some are nervous about being associated with people like Donald Trump who are being wrongly targeted by politically motivated prosecutors. They don't have the time to exhaustively research the ins and the outs of the legal system to fully understand the complexities of how the left has mastered lawfare, and so it all comes down to which advisor has their ear and what that advisor wants to tell them. Many are very risk averse  such as their financial advisors  and know nothing about law. The left viciously goes after these funders, most who would prefer to remain behind the scenes. For example, PR Watch declared that The Daily Caller "has several ties to white nationalists." While no one on the right actually believes that's true  the outlet is one of the top respected sites on the right  many donors may be nervous about having all future mentions of their name in the news being tied to something like that. It's the exact same reason judges never rule there was voter disenfranchisement of Republicans; they've kept out of the public eye and don't want to be only known for the rest of their lives as "election deniers" with all the negative career-affecting ramifications that come with the label. Many conservative sites get a large percentage of their traffic from Facebook. Facebook heavily penalizes accounts that post about election corruption and COVID-19. I've had multiple people tell me that is why Breitbart stopped running many articles on those two issues. Hopefully things are changing now that Elon Musk bought X and is greatly expanding advertising. He's setting it up so journalists don't need to work for an outlet, but can make money directly from X ads on their pages and by offering paid subscriptions. The ramifications have a snowball effect. Journalists on the left are able to collaborate and piggyback off each other, colluding to bombard the public with coordinated stories. ProPublica is notorious for this kind of collaboration with major left-wing publications. Meanwhile, journalists on the right are severely limited; I've had numerous conservative writers tell me their publications will not let them write about election corruption. While it's great for me personally  I've been able to carve out a specialty and acquire a lot of readers  I can't possibly be everywhere at once covering the issue. The sad thing about it is even if these sites survive for now avoiding these topics, the squeeze is never going to stop from the left; if you give them an inch they will take a mile. And it's not a successful strategy for maintaining conservative readership. The conservative base eventually figures it out and moves on. The only reason Fox News has not significantly declined is because it still carries some of the best conservative commentators in the country. The station took a hit in 2020 after calling Arizona for Joe Biden early on election night in the presidential election, but has rebounded back better than in previous non-election years. The left uses this fear by media publishers to pretend that conservatives don't believe there is widespread election corruption or aren't deeply concerned about issues like COVID-19. But reputable polls show otherwise. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was beloved all over the country as one of the most promising conservative governors ever, but he miscalculated thinking the right would desert Trump over election fraud and the politically motivated prosecutions and support him for president. Instead, the conservative base is doubling down sticking with Trump. What can be done about it? Start reading and sharing articles from news outlets that have figured out how to survive despite the censorship. Use search engines other than Google like startpage.com to find conservative sites that Google won't carry in news. Stop reposting bloviating, highly paid "influencers" who merely repeat tired old talking points about the latest shiny penny news such as transgenders, news that is considered safe, while pretending election corruption doesn't exist. Right now the left is on track to cheat again in the 2024 election. They've been able to stop many election integrity laws from being passed around the country. So unless this problem is addressed and fixed instead of ignored, we're likely to go backwards. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home
FILE PHOTO: Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump attend the Save America Rally in Mendon

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith has withdrawn a subpoena seeking records about fundraising by the political action committee Save America, which is controlled by former President Donald Trump , the Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The withdrawal earlier this month indicates Smith is scaling back at least part of his inquiry into the political fundraising work that fed and benefited from unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen, the newspaper reported.

Save America is a Trump group that is separate from his campaign but played a major role raising money to support him as the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination. Trump, a Republican, founded Save America days after losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden , a Democrat.

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The special counsel's office declined to comment. Save America could not immediately be reached for comment.

Trump pleaded not guilty on Aug. 3 to charges brought by Smith in federal court in Washington that he conspired to defraud the United States by preventing Congress from certifying Biden's 2020 election victory over him and to deprive voters of their right to a fair election.

On Jan. 6, 2021, Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in a failed bid to prevent congressional certification of Biden's victory.

The federal indictment of Trump did not specifically refer to Save America.

Robert Mintz, a former federal prosecutor, told the Washington Post that the withdrawn subpoena "may simply reflect a pragmatic decision to narrow the scope of the investigation."

The former president also faces three other indictments - over alleged hush money payments to a porn star in New York, over his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House, and over his attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia. He has pleaded not guilty in all the cases.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Richard Chang)
October 2023 marks the anniversary of #MeToo: six years since actor Alyssa Milano's tweet calling for women to speak out about experiences of abuse went viral and helped launch a global movement. Ever since, #MeToo has been shorthand for people's experiences with sexual harassment and assault, from film sets and office buildings to college campuses and religious communities. Many articles about #MeToo and religion focus on large churches, such as the Southern Baptist Convention  spaces that are mostly white and Christian.

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Left to right, Gabby Chavez and Jelcy Cruz clap during a performance at the annual Dia de Muerte celebration hosted by Una Mano Amiga at Historic Trolley Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Utah leaders signed the annual Dia de los Muertos proclamation during a Day of the Dead celebration Saturday, honoring the cultural significance of the Latin American holiday.

Dia de los Muertos is a celebration for remembering and honoring the dead that has been celebrated for thousands of years. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall presented a proclamation during Saturday's event at Trolley Square, declaring Nov. 1 and 2 a local holiday.

"I encourage all residents to participate in the celebration, to learn about this wonderful tradition and to join us in honoring and commemorating our ancestors and loved ones," Mendenhall said.

Saturday's celebration included song and dance performances, as well as booths selling tacos, candy, clothing and jewelry. Face painters adorned visitors with sugar skull motifs. A large ofrenda, or altar, displayed photos of loved ones along with clothing, flowers, blankets, sugar skulls and food.

People browse the booths at the annual Dia de los Muertes celebration hosted by Una Mano Amiga at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

"Salt Lake City has celebrated this opportunity and this event every year with a proclamation," Mendenhall said. "It's a tradition that we love to attend, I think, just as Salt Lakers, to come to Trolley Square, see the altars and participate in this beautiful cross-cultural opportunity."

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Rocio Mejia, executive director and founder of the nonprofit Una Mano Amiga, has organized the event for six years. She emigrated from Mexico at age 14, lived in California for 18 years and has spent the last 35 years in Utah.

"When I left my country, I brought my culture with me," she said. "The reason we celebrate (Dia de los Muertos) is to remember our loved ones who passed away.  We believe in a culture that remembers them and celebrates them, and shows that (death) is nothing scary."

Alexia Bou gets her makeup done by Gabby Romero at the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration hosted by Una Mano Amiga at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Connecting it to the larger Utah community, Mejia added, "Everyone knows the pain of losing loved ones.  This event is held annually to allow people from all walks of life and cultures to celebrate those we have lost over the years, and remember their legacy."

Other Utah leaders participating in the event were Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, and Mexican Consul Eduardo Baca.

Baca said Dia de los Muertos is an opportunity to celebrate loved ones: "It is a time to share stories, laughter and tears," he said.

"This is a tradition that transcends Mexico's border and connects us to the local community."

Irvin Mojica, 9, performs at the annual Dia de Muerte celebration hosted by Una Mano Amiga at Historic Trolley Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
LOS ANGELES - A student at Van Nuys High School was under medical supervision Monday after they suffered what officials called a "medical incident."

A spokesperson with the Los Angeles Unified School District said after the incident, the student was supervised by medical personnel and that "emergency medication was not administered to the impacted student based on a preliminary evaluation."

"We take the health and safety of our students very seriously. Every effort is made to ensure our students learn in a safe environment. Los Angeles Unified maintains an ongoing partnership with local health agencies, community partners and medical experts to provide training to school staff and education for our school communities," an LAUSD spokesperson said.

SUGGESTED: Student detained after bringing replica gun to Van Nuys High School

Operations at the school resumed as scheduled and no further information was released.
Nicolas Maduro has been in power since 2013 when he succeeded his mentor, Hugo Chavez

The Venezuelan government and the opposition are due to restart talks later on Tuesday after a suspension of almost a year, the two sides have announced in a joint statement.

The negotiations are aimed at reaching an agreement on how to end Venezuela's protracted political crisis.

President Nicolas Maduro has suggested a deal is imminent.

The talks will be held in the capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, and facilitated by Norway.

Previous attempts at finding a way out of the political deadlock have stalled and while Mr Maduro struck an optimistic note on Monday, he provided little detail.

"We are on the verge of signing new agreements with the opposition, agreements beneficial for peace and the upcoming election," he said, referring to presidential elections due to be held in Venezuela in 2024.

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Mr Maduro has been in power since 2013 and was most recently re-elected in 2018 in a poll widely dismissed as neither free nor fair.

During his time in office, his socialist PSUV party has further tightened its grip on key institutions, including much of the judiciary, the electoral council and the supreme court.

Attempts to topple Mr Maduro - such as that of the then-leader of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president in 2019 and set up a rival government which was recognised by more than 50 countries - have failed.

Frustrated by Mr Guaido's lack of progress in dislodging Mr Maduro, the opposition dissolved the shadow government he led at the end of 2022.

The Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for Juan Guaido earlier this month

Mr Guaido has been living in exile in the United States since April and is unlikely to return to Venezuela anytime soon as the attorney-general, a close ally of President Maduro, has issued a warrant for his arrest.

Mr Maduro, meanwhile, is expected to seek another term in office next year, although he has not yet officially announced his candidacy.

Opposition parties, which have boycotted past presidential elections because many of its candidates were either in jail or had been barred from running, are planning to take part in 2024 even though they say that the odds are stacked against them.

They will be holding a primary on Sunday to choose a unity candidate from a field of 10 to take on Mr Maduro.

In June, the favourite to win the opposition primary, Maria Corina Machado, was barred from holding public office for 15 years by the comptroller-general, another ally of President Maduro.

Maria Corina Machado is running in the primary to choose a candidate to run against Mr Maduro

Ms Machado has stayed in the race to become the opposition's unity candidate despite the ban, arguing that if she is chosen, she will aim to create enough momentum for the Maduro government to drop the ban.

Creating the conditions for free and fair elections are reportedly one of the issues US envoys have been pushing for in recent talks with Maduro government representatives in Qatar.

The Qatar talks are thought to have laid the groundwork for the resumption of negotiations between the Venezuelan opposition and the Maduro government on Tuesday in Barbados.

While the Maduro government frequently bashes the US in public, labelling it an "imperialist aggressor" and blaming it for Venezuela's dire economic state, Mr Maduro is keen to come to an agreement with the Biden administration in order to have US sanctions on Venezuela relaxed.

The US, in turn, has a vested interest in the crisis in Venezuela easing as the dire state of the economy in the Andean country has driven more than seven million to emigrate, with many heading for the United States.

An unnamed US official told the Washington Post that the Biden administration was "prepared to provide sanctions relief in response to concrete actions toward competitive elections".

But no concrete details of what may be in the deal have been officially released so far.
By Deisy Buitrago, Vivian Sequera and Matt Spetalnick

CARACAS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Venezuela's government and its political opposition on Tuesday agreed to electoral guarantees for 2024 presidential elections and measures they said would protect the country's national interests, paving the way for some U.S. sanctions relief.

A presidential election will take place in the latter half of 2024, the electoral deal said, and international observers will be allowed to monitor the vote.

Each side may choose its candidate according to its internal rules, the deal added, days before the opposition is set to hold its primary.

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The deals are expected to allow for some relief from oil-related U.S. sanctions.

The United States has long said it would lift some of its sanctions on President Nicolas Maduro's government in exchange for democratic concessions from the president.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tuesday's meeting in Barbados between the government and opposition was their first in 11 months.

The talks are meant to provide a way out of Venezuela's long-running political and economic crisis.

Maduro, president since 2013, is expected to run for re-election but has not yet formalized his candidacy. His government has banned prominent opposition figures from running.

If the agreement between the government and opposition passes muster in Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is expected to announce a limited but significant easing of sanctions, according to U.S. sources.

The U.S. sources, however, have said any sanctions relief would be reversible if Maduro fails to meet his election commitments. Oil revenues are central to OPEC member Venezuela's economy.

(Reporting by Deisy Buitrago and Vivian Sequera in Caracas and Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Will Dunham)
(Bloomberg) -- Venezuelas government and a coalition of the nations opposition restarted talks on Tuesday that could clear the way for sanctions relief in exchange for a demonstration of democratic principles.

Most Read from Bloomberg

If the talks lead to a more competitive presidential race and relief from US-imposed restrictions that have crippled Venezuelas economy, the moment could be a turning point for a country that has struggled for decades to regain its global standing.

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The long-awaited resumption of negotiations comes just five days before the opposition holds primaries to select a candidate for the 2024 presidential race. Nicolas Maduro, who became president in 2013, is widely expected to run for a third consecutive term.

In a document-signing ceremony in Barbados, the parties agreed to hold a presidential vote in the second half of 2024, inviting five international organizations to observe the vote and allowing all qualified candidates to participate.

The leading opposition contender, Maria Corina Machado, is currently banned from holding public office, though the agreement may give her a path to restore her eligibility. If she cant, the agreement is likely to be criticized by democracy advocates for allowing Maduro to sideline his most popular competitor.

This is the first step in the path towards all Venezuelans wishes for sanctions to be lifted progressively, the head of the governments delegation, lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez, said in a subsequent news conference. In upcoming days well see results from todays accord signed with a faction of the opposition.

The talks, mediated by Norway, will take place as a part of a wider negotiation between Maduros government and President Joe Bidens administration. The US has said it would consider lifting some oil and banking sanctions as long as conditions for free and fair presidential elections are met.

Machado, the opposition front-runner, is disqualified through 2030 from holding office under a decision this year that alleged she was linked to several corruption plots and was an accomplice in the economic blockade and sanctions against Venezuela. If she nevertheless wins the primary vote by a large margin, as expected, it will put pressure on Maduros regime to allow her to run.

Her participation could represent the most serious challenge to his rule since 2013, when he narrowly defeated Henrique Capriles. If she remains banned, the US will face tough questions about whether democracy has been sufficiently restored to end sanctions.

Read more: Venezuela Government, Opposition to Resume Talks in US Deal

Speaking on state television Monday, Maduro said he would not endorse irregularities in negotiations with the opposition and made veiled references that Machado would not be able to participate. The head of the oppositions delegation, Gerardo Blyde, said the opposition received guarantees in Barbados that barred candidates and political parties would be allowed a path to restore their eligibility.

This agreement represents a necessary step in the continuation of an inclusive dialogue process and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, UK Foreign Minister James Cleverly, Canadas foreign minister, Melanie Joly and European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

We continue to call for the unconditional release of all those unjustly detained, the independence of the electoral process and judicial institutions, freedom of expression including for members of the press, and respect for human and political rights, they added.

Previous Venezuelan elections have been marred by accusations of fraud and government interference. As part of the agreement, the opposition has sought for credible international observers to legitimize the vote. The Carter Center, the EU, the Inter American Union of Electoral Bodies, the African Union and a United Nations panel will be invited to witness the election, according to the agreement.

--With assistance from Fabiola Zerpa.

(Updates with joint statement, starting in eleventh paragraph. An earlier version corrected the date of Maduros victory over Capriles.)

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Corrections: This story has been updated to correct the name of a preservation consultancy and clarify rules around property owner objections to historical preservation.

The San Buenaventura Conservancy is moving forward with a bid to add Ventura's former Washington School to the National Register of Historic Places after consultants determined the century-old site has the requisite pedigree for eligibility.

The historic preservation nonprofit hosted a community meeting to discuss adding 96 MacMillan Ave., most recently home to Ventura County Christian School, to the register in July. Conservancy chair Stephen Schafer said this week that the group is ramping up fundraising efforts while it pieces together a formal application.

Schafer said the school, which saw its cornerstone laid in 1925, qualifies for the register based, in part, on its connection to local architect Harold Burket, who overhauled the school's design during an earthquake retrofit in the 1930s.

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Burket is also responsible for Ventura's Community Presbyterian Church, E.P. Foster Library and Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, along with a number of other residential and industrial buildings.

The school, Schafer said, also qualifies because of it represents the midtown Ventura boom of the 1920s and 30s.

If approved, the designation would qualify the cluster of buildings along MacMillan Avenue for some preservation grants. The property would also automatically be listed on California's Register of Historical Resources, giving it limited protection against demolition and major remodeling. Schafer said the designation wouldn't protect the grass fields behind the buildings that make up the majority of the school campus.

"The turf is not necessarily historic," he said.

Ventura County Christian began attempts to add the campus to the register in the spring during an eviction battle with Ventura Unified School District, the property's owner. The district first told the school it had to leave in August 2022 after the district said a review found the site was seismically unsafe for students.

From the archive: Ventura conservancy weighs historic preservation bid of former Christian school

Ventura County Christian dropped its preservation bid and left the campus in May as part of a settlement agreement with Ventura Unified. Schafer said that the conservancy has built directly on the groundwork laid by the school  even hiring ASM Affiliates, the same preservation consultants  but that there are no other connections between the two bids.

Ventura Unified has yet to publicly throw its weight behind the bid or to oppose it. Marieanne Quiroz, a district spokesperson, said in a statement Tuesday morning that district trustees have requested a special meeting to publicly discuss the conservancy's efforts, but that the meeting hasn't yet been scheduled.

The currently vacant campus is one of five surplus properties Ventura Unified is trying to find a use for. The district has done early research into the possibility of building employee housing on district property, but board president Sabrena Rodriguez said in an interview last week that trustees haven't started conversations about where a housing development might go.

Trustees voted in August to ask the state to waive the normal bidding process for all five surplus properties, which would give the district more control over any future sale. Quiroz said the district isn't expecting a response from the state before January.

The conservancy's bid for the register must be first reviewed by state authorities. That process will take at least a few more months.

After the nonprofit files the requisite paperwork, which Schafer said could take two months, the state allows 60 days for local government agencies to comment before the bid is submitted to the California State Historical Resources Commission. Schafer said he expects that to happen sometime between February and May.

If approved, the state will submit a nomination to the Keeper of the National Register in Washington, D.C., who will make a final determination after roughly 45 days more.

Historical resources can be listed without the express consent of their owners, according to the California Office of Historic Preservation's website, though private landowners can stop their property being listed with a formal objection. Public landowners, like Ventura Unified, can't stop their property being listed.

The conservancy has spent roughly $2,000 so far, Schafer said, part of a total $7,000 it expects to pay in consultancy and filing fees to take the bid over the line. So far, the all-volunteer nonprofit has raised just under $2,500 for the Washington School effort.

Schafer said the conservancy is planning a future community meeting for some time in early November. He said, though, that the conservancy's role isn't to make recommendations for how to use the vacant land, but to provide "clarity" on its past.

"We want to protect the buildings," he said, "to make sure nobody comes in later and says, 'Well, we didn't know.'"

More information on the conservancy's attempt to add the campus to the register is available at sbconservancy.org/washington-school.

Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura conservancy seeks historic tag for Washington School site
Versailles Palace evacuated twice for 'security reasons' following week of terrorist threats

The Palace of Versailles evacuated for a second time due to security concerns amid a rise in terrorist threats.

The palace, one of France's most lucrative tourist attractions, evacuated visitors on Tuesday for "security reasons"  the second incident in four days.

"For security reasons, the Palace of Versailles is evacuating visitors and closing its doors today Tuesday October 17. Thank you for your understanding," the museum wrote on social media.

LOUVRE MUSEUM IN PARIS EVACUATED AFTER THREAT WHILE FRANCE ON HIGH ALERT FOLLOWING DEADLY STABBING

The Versailles gardens, outside Paris, on July 15, 2023. The Louvre and Versailles Palace evacuated visitors and staff Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, after receiving bomb threats. The government has put France on high security alert after a fatal school stabbing by a suspected extremist.

No further information was given on the nature of the security concerns.

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France is currently experiencing a high threat alert level after a widely publicized attack by a radicalized former student.

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A Chechen immigrant on France's extremist watch list allegedly stabbed a teacher to death Friday morning and wounded two others in a suspected terror attack that the country's president called an assassination.

KNIFE-WIELDING ATTACKER SHOUTS 'ALLAHU AKBAR' AND KILLS TEACHER IN FRENCH SCHOOL AMID HAMAS-ISRAEL WAR: REPORT

Tourist wait outside the Palace of Versailles on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. One of France's most visited tourist attractions was evacuated for a security scare for the second time in four days.

It happened outside a school in the city of Arras, about 115 miles north of Paris, near the border with Belgium, and a suspect is in custody, according to France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

Darmanin ordered Thursday a country-wide ban on demonstrations in support of the Palestinians.

Terrorist threats have been made against prominent tourist destinations since the incident.

Last week, the Louvre sounded alarms and shepherded individuals out of the museum after receiving a written threat.

At least 24 people have been charged with antisemitic acts in the country since the Hamas attack on Israel earlier this month.





Original article source: Versailles Palace evacuated twice for 'security reasons' following week of terrorist threats
A woman whose testimony was key to the criminal sex trafficking conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell has died of a drug overdose, authorities confirmed.

Carolyn Andriano, a 36-year-old mother of five, was found dead at a hotel in Palm Beach County, her mother, Dorothy Groenert, told the Miami Herald. Although her death was discovered on May 23, it was not made public until this week in a report by the Daily Beast.

Groenert, however, disputes the coroners findings, questioning the thoroughness of the investigation by West Palm Beach police.

The Herald was unsuccessful in obtaining the police and coroners report on Monday.

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But Andrianos longtime attorney, Jack Scarola, said he was confident in the findings related to her death.

A distraught mother is responding emotionally. Im very sure she is undergoing such a significant grief reaction, Scarola said.

Carolyn was having a very difficult time following her experience in New York, Scarola said, referring to Andrianos testimony against Maxwell in federal court in Manhattan at Maxwells sex trafficking trial in December 2021. He said she continued to have drug problems after the trial.

It is known that Carolyns experiences with Jeffrey Epstein had an enormous impact on her life and clearly was the cause of her tragic death, he said.

Andriano is not the only Epstein victim who died as a result of addiction. In 2018, Leigh Skye Patrick was found dead of an accidental drug overdose in another Florida motel. Patrick had also been abused by Epstein when she was 16.

My sister suffered tremendously, Patricks twin sister Selby told the DailyMail.com in a 2019 story. And it started with Epstein. Something happened in her when she met him that got her out of control.

She struggled with addiction since the time she met that guy. She went to rehab several times. She fought hard, but she eventually succumbed to the addiction. We miss her. 

Scarola said after the trial ended, Andriano and her husband, John Pitts, moved to North Carolina to start over. He was not sure why she was in Palm Beach at the time of her death, but several sources said she was still in the throes of addiction and had come to Palm Beach for treatment. She was staying at the DoubleTree Hotel with her husband and children at the time of her death, the sources said.

During Maxwells trial, Andriano, who was only identified by her first name, said she was first brought to Jeffrey Epsteins Palm Beach mansion when she was 14. At the time, she had dropped out of middle school and had a difficult childhood. She testified that an older relative sexually abused her when she was 4 and that her mother was an alcoholic. By that time, she was already experimenting with drugs.

She was introduced to Epstein and Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre, another Epstein victim.

Andriano testified that she returned to Epsteins home more than 100 times in order to be paid money, which she used to buy drugs.

She tearfully described the trauma she suffered in the years since, saying she was diagnosed as being schizophrenic and lived in fear that her children would be kidnapped.

Andriano told the jury that Maxwell and another Epstein associate would summon her two or three times a week to visit Epstein, a New York financier who died in jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging.

Something sexual happened every single time, she said during trial.

Upon questioning by Maxwells lawyers, Andriano said she had received $2.8 million in compensation from Epsteins estate as part of a compensation fund set up for victims.

But, she emphasized, No money will fix what happened to me.

She was among four victims who testified at Maxwells trial. Maxwell, 61, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on trafficking charges. She is serving her sentence at the federal womens prison in Tallahassee while she appeals her conviction.
On Sunday, American Maha Barakat claimed to have fled several times but is still stuck in Gaza with necessities running out amid constant bombings.

The US State Department officials contacted Barakat and said they will try to get her and other US citizens out of Gaza.

US State Department Officials Plan to Get Americans Out of Gaza

According to ABC News, the US Embassy in Jerusalem advised American citizens to safely move to Southern Gaza towards Gaza Valley and Khan Younis.

Tala Herzallah, a Palestinian woman, shared that Khan Younis and Rafah near the Egypt border are getting bombed on Saturday night, which makes it unsafe to go through Khan Younis.

Herzallah said, "They're telling us to move there, and then they are bombing the houses there without warning people... Things are getting worse day by day."

The US Embassy officials said, "The military conflict between Israel and Hamas is ongoing, making identifying departure options for US citizens complex."

The officials added that they are looking for more alternatives to get the Americans out of Gaza. Lena Beseiso, an American stuck in Gaza, drove back and forth to the Southern border as the US State Department advised.

"We waited until it was a bit after 6 p.m., and the border still closed," Beseiso said on her last trip, crossing Rafah on Sunday. Beseiso hopes to return home safely, but they admitted that crossing the Egyptian border puts her and other families' lives at risk.

Beseiso further said the US government can request the Egyptians to open the border. However, she worries about the delay that can put their lives in danger.

Read Also: Scottish Pennywise Clown Dares Police To Catch Him-Spreading Fear in Streets as He Threatens Residents

US Citizens Terrified and Stuck in Gaza Neighborhood

Barakat disclosed that about 50 other people, including children, reside with her in the Gaza neighborhood. According to ABC News, Barakat srevealed that people were running out of drinking water, cooking gas, and fuel for cars. The children in the Gaza neighborhood are terrified, screaming, and crying with every bomb.

Sari Bashi, program director for Human Rights Watch, said that the Gaza situation is worsening.

"People are being forced to drink brackish, untreated water because the price of bottled water has gone up beyond what most people can afford," Bashi said.

The closing of the Egyptian border where US citizens can pass through is only for a limited time due to the continuous bombing.The short notice of the opening frightens the Americans. The short time of the opening cannot get hundreds of Americans out.

According to CNN, Abdulla Okal, Haneen's husband stuck in Gaza, called the US Embassy. Haneen said they only gave her a link to fill out an application fosrm and were told to wait for a callback.

Haneen called again, and the US Embassy said they could not help her soon but would keep her posted. The Americans felt abandoned by the US Embassy as they remain helpless and terrified after 29 other Americans died in Isreal.

Related Article: Gaza Hospitals on the Brink: Supply Shortages, Ground Offensive Threaten Thousands of Lives





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FOREST HILL, Texas - The Forest Hill Police Department is asking the public to come a candlelight vigil for a cafeteria worker who was shot and killed in an elementary school parking lot.

On the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 11 Yolanda Gibbs was shot and killed outside of David K. Sellars Elementary in Forest Hill.

Yolanda Gibbs (Source: Forest Hill Police)

A vigil for Gibbs will be held in the parking lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 6300 Crawford Lane on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.

The church is around the corner from the school.

School attendees told FOX 4 Gibbs was a long-time cafeteria worker at Sellars Elementary, who was beloved and had been at the school for decades.

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Forest Hill police announced on Friday that a "person of interest" in the shooting was found dead.

They didn't explain how the person died or where the person died. They also didn't release any details as to why the person was called a "person of interest."




Last week, Republican officials and right-wing figures amplified warnings of a global day of jihad across social media platforms, joining the already-toxic flood of viral mis- and disinformation from the fog of the Israel-Hamas war.

After growing increasingly concerned for his safety after listening to right-wing media and fearing a day of jihad attack against him, a 71-year-old landlord attacked the Palestinian-American tenants in their home, according to prosecutors in Illinois.

Joseph Czuba fatally stabbed a six-year-old boy 26 times and severely injured his mother, who was stabbed at least a dozen times, according to law enforcement officials. Wadea Al-Fayoume was buried on 16 October.

False claims about a global day of jihad joined increasingly violent on- and offline rhetoric surrounding the crisis in Gaza, with members of Congress calling on Israels military to level the Palestinian territory and prominent far-right personalities calling on Americans to arm themselves.

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The war between Israel and Hamas also has rapidly generated a flood of false, unverified and misleading information on social platforms, serving as a new front in modern warfare: it amplifies vile rhetoric dehumanizing people [and] spreads disinformation, according to watchdog organisation Center for Countering Digital Hate. Its both a weapon for propagandists [and] a business focused on profiting.

And its one that analysts and civil rights organisations fear will continue to trigger real-world violence.

Alleged hate crime incidents and anti-Muslim threats were also reported in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Philadelphia and Texas within the week after the Hamas attacks, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Palestinian racism being spread by politicians, media outlets, and social media platforms must stop, the group said.

The killing of Wadea Al-Fayoume cannot help but further raise the fears of Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities in our country with regard to hate-fueled violence, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

A joint statement from Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden urged Americans to come together and reject Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred.

This horrific act of hate has no place in America, and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are, they said.

Ahmed Rehab, left, executive director of the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, embraces Odey Al-Fayoume, father of Wadea Al-Fayoume, on 15 October. (AP)

Violent rhetoric surrounding the so-called global day of jihad followed a statement from former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, who called for protests to support Palestinians and said that to all scholars who teach jihad ... to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories).

Far-right social media influencers including Jack Posobeic and Laura Loomer as well as platforms like InfoWars and Babylon Bee began designating 13 October as a day of jihad based on those comments. Rogan OHandley falsely claimed Hamas called for an international day of terrorism. Charlie Kirk, the founder of influential right-wing organisation Turning Point USA, told his followers on Instagram to arm up.

Members of Congress including US Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andy Biggs also promoted the global jihad claim.

Those posts followed a week of statements from Republican officials in Washington DC supporting retaliatory strikes against Gaza after Hamas launched a surprise rampage that killed at least 1,300 Israelis.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported on 16 October that at least 2,808 people in the enclave have been killed and 10,850 wounded in the days that followed. Thousands of people in Gaza have been displaced by constant bombing, Israels blockade of food, water and fuel has accelerated a humanitarian crisis, and more than one million people in northern Gaza were warned to evacuate amid looming incursions.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News that Israel must do whatever the hell you have to do to defend yourself and level the place.

Gaza is going to look like Tokyo and Berlin at the end of World War II when this is over, he told Fox host Sean Hannity. And if it doesnt look that way, Israel made a mistake.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio said Israel must respond DISPROPORTIONATELY to the Hamas attack and to any future attacks from any enemy.

House Republicans also have introduced legislation to block the US from accepting any new Palestinian refugees fleeing Gaza.

During a campaign event in Iowa, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis refused to admit people from Gaza into the US as refugees, baselessly asserting that they are all antisemitic and none of them believe in Israels right to exist.

As far as Im concerned, Israel can bounce the rubble in Gaza, US Senator from Arkansas Tom Cotton told Fox News Sunday on 15 October. Anything that happens in Gaza is the responsibility of Hamas. Hamas killed women and children in Israel last weekend.

This talk raises the threat environment in the US as people hear it as license that threatening childrens lives  Jewish or Palestinian  is acceptable, Harvard Kennedy School professor and national security analyst Juliette Kayyem said. It is possible to BOTH condemn Hamas terrorism in Israel and warn against a response that kills innocent Palestinians.

US Rep Tim Burchett of Tennessee advocated for Israel to deliver Old Testament judgment in Gaza.

In another segment on Fox News, US Rep Max Miller of Ohio called Gaza a territory thats about to probably get eviscerated and go away here shortly, adding that were going to turn that into a parking lot.

Speaking to reporters, he also pointed to what was already-debunked viral footage taken before the Hamas attack as he announced his support for no rules of engagement and to allow Israel to do what it needs to do.

Within hours, at least 15 false claims surrounding the attacks spread across X, formerly Twitter, as well as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, according to online watchdog NewsGuard.

We have been stunned at how quickly the misinformation machine has geared up since the Saturday attacks, although we probably should not have been given what we saw following Russias invasion of Ukraine, NewsGuard co-CEO Steven Brill said in a statement shared with The Independent. And now, with generative [artificial intelligence] having become a force multiplier, it seems clear that the news environment is only likely to get much worse, much faster.

On X, which significantly loosened content moderation policies after Elon Musk purchased the platform, so-called verified users who pay for the service have boosted false and misleading claims, compromising a platform on which users previously relied for real-time updates in a crisis, according to watchdogs. Those verified users also can be eligible for payments from the platform, creating a financial incentive to post highly reactive content.

Political scientist Ian Bremmer wrote that disinformation on X surrounding the Israel-Hamas war is being algorithmically promoted on the platform unlike anything Ive ever been exposed to in my career.

Musk himself shared and ultimately deleted a post about real-time updates to his 160 million followers by promoting two accounts that were known for spreading false claims.

The European Commission has warned Musk about the alleged spreading of illegal content and disinformation, in particular, the spreading of terrorist and violent content and hate speech on the platform.

7amleh-The Arab Center for Social Media Advancement documented thousands of posts on X related to the invasion and ensuing conflict that contained violent or hateful speech towards Palestinians within the week after the Hamas attacks.

These tweets, classified as hate speech and incitement, can potentially translate into real-world attacks on Palestinians, as previously seen with incitement on the same platform, leading to organized attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities both in the West Bank and Israel, 7amleh general director Nadim Nashif said in a statement.

Antisemitic influencers on far-right platforms have also exploited the crisis to amplify calls for violence against Jewish people and Israelis, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Violent far-right extremist groups and conspiracy theorists flocked to platforms like Telegram as well as X to support the attacks.

In a series of letters to social media platforms, New York Attorney General Letitia James requested detailed explanations for steps they are taking to combat the spread of hateful content against Jewish and Muslim people and organisations.

She also warned terrorist groups and others intend to exploit growing antisemitism and Islamophobia and threats of violence.
FILE - Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks during an interview, Sept. 26, 2023, in Washington. Conjecture that Youngkin, who is set to host a major donor retreat Tuesday, Oct. 17, and Wednesday, Oct. 18, might make a late entry into the 2024 presidential race has only grown since his victory nearly two years ago and could further escalate after next months high-stakes legislative elections, where hes aiming for a GOP sweep. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Glenn Youngkin was waving off talk about running for the White House back in 2021, before hed even made it to the Virginia governors mansion.

Brad Hobbs, a childhood friend, told The Associated Press at the time that his ultimate goal was to see the Harvard-educated Republican businessman run for president. Hobbs said he brought it up nonstop, even in front of others, which irked Youngkin.

He doesnt commit to that. He looks at me like, Stop saying it; I dont want to hear that, Hobbs said.

Conjecture that Youngkin, who is set to host a major donor retreat Tuesday and Wednesday, might make a late entry into the 2024 presidential race has only grown since his victory nearly two years ago. It could further escalate after next months high-stakes legislative elections, where hes aiming for a GOP sweep.

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At least some of the recent talk is coming from Republican donors still casting about for yet another alternative to former President Donald Trump.

But the 56-year-old Youngkin, who in public remarks has demurred but not totally shut the door to a bid, would face logistical campaign difficulties, ballot access hurdles and  according to interviews around the country over the past week  skepticism from some Republican voters, who either dont know him well or are locked in on Trump.

I think its ill-conceived and a really horrible idea, Eric Levine, a New York-based attorney and Republican donor who has urged his party to back someone other than Trump, said of a potential Youngkin candidacy. It is doomed to failure and will only damage his brand.

Youngkin, who answers questions about his presidential prospects by saying hes flattered to be in the conversation but focused on Virginia, is currently in the midst of the hectic final push to the states Nov. 7 election, with early voting already underway.

Every seat in the General Assembly is on the ballot, and both parties see a possible path to a legislative majority in a state that once seemed destined to move from red to blue but now hangs in the balance. If Republicans manage to hold the House of Delegates and flip the Senate, that would give Youngkin broad leeway to enact more of what he calls his common sense conservative priorities  including additional tax cuts, new limits on abortion and a rollback of clean energy mandates  over the final two years of his time in the governors mansion. Virginia uniquely prohibits its chief executives from serving consecutive terms.

Youngkin, known for his folksy, high-energy style, launched a major early voting push this cycle, shattered previous governors' fundraising records, campaigned with candidates and is in the weeds on the specifics of battleground races, according to his advisers.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Youngkin and his wife, Suzanne Youngkin, will host a second annual Red Vest Retreat, a nod to the governor's signature campaign attire, at an elegant hotel in Virginia Beach, according to an invitation obtained by the AP. Details of the retreat were first reported in The Washington Post.

Obviously there are a lot of folks that are encouraging him ... who like what he has done in Virginia, what hes been able to accomplish, and would love to have him do that on the national level. But again, his focus is going to continue to be on Virginia and these elections, said Dave Rexrode, a senior adviser to Youngkin, in an interview.

The retreat is for individuals who are financial supporters of the governor's Spirit of Virginia PAC, said Rexrode, who is chairman of the organization. No presidential candidates were invited, and Rexrode declined to share details of the agenda ahead of the event.

The speculation around a Youngkin run has been driven not only by his upstart win but also his travel around the country, frequent conservative media appearances, highly-produced public events, record-breaking fundraising and his refusal to shut down the prospect.

Should he decide to make the leap after next month's elections, a potential campaign would face significant logistical hurdles.

With less than 100 days until voting starts with Iowas leadoff caucuses, Youngkin does not have the kind of campaign organization that a presidential hopeful needs to recruit supporters for caucuses or get voters to turn out in January. Most of the presidential campaigns have been organizing since early 2023. Trump also has enormous name recognition, years of organizing experience and established supporters nationwide.

Before Youngkin could even worry about turning out supporters, hed be up against crucial deadlines.

While theres no deadline to become a candidate for Iowas caucuses, competing there takes months of securing supporters who will agree to show up at a certain time and place. The deadline to file for the second contest, New Hampshires primary, is Oct. 27. Other states' deadlines start rolling in soon after, with Alabama and Arkansas requiring candidates to collect signatures from voters and file their candidacy days after this Novembers election.

His former top campaign strategists are also currently working on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign, though Rexrode and others working for Youngkin's PAC have years of national political experience.

People in Trump's orbit have been publicly dismissive of a potential Youngkin candidacy and are quick to lump his potential late entry in with some of the supposed Trump alternatives already in the race, including other prominent officeholders such as DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Asked for comment, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung responded: That must really suck for Ron DeSantis.

Republican and independent voters around the country who spoke with the AP also voiced skepticism about Youngkin's potential impact on the race.

Renate Plitzko, an independent voter from Dover, New Hampshire, said shes looking for a candidate who can boost the economy. She said Youngkin should get in if he wants to.

But is she familiar with him?

No, not at all, she said Friday at a New Hampshire Republican Party summit.

Several other voters there said they were familiar with Youngkin and praised the job hes done but said he shouldnt run.

In Virginia, Republican voters and legislators praised his performance as governor so far, but many said they want Youngkin to finish the job he signed up for.

It's too soon for him, said Margaret Garland, a 77-year-old Trump supporter, in an interview at an early voting site in Stafford County. "Let him get some more experience as governor.

But Hobbs, the childhood friend and a self-described moderate, said he's more convinced than ever that a divided country needs the unity and fresh leadership he thinks Youngkin could offer. Hobbs, who planned to attend the retreat, said he's overextended himself trying to push Youngkin in, but thinks the governor has given it real thought.

Ultimately, though, he isn't sure what Youngkin will do.

Will he announce?" Hobbs said. I have no idea.

___

Price reported from New York. AP writers Matthew Barakat in Stafford County and Holly Ramer in Nashua, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.
The U.S. has delivered all the previously pledged 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command's spokesperson Martin O'Donnell told the Voice of America.

The Ukrainian soldiers who trained on Abrams with U.S. troops in Germany have also returned to Ukraine, along with ammunition and spare tank parts, according to O'Donnell.

"We have lived up to our end of the bargain. From this point forward, it is up to them (Ukraine) to determine when and where they will deliver this capability," the U.S. military official said, as cited by the Voice of America.

"I think Ukraine will be deliberate in when and where they use it. The Abrams tank is one hell of an armored vehicle, but it's not a silver bullet. Ultimately, it's Ukraine's determination to break through that matters most."

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Read also: What will it take for Ukraine to maintain and operate the M1 Abrams?

On Sept. 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the first U.S.-made Abrams tanks had arrived in Ukraine. He didn't specify how many vehicles had been delivered in the first batch.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced the decision to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, a force equivalent to one Ukrainian battalion, to Ukraine in January, just as other Western partners pledged their own advanced armor, such as Leopard 2 or Challenger 2 tanks.

The tanks, which offer greater mobility and firepower than Soviet battle tanks, are expected to support Ukraine's defensive and offensive efforts.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Donald Trump got into a lot of trouble the other day, and rightly, for calling Hezbollah and other Islamist terrorists very smart. As ever, he could have chosen his words more carefully, but he had a point.

In the perverse cowardly world of the professional terrorist, these Iranian-backed and trained groups know how to shock and how to wring the maximum emotional harm from their victims. They are expert propagandists, and liars. They are adept at creating fake news and false flag incidents. They know how to project themselves across global media. Hamas pretend that their prisoners are guests who would be released when circumstances allow. They do not mention how their families were slaughtered in front of them.

We know now that one British teenager who went missing after Hamass attack on southern Israel was murdered, named Yahel, 13 (her surname is being withheld). Her British-born mother Lianne was murdered in the raid, and Yahels sister Noiya, 16, and Israeli father Eli are still missing. Hamas are not gentle, generous hosts seeking the best for their fellow human beings. They are cynical monsters, and in their public statements they do not disclose that they think nothing of disposing of their captives. They are there to be used. And so the hostage videos begin

The thing about hostage videos is that for all their captors efforts to make out that they are being well treated, the desperation in their eyes always shows through the clumsy propagandist scripts. We cannot know what theyre thinking, except that they are frightened. So it is with the first of the latest Hamas videos.

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A young woman, whose injured arm is shown being treated by an unidentified medical worker, identifies herself as 21-year-old Mia Schem and pleads to be returned to her family as quickly as possible. The power of one individual in such a plight can exceed any number of statistics about civilians whove died in bombings or being forced out of their homes. It is someone looking directly at you for help and the normal human response is to want to find a way to help.

Its a temptation that leaders should steel themselves against. Cauterising ones feelings in this way is itself painful, and its difficult to tell families and people the truth about hostage-taking, but that truth is eternal; you cannot bargain with terrorists.

Offering concessions to hostage takers merely encourages them to take more hostages, because they become currency, useful bargaining chips for their campaign. When one ransom is paid  a prisoner exchange, money or other concessions  then the value, ie the price, of a hostage is set. They naturally become a media focus in the way that the routine victims of war do not, and the public pressure to negotiate is often impossible to resist.

It rests on a fallacy that there may be some humanitarian act that does no harm but can yet secure the return of someone with perhaps their whole life ahead of them. But then the terrorists come back for more. In the Middle East its been commonplace  think of the American embassy staff in Tehran detained at the pleasure of the ayatollahs, or a Terry Waite, basically chained to a radiator in Lebanon for years. Large groups of foreign nationals were used by Saddam Hussein in an attempt to avert attacks in the first Gulf war.

Certainly, intermediaries and envoys, semi-official, such as Waite was himself, can go and beg the terrorists and the dictators to let people go for humanitarian reasons, or for trivial concessions; but any serious trading over strategic interests must be counterproductive, and the long history of hostage taking shows this to be so.

Arguably, the UK ought not to have been perceived to have unfrozen monies owed to Iran in exchange for the return of Nazanin Zaghari-Radcliffe. Her case, and that of her fellow captors, highlights just how powerful public opinion can be in a democracy, and how it can force the hand of governments. In the end her release was an elegant manoeuvre, because the monies were plainly owed to the government of Iran, but there must be a nagging doubt about the lessons that Tehran and its allies draw from such exercises. Of course, for Hamas, public opinion is not a concept that they recognise in their own domain, despite their acute understanding of how it works in free societies.

As the videos are gradually released, they will add to the pressures on Western leaders and, in turn, on Israel. They will make us weep, and, if things go as badly as they might, they may horrify and terrify us too.

The mainstream media has chosen not to show them in any detail, but there existence is known, and freely available online. The modern terrorist  Islamic State being the grotesque pioneers  also understands the power of largely unpoliced social media, and so footage of the captives gains a rapid and wide circulation, and one that sometimes can exaggerate support for the likes of Hamas. Its offensive and it erodes our morale, but there seems no real possibility of taking this stuff down.

New techniques, then, but the eternal truth remains: terrorists are not people you should do business with, with the single exception that it is OK to talk if they seek peace. That is not the case with Hamas, which less a resistance movement and more of an army set upon a war of aggression against its neighbour  an evil mission to kill Jews and destroy the state of Israel.

The hostage videos quite deliberately are there to distract us from that essential, foundational truth about the conflict. We cannot afford to encourage them. How many more hostages do we want Hamas to kidnap in the coming weeks?
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday the recovery of more than $2 million from nearly three dozen debt adjusters who preyed on student borrowers, according to a media release.

According to Fergusons office, the debt adjusters unlawfully charged tens of thousands of dollars in excessive fees to thousands of students in Washington.

In 2023, Fergusons office sued three out-of-state debt adjusters, who are now required to fully reimburse 495 students $359,832.

In total his office has helped 2,652 Washington students help with 35 debt adjusters, resulting in payments averaging nearly $800 per student.

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It is a chaotic time for millions of borrowers as student loan repayments resume after more than three years, Ferguson said. My office is committed to protecting Washingtonians from companies that take advantage of consumers who are simply trying to manage their debt.

If you feel you were charged a fee more than what is allowed under the law, submit a complaint to the Attorney Generals Office Consumer Protection Division.












Has the circus pitched its tent at Coral Gables City Hall? Its sure felt that way recently. Angry voices, decorum out the window, attacks from the public and between commissioners seated on the dais.

Bad blood spilling everywhere.

The setting is Coral Gables, but the atmosphere is starting to feel like Miami. Its undoubtedly a new chapter in the usually staid politics of the City Beautiful.

Insults and accusations

During a four-hour Coral Gables Commission meeting last week, everything flew: insults, accusations, threats, a request for the commission to call the FBI and an invitation for the mayor to take a lie detector test  and more.

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It all ended with the commissions censure of Mayor Vince Lago, who was also accused of making an antisemitic remark at the meeting for referring to Miami activist Billy Corben as Mr. Cohen  an offensive dog-whistle pointing out that Corben is Jewish.

What did you call me? Corben demanded of Lago, sitting on the dais. Mr. Cohen, Lago repeated without batting an eye. You might as well have called me a Jew! Corben shot back from the speakers podium.

Corben is the stage name used by Cohen, who was once a child actor. He is a local documentary maker, activist and podcaster.

Corben had a similar back-and-forth about his name last year with Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo. Unfortunately, heated exchange in the Gables took place days after Hamas attacked Israel, when tensions are high and sensitivity must be practiced, which Lago failed to do.

It came at the end of a testy exchange where Corben blamed Lago for bringing Miami-style politics to the Gables, criticizing him for what he called pay for play politics, pushing the annexation of the High Pines/Ponce-Davis neighborhoods to bring more development into the city and bullying commissioners who voted to give themselves 78% raises, a 71% salary increase for the vice mayor and a 54% salary increase and car allowance for the mayor.

Opposed raises

Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson had posed strong objections to the raises, maybe too strong on Lagos part. It was a fiscally responsible stance, but several commissioners were livid at Lago for criticizing their raises on Spanish-language radio.

Lago said on air that his colleagues were unprepared for office, they reached into residents pockets and they live off their wives, a rather sexist reference.

Bring out the popcorn  and I say that in jest, Javier Banos, an attorney and long-time city activist who unsuccessfully ran for the commission, told the Editorial Board.

Last month, Banos launched the Gables Insider, a newsletter where he promises to monitor the growing drama at City Hall. It seems hell have plenty of fodder.

In 2021, when the Editorial Board made recommendations in the city elections, a recurring theme was keeping the specter of Miami-style politics out of the Gables, as several candidates had ties to the city. For example, Lago and Miamis Mayor Francis Suarez are childhood friends.

Last weeks meeting ended with the commission formally censuring Lago and giving him a collective piece of their mind.

This is absolute anarchy here, Lago told the Miami Herald after the commission publicly rebuked him. He called out the crazy, not us.

The censure of Lago was the latest development in the shifting power dynamics on the City Commission, where Lago once had little resistance and found unanimous votes for his initiatives.

Now, Lago only has Andersons vote on the dais. The shift began in April when Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez defeated two candidates who had the mayors endorsement. Lago now seems to have lost the support of Kirk Menendez, who is said to be unhappy with the mayors criticism of the raises. Menendez, Fernandez and Castro voted for the raises and also rejected Lagos push to move city elections to November.

Its now Lago against three commissioners of the four commissioners.

Coral Gables leaders are resembling Miamis in other ways, too, some possibly running afoul of ethics mandates.

Like Miamis Suarez, Lago did business with embattled developer Rishi Kapoor, who rented space from Lago while pushing to build a Gables high-rise. Lago denies any wrongdoing.

On Saturday, the Miami Herald reported that Commissioner Castro, whose business helps clients secure building permits, should no longer accept work within the city, according to a draft opinion from the Miami-Dades Ethics Commission.

She sought the opinion. Its hard to believe the commissioner expected any other answer.

But Banos is convinced the chaos in Coral Gables are just temporary.

We are a city known for our collegiality and congeniality, he said.

We hope so. The people of Coral Gables should expect far better, especially from such handsomely paid city commissioners.
More than six years after sailor fatigue was found to have played a role in the fatal Fitzgerald and John S. McCain destroyer collisions, the Navys surface fleet is still struggling to ensure that crews get adequate rest, according to a government watchdog report released last week.

The Government Accountability Office report found that the sea service has implemented some reforms, but other steps have not been taken.

Sailors reported manning shortfalls and uncomfortable berthing mattresses as main contributors to their fatigue in an internal Navy survey last year, according to the GAO report.

However, the accountability office reports the Navy has conveyed no plans to fix either of those issues in the near future.

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While sailors have reported how uncomfortable mattresses are hindering adequate rest, Navy officials provided few solutions to investigators.

Watchdog: Surface fleet sailors still going without adequate rest

Navy officials told us that this problem does not have a Navy resource sponsor willing to examine it further and mattress improvements across the fleet, the GAO report states. Officials added that they have received approval to replace mattresses every three years instead of every five years to help improve conditions, but the discomfort issue remains.

When a ship isnt properly manned, everyone has more work to do and less time for sleep. The Navy has routinely assigned fewer sailors to ships than its own workload studies indicate are needed to safely operate the vessels, according to the GAO.

The watchdog cited Navy officials saying the service is developing a 15-year plan to reverse enduring personnel shortfalls and to fully crew the fleet.

But the GAO report warns that until the Navy adequately mans its surface fleet with qualified sailors, personnel shortfalls will likely continue to be a leading factor causing inadequate sleep and sailor fatigue.

A lack of sleep isnt just a quality-of-life issue. The Navys own studies have found that sailors ability to safely do their jobs decreases with less rest, and that lack of consistent sleep can lead to a sort of on-duty drunken stupor.

Sailor fatigue poses a considerable risk to the safe and effective operation of Navy ships, a 2021 GAO report on the issue warned.

Naval Surface Forces said in a statement that, on average, the surface fleet has 14 more sailors per ship than it did in the summer of 2017, when the Fitzgerald and John S. McCain mishaps killed 17 sailors.

The operational tempo and demands of the Surface Force will continue to remain high, the command said. The readiness and wellness of our sailors remain our top priority and we are actively addressing challenges with sailor fatigue through a variety of measures ranging from force manning to technological applications that help manage crew rest and optimize human performance.

The GAO also reported that the Navy has not accounted for the additional sailor workload that comes with the continued rollout of the Ready Relevant Learning training initiative, which is changing how and when sailors learn at different points throughout their careers.

Navy masking extent of manning shortfalls in the surface fleet, watchdog agency says

To date, the Navy has also failed to fund the expansion of two pilot programs that were used to help underway commanders make decisions and monitor sailor fatigue, the GAO report states.

At the same time, the GAO reports the Navy has made progress on several other fatigue-related fronts.

It now requires systematic collection of sailor fatigue data and has revised guidance for reporting crew sizes.

The sea service has also established risk-based crewing targets and used crew requirements to forecast future personnel needs, according to GAO.

Still, the challenges of sailor fatigue, and the dangers of a dozing sailor, remain in the surface fleet.

In March, the Navy reported to Congress that sailors continued to fall short of required sleep hours, with the surface fleet averaging roughly five hours and 15 minutes a day, below the goal of giving sailors at least seven-and-a-half hours to sleep per day, according to the watchdog report.

Fully implementing GAOs recommendations will help the Navy address these obstacles, the GAO report states.

The GAO first examined the Navys fatigue management policies in May 2021 and found such policies were inconsistently applied and that just 14 percent of officers reported getting adequate sleep.

The Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act required the Navy to implement the GAOs recommendations.

But to date, three of the eight recommendations were partially implemented, while another directing the service to take actions to address the factors causing sailor fatigue and inadequate sleep has not been implemented at all, according to the GAO.

The Navys report to Congress on sailor fatigue earlier this year noted that most surface force ships had implemented fatigue and endurance management aboard ships and were factoring fatigue and crew endurance into risk management, with Go/No Go criteria implemented.

That Congressional report also noted that fatigue and endurance management training had been incorporated at all levels of Navy leadership training.

But officials could not provide documentation to confirm that these reforms had actually happened, the GAO report states.

Because the Navys report to Congress states it has met its goals, the report did not include timeframes for doing so, according to the GAO.

The Navys report to Congress stated that engineering and combat systems departments have particularly struggled with fixing fatigue issues because those departments have greater shortages of qualified sailors, which leads to manning shortages and everyone doing more work and getting less sleep, according to the GAO.

Smaller ships, such as mine countermeasures vessels, also struggle more with fatigue due to smaller crew sizes.
Israeli forces take position amid clashes with Palestinian protesters at the northern entrance of Ramallah city, near the Beit El Israeli settlement, in the occupied West Bank on October 16, 2023 (Jaafar ASHTIYEH)

Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza has stoked fear in the occupied West Bank, where dozens of Palestinians have been killed and residents say they now live in terror of more reprisal attacks by Jewish settlers.

The army battling Hamas after the Islamist group's bloody October 7 attack on Israel has also hunted the group's members in the West Bank, making hundreds of arrests.

Thousands of Palestinians have meanwhile rallied in solidarity with besieged and bombarded Gaza, and stone-throwing youths have burned tyres in clashes with Israeli forces.

As Israel has vowed to destroy Gaza's Hamas rulers, many Palestinians living in the West Bank say they feel in more danger than ever -- both from Israeli settlers and the soldiers who protect them.

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"Soldiers and settlers are now quick to open fire in revenge for what's happening in Gaza," said Faraj Beitaoui from Beita, a northern village where two people have been killed this month.

Zeid al-Chouaibi, from Palestinian rights group Al-Haq, said the tense recent days had seen the "looting of shops, threatening graffiti from settlers, attempted attacks on villages, and the murders".

About three million Palestinians live across the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict.

Scattered throughout are Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law but home to 490,000 Israelis.

Since the Gaza war broke out, settler attacks against Palestinians have more than doubled, from an average of three to eight incidents a day, according to the UN humanitarian agency OCHA.

- Deadliest year since 2005 -

Before the Gaza war, the West Bank was already torn by its deadliest upsurge of violence since at least 2005 according to the UN, marked especially by months of frequent pre-dawn Israeli army raids.

The hardline nationalist government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which includes far-right settlers, had vowed to crack down on Palestinian militant groups across the territory.

That violence has now been overshadowed by the bloody carnage of October 7 which brought the worst attack on Israel in the country's 75-year history, and the devastating bombing campaign on Gaza that followed.

Israel was left grieving and enraged by the Hamas attack in which gunmen surged out of Gaza, leaving mutilated and burnt corpses scattered across highways, towns and kibbutzim.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel since October 7.

Israel's response has been to level entire city blocks in Gaza where around 3,000 have been killed.

The population in the long-blockaded coastal territory has endured mass displacement while water, food and power have been cut off.

Worse may yet lie ahead as Israel has threatened to "crush" Hamas in a possible ground invasion of Gaza and seeks to rescue at least 199 hostages taken to the enclave.

Western powers that designate Hamas as a "terrorist" group have sought out the West Bank-based Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, 87, in efforts to prevent a wider Middle East conflagration.

- 'Afraid of settler attacks' -

While the world's attention has been focused on Gaza, the rage and violence has spilled into the West Bank.

At least 61 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,250 wounded since, according to the territory's health ministry.

Most were shot dead by Israeli forces, others killed by settlers according to Palestinian health officials. Thousands of mourners have turned out for their funerals.

Israeli forces have detained some 700 Palestinians in the West Bank, mostly Hamas members, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club advocacy group.

Among them are dozens of Gazans who were working legally in Israel when the war broke out and took refuge in the West Bank, according to the group.

Amid the heightened tensions, Palestinians have been out on patrol each night in Deir Jarir village near Ramallah.

"There's a group where we exchange information and where we keep one another informed of settler movements," said Haidar Makho, a 52-year-old resident.

In nearby Qusra village, settlers killed five Palestinians last week, the health ministry said.

Most shops are now shuttered in Huwara, a northern West Bank town which has been the scene of Palestinian attacks on Israelis and reprisals by settlers.

The town's mayor, Moin Dmidi, voiced fear of worse ahead. "We're all afraid of new settler attacks after what happened in Gaza."

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The White House is going after former President Donald Trump 's response to the Israel-Hamas war, characterizing his call for an expanded travel ban "revolting and dangerous."

"It is revolting and dangerous to tear people apart right now with cruel poison that undermines our basic values as Americans," White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement to NBC News. "And no one who praises Iran-backed terrorist groups has any credibility when it comes to protecting our national security from terrorist threats."

Biden, and his White House, have been increasingly willing in recent weeks to engage with Trump, who remains far and away the front-runner in the polls in the Republican presidential race.

On Monday, Trump called for a new  and more expansive  ban on immigrants from certain countries, and for the first time, he included Gaza.

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As a candidate in 2015, Trump proposed a total "shutdown" on Muslims entering the U.S. As president, he tried to enact a sweeping executive order, which was eventually limited to five Muslim-majority countries, along with North Korea and Venezuela.

Biden then rescinded that ban when he took office.

"Following the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel, President Biden has been unequivocal: There is no place for hate in America  not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anyone. On his very first day in office, President Biden was proud to rescind the hateful Muslim travel ban instituted by his predecessor, which violates core Americans principles," Bates said, adding, "After the terrorist atrocities in Israel and after heartbreaking murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian American child this week  a 6-year-old child  this is a moment when all leaders need to come together against hate; against Islamophobia, against antisemitism."

Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said it was "incorrect to call it a Muslim ban" and it showed "how stupid the Biden people are. Truly moronic."

Trump has faced significant criticism  including from within his own party  for his initial response to the Hamas attacks on Israel. He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and praised Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based group designated by the U.S. as a terrorist group, as being very smart.

Since then, Trump has chosen a different approach, being sure to emphasize that he stands with Israel and supports a harsh approach toward Hamas and anyone who might have a whiff of support for Hamas.

On Monday, Trump also said he would proactively send immigration agents to pro-jihadist demonstrations in the U.S. to remove noncitizens and implement strong ideological screening of all immigrants, which would include a persons rejection of Hamas.

Bates said immigrants already undergo extensive vetting.

"There is strict national security vetting to determine whether individuals coming from anywhere in the world have ties to terrorist organizations," he said, adding that "no one who praises Iran-backed terrorist groups has any credibility when it comes to protecting our national security from terrorist threats.

The Trump campaign did not return a request for comment.

Within the Republican field, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has fought to outflank Trump on the right on Israel, first calling for a ban on refugees from Gaza and baselessly claiming that Palestinians are "all antisemitic." On Tuesday, he also said he opposed sending any humanitarian aid to Gaza.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Hong Kong: CE speaks at Belt-Road Forum

Chief Executive John Lee led a high-level Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation to attend the CEO Conference of the third Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing today, where he also delivered a speech at the conference's plenary meeting.

Jointly organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the State Council's State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission and the All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce, the CEO Conference was attended by over 1,200 government and business leaders as well as eminent representatives from the business, trade and professional sectors from Belt & Road countries and regions, to share their insights on contributing to the high-quality development of the Belt & Road in achieving common development and prosperity.

Speaking at the conference, Mr Lee said that the number of regional headquarters set up in Hong Kong by Belt & Road counterparts between 2017 and 2022 had doubled from 83 to 168, representing a growth of more than 15% per annum on average.

Hong Kong's direct investment in Belt & Road countries up to 2021 had also increased 70% from US$70 billion to US$120 billion, featuring an average annual growth of nearly 15%.

The total remittance of renminbi for cross-border trade settlement had more than doubled from RMB3.9 trillion to RMB9.3 trillion, registering a growth of over 18% per annum on average.

The Chief Executive pointed out that these figures eminently reflect the immense growth potential of the Belt & Road countries as well as the role of Hong Kong as a participant, facilitator and beneficiary of the Belt & Road Initiative.

Looking ahead, Mr Lee pledged that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to proactively integrate into the overall development of the country and live out the Silk Road's spirit of win-win co-operation by working hand in hand with Belt & Road countries and enterprises to pursue development and share the fruits of success.

At the conference, three projects on investment and technical co-operation involving Hong Kong enterprises totaling more than US$450 million were included in the project signing ceremony.

A total of 44 Hong Kong delegates attended the conference this time, an increase of one-third compared to the previous event, reflecting the significant role of Hong Kong as the functional platform for the Belt & Road Initiative. Amongst them are a number of young entrepreneurs and professionals who will be providing the future impetus of development under the new chapter of the Belt & Road.

In the evening, the Chief Executive attended a welcoming banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping for guests attending the third Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Mr Lee and Financial Secretary Paul Chan will attend the forum's opening ceremony tomorrow morning.

This story has been published on: 2023-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Network formed under BRI to help tackle language barriers

08:08, October 17, 2023 By Li Lei ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Participants of the 2023 Belt and Road Forum for Language and Culture Collaboration pose for a group photo on Monday in Beijing after the inaugural meeting of the Belt and Road Languages and Cultures Network. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin / China Daily]

Forum: Language seen as key to cooperation

Language educators from more than 50 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative formed a network on Monday in Beijing to help remove language barriers and address cultural misunderstandings.

The initiative was proposed by China 10 years ago in a tribute to the ancient Silk Road trade route, which stretched from China to Europe. Its reach has since expanded, encompassing regions that use about 60 different languages.

Zhai Dongsheng, director-general of the Belt and Road Center of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that language is the basis of communication and cooperation, and inaccurate translations can result in negotiation hurdles and diplomatic misunderstandings.

"The BRI participants are scattered across a wide range of areas where different languages are spoken and different traditions practiced," he said at the 2023 Belt and Road Forum for Language and Culture Collaboration.

The forum served as the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Belt and Road Languages and Cultures Network. According to its charter, the network is a nongovernmental organization tasked with bolstering language education and promoting linguistic connectivity among BRI participants.

Zhai said a group of talented people with global vision, a good understanding of international rules and a good command of foreign languages was needed to advance BRI-related cooperation.

He said he hoped the network  whose members include universities and research institutions in language education and cultural exchange  could help train more talent and overcome invisible barriers.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting, Vice-Minister of Education Wang Guangyan said the Chinese language has helped promote and facilitate cross-cultural communications. Chinese is taught in more than 180 nations and regions and is part of school curriculums in several countries, he said.

Wang said the education ministry supports the establishment of Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms in Belt and Road countries, and encourages them to include the Chinese language in their national education systems.

The language network was inaugurated in the run-up to the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, a two-day event that will open in Beijing on Tuesday.

China Daily, the country's flagship English-language newspaper, is the chair of the network's inaugural council, responsible for convening council meetings and coordinating major activities. The network's secretariat is located in China Daily Media Group's language-education branch, 21st Century English Education.

Addressing Monday's inaugural meeting, Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said the BRI's reach has spread to Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and the Americas over the past decade, and it has been hailed by countries that were once cradles of various civilizations.

"This demonstrates the openness of the BRI and the respect the BRI has shown to different human civilizations," he said.

Qu said the network will encourage its member organizations to make the most of their strengths in language and cultural exchanges, carry out related research, boost people-to-people exchanges under the framework of the BRI, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Luo Xuanmin, president of the China Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese and a professor at Tsinghua University, said that language is the foundation for achieving the BRI's five cooperation priorities  policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds.

Luo called for more attention to be paid to lesser-known languages, especially those used in some Asian and African countries. He also underscored the need to respect and understand foreign cultures, oppose and resist cultural hegemony, and safeguard linguistic and cultural diversity.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Franklin Jacome/Getty Images)

Daniel Noboa, a banana fortune heir, has won Ecuador's presidential runoff against rival Luisa Gonzalez, who could have become the country's first female leader.

Ecuador's banana fortune heir Daniel Noboa has won the country's elections following a tight race as the region struggles with various issues, including crime and the economy.

Residents of the country weighed pledges to improve the economy and control a spiraling security situation when they went to vote for a president. Noboa's rival in the race was a leftist who could have become the nation's first female leader, Luisia Gonzalez.

Ecuador's Presidential Election

The top concerns among voters coming into the race largely focused on the country's economy, which has continued to struggle since the coronavirus pandemic. Another factor that they are worried about is rising crime, including the rise in the number of murders, robberies, and prison riots.

The violence across the country, which the outgoing government has blamed on drug gangs, has reached a peak during the campaign with the murder of anti-corruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio. He was fatally shot while leaving a Quito campaign event in August, as per Aljazeera.

The 35-year-old banana fortune heir had a lead in recent polling but 45-year-old Gonalez, a former lawmaker, was able to win 34% of the vote in the first round. When she voted on Sunday in Canuto, she said that they were confident that the people of Ecuador would vote with memory and heart.

She said that she would work on bringing back the popular social spending that characterized former President Rafael Correa's decade in power if she won. She pledged free medicine, increased worker protections, and direct aid to people who need it.

Additionally, the former lawmaker promised to use $2.5 billion from international reserves to shore up the country's tattered economy. A Gonzalez voter, 43-year-old Erika Granja, said that the nation currently does not have social or economic stability, causing her to worry about the future of her children.

Read Also: New Zealand Election 2023: Conservative Christopher Luxon Becomes PM

Daniel Noboa's Victory

But it was ultimately Noboa who edged out a win in the presidential runoff election on Sunday after securing 52.2% of the votes and Gonzalez only having 47.8%. The latter later conceded defeat during a speech before supporters and said that she plans to call the winner to congratulate him, according to the Associated Press.

The rising drug trafficking-related violence in the country has left residents wondering when, and not if, they will become victims. This uneasiness has led to people continuously being wary of their surroundings and even limiting how often they leave their homes.

noboa 's term will only run through May 2025, because that is only what remains of the tenure of President Guillermo Lasso. The latter cut his term short after dissolving the nation's National Assembly in May after lawmakers carried out impeachment proceedings against him over alleged improprieties in a contract by a state-owned company.

In a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Noboa said that the country has made history following the vote. He noted that Ecuadorian families chose the new Ecuador as well as a country with security and employment.

The business tycoon added that electoral promises would not simply remain in the campaign and argued that he would work on addressing corruption within politics, said The Guardian.

Related Article: Polish Opposition Set To Win Election, Potentially Shifting Political Landscape

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On Tuesday 17 October, the White House officially confirmed that Ukraine recently received long-range ATACMS missiles in a modification that has a range of 165 kilometres.

Source: comment by Adrienne Watson, representative of the US National Security Council, cited by European Pravda

Details: It is noted that the United States recently gave Ukraine a type of ATACMS that boasts an effective range of 165 kilometres.

Quote: Watson stated that the US believes this will provide a significant strengthening of Ukraine's capabilities on the battlefield without putting their own combat readiness at risk.

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She did not specify exactly how many missiles were provided or when the United States sent them to Ukraine. Nor did the official comment on their use at airfields in Luhansk and Berdiansk, both of which are temporarily occupied by Russia.

During his evening address on Tuesday 17 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed that Ukrainian forces had used American ATACMS long-range missiles.

Ukraine has been asking the United States for long-range weapons for months in order to hit Russian forces in the rear, but Washington has refused because of fears of escalation by the Russian Federation and a shortage of these missiles for the American military.

Britain and France, however, provided Kyiv with their own long-range Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles in the summer, which Ukrainian forces have used effectively in the temporarily occupied territories, in particular Crimea.

According to Politico, the White House made the final decision to provide ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine in late August, and sent them as part of a military aid package announced on 21 September.

At the same time, the United States announced a package of military assistance to Ukraine in which long-range missiles appeared as cluster munitions.

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The White House on Tuesday took aim at former President Trump after he vowed to impose an expanded travel ban on Muslim-majority countries and implement ideological screenings for immigrants in the wake of Hamass recent terrorist attacks against Israel.

After the terrorist atrocities in Israel and after the heartbreaking murder of a 6 year old Palestinian American child this week  a 6 year old child  this is a moment when all leaders need to come together against hate; against Islamophobia, against antisemitism, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement.

It is revolting and dangerous to tear people apart right now with cruel poison that undermines our basic values as Americans, Bates added. And no one who praises Iran-backed terrorist groups has any credibility when it comes to protecting our national security from terrorist threats.

Trump was in Iowa for campaign events Monday, where he addressed the violence playing out in the Middle East in the wake of Hamas terrorist attacks that left more than 1,000 Israelis dead and has sparked fears of a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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Trump reiterated his intention to reimpose a travel ban that targeted several majority-Muslim countries that went into effect while he was in office after facing several court challenges. The ban was rescinded once President Biden took office.

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We arent bringing in anyone from Gaza or Syria or Somalia or Yemen, or Libya, or anywhere else that threatens our security, Trump said in Iowa, adding that his administration would implement strong ideological screening for all immigrants to the United States and seek to bar those who empathize with radical Islamic terrorists from residing in the country.

Bates said Tuesday that Biden was proud to rescind the hateful Muslim travel ban put in place by Trump.

On the matter of ideological screenings, Bates said there is strict national security vetting to determine whether individuals coming from anywhere in the world have ties to terrorist organizations.

The White House and Bidens reelection campaign have been quick to hit back at Trump, who is the front-runner for the GOPs 2024 nomination, over his response to the violence in Israel.

Biden aides have seized on Trumps comments that Hezbollah, a terrorist group, is very smart and the former presidents criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of the terrorist attacks against the Jewish state earlier this month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The U.S. has provided Ukraine with Army Tactical Missiles Systems (ATACMS), the White House confirmed on Oct. 17, after the Ukrainian military said it had used them for the first time on the battlefield.

"We believe these ATACMS will provide a significant boost to Ukraine's battlefield capabilities without risking our (US) military readiness," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

According to Watson, the ATACMS sent to Ukraine have a range of 165 kilometers. Newer variations of ATACMS have a maximum range of around 300 kilometers.

Watson neither specified the exact number of ATACMS provided to Ukraine nor when the U.S. transferred them.

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She also made no reference to their recent use by the Ukrainian military to target Russian airfields in occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk, which marked the first time they have been used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

However, according to Politico, the White House reportedly made the final decision to transfer ATACMS to Ukraine in August, and the weapons were secretly part of a military aid package for Ukraine announced on Sept. 21.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and then-Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley were reportedly hesitant about sending the ATACMS to Ukraine, due to concerns that the U.S. did not currently possess a large enough stockpile should another conflict erupt somewhere else.

The medium-range variant that the U.S. ended up sending, the older Anti-Personnel/Anti-Material (APAM), was considered a compromise that would increase Ukraine's striking ability without compromising U.S. stockpiles of newer ATACMS.

Despite the shorter range, the APAM variant will be able to strike the numerous Russian armor and munitions depots, command and control centers, and logistics that are massed close behind the front lines.

The first battlefield usage of ATACMS on Oct. 17 did precisely this, reportedly destroying nine helicopters, an air defense system, an ammunition warehouse, and other airfield infrastructure.

Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi shared a video earlier on Oct. 17 showing the ATACMS being launched in Ukraine.

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In his evening address on Oct. 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed that the Ukrainian military used U.S.-provided ATACMS on the battlefield.

Debates and premature announcements about the U.S.' delivery of ATACMS to Ukraine have been regularly reported for months, but no official date was ever announced.

Their delivery was deliberately kept secret, unnamed officials told CNN earlier on Oct. 17, because they were concerned that Russian forces would move equipment out of the missile's range if they knew when they would arrive.

Washington has repeatedly resisted sending ATACMS to Ukraine, citing the fear of escalation and the U.S. military's alleged shortage of such weapons.

Meanwhile, the U.K. and France provided Ukraine with their own Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles, respectively.

Read also: US will reportedly give ATACMS to Ukraine. Will it change the war?

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The White House is walking a careful line as it seeks to balance support for Israel in the aftermath of Hamass terrorist attacks with concerns about the humanitarian fallout in Gaza.

President Biden and top administration officials have publicly backed Israels right to defend itself and to respond with force after more than a thousand Israelis died in an assault launched 10 days ago by the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. At the same time, the White House has said Israel must abide by the laws of war.

But as Israel prepares for a ground offensive, world leaders have raised alarms about conditions in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, thousands of people have been displaced, and access to food, water and medical supplies has been strained. With a military operation, civilians may be trapped in the crossfire.

Israel is going after a group of people who have engaged in barbarism that is as consequential as the Holocaust. And so I think Israel has to respond, Biden said in a 60 Minutes interview that aired Sunday.

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They have to go after Hamas. Hamas is a bunch of cowards, Biden continued, adding he believes the Israelis are gonna do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians.

Experts said public support for Israel is likely balanced by private conversations that express a need to be deliberate.

Amid their staunch and vocal support for Jerusalem, Biden administration officials appear reluctant to suggest any type of red lines for Israeli forces.

Im not here to draw red lines or issue warnings or give lectures to anybody, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said last Tuesday.

Last Wednesday, John Kirby, a White House spokesperson on national security issues, broadly told reporters that nobody wants to see any more innocent life lost but emphasized that Hamas put civilians in danger and does not abide by the rules of armed conflict.

While the administration was quick to reposition American military assets in the region and provide munitions and Iron Dome interceptors to Israel, Biden and some of his top officials have been more outspoken in recent days about their desire for Israeli leaders to minimize the impact on civilians.

The president told a group of Jewish leaders at the White House last Wednesday that he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu it was important that Israel operate by the rules of war. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin echoed this in a Saturday call with his Israel counterpart, along with reiterating the importance of protecting civilians.

In the 60 Minutes interview, which was recorded Friday, Biden said an Israeli occupation of Gaza would be a mistake, even as he suggested Hamas should be eliminated.

Experts said the Biden administration was likely focused on communicating its message to Israeli leaders privately while publicly projecting unwavering support in an effort to build trust in the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attacks.

I think the Biden administrations strong instinct, led by the president, is if you want to have influence with the Israelis, there are some rules, said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

One is you have to show them empathy early, he added. So what weve seen out of the Biden administration is the president, in particular, trying to keep Benjamin Netanyahu very close, with the purpose that when you need to have influence down the road you need to have that foundation of trust.

The downside of that approach, Alterman said, is that the U.S. may face criticism from lawmakers and humanitarian groups who are pushing for a cease-fire or stronger warnings against Israel.

Human Rights Watch in recent days raised concerns about the use of white phosphorus in military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, which the group said put civilians and structures at serious risk because of its high flammability.

A group of 13 progressive lawmakers announced a resolution Monday urging the Biden administration to call for an immediate cease-fire and to send humanitarian aid to Gaza.

And United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Sunday that the Middle East was on the verge of the abyss and stressed that Hamas must release the dozens of people it is holding hostage and that aid must be allowed into Gaza unimpeded.

Retired Gen. David Petraeus told CBS News on Monday that Israeli leadership must have a plan beyond its initial offensive against Hamas, warning of the potential for a drawn out conflict in the Middle East.

Its just really, really hard, Petraeus said. I mean, they dont want to reoccupy, but if you dont reoccupy, Hamas will reconstitute, and they know that, and so youre going to go to enormous loss, casualties, the Israelis, civilians, of course, Hamas fighters, terrorists, and then youre just going to leave? So I am sure they are searching for that answer.

Seth Jones, director of the International Security Program at CSIS, said the intensity of U.S. calls for restraint may depend on questions that will be answered in the coming weeks, such as how far the conflict spreads and how high the casualties mount.

This war is likely to be more significant and brutal, based on whats just happened in Israel, he said. So as we see casualties mount on both sides, including civilians, this will, I think, put pressure on political actors outside of Israel to try to keep those numbers down as much as possible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Aid convoys are waiting on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing

Egypt has long played a role as a mediator in the conflict not just between Israel and the Palestinians, but also between the main Palestinian factions themselves.

It was the first Arab state to make peace with Israel back in 1978 - after fighting several wars with the Jewish state.

Now, the focus is on Egypt's control of one of the two land routes out of the Gaza Strip - the Rafah crossing.

Thousands of Palestinians are waiting on the Gaza side of the border, while hundreds of lorries carrying desperately needed aid are parked up on the Egyptian side. Many more aid convoys are also heading towards the border.

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But there has still been no deal on opening the crossing, which has also reportedly been hit by several Israeli strikes in the past few days.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told the BBC's Newshour programme that from Egypt's perspective, "the Rafah crossing on our side is officially open", but he blamed "aerial bombardments" for making the crossing "inaccessible" and unsafe for aid lorries to cross into Gaza.

But Cairo has kept tight restrictions on movement through the Rafah crossing for many years - to such an extent that many Palestinians have essentially accused Egypt of bolstering Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since Hamas took full power there in 2007.

The restrictions have mostly been about security concerns in North Sinai where the Egyptian authorities have long been involved in a deadly conflict with jihadists linked to Al Qaeda.

But Egypt's apparent reluctance to open the crossing without clear conditions and guarantees may be more about trying to avoid a mass exodus of Palestinians from Gaza.

The UN's humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, says the Egyptian authorities fear a great influx of Gazans - for whom they would then be responsible, for an indefinite period.

In addition, Egypt does not want to play any role in what could amount to a permanent resettlement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza.

It seems prepared to allow foreigners and Palestinians with dual nationality to leave, but it wants this to be dependent on allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza.

A further stumbling block is that Israel seems to want pretty much the opposite - to allow more Palestinians to leave than Egypt is prepared to accept, while limiting the amount of aid that could go in.

Reflecting Egypt's position, Mr Shoukry told the BBC: "It's not a matter of transferring the responsibility to Egypt - it is a matter of maintaining the safety and well-being of Gazans on their own territory."

He has also said the Israeli government has not yet adopted a position that would allow the crossing to be opened.

Diplomatic efforts are intensifying to try to resolve the impasse, as aid agencies warn that the situation in Gaza is edging closer to a humanitarian catastrophe.

More on Israel-Gaza war
Smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

On the morning of October 7, 2023 the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated dramatically. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war in the wake of a large-scale, multifaceted offensive from Hamas. The Israeli government reports that this conflict has led to the loss of at least countless lives within their borders, mostly civilians.

Here is the history of Israel and Hamas

Who is Hamas?

Hamas is a Palestinian political and militant organization that was founded in 1987. It's an acronym that stands for "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya," which translates to "Islamic Resistance Movement." It originally began as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the history of Hamas, its objectives, and its involvement in various conflicts .

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Hamas was formed in 1987 during the First Intifadaan uprising against Israeli occupation in the Palestinian Territories. The organization's founders were Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, and others. All were members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza. During this time, the primary focus of Hamas was to "resist Israeli occupation." Secondly, it aimed to establish an Islamic state in the area that is now Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

A year later, in 1988, Hamas published its founding charter, with its main goal to establish an Islamic state in Palestine and eliminate Israel. The charter also criticized Western influence in the Islamic world and advocated for jihad (holy struggle) as the means to achieve its aims. In the charter, Hamas specifically states, "Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea... The Day of Judgment will not come about until Muslims fight Jews and kill them.

In the early 1990s, following the signing of the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Hamas intensified its attacks against Israeli targets. One of the most controversial tactics that Hamas adopted was the use of suicide bombings. These attacks targeted Israeli civilians and were part of Hamas' strategy to undermine the peace process.

The two wings of Hamas

Hamas has two main wings: the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and the political wing. The Brigades carry out attacks on Israeli targets. These attacks include suicide bombings, rockets, and kidnappings. The political wing handles governance and social welfare. They have ruled the Gaza Strip for nearly 20 years.

In 2006, Hamas participated in the Palestinian legislative elections and secured a surprising victory . This win led to a brief period of shared governance with Fatah, the main Palestinian political party at the time. However, tensions soon escalated, culminating in the 2007 conflict that saw Hamas taking full control of the Gaza Strip.

Various entities have complex relationships with Hamas. Countries like the United States, Israel, and the European Union label Hamas as a terrorist organization. They impose economic sanctions on it. Meanwhile, countries like Iran, Turkey, and Qatar provide it political and financial support.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - OCTOBER 07: People gather in support of the recent attacks on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas at Fatih Mosque on October 07, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a missile attack on Israel today, with fighters simultaneously crossing the border from Gaza. At least 200 people have been killed and thousands wounded, according to officials. Israel has declared a state of war. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)

Public perception of Hamas

Among Palestinians, opinions about Hamas vary. Some see it as a resistance movement fighting for Palestinian independence and against Israeli occupation. However, especially in areas the Palestinian Authority governs, others view Hamas skeptically because of its use of violence and its strict interpretation of Islamic law.

That said, Hamas has played a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its armed activities have led to multiple military confrontations with Israel, including Operations Cast Lead (20082009), Pillar of Defense (2012), Protective Edge (2014), as well as the current war. These conflicts have resulted in substantial loss of life and property on both sides and have often exacerbated already tense relations.

Why is Hamas attacking Israel?

The Hamas-Israel conflict is entrenched in historical, religious and political disputes. The tensions primarily revolve around the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel and the treatment of Palestinian people. Because both entities claim the same territory, Hamas considers Israel an occupying force. Its central goal is to reclaim what they see as their ancestral lands, but through annihilating the Jewish people - every man, woman, and child. This brutality can be seen in such attacks that have left nearly 1,000 civilians dead. Through attacks, Hamas seeks to pressure Israel into making political concessions, such as removing settlements or easing the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. For Hamas, attacking Israel is seen as an act of resistance against an occupier, and they consider it their duty to protect Palestinian rights.

Hamas guerilla warfare

The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam serves as the military wing of Hamas. It plays a key role in the organization's operations.

The group is named after Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, a Syrian preacher. He fought against French and Zionist groups in the early 20th century. The brigades have always focused on armed resistance. They collectively handle military operations like rocket attacks and tunnel digging. They also lead Hamas' military actions, including guerrilla warfare and PSYOPS.

Guerrilla warfare is about using unconventional methods against a better-equipped opponent. It emphasizes mobility, surprise, and endurance. For Hamas, this translates into hit-and-run attacks, ambushes, and the use of IEDs. These methods are chosen for their effectiveness and symbolic value, highlighting the resistance against a more powerful adversary.

On the military front, the unpredictability of guerrilla attacks means the IDF troops need to maintain a constant state of alertness. In urban terrains, where Hamas predominantly operates, every alleyway could hide an ambush, every building might conceal a sniper, and every tunnel could open up behind their lines. This persistent uncertainty can lead to heightened stress levels, quicker fatigue, and reduced decision-making capability.

Hamas tunnels and traps

Hamas's strategy also revolves around turning the IDF's strength into a vulnerability. For instance, the IDF relies on advanced technology, such as drones and intelligence systems. But these can become less effective in urban settings because Hamas fighters can hide and disperse quickly. The Gaza Strip's dense population offers countless hiding spots, escape routes, and ambush viewpoints. Narrow alleyways, tall buildings, and underground systems make it difficult for conventional forces to operate effectively. Furthermore, the IDF's commitment to minimizing civilian casualties means they often need to be more cautious, giving Hamas fighters time to regroup and reposition.

Another tactic of Hamas is the use of tunnels extending from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory.

They primarily use them for surprise attacks and kidnappings. Often, they rig them with explosives and can appear near Israeli communities. Specifically within the Gaza Strip, these tunnels enable the movement of fighters, weapons, and supplies concealed from aerial surveillance. Tunnels are also used to smuggle in essential goods, weapons, and funds from neighboring regions. Complicating matters further, booby traps are another staple of Hamas's defense strategy. Hamas might rig buildings, pathways, and tunnels with explosives, making every IDF step potentially dangerous.

TOPSHOT - Soldiers walk in front of an Israeli police station that was damaged during battles to dislodge Hamas militants who were stationed inside, on October 8, 2023. Israel's prime minister of October 8 warned of a "long and difficult" war, as fighting with Hamas left hundreds killed on both sides after a surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

The ingenious use of resources

One of the more controversial strategies employed by Hamas involves repurposing civilian infrastructure for military objectives. Reports suggest that on several occasions, Hamas has dug up water irrigation systems in the Gaza Strip to extract the metal pipes. Once intended to support agriculture and provide essential water to the region's inhabitants, these pipes were allegedly converted into makeshift rockets. This act highlights the group's resourcefulness in the face of blockades. It underscores the severe challenges of distinguishing between civilian and military targets in such a complex environment. Such tactics, however, come with heavy consequences, as removing these irrigation systems can exacerbate water scarcity and undermine agricultural productivity, further intensifying the hardships faced by the local Palestinian population.

PSYOPS

In any armed conflict, the psychological impact can be as influential, if not more so, than the physical combat. Asymmetric warfare, characterized by the confrontation between an established power and a lesser-equipped adversary, often leans heavily into this psychological domain. This psychological aspect stands out in all Hamas's actions, whether they engage the IDF or Israeli citizens.

Imagine living under a constant state of threat. Every siren could signify an incoming rocket, and an unexpected attack could shatter every quiet moment. Though the Israeli Iron Dome system is technologically advanced, it can only guarantee the interception of some missiles.

For Israeli civilians, this means a life of intermittent disruptions. Schools, workplaces, and public spaces can turn into emergency evacuation zones within moments. Children grow up with the experience of dashing to bomb shelters. At the same time, adults are constantly aware that a siren could disrupt their routine at any moment. Over time, this constant state of readiness can cause chronic stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, even without direct physical harm.

Global perspective of Israel and Hamas

In today's interconnected world, few conflicts remain isolated. The long-standing strife between Hamas and Israel is no exception, drawing opinions, criticisms, and interventions from around the globe. Unraveling the myriad of perspectives requires a nuanced perspective, allowing us to delve beyond surface-level interpretations and grasp the depth of the issue.

Across continents, nations have taken sides or offered mediation, influenced by their geopolitical interests, historical alliances, and domestic considerations. Some nations firmly back Israel, citing concerns over what they label as terrorist activities by Hamas. These nations, emphasizing Israel's right to self-defense, often provide diplomatic support on international platforms.

Conversely, other states champion the Palestinian cause, viewing Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement against Israeli occupation. They argue that under Israeli control, the Palestinians endure hardships and deserve their sovereign state.

The United States, undeniably Israel's strongest ally, has consistently backed Israel in defense, political ties, and international platforms. However, alongside its unwavering support for Israel, the U.S. has taken active roles in brokering ceasefires and mediating peace talks between the parties. Similarly, countries like Egypt, while having their own dynamics with Israel, have engaged in mediation efforts. This blend of staunch support and mediation underscores the intricate dance of international diplomacy, revealing how nations navigate complex regional conflicts.
Britains biggest wealth manager St Jamess Place has long been under pressure to cut the charges customers face if they want to move their money elsewhere.

This week, it finally snapped. After action from the City regulator and having billions wiped off its market value, St Jamess Place announced it was reducing fees across the board.

In a market statement published Tuesday morning, the firm said it would remove its controversial exit charges for clients who leave the business early as well as cap its initial advice fees, ongoing advice fees and fund charges.

The companys share price had fallen 20pc on Friday as it was reported that fees could be slashed. St Jamess Place now estimates that the overhaul will cost between 140m and 160m by the time the changes are rolled out in 2025.

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The wealth manager, which has been managing the fortunes of savers for more than three decades, generates millions of pounds in annual charges from clients. Year-to-date, its share price is down almost 40pc.

The raft of changes come in the wake of new regulations introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority in the summer under the Consumer Duty, which requires businesses to provide fair value to consumers, or face action from the regulator. It meant that St Jamess Place, which charges a range of fees, had to clearly explain what value for money customers were getting from each.

St Jamess Place had already taken steps to ensure compliance with the new rules. The Telegraph revealed last month that the wealth manager had been writing to clients to warn they could no longer retain them as customers if they did not receive the advice they are paying for.

The firm had also previously revealed it was lowering ongoing fees for clients who have held pension and investment bonds for longer than ten years.

However, the scrapping of its exit fee  which St Jamess Place calls an early withdrawal charge  is something critics within the industry have been calling for for years.

Few wealth management firms have charged exit fees since the FCA introduced rules in 2012 to improve transparency within the sector. Critics claimed these fees discouraged customers from switching and left more people with providers they would otherwise leave.

St Jamess Place, however, previously levied an early withdrawal charge as high as 6pc for pension and investment bond clients, with the charge falling to zero after six years.

The FCAs guidance on complying with the Consumer Duty includes a rule that firms should not impose unreasonable exit fees.

According to the watchdog, an exit fee is more likely to be reasonable if it is commensurate with the costs incurred by the firm due to the customer terminating the agreement early.

But St Jamess Place has also come under pressure from claims management firms, pursuing complaints from clients who alleged having gone years without seeing their adviser yet still paying ongoing fees.

Claims firm AMK Legal has told the Telegraph it recovered 3.43m for clients of St Jamess Place so far this year, in many cases because of a lack of review meetings between adviser and client.

Andrew Croft, the outgoing chief executive of the wealth manager, said that customers have always been able to turn off the ongoing advice fee whenever they wanted.

He said a new upfront advice fee of 4.5pc  which is higher than its rivals  will depend on the type of advice given, as well as the size of a customers investments.

He said: I am confident it [SJP] has a great future and the changes will make the company more comparable and make clients more willing to embrace us.

Mr Croft added that they had also seen an influx of younger customers pushing for simpler and cheaper charges.

He said: As we have said, there is regulatory change, and there is Consumer Duty, and the value assessment work that is required for investment funds. So there is regulatory pressure to be more simple and be more comparable [with rivals].

There is also a growing demand for that [simplicity from consumers], especially as more younger clients joining us, they are most definitely interested in a more simple [fee model].

As well as removing their exit fee for new clients, St Jamess Place is also reducing its ongoing and initial advice charges and its fund charges.

Initial advice fees will be reduced from up to 6pc for pensions and investment bonds and 5pc for unit trusts and funds to 4.5pc for both. Ongoing advice fees will be capped at 0.8pc and fund charges at 0.52pc.

St Jamess Place is also separating out the components of its charges into product fees, advice fees and fund charges instead of grouping them together. This should make it easier for clients to compare St Jamess Places fees with other firms.

Experts said the changes had been a long time coming. Lee Goggin, of the platform Findawealthmanager.com, said: Its about time. Too many clients have had to endure an opaque charging structure that was pricey and not good value.

Robin Powell, an investment consultant, said he expects that St Jamess Place will announce further fee reductions over the coming months as well as greater use of passive funds.

He said: The recent appointment of two indexing advocates  Justin Onuekwusi and Joe Wiggins  to senior positions at SJP clearly suggests thats the direction the company is heading in, he said.

Passive funds are cheaper than actively managed funds and are set up to track an index, like the FTSE 100.

The changes announced on Tuesday will not come into effect until the second half of 2025.

A St Jamess Place spokesman said clients who invest with the firm now, before the new structure comes into effect, will have a broadly similar outcome compared to those who sign up afterwards.

However, if you are already a client of St Jamess Place, then the early withdrawal charge will still apply until it tapers off. This means clients could still be paying exit fees as late as 2030  five years after they have been scrapped.

Mark Polson, of financial services consultancy The Lang Cat, said: This is bizarre and seems to me to be against both the letter and spirit of the new Consumer Duty rules  if something isnt right it should be fixed for both new and existing clients, and as quickly as possible.

St Jamess Place said the changes are not coming into effect immediately because there is a substantial programme of system and process changes required to implement the changes.

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How to get financial advice  at half the price of St Jamess Place

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How does an Amber Alert decision get made? Why was one not sent in the disappearance of teen Jakarah Lopez-Moore, whose body was found last weekend in woods near 5 Vanguard Parkway in Rochester, an industrial area?

Christee Lopez, the mother of the missing child, said that when Jakarah disappeared after getting in someone's car in late August, they didn't know immediately. She lived with her grandmother, had a close relationship with her young mother and had extended aunts and cousins in the family. People thought she was staying over with a relative.

Once they found out the 16-year-old Rochester girl was missing and her phone was offline, they told police.

No alerts went out.

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Lopez said they reported her daughter missing to Rochester Police two days after she left in the middle of the night Aug. 27.

Was Jakarah Lopez-Moore a runaway? Police wondered at first.

Police initially thought she was a runaway and weren't very helpful at first, the mother said. She said it took about a week before they sent out any alerts or anything to the media. No Amber Alert was triggered.

Later, police told family they were considering Jakarah to be in danger due to evidence that couldn't be shared with the media.

An Amber Alert can be activated when police have reason to believe that a child who is 17 or younger has been abducted, when officers believe the child is in imminent danger of serious harm or death and there's enough descriptive information about both the victim and the abduction, according to the U.S Department of Justice, which oversees the federal AMBER Alert program.

On Oct. 3 the Democrat and Chronicle reached out to Rochester Police Lt. Greg Bello on the case. Here is part of his emailed response:

"We are still actively investigating the disappearance of Jakarah. Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, Im not able to release specific details of the steps that our Investigators are or are not taking. Anyone with any information is encouraged to call 911. Ive attached a couple of media releases that weve previously put out, with pictures of her."

At that point, police had the following information:

Jakarah had run away briefly from foster care when she was 12.

Family members saw her willingly, apparently, get into a car early the morning of her August 2023 disappearance.

Jakarah Lopez-Moore's phone found; crime suspected, no alert

In early October, a passerby found Jakarah's abandoned phone.

Her mother had been constantly posting on Facebook almost every day to spread the word and to give updates to family and friends.

We were trying to wonder why an Amber Alert wasnt listed or initiated before, but I guess it was too late probably," Lopez said.

Amber Alert an issue in Domonique Holley-Grisham case

USA TODAYs review of standard operating procedures for law enforcement agencies across the nation was part of a 2022 examination of disparities in cases of missing children. Jakarah was Black.

Other stories have uncovered age cutoffs that allow police to avoid giving full attention to children as young as 10 and exposed AMBER Alert rules so stringent that most missing kids dont get them.

If your missing child ran away, the police may not look for them

Because Domonique Holley-Grisham of Rochester left of his own accord Feb. 12, 2009, he was considered a runaway by the police in Rochester, New York, where he lived.

In 2021, 335,000 reports of missing children were sent to the FBI, down from 365,000 the year before. About 90% of them were found. By some estimates, 100,000 more each year are never reported to the FBI because they are found so quickly. Of those not located within six months, a disproportionate number are Black, like Domonique.

Note: The original version of this story had the wrong spelling for a name in a subheadline. It is Domonique Holley-Grisham.

Car with 2-year-old boy inside stolen in Rochester

Coverage of Jakarah Lopez-Moore disappearance, death

Oct. 17: Hunt for killer of Rochester teen underway: What we know now about her disappearance and death

Oct. 17: Family heartbroken after missing teen found dead in Rochester. Who was Jakarah Lopez-Moore?

Oct. 17: Counselors to be available this week at Edison Tech after missing teen found dead

Oct. 16: Missing 16-year-old Rochester girl found dead in woods; homicide investigation underway

USA TODAY contributed to this article.Madison Scott is a college journalist who is an intern with the Democrat and Chronicle. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Why wasn't an Amber Alert activated in NY for Jakarah Lopez-Moore?
If we want to know why our states transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions have risen since the early 2010s, a good place to look is Caltrans. The agency has long been fixated on widening roads and creating induced demand which has led to more driving. Currently, this cycle continues through the agencys questionable efforts to create additional lanes on the I-80 Yolo Bypass causeway leading into Sacramento. And recently, a high-level administrator was demoted after attempting to stop such actions.

The Caltrans model for freeway building and expansion began in the 1950s when federal dollars for these projects became available. By the late 20th Century, many observers realized that expanding roads was creating new problems. By facilitating suburban sprawl and motor vehicle dependency, Californias road-building has led to air pollution and congestion. The quality of life consequences of our vehicle dependency are most severe in disadvantaged communities.

Now, with climate change, the imperative is to emit less. It takes a new and completely different mindset for transportation planning. But one of the states most important transportation institutions remains dangerously stuck in the past.

Opinion

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California leaders have sought to move state transportation policy in the right direction. Senate Bill 743, for example, was introduced in 2013 by then-Senator Darrell Steinberg. According to the Governors Office of Planning and Research, SB 743 required agencies to evaluate transportation projects by new metrics that promote less driving and not more. Recently, the California State Transportation Agency, which oversees Caltrans, has sought to codify the new approach within its 2021 Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure. The agency is advancing a new and important principle that projects should generally aim to reduce vehicle miles traveled  when addressing congestion, consider alternatives to highway capacity expansion, such as providing multimodal options in the corridor, employing pricing strategies and using technology to optimize operations.

Meanwhile, Caltrans continues to widen highways, employing various strategies to slip road expansions under the publics radar. One strategy has been to break large projects into small pieces. That makes it harder to determine whether the new projects will worsen air pollution and make climate change worse.

Another strategy has been to promote freeway expansions by using phrases like high occupancy lanes or managed lanes that give the impression that they will be good for the environment when they are really not. This practice is called greenwashing, which Merriam-Webster defines as, making a product, policy (or) activity ... appear to be more environmentally friendly or less environmentally damaging than it really is.

In August, Jeanie Ward-Waller, Caltrans deputy director of planning and modal programs, told agency officials that she would file a whistle-blower complaint about several practices Caltrans is using to expand the I-80 causeway west of Sacramento under the guise of pavement rehabilitation and managed lanes, as reported by Politico. The Los Angeles Times reported that she was placed on an informal leave and offered a lesser job.

The I-80 Yolo County causeway functions as the Bay Bridge does for San Francisco, providing the only way into Sacramento from the west. Expanding this freeway could add 8,000 to 12,000 cars a day to Sacramentos freeways and roads, particularly at rush hour. The result would be more regional congestion  and further excuses for Caltrans to widen roads.

Environmental review for the Yolo 80 Corridor Improvement Project has not yet been completed, so any work toward road widening at this stage is questionable for that reason as well. The review has major problems. Of the eight alternatives Caltrans is studying, six involve adding a lane. A seventh No Build alternative is required by law, and an eighth proposes re-striping an existing travel lane for high-occupancy vehicles  a step unlikely to make a significant difference in terms of congestion or other goals.

Under the aforementioned State Climate Plan for Transportation Investment, Caltrans should be studying other options, including improved transit service in the corridor (rail and bus) and congestion pricing. Under the latter concept, tolls on the I-80 causeway would help reduce congestion, and the resulting funds could be spent on transit and/or affordable housing near jobs in the I-80 corridor, both of which would further reduce driving. Low-income drivers could benefit from pricing adjustments and improved transit options.

The era of freeway-building  which Caltrans exemplifies  must end. But the agency still hasnt gotten the memo, and so undercuts Californias climate goals. A major reorganization is needed to bring the agency into the 21st century.

A moratorium on highway widening is appropriate until the Legislature and governor get an external audit of Caltrans. If state and local leaders are serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, they need to take such actions.

Stephen M. Wheeler is a professor of urban planning and design at UC Davis. Barbara Leary is a climate and transportation activist. Alan Hirsch, a member of Yolo Mobility, also contributed to this piece.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the Blue Ridge Honor Flight headed back from the Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Asheville on the night of Oct. 14, Flat Rock's Lucy Steppe, a Gold Star Family coordinator, leaned forward in her seat and spoke with Julia Coffey.

As the two women held each other's hand, Coffey put her hand over her heart and said, "Don't ever, ever give up hope," ... words that were exactly what Steppe needed to hear.

Coffey was a special guest on the flight, as the remains of her husband, Waynesville native Capt. Frederick Hall who was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, were found in Vietnam just a few months ago after 54 years. A funeral was held Oct. 11 in Waynesville for Hall, and the attendance was in the thousands, according to Blue Ridge Honor Flight founder Jeff Miller.

Steppe is a Gold Star Family escort for the Blue Ridge Honor Flights, which was founded by Hendersonville's Miller in 2006 to fly veterans for free to Washington, D.C., to see the war memorials. Gold Star Families are those who are related to veterans who have died, and they are now special guests on the flights.

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Steppe, 60, is still hoping that one day she'll receive a call just like Coffey did. Steppe's father, Capt. John Kozuch, was a U.S. Air Force pilot whose plane was shot down during the Vietnam War, she said.

More: Miller's vision of flights honoring veterans reaches Puerto Rico, Hawaii

"It's now been 51 years, and he still hasn't been found," she said.

Steppe's letter to her father

As people were boarding the flight at the Asheville Airport on the morning of Oct. 14, Steppe was sitting quietly in her seat, writing a letter. She said when she heard about Coffey's husband's remains being found after all this time, it inspired her to reach out again to her father.

"My father was an F-4 fighter pilot. His plane took off the night of Oct. 3, 1972, and it never returned," she said. "Some people say it happened over the ocean in the Sea of Japan, and some say it happened over land. (Coffey's) husband's remains were sent home 54 years later. For me, it's been 51 years, but I don't know if anything will ever be sent home."

Steppe and her daughter were on the April Blue Ridge Honor Flight as Gold Star Family members.

More: Blue Ridge Honor Flight: Veterans pay their respects at the war memorials in Washington

"I had been there before. But when I went that time (in April) and left something there for my father, I finally found peace," Steppe said. "Every time I go to the wall, I leave something for him. The last time I went I left a picture of Jesus and wrote something on the back. This time, I'm leaving a letter telling him that I'm escorting Gold Star Family members and how that I thought I had found peace and I want to stay there. But with this widow's remains being found, it has kind of taken me down a rabbit hole. So, I'm just letting him know that."

When Steppe was sitting in her seat on the flight back to Asheville, she said even though it was pouring rain, she still left her letter.

"It was probably ruined by all the rain, but I know that he knows I left it there for him," she said.

Coffey's first visit to the wall

As the rain began to intensify, Coffey was in a wheelchair as she was pushed up to the Vietnam Memorial Wall for the first time. Tears were already flowing down her cheeks.

"Oh my gosh ... they are together. I had no idea they were together," she said, referring to her husband's pilot's name, Ernest De Soto, whose remains were also found in the same spot as her husband's.

"He's finally home, and he wants you to know that," Jeri McMahon, a volunteer who showed Coffey her husband's name at the wall, said.

Coffey said she had always wanted to go see the wall but just never got the opportunity.

"Certain circumstances in life had kept me from going, so this is a huge, huge thing for me," she said.

People who visit the wall usually get rubs of the names, where a thin sheet is pressed against the wall to get a copy of names. Due to all the rain on Oct. 14, special arrangements were made for Coffey a day earlier.

"An officer went and did the rub for me yesterday. Wasn't that special?" she said.

Want to learn more?

To learn more and to fill out an application as a guardian or veteran for future flights, visit blueridgehonorflight.com/apply-now or call the office at 828-776-0650.

Guardians pay $400 each to escort a veteran. Veterans fly for free. Flights are funded by donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, schools, military organizations and other fraternal organizations. No funding is received from the government for the flights. Anyone wishing to make donations can go to blueridgehonorflight.com/donate.

The flights are twice a year, with one in the spring and one in the fall. The 2024 flight dates haven't yet been scheduled.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Vietnam veteran whose remains just found wife takes D.C. Honor Flight
Space insurers are now complaining about the rising insurance claims from internet satellite service providers.

Because of these, they said that they will be cautious when it comes to servicing satellites.

This was announced by WTW Global Inspace Chief Executive Mark Quinn during the Global Satellite Servicing Forum, which happened on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Space Insurers Complain About Rising Insurance Claims

According to Space News' latest report, Quinn warned that high-profile satellite malfunctions and other similar problems in satellite service providers could result in a major loss for the space insurance market this 2023.

"It's the worst market we've been in in the last 20 years," said the space insurance broker chief executive.

"In the last six months there's been about $1 billion in claims against about $500 million in premiums," added Mark Quinn.

Due to this ongoing issue, the WTW Global Inspace leader said that space insurers are forced to become cautious when servicing satellites.

This means that when satellite companies are applying for insurance, they could be required to provide in-flight demonstrations and other flight-proven innovations, although these are hard to conduct.

Quinn explained that as space insurance claims further increase, internet satellite providers need to make an effort to ensure that insurers will be comfortable with their technologies.

But, he clarified that getting the trust of space insurers would be a long process. Quinn explained that the "key" is a multi-year, multi-touch effort where internet satellite companies engage more with the insurance community.

He added that if these aerospace firms do this, they could become true partners of space insurance providers.

Read Also: SpaceX Details Plans for Starlink's Satellite Cell Service Set To Launch in 2024

Previous Space Insurance Claims

CNBC reported that Viasat's ViaSat-3 Americas satellite previously malfunctioned. This was disclosed by the aerospace company back in July.

Viasat explained that the issue occurred when they were deploying the reflector of the satellite's antenna.

On Thursday, Oct. 12, the American satellite broadband service provider said that they could recover less than 10% of the satellite's planned communications capability.

Aside from this, Viasat also announced that they are expecting to finalize a $420 million insurance claim before 2023 ends in order to fix the issue of its ViaSat-3 Americas satellite.

The satellite firm also confirmed that it plans to make another $348 million insurance claim for its I6 F2 backup satellite, which experienced a power system malfunction in August.

Related Article: Eutelsat Reacquires Almost $407k Worth of Shares Days Before Merging with OneWeb

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center will hold the popular Winter Skies bar this holiday season.

Winter Skies will transform the former Skies restaurant into a winter wonderland beginning Nov. 16 through the holidays.

View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com

The restaurant provides guests with panoramic views of the Kansas City skyline with a rounded glass wall. This seasons Winter Skies will feature a winter forest theme.

A festive winter wonderland cocktail menu will be available, made with Kansas Citys Restless Spirits distillery. Beer, wine, and a dinner menu will also be available.

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Winter Skies sits at the top of the Sheraton Hotel at Crown Center. The winter-themed bar was a major success last year.

Kaitlyn Mueller, the Senior Marketing Manager for the Sheraton & Westin Crown Center, said they are hoping to have an even better turnout than last year.

Metro area superintendent wins Kansas Superintendent of the Year award

Last year was a fantastic kickoff, and were aiming to outdo ourselves this time. With enhanced visuals and a revamped menu, were thrilled to have guests re-experience the citys finest views, Mueller said.

For those who missed out last year because of the high demand, this season offers a fresh opportunity to join in the experience.

Tickets will go on sale to the public starting Oct. 30.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Editor's note: This story contains descriptions of alleged sexual assault.

ASHEVILLE  Two weeks after six more potential victims reported to Asheville police that they were sexually assaulted by Asheville acupuncturist Shi Ying Kuai, one of his patients shared her experience on his acupuncture table with the Citizen Times. A local acupuncture expert, who knows Kuai professionally, provided context on accepted professional practice.

One of Kuais alleged victims  the Citizen Times does not name victims of sexual assault without their permission  said she had three appointments with the acupuncturist in August, after he was highly recommended to her by a male friend. During their first session, everything was normal. But in the second session with Kuai, the victim said she got a sixth sense about him, saying he started to seem like a creeper.

Your defenses about how concerned you need to be go down when you have somebody that much older, and that frail, she told the Citizen Times. But I was very clear that he was lecherous.

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Kuai, 90, was first arrested Sept. 26 and charged with felony second-degree forcible sex offense and misdemeanor sexual battery, according to an APD news release. After six more potential victims came forward, Kuai was rearrested and charged with two additional counts of sexual battery.

But despite her senses, the 40-year-old patient went back for a third session to help with her chronic pain. Before the acupuncture was performed, the victim said she was lying on the table, and without saying a word, Kuai unzipped her high-waisted pants and rolled them down. At that time, she said I felt like I was out of my body, like she was hovering in the room.

What are professional standards for acupuncture sessions?

Ive never heard of an acupuncturist removing someones clothes  that would be considered crossing a professional boundary from my perspective, Cissy Majebe told the Citizen Times earlier in October.

Majebe is a licensed acupuncturist, president of a four-year acupuncture college, Daoist Traditions, in Asheville, and was on North Carolinas first acupuncture licensing board in 1993, helping to write the laws that govern the practice of acupuncture in the state.

Majebe, who knows Kuai professionally, said he opened a clinic in his Arlington Street home immediately after receiving his license in 1995. Shes served on the N.C. Acupuncture Licensing Board four or five times and said she has never come across any type of complaint regarding Kuai.

We all show people different faces, Majebe said. And because of who I am, he was always perfectly responsible with me. But its obvious thats because of the position I held, and I was never on his treatment table.

As a rule, (patients) have to be draped, Majebe also said. And that can be with the clothes they have on or if you're doing points, lets say its high up on the leg by the hipbone, then they have towels that are covering the whole body.

More: WNC man guilty of statutory child rape, multiple child sex crimes, sentenced to 50 years

"It's all ... discombobulating"

Back in the acupuncture room, the victim said she made a self-deprecating joke about the size of her belly to break the tension after Kuai allegedly rolled down her pants with his own hands.

She said Kuai then said she should start working out in the morning and started rubbing her stomach with his hands in a clockwise position, running into her breasts with each circular motion.

A lot of the things he does are on the line until its very clearly no longer on the line, the victim told the Citizen Times, reflecting on the moment. Its all very discombobulating.

Kuai then held the victims breasts and said, now you do it, she said.

The woman said she made another self-effacing joke and started rubbing her belly.

And Im just lying there, feeling like an alien in the room," the patient said. "I felt like I was hovering in the room, being like what is about to happen here?

After the acupuncture was completed and the needles were out, Kuai said, you should come be with me to the victim, to which she responded that shes married.

She said they went back and forth for a moment, Kuai repeating that she should come be with him and she responding that he has a wife.

Im sitting back down on the bed and hes standing next to me. And then he says yes, but she hasnt given me  then he reaches out and physically grabs my boobs and grabs my crotch and says, in 30 years, the woman told the Citizen Times.

She said Kuai called her weeks later to try and get me to schedule another appointment. She said her heart started racing, and she made an excuse as to why she couldnt schedule another session with him.

The 40-year-old said she came forward after seeing the bravery of the first potential victim to report Kuai to the Asheville Police Department, which led to his felony charge of second-degree forcible sex offense.

What he did to me was minor, but I wasnt going to let her stand alone, the woman told the Citizen Times. It's our duty to not let people stand alone when weve been in a situation like that.

More: 2 more sexual abuse charges filed for Asheville acupuncturist; 6 more people come forward

Can acupuncture needles immobilize patients?

The first alleged victim to report the 90-year-old acupuncturist said they sought treatment from Kuai in August at his clinic, and during their acupuncture session, they were sexually assaulted, according to an APD news release. Kuai knew the victim was physically helpless when he allegedly assaulted the victim Aug. 22 by insert(ing) his fingers into (the victims) vagina, according to an APD arrest warrant.

The other victim to come forward, who spoke with the Citizen Times, said she feels like shes one of the lucky ones because she didnt have needles in her when Kuai made inappropriate advances, unlike the experience of other victims she knows of. She spoke of a sensation shes never felt during acupuncture before Kuai, and the complete fear she would have felt if he had done something while the needles were in.

Whatever his technique is where he does immobilize you, because he did do that to me, he just did not then assault me, the woman said. But he did immobilize me.

Majebe said she is not going to question the experience of someone who was sexually abused; however, she did state that acupuncture needles do not immobilize a person.

Thats not something that happens with Chinese medicine, Majebe told the Citizen Times. If you did paralyze somebody, there would be a medical judgment against you.

Majebe also said that acupuncture patients should very rarely be completely naked on the table. Only 1 in 300 cases require patients to remove all their clothing, like in the case of rectal carcinoma, Majebe said.

If he has patients totally naked on the table, that is not standard procedure for acupuncture at all, Majebe told the Citizen Times. Draping is a major part of our training, and how to drape a person to where you are not actively accessing any of their private areas.

Kuai 'indefinitely suspended' from national certifying body

In North Carolina, acupuncturists must have a National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine certification before they are licensed, which includes an ethics exam. They are also required to undergo four years of acupuncture school after theyve received an undergraduate degree.

Kuai is under immediate indefinite suspension from NCCAOM starting Sept. 28, while the national certifying body conducts a thorough investigation into this matter through its Professional Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, according to a statement from the credentialing body.

Kuai asked to surrender license: NC Acupuncture Board to Asheville acupuncturist charged with assault: surrender license

The immediate actions taken by the PEDC prevents individuals like Mr. Kuai from practicing in other states while investigations proceed, Michael Taromina, NCCAOM PEDC Chair, said in an Oct. 2 news release.

Moving forward we will closely monitor North Carolina Licensing Boards investigation as we conduct ours, Taromina said. The PEDCs active role in collaborating with all state licensing boards is critical to the safety and well-being of patients nationwide.

NCCAOM has written grounds for professional discipline, which include:

Failing to maintain professional boundaries in relationships with patients, or in any way exploiting the practitioner/patient trust.

Engaging in sexual contact with a current patient if the contact commences after the practitioner/patient relationship is established.

Anyone can file a formal complaint for violations of professional ethics against acupuncturists operating under a NCCAOM certification.

Kuai faces three counts of sexual battery and a felony charge of second-degree forcible sex offense. He was released from the Buncombe County Detention Center after paying his bond. His next court date is Oct. 18.

The Citizen Times reached out to Kuai's assigned public defender, who declined to comment.

Need help?

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted and needs help or resources, contact:

Our Voice: (For ages 13 and older) 828-255-7576, www.ourvoicenc.org.

Mountain Child Advocacy Center: (For ages 17 and younger), 828-213-9824, https://mtncac.org.

RAINN : (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) 800-656-4673, www.rainn.org.

Family Justice Center: 35 Woodfin St., Asheville. 828-250-6900, buncombecounty.org.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Woman details alleged sex offense by suspended Asheville acupuncturist
A 40-year-old woman was fatally wounded overnight outside her residence in the Chatham neighborhood, Chicago police said.

Shortly after 12:15 a.m., the woman was involved in an argument with a man when he shot her and fled in an unknown direction, police said.

The woman suffered a chest wound, and was taken in critical condition to UChicago Medicine where she was pronounced dead.

No one was in custody, and detectives were investigating.

A female victim, 40 was in a verbal altercation outside of her residence when the unknown male offender shot at the victim and then fled the scene in unknown direction. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to U of C hospital in critical condition where she was pronounced a short time later. No one is in custody, Area Two detectives are investigating.
An Alabama woman was forced to endure nearly 12 hours of excruciating labor alone in a jail cell as staff refused to take her to a hospital, according to a new federal civil rights lawsuit.

While in labor, Ashley Caswells screams and pleas for help went ignored, with one jail EMT telling her to stop screaming and to deal with the pain on Oct. 16, 2021, at Etowah County Detention Center, a complaint filed Oct. 13 says.

Eventually, a correctional officer walked Caswell, who had only been given Tylenol, to a shower room, where she delivered her baby  without any assistance from the officer  standing upright and experiencing extensive blood loss, the complaint says.

After Caswell caught her babys head above the concrete floor of the jail shower, she became lightheaded and handed her newborn to the officer before fainting on the floor, bleeding, according to the complaint.

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Then, several staff members arrived at the shower area and passed Caswells infant around, umbilical cord still attached to her placenta, while taking photos with her baby without her consent by the time she was conscious, the complaint says.

Meanwhile, no staff member offered to help Caswell and remained indifferent to her bleeding on the floor after an excruciating labor, according to the complaint.

After nearly dying while giving birth due to a placental abruption, Caswell was treated with contempt by jail staff, who are accused of refusing to provide her with further medical care, including pain medication, or a breast pump, the complaint says. A placental abruption occurs when the placenta comes apart from the uterus.

Now, Caswell, of Attalla, is suing Etowah County, Sheriff Jonathon Horton, several sheriffs office employees who worked at the jail, the jails contracted medical providers Doctors Care Physicians and CED Mental Health Services, and several of the providers employees, the complaint shows.

Giving birth to my son without any medical help in the jail shower was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life, Caswell said in a news release issued by Pregnancy Justice, a legal organization which advocates for the rights of pregnant people.

My body was falling apart, and no one would listen to me. No one cared, Caswell added. I thought Id lose my baby, my life, and never see my other kids again.

Pregnancy Justice, the Southern Poverty Law Center and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP are representing Caswell in the case.

On Oct. 17, the Etowah County Sheriffs Office and CED Mental Health Services declined requests for comment from McClatchy News.

McClatchy News contacted Etowah County officials and Doctors Care Physicians for comment on Oct. 17 and didnt receive immediate responses.

Forced to sleep on the floor

In March 2021, Caswell was detained at Etowah County Detention Center after she was arrested on a chemical endangerment charge while two months pregnant, according to the complaint, which says she was accused of substance use at the time.

Her pregnancy was considered high risk because of her diagnosed hypertension, advanced maternal age, and history of abnormal pap smears, the complaint says.

The jail was aware of Caswells needs and medical history because she was previously detained at the facility while pregnant in 2019, when she was also classified as high risk, according to the complaint.

Despite this, she was forced to sleep on a mat on the hard concrete floor of her cell during her pregnancy, the complaint says.

Thats because Caswell was housed in a cell where only top bunk beds were available, according to the complaint, despite the jail barring pregnant women from occupying the top bunks.

For a time while detained, the jail also refused to give Caswell her prescribed psychiatric medication she was previously allowed to take while pregnant at the facility during her 2019 detention, the complaint says.

Jail refused to take Caswell to hospital

Three days before Caswell was set to have an induced labor, her water broke on Oct. 16  several hours before she delivered her baby in the jail shower, according to the complaint.

After she started bleeding  a potential sign of placental abruption  an EMT refused to help her despite her screams for help and requests to go to the hospital, the complaint says.

Minutes after Caswell delivered her son and received no medical attention from jail staff, first responders arrived and transported her to a nearby hospital, according to the complaint.

Due to major blood loss, she needed two iron transfusions at the hospital, where she was diagnosed with placental abruption, the complaint says.

Following her traumatic labor and delivery, Caswell returned to jail, where staff again forced Ms. Caswell to sleep on the floor and denied her basic care, including her physician-prescribed Ibuprofen to manage the pain from her delivery and a breast pump to allow her to express breastmilk and prevent agonizing pain and infection, the complaint says.

Alabamas recent history of pregnancy related arrests

The jail is familiar with the needs of pregnant and postpartum people, as the county has an unusually high rate of detaining these individuals, the complaint notes.

Between 2015 and 2023, 257 pregnant women and new mothers were arrested on charges of chemical endangerment in the county, AL.com reported in July.

Overall, the state of Alabama has had a generally high rate of arrests related to pregnancy, according to a Pregnancy Justice report published in September cited in the complaint.

The report says that in the U.S. between January 2006 and June 2022, nearly 4 in 5 of these arrests occurred in five southern states, including Alabama, where the majority of them, 46.5%, took place.

The mistreatment Ashley experienced in the Etowah County Jail is shocking and unacceptable, Sharon Cohen Levin, a partner of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, said in a statement.

Mom of 3 died in emergency room lobby after waiting hours to see doctor, lawsuit says

Cops ignored dying man in jail for 3 days, leading to slow, torturous death, suit says

Woman gives birth alone in dirty jail cell as nurses ignore her screams, lawsuit says
SILVER SPRING, Md. - A woman was allegedly sexually assaulted on the Sligo Creek Trail over the weekend, and now Maryland-National Capital Park Police want your help catching the suspect.

The woman who reported the assault told police she was walking on the popular Silver Spring trail near the Three Oaks Drive intersection when she said a man suddenly grabbed her butt. When she turned around, he took off running.

Maryland-National Capital Park Police believe the incident occurred Sunday around 4:00 p.m.

Photos of a potential suspect were released Tuesday. Park police say a security camera captured the unknown man near the intersection of Manchester Road and Hamilton Avenue.

The victim described the suspect as a medium build teenage Hispanic or light-skinned black male, about 58" or 59", wearing a black ski mask with a brown or tan backpack.

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In the meantime, the police department says it's stepping up patrols on the Sligo Creek Trail as they search for the suspect.

Dr. Leigh George, a Silver Spring resident FOX 5 spoke to on Monday, said the incident is "very upsetting."

"I think as women in general, we're always having to be aware of our surroundings. We don't have the luxury of likeI never ever wear headphones because I just feel like I don't have the luxury to be able to do that," George said.

Lieutenant Charles Smith with Maryland-National Capital Park Police said, "It's best to have someone with you."

"I believe there is strength in numbers, so having someone else with you or a group with you is good," he added. "If you're using earbuds to listen to music or podcasts, whatever, you gotta be in tune with your surroundings."

The woman told police the suspect was a medium build teenage Hispanic or light-skinned black male, about 58" or 59", wearing a black ski mask with a brown or tan backpack.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to give them a call.

This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 5 for updates.
STOKES COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) A woman who went missing after making a stop at a Piedmont Triad campground was found on Tuesday and will face charges in North Carolina, according to the Stokes County Sheriffs Office.

Stokes County deputies were told by the Love County Sheriffs Office in Oklahoma that Jessica Straub was found alongside a reported stolen van from Pinnacle.

Moore student hit, killed by train

The SCSO was told she was not hurt and was taken into custody. Oklahoma deputies let her family know she was not harmed.

Straub is being held in Oklahoma pending extradition proceedings to bring her back to North Carolina.

She will face charges in North Carolina for felony breaking and entering and larceny of a motor vehicle.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
RAMALLAH, West Bank  Farhat is doing his best to accept that his family may be severely injured or even killed in the coming days.

A week ago the electrician was detained by Israeli police as he was getting ready for work in Ashkelon, a city in southern Israel close to the Gaza Strip  where he's from and where his family remain.

He says he was blindfolded, his wrists were bound and he was falsely accused of killing Israeli women and children. Eventually, he was put on a bus and deported to the West Bank, the landlocked area that forms the main bulk of the Palestinian territories.

Timeline of conflict: Why the 2023 Israeli-Palestinian fighting is among the most brutal in years

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As Israel's military operation to root out Hamas and its members who massacred civilians on the country's southern border on Oct. 7 gathers momentum, its forces are gradually reducing whole neighborhoods in Gaza to rubble. Water, food, power and medicines are running out. Morgues are overflowing.

Palestinians, international aid organizations and reports from hospitals in Gaza say that more than 47 families consisting of 500 civilians in Gaza have been wiped out by Israel's bombing campaign. On Tuesday, Hamas blamed Israel for an airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that killed at least 500 people. And because of this, their own rough treatment at the hands of Israeli authorities and their long, violent and bitter shared history with the country, Palestinians like Farhat and others in the wider community are finding it hard to denounce the attacks on Israel even though they say they don't approve of violence against civilians.

"Killing anybody is wrong," said a Palestinian man chatting with friends Saturday in downtown Ramallah.

"But imagine you live somewhere and I come and lock you in your house. I control everything that comes in and out of your house. Occasionally, I come and beat you up. Eventually you're going to resist and start fighting back with whatever you have," he said. With the Hamas attacks, "that's what's happening."

Israel contends it controls access to Gaza for security reasons.

"I am powerless to help them, and for every 10 times I try to reach them on the phone, I get through maybe once," Farhat, 60, said Saturday, speaking about his wife, 12 children and "many grandchildren" on the grounds of a school in Ramallah. That's where 130 Palestinian workers from Gaza, deported from Israel alongside him, were being temporarily sheltered in a large hall. USA TODAY could not independently verify their accounts, but all had similar stories of detention and displacement. The Israel Prison Service did not return a request for comment.

The full names of the men at the school spoken to for this story are being withheld, at their request, for their own safety. Other names of Palestinians are being withheld to limit possible damage to their professional reputations.

Hamas attacks Israel: How police and military are still trying to find the gunmen

'Where can we go? We are all under attack'

The school hall in Ramallah was filled with floor mats arranged in neat rows, rumpled sleeping bags, discarded plastic water bottles and scores of pacing men  only men  who said they simply had no idea how they could help themselves or their families, let alone reunite with them.

"I don't care if I die," said Imad, 58, another Palestinian electrician from Gaza who was deported to the West Bank with Farhat. He has eight children and helps care for several more from a son who died a few years ago after a battle with cancer. Farhat said he is never certain whether his family members are alive or dead.

Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing to the south of Gaza, close to Egypt, with whatever they can carry and by whatever means of transportation they can find. With fuel scarce, some are using horses and carts.

The Palestinian health ministry says more than 2,700 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting erupted, and fatalities are occurring at a rate of every five minutes amid Israeli airstrikes.

Almost 10,000 Gazans, half of them women and children, have been injured. As many as 50,000 pregnant women are not able to access basic health services, according to the U.N. So far, Israel has not allowed aid in. It says it wants Hamas to release captives first. Egypt has been unwilling to open its border to fleeing Gazans.

"Where can we go? We are all under attack," said Imad's wife, Hayat, when reached by phone Saturday in Khan Younis, a city in the south of Gaza. The city has ballooned to more than 1 million people as Israel's military has warned Palestinian civilians to leave northernGaza ahead of an expected ground offensive targeting Hamas.

Khan Younis usually has a population of about 400,000 people.

'They cursed us, treated us like animals'

Many Palestinians at the school in Ramallah drew attention to their bruised wrists.

The bruises are the result, they said, of zip ties placed on them by Israeli police. For years Israel has adopted a controversial policy of "administrative detention," which allows the authorities to detain Palestinians of all ages without trial and under allegations it keeps secret. Israel says the tactic is necessary to contain dangerous militants whom the government believes could be terrorists.

Rights groups argue the practice amounts to extrajudicial detention and punishment.

Farhat and Imad said police refused to let them use the bathroom while they were being held.

They showed photos on their phones, taken by eyewitnesses, of what appeared to be them kneeling while blindfolded in front of police and other Israeli security services. They said that the younger men among them were beaten, though they also said that some Israeli soldiers sought to intervene to stop it.

"They cursed us, treated us like animals and accused us of killing (Israeli) children  of being responsible for (the attacks in Israel) and what's happening in Gaza," Farhat said.

"'Piss in your pants if you need to,' the Israeli soldiers told us," Imad said.

A third man at the school who was listening to Imad speak said he and his wife, who is in Gaza, have decided it would be best for her die in their own home rather than evacuate to the south.

"There is no safe place in Gaza," he said. "Every place is targeted. The worst thing about this whole experience for me is that I am here but my mind is back there."

Earlier that Saturday, word arrived that the entire family of another Palestinian worker staying at the school had been killed in an Israeli bombardment. He got so emotional and enraged he was taken to a medical clinic to be given sedatives.

Minors shot in the head, chest, abdomen

The school where the workers were staying serves 800 children from kindergarten up to high school.

Its director said some parents were concerned that the men's presence could cause it to be raided by Israel's military or attacked by vigilante Jewish settlers in the West Bank seeking to exact some kind of revenge for the 1,400 Israelis killed when Hamas crossed the border from Gaza to Israel to attack and kidnap civilians and soldiers.

The Israeli settlers live in West Bank communities that are illegal under international law. These settlements are built on Palestinian lands in a Palestinian-governed area that Israeli's military has occupied since it won a war in 1967 with Arab countries.

"Nowadays nobody can tell what these settlers will do," the director said, referring to the communities that have been expanded under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and are opposed by some Israelis.

"They seem free to do, and kill, whoever they like."

Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas more than a week ago, at least 56 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,100 have been wounded in the West Bank in attacks on them by settlers and in confrontations with Israel's military, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Some of those killed, according to Palestinian activists, included minors shot in the head, chest and abdomen.

On Friday alone, traditionally a day of protest, at least 14 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank in clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians near roads leading to checkpoints. Some were killed by settlers.

A refusal to condemn Hamas

Many of the Palestinians USA TODAY encountered in Ramallah and surrounding West Bank areas said that while they reject the idea of violence against civilians, Israelis or otherwise, they do not believe or feel it is their responsibility to forcefully condemn or repudiate the Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians.

Many also don't view Hamas as terrorist organization, as the U.S. and European Union designate it. They see the group as acting in self-defense to Israeli military actions.

Hamas is the de facto ruler of Gaza.

This refusal to condemn Hamas  a group that believes Israel should not exist  has angered the Israeli public and large swaths of international opinion as accounts and gory details have emerged of executions and kidnappings committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians. Among the kidnapped are elderly women and small children. Israel estimates that about 200 people, some of them police and soldiers, are being held hostage by Hamas. Fourteen Americans remain unaccounted for, though it is unclear how many may be held hostage.

An American advocated for Palestinians: Then Hamas came

Human rights groups say they are tracking evidence of war crimes committed by both sides, with Israel's indiscriminate military campaign and "complete siege of Gaza"  its withholding of water, food, electricity and fuel  amounting to a "collective punishment" on Palestinian civilians, according to the United Nations. Both Israel and Hamas insist they are operating within the confines of international law.

We are at war. We are defending our homes," Israeli President Isaac Herzog said at a media briefing Friday. Thats the truth. And when a nation protects its home, it fights. And we will fight until we break their backbone.

In an interview with the Economist magazine last week, Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas leader, said that his group's operation in Israel targeted only "military posts."

The official news agency of the Palestinian Authority, which exercises civilian control over the West Bank, published comments Sunday by President Mahmoud Abbas that criticized Hamas for its actions. It later removed a reference to Hamas without providing an explanation.

On Monday, the news agency published comments from Abbas in which he rejected the killing of civilians on both sides and called for the release of civilians, prisoners and detainees on both sides. He did not mention Hamas.

'I won't condemn Hamas'

On the outskirts of Ramallah, a 25-year-old graduate student was taking a break from her studies at a coffee shop in an upscale business park. She's studying for a master's degree in international law and wants to specialize in defending the human rights of Palestinians.

She was born in Chicago and holds dual citizenship.

She said there are a multitude of reasons why Palestinians like her are finding it hard to criticize Hamas.

Among them: Palestinians feel they have lived for decades in a world where attacks on them by Israelis have not been given similar public censure; millions of Palestinians lack basic rights as a result of Israel's military occupation, which imposes onerous restrictions on their movement, controls their water resources, and subjects them to forced evictions, police harassment, arbitrary detention and numerous other everyday indignities; Israeli transgressions of international law with its settlements and military actions are shrugged off; and Israel has slowly taken more Palestinian land while ministers in Netanyahu's government have openly called for ethic cleansing against Palestinian civilians.

"It hurts me that America is supporting Israel so much," she said.

"I won't condemn Hamas (for its attacks against Israeli civilians in the south) because Israel has been violating our rights for years. They've killed thousands in Gaza over several wars. What happened was a consequence of their own actions. We have the right to defend ourselves, and this is the first time we've done it."

She said some of the images and videos she had seen on social media of Hamas' brutalities in Israel were a "tough" watch. But she didn't think these images and videos represented the "real Hamas," just the actions of lone bad actors. She said pregnant women and babies in Gaza were routinely killed by Israeli bombs.

"We don't want them dead," she said of Israelis. "We want them out of our lands."

A few tables away, a Palestinian man who lives in the U.S. and works for a well-known U.S. technology firm said he, too, thought it was not appropriate to condemn Hamas for its assault on Israelis.

"Being a Palestinian, you are continuously under systematic violence on a daily basis," he said.

"A lot of it is invisible to the external world. Yet literally two hills away from where were are sitting is an illegally occupied settlement. They call them 'settlements.' But that's actually too benign a word. It's actually a colony. Palestinians are surrounded by extremists who are colonizing our lands."

He said Americans and others who don't know the region very well need to understand that "there's a context (to the Hamas raid in Israel on Oct. 7) that's a lot larger than a single event."

Israel pulled out of its settlements in Gaza in 2005 and has since fought multiple wars there with Hamas.

Support for Hamas may grow

On Saturday night, USA TODAY briefly visited a hill on the edge of Ramallah near a giant bronze statue of South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela where groups of Palestinians had gathered.

They chatted excitedly as they sat around small fires and snacked on seeds and nuts.

They also scanned the horizon for signs of Hamas rockets launched from Gaza toward Tel Aviv, whose lights lay shimmering about 25 miles away. None flew by over the course of an hour.

Let's talk about your peace plan: Rep. Rashida Tlaib's grandmother to Donald Trump

Less than a mile away, a green laser sight emanating from an adjacent Israeli settlement scanned this same hillside, its beam occasionally coming to stop in the bushes 100 yards or so down from the viewing point.

One man who was watching remarked that he thought it was an Israeli sniper looking for Palestinian intruders.

Khaldoun Barghouti, a Ramallah-based Palestinian researcher and analyst of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, said he believes Israel's decision to bomb Gaza, killing hundreds of civilians and causing widespread destruction, has led to more support for Hamas among Palestinians.

He said it has "turned blame to Hamas (over the attacks in Israel) into more anger toward Israel."

In the U.S, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy died Sunday after he was stabbed in Illinois. Authorities believe the attack was in response to the Israel-Hamas war. Attorney General Merrick Garland warned the incident would raise fears among Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities about hate-fueled violence.

A number of European countries have heightened protection for Jewish communities because of a rise in antisemitic incidents after Hamas attacks.

'They don't know we are here. If they did I think they'd kill us'

Farhat, Imad and the other Palestinians from Gaza at the school who were receiving sanctuary after being deported from Israel were moved Sunday to Jericho, a West Bank Palestinian city in the Jordan Valley.

On Saturday, when they weren't trying to check on their families, they spent most of their time staring at snippets of video on their phones that showed the impact of Israel's bombing campaign.

Floppy children being rushed, half-dead, to hospitals. Streams of exhausted-looking Gazans converging on Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, only to find unbelievably cramped conditions.

They collected names of Palestinians, fellow workers in Israel, whom they had not seen since their arrest.

They were getting worried about what happened to them.

One man named Mahmoud was trying to solve what seemed like yet another insurmountable problem.

A relative and the man's friend, he said, neighbors back in Gaza, were hiding in a room in southern Israel, where they worked in a kitchen. They had been there since the first day of the Hamas assault and now feared that if they ventured outside, Israel's military would mistake them for militants.

They shared their Israeli work permits to prove their identities.

They were't sure what to do. They might try to sneak out.

"They don't know we are here. If they did I think they'd kill us," one of the men said in a phone call with USA TODAY. They did not want their location or identity to be made public.

He estimated they had enough food and water for another three days.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why some Palestinians find it hard to condemn Hamas' attack on Israel
After being released from serving over a decade in prison for a crime he didnt commit, a Florida man was cheated out of enjoying his freedom after a fatal encounter with a sheriffs deputy.



Leonard Allen Cure, 53, did 16 years for allegedly robbing a Walgreens at gunpoint in 2003, according to the Innocence Project of Florida. The 58 Black male with missing teeth description resulted in Cure being pulled into a lineup and misidentified as the suspect by a witness. Cure had two trials fighting for his innocence, bringing alibis to testify where he was at the time of the robbery and the fact he was rarely seen outside without his teeth implants. Still, the jury found him guilty of armed robbery and aggravated assault, both with a firearm.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a Camden County deputy pulled over Cure as he drove along Interstate 95 near the Georgia-Florida line. He got out of the car at the deputys request and cooperated at first but became violent after he was told he was being arrested, a GBI news release said. The agency said preliminary information shows the deputy shocked Cure with a stun gun when he failed to obey commands, and Cure began assaulting the deputy. The GBI said the deputy again tried using the stun gun and a baton to subdue him, then drew his gun and shot Cure when he continued to resist.

Its unclear why Cure was pulled over in the first place but the GBI said they will conduct an independent investigation into the incident and provide the findings to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office.

Last year, another exonerated Black man met the same fate. Christopher Williams was wrongfully convicted of six murders and was exonerated in 2021 after serving three decades in prison, per The Philadelphia Inquirer. He was shot dead on Dec. 16, 2020 but no arrests were made.

Leaving prison is a blessing but the lingering possibility of being sent back or worse still haunts Black men as they reenter society.

Even when theyre free, they always struggled with the concern, the fear that theyll be convicted and incarcerated again for something they didnt do, said Seth Miller, executive director of the Innocence Project of Florida, via AP News.

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Ashanti Hill always had a hard time sitting still.

The 19-year-old was full of laughter, bounding with energy and enjoying life after high school.

In early October, Hill, known to loved ones as Shanti, died in a crash that also killed her 19-year-old and 17-year-old friends in Kansas City.

LaTania Moore, 51, said her niece, who was from Kansas City, Kansas, was affectionate as a child, always greeting family with a hug and a kiss.

Up to today, she would just go into the bed where her mom is and hug her and kiss her and tell her how pretty she was and how she loved her, Moore said.

Hill attended Northwest Middle School, where she was a member of the cheerleading team. In May 2022, she graduated from Wyandotte High School, according to her obituary. She was also a member of Forest Grove Baptist Church.

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As she became a young woman, she glowed, Moore said. Hill, who was small in stature and loved to get her hair done and put on makeup, was destined for a career in beauty and modeling, she said.

Ashanti Hill graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas in May 2022. She died in a car crash the following year. LaTania Moore

Raeshawn Hill, 26, is the second-oldest sister in the family of five. Often, she joked, the age gap between herself and Ashanti Hill was obvious.

If the elder sister saw Hill in a bar she would walk right back out, joking that she was too old to party with her energetic younger sister.

If they all sat around for too long during family dinners on Sundays, Ashanti Hill would say: Get up. Lets do something! her sister said.

Thanks in large part to Ashanti Hill, a family dinner could turn into a party. She loved dancing to hop hop and R&B. And, family said, she loved to express herself through beautiful outfits for a night on the town.

She was really just living her best life, Raeshawn Hill said of her sister, who would have turned 20 on New Years Day.

Raeshawn Hill, 26, poses for a photo with her little sister, Ashanti Hill, 19. The Kansas City, Kansas, teen was later killed in a car crash in Kansas City in October 2023. Raeshawn Hill

But Ashanti Hill was also serious about her family and future.

In saving up for a car, Hill kept to a strict budget while working at Daves Hot Chicken and at a temp agency, her sister said.

When Raeshawn Hill needed someone to watch her son while she worked, Ashanti Hill was always waiting for her nephew with open arms. When their grandmother was not well enough to get up the stairs by herself, Hill would lend an arm and bring her plates of food.

She was always the person there that would help you figure it out, Raeshawn Hill said. She was always the one you could depend on.

The crash

Just before 1 a.m. on Oct. 1, Hill was driving a black Ford Taurus at a high rate of speed north on Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard when she lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree near East 45th Terrace, police said at the time. Raeshawn Hill said shes been told the same story.

Aria Mia Gonzalez, 17, was in the front passenger seat and Aniyah Lewis, 19, was in the back seat. All three were from Kansas City, Kansas.

Hills family said the three were friends, though they were not sure how long they had known each other.

The Star could not reach family of Lewis. The family of Gonzalez declined to do an interview, but in a GoFundMe created for her, said the teen survived cancer and was a mother to a baby daughter.

(Gonzalez) was a beloved family member/friend who brought immense joy to those around her. Our real life warrior who overcame so many tough obstacles, loved ones wrote in a GoFundMe, adding that she was first diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare cancer, in November 2018, just after her 14th birthday, according to a different GoFundMe.

Raeshawn Hill found out about the crash while she was at work.

I thought, this cant be true, she said. Its still just unbelievable.

Her 4-year-old son still wakes up asking for his aunt, who would usually help him get ready for school. Hill still catches herself starting to send her sister funny videos over Facebook.

A candlelight vigil at the crash site brought out more people than Hill realized knew her sister. They sold more than $10,000 in t-shirts with Ashanti Hills image.

Hill said her sister was driving on a spare tire on the curved road when the crash happened. She believes that contributed to Hill, Lewis and Gonzalez joining the grim tally of 78 people who have died in wrecks in Kansas City so far this year, according to police.

A crash in July 2019 in the same area also claimed a womans life and left multiple children injured. A man who was also speeding drove off the road in the same area and hit a tree in the median, police said at the time.

Dabria Culclager, 30, was a passenger in the car. She died the following day. The driver and four children in the back seats between the ages of 2 and 8 were badly wounded.

Life is so precious, said Moore, who also lost her son in 2016. Love on each other, whether you know them or now. Just love.
FILE PHOTO: A Yemenia-Yemen Airways Airbus A330-200 plane flies upon arrival at Sanaa Airport in Sanaa

ADEN (Reuters) - Yemen's national airline resumed international commercial flights from Sanaa airport on Tuesday, Yemeni officials said, after a row between the country's warring parties over control of the carrier's funds.

Yemenia Airways had suspended last month the only commercial flights from the Yemeni capital, controlled by the Iran-aligned Houthi group, after the Saudi-backed administration accused the Houthis of blocking airline funds. Houthi officials denied this.

Two officials, including Yemenia sales director Mohsen Haydara, said the flights resumed on Tuesday, and that an airplane that had been stranded at Sanaa airport since last month had taken off early in the day.

Haydara said the airline had scheduled six weekly flights to Amman.

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It was unclear if the dispute was resolved.

Sanaa airport was reopened in April 2022 after nearly a decade of war between a Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi group, following a UN-brokered peace deal.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and left 80% of the population reliant on aid, with millions hungry.

The war has shifted to a no-war, no-peace stalemate over the last two years as the fighting has largely stopped, but both parties have failed to renew formally a U.N. truce.

(Reporting by Mohammed Alghobari and Reyam Mukhashaf; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
In Marrakech, Morocco, the World Bank aims to safeguard gay and transgender Ugandans before resuming new funding.

The LGBTQ programs under the World Bank were put to cease in August due to anti-LGBTQ law.

World Bank Guarantees Discrimination-Free Environment for LGBTQ Ugandans

Victoria Kwakwa, the bank's head for Eastern and Southern Africa, ensures LGBTQ Ugandans do not face any discrimination. As reported by Reuters, Kwakwa reassures that the bank's staff will not be arrested for being a part of the community.

"We're doing all this to clarify this is not what you should be doing in World Bank-financed projects and to say you are allowed to do it the right way, and you will be not be arrested," Kwakwa said in the annual meeting of World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Kwakwa did not confirm a timeline for assessing the measures' efficacy and deciding whether to resume new funding for Uganda. However, she revealed that the World Bank has already discussed the LGBTQ programs with the government and said, "Government is comfortable with that."

According to The Straits Times, Ugandan officials accused the World Bank of being an imposter when they suspended the new funding against the same harsh anti-LGBTQ laws around the Middle East and Asia.

A junior finance minister claimed that with the new funding, the government would need to reassess its budget to reflect the suspension's potential financial impact.

Read Also: 'Knight of Hamas Attack': Israeli K-9 Unit Saves 200 Civilians in Gaza Strip

Anti-Homosexuality Act

In 2013, the Anti-Homosexuality Act was implemented, authorizing the death penalty for same-sex acts. The Anti-Homosexuality Act made same-sex relations in Uganda illegal.

Furthermore, 30 other African countries are affected, but with a much worse impact from the new anti-LGBTQ law. The new anti-LGBTQ law demands capital punishment for "serial offenders" against the law and transmission of a terminal illness like HIV/AIDS through same-sex discourse.

The new anti-LGBTQ law also mandated that anyone who supports "homosexuality" will suffer a 20-year sentence. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni attacked the LGBTQ community by signing one of the most cruel anti-LGBTQ laws, according to Reuters on June.

"The signing is finished, nobody will move us," Museveni said said at that time while meeting lawmakers from his National Resistance Movement party.

United States President Joe Biden commented on the legalization of the new anti-LGBTQ law and described the move as "a tragic violation" of human rights. Biden said that Washington would evaluate the implications of the law on all aspects of US engagement with Uganda.

Biden reported that they are considering additional steps, including implementing sanctions and restricting entry into the United States against anyone involved in severe human rights abuses or corruption.

The new anti-LGBTQ law received many petitions, such as the local organization, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum.

In addition to the organization, ten other individuals later filed a complaint against the law at the constitutional court, as reported by Busingye Kabumb in Reuters.

Related Article: Wisconsin Passes Trangenders Healthcare, Sports Ban; Gov. Evers Vows To Veto Policies





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Migrant families staying in New York City shelters will be required to leave those facilities after 60 days and reapply for placement, according to a new rule announced by Mayor Eric Adams on Monday.

The move is the administrations most significant attempt to date aiming to reduce resources dedicated to more than 64,000 migrants currently in the citys shelter system.

As the city still seeks further and timely support from federal and state partners, it will begin providing 60 days notice to families with children seeking asylum to find alternative housing along with intensified casework services to help them explore other housing options and take the next steps in their journeys, the administration said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Adams told CNN the new rule will take effect next week and notices would be given out on a rolling basis starting with families who have been in the system the longest.

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More than 126,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since last spring and the city estimates there are 64,100 migrants currently in the shelter system. A spokesperson for the mayor did not respond when asked how many of the more than 64,000 people currently in the system are families with children.

Possible impact of the new NYC rule

The 60-day rule is likely to displace tens of thousands of homeless migrant children who are currently enrolled in the citys public school system and could create new difficulties for families who may be forced to relocate to another shelter not near their childrens school.

As part of the change in policy, the city is also expected to open a new shelter site at Floyd Bennett Field in the coming weeks designed to serve about 500 families with children who are seeking asylum. Floyd Bennett Field, located in Brooklyn, will house families in a semi-congregate setting, and provide privacy dividers with locks.

Critics concerned change will impact migrant education, medical care

The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless criticized the new change over fears how it could, among over things, impact educating migrant children.

This new policy, along with the Citys announcement that it will place families with children in semi-congregate settings at Floyd Bennett Field, will disrupt access to education, which has provided much needed stability for our newest neighbors and also cause chaos for school administrators. We are also concerned about access to medical care and other vital services, the groups said in a statement.

As it struggles to keep up with the demand, the city has issued emergency orders that allow it to bypass several rules and laws that govern how it manages the homeless shelter populations and the standards they are required to keep up  such as guaranteeing access to stoves and private bathrooms for families, access to clean linens and beds that are properly spaced out in congregate settings.

Families are not allowed to be housed in congregate settings, nor does the city set a limit on how long a homeless family can stay in a city shelter.

Advocates warned the city is pushing the limit when it comes to following the law and litigation could soon follow.

Sheltering families with children in cramped and open cubicles at Floyd Bennett Field not only raises serious legal questions, but runs afoul of this Administrations previous statements to provide safe and appropriate shelter to this extremely vulnerable population, Legal Aid and the Coalition for the Homeless said in a statement. Private rooms, not open cubicles, are needed to ensure the safety of families with children and to reduce the transmission of infectious disease, among other obvious reasons.

Its not the first time the Adams administration has limited migrant stays in city run shelters.

Last month, the city imposed a new rule forcing migrant adults to leave the shelter system after 30 days. After vacating, adults are sent to the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, which has become a one-stop center for migrants in need of city services. Once at the hotel, adult migrants are required to reapply for shelter, a complicated process that is often long and results in hours-long wait times, which advocates say is disruptive to people who are already struggling to establish themselves in a new country.

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A young girl revealed ongoing sexual abuse to someone at school, leading to a mans arrest, deputies in Georgia say.

Thanh Dat Nguyen, 25, of Flowery Branch, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 12, and charged with child molestation, according to the Hall County Sheriffs Office.

Hes also charged with aggravated sexual battery.

Authorities said they launched an investigation this year after the child, whos younger than 10, disclosed the abuse. The alleged assaults happened on multiple occasions between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2021, deputies said.

Deputies said Nguyen and the girl knew each other but didnt elaborate.

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Additional information wasnt released.

Nguyen remained in custody at the Hall County Jail without bond as of Oct. 17, online records show.

Flowery Branch is about 40 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.

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.

Childrens program bus driver took photos of toddler to trade for child porn, feds say

Lyft passenger gropes driver and performs lewd acts in backseat, Georgia cops say

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(Bloomberg) -- New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins will remain at the helm for now despite a heavy election defeat.

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The now caretaker prime minister said that any decisions about party leadership would need to wait until the final composition of the caucus was confirmed once overseas and special votes are counted on Nov. 3.

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Im certainly still the leader of the Labour Party, Hipkins told reporters Tuesday in Wellington. Ive still got a bit of fight left in me. I am absolutely committed to supporting Labour into opposition.

Labour secured just 27% of the vote based on preliminary results from Saturdays election, giving it 34 seats  down from 65.

Senior minister and former leader Andrew Little announced his retirement from politics today, saying the party needs to use its time in opposition to rebuild.

Its important for the party to straight away build the talent that it needs to form the next Labour government, Little said.

Read More: New Zealand Elects Center-Right Government for Post-Pandemic Era

Former finance minister Grant Robertson said he plans to continue in parliament for the time being to help rebuild the party as it transitions into opposition.

Im going to take this in stages over the next little while, Robertson told reporters. Ill make assessments as I go through the term. But right now I think Ive got a job to do to get us ship shape in opposition.

Robertson declined to say whether he would be around to stand in the 2026 election.

Both Robertson and Little said they are supportive of Hipkins remaining as opposition leader.

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First Lady Olena Zelensky held a phone call with Israeli First Lady Michal Herzog on Oct. 17, during which she expressed her condolences to the victims of Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

"We feel your pain, the pain of every family in Israel. Ukrainians in all corners of our country express support for the people of Israel, and I want to convey this to you," Zelenska said, according to the Presidential Office.

"Our military recorded a video in support of the Israeli people. These and many other manifestations of solidarity confirm how close our peoples are in both joy and sorrow."

Zelenska also noted that, as of Oct. 17, 13 Ukrainian citizens are confirmed dead as a result of Hamas' attack, although identification of the bodies is reportedly ongoing and information is changing daily.

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According to the statement, a Ukrainian boy whose mother was killed in the attack was wounded, and he is being provided with medical and psychological assistance.

Read also: Ukrainians trapped in besieged Gaza: We are constantly bombed

A total of 436 Ukrainian citizens have been evacuated from Israel thus far.

Meanwhile, around 260 Ukrainian nationals remain trapped in the besieged region of northern Gaza as of Oct. 17.

"The First Lady of Ukraine emphasized that terrorism has no borders," the Presidential Office's statement said.

"Therefore, it is even more important that countries that oppose it act together. Ukraine consistently stands for peace in the Middle East for all peoples."

The Palestinian armed militant group Hamas launched an attack of unprecedented scale on Israel on Oct. 7, using missiles and soldiers who infiltrated into Israeli territory.

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 Zelensky spoke with Finland's President Sauli Niinisto via telephone on Oct. 15, the president said in a post on X (formerly Twitter.)

According to Zelensky, the leaders discussed the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative and the president's peace formula.

The formula involves 10 essential conditions for peace in Ukraine. Zelensky thanked Niinisto for supporting the plan, particularly the first item, which concerns radiation and nuclear safety.

The "Grain from Ukraine" project aims to deliver shipments of Ukrainian grain to countries in Africa facing food security challenges.

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Zelensky also said the leaders discussed front-line developments in Russia's war against Ukraine.

On Oct. 11, Finland announced its 19th round of military aid to Ukraine, with a package worth $101 million. Zelensky said he thanked Niinisto for his country's support during the call.

Zelensky's announcement did not mention the apparent sabotage of the Finland-Estonia gas pipeline that Niinisto reported on Oct. 10. An investigation into the cause of the damage to the pipeline is ongoing.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin denied involvement in the incident.

Read also: Ex-Estonian president: If NATO ambiguous about conditions for Ukraine, Russia wont know what to prevent

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from Gaza in a phone call on Oct. 16, the president said via Telegram.

Zelensky said that he and Trudeau were "in constant contact," and thanked the prime minister for "his willingness to help with the evacuation of our people from the Gaza Strip."

Around 260 Ukrainian nationals remained trapped in the besieged region of northern Gaza. Despite claims that the Rafah border crossing into Egypt would be opened for foreigners and humanitarian aid deliveries on the morning of Oct. 16, Israel denied any such agreement.

Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets called the situation in Gaza a "humanitarian catastrophe" on Oct. 14.

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Zelensky also said the conversation with Trudeau touched on agreements made during his visit to Canada in September.

The leaders discussed "hydroelectric power generation" as well as plans to complete a museum dedicated to the Holodomor, along with ongoing "defense cooperation."

Zelensky said he invited a Canadian representative to the next meeting regarding Ukraine's peace formula, which he said would be held soon.

On Oct. 11, Canada pledged a new aid package worth $19 million, intended to help Ukraine during the winter months.

Read also: Ukrainians trapped in besieged Gaza: We are constantly bombed

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States and said that the ATACMS missiles have proven themselves to be efficient on the battlefield.

Source: Zelenskyy in his evening video address published on social networks

Quote: "Thank you to everyone who is fighting and working for Ukraine! Thanks to everyone who helps! And today, a special thanks to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being fulfilled. They are fulfilled pretty accurately  the ATACMS have shown themselves well."

Earlier, the American edition of The Wall Street Journal reported that over the last few days, the US has secretly sent "a small number of missiles" to Ukraine. The Ukrainian forces used long-range ATACMS missiles for strikes on two air bases in the occupied cities of Berdiansk and Luhansk on the night of 16-17 October.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Volodymyr Zelenskyy , President of Ukraine, has held another Supreme Commander-in-Chief Staff meeting in which he heard the commanders reports and noted the efficiency of the weapons provided by the partners of Ukraine which were used to destroy the bases and logistics of the Russians.

Source: Zelenskyy

Quote: "I have held a Staff meeting and heard the important reports of the commanders. We are thanking every soldier, every brigade which strongly holds our positions. Avdiivka, the Bakhmut front, Marinka, the Shakhtarsk, and Kupiansk, and the Zaporizhzhia front. Great job, guys! We are also grateful to those who are destroying the logistics and bases of the occupiers on our lands. There have been results."

Details: Zelenskyy has also thanked Ukrainian partners. "The weapons are efficient, just like we agreed," he noted.

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In addition to this, Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian forces are advancing as a result of assault actions. "Every day, every week Ukraine needs such results. Every day, every week we must keep the initiative," the President stressed.

There were also reports about the protection of the Black Sea and the Danube regions' coasts during the meeting.

He added that the international policy and changes in it have also been discussed during the meeting. The officials and the members of intelligence have presented their reports.

"There are many challenges. But no matter what the threats are, our response is our strength and unity. It is important to protect Ukraine and the state interests, hold the defence, help others, take care of those close to you and find your place in the joint work of the nation," the President stated.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
In the last month of Zoey Felix's short life, Kansas child welfare officials made seven attempts to contact her family.

Five home visits, a letter and a phone call by child protective services in September were unsuccessful in reaching the family. Then came the Oct. 2 report to the Kansas Department for Children and Families  the ninth in total  reporting that Zoey had died.

Neighbors have said Zoey was no longer living at home by late September, having been kicked out of her mother's house to live with her father in a homeless camp. Prosecutors have charged 25-year-old Mickel Cherry, a homeless acquaintance, with child rape and capital murder.

On Tuesday, two weeks and a day after Zoey died, DCF released a two and a half page summary in response to open records requests filed by the Topeka Capital-Journal and other news organizations. The records confirm what neighbors and other agencies have said  that DCF received multiple reports about Zoey  but also refute the allegation from some that DCF did nothing.

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The state's child welfare agency officially declared that Zoey, who was 5 years and 6 months old, "died due to abuse or neglect." That finding was needed under Kansas law in order for DCF to release the summary, which includes limited information on reports to DCF and services recommended by the department.

DCF received nine reports about Zoey Felix

The agency received nine total reports involving Zoey. Six were assigned for investigation. The other three were duplicative or were combined under an open case. The summary does not say who made the various reports.

The first report came more than a year before Zoey died. On Sept. 8, 2022, "DCF received a report with allegations including poor conditions in the home and possible drug use in the presence of a child." The investigation included a drug screen agreed to by the mother, which came back negative, and finding out that the mother was working with court services.

"DCF offered services to the family, but the family declined," the summary states. "The case was closed."

Two months later, on Nov. 8, 2022, DCF received a report about an unsupervised child.

"Following an investigation, the case was unsubstantiated," the summary states. "DCF offered services, and again they were declined."

Ten days later, on Nov. 18, 2022, came a report to DCF that Zoey's mother had been arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and that Zoey had been unrestrained in the front seat. Zoey was briefly placed in police protective custody, but law enforcement placed her with her father after locating him the same evening.

"After receiving the report, DCF interviewed the father and child to assess safety," the summary states. "No safety concerns were identified. The report was substantiated by a Lack of Supervision finding against the mother."

Shawnee County District Court documents show Zoey's mother, Holly Jo Felix, ultimately got sentenced to probation after entering a plea deal with the district attorney's office.

Six months later, on May 18, 2023, came the first report to DCF that Zoey was living in a home with no utilities. The report also alleged the home was in generally poor condition. A child protective services investigation for physical neglect "found the home to be livable, utilities operational, and food in the home. There were no signs of drugs in the home. The case was unsubstantiated."

The family again declined the offer of family preservation services.

DCF received another report of no utilities plus drug use on Aug. 29, 2023.

Child protective services then tried to contact the family through home visits on Sept. 6, Sept. 8, Sept. 12, Sept. 14 and Sept. 25. They sent a letter on Sept. 20. They called on Sept. 21, but the number was disconnected.

"The case remains open," the summary states.

Then came the Oct. 2, 2023, report to DCF of Zoey's death.

"As a result, DCF assigned a case for Physical and Sexual Abuse in the death of Zoey," the summary states. "The Sexual Abuse case was substantiated. The Physical Abuse case finding is pending investigation."

What DCF secretary Laura Howard and Gov. Laura Kelly say

Now that DCF has released its summary, DCF secretary Laura Howard and Gov. Laura Kelly have issued statements.

"My agency is fully committed to a thorough review of this case," Howard said. "We will take every step necessary to determine if there are policies and procedures that can be revised or added to effectively support families and help prevent another case like this from happening again."

"Zoey Felix's death was an unacceptable tragedy," Kelly said. "My administration proposed legislation in 2021 to allow the Department for Children and Families to expedite the release of information in cases like Zoey's. We will urge the Legislature to get that bill to my desk early in the next legislative session."

The governor was referring to a bill proposed by Howard that would have required DCF release its summary about Zoey after criminal charges were filed against Cherry, which happened three days after her death. The bill passed a House committee, but leadership never brought it up for a vote on the House floor.

Under current state law, if DCF has had involvement with a child but the child was not in state custody, the agency has seven business days to respond to a public records request for summary information. However, DCF must first make its own determination that the child died as a result of abuse or neglect, which can delay the timeline for releasing a summary.

Full reports about Zoey Felix case not released

The summary released by DCF provides limited information on the state child welfare agency's involvement in the Topeka girl's short life. More detail could be revealed if the full DCF reports are released publicly, as the Capital-Journal has requested, but it is unclear whether that will happen.

State law provides for those reports to be redacted or sealed by a judge at the request of any affected party, including prosecutors, Cherry's public defenders, Zoey's family and DCF. An ongoing criminal investigation or a pending prosecution are among the factors the court may consider.

Meanwhile, Shawnee County District Court has sealed a Topeka police affidavit at the request of Cherry's defense team and without objection from prosecutors. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay has not yet decided whether he will pursue the death penalty.

What you can do if you suspect abuse or neglect

The summary included information on what people can do to help a family in need of support or to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Resources to help families are available by calling 1-800-Children, or 800-332-6378, or by visiting www.1800childrenks.org. The service is operated by the Kansas Children's Service League.

Suspected child abuse or neglect can be reported to the Kansas Protection Report Center by calling 1-800-922-5330.

Jason Alatidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Before Zoey Felix died, Kansas DCF received many child welfare reports
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a significant grant to Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) under the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). The $600,000 grant is seen as a pivotal step in enhancing and expanding air service between Lynchburg and key destinations, particularly Chicago.

Airport Director Andrew LaGala said he is cautiously optimistic about the grant's potential to address air service deficiencies and improve connectivity for the region.

Chicago is on American [Airlines] radar, he said. But they just have other hurdles to overcome to structure how they're going to move airplanes in the system, to see where they're going to put them at, what airports to go to new routes, new destinations and that's what they're working on.

The DOT received 48 applications, of which only 20 airports were selected, LaGala said, with total funds available for the 2023 program at $15 million, and the program is highly competitive.

Grants have generally been between $20,000 and $1.6 million.

Established in 2002 and funded annually by Congress, the SCASDP is designed to assist smaller communities in addressing air service deficiencies, particularly at underserved airports. Lynchburg, categorized as a non-hub airport, has strived to improve its air service, with a particular focus on enhancing connectivity with American Airlines. The grant, totaling $600,000, is a vital tool in this endeavor, LaGala said.

It's another tool and next steps in getting us closer for potential Chicago service, he said. It's the next big tool because that's a big incentive. Revenue guarantees are a big incentive for an airline to now start focusing more closely at that particular airport for newer service.

LYH's proposal for the grant focused on two key areas. First, it aims to improve the quality of service by reintroducing larger dual-class regional jet aircrafts to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Secondly, it seeks to establish new nonstop service to American Airlines' Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) hub. This two-pronged approach is expected to offer local travelers improved connectivity and additional flight options.

A crucial aspect of securing the SCASDP grant is public-private participation and the commitment of local resources to match the DOT's grant funds. LYH's proposal included $400,000 in local matching funds, which, combined with the grant, will result in a total incentive package worth $1.052 million. The City of Lynchburg, through its Economic Development Authority, is actively involved in coordinating local financial contributions, further demonstrating the community's commitment to enhancing air service in the region.

I am thrilled that the U. S. Department of Transportation has chosen Lynchburg Regional Airport to receive the Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant. This grant underscores our commitment to building a resilient and thriving community where accessibility and connectivity are key drivers of sustainable economic development. I commend Andrew LaGala and his team on their tireless efforts to improve air service for the City and our region, Marjette Upshur, director of Economic Development & Tourism for Lynchburg said.

With this grant, LYH is well-positioned to incentivize American Airlines to enhance its service by returning higher-capacity, dual-class airline service to CLT and introducing new nonstop flights to ORD, LaGala said. The aim is to restore service levels to pre-pandemic standards, offering passengers improved convenience and connectivity.

LaGala said the airport has hired two strategic consultants for air service development, one of which is strategically targeted for American Airlines.

So were setting up a network planning meeting with them and well talk about Americans plans moving forward, he said.

He said Chicago is a priority destination and emphasized the profitability of the route for American Airlines. While there are challenges related to equipment availability and pilot resources, the grant represents a significant step forward in achieving these service enhancements.

We couldnt be more thrilled with the announcement that LYH was one of the 20 communities awarded this competitive grant, said Christine Kennedy, COO with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. "Our Air Service Development Partnership has worked with the airport for years to support efforts to enhance and expand air service and this grant provides a great incentive to amplify those efforts. With a strong business travel base in our region, adding additional seat capacity and a northern connecting hub will be most welcome by our business travelers.
(Photo : MOHAMED ZAANOUN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

10/15/2023 Gaza, Palestine. People walking amidst the destruction of houses and streets in Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, amid the devastation caused by Israeli airstrikes.

Israel has issued a warning to Hezbollah, warning them about the potential consequences they would face if they were to become involved in the current war.

The Israeli government clarified that Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed movement, would be subjected to significant and severe retaliation should they choose to enter the ongoing hostilities, as per to Mail Online.

Israel Declares Northern Border Closed Military Zone Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions

As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, Israel has declared its northern border with Lebanon a closed military zone. This move comes after deadly clashes with Hezbollah and growing fears of another front opening while the Gaza Strip faces ongoing bombardment.

Hezbollah, the Lebanese political and military group, stated that its attacks responded to Israel's strikes into Lebanon the previous day. These Israeli strikes resulted in the death of two civilians and a Reuters cameraman, Issam Abdallah, who was filming near the border.

Israel is currently investigating the killing of Abdallah. Online footage clearly showed that Abdallah and his colleagues were marked as "Press" when they were targeted by a projectile launched from Israel.

The move by Israel to close its northern border is a significant step, driven by concerns that Hezbollah might open a second front, potentially coming to the aid of Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip.

The situation in Gaza has escalated significantly recently, with Hamas fighters launching an unprecedented multi pronged attack on Israel, causing casualties and taking hostages.

Israel's actions have not been confined to its northern border, as it also targeted airports in Syria's Aleppo and Damascus, according to Aljazeera.

Related Article: NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg Urges Release of Hamas Hostages, Warns Iran May Take Advantage on Israel-Palestine Conflict

Israel's Complex Conflict

In what is perceived as a strategic move, efforts are being made to hinder Iran's utilization of Syria to engage in the ongoing dispute. While Iran has not officially threatened to join the war, it has warned Israel of consequences if it does not halt its attacks on Gaza.

Al Jazeera's Ali Hashem, reporting from Ayta Ash Shab in Lebanon, highlighted the interconnected nature of the conflicts in the region.

"Everything going on at this border is linked to what's happening in Gaza. This front could be the most concerning for Israel because of the quality of weapons Hezbollah has. The group has been stockpiling tens of thousands of rockets," Hashem said. "So there is a concern about what kind of a war could begin on this front in case the situation in Gaza escalates."

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with Israel continuing its bombardment and even hinting at a possible ground assault. Meanwhile, the conflict has already resulted in many casualties, including the deaths of Palestinian civilians, including children.

In Lebanon earlier this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian warned that Hezbollah has prepared scenarios in case Israel intensifies its attacks on Gaza. Amid these escalating tensions, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has verified the use of artillery-fired white phosphorus, a lethal chemical, in Lebanon and Gaza.

The use of white phosphorus in areas with civilian populations is banned under a United Nations convention. Iran, a staunch supporter of Hamas, has emphasized its desire to prevent the conflict from spreading across the region.

However, it has also indicated that it may respond if Israel's operation in Gaza persists.

With the situation in the Middle East growing increasingly complex, the international community closely monitors the developments. President Biden has urged other regional players to refrain from entering the conflict and has deployed American warships to the region, pledging unwavering support for Israel.

However, finding a path to peace remains elusive as the Middle East teeters on the brink of a more significant, more devastating conflict, Fox News reported.

Read Also: Israeli Women Miraculously Escape From Hamas Terrorists After IDF Troops Arrive in Heart-Pounding Moment

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Iowans who want to participate in early voting can begin casting ballots for the 2023 city-school election on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

This marks the start of the absentee voting period and the first day Iowans can vote in person at their county election office. Oct. 18 is also the first day that county auditors can mail absentee ballots to voters who requested them.

All registered voters are eligible to make written requests for absentee ballots. In order to receive an absentee ballot, registered voters must provide the following information on the request form: name, date of birth, Iowa residential address and a Voter Verification Number, name or date of the election, and signature and date the form was finished. All voters are encouraged to provide a phone number and email address, too.

The required ID number can be a Iowa Drivers License or Non-Operator ID Number or it can be a four-digit voter PIN found on a voters Iowa Voter ID Card. Any voter can request an Iowa Voter ID Card by contacting their county auditors office.

City and school elected officials play a critical role in our day-to-day lives, so its vitally important for Iowans to make their voices heard in Novembers elections, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a release. The best way to make your voice heard is to vote, and to be successful in voting, Iowans should solidify their voting plans early. Whether voting at the polls on Election Day or casting a ballot early by absentee ballot in person or through the mail, Iowans can be assured their voice is heard.

More than 5,500 Iowans have requested an absentee ballot so far, according to a news release from the Iowa Secretary of State's Office. The deadline to request one to be mailed is 5 p.m. on Monday, October 23.

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, Pate said. 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.

Iowans can vote absentee by mail or in person, as well as in person at the polls on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Absentee ballot request forms are available at VoterReady.Iowa.gov. You can also track the status of your request and ballot at that site. County auditors must receive your absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis jumped into discussion of current events in the Middle East during a stop in Council Bluffs on Saturday afternoon.

Florida has taken action in bringing Americans home from Israel, while the federal government is acting too slowly, DeSantis told a packed audience at a downtown restaurant.

We have a responsibility to bring Americans home, the Republican presidential candidate. Florida has sprung into action on this. I authorized emergency transport and we already have planes that have left Israel air space on its way to Florida. The federal government has been dragging its feet on this. This calls for leadership and we stepped up in Florida and filled the void.

The tense situation in the Middle East took up much of his speech at Buck Snort in downtown Council Bluffs.

DeSantis said the recent level of brutality by Hamas against Israel something hes never seen before.

Israel has every right to fight back, he said. They have to destroy Hamas once and for all.

He blasted Iran for funding global terrorism, adding that the relaxation of sanctions against that country by President Joe Biden  the presumptive Democratic nominee who will face the winner of the GOP presidential primary  was ridiculous.

DeSantis also fears the mitigation of people at this countys southern border could include terrorists.

Our own border makes us vulnerable to attack, he said, adding that a border wall would be built under his administration.

America must also be tough against cartels bringing drugs like fentanyl into this country, he said.

We are going to try these cartels like the terrorist groups that they are.

DeSantis touted his accomplishments in Florida as way for voters to separate him from the numerous other Republican candidates.

We have no income tax, as well as having record tax cuts, he said.

Under his leadership, Florida has banned so-called "sanctuary cities" and has prohibited the purchase of Florida land by China, he said. Florida residents also have a choice whether or not to wear masks against COVID-19.

We protected peoples freedom, DeSantis said.

Turning his attention to energy, DeSantis recalled seeing $7.25 a gallon gas in California recently.

Its crazy, he said.

AAA says the national average is $3.60 and Iowa's average is $3.29; the average in California, as of Monday, is $5.62 a gallon, although prices vary considerably by county.

Under a DeSantis administration, America will use its own energy resources to combat gas prices, he said. That would include re-opening the Keystone XL pipeline and pursuing energy resources on federal lands.

You will pay less for gas and its great for our national security, he said.

In recalling the mass killing at Parkland High School in Florida on Feb. 14, 2019, DeSantis said he took action against those who failed to see advanced warning signs about the young shooter.

Nobody did anything to stop it," he said. "So, I fired the sheriff and the school board members who dropped the ball. And today, we have the strongest school security in the country,

DeSantis took issue concerning the age of Biden and former president Donald Trump, who is leading polls for the GOP presidential primary.

Its not a job for somebody 80 years old, said DeSantis, who is 45. We need common sense in Washington. You can trust me to get the job done.

Among those attending the event was Eric Batie of Council Bluffs, who was impressed with DeSantis accomplishment as governor.

He followed through with those promises, Batie said.

His wife, Kathy Batie, added: We just watched the next president. He is awesome.

Jared Schultz, who came from Bellevue, Nebraska, was impressed.

I thought he did a great job," Schultz said.
If you have ever experienced the panic inducing scenario of your beloved pet being right there next to you one minute and then gone the next, you are not alone.

Maybe Fido saw an opportunity to slip under the fence gate or Fluffy took the opportunity to saunter out the front door as you are bringing groceries in the house; whatever the case, many of us have lost a pet even if its for a split second.

MHS has reunited approximately 300 animals with their owners just this year. The easiest way for you to be reunited with your missing pet is to ensure that all your pets are microchipped as MHS or animal control will scan for a microchip upon the animals arrival.

A microchip, as defined by the AKC, is a radio-frequency identification transponder that carries a unique identification number, that is roughly the size of a grain of rice. When a microchip is scanned by a vet or shelter, it transmits the ID number. There is no better, no power required, and no moving parts. The microchip is injected under the loose skin between your pets shoulder blades and is no more invasive than a vaccine.

The microchip then needs to be registered with the corresponding database with the owners information. So, when a pet comes to MHS and they are scanned, if a microchip is present, the owners can easily be contacted if the phone number, email address, and home address is up to date. MHS offers microchipping for just $27.50 with no appointment required.

If your pet is missing and is not yet microchipped, we urge owners living in Pottawattamie County to visit Midlands Humane Society daily until your pet is found. Lost reports are accepted however you know your pet the best and can identify them much easier than a stranger.

Per Council Bluffs ordinance, MHS is legally required to house a pet for three days before starting the process of adoption preparation. It is imperative that owners missing their animals come to the shelter promptly and frequently to search for their pet as MHS does not have the kennel space to hold animals for an indefinite amount of time.

If you are on Facebook, there are may great pages/groups utilized specifically for lost and found animals in Council Bluffs and surrounding areas. A couple examples are Council Bluffs Lost & Found Pets and Missing Pets of Council Bluffs/Omaha areas.

Folks from the community can post photos and information about animals they have found, hoping an owner will be scanning the posts. If a member of the public has found an animal, they need to be taken to a clinic or shelter to be scanned for a microchip and a found report should be filled out at MHS.

MHS is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding a lost or found pet, so please do not hesitate to call at 712-396-2270 during regular business hours.

MHS Pets of the Week brought to you by Montang Body Shop:

Castiel is a 5-year-old neutered male Boxer mix who is a sensitive, shy guy looking for a quiet home with patient owners who will allow him to acclimate at his own pace. Castiel has previously lived with cats and enjoys an occasional game of chase, and he does join in on doggy play group. Any dog friends should be able to tolerate his pushy play style and a meet and greet with existing dogs is recommended to ensure they get along. He would prefer an adult-only home or a home with children in their teens.

Cookie is a 3-year-old spayed female Collie/German Shepherd mix who can be timid when she meets new people but warms up very quickly and turns into a big ball of affection. Any dogs in the home should be tolerant of her playstyle so we recommend a bigger dog who can keep up with her. She will be a great companion for a patient owner who will help her come out of her shell.

Ricky is a 1-year-old neutered male Domestic Shorthair who came to MHS as a stray. He is affectionate, laid back, and we think he will acclimate well to most any home. He may be selective with his feline friends, so his new owners should be prepared to do slow, appropriate introductions with any resident cats. He is living successfully in one of our cat colony rooms at MHS.

Jericho is a 2-year-old neutered male Pit mix who is a very happy, bouncy guy who doesnt realize his own strength so his new family will need to work with him on some of his basic manners. He enjoys going to play group with other dogs so we think he would like to have a doggy friend in his new home. He will need to be adopted to an area without a breed ban.

Visit MHS weekdays from 12-6pm and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or view our adoptable pets online at www.midlandshumanesociety.org/adopt.
NORFOLK  In regard to the two recent columns by your readers saying what a great job Joe Biden is doing: I dont know where these people are getting their facts, but I have good idea. They should head down to the border and talk to the border agents, and homeowners to get some education.
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The Burkina Faso military government has signed an agreement with the Russian government for the construction of a nuclear power plant in the West African country, in a move that aims to cover the energy needs of the population, less than a quarter of which had access to electricity by late 2020, according to the African Development Bank (ADB).

The nuclear power plant deal was sequel to talks between Burkina Fasos military leader, Ibrahim Traore, and the Russian President, Vladimir Putin in July during the Russia-Africa summit. During the meeting, Traore had requested Putins support in setting up a nuclear power plant in the West African country, which, according to him, would help the country to meet its energy demands. Our position is rather strategic because we are in the heart of West Africa and we have an energy deficit in the sub-region, the junta recently said in a statement. Burkina Faso has been ruled by a military junta since last year and has sought to diversify its international partners, moving closer to Russia in particular.

The government of Burkina Faso has signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a nuclear power plant, the government said in a statement. The deal was signed at the Russian Energy Week in Moscow, which was attended by Burkina Fasos energy minister Simon-Pierre Boussim. The construction of this nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso is intended to cover the energy needs of the population, it added. Russias state atomic energy agency Rosatom said in a statement that the memorandum is the first document in the field of the peaceful use of atomic energy between Russia and Burkina Faso. It noted that the agreement laid the foundations for cooperation in areas including the use of nuclear energy in industry, agriculture and medicine.
While the United Nations voiced concern on Saturday (14 October) over an escalation of fighting in northern Mali, the Malian foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop said that the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from the region would happen on time by 31 December.

The UN expressed its concern at the weekend that its drawdown could be hampered by an escalation of fighting in the north  where rival armed groups are seeking to seize territory as its peacekeepers pull out  and by an influx of Malian troops there. Heightened tensions and the increasingly hostile presence of armed groups in northern Mali are likely to impede the departure of the UN Stabilisation Mission there, the UN wrote in a note to the media. Since late August, rival armed groups have been seeking to seize territory, while the UN mission there is about to pull out. The departure of the MINUSMA peacekeepers by the end of 2023 is part of an ongoing security reconfiguration launched by the military junta, which seized power in 2020.

But Abdoulaye Diop said on the same day that everything must be done to ensure the work of MINUSMA is finished by 31 December. The minister also added that the government does not foresee any extension of this deadline. There has been an escalation in fighting in the north between majority-Tuareg separatist groups and the Malian army. The jihadist Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), which is affiliated to Al-Qaeda, has also stepped up attacks on Malian army posts. Meanwhile, as the UN mission in the West African country begins to wind down, Malian soldiers and Russian paramilitary forces are seeking to take their place in Tessalit, a rural town in the countrys northeast. Mercenaries from the Russian Wagner Group have actively operated in Mali since late 2021.
Stella Terra, the worlds first solar powered car, has been tested in Morocco. Designed by students from Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands), the lightweight vehicle has completed lately a 1,000 km trip from Northern Morocco to its Sahara without recharging.

The test drive showed that the car can drive long distances with stopping at EV charging stations. The aerodynamic car is powered with the energy provided by multiple solar panels on its roof. It has a top speed of 145 km/h, weighs 1,200 kg and has a range of at least 710 km on a sunny day.

The car uses a rechargeable lithium battery which allows it to operate in less sunny climates but over shorter distances. Its solar panels can provide sufficient electricity for cooking and charging devices such as a phone or camera.

Wisse Bos, team manager of Solar Team Eindhoven, said: We are pushing the boundaries of technology, voicing hope that this experience would inspire giant car manufacturers to make it a more sustainable industry.
Morocco will invite bids by the end of the year for a 250 million cubic meters desalination plant in the north-eastern city of Nador, water and equipment minister Nizar Baraka said.

The plant would be the second largest in the country after Casablancas which is planned to start supplying fresh water in 2027, Baraka told Reuters.

Baraka said Casablanca and Nador plants will be powered by renewable energies as the country hopes to produce 1.3 billion cubic meters of water from desalination.

As part of an emergency drought-response program, Morocco built a waterway from the water abundant Sebou basin to a dam near Rabat that also supplies Casablanca.

Morocco plans to channel that water to the dam of Al Massira which supplies irrigation water to the key farming areas of Doukala and Tadla.

The project would also help offset delays in desalination projects, notably in Casablanca.

The waterway was meant to prevent water from being wasted at sea, as the country has lost more than 6.5 billion cubic meters of fresh water thrown into the sea in the past 5 years.

Morocco has announced a 2020-2027 plan to which $14 bln have been allocated in total to build desalination plants and dams while improving supply in rural areas.
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(Photo: by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images) Seized suspected cocaine is displayed during a press conference at the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department headquarters in Hong Kong on June 30, 2021, after officers on June 22 inspected an air cargo consignment arriving from Brazil at Hong Kong International Airport, seizing about 110 kilograms of suspected cocaine inside two hydraulic devices with an estimated market value of about 16.7 million USD, resulting in the largest airborne cocaine trafficking case detected by Customs in the past two decades.

Authorities at Hong Kong International Airport found 11kg of suspected cocaine concealed in an electric wheelchair's cushions.

The haul, which has an estimated market worth of roughly HK$12 million (1.2 million), was discovered on Saturday while a 51-year-old man was passing through customs, as reported by Sky News.

He was detained after traveling from the Caribbean nation of Sint Maarten to Hong Kong via Paris. One of his two pieces of checked baggage was a wheelchair.

When customs officers became suspicious after scanning it, they investigated it and discovered evidence that the seat cushion and backrest had been opened and repaired.

According to local media accounts, the man, who was walking on crutches, identified himself as the director of a car rental firm and claimed that a friend had loaned him a wheelchair to use while traveling.

In Hong Kong, drug smuggling is a serious crime. If found guilty, the maximum punishment is a fine of HK$5 million (525,793) and life in jail.

In recent years, there have been several well-publicized instances of drug smugglers using wheelchairs.

In response to the discovery, customs officials announced that they would intensify inspections of travelers from "high-risk regions" in order to combat international drug trafficking activities.

Read also: Dubai: Over $1 Billion Worth of Highly Addictive Pills Seized in Drug Bust

Drugs at the Hong Kong Airport

In the first half of this year, customs agents at Hong Kong International Airport intercepted approximately 2.3 tonnes (2.5 tons) of illicit substances that they found in cargo shipments and among passengers, a rise of more than 80 percent over the same period in 2022, it was reported on Tuesday.

According to the most recent statistics from the Customs and Excise Department, between January and June of this year, 604 instances at the airport resulted in the seizure of 2,298kg (5,066lbs) of drugs with an estimated street value of HK$970 million (US$124 million).

Customs confiscated 1,270kg of illegal substances worth HK$590 million in 331 incidents over the same time period last year. Officers seized 839 cases at the airport totaling 2.6 tonnes of drugs worth HK$1.2 billion in 2022.

The number of incidents involving harmful substances discovered during customs checks in 2022 increased to 931 from 906 the year before, according to their most recent statistics. Last year, 178 people were detained for related offenses.

In an airport, drugs had previously been discovered concealed in a wheelchair. Authorities in New York recovered $450,000 worth of cocaine in November after discovering it in a woman's wheelchair's wheels.

At Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy, about 1.2 million worth of cocaine was discovered in a motorized wheelchair in September of last year.

Related article: Mexico's 'Narco Queen,' El Chapo's Wife Emma Coronel Released from Prison

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The UN stabilization mission in Mali known as MINUSMA said Monday October 16 it pulled out from two camps in the Kidal region.

In a climate of high tension, (the mission) has begun the process of withdrawing from its camps in the Kidal region, starting with Tessalit and Aguelhok, the mission said in a statement.

The mission also indicated that the pullout from a third camp, at Kidal itself, could be accelerated if necessary. At the request of transitional authorities in power, the UN Security Council ordered in June 2023 the withdrawal by December 31st of the mission present in the country since 2013.

Bamako has accused the mission for failing to end violence in the country, especially in the north controlled by rebel groups and terrorist organizations. The Malian army has sent troops in the north to secure the camps that rebels, predominantly Tuareg separatist groups, do not want to see in the hands of authorities.

The rebels and terror groups chiefly the Al-Qaeda-linked Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) have increased attacks against military positions recently.

The UN last week expressed concerns about the ongoing warfare between the Malian Army and rebels on one side, and terrorist groups on the other. The mission hinted at an extension of the withdrawal deadline.

However Abdoullaye Diop, the countrys top diplomat, late last week re-iterated authorities commitment to the end of December deadline. The diplomat underlined the countrys position during a meeting with the diplomatic corps, in a reaction to the UN concerns.
Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) decided to establish a visa-free regime between the two countries, Sputnik reports citing a joint communique, which was signed by the parties on the eighth Uganda-DRC Joint Commission.

To this end, the two parties agreed to remove entry visa fees on reciprocal bases to facilitate free movement of people, the document read.

The joint Commission meeting was held in Kinshasa on October 12-14. The two sides also talked about military and security cooperation as well as collaboration in public Administration, the communique said.

The countries also discuss possibilities of agreements in trade, infrastructure and industry development, agriculture energy sector, transport and communications. The decision to scrap visa requirements between both countries came following a proposal by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in December 2022 to establish visa-free travel between the two countries.

Crossing in East Africa should be cost-free. You pay for a visa when going to America, or Europe, but a visa to DR Congo?! That is rubbish. If that is the case, I have removed it, he was quoted as saying.

In May 2023, he also reportedly urged officials from both countries to accelerate the process of lifting the restrictions. Citizens of both countries have also lambasted the visa requirement between the countries.

DR Congo in September 2023 announced the establishment of visa-free travel with Kenya in early September.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spains Interior Minister, indicated Monday October 16 the countrys civil guard will step up surveillance operations on the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania in view of curbing illegal migrations from the two African countries.

Grande-Marlaska made the announcement following a meeting held in Canary Islands, a Spanish autonomous territory facing waves of arrivals of migrants from Senegal and Mauritania.

The Spanish official announced that a Spanish Guardia Civil Police plane would be deployed to monitor the waters around both African countries.

A second plane, he said, will be deployed to reinforce the waters around the archipelago, he also added.

12,500 migrants had been prevented from making the journey so far this year as part of cooperation with Senegal and Mauritania. The number of arrivals by sea to the Canary Islands has increased 80% compared to the same time last year, Interior ministry figures indicate.

Grande-Marlaska, last week during an address to the European Parliaments Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), highlighted the external dimension of migration policy as one of the objectives of the Spanish presidency, with the aim of promoting cooperation with the countries of origin and transit of migration in the fight against the mafia gangs that traffic in people.

Last week, the European Union granted Mauritania 10.5 million euros to help address illegal migration.
Every bidder to replace the historic Sutherland State Aid Bridge specified it would be demolished as work on the new bridge starts, Lincoln County commissioners were told Monday.

The word from Kevin Petross, the countys project consulting engineer with Kearneys Miller & Associates, appeared to dim alternatives to extended, lengthy detours for residents north of the North Platte River bridge 3 miles north of Sutherland.

Petross said by telephone that all four bidders said they would use remains of the concrete 1914 bridge as berm riprap to divert the river from the construction area. just 20 feet east of the old bridge.

Debris also would be used as fill as the approaches to the new bridge are rerouted for about one-third of a mile on each side, he added.

Everybody bid it this way, Petross said. But the bid documents did not have any language in regard to whether the existing structure was to be left open or left standing or any of that.

His answer frustrated the five commissioners and the 20-some neighbors attending the boards weekly meeting for the second straight Monday.

Im kind of one who started this process many, many, many years ago, said Commissioner Joe Hewgley. He was in his first full year on the County Board when replacement of the Sutherland bridge was first made a county priority in 1986.

Many of the people that are in this room today have friends and neighbors or have parents that were in attendance at that time, he added. It was extremely important (to them) that the bridge remain open during construction of the new bridge.

Chairman Jerry Woodruff asked Hewgley and Commissioner Chris Bruns, whose district includes Sutherland, to meet this week with Petross, current Highway Superintendent Jason Schultz, other involved parties and preferably representatives of contractor KEA Constructors LLC of rural Milford.

But they warned that the county may have no choice but to proceed with the $5.24 million replacement  and a net 13-mile detour east on West Suburban Road, across the river on North Hershey Road and west on North River Road.

Its my chief priority. I know that Commissioner Hewgley (also) has a vested interest. All of us do to find a solution that works for everybody, Bruns said.

Unfortunately, the realism of the fact is we may not be able to come to a solution that we would all like to see. But at the end of the day, we will have a new bridge.

That didnt ease the neighbors unhappiness, though most had nodded their heads when Woodruff asked if there was a consensus they want the old one-lane bridge replaced.

Tory Copeland, a Sutherland school board member and former Village Board member, vented the groups feelings.

Weve been supposed to have that bridge operational since 1986. It was assumed, he said. I know what they say when you assume. But something changed somewhere. There should have been a line item somewhere that somebody should have caught.

The countys Facebook page, at Woodruffs direction, posted Oct. 6 that the Sutherland bridge would close 10 days later, the same day as Mondays meeting. Commissioners put that off at their last meeting Oct. 9.

KEAs winning bid Sept. 5 was about $1.41 million below Miller & Associates $6.65 million project estimate. North Plattes Simon Contractors bid $6.28 million, while two Lincoln firms bid above the estimate.

Copeland, updating a statement he made at the Oct. 9 meeting, said a Simon bridge foreman told him that to his knowledge, closing the bridge was not an option until the abutments are tied together.

Petross said it wasnt possible to build the new six-span, 550-foot-long bridge right over the old one, because you can run into issues with driving pile. If it goes much farther away, you wind up redoing many miles of roadway and it adds dramatically to the cost of the structure.

He said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has approved the project but not yet given its final green light to start work, gave permission for temporary berms to divert the river for construction rather than build a temporary bridge.

Bruns asked how much building a temporary bridge would cost. Petross estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million.

So approximately what we saved on this bid, Bruns said. If were not able to adjust this plan, whats a potential workaround?

The first and most important part of trying to do any of those things is youre going to have to go back to the Corps of Engineers and submit a new permit, because this is the plan that they have approved and any alterations to that will require a new permit, a new application, Petross said.

Give us an estimate as to how much time that would take, Woodruff said.

Four years, Bruns said quietly.

We may never get it, Hewgley replied. Commissioner Micaela Wuehler agreed.

Hewgley, a veteran architect, asked whether the county could explore leaving the old bridge in place and building a cofferdam with sheet piles to expose the riverbed where the new bridge goes.

Hypothetically, you could do that, but the Corps still would have to approve, Petross said.

So would the Nebraska Department of Transportation, he added. NDOT funds will cover about 71% of the new bridges construction cost, Schultz said after Mondays meeting.

Because the Corps of Engineers hasnt yet given its final go-ahead, Bruns said, the county needs to ask anyway if it would consider temporary alternatives as simply an amendment to the permit or make the county start over.

Were going on four decades with this project, he said. Taking a little extra time to ask these questions and see if we can find a solution that works for everybody, even if takes a couple months, I dont think is going to be a make-or-break on this entire thing.

From your standpoint, a month or two is not much time, Petross replied. But from the contractors standpoint, it is.

Deputy County Attorney Tyler Volkmer, the County Boards legal counsel, seconded the warning. I just want to tell the board you have a signed contract with the contractor, and every day that we as the owner interfere with them from doing the work, its going to be a problem.
A cattle rancher charged with animal cruelty reached a plea deal with the Lincoln County District Court on Mondays motion day at the Lincoln County Courthouse.

Matthew J. Mikoloyck, 42, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony abandonment or cruel neglect of livestock.

As part of the plea deal, eight other counts of felony abandonment or cruel neglect of livestock were dropped. Another related case of 10 counts of intentional cruelty to an animal were also dropped.

Mikoloyck waived his right to a pre-sentence investigation, but instead opted to delay sentencing to Dec. 18.

Over 150 head of dead cattle were reported found by the Lincoln County Sheriffs office in February. More than 1,000 were found on Mikoloyck, and his father Larry Mikoloycks Logan County ranch, many malnourished.

With two other cases pending, a North Platte man accused of stealing money out of lockboxes from casino games in multiple locations reached a plea agreement with the Lincoln County District Court, for two pending cases at least.

Timothy L. Caudillo, 39, pleaded no contest to felony criminal possession of a forged instrument and possession of methamphetamine. As part of the plea deal, a charge of felony first degree forgery was dropped.

Caudillo and his girlfriend at the time, Latosha M. Ryan, 36, were accused of multiple crimes targeting gaming systems, emptying cash boxes, submitting forged vouchers to skill game arcades and possession of methamphetamine throughout 2022 and 2023.

Deputy County Attorney Michael Nozicka recommended the max sentence for each count he pleaded no contest to. He said that along with the fact he has other cases pending, Caudillos crimes committed in the past may have been nonviolent, but there were quite a few of them.

Caudillo said he was getting treatment for addiction and said he had a job opportunity lined up if he was allowed probation instead of incarceration.

District Judge Cindy Volkmer noted Caudillo has served extensive time behind bars for his crimes in the past, but noted he never had the opportunity for probation and it appears things are changing. She sentenced him to 30 months probation under Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision.

Mark and Bridget Haneborg appeared briefly in the Lincoln County District Court Monday for a motion to continue.

Mark Haneborg, 55, and Bridget Haneborg, 45, are each charged with three counts of felony evasion of income tax and three counts of filing a fraudulent Nebraska income tax return.

The Haneborgs attorney Aaron Bishop said they have retained an expert witness. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 4.

A North Platte man accused of shooting at his ex-girlfriends house was denied a motion to reduce bail.

Dale W. Husemoller, 38, is accused of felony possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a defaced firearm, two counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, unlawful intentional discharge of a firearm, second-degree assault and terroristic threats.

Husemollers bail is currently set at 10% of $200,000. He will have to post $20,000 to get out of jail. His attorney, Victoria Hervey said he is behind on child support payments and bail should be lowered to ten percent of $100,000, ($10,000 to meet bail) so he could earn money to resume payments.

District Judge Michael Piccolo denied the motion for bond reduction.
TEL AVIV, Israel  President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support for the U.S. ally as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Bidens travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what U.S. and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.

Biden is looking to send the strongest message yet that the U.S. is behind Israel. His Democratic administration has pledged military support, sending U.S. carriers and aid to the region. Officials have said they would ask Congress for upward of $2 billion in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russias invasion.

Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials.
Two people were arrested after police found a large bag of suspected methamphetamine in their vehicle.

Austin Priest, 34 and Nikki Stevens, 45, were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, more than 140 grams.

According to a release from the North Platte Police Department, officers observed a vehicle failing to stay in it's lane. Officers initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Priest.

During their search, officers located a large cellophane package with more than one pound of methamphetamine inside. Both Priest and Stevens were taken into custody peacefully and incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center.
The battlers over a distant second place. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The last thing the politicians chasing Donald Trump in a Republican primary needed was a global news event that blots out the sky, distracting attention from their frantic efforts to convince GOP voters to disenchant themselves with the 45th president. But Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley the two candidates competing for second place in the invisible primary of polls, money, and buzz  are doing what they can with what their tormenter gives them.

As war rages in Israel and Gaza, both DeSantis and Haley have leapt on Trumps peculiar comments last week attacking Bibi Netanyahu for very old personal grievances, calling the Lebanese-based terrorist group Hezbollah very smart, and (of course) blaming the whole conflict on Joe Biden winning the rigged election of 2020.

DeSantis, whose strategy has long been to depict Trump as an erratic, self-centered politician likely to betray the MAGA movement, was first to pounce, as The Hill reported:

In a Wednesday evening tweet, he contended that it was absurd that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose now to attack our friend and ally, Israel, much less praise Hezbollah terrorists as very smart.

The Florida governor remained on the attack through Thursday. He told a Fox News reporter that Trumps comment taking aim at Netanyahu makes no sense.

While filing paperwork for the New Hampshire primary, DeSantis told reporters: We need to all be on the same page. Nows not the time to air personal grievances about an Israeli prime minister. Nows the time to support their right to defend themselves to the hilt.

Haley, who is projecting herself as a hawkish foreign-policy wizard based on her brief experience as Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, wasted no time flailing her former boss as well, as the New York Times noted:

Mr. Trump, Ms. Haley suggested, lacks moral clarity and has not left the baggage and negativity of the past behind, an apparent reference to Mr. Trumps still-simmering animosity toward Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, over events that include his congratulating President Biden on winning the 2020 election 

To go and criticize the head of a country who just saw massive bloodshed  no, thats not what we need in a president, Ms. Haley said of Mr. Trump, the former president and current Republican front-runner, in a news conference in Concord, N.H., after filing to get on the states primary ballot.

You can file Trumps Israel remarks with his many weird comments that probably wont matter to his fans, but its understandable that DeSantis and Haley did what they could with it. Its more interesting that the two Trump rivals and their allies have also sniped at each other over war-related remarks, as Politico reported:

At a campaign event in Iowa on Saturday, DeSantis said that the U.S. should not accept any refugees from Gaza and that the Palestinians in Gaza are all antisemitic.

Haley, a former governor of South Carolina who also served as U.N. ambassador in the Trump administration, said on Sunday that half of Palestinians dont want to be governed by Hamas.

There are so many of these people who want to be free from this terrorist rule, she said in an appearance on CNNs State of the Union. They want to be free from all of that. And America has always been sympathetic to the fact that you can separate civilians from terrorists.

When confronted about the remarks and Haleys rebuke, DeSantis said he was simply defending the truth and pointed to efforts by Hamas to teach the kids to hate Jews.

DeSantis subsequently upped the ante, per Fox News:

Nikki Haley would import people  thats been her position. I get that, DeSantis said of the prospect of bringing Palestinian refugees from Gaza to the United States. I would not import 

Im willing to speak the truth. Shes trying to be politically correct, DeSantis said of Haley. Shes trying to please the media and people on the Left. I dont care about that. Im going to speak the truth and let the chips fall where they may.

It was left to Haleys campaign to clarify that she opposes the U.S. taking in Gazans. She thinks Hamas-supporting countries like Iran, Qatar, and Turkey should take any refugees.

You dont need a deciphering ring to figure out that DeSantis is trying to pin the dreaded moderate/RINO label on Haley, who is now ahead of the Floridian in polls in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Meanwhile, Haley is auditioning to be the kind of adult in the room conservative that Republicans preferred until Trump came along.

Such squabbling between his distant rivals is undoubtedly music to the ears of the front-runner, as actual voting grows near. But as the field gets slowly winnowed down (Tim Scott being the most likely to drop out next), you can expect more of this internecine combat. The remaining candidates are struggling to survive against heavy odds, made worse by a very distracting news environment.
Howd you do it, Kevin? Photo: JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

On Monday night, Marjorie Taylor Greene was confident that Jim Jordan would become Speaker on Tuesday. While there were a lot of dissidents within the Republican conference  55 had said they would refuse to vote for Jordan in a secret ballot last week  she was sure they would come around. I think when we get to the floor, these people that have been saying they refuse to vote for Jim Jordan, theyre not going to have the courage to say that, she said.

It turned out they had the courage.

Twenty Republicans voted against Jordan on the House floor on Tuesday and during a second vote on Wednesday that number grew to 22. The back-to-back defeat was resounding for the hard-right conservative who had maneuvered his way to becoming the Speaker-designate after weeks of parliamentary twists and turns following a successful effort to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

After McCarthy was removed, Jordan and Steve Scalise became the immediate front-runners for Speaker. Scalise won a closed-door leadership election last week, but he bowed out due to conservative intransigence. Although Scalise beat out Jordan, a number of Jordan supporters loudly insisted that they would never vote for anyone else, and Scalise decided against going to the House floor and facing an embarrassing loss. The coalition amassed against Jordan included loyalists of both McCarthy and Scalise, moderates from swing districts, and rogues.

Mario Diaz-Balart, a longtime Republican stalwart from South Florida, made clear he would never back Jordan. While insisting that he has a great relationship with Jordan, Diaz-Balart argued that any possibility of negotiations ceased once intimidation tactics were tried against him. Instead, Diaz-Balart insisted he would keep on voting for Scalise, saying he was just voting for the guy who won the election.

Some of the other Jordan opponents took the same tack. Carlos Gimenez of Florida has long insisted he was only Kevin and would keep voting for McCarthy to be Speaker due to his rage over his ouster. Others were swing-district moderates like Mike Lawler of New York and Tony Gonzales of Texas who were wary of casting a vote for a hard-right candidate like Jordan.

The opposition to Jordan was not limited to concerns about the Ohio Republican himself but also regarded his backers, the hard-right Republicans who ousted McCarthy and insisted that they would only vote for Jordan even though Scalise won a majority in a conference vote. Don Bacon told reporters last week that it would be rewarding bad behavior if Jordans supporters could make him Speaker after torpedoing two more popular alternatives.

Part of the appeal of Jordan, though, was that he would actually keep far-right Republicans in line.

Bob Good, one of the eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy, insisted Jordan was the second most popular Republican in the country and would appeal to the grassroots Republican base who consume only conservative media and are convinced that Republican failures in Washington are simply because their elected officials are always too weak.

I think hes the best chance we have to stay out of a shutdown, and hes the best chance to get our base and conservative media to buy into what were doing, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota told reporters on Monday regarding why he was supporting Jordan. McCarthy was ousted after he successfully forged a deal to avoid government shutdown and only months after he upset many conservatives by preventing the United States from defaulting on its debt.

In the view of Doug LaMalfa, this was all fruitless in the long run. We just pulled something out by the roots in Kevin, he said Tuesday of McCarthy, and were going a different direction but for almost the same pieces of silver there on the table  Because Jims gonna have to agree to a lot of the same things that Kevin was already on board with. So what have we changed? But he was still willing to be a team player.

In contrast, other longtime thorns in the side of House GOP leadership, like Byron Donalds of Florida, were just watching from the back. Its kind of boring, admitted Donalds, who said it was the first time hed watched the entire vote for Speaker after being caught up in negotiations during all 15 rounds in January to elect McCarthy as Speaker, even spending several rounds as a candidate for those opposed to McCarthy.

Now, after two consecutive defeats, its up to Jordan to decide whether he is willing to continue to force a series of floor votes in hopes that he can somehow grind down his opponents or if he will decide that there is no path for him to win over the 217 Republicans necessary for him to take the Speakers gavel. Either way, House Republicans are poised to spend the coming days, if not weeks, in turmoil.
The Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) - Martti Ahtisaari Foundation has announced the death of its namesake, former Finnish President and Nobel Peace Prize awardee Martti Ahtisaari, on Monday (October 16) at the age of 86.

The foundation was created to prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, similar to the feat Ahtisaari during his time in politics. In a statement, the foundation said it was "deeply saddened by the loss of its founder and (former) chair of the board."

It was previously reported that the former statesman was diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer's disease, a conventional form of dementia.

According to the Associated Press, Ahtisaari helped reach peace accords related to Serbia's withdrawal from Kosovo in the late 1990s, Namibia's bid for independence in the 1980s, and autonomy for Aceh province in Indonesia in 2005.

He was also involved with ending The Troubles in Ireland in the late 1990s, being tasked with monitoring the IRA's disarmament process.

Ahtisaari is survived by his wife Eeva and their adult son, Markko.

The world has lost a truly exceptional person who devoted his life to peace. Martti Ahtisaari strongly believed that peace is a question of will and that all conflicts can be resolved, always seeing opportunities where others saw problems. Perhaps now more than ever, the world  Alexander Stubb (@alexstubb) October 16, 2023

Reaction to Ahtisaari's Death

One of the first to mourn Ahtisaari's loss was his successor, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.

"He was president in times of change, who piloted Finland into a global EU era," he said, additionally describing his predecessor on Finnish public broadcaster YLE as "a citizen of the world" and "a great Finn."

It was during Niinisto's presidency when the country formally joined NATO last April, something Ahtisaari has been a strong supporter of.

Niinisto further recalled Ahtisaari having "a great heart and [believing] in the human being."

"In his speech at the Nobel celebration, Ahtisaari said that all conflicts can be resolved: 'Wars and conflicts are not inevitable. They are caused by humans,'" Niinisto added. "There are always interests that war promotes. Therefore, those who have power and influence can also stop them."

Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani also reacted to Ahtisaari's death, saying that he "committed all his life to peace, diplomacy, the goodness of humanity, and had an extraordinary influence" in Kosovo's present and future.

"He engraved the frame of our country, and his name will remain forever in the pages of the Republic of Kosovo's history," he added.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also called the Finnish statesman "a visionary" and "a champion of peace" on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Read Also: Readout of President Joe Biden's Meeting with President Sauli Niinisto of Finland

Who is Martti Ahtisaari?

Born June 23, 1937, in the eastern town of Viipuri, which is now part of Russia, Martti Ahtisaari was a primary school teacher before joining Finland's Foreign Ministry in 1965.

During his time as a diplomat, he spent about 20 years abroad, including as the Finnish ambassador to Tanzania, Zambia, and Somalia, before becoming Finland's ambassador to the United Nations in New York.

He returned to Finland in 1991 as a secretary of state for the Finnish Foreign Ministry before being elected president in 1994. He was the first Finnish head of state to be elected directly instead of through an electoral college.

As president, his political highlight came in 1999, when he negotiated the end to fighting in Kosovo alongside Russia's Balkans envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin. He also hosted Russian President Boris Yeltsin and US President Bill Clinton in Helsinki in 1997.

While he was eligible to run for a second term in the January 2000 presidential election, Ahtisaari declined to do so, saying he wanted to devote the time he would otherwise have used for campaigning to run the rotating EU presidency, which Finland held for the first time in 1999.

After leaving office, he formed CMI in Helsinki. He stepped down as chairman of the organization to help resolve global conflicts but said he would continue working with the group as an adviser.

Upon receiving the Nobel Prize in 2008, Ahtisaari said peace was "a question of will."

"All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal," he added.

Ahtisaari was replaced as CMI chair by former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, who is now running for president.

"[P]erhaps now more than ever, the world needs people like him," he said.

Ahtisaari's death came as Israel and the Gaza-based terrorist organization Hamas have been waging war in the region for the past two weeks as of writing.

CMI said Ahtisaari would be buried following a state funeral, which would be announced at a later date.

Related Article: Finland Blames 'Outside Activity,' Deliberate Act for Baltic Gas Pipeline Leak

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Shes in contact with her boys? Thats very good, I hope. I just want them all to be healthy and happy, whatever that looks like. Her boys have been through so much and so much of it in public.

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I dont know about that, she was complaining about their behavior as kids during Christmas on social media just a couple of days ago



Edited at 2023-10-17 03:35 pm (UTC)

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Yeah that was weird. I was like ooooooohh britttt!

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I doubt it. She mocks them in her Instagram

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So, I'll be objective here because, unfortunately, ONTD has a history of people hating on her, so people will bash her and make these weird takes. You'll see them here, and there may be some under different names now. Just wait till you see the thumbs down, the face palms, and the poop reactions.



Anyway, she may be in contact with them, but it's pretty strained. Unfortunately, I could only assume that Kevin brainwashed them into thinking whatever about the family dynamics. Her sons are all distant. Also, they just don't really know their mom. She was under the conservatorship. She didn't get to see them a lot. One of her kids was on IG live, and her fans asked a bunch of questions, which shame on them because they should know better. He shared how he loves her for buying him things. They're both teens. She was going through a lot, and she probably couldn't even tell them what was going on because of the people controlling her and because it was not appropriate to overshare those things with her own children. People gave the kids shit for that, but honestly, I mean, if they were raised by Kevin, they just learned to do what he did and normalized it.



There was audio that Kevin leaked of her yelling at one of them. It did not look good. Britney's lawyer had to intervene. Britney honestly has arrested development because of the environment she grew up in, the parents and siblings she had, and the fact she was a childhood star who didn't have a developmentally normal life. I don't expect her to be perfect, and it's a pedestal she continues to be put in. No, it was not a good look for her to criticize her own kids, AND you can tell she's been REALLY trying to be close with them. It sucks to not have the family of origin close with you AND the family you created, either. I can imagine that hurting her, but I can understand how she may have been verbally abusive or emotionally neglectful. People fail to see nuances. I can see how things didn't work for both her and Sam. I can see how she may have had trauma responses that were abusive toward him or unsafe for him. It does seem the split was more peaceful without the drama the media painted. I think it just ended up being mutual.



It was telling that they didn't attend her wedding. It's obvious they live in Hawaii because Kevin wants to milk every penny, and because the age for child support is higher there. She doesn't go to therapy because she was abused by whoever was assigned to her by her then team. I don't blame her for not trusting clinicians because they harmed her, but social media isn't the best to over-share. It's poor boundaries.



It just sucks because she comes from a family of divorced parents with the two siblings siding with the dad, only for her to be thrice divorced and to also have her own two children siding with dad, too. She needs lots of support and healing, and I wish her well on her journey. I just hope that the kids grow up knowing more and find a way to connect with her without it being about money, since that's always bound to happen, especially when she's been financially abused by lots of people around her. I hope her speaking up and having her book out will help her kids hear/read her story, so the puzzle pieces make more sense to them.



Edited at 2023-10-17 09:56 pm (UTC)

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why does that look like such a low budget People cover photoshoot for what might be one of their biggest exclusives this year??

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Its not from a photoshoot. The image is credited to Britney Brands which most likely means taken from her camera roll on her phone. I really wish she did at least one high glamour shoot for press.

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I would be looking like a mid season antm boot if I had access to her photoshoot options. 

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I was just gonna say it looks like it is prob just a selfie lol

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I would've LOVED to have seen her professionally styled/makeup done for a photoshoot for this book tour!

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For Britney Spears, the conservatorship was soul-crushing, says @peoples @WendyNaugle.



She wasnt allowed to make adult decisions and she became this child-robot, was the way she described it... She was really, kind of, denied that process of becoming a woman. pic.twitter.com/gH1j6GL164  CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) October 17, 2023

It was a photoshoot, in Tahiti, and they did a video of the whole shoot as well. For a long time, People magazine has had a requirement that to get the cover you have to do a shoot with them and a video.

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She still clearly has a lot of issues to work through, but damn if Im not rooting for her.

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Perfectly said.

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people here will say she needs to go back to her conservatorship but it's very clear how much freedom means everything to her and she deserves it. I hope she can heal from the pain people caused her someday

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i'm always gonna root for her

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The last thing she needs is another conservatorship, but she does need some intensive therapy to undo all of the emotional and mental abuse she suffered during her conservatorship. She had zero say in her life for so long that I can't imagine how hard it must be to even find a semblance of normalcy but nothing she's done since the conservatorship was lifted has been in her best interests and I don't trust that she has anyone in her camp who puts what's best for her before their paychecks. The woman deserves to learn how to be a healthy adult for herself and her children.

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Wonderfully said.

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Nothing is sort of strong but yeah i cant imagine doing things in the public eye and open itself to be constantly judged by others when going thought the motions of dealing with trauma while seemingly have a zero to none support system can't be very easy. that being said learning to be a healthy adult implies having errors in the process so i think we (as public) could and should be a bit more graceful about that without need to paternalise her.

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I mean she has had every reason in the world handed to her not to trust therapists

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"people here will say she needs to go back to her conservatorship "



what? do people here say that?

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ew what people would say that?

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Now who tf is saying that???

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She doesnt need to be in a conservatorship but its obvious she needs mental health help.

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to be honest, some level of corporate trustee over her assets is a good idea, but MOST wealthy people utilize corporate entities for some level of fiduciary responsibility.



but conservatorship over the person, and her health care decisions or personal decisions? fuck no

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What professional make up artist harmed her that she seemingly refuses to work with them now? I wish someone would sit her down and show her how to do her makeup in a way that doesn't make her look like she's wearing 3 day old eye makeup she hasn't bothered to wash off.



I hope her and her sons are able to heal, although she had an instagram post attacking them four days ago, so I also am a little skeptical

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There is also an excerpt in the People article where she talks about how her mom, starting in EIGHTH GRADE, would drive her two hours away and they would drink daquiries together.



For fun, starting when I was in eighth grade, my mom and I would make the two-hour drive from Kentwood to Biloxi, Mississippi, and while we were there, we would drink daiquiris. We called our cocktails toddies. I loved that I was able to drink with my mom every now and then. The way we drank was nothing like how my father did it. When he drank, he grew more depressed and shut down. We became happier, more alive and adventurous.



Like what the actual fuck is wrong with both of her parents

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I think any situation where a child is the breadwinner for the family is always going to result in very poor boundaries and abuse. Her parents are some of the worst but I always worry about any child star.

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It's insane. All her mother would have to do would order a drink for HERSELF (if she wasn't driving home after that) and then something non-alcoholic for Britney. It'd still be a nice time of bonding, just without giving a child alcohol.

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this is similar to Brooke Shields jfc

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this is low key sad af to me because i remember being a little girl and buying britney and lynne's first book and thinking they sounded like an amazing mother/daughter duo. damn you, ghostwriters and lying!

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she looks so happy in that shot of her on looking over her shoulder on the beach

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I'm glad she's able to tell her story but I can't help but think she is inviting further scrutiny from the public? I don't understand why she won't take her money and retire somewhere quiet so she can heal.

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tbh at this point, i feel like the spectacle of fame and celebrity is all she knows. it can be scary to retreat into an unknown when this is what she has been exposed to since she was 15 years old

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I wouldn't say "inviting" scrutiny bc opening up about your struggles should never be seen as an invitation to vitriol, people do it bc they're assholes, so I'd say she's "opening herself" up to scrutiny indeed, but that shouldn't stop her from speaking her truth. For someone who's been silenced for so long, speaking is probably the most powerful thing she can do to heal.

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You're right, that was a poor choice of words. But I don't think that speaking your truth and speaking up has to be a public thing. It's so clear how much she feels mistreated by the press (and the larger public to some extent) that I just can't see why she'd continue to try and play their game.

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She's been denied the chance to speak for herself for over a decade...

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There are excerpts from the book in the article.

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I was finally free to tell my story without consequences from the people in charge of my life is such a sad sentence and it really sums up the almost two decades of what she went through. The thought of someone else, especially someone who clearly doesn't have your best interests in mind, being in literal control of everything you say and do is one of my worst nightmares. Hope her journey in freedom is a wonderful one <3

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Also--some of the excerpts are so sad :/



"For fun, starting when I was in eighth grade, my mom and I would make the two-hour drive from Kentwood to Biloxi, Mississippi, and while we were there, we would drink daiquiris. We called our cocktails toddies. I loved that I was able to drink with my mom every now and then. The way we drank was nothing like how my father did it. When he drank, he grew more depressed and shut down. We became happier, more alive and adventurous."



8th GRADE!

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right?! wtf lynn!!

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this just came out too



In her upcoming memoir The Woman in Me, the pop icon, 41, reveals that when she dated Justin Timberlake, she became pregnant with his baby but had an abortion, PEOPLE confirms.



It was a surprise, but for me, it wasnt a tragedy. I loved Justin so much. I always expected us to have a family together one day. This would just be much earlier than Id anticipated, Spears writes of the pregnancy in the book. But Justin definitely wasnt happy about the pregnancy. He said we werent ready to have a baby in our lives, that we were way too young."



"Im sure people will hate me for this, but I agreed not to have the baby," she writes in the book. I dont know if that was the right decision. If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it. And yet Justin was so sure that he didnt want to be a father.

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I gasped when I read that.

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WHAT!?



I was NOT expecting this!? 

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THE GASP I JUST LET OUT??



and for him to then release cry me a river after all that...



i hate justin timberlake

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Ikr. Hes such a pos.

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This just makes everything surrounding their relationship even worse/sadder damn

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I had a feeling this was coming cause page 6 said a few months ago something about her story making women feel less alone and thats usually associated with abortions/miscarriages or sexual assault but I had a strong feeling it was abortion related.



Plus during the mid-term elections last year Britney posted a message encouraging voter registration on her stories with the message the choice is choice which I thought is that a pro-choice message?.



Then I rewatched her abc special where she performed everytime and at one point I thought if she was talking about in her song which this suspicion in my mind. If Im right, the song takes a whole new meaning.



lol no wonder Justin was nervous!!



Edited at 2023-10-17 03:47 pm (UTC)

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JT used her for tabloid fodder and then has the audacity to do this. Fuck him and I hope he chokes.

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So thats what he was worried about coming out.

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i gasped

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Wow. And people said her book would be just fluff



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As terrible as I feel for her, this sounds a lot like the pro-life argument of "abortion is bad because too many girls feel coerced into getting them so no one should get them" or "abortion is bad because I regret mine and you should too"

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As much as I don't want to stigmatize or pearl-clutch over abortions...holy shit. Didn't expect that. I guess it's because I remember SO much about their ~perfect pop-star romance and all the shit about her being a virgin (which as an adult I now realize was wildly invasive and inappropriate, but of course as a tween I fell for all of it). Really sounds like she was not emotionally ready for any of it. :\

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Why does she look like Sia on the cover? 

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there's a whole bunch of excerpts at the source. i didn't know that her and justin kissed when they were kids. her mom used to give her alcohol and get drunk with her when she was in eighth grade!! the parts about the conservatorship were really interesting.



Edited at 2023-10-17 03:50 pm (UTC)

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I cannot believe she told the abortion story with Justin's baby. wow

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Right? I'm in shock 



And a mix of  for Britney and  for Justin.

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I'll always root for her, but I sincerely doubt she's talking to her sons. They seem to want nothing to do with her.

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Powering Progress: The Power of Connected Safety

Two exports join OH&S to discuss how connected safety stands to transform worker protection.

Connected safety is coming  are you ready? Every business is responsible for employee safety, but that has become challenging in todays business climate due to reasons that most people couldnt have foreseen even a few years ago. However, connected safety offers a multi-faceted set of solutions for overcoming those challenges. Shawn Gregg, Vice President of Global Safety for Wesco, and Lorenza Ordonez, Global Director of Safety Sales & Strategy for Wesco, join the podcast to discuss how connected safety solutions can help your business mitigate risk, manage compliance and protect your workforce.

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Your company is responsible for getting your employees home safely every day, no matter where they work or what they do. Still, building and maintaining your safety program can be a challenging task. New technologies have emerged to help solve this problem, and connected safety solutions are making it easier than ever for businesses to protect their bottom line. To learn more, visit Wesco.com/safety.
OSHA Penalizes GM and LG Energy Solution Joint Venture for $270,091 in Violations

Ultium Cells LLC faces hefty fines following extensive OSHA investigations.

Warren, Ohio-based Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, is now the subject of OSHA violations, amounting to $270,091 in proposed penalties.

A string of investigations was triggered by a March 2023 explosion and additional safety complaints at the battery manufacturing plant. In less than two weeks, OSHA opened four inspections, ultimately citing the company for 17 serious and two other-than-serious violations.

OSHA inspectors concluded that the company jeopardized worker safety through inadequate training on emergency response procedures and neglecting to employ vital safety measures. This oversight included the absence of machine guarding, inadequate hazardous energy control training, improper use of PPE and failure to provide safe access, creating trip and fall risks.

Ultium Cells technology and advanced manufacturing facilities are part of a new and emerging field but workplace safety standards  such as machine guarding, personal protective equipment and emergency response training  have been the law for decades, OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts in Cleveland said in a statement. The companys focus on the future must include an emphasis on workplace safety to ensure the well-being of its employees.

Since it began battery cell production in August 2022, OSHA has cited the Warren facility 11 times. OSHA still has an open inspection there following a fire in June 2023 and three inquiries, including an incident in August 2023 in which workers were exposed to a battery spill. Ultium Cells LLC also has facilities under construction in Michigan and Tennessee.

The company now has 15 business days to either comply, request an informal discussion with OSHA or challenge the findings with the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Oil is on track to be the largest export item for the United States this year for the first time in history, highlighting the growing influence of U.S. oil production and exports on the global oil market.

Rising U.S. crude oil production in recent years and growing exports after the ban was lifted in 2015 have made U.S. oil an increasingly important commodity on the market, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ban and sanctions on Russian crude in the West.

U.S. oil supply offset some of the OPEC+ cuts in the first half of this year as it is set for record-high production in 2023 and 2024. America's crude oil production is expected to average 12.92 million barrels per day (bpd) this year and 13.12 million bpd next yearnew record highs, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) says in its October Short-Term Energy Outlook.

Oil exports are also at a record high, averaging 3.99 million bpd in the first half of 2023up by nearly 20% from the first half of 2022.

In terms of both volumes and value, U.S. oil exports were the biggest export of all categories in America's trade with the world through August this year and are likely to be such for the full year 2023for the first time ever, according to an analysis by Ken Roberts at WorldCity, a company that tracks U.S. exports based on U.S. Census Bureau data. Related: Airlines: Plan To Phase Out EU Fossil Fuel Subsidies Would Backfire

In August alone, the value of U.S. oil exports, at $10.3 billion, had the highest share of all American exports with 6%, followed by gasoline and other fuels, per WorldCity data. In terms of tonnage, oil's share was also the highestat 24%, followed by LNG and gasoline and other fuels.

According to the analysis by WorldCity's Roberts published in Forbes, "the primary oil category will be the United States' top export when 2023 figures are released early next year."

Since 2015, when the U.S. lifted a ban on crude oil exports  which had previously gone only to Canada  American oil exports have soared alongside the jump in production. The jump has been more pronounced in the past two years, thanks to a growing global appetite for competitively-priced barrels amid lower supply from OPEC+ and the embargo on Russian crude.

Despite the fact that U.S. crude is mostly of the lighter and sweeter variety, unlike the top grades from Russia and the Middle East, America's exports have been offsetting part of the OPEC+ cuts in recent months.

In the first half of 2023, Europe was the top destination for U.S. crude oil exports by volume, at 1.75 million bpd, led by exports to the Netherlands and the UK, the EIA says. Asia came second, taking in 1.68 million bpd, led by U.S. oil exports to China and South Korea. The United States also exported significantly smaller volumes of crude oil to Canada, Africa, and Central America and South America.

In less than a decade since the export ban was lifted, U.S. oil has become so significant for the global market that WTI Midland was added in June to the Brent basket of crude oil grades that is used as a benchmark for pricing the world's most traded oil contract.

The reason WTI Midland is becoming more and more important in the Dated Brent assessment is, again, the volume of U.S. crude being shipped abroad, which has averaged around 4 million bpd since the start of the year.

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With U.S. oil in demand in Europe and Asia when arbitrage allows, America's oil exports have jumped in the past two years and are set to be the biggest U.S. export item in 2023.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The spare oil production capacity of the worlds largest crude exporter, Saudi Aramco, currently stands at 3 million barrels per day (bpd), the chief executive of the Saudi oil giant said on Tuesday.

Saudi Aramco can raise its oil production in a couple of weeks if necessary, the companys CEO Amin Nasser said during the Energy Intelligence Forum in London, as carried by Reuters.

The spare oil production capacity of the worlds largest oil firm has increased in recent months as Saudi Arabia is cutting crude output as part of the OPEC+ agreement and is further reducing production by an extra 1 million bpd in a voluntary cut until the end of 2023.

After extending the voluntary production reduction for a month for two consecutive months, Saudi Arabia said in September it would extend the extra cut until the end of 2023. The Kingdom is currently pumping around 9 million bpd.

As a result of the cuts, Saudi Arabias crude exports plunged to a 28-month low in August, data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) showed on Monday. Saudi crude oil exports fell to 5.58 million bpd in August, down by 428,000 bpd from Julythe lowest level in 28 months, according to the latest available data in JODI, which compiles self-reported data from many countries.

Aramcos Nasser also said today at the forum that he expects global oil demand to average around 103 million bpd in the second half of 2023.

Last week, OPEC said it expects global oil demand to rise by 2.4 million bpd this year and by another 2.2 million bpd next year amid the improving Chinese economy, leaving its demand forecast for both 2023 and 2024 unchanged, despite fears of slowing economies and demand destruction.

World oil demand is set to reach a record average of 102.1 million bpd in 2023, driven by a 2.3-million-bpd demand increase in the non-OECD region, OPEC noted.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Moldovan President Maia Sandu says steps taken by her country -- one of Europe's poorest -- to diversify its gas supplies means Russia can no longer "blackmail" Chisinau "as it used to."

Speaking to RFE/RL at its headquarters in Prague on October 16, Sandu said Moldova's move to access gas through purchases on the open market and not directly from Russian energy giant Gazprom has given independence it previously didn't have.

"We don't buy Russian gas from Gazprom. We buy gas on the market, which means that Russia cannot blackmail us as it used to blackmail before, like a year ago, when every time they would not like the policies of the government in Moldova, they would just come back and say, 'We cut gas supplies,'" Sandu said.

Moldova used to buy Russian natural gas, but in October 2022 Gazprom decided to reduce the volumes of natural gas delivered to Chisinau even though it was in violation of its contract.

The former Soviet republic in September proposed paying $8.6 million to settle the debt that Gazprom says is more than $700 million.

But an audit showed there was no documentation for some of the debt and another portion of the debt was considered expired because it had accumulated over a long time while not being periodically reconfirmed by Gazprom. The audit also found the Moldovan government can demand compensation for Gazprom's decision in October 2022 to reduce the volumes of natural gas delivered to Moldova in violation of its contract.

Currently Gazprom provides gas supplies only to Moldova's Russian-backed breakaway Transdniester region, Moldovan authorities have said, with none going to central authorities in Chisinau.

But the Russian gas is being delivered to Transdniester via Ukraine, and the contract that provides for the transit of gas from Russia through the territory of Ukraine expires in 2024.

At the same time, Sandu said Moldova also buys electricity from a power plant in Transdniester, so Moldovans shouldn't be at risk of freezing in the winter if gas supplies to Transdniester are halted.

"Moldova is in a much better situation today compared to the previous two winters. First, because we have managed to make some stocks of gas. And second, we do believe that we are going to have electricity supply this winter," she said.

Wedged between Ukraine, Romania, and the Black Sea, Moldova has often found itself in the center of a struggle for influence between Moscow and the West.

The situation has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, especially with the Kremlin-backed breakaway region of Transdniester on its eastern border. Russia keeps more than 1,000 troops in Transdniester as "peacekeepers."

Sandu said Moldova has a connection to other European electricity markets, though that route goes through Ukraine, and is building a direct high-voltage connection line with Romania to ensure electricity supplies.

"Every time Russia drops bombs on the electricity network of Ukraine, we have problems. So that's why we need to have a direct connection, and we're working on it," Sandu said, adding the Romanian link would be ready in 2025.

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Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022 and was granted candidate status in June 2022.

By RFE/RL

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The billowing smokestacks of Kazakhstans largest steelworks loom large over the town of Temirtau -- just like the questions about the future of a plant where the countrys first president began his working life.

Amid a trend of accidents and deaths in the mines that feed the steel mill and longstanding complaints about heavy pollution in the city, authorities have been talking tough on ArcelorMittal Temirtau, an offshoot of the global steel giant ArcelorMittal.

At the same time, they dont seem to have a plan to replace the investor that entered the Kazakh market almost three decades ago in a deal to revive the Soviet-built steelworks.

Five workers died on August 17 after a fire at the Kazakhstanskaya coal pit -- which is controlled by ArcelorMittal -- in the latest in a string of accidents that have caused some 140 deaths since 1995.

Government rhetoric toward the company had been souring for a while, and this looked to be the final straw.

Speaking to journalists after the tragedy, Finance Minister Erulan Zhamaubaev referenced a political decision as having been taken in regard to ArcelorMittals exit from Kazakhstan.?

But Deputy Industry Minister Iran Sharkhan gave little away in terms of the authorities talks with the company in an official response to questions sent by RFE/RLs Kazakh Service in September.

He said that the government was working on the stabilization of the situation at the enterprise and had issued firm demands to ArcelorMittal regarding labor safety and the need to avoid drops in production.

It is advisable to address questions regarding [change of] ownership to the owners of the enterprise, Sharkhan's response read.

Reports that U.S. and EU-sanctioned Russian steel producer Severstal might be waiting in the wings, meanwhile, were shot down by Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar on September 7.

Work is under way to attract other investors who can work effectively and invest the necessary funds in production. Work safety [is a priority]. But there are no negotiations with the company that you named, Sklyar told journalists.

Black Snow And Pink Gas Clouds

ArcelorMittal Temirtau has said nothing about the situation, a fact that is adding to the uncertainty felt by workers who spoke to RFE/RLs Kazakh Service on condition of anonymity.

At work, our bosses tell us not to worry. But how can you work calmly when there is no confidence? We must understand what is happening and what to prepare for, said one employee.

From the early years of the steel mills operations, Temirtau had a reputation as a town where the air was heavy with metal.

Any hopes that Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal would significantly clean-up production after buying into the operations proved ill-founded.

In fact, the company brought infamy on the city of 200,000 people in 2018 when international media covered an outbreak of black snow.

A company representative cited windless weather as an explanation for that crisis.

In 2021, residents watched from their windows in horror as a giant rose-colored cloud flowed out over the city from the steelworks, apparently due to the failure of filtering equipment.

Many families in Temirtau are third-generation steelworkers.

The emissions barrage has exacted its toll on health, with incidents of cancer, respiratory, and circulatory diseases 2030 percent higher in Temirtau than the average for Qaraghandy Province, according to official data.

And yet the importance of the behemoth to the regional economy is massive, boasting an annual production capacity of 4 million tons of crude steel and providing a home for the output of eight coal mines and four iron-ore mines.

The plant is also crucially important for ArcelorMittal, becoming the companys most productive in formerly Soviet countries after capacity at the larger ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih steelworks plunged after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

But for most of the time it has been in Kazakhstan, the company has been highly secretive.

Viktor Gafiulov, who became ArcelorMittal Temirtaus new chief after a fatal accident at another of the companys mines in 2022, told journalists at a press briefing last month that he did not have the authority to answer questions about ownership.

The company ignored two RFE/RL requests for information.

The Post Nazarbaev-Era?

ArcelorMittal Temirtau appeared to have a more comfortable position when Kazakhstans former president, authoritarian Nursultan Nazarbaev, was still calling the shots.

Nazarbaev was part of the first generation of Kazakhs sent to work at the newly built steelworks, then called the Karaganda Metallurgical Combine, a migration that provided the platform for his rise through the communist ranks.

And it was Nazarbaev, in the early years of independence, who persuaded Indian magnate Lakshmi Mittal to buy the operation for just over $200 million in the mid-1990s.

The terms of the agreement were never publicly disclosed and opposition political figures alleged that Nazarbaev had more than a patriotic interest in the project.

But his successor, President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, has little reason to treat the unpopular company with sentiment as he cemented power last year at the expense of Nazarbaevs clan after Kazakhstan experienced its most violent unrest since it gained independence in 1991.

Ahead of his reelection in November, Toqaev took swipes at oligarchic capitalism and called for increased state scrutiny of ArcelorMittal Temirtau, in particular.

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This year and last year authorities ordered the company to pay fines for tax and environmental violations amounting to more than $10 million.

Toqaev held talks with Lakshmi Mittal in September 2022, with the presidents office later stating that Mittal had promised investments of up to $1 billion to modernize the complex, improve worker safety, and cut emissions.

After the tragic fire at the Kazakhstanskaya mine, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov suggested that the pledged investments had not been made.

He also blamed ArcelorMittal for a situation that he claimed led to every second worker death in the groups global operations occurring in Kazakhstan.

I dont see prospects for this investor to stay in Kazakhstan given its attitude to production, Smailov said.

And yet who would arrive in its place?

First Deputy Prime Minister Sklyar has all but ruled out nationalization, citing an adverse impact on the investment climate.

Russian companies might well be interested in the plant given the drastic fall in industrial production after the sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West over the Kremlins war in Ukraine.

But those same sanctions make any Russian investment a risky move, especially now that Central Asian trade data is getting international attention. (Exports to Russia from Qaraghandy Province alone accounted for half of the provinces total in the first two months of the year, compared to one-quarter in previous years.)

Experts interviewed by RFE/RLs Kazakh Service, moreover, highlighted the fact that any new company would have to invest just as much as the government has asked of ArcelorMittal just to bring the steelworks up to spec.

Without upgrading [the companys] current assets, it is not such a profitable investment -- a lot of the companys infrastructure is worn out, said economic analyst Rasul Rysmambetov, arguing that he expects the two parties to haggle before any major decisions are made.

By RFE/RL

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The pact between Saudi Arabia and Russia to keep oil barrels off the market could be showing signs of weakening, with Russias oil exports now on the rise.

Russias seaborne crude oil exports rose in the seven days to October 15, with Russias four-week average seaborne crude exports now at a three-month high. Russias crude exports now are at 3.51 million barrels per day, an increase of .285 million bpd from the seven days to October 8, according to tanker tracker data analyzed by Bloomberg.

Four-week average outflows from Russian ports is now 3.36 million bpd. According to calculations based on Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novaks stated export restrictions of 300,000 bpd, which are supposed to run through the end of the year, Russias seaborn crude exports should be capped at 3.28 million bpd.

For Russia, the additional exports mean increased revenues from export duties, the four-week average of which is now at the highest point since January.

The news of Russias increased oil exports could be seen as a sign of weakening of the pact between Saudi Arabia and Russia, which have agreed to restrict the supply of oil. Saudi Arabia, for its part, has made good on its end of the bargain, and saw its crude oil exports fall to a 28-month low in August, according to the latest Jodi data. But on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia issued what could be seen as either a threat or as an assurance: Saudi Aramco has the ability to raise its oil production in a couple of weeks if it turns out to be necessary. Saudi Arabia claimed on Tuesday that the oil companys spare capacity is 3 million barrels per day.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Mexico is currently working to lock in crude oil prices for export for next year as part of its lucrative oil hedging program.

Mexicos oil hedging programreferred to as the Hacienda Hedgeis fairly universally thought of as quite remarkableprofitable more often than notand in some years when oil prices fall sharply, extremely profitable.

The idea behind Mexicos well-to-do billion-dollar Hacienda Hedge allows Mexico to buy put options in the Fall of each year for the coming year that give Mexico the option to sell its oil at a specific locked-in price. The options do not require Mexico to sell at that pricejust the option to. Mexico has spent more than $1 billion each year in fees on these options, bargaining with banks, Big Oil companies, and oil traders to negotiate favorable pricing for that $1+ billion.

The details of the Hacienda Hedge are not shared publicly, with the negotiations carried out in deep secret. Last year, Mexico began its hedge talks around this same time.

The hedging program is designed to cover and protect Mexicos budget, and in recent years, it became even more secretive when it classified details about the hedge that were previously made public, including the overall cost of the hedge and the strike price for the put options. It no longer even discloses the names of the counterparties.

In 2021, Mexico shook things up when it announced it would look for quotes year round in a move designed to give Mexico more leverage at the negotiating table. This way, the banks and traders are unsure whether Mexico is seeking quotes or buying.

Last year around this time, an anonymous Bloomberg source close to the matter said that its 2023 hedging program would protect oil revenues if oil fell below $75 per barrel.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Shipping rates for transporting Russian crude have surged since last week after the U.S. took a tougher stance on sanctions for vessels carrying Russias oil above the G7 price cap, traders have told Reuters.

Last week, the United States took a tougher stance on the Western sanctions against Russia.

The U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed last Thursday sanctions on two entities and identified as blocked property two vessels that used Price Cap Coalition service providers while carrying Russian crude oil above the Coalition-agreed price cap.

The ceiling 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.

Thursdays sanction move was the first time the U.S. had imposed sanctions for a breach of the price cap.

Todays action demonstrates our continued commitment to reduce Russias resources for its war against Ukraine and to enforce the price cap, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said in a statement.

As the sanctions spooked more tanker owners that abandoned the market of shipping Russian crude, the freight rates for transporting Russias oil from its Baltic Sea ports to India have surged by 50% in just a few days, the trading sources told Reuters.

Freight rates rose to some $7.5 million per voyage on Monday from $4.5 million-4.8 million last week, one source with a trading firm involved in Russian oil sales told Reuters.

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Some shipowners have already exited Russian trades but the U.S. sanctions enforcement prompted more companies to quit the Russian oil sales market, the source added.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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(Photo: by Euan Cherry/Getty Images for the Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay) PEEBLES, SCOTLAND - JUNE 22: Schoolchildren meet Clyde the Team Scotland Mascot, and see the Queen's baton at Priorsford Primary School during the Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay on June 22, 2022, in Peebles, Scotland.

An AI robot named Abigail Bailey has been named the 'unique' headmaster of a private boarding school in England.

The new principal headmaster at Cottesmore School in West Sussex was developed in collaboration with an artificial intelligence developer.

The AI robot, dubbed Abigail Bailey, will largely support Tom Rogerson, the school's headmaster, according to WION.

Rogerson explained to the Telegraph that Abigail would give him advice and ideas on a number of topics, including how to encourage coworkers and other staff members, how to assist pupils with learning impairments like ADHD, and how to write school regulations.

The AI principal was created to have a "wealth of knowledge in machine learning and education management, in addition to Abigail's ability to analyze vast amounts of data," according to the headmaster.

According to Rogerson in an interview with the Telegraph, having the robot around doesn't mean you never seek advice from people.

He stated, "Sometimes having someone or something there to help you is a very calming influence."

The school has the most teachers in its 130-year history, according to the 'human' headmaster, and the robot will not take the position of human teachers.

Similar to the well-known AI-based chatbot ChatGPT, Abigail Bailey operates by having users enter queries, which the AI then responds to using its algorithm.

Additionally, Cottesmore's team includes a second AI-based robot. In order to integrate technology into the curriculum and provide instructors advice on how to lighten their burden, a robot by the name of Jamie Rainer who describes himself as "a highly trained adviser on generative AI" has been employed.

UK students pay close to 32,000 in tuition annually, according to Express.

Additionally, Abigail is not the only robot employed by the institution. After holding interviews, Cottestone chose "Jamie Rainier" to lead AI last year.

To integrate technology into the curriculum and give teachers advice on how to lighten their responsibilities, "Jamie" has been given this responsibility.

A banking leader believes the bots could be the key to shorter working weeks and longer lives. Many sectors are now depending on the new technology to make life easier. JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon stated: "People need to take a big breath. Thanks to technology, your children will live to be 100 years old without developing cancer.

Read also: UK Blames Pornography for Teens' Worsening Sexual Behaviors; Experts Reveal Alarming Details

AI in Schools

A prominent public school's newly appointed principal demanded in September that more students be taught how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to complete their schoolwork.

Vicky Bingham will shortly assume leadership at North London Collegiate School (NLCS), a prestigious all-girls school with senior students paying fees of over 8,000 per term.

She claimed that worries about kids using artificial intelligence (AI) to cheat on their assignments had been "exaggerated," and she added that teachers should think about whether enough students are actually knowledgeable about using AI.

Related article: Students Scramble to Find New Accommodation After Being Evicted from 'Luxury' Flats

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have drafted plans to phase out coal power generation by 2030 and replace it with low-carbon alternatives.

The Premiers of the two provinces announced their plans with federal energy minister Jonathan Wilkinson.

Originally, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia planned to replace their reliance on coal with increased imports of hydroelectric power generated in Quebec, CBC recalled in a report on the news.

The idea was called the Atlantic Loop and was going to be an important tool in Canadas energy transition. However, it turned out that this increased reliance on imports from Quebec would necessitate massive investments in upgrading the grid that appear to have been unpalatable.

Eventually there probably will be an Atlantic loop concept thats all put together as pieces of the puzzle, Nova Scotias Natural Resources and Renewables Minister Tory Rushton told media last week.

But at the time and point right now, its not something the ratepayers in Nova Scotia can afford. Quite frankly, we cant keep the 2030 targets with it, Rushton also said.

The Atlantic Loop was originally estimated to cost some C$3 billion, or $2.2 billion but over the past three years its cost increased threefold to reach C$9 billion, or $6.6 billion, making the project unviable. Quebec also could not commit to making all necessary volumes of hydropower available to the other two provinces.

The alternative approach of the two provinces would be to build more wind, solar, and nuclear generation capacity at home.

"That was a common theme throughout our meeting, that we have to find a way that people can afford to live and work in our respective provinces," the Premier of New Brunswick, Blaine Higgs, said.

The federal government will provide financial help to New Brunswicks and Nova Scotias transition plans, with Wilkinson saying "At the end of the day, the grid of the future needs to be one that is clean, but it also needs to be reliable and it also needs to be affordable."

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Federal, state and local wildlife and health officials are launching a testing, trapping and vaccination program for wildlife in Douglas County in response to the recent identification of a stray kitten with a strain of rabies not normally found in the area.

The 1- to 2-month-old kitten initially tested positive for rabies Sept. 28 after it was taken to a veterinarian, said Lindsay Huse, director of the Douglas County Health Department.

Further testing by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that the kitten, which had been found by residents in east-central Omaha, was infected with a raccoon variant of rabies that is not usually found west of Appalachia.

Health and wildlife officials concern now is that the raccoon strain of rabies could become established in the area and lead to a significant increase in the number of rabies cases as well as the number of human exposures to animals infected with the virus, Huse said.

Rabies is nearly always fatal, she said, so we are taking all of the proper steps to make sure it doesnt spread or get established here in Douglas County.

Not only are there a lot of raccoons in the county, Huse said, they also may interact with domestic animals. The virus, which is spread through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal, also could infect other species, such as foxes, skunks and coyotes.

The goal of our efforts is really about containing any spread of that rabies variant, and if possible, to prevent it from becoming established in our area, she said.

To make sure that happens, Huse said, health and wildlife officials are seeking residents help in several areas of the response.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, working with the CDC, will begin humanely trapping, tagging and vaccinating raccoons within a target area between F and Fort Streets and 72nd Street to the Missouri River. That area is roughly within a 3-mile radius of the location where the kitten was found. That area could change or expand.

Federal officials will send letters to households in the target area to seek permission to trap raccoons in their yards, she said. USDA officials also will go door to door in the area to ask permission to trap, starting as soon as Tuesday. They will wear uniforms and carrying identification.

Residents are encouraged to open the letters and answer their doors when agents who knock, said Alicia Hardin, wildlife administrator with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The trappers need permission to enter private property.

The more traps that are out there, the more successful we will be, she said. The initial goal will be to vaccinate about 1,000 raccoons. Vaccinating about 60% of the population is thought to be enough to keep the variant  if it is present  from spreading.

Huse said traps, which also will be deployed in parks and other public properties, will be set with bait that appeals only to raccoons. Opossums do not contract rabies.

Separately, she said, residents of all of Douglas County are asked to call the Nebraska Humane Society at 402-444-7800 extension 1 to report roadkill, stray animals or wild animals, especially any animals that are acting in an unusual way. Animals infected with rabies may act lethargic, fearful or aggressive and drool excessively or stumble when walking.

Its really important to note that we cannot do this without your help, Huse said of area residents.

Residents also should make sure that their pets are vaccinated for rabies and monitor them when they are outdoors.

This is not the time especially in the targeted area to let your animals roam free without supervision, she said.

Wildlife and health officials confirmed that the rabies vaccine given to pets is protective against the raccoon variant.

Huse said she expects federal teams to be in the area for several weeks. But the goal would be to set up some kind of surveillance thats ongoing for a period of time past those weeks to that we can ensure that were not detecting any potential issues, she said.

Huse said not much more is known about the kitten itself, including whether there are littermates or a mother cat in the area or whether it was brought from somewhere else.

That is one of the reasons we are working so hard to contain this, she said.

The kitten was found in a residents yard and given to another family. The kitten became ill a couple of days later and was taken to a veterinarian. It was acting aggressively, a sign of rabies. The veterinarian sent samples to a local laboratory for testing. The state reported the positive result to the health department, which contacted people who had been in contact with the kitten.

Ten people who were exposed to the kitten have begun preventive treatment for rabies and are doing well, Huse said.

However, most cases of rabies in Nebraska are identified in bats. No cases had been identified in cats in Douglas County for about 20 years. Nebraskas state public health veterinarian, she said, had a high level of suspicion that the case was out of the ordinary and requested additional testing from the CDC. The local health department received the results Oct. 6.

Residents can call the health departments information line, 402-444-3400, for additional information.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of October 2023
A man who was shot multiple times by Omaha Police Department officers earlier this month after he allegedly approached officers with a gun in hand appeared in court for the first time Tuesday after he was charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.

Patrick Wright, 39, appeared in jail court in front of Douglas County Court Judge Stephanie Hansen on Tuesday morning. He was arrested on Saturday after spending nearly two weeks in the hospital receiving treatment for multiple gunshot wounds, though the extent of his injuries has not been made public. Wright was in a wheelchair during his court appearance.

Wright is barred from gun ownership after a 2009 conviction for accessory to burglary. He was ordered to be held on 10% of $250,000 bail, meaning he would have to pay $25,000 to be released from jail.

According to previous statements from police and in-court statements from prosecutors, police were called to the area of 21st and Pinkney Streets at about 7:20 p.m. Oct. 3 to reports of a man, identified by the 911 caller as Wright, pointing a gun at them. The caller provided a description of the vehicle, a red SUV, and a partial license plate.

Police located the SUV and surveilled it for approximately 10 minutes before three unmarked cars tried to pull Wright over near 61st and Jaynes Streets. According to police, Wright exited his vehicle with a handgun in his right hand while "faced directly towards the officers."

Four officers with OPD's gang unit discharged their service weapons at Wright. He was struck multiple times and was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center. A loaded Taurus 9 mm handgun was found on the ground near Wright, police said.

The four officers who fired at Wright were identified as Jacob Chong, Andrew Ramsay, Kyle Graber and Nicholas Molek. Each is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Tuesday that prosecutors are in the process of determining if additional charges will be brought against Wright.

Wright will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on the gun charge in mid-November. If convicted, he faces up to 50 years in prison.
SANTA FE, N.M.  Special prosecutors said Tuesday they are seeking to recharge actor Alec Baldwin in the 2021 fatal shooting on a Western movie set in New Mexico by presenting evidence to a grand jury.

New Mexico-based prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said theyll present evidence to grand jury within the next two months, noting additional facts came to light in the shooting on the set of the film Rust that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Baldwin, a co-producer of the film, was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal on the films set outside Santa Fe when the gun went off on Oct. 21, 2021, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

Additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza, Morrissey and Lewis said in an email. We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial.

Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer  but not the trigger  and the gun fired.

It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will answer any charges in court, Baldwins attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in an email.

Special prosecutors initially dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April, saying they were informed the gun might have been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned. They later pivoted and began weighing whether to refile a charge against Baldwin after receiving a new analysis of the gun.

The recent gun analysis from experts in ballistics and forensic testing based in Arizona and New Mexico relied on replacement parts to reassemble the gun fired by Baldwin  after parts of the pistol were broken during earlier testing by the FBI. The report examined the gun and markings it left on a spent cartridge to conclude that the trigger had to have been pulled or depressed.

The analysis led by Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona stated that though Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.

An August FBI report on the agencys analysis of the gun found that, as is common with firearms of that design, it could go off without pulling the trigger if force was applied to an uncocked hammer  such as by dropping the weapon.

The only way the testers could get it to fire was by striking the gun with a mallet while the hammer was down and resting on the cartridge, or by pulling the trigger while it was fully cocked. The gun eventually broke during testing.

Authorities had not specified exactly how live ammunition found its way on set and into the .45-caliber revolver made by an Italian company that specializes in 19th century reproductions.

The weapons supervisor on the movie set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the case. Her trial is scheduled to begin in February.

In March, Rust assistant director and safety coordinator David Halls pleaded no contest to a conviction for unsafe handling of a firearm and received a suspended sentence of six months of probation. He agreed to cooperate in the investigation of the shooting.

The 2021 shooting resulted in a series of civil lawsuits centered on accusations that the defendants were lax with safety standards. The cases have included wrongful death claims filed by members of Hutchins family. Baldwin and other defendants disputed accusations they were lax with safety standards.

The company Rust Movie Productions paid a $100,000 fine to state workplace safety regulators following a scathing narrative of safety failures in violation of standard industry protocols, including testimony that production managers took limited or no action to address two misfires on set before the fatal shooting.

The filming of Rust resumed this year in Montana under an agreement with the cinematographers widower, Matthew Hutchins, that made him an executive producer.

Photos: Alec Baldwin through the years
LONDON  Hamas and Israel have both been accused of breaking international law during their latest conflict, and the United Nations says it is collecting evidence of war crimes by all sides.

Enforcing the law amid the fog of war is difficult. Holding perpetrators to account once conflicts are over has often proved elusive.

Here is a look at some of the issues.

WHAT ARE THE RULES OF WAR?

The rules of armed conflict are governed by a set of internationally recognized laws and resolutions, including the United Nations charter, which prohibits aggressive wars but allows countries the right to self-defense.

Battlefield behavior has international humanitarian laws including the Geneva Conventions, drawn up after World War II and agreed on by almost every nation.

The four conventions agreed upon in 1949 set out that civilians, the wounded and prisoners must be treated humanely in wartime. They ban murder, torture, hostage-taking and "humiliating and degrading treatment" and require fighters to treat the other side's sick and wounded.

The rules apply both to wars between nations and conflicts, like that between Israel and Hamas, in which one of the parties is not a state.

Another key document in the law of war is the founding Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, which defines as war crimes acts including intentional attacks on civilians, civilian settlements or humanitarian workers, destroying property where not militarily necessary, sexual violence and unlawful deportation.

Other agreements ban certain types of weapons, such as chemical or biological munitions. Most but not all countries have signed up to these.

HAS HAMAS COMMITTED WAR CRIMES?

Hamas has fired thousands of rockets at Israeli towns and cities, and on Oct. 7 sent hundreds of gunmen across the border from Gaza. They attacked and killed civilians  including children and elderly people -- in their homes and neighborhoods and kidnapped scores of others. Israel says at least 1,400 people died and 199 others were abducted.

Haim Abraham, a lecturer in law at University College London, said the evidence of crimes is clear.

"They massacred civilians at their homes. They kidnaped civilians, taking them hostage. All of these things are clearly war crimes," he said.

Jeanne Sulzer, a lawyer with the Commission for International Justice of Amnesty International France, said the Geneva Conventions state that "civilians should never be taken hostage. If they are, that may be characterized as a war crime."

HAS ISRAEL'S RESPONSE BEEN LEGAL?

The Israeli military has pounded Hamas-ruled Gaza with airstrikes, blocked deliveries of food, water, fuel and electricity and told people to leave the northern half of the strip ahead of a possible ground invasion. Gaza authorities say 2,800 people have died and 11,000 have been injured during days of bombardment.

Critics accuse Israel of collectively punishing Gaza's 2 million residents.

The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross has said the instruction for hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes, "coupled with the complete siege explicitly denying them food, water, and electricity, are not compatible with international humanitarian law."

The Israeli army says it follows international law and strikes only legitimate military targets as it seeks to root out militants who embed themselves among the civilian population.

Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using munitions containing white phosphorus. The incendiary substance is not banned, but its use in densely populated areas has been widely condemned. The Israeli Defense Force has denied using white phosphorus as a weapon in Gaza.

CAN LAWBREAKERS BE HELD TO ACCOUNT?

A United Nations Commission of Inquiry says it is "collecting and preserving evidence of war crimes committed by all sides" in the current conflict. That evidence could be added to an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court into the situation in the Palestinian territories.

The Netherlands-based ICC has the power to prosecute nations' officials for violations and order compensation for victims. But some countries  including the United States, Russia and Israel -- do not recognize the court's jurisdiction, and the ICC does not have a police force to execute arrest warrants.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER ROUTES?

While the ICC is the only permanent international tribunal set up to prosecute war crimes, other international courts including the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights can hear cases related to alleged violations. So can domestic courts in Israel or elsewhere, Under U.S. law, American victims could try to bring claims for compensation against Hamas in U.S. courts.

As with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the prospect of prosecuting war crimes in the current conflict seems remote. But Amnesty International's Sulzer said "legal initiatives are already a reality." She said French national and dual citizen victims of the Hamas attacks have already filed complaints in French courts.

Breaches of international law can also trigger sanctions  such as those imposed on Russia by the United States, the European Union and others over the invasion of Ukraine  and in rare cases draw U.N.-authorized military intervention.

___

Associated Press Writer Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this story.

___

Photos: Scenes from the Israel-Hamas war
TEL AVIV, Israel  President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support for the U.S. ally as concerns increase that the Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Bidens travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what U.S. and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.

Biden is looking to send the strongest message yet that the U.S. is behind Israel. His Democratic administration has pledged military support, sending U.S. carriers and aid to the region. Officials have said they would ask Congress for upward of $2 billion in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russias invasion.

Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials.

Shortly after in Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced that Biden would also go to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Weve been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza," Kirby said. That has been a consistent call by President Biden and certainly by this entire administration.

Meanwhile, truckloads of aid idled at Egypt's border with Gaza, barred from entry, as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded Monday for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last week's rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.

Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread.

Israel maintained punishing airstrikes across Gaza as a ground invasion loomed, while Hamas militants kept up a barrage of rocket attacks and tensions mounted near the Israel-Lebanon border.

More than a week after Israel cut off entry of supplies, all eyes were on the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt. Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire that would let in aid and let out trapped foreigners.

Israeli airstrikes forced the crossing to shut down last week, and local media reported Israel struck the crossing again Monday.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, "Don't test us in the north. Don't make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier," referring to Israel's 2006 war with Hezbollah, which operates out of Lebanon.

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv warning of incoming rockets prompted U.S. and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

This has become the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. At least 2,778 have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority in Hamas' Oct. 7 assault.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said Monday it held 200 to 250 hostages, including foreigners whom it said it would free when it was feasible.

The head of Israel's Shin Bet security service, in charge of monitoring militant groups, took responsibility for failing to avert Hamas' surprise attack. As agency head, "the responsibility for that is on me," Ronen Bar said.

"There will be time for investigation  now is a time for war," he wrote in a letter to Shin Bet workers and their families.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling supplies and Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip threw the tiny territory's 2.3 million people into upheaval and increasing desperation. More than 1 million fled their homes, and 60% of them are now in the approximately 8-mile area south of the evacuation zone, according to the U.N.

The Israeli military said it is trying to clear away civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gaza's north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas' military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Those fleeing northern Gaza still faced airstrikes in the south. Before dawn Monday, a strike in the town of Rafah collapsed a building sheltering three families who evacuated from Gaza City. At least 12 people were killed and nine others remained buried under rubble, survivors from the families said. The strike reduced the house to a vast crater blanketed with wreckage.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning, the U.N. said.

People grew increasingly desperate in their search for food and water. With taps dry, many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

More than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians, UNRWA. But the agency can't provide them any supplies. UNRWA said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

"Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life," said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, calling for a lifting of the siege. "We need this now."

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave.

On the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, crowds of Palestinians with dual citizenship waited anxiously, sitting on suitcases or crouched on the floor, some comforting crying infants.

"They are supposed to be a developed country, talking about human rights all the time," Shurouq Alkhazendar, whose two kids are American citizens, said of the United States. "You should protect your citizens first, not leave them all alone suffering and being humiliated in front of the crossing."
BEIRUT  Clashes erupted Tuesday along the Lebanon-Israel border that left five Hezbollah fighters dead, marking the largest number of casualties for the militant group in a single day as tensions with Israel escalate.

Israeli forces and armed groups in Lebanon have engaged in a series of low-level skirmishes since the outbreak of the latest war in Gaza between the Israeli military and the Hamas militant group. Hezbollah has announced the death of 10 militants since skirmishes began.

Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi threatened that Israel would retaliate aggressively should Hezbollah escalate.

This is a war on the home, Halevi said after meeting with Israeli troops near the northern border with Lebanon. If Hezbollah makes a mistake, it will be annihilated.

The escalation comes amid fears that the war could spread into Lebanon, where Hezbollah has expressed strong support to the militant Palestinian group Hamas. Israel considers the heavily-armed group in Lebanon an even bigger threat than Hamas. So far, artillery exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel have been limited to several towns along the border.

Israel has threatened that if Hezbollah opens a new front, all of Lebanon will suffer the consequences.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a monthlong war in 2006 that ended in a draw. Since then, apart from limited clashes and escalated rhetoric, Hezbollah's military caliber has significantly increased, and became a key military actor in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere in the region.

The international community has scrambled to keep the war from extending into Lebanon, and possibly the rest of the region.

An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon landed in the town of Metula in northern Israel on Tuesday, wounding three people, according to the Ziv Medical Center in Safed.

Hours later, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. It wasn't clear if the injured were civilians or soldiers, but Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate the area near the border with Lebanon.

Israel responded by striking several areas along the border in southern Lebanon with artillery fire and white phosphorus, the state-run National News Agency in Lebanon reported. The Israeli military said its tanks fired back into Lebanon after an anti-tank missile was launched across the border.

Two more anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon at the Yiftah kibbutz in northern Israel without any casualties, the Israeli army said, adding that it had shelled Hezbollah positions in response.

Hezbollah identified the five killed fighters as Mahmoud Baez, Hussien Fasai, Hussein al-Tawil, Mahdi Atwi and Ibrahim al-Dubuq, but didn't provide further details about their deaths. Hamas said that the bodies of three of their militants in Lebanon had been captured by the Israeli military following a cross-border operation Oct. 14.

An Israeli army spokesperson said that air defenses intercepted a drone approaching the border from Lebanon.

In separate violence earlier Tuesday, the Israeli military said it killed four militants who had attempted to plant explosive devices on a border wall between Israel and Lebanon. A video from an Israeli army reconnaissance drone showed the militants near the separation wall as they were targeted, causing an explosion.

Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for the attempted cross border attack, nor did any other armed group. However, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants based in Lebanon had done so on previous occasions over the past week.

The Lebanese Red Cross said in a statement that it was en route to collect four bodies killed in Israeli strikes over the southern border town of Alma al-Shaab. A spokesperson declined to provide more details.

Last week, militants from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in southern Lebanon crossed the border and clashed with Israeli troops, killing three and wounding several others. The militants were killed, and the Palestinian group held funerals for two of them.

Turkeys foreign minister, Hakkan Fidan, who arrived in Beirut on Tuesday, told reporters after meeting with his Lebanese counterpart that the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas might lead to greater wars.

We are doing all we can so that the war does not spread to other countries," he said.
A police officer was stabbed and his alleged assailant was shot by another officer during an incident early Tuesday in the Lincoln Bus Depot.

Injuries to the officer and the man who was shot were not life-threatening, a Lincoln police spokeswoman said. The incident occurred about 12:15 a.m. at the bus depot at 5250 Superior St. in northeast Lincoln.

Officers were called to the station because a 27-year-old Chicago man reportedly boarded a bus without money for a ticket. The man failed to comply with requests to exit the bus, the spokeswoman said, and began fighting with the officers in the back of the bus.

"The suspect then produced a knife, lunging at and stabbing one officer in the neck. He ignored multiple commands to drop the knife before reaching for that officers firearm," the spokeswoman said in press release. "Another officer on board the bus then discharged their service weapon, striking the suspect once."

There were approximately 20 people on the bus during the incident and no passengers were injured. Police have not released the names of anyone involved.

"I am grateful for our officers bravery and am proud of LPD's swift and courageous response in a difficult situation that undoubtedly saved others from injury," Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow. "I want to commend their resilience and compassion, exemplified in the way they've rallied around our injured officer."

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird also commended the responding officers for their quick actions.

When one of our officers is injured in the line of duty, the impact is felt by our entire community," she said. "We are reminded of the incredible risks our officers take every day as they put their lives on the line to protect us. I am grateful for the service and sacrifices made by our officers and their families, and on behalf of our entire community, I extend my thoughts and support to our injured team member and family during their recovery.
LINCOLN  The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is proposing permanent gender-affirming care restrictions for minors that are virtually the same as temporary regulations that left transgender rights activists feeling cautiously optimistic earlier this month.

The regulations are a statutory requirement under Legislative Bill 574, which was signed into law earlier this year. The permanent regulations have not taken effect yet, but a public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 28 at the Lancaster Event Center.

Nebraska Chief Medical Officer Timothy Tesmer proposed the temporary regulations to take effect Oct. 1 to prevent a potential full ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy that was set to take effect the same day. Gov. Jim Pillen approved the regulations, which are now in place for 90 days.

The temporary regulations require that patients under 19 undergo at least 40 hours of therapy and wait another seven days after having their prescription approved before receiving any medication. The patient must also have lived six consecutive months as their preferred gender.

The permanent regulations maintain all these requirements, plus others that were included in the temporary regulations. Among some of the other requirements:

Providers who prescribe puberty blockers or hormone therapy must complete a three-hour training.

A patient undergoing treatment must continue to receive at least one hour of therapy every 90 days.

Providers must receive a signed document of informed consent from a parent or guardian, or from the patient if they are an emancipated minor.

If the medication comes via injection, it must be administered by a credentialed professional with the prescribed practitioner's office, or the patient's primary care provider.

One change in the permanent regulations imposes an additional requirement that the person picking up the medication from a pharmacy  either the parent or guardian, or the patient if they are an emancipated minor  provide a valid identification such as a state ID or driver's license.

Under a grandfather clause in LB 574, the new regulations would not apply to patients who were already taking either puberty blockers or hormone therapy before Oct. 1.

When the temporary regulations were revealed, some transgender rights activists who had protested against LB 574 expressed cautious optimism. Alex Dworak, a family medicine physician who works frequently with LGBTQ+ patients, said the rules align with best medical practices and will not change how he does his job.

LB 574's introducer, State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, held a different view, saying the regulations weren't strong enough.

"I'm very hopeful that medical professionals will stand up to protect kids and advise Dr. Tesmer to strengthen them significantly," Kauth said.

Meanwhile, Grant Friedman, legal fellow with the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, said the proposals would make the path to treatment too narrow and burdensome for patients.

"These regulations come after a year of lawmakers trying to erase trans people from public life," Friedman said in an email. "LB 574 has the explicit goal of denying trans youth access to life-saving gender-related care that is based on individual needs and medical expertise.

LB 574 was one of the most controversial bills of this year's legislative session. Kauth initially proposed a full ban on puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries for people under 19, but that was changed after the bill adopted a major amendment that also added an abortion ban at 12 weeks based on gestational age.

The final version imposed a full ban on surgeries for that age group, but directed the chief medical officer to develop the regulations for puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

According to department officials, Tesmer is working with a group of experts on drafting the regulations, all of whom will remain anonymous until the drafting is complete. After the hearing, the regulations will go through several groups for review, including the Board of Health and the Attorney Generals Office, before finally going to Pillens desk for approval.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of October 2023
LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen is facing criticism for comments he made in September about a Nebraska reporter who found that multiple Pillen hog farms had nitrate levels far above the legal drinking water limit.

The story was written by Yanqi Xu with the Flatwater Free Press and republished by the Omaha World-Herald, among other news outlets. It revealed that 16 of Pillen's farms recorded nitrate levels at least five times higher than what is considered safe to drink. Consuming high levels of nitrate has been linked to a variety of health conditions, including thyroid disease, birth defects and cancer, according to the report.

When asked about the report a few days later on a KFAB radio segment, Pillen said he hadn't read the report, but attempted to discredit it by targeting Xu's Chinese nationality.

Number one, I didnt read it. And I wont, Pillen said. Number two, all you got to do is look at the author. The author is from communist China. What more do you need to know?

Pillen's comments were the subject of a column posted Tuesday by Flatwater's executive director, Matt Wynn. In it, Wynn defended his reporter and explained why he felt the comments were offensive.

"Had Governor Pillen spoken to the facts Yanqi found, I wouldnt be writing this now. Elected officials deserve the chance to respond to findings. We offered every opportunity for him to do so before we ran the story. He declined them all," Wynn wrote.

Pillen did not respond to additional opportunities to comment over the last week, Wynn said. Pillen's office also has not responded to a request for comment on Tuesday from The World-Herald.

Xu has lived in the United States since 2017 after growing up in China. For the past two years, she has worked for the Flatwater Free Press, an independent, nonprofit news organization based in Omaha. Wynn said Pillen's comments marked the first time someone has tried to write her off based on her origin.

Wynn praised Xu's skills as a journalist, listing previous stories she wrote detailing a contentious recall fight in Alvo, examining overtime in Nebraska's prison system, and reviewing low attendance records of the state's Board of Parole.

"Shes whip smart," Wynn wrote. "Shes pit bull stubborn. Shes a courageous reporter, a remarkable reporter."

In response to his column, a number of local journalists and others took to social media to defend Xu and take issue with what Pillen said. Several called Pillen's comments racist, and called for him to apologize and take back his words.

"Governor Pillen needs to apologize and do something to address the racism that is in his heart. This is deplorable," State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of October 2023
Right now, many American employees can still enjoy WFH setups provided by their companies. But, some are not so lucky as their bosses are starting to require them to report to the office.

Because of this, some U.S. residents are finding other works that offer permanent WFH jobs. Meanwhile, other employees are trying to negotiate with their companies.

The question is, what is the thing that Americans are willing to sacrifice to have permanent home-based jobs? Here's what experts said.

Americans Willing Give Up $6000 Of Their Salaries To Have WFH Setup

According to USA Today's latest report, many Americans are willing to give up around $4,600 or $6,000 of their annual salaries just to have home-based jobs.

Specifically, statistics revealed that U.S. workers can give up 8% of their yearly income for a job that allows them to work within the vicinities of their homes.

This is based on American workers who have generated $57,200 and more in annual salaries. However, some of these employees said that they are still willing to let go of 8% of their salaries even if the work is hybrid (three days in the office and two days at home).

Meanwhile, others are okay with having office-based jobs as long as employers are willing to pay them tons of money.

"You'd have to pay me a lot to be in an office," said Emilie Bergstrom, a 28-year-old remote employee in Brooklyn.

"I'm not eating out as much during the week. I'm not buying coffee out. Being able to work out at home, I don't have a gym membership anymore," she added.

Aside from food, coffee, and gym membership, Emilie also shared that she can now save tons of money on airfare since she can travel anytime she wants.

Another thing that makes Emilie want to retain her WFH job is the savings she makes on business attire.

Read Also: [STUDY] Asian American Christians Drastically Decreasing-From 42% Down to 34% This 2023

Perks Of Having WFH Job

FlexJobs explained that WFH jobs really do help employees save money compared to traditional office work.

The remote-work website, which usually conducts surveys, said that an average individual can save up to $6,000 if they have a hybrid work setup.

Meanwhile, full WFH employees can save twice as much; around $12,000 yearly. This is because they can avoid expenses, such as the following:

They can save money on commuting expenses, such as gas, parking tickets, and public transportation fees.

They no longer need to have regular car maintenance.

They can avoid getting car insurance since they no longer drive to work.

They don't have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to buy office work clothes.

They no longer need to eat outside since they can make their own food at home.

These are just some of the perks of a WFH employee. You can click here to learn more.

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A rural North Platte man pleaded guilty Monday in Lincoln County District Court to two counts of felony abandonment or cruel neglect of livestock.

Matthew J. Mikoloyck, 42, will be sentenced in December. In exchange for his plea, eight other counts of animal cruelty were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled.

Earlier this month, Larry Mikoloyck, 75, the father of Matthew Mikoloyck, pleaded guilty to five counts of misdemeanor attempted abandonment or cruel neglect of livestock. As part of that plea deal, five other animal abuse charges were dropped.

Larry Mikoloyck was sentenced to 18 months probation. He was also ordered not to have any non-domesticated animals in his custody.

According to an affidavit filed in Lincoln County, deputies searched the mens property at 4908 N. Homestead Road in February and found over 150 dead cattle.

Deceased cattle were found in the same pastures where live cattle were housed and fed, according to the affidavit. So many dead cattle were piled up in one area that they were too numerous to count.

Authorities seized more than 1,000 bulls, cows and calves from the farmstead. The animals were taken to the North Platte Sale Barn for inspection by a veterinarian. Residents in Lincoln and Logan Counties assisted with the effort.

Numerous cattle had to be put down on scene as they were very sick, injured and dying, according to a statement from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies noted there was little food and not enough water to sustain most of the herd, according to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, which had been investigating the Mikoloycks for several weeks with the assistance of the Nebraska Brand Committee and the Nebraska State Patrol. The Logan and Thomas County Sheriffs Offices also assisted in the investigation.
The U.S. Senate recently hosted a hearing on the importance of aging at home. Our nations Medicare program plans to implement potentially devastating cuts to its home healthcare program for older Americans, totaling a nearly $3.9 million loss next year in Nebraska alone.

The Medicare program is failing to fulfill its promises to Nebraskans and the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who need home health services, testified Carrie Edwards, director of Mary Lanning Home Care in Hastings and president of the Nebraska Association for Home Healthcare and Hospice. She explained how these cuts impact their home health program, which has had to reduce its service area by 58% and cut down to just 36% of its patients.

Without access to home-based healthcare, aging Nebraskans cant easily return home following hospitalization to heal and recover. Instead, they must endure longer hospital stays or face placement in a nursing home or rehabilitation facility.

Medicares cuts to home health services simply do not make sense. Most seniors and Americans with disabilities want to recover and rehabilitate in the comfort of their own homes, avoid rehospitalization, and maintain lower costs for their healthcare services.

The home healthcare community in Nebraska, and throughout the country, is still reeling from a nearly 4% payment cut that began this year. Because of these cuts, one-third of Nebraskas home health agencies are operating with negative margins.

Now Medicare has announced plans to implement another round of cuts to its Medicare home healthcare benefit program  totaling more than 9% beginning in 2024. These cuts would seriously restrict home health providers ability to deliver accessible care to those who need it, and would mean more than one-half of Nebraskas home health agencies would be operating in the red. Weve seen agencies close in many rural areas in the past five years, and I fear that additional closures will happen without congressional intervention.

The cumulative national impact of these newest impending cuts could result in a reduction of as much as $25 billion for Medicare home healthcare services over the next decade. It is highly unlikely that Medicares home health program could survive such a tremendous loss.

As it stands, home healthcare providers are already struggling with a shrinking healthcare workforce. Additionally, years of continued Medicare cuts to home healthcare providers have made it harder for hospitals and health systems to utilize and offer home health services for patients upon discharge.

Bipartisan lawmakers  including Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb.  have introduced legislation called the Preserving Access to Home Health Act (S. 2137/H.R. 5159) to prevent these devastating cuts from going into effect. The legislation would mitigate the impact of the cuts to home healthcare that began this year and prevent any additional cuts from taking place until at least 2028.

Here in Nebraska, more than 17,000 seniors and patients with disabilities are enrolled in Medicares home health program. Nebraskas home healthcare community helps ensure patients have access to the full range of services and support they need  from skilled nursing care and rehabilitation to physical therapy and social supports  but we simply cannot do it without the proper support and adequate funding from Medicare.

Congress must act now to help stop these cuts and enable home health providers and agencies in Nebraska, and across the nation, to continue providing the vital services Americans need to age safely at home.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP)  A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants.

At least 500 people were killed, the ministry said.

As rage spread through the region because of the hospital carnage, and with President Joe Biden heading to the Mideast in hopes of stopping the war from spreading, Jordan's foreign minister said his country canceled a regional summit scheduled for Wednesday in Amman, where Biden was to meet with Jordans King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

The war between Israel and Hamas was pushing the region to the brink, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told state-run television. He said Jordan would host the summit only when everyone had agreed its purpose would be to stop the war, respect the humanity of the Palestinians and deliver the aid they deserve.

Biden will now visit only Israel, a White House official said.

The explosion at the al-Ahli Hospital left gruesome scenes. Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. The grass around them was strewn with blankets, school backpacks and other belongings.

The bloodshed unfolded as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas' deadly rampage in southern Israel last week. Hundreds of thousands of increasingly desperate people were searching for bread and water.

Hamas called Tuesdays hospital blast a horrific massacre, saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

The Israeli military blamed Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often works with Hamas. The military said Islamic Jihad militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital and that intelligence from multiple sources" indicated the group was responsible.

In a briefing with reporters, the chief army spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the army determined there were no air force, ground or naval attacks in the area at the time of the blast. He said radar detected outgoing rocket fire at the same moment, and intercepted communications between militant groups indicated that Islamic Jihad fired the rockets.

Hagari also shared aerial footage collected by a military drone that showed a blast that he said was inconsistent with Israeli weaponry. He said the explosion occurred in the building's parking lot, and he noted that the death toll could not be confirmed.

Since the war began, the military said in a statement that roughly 450 rockets fired at Israel by militant groups had landed in Gaza, endangering and harming the lives of Gazan residents.

Islamic Jihad dismissed those claims, accusing Israel of trying hard to evade responsibility for the brutal massacre it committed.

The group pointed to Israels order that Al-Ahli be evacuated and its previous bombing of the hospital complex as proof that the hospital was an Israeli target. It also said the scale of the explosion, the angle of the bomb's fall and the extent of the destruction all pointed to Israel.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza Citys main hospital, al-Shifa, which was already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia. The wounded were laid onto bloody floors, screaming in pain.

We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anesthesia, we need everything, Abu Selmia said. He warned that fuel for the hospitals generators would run out within hours.

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and nearly two-thirds of those killed were children. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians who were slain in Hamas Oct. 7 attack. The assault also resulted in some 200 being taken captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades. Others threw stones at Israeli checkpoints, where soldiers killed one Palestinian, West Bank authorities said.

Elsewhere, hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut, Iraq and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli Embassy.

In Amman, a palace statement said Jordans king condemned the ugly massacre perpetrated by Israel against innocent civilians.

The king warned that this war, which has entered a dangerous phase, will plunge the region into an unspeakable disaster, the statement said.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza, but its plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military told fleeing Palestinians to go. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency said. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 members of the agencys staff.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said. He is the highest-profile militant to have been killed in the war.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

With Israel barring entry of most water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid have been waiting to enter for more than a day. The World Food Program said it had more than 300 tons of food ready to cross into Gaza.
Lynn Cardey, a Nebraska native now residing in Omaha, repeatedly encountered a post on her Facebook newsfeed.

The post extended an invitation to join a Zoom chat group titled "Coffee and Conversation," associated with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

Initially, she disregarded it, finding it somewhat bothersome, akin to an incessantly buzzing fly. It was the spring of 2020, marked by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, which mandated social distancing and lockdowns, exacerbating social isolation, particularly for older adults like Lynn accustomed to daily social interactions. The pandemic-induced isolation was a formidable challenge for many.

With her husband working on the west coast and the recent loss of her mother, the Facebook post became increasingly intriguing. Lynn decided to delve into OLLI, eventually signing up for the chat group. It provided her with an opportunity to connect with others, albeit virtually, and alleviate her feelings of loneliness and isolation. It was a chance to forge bonds and share stories unique to her generation, but first, she had to familiarize herself with the workings of Zoom.

"I discovered an incredible group of fascinating people," Lynn shared. "We convene every Tuesday morning for about an hour. The moderator assigned a topic for the week, and everyone got a few minutes to speak."

The topics were simple and non-controversial, such as sharing favorite birthday memories, naming favorite movies, or recounting stories about kindergarten teachers. There was no discussion of politics or the pandemic.

"I met individuals I would never have crossed paths with otherwise," she said, noting one of these group members eventually became a close friend.

Lynn's natural curiosity drove her to continue learning even as the pandemic raged on. She started taking OLLI Zoom classes, and today, she attends both virtual and in-person courses in Lincoln.

These classes demanded minimal commitment, ranging from single sessions to five or six meetings. The absence of tests and grades was particularly appealing. Some of her favorite courses have included one on nuclear deterrents from Korea to Ukraine, taught by a retired Major General, and classes on Elizabeth I and Shakespeare led by a UNL professor with expertise in the Elizabethan era. There was even a kayaking class.

While Lynn commutes to Lincoln for certain classes, OLLI has introduced a diverse range of in-person courses in Omaha. The organizations overarching objective involves broadening the program and enhancing the availability of in-person courses throughout the Omaha metro area.

Bob Michl, the OLLI director, emphasized the advantages of attending in-person courses.

"Participating in face-to-face classes offers excellent opportunities to meet individuals with similar interests and establish connections with peers," Michl said. "OLLI welcomes all those who wish to remain intellectually active and engaged."

"I'm interested in people and the human condition," Lynn said. "I want to understand how we function as a community and society." OLLI classes offered her intellectual stimulation and physical activities.

She relishes the drive to Lincoln for in-person classes. "It's an easy drive from my home in Omaha," she said. "It's a liberating break from my routine, and I get to sing off-key along with the radio." Zoom, on the other hand, allowed her to continue learning during her travels, whether she was vacationing in Montreal or Florida.

"OLLI is a fantastic way to explore your community and the people within it," she emphasized. "As we age, our world can contract because we may not know where to find new opportunities. I'd recommend OLLI for personal growth, to keep your mind and body active, as science tells us we should. As retirees, we have the time to explore new horizons, and you can do it safely and enjoyably."

What initially began as a simple sign-up for coffee and conversation blossomed into new friendships, lifelong learning and a passion for curiosity. Lynn eagerly encourages others to try it.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln caters to adults aged 50 and older, offering non-credit courses, lectures, events and travel opportunities. The program emphasizes the love of learning, with no tests or grades. For more information, visit olli.unl.edu.
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NORMAL  Water and roadway improvements will soon be made in southwest Normal to attract future property developments.

The Normal Town Council on Monday approved a development agreement with Interchange City West, LLC., to install water and roadway improvements adjacent to undeveloped parcels on the 279-acre property.

Developer Stark Excavating, of Bloomington, received an almost $1.4 million grant through Illinois' Megasites Development Program, which provides grant funds to provide necessary infrastructure improvements to develop such sites and spur economic development.

"For now, because of how his property is elevated and where the creek is, we can figure out where the utilities should go," said City Manager Pam Reece.

Reece said that since the grant requires the work to be completed by the end of 2024, the agreement from the town permits the development to install those improvements without submitting a preliminary plan for the affected land.

With different state and federal agencies announcing new grant opportunities and programs, the town is consistently looking for ways to incorporate them in their own projects or even refer them to developers in the community, Reece said.

"About every day we get emails through state agencies and different federal programs to see if there's anything that we could take advantage of," Reece said. "We're always keeping our eyes open for that."

The grant program, which is funded through Rebuild Illinois capital funds, leveraged $23 million in grants to generate $144 million total investments across nine projects throughout Illinois.

In addition to the Interchange City West subdivision, the state also awarded the Bloomington Normal Airport Authority $1.25 million to be used for infrastructure work on a vacant site targeted for future development.

Other grant recipients include:

$5 million for America's Central Port District in Granite City;

$1.4 million for Green Door Capital in Yorkville;

$3.4 million for International Union of Operating Engineers in Wilmington;

$2.5 million for JJK 343 in DeKalb;

$2.2 million for Landmark Chicago Interest in Chicago;

$4.55 million for Marquis in Hennepin;

$1.3 million for Rock Creek in Carrier Mills.

Changes to personnel code

The council also amended the town's personnel code in an effort to attract and better accommodate municipal employees.

The changes only apply to classified employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

"We have not done a comprehensive update to the personnel code in quite some time, and there are some significant changes that we're asking council to support this evening," Reece said.

The changes involve modifying the residency requirement, allowing employees to live within a 60-mile radius instead of a 20-mile radius, and removing the requirement for several department directors to live in town limits.

This includes the city manager, assistant city manager, corporation council, finance director, fire chief, police chief, water director, public works director and parks and recreation director, Reece said. She added that the city manager position does have an employment agreement that the council can define.

Other changes include introducing parental leave that would provide up to four weeks of paid leave at 70% of an eligible employee's regular wages for the birth or adoption of a child; implementing a 5% cap on cost of living adjustments; and adding both Juneteenth and Veteran's Day as paid holidays.

The town also is modifying the accrual of vacation to provide additional days in a shorter period of time.

The accrual schedule is as follows:

One to four years of service = two weeks annual vacation

Five to nine years of service = three weeks annual vacation

10 or more years of service = four weeks annual vacation

Trustee Chemberly Harris commended the town staff for reviewing the personnel code and providing an update that will attract new employees from other towns and cities in Central Illinois.

"It's always hard for community and government, especially municipalities, to get good employees and to retain them oftentimes because of money, vacation time and things that corporate America allow versus the public sector," Harris said. "There's some things on here that are near and dear to my heart."

Harris also said she was glad to see the inclusion of parental leave and highlighted the importance for employees, especially mothers, to be afforded that time with their children after they are born.

Trustee Kevin McCarthy said the changes will keep the town competitive against other private employers but also will address the ongoing issue of housing and make it easier for families to look for a home in Central Illinois and take the time they need with their children.

"The leave policy is embracing families in a meaningful, policy way," McCarthy said. "I think a lot of what we embrace in government is how we believe in support our young families that were put down in Normal and being able to express that in deed and actuality is quite paying."

Mayor Chris Koos echoed the same sentiment and said that what makes a municipality stand out is talent and its ability to attract talent.

"This ordinance, I think, goes a long way to help us ensure that we continue to get top quality people working in the town," Koos said.

The new personnel code will be in effect Nov. 1.

Other business

In other news, the council approved the following:

Accepted a proposal for auditing services by Sikich, LLP, CPA Firm for a five-year contract of $254,815

Authorized the renewal of the employee group health, dental, life, accidental death and dismemberment, and Medicare Advantage Insurance program

Accepted the proposal and authorized a contract for a structural audit of three town-owned parking structures in uptown Normal with Desman, Inc., for $31,720

Accepted the proposal and authorized staff to execute a professional services agreement for energy savings and capital maintenance projects with Veregy, LLC.

Authorized the city manager to solicit bids through the town's energy broker for natural gas for town-owned accounts and execute a natural gas supply agreement with the lowest responsible bidder

Waived the formal bidding process and accepted quote from Anderson Electric and Cummins International for the purchase of a stand-by generator for the public works facility for $103,200

Reapproved the final play of the Weldon Reserve subdivision along Beech Street

Check out photos from the 2023 Alzheimer's Walk Lus Crew Greg Ekdale, Dave Lowe Milo, Alyssa and Kari Wurth writing on flowers, which symbolize a promise to remember, honor, care and fight for those living with Alzheimers. Different colored flowers highlight different connections to the disease. Walk host Susan Saunders takes a picture of the Future Educators of Color team. Walk manager Josh Cox erect the starting gate. Jody and Curt Nettles Lois Thompson, Renee and Kevin Brucker Viola Freimann, Betty Rock Kathy Neil, Lynne Ekdale Ping Yin, Luke Yin, Ian Shin, David Yin Peyton and Kelly Friesen, Abigail and Robin England Michael Lena, Catie Welsh, Derian Cunningham Elaine Vitzthum, Michele Jenkins, Sarah Vitzthum Harry and Hilary Rouse with Pawprint Ministry dogs Silver and Sterling The Commerce Bank Team plants flowers which visually communicate a connection to Alzheimers. Daniel Tofte, Cheryl and Kylie Schimmelpfenning, Sara Larsen, Danielle Randle Walk Host and MC Susan Saunders Freds Forget-Me-Nots Brian Dixon, Joshua Sutton Mikayla, Tiana and Jim Haas Walking in memory of Allan Eichholz The Pray family The Nettles family Warming up before the walk Lucy Croft leads the group in some pre-walk Zumba Getting their Zumba on
SPRINGFIELD  Gov. J.B. Pritzker has so many fans and friends that he receives a $30 gift at the rate of one every three days, but because of his job he accepts none of them, and rarely even sees them.

The second-term Democratic governor and multi-billionaire has been lavished with hundreds of gifts from around the world, ranging from a $950 bottle of Japanese whiskey to 35 cents: a quarter and dime, to be exact.

The state's 25-year-old Gift Ban Act prohibits public employees such as Pritzker from accepting presents, with broad exceptions. Therefore, the high-priced hooch delivered compliments of the Japanese embassy and three bottles of tequila valued at $450 have remained untapped.

"I don't get to do that," Pritzker said at a stop in Springfield. "I will say I like tequila, so that's why people will have given that to me, but there are a few other spirits that I like as well."

Pricey bottles of alcohol are not the only gifts that Pritzker eschews. Most are stored in Springfield and Chicago, with a staff member responsible for thank-you notes. Together, they comprise 4 1/2 years of gratuities totaling 561 gifts valued at $16,890.14, according to a log provided to The Associated Press in response to a public records request.

Perishable food is shared with office staff and visitors. The rest will eventually end up in an appropriate charitable home, gubernatorial spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh said.

A governor receives gifts for reasons you'd expect: A gift bag when he visits a town or cuts a ribbon, a plaque from an advocacy group when he champions its cause. Promotion also plays a part. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has sent king cake and beads to gin up interest in Mardi Gras, while authors seem to believe getting a copy of their latest work into Pritzker's hands will land it on the bestseller list.

With a net worth of $3.5 billion as a Hyatt Hotel heir, Pritzker is not pining for much. But for those government employees who aren't among the nation's 326 richest people, according to Forbes magazine, the law prohibits accepting gifts from those who do or seek business with the state, who perform state-regulated activities and lobbyists.

Acceptable presents from one source must not exceed $100 in a single year and no one may accept food or refreshments valued at more than $75 in a single day.

Initiated in 1998 by the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, co-authored by then-first-term state Sen. Barack Obama and signed by Republican Gov. Jim Edgar, the Gift Ban Act was the first major ethics reform in Illinois since post-Watergate campaign-finance disclosure laws.

"It's worked pretty well," said David Melton of the advocacy group Reform for Illinois. "As a general rule, they (public employees) are not allowed to accept gifts. That's the right approach."

Based on value alone, Pritzker could accept the overwhelming majority of his gubernatorial gift pile. Each present, arriving at a rate of just under 10 a month, averages about $30.

Beside the four bottles of luxurious liquor, there are only six gifts that are generally off limits, including a $200 Mondaine watch from the Swiss ambassador to the U.S. and a $120 potpourri of eco-friendly pet waste bags, biodegradable diaper bags, bamboo utensils and more from a citizen named Tiffany Kuhl.

The COVID-19 crisis imbued the governor's admirers with generosity. From March 2020 through December 2021, Pritzker received 33 gifts specifically in appreciation of his pandemic protocol, including some that seemed more personal: handmade face-coverings, items with inspirational messages, selections of food and a Gov. Pritzker bobblehead from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee.

There also was "2:30 p.m. Man," a painting of a smiling Pritzker in acrylic by SeungRi "Victoria" Park, a Chicago schoolteacher and artist.

"Every day at 2:30, he showed up on my TV," said Park, referring to Pritzker's daily news conferences during the worst of the pandemic. "I don't vote for any politicians, but I like him. I wanted to paint him. He reminded me of Buddha."

Pritzker, the state's third Jewish governor, was not a spiritual leader to Park, but his message resonated.

"I don't go with religion and I don't go with politicians," said Park, who has remained free of COVID-19 in the 3 1/2 years since the coronavirus crept into Illinois. "But I go with science."

As for the Governor's Gifts scorecard? Shirts: 54. Hats: 21. Mugs and totes: 23. Scarves: seven, including three maroon and gold Loyola University wraps. Pens and pencils: 8. Pins: 11 (plus one rolling pin).

There were 188 books, 27 from the authors themselves, including former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres. He is listed as sending a signed copy of his autobiography, though he died two years before Pritzker's election. Sidney Blumenthal, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton, sent his latest Abraham Lincoln biography, along with tequila and a stuffed pink flamingo. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader and his co-author, Mark Green, each sent a copy of "Wrecking America," a critique of Donald Trump's presidency.

Sometimes gifts come wrapped in the wrong potato chip bag, like when Pritzker stopped at a Freeport elementary school on June 6 and received from the Stephenson County Democratic Party two bags of Mrs. Fishers potato chips made in nearby Rockford, instead of the equally salty Mrs. Mike's potato chips manufactured in Freeport.

Party chairperson Jody Coss cannot say for certain whether she grabbed the Freeport snack when she decided to add some hometown flavor to the governor's greeting.

"The intention," Coss said sheepishly, "was to give him Mrs. Mike's."

Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed.
From almost the moment he took office, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has championed the state as a sanctuary for immigrants. But in his quest to keep Illinois a welcoming state, the welcome mat is becoming politically frayed as Chicago tries to cope with an influx of more than 18,000 asylum-seekers.

What was once altruistic idealism delivered 1,200 miles away from the nations southern border is now colliding with realism in how to temporarily house, provide for and resettle thousands of asylum-seekers in a crisis largely orchestrated by Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to use his states long-standing border issues to paint leaders in Democratic cities and states as hypocrites.

As each new bus arrives here from Texas and other locales, more political pressure mounts on Pritzker and on Chicagos new progressive Democratic leadership under Mayor Brandon Johnson.

With no firm plans in place and the only concrete advice to incoming migrants being Pritzkers warning that its gonna get cold in Chicago and New York very soon, cracks among the Democratic base, particularly among key ethnic and racial blocs, have emerged over spending taxpayer dollars and housing for migrants.

Despite the cold political calculation of using human beings as political pawns in a larger federal game aimed at securing the nations southern border, Abbotts strategy of spreading the pressure on the federal government may be working.

We of course are a welcoming state and have been caring for the people whove arrived. But we cant bear the burden only ourselves, Pritzker said on CBS Face the Nation on his calls for assistance from Democratic President Joe Bidens administration.

It seems like now is the moment to talk about border security and immigration reform. We want immigrants in the United States, we also want border security. It seems like theres a compromise there, the Democratic governor said.

But there has been no serious effort at the federal level to deal with comprehensive immigration reform since 20 years ago, when George W. Bush, a former Texas governor, was president. That effort fell by the wayside as the GOP saw the issue of illegal immigration as a potent one for building the partys political base.

Now, with the leadership of the Republican-led U.S. House unsettled, prospects for a comprehensive immigration plan and significant federal aid to Chicago appear unlikely anytime soon.

Pritzkers latest comments are in contrast to the boldness he exhibited only 10 days after he was sworn in as governor in January 2019. Then, he issued an executive order declaring immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers as critical to the fabric of our State, contributing the culture and economy that make Illinois a great place to live and requiring the state to expand welcoming centers.

In December of that year, in response to then-President Donald Trump vastly curbing legal immigration and issuing an executive order allowing states and cities to opt out of refugee resettlement programs, Pritzker wrote a defiant letter to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declaring that Illinois would proudly consent to extending help to refugees.

As the governor of Illinois and the great-grandson of refugees, I am committed to ensuring that Illinois is a welcoming state, especially for refugees and those seeking asylum, he wrote. As survivors of persecution, refugees embody the importance of human rights, democracy, and freedom. Refugees resilience in the face of hardship inspires courage, hope, and perseverance. And refugees countless contributions undoubtedly make our states and nation stronger.

Fast-forward to earlier this month and a letter to a different administration.

Pritzker, a member of Bidens reelection advisory board and the host governor for the Democratic National Convention that will renominate the president in August, wrote to Biden that after 13 months of migrant deliveries by bus, Illinois is overwhelmed and mostly unsupported.

Unfortunately, the welcome and aid Illinois has been providing to these asylum-seekers has not been matched with support by the federal government, Pritzker wrote. Most critically, the federal governments lack of intervention and coordination at the border has created an untenable situation for Illinois.

Pritzkers letter did get attention in the White House with Biden taking recent actions on immigration, including speeding up work permits for Venezuelan migrants, resuming deportations of border crossers from Venezuela who do not gain refugee status, resuming the building of a border wall in Texas and sending a team from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to Chicago to assess the migrant situation.

Reflecting the problems Democrats face over the issue, Democratic U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez who represents a Latino influence district that stretches from several city neighborhoods to the western suburbs, sent out two news releases on Oct. 5  one slamming the Biden administration for resuming the border wall and a second praising the administration for sending the Homeland Security team to Chicago.

The White House followed up with an email to reporters that pointed out the Ramirez news release showing appreciation to Biden for sending the Homeland Security team. It made no mention of her other statement that criticized Bidens border wall decision.

On Thursday, Democratic U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth joined with 13 of the states 14 Democratic House members in writing a letter to Biden urging the administration to devote more resources to Chicago for the migrant crisis. Central and southwestern Illinois Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, a first-term legislator from Springfield, did not sign the letter.

State and local officials have worked tirelessly to serve these new arrivals, and the federal government must swiftly provide assistance and resources that reflect this administrations commitment to safe, orderly, and humane immigration processes, the letter said, in seeking flexibility in grant funding, waiving fees for temporary work permits for migrants and appointing a federal point person on the migrant issue for Illinois.

With Democrats in Illinois acknowledging a lack of early 2024 enthusiasm for Biden among those in the long-underserved Black and Latino communities, the issue of dollars being spent and the search for places to house the asylum-seekers has become an added political problem.

On the West Side, Johnson has put on hold plans to use the Amundsen Park field house as a migrant shelter amid residents protests that it would curtail programs and services.

On the South Side, Democratic state Sen. Willie Preston hosted a community meeting in the predominantly Black Auburn Gresham neighborhood where he asked residents if they supported Chicago revoking its sanctuary city status.

Im telling you all that this is a very serious situation, he said. It is a very controversial situation, and that is why Im one of the first state elected officials to my knowledge to step out (in) front of this issue and say enough is enough, hold the line. We need a cap on migrants because the people dont want it. We cannot afford it, and Im willing to fight.

As for using local and state tax dollars to help the migrants, Preston said, I believe our community has sovereignty. I believe our community has paid taxes. Noting that a high percentage of people in Illinois experiencing homelessness are Black, he said he thinks charity starts at home.

Andrew Chavez, 32, a downtown office worker who was born in Chicago and raised on the Southwest Side, said he is generally supportive of Democratic causes. But he said he has drawn a line on the migrant issue, believing the money being devoted to serving asylum-seekers should go instead to help the existing homeless population and to restore neighborhoods.

This tarnishes the hard work my parents went through when they legally migrated here from Mexico. They didnt get any help. The migrants now coming over here have contributed to the negative stereotypes that people have about people like my family, said Chavez, a first-generation Mexican American.

The fact that were spending millions of dollars at this point, money suddenly being found to renovate abandoned buildings and find places for these people, is ridiculous, he said.

Democrats privately concede Chavez isnt alone in his feelings  another example of Abbotts politically debilitating aim for Democrats in sending migrants to blue cities and states.

Charles Wheeler, a retired professor of public affairs reporting at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said sending migrants to Chicago was a strategy aimed at allowing Republicans to portray Democrats as politicians who dont put their money where their mouth is.

Wheeler said Republicans are saying, Oh yeah, youre fine with it when you dont have to deal with  quote  these people  unquote. But when they actually arrive, in your communities, you are in an uproar.

Wheeler continued: And it gets fed by folks to whose advantage it is to pit one group of marginalized folks against another group of marginalized folks.

This past Tuesday, Pritzker acknowledged it was easy to see why Republicans think that this is such a great idea to send thousands of migrants to Chicago and other Democratic cities  because they want to cause rifts.

Were all doing our best to try to work with the communities where they are challenged to welcome those folks into their communities, he said.

I know there are people who are concerned about the continued migration to Chicago and thats one of the reasons why for the last 13 months, Ive been saying to the federal government and to our congresspeople that we need not only dollars to help take care of the people who come here, but also have a better system for (a) distribution of folks around the country if they so choose, he said.

Pritzker also repeated a realism that he also views as a deterrent  the upcoming winter weather.

I can guarantee you that if people at the border understood how cold it will be and that we are having trouble housing the people that are already here, they will not choose to come to Chicago  assuming that theyre the ones choosing, he said.
Its a disturbing oddity of our current political era that a leading presidential candidate can suggest that an American general who has criticized him should be executed, that shoplifters should be shot on sight, that the federal government should crack down on a television network whose coverage he doesnt like and that an elderly man being attacked with a hammer is joke-worthy  and no one bats an eye.

The above-referenced lunacy all came from (where else?) the twisted mind, mouth and fingers of former President Donald Trump. And that was just within the past few weeks.

Reach back to last year, and Trump was suggesting that the U.S. Constitution should be suspended to allow his return to office. Reach back to Jan. 6, 2021, and he was directing his deranged followers to fight like hell to prevent certification of valid election results, fueling the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol that day.

Reach back further still, and this silver-spoon draft evader was slandering war heroes (I like people who werent captured), whitewashing the Tiki-torch-carrying neo-Nazis of Charlottesville (very fine people on both sides) and extolling the virtues of sexual assault (grab them by the ).

So yes, Trump has been a rhetorical dirty bomb throughout his eight years at the center of the nations political stage. So much so that pausing now to note his latest verbal assaults against democratic norms and basic decency might feel redundant.

But Trumps latest unhinged utterances are important to note here for two reasons:

One, the very phenomenon of the normalization of his psychotic rhetoric is in itself dangerous. The mere fact that he spews so much verbal sewage that the culture has gotten used to it shouldnt provide a pass to a man who, according to polls, has as much chance of being the next president as does the sitting one.

And two, Trumps always-toxic rhetoric seems to be getting worse. To the extent this is because he understands he has a real possibility of returning to the White House, and is signaling his intentions on getting there, the nation should listen.

Some of his worst recent rhetoric was aimed at someone formerly in his own inner circle  in this case, Gen. Mark Milley, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the final months of Trumps presidency.

As Trump was attempting to cling to power after losing the 2020 election, Milley assured his Chinese counterparts during a phone call that the U.S. government was stable.

That call, made at the behest of Defense Secretary Mark Esper, was perfectly appropriate, given the worlds trepidation about the turmoil within the U.S. government at that moment. Yet during a rant against Milley on his Truth Social media platform last month, Trump called it a treasonous act, one so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!

That kind of wink-and-nod threat is easily translated by the more deranged of Trumps followers  as former Vice President Mike Pence could attest, having narrowly escaped being lynched by the MAGA mob on Jan. 6 after being publicly accused by Trump of disloyalty for refusing to help him steal the election. Milley recently said Trumps threat has prompted him to provide added security for himself and his family. ...

In another Truth Social rant late last month, Trump made clear he is itching to use the power of the federal government to go after media outlets he doesnt like should he be returned to power.

The parent company of NBC News and MSNBC, he wrote, should be investigated for Country Threatening Treason for reporting on the investigation into Russian influence during his administration.

Redeploying his go-to Stalinesque phrase enemy of the people, Trump expanded his target to include the entire LamesStream Media, which, he wrote, will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events.

The Fake News Media, declared the man who once swore to uphold and defend the Constitution, should pay a big price for what they have done to our once great Country!

Just a week after vowing to unravel the First Amendment, Trump told an audience of California Republicans that, in effect, he is also eager to sidestep the Fifth and Sixth Amendments  the ones that guarantee trial by jury and other rights for criminal defendants.

Shrugging off such constitutional niceties, Trump enthusiastically told the crowd of his solution for confronting retail theft: You can fully expect to be shot as you are leaving that store.

Shot! he repeated, as the room cheered.

It was in that same speech that Trump reminded the world that, in addition to being a pathological liar and aspiring dictator, he harbors a demonstrable lack of empathy that borders on sociopathic.

How else to interpret his inhumane joke at the expense of Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who suffered a skull fracture last year  at age 82  when a home intruder beat him with a hammer.

Vowing in the speech to stand up to crazy Nancy Pelosi, Trump added glibly: Hows her husband doing, anybody know? And shes against building a wall at our border, even though she has a wall around her house  which obviously didnt do a very good job.

What a knee-slapper.

Then there was Trumps social media attack just last week on a law clerk involved in his pending business fraud civil trial in New York. The attack included the clerks photo and identifying information, prompting the judge in the case to issue a gag order.

All of this oratorical poison should be considered in the context of a second Trump presidential term that would be different from the first in dangerous ways.

Trump and his allies have been open about their plans to remove many of the institutional restraints on the presidency should he return to it, in part by recategorizing wide swaths of federal employees so they could be replaced at will with Trump loyalists.

And with Trump having had four years to practice pushing the levers of power, its unlikely that people like Milley  the institutionalists inside the White House who restrained Trumps worst impulses last time  will be positioned to provide those guardrails this time.

With that in mind, Trumps recent rhetoric is not merely disgusting but alarming. He has, to paraphrase the famous warning from Maya Angelou, reminded us who he is. On that issue, if on no others, America should believe him.
16 accused persons who invaded the United Television (UTV) studios at Tesano in the Greater Accra Region on 7th October 2023 have been convicted and sentenced to a fine by the Achimota District Court.



Following a report by the management of United Television (UTV) and the Ministry of Information on 7th October 2023, that the convicted persons had entered the UTV Studios and disrupted a live programme, the Police proceeded to arrest them on the premises of UTV. They were subsequently charged for being on the premises for unlawful purposes and arraigned before the court today, 16th October 2023.



The accused persons pleaded guilty to the charge against them. They were, therefore, convicted on their own pleas and sentenced to a fine of 200 penalty units each which amounts to Two Thousand Four Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH 2,400.00) in default 3 months imprisonment.



They were also ordered by the Court to sign a bond to be of good behaviour in default 6 months imprisonment.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Israel Defense Force updated the number of hostages that were taken by Hamas to 199.

According to Agence France Presse, the number was updated on Monday (October 16) from the previous figure of 155.

The US State Department confirmed on Sunday (October 15) that 30 US citizens have been killed in the fighting and 13 others unaccounted for, according to The Hill.

"We have updated the families of 199 hostages," IDF spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari told a media briefing.

The hostages were a mix of Israeli civilians, foreigners, and revelers of a Supernova music festival the night before the Hamas attack.

Read Also: Israel Denies Opening Humanitarian Corridor for Foreigners

IDF: We'll Bring the Hostages Back

Hagari said the military has some information on the whereabouts of hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and they were making "valiant efforts" to locate and rescue the hostages, The Times of Israel reported.

"The efforts on the hostages are a top national priority," he added. "The army and Israel are working around the clock to bring them back."

As of Monday, almost 6,000 people have been killed on both sides.

Related Article: US State Secretary Blinken Returns to Israel After Whirlwind Middle East Trip

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Professor Joseph Osafo has stirred conversations for the spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam to be put to good use.



Government has constituted an inter-ministerial Committee to address recent floods triggered by spillage of the Volta and Kpong Dams by the Volta River Authority (VRA).



The spillage has caused massive flooding in communities close to the river, particularly in Mempe and Aaveyime.



The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has reportedly rescued 1800 persons at Mempe and Aaveyime in the Volta Region affected by the floods.



Tackling the subject during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Monday morning, Rev. Professor Joseph Osafo, Director of the Centre for Ageing Studies at the University of Ghana, appealed to the Volta River Authority and government to construct reservoirs to conserve the water spilled from the dam.



He wondered why, over 50 years since the dam was constructed, nothing has been done but to only waste the water that come from the dam when it is filled to the brim.



"When I look at how we can use water to grow crops and this water has gone free and destroyed things free...I mean 50 years and over, No! It's unacceptable; we can't do this to our nation...You can't waste water. With the way the world is going, water, it cannot be wasted that way; not at all," he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh.



He pleaded with the authorities to look at better options to resolve the problem ensuring the spillage benefits Ghanaians emphasizing "we could just harvest this somewhere".



He hoped the authorities will heed his advice, stressing spilling the water without conserving it "is an immoral action to conservation".



"If the soldiers rescued 1800 people, it means that we were close to a major disaster. We were very close. And how can we allow this?", he fumed.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged financial institutions to offer more support to agriculture and agri-businesses to grow the sector.



He described as disturbing the low level of credit facilities to the sector and said if more was offered to the industry, it would help increase the GDP growth of the country.



President Akufo-Addo was responding to some issues that came up during a panel discussion at the second Presidential breakfast meeting on agriculture and agribusiness financing in Accra yesterday.



In attendance were chief executives of financial institutions and other stakeholders who discussed ways to unlock opportunities for greater mobilisation of resources to support the agriculture sector by fostering collaborations for the mutual benefit of the food and agricultural sector and financial institutions.



Credit support



For instance, the President said that the ADB Bank provided only 24 per cent of its loan portfolio to the agricultural sector.



Others are Fidelity Bank, 10 per cent; Ghana Commercial Bank, 25 per cent, while Opportunity International, a savings and loans company, disburses about 27 per cent of its loan portfolio to 22,000 farmers.



There are 3.5 million farmers in Ghana who are able to get 27 per cent of your loan portfolio. With respect, my understanding is that we are scratching the surface of the problem, the President said, adding that there were issues we need to come to grips with and pool our resources, expertise and talents together to resolve.



President Akufo-Addo further described farmers in the country as hardworking who needed the support of the financial institutions to increase their capacity and yields.



The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Brian Acheampong, said the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme had been transformed into an input credit system.



Transformation



We, therefore, expect a similar course correction on your part, our distinguished bankers as partners who are not only driven by profit, but also by our collective national development agenda, adding we cannot continue to do the same thing and expect different results.



Dr Acheampong said while the country consumed a total of 324,000 metric tonnes of poultry, it was able to produce only about 15,000 metric tonnes.



He, however, said that in the ministrys five-year plan we will move our self-sufficiency from five per cent to seven per cent by the end of 2023, and to 13 per cent in 2024, and progressively attain full self-sufficiency of 110.6 per cent by 2028.



In line with that, the minister said his outfit would supply 4.5 million day-old chicks, vaccines and starter pack feed to anchor farmers and their outgrowers from now to December 2023.



The intervention is envisaged to lead to the production of an additional 13, 200 metric tonnes of poultry meat by the end of this year, which, he said would increase the self-sufficiency of the country to seven per cent.



In 2024, we would ramp up this support to 18 million day-old chicks, vaccines, and starter-pack feed, which will lead to the production of 42,600 metric tonnes of meat and increase our self-sufficiency to 13 per cent. This trajectory will continue until we reach full self-sufficiency.



We are also reviving the poultry industry this year through the rehabilitation of 300 outgrower poultry farms across the country over the next 12 months, Dr Acheampong added.



He further said that the rice sector was also receiving the needed attention to attain self-sufficiency in 2028 with a total paddy production of 3.31 million metric tonnes, equivalent to 1.82 million metric tonnes of milled rice.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Head of Linguistics at the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum has commiserated with the affected residents in Volta Region where the Akosombo dam spillage is happening.



At least, 26,000 people have been reportedly displaced along the lower Volta Basin as of Monday as officials continue to take stock of the extent of devastation caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams.



His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has paid the Region a visit to assess the impact of the disaster and assured the victims of government's support.



Discussing the spillage during Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Professor Kofi Agyekum was left in a dilemma as he noted that although the residents have been displaced due to the floods, it is however necessary that the dams will be opened to allow the free flow of water in order to save it from a potential collapse.



He opined that if the spillage doesn't happen, it will be extremely catastrophic to the entire country.



Nonetheless, he asked the government together with the relevant stakeholders to offer a better alternative to help the residents as well as relocating them to keep them safe, especially in an event where the Akosombo dam has to be spilled again.



"We are mourning with them. We share their pains. As we talk, we haven't had information that someone has died. We pray to avoid that because everything we are saying is replaceable but when a person dies, it is impossible to replace. May God be with them," Prof. Agyekum expressed his sympathies to the victims.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Nana Akomea, the Chief Executive Officer of the InterCity State Transport Corporation (STC), has called on government to evacuate all residents living within the vicinity of the Akosombo dam as the dam continues to be spilled.



The Akosombo dam spillage has ruined their properties and displaced at least 26,000 people.



The rescue of the victims is a coordinated effort between NADMO, Ghana Armed Forces and the Navy.



President Nana Akufo-Addo, during his visit to the Region, has pledged relief support to the victims.



Speaking in relation to the issue, Nana Akomea requested that the areas where the floods occasioned by the spillage of the dam haven't affected yet should immediately be evacuated as he foresees those areas being submerged as the spillage is ongoing.



"There are so many settlements downstream that the spillage hasn't affected yet but immediately, we have to evacuate all of them because the water is still flowing. We have to resettle them temporarily and maybe in another two/three weeks when the water dries up, the reconstruction, the people who have lost their properties; they need support to replace [those] their household gadgets, carpets, furniture, electronic, disinfectants...So, it's a huge effort that has to be done," he appealed during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Chief Executive Officer of the InterCity State Transport Corporation, Nana Akomea has called for a national effort by all Ghanaians to provide relief support to the victims of the Akosombo dam spillage.



Nana Akomea, addresssing the issue during Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", asked that government launch a national appeal for every Ghanaian to contribute a quota to help the victims.



At least 26,000 people living along the lower Volta Basin have been displaced with their houses and many other properties submerged by the spillage.



To Nana Akomea, although President Nana Addo has pledged government's full support to the victims, it cannot take up the challenge alone.



"It has to be a national effort; everybody contributes something small. It is not their fault that this disaster has happened to them. Unfortunately, the country hasn't got all the resources...So, it's a huge national effort. We should appeal for international assistance," he appealed.



He implored all Ghanaians to assist the government noting the victims are equally "Ghanaians. It could be you tomorrow".



"We should launch a national appeal. Many many Ghanaians would contribute to it" to help remedy the situation, he stressed.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of the charismatic Action Chapel, has issued a warning, stating that the world is in need of prayer due to a perceived plot by unspecified adversaries to orchestrate a third world war.



During his address at the iPLUS40 2023 event, Archbishop Duncan-Williams emphasized the importance of prayer in these turbulent times, expressing concerns that if Christians do not pray and remain vigilant, they may face unexpected challenges.



He stated, "The world needs prayer; this world is in trouble. If you're a student of prophecy and you look at the situation with Russia, China, Ukraine, and America, the enemy is setting a stage for a third World War. We might not see it now, but in a few years, you will witness what I am telling you right now. The only thing that can have an impact or delay it is intercession."



Archbishop Duncan-Williams further cautioned that if proactive prayer and intercession are not prioritized, unforeseen events could transpire, and situations that should not occur might unfold unexpectedly.



And if we don't lead prayer now, and we take this for granted, situations can overtake us. There might be some surprise attacks, things that are not supposed to happen will happen when it is not supposed to happen now, he added.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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A High Court in Accra has reportedly postponed the hearing of the case between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and Charles Bissue, the ex-secretary to the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), after a plea by the former.



Charles Bissue sued the OSP to stop it from investigating him in a probe where he is accused of corruption-related offences regarding the expenditure of the IMCIM.



In a post shared on X on October 17, 2023, the OSP indicated that the case was postponed to Wednesday, November 1, 2023, after a former petition by Bissue.



The legal representative of Mr Bissue formally petitioned the court for a hearing rescheduling to November 1, 2023. Consequently, the case was postponed to the specified date. Mr. Bissue was in court today, parts of the post reads.



The OSP also stated that the former secretary to the dissolved IMCIM) wants renowned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas included in the probe against him.



It added that Bissue argues that Anas must be included because he offered a bribe in the illegal small-scale mining document which is the basis of the probe against him.



This case aims to halt the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from further investigating him and to obtain a legal order preventing the OSP from pursuing any investigations or prosecutions against him unless investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas is also included in the inquiry.



His claim is that Tiger Eye and Anas Aremeyaw Anas were involved in offering an alleged bribe in the Galamsey fraud Part 1 documentary, the OSP said.



Background:



The OSP commenced investigations into alleged corruption and corruption-related offences in connection with illegal small-scale mining popularly known as galamsey.



According to a statement issued on the website of the Special Prosecutor, the investigation targets some state institutions as well as the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining.



The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of illegal small-scale mining. The investigation targets some officials of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission. It also targets the activities and expenditure of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), especially in respect of the seizure and management of excavators, machinery, road vehicles, and gold nuggets, the statement issued by the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng on Monday, October 10, 2022, said.



According to the OSP, the investigation also targets some individuals and private companies including the secretary of the IMCIM, Charles Bissue and Akonta Mining Company Limited belonging to the New Patriotic Partys Regional Chairman for Ashanti Region, Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias Wontumi.



The investigation includes the active and ongoing inquiry into allegations of use of public office for profit against Charles Bissue, during his tenure as Secretary to the IMCIM, arising from an investigative documentary titled; 'Galamsey Fraud Part I', published by Tiger Eye P.I.



The investigation further targets the activities of Akonta Mining Limited and other companies; nationals of foreign countries allegedly involved in illegal mining; and allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences against some Municipal and District Chief Executives and political party officials, the statement said.



The OSP previously arrested Charles Bissue and released him on the same day on bail.



View the statement by the OSP below:



Case update



Charles Bissue v. OSP (Civil case) HR/0098/2023



The legal representative of Mr. Bissue formally petitioned the court for a hearing rescheduling to November 1, 2023. Consequently, the case was postponed to the specified date. Mr. Bissue was in court today.



This  Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) October 17, 2023







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has criticised his former office over its handling of the de-freezing of five bank accounts linked to former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecelia Dapaah.



He accused the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) of deceiving the public with its supposed investigation of the source of wealth of the former sanitation minister.



Martin Amidu, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, in a statement copied to GhanaWeb, could not understand why the OSP unfroze some bank accounts of Cecilia Dapaah and announced the move to the public.



According to him, the right way was for the OSP to state the reasons for revoking the freezing order and not just making the announcement.



Kissi Agyebeng is running away with his tail between his legs from the adversarial process of the High Court even in matters which are subjudice. The proper forum for a competent and an experienced Special Prosecutor to state why the five (5) bank accounts should be de-frozen when the matter is already in court, is before the High Court and not in the media to con the unsuspecting public, he stated.



Martin Amidu suggested that the lawyers of Cecilia Dapaah should address what he describes as the abuse of the court process by the Special Prosecutor in an open court.



Cecilia Abena Dapaahs lawyers should pursue the abuse of the process of the court entailed in the Special Prosecutors conduct to hold him accountable in open court after the petition has been dealt with by the Chief Justices directives and the substantive case filed on September, 11, 2023, comes on for hearing, he stated.



Martin Amidu added the issue of whether the frozen bank accounts should or should not be de-frozen has also become subjudice before the High Court. The proper procedure for the Special Prosecutor to have followed to have the five (5) bank accounts de-frozen at this stage of the proceedings was to apply to the court to order the de-freezing of those five (5) bank accounts and to order the hearing on the remaining bank accounts to continue."



The former Special Prosecutor further cautioned the OSP against working in the office just as he did when he was the counsel for the anti-corruption entrepreneurial Tiger Eye PI.



Kissi Agyebeng needs to be reminded that the public Office of Special Prosecutor is not akin to his former status as counsel for the anti-corruption entrepreneurial Tiger Eye PI where no law governs its operations, the statement added.



Background:



Cecilia Dapaah is currently under investigation by the OSP for corruption and corruption-related offences after two of her houses helps have been charged for stealing more than $1 million, 300,000 in cash and other valuable items from her residence at Abelemkpe.



The OSP for a second time froze the accounts of the embattled former minister effective September 5, 2023, after an Accra High Court directed the office to unfreeze the accounts and investment of the former minister, Cecilia Dapaah and return her seized monies, after an initial freeze order.



GhanaWeb, on August 9, 2023, reported that the embattled former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaahs assets and bank accounts containing millions of dollars and cedis had been frozen by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.



On October 16, 2023, the OSP revoked the freez order on 5 of the bank accounts belonging to Cecilia Dapaah.



The office indicated that although it has released 5 of the bank accounts, the freezing order is still in force and effect in respect of the other bank accounts and financial assets of the embattled former minister.

















Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), has expressed with concern, the distressing incident involving an attack on a journalist in the discharge of her professional duty.



The incident unfolded on Friday, October 13,2023, during the vetting process of Parliamentary aspirants of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Odododiodioo constituency.



Akosua Otchere, a journalist with Accra-based Citi FM/TV in Accra, fell victim to a brutal assault by individuals allegedly affiliated with the NDC.



This egregious act of violence not only violates the core principles of press freedom but also raises significant concerns regarding the safety and security of journalists dedicated to providing impartial and objective news coverage.



This reprehensible act of violence not only undermines the fundamental principles of press freedom, but it also raises serious concerns about the safety and security of journalists who are committed to providing unbiased and objective news coverage," part of the statement read.



This attack is coming barely a week after some political thugs affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stomped into a live programme in the studios of United Television (UTV) in Accra.



PRINPAG described the assault on the journalist as a clear infringement on her rights to perform her duties without fear of retaliation.



The group thus urged political parties and media stakeholders in Ghana to prioritise the safety of journalists and foster an environment that upholds freedom of the press.



It cannot be over emphasised that journalists play a critical role in our society and democratic governance, ensuring that citizens are informed and empowered to make well-informed decisions. It is paramount, therefore, that their safety is guaranteed and protected. PRINPAG calls on all political parties and all media stakeholders in the country to prioritise the safety of journalists and to create an environment that fosters freedom of the press.



PRINPAG would like to use this opportunity to advise all politicians to caution their supporters and members to avoid violence, especially against the media, because no democracy can be effective without the active participation and involvement of the media. We also encourage the authorities to swiftly investigate this incident and to hold the perpetrators accountable, to send a strong message to all that such acts of violence against journalists will no longer be tolerated, the statement added.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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The Western Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) through its Axim sector command has arrested 31 ECOWAS nationals including a syndicate suspected to be engaging in prostitution and human trafficking within and around a notorious brothel under the guise of BAFANA BAFANA Beach Resort, in the Ellembele district and Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.



The two-day intelligence lead operation which began on 14-15 October 2023 began with a swoop on the said brothel facility and some adjourning drinking bars and makeshift structures within the Essiama enclave, resulting in the arrest of the suspects aged between 22-37 yrs.



The operation which lasted several hours led to the arrest of 17 suspects/victims, including the owner and manager of the facility Mr Kofi Bekoe, 62 years old.



Subsequently 12, in addition to two suspected human trafficking collaborators were picked up in two separate mop-up operations later on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning.



In all, 28 suspected prostitutes, including two nursing mothers, two suspected traffickers Mr Ndubueze Okereke and his wife Ifeoma Okereke all Nigerians with the exception of Mr Kofi Bekoe who is a Ghanaian and the host among the suspected trafficking syndicate were arrested.



The suspects are in the custody of the Western Regional Command headquarters for further investigations, prosecution, and subsequent repatriation to their country.















Source: class fm









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The Armed Forces of the Philippines has demanded China stop its "dangerous and offensive" actions in the South China Sea after a Chinese navy vessel shadowed and attempted to cut off a Philippine navy vessel conducting a resupply mission late last week.

What Happened?

According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Philippine naval landing ship BRP Benguet - formerly the US Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship USS Daviess County prior to her transfer in 1976 - was stationed at about 5.8 nautical miles (10.7 km) southwest of Thitu Island, which Filipinos call Pagasa Island, en route to Commodore Reef for a regular rotation and resupply mission last Friday (October 13).

The Benguet was shadowed by People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship Panzhihua (hull number 621), a Type 056 corvette, at a distance of 80 yards (73.2 m) and attempted to cross her bow with the closest point of approach at 350 yards (320 m).

The Filipino vessel issued radio challenges against the Chinese warship, citing the violation of the Collision Regulations, and demanded it to steer clear from her path.

Read Also: 2 Filipinos Confirmed Dead in Israel-Hamas War, Officials Say

Comments from Manila, Beijing

As a response to the incident, Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner said in a statement on Sunday (October 15) that the Chinese ship's actions were "dangerous and offensive maneuvers."

"These dangerous and offensive maneuvers by China's PLAN not only risk collision but also directly endanger the lives of maritime personnel from both sides," he said.

However, officials in Beijing said on Monday (October 16) that China claimed sovereignty and defended its presence near Thitu, which they called Zhongye Island.

"The Philippine side's illegal occupation of Zhongye Island has seriously violated China's sovereignty," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters, referring to its updated claim of most of the South China Sea called the Ten-Dash Line. "It is reasonable and lawful for Chinese warships to patrol the waters near Zhongye Island."

Ties between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pursued ties with Washington, which was an about-face from the stance of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

Nevertheless, Marcos maintained that pursuing economic relations with China was important, saying that his government would send a delegation to China's third Belt and Road Forum this week, Reuters reported.

Related Article: Tensions Rise in South China Sea as Chinese Coast Guard Chases Philippine Navy Ship

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The Supreme Court has dismissed an injunction filed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and four other political parties in an attempt to halt the Electoral Commission (EC) from proceeding with the limited registration of voters.



A five-member panel, led by Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, rejected the application as a result of the absence of the applicants or their legal representatives in court to present the case.



During the hearing today, no legal counsel or representative was present on behalf of the NDC or any of the other political parties.



However, a Deputy Chairperson of the EC, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare, and the EC's legal counsel, Justine Amenuvor, were in attendance in court.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has confirmed welcoming a set of twins with his wife, Chioma.



Recall on Friday a video capturing Chioma carrying a set of twins, a boy and a girl, fresh from the hospital in the United States went viral.



Confirming the news for the first time, Davido at the United Masters Select Con event Saturday, said he and his wife were shaking when they discovered they were expecting twins.



He said that despite how hard it was losing his son, Ifeanyi, he still kept the faith.



I was at the point of giving up. I thought I was never going to be able to sing ever again. Im telling God, Im doing this no more. After that, I have had my most successful year, I have had my biggest album. Three days ago, my wife delivered twins. A beautiful boy and girl came back in double. I kept the faith despite it being hard.



When my wife and I found out, we were shaking, and it was in the same month my son passed. My son passed away last year in October, and my wife gave birth this year in October,llllll he said.

Source: vanguardngr









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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

An infusion of federal money has helped Louisiana plug nearly 500 abandoned oil and gas wells this year.

That number doesn't come close to the 4,500 abandoned wells that pock the state's terrain, leaving the potential for groundwater contamination and the near-certainty of greenhouse gas emissions. But the money has allowed the state to nearly double the record number of wells it's ever plugged in a year.

"Everything helps," said Patrick Courreges, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. "If we didn't have the federal help, we'd be over 5,000 [abandoned wells]."

Louisiana is among 24 states that received millions of dollars for well plugging from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made the largest investment in legacy pollution reduction in American history.

But in many ways, the difficult work is just beginning. Of the $4.7 billion the law set aside for plugging wells that oil and gas companies have abandoned, $560 million has gone out so far. The rest will be spent in the coming years.

During the first round of grants, the feds didn't require states to calculate the methane emissions each plug prevents. But from now on, states seeking grants will have to measure methane releases at each well. That will require states to develop new methods and spend more time and money. And the workforce shortage only makes it harder for states to use their grants.

Long-standing state programs to tackle the problem, usually backed by fees from oil and gas companies, generally have targeted the most problematic wells, such as those with visible leaks or spills. But countless others remain, allowing methane or carcinogens to escape.

"It's easy to see a blowout. It's tougher to see 100 small leaks," Courreges said. "I think you're just now seeing regulators figuring out, "OK, how do we approach that? How do we do that?" Obviously, you're probably going to need more funding for everybody."

In Louisiana, the state generally has $10 million to $12 million available each year for well site restoration efforts, Courreges said. The state received $25 million in its first round of federal funding from the infrastructure law and is primed to receive some $86 million more.

A well is considered orphaned when the government cannot locate the operator of an idled well or the operator is unable to plug or remediate the well. Beyond blighting property and limiting land use, abandoned wells are a major threat because unseen leaks can allow pollutants into water sources and spew greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

The federal government gave states wide latitude on how to prioritize wells for plugging. Aggressive timelines have pushed qualifying states to quickly allocate their first round of grant funds by hiring contractors to plug abandoned oil and gas wells.

"The timeline was so tight that these guys just went out and started plugging wells without any idea," said Curtis Shuck, chair of the Well Done Foundation, an environmental nonprofit. "They just knew it was a hole in the ground and they were going to go dump cement in it and call it a party."

He previously worked in the energy industry and witnessed firsthand the eyesore and danger of wells left unsealed. His nonprofit has plugged 29 wells since 2019. He said without measuring emissions, states are essentially "flying blind," making it difficult to justify prioritization efforts.

Still, he said the overall effort has been instrumental in raising awareness of the underlying issue of abandoned wells.

"For the longest time, this has just been everybody's dirty little secret," he said. "Whether it's the oil and gas industry, the states or even the federal government, nobody wanted to talk about it."

But the federal funds won't come close to addressing the current inventory of orphaned wells, Shuck said. And it won't prevent new ones from being orphaned by bankrupt operators.

"That's just the nature of the business. These wells have a lifecycle," he said. "There's no silver bullet. There's no magic wand to make it go away. It's just a matter of rolling up your sleeves and tackling a dirty job."

'A significant down payment'

The issue of abandoned wells is nearly as old as the nation's petroleum industry. Major producers sell off rights to wells, usually those producing only marginal amounts. Those wells can transfer multiple times before ending up under control of companies that can easily go belly up in the notoriously boom-and-bust oil and gas markets, making those abandoned wells a problem for states.

A handful of states are trying to prevent wells from being abandoned in the first place, enacting stricter well transfer regulations and financial assurances from producers.

But for those already orphaned, the federal money is making a dent. By the end of June, more than 4,000 wells had been plugged with the first round of funds, said Winnie Stachelberg, senior adviser and infrastructure coordinator at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

"Methane leaking from many of these unplugged wells is a serious safety hazard," she told Stateline. "It's been a significant cause of climate change."

Methane is more than 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere, Stachelberg said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated abandoned oil and gas wells are releasing 280,000 metric tons of methane each year. That's equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of more than 1.7 million gas-powered passenger vehicles driven for a year, according to an online EPA calculator. The federal government expects the next round of grant money to help quantify the effects of sealing wells.

"That will give us and the states a more full picture of the impact of these wells and how much methane we're removing by cleaning them up," Stachelberg said.

But most states haven't begun methane measuring.

Oklahoma only performs methane testing on select wells close to buildings or as part of explosive testing, said Matt Skinner, spokesperson for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates the state's oil and gas industry. The state is preparing a methane monitoring program for the next round of federal grant funding.

Like many energy regulators, Oklahoma charges fees on active well operators for well remediation efforts. That means the state's fund varies wildly depending on the health of the industryand the price of energy.

Traditionally, the agency has sought to maintain a healthy reserve fund so it can tackle emergency well repairs, Skinner said. But conserving its funds for the most serious problems can result in a ballooning inventory of wells that need plugging.

Oklahoma's $25 million in the first round of federal funding allowed the state to award contracts to tackle 523 wellsfar higher than the number of wells the state traditionally is able to remediate, Skinner said. Between the 2017 and 2021 fiscal years, Oklahoma plugged a total of 462 abandoned wells.

"We were able to move aggressively to radically reduce the backlog," he said.

By the time the infrastructure bill passed in 2021, the country had some 125,000 documented abandoned wells and another estimated 800,000 undocumented ones, said Adam Peltz, a director and senior attorney at the advocacy nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund.

"Because every state regulates its own industry, it hasn't been a national issue, despite being a national problem," he said.

The federal funds won't come close to fixing all the documented abandoned wells, let alone the undocumented ones. But Peltz said the program represents "a significant down payment on a long-ignored problem."

The industry says it's also tackling the problem.

The American Petroleum Institute, an oil and gas trade group, said in a statement the industry is constantly working to address the permanent closure and remediation of historic oil and natural gas wells. The institute released new standards in 2021 providing guidance for design, placement and verification of plugs used in wells.

Challenging work

With only about 90 days to form their $25 million grant application last year, Kansas regulators initially focused on addressing "shovel-ready" wells, said Ryan Hoffman, director of conservation at the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Those are wells that already had been scrutinized by the agency. But even then, finding contractors to tackle the work proved challenging.

In the remote stretches of Western Kansas, for example, the state received no bids on plugging two wells near the Colorado border. Crews can spend upward of $1 million plugging the most complex wells, though the Environmental Defense Fund says the average well plugging costs about $75,000.

To make the work more attractive, the state sought to group similarly constructed and nearby wells. In the more populated portions of Northeastern Kansas, the state grouped hundreds of wells in the counties outside of Kansas City under a single project umbrella.

"We prioritize those because of the population growth in those areas," Hoffman said. "But we also wanted to make sure that we can make this attractive to contractors to bid on, because we're competing with the [oil and gas] industry for their services."

In the past, Kansas has never plugged more than 700 wells per year, Hoffman said. Since January, the state has more than doubled that number, filling more than 1,600 of its 11,000 abandoned wells.

Hoffman said the state has increased its compliance efforts, resulting in fewer wells getting abandoned. But the nature of the extraction business makes it difficult, particularly as wells become less profitable.

A handful of states are upping scrutiny of well transfers or increasing financial assurance measures that aim to ensure each operator has the money to seal wells once they're done pumping.

In September, California legislators passed a bill that would require well owners to set aside more cash to properly seal wells once they are out of use. The bill faced skepticism from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose finance department warned it could unintentionally cause more wells to be abandoned by increasing financial burdens on already at-risk operators, the Los Angeles Times reported. But Newsom signed the legislation on Oct. 7.

In New Mexico, regulators are discussing potential changes with the oil and gas industry. And the state is taking a closer look at well transfer requests.

"We are scrutinizing some of those transactions a little harder," said Dylan Fuge, general counsel for New Mexico's Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

New Mexico has been measuring methane emissions at the wells it targets before and after filling. So far, the state has found each well on average emits nearly a ton in greenhouse gas emissions per yearroughly the annual equivalent greenhouse emissions of six gas-powered vehicles, the EPA calculator estimates.

Overall, the federal dollars have allowed the state to seal five times as many wells as normal, about 100 of its 1,700 documented abandoned wells.

"I think we're starting to make meaningful progress on the ground," Fuge said. But "even at the rate we're plugging with the resources we can reasonably project out, I still don't see a certain pathway where we get all 1,700 by any stretch."

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization focused on state policy.

2023 States Newsroom. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: AI-generated image

The brumby debate refuses to go away. Nothing seems able to settle this matter.

Neither a heritage listing in 2018 nor the 2021 Management Plan brought the issue to a close. Last week, the report of the Senate Inquiry into the impacts of feral horses on the Australian Alps recommended state and territory cooperation to urgently manage the numbers of feral horses in the Australian Alps.

The horse-human partnership has existed for around 4,000 years, and humans and horses share a co-evolutionary history. Given this, it's unsurprising the horse has a high emotional impact.

Tensions around wild horse management also exist in other countries, particularly around mustangs in the United States, which are a federally protected species. However, the Australian context retains a unique flavor: the brumby has become a focus for concerns around what it means to belong in Australia for settler-colonial Australians.

Horses, we are often told, have a special connection with the Australian character and are part of our national psyche.

But too often our discussions of brumbies and Australia's "special" relationship with the horse don't consider the darker aspects of the horse's role in Australian history.

Horses and colonization

Sociologist Catriona Elder has argued ideas about being Australian are fundamentally tied to "a desire for the land, a fear of others who may claim the land and, as a result of this, a deep ambivalence about belonging to this space. "

Horses were crucial to the colonization of this land.

They increased settler mobility in both speed and range. Being mounted offered improved field of vision when deploying a firearm. Even the body of the horse could act as a weapon, particularly when attacking camps. Taken together, the horse represented a devastating tactical advantage to settlers. They proved integral to the frontier violence that created modern-day Australia.

Historian Nanette Mantle argues the figure of the stockman is a celebratory story that evolved to mask the dark truth of Aboriginal dispossession.

Credit: AI-generated image

Richard Swain (Wiradjuri) is an ambassador for the Invasive Species Council and a founding member of Reclaim Kosci, an organization that seeks to raise awareness about the impacts of feral horses and create support for their humane reduction.

He has been targeted in racist attacks from the pro-horse lobby, including being threatened with the "colonial experience."

This reference, wielded as a threat, is fitting.

As Tim Flannery writes, The Man from Snowy River is "an archetypal Australian heroone of the brave Aussies who tamed the rugged land."

It was these stockmen mounted on horseback, Flannery writes, who were "the shock-troops in our Aboriginal wars."

A symbol of belonging

Horses also represent a particular identity associated with Britain and Europe.

Compare horses with camels. Camels were integral to the exploration and opening up of inland Australia and, like horses, were used in the battle of Beersheba in the Sinai and Palestine campaign of the first world war. Like brumbies, Australia also has the largest feral camel population in the world.

Camels are culturally and historically significant for Arab peoples, yet here they are routinely culled without a second thought.

Despite their long history in Australia, camels are associated with Asia and the Middle East and seen as exotic and foreign. Horses, on the other hand, have Anglo-European connotations that fit comfortably within Australia's white identity.

As horses that have successfully adapted to Australia's extreme conditions, brumbies are used to justify the colonizer's presence on the land: if horses belong, surely we do too.

An evolving conversation

Our thinking about brumbies has evolved in recent years. The debate has moved from uncritically accepting stories of wild horses as part of Australian culture, through debates focused primarily on management, to the current recognition of the role these animals play as cultural markers.

If we can look beyond the celebratory stories and accept the role the horse has played as a highly effective tool of dispossession, we can more readily accept the truth of Australia's colonization. From there, we will be better positioned to resolve the brumby debate, able to move forward as a society on a mutually-agreed rather than deeply contested pathway.

Beyond the wild horses, an understanding and acceptance of this element of our dark colonial history may also better enable us to embrace reconciliation.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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The structure of teleconnections as depicted within the climate network. Credit: Shang Wang, Jun Meng, and Jingfang Fan

Climate change and the rapid increase in frequency of extreme weather events around the globesuch as wildfires and floodsreinforces the reality that these events are not only not random but, rather, interconnected. Interlinked climate behavior, or teleconnections, isn't a well understood field but will be necessary to fully comprehend how our climate system works.

In Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science, a team of researchers affiliated with Beijing Normal University and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications in China and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany describes a climate network analysis method to explore the intensity, distribution, and evolution of teleconnections. The article is titled, "Exploring the intensity, distribution, and evolution of teleconnections using climate network analysis."

"Teleconnections describe how climate events in one part of the world can affect weather thousands of kilometers away," said co-author Jingfang Fan of Beijing Normal University and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. "Think of it as a domino effect on a global scale."

And then there's global warmingthe Earth is becoming hotter. "Within just five years, we may see temperatures rising to levels that global scientists have been warning us about," said Fan. "It's like the planet is running a fever that's steadily getting worse."

Climate networks are akin to maps where data points are marked as locations, and the connections between them reveal similarities.

The researchers' climate network analysis method combines the directions and distribution patterns of teleconnections to evaluate their intensity and to identify sensitive regions using global daily surface air temperature data. Their method relies on advanced data processing and mathematical algorithms to find meaningful insights.

"Our work uncovered patterns in climate events driven mainly by atmospheric Rossby waves, which are large inertial planetary waves that naturally occur in rotating fluids and cause movement within the atmosphere," said Fan.

The team identified areas significantly affected by these interconnected events, within regions like southeastern Australia and South Africa, which are particularly sensitive. One fascinating discovery they made is that these interconnections are becoming stronger over time, from 1948 to 2021, possibly due to a mix of climate change, human activities, and other factors.

The extent and intensity of the impact of teleconnections has increased more prominently in the Southern Hemisphere during the past 37 years.

This work provides a new way to measure and explore climate teleconnections. The researchers plan to use this knowledge to pinpoint which regions may be at a higher risk in the future and to devise strategies to address these challenges.

"The next step is like weather forecastingbut on steroids," said Fan. "Using what we've learned, we plan to predict how climate events will unfold and connect. We're diving deep to explore why these events happen and how various climate 'tipping points' within our climate system might be linked."

More information: Shang Wang et al, Exploring the intensity, distribution, and evolution of teleconnections using climate network analysis, Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science (2023). DOI: 10.1063/5.0153677 Journal information: Chaos
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Cave art can sometimes include two different times of creation. In this image, the darker lizard is a younger drawing than the sun that is drawn beneath it. Credit: A. Acosta-Colon.

In the karstic caves of Puerto Rico, cave art paints the rock walls. Previous research has assigned ages to this art based on the ages of nearby archaeological artifacts within the caves, but these ages are relative and may not reflect the true timing of the art creation.

Now, a new study to be presented Wednesday at the Geological Society of America's GSA Connects 2023 meeting shows that researchers have refined the age of this rupestrian art by dating the pigment in the drawings. Angel Acosta-Colon, a geophysicist at University of Puerto Rico (UPR) at Arecibo, will present the findings.

In Puerto Rican caves, there are three types of art: petroglyphs (carved into the rock), pyroglyphs (drawn from the burnt remnants of objects), and pictographs, or cave drawings. Acosta-Colon says these pictograph drawings are in organic black material, perfect for radiocarbon dating.

Acosta-Colon and his colleague Reniel Rodriguez, an archaeologist at UPR Utuado, visited 11 different caves on La Isla Grande, the big island of the Puerto Rican archipelago. From these caves, they sampled 61 pigments in pictographic art.

The researchers were thoughtful about which art to sample, sampling art that is commonly seen and not unique. "[The pictographs] are not an infinite resourcethey are limited," explains Acosta-Colon. "So if we touch one, we touch it forever and for the future generations, we are not allowing the pleasure of seeing what we see."

Over time, the cave art transitioned from more basic geometric shapes, to detailed images of recognizable animals, like this sting ray. Credit: A. Acosta-Colon.

They were also conservative about how much of the material they collected, as sampling destroys a small area of the art. Acosta-Colon says that they take 1 to 2 mg samples from the black markings on cave walls for their analyzes.

They ran the microsamples through the Center for Applied Isotope Studies (AIS) at the University of Georgia to get carbon-14 ages for the artwork. The earliest pictographs of abstract, geometrical shapes were dated to ca. 700400 BCE, coinciding with the Archaic Age.

"That is very important to us because when the European Invasion came to Puerto Rico, they put in a document that our precolonial population was only there for 400 to 500 years," says Acosta-Colon. "So this proves that we were here [thousands] of years before the European Invasion, and that is documented in science, not context archaeology."

They found that more anthropological-type drawingswith simple shapes of human bodieswere drawn between 200 and 400 CE. "We have gaps of time and that's interesting because we don't know what happened," says Acosta-Colon, adding that they could fill those gaps with more sampling around the island.

The research team also found more detailed human and animal drawings that were created between 700 and 800 CE. These types of drawings continued throughout the next century, extending through European colonization (around 1500 CE), and include images of horses, ships, and other animals.

Angel Acosta-Colon (shown here) poses with a number of pictographs, including an unusual findan animal that looks like a lion. He speculates that this may be the first cave art drawn by slaves that were brought to the island during Spanish colonization. Credit: A. Acosta-Colon.

Within the array of animals, they discovered a particularly unusual find. "We have an image that looks like a lionbut in Puerto Rico, we don't have lions," says Acosta-Colon. When he and Rodriguez considered who could have seen a lion, they thought about the slaves that were brought to the island by the Spanish.

The idea, he notes, is controversial. "But the age of the art is around 1500," he says. "We have data to corroborate what, I think, is one of the first slave art in caves in Puerto Rico."

Understanding when these pictographs were created helps explain the history of the Puerto Rican people, says Acosta-Colon. "Normally we get the European history version of Puerto Rico, but this is direct evidence that the story in Puerto Rico didn't start with the European Invasion, it started much, much earlier in history," he notes.

He believes that studying more cave art sites may push back the human history record to 5000 BCE. This art, along with archaeological finds, can reconstruct the "history of our people, from Archaic people, to the Taino people to the pre-Columbian time."
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California lilac is one of the species for whom the critical limits are known. Credit: Changku88

Now is the time to identify the conditions that cause plants to die. Doing so will allow us to better protect plants by choosing conservation targets more strategically, UC Riverside botanists argue in a new paper.

Published in Conservation Physiology, the paper demonstrates how scientists can learn the limits past which plants' vital functions shut down, and makes the case that not doing so is a mistake in this era of increasing drought and wildfires.

"We can measure the amount of water loss plants can tolerate before they start to wilt, and we can learn the temperature at which photosynthesis stops for different kinds of plants," said Louis Santiago, UCR botany professor and corresponding author of the paper.

"It is so important to measure the critical limits of when things will fail, and not just how they're doing now," he said.

The UCR team believes understanding the current physiological status of a plant species during stresswhich so many are experiencing more often with hotter, drier temperatures in many placescan be very useful for showing how close some plants are to local extinction already. Combined with critical limit data, limited conservation funds could be even more wisely spent, revealing plants' warning signs before they become visible.

However, these critical stress limits are not often considered when assessing the health of plant populations, in part because they do not yet exist for most species. There are roughly 700,000 plant species on Earth, but only about 1,000 for whom the limits are known.

Plants can, in some cases, push past their limits for a short time and bounce back. For example, houseplants will wilt when they don't get enough water, and bounce back when they finally receive it. However, if they stay wilted too long, they will likely die.

"Wilting, what we refer to as losing turgor pressure, is not always fatal but it's one step toward death," Santiago said. "Just like people with extremely high blood pressure might die if they don't get it to come down."

Santiago's laboratory is focused on plant physiology, the chemical and physical processes associated with plant life. However, much of the activity in his lab has shifted in recent years to studying critical limits.

"It started after the last drought when we saw species suffering. We wanted to do these measurements to see if we could have predicted the die-offs that we saw," Santiago said.

For this paper, he and his students measured the leaf wilting points for six species of Southern California chapparal shrubs, including California lilac and two types of sage. Their work demonstrates that there are multiple means to obtaining the critical limits and shows how the information could help conservation outcomes.

"Generally, we have the capacity to find the most vulnerable, rare species and focus on them. We have the ability to find which plants are most at risk from climate changes, but it's going to take a collaboration of plant physiologists, conservation biologists, and land managers," Santiago said.

Most plant species are going to face a climate in the coming decades that does not place them under the same kinds of stress they evolved to live in. For plant enthusiasts wanting to assist their survival, Santiago recommends getting involved with native plant societies.

"You can join them in pulling out invasive species, or count numbers of rare organisms, and there are countless volunteer projects," Santiago said. "Let's work smarter, and work together."

More information: Leonie Schonbeck et al, Plant physiological indicators for optimizing conservation outcomes, Conservation Physiology (2023). DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad073
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The Blue Lakes, located in the San Juan Mountains between Telluride and Ouray, have become an international destination for hikers and mountaineers seeking to enjoy the Instagram-worthy alpine lakes and scale Mount Sneffels' 14,150-foot summit.

In fact, they've become so popular over the last decade that the United States Forest Service is proposing a plan to limit the number of visitors who can go to the lakes each summer, in hopes of reducing the environmental impact of recreation.

The plan, unveiled Tuesday, would require not only that overnight campers secure permits May through September, but daytime hikers as well. The day-use permit would be the first of its kind instituted in a national forest in Colorado, said Dana Gardunio of the federal agency's Ouray Ranger District.

Other strategies to curtail damage to the plants and wildlife habitat caused by visitation include banning camping above treeline, eliminating dispersed camping near the Blue Lakes trailhead, and reducing the number of campsites at Lower Blue Lake.

The plan outlines additional efforts the Forest Service will take to address increased visitation and stewardship of 16,200 acres near the Mount Sneffels Wilderness that's been divided into five different zones: the Lower East Dallas Zone, the Blaine Basin Zone, Yankee Boy Basin Zone, Mount Sneffels Zone (including the summit) and the Wilderness Zone, which encompasses the Blue Lakes.

Gardunio said the number of people hiking to the Blue Lakes and Mount Sneffels has gradually increased over the last decades with significant spikes in visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Forest Service estimates about 35,000 recreate in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness annually, the vast majority of which come from June to October.

In 2021, the Blue Lakes Trail saw its highest number of visitors on Sept. 5 when 509 people hiked there, according to a visitor use study released last year. Gardunio believes a permit system would slash the number of visitors to about 8,000 people per summer.

Upticks in recreation have caused significant damage to the natural environment. According to an environmental impact report, the most common issues are improper disposal of human and animal waste, overrun vegetation and threatened wildlife habitats due to the proliferation of dispersed campsites and user-created trails, campers building fires illegally, and frustration among visitors caused by crowding at the trailhead.

"We've already started to feel some of these places we love are getting loved to death," Gardunio said. "So we're going to try and make sure to keep that experience high quality for people who are visiting and also help care for the landscape itself and wildlife and the other resources that live out there."

The Forest Service released its first draft of this plan in spring 2022 to solicit feedback from the public. Local communities were overall supportive of the need to better manage tourism to the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, Gardunio said. The agency is now opening the plan up for another comment period, which will last 45 days. It expects to make a final decision on its strategies by early 2024.

Here are the highlights of the Visitor Use Management Plan:

Permits required to visit the Blue Lakes

The Forest Service's plan calls for implementing a permit system for hiking and camping at the Blue Lakes from May 1 to September 30.

Similar to how recreators need a permit to stay overnight in the White River National Forest near Maroon Bells, hikers would need to reserve a day-use permit or an overnight camping permit to access the Blue Lakes Trail.

The Forest Service is proposing to issue up to 40 day-use permits per day, which hikers would reserve at recreation.gov. Every individual would need their own permit.

The agency is also proposing to issue up to 24 overnight permits per night, but only for four designated campsites. That means each campsite could have up to six people.

Hikers would need either a day-use permit or an overnight permitnot both. That means up to 64 people per day would use the trail.

The Forest Service landed on those numbers using an internal standard that evaluates the number of other people a hiker should expect to see in a primitive wilderness area like the Uncompahgre National Forest. The agency may opt to increase or decrease the number of permits after monitoring the trail's capacity and visitor impact.

The permit system will not be in place for summer 2024, Gardunio said. The earliest that permits would be required is May 1, 2025. Permits will not carry a fee at first, Gardunio said, but she expects eventually it will cost money to reserve one.

Details, such as when date-specific permits will become available for purchase, will be decided at a later date, she added. Anyone hiking to the Blue Lakes without a permit would be subject to a ticket and fine.

Mountaineers would not require a permit to climb Mount Sneffels if they approach from the Yankee Boy Basin trailhead, Gardunio said.

Changes to camping rules

The Forest Service proposes banning dispersed camping in four out of the five zones noted in its plan. Instead, camping would be permitted only in designated sites that the agency plans to build out with fire rings, signage and other infrastructure.

Camping would be permitted only at designated sites along the Blue Lakes trail, including at the trailhead and at Lower Blue Lake.

The agency plans to reduce the number of camping spots at Lower Blue Lake to four and remediate the rest of the 144 sites that currently exist there. Access to those would be available exclusively to permit holders. Campsites at the trailhead would be available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The only zone in which dispersed camping would be permitted is the Blaine Basin Zone.

Additionally, the plan prohibits all camping above treeline and/or in alpine tundra. Anyone who camps in the backcountry would also be required to bring bear-proof food storage under the plan.

Current regulations prohibit open fires in the Wilderness Zone, where the Blue Lakes are, and that restriction will remain in place.

Pack it out

While recreators are currently allowed to bury their poop, the new plan prohibits that in most of the national forest and instead requires trail users to pack it out using "wag bags" or some other container.

The only zone where burying waste would be permitted is in the Blaine Basin Zone.

The Forest Service has received a grant to build a second toilet at the Blue Lakes Trailhead, but it does not plan to build others in the Wilderness Zone.

New parking lots at two trailheads

Under the plan, the Forest Service would better delineate parking spots at both the Blue Lakes trailhead and the Yankee Boy Basin trailhead.

Parking would not be permitted along roads or elsewhere that's not an official parking spot. This seeks to limit capacities at trailheads, reduce vegetation damage and deter trespassing on private lands that border the recreation areas.

Closing 'social' driving and hiking trails

Yankee Boy Basin is one access point to reach the Mount Sneffels summit. It's also a popular area for off-road driving. However, several trails were made by drivers and do not follow the state-approved Motor Vehicle Use Maps.

The Forest Service plans to close those so-called "social trails" with signage and remediate them. The same is true of the social trails at Lower Blue Lake and other areas within the forest.

The Forest Service wouldn't close any existing, designated trailsjust the ones that are not official thoroughfares for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and off-road driving.

Drivers who navigate off designated trails are and would still be subject to fines.

2023 MediaNews Group, Inc.

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Researchers from Monash University are looking at the link between insecure work and how young Australians are navigating post-school pathways such as employment, income and housing.

The COVID-19 pandemic amplified conditions of uncertainty and disruption in young people's lives, particularly in relation to insecure work.

Drawing on a new analysis of published and unpublished data collected for the 2022 Australian Youth Barometer, researchers from the Monash Center for Youth Policy and Education Practice (CYPEP) have found that young people are experiencing difficulties as a result of these disruptions when navigating many post-school pathways in life.

Anxiety and pessimism arise from a perfect storm of conditions that make it difficult for young people to navigate key steps along post-school pathways that are often seen as conventional markers of adulthood, such as gaining secure housing.

Key findings from the 2022 Australian Youth Barometer found that:

More than half (53%) of the young Australians surveyed believe that they will be financially worse off than their parents

An even higher number (56%) reported earning an income from gig work in the last year and gig work was more common among Australians with a disability (41%)

85% of young Australians experience feelings of worry and anxiety and pessimism

Nearly all the respondents experienced financial difficulties at some point during the last 12 months, with nearly one-quarter experiencing food insecurity.

This report unpacks these findings in relation to other aspects of young people's lives, alongside wider national and international trends.

CYPEP Director Professor Lucas Walsh says the research findings suggest that a growing participation in insecure work such as the gig economy is connected to education, finance, and young people's perspectives about the future.

"The connections between a young person's participation in insecure work, such as the gig economy, and other aspects of their lives, are infused with a combination of skepticism and deep concern about the present moment, with a tempered optimism about their ability to navigate these struggles into the future," said lead author Professor Walsh.

"Current government efforts to enforce minimum pay and protections to employee-like workers on digital platforms are a good step, but a deeper change is taking place in which stepping stones to work and financial security available to previous generations are eroding, shaping young people's attitudes to the future."

"I'm looking for a different job, I think it's just going to be a one-time thing for a few years. I don't feel too motivated at all, I'm kind of just floating or directionless. And I think that's the issue, but at least I have a job. I think that says something, there's no real, like, vision for the future or any goal," said a 21 year old male from regional Victoria.

The CYPEP research shows that the main aspiration for young workers is to secure more stable employment, or at least a sense of control over their lives and their future, neither of which are available within the current conditions of the gig economy.

"The gig economy is the tip of the iceberg that identifies the pressures experienced by young people and the broader loss of control that young people are currently facing in society, in a labor market that increasingly works against young people and puts them at a disadvantage," said Professor Walsh.

"The critical and connected understanding of young people's experiences of work in this research highlights the need for an interconnected response as opposed to siloed approaches to housing, income and labor market policy."

More information: Young people navigating working life in and beyond the gig economy. www.monash.edu/education/cypep  yond-the-gig-economy
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Cities like Vienna or Singapore are often referenced in news headlines proposing solutions for Canada's housing crisis. But the arguments in favor of the strategies employed by these far-away cities often only skim the surface and can be easily dismissed with a response of "this will never work here."

There is a degree of truth to that: Vienna's much-lauded affordable housing situation today is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of prioritizing social housing.

In Canada, social housing constitutes only 3.5% of our supply, which is half the OECD average, and a number so low, even Scotiabank is concerned.

While foreign cities offer examples of how things can be different, it's far more productive to look at what we're already doing here in Canada. Fortunately, there are many Canadian examples that are shifting housing away from a speculative commodity, and towards a human right.

Pathways to solutions

I spent much of the summer going across the country to learn about some of these solutions. Most are small and none are perfect (neither are the often-cited foreign examples, by the way). But they all offer pathways to a more socially just housing system.

Here are four examples of Canadian initiatives we need to pay more attention to:

1. Whistler Housing Authority

This independent, municipally owned corporation was established to oversee the development, administration, and management of price-controlled real estate and employee-restricted housing in Whistler, B.C. It offers properties for both sale and rent, with strict rules on selling prices, and rents that are set at 30 percent of a tenant's income.

This was all possible because the WHA uses public land, where it is easier to think beyond the market and establish more ambitious affordability targets compared with land owned by private developers. This means that new supply is geared to what residents can afford, not what is most profitable.

2. New Westminster's anti-renoviction bylaw

Renovictions are a major contributor to the erosion of affordable housing. In 2019, New Westminster, B.C., passed an anti-renoviction bylaw that fined landlords up to $1,000 a day. To comply, landlords had to both demonstrate it was necessary for the tenant to vacate their unit for renovation work, and provide tenants with a written offer to return to the unit at the same price.

The result: while there were over 300 renovictions in the three years prior to the bylaw, there were none the year after. New Westminster has shown other communities across the country how they can eliminate this unjust and cruel practice. In 2021, the B.C. government updated its Residential Tenancy Act to bring in similar rules provincewide.

3. Burnaby's tenant assistance policy

Burnaby, just outside Vancouver, has taken action against both renovictions and demovictions, and arguably has the best tenant protection policies in Canada.

There are four key elements to its Tenant Assistance Policy: the right to return to a similar unit at roughly the same rent when the work is finished; the developer or landlord is obliged to help tenants find interim housing if needed; the rezoning applicant must pay a top up fee to cover any additional rental costs tenants incur with their interim housing; and financial assistance to tenants to cover moving costs.

Burnaby's rules are far more prescribed and detailed than any other in Canada. And they place the onus of responsibility firmly on the landlord to ensure tenants can return. This is not the case in Ontario, where tenants also have the right to return, but few are able to do so.

Burnaby also has other rules to ensure a steady supply of new affordable housing, and this has not led to a drop in new construction. Development is booming, supply is growing and tenants are not displaced to make way for it.

4. Montreal's pre-emptive right policy

In 2016, the City of Montreal was given the pre-emptive right to acquire property and it has identified 350 properties where it can exercise this right. Generally, these are low-rent buildings in gentrifying neighborhoods.

If one of these properties is sold on the open market, the city has 60 days to match that offer and buy the site for the same price agreed by the private buyer.

The policy has a small budget, which limits its impact, but acquisition strategies that decommodify housing are essential tools to address the rental crisis.

Rent control strategies are effective

Rent control is a set of rules guiding how much and when landlords can increase rent. In most cases, sitting tenants benefit from rent control, but there's one major loophole: when a tenant leaves, landlords can raise the rent to whatever they want. In Ontario, vacancy control was abolished by the Mike Harris government in 1996.

This creates a financial incentive for landlords to evict sitting tenants, which can make life miserable.

It also contributes to the loss of affordable housingin cities such as Hamilton, Ont., more than 20 units are lost for every new one constructed.

While there's a hybrid model in Manitoba that has helped to moderate rent increases, Prince Edward Island is the only province that has full vacancy control. In this unit-based system of rent control, rules are governed by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), which sets permitted increases at around one to two percent per year regardless of whether the unit is vacant or occupied.

There are loopholes, such as the fact that new tenants have no formal way of knowing what the previous tenant paid, and the ease at which landlords can be granted above-guideline increases. But these are reasons to strengthen rent control, not water it down.

Many housing advocates and researchers agree that implementing vacancy control across the board would have the most beneficial impact on tenants. And despite what developers and landlords might cry out, there's little empirical evidence to indicate regulating rents leads to a decline in new construction.

The beauty of rent control is that it doesn't cost taxpayers anything to implement. While new supply needs to keep pace with population growth, keeping existing housing affordable is essential. With the right vision and political will, vacancy control could be implemented tomorrow. And just like the other examples I've discussed, we don't need to look overseas for inspiration on how to do it.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Pakistan's PM says Belt and Road comes with benefits

08:09, October 17, 2023 By Xu Wei ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Partner: Ties with China are cornerstone of foreign policy

Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has lauded the Belt and Road Initiative for having "advanced inclusive development to reduce poverty and inequality, improved people's ability to pay taxes and enhanced governments' ability to retire their debts".

In an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of his first official visit to China, Kakar described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, one of the signature projects under the BRI, as a practical manifestation of win-win cooperation and shared prosperity and a commendable endeavor in building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

"All these elements also form the bedrock of President Xi Jinping's visionary Belt and Road Initiative," he said.

The Pakistani leader, who took office in August as the eighth caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, is visiting China for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Kakar dismissed theories that the BRI has led participating countries into "debt traps", saying that China is offering "a unique mechanism of development financing to developing countries  which is without conditions and different from the traditional development financing models".

"It is wrong to describe BRI financing as a 'debt trap'; it is rather an essential tool for helping countries in achieving comprehensive and inclusive development of their peoples."

He explained that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which has brought about a direct investment of $25.4 billion to Pakistan and created a total of 236,000 jobs, is key to the nation's socioeconomic progress.

"The project underlines an excellent example of an open, coordinated and inclusive development paradigm that benefits all parts of the country and all segments of society," he said, adding that the development of Gwadar Port has already opened new economic opportunities.

"Strategically located, the port is now functional and regularly handling cargo ships including transshipment trade for Afghanistan. A free economic zone is in place offering lucrative incentives for local, Chinese and other international investors," Kakar said, adding that a new international airport will also be inaugurated, bringing the port closer to its vision of serving as the hub of regional trade and connectivity.

Meanwhile, the prime minister emphasized that the "foolproof safety and security of Chinese personnel and institutions is our topmost priority", adding that the Pakistani government has put in place stringent security protocols to safeguard Chinese workers and entrepreneurs.

He cited examples including regular security briefings, risk assessment and information exchanges between the two nations, in order to identify potential threats and come up with solutions accordingly.

"These concerted efforts underline Pakistan's solid commitment to provide a secure environment for our Chinese brothers and sisters, who are contributing to Pakistan's socioeconomic development and progress."

Kakar said he has high expectations for the forum, during which he will meet with Chinese leaders.

"It has provided both our countries with a stage to reaffirm our commitment to international cooperation and development, while highlighting the successes, reviewing the lessons learned and charting the future trajectory of the CPEC," he said.

"Our relations with China form the cornerstone of our foreign policy. I am here to reaffirm our commitment to this all-weather strategic cooperative partnership," Kakar said, describing China as a strategic and trustworthy development partner.

He also spoke highly of China's remarkable achievement in having lifted more than 800 million people from abject poverty, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

"Like China, Pakistan too is a developing country, with a population of 240 million. There is so much that we can learn from China to put our nation on a path of sustainable development."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The body of a 33-year-old woman, identified by the Austin Police Department (APD) as Melissa Davis, was found burned alive on the side of the road in Cat Mountain, Texas on September 29.

Police said they reportedly "smelled a strong odor of accelerant" near the victim's body, which was pronounced dead at the scene, Breitbart reported.

According to detectives, a lighter that appeared to be new and a butcher knife were also recovered from the scene. The search warrant for the perpetrator was "placed with the decedent in an attempt to destroy the evidence with the fire."

Perpetrator Still on the Run, Police Say

An autopsy of Davis's body revealed that she had been burned alive, but the perpetrator is currently unknown and remains at large as of Monday (October 16).

Despite this, Austin Police obtained a search warrant for the victim's phone data, uncovering that she left her mother's home the day before her death, telling her she had to go have her phone fixed at the Apple store.

Davis's phone and the car she was driving in, a 2016 blue Toyota 4Runner with a Texas license plate reading "KYV3765", were not found at the scene.

"A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest," police said.

Read Also: Florida: Police Finds Dead Toddler Floating in Pond

Friends Grieving Davis's Death

Davis's best friend, Ellie Simmons, told ABC's Austin affiliate KVUE that she was heartbroken by the death of her "soul sister" and the way she died.

"She had more of a zest for life than I think anyone else," she said. "And we actually had dreams together with one of our other friends to start a hostel in Costa Rica and we would have an art station. She painted. She loved art."

David Haisman, another friend of Davis's, told the outlet he was left with "such a deep grief."

"Just to know that this person I cared so much about was not only gone but had been through such an ordeal," he added. "I still feel like my heart is breaking. Like I'm being stabbed. Like I've been stabbed and I'm bleeding out slowly."

Related Article: Chicago Landlord Arrested for Fatally Stabbing 6-Year-Old, Injuring Mother in Anti-Muslim Attack

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Graphical abstract. Credit: ACS Nano (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c12759

Roman Engel-Herbert, Director of PDI, and Joao Marcelo J. Lopes, a Senior Scientist at PDI, were honored recently with an invitation to review the field of two-dimensional layered materials (2DLM) in a paper for ACS Nano titled "Recent Advances in 2D Material Theory, Synthesis, Properties, and Applications." PDI's authors drew from their expertise in the field of 2D magnetic materials and heterostructures to provide insights on the current state and future prospects of the field regarding the synthesis of these materials.

The paper drew inspiration from the 9th Annual Graphene and Beyond workshop held at the Pennsylvania State University in 2022 and included PDI's recent work on scalable growth of high-quality magnetic heterostructures using epitaxial methods. The review encompasses a wide range of topics, including theory, synthesis and processing, material properties, material integration, device study, and twisted 2D heterostructures.

The review sheds light on fundamental topics in the field of 2DLM, including:

Modeling of defects and intercalants, with a focus on formation pathways and strategic functionalities

Machine learning for synthesis and sensing

Important developments in the synthesis, processing, and characterization of various 2D materials

Optical and phonon properties of 2D materials controlled by material inhomogeneity, multidimensional imaging, biosensing and machine learning analysis

Mix-dimensional heterostructures using 2D building blocks for next-generation logic/memory devices

Twist-Angle Homojunctions and their role in quantum transportFuture perspectives for 2DLM

Contributing authors included experts from US institutes such as the Pennsylvania State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University, Rice University, Princeton University, University of Notre Dame, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. PDI and the University of Innsbruck contributed from the international community.

More information: Yu-Chuan Lin et al, Recent Advances in 2D Material Theory, Synthesis, Properties, and Applications, ACS Nano (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c12759 Journal information: ACS Nano

Provided by Paul-Drude-Institut fur Festkorperelektronik
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A global team of scientists have announced the results of an unprecedented collaboration to search for the source of the largest ever seismic event recorded on Mars. The study, led by the University of Oxford, rules out a meteorite impact, suggesting instead that the quake was the result of enormous tectonic forces within Mars' crust.

The quake, which had a magnitude of 4.7 and caused vibrations to reverberate through the planet for at least six hours, was recorded by NASA's InSight lander on May 4, 2022. Because its seismic signal was similar to previous quakes known to be caused by meteoroid impacts, the team believed that this event (dubbed "S1222a") might have been caused by an impact as well, and launched an international search for a fresh crater.

Although Mars is smaller than Earth, it has a similar land surface area because it has no oceans. In order to survey this huge amount of ground144 million km2study lead Dr. Benjamin Fernando of the University of Oxford sought contributions from the European Space Agency, the Chinese National Space Agency, the Indian Space Research Organization, and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency.

This is thought to be the first time that all missions in orbit around Mars have collaborated on a single project. Each group examined data from their satellites orbiting Mars to look for a new crater, or any other tell-tale signature of an impact (e.g., a dust cloud appearing in the hours after the quake).

After several months of searching, the team announced today that no fresh crater was found. They conclude that the event was instead caused by the release of enormous tectonic forces within Mars' interior. The results, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, indicate that the planet is much more seismically active than previously thought.

Dr. Fernando said, "We still think that Mars doesn't have any active plate tectonics today, so this event was likely caused by the release of stress within Mars' crust. These stresses are the result of billions of years of evolution; including the cooling and shrinking of different parts of the planet at different rates."

"We still do not fully understand why some parts of the planet seem to have higher stresses than others, but results like these help us to investigate further. One day, this information may help us to understand where it would be safe for humans to live on Mars and where you might want to avoid."

He added, "This project represents a huge international effort to help solve the mystery of S1222a, and I am incredibly grateful to all the missions who contributed. I hope this project serves as a template for productive international collaborations in deep space."

Dr. Daniela Tirsch, Science Coordinator for the High Resolution Stereo Camera on board the European Space Agency's Mars Express Spacecraft said, "This experiment shows how important it is to maintain a diverse set of instruments at Mars, and we are very glad to have played our part in completing the multi-instrumental and international approach of this study."

From China, Dr. Jianjun Liu (National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences) added, "We are willing to collaborate with scientists around the world to share and apply this scientific data to get more knowledge about Mars, and are proud to have provided data from the color imagers on Tianwen-1 to contribute to this effort."

Dr. Dimitra Atri, Group Leader for Mars at New York University Abu Dhabi and contributor of data from the UAE's Hope Spacecraft, said, "This has been a great opportunity for me to collaborate with the InSight team, as well as with individuals from other major missions dedicated to the study of Mars. This really is the golden age of Mars exploration."

S1222a was one of the last events recorded by InSight before its end of mission was declared in December 2022. The team are now moving forward by applying knowledge from this study to future work, including upcoming missions to the moon and Saturn's moon Titan.

More information: A tectonic origin for the largest marsquake observed by InSight', Geophysical Research Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1029/2023GL103619 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Los Angeles residents would be wise to keep an eye on New Orleans, where saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico is creeping up the Mississippi River and threatening the drinking water supply. Officials are tracking the daily movements of the saline wedge, which was predicted to reach some of the city's water intake valves by Thanksgiving. More recent forecasts hold out hope that most intakes will escape saltwater contamination.

The central United States baked in record-breaking heat and suffered through below-average rainfall this summer, dropping the usually mighty Mississippi to extremely low levels for the second year in a row. The greatly diminished flow to the gulf currently lacks the volume to push back the heavy, salt-laden gulf water, which sneaks upstream along the river bottom.

At first blush, there might seem few similarities between semi-arid L.A., with its average of just under 15 inches of rainfall a year, and soggy New Orleans, with its annual 62 inches and its setting on one of the world's greatest waterways.

But in fact, the two cities have challenges in common because they both get their water from deltasinterfaces between fresh river water and salty bays. Parts of California's delta, east of the San Francisco Bay, look so much like the Mississippi that they were used in movies such as "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The famous Delta Queen steamboat that now plies the Mississippi was built in Stockton to move passengers and freight in California.

Delta water bound for L.A. is pulled by giant pumps into the California Aqueduct to make its way south. When drought or agricultural diversions diminish the flow into the delta from either the Sacramento River to the north or the San Joaquin River to the south, brackish bay water can push its way up the delta toward the pumps.

California's advantage is that the pumps can simply be switched off, so that bay water never comes to L.A."s taps the way gulf water may contaminate New Orleans' supply in a few weeks. When the pumps are off, though, Southern California doesn't get any delta water at all.

One proposed solution is a bypassa giant tunnel that would take pure Sacramento River water directly to the aqueduct without passing it through the delta.

But if some of the river flows through the tunnel, there would be even less freshwater in the delta to push bay water back. Much as salty Gulf of Mexico water currently threatens southern Louisiana, intruding San Francisco Bay brine could wreck groundwater supplies and make cities in the middle of the state, including Stockton, unlivable.

A common slogan in California agribusiness and among politicians who support it is that water flowing through the delta that could be siphoned off for crops is instead " flushed out to sea." The term invokes the ultimate wasteas if good, useful water is instead flushed down the toilet in order to protect delta smelt or migrating Chinook salmon.

To the contrary, though, healthy rivers keep the sea in its place. Diminish the flow, and saltwater contaminates the drinking water supply and the entire natural system that sustains human populations, not just wildlife. River water that moves downstream while farms go dry and lawns go brown is not waste. New Orleans would be glad to have more water to "flush" downstream right now. It would keep gulf water in the gulf.

California water officials in recent weeks released proposed updates to a plan to sustain the delta amid unpredictable climate patterns and rising sea levels. Meanwhile, the delta bypass (state officials prefer to call it a "conveyance") is in the midst of complex environmental review. The battle between competing interests is often framed as north versus south, or farms versus fish.

Californians should remember that it's also a matter of rivers versus the sea. Any state water project or policy worth its salt must permit enough river water to move through the state to ensure that the ocean stays in its place, and that Los Angelesand Stockton, and every place in betweennever faces the problem that currently confronts New Orleans.

2023 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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The relationship between orchids and their pollinators is often highly exclusive because their physical features closely match each other. On mainland Japan, only a specific bumblebee can pollinate Goodyera henryi's long flower tube with its long mouthparts (top right). Its close relative Goodyera similis has a short flower tube and is pollinated by a wasp with shorter mouthparts (middle right). On a remote island, where only wasps but no bumblebees exist (map, highlighted in red), both flowers are pollinated by the wasp (bottom right). However, for Goodyera henryi this came at the cost of hybridization with Goodyera similis and thus it lost some of its species identity. Credit: Ansai Shun

Because the bumblebee that an orchid relies on for pollination does not exist on a remote island, the plant gets pollinated by an island wasp. Kobe University researchers found that this came at the cost of being hybridized with another orchid species adapted to being pollinated by the wasp. The finding showcases how plants in ecological relationships adapt to changing circumstances.

Remote islands have been exciting study grounds for biologists since at least the days of Darwin. When studying ecological relationships between different species, the differences between mainland and island can hint at how such relationships evolve and what this means for the participating species. This is what piqued plant scientists' curiosity when they discovered Goodyera henryi, an orchid which on mainland Japan is pollinated exclusively by a very specific bumblebee, on remote Japanese Kozu Island where the bumblebee doesn't exist.

For Kobe University Professor Suetsugu Kenji this fit perfectly into his long-term effort to understand the dynamics of island biology and evolutionary processes. The orchid specialist says, "The combination of our expertise, access to the location, and our interdisciplinary methodology puts us in a special position to study the impact of bumblebee absence on orchid evolution in this context."

With his team he studied the pollination of the orchids both on mainland Japan and on Kozu Island, and also employed genetic analysis to learn about the relationship patterns between the different populations of the plants.

Goodyera simils on mainland Japan. Credit: Kitada Yoshiaki

Goodyera henryi on mainland Japan. The flower tube is longer than that of Goodyera simils. Credit: Kitada Yoshiaki

The results, now published in the journal New Phytologist, came with a surprise. The researchers first noticed that, on Kozu Island, Goodyera henryi is pollinated by the same scoliid wasp as the closely related orchid Goodyera similis, also found on the island.

While in orchids the length of the flower tube closely matches the length of the pollinating insect mouthparts, the island wasp has much shorter mouthparts than the bumblebee that pollinates Goodyera henryi on the mainland. The researchers also noticed that the orchid's flower tube was shorter on the island than the mainland.

The surprise came when they compared the genetic makeup of the orchids. Suetsugu explains, "All specimens initially categorized as Goodyera henryi on Kozu Island are hybrids, leading to the absence of the pure species on the island."

The research team speculate that, when Goodyera henryi first arrived on the island, it must have been visited by a wasp by chance, or precisely because the plant was not being visited by the bumblebee.

While the wasp's mouthparts are shorter than the bumblebee's and therefore unable to carry Goodyera henryi pollen from one flower to another, if the insect had just before visited its usual orchid, Goodyera simils, pollen from that plant might have ended up on the new arrival, hybridizing it. This changed the appearance of the orchid such that it was now able to attach pollen to its substitute pollinator and thus establish itself on the island in its new hybridized form.

"The most exciting aspect of this result is probably the implication for our understanding of how plants can adapt and evolve in response to changing ecological conditions, particularly in the context of declining pollinator populations," says the Kobe University researcher.

A bumblebee on Goodyera henryi on mainland Japan with pollen clusters attached to the long mouthparts. Corresponding to the mouthparts, the pollen cluster is also long. Credit: Shitara Takuto

A scoliid wasp visiting "Goodyera henryi" on Kozu Island, with pollen clusters attached to the short mouthparts. Corresponding to the mouthparts, the pollen clusters are also short. Credit: Shitara Takuto

Suetsugu says that this has implications beyond the academic study of evolutionary dynamics. Bumblebee species are on a global decline, but because bee removal experiments are unethical and impractical, it has been difficult to predict the ecological consequences.

Explaining what the results mean he says, "Even if bumblebee-dependent plants successfully engage substitute pollinators amidst the global decline of long-tongued bumblebees, the maintenance of plants' species boundaries could be compromised due to the sharing of pollinators via hybrid formation."

More information: The absence of bumblebees on an oceanic island blurs the species boundary of two closely related orchids, New Phytologist (2023). DOI: 10.1111/nph.19325 Journal information: New Phytologist
Miss Universe Portugal has crowned its very first transgender queen and the second for this year's pageant.

In a controversial move on Thursday last week (October 12), the national franchise of the global pageant awarded 28-year-old Marina Machete, who was born male, with the title of Miss Portugal.

In her Instagram post, Machete said she was "proud to be the first trans woman to compete for the Miss Universe Portugal title."

"For many years I wasn't eligible to compete and now it's such an honor to be a part of this incredible group of candidates!" she added.

Miss Portugal 2023 is a man. pic.twitter.com/doLWt1VUmX  RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) October 7, 2023

Backlash from Portuguese Society

However, not all were on board with having a transgender Miss Portugal.

According to Breitbart, comments from pageant fans to politicians began to pour in, expressing their disappointment to let a biologically male contestant compete and win a historically women's title.

"Don't they have women in that country?" one Instagram user wrote in Spanish.

"She is indeed a beautiful trans woman," another user wrote in Portuguese. "But this isn't about empathy, this is reality. Have a transgender contest, period. Worse are the women applauding because it's fashionable."

Conservative news site Blaze reported that "at least one" Portuguese politician "expressed a negative reaction to the result." Russian state-funded news outlet RT also reported that right-wing Portuguese lawmaker Rui Paulo Sousa said he originally thought of the news as a "joke."

"It is undoubtedly a sad day for those young women who dreamed about [winning] the female beauty pageant," the MP said. RT added in its report that Machete was a flight attendant prior to joining pageants. She first won the Miss Pamela competition in her hometown.

Read Also: Portugal Sees Wine Flood After 600K Gallons of Surplus Beverage Poured Out Following a Burst Tank

A man just won Miss Netherlands 2023.



Considering the fact that we live in a post-Truth world, I wasnt even expecting anything else. Its all so predictable and unoriginal at this point. pic.twitter.com/j6NKo2cCvu  Eva Vlaardingerbroek (@EvaVlaar) July 9, 2023

MIss U's Trans Trend

Machete would not be the only transgender Miss Universe competitor this year, which would take place in El Salvador this November.

Back in July, 22-year-old trans competitor Rikkie Valerie Kolle bested nine women to win the Miss Universe Netherlands crown.

"It's unreal but I get to call myself [Miss Netherlands] 2023," she wrote on Instagram. "Making my community proud and showing it can be done."

The popularity of transgender competitors joining Miss Universe began after the competition's acquisition by Thai transgender business mogul Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip in 2022. Prior to this, Jakrajutatip began identifying as a woman in 2018.

"I became a billionaire at age 38, a woman at 39, and a mother of two at 40," the billionaire told Nola. "I believe in the power of women to transform into the best versions of themselves."

Not every country participating in Miss Universe agreed with the prospect of allowing transgender competitors on the national level.

Miss Universe Italy banned transgender contestants in response to Kolle's win in the Dutch version of the pageant. This prompted over 100 trans hopefuls to register nevertheless in protest.

"Lately, beauty contests have been trying to make the news by also using strategies that I think are a bit absurd," Miss Italy Official Patron Patrizia Mirigliani said on a radio show, according to Italian publication Il Primato Nazionale. "Miss Italia, on the other hand, will not jump on the glittery bandwagon of trans activism."

Last August, Miss Universe pulled the plug on its Indonesian franchise and its national director Poppy Capella over sexual harassment allegations.

Related Article: Miss Universe Drops Indonesia Pageant Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) yesterday stated she would leave today for Israel in a stand of solidarity with the country after the attacks on Oct. 7 that left thousands dead including civilians at a concert.

During these difficult times, its more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel, the governor said in a statement posted to her website.

Tomorrow Ill be traveling to Israel for a solidarity mission where I plan to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities who have been devastated by the horrific Hamas attacks. New York will show the world that we stand with Israel  today, tomorrow and forever, she said.

This is a position taken by state leadership in the greater Glens Falls area, as well.

Peaceful towns I recently visited on a legislative exchange trip to Israel are under siege from Hamas rockets and occupied by terrorists. Today, Im praying for the friends I made and for Israels allies, especially our country, to demonstrate their steadfast support and ensure they prevail, said Sen. Jake Ashby (R-43, Castleton) shortly after the attacks.

I was fortunate enough to visit Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Israel, last year and spend time with some of the wonderful families who live there in peace and it was a truly remarkable experience. The terrorist attacks perpetrated upon innocent Israeli civilians living there by Hamas this past weekend are abhorrent and my heart goes out to all the people of Israel at this time, said Stec. Im proud to support Israel and soundly reject terrorism and policies meant to bring harm to the Israeli state. This should be common sense, which is why its so shocking that three of my Senate Democrat colleagues have refused to stand with Israel in the aftermath of this tragedy.

Sen. Dan Stec (R,C-45, Queensbury) had also traveled recently to Israel.

I was fortunate enough to visit Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Israel, last year and spend time with some of the wonderful families who live there in peace and it was a truly remarkable experience, he said in a statement. The terrorist attacks perpetrated upon innocent Israeli civilians living there by Hamas this past weekend are abhorrent and my heart goes out to all the people of Israel at this time.

Im proud to support Israel and soundly reject terrorism and policies meant to bring harm to the Israeli state, he said in a statement.
Volunteer boat builders at Canalsides Longshed Building have been busy working on a replica of the Erie Canal-era Seneca Chief for the past few years, lofting the boat, planing stock, making bronze fasteners in the metal shop and fitting planks.

Using volunteers for such a difficult project seemed like a Herculean task when work began in 2019. But completing the ships hull  the most difficult part of the project  is nearly complete, and plans are to launch the boat in May 2024. Its a prelude to the boats starring role in the bicentennial commemoration of the Erie Canal the following year, to commemorate when New York Gov. DeWitt Clinton boarded the boat in Buffalo and traveled to New York City to mark the canals opening.

We have been planking this 73-foot-long boat with amateurs, said Roger Allen, master boat builder at Buffalo Maritime Center. This is one of the most astonishing parts of this whole project. They have almost no prior woodworking experience, let alone boat building experience. We are doing the most complicated kind of boat building, and its been incredibly successful.

The work included the added challenge of double planking the hull so it can be stored ashore without worrying about the planks drying out.

On Oct. 7, John Montague turned the last screw to fasten the whiskey plank onto the hull, ceremonially completing the wooden boats exterior. It was fitting that it was Montague, the Maritime Centers founder, director emeritus and trustee who long advocated for such a project and took the lead in designing the boat.

We have a 40-ton object on its way to completion, Montague said with a sense of amazement. I look at the whole thing as a kind of a miracle.

We also achieved what we set out to do: to make this a public project that the community could be involved in at all levels, and see this as a serious piece of Buffalos history they can identify with and be proud of, he added.

Montague was struck by the projects significance when a couple from New Zealand recently told him they had heard of the boat being built and came to Buffalo to see it.

They said they planned to see Niagara Falls later, but this was first on their list, he said.

There are about 200 active volunteers, and about twice that number who have helped over the course of the project, according to Greg Dudley, the Buffalo Maritime Centers boat building programs director. Around 75 to 100 have been constantly involved since work began at the Longshed in October 2020, he said.

The Buffalo Maritime Center uses an apprenticeship program with crew chiefs to teach volunteers.

The work by volunteers is just monumental, Dudley said. The volunteer builders and docents have been so enthusiastic, and theyve made it fun and interesting for visitors to come and view the project.

About 20 of the volunteers work as docents, with most having also worked on the boat.

Visitors have come on a daily basis to watch the boat building from the mezzanine level. An exhibition there tells the overlooked story of the Erie Canals impact on the Haudenosaunee in Western New York.

It was never just a boat building project, said Brian Trzeciak, the Maritime Centers executive director. Its a project to explore our past, expand the narrative of the Erie Canal to include the Haudenosaunees story, and preserve the craftsmanship that goes into building a vessel like this.

Ras Jomo Akono, union carpenter of local 276, has volunteered and coordinated involvement of others from his local.

Our carpenters actually built the Longshed Building, and our volunteers have been assisting with the project, in various phases, from the first major beam, Akono said. This has put me on a quest to reimagine early life along this whole canal path, and what it meant for the different ethnic groups coming to America at an interesting time.

Five students from St. Marys School for the Deaf worked on the boat in summer 2022.

It ties in well with what we do in school in shop class, high school teacher Ron Czech said. They thought it was cool to see how they had to bend the wood for the boat.

Thanks to a volunteer, it was learned that the Seneca Chief wasnt actually a packet boat, which the Buffalo Maritime Center called it, but a line boat, since it carried cargo as well as passengers.

The next stage for the Seneca Chief is working on the exterior of the cabin, the deck and installation of double-hung windows before the boat is launched into the water in May.

During that time, the Longshed will be turned into a construction site to add amenities  including bathrooms and showers  for in- and out-of-town mariners.

Detailed interior work on the boat and an immersive exhibit will be done in later stages leading up to the bicentennial.

From this point on, nothing is that incredibly difficult for this crew because they are so trained now, Allen said.

The Seneca Chief will be launched in the beginning of May and pull into the Commercial Slip on May 25. Late-summer sea trials to Lockport and possibly other destinations will follow.

The boat will make its bicentennial voyage on Sept. 24, 2025, during the World Canals Conference. It will arrive in New York City on Oct. 26, the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal.

The boat will winter in Albany and then return across the Erie Canal to Buffalo in 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Trzeciak called the completion of the hull a bittersweet moment.

Though Im relieved we have got to this milestone, this project has flown along very quickly, Trzeciak said. Its really been a magical project to be a part of.

The public can see the boat and learn more about it from docents at the Longshed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

I hope people will come and look at it, Allen said. Its so big and its so pretty because of all the shapes, the curves and all that, and the construction itself is fascinating.

Dave Rogers, after reading an article about the then-proposed project in May 2018 in The Buffalo News, stepped forward to foot the $325,000 cost, helping make the project a reality. The cost has since gone to $500,000, with more expected to be needed, which Rogers is also covering.

New York State Canal Corporation has also given $410,000 toward the project.

Rogers, a Clarence resident and co-founder of Life Storage, gives all the credit to the volunteers.

I cant say how many thousands of hours theyve put in, said Rogers, whos now a trustee and helped fair the hull. Its hard work and something hardly done anymore. Thats where the real effort is.

Those hours will continue to accumulate as the boat builders reset for the interior work still to be done.

We are going to keep everybody busy, Dudley said. Were not laying off any volunteers.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  In the back of Stockton Universitys 1.2-acre Sustainability Farm is a section some call sin corner.

Just a short distance from a row of 20-foot-tall hops vines and next to a line of tobacco plants is a 62-foot-long plot surrounded by a fence and a locked gate.

On the other side of the fence are something only a few universities in the country have cultivated outdoors  hemp plants.

In this case, about 150 of the plants are flourishing, reaching heights of 10 feet or more.

Hemp is a botanical class of cannabis grown for industrial or medicinal use. The plants have little to almost no THC, the major psychoactive component of cannabis.

Its the second year Stockton has grown the plants. This years crop is part of its Cannabis and Hemp Research Initiative, created in 2021 to conduct agricultural and nonmedical cannabis and hemp research.

This fall also is the second time Valentina Fiero, a 2021 Stockton graduate with a degree in science and environmental science, has taught a class in hemp cultivation.

Fieros class took a recent visit to the farm to walk among the plants, examine and feel the leaves, smell their sweet, fruity aroma and get a firsthand look at what it takes to grow them.

I had never seen a harvest like that. I didnt even know that Stockton had its own hemp farm, said junior Alyssa Mims, of Mays Landing. Going out there and registering what (Fiero) taught us and looking at it for myself, I think it was the best way to learn about the plants.

Products with purpose: South Jersey businesses strive for sustainable future Some South Jersey businesses are selling products with a purpose. Local shops are informing people and inspiring them to shop more intentionally from businesses pushing for positive change in their communities.

Fiero was one of the first at Stockton to graduate with a minor in cannabis studies. In 2018, the university became the first in the state to offer the minor. After graduation, she got a job as a lead cannabis cultivator for Ayr Wellness, but shes always been passionate about teaching the benefits of the plant.

I studied environmental science largely because I wanted to be able to have classes outside and do a lot of work with nature, Fiero said.

After graduating, she noticed that Stocktons program focused heavily on law, history and the business of cannabis.

I felt we needed more of that scientific aspect. That was my roots and my specialty. I wanted to bring that hands-on, outdoor aspect that I love, she said.

And while her course touches on the history of hemp and different varieties of cannabis, Fiero also works with students on the actual process of growing hemp plants from seeds all the way to harvesting them.

We really want to let the students see how the plant grows and work on techniques like figure out the sex of the plant, how to hand pollinate, do regular maintenance, handle pests and put in irrigation systems, said Rob Mejia, a teaching specialist in Stocktons cannabis studies program. We want to teach the students cultivation techniques that they can transfer onto a hemp farm in New Jersey.

As a summer intern with Mejia and Fiero, senior Eduardo Rojas was part of a group in June that not only planted the hemp seeds but set up fence posts and irrigation and laid out mulch and topsoil for them.

You have to experience something before you actually know how to do it, said the accounting major who drove from his home in Bayville, Ocean County, three or four times a week to maintain the plants.

New Jersey eyes new rules on intoxicating hemp products A legal loophole that has allowed an intoxicating product derived from hemp to be sold over 

Rojas, whos also in the cannabis minor program, hopes to get an accounting job with a company that has a cannabis division.

You can read about it, but thats not the same as being there and working with a team, he said. I got to see the indirect cost of things that are pretty hard to calculate. If you arent doing it, its hard to get an understanding of the things that can go wrong in farming like weather, bad timing, crop disease or invasive species.

Fiero hopes the class and the outdoor hemp site can remove some of the stigma surrounding cannabis and promote that it can be grown more sustainably outside. Mejia said a frequent cannabis complaint is the plants odor. One of the hemp farms research components was the installation of sensors around the plants to measure the odor and compare it to other fragrant crops grown outdoors, such as garlic. Mejia said some data was collected this year but more will need to be collected from next years crop.

Its just a really good opportunity to teach this next generation why not to be scared of cannabis, Fiero said. We are taking something that people just dont understand enough about and trying to change that narrative. And doing it on the university level, thats the best way to do it.
NORTHFIELD  Another resolution opposing Sanctuary State Status for New Jersey is up for consideration at the Atlantic County commissioners Tuesday meeting.

But this one has less negative language about immigrants, so it is not generating the same concern from the immigrant community as an earlier version.

That earlier version failed to get the support needed to be debated at the Oct. 3 meeting, which was attended by dozens of community activists opposing it.

We were surprised. In a sense they listened to us, said Cristian Moreno-Rodriguez, executive director of El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City. This (resolution) doesnt scare us.

The latest version, which stresses the state and county do not have the resources to house and care for thousands of undocumented migrants, no longer contains the hateful rhetoric of the earlier version.

Moreno-Rodriguez said language saying migrants overburdened sanctuary states and cities was removed, as was the term illegal groups. And the new resolution recognizes that current New Jersey policy does not offer sanctuary to those accused of crimes.

Last week he saw a draft of the new ordinance, which also contained some of that hate speech, Moreno-Rodriguez said. But it was changed further and improved, he said.

We can agree to disagree on policy, thats OK. ... Perhaps we dont have the resources we need (to host large numbers of migrants), Moreno-Rodriguez said, adding he and his group favor helping refugees. We are not going to ask them to change it, as they are a Republican 7-2 majority.

Pro-immigrant activists will attend the meeting, though, to be sure it is not further amended with new, offensive language, he said.

Atlantic County commissioners kill resolution calling for reversal of sanctuary state Atlantic County commissioners refused to even discuss a resolution Tuesday that called for lawmakers to rescind New Jersey's status as a sanctuary state.

The new resolution says the commissioners agree that New Jersey should not be a sanctuary state, and quotes Gov. Phil Murphy saying there is nowhere in the state that could afford to house and care for thousands of undocumented people who cannot work and are dependent upon government.

It also says that the Board of Commissioners continues to support any and all people that continue to follow the United States system of immigration laws in their pursuit of achieving the American Dream.

Commissioner Jim Bertino of the 5th District, which covers Hammonton and the western part of the county, sponsored the new resolution.

Out of our 275,000 residents, weve got over 100,000 now that are getting some type of social services, Bertino said Monday. We dont have the resources available to respond at this point in time (to take care of an influx of immigrants).

Bertino said the a plan floated in August by the Biden administration to house undocumented immigrants at the Atlantic City International Airport isnt happening now, but that doesnt mean it cant happen in the future.

Moreno-Rodriguez, who said he favors making New Jersey a "Sanctuary State," said it is not one now. But the previous resolution had said it already had that designation.

Many organizations, like the Center for Immigration Studies and FAIR, consider New Jersey a sanctuary state after then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal issued the Immigrant Trust Directive in December 2018.

Under the Directive, New Jersey police officers cannot participate in federal immigration raids. They cannot stop, question, arrest, search, or detain an individual based solely on actual or suspected immigration status, according to information on the attorney generals website. And they cannot ask an individuals immigration (status) except in rare cases when it is relevant to a specific criminal investigation.

Atlantic City airport migrant plan appears dead, officials say A plan to use Atlantic City International Airport to house migrants appears to be dead, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said.

The Attorney Generals Office says the directive is designed to make immigrants  documented or undocumented  feel safe when reporting crimes and interacting with police.

The Directive sends a clear message to Washington: we will not allow you to drive a wedge between New Jerseys law enforcement officers and our immigrant communities. And we will not allow federal authorities to stop us from ensuring the safety of all nine million New Jersey residents, according to the AGs office.

But the attorney general says officers can still comply with federal law.

Nothing prevents officers from enforcing valid court orders, including warrants signed by state or federal judges. And nothing provides sanctuary to those who commit crimes in New Jersey. If you break the law  if you assault someone, if you rob someone, if you defraud someone  you will still go to jail, no matter your immigration status, the website says.

If passed, the resolution would be sent to Murphy and the legislative teams of districts 1, 2, 8 and 9, all of which cover some part of the county.
In the Region

Taliban Mark Milestone in Controversial Canal Project

Taliban officials gathered on October 11 in northern Afghanistans Balkh Province to mark the end of the first phase of construction of the Qosh Tepa canal that draws water from a river that borders Central Asia.

Taliban acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar said the canal is proof his government intends to pay serious attention to agriculture and managing water.

Plans call for the 110-yard wide, 9.3-yard deep canal to extend 177 miles, watering 500,000 hectares of agricultural land in the Balkh, Jawzjan, and Faryab provinces.

The canal draws water from the Amu-Darya, the river that divides Uzbekistan and eastern Turkmenistan from Afghanistan.

Taliban officials say they are entitled to twenty percent of the water from the Amu-Darya, but they will not use that much.

Agricultural communities in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan also depend on the Amu-Darya and there are concerns about a drastic reduction in water supplies as Qosh Tepa progresses.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev said in September the opening of the canal could fundamentally change the water balance in Central Asia.

The privately-owned Uzbek media outlet nuz.uz interviewed Bakhtiyor Ergashev, the director of Uzbekistans Mapo (Meaning) Center for Research Initiatives about the Afghan canal project.

Ergashev warned the canal could cause tension between countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan.

Ergashev also pointed out some of the complications in negotiating with the Taliban over the canal issue.

Afghanistan does not have a treaty with Central Asian countries on water use.

Ergashev noted that without a formal treaty, there is really no way to limit the amount of water the Taliban use.

The Taliban government is not recognized by any country, Ergashev added, so technically the Taliban cannot negotiate an official treaty.

Why Its Important: The Taliban have already made it clear that they intend to complete the Qosh Tepa canal project whether the neighbors approve or not.

Taliban acting Minister of Hydropower Abdul Latif Mansur has already responded to President Mirziyoevs September comments.

We did not accept any obligations, Mansur said. There is no agreement. Therefore, we do what we consider necessary.

Downstream communities in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will be hit hard by the coming water reduction and it appears there is nothing Central Asian states can do to convince the Taliban to wait or postpone the project.

UN Calls on Kyrgyzstan Not to Pass Foreign Representatives Law

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement on October 13 calling on Kyrgyzstans parliament to reject a draft law on so-called foreign representatives.

Kyrgyzstans parliament has been reviewing proposed legislation that would compel NGOs receiving foreign funding to register with authorities and regularly report on their finances.

The draft law has been compared with Russias foreign agent law that Russian authorities used to shut down independent media outlets and civil society groups that were critical of the Russian government.

The UN said Kyrgyzstans draft law allows criminal liability and jail sentences of up to 10 years for involvement with non-commercial organizations judged to incite citizens to refuse to fulfill their civic duties or commit other unlawful acts.

The UN statement noted, This offense is ill-defined, broad and open to subjective interpretation.

This recent UN statement comes after three UN special rapporteurs issued a statement on October 6 calling on the Kyrgyz government to reconsider and withdraw the draft law.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), the International Partnership for Human Rights, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and others have also urged Kyrgyzstan to scrap the draft law.

Despite these appeals, the draft law continues to make its way through parliament.

Two separate parliamentary committees approved the draft on October 3 and October 10, clearing the way for the bill to go to parliament, where it must pass three readings.

Parliament was due to have the first reading on October 17.

Lawmakers, NGOs, and members of the public can make their case for passing or not passing the law at the October 17 parliamentary session.

Why Its Important: The foreign representatives draft law was introduced in parliament in May 2023.

At the time, 33 of parliaments 90 deputies were listed as initiators of the bill. Since then, 13 have withdrawn their names from the draft law.

The proposal has faced fierce criticism domestically and internationally, and its progress through parliament has been delayed several times.

However, it continues to make its way closer to becoming law.

HRW wrote this is a crucial moment for Kyrgyz authorities to demonstrate their commitment to respecting human rights in accordance with the countrys international legal obligations.

The Latest Majlis Podcast

This weeks Majlis podcast looks at Tajik authorities recent history of repression against perceived opponents.

Crude Accountabilitys recent report titled Enforced Disappearances in Tajikistan was released just as the Tajik government was detaining relatives of Tajik opposition figures who have fled to Europe.

This weeks guests are:

Bakhtiyor Safarov, founder of the U.S.-based firm Central Asia Consulting, who is originally from eastern Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan region; and

Steve Swerdlow, the author of the Crude Accountability report and a rights lawyer currently teaching the practice of human rights at the University of Southern California.



What I'm Following

Russia Wants Kazakhstan to Hand Over Punk Rocker

Kazakh authorities detained activist and punk rock musician Aykhal Ammosov, real name Igor Ivanov, on October 9 based on a Russian warrant for his arrest on charges of justifying terrorism.

Ammosov is from Russias far northeastern region of Yakutia.

He spoke out publicly against Russias full-scale war in Ukraine and was fined three times before Russian authorities charged him with discrediting the army.

In late 2022, Ammosov fled to Kazakhstan and has been waiting to see if his request for a humanitarian visa from Germany would be granted.

Tashkent Population Tops Three Million

The population of Uzbekistans capital Tashkent is now 3.02 million, according to the countrys Statistics Agency.

The next largest Central Asia capital is Astana, Kazakhstan with just over one million inhabitants.

Tashkent authorities have encountered difficulties proving reliable heating and electricity to the capitals residents during winter, and recent reporting indicates that the number of severe traffic jams is rising in the city.

Fact of the Week

In the first nine months of 2023, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan shipped a combined 3.82 million metric tons of oil across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, where it was loaded into the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

It was a 6.7 percent increase compared the same period in 2022 and shows progress in efforts to export oil via non-Russian routes.

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
The shepherd of Latin Rite Catholics in Israel and Palestine has announced he was willing to lay down his life in exchange for all the very young hostages Hamas have.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said on Monday (October 16) that he was willing to exchange himself for the children taken hostage by Hamas inside Gaza.

"I am ready for an exchange, anything if this can lead to freedom, to bring the children home. No problem," he told journalists in Italy at a video conference. "There is total willingness on my part."

The prelate added that it was necessary to "find a way to get the hostages back."

This statement came after he called for a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land, as well as the Vatican's willingness to broker a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine, as per Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Read Also: Vatican Reveals New Pius XII Documents Addressing "Jewish Brothers" Persecuted by Nazis

Imitating the Good Shepherd

Pizzaballa, who was newly-minted a cardinal by Pope Francis last month, said he would still consider trying to win the release of the hostages despite him and his office not having any direct contact with Hamas.

This statement by Pizzaballa, the first modern Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem who was named a cardinal, echoed a passage in the Christian Bible, where Jesus called himself the "good shepherd" who was willing to lay down his life for his sheep.

Earlier on Monday, the Israel Defense Force confirmed that at least 199 people were taken hostage by Hamas.

Pizzaballa was quoted by Reuters that there were about 1,000 Christians sheltering in church buildings in northern Gaza after their homes were destroyed by Israeli strikes.

"They don't know where to go because moving is dangerous," he added.

Related Article: Israel-Hamas War: Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem Calls for Day of Prayer, Fasting for Peace

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over a significant high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the progress of India's Gaganyaan mission and to outline the nation's future endeavours in the realm of space exploration.

During the meeting, the Department of Space presented an extensive overview of the Gaganyaan mission, highlighting various technologies that have been developed thus far, including human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification. Notably, the discussion touched upon approximately 20 major tests, including three uncrewed missions for the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3).

The meeting also acknowledged the upcoming first demonstration flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle, scheduled for October 2. After a thorough evaluation of the mission's readiness, it was confirmed that the Gaganyaan mission is on track for its launch in 2025.

Building on the recent successes of Indian space initiatives, such as the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 Missions, Prime Minister Modi articulated the need for the nation to set ambitious new goals. These objectives include establishing an 'Indian Space Station' known as 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' by 2035 and sending the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

To realize these visionary goals, the Department of Space will formulate a comprehensive roadmap for Moon exploration. This roadmap encompasses a series of Chandrayaan missions, the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), construction of a new launch pad, establishment of human-centric laboratories, and the development of associated technologies.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi encouraged Indian scientists to focus on interplanetary missions, which may include a Venus orbiter mission and a Mars Lander. He expressed unwavering confidence in the nation's capabilities and reaffirmed its commitment to reaching new heights in the field of space exploration.
KIM Jong-un has become a real-life Bond villain after executing one of his generals by throwing him into a piranha-filled fish tank, reported the Daily Star.

North Koreas tyrant ordered his death after he was accused of planning a coup.

Kim had a giant fish tank built inside Ryongsong Residence, one of his presidential palaces, after ordering aides to develop new methods of execution. The victims arms and torso were cut open with knives before he was thrown into the tank.

Sources said it was unclear whether the general was killed by the fish, died from his wounds or drowned.

The researchers are believed to have come up with several execution methods designed to scare potential plotters. It is believed they got the idea from the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, in which the villain Karl Stromberg executes opponents by dropping them into a shark-filled aquarium.Kims aquarium is filled with several hundred piranhas imported from Brazil.

They have razor-sharp teeth and are capable of stripping flesh from a corpse in a matter of minutes.

Other execution methods have included blasting traitors to pieces with an anti-tank gun, feeding them alive to tigers, beheadings, hangings and burning prisoners to death with flame throwers.Since Kim came to power in 2011, he is believed to have bumped off 16 senior aides. Hundreds more North Korean citizens have also been killed. Agencies
The Davenport Education Association (DEA) has endorsed the five incumbents running for Davenport school board in the upcoming Nov. 7 regular city/school elections.

According to the announcement, all six Davenport school board candidates responded to a written questionnaire and participated in in-person interviews with an DEA's interview committee.

We were satisfied that if elected, all six candidates will act as leaders and advocates for the best interests of our students and our schools and that their goals and priorities align with those of our members," DEA interview committee chair Evan Schenck said in a news release. "However, only five positions are open in the upcoming election, and the committee voted unanimously to recommend the incumbent candidates in recognition of their experience and leadership in the 2019-2023 term.

The incumbent candidates are current board president Dan Gosa, current vice president Karen Kline-Jerome, Linda Hayes, Kent Paustian and W. Kent Barnds.

Gosa, Kline-Jerome, Hayes and Paustian are running for four-year terms.

Since Barnds was appointed to fill a vacancy, his seat is up for the remaining two years of the 2021-2025 term.

Although the committee ultimately chose to support the incumbents, we would also like to recognize candidate Connie King's long service as a teacher and an ISEA (Iowa State Education Association) member," Schenck said in the press release. "We appreciate her strong support for the needs of our students and teachers, and we encourage her to run again in the future.

To find your voting precinct for the Nov. 7 elections, visit www.scottcountyiowa.gov/auditor/precinct-finder.
Last week, Shelby Nelson threw away around $200 worth of clothes that had been stained with splotches of brown. Her 1-year-old washer and dryer weren't to blame. Rather, it was the murky water running through her pipes.

For the past two to three years, Nelson has been combating discolored water in her home in Belle Plaine. The shade of brown descending from her faucets depends on the day. Several loads of laundry have been ruined beyond repair, forcing her to go to the town laundromat for washes. She sometimes takes her 4-year-old daughter to her mom's house in a different town so she can bathe in clear water.

She doesn't drink the water in her house; she doesn't cook with it. Water filters and treatments are out of her budget right now. To her, there's no solution in sight.

"We've had it so bad, it looks like we filled our tub with beer," said Nelson, 30, who has lived in Belle Plaine since 2016. "The nicest way to put it is I'm pissed ... I feel like we're literally living in Flint, Michigan."

Belle Plaine was once home to a gushing geyser named Old Jumbo, where more than 5 million gallons of water spewed per day from a well in 1886. It took 130 barrels of cement, sand and clay to plug the flow.

Now, the second-largest town in Benton County is at the epicenter of the worst drought on record in Eastern Iowa. In the last three years of drought, Benton and Tama counties are the driest they've ever been in a three-year period.

As a result, Belle Plaine is scraping the bottom of its water reserves. It launched a water restriction July 27. Its four shallow wells are producing only 20% of their normal capacity, and the 2,300-some residents are now reliant on the town's deep emergency well, laden with minerals.

Belle Plaine is one of several Iowa towns gasping for water amid the record-breaking drought, falling back on outdated and insufficient water resources. The community  with many members in the low- to moderate-income range  is desperate for reprieve and solutions.

"I was planning on a drought this year, but I wasn't planning on the worst drought in my entire lifetime or in the last 50 years," said city administrator Steve Beck. "Belle Plaine is kind of the canary in the coal mine because it's just  who's next?"

Path to dryness

The problem started more than a decade ago when a landowner illegally rerouted a stream near the Belle Plaine well field. The waterway is a tributary to nearby Salt Creek, which feeds four city wells with its shallow aquifer.

The flow originally fed into a wetland around the well field, allowing sitting water to percolate through the ground and replenish the shallow aquifer underneath. The landowner constructed a pair of 5-foot berms on either side of the stream to reroute it away from the well field. He put tile drainage under the area and farmed it.

Around 2010, the well field began to dry out  a trend exacerbated by the last three years of drought, which have left Belle Plaine 2 feet short of its normal rainfall amounts. The drier it got, the more stress the well system endured without sufficient recharge.

"You're taking the water out, but none's going back in," Beck said. "That has caused a systemic problem for us."

Water levels in the shallow aquifer are now depleted by up to 14 feet, Beck said. The shallow wells, dipping around 35 feet deep underground, have less than 5 feet of water to draw from.

Belle Plaine built an emergency fifth well during its last major drought in 1988. It reaches 350 feet into a deeper aquifer and is typically used during emergencies and droughts to blend with water from the other wells.

Now, amid exceptional drought, it has become the dominant source of water for the town. It's rich in iron and manganese  secondary contaminants that can alter the taste, odor and appearance of water, but don't present risks to human health.

Without enough water, Belle Plaine also can't flush its water distribution system  including its fire hydrants  free of sediment and rust. Belle Plaine usually does it twice a year. In the last six years, it has only happened once.

The city water still meets the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and is safe the drink, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirmed. But, with the combination of minerals and sediment, certain parts of town are pouring discolored water from their taps.

"There's no way around it other than to wait until the aquifer replenishes," said Beck, who said he doesn't drink the discolored water. "We're just very thankful that we have any water at all, but it's not good."

The last well standing is also the only line of defense in emergency situations.

"I don't want to run the town just off of one emergency well," Beck said. "It's not at risk of going dry, but we're one water main break or one fire away from catastrophe."

Trying a solution

Each step across the Belle Plaine well field is paired with an audible crunch of dead grass underfoot. The 10 acres are now dry and browning. The path of the serpentine stream that used to wind through the area, feathering water across the landscape, is nearly gone.

But, last week, Beck caught a glimpse of hope for the town: Rain was in the forecast. Much of that water would run off land and slip into waterways. Salt Creek and its tributaries, which had shrunk throughout the drought, could see their water levels rising once again.

To prevent that water from rushing away from its wells, Belle Plaine needed to act fast.

Beck, who is also vice chair of the Middle Iowa River Watershed Management Authority executive board, called together a task force of local and state officials and researchers. They determined the town could build up temporary levees to divert the Salt Creek tributary back toward the well field in time for the forecasted rains. There, water could sit until it soaked into the ground or evaporated.

City public works staffers constructed two levees that were designed to be rudimentary and low-impact, raising between 2 and 4 feet tall. They are also plugging tile drain lines as they find them to keep water on the field.

"If we get a good amount of rain, that'll hopefully hold back a couple (million) gallons, I'm hoping for," Beck said last week.

Not an isolated issue

There's not a single county in Iowa has had above-normal rainfall over the last three years, said Iowa DNR hydrology resources coordinator Tim Hall. Many counties are experiencing their top-10 driest three-year periods on record, sinking deeper into drought year over year.

"It's like if you have a checking account and you overspend in one year, and then you start with a negative balance and you overspend in the second year. Then you have a bigger negative balance and you overspend in the third year," Hall said. "You find yourself in serious trouble. And that's the situation a lot of the state is in."

About a dozen other communities around Iowa are, like Belle Plaine, struggling with their water security amid the drought, said Chad Fields, a DNR geologist who works with communities across the state on drinking water sources. A handful have enacted voluntary water restrictions.

The widespread drought is forcing the jurisdictions to rethink their water systems and evaluate their security. Some in western and northwestern Iowa are drilling deeper wells to supplement their more vulnerable shallow wells. Others are utilizing private sector experts to help make water supplies more secure for growing communities.

"Belle Plaine isn't alone," Fields said. "We've had a number of communities looking at their options."

Looking ahead

From Wednesday to Friday morning, Belle Plaine saw about nine-tenths of an inch of rain, according to the National Weather Service Quad Cities bureau. Another inch or so fell throughout the weekend.

The rain may buy them time. But it won't be enough to solve the deficit that has been growing for years. Even if the temporary levees successfully retained water, it will likely take weeks for any additional moisture to hit the shallow wells. If drought conditions return, the town could slide back to water insecurity.

Beck wants to solve that  for good.

"In the past, it was like, 'We just need to get through this drought. We'll get some rain and be fine,'" he said. "We're not going to not do anything this time."

Beck is looking into a treatment or filtration system for the city's deep well. He also wants to drill one or two more shallow wells, if possible, and then revert the area back to its marshy beginnings.

Belle Plaine has purchased the land surrounding the well field from the original owner and is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to start rebuilding the wetland there. The project could create a sustainable water supply that the rural town could rely on in perpetuity, even throughout future droughts.

"We're going to get through this," Beck said firmly as he sat in his office on Wednesday. A gentle tapping of raindrops drummed overhead. "But I don't want this to ever happen again."

Brittney J. Miller is the Energy & Environment Reporter for The Gazette and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.
DES MOINES  Iowa's all-Republican U.S. House delegation kept to the party line on Tuesday and voted for Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, for Speaker of the House even as 20 House Republicans voted for others in protest and denied him the gavel in his first bid for the position.

Jordan, the far-right co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus, won the vast majority of Republican votes for speaker in a vote on Tuesday, but lost 20 Republicans and was not able to reach the majority vote necessary to become speaker.

Democrats unanimously voted for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York.

"I support (Jim Jordan) for Speaker," Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, said on X. "We spoke last week about our shared conservative priorities and the needs of Iowans, and I am confident he will advance both."

The House will reconvene at 11 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday to hold another speaker vote.

Jordan's defectors were largely moderate Republicans, some in Biden-leaning district who were reticent to support the conservative hardliner and Donald Trump ally.

Without a change in rules, the House cannot pass any legislation or budget appropriations until a speaker is elected, and a stopgap funding bill passed last month will expire on Nov. 17.

Iowa delegation backs Jordan

Hinson, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa's 1st Congressional District, Rep. Zach Nunn of the 3rd District and Rep. Randy Feenstra of the 4th District, all voted to support Jordan on Tuesday.

In an interview on Tuesday afternoon, Miller-Meeks did not say whether she would vote for Jordan in subsequent rounds, but she said she wants Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry, R-North Carolina, to bring the House back in session.

"Mr. Jordan did not have the votes, and going forward, people are asking what will happen," she said. "Certainly I think he is using this time to whip votes ... But I joined a contingent of Republicans asking that the House immediately reopen."

Miller-Meeks said she had reservations about Jordan that included his past opposition to the farm bill and biofuel subsidies, as well as pressure tactics used by Jordan allies to whip votes. But she said those reservations were addressed and she honored her commitment to vote for the winner of the closed-door conference vote last week.

Miller-Meeks said she would not negotiate with Democrats for speaker, but she said the House could pass a resolution to empower McHenry, who currently lacks significant power, to carry out House business.

Miller-Meeks faces a reelection challenge from former Democratic state Rep. Christina Bohannan, and her district is seen as a competitive by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"Not shocking that (Miller-Meeks) has fallen in line to vote for an election denier & man who spearheaded a national abortion ban with no exceptions," Bohannan said on X. "A man whos opposed every Farm Bill thats come before him. Her agenda has nothing to do with governing or representing Iowans."

Jordan was one of dozens of Republicans who rejected the 2020 election results from two states based on claims of fraud from Trump's campaign. The House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 insurrection said Jordan had conversations with Trump allies about delaying the vote leading up to the election.

"I voted to certify all the electors. That's where I am on that issue," Miller-Meeks said when asked about Jordan's actions around Jan. 6. "I do think that election integrity and voter integrity is very important."

First-term Rep. Nunn, who flipped his competitive district in 2022 and is also likely to face a tough reelection campaign, said Saturday he would support Jordan in order to get important work done in the House.

Nunn said he was supporting Jordan to "make sure we have a speaker who is committed to moving the important things forward that are happening in the world right now."

Feenstra, whose northwest Iowa district is the most heavily Republican in the state, said on X Monday night he would support Jordan.

"I spoke to Rep. (Jim Jordan) over the weekend and let him know that he has my support for Speaker," Feenstra said in a post. "We must stop Bidens radical agenda, secure our border, and stand up for Israel!"

Democrats slam House delegation for Jordan vote

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said in a news release Monday that a vote for Jordan as speaker will harm Iowa's farmers and economy. Jordan has not voted for any farm bill, a major agriculture package passed every five years, during his time in Congress.

"With a looming shutdown and less than 3 months until Iowa farmers begin feeling the serious effects of the farm bill expiring, the next speaker needs to be someone that can work bipartisanly and legislate  something Jim Jordan has never done," Hart said in a written statement.
A 29-year-old Rapid City man pleaded not guilty to second-degree rape at his Monday arraignment in Pennington County Court, court documents show.

In a Sept. 20 indictment, a Pennington County grand jury charged Brandon Robbins with one count of second-degree rape. The indictment alleges he assaulted a woman on Feb. 10.

Second-degree rape is a class 1 felony with a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine. It is the most extreme form of rape against an adult in South Dakota and involves the use of force, coercion, or threats of immediate and great bodily injury.

The state filed a document with Robbins' indictment labelling him as a habitual offender. Robbins was convicted of burglary in 2018 in a Texas court, according to the document. Because of the prior conviction, Robbins would face up to life in prison and up to a $50,000 if convicted of second-degree rape.

Robbins is held at the Pennington County Jail on a $5,000 cash only bond. If he were to post bond, the court ordered he have no contact with the alleged victim. Jail records show he was booked into the jail on Sept. 27, about a week after he was indicted.

Robbins is scheduled to appear in court for a motions hearing at 3:15 p.m. Oct. 30.
Since the near extinction of the buffalo following U.S. government and settler efforts to eradicate them, the animal has become a recent symbol of both Indigenous resilience and food sovereignty. Now, buffalo are central to a new pilot program to improve food distribution on Native land.

Millions of bison were killed for the expansion of the transcontinental U.S. railroad and to reduce a key food source of Plains tribes. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is beginning to reconcile the government's role in the near extinction by supporting buffalo ranchers, specifically Indigenous-operated small businesses.

The conservation efforts by the tribes and others to restore the bison population since then have been very successful, said Heather Dawn Thompson, USDA director of the Office of Tribal Relations and a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The federal government has a role in ensuring that perhaps wrongheaded policy in the past is reversed. And so USDA is happy to be a part of the federal partnership and support the restoration of bison.

The terms bison and buffalo are often interchangeable in and out of Indian Country.

On Oct. 12, the Agriculture Department announced the program with three Indigenous-operated bison farms and one non-Native company on the Cheyenne River, Rosebud, Lower Brule and Standing Rock reservations to improve food distribution on reservations, support small businesses and localize meat production.

We're just trying to feed people, said Troy Heinert, Sicangu Lakota and the executive director of the InterTribal Buffalo Council. This pilot project is going to be very beneficial so meat can stay local, and people are more connected with where their meat comes from. This administration has done an outstanding job of recognizing that and making the rules so that tribes can feed their own people.

Oceti Sakowin (Lakota, Dakota, Nakota) people have been crucial to the revitalization of the buffalo. Thompson stated all of the herds in the state descend from survivors of the near-extinction protected and raised by the Dupree family on Cheyenne River.

For decades, tribal communities have expressed an interest in localizing food products distributed through the Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), commonly called commodities or commods. More than 7,000 reservation families in South Dakota use the FDPIR program.

The pilot program was launched in response to feedback from Indian Country and from small producers about animal handling, traditional field harvesting, a nature-based purchasing calendar, and inspection.

Representatives from the different parties gathered in Eagle Butte included Thompson, USDA Under Secretary Jennifer Moffitt, and Food Safety and Inspection Service Administrator Paul Keicker. Representatives discussed the progress made in the pilot program, listened to feedback, and noted potential future improvements.

A pilot program member, Ron Brownotter, a Hunkpapa Lakota buffalo rancher, harvests his buffalo the way he was taught by his elders, praying over them and harvesting in the field and not in a plant. As part of the new pilot program, Brownotter can ensure his people are served buffalo harvested in a culturally conscious manner.

The buffalo is our culture, its who we are, it fits like a glove, Brownotter said. Our people evolved with the buffalo, so when it was taken away, a part of us was too.

The system in place was not set up with tribal businesses in mind, who cant sell products in bulk. Tradition dictates that buffalo is only to be harvested once a year and field-killed.

I will never load a buffalo up in a trailer for my people to eat, or any other people to eat and haul to a slaughterhouse because thats a wild animal, Brownotter said. Its stressed out already in closed confinement, theyre bruising each other and hurting each other with their horns.

USDA representatives were also available to assist partners in the pilot program in the application process, a daunting and time-consuming aspect of the process.

The process is burdensome and difficult to navigate, particularly if you are a small producer and don't have a significant staff thats assigned to just navigating the federal procurement process, Thompson said.

The program will also provide job opportunities, boosting reservation economies. The Rock Creek community where the Brownotter Buffalo Ranch operates is in a secluded area of Standing Rock where job opportunities are few and far between.

Were obviously in a depressed economy on the reservation, jobs are not always plentiful, Brownotter said. So, me being able to participate in this program allows for income that can hire more workers to do more things on the ranch like fixing fences or working buffalo.

The goal of the pilot program is to serve as an initiative stepping point in creating more future programs to provide FDPIR recipients with localized, culturally relevant food.

We hope that this is the first step in purchasing in smaller quantities for all USDA programs, Thompson said. We're starting here, we're learning lessons together about how to make it run more smoothly. And then we hope to grow it from this pilot (program).
Few books capture the imagination of fisherman like Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, or Norman Macleans A River Runs Through It. On Tuesday night, Bitterroot Valley residents will get the chance to listen to the threads that connect the writers work as told by journalist and author John Maclean.

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited and Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton will be hosting An Evening with John Maclean at the Ravalli County Museum on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

Maclean has written five books on wildland fires and a memoir that was released in 2021, Home Waters: A Chronicle of Family and a River. Son of famed author Norman Maclean, who penned the 1976 semi-autobiographical tale A River Runs Through It, about a family where "there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing," the younger Maclean will be presenting a program titled "At the Confluence of Fishing and Literature: Hemingway's Influence on the Writings and Lives of Norman and John Maclean."

Maclean wrote the forward for the centennial edition of Ernest Hemingway's Big Two-Hearted River, published in 2023.

An avid fly fisherman, Maclean has long been an advocate for protecting Montanas rivers and streams, warning about pollution, over-fishing and loving our rivers to death.

'A River Runs Through It made trout fly fishing a global phenomenon, Maclean said of his father Norman Macleans bestselling novella. Now we need to deal with it in a sensible way.

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited President David Ward said that books about fishing are very influential.

I grew up in southern Ohio, rural Ohio, went to a high school there and I discovered a fly-fishing book in the library. I don't know how it got there, why it got there, but it ultimately caused me to move to Montana and take up fly fishing. Ward said. So it's interesting, these threads that go through your life, but a lot of it is reading about something and then deciding to try it.

Chapter One Book Store was one of only three locations to receive signed copies of Home Waters, and will have copies of Maclean's books on hand for the event.

I think it will be quite interesting, Ward said. I've seen him once before and he's quite an excellent, thoughtful speaker.

For more information on this event or to purchase copies of Macleans books prior to the event go to chapter1bookstore.com/.
In 1842, the state of Illinois faced a grim financial crisis  it had debts it couldn't pay. State Auditor James Shields suggested that Illinois residents quit using paper money. Instead, they should go back to gold and silver.

Abraham Lincoln, who was a prominent lawyer and politician at the time, became embroiled in a battle of wits because Lincoln's view was that ordinary people did not possess gold or silver. The conflict escalated due to a series of letters published in the Sangamo Journal in Springfield, Illinois.

The dispute began when the paper published an anonymous letter, which was believed to have been authored by Mary Todd, who would later become Lincoln's wife. This letter, written in a satirical tone, criticized Shields particularly for his mis-management of state finances.

Shields, angered by the publication, demanded that the editor of the paper reveal the author's identity. When the editor declined, Shields challenged the anonymous author to a duel to defend his honor. As the conflict escalated, it became apparent that Lincoln was associated with the letters, though he denied being their author. Subsequently, Shields demanded that he and Lincoln engage in a duel, a common way in those days to resolve a conflict, typically involving honor.

Because Lincoln was challenged, he had the option to choose the location and the weapons. Instead of the customary pistols, Lincoln chose cavalry sabers, figuring Shields would not accept. But, he did.

The duel was set to take place on Sept. 22, 1842, on a sandbar called "Blood Island" in the Mississippi River near Alton, Illinois. The choice of location was influenced by Missouri's more lenient stance on dueling (at the time, Blood Island belonged to Missouri).

As the duel unfolded, seconds (individuals chosen to oversee the duel) attempted to negotiate a peaceful resolution, but failed. Lincoln, being considerably taller and having a longer reach than Shields, seemingly had the advantage. Even so, at the onset of the duel, Lincoln dropped his saber. Shields, reacting to Lincoln's action, also dropped his saber; the duel was off.

Interestingly, although the two men were often on opposite sides of many issues, they became friends. Of course, as we all know, 18 years later, Lincoln was elected as the 16th president.

Shields won a Senate seat in 1848, but his election was voided because he had not been a U.S. citizen for the nine years required by the Constitution (he was born in Ireland). He was naturalized on Oct. 21, 1840, and elected in November, 1848. He resigned from the Senate in March 1848.

In 1849, he was duly elected as a Senator, but was defeated for re-election six years later. Shortly thereafter, Shields moved to Minnesota. When Minnesota achieved statehood in 1858, the legislature convened in December. Shields, along with Henry Rice, were put forward as compromise candidates for U.S. senators.

The two drew straws to determine who would serve out the longer and shorter terms. Shields drew the short straw and thus served only to March 1859; he lost his Senate re-election bid to Morton Wilkinson. He subsequently moved to Missouri where he was elected Senator.

Shields holds the distinction of being the only person elected a U.S. senator from three different states  Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri.

While on a lecture tour, Shields died unexpectedly in Ottumwa, Iowa in June 1879, after complaining of chest pains. He was 73.
Sapphire Lutheran Homes in Hamilton will host a benefit dinner, A Brand New Day, featuring a tribute to Sting and The Police on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. This benefit dinner will kick off the fundraising season for the 2024 Sapphire Lutheran Homes FREE Outdoor Summer Concert Series.

Coupled with the great music, guests can choose from four entree options; chicken cordon bleu with hollandaise sauce, New York strip steak, poached salmon, or a portobello mushroom. A spring salad, roasted baby reds, and asparagus will accompany the entree. Guest can choose a turtle or white chocolate raspberry cheesecake for dessert.

Dominic Farrenkopf, Director of Community Life at Sapphire Lutheran Homes, is excited about this event.

This dinner will kick off the fundraising efforts for next years concert series," Farrenkopf said. "Summer 2023 saw record crowds at our concert series, and we plan to continue to grow the series by hiring bigger name bands and keeping the concert series a family friendly event.

On Oct. 27, Joshua Jones will perform as Sting, and will be playing all of the biggest and best hits from both The Police and Stings solo career. Jones will take you on a musical journey through one of the most illustrious careers in music.

Our concert series continues to grow in popularity. Over the last 12 years we have gradually added more attractions to complement the music. We now have food trucks, miniature ponies, face painting, a bounce house, a balloon artist, popcorn, lemonade, raffles, and free ice cream!, Farrenkopf said. Our crowd sizes continue to grow as well. This year we averaged 1,600 people per event. When the tribute to The Beach Boys performed, we had over 2,000 people on our lawn. We rely on the generosity of our many sponsors to make our concert series free to the community. This dinner will give us a boost to kick off the fundraising for next summer.

Tickets to A Brand New Day are $100 each, and can be purchased by calling 406-363-2800.

Join us in an exciting evening of great music and delicious dining," Farrenkopf said. "You wont be disappointed."
(Photo : John Moore/Getty Images)

United States President Joe Biden's administration has reached a settlement with migrant families who were separated at the border under the previous government.

United States President Joe Biden's administration has reached a settlement with migrant families separated at the border under the previous government, allowing them to stay in the US and apply for asylum.

The agreement was filed on Monday in federal court in San Diego and concludes years of negotiations that have been part of a class-action lawsuit. It sought to address the harm inflicted by family separations that the American government carried out in 2017 and 2018.

Migrant Family Separations

The previous policy was a key component of the Trump administration's efforts to curb unauthorized immigration. Officials systematically took children away from their parents and sent them to shelters and foster homes nationwide. On the other hand, their parents were criminally charged for unlawfully entering the country.

The policy aimed to deliver a powerful deterrent to families who wanted to come to the United States, even those who wanted to seek asylum. In total, several thousand foreign-born children were taken from their families. It later emerged that hundreds of U.S.-born children crossing the border with migrant parents were also subjected to the policy, as per the New York Times.

Various images and audio recordings of children being taken from their parents later sparked outrage and criticism. Eventually, the situation resulted in a wave of lawsuits, including the class-action lawsuit, which was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

Roughly three-quarters of the families separated under the Trump-era policy have either been reunified or provided the information they need to start the reunification process.

If the settlement is approved by the judge overseeing the case, it would grant the families permission to live and work lawfully in the United States while waiting for a decision on their asylum claims. Parents and children who have been separated and are already in the country can petition to bring immediate family members from their home countries.

Read Also: Texas Senate Advances Texas Border Bill, Authorizes Local State Police Arrest Illegal Immigrants

Supporting Separated Families

The Department of Justice (DOJ) also said that under the proposed agreement, new standards would be established to limit migrant family separations in the future. The settlement would also prohibit separations unless there are concerns about the wellness of the migrant child, national security issues, medical emergencies, or in the case of criminal warrants, according to ABC News.

Additionally, it would provide continued support services for the people who were separated under the Trump administration. This includes the coverage of the cost of medical bills that were incurred during or because of the separations.

In a statement on Monday, a senior official from the DOJ said, "the fact that someone enters the United States unlawfully is not a basis for future separations. It's only if someone has committed a serious felony offense."

There would also be special support services for families separated at the border under the previous administration. CNN said this would include immigrant legal services and three additional years of behavioral health counseling.

Related Article: US Customs Apprehend 4th Iranian 'Special Interest Alien' This Month, Potentially Posing Security Threat

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Gov. Greg Gianforte faces another lawsuit to force his office to turn over public documents, this time from a nonprofit law firm that last week challenged Montanas new law defining sex as either male or female.

An attorney with Upper Seven Law said the firm filed the right-to-know complaint Tuesday in Lewis and Clark County District Court. It names the governor and Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton as defendants.

The complaint alleges that Gianforte and Montanas top health official have violated the state constitutions right to know by withholding public records under the justification that theyre subject to attorney-client privilege and executive privilege. The law firm is asking the court to order the administration to release the requested documents and pay attorney fees in the case.

"Both the governor and the department denied plaintiffs requests in full, failed to produce any responsive information, failed to provide redacted documents and accompanying privilege logs, and failed even to identify which or how many documents were being withheld on the basis of privilege," the lawsuit states.

A spokesperson for Gianforte responded to a request for comment by stating that the governors office generally doesnt comment on active litigation.

Right-to-know lawsuit

The records being sought by the Upper Seven attorneys include correspondence to or from the governors general counsel, Anita Milanovich, related to Senate Bill 458, which restricts the states legal definition of sex to only male or female. The firm was also seeking records related to forms that ensure compliance with federal antidiscrimination requirements.

The state is required to submit those forms when it applies for grants related to maternal and child health services, preschool development, community development or homelessness, according to the complaint.

The nonprofit law firm alleges that it was attempting to verify whether Milanovich had instructed Montana agencies to refuse to assure compliance with federal law, including federal nondiscrimination law, on the basis of Senate Bill 458.

The law firm submitted formal requests for those records on Aug. 25 under the states right-to-know laws, but the governors office rejected them, claiming on Sept. 1 that the correspondence is a matter of executive privilege and attorney-client privilege.

The lawsuit cites decisions in two other right-to-know lawsuits against the governors office in which state district courts have rejected the Gianforte administrations claims of executive privilege.

We are aware that executive privilege is the subject of litigation and will reconsider this response if necessary on the final resolution fo the issue with the Montana Supreme Court, Milanovich wrote in response, according to the complaint.

In one case, the governors office has been ordered to turn over documents relating to its decision to drop enforcement actions against a mining company executive who allegedly ran afoul of Montanas bad actor hardrock mining law.

And Upper Seven also cites one of its own cases, filed in 2021 by Helena activist Jayson ONeill. In that lawsuit, a judge in Lewis and Clark County District Court has ordered the governor to release forms that tracked agencies' concerns over litigation that could result from the passage of laws being debated by the Legislature in 2021. Gianforte last month appealed the decision to the Montana Supreme Court, where the case is pending.

The complaint filed Tuesday states that the governors office also failed to provide a privilege log detailing the reasons for withholding the requested documents.

The governor and the department have provided no information that would enable Upper Seven to determine whether the withheld documents properly fall within the attorney-client privilege, forcing Upper Seven to file this action, the lawsuit states.

SB 458 lawsuit

The public-records lawsuit stems from a separate case that the law firm filed the week before, on behalf of the Montana Two Spirit Society and transgender and intersex Montanans.

It alleges that SB 458 deprives the plaintiffs of their state and federal constitutional rights to individual dignity, privacy and freedom of speech. The plaintiffs consist of the Montana Two Spirit Society, two transgender women, a transgender man and two intersex Montanans. The complaint names Gianforte and Attorney General Austin Knudsen as defendants.

This is just as much an attack on tribal sovereignty as it is on the LGBTQ+ community, David Herrera, the co-founder and executive director of the Montana Two-Spirit Society, stated in a press release. SB 458 continues what colonization has always tried to do  which is to eradicate Two Spirit culture.

The bill was one of the most hotly contested of this years legislative session and faced heavy opposition by Democrats and LGBTQ rights groups. It was sponsored by Republican Sen. Carl Glimm, of Kila, and signed into law by Gianforte after winning the votes of nearly all the states GOP lawmakers.

The lawsuit challenging the bill calls the states new definitions unscientific and unworkable and alleges that by ignoring the existence of Two Spirit, intersex and transgender Montanans it excludes them from legal protections from discrimination.

The law adopts a binary, reproduction-based definition of sex, and also defines the words male and female based on an individuals chromosomes. Those definitions, the lawsuits states, apply to a broad swath of Montana law, including anti-discrimination in state jobs, hospital admissions, urban renewal, correctional facility admissions, child support pleadings and the Montana Human Rights Act.

While Republicans passed the bill in the name of clarifying the difference between sex and gender, the complaint contends the legislation fails to do so because it doesnt define gender, only the term sex. The plaintiffs note that under state law, gender discrimination remains the same as sex discrimination, citing a 2019 Montana Supreme Court has ruled that sexual harassment is sexual discrimination under the Montana Human Rights Act.

The governor's office declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Emily Flower, a spokesperson for the attorney generals office, said: We look forward to defending the state law that reflects scientific reality."
On Oct. 13, news broke that the owner of Holland Lake Lodge has decided to cancel his controversial expansion and upgrade plans at the resort.

Hes ending his partnership with a large Utah-based resort company called POWDR and is trying to sell the lodge. Its huge news in Montana, as for the past year theres been quite a bit of an uproar as people protested the plan.

You cant drive anywhere in western Montana without seeing billboards for Save Holland Lake, a group thats been criticizing the expansion plans. The whole saga involved threats of lawsuits and lots of heated public meetings.

Exactly a year ago Dave Erickson of the Missoulian newspaper joined me as news broke on the expansion proposal and hes on this episode to cover all that's happened since last year.

This podcast is created in partnership across five newsrooms  the Billings Gazette, Helena Independent Record, Missoulian, Montana Standard and Ravalli Republic. You can support this podcast, and our efforts, by becoming a subscriber.
Henrico House of Delegates candidate Susanna Gibson brought in nearly $490,000 in donations in September, the month news broke that she and her husband had live-streamed sex acts on a porn website.

Gibsons fundraising ranked 12th among the candidates for the 100 House seats in September. But Gibsons Republican opponent, David Owen  who ranked 11th  outraised her in September, bringing in nearly $565,000. Owen finished September with nearly $540,000 in cash on hand to nearly $379,000 for Gibson, according to new campaign finance reports published by the Virginia Public Access Project.

Four hotly contested Richmond-area races for the House of Delegates and state Senate continue to be among the highest draws for fundraising in the fight for control of the legislature that concludes on Election Day Nov. 7.

Kimberly Pope Adams, the Democrat who is seeking to unseat Del. Kim Taylor, R-Dinwiddie in House District 82, raised more than $1 million in the month of September, more than any other candidate for the House of Delegates, according to VPAP. Her biggest donor was Virginia House Democratic Caucus, which gave her campaign $340,000 in September.

Nearly half of her donations came in the form of in-kind contributions, non-monetary gifts that are typically in the form of goods or services. Adams largest in-kind donation came from Workers Vote, a New York-based political action committee, worth $213,000. Adams did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Adams opponent, Taylor, raised nearly $903,000 in the month, ranking fourth among all House candidates. She said in a statement that her campaign is built on grassroots volunteers and donors, including business leaders, religious leaders and community members. Her largest contribution came from the Republican Commonwealth Leadership Political Action Committee, totaling $380,000.

Taylor declined to be interviewed Tuesday. Speaking to the WRVA radio show Richmonds Morning News with John Reid on Tuesday morning, she called the race a dead heat.

It is a very targeted race, Taylor said. It is the most contested House seat this election cycle.

Both candidates have released television ads touting their positions and backgrounds. Taylors campaign also paid for an ad attacking Adams.

In Henricos key Senate race in District 16, Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, raised nearly $1.26 million in September, to rank second among all Senate candidates. That included $727,000 that Gov. Glenn Youngkins Spirit of Virginia PAC contributed to Dunnavants campaign in September alone, underscoring the contests importance in the fight for control of the chamber.

Dunnavants Democratic opponent, Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, raised $785,000 in September to rank fifth among all Senate candidates. His largest contribution in the period was $50,000 from Sonjia Smith, a philanthropist, former lawyer and longtime donor to progressive Democrats. Smith is married to Michael Bills, a wealthy Charlottesville-based investor who founded Clean Virginia.

The latest fundraising reports come as Youngkin meets behind closed doors in Virginia Beach Tuesday and Wednesday with top GOP donors. While Youngkin says he is laser focused on the fight for control of the General Assembly, some GOP donors reportedly hope to persuade Youngkin to make a late bid for the GOP presidential nomination. Youngkins PAC received more than $6.5 million in donations between Sept. 1 and Oct. 7 and had more than $6.5 million in cash as of Oct. 7.

In another key Henrico House contest, in District 58, Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, raised $406,000 in September, to rank 13th among all House candidates. His September total included $140,000 from the Virginia House Democratic Caucus.

His Republican opponent, Riley Shaia, raised nearly $362,000 in September, to rank 15th among House candidates. Shaias largest contribution in September was $115,000 from the Republican Commonwealth Leadership PAC.

Gibson, who faces Owen in Henricos House District 57, has appeared in television ads and made statements on social media, but has made few public appearances or statements since the sex scandal made international news.

Gibsons campaign received more than $190,000 in cash contributions of more than $100 during September. Much of it  including $50,000 from the House Democratic Caucus  came in before the news broke on Sept. 11. Gibson also received nearly $81,000 in donations of less than $100 during the month.

Of the nearly $489,000 in total donations Gibson reported during the month, nearly $218,000 was in in-kind donations of services, rather than cash. This included more than $135,000 from Planned Parenthood Virginia PAC and nearly $70,000 from the Democratic Party of Virginia. Both groups donated services to Gibsons campaign before and after the story broke.

Gibsons ability to continue to raise contributions underscores the high stakes in the fight for control of the General Assembly in the November elections. During this years General Assembly session Republicans held a four-seat edge in the House of Delegates and Democrats held a four-seat edge in the state Senate. Several House seats currently are vacant.

Gibson has been campaigning on the issue of abortion access. Owen backs Youngkins proposal to bar most abortions after 15 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.

Owen, a former home builder, continued to receive key support from GOP outlets in September, including $150,000 from the Republican Commonwealth Leadership PAC, $125,000 from the Republican State Leadership Committee, $50,000 from Youngkins Spirit of Virginia PAC, $25,000 from House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, $25,000 from Del. Israel OQuinn, R-Washington County and $20,000 from retiring Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford.

Gibson previously raised more than $595,000 from July 1 through Aug. 31, the third-highest total for any candidate for the House of Delegates in that reporting period.

What to know about report that Va. Dem. House candidate performed sex online WHAT HAPPENED THE RESPONSE FROM GIBSON THE RACE THE LEGAL QUESTION
After receiving some information on how rights are restored to formerly incarcerated people, the Virginia conference of the NAACP has identified additional documents it alleges the Youngkin administration should have produced  and the organization is preparing to go to court for them.

The legal back and forth began this past spring when the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration had quietly adjusted its processes to the restoration of rights  such as voting rights  to people whod been convicted of felonies and completed their prison sentences.

In Virginia felony convictions result in the loss of several rights, to include voting. The state constitution allows governors to restore most of the rights on an individual basis. But three previous governors from both political parties had worked to streamline the process, with the process automatically kicking off upon release from prison under Democrat Ralph Northams administration. He had also dropped a requirement to have completed parole first before being able to vote.

As the Youngkin administration confirmed the process was application-based and on an individual basis, it conveyed little else about criteria or the process.

By the summer, the Virginia NAACP had filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the state to seek more details.

The information outlined a bit of the process and corresponding state agencies involved, while a letter from then-Secretary of the Commonwealth Kay Coles James divulged two specific considerations for the governor to grant restorations.

James wrote that the governor would 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.

But Virginia NAACP president Robert Barnette Jr. said his organization needed more details.

We need more specifics on use of firearms and committing felonies to determine whether thats fair to all, he said during a news conference at the time.

Included in the FOIA response was a form to apply for consideration of restored rights and a Reentry Resource Packet that is given to inmates as they are released from prison and reenter society. A flowchart included in the FOIA response indicates the general process for how the administration processes applications. This includes review by various state departments: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Elections and Compensation Board.

But Ryan Snow, a lawyer with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, believes more details should have been included or been described. The committee is co-counsel with the firm Hogan Lovells in representing the NAACP.

In a call with The Times-Dispatch, Snow noted email chains included in the FOIA that show discussion between officials in various state agencies of batches of documents relating to individual applicants.

But we dont have an email or other document that was ever provided to them  but must necessarily have been provided to them  laying out which categories of documents and which types of information theyre requesting about these applicants, he said.

Snow said the additional sought documents should be free from any exemptions that would require them to be withheld or redacted.

The lawsuit states that the materials were prepared for, disseminated to and authored by non-officer staff that do not fall under the statutes definition of Office of the Governor. 

Snow said the additional sought materials arent the recommendations the Secretary of the Commonwealth would have sent to the governor for his considerations, but other documents and correspondence related to the restoration process.

The information that informs that recommendation, and even some of the communications that include non-governors office people, would waive the privilege, Snow said.

Macaulay Porter, a spokeswoman for Youngkin, said some of the content of the roughly 600-page FOIA given to the NAACP included some records the governor was not required to produce under FOIA laws.

In a good faith effort to work with the NAACP, our office underwent an extensive process to fulfill the NAACPs requests, Porter said. The governor firmly believes in the importance of second chances for Virginians who have made mistakes but are working to move forward as active members of our citizenry.

The lawsuit would join other lawsuits related to the changes to the rights restoration process plaintiffs have filed this year.

A suit alleging a Richmond residents free speech has been violated when his restorations were denied is working its way through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has challenged how Virginias state constitution disenfranchises people who have felony convictions. It also claims the states constitution is in violation of an 1870 law that was meant to prevent voter disenfranchisement when former Confederate states rejoined the United States following the Civil War.

The NAACP suit is expected to be filed this Friday, and a hearing would then have to occur within seven days of filing.

Today in history: Oct. 17 1777: Surrender 1931: Al Capone 1933: Albert Einstein 1957: "Jailhouse Rock" 1973: Oil 1979: Mother Teresa 1989: Earthquake 2016: Rocket Launch 2018: Hurricane Michael
They started with a psalm; the mournful Hebrew words filling the sanctuary of Keneseth Beth Israel:

As for our brothers, the whole house of Israel, who are given over to trouble or captivity ... May the All-present have mercy upon them, and bring them forth from trouble ...

And then Gov. Glenn Youngkin stepped forward Monday evening at the synagogue on Patterson Avenue to speak about the Hamas attacks on Israel.

We come together as Virginians, as Americans, as people, Youngkin said. We come together to pray, to seek comfort in one another, to find words to express anguish, anger, and to unequivocally stand with Israel and the Jewish people, he said.

In recent days, Youngkin has also met with Jewish community leaders in Loudoun County and in Virginia Beach.

Calling the surprise attacks by Hamas a barbaric act of terrorism and a crime against humanity, Youngkin vowed that evil can never be allowed to find refuge.

Hamas, the militant group that governs Gaza, launched surprise attacks on Israeli towns and military bases on Oct. 7. More than 1,400 people in Israel died while Hamas fighters seized 200 as hostages.

Israel countered with air and missile attacks; cut food, fuel and electricity to the Gaza Strip; and moved forces by the border in preparation for a land assault. These attacks killed more than 2,700 people and wounded nearly 10,000.

What happened last Saturday was the greatest loss of life of Jewish people since the Holocaust. How can that be? How can that happen today? Youngkin said.

The atrocities that were committed against Israel and the Jewish people must be met with force, and we cannot turn away, he said.

Youngkin said he was proud that the Norfolk-based nuclear carriers USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower headed to the Mediterranean with thousands of Virginia-based sailors and aviators to support Israel.

And remembering the unexpectedly sunny May day when he signed a law defining antisemitism, so that Virginia law enforcement and educators would have no doubt about it when they see it, Youngkin remembered the words Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm whispered to him.

I had to repeat them loudly for everyone to hear: Hate is wrong, love is right ... I have to lean on that, he said.

Joel McCauley, who with his three toddlers was among the roughly 500 who gathered at the synagogue to pray, said Youngkins words recalling Zimms remarks were particularly moving.

Jay Ipson, another Holocaust survivor and co-founder of the Virginia Holocaust Museum, said he found Youngkins comments heartening.

He is a governor for all Virginians, he said.

Later, Youngkin said police and law enforcement officers across Virginia have been stepping up their presence at potential targets of violence, consulting with all the states Jewish and Muslim houses of worship.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons has sent a note to all public schools to stress that antisemitism, bullying and other expressions of hate will not be tolerated, and Youngkin said he stressed that with state college and university leaders, too.

So far, Virginia has not seen any threats sparked by the situation in Israel and Gaza, the governor said. He said he is briefed on the states security measures five or six times a day.

Today in history: Oct. 16 1793: Marie Antoinette 1859: John Brown 1962: The Cuban Missile Crisis 1968: Tommie Smith and John Carlos 1978: Pope John Paul II 1984: Desmond Tutu 1991: Killeen, Texas 1995: "Million Man March" 1997: Frozen Eggs 2002: President George W. Bush 2009: H1N1 2011: Dan Wheldon 2011: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial 2017: Bowe Bergdahl
CHINA

TAIPEI, Taiwan  Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet this week with Chinese leaders in Beijing on a visit that underscores China's support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine.

The two countries forged an informal alliance against the United States and other nations that is now complicated by the Israel-Hamas war. China has sought to balance its ties with Israel with its economic relations with Iran and Syria, which are strongly backed by Russia.

Putin's visit is also a show of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road initiative to build infrastructure and expand China's overseas influence.

Putin gave an interview to Chinese state media praising the massive but loosely linked BRI projects.

"Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the People's Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise, we just see desire for cooperation," he said in the interview with state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin on Monday.

The Russian leader will be among the highest profile guests at a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Xi's announcement of the BRI policy, which has laden countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debt after they signed contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports and other public works they could not otherwise afford.

Putin's visit has not been officially confirmed, but Chinese officials suggested he would arrive late Monday.

Asked by reporters Friday about a visit to China, Putin said it would encompass talks on Belt and Road-related projects, which he said Moscow wants to link with efforts by an economic alliance of ex-Soviet Union nations mostly located in Central Asia to "achieve common development goals."

He also downplayed the impact of China's economic influence in a region that Russia has long considered its backyard and where it has worked to maintain political and military clout.

"We don't have any contradictions here, on the contrary, there is a certain synergy," Putin said.
Authorities clarify Tulum restaurant patron arrest and release

Tulum, Q.R.  The person detained and later released in Tulum last week was not Jose N, the nephew of a drug lord. On Monday during a press conference, the State Attorney General Raciel Lopez Salazar made the report.

According to Salazar, the man was with a woman in a restaurant in Tulum eating when he was reviewed by authorities after having been reported moments before for attacking a woman with her son when she was riding a motorcycle.

The man in the Tulum restaurant was identified as Efrain N and his partner, Violeta N, who hours before, had left a hotel in Playa del Carmen.

[On the day of this mans inspection], at 2:00 p.m., the Municipal Police spoke to the Deputy Prosecutor of the Institution in Playa del Carmen telling him that the Municipal Police had detained Jose N in a restaurant in Tulum and that the Investigative Police had released him.

At that moment I contacted the undersigned and ordered him to start an investigation into the events recorded by the Tulum Municipal Police. From the investigation that has been carried out up to this point, I can assure you that the priority target, named Jose N, was at no time in the Tulum restaurant as some media outlets erroneously reported.

Likewise, he said that experts from the State Attorney Generals Office carried out facial recognition tests to rule out he was a known member of a criminal organization.

An expert opinion was carried out on human identification with scientific methodology consisting of a comparison of facial features between the person who was in the restaurant and the priority objective, and our official expert Cristofer reached the conclusion that it was not the same person, he explained.

Lopez Salazar said in regard to the man in the restaurant, no evidence was found on the man that would motivate an arrest in flagrante delicto.

What I can assure is that the priority objective was not in the place. In the Municipal Police report it states that nothing was found on the couple to proceed with the arrest.

Imagine, this priority objective that is pursued by authorities in a very busy restaurant having two burritos for dinner as a couple and also carrying and delivering 15 million pesos in his car so that he could be released, he said.
Government reports Tren Maya section 4 track complete

Mexico City, Mexico  Tren Maya section 4 that consists of 239 kilometers of track is completely finished. On Monday, the General Director of the Tren Maya Company shared the update during the Presidential morning press conference.

On Monday, Oscar David Lozano Aguila, the Director General de la Empresa Tren Maya, said 239 kilometers of electrified double track that passes through nine municipalities in Yucatan and Quintana Roo is finished.

In operation are 33 of 35 projected vehicular crossings and bridges, three road interchanges and 90 of 92 underpasses and wildlife crossings.

The track of section 4, which runs from Izamal, Yucatan, to Cancun, Quintana Roo, is 100 percent laid, he confirmed Monday.

At the press conference, Lozano Aguila led the presentation of the comprehensive report of section 4, recalling that this section begins at the Izamal station and ends at the Cancun Airport.

Along its route it passes through nine municipalities of Yucatan and Quintana Roo, and that the infrastructure is fundamentally made up of the five stations that include Chichen Itza, Valladolid, Nuevo Xcan, Leona Vicario and the Cancun Airport station, which he reported has a general progress of more than 80 percent.

He highlighted that, overall, 33 vehicular crossings and bridges of the 35 planned are already in operation, three road interchanges, 90 underpasses and wildlife crossings of the 92 required, while the modernization of the Merida-Cancun highway has 170 of 194 kilometers in use.

Lozano Aguila reported that 6,585 poles of the 9,000 required in the section have been placed as part of the electrification infrastructure for the traction of the trains.

During the morning press conference, the General Director of ICA companies, Guadalupe Phillips Margain, added that the road already has platforms, sleepers and rail placed on the embankment and sub-ballast, so they are only in process leveling work.

At the end of his progress report, Lozano Aguila said there are 60 days left until the Maya Train is open to the local, national and foreign public.
Mexicans wanted for drug trafficking extradited to face charges in Texas

Mexico City, Mexico  Two Mexicans wanted in Texas on drug-related offences have been extradited. Both Rufino M and Ricardo B were handed over to U.S. federal authorities for their return to the U.S.

In compliance with the Extradition Treaty signed between Mexico and the United States, the Attorney Generals Office (FGR) delivered two people of Mexican nationality to U.S. authorities.

On Sunday, Rufino M, who was required by the Eastern District of Texas, was returned to the U.S. to face drug trafficking charges. According to the FGR, from 2007 to 2012, Rufino M coordinated an organization which trafficked large quantities of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico to the United States.

Ricardo B was also extradited to face similar charges. According to the FGR, between 2009 and 2014 he coordinated the transportation of large quantities of marijuana to United States territory, for which he was required by the Southern District of Texas.

Subsequently, the FGR took the necessary steps for the Government of Mexico to grant the extradition of those claimed to the Government of the United States. The two individuals were handed over at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to the designated U.S. agents.
Mexico continues Israel repatriate mission while stationed in Madrid

Mexico City, Mexico  Hundreds more Mexican nationals have been repatriated from Israel. Two of Mexicos military planes continue with the mission to move all Mexicans from the war-torn Israel-Palestine region.

On October 15, humanitarian flights FAM3528 and FAM3527 of the Mexican Air Force (FAM), in coordination with the Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE), successfully completed the Tel Aviv-Madrid transfer of 158 nationals from the conflict zone in Israel-Palestine.

Those Mexican nationals were received by the Mexican Embassy in Spain.

Both aircraft have since returned to Israel to pick up another 275 Mexican nationals who were still at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

In an Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) statement, the Ministry of Foreign Relations reported that all people who, until this weekend requested to leave the region, are now outside the conflict zone in accordance with the instructions of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and thanks to the effective action of SEDENA.

This Sundays transfers and repatriations are in addition to the two Mexican Air Force humanitarian flights that arrived October 11, with 287 people who returned safely home to their country.

Late last week, another registry was made to call upon Mexicans who wish to return home to register through the General Directorate of Consular Protection and Strategic Planning and the Mexican Embassy in Israel.

The latest fights returned Mexican nationals to Madrid from where they received assistance to continue their return trips to Mexico and other points in Europe.

A group of Mexicans land in Madrid from Isreal. Photo: SRE October 15, 2023.

The SRE, through the Mexican Embassy in Spain, negotiated with Iberia Airline a preferential price for 30 seats per day on direct Madrid-Mexico flights starting October 16. As of October 15, the Embassy received 53 requests to purchase these preferential tickets.

Mexico has sent its two military planes to station in Madrid to repatriate citizens to save on time since the war is escalating. Last week, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that there will be a constant airlift with two Mexican Air Force planes into Israel to repatriate the remaining nationals.
(Photo : MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP) (MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

A new study found that ChatGPT could be better than general practitioners in diagnosing depression cases with its lack of biases.

ChatGPT could be better at following depression guidelines than general practitioners, which may help medical professionals treat mental conditions.

The artificial intelligence tool lacks the gender or social class biases sometimes seen in the physician-patient relationship. The study's findings were published in Family Medicine and Community Health, the open-access journal that the British Medical Journal owns.

ChatGPT Could Help Treat Depression

The researchers of the study said that they need to conduct further work to examine the risks and ethical issues that arise from using artificial intelligence. An estimated 5% of adults worldwide have depression, based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Many of these patients first turn to their general practitioners for assistance, and recommended treatment should largely be guided by evidence-based clinical guidelines that align with the severity of the depression, as per The Guardian.

The study comes as ChatGPT has the potential to offer fast, objective, data-based insights that can supplement traditional diagnostic methods and provide confidentiality and anonymity. Researchers from Israel and the United Kingdom compared how the AI tool evaluated cases of mild and severe depression with 1,249 French primary care doctors, 73% of whom were female.

The researchers used hypothetical case studies of patients with symptoms of sadness, sleep problems, and loss of appetite during the previous three weeks and a diagnosis of mild to moderate depression.

Eight versions of the vignettes were developed, all with different variations of patient characteristics, such as gender, social class, and depression severity. Each vignette was repeated ten times for ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4.

The study's researchers said that artificial intelligence technology could improve decision-making in primary care. For cases of mild depression, ChatGPT version 3.5 recommended psychotherapy in 95% of cases, and ChatGPT version 4 did so in 97.5% of cases, according to Sky News.

Read Also: Microsoft Outlook's New AI Tool is for Gen Zs Who Can't Write Proper Emails

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Diagnoses

On the other hand, primary care doctors recommended the same process in only 4.3% of cases, opting for the use of drugs 48% of the time or psychotherapy plus prescribed drugs 32.5% of the time.

Regarding severe cases of depression, 44.5% of doctors recommended psychotherapy plus prescribed drugs, while the two versions of the artificial intelligence bot recommended the method in 72% and 100% of cases, respectively.

Regarding the type of medicine recommended to fake patients, ChatGPT favored the exclusive use of antidepressants in 74% and 68% of cases. On the other hand, human doctors leaned towards a mix of antidepressants and anxiolytics/hypnotics in 67.4% of cases.

The researchers said the study's findings "aligned well with accepted guidelines for managing mild and severe depression, without showing the gender or socioeconomic biases observed among primary care physicians."

They also said ChatGPT version 4 demonstrated greater precision in adjusting treatment to comply with current clinical guidelines. However, they noted that further research is needed to refine AI recommendations for severe cases, said the Independent.

Related Article: Digital Headmaster: AI Robot to Lead England Prep School

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Playa del Carmen police capture Yucatan man accused of attacking three with machete

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Solidaridad police have detained a man after being accused of injuring three people with a machete. On Monday, 21-year-old Jose N from Yucatan was arrested after neighbors reported an aggressive man on public streets.

After responding to a report to the 9-1-1 emergency number about an aggressive person, the Municipal Police arrested a subject in possession of possible narcotics and a machete, and also provided aid to three injured people, the Seguridad Publica of Solidaridad reported.

Upon arriving at Muyil Street and Isla Mujeres Street in the 28 de Julio neighborhood, the officers observed three people injured with sharp puncture wounds, so they requested medical support.

They also followed up on a subject who ran towards a quarters, who was pointed out by the victims as the one who attacked them moments before.

Police captured the man and found among his belongings a black bag that contained one wrapper with possible marijuana and two with a substance to be determined, as well as a machete.

Police proceeded to arrest 21-year-old Jose N from Yucatan. One of the three people he is accused of injuring with a machete was taken to hospital.
Sinaloa Cartel branch ringleader captured in Cancun on U.S. issued arrest warrant

Cancun, Q.R.  A man considered one of the ringleaders of a Sinaloa Cartel branch has been captured in Cancun. On Monday, Lamadrid Soto of Los Paredes was taken into custody by Interpol agents.

Soto is believed in charge of trafficking drugs to the U.S. states of Arizona and New Mexico from the Mexican state of Sonora.

Elements of the Secretary of the Navy (Semar) arrested the man identified as Lamadrid Soto, alias el Delta, in Cancun Monday. He is considered one of the leaders of the criminal cell Los Paredes, a branch of the Sinaloa Cartel.

In collaboration with agents from the FGR assigned to Interpol, Navy personnel located Lamadrid Soto in Cancun. He was captured on an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the U.S. for extradition for his alleged responsibility in organized crime and drug trafficking.

Naval reports indicate that the town of Agua Prieta, Sonora is the main area of influence of Lamadrid Soto and Los Paredes, considering it the seat of power of the Paredes empire. Soto was arrested in Tucson, Arizona in 2007, but managed to escape police custody during a home search.
For those trapped behind the Iron Curtain, Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four seemed more a documentary than a work of dystopian fiction. How did a man who had never traveled to communist Russia get so much so right?

The collocation in the title captures the thoroughgoing exploration of the topic in a phrase: George Orwell and Russia. Masha Karp is not the first to ponder George Orwells relationship to Stalinist Russiaand the relationship of both Stalinist and post-communist Russia to Orwellbut she is the first to frame a comprehensive, well-researched study around them. Even more important, she is the first Russian-born author to address these matters in a book-length work of scholarship that draws judiciously on Russian sources as well as on the wealth of English-language criticism now available.

These facts alone make George Orwell and Russia a notable study worthy of attention. Readers who suspect that nothing new can be said about Orwell, the most cited literary figure of the 20th centurythe author of endlessly quoted catchwords and coinages ranging from Big Brother, thoughtcrime, and Newspeak to doublethink, memory hole, and Room 101will be pleasantly surprised that George Orwell and Russia is studded with observations both fresh and arresting.

Above all, George Orwell and Russia addresses a question asked incessantly by readers in the communist world as well as by his English-language audience: How did he know? How did this Englishman who didnt speak or read Russian so deeply comprehend the lived reality of average Russians under Stalinism? How did he understand so well the nature of Stalinist tyranny and the quotidian experience of coping with the betrayals of the Russian Revolution?

These are precisely the questions that gripped Masha Karp herself when, as a young woman in her early 20s living in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), she first read Orwell in the late 1970s. Like so many other Russians before and since, she was astounded that a writer who had never set foot in a communist country could capture how it felt to live under communism. She follows a long line of heterodox Eastern European and Soviet citizens, ranging from Czesaw Miosz to Joseph Brodsky, who dared to read Nineteen Eighty-Four during the Cold War era. They always felt it was a miracle that George Orwell so fully grasped the nature of the totalitarian tyranny of Stalins Russia, a country he had never stepped foot in.

Equally miraculous, as Karp acknowledges, was that Orwells nightmarish vision continued to be eerily apposite to the USSR of later decadesjust as it is to Russia today. Not the least of her achievements in this book is her cogent explanation of his mirabilia of imaginative insight as she charts how Orwells hard-won experience of collectivisms corruptions fortified and deepened his political vision, enabling him to conjure a terrifying world whose numerous catchphrases soon became bywords in the cultural lexicon. Her valuable study should be read by all who care about the Soviet past, agonize about the Russian present, and worry about the worlds future.

Spain: The Watershed Experience

Roughly a dozen years after her initial encounter with Orwells work, in 1991, as the Soviet Union was collapsing, Masha Karp relocated to London, where she established herself as a respected presence on the British intellectual scene regarding all matters pertaining to Russia in addition to being an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin. Formerly the Russian Features editor at the BBC, she has served as a translator and an interpreter as well as the editor of the official journal of the George Orwell Society, based in London. She is also the author of the first Russian-language biography of Orwell, published in 2018.

In George Orwell and Russia, Karp first investigates and analyzes the development of Orwells emerging political consciousnessthat is, his growing interest in socialism and his heightening awareness of what communism really was. She argues that Orwells political education began when he spent time in Paris in 192829 with his aunt Nellie Limouzin and her husband, Eugene Lanti, both of whom were long-time radical leaders of the Esperanto movement who went through a Stalinist phase but later became disillusioned with Stalinism.

Karp argues at length that Nellie and Lanti exerted decisive influence on young Eric Blair in his 20sand specifically on the character of his political development as a socialist. Lanti, who had visited the USSR and initially admired the Soviet experiment, was a communist and international co-founder of the Esperanto movement, an attempt at creating and disseminating an international language; Nellie embraced communism in the mid-1920s after they became lovers at this time.

Does Karp overestimate the influence of the Esperanto movement in general and Nellie and Lanti in particular? Much of the case is advanced with phrases such as he must have, undoubtedly he knew, probably he thought, and so on. Here Karp risks pushing too hard given the evidence presented here, on the contention that Blairs relationship to his aunt and to the Esperanto movement shaped his political formation. The wealth of information about Lanti is interesting, but this provocative claim would be more persuasive to the skeptical reader if it were advanced more tentatively. The case does warrant further investigation, and Karp justifiably links his interest in languages (he was a gifted linguist, fluent in Burmese) with his sharp attention to the connection between language and thought (and the subtle political implications, which his famous essay Politics and the English Language addresses), all of which gave him a distinct approach to socialism and communism. His emerging political interests were furthered by his link to the circle of pacifists and anarchists associated with the London journals Adelphi and the New English Weekly in the early 1930s.

Karp notes, justly, that Orwells early sketches and fiction, including the semiautobiographical Down and Out in Parisand London and three traditional novels (Burmese Days, 1934; A Clergymans Daughter, 1935; and Keep the Aspidistra Flying, 1936), do not reflect a distinctive political outlook. (By contrast, she esteems highly Orwells last novel of the 1930s, Coming Up for Air, his portrait of England on the eve of World War II, with its atmosphere of foreboding about the coming war.)

Karp argues that Orwells visceral understanding of the collectivist, authoritarian nature of state socialism and the beginning of his recognition that it was something uniquethat is, communism as a form of totalitarianismdates from 193637, when he visited northern England to study the condition of the working class, the outcome of which was The Road to Wigan Pier. Not everyone agrees. For instance, Orwells first biographer, Bernard Crick, in George Orwell: A Life (1980), judged that Orwell portrayed himself too much the political neophyte, arguing that his grasp of Marxism and the ideology of the British left was greater than Orwell allowed when he visited Wigan. Karp is on surer ground with her more recent research.

There is no doubt that the turning point in Orwells political education came during his time fighting in the Spanish Civil War in the early months of 1937. Spain completed both his commitment to what he described as democratic Socialism as I understand it (Orwell always capitalized the noun in the phrase) and his realization that the fundamental nature of communism was totalitarian. In Spain he saw how the communist forces betrayed the revolution and was outraged at what he called the servility of the so-called intellectuals in their dishonesty regarding communism.

Karp notes an important impact of the Spanish experience on Orwell. There he first became aware of how the very idea of objective truth could be subverted when he saw stories of events taking place that he knew were not true but produced for political purposes. The theme would surface as a major element of Nineteen Eighty- Four.

Karp is most impressed by what she calls Orwells remarkable intuition, which enabled him to see what his fellow leftists were blind tothat the Soviet Union was a totalitarian regime little different from Nazism. He also grasped, as few of his left-wing comrades did, that communism was not a revolutionary idea but a counterrevolutionary force, something she notes it took years for some of his fellow leftists to learn. Some never did.

Perhaps the most impressive and significant scholarly contribution in this study is Karps discovery in Moscow, in a regional headquarters of the Soviet police, of a propaganda report pertaining to Orwells activities in Spain, accusing him of subversive work. (Orwell had fought with a Trotskyist militia that was branded traitorous by the Soviets, and he later suffered a throat wound while serving on the Aragon front. His papers were seized in a search by Spanish police and turned over to Soviet communist authorities.)

Orwells Later Political Education



Karp highlights the role that certain figures played in reinforcing the lessons of Spain and shaping Orwells political education about the tyrannical tendencies of Soviet communism, particularly Franz Borkenau, Gleb Struve, and Arthur Koestler. They taught him the subtleties of communist doctrine and practice and sharpened his political acumen. Koestlers Darkness at Noon also played a role in forming some of the concepts that would appear in Nineteen Eighty-Four, especially the way that the protagonist Rubashov comes to accept his thoughtcrime, confessing so as not to betray the Party. Struve brought Zamyatins We to Orwells attention, which helped shape Orwells conception of Nineteen Eighty-Four. Karp believes it was Borkenau who influenced his thinking the most. Orwell had favorably reviewed his condemnation of communisms role in the Spanish Civil War, The Spanish Cockpit, which educated him about the nuances of communist doctrine and the interworkings of the communist system in Russia.

Orwells experience of Russian behavior in World War II and in particular what he called the disgusting cult of Stalin by many of his fellow leftists truly laid the groundwork for his two masterpieces, Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four. Animal Farms perfect parody of the betrayal of the Russian Revolution marked what Orwell referred to, in Why I Write (1946), as his aspiration to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole. Karp is impressed with Orwells generous willingness to allow Animal Farm to be translated for those behind the Iron Curtain without demanding any fees. She also observes that Orwells translators assumed he could read and understand Russian. How else could he portray so ingeniously and subtly how the Russian Revolution was betrayed?

In her discussion of Nineteen Eighty-Four, Karp contrasts the responses of readers in the West with that of Soviet citizens. Westerners saw the novel as portrait of a dystopian future and a warning of what the democratic governments of the world faced. Russian citizens didnt so much view the book as a work of artistic imaginationindeed as a work of fictionbut rather as an artwork that reflected their reality. It was not a portrait of a future society of the 1980s. It was a portrait of their present. For them, Nineteen Eighty-Four had already arrived.

Karp aims to remind readers of how important the Russian experience was for Orwell. Other commentators on his two classic indictments of totalitarianism focused on his obsession with the growing menace of communism. She wants to put the focus on his interactions with communism in a specific context and a specific place, Russia, and let the readers understand the centrality of that land to Orwells thinking. She also draws attention to the ongoing relevance of his work to Russian politics and society, showing how the policies and (cult of) personality associated with Vladimir Putin necessitate renewed calls to heed Orwells warnings about leader worship and the abuses of power.

Readers with an interest in scholarly matters related to the study of Orwells work and life will also be gratified that Masha Karp is scrupulous about tracing sources and meticulous in citing them. With so many debates swirling about George Orwells legacyindeed the controversies about his heritage represent a minor political issue in their own rightGeorge Orwell and Russia is certainly welcome in that it allows readers to follow Karps lines of argument and assess the quality of her evidence. Clearly written and straightforwardly presented, George Orwell and Russia will thus appeal not only to the general reader but also to scholars interested in expert treatment of this significant dimension of the work and reception of George Orwell, arguably the most important literary figure of modern times.
In a recent report, I wrote that Ridge View Bank has lent more than $100 million since going into business in the Roanoke region about two years ago. President Carrie McConnell said after the story was printed that the actual figure was $225 million as of June 30.

This was revelatory. Every bank serving this area does most of its business elsewhere, except Bank of Botetourt. Bank financial reports seldom break out data by community. But a bank can voluntarily disclose its activities in a given community. This is what Ridge View Bank did last week (Ridge View being the Roanoke-based division of Pennsylvania-based CNB Bank) and Nashville-based Pinnacle Bank has done since entering the market in 2017.

Five sizable financial institutions  banks or credit unions  currently doing business in the Roanoke market are either based here or disclose select, local financial information.

As of June 30, Member One Credit Union had outstanding loans of $1.43 billion, followed by Freedom First at $941.6 million, Pinnacle at $775.4 million, Bank of Botetourt at $536.6 million and Ridge View Bank at $225 million. As a footnote, Pinnacles Roanoke market extends into the Lynchburg area.
WYTHEVILLE  On the run since July and only recently publicly identified, an elusive, camouflage-wearing man suspected in multiple area break-ins was shot and killed by West Virginia police on Monday.

According to WVVA news, 35-year-old Anthony Charles Meyers was gunned down in the Union, West Virginia, area after pointing a rifle at state troopers who responded to a tip about Meyers location.

Known for months online as the camo or food bandit, Meyers, was a sex offender on federal probation for threatening a judge.

Police said he failed to report to his federal probation officer in July.

Local police started getting break-in reports in August. They started in the Dublin area, and Wythe County took its first one on Aug. 23.

The Wythe County Sheriffs Office said a rifle was taken from a Barren Springs residence, and subsequent camera images show the suspect carrying a long gun. Food was also reported stolen.

In September, the Bland County Sheriffs Office investigated three more break-ins, including one that provided new images of the suspect still toting a rifle. The Giles County Sheriffs Office released a similar image taken there on Sept. 29.

West Virginia police said he was then seen in Monroe County near Union.

Until Monday, officers used a dog and drones in unsuccessful attempts to capture the suspect.

Court records show Meyers has a criminal past that includes charges of assault, burglary, drug possession and more.

In March 2022, he was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for mailing threats to a judge, according to court records. He was given credit for time served while awaiting trial.

In a criminal complaint, prosecutors said Meyers was jailed in Abingdon in 2020 when he sent a letter addressed to U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela Meade Sargent.

Meyers said he was going to run a god  KBAR straight through the judges head when he got out.

The complaint said a state probation officer opined that Meyers is capable of carrying out his threats. According to the officer, Meyers, while in prison, threatened to return to Scott County and kill 14 people.

The complaint said Meyers had been on suicide watch while jailed and had made ongoing threats to nursing staff and correctional officers.

Meyers has refused to see the jail psychiatrist for mental health medication management, the complaint said.

Virginia court records show Meyers had pending probation revocation hearings in Dickenson, Lee and Scott counties. In 2017, he was convicted of assaulting a Scott County law enforcement officer.

Listed as an absconder, Meyers is on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry for a 2008 attempted rape conviction.
A Roanoke Circuit Court judge said when announcing a civil ruling Tuesday to return guns to a felons father that Virginias red flag statute has a loophole.

The statute, which allows law enforcement to seize firearms from individuals who seem on the verge of hurting themselves or others, has been implemented in Roanoke five times since it was enacted in 2020. But the case of Kevin L. Spencer, 47, was the first to lead to civil action.

A petition filed by Spencer claimed that if his substantial risk order had been renewed in May, he would have had the ability to request the transfer of his firearms to his father, according to state code. But because the order was allowed to expire, this avenue of relief is apparently not available.

The petition also claimed that if Spencers order had expired but he had not been convicted of a felony, he could ordinarily have been able to request the return of his firearms. But because he is a convict, that avenue of relief isnt available, either.

Despite the fact that no statute squarely addresses this situation, the policy underlying the existing statutes favors the release of the firearms to [Spencers] father, the filing reads.

Kevin Spencer was the third person flagged in the city. He relinquished seven firearms to police in January after attorneys said he fired three shots from an AK-47 into the floor of his occupied home. In accordance with Virginias red flag law, a substantial risk order was served to him and extended through May.

In March, Spencer pleaded guilty to shooting in an occupied dwelling. The conviction made him a felon, and so he is not permitted to possess or transport firearms. Judge Christopher Clemens ordered during that hearing that three of the seven seized firearms be destroyed.

But in August, Spencer and his attorney, Travis Graham, filed the court petition requesting that the seized firearms be handed over to Spencers father, Michael N. Spencer.

The city of Roanoke, represented by City Attorney Timothy Spencer, said in a written response that Kevin Spencer should not be allowed to possess guns because of his felony conviction but ultimately left the decision up to the court.

The city attorney presented Clemens on Tuesday with a copy of the Roanoke Police Departments latest gun violence statistics report. He asked that the court consider the record level of homicides that have occurred in the city so far this year. As of Tuesday afternoon, police had reported 26 homicides in 2022. Of those, 22 were caused by gunfire, according to police.

Graham said that all but two of the seven seized firearms actually belong to Michael Spencer but were simply being kept at Kevin Spencers home the day of the January incident. The elder Spencer testified Tuesday that, if returned to him, the guns would stay at his deceased fathers home in a safe to which only he knows the combination.

Clemens said Tuesday that because Spencers conviction prohibited him from having or transporting guns, he didnt see any reason to renew or extend Spencers substantial risk order, so it expired in May. But he told Michael Spencer that his son cannot have anything to do with firearms right now.

I do think there is a loophole in the statute, Clemens said, but added, I dont think this sets any precedent whatsoever.

The judge said that Kevin Spencers case had specific facts with specific people, and a different set of facts could have resulted in a different ruling. He said he doesnt believe the firearms will end up in a criminal situation, and so he granted the transfer of the firearms to Spencers father.
Search warrant documents filed in Roanoke Circuit Court have identified a suspect and include more details about one in a string of burglaries reported by the city police department last month.

On Sept. 27, the Roanoke Police Department announced in a Facebook post that 10 had occurred in the citys southwest quadrant over the last month.

Police said they believed the same person or group of people were committing the crimes, which took place overnight. The suspect or suspects would enter residences through a window or door, which were sometimes unlocked, and steal property.

One such robbery occurred Sept. 9 at about 9:45 p.m. in the 2300 block of Maiden Lane Southwest, according to a search warrant affidavit.

The resident of the home called police to report that a Black male forced entrance into her home by prying open a screen door to the patio, cutting the screen window, and then climbing through the back window, the affidavit reads.

The man made his way into the residents bedroom and said, Give me your money and I wont hurt you, the affidavit continues.

The resident fled from the suspect to the front of her yard, the document reads. There, she saw the suspect flee out of the back of her home.

At about 4 a.m., just a few hours after the break-in, the resident was made aware of fraudulent charges on her MemberOne debit card. She discovered then that her purse had been stolen.

Police wrote in an affidavit that the debit card was used at about 10 p.m. and at about 3:50 a.m. Another affidavit said the card was used at an ATM at the Truist Bank in the 2200 block of Melrose Avenue Northwest, about two and a half miles from the Maiden Lane residence. The suspect withdrew $603.50.

Police wrote that security video from the bank captured footage of a Black male, identified as Timothy Darrell Adams Jr., using a debit card to retrieve cash.

Search warrant documents indicate that police obtained fingerprints and DNA swabs from Adams on Oct. 2. Court records show he was arrested on that date and charged with three felonies: grand larceny, obtaining a credit card number to commit larceny and entering a house to commit larceny.

One affidavit reads that Adams, the suspect of the Maiden Lane burglary, is suspected in multiple burglaries in the southwest section of Roanoke City.

Adams, 40, was being held Tuesday at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center without bond, according to the facilitys inmate search system. His next hearing in Roanoke General District Court is set for Nov. 1, according to Virginias online court case information system.

A request for an update from the police department regarding the other nine previously reported burglaries was not immediately answered Tuesday afternoon.
James City County police said a man has been charged with kidnapping after he impersonated a police officer and detained two juveniles.

In a news release, police said 30-year-old Cody Hardin called the police on Oct. 12, claiming he was an off-duty officer with two juveniles detained for suspicious activity in the Fenwick Hills neighborhood. When officers arrived to the scene, police said Hardin had used a Dodge Charger that shared a resemblance to a police vehicle to take the two children. The responding officer released the two juveniles to their parents.

However, at that time, the responding officer was not aware that the caller claimed to be an off-duty officer, nor were they aware that the caller identified himself to the parents of the juveniles as a James City County Officer, the news release said. Upon learning about the James City County impersonation claims, officers promptly initiated an investigation.

According to the James City County Police Department, Hardin is not and has never been a James City County officer. Hardin was taken into custody on Oct. 14 for charges of kidnapping and impersonating a police officer, and the investigation is ongoing.

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Meg Bryce, a candidate for the at-large seat on the Albemarle County School Board, says the existence of systemic racism is still up for debate.

Her opponent Allison Spillman says even toying with the idea that there are not institutional practices and policies that favor White persons is a disservice to the schoolchildren they both hope to serve.

The disagreement, which came up during a virtual forum hosted by the Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP on Oct. 9, has only served to highlight the differences between the more conservative Bryce and the more liberal Spillman, who as school board candidates do not run as Republican or Democrat.

At the forum, Bryce and Spillman were asked, Should public schools teach about the history and effects of systemic racism?

Bryce answered that schools should focus on racism, but not systemic racism.

Public schools should absolutely teach about the history and effects of racism, Bryce said. When we talk about systemic racism, I think that there needs to be an openness about, you know, not everybody agrees that there is systemic racism. And it has to be OK for people to disagree about that.

It has to be OK for some people to be able to say, Well, I do recognize that racism exists and there are racist people in the system. I dont agree that there is systemic racism, she continued. And I dont think somebody should be shamed into silence for expressing that.

Spillman countered that not only is systemic racism real but it exists in Albemarle schools.

I think we are doing a disservice to all of our children if we even play with the idea that its not real, she said, following Bryces answer. I think if we have teachers who are willing to not admit that systemic racism is real that they are doing a disservice in teaching our kids.

Spillman said that many of the achievement gaps between White students and students of color can be traced back to systemic racism.

Performance gaps dividing race and economic class have been reported in school districts across the country. In Virginia, only 56% of Black, Latino and Hispanic students were found to be proficient in their English studies, according to 2023 numbers; those numbers stand in stark contrast to the 86% of Asian students and 80% of White students who were found to be proficient. The data are similar in mathematics, where 47% of Black students and 50% of Hispanic or Latino students were found proficient, while 84% of their Asian counterparts and 75% of their White counterparts were found proficient.

In Albemarle, administrators have instituted an Anti-Racism Policy, among other initiatives, in order to end the predictive value of race and ensure each individual students and staffs success, according to the school district.

Calling into question the existence of systemic racism, Spillman said, calls into question the policies meant to address it.

Until we can all be on the same page that that exists and that its real, were not going to make any progress, she said.

She listed a number of solutions of her own aimed at combating systemic racism in Albemarle schools: discipline consistency across the district, equitably allocating resources, universal pre-kindergarten and professional development of teachers.

Thats the only way to make sure kids will be treated equally, Spillman said.

Spillman didnt stop there however.

After the forum, her campaign released a statement responding to her opponents remarks titled, Meg Bryce Says Its Okay for Individuals to Disagree that Systemic Racism Exists.

The statement argues that Bryces remarks at the forum align with her opposition to Albemarle County Public Schools current anti-racist policies.

After learning of the Spillman campaigns statement, Bryce told The Daily Progress she doesnt believe there is anything about racism that students should not be taught. She also elaborated on what she considers to be the difference between racism and systemic racism.

The former can be described as personal expressions/manifestations of bigotry and prejudice, whereas the latter is prejudice that is inherent to an institution, and embedded within the institutions procedures, processes, etc., she wrote in an email.

Bryce said she believes it is undeniable that students of color are not being well served by the countys public schools but argued that current policies meant to combat systemic racism are to blame.

The prevailing narrative in ACPS is that policies such as deleveling will address inequities, thus closing the achievement gap. But if those policies work, why has our achievement gap only grown since we implemented them? Why do we have the third largest achievement gap in reading in the state? she asked The Daily Progress.

These policies have been shown to be ineffective, and the populations that continue to suffer most are students of color and economically disadvantaged students, she said.

Spillman and Bryce are running for an at-large seat, meaning the entire county can vote for either candidate. Both campaigns say theyve had campaign signs stolen or vandalized in advance of the Nov. 7 general election. A number of Bryces signs have been spray painted with the word Scalia, a reference to her late father, conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Spillman is a mother of five, all of whom attend Albemarle County Public Schools. As she and other Bryce critics routinely point out, Bryces three children now attend private school after Bryce pulled them from the public school system.

Bryce has responded to this criticism before, specifically at a September town hall in Crozet. There, she explained that while her children attended Murray Elementary School for four years, she lost faith in school leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and came to believe administrators were not listening to parents. That belief ultimately led her and her husband to withdraw their kids and spurred her run for office, she said.

Im fighting to represent the people that feel that the district has lost its way, Bryce said in September.
(Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Rep. Jim Jordan was able to shore up support from several Republican skeptics amid his bid for the House speaker position following the ousting of Kevin McCarthy.

Rep. Jim Jordan won over some GOP skeptics amid his bid for the House Speaker position after the ousting of Kevin McCarthy.

The development allows the Republican lawmaker to bolster momentum for his efforts ahead of Tuesday's planned floor vote for the House Speaker.

On Monday, House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers and House Appropriations Defense subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert announced they would support Jordan on the House floor.

Jim Jordan Shores Up Support

The two individuals are key defense hawks and are seen as the most weary of Jordan within the GOP bloc. Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri, who previously called the speaker candidate a "non-starter" for the position last week, said on Monday that she would support the Ohio lawmaker. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida, another previous holdout, also announced the same.

In a statement, Wagner said that he spoke with Jordan at length, which eased his concerns about keeping the government open with conservative funding, the need for strong border security, the need for consistent international support in times of war and unrest, and the need for stronger protections against human trafficking and child exploitation, as per CNN.

However, even though Jordan now has support from more Republican colleagues, he still faces an uphill battle to be elected as House speaker. He can afford to lose only four Republicans on the floor if every member votes because a speaker needs a majority of the full House to be elected into the position.

Heading into a GOP conference meeting on Monday evening, several Republicans, including Reps, voiced their opposition to Jordan. Don Bacon, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Ken Buck. In a statement, Jordan said that he would go to the floor for a speaker vote on Tuesday whether or not he had the votes locked down.

On Monday evening, Jordan was asked whether or not he had the votes he needed to be elected as House speaker, and he replied, "I hope so. I think so." If the Republican can secure enough votes to become speaker on Tuesday, it would end the chaos in the House following the unprecedented ousting of McCarthy.

Read Also: North Carolina Republicans Enact Voting Changes That Hinder Governor's Authority to Oversee Elections

House Speakership

As Jordan's internal campaign gained momentum on Monday, Washington's thousands of lobbyists tried to determine how his speakership could impact their clients' bottom lines. According to CNBC, a veteran tech lobbyist said that a Jordan speakership would make it nearly impossible to move any sensible bipartisan legislation to curb big tech's power abuse.

In the two weeks that the House has not had a speaker, lawmakers have been unable to pass legislation despite the international crises and government shutdown being one month away. However, some members have explored giving interim Speaker Patrick McHenry more power, appointed to fill in McCarthy's position temporarily.

During the initial closed-door vote held on Friday last week, Jordan only won 124 Republican votes out of 221, which falls far from the 217 votes needed to secure the position. On the secret ballot, 55 House Republicans voted against Jordan, vowing that they would never support the Republican, said Yahoo News.

Related Article: Republicans Move Forward With an Expulsion Resolution Against George Santos

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" " Without paper, would we have had portable maps? Without maps, would we have explored the world? Alehnia/iStockphoto

It's not entirely clear who first came up with the notion to convert thoughts into a written language. There was a horse race between the Sumerians in Mesopotamia, the Harappa in present day Pakistan and the Kemites in Egypt to be the first to formulate a written language.

We do know that the first languages appear to have emerged around 5,000 years ago. One can even make the case that it dates back earlier  that is, if one included artistic expressions like cave paintings as a form of written language.

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Once language began to develop, though, humans wrote on anything that would lay still long enough. Clay tablets, bamboo, papyrus and stone were only a few of the earliest writing surfaces.

Things changed once the Chinese  specifically, inventor Cai Lun  created the prototype for modern paper. Before Cai's breakthrough, the Chinese wrote on thin strips of bamboo and lengths of silk, but in 105 C.E., he created a mixture of wood fibers and water and pressed it onto a woven cloth.

The weave in the cloth allowed the moisture in the pulpy mixture to seep out, resulting in a rough paper [source: Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking]. Exactly what Cai wrote on his first piece of paper is unknown.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 C.E.), the Chinese put their paper-making skills to work, developing the first paper money [source: Guinness World Records].
A view of the target area inside the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

Twenty years ago, on Oct. 14, 2003, dignitaries gathered to declare the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) open for experiments. The NSRL facility, built by NASA at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, makes use of powerful particle beams to simulate the effects of space radiation. At its start, it had one straightforward goal: Help scientists understand the risks astronauts would face during long-term missions to the moon or Mars.

"Radiation has largely been seen as one of the biggest challenges for a crewed mission to Mars," said Brookhaven Lab's Peter Guida, the NSRL liaison biologist. "Getting to Mars is not only about the mechanical challenges and the engineering; NASA is concerned about cancer, the effects of radiation on the central nervous system, and other degenerative risks to body tissues like the heart and gastrointestinal tract."

NASA wants to reduce those risks to levels deemed acceptable to allow astronauts to go to Mars. But first, scientists need to characterize the complex reactions that different types of space radiation may bring about on various biological systems. Knowing the real numbersand designing strategies to protect astronautsis key.

Now, celebrating 20 years of operations, NSRL scientists say a lot of progress has been made.

"To date, more than 1,600 NASA experiments have been conducted and NSRL remains NASA's premier facility to conduct biomedical space radiation research," said Lisa Simonsen, a senior scientist in NASA's Human Spaceflight Capabilities Division and NASA's manager for NSRL. "Results from these ground-based experiments are being used to develop strategies to mitigate crew health risks and maintain high levels of human performance on long duration missions."

Reducing uncertainty

"The main challenge in estimating the health risks posed by space radiation is understanding the large biological uncertainty about that risk," said Brookhaven Lab physicist Michael Sivertz, NSRL principal investigator. "The research we've done here has helped us define the risk much better and develop an understanding of how to best protect a crew."

That progress has come from running many experiments exploring how energetic particles (from protons to iron ions) affect a wide range of model systemsDNA, cell cultures, sci-fi-sounding "organs on a chip," and rodent models. And with upgrades to Brookhaven Lab's accelerator infrastructure, physicists can now switch the ion species delivered to NSRL's target area every two to three minutes. That rapid switching delivers a mix of ions that more closely mimics the energetic particles zipping through space.

"There is no other facility in the world that can do this," Guida said, extolling the "Galactic Cosmic Ray Simulator" as NSRL's biggest advance.

Using these capabilities, scientists have run ever-more sophisticated experiments, including tests of a wide range of countermeasures that could help prevent, mitigate, treat, and rehabilitate potential spaceflight-induced health problems.

"With more and more data, we can piece it all together with mathematical equations and modeling to extrapolate from cells in a dish or a mouse to a human system so that NASAas an employer of astronautscan say, 'we have a very good idea of what this means,'" Guida said.

"And I think we are getting closer," he said. "A combination of a few countermeasures may be enough to get NASA under its threshold of acceptable risk, at least from a radiation perspective, to launch a crewed mission to Mars."

Benefits beyond the final frontier

The research at NSRL is not just for the benefit of a few astronauts seeking to go where no human has gone before.

"NASA's mission statement is to make life better for humans as a whole, not just in space travel," Guida said. "A lot of what goes on here provides a basic mechanistic understanding of how some diseases like cancer come about."

In fact, Sivertz noted, "Many of the scientists at NSRL have come here for their sole interest in understanding and treating cancer on Earth and to use the facility to explore the potential of new forms of radiation treatments."

Studies at NSRL revealed that massive particles such as protons and carbon ions can deliver more powerful knockout punches to tumors than conventional X-rays or gamma rays, which both lack mass and charge.

And all those tests of countermeasures to mitigate damage from space radiation might also inform strategies for protecting healthy tissues in patients undergoing radiation treatment.

In addition, over the years, a whole new and growing user community has come to NSRL to test the effects of space radiation on sensitive electronicslike those used in satellites and computers, both in space and here on Earth.

I-Hung Chiang, one of the early liaison physicists at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

"Think about how many systems run off satellites that are in some sort of radiation environment in orbitthe GPS on our phones and in our cars, telescopes, and more," Guida said.

With more sophisticated electronic systems and growing demand to test them, NASA agreed to allow non-NASA testing at NSRL. Since then, "We've had users from the space industry, other government agencies, and a surprising number of small independent testers," Sivertz said.

Guida noted the rationale for these studies: "Given the enormous cost to build and launch a satellite, you'd want to do a certain amount of ground-based testing to make sure it can withstand the space environment, so it has a longer life."

A look back

The idea for such ground-based radiation testing dates back long before the opening of NSRL.

"The alternative to doing this type of research on the ground is to do all flight-based experiments," Guida said.

Sending cells into orbit may be a more real-world scenario, he noted, but with a flight-based mission, there may only be one launch opportunity in a year. Plus it's extraordinarily expensive and the size of the spacecraft limits the number of samples available for testing.

So even from the early days of the space program, NASA was interested in finding a ground-based particle accelerator that could supply the range of ions found in space at near-light-speed energies. For a long time, they used what they could get, first at the Princeton Particle Accelerator and the Bevatron at DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and beginning in 1995, the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) at Brookhaven. All these facilities were primarily dedicated to physics research exploring fundamental particles. The radiobiology research fit in around the "edges."

"Those early days, we ran beam 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the AGS. When you ran into a machine issue or something, everyone downstream got thrown off," Guida said.

Plus the experimental building was something like an airplane hangarcavernous with terrible lighting and non-existent temperature control. "And there were horns going off all the time," Sivertz recalled.

Meanwhile, NASA had been exploring plans to build its own facility. A Brookhaven plan to build NSRL off the Booster accelerator that feeds beams to the AGS was spearheaded by Walter Schimmerling, a program scientist at NASA at the time, along with Derek Lowenstein, then the chair of Brookhaven Lab's Collider-Accelerator Department, and renowned Brookhaven Lab radiobiologist Betsy Sutherland, now deceased.

In the late 1990s, as the mission of the AGS was changing to become a pre-accelerator of beams for the nearly completed Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), the Brookhaven plan was approved.

Construction of the tunnel housing the beamline that now carries accelerated particles from the Booster to NSRL began in earnest in January 2000. The first beam went through to the target area in the summer of 2003, striking flasks containing cell cultures placed there by Sutherland. She would later analyze the cells to check for DNA damage. The second experiment, also that summer, was run by Guida and Marcelo Vazquez, who served with Sutherland as a liaison biologist in the facility's early years.

"We just wanted to make sure that cells were getting exposed, that changes were happening, and that we could detect those changes," Guida said. "These experiments gave us the evidence we needed for early validation of the beamline."

NASA then opened the facility that fall to the first external users whose research proposals had been approved, many of whom had been earlier users of the AGS beams.

Kathryn Held, a radiation oncology researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, associate professor at Harvard Medical School, and president of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, recalled how she'd tagged along with Betsy Sutherland for experiments at the AGS and then became one of the first users at NSRL.

"In the early days and ever since, the 'can-do' attitude of the staff has been the cornerstone to the achievements at NSRL," she said. "It is so much more than just a physical facility."

For example, she noted that her team requested extremely low densities of particles in the beams, "including a way to know the exact numbers." The reason? "In deep space, the charged particles from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) going through an astronaut's body will be widely spaced in location and time, so any given single cell will not get a particle traversal very often. We wanted to simulate that."

This "low fluence" had not been achieved in previous space radiation research, Held said, "but the NSRL physics team figured out how to do it."

In addition, Held recalled how fairly early on, her team and Betsy Sutherland's requested not just beams of single ions, but two different ions in quick succession. "The physics team gave us protons and iron ions within minutes of each othera feat that eventually evolved into the fantastic 33-ion galactic cosmic ray simulator now available," she said.

Betsy Sutherland, right, was one of the pioneers of research at NSRL, shown here with Paula Bennett (rear) and Noelle Cutter Cuomo. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

Evolving knowledge

Summarizing all the findings that have come out of NSRL would fill a hefty volume. But a few key points have emerged.

"One of the first hypotheses was that space radiation would induce more complex types of DNA damage in cells, and that damage would be more difficult to repair," Guida said. "That's proven to be true."

The reason is that life on Earth has had four and a half billion years to learn how to deal with constant bombardment by the cosmic rays that reach the planet's surface: mostly lightly ionizing particles such as muons. Over millennia, the life forms that could repair the damage caused by these particles are the ones that survived.

"But because we're protected by the atmosphere and the planet's magnetic field, our cells have never seen the highest energetic heavy ions of galactic cosmic rays. So they don't know how to repair that kind of damage," Sivertz explained. "That's what makes space radiation so different and so dangerous."

In addition, the level of damage depends not just on the dose of radiation, but more so on the types of particles and the duration and frequency of the exposure.

"Physicists can measure the dose with scintillation counters and ion chambers very precisely," Guida said. "But that same dose will do very different things depending on what kind of charged particle delivers that dose. In general, the heavier the ion, the greater the biological damage."

Think about the difference between dropping a pound of feathers and a pound of lead on your foot. "You might barely notice something when dropping the feathers, but if I dropped the pound of lead, it might break several toes," Guida said. "So, a dose of massless X-rays is very different than a dose of iron particles, even though it's the same dose."

The experiments at NSRL have always aimed to deliver what NASA calls a "mission-relevant" dose for crews in deep space or on the moon or Mars. These doses are based on their knowledge of the types and levels of radiation detected by observational satellites, detector systems on the International Space Station, and uncrewed missions to the surface of Mars.

"NASA knows what the dose is going to be and even what the particle spectrum will be. But what does that spectrum of particles and dose mean to a human being on a real Mars mission?" Guida asked.

The Galactic Cosmic Ray Simulator can recreate the mix of ion species and energies. But scientists must scale the exposure time for the lifecycle of whatever sample they are studying to try to find an answer.

"When a year of radiation is delivered in one minute, the repair mechanisms in your body may not have the chance to conduct their repair before the next damage is done," Sivertz said. "So, the GCR experiments are conducted for an hour every morning for six weeks, which is closer to the type of exposures that are going to be experienced by an astronaut over the course of a two- to three-year mission to Mars."

Gregory Nelson of Loma Linda University, one of the first researchers at NSRL, noted, "Without the NSRL team of operators and beamline improvements to enable the GCR Simulator, these studies would not have been possible."

However, Simonsen noted, "Key challenges remainboth technical and biologicalin simulating the chronic low dose rates found in space and translating those experimental results to humans."

Sophisticated experiments

As the NSRL accelerator has evolved, the experiments have also gotten more sophisticated.

For example, instead of exposing one cell type in a dish, scientists now can study collections of cells from a particular organ systemso-called "organs on a chip."

"It's like a microscope slide with four or five different cell types in there that all signal to each other so you get a kind of interchange among them, like in a real body," Guida said.

"You can see the heart cells beating," Sivertz said.

Peter Guida and Adele Billups Bong prepare cell culture samples for studies at NSRL. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

"And they're in unison, even though it's not a heart," Guida added. "Are these affected the same as when we just looked at cardiac cells in isolation? Or is it different when they are functioning like a beating organ?" he asked.

These questions are important because in a real human body there are interactions not just among cells of a single system, but across systems as well.

"Brain cells in a dish are not a brain," Guida said. "And that doesn't feed back into a whole organism. We have immune cells that get involved. But when researchers look at brain cells in a dish, there's no immune system in there. It's a lot to piece together."

Researchers are also interested in understanding which astronauts may be at a higher risk of developing space-radiation-induced cancers and whether these cancers are the same as cancers arising from gamma radiation.

"Our studies have given us a better understanding of the key role played by naturally occurring genetic variations between individuals in determining their susceptibilities to space radiation-induced cancers," said Michael Weil, a professor of environmental and radiological health sciences at Colorado State University, who has led research teams at NSRL over the past 20 years. Through a combination of experiments on model systems and extrapolation, "we have also shown that the types of cancers and leukemias resulting from heavy ion exposures are similar to those produced by gamma rays."

Simonsen noted that these results are important to improve and validate risk models. "In the future, we can use results such as these to better understand which crew may be most susceptible to radiation and give them added protection on the way to Mars," she said.

Understanding the risk for developing cardiovascular disease after exposure to space radiation is also a high priority.

"By using multiple research models, our team has identified only small changes in heart function and the tissue structure of heart and blood vessels," said Marjan Boerma of the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, who has been an NSRL user for the past eight years. This would be good news for NASA if the risk for cardiac and vascular diseases remains low.

Still, much of the research using model systems suggests that, after a long mission, astronauts are likely to have a higher risk of developing certain cancers, degenerative tissue effects, and other long term health consequences.

"Results from all these NASA-funded research teams and epidemiological studies will ultimately develop the evidence base we will use to quantify these long-term risks," Simonsen said.

NSRL results also suggest that that astronauts could face short-term risks from radiation, such as impaired cognitive function and disrupted emotional status.

"While the astronauts are up there, could they suffer some cognitive impairments that make it difficult to operate the machinerya robotic arm or the sample collectorsor to work effectively together as a team, or even pilot the spacecraft during critical maneuvers? That would be a problem," Guida said.

Blocking the damage

Having identified and narrowed the uncertainty about the main radiation risks, the logical progression of research at NSRL has been to explore countermeasures to bring these risks down.

One of the most promising countermeasures appears to be antioxidants. Guida explained the rationale: The heavy ions that make up galactic cosmic rays break water molecules apart, creating reactive oxygen radicals. "But if your system is primed with antioxidants, they have a way of negating the damage," he said. "The ions would still cleave the water molecule, but the antioxidants are sitting there ready to try to neutralize those reactive oxygen species."

He described one famous NSRL experiment where rats that were fed a blueberry smoothie before getting a mission-relevant radiation dose could find their way through a previously memorized maze better than rats that didn't get the antioxidant-rich shakes. Shielding around the spacecraft could also play a protective role, and studies at NSRL have pointed out the relative strengths of simple water.

"If you were protecting against photons, such as gamma rays, lead would be a great choice," Sivertz said. "But you're not. You're protecting against things like iron nuclei, which would produce a lot of secondary radiation from nuclear interactions in leadincluding a large number of neutrons that are very biologically damaging."

Water, on the other hand, because of its high hydrogen content, can more effectively minimize the number of secondary particles and neutrons produced from iron, he noted.

"Plus, the astronauts need to bring water with them anyway, so why not use it as shielding within the spacecraft," Sivertz suggested.

Michael Sivertz and Jessica Gasparik install a circuit board in the beamline at NSRL to test the electronic system's response to a radiation environment. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

Planning for the future

Studies of combinations of countermeasures are ongoing to see if risks can be reduced enough to meet NASA's thresholds.

Meanwhile, on the electronics front, testing is gearing up.

In the early days, most electronics testing was putting a single chip in a beam and exposing it and seeing how it respondedsomewhat like the studies of single cell cultures.

"Now we have the capability of putting an entire system in the beama flight navigation system, a full computer, or an integrated circuit boardto see how it operates when exposed to radiation," Sivertz said.

The importance of that testing is only growing as electronics find their way into more and more aspects of daily life and society becomes more dependent upon them. So, as the questions about risks to astronauts are being answered, the NSRL scientists are thinking about the future.

"NSRL has been a great workshop for learning about electronics testing," Sivertz said. "Maybe it will serve as the protype for a new dedicated, high-energy electronics testing facility that we would like to build, back at the AGS."

Next generation

Physicists and biologistsboth at Brookhaven and at NASAhave also been thinking all along about training the next generation to carry on their work.

"This isn't something you learn in your Ph.D. program," Guida said. "We've always had to think about where the pipeline of new investigators is going to come from."

He credits NASA for developing a summer school program early in NSRL's days that provided coursework and hands-on experience designing and running charged-particle radiation experiments.

"A lot of the participants were postdocs and graduate students in the labs of the scientists who had NASA grants to come to NSRL for their research," Guida said. "It was extraordinarily successful in that the majority of people who signed up for it stayed in the field, and a significant number went on to obtain grant funding, which is huge."

"We developed our own successors," Sivertz added.

Though that NSRL summer school program was suspended in 2017, and then the COVID pandemic put the brakes on a restart, NASA launched a more recent, mostly virtual program called SHINE (Space Health Impacts for the NASA Experience). NASA is hopeful that the best performers from that program will come to Brookhaven for hands-on training again in the fall of 2024.

Meanwhile, a subgroup of NSRL electronics testers conducted a summer school in March 2022 to help develop the next cohort to carry on their important mission.

"An impressive amount of data and understanding has been generated through experiments at NSRL over the past 20 years, but there are always more questions to ask. That is the beauty of science," said Guida, who is looking forward to the next 20 years.

Provided by Brookhaven National Laboratory
FLORENCE, S.C.  Florence One Schools students are still achieving at lower rates than state averages, but scores are improving, often faster than comparable districts across the state.

Thats according to data from the districts 2022-23 S.C. School Report Card, which was presented at the Florence One Schools Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday. Assistant Superintendents Michelle Wynn and Gregory Hall said that student achievement across the United States is declining, particularly in historically low-achieving students, but the district is instead seeing significant growth.

Florence One Schools compares itself to the districts that have historically performed best in the state, including Charleston One, Clover, Fort Mill, Greenville, Horry One and Richland Two.

If we want to lead our state, we have to certainly compare ourselves to the leaders in our state, Hall said. Where we want to be is the top of South Carolina.

PXL_20231013_000951401.jpg Florence One Schools Assistant Superintendents Michelle Wynn, left, and Gregory Hall, right, presented data from the districts 2022-23 S.C. S

While the districts achievement scores are behind these districts, Florence One Schools students overall grew more or only slightly less than these other districts.

Florence One Schools saw greater growth than other comparison districts in the success of economically disadvantaged students, historically low-performing students, Hispanic students and Caucasian students.

Charleston One battled Florence One for the top spot in all areas of progress, and Charleston had higher scores in the growth of African American students, English language learners and overall growth. All other compared districts fell behind the progress of these two districts.

Despite achievement levels rising to or above pre-pandemic levels, Florence One Schools students did not perform up to state averages.

SCReady scores, which measures the reading and math skills of third- to eighth-graders, grew across all grade levels but were still 1.6 points below the state average in reading and 4.8 points below the state average in math.

Other comparable districts had SCReady scores that were higher than the state, sometimes up to 10 or 20 points higher.

Royall Elementary School bucked the districts trend by placing fifth highest in the state for SCReady scores in reading.

Overall, the districts SCReady scores grew 3% in reading and 4% in math.

A bright spot for the district was the high achievement of English language learners, or those who do not speak English as their first language.

Florence One Schools was the fourth best district in the state and Royall Elementary was the eighth best school in the state for English language learner achievement.

High schools are tested based on end-of-course evaluations in specific classes: Algebra 1, Biology 1, English 2 and U.S. History and Constitution. While the state measures students scoring a C or better on that test, the district tracks only As and Bs instead.

Scores grew in each of the four classes, often at a higher rate than comparable districts. However, like in elementary schools, the actual scores were lower than those districts and the state averages.

On-time high school graduation rates fell by almost 1%. Only South Florence High School saw an increase in graduation rates, while West Florence and Wilson High Schools saw graduation rates fall.

Wilson in particular saw a 4.6% drop in graduation rates. South Florence High School, meanwhile, was in the top 3% of graduation rates for traditional high schools in the state.

Despite the dip, Florence One Schools has an on-time graduation rate of 93.3%, which is the fourth highest graduation rate in the state behind Clover, Fort Mill and Anderson One.

Those three districts each have a much lower poverty rate than Florence One Schools has. Over 70% of students in Florence One Schools are in poverty.

According to Wynn and Hall, that has a significant effect on a students academic achievement.

Students in poverty may not have access to healthy and nutritious food or medical treatment, and they may be homeless. Their parents may work long hours or multiple jobs, meaning parents have less time to spend helping their children with schoolwork.

Poverty also makes it difficult for students to get the resources they need to study or learn.

All of the districts that Florence One Schools compared itself to had a lower rate of poverty than itself. Horry County Schools has the next highest rate of poverty at 62.8%, and Fort Mill has the lowest at 21%.

The statewide district average is 61.6% of students in poverty.

Still, some schools with significant levels of poverty are improving dramatically. North Vista Elementary School, where over 90% of students are in poverty, had some of the highest SCReady score increases of any school in the district with a reading score increase of 8.6% and a math score increase of 16.3%.

They are truly diving deep with their students, making some instruction changes and rising to the occasion to make that significant amount of growth with their students, Wynn said.

Nearly all schools in the district had a rating of Average or better. Only Henry L. Sneed Middle School had a Below Average rating.

Four elementary schools, which are Briggs, Delmae, Lucy T. Davis and Royall, had an Excellent rating, the highest a school can get. John W. Moore Middle School also received an Excellent rating.

By 2028, the districts goals are to:

Increase third-grade reading scores to 75% of students meeting or exceeding requirements.

Increase third- through eighth-grade math scores to 60% of students meeting or exceeding requirements.

Increase third- through eighth-grade reading scores to 70% of students meeting or exceeding requirements.

Increase the percentage of students making As and Bs on the end-of-course evaluation to 50%.

Raise on-time graduation rate to 95%.

Increase the number of courses and programs offered in middle and high schools.

Increase enrollment in honors, AP, dual enrollment, IB and other higher level courses to 30% of the student population.
Niger: 6 soldats et 31 terroristes tues dans des combats pres du Burkina





Six soldats et 31 "terroristes" ont ete tues dans des combats dimanche et lundi dans la zone de Tera, dans l'ouest du Niger pres du Burkina Faso, a indique mardi le ministere nigerien de la Defense.





"Du dimanche 15 au lundi 16 octobre 2023, les Forces de defense et de securite (FDS) de l'operation Niya en mission de ratissage ont eu une serie d'accrochages avec des elements terroristes dans la zone de Lemdou a 50 km au nord-ouest de Tera", explique le ministere dans un communique transmis a l'AFP.





"Six soldats sont decedes" et dix-huit autres, blesses, ont ete evacues a Niamey, precise le regime militaire arrive au pouvoir par un coup d'Etat fin juillet.





Les soldats nigeriens "ont reagi avec bravoure" en "mettant l'ennemi en deroute" et en tuant "31 terroristes", assure-t-il, un bilan qui ne pouvait etre confirme de source independante.





Les combats ont eu lieu dans la region de Tillaberi (ouest), en pleine zone dite des "trois frontieres" entre le Niger, le Burkina Faso et le Mali, devenue un repaire pour les jihadistes saheliens affilies a Al-Qaida et a l'EIGS.





Ces dernieres semaines, plusieurs attaques ont endeuille le Niger dans cette zone, destabilisee par les jihadistes depuis plusieurs annees.





Le bilan le plus lourd a ete enregistre debut octobre avec 29 soldats tues dans une "attaque complexe" de presumes jihadistes au nord-ouest de Tabatol, une localite pres du Mali.





Fin septembre, seize soldats ont ete tues dans une autre attaque dans la localite de Kandadji et mi-aout, au moins 17 militaires sont morts pres de la frontiere avec le Burkina.





Le Niger est gouverne depuis le 26 juillet par un regime militaire arrive au pouvoir par un coup d'Etat qui a renverse le president elu Mohamed Bazoum.




From dramatic humpback breaches to enthralling dolphin acrobatics, a springtime visit to the Azores is synonymous with incredible sightings of whales and dolphins.

The remote Portuguese archipelago, consisting of nine volcanic islands about 900 miles west of Lisbon, lies in the North Atlantic Ocean, putting it on the migration route of several whale species. And from March to June  whale migration season  lucky tourists may even catch a glimpse of behemoths like the blue whale and the fin whale, the two largest animals on the planet.

As well as migrating whales, the Azores also have resident cetaceans, including sperm whales and some dolphin species, which can be seen year-round. With nearly a third of the 94 known cetacean species in the world observed here, the archipelago consistently ranks as one of the best places on the planet to go whale watching.

But the centuries-old relationship between Azoreans and whales has not always been so harmonious,as Rui de Souza Martins, emeritus professor of Anthropology at the University of the Azores, explains.

The archipelago was populated by settlers from mainland Portugal from the 15th century onwards, he says. These early inhabitants, mostly farmers, limited themselves to harvesting the dead whales they found at sea or on the coast. The whale blubber was boiled down to make oil for lamps.

By the 18th century, the Azores resident population of sperm whales was drawing attention from the United States. Whaling ships from Nantucket and New Bedford, Massachusetts, would make the roughly 2,300-mile voyage east to go hunting. In the age before the discovery of crude oil, the use of spermaceti (the waxy substance obtained from the head of a sperm whale) and whale oil (from blubber) for lighting and other purposes, made whaling a lucrative industry.

These factory-style ships would lower small wooden boats into the ocean for the hunt, then haul the dead animal onboard the larger ship for processing.

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It wasnt only the whale carcasses that came onboard. The Americans recruited Azorean men at low pay, enticing them with the offer of residence in the US once theyd worked a certain number of years on the ships. Many emigrated to Massachusetts with the whalers.

Whale hunting was still going strong in the Azores in the 1950s. - V. Giannella/De Agostini/Getty Images

By the middle of the 19th century, some of those emigrants returned to the archipelago, bringing with them the knowledge of whale hunting and dedicated boat construction. They kicked off the local whaling industry, building seven-man hunting canoes and equipment. Soon, factories processing whale oil, meat and bones sprung up on the islands.

Whaling seems unspeakably cruel from a modern perspective, but back then it was a matter of survival. There were no other paying jobs in the islands. Many whalers  who were primarily farmhands working for rich landowners  didnt even know how to swim, but risked life and limb to provide for their families.

Whale hunting and the commercial processing of its derivatives was a much needed source of income for the locals, says Jose Carlos Garcia, sociologist and anthropology researcher. The money earned from whaling was used to pay for groceries, childrens education, and other necessities. Films like 1969s The Last Whalers and the 2019 Netflix production The Last Whalers of Sao Miguel, provide a glimpse into the difficult lives of the Azorean whalers.

The slow decline

The whale hunting industry declined over roughly a century. - Pedro Madruga/Visit Azores

However, it wasnt to last forever. With declining whale populations and other market factors (including the discovery of crude oil in 1859), the demand for whale oil decreased dramatically by the middle of the 20th century

Right until the industrys end, in 1987, the practices of Azorean whalers were different from the factory ships of the Americans. They continued to hunt in their small wooden boats with handmade weapons, killing only a small number of sperm whales. Counterparts in other countries used modern vessels and sophisticated harpoons, leading to the decimation of many whale species.

To address this drastic decline in populations, the International Whaling Commission issued a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1982. Portugal supported the ban, which meant the Azores  an autonomous region of the country  also had to comply. Pressure from local and global conservation organizations led to the eventual end of whaling in the Azores. The last whale was said to have been killed in 1987 by some disgruntled whalers from Pico island.

New beginnings

Sperm whales can be seen around the Azores. - Francois Gohier/VW Pics/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The transition away from whaling gave birth to new industries and practices  with the impetus coming from outside. In 1990, French national Serge Viallele set up the first whale watching company in the archipelago, on Pico island.

Viallele showed that it was possible to live off the whales without killing them, says Miguel Cravinho, co-owner of Terra Azul, a whale watching company based on Sao Miguel island. The focus quickly shifted from whaling to eco-tourism, conservation and education.

Todays whale watching trips arent just fun days out for tourists; they support research, with the data collected from each of the trips used by local scientists to study behaviors and migration patterns. It is, says Cravinho, an educational approach to whale watching.

Nearly 20 whale watching companies currently operate across the Azores, following global best practices and guidelines issued by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), as well as local regulations.

Boats must follow whales at a maximum speed of 10 knots, can only approach from 90 degrees behind, and must stay 50 meters (164 feet) away from them  or three times that distance if theres a mother and calf.

There are strict rules for observing whales and dolphins. - Francisco Garcia/Courtesy Terra Azul

Only three boats may hover near the whales at any time, for a maximum 15 minutes  and sailing through a pod is not allowed.

To keep disturbance to a minimum, most whale watching companies in the Azores use RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) to minimize noise and emissions. The number of whale watching boats is strictly limited by a license system, which issues a maximum number per island  or per zone for the smaller islands. Hilltop lookout points known as vigias, once used by the whalers to spot prey, are now used by whale watchers to direct boats to different areas, so they dont congregate near the same animals.

We developed a new and dynamic culture in which the whale took center stage as a creature of ecological, scientific, heritage, and tourist value, de Souza Martins explains. Meanwhile, museums across the islands discuss the Azores whaling history, and youll still see traditional 40-feet whaling canoes repurposed for sailing and rowing, used annually in summer regattas.

Whaling boats are now used for less bloody purposes. - Martin Zwick/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

In February 2023, the archipelago was recognized as a Whale Heritage Site by the World Cetacean Alliance, an accolade described as the gold standard for responsible whale watching by its honorary president, Jean-Michel Cousteau. It is the second site in Europe and only the sixth in the world to achieve the rating.

Whale Heritage Sites are places that have been judged to have achieved an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable balance between nature, the local community and what visitors expect from the place.

Destinations must have already have conducted research on the whale watching in their area, and must commit to further research, education and awareness  as well as staging cultural events that celebrate cetaceans.

A new risk

If not done properly, whale watching can be damaging for both the whales and the local community. - Francisco Garcia/Courtesy Terra Azul

With rising tourist numbers and the increasing popularity of whale watching tours, there are concerns about the pressures on whales and their behavior. In his paper on whale watching as eco-tourism, Luis Silva, senior research fellow at the Centre for Research in Anthropology in Lisbon analyzed potential challenges posed by the whale watching industry, both to the animal and the local community  from stress for the whales to profits going to tour company owners rather than the wider community.

For now, whale watching remains a major draw for visitors to the islands.

The whale has had such a remarkable journey in the Azores, says Garcia.

Once considered a sea monster, it later became a useful resource. Now, it is a symbol of our collective identity and universal value.

Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolexs Perpetual Planet initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Prince Christian of Denmark's 18th birthday gala ended with a mystery after a single heel was found following the celebrations at Christiansborg Palace

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Prince Christian of Denmark's 18th birthday gala on Oct. 15, 2023

Prince Christian of Denmark's 18th birthday gala was straight out of a fairy tale  and there's even a real-life Cinderella missing a shoe!

Royals from around Europe (including a number of fellow future monarchs!) gathered on Sunday for the celebration at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. The guests sported tiaras, ballgowns, military uniforms and sashes showing their honors  but one attendee left the dinner minus an important accessory.

On Monday, the Danish royal palace had some fun on Instagram by posting a photo of a single sparkling shoe that was found after the festivities wrapped.

"Is it Cinderella who forgot her shoe last night?" courtiers captioned the snap.

"When the guests at Her Majesty the Queen's gala dinner yesterday had gone home, this lonely stiletto shoe was left at Christiansborg Castle," they continued. "The owner is welcome to contact us to get it back."

Related: 5 Future European Monarchs Pose for Epic Photo at Prince Christian of Denmark's 18th Birthday Gala

Although it was a formal gala, there was still plenty of fun, which may have prompted some guests to take off their shoes for some better comfort. The night included a special performance that Queen Margrethe set up behind the scenes to surprise her grandson, who is currently second in the line of succession to the Danish throne.

"The dancefloor was lit when Benjamin Hav & the Family gave a concert after the gala table," the palace shared with a video on Instagram. "The concert was Her Majesty the Queen's surprise to all the guests."

The clip showed Prince Christian clapping along to the music  and his little brother, Prince Vincent excitedly jumping up and down!

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One person who certainly didn't leave her heel behind was Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands. The 19-year-old heir to the Dutch throne paired her royal blue caped gown with Queen Emma of the Netherlands' sapphire tiara and a recognizable pair of shoes: Manolo Blahnik's satin pumps featuring a silver buckle adorning the pointy toe. It's the same style that Sarah Jessica Parker's character, Carrie Bradshaw, wore in Sex and the City for her wedding to Mr. Big as her "something blue" for the walk down the aisle.

Princess Amalia isn't the only royal who has the shoes in her closet. Kate Middleton sported the same pair in green for her first official joint portrait with Prince William.

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Princess Catharina-Amalia of The Netherlands and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium on Oct. 15, 2023

Prince Christian's birthday gala doubled as a royal reunion, and five future European monarchs posed together for a group picture.

Prince Christian was all smiles beside Princess Estelle of Sweden, 11, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, 19, Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, 21, in the snap that the Danish Royal House shared on Instagram.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!



The guest list also included Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Princess Ingrid Alexandra's parents. Princess Estelle of Sweden similarly attended alongside her parents, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.

The Scandinavian royal families are extremely close in both their royal duties and their personal connections. It's not rare to see the Swedish, Norwegian and Danish royal families vacationing together or attending significant events like weddings, funerals and christenings. They also often act as godparents to each other's children  in fact, Princess Victoria, Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit are all godparents to Prince Christian!



Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Estelle and Prince Daniel of Sweden attend the gala diner to celebrate the 18th birthday of Prince Christian's on October 15, 2023

Related: Future Queens of Europe! Meet All the Female Heirs Set to Take the Throne

Prince Christian's birthday gala also welcomed representatives from some of Denmarks youth organizations plus young people who have distinguished themselves in the world of sport, art and culture. Extending the guest list, the palace invited around 200 young people from the Danish Commonwealth, allowing each of Denmarks municipalities, Greenland and the Faroe Islands to invite two 18-year-old guests to the party.

In addition to the gala dinner, Prince Christian's milestone birthday will again be marked on Nov. 14, when he attends a meeting of the Council of State (which is comprised of government ministers) and declares that he wishes to comply with the Danish constitution.

Prince Christian will then be able to be appointed as head of state. Prince Christian will not get a seat in the Council of State until a change of throne has taken place, the Danish Royal House said.



Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Prince Christian of Denmark marks his 18th birthday on Oct. 15, 2023

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(Photo : ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP/GettyImages)

The suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway is expected to enter a guilty plea and reveal the details of the victim's death.

The suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, Joran van der Sloot, is expected to enter a plea deal where he would reveal the details of the victim's death in 2005 that remains unsolved to this day.

The victim was a teenager from Alabama whose mother was extorted and defrauded by the suspect. It is currently unknown what specific charges in the extortion case van der Sloot will plead guilty to or what the sentence against him will be.

Natalee Holloway's Disappearance

The defendant is one of the last people seen with the 18-year-old Holloway before she disappeared. He was indicted 2010 on federal charges of extortion and wire fraud in connection with a plot to sell information about the whereabouts of the victim's remains in exchange for $250,000.

The attorney for the victim's family, John Q. Kelly, confirmed that van der Sloot was planning to plead guilty concerning the disappearance case. He noted that a condition of the plea deal requires the suspect to reveal details of how Holloway died and how her body was disposed of, as per CNN.

He said there would no longer be any further investigation or search for Holloway's remains due to the development. The mother of the victim, Beth Holloway, is set to hold a news conference following the hearing to make public what van der Sloot revealed to authorities from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In June, van der Sloot was transferred to the United States from a prison in Peru, where he was serving a 28-year sentence for the 2012 murder of 21-year-old Stephany Flores inside his Lima, Peru, hotel room.

Peru and the United States entered into an agreement where van der Sloot would first return to the South American country to finish the murder sentence in the Flores case. Afterward, he would be brought back to the US to begin serving whatever sentence he is given for US-based charges.

Read Also: Florida: Police Finds Dead Toddler Floating in Pond

Entering a Guilty Plea

Holloway disappeared while on vacation in Aruba with her classmates as they celebrated their high school graduation. According to Yahoo News, she was declared dead seven years later by an Alabama probate court.

Records showed that van der Sloot was scheduled for a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday before US District Judge Anna Manasco in Birmingham, Alabama. However, it was rescheduled, which suggests that he and the government reached a deal to avoid trial.

During van der Sloot's attempts to extort the victim's mother, he was paid $25,000 initially, and a representative for the family of Holloway said they would pay the remaining $225,000 after the deceased's remains had been positively identified.

The US Attorney's Office for Alabama's Northern District said in 2010 that van der Sloot tried to get the money despite knowing that the information he provided was worthless. The defendant's lawyer said earlier this year that the suspect kept the $25,000 he was paid and spent it on gambling, said NBC News.

Related Article: Woman Burned Alive in Austin Neighborhood; Perpetrator Remains at Large

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A view of the Merlion against the Singapore financial district in Singapore, January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Caroline Chia (Caroline Chia / reuters)

By Bloomberg News

(Bloomberg Markets)  Singapore is a small country that lives at the sharp end of several big global stories: US-China tensions, climate change, the explosion of financial wealth and the rise of technology. We asked experts and political leaders how the city-state will adapt to an uncertain future. Their responses have been edited for clarity and length.

How will Singapore change over the next 10 years?

Singapore's Finance Minister Lawrence Wong attends the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, 16 July 2022. Made Nagi/Pool via REUTERS (POOL New / reuters)

Lawrence Wong

Deputy prime minister and finance minister of Singapore; designated successor to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

Great power rivalry is back. Extreme competition between America and China will shape the future of the global order. The major countries want to build up their defense industrial bases and strengthen their manufacturing capabilities for key technologies. This means businesses will be organised not just by economic logic, but also by geopolitical orientation and national security concerns. A significant rewiring of global supply chains is underway. Singapore will adapt, focusing on sectors where we have competitive strengths  for example, in specific segments of advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and financial services. We are embracing digital technologies and investing heavily in human capital. In this volatile external environment, there will be more churn in our economy and more stresses on our society. Thats why the government intends to do more to provide assurance and support for our citizens through the stages of life  be it to access quality education, purchase affordable homes, secure good and well-paying jobs or to retire with peace of mind. Our society, too, will continue to evolve. We expect a greater diversity of views and preferences, and more civic participation.

Pritam Singh. (Photo: Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Pritam Singh

Leader of the opposition in Singapores Parliament

I have previously spoken in Parliament about the perception of two Singapores, where the bounty of social and economic success is enjoyed only by a few, and not distributed fairly. Such perceptions, if left unchecked, will inevitably lead to feelings of resentment, cynicism and despair  creating class-based friction and other fissures in our society. Whether two Singapores will manifest itself into reality a decade from now depends not just on the government of the day, but also on individual Singaporeans. They must be courageous in employing their voices politically to support those that may be less fortunate among us and ensure that the rising tide of economic growth lifts all ships, and not just the superyachts.

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Rachel Eng

Managing director of law firm Eng & Co., a member of the PwC network

Like many other countries, Singapore has to manage the energy trilemma, balancing environmental sustainability, reliability and affordability. But for a small city-state, these challenges are more acute. It has no rivers to generate hydropower, nor idle land to place wind turbines for wind energy. And while it has an abundance of sunshine all year round, theres limited space for storage of the solar energy generated. I expect Singapore to invest more in the coming years in the research and development of renewable energy and, in its usual fashion, to use rules and regulations or pricing incentives to guide the behaviour of the market toward renewables.

Omar Slim

Co-head of Asia ex-Japan fixed income at PineBridge Investments

In the next 10 years, I believe Singapores role as an economic safe haven will solidify, positioning the country as a preeminent wealth and innovation centre. This view is supported by Singapores legal robustness, stability and relative openness. These have, to some degree, become challenged in parts of the world. The reality is that the world needs economic safe havens.

Rob Subbaraman. (Photo: Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Rob Subbaraman

Head of global markets research at Nomura Holdings Inc.

Theres a growing trend toward a US-aligned bloc and a China-aligned bloc, and where will Singapore fit in? Singapore has tended to have a hedging policy over the past 10 years. I think thats going to become more challenging, and Singapore may have to pick a side.

Related to that is a trend that were already starting to see: this great reallocation of foreign direct investment and production out of China. Southeast Asia and India are very well positioned to become new production bases and factories to the world, and that could be hugely beneficial to Singapore as the financial hub.

Tamara Henderson. (Photo: Bloomberg) (Bloomberg)

Tamara Henderson

Southeast Asia economist at Bloomberg Economics

I think the biggest change will be in the ranking of key trading partners. I expect Chinas importance to decline and Southeast Asias to rise. Two big changes may net out: The working-age population will be shrinking at a faster pace, but the capital stockproductive assets such as plants and equipmentis likely to be growing at a faster pace because of the governments infrastructure push. The combination should keep growth potential relatively stable.

Lily Kong

President of Singapore Management University

With greater exposure to global trends and diverse perspectives, the electorate is increasingly vigilant and discerning. Their expectations will continue to raise the stakes for political leaders and political parties. They will place greater emphasis on the importance of ethical conduct and transparency as non-negotiable elements of good governance. There will also be more concerted demands for inclusivity in policy formulation, to acknowledge the diverse needs and aspirations of different segments of society.

Tariq Ahmad

Asia-Pacific co-head of Franklin Templeton

We see continued digitalisation of the financial-services industry as an unstoppable trend and the biggest change for Singapore over the next decade. As a result of years of government-led programs, Singapore has emerged as a leading fintech hub globally.

Zulkifli Baharudin

Executive chairman at Indo-Trans Logistics Corp. and Singapores nonresident ambassador to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

A new generation of leaders will have to craft a political ideology and bring on board a population who have no memories of the hard years. Domestic politics is becoming more contested. Some of the lessons left behind by the founding fathers are still relevant, but a political, economic and social transformation is much needed to deal with new realities. Income inequality, if not managed, will extract a heavy toll on a fragile multi-ethnic society. But there is hope as shown in the recent presidential elections where a hugely popular figure [Tharman Shanmugaratnam] was able to gel and unify the people with overwhelming support.

Kishore Mahbubani. (Photo: Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Kishore Mahbubani

Founding dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

The 21st century will be the Asian century. Each century searches for a natural capital. In the 19th century, the European century, London was the natural capital. In the 20th century, the American century, New York was the natural capital. The natural capital for the Asian century is Singapore. Why Singapore? Asia is a rich, multicivilisational continent. Only one city in Asia comfortably accommodates several Asian civilisational streams, including the Chinese, Indian and Islamic streams. These are carefully blended with the modern Western stream. As power shifts to Asia, and as people look for a one-stop place to understand the great Asian renaissance, theres only one global city that can provide this.

Angela Ang

Senior policy adviser at TRM Labs, a blockchain analytics company

We have a well-educated local workforce thats been put through a rigorous education system. But its no longer just about the ability to ace exams and amass knowledgeartificial intelligence can do that. Its also about making sense of the world in a way that machines cant. Singapore increasingly gets this. Were celebrating different paths in life, different definitions of success. Were accepting that failure is not fatal but could be a steppingstone to success. As a result, weve seen more Singaporean businesses emerge, thrive and expand well beyond our shores. Some have even achieved unicorn status.

Taimur Baig. (Photo: Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Taimur Baig

Managing director and chief economist at DBS Bank Group Research

Singapore has three structural challenges: aging, climate change and inequality. Over the next decade, Id pick inequality as the biggest one. Singapores growth model has been anchored around low taxation, and a modest public expenditure base that makes provisions for housing, education and health care, along with a world-class transportation infrastructure, but without an expansive safety net. In recent years, between the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, domestic and external shocks have pushed up inflation and cost of living to uncomfortable levels. A more fair and just society is an officially stated goal, but efforts to narrow the wage gap, improve retirement savings and train working adults to keep up with disruptive tech waves are costly. A more progressive income tax structure and additional wealth tax are obvious solutions, but they come with trade-offs with respect to Singapores standing as a low-tax jurisdiction.

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam with some of the award winners at the Healthcare Humanity Awards. (PHOTO: MOH Holdings) (MOH Holdings)

SINGAPORE  Healthcare workers have been "unwavering pillars of strength" in Singapore's society, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said on Thursday (12 October) as he and Minister for Health, Ong Ye Kung, presented the Healthcare Humanity Awards (HHA) to 95 individuals and teams in the healthcare sector.

The HHA, which started in 2004 (a year after the SARS crisis) and stems from 2003's Courage Awards, aims to honour the efforts of healthcare workers in Singapore. This year's new Team Category also saw 10 specialised groups that contributed to the fight against COVID-19 among the 25 winning teams.

President Tharman called the award recipients an "inspiration for us all".

Indeed, healthcare has been one of the industries that has recently been in the spotlight, not just as an inspiration, but also as more light is shed on the challenges faced by those in the sector.

For example, a survey reported by the Academy of Medicine Singapore in May revealed certain trends in the mental health of healthcare workers.

The findings highlighted a notable surge in job burnout, with rates reaching 39 per cent in 2021, compared to 25 per cent in 2020. Anxiety and depression also increased to 18 per cent and 16 per cent from 14 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.

HHA recipients who spoke with Yahoo Southeast Asia shared how they and their teams managed some of the struggles faced by those in the healthcare sector.

Unseen struggles of healthcare workers

Dr Shawn Vasoo, a clinical director at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, was honoured by HHA for his dedication and innovative approach to patient care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, with thousands reported daily, Dr Vasoo acknowledged the emotional burden on healthcare professionals.

He said, "It was a highly stressful time for patients and families - hard to be in isolation, and heart-wrenching to die alone." Despite being stretched, the healthcare workers soldiered on, he added.

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President Tharman Shanmugaratnam with Dr Shawn Vasoo, clinical director at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. (PHOTO: MOH Holdings) (MOH Holdings)

Dr Vasoo and his team developed a "CAVES" system to help decide how to care for COVID-19 patients at home in Singapore. This system made it easier to determine who might need extra care, like oxygen or intensive treatment, and who wouldn't.

Dr Vasoo also highlighted the steps taken to support the mental well-being of his healthcare team, emphasising that they listened to staff and took their feedback seriously.

They adapted workflows, schedules, and staffing to provide the best possible resources for their work and also adjusted leave policies to ensure that staff could take breaks when needed.

In a specific instance, Dr Vasoo recounted, "I heard from a medical social worker colleague regarding a junior doctor who said he was 'numb' after a night on call, where he had to care for many sick patients with COVID-19 who succumbed that night to their illness. I asked to speak to him after a few days to check in on how he was doing."

To help young doctors deal with the emotional impact of the pandemic, he and his teams also introduced "care-giving rounds."

These were voluntary sessions where junior and senior doctors came together to share and discuss their experiences and thoughts about patient care during the pandemic.

Supporting migrant workers amid the pandemic

Dr Louisa Sun, a 38-year-old consultant at Alexandra Hospital and another award winner, assumed the role of lead infectious diseases clinician just six months into her job when COVID-19 struck Singapore.

She played a role in managing COVID-19 cases at the hospital and helped alleviate fear and anxiety among dormitory-based migrant workers.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung congratulates Dr Louisa Sun Jin and fellow award recipients. (PHOTO: MOH Holdings) (MOH Holdings)

Going the extra mile, she and her team also created multilingual materials, including audio recordings and printed booklets in seven languages like Tamil and Thai, to impart information about COVID-19 to the workers.

Dr Sun expressed her commitment to providing not only basic medical care, but also comfort, stating, "It was almost like a natural progression, taking on one role after another, completing one activity after anotherall aimed at helping the migrant worker brothers who were fearful, and had no idea what was going on."

When asked if she felt any pressure or stress due to her responsibilities, she mentioned, "I didn't actively stop to think about what was happening or how much I was taking on. Instead, it was about identifying what still needed to be done, how I could contribute, and what my team and I could achieve together."

Unmasking the emotional toll on nurses

In response to the surge in COVID-19 cases, Laura Ho, Deputy Director of Nursing at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and a member of the Covid Task Force at the hospital also played a crucial role in adapting hospital facilities.

She worked with her team and several departments, overseeing the conversion of two floors of TTSH's general wards into COVID-19 care areas. This effort added 230 beds for COVID-19 patients and 36 beds specifically for intensive care.

Laura Ho Pei Wah, Deputy Director of Nursing at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and a key member of the TTSH ABCD COVID Force, spearheaded the transformation of hospital facilities to meet the rising demand during the COVID-19 surge. (PHOTO: TTSH/FB) (TTSH/FB)

Acknowledging the difficulties her team faced in quarantine and isolation due to their close contact with COVID-19 patients, she introduced digital engagement sessions to ensure they stayed connected and preserved their mental well-being.

Ho shared her approach, saying, "We made a point where we have a daily Zoom (session) with them, where my boss, three of my nursing directors, and I would join."

The 51-year-old emphasised the importance of maintaining this human connection during that period, recounting "heart-wrenching moments", such as a nurse breaking down on Mother's Day due to separation from her baby.

Beyond this incident, she acknowledged that stress wasn't always evident for many nurses during the pandemic's peak; they were focused on getting the job done. However, it became apparent afterwards.

Furthermore, Ho stressed the need and commitment to support and uplift nurses' morale.

She explained, "We conduct a monthly forum where nurses have the opportunity to voice their concerns. For example, if a sister feels overwhelmed by her workload, she can request a process review. We highly value their input and actively work on areas that can be improved."

Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.

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"Today we are creating a new page in the EU defence," Josep Borrell, the EU's High representative, told reporters aboard the Juan Carlos I amphibious assault ship in Cadiz, Spain.

Recent events in the bloc's direct neighbourhood, including Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the deadly attack carried out by Hamas militants on Israel last week, "only show that as Europeans, we need to step up our security, and defence is part of our security", he added.

Thirty-one units including maritime, air, land, space and cyber assets from Austria, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania and host country Spain are taking part in the week-long military exercise.

They will, for instance, simulate an amphibious assault to secure a harbour.

Planning is already underway for the next rounds of exercises, with Germany expected to lead the second edition, scheduled for the second half of 2024.

'Part of our everyday reality'

The aim is to boost readiness and interoperability between EU countries' armies as well as to advance towards the creation of a so-called Rapid Deployment Capacity with other scenarios for exercises including rescue and evacuation, support for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, Borrell said.

"Unfortunately, these are the scenarios we have to deal with, and we have to be prepared for doing so. They will be part of our everyday reality as we see today, dramatically, in our most direct neighbourhood.

"As (the) EU, we need to be ready to act as required to protect our citizens and to contribute to global stability. And for that, we need to exercise together. This will help us to be better prepared to play a role as a defence actor and global security provider," he said.

These new exercises, he went on, will "boost the EU's ability to act faster, to respond to crises outside the EU, and it also helps to build a common strategic culture on defence."

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"I said many times, Europeans need to build a common strategic culture in order to face together the challenges of the world in which we live," he also said.

Establishing a Rapid Deployment Capacity is one of the cornerstones of the Strategic Compass adopted by EU leaders last year to strengthen the bloc's security and defence policy and make it a more capable security provider.

It is meant to be operational in 2025 with up to 5,000 troops and capabilities deployable quickly to respond to different types of crises, including the airlift of EU citizens from foreign countries as was the case recently in Niger, Sudan or Afghanistan.

'Maybe we could have got it quicker'

Some EU states have been reticent about plans for a more coordinated defence policy at the EU level, an idea championed by France, over fears it would lead to a weakening of NATO's role in the region.

But the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, which left Western countries scrambling to evacuate their nationals, injected new impetus into negotiations. Russia's buildup of troops along its border with Ukraine and subsequent full-scale invasion led to an agreement.

Asked whether the Rapid Deployment Capacity would have been of any use over the events unfolding in the Middle East if it had already been established, Borrell said the EU "should be able to do a lot."

"At that moment the most important thing is to deploy humanitarian assistance to the people in need in Gaza. This will require a lot of logistic capability and it will require also military support and protection.

"Certainly, we should not intervene in such a fight, but if EU wants to protect civilians and we want to provide support to them, it will need a lot of logistic capacity, and this will be one of the missions of the deployment capacity," he said.

But when questioned about whether the creation of the Rapid Deployment Capacity is too little too late, he conceded that "yes, maybe, maybe we could have got it quicker."
SIOUX CITY  Country star Sam Hunt will bring his Outskirts Tour to the Tyson Events Center on March 14, 2024.

Presale tickets are now available at samhunt.com/tour. General tickets will be on sale at samhunt.com/tour, beginning at 10 a.m. Friday.

Currently, Hunt's "Outskirts" is a staple on country radio stations. His brand-new song, "Came the Closest," will be released on Friday.

Dubbed "the most innovative mainstream Nashville performer" by the New York Times, the five-time Grammy nominated Hunt will be joined by multi Platinum-selling country artist Brett Young and fellow Georgia native Lily Rose.
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa  Tuesday morning, Dordt University announced one of its faculty members is a part of a collaborative scientific effort that was recently awarded funding by NASA.

The team, which includes Channon Visscher (professor of chemistry and planetary sciences at Dordt University), received a grant totaling $687,182 by NASAs Exoplanets Research Program (XRP) for a study on how clouds form on planets outside our Solar System. A release from Dordt said "The name of the grant is 'A Theoretical and Laboratory Study of Refractory Cloud Formation in Exoplanet and Brown Dwarf Atmospheres.'"

For the research, the release said scientists at the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center will "combine experimental measurements of possible cloud materials with theoretical chemical models performed at SSI (Space Science Institute)/Dordt and spectroscopic predictions (exploring how light interacts with different materials) from researchers at UT-Austin to apply to new observations from the James Webb Telescope (JWST)."

Visscher said the work is exciting to be a part of because "it combines experimental, theoretical, and observational work into a single project."
STORM LAKE, Iowa -- The School Administrators of Iowa have named Storm Lake Community School District Superintendent Stacey Cole the 2023-24 Iowa Superintendent of the Year.

Superintendent since 2018, Cole was nominated by her peers and chosen by a committee of Iowa superintendents.

"This award represents the unwavering commitment of Storm Lake's teachers, staff and board of education to be changemakers for every child who walks through our doors -- no matter their background or the challenges they face. This story is our story, and it's one we shape together," Cole said in a news release from the school district.

The award's criteria include creativeness in successfully meeting students' needs, communication, professionalism and community involvement.

"Dr. Stacey Cole is deserving of this award as evidenced by her determination, dedication and love for all the students she serves. Stacey is committed to nurturing the Storm Lake school community, acknowledging their contributions, celebrating their students and families, fostering future leaders and producing unconventional solutions. She inspires countless students, teachers and community members to show up as their best selves. Dr. Cole exemplifies educational stewardship," SAI executive director Lisa Remy said in a news release.

Prior to serving as Storm Lake's superintendent, Cole was director of curriculum, instruction and assessment at Fort Dodge Community Schools, and she began her career as a grade 9-12 special education and at-risk teacher at Schaller-Crestland. Cole earned her bachelors degree in elementary education and special education from Buena Vista University, masters degree from Southwest Minnesota State University, administrator and English language learner endorsements from Morningside College, superintendent endorsement from Iowa State University and educational doctorate from the University of Florida.
SIOUX CITY  Later this month, former President Donald Trump will make a campaign stop in Sioux City.

At 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29, the 45th president of the United States will speak at the Orpheum Theatre (528 Pierce Street) during his latest campaign swing through Iowa before the caucuses on Jan. 15, 2024.

Trump's first visit to Sioux City since November 2022 comes as the twice-impeached president continues to dominate in 2024 Republican primary polls. A national polling average on the FiveThirtyEight website shows Trump with a 44.2% lead (57.6% to 13.4%) over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who he's criticized as a "terrible and inept candidate." In Iowa, the FiveThirtyEight average has a 33.1% advantage for Trump against DeSantis (50.5% to 17.4%).

This past week, Trump and DeSantis have gone back and forth over comments Trump made about the Israel - Hamas War where he called Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant a "jerk" and said Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was "very smart." DeSantis called the remarks "absurd." Nikki Haley, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, accused Trump of living in the past. Through October 17, Haley is third in the FiveThirtyEight polling average for the Republican caucuses in Iowa.

During a stop in Clive, Iowa on Monday, Trump vowed to bar Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip, which has been bombed by Israeli forces for more than 10 days.

"If you empathize with radical Islamic terrorists and extremists, youre disqualified," Trump said at the Clive event. "If you want to abolish the state of Israel, youre disqualified," he added.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported a Gaza civil defense chief said an Israeli air strike killed at least 300 people at a Gaza City hospital. Wednesday, President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he believed the attack had been caused by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group.

For his presidential campaign stops in Clive and nearby Adel, Iowa, Trump, who's facing 91 felony charges, was introduced by first-term Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird who recently endorsed Trump.

"He will secure our border  he will fight the terrorists, he will fix the economy, he will stand up for agriculture, and he will uphold our Constitution and our way of life," Bird said in Adel.

The event in Sioux City on Oct. 29 will have doors opening at noon and the program beginning at 2 p.m. General admission tickets can be acquired through Trump's personal campaign site.
SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City Council deferred a vote Monday on a resolution opposing the construction and operation of hazardous CO2 pipelines in or near the city.

Councilman Alex Watters motioned to defer the item until Nov. 6. The vote in favor of deferral was unanimous.

Watters said he wants to gather more information from larger industries, but also noted that he understands concerns about imminent domain.

"I would imagine, especially with a state that produces a lot of ethanol, that there might be a benefit to them being able to join some of these pipelines," Watters said.

Councilwoman Julie Schoenherr wondered how Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' future actions might supersede such a resolution, if the council were to approve it.

"I wonder about the governor leading the charge for it," Schoenherr said. "Because if she is in favor of it, which I believe she is, is that going to supersede anything we say?"

According to city documents, the resolution is being proposed at the request of council members and individuals within the community.

"Current plans show a proposed pipeline within Woodbury County and within two miles of the city limits of Sioux City. Research shows various possible negative outcomes should the pipeline be allowed. This includes health and safety issues, adverse effects on property values, and loss of future development opportunities for the properties," the documents stated.

The resolution the council is being asked to approve identifies the two hazardous CO2 pipelines, which are proposed to be constructed crossing the Missouri River as:

Summit Carbon Solutions turning north on the east side of Sioux City continuing into Plymouth County

Navigator Heartland Greenway continuing in a northeasterly direction towards Lawton

The proposed resolution states that "granting eminent domain for private companies sets a dangerous precedent" and that both routes are "dangerously close" to residences, business areas, Sioux Gateway Airport and the 185th Air Guard, as well as the sister cities of Sergeant Bluff and Lawton.

The resolution notes that "major highways will be affected by construction and operation of hazardous CO2" and "construction of hazardous CO2 pipelines would result in irreparable damage to land."

Many Iowa landowners have refused to grant surveyors access to their land or sign easements.

Gayle Palmquist, a Lawton, Iowa, resident representing landowners opposed to CO2 pipelines, addressed the council. She said she sees some areas that may be affected by a broken pipeline.

"We are much too dense -- the county -- to run this pipeline through it. The safety is a big matter if one of these pipelines break," she said.

Navigator has applied for a state permit to build a pipeline through five states that would collect carbon dioxide from ethanol and fertilizer processors in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Illinois, convert it to liquid form and transport it under high pressure to an Illinois site, where it would be pumped thousands of feet beneath the surface.

Navigator's pipeline would run through 36 Iowa counties, including Woodbury and Clay counties. Other Siouxland counties in the route include Plymouth, Lyon, Osceola, O'Brien, Cherokee, Dickinson and Buena Vista in Iowa and Dakota, Dixon and Wayne counties in Nebraska.

The proposed Summit Carbon Pipeline would pipe carbon dioxide from ethanol and fertilizer plants to an underground sequestration site in North Dakota. The pipeline would run through 30 counties in Iowa, including several in Northwest Iowa -- Woodbury, Plymouth, Sioux, Lyon, O'Brien, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Ida and Crawford, and would extend into Dakota, Dixon and Wayne counties in Nebraska.

"It's scary that that is going right under our river," Councilman Matthew O'Kane said during the council comments portion of Monday's meeting. "One of my major concerns and, I think one of all of our concerns should be, being a good steward to our environment; and putting a pipeline under a river, if there's a leak or a rupture would absolutely decimate any life in that river. I think that's something we all should be concerned about. Not only is that a potential danger, but it also breaks an agreement the federal government has with the Winnebago Tribe, which is concerning in its own right. "
SIOUX CITY  The latest generation of Smiths to work at American Pop Corn Co. is committed to keeping the family business privately-held and based in Sioux City," President Garry Smith said Monday.

But the 109-year-old company, maker of the Jolly Time brand, will be bringing in some non-family members to help set a future course, he said.

"I hope by the first of the year we will have three new outside directors to join Carlton and I on a new board of directors that will govern going forward," Smith told the Rotary Club of Sioux City Monday.

Garry Smith and his first cousin, Carlton, are the fourth generation to lead the business, which was started by their great-grandfather, Cloid Smith, in 1914.

Garry's sons, Alex and Rett Jr. Smith, and Carlton's daughter, Kendra Smith Linderbaum, are fifth generation members involved with Jolly Time, one of the nation's top-selling microwave popcorn brands.

Company officials have whittled down the initial 460 applicants for the three board seats to a list of 10 finalists, Smith said.

While most large companies have outside directors, the family has historically run American Pop Corn with little to any governance, he said. The president noted the family "used to write the minutes to our board meeting before we had the meeting," which drew laughter from Rotarians.

"With the fifth generation's commitment to holding this together as a family business, we knew that we had to change our governance," he told the club.

Smith, who succeeded his father, Wrede, as president in 2002, also hinted he would be moving into a different leadership role.

"The first thing we're going to do is get this new board of directors in place and then there'll be some management change announcements in the future," he told the Rotarians.

"We're going to have an outside president or a non-family president someday here in the future," he continued. "But, as I said earlier, the fifth generation of Smiths are very committed to keeping this a family-owned business. We're not moving anywhere.... We're very committed to Sioux City."

Jolly Time, which employs about 175 people, sells its products in all 50 states and 23 different countries.

After his presentation Monday, the Rotary Club presented Smith with its annual Key Way Award. Established in 1986, the award honors a local leader who has contributed to the health and prosperity of the area through business and community involvement.
The Biden Admin's ghost gun restrictions can continue after the US Supreme Court after it adheres to the government's request. This was announced on Monday, October 16.

With this decision, two Texas-based ghost gun manufacturers are barred from selling their at-home firearm kits.

This is the second time the US Supreme Court has acted against the order of Forth Worth-based Judge Reed O'Connor.

Biden Admin Ghost Gun Restrictions Can Continue

According to The Guardian's latest report, the latest decision of the US Supreme Court was specifically made to halt the rapid proliferation of ghost guns, 3D-printed firearms that can be assembled at home.

On September 14, Reed O'Connor introduced an injunction that barred the enforcement of a 2022 federal regulation. This rule restricted privately made guns, specifically those manufactured by Defense Distributed and Blackhawk Manufacturing.

But, with the latest order of the US Supreme Court, issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), O'Connor's injunction has been reversed.

Yahoo Life reported that the brief order allows the Biden Administration, specifically the Department of Justice, to continue its ghost gun regulations.

In the DOJ's emergency application to US Supreme Court justices, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued that the district court judge ignored an order originally issued by the Supreme Court in August.

She referred to the 5-4 court vote favoring the Biden Administration. Meanwhile, Biden Admin officials explained that although the majority disagreed, O'Connor still granted an injunction favoring these 3D-printed guns.

They added that the judge's decision clearly shows that he "openly flouted" the supreme court's authority.

Read Also: Ohio: Police Says Toy Guns Could Endanger Teens-Sheriff Issues Warning to Parents

Dangers of Ghost Guns

Although the firearm's name already provides a negative feeling, many people are unaware of the real risks posed by these ghost guns.

If you are among these individuals, the Yale Law School provided the reasons why ghost guns are facing restrictions:

Most ghost guns lack serial numbers that law enforcement needs to trace. This is why some criminals are attracted to purchasing these weapons.

Even without background checks, Americans can easily obtain or create the components of ghost guns. Because of these, there's a high chance that the firearm can malfunction, endangering the lives of its users.

Unlike traditional guns, ghost guns are usually made of plastic. This means that X-ray machines can't detect them easily, which could allow criminals to bring weapons in crowded places.

These are just some of the risks posed by ghost guns in the US. If you want to see more, you can click this link.

Related Article: Ohio School District Now Allows Teachers and Staff to Carry Guns to Protect Against Active Shooters

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"We have got to rebuild our wastewater treatment plant. We had a choice to rebuild the one we have or build a new one."

 Sioux City Council member Julie Schoenherr, at a forum Thursday night, on the city's plan to build a new wastewater treatment plant

"We need to get that squared away and figure out with the businesses what we're going to do and what we can do in the future."

 Tom Murphy, who is challenging Schoenherr for her seat on the Council, on the wastewater treatment plant

These numbers reflect that Iowans were hungry for educational freedom."

 Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, in a statement on the nearly 19,000 education savings accounts (ESAs) that have been approved through a new state program that allocates public funds for private school tuition

2023 Tri-State Governors' Conference Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers remarks during the 2023 Tri-State Governors' Conference held Wednesday, Oct. 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Si

"I normally feel safe. We are fine, we intend to be here."

 Adam Redwine, a Sioux City native and North High School grad, who lives in Israel with wife Aliya; the violence in Israel at times has been only 10 miles from their residence

Adam and Aliya Redwine Sioux City natives Adam and Aliya Redwine have lived in Israel for nearly five years. When Hamas sprung surprise attacks on Israeli settlement

"My dream as governor of Nebraska is that we lift every kid up, that nobody falls through the cracks, not one"

 Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, at the Tri-State Governors' Conference in Sioux City

2023 Tri-State Governors' Conference Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen speaks during the 2023 Tri-State Governors' Conference held Wednesday, Oct. 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sioux City

"Incomes are going up in our state faster than they ever have before. We're growing at five-to-10 times the national average right now. And we're going through some growing pains because of that."

 South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem at the Tri-State Governors' Conference

2023 Tri-State Governors' Conference South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks during the 2023 Tri-State Governors' Conference held Wednesday, Oct. 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sioux

This year felt like climate change has qualitatively altered our summers in a dangerous way."

 Drake University professor of environmental science and sustainability Dave Courard-Hauri, at a news conference for the release of the 2023 Iowa Climate Statement

Theres just not enough workers to go around. So theres just not many people who are unemployed."

 Retired Iowa State University Professor Peter Orazem, on Iowa's low level of jobless claims

"It was a pretty light turnout. I'm kind of disappointed, but that's the way it goes."

 Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill, on the turnout for last week's Sioux City Council primary election
WASHINGTON  Republicans are heading to the House Tuesday for the second time this Congress to try and elect a speaker, marking what they hope will be a unifying moment for a party that has been in turmoil for weeks.

GOP lawmakers are expected to rally their votes behind Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to be the next speaker despite reluctance from some who are wary of his hardline approach. Conservatives have been mounting an intense pressure campaign to persuade the final holdouts to support him.

Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, won the GOP's nomination for speaker in a secret ballot on Friday. But a second round of voting showed that more than 50 Republicans would oppose Jordan on the floor, leaving him well short of the 217 votes needed to win the gavel.

Since then, with the help of former President Donald Trump and some in conservative media, Jordan has managed to flip a substantial number of detractors in his favor. But he'll need the backing of nearly every Republican to become speaker, as Democrats are certain to back their own nominee, Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Republicans control the House 221-212.

Here's what to know going into the speaker's election:

When is the speaker election? And how does it work?

The House is expected to gavel into session Tuesday at noon to hold what could be the first of several votes to elect a speaker. It's a speaker's election unlike any other following the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was suddenly and unexpectedly ousted from the post after just nine months on the job.

The speaker is normally elected every two years, in January, when the House organizes for a new session. A new election can only be held if the speaker dies, resigns or is removed from office.

Once the House is in a quorum  meaning a minimum number of members are present to proceed  each party will put a name into nomination for speaker. Republicans will nominate Jordan, and it's possible another GOP candidate will come up in protest.

Democrats will nominate Jeffries and are expected to vote for him in unison.

House members are seated during the speakership vote. It's one of the few times  including for the State of the Union Address  that lawmakers are all seated in the chamber.

How many votes does it take to elect a speaker?

It takes a majority of the votes from House members who are present and voting.

Once the roll call for speaker begins, members of the House are called on one by one to call out their choices. The House, which currently has 433 members and two vacancies, will vote as many times as necessary until someone wins.

It's uncertain how many rounds it might take for Jordan to clinch the gavel, but his supporters are confident that the public floor vote will force the remaining holdouts to flip their way. McCarthy narrowly won the speakership in January on the 15th round of balloting, after five excruciating days.

It is unlikely to take Jordan nearly as long to triumph. House Republicans are exhausted by weeks of infighting over who will lead the conference and frustrated by the inability of the chamber to pass legislation, particularly in response to the Israel-Hamas war.

Who is supporting and opposing Jim Jordan?

Jordan, a darling of the party's hardline right-wing base, still faces opposition from some members of the conference who doubt his ability to lead.

"Being speaker of the House is not being the chairman," Rep. Mario Diaz Balart, one of the holdouts, said Friday. "Because you deal with foreign policy, you deal with the heads of state, you deal with domestic policy and you deal with security issues."

He added, "I think there are a lot of questions about whether he can unify and lead the conference, and whether he can even lead his own people, his closest people."

Some Republicans are upset with how the speaker's race has played out.

Rep. Steve Scalise, the majority leader, first won his colleagues' nomination for speaker on Wednesday. Jordan, who came in second, threw his support behind Scalise, stating that he would support his nomination when it came to the floor and urging the rest of the conference to do the same. But more than a dozen Republicans refused to back Scalise, leading him to withdraw a day later.

Those same members who refused to back Scalise are now Jordan's strongest base of support. They spent the weekend publicly and privately lobbying each of his critics to drop their opposition and become a "team player." They say the party's grass-roots base pressure could prove decisive in the vote.

"It's more popular to vote for Jim Jordan than it is to vote against him," Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., one of Jordan's supporters, said in an interview on Friday. "And so when you have to stand up in front of God and country and say a name, your constituents are hoping you're gonna say Jim Jordan."

Photos from the last speaker vote

Photos: Scenes from historic speaker vote of 118th Congress
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  Truckloads of aid idled at Egypts border with Gaza as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded Monday for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last weeks rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.

U.S. President Joe Biden planned to travel to Israel on Wednesday to signal White House support for the country and to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the trip early Tuesday in Tel Aviv during his second visit to Israel in less than a week amid fears that the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. Israel maintained punishing airstrikes across Gaza as a ground invasion loomed, while Hamas militants kept up a barrage of rocket attacks, and tensions mounted near the Israel-Lebanon border.

More than a week after Israel cut off entry of any supplies, all eyes were on the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt. Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire that would let in aid and let out trapped foreigners. Israeli airstrikes forced the crossing to shut down last week, but it remained unclear Monday which of the regional actors was keeping the crossing closed.

Blinken, who returned to Israel after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

We share Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, Blinken said.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier, referring to Israels 2006 war with Hezbollah, which operates out of Lebanon.

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted U.S. and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahian's threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

This has become the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority civilians massacred in Hamas Oct. 7 assault.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages, including foreigners whom it said it would free when it was feasible.

Also Monday, Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself in the video as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. In her statement, Schem was taken from Kibbutz Reim, where she was attending a rave near the Israel-Gaza border. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation.

The Israeli military said Schem's family was told of her abduction last week, and officials dismissed the video as propaganda.

The plight of the hostage s has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews of their relatives playing almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

The head of Israels Shin Bet security service, in charge of monitoring militant groups, took responsibility for failing to avert Hamas' surprise attack. As agency head, the responsibility for that is on me, Ronen Bar said.

There will be time for investigation  now is a time for war, he wrote in a letter to Shin Bet workers and their families.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling supplies and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and increasing desperation. More than 1 million have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, according to the U.N.

The Israeli military says it is trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gaza's north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Those fleeing northern Gaza still faced airstrikes in the south. Before dawn Monday, a strike in the town of Rafah collapsed a building sheltering three families who had evacuated from Gaza City. At least 12 people were killed and nine others remained buried under rubble, survivors said. The strike reduced the house to a vast crater blanketed with wreckage.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the U.N. said.

People grew increasingly desperate in their search for food and water. With taps dry, many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

More than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians, UNRWA. But the agency can't provide them supplies. UNRWA said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life, said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, calling for a lifting of the siege. We need this now.

The few operating bakeries had long snaking lines of people. Ahmad Salah in the city of Deir al-Balah said he waited 10 hours to get a kilo (2 pounds) of bread to feed 20-30 family members.

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave.

UNRWA said 170,000 people were sheltering at its schools in the north when the order to leave came. But it couldn't evacuate them and doesnt know if they remained. More than 40,000 have crowded in and around Gaza Citys al-Shifa Hospital, hoping it will be safe from bombardment.

Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south.

Doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators. The aid group Doctors Without Borders said many of its personnel decided to stay to treat wounded. They ran out of painkillers, and staff reported wounded screaming in pain," it said.

On the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, crowds of Palestinians with dual citizenship waited anxiously, sitting on suitcases or crouched on the floor, some comforting crying infants.

They are supposed to be a developed country, talking about human rights all the time, Shurouq Alkhazendar, whose two children are American citizens, said of the United States. You should protect your citizens first, not leave them all alone suffering.

After increasing cross-border exchanges with Hezbollah in the north, the Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate 28 communities within 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of the Lebanese border.

Israel is ready to operate on two fronts, and even more, said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman.

Hezbollah released video showing snipers shooting out cameras on several Israeli army posts along the border, apparently to prevent Israel from monitoring movements on the Lebanese side.

The U.S. government began evacuating some 2,500 American citizens by ship from the Israeli port city of Haifa to Cyprus. Commercial airlines have largely stopped flying into Israels Ben-Gurion International Airport.

This version of the story corrects that Schem was taken from a rave at Kibbutz Reim, not from a party at Sderot.
An Iowa man is suing the City of Newton for arresting him after he attempted to criticize the citys police at a public meeting of elected officials.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of Noah Peterson, alleges the mayor and police violated Petersons constitutional rights at a 2022 meeting of the Newton City Council.

The incident grew out of a viral video showing Newton police officers arresting 19-year-old Tayvin Galanakis on a charge of drunken driving on the night of Aug. 28, 2022. The arrest was made despite a breath test that showed Galanakis had a blood-alcohol level of zero.

The officers body-camera video of the arrest generated more than 2 million views when posted to YouTube Galanakis. It sparked a debate within the community about the officers actions, and led to a civil lawsuit against the city.

Peterson attended a meeting of the Newton City Council on Sept. 6, 2022, and during the period set aside for public comments, he called for defunding the Newton Police Department as violent organization that violates civil rights. The mayor interrupted Peterson and instructed him to stop speaking disparagingly about the Newton Police Department and he then threatened Peterson with arrest.

On Oct. 3, 2022, Peterson attended another council meeting. Video of the meeting shows that after being invited to speak, Peterson stated the police department was currently employing a domestic abuser  a reference to one of the police officers involved in the drunken-driving arrest  and said the city was choosing to not release the records about that domestic abuser.

The mayor interrupted Peterson, told him to stop speaking and summoned the police chief to the lectern where Peterson was standing. The police chief placed Peterson in handcuffs, arrested him, escorted Peterson out of the city council chambers and had him taken to jail where he was booked on a charge of disorderly conduct for disrupting a lawful assembly and placed in a cell.

In a press release the next day, the city stated Peterson was arrested for speaking in a manner that was deemed to be in violation of the stated rules for citizen participation in the meeting and for being disruptive by refusing to leave.

On Oct. 24, Peterson attended another council meeting at which the mayor gave attendees what he called a little civics lesson and reminded everyone of the citys ban on derogatory comments at council meetings.

Video of the meeting shows that during the public comment period, Peterson began reading a prepared statement in which he called the mayor and the police chief the top two fascists in this town and called for both to be removed from office.

When Peterson refused the mayors request that he sit down, the mayor suspended the meeting and turned off the cameras in the City Councils chambers. According to the lawsuit, Peterson and the mayor argued, and then the police chief and another officer handcuffed him and placed him under arrest for disorderly conduct.

The mayor allegedly told the audience that activism and disrespectful comments would not be allowed during council meetings as long as Im sitting in this chair, adding that council meetings were not the place to be political or politically active on issues.

The criminal complaint in the Oct. 24 case states Peterson was criminally charged for speaking negatively towards the mayor of Newton and the police chief.

After Jasper County prosecutors declined to prosecute Peterson, lawyers for the city pursued the two cases against him. Peterson was found not guilty on the first charge, after which the city dropped the second charge. The city then abolished the rule banning derogatory comments at council meetings.

Petersons lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages as well as a court order permanently enjoining the city from restraining free speech or retaliating against speakers.

Petersons case was filed by the Virginia-based Institute for Justice. The city has yet to file a response and the city attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment Thursday afternoon.

The right to criticize the government is a central pillar of our Constitution, said Brian Morris, an attorney at the Institute for Justice. By ordering their opponents arrested, Newtons officials behaved like petty dictators in a banana republic, rather than democratically-elected leaders in a constitutional republic. Anyone with a high school diploma should know that having your political opponents arrested is a textbook example of violating someones First Amendment rights and were confident that the courts will agree.

Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Iowa Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Iowa #50. Carson #49. Wadena #48. Ely #47. Wahpeton #46. Cascade #45. Underwood #44. Hornick #43. Bristow #42. Carter Lake #41. North Liberty #40. Titonka #39. Honey Creek #38. Avoca #37. Moville #36. Solon #35. Oakland #34. Council Bluffs #33. Runnells #32. Windsor Heights #31. Bronson #30. Iowa City #29. Crescent #28. Sergeant Bluff #27. Huxley #26. Coralville #25. Zearing #24. McCallsburg #23. Bryant #22. Sheldahl #21. Nevada #20. Saint Olaf #19. Castalia #18. Raymond #17. Maxwell #16. Cedar Falls #15. Story City #14. Lawton #13. Slater #12. Milford #11. Drakesville #10. Lake Park #9. Hills #8. Roland #7. Arnolds Park #6. Colo #5. Collins #4. Cambridge #3. Gilbert #2. Udell #1. Kelley
ADEL  As former President Donald Trump rallied support in Iowa on Monday, some supporters at a stop in Adel said one major thing separates Trump from the Republican candidates that are challenging him for the nomination.

He does what he says hes going to do, and thats what this country needs right now, said Cyndy Beck, of Emerson. We dont need a bunch of liars.

Don Orban of Adel, who said hes going to support Trump in the caucuses, also said Trumps record as president, and the perception that he followed through on his promises, has won his support.

I dont think anybody else has proven that theyll do what they say theyre going to do, he said of the Republicans challenging Trump. And I think Trumps not bought and paid for.

Trump has visited the first-in-the-nation caucus state several times over the last month to lock down his outsized support in an effort to score a major win in the January caucuses.

Despite millions of dollars spent on advertising and aggressive ground games from his opponents, Trump has maintained a major lead over his opponents in Iowa for months, according to polling.

A recent poll from Iowa State University, conducted by Civiqs, found that Trump had support from 55% of Iowa Republicans. The next three candidates were Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 17%, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley at 11%, and Vivek Ramaswamy at 5%.

Despite the records of Trumps opponents as governors, senators or businessmen, supporters said Trump has the clearest record of the kind of president he would be  because he was already president. Its a record that, in the eyes of his supporters, was far superior to Democratic President Joe Bidens.

I think (Trump)s the only one thats going to turn anything around, if were not too late, Beck said.

Brenna Bird endorses Trump

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced Monday she is endorsing Trump, welcoming him to the stage in Adel and Clive and saying he would reverse a number of Biden policies she said hurt Iowans and Americans.

He will secure our border  he will fight the terrorists, he will fix the economy, he will stand up for agriculture, and he will uphold our Constitution and our way of life, Bird said in Adel.

The endorsement from the high-profile Republican is a major achievement for Trump, who leads the field in polling but has nabbed fewer endorsements from Iowa Republican legislators than Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In Adel, Trump thanked Bird and other legislators for their endorsement, and said people that dont endorse, we dont have them.

Now theyre all calling, he said. DeSanctimonious bombed.

Trump has made public his displeasure that Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has not endorsed him in the primary. Reynolds has not endorsed any candidate, but she has joined DeSantis on a number of visits and has left open the possibility that she may endorse a candidate.

Trump plans enhanced travel, immigration ban

At his rally in Clive, Trump said if reelected he would reinstate and expand the travel ban he instituted early in his presidency, noting he would not accept refugees from Gaza, which the U.N. has said is in a humanitarian crisis as Israel has ordered more than 1 million people to leave the northern part of the enclave.

Hamas, a militant organization in control of Gaza, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel earlier this month, killing more than 1,000 civilians and taking hostages. Gazan officials say more than 2,500 people have been killed in Israels retaliatory strikes.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also called for rejecting refugees from Gaza. At a campaign event in Creston on Saturday, he said while not all Gaza residents are affiliated with Hamas, "they are all antisemitic" and don't support Israel's right to exist.

South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott took a similar stance Monday that he would not accept refugees from Gaza because of difficulties in determining who poses a threat to the U.S.

Trump said he would stand with Israel and claimed the attacks would not have happened if he was president.

Trump also unveiled a new immigration policy on Monday, saying he would enact new restrictions in an effort to prevent Hamas supporters and other Islamist terror sympathizers from entering the country.

Extending prohibitions beyond terrorism, Trump said he would institute an ideological screening on all immigrants entering the country. Trump said his administration would bar immigrants who support Islamist terrorism or Hamas, support abolishing Israel, and immigrants who are communist, Marxist or fascist.

In addition, Trump said he would undertake deportations of resident aliens with jihadist sympathies, and that he would revoke student visas for radical anti-American and antisemitic foreigners at colleges and universities.

Well continue the process that I started in my first four years of stripping citizenship from criminals, terrorists and immigration cheaters and frauds, he said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a visit to Creston on Sunday that

The Trump travel bans in 2017 targeted majority-Muslim countries like Iran, Libya, Syria and Yemen. The restrictions were challenged in court but upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court by a slim majority.

In a press conference on Monday, Iowa Democratic Rep. Adam Zabner, of Iowa City, who is Jewish and has family in Israel, criticized Trumps response to the attack on Israel and said Trump failed to support the Jewish community while president. He pointed to Trumps response to the 2017 antisemitic Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.

Trumps opponents have also criticized him for calling the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah very smart in a campaign event last week.

Trump has consistently failed to denounce antisemitism, he has raised the platforms of white supremacists and Neo-Nazis, Zabner said. Now, as Israel is being attacked, Trump is airing personal grievances about Israeli leadership and has praised a terrorist group that attacked them.

Trump calls gag order unconstitutional

A federal judge on Monday issued a gag order on Trump in a case prosecuting his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The order from Judge Tanya Chutkan says Trump cannot publicly target potential witnesses in the case, Special Counsel Jack Smith, his staff or court personnel.

Trump has attacked Smith in social media posts and on stage before, calling him deranged and a thug, and has targeted judges and their staff in his criminal court cases.

The four-times indicted former president faces criminal charges in his alleged mishandling of classified documents, charges of business fraud over an alleged hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels and two separate cases over the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.

Trump skewered the gag order in his remarks on Monday. He said his opponents had weaponized the Justice Department, and said he would appeal Chutkins order.

A judge gave a gag order today, did you hear that? Which, I believe is totally unconstitutional what she did, Trump said in Clive. ...The judge doesnt like me too much, her whole life is not liking me.
More than a million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israeli invasion that seeks to eliminate Hamas leadership after its deadly incursion. Aid groups warn an Israeli ground offensive could hasten a humanitarian crisis.

Israeli forces, supported by U.S. warships, positioned themselves along Gazas border and drilled for what Israel said would be a broad campaign to dismantle the militant group. A week of blistering airstrikes have demolished neighborhoods but failed to stop militant rocket fire into Israel.

The war that began Oct. 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead. The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.

Currently:

1. U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced. 2. A shortage of potable water continues across Gaza, leading humanitarian workers to warn of the risk of disease from drinking untreated water. 3. Overwhelmed doctors at the territorys largest hospital struggle to care for patients as supplies of water, fuel and medicine run dangerously low. 4. Hundreds of civilians killed in the Hamas attacks have yet to be identified by Israeli forensics teams.

Here's what's happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:

NEW YORK GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES A TUESDAY VISIT TO ISRAEL

NEW YORK  Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a written statement Monday evening that she will travel to Israel on Tuesday for a solidarity mission.

She said she plans to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities devastated after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israeli towns.

During these difficult times, its more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel, Hochul said.

New York has the largest percentage of Jews among all the U.S. states, according to the American Jewish Population Project at Brandeis University.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO VISIT ISRAEL WEDNESDAY, US SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES

TEL AVIV  President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support for the U.S. ally amid concerns the Israel-Hamas war could become a larger regional conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said early Tuesday in Tel Aviv.

Biden will then go to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Blinken's announcement followed hours of talks with Israeli officials, as well as an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire, Blinken also said the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid from donor nations to reach civilians in Gaza, "including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

We share Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, Blinken said.

IRAN WARNS OF POSSIBLE PREEMPTIVE ACTION AS GAZA GROUND OFFENSIVE NEARS

JERUSALEM  Irans foreign minister has warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to its looming ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The comments by Hossein Amirabdollahian follow a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, whose theocracy provides support to Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel cannot do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go after other resistance groups after its done with Gaza, he told state television. Therefore any preemptive action is possible in the coming hours.

He did not elaborate on what form any action might take.

If the limited and extremely tight windows of opportunity available to the United Nations and political actors are not used over the coming hours, opening new fronts against the Zionist regime is inevitable, he said.

UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF PUSHES FOR AID TO BE ALLOWED INTO GAZA

UNITED NATIONS  Calling this the worst of times, the U.N. humanitarian chief said the United Nations is in deep discussions with the Israelis, Egyptians and others about getting aid through the Rafah crossing, hugely helped by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken who has been traveling in the region.

Martin Griffiths, who is heading to Cairo on Tuesday to try to help in the negotiations, said in an interview with the U.N. Monday that he was hoping for some good news soon.

Griffiths said the U.N.s overwhelming priority is to get access to Gaza, saying humanitarian rules of war are being violated.

You cannot ask people to move out of harms way without assisting them to do it, by providing safe places and humanitarian aid, and right now Israel has not made these provisions for Gazans moving from the north to the south, Griffiths said.

He also called for the immediate release of all hostages taken from Israel, many of them children, women, the elderly and the sick, which he said is unacceptable and illegal.

AIR RAID SIRENS PUNCTUATE BLINKEN'S RETURN TO ISRAEL

TEL AVIV  Air raid sirens interrupted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens return to Israel three times on Monday, twice as he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet for discussions over Israels war with Hamas.

The sirens signaling incoming rocket fire followed by the loud booms of Iran Dome air defenses intercepting rockets underscored an often-daily reality for Israelis, especially in the past week.

Blinken and his team got their first taste of the warning system and Iron Dome response as they drove from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, minutes after sirens sounded in both cities causing motorists to pull over and take cover.

Blinkens motorcade did not slow or alter its route but sped quickly to the Israeli Ministry of Defense as motorists on the shoulders of the road returned to their vehicles.

Later, Blinken and his aides were meeting Netanyahu and his war cabinet at the prime ministers office when sirens sounded again. Blinken, Netanyahu and the others took shelter in a bunker, according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

Others huddled in defense ministry stairwells until the all clear was given.

ISRAEL HITS SOUTHERN GAZA WITH MORE AIR STRIKES

RAFAH, Gaza Strip  Israeli air strikes continue to lay waste to Gaza, hitting homes sheltering people seeking safer ground and wiping out 18 members of the same family.

Three families who had fled Gaza City were in a house that was struck early Monday in the southern city of Rafah. The attack killed a dozen people and left nine buried in the rubble, according to surviving family members.

A vast crater marked where the building had stood.

In the Nuseirat refugee camp in the middle of the besieged Gaza Strip, the bodies of 18 members of the Ghabayen family were loaded onto a truck.

This is an entire family, said Mustafa Ghabayen, a relative. Eighteen martyrs and three are still under the rubble.

PUTIN URGES PEACE IN PHONE CALL WITH NETANYAHU

MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his desire for peace between Israel and the Palestinians in a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Kremlin said Monday.

The Kremlin said Putin also urged a quick end to hostilities in earlier calls to Egyptian, Iranian, Syrian and Palestinian leaders.

Speaking to Netanyahu, Putin expressed his sincere condolences to the families and friends of deceased Israelis and emphasized his strong rejection and condemnation of any actions that victimize the civilian population.

The Kremlin said Putin reiterated his desire for a peaceful settlement through political and diplomatic means.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION VOWS TO TRIPLE AID TO GAZA

TIRANA, Albania  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday that the European Union will increase humanitarian aid to Gaza starting with two flights this week via Egypt.

She said the Commission has tripled humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza to 75 million euros ($79 million) and would keep working with our partners in the region to assess and address the needs on the ground.

Von der Leyen denounced the heinous Hamas attacks and said Israel has the right to defend itself in line with humanitarian international law."

The Commission head was speaking in Tirana at the end of a summit with Western Balkan leaders.

FORENSIC TEAMS STRUGGLE TO IDENTIFY THOSE KILLED IN HAMAS ATTACKS

TEL AVIV  Some 400 of the 950 Israeli civilian bodies sent to the National Center of Forensic Medicine following the Hamas attacks remain unidentified, the head of the center said Monday.

The amount of charred bodies that we receive now, the proportion is high, Dr. Chen Kugel said. I dont know how long it will take.

He said there were DNA, dental records and CT scans to help identify the dead.

More than 1,400 Israelis were killed, the vast majority civilians, in the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,750 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched counter strikes.

PENTAGON SENDS DEPLOYMENT NOTICES TO 2,000 U.S. TROOPS

WASHINGTON  The Pentagon has sent prepare to deploy orders to about 2,000 U.S. troops to be ready to respond to the Israel-Hamas war, two U.S. officials said on the condition of anonymity to discuss a decision that has not been announced yet.

The troops would cover a variety of support roles, such as additional medical support or explosive ordnance support, such as providing additional security at gate crossings, one of the officials said.

They would not be sent to Israel but could be sent to countries in the region, one of the officials said. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the orders.

Associated Press writer Tara Copp contributed to this report

SHIN BET HEAD TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR NO WARNING BEFORE HAMAS ATTACK

JERUSALEM  The head of Israels Shin Bet security service has taken responsibility for the bloody Oct. 7 Hamas rampage that killed over 1,400 Israelis.

In a message sent to Shin Bet workers and their families over the weekend, Ronen Bar wrote that despite a number of actions we took, unfortunately, on Saturday we were unable to create enough early warning to prevent the attack.

As the person at the head of the organization, the responsibility for that is on me, he added. There will be time for investigation  now is a time for war.

The letter was obtained by The Associated Press on Monday.

The Shin Bet leads Israels efforts to track and monitor Palestinian militants. The Israeli news site Ynet has reported that on the eve of the attack, Bar was summoned to the office because of abnormal activity detected in Gaza. But officials believed that only a limited attack would take place, according to the report.

HEZBOLLAH SAYS IT ATTACKED ISRAELI POSITION NEAR LEBANON

BEIRUT - Lebanons militant Hezbollah group says its fighters have targeted an Israeli position along the border directly hitting a Merkava tank.

Hezbollah said in a statement that the Sunday evening attack hit an Israeli position near the Lebanese border village of Duhaira. It gave no other details about the attack.

EU LEADERS TO MEET TO DISCUSS ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

BRUSSELS  European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit Tuesday as concern mounts that the war between Israel and Hamas could fuel inter-communal tensions in Europe and bring more refugees in search of sanctuary.

The leaders will also attempt to restore some order after a series of social media messages, statements and visits by EU officials sowed confusion about the 27-nation blocs intentions after Hamas attacked southern Israel.

The conflict could have major security consequences for our societies, EU Council President Charles Michel said Monday as he announced the video summit. The meeting will also focus on getting aid to civilians and working with other countries in the region to stop tensions from spreading.

TWO PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS GO TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

The U.N. Security Council is set to vote Monday on dueling resolutions on the Israel-Hamas war. A Russian proposal calls for a cease-fire while a Brazilian draft seeks humanitarian pauses to let aid flow and urges Israel to rescind its order for the evacuation of northern Gaza.

Either draft, if adopted, would mark the first collective statement on the war from the U.N.s most powerful organ.

Both draft resolutions, obtained by The Associated Press, call for releasing all hostages. In somewhat different language, both also condemn violence toward civilians, express concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and seek the provision of food, fuel and other aid.

But the differences are significant. Ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, Russias proposed resolution calls for a humanitarian cease-fire. The Brazilian draft calls for humanitarian pauses and encourages establishing aid corridors and a notification mechanism to protect U.N. facilities, humanitarian sites and aid convoys.

The council has become increasingly divided due to Russias war in Ukraine. Russia is a veto-wielding member. Brazil, a two-year member without a veto, currently holds the rotating presidency.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Rep. Jim Jordan lost 20 Republican votes Tuesday in his first round of balloting for House speaker, creating an uphill climb to win the gavel.

The House plans to return for a second vote at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

What to know

Jim Jordans rapid rise has been cheered by Trump and the far right

How the vote for a new speaker works

Scalise ends bid to become speaker as holdouts refuse to back him

Kevin McCarthy was an early architect of the GOP majority that became his downfall

Speaker McCarthy ousted in historic House vote

Work with us, Jeffries urges Republicans

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is calling on Republicans to work with Democrats to elect a speaker.

Jeffries said Tuesday evening after Jim Jordan lost the speaker's vote that it's fine if the next speaker is a Republican. But he made clear that Democrats would want rule changes that would allow them to advance legislation that has bipartisan support.

Jeffries described Jordan as the poster child for MAGA extremism and said he was a clear and present danger to our democracy.

The Democrat said informal conversations that had been going on for the last few days could begin in earnest now that it's become clear Jordan does not have the votes to be speaker.

Republicans plan to return for a second round of voting at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

House adjourns and will return for another vote on speaker Wednesday

The House adjourned Tuesday evening after Jordan failed to garner enough Republican support to clinch the gavel in the first ballot for House speaker.

He said the House will return for a second vote at 11 a.m. Wednesday as he and his supporters work to persuade the remaining holdouts to flip in his favor.

Twenty Republicans voted for alternatives to Jordan on Tuesday, and he must pick up most of those to reach the 217 majority threshold.

Jordan said he wont work with Democrats to elect a speaker and will go as many rounds as it takes.

Jordan looking ahead to next round of balloting

After being rejected on the first ballot for House speaker, Jordan said he was not really surprised at the tally and expected to do better in the next round, possibly later Tuesday.

In all, 212 Democrats voted unanimously for their House leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, while 200 Republicans voted for Jordan and 20 for someone else. Jordan must pick up most of the GOP holdouts to reach the 217 majority threshold.

We feel confident, he said, ducking into a leadership office. Weve already talked to some members who are going to vote with us on the second ballot.

Republicans getting math lesson on vote count, Pelosi says

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says it appears Jordan underestimated the number of opponents he had.

The California Democrat was the first female speaker of the House and was known for her ability to coalesce her members behind her. She famously never took a vote to the floor without knowing what the outcome would be.

The several times she ran for speaker, she faced a number of detractors in a closed-door conference vote but was able to clinch the gavel each time her nomination came to the floor vote.

Pelosi told reporters after Jordan lost the first round of voting that Republicans were taking lessons on mathematics and how to count.

GOP congressman wants to stick with McCarthy

A congressman who has opposed Jordan's quest for speakership from the start says the conference made a decision in January in backing Kevin McCarthy and should stick to it.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida was among 20 Republicans who voted for alternatives to Jordan in Tuesday's House speaker vote, dooming his bid on the first round of balloting. Gimenez cast his vote for McCarthy, who was ousted from the job two weeks ago.

Gimenez said, We should go back to what we had. He asked, "Why would we change our horse in midstride?

He added, Im not going to be a part of a coup.

Jordan holdouts face meat grinder of pressure

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and Jordan ally who has resisted party leadership in the past, said the holdouts on the House speaker vote would now be put through a meat grinder of pressure.

He predicted they would cave and support Jordan by the end of the week after pressure from conservative voters who are being told to call member offices and close friends.

I dont think any of these 20 have the stomach for forcing that vote over and over, Massie said.

That strategy has the potential to backfire.

Leading up to the vote, some Republicans were resentful of the pressure put on them by Jordans allies and complained they were being threatened with primary opponents if they didn't support him as speaker.

No quick second round of voting, McCarthy says

McCarthy says he does not expected another vote on House speaker right away.

The House went into recess shortly Tuesday afternoon after Jordan lost the first round of voting to become the chamber's leader.

McCarthy said the Republican conference would regroup and talk to the members who have differences of opinion on who the next House speaker should be.

He noted that Jordan's first round of balloting looked similar to his. McCarthy lost 19 votes back in January in his first election for speaker. Jordan lost 20.

Jordan loses first round of balloting on speaker vote

Jordan has come up short in the first round of voting for House speaker.

The Ohio congressman did even worse than Kevin McCarthy did on the first balloting of his election back in January.

Jordan lost 20 Republican votes, well more than the three he could spare to win the speaker's gavel.

More rounds of voting are expected as Jordan works to shore up support to replace McCarthy for the job and the leader of the GOPs hard-right flank moves to take a central seat of U.S. power. But it's unclear when the next vote will take place.

The Jordan holdouts are a mix of pragmatists, ranging from seasoned legislators and committee chairs worried about governing to newer lawmakers from districts where their voters back home prefer President Joe Biden to former President Donald Trump.

Jordan trying to sway holdouts

Jordan appears to be talking to some Republicans about switching their vote after he came up short on the first round.

Twenty Republicans have voted against Jordan, an outcome way worse than his allies were hoping for.

For his part, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is smiling and joking with colleagues as he no longer bears the weight of cajoling them to unite. He had earlier predicted that Jordan would clinch the gavel on the first round.

The vote hasnt yet closed, and members can still change their ballots.

Scalise's vote for Jordan gets standing ovation

Republicans gave Rep. Steve Scalise a standing ovation after he cast his vote for Jordan for speaker.

Scalise was first nominated to the speakership last week before withdrawing his name when it became clear he would come up short.

But Scalise's support was likely cold comfort to Jordan, who is on the brink of losing the first round unless votes change before the end.

Fifteen Republicans have so far voted against Jordan. He could afford to lose no more than three votes and still win the speaker's gavel.

Jordan has lost a dozen Republican votes already

A dozen Republicans have now voted against Jordan for House speaker.

They have instead backed Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Steve Scalise, former Rep. Lee Zeldin or others. All the Democrats have voted for their leader, Hakeem Jeffries.

The voting continues.

Anti-Jordan GOP votes more than allies expected

The votes against Jordan for House speaker are looking to be more than his allies were expecting.

Jordan has so far lost nine GOP votes, well more than the three he could spare.

For now, it denies Jordan the speakers gavel, but votes can still be changed while the roll is being called.

Jordan on brink of defeat unless votes change

Jordan has now lost well over the three GOP votes he could spare in his quest to become House speaker.

For now, it denies Jordan the speakers gavel, but votes can still be changed while the roll is being called.

Reps. Don Bacon, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Anthony DEsposito, Mario Diaz-Balart and Jake Ellzey are among the Republicans who have voted against Jordan.

Loud murmurs arose after each of the votes for an alternative speaker, and were especially loud after Diaz-Balart cast a potentially decisive fourth vote against Jordan.

Oregon Republican is second GOP vote against Jordan

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon is now the second Republican to vote for McCarthy.

With one Republican absent Tuesday, Jordan cannot afford to lose more than three GOP votes.

She joined Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who was the first GOP lawmaker to vote for McCarthy.

One key holdout, Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., did not appear to be in the chamber when his name was called.

Buck has held out against supporting Jordan. He has said he wants Jordan to clearly state that Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election. He can still cast a vote at the end of the roll call.

Voting has begun

The roll call vote is underway.

With one Republican absent Tuesday, Jordan cannot afford to lose more than three GOP votes.

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska voted for Kevin McCarthy, the first Republican to break from Jordan. Murmurs rose after he voted.

Democrat calls Jordan an insurrection insider

Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar is nominating Hakeem Jeffries as House speaker.

In his remarks before Tuesday's vote, Aguilar pointedly called Jordan, the Republican pick for speaker, an insurrection insider.

The No. 3-ranked Democrat pointed to Jordans role in Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the fact that he has yet to pass a bill into law in his 16 years in office.

The chamber was lively during Aguilar's speech. He ticked through Jordan's record to note how he had consistently voted against government aid. The Democratic half of the chamber chanted, He said no! along with Aguilar.

Democrats gasp and groan over wrestling mention

A reference to Jordans wrestling career during Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik's nominating speech received an audible gasp and groan from Democrats across the aisle.

Stefanik said ahead of Tuesday's vote: Whether on the wrestling mat or in the committee room, Jim Jordan is strategic, scrappy, tough and principled.

Jordan has denied allegations from former wrestlers during his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University who accused him of knowing about claims they were inappropriately groped by an Ohio doctor. Jordan has said he was never aware of any abuse.

Stefanik calls Jordan a patriot in nominating speech

One of Trump's most fervent supporters in the House is nominating Jordan for House speaker.

Our colleague Jim Jordan is a patriot, said Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. Jim is the voice of the American people who have been left voiceless far too long.

Democrats are openly scoffing and jeering at certain points during Stefaniks speech.

McCarthy thinks Jordan has it

Arriving to the vote Tuesday, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters that he believes Jordan can clinch the gavel on the first ballot.

McCarthy had been helping Jordans lobbying efforts over the last week. The two men became close in recent years, and Jordan proved to be instrumental in the California Republican's becoming speaker in January.

Dressing the part

Jordan typically skips a suit jacket, but he was donning one Tuesday as his colleagues prepared to vote on whether to elect him House speaker.

The Ohio Republican's garb was a notable departure from his usual style as he shook hands with GOP lawmakers on the House floor.

Ahead of the election, he appeared to be short of the Republican votes needed to win the gavel, but he has sounded confident that he can pressure the holdouts to eventually vote for him.

Out of many may one emerge

Members of the House are getting settled in for what is expected to be multiple rounds of votes for speaker.

A handful of Republicans are still opposed to Jordan, but his allies think they will break from their opposition as they go through multiple rounds and come under intense pressure to elect a speaker.

The House chaplain, Margaret Kibben, gave an opening prayer alluding to the upcoming vote. On this day of choice, give us the vision to see how you have picked each one, she said. Out of many may one emerge.

Rep. Patrick McHenry is presiding over the chamber. He was abruptly appointed as speaker pro tempore last week following the unprecedented ouster of Kevin McCarthy from the top spot.

House is gaveling into session

The House is gaveling into session at noon and beginning with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Then work will get underway on a House speakership vote.

To seize the gavel, Jordan will need almost the full majority of his colleagues behind him in a House floor vote, as Democrats are certain to back their own nominee, Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

With the House Republican majority narrowly held at 221-212, he can only afford to lose a few votes to reach the 217 majority threshold, if there are no absences. While eight hard-right ousted McCarthy, the holdouts this time range from seasoned legislators worried about governing, to newer lawmakers from swing districts whose voters prefer Biden to Trump.
On Tuesday, D.C. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, following a hearing on Monday, issued in writing a partial gag order in Donald Trumps Jan. 6 prosecution.

She prohibited all parties or counsel in the case from making

any public statements, that target (1) the Special Counsel prosecuting this case or his staff; (2) defense counsel or their staff; (3) any of this courts staff or other supporting personnel; or (4) any reasonably foreseeable witness or the substance of their testimony.

In doing so, she sent three unmistakable messages to defendant Trump and the country: She is firmly committed to the orderly administration of justice; her commitment is fueled by fearlessness; and no one is above the law.

The order is elegant. She grounded the order in long-standing Supreme Court law that a trial court has a duty to protect [its] processes from prejudicial outside interferences and that [t]he First Amendment does not override that obligation. Then, she carefully focused on conduct by Trump that could reasonably be expected to increase the risk of violence to anyone in his trial processwitnesses, prosecutors, and court staff.

That alone raises the guardrail against appellate reversal on First Amendment grounds, even by this Supreme Court. In addition, she reinforced the legal permanency of the order by adding:

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This Order shall not be construed to prohibit Defendant from making statements criticizing the government generally, including the current administration or the Department of Justice; statements asserting that Defendant is innocent of the charges against him, or that his prosecution is politically motivated; or statements criticizing the campaign platforms or policies of Defendants current political rivals, such as former Vice President Pence.

The judge notably avoided saying how shed respond to comments about herself, having reportedly suggested earlier in Mondays hearing that she wasnt too concerned about her own safety.

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What matters to the country and the administration of justice is that Chutkan refused to simply take a one-small-step-at-a-time approach. With Trumps increasingly violent social postings about witnesses, the judge recognized that halfway measures risk a danger to our justice systemand real world threats of violence often follow Trumps pronouncements in short order.

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Related From Slate The Georgia Vote Machine Theft Poses a Direct Threat to the 2024 Election Read More

The threats are not hypothetical. In August, Abigail Shry, a Trump follower, was arrested for a voicemail death threat to the judge.

Last month, Trump brazenly declared that in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH for now-retired Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley. Why? Because Milley dared to have a relatively standard back channel de-confliction conversation with the Chinese military at a time of world crisis. And Milley happens to be a key witness against Trump.

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For Chutkan, the risk of simply giving Trump an escalated general warning was twofold. First, it would give Trump another one or two free strikes until she issued a formal written order. Second, the judiciary would lose authority if it looked ineffectual to the public.

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Of course, now comes the hard part. As weve written before, Trump, by his nature and his political strategy, will feel compelled to test the limits of the order that the judge ultimately issues. In fact, hes already testing those limits. On Tuesday in Iowa, Trump rallied supporters against Chutkan, saying the judge doesnt like me too much. He added, I am willing to go to jail if thats what it takes.

Trump has already filed his notice of appeal. It will not delay the trial.

A reactionary Supreme Court majority lurks in the background. They might well relish issuing a high-minded opinion waxing poetic on First Amendment principles that they will apply (or misapply) in favor of the leading Republican candidate for president. At the same time, in recent cases, the justices have seemed to be fed up with Trumps petitions for special treatment.

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In addition to clearly underscoring the areas where Trump may properly speak, Chutkan did several important things to avoid reversal.

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First, her order did not include words proposed by special counsel Jack Smith that would forbid inflammatory or disparaging speech about witnesses or court personnel. An order worded too vaguely could be viewed as chilling speech that is protected as well as that which is not. As recently as June, both liberal and conservative justices warned against such a chilling effect.

Second, the order included crucial context for its central prohibition on targeting. Chutkan cited undisputed testimony showing that when Defendant has publicly attacked individuals  those individuals are consequently threatened and harassed. She cited in particular Trumps recent public statements that particular individuals are liars, or thugs, or deserve death.

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On that basis, the court concluded that such statements pose a significant and immediate risk that (1) witnesses will be intimidated  by the prospect of being themselves targeted for harassment or threats; and (2) attorneys, public servants, and other court staff will themselves become targets for threats and harassment.

Finally, Chutkan made an undeniable point about why even social posts that are quickly deleted would violate the order: She noted that the significant and immediate risk she cited is largely irreversible in the age of the Internet  once an individual is publicly targeted.

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These findings matter because higher courts do not lightly disturb a district courts determination of undisputed facts. She found that Defendants statements pose sufficiently grave threats to the integrity of these proceedings that cannot be addressed by alternative means and the order has been tailored to meet the force of those threats. The quoted language is aimed at the Supreme Courts requirement that restrictions on speech to protect judicial proceedings be contoured no more broadly than required to meet the threat.

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Perhaps most importantly, the court moored the order in the safest harbor availableforbidding targeting anyone associated with the case from issuing what the Supreme Court has called true threats of violence. True threats are defined as words that subject individuals to fear of violence and to the many kinds of disruption that fear engenders. 

As recently as June, the Supreme Court ruled that such words are not protected by the First Amendment.

Even with a carefully worded order, it is predictable what Trump will do and why. His attacks on prosecutors and courts become fodder for his political fundraising.

Trumps attacks also nourish his single-minded strategy: He appears not to worry about jeopardizing his defenses in criminal cases by ranting and by defying judges. Instead, he aims everything at energizing his electoral base to donate and turn out at the polls. He views this as his path to regain the presidency, arrange for his attorney general to end his prosecutions, and possibly to pardon himself.

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Given Trumps pattern of aggressive public counterattacks to any judicial restrictionsor even application of standard judicial ruleshe will surely walk right up to the line or over it to demonstrate his defiance.

The more extreme and provocative his imagery, the more obvious it will be that Trump is violating the gag order.

On the other side of the criminal case, special counsel Jack Smith will not hesitate to move to hold Trump in contempt if he ventures over the line.

In response, Chutkan will have an array of options. She could give Trump a last warning before imposing sanctions. Or, following Mondays pattern, she could issue an immediate order for him to show cause why he should not be held in contempt.

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This would trigger briefing by the parties, and then a contempt hearinga minitrial on the sole issue of whether the gag order has been violated in any material manner.

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The hearing would turn on prosecution evidence that the very nature of Trumps statements is an invitation and provocation to violence.

In that event, if the facts were to support a contempt finding by a preponderance of the evidence, the court should carefully calibrate a remedy that would send a major deterrent message to Trumpand to the countryabout the rule of law. Stiff monetary fines, doubling with any further violations, are one example.

Whatever the course of coming events in Chutkans courtroom, heres what we can count on: She is not one to be intimidatedor to slow rulings that demonstrate that no one is above the law.
(Photo : Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced that the state would no longer be able to guarantee shelter for migrant families as the capacity is being stretched to its limit.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said that the state would no longer be able to guarantee shelter for migrants amid a surge of asylum seekers that has pushed the capacity to the limit.

The migrant crisis has pushed the state's emergency shelter system to its breaking point as new arrivals will feel the brunt of the changes starting next month. The decision comes despite a law that says eligible families must be offered temporary housing within the state.

Massachusetts' Right-to-Shelter for Migrant Families

Healey's announcement comes after several months of escalating pressure on state leaders amid an unprecedented influx of migrants. Most asylum seekers come from Haiti and the situation has collided with a long-running housing crisis within Massachusetts.

Across the state, roughly 7,000 families, which is twice as many as a year ago, are staying in emergency housing, a mix of traditional shelters, hotel rooms, and co-opted college dorms. Roughly half of the families are new arrivals that came from other countries, as per the New York Times.

The number of families sheltering under the state's system is expected to rise to 7,500 by the end of October and will not be able to expand beyond that point safely. Healey previously released a statement that references what she and other elected officials nationwide described as a lackluster federal response to migration.

The governor said that starting in November, no new shelter beds will be added in her state and that priority will be given to incoming families with health or safety risks. Healey noted that others will be placed on waiting lists.

During a news conference at the Statehouse in Boston, the Massachusetts governor said that this level of demand is not sustainable. She stressed that the entire state was not doing away with its 40-year-old right-to-shelter law, which is the only kind in the United States.

Amid the migrant crisis, Healey called on the federal government to expedite work authorizations and provide financial assistance. She added that the migrants all want to work and support their families and that the state has thousands of open jobs that go unfulfilled, according to CBS News.

Read Also: US Customs Apprehend 4th Iranian 'Special Interest Alien' This Month

Reaching Shelter Capacity

Despite the latest announcement, Healey said they were not changing the state's right-to-shelter status. However, she noted that there needs to be changes, such as prioritizing families with higher needs than others.

Lt. Gen. Scott Rice was also named the new emergency assistance director in Massachusetts as he has experience in the Air Force and was a former commander of the Massachusetts National Guard.

Currently, migrant families are spread across hundreds of locations in 90 cities and towns in various facilities. Officials noted that roughly half of those in emergency shelters are children. Additionally, the state is working to assist families who are already in shelters to be able to exit the system to free up more space.

On the other hand, immigrant rights activists said they welcomed the administration's steps but argued that state and federal lawmakers need to do more to help asylum seekers, said the Associated Press.

Related Article: Biden Administration Reaches Settlement With Migrant Families Separated at Border

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When Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis filed her sweeping RICO indictment of Donald Trump and 18 alleged co-conspirators, many were surprised to learn of the audacious scheme by Trumps allies to access and copy Dominion Voting System software in Coffee County, Georgia. Though the Washington Post first reported this plot in the summer of 2022, the Fulton County indictment brought the alleged voting software theft into focus, illustrated with stunning surveillance video. Scott Hall, who admitted on tape that he took part in the scheme, became the first to plead guilty late last month.

Records indicate, however, that this smaller theft was just part of a much larger, multistate plot that is ongoing. It is easy to see how it started in Coffee County. Whats harder to understand is why greater effort isnt being made to figure out exactly where it has expanded since.

Systemic voter suppression has festered with impunity in Coffee County for generations. The arrest and aggressive yearslong persecution of Olivia Coley-Pearsona Black woman who has worked to enfranchise voters who are unable to readjuxtaposed with the conspicuous lack of action into the Coffee theft by state law enforcement is a stark illustration of the bias and inequity in southern Georgia. These investigators arent racing to uncover the Trump allies plot, or invite federal inquiries.

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The threat to voting systems across the nation is ongoing, though, because the operatives, allegedly hired and funded by Trump campaignrelated attorneys, made copies of the software that runs the states voting machines. They then, it is alleged, covertly shared that data with a wide network of MAGA allies and election deniers. And because Georgia uses one statewide voting system, the same software taken from Coffee is used in Fulton, DeKalb, and every other county in the state. Furthermore, very similar software versions are used in other states.

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According to records obtained in discovery by the Coalition for Good Governance in its long-standing lawsuit that first uncovered the breach, the software was uploaded and distributed to an unknown number of other individuals and entities across state lines and international borders. Documents also show that copies of the software were allegedly loaded onto drives and sent to Sidney Powell, who is under indictment in Fulton County for her alleged role in the plot, and to Stephanie Lambert Junttila, another attorney recently indicted for allegedly illegally possessing software and voting machines from both Dominion and ES&S systems in Michigan. How often this software has been copied, shared, recopied, and reshared cant be known.

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Related From Slate One Trump Georgia Scheme Goes Much Deeper. Where Are the Feds? Read More

The stolen software scheme extends even further to a network of Trump allies and operatives implicated in efforts to obtain copies of voting system software in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

Simply put: Possessing copies of voting system software enables hackers, thieves, and even foreign governments to install it on their own computers, create replicas of the voting systems, probe them for weaknesses, and develop ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Having a copy of the voting software is a boon for malicious actors. An attacker could use it to fabricate evidence of stolen votes to advance disinformation or support election deniers who baselessly challenge election results. Even modestly trained high school students can decompile the software to get the source code, and use it to develop malware designed to be installed with minimal physical access to the voting equipment that could alter votes in future elections.

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Press accounts of the Coffee County breach often downplay the importance of stealing election data, but election security experts have warned that the stolen voting software released in the wild puts future elections at risk. In fact, before the election system breaches were publicly known, Dominion stated that the distribution of its voting software to biased, partisan entities would cause irreparable damage to the election security interests of the nation. And Georgias chief information officer testified that if potential adversaries obtained voting system software, it would give them a road map to hack the system.

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But since the breaches have come to light, Georgia officials are taking no precautions and dont seem to be heeding the warnings. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger thoroughly dismissed the security threats posed by the software breach. A senior aide to the secretary doubled down when he told CNN that the breach didnt pose any danger to the election system.

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Consider this: If a laboratory were robbed of plutonium, we wouldnt expect local law enforcement to apprehend only the burglars, and stop there. Federal law enforcement would investigate where the contraband has been distributed, who got it, and what they plan to do with it, prosecuting any criminal activity to protect the nation. Theres no evidence of any such investigation.

Progress happens when everyday people come together and get involved to demand justice and accountability. We are calling on people to come together and demand a federal investigation immediately into the voting system breaches in Georgia and other states. The theft of voting system software by partisan actors willing to disrupt or subvert elections poses a serious threat to our elections and national security.
When Solomon Perel died this past February in Jerusalem, he did not die alone. With him went the alter ego hed created more than half a century before, when as a Jewish teenager he survived the Holocaust by hiding in plain sight as Jupp, a member of the Hitler Youth. In his many postwar decades living as a citizen of Israel, Perel would give interviews in which he swore, up and down, that Jupp was a fully formed personality that took over his bodyand that never fully left him.

Perels story was immortalized in one of the great Jewish films, Polish director Agnieszka Hollands overlooked Europa Europa, from 1990. At the films conclusion, young Perel is improbably reunited with his brother, who has been in one of the concentration camps. The two tearfully embrace, and Solomon starts to explain why he is dressed as a Nazi. His brother stops him.

I dont care how you survived, the brother says. I care that you survived.

Perels story, in fiction and in fact, is an extreme example of a Jewish religious and cultural concept known in Hebrew as pikuach nefesh. Roughly translated, it means to save a life. The basic principle is simple: If complying with a Jewish law would endanger you, that law may be suspended. This principle is built on thousands of years of persecution and danger. Unlike other Abrahamic faiths, Judaism traditionally puts little value on martyrdom. If you have to betray your faith to survive, so be it. Survivalindividually, and as a peoplematters more than anything.

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Many American Jews first learn about pikuach nefesh in the context of the Jewish calendars most solemn holiday, Yom Kippur, during which Jews traditionally go without food or water for 25 autumnal hours. Children who are nervous about such an undertaking are often told a story about someone being so ill that a fast would have killed them, and subsequently being granted a reprieve from a rabbi on the grounds of pikuach nefesh. Its a comforting thought for a child: Obeying the Law sounds scary, but at least theres an exception to keep me alive.

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Pikuach nefesh has become deeply relevant in recent days. On Oct. 7, Hamas carried out the largest massacre of Jews since 1945. Today, Israels answer is well underway: We are witnessing what may become the greatest massacre perpetuated by Jews in history. In Gaza, all normal rules have been suspended. There is no medicine. There is no fuel. There are no escape routes. There are no civilians, in the eyes of the Israeli military, which is freely bombing hospitals and schools.

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Meanwhile, in Israel proper, the hard-right communications minister is backing an emergency measure that would allow the government to imprison any Israeli citizen who undermines the morale of Israels soldiers and residents in the face of the enemy in social media posts. Long-running street protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ceased as masses of Israelis are sent to battle; his bitter rivals have had no choice but to fall in line behind their PM on a war footing. Meanwhile, despite some public urging from Joe Biden over the weekend to distinguish Palestinian civilians from Hamas, the U.S. and EU have pledged virtually unconditional support for whatever the Israeli leadership feels it must do.

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Hamas surprise attack has been called Israels 9/11. And indeed, its hard not to see the aftermath of 9/11 in Israels reaction: the rushed and brutal military retaliation, ethnicity-based security crackdowns, capitulation of world leadership. It didnt go well back then either. Afraid for our lives in 2001, Americans agreed to suspend the legal and ethical norms of our society, such as they were. Doing so, President George W. Bush and others continually argued, was a matter of life and death. A matter of survival.

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You could see this as a kind of secular pikuach nefeshbut it led only to more slaughter.

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This is one of many problems with pikuach nefesh as a principle. How can one determine when suspending a law is truly a matter of life or death? How do you determine that its the only option? What if you suspend a law and the suspension leads to deatheven death on a more massive scale than anything avoided?

For these reasons and more, pikuach nefesh has historically been a divisive topic, never quite resolved in a way that firmly establishes what it means for religious Jews, let alone secular ones. Yet after the Holocaust, the concept became the unspoken baseline assumption of militant Zionism, as well as a justification for a permanent state of emergency in which Jewish citizens have severely curtailed civil liberties and occupied Palestinians have virtually none.

As Naomi Klein recently wrote in the Guardian:

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For Zionist believers (Im not one of them), Jew-hatred is the central rationale for why Israel must exist as a nuclear-armed fortress. Within this worldview, antisemitism is cast as a primordial force that cannot be weakened or confronted. The world will always turn away from us in our hour of need, Zionism tells us, just as it did during the Holocaust, which is why force alone is presented as the only conceivable response to any and all threats.

Related From Slate What Is Israels Strategy Now? Read More

The Talmud instructs Jews that there are three things so sinful that the ancient rabbis decided one should prefer death to doing them: sex crimes, idol worship, andlast but most importantbloodshed. And yet, in a world in which Jews live in a perpetual state of existential peril, the law can never be unsuspended; any atrocity is permitted, forever.

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Solomon Perel may have done what was necessary for his survival. But what real harm might he have committed during his masquerade as a genocidaire? We accept that in order to survive, it was necessary for him to break not only from Jewish law, but even from the ethics we like to believe underpin those laws. To become something anathema to himself: a Nazi. Once you have saluted gangsters and mass murderers, even if it was in a time of crisis and duress, its always hard to shake the sickness you catch from them. Look at the post-9/11 American right.

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Or look at Perel: He took Jupp with him to the Holy Land, forever doing battle in his mind with the little fascist construct and its unending hatred. The dovish and generally liberal-Zionist Solomon would find himself reading about the pro-Israel lobby in Washington, for example, and as he put it, The Jupp in me says, See, these are the same methods that we learned about: The Jews dont have to be in government, its enough that they influence the government.  Or perhaps hed see a sleazy Hollywood movie directed by a Jew and I think, Jews poison Western culture.  The monster he invented never left him.

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Diaspora Jews who have wrestled with Israels actions have sought to disentangle Judaism from Zionism. We are not all Israeli. But it is true that these things are done, and continue to be done, in our names. What will be left of our civilization a thousand years from now? Will Judaism surviveor will something else live inside it, wearing our name, looking through our eyes?

Its hard not to feel the same plummeting sensation in the gut that so many of us felt in late 2001, hearing that whatever America did next was justified because of what had just come before. We have all lived with the consequences. If there is still time for us to learn from still-living history, let us do so now, for the sake of life.
This is Totally Normal Quote of the Day, a new feature where we pull a particularly wild statement from the news as a reminder of just how extremely normal everything has become.

He could come back. Obviously, Im not a real fan of how the Iraq war went, but I would think that any reasonable Republican would be somebody that Democrats could work with. Rep. Brad Sherman, Oct. 16, suggesting that former President George W. Bush be nominated as speaker of the House

Republicans are not having an easy time electing a speaker of the House. Kevin McCarthy was ousted on Oct. 5, and no one has been able to get the votes since.

Last week, Rep. Steve Scalise was nominated for the position in a private meeting but didnt have the votes on the floor. (He withdrew from the running.) This week, Rep. Jim Jordan was nominated for the position in a private meeting and then lost the vote on the floor by a substantial margin. Theres still no solid solution in sight.

Congress is essentially impotent without a speaker, and it currently cannot pass any bills, including bills related to aid for Ukraine or the war in Gaza. Many lawmakers are getting desperate, but that doesnt mean Democrats arent relishing their opposing partys dysfunction or engaging in a bit of gallows humor. I think theyre taking lessons in mathematics and learning how to count, Rep. Nancy Pelosi said of the Republicans on MSNBC.

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Rep. Brad Sherman, a Democrat from California, offered that one solution to the quagmire might be to bring in a third party to fill the job: former President George W. Bush. In an interview on Forbes politics podcast, Sherman suggested that Bush would make a good consensus candidate because he would be able to work with Democrats. Let that sink in.

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Sherman did allow that Jordan would be more politically useful to Democratsin that Jordan would be, Sherman said, a disasterbut he seemed even more interested in a theoretical return to the fictional past of bipartisan peace and cooperation. Its not an idea that anyone is likely to take seriouslythe version of Bush that Sherman conjured is gentler and much more bipartisan than the real man ever wasbut its not totally absurd: The speaker doesnt actually need to be a member of the House of Representatives to serve in the role.

And yet. Lest anyone forget the kind of politician the younger Bush was, in an interview with a historian at a private event in Texas this week he described the Palestinians as cold-blooded killers who needed to be crushed. My view is: One side is guilty, he said of the conflict in Gaza. And its not Israel. Ugh.
Over the weekend, people in northern Gaza scrambled to evacuate to the south ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion. Aymann Ismail spoke to an Amnesty International crisis investigator about the already dire conditions on the ground.

Writing for our sister publication, Foreign Policy, Ian S. Lustick explains how conditions in Gaza got so bad that its frequently referred to as an open-air prison.

Fred Kaplan walks us through the global consequences Israel could potentially trigger with its next moves.

And What Next examines how the strategy emerging from Israels newly formed coalition government differs from past conflicts.

A case of bad timing

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Why is Kamala Harris so unpopular? By the old political playbook, she did everything right, Jill Filipovic writes. The problem is, that playbook expired. Filipovic teases out the biggest factors that have contributed to Harris never quite capturing the attention, let alone the support, of Americans broadly or even Democrats specifically, and what that tells us about the current political moment.

Plus, in case you missed it: David Faris argues that its a waste of time to push for changes to the 2024 Democratic ticket.

SBFs baffling defense

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Sam Bankman-Frieds lawyers have pissed off the judge, confounded observers, and dropped few clues about their endgame. Nitish Pahwa tries to demystify what is going on here.

Plus: Miriam Baer identifies a key thing that white-collar criminal defendants like Trump and SBF have in common.

Sound of a damning lawsuit

In a lawsuit filed last week, five women accused Tim Ballard, the real-life protagonist from Sound of Freedom, of sexual misconduct, and a sixth woman filed a similar lawsuit soon afterward. Molly Olmstead parses the horrifying details.

The Musk-Grimes feud is a warning

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Elon Musks fight with his ex, Grimes, over parental rights is more than a media spectacle. Andrea Becker takes a look at the academic research the billionaire has been funding, and what it says about his interest in a future where women exist to  have lots of babies.

A despicable holiday

Whose idea was Bosss Day, anyway?! Alison Green goes in on the sick, manipulative office holiday that we need to do away with immediately.

End of an era

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Blogs, forums, and sites like Twitter used to be a haven for people with autismbut that era of the internet may be coming to an end. Patrick Marlborough explains what happened.

Today, Slate is  * LETTING OUT A FEW LONG UMMMS

 much like Sam Bankman-Frieds ex, Caroline Ellison, who spoke clearly and confidently about crimes, passions, and crimes of (dis)passion, yet couldnt help but betray some of her (rather understandable) nerves. In case you missed it, you can catch up on Nitish Pahwas coverage of all the juiciest tidbits from her testimony last week.

Thanks so much for reading, and well see you tomorrow.
As Gaza runs out of fuel and water for the nearly 1 million Palestinians who have fled from north to south, Egyptwhich could relieve much of the pressure by opening its borderhas refused to do so.

Many have focused on Israels blockade of Gazas northern border since Hamas took control of the tiny strip of land in 2007but Egypt has blockaded Gazas southern border since then as well.

The Biden administration seemed to have reached an agreement with Cairo, this past Sunday, to open the Rafah crossing on Egypts border, but as of Tuesday afternoon, it remains closed. As a further sign of the situations complexity, Hamas has praised Egypt for keeping the exit shut. The terrorist group wants to block Gazans from leaving so that Israel can be blamed for any further deaths and suffering.

Gaza used to be part of Egypt until the Six-Day War in 1967, when Egypt, Syria, and Jordan invaded Israeland Israel beat them back, conquering and occupying the Sinai, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and the Gaza Strip in the process. It remained in Gaza until 2005, when Prime Minister Ariel Sharon withdrew from the territory, deeming it more trouble than it was worth, evicting 8,000 Jewish settlers in the process. (Most of them resettled in the West Bank.)

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The pullout did not resolve the tensions, which had been building for decades. In the late 1980s, radical militants in Gaza formed Hamas, which declared the destruction of Israel as its goal. Its leaders meant to counter the influence of both the Palestinian Authority (which was more interested in negotiating with Israel over territory) and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (which was a proxy to Iran).

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Hamas was also the Palestinian chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood, a radical organization in Egypt, which President Hosni Mubarak considered a danger to his ruleand so he viewed Hamas as a danger as well.

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The danger didnt pose a huge threat until 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian National Authoritys legislative election in Gaza. After taking control, Hamas kicked out the Palestinian Authority, which was, and still is, in charge of the West Bank. (There have been no elections in Gaza since.) In response to Hamas growing militancy and power, Israel and Egypt soon tightened their borders and imposed a permanent blockade. Egypt lifted the blockade in 2012, when Mubarak was overthrown and replaced by Mohamed Morsi, who was affiliated with the Brotherhood. Morsis reign lasted just over a year; he was succeeded by Sisi, who reimposed the restrictions.

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Even under Mubarak and Sisi, Egypt has relaxed the blockade now and then to allow certain supplies to come in and certain refugees to go out. Cairos leaders have also refrained from clamping down on Hamas too harshly, lest they alienate Palestinians on the home front. (Rulers of neighboring countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan, who also detest Hamas, have had to walk a similar tightrope.) Over the years, Egyptwhich has observed a peace treaty with Israel since it was signed by Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin in 1979has served as a mediator between Hamas and Israel, arranging cease-fires and prisoner exchanges.

Now Israel stands poised to invade Gaza, Hezbollah has been lobbing rockets into Israel from the north, Iran is mulling whether to enter the war or stay out, the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers and a rapid-response force of 2,000 Marines to deter Hezbollah and Iran from intervening (and to retaliate if they do), and a humanitarian crisis is taking hold in southern Gaza, where many civilians fled after Israel warned them avoid the coming pounding of northern Gaza, where Hamas has its bases. As these tensions mount and as prospects of a wider war loom, Sisi is facing the same conflicting pressures that Egypt has faced for the past 16 years.

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Related From Slate What Is Israels Strategy Now? Read More

Sisi also faces enormous economic pressures, aggravated by the 70,000 refugees that Egypt is hosting from the war in neighboring Sudan, with another 300,000 begging for shelter as well. And so Sisi is leery of taking in more refugees from Gaza. He also fears that a flood of Gazan refugees might include Hamas terrorists, who could stir up trouble in Egyptand that if Israel does invade and re-occupy Gaza, the refugees might not be let back in, thus leaving Cairo responsible for their long-term well-being.

President Biden will be visiting Israel on Wednesday, mainly as a show of solidarity with Jerusalems wartime unity government. But some suspect that he will have some announcements to makedeals that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has all but wrapped up in his crisscrossing shuttle diplomacy through the region. The hope is that one of them concerns help for the nearly 1 million displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza.

Meanwhile, at least according to some reports, Biden has persuaded the Israeli government to delay its invasion until after the border with Egypt is opened. This has left time for other diplomatic options and overtures to play out, one way or the other, before Israels biggest war in 60 years engulfs the country and possibly the region.
The brain that wrote your favorite novel consumed Dickens and Austen, Pynchon and Didion. The brain that wrote this article devoured Bradbury and Orwell, Ishiguro and Octavia Butler. But the brain that powers that chatbot you played around with over the weekend ingested 170,000 books, all so it can spit out language that sounds smart, colorful, or helpfuleven if its really not.

Copyright law is well equipped to differentiate between slightly derivative human ingenuity and reductive copycatting. But language-guzzling artificial intelligence models, which need to train on existing works, present a bigger challenge. A.I. companies are currently racking up lawsuits accusing them of training their powerful models on copyrighted materials. In July, a group of writers including comedian Sarah Silverman and novelist Michael Chabon filed suits against OpenAI and Meta, alleging that the companies improperly trained their models on the authors books.

OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and Google are all facing legal complaintsa barrage of them, in fact. So are A.I. upstarts like Midjourney and Stability AI, which make popular A.I. image generators.

The stakes could not be higher for companies betting on A.I. as a transformative, and lucrative, technology. Legal experts told me that copyright challenges pose a near-existential threat to existing A.I. models if the way theyre being trained isnt aboveboard. If they cant ingest mountains of datawhich until now theyve largely done without paying for that datathey wont work. Because those mountains might be owned by someone else.

If these high-profile matters ever reach a courtroom, itll be years from now. But one smaller squabble is already headed to trial, and may portend whether authors like Silverman have a legitimate claim of wrongdoing, or if some of the largest technology companies in the worldand the content vacuums adding billions of dollars in value to their market capitalizationsare going to get away with it.

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In 2020 the media company Thomson Reuters sued a little-known firm called Ross Intelligence. Better known for its namesake news wire service, Thomson Reuters is a juggernaut in the legal world because it also owns Westlaw, a ubiquitous legal research service.

In its complaint, Reuters alleged that Ross tried to license Westlaws legal summariescalled headnotesto train an A.I.powered legal search engine. When Reuters refused to do that, Ross contracted with a third-party firm to scrape them off Westlaw. Reuters argues that Ross product was simply headnotes with question marks at the end, as the judge recently summarized.

If a work is copyrightable, as the jury will decide in this case, the next step is determining whether the use of that material is protected by fair usea legal doctrine aimed at promoting creative expression. A trial is tentatively scheduled for May 2024.

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One big problem for Ross Intelligence is that it was apparently using Thomson Reuters content with the hopes of competing directly with the company. Ross shut down operations in 2021, after it was sued. If your work is directly competing in the same market with the work that youre using, thats a huge factor weighing against fair use, said Bob Brauneis, an intellectual property law professor at George Washington University.

That element of direct competition was decisive in the most recent Supreme Court battle over fair use, in which the court ruled that Andy Warhol had infringed on photographer Lynn Goldsmiths copyright when he made silk-screen versions of her photograph of Prince. The reason: His foundation was directly competing against the original by licensing it to magazines. Thomson Reuters is going to press very hard on that, and thats what all of the plaintiffs in the generative A.I. cases are going to press hard on, Brauneis said.

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Fair use protects only works that are transformativemeaning, at its most basic, that its significantly different from the original work. That could also spell trouble for Ross.

If all they were doing was feeding a large language model because they wanted it to learn English  then the argument is stronger in favor of the use being transformative, said Kristelia Garcia, an intellectual property law professor at Georgetown University. Whereas what Ross arguably is doing here is not transformative but actually a competing product, which is exactly what happened in Warhol.

Garcia said that the question of whether feeding copyrighted material to train an A.I. model is very unclear but that the facts in this case dont give her much confidence Ross will succeed.

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There is a disaster scenario for OpenAI and other companies funneling billions into A.I. models: If a court found that a company was liable for copyright infringement, it could completely halt the development of the offending model.

The worst outcome would be that you lose and that the relief is you have to destroy your model and start all over again, Brauneis said. The way these models are generated, theres no way that, say, [OpenAIs] GPT-4, theres no way you can go back and filter out the plaintiffs content from the model that you generated. I think every computer scientist agrees that is not currently possible with the way these models are being built. Then you have to destroy that and start all over again with content that youve licensed.

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Related From Slate How A.I. Helped Me See the Faces of the People I Love for the First Time Read More

Garcia said that any finding of mass copyright infringement would be crippling for A.I. businesses. Not only could they be forced to shut downor halt the development of these modelsbut the damages could be incredibly astronomical. Settlement, therefore, is likely because A.I. companies might not want to risk the matters going to trial and coming to an adverse conclusion.

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Perhaps sensing that Pandoras box had been opened, Microsoft President Brad Smith vowed to customers recently that the $2.3 trillion company would assume legal responsibility if using their A.I. tools drew any copyright challenges.

We believe the world needs A.I. to advance the spread of knowledge and help solve major societal challenges, Smith wrote in a blog post. Yet it is critical for authors to retain control of their rights under copyright law and earn a healthy return on their creations. Smith assured customers that the company is carefully training its model not to spit out anything that could infringe on copyright law.

Microsoft may just prefer to enter the fray on behalf of its clients rather than watch from the sidelines when the stakes of a bad court ruling are so high.

Brauneis recently struck up a conversation about the stakes of this debate. Somebody at a conference said to me, Thats the trillion-dollar question. I dont think they were exaggeratingits at least a multibillion-dollar question.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
This piece originally appeared in the Conversation

For the wounded, injured, and sick in Gaza, there is seemingly no escape. On Oct. 17, 2023, news broke that at least 500 patients, staff, and people seeking shelter from Israeli bombs had been killed in an explosion at a hospital, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave.

It amounts to a devastating loss of life during a campaign of bombing that has not spared the frail or sick. Just days earlier, the World Health Organization said in a stark assessment that an order to evacuate from hospital beds and head south amounts to a death sentence.

By that time, four hospitals had already ceased functioning in Gazas north because of damage from Israeli bombs.

Beyond the sheer immediate devastation of the current conflictin which thousands of Israelis and Palestinians have been killedthere will be significant and undoubtedly long-lasting implications for the Gaza Strips health system.

As a Palestinian expert in global health who has worked with medical professionals from Gaza, I know that even before this latest escalation of violence, health services in Gaza were in poor shape. Insufficiently and poorly resourced for decades, doctors and hospitals also had to contend with the devastating effects of a 16-year blockade imposed by Israel, in part with coordination with Egypt.

A system completely overwhelmed

The immediate concern in Gaza is for those seeking assistance due to the bombing campaign that Israel ordered after an attack on its people by Hamas fighters. An expected ground offensive will only further risk more civilian casualties.

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Hospitals in Gaza are completely overwhelmed. They are seeing around 1,000 new patients per day, in a health system with only 2,500 hospital beds for a population of over 2 million people. It has forced hospitals to tend to patients in corridors and nearby streets. People maimed in the bombing are being treated for horrific injuries without basics such as gauze dressings, antiseptic, IV bags, and painkillers. Those experiencing traumatic injuries are unable to receive sufficient care, increasing rates of infection and amputation.

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And things may soon get worse. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Gazas hospitals have been forced to work without electricity, using fuel to run generators to ensure lifesaving equipment remains functioning. The U.N. estimates this fuel will run out any day due to a complete siege placed on Gaza by Israel.

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Such conditions have led to concerns that alongside the massive number of bombing victims, Gaza health services will soon have to contend with the outbreak of disease. Patients with immediate health needs, like dialysis or chemotherapy, are among those being ordered to leave and head for greater safety in Gazas south, although evacuation routes have also been bombed.

A century of underfunding

The current devastation to Gazas health system is obvious. But Gazas health care system was already under stress before the latest bombardment. In fact, policies that stretch back decades have left it unable to meet even the basic health needs of Gazas residents, let alone respond to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

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In just over a century, the health system in Gaza has been administered by six authorities: the Ottomans until the end of World War I, the British during the mandate period from 1917 to 1947, Egypt from 1949 to 1967, Israel under occupation starting in 1967, and then a Ministry of Health led first by the Palestinian Authority from 1995 to 2006, and since then by Hamas.

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What each have had in common is that, from my perspective as a global health expert, they invested little in Palestinian health. For periods of the 20th century, the health priorities of successive governing bodies appeared focused more on reducing the spread of communicable disease to protect foreigners interacting with the native Palestinian population.

There was seemingly far less attention paid to building health infrastructure, adequately training health personnel, promoting preventive care, and other long-term initiatives that make up a sustainable health system.

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Under Israeli occupation from 1967, several Palestinian hospitals were turned into detention centers or military offices, while others were closed, and new ones were prohibited from opening. Palestinian physicians working in the occupied territories earned one-third the salary of their Israeli counterparts.

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As a result of this neglect, health indicators throughout what are now called the occupied territoriesthe West Bank and Gaza Striphave been poor.

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Maternal and infant mortalitytypical indicators of health system functioningtends to be high. For example, in the mid-1980s, infant mortality was over 30 per 1,000 live births for Palestinians, compared with just under 10 per 1,000 among the Jewish population of Israel. And infant mortality has remained stubbornly high in Gaza.

Meanwhile, a lack of a reliable drinkable water infrastructure and overall unsanitary conditions resulted in the spread of parasitic and other infectious diseases, like rotavirus, cholera, and salmonellawhich remain leading causes of death in Gazas children.

Dying before they can leave

Most residents of Gaza fled there in 1948 after being displaced from their homes in what became the state of Israel. They were classified as refugees, many receiving limited services from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East that was established in 1949.

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Since then, chronic underfunding of public hospitals has meant that Palestinians in Gaza have remained reliant on outside money and nongovernmental organizations for essential health services. This started a trend of humanitarian dependence that continues to this day, with many of Gazas health facilities funded by the United Nations, humanitarian agencies like Doctors Without Borders, and religious organizations.

During the passage of the Oslo Accords in the mid-1990s, the Palestinian Authority was established to administer services in the occupied territories. The accords called for health responsibilities to be transferred to the newly formed Palestinian Ministry of Health as preparation for a sovereign Palestinian state, which the accords called for within a five-year period.

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The Palestinian Authority received a significant influx of humanitarian aid as it took on civil responsibilities, including health. As a result, health indicators for Palestinians, including life expectancy and immunization rates, started to improve in the late 1990s.

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But as it became increasingly clear that the overarching goal of the Oslo Accords for Palestiniansstatehoodwould not materialize, disillusion with the Palestinian Authority led to victory for Hamas in 2006 elections held in Gaza. Since then, Hamas has been considered the de facto governing body in Gaza, while the Palestinian Authority operates in the West Bank.

The rise of Hamas, which the U.S., Israel, and others designate as a terrorist group, saw Gaza become isolated from the international community. It also coincided with Israel imposing a full land, sea, and air blockade of Gaza.

There is no doubt that the blockade has rapidly accelerated the deterioration of the health system in Gaza and directly impacted the mortality rate.

Gazans who need advanced care, whether for cancer or other chronic illnesses, traumatic injuries, and other life-threatening ailments, often can only access needed services in Israeli hospitals and require a permit to cross the border from Gaza. Some die before the permit process is complete.

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Related From Slate We Can All See the Horrors of War Now Read More

Gaza health services after the siege

This vulnerable health system is now facing unprecedented challenges, staffed by health professionals who have committed to stay with their patients even under hospital evacuation orders and at risk of death.

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It is uncertain what the health system of Gaza will look like in the future.

In years past, international aid would help repair and rebuild some, but not all, of the infrastructure damaged in airstrikes, especially schools and hospitals.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised a long and difficult war. And with the level of destruction seen in just a few days, it remains unclear just what will be left in the aftermath.

Already at least 28 doctors and other health workers have been killed in Gaza, with ambulances and a number of hospitals rendered useless by the bombs.

Replacing this human capital and vital infrastructure could take years, if not generationsand that is without the limits of a punishing blockade and continued bombardment.
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.

The material outcome of the collapse of FTX has never been in question. The crypto exchange had money its customers deposited, and then it didnt. The issue at the heart of Sam Bankman-Frieds trial hasnt even been whether he stole the money or simply lost it. Its been whether he was a fraudsterif he made a bunch of misrepresentations to his customers and his lenders. Someone could dream up a version of what happened in which Bankman-Fried committed fraud and told significant lies but wasnt some sort of devious crypto Svengali. The simplest version: Bankman-Fried went out of his way to bill FTX as the safe and responsible crypto exchange, but actually, he was quite rowdy and reckless in his management of the company and its customers money. The government could send him away to prison for fraud on that basis.

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Bankman-Frieds story about himself, since FTXs meltdown, has been that he simply blew it. I fucked up, he has said, and he told longer versions of that story during a whirlwind pre-indictment press tour late last year that his lawyers could not prevent him from taking. In his view, he made crippling but good-faith errors that knocked down FTXs house. That story fits pretty well with how Bankman-Fried presents himself. (He had those wild curls! He didnt really understand what a mens suit is or how he should wear one!) And it matches how his own mother talks about him in the press, as a person who will never speak an untruth. A picture comes together of earnest arrogance. Perhaps, maybe, a jury could be sympathetic to such a figure.

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The portrait of Bankman-Fried that the prosecution and its witnesses are painting at his trial is much more devious. It was reasonable to expect that it would be, since the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York spent months striking plea deals with seemingly every FTX bigwig except the man who used to sit atop the org chart (such as it was). But as SBFs former colleagues, ex-girlfriend, roommates, and subordinates (sometimes witnesses overlapped into several of those groups) have taken the witness stand in New York, they have punched holes in the notion that Bankman-Fried was not a knowing and deeply criminal participant in the affairs that brought down his empire.

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One by one, Bankman-Frieds old compatriots have sat in the witness box and, in their own ways, aided the prosecutions case that Bankman-Fried knew the jig. Caroline Ellison is the most high-profile witness in the case because she ran Bankman-Frieds affiliated hedge fund and was also, at turns, his romantic partner. Whatever Ellison was going to say figured to be explosive, as Bankman-Fried was apparently worried enough about her testimony that he got sent to jail over his efforts to mess with it. But I did not expect to hear that the hedge fund, Alameda Research, had an entire buffet of fake balance sheets to fool Bankman-Frieds lenders, as Ellison alleged on the stand. The Alameda balance sheet that went public last year, precipitating FTXs implosion, was so grisly that I figured it was the real one, or at least the only one. Allegedly there were other balance sheets, and Ellison said Bankman-Fried had her develop various fakes that might make the company look better. I suppose there are many crimes someone could commit naively rather than calculatedly, but having a subordinate cook up several fake sets of books is not one of them. Ellison said that Bankman-Fried, a self-described effective altruist who purportedly wanted to make the world better by making tons of money, used that angle to justify their crimes together.

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Gary Wang, FTXs former chief technology officer and a co-founder with Bankman-Fried, testified about one particularly bad detail. Here the mechanics of FTXs collapse are important: The exchange gave customer money to Alameda, the hedge fund, which then lost it on some mixture of bad crypto bets, advertising payouts, venture investments, political donations, and personal goodies for Bankman-Fried and top brass. (The specifics are still the subject of a good bit of question, because the companies recordkeeping was bad enough that the guy who handled Enrons bankruptcy said he had never seen such a galling lack of corporate controls and documentation as occurred at FTX.) Alameda traded on FTXs platform, and Bankman-Fried has said in public that the hedge funds account was just like anyone elses. But Alameda, Wang testified, did not have a normal account: The hedge fund could trade without its positions being liquidated if their value went too far in the wrong direction. In other words, Alameda was allowed to make a mess that other customers werent, and it did so with FTX customer funds. Bankman-Fried made the request for that feature, Wang said, and had FTX engineering director Nishad Singh implement the code.

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Singh corroborated that testimony and explained that Bankman-Fried knew of the companys excesses and didnt address them. Singh testified that FTX spent more than $1 billion on celebrity and corporate sponsorship dealsrelationships subsidized indirectly if not directly by FTXs customersand prosecutors shared a spreadsheet detailing it. When Singh went to Bankman-Fried with concerns over the spending, he said, the boss blew him off or responded antagonistically. Singh said that Bankman-Fried was personally intimidating and that he unilaterally decided to use FTX customer money on various poor business decisions.

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Bankman-Fried has tried to tell a story that hed never screw over his customers or lenders on purpose. The people he surrounded himself with at FTX and Alameda have, under oath, told a different story. This one is more like Yes, Sam would do that, and whats more, he would do it on purpose, and he was so dominant and had such a sharp understanding of the company that he was hard to stop.

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Now, the story Bankman-Fried has told about himself has occurred on social media and in the press, not in the courtroom. His defense has not yet made his case or called witnesses, and its not known if Bankman-Fried himself will testify. As my colleague Nitish Pahwa reported after sitting through days of the proceedings at the courthouse, Bankman-Frieds lawyers do not appear to have a clear strategy. Theyve let this highly specific, pointed testimony about their clients intentionality go mostly unchecked. Perhaps they are just exhausted by representing a defendant who is hard to represent, or maybe theyre leaving Bankman-Fried an opening to appeal the case based on the quality of his own counsel. (Some legal commentators have suspected that Bankman-Fried might be setting up something in that ballpark, but revolving around FTXs former counsel, not his current legal team.) We will learn in the next few weeks how Bankman-Fried plans to counter all this sworn testimony that says he was a highly aware crook instead of an underprepared kid who did his best and made some mistakes.

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In a way, maybe Bankman-Frieds best defense against the idea that hes a cunning operative would be to demonstrate his incapacity by having an extremely sloppy defense. (Mission accomplished?) He would go to prison, sure, but at least he wouldnt give additional credence to the image his old friends have provided of him. One way of viewing Bankman-Frieds general inability to stop talking about his case in public is that he hasnt been playing a legal game at all, but has just been recklessly rationalizing himself in public, because that alone has some internal value to him. It probably would not have much value to the lawyers representing him.
Five men from Texas pleaded guilty to fraudulent activities surrounding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a relief measure established under the CARES Act to support businesses during the pandemic.

Muhammad Anis, Nishant Patel, Harjeet Singh from Houston, along with Arham Uddin and Ammas Uddin from Richmond, admitted to a series of fraudulent activities to deceive the Small Business Administration (SBA). These actions resulted in them wrongfully receiving PPP loans, ranging from approximately $474,993 to $937,379.

Their tactics involved creating fake paychecks for non-existent employees and laundering the illicit proceeds through check-cashing stores controlled by their conspirators. Such deceptive maneuvers not only defraud the federal government but also divert essential funds away from genuine small businesses that desperately need support.

Sell Your Business Drive Traffic to Your Website Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Advertise Your Business Here

Repercussions: The five culprits have each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They are set to face their sentencing on January 4, 2024, with potential penalties of up to five years in prison.

How This Impacts Genuine Small Business Owners

While these fraud cases highlight the vulnerabilities of relief programs, they also underscore the dedication of law enforcement to ensure rightful fund distribution. Small business owners should:

Stay Informed: Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of relief programs to ensure full compliance and avoid unintentional missteps. Prioritize Documentation: Maintain clear and accurate business records, ensuring that claims for relief funds can be substantiated. Report Suspicious Activities: Be proactive. If youre aware of any fraudulent activities or schemes, reach out to the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud.

Its crucial for legitimate small business owners to remain diligent and informed during these challenging times, ensuring that the support meant for them does not fall into the wrong hands.

Small Business Deals
Marai Bistro replaced a popular Kosice cafe that shut down after Hungary bought the town house in which it was based.

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After the recent official opening of the Consulate General of Hungary in Csaky-Dezofi Palace in Kosice, a spotlight has also been put on another ancient house bought by Slovakia's southern neighbour on Kosice's Main Street.

Discover region on the border between Western and Eastern European culture with our Kosice region travel guide.

The new Marai Bistro, which has replaced the traditional Kosice cafe Carpano, opened on October 16. Carpano had been located in a town house at Hlavna 42 for over half a century.

The cafe's owners decided to close after Hungary bought the entire building at the end of 2020.

At the same time, the Hungarians also bought the neighbouring town house standing on the opposite side, which is located at Masiarska 9.

A bistro located at this address has been preserved.

Hungarian bryndzove halusky
The U.S. Marines (also known as the U.S. Marine Corps.) and the Pentagon are now deploying thousands of American troops to Israel.

rumorsThis was confirmed after U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the Middle Eastern country would receive all necessary assistance.

However, the American leader also clarified that the deployment of U.S. soldiers is not included since Israel doesn't really need them. What happened to this statement of Biden?

US Marines, Pentagon Send Thousands of American Troops

Two American defense officials, who claim that they are familiar with the rapid response force of the Pentagon and the U.S. Marines, claim that around 2,000 Marines and other U.S. troops are being sent to Israel.

Yahoo News reported that these American forces are headed toward the coast of Israel. Previously, two U.S. aircraft carriers were already deployed by the U.S. government to the Middle Eastern country.

These are specifically the USS Gerald R. Ford, which arrived on Tuesday, Oct. 17, and the USS Eisenhower, which departed the United States on Oct. 14. As of press time, it is unclear if the deployed U.S. troops will join one of these carrier strike groups.

Before the two anonymous officials shared the information they acquired, multiple defense authorities already revealed that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered roughly 2,000 troops to prepare on Sunday, Oct. 15.

They claim that Austin wants these American soldiers to be ready in case of a mass deployment to Israel in order to help with non-combat tasks, such as logistic support and medical assistance, as reported by CNN.

With the newest details shared by the two defense officials and the previous rumors being aligned, there's a high chance that the U.S. Marines and Pentagon are really deploying thousands of American troops to Israel.

Read Also: Biden Considers Israel Visit After Invitation From Netanyahu as Gaza Full-Scale Invasion Looms

Biden Claims American Troops are Not Needed

In a recent 60-minute interview, U.S. President Joe Biden claimed that the U.S. will provide all necessary aid to Israel. However, the American leader said that American troops were not among them.

POTUS argued that Israel already has one of the finest fighting forces in the country. Biden's statement was also the same as John Kirby, the spokesman of the National Security Council.

"There's no plans or intentions to put US troops on the ground to fight in this fight between Israel and Hamas," said Kirby.

However, the NSC official clarified that they are still considering deploying American troops for rescue operations to save hostages and civilians caught up in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Related Article: Joe Biden Promises to Give Israel Everything It Needs, Except American Troops-Here's What POTUS Explains

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
One of the last deeds of Speaker of the Parliament Boris Kollar.

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A day before the September 30 early election, outgoing Speaker of Parliament Boris Kollar (Sme Rodina) signed a memorandum with Bernard Bober, president of Conference of Bishops of Slovakia (KBS) on the establishment of the chaplain post for the National Council, which is the official name of Slovak parliament.

The chaplain, whose name has not been revealed, is to celebrate masses in the Bratislava Castle chapel.

When asked who came up with the idea, KBS spokesperson Katarina Jancisinova said the initiative arose from the Office of the National Council, a body responsible for various operations in the parliament. However, the latter claimed the opposite and that Kollar agreed because of "persistent interest in spiritual service".

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Related article Boris Kollar is in hot water, but unlikely to boil Read more

Kollar himself is the father of 13 children with 11 women. In politics, he tried to present himself as a defender of traditional values. The establishment of the post was his signal to the conservative voters, the Sme daily writes. However, his party did not get into the parliament.

In 2010, then prime minister Iveta Radicova established a chapel for at the Government Office. Catholics and Protestants hold their church services here. A chapel can be found in the Presidential Palace, too.

MPs may not use the service

According to the memorandum, the chaplain is supposed to hold a regular service - at least once a week. Upon request of the Office of the National Council, he is to serve a mass on a holiday or on Sunday. In addition, he should be available to both MPs and employees of the parliament for a spiritual conversation or confession.

No more details are provided.

KBS will pay the chaplain, select him and they can also replace him. The Conference did not answer most of the question of Sme. The memorandum forbids it without the previous consent of the Office. The latter says that this is a standard approach.

When asked whether they would use the services of the chaplain, several MPs were evasive about it. Former health minister and conservative politician Marek Krajci (OLaNO) said 'probably no'. When he had to step down during the Covid-19 pandemic, he compared himself to Jesus Christ. Former Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) head Alojz Hlina (now SaS) said that he would not. New KDH MP Peter Stachura did not rule out the possibility, neither did former investment and regional development minister and MP Veronika Remisova (Za Ludi).
Oleksandra Kasha Potrohosh, an activist who protested half-naked outside the Russian embassy in Bratislava last year, uses nudity to get peoples attention for the better good.

On Thursday, June 2, 2022, a symbolic protest took place in front of the Russian embassy in Bratislava. (Source: bencssik)

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Ukrainian version | Slovak version

It was a Thursday, and Oleksandra Potrohosh was standing on a pavement outside the Russian embassy in Bratislava. She was barefoot and half-naked, her body and underwear were covered in blood-red paint and her mouth was taped shut.

In her left hand, she held a blue-yellow sign that read: Rape is a war crime.

More than three months into the war in Ukraine, on June 2, 2022, she and several other female activists, including former journalist Alexandra Demetrianova, protested against the sexual violence being commmitted by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, while most people in Bratislava went about their everyday lives. On the radio that day, they may have heard news about Slovakia sending howitzers to Ukraine and the EU adopting a new package of anti-Russian sanctions.

The protest was far from Potrohoshs only response to the war.

The Ukrainian artist, who in the world of art goes by Kasha thanks to a friend who invented the name by accident, created the Berehynia artwork. It was one of her very first pieces of art that reacted to Russias invasion of Ukraine. The goddess Berehynia is considered a symbol of good and positive forces of nature in Ukraine, but Potrohosh decided to reimagine the symbol in her video installation. Naked, she paints her body, which represents Berehynia for this purpose, using blood-red paint in front of a camera.

I stain the symbol with blood, an attribute of war, the artist explains in a post on Instagram. At the same time, I put [two figures] in opposition: a male representing war, and a female representing a victim.

Earlier this year, Potrohosh created an artistic performance, Body Scars, to remind people that Ukrainian people, often women, continue to be raped by Russian soldiers. After a while, Potrohosh takes her clothes off, revealing signs like loot and a sex slave painted all over her body. The performance, which resembles a ritual, recounts the story of a woman who has her own place in society but who turns into a number after being raped.

The most powerful artworks of mine are those that I created during the war, she tells The Slovak Spectator.

Kasha Potrohosh presents the Berehynia project at the cultural centre Tabacka Kulturfabrik in June 2022. (Source: Facebook/Tabacka Kulturfabrik )

Inspiring uncle

Potrohosh, an ethnic Slovak who holds Ukrainian citizenship, was born in the western Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod. She is a Rusyn, a member of the Eastern Slavic ethnic group who live in the cross-border area of Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia. Known to Slovaks as Subcarpathian Rus, this region was once part of interwar Czechoslovakia, the Kingdom of Hungary and the Soviet Union, none of which now exist, before it became part of modern-day Ukraine.

I have a lot of mixed roots, she says.

There are Ukrainians, Slovaks and Hungarians in her family. For example, one of her grandfathers was a Hungarian Slovak from Presov, eastern Slovakia, who moved to Subcarpathian Rus in the interwar period and remained there.

Potrohosh was born into a family of physicists. Despite studying mathematics in secondary school, she has always been attracted to art. Her uncle, a blacksmith, was a huge inspiration to her.

I admired him, the artist told the fjuzn magazine, He was such a beautiful authority for me and also proof that you can make money with art.

It took time for her parents to get used to the fact that their daughter wanted to earn a living as an artist. But even today, she does not share all her art with them.

Its better that way. Theyre still conservative when it comes to creativity, Potrohosh explains.

She was 18 when she came to Slovakia to pursue studies at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design (VSVU) in Bratislava. It was her first trip abroad, but she was used to hearing Slovak. She grew up watching popular Slovak childrens television programmes such as Ela Hop! and Vecernicek, as well as the Slovak-language version of the Japanese animated series Pokemon.

The Body Scars performance by Kasha Potrohosh. (Source: jedinadora)

Accepting her own self

Still, she had to overcome several fears in Slovakia.

The artist initially struggled to reveal to people where she came from. She thought that people would not like her being Ukrainian.

Therefore, I used to tell people that I was from the east she says.

The more she was asked such questions, the more tired she grew of such evasive answers. Today, she admits that the reason for dismissing those questions was the search for her own identity as well.

Potrohosh says that she has always felt like a white crow, which is a Ukrainian term for an odd person that stands out in the crowd. It took the artist some time to accept who she was and to embrace the often demonised Ukrainian phrase. Today, she even says that being the white crow gives her more freedom.

Her school and the war, but also situations at the Foreigners Police office in Bratislava, where she was reminded many times that Slovak was the official language in Slovakia, or by a cab driver who told her that Ukraine would lose the war, helped her to start realising and embracing her roots more.

Now, I can present myself as a Ukrainian artist, she says, Before, I felt that I should suppress my identity.

At VSVU, the Ukrainian had to work harder than her classmates. She had no formal art education, despite taking some art lessons as a child and trying to study pottery at the Transcarpathian Art Institute. After one year at the institute, she decided to move to Slovakia. In addition to studying art history and theory, she was also worried about her drawing skills. She often doubted herself. It was an intermedia course that she took in the Slovak capital that gave her a boost and showed her that there were many other ways to create art. Her concerns vanished.

Without university, I would not have been formed in the way I am now, she thinks.

Thanks to her university experience, the Ukrainian artist says, she could explore liberal views and accept herself and her art.

Some of the masks created by Kasha Potrohosh. (Source: Frantisek Mihalek)

Why Potrohosh gets naked

Potrohosh characterises her art as chaotic.

In recent years, she has authored nearly 30 art projects, ranging from paintings, collages and masks to video installations and performances.

Im not interested in the art form, Im interested in the topic I want to discuss, she notes.

Feminism, self-harm, death, violence, climate change, and even the war are among the topics that she has touched upon. Currently, she is exploring microbiology and fungi in her art.

Sometimes, she gets naked to highlight how close these topics are to people who may not realise it. It was in this way, for instance, that she portrayed the impact of humans on the environment in her Mother Nature project, or explored the topic of Instagram, the naked body and filters in her emoG project.

Ive seen people leave during my performances because they could not handle a given topic. They experienced it so strongly through me, Potrohosh says. I took it as a compliment.

Those who stay until the end of her performances sometimes decide to hug the artist to thank her.

What Potrohosh likes about art, she says, is the opportunity for her to respond to various serious topics and explore the world, but she also believes that art helps her to understand herself better  and gives people the opportunity to understand her.

Kasha Potrohosh in an older performance of hers entitled Nostalgic Experience. (Source: Courtesy of K. P.)

Nostalgic Experience

Although she has been dealing with far-reaching topics in her art, the 28-year-old artist no longer yearns to save the world. She says that she feels satisfied with the impact on her own community in Slovakia.

That suits me better, the artist says.

Moreover, she appreciates that her circle of friends does not judge her for the way she approaches art and depicts the world. In Uzhhorod, she says, people are more conservative than in Slovakia and could not bear the rush of explicitness in her art.

Even the way I dress attracts many more glances in Uzhhorod than here, Potrohosh says.

Nevertheless, she admits that the openness she feels in Slovakia may be the result of living in a bubble that she has built around herself. She fears that it would be a different  conservative, Catholic and homophobic  experience if she lived in a Slovak village. Still, it is her desire to move to the countryside.

Potrohosh captured this difference of opinions in an older performance of hers entitled Nostalgic Experience. The inspiration came from her family. She sits in a pub window, looking at an old photo of her father and herself. As she sits there, she reflects on the relationship between her father, with his more conservative views, and herself and her own views, which are at odds with her fathers.

His views had a depressing effect on me, she writes in the description of the performance. But over time, I learned to systematically separate dogmas and to purposefully act contrary to them..

Potrohosh believes that what people need in order to understand others better is the courage to change their opinions.

This story was published with support from the International Press Institute's Ukraine regional reporting fund.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/10-years-of-bri-helped-global-south-nations-shape-their-own-destinies---experts-1114267255.html

10 Years of BRI Helped Global South Nations 'Shape Their Own Destinies' - Experts

10 Years of BRI Helped Global South Nations 'Shape Their Own Destinies' - Experts

Putin is just one of 130 world leaders to send delegations to China to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the launching of the Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure megaproject that has taken on globe-spanning proportions.

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analysis

belt and road initiative

vladimir putin

xi jinping

infrastructure

developing countries

anniversary

china

russia

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https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/10/1114225896_0:25:3078:1756_1920x0_80_0_0_a3ee3b73122bbd87c1834ef2e101fe1d.jpg

Chinese President Xi Jinping warmly welcomed his dear friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, to Beijing on Tuesday. At a banquet, the two leaders toasted the coming of a multipolar world, with Xi saying we firmly believe that the historical trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual wins are unstoppable.However, Putin is just one of 130 world leaders to send delegations to China to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the launching of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an infrastructure megaproject initiated by China that has taken on globe-spanning proportions over the last decade.Professor Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, told Sputnik the BRI was a visionary undertaking that would have huge benefits for the parts of the globe historically neglected in industrialization and modernization processes over the last two centuries.I believe that the Belt and Road Initiative is a project of the century. First and foremost, we have to look at the BRI as a visionary undertaking that transcends border cultures and ideologies. It is without a doubt one of the most ambitious, huge and transformative initiatives of our time. Conceived by China, but embraced by nations across Asia, Africa, Europe, and even beyond, It has evolved into a collaborative effort that spans continents, reshaping the world's economic and political landscape.In terms of how it impacts or affects the global market and the world, first and foremost, the BRI is a lifeline in terms of infrastructure development to countries that have long grappled with inadequate connectivity. Infrastructure development forms the backbone of this initiative, offering a lifeline to countries that have long struggled with inadequate transportation networks and energy access.This infrastructure translates into enhanced trade, investment and economic growth, elevating the economies of the Developing World or the Global South countries and fostering inclusive and sustainable development. The BRI networks of roads, railways, ports and digital connectivity enables goods and services to flow more freely, reducing trade costs and expanding business opportunities. This increase in trade leads to economic revitalization and job creation, particularly among BRI-participating countries.It has challenged to a great extent existing Western-based economic infrastructure projects on many grounds, she said. One major area is its impressive investment, which is both competing with and complementing existing Western infrastructure projects in Asia, Africa, and beyond.So that is one of the challenges. The second one is quality and standards. The further success of the BRI will also depend on the quality of infrastructure it delivers. The way I see it, China being the lead in the BRI project, it will focus on high quality and sustainable projects which will be more competitive in the long run and may outperform Western-based projects, which in the long run may not be reliable anymore.Malindog-Uy noted that BRI is also based in multilateral cooperation, giving it a major advantage over typically unilateral Western-based projects.However, if there is competition, it may also create geopolitical tension and may exacerbate existing issues related to debt sustainability and transparency.To take one example, Malindog-Uy referred to the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), which she said was another scheme and an attempt by the United States to contain the peaceful rise of China.Indeed, she noted the lack of financial commitment by the US toward US President Joe Bidens Build Back Better infrastructure project, which has resulted in a slow implementation. But she noted that if the IMEEC is actually completed, Global South nations may still not be persuaded to use it instead of the BRI because of the probable strings attached or conditions that come with this project concerning human rights, promotion of democracy of the United States and the like.Wan Chengcai, a senior adviser to the Chinese Association of Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, told Sputnik that while this is Putins 19th visit to China, this time the Russian president is leading a large governmental delegation, indicating he attaches special historic importance to the trip.According to the expert, Russias active participation is important for the construction of the Belt and Road.Putins visit to Beijing is another important event in bilateral relations following the visit to Russia by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March this year, which will certainly contribute to the high-quality development of bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation between the countries in all fields, he added.Wang said that he expects Xi and Putin to discuss practical questions of cooperation, as well as current global issues, and that the meeting will lead to further bilateral economic cooperation. With the world convulsed by such dramatic changes, China and Russia are likely to work together toward a multipolar and equitable new world order, Wang added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/china-marks-10th-anniversary-of-belt-and-road-initiative-1114256933.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/biden-to-visit-israel-wednesday-amid-heightened-palestine-israel-conflict-1114242814.html

Biden to Visit Israel Wednesday Amid Heightened Palestine-Israel Conflict

Biden to Visit Israel Wednesday Amid Heightened Palestine-Israel Conflict

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said President Joe Biden will visit Israel this week.

2023-10-17T01:06+0000

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"On Wednesday, President Biden will visit Israel," Blinken said on Monday.Blinken in remarks to reporters at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv added that the commander-in-chief intends to send a message of solidarity with the Jewish state and reaffirm America's commitment to its security.Blinken also said the visit aims to deter other actors from getting involved in the conflict, emphasizing the American president would again make clear that "Israel has the right, and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists."White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters late Monday that Biden's visit will include a bilateral meeting with Netanyahu and an update from Israeli officials about their strategy against Hamas in Gaza, including the pace of their military operations, Biden will also have a chance to to discuss the issue of delivering humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas, Kirby said. Kirby said Biden will also discuss the hostage situation.White House officials have further indicated that Biden will also be meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Jordans King Abdullah and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.The looming trip to Israel comes as Netanyahu and Biden have spoken on five separate occasions since spiked hostilities broke out on October 7 following Hamas' surprise weekend attack. Biden has previously been invited to visit by the Israeli prime minister, with a similar invitation from Egyptian counterparts

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231013/abbas-rejects-attempts-to-relocate-population-of-gaza-strip-at-talks-with-blinken---reports-1114168199.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/caracas-to-resume-talks-with-opposition-under-mediation-of-norway---norwegian-embassy-1114244831.html

Caracas to Resume Talks With Opposition Under Mediation of Norway - Norwegian Embassy

Caracas to Resume Talks With Opposition Under Mediation of Norway - Norwegian Embassy

The Venezuelan government and the opposition Unitary Platform (PU) will resume their negotiations in the Barbadian capital of Bridgetown on October 17, the Norwegian embassy in Mexico, which brokered the talks, said on Monday.

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"The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Venezuela's Unitary Platform have decided to resume their dialogue and negotiations, mediated by Norway, to achieve a political agreement as provided for in the memorandum of understanding signed in Mexico City on August 13, 2021. The meetings will start on October 17, 2023 in Bridgetown, Barbados," the Norwegian embassy in Mexico and Central America wrote on X. On the same day, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that the government and the opposition are on the verge of signing important agreements on electoral guarantees. Earlier in the day, US media reported the White House reached a deal with Maduro to ease sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry in exchange for the South American country holding a competitive, internationally-monitored presidential election in 2024. The US allegedly intends to announce the sanctions relief after Maduro's government and the US-backed opposition sign an agreement regarding fair elections in 2024, media claimed. The signature is reportedly expected to take place during the meeting in Barbados on Tuesday. US outlets reported that, after the agreement is signed, Washington could allow another foreign company to accept Venezuelan oil as debt repayment. In early October, it cited French oil company Maurel & Prom, a partner to Venezuelan state-run PDVSA oil company, as a potential candidate.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231011/report-us-venezuela-in-talks-to-ease-oil-sanctions-1114083319.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/china-marks-10th-anniversary-of-belt-and-road-initiative-1114256933.html

China Marks 10th Anniversary of Belt and Road Initiative

China Marks 10th Anniversary of Belt and Road Initiative

Inspired by the Silk Road, an ancient network of trade routes that spanned the Asian and European continents for about 1,400 years until the mid-15th century, the Belt and Road project was launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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Inspired by the Silk Road, an ancient network of trade routes that spanned the Asian and European continents for about 1,400 years until the mid-15th century, the Belt and Road project was launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping.By June 2023, more than 150 nations had signed the BRI cooperation pacts with China. Over 140 countries and 30 international organizations are expected to participate in this years event. Among the leaders due in Beijing this week are the presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Laos, and Mongolia, as well as the chair of the Eurasian Economic Commission's board.Explore Sputnik's infographics to find out more!

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/china-warns-japan-against-passage-of-ships-close-to-disputed-islets-1114258960.html

China Warns Japan Against Passage of Ships Close to Disputed Islets

China Warns Japan Against Passage of Ships Close to Disputed Islets

Beijing has called on Tokyo to stop intrusions of its vessels into waters around contested islets in the East China Sea known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan, Chinese coast guard spokesman Gan Yu stated on Tuesday.

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Gan said in a statement that several Japanese patrol boats "illegally entered China's territorial waters in the Diaoyu Islands area" on Monday. The spokesman added that Chinese coast guard vessels gave the Japanese ships a legal warning to leave the waters. Gan reiterated that the Diaoyu Islands are an inalienable territory of China, and Chinese coast guard carries out maritime rights protection and law enforcement activities in the area in accordance with the law. Japan claims to have had sovereignty over the islands since 1895, while China argues that they were marked as Chinese territory on Japanese maps dated 1783 and 1785. The United States took control over the islands during WWII and handed them over to Japan in 1972. China says that the islands were seized illegally by Japan, while Japan claims that China only became interested in them after shale oil was discovered under the seabed. The territorial dispute escalated in 2012, when the Japanese government purchased three of the five islands from a private owner, thereby confirming Japan's affiliation with the islands.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230222/japan-and-china-hold-first-security-talks-since-2019-reports-say-1107689969.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/idf-says-eliminated-4-alleged-fighters-attempting-to-cross-border-from-lebanon-1114247075.html

IDF Says Eliminated 4 Alleged Fighters Attempting to Cross Border From Lebanon

IDF Says Eliminated 4 Alleged Fighters Attempting to Cross Border From Lebanon

he Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday it had eliminated four people who attempted to cross the fence on the border with Lebanon and plant an explosive device.

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Tensions have been on the rise along the Israeli-Lebanese border since Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel in early October. The Israeli army has repeatedly shelled the border area in the past days, killing a journalist and wounding six others last Friday. On Monday, the Lebanese movement Hezbollah said that it carried out strikes on five Israeli army posts along the Israeli-Lebanese border, while the IDF said it returned the fire.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/israel-reportedly-requests-10-bln-aid-package-from-us-1114252203.html

Israel Reportedly Requests $10 Bln Aid Package From US

Israel Reportedly Requests $10 Bln Aid Package From US

The Israeli military said last week that a US aircraft had landed in the Jewish state with the first shipment of American ammunition for Tel Aviv since the October 7 escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict.

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Israel has asked the US for $10 billion in emergency military aid, an American newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying.The sources argued that the US Congress is coordinating the issue with the White House as lawmakers seek to link the Israel aid package with assistance to Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as funds to fortify the US-Mexico border.In a separate development, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul told a US news network that his panel is drafting legislation to authorize US military force if the current conflict escalates into a possible proxy war with Iran.When asked whether the White House had specifically asked for such an authorization, McCaul said, "I don't want to confirm that. It's just that there is concern that  we, I'm currently, we're currently drafting one in the event it's necessary."Dwelling on what this possible authorization might entail, the lawmaker noted, I'd prefer not to put Iran as a nation state in there. It would be more Iran proxies, you know, like Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran-backed Shiia militias, but if Iran gets directly involved, then we would have to put them on the list."McCall also made it clear that he doesnt want the legislation to come into force.The remarks followed the Israeli military announcing the arrival of the first US transport aircraft carrying advanced American ammunition for the Jewish state.The IDF stated that a first plane carrying American ammunition had landed in Israel after the US said it would send new supplies of air defenses, munitions and other security assistance to its ally to battle Palestinian Hamas militants.On October 7, the militant group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating the Jewish state by land, sea and air. Hamas said that they had started the operation in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and increasing settler violence against Palestinians.Israel retaliated by announcing the start of Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which is currently pounded by IDF airstrikes. The Palestinian health ministry said that more than 2,800 people, including women and children, had died in these airstrikes, while Israels death toll from the October 7 Hamas attack stands at 1,400, according to the IDF.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/large-majority-of-americans-want-to-help-palestinians-flee-violence---poll-1114244584.html

Large Majority of Americans Want to Help Palestinians Flee Violence - Poll

Large Majority of Americans Want to Help Palestinians Flee Violence - Poll

A large majority of Americans say they want to help civilians flee Gaza, but it is not clear where they can go.

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A new poll says that a large majority of Americans want the US government to help citizens in Gaza flee the violence in the territory.The poll closed as Israel continued to prepare a large ground invasion in Gaza targeted at Hamas. The country has been bombing Gaza since an October 7 surprise attack by Hamas killed 1,400 people and captured 199 more, according to Israeli authorities. The response by Israel has killed over 2,808 people in Palestine, the majority being citizens, according to Palestinian authorities.The poll indicated 78% of respondents agreed with the statement, American diplomats should actively be working on a plan to allow civilians fleeing fighting in Gaza to move to a safe country, while 22% disagreed.The support was seen across all political spectrums but was most pronounced among Democrats, with 94% of Democratic respondents saying they supported the statement compared to 71% and 73% for Republicans and Independents, respectively.Support for Israel in general remains high among Americans, with 41% saying the US government should support Israel in the conflict. However, more Americans believe the US should act as a neutral mediator or not be involved at all. Combined, those two neutral options were supported by 48% of respondents (27% for neutral mediator, 21% for no involvement).Only 2% said they believe the US government should support Palestine and the support for Israel is higher than in 2014, when the country conducted a ground operation against Hamas in a smaller scale operation.While support for helping refugees fleeing the violence is predictably high, there are questions about its viability. No neighboring country or other third-party country has committed to taking in large numbers of refugees. The Rafah crossing into Egypt from Gaza remains closed despite ongoing negotiations and Israel has closed all other routes out of the territory.Israel has told citizens to move towards the southern area of the country ahead of the ground invasion.Furthermore, Hamas has told civilians to stay in their homes and some fear a repeat of the 1948 Nakba or catastrophe in Arabic. That event, which coincided with the formation of Israel, saw at least 750,000 Palestinians being displaced from their homes and expelled from the borders of Palestine. They were never allowed to return and construction was later undertaken to establish new homes for Israelis.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231016/definitely-not-both-former-army-commander-says-us-cant-support-two-proxy-wars-1114240062.html

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Reinvestigation: BRI in 10 years: A catalyst for positive environmental change

Xinhua) 08:16, October 17, 2023

This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2023 shows a floral decoration for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) near China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China. The BRF will be held from Oct. 17 to 18 in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Since its debut, the BRI has been conceptualized as the "Green Belt and Road" as China is committed to sustainability, environmental protection, and international environmental standards.

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Over the last decade, large infrastructure projects across the land, water, and even deserts of the globe have been erected under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), remarkably facilitating transportation and economic development.

Amid appreciation and applause from the host countries, there are some discordant voices in the West alleging that those projects have posed negative impacts on the environment.

No doubt, such opinions were misguided and need to be critically examined.

PRESERVING BIO-DIVERSITY RATHER THAN DESTROYING

Before 2022, travelers from northern Croatia had to pass through a 9-km stretch of Bosnia and Herzegovina's coast to reach Ston, a small town located at Peljesac, a sun-drenched peninsula in southern Croatia.

The construction of the Peljesac bridge, a BRI project, shortened the distance, but also made local oyster farmers worry that it would affect the production of shellfish, which has been inscribed into the European Union (EU) Geographical Indications Register.

However, the Chinese companies that built the bridge "have always adhered to the highest environmental standards," and "the local farmers told me that the production and quality of oysters have not been affected at all, and the bridge has actually boosted their sales," said Qi Qianjin, Chinese ambassador to Croatia.

A zebra is seen next to a fence as a freight train runs on the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway track in Kenya, on July 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Actually, environmental conservation measures, such as water protection and management, noise control, and the construction of bridges to ensure the safe passage of wildlife, have been widely employed in BRI projects.

In Kenya, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) runs through some sensitive ecosystems such as national parks.

The project has designed several wildlife corridors, including seven bridges, several culverts, and embankments to funnel wildlife to the underpasses to reduce the risk of train-wildlife collision.

Noise absorbers are also installed along the wildlife corridors to reduce possible disturbance of the animals.

It is "one of the most important projects where BRI has made substantial efforts to lower impacts on ecologically vulnerable areas," said Cavince Adhere, a Kenyan international relations scholar.

BRINGING DEVELOPMENT WITH CLEAN, GREEN ENERGY

In many BRI host countries, traditional dependence on fossil fuels caused air pollution, harmed people's health, and created a dilemma between reducing carbon emissions and economic development.

Committed to open, green and clean cooperation towards inclusive and sustainable development, the BRI incorporates many projects designated to promote clean and renewable energy, such as wind farms, solar power plants, and eco-friendly transportation systems.

"Through BRI projects our government has taken different projects for the reduction of carbon emission and transition to green energy sources in our country," said Dilip Barua, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist-Leninist).

The former Bangladeshi industries minister said China had assisted his country in constructing several solar power plants, such as the Cox's Bazar wind power project, being environmentally friendly energy sources.

The recently inaugurated Cox's Bazar wind power project, a flagship initiative invested by Wuling Power Corp. and built by PowerChina Chengdu Engineering Corp., marked a major milestone in Bangladesh's quest for cleaner and more sustainable energy.

The wind power project is located in Bangladesh's southeastern Cox's Bazar district, some 400 km away from the capital Dhaka.

Upon operation, the project will provide Bangladesh with about 145 million kWh of clean electricity per year, reduce coal consumption by 44,600 metric tons and carbon dioxide emissions by 109,200 metric tons, as well as meet the electricity demand of 100,000 households.

"It's a major watershed in our nation's journey towards cleaner and more sustainable energy," said Md. Habibur Rahman, senior secretary of Power Division under Bangladesh's Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

"A number of projects implemented in Kenya under BRI have positively contributed to environment protection and conservation," said Cavince Adhere, a Kenyan international relations scholar.

The Nairobi Expressway, built in partnership with China Road and Bridge Corporation, has included the integration of plants along the pillars and walls of the road, to act as carbon sinks for the emissions produced on the expressway as well as the lower road.

The Nairobi Global Trade Centre has adopted green building technologies to ensure it cushions the environment from harmful emissions. The tower uses low-E glass to reflect heat while letting light in, and a breathable curtain wall instead of air conditioners. It also pledged to be a plastic straw-free zone.

Mostafa Kareem, a member of the faculty for irrigation and hydraulic engineering at Cairo University, spoke highly of BRI projects in Egypt such as the Central Business District (CBD) project in the new administrative capital and the Cairo light rail transit system.

"These initiatives are not only aimed at enhancing transportation and urban development but also at reducing emissions and supporting Egypt's goals for sustainable development," said Kareem.

This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows the construction site of Central Business District (CBD) project in the new administrative capital, east of Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

In partnership with China, Ethiopia is harnessing its massive solar energy potential by launching a research center to fast-track renewable energy development in the East African country.

In June this year, with financial support from the Ministry of Commerce of China, the United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia, the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, an affiliated entity of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and China Agricultural University, has implemented a project entitled "Biogas, Biomass and Solar Trilateral Cooperation -- Transitioning to Sustainable Energy Uses in the Agro-industry between China and Ethiopia."

The project primarily supports renewable energy technology dissemination and scale-up for Ethiopia's climate-resilient growth.

"Hence, the BRI is contributing reduction of carbon emission in Ethiopia," said Melaku Mulualem, senior international relations and diplomacy researcher at Ethiopia's Institute of Strategic Affairs.

As the green transition in China is rolled out, Beijing has emphasized South-South cooperation in renewable energy projects. Technology transfer from China to the BRI countries has been scaled up.

Throughout the 10 years of the existence of "the collaborative initiative," a significant amount of work has been done related to solar energy and hydraulic resources built in countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, said Eduardo Regalado, senior researcher at the International Policy Research Center of Cuba.

PRESERVING LAND &WATER RATHER THAN DEGRADING

Some claimed that the BRI would cause irreversible damage to land and water. However, experts and people involved in the actual projects in the host countries have drawn a different conclusion.

"Kenya is one of the African countries that are increasingly learning from the enviable experiences of China in terms of controlling desertification," said Adhere.

Kenyan scientists at the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre are working with counterparts from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography to help address the challenge of desertification not only in Kenya but also in northern African countries.

The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway in Uganda is another example, said Jonathan Tabalanga, an international relations expert and lecturer at Uganda's Cavendish University.

"If you look at the Nambigirwa Bridge, the longest in the country (1.5 km), it preserved the environment. They did not pour sand, or soil waste in the swamp, but they created a bridge so that the water levels remain the same," explained Tabalanga. "They always ensure that the issues of environment are taken care of."

This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2023 shows the Kingfisher oil field in Kikuube, Uganda. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

Another example mentioned by Tabalanga is the Kingfisher oil project built in partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in Uganda. Located in a complex ecological and residential environment, the company has been dedicated to employing technological means to minimize the project's impact on the surrounding environment.

In the Oromia region of Ethiopia, the China-built Genale-Dawa III Multipurpose Hydropower Project aided in combating desertification through the provision of electricity to the nearby communities that had been dependent on firewood for their power demand.

Several mini-projects were also conducted including the construction of bridges and ditches as part of an effort to prevent erosion and land degradation during the construction of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway project.

"The communities living in China-built wind farms in different parts of Ethiopia also no longer contribute to desertification in their quest for power," said Mulualem.

WELL-PREPARED ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Since its debut, the BRI has been conceptualized as the "Green Belt and Road" as the Chinese government is committed to sustainability, environmental protection, and international environmental standards.

In 2015, the Belt and Road Initiative Action Plan was released by the Chinese government, outlining the vision and framework of the BRI and emphasizing the importance of environmental protection and sustainability in BRI projects.

China and BRI participating countries have also established frameworks for conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidelines for BRI projects, which helped ensure that environmental concerns are addressed during project planning and implementation.

At the first BRI Forum in 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that "efforts should be made to strengthen cooperation in ecological and environmental protection and build a sound ecosystem to realize the goals set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

China has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Environment Programme on building a green Belt and Road for 2017-2022, reached environmental cooperation agreements with more than 30 countries and international organizations, launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development together with 31 countries, and formed the BRI International Green Development Coalition with more than 150 partners from 40-plus countries.

"Before any BRI project kicks off in Ethiopia, the government of Ethiopia and experts from China conduct biodiversity assessment, incorporate principles related to biodiversity conservation into the BRI green finance framework, strengthen science-based support, and promote the consistency of standards and norms related to biodiversity conservation," said Mulualem.

This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2022 shows main gate of an underwater tunnel in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The underwater tunnel in Bangladesh built by a Chinese company has marked the civil works completion of its south tube. (Xinhua)

"All these international projects, including the Chinese (ones), done by international companies all go through an environmental impact assessment before the projects take shape. So, I think for the West to come out and argue that most of these projects impact the environment negatively is just wrong," said Tabalanga.

"All the development projects which were implemented earlier here have shown" they have had a positive impact, especially in the environmental field in Bangladesh and "are not posing a threat to our environment," said Barua, citing projects like the Padma Bridge, Elevated Expressway, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, and the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant.

GREEN PROJECTS, GREEN FINANCE

Besides, China has promoted green finance, including green bonds and green investment practices, to fund environmentally friendly projects within the BRI framework.

Green finance channels funds into renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, and hydropower, which help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable energy mix.

Investments in green finance can also support infrastructure projects that focus on energy-efficient technologies and practices.

"This includes the construction of buildings with high energy efficiency standards and the implementation of smart infrastructure solutions. A case in point is the Global Trade Centre in Nairobi," said Adhere.

Furthermore, green finance encourages the incorporation of technologies and designs that minimize carbon footprints.

This photo taken on May 8, 2022 shows a section of the Nairobi Expressway built by China Road and Bridge Corporation in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

"This can include using low-carbon materials, improving transportation systems, and adopting sustainable construction practices. Examples implemented in Kenya under BRI include the SGR and the Nairobi Expressway," Adhere said.

(Xinhua reporters Li Hualing, Liu Wanli and Jin Zheng in Nairobi, Wang Ping in Addis Ababa, Sun Nan and Karim in Dhaka, Yao Bing in Cairo, Nie Zuguo in Kampala, Li Xuejun in Zagreb, Zhu Wanjun in Havana and Xuan Liqi in Mexico City contributed to the story.)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The United Nations Security Council rejected a Russian-led resolution that called for a ceasefire in Gaza as the opposition said that it ignored Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel.

The United Nations Security Council on Monday rejected Russia's resolution that called for a ceasefire in Gaza after the opposition said that it ignored Hamas' terrorism in the region.

The chaos in Gaza has been going on for nearly two weeks as Israel and Hamas militant forces battle it out for control. Russia's resolution received five votes in favor, from China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Security Council Rejects Russian Resolution

On the other hand, four others voted against the resolution, namely France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. There were also six abstentions in the vote, Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland.

In order for the Security Council to adopt a resolution, the proposal must receive at least nine votes in favor, with none of its five permanent members opposing or casting a veto. The Russian-led draft text had called for a humanitarian ceasefire, release of all hostages, aid access, and safe evacuation of civilians, as per UN News.

The Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed regret over the Security Council's failure to adopt the resolution, blaming the "selfish intention of the Western bloc."

Nebenzia noted that the Western countries' delegations "basically stomped" on global hopes for the Council to put an end to violence in Gaza. He added that the vote revealed countries who were in support of ending the violence and providing humanitarian aid and those who were blocking a unified message "for purely selfish and political interests."

The official said that they were extremely concerned by the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe that is seen in Gaza as well as the high risk of the conflict spreading to other regions.

On the other hand, the Permanent Representative of the U.S., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said that her nation could not support Russia's resolution because it ignored Hamas' terrorism and dishonored victims.

Read Also: Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem Offers Himself in Exchange for Hamas Hostages

Hamas' Terrorist Attack on Israel

The war between Israel and the Hamas militant group initially took the lives of more than 1,400 people. The UN Security Council huddled as the Middle Eastern nation was readying for an expected ground assault on the Gaza Strip, after air and artillery strikes that officials reported claimed the lives of at least 2,750 people, according to the Times of Israel.

The situation also comes as the White House said that President Joe Biden was planning to visit Israel on Wednesday. It is a trip that is designed to balance support for a key ally with growing global calls for restraint in its operations in Gaza.

Thomas-Greenfield said that Russia's failure to condemn Hamas in the conflict, Moscow is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalizes innocent civilians. She called the situation outrageous and Russia's actions hypocritical and indefensible.

She added that the U.S., which traditionally shields its ally Israel from council action, does agree that action should be taken. However, she noted that they have to get it right and they have to work intensively with all members.

On the other hand, a vote on the rival Brazilian-drafted resolution, which included wording that condemns "the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas," was delayed until late Tuesday. The decision was made to give the Security Council more time to negotiate, said Reuters.

Related Article: Joe Biden's Israel Visit Both Physically, Politically Risky

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/life-in-gaza-and-west-bank-grows-more-precarious-amid-israeli-military-crackdown-1114255790.html

Life in Gaza and West Bank Grows More Precarious Amid Israeli Military Crackdown

Life in Gaza and West Bank Grows More Precarious Amid Israeli Military Crackdown

Palestinian human rights activist Issa Amro told how the Israeli-occupied West Bank was under army siege, while Veteran war reporter Elijah Magnier predicted Israel would not risk a ground offensive against Gaza.

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The daily struggle to survive in the Palestinian territories has become near-impossible amid the Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza and security crackdown in the West Bank.West Bank resident Issa Amro told Sputnik that his home city of Hebron had been completely locked down by Israeli forces.The human rights activist said troops were stopping him and his neighbours from even going out to buy food and water since the day after Hamas and other militant groups in the besieged Gaza Strip launched attacks on Israeli military posts and settlements around the enclave."It's a curfew in my neighborhood and [they are] telling me in Hebrew that the people are not able to go outside their homes, so they are not able to get food. They are not able to get anything to survive since maybe since October 8th," Amro stressed. "I'm not able to try to help my people."He said 'hard-line Zionists' from the many illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank had used the Hamas offensive as a pretext to step up their attacks on Palestinian communities and seize their land."They are making our life very, very hard," he continued. "They are trying to push the Palestinians from many, many communities in area C in Jerusalem. It's about creating 'facts on the ground'."While thousands have been killed in the Israeli bombing of Gaza, the West Bank has not been spared the bloodshed either.War reporter Elijah Magnier told Sputnik that he did not believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would risk a ground invasion of Gaza, despite vowing  along with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant  to "destroy Hamas".He pointed out that Netanyahu had already faced mass protests before the sudden escalation in the conflict over his government's attempts to shake up the liberal-dominated supreme court."Militarily, we see a very large force of the Israeli army gathering at the gate of Gaza ready to break in," Magnier continued, noting that the dense urban environment of the enclave made it "extremely challenging  and the complexity and uncertainty of the outcome is making the political and the army hesitant in breaking in."Previous Israeli government pledges to comprehensively defeat Hamas have gone unfulfilled, with the movement only growing stronger.Conditions inside Gaza were unimaginable as Israel has cut off electricity, running water, food and other supplies and rejected international calls to allow humanitarian aid convoys to enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt.The journalist said it was ironic that US Secretary of state Antony Blinken was silent about that after accusing Russia of a "war crime" for targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure."But Israel can get away with it," Magnier observed. "There is no water, there is no electricity in Gaza. People are drinking sewage water, boiling it."The latest figures from the IDF on Monday updated the number of soldiers killed so far to 291, with 199 more taken prisoner Hamas and other groups along with civilian hostages. Militants say more than 20 Israeli captives have been killed so far by their own air force's bombing  which has also claimed the lives of more than 3,000 Palestinian civilians, with 12,500 injured. The journalist asserted that was in line with Israel's "Hannibal Doctrine.""The Hannibal Doctrine allows the Israeli army to kill any Israeli officer taken hostage, because negotiating over a body is much less costly than negotiating over a person, any Israeli that is alive."For more incisive commentary on world events, tune in to our Sputnik Radio shows.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231016/netanyahu-evokes-nazism-to-justify-israels-colossal-response-to-hamas-attack-1114239142.html

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Israeli Minister: Only 'Hundreds of Tonnes of Explosives' Should Be Sent to Gaza

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Tuesday that, until Palestinian movement Hamas releases hostages, the only thing that should be sent to the Gaza Strip is "hundreds of tonnes of explosives" but not humanitarian aid.

"Until Hamas releases the hostages it is holding, the only thing that should be sent to Gaza is hundreds of tonnes of explosives from the air force and not a gram of humanitarian aid," Israeli media quoted Ben-Gvir as saying after initial reports of an attack on a hospital in the Gaza Strip.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/maduro-rejects-us-media-claims-on-caracas-washington-deal-to-ease-oil-sanctions-1114259341.html

Maduro Rejects US Media Claims on Caracas-Washington Deal to Ease Oil Sanctions

Maduro Rejects US Media Claims on Caracas-Washington Deal to Ease Oil Sanctions

The Venezuelan leader earlier slammed the US sanctions against his country as a form of electoral interference.

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President Nicolas Maduro has rejected recent US media reports about Caracas and Washington allegedly striking a deal to ease American sanctions against Venezuela.The comments followed a report in a US newspaper that said the Biden administration and the Venezuelan government had reached an agreement. The deal stated that Washington would reduce sanctions on the oil industry in Caracas. Additionally, the South American nation would allow a competitive, internationally monitored presidential election next year.The newspaper cited unnamed sources saying that the sanctions relaxation will be announced after Maduros government and Venezuelas US-backed opposition sign an agreement to include commitments [by Caracas] to allow a freer vote in 2024.In 2019, the US will impose comprehensive sanctions on Caracas, specifically targeting the country's oil and financial industries and freezing its reserves amid the country's political crisis.Maduro has repeatedly criticized anti-Venezuelan US sanctions as a form of electoral interference, stressing that his country "wants elections free of sanctions, blockades, aggression, [and] economic warfare."

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/one-of-the-most-important-diplomatic-events-china-belt-and-road-forum-review--1114234285.html

'One of the Most Important Diplomatic Events': China Belt and Road Forum Review

'One of the Most Important Diplomatic Events': China Belt and Road Forum Review

Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier touted the upcoming gathering as an event that will give a new impetus to the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.

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Representatives of more than 130 countries and 30 international organizations are due to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum (BRF), which kicks off in Beijing on Tuesday. The forums theme is High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.Taking part in the two-day gathering is a number of world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the event.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Xi will attend the opening ceremony, deliver a keynote speech and "hold a welcoming banquet and bilateral events for the guests attending the forum."Third But Not Least Xi previously expressed hope the forthcoming forum would add significantly to the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.The BRF, which was earlier touted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry as one of the most important diplomatic events of the year, marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that was okayed by Beijing in 2013.Beijing hosted the first Belt and Road Forum in May 2017, while the second such gathering took place two years later in April 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic upset Beijings plans for a third BRF, but in November 2022 (after China reopened in the wake of the pandemic), President Xi announced his country plans to hold another such event.BRF's Agenda The BRF will reportedly include three high-level gatherings on cultural exchanges, anti-corruption and digital economy, as well as six seminars. A conference of entrepreneurs is also scheduled to be held on the margins of the forum.A state-run Chinese newspaper in turn reported the forum is expected to highlight remarkable achievements that have been made in joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative" over the past decade, and "offer a crucial platform for countries and organizations to discuss high-quality BRI cooperation in a wide range of areas from infrastructure to green development."The newspaper cited Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder of Germany-based political and economic think tank the Schiller Institute, as saying the BRF is being held amid the extraordinary challenges to all of mankind resulting from geopolitical divisions that presently threaten to separate the world into antagonistic blocs."Maya Majueran, director of Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka, a Sri Lanka-based organization that specializes in BRI cooperation, for her part, told the newspaper the BRF is not just a forum.It's a way to showcase incredible stories of success which has generated tangible benefits for participating countries including increased investments, improved trade, job creation, poverty alleviation and people's livelihood improvement over the past 10 years, Majueran pointed out.Hamas-Israel Conflict to Be on Table?Jonathan Fulton, an Abu Dhabi-based senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank, for his part told the broadcaster that most regional actors may not see China as a player that can fundamentally address the Hamas-Israel issue, as this remains an early moment in Chinas Middle East presence.Last Saturday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israel, which responded with retaliatory airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and preparing for a full-blown ground offensive. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has expressed deep disappointment over the lack of Chinas condemnation of the Hamas attack.Putin-Xi TalksRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has, meanwhile, told reporters the presidents of Russia and China will discuss bilateral ties in full during their upcoming talks at the BRF.The remarks came after Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Xi will find time for a confidential, face-to-face discussion despite the arrival of many high-profile guests at the forum.Asked how much attention will be paid to the situation in the world during the talks, Peskov said, "A lot, because both Russia and China play a very significant role in international affairs, and this role is growing."Xi was warmly welcomed in Moscow this past spring, with Russia becoming the first country he visited after his reelection. Xi explained he chose Moscow due to historical logic, calling Russia and China comprehensive strategic partners and largest neighboring powers.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/polands-elections-possible-three-party-coalition-wont-alter-warsaws-foreign-policy---expert-1114262016.html

Polands Elections: Possible Three-Party Coalition Wont Alter Warsaws Foreign Policy - Expert

Polands Elections: Possible Three-Party Coalition Wont Alter Warsaws Foreign Policy - Expert

The Polish parliamentary election results, which indicated the ruling partys victory, can be called a bit murky, George Szamuely, senior research fellow at the London-based Global Policy Institute think tank, told Sputnik.

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Polish President Andrzej Duda has announced that he would propose forming a new government to the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party that won the October 15 parliamentary elections in Poland.The election outcome is a little murky, George Szamuely said, adding that he does not rule out the formation of the three party [government] coalition led by Tusk, a former EU bureaucrat and a former president of the EU council.At the same time, he suggested that creating the coalition would be a very difficult task as he referred to Poles as notoriously fractious people.He argued that if formed, the coalition will obviously improve relations with the EU and will go along with EU policies, not least due to the fact that Tusk has lots of friends in the bloc.On the other hand, Szamuely added, Polish farmers, on whom the PiS depends very strongly in terms of support, are getting screwed over by all this cheap grain coming in from Ukraine, which was being just dumped in Poland's markets.The comments come amid souring ties between Kiev and Warsaw, which deteriorated after Poland, along with Hungary and Slovakia, extended their bans on cheap Ukrainian grain imports unilaterally after the European Commission refused to extend it at the bloc level."We do not agree with the decision of the European Commission and in the interest of Polish farmers and consumers, we are introducing national measures," Polands government spokesman Piotr Muller said at the time. Ukrainian Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka, for his part, responded by saying back then that that Kiev viewed the threes decision as unlawful and would dispute it with the World Trade Organization (WTO).The developments were followed by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announcing that Warsaw is no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons.Polish President Andrzej Duda tried to walk back Morawieckis comments, saying they were interpreted in the worst possible way. Duda insisted that in his opinion, the prime minister actually said that Warsaw will not transfer new weapons to Kiev, which Poland is currently purchasing as part of the modernization of its army.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/putin-meets-hungarian-pm-orban-on-sidelines-of-forum-in-china-1114253831.html

Putin Meets Hungarian PM Orban on 'Belt & Road' Sidelines

Putin Meets Hungarian PM Orban on 'Belt & Road' Sidelines

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on Tuesday.

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Despite the fact that in todays geopolitical conditions the opportunities for maintaining contacts and developing relations are very limited, nevertheless, it can only evoke satisfaction that our relations with many European countries are maintained and cultivated. One of such countries is Hungary, Putin said at the meeting with Orban.Russia and Hungary enjoy strong economic ties, especially in nuclear energy. Budapest repeatedly opposed EU attempts to slap sanctions on Russian nuclear energy and ignored all Western efforts to freeze its ties with Moscow. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban often speaks out against Europe's anti-Russian stance, saying that he does not share the view that Russia poses a threat to Hungary and the rest of Europe.Orban consistently warned against pumping the neo-Nazis in Ukraine with weapons and money in the wake of Russias special military operation, and spotlighted the systematic violation of ethnic minorities rights by the Kiev regime.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/russia-hungary-ties-built-on-basis-of-taking-into-account-each-others-interests---putin-1114255451.html

Russia-Hungary Ties Built on Basis of Taking Into Account Each Others Interests - Putin

Russia-Hungary Ties Built on Basis of Taking Into Account Each Others Interests - Putin

Relations between Russia and Hungary have been built for decades on the basis of taking into account each others interests, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Tuesday.

2023-10-17T10:58+0000

2023-10-17T10:58+0000

2023-10-17T10:58+0000

world

hungary

russia

vladimir putin

viktor orban

rosatom

beijing

trade

economic cooperation

civilian nuclear energy cooperation

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"Relations between Hungary and Russia over the past decades have been built solely on the basis of taking into account each others interests, relying on everything positive that we inherited from the past," Putin said at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Beijing. The positions of Russia and Hungary do not always coincide, but it is extremely important to have the opportunity to exchange views with one of the EU countries, not only on bilateral relations, but also on the situation in the world, the president stressed. Commenting on economic relations between the countries, Putin emphasized that last year, the countries had a significant increase in trade and economic cooperation  over 80%. In his turn, Hungarian Prime Minister stressed that Budapest-Moscow relations have never been in such a bad state, and Hungary never wanted to confront Russia.Orban also highlighted that Budapest-Moscow relations have been through a lot due to sanctions and Russias special military operation in Ukraine.In addition, the prime minister said that he is thankful for the fact that Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom remains Hungarys partner.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230127/hungary-will-not-allow-eu-sanctions-to-target-russian-nuclear-power-orban-says-1106749538.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/calling-eu-politicians-defending-their-states-interests-pro-russian-absurd---kremlin-1113854256.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/russia-repels-9-attacks-in-donetsk-direction-ukraines-casualties-reach-485-1114257124.html

Russia Repels 9 Attacks in Donetsk Direction, Ukraines Casualties Reach 485

Russia Repels 9 Attacks in Donetsk Direction, Ukraines Casualties Reach 485

The Russian forces have repelled nine attacks in the Donetsk direction in the past 24 hours, and Ukraines military casualties have reached 485, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

2023-10-17T11:39+0000

2023-10-17T11:39+0000

2023-10-17T11:39+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

ukrainian counteroffensive attempt

russian defense ministry

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"In the Donetsk direction, units of the southern grouping of forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, repelled nine attacks carried out by Ukrainian units  The enemy's daily casualties in this direction amounted to 485 Ukrainian military personnel killed and injured, three armored combat vehicles, two cars, an Msta-B howitzer, and a D-20 gun," the ministry said, adding that Kiev also lost 150 soldiers in the South Donetsk direction. In the Kupyansk direction, the Russian troops repelled seven attacks in the past day, and Ukraine has suffered up to 270 military casualties. In the Krasny Liman direction, where Russian troops repelled two attacks, Ukraine lost up to 115 soldiers as killed or injured. Four more attacks have been repelled in the Zaporozhye direction, where Ukraines casualties reached up to 110 soldiers.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231016/one-tough-blueberry-russian-female-sniper-crushes-ukrainian-manpower-1114232459.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/tuesday-showdown-us-house-eyes-first-vote-to-elect-new-speaker-after-mccarthy-ouster-1114244045.html

Tuesday Showdown: US House Eyes First Vote to Elect New Speaker After McCarthy Ouster

Tuesday Showdown: US House Eyes First Vote to Elect New Speaker After McCarthy Ouster

The US House of Representatives is set to hold its first floor vote on Tuesday to elect a new speaker, after ousting Congressman Kevin McCarthy from the leadership role earlier this month in a historic first.

2023-10-17T03:04+0000

2023-10-17T03:04+0000

2023-10-17T03:00+0000

americas

us

kevin mccarthy

hakeem jeffries

republicans

democrats

jim jordan

house speaker

speaker of the house

us house of representatives

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House Republicans have held a series of internal meetings since booting McCarthy from the leadership role, in an effort to select a new nominee to run the lower chamber of Congress. The Republican conference initially selected Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) to run for speaker, although he later canceled his bid. On Friday, House Republicans nominated Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) as speaker-designate in a vote of 124-81, selecting him over McCarthy ally Austin Scott (R-GA). However, Jordan failed to garner enough votes within the Republican conference to secure the speakership with a floor vote. Nevertheless, the House of Representatives is scheduled to hold a vote to elect a new speaker on Tuesday at approximately 12:00 p.m., House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (R-MA) said. House Democrats are set to rally their support behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). House lawmakers are unable to conduct normal legislative business until they elect a new speaker or grant extra powers to speaker pro tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC). The US Congress must pass legislation to fund the federal government before November 17, lest the government shutdown. A number of lawmakers have also urged Congress to get back to work to pass legislation in support of Israel and Ukraine. However, some House Republicans including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) have criticized McHenry, who is responsible for scheduling House activities, for giving lawmakers the weekend and Monday off from work. The so-called "swamp" is attempting to delay a vote to elect Jordan as speaker in hopes that House Republicans will revert their support back to McCarthy, Gaetz, who led the motion to vacate McCarthy as speaker, said. McHenry continues to take orders from McCarthy despite his departure as House speaker, Gaetz alleged. Some House Republicans want to make a deal with Jeffries to elect a speaker, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said. Republicans must unite behind Jordan and avoid giving control of the House of Representatives to Democrats, who hold the Senate and White House, Massie said. House Democrats want to find a bipartisan path to reopen the House of Representatives, Jeffries said. A group of "extremists" in the Republican Party have broken the House of Representatives, Jeffries said, adding that only a "bipartisan governing coalition" can fix the issue. Jordan sent a letter to colleagues on Monday, vowing to unite House Republicans behind him if elected speaker. The country and the House Republican conference cannot afford infighting at the moment, the letter said. Jordan will focus his speakership on empowering committees to work through regular order, passing responsible government funding legislation and expanding the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, the letter said. Jordan also told reporters on Monday that House lawmakers will hold a floor vote on his speaker bid on Tuesday, regardless of whether he can secure 217 votes ahead of time. The House of Representatives will elect a speaker on Tuesday, Jordan said, when asked whether there could be multiple floor votes needed.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231013/jim-jordan-clinches-gop-nomination-for-us-house-speakership-1114184416.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231016/political-drama-jordan-inches-toward-house-speakership-with-vote-planned-for-tuesday-1114241622.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/turkiye-in-no-rush-to-approve-swedens-nato-membership-bid---source-1114260555.html

Turkiye in No Rush to Approve Sweden's NATO Membership Bid - Source

Turkiye in No Rush to Approve Sweden's NATO Membership Bid - Source

Turkiye has been receiving signals from the West about the need to approve Sweden's membership in NATO by the end of the year, but Ankara will not be hasty on this matter, a diplomatic source in the Turkish capital told Sputnik.

2023-10-17T13:52+0000

2023-10-17T13:52+0000

2023-10-17T13:52+0000

turkiye

sweden

nato

military

turkish parliament

nato expansion

nato enlargement

nato membership

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"I can say that we receive signals from Western countries from time to time about the necessity to quickly ratify Sweden's NATO membership, including to complete the ratification process by the end of the year. But Turkiye is not a country to which you can set conditions or set deadlines. The decision will be made by parliament based on an analysis of the situation, we are in no hurry and do not intend to rush," the source stated. On Monday, a British news agency reported that Turkiye wants to defer the ratification of Sweden's application to join NATO this month as it is waiting for signs of US support for its own bid to buy F-16 fighter jets. The Turkish parliament has made no progress in ratifying Sweden's accession since it reconvened in October following the summer recess. Turkiye approved Finland's membership soon after it was filed last year, alongside with that of Sweden. Turkiye argued that Sweden had to do more to ensure that it was no longer a safe haven for pro-Kurdish militants, seen as terrorists by Ankara.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230710/stoltenberg-erdogan-has-agreed-to-forward-swedens-nato-bid-to-parliament-1111798921.html

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The family of Maurice Monk filed a lawsuit in federal court against Santa Rita jail in California, where he spent his final days after a jail staff failed to provide the doctor's prescribed medication.

Before Monk entered the jail, he had taken his medication regularly for high blood pressure, diabetes, and schizophrenia.

California Inmate's Family Files Lawsuit Against Santa Rita Jail

Earlier this month, Monk's family filed a "wrongful death lawsuit" in federal court against the Alameda county sheriff's office, 15 sheriff's deputy employees and Santa Rita jail workers, and Wellpath Community Care.

According to The Guardian, California jails were reported to be the subject of lawsuits and federal investigations for providing substandard care. Monk's death within the facility represented an unconscionable failure of the entire Santa Rita jail staff, from law enforcement supervisors to medical staff to deputy and sergeant sheriffs.

Monk's sister, Elvira Monk, previously expressed her concern that her brother's health might decline without proper medication. Elvira admitted that she repeatedly contacted Santa Rita jail to remind them about Monk's medication.

The lawsuit noted that the jail rejected her efforts and sent her through disappointing bureaucratic processes that led to no outcome. The death of Monk motivated attorneys to review footage from more than 150 body-camera videos.

A spokesperson for the Alameda county sheriff's office declined to comment and noted that the case is still ongoing. In a previous 2022 court filing, attorneys for WellPath denied the allegations.

Read Also: Maren Morris To Quit Country Music, Complains It's Getting Too Patriotic-Netizens Happy With Her Decision

Monk's Death Inside the Jail

Despite the rising medical emergency, jail and medical staff allegedly noticed Monk in his bunk surrounded by unopened meals, water, medication, urine, and feces. Monk's family described his experience in jail as a "slow, torturous death."

The court claimed that Monk was in a housing unit for people with mental health needs, which required wellness checks every 30 minutes. Furthermore, after he left his cell for recreation, he received blood pressure and diabetes medication for the last time.

The lawsuit claimed that the jail staff left medication for Monk in paper cups on his cell's floor and disclosed it as "receiving" or "refusing" medication. The sheriff's deputies conducted a wellness check on the day Monk remained unresponsive. But a deputy said he could see him breathing, which was reported that he was sleeping.

On November 15, 2022, staff members visited his cell, and he remained unmoved. An inmate serving food said that Monk had been laying for several days. The inmate asked, "Are we just waiting for him to kick the bucket?"

The staff members entered the cell and found Monk's body with no pulse and was declared dead. The autopsy reported that Monk had developed bed sores from not moving for some time.

After Monk's death, Care First Community Coalition, a mental health advocate, protested on Saturday to grieve and protest about the recent deaths in Santa Rita Jail. The organization claimed that the jail had violated health and safety violations, where more than 60 people have died since 2014. At least five inmates died at the jail in 2023.

Related Article: UK Justice Secretary Holds Out Early Release of Man Who Beat His Wife to Death





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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/very-sensitive-failure-of-bidens-israel-trip-would-be-curse-on-2024-election-campaign-1114263347.html

Very Sensitive: Failure of Bidens Israel Trip Would be Curse on 2024 Election Campaign

Very Sensitive: Failure of Bidens Israel Trip Would be Curse on 2024 Election Campaign

The two-state solution agreed upon in 1994 remains the only viable path toward peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Sadly, the US has long since given up its leadership role in guiding either party toward such a solution.

2023-10-17T17:07+0000

2023-10-17T17:07+0000

2023-10-17T17:07+0000

analysis

israel

palestine-israel conflict

joe biden

antony blinken

gaza

2024 us presidential election

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday that US President Joe Biden would visit Israel in the coming days as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) prepare to launch a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.Speaking in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv, Blinken said Biden would reaffirm the United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security, and would receive a comprehensive brief on Israels war aims and strategy as it amasses 350,000 troops to invade Gaza.Having traveled to Israel a day prior, Blinken has pressured the Israeli government to allow humanitarian corridors to open into Gaza, which has been under complete siege for more than a week. The IDF bombing campaign has killed more than 2,800 in Gaza since October 7, when Hamas launched an unprecedented raid into Israeli territory that killed more than 1,300 Israelis in several border settlements near Gaza.Blinken said Biden would oversee implementation of a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza without benefiting Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip.Riyadh-based political analyst Dr. Ahmed al-Ibrahim told Sputnik on Tuesday that regional trust had waned in Washingtons ability or willingness to mediate the 75-year-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, but noted that the conflict would continue until both sides are willing to make hard choices to satisfy the others concerns.Traditionally, the United States is the custodian of Israel and they have unlimited support for Israel. Biden wants to show that to the world - that the United States is standing behind Israel at anything that Israel needs and has unconditional support for the Israelis. Of course, let's not forget that he's taking this opportunity to position himself [in] the presidential election that's coming up, so he can get the Jewish votes inside the United States and show that he can turn things in the Middle East and use it in the favor of Israel.Dr. Al-Ibrahim said that after arriving in Israel, Biden would most likely not attempt to position himself as a mediator in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, but to support Israel as it prepares for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, which the commentator said would be a big mistake.It's only going to fuel [strife in] the whole Middle East and it's going to fuel probably 2 billion Muslims and 2.5 billion Christians. Palestine belongs to the great three religions and this is only going to put the Jewish state at stake, at risk, if these kinds of things are going to be done wrongly.We know that Gaza is the most geographically dense location in the world. However, we all agree, Saudi Arabia agreed from before, that Hamas is not the government that should control Gaza. It should be another government, not radical, like Hamas. And this issue needs to be put on the table. If Biden doesn't balance the situation between the Palestinians and the Israelis, this can be expanded geographically. And it's a very sensitive issue for the Israelis right now and for the Palestinians to really have a permanent solution and to go back to the two-state solution. This is what basically [Saudi] Prince Mohammed bin Salman has conveyed very strongly to Secretary Blinken, Dr. Al-Ibrahim said.However, Dr. Al-Ibrahim said that people in the Middle East have given up on US policy in the region and lost trust that any American politician is actually interested in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Everybody blames America in this region for what's happening, everybody. It's not necessarily that they have an evil strategy in order to execute things, he explained. It's maybe incompetence. They are looking at the matters in their own country and not getting them right. Look at Iraq, look at Afghanistan, look at Ukraine - look at all these countries. The war starts, and there is no right execution, chaos and hell starts happening in the region. So if you look at things historically, America has not been executing things right.As a result, Dr. Al-Ibrahim said theres no trust of the United States in the region. That's why they left a vacuum for the Chinese, and China went in and brokered the deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran.So obviously the stakeholder that's holding this file is not trusted by the people and by the leaders, in my opinion. So it has to be changed. And I'm telling you, if [former US President Donald] Trump was in the presidency, things might have taken a different route. But with this kind of administration we have, with this kind of policy that they are producing, the Middle Eastern people have no trust on the situation, he added.However, Dr. Al-Ibrahim said that if the Israelis and Palestinians failed to reach an agreement while Biden is present, it would be a failure for both the Americans and the Israelis. Such talks would be extremely tough, but people need to give arm and a leg in order to reach a solution, he said, which must satisfy both Israeli and Palestinian concerns.In order for this to succeed and for the Israeli-Palestinian file to be done, the American administration needs to listen to Saudi Arabia and Egypt and really work with them and be fair about the decision they are going to make. And Israel needs to be put at the table and they need to be mandated to work with everybody to the best situation that it can be. Israel cannot push Hamas into the sea or cannot push it to Sinai. The Palestinian people have dignity. The Israeli people need their security. This cannot continue.They need to listen to their true allies in the region, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in order to move. If you're sitting 10,000 kilometers away in the Congress or in the White House, and trying to make a decision about this region, this is more complex and more complicated than anybody can think. This is the only way. In order to satisfy this file, this region needs everybody to agree on how things are done. They put their solutions on the table, and all the Arab nations, led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, are going to make it implemented for the Palestinian Authority. But it needs Israel to be at the table and to accept the way that they move forward, giving the Palestinian people their dignity back and giving Israel their security back.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/israel-reportedly-requests-10-bln-aid-package-from-us-1114252203.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231016/saudi-crown-prince-makes-blinken-wait-overnight-for-audience-amid-gaza-crisis-1114233496.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231016/americans-show-record-low-approval-for-military-while-us-boosts-aid-to-ukraine-israel-1114238240.html

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two-state solution; biden israel trip; gaza strip; netanyahu
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/vietnam-considers-russia-to-be-priority-partner-in-foreign-policy-1114258696.html

Vietnam Considers Russia to Be Priority Partner in Foreign Policy

Vietnam Considers Russia to Be Priority Partner in Foreign Policy

Vietnam considers Russia to be a priority partner in foreign policy, Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong stated on Tuesday.

2023-10-17T12:32+0000

2023-10-17T12:32+0000

2023-10-17T12:32+0000

world

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"Vietnam consistently attaches great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership of our countries, as well as the closeness and close connection that has existed between our countries for many years. Vietnam considers Russia a top priority in its foreign policy," the leader said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. Vo Van Thuong also invited Vladimir Putin to visit the country.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230911/us-seeks-to-divide-indo-pacific-use-new-alliances-as-proxies-against-china-1113272705.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/watch-russian-heavy-flamethrower-vaporize-ukrainian-troops-1114254849.html

Watch Russian Heavy Flamethrower Vaporize Ukrainian Troops

Watch Russian Heavy Flamethrower Vaporize Ukrainian Troops

Thermobaric flamethrowers are formidable and fearsome weapons that Ukrainian troops see in their nightmares. They inflict devastating damage and are target number one for Ukrainian drones.

2023-10-17T13:33+0000

2023-10-17T13:33+0000

2023-10-17T13:59+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

heavy flamethrowing system

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Russias Defense Ministry published footage of the Tosochka heavy flamethrower in combat, unleashing thermobaric shells on Ukrainian troops. Thermobaric weaponry uses a two-stage explosion technique. The first blast spreads flammable slurry around the target, while the second ignites it. The following explosion generates a vacuum in the area, consuming all oxygen, and creates extreme heat up to 3,000 degrees Celsius (compare it to the temperature of the Suns surface which is 5,500 Celsius). In other words, the Tosochka and other Russian heavy flamethrowers can incinerate a target so that no one survives.

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ukrainian crisis, russia's special military operation, heavy flamethrower, thermobaric weapons
Hi all, my road trip this week took me with Deb Reeh to the Bunk House in Arthur, Nebraska. Beautiful Saturday morning, the sandhills still having a little green peeking through and round hay bales were plentiful. Looks like this year they could feed all the cattle in the world.

To get to Arthur, leave Alliance on Highway 2. Go through Hyannis, and at the junction take a right. Its about 20 miles out. Small town with a big heart, I would find out. After mooing at every cow on our way there, and taking pictures galore. We arrived at the Bunk House.

Now I dont know about you, but I go into a place where no one is going to know me. I always feel apprehensive, like everyones looking at me. Well, I shouldnt have worried. Going in the fella who held the door for us, commented that, Looks like everyone in town is here, and the Nebraska game was last night. He was quite right, the place was packed. We came in and grabbed a table by the window, and just looked around so many awesome artifacts on the walls and ceiling, really a must see, its awesome. Oh, and no one turned around to see who came in. And passing anyone they all spoke or nodded to you, I loved that. And anyone coming in alone, they just set with anyone who had empty chairs at their table. Just one big happy community.

One disadvantage to setting in the window was if the emergency siren goes off to call the volunteer fireman. Its crazy loud. Those of you from Alliance, remember the horn on top of central school. Yep, just like that. Or those that live in Hemingford hear it often. I looked at the sky, blue all around and asked a youngster at the table next to us if it was for fire dept. He said it was. Then you would see folks leaving their meals and headed for the door. And those that didnt had obvious concern. Watching a procession of firetrucks head for a fire.

Now our waitress came to see what we would like. Her name was Miss Kayden Kramer. Her folks owned the place, they are the new owners, Mickey and Reed Kramer, and drive in from Oshkosh! Kayden lives in Kearney and her sister, was on her way and her aunt was already there to help out on the weekend. Talk about a family run business. Amazing family. You can tell shes from western Nebraska. So friendly, easily visits with a stranger, and just pretty darned sweet. Not to mention a fantastic waitress.

We ordered burgers and fries...oh yum. Burgers to die for and yummy shoe string type French fries. And if you were hungry when you walked out of there, its your own fault. I had some burger and fries to take to the car for Gus, the traveling Corgi! He highly approved as well.

This is one road trip that was such a beautiful ride out, the sandhills were really showing off that day. Take the cruise, and head for the bunk house. Youre going to love it! See you there!!
A 34-year-old Sidney man will serve three years in prison on a federal firearms charge.

Paul Arthur Riso was sentenced last week on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard, according to information released by acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr.

Riso was also sentenced to a three-year term of supervised release to be served after he completes his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. Riso pleaded guilty to his offense on Feb. 7, 2023.

Charges against Rison stem from a May 3, 2022, traffic stop by Sidney Police officers, according to the details released in the case. Officers stopped Riso after seeing him drive 33 mph in a 25-mph zone. Riso got out of the drivers seat before the officers approached his vehicle. As Riso leaned into the vehicle to grab the vehicles paperwork, officers noticed the outline of a tactical-style vest underneath his sweatshirt. The officers unzipped Risos sweatshirt and saw that he was wearing a tactical-style vest with loaded rifle magazines affixed to the front. Riso denied having a firearm with him. The police seized the rifle magazines and towed the vehicle.

When officers later searched the vehicle, they located an AR-style pistol. A loaded rifle magazine was found inserted into the firearm. The ammunition in the firearm was of the same brand and caliber as the ammunition in the magazines found on the tactical-style vest Riso was wearing. Officers also discovered the firearm was equipped with a 3D-printed sear in the trigger mechanism, which illegally converted the firearm from a semi-automatic firearm to a fully automatic machinegun.

Police subsequently obtained a search warrant for a residence where Riso was staying. During a search of the residence, police found a 3D printer, 3D-printed Glock auto switches, an after-market part which illegally converts a Glock handgun from semiautomatic to fully automatic, ammunition and rifle magazines of the same caliber and brand as those seized from Riso during the traffic stop, a holster for a handgun, an extended Glock magazine, and other parts for firearms.

Riso had previously been convicted of burglary in 2013 in Box Butte County, and as a convicted felon is not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.

The investigation was conducted by the Sidney Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

In another federal case with Panhandle ties, Lehr announced that a federal jury convicted Anthony Unocic, 54, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, on Sept. 28 of one count of threatening to assault a federal law enforcement officer.

Sentencing has been set for Jan. 4, 2024. Unocic faces up to six years in prison and up to three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to information released by the U.S. Attorney General's Office, a Wyoming ATF Agent investigated Unocic in 2021 in a case involving possession of an unregistered silencer. During the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Unocics Wyoming residence where agents found the silencer, several firearms, ammunition and user amounts of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. In 2021, Unocic pleaded guilty in the United States District Court, District of Wyoming, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison.

While awaiting sentencing in the District of Wyoming case, Unocic was held in the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center. Unocic allegedly "expressed anger about his conviction to fellow inmates. He talked about killing the ATF agent who led the investigation." A video from inside the jail showed him acting out how he was going stab the ATF agent.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
NEAR VALENTINE  Their low, rumbling bellow first cuts through the silence of the Sandhills.

Next comes the crunch of pointed hooves, trudging their way through tall prairie grasses.

Then, the oohs of the out-of-towners watching  people up close and personal with the majestic thousand-pound mammals for the first time.

This is Golden Prairie Bison, a ranch nestled in the Sandhills where Carl and Vicki Simmons raise a herd of 50 bison. Theirs is one of the dozens of bison ranches in Nebraska, one piece of an ongoing effort to rebuild North Americas once-decimated bison population.

The Simmons herd is small compared to large-scale operations like Turner Ranches  the driving force behind Nebraskas No. 2 ranking for most bison.

But to Carl and Vicki, this isnt about size or money. Its about the bisons bond to Nebraskas oft-forgotten and important grasslands. And as one of the growing number of ranchers integrating tourism into their operation, its a story theyre telling one visitor at a time.

(The bison and the prairie) belong together, Carl said. There have been droughts and catastrophes that have caused their numbers to go up and down. But the one constant has been the native prairie.

Carl, a third-generation cattle rancher, started with five bison calves he bought from Custer State Park in 1997.

Dont call them buffalo, he says  bison have bigger humps and shorter horns. The two species live on different continents, too.

He thought the burly animals were fun. They had personalities, running at groups of unexpecting cattle, scaring them, then seeming to look at each other and laugh. There was no business plan for these bison, Carl said. It was, initially, just a hobby.

Carl bought five more calves from North Dakota. He bought a bull from the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge up the road from his ranch.

One year, Vicki learned from that radio that Carl was the top bison buyer at the refuges auction that day. She didnt mind.

We were just as infatuated with them as Carl, she said. I think they kind of get under your skin and grow on you.

They started to share that fascination with family and friends, driving them out to see the massive animals.

Then, they thought, what if we shared this with strangers?

During a Zoom call during the pandemics early days, Carl and Vicki floated the idea by their four kids: What if we turned our bison hobby into a tourism business?

The kids, scattered across different states, were on board. They built a website and wrote the text. One filmed a video, while another helped them complete legal forms.

Now, a few times a week, Carl and Vicki pile small groups of Sandhills tourists into a 23-year-old Ford Excursion.

Vicki dons heavy gloves to undo the barbed wire fence. Carl lurches the SUV over the hilly prairie.

But before visitors can see the main attraction, they have to listen to Carl tell a story. A story about grass.

He plucks tall stalks and flowering forbs, naming them, describing their root patterns. Yellow sunflower and goldenrod. Purple dotted gayfeather. Velvety white sagebrush, feathery switchgrass.

The grasses and rich soil have the power to sequester carbon, he tells visitors, affecting the atmosphere and weather. Grazing bison help the prairie flourish. Their hooves till the soil, and their dust baths create wallows, that collect water and offer new habitat for plants and bugs.

The Nebraska Sandhills are the worlds most intact prairie, Carl says, improving air and water quality, protecting species from extinction and mitigating wildfires and floods.

And theyre disappearing, being replaced by farmland and development.

...this story of the prairie, and how its an integral part of usit needs to be out there that the prairie is important, Carl says. We charge money, but thats not the purpose. The purpose is to tell the story.

Then, its time to find the herd. Sometimes, Carl pulls out a drone to find where theyre gathered.

Sometimes, the bison  big, brown splotches on the golden prairie  come lumbering up on their own, their furry humps popping out from the grass.

The hulking masses of deep brown curls poke their shiny noses toward the windows of the Ford, sticking out their long tongues to receive snack pellets. The fluffy, red-furred calves stick close to their mothers.

They sniff around the car of newcomers. They nuzzle the ground for the tastiest pieces of grass.

Carl and Vicki have shared this tour with fellow ranchers who want to compare bison to raising cattle. With campers from Colorado escaping the crowds of Rocky Mountain National Park.

There were the doctors from Chicago, taking a break and camping at one of the four sites on the Simmons ranch listed on the website HipCamp.

Ive read about the healing aspect of nature, one of them told Vicki. But Ive never experienced it until now.

There was a family pulled out of international work because of the pandemic, whose kids went from being miserable while camping to being fascinated by the bison and not wanting to leave.

And the group of middle school girls from a nearby reservation, on a trip with their science club. They knew their tribes history with bison. But the girls had never seen one in real life.

They looked at me, and they said, Do you think they can tell were Native? Can they tell that we have this deep connection? Vicki said.

Millions of bison once roamed North America, according to the National Park Service. Uncontrolled hunting started pushing their numbers down during the 19th century.

By the 1860s, the U.S. government was encouraging the slaughter of bison to intentionally harm the Native tribes of the Plains. It worked: By 1884, there were only 325 left in the country.

Conservation efforts have helped rebuild their numbers. Bison herds now roam national parks and wildlife refuges, like Fort Niobrara in the Sandhills and Crane Trust in Hall County. Theres a push to restore bison on tribal lands.

Ranchers like Carl have also leaned into bison. From 2012 to 2017, the number of bison in Nebraska grew from 23,152 to 28,047.

The U.S. Department of Agricultures 2022 census has yet to be released. But experts and monthly USDA reports suggest the number of Nebraska bison continues to increase.

Im confident that the bison numbers are up, said Jim Matheson, executive director of the National Bison Association. Were processing about 10% more bison than we were a year ago in 2022. 2022 was up 8% compared to the year before...we think there are more animals out there on the ground.

It might not make sense for increased bison consumption to tie to efforts to grow bison numbers. But with about 90% of bison living on private land as livestock, ranchers are a keyl part of conservation, Matheson said.

We call it commerce by conservation, Matheson said. Through selling the end product  the meat, the fiber  we are in turn creating an economic incentive for property owners to have bison on their land.

For Carl and Vicki, financial stability comes from cattle ranching. Theyre selling bison meat on a small scale. Their tours are small, too.

This summer, they started averaging two a week. On Labor Day weekend, they had four in a day. They recently started having to turn people away for the first time.

Theyve heard of ranches that pile dozens of people into open air buses and talk about bison on a loudspeaker.

Carls family has ranched this land since 1914. A bus tour is the last thing he wants.

What we want is something thats personal, where we can meet each person that comes, he said. There are lots of special places. But this is really a special flyover place. Even though its not these great grandeur mountains and lakes(grasslands) are a unique thing. People start to understand that there are unique things everywhere. And its worth our attention.
Authorities have released the name of an employee who died in an explosion on Friday at the Hornady Manufacturing plant west of Grand Island. The Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency also released information on the cause of the explosion.

Adriana Alvarez, 32, of Grand Island, died at the scene as a result of the explosion, the agency said on Monday.

Two additional employees were injured in the explosion and treated at a local hospital, one self-transported, one taken by ambulance, the agency said. Both injured employees were treated and released the same day.

Investigators determined explosion occurred during the mixing process of the primer compound. The fire marshal's office said the explosion was accidental. Hornady produces various kinds of ammunition.

According to her social media, Alvarez was married with a young child. The Teaching Tree childcare facility in Grand Island posted to its Facebook, "One of our families suffered a great loss yesterday in the tragic accident at Hornady. One of our babies lost their momma in this accident. She leaves behind a beautiful little girl and wife."

"She was an amazing sweet person who will be forever missed. If anyone wants to donate to her childs tuition account please drop off a check or cash to the office," the post said. "Or we can take payment over the phone. We will also be collecting gift cards for restaurants or grocery stores as well ... All donations will go towards tuition and whatever the family needs."

At 9:47 a.m. on Friday, the Cairo Fire Department responded to a report of an explosion at Hornady Manufacturing Company, 8318 W Old Potash Highway, the fire marshal's office said. Upon arrival, firefighters determined an explosion had occurred within the PVE West Building. Nebraska State Fire Marshal Investigators were requested to aid in the incident investigation.

Responding agencies included Cairo Fire Department, Alda Fire Department, Wood River Fire Department, Grand Island Rural Fire Department, Grand Island Fire Department, Hall County Attorneys Office, Hall County Sheriffs Office, and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency.

The State Fire Marshal Agency said it has completed its investigation.

On Monday, Hornady said the company "is devastated following a fatal incident that took the life of an employee in the primer manufacturing facility."

We are devastated for our employee, their family and loved ones, as well as the entire Hornady team. We are working with all agencies to investigate the cause. This production incident was isolated to our primer facility and did not impact any of the manufacturing facilities. We appreciate the outreach we have received while we grieve the loss of one of our own, Steve and Jason Hornady said in a joint statement.

Photos: No. 2 Nebraska volleyball hosts No. 13 Penn State, Oct. 14
Omaha City Council President Pete Festersen is proposing city ordinances to ban so-called ghost gun components as well as bump stocks and other accessories that make semi-automatic guns fire more rapidly.

Festersen also wants the council to pass a resolution supporting Omaha Mayor Jean Stotherts recently issued executive order prohibiting people from carrying firearms on city property. Festersen also is proposing a resolution encouraging gun owners to store their weapons safely and to take basic firearms safety classes.

His proposals represent the latest effort by city officials to adopt new local gun regulations that they believe are allowed by Nebraskas new permitless concealed-carry law, LB77, which led the City of Omaha to repeal most of its gun ordinances.

LB77 failed to recognize cities that face different circumstances and need local control of public safety, and it forced us to repeal measures that were in place that the police chief believes helped prevent violence and that were successful in removing illegal guns from the streets, Festersen said. And it does limit future measures we can take to address the issue. But its important we do whatever we can to reduce gun violence and increase public safety in the community.

Festersen called his proposals commonsense measures that will contribute to public safety. The council is likely to hold public hearings and vote on the measures Oct. 31.

LB77 took effect in September. It allows Nebraskans 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit. The state legislation invalidates any local ordinances limiting that ability. Because of the law, the Omaha City Council repealed a raft of ordinances.

Stothert, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer and a majority of the Omaha City Council had opposed LB77. The mayor issued her executive order in late August. It prohibits firearms at properties owned, leased or managed by the city. Those properties include buildings, facilities, parks and public spaces.

Ghost guns are kits that people can buy online and assemble into firearms. They dont have serial numbers, require background checks or generate records transfers that allow guns to be traced. Festersen proposes to make it illegal to possess the unfinished pieces or to manufacture a firearm from a ghost gun kit from a frame that does not have a serial number.

The other ordinance he proposes would prohibit possessing or selling multi-burst trigger activators such as bump stocks in the city. The mass shooter who killed 58 people and wounded about 500 others in Las Vegas in 2017 was suspected to have used bump stocks.

Festersen said he had consulted with Schmaderer and Omaha City Attorney Matt Kuhse on the ordinances.

Ghost guns in particular, I think that is an emerging issue for cities, given that emerging technology, Festersen said. Thats a concern of his (Schmaderers).

Kuhse said Wednesday that the proposals would not run afoul of LB77. He said the ghost gun ordinance would apply only to the parts, not a completed firearm. Once a ghost gun was fully assembled and operable, the ordinance would not apply to it, Kuhse said.

The City of Lincoln, he said, has had a bump stock ban for quite some time.

The mayors executive order has already taken effect. Asked why a resolution was necessary in addition to the order, Festersen said he felt it was important we get on record in support of that, because I know that it may be challenged. He said he wouldnt be surprised if the Legislature tried to revisit that issue.

Festersen said the council cant require safe gun storage or training on firearm use and safety because of LB77.

But we can support and encourage it, he said. And thats what this would do.

State Sen. Tom Brewer, who introduced LB77, has criticized Stotherts executive order and a similar one from Lincoln Mayor Leiriron Gaylor Baird. Whether they call it an ordinance, an executive order, or a law, any government ban on going armed in public places is repugnant to the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, let alone the substance of LB77, Brewer wrote in an opinion piece published in the McCook Gazette.

Stothert said the first time she saw Festersens proposals was Wednesday. She said they are not yet in their final form, having been submitted to the Law Department on Tuesday.

As far as any resolutions or ordinances, I will have to evaluate any final and amended proposals like firearms with the chief to ensure that theyre helpful and are successful efforts to further reduce crime, while also not infringing on ones right to have a firearm that is outlined in our Constitution and in our new state law, Stothert said.

She knows from talking with Schmaderer that ghost guns have been used in crimes. But she said she needs to talk with Schmaderer, look at data and statistics and understand the ordinances implications for Omaha police before deciding whether to support the ordinances.

Stothert said she didnt know why Festersen would forward a resolution supporting her executive order. She said she couldnt recall the council doing that in her 11 years as mayor. As for the safe storage and training resolution, she said she questioned the accuracy of the data in the draft and disagrees with some of the statements in it.
(Photo : MIKHAIL TERESHCHENKO/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands after delivering a joint statement following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2023.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for a highly anticipated meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

This visit is significant as it seeks to highlight the strong and unrestricted partnership between China and Russia, with President Putin addressing President Xi as his "dear friend," as per Mail Online.

Russia-China Bond in Shifting Geopolitics

As global geopolitics undergoes profound shifts, the relationship between Russia and China has emerged as a critical alliance, with economic and political dynamics reaching unprecedented levels of cooperation.

Following their "no-limits" partnership outlined before Russia invaded Ukraine, the People's Republic has been gorging on cheap Urals crude and sending more exports to its sanctions-hit neighbor. This $190 billion two-way trade relationship is up 29% since 2021 and has roughly doubled since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

Amidst growing isolation in the West, Moscow is left with few alternatives. The European Union's decision to drastically reduce gas imports from Russia and impose sanctions on various sectors has severely impacted the Russian economy.

Europe has also joined a US-led initiative to cap the price of transporting Russian oil, further limiting Moscow's economic options. In this scenario, it was only natural for the People's Republic to intervene.

China has been buying Urals crude at a significant discount, between 10% and 13% against Brent's price, the global oil benchmark. These discounts have enabled Beijing to save at least $10 billion on its energy bill from crude oil alone in 2022 and 2023, as the Bank of France estimated.

China has emerged as the top buyer of Russia's crude oil and coal and the second-largest buyer of liquefied natural gas and oil products from Russia. Chinese companies have also capitalized on this economic opportunity by increasing exports to Russia.

In the first nine months of the year, China's exports to Russia amounted to $81 billion, marking a 72% increase from the same period in 2021. Companies like Geely and Xiaomi have filled the void left by retreating Western companies, contributing to the surge in Chinese exports.

However, this economic partnership has its challenges. Moscow's reliance on Beijing as a key trading partner has raised concerns within Russia about becoming overly dependent on China.

Meanwhile, Russia's ongoing involvement in the Ukraine conflict has strained Western perceptions of Beijing, potentially adding to quiet frustrations. Despite the challenges, the Sino-Russian relationship has remained remarkably stable, even in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn, according to Reuters.

Read Also: Americans Stuck in Gaza; US Embassy Advises to Move to Khan Younis

Russia-China Alliance

Xi Jinping and Putin have cultivated a strong personal friendship over the years. Their relationship is exemplified by the warmth of their interactions, including shared meals and traditional activities.

Both leaders hail from socialist backgrounds, with Putin's experience as a former Soviet intelligence officer and Xi's lineage of Communist revolutionaries. They have each invoked themes of national revitalization while maintaining tight control over dissent during their years in power.

Beyond the personal rapport between Xi and Putin, China and Russia view each other as counterbalances against the Western world. They describe their relationship as a "comprehensive strategic partnership" with limitless potential for cooperation.

Despite Russia's international isolation, China has refrained from condemning the Ukraine invasion and has instead positioned itself as a neutral party, blaming Western countries for the conflict. China's stance on the war can be described as "pro-Russia neutrality," which involves providing Moscow diplomatic, economic, and non-lethal military support while maintaining booming bilateral trade.

While Beijing has adjusted its approach due to concerns about Russian instability, its goal is to establish a more formalized relationship and maintain strong ties with Russia, regardless of who is in power. As Putin embarks on a rare foreign trip to Beijing, the visit is expected to solidify political support and consolidate the alliance between Russia and China.

While the world watches for significant deals, the focus is more on political reassurance than immediate economic agreements. China holds a strong negotiating position and can dictate the pace of any developments, further emphasizing Russia's growing dependence on its eastern neighbor.

As Russia and China continue to deepen their ties, their partnership is set to play a pivotal role in the ever-evolving global political landscape, challenging established Western influence and marking a new era of international relations, New18 reported

Related Article: Israel Issues Stern Warning If Hezbollah Enters Ongoing Gaza Strip Aggression

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At times, JoAnne Aronson Rosenblum thought the ceremony Sunday would never happen.

After too many phone calls to count to anyone she could think of to support her efforts, Rosenblum, of Asheville, looked on with pride as the highway historical marker honoring the legacy of her great-grandfather and his brother.

The marker, which is on West Front Street near Meeting Street, was unveiled Sunday with many family, friends and those who helped Rosenblum in her efforts in attendance.

The marker honors the contributions of Isaac and David Wallace and the herbarium they founded, which stood where the Plaza Apartments are located now on South Meeting Street.

Rabbi Batsheva Meiri of Asheville said the marker is a tribute to the brothers and the past, but it is also a marker for the future. In celebrating the past may we find inspiration for the future, she said.

The herbarium and the Wallace brothers were fixtures in Statesville, and their reach went well beyond the city. They sold herbs throughout the state, country and across the globe during the years the herbarium, called the Botanic Depot, operated.

Gary Freeze, a local historian, said the Wallace brothers came to Statesville in 1860 and chose this as their base of operation because it was as far as the railroad went at the time.

And while the brothers were important fixtures in the Statesville business community, their legacy includes one of community service and shaping the religious landscape.

Isaac, said Leonard Rogoff, president of Jewish Heritage NC, turned his home into an informal synagogue, and David was known as the keeper of the Hebrews.

Rosenblum began this mission to have her relatives and their contribution to both local and North Carolina history remembered several years ago. She thanked her sister, the late Sieglinde Aronson Weiss, who was the keeper of the family history, she said.

With input from several local historians  Steve Hill, Joel Reese and O.C. Stonestreet  among others, she said, she continually lobbied state officials to make the marker a reality. Rosenblum said she sometimes became discouraged, venting to her husband, Chuck, Its never going to happen. Its never going to happen.

But it finally did happen Sunday and she watched with pride as three of the Wallace familys great-great-great granddaughters, Lucy Rosenblum, Vivian Ordaz and Maren Noa Weiss, removed the covering to unveil the marker.

Mayor Costi Kutteh was also on hand for the unveiling and presented a proclamation from the City of Statesville to Rosenblum. The proclamation declared Sunday as Wallace Brothers Herbarium Day in North Carolina.

Leslie Leonard, director of the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker program, said the Wallace brothers marker brings the total across the state to 1,634. She said the applications are reviewed by a panel consisting of professors of North Carolina history from 10 colleges across the state. She said the markers, such as the one honoring the Wallace brothers, are threads to the past.

Rosenblum said the marker unveiled in Statesville on Sunday carries more significance than remembering the two brothers and their legacy. Of the 1,634 markers, she said, this is the seventh honoring either a Jewish person or building.

And while the unveiling, which concluded with a reception at Congregation Emanuel, is a tribute to the past, Rosenblum, said it is also a reminder of the present and spoke of the events in Israel are in the forefront.

I want to pause for just a moment, she said. I know my Jewish ancestors would have done and think of Israeli brothers and sisters at this time of sadness.

After the reflection, Rosenblum and others gathered for the unveiling and the reception, said it will be an ever-present reminder of the legacy of the Wallace brothers and their lives in Statesville.
On the run since July and only recently publicly identified, an elusive, camouflage-wearing man suspected in multiple area break-ins was shot and killed by West Virginia police on Monday.

According to WVVA news, 35-year-old Anthony Charles Meyers was gunned down in the Union, West Virginia, area after pointing a rifle at state troopers who responded to a tip about Meyers location.

Known for months online as the camo or food bandit, Meyers, a sex offender on federal probation for threatening a judge, was only named this weekend after making his way from Virginia into West Virginia.

Police said he failed to report to his federal probation officer in July.

Local police started getting break-in reports in August. They started in the Dublin area, and Wythe County took its first one on Aug. 23.

The Wythe County Sheriffs Office said a rifle was taken from a Barren Springs residence, and subsequent camera images show the suspect carrying a long gun. Food was also reported stolen.

In September, the Bland County Sheriffs Office investigated three more break-ins, including one that provided new images of the suspect still toting a rifle. The Giles County Sheriffs Office released a similar image taken there on Sept. 29.

West Virginia police said he was then seen in Monroe County near Union.

Until Monday, officers used a dog and drones in unsuccessful attempts to capture the suspect.

Court records show Meyers has a criminal past that includes charges of assault, burglary, drug possession and more.

In March 2022, he was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for mailing threats to a judge, according to court records. He was given credit for time served while awaiting trial.

In a criminal complaint, prosecutors said Meyers was jailed in Abingdon in 2020 when he sent a letter addressed to U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela Meade Sargent.

Meyers said he was going to run a god  KBAR straight through the judges head when he got out.

The complaint said a state probation officer opined that Meyers is capable of carrying out his threats. According to the officer, Meyers, while in prison, threatened to return to Scott County and kill 14 people.

The complaint said Meyers had been on suicide watch while jailed and had made ongoing threats to nursing staff and correctional officers.

Meyers has refused to see the jail psychiatrist for mental health medication management, the complaint said.

Virginia court records show Meyers had pending probation revocation hearings in Dickenson, Lee and Scott counties. In 2017, he was convicted of assaulting a Scott County law enforcement officer.

Listed as an absconder, Meyers is on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry for a 2008 attempted rape conviction.
The National Army launched a guided missile at a vehicle carrying members of the Assad militia on the Salloum front, according to Orient News.

Orient Net correspondent Mudar al-Khaled reported that civilians were injured when the Assad militia targeted a vehicle with a guided missile on al-Kinda Road in the Jisr al-Shughour countryside, west of Idleb.

The Assad militia also employed heavy artillery to target the vicinity of the village of Ghania in the countryside of Jisr al-Shughour, west of Idleb.

In a separate incident, the National Army launched a guided missile at a vehicle carrying members of the Assad militia on the Salloum front, west of Aleppo, successfully destroying it.

In eastern areas, our correspondent Fahd al-Ahmad reported that the Syrian Democratoc Forces (SDF) conducted a raid on several houses in the village of al-Jasmi, north of Deir-ez-Zor, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals. A campaign of arrests in the town of al-Tayana, east of Deir-ez-Zor, led to the detention of several people, including a 14-year-old named Ammar Saad al-Shatti.

Tribal forces engaged in clashes with the SDF, targeting three SDF points in the town of Dhiban, east of Deir-ez-Zor, using machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

In the town of al-Hawaij, east of Deir-ez-Zor, tribal fighters launched two attacks, targeting the Tama checkpoint and the SDF headquarters at the towns water station. Tribesmen also targeted the SDF militias headquarters located at the water station in the western town of Jardi, east of Deir-ez-Zor.

In another unfortunate incident, unidentified gunmen in the town of Abu Hamam, east of Deir-ez-Zor, assassinated Ayman al-Diyaf, who held the position of mayor (mukhtar) and was an official in the relief office in the eastern countryside, which is affiliated with the so-called Autonomous Administration. Unknown individuals in the town of al-Jazrat, west of Deir-ez-Zor, also made an attempt to assassinate Ibrahim al-Shuhaimi, an employee of the Water Directorate in the western countryside of Deir-ez-Zor.

Furthermore, Ayman Ahmed al-Ajroush lost his life due to an SDF militia shooting in al-Ezba, northeast of Deir-ez-Zor city.

Shifting focus, Orient sources confirmed that the Fatemiyoun militia has brought substantial reinforcements to a sensitive area in the Mayadeen desert, deploying approximately 3,000 members there.

In addition, pages loyal to a member of Assads militia mourned Wissam Ali Gharib, a Golan resident, indicating that he was killed in the Palmyra desert in the eastern countryside of Homs.

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.
Recent bombings affected a total of 1,400 sites in northwestern Syria, leading to the displacement of over 68,000 individuals, according to Enab Baladi.

Northwestern Syria has recently experienced a series of relentless bombardments lasting for a duration of five days, conducted by Syrian regime forces. This marks the latest escalation of military activity in the region, leading to the displacement of thousands of individuals from their homes in search of safer environments.

On October 12th, a delegation from the United Nations undertook a visit to northwestern Syria with the primary objective of assessing the current situation and addressing the urgent needs of the displaced population. The United Nations delegation was under the leadership of Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syrian Crisis, David Cardin. This mission included representatives from key organizations such as UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO, and the Department of Social Support Services. Their collaborative efforts aimed to provide emergency humanitarian assistance in the affected areas.

Damage Assessment

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a comprehensive report detailing the aftermath of the northwestern Syria bombings, the extensive damage incurred, and the United Nations response plan aimed at aiding those displaced by these events.

According to the report, the bombings affected a total of 1,400 sites in northwestern Syria, leading to the displacement of over 68,000 individuals from 91 different areas. The most significant influx of displaced persons hails from the districts of Jericho, Darat Azza, and Sarmin, as reported by the Camp Coordination and Management Group.

To date, 56,690 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have sought refuge in existing IDP sites and reception centers in Idleb and northern Aleppo.

Since the commencement of the military escalation on October 5, the affected areas have tragically witnessed the loss of 53 lives, including 11 women, 15 children, and three aid workers. Of these aid workers, two were associated with United Nations agencies and the Humanitarian Fund, operating on the Syrian border. An additional 303 people have sustained injuries, according to the health centers within the UN delegation.

The OCHA report underscores the urgent need for educational support for approximately 28,000 newly displaced children. Multiple schools and educational facilities have been adversely affected, leading to the suspension of classes in the region for a week due to security and life-saving concerns.

Moreover, the report highlights deliberate targeting, including dozens of educational facilities, five medical centers, numerous mosques, popular markets, and four White Helmets centers. This information was detailed in a report released by the White Helmets on October 10th.

What did the delegation offer?

In the latest update from OCHA, it was reported that cross-border aid operations have been ongoing, ensuring the delivery of essential assistance to northwest Syria. A total of 61 trucks have transported shelter materials, food, and other UN aid through two border crossings with Turkey, namely Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salama.

However, the report also highlighted a concerning funding shortfall for the Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria in 2023, as of October 13. This plan had yet to secure one-third of the required funding, despite having only three months left until the start of the new year.

Despite these funding challenges, the UN and its partners remain committed to addressing the escalating needs in northwest Syria. During their visit to the region, the UN delegation conducted interviews with 597 families to assess their most pressing requirements in the aftermath of the recent intense bombardments. According to the gathered responses, 96% of these families urgently needed alternative shelter, 50% had already relocated to safer areas, and 46% expressed a need for psychological support and mental health services.

To address these critical needs, protection partners offered relocation services to over 470 families, and 33 community centers were established as safe spaces for women and girls in northwest Syria. As of October 12, 846 families had benefited from non-food assistance, 807 families had received shelter support in the affected areas, and 300 affected families had been provided with cash assistance. Local authorities were actively monitored to ensure the situations ongoing assessment.

The UN delegation also played a pivotal role in providing immediate relief, including distributing bread and ready-to-eat meals to approximately 17,000 people in reception centers and camps located in Dana, Darkoush, Maarat Misrin, Armanaz, Atarib, Darat Azza, and Janoudiya.

In addition, more than 16,000 displaced individuals in 225 locations received water and sanitation support, with water deliveries by truck, along with the distribution of hygiene kits to 745 families, as documented in the OCHA report. Moreover, as of October 12, over 4,000 tents had been distributed to displaced families, along with 7,000 non-food kits and cash assistance to 300 families, further contributing to humanitarian efforts in the region.

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.
While such operations are frequently reported in Jordan, this particular incident stands out due to the unique method employed, according to al-Souria Net.

The Jordanian army has announced the successful interception of a smuggling operation involving Captagon pills originating from areas under the control of the Syrian regime in southern Syria. While such operations are frequently reported in Jordan, this particular incident stands out due to the unique method employed.

According to Jordanian media reports on Monday, the thwarted shipment was concealed within a plastic shell. A military source stated that border guard forces, acting on intelligence indicating an impending smuggling operation, secured the targeted area. After conducting a thorough search, a quantity of narcotics was discovered concealed inside a plastic shell, which was subsequently seized and handed over to the appropriate authorities.

Despite the recent normalization of relations between Arab countries and the Assad regime, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi emphasized that attempts to smuggle drugs and Captagon pills from the Syrian border persist. During a ministerial meeting of the International Coalition to Counter the Threat of Industrial Drugs in July, Safadi revealed that his country had confiscated more than 65 million Captagon pills over the past two years. He stressed the global threat posed by industrial drugs and the need for a collaborative international effort to combat this menace. Furthermore, Safadi called for cooperation in the areas of border protection technology, intelligence sharing, and raising awareness about drugs and rehabilitating victims.

In recent months, Jordan has initiated dialogues with the Syrian regime to address smuggling operations. However, despite the reestablishment of relations with Assad and other Arab countries, drug shipments have persisted, finding their way into Jordan and Gulf territories.

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.
Presidents al-Assad and Putin explored strategies to halt Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, according to Athr Press.

On October 16th, 2023, President Bashar al-Assad engaged in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to deliberate on the recent unfolding events in Palestine, specifically concerning the interactions between the Israeli government and Palestinian resistance groups.

The Syrian presidency affirmed that during their discussion, Presidents al-Assad and Putin explored strategies to halt Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip. They emphasized the urgent need to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in the Strip, as well as to cease the Israeli entitys bombardment and displacement of innocent people in Gaza.

Following this conversation, Russian media disclosed that Putin would also initiate telephone dialogues with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.

Moreover, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister expressed concerns about the escalating situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noting that Israeli actions appeared arbitrary. He attributed the crisis to the United States and warned of the potential for the situation to spiral out of control.

Putins outreach coincided with a direct appeal from the Russian Presidency, the Kremlin, for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Previously, the Russian President had reiterated his support for the Palestinian resistance amidst the escalating tensions in Palestine. He likened the Israeli occupation armys siege on the Gaza Strip to the siege of Leningrad by Nazi Germany during World War II. Putin called for a resolution to the conflict through mediation.

Putin had also criticized the United States for deploying military reinforcements to Israel, questioning the rationale behind sending aircraft carriers to the Middle East. He expressed skepticism about whether this was intended to intimidate or serve as a viable solution to the ongoing issues. Putin emphasized the necessity of seeking compromise solutions instead.

In addition to his conversation with President Putin, President Al-Assad discussed the current developments in Palestine with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.

On Sunday, the Sultan Suleiman Shah (al-Amshat) and Hamza divisions, associated with the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions known as the Syrian National Army (SNA), pulled back from territories in the northern and eastern outskirts of Aleppo in northwest Syria. Concurrently, Moscow announced on Sunday that it successfully repatriated 34 children from Syrian refugee camps to Russia as part of its ongoing efforts to bring back the offspring of Russian jihadists.

Turkish-backed SNA factions withdraw from areas in Syrias Aleppo

The divisions of Sultan Suleiman Shah (al-Amshat) and Hamza, affiliated with the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), withdrew on Sunday from areas in the northern and eastern countryside of Aleppo, northwest Syria, North Press reported.

Al-Amshat and Hamza Divisions, known for their allegiance to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS  formerly al-Nusra Front), said in a joint statement that they withdrew from the towns of Ihtimalat, Tel Shadud, Haj Kusa, and Turkman.

In September, clashes erupted between factions affiliated with HTS and the SNA over the control of the al-Hamaran crossing in Jarablus, which is considered an important financial resource. However, a ceasefire agreement and understanding between both parties were reached.

The statement mentioned that the entry of the two divisions to the area was to mediate the conflict, acting as a third party to calm the situation between the factions of Shahba Gathering, affiliated with the HTS, and the SNA factions.

Russia brings back 34 children from Syria refugee camps

Moscow said Sunday it had brought 34 children from refugee camps in Syria back to Russia, in its campaign to repatriate the offspring of Russian jihadis, according to Kurdistan 24.

An unknown number of children of Russian nationals who travelled to fight in Syria  most from majority Muslim republics  remain in refugee camps in Syria.

Russia, which intervened in the Syrian civil war to help its ally Bashar al-Assad in 2015, has been returning the children over the years, in a process that has recently slowed.

We brought home 34 children from Syria, Moscows childrens rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova said on social media.

Lvova-Belova is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

She denies the charges.

Lvova-Belova said the children are aged from four to 16 years old and lived in refugee camps in the Euphrates region.

She said they will be met by relatives for a new stage of life in Russia in ten different regions.

It was not easy to ensure the mission to bring the children back to Russia went safely and there were signs of the Middle-East conflict in Syria, Lvova-Belova added.

The official said Russia plans to bring back another 150 children from Syria.

NGO Forum Statement on Escalation in Idleb, Northwest Syria

Today marks a week since the onset of the ongoing escalation of attacks in Northwest Syria. The NGO Forum reiterates its condemnation of belligerent attacks on civilians and urges all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities, including activities that undermine peoples access to safety, shelter, and basic services, including food, water, health, and education. Direct or indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

People in Need reported that nearly 50 civilians have been killed so far, including 9 children and 213 injured, 69 of whom are children and 41 women. Vital infrastructure and facilities have been impacted, limiting access to basic services and causing further deterioration in humanitarian conditions in a region that has already been suffering from the impacts of 12 years of war, devastating earthquakes, disease outbreaks, economic shocks, and large-scale displacement. With winter approaching and this new wave of displacement, this will compound existing humanitarian needs, in a context where humanitarian funding is diminishing, and the humanitarian response plan (HRP) is already 72% underfunded.

The increase in hostilities has forced many humanitarian organizations to suspend operations, limiting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the population of 4.4 million, 90% of whom are dependent on assistance for survival, and limited humanitarian organizations ability to respond to needs caused by the latest escalation. Furthermore, attacks on key civilian infrastructure, such as the main power station in Idleb have forced critical medical facilities in the city to rely solely on generators, thus depleting their fuel stocks.

A 4-year-old Syrian girl posing to the camera in her home in northern Syria.

Humanitarian Aid and Development

More than 61 communities in NWS have so far been impacted. At least 15 medical facilities, 11 schools, 7 camps, several mosques, and marketplaces have been targeted, in addition to attacks on humanitarian workers and facilities. Humanitarian actors are reporting the use of incendiary weapons, in addition to the use of cluster munitions on civilians and civilian infrastructure, in open contravention of the international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL). The use of such weapons in populated areas poses a serious threat to the lives of Syrians, especially children, and severely limits access of humanitarian actors to affected communities who are in acute need of basic services. Furthermore, remnants of such ordnance will continue endangering lives, triggering further displacement, and limiting access to services and livelihoods long after the cessation of hostilities.

In the direct aftermath of the escalations, more than 400,000 students have not been able to attend school after the authorities suspended educational activities until further notice as a safety measure, and more than 2 million civilians no longer have access to medical treatment due to suspension of operations in medical facilities. Furthermore, the attacks have triggered the displacement of more than 25,000 people, most of whom have already experienced multiple displacements. Displaced families are in desperate need of food, clean water, safe shelter, and healthcare.

We call on donors to support humanitarian organizations to respond to needs caused by the latest escalation.

We call on the international community and the United Nations to take effective and collective actions to ensure that parties to the conflict end the attacks on civilians immediately and adhere to their obligations under IHL and IHRL to protect civilians, and civilian infrastructure and ensure the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian workers in affected areas, and that mechanisms for attribution, accountability, and legal actions are in place.

Civil Administration in Syrias Deir-ez-Zor imposes curfew

The Civil Administration in Deir-ez-Zor, affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), announced on Monday a two-phase curfew in Deir-ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, due to the security conditions.

The Hajin Military Council affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Sunday the dismantling of a booby-trapped motorcycle set to explode in a town in the eastern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor.

The AANES issued a full curfew for motorcycles on the main roads and a partial curfew on residents from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m., allowing exemptions for humanitarian cases.

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.
Though the county is likely to see its usual bout of rainfall, meteorologists are expecting this fall and winter to see higher-than-usual temperatures amid drier-than-usual conditions.

Most of Washington state has been in a drought throughout the summer, with Cowlitz County only seeing abnormally dry conditions. But a weather prediction map from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Climate Hub shows these next few months could see even more widespread dry conditions across the region.

The coasts of Washington and Oregon will also face the continued threat of significant wildfires during October, according to the Climate Hubs drought monitor.

The odds for above-average temperatures versus average for the course of December to February is between 50% and 60%, said Colby Newman, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland, in an interview last month.

The U.S. Climate Prediction Center is showing there is a slight chance that precipitation in the area will fall below what is normal for the region, Newman said.

Its a lot of uncertainty, Newman said.

What has stayed on the mind of several weather experts is El Nino, a system that is usually characterized by a band of warm ocean water that moves up from where it forms near South America all the way up to the Pacific Northwest. This system has historically brought warmer winters to the Pacific Northwest  and it formed earlier this year than normal, said Karin Bumbaco, a Washington state climatologist, in an interview earlier this year.

An El Nino weather pattern is useful in predicting the drought, she said. The periodic event increases the chance of below-normal rainfall, according to the U.S. Climate Hub.

In Southwest Washington, not the entire area, but most of the area, was determined to be either abnormally dry or in a moderate drought on the U.S. Drought Monitor, Bumbaco said.

Last winter into spring was also drier than usual, she said. April was the only month where precipitation reached above-normal levels.

The dryness contributed to an unusually low Cowlitz River level in July. Even in the drier summers, its not often the river flows below its normal rate of 4,300 cubic feet per second, hydrologists told The Daily News this summer.

And drought often leads to the higher chance of wildfires. Washington state has experienced several droughts in the last few years, the most extreme of which have been in the eastern part of the state.

Now, the drought has crept over the Cascades and into the usually abundantly wet western Washington. Seattle Public Utilities has asked residents to try and conserve water; Vancouver developed a drinking water conservation plan in November 2021 to help sustain the regions main water reservoir.
A 46-year-old Portland financier suspected of fatally shooting a man and injuring another in a road rage encounter in downtown Portland pleaded not guilty Thursday in Multnomah County Circuit Court to second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

Ryan Martin was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the chest Wednesday afternoon. Sam Gomez was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery after a bullet traveled through his leg and lodged in the femur of his other leg, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The Columbian reports Martin was 47 and from Southwest Washington.

Gomezs injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, Portland police said.

Geoffrey Edward Hammond is suspected of shooting Martin from the drivers seat of his black Mercedes Benz SUV at about 4:30 p.m. after Martin tapped on his window at the intersection of Southwest 10th Avenue and Alder Street, court records show.

Hammond allegedly tried shooting at Martin again, but his gun malfunctioned. He then fired twice at Gomez, who had started recording Hammond with his cellphone from about 15 feet away, the affidavit states.

Hammond called 911 and admitted to shooting the two men as he drove to turn himself in at downtown Portlands Multnomah County Courthouse, court records show.

Hammond is the commodities pool manager of Aequantium, a Southwest Portland-based company he created in 2020, according to filings with the Oregon Secretary of State.

Hammond was idling his Mercedes in front of Southwest Portlands Moxy Hotel, partially blocking traffic, moments before he fired, according to the affidavit.

Martin was driving behind Hammond in a gray Toyota Tundra. The two men gestured at each other with their middle fingers as Martin drove his truck around Hammonds Mercedes and east though the intersection, the affidavit states.

Martin parked on the other side of the intersection, got out of his truck without closing the door and began to walk toward Hammond, who started loading his gun as soon as he saw Martin approaching, the affidavit states.

Martin tapped on Hammonds drivers side window and witnesses described hearing shouting.

Hammond rolled down the window and shot Martin in the chest, according to the affidavit.

Martin fell backward and landed in a gutter. He pleaded with Hammond, saying Im sorry. I had a bad day. Hammond tried to shoot Martin a second time but his gun malfunctioned, the affidavit states.

Witnesses told police they saw Hammond flash a large metal badge at Martin as if he were a policeman, and heard Hammond say, You are lucky I didnt shoot you in the heart.

Video footage of the scene shows that one minute passed while Martin lay in the street and while Hammond tried to fix his gun, court records show.

Meanwhile, Gomez, a presenter at the nearby National Organization of Minority Architects conference, exited the Moxy Hotel. After seeing Martin on the ground and Hammond sitting in the front seat of his car holding a gun, Gomez held up his cell phone and started recording the scene from about 15 feet away, according to the affidavit.

Hammond allegedly pointed the gun at Gomez and fired. The bullet passed through one of Gomezs legs and lodged in the femur of his other leg, the affidavit states.

As Hammond began to slowly drive away from the scene, he fired a second round at Gomez, which missed, according to the affidavit.

Hammond called 911 while driving and admitted to shooting both men, telling the dispatcher the shooting was justified because Martin had menaced him and because Gomez might have had a weapon.

Hammond later allegedly told detectives he believed certain groups of people were stalking him, and that he suspected Gomez was planning an ambush, according to the affidavit. He also told detectives he saw that Martin was unarmed.

Investigators reviewed video footage and interviewed witnesses and found no evidence that would have remotely justified the shooting, the affidavit states.

Alyssa Isenstein Krueger, 51, said she had just stepped out of the nearby Medical-Dental Building when she saw two men lying on the ground, one shot in the chest and the other shot in the leg. Bystanders reported the shots had come from a black Mercedes that drove off, she said.

Hammond filed for bankruptcy May 8, 2023, in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Oregon, citing nearly $35,000 in credit card debt. He previously went by the name Jeffrey Mandalis, according to the bankruptcy filing.

Listed among Hammonds possessions are a $890,000 home nestled next to Southwest Portlands Council Crest Park, a 2020 Mercedes GLA250 estimated at $24,000, four firearms and more than $60,000 worth of furniture, clothing and jewelry, the filing states.

Tualatin-based home restoration company Blackburn & Allen also filed a small claims complaint against Hammond on Sept. 25 for $4,906.87, alleging Hammond failed to pay the company for mitigation work they did on his Southwest Fairmount Boulevard home in January, court records show.

Hammond was convicted of eavesdropping in 2006 in De Kalb County, Illinois, court records show.

Portland police cited Hammond for driving 13 miles over the speed limit on Southwest Beaverton Hillsdale Highway in 2019 and 2021, according to court records.

Wednesdays fatal shooting marked the citys 58th homicide this year. There were 80 homicides by this time in 2022.

Another man was shot and killed Sunday night on Southwest Fifth Avenue and Washington Street, about five blocks east of Wednesdays shooting. Police have not yet publicly identified the victim or arrested a suspect.
(Photo : THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)

A picture shows a makeshift emergency underground hospital in the parking lot of the Rambam Health Care Campus (RHCC) in Haifa in northern Israel, on October 12, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinian, have died since October 7, after Palestinian Hamas militants entered Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip enclave. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a grave warning, stating that Gaza is on the brink of a "real catastrophe." With hospital fuel supplies decreasing quickly and essential resources such as food and water declining to dangerously low levels, the situation in Gaza has reached a critical point.

The problem's urgency is underscored by the fact that less than 24 hours remain before the potential catastrophe unfolds, as per The Independent.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza

The Gaza Strip, a densely populated region already grappling with shortages of necessities, is now facing an escalating humanitarian crisis as it struggles to cope with the rising casualties from Israeli air strikes.

Dr. Yasser Ali of the Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah revealed the dire situation, saying, "The hospital morgue can only take ten bodies, so we have brought in ice cream freezers from the ice cream factories to store the huge numbers of [dead]."

Within rising tensions in the region, hospitals in Gaza are grappling with the daunting challenge of supplying medical resources, with the added concern of decreasing fuel reserves. This crisis comes from the loss of life and injuries both Israelis and Palestinians suffered.

Hamas militants' October 7 attacks have claimed over 1,400 Israeli lives, mostly civilians. In response, Israel launched counter-strikes, resulting in a death toll of 2,750 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

A significant challenge in identifying the deceased is the condition of the bodies, many of which are charred. Dr. Chen Kugel, the head of the National Centre of Forensic Medicine, explained, "The amount of charred bodies that we receive now, the proportion is high."

The ongoing identification process relies on DNA, dental records, and CT scans to help identify the dead. Meanwhile, Israel has deployed forces along Gaza's border and conducted airstrikes targeting military installations and Hamas commanders.

The ongoing violence has displaced approximately 500,000 people, nearly a quarter of Gaza's population, who have sought refuge in United Nations schools and other facilities. Juliette Touma, spokesperson for the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, emphasized the dire situation, stating, "Gaza is running dry."

The United States has been actively involved in efforts to mediate the conflict, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarking on a tour through Arab nations, according to ABC News.

Read Also: Ecuador Banana Fortune Heir Daniel Noboa Wins Election Amid Controversial Issues With Crime, Economy

Biden Set to Visit Israel

US President Joe Biden is also considering a visit to Israel, as he expressed concern about the potential for Israel to reoccupy Gaza. With the situation in Gaza growing increasingly desperate, the US has appointed David Satterfield, a former US ambassador with experience in Mideast diplomacy, as the special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues.

Satterfield's focus will be on getting humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. Hospitals in Gaza are facing a critical shortage of generator fuel, and Gaza's sole power plant has shut down due to a lack of energy.

Hospitals like Nasser Hospital and Shifa Hospital struggle to care for critically ill patients as fuel runs out. These facilities have newborns in need of intensive care and patients on ventilators. The UN's Philip Lazzarini describes the unfolding situation as "an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe."

Gaza was already in a crisis due to water and medical supply shortages, exacerbated by the Israeli siege. The situation remains complex, with more than 1 million Palestinians in Gaza being ordered to move south by Israel in preparation for a significant campaign against Hamas in the north.

The US has been working to reopen the Rafah crossing with Gaza to facilitate the evacuation of foreign nationals and the delivery of humanitarian aid. However, the crossing remains closed as Israel insists it will only lift the siege when captives are returned.

As the violence continues escalating, international efforts must intensify to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza and work towards a lasting and peaceful solution, Outlook Reported.

Related Article: Hamas Took 199 Hostages, Israel Confirms

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People using local buses to travel between Longview and locations like Kelsos Country Run Apartments and the 1410 block of West Side Highway may not have the public transit option for long.

The RiverCities Transit board is slowing down a proposed annexation to keep the bus route to Lexington running long-term.

After no one showed up to the proposals public hearing last week, the board is reconsidering whether to send the issue to the ballots.

RiverCities has offered a trial bus route into Lexington since May 2022, paid for by a two-year grant from the Washington Department of Transportation, to see if there was enough interest to add the route permanently. The Lexington route has seen a major ridership jump this year but remains the least traveled route RiverCities runs.

The route would not continue past next May unless voters in Lexington and along West Side Highway voted to be annexed into the Cowlitz Public Transportation Benefit Area. Joining the transit area would mean Lexington would pay the same transportation sales tax as Longview and Kelso to help cover the cost of the fixed public bus routes and paratransit rides.

The Cowlitz Transit Authority Board held their Wednesday night meeting at Lexington Elementary School, hoping it would draw in members of the public to talk about the route before they put the annexation on the ballot for August 2024. Nobody showed up to speak.

The lack of turnout led several board members to hold off on putting the issue on the ballot until they got more details and took another shot at collecting public comment.

I dont know theres any sense of urgency or rush to get this done, said Mike Wallin, who represents Longview on the Cowlitz Transit Authority.

Route 411 travels from the Longview Transit Center up to the Tim Wa Estates at the northern edge of Lexington. There are scheduled stops at Lexington Elementary School and the Country Run Apartments and spots to flag down the bus elsewhere in the unincorporated area.

The new route was slow to take off at first, averaging about three riders a day in 2022, but began to steadily grow during the first months of 2023. Since June, the Lexington route has averaged 15 riders per day or around 400 passengers per month.

Wallin said the cost per rider would make it difficult for the route to pay for itself, even with the sales tax increase. Joining the Public Transportation Benefit Area would increase the sales tax in the added precincts by 0.3%, or three cents for every $10 spent.

Kelsos board representative, Lisa Alexander, said she had been pushing for years for Lexington to be added into the bus system.

We waited too many years to get it out here and I dont want to see the people who are using it not get that access, Alexander said.

RiverCities Transit Director Jim Seeks said he had not advertised the meeting as much on the buses as hed originally planned. Alexander said it was tough to get people to show up in support of a project instead of opposing it.

Seeks said the transit board would pay to continue the route through the August election, if it were placed on the ballot, at which point its fate would be up to the voters.
Sister city delegates from Wako, Japan are set to visit Longview Wednesday through Sunday to celebrate the creation of a new squirrel bridge.

Delegates are set to celebrate the Sister City Squirrel Bridge, based on a Japanese bridge, at ceremony at 1 p.m. Thursday at 1604 Kessler Blvd.

The Longview Sister City Commission reports in a press release that the structure symbolizes how the sister cities can bridge cultures.

People in Wako, located just outside Tokyo, and Longview began communicating in 1984, and in 1999, they formally became sister cities and established student exchange programs within local high-schools and Lower Columbia College. Ten Japanese students now attend LCC, the press release states.

The following groups helped created the bridge: LCC Welding Instructor Tasha Allen and her students, Topper Industries, Waites Specialty Machine Works, Woods Logging & Industrial Supply, Rick Johnson and the Sandbaggers.

Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. and the LCC Foundation are also sponsoring a dinner at the LCC Rose Center for the Arts for the group, the press release states.
Challenges with collecting new kinds of data on Clark County deaths in recent years have become more evident with the release of a statewide dashboard tracking unintentional overdose deaths within some Washington counties.

A deceased persons housing status and whether an overdose was intentional or unintentional have been added to the list of data the Clark County Medical Examiners Office records in the last few years.

The information gleaned from collecting that data will be useful, alerting the community of what resources are needed and where, said staff of the Clark County Medical Examiners Office.

However, the data also has many limitations, including complications with how information is collected and the need for an abundance of evidence to prove the truth of the information.

There are more limitations than there are mechanisms and systems to support really good consistent data collection and reporting across all of our systems, Community Health Director Andrea Pruett said.

How it can be helpful

Clark County is one of the 13 Washington counties that have participated in a recently released statewide dashboard tracking unintentional overdoses.

The data are grouped together by two years, starting in 2019. The data on individual years for Clark County appears to be incomplete, with 2019 and 2022 missing.

Between 2019 and 2021, there were 144 confirmed unintentional overdoses in Clark County. Between 2020 and 2022, there were 156.

Pruett, who oversees the Medical Examiners Office, said the vast majority of fatal overdoses are considered accidental.

When staff notice an uptick in accidental overdoses, they can alert the community that more resources are needed, such as education and naloxone  a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses.

Mike Delay, a clinical supervisor at Columbia River Mental Health Services, said seeing an uptick in experienced drug users dying from overdoses might be a sign that a new type of substance is being supplied within the community  such as xylazine, a sedative commonly referred to as Tranq that doesnt respond to naloxone because its not an opioid.

We dont know if Tranq is coming into our community, Delay said. So we might be seeing a sudden spike in unintentional overdoses as an indication that the supplied substance in our area has drastically changed, and we need to alter our harm reduction methodologies to address that.

Opioid data can also show whether there has been a spike in people attempting to commit suicide via overdosing, Pruett said.

If we find that we see trends toward intentional deaths through use of illicit substances, that may signal a need for additional crisis services [and] support for primary prevention efforts, Pruett said.

In July 2022, the county also began tracking the housing status of people at their time of death when statewide death certificate reporting began including a question about housing status. Previously, local homelessness providers were the only ones tracking the deaths of homeless people in Clark County.

The data will likely be released sometime next year, according to Marissa Armstrong, communications program coordinator for Clark County Public Health.

She said the data will help the county know what factors, such as weather or chronic health conditions, are causing the deaths of people without housing.

Understanding those circumstances can help our community partners understand where resources and prevention efforts are needed to try and prevent some of these deaths, Armstrong said.

Limitations

There are challenges in tracking this kind of information that can limit the data, according to Pruett.

For instance, a lack of evidence can make it difficult for the Medical Examiners Office to determine whether an overdose was intentional or unintentional.

There has to be a preponderance of evidence available for the team to review in order to make a determination that the death was intentional, she said.

That evidence can include written notes, texts or last conversations between friends and family.

But even then, how much information thats available to make those determinations is truly case by case, Pruett said.

There are also complications with how housing status is recorded  a process done by many different people across different agencies.

The housing status of a person who has died from natural causes is often recorded by a physician or a funeral home. People can interpret housing statuses differently, like unhoused versus sheltered, which can affect the data, Armstrong said.

Theres also an unknown box on the death certificate, which unsure physicians could click and not look into the housing status further, Pruett said.

Thats not just for here but anywhere in the state, she said. If someone has limited resources, and they cant keep following the thread to try and really sort out if this person was housed or unhoused or in a shelter ... theres an unknown box.

Another issue is collecting and reporting the data for the state over the years amongst staffing shortages.

Time is short. Resources are scarce, Pruett said. Theres more work than there are staff to do it. And in these circumstances without oversight, incentive or clear understanding and direction tied to why folks do this across disciplines, it has impacts on the data and who even can say what those are.

However, Pruett said its important to staff in Clark County that they gather this data about deaths to inform the community.

We have started to collect the data, and then a goal would be to make iterative quality improvements, she said.
Garena Free Fire Redeem Codes for October 17: Garena frequently introduces new events in Free Fire, granting players the opportunity to obtain exclusive items such as gun skins, pets, characters, emotes, and bundles. Notably, data miner @maaxleakersofc has recently disclosed details about an upcoming event, the "Miraculous Fist" event, via their official social media channels. This leak showcases an appealing Fist skin that is expected to captivate players' attention. According to a report by SportsKeeda, the event has gone live today, October 17, 2023, and will run until October 30, 2023. During this event, players can acquire desirable skins and rewards.

It's important to note that the Miraculous Fist event will be accessible on both the India and Bangladesh servers, allowing players to acquire special skins and items by utilizing diamonds after the event commences. It's worth mentioning that while this event has been revealed by a data miner, it has not yet received official confirmation from the developers. Therefore, players should wait and be patient till the official announcement.

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VMware announced its partnership with FutureSkills Prime, an upskilling initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India (MeitY) and nasscom to boost digital skilling for students and graduates. The strategic partnership aims at equipping professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to stay competitive in todays rapidly changing technology landscape. By providing access to current technologies and enabling hands-on training, this partnership will also focus on empowering fresh graduates by preparing them for successful careers in the tech industry.

Through this partnership, VMware and FutureSkills Prime will offer a comprehensive training program that covers the latest technologies and trends in cloud computing, virtualization, and networking. The courses are offered FREE and are a part of the ongoing Digital skilling initiative by nasscom and MeitY.

These courses are designed to help IT professionals develop skills such as 

NSX Advanced Load Balancer Fundamentals

VMware Cloud Native Applications Fundamentals

Introduction to VMware Cloud Disaster Recovery

Managing the Tanzu Greenplum Database with the Greenplum Command Center

VMware Tanzu Greenplum Data Modeling, Design, and Performance Management

Workloads  The Right Way

Pradeep Nair, Vice President & Managing Director at VMware IndiaAccess to quality education and training is the cornerstone of success in the tech industry. By empowering the youth in India with the latest skills and knowledge, we are investing in the tech talent of the nation and helping them reach their full potential. Through this partnership, we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of the tech industry by helping young professionals. We look forward to working together with MeitY and nasscom to drive positive change and make a meaningful impact in the lives of learners everywhere.

Ramkumar Narayanan, VP of Technology and Managing Director, VMware India, said, VMware is committed to equipping young professionals with digital technology skills that they will require to flourish in their careers. Our partnership with FutureSkills Prime is a step towards closing the digital gap and enabling the youth with access to the tools they require to prosper in the dynamic technological environment.

Kirti Seth, CEO, SSC, NASSCOM said Our strategic collaboration with VMware marks an important step towards preparing the youth for the future of work and contributing towards making India a trillion-dollar digital economy. Cloud technology is at the center stage of innovation, scalability, and efficiency for businesses across industries in todays digitally driven landscape, and VMware is an expert in this space. Bringing their comprehensive cutting-edge cloud courses on the FutureSkills Prime platform reaffirms our unwavering commitment to equip our community of 1.5 million learners to become job-ready and contribute to making India a digital talent nation.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

In this April 17, 2019, file photo, online customer reviews for a product are displayed on a computer in New York. Some of the most used platforms for travel and online shopping said Tuesday, Oct. 17. 2023 theyre going to team up to battle fake reviews. Amazon, reviews site Glassdoor and Trustpilot as well as travel companies Expedia Group, Booking.com and Tripadvisor announced they're launching a group called the Coalition for Trusted Reviews." Credit: AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File

Some of the most used platforms for travel and online shopping said Tuesday they're going to team up to battle fake reviews.

Amazon, reviews site Glassdoor and Trustpilot, as well as travel companies Expedia Group, Booking.com and Tripadvisor said in an announcement they're launching a coalition that aims to protect access to "trustworthy consumer reviews" worldwide.

The companies said the members of the group, which will be called Coalition for Trusted Reviews, will look for best practices for hosting online reviews and share methods on how to detect fake ones. That will include developing standards for what constitutes a fake review and sharing information about how bad actors operate.

Phony reviews have long plagued online marketplaces despite their efforts to eradicate it. Much of the problem is fueled by brokers who solicit fake customer reviews through social media platforms, encrypted messaging apps and other channels in exchange for money, free items or other benefits. Brokers can solicit positive reviews to boost sales for businesses or sellers. They can also also post negative reviews for competitors in order to tank their sales.

Last month, Amazon said two review brokers in China were sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison and three years of probation after using messaging apps to advertise and sell fake reviews to Amazon selling accounts. The company has filed a flurry of other lawsuits in the past year against operators that it says were doing similar things. Last year, it also sued the administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups that it alleged were coordinating bogus reviews in exchange for money or free products.

Facebook groups trading reviews for Google and Trustpilot, which allows users to leave feedback for businesses, were also discovered earlier this year by the British consumer watchdog group "Which?"

Federal regulators have also been aiming to crack down on bogus reviews aiming to deceive consumers. In June, the Federal Trade Commission proposed a new rule that, among other things, would prohibit businesses from selling or obtaining fake reviews, suppressing honest reviews and selling fake social media engagement.

Businesses would also be prohibited from creating or controlling a website that claims to provide independent opinions about its products and employing other practices like "review hijacking," which makes reviews for one product appear like they were written for different ones. If the proposal is adopted, violators can be face penalties.

Becky Foley, Tripadvisor's vice president for Trust & Safety, said in a statement included in the news release that combating operators behind fake reviews will be "an immediate area of focus" for the coalition.

"These actors often operate outside of jurisdictions with a legal framework to shut down fraudulent activity, making robust cooperation even more important," Foley said.

The companies said the coalition is a result conversations that came out of a "Fake Reviews" conference that was organized by Tripadvisor and held last year in San Francisco. They said they will meet in early December at a second conference that will be organized by Amazon and held in Brussels.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Energy prices in Europe spiralled after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year.

EU member states reached an agreement to reform its electricity market after months of sparring between France and Germany over state support for nuclear energy, the European Council said Tuesday.

The European Union's plans to make the market less vulnerable to volatility were a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which sent energy prices spiraling for consumers and businesses last year.

The reform aims to cut households and businesses' bills with long-term contracts to smooth out the impact of gas price volatility.

It had been blocked by Franco-German disagreement after Paris pushed for measures to support nuclear energy, which alarmed Berlin.

Germany fears what it believes to be an unfair challenge from French electricity that is made more competitive thanks to massive public support.

France generates around 70 percent of its electricity from nuclear energy.

The debate focused on programs known as contracts for difference (CfDs) that would allow member states to get back money from energy producers when electricity prices rose higher than a certain limit.

France and Germany bitterly disagreed on the conditions required to use such schemes for investments in existing nuclear power plants.

"The council found a balanced agreement on this point... member states that support lifetime-extension investments (of existing power plants), the use of CfDs is not a mandatory solution, but remain still a possibility," the EU's energy commissioner Kadri Simson said.

The 27 member states' agreement does allow for state support for existing nuclear power plants subject to compliance with EU rules on state aid.

Act as one

The deal agreed by EU energy ministers in Luxembourg still needs to be negotiated with European Parliament lawmakers before it becomes law.

"The Electricity Market Design will make the market more resilient to any future price shocks coming from gas markets, but as well prepares for a decarbonised future," Simson said on social media.

"It also brings more certainty for the electricity sector to trigger investments in clean energy infrastructure," she added.

The plans include measures that would allow the EU to act as one during a crisis. In the event of a lasting surge in energy prices, the council, which represents member states, can declare a union-wide electricity price crisis.

The hope is that this would help better regulate the market during such a crisis.

"Thanks to this agreement, consumers across the EU will be able to benefit from much more stable prices of energy, less dependency on the price of fossil fuels and better protection from future crises," said Spain's environment minister Teresa Ribera Rodriguez, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.

 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:

Shares in Rolls-Royce have more than doubled in price this year as the company moves to reduce costs.

Rolls-Royce, the British manufacturer of aircraft engines, said Tuesday it plans to axe up to 2,500 jobs worldwide, or about six percent of its staff, to further slash costs.

"It is estimated that 2,000-2,500 roles will be removed globally" under "plans for a simpler, more streamlined, organization", the group said in a statement.

Chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic, who began restructuring the group on taking the helm at the start of the year, said the company was "building a Rolls-Royce that is fit for the future.

"That means a more... efficient organization that will deliver for our customers, partners and shareholders."

The statement said the latest restructuring would "help Rolls-Royce build enhanced capabilities in key areas such as procurement and supply chain management, ensuring they are as strong as the company's engineering and technical excellence".

Previous CEO Warren East had axed more than 9,000 jobs and launched a major divestment program in 2020 to navigate damaging pandemic fallout across the aviation industry.

In a quick turnaround under its new boss, Rolls in August posted first-half net profit totalling 1.2 billion ($1.5 billion), compared with a loss after tax of 1.6 billion a year earlier.

Share price turnaround

Shares in Rolls jumped 2.1 percent to 217.90 pence in early trading following the announcement.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index on which Rolls trades edged up 0.2 percent overall.

"One of the best performers this year has been Rolls-Royce, the share price has more than doubled as the turnaround plan set in motion by... East and carried on by new CEO Tufan Erginbilgic has continued apace," noted Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said the Rolls-Royce share price had soared more than 130 percent this year also thanks to the recovery in air travel.

Shares won a further boost Tuesday from the announcement of the job cuts, "given savings which could amount to up to 200 million", he added.

Away from aircraft engines, Rolls-Royce is engaged in developing small nuclear reactors that could provide power on the moon, thanks to funding from the UK Space Agency.

The group, best known for its engines powering Airbus and Boeing aircraft, is working alongside UK universities including Oxford on the space project and hopes its first car-sized reactor would be ready to be sent to the moon by 2029.

Erginbilgic, a dual UK and Turkish national, worked for more than 20 years at energy major BP.

 2023 AFP
Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE:DHX  Free Report) by 67.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 228,134 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 91,528 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.s holdings in DHI Group were worth $874,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in DHX. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of DHI Group by 254.4% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 600,993 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,987,000 after buying an additional 431,395 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of DHI Group in the 1st quarter worth about $2,168,000. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of DHI Group by 108.4% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 658,665 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,274,000 after buying an additional 342,668 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in shares of DHI Group by 170.9% in the 2nd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 450,218 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,238,000 after buying an additional 284,009 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royce & Associates LP lifted its holdings in DHI Group by 14.8% in the 1st quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 1,668,329 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $6,473,000 after purchasing an additional 215,463 shares in the last quarter. 70.77% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on DHX shares. Barrington Research restated an outperform rating and issued a $10.00 target price on shares of DHI Group in a report on Friday, July 28th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of DHI Group in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock.

DHI Group Trading Up 3.2 %

Shares of DHX stock opened at $2.90 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $137.29 million, a P/E ratio of 72.50, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.25. DHI Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $2.68 and a 1-year high of $6.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.40 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $3.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.59.

DHI Group (NYSE:DHX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The technology company reported $0.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by $0.03. The business had revenue of $38.54 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $38.79 million. DHI Group had a net margin of 1.13% and a return on equity of 2.02%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that DHI Group, Inc. will post 0.06 EPS for the current year.

About DHI Group

(Free Report)

DHI Group, Inc provides data, insights, and employment connections through specialized services for technology professionals in the United States. The company operates Dice that offers job postings of technology and non-technology companies for industries, such as positions for software engineers, big data professionals, systems administrators, database specialists, project managers, and other technology and engineering professionals; and ClearanceJobs, an online career network, which matches security-cleared professionals with hiring companies searching for employees.

Featured Stories

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Assenagon Asset Management S.A. cut its holdings in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC  Free Report) (TSE:MFC) by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 52,580 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,166 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.s holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $995,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. bought a new position in Manulife Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in Manulife Financial by 26.0% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 6,063 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 1,250 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in Manulife Financial by 43.3% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 80,191 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,516,000 after purchasing an additional 24,247 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its holdings in Manulife Financial by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 860,968 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,271,000 after purchasing an additional 50,000 shares during the period. Finally, Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Manulife Financial by 26.3% in the 2nd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,967 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $75,000 after purchasing an additional 826 shares during the period. 45.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Manulife Financial Stock Up 1.0 %

Manulife Financial stock opened at $18.52 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $33.65 billion, a PE ratio of 8.69, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $18.57 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $18.92. Manulife Financial Co. has a twelve month low of $15.67 and a twelve month high of $20.40.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

Manulife Financial ( NYSE:MFC Get Free Report ) (TSE:MFC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 9th. The financial services provider reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $9 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.31 billion. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 11.87% and a return on equity of 13.53%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 23rd were paid a $0.276 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 22nd. This is an increase from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.96%. Manulife Financials payout ratio is currently 51.64%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on MFC. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from $31.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 11th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Manulife Financial in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Manulife Financial

About Manulife Financial

(Free Report)

Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks.

Further Reading

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(Photo : Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Governor of New York, Governor, State of New York T.H. Kathy Hochul speaks onstage at the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit at Sheraton New York on September 19, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)

The governor of New York has revealed her plans to go on a journey to Israel on Tuesday. The purpose of this visit, she stated, is to undertake a "solidarity mission" with the nation.

In a statement that was released on Monday evening, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, announced her intention to hold meetings with diplomatic leaders and communities affected by the unexpected and unprecedented attack carried out by Hamas militants on Israeli towns on October 7, as per PIX11.

New York's Strong Support for Israel Amid Mounting Global Crisis

In the face of a mounting international crisis, New York is taking center stage in demonstrating its unwavering support for Israel.

"During these difficult times, it's more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel," said Hochul, emphasizing the urgency of this mission.

New York, the state with the most significant percentage of Jewish residents in the United States, has a unique connection with Israel.

As of 2020, it was home to 21% of the nation's 7.6 million Jewish people, according to the American Jewish Population Project at Brandeis University. Governor Hochul's statement came at a critical moment, aligning with President Joe Biden's plans to travel to Israel and Jordan.

The President aims to engage with both Israeli and Arab leadership, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions as concerns grow that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict might escalate into a more significant regional conflict.

New York's commitment to Israel is not merely symbolic. Governor Hochul intends to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities affected by the ongoing Hamas attacks.

This action underscores New York's proactive approach to addressing the humanitarian crisis and expressing unwavering solidarity with the Israeli people. The significance of New York's support cannot be understated.

With the largest Jewish population in the US, the state holds a unique role in demonstrating the nation's unity with Israel. Governor Hochul's visit sends a clear message to the world that New York stands with Israel today and in the foreseeable future.

Furthermore, President Biden's upcoming visit to Israel underscores the United States' commitment to supporting its long-standing ally. The Biden administration has pledged military support, dispatched US carriers, and aided the region.

The President seeks to deliver a resounding message that the US firmly supports Israel, especially in this challenging period.

US officials have expressed their intention to request over $2 billion in additional aid from Congress to bolster their commitment to Israel's well-being. This financial support will benefit Israel and Ukraine, which are currently dealing with Russia's invasion.

It showcases the United States' dedication to preserving stability and peace in the Middle East and beyond, according to The New York Times.

Read Also: Joe Biden's Israel Visit Both Physically, Politically Risky

New York's Support for Israel Remains Unwavering

In addition to Governor Hochul's visit and President Biden's plans, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a congressional delegation also made headlines. During their trip to Israel, they found themselves in a security scare as they were rushed to a shelter in Tel Aviv due to rocket fire from Hamas.

Senator Schumer took to social media to share a photo that encapsulated the situation. In the image, he and several others, including Senator Mitt Romney, can be seen taking refuge in a tightly secured bunker.

The incident illustrates the real and immediate threats faced by the people of Israel and the urgency of addressing the ongoing conflict. New York's committed support for Israel is rooted in history and shared values.

With Governor Hochul's mission and President Biden's visit, the state and the nation reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful resolution in the region. These actions serve as a testament to the enduring bond between the United States and Israel and signal to the world that diplomacy and solidarity are essential in navigating these challenging times.

Unity and international cooperation should be emphasized in a world that is becoming more intricate and volatile. By standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel, New York sends a powerful message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

They both serve as prime examples of the unwavering spirit of friendship and cooperation between nations, regardless of the obstacles they encounter, NBC New York reported.

Related Article: Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani of Iraq

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Franco-Nevada Co. (NYSE:FNV  Free Report) (TSE:FNV)  Equities research analysts at Raymond James decreased their FY2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Franco-Nevada in a note issued to investors on Thursday, October 12th. Raymond James analyst B. Macarthur now anticipates that the basic materials company will post earnings per share of $3.50 for the year, down from their previous forecast of $3.56. The consensus estimate for Franco-Nevadas current full-year earnings is $3.40 per share. Raymond James also issued estimates for Franco-Nevadas Q1 2024 earnings at $0.88 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $0.94 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $3.64 EPS.

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A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on FNV. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Franco-Nevada in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. CSFB decreased their price objective on Franco-Nevada from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Franco-Nevada from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 18th. HC Wainwright increased their target price on Franco-Nevada from $180.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 10th. Finally, TD Securities dropped their target price on Franco-Nevada from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Franco-Nevada has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $178.00.

Franco-Nevada Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of FNV opened at $139.40 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $26.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.41, a PEG ratio of 9.98 and a beta of 0.73. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $138.56 and a 200 day moving average of $144.81. Franco-Nevada has a 12 month low of $115.71 and a 12 month high of $161.25.

Franco-Nevada (NYSE:FNV  Get Free Report) (TSE:FNV) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $329.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $324.06 million. Franco-Nevada had a return on equity of 10.20% and a net margin of 53.88%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.02 earnings per share.

Franco-Nevada Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 14th were given a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 13th. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.98%. Franco-Nevadas dividend payout ratio is currently 39.42%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Franco-Nevada in the 4th quarter valued at $219,378,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in shares of Franco-Nevada by 69.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,679,436 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $390,662,000 after purchasing an additional 1,102,710 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its position in shares of Franco-Nevada by 34.0% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 3,475,452 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $495,309,000 after purchasing an additional 881,769 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Franco-Nevada by 270.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 488,200 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $69,586,000 after purchasing an additional 356,377 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Canoe Financial LP acquired a new stake in Franco-Nevada in the 1st quarter valued at about $39,478,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.70% of the companys stock.

About Franco-Nevada

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Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in Latin America, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids.

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Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT  Free Report)  Investment analysts at B. Riley dropped their FY2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Nordic American Tankers in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, October 12th. B. Riley analyst L. Burke now expects that the shipping company will post earnings per share of $0.62 for the year, down from their prior estimate of $0.65. B. Riley currently has a Buy rating and a $6.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Nordic American Tankers current full-year earnings is $0.60 per share.

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Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on Nordic American Tankers in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company.

Nordic American Tankers Stock Performance

Shares of NAT opened at $4.20 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $876.94 million, a PE ratio of 7.37 and a beta of 0.15. Nordic American Tankers has a 1 year low of $2.83 and a 1 year high of $4.65.

Nordic American Tankers (NYSE:NAT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 28th. The shipping company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.13. The business had revenue of $67.80 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $65.15 million. Nordic American Tankers had a return on equity of 22.16% and a net margin of 43.81%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.02) EPS.

Nordic American Tankers Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 14th were issued a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 13th. Nordic American Tankerss payout ratio is currently 91.23%.

Institutional Trading of Nordic American Tankers

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NAT. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC purchased a new stake in Nordic American Tankers during the first quarter worth $25,000. American National Bank acquired a new position in shares of Nordic American Tankers in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of Nordic American Tankers during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Nordic American Tankers during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Nordic American Tankers during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. 42.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Nordic American Tankers

(Get Free Report)

Nordic American Tankers Limited, a tanker company, acquires and charters double-hull tankers in Bermuda and internationally. It operates a fleet of 19 Suezmax crude oil tankers. The company was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSE:SLF  Free Report) (NYSE:SLF)  Research analysts at Desjardins dropped their FY2023 EPS estimates for Sun Life Financial in a research report issued on Wednesday, October 11th. Desjardins analyst D. Young now forecasts that the financial services provider will post earnings per share of $6.30 for the year, down from their prior forecast of $6.35. Desjardins currently has a Buy rating and a $75.00 target price on the stock. The consensus estimate for Sun Life Financials current full-year earnings is $6.85 per share.

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Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Credit Suisse Group cut their price target on Sun Life Financial from C$79.00 to C$77.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 10th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Sun Life Financial from C$79.00 to C$76.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 10th. Evercore lifted their target price on Sun Life Financial from C$73.00 to C$76.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Sun Life Financial from C$78.00 to C$79.00 in a report on Thursday, August 10th. Finally, Cormark reduced their target price on Sun Life Financial from C$78.00 to C$76.00 in a report on Thursday, August 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$74.36.

Sun Life Financial Price Performance

Sun Life Financial stock opened at C$66.96 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.31, a quick ratio of 84,866.00 and a current ratio of 51.74. Sun Life Financial has a 52-week low of C$55.23 and a 52-week high of C$70.11. The stocks 50 day moving average price is C$66.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$66.53. The stock has a market capitalization of C$39.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.45, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.96.

Sun Life Financial (TSE:SLF  Get Free Report) (NYSE:SLF) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The financial services provider reported C$1.57 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.56 by C$0.01. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 12.21% and a net margin of 11.91%. The business had revenue of C$7.67 billion during the quarter.

Sun Life Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 30th were issued a dividend of $0.75 per share. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 29th. Sun Life Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 60.24%.

Sun Life Financial Company Profile

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Sun Life Financial Inc, a financial services company, provides savings, retirement, and pension products worldwide. It offers term and permanent life, as well as personal health, dental, critical illness, long-term care, and disability insurance products. The company provides financial advice, asset management, and investments related products.

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Oakworth Capital Inc. lowered its stake in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 13,993 shares of the companys stock after selling 578 shares during the quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc.s holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $2,123,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Tevis Investment Management raised its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Tevis Investment Management now owns 12,260 shares of the companys stock worth $1,823,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Eagle Strategies LLC increased its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Eagle Strategies LLC now owns 3,526 shares of the companys stock worth $524,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. WealthTrust Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. WealthTrust Asset Management LLC now owns 1,990 shares of the companys stock worth $296,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Exeter Financial LLC increased its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Exeter Financial LLC now owns 15,144 shares of the companys stock worth $2,286,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Diligent Investors LLC increased its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Diligent Investors LLC now owns 16,084 shares of the companys stock worth $2,391,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Procter & Gamble Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of Procter & Gamble stock opened at $146.07 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.44. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $151.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $151.13. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 1 year low of $125.86 and a 1 year high of $158.38. The stock has a market cap of $344.33 billion, a PE ratio of 24.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.44.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 28th. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.05. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.87% and a return on equity of 32.88%. The company had revenue of $20.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.21 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.38 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 20th will be issued a $0.9407 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 19th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.58%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is 63.73%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $166.00 to $154.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $174.00 price target on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $165.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 31st. StockNews.com raised shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $165.00 to $167.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, July 31st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $164.78.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Procter & Gamble

In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Balaji Purushothaman sold 12,629 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.19, for a total value of $1,985,152.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 13,051 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,051,486.69. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Balaji Purushothaman sold 12,629 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.19, for a total transaction of $1,985,152.51. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 13,051 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,051,486.69. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Moses Victor Javier Aguilar sold 789 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.85, for a total transaction of $120,598.65. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,683 shares in the company, valued at $1,938,596.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 108,760 shares of company stock valued at $16,835,914. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

About Procter & Gamble

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Raymond James & Associates cut its holdings in Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL  Free Report) by 2.0% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 37,739 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 784 shares during the quarter. Raymond James & Associates holdings in Kinsale Capital Group were worth $14,122,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Evermay Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Kinsale Capital Group by 153.8% in the first quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 642 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $193,000 after purchasing an additional 389 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Kinsale Capital Group by 0.6% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 229,820 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $68,980,000 after purchasing an additional 1,426 shares in the last quarter. Sawgrass Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Kinsale Capital Group in the second quarter worth about $213,000. SkyOak Wealth LLC raised its holdings in Kinsale Capital Group by 6.7% in the second quarter. SkyOak Wealth LLC now owns 892 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $334,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board raised its holdings in Kinsale Capital Group by 12.8% in the second quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 4,400 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,646,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. 83.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Kinsale Capital Group news, CEO Michael P. Kehoe sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $376.82, for a total value of $1,507,280.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 307,117 shares in the company, valued at approximately $115,727,827.94. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Kinsale Capital Group news, CEO Michael P. Kehoe sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $376.82, for a total value of $1,507,280.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 307,117 shares in the company, valued at approximately $115,727,827.94. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Robert V. Hatcher III sold 195 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $409.02, for a total value of $79,758.90. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $444,195.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 5,695 shares of company stock worth $2,208,939. Corporate insiders own 6.00% of the companys stock.

Kinsale Capital Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE KNSL opened at $445.14 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $404.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $365.18. The firm has a market cap of $10.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.19 and a beta of 0.88. Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $250.90 and a 52 week high of $447.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22.

Kinsale Capital Group (NYSE:KNSL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The financial services provider reported $2.88 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.48 by $0.40. Kinsale Capital Group had a return on equity of 29.11% and a net margin of 22.60%. The firm had revenue of $295.77 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $282.01 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.92 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. will post 11.64 earnings per share for the current year.

Kinsale Capital Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 29th were given a $0.14 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 28th. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.13%. Kinsale Capital Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 5.69%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $425.00 to $435.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $350.00 to $370.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $400.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $395.00 to $420.00 in a report on Friday, October 6th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Kinsale Capital Group in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $428.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on Kinsale Capital Group

About Kinsale Capital Group

(Free Report)

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc, a specialty insurance company, provides property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company's commercial lines offerings include construction, small business, excess and general casualty, commercial property, allied health, life sciences, energy, environmental, health care, inland marine, public entity, and commercial insurance, as well as product, professional, and management liability insurance.

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Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE:TRGP  Free Report)  Investment analysts at Capital One Financial cut their FY2023 earnings per share estimates for Targa Resources in a research report issued on Thursday, October 12th. Capital One Financial analyst W. Suki now expects that the pipeline company will post earnings of $4.21 per share for the year, down from their previous estimate of $4.24. The consensus estimate for Targa Resources current full-year earnings is $4.89 per share. Capital One Financial also issued estimates for Targa Resources Q4 2023 earnings at $1.57 EPS.

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Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The pipeline company reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.21. Targa Resources had a return on equity of 18.14% and a net margin of 4.75%. The company had revenue of $3.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.56 billion.

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on TRGP. TheStreet upgraded Targa Resources from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Targa Resources from $106.00 to $114.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, August 29th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Targa Resources from $99.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 20th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Targa Resources from $104.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 4th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Targa Resources in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $102.64.

View Our Latest Research Report on Targa Resources

Targa Resources Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of TRGP opened at $87.93 on Monday. Targa Resources has a twelve month low of $64.85 and a twelve month high of $88.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.60. The stock has a market cap of $19.67 billion, a PE ratio of 23.83 and a beta of 2.24. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $84.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $78.09.

Targa Resources Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 31st will be given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, October 30th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.27%. Targa Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 54.20%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Targa Resources news, EVP G Clark White sold 2,577 shares of Targa Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $84.72, for a total transaction of $218,323.44. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 122,865 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,409,122.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Targa Resources news, EVP G Clark White sold 2,577 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $84.72, for a total transaction of $218,323.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 122,865 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,409,122.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Julie H. Boushka sold 2,184 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $174,720.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 64,596 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,167,680. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 14,610 shares of company stock worth $1,215,524. 1.39% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Targa Resources

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in Targa Resources by 75.1% in the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 338 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in Targa Resources in the first quarter valued at $33,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Targa Resources in the first quarter valued at $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Targa Resources in the first quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its stake in Targa Resources by 231.0% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 470 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 328 shares during the last quarter. 90.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Targa Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Targa Resources Corp., together with its subsidiary, Targa Resources Partners LP, owns, operates, acquires, and develops a portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets in North America. The company operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Logistics and Transportation.

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The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their FY2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Southern in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, October 12th. Zacks Research analyst T. Saha now forecasts that the utilities provider will post earnings per share of $3.55 for the year, down from their prior forecast of $3.58. The consensus estimate for Southerns current full-year earnings is $3.60 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Southerns Q4 2024 earnings at $1.16 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $3.95 EPS and Q1 2025 earnings at $1.00 EPS.

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A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Scotiabank upgraded Southern from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and set a $78.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Southern from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 3rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Southern from $67.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, September 21st. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Southern in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Southern from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.00.

Southern Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SO opened at $67.49 on Monday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $67.68 and its 200-day moving average is $70.14. The firm has a market cap of $73.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.58 and a beta of 0.53. Southern has a 1-year low of $58.85 and a 1-year high of $75.80. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.05. Southern had a return on equity of 9.86% and a net margin of 11.17%. The company had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.47 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.07 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 20.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Southern Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 6th. Investors of record on Monday, November 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.15%. Southerns payout ratio is 98.94%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 20,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.62, for a total value of $1,452,400.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 98,659 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,164,616.58. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.00, for a total value of $330,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 116,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,674,744. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 20,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.62, for a total transaction of $1,452,400.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 98,659 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,164,616.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 41,490 shares of company stock worth $2,911,455 over the last ninety days. 0.28% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Southern

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Searcy Financial Services Inc. ADV acquired a new position in shares of Southern in the 3rd quarter valued at $206,000. MBE Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southern in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $265,000. Buttonwood Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Southern by 27.1% in the 3rd quarter. Buttonwood Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 6,068 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $393,000 after acquiring an additional 1,293 shares in the last quarter. City State Bank lifted its position in Southern by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. City State Bank now owns 7,121 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $461,000 after buying an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridge Creek Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Southern by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Bridge Creek Capital Management LLC now owns 59,871 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,875,000 after buying an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. 62.85% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Southern Company Profile

(Get 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.

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Xerox Holdings Co. (NYSE:XRX  Free Report)  Stock analysts at Zacks Research upped their FY2023 earnings estimates for shares of Xerox in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, October 12th. Zacks Research analyst S. Bose now anticipates that the information technology services provider will earn $1.69 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $1.68. The consensus estimate for Xeroxs current full-year earnings is $1.70 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Xeroxs Q4 2023 earnings at $0.43 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $0.34 EPS and Q3 2025 earnings at $0.49 EPS.

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Xerox (NYSE:XRX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The information technology services provider reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.75 billion. Xerox had a negative net margin of 3.52% and a positive return on equity of 9.89%. The companys revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.13 EPS.

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Xerox in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $12.75.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on XRX

Xerox Stock Up 0.8 %

Xerox stock opened at $14.42 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.38 and a beta of 1.64. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $15.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $15.20. Xerox has a fifty-two week low of $11.80 and a fifty-two week high of $18.00.

Institutional Trading of Xerox

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in XRX. State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its position in shares of Xerox by 402.9% in the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 70,433 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,105,000 after acquiring an additional 56,427 shares in the last quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP purchased a new stake in Xerox in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $5,688,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in shares of Xerox by 65.0% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 76,258 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,196,000 after acquiring an additional 30,045 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Xerox by 8.0% during the 3rd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 430,252 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $6,751,000 after purchasing an additional 31,906 shares during the period. Finally, Arden Trust Co increased its holdings in shares of Xerox by 28.8% during the 3rd quarter. Arden Trust Co now owns 35,900 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $563,000 after buying an additional 8,038 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.53% of the companys stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Suzan Morno-Wade sold 9,126 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.75, for a total transaction of $152,860.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 46,323 shares of the companys stock, valued at $775,910.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, major shareholder Carl C. Icahn sold 34,245,314 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.84, for a total transaction of $542,445,773.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Suzan Morno-Wade sold 9,126 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.75, for a total value of $152,860.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 46,323 shares in the company, valued at approximately $775,910.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

Xerox Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.93%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 28th. Xeroxs dividend payout ratio is presently -58.14%.

Xerox Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Xerox Holdings Corporation, a workplace technology company, designs, develops, and sells document management systems and solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, and internationally. It offers workplace solutions, including desktop monochrome, and color and multifunction printers; digital printing presses and light production devices, and solutions; and digital services that leverage workflow automation, personalization and communication software, content management solutions, and digitization services.

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In todays not-so-golden era of domestic air travel, checking a suitcase for free is a luxury afforded to few. And those who do check their bags often find themselves stressing out the whole journey, wondering if their luggage is actually going to arrive at their destination with them.

As a result, more travelers than ever are opting to cram their belongings into a carry-on bag  many of them bulky, with wheels.

The result? A boarding free-for-all, as nervous flyers hover around the gate hoping to be among the first to get on the plane  all to secure a tiny piece of overhead real estate near their seat.

Unfortunately, those highly coveted bins were not designed with your average carry-on roller suitcase in mind. They must be laid down flat, leaving a small space above them that is of little use, while taking up a good chunk of bin space.

Enter French aircraft maker Airbus and its new Airspace L Bins.

First revealed in May, these specially shaped overhead compartments promise to create 60% more cabin luggage space than traditional systems. How? Simply by allowing travelers to load their carry-on roller bags vertically instead of having to lay them flat.

The bins, which hold bags that are 61 centimeters (height) x 38 centimeters (width) x 25 centimeters (depth), were designed to be retrofitted in three to five days.

Made of ultra-lightweight composite products, the retrofit re-uses many parts of the original bin including the sidewall, ceiling and lighting to cut down on waste, says Airbus.

Flight attendants will likely approve of the new compartments too, knowing they can complete boarding procedures while hearing far fewer complaints from flyers about how they dont have a place to stash their bags.

One airline has already signed up. From early 2025, German flag carrier Lufthansa plans to begin retrofitting 38 A320 aircraft with the new Airspace L Bins, which are produced by Germany-based Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), a subsidiary of ST Engineering and Airbus.

We know from talking with airline customers that bigger bins are a clear need to enhance the passenger experience, said Airbus head of commercial services for Europe, Charbel Youzkatli, in a statement.

The complicated world of baggage

Luggage has long been a contentious and complicated issue in the aviation world, and, bigger bins or not, that doesnt appear set to change.

Not everyone brings carry-on luggage just to dodge added checked baggage fees  many airlines charge extra if you want to bring a suitcase on the plane, too. As noted, some travelers just love the convenience of not having to wait for their suitcase at the carousel upon arrival.

Its also a political issue. Just this week, European Union lawmakers reportedly voted to support a resolution that calls for airlines to stop charging passengers for reasonable sized carry-on luggage.

But baggage fees are undeniably a huge money maker for airlines. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, US airlines earned more than $6.7 billion in baggage fee revenue in 2022.

Some airlines justify the fees by pointing to the environmental impact  lighter aircraft are more fuel-efficient, so deterring people from bringing a lot of added weight with them is a good thing.

And supporters of fare unbundling say it all works out  those who want to pay for extras like checked bags can, the rest of us can enjoy cheaper fares.

In the end though, regardless of traveler preferences, most would agree that if better-designed bins can speed up the time we spend getting on and off the plane, were all for them.

Which major airlines offer the most seat space in economy? Which major airlines offer the most seat space in economy? Alaska Airlines Allegiant Air American Airlines Delta Air Lines Frontier Airlines Hawaiian Airlines JetBlue Southwest Airlines Spirit Airlines United Airlines
No one is immune to getting scammed.

Thats the message that legal and consumer advocate professionals had following scams recently reported in the region.

Some of the recent scams reported include a phone scheme where callers targeted health care workers in Council Bluffs and other Iowa cities with threats of being arrested and another phone scam where a caller posing as Johnny Depp stole $15,000 from an Omaha woman.

Earlier this year, the Nebraska State Patrol warned of a scam occurring in Lincoln and Grand Island in which scammers spoofed State Patrol phone numbers and called people. The caller would try to obtain personal information by telling victims they have active warrants or need to pay a fine.

While scammers also seek to steal money from victims through other avenues, including text messages, emails, social media and dating apps, scammers have the most success with targeting victims through phone calls. Phone calls make up 80% of scammers successful contacts with victims, said Ryan Sothan, outreach coordinator with the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office.

Those who are willing to pick up the phone are always going to be a target, said Josh Planos, vice president of communication and public relations with the Better Business Bureaus Midwest Plains regional office. Unfortunately, these days, you cant even really trust your caller ID to tell you accurate information just because of how easy it is for con artists to spoof the caller ID to indicate that the phone call is coming from a local source or its coming from a reputable source.

Scams can affect people of all age ranges, but older people typically lose more money per scam than younger people. Sothan said people in their 20s lose a median amount of about $400 per scam, whereas people in their 80s lose about $1,700 to $1,800 per scam.

Older adults are big targets. Theyre very trusting. I think sometimes (those) people are lonely, said Mary Ann Eusebio, the information and assistance division director for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. If somebody calls them, even though they might not recognize the number, theyre going to pick up the phone. Theyre going to talk and be nice and polite.

Although scammers techniques are sophisticated, they tend to follow common and easily recognizable patterns, Sothan said. First, theyll pretend to be someone with fame, authority, or a potential romantic interest, among other possibilities. Then, scammers will tell a story that invariably follows one of three main themes: Too good to be true, too bad to be believed, or the offer too compelling to ignore.

After telling their story, the scammer will then use high-pressure tactics to have victims quickly give them money through some form of unconventional payment such as wire transfers, gift cards or digital payments through apps such as Venmo and Zelle.

Those warning signs, Sothan said, are so omnipresent across all impostor scams.

Its difficult to arrest and prosecute scammers in Nebraska often because of jurisdiction, Sothan said. More than 90% of phone scams are perpetuated by phone calls made to Nebraskans from overseas, he said.

But there have been cases where law enforcement has been successful in cracking down.

In one example, a Nigerian man was extradited to Nebraska this week to face a federal court indictment. The upcoming indictment stems from an elaborate scheme allegedly perpetuated by the man and five others that targeted business executives email addresses to get wire transfers and preyed on others by masquerading as love interests, according to reporting by the Lincoln Journal Star.

Otherwise, officials largely focus on educating people to recognize scams and prevent becoming a victim.

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging routinely holds events around the five-county region  Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Dodge and Cass  by request from places including communities for those ages 55 and older.

Well go anywhere and do presentations, Eusebio said.

The Better Business Bureau encourages people to report scams on its scam tracker online at bbb.org/scamtracker. If people fall victim to an illegal scam, the BBB and Attorney Generals Office encourage the victims to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Unfortunately, theres a general reluctance from victims to report scams. Eusebio said older people are reluctant to tell family members for fear of being deemed mentally incompetent and being forced to move from their homes.

Sothan said people who have been scammed or may be susceptible to being scammed should know several things. One is that theyre not alone and many people have been victimized. The second is that they are being targeted by professionals who know how to tug at emotions. Sothan also said vulnerable adults should check with someone they trust before they part with money or give out personal information.

Theyd have the benefit of two heads being better than one and that the cooler head might prevail here, he said.

There have been technology advancements highlighted by Sothan made in recent years to combat scams. Cellphones can now alert callers to suspicious calls. On both iOS and Android devices, people can also change their settings to silence calls from unknown callers. Legitimate callers will often leave voicemails.

If your phone doesnt ring or even vibrate in your pocket, youre not going to be engaging with the scammer, Sothan said.

The biggest thing people can do if they fall victim to a scam? Report it.

The only person youre protecting by staying quiet is a scammer, Planos said.
(Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 9: The White House is illuminated in white and blue in support of Israel, October 9, 2023 in Washington, DC. The show of support comes amid the weekend attacks on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that has claimed hundreds of lives and wounded thousands more.

According to the Secret Service, over 30 individuals were apprehended during several Monday afternoon demonstrations outside the White House.

The protesters were advocating for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Global Outcry Grows for Immediate Cease-Fire in Israel-Hamas Conflict

In between an increasing battle between Israel and Hamas, global calls for an urgent stopping of fights are getting stronger, as concerned individuals worldwide seek to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians trapped in the center of the crisis, as per Yahoo.

Recent rallies and protests, including the "Day of Action for Palestine" in Washington, DC, have drawn attention to the urgent crisis resolution.

The director of development for the American Muslims for Palestine, Mohamad Habehh, stressed the importance of a cease-fire, saying, "We need innocent people to stop being killed."

He criticized the Biden administration's reluctance to act decisively in seeking peace, as it seems more inclined to condemn those calling for an end to the violence.

Ayah Ziyadeh, the advocacy director for the same organization, accused the US government of enabling genocide and pushing Israeli propaganda.

She, too, called for an immediate cease-fire, highlighting the dire situation on the ground. Ziyadeh described the ongoing conflict as "mass murder" and "ethnic cleansing."

The "Day of Action for Palestine" rally, organized by the American Muslims for Palestine, saw over 10,000 pro-Palestinian protesters in the nation's capital.

The protesters, comprising Palestinians, Americans, some Jewish individuals, and more, marched through the streets, waving Palestinian flags and gathering outside the White House to demand an end to the violence.

Despite the rain pouring down on the demonstrators, their determination to see Gaza freed and the war concluded between Israel and Hamas remained unwavering, according to Fox News.

Relad Also: Biden Considers Israel Visit After Invitation From Netanyahu as Gaza Full-Scale Invasion Looms

Protesters Demand Cease-Fire on Gaza-Israel Tension

Protests remain as participants express their deep sorrow over the loss of lives, particularly the innocent children who have tragically fallen victim to the violence.

In a passionate statement, "Haitham" underscored the urgency for the United States government to intervene and end the ongoing war, labeling it as a tragic event.

Another protester, "Meziane," echoed the sentiment for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, emphasizing the protection of civilian lives.

Regardless of Palestinian health authorities, the toll of the war has been devastating, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and numerous others wounded, including many children.

While President Biden has expressed unwavering support for Israel, promising that the US "has Israel's back," activists demand that he take a more active role in de-escalating the conflict.

They call on him to declare a cease-fire and ensure the safety of innocent civilians in Gaza.

The calls for peace extend beyond the United States, with Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, warning about possible preemptive action if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive in Gaza.

Amirabdollahian's statements reflect a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which provides support to Hamas and Hezbollah.

The situation has reached a critical juncture, with over a million people fleeing their homes in Gaza as they anticipate an Israeli invasion to eliminate Hamas' leadership. Aid groups warn of a potential humanitarian crisis should a ground offensive occur.

The United Nations is engaged in discussions with Israel, Egypt, and other stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza through the Rafah crossing. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's involvement has been instrumental in this process.

The UN's humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, is hopeful that progress can be made soon to alleviate the suffering in the region. As the conflict continues, the urgency for a cease-fire grows stronger.

Calls for peace resonate from rallies in Washington, DC, to international diplomatic efforts. The world watches and waits for a resolution to end the violence and suffering plaguing the Gaza-Israel conflict, Mail Online reported.

Related Article: Israel Denies Opening Humanitarian Corridor for Foreigners, Clarifies There's No Cease-Fire

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A Lincoln police officer shot a man overnight after the man stabbed another officer, police officials said at a Tuesday morning news conference.

Acting Police Chief Michon Morrow said officers were called to the Lincoln Bus Depot at 5250 Superior St. just before 12:15 a.m. on a report of a man on the bus who didn't have a ticket and wouldn't leave.

Morrow said that when officers confronted the man, he pulled a knife and lunged at one of them, cutting him on the neck.

The man ignored commands to drop the knife, and the other officer shot him one time, Morrow said.

Morrow said there were approximately 20 other people on the bus, none of whom were injured.

She said the 27-year-old man who was shot had been reported missing from the Chicago area and is suspected in the theft of a recreational vehicle there on Sunday.

Morrow said the Nebraska State Patrol found the RV that was stolen near Goehner in Seward County. It's not clear how the man got to Lincoln.

She declined to provide a name for the suspect, the injured officer or the officer who shot the man but pledged to release the names of all involved parties, though she declined to offer a timeline for when their identities would be made public.

Both the man who was shot and the injured officer were taken to a Lincoln hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Morrow said she visited the injured officer, who is in "good spirits."

The wounded man is in police custody and will be booked into the Lancaster County jail when he is released from the hospital. Morrow said he is facing charges of first-degree assault of an officer and using a weapon to commit a felony.

The officer who shot him has been placed on paid administrative leave, as is protocol in any police shooting.

Morrow praised the officers, saying they showed "incredible restraint" considering the circumstances.

"It certainly could have been much worse for our officers and the other passengers on the bus," she said.

This is a developing story. Stay with JournalStar.com for updates.

Review of police shootings in Lincoln since 2013 1. Douglas DaMoude, May 30, 2014 2. Tyson Hubbard, March 5, 2015 3. Tareik Artis, Sept. 22, 2015 5. Germichael Kennedy, June 26, 2016 6. Thomas Sailors, Jan. 5, 2018 7. Christopher Brennauer, Dec. 29, 2018 9. Hailey Stainbrook and Christian Alexander, Feb. 20, 2021 10. German Pedraza, Nov. 24, 2021 11. Chace Abney, May 1, 2023
Voters in Nebraska now have a no-cost option to obtain alternate identification cards that theyll need to cast a ballot starting in 2024.

Eligible voters who dont have a state ID or drivers license can get a free identification card through a Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles licensing office. Nebraskans need a valid photo identification card to cast a vote in the next statewide primary election in May 2024, and all special and statewide elections following that.

After voters in 2022 approved a constitutional amendment to require voter ID, state lawmakers passed LB514 this year. Matt Coatney, Nebraskas driver license services administrator, said the DMV immediately started issuing the free cards under a provision that allows people to get a free identification card for voting purposes.

State IDs can cost from $10 to $29, depending on how long the card remains valid. There is no difference between a state ID and a voter ID, other than how someone applies for them, Coatney said. Neither form of ID counts as a drivers license.

To get a voter ID, applicants just need to mark on their application that they are seeking the card for voting purposes, and then its free, Coatney said. This leaves the door open for people who want a state ID to get one through the voter ID process and avoid paying a fee, but Adam Morfeld, former lawmaker and executive director of Civic Nebraska, said he trusts Nebraskans to be honest.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen said roughly 97% of Nebraskans who are eligible to vote already have a valid form of ID. Morfeld noted that the fee for a regular state ID is low enough that the state wont be hurt much if people opt for the new voter cards.

I doubt the state is going to be missing out on much revenue one way or another, he said.

To get a voter ID, applicants cant have a valid Nebraska drivers license, and they must be old enough or otherwise eligible to vote before the date of the next state election, Coatney said. They must present the drivers licensing office with two forms of proof of address, and first-time applicants need proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate, which people can get for free under LB514.

The bill says voters can cast ballots if they have IDs issued by the federal government, State of Nebraska, local governments or Nebraska colleges, as long as the IDs bear the persons name and photo. Expired documents would be accepted.

Military and veteran IDs, tribal IDs and patient records with photos kept by nursing homes, assisted living facilities or hospitals also will be accepted.

People casting mail-in ballots will have to include the number from their Nebraska drivers license or state ID card or a copy of an accepted ID document. People who go to the polls without an acceptable ID will be able to cast a provisional ballot but will have to show a valid ID to election officials by the Tuesday after the election to have their vote count.

Since the DMV started issuing the cards in early June, Coatney said, the agency has distributed more than 2,600 voter ID cards, which is below the departments average for state IDs. According to the latest data collected for 2021, the department issued just over 40,000 state IDs over the course of the year, equating to a monthly average of roughly 3,300.

Morfeld said a sizeable minority of Nebraskans who are eligible to vote still dont have a valid photo ID, and predicted that demand for the voter ID cards will ramp up in 2024. He said the biggest barrier to voting accessibility is a lack of education about the options available for voters.

Both Civic Nebraska and the Secretary of States Office have information about the new voter ID requirements on their websites. As the primary election grows closer, Morfeld said, Civic Nebraska plans to increase its outreach about the voter ID cards, including distributing how-to guides and mailers, sending texts and making phone calls.

Evnen said his office is making sure the information is translated in Spanish, and he noted that DMV offices comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Inevitably though, Morfeld said, the additional requirements under LB514 will make it more difficult for some Nebraskans to vote.

Morfeld recommended state officials focus more of their energy on improving accessibility for voters, such as expanding mail voting options and advancing Nebraskas voting technology.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of October 2023
Amid a statewide labor shortage, lawmakers are looking at ways to lower a key entry barrier for child care workers.

The Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing last week for LR191, which calls for an interim study into the statutorily required fingerprint-based background checks for child care workers. State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, who introduced the resolution, said the process poses a serious threat to an already struggling industry.

Lawmakers established the fingerprinting requirement through two bills in 2019 and 2020 in order to put Nebraska in compliance of the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act. Since then, some providers have said delays in the process have held up new and existing workers, and have even cost some businesses qualified applicants.

Most of the child care workers who testified at the hearing agreed with fingerprint background checks as a concept, but said the current process is unnecessarily cumbersome. Leslie Baker with Fits and Giggles Daycare in Norfolk said the turnover rate in the child care industry is already high.

We cannot afford to lose anyone who wants to work in child care to a job in another industry, just because they are seeking immediate employment, Baker said at the hearing on Wednesday.

Fingerprinting is done at Nebraska State Patrol offices, which already poses a challenge for some applicants who live far away. Baker said some applicants have had to travel over 100 miles for this purpose.

A bigger problem, however, is the delays both in setting appointments for taking the fingerprints, and the waiting period for them to be processed. Mitchell Clark, policy adviser for First Five Nebraska, said this part of the process should take between seven to 10 days, but Nebraskas average in 2022 was 25 days.

Theresa Thibodeau, CEO of the Heartland Independent Business Association, said she heard from an owner of a child care establishment who waited roughly six months for her fingerprints to be processed, which put her at risk of losing her license.

Kelsey Remmers, a manager with the patrols criminal identification division, said the average timeline for conducting background checks on child care workers before submitting the results to the Department of Health and Human Services was eight business days. After altering the process slightly in August, she said the patrol was able to reduce its average to roughly five business days.

This left committee members questioning the discrepancy between the patrols timeline for the background checks and the delays that child care workers experience. Remmers said she wasnt sure of the reason because the patrol only is one piece of the process.

Were kind of the middle man of the process, Remmers said.

Lawmakers passed legislation this year adding two patrol staff to work on processing fingerprints, although those staff werent designated specifically for handling fingerprints of child care workers. Charity Menefee, director of DHHS division of public health, said her department has nearly doubled its staff for processing applications, from five to nine employees, although two of those positions remain unfilled.

We understand and acknowledge that this is a complicated process, and are exploring every opportunity we can to identify and simplify the steps while ensuring we meet federal and state requirements, Menefee said.

Tami Soper, youth care policy advocate for Boys Town, suggested several ways the state could improve this process. She said DHHS and the states licensure office follow different timelines for processing background checks and noted it would be more efficient if they consolidated their efforts.

Soper also suggested officials make fingerprinting available at service area sites for state departments to reduce travel times for workers who live far away from a patrol office. In addition, she suggested that Nebraska could return to a process taken up during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed child care workers to work provisionally while their background checks were being evaluated.

Top Journal Star photos for October 2023
'Manufacturer paradise' Vietnam should intensify eco-industrial park development: Deep C

By Tri Duc Tue, October 17, 2023 | 7:00 am GTM+7

Vietnam, already a paradise for manufacturers, should further embrace sustainable development by encouraging eco-industrial parks, said Bruno Jaspert, general director of the Deep C Industrial Zones.

Jaspert made the statement at a Monday meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and reps of FDI enterprises. He said Vietnam was a heaven for investors in manufacturing facilities, given the countrys geographical advantages, preferential investment policies and political stability.

Bruno Jaspert, general director of Deep C Industrial Zone, speaks at a Hanoi meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and reps of foreign invested firms, October 16, 2023. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

In tapping such advantages, Deep C has become a pioneer in welcoming new FDI waves, hosting delegations from the Ivory Coast, Indonesia and Australia in the last three months to learn about the companys eco-industrial park model.

Many Deep C partners have expressed their willingness to make long-term investments in Vietnam, he said, reiterating that Vietnam should further facilitate eco-industrial parks.

Jaspert recommended that the country allow longer terms for leasing industrial park land and impose higher taxes on industrial parks incapable of or unwilling to transform into eco-industrial ones.

Deep C was capable of wastewater treatment but unable to sell such product because of the outdated legal framework, he said, calling on the government to update it. Another bottleneck was the legal framework not facilitating construction of sewage systems in industrial parks, he added.

Jaspert also proposed that the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Planning and Investment encourage sustainable businesses by adapting to non-financial reporting regulations.

Deep C Industrial Zones has three industrial zones (IZs) in the northern city of Hai Phong that host 94 FDI projects with a total investment capital of nearly $5 billion. The projects are mainly in the fields of logistics, electronics, and manufacturing of automobiles-motorcycles and spare parts. The complex has also attracted 51 domestic investment projects worth VND16.3 trillion ($687 million).

In 2022, enterprises located in the Deep C IZs recorded revenues of $5.9 billion and export turnover of $2.32 billion. They paid more than VND1.04 trillion ($44.4 million) to the state budget and created jobs for nearly 13,500 workers.

Deep C Industrial Zones is an IZ and seaport system developed and operated by Belgian investor Rent-A-Port in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh province, two growth engines in northern Vietnam. The complex is connected to the Lach Huyen deep-water port, Cat Bi international airport, and an expressway system that forms the northern region's infrastructure backbone.
Vietnam private lender Bac A Banks Q3 pre-tax profit plunges 73%

By Dinh Vu, Minh Hue Tue, October 17, 2023 | 10:54 am GTM+7

Vietnamese private lender Bac A Bank posted a 73% year-on-year decline in its pre-tax profit to VND77 billion ($3.15 million) in the third quarter of 2023, it lowest quarterly level since Q3/2015, according to its financial statement.

As the first bank in Vietnam to announce its Q3 earnings, it attributed the sharp profit fall to core business activities which recorded net interest income of only VND426 billion ($17.4 million), down 33% over the same period last year due to a 43% surge in interest expenses.

Bac A Banks net profit from its business activities decreased by 65% year-on-year from more than VND307 billion ($12.54 million) to over VND105 billion ($4.29 million). Of which, service activities, securities investments, and other business activities saw respective slides of 1.4%, 45.3%, and 96.8%.

Customers make transactions at a Bac A Bank office. Photo courtesy of the bank.

Meanwhile, profit from foreign currency trading soared to VND35.18 billion ($1.44 million) compared to just over VND1 billion ($40,860) in the same period last year.

In the third quarter, the lender spent VND33.76 billion ($1.38 million) on credit risk provisions, an increase of 13% year-on-year.

In the first nine months of 2023, Bac A Banks pre-tax profit hit VND551 billion ($22.5 million), down 22.9% from the same period in 2022.

As of September 30, the lenders total assets stood at VND145 trillion ($5.92 billion), an increase of 12.58% compared to the beginning of the year. It reported VND98.64 trillion ($4.03 billion) worth of outstanding loans and VND114.58 trillion ($4.68 billion) of deposits, up 4.8% and 18.2% respectively.

Its bad debt balance rose 48% from the year-beginning to VND762.3 billion ($31.15 million), with its non-performing loan (NPL) ratio hiking 0.5% to 0.77%.
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The first sentence of Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens' Facebook post on Monday morning read: The City of Murphysboro has lost a tireless servant, a beloved educator and the keeper of our community's history. Michael Jones passed away yesterday afternoon following a battle with cancer.

Stephens said the words do not do justice in describing what Jones did for his community.

Michael Jones was the director of the General John A. Logan Museum and many people knew him of him from that position; however, Jones did so much more.

He served on the Murphysboro Park District Board of Directors, Murphysboros Historic Preservation Committee, Revitalize 62966 steering committee and historians of Murphysboro United Methodist Church. He was a husband, father, grandfather and teacher, and he created a film on the 1925 Tri-State tornado.

Stephens said Jones was a great example of how to take a passion for a subject and pursue great things. The result is making a positive impact on the community.

He didnt paint a whitewashing picture of Gen. John A. Logan. He was a racist and the Civil War changed him, Stephens said.

He said Jones knew every marker in every courthouse that helped people understand the impact of John A. Logan. That expertise was known throughout the state.

Shirley Krienert, a retired teacher and member of the Revitalize 62966 Steering committee, first met Jones as a teacher.

Jones taught history. On Fridays, he would take a walk with his students to the museum to do work. What they mostly did was archeological digs to search for artifacts. The students had gloves and screens to search for historical treasures. Students had to meet certain requirements to go to the museum, like good academics and good behavior.

Krienert said that extra activity kept her son interested in learning and kept him on the right path all because he wanted to go to the museum.

The museum is phenomenal and such a great resource, Krienert said.

In addition to the work with his middle school students, the museum also offered field trips for children in fourth grade through middle school.

Krienert worked with Jones through Revitalize 61966. He let the art committee work under the auspices of the Logan Museum, so they could work as a not-for-profit organization.

Krienert remembered how Jones worked to get a labyrinth built to honor Civil War soldiers from Southern Illinois.

When the war was over and Southern Illinois soldiers were heading home on a boat in the Ohio River, the boat caught fire and sank. Thanks to Jones, their names are engraved on the bricks that built the labyrinth.

Jones was the subject of one of the new portraits in downtown Murphysboro.

I am privileged we were able to honor him because he contributed so much to the area, Krienert said. He had so much knowledge and was fascinating to talk with.

She said she is heartbroken.

He was a remarkable man. Its a great loss, Krienert said.

Amdrew Erbes was one of Jones middle school students.

Erbes said Jones saw students potential for history and nurtured it.

He loved history, the community and all things old, and he shared those passions with his students, Erbes said.

Jones got his students involved in archeology as early as sixth grade. They sifted through the grounds of the museum and found some artifacts.

He could look at a piece of a bottle and tell you what it was used for or where it came from. Who would have thought there was so much history in a bottle? Erbes said.

Jones' students also had the chance to portray historical characters in Chautauquas. A Chautauqua is a living history program in which performers, in costume and in character, bring historical figures to life. Erbes and a friend portrayed the Wright Brothers one time.

He was super influential over me. I think we owe him a lot, Erbes said.

He also completed an Eagle Scout project at the museum. He built a period-type chicken coop that still sits behind the Dalton House in the Logan Neighborhood.

Erbes also was in the audience when Jones spoke on Logan Memorial Day. He also placed a wreath on the Logan statue during a ceremony at Murphysboro Middle School.

He was a good guy and good teacher to so many, but especially to me, Erbes said.
CARBONDALE  High school students from the Southern Illinois region can take advantage of a free, streamlined application process for Southern Illinois University, if they start their senior year with a GPA of 2.75 or better. All they need to do is check their email, click a button and answer a few simple questions.

With the Say Yes initiative, students who have met admission criteria will automatically be pre-admitted to SIU Carbondale  that is, their application will be filled in about a third of the way on their behalf, and if they finish the application, they will be admitted after required documents are received, said Wendell Williams, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management.

Todays students are busier than ever, he said, and we want to reduce paperwork, eliminate barriers and make access to their education and the transition to college as easy as possible.

Were excited to partner with our local schools in Southern Illinois region to increase opportunities for the students, and we are dedicated to making sure that students in Southern Illinois have the first opportunity to take advantage of the wonderful university in their own backyard.

Southern Illinois high schools in 17 counties are collaborating with SIU Carbondale, said Sarah Jiter, director of admissions. Students who meet the criteria will receive direct communication by email from the university.

All prospective students need to do is click a button that says, Finish Your Application to say yes and let us know they are interested, she said. We also know that many high school students have already decided to become a Saluki, and they can tell us that as well.

All students maintain the right to make their final decision on the traditional College Decision Day of May 1.

Students who have decided to attend SIU Carbondale will receive an official SIU Carbondale Saluki cap. Williams said the idea came from seeing the future college athletes proudly don the headgear during National Signing Day ceremonies.

We are ready for our Salukis to put a lid on it, he said. Whenever they let us know, we want them to proudly wear their lids. Students who say yes to our pre-admission offer will be able to complete a few basic questions that will allow SIU Carbondale staff to fully process their applications.

Students who indicate SIU Carbondale their first choice will be moved to our ready to register status, he said. This expedites their transition to college by allowing earlier access to housing opportunities, completion of a degree plans based on their choice of major, financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and registration access for classes when it becomes available.

The Southern Illinois region was the logical choice to launch the initiative, Williams said.

We want students in our community to know they are welcome, he said. As we expand the program next year to other students in the state of Illinois, and around the nation, we are sure that this will provide easier access for students.

As part of this new program, SIU Carbondale is a Slate.org participant school, which will help high school counselors with uploading high school transcripts directly and checking admission status in real time. This functionality facilitates the admissions process for both the high school students and the high school counselors.

Participating schools are in the following counties:

Alexander

Franklin

Gallatin

Hamilton

Hardin

Jackson

Jefferson

Johnson

Massac

Perry

Pope

Pulaski

Randolph

Saline

Union

White

Williamson
(Photo : Alex Pena/Getty Images)

TECOLUCA, EL SALVADOR - OCTOBER 12: General view of the cells from a hatch inside at CECOT (Spanish acronym for counter-terrorism confinement center) on October 12, 2023 in Tecoluca, El Salvador. On February of 2023 El Salvador inaugurated Latin America's largest prison as part of President Nayib Bukele's plan to fight gangs. Since then, the UN and NGOs have raised concern about the treatment of inmates, minors being held and suspects incarcerated as gang members without sufficient proof. Meanwhile, Bukele claims El Salvador's murder rate has fallen from the world's highest to the lowest in the Western Hemisphere.

On Monday, four men, one accused of murdering a woman who was discovered strangled, escaped from a jail in central Georgia.

This incident caused law enforcement officials to issue a public warning and make a search operation involving multiple agencies, as per The New York Times.

Prisoners Escape in Georgia Prompts School Lockdowns, Manhunt

In a daring escape from the Bibb County Detention Center in Macon, Georgia, four inmates managed to flee early Monday morning, triggering a massive search and precautionary lockdowns in nearby schools.

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office reported that the escape occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m., with the inmates absconding through a broken window and a cut fence.

The four fugitives were identified as Joey Fournier, 52, who faces murder charges; Marc Kerry Anderson, 24, accused of aggravated assault; Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, 37, detained on federal charges related to the "armed distribution of large quantities of drugs"; and Chavis Demaryo Stokes, 29, charged with possession of a firearm and drug trafficking.

The escape appeared to involve assistance from an individual driving a blue Dodge Challenger, seen tampering with the fence around the detention center. Video footage indicated that the car had been in the vicinity earlier in the night, potentially providing the inmates with tools to aid in their escape.

Sheriff David Davis held a news conference to address the incident, indicating they were following up on leads to locate the escaped inmates. The search has engaged local, state, and federal authorities, reflecting the situation's urgency.

A reward of $1,000 has been offered for information leading to the recapture of the escapees. The escape prompted precautionary lockdowns in 38 schools and programs within the Bibb County School District. While outdoor activities were limited during the lockdown, classroom instruction continued.

Officials from the district stated that there were no plans to extend the precautionary lockdown, but they would remain in communication with law enforcement for any updates. This escape is part of a series of jailbreaks in the United States this year, underscoring concerns about the security of detention facilities, according to CNN.

Read Also: Florida: Police Finds Dead Toddler Floating in Pond

Georgia's Prison System Sparks Calls for Reform

The incident also comes amid troubling revelations regarding the Georgia prison system, with investigations revealing unsanitary and unsafe conditions, overcrowding, understaffing, and criminal activity within specific facilities.

In September, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that at least 360 employees of Georgia's state prison system had been arrested on allegations of smuggling contraband into prisons since 2018.

Moreover, the arrest and dismissal of prison warden Brian Adams, charged with bribery and other offenses, exposed corruption within the state's prisons.

Issues within the Georgia prison system extend beyond corruption and staff shortages, encompassing inadequate policies, facility conditions, and a lack of accountability among staff. The US Department of Justice has initiated multiple investigations into the state's prisons, underscoring the need for comprehensive reform.

The escape from the Bibb County Detention Center is a stark reminder of the challenges facing the criminal justice system in Georgia and the broader United States, calling for increased vigilance, reform, and oversight to ensure the safety of inmates and the public, USA Today Reported.

Related Article: Another Kristallnacht? Star of David Graffitied on Jewish Homes in Berlin

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Marleen Zambrano didnt know what TikTok was until the outside of her home was going viral.

Look at that. Can you all believe that? This is live, uncut, unedited, a man who goes by Chicago Crime Chaser Martin G. Johnson said in a post on the video sharing app. What does that represent? Thats symbolic, people.

As Johnson flipped the camera around, the viewer sees a human figure in a black trash bag, wrapped in duct tape, hanging by its feet from a tree next to Zambranos home in the Cook County village of South Holland.

In the comment section, hundreds of people remarked with shock and awe, many alluding to racism and calling the installation offensive. It has been shared almost 1,000 times.

Alongside the hanging human figure were a smattering of other Halloween decorations: a bloodied Michael Myers doll; a few ghosts; a jack-o-lantern. Some other creepy figures lay about, but the human figure hanging from a tree reignited a conversation about the line between festive decorations and harmful messaging.

In one of these videos, Zambranos home address is shown and shared in an example of doxxing. Shortly after Johnsons video went up Wednesday, police officers came to the home and alerted her that some neighbors complained after seeing the social media posts.

They asked me if I knew what TikTok was and what lynching was, Zambrano said. I didnt at the time. I dont have TikTok.

When her children showed her the videos, Zambrano said she was shocked by comments calling her out for sending a threatening and harmful message.

I wasnt trying to offend anybody, she said. I wasnt aware of anything.

Some commenters told Johnson to go to the home and cut down the figure. He declined, saying he would not step onto another persons property.

All of Zambranos immediate neighbors declined to comment or did not answer their door Wednesday. Johnson did not respond to several requests for comment.

But just as quickly as social media got wrapped up in calling out the homeowner, South Holland police were able to sense Zambranos confusion and remorse as she apologized and immediately took down the figure.

They were mortified that it was perceived as offensive, South Holland Mayor Don De Graff said after learning Wednesday about the communications between the police and Zambrano. We were able to explain to them that that particular Halloween decoration was inappropriate based on the reaction.

The same inflatable dummy with a black plastic bag, tape and rope is available on Amazon for $15.99.

This is not the first time that a south suburban town has struggled to pull off Halloween without some drama. In 2018, a Lansing home made news for a similar decoration. A quick examination of the subject also brings forward news stories in other areas of the country.

In South Columbus, Ohio, residents spoke to NBC4 about a hanging figure as part of a residents autumn lawn decorations.

One of the reasons decorations so frequently cause problems among community members is because almost all are protected speech, said Janet Brewer, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Governors State University.

Private property owners have wide discretion in their choice of lawn decor on Halloween, even when the decorations are considered offensive, Brewer said. There is no perfect solution because the Constitution favors your neighbor, however offensive.

Further complicating the situation is the history of South Holland, a community with different rules than most towns. With its motto of Faith, Family and Future, religion is a large part of the community. Businesses historically close on Sundays and there was no alcohol sold in city limits for over a century until August 2023.

Brewer said communities may have their own guidelines which restrict an individuals decorations. De Graff said the town would consider a change to laws if decorations continue to cause problems.

We are also open to the idea of legislation but we also want to make sure we dont over legislate something that could be intended to be just for fun and not harmful, he said.

De Graff says a conversation, like the one with Zambrano which led to a swift resolution, is still ideal.

The 10 cutest Halloween costumes for your cat in 2023 1. Disco Ball Cat Costume 2. Darth Vader Walking Cat Costume 3. Frisco Cat Prison Costume 4. Halloween Bat Cat Costume 5. Frisco Glow-in-the-Dark Skeleton Cat Costume 6. Hipster Cat Costume 7. Lion Mane Wig Cat Costume 8. Business Suit Cat Costume 9. Cat Breading Halloween Costume 10. Taco Cat Halloween Costume
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Monday he is not attending his administrations trip to the U.S.-Mexico border later this week, a reversal he said stems from having to address the urgency of the growing migrant population in Chicago.

Instead of Johnson heading the group, Chicago deputy mayor of immigration Beatriz Ponce de Leon will lead a delegation, which is scheduled to leave Tuesday for the Texas cities of El Paso, San Antonio, McAllen and Brownsville, according to a statement from the mayors office.

The Mayor, along with senior aides and key operations personnel, will stay in Chicago to address the immediate urgency of adding shelter space to house thousands of new arrivals sleeping in police stations, airports or outside, the statement read.

Johnson had said he would visit the border himself during previous remarks to reporters but declined to say when, noting he had a busy schedule as mayor.

I am going to the border as soon as possible, he said two weeks ago in a post-City Council news conference. As recently as last week, his deputy chief-of-staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas said the mayors trip was still on, with the No. 1 goal to clinch tighter bus coordination with Texas officials.

It wouldnt be right if we did not let folks know the limitations that we have when we do not receive information in advance, she told reporters in a briefing last Thursday. Thats our objective, is to say to them: Look, heres what were managing up here.

Chicago has so far welcomed more than 18,500 migrants since August 2022, when the first bus of asylum-seekers from Texas arrived in the city after they made the dangerous trek across Central America.

Since then, with the support of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, along with other officials in Texas and southern border states, more than 400 buses of migrants have arrived in Chicago. Chicago police stations are bursting with more than 3,300 of asylum-seekers sleeping inside their lobbies, with another 550 at OHare International Airport, as well as many outside.

Johnson is in a race against time before temperatures drop significantly to prop up tents across the city as part of his strategy of establishing giant base camps to house new arrivals instead of the police station and airport floors. One spot on the Southwest Side is now being prepped to as a possible locale. Meanwhile, the city is fast running out of funding to keep up with the escalating crisis while state and federal partners have not provided more quick access to funds.

Besides Ponce de Leon, a small group of city, state, faith and philanthropic leaders will join her to learn more about the sites where migrants are being sent to Chicago and hold talks on how the burden on Chicago can be lifted.

The mayors senior aides will stay behind, however. Some facts the delegation plans to share include the extreme housing and weather conditions, as well as the challengers of getting a verified sponsor.

A point of emphasis will be establishing better lines of communication and collecting migrant data to expedite work authorization processing and the transition to self-sufficiency, the statement read.
Karon Hopkins, a clinical counselor at the Tri-County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, recently graduated from the inaugural African American Behavioral Health Diversity Leadership Fellows Academy.

Based out of the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, the mission of the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence is to help transform African Americans, making them safer, more effective, more accessible, more inclusive, more welcoming, more engaging, and more culturally appropriate and responsive. Intended for behavior health professionals who identify as African American, the AABH-DLFA supports the individual uniqueness of the African American culture, norms, values, and morals that may be antithetical to the organization in which they serve, to enhance the capacity and strengthen the networks of early careers that are underrepresented in the behavioral health field.

Hopkins was one of only 16 professionals across the country invited to join the pilot program and the only professional from South Carolina.

He participated in leadership development and networking activities for seven months, including a six-day immersion training in Delray Beach, Florida; six 90-minute virtual seminars; and eight one-on-one mentoring sessions with an experienced behavioral health professional. All fellows were required to complete a results-based service project.

Hopkins researched and organized a lunch and learn for behavioral health professionals in which he presented his project "Strengthening Cultural Humility as Human Service Professionals."

On Sept. 20, the fellowship program concluded with a graduation ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri.

We are extremely proud of Karon said Mike Dennis, executive director of the Tri-County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. This is a prestigious program and to be one of only 16 professionals across the US selected to participate is quite an honor. Karon is an excellent clinician, and this experience will only enhance his skills and the services he provides in our community.

When asked about his experience with the fellowship, Hopkins said, "My takeaway was finding your True North, which combines my beliefs, purpose, and values. I have learned that even with passion and purpose, it is important to practice self-care, self-direction, self-discipline, self-knowledge, and self-love. We can acknowledge our strengths, share our gifts, and manage our emotions. I understand the importance of networking with other professionals since it reminds us that we are not alone. I strongly believe this fellowship will support our agency's efforts to promote cultural humility and address cultural biases."
The Voorhees University Department of Humanities and Art, in collaboration with art professor Dr. Norma Watts, will hold an Art Talk and Exhibit event at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the Humanities Building, Room 131, on campus.

The program is free and will spotlight the work of Dr. Anastasyia Yakunina, a math instructor at Voorhees. Yakunina's exhibit will offer a glimpse into her world of art, featuring an array of textiles originating from Russia.

Art Talk and Exhibit Voorhees University Department of Humanities and Art will hold an Art Talk and Exhibit event at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the Humanities Bui

The exhibit will showcase Russian textiles, highlighting Yakunina's artistic talents. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the cultural heritage these textiles represent.

In addition to the exhibit, there will be an "Art Talk" discussion. Yakunina will provide insight into the history, significance and techniques of Russian textile art. The session will offer a deeper understanding of the art form and its cultural context.

Art enthusiasts, students, faculty and the community are welcome to attend an event that bridges the worlds of mathematics and art.
Orangeburg City Council has paused an effort to make it illegal to sleep in the open downtown while community leaders look for other solutions.

A proposed ordinance is intended to address the growing number of people living on the streets of downtown Orangeburg, City Administrator Sidney Evering and Mayor Michael Butler have said.

Butler previously said the ordinance would help efforts to revitalize downtown.

The ordinance received two of three required readings. Evering asked council to table the ordinance before its final approval at the Oct. 3 meeting, saying some members of the community have called the ordinance cruel and said it criminalized homelessness.

Tabling the ordinance will give a proposed coalition of community organizations time to discuss alternative ideas, Evering said.

That ordinance was certainly not meant to be punitive or to punish the unhoused in our community, he said. Were not that, as you all know. But there was no legal way to address that growing concern.

By all means, if the community wants to come together, as weve suggested, in a coalition to find alternative solutions, then I would certainly welcome that.

Henry Miller, director of the Samaritan House homeless shelter, said he believes the number of unhoused people living downtown is growing, but it is a very hard to keep track of the number, especially in large, rural counties like Orangeburg.

Orangeburgs downtown homeless population doesn't move around town during the day as much as they used to, making them more visible, he said. But he doesnt know what caused the change.

The Samaritan House is the only shelter between Charleston and Columbia, which means many homeless people from places from within the county and beyond end up in Orangeburg  one man was dropped off at the shelter after walking from Augusta to the MUSC Health Primary Care facility in Bamberg, Miller said.

The overall number of people utilizing homelessness resources in the state has been increasing over the past few years  18% from 2020 to 2021, according to the South Carolina Interagency Council of Homelessnesss 2022 annual State of Homeless Report.

Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Chief Charles Austin said he has also seen an increase in people living on the streets downtown.

We do recognize that not everyone who is a part of the homeless community, unhoused community is intent on committing some crime, Austin said. We do have persons who want help, will accept help. We will do our best to be a part of helping, trying to provide whatever assistance we can for both the unhoused and the persons who are having mental illness challenges.

The urban camping ordinance was born from discussions between city council, the city administrator, the city attorney and ODPS about addressing citizens concerns with the growing number of homeless people living downtown, Austin said.

It was, in part, influenced by similar ordinances in other cities, he said.

There had previously been a loitering ordinance on the books in Orangeburg that was repealed, Austin said. He could not recall when that happened.

The proposed ordinance would allow ODPS officers to first issue a written or verbal warning to anyone camping in an urban area in city limits, followed by a fine of up to $500 on a subsequent offense and an arrest, if necessary.

ODPSs procedure when responding to an unhoused person is to point them toward the Samaritan House and sometimes transport them there, Austin said. When individuals are not eligible for Samaritan House services, ODPS tries to contact a family member or friend.

The last thing is arresting the person, particularly if it's someone who has a combination of mental illness and is homeless, he said. Our first concern is Where can we get this person help?

ODPS calls in a mobile crisis intervention team from the state mental health department when encountering homeless individuals with mental health issues, Austin said. Theyve found good success with that.

Since the Samaritan House reopened in 2020, 409 men, women and children have been sheltered there, Miller said. Of those, 55 gained steady employment and 112 moved into stable housing.

More found temporary housing or graduated from career certification programs, he said.

Samaritan House board member Jerry French told council at its Oct. 3 meeting if the ordinance passed, it would send more people to the shelter than they could handle.

He pointed out that during previous meetings discussing the ordinance, city officials had said those removed from the streets due to the ordinance would be pointed toward the Samaritan House.

Weve heard repeatedly to take them to the Samaritan House, French said. We dont have room. So Im not sure where those people are going to be able to stay unless we can increase our capacity.

The shelter is consistently at around 90% occupancy, French said.

The Samaritan House has capacity for 40, Miller said. The shelter asked council on Oct. 3 for $50,000 for bunk beds, which would raise that number to 55.

We stay full, Miller said. We've got a waiting list. So to me, the impact (of the ordinance) would be that there would be a number of people, more people at our door that we won't be able to help or even house because of, one, the capacity that we have here.

But a shortage of beds isnt the only thing the shelter is worried about if the ordinance sends more people to its doors.

What I need people to understand or realize is that some of these issues, a lot of these issues, that we're seeing that the homeless population has in Orangeburg, we're not equipped to deal with those things, Miller said.

The shelter currently does not have any staff who can help residents with significant mental or physical health conditions or addiction issues, he said.

He also notes that some people on the streets downtown are there because they specifically dont want to abide by Samaritan Houses rules.

Can you really force someone to get help? Miller said.

Austin said the ordinance, if it passes, will differentiate between individuals living on the street by circumstance or by choice.

Once we explain to persons about the camping concern, particularly if the ordinance passes, what we expect is that, again, those persons who genuinely need help, want help, we have opportunities for that to happen and those persons who really want help will take us up on the offer, he said.

Before the ordinance takes effect, there needs to be a system in place to get unhoused people in touch with resources the Samaritan House cant provide, Miller said.

However, many of those agencies and organizations are understaffed themselves, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

Miller said he doesnt think the proposed ordinance is cruel, as some critics have said, but if it does pass, enforcement should be by a case by case basis to reflect the unique conditions of any individual on the streets, such as mental health history, he said.

The ordinance is going to do one of two things  either fine you or lock you up. But if I dont have the money, whats going to happen? Theyll lock me up. Now youre going to have a jail full of homeless people, he said.

Miller said he wasnt aware of any communication about the ordinance between the city and the Samaritan House during the approval process until the idea of a coalition was brought up before the Oct. 3 meeting.

Austin said most of the community response to the ordinance was favorable, but some people were concerned the ordinance was criminalizing homelessness and mental illness. Several comments of that nature were made on the citys livestream of the Oct. 3 council meeting.

ODPS will hold a series of meetings to have an open dialogue with the community about the ordinance, Austin said.

We have to listen and hear our communitys concerns and not be dismissive of one another because that kind of misunderstanding, that kind of miscommunication can become very problematic, Austin said.

The Samaritan House has taken the lead in organizing a group of businesses and organizations to try and find other solutions.

The shelter, led by board Chair Brenda Jamerson, has contacted local law enforcement, schools and mental and physical health providers to participate in the coalition, Miller said.

The coalition will hopefully be able to provide alternative solutions to the ordinance, or at least provide a broader system of care to respond to the needs of individuals taken off the streets by the ordinance, he said.

To bring someone into the shelter that has mental health issues and to help find them housing but not addressing the mental health issue is not helping them, because theyre going to end up where? Right back in the streets, Miller said. We give somebody housing and  the resources to get help with that mental health issue, now you're accomplishing something.

Austin, who spoke in favor of a coalition, said he had been in contact with Jamerson about being involved.

I believe it's a good idea to have that kind of community involvement, a level of community input, Austin said.

The conversations the ordinance has started will hopefully continue into the future, Miller said.

This is something that needed to be addressed a while ago and if this is what it took to get us where we are right now, then I'm glad it happened this way, Miller said. I see some positive things coming out of this whole thing right now. It's all some talk right now, but I think the talk that I'm hearing is good.

The coalition is scheduled to have its first meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 24 at the Orangeburg County Library, he said. Miller suggested that the coalition could come back to council with solutions next quarter.
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Three California men who allegedly robbed a Casper Walgreens and took more than 3,500 opioid pills will no longer head to trial, as they are all expected to plead guilty.

Natrona County District Attorney Dan Itzen was asked to confirm that Joshua Slaughter and Charles Jemison have reached a plea deal with state prosecutors, but he did not respond Monday. Curtis Green has already reached a plea agreement, court records show.

All three men were facing decades in prison for allegedly driving over 1,000 miles to commit the robbery on May 26 at the Wyoming Boulevard Walgreens, the affidavit in the case states. Jemison allegedly insinuated they had a gun to take Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone and Methadone, which were worth about $4,715.

Slaughter, who was expected to be the first of the three men to face a jury, was scheduled to start trial Monday, but it was canceled, court records show. He now has a change of plea hearing scheduled for Oct. 25.

Green was scheduled to stand trial on Oct. 23, but he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance on Oct. 3, court records show. The details of his plea agreement were not disclosed in the records.

His sentencing was delayed until a pretense investigation report, which includes terms of the plea agreement, prior offense history and restitution and costs, has been conducted by the Wyoming Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, court records state.

Jemisons jury trial was set to start on Oct. 30, but his change of plea hearing has since been scheduled for Oct. 26.

This case wouldnt be the first incident of this nature, Casper Police Chief Keith McPheeters told the Star-Tribune. The Casper Police Department has seen other cases of fraud, organized shoplifting and so on from people, who are not residents of the state of Wyoming.

McPheeters attributed this to a very mobile society, he said. There are more opportunities to commit crimes across state lines due to advancements in technology. For example, people can commit crimes, such as fraud or online sex crimes, simply using their smart phones.

The ability to commit crimes knows no boundaries, anymore, McPheeters said.

In August, state prosecutors alleged that the Drug Enforcement Administration was investigating Jemison, Green and Slaughter, too.

Assistant District Attorney Blaine Nelson said in Natrona County District Court that it is believed that the three men may be connected to a series of similar crimes in the Pacific-Northwest area.
Wyoming's Rep. Harriet Hageman's pick for speaker, Rep. Jim Jordan, lacked the needed votes on Tuesday to win the speakership and replace Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California.

The speaker post has been vacant since Oct. 3, grinding House business to a halt. With neither Jordan nor the Democratic nominee New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries having enough numbers, the House will have to take another vote to choose its next speaker.

The first vote followed the historic ouster earlier this month of former speaker of the House McCarthy.

From the get-go, McCarthy's position as speaker of the House was tenuous at best, given the very slim Republican majority in the House and GOP infighting. It took him an unprecedented 15 ballots to finally win the speaker post back in January, according to reports. Ultimately, McCarthy had to grant concessions and rule changes to win over Republican holdouts, significantly weakening his position.

Things only went downhill from there. The final straw came earlier this month when Congress narrowly passed a stopgap bill to avoid an impending government shutdown. McCarthy's last-minute concessions to House Democrats in negotiations over the bill pushed a faction of far-right Republicans, led by Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, to call for the historic vote to oust McCarthy.

Hageman voted against the ouster, contrary to the group of Republicans that joined with Democrats to ultimately topple the California Republican from the speaker post. In a statement following the historic vote, Hageman called the ouster a "distraction" that focused attention on GOP infighting over other, more pressing issues.

Following McCarthy's fall, Jordan and Rep. Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, emerged as candidates vying for the speaker post. (McCarthy said he would not run again.) Hageman endorsed Jordan for the job, describing him as a "solid conservative and a truly effective leader" in an Oct. 5 statement.

"He is a friend and true ally of our America First agenda," Hageman said. "Jim was one of the first members of Congress to provide counsel and guidance to our campaign to take back Wyomings lone congressional seat. He didnt blink, he didnt flinch, he was in from the get-go."

Jordan, who is a close ally of former president Donald Trump and has been endorsed by the 2024 hopeful for the speakership, chairs the House Judiciary Committee and Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. He's also a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, from which the Wyoming Freedom Caucus has its origins. (Hageman also serves on both committees and is a member of the House Freedom Caucus.)

Last week, however, House Republicans initially picked Scalise over Jordan by a narrow margin as their nominee to fill the speaker post. But facing a tough uphill battle to win enough votes, Scalise withdrew his name from the running by the end of the week. Republicans then chose Jordan as the new nominee over another candidate, Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia.

"While I am disappointed that we have not yet been able to move this process forward and address the pressing issues facing our government and the world, I am encouraged and hopeful that my choice for House Speaker, Jim Jordan, will be able to gather the support needed to lead our conference and the House of Representatives," Hageman said in her Wyoming Round-Up newsletter on Sunday.

Wyomings former Rep. Liz Cheney, who was ousted by Trump-backed Hageman last year, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) last week to criticize Jordans nomination.

Cheney, who was ostracized by the Republican Party over her denouncement of Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack of the U.S. Capitol, noted that the Ohio Republican had urged that [former vice president Mike Pence] refuse to count lawful electoral votes. (The day prior to the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Jordan forwarded a text message to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows explaining a legal theory that Pence had the power to block the certification of the 2020 election, according to reports.)

Jordan also voted to reject the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania and Arizona.

If Rs nominate Jordan to be Speaker, they will be abandoning the Constitution, Cheney wrote on X. Theyll lose the House majority and theyll deserve to.

Though Jordan was chosen last week as House Republicans' nominee to fill the speaker role, the Ohio Republican lacked the votes needed to win the speakership on Tuesday, receiving 200 votes. Jeffries, the Democratic nominee, received 212 votes.

The scramble to fill the speaker post comes amid a November deadline to pass remaining appropriations bills or face a government shutdown and an outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, an Islamist militant movement and one of the major political parties of the Palestinian territories.

This story will be updated.

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.
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COLOGNE, GERMANY - JUNE 12: William Clay Ford Junior, Executive Chairman of Ford, is seen as he visits the electric car production line at the Ford automobile factory on June 12, 2023 in Cologne, Germany. Dubbed the "Cologne Electrification Center", the new factory hall is part of the plant's transition to increasing Ford's electric car production capacity.

On Monday, Bill Ford, the Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Co., urged autoworkers to unite and end the ongoing strike.

He emphasized that the strike, occurring for a month, could hinder the company's ability to make future investments, as per AP News.

Bill Ford Calls for Unity Amid Ongoing UAW Strike

In his first public statement since the strike began last month, Bill Ford expressed his concerns about the current situation. He acknowledged that some UAW members are his long-time friends but criticized the union's leadership for portraying Ford as the enemy.

He emphasized that the focus should not be "Ford versus the UAW" but rather "Ford and the UAW versus Toyota, Honda, and Tesla - and all the Chinese companies that want to enter our home market."

The strike began in September and stems from protracted negotiations between the UAW and Detroit's Big Three automakers, including Ford. The union is pushing for wage increases, annual cost-of-living adjustments, employee pension benefits, greater job security, a faster path to full-time status for temporary workers, and a four-day workweek.

While UAW President Shawn Fain has indicated that talks are moving in the right direction, a comprehensive agreement has yet to be reached. The strike took an unexpected turn last week when UAW leaders authorized more Ford employees to strike, resulting in 8,700 workers walking out of a truck factory in Kentucky.

This escalation of the strike has had significant economic consequences.

According to the Michigan consulting firm Anderson Economic Group, four weeks of the UAW strike have led to $7.7 billion in industry losses, including $3.45 billion for the Big Three automakers.

In response to Bill Ford's comments, UAW President Shawn Fain urged the chairman to facilitate an agreement and cease perceived gamesmanship. Fain emphasized that employees at Honda, Tesla, Toyota, and other companies are not the enemy but potential future UAW members.

He underscored that the fight is against corporate greed and for fair wages and benefits, according to Reuters.

Read Also: Russian Governor Criticizes Putin's 'Unnecessary' War Against Ukraine, Discredits Moscow's Armed Forces

Ford's Defense of Offered Record Contract

Bill Ford defended the automaker's position, stating that Ford had offered a record contract that would have made UAW employees among the best-paid manufacturing workers globally. Despite these efforts, the UAW leadership decided to escalate the strike by targeting Ford's Kentucky truck plant, causing further layoffs across other Ford plants.

The strike's impact extends beyond Ford, affecting General Motors and Stellantis (the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram), which have also laid off workers due to the ongoing labor dispute.

Ford Motor's Kentucky truck plant, where the strike is most pronounced, produces highly profitable vehicles such as the Super Duty pickup, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Expedition large SUVs, generating approximately $25 billion in annual revenue.

The UAW's strategy has evolved, with Fain announcing that the union would no longer provide advance notice to the Big Three automakers before calling additional walkouts. This change means that plants may be called out on short notice, making it more challenging for automakers to respond.

Bill Ford concluded his statement by emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation to resolve the ongoing labor dispute. He urged restraint in rhetoric, emphasizing the importance of working together to find a solution that benefits all parties involved.

As the strike continues, the automotive industry and its workers await a resolution to end the hate and provide the stability necessary for the auto sector and the nation, CBS News Reported.

Related Article: Rite Aid: Major US Pharmacy Files Bankruptcy, Could Close 2k Stores Amid Opioid Lawsuits

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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.
Before the railway system closed, and reversed the fortunes of vast swathes of Trinidad, there was a thriving village called St Johns, deep in the interior of Trinidad, where people lived with little complaint.

No one became rich, but no one went without since there was wildlife cavorting right behind your house, you ate what you planted in forest gardens, and people lived in airy homes constructed strong by the village men using the timber pulled out of the bush by bison power.
THE Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) has filed its notice of appeal, as it seeks to challenge the recent Appeal Court ruling that former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar was forced by Chief Justice Ivor Archie into resigning from her position as a High Court judge.
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.
Tucsonans can raise a glass in support of kids battling chronic and serious illnesses during Cocktails for Courage on Thursday, Oct. 19, at Originate Natural Building Materials.

A fundraiser for the nonprofit Beads of Courage, the event celebrates a dual-20th anniversary for BOCs arts-in-medicine programs and for Originate, a local and regional resource for environmentally-friendly building materials and architectural salvage.

I felt like it was synchronous. We are both turning 20 and at Originate we organized 20 Days of Giving, which I thought was a good way to highlight other businesses and nonprofits doing great things while giving back to the community that I love, said Natasha Winnik, owner of Originate.

The 20 Days of Giving will continue through Saturday, Oct. 28. It features a range of in-kind and fundraising events such as a hygiene drive for Primavera Foundation; a hemp-building demonstration; and in-kind donations to attain flooring and paint for I Am You 360, which provides housing and support for at-risk young adults in an effort disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. Donations for many of the causes will be accepted throughout the end of the year.

Winnik wants to support organizations that she finds inspiring. Those include Beads of Courage, which was founded by her long-time friend, Jean Gribbon. Gribbon is on a mission to help children and youth record, tell and own their stories of survival through the art form of beads. The beads, many of which are custom-made, are given to honor their courage during medical procedures and treatments.

Jean has taken a painful process and created beauty within it. She is bringing the art of beads to children and their families during a challenging time. She is bringing light to something that is very hard and can be very dark, said Winnik.

Attendees at Cocktails for Courage can experience that light for themselves: They have the opportunity to create a 20th Anniversary strand with unique beads made by local artists such as Petra Juarez, Bronwen Heilman and Everett Grondin Sr.

The evening, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at 948 N. Main Ave., will also feature food, a custom cocktail and live music. Tickets are $50 per person, and you must be 21 or older to attend.

For tickets or more information, visit beadsofcourage.org/cocktails-for-courage.
(Photo: by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images) EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / A Palestinian girl carries bottles of water from a public water supply point, as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day in Gaza City on October 12, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants entered Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 8.

The Gaza Strip's shortage of clean water is causing serious health concerns.

Water is generally supplied to Gaza via a variety of sources, including a pipeline from Israel, desalination plants on the Mediterranean Sea, and wells. In the aftermath of the Hamas strikes, Israel shut off water, as well as the fuel and electricity that operate water and sewage installations.

The United Nations regards water access as a fundamental right since the human body needs a steady supply of water to survive. "Water is really the most important thing for maintaining your health," according to Dr. Tsion Firew, an emergency physician at Columbia University who has focused on water availability in humanitarian settings, as reported by The Associated Press.

According to the US National Academies of Science and Medicine, men need to drink around 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of water each day, while women need about 2.7 liters (91 ounces). The majority of it comes through drinking water or beverages, with around 20% coming from food, including fruits.

Many people, especially vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with medical concerns, can't go more than a few days without water, according to Firew. Dehydration can induce dizziness, weariness, and confusion, as well as organ failure and death in severe situations.

Water access is also important for sanitation, and a shortage of clean water can lead to the spread of diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Diarrheal infections caused by contaminated water are the greatest cause of death for children under the age of five worldwide, according to Firew.

Healthcare facilities are especially vulnerable since they rely on clean water to care for sick and injured patients.

The World Health Organization has warned that a lack of water is putting lives in peril as hospitals across the Gaza Strip struggle to care for thousands of patients.

Read also: Israel Attacks Hezbollah Terrorists in Lebanon as Gaza Ground Offensive Looms

Scarcity of Medical Supplies

According to the UK-based Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), hospitals in Gaza are experiencing a "catastrophic" scarcity of medical supplies due to Israel's "total blockade."

Hospitals in Gaza are functioning on external generators due to a power loss, a backup that is running out of time, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

This would put thousands of people in urgent danger, many of whom are already on the verge of death, such as kidney and cancer patients.

According to the UN Population Fund, 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are currently unable to get health care since numerous hospitals have been bombed.

According to Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC's regional director for the Near and Middle East, newborns in hospital incubators are also at imminent risk if power goes out.

According to UNRWA, there is a lack of body bags for the dead, and some have resorted to keeping dead remains in ice cream trucks.

Ashraf al-Qidra, a spokesperson for Gaza's health ministry, urged people to donate blood at Shifa Hospital, the enclave's largest.

Related article: Gaza Fuel Supplies Across Hospitals Run Out Amid Israel's Plan To Evacuate Civilians Near Lebanon Border

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona has named Beth Morrison as interim CEO after its previous executive, Steve Farley, was ousted as part of an ongoing investigation.

Morrison, who has 25 years of experience in nonprofits leadership, will oversee operations of HSSA starting Oct. 23 during what officials call a critical time of transition after the investigation found at least 250 small animals transferred from San Diego were turned over to an unlicensed rescue group.

Beth is the right person to work closely with our board, staff, volunteers and donors to restructure HSSA and ensure it fulfills its mission of making certain that animals entrusted to HSSA receive the best care possible and find loving, forever homes, said Board Chair Robert Garcia.

Garcia confirmed Morrison will not take over the role permanently. There is no plan for Ms. Morrison to be the permanent CEO. Ms. Morrisons tenure is going to be somewhere around six months, he said at a news conference Monday.

Morrisons background includes managing youth and family shelter organizations in Tucson and sexual violence shelter agencies in Michigan.

Her appointment comes as HSSA grapples with the fallout after approximately 318 small animals, including mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and more, were transferred from the San Diego Humane Society to Tucson in August.

Those animals eventually ended up at a private rescue organization in Maricopa County that, HSSA officials said they later learned, lacked proper licensing.

Although nearly 60 animals were returned from the private rescue organization to HSSA in early September, nearly 250 other animals are unaccounted for. The controversy resulted in the firing of CEO Farley and resignation of HSSA chief operating officer Christian Gonzales.

Garcia said at Mondays news conference that a joint investigation between the Humane Society organizations of Tucson and San Diego has included contact with the owners of the private rescue organization in Maricopa County in hopes of learning the fate of the small animals.

They continue to maintain that the animals were adopted out to families. And of course, we have not been able to ... validate that or confirm it otherwise, Garcia said.

The joint investigation is a marked turn from the tone between the organizations last month, when SDHS threatened legal action against HSSA in lieu of more information about the transfer of the small animals.

Our relationship with San Diego Humane is we are unified in our mission and in our goals, Garcia said during the press conference.

Garcia said the relationship between HSSA and the private rescue organization in Maricopa County goes back at least five years, but that he was unable to say how it initially came about.

There had been transfers that occurred. ... My understanding is that it involved turtles, birds, other reptiles, there was one instance in which there were seven or eight rabbits, he said.

Garcia also addressed questions about any financial fallout the nonprofit HSSA has seen since news broke about the controversy.

Although Garcia said he couldnt give a precise dollar amount, I can definitely confirm that the events that have transpired are having a negative effect on donations. And we hope that by the steps that were taking (we will be able) to earn the trust of the community again so that they continue to support us and support the animals.
PHOENIX  Republican leaders in the Arizona Legislature are facing the first state budget crunch in nearly a decade and minority Democrats are pointing the finger right at the GOP, saying the pain that will be felt by residents is a self-inflicted wound.

But the dire concerns voiced by Democrats arent resonating with the GOP leader of the state House nor the Republican who heads the Senate appropriations committee.

They call the sudden shortfall a relatively small and manageable issue that theyve already taken the first steps to address.

The big revenue deficit revealed at a meeting of the Legislatures budget analysts last week has been triggered by a combination of the massive income tax cuts enacted two years ago by then-Gov. Doug Ducey and his GOP allies in the Legislature, higher-than-expected spending on a new universal school voucher program Ducey championed, and lower sales tax revenue as consumers pare back and shift their spending.

That all adds up to an $850 million gap between revenue and spending in the current and coming fiscal years.

The school voucher law that gives each parent state cash to send their children to private or parochial schools or home school them is not among the potential cuts, GOP House Speaker Ben Toma told Capitol Media Services.

The program, formally called Empowerment Scholarship Accounts or ESAs, has swelled from about 12,000 students before the expansion was enacted in June 2022 to nearly 69,000 now.

Although official numbers arent yet available, a large majority of those getting new vouchers were students already attending private schools, with their parents often picking up much of the tab. Many, however, already received some subsidy through a separate tax credit program that is expected to drop in costs to the state as students move to the voucher program.

Spending on vouchers was estimated to be $635 million this school year but is on track to hit $665 million  if the program does not add additional students this year, although growth is likely.

I understand that the Left, including the governor (Democrat Katie Hobbs) and Democrats in general, dont like the ESA program and theyre trying to find every which way to attack it, Toma said in an interview from Romania, where hes on a trip to his native country with his wife to hold meetings and celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Toma noted that overall K-12 school spending is still within the budget enacted earlier this year despite a $40 million overage in voucher costs. And he said Democrats should move on to look at other ways to cut, because ESAs are here to stay.

I can tell you that there is zero chance that ESAs are going away, even though they seem to continuously want to make it about that, he said of legislative Democrats and Hobbs. So we can continue to talk about something thats not going to happen or focus on the things that are going to happen.

Hobbs has called universal school vouchers a huge mistake that could hammer the states finances, but her efforts to scale theprogram back after taking office in January failed amid solid Republican opposition.

Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said Republican lawmakers need to come to their allegedly conservative fiscal senses and agree to put the brakes on their voucher program, or risk devastating cuts to vital state programs like public K-12 schools, public safety and health care.

We will already need to approve at least $40 million in supplemental funding in the next session to pay for their spiraling voucher costs, Salman said. If Republicans are going to cut revenue to the bone, the least they could do is not spend it so irresponsibly.

Much of the shortfall can be blamed on a flat tax championed by Toma and enacted in 2021 that is now in full effect. It cut the top rate for high-earning taxpayers from 4.5% to less than 3%, and the vast majority of the cuts flow to wealthy Arizonans.

Individual income tax collections are down more than 27% since the fiscal year started July 1.

The Legislatures budget analysts now predict a $400 million shortfall in the current budget year and a $449 million deficit in the 2025 fiscal year that begins next July.

By contrast, this years budget had a whopping $2.5 billion surplus, all of which was allocated to one-time spending on various projects. Much of it was for for highway and other infrastructure projects that built up over Duceys eight years in office. Another $260 million went to a tax rebate for parents with children, payments of up to $750 per family that will be sent by mid-November.

All that means state spending cuts are coming  and the Republican leader of the Senate Appropriations Committee said they have already started.

Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said a panel of lawmakers who approve spending on projects took the first step last week when they decided not hear a Department of Administration request to spend $60 million budgeted to demolish two big state buildings near the Capitol in Phoenix.

He said other cuts will also be made. In the context of the current $17.8 billion budget and next years projected $16.4 billion in spending, cutting $850 million will not be devastating for the states residents, Kavanagh said.

There are plenty of things that we can put into the future, he said. There are plenty of things that are nice to (have) but not need to have that we can trim.

Kavanagh is one of the few lawmakers of either party who were in the Legislature during the Great Recession, when state budget cuts totaled about 30% of overall spending. Those cuts devastated funding for K-12 schools and universities and led to cuts everywhere else in the state budget.

This isnt that, Kavanagh said. He noted that the state has a $1.5 billion rainy day fund, which he and Toma said isnt even being considered as a remedy for the current cash shortage.

Within the Great Recession, we cut $3.5 billion from a $10 billion budget. This is nothing compared to that, Kavanagh said. So while Im sure some people want to inflate the seriousness of this as part of a campaign against school vouchers, this is not a dire financial situation and people should not be overly alarmed.

While reticent to point out specific areas to cut, Toma pointed to some of the highway spending packed into the current budget as possibilities. The Legislature allocated more than $500 million to those projects in the current year.

Theres always an opportunity to look at that, especially when you have that much one-time spending on infrastructure projects, Toma said. More than likely there will be opportunities there to make up the difference.

The Hobbs administration and lawmakers from both parties will hammer out what to cut from the spending plan when the Legislature returns in January. That will leave them six months to patch the hole in the current budget and craft a plan for the next year thats in line with revenue projections.

Unlike the federal budget, state budgets must be balanced every year.

Toma said that even with the huge income tax cuts, state spending is still way up from several years ago, when revenue surges allowed lawmakers and Ducey to pour cash into schools and other areas that have been short of money for years.

If somehow the narrative ends up being this is some sort of tragedy or something, I think that would be considerably overblown and missing the point, Toma said. We still have record revenues after the tax cut, if we continue to maintain it, were going to have record revenues in the future as well.
PHOENIX  A bid to keep Donald Trump off the 2024 Arizona presidential preference ballot should be thrown out because theres not a chance in the world that challenger John Castro would get nominated, much less elected, an attorney for Trump says.

In new court filings, Tim La Sota, representing Trump, says U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Reyes has no legal authority to rule the 14th Amendment makes the former president ineligible to be a nominee for president based on allegations about his activities around the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

La Sota argues that amendment, about disqualifying for office anyone who engaged in insurrection or gave aid and comfort to enemies, doesnt even apply to the president.

But La Sota argues theres an even bigger problem with the lawsuit Castro filed in federal court here. Castro lacks standing to sue, he said, because he cannot show that Trumps presence on the ballot will harm him in any way.

Implausible claims, lawyer says

Castro has registered with the Federal Elections Commission as a presidential candidate. He filed a sworn affidavit with the court saying he intends to file a petition to be on the ballot for the states March 19, 2024 presidential preference election when the Arizona Secretary of States Office begins accepting them starting Nov. 13.

But La Sota said a one-page form filed with the FEC does not confer standing to sue in federal court.

There are currently approximately 292 individuals registered with the FEC as Republican Party candidates for the presidency, he wrote. Only a few of these registered candidates will launch an actual presidential campaign.

Then theres the fact that Castro, by his own campaign finance reports, has not raised a single dollar in contributions from anyone in Arizona. Instead he lists a $20 million loan to his campaign.

Plaintiff does not allege any concrete support from anyone, let alone voters and/or political actions in this state and/or the Arizona Republican Party, La Sota told the judge.

He said its not just about the money. Plaintiff has not identified a single voter or donor who identifies Castro as his or her second choice after President Trump, he said.

At best, La Sota said, Castro is claiming he has spoken to thousands of voters who have expressed that they would vote for Castro only if Trump is not a presidential candidate. But he said Castro has no expert or social science evidence that could support the inherently improbable claim that there is a latent Castro movement that would surface among Arizona voters if only Trump was not on the ballot.

The bottom line, La Sota told Rayes, is that the judge doesnt have to accept Castros implausible claims that he is entitled to sue to keep Trump off the ballot.

If a plaintiff were to claim that, if only the court would order that his opponent case doing X, plaintiff would be able to float off into the air, the court is not simply required to accept that fantastic assertion as a basis for (legal) standing absent some measure of proof that the plaintiff actually would float into the air, or at least that there is a plausible basis for believing that he would, La Sota wrote.

Ostrichs head is truly in the sand

In his own legal filing, Castro said there is plenty of evidence he is a serious candidate  and with realistic chances.

For example, he said, while there may be 292 FEC-registered candidates for president, he is one of fewer than 10 Republicans who already filed to be on the ballot in both Nevada and New Hampshire.

Castro pointed to similar lawsuits he has filed, including one where he has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court. He noted that Rayes took this case seriously enough to schedule an expedited trial.

Yet with all that, Castro said, Trump calls his candidacy far too conjectural and neither real nor immediate.

The ostrichs head is truly in the sand, Castro told the judge.

Castro, who is representing himself, also said Rayes doesnt necessarily need to take his word for it that there are people who said they would vote for him if Trump is kept off the ballot.

It is common sense that plaintiff would obtain more political support in the absence of defendant Donald John Trump, which any other Republican candidate can certainly attest to, Castro said.

Defendant Donald John Trump and plaintiff John Anthony Castro are both competing for the same voters, he continued. Hence, plaintiff has a political competitive injury-in-fact.

14th Amendment issue

Much of the rest of La Sotas 35-page argument about why Rayes should throw out Castros case mimics arguments made by others who have faced similar lawsuits seeking to keep Trump off the ballot. These go to whether a court can enforce the 14th Amendment. They contend that allowing or requiring Arizona officials to make such a decision would illegally be allowing states to add new qualifications on who can run for president.

But La Sota said that, regardless of what Trump did or did not do around Jan. 6, the 14th Amendment and its disqualification do not apply to him.

He acknowledged the section does govern who can be president, vice president or a member of Congress. La Sota pointed out, however, that disqualification applies to anyone who had 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 an an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States.

The phrase officers of the United States does not include the president, he argued.

La Sota said everyone on that list takes an oath to support the Constitution of the United States. By contrast, he said, the president vows to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

It establishes that the drafters of the 14th Amendment did not understand the president to be an officer of the United States, he said.

Rayes has not set a deadline to reach a decision.
After 14 years, 40 cities and 500 shows, Tom Kirlin is finally bringing his art-and-pancake extravaganza to his hometown.

The Pancakes & Booze Art Show, known for offering all-you-can-eat-pancakes alongside loads of artwork, is a one-day pop-up gallery coming to Tucson on Saturday, Oct. 21.

Kirlin was born and raised in Tucson, attending Pima Community College after the school launched a two-year film program. He eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he worked in film for a dozen or so years.

As I got a little bit older, as hard as I worked to get into that industry, I wasnt living a lifestyle that I wanted, he says. I had this grand idea to rent a warehouse space and open a small photography-slash-production space  and it was failing miserably. I needed to find a way to make some money with the space because I had a huge overhead.

Kirlin was friends with artists in the area who wanted a space to showcase their work. What was once a photography and production studio for Kirlin turned into an underground art gallery.

At that time, this was 15 years ago, most art shows were free and youd go and it would be one of those wine-and-cheese types of events, he says.

Most of the artists he knew were young  he didnt want to take a commission from them, but he knew he needed to make money.

Then it hit him: pancakes.

If he offered something like all-you-can-eat pancakes, he could justify charging an admission fee to gallery attendees. And it worked.

It was a hit from the very first time we did it. It kinda caught the art community in LA, he says. It turned into a couple hundred people to 500 people to a thousand. Once I knew I had something, I started doing it in different cities.

Hes since brought the show to cities across the U.S., from Atlanta to Austin to Detroit to Honolulu. Before the pandemic hit, he had taken the show overseas to London, Paris and Berlin.

After a long 14 years, Kirlin has never brought the show to Tucson  until now.

For me, when I was younger, I wanted to get out of Tucson so bad. I was like, I gotta get out of here, I gotta explore the world, he says. I really love Tucson now that Im a bit older, but when I was younger I wanted to get out.

He still has family and friends here and he finally found the perfect venue  The Whistle Stop Depot, 127 W. Fifth St. It was time to bring Pancakes & Booze to Tucson.

The show will feature close to 100 artists, from paintings and photography hanging on the walls to vendors selling fashion, candles and jewelry.

Thats whats kinda fun about it  its a very welcoming atmosphere for artists so we have everything from seasoned experienced artists you might see in a fine art gallery, and then we have people who have never shown their artwork before who are maybe experimenting with their career, Kirlin says.

There will be all-you-can-eat pancakes, of course, plus a DJ and a cash bar. You can also watch live painting  both on canvases and on bodies. Tickets are on sale here, ranging from $10-$20. The show starts at 8 p.m. and is for ages 21 and up.

Its kinda like the antithesis of a snobby pretentious wine-and-art show, he says. Its the total opposite. We pride our event on that.
A federal appeals court tossed out claims by losing 2022 candidates Kari Lake and Mark Finchem that machines used to count votes are so inherently unreliable, they violate the candidates constitutional rights.

In an 11-page opinion Monday, the three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said Lake and Finchem never presented any evidence the machines used in Arizona to count ballots had ever been hacked. In fact, the judges noted, the losing Republican candidates conceded that their arguments were limited to potential future hacking, and not based on any past harm.

At best, the judges said, their complaint cites opinions by purported experts on manipulation risk and alleges that difficulties have occurred in other states using electronic tabulation equipment.

Also, they noted that Lake, who ran for governor, and Finchem, who ran for secretary of state, first sought to bar the use of tabulation machines in the 2022 election. But that election is over, meaning they no longer have any claim that use of the devices would affect them as candidates, the judges said.

That leaves a more generic claim that the use of electronic tabulation systems denies them a fundamental right to vote.

But that isnt enough to bring a constitutional challenge into federal court, the judges said.

Plaintiffs simply have not plausibly alleged a real and immediate threat of future injury, and instead advanced only conjectural allegations of potential injuries.

Safeguards cited

There was no immediate response from Lake or Finchem.

In filing suit ahead of the 2022 election, the pair alleged the machines are unreliable because they are subject to hacking. They said the use of components in computers from other countries makes them vulnerable.

They sought to have the 2022 election conducted with paper ballots that would be counted by hand, calling it the most effective and presently the only secure election method.

The appellate judges, however, noted that U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi, who rejected their claims before the 2022 vote, did a deep dive into their allegations. Tuchi said they amounted to a long chain of hypothetical contingencies  ones that have never occurred in Arizona  that would have to take place for any harm to occur.

The appellate judges also cited the safeguards in the system, starting with certification of tabulation machines and pre-election logic and accuracy tests in which a set of paper ballots with known total votes is fed through the tabulators and the results compared with what the machines report.

Then, after the election, party representatives select a sample of ballots for a hand recount under the oversight of each countys elections department, the appellate judges noted. And they said the states Elections Procedures Manual requires the hardware from tabulators to be stored in secure locations and sealed with tamper-resistant seals.

Those regulations also say tabulators cannot be connected to the internet or any external networks and may not contain remote access software or any capability to remotely access the system.

Cyber Ninjas count

The judges also noted that Lake and Finchem cited as evidence of flaws in the system the hand count of ballots in Maricopa County by the consulting firm Cyber Ninjas ordered by Republican Senate President Karen Fann after the 2020 election.

The court pointed out that even that report, however, found no substantial differences between the Cyber Ninjas hand count and the official totals. In fact, it showed Democrat Joe Biden won Arizonas presidential vote by a wider margin over Republican Donald Trump than the reported tally.

The judges were no more impressed by arguments by Lake and Finchem that there is a constitutional right to a certain level of accuracy in the Arizona tabulation system.

That claim plainly fails, the appellate judges said. It is the job of democratically elected representatives to weigh the pros and cons of various balloting systems, recognizing that no balloting system is perfect. Indeed, the possibility of fraud can never be completely eliminated.

Mondays ruling does nothing to affect Lakes ongoing efforts to have state judges overturn her 17,117-vote loss to Democrat Katie Hobbs for governor or to order a new election.

Lake now seeking review of that effort at the state Court of Appeals.
PHOENIX 

The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation is accepting applications from public schools and neighborhoods to receive grant funds for tree and shade structure installation in qualified census tracts  communities with a poverty rate of 25% or more, or with 50% of households with incomes below 60% of the area median gross income.

Three available grants  Community Canopy, Canopy for Kids, and Shade for Students  are intended to improve shade landscapes at schools and places that provide services for youth and to improve shade coverage in pedestrian places and residential sites.

Funds can be used for trees, planting supplies, contracting and construction services, architectural supplies and inspecting, depending on the grant.

Schools or nonprofits that provide youth services can receive up to $75,000, while neighborhoods and community nonprofit organizations can receive up to 200 trees and up to $2,000 to spend on community events related to tree planting.

Lora Martens, the urban tree program manager at the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, said there is an urgent need to implement shade coverage at Valley schools that may not have enough cool areas.

The youth are some of the most vulnerable to heat and  sun exposure, Martens said. Their smaller bodies are still growing.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, children are more likely than adults to lose fluid quickly and become dehydrated in extreme heat. The EPA recommends children stay indoors during periods of extreme heat.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 336 heat-related deaths in 2021 in Maricopa County, more than all other Arizona counties combined. There were 1,731 heat-related deaths in the county from 2011 to 2021.

What are the benefits?

The heat office is funding the grant project through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Shading streets and walkways has been a city priority, and the 2010 Tree and Shade Master Plan set the goal of increasing the citys canopy coverage to roughly 25% by 2030.

The plan targets urban heat islands  areas which can have temperatures 15 degrees warmer than the surrounding area. These areas can experience an increase in air temperature because heat intensifies in cement, asphalt and other surfaces when the sun hits it.

An increase in shade can lessen temperatures and reduce water and energy consumption.

The grant program seeks to advance fairness in urban environments, specifically within qualified census tracts, which are designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

If you have more trees, then you have cleaner air. That protection from the sun protects people from short-term and long-term  health impacts, Martens said. If we can  provide more shade for people, (they) can be outside and active just even a few more hours of the day (and) that will actually have  health impacts.

Martens said planting trees is beneficial in numerous ways, including decreasing surface temperatures, lowering costs of cooling homes and improving health factors.

Theres infinite, infinite benefits to having an increased tree shade canopy coverage in our city, Martens said.

Tree, shade lacking

In 2022, Phoenix partnered with the nonprofit American Forests, a national conservation organization, to increase tree equity in Phoenix communities. Tree equity refers to equalizing tree coverage for all neighborhoods.

Phoenix uses American Forests Tree Equity Score map, a tool that assesses neighborhoods on a 100-point scale based on the number of trees people can benefit from. The map, organized into census block groups, takes into account demographics such as race, poverty level and unemployment.

Those areas have been historically disinvested in, said Ali Guttenberg, planting programs manager at Trees Matter, a Phoenix-based nonprofit whose mission is to increase citywide tree canopy cover. The connection is pretty easy to make when you look at those maps.  People were forced into those less desirable areas where theres more industry.  Thats now where theres less trees.

Guttenberg said residents living in qualified census tracts are less likely to be involved in tree planting because of financial constraints.

Numerous census block groups near the Camelback East, Sunnyslope and Vista del Cerro neighborhoods have tree equity scores of 100, meaning the neighborhood has reached canopy coverage greater than or equal to 15%. Many of these areas are not qualified census tracts.

Numerous census block groups with low tree equity scores, however, are located near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and south Phoenix.

One such tract  bounded by Van Buren Street to the north, 35th Avenue to the west, 31st Avenue to the east and Harrison Street to the south  received a tree equity score of 64, with canopy coverage of 5%.

According to the map, 96% of the census tracts population are people of color, while 80% of residents are in poverty. The unemployment rate is 10%. Included in the census tract are Out West Trailer Park and Sullivan Elementary School.

Tree canopy cover is not distributed equally across the city, said Ariane Middel, senior global futures scientist at Arizona State Universitys Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory.

There are areas in the city that have more trees and areas that have less trees and, unfortunately, areas that would need the trees the most such as low-income neighborhoods, south Phoenix, those areas traditionally have the lowest tree canopy cover.

Canopy goal is ambitious

Phoenixs goal to create 25% canopy coverage by 2030 is ambitious, Middel said.

Because of factors both environmental and financial, Middel said, the Tree and Shade Master Plan may be more difficult to achieve than city officials had anticipated.

The city has struggled a lot with increasing the tree canopy, she said. A lot of trees are lost every year to storms or microburst monsoon storms that take out these trees. Its really tough to replace those trees and at the same time to increase tree canopy coverage.

Middel also cited infrastructure challenges, such as sewer lines and underground power cables, as well as businesses that dont want trees to block their signage.

Its really tricky for them to find locations where they can plant and maintain those trees, Middel said, noting that shade sails, shelters and bus stops can help increase the amount of shade in the city.

Middel suggested residents and developers need to take it upon themselves to plant trees on private properties in order to reach the canopy coverage goal.

(Trees) increase biodiversity, they retain stormwater, they help with carbon sequestration and theyre just pretty to look at, Middel said. So its really great that the city has this program for schools and other institutions to sign up to get funding for tree planting because those are areas that really need the trees desperately.

Qualifications to apply

Any public school, nonprofit school or nonprofit organization that provides services to youth can apply for the Canopy for Kids or Shade for Students grants. Grant applicants must be located in the city of Phoenix.

Schools or nonprofits not in a qualified census tract can still apply for grants if 80% or more of their student body receives free or reduced-price lunches.
NEW YORK (AP)  Former U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer cannot defer his surrender next month to serve a nearly two-year prison sentence resulting from his insider trading conviction because there was overwhelming evidence of his crimes, a federal judge said Monday.

Judge Richard M. Berman ruled there was no substantial question nor any close question of law to warrant letting the Indiana Republican remain free until his appeal is decided. He said prosecutors had presented compelling testimony and documentary evidence of Buyer's crimes and devastating evidence of an attempted cover-up.

The judge noted that a jury capped a nine-day trial by returning its March verdict in less than four hours. Prosecutors say he made illegal stock trades based on insider information while working as a consultant after serving in the House from 1993 to 2011.

The lawyer and Persian Gulf War veteran once chaired the House Veterans Affairs committee and was a House prosecutor at ex-President Bill Clintons 1998 impeachment trial.

At sentencing last month, Berman said Buyers conviction by a jury was not a close call because the evidence against him screams guilty. The judge said Buyer lied when he testified at his trial about when he learned about mergers that he profited from.

The Noblesville, Indiana, resident is due to report to prison on Nov. 28.

A lawyer for Buyer said Bermans ruling will be appealed.
Dubuque Telegraph Herald. October 13, 2023.

Editorial: Fewer snow days, less disruption in instruction makes sense for Iowa schools

Good call on the part of Dubuque Community Schools to go virtual on inclement weather days in the winter rather than stacking up snow days.

After a change in Iowa law, schools now are allowed to deliver up to five days of instruction virtually each year. Dubuque officials didnt hesitate to make the shift.

Teachers, curriculum staff and administrators in the Dubuque district created a plan to implement virtual learning days. Middle and high school students will complete assignments on the districts online Canvas platform, as they all are issued a computer or similar technological device and can take it home each night. Elementary students  who do not have technological devices assigned to them  will complete work from a printed, differentiated learning packet.

Thats a great solution to limit the number of days kids are kept out of school. Parents, politicians and educators alike understand the importance of in-person learning and the benefits for kids. We saw evidence of that need during the pandemic. But weve also seen the havoc a snowy or frigid winter can wreak on a school calendar. Parents and educators also understand the challenges of a school year that runs well into June.

A handful of virtual days in a year could provide an opportunity for learning to continue in the midst of an ice storm, and its great that Iowa schools have that option.

END
St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 13, 2023.

Editorial: Missouri earns a dubious spot among the top book-banning states in America

Missouri achieved a dubious new status recently: It broke the top three in the list of U.S. states that have most egregiously moved to ban books from school libraries.

Thats according to a recent report by the nonprofit Pen America, which charts the nations troubling slide toward reactionary right-wing crackdowns on books  including controversial social commentary, serious political criticism and even classic literature.

Its only the latest indication that once-moderate Missouri is now among the red states leading some of the most disturbing lurches toward intolerance and anti-democracy fervor in the country.

In fact, the only two states with worse records than Missouri right now in terms of school library censorship are, respectively, Florida and Texas. Enough said.

More than 40% of the bans occurred in Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis infamous Dont say gay crusade against any mention of LGBTQ issues in school curriculum is having its intended effect. Texas was second with 625 bans, followed by Missouri with 333.

Missouri in 2022 passed a law threatening a year in prison to any educator who provides, assigns, supplies, distributes, loans, or coerces acceptance of or the approval of the providing of explicit sexual material. It contains exceptions for teaching issues like art history and sex education  but what teacher wants to personally test how some zealous local prosecutor will decide to interpret those boundaries?

Like virtually all the school curriculum crackdowns so in vogue around the country right now, the Missouri law was based not on any particular instances of pornography showing up in classrooms but rather on the atmosphere of right-wing extremism so pervasive in red states today. The Pen America study noted that fully 88% of the book-ban cases it recorded happened in states that voted Republican in the 2020 presidential election.

That extremism has been evident in Missouri in other ways in the past few years.

Former state Attorney General Eric Schmitt, now Missouris junior U.S. senator, made a crusade out of villainizing school districts over race-based curriculum, using litigation and threats of litigation to cow school boards and administrators into silence.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft this year unilaterally imposed new rules requiring public libraries to adhere to vague obscenity standards or lose their state funding.

And Missouri state Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, who is fighting Ashcroft for next years GOP gubernatorial nomination, recently vowed to pile books he deems pornographic or woke on the front lawn of the governors mansion and burn them with a flamethrower.

In this political climate, its no wonder school districts are yanking books from shelves at the first sign of controversy. As the Missouri Independent noted recently, in the Wentzville School District alone, school librarians temporarily removed almost 200 books, including works by Mark Twain and William Shakespeare and even a graphic novel depicting Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address.

How do campaigns against supposed obscenity morph into banning Shakespeare?

Because thats the natural outcome once book-banning hysteria begins: It spreads like, well, fire.

We have no illusions that Missouris right-wing political leaders will view Missouris national ranking for intolerance as anything other than a cultural victory. Performative intolerance is, after all, their whole project. The question is whether Missouri voters will continue to reward their ideological antics with votes.

END
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department is appealing the length of prison sentences for four Proud Boys leaders convicted of seditious conspiracy in the U.S. Capitol attack, challenging punishments that were significantly shorter than what prosecutors had recommended, according to court filings.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio and three lieutenants to prison terms ranging from 15 to 22 years after a jury convicted them in May of plotting to stop the peaceful transfer of presidential power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 presidential election.

Tarrio's 22-year sentence is the longest so far among hundreds of criminal cases stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, but prosecutors had sought 33 years behind bars for the Miami man.

Attorney Nayib Hassan said in an email that the defense team will review prosecutors' reasoning for appealing the sentencing but is preparing its own appeal and believes it will prevail on multiple grounds.

Prosecutors, who made their court filings on Monday, also had recommended sentences of 33 years for former Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs, of Ormond Beach, Florida; 30 years for Proud Boys chapter leader Zachary Rehl, of Philadelphia; and 27 years in prison for chapter leader Ethan Nordean, of Auburn, Washington.

Kelly sentenced Nordean to 18 years, Biggs to 17 years and Rehl to 15 years.

Defense attorney Norm Pattis, who represents Biggs and Rehl, said in a text message that the government's appeals are ridiculous.

Merrick Garland needs a new hobby horse," Pattis said of the attorney general, whose Justice Department secured the convictions.

Nicholas Smith, Nordean's attorney, said in an email that his client "is encouraged by the governments agreement that errors led to the judgment and sentence in his case.

Prosecutors also are appealing the 10-year sentence for Dominic Pezzola, a Proud Boys member from Rochester, New York. Prosecutors sought 20 years in prison for Pezzola, who was tried alongside the four group leaders. Jurors acquitted Pezzola of seditious conspiracy but convicted him of other serious charges.

The Justice Department already is appealing the 18-year prison sentence for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy in a separate Jan. 6 case, as well as the sentences of other members of his anti-government militia group.

Prosecutors had requested 25 years in prison for Rhodes. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced him to 18 years.

Also on Monday, a Proud Boys member who joined others from the far-right group in attacking the Capitol pleaded guilty to obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying the victory by Biden, a Democrat, over Trump, a Republican. William Chrestman, 49, of Olathe, Kansas, also pleaded guilty to threatening to assault a federal officer during the riot at the Capitol.

Kelly is scheduled to sentence Chrestman for his two felony convictions on Jan. 12. Estimated sentencing guidelines for his case recommended a prison term ranging from four years and three months to five years and three months.

Chrestman had an axe handle, a gas mask, a helmet and other tactical gear when he traveled to Washington, D.C., with other Proud Boys members from the Kansas City, Kansas, area. On Jan. 6, he marched to the Capitol grounds with dozens of other Proud Boys leaders, members and associates.

Chrestman and other Proud Boys moved past a toppled metal barricade and joined other rioters in front of another police barrier. He shouted a threat at officers and yelled at others in the crowd to stop police from arresting another rioter, according to prosecutors.

Facing the crowd, Chrestman shouted, Whose house is this?

Our house! the crowd replied.

Do you want your house back? Chrestman asked.

Yes! the crowd responded.

"Take it!" Chrestman yelled.

Chrestman also pointed his finger at a line of Capitol police officers, gestured at them with his axe handle and threatened to assault them if they fired pepper ball rounds at the crowd of rioters, according to a court filing accompanying his guilty plea.

Chrestman, a U.S. Army veteran, has been jailed since his arrest in February 2021.

More than 1,100 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Approximately 60 of them have been identified as Proud Boys leaders, members or associates.
(Photo: by JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images) Passengers walk through the arrivals hall for international flights at the Capital International Airport in Beijing on March 14, 2023. - China will once again start issuing a range of visas to foreigners on March 15, in a major easing of travel restrictions in place since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to official notices and more than a dozen people with knowledge of the situation, Chinese civil servants and employees of state-affiliated enterprises are subject to stricter restrictions on personal travel abroad and increased scrutiny of their foreign connections as Beijing fights foreign influence.

Ten current and former workers told Reuters that since 2021, restrictions have been broadened to include prohibitions on international travel, stricter restrictions on the frequency and length of travels, onerous approval procedures, and pre-departure confidentiality training.

Exaggerated Travel Restrictions?

They claimed that the actions had nothing to do with COVID-19 and had been "exaggerated," and she added that teachers should think about whether enough students are actually knowledgeable about using AI.

Although the testimonies of the individuals varied, they all described increased scrutiny of international travel even after China reopened its borders in January.

Due to the sensitivity of the subject, the individuals, who worked as civil servants throughout the nation in state-owned businesses or the public sector more broadly, talked on the condition of anonymity.

Tightening Employee Travels Outside of China

In addition, eight public statements made over the previous two years by eight government organizations, including the national pension fund, suggested they were tightening restrictions on employees' personal trips outside of China but did not go into detail about the changes.

Other individual statements and documents reveal a parallel initiative by central and local Chinese authorities to map the personal and family connections of workers connected to the government and state.

Read also: South Korea Expresses Concern Over China's Alleged Decision To Repatriate North Korean Escapees

More Focus on National Security

According to two analysts, the moves reflect President Xi Jinping's attention to national security in the midst of tense relations with the West. China recently promoted anti-spying initiatives among its populace and passed new legislation that widened the scope of spying.

Political philosophy also played a role with Xi preferring to "look inward for ideas" as opposed to looking to the West for inspiration.

Senior government officials and state executives with access to sensitive information have long been subject to restrictions on personal international travel.

According to the most recent data from 2015, there were 7 million public officials in China, and there were 70 million people employed by state-owned enterprises. Reuters discovered that these restrictions are now affecting these numbers.

According to two bankers, one with almost two decades of experience, lower-level employees at China Construction Bank in Beijing and Shanghai are only permitted to travel abroad for personal reasons once a year and for a maximum of 12 days.

When they both applied for time off in early 2023, they both learned about the restrictions, which they both claimed were unprecedented.

According to a teacher in Zhejiang province's southeast and a person with knowledge of new rules implemented in a Shanghai area this year, some public school instructors now face additional restrictions on their ability to go abroad.

An employee of a state-affiliated mutual fund said that recent travel restrictions had been extended to new workers in Hong Kong and Singapore. A big office of the state policy lender China Development Bank has reportedly barred abroad travel this year.

One of the 10 persons who discussed travel restrictions, and three other state-enterprise employees with knowledge of the situation, Chinese authorities are also checking personal international connections.

These individuals claimed they started receiving questionnaires in the latter part of last year from organizations including the Communist Youth League, Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC), local governments, and their various businesses.

According to the respondents, the applications requested information on relatives who had a foreign nationality or permanent residency abroad, as well as specifics about any foreign help or experience. They added that this was the first time they had ever seen the demands.

As China increases its public messaging about foreign influence, actions are being taken. On its recently formed WeChat account, the Ministry of State Security said in August that it had located a Chinese national in Italy who was allegedly spying for the United States. Chinese recruiters may be found abroad, the Central Intelligence Agency has warned.

Related article: Biden Admin to Prevent China From Accessing American AI Chips by Closing Major Loophole

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Related content Killers of the Flower Moon: See all our coverage here

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who grew up on New York Citys Lower East Side, shot his new film  Killers of the Flower Moon  in Oklahoma.

When I got there, all I can tell you is those prairies are quite something, and they open your mind and your heart, Scorsese said. They are just beautiful.

Scorsese said he drove down roads on those prairies in Oklahoma and saw bison and cows and wild horses that had been put out to pasture for the rest of their lives. It was idyllic.

And so I said, Where do I put the camera at this point? How much of the sky (should you show)? How much of the prairie?

Scorsese said he wanted to see more of this land.

And then I began to realize that the land itself could be sinister, he said. In other words, youre in a place like this and you dont see people for miles. You could do anything  particularly, it turns out, 100 years ago.

The story depicted in Killers of the Flower Moon is based on the Osage Nation Reign of Terror of one century ago. The Osage people were made wealthy by the discovery of oil, but they became targets for people who were motivated by greed.

Based on David Granns best-selling book of the same name, Killers of the Flower Moon will get its much-anticipated release in theaters this Friday, although tickets can be purchased for Thursday screenings.

Scorsese took part in a global and virtual press conference Monday in advance of the release. Invited journalists were asked to submit as many as three questions each for the press conference. Scorsese answered six questions during the 26-minute Zoom meeting, including one about his introduction to Oklahoma and one about his recurring collaborations with Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, who star in Flower Moon alongside Lily Gladstone.

De Niro plays William Hale, who wields influence over many, including his nephew Ernest Burkhart, played by DiCaprio. Burkhart marries into oil money when an Osage woman (Mollie, played by Gladstone) becomes his bride.

One by one, Mollies family members die.

DiCaprio initially was going to play Tom White, an FBI man dispatched to investigate serial murders within the Osage Nation. When it was decided the core of the movie should be the Ernest-Mollie relationship, though, DiCaprio forfeited the FBI role to Jesse Plemons.

When talking about the prairies of Oklahoma, Scorsese said: I realized this is a place where you dont need the law. I mean, you have the law, but the law isnt working that way. The law, you can make the law work for you if youre smart enough, and as we know now, many people do.

But what I mean by that is that its still a wide open territory. You have law, but its a wide open territory. The place, as beautiful as it is, can shift to being very sinister. And what I wanted to capture ultimately was the very nature of the virus or the cancer that creates this sense of a kind of easygoing genocide.

That, said Scorsese, is why the Killers of the Flower Moon team chose to focus on Mollie and Ernest. Trust should be a big part of love  right?

So when theres betrayal that way, that deep  and we know that for a fact that it was that way  heres our story, he said.

Also, building the film around Mollie and Ernest allowed Scorsese to share the story from the inside out. Its not a whodunit. Its who didnt do it?

Its a story of complicity, he said. Its a story of sin by omission  silent complicity in certain cases.

Scorsese recalled his first meeting with Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and other Osage Nation representatives. He said they were naturally cautious and that he had to explain that he was going to deal with the story as honestly and truthfully as possible and wasnt going to fall into the trap of portraying Natives in a cliched way.

What I didnt really understand the first couple of meetings was that this is an ongoing situation, an ongoing story, out in Oklahoma, Scorsese said. In other words, these are things that really werent talked about, the generation I was talking to and the generation above them  before them, I should say. It was the generation before them that it happened to, so they didnt talk about it much. And the people involved are still there, meaning the families are still there  the descendants are still there.

Scorsese said it was very important to him that the Osage be accurately represented. Osage consultants helped with that mission. Gladstone, DiCaprio and De Niro speak the Osage language in the film. De Niro fell in love with the language and wanted to do more scenes speaking the language, according to Scorsese.

He just liked the sound of it, the filmmaker said.

Scorsese was asked questions about each of the films stars. Casting director Ellen Lewis alerted Scorsese to Gladstones work in the 2016 film Certain Women. Scorsese thought she was terrific.

Then COVID hit, and we werent able to meet, he said. So after COVID  after the pandemic was calming down  we met on Zoom, and I was very, very impressed by her presence, the intelligence and the emotion thats there in her face. You see it. You feel it. You know that (there is) something working behind the eyes. You could see it happening.

Also, (there was) her activism, which wasnt overtaking the art. In other words, the art was in the activism in a sense. So the art takes over and in a way which we think then would be more resonant later on. After you see the movie, you may be thinking about it more rather than a person preaching at you.

Asked about a 50-year relationship with De Niro and a 20-year relationship with DiCaprio, Scorsese said he and De Niro were teens together.

Hes the only one who really knows where I come from  the people I knew and that sort of thing, some of them still alive. I know his old friends. And we had a real testing ground in the 70s where we tried everything and we found that we trusted each other. Its all about trust and love.

Its what it is, and thats a big deal because, very often, if an actor has a lot of power  and he had a lot of power at that time  an actor could take over your picture; the studio gets angry with you, and the actor comes in and takes it over with them. I never felt that. There was a freedom.

Years later, De Niro suggested that Scorsese work with this kid he had worked with in 1993s This Boys Life. The kid was DiCaprio. De Niro said it casually, but he rarely made such suggestions, according to Scorsese.

DiCaprio and Scorsese also developed a kinship and trust. Referencing their team-up on The Wolf of Wall Street, Scorsese said, He came up with wonderful stuff that was outrageous. So I pushed him; he pushed me; then I pushed him more than he pushed me. Suddenly, everything was wild. Its really quite something.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education recently announced that the first wave of teachers eligible to receive the Oklahoma Teachers Signing Bonus has begun.

Teachers from 200 districts across the state of Oklahoma will receive signing bonuses. Two instructors from Owasso Public Schools are set to receive the funding, totaling $65,000, the OSDE confirmed with the Owasso Reporter.

Sixty-six percent of the first wave of bonuses went to PreK-3rd grade teachers, and 34% went to special education teachers.

OSDE has allocated $16 million for signing bonuses to new and returning teachers. Certified teachers can earn up to a $50,000 signing bonus in return for a five-year commitment to teaching in PreK-3 or special education.

These signing bonuses are designed to recruit and target the best teachers in the country and the best teachers in the state who may have left the profession, State Superintendent Ryan Walters said in a news release.

The program awarded bonuses to more than 530 teachers across 197 districts throughout the state.
Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Another top administrator has announced her plans to leave Tulsa Public Schools.

According to an email obtained by the Tulsa World on Monday morning, Deputy Superintendent Paula Shannon informed TPS employees late Thursday that she will be leaving the district after this school year.

Ive tried to model what it looks like in a leadership position, that succession planning is important and that you have to help the organization understand your intentions, Shannon said, noting that she had been contemplating her exit for a year. So its only fair to the organization and (interim Superintendent Ebony) Johnson  that Im helping everyone understand that this is going to be my last year in Tulsa Public Schools.

For the rest of the year, Shannon said she will be shifting her focus more toward legislative affairs, communication efforts and engagement with the districts Board of Education.

She declined to elaborate on her future after leaving the district.

I just know its time, Shannon said. There are some things that are pulling me forward in terms of some opportunities that I want to be a part of to expand my impact and reach nationally and be part of like a movement around educational equity in this country.

I have to listen to my soul and to listen to what Gods calling me to do and stay grounded in my purpose.

So its less about, you know, making it an even 10 years or another year in the retirement system. Its much more about what I feel that Im being called to do and what my purpose is.

A graduate of Notre Dame, the Massachusetts-based Lesley University and the University of Rhode Island, Shannon joined Tulsa Public Schools in 2015 as former Superintendent Deborah Gists chief of staff and was named deputy superintendent in 2016.

Prior to joining TPS, Shannon had stints as the chief learning officer for the Syracuse City School District in New York and as both a teacher and administrator for Providence Public Schools in Rhode Island.

Shannon is the fourth TPS administrator to announce her departure from the district this calendar year. Along with Gists mutual separation agreement that was approved in August, now former Director of Communications Emma Garrett-Nelson left in May to take a position with Washoe County School District in Nevada, and now former Chief Talent and Equity Officer Andrea Castaneda took over as the superintendent of Oregons Salem-Keizer Public Schools on July 1.

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With district officials receiving additional information Monday, Tulsa Public Schools board of education did not take action Monday night on the potential renewal of its sponsorship of Tulsa Honor Academy High School.

The recommendation for a three-year reauthorization agreement was withdrawn by interim Superintendent Ebony Johnson at the start of Monday nights meeting, prompting dozens of purple-clad Tulsa Honor Academy supporters to file out of the Education Service Center.

Prior to this last board meeting, we received reason to continue to look into Tulsa Honor Academys plan of action and to make sure that the plan moving forward for how theyre going to address their issues and the things that they are trying to contend with for both students and staff, Johnson said Tuesday.

We just needed to have more time to feel like we were ready to move forward for a vote.

She did not elaborate on the nature of the reason or its source.

The board previously tabled the reauthorization recommendation at its Oct. 2 meeting after Diamond Marshall raised concerns about a racial slur being directed at Black students at a Tulsa Honor Academy campus.

Under state law, TPS must give at least eight months notice if it will not renew a charter school authorization agreement. With the authorization for Tulsa Honor Academys high school set to lapse on June 30, 2024, the board will have to have a special meeting before the end of October.

Johnson reiterated Tuesday that there will be a special board meeting before the end of the month to vote on the reauthorization agreement.

We take these matters very seriously, and we are working expeditiously to make sure we meet that deadline, she said.

Tulsa Honor Academy Executive Director Elsie Urueta Pollock said Monday evening that the schools leadership had already taken steps to address the use of racial slurs within the schools community, including canceling classes to work through staff members concerns, hosting listening sessions for families and parent meetings.

The incidents in question, she said, were at Tulsa Honor Academys Lakewood campus, which is not part of the reauthorization agreement in question.

While its not perfect, we know its not perfect, Urueta Pollock said. We are making improvements and were continuing to do so; were very committed to ensuring that. We take this seriously, and we are addressing it head on because the only way that we can have a better culture is if we address these issues head on. I am committed to serving all of our kids and ensuring that all of our students feel like they belong at THA.

She also said that received less than two hours notice that TPS administration was going to pull the recommendation from the agenda, despite the schools leadership reaching out to all seven board members.

A spokeswoman for Tulsa Honor Academy confirmed that the charter schools leaders had in person meetings with ELena Ashley, Susan Lamkin, Jennettie Marshall and Diamond Marshall, plus fielded questions from John Croisant.

I can say that we did discuss  all concerns that the board members had and we left those meetings in a good place, Urueta Pollock said. They said that they had no more questions, so I think we addressed it sufficiently.

Speaking in English and Spanish to Tulsa Honor Academy staff and families outside the Education Service Center after the recommendation was pulled from the agenda, Urueta Pollock urged the schools community to not be disheartened by the lack of a vote at Monday nights meeting.

We can do it, she said. Weve done it before and were going to do it again. I dont want to you to be feeling like you dont have a voice or feeling disillusioned, because again, we have gone through this, weve gone through worse, and were going to get through this.



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WASHINGTON  A Proud Boys member who joined others from the far-right group in attacking the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty on Monday to obstructing the joint session of Congress for certifying Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory.

William Chrestman, 49, of Olathe, Kansas, also pleaded guilty to threatening to assault a federal officer during the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly is scheduled to sentence Chrestman for his two felony convictions on Jan. 12. Estimated sentencing guidelines for his case recommended a prison term ranging from four years and three months to five years and three months.

Chrestman brought an axe handle, gas mask, helmet and other tactical gear when he traveled to Washington, D.C., with other Proud Boys members from the Kansas City, Kansas, area.
Chinese agricultural firms to ensure grain security through upgrading

Xinhua) 08:46, October 17, 2023

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's centrally administered state-owned agricultural enterprises have vowed to ensure grain security through innovation and industry-chain integration.

China's growing consumption of oil, sugar, meat, eggs and milk has boosted demand for feed ingredients and oil crops, said Luan Richeng, president of COFCO Corporation. Over the past two decades, China's corn and soybean consumption both expanded markedly.

To increase the supply of feed and reduce dependence on imports, COFCO said it will develop eco-friendly feed ingredients including plant protein, cell-based protein, microbial protein and insect protein.

Sinochem Holdings, COFCO and China National Machinery Industry Corporation Ltd. have formed a coalition to promote the industry-chain development of cash crops and develop intelligent agricultural machinery.

China has pledged the implementation of a "Greater Food" approach to food security, which entails focusing on the entire natural ecosystem and adopting a comprehensive approach for food production, with the utilization of various resources including land and sea.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
US Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deport foreign nationals, including people in the US on student visas who expressed support for Hamas's terrorist attacks on Israel almost two weeks ago.

The Republican senator sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Monday (October 16), demanding his immediate action to remove the foreigners who he said have "no place" in the US.

"These fifth-columnists have no place in the United States," he wrote. "Federal law is clear that any alien who 'endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization' is inadmissible and must be deported."

Read Also: Central Georgia Jail Inmates Escape Facility, Including Murder Suspect

Cotton's Letter a Response to the Rise of Antisemitic Remarks

Fox News Digital reported that the letter came after several cases of pro-Palestinian student groups at various educational institutions across the country releasing statements and organizing demonstrations supporting Hamas's attack against Israel, even as many of the universities themselves condemned the acts of terrorism.

Some examples include the statement released by Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups that was signed by about 30 student organizations, which said Israel was "entirely responsible" for the violence in the region. The statement was later deleted after student organizations began removing their signatures amid bipartisan backlash and some CEOs demanding the names of the students who signed it.

"Swiftly removing and permanently barring from future reentry any foreign student who signed onto or shared approvingly the anti-Semitic letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee on October 7 would be a good place to start," Cotton added in his letter to Mayorkas

Another significant incident was when the University of Wisconsin Madison refused to condemn pro-Palestinian protesters who were allegedly congratulating Hamas when a viral video captured a woman saying, "Glory to the murders!" and "We will liberate the land - by any means necessary!"

Cotton also wrote about the "appalling explosion" of antisemitism in the US that should "disturb anyone" sharing American values.

"While American citizens may have a First Amendment right to speak disgusting vitriol if they so choose, no foreign national has a right to advocate for terrorism in the United States," he added.

Over 4,200 people have been killed in both Gaza and Israel since Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel on October 7.

Meanwhile, Politico reported that Cotton and fellow Republican senators Tim Scott (SC) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) were drafting bills that called for denying Iran access to the $6 billion made available in exchange for the release of American prisoners.

Related Article: Dozens of Pro-Palestinian Activists Arrested Outside White House During Protest Over Israel-Hamas Conflict

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Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong left for China on Tuesday morning for a four-day trip, during which he is scheduled to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on October 17-18.

The trip, which will last until Friday, has been scheduled at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping.

This is the first visit to China by President Thuong in his new position and also the third time a Vietnamese senior leader has attended the forum, which this time is expected to attract representatives from about 140 countries and international organizations.

The Vietnamese state head is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Chairman of the Office of the President Le Khanh Hai, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, and other officials.

In the context of the 15th anniversary of the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, the trip reflects the high regard and top priority of the Vietnamese Party and State for the friendship and cooperative relations between Vietnam and China, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai.

As the year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the trip also demonstrates welcome and respect for Chinas connection initiatives, including the BRI for the goals of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

This is also an opportunity for senior leaders of the two countries to continue to deeply discuss measures to concretize high-level common perceptions and further promote bilateral relations, the ambassador said.

The BRI is a global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 involving infrastructure development and investments in over 150 countries and international organizations around the world.

This years forum, with a theme of High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity, includes three high-level sessions focusing on the digital economy as a new driving force of growth, connectivity in an open global economy, and a green silk road for harmony with nature.

The event will also have six other forums on trade connection, people-to-people exchange, clean silk road, local cooperation, collaboration between research agencies,

President Thuong will deliver important speeches at the event, contributing Vietnam's voice to promoting peace, cooperation, economic linkages and connectivity in the region, ambassador Mai said.

The event is also an opportunity to introduce Vietnams socio-economic achievements as well as its development goals to other countries, he added.

Vietnam and China have seen fruitful developments in their bilateral relations over the past years, especially since they upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in June 2008.

The two-way trade between the two sides reached more than US$175 billion in 2022, up 5.47 percent year on year, according to Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

Last year also saw Vietnam become Chinas largest trading partner in ASEAN and Chinas fourth largest trading partner in the world, after the U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

Meanwhile, China has maintained its position as Vietnams largest trading partner over the past years, according to the Vietnams General Department of Customs.

With a total investment of $2.1 billion into 478 projects in Vietnam over the first nine months of 2023, China has become the second largest FDI investor in the Southeast Asian nation, after Singapore.

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An apartment building project for resettlement has been left uninhabited for nearly two years in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam, leaving many of its facilities aging.

Located on Ho Quy Ly Street in the provincial city of Vung Tau, the Thang Tam resettlement project carried a price tag of almost VND600 billion (US$24.6 million), including over VND400 billion ($16.4 million) for construction, with the citys administration being the investor.

Work on the project reached completion in late December 2021.

The Ministry of Construction appraised the project and allowed it to be put into service in March last year.

Since then, the projects contractor repeatedly requested the investor accept the project handover, but the building complex, which is fenced and has security guards, has been unoccupied until now.

A number of small facilities in the building complex are aging, as they have not been in use and not undergone maintenance over the past two years.

Many door handles are tarnished, most balcony railings are rusty and emergency lights are out of order.

Recently, the project contractor has had to clean, repaint, and repair an elevator which was left unused for too long.

Most balcony railings at the complex are rusty. Photo: Dong Ha / Tuoi Tre

The main contractor said it wished to hand over the building complex to the investor, as the complex will continue aging quickly if it remains uninhabited.

Aging facilities will not only leave a negative impact on the main and sub-contractors, but also on future residents of the complex, the main contractor added.

Moss is found in an artificial lake of the Thang Tam apartment complex. Photo: Dong Ha / Tuoi Tre

On behalf of the investor, the management board for project investment and development No.1 in Vung Tau said on Monday that it plans to take the handover of the project from the contractor this month and the apartments are expected to be occupied by the end of this year.

Vung Tau City currently lacks over 6,000 apartments for resettlement, while this 500-apartment complex has remained deserted over the past two years.

Due to the slow handover, were facing difficulties in paying employees and construction materials, as well as covering maintenance costs, a main contractor representative elaborated.

The 21-story Thang Tam apartment complex covers an area of 3,500 square meters, with a total floor area of over 66,500 square meters. It is adjacent to Bai Sau Beach in Vung Tau, a popular beach destination in southern Vietnam.

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A motorcycle carrying three young men crashed into a light pole on a local street, leaving all of them dead in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam early on Tuesday morning.

Police in Thuan An City under the province said the same day that they were investigating the deadly traffic incident, which occurred at 2:00 am.

After being notified of the accident, police in Binh Chuan Ward in the city quickly approached the scene and found three men lying on the ground, said a police officer.

The three were taken to the Binh Duong Province General Hospital for emergency treatment, but they passed away on the way to the hospital due to their serious injuries.

The three were identified as N.H.T., 23, L.Q.M, 21, and B.H.T, 17.

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Ho Chi Minh City recorded six more cases of monkeypox, an illness caused by the monkeypox virus, over the past week, increasing the total monkeypox cases in the city since early this year to 19, the municipal Department of Health reported on Monday.

Among the new cases, two entered Vietnam and one left for Taiwan.

Twelve patients are currently under quarantine and receiving treatment.

All of them are in a stable state of health.

The health department also gave updates on other prevailing outbreaks in the city, including dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

From the start of the year up to the present, Ho Chi Minh City has documented a cumulative total of 14,126 cases of dengue fever.

In the previous week, the city registered an additional 422 dengue fever cases, marking a 5.3-percent rise compared to the average of the preceding four weeks.

Currently, medical facilities are treating a combined count of 200 dengue fever patients, including 103 adults and 96 children.

There have been approximately 30,000 cases of HFMD in the city since the beginning of the year.

In the past week, the number of HFMD infections surged by nearly 1.5 times in comparison to the previous four-week average, reaching 1,532 cases.

In addition to the three aforementioned diseases, the city has grappled with two other outbreaks in January-September: pinkeye and COVID-19.

In response to this situation, the department proactively acted and successfully unraveled the genome of the viruses responsible for monkeypox and pinkeye.

The citys health sector pledges to continue vigilantly monitoring the outbreak progress and promptly reacting to any emerging situations.

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Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong met with Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin in Hanoi on Monday. The Russian State Duma leader arrived in Vietnam on Sunday for his two-day visit to the Southeast Asian country.

-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will lead a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit and visit Saudi Arabia from Wednesday to Friday this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed on Monday.

-- Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar agreed to strengthen the two countries cooperation in science and information technology as well as negotiate and sign the Vietnam-India Digital Partnership Agreement while they co-chaired the 18th Meeting of India-Vietnam Joint Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation in Hanoi on Monday.

Society

-- The last bear kept in captivity in northern Hai Duong Province for 20 years was rescued and relocated to the Vietnam Bear Sanctuary in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam on Monday.

-- A vehicle of a healthcare service company in Binh Duong Province, neighboring Ho Chi Minh City, were caught red-handed transporting its papers and medical waste to the bank of a Saigon River section in Binh Duong for burning on Thursday last week, a source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday.

-- Ho Chi Minh City recorded six more cases of monkeypox, an illness caused by the monkeypox virus, over the past week, increasing the total monkeypox cases in the city since early this year to 19, the municipal Department of Health reported on Monday.

-- A 31-metric-ton truck passed through a bridge with weight limit of five metric tons in Ca Mau Province, the southern tip of Vietnam, on Monday, deforming the railings of the bridge and causing its surface to subside.

-- The administration in northern Nam Dinh Province on Monday sent an apology letter to a local household for handling administrative procedures for transferring the land and land-attached asset use rights within 11 years.

Lifestyle

-- Vietnam will host the Miss Earth 2023 from December 1 to 22 this year with the participation of 114 beauties from around the globe. The Vietnamese representative at the pageant will be Do Thi Lan Anh, who was crowned Miss Earth Vietnam 2023 on Sunday.

World News

-- The Amazon River fell to its lowest level in over a century on Monday at the heart of the Brazilian rainforest as a record drought upends the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and damages the jungle ecosystem, according to Reuters.

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Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City are drawing up a scheme to allow civil servants whose daily responsibilities do not involve face-to-face interactions with the public to register for remote work.

The Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies has been tasked with crafting and finalizing this plan by the end of this year, per the directives of the municipal Peoples Committee.

This initiative is a component of a broader project aimed at optimizing the citys civil service between 2024 and 2030, with the goal of providing improved services to a population of over 10 million and more than 300,000 companies.

To achieve this, Ho Chi Minh City will enhance the utilization of advanced technologies and initiate a pilot program for remote work, primarily involving staff responsible for administrative paperwork, rather than those who directly engage with the public or businesses.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thien Tri from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law assesses that the trial program permitting government officials and civil servants to work remotely will curtail the morning in, afternoon out administrative approach, which is sometimes ineffective.

During COVID-related restrictions, several government agencies in the city already implemented remote work.

As of the end of last year, Ho Chi Minh City had a total of 19,059 public employees on its payroll, but specific figures regarding the number of positions eligible for remote work is currently unavailable, according to news site VnExpress.

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The last bear kept in captivity in northern Hai Duong Province was rescued and relocated to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam for further care and preservation, Animals Asia announced on Monday.

A family in Hai Duong voluntarily handed over the 120-kilogram bear to the authorities after raising it since 2003 for commercial purposes.

After the handover, veterinarians of Animals Asia, a Hong Kong-based charity which seeks to end cruelness to animals in Asia, checked the health of the bear and anaesthetized it.

They also took its hair and blood samples for testing and found no abnormalities in its health.

Rescuers named the bear Apollo.

Apollo is on an 800-kilometer relocation journey from Hai Duong to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center in Thua Thien-Hue Province and will arrive at the facility on Tuesday afternoon.

In 2020, Hai Duong Province reported that seven bears were kept in captivity at local private farms.

Thanks to the relevant agencies efforts, the province has terminated the captive farming of bears.

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Police in Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam said on Monday that they had cracked down on a large-scale drug trafficking ring.

Police officers seized 20 bricks of heroin weighing a total of 6.7 kilograms, and nearly 10 kilograms of synthetic drugs.

This was the largest-ever volume of illegal drugs to be confiscated in the province.

The officers detained two drug traffickers, including Sung A Tua, 29, and Sung A Co, 28, who live in Dien Bien Province in the northern region.

Two drug traffickers arrested in Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Supplied

The two were caught red-handed transporting and trading illicit drugs in Nam Bung Commune under Van Chan District in Yen Bai Province on Wednesday last week.

Police are expanding the investigation into the ring.

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The Peoples Committee of Da Lat City in Lam Dong Province, located in Vietnams Central Highlands region, held a public commendation ceremony on Monday to honor a sanitation worker who found and returned a backpack containing US$4,700 to a tourist.

According to police in Ward 1 of Da Lat City, Vu Thi Thu, a sanitation worker of Da Lat Urban Service JSC, was cleaning Nguyen Van Cu Street at 9:00 pm on October 11, when she discovered a black backpack near a tree on the sidewalk.

She then asked a coworker, Khieu Nu Thi Thanh Chuc, to help her turn it in to the local police station.

The backpack contained a Dell laptop and $4,700 in cash.

Police officers returned the cash and laptop to its owner, Vo Thanh Vuong, on the same day.

Tran Thi Vu Loan (L), deputy chairwoman of the Da Lat City Peoples Committee in Lam Dong Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands region, awards Vu Thi Thu a certificate of commendation, October 16, 2023. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre

Tran Thi Vu Loan, deputy chairwoman of the Da Lat Peoples Committee, said that city officials were moved by Thus honesty and decided to hold a commendation ceremony on the street where she works.

Thu has worked as a sanitation worker for nearly 30 years, said Loan.

She chose to return the money much higher than what she can earn in a month, which was a beautiful and inspirational action, deserving respect.

Thus beautiful gesture inspires the people of this city to build an elegant, gentle, and hospitable Da Lat.

Loan revealed that afterward, Vuong tried to offer Thu a sum of money as a thank you, but she turned it down.

Colleagues at Da Lat Urban Service JSC share in the joy with Vu Thi Thu (R, 2nd) during a commendation ceremony in Da Lat City of Lam Dong Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands region, October 16, 2023. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre

The sanitation worker said the money she found belongs rightfully to Vuong and she had no reason to take any money or gifts from him, even in gratitude.

I just found a lost item and turned it in, Thu explained.

Then I had to return to work, I did not know what was in the bag, and I did not think much of it.

All this attention makes me feel happy and acknowledged, as well as assured that I have made the right decision.

Thu told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that her 80-year-old mom was even happier than her when she knew that Thu made the headlines for her honorable gesture.

I dont know how, but when she found out, she called me over and told me Good job my daughter,' and it was enough for me, Thu said.

Thus family has been going through hard times after her child had a heart surgery two years ago.

They have yet to pay off the VND100 million ($4,081) debt incurred to cover surgery fees.

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The administration in Nam Dinh City of the namesake northern province on Monday sent an apology letter to a local household for taking 11 years to grant a land and land-attached asset use right certificate.

The apology letter signed by vice-chairman of the Peoples Committee of Nam Dinh City Tran Huy Thanh was sent to Pham Van Ny and Nguyen Thu Mai, both residing in the city.

In particular, the single-door administrative center of Nam Dinh City received Nys application for the land and land-attached asset use right certificate on June 1, 2012.

Upon the application reception, the center transferred the application to the property registration office under the Natural Resources - Environment Division of Nam Dinh City, now known as the citys land registration office under the provincial Land Registration Office.

Pursuant to the regulations, results of the application must be returned 15 days after residents fulfill their financial obligations. However, the loose reception, handover, and management of dossiers led to the loss of Nys documents.

On September 28, 2023, the Natural Resources - Environment Division of Nam Dinh City found the dossiers and handed them over to the land registration office.

On October 2 this year, the office invited Ny and Mai to complete the procedures.

The two came to the office on Thursday last week and received the land use right certificate two days later.

The tardiness is the fault of the citys Natural Resources - Environment Division and relevant units, causing trouble for Pham Van Ny and Nguyen Thu Mai. The Peoples Committee of Nam Dinh City sincerely apologizes to you, the Nam Dinh City administration wrote.

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In a historic judgment that also stressed the rights of the LGBTQ community to be protected from discrimination and prejudice, India's highest court has rejected to officially recognize same-sex marriages.

Despite the fact that the campaigners had hoped to be married under Indian law so that they might enjoy the same benefits as heterosexual couples, they were relieved when the court finally acknowledged their relationships.

Preventing Prejudice, Defending Equal Treatment

In a Tuesday decision, October 17, that was broadcast live throughout the country, a five-judge constitution bench headed by India's top justice handed down the long-awaited verdict, as reported by CNN.

Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, in a two-hour judgment, described homosexuality as a natural phenomenon and ordered the government to protect the rights of the "queer community" from discrimination due to their gender or sexual orientation.

Justice S. Ravindra Bhat said no one disputes that LGBTQ people have the freedom to select their relationships, and they should be allowed to publicly acknowledge their love for each other in whatever manner they see fit.

He stressed, however, that this does not imply a broader legal claim to recognition of the same union or relationship.

Bhat advocated for the establishment of a high-level commission to examine regulations that discriminate against LGBTQ couples without openly targeting them, such as by failing to provide them with the social security and compensation benefits that are often associated with legal marriage.

According to him, the "court cannot within the judicial framework engage in this complex task," and instead, "the state has to study the impact of these policies and entitlements."

AP News reports that calls to legalize the unions were met with opposition from the current administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Solicitor Tushar Mehta, a government attorney, told the court earlier this year that same-sex marriage is an "urban" and "elitist" idea that goes against the country's social ethos.

Notably, millions of LGBTQ couples in India cannot make use of the legal protections provided by marriage in areas like adoption, insurance, and inheritance because of the country's marriage laws.

See Also: World Bank Junks Anti-Homosexuality Act, Protects LGBTQ Before New Uganda Funding

Good Start but Not Enough

While hearing this recent court decision, dozens of LGBTQ campaigners gathered outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi. There were many who saw the ruling as a positive step forward, while others believed it fell short.

A 20-year-old named Pranav Grover called the decision a "diplomatic" one. He then said, "Let's start to focus on the positive," adding that it made sense from the standpoint of satisfying everyone involved.

Amrita (she/they pronouns) mentioned that being acknowledged by the justices was an honor but felt it was time to move forward. "This level of indifference was not expected after waiting for so many months," they told CNN.

Celebrity chef and LGBTQ activist Suvir Saran said the Supreme Court may not have given them the freedom to marry, but it has used the bench to teach politicians and people about homosexuality and others.

See Also: California Governor Signs Bills to Ensure LGBTQ Equality

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Vietnam needs some two million blood units to treat patients each year, but blood donations meet just 54 percent needed, Tran Thi Tham, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Blood Donation Center, told a press briefing to announce a blood drive on Monday.

Many localities are experiencing a blood supply shortage, Tham underlined.

The blood donation initiative was launched by the Vietnam Red Cross Society and Frances Urgo Foundation in response to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs call at his meeting with outstanding voluntary blood donors nationwide in July to help ease the blood shortfall.

The program themed Love Journey to Save Life is also aimed at marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City is home to 150 private and public hospitals that treat not only city dwellers, but also patients from the southern and Central Highlands regions.

The city annually sees a large number of individuals and organizations donate blood, contributing to boosting its blood availability to save people in need.

Blood donations in the city account for nearly one-fifth of the nations available blood volume.

The city also provides other localities with blood.

Particularly, in 2022 and 2023, Ho Chi Minh City transferred over 300,000 bags of blood to multiple Mekong Delta, and Central Highlands provinces and cities for blood transfusions.

Speaking at the event, French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser said that blood donation has changed the lives of millions of patients each year.

The initiative is meant to collect blood to treat patients in need in Vietnam, she said.

Dr Hoang Anh Khoi, head of the anesthesia department at the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute. Photo: Xuan Mai / Tuoi Tre

Dr Hoang Anh Khoi, head of the anesthesia department at the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute, said that the department admits up to 1,700 patients with cardiovascular diseases a year.

To perform heart surgeries successfully, apart from modern equipment and careful care, we need blood to transfuse it into patients during and after surgeries, Dr Khoi said.

If blood is not available, surgeries must be postponed, threatening patients lives, he stressed.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Family life has decreed that writer / director / actor Abe Forsythe has had to shape his creativity, leading to works such as Stan series Wolf Like Me.

The Isla Fisher and Josh Gad series, in which a deep dark secret is revealed in season one (spoiler ahead if you havent seen it) is returning for its second season.

Yet as Forsythe tells TV Tonight not being able to readily leave Australia has resulted in unique projects.

I cant leave the country easily, because my son is here, he began.

My son has some health conditions, which makes it really difficult for him to travel overseas.

Ive had the opportunity to work internationally a number of times but I havent been able to because I dont want to have to leave my son in this country. So Ive been trying to find ways of making stories that can connect with an international audience.

I was more interested in actually showing Australia to an overseas audience

So far, Ive only made things that are set here. But obviously, with our talent base, our locations, we can set anything in the world and film it in Australia. I was more interested in actually showing Australia to an overseas audience, but also finding a way into the story they can to relate to as well.

Wolf Like Me returns to Adelaide after a collison -literally- saw Mary (Isla Fisher) and Gary (Josh Gad) thrown together, despite Marys deep secret: she has werewolf tendencies.

As Forsythe explains it, the character of Mary had been bitten as a child in Prague, a nod to werewolf mythlogies in Eastern Europe. The series even contains tributes to American Werewolf in London.

Shed eaten her husband in Europe and then travelled back home, but was needing to skip town, so she went to where she thought no-one would ever find her. She ended up in Adelaide, he explains.

I love Adelaide. I find it a really fascinating city and visually really beautiful with some interesting, unusual elements to it. So it felt totally like the right place to set the story.

The series also follows from a 2019 film, Little Monsters, a post-apocalyptic musical action comedy horror, which also featured Gad. And zombies.

I didnt want to make a zombie movie and I didnt want to make a show with a werewolf, he insists. It just so happened that they are the best avenues for me to explore these other ideas and give the audience the opportunity to see how they relate to the material. To give them a safe space to explore things that might be going on in their own lives.

Its a very specific metaphor for things that were going on in my life

For me its a very specific metaphor for things that were going on in my life. But part of the joy of making this show, and hearing from people who have seen it, is that it represents a whole lot of things, to a lot of different people.

Last season the full realisation of the wolf did not occur until the final episode.

I was trying to find a way that I could speak to peoples experiences and have their own cathartic reaction to what happens with these characters in the show. So thats why I held off.

I wanted people, in a way, to actually forget that the werewolf is such an important element. So when it did show up in the last episode, people were like Oh my god, I actually dont want to see the werewolf now! Im so attached to these characters and the danger that it represents.'

Forsythe, son of actor Drew Forsythe, now says Season Two has much to explore.

Islas character of Mary has been one of the most satisfying characters to conceive. And after meeting Isla she really plays into her strengths as well.

It kicks off with her six months pregnant at the beginning of the show. So theyre well and truly on the way and that obviously creates a lot of anxiety with Islas character.

There were a lot of very practical things now that this metaphor has revealed itself. How do you start a blended family? How do you prepare for a baby, when you dont know if that babys going to be human or wolf?

A lot more danger

The conflict of Mary having to step out into the real worldjust brings up a lot more danger of being found it. So it was one of the easiest, if not the easiest, experience Ive ever had writing something. All this inbuilt conflict that had been set up in the first season just started paying off in spades as we were working on it.

Part of the joy of casting Isla and Josh in these roles is they are primarily known for comedy. But I wanted to take two actors that are known for that and subvert the expectations of the kind of movie they would normally be seen in together, and make them play it straight. Ground them and also give them the opportunity to play what theyre really, really good at, which is vulnerability.

Theyre very adept, dramatic actors.

The cast also includes Edgar Ramirez (The Bourne Ultimatum, Dr. Death), Ariel Donoghue (Blueback), Emma Lung (Wonderland), Anthony Taufa (Young Rock), and Honour Latukefu.

I pitched it as a three season arc

The show is also co-commissioned by Peacock in the USA, which has timed the second season to premiere ahead of Halloween.

I pitched it as a three season arc. I saw very specific things for each season. But I also knew theres all sorts of reasons why shows dont get picked up for a second season. So the last episode of season one, could have been the ending to the characters story, he continues.

If thats where it ended, for me, as an audience member, I would have been very satisfied with that. Season Two doesnt necessarily end in the same way.

Season Two is going to satisfy them even more.

But he does hint viewers should expect the unexpected with the second season.

Season Two is going to satisfy them even more. Its the first experience in my life where Ive had the opportunity to continue with story. To take all of the things that worked, and push them further. And at the same time, subvert some other things to make it more of a surprise. And then to trust that the audience wont be able to spot these surprises, he explains.

Theres some big, tonally interesting things that Season Two does, which still fits within the world of the show.

I dont want to give anything away but theres something that happens at the end of episode four, which was the thing that made me go, If I can pull that off from a technical point of view, thats the whole reason to make this show. Because Ive never seen anything like that before.

Its simultaneously, I think, the funniest and most shocking thing that Ive ever had the ability to create.

Wolf Like Me S2 premieres Thursday October 19 on Stan.
With their shows available through Hayu, 7Bravo, Foxtel and Fetch, US media giant NBCUniversal has no plans to launch streaming platform Peacock in Australia anytime soon.

Managing director, NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer and Distribution, ANZ, Chris Taylor told Mediaweek: The company has taken what you might call a measured approach to DTC and may have appeared to some that we were slower out of the gate than some of the others. That patience in some respects has been a virtue for the company and we continue to take a measured approach to launches in other markets outside of the US.

We have done deals in non-Sky territories with Paramount for Sky Showtime [across many European markets], and a deal in Africa with MultiChoice.

There are different ways our studio is approaching [Direct-to-Consumer ]. Peacock was the first service to come out with a dual revenue stream model which was a smart decision. More services are moving into that space and its not a new idea as cable TV has been dual revenue stream for a long time.

Locally NBCUniversal struck deals towards the end of 2022 across all of our major businesses with Seven and Foxtel. We decided that was the right approach for this market for the time being.

Channel brands available here are Bravo (7Bravo FTA), Universal TV (Fetch / Foxtel), Oxygen (Fetch), Dreamworks TV (Foxtel), plus news channels CNBC and MSNBC (Foxtel and Fetch).

Hayu streams Reality TV titles.
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Getty

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordans expertise may be in college wrestling, but he might excel even more in the world of professional wrestling as a heel. Consider the heavy-handed arm-twisting being employed to try and make him Speaker of the House.

Several of Mr. Jordans supporters have posted the phone numbers of mainstream G.O.P. lawmakers they count as holdouts, according to The New York Times.

One of the holdouts targeted was Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL). Like clockwork, Rogers joined other erstwhile Jordan opponents on Monday, announcing that he would support Jordan.

Jim Jordan: GOPs Next Choice to Win Impossible Speaker Race

Meanwhile, a producer for Fox Newss Sean Hannity reportedly began a thinly veiled pressure campaign by querying GOP House members about their refusal to support Jordan.

Sources tell Hannity that rep xxxx is not supporting Rep Jim Jordan for Speaker, an email purportedly sent from Hannitys producer to one lawmaker reads. Can you please let me know if this is accurate? And, if true, Hannity would like to know why during a war breaking out between Israel and Hamas, with the war in Ukraine, with the wide open borders, with a budget that's unfinished [,] why would Rep. xxxx be against Jim Jordan for speaker?

Not since a Tucker Carlson questionnaire scared Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis into throwing Ukraine under the bus has just asking questions been so effective.

But will this intimidation be enough to overcome Jordans vote deficit?

The stakes are high. If Jordan wins, it means Republicans will have elected a speaker who opposes Ukraine funding and wanted then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject Joe Biden electoral votes.

What is more, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetzs insurgent strategy will have been successful, as a small group (just four percent) of House Republicans will have unilaterally ousted a House speakerand replaced him with their chosen successor.

Nobody Sold Out Harder Than Tucker Carlson

Some Republican members are sounding the alarm over the unspoken precedent. Im a no on allowing Matt Gaetz and the other seven to win by putting their individual in as speaker, said Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) on Friday.

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In response, Gaetz took to his Twitter feed, publicly calling out Rutherford. I hope he gets some feedback from Floridians that this is selfish and bad for the country, Gaetz declared.

If youve never been on the business end of a Twitter dragging, you might not appreciate how Gaetzs call for feedback was tacitly urging his 2.4 million Twitter followers to harass Rutherford.

Some percentage of Gaetzs followers will send mean tweets. Others will make phone calls. And others Well, its hard to say what some small band of renegade followers might do.

These days, theres a fine line between political threats (such as finding an opponent to primary a politician) and other types of threats.

Will Rutherford fold like Rogers did? Stay tuned.

Ibram X. Kendis Refusal to Debate Critics Was an Act of Surrender

The obvious problem is that this is a game of asymmetric warfare. You know the line: The best lack all conviction, while the worst/ Are full of passionate intensity.

Normies who crave comity and value norms and institutions are more likely to fold to pressure. Meanwhile, radical right-wingers are rewarded by a system where the worst get on top.

Thats not to say Jordan should start measuring for drapes quite yet. As I write this, he is still shy of the requisite 217 votes needed to become speaker, though he is inching towards that goal; a vote is scheduled for Tuesday on the floor of the House.

Traditionally, a nominee would hope to avoid a public vote unless he were reasonably sure to win (this is why Scalise dropped out).

But Jordans calculus is different. With MAGA grassroots on his side, he figures that holding a public vote will either encourage wayward Republicans to support him or smoke out his enemies. Either way, it will facilitate the next wave of high-pressure campaigns designed to whip them in line.

Ill vote my conscience, which is a no, but I dont want to be a punching bag for the next three days, one member told The Washington Post. Right now, Jordan is woefully short on votes, and his team wants to beat folks into submission."

In many ways, this pressure campaign harkens back to the way Trump sicced his MAGA minions on Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to persuade the senator to see things his way. First, Trump gave out his phone number during the 2016 campaign. And then, after Jan. 6, 2021 (when Graham announced he had had enough), Graham was heckled and harassed by Trump supporters at the airport.

And Jordan has something going for him that even Trump lacks: The capacity to at least pretend to play nice. As the pro-Jordan pressure campaign heats up, Jordan, himself, is launching a sort of charm offensivetransforming from heel to babyface, as it were.

In Rep. Mike Rogers endorsement, for example, Rogers says he and Jordan had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days.

And in a recent interview with CNNs Jake Tapper, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), who supports Jordan, said Jordans reputation has changed over time and that he has become part of the solution.

Let's Imagine a World With Jim Jordan as House Speaker

Has Jordan, 59, suddenly found Jesus, or is he just gaslighting us?

At least give him credit for hustling. Jordan, who is holding one-on-one meetings with various holdouts, sent out a unifying and optimistic Dear colleague letter on Monday that promises to bring all Republicans together.

Sincere or not, Team Jordans good cop/bad cop routine is smart. It provides normal Republicans with an off-ramp to support Jordan, while also saving face. It is, after all, more honorable to be sweet-talked than to be intimidated.

If Jim Jordan becomes Speaker Jordan, thats what they will tell themselves, anyway.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Italy appears to be mulling a withdrawal from China's landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) (Handout)

China's landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has thousands of infrastructure projects in every corner of the globe, generating a staggering $2 trillion in contracts while courting international controversy.

Here AFP looks at five key projects:

- Laos: High-speed railway -

Laos took on huge loans from China to partially finance a $6 billion high-speed railway connecting it with the underdeveloped, landlocked nation.

The nearly 650-mile line linking the Chinese city of Kunming to the Laotian capital Vientiane opened in 2021 and has served tens of millions of passengers, Beijing says.

It is envisaged as the first string in a sprawling web of rail projects knitting China closer to other countries in Southeast Asia.

Both sides have touted the project as a public good, with Beijing saying it "bears friendship, happiness and opportunities".

Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone told the Chinese state-run Global Times on Sunday that the railway "benefits not only Laos but also neighbouring countries".

But critics have said debt-riddled Laos is unlikely to make much money from the project and will struggle to pay back China, its major creditor.

- Pakistan: Economic corridor -

Plans to develop an "economic corridor" linking China and Pakistan took on new impetus when they were absorbed into the BRI framework a decade ago.

The staunch allies have earmarked tens of billions of dollars for a range of transport and energy projects connecting western China with Pakistan's Gwadar Port.

The former chairman of the port's Chinese state-owned operator in July called the site "a blank sheet of paper, and we can draw the most beautiful painting on it".

But analysts at the MERICS think-tank have called the corridor "an ambitious gamble that heightens risks" for Pakistan's perenially distressed economy.

- Djibouti: Naval base -

China showered Djibouti with investment after bringing the small African nation into the BRI's orbit -- and a sprawling military base is the centrepiece.

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The reportedly $590 million facility is Beijing's first permanent naval base outside China and is strategically placed between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Beijing has said the base is used to resupply navy ships, support regional peacekeeping and humanitarian operations and crack down on piracy.

But its proximity to a US military base has raised concerns of espionage and Chinese power projection around Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

In response, Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh has slammed Washington's "fixation" with and "incessant" complaints about the base.

- Greece: Foothold in Europe -

China raised European eyebrows in 2016 when a state-owned shipping firm bought a majority stake in Greece's ailing Port of Piraeus.

Athens formally joined the BRI two years later, and the two countries envision the port as a major transit hub linking the Asian and European continents.

Beijing's official Xinhua news agency said in August that "investments from China have breathed new life into a... port that once hit development bottlenecks".

Opponents say the project aims to use Beijing's economic leverage to enhance its influence over a debt-distressed European Union member.

China denies seeking malign influence over other countries through the BRI.

- Italy: Poised to pull out? -

Italy shocked Western allies in 2019 by declaring its participation in the BRI during a state visit from Xi Jinping.

The announcement made Rome the first member of the Group of Seven advanced economies to sign up for the Chinese President's flagship project.

The countries signed a series of commercial deals but they did little to staunch a yawning trade deficit or assuage concerns of Beijing's undue influence.

Italy now appears to be mulling a withdrawal from the scheme, with the initial memorandum of understanding due to lapse in March next year.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said last month that Rome was "yet to make a decision" on a prospective pullout.

But Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has been less equivocal, saying that the BRI "has not produced the results we were hoping for".

mjw/je/lb
Samuel L. Jackson and Pierce Brosnan are currently filming the Western movie Unholy Trinity.

The Avengers actor and former James Bond are currently shooting the feature at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana alongside Brandon Lessard.

In a statement to Deadline, director Richard Gray shared that he was "thrilled" when he received an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA to allow the production to go ahead amid the ongoing actors' strike.

"Thrilled doesn't even begin to describe how we feel about collaborating with such exceptional talent on Unholy Trinity," Gray said. "It's a captivating story, and we feel fortunate to be able to make an epic Western during the strike, working alongside SAG every step of the way. Paradise Valley, Montana, is a spectacular location and the ideal backdrop for this special story."

Set in the 1870s, Unholy Trinity has been described as a tale of revenge, dark secrets, and buried treasures.

Lessard plays Henry, the estranged son of Isaac Broadway, who orders him to murder the man who framed him for a crime he didn't commit moments before his execution. To fulfil his vow, Henry travels to the remote town of Trinity, where an unexpected turn of events leaves him caught between Brosnan's sheriff Gabriel Dove and a mysterious figure named St. Christopher, played by Jackson.

Gray is directing the movie from a script by Lee Zachariah.
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."
Martti Ahtisaari , second left along with Martin McGuinness, Eamon Gilmore, Owen Patterson, and Peter Robinson (L-R) at a conference on peace-building using Northern Ireland as a case study Picture: Julien Behal/PA Wire

Mr Ahtisaari, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008, died on Monday aged 86

Among his most notable achievements, Mr Ahtisaari helped reach peace accords related to Serbia's withdrawal from Kosovo in the late 1990s, Namibia's bid for independence in the 1980s, and autonomy for Aceh province in Indonesia in 2005.

In his work with the peace process in the late 1990s, he was tasked with monitoring the IRA's disarmament process.

President Higgins said Mr Ahtisaari's contribution to peace and reconciliation was not confined to Finland, but was "delivered to the whole world".

"The establishment of the Namibian state owes much to his efforts and he was to continue his efforts for peace in Kosovo, Cyprus, Aceh and of course Ireland," he said in a statement on Monday.

"Martti dedicated his life to the cause of peace.

"Importantly, he realised that peace is not something which can be simply wished for, rather it is something which can only be achieved through a process of engagement, negotiation and a shared commitment on each side to building a better, shared future for all those who have been in conflict.

"It was, importantly, something which he believed could be achieved in relation to all conflicts.

"In Ireland we will remain in Martti's debt for the important role which he played as a weapons inspector at a vital time in the peace process in Northern Ireland in the years following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

"The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Martti Ahtisaari in 2008 was thoroughly deserved recognition of the vital role he played in the resolution of so many conflicts across the world."

He added: "In our conversations, Martti was always a voice of hope, one that proved that war is not the solution to conflicts and that there is always a way to find peace.

"He will be deeply missed."

Mr Ahtisaari worked with South African politician Cyril Ramaphosa to inspect paramilitary arms caches and their verification, a defining issue in peace negotiations.

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Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said Mr Ahtisaari played a "crucial role in advancing the peace process" as one of a number of international mediators in Northern Ireland.

"Along with George Mitchell, John de Chastelain, Richard Haass, Cyril Ramaphosa, Harri Holkeri, and others they facilitated the necessary dialogue and participated in initiatives that led to the Good Friday Agreement and to subsequent agreements," he said.

"Martin McGuinness and I met Cyril Ramaphosa and Martti Ahtisaari in London in early 2000 and asked if they were willing to act as international arms inspectors examining and securing IRA arms dumps.

"They agreed and over the following year they carried out three inspections.

"The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning reported in 2001 that the dumps that Cyril Ramaphosa and Martti Ahtisaari had inspected were secure and that none of the materiel in them could be removed without their knowledge.

"Their willingness to undertake this difficult work made an important contribution to the peace process.

"In my conversations with Martti and Cyril I found them both to be committed to making our efforts successful. We got on well together."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also paid tribute to Mr Ahtisaari, saying he "made a lasting contribution that will not be soon forgotten".

"Throughout his life Martti Ahtisaari played a key role in resolving difficult conflicts around the world," he said.

"His contribution was recognised when the Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts over many decades.

"Millions of lives have been changed for the better as a direct result of his efforts and by helping end these conflicts he undoubtedly saved many lives.

"In the North he will be remembered for the role he played in our own peace process, particularly around decommissioning that was so important to allow us to build trust between our political parties and to transition to a more normal society."
Neil Jones and Chyna Mills have named their newborn Havana credit:Bang Showbiz

'Strictly Come Dancing' professional Neil Jones and his fiancee Chyna Mills have named their newborn daughter Havana Jones.

The 41-year-old choreographer opted for the capital of Cuba as his little bundle's moniker as it's the "home of dance".

He told HELLO! magazine: "Cuba is the home of dance and very multicultural so it was perfect; it sums us up."

Neil added: "She has dancer's feet."

And at only a few weeks old, the little one is already reacting to her daddy being on TV on the BBC One Latin and ballroom show.

Chyna, 24, said: "We've been watching Neil on Strictly from home. I told her, 'Look, it's Daddy on the screen' and at that moment, she did these little smiles with her eyes closed.

Asked if he wants Havana to follow in his footsteps and become a dancer, he replied: "It would be amazing if she wants to be a dancer.

"But she can be whatever she wants to be."

The pair started dating after Neil - who was previously married to fellow 'Strictly' pro Katya Jones - slid into the reality star's DMs and they got engaged in April.

Meanwhile, Neil has insisted he's "not bothered" about having a partner on 'Strictly'.

He has not been paired with a celebrity for the current series of the hit show but insisted that even though it is "great" when he does get the chance to compete with a star, he is still just happy to be a part of the show in any capacity.

He told OK! magazine: "I always say that everything happens for a reason. Every year when I get the call from 'Strictly', I say, 'I don't mind whether I have a partner or not, honestly, I'm not bothered at all'. If I do have a partner then, great, I take them aside and ask what they want from this process. And if I don't, also great, I still turn up, cheer everyone on and give them advice. I love the show either way."

The TV star also revealed that former 'Love Island' contestant Chyna hadn't even watched the competition when they first met.

He said: "When I was on tour with Strictly last time, Chyna would come and visit all the time. She hangs out with the other dancers and just immediately became part of the family, they all love her. Chyna had never watched 'Strictly' when we met, her family liked it but she wasn't a fan. She will kill me for saying that, but she's definitely coming around now. I'll catch her watching it and sometimes she'll even say if someone danced well, so I know she likes it."
(Photo: by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images) This photograph taken on October 3, 2023, shows a placard reading "Bed bugs" on a mattress abandoned on the pavement in a street in Marseille, southern France.

The UK experienced a 65% increase in bedbug occurrences in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year, according to pest treatment business Rentokil.

Luton Council also provided advice to locals this week on how to address an outbreak after fielding an "alarming number" of bedbug-related phone calls.

Depending on the temperature, an adult female can deposit 400 eggs in her brief lifetime, which can be as little as a few months. The eggs need to be incubated for roughly two weeks.

The Spotta

A bedbug-attracting pheromone chemical is contained in the Spotta gadget, a little plastic box. The gadgets are placed between beds and mattresses in hotels, according to BBC News.

If a bug gets inside, a tiny camera snaps a photo and uploads it to a main database online.

The human eye and artificial intelligence algorithms work together to confirm the presence of bedbugs. If so, the appropriate management receives a cell phone alert notice.

Before the issue spreads, chemical pesticides or heat treatment pest control procedures can be used once a bug has been identified. Hopefully, fewer customers will notice the problems or post about their encounters on social media.

The Valpas

Finland's Valpas, which was established in 2013, is the organization that invented this early detection strategy. With numerous upscale hotels across Europe, it has agreements in place.

It has created a digitally networked bug trap that is built into the unique bed legs it creates. Venture capital has invested more than $2 million (1.6 million) in it.

In order to warn hotel owners, traps are set up in rooms to catch bugs that are trying to bite people while climbing up the bed.

Like Spotta, Valpas has struggled to overcome the stigma associated with the notion that hotels should even need "pest control"; after all, it's not the first thing you put on advertisements. However, many hotel chains now find value in demonstrating that they are proactive about it as the bedbug problem becomes more known in the media and on social media.

Read also: Travel Safety Guide 2023: How to Check for Hotel Room Bed Bugs-Things You Can Do During Your Stay

Sniffer Dogs

Another popular method for receiving a bedbug early warning is provided not by technology but by man's best buddy.

The training of bedbug-focused sniffer canines takes about six months. But after they graduate, they are very powerful.

The dogs don't need any upkeep, and they don't run the risk of experiencing technological difficulties or going offline. It takes them a while to check a big hotel, room by room, and they can't be there every day.

Sniffer dogs are being used by Rentokil in the battle against bedbugs. Trained technicians gather an air sample from, say, a hotel room, using a backpack vacuum. As soon as the samples arrive at the facility, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Beagles, or Belgian Shepherds will sniff them out and inform their handlers.

Related article: [UPDATE] Paris Bedbug Outbreak: French Officials Sound Alarm, Call for Immediate Response to Crisis

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
HA NOI  President Vo Van Thuong's attendance at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing from October 17-20 is of great significance in both bilateral and multilateral aspects, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu has told the press.

Multilaterally, Thuong's participation demonstrates Viet Nam's strong commitment to multilateralism and its activeness in strengthening regional and global economic cooperation and connectivity.

Thuong is expected to join leaders and representatives of over 140 countries and international organisations in discussions on issues critical to the economic recovery process of each country and the globe such as digital transformation, green transformation, innovation, modern agriculture, and development of small- and medium-sized enterprises and startups.

Bilaterally, Thuong's working trip is highly respected by the leaders of the two countries. This is a high-level external activity in the year commemorating the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Viet Nam and China. Therefore, Thuong's meetings with key Chinese leaders will contribute to strengthening political trust, maintaining the momentum of relations as well as creating new opportunities for cooperation, said Vu.

According to the deputy minister, the Vietnamese Presidents attendance at the forum will contribute to reinforcing the trend of strengthening regional and global economic links, especially when Viet Nam is a country with great economic openness.

Discussions on issues that conform with Viet Nam's development orientations such as green growth, digital economy, innovation and corruption fight will offer experience and lessons to Viet Nam to help it take advantage of resources and expand economic collaboration.

Thuong's meetings with leaders of China and other countries will also open up new cooperation opportunities for Viet Nam, stated Vu.

For China, the two sides will continue to discuss measures to enhance high-level and all-level delegation exchanges; promote more sustainable and balanced economic, trade and investment relations in the coming time; and strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, especially within the framework of "Two Corridors, One Belt" and "Belt and Road" initiatives, he added.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam has attached much importance to its friendly neighbourliness, and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, seeing this as a top priority in the countrys foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang has said.

Hosting a reception for Deputy Mayor of China's Chongqing city Zhang Guozhi in Ha Noi on Monday, Hang highlighted the Chinese citys contributions to nurturing the fraternal friendship between the two nations, including its efforts to preserve President Ho Chi Minhs relic sites during his stay there for revolutionary activities.

She congratulated Chongqings socio-economic achievements over the past time, and suggested the city share experience with Vietnamese localities in socio-economic development, especially in the fields of manufacturing and urban management.

Urging both sides to work together to bolster economic-trade cooperation, Hang expressed her hope that Chongqing will purchase more high-quality agro-fishery products from Viet Nam, and join hands with competent sides to effectively operate the China-EU freight train route so as to facilitate Viet Nam's exports to third nations.

She asked Chongqing to coordinate with relevant authorities to accelerate the opening of the Vietnamese Consulate General in the city, while agreeing with her Chinese guest to enhance collaboration in cultural and people-to-people exchanges and tourism.

She also recommended Chongqing create favourable conditions to open additional flights to Vietnamese localities.

Introducing Chongqings socio-economic development, Zhang Guozhi proposed several initiatives to boost cooperation between Chongqing and Vietnamese localities in the time ahead, including the maintaining of delegation exchanges at all levels.

She asked for Viet Nam's support for Chongqing enterprises in investment activities in the Southeast Asian country, and welcomed Viet Nam to the Western China International Fair and many other international trade fairs in his city.

She said she wishes both sides will step up people-to-people exchanges, education and tourism cooperation.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin in Ha Noi on Monday.

The two leaders exchanged information about the socio-economic situation in their respective countries. They acknowledged various challenges facing both nations in the current situation and noted that the bilateral relations have continued to make positive progress across sectors, including the exchange of delegations at all levels and through channels.

Chinh stressed that the Vietnamese Government and people highly value the Viet Nam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership and deep-rooted friendship, which has been cultivated and developed by their leaders and people over the past more than seven decades.

Viet Nam wants to further enhance cooperation with Russia in various areas, both bilaterally and multilaterally, for the mutual benefit of both sides and for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world, he affirmed.

For his part, Volodin spoke highly of Viet Nam's increasingly important role and position in the region and the world as well, and affirmed that the Southeast Asian nation is one of Russia's top priority partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Vietnamese PM held that bilateral economic and trade relations have tended to see a slowdown due to many objective reasons. Although there have been signs of recovery, the ties have yet to be on par with the two sides demand and potential.

Both host and guest agreed to actively exchange information to overcome challenges and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods to access the Russian market. They also discussed the potential for new cooperation areas, such as digital transformation, green energy, and infrastructure development.

They also welcomed the opening of a direct air route between Ha Noi and Irkutsk in June this year and the recent signing of a protocol amending government agreements on oil and gas cooperation earlier this month.

Volodin agreed with PM Chinh's proposals on promoting bilateral cooperation, saying that the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, as a legislative body, fully supports the enhancement of collaboration between the two countries in all fields for the benefit of their people.

The two leaders hailed the two countries' cooperation within the multilateral framework, especially at the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the ASEAN-Russia cooperation mechanism. They affirmed that the two countries will maintain close coordination at international forums and organisations, continue to support multilateralism and resolve disputes by peaceful means based on international law.

PM Chinh also highly appreciated the Russian side, including the Federal Assembly, for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, study, and work stably in Russia. He called on Russian authorities to continue assisting the Vietnamese community in Russia to promote their role as a bridge connecting the two peoples, contributing to fostering the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

On this occasion, Chinh asked Volodin to convey his regards to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.  VNS
King Abdullah II of Jordan issued a dire warning on Tuesday, October 17, if the confrontation between Israel and the Hamas terror organization is allowed to extend to other nations. This presumably refers to Lebanon, where tensions have also been rising rapidly.

'A Red Line'

The king of Jordan said on Tuesday that neither his nation nor Egypt would welcome Palestinians who are evacuating from Gaza. "On the issue of refugees coming to Jordan - and I think I can quite strongly speak on behalf not only of Jordan as a nation but of our friends in Egypt - that is a red line," he stated, as reported by The Times of Israel.

He stressed that measures to address the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza must be taken within Gaza and the West Bank.

Abdullah also warned that the whole region was on the verge of collapse. "All our efforts are needed to make sure we don't get there," he expressed, after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

Scholz, who will visit Israel later on Tuesday, reiterated these concerns before leaving for the country. "We have a common goal to prevent a conflagration in the region."

Lebanese terrorist organization, Hezbollah, and Iran were given another stern warning in Scholz's remarks to stay out of the fight. Reportedly, Hezbollah members have been engaged in multiple cross-border battles with Israeli troops in recent days.

Since Hamas unleashed the worst terror offensive in Israel's 75-year history last week, Scholz will be among the first leaders of government to visit the country.

See Also: Israel Attacks Hezbollah Terrorists in Lebanon as Gaza Ground Offensive Looms

Israel-Hamas Conflict

In a surprise deadly attack on October 7, Hamas militants in Gaza broke through the border with Israel. They abducted 200 to 250 individuals to the Strip and murdered 1,300 people (mostly civilians) by shooting, stabbing, or setting them on fire.

Israel has retaliated by launching deadly airstrikes on Hamas sites in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 2,750 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Israel also confirmed that its troops killed about 1,500 terrorists within the country.

To overthrow the terror organization controlling Gaza, Israel is sending tens of thousands of soldiers to the border in preparation for a massive ground attack.

Nearly half of Gaza's population of 2.4 million has been ordered to evacuate the northern part of Gaza, in preparation for the next ground assault of Israel, which is expected to result in heavy civilian fatalities.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an existential threat, calling the situation in Gaza a "real catastrophe." The situation in Gaza has reached a catastrophic stage, with hospital fuel supplies rapidly depleting and key commodities like food and water dwindling to dangerously low levels.

See Also: Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem Offers Himself in Exchange for Hamas Hostages

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HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed the importance Viet Nam attaches to its comprehensive strategic partnership with India, and rejoiced at the strong development of the bilateral ties over the past time while receiving Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar in Ha Noi on Monday.

The PM congratulated India on its achievements in economy, national defence and science-technology, among other fields, and highlighted the time-honoured friendship between the two countries.

He lauded outcomes of the 18th meeting of the Viet Nam-India Joint Committee for Economic, Trade, Science and Technology Cooperation, co-chaired by Jaishankar and his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son earlier the same day, and asked the two foreign ministries to maintain bilateral cooperation mechanisms and promote people-to-people exchanges.

Jaishankar praised Viet Nam's achievements in socio-economic development and foreign relations, affirming that India considers Viet Nam an important partner in the region in implementing its Act East Policy, and wants to constantly enhance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

He conveyed regards from PM Narendra Modi to PM Chinh, and expressed his hope to welcome the Vietnamese Government leader to India in the time ahead.

Regarding specific cooperation areas, PM Chinh spoke highly of collaboration in national defence-security, and suggested India continue its support to Viet Nam in officer training, and boost cooperation in cybersecurity.

Emphasising the complementary strengths of the two economies, the PM urged relevant ministries and agencies of both sides to work harder in order to increase two-way trade turnover, towards the target of US$20 billion as set at the 18th meeting of the joint committee.

The two sides should further facilitate door opening for each other's products, limit trade barriers, consider negotiating and signing cooperation documents to create a favourable corridor for trade and investment activities, and promote connection between the two economies in terms of goods, services, interbank payment and digital payment, he continued.

Chinh called on India to encourage its big groups to invest in Viet Nam in such areas as infrastructure, seaports, logistics, oil and gas exploration and exploitation, and renewable energy.

The PM appreciated and recommended that India continue its support to Viet Nam in education-training and culture, especially providing scholarships and restoring cultural relic sites, and expressed his hope that India will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese airlines to open more direct flights to its big cities.

He also suggested two sides expand cooperation in new spheres like digital transformation, climate change response, energy transition and green growth.

For his part, Jaishankar pledged that he will coordinate closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to materialise the results of the above-said meeting, contributing to deepening the bilateral relationship, particularly in national defence-security, economy, trade, investment, and science-technology.

He also suggested the two sides push ahead with procedures for recognising each other's agricultural products.

For regional and international issues of shared concern, the Indian FM emphasised that in the face of increasingly complex and unpredictable developments of the international and regional situation, India always attaches importance to cooperation with Viet Nam in particular and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in general.

India is always ready to engage more strongly with the region, contributing to maintaining peace and stability, and promoting cooperation and development in the region, he affirmed.

The minister reiterated Indias stance on supporting ASEANs centrality and basic principles in solving regional problems, including the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) issue.  VNS
BEIJING  State President Vo Van Thuong and a high-ranking delegation of Viet Nam arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday, starting a trip to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping.

At the airport, the President and the delegation were welcomed by Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban - Rural Construction Ni Hong, Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam Xiong Bo, Envoy at the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing Ninh Thanh Cong, along with representatives of the Vietnamese embassy in China.

This is the first visit to China and also the first multilateral diplomatic activity of President Thuong as the State leader of Viet Nam.

During the third BRF, President Thuong is scheduled to attend the forums opening ceremony chaired by Chinese leader Xi, a high-level session on the digital economy as a new driver for growth, and the welcoming banquet for leaders of delegations also hosted by the Chinese President.

President Thuong is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of some countries and international organisations on the sidelines of the forum, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lao President and Party leader Thonglun Sisoulith, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, United Nations leader Antonio Guterres, among others.

He will also have meetings with top leaders of China, including President Xi and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Zhao Leji, as well as receive executives of some leading Chinese businesses in the fields of technology and telecommunications.

Amid many complex and unpredictable developments in the international situation and strong changes in the worlds economy, President Thuong and the Vietnamese delegations attendance at the third BRF is considered a practical activity helping implement the countrys consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, and proactive, comprehensive, flexible and effective integration into the world.

It is also meant to send out a message about Viet Nam being a friend, trustworthy partner, and active and responsible member of the international community contributing to regional and global peace, stability, development, and cooperation.  VNS
HA NOI  Approximately VN2.5 trillion (US$102 million) will be allocated for the estimated State budget recurrent expenditures, said finance minister Ho uc Phoc at the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The proposal is expected to be submitted to the NA for review and approval at the assemblys sixth session this month, the minister added.

Head of the NA Committee for Finance-Budget Le Quang Manh said that as of October 5 this year, the Government has only allocated 3.5 per cent of the total budget for recurrent expenditures for ministries, State agencies and localities.

The delayed process leads to inefficiency in utilising the State budget resources, said Manh.

The inspection team also requested that the Government take measures and avoid cases of unallocated funding in the annual State budget estimates.

The NA finance-budget committee also required the Government to submit a specific report on the remaining amount to the NA and its Standing Committee, and to clarify the disbursement feasibility during this year.

Manh added: Most delegates agree that in case the amount is not put to use, the Government should look into the matter and reallocate the amount to other urgent and necessary tasks, avoiding wasting the resources.

The head of the NA finance-budget committee said that another suggestion is, in case the amount is not allocated or is no longer necessary, it should be subtracted from the estimates to reduce the State budget deficit and interest costs, and mobilise resources to offset overspending.

Finance minister Ho uc Phoc said that the delayed allocation is due to the slow promulgation of policies and legal frameworks among ministries and sectors.

He added that the budgeting and spending processes are done in a strict manner and therefore disbursement is only possible when all criteria are met.

Speaking at the meeting, deputy State auditor ang The Vinh required clarification on whether the additional amount to the estimated recurrent expenditures is for new or existing tasks, as there are insufficient documents for budget allocation.

He also proposed identifying the responsibilities of relevant authorities, ministries and localities to avoid similar cases in the future.

Sharing the same perspective, NA Deputy Chairman Nguyen uc Hai required clear reports on why a large amount of the State budget is unallocated, with only a small amount proposed near the end of the year.

Appropriate mechanisms should be proposed to effectively utilise the allocated funding, he added.

The sixth session of the 15th-tenure NA is scheduled to take place from October 23 to November 29.

The NA is expected to review and approve nine law projects and two resolutions, while also commenting on eight other law projects, socio-economic issues and the State budget.

Topics of discussion include investment in building traffic infrastructure, settlement procedure for the annual State budget, ratifying the UKs participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the resettlement and compensation process related to the Long Thanh International Airport project.

The assembly will also hold votes of confidence for officials elected or approved by the NA.

Noting that preparations for the NAs sixth session are basically completed, NA Chairman Vuong inh Hue underlined strict compliance with the meeting regulations, with additional topics added only in cases of emergency with approval from relevant authorities.  VNS
BEIJING  President Vo Van Thuong had a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, China, on Tuesday on the sidelines of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).

The two leaders expressed their delight at the positive development of the Viet Nam-Russia traditional friendship and the comprehensive strategic partnership based on political trust and extensive cooperation. They took note of significant progress achieved recently, such as maintaining all-level exchanges and advancing joint work in various fields including economy-trade, defence-security, science-technology, education, training, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.

They highlighted the exchange of high-level delegations between the two countries and parties recently, such as telephone talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Putin, and the visits of leader of the ruling United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev and Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin.

President Thuong affirmed that Viet Nam always remembers Russias support in the past and at present. He went on highlighting that in implementing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification, Viet Nam considers Russia one of its most important partners and wants to foster the two countries comprehensive strategic partnership across all fields for their prosperity and the sake of their peoples.

The State leader expressed his appreciation for Russian agencies and localities's assistance in building the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Saint Petersburg and hoped that Russia will continue to provide scholarships to Vietnamese students and enhance the bilateral cultural and people-to-people exchanges. He also proposed more favourable conditions created for the Vietnamese expatriate community in Russia.

Putin stated that Viet Nam is one of the most important partners of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region and invited Thuong to visit Russia at an appropriate time.

The two leaders agreed that plenty of room is available for further strengthening the bilateral relationship in the time to come. Putin concurred with Thuongs opinions and assessments, especially regarding the directions and measures to promote the ties, including the enhancement of mutual understanding and political trust through all-level visits and exchanges, as well as the expansion of collaboration in economy, trade, security, defence, science, technology, culture, education, energy, and other areas according to bilateral agreements.

They also discussed the utilisation of bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and frameworks for economic, trade and investment cooperation, including the Viet Nam-Russia intergovernmental commission on economic-trade and sci-tech cooperation and the Eurasian Economic Union-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement.

Besides, the two leaders exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Thuong took the occasion to extend an invitation to President Putin to visit Viet Nam in the near future, which he accepted with pleasure.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam always gives top priority to the continuous strengthening and development of the good neighborliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive and long-term sustainable cooperation with Cambodia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces General Vong Pisen during a reception in Ha Noi on Tuesday.

He briefed the Cambodian military leader on Viet Nam's external relations direction and "four-nos" defence policy, and affirmed that Viet Nam always supports an independent, self-reliant, peaceful and prosperous Cambodia that plays an increasingly prominent role on the international stage.

The PM believed that under the leadership of the Cambodian Peoples Party led by Samdech Techo Hun Sen and the close direction of the Government led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, Cambodia will continue to achieve even more accomplishments in the future.

General Pisen informed the host about the results of talks between the delegations of the Cambodian armed forces and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, stressing that the Cambodian and Vietnamese armies will enhance coordination, continue to effectively carry out cooperation activities, thus making important contributions to the development of the friendly, comprehensive, and sustainable relationship between Viet Nam and Cambodia.

In reply, PM Chinh wished that the two armies would take the lead in nurturing Viet Nam-Cambodia relations and stepping up cooperation across the board, including personnel training, sharing of information and experience to effectively address long-standing or emerging issues at the grassroots level.

He suggested that both sides should step up exchange activities and joint border patrols, protect borderlines and markers, and prevent cross-border crimes, thus contributing to maintaining security and order in border areas, promoting cross-border trade and people-to-people exchange, thus building a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence always supports and creates the best conditions for cooperation between the Vietnamese and Cambodian armies, said Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang.

During a reception in Ha Noi on Tuesday for Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces General Vong Pisen, Giang congratulated Cambodia on its achievements in internal and external affairs led by the Cambodian Peoples Party over the past more than seven decades, especially the success of the seventh National Assembly election in July.

He believed that under the leadership of the Government and Prime Minister Hun Manet, Cambodia will score greater achievements in the near future, thus improving its position and role on the international stage.

Speaking highly of the outcomes of talks in the afternoon the same day between Pisen and Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Tan Cuong, Giang praised the extensive and effective cooperation in various areas between the two sides, particularly in personnel training, experience sharing, border protection, and mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms, notably those led by ASEAN.

He proposed that the Vietnamese and Cambodian armies seek new, practical and effective ways to contribute to improving the role of defence ties in the overall relationship between the two countries.

On the occasion, he invited leaders of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence and army to the second Viet Nam International Defence Expo and celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Viet Nam Peoples Army next year.

Pisen, for his part, expressed his profound gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State, army and people for their significant support to Cambodia in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism, helping Cambodia escape from the genocide and rebuild its socio-economic infrastructure.

Impressed by events held by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, including the Viet Nam International Defence Expo 2022, he affirmed that the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence and army would continue supporting activities held by Viet Nam in the coming time.

Earlier in the day, Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong has chaired an official reception ceremony for and held talks with visiting Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in Ha Noi.

Welcoming his guest, Cuong said the visit  which lasts from October 16 to 19  will generate new momentum to further deepen the cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries. Agreeing with Cuong, Vong Pisen expressed his belief that the trip will increase bilateral relations, friendship, and solidarity.

At the talks, both officers appreciated outcomes of joint work between their respective agencies and units since Cuong's official visit to Cambodia in March last year. Such collaboration has been particularly prominent in delegation exchanges, defence policy dialogues at the deputy ministerial level, joint patrols, and the maintenance of various cooperation mechanisms.

They said border guard forces and military zones of both sides have collaborated well to ensure security and social order in the shared border areas, while an emphasis has been placed on educating the two peoples, particularly the younger generation, about the significance of solidarity and mutual support between the two countries and their armed forces.

In the time to come, both sides agreed to enhance their coordination to contribute to the sound development of friendly and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia. They will work to build reliable, effective, and substantial ties and coordinate to make recommendations on military and defence matters, thereby reaffirming the position of such cooperation as one of the vital pillars in the relationship.

The host and guest also stressed their commitment to increasing delegation exchanges and making the best use of cooperative mechanisms and models such as joint patrols, annual conferences, military-civilian solidarity, and young officer exchanges.

Priority will be given to collaboration in personnel training, they said, adding that joint activities will be launched to serve the first Viet Nam-Cambodia-Laos border defence friendship exchange.  VNS
HA NOI The dream of becoming a female police officer has become a reality for Nguyen Hong Minh, a Vietnamese bride in South Korea. The 38-year-old policewoman is currently working at the Jangseong County Police Department, South Jeolla Province, South Korea.

Compared to many people of her age, Minh's journey started relatively late, but it's the path she took to fulfill the dreams of a Vietnamese bride in South Korea.

Minh was born and raised in Vinh City, Nghe An central province.

In 2005, she left her hometown and went to South Korea to study economics at Chosun University in Gwangju metropolitan city.

Driven by her deep affection for a local man, she decided to stay in South Korea and work for a trading company.

A year later, they got married.

After giving birth to their third child, Minh took a temporary break from work to focus on her family and her baby.

During this time, she decided to try her luck by taking the police recruitment exam.

"Since I was a child, I had nurtured the dream of becoming a female police officer. While my peers were reading publications about students I often read Cong An Nhan Dan (People's Public Security) newspaper. I was captivated by the thrilling and fascinating criminal cases solved by the police officers," Minh told Dan Tri (Intellectual) online newspaper.

"However, my father didn't share the same view. He thought this profession was too dangerous and demanding for a woman, and that's why he initially guided me toward a career in economics."

When she informed her husband and family about her decision to register for the South Korean police entrance exam, Minh initially thought that they would object because she already had three young children to take care of.

Moreover, this was considered a harsh examination that demanded high proficiency in both professional skills and physical fitness.

Contrary to her expectations, her family all expressed their wholehearted support for Minh's plan to become a police officer.

"My father told me that becoming a police officer in our home country is not easy, but becoming a police officer in Korea is very difficult. The work is hard and dangerous."

"But they still supported me to help my dream come true."

"Live your dream. It is never too late to turn a dream into reality," Minh's father told her.

With the support and encouragement of her loved ones, Minh plunged into her preparations. While the professional knowledge posed its difficulties, it was the physical fitness aspect of the examination that truly challenged her as she weighed up to 100kg at that time.

Her regime of weight loss exercises, strength training and martial arts became more and more intense. Sometimes Minh thought she couldn't continue, but then the woman of three children rallied her spirit with a 200 per cent commitment, because she was very close to making her dream a reality.

All her efforts finally paid off. Minh lost 40kg in 10 months and passed the Korean police entrance exams in 2018 excellently.

After undergoing six months of training and an additional two months of internships, she was officially appointed to work at the Jangseong County Police Department.

She was assigned to investigate cases of domestic violence, school violence and missing persons.

In the beginning, while handling cases of domestic violence, Minh received numerous requests for assistance from fellow Vietnamese brides.

Particularly, at the beginning of 2022, the South Korean police established a Facebook page to help share information quickly and promptly with the Vietnamese community in South Korea.

The Facebook page now has 97,000 followers, and through Vietnamese-language livestreams, it has played a role in disseminating the policies of the South Korean Ministry of Justice for the Vietnamese community in South Korea.

She recalled a story about a Vietnamese bride who was abused by her husband for many years. Through a message left on the Facebook page, Minh asked for the woman's phone number to directly chat and share advice.

"The lady had endured her husband's abuse for many years but was too afraid to report it to the police, fearing her husband's retaliation. She asked me to help her escape from her husband's violence. And I guided her through the procedures for reporting to the competent agency," Minh said.

The woman was transferred to a centre for victims of domestic violence and received legal advice to pursue a divorce from her husband.

"It's great that she finally found the courage to stand up for herself to have a happier life."

Minh said that conflicts and disagreements that arise in multicultural families stem from differences in language, culture and lifestyle.

In addition to resolving cases in accordance with local laws, Minh spends a lot of time consulting and supporting Vietnamese brides.

"Before deciding to marry a foreign spouse, Vietnamese women need to equip themselves with the language and an understanding of the local culture to have a basic foundation for married life. In addition, Vietnamese brides, and foreign brides in general, should have legal knowledge and be brave in seeking support, rather than silently enduring their circumstances."

Furthermore, Minh has persuaded many Vietnamese brides to join the volunteer team ensuring security and order, helping them enhance their legal knowledge and gain more confidence when participating in activities to maintain security and order in their local communities.

An ongoing issue in South Jeolla Province and many other regions of South Korea is the situation of foreign workers who stay illegally after their work contracts expire. Through Facebook, Minh provides these workers with a clear understanding of South Korean regulations.

"Illegal workers in South Korea are not entitled to any benefits; they don't have insurance and will have to pay 100 per cent of the treatment costs if they get sick, which can be very expensive. Undocumented residents cannot open bank accounts, so when sending money back to Viet Nam, they have to go through a third party and face significant risk of being scammed," Minh said.

Being fluent in three languages including Korean, English and Vietnamese gives her many advantages in performing her duties.

She has undertaken special assignments such as escorting, interpreting, and ensuring the safety of the Commander of the South Korean National Police Agency during visits to Viet Nam, as well as receiving, escorting, and interpreting for the deputy minister and delegates from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security during their visits in South Korea.

According to the female police officer of Vietnamese origin, this is a very stressful task, requiring the interpreter to learn about and prepare carefully for the content of the work, particularly specialised terms. However, those special business trips also left her with many beautiful memories.

"When I escorted high-ranking leaders to Viet Nam, many Vietnamese people asked me, 'You are a foreigner, Why do you speak Vietnamese so well?' And they were quite surprised as I told them I'm Vietnamese."

"In my role as a Korean police officer of Vietnamese origin, I take pride in contributing a small brick to build bridges and nurture the close and friendly relationship between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the South Korean National Police Agency," Minh said.

Working as a police officer has also meant that the mother of three sacrifices time spent on herself and her family. It is not rare that she comes home after midnight and leaves early the next morning to a crime scene.

Being able to do the work she loves brings happiness to her, and within that happiness, she is grateful for her family's understanding and support, as well as assistance from her colleagues.

After work trips, work in the office, and housework, Minh dedicates her weekends to teaching the Vietnamese language to children with Vietnamese mothers.

Through these lessons, she not only helps these children communicate with their mothers and grandparents in Viet Nam, but also helps them better understand the traditions, history and culture of their homeland.

At home, she maintains teaching and communicating in Vietnamese with her own children.

Every year, she and her husband take their children to visit their grandparents in Viet Nam, so they can understand and love their homeland more.

"Becoming a police officer, my goal is to assist the foreign community living in South Korea, preventing criminal situations caused by a lack of information."  VNS
QUANG NAM  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday urged the National Committee for Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, as well as ministries and local authorities in the central region, to urgently search for fishermen missing after two vessels sunk off Song Tu Tay Island (Southwest Cay) of Viet Nams Truong Sa (Spratly Islands).

Reports from the Viet Nam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre showed that at around 1.00am on Tuesday, the fishing boat QNa 90927 TS was hit by bad weather and sank approximately 135 nautical miles off the island.

A total of 37 fishermen were rescued by the fishing boat QNa 91782 TS, while one fisherman remained missing.

Around 7.30pm on Monday, the fishing boat QNa 90129 TS with 54 member crews sank due to a tornado, about 70 nautical miles off the island. In total, 40 fishermen were safely rescued by other passing vessels, leaving 14 fishermen missing.

By Tuesday noon, the search and rescue teams have found two of the missing, identified as o Van Hai and ang Minh Vuong, both residing in Tam Giang Commune in Nui Thanh District. Despite initial first-aid efforts, due to prolonged submersion in the sea, their health had deteriorated, and they both died. Currently, there are still 12 fishermen from this fishing boat who remain unaccounted for.

In the Directive No.970/C-TTg, PM Chinh instructed the National Committee for Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, ministers, and chairpersons of the people's committees of the localities in the central region to focus on the search and rescue tasks. It would cooperate with the Ministry of Transport, local authorities and relevant agencies to enhance the direction of effective search and rescue activities, ensuring the absolute safety of individuals and assets involved.

The Ministry of National Defence was requested to coordinate closely with relevant units and forces to maximise resources and promptly implement search and rescue measures for the missing fishermen.

The people's committees of localities in the central region, including Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh inh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and a Nang City would work with the Ministry of Transport to review vessels moored or operating in the sea areas to participate in the search and rescue work.

Currently, the weather conditions in the central region are very complicated. PM Chinh instructed relevant ministries and local authorities in the central region to strictly implement Directive No. 898/C-TTg issued on September 28, 2023, on concentrating efforts to respond and overcome the consequences of heavy rains and floods, and Directive No. 950/C-TTg issued on October 12, 2023, on proactive flood response in the central region.

All relevant units and vehicles should be ready to respond to emergency situations, perform rescue and relief operations as needed, he said.

The Government Office would closely monitor and urge the related ministries, agencies, and localities to effectively implement the Directive and report any issues or difficulties encountered in a timely manner to the Prime Minister.

The Quang Nam Provinces disaster prevention and rescue and search centre said rescue forces have set off to search for the missing fishermen. Seven other fishing boats joined the search.

Last week, 14 fishermen from Thanh Hoa were rescued off the coast of a Nang after encountering difficulties.

On Tuesday morning, the low pressure system in the southwest sea of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands strengthened into a tropical depression.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) said that from now until Thursday, the area from Quang Tri Province to Quang Nam Province would see severe heavy rain with accumulation of 100-250mm, in some places over 350mm.

Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Ngai and Kon Tum provinces would have moderate rain, some places having heavy rain. Average accumulation would be 40-150mm, but in some places it would reach over 200mm.

From Thursday, northern and north central regions are likely to experience heavy rain.

People should be aware of the risk of flash floods, landslides in mountainous areas, and flooding of rice and agricultural crops in low-lying areas.  VNS
Statistics from the Census Bureau show that the number of Americans working from home has hit a new low since COVID-19 began.

The Bureau's most recent Household Pulse Survey, conducted between September 20 and October 2, found that only about 26% of families had at least one person working remotely at least once every week, as reported by Business Insider.

It seems that companies' efforts to get Americans back to the workplace are paying off.

Lowest Level Since Outbreak

Although 37% of American households had at least one member working remotely in early 2021, the most recent polls from the Census Bureau show that number has dropped significantly to less than 26%.

This turnaround is a result of persistent efforts by numerous companies to bring their employees back to the office, according to Bloomberg. Employees who work from home have been blamed for a drop in earnings and billions of dollars in lost revenue for cities, and their capacity to demand the benefits they earned at the outbreak's outset when the labor market was in their favor has weakened due to recessionary anxieties.

However, even if some businesses are anticipating a return to a five-day workweek, there is still enough conflict in the boardroom. Almost three-quarters of businesses name return-to-office (RTO) as the issue most likely to spark leadership disputes.

According to the statistics, the percentage of people working from home across all 50 states has decreased from its pandemic high. A variety of factors, including migration, socioeconomic status, gender, race, and possibly politics, may be responsible for the divergent rates of decline noticed across the states.

This diversity is illustrated by the fact that Mississippi and Louisiana, which relied on manufacturing, saw their remote-work rates drop by as much as half, while states like California and Connecticut, which are more associated with the white-collar sector, saw their rates rise.

Also Read: Social Security Payments To Rise by 3.2% in 2024; Here's How Much Extra Money You May Expect!

In Favor of Remote Work Setup

Although many businesses still favor employees coming into the office each day, others insist that remote workers provide better results.

Dropbox, which promotes itself as "remote-first," allocates 90% of its annual time to remote work, while 10% is used for employee off-site activities, as CEO Drew Houston recently told Fortune. "If you trust people and treat them like adults, they'll behave like adults. Trust over surveillance," he stated.

Workers are leaving their current employers in protest of mandatory RTO policies. Because it is so difficult to locate a new job that will enable them to work from home, some individuals stay in remote positions that they do not like.

According to Business Insider, statistics suggest that those who work from home are more likely to have advanced degrees, make more money, and are ready to accept a salary decrease if it means never having to return to the office.

Also Read: Ford Steps Up Effort To End UAW Strike, Exec Says Company's Future at Stake

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It was revealed that 21-year-old Franco-Israeli woman Mia Shem, one of the people who went missing after Hamas attacked southern Israel almost two weeks ago, was revealed to be alive and in Hamas captivity.

Shem was attending the Supernova music festival that killed at least 260 of her fellow attendees when she was injured and taken by Hamas fighters. Her status was confirmed after Hamas released a video late Monday (October 16).

In a separate video, Hamas's armed wing said that their hostages were their "guests" and that they would free when circumstances allowed them to do so.

A Mother's Plea

Since the video, Mia's mother, Keren, has appealed for her daughter's immediate release along with at least 198 other hostages.

"I'm begging the world to bring my baby back home," she told reporters in Tel Aviv while clutching a picture of Mia's.

She also said what happened with the Hamas attack was a "crime against humanity" that Hamas should pay for.

"She only went... to a festival party to have some fun," she added. "And now she's in Gaza and she's not the only one."

Read Also: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Heads to Israel on 'Solidarity Mission' Amid Ongoing War

France Condemns Hamas Hostage-Taking

In response to Hamas's video release, the French government renewed its condemnation.

The French foreign ministry said the video featuring Shem was vile, and President Emmanuel Macron demanded her immediate release.

"It is an ignominy to take innocent people hostage and put them on show in this odious way," he said.

In total, Shem was one of 13 French hostages in Hamas's hands, while 19 other French citizens were among the 1,400 people killed when Hamas attacked over 20 Israeli communities and the music festival.

On the other hand, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) denounced the Hamas video as "psychological terror against Israeli citizens," the BBC reported.

Related Article: 'No Place in the United States': GOP Senator Calls for DHS to Kick Pro-Hamas Supporters Out of US

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The Facebook encryption plan of Meta is still spreading fears among sex abuse survivors, especially since this enhancement's rollout is about to happen.

Many victims of online sexual harassment are now sharing their concerns. Now, the question is, will the tech giant firm really make E2EE (end-to-end encryption) a default feature on Facebook and Instagram?

Facebook Encryption Brings Fear to Sex Abuse Survivors

Rhiannon-Faye McDonald, a child sex-abuse survivor living in North Yorkshire in Northern England, shared her concerns regarding the upcoming plan of Meta to make end-to-end encryption a default feature on its social media platforms.

Ms. McDonald, who was sexually harassed at the age of 13, explained that Meta's encryption plan for Facebook and Instagram will make it hard to detect online child abuse activities.

For those who are unfamiliar with this feature, E2EE is a privacy technology that prevents social media companies and other unauthorized parties from accessing the messages of senders and receivers.

Although it leads to more online privacy, some bad actors, especially sex abusers, can take advantage of it since their messages can't be easily seen by authorities.

This is why McDonald and other sex harassment survivors are against Meta's E2EE plan. She shared her traumatizing experience to let other people know why making end-to-end encryption a default feature is concerning.

She said that when she was a child, her online abuser contacted her before harassing her in person. McDonald added that some of her sexual abuse images could still be circulating online.

"It's devastating to me to know that my images could circulate on those platforms without being detected and removed. I think many survivors in my position would feel the same," she explained via BBC News.

Read Also: Biden Admin SocMed Company Communication Restriction Now Includes CISA-Here's What 5th Circuit Judges Reveal

Will Meta's Default E2EE Plan Really Happen?

As of writing, WhatsApp (owned by Meta), Signal, and other online messaging platforms already offer end-to-end encryption features.

Messenger also has this enhancement. However, the E2EE features of Facebook and Instagram are not activated by default.

Because of this, many users are not utilizing this feature. Previously, Meta announced that it would make the end-to-end encryption a default feature in Facebook Messenger and Instagram.

The tech giant firm said that this effort will make the E2EE feature a new standard for all users on IG and FB. Meta is expected to release default E2EE enhancement before 2023 ends, as reported by PCWorld.

However, there's a chance this can be delayed, especially since many advocates, government officials, experts, and users heavily criticize this effort.

Related Article: Meta Launches Aggressive Crackdown on Hamas-Related Disinformation, Promises Safer Online Space

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By Kwon Mee-yoo

The Czech Philharmonic, a leading orchestra from Central Europe, is set to enchant Seoul audiences with an all-Antonin Dvorak concert at the Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 24.

Under the leadership of principal conductor Semyon Bychkov, this upcoming performance aims to deepen cultural exchanges between Korea and the Czech Republic, while spotlighting Dvorak's enduring influence on classical music.

The philharmonic orchestra is also joined by up-and-coming Japanese pianist Mao Fujita, who is making his first appearance in Korea.

Highlighting the significance of this year's concert is its exclusive focus on the works of Dvorak, one of the most revered Czech composers. Dvorak's "Carnival Overture" and "Symphony No. 7," along with the seldom-performed original version of the "Piano Concerto in G minor," are all slated to be performed in Seoul.

The concert's organizer InArts Production said in a statement that this concert aims to reproduce the "terroir" of Dvorak, capturing the essence of the composer much like a fine wine captures its regional nuance.

The Czech Philharmonic's 127-year history dates back to its inaugural concert in 1896 where Dvorak himself took the podium. The orchestra has built a reputation for its nuanced interpretations of Czech composers. During its five previous visits to Korea since 1991, the orchestra has curated performances that reflect its Czech identity.

Bychkov, who has been the principal conductor since 2018, brings a meticulous touch to the orchestra's Czech-inspired repertoire. His approach has resonated both with the orchestra members and the public, harmonizing with distinctive Bohemian sounds deeply rooted in the philharmonic's 127-year history. This will be the first time for Seoul audiences to experience Bychkovs interpretation of Czech classics with the orchestra.

Joining this musical journey is Fujita, a 24-year-old Japanese pianist who has already made significant strides in the international classical scene. Among his notable accomplishments are a second-place win at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019 and the distinction of being the first Japanese pianist to secure an exclusive worldwide contract with Sony Classical. Fujita is set to perform the challenging Dvorak composition "Piano Concerto in G minor."

The orchestra will travel to the southeastern city of Daegu for another concert at the Grand Hall of Daegu Concert House on Oct. 25.
By Yoon Ja-young

MBK Partners Founder and Chairman Michael Byungju Kim made another donation to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, following a $10 million donation last year.

This year's donation coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Arts of Korea gallery within the museum. He joined the Korean art initiatives supported by the Korea Foundation and Samsung Foundation of Culture, which aim at strengthening Korean art exhibitions and education programs.

The funds contributed by Kim will be used to build a Korean art collection at the museum. Kim, who is also a member of the Met Trustee, donated $10 million last year for the renovation and reopening of the modern and contemporary art galleries.

As part of the Korean art initiatives, the museum also established the Korea Foundation and Samsung Foundation of Culture Curatorship for Korean Art. Eleanor Soo-ah Hyun was appointed as the positions first incumbent. Collaborative scholarships and educational programming for Korean art will also get support.

Max Hollein, CEO of the Met, said that the donation from Kim and his wife, Park Kyung-ah, will further enhance the museum's collection of Korean art. He also expressed gratitude to the two foundations, which have been long-time supporters of the Met because of their contributions to sharing the art of Korea to a global audience.

Kim said that the Korean art pieces housed at the Met are of a world-class standard. We are honored to support a world-class collection of Korean art at the Met to share with its global audience, Kim said.

The Met has been operating the Arts of Korea gallery with the support of the Korea Foundation and the Samsung Foundation of Culture since 1998, regularly hosting exhibitions of Korean art pieces.
By Lee Yeon-woo

While financial authorities are advocating for governance reforms and voicing concerns about the prolonged tenure of CEOs in the financial sector, foreign banks seem to be sidestepping these pressures.

Last Friday, Standard Chartered (SC) Bank Korea's executive candidate recommendation committee selected Park Jong-bok as the sole finalist for the banks next CEO. Park was first appointed in 2015 and has since led the bank for nine consecutive years. If confirmed for a new term, his tenure will extend until January 2025.

"Since being appointed in 2015, Park transitioned the bank into profitability by 2016 and has consistently improved its financial performance with strategies tailored to the Korean market," the committee said in its statement. They highlighted that as of 2022, the bank's return on equity (ROE) reached 11.5 percent. In contrast, the average ROE for domestic commercial banks is 5.2 percent.

Citibank Korea CEO Yoo Myung-soon is also poised to start her second consecutive term, pending approval at a shareholders' meeting scheduled for Oct. 27. If confirmed, her tenure will extend through 2026.

The executive candidate recommendation committee spoke highly of Yoo's instrumental role in overhauling the bank's profit model. "Yoo has been pivotal in incrementally shutting down the bank's consumer credit operations in Korea, and channeling efforts into corporate financing," they said. "We're witnessing significant improvements in our key financial metrics this year."

An official from the banking industry explained, "Unlike CEOs of domestic financial companies, foreign bank CEOs usually have their reappointment assured, unless there is a clear reason for disqualification. This is especially the case if they've demonstrated a strong performance during their tenure."

It is also believed that financial authorities struggle to intervene, either directly or indirectly, in the governance of foreign banks, primarily because their headquarters are situated outside of Korea.

Under the Yoon Suk Yeol government, financial authorities are intensifying their scrutiny over the multiple tenures of leaders within domestic financial groups. Chairmen of major financial groups, including Woori, Shinhan, NH Nonghyup and KB, have all indicated their intention to resign before the end of their terms.

KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo, who bid farewell after nine years, also expressed disappointment with the policy direction. In a press conference last month, Yoon pointed out that the average tenure of CEOs at S&P 500 companies is 10.2 years, and posed the question, "Is it truly feasible to engage in and reap the benefits of long-term investments when there's a CEO turnover every three to six years?"
China issues commemorative stamps, envelopes featuring BRI

Xinhua) 08:51, October 17, 2023

A staff member shows a commemorative envelope featuring the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Commemorative stamps and envelopes featuring the Belt and Road Initiative were issued by the Beijing branch of China Post ahead of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

A staff member shows commemorative stamps marking the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Commemorative stamps featuring the Belt and Road Initiative are displayed at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
FSS governor denies rumors of his candidacy for general election in audit

By Anna J. Park

Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Lee Bok-hyun has vowed to push for heavier punishment for illegal short selling practices conducted by some global investment banks in Korea. Lee said he finds it problematic that some foreign institutional investors routinely engage in naked short selling, despite knowing such practices are illegal.

"The FSS aims to impose much heavier penalties than in the past on those responsible for illegal short selling. I think criminal punishment may also be possible, and we will look further into whether it's possible to impose criminal charges on executives or employees of the foreign firms," Lee said during the National Assembly's on-site audit held at FSS headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday.

Lee's remarks came in response to two lawmakers' questions on the financial authority's handling of illegal short selling practices.

Rep. Yun Ju-keyng from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and Rep. Back Hye-ryun from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) asked for the FSS chief's stance over the recently uncovered major illegal short selling practices conducted in 2021 and 2022 worth 56 billion won ($41.3 million) by BNP Paribas and HSBC.

I think a deeper consideration at the fundamental level is necessary, as the impacts from current illegal short selling practices are too serious, such as distortion of the market, to be simply viewed as individual cases, Lee said.

Answering a similar question from PPP Rep. Yoon Han-hong on 14 million Korean retail investors' anger over differentiated short selling rules applied to institutional investors and individual investors, the FSS governor vowed once again to look closely into the matter.

While it is true that short-selling has a positive function in the market, it is also now known that extensively conducted unfair short-selling practices have made the local stock markets an unlevel playing field, and it is also considered to be one of the causes of the so-called 'Korea discount.' Thus, the FSS will look into various policy options to address the matter," Lee said.

Lee added that there's no disagreement that the advancement of the local financial system is necessary to gain the trust of foreign investors and others overseas. Yet, he said he personally thinks that unfair short selling practices in the market here have damaged trust so greatly that more special measures are needed.

"However, the primary decision-making authority on short selling rules lies with the Financial Services Commission (FSC). In addition, the government's overall position should also be determined prior to making changes to the specific rules. Thus, it is difficult for me to come up with a clear conclusion at this point," Lee explained.

The National Assembly audit was centered on the topic of short selling, as over 50,000 people have signed an official petition on the National Assembly website calling for the improvement of the short selling system.

Meanwhile, Lee distanced himself from rumors of his candidacy in next year's general election. DPK Rep. Park Sung-joon asked during the audit whether he would run for office next year, and Lee flatly denied the rumor.

"As I have said repeatedly, I believe that my current role at the FSS is necessary for stabilizing the market until the end of this year or next, although the work I am currently doing is insufficient," Lee said.

Despite the former prosecutor-turned FSS chief's continual denials, rumors of his intention to run in the general election next April continue.
The top nuclear envoys of South Korea, the United States and Japan were set to meet in Jakarta on Tuesday to discuss joint responses to North Korea's suspected arms delivery to Russia for use in Ukraine.

The meeting among Kim Gunn, the special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts  Sung Kim and Hiroyuki Namazu  comes amid speculation that Pyongyang and Moscow may have reached an arms deal at last month's rare summit between the North's leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Washington said Friday the North has sent over 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Moscow for use in its war in Ukraine, the first U.S. disclosure of its assessment on the suspected arms transaction.

Tuesday's talks also come a day after North Korea's announcement that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Pyongyang later this week.

During the talks, the three envoys are expected to share their assessments on the possible military cooperation between the North and Russia and discuss coordination efforts in responding to the latest development.

Kim Gunn will also have separate bilateral talks with Namazu, his new Japanese counterpart, who assumed the post in August.

In the bilateral talks held Monday, Kim Gunn and Sung Kim warned against any military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow and agreed to tighter coordination in response measures, such as the sharing of information.

The Kim-Putin summit has sparked speculation that North Korea may have agreed to supply Russia with ammunition and weaponry for its war in Ukraine in exchange for a transfer of advanced weapons technology from Moscow, such as fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles.

North Korea stipulated the policy of strengthening its nuclear force in its constitution at its key parliamentary meeting in September. It has vowed to carry out another military spy satellite launch this month after two failed attempts, taking place in May and August. (Yonhap)
North Korea appears to be linked to the Hamas militant group in the arms trade and other military fields, and could use tactics similar to those used against Israel for a surprise attack on South Korea, a senior official at Seoul's military said Tuesday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) made the assessment after analyzing Hamas' unprecedented attacks on Oct. 7, which blindsided Israel by firing over 5,000 rockets to bypass its Iron Dome defense system, paralyzing the early warning system and breaching the Israeli border with paragliders in the early stage of the conflict.

"Hamas is believed to be directly or indirectly linked to North Korea in various areas, such as the weapons trade, tactical guidance and training. There is a possibility that North Korea could use Hamas' attack methods for a surprise invasion of South Korea," a senior JCS official told reporters on background, asking not to be named.

Radio Free Asia, a Washington-based media outlet, earlier reported on the suspected use of North Korean weapons by Hamas fighters, citing a video featuring one of the fighters holding what resembles an F-7 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher manufactured in the North.

The military official said the F-7s, a type of high-explosive fragmentation rocket, appear to be another name for the RPG-7 produced in North Korea, without specifying whether they were provided directly to Hamas or through transactions involving other countries.

The JCS assumed the 122 mm artillery shells found near the Israeli border were exported from North Korea, considering they had the marking "Bang-122," the same as ammunition used in North Korea's artillery attacks.

"This suggests that North Korea continues to export various weapons to Middle Eastern countries and armed groups," the official said.

Pyongyang has denied allegations that its weapons were used by Hamas in the attack against Israel as "a groundless and false rumor," saying the claim was part of Washington's bid to divert the blame for the conflict from itself.

Hamas' infiltration into the Israeli territory through unconventional means, such as paragliders and drones, showed similar patterns employed by the North in the past, the JCS official said, raising speculation over Pyongyang's links to the Palestinian militant group.

As South Korea has deployed an advanced border surveillance system on front-line troops over the past decade, Pyongyang has bolstered training for airborne infiltration using paragliders.

In December 2016, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un publicly guided the demonstration of the paragliders targeting the then presidential compound Cheong Wa Dae, speculating that the North may have passed on infiltration tactics to Hamas.

Learning lessons from the conflict in the Middle East, the JCS vowed to step up coordination with the United States to effectively operate the combined surveillance assets to detect unusual signs from the North and bolster defense capabilities against its long-range artillery and drone strikes. (Yonhap)
Russian FM to arrive in North Korea amid suspicion of arms transfers

By Jung Min-ho

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will arrive in North Korea today for a two-day visit, amid suspicions of arms transfers between the two states and palpable signs of their expanding bilateral ties.

Experts on Moscow-Pyongyang relations told The Korea Times on Tuesday that they believe the chief purpose of Lavrovs visit is to arrange a more significant diplomatic event  Russian President Vladimir Putins first official visit to the North Korean capital in more than 20 years.

Lavrov is there to organize Putins summit with Kim Jong-un. I cannot think of any other reason, said Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute of National Unification, a state-run think tank. It is now a question of when. Their next summit will likely take place this year.

Hyun Seung-soo, another analyst at the think tank, agreed with the assessment.

Given the Kremlins desperate situation in Ukraine, where its troops are struggling with a chronic shortage of ammunition on the battlefield, Putin is expected to visit North Korea sooner rather than later as he is seeking more arms support from North Korea, Hyun said.

If the meeting takes place, it will be Putins first visit to Pyongyang since July 2000, when he engaged in talks with Kim Jong-il, the former leader of North Korea.

The latest development in the relationship comes after the Washington Post reported that two Russian ships made at least five round trips between a port facility in Dunay of the Russian Far East and North Korea's northeastern port of Rajin since mid-August  a sign of possible arms transfers. This followed the White Houses announcement, Friday, that Pyongyang delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Moscow for its ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to the news report, the highly suspected transfers began about three weeks after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea, where he held a meeting with Kim to discuss strengthening military cooperation.

It is still unclear what North Korea gained  or will gain  from Russia in return. There have been worries that the Kremlin may offer sensitive military technologies to Pyongyang, which is trying to develop nuclear-powered submarines and spy satellites among other high-tech weapons systems.

Asked about that possibility, analysts said Russias lack of trust in the North and geopolitical restrictions will likely stand as an obstacle.

In desperation, Russia might have offered North Korea cooperation in technological areas. In the long run, however, there are few benefits Russia can expect from that partnership other than ammunition and manpower, Cho said. So Russia may provide support in some areas, but it will stay reluctant to share its core technologies while projecting an image suggesting otherwise. I think the summit is part of that effort.

In Russia, there has been a political discourse regarding how closely Russia should collaborate with North Korea, as almost all such attempts would violate international sanctions, according to Hyun, who added that the Kremlin knows the high diplomatic cost attached to the ties.

Speaking of the Russian foreign ministers visit to North Korea, an official at the South's Ministry of Unification told reporters that the two countries should stop violating international laws.

Amid the illegal arms transfers between Russia and North Korea, which were confirmed by the U.S. government, the international community is now closely monitoring the Russian foreign ministers visit, the official said.
New logistics centers are planned to handle 60-70% of the total goods volume of Dong Nai province ( Vietnam ), while the remaining centers and areas providing traditional logistics services will take on 30-40%.

Draft planning for Dong Nai province for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the consulting unit proposes planning 4 large-scale logistics centers.

Accordingly, 4 centers include the eastern warehouse center - Trang Bom (620ha); Phuoc An port logistics center (234ha); the North center of Long Thanh airport (100ha); Southern center of the airport, the perspective of a logistics center.

Logistics centers are planned close to traffic hubs: Long Thanh Airport, Phuoc An Port, and Trang Bom railway station to facilitate the transportation of goods and reduce logistics costs.

Dong Nai ( Vietnam ) aims to become a transit gateway for the entire South by 2030 with an infrastructure system that well meets the transportation and warehousing needs of businesses in the region. The logistics industry will have the highest growth rate among the province's service industries.

Therefore, the draft planning targets that by 2030, the growth rate of Dong Nai's logistics services will reach about 30-35%/year, and the contribution to the province's service industry GDP will be from 20-25%.

New logistics centers are planned to handle 60-70% of the total goods volume of Dong Nai province, while the remaining centers and areas providing traditional logistics services will take on 30-40%.

According to the draft planning, one of the advantages for Dong Nai ( Vietnam ) to develop logistics is the advantage of industrial parks that have strongly boosted businesses' demand for import and export of goods. This is identified as a potential market for Dong Nai's port system, freight transport, and logistics services.

Dong Nai's logistics development potential benefits from key transportation projects as well as strong local industry and neighboring provinces such as Ho Chi Minh City ( Vietnam ) and Binh Duong ( Vietnam ).

With Long Thanh International Airport, Phuoc An port cluster and logistics centers in Trang Bom, Ho Nai, Dong Nai province ( Vietnam ) have the potential to become a regional aviation center with comprehensive logistics services and processing centers. Leading import and export goods manager for the Southern Key Economic Region. Enhancing connectivity between provinces also opens up a new direction for economic development for the province when Dong Nai unecessarily has to compete with Binh Duong in industry but can choose supporting industries and take advantage of the province's international airport gateway.

In addition, Dong Nai ( Vietnam ) also has the potential in building logistics centers. With the pro of being a locality with the most planned industrial parks in the country and a large import-export market, Dong Nai is gradually planning and developing to become a logistics center for the region.

The Eastern General Transit Zone (Trang Bom district) will be the province's large ICD area, with the advantage of being close to rivers and seas and near major seaports in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Besides, when Long Thanh airport comes into operation, along with the highway system... a large urban chain will form stretching from Binh Duong, Bien Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City through Long Thanh, Nhon Trach, then build a logistics chain to serve production, import and export needs.

In fact, currently, many businesses in Dong Nai ( Vietnam ) are still doing import-export services in Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Lai port, while the locality has a significant advantage in terms of river routes and port systems.

Therefore, the goal of Dong Nai province is to attract businesses in the province and in the region to provide import-export services. Locals believe that in the long term, Moving out of the urban center will be the main trend. Hence, businesses will look for areas with large space to store goods in preparation for export. Dong Nai will calculate to be ready to serve when needed.
At the Logistics Summit 2023 jointly organised by VIR and SLP Vietnam on October 5, managers, experts and business leaders discussed the prospects and challenges of the logistics industry amid green changes in global supply chains.

Addressing the summit, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong noted that logistics was an important industry, which supports, connects and promotes national socioeconomic development. It also helps Vietnam bolster competitiveness.

In recent years, the Vietnamese government has improved mechanisms, policies and infrastructure to develop this important industry. The countrys logistics capacity has since markedly improved, ranking 64th out of 160 countries in terms of logistics development and ranking fourth in the ASEAN region after Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, according to the World Bank.

In 2022, Vietnam ranked 11th in the top 50 global emerging logistics markets, published by Agility, with an annual growth rate from 14-16 per cent and value of $40-42 billion per year.

At the summit, experts assumed that pandemic and geopolitical fluctuations had created changes in the supply chain, for example transition from globalisation to regionalisation. This requires greater diversity, more reliability and safer. At the same time, sustainable commitments require the logistics industry to quickly go green.

Vietnam is becoming a major manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia. More high-tech factories come on stream, contributing to the resilient trading activities.

The vibrant domestic consumer market also creates needs for comprehensive logistics solutions, helping optimise time and costs.

Vietnam is ready to fulfill the needs with over 3,000 domestic transportation and logistics businesses and about 25 of the world's top forwarding corporations. In particular, with more than 23 years of experience in logistics and freight management, ITL has built a strong position as a national champion in the industry.

In addition to the National Brand Vietnam Value award, ITL demonstrates its commitment to continue to invest in Vietnam with an estimated $200 million in warehouses and infrastructure projects. With the ability to access extensive air, rail and sea networks, ITL is among the few to provide comprehensive End2End services to manage and optimise customers supply chain.

Alexander Olsen, vice president of Freight Management and Commercial of ITL Corporation, said an important part of ITL's strategy was to combine its 30+ barges, almost 500 trucks and freight solutions into one product, connecting End2End visibility and capacity control to all customers in Vietnam.

This helps ITL optimise the transportation of goods from seaports to final destinations, which is an important part of providing comprehensive logistics services to its customers.

Particularly, with the presence of tech giants such as Samsung, Apple, Foxconn in Vietnam, ITL is ready to provide clean rooms and warehouses specially designed to store microchips and other components for production.

This is an area ITL is investing heavily in, and I believe Vietnam will succeed in the coming years in developing high-tech manufacturing, especially in the northern region, Olsen said.

On the other hand, to support the vibrant consumer market and continue the record annual export of agricultural and food products, ITL's cold supply chain is continuously being improved.

It already has a cold chain in the central and is building one in the southern region. ITL has plans to expand into the northern in the forthcoming years.

ITL will also continue to grow our refrigerated truck fleet and try to create special tailor-made solutions for retail customers, and of course import and export customers, Olsen said.

Cross-border connectivity and transportation are becoming an important part of the global economy. ITL has expanded its cross-border shipping solutions to meet growing customer needs, including enhancing customs clearance management and optimising processes to reduce time and costs.

In addition, as a champion in logistics and freight management, ITL not only commits to offering exceptional customer services, but also invests in green and sustainable assets.

ITL has been awarded Label Leaf Level 3 by Green Freight Asia (GFA), to recognise its efforts in employing green transportation, with the aim of improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in Vietnam.

In addition, the company also invests heavily in prime movers with fuel-efficient engines and meets Euro 4 emission standards to protect the environment.

ITL invests heavily in prime movers with fuel-efficient engines and meets Euro 4 emission

At the discussion panel titled Creating opportunities for logistics to develop in the future, Olsen said the company has also installed solar panels in warehouses.

In addition, they combine barge and truck transportation to reduce emissions because the CO2 amount of each tonne of goods on a truck is eight times greater than on a barge. We are working with other agencies and companies to import the first batches of electric trucks into Vietnam, he said.

Last but not least, by regularly investing in technology and advanced solutions, ITL demonstrates its commitment to maintaining a pioneering spirit, helping open up the promising path ahead for the logistics industry and positively contributing to Vietnam's economy.

'Friend-shoring' takes centre stage at Vietnam Logistics Summit 2023 At the Vietnam Logistics Summit 2023 co-organised by SLP Vietnam and VIR on October 5 in Ho Chi Minh City, nearly 400 industry leaders and experts convened to discuss the evolving the logistics landscape in Vietnam.

ITL Corporation commits $200 million to Vietnam's warehousing infrastructure ITL Corporation is set to invest approximately $200 million in warehousing infrastructure over the next five years, underscoring Vietnam's significance in their strategic expansion.
The MoF is collecting feedback from ministries, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and municipal and provincial people's committees on the 2 per cent VAT reduction policy that could be applied in 2024.

The MoF said that it will study and propose a number of solutions to reduce taxes, fees, and charges next year. The potential 2 per cent VAT reduction is expected to support businesses and the community.

Specifically, goods and services that are currently subject to 10 per cent VAT would be entitled to a reduced rate of 8 per cent, with the following exceptions; telecommunications, IT services, finance and banking services, securities, insurance, real estate business, metal production and the manufacture of prefabricated metal products, the mining industry (excluding coal mining), the production of coke (a coal-based fuel), refined petroleum, the production of chemicals and chemical products, and goods and services that are subject to special sales taxes.

If approved, the VAT rate reduction will take effect from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024, with the government predicted to see a budget revenue reduction of VND25 trillion (just over $1 billion) during the period.

Between July and September this year, the 2 per cent VAT reduction policy has supported businesses and consumers with a total sum of about VND11.7 trillion ($493.7 million). While reducing the prices of many goods and services, the policy also facilitates production and creates more jobs, stimulating consumer demand.

In 2022, the support package for VAT reduction amounted to VND44 trillion ($1.86 billion), providing necessary relief during difficult times.

Government proposes National Assembly consider 2 per cent reduction in VAT in coming agenda The Government has proposed the National Assembly (NA) to consider a 2 per cent reduction in the value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services subject to a 10 per cent VAT during its coming meeting stated to start on May 22.

Businesses and households hold onto VAT cutback hopes A proposal on the reduction of VAT was submitted to the National Assembly on May 5 by Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc, amid plenty of challenges and risks for the economy.
The draft wiil simplify investment procedures across the board

At the 27th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on October 10, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue asked the committee to give a second reading of the draft resolution to encourage investment with simplified procedures.

This draft is one of a dozen items that the committee will discuss at the five-day session, which will later be submitted to the upcoming sixth plenary session of the legislature, which will be organised this month, Chairman Hue said.

According to the draft, the resolution will take effect for five years from January 1, 2024. During the pilot, the Law on Investment (LoI), Law on the State Budget, and other relevant laws will be amended to replace earlier provisions. At the same time, Vietnam wants to apply the global minimum tax (GMT) from 2024 and to facilitate enterprises to pay additional tax in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has consulted the Ministry of Justice on a government resolution on pilot policies to support investment in high-tech industries. The MPI said that changes in supplementing investment incentives and encouraging new investments in high-tech industries amid the GMT are a must to ensure the competitiveness and attractiveness of Vietnam.

The draft resolution mentions four forms of investment incentives: training and development of human resources; financial support to create fixed assets and social infrastructure; support for manufacturing high-tech products; and supporting research and development.

Regarding investment support methods, the compilation agency suggested that investment support should be deducted from enterprises corporate income tax obligations, or come directly from the state budget.

The investment encouragement policy on a trial basis is designed for several groups of businesses, which depend on their investment capital and their annual turnover.

The first priority is enterprises that operate projects with investment capital of over VND12 trillion ($506.3 million), or enterprises with a turnover of more than $843.8 million a year in high-tech manufacturing fields.

Furthermore, projects on research and development centres capitalised at over VND3 trillion ($126.6 million) will also be encouraged.

The MPI said that the measures follow the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Developments recommendations on creating policies amid application of the GMT worldwide. These are investment support measures being applied by other regional countries, though in Vietnam, this support still has not been passed into law.

Before the draft resolution is approved, policymakers will also consult foreign-invested manufacturers.

Japanese manufacturer Canon has proposed to expand the parameters of the resolution, so it can feel the full benefits.

According to the draft resolution, only businesses in high-tech industries can enjoy these incentives. However, businesses affected by the GMT are in many other different industries. Many have large scale and have made great contributions to Vietnams socioeconomic development, the company noted in a proposal submitted to the MPI.

Canon said that the criteria for the incentivised businesses is not reasonable and does not ensure compliance with the policies and regulations on ensuring incentives in the LoI and the current Law on Corporate Income Tax.

The LoI stipulates that subjects eligible for investment incentives include many industries, scales, and investment locations, such as those manufacturing electronic products, manufacturing goods, and providing services to create or participate in value chains.

Thus, the company has proposed to widen the scope for others to enjoy the incentives, that is for businesses in electric products with registered capital of VND7 trillion ($295.3 million) and upwards, and use at least 15,000 workers, read the Cannon proposal.
Posco VSTs top-quality stainless steel cold-rolled products has been suspended priority business application. Photo: Posco VST website

According to Document No.2446/QD-TCHQ, POSCO VST Co., Ltd. has been suspended from applying to the priority enterprise regime due to its failure to meet the internal control conditions. Specifically, the company sold a quantity of tax-free imported steel in the domestic market without declaring a change in use as required by regulations.

The effectiveness of the decision is from October 3, 2023

Since its establishment in 2009, POSCO VST has been pursuing endless improvements in product quality and developing various types of stainless steel cold rolled products. POSCO VST is located at Road 319B, Nhon Trach 1 Industrial Zone, Nhon Trach district, Dong Nai province.

The Priority Enterprise Programme has been applied in more than 100 countries and many foreign partners know about it. Being recognised by the customs authority as a priority enterprise is one of the competitive advantages of an enterprise compared to other non-priority enterprises in the same industry and business field.

Thus, there are currently 72 enterprises nationwide that are applying the priority enterprise regime.

The benefits afforded under the priority treatment programme, include exemption from examination of supplementary customs documentation; exemption from physical inspection of goods; ability to submit incomplete customs declarations; and prioritised access when carrying out tax procedures for goods in accordance with the Law on Taxation.

It should be noted that within 30 days from the registration of incomplete customs declarations or the submission of documentary evidence in substitution of customs declarations, customs declarants will be required to submit complete customs declarations.



Steelmakers deny advantage from anti-dumping fix South Korean group Posco VST, which owns the biggest cold rolling steel plant in Vietnam, is likely to gain benefits from anti-dumping measures on some cold-rolled stainless steel products  however, both the company and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have denied a monopolitic stance in the market.

Tax, customs policies under scrutiny Representatives of ministries, agencies, localities, business associations and enterprises gathered at a dialogue in Hanoi on November 24 to review the latest administrative and regulatory changes in taxation and customs.

ASEAN, RoK agree to speed up customs procedures The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have agreed to settle difficulties in customs procedures for more effective implementation of their free trade agreement (FTA), according to the RoKs Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The south-central province of Ninh Thuan is one of the top localities for wooing renewable power projects in Vietnam, and is aiming to become a renewable energy hub by 2025.

According to Ninh Thuan Department of Industry and Trade, the province has called for a total of 46 projects, comprising 35 solar and 11 wind farms, with a total capacity of more than 3,000MW. Ninh Thuans renewable energy will also contribute to solving the national energy security problem, contributing to realising Vietnams ambitious net-zero goal by 2050.

Renewable energy set to create new jobs, illustration photo

However, with the strong development of renewable energy projects, the need for human resources to serve the transition has become a challenge for the province.

Nguyen Phan Anh Quoc, principal of Ninh Thuan Vocational College, said that renewable energy was a new field that uses high technology, so it requires highly-skilled labour, but such local human resources were not yet available.

Most projects have difficulty recruiting staff because the demand for jobs at this time is massive, but training facilities have not been able to meet it, Quoc said.

According to the National Power Development Plan for 2021-2030, Vietnam will strongly develop renewable energy sources, with over 75 per cent of energy used being renewable. Total solar power capacity will increase 10-fold, wind power will climb 30 times, and there will be a number of new sub-sectors such as offshore wind, battery storage, and new biomass.

Meanwhile, coal-fired power plants over 40 years old will have to close and convert to using other fuels, and be completely eliminated by 2050.

The shift in the energy sector will lead to a change in labour structure with a need for 25 per cent of highly-skilled human resources, especially in wind and solar energy in the next 10 years.

Vu Chi Mai, project director of the Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia of GIZ, said that Vietnam is among the top 10 countries in terms of employment in hydropower, wind power, and solar energy.

The energy transition that comes with digital transformation will create greener occupations that require higher skills, but the salaries and nature of the work will also be more attractive, Mai said.

Vietnam is the leading country in ASEAN in terms of current scale and proportion of renewable energy, with 27 per cent of total power capacity coming from wind and solar power sources, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. However, the energy transition process from brown to green still faces obstacles as the human resources supply is limited, mainly using foreign staff.

Le Phuong Nhi, general director of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Vietnam, said that the business had to use mostly foreign workers for transporting and installing turbines when building and installing wind farms.

For Vietnamese employees, Siemens tries to recruit people working in similar industries such as the oil and gas industry and then retrain. However, the training process takes time and cannot meet the projects transition time, Nhi said.

According to Vo Quang Lam, deputy general director of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the workforce in coal-fired power plants is quite diverse, but the shift is only for young workers. People over the age of 50 cannot meet the needs of changing jobs.

EVN has asked our company members to develop their own plans for recruitment and training to prepare for the energy transition, encouraging and prioritising young workers to learn new skills, he said.

With a population of more than 100 million people, with 51 per cent of working age, Vietnam has an abundant labour force. The energy transition trend has led to the need for highly-skilled labour in this industry in the future, requiring Vietnam to soon have appropriate solutions to become self-reliant in human resources.

Dr. Guido Hildner, German Ambassador to Vietnam, said that the transformation of the energy industry is a complex process but also brings great opportunities. In Germany, the number of employees working in green occupations increased by 56.7 per cent to five million between 2012 and 2020.

Germany has already been working with Vietnam for many years in energy transition. There are many projects involved, and this also addresses the human resources side and job skills, Hildner said. Vocational training is a key component of cooperation between Germany and Vietnam. We are working with many vocational colleges and support the development of curricula and also the training on specific skills that are related to renewable energy.

In green employment creation, Germany has improved the job transition process with Vietnamese partners such as with electrical engineering, electronics, and training students in installing rooftop solar, with tens of thousands of students at 11 vocational schools benefiting each year, with 79 per cent of graduates getting jobs.

We have many interesting projects and areas of cooperation with Vietnam. One area, for instance, is the recruitment of skilled labour for the German market. Germany is interested in recruiting Vietnamese skilled workers, and we will further expand and develop this activity, Hildner added.

Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Fostering and upgrading workers skills is a necessary solution to support them in maintaining jobs and converting to new jobs, thereby maintaining their livelihoods and stabilising lives during the energy transition process. Going forward, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) will develop an implementation plan and provide solutions to promote jobs and develop skills associated with the energy transition in Vietnam. Solutions will focus on creating more job opportunities through improving policies on developing industries and value chains related to energy transition; developing occupational standards related to renewable energy industries and occupations; as well as promoting and improving the quality of human resource training in vocational education establishments to meet human resource requirements for the energy transition. The MoLISA will also strengthen cooperation with international partners such as the International Labour Organization to promote and enforce fundamental principles and rights in the workplace to ensure workers can benefit from the green transition, reducing the impact of climate change, and the impact of technology. In addition, we also strengthen cooperation with advanced countries in developing vocational education with a dual vocational training model, developing renewable energy, consulting and supporting the policies on technical skills development for workers, and developing vocational education in an open and flexible direction. Santiago Alonso, Rodiguez First counsellor, head of Development Cooperation, German Embassy in Vietnam Vietnam is a frontrunner in renewables, with a share of about 25 per cent in solar and wind energy. There is already a change in the Vietnamese labour market. According to the World Bank, 4 per cent of Vietnamese employees are already in green jobs and the potential is huge. Up to 40 per cent of all Vietnamese occupations have high potential to transition to green jobs. Vietnam already has 40 occupations which are green skills and these occupations are actually in technical areas. So, we will need highly-qualified technicians in the future to implement the energy transition. One example of the great cooperation we have had with the MoLISA is in developing new green occupations like mechatronics. Such new occupations fit with international and German standards as well as Vietnamese regulations. We are currently supporting 35,000 trainees per year in these new occupations and delighted that almost 90 per cent of these trainees find a job within six months. Therefore, changing jobs is crucial. It will upskill workers and ensure a greener economy We have a very longstanding reliable partnership with Vietnam within energy, with a portfolio of over $1.05 billion in ongoing and planned programmes. What we can offer is innovation, technology transfer, as well as sharing know-how and our experiences. So its really a partnership about mutual learning. It is always crucial to have regulatory frameworks as incentives. That is what the private sector demands in the long-term.

Energy behemoths set stage for new commitments Major names in global energy are boosting interest in pumping money into offshore wind ventures in Vietnam in line with increasing net-zero ambitions.

Coro expands footprint in Vietnam's renewable energy market Coro Energy PLC, a Southeast Asian company with a natural gas and clean energy portfolio, is continuing its expansion into Vietnam's renewables market.
The pieces hail from the personal collection of notable Vietnamese patron of the arts, Prince Nguyen Phuc Buu Loc (1914-1990), a scholarly collector who befriended the artists he admired and lived surrounded by his art.

Together, the artworks in the collection reflect a prevailing passion for Vietnam and its traditions, a nostalgic desire for harmony and the fruits of lifelong friendships with artists.

Le Pho, Canard et Lotus, circa late 1930s (estimate: $369,000 - $527,000)

The auction, titled Magnificence and Regality will offer works produced between around 1935 and 1970 in various media, including delicately painted silk masterpieces, magnificent lacquer screens and exceptional examples of Vietnamese modern art and as well as Chinese works of art from the Qing dynasty.

The auction will be preceded by a public exhibition in Sothebys Paris galleries, running from November 3 to 6.

The fine art collection includes works by three pioneering artists  Le Pho, Vu Cao Dam and Nguyen Tuong Lan  who helped establish a new canon of Vietnamese art, elevating traditional crafts to modern forms of expression.

The auction will be preceded by a public exhibition in Sothebys Paris galleries, running from November 3 to 6.

Le Pho, L'heure du the en famille, circa early 1960s (estimate: $126,500 - $190,000)

This collection is a holy grail of Vietnamese art, boasting remarkable royal provenance and history, a rich context behind the works, as well as a unique gathering of some of the greatest names of the Ecole de Paris. Together, the paintings tell a story that transcends taste: speaking to the relationships between patron and artist, embodying the marriage of Eastern and Western culture and showcasing a true passion for cultivating the arts, said Pierre Mothes, vice president, Sothebys France.

Among the many rapidly growing economies in the region, there is a burgeoning demand and interest in Vietnamese art globally. Having recently set a new artist record for Le Pho at the Hong Kong Spring Sales, Sothebys now holds the top three auction prices for any Vietnamese artworks.

In July 2022, Sothebys staged its first-ever exhibition in Vietnam, marking one of the largest Vietnamese Art exhibitions ever held in the country.

The non-selling exhibition featured over 50 works, including major paintings by Le Pho and Vu Cao Dam.

This August, Sothebys once again hosted a non-selling exhibition in Vietnam, exploring the narrative of French artists who travelled to or lived in Vietnam during the first half of the 20th century, and how they constructed their own visions of the land and its people.

UNIQLO presents 2023 Fall/Winter LifeWear Collection UNIQLO, a global fashion retail brand from Japan, presented its latest 2023 Fall/Winter LifeWear Collection with the theme Modern Layering in a Hanoi exhibition on August 30.

Lotte Hotel Saigon launches mooncake collection Lotte Hotel Saigon is launching its Mau Don Phu Quy mooncake collection with the message beautiful peony, full of wealth, sending its best wishes to every family across the nation.
Speaking at last weeks seminar on upgrading Vietnamese stock market and transparency of listed companies, Nguyen Son, chairman of Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation highlighted that while the country has made strides in annual reporting practices and other standards, there remains a need for time and an appropriate roadmap to fully realise these ambitions.

Vietnam closer to emerging market status, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

Out of the 12-13 assessment criteria considered essential for an upgrade from a frontier to an emerging market status, several are yet to be addressed. Should the upgrade materialise, Vietnam stands to draw an inflow of international capital estimated around $7.2 billion.

The question is whether the Vietnamese securities market is truly prepared for an upgrade. If upgraded prematurely and unable to sustain its emerging market status, the subsequent downgrading could have even more significant repercussions than a methodical progression, Son said.

From a capital perspective, he also pointed out that Vietnam currently approached its exchange rate with a one-way capital account liberalisation, unlike the bi-directional norm seen in many other countries. This means that while foreign capital inflows are standard, the withdrawal of such funds is not as straightforward as in other markets.

Instead, Vietnam relies on the foreign exchange status of its commercial banks to facilitate investors in purchasing foreign currency for repatriation. This mechanism eliminates the risk of sudden, massive capital withdrawals experienced in countries like Thailand in the past, Son added.

Another pressing issue on the path to an upgrade is the pre-funding of transactions. In the present state, foreign investors are required to transfer all funds to Vietnam before placing a securities purchase order. Market experts believe this poses inconvenience, and potentially risk to investors.

According to Son, the prevailing standard and practice is a Central Counterparty (CCP) clearing model for securities transactions. While the underlying market (shares and fund certificates) uses a multilateral netting model, derivatives markets settle through a CCP, and government and corporate bonds are settled instantly in full.

The envisioned payment system built on a new platform would do away with the need for pre-funding and introduce other risk management measures like forced buy-ins and sell-outs, and address any shortfall in cash or securities. However, this transition awaits the development and integration of newer technological platforms and certain regulatory constraints.

If we do not implement the CCP model and continue with the current multilateral approach, can we delegate the responsibility of holding 100 per cent collateral in cash or securities to banks or securities firms on behalf of investors? I believe its feasible. But we need to assess the ethical risks of securities firms potentially misusing this, leading to market disruptions, Son said.

According to Phan Quoc Huynh, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Securities Business Association and chairman of SBS Securities, the exchange between either foreign or domestic investors occurs directly with securities companies.

Viewing from a transactional and economic perspective, if an investor or a securities company incurs a loss, they must shoulder their responsibilities individually. Huynh said.

From a business entitys viewpoint, Tran Minh Tuan, deputy chairman of Smart Invest Securities, mentions that the Law on Securities does not currently regulate pre-funding.

However, several securities companies have offered it to investors, resulting in penalties from the SSC. Yet, it does not prohibit securities companies, but only penalises post-occurrence. This situation mirrors 2010 when the Law on Margins for collateral lending hadnt been introduced, and securities firms lent under cooperative investment contracts, inherently associated with risks, he added.

Dr. Can Van Luc, chief economist at BIDV, said that there is no need for collateral regulations, but risk prevention measures are crucial. Global surveys reveal that in cases without collateral, only about 2 per cent of investors default, resulting in approximately $3 billion in global losses annually. Based on this research, Luc suggested three risk prevention measures. Firstly, Vietnam needs to decisively upgrade its transactional IT system. Secondly, stricter control over investor behaviours should be established, with penalties ranging $1,000-5,000. Thirdly, increasing the authority of securities companies in risk assessment is vital, he said.

The Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HSX) on October 10 engaged its market constituents to assess their readiness for the anticipated introduction of the Korea Exchanges IT platform, the KRX system. As reported from testing held in September, a promising 59 of the 76 securities firms tested all functionalities with complete success, tallying a compliance of 77.63 per cent. Among them, Pinetree Securities stood out, having flawlessly tested across all functionalities. However, a subset of 17 securities companies has not fully validated all the systems functionalities, amounting to a 23 per cent chunk of the participants. Further data shows 69 securities companies satisfying more than 80 per cent of the KRX systems go-live functionalities. Conversely, a mere seven entities scored below this benchmark, including names like MB Securities, ACB Securities, NH Vietnam Securities, and particularly VIX Securities. While the testing phase witnessed an encouragingly high engagement level, HSX has expressed reservations about the markets overarching preparedness for the KRXs official inauguration. Current evaluations from the HSX indicate that only 10 of its members are unequivocally geared up for the systems activation. In stark contrast, a substantial 66-member bloc, or 87 per cent, is categorised as being behind the readiness curve.

Foreign investors remain optimistic about Vietnamese stock market From being net sellers in the first nine months of 2022, foreign investors have become the driving force supporting the Vietnamese stock market in the last few months, and the inflows are expected to continue this year.
South Korea, the United States and Japan established a trilateral communication hotline, a senior Seoul official said Monday, in another sign of progress in their three-way security cooperation amid North Korea's evolving military threats and China's increasing assertiveness.

The establishment of the hotline came after President Yoon Suk Yeol and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida, respectively, agreed on the "commitment to consult" each other in the event of a common threat during their landmark summit at Camp David on the outskirts of Washington in August.

The hotline is said to link the three countries' National Security Councils, enabling voice and video communication among their leaders and top security officials at any time.

"A hotline among the three nations has been established, and a test among (the countries') technicians has also been completed," the official told Yonhap News Agency over the phone, requesting anonymity.

The installation coincided with emerging concerns among experts and policymakers that Pyongyang and Beijing could engage in provocative acts, while Washington is heavily consumed with dealing with the escalating Israel-Hamas war and Russia's protracted war in Ukraine.

In response to a question from Yonhap News on Wednesday last week, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said that efforts were under way to improve trilateral communication capabilities to ensure "regular, timely and redundant access to secure lines of voice and video communication."

"The efforts announced as part of the Camp David trilateral summit build upon existing communication capabilities between our three countries," the spokesperson said.

"In addition to facilitating leader-level communications, we are also working to ensure secure connectivity between other senior members of government, including our respective national security advisers," the official added.

Prior to the Camp David summit, White House Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell told a think tank session that Seoul, Washington and Tokyo were going to invest in technology for the hotline as part of efforts to enhance cooperation among the countries' senior officials to prepare for any contingency.

The hotline project came as Pyongyang has been doubling down on its nuclear and missile programs under an aggressive nuclear policy, which was stipulated in its constitution.

Three-way security cooperation gained traction as relations between Seoul and Tokyo took a turn for the better following the Yoon administration's decision in March to address the issue of compensating Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor  long a thorn in the bilateral relations.

The Camp David summit, the three countries' first stand-alone summit, marked the culmination of their cooperation efforts as it produced a set of key agreements, including holding three-way talks among the leaders, foreign ministers, defense ministers and national security advisers at least annually. (Yonhap)
In-Depth

Why You Need to Attend KubeCon North America this Year

Cloud Native Computing Foundation's flagship conference, KubeCon + CloudNativeCon ("KubeCon"), will be held as a live event (with a virtual option) in Chicago Nov. 7-9 with a pre-event the day before on the 6th.

I was a little bit hesitant about attending the event last year as it was held in Detroit, which I would be surprised to find on anyone's vacation list for late October. But I was pleasantly surprised by it. The weather was enjoyable during the event. Its location made it an easy flight, it had reasonably priced accommodations, and just outside of town is The Henry Ford, which is one of the best automotive and technology museums in the world.

[Click on image for larger view.]

This year KubeCon will be held in the upper Midwest as well, Chicago, which Carl Sandburg nicknamed the "City of Big Shoulders" due to the tradesmen and physical laborers in the late 1800s that built it into the great city that it is. Today Chicago has a thriving technology community and is the culinary and cultural capital of the Midwest. The event will be held at McCormick Place West, a stone's throw from the shores of Lake Michigan. O'Hare Airport has daily domestic and international flights and there are hotels near the event for any budget.

Attending the KubeCon floor show is my favorite thing to do. Although the big vendors will be there to promote their Kubernetes (K8s) story, I prefer to talk to the start-ups. KubeCon's affordability makes it possible for start-ups to attend and showcase their products and offerings. I have seen companies with only one or two representatives at their booth one year grow to 20 people the following year, and the next year get acquired by a major tech company. Speaking with the people like these who are shaping the future of K8s is what makes the show floor so exciting.

The speed at which K8s is growing is remarkable. Within less than a decade, K8s has completely transformed the IT industry. Many of the biggest IT vendors have adapted their business models to incorporate K8s. It's almost impossible to keep up with all the changes in K8s, its ecosystems, and the underlying infrastructure. However, at KubeCon, you can gain insights and understand the direction in which K8s is heading. This will help you position yourself and the IT department of your company for the transformation that K8s and cloud native will have on it.

Attending KubeCon is a great opportunity to learn from the multitude of sessions and keynotes that cover the Cloud Native ecosystem. For those that want to dive deeper, a day before the main event, there are pre-event sessions that you should consider attending. These sessions allow you to spend the entire day focusing on a specific topic, unlike the hour-long sessions during the main event.

KubeCon is the premier event dedicated to Kubernetes and Cloud Native technologies, such as containers. If you are interested in these technologies, you simply cannot afford to miss it. While other tech conferences may have some sessions on Kubernetes, KubeCon is laser-focused on it. For the past eight years, KubeHeads have gathered at KubeCon to discuss and, in many cases, set the future for Kubernetes and its ecosystem. Whether you use, manage, or are simply interested in Kubernetes, this is the conference you must attend.

You can register for the event here.
KINGSLAND, Ga. (AP)  A Black man who spent more than 16 years imprisoned in Florida on a wrongful conviction was fatally shot Monday by a sheriffs deputy in Georgia during a traffic stop, authorities said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is reviewing the shooting, identified the man as Leonard Allen Cure, 53.

Cure had been represented in his exoneration case by the Innocence Project of Florida. The groups executive director, Seth Miller, said he was devastated by news of the death, which he heard from Cures family.

I can only imagine what its like to know your son is innocent and watch him be sentenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and ... then be told that once hes been freed, hes been shot dead, Miller said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a Camden County deputy pulled over Cure as he drove along Interstate 95 near the Georgia-Florida line. He got out of the car at the deputys request and cooperated at first but became violent after he was told he was being arrested, a GBI news release said.

The agency said preliminary information shows the deputy shocked Cure with a stun gun when he failed to obey commands, and Cure began assaulting the deputy. The GBI said the deputy again tried using the stun gun and a baton to subdue him, then drew his gun and shot Cure when he continued to resist.

The agency didnt say what prompted the deputy to pull over Cures vehicle.

It is customary for Georgia law enforcement agencies to ask the GBI to investigate shootings involving officers. The agency said it will submit its findings to the district attorney for the coastal Brunswick Judicial Circuit, which includes Camden County.

Miller couldnt comment specifically on Cure but said he has represented dozens of people convicted of crimes who were later exonerated.

Even when theyre free, they always struggled with the concern, the fear that theyll be convicted and incarcerated again for something they didnt do, he said.

Cure was convicted of the 2003 armed robbery of a drug store in Floridas Dania Beach. His conviction came from a second jury after the first one deadlocked. Cure was sentenced to life in prison because he had previous convictions for robbery and other crimes.

In 2020, the Broward State Attorneys Office new Conviction Review Unit asked a judge to release Cure from prison. Browards conviction review team said it found troubling revelations that Cure had solid alibis that were previously disregarded and no physical evidence or solid witnesses to put him at the scene.

An independent review panel of five local lawyers concurred with the findings.

Cure was released that April after his sentenced was modified. In December 2020, a judge vacated his conviction and sentence.

Im looking forward to putting this situation behind me and moving on with my life, Cure told the South Florida Sun Sentinel at the time.

In June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a claims bill granting Cure $817,000 in compensation for his conviction and imprisonment, along with educational benefits.

Miller said Cure, who lived in a suburb of Atlanta, received the money in August.

Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor described Cure as smart, funny and kind.

After he was freed and exonerated by our office, he visited prosecutors at our office and participated in training to help our staff do their jobs in the fairest and most thorough way possible," Pryor said in a statement to the Sun Sentinel.

Cure would frequently call to check in on Assistant State Attorney Arielle Demby Berger, the head of the Conviction Review Unit, and offer encouragement to continue to do the important work of justice, Pryor said.
Nov. 7 election

Fourteen Texas constitutional amendments will be on the ballot in the general election on Nov. 7, which runs 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at vote centers around McLennan County.

The election also includes races and propositions in Beverly Hills, Bruceville-Eddy, Riesel, West, Mart ISD, Midway ISD, Moody ISD, and West ISD.

The deadline to register to vote passed Tuesday. The deadline to apply for a ballot by mail is Oct. 27.

Early voting begins Oct. 23 and ends Nov. 3 at five locations:

McLennan County Elections Office, 214 N. Fourth St., Suite 300

Waco Multipurpose Community Center, 1020 Elm Ave.

Hewitt City Hall, 200 Patriot Court, Hewitt

Robinson Community Center, 106 Lyndale Ave., Robinson

First Assembly of God Church, 6701 Bosque Blvd.

For more information visit www.mclennanvotes.com or call 254-757-5043.
Wendover Army Air Force Base, located just south of the town of Wendover, Utah, was first conceived of in 1939 when the Air Corps began an extensive expansion program. With a modern air war commencing in Europe, the construction of adequate bombing and gunnery ranges was high on the Army Air Corps priority list. The Air Corps desired some three million acres of land of which 90% was public domain. In 1940 the small train stop of Wendover, Utah was selected and work began in November of that year. However, because of grazing commitments to local ranchers and farmers, only 1.8 million acres were allocated. Initially, the airstrip was a sub-depot of Fort Douglas with fewer than 2 dozen troops assigned to the tar paper buildings and graded airstrip.

With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941, the nation was awoken to the reality of foreign aggression and Wendover became a key base in training aircrews for action A fury of construction transformed an airfield of a dozen buildings into a base of several hundred barracks, squadron buildings, and hangars. On April 6, 1942, the first training unit arrived and found the area ideal for bombing and gunnery practice but lacking in ready facilities. Because of the remote location and lack of large population centers the base was ideal for newly created heavy bombardment groups flying the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. Through the course of World War II, there would be 21 heavy bomb groups trained in Wendover including the 306th BG (rst to daylight bomb Nazi Germany), the famed 100th BG (known as the bloody 100th due to aircraft losses), and the Flying Tigers 308th Bomb Group which served in the China Burma India theater. While remote and extreme, the base provided training that would serve the servicemen and nation well. The quality of training contributed to members of three bomb groups, trained in Wendover, in earning the Medal of Honor.

Perhaps the most historically significant role of the base was as the test and training site for the atomic bomb and the 509th Composite Group under the command of Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. It was Colonel Tibbets, ying his B-29, Enola Gay, who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945.

The 509th Group was organized on December 17, 1944, and trained at Wendover until May 1945, when they left for Tinian Island in the Marianas. Through the end of the War, the 216th Base Unit (Special) continued working at Wendover with the Los Alamos Scientists assembling and testing Little Boy and Fat Man prototypes to refine the design. During its stay at Wendover, the base became a maximum-security area with a sign stating, What you hear here, What you see here When you leave here, let it stay here. Led by Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. and under the training of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Classen, the 393rd Bombardment Squadron practiced intensely to drop with optimum accuracy, a single bomb. The Wendover range proved ideal for testing and monitoring the bombs ballistic characteristics. Today the bomb loading pits still remain in silent testimony to the united effort of the 509th Composite Group and the national resolve to end a long and bitter war.

Wendover Air Force Base was closed in 1963, but periodically saw service into the 1980s when it hosted Air Force units participating in the famous Red Flag training exercises. Today the buildings, barracks, hospital wards, and hangars stand in tribute to the effort and very lives sacrificed in the pursuit and protection of our most precious American value, freedom.

This airfield is the most original remaining and operating WWII training airfield in the country. The importance of this site to our national history is not surpassed by any other airfield in the country. The ultimate objective of the 501(c) (3) non-profit public foundation, Historic Wendover Airfield (HWA), is to renovate multiple hangars, barracks, and support buildings, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience an original WWII training base. Restoration of Historic Wendover Airfield is well underway with work completed or in progress on multiple buildings and exhibits. The Control Tower, Norden bombsight storage vault, dining hall, barracks, navigational aids building, Officers Club, and the B-29 Enola Gay hangar are all underway or completed. To support the museums efforts in preserving this unique site, visit www.wendoverairfield.org
WATERLOO  Grow Cedar Valley has begun the search for a new CEO.

Cary Darrah, the organizations current president and CEO will retire in spring 2024.

The decision was very strategic in timing, said Darrah, whose tenure at the regional economic development organization began in 2018.

I knew when I was hired that five to seven years is a healthy length of time to be in this position. I knew there would come a time when a different leadership style would be important to the organization. I believe that time is now, Darrah said.

I feel good about my decision professionally and personally. Im handing off the organization in a healthy state.

Its an incredible moment for Grow Cedar Valley, said Mike Mallaro, chair of the Grow Cedar Valley board of directors and CEO of VGM Group Inc. Were celebrating all the significant contributions Cary has made, and were also looking ahead toward a truly bright future for Grow Cedar Valley as we search for the leader who will champion that growth.

The job opening was listed Monday online at growcedarvalley.com.

Darrah predicts the leader will be a creative visionary who will lead this team toward the future and toward accomplishing things weve been dreaming about and make Grow Cedar Valley even more effective.

Formerly vice president of community development for Grow Cedar Valley and president of the Cedar Valley TechWorks campus, Darrah oversaw redevelopment of the 33-acre industrial brownfield and former manufacturing site. The land and buildings on the west side of downtown Waterloo, along Westfield Avenue and Commercial St., were donated by John Deere.

Under Grow Cedar Valley auspices, TechWorks has become a hub of advanced manufacturing and technology and home to Hawkeye Community Colleges new $5.1 million Automation and Robotics Center. Other businesses include Lincoln Savings Bank and the Marriott Courtyard Hotel. Grow Cedar Valleys offices are located on the TechWorks campus, as well.

To see the full execution of this project has been exciting and very rewarding. While Ive been part of it and its been my responsibility, I know for a fact that none of it was done by one person. Its been a collaborative project every step of the way, Darrah explained.

When Darrah assumed leadership at Grow Cedar Valley, she led the organization through a complete rebranding. The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance was created in 2004 by community and business leaders to set aside turf issues and coordinate the numerous economic development organizations in the area. Later the merged Waterloo and Cedar Falls chambers joined with the Alliance.

Following a strategic planning process in 2019, GCVA became Grow Cedar Valley.

I really enjoyed the rebranding process, which we started with a lot of support from the board of directors and stakeholders. The reboot and refresh helped us strategize how we were going to position ourselves as an organization for the future, Darrah said.

In addition, GCV developed a five-year strategic plan and brought together key stakeholders in the community and the region.

The work that Cary has done to positively impact our community is difficult to quantify because its such a significant and lasting impact. She has been a visionary and hard-working leader who has demonstrated her passion for our community through her actions, said Becky Guinn, John Deere Waterloo Works factory manager and previous chair on the Grow Cedar Valley board of directors.

A Cedar Falls native, Darrah has strong roots in the community. Her grandparents were Cedar Falls business owners, and her father, Henry Willoughby, operated Willoughbys Department Store on the Parkade from 1949 to 1973. He also served terms on the Cedar Falls City Council and Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors. Her mother, Margaret Willoughby, taught in Cedar Falls schools for 25 years and was a founding member of the Cedar Falls Community Theatre.

Darrah learned that businesses cant grow and thrive without a strong community. You cant have a strong economic development path without a community development path, and you cant have one without the other.

She has followed her parents lead in being proud of where you come from and doing what you can to make the community a good place for those coming behind us.

Darrah also is facilitator for the Cedar Valley Leadership Institute designed to foster community awareness and develop individual leadership skills. Her March 2024 retirement date coincides with the completion of the Institutes current 45-member class.

I want to be here to meet that obligation. Helping students see the potential in the people, businesses and opportunities in the Cedar Valley and having them see the potential in themselves is rewarding, Darrah said.

Nearly 400 people have graduated from the Cedar Valley Leadership Institute.

COLUMN: Grow Cedar Valley helping community reach its potential The Cedar Valley is already a great place to live, work, play and grow, but can you imagine 

Previously, Darrah was executive director of Cedar Falls Community Main Street.

She has served on the Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau, Experience Waterloo, Waterloo Airport Commission, Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission, Cedar Falls Public Art Committee, Leader Valley board and Cedar Valley United Way.

Darrah plans to take a deep breath before plunging into any new projects. That doesnt mean she hasnt got her eyes open to possibilities.

There are some amazing opportunities that Ive not been able to completely focus on, and some areas Id like to be more heavily engaged with. Thats what Im looking forward to, she said.

Close African Americans who worked for Illinois Central in Mississippi were given passes to go to Waterloo to help break the strike. Most came from Holmes County in Mississippi. By 1915 there were 400 African Americans living and working in Waterloo. Boy Scouts at the West Side Library, Waterloo, circa 1915. Charlie Griggs, shown here in his World War I uniform, was secretary of the Black Austin-Tolliver Legion Post when it was formed in Waterloo in 1922. Crowds scaling baggage cars to witness an appearance from President Taft at Waverly Junction, 1908. President Taft speaking from a train in Cedar Falls, 1908. First Baptist Church's culinary department for an August 1909 picnic. Hotel Russell-Lamson Christmas party featuring Parrish, Sulentic, Larsen and other family members, Waterloo, 1927. Louisa May Alcott School students, 1889. The school stood on Walnut between East Second and Third streets from 1893 until 1940. The Red Waist Club, a ladies' social group, taking the steamboat "Umatilla" along the Cedar River in Waterloo, circa 1890s. The boat carried passengers from the Park Avenue landing to Chautauqua Park. Wartburg Band, 1910. Waterloo Police Department, circa 1887. Front row, from left: R.W. Dinzy, Major and Chief J.M. Grout, Frank Fenstmaker. Back row, two unidentified, Howell, Chas. Whetlafer. Zion Evangelical Church, Bennington Township, 1887. The Story of Us: People People arrived in the Cedar Valley with a desire to put down roots and grow a strong and prosperous future. In the early years, folks shared a common commitment and determination to build their communities and lives for themselves and their families through hard work, education and service, as well as socializing and being good neighbors. ---------- The photos in this and upcoming installment of the Story of Us series have been culled from the Courier's "Cedar Valley Memories" book series. The three hardcover books, featuring the stories history of the Cedar Valley, are available for purchase here: http://wcfcourier.com/CedarValleyMemories/ ---------- The second and third parts of the series will publish on the following dates: Aug. 16 -- The 1940s, 1950s and 1960s Sept. 20 -- More than 125 years of pictorial history, including recent memories. African Americans who worked for Illinois Central in Mississippi were given passes to go to Waterloo to help break the strike. Most came from Holmes County in Mississippi. By 1915 there were 400 African Americans living and working in Waterloo. Boy Scouts at the West Side Library, Waterloo, circa 1915. Charlie Griggs, shown here in his World War I uniform, was secretary of the Black Austin-Tolliver Legion Post when it was formed in Waterloo in 1922. Crowds scaling baggage cars to witness an appearance from President Taft at Waverly Junction, 1908. President Taft speaking from a train in Cedar Falls, 1908. First Baptist Church's culinary department for an August 1909 picnic. Hotel Russell-Lamson Christmas party featuring Parrish, Sulentic, Larsen and other family members, Waterloo, 1927. Louisa May Alcott School students, 1889. The school stood on Walnut between East Second and Third streets from 1893 until 1940. The Red Waist Club, a ladies' social group, taking the steamboat "Umatilla" along the Cedar River in Waterloo, circa 1890s. The boat carried passengers from the Park Avenue landing to Chautauqua Park. Wartburg Band, 1910. Waterloo Police Department, circa 1887. Front row, from left: R.W. Dinzy, Major and Chief J.M. Grout, Frank Fenstmaker. Back row, two unidentified, Howell, Chas. Whetlafer. Zion Evangelical Church, Bennington Township, 1887.
ALLISON  When officials found out about a Clarksville police officers 2022 affair with a 16-year-old girl, he told her, she was going to be put in a foster home if they believed him.

If they believed her, the officer told the teen, he was going to prison.

That prison outcome came one step closer on Monday as jurors found the officer  35-year-old Michael William Tobin Jr.  guilty as charged on 11 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

The jury of 11 men and one woman deliberated for about an hour before announcing they had reached a conclusion. Tobin remained silent as he heard the verdict.

The teen, her older sister, and other friends and family were in the courtroom for the ruling.

Sentencing will be at a later date. Two of the charges carry up to 10 years in prison, one carries up to five years in prison and the remaining eight counts are punishable by up to two years each.

Tobin, who resigned from his position as police lieutenant for Clarksville in 2022, remains free on bond until sentencing.

Authorities said Tobin first met the teen while he was investigating a local sex offender who was accused of offering girls alcohol and cigarettes in exchange for nude photos. Tobin later began having sex with the teen after she joined the departments ride-along program.

The charges stemmed from nude photos he allegedly exchanged with the teen, from nude photos he had the teen solicit from one of her friends, and from allegedly showing the teen pictures and videos of other girls collected in the earlier sex offender investigation.

This man in a position of trust investigated and seized these images. But he then used it to victimize the same people he was sworn to protect, said Assistant Attorney General Israel Kodiaga. He was using this file to seduce this girl.

As the relationship progressed, Tobin and the girl used a Google Doc computer file to communicate after her mother grounded her from her phone. Classmates later saw the teen talking with Tobin through the Google Doc during class and went to school officials.

Defense attorney Nellie OMara said investigators never found any inappropriate images the two allegedly exchanged.

There are no pictures in there. There are no requests for pictures in there, OMara said during closing arguments.

She also the teen had opportunities to view material from the sex offender investigation on her own because there were times she was left alone at the police station. The defense showed surveillance video footage from February 2022 where she entered the station while Tobin was away on a police call.

The defense said the teen and her sister were mad at Tobin because they found out he was sleeping with both of them.

Kodiaga said other evidence pointed to the existence of photos in the Google Doc, including a recorded conversation Tobin had with the high school principal where Tobin at first denies knowing about the Doc and then says he remembered after he was told the Doc didnt contain anything incriminating.

There was also a recorded phone call with the teen that followed where Tobin can be heard telling her the school doesnt have the whole Doc. Prosecutors said the teen had deleted photos and conversations from the Doc file because she didnt want to get him in trouble.

Before the verdict, the state alleged the defense had submitted doctored text messages between Tobin and the teen that purported to show exculpatory comments.

The defense had floated a string of texts between the two that allegedly took place on March 3, 2022, as their relationship came to light.

It was marked as Exhibit E, but the defense ultimately decided against submitting the texts as evidence to the jury.

Instead, prosecutors opted to introduce the text messages  which were in the form of screen shots  along with the results of an investigation into the exhibits authenticity.

Special Agent Holly Witt with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation testified there were several red flags she saw when examining the purported text messages.

The DCI had obtained Tobins phone information  although not the actual phone  through a search warrant to his cellular carrier.

Witt said his actual phone records show Tobin listed the teen by first and last name in his contacts address book. But Exhibit E shows the teen listed by first name only in the text thread.

Also, the time stamp on Exhibit E claims the text conversation happened at 1:15 p.m. on March 3, 2022.

But Witt noted the cell phone records show Tobin was actually involved in a 56-minute voice call with the teens mother at that time.

Witt said it was possible to have a voice call with one person and a text conversation with another person at the same time on the same phone.

When that occurs, though, the text screen shows a green icon in the upper corner indicating the voice call is also active. That green icon is missing from Exhibit E screen shot.

Witt said another clue was an in-progress bubble that should only appear at the bottom of a text conversation, yet the screen shot showed a bubble in the middle of a conversation, with words below.

The state also showed a video demonstration Witt had conducted Sunday where she made altered text messages, including how to change a phones settings to dial back the date to March 3, 2022.

Tobin, the police department and the city of Clarksville are also facing a civil lawsuit in the matter that alleges stalking, grooming, sexual abuse, kidnapping and illegal surveillance.

Photos: Michael Tobin Jr. trial, October 2023 101123jr-tobin-trial-2 101123jr-tobin-trial-3 101123jr-tobin-trial-4 101123jr-tobin-trial-1 101223jr-tobin-trial-1 101223jr-tobin-trial-4 101223jr-tobin-trial-3 101223jr-tobin-trial-2 101323jr-tobin-trial-2 101323jr-tobin-trial-1 101323jr-tobin-trial-4 101323jr-tobin-trial-3 101623jr-tobin-verdict-1 101623jr-tobin-verdict-2 101623jr-tobin-trial-3 101623jr-tobin-trial-2 101623jr-tobin-trial-1
WATERLOO  A former Waterloo man involved in a 2020 drunken driving hit-and-run accident that killed a blind person was sentenced Monday to 11 years in prison.

Judge David Odekirk handed down the maximum punishment in Black Hawk County Court to Juan Rubio Alejo, 20. Alejo pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide on July 17.

On Sept. 9, 2020, as a 17-year-old West High School student, Alejo unintentionally struck Bob Kenneth Chambers while driving a Cadillac ATS.

The 67-year-old legally blind man was walking back from Kwik Star in the area of West Fourth and South streets when he was hit by a car at about 7:35 p.m. Chambers, who was with his Leader Dog certified black lab named Dayton, was left at the scene when the car drove off. He later died from his injuries.

Alejo had been deported to Mexico while awaiting trial and had reentered the country illegally through Texas when he was transported back to Black Hawk County. The judge heard recommendations and arguments from the state and defense in front of Alejos family, including his 6-month-old son, as well as Chambers two sisters.

Im truly sorry for what I did. I never intended to hurt someone, let alone kill someone, Alejo said.  Every day I pray to the Lord to forgive me.

Chambers, who was a resident of Bridges Senior Living, died Oct. 3, 2020, after suffering multiple fractures and undergoing surgeries.

Alejo had been charged with homicide by vehicle  reckless driving with a 10-year maximum prison sentence and a first-offense operating while intoxicated, a charge which has a 365-day maximum prison sentence. Hell serve the sentences consecutively.

One of Chambers sisters, Jean Jennings, read a prepared statement stating her hopes that the driver would be held accountable.

She described her brother as an easy going man who was a fan of politics and sports. He never had any resentment (about his disability) or asked Why me? she said.

Jennings described much about Chambers life from the time he was born until the tough decision to place him in hospice. She had assumed Bob would get better in a period when every day (there was) another doctor to talk to.

Defense attorney Matthew Hoffey had asked that the prison sentence be suspended with Alejo instead deported back to Mexico. He noted Alejo went to work after leaving school and described the support of his very family-oriented and work-oriented relatives.

Alejos deportation is on hold, but federal authorities could still have him deported for his illegal status. Because of the traumatization suffered by Chambers guide dog, Jennings said, hell never work in that capacity again and the family had to return the beautiful Leader Dog harness.

This is the last thing we can do to keep our promise to our parents and take care of Bob, she said about why she was there speaking Monday.

Photos: Pleasant Valley wins Class XIII Pom and Bettendorf, Sioux City North, Muscatine, Davenport Central and Davenport West all finish in top 6 PQP_2323.JPG PQP_2326.JPG PQP_2329.JPG PQP_2334.JPG PQP_2342.JPG PQP_2344.JPG PQP_2356.JPG PQP_2357.JPG PQP_2360.JPG PQP_2363.JPG PQP_2375.JPG PQP_2384.JPG PQP_2398.JPG PQP_2410.JPG PQP_2412.JPG PQP_2417.JPG Watch niw: Pleasant Valley wins Class XIII Poms competition at Iowa state dance meet PQB_1501.JPG PQB_1506.JPG PQB_1508.JPG PQB_1509.JPG PQB_1515.JPG PQB_1517.JPG PQB_1524.JPG PQB_1528.JPG PQB_1544.JPG PQB_1552.JPG PQB_1572.JPG PQB_1583.JPG PQB_1589.JPG PQB_1601.JPG PQB_1604.JPG PQB_1615.JPG PQB_1618.JPG PQB_1621.JPG PQB_1627.JPG PQB_1632.JPG PQB_1634.JPG PJM_1088.JPG PJM_1090.JPG PJM_1094.JPG PJM_1095.JPG PJM_1098.JPG PJM_1117.JPG PJM_1127.JPG PJM_1133.JPG PJM_1173.JPG PJM_1192.JPG PJM_1194.JPG PJM_1203.JPG PJM_1232.JPG PJM_1241.JPG PJM_1047.JPG PJM_1057.JPG PJM_1067.JPG PJM_1083.JPG PJM_1086.JPG PQC_1637.JPG PQC_1638.JPG PQC_1653.JPG PQC_1657.JPG PQC_1661.JPG PQC_1691.JPG PQC_1704.JPG PQC_1718.JPG PQC_1726.JPG PQC_1738.JPG PQC_1740.JPG PQC_1744.JPG PQC_1751.JPG PQC_1757.JPG PQC_1769.JPG PQC_1774.JPG PQC_1786.JPG PQC_1807.JPG PQC_1816.JPG PQW_1820.JPG PQW_1823.JPG PQW_1828.JPG PQW_1841.JPG PQW_1852.JPG PQW_1861.JPG PQW_1863.JPG PQW_1865.JPG PQW_1872.JPG PQW_1875.JPG PQW_1892.JPG PQW_1898.JPG PQW_1928.JPG PQW_1932.JPG PQW_1935.JPG PQW_1939.JPG PQW_1943.JPG PQW_1948.JPG PQW_1955.JPG PQW_1959.JPG PQW_1965.JPG PQW_1972.JPG PQW_1990.JPG PSM_1373.JPG PSM_1380.JPG PSM_1383.JPG PSM_1396.JPG PSM_1406.JPG PSM_1416.JPG PSM_1417.JPG PSM_1424.JPG PSM_1430.JPG PSM_1435.JPG PSM_1437.JPG PSM_1441.JPG PSM_1453.JPG PSM_1456.JPG PSM_1471.JPG PSM_1497.JPG PSM_1500.JPG
WATERLOO  Katlynn Quitevis struggled to quickly find a selfie in her phones camera roll but now with new teeth, she expects her phone to be filled with them.

Quitevis, 26, received new front teeth from a free dental clinic in Waterloo provided by Iowa Mission of Mercy. The organization provided free dental services  such as x-rays, cleanings, extractions and fillings  to anyone who showed up.

When she arrived at the clinic after traveling from Des Moines, she described her front teeth as black slivers that practically chipped off at the touch.

After pitching a tent outside 12 hours before the event started to ensure her place in line, Quitevis received a new removable partial denture, called a flipper. The first thing she said she would do once receiving the flipper is to take a selfie.

Im gonna smile for the first time in a very long time and actually mean it, she said, toothless, while waiting for the flipper. Even without having (teeth) its easier for me to smile because at least this way people arent looking at my teeth.

Over 1,000 people like Quitevis waited at the Waterloo Convention Center Friday and Saturday to receive crucial dental care. Iowa Mission of Mercy started the program in 2008 in Waterloo and for the past 15 years has held an annual free dental clinic in different cities across the state. The number of patients and how much the work would have cost was not immediately available. Historically, $1 million worth of work is performed.

Zachary Kouri, IMOMs clinic chief, said it takes hundreds of dentists, hygienists, assistants, volunteers, plumbers and electricians to make the event happen. Everyone involved worked for free.

Kouri said Waterloo has been one of the most important communities for the organization.

They are always very helpful and anything we need, they do, he said. Theres nothing that we generally have to ask for here, which has been just great.

Chris Aldrich, a dentist and IMOM committee co-chair, said the organization had to shut down its volunteer registration because so many people signed up to volunteer.

Quitevis said she and her husband, Alexander, have planned to come to the IMOM event since January. She said she could no longer put off her dental care because the front teeth were rotting and her molars were gummy. Along with her three front teeth, her top molars were pulled. The dentists tried to pull her bottom molars but they were impacted due to incoming wisdom teeth.

Her lack of dental hygiene began when she was a child, saying she stopped brushing her teeth to spite her parents. No brushing, along with being diagnosed Ehlers Danlos Syndrome  a disorder that affects connective tissues, that can also cause dental problems  as well as autism, which makes it difficult for her to start and keep up habits, quickly eroded her teeth.

She said this resulted in her teeth not having enamel, turning into rot, and that everytime she would eat, parts of her teeth would chip off. The chipped, black teeth made her not want to smile.

Im a very big personality, Im a people pleaser, I like to communicate, she said. But its hard to do when all you think about is your teeth when youre talking or smiling for the camera.

Even though she saw her teeth rapidly decaying, she was scared to brush her teeth because any contact would result in chipping. She said it was a never-ending cycle of fluctuating emotions because she wanted to change her habits to brush more, but knew if she just let them rot and fall out, she wouldnt have the teeth she hated.

However, she told herself that if she ever had her teeth fixed, she would start brushing and flossing, and hopefully get back into that habit.

With new teeth, Quitevis will be able to eat her favorite foods  pizza and shrimp tempura  without worry of chipping or her teeth falling out. She will be able to bite into an apple for the first time in five years. She can now use a fork without worrying that the prongs will get in between the gaps.

Apart from eating, shes excited to go out and smile without having fears of people looking at her. She is also hoping her new appearance will help her get a new job  saying that one employer turned her down for not being presentable.

I get teary eyed thinking that Im getting the help, that I will be able to smile again, she said. Its an amazing blessing for a lot of people and to see so many people come together just to volunteer for it, that in itself is amazing. Its like selflessness.

10 states haven't expanded Medicaidhere are the health care challenges they face 10 states haven't expanded Medicaidhere are the health care challenges they face Where Medicaid expansion hasn't been adopted Alabama Florida Kansas Texas Wyoming
Ocean Minister Cho Seung-hwan will attend a forum on the sidelines of a high-profile gathering of world leaders in Beijing this week, the presidential office said Tuesday.

China is hosting its third Belt and Road Forum, a two-day event beginning on Tuesday, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) championed by President Xi Jinping.

Cho will depart for Beijing on Wednesday to participate in the forum in maritime cooperation discussions, and also meet with Chinese officials, the office said.

This year's event will bring together representatives from 130 nations and 30 global organizations, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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. (Yonhap)
WATERLOO  A new business park located off of U.S. Highway 20 will allow for the future development of industrial sites.

The City Council approved the sale Monday of 60 acres of city-owned property for $2.16 million, or $36,000 per acre to PWM Companies LLC for the creation of the South Waterloo Business Park at the intersection of Highway 20 and Ansborough Avenue.

For the first phase of the project  which will ultimately be 187 acres  the city included a grant schedule of $40,000 annually into the development agreement to repay costs from added infrastructure such as streets and sewers. Two 138,000-square-foot buildings will be constructed in this phase.

A pamphlet provided by Mike Macri, the vice president of CBRE in West Des Moines, states the parks targeted uses are for manufacturing, robotics, agriculture, food processing, logistics, and transportation and warehousing.

CRBE is the listing brokerage on the project and Macri is the representative agent.

The document states the business park will be the only commercial development designed to be robotics ready for manufacturers and distributors in the state of Iowa. The site is certified with the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The council also unanimously awarded a contract to Woodruff Construction for $264,700 for renovations to the Waterloo Public Library. The award came before the council previously but had to be reapproved due to an error in publishing the public notice.

The contractor will construct a wall on the librarys first floor as well as two windows. The library also is spending $41,000 on a glass wall which will be made by Kirk Gross Company of Waterloo. That project was approved by the finance committee.

The city will not have to pay anything for the projects, Library Director David Eckert said. The total of $305,700 came from donations and grants from McElroy Trust, Guernsey Charitable Foundation, Otto Schoitz Foundation, Black Hawk County Gaming Association, Waterloo Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, the Friends of the Library and the Library Board.

Eckert hopes the first phase of the project will be finished by January. He hopes the next phase will include the installation of new carpet and a fun wall with activities for the childrens area. In future phases, the furniture on the first floor could be replaced.

The council also unanimously approved:

A sale and conveyance of property northeast of 3151 Titan Trail in the amount of $1 to A&K Ventures, LLC. The development and minimum assessment agreement is for $624,125.

A request to build a truck and trailer wash from Freedom Truck and Trailer Wash, LLC, near 3124 Titan Trail.
I am a junior pursuing a bachelor of arts degree with a minor in screenwriting. Joining HAC has been an incredible decision for me. I was seeking a group that would provide a welcoming environment, actively engage with the community, and celebrate my culture, and HAC has exceeded my expectations. Through my involvement in HAC, I have learned the value of individuality and the profound impact one can make in society through compassion, encouragement, and a positive attitude.



HAC is not just an ethnic club; it is a diverse and loving family. As the HAC secretary, I have strived to enhance communication among our members and officers, ensuring that everyone remains informed about ongoing projects, news, and events. Moreover, I have dedicated myself to assisting everyone to the best of my capacity. I am determined to continue serving this family, embracing our diverse cultures, and fostering a sense of belonging and comfort among our members and the wider community. Together, we will preserve and uphold the legacy that defines us.
Confused yet?

Actually you should be pissed

The level of propaganda control and its detachment from any and all reality, together with state mandates against reality, is all beyond anything I have previously seen and or experienced in my lifetime. I have seen and experienced much. Vietnam was enough to make me realize that my Government was a lying sack of crap

Call it forked tongue

So what is it Canada?

You cannot stand with Nazis and then wave the Israel flag in support. If I am correct, the Nazis killed the jews by the millions???

Is there something we have been lied to about? Also, we know Canada is only following USA orders

Hmm

WtR
Debra Behrens grew up in Minnesota. Summers shed go to her grandparents farm. Shed look out across the expanse and think to herself how beautiful it was seeing that vast prairie.

What I thought was a prairie was just the sky above what was once prairie, said Behrens, executive director of The Prairie Enthusiasts, a nonprofit based in Viroqua. There is almost no prairie left. No one has memories of what it once was.

Less than 1% of the original grassland landscape remains. Prairie remnants are grassland areas in the Midwest and Canada that have remained undisturbed by European settlement. Theyre almost entirely gone now, due, mainly, to conversion to agriculture.

With the loss of grasslands, so, too, go the plants and animals that call those lands home. Over half the grassland bird population has been lost since 1970, more than any other type of bird. Some species have seen a decline of 75% or more.

A Cornell University study found that a quarter of grassland birds are at a tipping point  having lost 50% or more of their breeding population and on track to lose another 50% in the next half century  putting them on a path to possible extinction. These include such birds as the Henslows sparrow, chestnut-collared longspur, mountain plover, Spragues pipit, and the bobolink.

I feel a sense of indebtedness, said Behrens, whose organization actively stewards 4,000 acres of remnant or restored prairie. I know the privileges I have today because of the pioneers who came before me. Those pioneers impacted the land and took what the Indigenous had for millennia. She continued, My privilege came from their tragedy.

Wanting to acknowledge that, she wants to offer her gratitude in her work and give back as much as she can to restore a healthy relationship to the land. For, she knows, people, too, have been part of the grassland ecosystem for generations.

An uphill battle

The Viroqua native has worked for The Prairie Enthusiasts for three years. The organization has 11 chapters, mainly focused on central and southern Wisconsin. Always eager for volunteers, the organization currently has around 1,650 members. The organization has about 1,000 volunteers who use their time and skills in the conservation of remnant prairie and the restoration of grasslands.

Some Wisconsin chapters include: Empire Sauk, covering Columbia, Dane, Sauk and eastern Iowa counties; Prairie Bluff, covering Lafayette, Green and Rock counties; and Prairie Sands, covering Adams, Marquette, Juneau, Portage, Waushara, Waupaca and Green Lake counties.

Its an uphill battle, Behrens admits, in protecting, restoring and reestablishing prairie, what with the mechanizations of agriculture and development churning over many of the Midwests grassy hills. But its powerfully healing to do this work. It has changed my life.

Change is imperative to save what is left and to create areas to bring back the rich biodiversity that Wisconsin once had.

The Prairie Enthusiasts are far from the only organization doing work to save Wisconsins grasslands.

The Aldo Leopold Foundation recently created Ollies Prairie. It is 170 acres of newly seeded grasslands located on the Leopold-Pines Conservation Area near Baraboo. The land, formerly corn and soy bean fields, is being worked on with the cooperation and collaboration of the Phill Pines family. Ollies Prairie was dug up and prairie was planted in June.

There are Black-eyed Susans popping up already, said Steve Swenson, Aldo Leopold Foundations program director. Itll take years for the prairies root system to establish itself, and years more for it to resemble what prairies once were.

The Aldo Leopold Foundation has restored 1,500 acres of prairie and savannah in total. Located outside of Baraboo, and once home to famed conservationist Aldo Leopold, it is the second oldest prairie restoration in the world. The oldest was done by Leopold at the UW-Madison Arboretum.

We all lose

Birds are a wonderful indicator of the health of the land, Swenson noted. If theres a decline in grasslands, we lose birds. We lose birds, we lose biodiversity. We lose biodiversity, we all lose.

We all could lose the Henslows sparrow. Swenson has been excited seeing them on the foundations property. A little brown bird, it needs a particular set of requirements to thrive.

The bird needs large areas to survive, Swenson said. Some 200 acres of solid grass for them to nest. And unburned thatch to make those nests. Without that, we dont get Henslows sparrows.

With so little prairie remaining regionally, thats a daunting challenge, though a challenge the Aldo Leopold Foundation and other groups are eager to take on.

Examples of other work being done include the Spring Green Prairie. From beetles and cacti, to butterflies and sparrows, the preserve is home to a diverse array of species. The preserve, not far from the intersection of Highways 14 and 23 north of Spring Green, began in 1971 as part of a 480-acre joint management agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the Head Foundation, the Wisconsin Natural Areas Preservation Council and local landowners.

Since then, The Nature Conservancy has added 800 additional acres to the preserve. That acreage has flora, like dwarf dandelions, blazing star and Venus looking glass. It has fauna, too, including birds like meadowlarks, dickcissels, and a variety of sparrows, including the Henslows sparrow.

Elsewhere, Schluckebier Sand Prairie, abloom with pasque flowers and flowering spurge, is one of the last surviving remnants of the 14,000-acre Sauk Prairie, a vast grassland that covered the area prior to settlement. The preserve is 23 acres in total.

Meanwhile, the Ho-Chunk Nation is at work to restore 1,500 acres on its property along the Baraboo Hills. Its under the direction of Randy Poelma, environmental sciences program manager for the Ho-Chunk Nation. With the nearby Baraboo Hills, the area is the largest grassland habitat in Wisconsin.

Other organizations doing work to conserve and restore grasslands include the Madison Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited and Gathering Waters, a non-profit coalition of Wisconsin land trusts.

Over the years we have seen a growing importance in preserving this land, Swenson said. Not just for environmental reasons, but economic ones, too.

The grasslands are not only valuable for wildlife, but they provide better soil, cleaner water, and also offer aesthetic beauty.

According the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 46.7 million Americans enjoy watching and feeding birds. Wisconsins percentage of birders ranks second highest in the nation, tied with West Virginia. Some $107 billion is spent on birdwatching equipment and travel in the U.S., and $13 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue results in birdwatching.

For Swenson, its a thrill watching a tiny Henslows sparrow bopping through Baraboo brush. For Behrens, its seeing more than just the vast blue sky above. Its seeing the land below it heal and grow.

Its not only engaging, it is life changing, Behrens said. For her, and for the plants and animals that also call Wisconsin home.

Most commonly hunted migratory birds in Wisconsin Most commonly hunted migratory birds in Wisconsin #23. Mallard X Black Hybrid #22. Ruddy Duck #21. Black Duck #20. Scoters #19. Greater Scaup #18. Hooded Merganser #16. Long-tailed Duck (tie) #16. Northern Shoveler #14. Wigeon (tie) #14. Goldeneyes #13. Redhead #12. Canvasback #11. Lesser Scaup #10. Domestic Mallard #9. Northern Pintail #8. Bufflehead #7. Gadwall #6. Ring-necked Duck #5. Blue-winged/Cinnamon Teal #4. Green-winged Teal #3. Mallard #2. Wood Duck #1. Canada Goose
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  North Carolina Republicans enacted vote-count restrictions and weakened the governor's ability to oversee elections on Tuesday by overriding Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes  setting in place electoral policies the GOP sought entering the 2024 elections in the likely battleground state.

In a series of votes, the narrow Republican supermajorities in the General Assembly overturned five Cooper vetoes, two of which address elections and voting in the ninth-largest state, where statewide races usually are very close. Cooper, fellow Democrats and others immediately filed lawsuits Tuesday challenging some of those laws.

The electoral changes are among a wave of GOP election laws and administrative overhauls also occurring elsewhere while former President Donald Trump, who seeks a return to the White House, has repeatedly made false claims that the 2020 election was riddled with fraud. While Trump won North Carolinas electoral votes in both 2016 and 2020, Democrats see the state as a pickup opportunity for President Joe Biden in 2024. Voters also will choose a successor to Cooper, who can't run again next year due to term limits.

One new North Carolina law would eliminate the governor's power to appoint the State Board of Elections and give it to legislative leaders, while the other would end a three-day grace period to receive and count absentee ballots as long as they are postmarked by Election Day. Instead, these ballots will have to be received by the time in-person balloting ends at 7:30 p.m. on the date of the election to count.

These laws  years in the making after Cooper's previously successful vetoes or lawsuits blocked legislation with similar provisions  advanced this year thanks to Republican seat gains in 2022 elections and an April party switch by a House Democrat to the Republican Party.

North Carolina GOP legislators advancing the bills have not grabbed on to Trumps grievances, but rather arguments that the legislation will promote bipartisan consensus in election administration and boost citizen confidence in elections.

We must take commonsense steps to ensure that our elections are fair and free from perceived bias, GOP Sen. Warren Daniel, a chief sponsor of the elections bills, said during Tuesday's debate.

But Cooper and his allies contend the election and voting legislation will wrongly give Republicans the upper hand in close results, intimidate voters and make it more difficult to cast ballots.

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," Cooper said in a news release announcing a federal lawsuit filed by the Democratic National Committee and state Democratic Party. It challenges the elimination of the grace period and other rule changes when someone both registers to vote and cast a ballot during the states 17-day early in-person voting period.

Republicans say that voters will be educated on the new absentee ballot deadline, which is similar to those in roughly just over half of the states. The deadline wouldnt apply to military or overseas ballots.

A similar federal lawsuit challenging the same-day registration rule  in particular a less-forgiving standard on an address verification notice that must be successfully delivered by mail for the registrant's vote to count  also was filed by voting-rights groups and college students on Tuesday, with the assistance of lawyers that often back Democratic interests.

House Speaker Tim Moore told reporters that the legislation approved Tuesday is the correct public policy (and) that its on solid legal ground.

The state elections board has been 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.

Our current board structure allows the party of the governor, whichever party that is ... to manipulate the system," Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton said.

Critics say these changes will lead to board impasses that could 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.

This bill does the opposite of what it says it will do  it will actually make the administration of elections more partisan, not less partisan, said Rep. Allen Buansi, a Democrat.

The law says the new state board also would have until Jan. 10 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 board 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.

The omnibus measure also prohibits officials from accepting private money to administer elections, and directs state courts to inform elections officials about potential jurors being disqualified because they arent U.S. citizens, so they can then be removed from voter rolls.

Another new law with Tuesdays successful overrides scales back or eliminates authority from Cooper and future governors to appoint members to several other boards and commissions, giving those choices instead to the General Assembly, its leaders or other elected officials. Cooper announced that he also sued in state court Tuesday over this law, saying the changes illegally interfere with a governor's executive powers.

The other two measures whose vetoes were overridden Tuesday were an energy bill designed to encourage nuclear energy production and the legislatures annual regulatory reform measure.

Associated Press/Report for America writer Hannah Schoenbaum contributed to this report.
The top Israeli envoy to Seoul on Tuesday extended his appreciation to Korea for strongly denouncing the recent atrocities of the Palestinian Hamas militant group.

Israel's Ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor made the remark during a rally hosted by local nonprofit organizations to show solidarity with Israel, as participants urged Hamas to cease its brutalities and release all Israeli hostages.

"I would like to thank the Republic of Korea government for its strong statements of condemnation of the Hamas atrocities and for being a friend to Israel," Tor said.

The envoy stressed that the Palestinians and people of Gaza are "not the enemy of Israel" but said the Israelis will not hesitate to fight if they have to.

Calling Hamas a "terror organization," he warned the militant group will "not retain any ability to harm Israel at the end of this struggle."

Joy Sakurai, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, also reaffirmed Washington's support for Israel at the event, saying there is "no justification" and "no excuse" for terrorism.

"Israel has the right, indeed it has the duty to defend itself against these brutal attacks from Hamas, and to try to do what it can to make sure this never happens again," she said.

She also recognized Seoul's support for Israel and its recent efforts to evacuate Koreans, Japanese and Singaporeans from Israel, saying it truly reflects "Korea's global leadership."

Last week, a Korean military aircraft brought back home 163 Koreans, 51 Japanese and six Singaporeans from Israel amid escalating tensions in the region after the Hamas militant group's surprise attack early this month. (Yonhap)
In a single floor session, Senate Republicans on Tuesday voted to reject eight appointments made by Gov. Tony Evers, including the Democratic governors pick for the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission and four members of the states natural resources policy board.

While the GOP-controlled Senate signed off on dozens of other appointees in the early portion of Tuesdays floor session, their rejections of Joseph Czarnezki, a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and Evers appointees Sharon Adams, Dylan Jennings, Sandra Dee Naas and Jim VandenBrook to the Department of Natural Resources policy board are some of the most consequential since Evers took office, with the chamber firing a majority of the environmental board.

Senate Republicans also rejected Melissa Baldauffs appointment to the Council on Domestic Abuse; Jerry Halversons appointment to the Livestock Facility Siting Review Board; and Sheldon Wassermans appointment to the Medical Examining Board.

Baldauff is Evers former spokesperson and a Democratic strategist; Halversons appointment was opposed by dairy groups; and Wasserman has supported abortion rights in the state.

These are all good people, Evers told reporters in the Capitol before Tuesdays session. Theyre all strong supporters of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Idea, and theyre completely appropriate people to serve in those positions.

They have to stop doing this, Evers said of Republicans. Were going to replace these people, but you know, its just really, really unfortunate that the Republicans are taking this position.

Shortly after the Senates votes, Evers announced new appointees to replace those fired Tuesday.

Gubernatorial appointees can serve in their respective roles without a formal confirmation from the state Senate. However, a vote by the chamber to reject confirmation amounts to firing that nominee.

Czarnezki joined the Elections Commission earlier this year and was one of the agencys three Democratic members who abstained from voting on the reappointment of the commissions nonpartisan administrator, Meagan Wolfe. While they support Wolfes continued tenure in her role, Democrats hoped that by abstaining they could forestall her reappointment and prevent the Senate from then voting to reject it.

Nevertheless, the Senate voted along party lines to fire Wolfe last month, despite widespread disagreement over whether Wolfes appointment was legally before the Legislature.

GOP leaders have since conceded in court filings that the vote to fire Wolfe was symbolic and she is lawfully holding over as the commissions nonpartisan administrator.

Wisconsinites will not stand for public servants who are unqualified or refuse to follow the law, LeMahieu said in a statement.

Evers appointed former Eau Claire city clerk Carrie Riepl to fill the commissions vacant seat.

The Senates votes to reject Evers appointees to the natural resources policy board come as members prepare to implement a new wolf management plan in Wisconsin, which does not include a hard population cap, despite demands from hunters and farmers for a specific numerical limit.

Sen. Robert Cowles, R-Green Bay, joined his Democratic colleagues in not voting to reject appointments for Adams, Czarnezki, Jennings, Naas and VandenBrook. All other rejection votes passed along party lines.

For those 21 Senators, this vote was about politics, not about whats best for Wisconsinites and the beautiful places we love, Kerry Schumann, executive director of Wisconsin Conservation Voters, said in a statement.

Evers appointed Todd Ambs, Robin Schmidt, Patty Schachtner and Douglas Cox to fill vacancies on the natural resources policy board.

In addition, Evers appointed Shannon Barry to the Council on Domestic Abuse and Steven Leuthner to the Medical Examining Board.
Two more Universities of Wisconsin branch campuses will cease classes at the end of the year and the Richland Center campus is officially closing, as the system administration says a new model is needed to better serve the remaining branch communities.

On Tuesday, Jay Rothman, president of Wisconsins public university system, announced the end of classes at the UW-Milwaukee at Washington County campus in West Bend and at UW-Oshkosh at Fond du Lac.

Enrollment at Fond du Lac and Washington County campuses this year was expected to be 243 students and 276 students, respectively.

Enrollment at the Fond du Lac campus peaked in 1975 and stands at just 30% of its fall 2010 enrollment. At Washington County, where enrollment is expected to be down 16% from last year, county officials had fought to preserve higher education by proposing a community college concept.

Under the UW systems plans, classes at both campuses would end by June. The decision to end classes is enrollment-driven, not financial, Rothman said.

As a past school board president in Washington County, I understand the difficulties of making tough decisions that affect a community and its students, Josh Schoemann, Washington County executive, said in a statement. I remain wholly committed to keeping students first as we work through this transition, fighting to keep higher education opportunities in our community for the students of today and the future.

Washington and Fond du Lac counties are the second and third to lose local access to a UW system education, after Rothman announced last November plans to end classes at UW-Platteville at Richland. Rothman also had directed chancellors who oversee branch campuses to determine whether the branches had fiscal feasibility going forward.

He warned last spring that, should the state Legislature go through with a $32 million cut to UWs budget over diversity, equity and inclusion staffing and programming  which it did  the UW system would have to consider closing other campuses or ending some educational programming.

Branch campuses

The decision will leave 10 branch campuses open. Only two universities, UW-Green Bay and UW-Stevens Point, will be responsible for more than one branch campus.

Of the 12 branch campuses at the start of the current semester, three increased their enrollment: UW-Platteville at Baraboo, UW-Whitewater at Rock County and UW-Green Bay at Manitowoc. Others, including Washington Countys sister branch, Waukesha County, saw double-digit drops.

I think we need to step back a little bit  if we look at all of our branch campuses, if you look at all of their enrollment numbers over the last 10 years, they have been declining fairly significantly, Rothman said. I think thats the market just telling us that the mission of the two-year branch campuses is not as attractive to prospective students as it once was.

The Universities of Wisconsin also will officially close the Richland County campus, after insisting for nearly a year the decision to cease classes there was not a closure.

Richland County officials said last week that UW administrators stopped negotiating about the campuss future with county board members this summer after the $32 million cut. Negotiations had been limited to lawyers representing UW and Richland County as of July, around the same time the county established a reconfiguration committee.

Under a bill authored by Richland County-area legislators Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, and Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, Richland County could get up to $2 million in state grant assistance to develop plans for the campus moving forward. The bill, as written, would set aside a total of $6 million for affected communities.

More discussions

Keeping classes at branch campuses in West Bend and Fond du Lac is not in the best interest of those communities, Rothman said.

A Washington County task force, reconvened last fall just weeks before the UW system announced ending classes at Richland, determined a loosely defined community college concept that could somehow combine the resources of the Washington County campus and Moraine Park Technical College might stem the steep enrollment declines.

The result of that task force was the conclusion that the continued presence of UW-Milwaukee at Washington County was not in the best interests of the county moving forward, and that their needs for education could be dealt with through other means, whether thats through (Moraine Park Technical College) or through online programs, Rothman said. We will continue our conversations with Washington County about maintaining presence there, perhaps not at the existing location.

A UW-Milwaukee-based task force earlier this year came to a different conclusion, that while the Washington County campus shouldnt merge with Moraine Park, UW-Milwaukee also needed to overhaul how it treated its branch campuses. Those findings said UW-Milwaukee needed to adopt an approach similar to UW-Green Bay, which has a one university, four locations mission.

Washington County Treasurer Scott Henke, who is a UW-Washington County alumnus and was on the countys task force, said he was saddened to learn of Rothmans decision and is focused on how in-person higher education can be preserved for the community.

We have to look inward ... to see if we can all do whats best for Washington County and the kids that are here, and our future workforce and the future residents, Henke said.

Thats really what its all about, is how do we give them the best opportunities possible, just like any parents or grandparent would want for their children?

Fond du Lac

The ending of classes at the Fond du Lac branch comes on the heels of a tough day Monday for UW-Oshkosh, which announced the elimination of 250 positions through layoffs, retirements and vacancies as part of its strategy to eliminate an $18 million budget shortfall. The real number of staff cut is larger, though, as contracted instructional academic staff will not be rehired for the spring semester but dont count as layoffs.

David Siemers, a political science professor and president of United Faculty and Staff Oshkosh, said he suspects like many other instructional academic staff, Fond du Lac non-faculty may find themselves out of a job.

This kind of surprised us all. We didnt know this was coming. And its another body blow, Siemers said.

There are people who have taught at Fond du Lac for many years, and I guess if they are faculty, going to be welcome to teach up here or (at Fox Cities), but also we have to worry about our students. Its not necessarily the case that UW-Oshkosh does exactly the same thing as Fond du Lac, as much as wed like to think of it as one university in three locations.

Ending a lease

As part of closing the Richland Center campus, UW is working with county leaders on a way to terminate the 75-year lease agreement that isnt set to expire until 2042.

Linda Gentes, Richland County Education Committee chair, said the lease cant end until the UW Board of Regents votes on it. As part of any agreement, Gentes said shed like to see financial compensation from the UW system any time it decides to close a campus to make up for economic losses and county investments into the buildings.

In the meantime, Gentes said, the UW administration has been keeping the Richland campus at a standstill with its inaction on a plan. With negotiations still ongoing, the reconfiguration committee was limited in how it could plan for future uses of the campus, Gentes said.

They have been dragging us on since Nov. 22 (of) last year, Gentes said. And they have been holding the campus, the city, the county, especially who has the buildings, theyve been actually holding us hostage for the last few months, not knowing what we should do with the buildings, not knowing how theyre going to reimburse us for all the expenses that we put in over the years, the financial ... loss to our community.

UW system spokesperson Mark Pitsch said UW plans to meet with Richland County-area leaders very soon.

Ultimately, the closure is a significant departure from what Rothman suggested could happen with the campus when he announced the end of classes last fall. At that time, he encouraged UW-Platteville to maintain a presence there, such as enrichment programs and upskilling courses. None of those came to fruition, as a draft plan UW-Platteville circulated to staff last December had no in-person programming and negotiations had been ongoing since.

Its time, Richland County Board Chair Marty Brewer said last week. The time has come for the UW System and the county to come to a resolution regarding the campus.
Beaver Dams new fire training facility is used by firefighters almost daily, according to Deputy Fire Chief Lee Smith. On Saturday, community members got a chance to see the inside of the three-story structure.

An open house featured the Fire Departments vehicles as well as the training facility. Located on the 600 block of South Center Street, behind the former Beaver Dam DPW building, the facility has been used since last spring. American Fire Training Systems designed the tower. It was manufactured in Illinois, delivered to Beaver Dam, and assembled onsite.

It is a three-story training tower, and it has two burn rooms, Smith said. Then we have panels inside that you can adjust the rooms and make different layouts.

The top floor and balcony allows firefighters to do simulated rescues off the tower, Smith said.

Beaver Dam did not have a training facility prior to the completion of the facility other than a small older container at Moraine Park Technical College, Smith said. It is probably close to 30 years old and outdated, Smith said, adding the new training facility also benefits us because our crews can come down here at any time and still be in service to answer calls within our fire area.

The Moraine Park Technical College Horicon Regional Center that is being built will include a training facility for firefighters similar to Beaver Dams, Smith said.

It is hard for us to send all of our crew over to Horicon, Smith said. It takes all of our crews out of the district where we provide fire protection.

The Fire Department uses its training facility from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., Smith said.

Right now, we are doing live burns and breaking in the rooms, Smith said. We plan on doing burns three times next year in order to keep all of our staff up to date, but the training facility is used almost every day.

Smith said the training facility was seen as a need 27 years ago when he first joined the department.

It wouldnt been possible without the (Police and Fire Commission) and the Beaver Dam City Council, Smith said.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, center, and members of his cabinet pray for the victims killed during the latest Israel-Hamas war, at the start of a cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. More than a million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israeli invasion that seeks to eliminate Hamas leadership after its deadly incursion. The war that began Oct. 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead. (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/Pool Photo via AP)
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish walks in front of a bus after disembarking from a cruise liner that brought him from Haifa, Israel, to the port in Limassol, Cyprus, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. U.S. government authorities arranged to ferry some 160 U.S. nationals and citizens of other countries aboard the cruise ship Rhapsody of the Seas, who opted to leave Israel ahead of an expected Israeli army assault on Hamas targets in the Gaza strip. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
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Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks with reporters following a closed door meeting with House Republicans as he looks for decisive support to become speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. A floor vote that could turn into a showdown is set for midday Tuesday.
Killers of the Flower Moon (in theaters Oct. 20) by the Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, 80, is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Its a lavish, fascinating historical crime thriller about racism, greed, black gold and murder set in the prosperous Native American enclave of Osage County, Oklahoma, in the 1920s. The film plays a little fast and loose with a few of the facts, casting Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio, 48, as the much younger suitor-turned-husband Ernest Burkhart. In tandem with his uncle, Burkhart preys upon his native wifes family in order to inherit their oil rights and untold wealth. The results are brutal  and for the most part, based on fact.

Heres some historical background to help navigate the horrific crime against the Osage Nation, which at one time contained the worlds richest citizens per capita.

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Is this a real story?

Yes. In the early 1920s, a series of brutal murders, many unsolved, were committed in Osage County in what was known as the Reign of Terror. The victims were wealthy Osage tribe members who had been pushed off their original tribal lands, and pushed again, until they were cornered on a relatively small piece of rocky land  that turned out to conceal an oil field of epic proportions. The Osage had wisely negotiated for the oil and mineral rights, but that didnt mean that their white neighbors wouldnt go to extreme lengths  including murder  to claim the bounty.

(Left to right) Actress Lily Gladstone and director Martin Scorcese. Melinda Sue Gordon/Apple TV+

Is the movie based on a novel?

No, its based on American journalist David Granns 2017 true crime bestseller Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. It is a meticulously researched National Book Award nonfiction finalist. The page-turner painstakingly identifies the central victims and predators, the multiple crimes and cover-ups, the political underpinnings and the community in which they occurred. It also delves deeply into the criminal investigation and the formative years of the agency that would become the FBI  a lesser-developed thread of the movie.

What is a Flower Moon?

In Osage County, early spring saw the arrival of millions of tiny multicolored wildflowers that, according to Osage author John Joseph Mathews, resembled confetti. In May, larger plants like black-eyed Susans overwhelmed and suffocated the tiny flowers, burying them underground. When this botanical slaughter occurred, the Osage people called it the season of the flower-killing moon. The Killers of the Flower Moon is a play on words.
Korea expressed regret Tuesday that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent an offering to a war shrine seen as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past and some Cabinet members paid a visit there.

Japanese media reported that Kishida sent the offering to the Yasukuni Shrine earlier in the day on the occasion of an annual fall festival, with top government officials, including Economy Minister Yoshitaka Shindo and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, visiting the shrine to pay respects.

The shrine honors Japan's war dead, including 14 Class A war criminals from World War II. Neighboring countries like Korea and China view visits to the shrine by Japanese leaders as an attempt to glorify the country's militaristic past.

"The government expresses deep disappointment and regret that responsible Japanese leaders again sent offerings or repeatedly paid respects to the Yasukuni Shrine that enshrines the war criminals and glorifies Japan's past war aggression," ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a press briefing.

"We urge the responsible Japanese leaders to squarely face up to history and show through action a humble reflection and genuine repentance for the past." (Yonhap)
Instagram Celebrity

A few months after offering help to Josephine Wright, the 'Madea' star/director reportedly is building the elderly woman a new house in South Carolina which will feature 5 bedrooms.

Oct 17, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tyler Perry reportedly is making a new home for a grandmother. A few months after offering help to a woman named Josephine Wright, the "Don't Look Up" actor is stepping up to build a new property for the 93-year-old woman, who was pushed out of her house in South Carolina by developers.

Speaking to TMZ on Monday, October 16, a number of sources with direct knowledge revealed that the filmmaker is building Josephine a home in South Carolina, which will feature 5 bedrooms, "to replace the one she's living in with her grandkids." The sources went on to spill that a "construction crew will break ground on the home in the coming weeks" after all the permits are being taken care of. According to the outlet, her current home is also "at the center of a bitter land dispute."

Tyler's sweet gesture came a few months after it was reported that Josephine is in a battle with developers to fight for her home. In May, Josephine spoke to local news outlet WSAV about the harassment she received from the developers in an attempt to make her sell her property. She reportedly had refused to sell her home to the Bailey Point Investment Group, prompting them to file a "frivolous lawsuit" against her.

The outlet also revealed that Josephine's home "has been in the family since just after the Civil War" and her family "has ties" to the war. Josephine, who is "a grandmother to 40, great-grandmother to 50, and great-great-grandmother to 16," also told the outlet about the reason why she wants to fight for the property. "This house means it's a home, a place where I want to be at this age," she stated.

A few months later, Tyler stepped in and offered help to Josephine. On June 27, he penned in an Instagram post, " 'I've pretty much been a fighter all my life' said 93 year old Josephine Wright. Well, that makes two of us. Ms. Wright, please tell where to show up and what you need to help you fight." Along with it, the actor/director uploaded a video documenting Josephine's current home.

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Unveiled on Netflix's official Instagram page, the eight images offer glimpses of the first part of the show's 6th and final season that will center on Princess Diana and her romance with Dodi Fayed.

Oct 17, 2023

AceShowbiz - Netflix has revealed first-look photos for the first part of "The Crown" season 6. Unveiled on Monday, October 16 on the streaming giant's official Instagram page, the eight images offer glimpses of the first installment that will center on Princess Diana and her romance with Dodi Fayed.

One of the images features Elizabeth Debicki in character as Princess Diana, rocking her signature blonde bangs. Another shows Elizabeth and Khalid Abdalla's Dodi sitting in the backseat of a car while sporting sunglasses. The two donned outfits similar to the ones that Diana and Dodi wore on the night they had a car crash in Paris in 1997 which killed both of them.

Elizabeth's Diana can also be seen hugging young Prince William and Prince Harry (played by Rufus Kampa and Fflyn Edwards respectively). The young princes also join their father Prince William (Dominic West) in another picture which sees the trio exploring the River Dee at Balmoral Castle in August 1997, prior to Dianas devastating death.

The new images additionally include a picture of Dodi looking pensive on a glamorous boat. Another picture imagines Diana leaning on the rail of a yacht which may be one of the private seacrafts that Dodi's father Mohamed al Fayed owned. Netflix also gives fans a look at Salim Daw's take on Mohamed.

In addition to exploring their relationship and tragic car accident, season 6 is set to see Prince William trying "to integrate back into life at Eton in the wake of his mother's death as the monarchy has to ride the wave of public opinion. As she reaches her Golden Jubilee, the Queen reflects on the future of the monarchy with the marriage of Charles and Camilla and the beginnings of a new Royal fairytale in William and Kate."

Season 6 will also star Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret. They will be joined by Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne, Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles, and Bertie Carvel as Tony Blair.

Recently, it was announced that the sixth and final season of "The Crown" will be divided into two parts. The series will drop Part 1 on Thursday, November 16 on Netflix. The remaining 6 episodes are slated to arrive on Thursday, December 14.

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The 'Jurrasic Park' actor, who has now been in remission for 12 months after switching treatment to a rare anti-cancer drug that worked, says in an interview that the idea of him retiring 'fills me with horror.'

Oct 17, 2023

AceShowbiz - Sam Neill has doubled down on his remark about not being afraid of death. In fact, the "Jurassic Park" actor declared in a new interview that he's more afraid of retirement amid his battle with stage 3 blood cancer.

When speaking to the Australian Story, the 76-year-old told the outlet that the idea of him retiring "fills me with horror." His doctors also warned him that one day the drug will eventually stop working, and he's "prepared for that."

Sam has now been in remission for 12 months after switching treatment to a rare anti-cancer drug that worked. The New Zealand native has to take the medicine every two weeks indefinitely in order to remain healthy, he said, noting that the few days after the treatments are very grim and depressing."

This is not the first time Sam talked about death. When speaking to The Guardian back in March, he said, "I'm not afraid to die, but it would annoy me. Because I'd really like another decade or two, you know?"

"We've built all these lovely terraces, we've got these olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be around to see it all mature," he added. "And I've got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big. But as for the dying? I couldn't care less."

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Alchemist Marketing Solutions, a leading name in the communication strategy is excited to announce the launch of its new practice dedicated to Sustainability Marketing. The practice will be one more area of specialisation for its digital vertical Alchemist Dotwise, that currently has real estate and healthcare as two key verticals. The Sustainability Marketing Practice of Alchemist Dotwise will strengthen the company's commitment to environmental and social responsibility while providing custom solutions with a focus on the creation of brand value for its clients.

In today's ever-evolving business landscape, sustainability has become more than just a buzzword; it is a core value. Alchemist Marketing Solutions recognizes the importance of integrating sustainability into modern business practices. Brands are emerging with sustainability at the core of their product or message, and require communication that is specialised. The team has developed in-house expertise of working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, and assessing risks and opportunities in the interest of efficiency and reputation for some of the sustainability projects already implemented. The new vertical will enable the company to offer comprehensive sustainability marketing services to its clients.

Sustainability Marketing Practice Highlights:

Strategic Sustainability Consultation: The vertical at Alchemist will provide well researched Communication Strategy to businesses with brands built around sustainability, and give them a competitive advantage.

Green Branding and Messaging: Alchemist Dotwise, the digital wing of Alchemist will craft authentic and compelling messaging to effectively communicate a company's commitment to sustainability. This will help clients resonate with the rising number of environmentally conscious consumers and stakeholders.

Content and Campaign Development: Alchemist Dotwise will create engaging content and marketing campaigns that align with sustainable principles, fostering brand loyalty among ethically minded consumers.

Environmental Impact Analysis: Through data-driven methodologies, and insight generation, Alchemist will help clients reach the right audience, and build communication strategy around their reduced environmental footprint, contributing to not just a stronger brand but a greener planet.

Anujita Jain, CEO of Alchemist Dotwise, expressed enthusiasm for this new venture, stating, Establishing the Sustainability Marketing practice was a journey to uncover our team's Ikigai  a fusion of what we're passionate about, excel at, and that benefits both society and our company. We excel in mining insights for diverse audiences, understanding that supporters of Sustainable Brands are a diverse lot, not easily identified by superficial green markers. Our mission is to assist brands in connecting with a broad spectrum of environmentally-conscious consumers willing to invest in sustainable products. Moreover, we tackle the challenge of utilizing digital creative space to effectively convey both brand information and green valuesa vital requirement for sustainable brands. To meet this need, we've assembled a specialized team deeply immersed in audience insights, crafting compelling strategies, and doing so daily for our brands.
High-level talks between South Korea and Australia planned for this week have been canceled due to the Australian foreign minister's need to respond to the Israel-Hamas war, a Seoul official said Tuesday.

The two countries had scheduled to hold their so-called two-plus-two talks involving their foreign and defense ministers in Seoul on Thursday, but they have been canceled "due to circumstances on Australia's side," the government official said.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong reportedly canceled her trip to oversee the evacuation of Australian nationals from Israel amid the escalating conflict with the Hamas militant group.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, who is visiting South Korea to attend the Seoul Defense Dialogue, plans to meet his South Korean counterpart, Shin Won-sik, for a one-on-one breakfast meeting Thursday, according to the official.

Wong wrote on social media Monday that she was postponing her planned trip to South Korea and Japan for this week.

"I will remain in Australia to lead the Government's consular, humanitarian and diplomatic response to the attacks on Israel by Hamas and the ongoing conflict," she said. (Yonhap)
In this exclusive interview with Adgully, Fred Crehan, Area Vice President for Emerging Markets at Confluent, delves into the transformative role of real-time data in the Middle East region. Crehan provides insights into the unique challenges and opportunities facing Confluent in this dynamic market, the impact of their real-time AI initiative, and the strategic partnerships that are poised to reshape the technological landscape. He also discusses Confluent's role in empowering Middle Eastern businesses with the data management and analytics capabilities required for modern AI applications and highlights emerging trends in the AI domain. He reiterates the importance of data streaming as a prerequisite to the success of AI endeavours. With its data streaming for AI initiative, Confluent aims to help organisations quickly build and scale next-generation AI applications with a shared source of real-time truth for all operational and analytical data, no matter where it lives. Excerpts:

Could you tell us about your role as the Area Vice President for Emerging Markets at Confluent and how it pertains to the Middle East region?

As the Area Vice President, Emerging Markets, I lead Confluents business and strategy across the Middle East, and Israel. My role has direct responsibility for sales and I also oversee key field-facing functions like solution engineering, professional services, customer success, and channel teams in the region.

As I look to grow Confluents regional footprint, I am focused on helping organisations recognise that unlocking the full potential of real-time data will empower them to pioneer compelling digital services for the discerning modern consumer. This is especially relevant in the context of the Middle East. As businesses in the region compete in the digital era, gains in efficiency are made possible by data-backed decision-making. The insight unlocked by the analysis of real-time data from across the enterprise will also help deliver a differentiating edge to businesses, which will be essential to their competitiveness. This calls for enterprises to create a central nervous system that sets their data in motion. The continuous collection and delivery of data across the digital enterprise underpins all digital initiatives, be it the modernisation of IT, adoption of AI, utilization of analytics, or migration to the cloud. For this reason, event streaming platforms are rapidly becoming a must-have component in the IT infrastructures of modern enterprises, and this is a trend that is only set to accelerate in the year ahead.

What are the unique challenges and opportunities you've encountered while leading Confluent's efforts in the Middle East market?

I helped establish Confluents local presence in the Middle East with the opening of our regional headquarters in Dubai in May 2022. While Its fair to say that the last 16+ months have been challenging for the software industry in general, Confluent has been at the heart of emerging trends like AI, ML and digital transformation. As a result, a lot of data is being generated and utilized. There is also increasing pressure on businesses given the macroeconomic environment to be more efficient, and those factors combined really drives the need for more solutions based on real-time data streaming.

Confluent has announced an initiative to accelerate the development of real-time AI applications. How do you see this initiative impacting the tech landscape in the Middle East?

Data streaming is a prerequisite to the success of AI endeavours. Continuously enriched, trustworthy data streams are vital when creating next-gen AI applications, because in order to be accurate and effective, these need to be fed with rich, real-time data. With our data streaming for AI initiative, we aim to help organisations quickly build and scale next-generation AI applications with a shared source of real-time truth for all operational and analytical data, no matter where it lives.

This has tremendous potential to positively impact the region as AI is set to drive the bottom-line of both regional governments and businesses. A recent PwC report predicts that the Middle East will accrue 2% of the total global benefits of AI in 2030, equivalent to US$320 billion. In Saudi Arabia alone, AI is expected to contribute over US$135.2 billion in 2030 to the economy, equivalent to 12.4% of the countrys GDP.

Read the complete interview on Adgullys Middle-East website.
Dentsu Creative India, in association with New Holland Agriculture - a leading brand of tractors and farming equipment, has launched a new campaign that salutes the farmers of our nation. The campaign builds on the success of last year's Asli Hero Ki Asli Taqat campaign, which portrayed farmers as the heroes of the nation who feed us all.

This year, the campaign focuses on the machines and technology that serve as the true strength behind these heroes. The campaign introduces a wide range of New Holland tractors and farming equipment, each designed to make farming easier and more efficient. These machines are a true embodiment of the key campaign message Asli Hero Ki Asli Taqat (The Real Hero's Real Strength), a promise that New Holland continues to champion.

The campaign kicked off with a TVC that will be extended to other mediums. The film features stunning visuals of farmers working in the fields with the help of New Holland tractors and farming equipment. It captures the spirit of the farmers' dedication and highlights how these innovative and technologically advanced machines from New Holland transform them into real heroes.

Speaking on the campaign, Ujjwal Anand, Managing Partner, Dentsu Creative India said, In a world where heroes often wear capes, New Holland reminds us that some heroes wear plaid shirts and muddy shoes. Their dedication to honoring the farmer as the true hero of our nation and recognizing the technology that supports them is both heartwarming and admirable.

Janmenjoy Mohanty, Chief Creative Officer North, Dentsu Creative India added, The idea was to show a perfect balance between the real power of New Holland tractors and the sheer heroism of the real heroes, i.e., our farmers. And the film has nicely achieved both. It is sure to add a lot of memorability to the brand.

Tarun Khanna, Marketing Director - India Sub-Region, Agriculture Segment APAC, CNH Industrial commented, For New Holland Agriculture, the farmers are our real heroes. With the second leg of this campaign celebrating our farmers, we are showcasing how the strength of our portfolio enables our real heroes in the field, thereby reaffirming New Holland as the real strength behind the real heroes.

Credits

Agency: Dentsu Creative India

Client: New Holland Agriculture

Brand: New Holland

Production House: Fortune Talkies

Producer: Faraz Shere

Executive Producer: Pragya Tiwari

Director: Abin Cleatus

Creative Team:

Manzoor Alam, Executive Creative Director

Arun Negi, Group Head

Dhrithi Malhotra, Senior Art Director

Account Management Team:

Navin Singh, Vice President

Lalit Bisht, Account Director

Shirjeev Sharma, Associate Manager

Films Department:

Aamir Khan, Senior Director, Films
Platinum Outdoor, a unit of Madison World, rolled out a massive outdoor campaign for DDecor to unveil their latest launch - the soft furnishing brand FabriCare By DDecor. Executed in multiple metro cities across the country by utilizing a strategic media mix, the campaign was successfully able to capture audiences' attention.

High-performance fabrics with celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt as brand ambassadors, 'FabriCare' aims to redefine the standards of beauty and durability in home furnishings, marking a significant step toward functional and easy maintenance luxury.

In order to launch the brand, Platinum Outdoor utilized out-of-home media and embarked on an extraordinary 10-day journey across 12 urban cities. With over 60,000 square feet of media coverage, a variety of high-traffic locations were identified for the campaign to ensure visibility. Among these locations were arterial roads, intersections, and residential enroute areas.

To effectively reach consumers across diverse environments, multiple media formats were used, including billboards, DOOH (Digital Out-of-Home), Metro Pillars, Unipoles, and Mall Facades. The DOOH media was optimized through large format and video-based creatives. A wide range of media coverage across multiple cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Indore, Jaipur, Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata, built positive brand perceptions among consumers.

Speaking on the campaign, Nikita Desai, Vice President  Strategy, Brand and Business Excellence, DDecor Home Fabrics Pvt. Ltd. commented, This is FabriCares launch campaign, and we wanted to check all the boxes, for its amplification. That was never going to be complete without a sizeable outdoor run. Our creatives showcased delightful interactions between our brand ambassadors, Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt, and presence on impact sites across target cities really caught peoples attention and got them talking. Especially the LED sites, where we could actually animate the coffee spilling on the couch, highlighting our fabrics effectiveness against common household stains to bring alive the idea of Beauty that needs no protection.

Irshad Chippa, Associate Vice President, Platinum Outdooralso commented, When it comes to such a mega-scale outdoor campaign, D'Decor effortlessly checks all the boxes. We were thrilled to have had the opportunity to strategize and implement the FabriCare launch, especially on such a grand scale. There is no denying the impact that the campaign has had on the brand, it is nothing short of a remarkable achievement.

Platinum Outdoor is a part of Madison World, Indias largest homegrown communication agency established in 1988, that operates several brands in OOH including MOMS, Activation specialist - Madison TURNT, Rural specialist - Anugrah Madison and Retail Specialist  MRP. Platinum Outdoor handles marquee clients like Tata Motors, Vi, Parle Agro, Campus Shoes, Square Yards, Zee5, L&T Housing and Havells amongst many others. Madison World through its 11 Units served last year, as many as 500 Advertisers.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 17.10.2023 - The FDFA welcomes the peace negotiations launched yesterday between the Colombian government and rebel group Estado Mayor Central de las FARC-EP (EMC). As part of its long-standing peace policy work in Colombia, Switzerland has, at the parties' request, taken on an official mandate to serve as guarantor of the negotiations. The mandate is a sign of appreciation for Switzerland's commitment to peace and its diplomatic efforts.

The Colombian government and the EMC officially launched the negotiation process yesterday in Tibu, Norte de Santander. The event was attended by many representatives from Colombian society and the international community. The EMC has its origins in the 2016 peace agreement, which was not signed by a faction of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia  People's Army (FARCEP).

At the launch, the parties signed a ceasefire agreement, which took effect immediately. The temporary three-month ceasefire should help improve the humanitarian situation in regions where the EMC is present.

Together with other countries, including Ireland, Norway and Venezuela, Switzerland will act as guarantor state in the peace negotiations, building on its previous efforts in support of the Colombian peace process. It will be present at the negotiations and lend political and technical support to the process.

The goal of the Colombian government, in the context of its peace policy, is to include as many armed groups as possible in a comprehensive peace agreement. Switzerland fully supports the implementation of the 2016 FARC-EP peace agreement, for which it is also advocating on the UN Security Council. Since November 2022, Switzerland has also been a member of the peace process advisory group with the National Liberation Army of Colombia (Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional). When requested to do so, it advises the parties on issues such as compliance with the ceasefire, community participation and the protection of civilians. The FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) is taking the lead in Switzerland's support for the peace process.

Peace process following decades-long armed conflict

Colombia has been mired in armed conflict for decades. The death toll is estimated at over 200,000, and almost 80% of those killed have been civilians. Eight million people have been displaced as a result of the violence. In 2016, the Colombian government and the FARC-EP entered into a peace agreement. Since then, however, armed hostilities with other armed groups have escalated in some regions, which has made it difficult to implement the agreement and, in particular, develop rural areas affected by the violence.

Colombia is a priority country for the PHRD, which is committed to promoting peace there. It supports reconciliation processes by providing technical expertise in areas such as civil society participation, ceasefires and dealing with the past. Alongside its efforts to ensure implementation of the 2016 peace agreement and to support reconciliation and negotiation processes involving armed groups, Switzerland is also helping to mitigate the impact of the conflict, for example by taking humanitarian measures, engaging in humanitarian demining and providing support for rural development. Furthermore, at the request of the Colombian government and the FARC-EP, Switzerland is retaining the original copy of the final 2016 agreement and a digital backup of the archives of the Colombian Truth Commission.

Through its commitment to peace and security, as demonstrated by Switzerland's support for the Colombian peace process, the federal government is implementing one of the thematic focus areas set out in the Federal Council's Foreign Policy Strategy 202023.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




Plastic pipe manufacturer Colclasher Enterprises will invest $9 million over the next year in a production facility located in Selmas Craig Industrial Park.

The plant will be located in an existing building at No. 2 Industrial Parkway, according to the Selma & Dallas County Economic Development Authority.

The building will house a three-line plant, with the first two lines becoming operational in the first and third quarters of 2024. The projects final phase, a third line, will take place later, possibly by 2027.

The project is expected to create 21 jobs over the next three years, with the average wage at the facility approximately $24 per hour.

The company is also considering a 10,000-square-foot expansion of the building, starting in July 2026.

We believe this project aligns with the long-term goals and vision of both our company, the Selma & Dallas County community, and the state of Alabama, Lyle Bollin, vice president of business development for Colclasher Enterprises, said. The project includes numerous benefits such as job creation, economic gain, and a commitment to community development.

Colclasher Enterprises produces corrugated plastic pipes, farm drainage tile, fittings, stormwater detention and infiltration systems, chambers, inlet structures, and water quality treatment options. It has facilities in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Kentucky, in addition to Alabama.

Brenda Tuck, rural development manager for the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the project shows the promise of Alabamas rural communities.

The secret is out of the bag  rural Alabama is home to high-performing companies operating in a broad array of industries, and new growth projects like the one just announced by Colclasher Enterprises will advance that reputation, Tuck said.

The EDA coordinated meetings with the Alabama Department of Commerce and The Alabama Department of Revenue in locating the project. The Dallas County Commission and the Craig Field Airport & Industrial Authority also assisted the EDA.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reclassified 21 endangered species as extinct, saying the best scientific evidence shows that these species no longer exist.

Seven of those species lived in Alabama, including the Bachmans warbler songbird and six freshwater mussels and snails.

Ramona McGee, wildlife program leader for the Southern Environmental Law Center, said the move should come as a wake-up call to the dangers of extinction.

This should be a wake-up call to the reality of our extinction crisis, and human activitys role threatening species, McGee said in a news release. As we observe the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, we must recognize there is still much work to do saving creatures and ecosystems that we cherish and depend on.

The Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a rule Monday removing those animals from the U.S. Endangered Species List, citing their probable extinction. Many had not been seen in the wild in decades.

The Alabama species declared extinct are:

Bachmans warbler

Southern acornshell

Stirrupshell

Tubercled-blossom pearly mussel

Turgid-blossom pearly mussel

Upland combshell

Yellow-blossom pearly mussel

In the early 1900s, the Bachmans warbler -- a yellow, grey and black songbird -- was commonly seen across the Southeastern United States in spring and summer months before flying to Cuba for winter. Its populations had declined sharply by the 1950s, with the last confirmed sighting occurring in Louisiana in 1988.

Alabamas six freshwater mussels are believed to have been driven to extinction due to habitat loss from dam construction as well as siltation and water pollution.

Once species are listed for protection as endangered or threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, federal entities or anyone requiring a federal permit must conduct species assessments before developing or disturbing land designated as critical habitat for a listed species. The actions of private landowners that do not require a federal or state permit are not restricted under the Act.

McGee said the Endangered Species Act is an effective tool for protecting biodiversity, but many of the species in question were added to the list too late.

Unfortunately, many of these species, including Southern varieties of mussels and Bachmans warbler, received ESA protections when they were already perilously close, or suspected to be extinct, McGee said.

The stakes are higher for wildlife here in the South, McGee said. We host a globally significant variety of plants and animals that are under mounting pressure because of humanmade threats, including climate change and habitat loss.

Alabama is celebrated as one of the most biodiverse states in the country, with freshwater aquatic life leading the way. Alabama is second in the nation in the number of freshwater fish species found in the state. It also has the highest number of crayfish species, the second highest number of frog species, and the highest number of freshwater mussel species.

Alabama also has the third highest number of threatened or endangered species in the country trailing only Hawaii and California.

Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity said the 21 species would be added to a list of 650 U.S. species that are now considered extinct.

Greenwald said many of the currently endangered species face new human-driven threats from climate change and the introduction of invasive species into their native habitats, in addition to the traditional pressures of habitat loss from development, pollution or unchecked hunting and fishing.

Few people realize the extent to which the crises of extinction and climate change are deeply intertwined, Greenwald said. Both threaten to undo our very way of life, leaving our children with a considerably poorer planet.

One silver lining to this sad situation is that protecting and restoring forests, grasslands and other natural habitats will help address both.
A South Korean national in the Philippines has been released after being kidnapped for nearly three weeks, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday.

The individual was safely rescued by the local police authorities Monday after being kidnapped around Sept. 27, according to the ministry.

The person was in good health condition at the time of the rescue, it added, without providing further details.

One of the kidnappers was arrested on the scene by police, the ministry told reporters in a text message, saying the investigation was still ongoing.

The ministry said it has made various efforts to ensure the safe and swift release of the person in close coordination with the local authorities and South Korean officials in the Philippines. (Yonhap)
Authorities have released the name of a woman killed in a Monday night shooting in a southwest Birmingham neighborhood.

Birmingham police on Tuesday identified the victim as Trudy Mustin. She was 63 and lived in Bessemer.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said police first received a Shot Spotter notification of gunfire in the area, and then a call reporting someone had been shot.

When they arrived on the scene, they found Mustin inside a vehicle. She was taken by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service to UAB Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 7:53 p.m.

Fitzgerald said it appeared that two groups of people had been arguing all day. The latest argument took place inside a house, and it ended in gunfire.

The actual location of the shooting was the 1100 block of 15th Street S.W. which is at the Alemeda Avenue intersection.

Multiple people were taken into custody for questioning. Fitzgerald on Tuesday said those people were released after questioning. No arrests have been made.

Mustin is Birminghams 106th homicide this year. Of those, one was an officer involved shooting by an outside law enforcement agency and eight others have been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 151 homicides, including the 106 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
An Athens man and his cousin from Mississippi were sentenced to federal prison time Monday for their part in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Donnie Duane Wren, 44, of Athens, was sentenced to 1 year and one day in prison and 24 months of supervised release.

His cousin Thomas Harlen Smith, 45, of Mathiston, Miss., was sentenced to nine years in prison and 36 months of supervised release. A jury convicted Wren of two felonies and one misdemeanor, and Smith of 11 charges, including nine felonies and two misdemeanors, on May 5.

According to evidence presented during the trial, Smith traveled from his Mississippi home and picked up Wren. They continued on to Washington, D.C., to attend a rally held by former President Trump on the day electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election were to be certified by Congress.

On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Smith and Wren attended the rally and afterward made their way toward the U.S. Capitol building. Before entering Capitol grounds, Smith climbed a column near the African American History Museum with the former Mississippi state flag containing the Confederate battle emblem.

Arriving on the Capitol grounds, Smith and Wren saw other rioters climbing scaffolding erected around the stage for the Presidential Inauguration. They then climbed and made their way to the Capitols Lower West Terrace Tunnel.

Smith pushed toward the front of a group of rioters and used a flagpole like a spear five times to try to break a window next to the Lower West Terrace doors. He then surged through the doorway, where he and a mass of other rioters pushed into a line of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers attempting to hold the door shut.

According to prosecutors, Smith exited the tunnel and reunited with Wren, where they posed for a photograph together on the Lower West Terrace. Smith and Wren then climbed up a railing to the Upper West Terrace and confronted a line of police officers with riot shields and attempting to clear the area.

The two men pushed back against the police line, placing their hands on the officers shields and leaning back into the police. Wren leaned all his weight into the riot shield, preventing the police officer from advancing as police attempted to clear the area.

While this occurred, Smith witnessed an object fly past him and hit an officer. Smith yelled at the officer, You deserve that, you piece of s! At 4:35 p.m., Smith kicked an MPD officer in the backsending the officer to the ground. Smith picked up a metal pole-like object and threw it toward the line of police, striking two MPD officers in the head.

Later that day, on Facebook, Smith described the assault on the Capitol: Patriots stood together and battled the tyrannical cops throughout the entire afternoon.

Wren was convicted of civil disorder and assaulting, impeding, or resisting officers, both felonies, and a single misdemeanor charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.

This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section. The U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Northern District of Mississippi, the Northern District of Alabama and the Southern District of Florida worked on the case.

According to the DOJ, in the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the Capitol breach, including more than 400 individuals charged with felony assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Monroe County Hospital in south Alabama will close its labor and delivery department Nov. 15, becoming the third hospital in a month to announce the end of health services for pregnant women and newborns.

The announcement comes on the heels of news that two labor and delivery departments in the Birmingham area will close by the end of the month. Doctors at Princeton Baptist Medical Center and Shelby Baptist Medical Center will stop delivering babies after October 24.

Labor and delivery units have been vanishing across Alabama for decades as hospitals struggle to retain staff and support services in communities with shrinking numbers of pregnant women. The recent closures will affect women in downtown Birmingham, the fast-growing suburbs of Shelby County and rural Monroe County, which sits roughly halfway between Mobile and Montgomery.

A statement posted Oct. 3 to the Monroe County Hospital Facebook page said the staff were heartbroken about the decision to stop labor and delivery.

Since February, weve known this closure was a distinct possibility, the post said. Please understand we have done everything we can to avoid this closure. Our plan going forward, like so many other rural hospitals, is to get OB patients to the nearest facility possible. Our emergency staff in conjunction with the obstetric staff have immediately begun to work on training for nurses and doctors.

Alisha Bowen of Monroeville was 25 weeks into her pregnancy when she learned she would not be able to deliver at the local hospital. Bowen, who had also been seeing a specialist at USA Health, made plans to deliver in Mobile 90 minutes away.

The image shows which counties had labor and delivery services in 1980 and 2019. Closures have affected rural counties most heavily.

It will probably be a planned induction or planned C-section, she said. I had hoped to be all natural, but that will not be so, because I do not plan on having a baby on the side of I-65.

Still, Bowen considers herself lucky. She has reliable transportation and other resources that make the long drive inconvenient, but not impossible.

We already have women in the northern part of the county who struggle to get transportation to Monroeville, much less Montgomery or Mobile, Bowen said. It is definitely going to impact the residents with less resources much more negatively.

Monroe County Hospital is coordinating training with obstetric and emergency staff and will move some nurses from labor and delivery to the emergency department, according to a Facebook post.

The recent closures are just the latest in a longstanding trend. The number of hospitals with labor and delivery services in Alabama has plummeted in the last four decades, especially in rural areas. The number of rural counties with obstetrical departments fell from 45 in 1980 to 16 in 2019, according to the Alabama Rural Health Association.

A recent report from the March of Dimes found that some women in rural Alabama must drive more than 70 miles to reach a hospital with obstetrical care. Almost 28 percent of Alabama women live more than 30 minutes away from labor and delivery services, compared to 9.7 percent nationwide.

When Monroe County Hospital closes its labor and delivery department, it will leave the county without services for pregnant women. The closest hospital with obstetrics is Grove Hill Memorial Hospital 45 minutes away in Clarke County.

About half of Alabamas pregnant women are covered by Medicaid, the states health insurance program for low-income people. Reimbursement rates for Medicaid are lower than private insurance.

The closures also come at a time when the state is struggling with poor infant and maternal health. Alabama had the third-highest maternal mortality rate between 2018 and 2020, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the third-highest infant mortality rate in 2021.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Tuesday threatened to report parents of students habitually skipping school without an excuse to the Jefferson County District Attorney for prosecution for truancy, and even possibly to the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, which could endanger their subsidized public housing.

Speaking to the Birmingham City Council meeting, Woodfin said the truancy situation in Birmingham City Schools has become unacceptable.

Ill call the D.A. of Jefferson County, Woodfin said. Truancy is illegal. We hold parents responsible for their 8- and 9-year-old child just not going to school.

Parents could be prosecuted, he said.

Ive also talked to leadership at the Housing Authority, Woodfin said. To be clear, you are putting your housing in jeopardy by allowing your child just to stay home. I dont want to put any energy or coordinated effort into engaging the D.A.s office and the Housing Authority to threaten parents to do what they are responsible for, for their child, but I will.

Its a community-wide problem, he said.

Its all of us, Woodfin said. All of us are responsible.

But parents bear a special responsibility to get their children to school, he said.

Our teachers cannot teach your child or children if theyre not in school, Woodfin said.

We are 10 weeks into the school year and there have been too many unexcused absences for our students, Woodfin said. Parents, teachers cannot teach your child if they are not in class. Please make sure your students are present. Parents, if you need help or guidance, you can reach out to the attendance department.

Woodfin said the problem is systemwide, kindergarten through 12, but especially critical for third graders, whose reading proficiency and future literacy is at stake.

I want to narrow this down and talk to you all about whats happening in third grade, Woodfin said. A student is truant if they have seven or more unexcused absences. Out of 17 Birmingham schools, thats elementary, K through 8th combined, well over 50 percent of third grade students are currently truant. You cant blame that on the teacher, the school system. You cant even blame that on the child, because most third graders are 7 and 8 or 8 and 9. That is the responsibility of the adult parent.

Without naming them, Woodfin cited two elementary schools that serve public housing communities.

At one elementary school, 34 percent of third graders have had chronic absentees as of Oct. 17.

At another elementary school, 23 percent of students have been chronically absent in the third grade.

Thats unacceptable, he said. It will be easy at the end of the year, students take the test in April, students dont pass, students have to repeat the third grade, and everybody points their finger at the teacher. And I am telling you all that is not fair, that is not right. Teachers cant teach if children are not in the classroom. Again, Im putting emphasis on the word unexcused. If a child is sick, if the child has an issue, I think as adults we all understand that.

Woodfin said he understands that parents living in public housing may face challenges.

I want to acknowledge issues exist in the community, wholesale, he said. There are issues at home, theres trauma, theres emotional issues, but unexcused after unexcused absences are unacceptable.

Woodfin said parents with questions may call the city schools attendance number: (205) 231-2290.

Please consider me publicly saying this as, You are on notice if you are a parent that consistently allows your child to be out of school, Woodfin said. Im saying this with as much love as I can, but I have no problem laying down the gauntlet as well.

Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman noted that the Alabama Literacy Act requires that any student from kindergarten through third grade with an identified reading deficiency be required to have a student reading plan.

Mayor Woodfins right; if they dont show up to school, how can you help them out? Smitherman said. Parents, youve got to get it together.

City Council President Wardine Alexander also emphasized that the focus is on unexcused absences.

No one is asking parents to send their children to school sick, she said. You cant get educated if youre not in the classroom.

Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr was not immediately available for comment.
Decatur City Hall continued to see a strong presence from concerned citizens on Monday as many supporters of Steve Perkins, a Black man killed by Decatur police on Sept. 29, filled the gallery and waited to speak at a council meeting.

Also on Monday, Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling said he had deactivated his Facebook pages amid online pressure from protesters.

We are traumatized as a city, said Teairra Bolden, 40. I know youre limited, but give us something, some kind of care. Give us something so we can sleep at night again.

Bolden said she hoped city leaders could provide a timeline for the investigation. They could not.

We want an end to this, as you know we do, Mayor Tab Bowling said. Council President Jacob Ladner added that the city made it clear to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigators, who are handling the investigation, that the Perkins shooting should be a top priority.

Interactions between other speakers and city leaders played out much the same.

What will be done? Anthony Burgess asked into the podium microphone. He said a group of white men wearing pistols attempted to antagonize peaceful protesters over the weekend.

This is to you, mayor: I personally feel that you have allowed a racial climate to come into existence from being silent on this matter, he said. We need to hear you. Our babies are in danger.

Edward Franklin took the podium with an analogy: If his son borrowed his car and returned it with a dent, and it took him 20 minutes or more to explain how it received a dent, then his son must either be lying or trying to hide something.

This is not rocket science, he said. This equation is very simple. Show the bodycams.

City officials have stated repeatedly that they are not authorized to release police bodycam video from the shooting, as ALEA is the custodial entity of all evidence related to the investigation.

Cornelius Echols, a member of an NAACP-affiliated legal redress team and an early presence in the Perkins protests, said from the podium that the Morgan County district attorney can request ALEA to show some of the bodycam footage to Perkins family members.

Did you talk to the district attorney about the parts of the video he can file a motion for ... to get it to the family? he asked.

I havent talked to the district attorney, no sir, Bowling responded.

But you know he can do that though, right? Echols asked.

Have you talked with him? Bowling countered. He works for you.

After the exchange, City Attorney Herman Marks said they would reach out to ALEA.

Other speakers took the podium to ask why the other officers present during the shooting of Perkins arent on administrative leave.

An officer in our city is on paid leave for murdering a citizen, and the other two apparently agreed with breaking the code that night, said Briona Watkins, referring to Alabama Code 7-9A-609, which governs property repossessions. The statute does not authorize law enforcement to assist in repossessions without a court order. Meanwhile Garrick (Rawls) has spent 10 days in jail for walking across the street.

Rawls was arrested twice, charged with disorderly conduct while protesting on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7.

Is there a recommendation already in motion to place the other three officers who were on scene and a part of that ambush on administrative leave? asked Sheree Head.

Ladner responded that personnel matters dont come before the council. Head then directed her question to Councilman Hunter Pepper, indicating he had previously agreed to find the answer.

I dont think that thats a question for the chief, I think thats a question for the mayor, Pepper said. As the mayor has said multiple times, hes in charge of day-to-day operations of the city and oversight of each department and its employees. So, Im going to defer that question to the mayor.

Ladner added that, if there were multiple infractions of policies and procedures, disciplinary proceedings should result in termination.

President of the Morgan County chapter of the NAACP, Rodney Gordon, asked if the police chief and mayor viewed bodycam video of the shooting prior to sending the evidence to ALEA. Bowling said that he had not.

Why havent you arrested those guys? Gordon asked.

Tommy Cook brought up the recent move of Judge James Hortons house. Horton in 1933 reversed a jury verdict finding one of the Scottsboro Boys guilty of raping a white woman.

Years ago he was hated, ran out of town, because he stood against the grain, he said. And today we honor him, why? Because he stood against the grain.

Whats going to be your legacy, Tab? Youre going to be remembered as the mayor who did not stand for the people that voted him into office. Thats whats going to be your legacy.

Bowling responded by saying that Cooks opinion of him might change when all is said and done.

My legacy has yet to be determined, he said. You can pass judgment on me once we receive all the information and then I start making decisions. But right now, I do not have enough information to make decisions, plain and simple.

Bowling on Monday said he temporarily deactivated his personal and city Facebook accounts after being bombarded by Perkins supporters. I understood the message after receiving the first couple of 100 posts, he said.

After the meeting, Bolden said citizens shouldnt have to keep coming back to ask the same questions over and over.

I feel like the meetings are just the same meetings that were coming to each time since this has occurred, she said. The next time we hear from them, we should have answers.

Bolden added that she is flabbergasted that the other officers on the scene arent on administrative leave.

If everyone would have been on leave, it would have actually meant a lot to the city, she said.

 david.gambino@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438.

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(c)2023 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.)

Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The owner of Alabama Shop, the store that sells all kinds of Crimson Tide trinkets in an Arab market in Old Jerusalem, says he and his family are safe after well-wishers expressed worry about his welfare following last weeks Hamas attack against Israel.

Hani Imam, a Palestinian Muslim who attended the University of Alabama in the 1980s, opened Alabama Shop in 2000 after Crimson Tide items in his fathers store became popular with tourists.

Thank you all for your concern and prayers. I am in Jerusalem with my family we are all safe and secured. Praying for peace and love for all people. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. ROLL TIDE, Imam posted to Facebook on Sunday in response to a post from Chasidy White, who is coordinating relief efforts in Alabama and asked if Imam and his family could be relocated to Tuscaloosa amid the violence in Israel.

Jerusalem is about 50 miles from Gaza, where Hamas militants who launched the attacks inside Israel were based. More than 1,000 Israelis were killed and scores more were taken hostage. More than 2,300 Palestinians died from Israels response to the attacks.

Imam studied civil engineering at UA and worked as a bartender at a Holiday Inn in Huntsville.

Everybody was super nice to me, Imam told AL.com in a 2010 interview.

When Imam returned to Jerusalem in 1994, he said he felt homesick for Alabama.

I really enjoyed country life, he said, the beautiful nature and the open spaces. When his father gave him the family business -- a walk-in-closet-sized souvenir shop wedged between the Jewish and Christian quarters of Jerusalem -- he named it the Heart of Dixie, he says, to keep Alabama in my mind.

Among the items sold at the store, now named Alabama Shop, are decals that say Roll Tide in both English and phonetic Hebrew.

Sen. Katie Britt said Imams shop exemplifies the enduring spirit of the people of Israel. Alabamians are proud to stand by their side.
Huntsville police are looking for a 72-year-old woman who has been reportedly missing for more than two weeks.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has issued a missing person alert for Gloria Fuller, who may be living with a condition that may impair her judgement, police say.

She was last seen on Sept. 29 at about 5 p.m. in the area of New Life Circle in Huntsville.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Fuller is believed to be driving a gold 2005 Toyota Camry, Alabama tag #8574AJ7, and may be in the Decatur, Ga. area.

She is described as standing 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Huntsville police at (256) 722-7100 or call 911.
Joran van der Sloot, the longtime suspect in the disappearance and death of Mountain Brook teen Natalee Holloway, is expected to plead guilty Wednesday morning in an extortion attempt against Holloways mother.

The 35-year-old van der Sloot is charged in the U.S. with extortion and wire fraud. He was indicted in the Northern District of Alabama in 2010.

Federal authorities contend that van der Sloot exploited the fear of Holloways mother, Beth, that she would never find her daughters body or know what happened to her unless she paid him $250,000.

As part of the plea agreement, Holloway family attorney John Q. Kelly told Today, It was conditioned upon Mr. van der Sloot revealing details of how Natalee died and how her body was disposed of. There wont be any further investigator or searchfor Natalees remains.

Does that mean van der Sloot will stand before a federal judge Wednesday and give a detailed account of what happened to Natalee, and then based on his statement in open court be charged with murder in Aruba?

Experts say neither is likely.

I dont think hes going to confess to murder tomorrow in court, said former Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Jay Town.

I think thats something thats probably going to be done by affidavit and given to the Holloway family and maybe well never see it. I dont know.

Town said he believes van der Sloot will enter his guilty pleas on the extortion-related charges before U.S. District Court Judge Anna Manasco and be sentenced on the spot.

I do expect that during the course of the proceedings, the Holloway family and friends of the family will have a chance to address the court and van der Sloot, Town said.

I dont expect any of those words to be kind as regards to him.

CNN reported on Tuesday that Beth Holloway is expected to hold a news conference following the hearing to make public what van der Sloot told the FBI in regards to Natalees disappearance and death.

Van der Sloot over the past 18 years has made various statements related to Natalees demise.

How can anyone be sure he will tell the truth on Wednesday?

I dont know exactly how the Bureau and DOJ might have verified that information, Town said, but I suspect they were able to do so by corroborating Jorans confession with non- public information that only the killer would know.

Van der Sloot is expected to be quickly returned to Peru, where he is currently serving a 28-year prison for the 2010 murder of Lima college student Stephany Flores. She was killed five years to the day Natalee disappeared.

Per the extradition agreement that brought van der Sloot to the U.S. in June, he was to be returned to Peru immediately upon adjudication in Alabama to finish his sentence there before having to service any sentence in the U.S.

The U.S. will uphold its agreement with Peruvian government that after hes found guilty and sentenced, he will be returned to Peru to finish his time there before he faces whatever penalties hes going to face in the U.S., Town said.

The fact that Joran van der Sloot is on American soil being prosected by the Department of Justice really shows the tenacity of DOJ and the FBI and that they didnt leave their fight in the dressing room or label this case as just a $25,000 wire fraud case period, he said.

Van der Sloot is likely ready to return to Peru where he has more liberties than he does in the Shelby County Jail, where he has been held for the past four months.

Hes got a wife and girlfriend back there, Town said. He gets to sit in a cell and play online poker.

Town, and other experts, arent confident van der Sloot will ever be prosecuted in Aruba in connection with Natalees death.

Hes admitted it before, and Aruba hasnt done anything about it, Town said. I think well find there was a lot of corruption in Aruba that prevented not only the prosecution but even the investigation of the disappearance and death of Natalee Holloway.

Regardless of what the sentence might be or the plea agreement might suggest, I think we cannot lose sight of the fact that an 18-year quest by family, especially Beth Holloway, to bring Joran van der Sloot to some measure of American justice has been accomplished, Town said.

I think that shows tenacity by the FBI and by the U.S. Attorneys office and DOJ, he said, and Im glad the Holloway family will at least get some closure as it relates to this tragedy.
A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty in the 2019 murder of his girlfriend.

QuaShawn Stallworth, who was a 17-year-old Keith High School student at the time of the fatal shooting, was initially charged with capital murder.

On Monday, according to Dallas County District Attorney Robert Turner, Stallworth pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of murder in the March 5, 2019, slaying of 23-year-old Shalexis Ellis.

The two shared an infant son. Ellis also had another son.

Turner said Stallworth was sentenced to 20 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Quashawn Stallworth

The sentence is a straight sentence with no probation applied, Turner said. The sentencing of Mr. Stallworth ends a four year wait for the family of Ms. Shalexis Ellis for justice to be served.

The shooting happened at their Orrville home on that Wednesday. Stallworth was arrested the following day, and claimed the shooting was an accident.

The memories her family holds of her as a loving mother, a devoted daughter, sister, and a shining light in her community, speak to the impact she had on the lives of those around her, the district attorney said.

Domestic violence of any sort destroys lives, Turner said. It is the aim of the District Attorneys Office and law enforcement officers throughout the circuit to punish those who continue to engage in such behavior.
A woman whose testimony was key to the criminal sex trafficking conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell has died of a drug overdose, authorities confirmed.

Carolyn Andriano, a 36-year-old mother of five, was found dead at a hotel in Palm Beach County, her mother, Dorothy Groenert, told the Miami Herald. Although her death was discovered on Mary 23, it was not made public until this week in a report by the Daily Beast.

Groenert, however, disputes the coroners findings, questioning the thoroughness of the investigation by West Palm Beach police.

The Herald was unsuccessful in obtaining the police and coroners report on Monday.

But Andrianos longtime attorney, Jack Scarola, said he was confident in the findings related to her death.

A distraught mother is responding emotionally. Im very sure she is undergoing such a significant grief reaction, Scarola said.

Carolyn was having a very difficult time following her experience in New York, Scarola said, referring to Andrianos testimony against Maxwell in federal court in Manhattan at Maxwells sex trafficking trial in December 2021. He said she continued to have drug problems after the trial.

It is known that Carolyns experiences with Jeffrey Epstein had an enormous impact on her life and clearly was the cause of her tragic death, he said.

Andriano is not the only Epstein victim who died as a result of addiction. In 2018, Leigh Skye Patrick was found dead of an accidental drug overdose in another Florida motel. Patrick had also been abused by Epstein when she was 16.

My sister suffered tremendously, Patricks twin sister Selby told the DailyMail.com in a 2019 story. And it started with Epstein. Something happened in her when she met him that got her out of control.

She struggled with addiction since the time she met that guy. She went to rehab several times. She fought hard, but she eventually succumbed to the addiction. We miss her. "

Scarola said after the trial ended, Andriano and her husband, John Pitts, moved to North Carolina to start over. He was not sure why she was in Palm Beach at the time of her death, but several sources said she was still in the throes of addition and had come to Palm Beach for treatment. She was staying at the DoubleTree Hotel with her husband and children at the time of her death, the sources said.

During Maxwells trial, Andriano, who was only identified by her first name, said she was first brought to Jeffrey Epsteins Palm Beach mansion when she was 14. At the time, she had dropped out of middle school and had a difficult childhood. She testified that an older relative sexually abused her when she was 4 and that her mother was an alcoholic. By that time, she was already experimenting with drugs.

She was introduced to Epstein and Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre, another Epstein victim.

Andriano testified that she returned to Epsteins home more than 100 times in order to be paid money, which she used to buy drugs.

She tearfully described the trauma she suffered in the years since, saying she was diagnosed as being schizophrenic and lived in fear that her children would be kidnapped.

Andriano told the jury that Maxwell and another Epstein associate would summon her two or three times a week to visit Epstein, a New York financier who died in jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging.

Something sexual happened every single time, she said during trial.

Upon questioning by Maxwells lawyers, Andriano said she had received $2.8 million in compensation from Epsteins estate as part of a compensation fund set up for victims.

But, she emphasized, No money will fix what happened to me.

She was among four victims who testified at Maxwells trial. Maxwell, 61, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on trafficking charges. She is serving her sentence at the federal womens prison in Tallahassee while she appeals her conviction.

2023 McClatchy Washington Bureau. Visit mcclatchydc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Top economist ardent on continued success

09:11, October 17, 2023 By Liu Zhihua ( China Daily

This aerial photo shows a cargo ship at a smart container terminal of Tianjin Port in North China's Tianjin, July 7, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Former vice-president of World Bank says China will not decline like Japan

China will not follow in Japan's footsteps of the 1990s and fall into a so-called balance-sheet recession period characterized by income being used to pay down debt rather than spend, according to a top economist.

In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Justin Yifu Lin, dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University, said despite facing some difficulties including housing-related debt issues, the Chinese economy, with endogenous strength from factors like its enormous domestic market and increasing innovation capability, is well poised to rebound and experience "dynamic" growth and make a great contribution to global economic development.

"When income does not grow and debt is very high, debt payments will become a burden forcing households and enterprises to reduce investment and consumption in order to repay loans, leading to sluggish economic growth," said Lin, a former senior vice-president and chief economist at the World Bank.

China's debt level is not that high compared with many others in the world, and more importantly, Chinese people's income is still on the rise thanks to emerging industries and industrial upgrades, he said.

"The key issue is whether we will be able to continue to have dynamic growth. In the case of Japan, after the Plaza Accord, they voluntarily or involuntarily gave up the semiconductor industry, and we didn't see any new industry emerge in Japan," Lin said.

"I'm sure China will continue to have technological innovation and industrial upgrading to raise the productivity, and with that, the incomes of households and profits of companies will increase," he added.

Recent economic data has indicated that the economic recovery in China is gathering pace.

Fresh data from the People's Bank of China, the central bank, showed that the aggregate social financing, or the total amount of financing to the real economy, reached 4.12 trillion yuan ($560 billion) in September, up by 563 billion yuan from a year earlier and 1 trillion yuan from August, respectively, pointing to a picking up of financing activity.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's official manufacturing and nonmanufacturing purchasing managers indexes both improved in September to 50.2 and 51.7, respectively. The figures were both above the 50-point mark separating contraction from expansion.

Lin believes the current difficulties facing the Chinese economy are mainly rooted in the external environment. Sluggish global economic growth subdues demand for Chinese products, affecting domestic investment and consumption, he said.

He suggested Chinese authorities expand the fiscal deficit and ease monetary policy to boost investment, consumption and job creation, and enhance confidence.

The economist added that despite the attempts of Western countries, the United States in particular, to weaken China's position in global industrial and supply chains through trade restrictions, China has reached a stage that "as long as we think it's necessary, we will be able to mobilize enough resources and talent to get breakthroughs in those areas (facing Western countries' trade restrictions)".

"Huawei is a very good example. Huawei cannot import those chips from US companies, but as you see, Huawei has already got breakthroughs. I think the story that applies to Huawei will also be applicable to other sectors in China," Lin said.

Trade is win-win for any country, he said, adding the best way for China to address trade restrictions and curtailment attempts from the US and others is to maintain stability, growth and openness, through pursuing technological innovation and industrial upgrading to expand the domestic market while at the same time further opening up to the rest of the world.

"We have every intention to maintain peace and stability in the world, and we also want to contribute to the stability and growth in the world," he said.

"As long as we do our things right, and maintain our stability and growth, I think by opening up our economy to the world, we'll be friends to everyone in the world."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
By Mark Boesch

California Kitchen & Craft Pub, more affectionately known as CALI Kitchen, serves craft beer and California-inspired cuisine from their hillside pub with stunning sunset panoramas overlooking N Seoul Tower. It is a popular American restaurant and pub located halfway up the hill in the Gyeongnidan-gil neighborhood of central Seoul's Itaewon. CALI Kitchen is known for its incredibly tasty burgers, burritos, nachos, craft beer and lively atmosphere.

One of the things that makes CALI Kitchen special is their commitment to using fresh, seasonal ingredients. This ensures that their food is always fresh and delicious. Their burgers are always made to order and cooked to perfection. The signature CALI Burger is a USDA Prime All-Beef patty served with co-owner Chuck Chuns homemade burger sauce, tomato, lettuce, American cheese and grilled onions. Its a masterclass that many patrons call one of the best burgers in the city. They typically have a couple of other burgers on the menu, including the ridiculously tasty Bacon Western Cheeseburger, but what sets them apart is their burger of the month  a delectable, innovative creation born from their culinary imagination.

They are also known for their Cali-inspired Burrito Bowls. They offer chipotle marinated chicken, carnitas and veggie burrito bowls. The bowls are stuffed with rice, cilantro-lime sauce, black beans, cheese blend, roasted corn salsa, pico de gallo and sour cream. Dont forget to add the guacamole! They make a perfect meal on the go or for delivery.

CALI Kitchen is also a great place to go for a drink. They have a wide selection of craft beers from both Korean and international breweries and the bartenders are also happy to make you a tasty cocktail or mixed drink. If you are out for a drink and a snack, they also serve homemade nachos and super fries.

Whether you are looking for a juicy burger, a refreshing craft beer or a lively atmosphere, CALI Kitchen is a great place for anyone visiting Itaewon's Gyeongnidan area. Cali Kitchen is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. except on Wednesdays. If you're in the Yongsan area, you can skip the queue, pay online and place a delivery or pick-up orders using the Shuttle app or by visiting shuttledelivery.co.kr.

Mark Boesch is co-founder and chief marketing officer of Shuttle Delivery.
Oprah Winfrey and Mitt Romney running on the same ticket for the White House was once considered a possibility, according to a new report.

In the forthcoming book, Romney: A Reckoning, the Utah senator recalls Winfrey suggesting that the two could save the country if they joined together for a presidential run in 2020.

With close ties to the Kennedys and the Obamas, the 69-year-old billionaire media mogul has been a major influence on the Democratic Party.

Axios reported Monday that Romney, 76, told biographer McKay Coppins that Winfrey pitched the unity ticket with the moderate senator and former Massachusetts governor in the new biography that will be released next week.

Romney, who was the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, reportedly rejected the idea because he thought it would guarantee a second term for then-President Donald Trump.

A source told Axios that Winfrey was never serious about running for the highest office in the land. However, her closest friends encouraged the idea.

CBS This Morning co-host Gayle King, Winfreys best friend, said in 2018 that the star host was intrigued by the idea.

And even though Winfreys longtime romantic partner, Stedman Graham, told the Los Angeles Times that year that she would absolutely run for office if the people wanted her to, King said he had misinterpreted the question.

Stedman would never so cavalierly say absolutely she would do it, she added. He would never do that.

Romney, a staunch critic of Trump, said in September he would not seek reelection to the Senate in 2024.

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2023 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A police chase that started in Cullman County ended in Jefferson County with one dead.

The incident began about 7:30 p.m. in Bremen, said Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry. He said deputies tried to stop a vehicle and the driver refused to stop.

The sheriff said multiple shots were fired at Cullman County deputies. Once the pursuit crossed over into Jefferson County, numerous other law enforcement agencies joined in the chase.

The chase ended when the suspects crashed near the Shell service station at Morris Majestic Road and U.S 31.

One suspect was pronounced dead on the scene. No officers were injured.

Gentry said the investigation is in its early stages but said he is not aware of any shots fired by law enforcement officers.

An autopsy will determine the cause of the suspects death.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will take over as the lead agency.

This is a developing story and will be updated if more information is released tonight.
Reeses may be in violation of state and federal laws with its new sweepstakes offer currently advertised on packs of peanut butter cups.

The promotion on two-cup packages reads You could win $25,000 and, in smaller print, See details inside. But only after consumers have bought and opened a package can they see the small print: no purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes.

The Reeses contest was first reported Monday by Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate and former assistant attorney general in Massachusetts, who runs the Consumer World website.

Hershey Co., that Pennsylvania candymaker that owns the Reeses brand, didnt immediately respond to telephone and email messages left Monday by The Associated Press.

Sweepstakes are primarily governed by state laws, which require that no purchase is necessary to participate. A contest that requires a purchase is a lottery, which is subject to different rules.

Three federal agencies  Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Postal Service  also enforce laws governing sweepstakes depending on the medium. The Postal Service requires mailed sweepstakes offers to make clear that no purchase is necessary, for example. The FTC doesnt govern sweepstakes specifically, but has broad laws prohibiting unfair and deceptive acts.

The FTC said Monday that it cant comment on the practices of particular companies outside of an investigation. It wouldnt confirm or deny an investigation against Hershey.

Dworsky said a sign near Reeses candy displays making clear that no purchase is necessary might meet legal requirements. But a spot check of candy displays in multiple states, including California, Virginia and Washington, found no such signs.

Dworsky noted that Reeses ran a similar promotion earlier this year that ended in April using the same packaging. Some of those packages are still for sale, even though the sweepstakes code has expired, he said.

Dworsky said hes concerned that the packaging could lure consumers into thinking they need to buy it.

You never have to pay to play. All these packages should be recalled, he said.
Justin Shepherd found a bullet in his guest room after police gunfire startled him as he laid in bed with his dog during the early hours of Sept. 29.

Shepherd, a 35-year-old disabled veteran, lives next door to the home where a Decatur police officer shot and killed his friend, neighbor and personal trainer Stephen Perkins.

I was watching from inside the house right after I heard the gunshots because bullets were coming into my home, he said. I mean, I thought somebody was trying to kill me.

Seven bullets hit Shepherds home on Ryan Drive that night, leaving holes in the siding, roof and window. He said he found a bullet in the floor in his guest bedroom and another in the gutter along his roof. Because of the damage, the power is still out in about half of his home more than two weeks later.

Estimates from his insurance company say it will cost more than $5,000 to repair the damage.

Another estimate from a construction company put the cost at over $10,000. But Shepherd said he believes the tab could eventually climb even higher once damage to his roof is factored in.

His insurance company said theyll cover the costs, but only once he pays to meet his $2,000 deductible.

Honestly, I guess I was far enough in the house, but it was just sheer luck, because if I was sleeping in one of the front rooms or watching TV, I could have been dead, he said.

R-L: Justin Shepherd found one bullet go through his guest room following the police shooting of his friend Stephen Perkins on Sept. 29, 2023. The bullet on the left was found by a repairman who checked his attic days later.

Shepherd told AL.com that police on the scene that night kept him out of his home for five hours, saying it was a crime scene. Yet, he said, they also told him he was not a victim and so the city wouldnt pay for repairs.

Someone from Decatur Mayor Tab Bowlings office later told Shepherd to contact the citys legal department. But Shepherd said hes hesitant to speak with the citys attorneys because he doesnt have his own legal representative, someone who can understand legal terminology and represent his interests. He told AL.com hes talked to several lawyers, but no one wants to take his case because they dont see an opportunity to win a big settlement and the case raises complicated legal questions about polices qualified immunity.

I want to come and express my disgust with the fact that my house was pumped full of ammunition, and not one person from the city has contacted me, he told the council on Oct. 2. Police departments answer was to file a homeowners insurance policy, I have $2,000 deductible. Do I eat this month, or do I fix my own house? I dont think its right that I should have to sit there and spill out $2,000 for 16 holes in my house. Wow. 16.

Carl Cole, an attorney in Decatur, told AL.com that beyond the damages to his house, Shepherd could make claims relating to the mental anguish he suffered. Shepherd told AL.com that he is dealing with anxiety and has had trouble sleeping since the incident, as he constantly replays the event in his mind.

Based on my understanding of where bullets were found inside his house, he would be in whats called the zone of danger in terms of civil liability. So he meets at least some of the criteria to have a civil claim, Cole said.

Now, theres some other hurdles that hes going to have to jump through and dealing with the police immunity issue is certainly one of them, he added. But I think hes got a claim worth worth considering and researching.

Shepherd recalled seeing Perkins lying on the ground, bleeding. He told AL.com that he called one Perkins friend, one neighbor and the police department. The police told him it wasnt safe to go outside, he said.

And I was emotional even saying it because I felt bad being the one to tell them, but I knew I couldnt run out there, he said. They didnt want to believe it. I mean, who wants to believe that, you know, somebody was really shot.

On the night of the shooting, the police said, Perkins threatened a tow truck driver trying to repossess his vehicle. The tow truck driver left, but returned to the house with police less than two hours later. Video footage captured by a neighbors security camera shows police parked down the street and hid in the dark outside Perkins home as the tow truck driver began loading Perkins vehicle.

The video shows Perkins walk out of his house shining a bright light and shouting Put the truck down.

In the footage, a police officer emerges from the dark and shouts for Perkins to get on the ground. The officer immediately fired his gun. Perkins suffered seven gunshot wounds, according to Lee Merritt, an attorney for the Perkins family.

Police said Perkins pointed a gun toward the officer. In their initial statement police said Perkins refused to drop the gun, but later walked back that statement after video contradicted it.

Protests continue in Decatur as demonstrators call for the officer who shot Perkins to be fired and arrested along with other officers at the scene that night. Decatur City Councilman Billy Jackson also called for Chief Todd Pinion to resign or be fired.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating Perkins death. Scott Anderson, the Morgan County District Attorney, will decide whether to take the case to a grand jury to charge the officers. He has not responded to multiple requests for comment from AL.com.

Four Alabama civil organizations have joined the call for the officers arrest and urged the public to demand speedy action from the district attorney. Merritt, the familys lawyer, said that during a recent meeting, Anderson would not commit to a timeline for reviewing the case.

United Women of Color, Citizens Coalition for Justice Reform, Vote Gone Viral, and INSPIRE launched the campaign on actionnetwork.org with an initial target of sending 1,600 letters to Anderson, which has since been surpassed after less than one week of the launch of the campaign that now has a new target of 3,200.

The groups described Perkins as a devoted husband and father, a gym enthusiast, and a hardworking manager at JM Smuckers pet food manufacturer.

Steve dreamed of one day opening his own gym where he could continue to pursue his love of fitness while providing a safe space for community growth and development, they wrote. He kept his nose clean, telling his close friends he only harbored a single fearbeing killed by the Police.

Shepherd said he feels grateful to be alive.

Every time I go home, I see either the spot where he was, and its in my head like him laying there, and then I look at my house as I pull in, and I see all the bullet holes like somebody tried killing me, he told AL.com. And not only do I have a friend dead, but now Im just hung out to the breeze because nobodys contacted me or apologized.
In and out. Thats how Doug Jones, Alabamas former U.S. Senator, thought it would go. How U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jacksons historic visit to Alabama would go.

Last year, Jones was assigned by President Joe Biden to escort Brown Jackson through an ugly confirmation hearing that finally came to fruition in early April 2022 when the U.S. Senate voted 53-47 to seat her on the nations highest court, the first Black woman to attain that vaunted perch.

During the process, Jones and Jackson Brown developed a friendship and last summer he helped facilitate an invitation from Rev. Arthur Price, pastor of Birminghams historic 16th Street Baptist Church, for her to keynote the commemoration of the 60th year since the horror. Since a bomb planted beneath a staircase outside the church by the Ku Klux Klan famously killed four young Black girls and left two young Black boys dead in its horrific wake.

Since that bomb shook the nation from its somnambulist stupor about racism in America.

Jackson Brown unhesitatingly accepted, Jones recalled.

The event would be on Friday, September 15th. Justice Brown Jackson, Jones believed, would be in and out.

I just assumed she would likely come in on Thursday and then leave Friday afternoon, Jones shared recently. But to my delight, she wanted to spend some time in Alabama. She had never been to the state.

The Associate Justice and her husband, surgeon Dr. Peter Jackson, were here, turns out, for seven days. They visited sights and dined with friends, officials, professionals, and students in Birmingham, Tuskegee, and Montgomery. Yet there was a catch.

While that Fridays appearance at the church was widely touted (after being kept under wraps for months, amazingly) Brown Jacksons on-the-ground movements while in Alabama were to be well guarded. Security, in these precarious times, was a heightened concern, of course. But mainly, she did not want her presence anywhere to deflect light from the sacred reason for her visit.

She made it pretty clear she did not want this to be kind of a state visit, says Jones. She did not want to do public events other than the memorial because she believed it should be the focus of her visit.

Its hard to hide a Supreme Court Justice in plain sight. Especially one of such historic significance. But save for a couple of outings that were impossible to camouflagelike lunch at the popular Yo Mamas. For the most part, though, Brown Jacksons movements were kept under wraps by Jones and others who helped curate the trip.

Now, with the Justices permission (though she would not agree to be interviewed for this story), Jones and others shared insights on her Alabama itinerary:

WEDNESDAY, September 13

That smile. That big smile. That familiar big smile. Thats what DeJuana Thompson noticed first as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court walked through the doors of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on that Wednesday morning. On September 13th, just last month.

Thompson is the Institutes president/CEO. She didnt know at the time that the newest justice on the nations highest court had not been in town long before landing in Birmingham from the nations capital.

She walked in with the biggest smile on her face, Thompson recalled, She was just appreciative to be in the room.

The Institute was closed that day, but it was opened for Brown Jackson and her husband, just as it is occasionally opened privately for local groups, for state, national, and global dignitaries. For students and cabinet secretaries. For world leaders. For Janet Jackson, who took in the Institute in April before performing at Legacy Arena that evening.

Yet, as Thompson held out her hand to welcome Brown Jackson, she appreciated the rare air of a sitting SCOTUS walking through the Institutes doors.

I thought: How wonderful is it for her to start her journey here with us, Thompson said.

Before the justices visit, Thompson and Barry McNealy, a long-time education and the Institutes historical context expert, collaborated on how to make the experience most relevant for her.

How do we curate this so that someone who sits with the responsibility and lens she has? Thompson says they discussed. So, he talked a lot about the legislation and policies that allowed for Jim Crow, separate but equal, for a segregated South. Why was there a Bombingham? You could tell that really made a difference for her; really brought things to life for her.

The parameters provided for Brown Jacksons Institute visit were not dissimilar to those at other stops: No cellphones, no personal photos, a defined window of time for the visit45 minutes the Institute was told, maybe an hourand only a small number of people were to be present in the building.

However, as McNeely escorted Brown Jackson through the Institute, the justice lingered, absorbing all she could. She was reading every single [exhibit note, Thompson said. We were trying to rush given what we were told but she was not rushed at all. She wanted to lock in and understand what she was looking at and what was the view of the Institute as it relates to these things.

Brown Jackson particularly paused upon reaching the exhibit featuring the original jail bars from the cell where Rev. Martin Luther King drafted the famed Letter from Birmingham Jail in 1963. She touched them, moved away, then touched the bars again. She said, I just cant move, I just need a moment here, Thompson remembers.

Moments later, at an exhibit showing remnants of the bombing of 16th Street, specifically the effects of Denise McNair, who was killed in the attack, the justice became very emotional, Thompson recalled. She took the time she needed to sit with what she was looking athow all of this made possible for her story. I think it really colored for her why she was here.

She was genuinely, genuinely interested, adds Isaac Cooper, who chairs the Institutes board of directors. She may have been there for at least two hours. She wanted to make sure that whenever she spoke - considering the significance of the 60 years since the bombing - you could tell that she took it seriously. There are folks who walk through the institute just checking a box. If she could have spent more time she would have. She said, I need more time. I looked at the faces of her staff, and was like, Oh, yall didnt expect this.

I thought, I appreciate you more because you appreciate this.

Then came another surprise. I didnt have my phone; Mr. McNealy didnt have his phonewe were being respectful, Thompson said. She says, hey, can we take photos? She wanted to take selfies. We were like, okay, but we had to go grab our phones. It was a whole thing.

In a lot of ways, she was the big sister you hoped she would be sitting in one of the highest seats of our country. She was very humbled very considerate.

Knowing there wouldnt likely be an opportunity on Friday to wander across the street and though Kelly Ingram Park, where Black children were hosed by Bull Connors fire hoses and attacked by police dogs, Brown Jackson toured the grounds then paused for a time at the southeast corner of 16th Street Baptist where the KKK placed the bomb.

I think it all just rooted her, Thompson said. It reminded me and our team why the Institute is so important to the preservation of our stories and of the history of what happened during the Civil Rights Movement, particularly in Birmingham. "

That evening, Brown Jackson, her husband, and four others had dinner at Jones home, prepared by his wife Louise and a friend. The menu: beef tenderloin, summer salad, potatoes (modeled off the ones you get at Flemings, said Jones), and dessert. Was Louise nervous about cooking for the Associate Justice? Hell, yeah, Jones said with a laugh.

We just had a great, great time with some champagne, some good wine and really relaxed and enjoyed our time together, he added. [Brown Jackson]s a real personnot only brilliant and articulate but a real person with a family. She and Patrick have this wonderful relationship. It was a nice time to just relax and not be on.

THURSDAY, September 14

Very few at Childrens Hospital of Alabama knew a U.S. Supreme Court justice was in the building. She and her husband, chief of general surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, came to listen to Jones. He was speaking at Grand Rounds, the series of talks at UABs Heersink School of Medicine usually by members of the medical profession. In acknowledgment of the six decades since the church bombing, Jones, a lawyer, was invited to share memories of bringing the racist perpetrators to justice.

As Jones began to speak to the 100 or so attendees, Brown Jackson and her husband slipped in through a door in the back and inconspicuously took seats. They wanted to see it but didnt want to create a stir, Jones said. As I quit, they slipped out.

The couple attended a quick meet-and-greet with a few UAB faculty and others before traveling to the northside for lunch at Yo Mamas. She had fried catfish, broccoli, and cole slaw, according to my AL.com colleague Matt Wake. The restaurant later shared a photo on Facebook of Brown Jackson and Yo Mamas co-owner Denise Peterson. Jones had a prior commitment and couldnt join them. I was disappointed because I love Yo Mamas, he said.

Next stop: The Birmingham Museum of Art, where Brown Jackson met and posed with a gathering of circuit and district judges who walked from the courthouse across the street. She took a separate photo with the female judges.

Circuit Judge Elizabeth French, the first female Presiding Judge in Jefferson County and the first African American female Presiding Judge in Alabama, called meeting Brown Jackson inspirational.

I know first-hand that women in the legal field still face many obstacles, she later shared. There are many glass ceilings yet to be broken in the Alabama judicial system. There has never been a woman of color elected to serve on any of our Appellate Courts  on the federal bench in Alabama as an Article III U.S. District Court Judge.

She cited research from the Federal Judicial Center revealing that only 70 of the 3,843 people who have served as federal judges in the United States  fewer than 2%  have been Black women.

Justice Brown Jackson has reached the pinnacle of our legal profession, French added. Her dedication and commitment to the rule of law provides reassurance to me, my young daughters, and countless other women of color that one day, in Alabama, all of the glass ceilings will be broken.

Also at the museum, Brown Jackson photographer Dawoud Bey escorted Brown Jackson through his exhibit of striking photos paying homage to the six young people killed in the bombing.

Related: Project Birmingham: Dawoud Bey exhibit returns to Birmingham Museum of Art

That night Birmingham chef Frank Stitt opened his famed Highlands Bar & Grill for a private dinner for the Associate justice and about two dozen other guests.

At the dinner, Brown Jackson was surprised by Hoover artist Natalie Zoghby, whod created a portrait of the Associate Justice, one among several shes painted of women who inspire her.

Shes obviously been the object of a lot of attention and has been since her nomination Zoghby later told my AL.com colleague Cody Short. But she was very flattered that someone would do this on their own in conjunction with a series of prominent women in this country.

It was just as you can imagine, Jones said. A wonderful dinner.

FRIDAY, September 15

Prior to the start of the commemoration and memorial at 16th Street Baptist Church, Brown Jackson spent time downstairs at the site with family members of the bombing victims and people who prosecuted the KKK perpetrators. As she took her place at the lectern in the pulpit, Brown Jackson stood buoyed and humbled by what shed seen since landing, knowing her path was strewn with sacrifices of young lives.

I come to Alabama with a heart filled with gratitude, she said, for, unlike those four little girls, I have lived, and have been entrusted with the solemn responsibility of serving our great nation, a service that I hope will inspire people, and especially young people, to think about what is possible, to understand the law, and to recommit themselves to the constitution and its core values, the rule of law, democracy, freedom, justice, and equality.

Immediately following the event, Brown Jackson and her husband ventured 128 miles southeast to visit Tuskegee University, where her mother had graduated in 1967 when it was called Tuskegee Institute. Her aunt and uncle are also alums of the historically Black college that was founded by Booker T. Washington.

After meeting with numerous university officials, including President Charlotte P. Morris, and several deans, as well as students, the couple spent the evening in Montgomery.

SATURDAY, September 16

Were it possible to absorb and digest the full depth of Alabamas racial narrative, Brown Jackson was going to give it a try. On this day, she visited several of Montgomerys storied historic sites, each of which singularly inflicts its own emotional pangs.

The morning began amid Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey. Theyre three among 10 enslaved Black women who endured brutal, non-anesthetized (and non-consensual) medical experimentation in the late 1840s at the hands of Dr. James Marion Sims under the guise of trying to find a cure for vesicovaginal fistulas, a childbirth condition whereby a hole between a womans bladder and vagina caused continuous incontinence.

The surgeon used no anesthesia because he believedas was pervasive in medicine in the 19th century, and still lingers todayBlacks were more pain-tolerant than whites.

Sims is credited with finding a cure, and long celebrated for ituntil the ugly, evil truth of his experiments drew harsh light just a few years ago. Anarcha, Lucy, and Betseyonly the names of four of the women, some teens, Sims experimented on are knownstand boldly on Mildred Street, 15 feet high, sculptures created by artist Michelle Browder, who guided Brown Jackson and her husband through the work.

From there the couple traversed the gauntlet of museums dedicated to a truthfulthrough painfulportrayal of the Black experience in Alabama: the Rosa Parks Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Centers Civil Rights Memorial Center, and the Equal Justice Initiatives Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

Its a lot to absorb, said Jones. All but the Legacy Museum were closed during the time of Brown Jacksons but amid the intensity of the place, few noticed who was in their midst.

There was no rush, adds Jones. It was very low-key, just kind of walking around. And folks didnt even know. When people go to that museum, they get so engrossed in what theyre seeing, theyre just not paying attention to their surroundings. I think the President United States, or just about anybody, could walk through there, and nobody would have noticed because people are really focused. That is an amazing place.

SUNDAY, September 17

Time constraints and family obligations the following day prevented Brown Jackson and her husband from visiting Selma or historic Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, where they returned on Sunday.

After spending much of the day with family, several from UABs medical community hosted Brown Jackson and her husband for dinner at Hot & Hot Fish Club.

MONDAY, September 18

Dr. Jackson headlined the Grand Rounds lecture at UAB on this day. Following his remarks, Brown Jackson joined him for a Q&A. We always enjoy welcoming a wide variety of esteemed experts to speak at these events, said Dr. Herbert Chen, chair of the universitys Department of Surgery. Our faculty, staff, trainees, and administrators enjoyed this rare opportunity to hear unique perspectives on leadership, work-life balance, and other topics.

It was one of several UAB-related gatherings that day for Dr. Jackson and his wife. They wrapped the day with a private dinner at a local residence.

Tuesday, September 19

It was wheels up on Tuesday morning, back to the nations capital and for Brown Jackson back to the business of the court.

It was packed, Jones said of the justices time in Alabama. She put a lot in there that they wanted to do. From what I can tell, it was a really moving experience for them from start to finish. They recognized what weve done in the state to acknowledge our civil rights historythe good and the bad.

It was an amazing six days.
A Fort Payne man was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of another man outside restaurants in Guntersville.

Wesley Abernathy, 30, of Forth Payne, was initially charged with murder in the fatal March 2021 shooting of 28-year-old Albertville resident Joseph Duane Alita.

But Abernathy pleaded guilty Monday to the lesser charge of manslaughter, according to Marshall County Circuit Court records.

Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Tim Riley sentenced Abernathy to 2 1/2 years in state prison followed by four years of probation, records showed.

Guntersville police officers responded to reports of a fight outside two restaurants along U.S. 431. on March 6, 2021.

Officers found Alita shot multiple times in a parking lot.

The Albertville man was taken to a hospital where he later died.
It hasnt taken Boaz Ventures co-founder Joey Azar long to have an impact in his hometown.

He returned home to the Rocket City more than two-and-a-half years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic and started his development company.

His firm is involved with two major projects going up in Huntsville  the mixed-use Arcadia apartment complex next to the Alabama School for Cyber Technology and Engineering and the Nexus on Holmes student apartment complex adjacent to the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

While Azar was born in Salt Lake City, Azar grew up in south Huntsville, attended Chaffee Elementary, Whitesburg Middle, then graduated from Grissom High School before attending the University of Alabama.

Following his graduation from Alabama, he spent a few years in construction before moving to the investment and development side of real estate. He worked at Harbert Management Corporation in Birmingham, which is one of the largest alternative asset private equity companies in the Southeast. He says he wouldnt be where he is without his training at Harbert.
A homicide investigation is underway after the body of a woman was found in a ditch early Monday morning in Guntersville, authorities said.

Marshall County Coroners Office personnel were dispatched to J.W. Darnell Road in Guntersville around 1:30 a.m. Monday on a female found dead in a ditch, said Coroner Cody Nugent.

The victim was identified as 42-year-old Athens resident Faleisha Thompson, said Nugent. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thompsons death is being investigated as a homicide by Guntersville police and the Alabama Department of Forensic Science, according to the coroner.

Further information was unavailable; Nugent said any additional details on the incident would come from Guntersville police.
The Mobile City Council could approve an agreement today that would provide the University of South Alabamas Whiddon College of Medicine with $10 million over the next ten years for its new medical school facility.

We do believe this is an investment in Mobiles future, but we also believe this is an opportunity for us, just like the city fathers did 50 years ago, to see how this would benefit not only the city of Mobile and Mobile County, but really the entire Gulf Coast region, Jo Bonner, president of the University of South Alabama, said Monday.

The agreement, proposed by Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpsons office, would have the city giving the university $1 million a year for the next ten years, ending in 2033. The new medical school is expected to be completed in 2026.

The city council has the final say. While most members of the city council were supportive of the measure, one member was critical, arguing the money would be better spent revitalizing the citys underserved neighborhoods and particularly adding to the citys affordable housing stock.

The thing with me is, its hard for me to give any entity $10 million over ten years when we need to revitalize our neighborhoods, Councilmember William Carroll, who represents downtown Mobile, said. I dont mind supporting [University of] South Alabama, but we need to serve the people. If we put $10 million over ten years into Lower MLK, the Campground or Maysville, what would it look like?
By Jon Dunbar

Dozens of Americans are returning to Korea this month, decades after they first came here to do volunteer work with the Peace Corps. Around 50 participants including Peace Corps Korea volunteers and their family members will be here for the Peace Corps Revisit program, organized by the Korea Foundation with funds from the National Assembly.

They are among the approximately 2,000 Peace Corps volunteers who served here between 1966 and 1981, during which time they lent development assistance primarily in English education in middle schools and universities, and health education and care, especially for patients of tuberculosis and leprosy.

The returning participants had been posted across the country to schools, health care facilities and an orphanage for mixed-race children.

Most volunteers have not returned to Korea since their service 42 to 56 years ago, said Christy Gavitt, a board member of Friends of Korea, a U.S.-based NGO founded by former volunteers who served in Korea. During the time of the volunteers service, the foundation of Koreas dramatic economic transformation occurred.

A full week of activities is planned for the Revisit participants from Oct. 21 to 28. They will receive briefings on relevant topics such as Korea-U.S. relations and the countrys education system, and visit sites of interest including the newly open to the public Cheong Wa Dae, Donuimun Museum Village and Changdeok Palace. They will also pay visits to Hankuk Woojin School, a special school for physically challenged students, and Immanuel House, a home for the disabled.

Some of the participants will return to the sites where they were originally posted decades ago, to see what they are like now and reconnect with people from those days. Thanks to an enormous amount of research conducted in advance by the Korea Foundation, they manage to identify the volunteers former Korean colleagues and friends made during their Peace Corps service, said Gavitt, who spent 1974 to 1976 in Korea teaching English at Oncheon Middle School in an area that has since become Asan, South Chungcheong Province. As you can imagine, this two-day site visit has proved to be a highly emotional experience.

The last Revisit held in Korea was in September 2022, after a few years with no visits due to the pandemic. Before that, the previous one was in 2019.

In addition, Peace Corps Korea volunteers have been organizing their own reunions stateside since 2009, with the latest one held last year in Washington.

No other Peace Corps recipient country has ever invited volunteers to return to their country of service, let alone provide all expenses during the revisit, Gavitt said. All of the Peace Corps Volunteers have been touched by this gesture of gratitude from the Korean government and are reminded of the profound impact that those years of service had on their lives.

"Peace Corps Korea Volunteers ... learned about resilience during their service in health centers when with their co-workers they walked sometimes for miles to give comfort to an elderly person or medicine to a sick child; the education volunteers understood the desire of the disabled student eager to learn despite their disability or the student who came to school each day in a hand-me-down uniform and an empty stomach  both resilient, both overcoming incredible difficulties," Friends of Korea Vice President Jim Mayer, who had been country director of Peace Corps Korea from 1978 to 1981, said in a prepared statement shared with The Korea Times. "We are here to simply say thank you. Thank you for the valuable lessons each of us learned from you, the Korean people and the cherished experiences that became a part of our own DNA from our service in Korea."

Visit friendsofkorea.net for more information.

On Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m., Gavitt will also give a talk, titled "Reflections on providing aid in North Korea and other authoritarian settings," for Royal Asiatic Society Korea at KOTE in Insa-dong about her consultancy work done in the late 1990s in North Korea. Entry costs 10,000 won, or 5,000 won for students, and is free for RAS Korea members.
It took Iran-appeaser (and embarrassingly undeserving Nobel Peace Prize awardee) Barack Obama three days to condemn Hamass butchering of Israeli women and children. Pompous student groups at elite universities across the U.S. continue to ignore the barbarity of Islamic supremacists and instead blame Jews for their own murders. John Kirby, a former rear admiral in the Navy and a longtime national security spokesman for both Obama and Biden, assessed the carnage in the Middle East and concluded that climate change remains humanitys most dire threat.

A former American president is not capable of moral leadership. Students at some of the best schools in the world are not intellectually prepared to comprehend anything of history or geopolitics beyond trite political slogans written on cardboard signs. And a military man fears the weather more than the prospect of regional tinderboxes in Israel, Ukraine, and the South China Sea igniting widespread nuclear conflagration  an event that would, indeed, affect the worlds climate dearly. Taken together, these weak and grotesque reactions to the bloodiest attacks on Israel in half a century show how a vacuum in American leadership has left the next generations dangerously unmoored from reality and unprepared to survive the threats from our increasingly volatile world.

Kidnapping and raping young women is evil. Bludgeoning and knifing grandmothers and sending pictures of their remains to their grandchildren is evil. Swiping babies from their mothers arms is evil. These vile acts are so depraved that they cannot even be camouflaged behind the sinister platitudes of moral relativisms oozy sludge. No justification could ever excuse beheading babies or gunning down sleeping families, yet there are members of Congress today defending Hamas terrorists as victims of Israeli oppression. It is sickening to see U.S. lawmakers take sides with rapists, sadists, and baby-slaughterers. Those who do so do not ignore evil; they embrace it.

That any American could refrain from condemning Hamas  or worse, find ways to condone its wickedness  is another glaring warning sign that America has lost her way. For decades now, the people who have risen to the top in government, the arts, and academia have shared a common disdain for moral virtue, a haughty devotion to self-indulgence, and a malignant delight in elevating sin. The ruling class, such as it is, has worked to replace Americans obedience to God with an unholy dedication to politically correct pablum, idolatry, and worthless wokeism. In effect, American elites have demanded that the American people reject God and worship the atheists instead. The end result has been predictable: not only have Americans suffered through a drought of character, but also they have lost the ability to distinguish between good and evil. It should be no surprise, then, that evil has taken full advantage of this opportunity and now flourishes.

For those who have managed to keep their wits about them, it is clear that too many Americans are ill prepared for the struggles ahead. Governments  including our own  openly embrace totalitarianism. Rights and liberties are being remolded into removable privileges. Central bank lies and thievery have reduced the financial system to hollowed out papier-mache  too brittle to survive the next crisis. The worst and most corrupt people have risen to power  united in iniquitous purpose to enrich themselves while distracting the American people with needless division and never-ending emergencies. The future promises to be hard and dangerous, and too many Americans have been made weak and dangers to themselves.

The Marxist proclivity to cause social friction by distorting language has given us a generation of adolescents incapable of determining whether they are girls or boys. Religious-like adoration of diversity for diversitys sake has splintered cultural bonds and forfeited hard fought triumphs of Western civilization. Moral incisiveness  forged through a stubborn determination to do what is right  has worn down like a blunt blade, causing more harm than good. Strength of character  evidenced by those who refuse to blindly follow the crowd  has withered away.

American leaders have taught young generations to pursue physical pleasure without constraint, to blame others for what they do not have, and to take what is not theirs. They have taught the young generations to reject the virtuous as too judgmental and to embrace the sinful as worthy of emulation. They have taught the young generations to abandon hard work but to expect success as theirs by right. American leaders, in other words, have broken our countrys moral compass and left the youngest among us lost in a thicket of despair, devoid of real purpose, and with no direction to go.

This is by design. An immoral and lost America deprives the world of the last, best hope for freedom on the planet. Because morality and liberty are intertwined, the adulteration of the former guarantees the destruction of the latter. Government tyranny thrives in societies dedicated to sin. Moral ambivalence invites authoritarianism.

Now, in the midst of all these dispiriting observations, allow me to suggest something counterintuitive: this moral confusion and weakness in America is precisely the time when good people must stand up. Americans have been poisoned with postmodern gobbledygook for so long that they are desperate for moral guidance. They are like travelers wandering the desert searching for a cup of water, and those of good character are equipped to offer them what they need for salvation. This is not the moment in history when all is lost; this is the moment in history when the lost are brought back into the fold.

Leaders  true leaders, not the ones who pick our pockets today  rise not in times of certainty, but in times of anguish. They stand with purpose  even while being pummeled with rocks from their enemies. Without regard for their own safety, they seek out those suffering in the darkness and say boldly, Come with me. I have a light. I can show you the way. If you are asking yourself what you can do to save your country, the answer is simple: stand and be recognized. Be bold, act boldly, and by doing so, embolden others. Courage, like light, burns brightest in darkness.

What is more, it is clear that our nation is filled with lost souls desperate for moral guidance. They have been fed so many lies for so many years that they are battered human beings just struggling to survive. Moral truth is an elixir that can revive the soul and strengthen the body. It is a cup of water that can be passed from one person to the next without ever needing refilling. Truth and virtue grow hope and purpose in once barren fields.

How does one begin planting those seeds? By being blunt with others.

Evil is real. It must be acknowledged and confronted without hesitation. Negotiation will not lead to evils surrender. Compromise will not confine evil to where it now exists. Wherever it is allowed to fester, evil grows until those beyond its reach today are under its thumb tomorrow. It is unrelenting, and so, too, then, must be those who choose to fight it.

You fight evil with a faith in God that yields to no government. You fight evil with moral conviction that cannot be bent to appease the offended. You fight evil by standing when others sit and by speaking when others fall quiet  because sometimes it is the outsider who inspires a righteous rebellion or the soft voice that can only be heard when others are silent.

You do this, and people will come. They will awaken from their moral slumber. They will remember that there are things worth defending with their lives. They will remember that a healthy soul and personal freedom go hand in hand. They will find strength in your example.

This is a time for good people to fight back.

Image: Pashi via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Playing with fire by underestimating Hamas has been Israels pastime for a few years now. The eminently preventable tragedy unfolding before our eyes requires a serious rethinking of Israeli and Western strategy.

Speculation has focused on the lack of rapid response, notification, security, and intelligence gaps, and these are worthy of exploration, but focusing on these alone misses the forest from the trees. The bigger issue is, why did Israel acquiesce to an uneasy coexistence with Hamas after Hamas forcefully grabbed the Gaza Strip in 2007, especially given that Hamass charter clearly laid out its goal of destroying Israel (preamble), that Israeli land is a holy Islamic possession (art. 11), and that armed jihad is the only solution and peace talks useless (art. 13)? The short answer is that as the violent equilibrium between Hamas and Israel was somewhat controlled, it actually benefited both parties.

First, there was the Netanyahu Doctrine, which intentionally kept Hamas alive as a counterweight to the Palestinian Authority, for the purpose of keeping Palestinians divided. Netanyahu famously said, The Palestinian Authority is a burden, and Hamas is an asset  a political strategy now obviously revealed as too clever by half.

Second, following the money often sheds light on the material incentives of both parties. Israel receives $4 billion in armament credits payable to the Pentagon, which handsomely provides guaranteed business for our defense manufacturers, who in turn lobby for continued funding. Having Hamas as a viable boogeyman has certainly helped in this regard. But this too was another penny-wise, pound-foolish endeavor that ended up hurting Israels domestic weapons industry and provided Washington meddling rights regarding Israels security and domestic policies. However one feels about this corporate welfare loop engineered by Israeli leaders, the U.S. military-industrial complex, and its bought and paid for politicians, what is even more outrageous was the constant Western and Israeli-engineered flow of funds to a coterie of Palestinian thugs possessing a 7th-century theological outlook with no compunction about killing and oppressing innocent civilians, whether Israeli or Palestinian.

Whereas the popular perception is that Israel has sought to squeeze Hamas and Palestinians in every way, the opposite is demonstrably true. Netanyahu had agreed for Qatar to transfer millions of dollars annually to the Hamas leadership, and even as early as 2009, it was common knowledge that Israel was transferring truckloads of cash to Hamas. Additionally, over the years, Hamas has amassed billions of dollars through Arab and Western humanitarian aid conveniently diverted to enrich the leadership and for terrorist purposes. Even when aid was controlled, Hamas managed to use such aid for its own objectives, as when irrigation systems installed through international aid were dug up by Hamas for their rocket launchers. Naturally, NGOs take their cut of the aid provided, so there is a built-in incentive to lobby for the largesse to keep flowing and to turn a blind eye when glaring Hamas diversion of funds and resources occurred.

Given both sides slurping from this gravy train, what prompted Hamas to blow it all up? Its a question of motivation and mindset that Westerners and even Israelis cant naturally grasp because we are materialistically, rather than ideologically, minded. Its clear that this attack has been meticulously planned over the last two years by a group that loves death more than life, as stated by their own leaders. Senior Hamas official Ali Baraka stated, We made them think that Hamas was busy with governing Gaza, and that it wanted to focus on the 2.5 million Palestinians [in Gaza], and has abandoned the resistance altogether. No longer content with being the administrators of the Gaza open-air prison fed and maintained with Israeli, Arab, and Western largesse, Hamas has just embarked on a risky strategy of global conflagration with the hope that Israel will be overwhelmed and collapse as a result of a wider war. Hamas is clearly driven by an ISIS-like apocalyptic ideological commitment, and the mistake of the West and Israel has been the belief that Hamas could be bought off and tamed. Its wise to know and believe ones enemies  Sun Tzu 101.

So where do we go from here? Clearly, the corporate welfare and humanitarian aid to both Israel and Hamas have served primarily to enrich special interests while legitimizing and strengthening Hamas rule over an oppressed population denied basic individual freedoms, such as speech, religion, assembly, and fair justice. Christians are routinely persecuted throughout Palestine but especially in Gaza. Israels policy of Hamas containment and appeasement are primarily responsible for not only endangering Israelis, but also the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The silver lining of the recent tragic events is that they give Israel an opportunity to atone for its past mistakes. It cannot (and should never have been under the illusion that it could) coexist side by side with an entity ideologically committed to its destruction and the imposition of strict Islamism on Palestine. It will now have to undo the effects of the billions of dollars in aid it allowed Hamas to receive. This will involve a house-to-house invasion campaign to uproot jihadists, blow up their tunnels, and decimate the political and military infrastructure of Hamas. Anything less invites further suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians. In war there is no substitute for victory (General of the Army Douglas MacArthur).

Albert R. Veldhuyzen, U.S. Army colonel, retired. Colonel Veldhuyzen has traveled extensively in the Middle East and North Africa and served as the U.S. Armys CENTCOM area Linguist Support Program Director while on active duty from 201718.

Image via Pxfuel.
The sudden outpouring of anti-Israel, pro-Palestine outrage on countless campuses is hardly surprising given how universities are so grievance group friendly. More surprising is the content of these protests, namely proclaiming a morally upside-down world where Israel is the oppressor and Hamas the victim (the Harvard letter said, Palestinians have been forced to live in a state of death, both slow and sudden.) Here the killing of innocent civilians and the beheading of babies counts for nothing while Humas savagery becomes noble resistance. It is this rejection of reality that is truly puzzling.

What allows college students and even a few professors to justify the anti-Israel rage? That this occurs at some of Americas top schools -- Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford -- makes it all more remarkable.

Lacking mental health experts to psychoanalyze protestors, let me offer two possible explanations for this toxic flight from reality.

The first concerns the personal costs of living in a fantasy world for todays college students and faculty. In the real world having totally wrong ideas can have dire consequences. You may decide that astrology is the key to knowledge, but normally friends will convince you of the truth. In nearly all circumstances, harsh reality constrains fantasy.

This is less true on campus where thinking outside the box can flourish. Oddball pundits may become cutting edge thinkers and thus advance their academic careers. At some point, unfortunately, acting as if there were no consequences for stupidity can become a habit, and like rabbits in Australia, stupidities multiply unchecked.

The flight from reality is rampant on campus and much of todays higher education is teaching youngsters that 2+2=5. Who would believe that there are more than seventy-two genders, and that male and female are just socially constructed? At Clemson University men recently demanded that menstrual products to be put back into campus mens rooms. Does any sane person believe that all statistical gaps between groups are due entirely to discrimination, racism, and sexism? Many on campus believe it.

For those who live among such absurdities, it is hardly a reach to deny savagery against innocent Israeli civilians regardless of the evidence. Moreover, the automatic condemnation of Israelis while forgiving Arabs is perfectly consistent with campus indoctrination. According to this cosmology, Hamas terrorists are non-white Arabs, and thus by virtue of this non-white identity, they are, as per the principle of intersectionality, classified as an oppressed people Forget that Arabs once trafficked in African slaves and brutally conquered millions of North Africans and Europeans. Of the utmost importance, the label an oppressed, colonized people is forever and supplies a permanent get out jail free card to be used against the powerful, i.e., privileged white Europeans.

The parallel is how many on campus dismiss African American criminal behavior so that murdering police officers, shoplifting, and all the rest are, supposedly, legitimate response to oppression, and even labelling this behavior criminal is racist. The participants race/ethnicity, not actions, determines who are the good guys and bad guys.

In the current battles the Israelis are white Europeans (bad), the Arabs non-white people who were colonized (good), so no matter how vile the behavior, moral judgements remain fixed. This permanency of good and bad explains why all the Israeli concessions, including land for peace, changes nothing and why, conversely, all the Arab savagery similarly changes nothing. The only moral high ground option for Israeli Jews is to abandon the Holy Land or vanish from the planet. For todays campus Left, moral standing is absolutely fixed, a lodestar in a world where people can freely alter their biological identity.

A second contributing factor to this bizarre thinking infusing these pro-Palestinian demonstrations is how evil has been trivialized on the contemporary campus. Molehills have become mountains for so long that nobody can recall a real mountain. The campus world is a place where misgendering a person is hate while complementing an Asian for their mathematical skills is hurtful stereotyping. Inflicting psychological discomfort, not actual physical harm, is a serious offense.

This focus on psychological hurtfulness is predictable where victimhood winners might get their own academic major (Queer Studies) and safe spaces in school dorms. Of course, heterosexual white males receive zero victimhood points regardless of their suffering.

This trivialization means that tangible, catastrophic human suffering is pushed into obscurity. Students may be triggered by a rumored visit from Bell Curve author Charles Murray, but how many are aware of the millions killed by Stalin? Indeed, skilled victimhood players are ingenious at discovering novel obscure hatreds, for example, teaching English by exclusively reading the writings of white males.

It is not that historical atrocities are banned from discussion; rather, with scant exception (e.g., slavery in America) there is nothing to be extracted from this historical study. No campus group benefits by trying to understand the horrific religious wars of 17th century Europe. Better to protest against a dorms Taco Tuesday as a cultural appropriation that stigmatizes Hispanics.

Lacking any awareness of past evil, students can barely grasp current issues in historical context to draw clearheaded conclusions. It is no wonder, then, that supporters of the Palestinian cause denounced Israel as practicing apartheid, a South African series of laws where everybody had to register with the government with a racial designation. These laws required strict racial segregation, discouraged inter-racial marriage, and excluded blacks from high-status occupations and political office. Jim Crow laws would be the American equivalent. It is bizarre to accuse Israel of such practices, and any visitor to Israel can see this firsthand.

A similar cluelessness applies to the accusation of Israel occupation as if the Jewish state were a foreign power garrisoning Gaza and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Both entities are self-governing where leaders are elected, and nobody asserts that Israeli officials dictate policies in the Gaza, or the PA as the British Viceroy governed India through native subordinates. Yes, Israel may occasionally intervene militarily in their affairs to stop terrorism, but this is a far cry from occupation.

Ditto for decolonizing, a term that is carelessly tossed around. Properly understood, the term applies to how colonies in Africa and the Caribbean, along with India and Vietnam overthrew European rule. This genuine decolonization often involved long, bloody wars, and in no way resembles Israeli policy, now or in the past. Palestine was once part of the Ottoman Empire, and after that a British-run territory, and it is bizarre to suggest that the Palestinian Authority and Gaza are currently Israeli colonies.

Clearly, these pro-Hamas demonstrators require some remedial education. They are trivializing and misinterpreting important historical terms with long, complex histories. One can only ask what the best and the brightest are learning at Harvard.

These anti-Israel/pro-Hamas demonstration are more than just anti-Semitism, although they are certainly that. The rallies expose yet another pathology afflicting todays academia, namely students are being indoctrinated into a misleading, cartoonish understanding of the world and an obliviousness to true historical evil. Particularly at elite universities, such ignorance is an embarrassment. How is it possible for a group of Columbia University students to announce, Gaza is an open-air prison that lacks essential necessities such as food, clean water, medicine and electricity? How did the Israeli air force destroy nonexistent facilities? Parents should demand tuition refunds. Contemporary universities have created youngsters who are willfully blind to reality and demand that others share their fantasies.

Image: Montecruz foto
Like most Americans, I was shocked by the vicious inhumanity that the coward terrorist group Hamas carried out in Israel last weekend. Unfortunately, organized evil is neither unique nor surprising. The Nazis were equally evil across Europe, as were the Japanese at Nanking, Stalin with Ukraine, and Mao with his own people. Sadly, evil happens, devils exist, although, thankfully, they are rarely celebrated.

But rarely doesnt mean never, and the most shocking thing last week wasnt the evil Hamas perpetrated but, rather, the extraordinary support it has received. Not only is Hamass evil finding exuberant support in places like Iran and Qatar where you might expect it, but there were tens of thousands of Muslimsand their liberal comradesin places like New York, Detroit, and Washington out en masse vocally demonstrating their support for these monsters.

And it wasnt just on the streets, in places like Harvard and Yale and NYU, you had students and professors and organizations blaming Israel for Hamass inhumanity. Even as the full extent of the carnage emerged, days after the world was able to see the barbarity of what the savages carried out, the rallies in support not only didnt diminish, but they seemed to grow. I couldnt help but wonder what that portends for our future.

As an American, I shook my head, stunned as I watched the scenes unfold. I wondered how so many people, with smiles on their non-hidden faces, could cheer such evil and how supposedly intelligent people could put their names in support of such barbarism. My reaction to a few posts on Twitter was, Send them to Gaza. Not that it was going to happen, but its one thing to cheer the beheading of babies and raping of women from five thousand miles away, its another thing to do so when theres a realistic possibility of the IDF ending you.

Image: Pro-Hamas march in Chicago. YouTube screen grab. (Note, please, how its filmed so the reporter covers the sign saying Palestine will be free from the river to the sea, which is a call for the genocide of all Jews in Israel.

Of course, thats not going to happen, but then I wondered to myself, what is wrong with these people, and why are they allowed to do this? Before the words even formed in my head, I answered my own question: Free speech that extraordinary thing we have that Muslim countries dont.

All of that led my brain to a quote that is often falsely attributed to Winston Churchill: When Muslims are in the minority they are very concerned with minority rights, when they are in the majority there are no minority rights. The British Bulldog may not have said that, but a look at a map of nations with Sharia law suggests that its correct.

But we dont live in one of those countries, the ones with the radical Muslims, you might say, these people are just fringe wackos. Not so much. A 2015 poll of Muslims in America showed the following:

More than half (51%) of U.S. Muslims polled also believe either that they should have the choice of American or shariah courts, or that they should have their own tribunals to apply shariah. Only 39% of those polled said that Muslims in the U.S. should be subject to American courts. It also found nearly a quarter of the Muslims polled believed that, It is legitimate to use violence to punish those who give offense to Islam by, for example, portraying the prophet Mohammed. and Nearly one-fifth of Muslim respondents said that the use of violence in the United States is justified in order to make shariah the law of the land in this country.

Anyone watching the thousands of protesters in Atlanta, Chicago, and Tampa could easily see that its likely the percentages listed above have only grown, something troublesome in a free republic.

Now, support for Sharia doesnt necessarily equate to support for Hamass actions last week, but a Venn Diagram would likely demonstrate a great deal of overlap.

But then you say, Muslims are barely 1% of the population, so they cant be a threat. Maybe, but think about this: trans people are far fewer in number yet, today, we find ourselves amid national fights about bathrooms, sports, and the medical butchering of children. Interestingly, most of the people who support the LBGTQXYZ123 agenda also support Palestine. The irony, of course, is that Gazans would almost certainly throw the alphabet people off the tops of buildings were they to go there. Note, too, a fascinating essay summing up Peter Hammonds analysis of the effect Muslims have on a country as their numbers grow.

So, the question becomes, how does a pluralistic, secular state that values individual liberty deal with vile ideas that are repugnant to the basic elements of the culture, as well as with those who espouse those repugnant ideas? Is the Constitution a suicide pact that allows those who object to its foundational principles to use the documents freedoms to take power in order to eliminate our constitutional republic?

In his autobiography, Malcolm X talks about being invited to speak at Harvard and other prestigious universities when he was still spewing much of his anti-white racist venom. He marvels that, while he was invited to speak and said things that most of the audience disagreed with, they were always courteous and usually engaged in a healthy, respectful dialogue.

Contrast that with todays conservative speakers such as Heather MacDonald, Ann Coulter, or Ben Shapiro, who have had events canceled or found themselves drowned out and threatened by leftists who equate speech they dont like with violence. Not surprisingly, a recent poll showed that 66% of college students find this acceptable, while another showed that 65% of Democrats supported censoring misinformation.

Now, maybe this vile and public championing of hate will be a tipping point where the Democrat coalition fractures as the various victim classes it has nurtured twist themselves into pretzels trying to be good team players. I doubt it, though, because Democrats in toto hate America, hate freedom and, most of all, hate Donald Trump and MAGA. They are bound together by these hatreds and will always put power above everything else.

Nonetheless, what we saw over the last week should, I hope, cause more people to take notice of those who would use our freedoms to end them for everyone else. The adage of One man, one vote, one time refers to the idea of someone or some group using the democratic norms of a nation to win an election and then using that victory to eviscerate freedom. Think Hitler in Germany, Chavez in Venezuela, or Erdogan in Turkey.

If weve learned anything since the reign of Barack Obama, its that America is not immune to the danger of political parties weaponizing government for their own purposes. Given that the people cheering on the butchers of Hamas are a core part of the Democrat coalition, we should not be too quick to dismiss them as fringe. If we do so, we could all live to regret it.

Follow Vince on Twitter at ImperfectUSA or you can visit his new website Gratitude for America.
Years ago, we spoke of Ecuador and having some of the wonderful "ceviche" they prepare in Guayaquil. It was a quiet and beautiful country that rarely made the front pages. Today, Ecuador suffers the narco violence and social upheaval that its neighbors face. You may remember that a presidential candidate was killed weeks ago.

On Sunday, a little ray of hope came from Ecuador. They had elections and a good guy won. This is the story:

Businessman Daniel Noboa, 35, will become the youngest president in Ecuador's history, after winning Sunday's run-off. With more than 97% of votes counted, Mr Noboa, a centrist, had a lead of four percentage points over his left-wing rival, Luisa Gonzalez. Ms Gonzalez conceded the election and congratulated Mr Noboa on his win. In his victory speech, Mr Noboa said that he would "give back a smile and peace to the country". The election campaign was overshadowed by unprecedented levels of violence, which saw one of the candidates, Fernando Villavicencio, assassinated just days before the first round of voting in August. The murder rate in Ecuador quadrupled between 2018 and 2022 and opinion polls suggested that security was voters' main concern going into the election. Flanked by heavily armed soldiers, Mr Noboa took to the stage and said that "tomorrow we will start working for a new Ecuador, to reconstruct a country battered by violence, by corruption and hate". Analysts point out that Mr Noboa, who has little political experience, will face an uphill struggle to tackle Ecuador's security problem and its poorly performing economy during his limited time in office.

Yes, he will face "an uphill struggle" but at least his ideas make sense. The contest was a clear-cut choice between Right and Left so we are happy that the guy to the Right got more votes.

What should the U.S. do? We should embrace the new president and do our best to have him succeed. He is, let's hope, the first of a wave of defeats for the leftists driving Colombia and Argentina into the ditch. It would be nice for President Biden to give him a warm welcome and show the world that we like what just came out of Ecuador.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Assemblea Nacional Ecuador
Dr. Ahmed Abdu Maher, an Egyptian scholar with a long history of being relatively straightforward about Islamic history and doctrine in his many books and lecturesto the point that he was sentenced to five years imprisonment, but pardoned at the final momenthas apparently had enough.

In a recent video, Maher lashed out at his accusers:

All these people are complaining about my videos, saying they incite hate. But everything I say is directly contained in your books, the very books you believe in. Im not calling for killing or bloodshed, or anything like that. Im totally against such talk. So why are you complaining? Why are you ashamed of what is yours? I dont say this one or that one is a kafir [infidel] or not a kafir. Nor do I call for this one or that one to be killed or whatever. I never use such language, ever! But that is whats in your books! So when I confront you about it, you go and complain against me so that the video can be removed [off YouTube].  Why are you so ashamed of your fiqh [Islamic jurisprudence], you who want to have me removed?... Am I the one who said those words of yours? Am I the one who said enslave women?... Am I the one whos saying kill the murtad [apostate]? Did I ever say such things, or are these things in the books? Yes, theyre in the books, and you are keeping, protective of, and find such books important. Fine then, but be sincere with yourself, man, be honest, be clear. Dont be so two-faced!

Anyone aware of the current political climate should have a good idea what Maher is talking about: he quotes problematic textskilling apostates, beating women, terrorizing infidelsdirectly from Islams scriptures, mostly hadith, sira, and tafsir; but, rather than dealing with itsuch teachings are, indeed, in Islams bookscertain Muslims go on to accuse him of spreading hate in an attempt to have him canceled.

Such a sequence of events should be very familiar. For long now, anyone in the West who, by merely quoting directly from Islamic scriptures, makes Islam look anything less than peaceful and tolerant is quickly canceled.

This tactic has so metastasized in Western society that it is now used against anyone who contradicts any narrative being promulgated by the so-called Leftfor example, Libs of TikTok, which exposes leftist insanity by merely letting the left speak for itself.

American readers are left with an applicable sampling of Mahers approach. In early 2017, when the Muslim world was outraged after the announcement of Donald Trumps so-called Muslim ban, Maher posted a video on YouTube (since removed, naturally, though not before I had translated relevant excerpts, which follow):

Friends, in regards to  Donald Trump, we wanted to ask our brothersthe fuqaha [jurists of Islamic law] and the ulema [scholars of Islam]a question: if this man  were to coerce, through the power of arms, the greater majority of Muslims living in America  to become Christians, or pay jizya, otherwise he takes over their homes, kills their men and enslaves their women and girls, and sells them on slave markets; if he were to do all this, would he be considered a racist and a terrorist or not? Of course, Im just hypothesizing, and know that the Bible and its religion do not promote such things, but lets just assume: Would he be a racist or not? Would he be a terrorist or not? How then [when one considers] that we have in our Islamic jurisprudence, which you teach us, and tell us that all the imams have agreed on, that the Islamic openings [i.e., conquests] are the way to disseminate Islam? This word openings [futuhat]we must be sensitive to it! The Islamic openings mean swords and killing. The Islamic openings, through which homes, fortresses, and territories were devastated, these  [are part of] an Islam which you try to make us follow. So I wonder O sheikh, O leader of this or that Islamic center in NY, would you like to see this done to your wife and daughter? Would youthis or that sheikhaccept that this be done to your children? That your daughter goes to this fighter [as a slave], your son to this fighter, a fifth [of booty] goes to the caliph and so forth? I mean, isnt this what you refer to as the Sharia of Allah?  So lets think about things in an effort to discern whats right and whats wrong.

Clearly one can see why the strict practitioners of Islam hate Mahereven if all hes doing is quoting the words and teachings they hold sacred, which is all anyone ever needs do to expose the dangers of Islam, to say nothing of wokism.

Raymond Ibrahim, author of Defenders of the West and Sword and Scimitar is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum.

Image: Twitter screen shot
Congressman Gaetz called for a motion to vacate the chair, and he succeeded in removing Kevin McCarthy from the position of speaker of the House.

While I may not entirely agree with the methods employed, I do believe that someone who ascends to the position of speaker of the House should be the ultimate politician. He should make deals, and keep them, that benefit the country and the party, or he risks being removed. That has always been the case.

Personally, I was a bit skeptical of Speaker McCarthy when he misled about multiple votes during the vote for speaker. He claimed he had it in the bag several times when in fact he did not. I am not saying he did not have some success; he obviously did. I am only pointing out that he misled several times on the vote in January.

As far as the current situation to select a speaker, I also am okay with taking time to get it right, and not cutting a deal with Democrats just to speed things up.

What I find the most amusing is that this situation really seems to be uncovering the uniparty members, and it seem to be causing certain heads to explode.

Overlay the Ukraine situation, sending over $100 billion with no oversight, along with the situation around Speaker Select Jordan, and you will see some of the names agitating for two significant items: spending unlimited money that we are probably borrowing in whole or in part from China, and unofficial talks with Democrats about a bipartisan speaker situation.

I believe that some of the people agitating for both of these items might be displaying their uniparty allegiance.

Unlike some Republicans, I do not wish to name names. I did not want to believe in the uniparty, but I now believe. And I believe that if you look at the members of Congress who say we can't ask questions about aid to Ukraine, and want to make a deal with Democrats for the speaker position, you will start to see the uniparty affiliates showing their true colors.

As a conservative American, I only urge the House Republicans to get it right and at the same time don't make a deal with the Democrats. The Democrats/socialists hate freedom-loving conservatives, and they can't be trusted in such a deal. The socialists have shown that the raw power flexing is all they care about.

I ask you to consider one item about Congressman Jordan: Democrats are scared of his elevation. Elect Congressman Jordan as speaker of the House, and Democrat heads will start exploding. For that reason alone, I think Republicans should put all doubts aside and make it official this week. Rank-and-file conservatives should take note of the actions of their representatives, including if they are willing to try to cut a deal with Democrats, and send them a firm message about conservative values. We have to root out the members who are not looking out for the American people before our constitutional republic slides any further into socialism.

Maker S. Mark (a pseudonym) is a patriot who can understand and explain advanced math and science and is worried about the state of the nation and how to solve the problems we face. United we stand, divided we fall.

Image: Jim Jordan. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Thirty-one Harvard student organizations condemned Israel following the inhuman attack by Hamas Islamic savages.

It took her a few days, but Harvard president Claudine Gay condemned unequivocally the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas. She added in her statement that Harvard students have the right to speak for themselves.

While it is good to know that the president of Harvard has moral clarity, it is regrettable that she does not require it of her institution.

Gay states the obvious -- that students have a right to speak for themselves. But thats not the issue. Of course, Harvard students have the same free speech rights as anyone else in America. The issue is whether an institution like Harvard will tolerate the moral turpitude of the students who aligned themselves with Hamas.

Harvard professes to have high moral standards and applicants are judged on their moral character as well as their scholastic proficiency.

Still, errors can be made. So what is the correct procedure when Harvard learns that it has made a terrible mistake and allowed entry to someone who does not meet its institutional moral standards?

Lets be clear. We are not talking about an inconsequential political difference in degree or approach here. Were watching Harvard students supporting murder, mutilation, rape, and kidnapping.

So, simply, Harvard roots out this moral cancer in its institution by removing all students who signed a document supporting Hamas. -- or Harvard University is a fraud.

Image: Harvard Univ.
A U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier left a naval base in California last week for a deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, a U.S. research institute has said, while another carrier was already in Korea in a major show of force.

In a report, the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) cited a Navy official as saying USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) departed from Naval Air Station North Island, California, on Thursday. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) arrived in Korea's southeastern port city of Busan on Thursday for a five-day visit.

The deployment comes amid concerns that the United States' security focus on the escalating Israel-Hamas war could lead to a weakening of its security commitments to Korea and other regional partners.

USS Carl Vinson is currently conducting "routine" operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations, according to the fleet.

"U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region," the fleet was quoted by the USNI as saying in a statement.

After the Hamas militant group's surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Washington deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean. It also moved the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) Carrier Strike Group to the region to "deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war," according to the Pentagon. (Yonhap)
Three stories in the news today show how aggressively opposed leftists are to any speech that runs counter to their orthodoxy. They used the First Amendment to gain ascendency and now are busy shutting it down. Or as Turkeys Recep Erdogan is reputed to have said of democracy itself, Democracy is like a tram. You ride it until you arrive at your destination, then you step off.

The first report to catch my eye is that Bidens Health and Human Services Department, probably in homage to the Assistant Secretary of Health, the delusional Richard Levine, who claims to be a woman, is requiring all employees to address others with the names and pronouns they use to describe themselves

Heres the HHS Pronoun Mandate more clearly. This admin really is requiring pure ideological conformity. Lets see how tolerant this admin will be of those who will seek an opt-out out of faith or compelled speech concerns. pic.twitter.com/yhlTZIkBxc  Roger Severino (@RogerSeverino_) October 11, 2023

Keep in mind that we are talking about a group of people who cant even keep track of their own so-called gender identities and pronouns.

Its true that Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the Bostock case, made so-called gender identity a protected class under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which will go down with Dred Scott and Plessy v. Ferguson as one of the worst decisions in Supreme Court history. However, Bostock only mandates that the employer may not discriminate against people based upon their delusional or self-indulgent sense of self.

However, if the Constitution is to mean anything, even the Bostock decision cannot override peoples First Amendment rights, meaning that employees should not be forced to lie. Nevertheless, that is precisely what HHS is trying to do, as it requires people to deny reality (and, often, grammar) by pretending that men and women arent men and women. Nor should one need a religious waiver to speak the truth. Im not religious, but I know a man when I see one.

That same government-compelled speech is playing out in the Peoples Republic of Colorado (once a stalwart Republican state before Californians descended), which is in year ten of its effort to force cake baker Jack Phillips to support gay marriage and transgenderism. Despite the United States Supreme Court holding that the state showed impermissible hostility to his religious beliefs, the state, with help from a so-called transgender activist, went after him again.

Currently, the latest case against Phillips is pending before the Colorado Supreme Court. Phillips writes about his travails in a straightforward, moving essay in the Denver Gazette. I highly recommend it.

The last free speech attack comes from Harvard, but its much more subtle. Harvard President, Claudine Gay (black, female), was forced to state that the college is deeply, truly, deeply, really sincerely, completely, and honestly dedicated to free speech. The reason she issued this true, sincere, and honest statement is that Harvard was shamed when more than 30 student organizations, viewing footage of Israeli men, women, and children being tortured and slaughtered, announced that it was all Israels fault.

The problem with Gays announcement isnt the content, which is appropriate. The problem is that its the academic equivalent of Taqiyya. You may remember that word from the years after 9/11 and the Iraq War. Taqiyya is the Muslim doctrine that allows Muslims to lie to gain the upper hand over an enemy. For example, that means its okay to enter into a peace agreement intending to use the time to rearm and refresh yourself before breaking the agreement.

The reason I say Gay is engaged in the academic equivalent of Taqiyya is, first, Harvards history of censorship. Indeed, Harvards censorship is so extreme that FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, gave Harvard a zero on free speech.

Second, theres Gays own history of destroying those who oppose her beliefs. Matt Walsh has a great analysis of how Gay, before she was Harvards president, enthusiastically sought to destroy Prof. Roland G. Fryer for daring to challenge the BLM narrative about policing and blacks:

Harvard Pretends To Support Free Speech pic.twitter.com/2mIoSmv7e9  The Matt Walsh Show (@MattWalshShow) October 16, 2023

Given Harvards and Gays history, do you really believe that Harvards current commitment to free speech is real? Or do you think, as I do, that Harvard is in favor of free speech while its preferred speech is being challenged and that it will revert to its old censorious ways the moment someone speaks out against leftist shibboleths?

And as you think about this, remember that the ACLU was founded by socialists. It argued for free speech when socialism wasnt ascendant in America. Since socialism has taken over Americas institutions, the ACLU is nowhere to be found.

UPDATE: I've corrected misidentifying Richard Levine, both by name and title. Also, it appears that employees will be charged with unlawful harassment for violating this directive.

Image: Cancelled by rawpixel.
Who do the so-called experts behind the radical green agenda blame for the fact that 100% of people dont gobble up and repeat their talking points? Apparently Rupert Murdoch?

Last month, Murdoch announced hed be stepping down as the chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp, and yesterday, Yahoo News ran an article highlighting the reactions to the news:

The Australians impact on the media landscape since the 1950s has had far-reaching and damaging consequences. Speaking to the Guardian, climate scientist at Australian National University Joelle Gergis said: Its hard to think of another person who has single-handedly done more to muddy the publics understanding of climate change.  Climate scientist and University of Pennsylvania professor Michael Mann added, per the Guardian: He has wielded his global media empire as a cudgel to sow confusion and doubt about the science and the solutions. He will go down in history as one of the greatest climate villains.

Murdoch, a media titan, owns Fox News (among other outlets), and although hes no conservative free-flow-of-information herp, he at least allowed some debate. Some people were allowed to tell the truth that the climate has always changed cyclically and naturally, and some people were allowed to debunk the stories below.

Here is an absolutely idiotic narrative regurgitated by USA Today to push the green agenda, one in which politicians and bureaucrats falsely claim they can control temperatures, sea levels, and storm activity if we just give up our way of life provided by reasonably priced energy, and modern amenities:

The climate change issue is getting critical: Warmer, drier weather could threaten the beer supply. Thats because harvests of hops, a crucial ingredient in beer making, could decline by as much as 18% in Europe by 2050.

Crops have thrived the last 140 years as the green pushers have continuously warned us of looming disasters. Rising CO2 helps crops, like hops, thrive. Warmer weather helps crops; freezing weather destroys crops. Its really not that cosmic.

The claim that hops crops could decline by 18% in 27 years is just made up, like most of the predictions on climate change. There is no way they could get a precise number like that with all the natural variables that affect the climate.

It is pathetic that puppet-people, posing as journalists, will just repeat whatever they are told in order to push the leftist agenda without asking questions or doing research.

As for CO2. The estimated content in the atmosphere in 1880 was around 280 parts per million, a miniscule amount that in no way could control the climate. Today, it is around 420 PPMagain, a miniscule amount. That means that CO2 content has risen 50% while temperatures have fluctuated up and down around a flat line, with a minimum overall rise after a little ice age ended around 1860. When there is no correlation, there is no causation.

Anyone with a brain would recognize that a one or two degree overall temperature rise after an ice age ends would be cyclical and normal. Sadly, most journalists seem to be lacking a brain.

Some of the most idiotic and costly policies that make green pushers rich are giving up gas powered engines for highly flammable pollutants, burying carbon, and worthless pieces of paper called carbon credits. Making people rely on lithium is extremely helpful to China, which would love to destroy America.

The classic green pusher, Bill Gates, is a billionaire who lives in mansions and flies in private jets, and lectures us about our carbon footprint. He caters to China, and like China, he is buying up American farmland. Gates owns an estimated 270,000 acres. He puts a lot of small farmers out of business, just like he destroyed a lot of small companies as he built Microsoft.

If people actually desire to put small farmers out of business and make billionaires like Gates richer and more powerful, just support Joe Bidens policy to make gas powered farm equipment worthless! Gates also invested in a venture that wants to dim the sunof course, in the 1970s, the media claimed Earth was cooling rapidly.

It is journalists who just repeat what they are told who are the most dangerous to our survival as a free and prosperous country; not those who allow debate and inquiry.

Nothing like a campaign of vicious censorship to convince the masses that youre being truthful about your cause.

Image: Hudson Institute, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
Over the years, weve seen that much of todays science is corrupt. Climate science for example, is often climate cultism, with scientists retrofitting data to reach predetermined conclusions. When it came to COVID and the vaccine, profit seemed to be the main driver, along with some scary WEF theories, including some people believing that the real purpose behind the dishonest rush to force vaccines on people is tied to transhumanism and depopulation, both of which are values the WEF crowd promotes. Now, theres even more evidence about the utter unreliability of modern science.

Science is not a god. It is, instead, an approach to processing and analyzing data. In a perfect world, one has a theory to which one applies a very strict methodology and, from that, achieves a reliable result. Livescience offers as good an explanation as any:

Every scientific theory relies on the scientific method. A scientist may make an observation and devise a hypothesis to explain that observation, then design an experiment to test that hypothesis. If the hypothesis is shown to be incorrect, the scientist will develop a new hypothesis and begin the process again. If the hypothesis is supported by the results of the experiment, it will go on to be tested again. If the hypothesis isn't disproven or surpassed by a better explanation, the scientist may incorporate it into a larger theory that helps to explain the observed phenomenon and relates it to other phenomena, according to the Field Museum. A scientific theory is not the end result of the scientific method; theories can be proven or rejected, just like hypotheses. And theories are continually improved or modified as more information is gathered, so that the accuracy of the prediction becomes greater over time.

This approach promises to bypass human biases in favor of a level of objectivity that allows us to understand some ultimate truths about the natural world. But then, leftists got hold of science. That first happened in the Soviet Union with Lysenkoism. Soviet biologist Trofim Lysenko, under the umbrella of science, promoted anti-science for political purposes:

More than 3,000 mainstream biologists were dismissed or imprisoned, and numerous scientists were executed in the Soviet campaign to suppress scientific opponents. The president of the Soviet Agriculture Academy, Nikolai Vavilov, who had been Lysenko's mentor, but later denounced him, was sent to prison and died there, while Soviet genetics research was effectively destroyed. Research and teaching in the fields of neurophysiology, cell biology, and many other biological disciplines were harmed or banned.

If that sounds like whats been happening in the realm of climate science, gender science, and COVID science, youre right. We havent yet got to the point of imprisonment and executions in America, but theyve already been arresting people in other parts of the world for deviating from the COVID science. In America, theyre just taking away peoples livelihoods if they dare to challenge vaccines.

However, its not only ideology or funding leading to unreliable scientific conclusions. Instead, it turns out that the choices a scientist makes about handling data will also affect the outcome, sometimes in quite dramatic ways:

In a massive exercise to examine reproducibility, more than 200 biologists analysed the same sets of ecological data  and got widely divergent results. The first sweeping study1 of its kind in ecology demonstrates how much results in the field can vary, not because of differences in the environment, but because of scientists analytical choices.

For that reason, the studys authors suggest that nothing should be relied upon unless many different studies lead to the same conclusion. To prove how important multiple studies are, they asked almost 250 biologists to create studies using identical data sets:

The study by Fraser and her colleagues brings the many-analyst method to ecology. The researchers gave scientist-participants one of two data sets and an accompanying research question: either To what extent is the growth of nestling blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) influenced by competition with siblings? or How does grass cover influence Eucalyptus spp. seedling recruitment? Most participants who examined the blue-tit data found that sibling competition negatively affects nestling growth. But they disagreed substantially on the size of the effect.

When the authors had those varying conclusions peer-reviewed, the peer review process wasnt any more reliable.

The logical conclusion at this point, of course, is to question the study described above. (Rim shot!) However, if we abandon science in favor of common sense, it makes sense that, if were planning to abandon all prior knowledge in favor of something new, wed better stop and do another study, and another, and another, and another. As weve learned to our cost over the last few decades, corrupt science is just another form of tyranny, and it needs to be stopped before it can take root.

UPDATE: Arnold Cusmariu added this important point:

As this essay explains, there is a basic difference between the hard sciences (physics & chemistry) and the not-so-hard sciences (biology). It's important to be careful and not lump them together as you do in your blog. Briefly, the hard sciences rely on laws of nature, which are in ODE form (ordinary differential equation, Newton) or PDE form (partial differential equation, Maxwell). Neither kind exists in biology. The fact that biology is messy is not a reflection on real science, i.e., physics and chemistry. The climate-change stuff is just plain garbage. Shame on physics for not saying that.

Image: Scientist by DCStudio.
A spirited debate broke out between Megyn Kelly and Vivek Ramaswamy and between Kelly and Candace Owens regarding what should happen to the college students who signed letters and took to the streets last week to say that Israelis deserved their rape, torture, murder, and kidnapping and that we should affirmatively support the sadists who target civilians. Kelly thinks that the people who made these statements should find that it affects their futures in seriously negative ways. I agree completely. Ramaswamy and Owens say that they should be cut some slack because all of us have dumb ideas. Both are wrong. However, Owens did make an important point that deserves to be recognized, which is why Im writing here.

The trigger for the back and forth was that Vivek Ramaswamy said that companies erred when they said that they would take into account the students views when the students came knocking at their doors looking for employment. Kelly rightly blew him out of the water, saying that views as toxic as theirs deserve immediate consequences:

Youve got to be kidding me. They sided with terrorists who murdered children and old women. Youre not clear on this as someone who wants to be president? https://t.co/656slMIQKL  Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 15, 2023

Megyn, I was crystal clear that what the student groups said was dead wrong & you know that. But I dont think its productive to hunt down individual members of college student groups for the purpose of blacklisting them. Persuasion is better than force, lets stick to principle  Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) October 15, 2023

If they are not persuaded that murdering babies is wrong, there is no persuading them. We dont hire those who do the killing & we dont hire those who applaud the killers while the savagery is underway. If you are open to hiring one of these lunatics, tho, good to know!  Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 15, 2023

To sum up: Vivek said dont punish them because theyre stupid. Its better to lead them with a carrot than a stick. Megyn said stupidity like that is actually evil and deserves to be punished. At this point, Candace Owens got into the act:

Oh stop it. This is incredibly disingenuous, Megyn.

You know that many of those students are not out there because they want babies to be murdered.

College kids are stupid. I used to be radically pro-choice. Glad I didnt get put on a conservative black list for wanting https://t.co/fxvnxUmSZY  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) October 15, 2023

Being liberal is not the same as taking to the streets to cheer murdered babies and blame said murders on the victims. But you go ahead and hire as many of them as you want Candace. Im sure the @realDailyWire will love that. https://t.co/h941kGzaBw  Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 15, 2023

I will again restate that is unlikely that the majority of the college kids were taking to the streets to explicitly cheer murdered babies. They instead believe they are fighting for some other righteous cause. While misguided, they are in need of education, not black lists. https://t.co/Hq307mLAww  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) October 15, 2023

Also I hate to tell you this but my tagging @realDailyWire didnt out your position. You did that all on your own. Good luck with your future intern program! https://t.co/V6RihyXsx6  Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 15, 2023

So why exactly are you tagging them-

LOL. Would you like a direct contact to management? Help me help you. https://t.co/gPUBcKLYKt  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) October 15, 2023

Oh no, I have it. I talked to them just two weeks ago when they asked me to put you on my show to promote your crime series and I said sure I will do you and Candace that favor. Member? https://t.co/9gFJ8F1sCP  Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 15, 2023

Yes I do remember. Sorry I couldnt actually make your show in the end.



Im not sure what obscure point youre trying to prove so Ill just continue being the mature one in this thread by thanking you for your willingness to help us promote a new series. https://t.co/O7YA1qreEn  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) October 15, 2023

This is how it works you see. You attack someone who has been nothing but nice to and supportive of you. Then when that person calls you out, you just keep saying I am the mature one!

Take care Candace. I wish you well. https://t.co/iJ0Stp4h2e  Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 15, 2023

That catfight is not nice, but I felt I owed it to both women to include the whole conversation. I hate it when conservatives get into these ugly disputes, which harm conservativism by making it personal instead of digging into an interesting issue. Lets get to the substance, which is interesting because of something that Owens threw into her part of the discussion.

As I said, Kelly is correct that people who state such appalling views deserve to face consequences. Getting turned away from a job because your prospective employer views you with disgust is an entirely reasonable consequence.

Owens view is that because people can change their minds (as she did), its a mistake to impose such harsh consequences on them because young people are stupid. Why blight a young life that way? Nope. We dont learn without some suffering. If they get a pass, they will continue to be stupid and evil.

However, Owens and Ramaswamy are right about something, which is that many people can change their minds. (Notably, many people cant, and that needs to be recognized, too.) Some of those students may not be irredeemably evil and hold out the possibility of openly and honestly expressed remorse, repentance, and redemption.

Like Owens, I, too, was once a leftist. Life taught me, both indirectly and directly, that my beliefs were stupid. Part of why I write is as an act of repentance and a way to redeem myself. When I was stupid, I deserved the consequences of my stupidity. Now that Im less stupid, I do my best to make up for the past harms I caused. Thats how life works.

Giving students a pass without forcing them to earn their way back into civilized society is a terrible idea. Its also a very leftist idea. No matter how much leftists sin, they never suffer. They never lose their place in college, they never lose a job, and theyre never subject to public opprobrium. Without that pushback, they will never change.

Image: The morally broken, factually ignorant, blame the victim students at Harvard. YouTube screen grab.
What happened in Israel on October 7 was both horrible and useful. It was horrible because it was the worst antisemitic attack on civilians since the Holocaust. It was useful because it forced people to take a stand on a major moral issueand many of them havent looked good once theyve finally stood up. Its brought clarity, as well, to some of those in the GOP race for the White House

Regarding clarity, weve seen Americas colleges and universities reveal what 60 years of leftism have done to them. Ill just say that the same antisemitic trend overtook German universities in the 1920s and 1930s as socialism became the dominant intellectual view on the campuses. After all, if you read Marxs writings, you can see that antisemitism is baked into the cake (along with all other forms of racism), just as its an integral part of the Koran. For these two major world ideologies, antisemitism is the secret handshake that sees them all as members of the same club.

For ordinary, non-political or apolitical Americans, watching leftists and Muslims revel in the slaughter of innocents was an off-putting experience. The occasional intifada murder could be overlooked. But filming yourself gleefully raping, torturing, and murdering hundreds of civilians and then defiling their corpses, as well as kidnapping babies, children, women, and Holocaust survivorsthat was the kind of slap in the face that tells you that not all causes are created equal.

Basically, if youre wondering whether youre supporting the good guys or the bad guys, the bad guys are the ones who see civilians as primary targets for every horror the human mind can imagine, while the good guys are the ones who try desperately to live in peace, assiduously follow the worlds agreed-upon rules of warfare, and have a history of sacrificing their own troops to protect the enemys women and children. (As an added bonus regarding protecting the children, note that Hamas put up roadblocks to prevent civilians from leaving the combat zone and even stole their car keys.)

So, as I said, were getting clarity in America as people begin to recognize who among them are bestial savages and who are not.

Image: Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley by Andrea Widburg

That clarity is appearing on the conservative side of the aisle, too. Some of it comes from people who have been befuddled by moral relativism. Thats how you end up with stupid headlines like this one: Killing civilians is indefensible, whether done by Hamas or Israel.

The tragic truth of war is that children will always die. Its no use saying that you can avoid war if you just refuse to fight. If your enemy is unopposed, hell slaughter you and your children and then, as is the way of all tyrants, turn on his own citizens (children included).

Instead, because war is inevitable given human nature, the moral standard is that you cannot side with the people who see their enemys children as targets and their own children as cannon fodder. Morally, you should be siding with the ones who seek to protect all children while regretfully recognizing that, to protect their own, others may die in the maelstrom of war. Ultimately, of course, children in a country in which their government views them as cannon fodder will do better when that government is eradicated.

As I said, ordinary people are befuddled, and we hope they can see the light. But we cannot afford befuddled politicians, and that is where were getting some useful clarity on the Republican side of the aisle.

Ron DeSantis instantly attacked Hamas and its supporters while supporting Israel, helped fly home Americans stranded in Israel (the ones the Biden administration wouldnt help escape a hot war zone unless they first filled out the paperwork), and took a firm stand against importing Gazan refugees into America. Its telling that surrounding Arab nations wont take them. Gazans are viewed as dangerously disruptive to any stable society.

DeSantis is also correct that Gazans support Hamas and support violence against Israel. They are anti-American, anti-Israel, antisemitic, and anti-Christian. They are the last people who should come to America.

And then theres Nikki Haley, who tries to be all things to all people and ends up being nothing to nobody. Last week, she insisted that America must support Israel. I agree. If were supporting Ukraines territorial integrity and its democracy against a neighbors tyranny, Israel certainly deserves as much support. Moreover, unlike the situation with Ukraine, this war directly affects America.

Iran has been at war with the U.S. since 1979, something America likes to ignore. (As a mental exercise, just imagine how different the world would be if Jimmy Carter had responded to the hostage crisis by bombing Ayatollah Khomenei rather than groveling for over a year.) Where theres terrorism, theres Iran, and America (Death to the Great Satan) is as much in its crosshairs as Israel (Death to the Little Satan). In other words, if Iran wins this proxy war, its power will grow, and thats a direct threat to us.

So, again, Nikkis right. And then, in typical Nikki fashion, she undercuts herself:

JUST IN: Nikki Haley endorses plan to house up to 1,000,000 Palestinians from Gaza.



There are so many of these people who want to be free from this terrorist rule. They want to be free from all of that.



THOUGHTS?



pic.twitter.com/2crXQP5SmC  Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) October 17, 2023

These are people who, as noted above, hate us and everything we stand for. Haley already characterized the people for whom they voted and whose goals they support as the enemies of civilization. Theyre so awful even Arab Muslim nations dont want them. And now she wants to bring them to America?

As I said, were getting clarity. DeSantis has been principled; Nikki Haley has merely been confused.
Thanks to support from Iran, Hamas is fairly well-armed and, of course, it makes up in viciousness what it lacks in technical sophistication. However, Hamass greatest weapon is propaganda. In the latest conflagration, it engaged in a single orgy of killing. Now, though, its looking forward to weeks of anti-Israel propaganda that the worlds media will unhesitatingly accept and relay. The latest example is Hamass claim that Israel killed 900 innocent people in a Gaza hospital. The story was almost instantly debunked but dont expect that to change the narrative.

Heres the original report, along with an update claiming hundreds of casualties:

JUST IN: The moment an alleged Israeli Air Force struck the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in the Gaza Strip a few minutes ago.



Some are alleging the rocket could have been a failed Hamas rocket, however we have not seen any indication of those claims.



We do not yet know the source pic.twitter.com/SX6JAHXetF  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 17, 2023

Very quickly, though, people pointed out problems with the claimed Israeli attack. For example, if you turn on the audio, the rocket seems to have originated nearby and been coming in fast. There wasnt the droning sound of something falling from the sky. According to Bonchie, at Red State,

Whatever hit the hospital, it was not a guided or unguided bomb from an IAF airplane (both of which freefall with no propellant). As far as I can find, there's not much of anything in the IAF's arsenal that would match what is in that video.

That was a good instinct because more information swiftly followed. It turns out that practically at the same moment that the rocket hit the hospital, Hamas was boasting about its assault on Haifa. (As always, you must understand how close these regions are to each other, so Hamas doesnt need long-distance weapons. The distance from Gaza to Haifa is roughly 100 miles. Its as if New York went to war against Boston.)

One minute before a rocket blew up a hospital in Gaza, Hamas announced on Telegram that they were launching their most robust weapons in the arsenal at Haifa.



No rockets reached Haifa. High probability these hit the hospital and set off secondary explosions within building. pic.twitter.com/xxfmzYxjru  Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.today (@JordanSchachtel) October 17, 2023

Thanks to Israels eyes in the skies, we now know that the rocket that hit the hospital came from within Gaza itself:

The explosion at the hospital in Gaza was caused by a misfired Hamas missile launched towards Rishon Letzion at around 1930.

"Gaza Health Ministry" is Hamas.

Hamas's terror HQ is located under Shifa hospital. Hamas missiles struck Ashkelon's Barzilay hospital last week. pic.twitter.com/jF7NrHSfTz  Caroline Glick (@CarolineGlick) October 17, 2023

In other words, Hamas inadvertently bombed its own headquarters. Sometimes, the fog of war works.

Nevertheless, the usual suspects are doing everything they can to show Israel as the despoiler of women and children. Ive just grabbed a few screenshots of what the media have on tap as they wage their own war against Israel.

Heres APs home page from today at 4:15 p.m. ET. It acknowledges Israels denial (which is supported by footage) but makes it clear that Gaza suffers. Ive highlighted the really telling story:

MSNBC hasnt even bothered to update its homepage yet to acknowledge Israels denial that it had nothing to do with striking Hamass hospital-based headquarters. Of course, the text of the other articles shows that MSNBC doesnt even pretend to report news; its all narrative, all the time. This is its homepage from today at 4:15 p.m. ET:

CBS News also hasnt gotten around to an update as of this writing (and note how it shares the same heartrending photo as AP does on its homepage):

CNN has added Israels refutation but makes sure that Hamass claim gets prominence:

To its credit, ABC News has given Israels refutation prominent placement on its home page:

As is always the case, short of actual nuclear weapons, Hamas has the biggest guns in this war. It effectively turns the world against Israel every single time. It does not matter that these sites eventually get the story right. What matters is that, as long as the truth is struggling (or being prevented from) getting its pants on, the lie has more time to keep traveling around the world.

The effect of the media constantly advancing the Palestinian narrative is that, whenever Israel gains a military advantage, the world gangs up against her to force it to withdraw. She never gets the opportunity to do to her enemy what the Allies did to the Nazis. Israel never gets to win the war.

Image by Andrea Widburg
Over the years, Huaweis China dominance has been growing stronger despite foreign opposition to the brand. This dominance might be a major challenge for the new iPhone 15 series that hit the global smartphone market a few weeks ago. Ever since the launch of this new series in China, sales have not been as impressive as that of the 14 series from last year.

According to analysts, sales on this new series are down 4.5% in comparison to the 14 series. The slump in Apples sales in China might be attributed to the fact that Huawei is picking up its pace in the region. But, its good to note that the Apple iPhone 15 series sales are not as impressive as they are in a few other regions as well.

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In China, the new iPhone series faces serious competition from Huawei with its new Mate series device. The launch of this new device from Huawei drew lots of attention to the brand just before the iPhone 15 series launch. These two big players in the smartphone industry are now going head-to-head in the Chinese market, with one party coming on top in the competition.

The iPhone 15 series sales are dwindling in China, partly due to Huaweis dominance of the market

Before the US ban on Huawei technology, the China tech giant was making waves around the world. In its home country, the brand was topping the competition on flagship and budget levels. This growth and dominance were brought to a standstill with the US ban on the company, limiting its access to vital equipment to manufacture its products.

During Huaweis trying times, Apple rose to stardom in China, amassing sales and strengthening its presence. However, Huawei didnt stop innovating because of this ban and this year they seem to be back on track in the smartphone industry. The launch of the Huawei Mate 60 series in China took the internet by storm as the smartphone showed off the brands innovative prowess.

Not only did this smartphone series improve in areas such as photography and performance, but it also brought a new chip. This was a refresh of Huaweis Kirin chip and it proved that the company might have found a way around the US ban. Sales of this new series in China have been impressive ever since launch, with more people taking interest in the device.

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Apple, on the other hand, has been trying to meet its sales target with the new iPhone 15 series. Huaweis dominance in China is taking a toll on Apples business by impacting sales. Apple isnt the only smartphone producer that is feeling this heat in China, as other major tech brands are struggling to make sales.

Tech giant Samsung is also finding it hard to meet its sales target in China as well. Analysts say that by next year, Huawei might kick Apple off the top spot in smartphone sales, hence solidifying its dominance. To compete with Huawei, other brands like Apple and Samsung need to find ways to improve their sales.
A few months ago, Montanas ban on TikTok came into the spotlight, and it aims to impact access to the app for users. This ban came during the period TikTok was under investigation by the US government for its association with parent company ByteDance. The state of Montana was the first state to effect a ban on the social media app in its region, and now a federal district judge questions that move.

Following the ban, TikTok as well as creators in its region took the Montana government to court. The plaintiffs argue that this ban is unconstitutional and an infringement on the freedom of speech for TikTok and its users. This ban will not only take a toll on TikTok but also cut its users away from the services that the app offers them.

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In its defence, the Montana state government claims that the ban is in place to protect the online privacy of citizens. This was also the same ground on which the previous threats of banning TikTok in the US stood. However, this claim didnt lead to the ban of TikTok in the US, but the government of Montana might have taken things into their hands.

A federal district judge questions Montanas ban on TikTok ahead of it going into effect next year

At the moment, Montanas ban on TikTok is not yet fully effective, but the state is pushing to block citizens from the app. They aim to do this by barring residents of the area from downloading the app via their mobile app stores. However, US District Judge Donald W. Molloy isnt standing with the states decision, and he calls it confusing.

During the hearing on Thursday, Donald W. Molloy put Montanas decision through scrutiny. The states evidence that TikTok engages in affairs that are a risk to national security came under consideration. After consideration, this evidence didnt hold much water, as the social media platforms demands from users arent conscientious.

In Mollys words, TikTok is asking for information that the users consent to, and they give that voluntarily to TikTok. So the claims that the platform illegally accesses personal data from users for other uses dont add up. US District Judge Donald W. Molloy points to Montanas arguments as being confusing.

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The state was also questioned as to their right to make decisions for users whether they should share their data with TikTok. Surprisingly, the Montana state government didnt find any documents proving that TikTok is a threat to national security. So the states plans to ban TikTok from their residents devices by next year lack good judgment.

However, the US government has a ban on TikTok for government devices. This should have been the path that the Montana state government should have taken instead of imposing the ban on citizens. Montanas ban on TikTok will soon see a preliminary injunction ahead of the courts final decision on this matter.
A few years ago, the US launched a series of sanctions on Huawei to block their access to chips for their manufacturing needs. These sanctions came at a time when the Chinese tech giant was developing its chips. New reports now point out that the US is planning to impose a new round of sanctions on the tech company after hitting its biggest launch milestones in a few years.

The launch of the Mate 60 series proved that despite these sanctions, Huawei has still been able to grow and develop its chips. Devices in this series make use of Huaweis in-house processor, meaning that the tech company has somehow overcome previous sanctions. Following this launch, teardowns of the device revealed its interior parts as well as the chip showing its components.

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Some components in this new chip are from chip companies that the US sanctions prevent Huawei from working with. Regardless of this limitation, Huawei was somehow able to get these components for usage on their new Mate series devices. For this reason, the US government is planning fresh sanctions and curbs that aim to hinder any further Huawei growth.

The new US sanctions on Huawei will affect AI chips and tighten chip exports to China

The US government is now planning to impose new sanctions on Huawei after the companys latest launch. After the launch, it became clear that the Chinese tech giant was able to access certain chip components. Some of such components like the RAM are from companies like SK Hynix.

Recent reports point out that the US government is now working on not only imposing new sanctions. They are planning to add more chip export blockades to the already existing sanctions that affect the likes of Huawei and ZTE. By doing this, they would further limit Chinese companies from accessing chips necessary for their manufacturing process.

An area where these new sanctions aim to hit is the AI chip industry, which is currently making waves. With the rise in AI technology and diversification in its use cases, the AI chip industry is robust. Chinese companies like Huawei will need access to these chips to develop their own AI technologies.

By placing sanctions on the export of AI chips to China, the US government might have plans to limit AI growth in these regions. Just like with the Huawei sanctions, the US government claims these new sanctions are to protect national security. However, there might be some plans to allow the export of consumer electronic devices to China.

For these exports to take place, the US will demand a notification from the exporting company. This will help them to ascertain whether the export will pose a threat to national security. Netizens will wonder how these new sanctions will affect Huawei and if they will still deter its growth.
Korea kicked off its largest-ever defense exhibition Tuesday to boost exports of its latest weapons and technologies, featuring aerial displays of the homegrown KF-21 fighter jet and U.S. strategic bomber B-52.

The Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023 opened at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, and runs until Sunday, involving 550 companies from 35 countries.

It is expected to draw some 30,000 visitors, including over 114 military and defense officials from 55 countries, marking the largest-ever edition of the biennial event launched in 1996.

During an opening ceremony, President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to provide support for the country's defense industry by creating an ecosystem that enhances global competitiveness.

"The defense industry is a strategic national industry that supports national defense and the economy," Yoon said during a congratulatory speech.

Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jet conducted a demonstration flight in its public debut, which was joined by U.S. military aircraft, including the F-22 stealth jet, F-16 fighter jet, T-50 trainer jet and U-2 spy plane, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bilateral alliance this year.

The nuclear-capable B-52 bomber flew over the air base in a rare appearance at the defense exhibition, demonstrating Washington's commitment to security on the Korean Peninsula.

It is expected to land at a Korean air base during the exhibition period.

Although the B-52s, considered a key strategic asset, along with the B-1B and B-2 bombers, have been deployed to joint drills between Seoul and Washington, it will mark the first time that one has landed at a Korean air base.

Additionally, the EA-18G Growler, an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, was displayed to the Korean public for the first time.

Korean companies showed their latest weapons systems and technologies to boost defense exports in the hope of building momentum from the large-scale arms deals in Poland.

Last year, Korea's arms exports hit a record high of 24.2 trillion won ($17.9 billion), according to Morgan Stanley, as it signed major contracts with Poland to supply K2 tanks, K-9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.

The defense ministry has unveiled a goal to carve out a 5 percent share of the global arms export market by 2027 to become the world's fourth-largest defense exporter.

The first four days will host various seminars and forums for defense industry officials before the exhibition is opened to the general public in the last two days. (Yonhap)
(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 17 - Another femicide is feared to have happened earlier this year near Parma amid a wave of murderous violence against women in Italy.

Alessandra Ollari, 53, went missing from her home in June and police now think she may have been murdered, the Gazzetta di Parma reported Tuesday.

Her partner, Ermete Piroli, reported the disappearance to the police saying she had not come home from shopping on JUne 29, but there several witnesses have now come forward to say she had not been seen for at least a year, the Parma area daily said.

The suspected murder probe is currently against person or persons unknown.

Most femicides are perpertrated by current or former partners.

(ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 17 - Two men were arrested by the Digos security police in Milan on Tuesday in an anti-terrorism operation, prosecutors said.

The pair - an Egyptian and an Italian of Egyptian origin - are accused of criminal association for terrorism and instigation to commit crime for terrorism purposes.

Milan prosecutor Marcello Viola said the suspects were "extremely active in digital propaganda and proselytism on behalf of ISIS" and had allegedly "sworn an oath of belonging and loyalty" to the Islamist terror group.

They are also accused of financing the causes of the so-called Islamic State.

Photo: an archive image of Italian police. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 17 - British novelist Zadie Smith on Tuesday got the seal of the city from Milan.

Mayor Giuseppe Sala hailed her as the "author of multicultural London, always in tension between tradition and modernity, just like Milan." He added "you'll always be welcome in Milan".

White Teeth author Smith, who lived in Rome for a time, thanked Sala in Italian saying "I love this country and I love Milan.

The only thing that would have made me happier than this seal d if you has handed me an Italian passport to make me European again".

Smith's latest novel The Fake, her first historical novel, is just out from Mondadori. (ANSA).


The BBC said it expects and welcomes scrutiny of the way it covers the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The corporation has come under fire for not referring to Hamas as a terrorist organisation and been accused of bias against both Israel and Palestine.

Under its editorial guidelines, the BBC said it does not use the word terrorist but attributes it and makes it clear that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government.

A statement from the BBC board, after its regular monthly meeting, said: No one who has watched or listened to harrowing reports over the last 10 days could be left in any doubt about the horror brought about by Hamass attack on defenceless civilians in Israel.

As this war continues, with so many deaths of innocent civilians in both Israel and Gaza, the BBC will no doubt continue to come under scrutiny about the way in which we cover it  that is to be expected and also welcomed. The BBC is listening.

Protesters outside BBC Broadcasting House, London, calling for the BBC to change its stance on not labelling Hamas as terrorists (PA)

We believe that our editorial guidelines serve us well, and continue to serve us well in difficult circumstances; we do periodically review them as a matter of course, and when we do so at our next planned review in the spring, we will consult and debate these issues just as we always do.

The board also expressed its thanks to the teams across the BBC that have been covering the conflict, adding: Its the BBCs job to inform people about what is happening and to explain as best we can, so that the audience can come to their own conclusions.

The surest way to do this is through frank, compassionate and, where appropriate, explicit reportage of what happened: that is the role of the BBC.

Audiences turn to us for clarity in a chaotic world, and along with the rest of the media, the BBC plays an essential role in helping to explain these events to them. That is what we were set up for, and for over 100 years it is the job that we have been proud to do on behalf of the British people.

On Monday, the BBC said it has received complaints about its coverage of the conflict and there have been accusations of bias from both sides.

The complaints are in the high hundreds, rather than the thousands, it is understood.

Also, on Monday, hundreds of protesters booed the BBC and demanded the corporation labels Hamas as terrorists at a rally outside Broadcasting House.

The National Jewish Assembly hosted the rally alongside the UK Lawyers for Israel, the Campaign Against Antisemitism and the European Jewish Association.

Protesters placed posters of kidnapped Israelis on a wall opposite the BBCs headquarters while others chanted, prayed and waved Israeli flags for about 90 minutes.

Red paint was sprayed over the entrance to the headquarters by Palestine Action (PA)

It comes after a pro-Palestinian group claimed responsibility for vandalising Broadcasting House with red paint as a protest over its coverage of the conflict on Saturday.

Palestine Action accused the broadcaster of having blood on its hands.
A British teenager was among those murdered by Hamas during its attack on Israel.

Yahel Sharabi, 13, was killed along with her mother, Lianne, while her elder sister, Noiya, 16, and her father, Eli, are still missing.

The teenager disappeared after militants attacked Kibbutz Beeri and murdered her British-born mother.

The girls death has been confirmed by her family, the Israeli embassy in London said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak updated Cabinet on Tuesday with the latest developments from the conflict, telling ministers Hamas were responsible for the murder and suspected abduction of British nationals.

At least six Britons were killed in the Hamas attacks on October 7, with a further 10 missing  some feared dead.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell told the BBC the Government is extremely concerned about British hostages being held by Hamas and on Sky News he said we pray that they are alive.

Palestinians rescue a survivor from a destroyed house hit by an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis (Mohammed Dahman/AP)

Mr Mitchell was unable to elaborate on the efforts to secure their release, but insisted to LBC: The entire resources of the British Government are involved in doing everything we can to get our citizens back.

At least 1,400 people were killed, many of them civilians, and thousands more injured in Hamass attack.

At least 2,778 Palestinians have died as Israel launched air strikes on Gaza and cut off fuel, water, food and medical supplies from entering the cramped territory, which is home to more than two million people.

British officials are working to secure the opening of the Rafah crossing to allow Britons to flee to Egypt and for humanitarian aid to get into Gaza.

Mr Mitchell told Times Radio that Israel had both a moral and a practical responsibility on the issue.

We stand absolutely foursquare behind Israels right to defend itself, but all of us want to see the fighting contained.

Britain urged Israel to restore the supply of water to Gaza, and refused to say whether its ally is complying with international law during its siege.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said talks are ongoing with Israel as the UK is keen to see water restored, as he declined to say whether Israel had kept within legal limits.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the Government is doing all it can to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas (James Manning/PA)

We continue to urge Israel, as a democracy we work closely with, to act within international law in their actions, I think they are taking steps to do that, he said.

Mr Mitchell told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that US President Joe Bidens visit to Israel could be a significant fillip to getting humanitarian relief through.

Mr Biden is travelling to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday amid concerns the Israel-Hamas conflict could spiral into a wider regional issue.

As well as his talks in Israel, the US president will meet King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz travelled to Israel for an impromptu visit on Tuesday, while French President Emmanuel Macron said he will travel to the region as soon as I consider that we have a useful agenda and very concrete actions to drive forward.

Downing Street would not comment publicly on whether Mr Sunak would head to the region.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Well set out travel plans in the usual way, I couldnt get into speculation.

Israeli air strikes continued early on Tuesday, even inside the evacuation zone where Israel had told residents to gather in advance of the expected ground assault on Gaza.
President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged on Tuesday to enhance the competitiveness of the country's defense industry, saying that it is writing new history in a rags-to-riches narrative.

Yoon made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023 at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, just south of Seoul. The event will run for six days until Sunday.

This year's ADEX is set to bring together approximately 550 companies from 35 countries and is expected to draw around 30,000 visitors, including over 114 military and defense officials from 55 countries, making it the largest-ever edition of this biennial event, which was first launched in 1996.

"The country that once depended on assistance and imports has now leaped to the level of independently producing state-of-the-art fighter jets and exporting them," Yoon said, adding that the nation's defense industry is writing new history.

Last year, Korea's arms exports hit a record high of 22.9 trillion won ($17.9 billion), according to Morgan Stanley, as it signed major contracts with Poland to supply K2 tanks, K-9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.

"The defense industry is a strategic national industry that supports national defense and the economy," Yoon said, adding that the government aims to create an ecosystem that enhances global competitiveness.

Yoon also highlighted that this year's ADEX will feature the participation of U.S. forces, demonstrating the overwhelming capabilities of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jet will conduct a demonstration flight in its public debut, which will be joined by U.S. military aircraft, including the F-22 stealth jet, F-16 fighter jet, T-50 trainer jet and U-2 spy plane, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bilateral alliance this year.

Boosting the competitiveness of arms exports has been one of the key objectives of the Yoon administration.

Earlier this year, the government established a public-private consultative body that brings together the presidential National Security Office, the defense, foreign and industry ministries, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and defense companies to discuss strategies for boosting arms exports.

Alongside the defense industry, Yoon also emphasized the significance of aerospace technology and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which could be crucial in future battlefields.

"Our government actively supports the aerospace industry that will lead the new space era, with the goal of becoming one of the world's top five space technology nations," Yoon said.

Yoon also highlighted his administration's preparations to launch a state aerospace agency, one of his key campaign promises.

"The public and private sectors will closely collaborate to drive the advancement of the aerospace industry, with the newly established aerospace agency at its core," Yoon said. (Yonhap)
A Cambridge-educated mother-of-four who became a barrister more than 35 years ago has been made a Supreme Court justice.

Dame Ingrid Simler, who has been a Court of Appeal judge for more than four years, will replace Lord Kitchin, who recently retired.

Her appointment was announced by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

We are delighted to announce that Lady Justice Simler will join the Supreme Court from November. Her exceptional career as a barrister and Judge, alongside her expertise in employment, public, tax, and criminal law will be highly valuable to us at UKSC. Welcome Dame Ingrid! pic.twitter.com/NXRrdE9ez1  UK Supreme Court (@UKSupremeCourt) October 17, 2023

A Supreme Court spokeswoman said Lady Justice Simler, who was a High Court judge between late 2013 and mid-2019, is the fifth woman to become a Supreme Court justice.

She said there are currently 10 male justices and one woman  Lady Rose.

The spokeswoman said the King made the appointment, on the advice of the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, following recommendations by an independent selection commission.

Dame Ingrid Simler was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 1987, having read law at Cambridge University, and completed a post-graduate diploma in EU law at the Europa Institute, University of Amsterdam, said the spokeswoman.

Lady Justice Simler is married with four children.

Supreme Court President Lord Reed said: I am delighted to welcome Lady Justice Simler as a Justice to the Supreme Court.

He added: She will bring exceptional experience and ability to the court following a distinguished career as a barrister and judge.

Her experience in employment law, tax, public law and criminal law will be highly valuable to the Supreme Court and will further strengthen us as a world-leading court.

Meanwhile, a new female High Court judge has broken with tradition by opting for the title Ms Justice not Mrs Justice.

Chambers is delighted to announce that the King has appointed our door tenant Ruth Henke KC to be a High Court Judge. Ruth will take up her appointment from the 29 September 2023 and will be known as The Honourable Ms Justice Henke. Ruth will be assigned to the Family pic.twitter.com/PbuNBIfoSN  1GC Family Law (@1GCFamilyLaw) September 21, 2023

Barrister Ruth Henke KC, who recently began overseeing cases in the Family Division of the High Court, will be known Ms Justice Henke.

Her appointment was recently announced by the Judicial Office.

A spokeswoman for the Judicial Office said the prefix of Mr, Mrs or Ms is a matter for the individual High Court judge in consultation with senior judiciary.

Ms Justice Russell, who also oversees family cases, was the first judge to opt for the title Ms Justice, in 2014.
JK Rowling has responded to a tweet about a Harry Potter fan (Getty) (TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)

JK Rowling has said kidnapping is "despicable" in the Israel-Gaza war after the story of a young Harry Potter fan has surfaced, saying: "This picture hits home with me."

She wrote: "Kidnapping children is despicable and wholly unjustifiable. For obvious reasons, this picture has hit home with me. May Noya and all hostages taken by Hamas be returned soon, safely, to their families."

Her words were shared with her 13.9million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday evening.

The world famous author was responding to a photograph she had been sent of a girl Noya, 12, dressed up as a character from Harry Potter.

Kidnapping children is despicable and wholly unjustifiable. For obvious reasons, this picture has hit home with me. May Noya and all hostages taken by Hamas be returned soon, safely, to their families. https://t.co/YIbf3egib4  J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 16, 2023

It had been reported the girl was taken from her home and taken to Gaza by Hamas.

"This beautiful 12 year old girl with autism was kidnapped from her home by Hamas terrorists and was taken to Gaza. Noya, is sensitive, kind, funny and a massive Harry Potter fan. @jk_rowling can you help us get her story out? Share this and help us bring Noya home," the State of Israels official account wrote, reaching out to JK Rowling.

Following her post, JK Rowlings social media was awash with comments from many people responding to her words.

Among the comments, one said: "All children are innocent. All violence against children is despicable. This includes kidnapping them & dropping bombs on them from high up & calling it collateral damage. These actions are exactly the same & both should be condemned."

JK Rowling's books are loved all over the world (Getty) (Jacob King - PA Images via Getty Images)

Others said: "Though no words can ease your sorrow. But the whole world stands with the families of the victims in this hour of grief. I pay my heartfelt tribute to all the innocent deceased children, women and elderly people."

"Thanks for your support."

On Monday, Israel reported more than 1,400 citizens  including children  have been killed since Saturday 7 October.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian health ministry said on Monday afternoon that at least 2,750 Palestinians have been killed  also including children.

Read more: Israel-Gaza
Nigel Farage has hit out at a totalitarian decision after GB News was removed from the internal television system at the Welsh Parliament.

The GB News presenter and former Brexit Party leader joined Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies in condemning the move.

A spokesman for Elin Jones, the Senedds Llywydd  the presiding officer  said the channel was removed following a broadcast that was contrary to our parliaments values.

A spokesman for Llywydd Elin Jones said GB News had broadcast an item that was contrary to our parliaments values (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox was sacked by the channel earlier this month following comments he made on-air about a female journalist, including asking who would want to shag that?.

The decision to remove GB news will be considered by the Senedds cross-party commission at a later date, with the channel still available online.

The spokesman for Ms Jones said: GB News has been removed from the Senedds internal television system following a recent broadcast that was deliberately offensive, demeaning to public debate and contrary to our parliaments values.

There are now several ongoing Ofcom investigations into the channel.

The commission will discuss the issue at a future meeting, and staff and members who wish to view GB News will still be able to do so online in the Senedd.

Nigel Farage condemned the decision (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Mr Davies said: This is a disgraceful decision. Its censorship. Pure and simple.

Although the decision was taken by the Senedd, rather than Mark Drakefords government, Mr Farage hit out at Labour.

This shows just how awful the Welsh Labour administration is, he said. They are totalitarian in their thinking and behaviour.

Is this what lies in store for the whole of the UK under (Sir Keir) Starmer?

36 more Senedd members and one less news channel Plurality of the media is crucial to ensure a functioning democracy. Its appalling that the Labour Welsh Government has imposed a blanket ban on watching @GBNEWS on Senedd TVs.  David TC Davies MP  (@DavidTCDavies) October 17, 2023

Welsh Secretary David Davies also accused Mr Drakefords administration of imposing a blanket ban on the station on Senedd televisions, calling it an appalling move.

Plurality of the media is crucial to ensure a functioning democracy, he said.
Google and the University of Cambridge have agreed a joint research partnership that will see the tech giant provide a grant for a new AI research centre.

The long-term agreement will allow for collaboration between researchers and scientists from Google and Cambridge in the development of responsible artificial intelligence designed to benefit people.

The technology giant has become the first funding partner for the universitys Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence, which is researching areas including responsible AI, robotics, human-machine interaction, healthcare, economic sustainability and climate change.

Next month, the UK will host an AI safety summit, where governments, researchers and tech giants are expected to discuss the potential opportunities and concerns around the technology.

On the new Google and Cambridge agreement, Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: Artificial intelligence can offer us enormous opportunities  growing the economy, creating new jobs and making lives longer, healthier and happier for British people.

To seize those opportunities, we must bring together insights from business and academia to encourage the safe and responsible development of AI. That is why we are welcoming the partnership which Google and the University of Cambridge have announced today.

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan welcomed the partnership between Google and the University of Cambridge (Aaron Chown/PA)

As we prepare for next months AI safety summit, this partnership shows that the UK  home to world-leading research facilities as well as some of the biggest tech companies in the world  is perfectly placed to support the innovation that underpins this critical technology.

The new agreement builds on years of existing collaboration between Google and the University of Cambridge.

Matt Brittin, president of Google EMEA, said: AI has huge potential to benefit people across the world  whether its through making daily life that bit easier, or by tackling some of societys biggest challenges.

Its vital that we work together to seize this opportunity. By collaborating with one of our world-leading British academic institutions, we can enable AI research that is bold, responsible and designed to meet the needs of people across the country.

This partnership also reaffirms Googles commitment to the UK as a global AI and technology leader.

Professor Anna Korhonen, director of the University of Cambridge Centre for Human-Inspired Intelligence, said: Here at the Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence our researchers are dedicated to making sure that people are put at the very heart of new developments in AI.

As our first funding partner, Google has been with us from the start of our journey, helping enable the breakthrough interdisciplinary research that we do.

Partnerships like this  between academia and industry  will continue to be vital for the successful development of human-inspired AI.
Ukrainians who fled to the UK from war must be given certainty over their futures including around visa extensions and in the face of rising costs and the risk of homelessness, a report has said.

The National Audit Office (NAO) said the generosity of the public in opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees had allowed the Government to work quickly to help tens of thousands come to safety since March 2022.

But decisions will need to be taken by ministers about future funding and visas and consideration given to the threat of homelessness as sponsorships end, according to the head of the body which scrutinises public spending for Parliament.

Gareth Davies, comptroller and auditor general of the NAO, said: The Government worked quickly to help Ukrainians fleeing conflict, enabled by the generosity of the British people who opened their homes.

The Government will soon need to take important decisions about the future of the scheme, including whether to extend visas beyond three years, and whether to extend funding for local authorities and sponsors, which currently finishes before visas expire.

It will also need to carefully monitor key risks, such as safeguarding, and the threat of homelessness as sponsorships end.

The NAO report, published on Tuesday, said the Government had successfully supported 131,000 Ukrainians to come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme between March 18 2022 and August 28 2023, meeting Governments overall objective of bringing Ukrainians to safety.

It added: The generosity of the British public in hosting people from Ukraine meant that the Governments taskforce was able to establish the scheme quickly, and Government put in place arrangements to manage important risks at the start.

The latest Government figures show that, as of October 9, arrivals via the scheme, which is also known as the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, numbered 134,700.

But the NAO said the schemes future is not yet clear.

The report said: Because of the uncertainty for Ukrainians in the UK, Government will soon need to make several decisions, including whether to provide thank you payments for the third year of visas, and what additional funding, if any, to provide to local authorities to continue to support the scheme.

In making its decision, Government will need to also consider the desire of the Ukrainian government for people to return once it is safe for them to do so. Some Ukrainians now have less than 18 months remaining on their visa, introducing new challenges for individuals and local authorities.

Government will also need to carefully monitor the schemes key risks, such as safeguarding, and particularly the threat of rising homelessness as more sponsorships end.

By the end of August, the report said local authorities had reported to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that 4,890 households in England on Homes for Ukraine visas had been homeless or were at risk of being homeless.

This was 8% of the 65,117 households in England using the visas, the NAO said.

Since the start of this year, at any one time, roughly 600 to 800 Ukrainian households have been living in temporary accommodation in England, the report said, although the department does not know how many of these households are on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

As more sponsorship arrangements come to an end the risk of homelessness is likely to increase, the report said.

Meg Hillier, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: The British publics support allowed the Government to temporarily support 131,000 Ukrainians seeking refuge from war since March 2022.

However, todays NAO investigation shows that more needs to be done to ensure Ukrainians are getting the support they need and prevent rising numbers becoming homeless. Government should also decide quickly on visa extensions to give Ukrainians the certainty they deserve over their futures.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils, said it has a huge concern around funding and serious concerns around the growing number of Ukrainians presenting as homeless.

Its senior vice-chairman, Kevin Bentley, said: We want to work with Government to review and confirm funding to ensure all families are helped to find permanent homes, jobs and schools and how best to support new and existing sponsors to open up their homes.

This is alongside the need for urgent and joint solutions to pressing housing needs, given the growing demand from across all the schemes that welcome new arrivals to the UK, as well as broader increases in homelessness and housing pressures locally.

Earlier this month a survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggested more than two-thirds of current hosts under the Homes for Ukraine scheme said the rising cost of living is affecting their ability to provide support for those they have taken in.

Ukrainians who fled the war to seek refuge in the UK are also facing difficulties affording costs, as they try to move into private rented accommodation, the findings suggested.

So-called thank you payments to hosts were 350 a month during the first 12 months but were increased to 500 once the guest has been in the UK for 12 months, in a move by the Government aimed at helping sponsors who can host for longer periods.

A Government spokesperson welcomed the NAOs recognition of efforts to support Ukrainians and said ministers are grateful to the extraordinary generosity of sponsors across the UK, as well as the hard work of local councils, volunteers and charities.

They added: We will provide an update on the future of the scheme well before the first visas expire.
Climate activists including Greta Thunberg have gathered outside a central London hotel where oil executives are meeting to demand they remove their money from national politics.

They say that fossil fuel companies are deliberately slowing the global energy transition to renewables in order to make more profit, highlighting how this years UN climate conference president is also the CEO of an oil company.

Organised by the group Fossil Free London, the protesters attempted to block access to the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane by sitting and standing on the pavement by the entrance.

Police remove an activist during the protest (Lucy North/PA)

Five people were arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway and taken into custody, the Metropolitan Police said.

The activists said they will continue their actions throughout the planned Energy Intelligence Forum, which is due to last over the following three days.

Addressing journalists outside the hotel, Miss Thunberg said: The world is drowning in fossil fuels. Our hopes and dreams and lives are being washed away by a flood of greenwashing and lies.

It has been clear for decades that the fossil fuel industries were well aware of the consequences of their business models, and yet, they have done nothing.

The opposite  they have actively delayed, distracted and denied the causes of the climate crisis and spread doubts about their own engagement in it.

Greta Thunberg joins protesters from Fossil Free London outside the InterContinental in central London (Lucy North/PA)

Dozens of protesters blocked Hamilton Place at both ends with banners and pink umbrellas with eyes painted on, shouting oily money out and cancel the conference, while others lit yellow and pink smoke flares.

A white fence surrounded the hotel entrance keeping protesters out while police smuggled conference attendees through the crowd of chanting activists and a samba band.

Miss Thunberg said: We cannot let this continue. The elite of the oil and money conference, they have no intention of transition.

Their plan is to continue this destructive search of profits. That is why we have to take direct action to stop this and to kick oil money out of politics.

We have no other option but to put our bodies outside this conference and to physically disrupt. And we have to do that every time, we have to continue showing them that they are not going to get away with this.

During the demonstration, activists from Greenpeace abseiled down from the roof of the hotel to unfurl a banner reading make big oil pay, while a strong wind billowed the message and the protesters against the side of the building.

Maja Darlington, a campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: Oil bosses are toasting each other in a luxury hotel and plotting how to make even larger profits, while millions struggle to rebuild after a summer of extreme weather.

Big oil is profiting from humanitys loss and those who have done the least to cause climate change are being forced to pay the price.

Protesters are demanding that oil elexutives remove themselves from national politics (Lucy North/PA)

Speakers at the conference include the chief executives of Saudi Arabias Aramco and Norways Equinor, the German ambassador to the UK and Graham Stuart, UK energy security and net zero minister.

Mr Stuart has previously said that allowing oil and gas companies to continue drilling the North Sea for resources is necessary for energy security.

Protesters and energy analysts have said any new fossil fuel projects, such as Rosebank which was recently granted consent to begin operations, would have no immediate effect on consumer bills and would mostly be sold abroad.

Lauren McDonald, a campaigner against Rosebank, said: The only reason that they continue to pursue this is for profit, there is no justification for this.

So as we head into another round of climate talks, we are demanding that Norway  that wealthy happy country that is powered by green energy at home  we are demanding that Norway stops putting the brakes on other countries energy transitions.

We are demanding that Norway stops profiteering while others around the world are struggling to pay their bills, struggling to live and struggling to survive in our destabilising climate.

Protesters attempted to block access to the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane (Lucy North/PA)

On the arrests, a Met Police statement said: At 7.18am we responded to reports of a protest outside a hotel in Park Lane.

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway and taken into custody.

Officers remain in the area.
Humza Yousaf has just finished his keynote speech to the SNP conference in Aberdeen, his first as leader of the party.

It comes during a turbulent period for the SNP, with a significant by-election loss and the defection of an MP to the Conservatives earlier this month.

Here are some of the key points:

 Council tax will be frozen in the upcoming Scottish Budget. A consultation earlier this year suggested properties on Band E or higher could face rises of between 7.5% to 22.5%. However, the move has already caused concern among the SNPs partners in the Scottish Government, the Scottish Green Party.

 The Scottish Government will issue its first financial bonds on the international market. Mr Yousaf said this would be subject to due diligence and would fund infrastructure projects like affordable housing.

 Mr Yousaf called for an international refugee programme to be set up for those fleeing violence in the Gaza strip. Over the past few days, he has spoken emotionally about his family members who are trapped in the enclave amid the ongoing military action.

 He insisted that support for independence can be built into a sustained majority. He said this would happen by focussing on the why rather than the how of independence. Recent opinion polls have found support for independence at just below 50% when the dont knows are removed.

 The SNP leader confirmed the first line of the partys general election manifesto would read Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country. On Sunday, SNP members backed his proposal for independence negotiations to begin if the SNP win a majority of Scottish seats at the next general election.

 He used part of his speech to offer a thank you to his predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon. She spoke to journalists at the conference on Monday, saying he was doing a fantastic job. Mr Yousaf said: We will never forget that in the toughest of times our country faced, Nicola was the calmest of voices and the coolest of heads.

 Hitting out at his political opponents, he said Home Secretary Suella Braverman had used dog-whistle language about migrants, accusing her of stoking a culture war. Taking aim at the Labour leader, he said he had no idea what Keir Starmer stands for.

 The First Minister pledged an extra 300 million for the NHS in Scotland over the next three years. He said the cash could bring down waiting lists by 100,000.

 Mr Yousaf also set out support for women experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland. Those who wish to leave an abusive partner will be able to receive up to 1,000 as part of a new, pilot fund.

 The Scottish Government will invest up to 500 million in the next five years for the offshore wind supply chain in Scotland. Mr Yousaf said this would send a clear message to global investors  Scotland means business.
Watch: 'I thought I could cure my UTI with cranberry juice until it gave me sepsis'

If Id known how ill you could get from ignoring a UTI, I never wouldve left it." That's the message Maisie Lewis wants to share after she developed deadly sepsis.

After noticing she needed to use the toilet more frequently, the 20-year-old, hair stylist from Cardiff tried to "flush out" the mild Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) with "water and cranberry juice" for the next four days.

But her symptoms, including "excruciating" lower back and pain while passing urine merely got worse, and lead to her making an appointment with her GP.

She was sent home with antibiotics, but deteriorated quickly and was rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with urosepsis - a specific type of sepsis which develops from UTIs and cystitis when it is left untreated.

Read more: Woman raising awareness of sepsis after what she presumed was a cold led to the condition (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)

Maisie Lewis wants to raise awareness about sepsis after her UTI lead to the potentially deadly infection. (Maisie Lewis/SWNS) (Maisie Lewis/SWNS)

Lewis first noticed her symptoms in late August, while on holiday in Milan.

Aside from needing to go to the toilet more frequently, she said she felt "absolutely fine".

But within four days of treating it by drinking lots of water and cranberry juice, Lewis says her symptoms became dramatically worse.

Her lower back became painful, and using the toilet was excruciating.

Suspecting a UTI, an infection in your bladder, kidneys or the tubes connected to them, after arriving home she visited her GP, who took a urine sample and prescribed a course of antibiotics.

Sepsis: Read more

Lewis says she wasn't worried as she regularly suffers from UTIs and had experienced worse in the past, but says her symptoms worsened over the coming days.

She experienced hot and cold flashes, dizziness, shakiness, and hallucinations  all common symptoms of sepsis and septic shock, according to the NHS.

After telling her parents, Lewis was rushed to the Prince of Wales Hospital, where she received her urosepsis diagnosis.

Maisie Lewis in hospital. (Maisie Lewis/SWNS) (Maisie Lewis/SWNS)

She was hooked up to a heart monitor, which showed her heart rate "skyrocketing" to 130 BPM, and was told her organs were beginning to shut down.

"I was given the strongest antibiotics you can possibly have," Lewis says. "I was hooked up to an IV drip; fluids constantly pumping through me.

"I was close to going into complete septic shock, but luckily they got to me in time. I couldnt stop shaking, was unable to breathe and I just felt really faint.

"I was also hallucinating, which I was told was common for urosepsis," she explains. "It was horrendous.

"The best way to describe it was like seeing an old film going round and round. I saw myself as a baby, I could hear my grandparents voices, it wouldnt stop."

During her first two nights in hospital, doctors monitored Lewis' condition 24/7, but after her second night she slowly began to improve.

She was discharged after six nights, but it took weeks for Lewis to get back on her feet.

"Ive only recently, in the last couple of weeks, felt back to normal," she explains.

"I cant believe all of this was caused by a UTI."

Lewis said she is only just recovering from her sepsis ordeal now. (Maisie Lewis/SWNS) (Maisie Lewis/SWNS)

Now she is feeling better, Lewis is keen to urge other women to take UTIs seriously and wants to raise awareness about what she believes to be a "lack of education" around the subject.

"None of my friends knew UTIs can get this bad," she explains.

"All Ive ever known is, drink a little cranberry juice and youll be fine, but it's just not that simple."

Lewis is calling for the topic to be taught during sex education classes in school.

"Every single woman has had a UTI, but not everyone knows just how bad things can get," she explains. "My body went through so much in such a short space of time."

"Ive since spoken to women who have had their legs and arms amputated, and parents of people who have died due to urosepsis.

"No matter how mild your symptoms are, go to the doctors, get antibiotics and get all the help you can. Dont just treat it like it'll pass on its own as it may not."

Additional reporting SWNS.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of people have been targeted by scams in the past year, a survey indicates.

Six in 10 (61%) people surveyed for NatWest said they now see more digital and online scams than real life cons, such as bogus sellers going door-to-door.

Eight in 10 (80%) of those surveyed are also concerned that impersonation fraud may become harder to spot in the next five years because of the rise in AI (artificial intelligence).

Nearly a fifth (18%) said they had replied to a message from an impersonator in the past, initially believing it was from a friend or family member.

One in seven (13%) people surveyed also said that they had previously lost money to fraud.

Some 2,000 people across the UK were surveyed by OnePoll in September.

Researchers also compiled a list of the top 10 scams people said they had been targeted with over the past year:

1. Phishing scams.

Fake emails, calls, messages or websites that seem to be from legitimate organisations which ask you to provide personal or financial information.

2. Trusted organisation scams.

Criminals impersonate trusted organisations such as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), energy companies or service providers, perhaps saying there is something wrong with your account or you owe a fine.

3. Refund scams.

Criminals impersonating trusted organisations offer bogus refunds and request personal or banking information.

4. Friend or family scams.

Messages sent to your phone or via social media claim to be someone you know asking for money urgently to pay bills.

5. Get rich quick scams.

Criminals claim people can make money quickly by investing in a company or goods.

6. Purchase scams.

Criminals place adverts for fake consumer goods and products online, on popular social media and even auction sites to gain money or information. Bogus offers may include games consoles, vehicles, concert and event tickets, designer clothing, pets or holidays.

7. Investment scams.

Criminals may encourage people to invest money in fake opportunities or pyramid schemes.

8. Safe account scams.

Criminals call pretending they are your bank or the police and that there has been fraudulent activity on your account, and to protect your funds you must move them to a new account to keep them safe.

9. Lottery cons.

Fraudsters claim someone has won a lottery prize, with a request to send over sensitive personal and/or financial information to claim it.

10. Befriending scams.

Criminals create fake accounts on social media and send connection requests, and after building up a friendship they ask for money, login information or other favours.

Stuart Skinner, head of fraud management retail banking at NatWest, said: We continue to see scams on the rise, especially through digital and social media channels.

With the increase in new digital tactics used by fraudsters, its becoming increasingly harder for consumers to spot, avoid and track.

Mr Skinner added: Talking about fraud with your family and friends is a good way to share information across generations and keep up to date with latest guidance.

This is particularly important following the increase in friends and family scams, where fraudsters impersonate a family member and ask for cash or information.

NatWests Fraud Prevention Team has some tips to avoid scams:

1. Discuss scams you are targeted by or hear about with your family and friends and share information about how to spot and avoid them.

2. Scammers may ask you to lie to your bank about what a payment is for. Never mislead your bank about the reason for a payment  if you are honest, the bank will be able to help you.

3. Be vigilant when buying from social media and online marketplaces or paying for an investment you have found online. Always do your research and if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Your bank, the police or other trusted organisations will never ask you to transfer money to keep it safe or ask for your full Pin, password or passcode.

5. Never respond to unsolicited calls, texts, emails or social media messages or open attachments that you feel might be suspect. They could be criminals attempting to steal your personal information.

6. Always check your payment requests are going to who you meant them to and pay attention to the scam warnings on your texts and in your banking app.

An HMRC spokesperson said: Criminals are great pretenders. They use emails, phone calls and texts to try and dupe citizens, and often mimic government messages to make them appear authentic.

Unexpected contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing, so take your time and check HMRC scams advice on www.gov.uk/guidance/identify-hmrc-related-scam-phone-calls-emails-and-text-messages

1. Discuss scams you are targeted by or hear about with your family and friends and share information about how to spot and avoid them.

2. Scammers may ask you to lie to your bank about what a payment is for. Never mislead your bank about the reason for a payment  if you are honest, the bank will be able to help you.

3. Be vigilant when buying from social media and online marketplaces or paying for an investment you have found online. Always do your research and if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Your bank, the police or other trusted organisations will never ask you to transfer money to keep it safe or ask for your full Pin, password or passcode.

5. Never respond to unsolicited calls, texts, emails or social media messages or open attachments that you feel might be suspect. They could be criminals attempting to steal your personal information.

6. Always check your payment requests are going to who you meant them to and pay attention to the scam warnings on your texts and in your banking app.

An HMRC spokesperson said: Criminals are great pretenders. They use emails, phone calls and texts to try and dupe citizens, and often mimic government messages to make them appear authentic.

Unexpected contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing, so take your time and check HMRC scams advice on www.gov.uk/guidance/identify-hmrc-related-scam-phone-calls-emails-and-text-messages.

Tax scams come in many forms. Some offer a rebate, others tell you that your tax details are out of date, or threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion. Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying theyre HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard. HMRC will also never ring up threatening arrest. Only criminals do that.

To help fight these crimes, forward suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Report tax scam phone calls to us on gov.uk. You can also contact HMRC directly but only use phone numbers from our contact details on gov.uk.

According to the National Cyber Security Centre  part of GCHQ  HMRC was the third most impersonated UK government body in 2022, behind the National Health Service and TV Licensing.
Professor Neil Ferguson, whose Covid modelling was instrumental to the UK going into lockdown, has denied stepping over the line and telling ministers they needed to shut down.

The scientist, who is director of the school of public health at Imperial College London and was a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) during the pandemic, was asked repeatedly during the Covid inquiry on Tuesday about why he had not given bigger warnings in early 2020 over the potential death toll.

He was also asked by the inquirys lead counsel, Hugo Keith KC, whether, despite his best endeavours, he had become involved in the determination of policy.

Professor Neil Ferguson denied that he stepped over the line during the Covid pandemic (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA)

Prof Ferguson replied: I know Im very much associated with a particular policybut the reality was a lot more complex.

I dont think I stepped over that line to say we need to do this now.

What I tried to do was, at times  which was stepping outside the scientific advisory role  to try and focus peoples minds on what was going to happen and the consequences of current trends.

Imperial College produced a wide range of models during the Covid pandemic.

One suggested that in the worst-case scenario, 65,000 Britons could die, while another suggested 500,000 would die if no action was taken to tackle the spread of the virus.

The inquiry also heard that Englands Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty was hoping it wont be as bad as we say days before the UK went into lockdown.

Prof Ferguson, who apologised to the inquiry for breaching lockdown rules himself, suggested he grew increasingly alarmed in the weeks leading up to lockdown about the thinking in Government on what should be done.

Prof @neil_ferguson is giving evidence to the Inquiry today. You can view it on the live stream through our YouTube channel now https://t.co/okjTPwEwEK pic.twitter.com/9lcyjs566u  UK Covid-19 Inquiry (@covidinquiryuk) October 17, 2023

In an email sent to fellow Sage members professors John Edmunds and Jeremy Farrar on March 13 2020 (10 days before lockdown), Prof Ferguson said he was amazed that Prof Whitty and then chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance had not appeared to ask NHS bosses if the NHS could cope with the numbers of sick people that would arise from Government policy.

At this point, the Government was still trying to contain the spread of the virus throughout the UK, though it did introduce public guidance to limit social contact a few days later.

In the email, Prof Ferguson further said he was modelling what would happen if schools shut and people worked from home and did not have a social life outside their home.

He told his colleagues he thought the previous days Sage meeting had got the message across, adding: I still think part of the issue is Chris is hoping it wont be as bad as we say.

Mr Keith asked him about the email during questioning,

Prof Ferguson replied that he had been reinforcing support for the estimates we were coming up with and Chris was naturally more conservativeand they were uncertain estimates.

Asked about an earlier Sage meeting on March 5 and why he did not warn the Government then that a crisis was coming, he said: It is not minuted  But that was about the time where both John Edmunds and myself got concerned about the slight air of unreality of some of the discussions and did start talking in the margins to members, well lets say Government attendees at Sage, saying do know what this is going to be like?'

Prof Ferguson was further pressed about thinking in the middle of March before lockdown.

I wasnt actually aware of what the Government was considering or wasnt considering at the time, he said.

I mean, in terms of what was going on within Cobra, I had no visibility of Cobra

There was a complete Chinese wall between Sage and Cobra so it was not as if Sage meetings started with a readout from Cobra about what the Government were thinking and planning to do.

We had almost no visibility in fact, in terms of operational planning.

It wasnt clear for instance, that exceeding healthcare NHS capacity.. was an absolute red line, really, until I would argue, the 14th of March, in terms of what we had been had been communicated to us as independent members of Sage.

He said if he were to put it in my recommendations for learning lessons for the future, the artificial divide between scientific advice and then operational planning and response was a hindrance.

He added: We have very little visibility of what was going on in terms of preparedness within Government. I would occasionally at the margins of Sage meetings hear a little, but nothing definitive.

I think even more so was the lack of visibility of what Government red lines were, what were the absolute constraints that policies had to adhere to?

I mean, red lines is one way of putting it  objectives would have been nice as well.

Earlier, Prof Ferguson said the UKs border control strategy in the early months of 2020 was only ever going to prevent a small fraction of infected people coming into the country.

He further agreed that measures adopted aimed at containing the virus in the early months of 2020 were never going to work.

The inquiry continues.
A U.S. strategic bomber B-52 landed in South Korea for the first time Tuesday, after it staged a commemorative flight over a biennial defense trade show in the country and joint air drills with South Korean stealth fighter jets.

The U.S. nuclear-capable bomber landed at an air base in Cheongju, 112 kilometers southeast of Seoul, after flying over Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, just south of the capital, to mark the opening of the six-day Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2023.

Although the B-52s  considered a key U.S. strategic asset  have previously been deployed over the Korean Peninsula for joint air drills with the South Korean Air Force, it marked the first time the bomber landed at an air base in the country.

Prior to the commemorative flight, the aircraft also took part in a combined air exercise over the peninsula with South Korean F-35A fighters, according to the South's Air Force.

"This exercise once again demonstrated the South Korean and U.S. Air Forces' outstanding combined operational capabilities and the U.S.' commitment to extended deterrence for the defense of the Republic of Korea," the armed service said, referring to South Korea by its official name.

Extended deterrence refers to the U.S. commitment to defending an ally using all of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons.

In April, the United States pledged to enhance the "regular visibility" of strategic assets on the peninsula as part of efforts to deter North Korea's military threats in a joint declaration issued by President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden during their summit in Washington. (Yonhap)
ITV presenter Richard Madeley is facing calls to be taken off air after he asked a senior Liberal Democrat MP if she knew Hamas was planning to kill innocent Israelis.

The Good Morning Britain host was accused of appalling behaviour by asking Layla Moran  who is of Palestinian descent  if she was aware in advance of the terrorist attack which saw more than 1,400 murdered.

The Lib Dems foreign affairs spokesperson had told the Commons about the bombing of her own relatives home in Gaza as she shared her profound emotions of loss and grief with the Jewish community.

But Mr Madeley asked her: With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen 10 days ago  was there any word on the street?

Taken aback, the senior Lib Dem politician replied: Not this, not this. Everyone, everyone has been surprised first of all by the timing and sophistication and they way that its happened.

Ms Moran added: I dont believe it is right that my family is being held accountable for what Hamas is done. It is a choice to turn off the water and the electricity and the way that has happened  I dont believe that is right.

Issuing an apology following widespread outrage, a Good Morning Britain spokesperson said: Richard is sorry that he has upset viewers with his question to Layla Moran.

They added: His intention was to understand the mood and atmosphere amongst the civilian population of Gaza immediately before the attacks  He did not mean to imply that she or her family might have had any prior knowledge of the attacks.

Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran (PA Archive)

Condemnation for Mr Madeley was swift  with some demanding the host to be removed from GMB hosting duties. Liz Jarvis, the Lib Dem candidate for Eastleigh, said Ms Moran had handled this situation with remarkable composure and dignity but Richard Madeley should apologise or be taken off air.

Ash Sarkar, the left-wing commentor and Novara Media editor, accused Mr Madeley of racism. This is no different from asking British Jews if they have any special warning about settlers attacking Palestinians. Outright racism from Richard Madeley, she tweeted on X.

Political commentator Jonathan Lis, deputy director of the British Influence think tank, called Mr Madeley Newsnight Alan Partridge and also accused him of racism.

He said the host had casually asked a British MP with Palestinian heritage whether her family connections gave her advance warning of Hamass massacre. Call this what it is: racism. He should unreservedly apologise or be taken off air.

Richard Madeley should be sacked for this.



Absolutely bloody shameful. https://t.co/lc6uyeleh3  Adam Cailler (@acailler) October 17, 2023

SNP activist Olaf Stando said Mr Madeley was so obscenely stupid and crass that he shouldnt be allowed anywhere near this topic.

Lets repeat: all Jewish people arent accountable for the Israeli governments actions, and all Palestinians arent accountable for Hamas actions.

Political and economic commentator Frances Coppola added: This is an outrageous question. Madeley should be ashamed of himself.

Ms Moran spoked about the struggles of her own relatives in the Commons on Monday, as Rishi Sunak made a statement about the six Britons killed and 10 missing in Israel.

My immediate family is in the West Bank  but we have extended family in Gaza city, she revealed. Their house was bombed by the IDF, they went to seek sanctuary in a church because we are Christian Palestinians  They say to me they have nowhere to go.

Ms Moran said she shared profound emotions of loss and grief with the Jewish community, before calling on Rishi Sunak to help work toward a Palestinian state to call our own at the end of it.
Greta Thunberg has been arrested in London during a climate protest at a glitzy oil industry summit.

The Swedish activist joined a large demonstration in central London on Tuesday outside of the Energy Intelligence Forum at the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane which draws some of the most powerful players in fossil fuels.

Video footage showed Ms Thunberg, wearing a badge with the slogan Oily Money Out, calmly listening as two police officers spoke to her, with one holding her arm.

She was then led towards a police van by two officers and put inside.

The Met Police said they have arrested 14 people under the Public Order Act to prevent serious disruption to the community, hotel and guests.

Officers asked the protestors to move from the road onto the pavement, which would enable them to continue with their demonstration without breaching the conditions, the police said in a statement.

A number of protestors failed to do so and we have now made a further 14 arrests for section 14 of the public order act and a further one for criminal damage.

Earlier in a speech, Ms Thunberg said people in power were knowingly leading us to the end of a precipice as she encouraged people to take direct action to stop this and to kick oil money out of politics.

We have no other option but to put our bodies outside this conference and to physically disrupt, she added. And we have to do that every time we have to continue showing them that they are not going to get away with this.

During the demonstrations, dozens of people attempted to block access to the hotel, chanting oily money out and cancel the conference.

Protestors from Fossil Free London and Extinction Rebellion beat drums, and waved banners and pink umbrellas as they vowed to continue to protest throughout the three-day Energy Intelligence Forum.

Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg is put in the back of a police van, while being detained, during an Oily Money Out protest in London (REUTERS)

The event, earlier known as Oil and Money conference, draws business and policy leaders to debate and shape sustainable solutions to the energy challenges of the 21st century.

The CEOs of oil giants like Saudi Arabias Aramco and Norways Equinor will speak at the event along with the German ambassador to the UK and Graham Stuart, UK energy security and net zero minister.

Sultan al-Jaber, the oil executive who is also chair of this years Cop28 climate summit, had been expected at the event. However the final attendees list did not include his name.

Demonstrators from Fossil Free London and Oily Money Out protest as oil companies attend the Energy Intelligence Forum in London (REUTERS)

At Tuesdays event, Ms Thunberg, who has been vocal in her criticism of UN climate summits, said Cop28 cannot be trusted because the fossil fuel industries are tightening their grip around their processes and dictating their outcomes.

Our world is being washed away by greenwashing and lies. The fossil fuel industry has actively distracted and delayed. They have created loopholes to allow their business to go on at the expense of the planet, she said.

We are choking from their fumes.

Director of Fo Robin Wells previously said: The main purpose of protesting this forum is to make it clear that the industry is not welcome to come to our city, is not welcome to schmooze our politicians, is not welcome to profit at the expense of the collective survival and the health of the one home that we all share.
Palestinians search through the rubble after Israeli air strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza - Ashraf Amra/Anadolu/Getty Images

Irans top diplomat has warned that Israel could face possible pre-emptive action within hours if it goes ahead with a widely expected ground invasion of Gaza.

Hossein Amirabdollahian, Irans foreign minister, told state TV: Leaders of the resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza... All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza.

It was not clear whether Mr Amirabdollahian was suggesting that Iran itself would enter the conflict, or if he was referring to the heavily-armed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, which is backed by Iran and has been engaged in skirmishes with Israel for years.

On Monday, Hezbollah said it had started destroying surveillance cameras on several Israeli army posts along the border.

On Sunday, Mr Amirabdollahian made a similar point when he threatened an expansion of war fronts if the war in Gaza did not stop.

Iran cannot stand idly by and watch this situation unfold, he told Al Jazeera.

01:01 AM BST

What happened today

Rishi Sunak declared the Hamas attacks on Israel a pogrom on Monday, the first international leader to do so

It was revealed that two British teenage girls are missing and six British citizens were killed in the Hamas assault

It was reported that Joe Biden, the US president, is considering a visit to Israel

In Gaza, US efforts to open the Rafah border into Egypt, allowing dual nationals to flee to safety, appeared to flounder

Hamas demanded the release of 6,000 Palestinians in exchange for what they claimed were up to 250 hostages held in Gaza

Irans foreign minister warned that if Israel pursued a full ground invasion the spread of the war to other fronts was approaching the unavoidable stage

28 Israeli communities were evacuated from within a 1.2-mile zone of the Lebanese border, where IDF jets have carried out bombing raids on Hezbollah

Mr Sunak also announced that the UK would give 10 million more in aid to Palestine, increasing the total by a third

Hamas on Monday night released what it is believed to be its first proof of life video of a hostage held in Gaza

The two million people trapped in Gaza face a growing humanitarian crisis, with supplies of water running low and healthcare facilities on the brink of collapse

Follow the latest updates in Tuesdays live blog

12:22 AM BST

Israel hits Lebanon targets

The Israeli army is striking military targets of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah on Lebanese territory, read a statement from the Israeli military.

It did not give information about the location of the strikes or casualties. Lebanon is yet to comment.

Since the start of the war triggered by the unprecedented attack by Hamas, clashes on the Israel-Lebanon border have left around 10 people dead on the Lebanese side, mostly combatants but also a Reuters journalist and two civilians.

On the Israeli side, at least two people have been killed.

The international community fears an escalation of the conflict between the pro-Iran Lebanese Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, and the Israeli army.

A growing number of Israeli troops have been mounting near the Lebanon border, watching and waiting for Hezbollah fighters should they decide to invade like Hamas gunmen did 150 miles south in Gaza.

Read more: Inside the villages taking shelter from Hezbollah shells

11:59 PM BST

US raises civilian safety with Israel

Lloyd Austin, the US Defence Secretary, has reportedly spoken to his Israeli counterpart to reiterate the need to avoid escalating the conflict.

In a statement, the Pentagon said that in the call with Yoav Gallant, Mr Austin emphasised civilian safety and thanked the Minister for efforts to restore safe drinking water access in Gaza.

It comes after Joe Biden, the US President, warned against reoccupying Gaza as he said during a television interview that he was confident Israel would do everything in its power to avoid killing innocent people.

11:45 PM BST

'Little Palestine' mourns child

Mourners have gathered in the US to remember Wadea Al-Fayoume, a six-year-old boy allegedly murdered by his familys landlord in what authorities allege was a hate crime linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Police allege the boy and his mother, Hanaan Shahin, were attacked by their landlord on Saturday in Plainfield Township, southwest of Chicago. Wadea was stabbed 26 times while his mother suffered multiple wounds. She is expected to survive.

Oday El-Fayoume, the boys father, told a press conference before the funeral that he was neither religious nor political but that he hoped his sons death would promote understanding of what was happening in the Middle East.

Palestinian flags hung from the windows of cars in a procession toward a mosque in the suburb of Bridgeview, a community known as Little Palestine for its heavy concentration of Palestinian Americans.

Its heartbreaking. This child did not deserve to die from what happened overseas, said Juhie Faheem, a neighbour of the boys family.

The conflict in Israel and Gaza has put Jewish and Palestinian Muslim communities on edge and fearful of a potential backlash.

Wadea Al-Fayoume died after the attack at his home - Family handout

09:53 PM BST

Israels security chief takes blame for not thwarting Hamas attack

Israels intelligence chief has taken personal responsibility for allowing Hamas terrorists attack on the country, writes Andrew Buncombe.

Ronen Bar said the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) had failed to thwart the invasion and that as head of the organisation, he was to blame.

Mr Bar said Shin Bet would conduct an inquiry into the breach, but only after the war had ended.

In a statement, he said: Despite a series of actions we carried out, unfortunately on Saturday we were unable to generate a sufficient warning that would allow the attack to be thwarted.

As the one who heads the organisation, the responsibility for this is mine. There will be time for investigations. Now we are fighting.

Read the full story here.

09:52 PM BST

Pro-Palestine group tells supporters to break into businesses supplying weapons to Israel

A British pro-Palestine group has told activists to smash windows and break into businesses suspected of supplying Israel with weapons, writes Catherine Lough.

Palestine Action has produced an Underground Manual with instructions for its supporters on how to form a cell, including hints on how to avoid detection. It also provides guidance on breaking into companies supplying Israel with weapons.

The group was co-founded by Extinction Rebellion and Christian Climate Action activist Richard Barnard, alongside Huda Ammori, a former campaign manager from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

The manual tells activists to use a secure browser when searching for complicity companies to target and says it is important that anyone planning an action is not being obvious as f when doing a recce.

Read the full story here.

09:51 PM BST

Hamas broadcasts video of 'prisoner' in Gaza

Hamas released a video of one of the prisoners in Gaza on Monday evening, showing a young woman speaking Hebrew.

The video, which could not immediately be verified, includes footage purportedly of the same woman receiving treatment for an arm injury.

According to the caption, she had been abducted on October 7, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel.

In the video, the first released by Hamas of a hostage purportedly speaking from captivity, the woman says she is from central Israel and appeals for her release.

09:17 PM BST

Watch: Protest held outside BBC headquarters

09:17 PM BST

Hamas says Israeli threat of ground invasion 'doesn't scare us'

Abu Obeideh, the spokesman of Hamass military wing, has said the threat of an Israeli ground invasion of the Gaza Strip doesnt scare us and we are ready for it.

In a televised statement, he said Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades were holding 200 people captive since its Oct 7 attacks, with about 50 others held by other resistance factions and in other places.

He said at least 22 hostages taken from Israel had been killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

He added that the group will release the foreign prisoners when conditions are ripe.

09:04 PM BST

Iran says 'preemptive action' by resistance front expected in hours

Irans top envoy said that a preemptive action could be expected in the coming hours, state TV reported, adding that Israel will not be allowed to take any action in the Gaza Strip without facing consequences.

Leaders of the Resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza. ... All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza, said Hossein Amirabdollahian, Irans foreign minister.

08:57 PM BST

British teenage sisters missing after attack by Hamas terrorists

Noiya (left), 16, and Yahel, 13, disappeared from Kibbutz Beeri on October 7

Two British teenage sisters are among those missing after Hamass terror attacks on Oct 7, writes Fiona Parker.

The family of Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, say they disappeared from Kibbutz Beeri.

On Sunday night it was confirmed that their mother, Lianne, 48, originally from Bristol, had been murdered.

The news broke hours after Rishi Sunak confirmed that at least six Britons had been killed with 10 still missing following the terror attacks.

It is understood that the girls lived with their mother, a dental technician, and father Eli, 51, a businessman.

Sources say Eli and his brother Yossi, 53, had lived on the kibbutz for many years before the attack took place.

Read the full story here.

08:38 PM BST

Hamas affiliates looted UN fuel and medicines in Gaza

People claiming to be affiliated with Hamas have reportedly looted a UN agency in Gaza, seizing fuel and medical supplies, writes Joe Barnes.

In tweets that were later deleted, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said it had seen reports that people with trucks removed supplies from its compound in Gaza City.

The agency said its staff were forced to evacuate its headquarters in Gaza City, in the northern part of the Strip, on a few hours notice on Friday night.

Since then, UNRWA has had no access to the compound and no additional details about the removal of the assets, the organisation said in a now-deleted tweet.

The agency said it had seen reports on social media that its compound had been looted by a group purporting to be from the ministry of health of the de facto authorities in Gaza.

It noted security cameras covering the compounds entrance and exit were damaged in recent days due to the conflict and had not been working.

Read the full report here.

08:37 PM BST

How Benjamin Netanyahu empowered Hamas... and broke Israel

There is a reasonable chance Benjamin Netanyahu will be remembered as both Hamass nemesis and its enabler, writes Paul Nuki.

Today, and for however long it takes the Israel Defense Force (IDF) to neuter the military wing of the Islamist group in Gaza, the great bulk of the countrys body politic will stand behind its leader.

In Gaza at least, Hamass capacity to wage jihad will be crushed, together with much of the political and paramilitary infrastructure through which it governs, analysts expect.

Although sharply cognisant of the attendant risks, few in the Israeli mainstream believe they have much choice given the terrible events of Oct 7.

Yet national unity is being delivered through gritted teeth.

Recent polling shows a significant majority of Israelis blame Mr Netanyahu not just for the military and intelligence failures that allowed the attack but for propping up the terrorist group in the first place.

Read the full story here.

07:49 PM BST

What could happen next?

07:46 PM BST

Watch: British children trapped in Gaza describe witnessing bombing

07:43 PM BST

Egypt says Gaza aid is stuck as Israel not cooperating

Egypt said on Monday that Israel was not cooperating with delivery of aid into Gaza and evacuations of foreign passport holders, leaving hundreds of tonnes of supplies stuck.

Cairo said the Rafah crossing, a potentially vital opening for desperately-needed supplies into the Israeli-besieged Palestinian enclave, was not officially closed but was made inoperable because of Israeli air strikes on the Gaza side.

There is an urgent need to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, said Sameh Shoukry, Egypts foreign minister, adding that talks with Israel had not been fruitful.

Until now the Israeli government has not taken a position on opening the Rafah crossing from the Gaza side to allow the entrance of assistance and exit of citizens of third countries.

07:30 PM BST

Blinken and Netanyahu forced to shelter in bunker

Antony Blinken and Benjamin Netanyahu were forced to shelter in a bunker for five minutes on Monday when air raid sirens went off in Tel Aviv during their meeting.

During the Secretarys meeting with PM Netanyahu and the war cabinet, the air raid sirens went off and they sheltered in bunker for five minutes, said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department.

07:19 PM BST

Protest held at BBC over its failure to call Hamas terrorists

Protesters wave Israeli flags outside the BBC headquarters in London - Jeff Gilbert

Around 500 people attended the protest on Monday evening - Toby Melville/Reuters

Around 500 people have attended a protest outside the BBCs headquarters in London over its failure to name Hamas as terrorists in the wake of its attacks on Israel.

Demonstrators carried Israeli flags and held posters which read: slaughtering Jewish babies is called terror.

Twelve uniformed police officers supervised the demonstration, with several marked vans parked nearby.

Dalia Hajioff, a spokesman for the National Jewish Assembly, said: Our primary focus remains unwavering: urging the BBC to rectify its characterisation of Hamas.

We unequivocally disassociate ourselves from extreme political ideologies. Our mission is to present a united front against the critical issue of the BBCs portrayal of Hamas as anything but terrorists.

The chief executive for the Campaign Against Antisemitism told the crowd: Hamas go door to door slaughtering people and there is a name for that terror.

06:50 PM BST

In pictures: Destruction in Gaza

Buildings lie destroyed at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza - Ashraf Amra/Anadolu/Getty Images

A Palestinian youth carries bread past destroyed buildings in Gaza City - MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

More than 2,750 Palestinians have been killed so far in the strikes on Gaza - MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

06:16 PM BST

Yousaf says wife's parents at risk of running out of food

Humza Yousaf has said his wifes parents are fast running out of food and drinking water in Gaza and could die if unable to leave soon.

The Scottish First Ministers parents-in-law live in Scotland but were visiting relatives in Gaza when Hamas militants poured into Israel and killed 1,300 people last weekend.

Mr Yousaf said Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla had limited themselves to an egg a day and sips of clean water as they rationed food so there was enough for their grandchildren.

Their supplies are going to run out very soon. They are down to their last rations... They are obviously thinking about the kids, he said.

If the border is not reopened, and there is no way out, people will die... My parents (in law) - I dont think I will see them again.

06:00 PM BST

Watch: Israeli air strike rocks ambulance carrying civilians

05:21 PM BST

Israel to arm civilian volunteers

Israeli police have announced that they will begin arming civilians to serve as first responders in cities nationwide.

Kobi Shabtai, the police commissioner, and Itamar Ben Gvir, the national security minister, said they had decided on expanding the first responder units operating under police auspices to all of the cities.

The 347 new units will be manned by 13,200 police volunteers, who will be enlisted and receive a rifle and protective gear.

04:46 PM BST

Putin says any form of violence against civilians unacceptable

Vladimir Putin has said that any form of violence against civilians is unacceptable, according to the Kremlin.

The Russian president discussed the escalation of the Israel-Palestinian conflict with the leaders of Iran, Egypt, Syria and the Palestinian Authority on Monday.

He reaffirmed Russias commitment to co-ordinate with all constructive partners to stop the fighting between Israel and the Palestinians.

04:41 PM BST

Gallant: 'The price will be high, but we are going to win'

Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, has told Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state: Let me tell you, Mr Secretary, this will be a long war, the price will be high, but we are going to win - for Israel, for the Jewish people and for the values that both countries believe in.

04:35 PM BST

Hezbollah targeted five Israeli posts

Lebanons militant Hezbollah group said it had targeted five Israeli posts along the border in the countrys south.

Hezbollah said in a statement that various types of direct weapons were used in the late Monday afternoon attack.

Its fighters have been destroying surveillance cameras placed on Israeli posts along the border amid heightening tensions.

04:28 PM BST

Possibility of conflict expanding to other fronts, says Raisi

Supporting the Palestinians is Irans foreign policy priority but the resistance groups make their own independent decisions, President Ebrahim Raisi told his Russian counterpart in a phone call on Monday, Iranian state media reported.

They quoted Raisi as also telling Russias Vladimir Putin: There is a possibility of the conflict between Israel and Palestinians expanding to other fronts.

04:20 PM BST

May says terrorists must be defeated wherever they are

Former Prime Minister Theresa May has called Hamas attacks barbaric.

Terrorists must be defeated whoever they are, wherever they are, May said.

She also commended the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary for the governments support of the Jewish community and Israels right to defend itself.

She asks the Sunak to commit to preventing an escalation of the conflict in the region.

04:16 PM BST

Netanyahu 'preparing for the continuation of war'

Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was preparing for the continuation of war in the north and the south.

The state of Israel, of course, cherishes the support of President Biden and the American people, Mr Netanyahu said.

We are preparing for the continuation of the war in the south and we are also prepared for war in the north.

04:14 PM BST

Sunak calls Hamas attack 'pogrom'

Sunak called Hamas attack which left at least six Britons dead was a pogrom.

The Prime Minister said: We should call it by its name. It was a pogrom.

04:00 PM BST

Extra 10 million for Palestine, Sunak says

The UK will increase its humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people by a third, sending an extra 10 million ($12 million), Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Monday.

An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding to which we must respond. We must support the Palestinian people because they are victims of Hamas too, he told parliament.

03:59 PM BST

WHO says Gaza has 24 hours of water, electricity and fuel left

The Gaza Strip has only 24 hours of water, electricity and fuel left, the regional head of the United Nations World Health Organization told AFP on Monday

03:56 PM BST

Six British people killed and 10 missing, says Sunak

Six British people have been killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict, with a further 10 missing, the PM said.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Rishi Sunak said: We call for the immediate release of all hostages and I say to them: we stand with you. We stand with Israel.

The murdered and the missing come from over 30 countries, including the United Kingdom.

The terrible nature of these attacks means it is proving difficult to identify many of the deceased but with a heavy heart I can inform the House that at least six British citizens were killed.

A further 10 are missing, some of whom are feared to be among the dead.

03:49 PM BST

Fuel and medical supplies seized from UN agency by people claiming to be Hamas

The UN agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees said people claiming to be affiliated with Hamas seized fuel and medical equipment from their compound in Gaza City.

Our staff were compelled to evacuate UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City on a few hours notice during the night of Friday October 15. Since then, UNRWA has had no access to the compound and no additional details about the removal of the assets, the organization said.

It noted security cameras covering the compounds entrance and exit were damaged in recent days due to the conflict and have not operated.

UNRWA fuel and other types of material are kept for strictly humanitarian purposes - any other use is strongly condemned, it added.

The organization said Sunday it is no longer able to provide humanitarian assistance, warning Gaza is running out of food, water and medicine.

03:08 PM BST

Rockets fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip

Rockets are fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. - AP Photo/Leo Correa

Thats all from me, Abbie Cheeseman, as I hand the blog back over to colleagues in London.

02:49 PM BST

British-Palestinian doctor in Gaza accuses police of 'harassing' his family in the UK

British-Palestinian doctor Ghassan Abu Sittah, who is volunteering in Gaza and providing the media with updates on the situation, claims the British counter-terrorism police have harassed his family.

British counter terrorism police has showed up at my house in the UK and harrased my family.  Ghassan Abu Sitta (@GhassanAbuSitt1) October 16, 2023

More on this as we get it.

02:44 PM BST

UN Security Council to convene tonight over violence in Israel and Gaza

The UN Security Council said it will discuss the Israel-Hamas war Monday, as the crisis deepens with Israel gearing up for a ground offensive in Gaza.

The council said it will start deliberations at 6:00 pm (2200 GMT).

Diplomats, AFP reports, say two competing draft resolutions are being discussed: one from Russia urging a ceasefire and delivery of humanitarian aid, but making no mention of Hamas, and one sponsored by Brazil, calling the Hamas attacks on October 6 that triggered the war an act of terrorism.

02:36 PM BST

Watch: Newly released footage shows moment Hamas stormed through border of Gaza into Israel

02:35 PM BST

Evacuation orders for 22 hospitals across Gaza a breach of international law, ActionAid says

The forcible evacuation of hospitals  is not only a breach of international law but also a grave affront to humanity, Action Aid said today.

Bisan, a humanitarian youth volunteer with ActionAid Palestine, said: Surprisingly we are still alive. Before becoming a shelter, this was one of the most important and largest hospitals in the Gaza Strip. The conditions here are miserable. We are without water, without food, without hygiene. People are sleeping and lying in the streets, in the corridors and everywhere inside the hospital. 22 hospitals in the Gaza Strip have been instructed by Israeli military forces to evacuate, but for many people they remain the only safe place to shelter. Currently, 35,000 people are sheltering in Gazas largest hospital, Al-Shifa.Forcibly evacuating hospitals is not only a breach of international law but also a grave affront to humanity with so many people injured and already suffering, needing urgent treatment and care. These actions compound the already dire humanitarian situation and place the lives of patients and the medical professionals committed to treating them at severe risk.

02:21 PM BST

Iran suggests hostages could be released if air strikes stop

Irans Foreign Ministry said Monday that Hamas potentially was ready to release the nearly 200 hostages it is holding if Israel stops its campaign of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Hamas has not acknowledged making such an offer. The Telegraph has approached Hamas officials for clarification.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani spoke at a news conference in Tehran.

Hamas officials stated that they are ready to take necessary measures to release the citizens and civilians held by resistant groups, but their point was that such measures require preparations that are impossible under daily bombardment by the Zionists against various parts of Gaza, Kanaani said.

02:14 PM BST

Watch: Israeli military target Hezbollah sites in Lebanon

02:09 PM BST

British embassy evacuates family members of staff from Lebanon

The British embassy in Lebanon has withdrawn family members of its staff, the FCDO has said in an update to travel advice, as the prospect of the Lebanon getting dragged into war by Hezbollah looms.

Last night the embassy asked Brits in the country to register their presence.

The embassy continues with essential work, including services to British nationals, it said.

Family members of staff at the embassy were also withdrawn in 2021 when Lebanons crisis reached such severity that fuel, electricity and medications were hard to come by.

02:05 PM BST

Lebanese army finds rocket launchers near the border

The Lebanese army has said it found 20 rocket launchers near the border with Israel.

The army said in a statement that four of the launchers discovered had rockets inside them and were ready to be fired. Military experts are working on dismantling the launchers that were discovered near the village of Qlaileh, the statement added.

Lebanon is in the eye of the storm, caretaker Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati said today during a televised address. The country, in the midst of economic and political chaos, is extremely keen to avoid getting dragged into war by Hezbollah.

01:52 PM BST

Destruction in Gaza

A view shows the remains of a Palestinian house destroyed in Israeli strikes in the central Gaza Strip October 15, 2023. - REUTERS/Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa

Palestinians carry a person wounded in Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. - AP Photo/Fatima Shbair

A Palestinian boy sits on the rubble of his building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. - AP Photo/Hatem Moussa

01:48 PM BST

Hamas attacked Israel without outside direction, it maintains

Ahmed Abdul-Hadi, the representative of Hamas in Lebanon, insisted Monday that the decision to launch the attack in southern Israel was made by Hamas leadership and not directed by Iran or any other outside party.

In event of a ground invasion of Gaza, allied groups will intervene, he said.

The war in Gaza is a Palestinian battle and the decision to enter it was a Palestinian decision made by Hamas and its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al Qassam Brigades, together with the Palestinian resistance factions, he said in an interview with The Associated Press ahead of a conference convened by the group in Beirut.

Hamas officials have denied that Iran was directly involved in planning the deadly attack or gave it the green light, and to date no government worldwide has offered direct evidence that Iran orchestrated the attack. However, many have pointed to Irans long sponsorship of Hamas that has included training, funding and providing it with weapons.

Abdul-Hadi said that Hamas allies Iran and Hezbollah will not allow Israel to crush Gaza or to launch a comprehensive ground attack, but that the groups have deliberately left ambiguity about when and how they would respond. This is up to the developments in the situation at the time.

In case of a ground attack, regardless of its level, or if more and more massacres continue to be committed in Gaza and Hamas is using up its resources, he said, there will be surprises announced.

01:44 PM BST

Biden cancels travel to attend security briefings

Joe Biden has cancelled a planned trip to Colorado on Monday to remain at the White House to participate in national security meetings, the White House said, amid the escalating situation in Israel.

Mr Biden had been due to travel to Pueblo, Colorado on Monday morning to tour a wind tower manufacturer and deliver a speech on his administrations investment in clean energy industries.

But early on Monday the White House announced the presidents trip to Colorado had been postponed.

01:43 PM BST

Iran ordered Hezbollah to attack border, says Israel

The Israeli army has claimed that Iran ordered attacks by Hezbollah on the Lebanese-Israeli border yesterday which killed a soldier and a civilian and injured three others.

Hezbollah carried out a number of attacks yesterday in order to try to divert our operational efforts [away from the Gaza Strip], under the direction and backing of Iran, while endangering the state of Lebanon and its citizens, chief military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said at a briefing with reporters.

Mr Hagari did not provide any evidence for his claim that Iran ordered the attacks. Hezbollah took responsibility for the attacks on the village of Shtula and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) posts yesterday, later saying that it was not an indication that it was entering the war, but a warning.

If Hezbollah dares to test us, the reaction will be deadly. The United States is giving us full backing, Mr Higari said.

As the ground offensive looms, analysts fear a ground invasion of Gaza may be the red line that prompts Hezbollah to fully enter the conflict and open the war on another front.

Iran last night warned Israel of regional war. If the Zionist aggressions do not stop, the hands of all parties in the region are on the trigger, Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said.

12:24 PM BST

Israel prepares for expected ground incursion

Israeli troops prepare weapons and armed vehicles near the southern city of Ashkelon on October 15, 2023 - GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

An Israeli armoured personnel carrier drives on a road at an undisclosed location on the border with the Gaza Strip on October 15, 2023 - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli troops prepare weapons and armed vehicles near the southern city of Ashkelon on October 15, 2023 - GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

12:20 PM BST

The UN health agency rushes medical supplies to Lebanon

The World Health Organisation has rushed medical supplies to Beirut today in preparation for the country possibly being dragged into the conflict by Hezbollah.

The UN agency said in a statement Monday that it has expedited the delivery of critical medical supplies to Lebanon in order to be ready to respond to any potential health crisis.

Two shipments containing enough surgical and trauma medicines and supplies to meet the needs of 800 to 1,000 injured patients arrived in Beirut from Dubai Monday the statement said.

In the grips of severe economic crisis, Lebanons healthcare system can get easily overwhelmed. There has been significant brain drain of medical staff from the country since the crisis began in 2019 and doctors regularly report shortages of equipment and medication.

Hezbollah has not fully entered the war but fighting across the border with Israel has been its most intense since the 2006 war. The paramilitary group has been sending what it describes as warning fire to Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza. Many fear that the Israeli ground incursion could be the red-line that would force them to enter the fray.

12:12 PM BST

Gaza in running out of body bags, UN warns

The number of killed is increasing. There are not enough body-bags for the dead in Gaza, a daily update from the UNs agency for Palestinian refugees says.

Over one million people  almost half the total population of Gaza - have been displaced, the report said.

Some 600,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are in the Middle Area, Khan Yunis and Rafah, of those, nearly 400,000 are in UNRWA facilities - much exceeding our capacity to assist in any meaningful way, including with space in our shelters, food, water or psychological support.

11:49 AM BST

Pictured: Outside the Israeli Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv

A woman sits on the middle isle of a road holding a placard demanding a 'prisoner deal', a week after Israeli hostages were snatched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas attack into southern Israel, outside the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv on October 16, 2023. - AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

11:46 AM BST

Air strikes hit Hamas command centres, Israel says

The IDF has said that over the last few hours dozens of military command centres and mortar shell posts were destroyed in the Gaza Strip.

The statement added that the command centre of Ali Qadhi, the Hamas commander believed to have led the bloody assault on southern Israeli communities last week, was struck. The IDF said that they killed him two days ago.

The IDF earlier said it killed Matez Eid, commander of the southern district of Hamass national security wing.

11:32 AM BST

Blinken faced stiff reaction trying to whip up support for Israel in tour of the Arab world

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is reported to have faced a stiff resistance on his tour of the Arab World as he tried to stop any spillover of the conflict and rally condemnation of Hamas from some of the most staunch supporters of the Palestinian cause.

In Riyadh, the Washington Post reported, Mohammed bin Salman kept Blinken waiting several hours for a meeting presumed to happen in the evening but which the crown prince only showed up for the next morning.

Once the meeting began, Mohammed stressed the need to stop the military operations that claimed the lives of innocent people and lift the siege of Gaza, according to the Post.

During Blinkens meeting in Cairo yesterday, Egypts Abdel Fatah El-Sisi said Israels assaults have exceeded the right of self-defense, and turned into collective punishment.

11:27 AM BST

US State Department warns diplomats against using language that would urge peace

In messages circulated on Friday, the US State Department asked diplomats working on the Middle East to avoid including three specific phrases in press material: de-escalation/ceasefire, end to violence/bloodshed and restoring calm, according to HuffPost.

The Washington Post also confirmed the reporting. The phrases, they said, did not comply with current US policy.

11:09 AM BST

Watch: Hamas' attack on Israel's Kibbutz Sufa

11:06 AM BST

UN aid chief to travel to Middle East to negotiate aid into Gaza

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths has said he will be travelling to the Middle East tomorrow to support negotiations on getting aid into the blockaded Gaza Strip.

I shall be going myself tomorrow to the region to try to help in the negotiations, to try to bear witness and to express solidarity with the extraordinary courage of the many thousands of aid workers who have stayed the course and who are still there helping the people in Gaza and in the West Bank, he said in a statement.

Griffiths said his office was in deep discussions with Israel, Egypt and other parties.

11:00 AM BST

Israeli air strikes continue for 10th day around Rafah

Civil defense teams and residents launch a search and rescue operation around the rubbles of destroyed buildings as Israeli attacks continue on the 10th day in Rafah, Gaza on October 16, 2023. - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images

Palestinians inspect their destroyed car after an Israeli airstrike in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern of Gaza Strip, on October 16, 2023 - MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

A Palestinian boy carries salvageable items amid the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israeli airstrikes in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern of Gaza Strip, on October 16, 2023 - MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

10:56 AM BST

Israel has not allowed Rafah crossing to open, says Egypt

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said today that the Israeli government had yet to take a stance that allowed the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to open.

Egypt has been seeking, since the start of the crisis, to let the crossing operate so that humanitarian aid gets in, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, calling the situation faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza dangerous.

Reports had said Israel, Egypt and the US had agreed the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt would be opened for several hours Monday in a one-off move to allow foreign nationals to flee and aid goods to enter. The Israeli prime minister denied the reports at the time the border was supposed to open.

Until now, unfortunately, the Israeli government has not taken a stance that enables opening the crossing from Gazas side to let aid in, or to let third-country nationals out, Shoukry said.

People are still believed to be waiting at the Rafah border crossing hoping for news  likely dual nationals.

10:51 AM BST

Israel evacuates villages along Lebanese border

The Israeli defence ministry has announced that it will evacuate residents who live within two kilometres of the Lebanese border as concerns Hezbollah will enter the fray mount.

There are 28 villages within the two kilometre zone that will be evacuated and put up in state-funded guesthouses.

One of the villages, Shtula, came under attack from Hezbollah yesterday with one person killed and three others injured.

Iran-backed Hezbollah said it had also targeted barracks in Israels Hanita with guided missiles and said it had inflicted casualties on the enemy ranks.

Israel retaliated on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon as the worst border violence since the fatal 2006 war continued into a second week. The UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL also said that its base had been hit by an unidentified rocket last night but no one sustained injuries.

As the ground offensive looms, analysts fear a ground invasion of Gaza may be the red line that prompts Hezbollah to fully enter the conflict and open the war on another front.

Israeli soldiers patrol in armoured personnel carriers at an undisclosed position in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon on October 15, 2023 - ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images

10:07 AM BST

Watch: Israeli ground forces stage near Gaza border

10:06 AM BST

Blinken returns to Israel following Arab tour

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Israel this morning for talks on the conflict with Hamas following a tour of six Arab countries in a bid to stop the conflict from expanding.

The top US diplomat, who was in Israel on Thursday on a solidarity visit, landed in Tel Aviv and was expected to again meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken departs Jordan, Monday Oct. 16, 2023, en route to Israel. - Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS

His arrival comes shortly after the Israeli prime minister denied that there would be any temporary ceasefire to allow aid into the Gaza Strip and allow foreigners out across the Rafah crossing.

09:28 AM BST

At least 199 people being held hostage, Israel says

The Israeli army has revised the number of confirmed hostages taken to Gaza by Hamas as 199, up from the previous estimate of 126.

09:24 AM BST

111 attacks on Palestinian health care since fighting began: World Health Organisation

Since 7 October, WHO has documented 111 attacks on health care.



12 health workers have been killed on duty.



Health care must be protected.#



https://t.co/rMQgLZKJnD pic.twitter.com/QUTx6R3l8V  WHO in occupied Palestinian territory (@WHOoPt) October 15, 2023

09:15 AM BST

Watch: Palestinians wait at Rafah crossing

08:44 AM BST

Pictured: Evacuations from Israel

US citizents wait to be evacuated from the port of Haifa to Cyprus, on October 16, 2023. - ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images

US citizents wait to be evacuated from the port of Haifa to Cyprus, on October 16, 2023 - ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images

A Thai worker who was evacuated from Israel, reacts in a bus on the arrival at military airport, before going back to his home town in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. - AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte (C) disembarks with repatriated Peruvian nationals fleeing the conflict between Israel and Hamas, from the Boeing 737 presidential plane upon their arrival to an Air Force base in Callao, a province adjacent to Lima, on October 15, 2023. - CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images

08:39 AM BST

More than 1,000 missing in Gaza

According to the Palestinian Civil Defense, the number of missing people who are presumed to be trapped beneath rubble could exceed 1,000 people.

08:28 AM BST

Israeli soldier killed in Hezbollah attack yesterday

An Israeli officer was killed in Hezbollahs attack on IDF positions yesterday.

The IDF said the officer was killed in one of the anti-tank guided missile attacks from Lebanon yesterday. They had gagged the news until the family were informed.

08:17 AM BST

Israeli cabinet ministers reject aid entering Gaza

Israeli cabinet ministers have spoken out against aid getting to civilians in Gaza.

Energy Minister Israel Katz says he bitterly opposes the opening of the blockade and the introduction of goods into Gaza on humanitarian grounds... Our commitment is to the families of the murdered and kidnapped hostages  not to the Hamas murderers and those who helped them, Times of Israel quoted him as saying.

Culture Minister Miki Zohar also objected: Those who massacre children, rape women and kidnap babies do not deserve any mercy.

Israel has faced repeated criticism against the use of collective punishment of Palestinian civilians for the actions of Hamas last week.

08:08 AM BST

Clarifications on US claims that Israel will reopen water taps for southern Gaza

An update from the UN last night shows that just one line is being reopened for water:

Today (Sunday), Israel renewed its water supply for one line servicing eastern Khan Younis. The precise volume and impact of this supply is still unclear. On the other hand, the remaining seawater desalination plant servicing central and southern Gaza shutdown today due to lack of fuel.

08:03 AM BST

Israel denies reports that Rafah crossing will open for aid in return for allowing foreigners out of Gaza

Abbie Cheeseman here, taking over the live blog from Beirut.

Reports this morning again suggested that the Rafah crossing with Egypt would open today to allow foreign passport holders out of Gaza in return for the first convoys of aid getting in.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just denied that an agreement was reached.

There is currently no truce and humanitarian aid in Gaza in exchange for getting foreigners out, a statement from his office said.

A view of trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians, as they wait for the re-opening of the Rafah border crossing to enter Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the city of Al-Arish, Sinai peninsula, Egypt, October 16, 2023.

07:50 AM BST

Pictured: Heartbreak in Gaza

Members of a Palestinian civil emergency team react after several colleagues were killed in Israeli strikes, at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City October 16, 2023. - REUTERS/Mohammed al-Masri

A Palestinian man walks amid the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israeli air strikes near his home in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern of Gaza Strip, on October 16 - MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

Palestinians search for casualties under the rubble of a house destroyed in Israeli strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 16, 2023. - REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Palestinians gather at a site of Israeli strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 16, 2023 - REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

07:46 AM BST

Fuel reserves at Gaza hospitals set to run out in 24 hours

Thousands of patients could die as dangerously low fuel reserves at Gaza hospitals are expected to run out in 24 hours, the UN has warned.

Gazas sole power plant shut down after Israel sealed off the 25-mile long territory following Hamass attack, with hospitals packed with wounded people now short on fuel and basic supplies.

Fuel reserves at all hospitals across Gaza are expected to last for about additional 24 hours, the UNs humanitarian office (OCHA) said in its latest update on Sunday.

The shutdown of backup generators would place the lives of thousands of patients at risk.

An Egyptian-controlled border crossing into Gaza is set to reopen to evacuate foreigners and transport the first convoys of aid into a Gaza, which is on the verge of an abyss.

It comes as Israel prepares to launch a brutal ground invasion to demolish Hamas.

06:48 AM BST

'We are not trying to strike civilians'

Israel has denied targeting civilians in Gaza, saying it is striking infrastructure and hunting Hamas commanders.

We strike Hamas, we strike their infrastructure and we are hunting their commanders, Israel Defence Forces spokesperson Jonathan Conricus said a few hours ago in an update.

Categorically we are not trying to strike civilians.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,670 Palestinians have been killed, hundreds of them children, and 9,600 wounded since the fighting last week.

06:01 AM BST

Israeli missions in China step up security after knife attack

Israel has stepped up security at its missions in China after a knife attack on an embassy official in Beijing at the weekend, writes Asia correspondent Nicola Smith.

Staff in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong have been told to get security approval before going out after an employee was injured outside a supermarket by a man wielding a knife, reported the South China Morning Post.

It said the Chinese police have yet to release details of a foreign suspect in custody over the assault, apart from revealing he is a 53-year-old involved in the small goods business.

The Israeli embassy said the victim was being treated in hospital and reportedly told diplomats and their families to stay at home over the weekend.

05:58 AM BST

Chinese Foreign Minister criticises Israel for collective punishment

Israels actions have gone beyond self defence and it should stop its collective punishment of the people of Gaza, Chinas foreign minister said at the weekend, writes Asia correspondent Nicola Smith.

Wang Yi made his comments during a phone call with Faisal bin Farhan al Saud, the Saudi Arabian foreign minister, Chinese state media reported, adding that he called on all parties to refrain from actions that would escalate the situation.

Beijing is urging a return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and pushing for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, he said.

China says it is ready to work with Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations to support Palestinian rights.

On Sunday, state broadcaster CCTV reported Zhai Jun, Chinas special envoy for the Middle East, will visit relevant countries in the region next week to facilitate a cease-fire and potential peace talks.

05:50 AM BST

Rafah: One of the civilian areas hit by strikes

Rafah, a city near the Egypt border, was one of the civilian areas targeted in retaliatory strikes on Gaza in the past day.

Palestinian media reported at least 17 members of a family where killed in one attack which flattened homes.

Pictures from the scene captured the grief and desperation as locals searched for relatives under the rubble of buildings in Rafah.

Rescuers remove the body of a man killed in an Israeli strike on Rafah - AFP

A child walks away with belongings salvaged from the rubble of a building hit in an Israeli strike on Rafah - AFP

05:36 AM BST

Biden condemns stabbing attack as 'horrific act of hate'

Joe Biden called the deadly stabbing attack on a six-year-old Palestinian American boy a horrific act of hate.

This horrific act of hate has no place in America, and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are, Mr Biden said, adding he was praying for the recovery of the boys mother, who was also severely wounded in the attack.

Sherrifs had determined that both victims in this brutal attack were targeted by the suspect due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis.

Mr Biden was earlier asked in a television interview whether he was concerned that the threat of terrorism would increase in the US.

I had a meeting this morning with the Homeland Security people, with the FBI... to discuss how we make sure that we prevent a lone wolf and or any coordinated effort to try to do what was done in synagogues before, do what was done to Jews in the street, he told 60 Minutes.

Were making a major effort to make sure that doesnt happen.

Six-year-old boy Wadea Al-Fayoume

04:46 AM BST

Chicago boy killed in 'hate crime' linked to Israel-Hamas conflict

A six-year-old Muslim boy has been killed and a 32-year-old woman seriously injured in an attack linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Police were called to a home on the outskirts of Chicago by a woman saying she was hiding in the bathroom after fighting off her landlord.

By the time police arrived they found the victims both seriously injured in a bedroom and their alleged assailant sitting in the driveway.

The child had been stabbed 26 times, sustaining wounds to his chest, torso and arms. He was rushed to hospital where he later died.

Read the full story here

04:27 AM BST

Every hour, 18 people were killed in Gaza

At least 455 people have been killed as a result of Israels counter-attacks in Gaza during the past day, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said.

Another 856 injuries were recorded in Gaza in the past 24 hours. A total of 2,670 Palestinians have been killed and 9,600 wounded since the fighting erupted, more than in the 2014 Gaza war, which lasted over six weeks.

That makes this the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides.

Palestinians injured during Israeli raids arrive at Nasser Hospital - Getty Images

03:24 AM BST

Gaza border crossing set to reopen

An Egyptian-controlled border crossing into Gaza is expected to reopen amid diplomatic efforts to get aid into the Hamas-controlled strip.

Hundreds of metric tons of aid from several countries have been held up in Egypts Sinai Peninsula for days pending a deal for its safe delivery to Gaza and the evacuation of some foreign passport holders through the Rafah crossing.

Rafah will be reopened. Were putting in place with the United Nations, with Egypt, with Israel, with others, a mechanism by which to get the assistance in and to get it to people who need it, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday.

Mr Blinken did not give a specific time for the crossing to reopen. Veteran US diplomat David Satterfield, appointed on Sunday as a special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues, will arrive in Egypt on Monday to work out the details.

Palestinians escape after Israeli airstrikes hit their homes in Gaza - Anadolu

03:20 AM BST

Key questions from Joe Biden's 60 Minutes interview

Question: Do you believe that Hamas must be eliminated entirely?

Mr Biden: Yes, I do. But there needs to be a Palestinian authority. There needs to be a path to a Palestinian state.

Question: There are about 2 million people in Gaza...about half of them are children. Are you asking Israel to establish a humanitarian corridor?

Mr Biden: Yes, our team is talking to them about that and whether there could be a safe zone. Were also talking to Egyptians, whether there is an outlet to get these children and women out.

Question: Are the wars in Israel and Ukraine more than the United States can take on at the same time?

Mr Biden: No. Were the United States of America for Gods sake, the most powerful nation in the history  not in the world, in the history of the world. The history of the world. We can take care of both of these and still maintain our overall international defence.

03:19 AM BST

Israel reoccupying Gaza would be 'big mistake', says Biden

Mr Biden warned Israel against reoccupying Gaza in his first major public remarks on restraining Americas ally.

I think itd be a big mistake, the US president said on 60 Minutes.

Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas dont represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that it would be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza again.

Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 and while Mr Biden supports the destruction of Hamas, his administration remains committed to a two-state solution.

Read the full story here

03:17 AM BST

Biden: 'Israel will avoid killing innocent civilians'

Joe Biden said he did not think it would be necessary for American troops to be deployed to the Middle East but that the US would provide Israel with everything they need.

The US President also said he was confident Israel would act under the rules of war.

Israel is going after a group of people who have engaged in barbarism that is as consequential as the Holocaust, Mr Biden said in an interview on 60 Minutes.

I think Israel has to respond. They have to go after Hamas. Hamas is a bunch of cowards. Theyre hiding behind the civilians.

Mr Biden said he would like to see a humanitarian corridor in Gaza, adding: The Israelis are gonna do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians.

03:06 AM BST

Welcome to today's live blog

We will be bringing you latest on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Medics in Gaza are warning that thousands could die as hospitals packed with wounded people run desperately low on fuel and basic supplies.

Palestinians are struggling to find food, water and safety as Israel prepares to launch a ground offensive.
The mother of a 21-year-old woman filmed in a Hamas hostage video has pleaded with world leaders to help free her.

In a chilling clip released by the terror group, Mia Shem, who was taken hostage from the Nova festival near the Gaza border, asks for help to get me out of here as soon as possible. Please.

Speaking during an emotional press conference in Tel Aviv, her mother Keren Sharf Shem told reporters:

I didnt know if shes dead or alive until yesterday, all I knew is she might be kidnapped. Yesterday I saw my baby on television. I saw shes alive ... I can see she was shot in the shoulder."

She issued an emotional plea for her daughters safe return, while holding a picture of the 21-year-old, saying: Im begging the world to bring my baby back home.

She only went to a party, a festival party to have some fun. And now shes in Gaza."

French president Emmanuel Macron has also demanded the release of the French-Israeli dual national.

The hostage clip is reported to be the first footage of a hostage purportedly speaking from captivity released by Hamas.

The footage cannot be independently verified with the caption saying it shows a hostage who was abducted on October 7, when Hamas launched its attack in southern Israel.

Her family has given permission for the media to use a still image from the video.

Mia Shem (X)

The Israeli military condemned Hamas over the video.

Last week, Mia was abducted by Hamas. IDF officials have since informed Mias family and are in continuous contact with them, they wrote on social media.

In the video published by Hamas, they try to portray themselves as humane. However, they are a horrific terrorist organisation responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, children, men, women and the elderly.

The Nova Festival was among the worst-affected sites of the Hamas atrocity.

More than 260 bodies were recovered from the festival site in the desert near the Gaza border after the group rained bullets on thousands of young people.

Some of the young people at the festival were filmed being taken hostage by Hamas militants.

Among them was 26-year-old Noa Argamani, who was seen in chilling footage begging Dont kill me as she was taken by a Hamas militant on a motorcycle.

She and her boyfriend Avi Nathan, have not been seen since.

Last week, on October 12, her parents held two empty chairs and a birthday cake at their home in Beer Sheva to mark her birthday.

In an interview with Israeli television, her father Yaacov said: All my life since she was born I have tried to protect and hug her, support and love her.

I wish I could at this difficult moment at least encourage her or say something to her.

Israel has estimated that 199 hostages were taken by Hamas. Their fate remains unclear.

British Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the Government is extremely concerned" about British hostages being held and we pray that they are alive".

Up to 10 hostages are feared to have been taken and Mr Mitchell promised the UK is doing everything" possible to rescue them.
Ukraine says it has destroyed important Russian equipment, including nine helicopters, in an airstrike.

The defence department posted about the success of Operation Dragonfly on the eastern cities of Berdyansk and Luhansk, which are currently occupied by Russian forces.

Along with the nine helicopters, one air defence launcher and several special vehicles, ammo depots and airstrips were also reportedly targeted.

Dozens of Russian military troops were injured in the attack, the special forces said on Tuesday.

Russian authorities did not comment on the report.

This is just one attack reported on the frontlines in the last few days.

Western analysts believe Russia is trying to take the eastern city of Avdiivka, which stands in its way of controlling the entire Donetsk region.

Operation Dragonfly. Successful operation of the Ukrainian SOF to attack Berdyansk and Luhansk Airfields.



As a result, enemys losses are:

 9 helicopters;

 1 air defense launcher;

 special vehicles;

 ammo depots;

 air strips were damaged@SOF_UKR reports.  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) October 17, 2023

The Kremlins forces deployed to Avdiivka are likely making slow progress and sustaining high casualties in what is proving a costly effort, the U.K. defence ministry said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Moscow has not recently commented on its progress in Avdiivk.

Ukrainian forces pushed back 22 Russian attacks on Monday, down from 30 reported assaults the previous day, according to the Institute for the Study of War which cited the Ukrainian General Staff.

Kyiv officials claim Russias assaults reached up to 60 per day by the middle of last week, but Ukraine has managed to hold back Putins troops.

The British Ministry of Offence has said Vladimir Putin has launched its most significant offensive operation in Ukraine since at last January on Tuesday morning.

A damaged residential building in Avdiivka on February 20 (Getty)

It said: Russia has highly likely begun a coordinated offensive across multiple axes in the east of Ukraine.

Russian forces in Donetsk are conducting a combined arms offensive on the heavily defended town of Avdiivka, which has been on the front line since 2014.

The town is a major obstacle in preventing Russian forces from their wider objective of taking control of Donetsk Oblast.

Russia's attack is likely being carried out with multiple armoured battalions, which are attempting to envelop the town. It is likely to be the most significant offensive operation undertaken by Russia since at least January 2023.

"Entrenched Ukrainian forces have so far likely held back the Russian advance, with the latter sustaining heavy equipment and personal losses.

"Slow progress and high casualties have likely triggered a change in messaging from Russia, from an offensive to 'active-defence', as successfully clearing Avdiivka looks increasingly unlikely in the short term."
Photograph: Kirsty OConnor/PA

Peter Bone has been stripped of the Conservative party whip after the MP was found to have bullied and harassed a member of staff and exposed his genitals near their face.

The chief whip, Simon Hart, made the decision the day after a parliamentary watchdog recommended Bone be suspended from the Commons for six weeks  paving the way to a possible byelection.

A statement from Hart said: Following a report by the independent expert panel, the chief whip has removed the Conservative whip from Peter Bone MP.

It means Bone will sit as an independent. He has denied all the allegations and vowed to continue representing his constituency of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire.

After a lengthy investigation, an independent panel concluded on Monday that Bone had bullied and harassed an unnamed staff member over a three-month period in late 2012.

His recommended six-week suspension is enough to trigger a recall petition, should MPs endorse it. If 10% of his constituents were to call for a recall, a byelection would then be held in the constituency Bone has represented since 2005.

It is a safe Tory seat that Bone won with a majority of 19,000 at the last general election. However, bigger majorities have been overturned in recent byelections by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

A handful of Tory MPs are sympathetic to Bone and said he had written to the House of Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, to fight the six-week suspension. He is believed to have argued that the events in question happened before the Recall Act was passed in 2015, and therefore he should not be punished under it.

The prolonged tussle over his future means a potential byelection might still be some months off. However, Labour is understood to be ready to ramp up preparations in advance. The Lib Dems are not expected to strongly contest the seat.

If Bone is unsuccessful in fighting a recall petition, sources suggested he could step down earlier.

Wendy Chamberlain, the Lib Dem chief whip, has called for an inquiry by the Cabinet Office into what was known about Bones alleged behaviour when he was appointed a minister.

Boris Johnson made Bone the deputy leader of the Commons, a non-essential role that had long remained vacant, in the final throes of his premiership.

Chamberlain said questions remain over what successive prime ministers knew about Peter Bones conduct, as well as the handling of the case by Conservative central headquarters (CCHQ).

She said: We must know if those holding the highest public office in the land chose to turn a blind eye to these allegations. [Rishi] Sunak needs to now order a Cabinet Office inquiry so we can get to the bottom of this matter once and for all.

Anneliese Dodds, the Labour party chair, said: If Rishi Sunak is to ever live up to his promise of integrity, professionalism and accountability he needs to urgently get a grip on his party. The people of Wellingborough deserve better. Only Labour can get our economy growing and give Britain its future back.

Earlier, the outgoing chair of the committee on standards in public life, Lord Evans, said there was a responsibility on political parties to help  particularly their candidates but also their MPs and others active in political life  understand what the standards are and be helped to support them.
Russian president Vladimir Putin pictured in Beijing on Tuesday. (Getty Images) (GRIGORY SYSOYEV / AFP)

Vladimir Putin has told Israel he wants to help prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

The Russian president spoke to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday about the ongoing crisis.

The United Nations says more than one million people have been displaced from their homes in the Gaza Strip following Israeli air strikes that local health authorities have said have killed more than 2,700 people and left more than 1,000 missing in the rubble.

FOLLOW LIVE: THE LATEST NEWS ON THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

The air strikes were in response to a wave of attacks by Hamas on Israel on 7 October that left more than 1,400 people dead.

Putin has held phone calls with a number of key players in the Middle East, including both Israeli and Palestinian leaders, as well as Syria, Iran and Egypt.

The Kremlin said that in his call with Netanyahu, Putin spoke of "the steps Russia is taking to help normalise the situation, prevent further escalation of violence and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip".

"A unanimous opinion was expressed on the need for an early ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian truce in order to urgently provide assistance to all those in need," the Kremlin said of the discussions.

"There was also serious concern about the likelihood of the conflict escalating into a regional war."

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Moscow said Putin expressed Russia's willingness to work towards "ending the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation and achieving a peaceful settlement through political and diplomatic means".

The Israel-Hamas war has diverted some of the world's attention from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and despite remaining a pariah among many Western countries, the conflict has allowed Putin to demonstrate his country's strong ties with several key players in the Middle East.

Watch: Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing for Chinese forum talks

But the UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution on Monday that condemned the violence but made no mention of Hamas.

Four countries - China, the United Arab Emirates, Mozambique and Gabon - voted alongside Russia, while four nations (the UK, the US, France and Japan) voted against it. The other six countries abstained.

The Kremlin said Putin expressed his condolences to Netanyahu over the Israeli deaths.

Russian president Vladimir Putin arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China. (Reuters) (POOL New / reuters)

'Unacceptable civilian clashes'

Last week, Putin said Israel had the right to defend itself, although he warned that an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza would lead to an "absolutely unacceptable" number of civilian casualties.

Putin also spoke to Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Palestinan president Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Putin asked the Egyptian leader for assistance in evacuating Russian citizens from Gaza, the Kremlin said.

On Tuesday, Putin met his ally, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, in Beijing, during an international forum which saw him also meet Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Russia's president Vladimir Putin, right, meeting with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban in Beijing. (AFP via Getty Images) (GRIGORY SYSOYEV via Getty Images)

Russia's president Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese president Xi Jinping shaking hands in Beijing on Tuesday. (AFP via Getty Images) (SERGEI SAVOSTYANOV via Getty Images)

Hungary has opposed many of the European Union initiatives in support of Ukraine in resistance of Russian forces and the pair reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral ties.

Putin told Orban: "Despite the fact that in today's geopolitical conditions the opportunities for maintaining contacts and developing relations are very limited, nevertheless, it can only cause satisfaction that our relations with many European countries are maintained and developed. One of these countries is Hungary."

The pair are said to have discussed gas and oil shipments and nuclear energy issues - Russian energy giant Rosatom is building a nuclear power plant in Hungary.

According to the Reuters news agency, Orban told Putin Hungary had never wanted to oppose Russia, but to forge close ties.
Emergency teams and residents search buildings in Rafah, Gaza, that were destroyed by Israeli air strikes. (Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The issue of war crimes has come firmly under the microscope following Hamas's brutal and sudden incursion into Israel on 7 October that killed hundreds of Israels and the subsequent retaliatory bombing campaign that has decimated swathes of the Gaza Strip

Women and children have been killed in both Israel and Gaza and the total death tops 4,000. Israel says Hamas has also taken 199 hostages to use as human shields.

Each side has accused the other of carrying out war crimes, while international legal experts say both could eventually be found guilty.

FOLLOW LIVE: THE LATEST NEWS ON THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

Last week, the United Nations said "there is already clear evidence that war crimes may have been committed in the latest explosion of violence in Israel and Gaza".

Its Independent International Commission of Inquiry said it has been "collecting and preserving evidence of war crimes committed by all sides".

An aerial view of Kibbutz Kfar Aza in Israel in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen. (Reuters) (Ilan Rosenberg / reuters)

David Crane, a US law expert and the founding chief prosecutor of the UNs Special Court for Sierra Leone, said: Intentional targeting of civilians and civilian objects without a military necessary reason to do so is a war crime.

"And thats a standard that both sides are held to under international law.

Speaking about the Hamas attack on 7 October, Agnes Callamard, secretary-general at Amnesty International, said: Massacring civilians is a war crime and there can be no justification for these reprehensible attacks.

These crimes must be investigated as part of the International Criminal Courts ongoing investigation into crimes committed by all parties in the current conflict,

The International Criminal Court (ICC) says it has jurisdiction over potential war crimes carried out by Hamas, even though Israel is not a member state.

Residents search through the rubble of buildings in Rafah, Gaza. (Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The occupied Palestinian territories including the Gaza Strip fall under the jurisdiction of the ICC, meaning the court has the authority to prosecute Hamas.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said: "If there is evidence that Palestinians, whether they're Hamas or Al Quds Brigades or the armed wing of Hamas or any other person or any other national of any other state party, has committed crimes, yes, we have jurisdiction wherever they're committed, including on the territory of Israel."

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Last Friday, the Israeli military ordered the evacuation of about one million people in the north of the Gaza Strip ahead of a planned ground offensive.

Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said the order was illegal.

Israeli firefighters work to put out a fire at a private home after it was hit by a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip into Sderot, southern Israel. (Reuters) (Amir Cohen / reuters)

"Under humanitarian law, its called forcible transfer of populations, and its a war crime, he said.

Conservative Party MP Crispin Blunt, who is also co-director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, warned at the weekend that the UK government could be complicit in war crimes in Gaza if it does not do more to "restrain" Israel.

Watch: Drone shots show extent of devastation in Gaza

He said: "If you know that a party is going to commit a war crime - and this forcible transfer of people is a precise breach of one of the statutes that governs international law and all states in this area - then you are making yourself complicit."

And while US president Joe Biden has said Israel has a right to defend itself from attack, he added: "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  the rules of war. And there are rules of war.

What constitutes a war crime?

The United Nations defines war crimes within the Geneva Conventions.

In total, four treaties and three protocols make up the Geneva Conventions which establish legal standards around the world for humanitarian treatment during wars.

It lays out rights for war prisoners, the wounded and civilians caught up in war zones, including prohibiting the targeting of particular buildings like hospitals and banning the use of certain weaponry.

The Geneva Conventions, agreed in 1949 in the aftermath of the Second World War, ban the intentional targeting of civilians and the use of torture.

The full definition of war crimes can be found here.

The most severe crimes are called "grave breaches" and are considered war crimes by legal definition.

The eight grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions are:

wilful killing;

torture or inhuman treatment, including biological experiments;

wilfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health;

extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly;

compelling a prisoner of war or a civilian to serve in the forces of a hostile power;

wilfully depriving a prisoner of war or a civilian of the rights of fair and regular trial;

unlawful deportation or transfer or unlawful confinement of a civilian;

taking civilians as hostages.

What is the punishment for a war crime?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression when member states are unwilling or unable to do so themselves.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. (Alamy) (Ant Palmer)

It can prosecute crimes committed by nationals of member states or on the territory of member states by other actors.

The ICC has convicted five men for war crimes and crimes against humanity, all African militia leaders from Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Uganda. Sentences range from nine to 30 years in prison.

The maximum possible sentence is life imprisonment.

Although the court is supported by many UN members and the European Union, other major powers like the US, China, Russia and Israel are not members and argue it could be used for politically motivated prosecutions.

Watch: Families plead for release of relatives in Israel-Hamas war
Political turbulence in recent years has placed the Nolan principles of public life under great pressure, the chairman of Whitehalls standards watchdog has warned.

Lord Evans said there should be an overhaul of the system for ensuring compliance with the rules after significant damage caused by scandals such as the Owen Paterson affair.

Speaking at an Institute for Government event on Tuesday, he cited the fallout, which emerged after the former minister lobbied for two firms that employed him, as one of a number of recent incidents that has undermined trust in politics.

Lord Evans said the seven Nolan principles  selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership  are not on their own enough and must be underpinned by strengthened codes of conduct.

The principles havent changed but the polarised and unstable nature of British politics in recent years has placed them under great pressure, he said.

Our political institutions as well as our standards bodies and structures have faced great challenge.

The attempt to tear up the independent system for maintaining standards in Parliament in November 2021  the Owen Paterson affair was scandalous and it was damaging, and weve also seen instances of poor practice in hospitals, in police and elsewhere  all part of a wider public landscape that undermines public confidence.

The damage done to the trust and confidence that the public have in those in political and public life has been significant.

Lord Evans said that the crisis surrounding Brexit in 2019 also contributed to a polarised public landscape, which makes the consensus on which agreed norms of conduct rest more fragile.

Polarisation also opens the door to extremism and intimidation of those in public life, he said, leading to difficulty in recruiting some of the best candidates, especially among women and ethnic minorities.

We dont yet know how far this is just history that can be put behind us or whether it will continue to haunt public debate over the next parliament, but we should be clear that for all its adversarial elements, the Westminster model relies on an underlying commitment to a system of conventions and rules of conduct that are central to preserving high standards and to maintaining public confidence, and form part of the unwritten constitution, he said.

On parliamentarians outside interests in particular, Lord Evans said the public is clear that being an MP should be a full-time, principal job but that current rules do not meet that expectation.

Significant risks including of foreign interference also arise from the Governments failure to close loopholes in election donations law, Lord Evans said.

This is where public standards meets national security and clear vulnerabilities have not been addressed by the Government.

He added: The Government system for ensuring compliance with standards is very weak and needs overhaul.

The priority given to this in Government departments is low and this opens a door to opacity and potentially to corruption.
Former minister Peter Bone has had the Tory whip removed after being found to have committed bullying and sexual misconduct against a staff member.

The Conservatives acted a day after a watchdog recommended he should be suspended from the Commons for six weeks  potentially triggering a by-election in his Wellingborough seat.

Mr Bone was alleged to have exposed himself to a member of staff along with a series of acts of bullying.

Parliaments Independent Expert Panel (IEP) said the MP committed many varied acts of bullying and one act of sexual misconduct against a member of his staff in 2012 and 2013.

A spokeswoman for Chief Whip Simon Hart said: Following a report by the Independent Expert Panel, the Chief Whip has removed the conservative whip from Peter Bone MP.

Peter Bone denied the allegations (PA)

The suspension, if approved by MPs, could lead to the Conservative facing a recall petition that would pave the way for a by-election in the seat, which Mr Bone has held since 2005.

Mr Bone said the allegations are false and untrue and without foundation as he vowed to continue representing his constituents.

He said an Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) investigation into him was flawed, procedurally unfair and didnt comply with its own rules and regulations.

Mr Bone was made deputy leader of the Commons in 2022 in the dying days of Boris Johnsons administration.

The Liberal Democrats asked Simon Case to investigate what Boris Johnson knew about the allegations when he gave Peter Bone a frontbench job (Oli Scarff/PA)

The Liberal Democrats have demanded an inquiry into what Mr Johnson and other ministers knew about the allegations Mr Bone faced at the time he was given the frontbench role.

Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokeswoman Christine Jardine has written to the countrys top civil servant Simon Case calling for the investigation.

She said: We need an urgent inquiry to understand what Conservative ministers knew about the allegations against Peter Bone when these complaints were made.

Boris Johnson must also be held accountable for his decision to appoint Peter Bone as deputy leader of the Commons despite the complaints made against him.

Given the failure of the Conservative Party to properly investigate these complaints, it is crucial that we get to the bottom of what happened. The public deserve better than another Conservative Party cover-up.

Below is my statement on the publication of the IEP report today. pic.twitter.com/nuShAGPlh7  Peter Bone MP (@PeterBoneUK) October 16, 2023

Five allegations about Mr Bone were made by a Westminster staffer in October 2021, with a complaint to then-prime minister Theresa May in 2017 going unresolved, according to the IEP report.

The complaints included four allegations of bullying, saying Mr Bone:

 Verbally belittled, ridiculed, abused and humiliated his employee;

 Repeatedly physically struck and threw things at him, including hitting him with his hand or an object such as a pencil or rolled-up document;

 Imposed an unwanted and humiliating ritual on him by forcing him to sit with his hands in his lap when the MP was unhappy with his work; and

 Ostracised the complainant following an incident on a work trip to Madrid.

The complainant also alleged that Mr Bone repeatedly pressurised the member of staff to give him a massage in the office and, on a visit to Madrid with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking, indecently exposed himself to the complainant in the bathroom and bedroom of the hotel room they were sharing.

In his response to the IEPs findings, Mr Bone said: As I have maintained throughout these proceedings, none of the misconduct allegations against me ever took place.

They are false and untrue claims. They are without foundation.

He said the complainant had not raised the issues during their employment and said ICGS rules meant he could not detail my views on the huge inconsistencies and lack of evidence in the allegations.

Mr Bone said he is discussing with lawyers what action could and should be taken.
By Lee Hyo-jin

Local defense company LIG Nex1 signed a strategic partnership agreement with Republikorp, a rising Indonesian defense firm, Tuesday, the first day of a major arms exhibition in Korea.

The signing ceremony was held during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX), currently taking place at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, according to the Korean firm.

The newly inked agreement is set to formalize the cooperation between the two sides in the field of strategic technology exchange, including those related to Korea's Raybolt anti-tank guided missile system (ATGM). The collaboration regarding the ATGM system will amount to approximately 35 billion won ($26 million), according to LIG Nex1.

"We are excited to start this cooperation with LIG Nex1 to increase our domestic production capability in high-value technology equipment, such as guided missiles. We hope that this cooperation will ever increase the good relations between both countries," a spokesperson for Republikorp said.

"LIG Nex1 looks forward to the strategic partnership with Republikorp, and our company will make the best efforts to achieve more positive outcomes in the near future with an aim to strengthen the Indonesian armed forces and defense industry capabilities," LIG Nex1 President Lee Hyeon-soo said.

LIG Nex1 is a major domestic aerospace and defense manufacturer with a product range including missiles, guided munitions, surveillance and reconnaissance radar systems. It is one of the largest suppliers of weapon systems for the Korean military and international arms exporters.

Under the slogan "Smarter Together," the defense firm is showcasing a range of cutting-edge technologies at ADEX, including the Korean GPS Guided Bomb (KGGB) and Korean Air-Launched Cruise Missile (KALCM), along with land-based weapon systems including Raybol, as well as a drone system.
Antisemitic incidents in the UK have increased by almost 600% since Hamas attack on Israel, according to a Jewish security group.

The Community Security Trust (CST), which represents British Jews on issues of racism and policing, said it had recorded 320 antisemitic incidents between October 7 and 16, a sevenfold increase on the 47 antisemitic incidents recorded over the same period last year.

CST said 15 of the 320 incidents recorded were assaults, 14 referred to damage to Jewish property and 244 were related to abusive behaviour, with 86 taking place online.

With the recent rise in antisemitism, CST is urging our community to remain strong and vigilant through this difficult time. In an emergency or to report suspicious activity, call our 24-hr National Emergency Number 0800 032 3263 For non-emergencies, email incidents@cst.org.uk pic.twitter.com/ZHzGyI89mX  CST (@CST_UK) October 17, 2023

Examples of antisemitic incidents included in the 581% rise included a threat made over the phone to a kosher shop in Liverpool, saying we are coming to get you.

Free Palestine, kill Jews was shouted at the heart of a Jewish community in London.

Two Jewish schools in north London were vandalised with red paint in what has been called a disgraceful attempt to intimidate and harass the community by Dave Rich, director of policy at CST.

Shomrim Stamford Hill said one school was targeted on Thursday and a second on Monday morning, as it tweeted CCTV footage of a masked figure spraying the paint on the outside of the buildings.

Caught on CCTV: Appeal A suspect has been caught defacing Jewish schools in #StamfordHill@Shomrim @MPSHackney urge anyone with info to come forward. Your help is crucial@MPSHackney CAD 4143 16OCT23  CAD 5621 15OCT23.#NoToHate pic.twitter.com/LysdcY392u  Shomrim (Stamford Hill) (@Shomrim) October 16, 2023

In a blog post on Monday, CST said: These are all instances of anti-Jewish racism, wherein offenders are targeting Jewish people, communities and institutions for their Jewishness.

In many cases, these hateful comments, threats to life and physical attacks are laced with the language and symbols of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel politics.

Even compared to periods of previous conflicts involving Israel, these statistics are unprecedentedly high.

The last time a significant spike in antisemitism related to events in the Middle East was recorded occurred in May 2021.

During the first 10 days of that escalation in violence, 298 antisemitic incidents were reported to CST. Across the first 10 days of the conflict in July 2014, we recorded 82.

Bear in mind, when comparing these to the 320 anti-Jewish hate incidents recorded since Saturday October 7, that the figures for 2021 and 2014 are final totals including all late-reported incidents, whereas the current total of 320 incidents is only provisional and will almost certainly increase further.

The Jewish security group added: CST will not stand for this anti-Jewish hatred and nor should anybody else.

We urge everyone who experiences or witnesses antisemitism to report it to police and to CST so that those who are trying to intimidate and threaten our community can be investigated, arrested and prosecuted.
A juror has been discharged at Birmingham Crown Court after falling asleep and starting to snore during the opening of a people-smuggling trial.

The male panel member was replaced with an alternate juror on Tuesday, less than an hour into the Crowns opening speech against Mai Van Nguyen, who denies involvement in a plot to smuggle Vietnamese immigrants into the UK.

Judge Dean Kershaw asked the 12 jurors selected for the case and two reserve jurors to leave the courtroom briefly after interrupting prosecutor Kelly Brocklehursts speech to tell a juror on the back row of the jury bench: Youre asleep, youre snoring.

After the juror was replaced following a delay and the jury returned to court, Mr Brocklehurst continued his speech by joking: I clearly need to up my game  I assure you things will get more interesting.

Nguyen, formerly of Jeremiah Road, Wolverhampton, is accused of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration between August 19 and September 6 2020.

Prosecutors allege the 34-year-old received immigrants who had been moved by others from the south coast of England to the Midlands, finding them housing and illegal forms of labour.

As well as receiving them and spiriting them away into the community, Mr Brocklehurst alleged, Nguyen took whatever measures were needed to house them.

Telling jurors that two other men had been convicted of their part in the conspiracy last December, the Crowns barrister added: Together with others, these conspirators engaged in this enterprise for commercial gain.

There was nothing altruistic about this.

The trial at Birmingham Crown Court continues.
Cartoonist Steve Bell said he will not apologise for his artwork depicting the Israeli prime minister after The Guardian said it has decided not to renew his contract.

His sketch of Benjamin Netanyahu was spiked by the newspaper, according to Mr Bell, in the wake of Hamass attack on Israel.

The image shows Mr Netanyahu wearing boxing gloves and preparing to operate on his own stomach, on which an outline of the Gaza Strip can be seen, and the caption Residents of Gaza, get out now.

Mr Bell told the Press Gazette: Im not going to apologise for the image I think its a good one. I think it works.

Former Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell (PA)

The cartoonist, who spent more than 40 years making images for The Guardian, said that when making a sketch there is an expectation of a certain amount of negative response and it is always best to think through, and stick to, your argument.

Theres no point apologising if you feel youve offended someone, he added.

In a series of tweets, Mr Bell said after submitting the cartoon he received a strangely cryptic message during a phone call with Guardian staff referencing a pound of flesh.

He told the trade magazine Shakespeares The Merchant Of Venice, which features Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, using a similar phrase, has nothing to do with the cartoon.

Mr Bell said the sketch is an argument against a particular politician and a reference to Rembrandts The Anatomy Lesson Of Dr Deijman  an image by the Dutch artist which shows a surgeon operating on an offender.

The former Guardian artists sketch also has a reference to American cartoonist David Levine, who created an image of President Lyndon B Johnson in 1966 looking at a scar on his stomach in the form of a map of Vietnam, as another caption on the image.

Mr Bell said: I dont promote harmful antisemitic stereotypes Never have I done such a thing, I would not dream of doing such a thing.

He also spoke about determining whether a cartoon is antisemitic as being about whether it invokes hatred against Jews.

In November 2012, The Guardians readers editor Chris Elliott said an image by Mr Bell of Mr Netanyahu, depicted as a puppet master controlling former Tory leader William Hague and former prime minister Tony Blair echoed past antisemitic usage of such imagery, no matter the intent.

A cartoon, also featuring Mr Netanyahu, former PM Theresa May and Razan al-Najjar  a Palestinian nurse killed during protests in Gaza in 2018  was spiked over similar concerns, Mr Bell said.

In April, The Guardian and cartoonist Martin Rowson apologised after publishing a cartoon of former BBC chairman Richard Sharp that was described as antisemitic.

Mr Bell also told the Press Gazette his relationship with The Guardian was a bit strained after editorial control became more and more petty.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (PA)

He said a new way of submitting cartoon ideas to the editor at 10am would mean him getting up at 2am.

Mr Bell said the powers that be are very incommunicative and instead issued diktats.

He was sacked by email by Guardian editor Katharine Viner, Mr Bell added as he said he could get opportunities elsewhere due to being viewed as not so close to the newspaper.

A spokesperson for Guardian News and Media declined to comment on Mr Bells remarks.

On Monday, a statement from the organisation said: The decision has been made not to renew Steve Bells contract.

Steve Bells cartoons have been an important part of The Guardian over the past 40 years  we thank him and wish him all the best.
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas said she has hired a personal assistant who syphons through hateful messages sent to her.

The 63-year-old former competitive dancer, who is currently judging the 21st series of BBC One show, has spoken previously about being trolled online.

Appearing on Channel 5 News on Tuesday, Ballas was asked if she has got better at dealing with some of the horrible stuff on social media.

Ive taken on a PA who siphons through all those unbelievable messages that you couldnt even repeat to a human being Strictly head judge @ShirleyBallas tells 5 News shes employed someone to go through her social media because of the hateful messages she receives. pic.twitter.com/PEy0F20ChA  Channel 5 News (@5_News) October 17, 2023

In the interview with Dan Walker, who came fifth on Strictly in 2021, she said: I think with the social media, yes.

This year Ive taken on Harry as a PA, and also syphons through all those really unbelievable messages that you couldnt even repeat to a human being.

Discussing how difficult it can be to avoid hateful messages, Ballas added: Unfortunately they come up, you know, if youre scrolling or youre looking or, you know, when I did my Sky challenges for (charity) Calm, they come up and Im trying to help people as well, so I dont want to just ignore all the good people, cause theres more good people than bad people.

To raise money for suicide prevention charity Calm, Ballas undertook a Skyatholon challenge in August which involved a zipline, wing walk and 13,000ft skydive.

Lovely to catch up with @ShirleyBallas She came on the show to talk about her new novel  murder on the dancefloor  pic.twitter.com/xhvf2A1KhD  Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) October 17, 2023

The former ballroom dancer also spoke about her new book Murder On The Dancefloor, co-written by Sheila McClure, which follows dance superstar and world champion Lily Richmond and private investigator Susie Cooper as they try to unveil the identity of killer.

Talking about the novel and whether the level of drama is representative of the dance industry, Ballas said: Ive lived it. Ive been part of it not the murder part but everything else that went with it, you know the backstabbing.

And its such a competitive industry and people will do whatever they need to do to get wherever they need to go.
Two teenage sisters are among the British citizens still missing following Hamass attacks on Israel as efforts continue to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

According to reports, the girls, named only as Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, disappeared from their home in Kibbutz Beeri after it was stormed by militants and their mother Lianne was killed.

Rishi Sunak told MPs on Monday at least six Britons were killed and a further 10 missing in the pogrom on October 7 and called for the immediate release of the around 200 hostages taken by the militant group.

The Times reported the girls father Eli is also missing, and said his brother-in-law, Raz, 53, had called for help from UK officials.

He told the paper: We want the British government to take some action to at least find out what happened. We dont know if they were kidnapped but if we come to that point we will be happy if they try to do whatever they can to bring those girls back.

According to multiple reports, 32-year-old British-Israeli national Benjamin Trakeniski was also killed in Beeri while trying to help residents flee the Hamas gunmen.

Meanwhile aid into Gaza remains blocked at the border with Egypt as governments and humanitarian groups called for food, water and fuel to be allowed into the region amid fears citizens could starve and hospitals would run out of electricity.

Local media reported Israel carried out air strikes on the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, as mediators tried to reach a ceasefire deal to help people leave.

In a Commons statement on Monday, Mr Sunak said he recognised the Palestinian people are victims of Hamas too as he announced an extra 10 million of aid funding.

British officials have been pressing for Egypt to open the Rafah crossing with Gaza to allow aid in and Britons, dual nationals, as well as their spouses and children, to flee.

However, expectations in Government for opening the crossing were understood to be very low on Monday.

Mr Sunak raised the border crossing in a call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi last week, and it is understood that opening the border for foreign nationals and for Palestinian refugees could be treated separately.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We do think it is important, both in the interests of British nationals and others, but also important for the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

With the families of some of the missing watching his statement in Parliament, Mr Sunak said more than 1,400 people were murdered, more than 3,500 wounded and almost 200 taken hostage in Hamass attack.

The elderly, men, women, children, babes in arms, murdered, mutilated, burned alive, he continued.

We should call it by its name: it was a pogrom.

Mr Sunak said the terrible nature of these attacks means it is proving difficult to identify many of the deceased but at least six Britons were killed.

Of the further 10 missing, he said some are feared to be among the dead as the UK works with Israel to establish the facts and support the families through their unimaginable pain.

He said eight flights so far have brought back 500 British nationals from Israel.

Addressing the British Jewish community, Mr Sunak said: We stand with you now and always. This atrocity was an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland for the Jewish people.

The Prime Minister said he is sickened that antisemitic attacks have increased since the wave of bloodshed in Israel, as he vowed to do everything we can to protect you.

But he said we stand with British Muslim communities too as he noted the moment of great anguish for those appalled by Hamass actions while being fearful of the response.

(PA Graphics)

Mr Sunak announced that a further 10 million in humanitarian aid would be provided to civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, up from the 27 million existing funding this year.

Responding to Mr Sunaks statement, Sir Keir Starmer added it is crucial that this House speaks with one voice in condemnation of terror, in support for Israel in its time of agony and for the dignity of all human life.

The United Nations and global aid agencies have expressed alarm about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, after Israel ordered civilians to evacuate the north ahead of an imminent attack.

Western diplomats are also concerned that the war between Hamas and Israel could spark a wider conflict in the Middle East.

The US announced that President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday to meet with officials and discuss humanitarian aid with Arab leaders.

Israel has said the siege will not be lifted until Hamas releases all the captives, but the countrys water ministry said supplies had been restored at one specific point, outside the southern town of Khan Younis.
Yellow severe weather warnings for wind and rain will be in place for much of this week with the arrival of Storm Babet.

The second named storm of the season will last from Wednesday until Saturday, the Met Office said, and is expected to cause flooding, power cuts and travel disruption.

Yellow warnings have been issued across the four days for a vast swathe of the UK, covering much of Scotland, eastern Northern Ireland, the north east of England, Yorkshire, the East Midlands and East Anglia.

As much as 150 to 200mm of rain is expected to fall on central and eastern areas of Scotland and there is a possibility of 70mph gale-force winds affecting northern parts of the UK, forecasters warned.

(PA Graphics)

Scotland typically receives 168mm of rainfall in October, but the country will receive more than this amount in the span of a few days.

The heavy rain may also cause fast-flowing and deep floodwater that could pose a danger to life, and there is also a chance of essential services like gas, water and mobile phone signals being disrupted.

Parts of England can expect more than 100mm of rainfall during the week with some isolated areas facing up to 150mm.

As the storm approaches on Tuesday, forecasters said gale-force gusts could occur along the coasts of Wales and southwest England, as well as to the west of higher ground areas such as Dartmoor in southern Devon and Eryri in northwest Wales.

Stephen Dixon, a Met Office spokesman, said: A disruptive period of weather is on the way.

Theres some high totals (of rain) which have the potential to disrupt travel plans possibility of power cuts as well as the obvious risk of flooding.

#StormBabet will bring heavy rain and high winds across Scotland from Wednesday evening, starting in the South West before moving across to the North East through Thursday and over the weekend. https://t.co/mmoUpSfF4z  Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) (@ScottishEPA) October 16, 2023

As you look at Wednesday, the first pulse of rain is looking to particularly influence Northern Ireland, Wales and the southwest of England, and into Thursday.

But its as you move from Thursday and into the week that shift very much focuses more towards central and eastern Scotland, but also some central and eastern areas of England as well.

He added that further weather warnings are likely to be announced by the Met Office in the coming days.

David Morgan, flood duty manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said: Storm Babet will bring heavy rain and high winds across Scotland from Wednesday evening, starting in the south west before moving across to the north east through Thursday and into the weekend.

Flood alerts and warnings will be issued as required, and we continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has urged the public to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.
More than 100 bipartisan lawmakers penned a letter to President Biden on Monday calling on him to impose the maximum possible sanctions on Iran over its role in funding Hamas and outlining additional steps to bolster support for Israels security.

The letter  led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.)  thanked Biden for his unwavering support for Israel and pledged the lawmakers would support any additional Administration measures to ensure Israel has every tool available to defeat radical terror.

Iran must be held fully accountable for its continued role in funding Hamas and Islamic terror. We urge the Administration to take all necessary steps to cut off Iranian funding sources. This includes maximum enforcement of all U.S. sanctions, and taking any and all steps to end Irans oil trade to China, which currently brings in $150 million per day in revenue, wrote the 113 House members, who comprise 63 Democrats and 50 Republicans.

The members also warned that United Nations ballistic missile sanctions on Iran will expire Wednesday, saying, This cannot be allowed to happen. They urged the Biden administration to work with European allies to reimplement snapback sanctions on Iran at the U.N. Security Council.

They also called on the Biden administration to put significant pressure on Qatar and Turkey to cease their support for Hamas and expel Hamas leadership that they host.

We are writing at a time of immense difficulty and sorrow for Israel and the Jewish people with a desire to reaffirm our support for the U.S.-Israel alliance at a moment when our ally depends on American support the most, they wrote.

The letter comes just over a week after Hamas launched a surprise attack on the southern border of Israel, killing more than 1,400 Israelis and taking nearly 200 people hostage. The Palestinian Ministry of Health estimated that more than 2,700 Palestinians have died amid the barrage of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Dozens of breastfed babies have lost their mothers in Afghanistan and millions of people left homeless, as the emergency response in the country collapsed after successive earthquakes and storms.

Nearly 20,000 people across six Afghan districts and 30 new villages were affected by the latest of four earthquakes that have hit Herat province in just a week, killing some 2,000 people in total.

The countrys population was already struggling with a financial collapse following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, which has also complicated efforts by international rescue agencies to reach the remote area affected.

Dozens of newborns who have lost their mothers in the earthquake cannot be breastfed, said Salma Ben Aissa, Afghanistan country director with the International Rescue Committee, as she emphasised the urgency of the rescue and relief operation in Herat.

During our emergency relief search, we have seen several cases of babies who are less than two years old that need to be breastfed but have lost their mothers. We cant find milk for them [through other mothers] and we dont have it with us either, Ms Ben Aissa told The Independent.

Women and children in Herat are already nutrition deficient, she said, adding that the provinces official emergency efforts have completely collapsed.

Children who have lost one or both parents were likely to be taken in by surviving relatives or community members, aid officials said, pointing out that orphanages in Afghanistan at this point were non-existent or rare.

Some returnees, likely who had come from Pakistan, were searching for their families but only saw their houses completely demolished, Ms Ben Aissa said.

The affected regions in Afghanistan have been hit by massive storms in the last week, as thick blankets of dust approached earthquake relief camps and blurred visibility in the region to near zero.

Dust storms have blown away and damaged the basic makeshift tents humanitarian aid teams were setting up in the city for those injured, and for hundreds who were sleeping in the open due to the fear of aftershocks.

Some of the villages that barely withstood the previous weeks earthquakes were reduced to rubble on Sunday after another 6.4 magnitude tremor struck the area.

Earthquake survivors continue to live in tents, as they fear entering their homes due to possible aftershocks (Middle East Images/AFP via Getty)

Our teams are reporting the bleakest of scenes, said Arshad Malik, country director for Save the Children in Afghanistan. Hundreds of tents have been set up on open plains to shelter families who have lost everything, which themselves are exposed to brutal winds and dust storms. Former villages are just rubble, rock. What precious little belongings families once had are completely buried, Mr Malik said.

He called it a crisis on top of a crisis for Afghanistan. Even before this disaster, children were suffering from a devastating lack of food. At the same time, the harsh winter is approaching fast while the children and families have no shelter or warm clothes to protect themselves, he said.

Already stretched thin on the economic front after the Taliban took over, public institutions such as schools and hospitals were struggling.

The IRC and other humanitarian aid workers were already alert to an unfolding and urgent healthcare situation in Herat even before the quakes struck. In the past month, 28 hospitals in the country lost financial support. Another 30 before that lost help from donors via international non-profits that were supporting them.

This directly hit women and children, in most cases, with aid agencies estimating that they make up 70 to 90 per cent of the casualties in the Afghanistan quakes.

There would have been no gender dimension to the death toll if the quake had happened at night, said Jaime Nadal, the Afghanistan representative for the United Nations Population Fund. As the first quake happened during the day, however, many women were at home while men were out.

An Afghan woman who lost her home in Chahak village, Injil district, in Herat (Sourced: Abdul Khaliq Sediqi/ IRC)

Those who survived were seen collecting their remaining belongings, such as mattresses and storage boxes, beside the piles of rubble that were once their homes.

On #WorldFoodDay, we remind the world that in #Afghanistan, 15 million people don't know where their next meal comes from.



That is 1/3 of the population.



The #HeratEarthquake is yet another disaster on top of an already dire humanitarian crisis. Afghans need urgent support. pic.twitter.com/TOlIo32anQ  World Food Programme in Afghanistan (@WFP_Afghanistan) October 16, 2023

The World Food Programme said it will need to assist more than 100,000 people affected by the earthquake for several months to help them stay alive and rebuild their lives.

We have launched an initial response but cannot continue without an additional injection of funds. We urgently need $19m to support over 100,000 people in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes, Philippe Kropf, head of communications at WFP Afghanistan said.
By Patricia Zengerle, Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden may consider a supplemental request of about $100 billion that would include defense aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, multiple sources familiar with the request told Reuters on Tuesday.

Biden has been widely expected to ask Congress to pass a supplemental spending bill within days, as Washington responds to the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants while looking to continue to support Ukraine as it grapples with a Russian invasion.

The news broke as Biden prepared to depart for Tel Aviv and Amman to show support for Israel and also to meet leaders of Jordan and Egypt on the Gaza humanitarian crisis

U.S. Senate leaders had said earlier on Tuesday they expected Biden to send them a request by the end of this week for billions of dollars in assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan and for security at the U.S. border.

Two of the sources said the request was for a full year of funding, explaining the large size.

Administration officials have been working on the request for weeks.

Senator Ben Cardin, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he had not yet seen a specific figure for the supplemental request, but would not be surprised if it was as large as $100 billion.

"I hope it's enough to get us through 2024," Cardin told Reuters.

He said he thought it had a good chance of passing the Senate with support from both Biden's fellow Democrats and Republicans. "I think this is our best shot to get it done," Cardin said.

ISRAEL ASKED FOR $10 BILLION

However, there is uncertainty about the fate of any legislation in Congress, which under U.S. law controls spending. The Republican-led House of Representatives has been without a speaker and unable to pass legislation since Kevin McCarthy was ousted on Oct. 3.

A congressional source familiar with the request said Israel had asked for $10 billion, as it responds to an attack on its citizens by the Iran-backed militant group Hamas. Israel already receives $3.8 billion per year from the United States, under a 10-year agreement that began in 2016.

Congress has already approved $113 billion in security, humanitarian and economic assistance to Ukraine since Russian troops poured into its territory in February 2022.

Bloomberg first reported that Biden was considering making a $100 billion request.

"We are going to do everything in our power to ensure the Senate delivers the support for Israel and the rest of the package. We intend to get the package the end of this week," the Senate's majority leader, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, told his weekly press conference.

Senator Mitch McConnell, the chamber's top Republican, said he expected the request to include assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, and said Republicans want it to include "something serious" for the border.

Top Biden administration officials will hold a classified briefing on Wednesday for the Senate on the situation in Israel and Gaza. Schumer said that Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who faces charges of acting as an unregistered agent for Egypt, would not attend.

Menendez has denied wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, writing by David Ljunggren; editing by Dan Whitcomb, Jonathan Oatis and David Gregorio)
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, putting himself in harms way to show that he stands squarely with the country as it reels from Hamas surprise attack and prepares a ground invasion meant to wipe out the militant group on its border.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from Israel, announced the trip to Tel Aviv  the president's second foray into an active war zone this year after he traveled to Ukraine in February under the tightest secrecy.

In remarks after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken said Biden is coming to "reaffirm the United States' solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security."

Biden also plans to hear directly from the Israelis about what they need to safeguard their security, Blinken said.

Follow our live coverage here.

In a statement Monday night, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden's trip will "demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamass brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps."

Biden is expected to meet with Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders during the trip, which will be followed by a stop in neighboring Jordan. There, Biden will meet with regional leaders who are crucial to any effort to protect Palestinian civilians and stabilize the Middle East over the long term, John Kirby, a White House National Security Council spokesman, told reporters Monday night.

While he is in Amman, Biden will meet with Jordan's King Abdullah, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

"He will certainly reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinians' right to dignity and self-determination," Kirby said of Biden. "He'll discuss again the humanitarian needs of all civilians in Gaza."

U.S. officials have been discussing with Middle East counterparts, including Egypt, ways to get humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza caught up in Israels siege of the densely populated territory.

The trip follows an invitation from Netanyahu. Biden and Netanyahu have spoken five times since Hamas launched its attack on Oct. 7, killing 1,400 people in Israel. On Sunday, Biden was also invited to Egypt to take part in a coming international summit meeting devoted to the future of Palestinians, according to a U.S. official.

The Middle East visit comes with unavoidable perils for Biden. Hamas has been launching rockets into Israel. An air raid siren went off as Blinken met with Netanyahu and other Israel officials in Tel Aviv on Monday, forcing them to take shelter in a bunker.

Jason Greenblatt, the White House special envoy to the Middle East during the Trump administration and the author of the book "In the Path of Abraham: How Donald Trump Made Peace in the Middle East  and How to Stop Joe Biden from Unmaking It," said Biden's visit will send a strong message.

It "sends a message that he's been trying to give and the entire administration has been trying to give: that they support Israel through this horrific period," Greenblatt said in an interview Monday. "It shows that there's no daylight whatsoever between them."
Police on Tuesday opened an investigation into a home rental scam suspect and his family with simultaneous raids on their homes and offices in Suwon.

The suspect, known only by his surname Jeong, his wife and their son are accused of defrauding 394 tenants of 47.5 billion won ($35.1 million) after signing "jeonse" contracts.

Jeonse refers to a unique Korean system in which tenants give landlords a large returnable deposit instead of paying monthly rent. But the long-term deposit rental system has recently emerged as a big social issue, due to a large number of fraud cases, in which scammers usually buy multiple homes using the jeonse money as leverage and later refuse to return the deposits at the end of the lease.

Police estimate the total damage from the Jeong family's suspected fraud may amount to 81 billion won, as the family is believed to have rented out 671 homes in 51 buildings. They believe Jeong and his wife have engaged in the fraudulent home rental business after establishing 18 real estate corporations, and their son is suspected of having brokered the jeonse contracts as a real estate agent.

About 20 police officers searched the Jeong family's homes and offices to seize their mobile phones, computers and documents related to the jeonse contracts, according to officials at the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency.

The police agency plans to summon the Jeong family as criminal suspects as soon as the confiscated items are analyzed. Six other real estate agents and their assistants allegedly involved in Jeong's home rental contracts are also under investigation, the agency said, noting it had received a total of 134 criminal complaints from Jeong's tenants as of Monday. (Yonhap)
President Joe Biden has sent a funding bill to Congress (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

President Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced early on Tuesday morning from Tel Aviv.

Mr Bidens visit will bring immense logistical and security challenges as the president enters an active war zone in a conflict that has killed more than 4,000 Israelis and Palestinians and displaced over 1 million people from Gaza.

It will include meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as a stop the same day in Amman, Jordan, for discussions with King Abdullah, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, which partially governs the West Bank, according to the White House.

The President will reaffirm our solidarity with Israel and he will look forward to getting an update from Israeli officials about their strategy and the pace of their military operations, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday.

He will certainly reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination, Mr Kirby added. And hell discuss again the humanitarian needs of all civilians in Gaza.

Mr Biden has repeatedly voiced strong support for Israel since the outbreak of war earlier this month.

The United States stands with Israel, Mr Biden said the day Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on Israel. We will never fail to have their back. Well make sure they have the help their citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves.

The president added the attacks were unconscionable and a terrible tragedy on a human level.

In recent days, as the Israeli bombardment on the blockaded Palestinian enclave has killed and displaced numerous civilians, Mr Biden has also warned the US ally of re-occupying the Gaza Strip.

I think itd be a big mistake, he told 60 Minutes in a recent interview. Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas dont represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that  it would be a mistake  for Israel to occupy  Gaza again.

The World Health Organization has warned that Gaza is less than 24 hours away from a humanitarian catastrophe, as food, water, fuel and medical capacity dwindles.

Israels defence minister vowed to impose a full siege on Gaza, about half of whose population is under the age of 18.

I ordered a full siege on the Gaza Strip, Yoav Gallant has said of the IDF strategy. No power, no food, no gas, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we act accordingly.

On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Congress would attempt to fast-track a military aid package to Israel, adding to the billions of yearly security aid the US already provides.

Andrew Feinberg contributed reporting to this story.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) -About 500 Palestinians were killed in a blast at a Gaza hospital on Tuesday that Palestinian health authorities said was caused by an Israeli air strike but that the Israeli military blamed on a failed rocket launch by a Palestinian militant group.

The blast was the bloodiest single incident in Gaza since Israel launched an unrelenting bombing campaign against the densely populated territory in retaliation for a deadly cross-border Hamas assault on southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7.

It took place on the eve of a visit by U.S. President Joe Biden to Israel to show support for the country in its war with Hamas, the Islamist group that rules the Gaza Strip, and to hear how Israel plans to minimize civilian casualties.

Reuters could not independently verify who was responsible for the blast.

The health minister in the Hamas-run government of Gaza, Mai Alkaila, accused Israel of a massacre. A Gaza civil defence chief said 300 people were killed and a health ministry official said 500 were killed.

Prior to Tuesday's incident, health authorities in Gaza said at least 3,000 people had been killed in Israel's 11-day bombardment that began after Hamas militants rampaged into Israeli towns and kibbutzes on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,300 people, mainly civilians.

However, the Israeli military denied responsibility for the blast at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital in Gaza City, suggesting the hospital was hit by a failed rocket launch by the enclave's Palestinian Islamic Jihad military group.

"An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit," a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said.

"Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza," the spokesperson added.

Daoud Shehab, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad, told Reuters: This is a lie and fabrication, it is completely incorrect. The occupation is trying to cover for the horrifying crime and massacre they committed against civilians.

During the last Israeli-Hamas conflict in 2021, Israel said Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other militant groups fired around 4,360 rockets from Gaza of which around 680 fell short of Israel and into the Gaza Strip.

In the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against President Mahmoud Abbas as popular anger boiled over after the blast.

Clashes with Palestinian security forces broke out in a number of other cities in the West Bank, which is ruled by Abbas' Palestinian Authority, late on Tuesday, witnesses said.

Regardless of who was responsible for the hospital blast, which Hamas said had killed patients, women and children and others left homeless by Israeli bombardments, it will likely make even more complex diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.

Abbas cancelled a planned meeting with Biden following the blast, a senior Palestinian official said.

That meeting was due to take place in Jordan, where Abbas maintains a residence, but the Palestinian official said he was returning to Ramallah, the seat of his government in the occupied West Bank.

After Hamas officials initially blamed Tuesday's hospital blast on an Israeli air strike, Arab countries, Iran and Turkey swiftly condemned it. The Palestinian prime minister called it "a horrific crime, genocide" and said countries backing Israel also bore responsibility.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Bassam Massoud and Nuha Sharaf in Gaza, Ari Rabinovitch, Dan Williams, Henriette Chacar, Dedi Hayun, Maayan Lubell, Emily Rose, James Mackenzie and John Davison in Jerusalem, Humeyra Pamuk in Tel Aviv, Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, Hatem Maher, Ahmed Tolba and Omar Abdel-Razek in Cairo, Trevor Hunnicutt, Nandita Bose, Rami Ayyub and Katharine Jackson in Washington, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, Writing by Peter Graff, Angus Macswan and Arshad Mohammed; editing by Mark Heinrich and Howard Goller)
Les Wexner. Jay LaPrete/AP

The Jewish philanthropy founded by the retail billionaire Les Wexner has severed ties with Harvard.

The Wexner Foundation accused Harvard of a "dismal failure" to condemn the Hamas attacks last week.

Other wealthy alumni and donors have criticized elite schools over their posture toward Israel.

Les Wexner, the billionaire retailer known for brands including Victoria's Secret, is the latest to pull funding from an elite school in the wake of the Hamas attacks last week.

The Wexner Foundation, the Jewish leadership philanthropy founded by the retailer, has severed ties with Harvard, citing the university's response last week to the terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel. Investors, CEOs, and donors have called on Ivy League schools to be more vocal in standing with Israel and condemning antisemitism.

"Harvard's leaders were indeed tiptoeing, equivocating," the statement said, posted on X. It was signed by Leslie and Abigail Wexner; Rabbi B. Elka Abrahamson, the Wexner Foundation president; and Ra'anan Avital, the foundation's director general for Israel.

A foundation representative confirmed the statement's authenticity to Insider.

"In the absence of this clear moral stand, we have determined that the Harvard Kennedy School and The Wexner Foundation are no longer compatible partners," the statement said. "Our core values and those of Harvard no longer align."

Beyond the developments of last week, the statement said that the Kennedy School of Government's tolerance of diverse perspectives had diminished "slowly but perceptibly" in recent years and that Wexner fellows had experienced their "voices and views even shouted down."

"Many of our Israel Fellows no longer feel marginalized at HKS," the statement said. "They feel abandoned." The foundation supports a fellowship for government and public-service professionals from Israel who pursue a one-year degree from the Harvard Kennedy School.

A representative for the Harvard Kennedy School pointed Insider to statements issued by both Harvard's president, Claudine Gay, and the Kennedy School's dean, Doug Elmendorf, last week in which the representative said the university "made clear our rejection of the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas."

"Our university rejects terrorism  that includes the barbaric atrocities perpetrated by Hamas," Gay said separately in a video statement.

Elmendorf condemned the attacks in his Friday statement while adding he was "very concerned about the threats, vitriol, doxxing, and other menacing actions directed at members of our community," which he said was primarily coming from people outside Harvard.

"We are grateful to The Wexner Foundation for its very long-standing support of student scholarships," a Kennedy School representative said.

Wexner built his fortune as the CEO of L Brands , leading companies including Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works. He launched The Wexner Foundation in 1983 with the goal of "strengthening leadership for the Jewish people," according to the foundation's website.

The mogul stepped down from leadership at the retail brands following scrutiny over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who killed himself in jail while facing sex-trafficking charges. A spokesperson for Wexner said in 2019 that the businessman had cut ties with Epstein years before.

Monday's announcement ends a partnership that spanned more than three decades and provided management and leadership training for Israeli government workers at the Ivy League public-affairs school.

Correction: October 17, 2023  An earlier version of this story misstated Les Wexner's role at Victoria's Secret. He was the company's owner and CEO but did not found it. The story also incorrectly described Jeffrey Epstein's criminal history. He was never convicted of sexual assault.

October 16, 2023: This story was updated to include comments sent by a Harvard Kennedy School representative.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Amanda Webster is pictured.

Puerto Rican police found a "lifeless" body floating upside down in a river, days after the department announced it was searching for a missing Indiana woman.

Amanda Webster was vacationing on the island from Indiana when she was reported missing Wednesday by the landlord of the lodgings where she was staying. The guest house manager had realized Webster left her belongings and a rented car on the property past the date she was supposed to leave, police said.

Puerto Rico Police Commissioner Antonio Lopez Figueroa ordered an "Ashanti Alert" on Friday, which asks citizens to help find the 44-year-old art teacher.

The U.S. Forest Service soon searched a wooded area where a citizen had previously spotted Webster, who was described as being 5-foot-6 and 147 lbs with blond hair and blue eyes.

But on Saturday, authorities said the same team carrying out the forest search may have found Webster's body in a rocky area of a river in the Rio Blanco neighborhood.

"A lifeless body, which could be that of a woman, was found this morning," police said in a post on Facebook. "At this stage it is not possible to identify the gender of the body or conclude if it shows signs of violence."

A group of officials had been working on extracting and identifying the body at the time of the post, but in a post on Facebook, Webster's mother appeared to confirm the identity of the body, days after sharing that her daughter had been missing in Puerto Rico.

"They just found Amanda's body in the river," the post read. "She had been underwater for some time."

Webster was an art teacher at Thompson Crossing Elementary School in Franklin Township, according to Scripps News Indianapolis. The school will be providing counseling services starting Monday, according to the district.

SEE MORE: Police search for killer of retired dean shot near Vermont campus
Noiya Sharabi, Eli Sharabi, Yahel Sharabi and Lianne Sharabi. Eli and Lianne are confirmed dead, while Eli and Noiya are missing

A British teenager who went missing after the Hamas attack on Israel last weekend was murdered, her family have told the BBC.

On Monday, The Telegraph reported that two sisters were among the 10 Britons who have been missing since Hamas infiltrated and rampaged through southern Israel.

Noiya Sharabi, 16, and Yahel Sharabi, 13, have not been seen since their British mother, Lianne, was killed when Hamas fighters stormed Kibbutz Beeri, where they lived.

On Tuesday, family members told the BBC that 13-year-old Yahel was also murdered. Their Israeli father Eli, as well as 16-year-old Noiya, are still missing.

Lianne was described by her family as a a beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend who enriched the lives of all those lucky enough to have known and loved her.

She lived a beautiful life and will be sorely missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind, they said.

Yahel Sharabi (left) and Noiya Sharabi

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Rishi Sunak said at least six British citizens were killed in the Hamas assault and a further 10 are still missing as he addressed MPs for the first time since the atrocity.

The identities of the British citizens, some of whom are understood to be dual nationals, were not confirmed by the Foreign Office after Mr Sunak had spoken.

Andrew Mitchell, the Foreign Office minister, said the Government would do everything we possibly can to get back the British hostages being held by Hamas.

He told BBC Breakfast: We dont know where they are and we are thinking of them all the time. And of course we are strongly supporting the attempt by Israel to find them and release them.

We mourn the six British hostages we know who have died, and we are extremely concerned about the fate and the state of the other 10.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
By Philip Blenkinsop and Marine Strauss

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -A Tunisian gunman suspected of killing two Swedish football fans in Brussels died on Tuesday after being shot by police in a cafe, hours after an attack which Sweden's prime minister said showed Europe must bolster security to protect itself.

The 45-year-old, who identified himself as a member of Islamic State and claimed responsibility in a video posted online, is also suspected of wounding another Swedish national in his attack in central Brussels on Monday evening.

"This is a time for more security, we can't be naive," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a news conference in Stockholm, calling for stricter border controls in Europe.

"These terrorists want to scare us into obedience and silence. That will not happen," he said.

The shooting came at a time of heightened security concerns across much of Europe linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, but prosecutors said the gunman appeared motivated more by Koran burnings in Sweden.

In August, Sweden raised its terrorism alert to the second-highest level and warned of an increase in threats against Swedes at home and abroad after burnings outraged Muslims and triggered threats from jihadists.

Chief prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw said early indications pointed toward the gunman operating alone, rather than being part of a broad network, although two people were brought in for questioning.

Police found an ArmaLite AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a bag of clothing in the cafe where he was discovered on Tuesday morning. Two handguns and a knife were found very close to his apartment, Van Leeuw said.

Video footage of the attack showed a man in an orange jacket on a scooter at a street intersection with a rifle following people fleeing into a building and firing at them.

"I saw the assailant enter the building and shoot twice towards the man - the man fell to the ground. I saw him fall because I was just nearby," said a witness, who identified himself as Souleymane.

"I stayed there, I was frozen, I couldn't move. I'm still shivering because of what happened."

According to a media transcript of the video message recorded by the self-declared perpetrator, the attacker said he had killed Swedes to avenge Muslims.

The victims were a man aged around 70 from the Stockholm region, and a man aged about 60 who lived abroad, Sweden's foreign ministry said, adding that the injured man, also around 70, was still in hospital.

'VULNERABLE'

The Brussels attack came just days after a teacher was fatally stabbed in northern France in an attack which President Emmanuel Macron condemned as "barbaric Islamic terrorism".

"All European states are vulnerable," Macron said on Tuesday, speaking of a "resurgence of Islamist terrorism".

In a video on social media, the suspected gunman called himself Abdesalem Al Guilani.

He unsuccessfully sought asylum in Belgium in 2019, was living in the country illegally and was known to Belgian police in connection with helping smuggle people into Britain, Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne said.

Italian sources said he had arrived in Italy's Lampedusa island in 2011, moved later to Sweden, but was expelled from there and returned to Italy before his arrival in Belgium.

Van Quickenborne said it was difficult to expel illegal migrants because certain North African countries were unwilling to take them back.

The suspect fled the scene after the shooting as a football match between Belgium and Sweden was about to start, triggering a manhunt and prompting Belgium to raise the terrorism alert in its capital to its maximum level.

It returned to the second-highest level late on Tuesday.

"The perpetrator targeted specifically Swedish supporters who were in Brussels to attend a Red Devils soccer match," Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said, calling it a "brutal terrorist attack".

Belgium was hosting Sweden in a Euro 2024 qualifying match. The match was abandoned at halftime.

The European Commission, which is based in Brussels, urged staff to work from home. Some schools were closed.

Belgium has been the target of several Islamist attacks over recent years, the deadliest being the 2016 attack on Brussels airport and the city's metro, in which 32 people died.

Several of the Islamist gunmen who targeted Paris in a 2015 attack that killed 130 people were Belgian or living in Brussels.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, Bart Meijer, Benoit van Overstraeten, Jan Strupczewski, Tassilo Hummel, Zhifan Liu, Marine Strauss, Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Niklas Pollard, Anna Ringstrom, Angelo Amante, Alvise Armellini; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Jan StrupczewskiEditing by Gerry Doyle, Christina Fincher, Nick Macfie, Alexandra Hudson)
Fighting broke out along the Israel-Lebanon border early Tuesday as skirmishes continued between the Israeli military and Hezbollah militants.

An anti-tank missile was fired from Lebanon into the Israeli border town of Metula, injuring three people, the Israeli military said. The military then returned fire with tanks, it said.

No group in Lebanon immediately claimed responsibility. It was not clear if the injured were civilians or soldiers, but Israel ordered civilians to evacuate the area near the border with Lebanon on Monday.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also killed four men with explosive vests at the Lebanese border early Tuesday. There was no claim of responsibility for that incident, either.

Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which is stationed in Lebanon, have clashed for years near the border, sparking fears the group could launch an attack on Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Hezbollah has fired rockets numerous times at Israel, which has returned fire and struck multiple targets. The U.S. has labeled Hezbollah, like Hamas, a terrorist organization.

The IDF said Sunday that nine rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, but Israels air defense intercepted five of them. The Israeli military also confirmed it would strike the launch site in Lebanon as retaliation.

The assaults from Lebanon have reportedly killed one Israeli soldier and one civilian, and Israels strikes on Lebanon have killed three civilians  including Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah  and four Hezbollah militants.

Hezbollah has endorsed, but not joined, the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Colombias President Gustavo Petro is threatening to cut diplomatic ties with Israel after Israeli authorities froze security exports to the South American country over his comments comparing Israels government to the Nazis and his failure to quickly condemn the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants on southern Israel.

If we have to suspend foreign relations with Israel, we suspend them. We do not support genocides, Petro said on Sunday evening on X, formerly known as Twitter.

You dont insult the president of Colombia, he said, replying to a statement on X by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Lior Haiat, criticizing the Colombian presidents remarks as antisemitic.

Haiat announced that as a first measure, Israel decided to stop security cooperation with Colombia. Israel has provided Colombia with missiles, drones, military planes, helicopters and other security material. The two countries also have a free trade agreement since 2020.

On Monday, the Colombian foreign affairs minister, Alvaro Leyva, told the Israeli ambassador, Gali Dagan, to apologize for his senseless loutishness in dealing with Petro.

Shame. Minimum make excuses and leave, he said on X. He later clarified Colombia was not expelling the Israeli ambassador and that diplomatic relations would continue if that country so wishes it.

Shortly after Hamas militants launched a murderous rampage on towns, kibbutzim and military bases in southern Israel on the morning of Oct. 7, killing at least 1400 people and taking another 199 hostages, including women and children, Petro, an avid social media user, started sharing comments in support of what he referred to as the Palestinian cause. He published photos of Palestinian children killed by Israels military response in Gaza and said: Terrorism is killing innocent children, whether in Colombia or Palestine.

In the first 24 hours after the attack, he did not condemn Hamas deadly assault. The United States lists Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Speaking of Israel, he said that democratic peoples cannot allow Nazism to reestablish itself in international politics and that no democrat in the world can accept Gaza being turned into a concentration camp.

Israel called in Colombias ambassador for consultations on Sunday to deliver a reprimand concerning the hostile and antisemitic statements against the State of Israel made last week by the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, Haiat said.

Israel condemns the Presidents statements, which constitute support for the horrific acts of Hamas terrorists, inflame antisemitism, harm representatives of the State of Israel, and threaten the safety of the Jewish community in Colombia, the spokesperson added.

Petro has not been alone in voicing concerns about a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israels bombing campaign following Hamas attack has killed at least 2,808, most of them women and children, according to a statement by the Gaza Government Press Office on Monday.

While vowing full support for Israel, the Biden administration has increased calls on Israel to respect international war law and is pushing for ways to deliver urgent aid to about two million civilians caught in Gaza without food, water and medical supplies as the bombing intensifies and Israel gets ready to launch an invasion.

Critics of Petro

But critics both inside and outside Colombia say Petro, a leftist president with a guerrilla past, has failed to condemn Hamas attacks in stronger terms, in the process sparking a diplomatic crisis with one of the United States closest allies.

The most important fallout from his social media remarks, at times filled with obscure references to Hitler when speaking about Israel, is that it risks damaging Colombias close partnership with the United States, said Francisco Santos, a former Colombian ambassador to the United States.

Petros radical remarks directly affect relations with our first trading partner and our biggest ally, the United States, Santos said. We have seen a president who tweets as an activist without taking into account international relations and the importance of the moment, and who is showing a lack of sensibility in the face of all the deaths and the massacres.

Petros remarks have already drawn condemnation from the United States.

We strongly condemn President Petros statements and call on him to condemn Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, for its barbaric murder of Israeli men, women and children, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, with the office of the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism said on X.

Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio accused Petros rhetoric of inflaming antisemitism. Israels embassy in Bogota, Colombias capital, was vandalized last week with offensive graffiti, including a swastika.

Now must be a time of moral clarity, not drawing false equivalencies to justify an unjustifiable position, said Florida Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who heads the House subcommittee that allocates funding to the State Department. It is shameful that the Colombian presidents sympathies seem to lie with the terrorists rather than their victims.

Domestically, Petro is also fielding intense criticism for his position on the conflict, which he addressed on social media on Monday, saying he does not support Hamas and calling for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He also said Colombia will send humanitarian aid to Gaza.
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  Colombias government and the rebel group know as FARC-EMC on Monday signed a three-month cease-fire and formally began peace talks, as President Gustavo Petro tries to bolster his plans to pacify rural areas ahead of regional elections that will take place at the end of October.

In an event that took place in the township of Tibu, near Colombias border with Venezuela, both sides also agreed to cease attacks on civilians and set up a group that will monitor the cease-fire and could include United Nations personnel.

Peace today seems to have been eclipsed when sirens, bombs, shouts of pain and desperation can be heard in places like the Middle East, Europe or sub-Saharan Africa said Camilo Gonzalez, the government's lead negotiator. These peace talks (in Colombia) are a bet on life and freedom.

FARC-EMC are currently Colombias third largest armed group, with around 3,500 members. The group is led by left-wing guerrilla fighters who refused to join a 2016 peace deal between Colombias government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in which more than 12,000 rebels laid down their guns.

The talks with the FARC-EMC are part of President Petros total peace strategy, which includes negotiating with various armed groups.

Colombia's government in June signed a 6-month cease-fire with the National Liberation Army, the country's largest remaining guerrilla group. But talks with the Gulf Clan, the nations second largest armed group, broke down earlier this year as the military cracked down on illegal mining in a region controlled by that organization.

FARC-EMC said in September that they will not interfere in municipal and provincial elections that will be held on October 29. Their leaders argued that they wanted to give the government a gesture of good will, as both sides tried to broker a cease-fire.

Last year, on December 31, President Petro ordered his troops to stop attacks on the FARC-EMC. But that cease-fire broke down in May after the rebels killed three teenagers from an Indigenous community who had been forcibly recruited and were trying to escape from one of the groups camps.

Jorge Restrepo, a Colombian security analyst, said that the current cease-fire could take some time to implement, because FARC-EMC operates as a coalition of different rebel units, each with its own interests.

There are disputes between the different groups that make up the EMC," Restrepo said. So that could limit the effect of the cease-fire on rural communities.

____

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
An attack on a hospital in the north end of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday left hundreds dead and injured, according to World Health Organization officials.

Beyond that vague assessment, however, there is little agreement. Palestinian officials have separately said it was an Israeli airstrike, while the Israel Defense Forces say that intelligence traces the attack to a failed Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket.

Preliminary estimates of deaths at Al Ahli Arab Hospital vary from 200 to 800, WHO officials said at an emergency press conference late Tuesday, and injuries are estimated to be in the hundreds. At the time of the attack, the hospital was operational, "with patients, health and care givers, and internally displaced people sheltering there," one official said.

The attack was "unprecedented in scale," Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, a WHO representative for the area, said.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was midair during Tuesday's press conference, flying back to Geneva from Asia, said Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO's executive director of health emergencies, speaking in his stead.

Dr. Tedros, however, had been fully briefed, and has "already expressed his shock and condemnation," Ryan said, adding that the director-general was expected to make comments on the attack from Geneva the following day.

When asked if the attack constituted a war crime, Ryan said that international humanitarian law "calls for the protection of civilians, particularly for the protection of health care facilities and health care workers."

The WHO doesn't perform criminal investigations and can't declare war crimes, he said. "What we can say is that any attack on health careany attack on health workers in this situationis a violation of international law. The causation of that, it's impossible for WHO to determine."

He later referred to the attack as ferocious.

Al Ahli Arab Hospital was one of 22 hospitals in the north end of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli militaryan order that the WHO and other agencies have said is impossible to carry out, due to insecurity in the area, the critical condition of many patients, a lack of ambulances, and a lack of alternative shelter, among other factors. Combined, the hospitals were treating more than 2,000 patients, and additional civilians have been sheltering in and around them, hoping they'd be spared from attacks, WHO officials said.

Israel's orders for the evacuation of northern Gaza must be reversed, the WHO reiterated Tuesday in a statement sent to press.

Tuesday's attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital is one of more than 100 that have occurred on health care facilities since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war a week and a half ago. Fifty-one have occurred in Gaza, according to WHO officials, and the rest have occurred in the nearby West Bank area.

More than 2,800 deaths have occurred in Gaza since last week, with almost 11,000 injuries, Peeperkorn said at a press conference earlier Tuesday with members of WHO's Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.

The West Bank had seen 61 deaths, with 1,250 injuries, he added.

Rafah border crossing still closed

The Rafah border crossingthe only entry point to Gaza, on its border with Egyptis still not open, WHO officials said late Tuesday.

"I want to raise a plea: What is needed in Gaza now is immediate access," Peeperkorn said. "Rafah needs to open as soon as possible."

Hospitals in Gaza have only about a week's worth of blood supply left, he added.

As to why the crossing still isn't open after a week of various parties stating that it would be, Dr. Richard Brennan, regional emergency director for WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, said the situation involved "a lot of different dynamics."

There is "a lot of, frankly, finger-pointing on this, a lot of diplomacy," Brennan said, adding that UN officials would soon arrive in Cairo, and he hoped they would be able to negotiate the opening.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi agreed to facilitate the movement of health supplies through the Rafah crossing last week, Dr. Tedros has said. But getting supplies through requires the cooperation of both Egypt and Israel, as well as additional cooperation from Hamas.

If the crossing does open, Egyptian Red Crescent officials will ensure medical supplies enter first, a WHO official said earlier Tuesday.

While the WHO could establish field hospitals near the border in Egypt, Egypt has not requested such a move and may establish a field hospital on their own, they added.

Airlifts have been discussed, Brennan said, but they would require "the same type of clearances as border crossing."

"It's in the hands of diplomats and decision-makers at this stage," he added. "We're ready to go when they give us the green light."

While airdrops can be lifesaving, the amount of aid that can be delivered by plane is much less than what can be delivered by ground, Ryan said.

Even if the crossing were open, as fighting continues, "the conditions do not exist right now inside Gaza to be able to bring aid in safely," he added. "There must be a cessation of bombing in order to allow it."

While diplomats and politicians bargain and negotiate, the clock ticksand lives are lost every minute, WHO officials said Tuesday.

"That needs to happen now, that needs to happen tonight," Ryan said. "Not tomorrow morning. This simply cannot wait."

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
By Jun Ji-hye

The number of criminal offenders fleeing overseas over the past five years has been tallied at about 3,800, but only 1,740 have been brought back to Korea, according to a lawmaker, Tuesday.

Rep. Chung Woo-taik of the ruling People Power Party released data he received from the National Police Agency, which shows a total of 3,779 criminals fled overseas from 2019 to this September.

Among the 3,779, fraudsters accounted for the biggest portion at 50.5 percent, followed by those who committed crimes related to gambling at 15.2 percent. Drug criminals and sex offenders accounted for 6.1 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

However, only 1,740, which is less than half, have been brought back to the country during the same period.

Nearly 26 percent of the criminals traveled to China to evade the Korean authorities, while 22.9 percent chose the Philippines and 11.2 percent went to Cambodia.

In September, police caught a man in his 40s at a casino in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang after he fled to the Southeast Asian country in August following a credit union heist in Daejeon.

The man was suspected of robbing a branch of the National Credit Union Federation of Korea in Daejeon on Aug. 18, threatening employees with a weapon. He departed for Vietnam some two days after stealing 39 million won in cash ($29,000), according to the Daejeon Police Agency.

The agency said that the police cooperated closely with Interpol and Vietnamese authorities to apprehend the man and bring him back to Korea.

In another case, a 25-year-old Korean national surnamed Lee, who was suspected of organizing a drug scam in which drug-laced beverages were distributed to teenage students in Seouls Gangnam District in April, was caught in China in May but has yet to be brought back to Korea.

Monitoring and analysis of criminals fleeing overseas should be enhanced so police can apprehend them more effectively, Rep. Chung said.
The U.S. Capitol building

The U.S. Senate is back in session this week.

On the top of their to-do list is a supplemental aid package to support Israel and Ukraine as bloody wars rage in both countries.

"We will work with the Israeli government and the Biden administration to assemble the most generous aid package possible," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, while speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv.

Flanked by a bipartisan group of senators, Schumer said he had talked with Israeli leaders about their needs, including replacement ammunition for the country's Iron Dome missile defense system and precision-guided bombs.

He vowed to put that aid package to a floor vote in the coming weeks.

Schumer didn't mention Ukraine when speaking about the aid package. But National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan did during a weekend interview with "Face the Nation."

"The president has made clear that he is going to go to Congress with a package for funding for Ukraine as well as continued support for Israel," Sullivan said. "You can expect intensive engagement with Congress this very week as we work on such a package and seek to secure bipartisan support for it."

SEE MORE: Humanitarian aid stuck at Gaza border as hospitals face collapse

But there are roadblocks standing in the way.

Legislative activity in the House is all but dead ever since the ousting of Kevin McCarthy as speaker. Any action in the chamber is on hold until a new speaker takes up the gavel.

And even then, it is unclear if an aid package sending aid to both countries would receive enough support.

Still, President Biden has insisted the U.S. has the capacity to support both Ukraine and Israel  and an obligation to do so.

That is a sentiment echoed by the woman overseeing the U.S.' purse strings  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

"I think the answer is absolutely. America can certainly afford to stand with Israel and to support Israel's military needs. And we also can and must support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia," Yellen said.

SEE MORE: President Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday, State Department says
My heart breaks at the rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric and I urge all leaders and people to reject bigotry and embrace tolerance, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. told theGrio.

The Biden-Harris Administration and members of Congress are condemning the slaying of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy in Illinois over the weekend.

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., told theGrio, I want to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Wadea Al-Fayoume. His tragic death is a sobering reminder that Islamophobia and hate have no place in our society.

BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS  OCTOBER 16: Six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoumes casket sits on the floor during a funeral service at the Mosque Foundation on October 16, 2023 in Bridgeview, Illinois. According to reports, Al-Fayoume was killed and his mother seriously wounded when her landlord, Joseph Czuba, attacked them because they were Muslim. Czuba has been arrested and charged with murder and hate crimes. (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images)

Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., told theGrio, My heart goes out to his family, his mother who is still in critical condition, his friends, and to his community.

This violence and act of pure hatred is inexcusable. It is proof that dehumanizing the Palestinian people has horrible consequences; that when we plainly push forward one-sided, Islamophobic and bigoted rhetoric, it can serve as a death sentence, said Bush.

She added, It is shameful and it is deplorable. And it must stop.

President Joe Biden issued a statement following the incident expressing he and first lady Jill Biden were shocked and sickened to learn of the brutal murder of a six-year-old child and the attempted murder of the childs mother in their home yesterday in Illinois.

The president continued, As Americans, we must come together and reject Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred.

Vice President Kamala Harris also denounced the attack, saying in a statement, hate has no place in America.

We unequivocally condemn hate and Islamophobia and stand with the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim American communities, she said.

On Saturday, 71-year-old Joseph Czuba allegedly stabbed Wadea Al-Fayoume and his mother Hanaan Shahin, 32, in Plainfield, Illinois, a village located 40 miles southwest of Chicago. The stabbing is reportedly because of the Muslim faith.

Al-Fayoume, 6, was pronounced dead at a local hospital and Shahin, who was critically injured after sustaining over a dozen stab wounds to her body, is currently being treated at a medical facility and is expected to survive.

For the past two years, the Muslim family lived on the ground floor of Czubas home and reportedly resided there without incident until this past weekend.

Czuba faces several charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and two counts of committing a hate crime.

Officials investigating the crime believe the attack is connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

During a recent virtual press conference about the Israel-Hamas conflict Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only Palestinian-American in Congress, told reporters that this tragic ordeal comes on the heels of the Middle Eastern conflict and the medias dehumanization of Palestinians.

It is heartbreaking and infuriating to watch the dehumanization of Palestinians in the media and by prominent figures which is leading tohate crimes here at home, she said.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) attends a panel at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Congresswoman Tlaib told reporters that her constituents in Michigan are now incredibly worried about being targeted.

I represent a large concentration of Muslim-Americans in the U.S. and weve already had to make an arrest of a person who threatened to come and hunt so-called, quote, Palestinians, she added.

Rep. Omar told theGrio, We must come together as a nation to condemn violence and discrimination against Muslim Americans or any group.

Just as we learned from the tragedy of 9/11, we cannot blame an entire religion for the actions of a few extremists, said Omar.

My heart breaks at the rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric and I urge all leaders and people to reject bigotry and embrace tolerance.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Congresswoman condemns dehumanization of Palestinians after boy, 6, is fatally stabbed appeared first on TheGrio.
A cruise ship carrying about 130 U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals fleeing from the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas docked in Cyprus early Tuesday, according to reports.

The ship was met at the port of Limassol, Cyprus, by U.S. Ambassador Julie Fisher. The Americans were processed by U.S. customs agents and set up with local accommodations as they awaited flights home.

Naama Kopelman, who has relatives believed to be Hamas hostages, said she decided to leave Israel for the sake of her daughter.

Its a big relief to be out of there in a safe place. No alarms, no sounds of the planes going about all the time, Kopelman told The Associated Press.

The war between Israel and the Palestinian military group Hamas has killed more than a thousand Israelis and thousands more Palestinians. The Israeli military has continuously bombarded Gaza with missiles and air strikes in preparation for an expected ground invasion.

Ten days ago, Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 Israeli civilians and took about 200 more hostage in a surprise attack.

A very small number of the hostages is Americans, the White House said last week.

At least 30 American citizens have died in the conflict, the State Department said Sunday. Another 15 are unaccounted for. At least 600 U.S. citizens are in Gaza, and an estimated 500,000 live in Israel.

The U.S. government is working around the clock to determine their whereabouts 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, a State Department spokesperson said Saturday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Three months after Florida banned many Chinese citizens from owning property, some real estate agents say they are losing business as families across the state are walking away from deals.

Longtime Florida resident Kristen Zhang was thrilled when last year her parents in China decided to buy a new house nearby, built from the ground up, in Orlando. After being separated during the pandemic, theyd finally be able to spend time with their grandkids.

But in May Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bipartisan law, SB 264, banning certain Chinese nationals from buying property in the state to counter the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party in the state of Florida.

Zhangs parents had to abandon their plans this summer, finally canceling the contract last month. Fortunately, the project was still at an early-enough stage to secure a refund on their deposit from the developer, but Zhang said the decision was wrenching.

This is racist, she said. After I told my parents about the bill, they feel like America doesnt welcome us. They dont want to come here anymore.

A group of Chinese immigrants, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups, have been pushing to invalidate the new law. The Justice Department backed their effort in a filing this summer, saying the measure is unconstitutional, but a judge ruled against the challenge in August, teeing up an appeal. A spokesperson for DeSantis  who is currently running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination  said in an email that the restrictions are aimed to protect the states security interests.

Florida continues to take these threats to our state sovereignty seriously, and we will continue to take action where its necessary to protect Floridians, he said.

Chinese buyers and Florida real estate agents say the law is ambiguous and has introduced confusion and a growing risk of discrimination. Sellers who knowingly violate the restrictions could face up to one year in prison and $1,000 in fines, and Chinese nationals who buy property in Florida face even higher potential fines and up to five years in prison.

Frank Lin, a veteran Florida real estate agent who works mainly with Chinese buyers in both the United States and overseas, said his business has already been cut in half as he turns down clients and tries to comply with the law.

In addition to limits on new homebuyers, Chinese nationals who already own property in Florida are required by the new law to register with the states Commerce Department, but they dont even have a form yet or place or website, so thats confused everyone, Lin said. Failure to register by 2024 could trigger fines of up to $1,000 a day.

A spokesperson for Floridas Commerce Department said a hearing is set for Tuesday over a proposed rule on the registration requirement, adding that the agency is dedicated to implementing SB 264 as outlined in law.

The measure comes as part of a wave of restrictions on Chinese commercial activity in the U.S.

Lawmakers in both parties at the city, state and federal levels have targeted major tech companies based in China, including TikTok, over concerns about data privacy and national security. The Biden administration has walked a tightrope in its efforts to repair frayed trade ties with the worlds second-largest economy, where Western businesses face mounting risks from vague yet sweeping anti-espionage laws. The White House is especially concerned about keeping technology, like advanced chips, out of the hands of Chinese firms that may be within reach of Beijing officials.

But many in the Asian American community see the Florida law in a different context, arguing that it resembles xenophobic alien land laws of the early 20th century that were later deemed unconstitutional. Enacted in the decades following the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the measures  passed in places from California to Texas and Wyoming  were tailored to keep Asian immigrants in particular from owning land. Florida didnt repeal its own version, from 1926, until 2018, a decade after an earlier attempt failed.

The states new restrictions cover both commercial and residential property. They apply to Chinese nationals who arent U.S. citizens or permanent residents and already have primary homes in China. There are exceptions for those on nontourist visas or have been granted asylum  but only to buy property on less than two acres situated at least five miles from military sites or infrastructure, like water treatment plants or oil refineries.

The law also restricts buyers from a handful of other foreign countries of concern, including Cuba and Venezuela, but doesnt outright ban them. The penalties for both buyers and sellers from those two countries are lower: 60 days in prison and a $500 fine.

Some Florida real estate agents say the law compels them to vet potential clients in unrealistic and uncomfortable ways.

If somebody comes in and is Asian-looking, youre automatically going to start asking questions about where youre from, which never used to happen, said Khalid Muneer, founder of Jupiter Properties in Central Florida and president of the Greater Orlando chapter of the Asian American Realtors Association.

Is this racism? Is this stereotyping? We are very well aware of the fact that we can have issues. We can be accused of discrimination, Muneer said. Some of his associates with heavily Chinese or Venezuelan clienteles have seen a major, major drop in business, he said.

In recent months, Muneer continued, some of the realtors are afraid to deal with [Chinese nationals] because they are looking at getting prosecuted for not doing their job. But then again, are we supposed to be FBI agents investigating people and asking them all kinds of questions?

Like many American buyers, plenty of Chinese house hunters are interested in a Florida vacation home, drawn by the states famed theme parks or by nearby family members. Others are looking for property for children they expect will attend college in the U.S. or are simply seeking a return on real estate investments.

Foreign buyers make up 23% of residential real estate purchases in Florida, a higher share than any other state, according to the National Association of Realtors. However, the bulk of Floridas foreign buyers are Latin American, at 46%, and Canadian, at 24%. Among Chinese buyers, California is the most popular destination, drawing 33% of Chinese buyers to Floridas 16%.

When you get a situation like this, Muneer continued, where your main cash buyers are not allowed to buy, it does start hurting the market as well as sales agents who will depend on those sales for their living.

Katherine Frazier, chair of the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, said her organization is monitoring the states rulemaking process and the implementation of the law, and is hoping for more guidance. In the meantime, the group is offering industry professionals as much technical assistance as it can.

Gregory Burge, a University of Oklahoma economist who has studied housing, said ownership bans like Floridas dont make a lot of sense from an economic standpoint. International investment and property ownership can help prop up the economy in a downturn, he said, as happened in Florida during the housing crash of the late 2000s.

In addition, Top talent coming from these nations would certainly involve families wanting to retain their citizenship in their home countries, and then facing the barrier of buying in Florida under the new law, he said. That could act as a negative factor for slowing economic growth.

That concern appeared to be a factor for Ken Griffin, the billionaire CEO of Citadel, who successfully lobbied to soften the bill, SB 264, as he prepared to move his hedge fund from Chicago to Miami last year, Bloomberg reported this summer.

After losing their case in August, the group of Chinese immigrants, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups, that had sued to block the law filed an appeal, arguing that the measure uses obvious proxies to discriminate.

The law is upending peoples lives, said Patrick Toomey, deputy director of the ACLU National Security Project, and making it far more challenging for immigrants to prosper economically in the state.
Ron DeSantis dismissed Republican rivals Nikki Haley and Mike Pence on Monday as candidates who wont be able to win the persuadable pool of GOP presidential primary voters necessary to defeat Donald Trump, according to audio obtained by McClatchyDC.

Speaking to about 30 members of the Virgin Islands GOP committee virtually, DeSantis said his campaign estimates that 20% of the 2024 Republican electorate will definitely vote for the former president, with 35% having ruled Trump out completely. That leaves about 45% of Republican voters who are still considering their options.

Theyre not going to vote for people like Pence and Haley. I respect them, theyre just not, DeSantis told the Virgin Islands group, referring to voters in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire. They will vote for me, because I have a record of being a very strong leader.

DeSantis spoke to the Virgin Islands gathering because the unincorporated territory in the Caribbean holds an early caucus on Feb. 8 for nine delegates. A candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote will sweep all the islands delegates.

Other than Trump, Haley and Pence were the only candidates the Florida governor cited during his remarks, which lasted about 23 minutes and included questions from the audience.

Neither Haley nor Pences campaigns responded to a request for a reaction to DeSantis assessment.

Were going to win Iowa, DeSantis declared. Were way ahead of any other candidate whos won the caucuses in the past.

DeSantis is correct that other candidates like Mike Huckabee in 2008 and Ted Cruz in 2016 made up considerable deficits to ultimately pull off a surprise victory there. But neither of them was running against a former president on his third campaign for the White House, and neither Huckabee nor Cruz went on to secure the GOP nomination.

An Iowa State University poll conducted by Civiqs earlier this month showed Trump with a staggering 38-point lead over DeSantis, with the former president receiving 55% support, compared to DeSantis 17%. Haley was in third with 11%.

New Hampshire looks like an even tougher challenge for DeSantis, with some recent polling showing him falling behind Haley in the Granite State.

Haley has seen a bump in her polling fortunes following two well-received debate performances, where she tangled with her rivals in sharp-tongued back-and-forths. In the September debate, Haley attacked DeSantis for being against fracking and drilling. But while he made a promise to ban fracking as a candidate, its Florida voters who approved an amendment to ban offshore drilling through a constitutional ballot initiative.

On Monday, DeSantis also pitched his general election viability to the Virgin Island Republicans.

The fact is, I won Florida by 17 points more than Trump won Florida, he said, comparing his 2022 re-election victory to Trumps Florida performance in 2020. So we have the ability to win nationally in a way that I think he would struggle doing.

DeSantis said if Ronald Reagan were running for a third time, hed have locked down 90% of Republican voters by now, maintaining that a majority of GOP voters favor an alternative.

The governor referenced the need for the field to consolidate in order to topple the front-runner and predicted that some of his rivals polling in single digits would end their candidacies, though he did not say when that would occur.

Coalesce the 35% of the people who want to move on, and then win the sizable slice of voters still open to an option other than Trump, DeSantis said. That will do the trick if you can get that done and I think we will.

Correction: The original version of the article misreported the South Carolina Republican primary date.

Not sure hes open to changing. Why Rand Paul is holding out on Trump

Comedians are starting to mock Ron DeSantis. What it means for the 2024 candidate.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was able to transport hundreds of people from Israel to Florida just days after announcing an evacuation initiative by tapping into an existing rescue program, Project Dynamo, that likely would have gone forward with the effort regardless of the states support.

Florida has paid for five flights to evacuate people out of Israel between Friday and Sunday, including one that landed in Tampa Sunday night with 270 people, but Project Dynamo coordinated everything else, according to the groups CEO and founder Bryan Stern.

Project Dynamo was founded in 2021 to help rescue people from Afghanistan after American troops withdrew from the country and has conducted missions everywhere from Ukraine to Sudan. The flight to Tampa Sunday was the groups 602nd evacuation mission.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis seen April 27 in Israel.

Stern spoke about the rescue missions during a news conference Monday and said he was raising money to pay for the Tampa flight when the state of Florida stepped in to offer assistance.

We were fundraising right up until Gov. DeSantis and his office came in bottom line is we would have figured it out, Stern said. Weve done it six hundred and one times without government help, six hundred and two was not going to be the one that we failed on. But it makes it so much easier when you have backing by a state entity for sure.

A Florida state of emergency and an opportunity

Many commercial flights out of Israel were canceled following a surprise attack by Hamas and subsequent retaliatory measures by Israel. That has left many Americans struggling to find a way out of Israel.

DeSantis declared a state of emergency last week and directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to coordinate evacuation efforts. The governor, running what now appears to be a longshot campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, was at the Tampa airport Sunday to welcome the evacuees from Israel, which included 269 Americans  including roughly 70 Floridians  and one native of the Czech Republic.

Stern said he was grateful for Florida's financial support, the first time a government agency has funded one of his evacuation efforts, but also made it clear that he would've done everything to get people home safely, regardless of whether Florida funded the effort.

"Would it have been possible? I'll tell you that I wasn't going to leave them behind and I'm not trying to stay in Israel a moment longer than I need to so we would've figured it out, for sure," Stern said.

DeSantis' trip to Tampa on Sunday was the first time an American politician has ever met us home, Stern said.

'We had no way to get out'

The evacuation flight to Tampa involved gathering people from more than 12 different areas across Israel, Stern said. On the flight were Ron and Linda Neumann, who are trying to become dual citizens of Israel and the United States, and their dog.

The Neumanns have been living in Israel recently, but also live in Melbourne.

Ron Neumann said after two flights out of Israel were canceled he tried to find a way out of the country by contacting U.S. State Department officials and state officials in Florida. Neither effort was successful, but he heard about Project Dynamo through a friend and they helped him get on the flight to Tampa.

It was a miracle from God because we had no way to get out," Neumann said.

Cost of 'DeSantis Airlines' unknown

Stern didn't know the exact cost of the most recent flight from Israel to Florida, but said the average cost to charter a plane from Tampa to Israel right now is around $2 million. The governor's office and the Florida Division of Emergency Management provided no answers to questions from the USA TODAY Network - Florida on costs of the trips.

The first Florida arrival of what supporters are calling "DeSantis Airlines" come at the same time the Biden administration is chartering flights from Israel to European destinations so passengers could book connecting flights home. DeSantis has slammed the White House for "dragging its feet" on the charters and said its flights "dump people in Europe."

But people don't need to be dumped in Europe," DeSantis said in a video posted on the social media website X by his campaign. "They want to get home.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a meet and greet, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Creston, Iowa.

DeSantis' transport operation comes as 60 minutes highlights Martha's Vineyard migrant flights

The flights from Israel occurred the same weekend CBS News' 60 Minutes aired a segment Sunday critical of DeSantis' actions in September 2022, when his administration lured about 50 mostly Venezuelan asylum-seekers from Texas to Martha's Vineyard, off the Massachusetts' coast, with the false promise of jobs and housing.

Money for that trip came from a $12 million fund established within the state's Division of Emergency Management for relocating undocumented migrants from within Florida to other locations. The program has since been expanded and rewritten by the Florida Legislature to authorize DeSantis' action, after its legality was challenged in a handful of lawsuits.

DeSantis while campaigning in Iowa, home of the first Republican presidential nomination contest, has cited the Martha's Vineyard trip as proof of his commitment to combating illegal immigration and to underscore the failures of the Biden administration. DeSantis' White House bid probably lives or dies based on how he performs in Iowa.

Those evacuated from Israel by the state-financed effort focused their praise on Project Dynamo, touting the team's skills and efficiency.

"I'm humbled," said Linda Neumann. "To think that people risked their lives to come get us and our fellow Jews out of a war zone. I thank God for getting us out."

John Kennedy of the USA Today Network-Florida's capital bureau contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: DeSantis touts Israel rescue that would have happened without his help
Palestinian officials say hundreds were killed by a massive blast at a Gaza hospital on Tuesday, as humanitarian concerns mount over Israels deprivation of food, fuel and electricity to the enclaves population.

Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was sheltering thousands of displaced people when it was bombed Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement. Many victims are still under the rubble, it added.

Palestinian officials blamed ongoing Israeli airstrikes for the lethal incident. But the Israel Defense Forces has categorically denied any involvement in the hospital attack, blaming instead a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, a rival Islamist militant group in Gaza.

We did not strike that, and that the intelligence that we have suggests that it was a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad, and I want to add, categorically, that we do not intentionally strike any sensitive facilities, any sensitive facilities, and definitely not hospitals, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CNN.

Gaza has been under siege by Israel for more than a week, in response to the deadly incursion by Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls the coastal enclave, home to 2.2 million people. Hospitals meanwhile are struggling to tend to the wounded across the territory, operating with shortages of electricity and water.

An injured person is assisted after Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was bombed on Tuesday. - Mohammed Al-Masri/Reuters

Vital humanitarian aid is meanwhile piling up at Gazas shuttered border, despite diplomatic efforts to open a corridor from Egypt. The United Nations and other officials have said they need assurance of safe passage for any potential aid convoys.

Amid growing international pressure to address the crisis, US President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday, an extraordinary wartime visit that follows intense efforts by Secretary of State Antony Blinken across the Middle East.

Biden was also due to attend a summit scheduled in Amman, the capital of Jordan, with several Arab leaders. However, the summit was canceled in the wake of the hospital blast.

Instead of the planned meeting, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he would travel back to Ramallah for an urgent meeting of the Palestinian leadership.

The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in the center of Gaza City was sheltering thousands of people who had been forcibly evacuated, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Hamas, which controls the enclave, said more than 500 people were killed by the bombing. The Palestinian Health Ministry earlier said preliminary estimates indicate that between 200 to 300 people died in the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed the barbaric terrorists in Gaza for attacking the hospital on Tuesday.

Whoever brutally murdered our children is also murdering their children, he added.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari later told CNN the IDF has communications between militants in Gaza saying this is an Islamic Jihad event as well as drone footage showing strike impact on the hospitals parking lot, but not the hospital itself.

Hagari said the IDF will soon release that footage and audio of the intercepted communications.

Scores of injured people are being taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following the bombing of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. - Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

As Israeli and Gazan officials blame the other for the hospital tragedy, protests have sprung up in a number of Middle Eastern cities including Amman, where protesters attempted to reach the Israeli embassy.

Hospitals under siege

More than a week of Israeli bombardment has killed at least 3,000 people, including 1,032 girls and 940 boys, and wounded 12,500 in Gaza, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said Tuesday. Casualties in Gaza over the past 10 days have now surpassed the number of those killed during the 51-day Gaza-Israel conflict in 2014.

While the IDF has said it does not target hospitals, the UN and Doctors Without Borders say Israeli airstrikes have struck medical facilities, including hospitals and ambulances.

On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes hit two densely populated refugee camps and an UNRWA school housing displaced people in central Gaza killed at least 18 people and injured scores, Palestinian officials said.

The IDF said that high-level Hamas commander Ayman Nofal was killed in the airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday.

In the occupied West Bank at least 61 people have been killed, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Tuesday. At least 20 humanitarian workers from the UN, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent have been killed in Gaza, the UN said.

Meanwhile, health services within Gaza are on the brink and food and water supplies are running low. Twenty out of 23 hospitals were offering partial services because fuel reserves are almost totally depleted, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warned on Tuesday.

UN agencies have warned that shops are less than a week away from running out of available food stocks and that that Gazas last seawater desalination plant had shut down, bringing the risk of further deaths, dehydration and waterborne diseases.

Hospitals have been receiving dozens of bodies from different areas of south Gaza, the director of Gaza hospitals, Dr. Mohammad Zaqout, told CNN. The toll includes dozens of victims from air strikes in Rafah.

The Palestinian Interior Ministry said Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 49 people in strikes on the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis.

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CNN he was not aware of any strikes specifically in those areas but they could have happened.

Closed crossing

Urgent calls for help are growing on both sides of the crossing as aid amasses on the Egyptian side of the border.

Blinken on Tuesday said the the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza.

But on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, a miles long convoy of humanitarian assistance awaiting entry into Gaza, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told CNN.

Until now, there is no safe passage that has been granted as they do not have any authorization or clear, secure routes for those convoys to be able to enter safely and without any possibility of their being targeted, he said.

He added that the crossing was bombed four times in the past few days.

Volunteers load food and supplies onto aid trucks on October 16, in North Sinai, in Egypt. Israeli strikes have blocked efforts to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza through the Rafah crossing. - Mahmoud Khaled/Getty Images

Beyond the border crossing, moving aid to those in need is extremely complex in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly hit UN facilities in the past week.

We need to have areas where humanitarians can move through safely, where people who are receiving humanitarian aid can receive that aid safely, UN spokesman Dujarric told CNN in a press briefing Tuesday.

The last thing you would want to see is creating distribution points where people receive that aid are not safe.

WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told CNN the UN health agency had struck an agreement with Egypts President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to open the Rafah crossing for aid  but Israels strikes rendered the facility unsafe, thereby halting the movement of crucial supplies.

On Tuesday, Israels National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the only things that should be entering Gaza are hundreds of tons of explosives from the Air Force, not an ounce of humanitarian aid until Hamas releases hostages, he wrote on Telegram.

On the Gaza side, large numbers of evacuees have gathered by the crossing, part of the mass displacement that has seen at least 1 million people flee their homes in the past week alone, according to UNRWA.

One family of five Palestinian-Americans, all US citizens, drove to Rafah on Monday after hearing the borders would be opened but to no avail, said Haifa Kaoud, whose husband Hesham is among the five stuck in Gaza.

Satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies show four 30-foot (9-meter) craters blocking the roadway at the border crossing closest to the Egyptian gate, along with concrete slabs.

A satellite photo provided by MAXAR Technologies shows four 30-foot craters blocking the roadway at the Rafah border crossing closest to the Egyptian gate. - Maxar Technologies

People take refuge in Nasser Hospital, in Khan Younis, in Gaza, after Israeli strikes destroyed their homes, on Monday. - Abed Zagout/Anadolu/Getty Images

Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to ease the conflict. On Monday, the UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire after it failed to get enough votes.

Several countries including the US, the United Kingdom and France voted against it because the draft did not condemn Hamas for the October 7 attack, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said killed at least 1,400 people with scores taken hostage.

This includes French-Israeli woman, Mia Schem, who was shown in the first hostage video released by Hamas. Her mother, Keren Scharf Schem implored world leaders to bring my baby back home when speaking to reporters Tuesday.

CNN cannot independently verify where and when the video of Schem, 21, was taken and what condition she is currently in.

Fears of regional conflict

Regional leaders raised concerns of fighting between Israel and Lebanons powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah in the north, and Syria, as strikes at the border become a flashpoint for wider conflict.

The IDF said on Tuesday shots were fired towards several locations on the security fence between Israel and Lebanon.

At the same time, Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, warned if the atrocities against Gaza persist, Muslims and resistance forces could lose patience, and no-one would be able to prevent their actions.

After Hamas incursion on October 7, militants fired shots from Lebanon that were intercepted by Israel, leading to a deadly exchange of fire.

A Palestinian woman reacts to people wounded by Israeli airstriles, at Al-Aqsa hospital, in central Gaza, on October 15. - Adel Hana/AP

On Friday evening local time an Israeli strike killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah who was also from south Lebanon. The assault wounded at least six other reporters.

A CNN video analysis found that the journalists were wearing vest jackets clearly marked as press.

And on Tuesday, Israeli strikes killed at least four people in Alma al-Shaab, in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross said.

Two Hezbollah fighters were killed in confrontations on Tuesday, the militant group said. It is unclear whether they are part of the death toll reported by the Red Cross.

CORRECTION: This article on the Gaza hospital blast initially did not clearly attribute claims about Israels responsibility to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israel later said a misfired rocket by militant group Islamic Jihad caused the blast and produced evidence to support its claim. US President Joe Biden said the Israeli position is backed by US intelligence. CNNs forensic analysis of images and videos suggests a rocket fired from within Gaza caused the blast, not an Israeli airstrike.

An earlier version of this story also misidentified the embassy protesters attempted to reach in Amman. It was the Israeli embassy.

CNNs Caitlin Hu, Paul Murphy, Sarah Sirgany, Lucas Lilieholm, Jennifer Hansler, MJ Lee, Kayla Tausche, Eyad Kourdi, Abeer Salman, Samantha Delouya, Nadeen Ebrahim, Tamara Qiblawi, Kareem Khadder, Richard Allen Greene, Mike Schwartz, Sebastian Shukla, Chris Liakos, AnneClaire Stapleton, Caitlin Danaher, Sharon Braithwaite, Lianne Kolirin, Tamar Michaelis and Celina Tebor contributed reporting.

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A former president of the Fresno Hells Angels, who is known for leading an annual holiday toy drive for disadvantaged kids in the city, wants a reduced sentence after he was convicted of helping cremate the body of a biker who ran afoul of the outlaw biker club in 2014.

Merl Hefferman faces sentencing on obstruction of justice charges in San Francisco federal court on Thursday. He has numerous friends and family members supporting his plea for a 30-month sentence  one calling him the best friend that they have ever had.

But federal prosecutors say Heffermans public persona belies a sinister side, and that he helped dispose of not only the victim, Joel Silva, but also three other bodies, with the help of an employee of the Yost and Webb Funeral Home in Fresno. They want him in federal prison for more than seven years. Hefferman was not convicted in the disappearances of the other three missing Hells Angels.

Officials at Yost and Webb could not be reached to comment on the case.

Heffermans role is part of a larger murder and racketeering case filed in 2017 against Hells Angels leaders in Northern California and the East Coast. Some of the clubs top leaders were indicted, including Ray Ray Foakes of the Sonoma Chapter and Christopher Ranieri of the Boston-Salem, Massachusetts, Chapter.

Victim crossed Angel leadership

Silva, the murder victim, reportedly ran afoul of East Coast Hells Angels during the Laconia, New Hampshire, bike week in 2014, earning him a death sentence when he was lured to the Fresno Chapters headquarters on South G Street. There, he was shot by then-Fresno Hells Angel president Brian Wayne Wendt of Tulare. Santa Rosa Angels Jonathan Nelson and Russell Taylor Ott were also convicted of the slaying.

That led to the need to dispose of Silvas body.

In court documents, prosecutors say Hefferman had become acquainted with Levi Phipps, then-crematory manager at Yost and Webb, where Phipps stated Hefferman was fascinated with the crematory and said that someday  he wanted to make something disappear.

On July 14 of 2014, the morning after Silvas murder, court documents say Hefferman called Phipps and told him to be at the crematory. Later in the morning, two men arrived and one pulled a gun on Phipps before putting Silvas body in the burner. Hefferman called Phipps the next day and told him not to talk about the incident..

Phipps told a federal grand jury that Hefferman personally brought a body to the crematorium several months later. Prosecutors, citing phone records, allege that the body was that of Robbie Huff, one of the two men who earlier helped bring Silvas body for disposal. Prosecutors also cited phone records in alleging that Hefferman played a role in the disposal of former Hells Angel Art Carasis in July 2016 and another Angel identified by Heffermans attorney James A. Bustamante, but not prosecutors, as Juan Guevara.

C losure for victims family

Although federal probation officials recommended less prison time than the 87 months, prosecutors argue that the maximum term is justified, and cite Silvas family, who say they waited for days on end for Joel Silva to call home.

We were unable to have a proper burial for Joel and have no place to visit one, said an unnamed relative in court documents.

Added prosecutors: One of the most chilling aspects of this crime is that at the same time Joel Silva was making arrangement to have a birthday party for his 15-year-old daughter, Hefferman was making arrangements to cremate his body.

Bustamante argued that Hefferman has met all court conditions since he was arrested, and that it is the first time he has been convicted of a crime. Bustamante described Phipps, the Yost and Webb crematory manager, as an unreliable witness who could not pass an FBI polygraph test. And he said prosecutors would have indicted Hefferman for the other three disappearances had he been more credible.

A brutal upbringing?

He added that Hefferman was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of his father, who threw him out of a window at 6 months old, rupturing one of his kidneys; and that his stepfather beat him with a belt and punched him in the face.

Bustamante said Hefferman was later homeless in downtown Fresno at a young age before being befriended by the late Mike McGarvin, founder of the Poverello House. Toys and bikes are always brought to the Poverello House at F and Santa Clara Streets in downtown Fresno during Heffermans holiday season toy run.

Bustamante also said Hefferman suffers from a myriad of health issues, including lymphoma.

Heffermans friend Michael Thompson calls Hefferman a community leader who works tirelessly to help assemble 3,000 bicycles for kids every year. Another friend, Tim Patendis, says Hefferman is a special person who has helped thousands of thousands of children with his incredible generosity.
The Labor Department issued a fine for a Kentucky warehouse last week after an investigation found it allowed a child to operate a forklift.

The Labor Department said in a press release that it fined WIN.IT America Inc. for $30,276 in civil money penalties after violating child labor provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act. Investigators found that the company employed two children, an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old, for months at its distribution center.

Businesses must comply with the federal child labor regulations, Labor Department regional solicitor Tremelle Howard said in a statement. Federal law ensures young workers can benefit by gaining valuable work experience without endangering their safety or hampering their education.

The violations include employing one child to operate a forklift and tasking another to pick up orders in the warehouse. Operating a forklift is a hazardous occupation for those under 18, while picking orders is prohibited for those under 16 years old, the department said.

The company also reportedly employed both of the children for more hours than what is legally allowed and was also in violation of regulations that prohibit workers under the age of 14 from working in nonagricultural occupations.

When we find child labor violations, the Department of Labor will not hesitate to use all enforcement tools available to compel compliance, including stopping the shipment of goods created and produced while the business was breaking the law to do so, Howard said.

The Labor Department noted that in 2022 labor violations in the U.S. affected 3,876 children nationwide.

The Hill has reached out to WIN.IT for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Italian luxury automaker Ferrari (RACE) is known for producing some of the most desirable cars in the world. Its also been known to operate in an insular, cocooned circle with a small number of privileged clients who buy multiple cars. Its been said you dont just walk in and buy a new Ferrari, you have to be invited.

But things may be changing for the Maranello-based brand. New leadership, a publicly traded stock, and the ability to expand the business may be too much to give up for the storied automaker.

You are right  that was the image of the company, to be focused on a small group of clients, said Ferrari chief commercial officer Enrico Galliera in an interview with Yahoo Finance, addressing the Ferrari modus operandi of the past. This created a kind of perception where it was impossible for a new buyer to buy a Ferrari, so everything we did so far  which was enlarging the portfolio, offering products that are designed for a different client profile, and offering different services  was exactly designed in order to open the company to the whole world, and also potentially to new buyers.

Ferrari's "Gamechangers" display at the Vessel in New York City, Oct. 17, 2023. (Pras Subramanian) (Pras Subramanian)

In addition to reaching more clients with new products like the Purosangue SUV and Roma Spider convertible, Ferrari is also offering a new form of payment  cryptocurrencies.

Despite cryptos fall from grace over the past two years, Ferrari found that clients still wanted to pay for new cars with crypto and that these clients are a different demographic than past clients.

We're also working to identify opportunities to offer alternatives and services to our clients, and it was pretty clear that there were opportunities offering clients the possibility to pay also in crypto, which is opening two different opportunities, Galliera said.

Traditional clients have been investing in crypto and diversifying in it as an asset class, Galliera says, but theres a younger generation that has made a lot of money in crypto too. [Accepting crypto] will allow us to start talking with [the younger generation], and open the possibility for them to become clients of Ferrari, enlarging the family.

Ferrari Purosangue SUV at the "Gamechangers" display at the Vessel in New York City, Oct. 17, 2023. (Pras Subramanian) (Pras Subramanian)

Whether this actually happens remains to be seen, but it must be said Ferrari does not jump into new initiatives without a deliberate process. The company has long worked to protect its brand and heritage. For instance, Ferrari famously does not engage in paid advertising.

Ferrari investors aren't necessarily looking for change, as business has been good thus far in 2023. The automaker raised its guidance slightly at the end of Q2 on the back of strong sales and high interest in personalizations, or custom work on its cars that clients highly desire and are willing to pay high amounts for, which is great for margins.

You design the car with our designer and this has been [a] very successful experience for the clients, giving them the feeling to create a unique thing in the market  that has been pretty rewarding, Galliera says.

It seems it's been pretty rewarding for Ferrari's bottom line, as well.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

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A revised enforcement ordinance went into effect Tuesday, allowing the police to prohibit rallies near the presidential office due to traffic control measures.

Under the new enforcement decree of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, 11 streets, including Itaewon-ro and Seobinggo-ro, have been additionally designated as "main streets" where police can ban or restrict rallies for traffic control purposes.

Itaewon-ro and Seobinggo-ro run in front of the presidential office and near the presidential residence, respectively.

It is the first time since 2014 that such a revision has been made.

The police had been resorting to the act's Article 11 mandating a ban on rallies within a 100-meter radius of the presidential residence to prohibit demonstrations near the presidential office.

Striking down the ban, the Constitutional Court ruled last year it is an excessive limit that goes beyond the legislative objectives and gave a grace period until May 31, 2024, to come up with an alternative.

The latest ordinance revision by police has drawn criticism that the move may be aimed at circumventing the court ruling.

"This revision is apparently aimed at explicitly infringing on rally participants' freedom to choose rally locations and gag people protesting against main government institutions," civic groups, including Minbyun, a group of progressive lawyers, said last week.

Police defended the revision as something that aims to keep pace with the city's fast-changing traffic conditions and urban structure, adding they will fully guarantee the right to assembly and demonstration in accordance with the relevant standards set forth by the court. (Yonhap)
A Fox News host was caught on a hot mic saying dumb*** during the networks live coverage of the vote for speaker of the House.

Brian Kilmeade could be heard uttering the insult just seconds after Republican Rep Don Bacon voted for Kevin McCarthy.

As the roll call was read out and representatives gave their votes, the Nebraska lawmaker was the first in his party alphabetically to vote against Ohio Rep Jim Jordan to assume the speakership.

Given the Republican Partys slim majority in the House of Representatives, Mr Jordan can only afford to lose three votes and still secure the speakers gavel.

Rep Bacon was just the first of 20 members to vote against the majority of their GOP colleagues, showing that Mr Jordan still has some work to do to negotiate the support he needs.

The vote signalled that there was continued opposition and once four votes against Rep Jordan accrued, it appeared others felt more comfortable voicing their discontent.

The Independent has contacted Fox News for comment.

Firebrand rightwing Ohio Rep Jordan, who secured the backing of former president Donald Trump, was nominated by Rep Elise Stefanik.

On the Democratic Party side, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York was nominated by California Rep Pete Aguilar.

Fox's Brian Kilmeade caught on a hot mic calling Rep. Don Bacon a "dumbass" for voting McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/0dgKhUZiUh  Google 'Benny Johnson Cruise' (@NikkiMcR) October 17, 2023

After Kevin McCarthy lost the speakership earlier this month, Majority Leader Steve Scalise failed to get the backing he needed for a vote on the floor of the House, returning the focus to Mr Jordan, who was the only challenger to Mr Scalise in the first internal GOP vote on who should be the next speaker. Mr Scalise won that vote 113 to Mr Jordans 99.

If Mr Jordan is unable to grasp the House speaker gavel, a number of Republicans have mentioned Louisiana Rep Mike Johnson as a possible next option.

The vice chair of the Republican conference, 51, has been floated alongside Majority Whip Tom Emmer, 62, who has spent the last half-decade in the leadership, with most of his time going to chairing the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

While Mr Emmer has some backers on the right of the party, large parts of the Trump wing arent as supportive, Punchbowl News noted.

Former Speaker McCarthy may start believing in an unlikely comeback if the speaker race doesnt come to a resolution this week. This would require at least four of the eight members who voted against him to flip.

Many GOP members have told the press that their party is so divided that no candidate can get 217 votes from the party, meaning that votes from Democrats may be required to get over the line.
The Parisian bedbug panic is one that just wont go away and now, three weeks in, the problem appears to be burning a hole in hotels pockets.

Paris began sounding the alarm on a potential outbreak of bedbugs at the end of September, as the French capitals iconic Fashion Week rolled into town.

Panic was set off by social media posts of the grain-size insects hopping around Pariss metro train service.

Pariss deputy mayor, Emmanuel Gregoire, hasnt helped quell that panic.

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, Gregoire told French TV, according to the Guardian.

Now Frances hotels have adopted a state of hypervigilance to show they are working to contain the spread of bedbugs in a bid to calm guests.

Speaking to the BBC, Max Malka, the owner of the Montlhery Paris Sud Hotel, less than 10 miles south of Frances capital, said he was forced to shell out 1,500 ($1,580) on pest control after a sighting.

"A fortnight ago we had a detection of a bedbug and it's frightening," Malka told the BBC.

Malka added he is at risk of getting sued if a bedbug manages to find its way from one room in his hotel to another.

In the U.K., where fear is spreading that the bedbugs will make the trip across the English Channel, sniffer dogs are being deployed in hotels and homes in a similar attempt to reassure citizens and visitors, the Guardian reported.

Overblown risk?

Frances panic over a potential scourge of bedbugs has been heightened by the looming prospect of Paris hosting the Olympic Games next summer. The city is expecting up to 3 million visitors, according to Euromonitorand millions more localsto converge for the two-week event.

The supposed bedbug outbreak has inevitably sparked hysteria across Europe and particularly Frances neighboring countries. In the U.K., London Mayor Sadiq Khan told PoliticsJOE the potential spread of bedbugs was a real cause of concern.

In Brussels, which shares a Eurostar train connection between Paris and London, doctors began to sound the alarm on a fresh outbreak of bedbugs in Belgium last week, according to reports by local publications the Brussels Times and Het Laatste Nieuws.

Fear has also been amplified by tabloid newspapers across the continent writing about the blood-sucking insects popping up in enclaves across the U.K. British newspaper the Independent was among the publications reporting calls to close the U.K.s border with France.

However, its hard to know just how serious the current situation is. Thats because there is limited data on how Pariss current bedbug population compares with previous years, experts told CNN.

ANSES, Frances health and safety agency, reported that one in 10 households had been infected by bedbugs between 2017 and 2022, a figure that, while alarming, doesnt give any insight into this years trend.

Indeed, Paris may be the unfortunate sacrificial lamb in an apparent epidemic that has been a long time coming across the rest of the globe.

A study by Stephen Doggett and Chow-Yang Lee suggests there has been a global resurgence in bedbugs since the turn of the 21st century. More people living bunched up in cities, as well as the insect's evolving resistance to pesticides, are key reasons for their newfound resilience.

Still, travelers are being reminded to be extra vigilant when they travel to Paris and other European cities by checking their hotel beds and keeping suitcases elevated on a rack, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said Tuesday that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) committed to linking Israel and Ukraine aid packages as he seeks to shore up support for his Speakership bid.

McCaul is among a number of moderate Republicans who have come around to backing Jordan this week after meetings with the former far-right Freedom Caucus chairman.

McCaul told CNNs Kate Bolduan that one deciding factor for him was Jordans commitment to linking U.S. aid for Israels war against Hamas with funding for Ukraines war against Russia.

Well, I had a very good conversation with him. I was concerned about national security issues, particularly if we pass an Israeli supplemental national security bill, would Ukraine be included in that? McCaul said.

And I was assured that he could link the two. He would look at the details of that, but that was very important to me.

McCaul has suggested a supplemental foreign aid package that would include funding for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and border security provisions. The White House is reportedly considering making a similar funding request.

But first the House needs to elect a Speaker. Jordan secured the GOP nomination last week, and a floor vote on his candidacy is Tuesday.

McCaul said another key reason for his support of Jordan was the need to have someone become Speaker, so the House can respond to multiple crises.

We have to govern. I mean, as we look at whats unfolding in Israel, my committee does the authorization of use of military force. If we dont have a Speaker in the chair, we cant pass any of this stuff, he told CNN Tuesday.

The Hill reached out to Jordans office for comment on McCauls characterization of their conversation.

Politicos Olivia Beavers previously reported that at least one GOP member said Jordan had committed to a joint Ukraine-Israel supplemental funding package.

However, such a move is sure to draw opposition from other Republicans, who oppose any additional military support for Ukraines defensive war against Russia.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wrote Tuesday that shes a hard NO on linking Ukraine and Israel aid.

There is $3.3 billion for Israel in the State and Foreign Ops bill that we passed and the Senate needs to pass it and Biden should sign it. We need to secure OUR OWN BORDER! she wrote on X, the platform formerly called Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Greta Thurnberg was arrested by the Met Police during the protest (AP )

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained by police in London after she addressed protesters at a demonstration against oil and gas companies in the centre of the city.

Video footage showed Thunberg, wearing a badge with the slogan Oily Money Out standing calmly as two police officers spoke to her, with one was seen holding her arm.

She was photographed being led towards a police van by the two officers.

She was taking part in a protest demanding oil chiefs pull their money out of politics (Reuters)

Environmental group Greenpeace said two of its activists scaled the Intercontinental Hotel in Mayfair and unfurled a giant banner over its entrance reading Make Big Oil Pay in protest at a gathering of oil and gas leaders taking place inside the building, including Shell CEO Wael Sawan.

Addressing journalists outside the hotel, Miss Thunberg said: The world is drowning in fossil fuels. Our hopes and dreams and lives are being washed away by a flood of greenwashing and lies.

It has been clear for decades that the fossil fuel industries were well aware of the consequences of their business models, and yet, they have done nothing.

The opposite  they have actively delayed, distracted and denied the causes of the climate crisis and spread doubts about their own engagement in it.

Dozens of protesters blocked Hamilton Place at both ends with banners and pink umbrellas with eyes painted on, shouting oily money out and cancel the conference, while others lit yellow and pink smoke flares.

Miss Thunberg said: We cannot let this continue. The elite of the oil and money conference, they have no intention of transition.

Their plan is to continue this destructive search of profits. That is why we have to take direct action to stop this and to kick oil money out of politics.

We have no other option but to put our bodies outside this conference and to physically disrupt. And we have to do that every time, we have to continue showing them that they are not going to get away with this.

The climate activist was pictured standing inside a police van in Mayfair (Reuters)

Thunberg, who became the face of young climate activists worldwide after staging weekly protests in front of the Swedish parliament in 2018, has this year been detained by police or removed from protests in Sweden, Norway and Germany.

In September, she was charged with charged with disobeying a police order to leave a protest at a busy port in Sweden, just two months after being fined in July for refusing to leave a protest on a road for oil transport from Malmo harbour.

Organised by the group Fossil Free London, todays protests saw activists attempting to block access to the hotel by sitting and standing on the pavement by the entrance.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway and taken into custody, the Metropolitan Police said.

The activists said they will continue their actions throughout the planned Energy Intelligence Forum, which is due to last over the following three days.

Maja Darlington, a campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: Oil bosses are toasting each other in a luxury hotel and plotting how to make even larger profits, while millions struggle to rebuild after a summer of extreme weather.

Big oil is profiting from humanitys loss and those who have done the least to cause climate change are being forced to pay the price.

Speakers at the conference include the chief executives of Saudi Arabias Aramco and Norways Equinor, the German ambassador to the UK and Graham Stuart, UK energy security and net zero minister.

Mr Stuart has previously said that allowing oil and gas companies to continue drilling the North Sea for resources is necessary for energy security.

More follows on this breaking news story
A chartered flight organized by Project Dynamo arrives at Tampa International Airport on Oct. 15, 2023. The flight had 270 evacuees from Israel, including 91 children and four dogs. (Luis Santana/Times)

The ties between South Florida and Israel run deep. As we watched in horror Israelis being murdered and kidnapped last weekend, Gov. Ron DeSantis did the right thing afterward.

On Sunday night, 270 evacuees landed at Tampa International Airport, the result of an executive order DeSantis signed on Thursday to charter flights for Florida residents stranded in Israel. Another flight carrying seven people landed in Orlando earlier in the day.

DeSantis, whos running for president, and his wife greeted the evacuees in Tampa, where they shook hands posed for photos.

Hostages taken

The Herald Editorial Board has criticized DeSantis for exploiting politically fraught moments, as he did with the Southern border crisis when he flew migrants to Marthas Vineyard. This time, however, the governors actions have real consequences and benefits for Floridians and Americans caught up in the unprecedented attacks by Hamas, which the United States rightly labels a terrorist organization. The group murdered entire families, children, the elderly and music festival goers, hunted down and executed in cold blood. Almost 200 others were taken hostage, the Israeli military said Monday.

The attacks feel personal for South Florida and other areas of the country with large Jewish populations who contribute to every facet of our communities and whose traditions have made our melting pot more vibrant.

Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy lost five relatives  a mother, father and three children  killed as they tried to flee after terrorists set their home on fire. A Miami-Dade County family lost a father of four, a commander in the Israeli military. Local synagogues have been collecting donations to ship to Israel.

The Herald Editorial Board stands in solidarity with them, and we share their pain.

Unfortunately, the threat to their communities isnt only coming from overseas. Antisemitic incidents have been on the rise across the United States, growing at an even faster pace in Florida, according to an Anti-Defamation League report released last year. Between 2020 and 2022, there were 400 instances of white supremacy propaganda distribution in the state. Fliers containing hateful messages have been dumped in peoples yards in Miami Beach, and swastikas have been projected on the side of buildings in West Palm Beach and Jacksonville.

A new law

DeSantis signed a public-nuisance law this year that police used to arrest a Cape Canaveral man in September who hung swastikas and other antisemitic banners on a bridge. The law prohibits the display of messages on a property without the written consent of its owner. But the governor failed to condemn neo-Nazis who marched in Orlando last year, and the Republican Party as a whole has not rooted out extremism from within its ranks.

In the week after Hamas attacks, the Anti-Defamation League said that reports of antisemitic incidents have spiked almost 300% year over year in the United States, NBC News reported. White-supremacist groups have openly celebrated the Hamas attacks, and the ADL has flagged several instances of misinformation and conspiracy theories spread online.

How our leaders react to expressions of hatred within our own communities is crucial at this moment. We urge them to use their platforms wisely.

Hatred of all forms must be condemned. When DeSantis said over the weekend he wouldnt accept Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip into the United States because they are are all antisemitic, he painted 2.2 million civilians, including children, with the same brush. Their suffering cannot be ignored as many desperately try to evacuate their homes ahead of an expected invasion by the Israeli military.

Generalizing entire groups of people risks further inflaming the heated, decades-long debate over Israels relations with Palestinians. A Chicago-area landlord has been charged with fatally stabbing a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy, triggered by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, authorities said.

This, more than ever, is a moment for Americas leaders, including Floridas governor, to soothe and unite the nation, both through their words and deeds.

Click here to send the letter.
After days of tense negotiations involving U.S., Israeli and Qatari officials, Hamas has expressed a willingness to release women and children it holds captive. But the group acknowledged that it does not have custody of all the hostages seized in the attack on Israel 10 days ago, a diplomat with knowledge of the talks and a former U.S. official briefed on the matter said.

Some of the hostages are held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another group based in Gaza, the officials said, and others are held by random Gaza citizen opportunists, the former U.S. official said. Hamas, which controls Gaza, is trying to gain custody of all of the captives but says it cannot amid continued bombing, the sources said.

The sources spoke shortly after a senior Hamas official told NBC News Richard Engel that the group is willing to immediately release all civilian hostages  foreign and Israeli  if Israel stops its airstrikes on Gaza.

Image: Israel Poised To Invade Gaza As Worries Of Regional Escalation Grow (Amir Levy / Getty Images)

The Hamas official said the hostages could be released within the hour as long as Israel meets its terms. He claimed that there is no safe place to release them now.

Gershon Baskin, an Israeli activist who helped secure the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011, noted that it is essentially the same message the Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry put out Monday. I think this is a false message, psychological warfare. It means nothing, Baskin told NBC News.

He said he sees it as unrealistic, because there are no guarantees that Israel will give that it wont renew the fighting, and Hamas knows that. Baskin said he thinks the only way an agreement could be reached would be if Hamas released women, children, the elderly and the sick in exchange for Palestinian women and minors held in Israel.

The U.S. has sent a team of intelligence specialists to help locate the hostages, Biden administration officials have said, but the chances of a successful military rescue are seen as remote.

We have 22 years of experience hunting people, and were really good at it, said Christopher OLeary, a former FBI official who retired this year after having run a multiagency U.S. government hostage recovery unit. But, he said, there has not been a complex hostage situation like this in the modern era. Its an active war zone filled with tunnels.

Talks on the fate of the hostages have been ongoing since day one, said the diplomat, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. In the early days, Hamas was pushing for an exchange of prisoners, the diplomat said, but they have finally accepted that wasnt going to be the case.

Hamas insists on keeping any member of the Israeli military captive, but it appears to have understood that civilians will have to be released without a trade, the diplomat added. Discussions are ongoing and have been more positive recently, but no breakthrough yet.

The former U.S. official said Hamas had not decided whether to release male civilians who are Israeli citizens and not dual passport holders.

Israel, which is preparing for a possible ground invasion of Gaza, steadfastly refuses to exchange prisoners for hostages, the sources said.

A third source, a senior Western diplomat, portrayed the talks as tenuous. "Its clear there is a dialog between Hamas, Qatar and Israel, but negotiations is probably an overstatement, the diplomat said. Its a channel. Qatar has more leverage than anyone else but not as much as theyd like."

israel hamas conflict palestinians injury (Mohammed Abed / AFP - Getty Images)

Underscoring the complexity of the situation, Hamas chief hostage negotiator, Osama Mazini, was killed in an Israeli airstrike this week, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. And hundreds of Palestinians were reported killed after an explosion at a Gaza hospital.

President Joe Biden will be the first world leader with citizens among the hostages to visit Israel on Wednesday. Others, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, are set to follow.

A British official confirmed Sunak has asked the emir of Qatar, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to help secure the hostages release.

Since the crisis began, Qatari officials have been in touch with Hamas almost every day at varying levels, said the diplomat with knowledge of the talks.

For many years, Qatar has played interlocutor with Hamas, allowing its political wing to set up an office in the capital, Doha. Under an agreement among Qatar, Israel and Hamas, millions of dollars in humanitarian aid are sent to Gaza.

But even the Qataris failed to predict the Hamas attack on Israel 10 days ago, a Western diplomat said.

The Qataris have been pretty burnt by this whole thing, the diplomat said. They were invested in their role being able to talk to everyone and in Hamas becoming a more moderate organization.
A strike on a hospital in Gaza sheltering displaced families has killed hundreds of people  with the enclaves health ministry claiming at least 500 are dead, including women and children.

Israel has denied accusations its forces were behind the deadly strike on the Anglican-run al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, where hundreds of families fleeing Israel's bombardment had taken shelter. If the death toll is confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest airstrike in five wars fought over Gaza since 2008.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted that it was barbaric terrorists in Gaza that attacked the hospital in Gaza, and not the IDF.

Qatar, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia lined up to blame Israel for the attack, whose military said its initial analysis showed a barrage of rockets fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza passed in close proximity to the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit.

Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that [Palestinian] Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza, the military said. Palestinian Islamic Jihad denied it was involved.

In a video reportedly recording the moment of the attack, the whistle of a projectile can be heard tearing through the sky before it pounds into the ground in a ball of fire. Other graphic videos allegedly capturing the aftermath show stunned people picking their way through the remains of dozens of bodies of adults and children littering the floor. Medics shout for help in the background.

Ghassan Abu Sittah, a British Palestinian surgeon working with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) who was at the hospital at the time called it a massacre.

The scene of the hospital strike in Gaza (BBC)

We were operating in the hospital, there was a strong explosion and the ceiling fell on the operating room, he told MSF. The medical charity added that hospitals are not a target. This bloodshed must stop. Enough is enough.

As many as 500 people are believed killed, with health ministry officials saying most of the casualties were displaced families, patients, children and women.

An Injured child is taken into a hospital after Israeli air strike hit a hospital (REUTERS)

Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas called it genocide" and a humanitarian catastrophe while there were protests in the occupied West Bank. Jordans King Abdullah said the bombing of a Gaza hospital was a war crime that one cannot be silent about. In a royal court statement the monarch, who blamed the bombing on Israel, said Israel should immediately end its war against the enclave and that its actions against innocent Palestinians were a shame on humanity.

Israel has launched near-constant airstrikes on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip in retaliation for an attack by Hamas militants 10 days ago that killed more than 1,400 people. More than 3,000 inside Gaza have died in the airstrikes. Israel has faced global outrage after it announced a total siege on the tiny enclave and then announced an evacuation order for civilians to leave the north of Gaza for the south. It is widely speculated that this is preparation ahead of an anticipated ground offensive.

The World Health Organisation and rights groups have said the evacuation of hospitals was impossible and so the order could constitute the war crime of forcible transfer. Rights groups have argued the siege  which includes cutting off water, fuel, food and medical supplies to Gaza  is collective punishment and is also a violation of international law.

Wounded Palestinians lay at the al-Shifa hospital, following Israeli airstrikes, in Gaza City (AP)

The horrific attack came on the eve of a visit by US president Joe Biden, who is expected to show his support for Israel ahead of an expected ground invasion by Israel into Gaza. Mr Biden is also expected to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the return of hostages taken by Hamas during its attack.

Mr Abbas canceled a planned meeting with the president which was supposed to take place in Jordan.

It has sparked uproar across the world and raised concerns the war in Gaza could spill across borders into a regional conflict.

Iran condemned what it called a savage war crime against hundreds of unarmed and defenceless people. Qatar strongly condemned it adding that the expansion of Israeli attacks over the Gaza Strip to include hospitals, schools, and other population centres is a dangerous escalation. Turkey said it was barbaric.

Two days before Tuesdays attack, the Archbishop of Canterbury had warned that al-Ahli hospital had already been hit by Israeli strikes. In that statement, he warned that the hospital cannot be safely evacuated and that it was facing catastrophe.

A Palestinian man injured in an Israeli air strike is wheeled inside the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis (AFP via Getty Images)

Tuesdays horrific attack came on the same day as the United Nationss Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa) said that six people had been killed when an Israeli strike hit an Unrwa school, sheltering displaced people

The agency said dozens of people were injured by the strike, which it said caused severe structural damage to the school, where at least 4,000 people were sheltering.

No place is safe in Gaza anymore, not even Unrwa facilities, they had said.

Health authorities in Gaza say at least 3,000 people have been killed in Israel's intense 11-day bombardment.

The true death toll, however, is believed to be far higher as first responders have been unable to remove the bodies from under the rubble.

Civilians who have fled to the south of Gaza told The Independent the situation was disastrous.

Since 7 October I have been displaced four times, said Ghassan, who fled with his family and friends from Gaza city to Deir al-Salah in the centre of the country as both their homes had been destroyed in strikes.

The place we are at now has 35 people and zero water. My father is sick and handicapped. The children are terrified, and we are facing death every second.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced Israels siege of Gaza on Tuesday as a genocide.

The Iranian leader called on the country to immediately halt its indiscriminate bombardment of neighborhoods in Gaza which have killed thousands in the territory.

If the crimes continue, Muslims will be impatient, resistance forces will be impatient, and nobody will be able to prevent them, Khamenei said, The Associated Press reported.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped, Muslim nations are angry, he added.

The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 1,000 Israelis and thousands more Palestinians  including at least 1,000 Palestinian children, Al Jazeera reported. Continuous air strikes have leveled entire neighborhoods in Gaza City and displaced more than a million people.

Iran is generally considered Israels greatest enemy and has historically funded, trained and supplied opposition military groups, including Hezbollah based in Lebanon. While Iran celebrated Hamass attacks on Israel last week, the country has denied any involvement.

Last week, French President Emanuel Macron said there is no evidence Iran directly assisted Hamas.

Criticism against Israel sharpened over the weekend after the Israeli military ordered more than a million Gazans  about half of its population  to evacuate from their homes in the north of the territory and move south amid preparations for an expected ground invasion.

A United Nations human rights expert warned Friday the demand could easily lead to ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza.

The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel has reached fever pitch, said Francesca Albanese, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, according to a press release.

The international community has the responsibility to prevent and protect populations from atrocity crimes. Accountability for international crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces and Hamas must also be immediately pursued, she added.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) echoed those concerns, labeling the expulsion an ethnic cleansing  the harshest criticism from an American politician.

The mass expulsion of over 1 million people in a day is ethnic cleansing, Omar said in a social media post Friday.

Many Palestinians are already wounded, displaced and/or caring for a sick or injured relative, child or senior. They cant simply pick up and leave, she continued. With communications and electricity shut down by Israel, the order cannot be communicated. Roads are bombed and many cars are out of fuel, making fleeing impossible for many.

While the U.S. has consistently backed Israel since the start of the conflict last week, President Biden slightly tempered his support in recent days amid reports of the Israeli military targeting civilians.

In a 60 Minutes interview Sunday, Biden said an Israeli military occupation of Gaza would be a mistake.

Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas dont represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that  it would be a mistake  for Israel to occupy  Gaza again, Biden said. But going in but taking out the extremists  the Hezbollah is up north but Hamas down south  is a necessary requirement.

The president is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has described Israel's assault on Gaza as a genocide of Palestinians and said it must stop immediately, state TV reported on Tuesday.

A senior commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) also warned of further action by Tehran-backed militant groups against Israel if it did not cease its attacks.

Israel has bombarded the Palestinian territory of Gaza with air strikes since Hamas fighters burst into Israel from the enclave on Oct. 7 and killed 1,300 people, most of them civilians.

It has vowed to annihilate the Tehran-backed Hamas, which rules Gaza.

But the Israeli retaliatory strikes have killed more than 2,800 Palestinians, a quarter of them children, and driven around half of the 2.3 million Gazans from their homes. Israel has also imposed a total blockade on the enclave, preventing food, fuel and medical supplies from getting in.

"No one can confront Muslims and the resistance forces if the Zionist regime's (Israel) crimes against Palestinians continue. The bombardment of Gaza must stop immediately," Khamenei told a group of students in Tehran.

"The world is witnessing the Zionist regime's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza," he said to chants of "Death to Israel".

Backing the Palestinian cause has been a pillar of the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution as the Shi'ite-dominated country has sought to portray itself as a leader of the Muslim world.

Israel, which Tehran refuses to recognise, has long accused Iran's clerical rulers of stoking violence by supplying arms to Hamas. Tehran says it gives moral and financial support to the group.

"We must respond, we must react to what is happening in Gaza," Khamenei said.

Israeli officials should face trial for their actions against the Palestinians in Gaza, he added.

Separately, the Revolutionary Guards deputy commander-in-chief, Ali Fadavi, warned of more attacks by militants if Israel did not stop what he called its atrocities in Gaza, the Fars news agency reported.

"The resistance front's shocks against the Zionist regime will continue until this 'cancerous tumour' is eradicated from the world map," Fadavi said.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday that supporting the Palestinians was Iran's foreign policy priority but the militant groups make their own independent decisions.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi, editing by Christina Fincher and Angus MacSwan)
"You wake up and you just want to go back to sleep forever, the rapper, 46, recalled of his mental health struggles

Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Jeezy

Jeezy is opening up about the years he was unknowingly struggling with depression and anxiety.

During an appearance on the Tamron Hall Show, the Soul Survivor artist said he had depression for eight years before realizing what was affecting him. Referencing his new memoir, Adversity for Sale, the 46-year-old said he didnt grow up with the education surrounding issues of mental health but is grateful for being able to change my mindset.

"I learned that vulnerability is power, he told Tamron Hall. I thought something was wrong with me, thinking I come from poverty, this is just how it is."

"I didnt understand trauma and all these different things so when I started to get the words for it, I started to understand and grab tools, I started to become better, he continued. I started my journey and thats why Im expressing it and putting it in the book because I didnt know I was depressed for like eight years of my life straight."

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.

Jeezy explained that his trauma and depression came from growing up dealing drugs, where he saw his friends abusing drugs or getting killed.

"You wake up and you just want to go back to sleep forever, you know? And I was leaning into my vices. And thats what street life does to you. You know what Im saying? he said. When you lose 200, 300, 400 people like gone forever, you just, you get numb. And I wasnt able to get in touch with my emotions and I was wondering why.

Thank God for my kids but there was a time I was just cold. Thats when I was Young Jeezy," he added, noting his three kids, Jadarius, Amra and Monaco.

Jeezy also spoke to PEOPLE in August about some of the mental health struggles he details in his memoir.

The Trap or Die rapper  whose real name is Jay Wayne Jenkins  recalled having suicidal thoughts while attending the National Guard's Youth Challenge program after getting caught with drug possession in 1994.

Getty Jeezy

Related: Jeezy Reflects on the Time He Had Suicidal Thoughts  and Why He Decided Not to 'Jump' (Exclusive)

The nine-month program was nearly over when he was taken on a field trip to a naval base. Jeezy was onboard a ship when he had a moment of reflection.

"I remember standing there and saying to myself, 'Man, if you go back home and you don't figure this out... because I don't want to end up like my friends.' My friends became junkies and they were getting killed and all these things," he told PEOPLE.

The "Holy Ghost" rapper continued, "So it was all this stuff in my head. I just remember standing there and it was for a brief moment, I would say at least about 10 minutes, I actually contemplated jumping in the water. I had never had suicidal thoughts, but I [thought], 'Well, s---, if I just jump in the water, I ain't gotta deal with this. I ain't gotta go back home. I gotta do none of these things.'"

Something inside him told him, "'No, bro. You gonna have to man up. You gonna have to go back home. You got to figure this out.'" When he left the youth program, he was "ready for anything."



If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

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Read the original article on People.
Access sought for aid to Gaza

09:12, October 17, 2023 By Jan Yumul ( China Daily

Health supplies await entry as humanitarian crisis looms

International and humanitarian organizations are pleading for "immediate unconditional access" for critical aid in Gaza to deter a rapidly escalating crisis with the number of displaced people now estimated to have breached 1 million  10 days into the violent Palestine-Israel conflict.

The appeal from the United Nations came as clean water, food and other vital supplies are reportedly running out, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying they should not be "bargaining chips".

The World Health Organization said lifesaving assistance, including health supplies to serve 300,000 patients, was awaiting entry through the Rafah crossing into Gaza, The Associated Press reported.

Guterres also urged the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, or Hamas, to release its captives amid looming Israeli ground incursion that seeks to eliminate the militant group.

The move also forced half of Gaza's 2.3 million population to evacuate their homes. The number appears to be rising  The Associated Press reported that Israeli military has ordered people living in 28 communities near the Lebanese border to evacuate on Monday.

Talks of opening the Rafah border, which Egypt shares with Gaza, have been rife in Western and Middle East media circles. On Monday, Al Jazeera reported that both Israel and Hamas deny any cease-fire in southern Gaza after security sources in Egypt said a deal was due.

Egypt State Information Service, the country's "main informational, awareness and public relations agency", published an article on Sunday saying the Rafah border crossing was open, "but became inoperable after Israel bombed it", citing its Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry's interview with CNN.

Further, Egypt said the Rafah crossing should only be used to send humanitarian aid to Palestinians, citing officials.

Death toll from both sides has breached 4,000, with over 14,000 injured and more than 1,000 missing.

Appeals for de-escalation

Amid the mass evacuations taking place at short notice in Gaza, appeals to de-escalate the situation continue to increase.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said his agency was "on the verge of collapse" and was no longer able to provide humanitarian assistance. The agency is seeking $104 million in funds for lifesaving aid to Gaza.

China is providing emergency humanitarian aid to the UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority, the China Central Television said on Monday. The aid is to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza and to address the urgent needs, such as food and medical care, CCTV quoted the China International Development Cooperation Agency as saying.

On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates announced its support to the UNRWA humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip with a new contribution of $20 million.

Israel's planned ground operation in Gaza, with mass troops and tanks at the border, to "exterminate Hamas" has raised doubts in the international community.

The Arab League and the African Union said in a joint statement on Sunday that it could "lead to a genocide of unprecedented proportions", the Arab News and various media reported.

Iran has warned Israel of a regional escalation if the Israeli military enters Gaza for a ground operation as the war with Hamas drags on, Al Jazeera reported.

US President Joe Biden, who was quick to publicly declare support for Israel after Hamas' attack on Oct 7, warned in an interview with CBS News on Sunday that any move by Israel to occupy the Gaza Strip again "would be a big mistake", but added that going in to take Hamas militants out "was a necessary requirement".

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Counteroffensive targets Hamas, not Palestinian civilians: Israeli ambassador

By Lee Hyo-jin

Around 500 Koreans and Israelis gathered in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Tuesday, waving Israeli flags to show solidarity with the Jewish state in its ongoing war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The rally was organized by the Korea-Israel Friendship Foundation and the Israel Forum.

The protest not only consisted of messages condemning Hamas's brutal attack on Israeli civilians, but also a prayer for peace delivered by a rabbi. The participants also sang the Israeli national anthem, "Hatikva," which means "The Hope" in Hebrew, as the demonstrators mourned the many lives lost and those who remain missing.

Some Israeli participants became emotional during the rally, shedding tears and hugging each other.

"Israel is a small country. We all know someone whose close family member or friend got killed or kidnapped," Lihi Snir, a university student studying East Asian studies in Israel, told The Korea Times.

Snir, who was traveling in Seoul during her semester break, was initially planning to return to Israel earlier this week. But her flight got canceled in the aftermath of the ongoing military conflict.

"Now I'm not sure when I can fly back to Israel. I don't even know if I can go home before my new semester starts later this month," she said.

An Israeli man who came with his wife and two young daughters, said, "The situation in Israel is not easy... Our family moved to Seoul a few days ago because I got a job here. But we came to the rally today to show support for our country."

After the demonstration, some Korean participants were seen giving flowers to the Israelis, as a message of condolence to the lives lost by Hamas's assault.

Chung Ye-one, a student at Seoul National University, who lived in Israel most of her life and graduated from high school there, voiced worries about her family and friends.

"I feel so bad and worried about what's happening in Israel. My parents still live in Jerusalem and some of my friends have joined the military. I really hope the situation calms down soon," Chung said.

Israel seeks to end Hamas

Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor, who joined the rally, thanked the Korean government and the people of Korea for their steadfast support for Israel.

I would like to thank the Republic of Korea government for its strong statements of condemnation of Hamass atrocities and for being a friend of Israel, the envoy said.

He added that Israel's counteroffensive on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, which is creating a humanitarian crisis, is not aimed at Palestinian civilians.

The Palestinian people are not the enemy of Israel, nor are the people of Gaza our enemy. Israel will conduct war at all times like a NATO army...We are clear in our aims. The Hamas terror organization will not retain any ability to harm Israel at the end of this struggle," the ambassador said.

Joy Sakurai, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, also attended the event in a show of the U.S. government's solidarity with Israel.

Let me be crystal clear. The United States stands with Israel. There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse," she said, telling the Israeli envoy that the U.S. administration has, and will continue to support Israel's right to self-defense.

But at the same time, she stressed that "Civilians should not have to suffer for Hamass atrocities."

It's important that the decisions made moving forward reflect the shared values we hold for human life and human dignity, taking every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians, Sakurai said.

Tuesday's demonstration was the first pro-Israel rally held in Korea since the Palestinian militant groups surprise attack on the Jewish state on Oct. 7.

The event was held two days after a large demonstration supporting Palestine was held in Seouls central Itaewon neighborhood. About 500 Koreans, Palestinians and foreign residents took part in that demonstration on Sunday, demanding the Israeli government to stop its military operation in the Gaza Strip and blaming Israel's measures against Palestinians as the root cause of the war.

The dual rallies in Seoul came amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Some 1,300 Israelis were killed by the Hamas attack with nearly 200 taken hostage, while Israels retaliatory airstrikes and heavy bombardments in the Gaza Strip have killed more than 2,800 Palestinians.
Joran van der Sloot, the suspect in the unsolved 2005 disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway who is accused of extorting and defrauding the teens mother, is expected to enter a guilty plea to federal charges at a Wednesday hearing, an attorney for her family says.

It is not known what specific charges in the extortion case he will plead guilty to, or what the sentence will be.

Van der Sloot, one of the last people seen with the 18-year-old Holloway before she vanished, was indicted in 2010 on federal charges of extortion and wire fraud in connection with a plot to sell information about the whereabouts of Holloways remains in exchange for $250,000, according to an indictment filed in the Northern District of Alabama.

Holloway family attorney John Q. Kelly confirmed to CNN van der Sloot intends to plead guilty in connection to the case.

Kelly told NBCs Today show that a condition of the plea deal requires Van der Sloot to reveal details of how Holloway died and how her body was disposed of.

There wont be any further investigation or search  for Natalees remains, Kelly said on Today.

Beth Holloway, Natalees mother, will hold a news conference following the hearing to make public what van der Sloot told FBI authorities.

CNN has sought further information from Kelly and has also sought comment from the US Justice Department and police in Aruba, where Holloway disappeared.

Van der Sloot was transferred in June to the United States from a prison in Peru, where he was serving a 28-year sentence for the 2010 murder of Stephany Flores, 21, in his Lima, Peru, hotel room.

Under the agreement between Peru and the US, van der Sloot would first return to Peru to finish the murder sentence in the Flores case, and then would be brought back to the US to begin serving whatever sentence he receives for US-based charges.

According to the indictment, Holloways mother wired $15,000 to a bank account van der Sloot held in the Netherlands and through an attorney gave him another $10,000 in person. Once he had the initial $25,000, van der Sloot showed the attorney, Kelly, where Natalee Holloways remains allegedly were hidden but later admitted by email the information was worthless, the indictment states.

The teenager was last seen 18 years ago leaving a nightclub with van der Sloot and two other men on the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba. Police in Aruba arrested and released van der Sloot and brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe multiple times in 2005 and 2007 in connection with Holloways disappearance. Attorneys for the men maintained their innocence throughout the investigation.

In December 2007, the Aruban Public Prosecutors Office said none of the three would be charged and dropped the cases against them, citing insufficient evidence.

A judge in Alabama signed an order declaring Holloway legally dead five years later.

CNNs Tina Burnside contributed to this report.

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Justice Amy Coney Barrett said it would be a good idea for the Supreme Court to adopt an ethical code of conduct, becoming the latest justice to endorse the proposal in the wake of the courts recent ethics controversies.

I think it would be a good idea for us to do it, particularly so that we can communicate to the public exactly what it is that were doing in a clearer way than perhaps we have been able to do so far, Barrett said during a Monday appearance at the University of Minnesota Law School.

The high courts ethics have come under fire following ProPublicas reports this spring about undisclosed trips, gifts and a real estate deal Justice Clarence Thomas accepted from a billionaire and Republican megadonor. Thomas has said he didnt report them based on guidance he received from his colleagues.

Democrats and judicial watchdog groups renewed a push to pass legislation requiring the Supreme Court to adopt a binding code of ethics. But the proposal faces stiff opposition from Republicans  who have portrayed the push as tearing down the conservative-majority court  giving it slim odds of passage in the Republican-led House.

With no impending outside intervention from Congress, it has left it to the justices themselves to decide whether to make any changes internally.

Barretts comments Monday follow public indications of support for the ethics code proposal in recent weeks from Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, members of the courts liberal and conservative wings, respectively.

Both Kagan and Kavanaugh expressed hope that the justices can reach an agreement soon.

Thats something that I cant really speak for the court about or make any sort of guess about that, Barrett, another member of the high courts conservative wing, said Monday when asked about the timing.

Like Kagan and Kavanaugh, Barrett during her appearance also echoed comments made in May by Chief Justice John Roberts, who did not explicitly voice support for adopting an ethics code but said he was committed to ensuring the court adheres to the highest standards of conduct.

I would just say that one thing I would want all of you all to know is that all nine justices are very committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct, Barrett said in Minnesota.

All nine justices  and were in agreement about what to do and we want to continue to follow the highest ethical standards, Barrett continued. So any disagreement is nothing to do with either of those principles.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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Britney Spears is dropping major revelations with the first excerpt of her highly anticipated memoir, The Woman in Me. Excerpts include a few mother-daughter happy hours...when she was in middle school.

According to Spears, who released the first taste of her book to PEOPLE on Tuesday, she and mom Lynne would drink daiquiris together when she was just in the eighth grade.

"For fun, starting when I was in eighth grade, my mom and I would make the two-hour drive from Kentwood to Biloxi, Mississippi, and while we were there, we would drink daiquiris," Spears writes in the excerpt. "We called our cocktails 'toddies.'"



And while she may have been well below the legal drinking age, she says experience with alcohol was much different than her controversial father's.

"I loved that I was able to drink with my mom every now and then," she continues. "The way we drank was nothing like how my father did it. When he drank, he grew more depressed and shut down. We became happier, more alive and adventurous. "

Following Spears' stint on the Mickey Mouse Club in 1994, the pop star returned to ~normal life~ in Kentwood, Louisianabut not for long. After stepping back into the spotlight, Spears was put under the conservatorship of her father in 2008.

"I became a robot. But not just a robota sort of child-robot. I had been so infantilized that I was losing pieces of what made me feel like myself," she said, according to Billboard. "The conservatorship stripped me of my womanhood, made me into a child. I became more of an entity than a person onstage. I had always felt music in my bones and my blood; they stole that from me."

Under the conservatorship of her father, she had to grow out her hair and "get back into shape," per her father's demands. "He repeatedly told me I looked fat and that I was going to have to do something about it."

Spears' memoir is set to hit book stores on October 24.

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Royal wardrobe malfunctions happen from Kate Middleton's September shoe imbroglio to Princess Anne's son-in-law ripping his pants on the dance floor right in front of her (his boxers reportedly read "nibble my nuts"). However, one doesn't expect such rule breaks from an ultra-glam royal who runs a clothing companybut that's just what occurred when Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece attended a recent Danish royal gala.

Everything We Know About the Greek Royal Family

Patrick van Katwijk / Getty Images

At the royal-studded 18th birthday party celebration for Prince Christian of Denmark Sunday night, Crown Princess Marie-Chantal and Crown Prince Pavlos cut their usual glamourous figures, with the Crown Prince decked out in formal evening attire hung with ribbons, medals and a sash. And the Crown Princess was radiant in a blush pink long gown by London-based Greek fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, the same designer she stunned in at King Charles's coronation. This time, the gown featured billowing sleeves, a ruffled high neck and pleats falling from the waist to the floor. Overall, her look was impeccable: Queen Sophia of Greece's stunning silver tiara, check. Tasteful diamond drop earrings, check. But royal sash? Wardrobe fail. It seems the Crown Princess made her entrance wearing her sash on the left (ahem incorrect) shoulderand eagle-eyed royal watchers noticed.

IDA MARIE ODGAARD / Getty Images

It seems the sash, which is part of the Order of Saint Olga and Sophia, is by custom worn over the right shoulder. The Order was instituted by King George II of Greece in 1936 in honor of his grandmother Queen Olga and mother Queen Sophia. It is awarded to women of the royal family and other ladies of Greece for exceptional services to the Fatherland and the royal family. As we see in an earlier appearance pictured above, the sash properly hangs across the body starting on the right shoulder, as Crown Princess Marie-Chantal wore it in September 2022 when the royal couple appeared in Copenhagen.

As for Marie-Chantal's most recent body banner fail (sash crash?), not to worrylater in the evening, the she was spotted having set her sash correctly on her opposite shoulder. We'd expect no less graceful resilience from a businesswoman New Yorker who's a mother of five (her children range in age from 15 to 27). Such aplomb recalls the time she told Paper magazine that her children frequently keep her on track. '"[My kids] will remind me, 'You've written an etiquette book  so put your phone down!'" But, as she adds, "We're all human."' With the graceful way she recovered from her wardrobe fail, Marie-Chantal is our fancy-dress role model.

Kate Middleton Makes Surprise Appearance and Accidentally Wears Same Zara Outfit as Fellow Attendee
A massive explosion at a hospital in Gaza City killed hundreds of people Tuesday, Hamas said, after intensifying bombardments near towns in southern Gaza rattled civilians where Israel had ordered them to take refuge. Hamas attributed the blast to an Israeli airstrike, but the Israeli military said it was not involved and the explosion was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

Hamas' military wing also said an Israeli airstrike on a refuge camp killed a top Hamas commander.

Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which has the territorys only border crossing to Egypt. Mediators are pressing for an agreement to let aid in and refugees with foreign passports out. The U.S. hoped to break a deadlock with President Joe Biden set to head to the region on Wednesday, but a planned summit in Jordan was postponed.

Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege that followed a Hamas attack on Israel.

The war that began Oct. 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,778 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.

Currently:

Here's what's happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:

ISLAMIC JIHAD GROUP DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR HOSPITAL BLAST

JERUSALEM  The Palestinain Islamic Jihad group denied Israel's claim that it was behind the deadly blast at Al-Ahli hospital. It accused Israel of trying hard to evade responsibility for the brutal massacre it committed.

The accusations promoted by the enemy are baseless, Islamic Jihad said, adding that the group does not use places of worship or public facilities, especially hospitals, as military centers or weapons stores.

The group said details such as the angle of the bombs fall and the extent of destruction it left behind confirm it was similar to Israeli strikes.

The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, also denied Israel's claim, calling it lies.

4-WAY SUMMIT IN JORDAN OF BIDEN AND OTHER LEADERS CANCELED

AMMAN, Jordan  Jordan has called off a four-way summit scheduled for Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders, the countrys foreign minister told state-run television.

Ayman Safadi told al-Mamlaka TV that the war between Israel and Hammas was pushing the region to the brink and the summit would be postponed.

After visiting Israel Wednesday, Biden had planned to travel to Amman for the meeting.

The White House said Biden had hoped to use the summit to discuss the bloody Oct. 7 Hamas militant attack on Israel with the United States' Arab allies and the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited autonomy in parts of the occupied West Bank.

GRIEF, CONDEMNATION AFTER HUNDREDS KILLED AT GAZA HOSPITAL

JERUSALEM  Expressions of condemnation and grief are pouring in after hundreds of people were killed in an explosion at a Gaza City hospital that Hamas attributed to an Israeli airstrike but the Israeli military said was caused by a misfired militant rocket.

Countries such as Syria and Saudi Arabia blamed Israel for the blast, with Libyas Foreign Ministry accusing Israel of war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip. Iraq declared three days of mourning, and there were protests there and in Lebanon.

Egypts President, Abdul-Fattah el-Sissi, condemned what he called Israels deliberate bombing of Ahli Arab hospital and a clear violation of international law ... and humanity.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that his country condemns the attack on the Al-Ahli Arabi hospital and there's no justification for targeting a hospital or civilians.

Richard Peeperkorn, World Health Organization representative for the West Bank and Gaza, expressed our deepest grief at the horror that has unfolded, calling it unprecedented even in a region that has seen consistent attacks on healthcare.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement that it was shocked and horrified by reports that Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza was destroyed.

The United Arab Emirates and Russia called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.

ISRAEL DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN BOMBING OF GAZA CITY HOSPITAL

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military says it had no involvement in an explosion that killed hundreds of people at a Gaza City hospital and that the blast was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says an Israeli airstrike caused the blast, which killed some 500 people, many of whom had sought shelter from an ongoing Israeli offensive.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital.

Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch, it said.

Islamic Jihad is a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often cooperates with Hamas in their shared struggle against Israel.

VIDEOS AND PHOTOS CAPTURE SCENE AT GAZA CITY HOSPITALS

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  A chaotic scene unfolded at Al Shifa hospital Tuesday night as Palestinians injured in a blast at another hospital in Gaza City arrived for treatment.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike killed at least 500 people at al-Ahli Hospital. Israeli authorities denied involvement, saying the explosion was caused by a militant rocket.

Photos purportedly taken at al-Ahli Hospital shared widely on social media showed fire engulfing the building, with bodies scattered among the wreckage. Those photos could not be independently verified.

Footage captured by The Associated Press showed ambulances and private cars converging on Al Shifa hospital, where medics and others rushed the injured inside on stretchers and a wheelchair.

One person had a bloody stump where their left leg was missing. Four men carried a body bag to a civil defense vehicle.

Inside Al Shifa, the wounded were laid out on bloody floors, screaming in pain, as shouting people surrounded them. Some of the injured were not moving. Workers in scrubs ran outside and sirens wailed as more Red Crescent ambulances arrived.

PALESTINIAN OFFICIAL DROPS OUT OF BIDEN MEETING CITING HOSPITAL AIRSTRIKE

RAMALLAH, West Bank  A senior Palestinian official says President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled his participation in a meeting scheduled Wednesday with President Joe Biden and other Mideast leaders.

Abbas was scheduled to join Jordans King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at Wednesdays summit in Amman, Jordan, where they are to discuss the Israel-Hamas war with Biden.

But the senior official said Abbas was withdrawing to protest an alleged Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that health officials say has killed over 500 people.

The president is very angry after the news of the Israeli massacre at the hospital in Gaza, and he decided to immediately return to Ramallah, the official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the cancelation has not been formally announced.

___

Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre contributed to this report from Jerusalem.

UN CHIEF TO DISCUSS PALESTINIAN AID DURING EGYPT VISIT

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will arrive in Cairo on Thursday, focused on reopening the Gaza border to allow in desperately needed aid for millions of Palestinians.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who made the announcement Tuesday, said the secretary-general will engage with Egyptian leaders including President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and speak at an international conference on Saturday hosted by the president.

This situation is becoming more than critical, he said. We are at a time of extreme tension, where were calling to move away from further escalation and any possible miscalculation.

RESIDENTS LINE UP TO COLLECT SCANT WATER SUPPLIES IN GAZA

NUSAIRAT, Gaza Strip  Palestinians desperate for water lined up to fill bottles and large jugs Tuesday at a desalination plant in Gaza.

Children and men took turns using a hose in Nusairat to fill containers that they hauled away using bicycles, a wheelchair and a cart pulled by a donkey.

Ismael Al-Hafi said people are rationing the water they can find and wait two or three days to clean themselves.

Gaza is in complete collapse, Al-Hafi said. There is no solar to operate the desalination plants. This means that you have to struggle to fill two gallons of water. This is suffering.

HAMAS SAYS HUNDREDS KILLED IN ISRAELI ATTACK ON GAZA CITY HOSPITAL

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  The Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip says at least 500 people have been killed in an explosion that it says was caused by an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City Hospital.

If confirmed, it would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

Israel's military later denied responsibility, saying the militant group Islamic Jihad was to blame.

Hamas authorities said most of the people killed were hospital patients and displaced families.

A new war crime committed by the (Israeli) occupation by bombing the Al-Ahli Hospital in the center of Gaza City, said Salama Marouf, a spokesperson for Hamas.  The hospital was housing hundreds of patients, wounded, and those forcibly displaced from their homes due to the strikes.

UNRWA SAYS AT LEAST SIX KILLED IN ATTACK ON SCHOOL IN GAZA

AMMAN  The U.N. agency for Palestinians says at least six people were killed when one of its schools in central Gaza Strip was hit Tuesday.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner General, said dozens of people were also injured, including agency staff, when the UNRWA school in the al-Maghazi refugee camp came under bombardment. He said the school -- which has served as a shelter for some 4,000 displaced people since the latest hostilities began -- is seriously damaged.

AP video of the aftermath shows where tank shells crashed through classroom walls, leaving concrete pockmarked by shrapnel and piles of rubble in the hallways. Blood was splattered on crumbling cinderblocks. Rooms where Palestinians had taken refuge were filled with debris and splintered school chairs.

ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE CHIEF ADMITS FAILURE IN HAMAS ATTACK

JERUSALEM  The unprecedented Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed over 1,300 Israelis and stunned the country was the result of a failure by Israels intelligence community and military, the nation's miliary intelligence chief said.

We did not fulfill our most important mission, and as the head of the Intelligence Directorate, I take full responsibility for the failure, Gen. Aharon Haliva, the intelligence chief, wrote in a letter to the Israeli military. The things that need to be investigated will be thoroughly investigated at the proper time, and conclusions will be drawn.

Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sent a similar admission to workers at the security service over the weekend, taking responsibility for the stunning operational failures and weaknesses that allowed Hamas to carry out its attack.

ISRAEL WARNS HEZBOLLAH AGAINST ESCALATING BORDER TENSIONS

JERUSALEM  Israel's military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi is threatening aggressive retaliation if the Lebanese group Hezbollah escalates tensions on their shared border.

This is a war on the home, Halvey said after meeting with Israeli troops near the northern border. If Hezbollah makes a mistake, it will be annihilated.

Clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli troops along the tense border have escalated in recent days but remain largely controlled and limited to several border towns.

WFP SENDS FOOD AID TO EGYPT FOR DELIVERY TO GAZA

ROME  The World Food Program says it has tons of aid arriving in Egypt from warehouses around the region, ready to enter Gaza.

The Rome-based agency warned earlier Tuesday that stores in Gaza only have four or five days worth of essential food stocks available.

Video provided by WFP showed crates of aid arriving by cargo plane at the Arisha airbase in Egypt from warehouses in Dubai, bound for the Rafah crossing. WFP said it has mobilized 310 metric tons (305 tons) of food so far.

WFPs Palestine country director, Samer Abdeljaber, said the agency is waiting for the green light to enter Gaza.

HAMAS' MILITARY WING SAYS TOP COMMANDER KILLED BY ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE

JERUSALEM  Hamas military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said Tuesday that an Israeli airstrike on the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed A top militant commander, Ayman Nofal.

Nofal is the most high-profile militant to be killed so far in Israeli bombardments on the Gaza Strip. Residents said the barrage of Israeli airstrikes leveled an entire block of homes and caused dozens more casualties.

The Israeli military says it is targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said he is drafting legislation to authorize the use of U.S. military force should the war between Israel and Hamas widen.

McCaul first told CNN on Monday of the draft Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in the event its necessary due to a wider proxy war with Iran.

McCaul would not say if the White House had requested the committee to draw up the AUMF.

I dont want to confirm that. Its just that there is concern  were currently drafting one in the event its necessary, he said.

I hope I never have to mark this bill up, McCaul added. But we have a situation in the Middle East thats growing day by day with intensity.

The lawmaker noted recent threats from Iran to get involved if the Israel Defense Forces go into Gaza or continue the barrage of airstrikes.

U.S. officials have expressed fears that the Iran-backed Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, will open a second front in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, stormed Israel Oct. 7 in a coordinated attack that killed about 1,300 people. In response, Israel has rained bombs down on Gaza, killing more than 3,000 Palestinian civilians.

An additional 30 Americans have been killed in the fighting, and several others are suspected to have been taken hostage.

The situation has escalated to the point that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week ordered 2,000 U.S. troops to prepare to deploy in support of Israel in an advisory and medical role.

The Pentagon has also sent two carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean to act as a deterrent amid concerns Iran-backed proxies such as Hezbollah could try to enter the war.

President Biden is also heading to the Middle East on Wednesday  ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive into the Gaza Strip  for a face-to-face intervention with leaders in the region.

The precautions come as fighting has also broken out along the Israel-Lebanon border as skirmishes continued between the Israeli military and Hezbollah.

Top National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN Tuesday that an AUMF is not an active part of the conversation right now.

Biden believes that this is exactly the right time to go to Israel and to go to Jordan to discuss humanitarian concerns, the release of hostages being held by Hamas, and Israeli plans and intentions going forward, Kirby said.

However, McCaul told CNN later Tuesday he had been in contact with the White House about an AUMF.

They do not have authorities to hit Hezbollah or Hamas or any of Irans proxies, even the Iran-backed militias in Iraq, for instance. So, this is something we are looking at, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
After prosecutors charged him with acting as a foreign agent last week, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) will not attend Wednesdays planned classified briefing for all senators on the situation in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is at war with Hamas.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) made the announcement Tuesday.

Hes not going to attend the briefing tomorrow, Schumer, who traveled to Israel over the weekend, told reporters. Ive had private conversations, I dont get involved in what happens in them, in this kind of thing.

Hes not attending, he added.

The news comes only days after prosecutors in New York charged Menendez with a superseding indictment for allegedly acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. The New Jersey Democrat has maintained his innocence and says he has no intention to step down from his seat.

Late last month, prosecutors accused Menendez of accepting bribes to help three New Jersey businessmen and benefit the Egyptian government.

Part of the bribes came in the form of gold bars, cash, a luxury vehicle and mortgage payments, among other things, according to the indictment.

Wednesdays classified briefing will feature Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of State Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman CQ Brown Jr.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ministers are considering whether to urgently move Afghans eligible for relocation to the UK to safety as the deadline for them to leave Pakistan looms, a court has heard.

Around 2,300 Afghans who worked alongside British armed forces have been stuck in hotels in Pakistan for months after the government stopped chartering flights last November and stopped use of hotels in the UK.

Two of those stranded in Islamabad are taking legal action against the prime minister, home secretary, defence secretary and foreign secretary over the governments failure to bring them to safety.

But the High Court has paused their case until Friday to await an expected government decision on the matter, a judge said on Tuesday.

Mr Justice Chamberlain also ordered the immediate relocation of an Afghan refugee who worked with the British armed forces, currently living in Iran, who has also brought a case against the government urging his relocation.

Documents provided by the government that were relevant to the mans case, and to that of the two Afghan men in Pakistan, were discussed in private in a closed court on Tuesday, despite representations by The Independent and the Press Association that the evidence be heard in public.

Pakistan police have already stormed one of the hotels housing the UK-bound Afghans, arresting several whose visas had run out. The authorities have also issued an ultimatum to Afghan asylum seekers in the country without legal documents, saying they must leave by 1 November.

When open court resumed after the private hearing, Mr Justice Chamberlain said: The material I have seen is relevant to the risk posed to these claimants in Pakistan.

He continued: I will order the secretary of state to procure the relocation as soon as possible of AZ from Iran to the UK. The reasons for this decision cannot be stated in public.

The British armed forces work with the US military to evacuate eligible civilians and their families out of the country on August 21, 2021 in Kabul, Afghanistan (MoD Crown via Getty)

The judge said that although the documents he had seen detailed risk to the Afghan claimants in Pakistan he would give the government the chance to resolve the issue imminently itself.

Lisa Giovannetti KC, on behalf of the government, told the court on Tuesday morning: We are hoping that there will be a decision later today that will cover relocations and accommodation in the UK. This decision decision was not made by the end of the court session at 5pm.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said: The secretary of state should be given the opportunity to take a decision about what is to happen to those who are beneficiaries of the Arap scheme who are currently in Pakistan. Ms Giovannetti tells me that decision will be made later today or very soon. Ive also asked for further information related to further matters in closed.

It is not clear whether any decision taken by the government would cover only the men bringing the case or all those awaiting relocation in Pakistan.

If the government decides not to move the claimants, the court will consider representations from their lawyers about the need for them to be moved to the UK later this week.

The Ministry of Defence and Home Office have been approached for comment.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Hamas the new Nazis on Tuesday at a press conference alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

This is the savagery of, that we only remember from the Nazi crimes in the Holocaust, Netanyahu said, after describing a list of Hamass brutal tactics deployed against Israelis.

Hamas are the new Nazis. Hamas is ISIS  in some instances, worse than ISIS, Netanyahu continued. And just as the world united to defeat the Nazis, just as the world united to defeat ISIS, the world has to stand united behind Israel to defeat Hamas.

Netanyahu acknowledged the significance of Germanys support for the Jewish people and solidarity with the state of Israel.

Eighty years ago, our people experienced the worst savagery in the history of humanity with the Nazi crimes against the Jewish people on the soil of Germany and Europe, Netanyahu continued. I must tell you, my friend, that the savagery that we witnessed, perpetrated by the Hamas murderers coming out of Gaza, were the worst crimes committed against Jews since the Holocaust.

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israels southern border Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 Israelis and taking nearly 200 people hostage. Israel has killed more than 3,000 Palestinians in retaliatory airstrikes.

Scholzs visit also comes ahead of President Bidens planned visit to Israel on Wednesday, after both Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited the region this week.

More than 6 million Jews  a third of the worlds Jewish population at the time  were killed in the Holocaust under Nazi Germany. Netanyahu compared the goals of Nazi Germany and of Hamas, saying the difference primarily is in capability.

The open goal of Hamas is to kill as many Jews as they could, Netanyahu said. The only difference is they would have killed every last one of us, murdered every last one of us, if they could. They just dont have the capacity.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has condemned a rise in anti-semitic incidents in the UK following Hamass attack on Israel as he called for unity between Muslims and Jews.

Justin Welby was joined by leaders from the two faiths for talks at Lambeth Palace, with the group urging people across the country to reject any form of hatred or discrimination against Jewish people or any other community.

Their comments come following a huge spike in reports of anti-semitic incidents across the country amid the war between Israel and Hamas.

I know that all of us are profoundly concerned by what is happening in Israel and Gazawe are praying constantly for all those who are caught up in this war that has already brought so much suffering to so many people, the archbishop said in a statement after the meeting.

Today we have come together out of shared concern for our communities and neighbourhoods here in the UK, and to stand together against any form of hatred or violence against Jewish people or any other community.

He was joined by Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, a scholar and imam from Leicester, and a former assistant secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, the senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism UK and Rabbi of the New North London Synagogue.

Sheikh Mogra said he was deeply pained by what was unfolding in the Middle East.

At this critical time, we share deep concern for the welfare of everyone, he said. We are determined to do our utmost to prevent violence and intimidation across our country, whether on the streets, in places of worship, in schools, in universities, or in any other institutions.

Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra (L), Rabbi Jonathan (R) and Justin Welby (C) (Neil Turner/Lambeth Palace)

He added: It is deplorable and wrong that our Jewish community here has been the target of hate crimes. It is unacceptable that synagogues and Jewish centres have been targeted.

There has been a 500 per cent rise in antisemitism. I condemn these attacks and call on all fellow citizens to stand up and speak out against all and every form of hate.

Rabbi Wittenberg said: As leaders in the British Jewish and Muslim communities we affirm the importance of maintaining our relationships even, and especially, in troubled times.

We have so much in common; there are many friendships between us, and we have stood together through both peaceful and challenging days. As you say, we will sometimes have different loyalties, yet it is essential that we live together across the United Kingdom as neighbours and fellow citizens in peace and with respect.

He added: I share your prayers for an ultimate end to war. My prayers, too, are with all the innocent people caught up in this horror, for all those who are hurt and grieve, and all who long for the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones.

We are both on the side of life. We share deep concern for the welfare of everyone and pray for a better future for all.
Korea's rival parties welcomed the government's plan to increase the enrollment quota of medical schools Tuesday, saying such a change is necessary to improve medical services and prepare for the country's aging population.

The rare show of unity comes amid reports the government is considering drastically increasing the number of new enrollments at medical schools, which have been fixed at a total of 3,058 over the past 19 years.

In 2021, Korea had 2.6 physicians per 1,000 people, which is significantly below the average of 3.7 of the members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, according to professor Kim Yoon at Seoul National University College of Medicine.

Advocates say an increase is necessary to address physician shortages in provincial areas and less preferred specialties, such as pediatrics, and better prepare for a future increase in health care demand from the country's aging population. Doctors, on the other hand, have expressed strong opposition, arguing a quota increase will contribute little to solving the problem without a fundamental change to Korea's medical system.

If the government decides to increase the new quota, it will begin affecting medical schools in 2025.

On Tuesday, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) reiterated the government's stance, saying a quota increase is needed to improve the country's medical system.

"Looking at the current state of medical services and future trends in health care demand, it is abundantly clear that expanding medical school enrollments is a fundamental necessity," said Rep. Yun Jae-ok, the floor leader of the PPP, in a party meeting.

The government and the ruling party are ready to discuss the demands put forward by doctors, such as improving doctors' working conditions and increasing fees in essential medical fields, Yun said, and proposed that doctor groups resolve the matter through dialogue instead of a strike.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) also welcomed the move from the presidential office, expressing willingness to engage in talks on related legislative efforts.

"We welcome the Yoon Suk Yeol government's move to increase the enrollment quota of medical schools. The DPK is always open to dialogue that is beneficial to the people," said Rep. Kim Sung-joo at a party meeting.

Kim suggested the government come up with additional measures to level out the number of doctors between rural and urban areas. He proposed establishing state-backed medical schools in provincial regions and setting up a fixed quota of physicians mandated to practice in rural areas. (Yonhap)
President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday in a show of support as the US works to prevent the war with Hamas from spreading across the region.

The trip was announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said Mr Biden would visit at "a critical moment for Israel, for the region and the world".

Mr Blinken, who spoke in Tel Aviv on Monday, said the president would stress "ironclad" commitment to Israel.

Mr Biden is also expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The decision to go ahead with the landmark visit followed more than seven hours of negotiations between the president, Mr Blinken and Mr Netanyahu's war cabinet.

When announcing the plans, Mr Blinken said the president would make clear that "Israel has the right and the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and prevent future attacks".

He also said Mr Biden would receive a briefing on Israel's war aims and strategy, and hear "how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow [to] civilians in Gaza".

ANALYSIS: US in diplomatic dash to contain Gaza conflict

The trip comes as concern over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows. More than a million people have been displaced inside Gaza, which is one of the world's most densely populated territories, and food, water and fuel are in short supply.

Washington estimates that 500 to 600 Americans remain trapped there.

"It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible," Mr Blinken said, adding that the US and Israel had agreed to "develop a plan" to get aid to civilians there.

He also said Mr Biden would work to try to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas, which the US and other Western governments have designated a terrorist organisation.

More on Israel Gaza war

Israel has said at least 199 people are believed to have been taken hostage after the group launched its unprecedented attack from Gaza on 7 October.

At least 1,400 people were killed when gunmen breached the border and infiltrated Israeli communities.

More than 2,700 people have been killed in retaliatory air strikes against Gaza by the Israeli military. Israel has also massed troops along the border ahead of an expected ground offensive.

That offensive, however, is likely to be delayed until after Mr Biden's departure from Israel although officials in the country have not commented on this.

Iran earlier warned that Israel would not be allowed to act in Gaza without consequences. Its foreign minister said it could take "pre-emptive action" against Israel in the coming hours.

It is thought that would involve the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon, which has been exchanging fire with Israel in recent days.

The comment highlighted concern over the risk of a broader regional conflict breaking out, and the US and other Western countries have warned Iran against any escalation.

After visiting Israel, Mr Biden will travel to Amman in Jordan where he will meet King Abdullah, Egypt's President Al-Sisi and the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas.

Those talks will largely focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, White House officials said.

Mr Blinken, meanwhile, has visited a number of countries in the Middle East since the Hamas attack including Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
President Biden is traveling to Israel on Wednesday following the deadly attack in the country by the militant group Hamas and the subsequent war that has left thousands dead.

Biden will travel to Tel Aviv where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials and discuss issues including American citizens and others unable to leave Gaza, information about the hostages held by Hamas, civilian causalities, and providing humanitarian assistance.

Biden will then travel from Tel Aviv to Amman, Jordan later on Wednesday to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The meetings will focus on the humanitarian situation and reiterating that the U.S. believes that Hamas does not represent the majority of the Palestinian people.

It will be a quick trip over the course of a single day but  it comes at a very critical time and there is an awful lot on the agenda, national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday about the visit.

When asked if the expected Israeli ground offensive in Gaza would not begin until after Bidens trip or if an agreement was made with Israeli along those lines, Kirby said that the U.S. isnt dictating terms to the Israeli military but feel that proper security perimeters are in place.

Were not dictating terms or operational directions to the Israelis. They should speak to their operations, were not going to do that. Were certainly not going to speak to future operations that have or have not been conducted, Kirby said.

When asked what message Biden will give Netanyahu about the need to protect civilians in Gaza, Kirby said the U.S. has been consistent about its concern over civilian causalities.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the presidents trip just before the White Houses official announcement. Blinken is in Tel Aviv and met with Netanyahu on Monday.

Bidens trip was kept quiet until the news was announced Monday evening.

He previously was scheduled to travel to Colorado on Monday to promote his economic agenda, but scrapped the planned trip early Monday morning to participate in national security meetings.

The president was then photographed in the White House during a meeting with his national security team about the latest developments after Hamass attack in Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, squashing questions about whether Biden had left for Israel already.

When the president traveled to Ukraine earlier this year, amid the Russian invasion, he traveled in secrecy and the White House did not announce the visit until he arrived in Kyiv.

Kirby was asked about the decision to announce this trip ahead of time and he said this is a different situation. The security situation is certainly tense, of course, Kirby said. In this case, taking all of those considerations into account it was deemed appropriate that we could talk about it beforehand, he said, noting though that he is not providing that much detail on the Monday night call with reporters.

On Monday, Biden held a call with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany in advance of Scholzs travel to Egypt and Israel, as well as calls with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of Iraq and Sisi of Egypt.

Kirby said that on the call with Sisi, Biden made the case that the U.S. wants to see security assistance get into Gaza and people to be able to get out.

His visit comes as Gaza has been under heavy bombardment by Israel, and Israel is expected to launch a ground offensive soon. Biden is walking a fine line between his support for Israel and the countrys right to defend itself following the attacks last weekend and the looming humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since Hamass brutal attack against Israel, the war has claimed more than 3,600 lives across Israel and Gaza. Thirty Americans were killed in the Hamas attack, and 13 Americans are missing, while the White House has said that less than a handful have been taken as hostages by Hamas.

Israel has called for 1 million people in Gaza to evacuate to its southern end.

U.S. officials said Sunday they have been working to assist Americans looking to leave the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but that no Americans have been able get out as far as they know.

Developing

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom answers questions during a news conference

A new law will allow some Mexican residents living near the California border to pay in-state tuition rates at certain community colleges in the state.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law Friday, allowing the five-year program to launch next year.

Modeled in part by a decades-old law in Texas and an existing law for Nevada students near California to attend Lake Tahoe Community College, the program allows low-income Mexican residents who live within 45 miles of the California-Mexico border to pay in-state tuition at one of eight participating community colleges in Southern California.

Each of the colleges can award the nonresident free exemption to 150 students who meet all of the requirements.

This pilot program can unlock a significant untapped resource to prepare a more diverse population among our workforce, California Assemblymember David Alvarez, who authored the proposal, said in a statement.

SEE MORE: California colleges imagine a world where degrees come without classes

Alvarez said Southern California and Northern Baja California operate as one "megaregion," with over 170,000 people crossing the international border daily for work, school or leisure.

He believes the new law will address the demand for skilled workers by reducing the barrier of high tuition expenses for low-income students.

Participating community college boards will be required to submit a report to lawmakers by 2028 to show the attendance rate and demographics of students who received in-state tuition rates under the new program.
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chile has always been at the forefront of China's relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday in Beijing, when meeting with Chile's President Gabriel Boric.

Xi told the Chilean leader, who is in China to attend the Belt and Road Forum, that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Chile relations, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said.

Xi praised Chile for being the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with China, and for being a pioneer in cooperation on the Belt and Road initiative in Latin America.

"China-Chile cooperation in various fields has promoted the development and revitalization of both countries and brought substantial benefits to our people," Xi added.

In a joint statement from both countries, Chile invited Chinese firms to participate in the development of the country's lithium mining industry and green hydrogen projects, CCTV reported.

Boric said on Monday that China's Tsingshan Holding Group will invest $233.2 million to set up a plant in Chile to produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP), used to power electric vehicles, which is expected to create 668 jobs when it reaches full capacity.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Ella Cao; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Sharon Singlton)
The Boise Airport is adding its ninth commercial air carrier, offering nonstop flights between the Treasure Valley and the new airlines Midwest hub starting next summer.

Sun Country Airlines, based at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, on Tuesday announced the introduction of its low-cost service for the first time in Boise. The new summer seasonal flight will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting in June 2024.

The flight is scheduled to debut on June 19 and is on Sun Countys booking calendar through Aug. 21 next year. Tickets are priced at $79 each way, excluding additional baggage fees.

Sun Countrys direct route does not expand on the 25 nonstop destinations at the Boise Airport, but it increases the frequency and airline options for travelers to and from Minnesotas Twin Cities. When it arrives, the new airline will compete directly with Delta Air Lines, which already flies the same nonstop route to Minneapolis currently with twice-daily service.

Rebecca Hupp, director of the Boise Airport, welcomed the new airline, citing Sun Countrys network of flights just a layover away.

This addition also opens the door to Sun Countrys extensive network of one-stop connections available through MSP, providing BOI passengers with even more travel opportunities, she said in a statement.

When it launches, Boise will be part of more than 100 airports in North America where Sun Country now operates.

Sun Country prides itself on being the leisure airline of choice for MSP customers, Grant Whitney, Sun Countrys senior vice president and chief revenue officer, said in a news release. We have more than doubled our nonstop destinations for customers flying out of MSP in the last five years and we are thrilled to offer these unique new offerings spanning the continent from Quebec to New Mexico.

Earlier this month, the airport welcomed its newest route, when Southwest Airlines began offering weekend flights between Boise and Long Beach, California. The route operates until Nov. 4, before a brief hiatus and return to the schedule in early January.

The Boise Airport remains on pace this year to break its annual passenger record of nearly 4.5 million passengers set in 2022.

Through August, more than 3.1 million passengers have passed through the regional air hub. Thats roughly 244,000 passengers, or about 8.5%, ahead of the same time last year.

Earlier this year, the airport also set its new all-time high for air travelers in a single month, in July with more than 434,000 passengers. September passenger counts are not yet available.
England could join Scotland in punching their ticket to next years Euros should they beat Italy at Wembley on Monday.

Gareth Southgates side are three points clear at the top of Group C with just three games remaining and know that a win would secure their place in Germany next year.

They return to face Italy at Wembley for the first time since their heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat in the Euro 2020 final, but they will have exorcised some of their demons from that loss with their impressive 2-1 away win against Italy in Naples earlier in the qualifying campaign.

Italy beat Malta 4-0 on Saturday to move above Ukraine and into second in the group in Luciano Spalletis third game in charge of the national side.

Heres everything you need to know ahead of Tuesdays fixture. You can get all the latest odds and tips here.

When is England vs Italy?

England vs Italy is due to kick off at 7:45pm BST on Tuesday 17 October at Wembley Stadium.

How can I watch it?

All of Englands fixtures outside of international tournaments are for now screened free to air on Channel 4, and can be streamed on the Channel 4 website and app. The build-up for the match begins at 7pm.

If youre travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.

Team news

Having made a second-string side for their friendly against Australia on Friday, Southgate returns to a full-strength side for this must-win clash. Bukayo Saka remains an absentee after his hamstring injury for Arsenal, while Kieran Trippier deputises at left-back in the absence of both Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw who are out with long-term injuries.

Premier League duo Sandro Tonalia and Nicolo Zaniolo remain unavailable for their national side having withdrawn from the squad after their pair were questioned in relation to a gambling investigation by Italian authorities.

Elsewhere, Spalleti will have to deal with a number of injuries in the forward line with Federico Chiesa and Ivan Provedel both withdrawing from the squad due to respective fitness issues. In their absence, Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi retains his place in the forward line having scored his first goal for Italy in two years against Malta last weekend.

Confirmed line-ups

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Phillips, Rice, Foden, Bellingham, Rashford, Kane

Italy XI: Italy XI: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Acerbi, Udogie, Frattesi, Cristante, Barella, Berardi, Scamacca, El Shaarawy

Odds

England win 8/13

Draw 11/4

Italy win 17/4

Latest odds here.

Prediction

A full-strength England side to edge out Italy and secure their place in the Euro 2024.

England 1-0 Italy.
Ohio Republican Jim Jordan still hasnt locked up the votes he needs to be the next Speaker of the House. But on Tuesday, only a few holdouts remain standing between him and what could be a historic speakership.

Matthew Green, a politics professor at the Catholic University of America who published a book in 2010 on the historical role of the Speaker, says a few aspects of Jordan and his political career would make his obtaining the speakers gavel stand out.

"He would be the most conservative speaker chosen by the House in at least 80 years," Green says, noting that its Jordans reputation as an unflinching far-right conservative that has both boosted his speakership campaign and could doom his tenure in the role.

"Jordan has a strong base of support, a lot of conservative grassroots activists who are really loyal to him, Green says. Are they going to maintain that loyalty if he has to make bills more moderate in order to pass them? Or is he going to stick to his ideological guns, in which case he may struggle to succeed legislatively?"

Legislation has never been what Jordan has been known for. Jordan was one of the founding members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, which has routinely been a thorn in the side of the Houses Republican leadership.

Since joining the House in 2006, Jordan has never had a bill passed into law. According to the Washington Post, he has sponsored very few bills that have gotten any traction.

"Even speakers who aren't legislatively minded in their careers, usually get some bills passed before they become speaker, Green says. If he's never done that, the question is, does that reflect a lack of knowledge of the legislative process? And if it does, that's a problem, because speakers have to know how the legislative process works in order to get things through."

Online and in the halls of Congress, hardline conservatives have celebrated the possibility of having one of their own in such a powerful position. For many, the fact that Jordan does not have the typical congressional resume of many previous speakers is a strength.

Republicans aren't really following the traditional leadership ladder here, Green says, noting that Jordan is chair of the House Judiciary Committee but has not held other posts Speakers typically start with, particularly Majority Leader.

Its been two weeks since California Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position as Speaker. As Jordan and his allies worked to get the votes they needed on Monday, many House Republicans seemed more concerned with installing a new Speaker than with exactly what Jordan would do once he got there.

The chaos of the process that might launch Jordan into the speakership is a sign of changing times. According to Green, its very unusual to watch the majority party cycle through candidates publicly the way Republicans have over the last week. In recent decades, both parties have struggled more to keep the process behind closed doors, but Democrats, especially under former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have had an easier time getting rank-and-file members in line.

Republicans won back the House in last years midterm elections, but with a narrower majority than they had anticipated. That Jordan has been able to upend traditional norms to end up a handful of votes away from the speakership reflects that slim majority, which enables a few members to exercise disproportionate influence if they are willing to buck tradition.

The political environment has changed, Green says. The grassroots pay more attention to speaker elections and holdouts and upstarts can find themselves rewarded with TV interviews and attention on social media.That power of the media is often what drives members to defect on these votes in the first place, Green says.

Write to Mini Racker at mini.racker@time.com.
The Ukraine war may remain a stalemate throughout 2024, military experts have told The Independent, as hopes fade for a major breakthrough in this years counteroffensive against Russia.

Delays in Western military aid handed Moscow time to build heavily fortified defences which have largely held up against months of intense assaults  and constraints in ammunition and weaponry now mean both armies may struggle to sustain the current pace of the war, some analysts believe.

With the prospect of a Middle East conflict likely to further stretch Washington  Ukraines largest backer  ahead of a US presidential election in November 2024, Vladimir Putins strategy may now be to preserve the current state of the front line and wait it out, Western experts say.

Servicemen load a NSV machine gun during training manoeuvres in Kyiv (EPA/Oleg Petrasyuk)

With just weeks likely left before seasonal weather changes dampen offensive efforts in Ukraine, Dr Patrick Bury of the University of Bath said: There hasnt been a breakthrough, theres been tactical gains, low-level operational gains  but not strategic.

What this summer has shown is that [Ukraine] can fight at company level [of around 100 soldiers] but when you go the next level up to the battalion, they just dont really have the coordinated experience to fight with all the moving parts, said Dr Bury, a former Nato analyst and British Army captain.

While the US is due to start providing F-16 fighter jets next year, the sophistication of the Russian air force means Ukraine will still struggle to achieve air superiority, and you need air superiority really to be able to free up the chance of large-scale manoeuvre, he added.

Therefore unless theres significant widespread packages of training, new weapons and equipment, Dr Bury said, its looking like 2024 is a bit of a stalemate  with any significant shifts instead likely to take place off the battlefield.

Agreeing that were [already] seeing a stalemate now, Dr Frank Ledwidge  a former military intelligence officer, now at the University of Portsmouth  questioned whether any tactics would have worked against defenders who [Ukraine] didnt outnumber three to one.

A Ukrainian soldier in his position in Avdiivka, Donetsk (AP Photo/Libkos)

In the most basic military algorithms, you need an attack ratio of three [troops] to one, and the Ukrainians dont have anything like that, he said. So barring any significant change in that force ratio theres no reason really now to assume that future operations will be any different.

Warning that there are no game changers, including F-16s, Dr Ledwidge likened the situation to the Western Front in 1917, adding: Breakthroughs were made eventually in the First World War, but only when the Americans came in with two million soldiers.

He added: Unless somebody has the moral courage to say, Ukraine is highly unlikely to retake all its land, then this will go on.

James Nixey, director of the Chatham House think tanks Russia and Eurasia programme, said: It does seem as though were heading towards a battle for Crimea.

While noting that Russia is going all-in by putting its economy and society on a near at total war footing, which may help address ammunition shortages, Mr Nixey said he agreed that significant changes to the situation in Ukraine will now likely happen off-field.

Putin is banking almost everything on a Trump return, he said, adding that the conflict emerging in Gaza and Israel  and threatening to become a wider Middle East conflict drawing in Hezbollah and Iran  means that attention, resources and funding will be diverted now from Ukraine.

Putin is banking almost everything on a Trump return (Getty)

While its true that the US army prepares for two simultaneous separate wars, the reality is that the pie is likely to be smaller  even if Ukraine funding is tagged onto an Israel assistance bid, said Mr Nixey.

US president Joe Biden, who recently suffered a setback in securing Congresss approval for Ukraine aid, rejected that prospect this week, telling CBS News: Were the United States of America, for Gods sake. The most powerful nation in the history of the world.

We can take care of both of these and still maintain our overall international defence. We have the capacity to do this and we have an obligation  If we dont, who does?

But agreeing that a second conflict has certainly got the potential for stretching the US, Dr Bury and Dr Ledwidge both believe a military stalemate in Ukraine is therefore very satisfactory to the Russian president.

Israel is preparing to mount a ground offensive in Gaza after Hamas militants broke through the border and massacred hundreds of Israelis (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Putins strategy is just to wait it out, said Dr Bury. Putins played a masterstroke here  hes basically used a nuclear threat to slow down and salami-slice the aid to Ukraine. Thats the effect its had.

Those threats were enough to make the Biden administration and the Germans very wary of supplying F-16s, tanks and long-range weaponry, he noted, adding: We got there in the end, but it took time.

And that, it turned out, gave Russia time to build very good defensive lines and make their problem easier and the Ukrainians much harder.
Speed cameras will be authorized to ticket California drivers in select cities as soon as next year, after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pilot program bill into law Friday.

While this is the eighth try to authorize speed cameras in the state since 2005, it is the first time the proposal made it to the governors desk. Assembly Bill 645 passed the legislature with bipartisan support.

This has never been about speed cameras. This is about saving lives, but the reason this bill was the first iteration to be passed into law is because of the extensive equity measures we worked to ensure were in AB 645, the bills author Assemblymember Laura Friedman, D-Glendale, said in a news release.

How will AB 645 work?

The Speed Safety Pilot Program would mean drivers who are caught speeding by the cameras would receive an automatic ticket without ever talking to a police officer.

Unlike red light cameras, the systems authorized in this bill will not take pictures of the driver. They will only capture the license plates. There will be no points applied against someones license, according to the news release.

A first-time ticket on the speed cameras is only a warning.

After a written warning, tickets will only be issued to drivers exceeding the speed limit by over 11 miles per hour and will begin at $50, with fines increasing due to repetition and velocity.

What California cities will this affect?

Friedmans office previously told The Bee that pilot programs could begin next year. Until January 2032, this bill will authorize speed cameras in the following California cities:

Los Angeles

San Jose

Oakland

Glendale

Long Beach

San Francisco

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
A Palestinian man holds an injured girl following an Israeli airstrike on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

At least 3,000 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, with over 12,500 injured since Oct. 7, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said Tuesday.

The retaliatory strikes followed an unprecedented terror attack by the militant group Hamas on Oct. 7, which killed over 1,400 people in southern Israel, including over 250 at a music festival and nearly 290 Israeli soldiers, making it the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Live updates: Biden to visit Israel as Gaza braces for possible ground invasion

Friends and family members attend the funeral on Tuesday of Shiraz Tamam, who was killed by Hamas at the Nova music festival on Oct. 7. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is also believed to be holding hostage at least 199 people who were kidnapped during the attack, according to the Israeli military. Among those held hostage are children, women, men and the elderly.

At least 30 U.S. citizens have been confirmed dead as a result of the attack, with another 13 still missing as of Monday morning, according to the U.S. State Department. It is believed that some of those 13 are being held hostage by Hamas militants. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said last week that recovering those held hostage is the highest priority for the Biden administration.

President Biden is traveling to Israel Wednesday to show his steadfast support in a show of solidarity. U.S. defense officials have also selected about 2,000 troops to prepare for a potential deployment to support Israel.

Meanwhile, the latest death toll comes after Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza, killing dozens of people Tuesday in attacks that it says targeted Hamas militants, the Associated Press reports. Late last week, Israel had instructed Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate to the southern part of the territory, which has been cut off from water, food, fuel and electricity, ahead of an expected ground incursion.

People search for victims among destroyed buildings on Tuesday following an Israeli airstrike on Rafah. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

Sky News reporter Mark Austin repeatedly pressed Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner in an interview on why Israel told hundreds of thousands of people in northern Gaza to move to the south when airstrikes were continuing in the south. We do not seek to target or harm civilians, unlike Hamas who does.  You can't expect us to not protect our civilians because Hamas are hiding behind theirs," Lerner replied. We are in a huge effort ... to minimize the civilian consequences of this conflict. But, and I say this very sadly, there will, and it is unfortunate and inevitable that this will continue to happen."

Reuters has spoken to Palestinians like the Abu Marasa family who, after fleeing to the south, say they may as well go back to their homes in the north.

Raghda Abu Marasa, who fled after Israel called for more than 1 million civilians in the Gaza Strip to move south, with her children as they return to their home in Gaza City on Tuesday. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) (REUTERS)

"Why should we be martyrs in Khan Younis? We would better die as martyrs in our houses. Let the whole building fall on our heads," Saleem Abu Marasa told Reuters while preparing to drive back to the family's home in northern Gaza.

The United Nations says Israels evacuation order for northern Gaza could be a breach of international law.

"We are concerned that this order, combined with the imposition of a complete siege of Gaza, may not be considered as lawful temporary evacuation and would therefore amount to a forcible transfer of civilians in breach of international law," Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, told reporters Tuesday. Those who managed to comply with the Israeli authorities' order to evacuate are now trapped in the south of the Gaza Strip, with scant shelter, fast-depleting food supplies, little or no access to clean water, sanitation, medicine and other basic needs."

From Israel, Biden will travel to Jordan, where hell meet with Egyptian and Palestinian leaders to talk about the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian civilians of Gaza as the situation grows dire.

More images from Gaza

Civil defense teams and residents carry injured people on Tuesday after an Israeli attack in Rafah. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Palestinians at a morgue in Khan Younis on Tuesday mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. (Fatima Shbair/AP)

A search-and-rescue operation on Tuesday around a house in Deir-al Balah, Gaza Strip, that was destroyed after an Israeli attack. (Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Palestinians mourn relatives at a morgue in Khan Younis on Tuesday. (Fatima Shbair/AP)

A victim is retrieved on Tuesday following an Israeli airstrike on Rafah. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

A woman at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday with bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters)

The remains of a house hit by an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis. (Mohammed Dahman/AP)

A Palestinian man at the site of Israeli strikes on houses in Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters)

Evacuating a victim following an Israeli airstrike on Rafah. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinian medics treat a child wounded in the Israeli bombardment of Khan Younis. (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Palestinian victims are laid out on the ground at a hospital in Rafah. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

A man carries the remains of a dead person retrieved from the rubble of a house in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Dahman/AP) (AP)

Palestinians evacuate a survivor from a house hit by an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Dahman/AP) (AP)

A woman at the site of Israeli strikes on houses in Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

A search for bodies following Israeli strikes on a house in the central Gaza Strip. (Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Palestinians mourn relatives at a morgue in Khan Younis. (Fatima Shbair/AP) (AP)

A Palestinian man is assisted after being wounded in Israeli strikes in Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

The site of Israeli strikes on houses in Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Men at the site of Israeli strikes on Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes laid out at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

The bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes lie in a hospital in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) (REUTERS)

A wounded man is carried following Israeli strikes on Rafah. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) (REUTERS)

A mourner at a hospital in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Palestinians carry a casualty from under the rubble of a house destroyed by Israeli strikes in Khan Younis. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Members of a Palestinian civil emergency team at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Monday with the body of a colleague who was killed in an Israeli strike. (Mohammed al-Masri/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Palestinians remove a man from under the rubble of a house destroyed by Israeli strikes in Khan Younis. (Ahmed Zakot/Reuters) (REUTERS)
By Yi Woo-won

The Chuseok holiday was so pretty and enjoyable against the gorgeous autumn. Some people say its similar to Thanksgiving Day. Maybe somewhat, but not quite. The highlights of Chuseok are: a big gathering of family members from across the country at the ancestral home, abundant preparations of food and the memorial ritual to invite the deceased family ancestors  popularly known as "charye" in Korean. But before the ritual, there are two more essentials: "beolcho" (tidying the gravesites and "seongmyo" (visiting the ancestors at the graves with offerings).

Charye, the time-honored elaborate ceremony is associated with one of the ethical teachings of Confucius (551-479 B.C.), i.e. ancestral worship. Traditionally, the food for charye is prepared by the female members of the family, but offered to the ancestors by male members, bowing deeply onto their knees. Yet, the principles seem to be a bit flexible nowadays. In contemporary Korea, the vast majority of people seem to believe that their deceased ancestors are still part of their family and their spirits have the power to influence the affairs of the living.

Confucius was a great philosopher and scholar-teacher, whose moral guidelines were based on peace and social harmony. His teachings advocated, among many things, loyalty to the state; the proprieties and love within the family; respect for ones elders and ancestor worship. Confucius placed the foremost emphasis on "filial piety" or "xiao" in Chinese and "hyo" in Korean, the virtue of respect for ones parents and by extension for elders and ancestors. He taught his disciples that "filial piety" is the root of all virtues, from which grow other proprieties.

Confucianism had extensive influence in Korea during the Yi Dynasty, suppressing the development of Buddhism during the Goryeo period. Its teachings of moral conduct pervaded every aspect of life in traditional Korean societies. Besides, the Confucian moral ideology was so readily accepted and followed faithfully by most of the Korean people that historically, the Chinese often referred to Koreans as the white-clad courteous people of the Orient.

However, under the rigid Confucian doctrine of ethics and social stratum, Korea had turned into a male-dominant society, in which the status of women was extremely restricted and lowered. A woman was expected to produce a son to maintain the family genealogy. Education for women was generally discouraged and remarriage was disapproved for women, while it was encouraged for men when the previous wife produced no sons. I assume these traditional beliefs and customs had prevailed until my parents generation.

About a decade or so ago, I had an unexpected arrangement to meet my former high school student at Waegwan train station. He was coming all the way from Seoul just to see me, saying he had missed me. He said he would wear a light blue jacket to make it easy to recognize him. It was a great surprise to meet him, but hard to believe. It was back in 1957, more than half a century before that I had taught him. It was shortly after I had started teaching at a night high school in Daegu after the Korean War. He said he was now 80 years old; I'm just a few years older.

I found my former student Keon-bae in his blue jacket, but he was a total stranger to me. (He used to be the class monitor in my senior class.) Yet we were so happy and hugged tightly, looking at each other again and again, trying to recall the images of those bygone years. It was close to lunch time, so I walked with him to a restaurant across the station square.

When we arrived at the restaurant, he rushed to the corner of the room and brought a cushion, asking me to sit down. I knew immediately what he was up to and tried to stop him, but it was too late. He had already started giving me the most courteous bow by kneeling on the floor  a traditional decorum for reverence from a student to his former teacher. I was so deeply moved by his truly sincere politeness that my eyes suddenly glistened with tears. Half a dozen customers who were there all stood up, clapping their hands to us admiringly.

Yi Woo-won (yiwoowon1988@gmail.com) lives in Waegwan, North Gyeongsang Province, and has been writing since 1986.
Gigi Hadid has been criticised by Israel after she shared a statement about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The half-Palestinian supermodel, 28, took to Instagram over the weekend to share an infographic about support for Palestine being mistaken as antisemitism or support for Hamas. Hadids Instagram Story post, which was originally shared by @consent.wizardry, read: There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli governments treatment of Palestinians. Condemning the Israeli government is not antisemitic and supporting Palestinians is not supporting Hamas.

In response, the official Instagram account for the State of Israel criticised Hadids statement by sharing a recreation of the infographic to its Instagram Story. However, the re-posted infographic was altered to read: There is nothing valiant about Hamas massacre of Israelis. Condeming Hamas for what it is (ISIS) is not anti-Palestine and supporting Israelis in their fight against barbaric terrorists is the right thing to do.

Alongside the graphic, the State of Israel added the caption: @gigihadid Have you been sleeping the past week? Or are you just fine turning a blind eye to Jewish babies being butchered in their homes? Your silence has been very clear about where you stand. We see you.

In a follow-up post, the State of Israel shared an image of what appeared to be blood on the floor next to childrens toys and clothing. Tagging Hadid, they added: If you dont condemn this your words mean nothing.

The Instagram row comes one week after the mother-of-one shared an initial statement about the Israel-Hamas war. On 10 October, she condemned the terrorising of innocent people and wrote 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, adding 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 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 [is equal to] antisemitic, Hadid continued.

(Instagram / State of Israel)

She acknowledged 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, Hadid concluded her statement.

Both Gigi and her fellow supermodel sister, Bella Hadid, have been vocal about their support for the Free Palestine movement. Their father, American real-estate developer Mohamed Anwar Hadid, is a Palestinian immigrant.

Following an attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas last week, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis, Israel has declared war against Hamas and retaliated with airstrikes in Gaza. Now, Israel has ordered an evacuation of the two million Gazans in the north to evacuate to the south in preparation for a ground invasion.

With more than 2,750 Palestinians killed since the start of the escalation, Gazas civilians have been stripped of food, water, and electricity as a result of a total siege imposed by Israel.

Hadid isnt the only celebrity to speak out against Israels blockade and evacuation order of Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. Over the weekend, Oscar winner Riz Ahmed accused Israel of morally indefensible war crimes against Gazans and Palestinians.

In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, the 40-year-old actor and musician called for an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gazas civilians and vital infrastructure after Israel began rolling airstrikes on the strip.

We are told there are two sides to what is happening in Israel and Palestine. But in my heart, I know there is only one - the side of our humanity, Ahmed wrote. What happened in Israel last week was horrific and wrong. The pain and fear so many are feeling is deep and real. Whats happening in Gaza now, and has been happening in Palestine under the Occupation for decades, is horrific and wrong. The depth and reality of this suffering cannot be ignored.

If we look only in one direction, we will go even deeper into darkness, he continued. But that is exactly what is happening right now. We are being asked to look away while the civilians of Gaza, half of them children, are running out of time.

Ahmed encouraged people to speak up if we are on the side of humanity, as he called for an end to the airstrikes in Gaza and maintained that staying silent is not an option.

He continued: If we are on the side of humanity we must urgently speak up to try and avert the loss of innocent life. This means calling for an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gazas civilians and vital infrastructure, the denial of food, water and electricity, the forced displacement of people from their homes.

These are morally indefensible war crimes, Ahmed said.

The Independent has contacted Hadids representatives for comment.
The Guinness World Records has crowned Pepper X as the hottest chili pepper in the world, dethroning the Carolina Reaper chili pepper after 10 years.

For comparison, a habanero pepper typically hits 100,000 Scoville heat units, but Pepper X registers at 2.69 million units.

Breeder and grower Ed Currie created both record-breaking peppers.

As a proprietary pepper, Pepper X pods and seeds will not be sold.

Mr Currie cultivated Pepper X for a decade on his South Carolina farm, but remained tight lipped about his project to protect his intellectual property.

"This was a team effort," Mr Currie said in a statement. "We knew we had something special, so I only let a few of my closest family and friends know what was really going on."

In lab tests at Winthrop University in South Carolina, Pepper X registered an average of 2,693,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), which is more than one million units hotter than Mr Currie's previous innovation, the Carolina Reaper which averaged 1,641,183 SHU.

In 1912 pharmacist Wilbur Scoville invented the Scoville Scale, which measures how many times capsaicin needs to be diluted.

Capsaicin is the chemical that gives humans that burning sensation of peppers - which can release dopamine and endorphins into the body.

After overcoming drug and alcohol addictions, Mr Currie started growing peppers as a hobby and says peppers act as a natural high.

Though people tend to believe the spice of a pepper comes from its seeds, capsaicin is contained in the placenta, the tissue which holds the seeds. Because of Pepper X's curves and ridges there is more surface area for the placenta to grow, according to the Guinness World Records.

Mr Currie is one of only five people who has eaten an entire Pepper X.

"I was feeling the heat for three and a half hours. Then the cramps came," Mr Currie told the Associated Press.

"Those cramps are horrible. I was laid out flat on a marble wall for approximately an hour in the rain, groaning in pain."

Mr Currie said Pepper X is a crossbreed of a Carolina Reaper and a "pepper that a friend of mine sent me from Michigan that was brutally hot".

Mr Currie's lawyer said 10,000 products used the Carolina Reaper name, without permission.

In an effort to protect his intellectual property and see profits this time, Pepper X pods and seeds will not be released.

The only way to taste Pepper X will be through sold hot sauces.
A 31-year-old man faces felony charges after he allegedly tried to have images that showed children being sexually abused printed at an Independence CVS.

Jackson County prosecutors have charged Justin Dueker, of Independence, with two counts of possessing child pornography, a class B felony under Missouri law. He was arrested last week after authorities say he showed up to pick up an order placed at the drug store under the alias John Doe.

According to charging documents, Independence police were contacted Wednesday by an employee of the stores photo department. She told police of an order made online for several images of children being sexually abused, including a toddler.

After taking the report and receiving copies of the images, police advised the employee to call if anyone came to pick up the order.

Later that evening, the employee phoned police saying a man had come into the store trying to pick up the photos. She told him they were not ready, attempting to stall him, and called 911, according to court documents.

Responding officers were provided a description of a suspect. Dueker was arrested near the store based on the employees report.

During a police interview, Dueker allegedly admitted to placing the order. He said there was a Tuesday Special promotion offered through his mobile carrier that allotted him free prints from a participating CVS, a detective wrote in an affidavit seeking criminal charges.

Police obtained a court order to search Duekers cellphone. On it, detectives discovered more than 100 images and 15 videos showing the sexual abuse of children.

A second search warrant was served at his Independence apartment, where police found a life like baby doll in a bedroom closet. Dueker allegedly admitted to having sex with the doll.

As of Monday, Dueker was being held in the Jackson County jail on a $20,000 bond, according to an online booking log.

Court records show Dueker made his initial court appearance Friday and was referred for screening by the public defenders office. There was no record of a defense attorney representing him in the case Monday.

Under Missouri law, a class B felony carries a maximum prison term of 15 years for those convicted.
President Biden announced Friday the release of two American hostages  identified as Judith Raanan and her daughter, Natalie, of Evanston, Ill.  who kidnapped by Hamas while visiting family in Israel during the Oct. 7 attacks.

I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear, Biden said in a statement. These individuals and their family will have the full support of the United States government as they recover and heal.

Earlier Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres flew to Egypts Sinai Peninsula on Friday to push for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, which is bracing for a possible ground invasion. U.S. officials said that details of getting the supplies through the Rafah crossing were still being worked out.

Our live coverage has ended for the day. See Yahoo News for the latest on the war and U.S. response to the conflict.

Map of Israel and Palestinian territories (Yahoo News)
The Pennsylvania woman who used a bullhorn to direct rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth had convicted Rachel Marie Powell on all nine counts in July. She was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, destruction of government property, entering a restricted area with a weapon and engaging in violence on Capitol grounds.

Powell waived her right to a jury trial. She was nicknamed bullhorn lady for her use of a bullhorn directing others around the Capitol on Jan. 6.

The Justice Department released a memo last week that said it would be seeking eight years in prison for Powell because of her conduct on January 6, 2021, including her violent altercations with law enforcement at the West Plaza, her smashing of a window at the Lower West Terrace with an ice axe and a cardboard pole, her encouragement and instructions to other rioters on how to take the U.S. Capitol, and for her utter lack of remorse.

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Powell was asking for three years of probation, WUSA9 reported. Lamberth imposed a sentence of 57 months in prison, followed by 36 months on supervised release and ordered Powell pay $2,753 in restitution and a $5,000 fine.

Powell posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, late Monday ahead of her sentencing.

Pray for me, her post said. At 12:30 Ill be sentenced. Im trying to have hope but my heart is breaking right now.

According to evidence, she was seen at the Capitol during the insurrection using a bullhorn to direct people on how to breach the building. Prosecutors said Powell was seen with a mob of rioters that confronted police officers at bike rack barriers at the Capitol and used her back to push against the police.

According to an FBI agents affidavit, Powell was wearing a pink hat and blue jacket with a fur-lined hoodie and used a bullhorn to instruct others how to further gain control of the Capitol.

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She provided very detailed instructions of the layout of the Capitol to several others. If the group were to overtake the building they would need to coordinate together, video shows Powell saying.

More video and photo evidence showed Powell using a large pipe as a ramming device to breach the windows of the Capitol. She is overheard saying they have another window to break.

The FBI received an anonymous tip identifying Powell and contained a link to her Facebook account, where she posted in October 2020 that she agreed with the possibility of civil war happening. Law enforcement also found Powells cellphone linked to cell towers in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.

Powell reportedly left her kids at home to attend the Stop the Steal rally in 2021. She was arrested nearly a month after the riot, after giving an interview to The New Yorker for an article titled A Pennsylvania Mothers Path to Insurrection.

More than a thousand people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states in connection to the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol. More than 400 have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The shooting follows a string of gun violence at HBCU campuses this month, including Bowie State University, Morgan State University in Maryland and Tuskegee University in Alabama.

Jaylen Burns, a Jackson State University student, died following a Sunday night shooting on campus, and authorities are trying to determine what happened.

Jaylen Burns, a Jackson State University student, died after being transported to a local hospital after reports of shots fired at the on-campus University Pointe Apartment Complex. (YouTube screen grab via WJTV-TV)

Burns, an industrial technology major from Chicago, was killed, according to a statement posted on the university website. The university said Burns was transported to a local hospital after reports of shots fired at the on-campus University Pointe Apartment Complex.

However, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade told WAPT-TV that Burns was shot multiple times and tried to drive himself to the hospital but didnt make it.

The death of Burns comes just days after a string of gun violence at several HBCUs this month, including Tuskegee University in Alabama and in Maryland during Bowie State University and Morgan State Universitys homecoming festivities. Police have since arrested an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old in connection to the Morgan State shooting.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jaylens family, friends and all those who knew him. He was an ambitious and bright young man, who believed in being of service as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and president of the C100 Chapter at JSU, an affiliate of the 100 Black Men of America. We grieve the tragic loss of his life due to this senseless act of violence.

The university suspended classes Monday following the shooting.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity posted to its X (formerly Twitter) account, that it mourns and condemns the tragic shooting death of Brother Jaylen Burns.

On Facebook, a post under Burns fathers name exuded heartbreak.

We never ended a conversation without telling each other I love you,  the post read. How could someone just take you from us like this. Jaylen Anders Burns I love you son. Rest easy kid. Until we meet again.

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The post Jaylen Burns, student at Jackson State University, shot, killed on campus appeared first on TheGrio.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on the House floor Tuesday after failing to win enough votes on the first ballot to be elected speaker. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

The House on Tuesday failed to elect Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan as its next speaker, extending the uncertainty that followed the historic ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy this month.

Jordan, a Republican, fell short of the majority he needed to secure the top post, with 20 members of his own party voting against him.

The entire Democratic caucus voted for its nominee, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Another vote was scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. Eastern time, but it was unclear whether the outcome would change. Some predicted Jordan would fare worse in a second vote, but others expected he would garner more support.

California Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), who voted against Jordan, said afterward that he would support Jordan the next time around. He told reporters his first vote against Jordan was to protest McCarthy's ouster. "What happened to him was wrong," LaMalfa said.

In the meantime, House votes on other legislative matters  including a U.S. response to the violence in Israel, the war in Ukraine and another impending government shutdown deadline  remain stalled.

Ahead of the floor vote, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who is serving as speaker pro tempore, told reporters he opposes expanding his powers, signaling he would not work with Democrats to get the House running again.

The failed Jordan vote comes less than a week after Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise fell short in his own bid to become speaker. Scalise pulled out as the nominee after it became clear he would not have enough support to get the gavel in a floor vote.

Most of those Republicans voting against Jordan were GOP centrists or those who viewed Jordan as too far right to lead the House. Most voted either for McCarthy or Scalise, or a handful of other establishment Republicans like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).

Conversely, those who voted against Scalise last week believed he was too establishment or not conservative enough for their tastes.

Because the GOP House majority is so narrow, even a handful of votes can make all the difference.

Jordan, who has never served in party leadership, is a darling on the right and was endorsed by former President Trump.

He is a fixture on conservative talk shows, frequently blasting Democrats and liberals in power. The rhetoric earned him notice from party leaders, who in 2019 named him the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee and in 2020 to the House Judiciary Committee. Both committees tend to be a space for rabble-rousers, not for deal-makers. So is the far-right House Freedom Caucus, which Jordan co-founded in 2015, serving as the inaugural chair.

During a Friday news conference, Democratic leader Jeffries noted that Jordan during his 16-year tenure in Congress "hasnt passed a single bill ... because his focus has not been on the American people."

The Ohioan has been a vocal critic of President Biden, frequently declining to vote on Biden-backed legislation.

Jordan cemented his loyalty to Trump in the wake of the 2020 presidential election when he cast doubt on the results. He was a significant player in Trumps efforts to overturn the election, the House select committees Jan. 6 report noted.

When Jordan won the GOP nomination for speaker on Friday, a wave of Republicans indicated they would not back him. Over the weekend, however, he and others worked behind the scenes and on social media to pressure them to back him for the speakership.

Their lobbying campaign initially angered a faction of moderates, who said they planned to challenge Jordan in a floor vote.

Electing a speaker has been particularly difficult in the current, closely divided House.

Though McCarthy managed in January to secure the support he needed to become speaker after an unprecedented 15 votes, conservatives in his party grew frustrated in recent months after he reached deals with Democrats to avoid a debt default and government shutdown. He was pushed out on Oct. 3.

As speaker, Jordan would have to contend with this deep fracture as he confronts an array of issues, including another government shutdown deadline next month.

He would also need to confront the escalating conflict in and around the Gaza Strip. The assault launched by Hamas militants this month prompted calls for additional military aid for Israel. The House, lacking a permanent speaker, has been unable to approve new aid or declare its position on the conflict.

The Biden administration would also be reliant on Jordan as speaker to call a floor vote to get legislation for additional military assistance to help Ukraine fend off Russian invaders. Though additional funding for the war-torn nation remains bipartisan, an increasing number of rank-and-file Republicans have grown skeptical of continuing American investment and expressed an unwillingness to send more military aid.

The Pentagon has pressed House Republicans to approve further funding, warning that Russia could win the war if U.S. support for Ukraine dries up.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The US House of Representatives failed to vote on a speaker after 20 Republicans voted against Rep Jim Jordan, despite the overwhelming majority of the House GOP conference voting to make him speaker.

The vote against Mr Jordan comes as the House marks two weeks since Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a motion to vacate, which led to seven other Republicans and every Democratic representative present to depose former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Mr Jordans nomination came after House Majority Steve Scalise removed himself from the running despite the fact he beat Mr Jordan in an internal vote within the GOP conference. Mr Jordan had worked to win over many skeptics within his party and successfully flipped many of them.

But Mr Jordan needed to win 216 of the 220 votes present in the chamber that day. Ultimately Reps Don Bacon of Nebraska, Carlos Gimenez of Florida, Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, John Rutherford of Florida, Mike Simpson of Idaho, Tony Gonzales of Texas, Nick LaLota of New York, Doug LaMalfa of California, Mike Lawler of New York, John James of Michigan, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, Jake Ellzey of Texas, Anthony DEsposito of New York, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania and Jen Kiggans of Virginia opposed him opposed his nomination. Reps David Joyce of Ohio did not vote.

Mr Lawler, a Republican who represents a district that voted for President Joe Biden, told The Independent that he cast his vote for Mr McCarthy because he did not believe Mr McCarthy should have been removed.

Rep Scott Perry, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus that Mr Jordan co-founded, told The Independent that Mr Jordan losing the first ballot was predictable.

You remember January, right? It started out in essentially the same place, Mr Perry said.

Many Republicans cast their votes for Mr McCarthy and Mr Scalise in protest of how they were treated. On Tuesday, Mr Bacon had protested how some conservatives had deposed Mr McCarthy and blocked Mr Scalise.

So my main concern is, as an American, we believe in the rule of law and fairness, Mr Bacon told reporters on Monday evening before a meeting among House Republicans. And we had a small group of folks who broke our rules and got rid of Kevin and then a small group broke our rules and blocked Steve.

Rep Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), who backed Mr Jordan, said he did not think everyone who opposed Mr Jordan did so for attention.

I know some of those folks that don't want a reality television show, he told The Independent.  I don't think it's serving the American people, but some of those people that voted for folks other than Jim Jordan are very serious legislators, and I don't know why they would do that.

Mr Diaz-Balart told reporters he had changed his position.

Im in the same place, he said. He added that he could see himself supporting other candidates. We are now in a position where we are where we are and so we have to now move forward.

By contrast, Democrats unanimously voted for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Mr Jeffries told reporters he was having conversations with Republicans every day.

We just want to reopen the House of Representatives so we can do the people's business, he said.

The impasse comes as the House faces numerous crises it must address. Congress must pass the legislation to keep the government open in November. The handful of conservatives had voted to depose Mr McCarthy because had passed a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open without any conservative riders in September.

In addition, many in Congress  not just in the House, but also the Senate  hope to pass aid packages to Ukraine as it seeks to push back against Russian aggression and to Israel as it seeks to respond to a terrorist from Hamas.
Rep. Jim Jordan, a hard-right Ohio Republican who played a key role in Donald Trumps bid to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election, is just a handful of holdouts away from being elected Speaker of the House.

Nearly two weeks after a few GOP rebels joined House Democrats in ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California as the chambers leader, the drawn-out effort to replace him has narrowed to Jordan, who won his partys nomination last week despite opposition from several dozen colleagues. Jordan spent Monday working to flip many of his opponents, and told reporters that a Speaker vote would take place on the House floor Tuesday at noon whether or not he had locked up the 217 votes he needed. Despite his latest efforts, Jordan may find himself on Tuesday in exactly the same place as McCarthyjust a few votes short of the speakership.

Asked on Monday if selecting a Speaker would require multiple ballots, Jordan replied, Were gonna elect a speaker tomorrow.

In the narrowly divided House, Jordan can afford to lose only four Republican votes. On Monday, Jordan made progress towards closing the gap. Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan, who was previously considered a Never Jordan Republican, became the latest lawmaker to say that he would support Jordan after speaking with him. Rep. Ann Wagner, a Missouri Republican who insisted days ago that she would absolutely not back Jordan, flipped as well. And two defense hawks who had opposed Jordan, California Rep. Ken Calvert and Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers, announced they had changed their minds after talking with him.

Read more: Speaker Jim Jordan Is Looking More Plausible By the Hour

Several other Republicans warmed up to Jordan on Monday as well. Four House Republicans who met with him came away with the impression that he intends to allow funding for Israel to be linked with funding for Ukraine, according to Axios. That was notable because many of the chambers far-right Republicans, including Jordan, have said they oppose any more US funding going toward Ukraine. Outside of a Monday night meeting of the Republican conference, Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, one of the remaining Jordan holdouts, told reporters Jordan had not offered him assurances on Ukraine, but that he had heard from others that Jordan had been more open-minded about it than he had in the past.

The shift toward Jordan comes after a pressure campaign from Jordans allies over the weekend. Many of the Republicans who originally expressed opposition were barraged with accusations that they were preparing to partner with Democrats to select a speaker, a claim they denied vociferously. Sean Hannitys Fox News show reportedly got involved with the fight by emailing potential holdouts about why they wouldnt back Jordan. Voting against him on the House floor could further inflame the Republican base.

But some members are still signaling they are unwilling to support the Ohio Republican. Texas Rep. Chip Roy said Monday on the Erick Erickson Radio Show that he did not know how many holdouts were left, "but my gut tells me we're somewhere south of 10." By the time they left the conference meeting Monday night, many Republicans were even more optimistic, estimating that there remain only four to six holdouts and that Jordan could secure the speakership by the end of Tuesday, perhaps after only one ballot.

Colorado Rep. Ken Buck said he still had plans to vote no on the Ohio Republicans candidacy, but added that he was going to have a conversation with him later in the evening. Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart also said he planned to vote against Jordan. Bacon said he is opposed to Jordans bid, though he doesnt like to use the term hard no, adding that he felt he could get past their policy differences, but that he had a problem with the process. Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly was also a no, several news outlets reported, leaving Jordan short votes Monday night.

Several lawmakers declined to take clear positions on his candidacy. Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani told reporters he would announce his decision on Tuesday. New York Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents a district that voted for President Joe Biden in 2020, was recorded Sunday saying that he would not stand in the way of Jordans nomination if other Republicans were backing him. However, he also stated Monday night that he planned to vote for McCarthy, making Jordans path appear tenuous.

I don't think that it will be easy for Jim to govern if he doesn't have wisdom to work with the members before you put them into intimidation and public pressure on the floor, said Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz, who said she planned to vote present if Jordan wouldnt otherwise get the votes.

If Jordan ultimately secures the 217 votes he needs, it would mark a striking turn in a political career where he has gained a reputation as more of a bomb-thrower than a dealmaker.

He would be the most conservative speaker chosen by the House in at least 80 years," says Dr. Matthew Green, a politics professor at the Catholic University of America who authored a book on the historical role of the Speaker.

Along with concerns about Jordans stance on Ukraine, some Republicans have pointed to Jordans support of Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election ahead of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol as why he should never be allowed to hold the speakers gavel.

Jim Jordan was involved in Trump's conspiracy to steal the election and seize power; he urged that Pence refuse to count lawful electoral votes, former House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney posted on X on Friday. If Rs nominate Jordan to be Speaker, they will be abandoning the Constitution. Theyll lose the House majority and theyll deserve to.

One person who thinks Jordan may get it done? McCarthy himself.

Asked by a reporter midday Monday if Jordan could succeed on the floor Tuesday, the previous Speaker replied simply Yes.

Write to Mini Racker at mini.racker@time.com.
Jack Fisk had an audacious request.

The production designer behind The Revenant and There Will Be Blood, whose collaborations with Terrence Malick, Paul Thomas Anderson and David Lynch have made him the stuff of industry legend, was about to recreate a crime scene.

Fisk was on location in Oklahoma preparing for Killers of the Flower Moon, the latest film by Martin Scorsese, a retelling of the Osage murders in which an Indigenous nation in the 1920s was targeted for its oil wealth. Two victims of what became known as the Reign of Terror were Bill and Rita Smith, the latter Osage, who on March 10, 1923, were killed by a bomb in their home in the town of Fairfax. Fisk had found a house that looked almost identical for earlier scenes. The explosion would happen off screen; the audience would only see a wreckage. But, he asked, would the owners mind if he blew up their house anyway?

The two women said yes. Then they explained why.

Their father, who was Osage, had lived in that home, Fisk told CNN. He had a White wife; she was his guardian. (Historically, the Osage were forced to hand over control of their financial assets to White family or associates.) She took all his money, made his life miserable and now he had died. They were glad to see it all disappear. It was a cathartic moment.

Fisk is known for resurrecting the ghosts of America past. Killers of the Flower Moon also called on him to exorcise its demons.

The family of Mollie Burkhart (second left, played by Lily Gladstone) are targeted for their wealth in Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon." - Courtesy Apple Original Films

The adaption of David Granns 2017 book of the same title recounts one of Americas most heinous crimes. For a time, the Osage were the richest community in the world. They had a unique arrangement among Indigenous nations, as they owned the mineral rights to their land.

When vast reserves of oil were discovered beneath their pastures in the late 19th Century, prospectors paid handsomely for the chance to tap the land, and the Osage made fortunes in return. But though the Osage were wealthy, they were deprived of their financial autonomy through guardianships. White opportunists circled like vultures; guardianships were ripe for graft and corruption, and the Osage had little recourse. Events turned murderous, as a conspiracy sought to transfer land headrights  effectively deeds of ownership  into White hands through marriage and inheritance. Dozens of Osage were killed during the Reign of Terror, though the exact number remains unknown, Grann writes.

Scorseses movie focuses on Mollie Burkhart, whose feckless husband Ernest and his uncle William Hale conspired to funnel her familys headrights into their back pocket. (Rita Smith was Mollies sister.) The film, starring Lily Gladstone, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, debuted to ecstatic praise at the Cannes Film Festival in May ahead of a theatrical release on October 20.

"Days of Heaven" (1978), where Jack Fisk designed a house on location in Alberta, Canada, standing in for Texas in the film. - Photo 12/Alamy Stock Photo

This painful chapter of history was told with the blessing and cooperation of the Osage Nation and shot among many of the places where events happened. To realize his vision Scorsese turned to Fisk, one of the great on-location production designers, for what would be their first collaboration.

Fisk says he entered the business kind of by accident more than half a century ago. He didnt know what his responsibilities were, so he did everything: building, painting and dressing. Just shy of 80 today, he still likes to get his hands dirty. Among his first big gigs was Terrence Malicks Days of Heaven (1978), where his guileless approach resulted in one of cinemas most famous houses, designed to be shot from any angle, from inside or out. Fisk says he has only worked on a soundstage once, with his old friend David Lynch for Mulholland Drive (2001). Residing on a farm in Virginia when hes not working, he prefers the outdoors life.

Malick would later enlist Fisks services on The New World (2005) where he built Jamestown circa 1607 and collaborated with the Algonquin and Powhatan peoples, historically from Virginia, to build structures in their vernacular. Fisk says his process was a lot of research, some common sense and some conjecture. Historians were taken aback with the veracity of his Jamestown, which contained touches and techniques archaeologists would only later unearth at the site of the real fort, which was discovered in 1994.

In Terence Malick's "The New World" (2005), Fisk recreated both Jamestown, Virginia as well as Indigenous architecture. - Merie W. Wallace/New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock

Im married to an actor (Sissy Spacek, the two met on Malicks Badlands) and production design to me is supporting the actors and telling you more about them than the dialogue, Fisk said.

I try to build the sets as completely as possible. Theyre good in 360 degrees  Its unlike how a lot of films are done, said Fisk. Its harder for the carpenters, because usually the time that were building is either freezing cold or blistering hot or raining or something, but its worth it.

That rigor and flexibility was what Scorsese needed. Fisk entered Killers four years into pre-production and began poring over research belonging to Grann and executive producer Marianne Bowers (also Scorseses archivist). He conducted his own, reading anything he could find, from the US governments treaties with the Osage in 1808 to 1920s periodicals. Osage artist Addie Roanhorse came on board to assist with production design. Then Fisk began reaching out to the Osage in Oklahoma, leaving notes on their doors asking them to give him a call.

I started meeting Osage people that lived in Gray Horse, where Mollie and her family lived, and they were so generous. They would show me Osage artefacts, pictures of their family, talked about the gatherings and how many people would come and stay, he recalled.

Scorsese and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto setting up a shot for "Killers of the Flower Moon." The town of Fairfax, Oklahoma was recreated in nearby Pawhuska by redressing and refitting period buildings back to their former self. - Courtesy Apple Original Films

Fisk tracked down the house where he believed Mollie Burkhart had lived with Ernest, which had belonged to her mother, Lizzie Q Kyle, and which was passed down through generations to Maggie Burkhart, Mollies granddaughter and a key voice in Granns book. The home was small, he said, far from the splendour he expected. Weaving together what he saw and what hed learned from the Osage and their social routines, Fisk designed a replica built on a ranch outside Pawhuska.

These houses had to be built strong because of tornadoes. They couldnt leak because we had set dressing in there and wallpaper, he said of his sets. They had to last for several months, because of the way Marty was shooting. Lilly would have to lose weight or gain weight, so we would come back, then we go away, then come back.

Many of the 50 or so locations utilized buildings still standing in the town of Pawhuska (Fairfax had lost most of its period buildings and so Pawhuskas stood in). Period windows were installed, old signage fitted, and the road covered over until Fairfaxs former thoroughfare Kihekah Avenue emerged.

Fisk's recreation of Fairfax in the completed film. - Courtesy Apple Original Films

One important location for Scorsese was a pool hall habituated by Ernest and Bill. Another was a barbershop. I had grown up in a little town in Illinois and when I was a kid, I used to get my hair cut at the pool hall, because the barbershop was in there, said Fisk. I suggested to (Scorsese) that we mixed the two and he loved the idea  (it) made the scenes more interesting I think, because there was already something going on in the background.

Theres a cohesion to most of Killers production design, typifying the Osage and White cultures uneasy co-assimilation in Oklahoma. Theres also one notable exception: the Masonic Lodge in Fairfax, where some conspirators including Hale are members. The de facto seat of White supremacism looks unlike anywhere else in the film, with tall dark walls, ornate dressing and a threatening aura. Fisk says the production used the real 1924 Masonic lodge, painted the interior dark blue, added a black and white chequered floor and prized opened old skylights. Its here that the films most unexpected scene takes place: Robert De Niros Bill dealing out corporal punishment on Ernest with a wooden paddle. Its such a bizarre scene anyway, for Leo to be spanked. The room need some kind of gravity to it, and ritual, said Fisk.

Lily Gladstone talks with Martin Scorsese inside a church on location for "Killers of the Flower Moon." - Courtesy Apple Original Films

Part of the tragedy of the Osage murders was how little punishment was eventually meted out. Many crimes were never solved; many murders never even investigated. No film can right those wrongs, but the care and sensitivity taken by Scorsese and his team has not gone unnoticed by the Osage. The director has described the movie as an offering that acknowledges the extent of the terror they experienced, and one that might also give some kind of solace.

The house that stood in for Bill and Rita Smiths home was razed to the ground by the production. The destruction needed to be absolute: a result of the overzealous use of nitro-glycerine. But simulating this act of terror gave it an unexpected new life. It became something cleansing, helping an Osage family move beyond trauma caused by the same exploitation at the rotten heart of Scorseses movie.

After filming, Fisks crew cleared the land of the wreckage and returned it to its owners. They laid grass over the earth before they left.

Killers of the Flower Moon is released in cinemas on October 20.

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By Mitch Shin

Since Kim Jong-un, the autocratic leader of North Korea, met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russias Far East, last month, many pundits started contending that the Kim-Putin summit implies the Norths intention to finally give up its years-long wish  the normalization of relations with the United States. However, it is unclear whether North Koreas goal to establish diplomatic relations with the U.S. is clearly off the table.

To replenish its supplies of ammunition in the prolonged Ukraine War, Moscow is believed to have asked Pyongyang to provide ammunition, and possibly missiles, to accomplish its goal in Ukraine. In exchange for support, Pyongyang might have demanded cash, food and advanced missile technology transfers.

Giving Kim a tour of his countrys modern space launch station, Putin promised to help North Korea build satellites. This year, North Korea attempted to send its satellites into orbit in May and August but failed to carry out the mission. Pyongyang publicly announced that it would make a third attempt in October.

Along with this, as North Korean missiles show similarities with Russian designs, it would be alarming to the U.S. and South Korea if Moscow takes steps to help Pyongyang complete its nuclear forces by transferring intercontinental ballistic missile and submarine-launched ballistic missile technologies. Considering Pyongyangs Juche ideology coined by the countrys founder Kim Il-sung, however, Moscow will unlikely do so as it eventually will not be able to control Pyongyangs aggression after Kim gains overwhelming power thanks to the missile technology transfer.

Despite Kims full and unconditional support for Putins sacred fight to defend his countrys security interests, North Korea would again show up in the nuclear talks with the U.S. when the conditions are met. In other words, North Korea cannot give up its efforts to normalize relations with the U.S. as its economy and pariah status on the international diplomatic stage cannot recover without U.S. support.

Even though most U.S. and South Korean experts distrust Kims remarks that he can be willing to withdraw his nuclear weapons if the U.S. can guarantee the security of him and his regime, it should be noted that he once schemed to show what scenarios he can accept for the denuclearization of his country.

Ever since the U.S. imposed economic sanctions against North Korea, the first priority Pyongyang has always demanded has been Washingtons lifting of the sanctions. During the 2019 Hanoi Summit with then-U.S. President Donald Trump, Kim offered the complete destruction of his countrys emblematic Yongbyon Nuclear Complex in exchange for lifting the five main economic sanctions related to civic affairs. This offer was rejected by Trump at that time as he was looking for an all for all approach to getting attention from the U.S. media that were covering his former lawyer Michael Cohens hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The U.S. Democrats scheduled the testimony on the same day when Trump was negotiating with Kim - which is believed to be one of the reasons for Trumps decision to walk out of the summit meeting with no deal.

As many experts and government officials already know, the all for all approach is what Kim cannot pursue as he believes that the U.S. and South Korea would attack his country if he voluntarily gave up his nuclear weapons first. This sentiment prevails in Pyongyangs state-controlled media reports calling the South Korea-U.S. joint military drills rehearsals for an invasion.

Although China and Russia have backed up North Korea in the U.N. Security Council by blocking the U.S.-led initiatives to impose additional sanctions against North Korea for its long-range ballistic missile launches since last year, their influence to revive the North Korean economy is limited without the U.S. withdrawal of the sanctions against the North. Thus, North Korea cannot fully rely on the support and cooperation of Russia and China as it also knows the vicious cycle of its crippling economy can be broken under the normalization of relations with the U.S. And Kim would know that any growing leverage of pro-China and pro-Russia military elites within North Korea would rather weaken the stability of his regime.

Becoming a contender against the U.S. is not what the North wants to achieve in the foreseeable future. It is also not seeking to make his country an economic superpower to confront China in the region. The priority goal of the North is to be a legitimate nuclear state recognized by the U.S. so that it can become a socialist economic powerhouse in the long run.

Unfortunately, still there are U.S. officials and policymakers with blind faith in the effectiveness of the economic sanctions against North Korea, leading Washington to maintain the devastating sanctions against North Korea even when Kim expressed his willingness to take steps for denuclearization in 2018. The tricky part for Seoul is that the U.S. will unlikely lift the sanctions on North Korea first to boost the diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang. Unless North Korea dismantles its nuclear arsenals preemptively, no moves by the U.S. on sanctions will be made. As North Korea will also never give up its nuclear weapons first as a friendly gesture toward the U.S., the tug-of-war will last while South Korea has no effective cards for both sides to resolve the security conflicts in the region.

Due to the U.S. and U.N. economic sanctions against North Korea, and South Koreas relations with China and Russia, North Korea cannot give up normalizing ties with the U.S. Cooperating with Russia militarily and forming close ties with China and other anti-U.S. states does not reflect that the North is no longer interested in normalizing relations with the U.S. Although it is understandable that Washington prefers taking a hawkish stance on North Korea due to Pyongyangs unilateral (and repeated) withdrawal and breach of the agreements in the past, it should recalibrate its policy on North Korea by closely working with South Korea to defuse tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Starting with diplomatic steps such as ending the 1950-53 Korean War as an impetus to reactivate the stalled nuclear talks, the U.S. administration should devise policies on how to completely dismantle the North Korean nuclear arsenal through a phased denuclearization process.

Refraining from warning Pyongyang repeatedly that its attempt to use nuclear weapons will result in the end of the Kim regime, the U.S. should put itself in North Korean shoes to delve deeper into the deep-rooted security dilemma on the Korean Peninsula caused by the Norths growing nuclear capabilities.

Mitch Shin is a young fellow at The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy. Shin was an assistant editor and chief Koreas correspondent for The Diplomat, and a non-resident research fellow at The Institute for Security & Development Policy, Stockholm Korea Center.
After a long period of turbulence, Kansas public schools have achieved a measure of financial stability in recent years. That isnt because the often-stingy GOP-controlled Kansas Legislature  which is mandated by the state constitution to make suitable provision for public education  suddenly became more generous. Instead, that accomplishment is largely the result of a long-running lawsuit that compelled those legislators to finally fulfill their obligation.

Now the achievement is threatened.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobachs office last week asked the state Supreme Court to terminate the lawsuit, and with it the courts oversight of education funding. Because all planned funding has been phased in successfully, Solicitor General Tony Powell wrote in a short brief, it is time for justices to release jurisdiction of the case.

Thats a bad idea.

History shows that when Kansas legislators are left to their own devices, they fall back on bad habits that underfund the states community and neighborhood schools. That is a particular danger now, when the Republicans who run the legislative branch have made plain their desire to divert tax dollars from public education to vouchers for home and private schooling.

Indeed, a key figure in the case is worried that Kobachs request is a first step toward undermining public education in the state.

Opposed would be the understatement of the day, said Jeff Gannon, a Wichita pastor whose family joined four school districts as plaintiffs when the lawsuit was filed in 2010. The case, known as Gannon v. Kansas, bears their name.

A little bit of background is helpful here. The Gannon case was actually the second big lawsuit this century against the state for its underfunding of public schools. The first, known as Montoy, was filed in 1999. It dragged on for seven years before the Kansas Supreme Court terminated the case, after the Republican-controlled legislature agreed to a funding increase.

The problem? State finances took a hit during the Great Recession a few years later, and legislators shirked their promises. Which is how we got the Gannon lawsuit a few years later.

That explains why the Kansas Supreme Court retained its jurisdiction in the case this time around. The court actually agreed in 2019 that the state  which had just increased funding to public schools by $90 million a year  was meeting its obligations. But justices wanted to ensure that legislators didnt backtrack again. So they kept the Gannon lawsuit open.

It worked. Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, earlier this year signed a budget that fully funds public schools for the fifth year in a row. And K-12 test scores, long in decline, appear to have stabilized: Officials announced last week that fewer Kansas students are scoring at the lowest levels on state assessments.

The governor opposes Kobachs request.

Just as Kansas student test scores are on the rise, it makes no sense to undo all the progress Governor Kelly has made by fully funding our schools five years in a row and making it possible for students across the state to receive a quality education, her spokesperson, Brianna Johnson, said in a statement.

Pastor Gannon agrees. His three children have aged out of K-12 schools, but he remains convinced that public education is a cornerstone of American democracy. Ending court oversight, he said, would empower those politicians whose interest is in attacking public education and providing vouchers for people who attend private schools.

The issue, from my perspective, is that appropriate funding is at risk, Gannon added.

We concur. The Kansas Legislature has given little sign of being fully committed to public education  indeed, it continues to massively underfund special education costs borne by schools despite the so-far unenforced requirements of state law. The evidence suggests Kansas students and their schools benefit most when legislators are under court supervision. The case should remain open.
Kentucky State Police are investigating after a man was seriously injured in a shooting that involved law enforcement.

The shooting occurred Sunday around 6:30 p.m. on Twin Fork Road in Boyd County, according to state police. KSPs Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene at the request of the Boyd County Sheriffs Office and the investigation into the incident was ongoing Monday.

A man was transported to a hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, according to a news release.

The news release did not include information about what led up to the shooting, or what officer was involved in the shooting. State police do not release details early in the investigation to ensure the integrity of the investigation.

To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSPs standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered, state police said in the release. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.

KSP Captain Paul Blanton was not immediately available for comment Monday afternoon.

This was the second shooting from Sunday under investigation by KSPs Critical Incident Response Team.
Texas-raised actor Lou Diamond Phillips is returning to his alma mater this week.

The Young Guns actor was born at a naval station in the Philippines, but his family moved to Texas shortly after his birth. Phillips grew up in Flour Bluff, a small neighborhood of Corpus Christi, and later graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1985.

Now, Phillips is back at UTA this week for a teaching residency at the College of Liberal Arts.

As an actor, writer and director, its in me to pass the torch to the next generation and ignite their passion for their craft, Phillips said in a press release. Im thrilledvery thrilled. UTA has made amazing advancements over the years, not only in academics, but for me more importantly in diversity.

Hit the ground running yesterday! Saw a marvelous production of BRIGHT STAR with this amazingly talented cast. Memories were swirling!What a wonderful way to start the residency. @utalibarts @UTArlington pic.twitter.com/FCzrnDADS0  Lou Diamond Phillips (@LouDPhillips) October 16, 2023

UTA president Jennifer Cowley invited Phillips for the weeklong residency to help mentor and prepare the next generation of actors and filmmakers.

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Phillips will work and collaborate with students in the Departments of Art and Art History, Theatre Arts and Dance. The UTA alumnus will teach on a variety of subjects from acting fundamentals, to directing and film analysis.

Phillips will also work with students from across the university in an all-day film shoot.

Not long after Phillips arrived at UTAs Theatre Arts department as a student, he was cast in stage productions of Dracula and The Physician in Spite of Himself. Along with his collegiate productions, Phillips sought out professional roles in the North Texas area, even making his way to Fort Worths Stage West Theater.

Since graduating in 1985, Phillips has had a nearly four-decade career in movies and television. Some of his most notable roles have come in films such as La Bamba, Stand and Deliver and Courage Under Fire.

Phillips returned to a Fort Worth stage just a few months ago when he appeared in Miss Saigon at Casa Manana in early June.

As Phillips settles into his weeklong residency, hes ready to share his passion with the next generation.

Anytime I teach, it reinvigorates my passion for what I do, and that passion is what I want to convey to the students, Phillips said. One of the wonderful things about the industry is that you can never stop learning. You should never stop learning things that will help you in your craft, and you can never stop learning about yourself.
A professor at Louisiana State University has resigned after he claimed the newly-elected Republican governor of the state already asked the university to fire him.

Robert Mann, 65, who is the chair of Journalism at the Manship School of Mass Communication at the university, has spent his career serving in press roles for regional Democrat politicians.

He took to his X account on Sunday to announce that he had told the dean he would step down from his position at the end of the school year.

The person who will be governor in January has already asked LSU to fire me. And I have no confidence the leadership of this university would protect the Manship School against a governors efforts to punish me and other faculty members, he said.

Ive seen too much cowardice and appeasement from top LSU officials already. That being the case, its clearly best to remove myself from the equation to avoid any harm to the school I love.

Mr Mann is referring to Jeff Landry, 52, who was elected on Saturday as Louisianas new governor.

This is the first time that the Republican party have won the governors seat in eight years, most recently having Democratic John Bel Edwards in the position, who could not run again due to reaching his term limits.

Mr Edwards was the only Democratic governor in the south, but now Mr Landry, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, has won with more than half the votes cast.

The alleged feud between Mr Landry and the Lousiana professor started in 2021, according to TheDaily Beast, when the pair got into an in-direct Twitter (now X) battle.

In December 2021, Mr Mann tweeted that Mr Landry, who was attorney general for Lousiana at the time, had allegedly sent some flunkie to an LSU Faculty Senate meeting to read a letter attacking COVID vaccines.

In response to this, Mr Landry tweeted that Mr Mann had attacked the woman, who turned out to be the Assistant Attorney General, by calling her a flunkie.

He then followed up to say he spoke to the president of Louisana State University, William Tate and expected accountability for his actions and hoped the university would take appropriate action.

This type of disrespect and dishonesty has no place in our society - especially at our flagship university by a professor, Mr Landry said.

According to The Daily Beast, Mr Tate allegedly did not condemn or defend Mr Manns actions online, but did note that the university was committed to free and open scholarship and the freedom to debate ideas and principles without interference.

Mr Landry is the first Republican to be elected as Louisiana governor in eight years (AP)

The outlet spoke with Mr Mann on Sunday who allegedly described himself as the biggest irritant on my campus to conservative officials like Mr Landry.

Im proud of that; Ive tried to be that, he told The Daily Beast. Ive done it because I have tenure because Im protected under the First Amendment. But this is not going to be a governor who I think has any respect for that. Thats whats changed.

He claimed that after that incident two years ago, he was not punished by LSU, but he claimed they did not reach out to him before they published the statement.

In his retirement announcement on X on Sunday, he claimed he has been making plans to leave for two years.

The minute that I knew Landry wanted me fired and was willing to call the president to demand it, I knew there would be dark days for LSU if he won, he said in his announcement.

As well as being a professor at LSU for around 17 years, Mr Mann served as communications director to Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, press secretary to Senator John Breaux of Louisiana and press secretary to both Senator Russell Long and Senator Bennett Johnston, all of whom are Democrats.

In an email to The Independent, Mr Mann said he wanted to leave on his own terms.

Im 65. I might have worked here another two to five years. But the prospect of spending those years constantly watching my back and thinking, Should I self-censor to protect my department? was not appealing, he said in part. We have a brand-new dean. I view my retirement as a gift to her.

Mr Landy, before entering the gubernatorial runoff, took the attorney general office for Louisiana in 2016.

He has attracted the spotlight onto himself for his involvement and support for laws in Louisiana that draw much debate and controversy, such as banning gender-affirming medical care and almost all abortions in the state, as well as clashing with President Joe Bidens policies such as the limit of oil and gas production and COVID vaccine mandates.

The Independent has contacted Mr Landry and Louisiana State University for comment.
Bibb County Detention Center

A manhunt is underway for four inmates  including a man charged with murder  who escaped a Georgia jail.

The prisoners fled through a broken day room window at the Bibb County Detention Center and proceeded through a cut fence, the Bibb County Sheriff's Office said. Police said a blue Dodge Challenger pulled up and helped the inmates flee.

The incident happened around 3 a.m. Monday.

In a news conference, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis commented on the conditions of the detention center, which is located in the central Georgia city of Macon.

"We have a 43-year-old jail, and this happened in the oldest part of the jail," Davis said. "The oldest, run-downest part of the jail."

He ensured that the escapees would be found.

"We will catch them. They will come back to jail. It's just a matter of when," said Davis.

Police said one of the inmates is 52-year-old Joey Fournier, who was being held on murder charges. The other inmates are 24-year-old Marc Kerry Anderson, who was being held for aggravated assault charges; 37-year-old Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, who was being detained for the United States Marshals; and 29-year-old Chavis Demaryo Stokes, who was being held for possession of a firearm and drug trafficking charges.

It appears the inmates did not know each other prior to being jailed.

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office is continuing its pursuit of the escapees alongside the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the FBI and the United States Marshals Office.

The prison escapes prompted 38 schools and programs in the Bibb County School District to go on a "precautionary lockdown" on Monday, according to CNN. There were so far no plans for another lockdown Tuesday, officials said.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding the inmates or the vehicle contact the Bibb County Sheriff's Office at (478) 751-7500 or Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest for each inmate.

SEE MORE: How common are prison escapes in the US?
A three-judge panel at the Missouri Court of Appeals has ruled that a former Kansas City police detective will have to serve a six-year prison sentence after being convicted in the shooting death of a Black man.

Eric DeValkenaere, who is white, was convicted in 2021 of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb in November 2019. DeValkenaere was found guilty at trial before a Jackson County judge.

He was sentenced to six years in prison but remained free on bond while his criminal appeal worked through the courts.

The first Kansas City police officer to be convicted in the death of a Black man, DeValkenaere had asked judges at the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, in downtown Kansas City, to overturn his convictions or grant him a new trial.

In a 42-page ruling, Judge Thomas N. Chapman said it was the courts unanimous opinion that, DeValkenaere has failed to establish error with respect to his conviction for involuntary manslaughter, his arguments regarding his armed criminal action conviction also fail.

Eric DeValkenaere testifies during his trial on Nov. 10, 2021, at the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City.

Arrest warrant issued for Eric DeValkenaere

In early September, the judges heard arguments in the case. Jackson County prosecutors were allowed to defend the manslaughter conviction during the hearing.

In court filings, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office is tasked with arguing on behalf of the state, instead contended the conviction should be overturned.

As of Tuesday morning, court records showed DeValkenaeres bond has been revoked and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

DeValkenaere ruling by Ian Cummings on Scribd

Todays decision validates the work of our citizens who served on those grand juries, our Circuit Court judges and our trial team. This is validation of the rule of law and it is a victory for the truth, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a statement.

In courtrooms, politics and false narratives cannot prevail against evidence and facts, Baker said. It is this part of the criminal justice system that makes our system better than any in the world.

This case marks a terrible tragedy in our community. But todays ruling is an opportunity for reflection and a new path forward.

Baker said her office has reached out to Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves to discuss ways to improve relations between the community and law enforcement.

In an email statement to The Star, Kansas City Police Department said, there are still legal proceedings underway as appeals are still available. We respect the legal process and the courts decision.

Jalisa Davis of Decarcerate KC, and Anton Washington, joined members of Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project (KCLEAP )to rally outside the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, during a hearing Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Black Kansas City leaders respond to decision

Black community leaders in Kansas City welcomed the news that the conviction was upheld and expressed hope that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson would not pardon DeValkenaere.

Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, called the ruling a landmark decision.

Im elated that the Appellate Court upheld the verdict, affirmed the rule of law and revoked DeValkenares bail. Perhaps, now justice will be served. I hope Governor Parson does not defy the court by issuing a pardon. If he does, civic, business, philanthropic and community leaders should hold him and his political allies in the Missouri legislature accountable.

A pardon for DeValkenare, who has not served a day in jail for his crime, will signal the governors blatant disregard for justice and the letter of the law, and a callous disrespect for the humanity of Cameron Lamb and every other Black victim of police brutality and deadly force, Grant said.

Sheryl Ferguson, and organizer with the activist group Its Time 4 Justice, said the next prayer is just that the governor does not intervene.

Im glad they upheld the conviction. This needs to be a strong lesson for those that are still in law enforcement that are still brutalizing people.

Aquil Bey, left, stands beside his wife Laurie Bey, right, during a press conference Monday in the Jackson County courthouse in downtown Kansas City. Aquil Bey is Lambs stepfather, and Laurie Bey is his mother.

Parson has said he has the power to pardon DeValkenaere even if he does not apply for clemency.

On Tuesday, Parsons office issued a statement saying Parson was aware of the courts decision and was assessing the situation.

Governor Parson will give the same thorough review to Mr. DeValkenaeres case that he gives to all others that come across his desk. No decision regarding a pardon has been made at this time, said Parsons spokesperson Johnathan Shiflett.

Madeline Sieren, a spokesperson for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in an email to The Star, We are reviewing the Courts opinion.

Steve Young, co-founder of the Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project, thanked the Jackson County Prosecutors Office for taking on the case against DeValkenaere.

When one of the most conservative appellate court panels upholds the conviction of a police officer despite the unethical, even unlawful interference of the Missouri Attorney General, a clear message has been sent; Eric DeValkenaere is guilty of the homicide of Cameron Lamb, Young said.

We eagerly await for the moment DeValkenaere is taken into custody and treated like any other convicted felon in Jackson County.

The Stars Kacen Bayless contributed.
A woman faces two counts of kidnapping after being accused of abducting her daughters from a fast food restaurant in Columbus, according to police.

Police say Kaila Spires, 39, was arrested in Tift County in Georgia on charges of kidnapping.

Columbus police say they responded Sunday to a report of an abduction of Kylie Horn, 11, and Kylann Harper, 4, from a Burger King in the 7300 block of Veterans Parkway.

Both children were located in south Georgia and are safe, according to a release.

Authorities say Spires will be extradited to Columbus in the near future. A court date has not been set at this time.
Spools of fiber optic cables.

When Lon Nordeen moved to rural Michigan 15 years ago, he knew the pace of daily life would slow down a bit. But over the years, that's meant internet service has been sluggish as well.

Nordeen lives in Freedom Township, Michigan. The last census put the population here at 1,497.

It's one of the many communities so small that no major company will bring high-speed internet to the area, making Nordeen among the estimated 42 million people in this country who don't have access to high-speed broadband.

"People need to work from rural spots," he told Scripps News. "Otherwise you're left out."

But that all changed last week. Not because one company decided to do something  but one man named Jared Mauch.

SEE MORE: How was the internet created?

Long before the pandemic, Mauch was already working from home in Washtenaw County, Michigan. But his internet could barely keep up.

Mauch was quoted $50,000 to expand high-speed internet to his rural home. Instead of paying up, he decided to pay it forward to his town by creating his own fiber internet service provider.

"This is worth it," he said. "We deserve to have the same level of access as someone in the big city."

Last year, Mauch's company had connected about 30 homes to the internet. That number has now swelled to 400.

Customers only pay about $200 to have fiber cables run to their homes and then $79 a month for service. Mauch uses already existing right-of-way paths along county roads to lay miles of fiber optic cables instead of using telephone poles, which are often owned by larger companies.

SEE MORE: Why you might see a string of lights in the night sky

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would be awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in loans and grants to boost rural connectivity. Mauch has been able to leverage some federal grants in the past and is hoping to do the same moving forward.

"One of the things I appreciate is meeting people in the community," Mauch said. "But [also] seeing the look on their faces when they go from a satellite connection  and can't load their email  to then see their email load instantly."

At a time when tens of millions of Americans still lack access to high-speed internet, smaller, independent internet service providers are helping bridge the digital divide. And in many cases, the impact can be life-changing.

"I've had a couple of people tell me they can take full-time employment," Mauch added. "They're getting jobs they didn't have access to before."
Editors Note: Seth Moulton, a Democrat, is a Marine Corps veteran who represents Massachusetts 6th Congressional District. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more CNN Opinion.

Twenty years ago this month, I was a young Marine lieutenant marching down a California street in an Iraq War victory parade. We had defeated Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi Army, and we thought it was all over.

Seth Moulton - Seth Moulton

But of course, it was not. Twenty years later, American troops are still in Iraq.

Israel is about to start an invasion of Gaza with the same mission we had in those early days in Iraq: defeat the enemy, or in Netanyahus words, crush and eliminate Hamas.

But the lesson America quickly learned in Iraq and Afghanistan was that you have to have a plan for the day after. Outside the southern Iraqi city of Najaf during the invasion, then Colonel David Petraeus famously asked, Tell me how this ends.

The next year, I found myself in that same city Petraeus had conquered, trying to win it back. It was my second of what would become four tours in Iraq, facing far worse combat than we saw during the invasion.

By that time, the insurgency was entrenched, much like Hamas is in Gaza today, and we had to fight, block by block, to root it out.

One day in the summer of 2004 reminds me of how difficult this was and why you always have to consider what comes next.

My company was called to rescue an Army Special Forces detachment from a school in which they took serious casualties. After we helped evacuate their wounded and dead, my Marines and I assaulted the building with a platoon of Recon Marines in support.

But with insurgents throwing grenades from the roof and rolling them down the stairs, we took casualties ourselves, and I made the difficult decision to withdraw my platoon  and call in an air strike to level the building.

It was the right decision to kill insurgents without losing more Marines, but leveling a school doesnt win you a lot of hearts and minds. And this was just one building, a mere two stories tall, and we were fairly confident there were no civilians inside.

Now look at Gaza by comparison: a city five times the size, with buildings ten times as high, and Hamas fighters using human shields - including hostages from Israel, America, and other countries  at every turn.

Then theres the question of what comes next. After brutal weeks of battle in Najaf, our more complicated work began: winning over the rest of the Iraqi population so that peace could be permanent.

That meant months of diligent, tedious work doing everything from creating jobs, to training the Iraqi Army, to rebuilding hundreds of buildings, like that school I destroyed with a 500-pound bomb, all the while keeping remaining pockets of the insurgency at bay.

To be sure, there are some fundamental differences between Israels war with Hamas and Americas war in Iraq. Israel is responding to an attack from within by a terrorist organization seeking to wreak havoc in Israel and across the region. In contrast, a coalition of countries invaded Iraq seeking to displace a brutal dictator who we thought had weapons of mass destruction and in the process, we created an insurgency.

In one case, the insurgency was the cause of the conflict, and in the other, the insurgency was the result. But we nevertheless learned valuable lessons that Israel should take seriously. Countering an insurgency is Israels task in Gaza just as it was Americas challenge in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Israels military victory in Gaza will be hard enough, but its government should explain their plan for the day after, a plan for the future of Gaza. If they simply kill a lot of Hamas terrorists and leave Gaza a smoldering mess, theyll have the same problem they do today  much like America did after the first time we conquered Najaf.

One of the reasons fighting terrorists is so much more difficult than fighting a regular army is that every minute we were in Najaf, whether during combat or reconstruction, we had to keep in mind that fundamental equation of counter-insurgency: You should never create more insurgents than you kill.

Palestinian residents inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes on October 14, 2023. Many Gazan citizens have fled to the south following evacuation warnings from the Israeli government. - Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Famed US general Stan McChrystal estimated that this insurgent math is ten to one: for every innocent person you kill, you create ten new enemies. So, lets be generous to the Israeli Army and say that they kill 1,000 Hamas fighters in the first two weeks of brutal fighting, and only kill 150 civilians by accident in the process  generous odds given Hamas ruthless disregard for innocent lives. Well, Israel has just recruited 50% more insurgents than theyve killed.

This brings us back to the beginning of any counter-insurgency campaign, which General Petraeus describes as the first step in winning: you have to get the big ideas right.

Israels leaders need to answer these big, difficult questions before subjecting more young lives, on both sides, to a brutal war:

How will you define military victory? (You cant recruit more insurgents than you kill.)

What is the exit strategy for your troops? (Your troops want to know.)

What is the sustainable, political solution for the Gaza Strip? (It cant be returning to the status quo, which obviously hasnt worked.)

If Israeli leaders, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu down, cannot answer these questions, they are plunging their young soldiers into another forever war like we created for ourselves in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If they dont have a durable civil-military endgame, they had better be prepared to explain to Israeli parents, 20 years from now, what their kids died to achieve.

Our First Marine Division motto in Iraq, under General Mattis, was no better friend, no worse enemy. I want Hamas to know no greater enemy than the Israeli Army, and I want to see every Hamas fighter defeated.

But if Israel cant prove the first part, too  that if you work with us, you will find no greater friend  then we will soon see plenty of new Hamas terrorists taking the places of those who are killed.

There are a lot of peace-loving Palestinians in Gaza who loathe Hamas, but its up to the Israeli Army to prove themselves better friends.

I hope Israel succeeds against enormous odds, but they have to have a better plan than simply killing a lot of people.

Nobody wants to see five-year-old Palestinian kids killed in the crossfire with Hamas, especially if their deaths only recruit more terrorists.

And nobody wants to see five-year-old Israeli kids dying, in the same forever war, 20 years from today.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Kanishka Singh and Andrew Hay

(Reuters) -New Mexico prosecutors on Tuesday said they intended to recharge actor Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

Baldwin's case will be brought before a grand jury in mid-November, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said.

The move followed results of an independent forensic test that found Baldwin had to have pulled the trigger of a revolver he was rehearsing with for it to fire the live round that killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.

The finding was the same as a previous FBI test on the firearm.

After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza, Morrissey and Jason Lewis said in a statement.

Baldwin has said he is not responsible for Hutchins' death and he did not pull the trigger.

"It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will answer any charges in court," Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, lawyers for Baldwin, said in a statement.

The "30 Rock" actor was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter in January for Hutchins' death, along with the movie's chief weapons handler Hannah Gutierrez, who faces a 2024 trial.

The planned grand jury marked a setback for Baldwin after prosecutors dismissed charges against the actor in April after new evidence the gun he used might have been modified, allowing it to fire without the trigger being pulled.

Morrissey said if new testing of the gun showed it was working, she would recharge Baldwin.

Prosecutors often use grand juries as they are an easier means to prove probable cause and proceed to trial than filing a criminal complaint that can be probed by defense lawyers at a preliminary hearing, legal experts say.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexio; Editing by Donna Bryson, Lisa Shumaker and Jonathan Oatis)
By Baek Byung-yeul

Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) is being criticized for its lax management of overseas offices. Examples include taking official business trips without the approval of the branch office manager and not having an attendance checking system, according to a lawmaker, Tuesday.

According to data from aT, the state-run company's accounting, human resources and administrative practices at the corporation's overseas offices in Paris, Dubai, Chengdu, Vladivostok, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur had been lax over the past three years, Rep. An Byung-gil of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said.

To promote the export of Korean food, aT operates 17 overseas offices in various countries including the U.S., Japan and China. It has 91 employees at its overseas offices, including 37 dispatched employees and 54 local employees, and spends about 13 billion won ($9.6 million) annually to operate those overseas branches.

At its Paris office, no supporting documents were submitted for 71 business trips from 2019 to 2022, despite a regulation requiring employees to submit records of their accommodation expenses with their travel orders.

In addition, the Paris office was also cited for arbitrary accounting for 27 revenue events that occurred between March 2019 and August 2022.

In Dubai, 79 of 82 business trips were conducted without the approval of the branch manager from March 2019 to August 2022. The Kuala Lumpur office did not advertise job openings properly, and selected its new employees arbitrarily.

Also, Rep. An said aTs Chengdu and Vladivostok offices did not have attendance checking systems in place over the past three years. As a result, aT found that there were no records of local employees'

punctuality and attendance.

An aT spokesman said the company is well aware of the issues with its overseas offices and has taken corrective measures.

Our audit office has uncovered cases of lax management at our overseas offices and we provided this information to Rep. An. The company is aware of the issues and has taken steps to prevent it, the spokesman said. After the reports from the audit office, we have corrected our system and the overseas offices have been operated in accordance with the rules.
Russian forces have launched a renewed offensive to take a city in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow pouring more troops into the battle despite limited gains.

Russia began its major push on Avdiivka, a city located in the eastern Donetsk region that is heavily defended by Ukrainian forces, toward the end of last week.

Its now launched a combined arms offensive on the embattled city, deploying air power and ground vehicles to support infantry.

The effort is the most significant Russian offensive since the beginning of the year, according to an intelligence update from the U.K. Ministry of Defense.

British intelligence officials estimated that Russia has deployed multiple armored battalions to envelop the town but said Moscow so far failed to make any progress and is sustaining heavy equipment and personnel losses.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Tuesday that Ukrainian troops repelled seven attacks Monday and another five attacks Tuesday.

Russia has largely been on the defensive since Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive over the summer in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, along with a counterattack around the destroyed city of Bakhmut.

But Ukraine has struggled to make any significant progress in the operation. In recent months, Russia has also launched an attack in the northeast toward the cities of Kupiansk and Lyman.

Avdiivka is a town that Russian forces have sought to control for most of the year after being driven into the far east of Ukraine in 2022.

Russian bloggers have reported incremental advances for Russian troops around Avdiivka. But they have noted the Russians are making progress around the western and southern outskirts of the city, which could indicate a plan to encircle Ukrainian forces.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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HARRISBURG  The divided Pennsylvania legislature is still seeking a compromise that would allow it to end the budget stalemate and authorize up to $1.1 billion in additional spending for home repairs, public defense, and more.

Still needed is code legislation to accompany the primary budget bill that Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro signed in August. Democrats who control the state House and Republicans who control the state Senate have put forth vastly different proposals.

The upper chamber has proposed bare minimum language that would reauthorize a few uncontroversial programs involving the courts and health care.

The lower chamber, meanwhile, has advanced several code bills that would implement a slew of far-reaching policy changes, including slashing corporate taxes, expanding a private school scholarship tax credit, and creating a medical debt relief program.

Both the state House and Senate are back in Harrisburg this week, and have a chance to finish the budget. All three code bills are currently awaiting consideration by the upper chamber.

State Sen. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster, who chairs his chambers powerful Appropriations Committee, said Monday that state House Democrats bills blend pet projects with uncontroversial and necessary proposals.

He said the bills will absolutely not be passed by the upper chamber as is.

Heres a breakdown of what both sides have proposed:

What are code bills?

Code bills are omnibus proposals traditionally passed alongside the appropriations legislation to direct how money is disbursed.

The bills amend the state laws that control taxation, spending, education, welfare, and other public services, acting as an instruction manual for the budget plan. They also function as vehicles for lawmakers to make long-sought policy tweaks and fund local projects in one fell swoop amid hectic budget talks.

While Shapiro signed a spending plan in early August, no accompanying code bills have followed. Since then, policymakers have split over whether the legislature needs to pass the bills for the government to function as usual. Democrats have downplayed the need for the bills, while Republicans have stressed their importance.

Amid pushback from state Senate Republicans, Shapiro agreed to hold off on spending about $1 billion from the states $44.4 billion plan without additional legislation.

The affected programs include a handful of small but important ones favored by Democrats, including the first-ever state investment in public defenders, money for a recently created state home repair grant program, and extra funding for the states 100 poorest school districts.

Those remaining dollars will be spent only if Shapiro signs code legislation, his administration said.

The fiscal code

Capitol insiders consider the fiscal code the most important bit of unfinished budget business.

In late August, the state Senate passed a 103-page fiscal code bill that would reauthorize some routine but critical programs while excluding Democratic priorities.

As Spotlight PA previously reported, the bill would release funding for three programs, including increased reimbursements for first responders, which EMS providers argue is a bare-minimum requirement in an underfunded industry.

The bill also includes codes for regular allocations to hospitals and for judicial fees that courts rely on, and for which state authorization had expired at the end of July.

It also would formalize approval of a suite of other programs that had already been moving ahead with their budget spending, and for which the state budget secretary has not said new codes were necessary. These include funding for community colleges, aid to public libraries, and reimbursements for schools to provide universal free breakfast.

State House Democrats amended the state Senate proposal to authorize home repairs and other in-limbo programs, as well as several caucus proposals. Those include:

Allowing Pittsburghs lapsed e-scooter pilot program to restart with a new provision requiring the collection of abandoned scooters and up to a $150 fine for both the operator and the company for not properly returning a scooter.

Setting up a state medical debt relief program that, according to its supporters, could forgive millions of dollars in patients obligations for pennies (the fiscal code creates such a program, but does not fund it).

Providing $100 million in state funding for adult mental health services through a series of grants for services like telemedicine, workforce retention and development, integrating behavioral health in substance use disorder treatment, and delivering psychiatric care in a primary care setting.

Amending a preexisting state grant program for sports marketing and tourism to allow for up to $25 million to be spent hosting and marketing an international sporting event. (Philadelphia is set to host World Cup games in 2026.)

The fiscal code bill passed the state House 121-82. It also includes funding for the commonwealths four state-related universities: Lincoln, Penn State, Pitt, and Temple.

Typically, state funding for these universities, which is used to reduce in-state tuition, requires approval from two-thirds of the legislature. That higher bar stems from a constitutional provision written in the 1870s to prevent state funds from being sent to questionable charities.

Such a bar requires state House Republican support, but the party has mostly opposed the schools funding, citing a mix of concerns about accountability and issues such as trans health care and fetal tissue research.

To get around this position, the state House-passed fiscal code would create a grant program for institutions of higher education; the language makes only the four schools eligible.

A separate bill that would allocate $642 million to the grant program, a 7% bump for the schools compared to last year, passed the state House 115-88.

Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law a commonsense, bipartisan budget for fiscal year 2023-24 that delivers on his top priorities to create a stronger economy, safer and healthier communities, and better schools. This budget makes historic investments in Pennsylvania childrens education, supports businesses and speeds up permitting, helps older adults stay in their homes, protects and strengthens communities, and ensures law enforcement and first responders have the resources they need. AUGUST 03, 2023 - HARRISBURG, PA

Tax code

State House Democrats have also advanced an original bill that would rewrite the states tax laws. The legislation includes several proposals championed by Republicans and business groups, including reducing the states corporate income taxes to 4.99% by 2026, rather than 2031 as currently planned. The bill would also double the cap on the operating losses corporations can deduct from their taxes to 80%, matching federal tax law.

The proposal also mandates combined reporting, which applies to companies that are incorporated out-of-state, to capture more of their income in-state for tax purposes. It has been a top Democratic priority for years.

An analysis by state House Democratic staff estimates the proposed changes would cost the state about $1.6 billion in revenue over the next two years.

The inclusion of combined reporting is a poison pill, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry CEO Luke Bernstein said in a statement last week. He encouraged the passage of the bill without combined reporting.

State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, called the tax bill intriguing and a step in the right direction in a separate statement. He did not say if he would bring the bill up for a vote.

The Democrats tax code would also:

Create a state-earned income tax credit capped at 25% of the recipients federal credit, which aims to benefit low-income individuals and families. A similar program was projected to cost the state $1.4 billion over the next five years.

Expand the state child care tax credit from 30% of child care expenses to 50%, maxing out at $5,000 annually for one child and $10,000 for multiple children. A similar program was projected to cost the state $1.1 billion over the next five years.

Increase state funding for public transit from 4.4% to 6.4% of annual sales tax revenue starting in 2024. An analysis by state House Democratic staff estimates that will boost state transit funding by $311 million next year.

Create a tax incentive in Reading that allows a developers state taxes to instead pay off construction-related debt within a yet-to-be-determined zone. The state already has established a similar improvement program in Allentown.

Expand the states film tax credit program by $50 million a year to $150 million.

Create a $15 million a year tax credit for biotechnology firms that build a new facility in Pennsylvania worth at least $500 million and that create at least 250 jobs.

The tax code passed the state House in a party-line 102-101 vote.

School code

As with the fiscal code, Democrats took a simple school code proposal from the upper chamber and expanded it with several priorities.

State Senate Republicans passed a school code in September that would OK using $100 million in federal stimulus money on school mental health programs. It also proposes to change how the state distributes tens of millions of dollars in school safety grants. Republicans proposed system, backed by Shapiro, would give more power to the state Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which includes gubernatorial and legislative appointees. It passed unanimously.

State House Democrats amended that bill and nearly doubled its length, adding in several new proposals. Most notably, the bill would expand two state tax credits, EITC and OSTC, that give breaks to individuals or corporations who donate to private school scholarship funds. Those credits, which are GOP priorities, would grow from a combined $400 million to $550 million each year.

The proposal would also require that the Pennsylvania Department of Education collect and release data on scholarship recipients and applicants household income, disability status, and original school district, among other information  a measure aimed at making the notoriously opaque programs more transparent.

In a report last week, the Independent Fiscal Office, a legislative budget analysis agency, said that it was unable to determine if the tax credit substantially enhances educational opportunities to all Pennsylvania students due to statutory limits on data that may be collected related to the program.

The proposed expansion of any of the credits drew the ire of at least one Democratic-aligned group, the state chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, a union that mostly represents educators in urban districts.

In a statement, AFT-PA President Arthur Steinberg called the bill extremely disappointing.

The ongoing effort to divert tax dollars away from transparently administered traditional public schools is supported primarily by the wealthy individuals and corporations who receive tax breaks from these programs and those who benefit from the lack of accountability provided by private and for-profit institutions, Steinberg said.

The bill would also:

Set up a $75 million program to remove lead, asbestos, and mold from school buildings. Accompanying language in the fiscal code orders the governor to transfer the money from unused dollars sitting in departmental reserves.

Create a state grant program for student teachers. The already passed budget authorized $10 million for such a program, but it is among the provisions that have been stalled without code bills.

Require the Pennsylvania Department of Education to distribute DNA sample kits to all parents with a child in first grade who request one. The kits are purported to help find lost children, but reporting has suggested that they havent helped in any missing child cases.

Create an online, statewide database of open school jobs through the state Department of Education.

Require school districts to submit data on job vacancies to the state Department of Education, which must publish the information online.

Repeal a state law that bans teachers from wearing religious garb in the classroom.

The Democrats expanded proposal passed the state House 106-97.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) called on the United States to revoke the visas for foreign students protesting against Israel.

The foreign national students on visas who are protesting against our ally Israel should be sent back to their country, the 2024 presidential candidate said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Its devastating to see people in our country celebrating a terrorist organization for the annihilation of our Jewish brothers and sisters, Scott continued. Hamas wants to wipe Israel off the map, but they wont stop there. They also want to eliminate all Jews on the planet and destroy Western democracy.

Scotts comments come as U.S. institutions have faced increased pressure to respond forcefully since Hamas launched its surprise attack on the southern border of Israel on Oct. 7. Many student groups on college campuses have faced scrutiny over statements theyve released that have been characterized as defending the killings in Israel.

In his statement, Scott did not differentiate between protesting against Israel and protesting in support of Hamas, which is designated by the United States as a terrorist organization. Hamass brutal tactics have been compared to those deployed by ISIS.

Anyone who stands up in support of terrorism and the inhumane murder of Jews should have their visa revoked, Scott said in the statement. We have to stop indoctrinating students with the mindset that America is evil and that Western democracies are somehow oppressors.

Scotts statement follows similar calls by public officials, including Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who recently wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging his department to deport foreign nationals, including students, who have expressed support for Hamas.

Cotton suggested the Department of Homeland Security start with international students who signed or approved a controversial letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee, which stated Oct. 7 that Israel was entirely responsible for all unfolding violence in the region.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump called US military officials some of the dumbest people hes ever met during a campaign event in Iowa.

The former president was met with applause from the audience as he mocked former chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Mark Milley, calling him a stupid person, and described military officials as some of the dumbest people Ive ever met in my life.

In footage of the campaign rally posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Trump could be heard discussing leaving US military equipment in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal from the country in August 2021.

More than $7.1bn of US-funded military equipment was in the hands of the Afghan government when it fell to the Taliban, according to a Department of Defense (DOD) report published last year.

He said Mr Milley told him: Sir, it would be cheaper if we left everything. I said, where is this guy ... where does he come from?

I mean, you think its cheaper to leave it than to fill it with a littlea little fuel and fly it the hell out? Mr Trump said, referencing what he described as a brand new airplane costing $128m.

Even if you just fly it to Pakistan then you bring it back home, or you fly it back home. Most of them can make that journey, right? he added.

Oh, its better to leave it there, Mr Trump said, impersonating Mr Milley.

The former president added: I dont want to tell you what I had to go through with these people. Some of the dumbest people Ive ever met in my life.

It comes after Mr Trump suggested Mr Milley should be executed for treason.

In comments made in September on Truth Social, the former president said the top general should face the death penalty for a conversation he had with his Chinese counterpart.

Donald Trump called US military officials some of the dumbest people hes ever met during a campaign event in Iowa (AP)

He claimed Mr Milley went behind his back to communicate with China during the final months of the Trump administration.

This guy turned out to be a Woke train wreck who, if the Fake News reporting is correct, was actually dealing with China to give them a heads up on the thinking of the President of the United States, Mr Trump wrote. This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH! A war between China and the United States could have been the result of this treasonous act.

His comments prompted former House speaker Nancy Pelosi to say Mr Trump should be barred from public office.

To engage a language like that it should be something that would eliminate someone as a prospect for any public office, she said.

Mr Milley has denied that there was anything treasonous about the calls he made to China, telling CBS News at the time he is taking appropriate measures to ensure his safety following Mr Trumps comments.

The former top general also said that he has been faithful to the Constitution of the United States for nearly 45 years, adding he and his family sacrificed greatly for this country.

Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley (Getty Images)

In separate comments last month, Mr Milley doubled down on his claim that he has been faithful to the constitution and criticised Mr Trump.

We dont take an oath to a king or a queen or to a tyrant or a dictator. And we dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator, Mr Milley said.

We dont take an oath to an individual. 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 general added.

It comes after a 2021 book by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa revealed Mr Milley assured General Li Zuocheng of the Peoples Liberation Army that the US would not launch an attack against China toward the end of the Trump administration.

Mr Milleys spokesperson said the generals calls to China were part of his regular communications with defence chiefs worldwide. The spokesperson described the calls as being crucial to reducing tensions between nations, as well as avoiding unintended consequences or conflict.

His calls with the Chinese and others in October and January were in keeping with these duties and responsibilities conveying reassurance in order to maintain strategic stability, his spokesperson said. All calls from the chairman to his counterparts, including those reported, are staffed, coordinated and communicated with the Department of Defense and the interagency.

Donald Trump is currently the front-runner in the Republican presidential primaries, despite facing a number of criminal indictments at both the federal level and in state cases in New York and Georgia.
The University of Cincinnati is now offering a lower tuition rate to all Kentucky residents, the university announced.

The university previously offered its metro tuition rate to students from certain counties in Indiana and Kentucky. Now, it will be provided to all Kentucky residents who enroll at UC. The metro tuition rate is $6,888 per semester for full-time students, or $13,776 per year, according to the universitys website. Its slightly higher than the in-state tuition for Ohio residents, which is $6,588 per semester for full-time students, or $13,176 per year.

The change to metro tuition rates would save Kentucky students taking 15 credit hours each semester over $7,000 per semester, or nearly $59,000 over four years, said Katie Pence, UC spokesperson. Out-of-state tuition is $14,255 per semester for full-time students, or $28,510 per year.

Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management at UC, said in the past two years freshman enrollment from Kentucky has increased by 30%. Miner said he hopes that the new, lower tuition for Kentucky students will continue to increase that number.

UC has made a commitment to increase access to higher education for this region, he said. As we look for opportunities to ensure that students and families have a pathway to college, that investment has to include those students throughout the Tristate.

More than 2,800 students from Kentucky are enrolled at UC this year, Miner said. Overall, UC has an enrollment of nearly 51,000 students.

Having a Research 1 university within driving distance is an incredible opportunity for high school students looking at college, Miner said. This move makes that world class education affordable.

The cost to attend UC with the metro tuition rate is now similar to the University of Kentucky, the largest public school in the state. UKs tuition and fees for in-state students is $13,212 this academic year.
People hold signs in front of the Hawaii State Capitol during a rally calling for the closure of Red Hill

After almost two years, a Navy fuel storage facility that leaked in Hawaii, sickening thousands, is emptying.

"The Navy has taken responsibility for the spill, but not for the harm," said Kristina Baehr, attorney for the Red Hill victims.

The Navy confirmed to Scripps News that the Red Hill bulk fuel storage facility, the subject of a Scripps News special last month, was set to begin emptying Monday morning.

Its the start of a long process to stop the bleeding after thousands of gallons of jet fuel leaked in late 2021. The fuel ended up in water lines and the surrounding environment.

"So the Navy is on the hook to investigate impacts to soil, to groundwater, to drinking water and how those might impact human health and the environment," said Amy Miller, the compliance assurance director for Region 9 for the EPA.

The EPA is overseeing the process and directed repairs to the facility that preceded Mondays defueling.

"In order to ensure that these millions and millions of gallons of fuel are going to be moved in a safe manner, these repairs needed to happen," said Miller.

UPDATE: One week after our special, 'Poison in Paradise' on @scrippsnews -- The Navy censured three of the retired leaders involved in overseeing the facility at the time, including Rear Adm. Timothy Kott, who was featured in our special. https://t.co/pAC11AkJrI pic.twitter.com/orwucgm9ZM  James Packard (@JamesSPackard) October 16, 2023

The Navy told Scripps News that some of the 104 million gallons of fuel will stay on Oahu. The rest will relocate to facilities in Singapore, the Philippines and San Diego. For thousands of residents of Oahu, its been a long time coming, the culmination of years of fighting to close the facility. But with many still juggling medical complications from the fuel exposure, its far from the end of the road.

"We've seen specialists. I have traveled to Ohio for my children to see specialists," said Norine Tuck, whose water was contaminated with fuel.

Tucks daughter has neurological impacts from the fuel. And Tuck has tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs she has yet to recoup. The Navy still denies any ongoing medical impact from the disaster.

"The Navy admitted fault to this, but they are pretty much denying that we're sick," said Tuck.

One week after Scripps News' special report, the Navy censured three of the retired Navy leaders involved in overseeing Red Hill, citing failure in oversight, communication and accountability.

Norine and thousands of others are suing the Navy for compensation. But even if they prevail, the ones left behind on Oahu worry the U.S. Navy still won't get the message. "It really speaks to this, this pattern of systemic disregard of the very resources that we need to survive. I don't know if the Department of Defense is really or willing to make that huge pivot to acknowledging the central importance of environmental integrity to national security," said Wayne Tanaka, the executive director of the Sierra Club of Hawaii.

SEE MORE: Families in Hawaii fighting for compensation from Red Hill fuel leak
Google Doodle is marking on Tuesday the life and legacy of Raoul A. Cortez, a pioneer of Spanish-language radio and broadcasting in the U.S. and a civil rights activist, on what would have been his 118th birthday.

Cortez, who was Mexican American, founded the first Spanish-language radio station as well as the first TV station aimed at Hispanics.

Guest artist Rafael Lopez, who is also Mexican American, aimed to depict "the various roles Cortez played in furthering Latino culture and civil rights in the U.S.," according to the Doodle.

Cortez was born on Oct. 17, 1905 in Veracruz, Mexico, and his family immigrated to San Antonio, Texas, when he was young.

Raoul A. Cortez. (Courtesy of Guillermo Nicolas)

In 1946, he founded KCOR-AM, the country's first fully Spanish-language radio station owned and operated by a Latino, as the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame noted. It launched with the slogan "La Voz Mexicana" ("The Mexican Voice").

According to the National Museum of American History, in order to get Federal Communication Commission approval despite World War II-era restrictions on non-English radio  the government feared it could spread seditious messages  Cortez argued that the radio station could be a tool to mobilize support for the U.S. war effort among Spanish-language speakers.

Later, seeing a dearth in television aimed at Hispanics, Cortez founded KCOR-TV Channel 41 in 1955. It was similarly the first Latino-run Spanish-language broadcast in the U.S.

Cortez was also an ardent civil rights activist and leader in the Mexican American community in Texas. As one of the directors of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), he oversaw the Delgado v. Bastrop Independent School District case, which successfully ended the segregation of Mexican Americans in Texas public schools.

Raoul A. Cortez. (Courtesy of Guillermo Nicolas)

He also had an instrumental role in the Bracero Program, meeting with U.S. and Mexican presidents to help facilitate the movement of Mexican farmworkers between the U.S. and Mexico on short-term work contracts to stem the lack of laborers during World War II.

Lopez, the artist of the Doodle, said he was inspired by Aztec symbolism in KCOR-AM's branding in designing the Doodle.

"I came across a modern Aztec mask that became a distinct symbol for KCOR broadcasting in San Antonio. It became a powerful symbol of the station's close ties to the Mexican American community," Lopez told Google. "Inspired by this mask, I used an Aztec motif, geometric triangle patterns to acknowledge the vision and influence of Cortezs truly pioneering work for Mexican Americans."
A wild animal that was being kept as a pet cat in Illinois is on the loose, officials said.

And if you see the African serval believed to be roaming in northeast Decatur, authorities warn you should not approach.

We have no reason to believe the animal would try to attack people, Macon County Animal Control and Care Center said in an Oct. 16 Facebook post. However, as with any wild animal it could be dangerous in the right circumstances. Therefore, we are asking the public not to interact with it if it is found.

The serval named Reese belongs to Christopher Solomon, WAND reported. He said he kept Reese in his apartment for two weeks before a guest left the door open and the cat escaped.

I woke up at about one oclock in the morning shivering cold because the door was wide open and was trying to figure out what was going on with my cat, Solomon told the TV station. But the cat was gone. I called the police and Animal Control who tried to find him. We did see him once that night, but he disappeared too quick. And unfortunately, we never found him again.

Sgt. Ron Atkins, the animal control administrator with the Macon County Sheriffs Office, said the owner bought the cat out of state, according to the The Herald & Review.

Solomon said there have been disputes over if he can legally keep the serval, according to WAND. He told the station the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said he could own the cat, but the sheriffs office said it was illegal.

Macon County Animal Control and Care Center said it is working with exotic animal rescuers to capture the serval.

Being a wild animal that is likely scared and could be hungry, you never know how it would react if it was cornered, Atkins told The Herald & Review. We dont want anyone to approach it, because we dont know how its going to behave.

If you do see the serval, authorities ask you to call Animal Control at 217-425-4508, ext. 4.

Servals are native to the savannas of Africa and eat rodents, birds, reptiles and insects, according to the African Wildlife Foundation.

Decatur is about 40 miles east of Springfield.

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Ashanti Hill always had a hard time sitting still.

The 19-year-old was full of laughter, bounding with energy and enjoying life after high school.

In early October, Hill, known to loved ones as Shanti, died in a crash that also killed her 19-year-old and 17-year-old friends in Kansas City.

LaTania Moore, 51, said her niece, who was from Kansas City, Kansas, was affectionate as a child, always greeting family with a hug and a kiss.

Up to today, she would just go into the bed where her mom is and hug her and kiss her and tell her how pretty she was and how she loved her, Moore said.

Hill attended Northwest Middle School, where she was a member of the cheerleading team. In May 2022, she graduated from Wyandotte High School, according to her obituary. She was also a member of Forest Grove Baptist Church.

As she became a young woman, she glowed, Moore said. Hill, who was small in stature and loved to get her hair done and put on makeup, was destined for a career in beauty and modeling, she said.

Ashanti Hill graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas in May 2022. She died in a car crash the following year.

Raeshawn Hill, 26, is the second-oldest sister in the family of five. Often, she joked, the age gap between herself and Ashanti Hill was obvious.

If the elder sister saw Hill in a bar she would walk right back out, joking that she was too old to party with her energetic younger sister.

If they all sat around for too long during family dinners on Sundays, Ashanti Hill would say: Get up. Lets do something! her sister said.

Thanks in large part to Ashanti Hill, a family dinner could turn into a party. She loved dancing to hop hop and R&B. And, family said, she loved to express herself through beautiful outfits for a night on the town.

She was really just living her best life, Raeshawn Hill said of her sister, who would have turned 20 on New Years Day.

Raeshawn Hill, 26, poses for a photo with her little sister, Ashanti Hill, 19. The Kansas City, Kansas, teen was later killed in a car crash in Kansas City in October 2023.

But Ashanti Hill was also serious about her family and future.

In saving up for a car, Hill kept to a strict budget while working at Daves Hot Chicken and at a temp agency, her sister said.

When Raeshawn Hill needed someone to watch her son while she worked, Ashanti Hill was always waiting for her nephew with open arms. When their grandmother was not well enough to get up the stairs by herself, Hill would lend an arm and bring her plates of food.

She was always the person there that would help you figure it out, Raeshawn Hill said. She was always the one you could depend on.

The crash

Just before 1 a.m. on Oct. 1, Hill was driving a black Ford Taurus at a high rate of speed north on Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard when she lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree near East 45th Terrace, police said at the time. Raeshawn Hill said shes been told the same story.

Aria Mia Gonzalez, 17, was in the front passenger seat and Aniyah Lewis, 19, was in the back seat. All three were from Kansas City, Kansas.

Hills family said the three were friends, though they were not sure how long they had known each other.

The Star could not reach family of Lewis. The family of Gonzalez declined to do an interview, but in a GoFundMe created for her, said the teen survived cancer and was a mother to a baby daughter.

(Gonzalez) was a beloved family member/friend who brought immense joy to those around her. Our real life warrior who overcame so many tough obstacles, loved ones wrote in a GoFundMe, adding that she was first diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare cancer, in November 2018, just after her 14th birthday, according to a different GoFundMe.

Raeshawn Hill found out about the crash while she was at work.

I thought, this cant be true, she said. Its still just unbelievable.

Her 4-year-old son still wakes up asking for his aunt, who would usually help him get ready for school. Hill still catches herself starting to send her sister funny videos over Facebook.

A candlelight vigil at the crash site brought out more people than Hill realized knew her sister. They sold more than $10,000 in t-shirts with Ashanti Hills image.

Hill said her sister was driving on a spare tire on the curved road when the crash happened. She believes that contributed to Hill, Lewis and Gonzalez joining the grim tally of 78 people who have died in wrecks in Kansas City so far this year, according to police.

A crash in July 2019 in the same area also claimed a womans life and left multiple children injured. A man who was also speeding drove off the road in the same area and hit a tree in the median, police said at the time.

Dabria Culclager, 30, was a passenger in the car. She died the following day. The driver and four children in the back seats between the ages of 2 and 8 were badly wounded.

Life is so precious, said Moore, who also lost her son in 2016. Love on each other, whether you know them or now. Just love.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Monday said Florida Gov. Ron. DeSantiss (R) labeling of all Gazans as antisemitic is incredibly destructive and dangerous.

I also want to address something very specific about what Gov. DeSantis said when he said, quote unquote, all Gazans are antisemitic, Ocasio-Cortez said in an interview on CNNs NewsNight. How incredibly destructive and dangerous that rhetoric is.

We just had a 6-year-old boy stabbed 26 times this morning because of rhetoric like that, Ocasio-Cortez said, referring to a Muslim child who was killed by his landlord on Sunday outside Chicago. The man charged in the death is also charged with hate crimes.

And it is dangerous. It is unacceptable. It is reckless, and no leader in the United States of America should be amplifying a message like that, she continued.

DeSantis, a 2024 GOP presidential candidate, argued against accepting Gazans as refugees to the United States, claiming, If you look at how they behave, not all of them are Hamas, but they are all antisemitic. None of them believe in Israels right to exist.

DeSantis has faced pushback following these comments.

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) pressed DeSantis on why he did not condemn neo-Nazis in Florida in the same way, saying, What a racist comment from a racist man, adding, The Nazis that have been marching up and down the state harassing the public [and] synagogues wave DeSantis 2024 flags.

Ocasio-Cortez also told CNN she thinks some regional partners should help Gazan refugees who were forced from their homes since the war began just over a week ago, but the U.S. still may play a role.

I think theres something to be said about the regions partners being able to support and step up Palestinians, she said. However, that does not abdicate the United States from our historic role that weve played in the world of accepting refugees and allowing people to restart their lives here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Korean chipmakers overcome uncertainties on China operations

By Ko Dong-hwan

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have acquired certifications from the U.S. government for their plants in China, clearing hurdles for the Korean chipmakers' operations in the world's second-largest economy, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Commerce last Friday released a press release, saying they designated the companies' plants in China as "validated end-users (VEUs)" and stated they are now "allowed to continue their operations in China," the ministry said.

The development came as the Korean firms have been approvedby the U.S. government's End-User Review Committee (ERC) regarding the country's national security interests.

The Korean firms can now apply for and obtain a general authorization to acquire certain items rather than seeking multiple individual licenses, according to the U.S. commerce department.

Alan Estevez, the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, said the VEU program is important for ensuring continued partnerships that achieve the country's national security objectives.

"These authorizations are consistent with our close partnership with the Republic of Korea, he said in the official statement from the U.S. government. "The U.S., ROK and our companies play a critical role in the global semiconductor supply chain and todays announcement demonstrates the strength of our partnership and commitment to a secure and transparent supply chain, particularly for memory chips.

Thea Kendler, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, also said the U.S. national security interests and impact of the country's export control policies are "best served when we foster collaboration with our international partners."

The U.S. commerce authority said the VEU authorizations for the Korean firms reflect the close consultations between the U.S. and Korean governments through various channels including the Korea-U.S. Supply Chain and Commercial Dialogue (SCCD) and the SCCD Working Group on Export Controls announced in November 2022.

The ministry said the U.S. government's approval of VEU certification for Samsung and SK has greatly mitigated the uncertainties for the Korean conglomerates' foundry facilities in China in terms of operation and investment.

"This is an outcome of the unspared efforts by the Presidential Office and the industry ministry to keep contacting the U.S. government through all available channels," the ministry said. "Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden have consistently talked over and confirmed bilateral partnerships to protect the supply chains for semiconductor and other cutting-edge industries as well as easing export restrictions enforced by the U.S. government."

The two presidents had a series of meetings in the past year including Biden's Seoul visit in May 2022, President Yoon's Washington visit last April and a trilateral meeting at Camp David in Maryland, U.S., last August which included Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan.

Following the U.S. government's enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act in August 2022, the Korean government and the world's second-biggest semiconductor market player Samsung Electronics, have been in talks with U.S. authorities in the hope of minimizing investment risks for the Korean side. The new U.S. policies stated that firms receiving the U.S. government incentives while operating in countries of concern like China, North Korea, Russia and Iran are restricted from facility expansion and sharing technologies with the countries.
A gang ringleader convicted over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese men, women and children in a lorry in Essex made at least 90,000 from people-smuggling, a court has been told.

Gheorghe Nica, 46, was jailed for 27 years for the manslaughter of the victims, who died in sweltering conditions as they were transported in an airtight container from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet on October 22 2019.

The deaths marked the end of a long-running and profitable operation in which migrants would pay up to 13,000 for what they thought was a VIP service.

Seven smuggling trips were identified between May 2018 and October 23 2019, although investigators believe there was probably more.

Migrants would board lorries at a remote location on the continent to be transported to Britain, where they would be picked up by a fleet of smaller vehicles organised by Nica for transfer to a safe house until payment was received.

Romanian Nica, of Basildon in Essex, was one of five gang members jailed for the manslaughters, with others convicted of people-smuggling.

Some 39 men, women and children died (Essex Police/PA)

On Tuesday, he returned to the Old Bailey dock for a confiscation hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC.

A financial investigator identified at least 90,000 of Nicas ill-gotten gains even though the defendant only admitted in his trial to receiving 5,000.

Unexplained cash deposits to Nicas bank account from 2014 to 2019 totalled 24,430 and euros valued at 4,410.92 were seized upon his arrest in Frankfurt, Germany, in January 2020, the court was told.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said there was a cash deposit of 7,000 for the purchase of a Range Rover Evoque in July 2018.

He also highlighted hidden assets of 70,000 euros relating to a loan on a property in Romania in the wake of the migrants deaths.

It was taken out in November 2019 and paid into Nicas wifes account while he was on the run.

Giving evidence on Tuesday, Nica disputed the figures, saying he had struggled financially and needed money to support his wife and three children, including a disabled daughter.

The former driver and mechanic accepted being involved in smuggling, having claimed in his trial he suspected it was goods and not people being transported from continental Europe.

But he disputed the trial judges assessment of his role as a leader, organiser and manager of the gang.

Mr Polnay said: I suggest you have got money hidden away, Mr Nica.

Nica said: I wish.

The trailer and tractor unit where the bodies of the migrants were found (Essex Police/PA)

The prosecutor accused Nica of lying, as he had in his trial, saying: I suggest you do have money  the proceeds of your crime.

Nicas ex-wife and bookkeeper Elena Adelina Nica told the court there was nothing unusual in cash payments in her husbands business.

In November 2019, she was in Romania and had no idea what was going on in England, she said.

Mrs Nica denied being aware that her husband was involved in people-smuggling or that the 70,000-euro loan was to conceal his money.

She said it was not unusual to keep cash at home in Romania, but added: I did not have a pile of money.

She said: I do not think its fair what is happening. If he was to have any money Im telling you I would be abroad and I would not be here. I would pay therapy for my daughter if I had money to live on, if there were hidden assets.

Asked if she was aware of the nature of her ex-husbands crimes, she added: I do not believe he was guilty of the manslaughter and I cannot accept it.

Mrs Nica became emotional about the effect of the case on her family, saying: With my kids, we feel like animals. We are not guilty of anything.

Earlier, Nica said he worked in Dublin before coming to England in 2008 and worked driving and fixing lorries in the Basildon area.

In 2012, he was left needing surgery after being badly hurt in a lorry accident.

On his financial state by 2014, he said: My wife was working as a dental nurse in Basildon and I looked after the kids and we had tenants in the house because we cannot afford the bills because I cannot work.

He claimed some of the cash deposits were payments for fixing broken-down lorries and said he also made money from exporting car parts.

Defence barrister Rory Keene asked: Is there anything unusual in accepting cash in the lorry trade?

Nica said: No, its not unusual. You have to understand the drivers in Europe always have euros so I have to go with them to change into sterling. Its not an easy process.

The defendant told the court he paid 10,000 for his mothers treatment for pancreatic cancer and another 8,000 for her funeral.

Judge Lucraft adjourned the case and said he will deliver his ruling on November 24.

Previously, Nicas partner in crime, haulage boss Ronan Hughes, from Armagh, Northern Ireland, was ordered to pay the victims families more than 180,000 after being jailed for 20 years.

Lorry driver Maurice Robinson, of Craigavon in Northern Ireland, who found the bodies in the back of his trailer and was jailed for 13 years and four months, had to sell his 44 vehicle and watch to pay more than 21,000.

Romanian Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, from Essex, was ordered to pay 3,000 after being jailed for three years after admitting conspiring to assist unlawful immigration.

Another people-smuggler, Valentin Calota, from Birmingham, was ordered to pay more than 1,000.
Police in Iceland are investigating after a British schoolgirl was allegedly assaulted by a tour guide while on a school trip to see the Northern Lights.

In a clip posted on social media, the Black teenager can be seen being slapped in the face and chased by a woman at Hotel Ork, Hveragerdi, in an incident on Friday night.

The video quickly went viral, amassing thousands of views online and sparking concern about the childs well-being while she was on the four-day geography trip.

The child, 13, can be heard telling the woman, who is standing close to her with a finger in her face, Please dont come near me.

The adult is then seen slapping the girl who is then seen running away and being chased by the same woman in a second clip. The girls school, Harris Girls Academy, contacted Icelandic Police who attended the scene and interviewed the woman but no arrests have been made.

The girls mother, Priscilla, who did not want her surname used, told The Independent the incident happened after her daughter spoke up to defend her friend after the woman shouted at her.

I cannot sleep, Priscilla said, adding that her daughter had returned to her south London home on Saturday evening feeling completely distraught.

I feel that there was a racial element to this because the girl that the woman was originally shouting at was my daughters white friend. My daughter politely asked her to step back and she slapped her.

If my child were white, I do not think this wouldve happened. The tour guide didnt slap my daughters friend, whos white, or make any attempt to hit but she felt comfortable hitting my child.

Thats the reality of life; Black people are not respected, valued or appreciated.

The teenager told The Independent: Ive never faced racism and never thought that I would experience it, for the first time in my life, on this trip.

Priscilla continued: My daughter is not going to forget this and I told her Im sorry because this is not the experience I signed her up for. This is not the reason why I allowed her to go on the school trip.

My child is traumatised; she has her own bed but has been sleeping in mine ever since this happened and is asking me to stay home from work.

Thats the reality of life; Black people are not respected, valued or appreciated - the teenagers mother (Screenshot)

In an email from Icelandic Police to Priscilla, seen by The Independent, the force said it was investigating the incident and advised the family they could put forward a compensation claim.

Responding to a social media post about the incident on Sunday, Harris Federation, which runs Harris Girls Academy, confirmed that the adult in the clip was not from the school.

The children are safe and ok, and weve reported the adult to the police, who are rightly taking it seriously. We share your disgust and are supporting the police investigation, it added.

In a statement issued on Monday, Hotel Ork said it condemned all forms of violence.

Its important to clarify that the tour guide was not a hotel employee; she was a guest, staying at our premises, the same as the student. Following the incident, we immediately recommended contacting the local authorities, which in this case was the Icelandic police, the statement reads.

The police conducted their investigation, and its standard practice in Iceland not to arrest individuals unless the situation is exceptionally violent or poses an ongoing threat.

The Independent has contacted the Harris Federation and the Icelandic Police for comment.
The neurologic long-COVID symptoms of some patients, like brain fog and memory loss, may be caused by lingering virusin the gut, of all places.

Thats according to a new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers published Monday in the journal Cell. Researchers say the findings could lead to treatment for a disease that so far has none.

The idea of SARS-CoV-2, or any coronavirus, lingering in the body after acute infectionin whats called a viral reservoir, sometimes referred to in the popular press as viral ghostsis not new. In fact, its been proven to occur, with some speculating that viral reservoirs are responsible for long-COVID symptoms in at least some cases. Other mechanisms behind long COVID are thought to include chronic inflammation, increased prevalence of blood clots, and autonomic dysfunctionall triggered by the virus.

While it might seem logical that neurologic long-COVID symptoms like brain fog, memory loss, and depression are caused by the presence of virus in the brain, researchers in Pennsylvania propose a different theory: that virus lingering in the gut causes such symptoms in a roundabout way.

It works like this: SARS-CoV-2 lingering in the gut causes persistent inflammation, which leads to reduced production of serotonina neurotransmitter that sends messages between nerve cells in your brain and those in other parts of the body. It also plays a key role in regulating sleep, mood, digestion, and blood clotting, among other bodily functions.

The lack of serotonin, in turn, disrupts connectivity between the peripheral nervous system and the brain, causing neurologic symptoms. The gut is often called the second brain because both are large nerve centers in constant communication with each other.

Long COVID varies in each individual patient, and we dont fully understand what causes the differences in symptoms from patient to patient, Christoph Thaiss, an assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine, said in a news release about the study.

But the study offers doctors a biomarker they can test patients forserotoninhe added, and the ability to treat low levels with supplementation or SSRIs, antidepressants that inhibit the reabsorption of serotonin by neurons, thus increasing its availability.

So far, there is no specific, effective treatment for long COVID. This could be the first, or one of them.

What is long COVID?

Many experts contend that long COVID is best defined as a condition similar to chronic fatigue syndrome that develops after COVID illness, much like other post-viral syndromes that can occur after infection with herpes, Lyme disease, and even Ebola. Other post-COVID complications, like organ damage and postintensive-care syndrome, should not be defined as long COVID, they say.

Common symptoms include memory loss, brain fog, fatigue, and depression, though more than 200 symptoms have been reported.

Anywhere from 7.7 million to 23 million Americans were estimated to have long COVID as of July, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Damage from the new disorder can linger for at least two years, according to a study published in August in Nature Medicine.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) on Monday called President Bidens planned trip to Israel a gutsy, bold move, but he expressed reservations about the visit.

I wish the president wasnt going over there, Burchett said in an interview on NewsNations Cuomo.

I think its a gutsy, bold move, but I really wished he wasnt going over there, he continued, Because, you know, my dad fought the Japanese in the Pacific, and he used to say, Buddy, when somebody is willing to lose their life to take you out, theres not a whole lot you can do sometimes.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday announced Biden would travel to Israel on Wednesday. He plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials in Tel Aviv.

They are expected to discuss issues ranging from the nearly 200 hostages held by Hamas, ways to provide humanitarian assistance and American citizens and others unable to leave Gaza.

Biden will then travel to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Abdullah on Tuesday said Jordan and Egypt will not accept Palestinian refugees. Some Republicans in Congress and GOP presidential candidates have also argued against the U.S. accepting refugees.

This is a situation that has to be handled within Gaza and the West Bank, Abdullah said in a meeting with the German chancellor, The Associated Press reported. And you dont have to carry this out on the shoulders of others.

Bidens historic trip comes more than a week after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israels southern border, brutalizing its civilians and killing at least 1,400 people and taking hundreds hostage.

Israel has unleashed a barrage of airstrikes, killing more than 2,700 people in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Israel is expected to launch a ground invasion of Gaza and has warned citizens in the north of the strip to evacuate.

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.
Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni on Thursday called on the Israeli government to investigate the death of video journalist Issam Abdallah.

Abdallah, a photographer for the outlet, was killed last week during fighting in Lebanon, the outlet said. He was part of the Reuters crew that was providing a live signal and images from the ground.

In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, just hours before his death had been reported, Abdallah published a video showing plumes of smoke and loud bangs amid heavy bombing and shelling in the area.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the shell that killed Abdallah came from Israel, Galloni said, noting the Israeli authorities have said they are investigating the incident.

Our newsroom is reporting out the details of what happened, she said. And so I am reiterating my call for the Israeli authorities to conduct a swift, thorough and transparent probe into what happened.

By transparent, Galloni said she means an investigation with clear evidence and explanation.

And I also reiterate my call to the IDF for clarity as to the terms of engagement for this conflict, she said, referencing the Israel Defense Forces.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Royal Caribbean International cruise ship helped evacuate U.S. nationals from Israel on Monday.

The lines Rhapsody of the Seas vessel had been sailing in the region but canceled its itineraries in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

Now, with enhanced safety precautions in place, our ship is providing free passage, including accommodation and food, for Americans in the region wishing to leave and find safer ground, Jason Liberty, president and CEO of the lines parent company Royal Caribbean Group, said in an email to employees that was shared with USA TODAY.

The evacuation was conducted in partnership with the U.S. State Department, Liberty said. The U.S. Embassy in Israel said in a security alert Sunday that boarding would begin in order of arrival on Monday at 8:00 a.m. local time, and the ship would sail from Haifa to Limassol, Cyprus.

The Rhapsody of the Seas ship can accommodate more than 2,400 passengers, according to Royal Caribbeans website.

Each traveler must be a U.S. national or the immediate family member (spouse/partner, children under age 21) of a U.S. national and have a valid passport, the alert said. The embassy said travelers would be responsible for arranging their own accommodations and travel from Cyprus, but that chartered flights were also being arranged.

This has truly been an incredible effort as our teams worked tirelessly over the past week to make this mission possible, Liberty added in the email. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all involved and especially to the ships officers and crew for their unwavering support of this call to serve others in the midst of unimaginable tragedy.

Escaping from Israel: U.S. families take tumultuous flights home after Hamas attacks

Many cruise lines changed itineraries following the conflict, in some cases suspending stops in Israel altogether. The State Department has an advisory in place for the region, warning against travel to Gaza and urging travelers to reconsider going to Israel and the West Bank.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Royal Caribbean cruise ship helps evacuated US nationals from Israel
A demonstrator holds a poster of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani

As a ground invasion of Gaza by Israel looms, critics of the Jewish state say innocent Palestinians are suffering.

"The past eight days, they were a nightmare for every single person living in Gaza Strip. We're living in constant fear," said Suzanne Baciso, a U.S. citizen in Gaza.

"We lost a colleague in our department the day before yesterday. He was killed with his family of 30 when their house was targeted," said Professor Ghassan Abu Sitta, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Shifa Hospital.

This is leading some to allege violations of the "rules of war," like targeting civilians and collective punishment.

Even in war, there are rules to govern the conflict. A combination of international treaties and long-held customs create "international humanitarian law"  enforced by the International Criminal Court.

These "rules of war" come down to a simple guiding principle.

"Go back to the rules of kindergarten, which essentially were, do unto others as you would like done unto you," said Brett Bruen, former global engagement director for the Obama Administration.

Bruen says Israel shouldn't target Palestinian civilians.

"Israel has an obligation not to target them and to make every effort to keep them safe. And I think what Israel would say is we go to extreme lengths to try and protect civilians, both in terms of what we choose to target, when we choose to target it," said Bruen.

Bruen says there is an inherent challenge for a nation like Israel to engage a terrorist group like Hamas while following these humanitarian principles.

SEE MORE: Abbas cancels meeting with Biden after Gaza hospital strike

"You have non-state actors, the likes of al-Qaida, ISIS and now Hamas, who don't subscribe to any of those rules of war," said Bruen.

Hamas has killed women and children, taken innocent civilians hostage and hidden amongst the people of Gaza  all violations of rules of war.

"It is important that we not have two standards, that we not say, you know, on the one hand, Israel, you have to fight according to all of these rules  in some cases, rules we the United States have not abided by when we went into Afghanistan or Iraq or elsewhere," said Bruen.

Along with days of airstrikes, a blockade by Israel to not allow food, electricity, or water into Gaza has been condemned by the United Nations as a violation of international law.

"We need the necessities of life. Electricity. Water. Food. Drink. There is no water. There is no water at all. Medicines for children. Food. Drink. There is nothing," said Eyad Khalil, a 40-year-old Palestinian trying to buy food for the eight people in his family.

Humanitarian aid has been stuck for days at Egypt's border with Gaza. But President Biden says he is still confident that Israel will allow some aid in.

"I'm confident that Israel is going to act under the measure ... the rules of war. I'm confident that there's gonna be an ability for the innocents in Gaza to be able to have access to medicine and food and water," said President Biden.

Bruen says these rules are only as good as their enforcement, which is tough to deliver on an international stage.

He says the rules of war are really guidelines that a responsible nation should exercise in military action.

"You should take it in a way that is responsible. You should take it in a way that demonstrates your values and ideally does not, you know, create another generation of terrorists, but at the same time, you cannot shrink from taking those steps," said Bruen.
A high school where a teacher was fatally stabbed in France was evacuated on Monday morning following a bomb threat.

While there were no classes scheduled at City School Gambetta-Carnot, its doors were open for pupils and staff to pay tribute to teacher Dominique Bernard.

Mr Bernard was killed in the attack in the northern town of Arras on Friday at around 11am, that left two other members of staff in critical condition.

A French military serviceman stands guard in front of the Gambetta high school during the evacuation (AFP via Getty Images)

Teachers, some of them in tears and holding each other, and pupils who had come to lay flowers were forced to leave the building during the alert on Monday.

The prefecture of the northern Pas-de-Calais region said the decision was made to evacuate the school after police received a threat via its website.

As a police bomb squad arrived, teachers and students gathered in the courtyard of a building opposite their school as civil protection personnel comforted them.

France is on heightened alert against feared terror threats following the stabbing incident.

Schools across the country will hold a moment of silence after the teacher was killed and three other people were injured last week in the attack by a former student suspected of Islamic radicalisation.

Hours following the attack, Emmanuel Macron visited the school, describing the attack as the result of barbaric Islamist terrorism, before praising the teacher.

Police respond to the attack on at the school on Friday (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The teacher who was killed had come forward to protect others and had without doubt saved many lives, he said.

Counter-terrorism authorities are investigating the stabbing, and the suspected assailant and several others are in custody, prosecutors said. The suspect had been under recent surveillance by intelligence services for radicalisation.

The prosecutor said the alleged assailant was a former student there and repeatedly shouted Allahu akbar - God is great - during the attack.

Another teacher and a security guard are in a critical condition with wounds from the stabbing, police said. The counter-terrorism prosecutor said a cleaning worker was also injured.

The attack comes during a rise in tension in the country as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

After a security meeting on Monday, interior minister Gerald Darmanin said that 102 people have been arrested in relation with antisemitic acts or inciting terrorism since the war began on October 7.
Senator Chuck Grassley has celebrated the wedding of the 20th couple to have met and fallen in love while working in his office.

The 90-year-old Iowa lawmaker has earned a reputation as matchmaker given the amount of couples who have found love while employed at his workplace. This time, it was Grassleys chief of staff Jennifer Heins and her now-husband, Nick Davis, who were the ones tying the knot.

The wedding took place in Cedar Rapids over the weekend, with the Republican senator in attendance. Grassley posted about the happy event on his Instagram account, posing with the newly married couple along with his wife of 69 years, Barbara.

In the caption, Grassley wrote of the event: Jen, my chief of staff and Nick Davis got married in Cedar Rapids this weekend. They are the 20th couple to marry after [meeting] in my office.

In the senators comment section, many people dubbed him the ultimate matchmaker and praised him for his supposed knack for orchestrating meet-cutes in his workplace. One person referred to him as Chuckster the ultimate DC matchmaker, while another joked: Youre in the wrong business Senator! Start a dating service called Grass Roots dating!

Some people wanted to join in on Grassleys matchmaking magic, with one user writing: You foster good feelings in your office, Chuck. Another person joked: Shoot what kind of job openings you got?

Meanwhile, others pointed out that his 20th match made in heaven was evidence that Grassley has been in office far longer than most politicians. While that is very nice and congratulations to the lovely couple, for that to be the case one might respectfully think you have served too long one person claimed.

Your chief of staff could be your great grandchild, another added, while someone else commented: Senator, it is time for you to retire.

The majority of people extended their congratulations to Heins on her happy news. Many also suspected that the senator held a lot of wisdom on how to sustain a long and happy marriage, given that the lawmaker has celebrated his 69th wedding anniversary with his longtime love, Barbara.

According to the senators Instagram, the couple marked the occasion at That Place restaurant in Conrad, Iowa, with both indulging in an Iowa Chop - the states pork version of a porterhouse steak. Grassley said in the caption that they topped off the night by tuning into the 1st presidential debate.

In 2018, Grassley recalled his wedding day to Barbara when he wrote in an anniversary tribute on Instagram that the wedding was at 2pm, Barbara got there at [2:15] but it was worth the wait.

Grassley is considered the longest-serving Republican in US Senate history, having recently overtaken Orrin Hatchs record in January 2023. The lawmaker is also considered the sixth-longest-serving US senator in history, for a record number of 48 years.
By Lee Min-hyung

The Korean government is being urged to impose more environmental charges on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) mostly equipped with non-recyclable lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, as local EV manufacturers are feared to fall victim to a planned influx of low-priced Chinese EVs, experts and industry officials said Tuesday.

This reflects escalating concerns voiced by domestic carmakers as BYD prepares to enter the Korean market. Last year, the Chinese EV and battery manufacturer applied for trademarks here for six EVs. As customers still remain sensitive to EV prices, BYDs price-competitive EVs are expected to pose a threat to Korean competitors.

According to a report by the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA), more countries are considering introducing diverse policies centered on protecting their own EV industries from the potential threat posed by Chinese carmakers.

The report said the European Union is considering punitive tariffs on imports of Chinese EVs to protect carmakers in the region. Japan is also scheduled to adopt a policy of cutting corporate taxes on local companies producing EV batteries and semiconductors, according to the report.

But no specific policy-wise measures have so far been introduced here to support Korean carmakers as protectionist policies are being considered abroad.

Experts and industry officials underscored the importance of Koreas characteristic as an export-driven economy. They argued that the government should not introduce overly nationalistic policies, such as a sales quota system, which could end up triggering trade conflicts with bigger economies.

The government should consider imposing environmental improvement charges on Chinese EVs equipped with LFP batteries, as they are not recyclable, said Kim Pil-soo, an automotive technology professor at Daelim University College.

He also stressed the need to preemptively enhance communication with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to give local companies competitive edges in their EV export strategies.

The worst thing is to introduce some overly nationalistic policies, because such a stance does no good to boosting carmakers exports, he said.

An official at one domestic carmaker also said the government should follow the moves of other countries taking legal and administrative measures to back up their local companies.

For instance, the government needs to consider offering more subsidies for locally-made EVs and batteries, the source said.

Korea International Trade Association (KITA) data showed Chinese EV battery imports topped $4.47 billion (6 trillion won) between January and August of this year, up 114.6 percent from 2022.

Other data from the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) also showed that sales of imported EVs here rose 54.8 percent for the first eight months of this year compared to the same period of 2022. The figure for August also marked a 72.2 percent increase from a year ago.

EVs with price-competitive LFP batteries are gaining more traction with customers. More than 4,000 Tesla Model Y EVs, equipped with LFP batteries from Chinas CATL, were sold in Korea last month. This is up almost 10 times compared to August.

The proportion of LFP batteries in the global EV market is on the sharp rise, according to data from the International Energy Association. The figure surged to 27 percent in 2022, up from 6 percent in 2020.
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - News from Belgium that two Swedes were shot dead in Brussels was terrible, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said on Monday, and follows recent police warnings in Sweden of potential attacks over Koran burnings.

"Tonight we have received terrible news from Brussels. The Government office and relevant authorities are working intensively to get more information about what happened," Strommer told Reuters.

The Swedish government was in contact with Belgian authorities to seek more information, he added.

Sweden in August raised its terrorist alert to the second highest level, warning of an increase in threats against Swedish interests also abroad, after Koran burnings and other acts in Sweden against Islam's holiest text outraged Muslims and triggered threats from jihadists.

The Swedish government has condemned the burnings and is considering amending laws that could stop them but critics say such moves need to preserve far-reaching freedom of speech.

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik)
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott (R) criticized the recent comments made by former President Trump about Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Republican senator and 2024 presidential candidate described Trumps comments as terrible and not helpful during his Monday conversation hosted by Georgetowns Institute of Politics and Public Service and The Associated Press.

We should be loyal to our allies while being lethal to our adversaries. Anything less than that jeopardizes life, he said.

During Wednesdays speech, Trump accused Netanyahu of letting us down in 2020 just before the U.S. military assassinated a top Iranian general. He also suggested that Netanyahus discussions with the Biden administration assisted Hezbollah, a designated terror organization.

Scott then praised Netanyahu for showing passion and humanity after Hamass deadly attack on October 7.

Israel responded the same day with heavy airstrikes, officially stating that Israel is waging war against Hamas. So far over 4,000 people have died.

One of the first things that Israels done is they waited, Scott said. Now how Prime Minister Netanyahu had the kind of restraint to refrain from immediate action, it just talks about the morality and the humanity that we see coming from Netanyahu into Gaza.

The Senate Banking Committee ranking member found some common ground with his presidential campaign rival, Floridas Gov. Ron DeSantis, on the topic of Palestinian refugees.

Scott said due to the President not being able to determine who is safe to bring in, whos not safe to bring in, it is the right decision not to accept Palestinian refugees if they flee Gaza.

This sentiment is similar to the rhetoric that DeSantis has been touting. In his view, the Palestinian refugees should not be taken in if they manage to leave Gaza because they are all antisemitic.

When posed with a question from a Georgetown student on what he would do with BRICS, the GOP senator said that, as president, he would work to break the coalition.

Those economic partnerships are something that I would work to break, to be honest with you, Scott said. One of the goals that appears that they have is to pull the world away from having the US Dollar as the worlds reserve currency.

BRICS is a grouping of the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa that gather to address the economic challenges of the Global South.

I would love to have an economic brand that would attract more resources in the partnership with us and away from the BRICS, Scott said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Trump called out New York Attorney General Letitia James in a video on Truth Social, claiming the Democrat was depriving him of his rights.

This case should never have been brought and should never have been allowed, Trump said in the video. I have no rights.

Trump has complained hes not eligible for a jury in the case and has said a gag order barring him from smearing court staff is unfair.

Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled Trump liable for fraud in the case. His company is accused of engaging in decades of fraud by inflating and deflating the value of its assets to pay less in taxes and receive better insurance coverage.

James brought the civil case last fall, suing the former president, his adult sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., along with former Trump Organization executives Allen Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney and related business entities.

The trial began in New York on Oct. 2. Trump has voluntarily shown up in court several times and alleged the trial is a form of election interference.

This trial is an election interference witch hunt and everybody knows it, Trump said in the video. All of the banks that I dealt with were very happy with us. They thought I was a great customer.

In the video, Trump repeated the claim that James is incompetent and a racist, and he said the state of New York should intercede and stop this total travesty of justice.

Engorons decision effectively strips Trump of some of his business licenses and has the potential to take away some of his properties, such as Trump Tower in New York and Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Trump is involved in more than a half-dozen civil lawsuits, relating to alleged financial crimes and defamation regarding sexual assault. He currently faces 91 felony charges in four criminal cases for alleged hush money cover-up, defamation and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

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Donald Trump is being trolled after he said he would be willing to go to jail for the sake of democracy.

At a campaign event on Monday in Iowa, the former president told supporters: I am willing to go to jail if thats what it takes for our country to win and become a democracy again.

Mr Trump is currently facing a number of criminal indictments, at both the federal level and in state cases in New York and Georgia.

One such indictment relates to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, for which he could receive a maximum sentence of 55 years.

Mr Trump is accused of conspiring to defraud the United States by preventing Congress from certifying Joe Bidens victory and conspiring to deprive voters of their right to a fair election.

According to the indictment, the former president pressured state and federal officials  including former Vice President Mike Pence  to alter the results of the 2020 election and incited a violent assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

All the indictments faced by the former president carry potential prison sentences that add up to a potential maximum sentence of 717.5 years in prison, though Mr Trump is unlikely to face that much time if convicted.

Due to maximum sentencing guidelines, the maximum amount of time Mr Trump could spend in prison if convicted on all counts is around 70 years.

However, as a first-time offender, it is unlikely Mr Trump will receive maximum prison sentences for any of the charges, and it is unknown if he will spend any time in jail at all, according to experts.

Former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Iowa (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Nonetheless, social media users still delighted in trolling Mr Trump for admitting he is willing to go to jail.

Sounds like a plan, Donald Trumps niece Mary Trump said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Ms Trump has been one of the former presidents most vocal critics, recently denouncing her maniac uncle for likely leaking Israeli intel to the Russians.

Meanwhile, blogger John the Gnerphk tweeted: Ill take him up on that in a heartbeat.

Mr Trump has strongly denied all of the charges against him in each indictment.

The former president is currently the front-runner for the Republican nomination despite facing a number of criminal indictments at both the federal level and in state cases in New York and Georgia.
The Biden administration is preparing to ease sanctions on Venezuela in the coming days if the government of Nicolas Maduro signs an agreement with opposition leaders committing to a framework for free and fair elections, U.S. sources familiar with the matter told McClatchy and the Miami Herald.

An announcement of U.S. sanctions relief could come shortly after Maduro signs a deal with Venezuelas unitary platform, an alliance of opposition parties that have called for free elections for the past eight years. The agreement could come as early as Tuesday, before Venezuelas opposition is set to hold primary elections.

Some of Maduros most trusted lieutenants, including the Rodriguez siblings, Delcy and Jorge, began quiet negotiations on the framework in Qatar earlier this year with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Juan Gonzalez, and representatives of both groups have held a series of subsequent meetings in recent months.

Bidens team has insisted that international monitors observe the elections and that Maduro lift a prohibition he imposed on key opposition figures from running, including Maria Corina Machado, a former member of the National Assembly of Venezuela.

The United States is insisting that Maduro put ink to paper, in front of cameras, committing to democratic elections, before it announces any sanctions relief on the countrys oil sector. Should Maduro fail to uphold his end of the deal with the opposition, the Biden administration would reimpose sanctions, an official said.

This would not be the first negotiation between representatives of the opposition and of the regime, and given the long track record of past failures, the chances that the process leads to a democratic transition in Venezuela are viewed as very slim.

But in a sign that the process is moving forward, the Norwegian embassy in Mexico said on Monday that the often off-again, on-again meetings between the regime and the Venezuelan opposition will restart on Tuesday.

RELATED CONTENT: U.S. strikes deal with Maduro government, will start deportation flights to Venezuela

The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the unitary platform of Venezuela (The opposition) have decided to resume the dialogue and negotiation process facilitated by Norway with the objective of reaching a political agreement, in accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in the City of Mexico on August 13, 2021, the embassy said through its account on X, former known as Twitter. Meetings will begin on October 17, 2023 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

A White House official rejected the notion it had entered into a deal with Maduro, noting to McClatchy that the administration has long said it would lift sanctions in exchange for concrete steps by Maduro toward democratic reforms.

There is no deal between us and nothing has been committed to between the U.S. and Venezuela, the official said. The administration has been clear  we support a Venezuelan-led negotiation and are prepared to provide sanctions relief in response to concrete actions toward competitive elections.

The key conversations are between the opposition and Maduro. We are only minimally involved because of the fact that we have sanctions on Venezuela and would, consistent with our longstanding policy, provide some relief in response to concrete steps toward competitive elections, the official added. The United States welcomes the announcement by Maduro representatives and the Unitary Platform to resume Venezuelan-led negotiations in Barbados.

Sources in Venezuela told the Herald that talks between Biden and Maduros teams had established the foundation for the tentative agreement that would push Caracas towards holding fair and free elections, monitored by international observers.

The opposition was not present at the Qatar meeting or in the subsequent gatherings, but members were later incorporated into the process as conversations progressed, the sources said.

Opposition leaders are asking for Maduro to release a long list of political prisoners. It was not immediately clear whether this would be a condition of a deal this week.

The Norwegian embassy said that meetings are set to be held in Barbados ahead of the oppositions primary vote set for Sunday, which is expected to be easily won by Machado. The leader of Vente Venezuela is way ahead in the polls, with 45%. Each of her rivals are registering in the single digits.

According to polling firm Meganalisis, Machado would also beat Maduro in a presidential election with a margin of 54.9% to 11.0%.

While the process is moving ahead under the premise that Maduro is willing to hold free elections, opposition leaders remain skeptical, saying that the Venezuelan strongman has a long history of breaking his word.

The regime has only one goal, to get Washington to lift sanctions. They are not interested in embarking into a political transition, they are not interested in recovering the democratic system, nor holding just and transparent elections. They only want the sanctions lifted, said opposition Congressman William Davila, of the Accion Democratica party.

Davila worries that the regime is going to make enough concessions on paper to get what it wants from Washington and then silently sabotage the process while waiting for the resources that will come in after the sanctions are lifted.

This means we cant simply take what they are proposing. We need to have a comprehensive plan and that means that if we are going to have an election, we need to ensure that the conditions are in place to ensure the transparency of those elections, and that goes through doing away with the disqualifications, the ban of political parties and an end of the press blackout, Davila said.

Yet, there are a few signs suggesting things might be a little different this time around.

There is significant pressure on Maduro, not only coming from the Western democracies but also from his own ideological allies, such as from President Gustavo Petro in Colombia, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil, who understand that the Venezuelan crisis is discrediting the socialist movement throughout Latin America, explained Jose Vicente Carrasquero, professor of political science at the Simon Bolivar University.

Maduro is also being pushed forward by the dire conditions of the regimes finances. And the regime might feel it can still win an election if it obtains billions of dollars that are being held back by the sanctions, Carrasquero said.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the administration welcomes the announcement by Maduro representatives and the Unitary Platform to resume Venezuelan-led negotiations in Barbados.

Along with likeminded partners and other friends of Venezuela, the United States will continue its efforts to unite the international community in support of the Venezuelan-led negotiation process, Miller said.
A U.S. Navy petty officer has been arrested on accusations of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot to kill a woman and her baby in Jamaica connected to a member of parliament whom she had a relationship with.

Toshyna Patterson. (Jamaica Constabulary Force / via Facebook)

Leoda Vanessa Bradshaw, 34, was indicted last week in connection with the kidnapping and murders of Toshyna Patterson, 27, and her 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah Paulwell.

Bradshaw had a relationship and a child with Phillip Paulwell, a member of Parliament from Kingston East and Port Royal, and she considered him to be her spouse, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kingston said in a news release.

Prosecutors said that Sarayah Paulwell was also Phillip Paulwell's daughter.

Bradshaw visited Jamaica on Sept. 6, prosecutors said, and in an apparent act of vengeance hatched a plan with three men to kidnap and kill Patterson and her child.

The three men were her cousin Roland Balfour, Richard Brown and Roshane Miller. The plan included Bradshaw making partial payment to the men, prosecutors said.

In conversations from Sept. 6 to 9, the men agreed under Bradshaw's direction to kidnap and kill Patterson and her daughter, the release said.

On Saturday Sept. 9, the murder plot was carried out, prosecutors said.

Sarayah Paulwell. (Jamaica Constabulary Force / via Facebook)

Bradshaw took Patterson and the baby from their home in Kingston in a tinted SUV and subsequently delivered them to men, including two of her co-conspirators in St. Andrew, the release said.

The Crown further alleges that Ms. Patterson and her daughter were forcibly taken to an area in East Kingston and murdered by these said men who were armed with a firearm, prosecutors said.

Jamaica Constabulary Force Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey said at a news conference that their bodies were burned and disposed of after their killings. He called the case one of the most painful investigations the force had seen in recent times.

Authorities did not explicitly state a motive for the slayings.

Bradshaw was indicted on two counts of conspiracy to kidnap, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of kidnapping, and two counts of capital murder.

Richard Brown was indicted on two counts of conspiracy to kidnap, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of murder.

Roshane Miller and Roland Balfour were each indicted on two counts of accessory before the fact to kidnapping and two counts of accessory before the fact to murder.

The indictments were proffered before the Home Circuit Court last week. Bradshaw and Balfour appeared in Home Circuit Court on Oct. 13 are scheduled to return on Dec. 1.

NBC News has reached out to attorneys for Bradshaw. It's not immediately clear who is representing Miller and Brown.

Bert Samuels, an attorney for Balfour, told NBC News that Balfour intends to plead not guilty, which will be entered once trial begins. He said the attorneys have not been given the full discovery in the case yet.

The matter was fast tracked by going straight to the Supreme Court. So the matter is moving along swiftly and were hoping that trial will come soon where we can put forward his defense, Samuels said.

The U.S. Navy confirmed that Bradshaw was a petty officer assigned to a talent acquisition team in Miami. In a statement the Navy said it takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and is cooperating with investigative and law enforcement authorities.

The matter is currently under investigation by Jamaican authorities and the Navy Criminal Investigative Service, the Navy said.

Paulwell shared a statement on Instagram Sunday saying: The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me as I grappled with the abduction of my daughter and her mother. I have prayed unceasingly for the safe return of Toshyna Patterson and my daughter Sarayah and I am heartbroken that the worst has happened.

That anyone could murder a mother and an innocent baby is unimaginable and my heart is heavy with sadness, he wrote. As a human being, father, lawyer and legislator I am hoping that all who were involved are brought to justice and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

He did not acknowledge a relationship with Bradshaw and said he has cooperated fully in the investigation.
Ukraine has used long-range U.S. missiles first promised by President Biden nearly a month ago against Russia forces for the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Tuesday.

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), long sought by Kyiv, reached the country and was being used on the battlefield against Russia as of Tuesday, Zelensky said in a video post to X.

Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. And very precisely so. ATACMS have introduced themselves, he said.

The ATACMS gives Ukraines forces a major new capability to hit Russian targets previously considered out of reach, with some variants of the missile able to strike locations about 186 miles away.

News of the missiles in Ukraine came after images of the ATACMS munitions inside the country were seen on social media.

ATACMS is already with us, Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko wrote on X Tuesday alongside a picture of what is assumed to be spent ATACMS munitions. He added that an airfield in the Russian-controlled city of Berdyansk was hit by them. Thanks to our partners! he wrote.

The New York Times also reported that Ukraines forces had struck two air bases in Russian-held territory with ATACMS.

A State Department officials declined to confirm to The Hill that the missiles had reached Ukraine.

We are unable to confirm those reports and have no updates at this time, they said, referring questions on Ukrainian military operations to its own government.

Reports of the missiles use comes after Zelensky for months had pressed Washington to provide system. The U.S. government held off, however, over fears that Kyiv might use the weapons to strike targets within Russian territory, escalating the war.

But during Zelenskys visit to the White House last month, Biden told the Ukrainian leader the U.S. would provide a limited range version of the missiles, according to the Times.

Since then, Biden administration officials have refused to say when the missiles would be sent or how many would be included.

The small number of ATACM missiles sent to Ukrainian is reportedly equipped with cluster munitions, which open in the air and release hundreds of small bomblets that cause damage over a wider area than that of a single warhead.

Updated: 12:29 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro will attend next Sunday's meeting in southern Mexico where regional leaders will discuss rising U.S.-bound migration in Latin America, Mexico's foreign ministry announced in a statement on Monday.

The participation of Maduro at the Oct. 22 summit could be crucial since large numbers of Venezuelan migrants have for years been leaving their home country to cross through Central American and Mexico and attempt to enter the United States.

Over the past decade, Maduro has presided over a mass exodus of more than seven million Venezuelans amid a prolonged economic meltdown in the South American nation.

Mexico's Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena met with Maduro in the Venezuelan capital where they discussed the importance of maintaining dialogue to solve the challenges around human mobility and address its root causes, according to the statement.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is also set to attend the meeting in Mexico's southern Chiapas state, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said last week.

Prior to the summit, leaders across the region are drafting a plan to curb rising migration in the region that should later be approved by all participants, Lopez Obrador said.

(Reporting by Raul Cortes Fernandez; Editing by David Alire Garcia)
A woman whose testimony was key to the criminal sex trafficking conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell has died of a drug overdose, authorities confirmed.

Carolyn Andriano, a 36-year-old mother of five, was found dead at a hotel in Palm Beach County, her mother, Dorothy Groenert, told the Miami Herald. Although her death was discovered on May 23, it was not made public until this week in a report by the Daily Beast.

Groenert, however, disputes the coroners findings, questioning the thoroughness of the investigation by West Palm Beach police.

The Herald was unsuccessful in obtaining the police and coroners report on Monday.

But Andrianos longtime attorney, Jack Scarola, said he was confident in the findings related to her death.

A distraught mother is responding emotionally. Im very sure she is undergoing such a significant grief reaction, Scarola said.

Carolyn was having a very difficult time following her experience in New York, Scarola said, referring to Andrianos testimony against Maxwell in federal court in Manhattan at Maxwells sex trafficking trial in December 2021. He said she continued to have drug problems after the trial.

It is known that Carolyns experiences with Jeffrey Epstein had an enormous impact on her life and clearly was the cause of her tragic death, he said.

Andriano is not the only Epstein victim who died as a result of addiction. In 2018, Leigh Skye Patrick was found dead of an accidental drug overdose in another Florida motel. Patrick had also been abused by Epstein when she was 16.

My sister suffered tremendously, Patricks twin sister Selby told the DailyMail.com in a 2019 story. And it started with Epstein. Something happened in her when she met him that got her out of control.

She struggled with addiction since the time she met that guy. She went to rehab several times. She fought hard, but she eventually succumbed to the addiction. We miss her. 

Scarola said after the trial ended, Andriano and her husband, John Pitts, moved to North Carolina to start over. He was not sure why she was in Palm Beach at the time of her death, but several sources said she was still in the throes of addiction and had come to Palm Beach for treatment. She was staying at the DoubleTree Hotel with her husband and children at the time of her death, the sources said.

During Maxwells trial, Andriano, who was only identified by her first name, said she was first brought to Jeffrey Epsteins Palm Beach mansion when she was 14. At the time, she had dropped out of middle school and had a difficult childhood. She testified that an older relative sexually abused her when she was 4 and that her mother was an alcoholic. By that time, she was already experimenting with drugs.

She was introduced to Epstein and Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre, another Epstein victim.

Andriano testified that she returned to Epsteins home more than 100 times in order to be paid money, which she used to buy drugs.

She tearfully described the trauma she suffered in the years since, saying she was diagnosed as being schizophrenic and lived in fear that her children would be kidnapped.

Andriano told the jury that Maxwell and another Epstein associate would summon her two or three times a week to visit Epstein, a New York financier who died in jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging.

Something sexual happened every single time, she said during trial.

Upon questioning by Maxwells lawyers, Andriano said she had received $2.8 million in compensation from Epsteins estate as part of a compensation fund set up for victims.

But, she emphasized, No money will fix what happened to me.

She was among four victims who testified at Maxwells trial. Maxwell, 61, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on trafficking charges. She is serving her sentence at the federal womens prison in Tallahassee while she appeals her conviction.
The crisis of the House speakership is about to roll into its second week. On Friday, as House Republicans left Washington, it looked like Jim Jordan would struggle to win over the members of his conference. During the first vote among Republicans, more than 80 members voted against him and in the second round, 55 Republicans voted against him.

The votes revealed his weaknesses as a congressional leader. He passed on having a roll call vote rather than a secret ballot. Having a roll call vote would have told him whom he needed to call during the weekend, whom he needed to win over and what promises he needed to make his opponents to get them to yes.

The tide seems to be turning in his favor. On Monday, Rep Ann Wagner of Missouri, who had vehemently opposed Mr Jordan, said she would get behind him, saying she spoke with the Ohio Republican and he has allayed my concerns. Similarly, Rep Mike Rogers (R-AL), the chairman of the Armed Services Committee who many might remember for nearly fighting Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) in January, threw his support behind Mr Jordan.

But the fact remains that Mr Jordan still needs to get to the magic number of 217 votes. Friend of the Inside Washington newsletter Haley Talbot of CNN, whose spreadsheets on social media do a better job of counting votes so far than any candidate for speaker, noted that four Republicans remain skeptical of Mr Jordan and two Republicans  Florida Reps Carlos Gimenez and John Rutherford  will only back desposed speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Even if Mr Jordan somehow wins over all of his skeptics and earns enough votes to become speaker, he will largely live with the consequences of his lifes work: Allowing any single member to object to the will of congressional leadership and cause the House to descend into chaos. Similarly, his years of doing so rather than learning the mechanics of governing will likely make him ill-equipped to tame those impulses from House Republicans.

Many Republicans come to Washington as bomb-throwers who later mature, learn how to govern and advance conservative goals. John Boehner went from being an insurgent who later worked with Ted Kennedy on education, and Paul Ryan passed budgets with a Democratic Senate.

But Mr Jordan never needed to grow up. Rather, since he arrived in Congress in 2007, he chose to cater to right-wing media and the overwhelmingly conservative base of the Republican Party. By the time he got to Washington, the incentive structure to grow up no longer existed. As a child of the Tea Party, the anti-GOP establishment movement, learning how to work within the system would be antithetical to his persona.

Democrats and Republicans alike have noted how hes never authored legislation that became law. That would have taught him a vital skill, how to count votes, since speakers need to know how many votes they need to count votes on bills and dollars for fundraising to keep their majorities.

As a right-wing provocateur, hes spent more time opposing spending bills, famously teaming up with Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) and other conservatives to shut down the government to try and defund Barack Obamas signature healthcare law, despite the fact Mr Obama was still president. Indeed, when he was offered an opportunity to become a member of the prestigious House Appropriations Committee when Republicans took control in 2011, he passed and chose instead to become Republican Study Committee chairman.

All of these choices will come back to haunt him. They already have. Mr McCarthy, fearful that Mr Jordan would mete out the same medicine he gave to Mr Ryan and Mr Boehner, chose to keep Mr Jordan close to his side. Mr Jordan seemed to enjoy being close to leadership to amass power.

But in January, despite Mr Jordan supporting Mr McCarthy, Mr Gaetz emerged as a further-right bomb-thrower who nominated Mr Jordan, which took the House to 15 rounds to pick a speaker.

Now, rather than having a unified Republican conference, Mr Jordans influence showed that any Republican could raise objections and gum up the House to get attention, even if they do not have specific demands. This will be unlikely to change even if he wins the speakership. And if he falls, it will be on the sword he laid down.
By Lee Min-hyung

Hyundai Motor Group is facing growing risks of falling sales in the Middle East as the ongoing military conflict between Israel and Hamas will likely continue for the time being, industry officials said Tuesday. Operations at the group's regional research and development (R&D) center in Israel also appear to have ground to a virtual halt.

Hyundai is the top-selling automaker in Israel, with its affiliate, Kia, coming in second. Even if both automakers have yet to suffer serious damage from the outbreak of the armed conflict there, industry insiders said the Korean automakers may face multiple risks stemming from the possibility of a protracted war.

According to data from market tracker Focus2Move, Hyundai Motor sold more than 36,400 vehicles in Israel during the first eight months combined this year. This is the largest amount and accounts for a 15.8 percent market share there. The combined share of Hyundai and Kia reaches around the 30 percent mark in the country, surpassing that of Toyota by a huge margin. Hyundai has not set up any branch there, but operates its sales business there via agents.

The war, in itself, will cause a negative impact on the sales of Hyundais vehicles there, but as the conflict is still at an early phase, the company will monitor carefully whether it escalates into a bigger scale, said Kim Moon-tae, head of industry policy division at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We need to watch further, and companies there will take specific actions, if armed tension is heightened there.

Another particular concern is that the war may impede Hyundais research activities, as Israel is a strategic base for the Korean automakers R&D. Hyundai Motor Group operates five "cradles" in five regions across the globe, as part of efforts to find promising tech-savvy startups for its future partnerships. Located in Israels second-largest city, Tel Aviv, Hyundais R&D base in the Middle East has played a significant role in its group-wide research drive.

Hyundai CRADLE Tel Aviv was established in 2018 and invested in a total of 17 companies there. The office is also expanding its partnerships with tech startups there each year. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun has also been expanding investment in Israel after he visited the office of the countrys Mobileye in 2017. The company is best known for being the worlds first developer of the advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS).

A spokesman at Hyundai Motor declined to leave any comments regarding the issue, citing the sensitivity of the issue.

However, Hyundai is forecast to offset potential sales fall in Israel by expanding its presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after Korea and the UAE recently signed a bilateral free trade agreement.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and a group of GOP senators will hold a press conference on the Israel-Gaza conflict and the Biden administrations handling of $6 billion in Iranian funds unfrozen as part of a prisoner exchange last month.

More than a dozen senators, including Blackburn, have called on the administration to refreeze the payment as the official policy of the U.S.

A Treasury official told House Democrats last week that the U.S. will block Irans access to the $6 billion, which is now being held in Qatar.

The senators urged the U.S. to limit Irans ability to provide support to Hamas, the Palestinian militant group responsible for the Oct. 7 attack against Israel. More than 1,300 people were killed in the attack, and 199 people were taken hostage by Hamas.

The event is set to begin at 11:15 a.m. EDT.

Watch the live video above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The world must not fail in Iran as it did in North Korea, which kicked out International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and developed nuclear weapons, the U.N. nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday.

The IAEA has not had access to North Korea since Pyongyang expelled its inspectors in 2009 and it now observes its nuclear advances from afar including through satellite imagery.

The IAEA has regular access to Iran's declared nuclear facilities. But as a 2015 deal between Tehran and major powers has eroded over the past five years, extra monitoring equipment added under the deal has been removed at Iran's behest and the IAEA can no longer perform snap inspections at undeclared sites.

"The IAEA is the eyes and ears and presence of the international community in Iran," Grossi told an annual U.S. State Department arms control conference in a recorded message, adding he was extremely concerned about Iran's nuclear programme.

"We have to deploy every effort to prevent this problem, this current debate on what is happening and what can be done in Iran (from) becoming a failure on the part of the international community to prevent a country that has capabilities which could potentially lead to the development of nuclear weapons from doing it," he added.

"We saw the failure of this type in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea."

Grossi's last quarterly reports on Iran showed the Islamic Republic now has enough uranium enriched to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% of weapons grade, for almost three nuclear bombs by the IAEA's own theoretical definition if it were enriched further. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

The IAEA is also locked in various standoffs with Iran including on identifying the origin of uranium particles found at two undeclared sites, getting monitoring equipment that has been removed re-installed and Iran's recent "de-designation" of some IAEA inspectors.

(Writing by Francois MurphyEditing by Chris Reese and Josie Kao)


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Diplomats renewed calls for aid to the besieged Gaza Strip while Iran's foreign minister said Israel would not be allowed to act there without facing consequences, warning of "preemptive action" in the coming hours.

U.S. President Joe Biden weighed a visit to Israel laden with political and security risks, underscored on Monday when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was forced to shelter in a bunker for five minutes while meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when sirens went off in Tel Aviv.

Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement that rules Gaza, after fighters of the armed wing of the Iran-backed Palestinian Hamas movement burst across the barrier to Israel on Oct. 7, gunning down 1,300 Israelis, mainly civilians, in the deadliest day in Israel's 75-year-old history.

Israel has since put Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, under a total blockade and pounded it with unprecedented air strikes, and is widely expected to launch a ground assault.

Gaza authorities say more than 2,800 people have been killed there, around a quarter of them children, and more than 10,000 wounded are in hospitals desperately short of supplies.

Hamas said on Monday it had fired a "barrage of missiles," toward Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told state TV: "Leaders of the Resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza. ... All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza."

"The resistance front is capable of waging a long-term war with the enemy (Israel)... in the coming hours, we can expect a preemptive action by the resistance front," he said, without elaborating.

Iran, which backs Hamas, refers to regional countries and forces opposed to Israel and the United States as a "resistance front." Amirabdollahian said it was not limited to Hezbollah in Lebanon and added: "This front was formed throughout the region to preserve the independence of nations and counter repeated aggressions by the Zionist regime over the past years."

Last week, Iran's top authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tehran was not involved in the Hamas attack on Israel, but hailed what he called Israel's "irreparable" military and intelligence defeat.

Earlier on Monday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that while Tehran supported the Palestinian cause, the resistance front against Israel made its own independent decisions.

Diplomatic efforts have concentrated on getting aid into Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the sole route out that is not controlled by Israel. Cairo said the Rafah crossing was not officially closed but was inoperable due to Israeli strikes on the Gaza side.

Netanyahu invited Biden to Israel. Biden has been outspoken in his support for Israel, Washington's closest Middle East ally. The White House declined to comment on any planning for the trip. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement that "we have no new travel to announce."

Such a trip would be a rare and risky choice, showing American backing for Netanyahu as the U.S. tries to avert a broader regional war involving Iran, its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, and Syria, and as food and fuel run low in Gaza.

It could, however, grant Biden fresh leverage to influence events on the ground and bolster his image at home.

Biden and Netanyahu, uncomfortable allies in the best of times, have joined forces despite being at odds over the path forward in the Middle East with Biden frequently stressing support for independent Israeli and Palestinian states.

A meeting in person would allow Biden to privately discuss concerns and possible red lines in a looming Israeli ground invasion.

A top Hamas leader said on Monday the group "has what it needs" to free all Palestinians in Israel's jails, indicating the militant group may try to use the Israelis it kidnapped as bargaining chips to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Soon after Hamas official Khaled Meshaal made the remarks on the captives, who include Israelis and non-Israelis kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, the group's armed wing separately said the non-Israelis were "guests" who would be released "when circumstances allow."

In the biggest sign yet that the war could spread to a new front, Israel ordered the evacuation on Monday of 28 villages in a two km- (1.2 mile-)deep zone near the Lebanese border.

Israel has said more than a million people in the northern half of Gaza must head to the southern half for their safety, even though Hamas has told them to stay put. While tens of thousands have fled south, the United Nations says there is no way to move so many people without causing a humanitarian catastrophe.

According to the United Nations, a million Gazans have already been driven from their homes. Power is out, sanitary water is scarce, and the last fuel for hospital emergency generators could be used up within a day.

Netanyahu said Israelis should prepare for a long battle.

"Now we are focused on one target: to unite forces and charge forward to victory. This requires determination because victory will take time," he told the Israeli parliament.

"And I have a message for Iran and Hezbollah, don't test us in the north. Don't make the same mistake you once made. Because today the price you will pay will be much heavier."

The Pentagon has deployed two aircraft carriers - and their supporting ships - to the eastern Mediterranean since the attacks on Israel. The ships are meant as a deterrent to ensure the conflict does not expand, but bring a significant amount of power to a region that already hosts a number of U.S. military ships, planes and troops.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Netanyahu on Monday that Moscow wanted to help prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The Kremlin readout of the call did not include any mention of the ceasefire Russia was trying to achieve by putting forward a resolution in the United Nations Security Council.

But Putin briefed Netanyahu on conversations with the leaders of Iran, Egypt, Syria and the Palestinian Authority in which the Kremlin said earlier that this had been discussed.

"A unanimous opinion was expressed on the need for an early ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian truce in order to urgently provide assistance to all those in need," it said of those conversations.

With each day of air strikes, Gazans have been clawing at the rubble of flattened buildings with bare hands to rescue neighbours and recover the dead, with virtually no mechanical equipment to clear away the wreckage.

Those trying to reach the southern border crossing inside Gaza described the route as perilous and under Israeli attack.

"On our way to the crossing they shelled Rafah Street and we started screaming," said one resident near the crossing, Hadeel Abu Dahoud. "Nowhere is safe in Gaza. Wherever we go there's shelling, shelling, crying, screaming, blood." (Reuters)
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Communications strategist Stephan Pechdimaldji has warned that Azerbaijan's aggression will not stop with Nagorno-Karabakh.

In an article published in Newsweek, the PR professional and first-generation Armenian American and grandson to survivors of the Armenian genocide said that Azerbaijan is promoting a culture of hate and fear and is breeding a whole new generation of anti-Armenian sentiment.

For a president who entered the White House claiming that human rights would be at the crux of his foreign policy, Biden has fallen short of that promise, particularly for Armenians. What he and others in his administration fail to understand is that this is a human rights issue and not a geopolitical one. Realpolitik should play no role in this discussion, Pechdimaldji said.

Below is the full article as published by Newsweek.

During President Joe Biden's remarks commemorating the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, he told members of the world body, "If we abandon the core principles of the United Nations Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?" By answering his own question with an emphatic no, he then went on to say that, "We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."

What Biden failed to mention in that same speech is that days before delivering it, Azerbaijan, a country led by one of the world's leading autocrats, Ilham Aliyev, launched a military attack against ethnic Armenians living in their ancestral homeland of Nagorno-Karabakh in a final attempt to end their three decades of de facto self-rule as a burgeoning democracy. The offensive followed months of unprovoked attacks by Azerbaijan and a nine-month road blockade that Luis Moreno Ocampo, the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, called a genocide.

For Armenian Americans like myself, Biden's speech at the U.N. was a stark reminder that human rights and autocrats are not all created equal. For close to a year, Azerbaijan tried to force Armenians out of Nagorno-Karabakh by making living conditions unbearable by limiting access to food, medicine, gas, electricity, and other critical supplies through their illegal closure of the Lachin Corridor, which had been part of Baku's campaign to ethnically cleanse the Armenian people from the region.

And for more than two years, Armenian American community and coalition leaders pleaded with the Biden administration to uphold Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which bans foreign aid to Azerbaijan. Instead of keeping Azerbaijan in check, Biden emboldened Baku to continue their reckless and vicious behavior toward Armenians by issuing feeble and empty statements calling for both sides to resolve all issues through direct dialogue.

While the U.S. State Department was working with European Union officials to negotiate a settlement, Biden's words were not met with any action.

Biden has overlooked Aliyev's rising authoritarianism and egregious behavior by turning to Azerbaijan's vast oil resources and proximity to Iran as a geopolitical trade-off. This type of transactional diplomacy sends the wrong message to would-be aggressors and gives cover to despots like Aliyev who feel that they can say and do whatever they want with impunity.

The lack of accountability has led to one of the world's biggest humanitarian crises currently taking place, as more than 120,000 Armenians have fled their homes while upending a thousand-year-old culture and civilization overnight.

Since then, we have seen a barrage of diplomats express their concerns for the Armenian people but hardly a word about Azerbaijan's role and responsibility in causing this human tragedy.

Samantha Power, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, recently visited Armenia where she continued to play the "bothsidesism" game and refused to condemn Azerbaijan. She embarked on a photo-op tour making stops at the Armenian Genocide Memorial (Tsitsernakaberd) after months of silence and inaction on the genocide happening today.

U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary Yuri Kim also accompanied Power on her trip, where she too avoided questions on sanctioning Azerbaijan despite Baku using military force days after testifying before Congress that such an attack would warrant punishment by the United States.

Make no mistake, Azerbaijan's aggression will not stop with Nagorno-Karabakh.

In recent speeches and statements, President Aliyev has unequivocally claimed that Armenia is part of Azerbaijan's historical lands, while calling Armenia "Western Azerbaijan." He even said Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, belongs to his country.

This is the same leader who plants the seeds of hate to children by enacting a state policy that fuels animosity toward the Armenian people in schools across Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is promoting a culture of hate and fear and is breeding a whole new generation of anti-Armenian sentiment. It is dangerous. It is irresponsible. And it needs to stop.

And in an act of symbolism and defiance, Aliyev invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azerbaijan's cultural and ethnic ally, for a one-day-visit to Nakhchivan, another contested enclave in Azeri control that borders Armenia, days after the offensive for talks on bilateral ties and regional issues.

For a president who entered the White House claiming that human rights would be at the crux of his foreign policy, Biden has fallen short of that promise, particularly for Armenians. What he and others in his administration fail to understand is that this is a human rights issue and not a geopolitical one. Realpolitik should play no role in this discussion.

The United States has a long history of inaction on genocide. If Biden wants to change that narrative and live up to the principles of the U.N. Charter, then he will do what is right and hold Azerbaijan accountable.

Until then, we can expect more violence and hostility in the South Caucasus.
Image by Amanda Tipton Photography | FB- Amanda Tipton-Photographer | IG  @amandatiptonphotography

Central City Opera (CCO) seeks a committed artistic leader with expansive vision to guide and implement the companys artistic and educational activities with energy, commitment, and deep collaboration skills. The new Artistic Director will serve as a well-connected ambassador for the company throughout the international opera network and as the lead producer of CCOs annual festival season.

The Artistic Director reports to CCOs President & CEO working cohesively to guide an expansive and clear vision for the company that celebrates high artistry, esteemed education and community engagement, and an enduring commitment to the preservation of Central City Operas portfolio of historic properties. The Artistic Director will develop a warm relationship with CCOs Board that will be focused on inspiring their connection to opera and new artistic means and methods of delivering upon CCOs vision, mission, and values.

Central City Operas Artistic Director will build upon a respected history while shaping a future that celebrates the companys standing as a regional opera company known for beloved summer festival experiences of opera and musical theater that speaks to the hopes, desires, and dreams of a dedicated audience and new patrons who will increasingly be invited into the CCO experience through a spirit of hospitality and joyful gathering.

A full position description may be found here: https://mcaonline.com/searches/artistic-director-cco

Organizational Profile

As the fifth oldest opera company in the United States, Central City Opera is renowned for exquisite world-class productions, a competitive and robust young artist training program, creative education and community engagement activities, and a dedication to preservation of the historic properties that make the core of operations for its Central City home base. More information is available at Central City Operas website at https://centralcityopera.org/.

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The writer is a retired IAS officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, who has also worked with UNDP and with the private sector.

No wonder that in recent years, some dedicated grassroots workers, far removed from the limelight, are getting noticed and honoured

Iconic agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan, known as the father of our Green Revolution wasnt awarded the Bharat Ratna, though perhaps no other living Indian merited it more. (File Image: PTI)

The recent demise of iconic agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan, known as the father of our Green Revolution, was widely mourned. But he wasnt just a scientist who did an exemplary job; his life-long crusade against hunger, his deep concern for environmental sustainability and similar public causes made him one of the tallest Indians of our times.

Unfortunately, he wasnt awarded the Bharat Ratna, though perhaps no other living Indian merited it more. This should set one thinking on how these awards are decided.

The nations highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, and the Padma awards (Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri) continue to interest its citizens since these were instituted in 1954. More than numerous other national awards, the announcement of these awards on the eve of Republic Day is keenly awaited.

Like the Nobel or equivalent prizes, this scheme of recognising exceptional achievements in different fields of activity where an element of public service is involved, like in art, literature and education, sport, medicine, social work, science and engineering, civil service, public affairs, trade and industry, has also been criticised from time to time.

Though no undeserving person may have got these awards, arguably many deserving ones did not. Since awardees are chosen from different disciplines, it has always been difficult to arrive at an equivalence. How does one compare, for example, Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar or Lata Mangeshkar with, say, M. Visvesvaraya or Mother Teresa, except that we can agree all attained the highest level of excellence in their fields?

If one analyses the process that has evolved over the past seven decades, certain broad aspects become evident. First, the procedure of selection of the Padma awards has been democratised (for the Bharat Ratna, the recommendations are made directly by the Prime Minister to the President). Second, vocal or stringent critics of the government of the day have rarely been considered for such awards. In other words, the system does not appear to be wholly devoid of politics. Third, certain regions of India seem to remain under-represented.

About the democratisation of the selection process, one notices that in 2001, the committee to recommend the names for the Padma awards had 10 members -- three officials (Cabinet Secretary, secretary to the President and the home secretary) and seven individuals by name (Dr R. Chidambaram, Mrs R.M. Bathew, Anupam Kher, Dr Manmohan Singh, Dr C. Narayana Reddy, Rafiq Zakaria and Rajat Sharma). The principal secretary to the PM was added in 2005.

The 2023 awards committee comprised 19 members, and received 3,869 nominations, besides 21 names recommended by the search committee (comprising largely of joint secretary-level officers of various ministries, set up from 2018). This combination of civil servants, and other members chosen on merit and/or political considerations, ensures that controversies are minimised, that awards are bestowed upon proven performance, and that the popularity of performers in the commercial fields are also taken note of. Selecting individuals on the basis of their promise is a different matter altogether, requiring the presence of acute mind(s) willing to take a risk.

Few people know that anyone can nominate a person, including himself or herself, online, with supporting documents, within a particular date through a transparent process, after logging onto the designated government website. The final choice is made from the long list of nominated and recommended names. No wonder that in recent years, some dedicated grassroots workers, far removed from the limelight, are getting increasingly noticed and honoured.

This has been a welcome trend that should be expanded and reinforced.

As regards political neutrality in selection, let us look at certain cases. The first three Bharat Ratna awardees were C. Rajagopalachari, S. Radhakrishnan, and C.V. Raman, all men of great standing. However, while C.V. Raman was wholly apolitical, never aspiring for public office or caring to be close to those in power. Next year, Jawaharlal Nehru, M. Visvesvaraya and Bhagwan Das were the awardees. Even admitting that in 1955, there was no Indian jewel comparable with Nehru, this decision could have perhaps been avoided. It did not create a healthy precedent.

At the same time, a scientist like Meghnad Saha or a historian like R.C. Majumdar remained unrecognised. The tradition of ignoring eminent individuals critical of the government or its leaders has been a long one.

Third, the value one attaches to these awards varies with individuals, and sometimes perhaps with people coming from certain regions. One can name umpteen celebrities from West Bengal, for instance, who politely refused to accept these awards. A few did so on principle, some for political reasons, others on the ground that the award came too late and was too little.

A literary giant like Sunil Gangopadhyay, who became the president of the Sahitya Akademi, was ignored. Similarly, two influential and popular litterateurs of todays Bengal, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, 87, and Sankar, 89, are yet to receive recognition, despite them being apolitical in their work. Two of the latters novels were the basis of Satyajit Rays notable films. Such may be the case for some other regions as well. These omissions may not be intentional but seem to have arisen from a systemic flaw that should be rectified, to ensure greater credibility of these awards.

How to insulate the scheme from politics, how to identify certain young individuals with high promise (like the scientist Rituparna Kanungo, for instance), and how to ensure that democratisation does not lead to populism and devaluation of these awards, are among the issues that should be seriously examined.

But even judged by established performance, who is more worthy of a Padma than, say, neuroscientist Mriganka Sur of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology? Wouldnt recognising the stellar contributions of M.S. Swaminathan with the Bharat Ratna, even posthumously, be widely appreciated?

(The writer is a retired IAS officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, who has also worked with UNDP and the private sector)
This is not the first time Indians have been trapped in a war zone. Nor is this the first rescue flight

Successive Indian governments have evacuated Indian nationals at varied times from war-torn regions, as during the First Gulf War in the 1990s and Operation Rahat in Yemen in 2015, and Ukraine last year. (File Image: DC)

T. Ramesh was travelling in a local train in Tamil Nadu when I called late evening last Saturday. Even amid the background noise, it was hard to miss the joy in his voice. There was good news at long last! Prof. Rathika Selvaraj, his wife, had boarded the plane in Tel Aviv, he told me. Minutes later, he shared the boarding pass she had WhatsApped to him from Terminal 3, Tel Aviv airport. Rathika had been allotted seat no 18J in the flight scheduled to take off at 15.50 pm local time in Israel. Soon she would be home.

Forty-year-old Rathika, an associate professor from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), was in Israel for a two-month training programme at Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva. Little did she expect that a work-related trip would turn out the way it did, and that she would be holed up in a room in Negev, just 60 km from Gaza, as the war raged.

After several days, Rathika finally made it to one of the flights in the ongoing government-sponsored Operation Ajay to repatriate Indian citizens from affected areas. The special flights are part of the operation launched on October 12 to facilitate the return of those Indian nationals who wish to return home.

As I write, comes a text message from Ramesh. Rathika has landed in Chennai. The whole family, including their 13-year-old son, are on their way to receive her.

Prof. Rathika Selvarajs story has a happy ending. She was among the many Indian nationals to have been rescued from war-torn Israel since Operation Ajay was launched. But not every story of a foreigner trapped in a conflict zone ends on a happy note. Sheeja Anand from Kannur, Kerala, who works as a caregiver, was injured in the missile strikes on Ashkelon, an Israeli coastal city, while she was on a video call with her husband. She is reportedly in a hospital in Israel, undergoing treatment.

Lost in the blizzard of news about Palestinian militant group Hamas savage attack on Israel on October 7, its slaughter of civilians, and Israels counter-airstrikes and blockade of Gaza, home to two million Palestinians, nearly half of them children, are poignant stories of foreign workers, students, scholars caught in the crosshairs of the ongoing war.

Some were killed, some were injured, some have been taken hostage by Hamas.

No one quite knows what lies ahead. Nor what is true or false: lots of misinformation is swirling around. Media reports say the Israeli forces are preparing for a potential ground assault on the northern Gaza. Inside besieged Gaza, conditions are deteriorating drastically; thousands of Palestinians are trying to flee to the overcrowded south of the enclave. On Sunday, the World Health Organisation reported that four hospitals in northern Gaza were no longer functioning as a result of damage and targeting.

Already, there have been a huge number of deaths: the surprise, savage attack by Hamas is reported to have killed more than 1,400 people in Israel, including women and children, 126 Israelis have been reported taken hostage by Hamas, while the Israeli counter-airstrikes have killed at least 2,600 people in Gaza.

This is not the first time Indians have been trapped in a war zone. Nor is this the first rescue flight. In April-May 2023, more than 3,000 Indians were evacuated from strife-torn Sudan under Operation Kaveri. Successive Indian governments have evacuated Indian nationals at varied times from war-torn regions, as during the First Gulf War in the 1990s and Operation Rahat in Yemen in 2015, and Ukraine last year.

Nor are rescue missions a uniquely Indian story.

Many foreigners killed and captured by Hamas in recent days were migrant workers from other Asian countries. They had nothing to do with the conflict between Israel and Hamas. They sought a future in Israels agricultural, construction and healthcare sectors. They desperately wanted a better life for themselves and their families. The pay was higher than back home.

Many, like Nepalese farm worker Prabesh Bhandari, had their dreams snuffed out prematurely. Bhandari wanted to save money to build a house for his family. But death struck him in the form of Hamas before he got his first salary. Ten Nepali nationals were among those killed when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel.

Thai workers who work in large numbers in Israeli agriculture have been among the worst-hit. As of last Sunday, 28 Thai workers had been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Many Thai workers are also believed to have been taken hostage.

How should countries in the region prepare themselves as conflicts continue to erupt and migrants from South and Southeast Asia continue to move to at-risk regions?

Repatriation of citizens stranded in the conflict zone is an obvious priority. But it is becoming increasingly clear that emergency preparedness must go beyond repatriation.

While sending states have, to varying degrees, implemented support systems for their outgoing migrants, none have robust programmes in place to support returning migrants with their reintegration. This gap is even more acute for large-scale returns. Migrants repatriated following evacuation from conflict zones or other disasters face multiple challenges on arrival. In addition to potential emotional trauma, they are likely facing unemployment upon their return, notes a policy brief on Stranded Migrants by Migrant Forum in Asia, regional network committed to protect and promote the rights and welfare of migrant workers.

Some countries have started looking ahead.

Thai workers who have been affected by the Hamas-led attack on two Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip will be compensated by both Israel and Thailand. The Thai government has said every worker who returned to Thailand would get a compensation of 15,000 baht. It would also provide 40,000 baht as restitution to the family members of those who were killed, and an additional 40,000 baht to cover funeral expenses, according to a report last week in 'The Nation', a Thai newspaper.

This is in addition to the compensation by the Israeli government to the families of Thai workers who were killed and to those who were injured. Reports in the Thai media also talk of government plans to help those Thai workers who have not completed their contracts to return to work in Israel if they want, and try to find new jobs for those who no longer want to work in the Middle East.

The Indian government is doing a good job getting Indian citizens back home from the war zone. But now is the time to also think of what we should do after the repatriation.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Strategic agreement highlighting the importance of the Central Asian country in the field of transport and communications. Azerbaijan is expected to double its gas deliveries to the European market by 2027. Other agreements connect Tbilisi, Bucharest and Budapest with Baku on the laying of electricity cables on the Black Sea bed.

Bucharest (AsiaNews) - The Prime Minister of Romania, Ion-Marcel Ciolacu, received a visit in Bucharest from the president of the Milli Medzlis, the parliament of Baku, Sakhiba Gafarova, stating that "Azerbaijan plays a very important role in ensuring the energy security of the European Union.

Underlining the positive developments in strategic relations between the two countries, he expressed his belief that "Azerbaijan and Romania are not just good trading partners, but two friendly countries."

Romania is the first EU country to have signed a strategic agreement with Azerbaijan, which highlights the importance of Baku in the field of transport and communications, in the route between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea.

In July last year, moreover, a memorandum was agreed between Azerbaijan and the European Commission for collaboration in the energy field, according to which Baku should double its gas deliveries on the European market by 2027. Currently, Azerbaijani gas is already distributed to Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Italy, and now exports to Romania will also begin.

If all the systematic crossing pipelines work properly, it will also reach Hungary and Slovakia by the end of the year.

Other agreements connect Tbilisi, Bucharest and Budapest with Baku on the laying of electrical cables on the bottom of the Black Sea, again to strengthen Azerbaijani energy supplies in Europe.

European President Ursula von der Leyen called this ambitious project the Black Sea Electricity Connection, to unite both the energy and digital parts. Today the Azeris are worried about the pressure from various quarters on the European Commission, which is asked to condemn Azerbaijan for the military action in Nagorno Karabakh, also from various parliamentary groups of the Union itself, some of which ask to stop energy deals with Baku and introduce sanctions against it.

On the Azerbaijani website Zerkalo.az, the columnist Akper Gasanov is highly critical of Malta, which "is completely dependent on supplies of liquid gas from Azerbaijan" and joins the "chorus of criticism for having defended our territorial integrity", a position which is defined as "a clear and classic example of cheap populism, which allows itself to be excited by the circumstances of the moment, even forgetting its own national interests", and the Maltese and other representatives of various countries are advised to "listen to the opinion of the Romanians , and others".

Another friend of the Azeris is indicated by Gasanov in the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who in the recent meeting in Grenada had indicated Azerbaijan as "a country of crucial importance, without it we would not have energy independence".

Italy is also cited as a "friendly" country towards Baku, contrary to the "hypocritical and lying positions of many European politicians", and the comment ends with an Azerbaijani proverb, according to which "the caravan advances, despite the barking bastards."
by John Ai

The man had climbed onto the capital's Sitong Bridge and put up banners demanding the resignation of President Xi Jinping and an end to the 'zero covid' policy. Several student protests had subsequently broken out, reminiscent of the Tiananmen protests of 1989. While it is not known where the protester has been confined, his family members are in police custody, activists and volunteers abroad report.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - One year after the only protest that took place in the city center of Beijing, activists are still looking for Peng Lifa (who had posted protest slogans on the Sitong bridge in the capital and is therefore known by the nickname " bridgeman) and his family members, who, according to some volunteers, are in police custody.

Over the weekend several Chinese students abroad commemorated the first anniversary of the protest, the largest since the Tiananmen protest in 1989. In Shanghai, young people had explicitly called on Xi Jinping to resign and in some cities demonstrators had overcome fences police blockade.

Many students had been arrested but local authorities had subsequently decided to abandon the "zero covid" policy imposed by Beijing. At the same time, overseas Chinese youth groups have established a number of independent organizations in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Germany.

Lin Shengliang, a Chinese activist living in the Netherlands, has compiled a list of Chinese Communist Party officials who have committed human rights violations. Volunteers from his team, after collecting personal information, contacted officials by telephone to urge them to put an end to the abuse.

According to reliable sources, Peng Lifa's wife Han Yang and her two daughters are still living in Beijing under strict police surveillance. They are "escorted" by the police around the clock and go to work and school in vehicles provided by the authorities.

Peng Lifa's father-in-law who ran a business in the capital now lives and works in a factory designated by the authorities on the outskirts. Other relatives from Peng's hometown of Tailai county in northeastern Heilongjiang province are also under surveillance.

Some people who attempted to visit them were blocked by the police once they arrived near the city. And letters sent to Peng's house were also intercepted via the online tracking system and calls to delivery men.

However, it is not known where Peng is confined. His family have received no news or warnings since he disappeared and are afraid to speak in public or to the media. Volunteers in China who were gathering information on bridgeman were also arrested.

Last year's protest occurred shortly before the 20th CPC Congress. Peng Lifa had hung two banners on Sitong Bridge, near the campuses of the country's best universities, urging President Xi Jinping to resign and calling for freedom and an end to the restrictive measures due to the "zero covid" policy.

Once on the bridge, Peng had burned tires to attract attention. Photos and videos of the protest have been censored on Chinese social networks and the Sitong bridge no longer appears on Chinese navigation maps, while the road signs indicating the direction to reach it have been removed. On the anniversary of the protest, police tightened security around the bridge and prevented passers-by from taking photos

The name bridgeman reminds the Chinese population of tankman, the man who stood in front of the line of tanks that entered Beijing during the repression of the pro-democracy movement in 1989. Mike Gallagher, president of the Committee on Chinese Affairs in the United States House of Representatives, nominated Peng Lifa as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Today's news: US President Biden meets Netanyahu tomorrow; Ahead of atatck on Israel, Hamas reportedly received millions of dollars in cryptocurrency from a crypto-exchange in Russi; Indonesian President Joko Widodo changes laws to have his son elected as vice-president.

CHINA - RUSSIA

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia - one of the world's leading oil producers - has consolidated its energy ties with China, the world's second largest oil consumer after the United States. The value of bilateral trade rose to .2 billion last month, the highest since February 2022. Meanwhile today Vladimir Putin lands in China to meet his "Dear Friend" Xi Jinping and strengthen their relationship within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which brings representatives of 130 countries to Beijing.

AFGHANISTAN

The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) presented a report in Kabul on the effects of climate change and ways to combat it in Afghanistan, where average rainfall this year fell by 37% compared to last year. More than 1,700 people have died due to the effects of climate change, such as floods. The rate of precipitation, but also snow and rain has decreased and we are studying adaptation strategies, said the deputy director of NEPA.

INDIA

To adapt to climate change, India will install the first part of an early warning system next year in some glacial lakes at high risk of flooding. The country is in fact trying to respond to this month's floods that killed at least 60 people. There are 56 glacial lakes at risk and the urgency to monitor them has increased after Lake Lhonak in the eastern Himalayas burst its banks two weeks ago causing extensive damage in Sikkim, a small mountainous state between China, Nepal and Bhutan.

ISRAEL - USA

Tomorrow US President Joe Biden will visit Israel and hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm "Washington's ironclad commitment to its security", said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who gave the announcement after hours of talks with Netanyahu's staff, worried that the war between Hamas and the Israeli army could turn into a wider and more lasting conflict still involving many civilians.

RUSSIA - HAMAS

According to the Dossier agency, Hamas terrorists received 90 million dollars in cryptocurrencies shortly before the assault on Israel, money passed from the Russian crypto exchange Garantex, which could be linked to the security services of Moscow's FSB. Another research center, Ellittic, has identified the same financing schemes for Palestinian terrorists.

INDONESIA

An Indonesian court has issued a ruling that changes the criteria for eligibility to hold the country's highest offices. The news will pave the way for the eldest son of outgoing president Joko Widodo to run for vice president in the elections on February 14th.

In a decision that did not please the Constitutional Court which had established that candidates under 40 could aspire to the presidency or vice-presidency, provided they had previously held a regional elective office.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev paid a visit to the reconquered territories of Nagorno Karabakh, raising Azerbaijani flags in various locations, from the city of Martakert near the Sargansk reservoir to the capital Stepanakert, to which the Azeri name was returned of Kankhendi and appointed Azerbaijani police general Sardar Safarov as commander of the city.

JAPAN

The Unification Church - a religious group widespread in the United States and East Asia which is considered by many to be similar to a sect - defended itself yesterday in Japan against the government's request to revoke its status as a "religious body", calling the move a violation of religious freedom and human rights. We contest (the charges) on all fronts, said Nobuya Fukumoto, one of the group's lawyers.
by Daniele Frison

The "The Hong Konger" had its Italian premiere in the same venue where Jacques Maritain promoted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The documentary follows the story of the Catholic entrepreneur jailed for his battle in favour of democracy in Hong Kong.

Roma (AsiaNews)  "If you're a bird, you'd rather die singing than living a silent life, is a Chinese saying and starts off The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's extraordinary struggle for freedom, a documentary produced in 2022 by the Acton Institute whose premiere in Italy was held yesterday afternoon at the Institut Francais Centre Saint-Louis in Rome.

The film tells the story of the 75-year-old Hong Kong businessman and activist, jailed for more than a thousand days because of the pro-democracy ideas he spread through the Apple Daily, the widely read independent newspaper he founded, forced to shut down by the authorities in 2021, following the promulgation of the mainlands national security law.

Under the influence of his wife Teresa, he converted to Catholicism in 1997 and was baptised by Card Joseph Zen. During his life, he has put the fight for freedom ahead of everything else.

The choice of venue for the screening also is historically and morally significant. Founded by Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain, the Centre Saint-Louis was where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was debated and elaborated before its promulgation in Paris on 10 December 1948.

About 180 people took part in the screening. We're going to make sure Lai's family and his colleagues from the Apple Daily get word of such a large number of attendees in support of his cause," said Michael Severance, director of the Acton Institute's Rome office.

Set up in Michigan to promote a free society based on religious principles, the think tank produced the documentary partly because of the friendship between Jimmy Lai and its founder, Fr Robert A. Sirico, who was present in Rome along with activists Sunny Cheung, Joey Siu, Samuel Chu and others, such as British politician David Alton.

"I met Lai and his family more than 25 years ago, in Italy," said Fr Sirico. When the events of the last few years happened, I asked myself what I could do for him. I would like you to try to answer this question: What means do I have at my disposal to stop this injustice?"

Fr Robert then pointed out that Jimmy Lai, a businessman who became a billionaire thanks to the success of his Giordano clothing brand, could have given up his battles at any time.

He didn't do it because, as the documentary makes clear, he was looking for something deeper than profit in his activities: a moral force, values to which he could dedicate his life.

Hence, the clergyman urges others to Talk about this story, use all the means you have at your disposal. Jimmy Lai is a representative of so many other people who suffer the same injustice."

On 24 June 2021, when the Apple Daily newspaper ceased publication, it printed a headline on the last copy that is also the concluding message of The Hong Konger": "When an apple is buried in the ground, its seeds will become a tree full of bigger, more beautiful apples."
The U.S. worked to break a deadlock over delivering aid to millions of increasingly desperate civilians in the Gaza Strip, which has been besieged by Israel since a brutal attack by Hamas militants, as U.S. President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region .

Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Gaza early Tuesday, even inside an evacuation zone where Israel had told residents to gather in advance of an expected ground offensive. Israel appears set to mount a major assault on the northern part of the territory aimed at rooting out Hamas.

Wounded people were rushed to the hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, Gaza residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported that 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 were killed in Khan Younis.

Israel has carried out unrelenting airstrikes against Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel last week killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians. Dozens of Israelis and citizens of other countries were taken captive and brought to Gaza by militants. The Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to barrage Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling necessities caused by Israel's blockade, and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes , and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse with ever-decreasing supplies of water and medicine and with power running out at hospitals.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt , truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel. Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict as fighting intensified along Israel's border with Lebanon.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. With taps dry, many rationed the little clean water available and others resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease .

The Israeli military says it was trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gazas north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group . Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier."

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted U.S. and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahian's threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran , which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. Schem was taken from Kibbutz Reim, where she was attending a rave. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians. But the agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel imminently, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the U.N. said.

Yet doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators.

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave. Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south. (AP)
by Steve Suwannarat

A recent shooting incident and reports of Chinese criminal gangs operating in Thailand have had a negative impact on Chinese visitors to the Southeast Asian country. Still Thai tourism depends heavily on Chinese travellers. Meanwhile, the Russians, who now can enjoy a visa-free period of 90 days, are coming in droves, both young draft dodgers as well as seasoned businessmen who want to protect their wealth.

Bangkok (AsiaNews)  As a result of recent attacks on Chinese nationals in Thailand, including a shooting in a shopping mall, events widely reported in Chinas mass media, the number of visitors from mainland China has plummeted, reversing an almost unstoppable trend that had developed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

At least 60,000 Chinese cancelled their trips after a 14-year-old boy shot at people in the Siam Paragon Mall, in central Bangkok, on 3 October, killing a Chinese national and injuring another.

Thai tourist authorities have downplayed the incident, saying that it would not have a decisive impact on the sector; instead, they expect it to recover quickly. Nonetheless, the overall trend is not very positive ahead of the high tourist season at the end of the year and early 2024.

Chinese travellers, who represented 27 per cent of all foreign visitors in 2019, were only 12 per cent between January and August of this year. And given the situation in the Middle East, travelling is likely to become more complicated as time goes by.

Chinese disaffection, which continues despite the removal of visa requirements for Chinese citizens, is a blow to Thailands tourist industry.

In addition, Chinese travellers are likely to be put off by reports that Chinese criminal gangs are involved in human trafficking in countries like Cambodia and Myanmar as well as Thailand, with victims forced to work in online scam operations.

As a result, Thailands new government is faced with a situation that requires greater caution towards China, with whom the previous administration, dominated by the military, had close relations.

Caution and pragmatism are also necessary vis-a-vis the growing Russian presence, which includes thousands of young Russians who fled their homeland to avoid fighting in Ukraine, and wealthy Russian expats who want to protect their families and assets by investing massively in Thai real estate.

To make things easier, Thailand today granted Russian citizens a visa-free period of 90 days, to promote and further regulate a presence that has grown exponentially, to the point that some locals in the southern island of Phuket have described it as an "invasion.

The decision is also part of Thailands attempt to select foreign visitors and keep a certain balance in international relations, which is typical of the countrys diplomatic behaviour, even more so at a time of major international crises.
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Senior Project Manager Jenn Ooton and Budget Manager Matt Grau present on a proposed $450,000 city of Aspen contribution to the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalitions housing buy-down program during budget discussions on Monday.
Chinese foreign minister meets Turkmen deputy prime minister

Xinhua) 09:13, October 17, 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov in Beijing on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the two heads of state announced this year the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Turkmenistan, opening a new era for bilateral cooperation.

China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to comprehensively deepen bilateral cooperation and push the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, Wang said.

Wang added that Turkmenistan is a key partner in jointly building the Belt and Road, and Turkmenistan's participation in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will inject new impetus into bilateral cooperation and push forward landmark cooperation projects.

Meredov said the two heads of state attach great importance to mutually beneficial cooperation.

Turkmenistan hopes to further tap the potential of cooperation in various fields and push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

Turkmenistan actively supports and participates in the Belt and Road Initiative, Meredov said, adding that the Turkmen side hopes to strengthen the alignment of its initiative to revive the Great Silk Road with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The world must not fail in Iran as it did in North Korea, which kicked out International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and developed nuclear weapons, the U.N. nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday.

The IAEA has not had access to North Korea since Pyongyang expelled its inspectors in 2009 and it now observes its nuclear advances from afar including through satellite imagery.

The IAEA has regular access to Iran's declared nuclear facilities. But as a 2015 deal between Tehran and major powers has eroded over the past five years, extra monitoring equipment added under the deal has been removed at Iran's behest and the IAEA can no longer perform snap inspections at undeclared sites.

"The IAEA is the eyes and ears and presence of the international community in Iran," Grossi told an annual U.S. State Department arms control conference in a recorded message, adding he was extremely concerned about Iran's nuclear programme.

"We have to deploy every effort to prevent this problem, this current debate on what is happening and what can be done in Iran (from) becoming a failure on the part of the international community to prevent a country that has capabilities which could potentially lead to the development of nuclear weapons from doing it," he added.

"We saw the failure of this type in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea."

Grossi's last quarterly reports on Iran showed the Islamic Republic now has enough uranium enriched to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% of weapons grade, for almost three nuclear bombs by the IAEA's own theoretical definition if it were enriched further. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

The IAEA is also locked in various standoffs with Iran including on identifying the origin of uranium particles found at two undeclared sites, getting monitoring equipment that has been removed re-installed and Iran's recent "de-designation" of some IAEA inspectors. (Reuters)
Colorado Auto Body Shop Sued by Customer for Taking Too Long to Repair Car

StormWise Automotive Hail Repair took three times longer than it originally quoted to fix hail damage.

Written by Autobody News Staff

Published Oct. 17, 2023

A Lakewood, CO, auto body shop is facing a lawsuit from a former customer for taking three months to fix her vehicle after it was damaged by hail.

Shirley Dale took her Honda CR-V to StormWise Automotive Hail Repair on July 11 for the repairs. The shop told her it would take four weeks, but 12 weeks later, she still didnt have her SUV. She finally got it back Oct. 4, the day after Denver7 Investigates aired a news story about Dale and other customers enduring long waits for repairs at the shop.

Dale hired Dan Vedra, a consumer protection attorney, in September, who sent StormWise a letter, but it received no response.

Dale is suing StormWise for $10,000 for loss of use of her car, plus legal fees, to send a message.

"I shouldn't have to send demand letters. I shouldn't have to hire an attorney," Dale told Denver7 Investigates in a follow-up news story Oct. 10. "That's just not the expectation when you do business with people."

StormWise owner David Hobbs told the news outlet the delays were caused by a combination of parts backorders due to the UAW strike and insurance companies being slow to approve claims.

The Better Business Bureau reported there has been an increase in complaints about body shops in general in Colorado this year, possibly because more people needed repairs after storms earlier this year.
The electric vehicle market is heating up in Europe after Citroen, a brand of Stellantis, launched the e-C3. The subcompact EV offers up to 199 miles of range at an unbeatable price of $24,600, making it the most affordable electric car in its segment.

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Stellantis has not impressed with its electric vehicle offensive in the US despite being one of the largest car manufacturers in the world. The Franco-Italo-American carmaker doesn't have an electric vehicle in its US catalog, although severalmodels are in the pipeline. It's a different story in Europe, where Stellantis is one of the top dogs, thanks to popular brands like Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, and Opel.Stellantis is already offering compelling electric vehicles in the European market, although most are not that affordable. The carmaker is now putting much more pressure on its European rivals with the launch of the Citroen e-C3. This marks the moment the C3 electric supermini is moving to a zero-emission powertrain with the model's fourth generation.Traditionally, Stellantis launches sister models under the Peugeot, Citroen, and Opel brands, and the C3 subcompact was closely related to the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa. Still, the Citroen e-C3 has few things in common with its current Peugeot and Opel brothers. It is the first European model built on the global Smart Car platform used for models sold in emerging markets like India and South America. The Citroen e-C3 arrives less than a year after Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares announced that it would import Indian EVs into Europe The Europe-bound Citroen e-C3 resembles the gas-powered C3 launched two years ago in India and South America, although some design changes exist. With a front face inspired by the Citroen Oli concept, the e-C3 sits at the crossroads between crossovers and hatchbacks. It has a generous ground clearance of 163 mm (6.4 inches) and decorations that make it look like a rugged, albeit a miniature one.The French supermini is powered by an 83-/111-horsepower electric motor, which allows it to sprint from zero to 100 kph (62 mph) in 11 seconds. The top speed is limited to 135 kph (84 mph). The 44-battery pack offers up to 320 km (199 miles) of range, although this estimate follows the Europeanstandard, which is overly optimistic. lesser variant with 200 km (124 miles) of range will arrive in 2025, making the subcompact EV even more affordable. Instead of 23,300 euros ($24,600), the entry-level model will cost just 19,990 euros ($21,100), which is as low as you can get an EV in the European B-segment.The DC fast-charging capability allows the Citroen e-C3 to charge from 20% to 80% in 26 minutes when hooked to a 100-kW charger. The same process takes more than four hours using a 7-kW AC charger or less than three hours on an 11-kW AC charger.Citroen promises best-in-class comfort with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions for a true "magic carpet ride" feeling. This is doubled by the Advanced Comfort Seats with additional foam to provide a softer feel during longer road trips. A comprehensive driver assistance package is offered with features such as Active Safety Brake, Lane Departure Warning, or Speed Limit Recognition.
Google has recently managed to resolve a widespread problem with Android Auto, and now the company has shared additional information to help users bring everything back to normal.

If you're a long-time Android Auto user, you certainly know that the taskbar is integral to the experience in the car, as it allows you to switch from one app to another, launch the Coolwalk UI, and start the microphone input.In September, the taskbar suddenly disappeared for some users, making it impossible to switch apps. The experience is more frustrating than it seems at first, eventually rendering Android Auto almost useless, as people hitting the error couldnt even launch another app on the infotainment screen.They were stuck with Google Maps , which launches automatically when the mobile device is connected to the infotainment screen and Android Auto fires up. The missing taskbar, therefore, wreaked havoc on Android Auto, eventually becoming widespread and causing major issues for a growing number of users.Google started the investigation shortly after the first reports were received, and now the company says it managed to correct the issue. I first spotted an update that brought things back to normal last week, and now Google confirms that my previous report was accurate and the taskbar should no longer disappear for Android Auto users.The culprit was the Google app. The Google app powers the Google Assistant support on Android and Android Auto, so the voice command integration was buggy and somehow caused the taskbar to go missing. Google explains in a recent post that it introduced a fix in the latest Google app update, so users only need to download and install this new build to restore the expected behavior in their cars.The version that fixes the taskbar bug is 14.40.33, but you can install any newer release, as the patch should be included in any build released at a later date. If you enabled automatic updates through the Google Play Store, the Google app should already be up-to-date, so chances are the fix is already there on your device.Oddly enough, some users claim they installed the latest Google app update, but the taskbar is still missing. The company asked for proof that the Google app is up-to-date, as the broken experience should be gone after installing the latest Google app version.If you, too, encounter problems with the taskbar on Android Auto, you must post in this discussion thread on the Google forums. If you did not receive the patched update or a newer version, you can also download the latest build with the dedicated APK file available online. You don't need to remove the existing version, as sideloading a newer APK automatically replaces the older files on your Android mobile device.
One of the greatest carmakers ever to have its name engraved in the history of American motoring is Cord, a long-since defunct brand of Auburn Automobile Company. Almost unanimously acclaimed as the most beautiful automobile of the 30s, the Cord 810 was also a technological diamond in the rough. This cursed jewel lived for one year and became the companys swan song.

Photo: YouTube/Lou Costabile

Photo: YouTube/Lou Costabile

Photo: YouTube/Lou Costabile

After a disastrous start in life two years after the Great Depression of 1929 put the entire world on halt, Cord had another go at building an automobile. Having failed to break the bank with the L-29 model, the company presented the 810 in November 1935. Interestingly, the car was supposed to be launched in January 1936 at the New York Auto Show. Still, the President filed a request that the exhibition opening be brought forward a couple of months, to November 2.That would be Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States of America. He proposed (to help even out employment in the auto industry) to push the launch of new models for a given year two calendar months before that years first day. The organizers  naturally  obliged, but that put Cord in the ropes.The rules of the fair stated that only production automobiles could be displayed, meaning the model had to have at least 100 examples assembled. Cords engineers didnt have the millions of wrench-turning dollars of the Big Three, nor the time to build an assembly line. What they had was the audacity, nerve, and bravery to hand-build 100 cars - in 116 days.The Cord 810 took 240 days  around eight months  from testing prototype to mass production. The public received the new automobile with accolades because the car was stunningly beautiful and promised a technological breakthrough that was eons ahead of anything else on the market.First of all, the car broke away from the American convention of rear-wheel-drive motoring, instead proposing a complex (and complicated) solution of a front-mounted transmission that sat before the motor. The gearbox assembly was installed in front of the axle and operated via a highly innovative but crudely fabricated electro-mechanical vacuum shifting mechanism.The 1936 Cord is reputedly one of the most striking and innovative cars in the glorious lineage of pre-war America. Apart from going entirely against the current with its front-wheel-drive traction  the first mass-produced car in this architecture from a U.S. manufacturer  the Cord was also sublimely elegant and a class above all its competitors.Eliminating the transmission tunnel and rear differential allowed for a much lower stance  for instance, passengers no longer needed running boards to get in the car. The concealed headlights  cleverly disguised in the front fenders  are one of the cars signature traits. While wildly cool looking, they werent that easy to operate.It would have been safer for the driver to stop the vehicle before turning on the light. Each lamp was controlled separately from inside the cabin via a hand crank under the dash, right next to each door. The driver could quickly raise the left optical element. Still, unless a passenger was seated on the right, it suddenly became an adventure to pop up the second light while on the move.The Cord came in three body styles for four models: two sedans, a convertible, and a phaeton. The 'alligator head' hood  affectionately called coffin nose among the brands enthusiasts  is one of the most recognizable front ends in American motoring. The complications that sadly guillotined the Cord were lying under that hood. The 810 was a 125-hp, 289 cubic-inch (4.7-liter) L-head V8 mated to a four-speed gearbox with a Bendix Fingertip Control preselector.The operation is literally done with the index finger, and the quadrant is about the size of a cigarette lighter. See its function in the video below, where one of the rare surviving 1936 Cord 810s casually drives around the suburbs of Chicago. Designed for a three-speed transmission, the gearbox casing was too small for a four-speed mechanism, and numerous problems hindered regular use.The mechanical issues that stubbed the Cord 810s toes were caused mainly by a sublime lack of testing  Auburn had neither the funds nor the time to put all those setups to proper field trials before putting them together in an automobile. Adding to the engineering foot-in-mouth was a slow production rate, which derailed planned deliveries from 'before Christmas' in1935 to April of the following year. Once the customers saw that their cars were (too) late to arrive, many withdrew from the deal.The Cord 810 was Gordon Miller Buehrig's design, featuring independent front suspension, a unitized body with pontoon fenders, a horn ring, a covered gas filler cap, and flush-mounted rear lights. A celebration of the Art Deco style, the streamlined automobile commanded respect not just by looks alone but also by its price tag. At around $3,000, the Cord was sitting at the high table, rubbing elbows with Cadillac, although its image was that of a lower-level car.The Lycoming V8 was a masterpiece of its era, sporting aluminum heads, a 3.50x3.75-inch bore and stroke, 6.3:1 compression, three main bearings, but just a single exhaust. The powerplant sat on a stub-type sub-frame, sensing its power to a 4.7:1 spiral bevel differential with semi-floating axles. The brakes  also made by Bendix  were four 11-inch hydraulic drums.The Cord 810 was only offered in 1936, and the model was replaced by the Cord 812 in the following year  the last in the companys existence. 1,174 Cord 810 were assembled, and one of them is the star of the video attached to this story. The current owner inherited the classic car from his father, an avid and discerning collector who bought the automobile in 1985. You can see him in an older video (also the work of Lou Costabile) giving a brief tour of the gorgeous black phaeton.Although the car makes an interesting piece of automotive history today, it was so uncommonly sophisticated when it came on the market that it collapsed under its fame. Even the driver  while otherwise appraising the car for the symbol it stands as  admits that driving it is a pray for the best adventure. While it may sound nostalgic and romantic today, it was anything but, even in an era when motorists had a lot less expectations from a car than what we have now.
After partnering with the US Air Force to install the first-ever charging station at a USAF base, Beta Technologies is taking another major step toward electric aircraft operations across America. One of its charging stations will become the first one dedicated to both electric aircraft and ground vehicles in the state of Massachusetts.

If we are to believe visionary folks in the aviation industry, it won't be long until zero-emission cars, buses, and aircraft will be charging at dedicated stations all over the world. All-electric commercial flights are about to become a reality, and adequate charging infrastructure is part of that.The Marshfield Municipal Airport is paving the way for that with the installation of a brand-new charging station. It will include Level-3 and Level-2 fast chargers. The Level-3 charger inside the fence will be dedicated to aircraft. The second one, located in the parking lot, will be available for EVs. Lastly, the Level-2 one will be used for public transportation vehicles.This is a multi-model, inter-operable solution developed by Beta Technologies , better known for its all-electric flagship, the Alia aircraft. Beta was brought in for this project by Shoreline Aviation, the operator and airport management company at Marshfield. The local electric company (Eversource) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportations Aeronautics Division (MassDOT Aeronautics) were also key partners.During the recent launch event, guests watched a demonstration of the Alia aircraft being charged. An electric bus provided by the Regional Transit Authority was also charged at the public-access carside station. In the near future, cars, buses, and air taxis will recharge side by side at the Marshfield Airport. Air taxis are the last piece of the puzzle, set up to kick off commercial operation in two to three years from now.Alia flew to Massachusetts for the event from Plattsburgh, New York. That is where Beta Technologies operates a flight test center. At the beginning of this year, the manufacturer completed what claimed to be the first piloted eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) flight test in New York.The Alia-250 took off from the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York. Initially, it flew alongside a conventional helicopter. The second time, it completed a second pass over the airport, confirming drastically lower noise levels compared to the chopper.Last year, the all-electric Alia hit another milestone in terms of eVTOL performance. Several Alia aircraft traveled from Plattsburgh, New York, to Louisville, Kentucky, covering more than 870 miles (1,400 km).Beta is also focusing on charging infrastructure for its aircraft and all-electric air taxis, or EVs, through agnostic, modular concepts such as The Charge Cube and The Charge Pad. This is laying out an extended charging network across the country in preparation for upcoming air taxi services.
Tesla launched the Cyberquad for Kids in December 2021 but was forced to withdraw it from the market for safety reasons. In July, the toy ATV resurfaced in China in a toned-down version and was hugely successful. This prompted Tesla to try its hand at the European market with a similar offering.

ATV

The Cyberquad has an intriguing history, having been introduced to the public with the launch of the Cybertruck in November 2019. The Cyberquad was initially a full-blown, a bizarre product to launch considering Elon Musk's bad experience with motorcycles . Tesla promised the Cyberquad will be "the least dangerous ATV," or "the ATV that won't roll."Two years later, the Cyberquad is nowhere to be seen, but the design and concept were used to launch a toy ATV named Cyberquad for Kids in December 2021. Ironically, Tesla was forced to withdraw it from the market after it was deemed unsafe by US regulators. The decision was prompted after a Cyberquad for Kids tipped over, resulting in a bruised shoulder to an adult.Tesla must be very attached to this Cyberquad for Kids idea because it hasn't abandoned it despite the setback. In July, Tesla launched a toned-down version of the toy ATV in China, which sold like hotcakes. The Cyberquad for Kids sold out hours after being listed, although the stock has been replenished, and you can still order it.Now, Tesla is trying to ride the wave of this success and has launched the Cyberquad for Kids in Europe. We don't know whether it will have a similar success, especially considering that it costs 1,990 euros ($2,100 at current exchange rates). For comparison, the failed Cyberquad sold in the US two years ago was $1,900, whereas the Chinese customers paid 11,990 yuan, or about $1,640. Regardless of the price difference, the key takeaway is that the Cyberquad is insanely expensive for a kid's toy.There are slight variations in the specifications of the Chinese and the European Cyberquads, although not significant. The model sold in Europe has a higher load capacity, at 68 kg (150 lb.) instead of 50 kg (110 lb.), and a higher speed too. The Chinese toy is limited to 4/8 kph (2.5/5 mph), whereas the one sold in Europe can reach 6/13 kph (3.7/8 mph). It's still slower than the original US version, which could go as fast as 10 mph/16 kph.The Cyberquad for Kids sold in Europe promises a range of up to 19 km/12 miles, which is higher than the Chinese variant (13 km/8 miles). Although both models have the same battery capacity (188 Wh), the latter has a higher voltage (24 volts instead of 21.6 volts), which might explain the range difference.There are still rumors that Tesla might launch a Cyberquad for Grown-ups alongside the Cybertruck, as it hinted during the launch event. Tesla recently reapplied for the "Cyberquad" trademark, indicating that it's still interested in building the least dangerous ATV in the world.
The Acadian resulted from the Auto Pact (APTA) signed between the US and Canada in the 1960s. The deal prohibited sales of certain American-made cars in Canada to stimulate local manufacturing. And GM responded by creating new marques for the Canadian market.Introduced in 1962, the Acadian Beaumont was based on the then-new Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova . The cars were sold at Pontiac-Buick dealers. Starting in 1964, GM of Canada began selling a Beaumont based on the Chevelle, all while continuing to offer the Nova-based version. And that's not the only confusing part.The cars also sported an arrow emblem based on Pontiac's and came with instrument panels taken from the Tempest. In 1966, GM decided to separate the Acadian and Beaumont names. While the former remained a Chevy Nova affair, the latter became a standalone marque exclusive to Chevelle-based automobiles.Both brands remained in Canadian showrooms until 1969, when they were replaced with Chevrolet Chevelle and Pontiac LeMans models identical to their US counterparts. Despite the long production run, Acadian and Beaumont sales totaled fewer than 90,000 units (nearly 30,000 sold in the first two years).So, besides being almost unknown outside Canada, these somewhat odd GMs are also rare. The convertibles are arguably the scarcest, with only a few hundred cars produced through 1969. The 1964 Beaumont you see here is one of them.A first-year Beaumont based on the Chevrolet Chevelle , this two-door convertible is one of only 128 drop-tops delivered that year. And it's in surprisingly good condition for a vehicle that's nearly 60 years old as of 2023. But as you might have already guessed, it's not an unrestored survivor.The Silver Blue paint is far from perfect, but the two-door got a refinish and some body repairs years ago. The interior appears to be original for the most part, but the seller mentions that the seat covers and the carpet are newer. It's also fitted with an aftermarket Pioneer CD player in the glovebox.But that's not the only surprise hiding inside this Beaumont. The most significant upgrade lurks under the hood, where a 327-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8 replaced the original inline-six. It's not a run-of-the-mill powerplant either. The lump was reportedly sourced from a 1965 Chevy Corvette and sends 300 horsepower to the rear wheels. This number puts the Beaumont on par with a US-made Chevelle SS from the same era.The car is obviously located in Canada, but the seller is willing to "deliver the car to Buffalo, NY for easy shipping across the USA." And it would certainly make for a unique car Stateside. However, this Beaumont is not exactly a bargain. The seller is asking CAD$45,000 , which converts to around $32,944. For reference, US-made 1964 Chevelles are valued at $25,500 to $63,700 depending on condition (Fair to Concours), according to Hagerty.
We've known for a while that Xiaomi was working on an electric vehicle, and while its launch is due next year, it now looks like the Chinese tech giant is already paving the way for more vehicles to debut by the end of the decade.

EV

SUV

Xiaomi has started negotiations with traditional carmakers for contract manufacturing. Local media indicates that the Chinese tech giant has discussed a possible collaboration with BAIC Bluepark and Brilliance Auto. The tasks with BAIC have gone well, and the carmaker might accept to build cars for the technology firm, but a decision hasn't yet been made. Xiaomi will launch its first car  an electric sedan  next year, and the company will use a new facility in Beijing for production. The plant's construction takes place in two stages, the first of which has already been completed. At the moment, the facility can produce up to 150,000 units per year.Xiaomi needs additional production power for two reasons. First, it wants to be ready for increased production of thesedan once it reaches its initial output targets. And second, it's already working on the second vehicle, which could launch as an electric, so the existing production plant in Beijing can't handle the manufacturing of two models.The company is trying to shoot two birds with one stone, and a partnership with a traditional carmaker would allow it to boost the production of its first car but also be prepared for the second once it's ready.Xiaomi is aiming for the international launch of its cars, so it must possess the necessary production power to handle a bigger number of orders. Partnering with traditional carmakers is an easy way to achieve this, though it also involves Xiaomi relying on more third parties than it initially wanted.Xiaomi is the first tech giant to launch a vehicle built from scratch. Apple is also working on an electric vehicle, with the latest rumors suggesting the first model could debut in 2026. Xiaomi Car will compete directly against the Apple Car , and the two models are expected to be heavily focused on technology and smartphone integration, as both companies are planning to expand their ecosystem, allowing all devices to work seamlessly in the automotive industry.Apple has so far remained tight-lipped on its automotive ambitions, but the company is believed to have refused to work with traditional carmakers to produce its vehicles. Sources with knowledge of the matter said several car brands, including BMW, refused to work with the iPhone maker because they didn't want to become a contract manufacturer for what could eventually become a rival. As a result, Apple will work with Foxconn, the company already in charge of assembling iPhones.
The Islamist group Hamas released a video on Monday showing a statement from one of the captives seized in last week's devastating attack on Israel.

In the footage, the woman, whose injured arm is shown being treated by an unidentified medical worker, identifies herself as 21-year-old Mia Schem and asks to be returned to her family as quickly as possible.

A representative of the family, which was among a group of French families that appealed last week to President Emmanuel Macron to help free their missing relatives, confirmed her identity to Reuters.

At least 199 Israelis and foreigners were seized by Hamas gunmen and taken captive in the attack, which killed 1,300 people, the largest number of dead in a single day in Israel's 75-year history.

The Israeli military issued a statement, saying it was in constant touch with Schem's family and condemning Hamas as a "murderous terrorist organization." It said it was using "all intelligence and operational measures" for the return of the captives.

"In the video, Hamas is trying to portray itself as a humane organization, while it is a responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, women, children, and elderly," it said.

Earlier, Hamas' armed wing said non-Israelis kidnapped on Oct. 7, were "guests" who would be released "when circumstances allow." (Reuters)
Tesla's relationship with the Nurburgring is a tricky one. Various models from the electric carmaker have made it on the infamous German track over the years, and the results have varied from impressive to downright catastrophic and everything in between. This particular stint you are about to see certainly sits closer to the top end of that spectrum, but that doesn't mean it is completely bereft of controversy. After all, this is Tesla we're talking about.

ICE

AMG

EV

Where would Elon Musk's company be without it stirring a little bit of fuss on every outing, right? To be fair, though, if there is any place on this planet where a fast-going car should find it the easiest to make headlines, it has to be the 12.943-miles long (20.83 kilometers) North loop of the Nurburgring with its 154 corners and over 1,000 feet (300 meters) of difference in elevation.With their massive weight and the crippling effect on their maximum range when going extra fast, production-spec electric vehicles don't exactly feel at home on any racing track, let alone one with this kind of characteristics. However, the auto industry made the Green Hell the global benchmark a long time ago, and, by the looks of it, nothing short of aliens landing and building a new track could ever change that, so whether he likes it or not, Musk has to conform.To be perfectly fair, Tesla has nothing to fear from the Nordschleife. The Model S Plaid may not be the quickest electric vehicle around the track and will never be, but neither is the BMW M5 the quickest amongcars, and yet you don't hear anyone complaining. But if you think about it, both are performance-oriented four-door sedans, so why should the Model S Plaid compare itself to the Rimac Nevera hypercar that costs 20 times as much while the M5 can look at the Mercedes-ONE and say, "not my problem"?Besides, the Model S, with its factory-provided Track Pack, has a more than decent lap time around the 'Ring that's certainly a lot closer to Nevera's than the M5 's is to AMG's hypercar. There is still a little controversy surrounding the Plaid's exact result (what did I say about Tesla enjoying a bit of discussion around its name?), but the gap between the Model S and the Nevera doesn't seem to be much larger than 20 seconds.A lap around the Nurburgring in a Tesla Model S Plaid equipped with the Track Pack shouldn't be about getting the best time - let the company worry about that - but enjoying the quasi-unique experience of this vehicle. Yes, I'm talking about the massive instant acceleration deployed after exiting each corner - and with 154 of them on the Nurburgring, you get just as many chances to enjoy it.It helps when you have an experienced driver behind the wheel, one that knows every inch of the track better than you know the insides of your pockets, and not because you bought new jeans, but because he's been a driving instructor on the track for years. Apart from running his business that basically has him living on the Nordschleife, Misha Charoudin also has a quite successful YouTube channel he uses to share all the inevitable shenanigans that come when you have access to fast cars and the world's most exciting racing track. Oh, and the skills to make the most of both.The Tesla Model S Plaid is a completely different beast, though. You see, Misha is more used to track-focused BMW M3s and Porsche 911s, relatively lightweight cars that focus just as much on handling as they do on power. With the Plaid, that balance is heavily skewed in one direction, and you won't get any prizes for guessing which one.That being said, this isn't his first outing on the 'Ring in a Model S, let alone a Tesla. Though some of the previous ones ended in relative disaster (the brakes on a Model 3 all but failed midway through and the battery overheated quite rapidly), he's not one to shy away from what he knows will be a memorable experience. Plus, this is a Model S Plaid with the Track Pack and a few other modifications made by its owner, so it should handle the abuse considerably better.Maybe "mods" is overstating it a bit. Theis actually stock with only a bit of weight removed by doing away with everything behind the front seats and replacing those with lightweight Recaro bucket seats. Other than that, the S looks just as clean as it did on delivery day.Misha doesn't state any particular goals for his run in the Plaid, but I'd be surprised if the push to break the 186 mph (300 km/h) milestone was by accident. He does one better - he actually goes just over 190 mph (306 km/h) before remembering he's in a vehicle the wrong side of the 2.5-ton mark and hurling toward a corner. The stress on his face is almost palpable, and if there was ever any doubt over how genuinely stressed he was, the sigh of relief after clearing that following corner removes it straight away.Of course, there is no point talking about the overall lap time because, on the one hand, the track was by no means empty, and on the other, him gunning for that top speed figure meant the battery went into overheating protection mode halfway through, limiting the available power. Don't worry, though, that doesn't mean it turned into a stroll as the sheer brute force of the EV continued to shine throughout the entire lap. You may have mixed feelings about EVs in general, about Tesla in particular and about the company's CEO, but if you love cars, you'll definitely enjoy this clip.
Pashinian addressed the European Parliaments legislative body amid Yerevan's deepening rift with Moscow, its longtime ally locked in a geopolitical standoff with the West.

Democracy in Armenia  continues to receive strong blows that follow an almost exactly repeated scenario: foreign aggression, then the inaction of Armenia's security allies, then attempts to use the war or the humanitarian situation or external security threats to subvert Armenia's democracy and sovereignty by inciting internal instability with hybrid techniques directed by external forces, he said.

Pashinian pointed to Azerbaijans September 19-20 military offensive in Karabakh which caused a mass exodus of the regions ethnic Armenian population and sparked renewed anti-government protests in Yerevan.

As hundreds of thousands of Armenians were fleeing from Nagorno-Karabakh to the Republic of Armenia, our security allies not only did not help us but also made public calls for regime change in Armenia, he said. But the people of Armenia united for their own independence, sovereignty, democracy, and another conspiracy against our state failed.

Pashinian already implicitly accused Moscow of fomenting the angry street protests against his rule in the immediate aftermath of the Azerbaijani assault. Their organizers and participants blamed him for Bakus takeover of Karabakh, saying that he precipitated it with his recognition of Azerbaijani sovereignty over the region.

Pashinian again sought to shift the blame to Moscow, saying that the Karabakh Armenians fled their homeland due to the inaction of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have defended the peacekeepers.

The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Pashinian late last month of seeking to ruin Russian-Armenian relations and reorient his country towards the West. Earlier in September, it deplored a series of unfriendly steps taken by Yerevan.

Moscow has also been critical of Western efforts to broker an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal, saying that their main purpose is to drive Russia out of the South Caucasus. Putin offered last week to host fresh talks between Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Pashinian signaled on Tuesday that he still prefers the Western mediation and hopes it will result in an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty soon. He noted that he and Aliyev are due to meet in Brussels together with EU head Charles Michel later this year.

Pashinian further stated that he wants to deepen Armenias ties with the EU as much as the European Union finds it possible.
Samvel Shahramanian signed a corresponding decree on September 28 just over a week after a Russian-brokered ceasefire that stopped an Azerbaijani military offensive. Under the terms of that agreement, Karabakh disarmed and disbanded its army, paving the way for the restoration of full Azerbaijani control over the territory.

Shahramanians decree said that the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, set up in September 1991, will cease to exist on January 1. Some prominent Karabakh Armenians challenged the legality of the decree, raising more questions about the circumstances in which it was signed.

Shahramanian, one of the last ethnic Armenians to leave the region, has avoided any contact with the press since arriving in Armenia along with more than 100,000 Karabakh residents.

Hunan Tadevosian, the spokesman for the Karabakh interior ministry, said his decree was demanded by Azerbaijan and Shahramanian signed it in order to save human lives. There was no other option, Tadevosian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

Aram Harutiunian, a lawmaker representing Karabakhs largest party, confirmed that. He said Baku warned that Azerbaijani troops will enter Stepanakert if Shahramanian rejects the ultimatum.

The decree in question has still not been publicized in full. Some Karabakh politicians and public figures have said that it must be declared null and void now that Karabakh has been almost fully depopulated. Several opposition figures in Armenia have echoed their calls.

The Armenian government is unlikely to back them. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian pointedly declined to congratulate Shahramanian when he was elected president by the Karabakh legislature in early September.
17 October 2023 19:30 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

A historic day came on 15 October 2023 for Azerbaijan and all Azerbaijanis around the world. President Ilham Aliyev proudly raised the Azerbaijani flag in the town of Khankendi liberated from the invaders. On the day of the 20th anniversary of his presidency, Ilham Aliyev delivered a magnificent, informative, and inspiring speech for the people. Azerbaijan has restored justice to the envy of many structures and countries of double standards. The future generation will live in peace and prosperity and the flag of Azerbaijan will no longer be lowered. Separatism is put an end to, and as the President said, the wish of the ruling junta has been fulfilled, tank is brought to the Military Trophy Park in Baku, and tea is served, but in the SIZO.

"Exactly 20 years ago, the people of Azerbaijan showed great confidence in me by electing me to the position of President in the presidential election. At that time, I addressed my people and promised that I would defend the national interests of the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani state and that I would protect the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. I took an oath with my hand on the Constitution and the Holy Quran. I am glad that all the promises I made during the last 20 years and all the tasks I set before myself have been fulfilled."

The more difficult the path, the tastier the reward. As the President mentioned in his speech, Azerbaijan has been moving to the liberation of territories for many years, through ordeals and through many losses. The economy was built anew, and largely due to the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan was able to withstand several rounds of global information attacks in the nineties, to survive the betrayal of neighbors in the form of nationalist Armenians who shared bread at the table with Azerbaijanis, lived without violence and oppression, but wished to have land that did not belong to them. The 'Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Province' established in 1923, which has no historical, geographical, or political basis, as President Ilham Aliyev said, has brought suffering to the Azerbaijani people throughout this time.

What was in the past has a trace in the present, those powers that supported Armenia did not support Azerbaijan, neither during the occupation nor during the genocide of Azerbaijanis at the hands of monsters. Today history is repeating itself.

"Nothing has changed in these 30 years. Our nation has faced great tragedies. One million people have been left homeless. Our lands were completely destroyed. Today, every visitor to the liberated lands can see Armenian vandalism with their own eyes. There is not a single good building left here. Ethnic cleansing was carried out against us. A genocide was committed against us, the Khojaly genocide. More than a dozen countries have recognized Khojaly as an act of genocide. The movement called "Justice for Khojaly!" has gained an international dimension. The path we have traveled from that difficult period to today is the path of honor and dignity. We have united and gathered strength," the President said while addressing the nation from Azerbaijan's Khankendi.

The powers that pushed for genocide and supported Armenia in the past are doing so now. By outmaneuvering the West with their "Crusader" coalition, Azerbaijan has won. For 30 years, not a single power, not a single entity has taken proper action to punish the separatist regime, and all negotiations have been reduced to meaningless talk and discussion, but not action.

Today the only splinter on the way to peace are the 7 villages occupied by Armenia that have not yet been returned to Azerbaijan, the delimitation and demarcation of the state borders, the signing of a peace treaty, and the opening of the Zangazur corridor, whereas the President of Azerbaijan said during his visit to Georgia, its opening by Armenia will benefit everyone living in the region, and the proposed 3+3 format will bring economic growth to the countries of this format, including Armenia. When else in history has the losing side been offered ways to save the economy and peace? The West should learn a lot from Azerbaijan, not incite and sow information propaganda in the minds of Americans and the Western mentality.

According to Russian political scientist Mikhail Zernov, who commented to AZERNEWS, the West is afraid of the Turkiye-Azerbaijan-Russia alliance, as well as the unification of the Russian-Turkic world into a single, not yet labeled, but very promising alliance.

"I think that Armenia will continue to delay the resolution of these issues in every possible way. Especially in light of the fact that Pashinyan's actions demonstrate full loyalty to the United States and its European allies. The Zangazur corridor, which caused such a scandal at the EAEU summit in May, can strengthen Azerbaijan's position in the region, which is equally disliked by the collective West and even Iran, where Azerbaijanis live en masse in the north. Europe is at the mercy of the US, which in response to Pashinyan's ostensible loyalty will support Armenia as a counterbalance to Azerbaijan," the pundit said.

There is a clear reluctance of the West to the progress of the economy of the countries of the Caucasus and close attention of the U.S. to Iran's oil reserves. The conflict in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war before it, have created an economic disequilibrium in the world. Corporations building their power in a world distracted by war dictate their agenda to corrupt powers and separatist regimes. Exiled colonial France has grabbed Armenia with both hands and is whispering in its ear "Take revenge".

For the signing of the peace treaty, it remains to wait for the scheduled meeting in Brussels between Azerbaijan and Armenia, where it is possible to reach a favorable outcome between the parties. Peace will follow the pride and joy of the Azerbaijani people.

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17 October 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

A group of separatists who want to say that separatism is not dead has now made a new home in Erivan. It should be recalled that shortly before Azerbaijan started anti-terrorist measures, a group of clowns who declared themselves to be so-called ministers held their "official" meetings with their patrons in the West in the capital city of Armenia. For example, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, staunch pro-Armenian Catherine Colone, Baroness Cox, who is only engaged in PR for Armenians in the British Parliament, and other pro-Armenian groups have repeatedly met with separatist elements and given instructions on new provocations.

But their admonitions and all the plans they made lasted only up to a point, and at a certain point, the plans they made were botched as a result of strong retaliatory measures.

Now, separatism, which has been amputated from the territory of Azerbaijan, has started to appear elsewhere like a cancer. Who knows, maybe one day new ideas will take them all the way to Toronto...

A group of separatist Armenians did not allow their ambassador to the Armenian Center in Toronto, Canada. It is an interesting incident, just a few weeks ago, similar incidents were committed against Azerbaijani diplomats abroad. Even a group of anarchist, revanchist Armenians did not hesitate to assault the diplomat and expressed their hatred by damaging the embassy building.

Armenian groups in Toronto have claimed that after the extinction of separatism, Azerbaijan's next plan is to occupy Armenian lands under the guise of Zangazur. Of course, unfortunately, even though some Armenians have integrated into civilized society in the far West, they still approach others from their own perspective. Azerbaijan has never claimed the territory of another country, and although Zangazur is the historical land of Azerbaijan, whether east or west, there was no plan to occupy the territory of current Armenia.

Protesters point out that allegedly Armenians were deprived of returning to their homeland. The question is asked: why did they leave Garabagh when Azerbaijan appealed to the Armenian society about reintegration? However, they, like others, could accept Azerbaijani citizenship and live in peace in those territories. Why does that protesting group of Armenians not mention that when they expelled the Armenians from Garabagh, they were instructed by the current Karabakh clan  so that they could form a pressure mechanism against Pashinyan's government by artificially changing the demographic situation? If this is not the case, then why are those groups now accusing the representatives of the Armenian authorities and attacking them in every corner?

One of the Armenian separatists, while discussing the photo of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Arayik Harutyunyan, who is imprisoned in Baku, says: "Couldn't there be an artsakh flag next to the Armenian flag in this photo?"

Such a fit of jealousy and shallowmindedness can only be applied to Armenian separatism on Earth. Now, the new headquarters of these separatist groups has been established in Erivan, and of course, the concept of two states in one country cannot have a successful result. If Armenia considers itself an independent and sovereign state, then it should think about the headquarters of the separatist groups from now on. Baku actually saved Pashinyan from big trouble by seizing a group of criminals who led the separatists and even eyed toppling Pashinyan. Now the Armenian Prime Minister is preparing a new trouble for himself? What happens next is their problem...

Our problem is for the general development of the region. Although it is difficult to perceive this for every separatist mind, Azerbaijan has said and will say it again without hesitation. Zangazur Corridor is a common transport and communication line aimed at the economic development of regional states. The opening of the corridor cannot be understood as an interference in Armenian territories.

Azerbaijan has repeatedly made statements about this and even presented an alternative route for the corridor. The representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for special assignments, Elchin Amirbeyov, also mentioned this in an interview with the Russian bureau of the BBC.

Answering the question that Azerbaijan allegedly claims to seize the Syunik region of Armenia, through which the Zangazur corridor is planned to be built, the Azerbaijani official refuted these arguments.

The Zangazur Corridor is a transport corridor concept with a length of about 40 kilometers, which, if implemented, would provide Azerbaijan with unhindered access to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. This route has great potential and could become one of the continuations of the One Belt - One Road project, as well as part of the North-South corridor. And of course, Armenia, as one of the regional states, can benefit from this project more than its current position. If only every Armenian citizen could simply perceive it...

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
17 October 2023 12:32 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The Parliament of Azerbaijan has started discussing 16 issues. According to the submission of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the draft law "On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2024" and the documents included in the budget envelope have been submitted to Milli Majlis, Azernews reports.

The next plenary session of Milli Majlis will be held on 17 October.

The agenda of the meeting includes the following issues:

1. Draft Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On determination of borders of Binagadi district of Baku city, Sumgait city and Absheron district";

2. Draft Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Energy" (second reading);

3. Draft Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Licences and Permits" (second reading);

4. Draft Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on amendments to the Civil Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Administrative Offences, the Laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Notariat" and "On Administrative Proceedings" (second reading);

5. Draft Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Police" (second reading).

6. Draft Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on amendments to the "Regulation on Service in Internal Affairs Bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan" approved by the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 168-IIQ of 29 June 2001 (second reading);

7. Draft Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on amendments to the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On professional education" (second reading);

8. Draft Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on amendments to the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On State Duty" (second reading);

9. Draft Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on amendments to the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On Hunting" (second reading);

10. Draft Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on amendments to the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On social services" (second reading);

11. Draft Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on amendments to the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On Post" (second reading);

12. Draft Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on amendments to the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On State Duty" (second reading);

13. Draft Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on amendments to the Labour Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Labour Pensions" (second reading);

14. Draft Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on amendments to the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On military duty and military service" (first reading);

15. Draft Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on Amendments to the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On Accounting" (first reading);

16. Draft Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on amendments to some laws of the Azerbaijan Republic in connection with the implementation of the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic No. 987-VIQ of 14 July 2023 "On payment services and payment systems" (first reading). (first reading).

Draft law on the state budget of Azerbaijan for 2024 has been submitted to Milli Majlis

The Press and Public Relations Department of Milli Majlis reported that in order to ensure access of the population, including civil society institutions, to information on the state budget, as well as to increase public participation in the activities of the Parliament, the relevant Draft Law is posted on the official website of Milli Majlis before the parliamentary debates.

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17 October 2023 14:47 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Within the framework of the joint organization of the Ministry of Economy, State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control, Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), and Islamic Development Bank a seminar on "Development of halal industry ecosystem in Azerbaijan" holds, Azernews reports.

Mammad Abbasbeyli, head of the State Service for Antimonopoly Control and Consumer Market Control, emphasized that the halal economy is currently one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and that the development of the halal industry ecosystem in Azerbaijan creates additional opportunities to expand the Azerbaijan export and tourism potential.

It was noted that the State Service for Antimonopoly Control and Consumer Market Control, as an institution responsible for quality infrastructure in the non-food sector of Azerbaijan, has all the necessary competencies to actively participate in the creation of the Halal quality system in Azerbaijan.

At the same time, the participants were informed about the steps taken towards the development of quality infrastructure in Azerbaijan in recent years, as well as the work carried out within the framework of the "State Programme on Adaptation for 2023-2025. National Standardisation System to international requirements".

Samer Elesawi, Head of the Islamic Development Bank's Centre of Excellence based in Kuala Lumpur, stressed that the seminar is very important in terms of learning from the current experiences of the participating countries in the relevant field.

The event also heard from representatives from Turkiye and Malaysia and gave presentations on the stages of development of the halal ecosystem of the countries they represent.

Overall, the two-day workshop highlighted the ecosystem of the halal industry, the event featured an exchange of ideas on the successful experiences of Islamic Development Bank member countries developing the ecosystem, and roundtable discussions with representatives from the public and private sectors.

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17 October 2023 22:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Afag Huseynova, AZERNEWS

In our modern era, the successful development of Azerbaijan is ensured, security is maintained at a high level in our country, and social and political stability is strengthened. All the main tasks facing the country are successfully implemented. It is based on well-thought-out policies, implemented reforms, and state programs.

Within the framework of the political course implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, solving social issues and strengthening the social protection of citizens is always at the center of attention. Necessary conditions have been created for strengthening the social protection of citizens and meeting their material and moral needs, which is one of the important principles of the policy of the state of Azerbaijan.

In accordance with the socio-economic policy of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the human factor is always held high. Consistent work is being done in the direction of human health and its comprehensive provision.

Today, as a result of the policy implemented by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, as in all sectors, the health care of the country has entered a new stage of development. In recent years, President Ilham Aliyev has focused on the creation of a modern medical infrastructure that allows reliable provision of the population's health in Azerbaijan. The successful reforms in the health sector from various aspects are aimed at ensuring the health of the population and its full establishment at the level of world standards. For this purpose, the material and technical base of health care has been strengthened in recent years, and the expenses allocated to health care from the national budget have increased more than 11 times.

"We must direct our growing economic opportunities, first of all, to the development of social spheres, including solving the problems of health care," President Ilham Aliyev said.

In Azerbaijan, more than 600 health institutions equipped with modern medical equipment and devices have been made available to the population. Medical facilities with a strengthened material and technical base do not lag behind the world's leading health centers, and even surpass them, without exaggeration. Equipment from developed countries such as Germany and Switzerland is brought to healthcare facilities that are newly put into use and are being repaired and restored.

Of course, the production of drugs in the country is important for the protection of national health. The establishment of pharmaceutical factories in Azerbaijan together with countries like Russia and Iran will put to end Azerbaijan's pharmaceutical dependence on imports to a certain extent, and the pharmaceutical industry will develop, causing the price of drugs to decrease and create abundance. In a short period of time, the start of operation of 4 pharmaceutical production plants in Azerbaijan will lead to the training of relevant specialists in Azerbaijan.

Today, in order to investigate the import of drugs and any problems arising from this field of business, AZERNEWS correspondent contacted the pharmacist and tried to get experts' opinions. Pharmacist Maryam Nasibova, while answering our questions, noted that all medical products come in standard packages.

"Drugs come to us in ready shape. We do not have the authority to manage it," she answered the question.

As for the organization of the sale of imported brands, the expert said that they implement a sales strategy based on standard set prices. That is, prices are not determined by agreement between general pharmacies.

However, there are other issues to be clarified regarding pharmaceuticals in Azerbaijan. It should be noted that the price of medicines sold in Azerbaijan is 3-5 times higher than in neighboring countries. There is an opinion in society that the drug importers reach an agreement with the manufacturing companies to remove a certain ingredient from the drug or reduce its dose, so that the drug costs less, thereby achieving more profit.

However, it can be concluded that drug production is a serious and time-consuming matter. The involvement of the private sector in this work can be of great benefit to speed up the process. At the same time, by minimizing VAT and customs duties on imported raw materials for drug production, we can achieve a sufficient price reduction for domestically produced drugs. Discounts on taxes and customs duties can also stimulate foreign investors to show interest in this process. Another tool is to provide low-interest loans to the private sector. Experts also come to the same conclusion. In such a case, it may be possible to establish pharmaceutical plants in Azerbaijan in a short period of time and reduce the country's demand for vital medicines to a minimum.

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17 October 2023 10:02 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the opening of the road leading to the Azerbaijani border, Azernews reports.

The Kremlin website said that the President of the Russian Federation joined the ceremony via video conference, and opened the repaired sections of the Caucasus highway, which runs through Dagestan to the border of Azerbaijan.

Vladimir Putin said that this road plays an important role in the development of the North-South transport corridor and that he discussed the construction of the corridor with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The President of Russia emphasized that partners are doing a lot of work to implement the North-South corridor.

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17 October 2023 10:23 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

"After the restoration of the sovereignty of Azerbaijan throughout its entire territory, there are real chances for signing a peace treaty with Armenia," said Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov as he had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Germany Annalena Baerbock, Azernews reports.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the necessity to avoid provocative steps that obstruct efforts to establish peace and security in the region, as well as statements supporting calls against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

FM Bayramov pointed out that after the restoration of the sovereignty of Azerbaijan throughout its entire territory, there are real chances for signing a peace treaty with Armenia, expressing hope that Armenia will positively assess these opportunities.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Tuesday to meet his "dear friend" Xi Jinping, bolstering their relationship at a summit that will be overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war.

China this week welcomes representatives of 130 countries for a forum of President Xi's landmark project, the Belt and Road Initiative, that Beijing is using to extend its global influence.

Putin is at the top of the invitation list, with the Russian leader on his first trip to a major global power since the Ukraine invasion threw his regime into international isolation.

His plane landed in China just before 09:30 a.m., an AFP journalist on the tarmac saw.

He is due to meet Xi for talks on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.

"During the talks, special attention will be paid to international and regional issues," it said, without elaborating.

He is on a mission to strengthen the already strong relationship with his communist neighbour, though Moscow is increasingly the junior partner.

Experts expect few big surprises during the Russian leader's visit to China, seeing the meeting as more a symbolic gesture of support for Moscow.

"Russia is aware that China doesn't want to sign any high publicity deals," Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told AFP.

"China holds all of the cards," he said.

The Kremlin said the two leaders would meet on Wednesday "on the sidelines" of the BRI forum.

And global headlines will be dominated by Israel's war with Palestinian militant organisation Hamas.

Israel declared war on the Islamist group after waves of Hamas fighters broke through the heavily fortified border with Gaza on Oct. 7, shooting, stabbing, and burning to death more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

More than one million people have fled their homes in scenes of chaos and despair under heavy Israeli bombardment of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Israel's bombing has killed around 2,750 people in Gaza, mainly civilians, according to Palestinian authorities, and flattened entire neighbourhoods.

Western officials have criticised Beijing for not naming Hamas in statements on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on Sunday with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who called on China to use its "influence" in the Middle East to push for calm.

China has a warm relationship with Iran, where the clerical leadership supports both Hamas and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that could open a second front against Israel.

This year, China brokered an entente between former regional foes Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Beijing's special envoy Zhai Jun will visit the Middle East this week to push for a ceasefire and peace talks, China's state broadcaster CCTV said. No details have been given about where he will go.

China and Russia's top diplomats were singing from the same song sheet when they met in Beijing on Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thanked China for inviting Putin as the summit's "chief guest," according to a readout from Moscow, which later said the top diplomat would head to North Korea after Beijing.

Putin and Xi will discuss the countries' ties "in their entirety" when they meet this week, Lavrov told Wang.

Wang, in turn, said China "appreciates" Russia's support for the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Both sides should plan commemorative activities, deepen strategic mutual trust, consolidate traditional friendship, and promote friendship from generation to generation," he said.

The two nations share a symbiotic alliance, with China appreciating Russia's role as a bulwark against the West and Moscow increasingly reliant on Beijing's largesse in trade and geopolitical backing.

"Since Moscow embarked on its all-out invasion of Ukraine, it has been put in a position where it is unprecedentedly dependent on China," Bjorn Alexander Duben of China's Jilin University told AFP.

At the heart of the deepening partnership is the relationship between Xi and Putin, who have described each other as "dear friends".

"President Xi Jinping calls me his friend, and I call him my friend, too," Putin told Chinese state broadcaster CGTN ahead of his visit, according to a Kremlin readout.
17 October 2023 10:46 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The next session of Vagif Khachatryan's court process will be held today, Azernews reports.

Zeynal Agayev, Chairman of the Baku Military Court, will preside over the court session.

He is accused of committing a massacre in Meshali village of Khojaly district as part of illegal Armenian armed groups

It should be noted that the rapporteur on the criminal case is judge Jamal Ramazanov.

The criminal case will be heard in the administrative building of the Yasamal District Court.

Today, it is expected that the judicial investigation will be declared open and the prosecutor will announce the indictment.

It should be recalled that Armenian citizen Khachatryan Vagif Cherkezovich, who is wanted internationally in connection with the Meshali genocide, was detained at the border crossing point of Lachin in July this year.

In December 1991, the criminal gang of which he was a member killed 25 Azerbaijanis, injured 14 people, and displaced 358 Azerbaijanis from their legal place of residence in Meshali village of Khojaly district.

The 103rd paragraph of the Criminal Code against him (Genocide - killing members of a group with the aim of destroying any national, ethnic, racial or religious group, as a group in whole or in part, seriously harming the health of the members of the group or seriously harming their mental capacity) and the 107th paragraph (Deportation or forced relocation of the population - expelling the population to a country other than their legal location or displacing them with other forced actions) were announced, and a pretrial detention measure was chosen.

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17 October 2023 11:04 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day.

The head of state addressed the event.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

President Ilham Aliyev: Salaam alaikum.

Residents: You are welcome! We are very glad to see you.

Sister of a martyr: Hello, you are welcome.

Male resident: Congratulations, Mr. President. Allah bless you. Thank Allah, we are meeting in Fuzuli.

President Ilham Aliyev: Of course. Thank you.

Female resident: Thank you, we are glad to see you.

President Ilham Aliyev: Hello. You are also welcome.

Residents: We are grateful to you for everything. We are proud of you.

Male resident: Hello, Mr. President, and you are welcome.

President Ilham Aliyev: What a beautiful day. You are saying Welcome! to me. During the occupation, I repeatedly said in meetings with natives of Fuzuli and former IDPs from other districts that the day would come when you will say Welcome! to me, and this day has come. Today is a holiday in Fuzuli, a city day, and at the same time, it is the third anniversary of the liberation of Fuzuli from occupation. On this occasion, I heartily congratulate you and wish you all good health.

Residents: Thank you very much, Mr. President, thank you. Thank you.

President Ilham Aliyev: I hope you live comfortably in Fuzuli, in your native land, live in prosperity and well-being.

I am glad that the young generation, the young people of Fuzuli decided to come to their native land. This is a truly big event, because children, teenagers, the young generation as a whole did not see these lands before. They kept these lands in their hearts only because of what you told them. This shows the greatness of our people. It shows that we are a people attached to our homeland.

During the occupation, some people, especially certain circles abroad, believed that the Azerbaijani people would forget their land over the years and that the young generation would be raised in a completely different way. Many assumptions were made about the globalizing world. However, those analysts and, at the same time, those at the political level could not understand one thing: how much love the Azerbaijani people have of their native land and how much we are attached to it.

I remember that in my numerous meetings with natives of Fuzuli and former IDPs from other districts, especially at the opening ceremonies of new settlements, I said that those were temporary places of residence for them. We are trying and will continue trying to improve your standard of living and make your life easier to some extent, but this is a temporary place of residence. After the lands are freed, even more beautiful houses will be built and better conditions will be created in Fuzuli, Aghdam, Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin, Kalbajar, Jabrayil, Shusha. The day has come, it is real now, it is a reality. The new appearance of Fuzuli pleases the eye.

I must also state that today, the ongoing projects implemented both in Fuzuli and in all our other cities and villages establish new rules of urban planning on a global scale, and this is noted not only by me, but also by many international experts. In particular, as you know, the National Urban Development Forum has been held in Azerbaijan twice  in Aghdam and Zangilan, and all our projects were presented there. International organizations highly appreciate them, because the best living conditions have been created here  in terms of the interior of buildings, the interior design of apartments, the principle of floors, the distance between buildings  everything is followed. So there is entire infrastructure and are conditions available for a comfortable life. All our cities will be like Fuzuli. Because we are implementing the first urban development project in Fuzuli. It is true that the people of Lachin returned to their homeland a little earlier than the people of Fuzuli. But because the Armenians had settled illegally in the city of Lachin, some of the buildings were left there, so we simply restored those houses and created the most beautiful conditions. Therefore, the previous urban planning landscape of Lachin is in place. Here though, the city is being completely rebuilt.

In the example of Fuzuli, the whole world and even those who are reluctant to see it, are seeing and must see what Armenian savagery is. For many years, when we tried to bring the facts of our Karabakh problem to the attention of the world community, some did not believe. There were those who did not want to believe. We didn't have much evidence. We knew that everything was destroyed, razed to the ground, but we could not even imagine that it was to this extent. Because the occupying state did not allow anyone to enter this region at the time. It was forbidden. Why? Because every person coming here would see what Armenian savagery is. Its manifestations are visible everywhere.

I have said this many times and many people know it now. However, I want to say it again  when Fuzuli was liberated, we could not find a single sound building to raise our flag, except fora military unit. We raised our flag on a pole in its courtyard, but when he came here for the first time, just like every Azerbaijani, our heart ached, we were completely stunned and horrified. What is the source of such enmity? After all, what did we do to the Armenians? We lived side by side with them. They ate our bread, cities and villages were built for them, infrastructure was created at our expense. During the Soviet period, all this work was done at the expense of Azerbaijan. Oppressing people, torturing them, carrying out ethnic cleansing against the Azerbaijani people  apparently, there were black spots in their hearts. We didn't know it then. We were somewhat naive. This is why I say that we must never forget the occupation and suffering. The younger generation should also know this. Children going to this school today should also know this. They should know that our people have come out of difficult trials, they didnt bend or break down, they believed in themselves and their army  believing that this day would come, that we would stand here and celebrate this holiday with you.

Fuzuli is being completely rebuilt now. While we were here yesterday, we laid the foundation stones of several important facilities. The foundation stones of two villages, a kindergarten, a sports center, new residential quarters, and an office center were laid. So the number of people living here will naturally increase over time. I was informed yesterday that over 800 people have already been accommodated. About 2,000 people will live here by the end of the year. At the end of the first stage of our Great Return Program, at the end of 2026, a total of 22,000 people will live in Fuzuli district, 140,000 people will live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur as a whole. In other words, this is the minimum, so to speak. I am sure that a larger number of people will be resettled, because firstly, we have power, we have determination, the Great Return Program has been adopted and is being successfully implemented. It is being exceeded, and the main factor is that our former IDPs are looking forward to these days. For example, I asked the kids both Zangilan and Lachin during our conversation. In other words, how does a child or teenager who was born and raised in Baku and who is used to the atmosphere of a big city come and live in a city or village that is located some distance away? They sincerely said that this is a great happiness. This is the way they were raised, including by your generation. Because they have seen this at home and in school. This is why school and family are important factors in our return here. Because we did not let the youth forget anything. We did not allow the Karabakh topic to be erased. There were many countries and forces that wanted to instill this in us, i.e. we need to come to terms with the situation, we need to start cooperating with Armenia. Many reiterated that there was no military solution to the conflict. We have shown that there is, and we have shown it again recently. This topic is now closed! The subject of the Karabakh conflict is closed once and for all! The book of separatists is closed once and for all! This is great happiness.

Now it remains for people to live here comfortably. I should also say that we are attaching great importance to employment issues while implementing all these projects. Relevant state institutions are taking serious steps regarding this issue so that those living here have employment opportunities. The city has unique employment opportunities. Of course, people living in the villages now and in the future will engage in traditional occupations, the state will help them from its side  with equipment, cattle, and all the necessary means. A self-employment program will be implemented so that life can flourish here. I am sure that after a certain period of time, Karabakh will become a driving force in Azerbaijans economy. Because the development of our economy here will make a great contribution to our overall development.

Today, while celebrating this holiday, of course, we all once again express our deep respect for the memory of our dear martyrs. Two days ago, when I addressed the people from the central square of Khankendi, I said that we were indebted to them for this day. And it is true. No matter how much power and how many weapons the state has and how carefully military operations are planned, it is the soldiers and officers who achieve Victory. They go, put their chest forward, face death, and then they raise the Flag. Their heroism must and will never be erased from our memory. Today, their souls are happy because we are here, you are here, and no matter how bitter it is, there is a consolation for their loved ones and relatives. The fact is that they sacrificed their lives and won the historic Victory. We had about 15,000 martyrs in the First Karabakh War, but the lands were also lost. Of course, every life is irreplaceable. However, the operations of the Second Karabakh War were planned so that we could minimize our losses, and we achieved that.

I want to say again that we should always be indebted to them. The younger generation should always be educated in this spirit. Their heroism is unforgettable. Winning this historic Victory in such a difficult geographical terrain is truly unmatched. The enemy had taken all the heights. If you go in any direction from here, you will see that almost every hill had their post, battle station, several lines of defense, barbed wire and mines. It took our soldiers a great deal of courage to break through and advance under fire. This is something that probably never happened in the worlds military history. If it did, let them tell us where. It didn't happen before, the people of Azerbaijan did that. During the occupation, we raised such a young generation that they were ready to die for the Motherland, and they were facing death.

Dear sisters, brothers and friends, I congratulate you again. It is both a happy and sad day today. Of course, our little girls tears will never stop. We must remember this, whether it is 10 or 20 years later. We have all shed tears.

Congratulations, I wish you all good health. Take good care of the children, raise them, let them be patriotic, be loyal to the Motherland, be like our heroes. Let them raise our glory to the sky. Thank you.

x x x

The head of state then had a conversation with the event participants, and posed together for a group photo.

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17 October 2023 14:07 (UTC+04:00)

Of course, every life is irreplaceable. However, the operations of the second Karabakh war were planned so that we could minimize our losses, and we achieved that. I want to say again that we should always be indebted to them (martyrs  ed.). The younger generation should always be educated in this spirit, President Ilham Aliyev said in a meeting with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day, Azernews reports.

Their (martyrs  ed.) heroism is unforgettable. Winning this historic Victory in such a difficult geographical terrain is truly unmatched. The enemy had taken all the heights. If you go in any direction from here, you will see that almost every hill had their post, battle station, several lines of defense, barbed wire and mines. It took our soldiers a great deal of courage to break through and advance under fire. This is something that probably never happened in the worlds military history. If it did, let them tell us where. It didn't happen before, the people of Azerbaijan did that, the head of state pointed out.

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17 October 2023 16:21 (UTC+04:00)

A group of military personnel and aviation equipment of the Turkish Armed Forces will be involved in joint tactical exercises dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkiye arrived in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry.

The joint tactical exercises are planned to be conducted on October 23-25 in several directions, including Baku city, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and the liberated territories, the ministry said.

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17 October 2023 15:57 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On October 17, 2023, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov received the newly appointed ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Azerbaijan Thomas Stehli, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, during the meeting, Ambassador Thomas Stehli presented a copy of his credentials to Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Azerbaijani top diplomat wished the ambassador success in his work.

During the meeting, the agenda of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland, which includes political, economic, trade and a number of other areas, issues of cooperation within the framework of international organizations, as well as the current regional situation were discussed.

The importance of conducting mutual high-level visits, political dialogue and political consultations between the two countries was emphasized.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed the other party about the local anti-terrorist measures carried out by Azerbaijan against the Armenian armed forces and the so-called regime in Azerbaijani territory, including the recent provocations by Armenia against Azerbaijan and the threats posed by the illegal Armenian armed forces in our territories, and highly said that civilians were not targeted during anti-terrorist measures.

It was brought to attention that relevant works are being carried out in the direction of the reintegration of the local Armenian residents of the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan, and an electronic portal has been created for this purpose.

It was noted that the departure of Armenian residents from the territory of Azerbaijan is not related to any forced displacement, and the statements made after the last visit of UN officials to the region are a clear example of this.

Ambassador Thomas Stehli noted that his country is interested in developing cooperation with Azerbaijan in all fields and said that he will spare no efforts for the development of bilateral relations during his diplomatic activity.

During the meeting, opinions were also exchanged on other issues of mutual interest.

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17 October 2023 15:32 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

"Armenia is ready to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan before the end of the year," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says, speaking at the European Parliament, Azernews reports.

"Signing a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia by the end of this year has become realistic," Pashinyan says.

Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel has invited the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to attend a trilateral meeting in Brussels scheduled for late October.

In his speech in the European Parliament, Prime Minister Pashinyan accused Russia of coup attempts in Armenia.

"Our security allies are publicly calling for the overthrow of the democratic government in Armenia," he said during a speech at the European Parliament.

Armenian PM notes that "Armenians left Garabagh because of the inaction of Russian peacekeepers."

Earlier, Prime Minister Pashinyan said that he was not going to let Russian peacekeepers into Armenia. Thus, he said that if Russian peacekeepers in Garabagh leave the region, they should return to Russia and not redeploy to Armenia.

Pashinyan also refused to participate in the CIS summit in Bishkek, which took place on 13 October. In a telephone conversation with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, he said he would not be able to attend the event.

Also, PM adds in his speech "We are ready to restore the Meghri railroad connecting the southwestern regions of Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan"

The PM emphasized that the establishment of transport and energy communication is one of the main agendas of the peace agreement. This road will allow not only Azerbaijan and Armenia but also Georgia and Iran, to gain access to Western markets.

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17 October 2023 17:18 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The project "Conducting a sociological survey among IDPs and preparing preliminary forecasts for the purpose of ensuring the return and reintegration of the population to the territories freed from occupation" carried out by the ADA University in cooperation with the Institute of Economics of the Ministry of Science and Education continues, Azernews reports.

On the basis of the order of the State Committee for the Affairs of the Project Refugees and IDPs, the priority direction "Return of the population and creation of sustainable communities in the territories" of the Action Plan of the "I State Program on the Great Return to the territories freed from occupation of the Republic of Azerbaijan" is "Reintegration for adaptation of the population to new living conditions" organization of events" is carried out in the direction of activity.

As part of the project implemented since July, sociological surveys (focus group discussions) are being conducted among IDPs. The goal is to prepare preliminary forecasts regarding the return of the population and to give appropriate recommendations to the government. Within the framework of the project, a "focus group" discussion was held on October 13 with the participation of seventeen women who settled in Sumgait. In the discussion, the opinions and suggestions, expectations, as well as the needs and potentials of reintegration were studied regarding the voluntary, dignified and safe return of IDPs to their native lands.

Note, during the execution of the mentioned project, four "focus-group" discussions have been organized in Baku with the participation of IDPs representing different segments of the population. In the following days, it is planned to hold such "focus group" discussions in Ganja, Aghdam and Lachin regions.

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17 October 2023 17:47 (UTC+04:00)

It is also strange that a group of countries considers itself international community. After all, when we say international community, there are more than 200 countries, and 20-30 countries cannot be considered international community. They are so used to this, they don't consider anyone but themselves as public, and an accusation is being made that we deceived the international community, we deceived them by conducting the anti-terrorist operation, President Ilham Aliyev said in a meeting with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day, Azernews reports, citing Azertag.

This is very harmful logic. We have rightfully restored sovereignty in our native land, in accordance with all norms and principles, principles established at the international level. No-one has the right to accuse us of anything now. It is true that there have been and will be attempts, as you are probably watching, the head of state noted.

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17 October 2023 18:30 (UTC+04:00)

The 12th Development Plan, the second under Turkiye's presidential system of government and spanning the years 2024-2028, was officially submitted Monday to the Turkish parliament's speakership, having received the endorsement of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

To meticulously craft the Development Plan, a total of 60 special expertise commissions and 27 working groups were assembled. This comprehensive effort drew the participation of nearly 8,500 people in various meetings.

Input on the plans priorities was also actively sought from 43,000 participants via an online citizen survey, capturing a wide spectrum of opinions and suggestions.

In the formulation of the plans text, the authorities benefited from more than 60 years of planning experience and the results of consultation meetings held with non-governmental organizations, academics and private sector representatives as well as public institutions, including ministries.

The new plan, which aligns with the 2053 vision, will be unveiled by Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz at parliament's Planning and Budget Commission on Tuesday.

Subsequent discussions on the Development Plan will be held on Oct. 23-24 by the same commission.

The plan's vision for the 2024-2028 timeframe aspires to create a stable, strong, prosperous, environmentally friendly and disaster resistant Turkiye which produces high added value based on advanced technology and sustains fair income distribution in the Century of Turkiye.

With its core aim being to elevate Turkiye's international stature and foster prosperity, the plan is rooted in economic and social development, all in alignment with the fundamental values and expectations of the nation.

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17 October 2023 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

At least 17 people have been arrested in Istanbul, Turkiye, on suspicion of financing the terrorist group Daesh/ISIS, security sources said on Tuesday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office conducted investigations based on the country's Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) reports that 20 people were allegedly involved in financing the Daesh/ISIS terror group through companies and individuals operating between conflict zones and Turkiye, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The prosecutor's office issued arrest warrants for the suspects who were found to have transferred money to individuals whose assets had been frozen due to their links to the Daesh/ISIS terror group.

Seventeen of the 20 suspects were apprehended, and a search is underway for the remaining three suspects.

In 2013, Turkiye became one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist organization.

The country has since been attacked by the terror group multiple times, with over 300 people killed and hundreds more injured in at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks, and four armed attacks. In response, Turkiye launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.

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The U.N. Security Council rejected a Russian resolution Monday night that condemned violence and terrorism against civilians but made no mention of Hamas, whose surprise attack that killed 1,300 Israelis was the worst Jewish massacre since the World War II Nazi Holocaust.

Only four countries joined Russia in voting for the resolution  China, United Arab Emirates, Mozambique and Gabon. Four countries voted against it  the United States, Britain, France and Japan. The other six countries abstained. For a resolution to be adopted it needs a minimum of nine yes votes in the 15-member council.

The U.N.s most powerful body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has failed to respond to Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed some 1,300 people and to Israels retaliatory airstrikes that have killed 2,750 and its order to Gazans in the north to head south to avoid an expected ground war.

Britains U.N. ambassador, Barbara Woodward, said it would be unconscionable for this council to ignore the largest terror attack in Israels history.

With the Russian resolution rejected, she said negotiations will continue on a rival Brazilian resolution. It also firmly condemns all violence and hostilities against civilians and all acts of terrorism. But it unequivocally rejects and condemns the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas that started Oct. 7.

It was unclear if the council would vote on the Brazilian resolution Monday night.

Before the vote on Russia's draft, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia urged support for the resolution, saying it responds to the unprecedented exacerbation of the current crisis, with the number of people killed and injured growing every hour. He again condemned the deaths of civilians in Israel and Gaza.

After the vote, Nebenzia said that the council once again has found itself a hostage to the selfish intentions of the Western bloc of countries and failed to send a collective message aimed at de-escalating the most serious explosion of violence over the past decades.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield countered that Hamas, whose purpose is to destroy Israel and kill Jews, unleashed terror on Israel but the Russian resolution didn't mention the militant group, which controls Gaza.

By failing to condemn Hamas, Russia is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalizes innocent civilians, she said. Hamas actions have led to the dire humanitarian crisis facing the people of Gaza.

Thomas-Greenfield said civilians shouldnt have to suffer for Hamas atrocities and she urged the council and the international community to help address Gaza's humanitarian crisis, condemn Hamas and reaffirm Israels right to self-defense.

The Russian draft resolution would have called for an immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian cease-fire  and strongly condemned "all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism, with no mention of Hamas.

The Brazilian draft resolution calls for humanitarian pauses in addition to condemning Hamas and all violence and terrorist acts against civilians.

Apparently expecting the defeat of its resolution, Russia earlier Monday proposed two amendments to the Brazilian draft resolution to be voted on separately after the vote on the Russian resolution but before the entire Brazilian resolution would be put to a vote.

One amendment would add a call for an immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire.

The second proposed amendment also unequivocally condemns indiscriminate attacks against civilians as well as against civilian objects in the Gaza Strip depriving civilian population of means indispensable for their survival, in violation of international law.

The Security Council had met behind closed doors Friday for the second time in five days on the Israel-Hamas war, but couldnt reach a united approach. Russia proposed its draft resolution and Brazil, the current council president, circulated its rival draft over the weekend. (AP)
17 October 2023 20:05 (UTC+04:00)

President Xi Jinping of China and President Vladimir Putin of Russia intend to hold a thoroughgoing discussion of the bilateral relationship between Beijing and Moscow, as well as other issues of interest, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

"The heads of state will meet to hold a thorough exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest," she said, when asked if Xi and Putin would discuss the Ukraine issue and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On October 17, Putin arrived in China at Xis invitation for a two-day visit. On Tuesday, the Russian president will attend the official welcome ceremony for the heads of delegations to the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which is to be hosted by Xi and his spouse Peng Liyuan. The forums main events will be held at the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square on October 18. Putin will participate in the forums opening ceremony. Also on Wednesday, Russian-Chinese talks will take place, after which Putin will continue a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the event.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
17 October 2023 23:50 (UTC+04:00)

First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Biybosunov and President of Interpol - Inspector General of the Interior Ministry of the United Arab Emirates Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi discussed global security, Azernews reports, citing Kabar.

The meeting was held in Seoul within the most important international police summit, the press service of the Kyrgyz Internal Ministry said.

The parties focused on the problems of global security, the importance of cooperation between the countries in addressing modern challenges facing law enforcement agencies was emphasized.

First Deputy Internal Minister of Kyrgyzstan Biybosunov expressed confidence that the meeting would create a fruitful ground for the development of bilateral relations and discussion of further plans for joint activities.

"Crime today has no borders. Globalization and digitalization have erased national and geographical boundaries of crime, making criminal activity more widespread, easier to commit and harder to detect.

New challenges require law enforcement agencies to be more trained, prepared and introduce modern technologies in our daily activities. In this environment, Interpol's capabilities allow us to support and organize interaction between law enforcement agencies of 195 Interpol member countries," he stressed.

At the end of the meeting, the sides noted the importance of unity and solidarity in confronting threats that affect all countries.

This landmark event signifies a new wave of cooperation between states in the field of law enforcement and security, aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the global community.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Dreams of a new veterans clinic in Bakersfield are once again deferred following two new appeals filed last week against the citys two final 
When China launched its Belt and Road Initiative 10 years ago, it touted huge infrastructure spending linking it with Western Europe, which as recently as 2019, Britain's then-finance minister said had "tremendous potential to spread prosperity and sustainable development".

Ten years on, the most senior EU leader expected to attend the third Belt and Road (BRI) Summit this week is Hungary's populist Viktor Orban, who will join guests including Russia's Vladimir Putin and a minister of the Afghan Taliban.

Western scepticism of the cornerstone of President Xi Jinping's ambition to extend China's global influence stems from China's failure to assuage concern over its intentions, and whether there is in fact a gap this infrastructure would be filling, compounded by concern over a lack of transparency, analysts say.

Such Western doubts have coincided with Xi's assertive leadership and a deterioration in ties over trade, human rights, COVID-19 and Taiwan. Italy, the only Group of 7 nation to sign on to the scheme, is now looking for a way out.

"Go back to 2013 -China was absolutely ascendant  Xi Jinping was forecasting a windfall from Chinese firms expanding throughout the world, but a number of serious shocks really affected the reach and breadth of the BRI," said Matthew Erie of the University of Oxford.

The shocks include a trade war with the United States, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the pandemic, said Erie. Other analysts say economic slowdown both in China and globally, and rising commodity prices, have also cast a pall over the initiative.

Facing such headwinds, Xi is pushing to make the BRI smaller and greener, and to move from big-ticket projects like dams to high-tech ones such as digital finance and e-commerce platforms. The aim is to aid a broader push for a world order that is multipolar and gives the global south more agency, rather than one dominated by Washington and its allies, analysts say.

China has at times bristled at criticism of the BRI, saying it carries anti-Chinese prejudice and a wish to contain its rise, while overlooking what it says are genuine good intentions.

China says more than 130 countries will attend this week, notably from Latin America and Africa, although, unlike in previous years, many more are sending ministers rather than heads of state.

On Monday, a hotel in downtown Beijing hosting delegations from Russia, Kazakhstan and Congo was buzzing with activity, its lobby decorated with displays of BRI goods and guarded by metal detectors at entrances.

More than $90 billion worth of Chinese commercial investment in BRI projects has faced "insurmountable problems," according to data from the American Enterprise Institute think tank. The issues range from outright cancellation to indefinite delays, "mainly from political requirements and errors by Chinese firms".

"From the Chinese perspective, the biggest problem is that they've realised now that they're carrying an awful lot of debt in developing countries which are going to struggle to really pay it back," said Raffaello Pantucci from the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

This is one reason the initiative has shrunk and is focused more on quality than quantity, say analysts. But the BRI is also more focused on issues like peace, climate change, energy crises and artificial intelligence, among many other areas, according to a Chinese government white paper released last week.

Ruby Osman, a China expert at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, said the summit would give China a chance to showcase some of the global initiatives that Xi has launched over the past two years.

In particular, she pointed to the Global Development Initiative, a $10 billion programme started in 2021 to promote "social and economic development", similar schemes focused on security and "civilization".

"These sort of mutually reinforcing initiatives are a way for, in Beijing's eyes, to share Chinese governance ideals, to build consensus on Chinese norms and to start exporting elements of China's development model," Osman said.

The change in the BRI focus is apparent in China's offer of assistance in recent months to Argentina, through doubling the amount it can access through a currency swap line to nearly $10 billion in a boost to its dwindling foreign currency reserves, and enabling it to pay back International Monetary Fund debt and purchase imports.

And last week, Beijing agreed to restructure loans owed by Sri Lanka and Zambia, in what appeared to be its latest demonstration of goodwill towards developing countries.

Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization think tank, said the BRI had "greatly pushed forward global awareness about the infrastructure deficit".

"It's not perfect, but its a process, and people are gradually realising it's so important: we need to build infrastructure. And I think the importance of that is being realised," Wang said. (Reuters)
26 days after the October 7th Terror attacks on Israel, where over 1400 Jewish men, women and children were gruesomely murdered, and hundreds more made hostage: Should the Biden /Harris administration finally state that the administration's primary Middle East negotiating partner, Iran, is behind the funding and strategy of the aggressors, the Hamas Terrorists, or continue to take the more moderate position of "Don't," which is clearly not working?

100% Yes, name Iran as the funding /strategy culprit, and begin to enforce the President Trump era sanctions to END Iran's ability to prosecute this war against Israel and the United States.0% No, Iran is a valuable partner in the motives of the Biden / Harris administration, and must not be named as the culprit and our enemy.0% I have larger concerns just to survive in this economy.
 In Iran, Turkey and Lebanon, hundreds of people took to the streets and gathered to support Gaza and celebrate the operation by Hamas against Israel.Here's more  pic.twitter.com/5O41YiZp2j  FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) October 8, 2023

"From the River to the Sea."Free Palestine Rally in front of the White House in Washington D.C.Happening NOW pic.twitter.com/h9bnG54cIH  Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) October 8, 2023

In the minds of many, since January 20, 2021, the World has become far less safe in every theater of conflict, beginning with the attack of Israel by Iran /Hamas, so the question becomes: What caused this Worldwide calamity of extreme geopolitical dysfunction, and what will correct it? Joe Biden is the cause of this frightening Worldwide situation, and it will end when a Republican is elected president. This delayed Worldwide dysfunction and constant conflict is all Donald Trump's fault, as it is with everything that occurs going forward, and long before the man ever became the 45th president.. Joe Biden is the "root cause" of this frightening Worldwide situation, and it will end when former President Donald John Trump is elected president. In the imitable words of Alfred E. Newman: "What, me worry?" 136 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?



poll#206

In stripping away the heavy varnish of fakery by the heavy handed Corrupt Corporate Media; in taking a true view of what is real, right now with clear open eyes: How do you see this 46th President of these States United; what is your visceral first impression of Joe Biden after nearly 3 years on the job? A good man, wise and kind The Socialist President A president in praise of his son The Non Patriot President A successful president The Idiot President A knowledgeable president A corrupt president A perfect leader of the Democratic Socialist party The man is married to a "Doctor" 370 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?



Terrorist sympathizers rallied in streets across the world - including in the United States and Europe - to show support for the Palestinians after Hamas and other Islamic terror groups murdered at least 700 Israeli citizens in attacks that were unprecedented in size.Authorities in cities across the U.S. and Europe responded by increasing security at synagogues and in local Jewish communities, according to The Washington Post.Images and videos circulated on social media showing terrorist sympathizers taking to the streets calling for the destruction of Isreal in Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, the U.K, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and in cities across the U.S., including New York City, Denver, Washington, D.C., and more.The attacks were carried out during the holiday of Simchat Torah and on Shabbat - the Jewish day of rest that is observed by many in Israel. The terrorist attack happened on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war - known as the Yom Kippur War - where Israel's Arab neighbors launched a surprise attack during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar.Terrorists launched thousands of rockets into Israel during the early Saturday morning attacks, sending people throughout the country running for bomb shelters. Simultaneously, the terrorists used drones to drop bombs on Israeli defenses on the border, rendering them inoperable as terrorists used explosives and bulldozers to smash through Israel's border wall. More than 1,000 terrorists then flooded into the country on paragliders, boats, motorcycles, trucks, and by foot as they hunted down innocent civilians door to door to slaughter or kidnap them.Various reports put the number of people kidnapped at more than 100, a figure that included people from around the world, including the U.S., according to Israel Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.Top U.S. officials compared the attacks to the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. They noted that after adjusting for differences in population size between the U.S. and Israel, the attacks were comparable to several 9/11s.A spokesperson for Hamas told the BBC that it received support from Iran and others, although he declined to say who else provided support.Another Iranian-backed terrorist organization, Lebanon-based Hezbollah, also launched attacks against Israel over the weekend.
From its first months in office, the Biden administration made a distinctive decision on its Middle East policy: It would deprioritize a half-century of high-profile efforts by past U.S. presidents, particularly Democratic ones, to broker a broad and lasting peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians .

Since Richard Nixon, successive U.S. administrations have tried their hands at Camp David summits, shuttle diplomacy and other big-picture tries at coaxing Israeli and Palestinian leaders into talks to settle the disputes that underlie 75 years of Middle East tensions. More than other recent presidents, Joe Biden notably has not.

Instead, administration officials early on sketched out what they called Biden's policy of quiet diplomacy. They advocated for more modest improvements in Palestinian freedoms and living conditions under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline government, which has encouraged settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and which includes coalition partners that oppose the U.S.-backed two-state solution. The less-ambitious approach fit with Biden's determination to pivot his foreign-policy focus from Middle East hotspots to China.

But the long-term risks of sidelining the Israeli-Palestinian conflict exploded back into view with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel's heavy bombardment of Gaza in response. The United States angry Arab partners are pointing to America's failure to actively engage as Israeli-Palestinian violence roars back to center stage.

Hamas militants' bloody breakout from Gaza and Israel's military escalating response have killed thousands of civilians in Israel and Gaza, prompted Biden to deploy carrier strike groups to the region, and threatens to spill conflict and flows of Palestinian refugees across borders.

In Cairo this weekend, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was one of a succession of Arab leaders to warn Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is scrambling through Middle East capitals to try to contain the conflict, that the Israel-Gaza war threatens the stability of the entire Middle East.

Biden is likely to hear the same as he meets with leaders of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority in Jordan on Wednesday, after he travels to Israel.

Sissi, who fears the Israeli military offensive will push Gaza's 2.3 million people across the border into Egypt, cast blame on the near-disappearance of any international pressure on Netanyahu's government and Palestinians to return to negotiations.

Sissi cited a buildup of outrage and hatred for more than 40 years and the lack of any horizon to solve the Palestinian cause; one that gives hope to the Palestinians for a state with a capital in East Jerusalem.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, pointed to Saudis' repeated warnings of the danger of the explosion."

Arab leaders are very aware this is going to keep blowing up. And they might ride it out this time, they might ride it out next time, as they have in the past, said Yezid Sayigh, a senior fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Lebanon.

But its not actually a comfortable position for them to be endlessly living in," with endless cycles of Israeli and Palestinian wars that threaten the region's peace and economies, said Sayigh, who accused the U.S. of encouraging Netanyahu to think there was no need to address Palestinian concerns.

Underscoring his administration's diminished emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Biden's call to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this past weekend amid the building Gaza war was the American leader's first since taking office.

In 1973, Arab nations surprise attack on Israel, and Arabs' devastating oil embargo on the U.S. and other countries for their support of Israel in that fight, convinced U.S. leaders that a lasting resolution to Palestinian demands for statehood was in America's strategic interest.

But after some early successes, recurring violence, the disappointments of past failed mediation efforts, and the scale of the disputes helped derail the U.S. push. By the time Biden, a strong supporter of the state of Israel, took office, any support for major negotiations among Israelis was faint.

To be sure, there's little to suggest ambitious engagement by Biden on Israeli-Palestinian issues would have made immediate progress, or done anything to discourage the attack by Hamas, whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel.

Even after a 2021 burst of fighting between Hamas and Israel, administration figures argued that a big push on peace efforts would undermine more easily won goals, like cease-fires with Hamas.

Instead, Biden has enthusiastically followed the new path that predecessor Donald Trump had laid out on Middle East peacemaking: lobbying for so-called normalization deals with Arab countries, absent any Israeli-Palestinian accord.

Under Trump, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco all signed normalization deals establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.

Up until Oct. 7, Biden appeared to be fast closing in on brokering a normalization deal with the biggest prize of all, regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia.

Then, Hamas's breakout from Gaza shattered what National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had hailed as a period of Middle East calm. The violence has been the deadliest of five wars between Hamas and Israel, killing more than 1,400 people in Israel and nearly 2,800 in Gaza.

It's not clear what happens to Biden's normalization push now. Despite their angry comments and varying degrees of popular support among their public for the Palestinian cause, America's Arab partners are pragmatists, and like the U.S. and Israel, adversaries of Hamas and other Iran-backed groups.

Additionally, the Biden administration's immediate and all-in rallying to Israel's mounting defense after Hamas's Oct. 7 massacres may only heighten Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's desire to lock in that kind of security alliance with the U.S. for the kingdom, many analysts are arguing.

I think Gulf partners are looking at the quick, decisive response that the U.S. has provided Israel, and are incredibly jealous, said Jonathan Lord, director of the Middle East security program at the Center for a New American Security think tank.

Brokering those alliances would stabilize the Middle East in themselves, no Israeli-Palestinian peace accord needed, supporters have argued.

The nightmare unfolding now for Israeli and Palestinian civilians argues differently, when it comes to Biden's approach, critics say.

As long as the core issues stay unresolved, ignoring them does not make them go away, said Yousef Munayyer, who heads the Palestine-Israel program at the Arab Center, a Washington think tank. And I think that's a lesson for everybody. (AP)
As Democrats in the US demand the US take in Palestinians as "refugees", the serious problems with that are becoming obvious in Europe, not only with demonstrations against Israel and Jews and intimidation of Jewish citizens by Muslims, but with actual terrorism in the last few days.

In Belgium, an illegal alien Muslim migrant, previously known to police as a jihad supporter, used a machine gun while riding a motorcycle to ambush civilians, killing two Swedes.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/brussels-terrorist-was-illegal-migrant-known-islamist/

https://rmx.news/crime/brussels-shooter-failed-tunisian-asylum-seeker-who-targeted-swedes-shot-dead-by-police/

In France, a Muslim migrant from Chechnia yelling "Allah Akbar" stabbed several teachers in front of a high school in the city of Arras, killing one. THe migrant was already on the police's terrorist watch list.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/french-teacher-stabbed-to-death-by-chechen-yelling-allahu-akbar/

Meanwhile, the Biden regime is conspiring with the far left ACLU to make a "settlement" in an ACLU lawsuit that would completely open the door to economic migrants, or indeed any migrants from anywhere in the world who show up at the border with children.

https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2023/10/16/bidens-deputies-aclu-draft-huge-border-giveaway-illegal-aliens/

As to Palesinian refugees, the neighboring Arab countries, those who know them best, do not want them. Jordan's King Abdullah II has declared that Jordan and Egypt will not take them. So why should the US even consider it?

https://rmx.news/israel/palestinian-refugees-are-not-welcome-in-egypt-or-jordan-warns-jordan-king-abdullah-ii/
Kenai, Alaska-based physician Ray Lynn Carlson, MD, and his clinics' managers have been indicted on 23 charges in a Medicare fraud case, Alaska Public Media reported Oct. 16.

From 2014 to 2019, Dr. Carlson allegedly fraudulently billed Alaska Medicaid, along with Aetna and Premera, from his clinics based in Kenai and Nikiski, Alaska.

There is limited information about the fraud, according to the report, but the indictment indicates the defendants overbilled Medicaid and the payers, submitting false medical billing codes in some instances.
Raphael Malikian, MD, a former physician based in Llano and Palmdale, Calif., pleaded guilty to federal narcotics charges for illegally dispensing and prescribing controlled substances.

Dr. Malikian, 39, issued prescriptions for controlled substances to customers without first obtaining the person's full medical history, conducting a physical examination, requiring medical testing or utilizing diagnostic tools from at least December 2019 to August 2021, according to an Oct. 16 news release from the Justice Department. Mr. Malikian did not verify his customers' identities before prescribing controlled substances and allowed customers to obtain prescriptions in the names of others.

Dr. Malikian prescribed controlled substance prescriptions to two co-conspirators, which the co-conspirators then filled and re-sold on the black market, according to the release. He prescribed hundreds of pills of oxycodone, alprazolam and other controlled substances without legitimate medical purpose to undercover police officers.

Dr. Malikian faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for distribution of oxycodone and up to four years in federal prison for aiding and abetting the acquisition of a controlled substance by fraud. His medical license was suspended by the Medical Board in 2021, and it expired in 2022.
As healthcare legislation continues to play a major role in determining the future of physicians and ASCs, from ASC price transparency legislation to prior authorization changes, 19 physicians have stepped up to represent their fellow professional colleagues in the U.S. Senate and House.

As of the November 2022nd election cycle, here are the 19 active Congressional physicians, according to a Jan. 4 report from Healthgrades.

U.S. Senate member physicians:

Sen. John Barrasso, MD, an orthopedic specialist, serves as a Republican from Wyoming.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD, a gastroenterologist, serves as a Republican from Louisiana.

Sen. Roger Marshall, MD, an OB-GYN, serves as a Republican from Kansas.

Sen. Rand Paul, MD, an ophthalmologist, serves as a Republican from Kentucky.

House of Representatives physicians:

Rep. Ami Bera, MD, a general practitioner, serves as a Democrat from California.

Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD, a thoracic surgeon, serves as a Republican from Indiana.

Rep. Michael Burgess, MD, an OB-GYN, serves as a Republican from Texas.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais, MD, a family medicine physician, serves as a Republican from Tennessee.

Rep. Neal Dunn, MD, a urologist, serves as a Republican from Florida.

Rep. Mark Green, MD, an emergency medicine specialist, serves as a Republican from Tennessee.

Rep. Andy Harris, MD, an anesthesiologist, serves as a Republican from Maryland.

Rep. Ronny Jackson, MD, an emergency medicine physician, serves as a Republican from Texas.

Rep. John Joyce, MD, a dermatologist, serves as a Republican from Pennsylvania.

Rep. Rich McCormick, MD, an emergency medicine physician, serves as a Republican from Georgia.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, an ophthalmologist, serves as a Republican from Iowa.

Rep. Greg Murphy, MD, a urologist, serves as a Republican from North Carolina.

Rep. Raul Ruiz, MD, an emergency medicine physician, serves as a Democrat from California.

Rep. Kim Schrier, MD, a pediatrician, serves as a Democrat from Washington.

Rep. Yadira Caraveo, MD, a pediatrician, serves as a Democrat from Colorado.
Oct. 14 marks one year since the last patients left Wellstar Health System's Atlanta Medical Center. No plans are in place to build a new healthcare facility in its place, leaving Grady Memorial Hospital and clinics in the region operating on stretched resources, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Oct. 16.

A moratorium restricting new development at AMC's former site is currently in place, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has indicated he will renew the development ban for another six months, which prevents Wellstar from selling or redeveloping the land.

Meanwhile, Grady  the only level 1 trauma center in the city of Atlanta  continues to see an influx of patients who would normally have gone to AMC. Mercy Care, an outpatient clinic that serves homeless patients, has also seen a jump in patient visits over the past year, according to the report. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's report also touched on a perhaps less discussed consequence of AMC's closure: Hundreds of physicians who worked at practices near the hospital have either moved, retired or have shut down their practices.

"In one swoop, you eliminated a large percentage of primary care doctors in an area that was already suffering," Tawian Livingston, MD, an internal medicine physician at a practice in Southwest Atlanta that referred patients to AMC, told the news outlet.

By the end of October, Grady plans to start using 182 newly added beds  an expansion made possible after the system received a one-time allocation of $130 million from Georgia's federal pandemic funds. Mercy Care has also been able to hire new clinical leaders. Still, it may take years for other area hospitals and clinics to have the staffing and infrastructure in place to consistently manage a higher patient load.

When Marietta, Ga.-based Wellstar said it was ending operations at the downtown Atlanta Medical Center last August, health system officials pointed to significant operating losses and said they had approached numerous stakeholders in search of partnerships to keep the hospital open. The system has faced criticism for pursuing a merger with Augusta (Ga.) University Health eight weeks after AMC's closure.
Christus Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, plans to close its emergency medicine residency program, which will end after its current residents graduate in 2026.

The "difficult decision" to phase out the residency program was made with "thorough consideration of our community's needs and our available resources to serve those needs," the health system said in a statement provided to Becker's.

Christus said it is committed to maintaining the strength of its emergency department staffing and other healthcare services in the region as it winds down the reaching program.

"For any impacted faculty and other associates, we will do all that we can to provide support, including, but not limited to, assisting them in finding other open roles within Christus Health," according to the system.

Residents of the Coastal Bend region have opposed the decision, arguing that loss of the program "would be a great blow to our city's health infrastructure," according to a petition asking the hospital to reverse its decision. As of Oct. 17, the petition had more than 2,700 signatures.

When launched in 2007, the emergency medicine residency program was one of three in the state. Now, there are 18, according to Christus, which said the program has been staffed "far above" the Christus Graduate Medical Education cap and has been privately funded by the system for many years as a result.

"There is a national oversupply of emergency residency slots," the system said in a statement that cited data from the American College of Emergency Physicians.

This year, 555 emergency medicine slots across the U.S. went unfilled  up from 2022, when 219 were unfilled, according to ACEP. A study sponsored by the organization recently found that there will be a surplus of emergency physicians by 2030.
The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) is warning hospitals of NoEscape, a ransomware group that emerged in May 2023.

NoEscape is believed to be a rebrand of Avaddon, a ransomware group that shut down in 2021. Avaddon was a Russian-speaking ransomware group. However, any direct connection between NoEscape and Russian-speaking threat actors remains unknown, according to an Oct. 12 HC3 analyst note.

The group uses aggressive extortion tactics and operates a ransomware-as-a-service model.

HC3 officials said that hospitals can best protect themselves by "prioritizing security by maintaining awareness of the threat landscape, assessing their situation, and providing staff with tools and resources necessary to prevent a cyberattack."
Healthcare data breaches reported to the HHS' Office for Civil Rights are set to double last year's total, Politico reported Oct. 17.

In 2023, 89 million people in the U.S. reportedly had their protected health information breached, up from 43.5 million during the same period last year.

The publication cited the July data breach on HCA Healthcare, based in Nashville, Tenn., as one of the largest data security incidents ever. The breach affected 11.27 million patients.

Politico said the increasing number of healthcare breaches shows that the industry's cybersecurity issues are worsening as more care moves online.
Two Alabama hospitals will stop providing maternity care at the end of October, with another following suit a few weeks later, NBC reported Oct. 15.

Monroe County Hospital in Monroeville, Ala., will shutter its obstetrics unit due to a lack of staff, according to the report. The department has only one physician, with at least two needed to maintain labor and delivery services.

Birmingham, Ala.-based Brookwood Baptist Health, a five-hospital system, is also closing obstetrics departments at hospitals in Birmingham and Shelby County.

The decisions will leave Shelby and Monroe counties without any birthing hospitals, and strip a predominantly Black neighborhood in Birmingham of an in-demand maternity unit, according to NBC.

In Shelby County, pregnant women will have to travel at least 17 miles farther to reach a hospital with an OBGYN. Those in Monroe County may have to travel between 35 and 100 miles to get to a labor and delivery department.

Rising costs and ongoing staff shortages have forced rural hospitals across the country to shutter labor and delivery units, leading to maternity care deserts  counties without a hospital or birth center offering obstetric care and without any obstetric providers. Closures often worry nearby residents, as the commute to the next obstetrics department can be lengthy  and in some cases, dangerous.

Becker's has reported on more than 23 other hospitals that have ended or are ending maternity care this year.
The Central Ohio Hospital Council, a collection of four Columbus, Ohio-based hospitals, is forgiving $335 million in medical debt for care received between 2015 and 2020.

Mount Carmel Health System, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OSU Wexner Medical Center and OhioHealth are participating in the program that will provide assistance to around 340,000 Columbus residents.

To be eligible for the program, patients must earn between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty line, or between $55,500 and $111,000 for a family of four, according to an Oct. 16 city of Columbus news release. The city estimates that the average amount forgiven will come to around $1,000.

The city will use $500,000 to cover the administrative costs of mailing letters to eligible patients.
Russia's parliament starts voting on Tuesday on withdrawing Moscow's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Here is a look at some of the questions that raises.

What is the CTBT?

The CTBT is a 1996 treaty that bans "any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion" anywhere in the world.

Why does it seek to ban nuclear tests?

The treaty's preamble cites the goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating nuclear weapons. It says that the test ban, "by constraining the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons and ending the development of advanced new types of nuclear weapons, constitutes an effective measure of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects."

Which countries have signed and ratified?

A total of 187 states have signed the treaty, and 178 have ratified it by passing corresponding laws in their parliaments.

Of the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons:

Britain, France and Russia have signed and ratified.

The United States, Israel and China have signed but not ratified.

India, Pakistan and North Korea have yet to sign or ratify.

So what is the legal status of the treaty?

The treaty has not legally come into force. It can only do so once it is signed and ratified by 44 named countries  the nine with nuclear weapons and 35 others that possess nuclear power and research reactors.

Does it have any practical effect then?

Yes, in practice the treaty has created a de facto norm against nuclear testing. No country has carried out a nuclear test explosion since the 1990s with the exception of North Korea, which conducted the most recent of its six tests in 2017 and is under U.N. sanctions related to its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

"Since the conclusion and opening for signature of the CTBT, nuclear testing has become taboo," says the Arms Control Association, a U.S.-based non-profit organization.

The CTBT is "a remarkably effective treaty, even though it hasn't come into force," said Matthew Harries, director of proliferation and nuclear policy at the RUSI think-tank in London.

The treaty's verification regime includes an International Monitoring System (IMS)  a network of observation facilities around the world that are capable of detecting the sound of a nuclear explosion or the associated seismic activity or radioactive fallout.

When complete, this network will consist of 321 monitoring stations and 16 laboratories, hosted by 89 countries. Around 90 percent of these are already up and running.

What is Russia changing, and why?

President Vladimir Putin said on Oct. 5 that Russia should withdraw its ratification of the CTBT to "mirror" the treaty status of the United States. Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has moved quickly to make this a reality and has drafted a bill that deputies are voting on this week.

Why does if matter?

The move is part of a pattern of actions and statements by Russia that have increased nuclear tension with the West since the start of the Ukraine war. It follows Moscow's suspension in February of New START, its last remaining nuclear arms treaty with the United States, which limits the numbers of strategic warheads on both sides. Putin has also this year announced the stationing of Russian tactical nuclear missiles in Belarus, a Russian ally that borders Ukraine.

Putin has issued what the West interpreted as nuclear threats since day one of his invasion of Ukraine, when he said that anyone who got in Russia's way would face "such consequences as you have never encountered in your history." With Russia's conventional forces struggling in the war, he is talking up its nuclear might  including the development of next-generation weapons like the Burevestnik cruise missile and Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile  in order to deter and intimidate his opponents in the West.

So what comes next?

Russia says the CTBT move is not a statement of intent to carry out its first nuclear test since 1990, and that it won't test unless the United States does. But the move would provide it with legal cover to test if it wanted to, and some security analysts see a Russian test now as more likely. Putin could be keeping the testing option in reserve in case of a sharp worsening of Russia's fortunes in Ukraine, when he could use it as a dramatic warning signal for the West to back off. Publicly, the Russian president has stated that he is not ready to say whether a test is needed or not. (Reuters)
Froedtert Health is growing value-based care, making progress on digital health initiatives, and preparing for a merger on the horizon.

In September, the Milwaukee-based system and Neenah, Wis.-based ThedaCare signed a definitive agreement to merge into an 18-hospital system.

Froedtert Health is also moving further into the payer space, with plans to become the sole owner of Network Health, an insurer offering commercial and Medicare plans in 23 Wisconsin counties.

CFO Scott Hawig told Becker's about Froedtert's top priorities for the next fiscal year, its future plans for partnerships and more.

Question: What are the top three strategic financial priorities for your health system in the next fiscal year? How do these align with the organization's overall mission and goals?

Scott Hawig: Froedtert Healths top three financial priorities are:

1. To meet or exceed our budgeted performance improvement targets, in alignment with the work of our Operational Excellence Council. By achieving these targets, we ensure efficient resource utilization while maintaining excellence in patient care.

2. To execute our system integration plan, with a focus on aligning these efforts with our population heath, scalable shared services and partner of choice goals.

3. To implement an adaptive investment, capital allocation and capital structure model that supports our strategies to grow value-based care, digital care and clinical transformation, as well as diversified revenue streams.

Q: What are the biggest financial challenges facing your health system today? On the other hand, what are the most promising financial opportunities?

SH: The biggest financial challenges for our health network include workforce demand, rising pharmaceutical costs and disruptions caused by segmentation. Conversely, the most promising opportunities are centered around inspiring advancements in patient care, documented outcomes driven by our broad capabilities and expanded reach of coordinated care, and financial and talent investment momentum in health and wellness.

Q: How is your system leveraging technology and digital health platforms to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency and generate revenue?

SH: We are incredibly excited by the progress we are making on this front. The internet is a critical component of our patient care delivery model. Not only does it allow our physicians and staff to better know their patients, it provides greater efficiency in scheduling, technology-assisted self-care and greater patient satisfaction. Our most recent initiative in this area is a collaboration with Amazon Web Services, which allows us to offer our patients new services on our mobile app so they can better manage their health from any location at all times.

By creating experiences that foster patient participation, we are looking toward a future where we can provide education, guidance and partnership to help our patients live their best lives.

Q: What partnerships, joint ventures, mergers or acquisitions is your system exploring to strengthen its financial position or expand service offerings?

SH: We recently announced that Froedtert Health and ThedaCare and our respective boards have approved a definitive agreement outlining the terms of the planned combined health system. Our goal is to launch the combined health system at the start of the new year, pending customary pre-closing conditions, further board approvals and regulatory approval. Additionally, Froedtert Health and Ascension Wisconsin recently signed an agreement that will allow Froedtert Health to purchase Ascension Wisconsin's 50% interest in Network Health, a provider of customized commercial and Medicare health insurance plans serving people in 23 counties. Other examples of partnerships we are looking at include AI governance and use cases, a spectrum of digital health tools, scale partnerships for certain ancillary and functional business lines and value-based care strategies.

Q: Given the unpredictability of events like global pandemics, what are you doing to ensure financial resilience and sustainability in the face of unforeseen challenges?

SH: The financial strategies outlined above have taken into account the potential for unplanned challenges. The key to ensure financial resilience in a challenging time is for Froedtert Health to execute against our strategies, to stay focused on delivering those commitments and to communicate that message broadly.
A healthcare official accused in a lawsuit of sexually abusing a teenager at a church decades ago has left his position at Yale (Conn.) New Haven Health, health system officials confirmed.

Russell Hullstrung, RN, 55, a director of e-learning with Yale New Haven Health, is being sued for allegedly abusing a teenager at the United Methodist Church of Woodbury (N.Y.) in the 1980s, Newsday reported Oct. 2.

"While we do not comment on personnel matters, we can confirm that Mr. Hullstrung is no longer employed by the health system," Yale New Haven Health said in a statement shared with Becker's.

The health system declined to answer further questions, including about the timeline of the departure. Mr. Hullstrung could not be reached for comment by Newsday, and his attorney declined to comment when reached by the publication. Attorneys and a spokesperson for the United Methodist Church did not return messages from Newsday seeking comment.

Mr. Hullstrung is accused of abusing Kristian Chestnut and his two brothers, according to the family, Newsday reported. Mr. Chestnut filed a lawsuit against the United Methodist Church while his two brothers settled with the church.

Mr. Chestnut, 44, filed a lawsuit against the church two years ago. The lawsuit, filed under the New York State Child Victims Act, does not name Mr. Hullstrung, but the lawsuit against the church includes allegations against him, according to Newsday.

The New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church previously told Newsday it would not comment on the case but emphasized its committment to preventing sexual abuse of children.

Mr. Chestnut told Newsday he was relieved that Mr. Hullstrung no longer works for Yale New Haven.

"I was shocked to learn that the man who raped me as a child, and abused many others, was working in a hospital," Mr. Chestnut said. "It is gratifying to know that Russell is no longer in a position to harm others under the authority of the United Methodist Church or the Yale Hospital."
Ruth Colby, president and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Ill., died Oct. 15, according to The Herald-News. She was 69.

Ms. Colby died "at a Chicago academic medical center from complications following a surgical procedure," Silver Cross said Oct. 16.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and leader, Ruth Colby," Jean Kenol, chair of the Silver Cross board of directors, said in a statement.

"Ruth was a true servant leader and a driving force in transforming Silver Cross from a community hospital to a regional medical center and nationally recognized healthcare brand," Mr. Kenol said. "She was an inspiration to us all, was beloved by our hospital community and she loved them passionately in return. We will miss her terribly."

Ms. Colby took the helm of Silver Cross Hospital in October 2017 after serving as senior vice president of business development and chief strategy officer for the hospital.

During her tenure, the hospital "developed strategies to drive growth by developing partnerships with leading medical centers in Chicago. These include the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, University of Chicago Medicine for cancer services and neurosciences, Rush University Medical Center for lung surgery, and Lurie Children's Hospital for pediatric services," her biography on the hospital website states.

The hospital also opened the Amy, Matthew, and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which was the first level 3 NICU in Will County, according to the website. Additionally, Ms. Colby worked with US HealthVest to construct a 110-bed behavioral health hospital on the hospital campus. She also served as chair-elect of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association and was slated to become chair next year. She also had recently been appointed to the American Hospital Association's Regional Planning Board for Region 5.

Before joining Silver Cross Hospital, Ms. Colby held leadership roles at University of Chicago Medicine and Solucient (now Merative).

"Ruth was passionate about excellence. About quality. And about upholding our Silver Cross promise to treat people the way they should be treated," a post on the hospital's Facebook page states. "She was also a driving force in transforming Silver Cross from a community hospital to a regional medical center and nationally recognized healthcare brand. On behalf of our entire Silver Cross Family who mourns Ruth, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family."

With Ms. Colby's passing, Silver Cross has named Michael Mutterer, RN, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, as interim president and CEO.
Construction is finally complete for a new 373-bed hospital in Utica, N.Y., funded by a $300 million healthcare facility transformation program grant from the state's Department of Health.

Wynn Hospital, part of the Mohawk Valley Health System, will open Oct. 29. It is anticipated to serve 90,000 visitors annually, according to a news release from Gov. Kathy Hochul's office.

"This is an exciting day for the people of Utica and the region as we mark the next step forward in modern, accessible health care coverage for this community," Ms. Hochul stated in the release. "The state-of-the-art facility is an investment in the well-being of the region and will ensure that every resident has access to critical medical services when they need it most."

The 373 beds will include: 232 medical/surgical beds, 44 psychiatric care beds, 42 intensive care beds, 23 maternity beds, 16 pediatric beds, eight coronary care beds as well as eight neonatal care beds.
Pueblo, Colo.-based Parkview Health System has until Jan. 24 to come to a merger agreement with Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth before any such deal could fall apart, according to an Oct. 16 filing.

The two systems have been struggling with regulatory issues for some months now, with an original target closing of mid-2023 delayed.

Both systems will have the opportunity to extend the Jan. 24 deadline by subsequent periods of three months by mutual consent.

Parkview Health had revenue of $541 million for fiscal 2023 ending June 30, recording an operating loss of $22.3 million, according to the filing.

UCHealth, a 12-hospital system, has said it will invest $200 million into Parkview once the transaction closes.






Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health is seeking $80 million from the state to help with its plan to buy three Connecticut hospitals, according to an Oct. 17 Hartford Courant report.

Yale New Haven is asking the state to provide $16 million annually for five years, the report said.

The system had previously revealed it wanted state help to fund any such acquisition but had not reported a number. Yale New Haven Health has also asked the hospitals' owner, Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, to lower the original $435 million price tag for the three facilities.

Whether Connecticut will provide any funds toward such an acquisition remains unclear as parties try to expedite the endangered transaction.

"This is a deal between two private parties with substantial resources to bring to bear," Julia Bergman, deputy communications director for Gov. Ned Lamont, said in a statement. "The governor is focused on investing tax dollars in initiatives that will provide economic opportunity for all Connecticut residents, in areas such as housing, education, and child care."

The Prospect Medical hospitals include Waterbury Hospital and two others operated by Eastern Connecticut Health Network: Manchester (Conn.) Memorial and Vernon, Conn.-based Rockville General.
Members of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT Local 5017, could lose their employer-paid health insurance subsidy if their planned strike occurs and carries into November, hospital administrators warned Oct. 17.

The union represents about 1,300 service and maintenance and tech healthcare workers at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Wash., and the lab professionals at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview, Wash., according to a news release from OFNHP. Both medical centers are part of Vancouver-based PeaceHealth, a nonprofit health system with medical centers, critical access hospitals and medical clinics in Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

Union members are set to begin a strike Oct. 23 at PeaceHealth Southwest and PeaceHealth St. John. The planned strike is open ended and follows months of negotiations.

PeaceHealth called the timing of the strike "unfortunate," since the health system's employer-paid subsidy for striking caregivers would cease Nov. 1 if the strike is still taking place. This would affect those who would no longer be eligible because they would no longer be working in the hospital.

Although the subsidy would cease, those caregivers would be eligible for continued coverage through COBRA, PeaceHealth said in a statement shared with Becker's.

"This is our standard practice that applies to any caregiver (union represented or not) who chooses not to work, including those who leave the hospital to transition to another job," the statement read.

The union condemned the practice, with Jonathon Baker, OFNHP president, calling it "cruel, punitive and egregious."

"This is putting these front-line healthcare workers at severe risk of health complications, which is a particularly brutal thing to do amidst a healthcare crisis, especially since many of these health professionals literally put themselves on the line saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr. Baker said in a news release.

The union added that workers would be left in a vulnerable state, particularly those with chronic health conditions, disabilities or dependents, if they lose their health insurance.

The strike is slated to begin at 6:30 a.m. local time Oct. 23 unless an agreement is reached.
Marc Harrison, MD, CEO of Health Assurance Transformation Corp., told Becker's that the General Catalyst-launched company is looking to acquire "a system that wants to change" in the "$1 billion to $3 billion" range.

On Oct. 9, General Catalyst launched HATCo with the bold goal of "ushering in a new era of better health." General Catalyst tapped former Intermountain Health CEO Marc Harrison, MD, to lead HATCo. Despite his extensive background in hospital leadership, Dr. Harrison said that he draws upon his history as a clinician to help inform his decision-making.

While HATCo plans to acquire and operate a health system, Dr. Harrison said that he doesn't want HATCo to be viewed as a competitor to hospitals. Rather, HATCo is looking to connect health systems with the tech companies in its portfolio.

To learn more about HATCo, Becker's caught up with Dr. Harrison:

Question: Given your background in healthcare leadership at Intermountain, do you think there is something a venture capital mindset could bring to leadership that is different from a typical health system C-suite?

Marc Harrison, MD: I actually think maybe my background as a clinician informs things as much as anything. The mindset I come at things from is the memories I have with patients who have been poorly served by not preventing illness. This whole idea is that so much of what we see in healthcare is due to poor prevention. I think that the VC mindset has been relatively short-term and relative point solution based on the way that deals are structured. The thing that really attracted me about General Catalyst is that they try to make investments in companies that engage in responsible innovation and that are more prevention-oriented. I just respect so much that General Catalyst has put their money where their mouth is.

From the perspective of this project (HATCo), it is neither a VC nor a private equity play. So, we will work with portfolio companies. But probably the more mature portfolio companies that have proven ability to deliver and take good care of patients or reduce administrative burden. Because we recognize that when we work with health systems that we just need to be very careful to make sure that we do the right thing by the people who are cared for and people who work there. We're in this for years and decades. We will improve quality and work on cost. We will work with our system partners and the system that we will own to make them more economically robust, not with a plan to sell but to show what transformation looks like.

Q: You described HATCo as part of a shift to "transcend" venture capital. Could you expand on that?

MH: We have respect for lots of companies that provide a single solution. If you're going to be in the business of keeping people well, you need more platform-type activity than you do in a single-point solution activity. So one of the major functions we will have is to identify companies that should be platformized together and develop the ability to implement that repetitively. That is the first piece. Secondly, let's say you are a really terrific VC; 10% of companies that you start or invest in have a big exit. We can't afford that. We're going to be in the taking-care-of-people business. We have to be sure that the solutions we are going to implement are the right solutions for that system and those patients.

Q: Given some of the fluctuations in the market, what is your digital health strategy?

MH: I think digital health has a role. But it is not the be-all and end-all. When we talk about what the future should look like, we think it should be a 'clicks and mortar' future. There are roles for legacy systems to do operations, have people in ICU, have bone marrow transplant units and whatever things that are just super high tech and labor intensive. They need to have physical places to take care of folks. On the other end of the spectrum, there are things that can be delivered by distance very effectively, and sometimes even better than in person. Then there's a middle ground where a digitally enabled ICU may be a more efficient and safer ICU if we actually do it really well. We are maybe a little bit more interested in the full spectrum of how digital health is deployed. For example, we are looking at artificial intelligence-powered tools, telehealth, asynchronous care, tools that crawl EHRs to look for potential problems in patients, and tech stacks that help primary care doctors close care gaps. We think that world is really pretty integrated going forward.

Q: How do HATCo's health system and hospital partners work with the company?

MH: Our team at HATCo has put together an ecosystem of assurance partners. We are now at about 20 systems. They're in 43 states in the U.S. and also in Israel, the U.K. and Canada. Now, there's a major payer that has also joined. These are impactful folks, but they're also really carefully selected to represent the breadth of healthcare. Our partners include everyone from urban safety net hospitals to big academic centers and large for-profit community hospital systems. So, we introduce them to portfolio companies, not in a commercial way, but to give them a sense of what is out there. They, in turn, tell us what they need, and we inform each other. In many instances, we help them identify opportunities and they begin to implement and they provide us with both practical and sort of more thought leadership points of view of how these companies are performing.

Q: How does HATCo aim to improve its health system partners' finances?

MH: It's really important that we are never perceived as an enemy or competitor to health systems. So, the health system that we acquire, which will be a special and distinctive thing, we don't anticipate doing that repetitively. We anticipate using that system, in concert with our leadership team, as a concept of what healthcare can look like. We don't want other folks to think that we're out there to roll up hospitals and become their local competitor. What we'd like to do, between the system that we own and the 20 systems that we work with, is to be able to demonstrate to them we can be of help to you. We can help you be resilient in the face of the transformation that is coming, such as economic headwinds and labor costs. The system is brittle and it's having a really hard time. Unlike some other players in this transforming industry, we don't think health systems are going to become irrelevant. We don't seek to commoditize them. We seek to have them continue to be important players in their community. So, it's just a very different philosophical approach.

Q: What is the timeline for the health system acquisition? What type of health system are you targeting?

MH: The work is ongoing now. We want a system that wants to change. We want somebody who is excited about what we can bring to the table both in terms of financial resources and also in terms of will, expertise and access. We'd like a system that is a robust system. Their financials may not be great. We recognize that there is actually the majority of the industry right now. But we'd like a system with a track record of excellence and a desire to serve their community and serve. We'd love for them to have some capability around value-based care; they don't need to own their own, but that would be interesting if they did. Finally, the size frame that I'm thinking about this is not hard and fast, but in that $1 billion to $3 billion range. This is big enough to be very impactful in the communities they serve but not so big that they feel like they can do everything. These $1 billion to $3 billion systems are where most Americans get their healthcare, and they generally recognize that they need to partner in order to get big things done.
More than 100 plaintiffs have joined four separate lawsuits against Derrick Todd, MD, a former rheumatologist at Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital accused of performing inappropriate pelvic and breast exams on patients, The Boston Globe reported Oct. 16.

The lawsuits accuse Dr. Todd of "sexual assault under the auspices of providing medical care."

In early October, the Globe broke news that Brigham and Women's placed the physician on administrative leave in June, after receiving two anonymous complaints from other physicians regarding Dr. Todd's conduct of sensitive exams. He then reportedly resigned in July and agreed to stop practicing medicine in September, asserting that the agreement did not equate to wrongdoing.

Boston Police, the Suffolk County, Mass., district attorney and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine are investigating Dr. Todd. No criminal charges have been filed against him.

In a statement to the Globe, a lawyer for the physician said, "He has been fully cooperative with all investigations, including the Board of Registration in Medicine, and is confident that when all the facts are considered  or even litigated  these allegations will be proven to be without merit."

Brigham and Women's began reaching out to Dr. Todd's former patients in August, when they received the first complaint from a patient, a source previously confirmed to Becker's.

"As our investigation continues, we have reached out to his current and former patients to offer information and resources, including establishing a dedicated team of specifically trained patient and family relations professionals, as well as offering clinicians to speak with about any concerns or next steps regarding their care," Charles Morris, MD, chief medical officer and senior vice president of medical affairs at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said in a statement sent to Becker's on Oct. 6. "We deeply regret the harm this has caused to our patients and their families. 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."
The Washington Hospital Association filed a lawsuit Oct. 16 against the state over the state's health department's change in interpretation of a long-standing charity care law. According to the lawsuit, hospitals statewide are required to provide charity care for any service to any patient seeking it regardless of their ability to pay or an indigent person's residency.

Washington has had a charity care act in place since 1989 to provide residents in need with necessary care for free or at a low cost. Under its new revision, hospitals across Washington were given until Jan. 16, 2024, to update their policies and comply with the rule.

"If Washington hospitals are required to provide free care to indigent persons from other states and countries, Washington's hospitals will be required to offer scarce, costly and complex medical care such as organ transplants and cancer treatment to non-Washingtonians who, based on current requests to hospitals, will likely come from around the world," the association's complaint reads. "Hospitals will also be required to offer common procedures, which may appeal to those in adjoining states and provinces. In many instances these services will be provided by hospitals without any source of reimbursement whatsoever."

The hospital association asserts that requiring hospitals in the state to provide this care to anyone, it "will decrease access for Washingtonians, and will increase the costs of care for Washingtonians who will inevitably subsidize the costs of free care to others from outside of the State."

According to an Oct. 17 news release from WHA, the group is first seeking an opinion from the Thurston County Superior Court in advance of the January 2024 compliance deadline.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a visit that underscores Chinas support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine as well as Russian backing for China's bid to expand its economic and diplomatic influence abroad.

The two countries have forged an informal alliance against the United States and other democratic nations that is now complicated by the Israel-Hamas war. China has sought to balance its ties with Israel against its relations with Iran and Syria, two countries that are strongly backed by Russia and with which China has forged ties for economic reasons as well as to challenge Washington's influence in the Middle East.

Putin's plane was met by an honor guard as the Russian leader began his visit that is also a show of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinpings signature Belt and Road initiative to build infrastructure and expand Chinas overseas influence.

In an interview to Chinese state media, Putin praised the massive but loosely linked BRI projects.

Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the Peoples Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise. We just see a desire for cooperation, he told state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin on Monday.

Putin will be among the highest-profile guests at a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Xis announcement of the BRI project, which has laden countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debt from contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports and other public works they could not otherwise afford. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised the Chinese policy as bringing development to neglected areas.

The gathering has also given Putin an opportunity to meet with other global leaders who have criticized the Western approach to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Speaking at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country is a member of the European Union as well as NATO, Putin said the countries have maintained good ties despite recent tensions.

It causes satisfaction that we have managed to preserve and develop relations with many European countries, including Hungary, Putin said at the start of the talks with Orban.

Orban, who has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions against Russia, noted that his country has remained eager to maintain ties with Russia.

Hungary never wanted to confront Russia. Hungary always has been eager to expand contacts, Orban told Putin. Hungary has continued to pursue contacts with Russia in the nuclear power and gas energy fields despite EU sanctions.

Asked by reporters Friday about his visit, Putin said it would encompass talks on Belt and Road-related projects, which he said Moscow wants to link with efforts by an economic alliance of former Soviet Union nations mostly located in Central Asia to achieve common development goals.

He also downplayed the impact of Chinas economic influence in a region that Russia has long considered its backyard and where it has worked to maintain political and military clout.

We dont have any contradictions here, on the contrary, there is a certain synergy, Putin said.

Putin said he and Xi would also discuss growing economic ties between Moscow and Beijing in energy, high-tech and financial industries. China has also grown in importance as an export destination for Russia.

Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said that from Chinas view, Russia is a safe neighbor that is friendly, that is a source of cheap raw materials, thats a support for Chinese initiatives on the global stage and thats also a source of military technologies, some of those that China doesnt have.

For Russia, China is its lifeline, economic lifeline in its brutal repression against Ukraine, Gabuev told The Associated Press.

Its the major market for Russian commodities, its a country that provides its currency and payment system to settle Russias trade with the outside world  with China itself, but also with many other countries, and is also the major source of sophisticated technological imports, including dual-use goods that go into the Russian military machine.

Gabuev said that while Moscow and Beijing will be unlikely to forge a full-fledged military alliance, their defense cooperation will grow.

Both countries are self-sufficient in terms of security and they benefit from partnering, but neither really requires a security guarantee from the other. And they preach strategic autonomy, he said.

There will be no military alliance, but there will be closer military cooperation, more interoperability, more cooperation on projecting force together, including in places like the Arctic and more joint effort to develop a missile defense that makes the U.S. nuclear planning and planning of the U.S. and its allies in Asia and in Europe more complicated, he added.

The Chinese and Soviets were Cold War rivals for influence among left-leaning states, but China and Russia have since partnered in the economic, military and diplomatic spheres.

Just weeks before Russias invasion of Ukraine last February, Putin met with Xi in Beijing and the sides signed an agreement pledging a no-limits relationship. Beijings attempts to present itself as a neutral peace broker in Russias war on Ukraine have been widely dismissed by the international community.

Xi visited Moscow in March as part of a flurry of exchanges between the countries. China has condemned international sanctions imposed on Russia, but hasnt directly addressed an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court on charges of alleged involvement in the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. (AP)
Nonprofit foundations aligned with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are now among the largest in the world due to surging sales of drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Novo Nordisk Foundation now has $114 billion in assets and Lilly Endowment has quadrupled in value to $40 billion, making it the second-largest U.S. foundation after the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Lilly Endowment's donations more than doubled to $1.28 billion last year from 2018, marking the highest amount in the endowment's history, CEO Clay Robbins told The Journal. The foundation has many causes in Indiana, with the drugmaker based in Indianapolis, and supports religion, education and community development projects via 645 grant recipients.

Novo Nordisk Foundation's annual grant awards nearly doubled between 2018 and 2022, to about $1.1 billion. The Bagsvrd, Denmark-based foundation is increasing its support for scientific endeavors, such as the $130 million it earmarked in September for construction of a cell-therapy plant in Denmark and a $200 million grant to establish the country's first full-scale quantum computer.

"We can achieve a lot more now," Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of Novo Nordisk Foundation, told the Journal. "Size actually does matter."

With an 11% stake, Lilly Endowment is Eli Lilly's biggest shareholder, although the foundation operates independently from Eli Lilly. The Novo Nordisk Foundation owns more than one-fourth of Novo Nordisk shares and majority voting control of the drugmaker, and is more intertwined with Novo Nordisk.

Novo Nordisk makes Ozempic, Saxenda, Wegovy and Victoza; Eli Lilly makes Trulicity and Mounjaro. GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza and Mounjaro, are FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes; Saxenda and Wegovy are approved for weight loss. The drugs can cost patients more than $10,000 a year without insurance coverage.
ChatGPT has received a lot of buzz in 2023, but what role does it have in orthopedics?

Alex Vaccaro, MD, a spine surgeon and president of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute in Philadelphia, connected with Becker's to answer, "What technology is slated to be the next big thing in orthopedics?"

Dr. Alex Vaccaro: Orthopedics, and the broader field of healthcare, is faced with a unique opportunity due to significant advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence in the past decade. The possible applications of ChatGPT have been shown in diverse fields, including programming, climate change and education.

In the field of orthopedics and healthcare, it has been also shown to have potential benefits, especially in medical research and patient care. In academic research, ChatGPT can serve as a useful tool for researchers to increase research efficiency as well as improve their writing. As ChatGPT is trained on a database up to the year of 2022, it is able to summarize scientific information up to that point in time. By entering any scientific prompt, researchers can quickly assess an overview of the subject and better understand the pre-existing literature. ChatGPT is also able to analyze a written work and correct grammatical mistakes, check citations, as well as offer stylistic improvements. However, when using ChatGPT to generate text, care must be taken to ensure accuracy of the text as well as avoiding plagiarism.

Although it cannot replace the role of an orthopedic surgeon, ChatGPT may provide patients with information on orthopedic diagnosis and management. When given a patient history of shoulder and elbow symptoms, ChatGPT chose the diagnosis made by a shoulder and elbow specialist in 93% of the patients and correctly managed 83% of the patients.

ChatGPT may also be used for the purpose of providing information to patients regarding surgery, but this should be used with caution. In one study looking at ChatGPT's ability to answer questions regarding anterior cruciate ligament surgery, ChatGPT was found to give an answer that was fully or mostly correct 65% of the time and was completely inaccurate 15% of the time. The problems of inaccurate information persist, but there is significant potential for patients to have their questions answered and better understand their diagnosis.

ChatGPT may also be able to help providers in the setting of clinical support. Recent studies have shown that ChatGPT is able to instantly generate discharge summaries and operative notes. However, several problems were noted in both of these categories. In discharge summaries, the text was generic with discharge instructions that were not tailored to the problem at hand while in operative notes, details were added that were not accurate in the specific case.

In these cases, ChatGPT can be trained to fix its errors post hoc, but any text generated by ChatGPT will require confirmation for accuracy. Despite this, once appropriately trained, ChatGPT may be able to increase clerical efficiency and save providers significant time, especially in these tasks that require providers to summarize several days' worth of information.
Arctic Monkeys proved theyre one of the best live acts around as frontman Alex Turner put on a show at a sold out SSE Arena in Belfast last night.

The Sheffield outfit more than made it up to their fans after being forced to cancel their gig at Dublins Marlay Park earlier this year  their only planned show on the island of Ireland.

For anyone fearing the setlist would focus only on their new material, the Arctic Monkeys led with their earlier and arguably best work.

Fresh off the back of their shows in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the indie rock band are closing out their world tour with performances in Belfast and Dublin.

Fans hoping to see Arctic Monkeys at Marlay Park in June were left disappointed after the band were forced to cancel the gig due to illness.

Turner had been diagnosed with acute laryngitis and was under doctors orders to rest his voice ahead of headlining Glastonbury.

Thankfully, there was a surprise announcement in August when the Arctic Monkeys said they would return to Belfast and Dublin to make up for the forced cancellation.

Supported by special guest Miles Kane, who is best known for his solo work and being co-frontman of the Last Shadow Puppets alongside Turner, the show at the SSE Arena was Arctic Monkeys first gig in Northern Ireland since the release of their 2022 album The Car.

Rocker Kane was the perfect warm up with his energetic performance and got the crowd going with his infectious personality.

But it was the Arctic Monkeys everyone was waiting for.

Hello, Belfast, says Turner as he greets the crowd, with his foot on the monitors, suit on and shirt open.

The screams of teenage girls were deafening when Turner, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook and Nick OMalley took to the stage.

The band eased their way into their show with Sculptures of Anything Goes.

After that, it was hit after hit as the Arctic Monkeys burst in with Brianstorm from their 2007 album Favourite Worst Nightmare.

This already felt like a setlist for their most loyal fans as their next track was Snap Out of It.

Arctic Monkeys at the SSE Arena Belfast (Photo: Simon Graham Photography)

Each performance from some of their most popular albums Whatever People Say I Am, Thats What Im Not; Favourite Worst Nightmare; Humbug, Suck It and See; and AM felt like the band wanted to make up for their cancelled gig.

Turner was slick throughout. His vocals and audience interaction during Whyd You Only Call Me When Youre High was up there with the best live performances around today.

Closing the gig, Arctic Monkeys rocked out the arena with their classic I Bet You look Good on the Dancefloor and R U Mine? Two fan favourites.

This was an Arctic Monkeys performance for the fans and Turner proved once again why hes unmatched as a frontman.

Arctic Monkeys have two more shows left of their world tour at Dublins 3Arena.

There are still tickets available for tonights show and Thursdays gig is sold out.
NI-born actor Sam Neill has said remarks about his cancer status and prognosis were taken out of context after he said in an interview that he was prepared for death .

On Monday, the Jurassic Park star told ABC Australia he was prepared for the inevitable end after being diagnosed with blood cancer earlier this year, describing death as annoying because hes got more to do.

He also that said despite undergoing chemotherapy, the treatment that did not work for him. After switching to another type of treatment, his cancer entered remission but this was only temporary.

Read more Jurassic Park star Sam Neill on growing up in Omagh, battling cancer and his Bond audition

However on Tuesday, the actor took to social media website Instagram to clarify his remarks, and said in a video, "I am firmly in remission.

"ALL IS WELL. I AM WELL!! Please ignore conflated stories in the press today, he added.

"I made a passing remark that the treatment I'm on, which has me in remission, will inevitably fail one day. That's what happens, it's nothing to worry about.

"I'm in remission. I plan to be in remission for many more years to come. I'll bore you all to death with lots more work.

"And as such time that it does fail, we'll try something else. There's lots of things that are happening with cancer these days. It's a whole new ball game."

Mr Neill, who was born in Omagh but later moved to New Zealand, also emotionally admitted he was receiving messages from friends who were worried about his health.

"Please stop worrying. I'm getting messages on social media and from friends. I'm sorry to worry everybody. It's all good, it's all fine, it's a beautiful day and I'm off to work."

Mr Neill will be next seen in the drama film Bring Him to Me which is due to be released in cinemas next month.

Prior to the actors strike in the United States, he was filming in Australia with Annette Bening for the adaptation of Liane Moriarty's novel, Apples Never Fall.
Gok Wan also said he "loves" the fashion scene in Belfast

Gok Wan has revealed his favourite post-nightclub takeaway and it seems a popular spot in Belfast has captured the heart of the TV presenter.

The 49-year-old used to have a residency at the Kremlin nightclub in the city but revealed he hasnt been back since before lockdown.

However, it was popular takeaway Spaghetti Arms around the corner from the nightclub that has stuck with him over the years, describing their signature Dirty Goujon dish as one of the best things he has ever eaten.

"I had a residency at the Kremlin which was so much fun and I was there for years up until lockdown but I haven't been since, he told the Robin Elliott Tonight show on Monday evening.

But I was there for about two years almost every month. You know one of the best things about playing at the Kremlin in Belfast? Next door at the chip shop they do a dish called dirty goujons.

"Chicken nuggets, more gravy, more cheese. It is lethal.

"Genuinely it is one of the best things I have ever eaten in my entire life.

"I need to get a gig at the Kremlin and I need to come over for some dirty goujons.

The fashion consultant and TV personality also talked about the fashion scene in the UK and said he personally (loves) Belfast and I love your fashion over there.

"I celebrate the UK for all of us, every part of this country. I think we are the fashion capital of the world, he added.

"I think we can take on Italy and we can take on France. I think we get fashion right really well.

"But always we think of London when we think of fashion. But actually there are pockets of fashion all around the country in Belfast for example. This is just a campaign to celebrate what we do when it comes to fashion.

Back in 2021 the fashion guru  best known for his How To Look Good Naked series  was awarded an MBE for services to fashion and social awareness, having had to delay receiving the accolade due to illness that year.

Last Christmas he also described a Christmas miracle after revealing his cousins daughter was in remission having been diagnosed with leukaemia.

At the time he spoke publicly how it felt to have her selected for the gene therapy treatment called Car-T cell therapy after various other treatments failed to help.

He said: You get giventhe most awful news about Alyssa and it just continues and gets worse and worse and worse and after treatment and transplants and everything else, and then all of a sudden to get the news that actually science has cured the leukaemia."

The year before he raised more than 50,000 for charity Young Lives Vs Cancer by getting his head shaved live on ITVs This Morning.
Israel on Tuesday bombed areas of southern Gaza where it had told Palestinians to flee to ahead of an expected invasion, killing dozens of people. Meanwhile, mediators struggled to break a deadlock over delivering aid to millions of increasingly desperate civilians in the territory, which has been besieged and under assault by Israel since a brutal attack by Hamas militants.

Flaring violence along Israel's border with Lebanon also led to concerns over a widening regional conflict that diplomats were working to prevent.

In Gaza, people wounded in the airstrikes were rushed to the hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighboring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, well take care of it. Well handle it," said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman.

Israel has sealed off and bombed Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel Oct. 7 killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and left about 200 captive in Gaza.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of the dead were children, said Medhat Abbas, a Gaza Health Ministry official. The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to barrage Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed buried under the rubble , alive or dead, health authorities said. Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing airstrikes. On Monday Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defense in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 10 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, health authorities said.

Israel has massed troops at the border for an expected ground offensive, but Hecht said Tuesday no concrete decisions have been made.

"These plans are being developed. They will be decided by, and presented to, our political leadership,' he said.

Airstrikes, dwindling supplies, and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes , and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse as hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water .

Some departments in Gazas only specialized cancer hospital stopped working because of fuel shortages and the remaining wards will run out within two days, according to a statement from Sobhi Skik, director general of the Turkish Friendship Hospital.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt , truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel. The aid would then be allowed into Gaza. A brief humanitarian cease-fire would take place and foreign nationals would be allowed to exit Gaza via Rafah, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media.

Both Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening.

The crossings are closed, and Im not aware of a truce or stop of hostilities, Hecht said.

Wael Abu Omar, Hamas spokesman for the Rafah crossing, said: Up until now, there is no agreement.

The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. No one is giving up on the hope that this (crossing) would be open, said WFP official Abeer Etefa.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel. Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group .

The military said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. Video from a reconnaissance drone the army shared showed the militants near the border wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Whoever approaches the border with Lebanon will be killed, said Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Israel has warned Lebanon it will strongly retaliate against attacks from across the border.

Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier."

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted U.S. and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

The Israeli military said Monday at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gaza's population, the U.N. said. (AP)
Action Cancer celebrates 50 years

Keri Finlay (48) from Ballygowan was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2022 through Action Cancers breast screening programme.

Her first mammogram before Covid produced clear results and she returned two years later for another screening. Within two weeks, she was required to attend a breast cancer clinic at the Ulster Hospital.

Breast screening is for well women who have no signs or symptoms and is the most effective tool for picking up cancers at an early and treatable stage. Action Cancer offers screening to women aged 40-49 and 70+ and encourages women aged 50-70 to attend for routine screening when called by the NHS.

I went alone as I thought Ill be in and out in no time, I can do this on my own, its not a big deal, she explains, having a physical examination, mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies on the day.

As the morning went on and other patients came and went, I became increasingly worried that perhaps I might be that one person in five who was going to come away with a diagnosis.

Keri Finlay with her aunt, Wendy Rodie

She was then told she had cancer in her left breast and needed surgery to remove it, potentially radiotherapy, but that it was treatable and the outlook was very positive.

A previous cervical cancer scare led to Keri changing her outlook on life, promising herself to no longer catastrophise and view things positively.

I've spoken to another person who sort of had a similar journey years ago, and they said to me, I was such a mess that I couldnt even get in the car to go to appointments, Keri tells the Belfast Telegraph.

Whereas me because of my mindset, I drove myself to most of my appointments. For me, it was, this is just something that I have to deal with and something have to go through.

It sounds really funny, but I felt like I was very lucky. I felt that I was very lucky because it was found and it could be treated. And so to me going through everything that I went through was just something that had to be done. And then when it was all over, we could just move on.

I said to someone the other day, Ive cried more since its all been over than I did when it was going on.

Of course I was scared, but I never let myself think that it was going to be anything other than going through the surgery and the treatment  and then thatll be it and I'll be fine.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type among females in Northern Ireland accounting for 30% of all cancer diagnoses among women. The latest statistics state that 1,457 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 314 die from the disease every year.

Within two weeks of being diagnosed, Keri had surgery to remove the cancerous lump and a number of lymph nodes. After testing the nodes, it was decided chemotherapy was needed in addition to radiotherapy and the drug, Herceptin.

They said that because they felt it was such a small lump, they would remove the lump through the surgery and Id maybe need a bit of radiotherapy depending on the pathology of the lump. When they came back and said, Oh, by the way, it's HER-2 which is quite an aggressive form of breast cancer, so you're gonna need chemo, that was more of a shock to me than having cancer.

Keri had decided not to tell wider family and friends of her diagnosis but going through chemo meant she could no longer hide it from her loved ones, in particular, her nephew Jake.

To me, it was just something that I had to get through and I was going to get through it the easiest way possible, she explains.

I really do believe that they saved my life, she continues, praising the work of Action Cancer.

If I hadn't been for that mammogram we wouldn't have known and we wouldn't have known for two years. And it was such an aggressive form of cancer, it could have been a very, very different story.

Keri with her nephew Jake, pictured together in the Mournes

Following six sessions of chemo and 10 sessions of radiotherapy, Keri is on a phased return to work as facility co-ordinator for the Open Universitys nursing department. She credits her colleagues for their insight during her healthcare journey.

A lot of them could understand what I was going through. One of our staff tutors used to be a nurse in the breast cancer unit and he was able to answer any questions for me that I had.

The staff were still so good because they're all nurses, they're all checking in on me all the time.

I look after the students placements. One of the roles is making sure that they get into each different area and get experience in the different areas before they become a registered nurse.

It was great for me to be able to see some of the service that the trust's provide and what goes on there. I was actually blown away by how wonderful they all were and how fast everything went.

Embracing life wholeheartedly, Keri says shes agreeing to opportunities to have as much fun as possible.

I am very grateful to my family for their ongoing support and am looking forward to going on a Mediterranean cruise with them all in May of next year. I had to cancel a trip of a lifetime to Manila with my uncle earlier this year due my treatment, so I intend on holidaying now whenever I can!

I believe Action Cancer saved my life through early breast cancer detection. We are really fortunate here in Northern Ireland to have this service on either side of the NHS screening programme. I would encourage any woman in her 40s or over the age of 70 to book a mammogram and get checked out. Its 20 minutes that could save your life.

Im now looking to become more involved with Action Cancer as a volunteer as I want to give back to the charity that I owe my life to and raise awareness of their cancer prevention, detection and support services.

Keri is one of a new cohort of ambassadors of the breast screening service. The charity detects six cancers for every 1,000 screenings, with the majority of women receiving reassurance. The free service is not available anywhere else in the UK or Ireland.

Breast screening appointments are now available with Action Cancer. Women aged 40-49 and 70+ can book an appointment online at www.actioncancer.org or by calling 028 9080 3344. Its Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign is supported by Gordons Chemists and local online car insurance company its4women.
A west Belfast pensioner jailed for collecting information for dissident republican terrorists is mounting a legal bid to overturn her conviction.

Fionnghuale Mary Teresa Dympha Perry, 65, is currently serving a four-year sentence in connection with security debrief documents found at her home about a police seizure of firearms, ammunition and explosives.

She was found guilty of collecting or making a record of information likely to be of use to terrorists following a non-jury trial earlier this year.

Judges at the Court of Appeal today confirmed her challenge to the conviction will be heard later this month.

Perry, of Waterville Street in the city, is currently not due to be released from prison until January 2026.

She is also appealing the sentence imposed based on issues related to her condition of multiple sclerosis.

The court was told a report has been requested on the health care being provided to her in custody.

In 2018 police discovered the documents inside a perfume box at Perrys home.

Officers searched a spare bedroom and located seven cigarette papers containing written information about an earlier recovery of weapons and explosives, the trial heard.

The notes related to interviews carried out following seizures from Kevin Barry Nolans home in Ballymurphy, west Belfast in 2015.

Nolan was later convicted and jailed for storing Semtex, guns and bullets.

Prosecutors argued that the papers discovered in Perrys house were a security debrief about the seized weapons to find out what went wrong and how police came to find them.

Defence lawyers claimed she had a reasonable excuse for the notes because of a role as a journalist writing on political and security issues.

But rejecting her case, the trial judge declared himself satisfied beyond any doubt that she was guilty of collecting or making a record likely to be useful to a terrorist.

He described the information compiled as sinister and found that Perry had played a role in supporting the continuation of dissident republican violence.

In court today Lord Justice McCloskey issued final directions on the time period both sides will be allocated for oral submissions at the appeal hearing.
A 40-year-old Co Antrim man has been jailed for six months for an unprovoked attack which left his victim with multiple fractures

A 40-year-old Co Antrim man has been jailed for six months for an unprovoked attack which left his victim with multiple fractures.

As he imposed a 12-month sentence on Darren Norman Patterson, Judge Peter Irvine KC told the father-of-two his actions were reprehensible.

Patterson admitted a charge of grievous bodily harm which he committed on the evening of August 29, 2022 and his sentence was divided equally between jail and licence.

Belfast Crown Court was shown CCTV of the incident which occurred at Donegall Street in Belfast.

In the footage Patterson, from Carnhill Walk in Carrickfergus, is seen acting aggressively to several passers-by before approaching a much smaller, slightly built man.

The attack, which was witnessed by members of the public, proceeded when Patterson headbutted the other man, shoved him against shutters then slammed him to the ground.

The injured party sustained multiple injuries including fractures to his wrist and shinbone as well as a facial laceration.

A Crown barrister described the attack as completely unprovoked and one preceded by aggressive behaviour towards others.

Pattersons barrister said his client had expressed remorse for the violent incident and disclosed a decline in his mental health.

Noting Patterson carried out the attack whilst heavily intoxicated, Judge Irvine imposed the jail term and told him: Your actions on this particular evening were totally reprehensible.

This was a violent attack upon a totally innocent man with serious consequences flowing from it.

The judge then addressed the prison staff and said take him down".
Gibson will not be freed from a secure mental health facility unless the DoJ is satisfied he is safe to be released

Forensic and PSNI officers investigate following the incident in Lurgan on April 11, last year (Photo: Alan Lewis;  Photopress Belfast)

A Co Armagh man has been handed an indefinite hospital order after a jury acquitted him of multiple attempted murders on the grounds of insanity.

A Craigavon Crown Court jury deliberated for less than half an hour before returning with their unanimous verdicts  finding Ben Gibson (21) not guilty of three counts of attempted murder on the grounds of insanity and one charge of having knife with intent to commit murder on April 11, last year.

Gibson, from Glenfield Road in Lurgan, had attacked three men in Lurgan town centre with a 12-inch kitchen knife.

Following the unanimous verdicts, Judge Patrick Lynch highlighted that he heard evidence from two consultant psychiatrists, who agreed in their findings that diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic Gibson, was insane at the time of the attacks.

Gibsons treating psychiatrist Dr Adrian East, had recommended the judge imposes a hospital order with restrictions for an indefinite period and Judge Lynch followed that recommendation.

Gibson will now be held and treated in a secure mental health facility and will not be freed unless the Department of Justice is satisfied that he is safe to be released.

Thanking the jury for their attention to the case, Judge Lynch told them: We can only hope that the defendant is treated in such a way that ultimately, he could be in a position at some future date to be released but that is obviously beyond my capacity to predict.

The jury heard that when Gibson armed himself with a knife, stabbing two men in Lurgan town centre and causing a third man to flee in fear of his life, he was suffering from command auditory hallucinations.

The court heard four faceless men were telling him he had to go and kill otherwise they would harm his family.

There was evidence that Gibson had taken at least 30 pregabalin tablets and consumed a bottle of Buckfast in the lead up to the terrifying incident.

However, giving evidence, consultant psychiatrist Dr East said he believed that even without being intoxicated, Gibson would still have launched the knife attacks.

He told the jury there was an established diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia in relation to Gibsons mental state.

Gibson had signed himself out of his local mental health unit against medical advice just 10 days before the incident.

Dr East outlined how the would-be killer had been suffering from mental health problems dating back to 2016, but certainly from 2018.

In the lead up to the attacks, previous treatments had not worked to relieve symptoms and it was Dr Easts view that Gibsons condition was not likely to have improved before the offences.

He explained the paranoid schizophrenia Gibson suffers from is an abnormality of mind to such an extent that it had materially affected his thought processes about what he was doing and the consequences of his actions.

The jury heard that in Gibsons mind, he felt compelled to follow the voices who were talking to him because he feared if he did not obey their commands, his family would be harmed.

The jury also heard that a second psychiatrist, Dr Curran, had also examined Gibson and while he reported that symptoms had mainly decreased under his new treatment regime, he agreed totally with Dr Easts assessment that the 21-year-old was insane at the time of the offences.

The attacks began just after 8pm when Gibson approached his first victim in Moores Lane, stabbing him in the lower neck when his back was turned.

When he turned around, he told the jury he saw Gibson holding the knife high in the air as though he was going to strike again, so he ran back inside the Polish deli where he worked and bolted the door.

Gibsons second intended victim, who was not stabbed, saw that incident and fearing for his life, he ran away, blockading himself and a woman into a nearby kebab shop as Gibson strolled by holding the knife in his left hand.

A short distance away, the third victim had gotten out of his car when he saw Gibson, who appeared heavily intoxicated, approaching while bent over clutching his stomach.

When he straightened up, however, he was brandishing the knife and he chased the victim into a tanning salon, stabbing him twice in the chest as customers fled for safety.

The second victim followed Gibson and directed police to Lurgan Park where they arrested him.

The victims recounted in their evidence that Gibsons eyes had been dead and vacant and that he had a blank look on his face.

The jury heard that when he was arrested, Gibson told police: I attempted to kill them people.
UVF supergrass Gary Haggarty to give evidence in trial of double murder accused

Court appearance next Monday will be ex-terror chiefs first public appearance in NI since 2009

Gary Haggarty

Allison Morris Tue 17 Oct 2023 at 07:45

Supergrass Gary Haggarty will appear in a Belfast court next Monday to give evidence in a double murder trial.
The bonfire was dismantled after the incident (PA)

Mid and East Antrim Council has been asked to supply health and safety policies around loyalist bonfires to a coroner ahead of an inquest into the death of a man in Larne.

John Steele, 37, died following an incident at a pyre in the Antiville area of the town on July 9 2022.

It happened on land owned by the council, but the bonfire was built by the local community.

The bonfire, which was estimated to be over 50ft tall, was taken down and the remnants later set alight at a vigil for the window cleaner and father-of-two.

The bonfire was dismantled after the fatal fall on the Antiville estate in Larne, Co Antrim (Liam McBurney/PA)

The fires are traditionally ignited on the eve of the Twelfth of July  a day when members of Protestant loyal orders parade to commemorate the Battle of Boyne in 1690.

The battle, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

The vast majority of bonfires are built by local communities.

In the past, there have been attempts by Belfast City Council to stop some bonfires built on land it owns where it had concerns.

In 2021, it hired contractors to remove a pyre at the Bloomfield Walkway site in the east of the city, an action which sparked disorder.

An inquest is set to start into Mr Steeles death on December 15 at Banbridge court house.

At a pre-inquest review on Tuesday, Coroner Joe McCrisken said at this stage the council was listed as an attendee, and not as an interested person.

The coffin of John Steele is carried by mourners up Churchill Road, past the remnants of the bonfire from which he fell, following his funeral service at his house in Larne, County Antrim (Brian Lawless/PA)

The council can apply to become an interested person in the proceedings.

That status would allow the council to respond within the inquest to any potential criticism of their policies.

A witness list and statements from witnesses have been prepared, and footage from police body worn cameras has been requested.

Mr McCrisken asked for the council to supply him with copies of any health and safety policies regarding bonfires in general, and particularly the bonfire at which Mr Steele died, and any risk assessments or event applications.

He also requested any other potentially relevant information, such as communication with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service or other agencies regarding the safety and risk assessment of the bonfire.

Solicitor for the council Elaine Kirk said she believed that it would not take very long to provide that information, because of the lack of it.

Risk assessments are not something the council carry out so well be able to address your queries relatively quickly, she said.

I will have to take instructions in relation to becoming a properly interested party.

Mr McCrisken responded: It might be preferable at this stage just to simply do that on a provisional basis so it allows you to engage with the inquest in a way that might assist the council.

Mr Steeles mother Jackie also attended the hearing via videolink.

Another pre-inquest review hearing is set to take place in November.
A row has erupted between councillors over a decision to light a council building in the colours of the Israeli flag.

An Alliance Party proposal to light the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council civic building white to symbolise a desire for peace was defeated.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Alliance Party councillor Peter Lavery said he was: Disappointed that our Alliance proposal to light @abcb_council civic buildings white to symbolise a desire for peace in Israel and Palestine was defeated.

Instead, the DUP & UUP voted to light up in the colours of the Israeli flag for 7 days. Every civilian life is equal.

DUP councillor Mark Baxter hit back at Mr Laverys post, adding that the Alliance Partys stance was utterly spineless and shameful.

Happy to light buildings in French colours after the Paris terrorist attacks , doesnt view the Hamas terror attacks in the same way. Utterly spineless and shameful from Alliance, he posted.

Read more Gaza aid trucker from Dungannon ordered by GAA to remove Palestine flags slams politicians for hypocrisy

Speaking on Facebook, DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley said he was happy to see Unionist councillors working together to show solidarity with the people of Israel.

A book of condolence will also be opened for all ABC citizens to express their sympathy to all those innocent victims who have lost their lives in the recent conflict.

Please continue to pray for peace in this region, for all innocent victims and for those that are still being held hostage, he added.

On Sunday, thousands of people marched through the centre of Belfast as part of a pro-Palestine demonstration.

There were also a smaller number of pro-Israel demonstrators.

The rally gathered at Writers Square in Belfast on Sunday and numbers swelled as it marched along Royal Avenue, with participants carrying flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.

The PSNI mounted a significant security operation which included closing many of the main arterial roads in the city centre.
The notion that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson ... needs to ask me for permission to make a decision is quite frankly for the birds, Bryson said

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has been grilled about his relationship with loyalist paramilitaries and the leader of the DUP during a hostile meeting with MPs at Westminster.

Mr Bryson was quizzed on his relationship with paramilitary gangs by the chair of the NI Affairs Select Committee who admitted the scheduled meeting had generated a lot of conversation in his email inbox.

Mr Hoare stressed that the committee is democratically accountable and pluralist in nature before immediately seeking clarity over Mr Brysons position on terrorism in light of a letter issued to unionist leaders at Stormont.

There is no place for terrorism in the modern NI and we all need to move forward within the parameters of the democratic process, Mr Bryson told MPs.

But Mr Hoare pressed the director of policy at the Centre for the Union about correspondence sent to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson last month which threatened violence on the streets.

Theres no place in NI for terrorism or violence or any such activity, Mr Bryson said as he explained that his engagement with paramilitary groups is in the context of encouraging positive transition.

I emphatically reject any suggestion that there was any threat at all in the letter let alone a threat of violence.

What the letter actually said was that analysis showed protests would take place.

The document referred to claims that grassroot loyalists will actively campaign against any unionist collaborator in next years Westminster election.

The DUP leader responded to the warning against going back to Stormont without scrapping the protocol by insisting he will not bow to threats.

When Mr Hoare pointed out that Sir Jeffrey interpreted the letter as a threat, Mr Bryson said he has spoken to the MP about the issue adding that he did not take it that way.

I have a very good relationship with Sir Jeffrey  he is the leader of unionism and he is the democratically elected leader of unionism its entirely legitimate for any citizen or any lobby group to contact their elected politician and say look, this is what we believe, he added.

Thats what the letter did and I stand over that content.

Mr Hoare sought precise clarity on the nature of the relationship between the two men who he described as Siamese twins at one point.

Are you an adviser? Are you a conduit? he asked.

Mr Bryson answered no before praising the Lagan Valley MP for engaging with people at all levels of society.

The notion that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson who, I think hes been an MP for over 30 years, an elected leader with a mandate of over 160,000 needs to ask me for permission to make a decision is quite frankly for the birds.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Jamie Bryson

Mr Hoare expressed concern over loyalists referring to elected representatives as collaborators and the use of phrases such as subjugation of the Union.

It doesnt take much of a step to realise that you probably werent referencing peaceful protest, he added.

Mr Bryson responded: I emphatically was.

But Mr Hoare pushed further: If you emphatically were why did you not say peaceful protest?.

In response Mr Bryson insisted that in a democratic society  as set out in European law  the default meaning of protest is peaceful.

However, Mr Hoare referred to a series of anti-Protocol riots which erupted in loyalist communities across NI back in 2021.

You know as well as I know that [a] quid pro quo from some of the paramilitaries was to say to young people from within their own communities we need you to go out and start throwing your weight around.

Throw a few missiles about, set fire to a few things etcetera and we will reduce or expunge your drug debt.

That is not within the rules is it?

Mr Bryson said the peaceful protests he was involved in were peaceful and needed as a pressure valve to allow the immense anger out of loyalist communities.

He said the phrase subjugation of the Union is the words of the Supreme Court and pointed out that political discourse can often be robust when he was challenged again about references to Vichy France.

Very senior elected politicians, Jim Allister for example, has used the term and I stand over it.

The select committee was hearing the evidence as part of its inquiry into the effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime in the region.

It is looking at the effectiveness of current measures aimed at tackling paramilitarism and considering how the UK Government, Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Government can most effectively work together to combat it.

During todays session Mr Hoare asked Mr Bryson directly would you describe yourself as a paramilitary?

Emphatically not, Mr Bryson responded.

I have not ever been involved in a paramilitary organisation in any shape or form  and that has been substantiated by the PSNI.

But that is not to say I dont engage with those groups.

In December last year the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC)  established by the UK and Irish Governments as part of the Fresh Start Agreement to monitor progress on tackling paramilitary activity  warned that paramilitarism remains a clear and present danger in NI.

Mr Bryson was asked about how exactly he managed to forge a relationship with groups including the UVF.

What is the relationship  are you a paid consultant, how does it work?

The head of JWB Consultancy told the committee he has been involved in community development work since I left school at 16 and as a result has built up relationships with loyalist paramilitaries.

I do engage regularly with senior figures in those organisations on political and community issues and seek to use whatever influence I have for good.

Asked if the selling of drugs, shooting people in the legs or forcing women into prostitution to clear drugs debts is useful to community development Mr Bryson said absolutely not.

He said the only crime of the bulk of loyalists is being a member of the organisation and called on the PSNI to do more to deal with those who use badges of convenience to mask criminal activity.

DUP MP Jim Shannon noted that for God and Ulster is a long time gone for loyalists engaged in crime as he praised the Scrabo Residents Association in Newtownards.

I just love engaging with them because they are so refreshing, he said, describing how the group has transitioned away from historical loyalism.

Party colleague Carla Lockhart described the poorly attended committee meeting as disappointing.

The hostility that has been evident in this meeting, the barrage of questioning and re-questioning, I believe it has been nearly like a character assassination.

I think sadly for any loyalist watching these proceedings they will see the hostility in which the loyalist voice is held by the government of this land.

The Upper Bann representative was interrupted by the chair who insisted robust discussion is expected at committees.

You have effectively suggested that questioning hitherto has been done disorderly that is a challenge to the chair, Mr Hoare noted.

But Ms Lockhart pointed out she never said disorderly, and reiterated her concerns about the level of hostility.
The case surrounding the death of Ashling Murphy was outlined to the jury at Dublins Criminal Courts of Justice on Tuesday (Julien Behal/PA)

A court has heard the evidence the prosecution will present during the trial of a man accused of murdering an Irish teacher last year.

Ashling Murphy, 23, was killed while out jogging along a canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly, last January.

Jozef Puska, 33, whose address was given as Lynally Grove in Tullamore, Co Offaly, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Flowers and messages left at a Garda checkpoint in Tullamore after Ashling Murphy was killed while jogging along a canal bank (Dominic McGrath/PA)

Outlining the case to the jury at Dublins Criminal Courts of Justice on Tuesday, senior counsel for the prosecution Anne-Marie Lawlor said quite a number of maps, CCTV footage and witness testimony would feature in the case.

She said Ms Murphy was stabbed 11 times to the right side of her neck, and had other injuries that may have been defensive injuries.

She told the court there was no prior connection of any kind between Ms Murphy and Mr Puska.

She said the jury would be shown pictures of Mr Puskas hands with cuts and scratches, taken by Gardai while Mr Puska was receiving treatment in St Jamess Hospital in Dublin.

She said he made up a pack of lies to Gardai about being involved in a stabbing in Blanchardstown.

Judge Tony Hunt outlined the obligations a jury has and that the defendant needed to be viewed as protected by the presumption of innocence.
Jozef Puska has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Murphy on January 12, 2022Trial told the teacher was stabbed 11 times in the right side of her neckJury heard that Mr Puska had no connection with the 23-year-old

Josef Puska (inset) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Offaly schoolteacher Ashling Murphy

Murder accused Jozef Puska told gardai "I did it. I murdered. I am the murderer" when officers spoke to him two days after Ashling Murphy was killed, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Ashling Murphy and Josef Puska (33) did not know each other and had no prior connection with each other, prosecutor Anne-Marie Lawlor SC said in her opening address to the jury.

She said Ms Murphy was stabbed 11 times to the neck, and there was CCTV evidence, DNA evidence and witness evidence to support the State's case against Mr Puska.

The accused, with an address at Lynally Grove in Tullamore, Co Offaly, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ashling Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore.

Ms Murphy was 23 years old and worked as a teacher at Durrow National School. She left school and went for exercise and she was killed about 3.30pm on January 12, 2022, the court heard.

Ms Lawlor told jurors that Ms Murphy was killed was on a stretch of the canal in Tullamore, and the jury will see photographs of the scene.

Read more Man accused of murdering Ashling Murphy pleads not guilty

It was "covered in briars" and this was significant, Ms Lawlor said, because Mr Puska had "cuts on every exposed part of his body" which was, she said, "consistent with leaving the scene".

Ms Lawlor told the jury they will hear witness accounts from people who came upon the scene, as well as from emergency responders.

Ms Lawlor said Ashling Murphy received 12 sharp force injuries, 11 of which were stab wounds to the right side of her neck.

She said the jury will hear evidence that Mr Puska's DNA was found under Ms Murphy's fingernails, and there was a one in 14,000 chance that that DNA belonged to another person.

Ms Lawlor said a bicycle was left at the scene, and the prosecution will say this bike belonged to Jozef Puska, though he later told gardai he had not had the bike for two weeks.

Ms Lawlor said gardai viewed 25,000 hours of CCTV footage, and the jury will be shown CCTV of a man, who the State say is Mr Puska, cycling around Tullamore on January 12, 2022.

Ms Lawlor said the jury will also be shown CCTV of Mr Puska being taken by ambulance from his father's home in Dublin.

He was brought to St James' Hospital, where he said he was stabbed in Blanchardstown.

There had been a stabbing in Blanchardstown, and gardai went to take a statement from Mr Puska. They noticed cuts on his hands, the jury heard.

While in St James Hospital, Ms Lawlor said the jury will hear evidence that Mr Puska admitted to gardai he killed Ms Murphy.

She told the jury they will hear evidence that Mr Puska, through an interpreter, told gardai: "I did it. I murdered. I am the murderer".

Ms Lawlor said the jury will hear that Mr Puska told gardai he did not do it intentionally, telling them "I feel guilty and I'm sorry".

The jury will hear that Mr Puska told another garda "I cut her neck" and "she panic, I panic".

Ms Lawlor said the circumstances of Ms Murphy's death were not publicly known at the time.

The jury heard that Mr Puska was arrested and brought to Tullamore Garda Station on January 18, 2022.

Notwithstanding what he previously told gardai, Ms Lawlor said that Mr Puska, after he was shown a photo of Ms Murphy, told gardai he did not know her.

Concluding her address to the jury, Ms Lawlor said the evidence the jury would hear would allow them to be satisfied they could find Mr Puska guilty of murder.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women.
Gheorghe Nica, 46, was jailed for 27 years for the manslaughter of the victims, who died in sweltering conditions as they were transported in an airtight container from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet on October 22 2019 (Essex Police/PA)

A gang ringleader convicted over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese men, women and children in a lorry in Essex made at least 90,000 from people-smuggling, a court has been told.

Gheorghe Nica, 46, was jailed for 27 years for the manslaughter of the victims, who died in sweltering conditions as they were transported in an airtight container from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet on October 22 2019.

The deaths marked the end of a long-running and profitable operation in which migrants would pay up to 13,000 for what they thought was a VIP service.

Seven smuggling trips were identified between May 2018 and October 23 2019, although investigators believe there was probably more.

Migrants would board lorries at a remote location on the continent to be transported to Britain, where they would be picked up by a fleet of smaller vehicles organised by Nica for transfer to a safe house until payment was received.

Romanian Nica, of Basildon in Essex, was one of five gang members jailed for the manslaughters, with others convicted of people-smuggling.

Some 39 men, women and children died (Essex Police/PA)

On Tuesday, he returned to the Old Bailey dock for a confiscation hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC.

A financial investigator identified at least 90,000 of Nicas ill-gotten gains even though the defendant only admitted in his trial to receiving 5,000.

Unexplained cash deposits to Nicas bank account from 2014 to 2019 totalled 24,430 and euros valued at 4,410.92 were seized upon his arrest in Frankfurt, Germany, in January 2020, the court was told.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said there was a cash deposit of 7,000 for the purchase of a Range Rover Evoque in July 2018.

He also highlighted hidden assets of 70,000 euros relating to a loan on a property in Romania in the wake of the migrants deaths.

It was taken out in November 2019 and paid into Nicas wifes account while he was on the run.

Giving evidence on Tuesday, Nica disputed the figures, saying he had struggled financially and needed money to support his wife and three children, including a disabled daughter.

The former driver and mechanic accepted being involved in smuggling, having claimed in his trial he suspected it was goods and not people being transported from continental Europe.

But he disputed the trial judges assessment of his role as a leader, organiser and manager of the gang.

Mr Polnay said: I suggest you have got money hidden away, Mr Nica.

Nica said: I wish.

The trailer and tractor unit where the bodies of the migrants were found (Essex Police/PA)

The prosecutor accused Nica of lying, as he had in his trial, saying: I suggest you do have money  the proceeds of your crime.

Nicas ex-wife and bookkeeper Elena Adelina Nica told the court there was nothing unusual in cash payments in her husbands business.

In November 2019, she was in Romania and had no idea what was going on in England, she said.

Mrs Nica denied being aware that her husband was involved in people-smuggling or that the 70,000-euro loan was to conceal his money.

She said it was not unusual to keep cash at home in Romania, but added: I did not have a pile of money.

She said: I do not think its fair what is happening. If he was to have any money Im telling you I would be abroad and I would not be here. I would pay therapy for my daughter if I had money to live on, if there were hidden assets.

Asked if she was aware of the nature of her ex-husbands crimes, she added: I do not believe he was guilty of the manslaughter and I cannot accept it.

Mrs Nica became emotional about the effect of the case on her family, saying: With my kids, we feel like animals. We are not guilty of anything.

Earlier, Nica said he worked in Dublin before coming to England in 2008 and worked driving and fixing lorries in the Basildon area.

In 2012, he was left needing surgery after being badly hurt in a lorry accident.

On his financial state by 2014, he said: My wife was working as a dental nurse in Basildon and I looked after the kids and we had tenants in the house because we cannot afford the bills because I cannot work.

He claimed some of the cash deposits were payments for fixing broken-down lorries and said he also made money from exporting car parts.

Defence barrister Rory Keene asked: Is there anything unusual in accepting cash in the lorry trade?

Nica said: No, its not unusual. You have to understand the drivers in Europe always have euros so I have to go with them to change into sterling. Its not an easy process.

The defendant told the court he paid 10,000 for his mothers treatment for pancreatic cancer and another 8,000 for her funeral.

Judge Lucraft adjourned the case and said he will deliver his ruling on November 24.

Previously, Nicas partner in crime, haulage boss Ronan Hughes, from Armagh, Northern Ireland, was ordered to pay the victims families more than 180,000 after being jailed for 20 years.

Lorry driver Maurice Robinson, of Craigavon in Northern Ireland, who found the bodies in the back of his trailer and was jailed for 13 years and four months, had to sell his 44 vehicle and watch to pay more than 21,000.

Romanian Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, from Essex, was ordered to pay 3,000 after being jailed for three years after admitting conspiring to assist unlawful immigration.

Another people-smuggler, Valentin Calota, from Birmingham, was ordered to pay more than 1,000.
Gaby described his young brother Nathanel as a cheeky chappie who died fighting to protect his country (Gaby Young/PA)

The sister of a British man who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed by Hamas militants has said her brother was a typical 20-year-old cheeky chappie who died protecting his country.

Gaby Young told the PA news agency her younger brother Nathanel Young, 20, loved his four nieces, was fun-loving and had a passion for DJing.

The 38-year-old from Tel Aviv said she was in contact with her brother by phone on the morning of October 7, when Hamas militants attacked, but he then stopped reading or responding to her Whatsapp messages.

Born in Southgate, north London, Mr Young had a strong Jewish identity and attended JFS, the largest Jewish secondary school in Europe.

He decided to come to Israel just for a short amount of time  but ultimately stayed a year before joining the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), his sister said.

Gaby Young said her brother Nathanel joined the IDF to defend his country (Gaby Young/PA)

Ms Young said her brother joined the IDF because he wanted to be able to protect Israel and protect civilians, especially from terrorist threats and served in the force for one year before his death.

(He) loved fashion and trainers and he had a trainers collection just like a typical 20-year-old cheeky chappie, Ms Young said.

As air raid sirens sounded at around 6:30am on the morning on October 7, the British-Israeli soldier rang his sister and said hed heard that there were missiles.

He was actually on the border with Gaza at that time, and so we exchanged a few WhatsApps because I couldnt hear him properly on the phone, Ms Young explained.

I had to grab my husband and my children and rush them into a shelter, so obviously, we were terrified.

Gaby said her brother had a passion for DJing and wanted to pursue a career in music (Gaby Young/PA)

At the time, Ms Young said they had not yet realised the extent of the attack that morning.

Shortly after the siblings exchanged texts, she said the blue ticks confirming her Whatsapp messages had been read stopped appearing.

He hadnt seen my messages, Ms Young said.

I spent the whole day trying to figure out what was going on and where he was, hoping he was okay, that he just left his phone somewhere or something like that, not anything worse.

Ms Young was informed by the IDF around 1am on October 8 that he had been killed while protecting a kibbutz on the Gaza border.

Nathanel exchanged some messages on Whatsapp with his sister before he was killed (Gaby Young/PA)

His funeral took place two days later, during which an air raid siren rang out while Ms Young read her eulogy.

Everyone had to just get on the floor, she said.

My parents and my sister from the UK had come from the funeral and theyve never had to even experience air raid sirens so you can imagine how terrified they must have been.

Ive had more experience with hearing sirens so its more of a reflex for me to react.

I really wanted to continue and I was determined to give Nathanel the honour that he deserves and finish my speech.

Ms Young did finish the eulogy, and she said she hopes to further honour her brother in future.

I hope that after all of this, and in more peaceful times, well be able to honour him with some kind of music studio in his memory for those maybe with PTSD, or even just young people who have an interest in music, she said.

Id love to follow that dream.
The UK is increasing its defence posture near the Arctic (LPhot Kyle HellerMod)

Nato and the UK may have to contend with a more assertive presence from China in the Arctic and High North as sea lanes open up, a report has said.

Meanwhile, a US defence adviser to Nato said Russia still has significant defence capabilities in the region, which are increasingly engaging in risky behaviours like air incursions.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank launched a report on the UKs contribution to security in northern Europe on Tuesday.

It noted the UK is increasingly prioritising this region, saying the UK is a heavyweight which provides specialist military capabilities which can match threats posed by Russia.

There has been growing Sino-Russian cooperation in the High North, which is loosely defined as the Arctic region and the seas surrounding it.

The report examined defence in northern Europe (Jane Barlow/PA)

Meanwhile, climate change means the northern sea route which links Europe and Asia is becoming increasingly navigable to shipping.

The RUSI report said: This transformational geopolitical change will directly link the UKs two priority geographic strategic arenas  politically, economically and militarily  which will fundamentally impact UK and Euro-Atlantic security.

Given this, Nato may have not only to contend with Russia, but also with a more assertive Chinese presence in the Arctic and High North.

Westminsters Scottish Affairs Committee recently recommended a reassessment of the defence presence in Scotland in light of new threats in the High North, as well as dangers to pipelines and undersea infrastructure.

During a panel discussion at RUSIs offices on Tuesday, representatives from the UK, the US and Norway highlighted the importance their governments placed on the region.

Rachel Ellehuus, the senior civilian representative of the US defence department in Europe, said Russia had developed a reliance on China for economic help following the war in Ukraine.

Despite losses among Russias conventional forces, she said Russia still has a large military presence in the region and may grant China more access as a reciprocal deal.

A US defence adviser noted risky air incursions from Russia (MoD/Crown Copyright)

Ms Ellehuus said: The reality is there are some pretty significant air and maritime capabilities in that region.

The Bastion (a Russian defence concept) is centred around the Kola peninsula, so Russias strategic forces are based there.

So the reliance on that region to project power and influence is only going to grow.

She continued: Weve seen that on the defence side with more risky behaviours from the Russians.

The number of unsafe air incursions, unsafe maritime manoeuvres and suspect ships has really taken off.

At the same time we have less of a reliable communication channel, so thats something we really need to watch.

Mette Birkelund OConnor, a counsellor at the Norwegian embassy in London, said Russia had modernised its military capabilities in the region.

She said that during an exercise in August this year, the Russian navy demonstrated the ability to isolate the Scandinavian peninsula and disrupt transatlantic shipping.
Rishi Sunak could visit Israel as soon as Thursday, according to reports, amid growing concerns about the crisis in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister could reportedly travel to the country as part of a wider trip to the region, including stops in Jordan and Egypt, Sky News reported.

It would follow visits from US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Downing Street has said it will not comment on the Prime Ministers travel plans, but reports suggested he would travel to Israel in the coming days.

An Israeli air strike hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The attack would, if confirmed, be by far the deadliest Israeli air strike in five wars fought since 2008.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK would be working to establish what had happened after Hamas and Israel traded blame for the blast.

The destruction of Al Ahli hospital is a devastating loss of human life. The UK has been clear, he said in a post on X.

The protection of civilian life must come first. The UK will work with our allies to find out what has happened and protect innocent civilians in Gaza.

Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, said the hospital had been run by the Anglican church.

This is an appalling and devastating loss of innocent lives, he said.

The Ahli hospital is run by the Anglican church. I mourn with our brothers and sisters  please pray for them.

It comes after it was confirmed a British teenager was one of the people murdered by Hamas during its attack on the country.

Yahel Sharabi, 13, was killed along with her mother, Lianne, while her elder sister, Noiya, 16, and her father, Eli, are still missing.

The teenager disappeared after militants attacked Kibbutz Beeri and murdered her British-born mother.

The girls death has been confirmed by her family, the Israeli embassy in London said.

Mr Sunak updated Cabinet on Tuesday with the latest developments from the conflict, telling ministers Hamas was responsible for the murder and suspected abduction of British nationals.

At least six Britons were killed in the Hamas attacks on October 7, with a further 10 missing  some feared dead.

More than 900 people have been brought back from Israel and all UK nationals registered with the Foreign Office and wanting to leave have been allocated seats, it is understood.

Any British citizens wanting to leave are being encouraged to book a flight before the portal closes at 10am UK time on Wednesday.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell told the BBC the Government is extremely concerned about British hostages being held by Hamas and on Sky News he said we pray that they are alive.

Mr Mitchell was unable to elaborate on the efforts to secure their release, but insisted to LBC: The entire resources of the British Government are involved in doing everything we can to get our citizens back.

Palestinians rescue a survivor from a destroyed house hit by an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis (Mohammed Dahman/AP)

At least 1,400 people were killed, many of them civilians, and thousands more injured in Hamass attack.

At least 2,778 Palestinians have died as Israel launched air strikes on Gaza and cut off fuel, water, food and medical supplies from entering the cramped territory, which is home to more than two million people.

British officials are working to secure the opening of the Rafah crossing to allow Britons to flee to Egypt and for humanitarian aid to get into Gaza.

Mr Mitchell told Times Radio that Israel had both a moral and a practical responsibility on the issue.

We stand absolutely foursquare behind Israels right to defend itself, but all of us want to see the fighting contained, he said.

Britain urged Israel to restore the supply of water to Gaza, and refused to say whether its ally is complying with international law during its siege.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said talks are ongoing with Israel as the UK is keen to see water restored, as he declined to say whether Israel had kept within legal limits.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the Government is doing all it can to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas (James Manning/PA)

We continue to urge Israel, as a democracy we work closely with, to act within international law in their actions, I think they are taking steps to do that, he said.

Mr Mitchell told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that Mr Bidens visit to Israel could be a significant fillip to getting humanitarian relief through.

The US president is travelling to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday amid concerns the Israel-Hamas conflict could spiral into a wider regional issue.

As well as his talks in Israel, the US president will meet King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr Scholz travelled to Israel for an impromptu visit on Tuesday, while French President Emmanuel Macron said he will travel to the region as soon as I consider that we have a useful agenda and very concrete actions to drive forward.

Downing Street would not comment publicly on whether Mr Sunak would head to the region.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Well set out travel plans in the usual way, I couldnt get into speculation.

Israeli air strikes continued early on Tuesday, even inside the evacuation zone where Israel had told residents to gather in advance of the expected ground assault on Gaza.
Former US president Donald Trump has returned to a New York City court to watch and deplore the civil fraud trial that threatens to disrupt his real estate empire, but he got no face-to-face encounter  for now  with the star witness against him.

After attending the trials first three days earlier this month, the Republican front-runner initially planned a return to coincide with testimony by Michael Cohen, his lawyer turned foe.

But Mr Cohens planned appearance was delayed until at least next week, with Mr Cohen citing a health problem.

Instead, Mr Trump sat in on testimony from one of his companys accountants, Donna Kidder.

Under point-by-point questioning about the intricacies of internal spreadsheets, she testified that she was told to make some assumptions favourable to the company.

For example, she said, longtime former Trump Organisation finance chief Allen Weisselberg told her to act as if all space in a Trump-owned Wall Street office building would be leased by a certain date, even if some space was currently vacant.

For a Park Avenue residential tower, she was told to project that unsold units would all sell out in a certain timeframe, the trial heard.

Ms Kidder said she was not aware that those assumptions would be used to improve Mr Trumps bottom line on financial statements that helped his company make deals and get financing and insurance.

Doug Larson, a certified appraiser and commercial real estate executive, was taken aback when told on the stand that he was repeatedly cited as an outside expert in former Trump Organisation controller Jeffrey McConneys valuation spreadsheets.

Donald Trump sat in on testimony from one of his companys accountants (Peter Foley/pool photo via AP)

Its inappropriate and inaccurate, Mr Larson said. I should have been told, and an appraisal should have been ordered.

Mr Larson said he never suggested or condoned the ways that Mr McConney valued various properties.

For example, rather than using rates of return for comparable retail properties when gauging the worth of a Trump-owned retail space formerly known as Niketown, Mr McConney relied on rates for a different type of property, which doesnt make sense, Mr Larson said.

He said he appraised a Trump-owned Wall Street building at 540 million dollars in 2015, while Mr McConney valued it at 735.4 million dollars on Mr Trumps financial statement.

New York attorney general Letitia James lawsuit against Mr Trump alleges that he and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and inflating his net worth in paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

Mr Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, denies any wrongdoing. He says his assets were actually undervalued and maintains that disclaimers on the financial statements amounted to telling banks and other recipients to check the numbers out for themselves.

We built a great company  a lot of cash, its got a lot of great assets, some of the greatest real estate assets anywhere in the world, he said as he headed into court, dismissing the lawsuit as a witch hunt by a radical lunatic attorney general bent on dragging down his presidential run.

Donald Trump sits in the courtroom with his legal team (Andrew Kelly/pool photo via AP)

While he is attending the trial by choice, Mr Trump complained it was taking him off the campaign trail.

The attorney general, a Democrat, started investigating Mr Trump in 2019 after Mr Cohen testified to Congress that the billionaire politician had a history of misrepresenting the value of assets to gain favourable loan terms and tax benefits. She did not comment as she arrived on Tuesday.

Mr Cohen said on Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he is not dodging Mr Trump. In a text message, he said he has an incredibly painful medical condition but anticipates testifying as soon as the pain subsides.

When I do testify, I am certain Donald will be in attendance, sitting with his lawyers at the defendants table, Mr Cohen wrote.

With Mr Trump at the defence table on Tuesday, one of his lawyers, Christopher Kise, objected to what he deemed very granular testimony from Ms Kidder.

If technical, it did provide a window into Trump Organisation accounting practices, including how the company paid for a settlement in a prior Trump tangle with New York states lawyers: former attorney general Eric Schneidermans 2013 lawsuit over the now-defunct Trump University real estate seminar programme.

Ms Kidder noted a spreadsheet entry about a loan that the Trump Organisation took out to pay a 25 million dollar settlement of lawsuits from Mr Schneiderman and others alleging that Trump University defrauded students.

Judge Arthur Engoron is presiding over the trial (Andrew Kelly/pool photo via AP)

During his first visit to the court earlier this month, Mr Trump said the trial was a scam, and accused Ms James of attempting to hurt his chances of re-election in 2024.

Mr Trump recapped his various criticisms of the case and about Judge Arthur Engoron, a Democrat who is hearing the case without jurors. The suit was brought under a state law that does not allow for a jury.

Mr Trump used his Truth Social media platform early on Tuesday to blast Judge Engoron as radical and highly political, but the former president took a more temperate tone outside the judges courtroom doors a few hours later.

Mr Trump said that he had come to like and respect the judge but believed that Democrats were pushing him around like a pinball.

After Mr Trump maligned a key court staffer on social media during the trials first days, the judge called him into a closed-door meeting and issued a limited gag order, warning participants in the case not to smear members of his staff. The judge also ordered Mr Trump to delete the post.

Mr Trumps return to court comes a day after the judge in his Washington DC election interference criminal case imposed a narrow gag order barring the former president from making statements targeting prosecutors, possible witnesses and court staff.

In a pre-trial decision in the New York civil case last month, Judge Engoron resolved the top claim, ruling that Mr Trump and his company committed years of fraud by exaggerating the value of Mr Trumps assets and net worth on his financial statements.

As punishment, the judge ordered that a court-appointed receiver take control of some Trump companies, putting the future oversight of Trump Tower and other marquee properties in question. An appeals court has since blocked enforcement of that aspect of the ruling for now.

The trial concerns six remaining claims in the lawsuit, including allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.
A Palestinian man inspects the remains of a destroyed house hit by an Israeli air strike in the town of Khan Younis (AP Photo/Mohammed Dahman)

Israel has bombed areas of southern Gaza where it told Palestinians to flee ahead of an expected invasion, killing dozens of people.

Violence along Israels border with Lebanon has also led to concerns over a widening regional conflict that diplomats have been working to prevent.

In Gaza, people wounded in the air strikes were rushed to hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported.

Hamas military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that an Israeli air strike in the central Gaza Strip killed one of its top commanders.

Palestinians look for survivors after Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Ayman Nofal is the most high-profile Hamas militant to be killed so far. Known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed, he was killed on Tuesday in Israeli strikes that targeted the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, the militant group said.

Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

Elsewhwere, the UN agency for Palestinians said at least six people were killed when one of its schools in the central Gaza Strip was hit on Tuesday.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner general, said dozens of people were also injured, including agency staff, when the UNRWA school in the al-Maghazi refugee camp came under bombardment.

(PA Graphics)

He said the school  which has served as a shelter for some 4,000 displaced people since the latest hostilities began  is seriously damaged.

This is outrageous and it again shows a flagrant disregard for the lives of civilians, Mr Lazzarini said in a statement. No place is safe in Gaza anymore, not even UNRWA facilities.

An air strike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, well take care of it. Well handle it, said Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman.

However, Irans foreign minister warned that pre-emptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahians threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas.

Israel has sealed off and bombed Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel on October 7 killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and left about 200 hostages held captive in Gaza.

Rockets are fired towards Israel from the Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP)

Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of the dead were children, said Medhat Abbas, a Gaza Health Ministry official.

The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to attack Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed buried under the rubble, health authorities said.

Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing air strikes.

On Monday, Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defence in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 10 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, health authorities said.

Israel has massed troops at the border for an expected ground offensive, but Mr Hecht said on Tuesday that no concrete decisions have been made.

These plans are being developed. They will be decided by, and presented to, our political leadership, he said.

Palestinians evacuate a survivor from a house hit by an Israeli air strike in Khan Younis (Mohammed Dahman/AP)

The combination of air strikes, dwindling necessities caused by Israels blockade, and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately eight-mile area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse with ever-decreasing supplies of water and medicine and with power running out at hospitals.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a ceasefire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli air strikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached on Monday, but Israel denied reports of a ceasefire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

Later, a senior Egyptian official said Egypt is still negotiating with Israel on the delivery of humanitarian assistance and fuel to Gaza from its crossing points, Rafah and Kerem Shalom.

The official said Israel is searching all aid deliveries and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas.

He said they are also negotiating a compromise that would allow foreign passport holders to cross into Egypt. Egypt has proposed that the United Nations oversee the process with help from Egyptian forces, the official said. Israel has yet to respond to the proposal.

The US, Qatar, the UN and several European countries are involved in the talks, which are led by security agencies in Egypt and Israel, the official said.

General Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel.

Mr Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict as fighting intensified along Israels border with Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way, he said.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread.

With taps dry, many rationed the little clean water available and others resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military said it was trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gazas north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Israel fought a vicious month-long war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Clashes erupted on Tuesday along the Lebanon-Israel border that left five Hezbollah fighters dead.

It marked the largest number of casualties for the militant group in a single day as tensions with Israel escalate.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah: Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier.

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

The Israeli military said on Monday at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.
The opposition leader who hopes to be Polands new prime minister has appealed to the nations president for energetic and fast decisions so that a new government can be formed quickly.

Three opposition parties that vowed to restore democratic standards in Poland together won over 54% of the votes in the nations weekend parliamentary election, putting them in a position to take power, according to the complete ballot count reported on Tuesday.

Polands constitution now requires President Andrzej Duda to assess the new political alignment of forces and to appoint a new prime minister who is tasked with forming a government that will need parliaments approval, all within a set timeframe.

Polands conservative ruling Law and Justice party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, centre, greets his supporters in Warsaw (Czarek Sokolowski/AP)

In a video statement, Donald Tusk appealed to Mr Duda, saying, I would like to ask for energetic and quick decisions, and stressing that the winning democratic parties are ready to take over responsibility for governing the country any moment.

People are waiting for the first decisions that will be the result of the elections that took place on Sunday, Mr Tusk said.

Mr Duda is an ally of the conservative Law and Justice party, which has been in power since 2015. His term runs until 2025.

Law and Justice, which governed the country for eight turbulent years, won slightly over 35% of the votes, making it the single party with the most votes. But the party and its leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski lost their majority in parliament and appeared to have no way to hold on to power.

Turnout was nearly 75%, the highest since Polands return to democracy, surpassing even the level of 63% in 1989, a vote that triggered the collapse of the oppressive Soviet-backed communist system.

Law and Justice had been leading the country down an illiberal path, taking control of courts in a manner that violated the countrys constitution.

The party politicised state institutions, including taxpayer-funded public media which it used as a propaganda tool to praise itself and vilify opponents.

A man takes photos of the results of Sundays parliamentary elections in Poland (Czarek Sokolowski/AP)

The election result was a huge victory for Mr Tusk, the head of the largest opposition group, Civic Coalition.

He appears likely to return to his past role as Polish prime minister, a job he held from 2007-14. He also served as European Council president, a top job in the EU, from 2014-19.

Mr Tusks success is all the more remarkable given that state media went into overdrive to portray him as a stooge of Germany and Russia. That portrayal, which appeared baseless, also won him much sympathy.

Mr Tusk himself won more than half a million votes running for a seat in parliament. His party said it was the best result in the history of parliamentary elections in Poland.

The result was a huge relief for Poles concerned about the countrys international isolation at a time of war across the border in Ukraine and the constant bickering with the European Union. Many feared it could lead to Polands eventual exit from the 27-member bloc.

The LGBT+ community also suffered a smear campaign in recent years, portrayed as a threat to the nation by the conservative ruling party. Liberal critics were sometimes depicted as disloyal to the country.

The National Electoral Commission said that Law and Justice won slightly over 35% of the votes, and the far-right Confederation party, a possible ally, about 7%.

Andrzej Duda, President of Poland, must call a new parliament within 30 days (Miguel Angelo Pereira/AP)

Three opposition groups won a total of 53.7%, enough for a comfortable majority of 248 seats in the 460-seat lower house of parliament, or Sejm. Civic Coalition garnered 30.7% of the vote while the centrist Third Way got 14.4% and the New Left about 8.6%.

The three ran on separate tickets so they are not formally part of the same coalition, but all promised to cooperate to restore the rule of law.

Law and Justice will have 194 seats, far short of the majority it held for eight years.

Although the voting is over, it might still take weeks for a new government to be in place.

Mr Duda must call the first session of the new parliament within 30 days of election day and appoint a prime minister to form a government.

In the meantime, the current government will remain in a caretaker role.
US President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday as concerns increase that the Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

Mr Biden will discuss humanitarian aid with Arab leaders in Jordan after meeting with officials in Israel.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the trip to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile territory to root out Hamas militants.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced Mr Biden would also go to Jordan to meet King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Weve been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza, Mr Kirby said. That has been a consistent call by President Biden and certainly by this entire administration.

The president spoke by phone with Mr Fattah el-Sissi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday.

The US has pledged military support, sending carriers and aid to the region.

Officials have said they would ask Congress for upwards of 2 billion dollars (1.63 billion) in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russias invasion.

Mr Blinken made the announcement after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks in Tel Aviv (AP)

He said the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid from donor nations to reach civilians in Gaza including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

We share Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, he said.

Irans foreign minister has warned that pre-emptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to its looming ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Hossein Amirabdollahian, whose theocracy provides support to Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon, told state television Israel cannot do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go after other resistance groups after its done with Gaza.

Therefore any pre-emptive action is possible in the coming hours, he said.

If the limited and extremely tight windows of opportunity available to the United Nations and political actors are not used over the coming hours, opening new fronts against the Zionist regime is inevitable.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, addresses members of the UN Security Council on Monday (Craig Ruttle/AP)

The UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution on Monday that condemned violence and terrorism against civilians but made no mention of Hamas.

Only four countries joined Russia in voting for the resolution. Four countries voted against it: the UK, US, France and Japan. Six countries abstained.

Britains UN ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward said it would be unconscionable for this council to ignore the largest terror attack in Israels history.

Russias UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia had urged support for the resolution to respond to the unprecedented exacerbation of the situation, citing the councils inaction since the October 7 attack by Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

The UNs most powerful body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has not taken a position on the Hamas assault or on Israels response.

The Russian draft resolution would have called for an immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire  and strongly condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism.
Feature: High hopes for Cambodia's touristic, economic growth as Chinese-invested airport starts operation

Xinhua) 09:14, October 17, 2023

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ra Sambo, a manager at souvenir shop Graines De Cambodge here in northwest Cambodia's tourist hub, is optimistic that the Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) will boost international tourist arrivals, revitalizing the COVID-19-hit tourism industry.

She hoped that the SAI, commenced operation on Monday, will bring more foreign tourists to Siem Reap province, the home of the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archeological Park, so that tourism reliant businesses and services will boom again.

"As a vendor at the Old Market in Siem Reap, I feel excited that there is a new achievement, the new airport, and I have expectation for better business, as planes from different countries can fly directly to our Siem Reap province," Sambo told Xinhua.

"We hope there will be more tourists coming to Cambodia," the 40-year-old manager added.

She said the SAI will not only boost tourism, but also create a lot of jobs for Cambodian people.

Ley Leav, a 36-year-old maker of souvenirs in Siem Reap, is confident that the SAI will bring sustainable development and prosperity to the province.

"I hope more tourists will come to Siem Reap, so our souvenir sales will be better," she told Xinhua. "I want to see more Chinese tourists and other foreign tourists coming to Cambodia."

Heth Rady, a 38-year-old tuk-tuk driver in Siem Reap, was delighted to see the commencement of SAI operation, saying that it would bring more tourists and investors to the Southeast Asian country.

"With this new airport, we hope to carry more passengers, and we can make more income," he said.

Rady said that currently, the number of international tourists to Siem Reap remained low, and he could make only 20,000 to 30,000 riel (5 to 7.5 U.S. dollars) per day from his tuk-tuk operation.

Covering a parcel of 700 hectares, the SAI is located in Sotr Nikum district, about 40 km from the Angkor Archeological Park and 50 km from Siem Reap provincial town.

With a 3,600-meter runway, the SAI is a 4E-level international airport that can accommodate long-distance flights from across the world.

Cambodian Ministry of Tourism's Secretary of State Top Sopheak has a strong belief that the SAI would attract new airlines to fly directly to Cambodia.

"This new airport helps improve Cambodia's air connectivity with the region and the world, and is crucial to help boost the country's tourism, economy, trade, and investment," he told Xinhua.

"As the airport can accommodate the landing of all kinds of aircraft, I urge international airlines to consider flying directly to Siem Reap, and it will save the passengers both time and money," he added.

Cambodian State Secretariat of Civil Aviation's Undersecretary of State Sinn Chanserey Vutha said the SAI has created a lot of direct and indirect jobs for locals and has also helped increase their incomes.

"This new airport will inject new vitality into the development of tourism, trade and investment in Siem Reap province," he told Xinhua.

According to the official, the airport will be able to handle 7 million air passengers per annum from 2024 and up to 12 million passengers annually from 2040.

Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said the SAI has significantly improved connectivity between Cambodia and other countries, making the kingdom a more attractive destination for tourists and investors.

"The airport is expected to boost tourism, trade, and investment in the region," he told Xinhua. "It will also create jobs and stimulate economic growth."

Sinan added that the airport will also facilitate trade and investment, making it easier for businesses to operate in Cambodia.

"The SAI is a key example of the successful cooperation between Cambodia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Rohingya refugees gather for a rally to mark the sixth anniversary of a Burmese military offensive that spurred an exodus from Myanmar, in Ukhia on Aug. 25, 2023.

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh pleaded with a visiting U.S. State Department official Tuesday to help boost food aid to them, while the U.N. refugee agencys chief urged donor countries to reverse dwindling humanitarian assistance to the stateless Rohingya.

The World Food Program (WFP) twice this year has reduced its food allocation for Rohingya refugees to U.S. $8 per person per month, as more than half of the yearly support requested by the United Nations remains unmet, U.N. officials said.

I have a family of seven members, and due to the reduction in rations, we are starving, said Nur Jahan, a refugee who met with Afreen Akhter, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, in Coxs Bazar on Tuesday.

The southeastern district along the border with Myanmar is home to sprawling camps and settlements where about 1 million Rohingya are sheltering.

Rohingya people are increasingly trying to go outside the camps in search of work, and many of them are being detained by police, she said. Others are getting involved in illicit activities because they dont have enough food.

Bangladeshs government, which has hosted hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees for years, has steadfastly rejected requests to allow them to work outside their camps, making them almost completely reliant on foreign aid.

Jamila Akhter, a 25-year-old pregnant woman from the Ukhia refugee camp, told Akhter that she worried about her unborn childs health.

I am an expectant mother. I should be able to eat better now, she told BenarNews. But we are not getting any nutritious food.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Afreen Akhter speaks with the media outside the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioners office in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, Oct. 17, 2023. [Tanbir Miraj/AFP]

The U.S. official said she had witnessed the dire conditions in the camps, but she also emphasized the United States oversized role in helping the refugees.

The United States is the single largest donor, by far, when it comes to supporting Rohingya refugees, she told reporters after meeting with local officials in Coxs Bazar. Weve far outpaced anyone else in our support for Bangladesh in their response to this crisis.

The U.S. has contributed $2.2 billion in response to the humanitarian crisis since 2017 when at least 740,000 Rohingyas fled Myanmar during a military crackdown that a top U.N. official described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

Meanwhile in Bangkok on Tuesday, Filippo Grandi, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, urged donor nations during a high-level meeting on the regional Rohingya refugee crisis to make substantial pledges of support for the Rohingya.

This is a crisis that should not be forgotten ... If contributions decline, we are in trouble, Agence France-Presse quoted him as saying.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi speaks during a news conference in Bangkok, Oct. 17, 2023. [Sakchai Lalit/AP]

A humanitarian fund for the Rohingya managed by the U.N. has so far received only 42% of the $875.9 million required for the refugees this year, according to data from the United Nations.

At the gathering in Bangkok, the British government committed $5.5 million (4.5 million) in fresh support, which appeared to be the only instance of a new pledge of substantial aid announced so far.

This decline in humanitarian assistance makes it more difficult to continuously, for example, renew the shelters, Grandi said, according to the Reuters news agency.

You have to invest money all the time and that money is becoming short, so conditions are now beginning to regress.
President Joko Jokowi Widodo asked China to speed up its investment in the construction of Indonesias new capital city as he met with top leaders in Beijing on Tuesday.

Jokowi held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in separate meetings during the second day of his three-day visit to Beijing, where China is hosting the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

President Jokowi asked for Premier Li Qiangs support to accelerate the realization of Chinas investment in the National Capital, said a statement from the presidential office after Jokowis discussion with Li.

Jokowi aims to inaugurate Nusantara, the name of the new capital which Indonesia is building on Borneo island, before his term ends in October 2024. But his administration has encountered challenges in attracting foreign investors for this ambitious project, which comes with a hefty price tag estimated at U.S. $33 billion.

Li said China encouraged its enterprises to invest in Indonesia and was willing to cooperate in new areas such as the digital economy and green development, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier in the day, the Indonesian leader met with President Xi, who is hosting the forum to mark the 10th anniversary of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Beijings program to build a modern-day Silk Road through a network of infrastructure projects connecting the Asian superpower with other continents and regions.

The Indonesian president, for his part, has promoted Nusantara as a necessary alternative to the highly populated Jakarta, which grapples with severe traffic congestion, air pollution, and the risk of sinking due to rising sea levels. However, his ambitious endeavor to construct a green and walkable city from the ground up has faced multiple setbacks.

A digital rendering showing the layout of the presidential palace compound at the new capital city is displayed at its construction site in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, March 8, 2023. [Achmad Ibrahim/AP]

Jokowi personally pitched the project to businessmen during his previous trips to China, Singapore, and Germany this year but has not secured any significant deals.

In March 2022, Japanese tech giant SoftBank withdrew its plans to invest in the project, with Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia later describing the offer as unfair.

The construction of the planned city, located in an area spanning 990 square miles and marked by hilly landscapes, is expected to be completed by 2045.

Model cooperation

During talks with Jokowi, Xi praised the cooperation between the two countries as a model for the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Xinhua.

Earlier this year, the two countries launched the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, a key project of bilateral BRI cooperation, which will start its commercial operations on Wednesday. The railway has been offering free rides to the public since last month.

The project was financed by a loan from the China Development Bank, covering 75% of the cost, and equity from Indonesian and Chinese shareholders, covering the remaining 25%.

The railway project was initially billed at $6 billion, but an additional $1.2 billion was added to meet rising construction costs and land compensation.

Construction of the railway commenced in 2016 and was originally scheduled for completion by 2019.

A guest looks through the window of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train named Whoosh after its inauguration at Halim station in Jakarta, Oct. 2, 2023. [Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP]

Indonesia was one of the first countries to support Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

Under the BRI, the country has constructed power plants, industrial parks, ports, and bridges, some of which faced criticism from activists and local communities due to potential impacts on natural resources and concerns about rising debt from Chinese loans.

Bhima Yudhistira, executive director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), said Chinas financing in the past decade had focused on infrastructure projects.

In Indonesia, there are still many projects that use large-scale coal-fired power plants, especially for nickel smelters, he told BenarNews.

A report by CELIOS says 86% of Chinas financing in Indonesia went to developing coal-fired power plants.

Indonesias debt to China rose above $20 billion in 2022, and this figure will increase with the entry of other Belt and Road Initiative projects that have been signed, he said.
Troops retrieve the body of a victim shot by armed rebels in Seradala, a district in the Yahukimo regency of Indonesias Papua region, Oct. 16, 2023.

Separatist rebels killed seven traditional gold miners in a remote district of Indonesias Papua region, police said Tuesday about the deadliest attack on civilians there in more than a year.

A spokesman for the separatist West Papua National Liberation Army confirmed that its fighters killed the miners on Monday but said they were working as informants for the Indonesian security forces  an allegation often made by the rebels in the killings of civilians.

Meanwhile, members of a military-police task force came under fire as they retrieved the victims bodies and rescued 11 survivors from the scene of the killings in Seradala, a district of Yahukimo, a regency in Papua Highlands province, an official said on Tuesday.

They fired shots at our team. There was a firefight for an hour and a half, Commissioner Faizal Ramadhani, chief of operations for the Cartenz Peace task force, said in a written statement sent to BenarNews.

The victims came from other parts of Indonesia  six from South Sulawesi and one from North Sumatra, Faizal said.

They were attacked by rebels belonging to a faction led by Egianus Kogoya that has been holding a New Zealand pilot hostage since February in Papuas Nduga regency, Faizal said.

Bayu Suseno, a spokesman for the task force, said many non-Papuan civilians lived in Seradala.

Tensions have arisen over the years in Papua, a mountainous and underdeveloped region at the far eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago, because of the settlement of large numbers of people from other regions of Indonesia as part of a government transmigration program.

They were attacked while they were in a river, looking for gold, Bayu told BenarNews.

Bayu said Kogoyas group had been active in several areas in the Papuan highlands, such as Nduga, Yahukimo and Kenyam, and had launched attacks that disrupted security.

We from the Cartenz Peace task force will continue to enforce the law and pursue them until we catch them and hold them accountable, he said.

Papua, a former Dutch colony that makes up the western half of New Guinea island, is home to a decades-long insurgency against Indonesian rule. The rebels demand independence for the ethnically Melanesian region, which is rich in natural resources but deeply impoverished.

Indonesia took over Papua in 1963 from the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority.

A U.N.-supervised referendum in 1969, which was criticized as flawed, confirmed Papuas integration into Indonesia.

Human rights groups have accused Indonesian security forces of abuses against Papuans, including extrajudicial killings, torture and arbitrary arrests. The government restricts access

to Papua for foreign journalists and researchers, making it difficult to verify the claims.

Military intelligence officers

Sebby Sambom, a spokesman for the West Papua National Liberation Army, the military wing of the separatist movement, said his group was responsible for Mondays attack.

TPNPB claims responsibility for the killings of seven Indonesian military intelligence officers who worked as illegal gold miners, Sambom told BenarNews.

He said civilians who worked as laborers, project workers and miners had been warned to leave the areas of armed conflict.

To non-Papuan civilians, do not listen to the military and police who employ you. They cannot replace your lives, he said.

The rebels in the past have also been accused of killing civilians, especially those who are not native to Papua. In July 2022, 11 civilians were killed in an attack by separatists in Nduga regency.

Violence in Papua has surged in recent years after rebels killed at least 19 road workers in 2018.

Adriana Elisabeth, a Papua researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency in Jakarta, said if the separatists targeted non-Papuans, it meant this was part of an anti-immigrant campaign.

But if they are indigenous Papuans, maybe there are issues of customary land rights that are still disputed, she told BenarNews.

Gabriel Lele, a Papua researcher at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, said anyone suspected of being close to the security forces, including indigenous Papuans, would be targeted by the separatist movement.

He said this had been happening for a long time as part of the rebels efforts to spread fear and maintain territorial control.

The problem is, sometimes the security forces also think the same way, so the people are really trapped, he told BenarNews.

Nazarudin Latif contributed to this report from Jakarta.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (third from left), joined by Adm. Artemio Abu (to his left), honors the Philippine Coast Guard on its 122nd anniversary during a ceremony at Port Area, Manila, Oct. 17, 2023.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday promised upgrades to the coast guard to protect the countrys sovereign maritime territory amid Chinese incursions into its boundaries in the South China Sea.

Marcos spoke during the 122nd anniversary of the founding of the Philippine Coast Guard, which has been at the forefront of thwarting challenges by China in disputed waters lately.

We are continuing with the upgrading of equipment and training and the capabilities of all our people, especially the Coast Guard, not only because they are on the frontline in the problems that were facing in the West Philippine Sea, but also because of the very important function that they play when it comes to search and rescue, he said.

Marcos inspected the BRP Malabrigo, a Japanese-built 44-meter (144-foot) patrol ship, which is tasked with patrolling islets and reefs. Manila refers to South China Sea waters within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as the West Philippine Sea.

Well, this was a vessel that was water cannoned, Marcos said. It only shows that our capability is increasing to defend our sovereign territory in the Philippines.

In August, a coast guard ship escorting boats delivering supplies to the countrys military outpost in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) was hit by a water cannon fired by the China Coast Guard.

Despite all the challenges, the coast guard has unwaveringly answered the call of duty, Marcos said.

He said the government planned to add 40 more patrol vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard. Details of the proposed acquisitions were not released.

Adm. Artemio Abu, the coast guard chief, praised personnel for intensifying maritime security in the West Philippine Sea.

We handled the provocations, bullying and harassments of vessels on every resupply mission to the Philippine Navys BRP Sierra Madre anchored at Ayungin Shoal, Abu said.

The Philippines maintains a military watch over its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea by staffing the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era naval ship that Manila deliberately grounded near the shoal in 1999.

Our personnel have courageously dismantled the foreign floating barriers, which were illegally installed in the West Philippine Sea. We installed additional navigational buoys, which also serve as markers of Philippine territory, he said.

On Sunday, the Philippine military accused Chinas navy of dangerously shadowing a Philippine ship during a rare standoff last week between ships from their navies near Thitu, an island in the Spratlys.

The Philippine Coast Guards BRP Sindangan maneuvers to evade Chinese ships as it heads toward Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the South China Sea, Aug. 22, 2023. [Aaron Favila/AP]

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the EEZs of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. While Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias EEZ as well.

China took control of the Scarborough Shoal area in 2012 following a standoff between Manila and Beijing. In late 2016, Chinese ships allowed Filipino fishing boats into the area when then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pivoted to Beijing.

Canadian-Philippines deal

To address unauthorized fishing activities in Manilas waters, the Philippines and Canada signed an agreement on Monday to utilize Ottawas advanced ship tracking system for identifying and addressing unauthorized fishing activities in Manilas waters. The agreement was reached on the sidelines of the Sixth Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Ottawa.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Canadas Dark Vessel Detection System is employed to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing carried out by ships that intentionally deactivate their Automatic Identification Systems.

On Tuesday, the Department of National Defense announced plans to acquire three C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft for the Philippine Air Force. Two of the aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2026 and the third in 2027.

The additional cargo space of the C-130J-30, coupled with the reliability of C-130 aircraft we have in our current fleet, will provide our air force with greater operational flexibility, department spokesman Arsenio Andolong said.

Jeoffrey Maitem, Basilio Sepe and Jojo Rinoza in Manila contributed to this report.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (second from right) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, Oct. 17, 2023.

China kicked off its third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing on Tuesday, saying that representatives from about 130 countries were attending including Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with a representative of the Taliban.

Putin, whom President Xi Jinping refers to as his dear friend, last visited China for the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022, declaring a no limits friendship days before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Trade has burgeoned between the two countries since  Russia exports about 2 million barrels of oil per day to China  and Xi and Putin are expected to discuss trade, including Moscows aim to build a second natural gas pipeline to China.

They are also expected to further cement their shared enmity toward the liberal West.

The only senior European Union representative in Beijing is Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, given broad western European skepticism of Chinas ambitions and a reluctance to share a platform with Putin, who is wanted for alleged war crimes.

Notable regional attendees include Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who arrived late Monday for his official visit, where he will focus on strengthening trade and investment ties.

Srettha will pay a courtesy call on Xi and hold bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, as part of his four-day visit, the Thai foreign ministry said in a statement.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo and his wife arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, Oct. 16, 2023. [Pool/AFP]

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo also arrived in Beijing on Monday, as did Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.

The conference marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, a vision spelled out by Xi in 2013 on visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia. Today it has 152 members and has been the driving force behind power plants and railways, as well as causing controversy over so-called debt diplomacy.

Non-attendees

Regional non-attendees include Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, though his country sent a delegation led by Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook.

A notably absent country is India, which has never attended a forum.

Even before the  emergence of the Indo-Pacific construct, India staunchly opposed the BRI and, along with Japan, sought to present an alternative to the initiative, Sana Hashmi, fellow at Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, told Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews.

While some countries initially attended the [earlier] BRI forum[s] and later decided to distance themselves from it, India consistently recognized the potential detrimental impact of the BRI on its national interests and the regional landscape.

Indias concerns about the BRI  expanding Chinas sphere of influence, increasing regional dependency on China, trapping countries in debt and violating countries sovereignty  have been shared by several major powers and like-minded countries over the course of a decade, Hashmi said.

Signs at the China National Convention Center announce the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, Oct. 16, 2023. [Reuters]



Ilshat Hassan Kokbore, vice president of the Executive Committee at the World Uyghur Congress, said First, China wants to expand its influence in Afghanistan and neutralize any potential threat to its sovereignty. Second, China wants to develop close relations with the Taliban and turn them against the U.S.

Third, he said, China wants to use Afghanistan to further cement its relations with other countries on the One Belt, One Road [the initial name of the BRI], such as Iran and Middle Eastern countries.

Christoph Nedopil Wang, the director of the Griffith Asia Institute, told The Guardian that inviting Putin was essentially a snub to western governments, highlighting the alignment of Chinese and Russian political priorities.

Shared future

Ahead of the forum, China last week published a white paper that claimed the ultimate goal of the BRI is to help build a global community of shared future, in what can be seen as emblematic of Chinas aim of achieving solidarity with the Global South as a counter to a U.S. dominated world.

Among a dizzying array of claimed accomplishments and future goals that include air, maritime and road economic corridors, the paper also emphasized people-to-people ties  [and a] spirit of friendly cooperation of the ancient Silk Road.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo launches Southeast Asias first high-speed railway, a key project under Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, during a ceremony at the Padalarang station in Bandung, West Java, Oct. 2, 2023. [AP]

Chinese nationalist tabloid Global Times reported on the forum's decorations and atmosphere in Beijing. Some foreign guests expressed optimism about peace and global cooperation. Its been four years since the last BRF in 2019 and China is eager to showcase the BRIs decade-long achievements.
Thai tycoon Premchai Karnasuta leaves the Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court in Kanchanaburi province after his conviction on illegal hunting charges, March 19, 2019.

A Thai tycoon convicted of poaching endangered wildlife was ordered released from prison on Tuesday after the corrections department cut more than a year off his 38-month prison sentence, officials said.

Premchai Karnasuta, 69, former chairman of Italian-Thai Development Public Co. Ltd., one of Thailands biggest construction firms, must report to authorities through Dec. 7, the corrections department said in a statement approving the release of Premchai on Oct. 17, 2023.

But due to his health issues  the subcommittee allows him to be released without wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet on his ankle, the department said, noting that Premchai had surgery on his right ankle where there was dead tissue from uncontrollable diabetes.

He was one of 113 released from custody, according to the department.

The tycoon and three of his companys employees were arrested at the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in February 2018 after park rangers found them with guns and the skinned carcasses of protected wildlife species, including a black panther.

The businessmans arrest caused a public furor against Premchai and unleashed a debate over whether the nations richest citizens were immune from prosecution.

Graffiti artists sprayed Bangkoks deserted walls with paintings of the dead panther, and the Thai catchphrase The black cat will not die for free became a protest symbol on social media.

In December 2021, the nations highest court upheld Premchais conviction and 38-month sentence on charges of carrying a gun in a public place without a permit, hunting in a wildlife sanctuary, jointly possessing a carcass and harming the forest reserve. That sentence was to run until February 2025.

After that ruling, Premchai was escorted to the Thong Pha Phum prison to serve his sentence.

The court also upheld jail terms for two accomplices, according to a news release at the time, and ordered all to pay fines totaling 2 million baht fine (U.S. $60,000). The fourth defendant was sentenced previously to two years probation.

During his 2019 sentencing, Premchai did speak to reporters, saying: I have a word to say: I apologize.

The defendant testified in December 2018, telling reporters he was excited while heading into the courtroom.

Im tired. ... Let it be the courts consideration, Premchai said hours later.

His construction companys projects include Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Bangkok Metro system.

In May 2021, Forbes magazine dropped Premchai from the list of Thailands 50 richest people. In 2017, the magazine had estimated his net worth to be at least $240 million (7.6 billion baht).
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High around 55F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 37F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
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Hamas says hundreds have been killed in an airstrike on Gaza City hospital, after intensifying bombardments near towns in southern Gaza rattled civilians where Israel ordered them to take refuge
LANESBOROUGH  The Lakeside Bar & Grill might be in its final season as the owners of The Pub at the Rusty Anchor in Pittsfield plan to close the Lanesborough restaurant and convert the property into condominiums.

The Lakeside is still open, and the two- or three-bedroom condominium units arent yet built, but the real estate listing for the units is available at the Multiple Listing Service. The listing for 10 units, at a price of $575,000 each, has been on the market for 12 days with two already spoken for. Among the amenities would be a dock for a single boat for each unit.

Logan Graves, who is leading the project in partnership with his father, Scott Graves, said LSG Investments LLC intends to invest more than $3 million in new construction and possibly renovations to the existing restaurant building, which at one point was one of Berkshire Countys oldest restaurants continuously run by the same family.

Now's the time to jump right in on this proposed plan to build a total of 10 condos on Pontoosuc Lake, selling $575,000 each, the listing reads in part. An initial $10,000 refundable deposit gets you locked in. When construction starts a formal contract will be drafted.

INITIAL THOUGHTS

Graves said he initially approached Paul Ambrus, owner of the Lakeside Bar & Grill, about two years ago.

The original idea was to keep it as a restaurant, Graves told The Eagle on Monday. Since COVID and all that, theres just not enough labor, adding that taxes and a mortgage wouldn't make keeping the Lakeside Bar & Grill as a restaurant feasible for a new owner.

He said its been a long time since the restaurant was renovated.

Even from a mechanical standpoint, its just not in the best operational standing, he said.

Graves said he hopes these condominiums will offer an option that is not readily available on Pontoosuc Lake or other lakes in Berkshire County. It's not clear whether the existing building will stay or be replaced when the condominiums are built.

"We're going to try to reuse a portion of the building if we can," he said, "No matter what, it will be new in the end."

AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

Graves could not predict when the condominium construction would start, possibly in a year.

We can't take any money until we actually physically 100 percent own the property, he said. Its a very complicated deal.

He said, The goal is basically to have a more affordable lakefront living, because nowadays if you dont have $700,000 or $800,000, youre not going to have a lake house.

He predicted, though, that there would be bidding wars for the units among buyers based on the price point and the location.

"Right now there's only one house for sale on the lake," he said, adding that most owners are relatively young and that there probably won't be many more going on the market soon.

ABOUT THE LAKESIDE

Ambrus, with two other partners, Kim McArdle and Brant Boyington, bought the Lakeside Bar & Grill in 2018 from Helen Reilly, whose family owned the business for decades.

On Jan. 17, 2020, McArdle and Boyington sued Ambrus in Berkshire County Superior Court in an equitable remedies case seeking dissolution of both Lakeside Bar and Grill LLC and BPK LLC.

In their lawsuit, McArdle and Boyington alleged that Ambrus changed the locks and security codes on the restaurant, called the police to remove McArdle from the premises, removed McArdle and Boyington from the bank accounts, removed their names from the business and liquor licenses, and had frozen them out from the daily business.

In addition, their civil complaint alleged that Ambrus purchased a motor vehicle in the name of the business exclusively for his personal use.

The lawsuit has been voluntarily dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be reopened and this usually indicates a monetary settlement has been reached.

Ambrus, who is owner/operator of Canyon Inn in Yorba Linda, Calif., appears to be the sole owner of the Lakeside Bar & Grill and BPK. His is the only name on the Massachusetts Secretary of States corporate business listings for both businesses since 2022. Certificates of amendment designating him as the sole signatory were filed in April 2021.

Ambrus could not be reached for comment for this story.

OTHER OPTIONS FOR THE PROPERTY

Lanesborough zoning allows many uses for the site on Pontoosuc Lake, including light industrial or a hotel, Graves said, although some permitting will be needed for the condominium project. He has not yet approached the town with applications, but lawyers and engineers are involved.

"It's full steam ahead for sure," he said.

At the end of the day, I thought this was kind of the best thing to go there, he said. You know, obviously, people don't want to see the restaurant go, but at the end of the day, it's going no matter what, whether it's a vacant lot or a nice condo structure.
Live updates | Aid for Gaza stuck at border as Israeli siege persists and Biden plans trip to region

More than a million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israel invasion that seeks to eliminate Hamas leadership after its deadly incursion
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Across Britain, a movement has erupted in solidarity with Palestine. But this is being met with a repressive response from the authorities, as the ruling class looks to silence dissent and debate. Workers and youth must mobilise in defiance.

[Originally published at socialist.net]

The British establishment has immediately cracked down on attempts by workers and youth to show solidarity with the Palestinian struggle, in a brazen and direct attack on freedom of speech.

In a letter to senior police chiefs, Tory home secretary Suella Braverman urged officers to take action  and use the full force of the law  against protestors who wave Palestinian flags or chant certain pro-Palestine slogans.

Those who dare to oppose Israeli imperialism have been accused of racism, with capitalist politicians and media outlets cynically conflating criticism of Zionism with antisemitism.

At the same time, in yet another display of stinking hypocrisy, the Tories and their mouthpieces have denounced supporters of Palestinian freedom as terrorist sympathisers.

One young protestor in Manchester has already been arrested by the police for wearing the Palestine flag and for breach of the peace, with other bystanders in St Peters Square  home of the infamous Peterloo massacre  threatened with arrest.

#GMP have arrested a young pro-palestinian protestor at St Peters Square #Manchester for wearing the #palestine flag. When asked, police stated it was for common law, breach of peace. They then put a section 35 on Manchester City Centre, threatening bystanders with arrest. pic.twitter.com/X6K2zQgxOJ  Joseph Conway (@j0keon) October 11, 2023

The governments aim is clear: to intimidate and silence those looking to fight injustice; to shut down any debate around the issue of Israeli aggression and the occupation of Palestine; and to provide unconditional, unwavering support to Britains imperialist allies in the Middle East.

Campus clampdown

This assault on basic democratic rights is also playing out on UK campuses.

Responding to the latest escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict, in the last few days, student activists organised with the International Marxist Tendency (IMT) have attempted to launch Palestine solidarity campaigns in universities across the country.

This includes: putting out public statements in support of the struggle of Palestinian youth; bringing students along to demonstrations taking place in British towns and cities; and organising solidarity meetings and rallies on campus to discuss the unfolding crisis in the Middle East. But these efforts have been met with a heavy hand.

Tory home secretary Suella Braverman urged officers to take action against protestors who wave Palestinian flags / Image: Socialist Appeal

Echoing Bravermans appeal for a hardline approach from the police towards Palestine supporters, Tory education secretary Gillian Keegan has written to university vice-chancellors, calling on them to act swiftly and decisively against students suspected of implicitly or explicitly backing terrorism.

We have seen evidence of a number of student societies that support Palestinians sending out inflammatory messages that show support for Hamas, Keegans letter to university bosses reads. This, as you know, is a proscribed terrorist organisation.

Spurred on by the Tories repressive moves, the torrent of imperialist propaganda emanating from the mainstream media (see below), and the pressure of reactionary Zionist students, university authorities and student union (SU) officials are clamping down on pro-Palestine activists and groups.

In University College London (UCL), for example, comrades were ordered by the SU to take down posters and social media posts advertising an upcoming Marxist society meeting (due to take place tonight) in solidarity with Palestine.

According to the UCLSU, the imagery and language used on this advertising could be construed as inciting violence. This allegation was in reference to the slogan Intifada until victory!, which accompanied an illustration of an Israel Defence Forces soldier pointing his gun at a Palestinian teenager.

Organisers were told that if these posters and posts were not taken down by midday today, then the society would be immediately suspended.

The comrades refused to comply with this outrageous demand. Subsequently, the Marxist society and its officers have been stripped of their ability to organise activity, host events, and access SU facilities and funding. Meanwhile, the societys page has been removed from the SU website.

The UCL Marxists are fighting back, however, and are calling on students and staff to defy these repressive attempts by attending tonights scheduled meeting. (See below for a statement put out by the Marxist society.)

Similarly, in Hull, the SU wrote to the Marxist Student Federation (MSF), asking that our comrades replace the wording and images on their Palestine posters with something a little more neutral. But neutrality, in this context, is a reactionary utopia; a fig-leaf for supporting imperialism.

As MSF comrades explain in their reply to the Hull SU:

There is no symmetry here [on the question of Israel-Palestine]. A neutral approach, which treats both sides as if they are the same, means de facto siding with the stronger power. In asking us to be neutral, you ask us to side with the Israeli state, which no Marxist could agree to.

Hypocrisy and repression

These examples are only the tip of the iceberg. Similar reports are coming in from student activists and groups across the country. And no doubt more will follow.

Already, right-wing rags are accusing woke academics and activists of antisemitism and glorifying terrorism, putting pressure on university bosses to sanction pro-Palestinian lecturers and students.

Similarly, the Tories have condemned the UCU  which represents university staff  for highlighting the role of decades of brutal occupation by the Israeli state in a public statement put out by the union.

The hypocrisy of the establishment knows no bounds. It was only earlier this year that the government appointed the first free speech tsar at the Office of Students (OfS), tasked with ensuring that all views are allowed to be heard on UK campuses.

This new role is part of a range of regulations brought in by the Tories, nominally to defend freedom of speech in universities.

Only a couple of days ago, the OfS free-speech chief was quoted as saying that he would be completely politically neutral in relation to controversial topics. On both sides of any issue, Professor Arif Ahmed continued, we will be equally vigorous in defending the free speech rights of students, academics, and visiting speakers.

You can speak or write as a Marxist, the so-called free speech champion even stated, if you do it within the law.

In reality, however, it seems that these measures are only applied when it comes to protecting those who wish to promote reactionary views.

Those whose interests align with the Tories anti-worker, culture-war agenda are provided with every available platform. Those attempting to fight exploitation and oppression, meanwhile, face barriers at every step.

Referring to pro-Palestinian events being organised on university campuses, for example, the aforementioned letter from the Tory education secretary to vice-chancellors states:

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.

In schools, the government has banned the teaching of anti-capitalist material. On the streets, new laws have been introduced to restrict the right to protest. And in the workplace, legislation is being put in place that would severely curtail trade unions ability to strike.

Those demonstrating against the rotten relic that is the British monarchy have already had a taste of the repression that lies in store for workers and youth everywhere, as the establishment closes ranks to defend its power, profits, and privileges.

As ever, its one rule for the rich  and another for the rest.

Rise up and fight

We cannot allow these scandalous attacks on our democratic freedoms to stand.

We cannot allow these scandalous attacks on our democratic freedoms to stand / Image: Socialist Appeal

Workers and students looking to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine must not bend to the diktats of the Home Office, university vice-chancellors, or student union bureaucrats.

Instead, we must unite and take militant mass action in defiance of the authorities; in defence of our democratic rights; and in pursuit of our common class interests.

Rather than shutting down events, student unions should be uniting with campus trade unions to defend free speech and the right to protest, and to show solidarity with Palestine.

As part of this, progressive student societies should be reaching out to unions such as the UCU, in order to forge a united front of workers and students on these questions.

Methods such as rallies, mass meetings, lecture shout-outs, door-knocking, leafleting sessions, campus stalls, articles in the student press, and public statements should all be utilised in order to tell the truth and express genuine solidarity.

Such a campaign should be linked to the fight against the Tories and university bosses that are complicit in both the oppression of the Palestinian people and the attacks on higher education.

In turn, we must raise the demand to kick capitalism out of education, and for staff and student control over our universities.

There is no force on Earth that can stop the working class, when it is organised and mobilised. No amount of legislation and repression will be able to stop workers and youth, when we rise up, flex our muscles, and begin to move en masse.

Join us to strengthen the voice of communism  a voice that cannot and will not be silenced.

Campaign statement: Defend freedom of speech! Defend solidarity with Palestine!

On 11 October, UCL Marxist Society was suspended by the UCL Student Union. The crime committed by the society was to put up posters and posts on social media for a meeting on Palestine that apparently could be construed as inciting violence.

Our posters and social media posts showed a Palestinian flag with the slogan: Intifada until victory! The fight for a free Palestine. The posters also featured an illustration of an Israel Defence Forces soldier pointing his gun at a Palestinian teenager.

We say: Is it wrong to call for mass resistance to brutal oppression? Is an image of an IDF soldier aiming at a young Palestinian not the sad reality for the Palestinians who live under a violent system of apartheid?

Yet if you acknowledge this reality and speak out in defence of the Palestinians you will be vilified, slandered, and censored. The freedom of speech of those showing solidarity with Palestine is under attack, not just at UCL but across Britain.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has stated to senior police officers that even waving a Palestinian flag could be considered a criminal offence. Already, a protestor in Manchester has been arrested for wearing the Palestine flag  supposedly for breach of the peace, while other bystanders were also threatened with arrest.

At universities, academics and student activists are coming under attack for declaring solidarity with Palestine or voicing opposition to Israeli occupation. Trade unions are also being criticised. This includes the UCU, who have faced backlash for stating how recent events are part of a continuing cycle of violence that has been the result of decades of brutal occupation.

We, the undersigned, condemn these outrageous attacks on a fundamental democratic right, freedom of speech, and all attempts to shut down solidarity with the Palestinian people.

We call on all student societies and trade unions, and all workers and students, who are in solidarity with Palestine and want to defend democratic rights to:

Ensure that student unions and campus trade unions sign and publish this statement, and pass motions of solidarity in defence of free speech.

Hold joint mass meetings to tell the truth about whats going in Israel-Palestine, and how we can show solidarity.

Organise protests on university campuses in solidarity with Palestine and in defence of freedom of speech, including the defence of any staff or students who are silenced or sanctioned on this matter.

UCL Marxist society statement: UCLSU attacks freedom of speech and Palestinian solidarity

UCL Marxist society has received emails from UCLSU demanding that we take down posters and social media posts for our meeting tonight, as they could be construed as inciting violence.

By refusing to comply, they have now told us that our society has been suspended, pending investigation.

This is an outrageous attack on a fundamental democratic right: freedom of speech.

Our posters show a Palestinian flag with the slogan: Intifada until victory! The fight for a free Palestine. Intifadas are mass uprisings against the Israeli state by the Palestinians.

The Palestinian people are treated, in the words of the Israeli Minister of Defence just the other day, as animals. The right of any people who are treated in this way to self-defence is enshrined in international law.

The SU also likes to talk about decolonising education and the university. Surely the right to fight imperialism and colonial oppression is a basic pillar of human dignity?

A title expressing support for an intifada in Palestine is therefore well within legal, moral, and the SUs own accepted norms.

The posters also feature an illustration of an Israel Defence Forces soldier pointing his gun at a Palestinian teenager. The imagery on the poster is an accurate depiction of the last several decades of relations between the Israeli state and the Palestinian people.

We have also been told that if our meeting is to go ahead, it must follow strict chairing guidelines and also have a security presence in the room! This is entirely unfair and unreasonable.

Weve been hearing a lot from the government and universities lately about freedom of speech on campuses. Parliament recently passed a law on it. And the government has appointed someone whose job it is to make sure free speech is protected at universities.

According to a recent BBC article:

A new law, passed earlier this year, says universities now have a duty to secure and promote the importance of freedom of speech and academic expression. Higher education providers and student unions which fail to comply may face sanctions, including fines.

However, it is clear the SU is failing to secure this freedom by demanding that we take down our posts. And more than that, they are siding with the oppressor by clamping down on showing solidarity with the Palestinian people. Needless to say, we will not be complying with any of these demands.

We condemn this outrageous attack on a fundamental democratic right: freedom of speech. We condemn this attempt to shut down solidarity with the Palestinian people.

We call on students, staff, and all those who want to defend the democratic right of freedom of speech  and show their solidarity with the Palestinian people  to attend this meeting tonight.

MSF reply to Hull SU

Thanks for your message about this.

Can I ask why the posters havent been well received by the security team?

The title on the poster references past intifadas (mass uprisings) against the Israeli state by the Palestinians. The Palestinian people are treated, in the words of the Israeli Minister of Defence just the other day, as animals. The right of any people who are treated in this way to self-defence is enshrined in international law. The right to fight imperialism and colonial oppression is a basic pillar of human dignity.

We note that Hull University likes to make a point of decolonising itself. A title expressing support for an intifada in Palestine is well within legal, moral, and the universitys own accepted norms.

The right to fight imperialism and colonial oppression is a basic pillar of human dignity / Image: Socialist Appeal

The imagery on the poster seems to us to be an accurate depiction of the last several decades of relations between the Israeli state and the Palestinian people. We agree that its a distressing thing to see. This is precisely the point. Posters depicting child poverty or refugee camps to advertise charity work would also be distressing to see, but we doubt the university security team would have a problem with that.

Given all of this, we can only assume that the security team has a problem with the posters because they dont align with their own opinions. Or perhaps because they dont align with the opinions of some (but very far from all) students on campus, the mainstream media, and the government. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But that isnt a legitimate basis for curtailing the Marxist societys right to express itself freely.

Weve been hearing a lot from the government and universities lately about freedom of speech on campuses. Parliament recently passed a law on it. And the government has appointed someone whose job it is to make sure free speech is protected at universities. According to this BBC article:

A new law, passed earlier this year, says universities now have a duty to secure and promote the importance of freedom of speech and academic expression. Higher education providers and student unions which fail to comply may face sanctions, including fines.

We think the university, its security team, and the SU, need to think very carefully before curtailing the rights of students to express themselves freely on this question, especially when that expression is well within legal and moral limits.

You ask if we can find a more neutral approach to this question. Israel has a wealthy, powerful, aggressive state with a strong military and the backing of the USA, Britain, and the entirety of western military might. Israeli ministers have explicitly said that they intend to reduce Gaza to rubble. The Palestinians are an impoverished, oppressed nation, whose people have been butchered for decades in violation of every rule of international law.

There is no symmetry here. And a neutral approach, which treats both sides as if they are the same, means de facto siding with the stronger power. In asking us to be neutral, you ask us to side with the Israeli state, which no Marxist could agree to.

We know this probably wasnt the response you were hoping for. Nevertheless, were certain its the right one.

Let us know if theres anything else we can clarify on these points.

All the best,

Marxist Student Federation

Establishment media machine in overdrive: Why we need a workers press

Khaled Malachi

If you believed what you read in the mainstream news on the topic of Israel-Palestine, what impression would you be left with? That an unprovoked attack was launched by Hamas, and that Israel is simply asserting its right to defend itself.

This tried and tested formula of the press always makes me wonder: how does Israel have some unquestionable right to defend itself from the Palestinians whose territory it occupies and controls?

But the capitalist media would never frame things this way. The BBC has gone into overdrive to cajole the British public into condemning Hamas, and standing with Israel.

The deafening chorus has commenced: either you stand with the democratic state of Israel, or with the terrorists.

They are, quite frankly, asking all the wrong questions. This war was not a bolt from a clear blue sky. It has been decades in the making. Furthermore, you cannot understand the conflict  or pick a side  on the grounds of who fired the first shot. That explains precisely nothing.

It is the everyday oppression, grinding poverty, and occupation that has made war once again inevitable. After 75 years of ethnic cleansing, the powder keg of anger has once again exploded.

This is a struggle of an oppressed people for their homeland, against an oppressive imperialist state. There is no parity whatsoever. And blame cannot be put on both sides.

We must be clear that truth is the first victim of war. And Britains role in this conflict has always been one of hypocrisy, cynicism, and dishonesty.

When I joined a rally outside the Israeli embassy on Monday evening, I spoke to two students that had just touched down in Britain. They told me they studied media at university, and were seeing every trick in the book being used by the British establishment.

It reflects a narrative that people just dont believe anymore, one of them said, as was demonstrated by the palpable anger at the rally. We couldnt not come after all of the relentless propaganda in support of an apartheid state, one added.

This is the real mood that exists in society. People are sick to their stomachs of an out-of-touch establishment. Our free media in this country is free to reflect the interests of the capitalists and the imperialists.

The best way of undermining the establishment  and cutting across the fumes of Zionist propaganda  is for us to build our workers press. Communists must connect with the mood in society, and our paper must reflect it.

We should use every opportunity  in schools, campuses, workplaces  to speak about our analysis, get interviews from radical youth and get people directly supporting our paper.
Committed to supporting the regional, state and national workforce by preparing graduates for in-demand careers, Bowling Green State University is addressing industry needs by introducing three new academic programs, building upon a tradition of excellence within its existing accredited logistics and systems engineering programs.

The University has strategically aligned three of its program offerings in the School of Engineering to cater to the expanding field of advanced manufacturing and technological innovation. Providing these new degree programs that focus on both science and the application of engineering is a unique differentiating factor that employers say is needed in the current and future industry landscape.

The three new degree programs  robotics engineering, electronic and computer engineering, and mechanical and manufacturing engineering  will further ensure BGSU graduates are ready for these growing careers.

This is an exciting, next chapter in Bowling Green State Universitys history in offering engineering programs, said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. Through the School of Engineering, we are evolving our established academic programs to meet the future needs of employers who will continue to utilize new, advanced technologies. As a public university for the public good, these new academic programs will even better position our students, region and state for long-term success.

Instruction in the new programs will begin in Fall 2024 and students who are interested in starting at BGSU for Fall 2024 can apply now.

Building upon the long tradition of academic programs in computer science, engineering technology and supply chain management, BGSU has previously developed programs in software engineering, systems engineering and logistic systems engineering. All programs are fully accredited by ABET and/or AACSB. The University has extended this tradition by developing three additional innovative engineering programs that are designed for student looking for careers in some of the most important and impactful companies in the Midwest. Weaving together technology, applications and the needs of industry in the 21st century, BGSU offers programs in robotics, computer, mechanical and manufacturing engineering. These co-op based, hands-on learning programs offer BGSU students tremendous career opportunities immediately upon graduation.



BGSU faculty members who are implementing these programs are trained engineers with years of academic and industrial experience. With expertise in the workforce and in the labs, these faculty members are committed to teaching students how to apply technology to the science of engineering.

These innovative degree programs aim to equip students with a comprehensive skill set that encompasses both the fundamentals of engineering design and a strong foundation in math and science. Furthermore, students will acquire practical engineering expertise, enhancing their appeal to potential employers. BGSU engineering bridges the gap between conventional engineering and cutting-edge technology, aligning with the qualities sought after by employers when hiring engineers.

Driven by the strong demand and supported by regional industry leaders, BGSU engineering is poised to make a significant economic impact in the state of Ohio and the U.S. heartland of manufacturing.

We are very excited to now offer these programs, which will help us to produce needed skilled workers in advanced manufacturing for our northwestern Ohio region and beyond, said Dr. MD Sarder, BGSU School of Engineering director. It is our duty as a public university to help prepare the next generation of leaders in these critical fields.

By collaborating with regional industries and incorporating insights from industry professionals through advisory boards, BGSU ensures that its programs remain relevant and effective in preparing students for successful careers in rapidly evolving sectors. The University's commitment to experiential learning, state-of-the-art facilities and co-founding organizations like the Center to Advance Manufacturing and Logistics underscores its dedication to producing graduates who can thrive in the advanced manufacturing sector and beyond.

Robotics engineering

To meet the rising demand for robotics engineers driven by the surge in advanced manufacturing across northwestern Ohio, the Midwest and the nation, BGSU is introducing a new, comprehensive robotics engineering program, building upon previous success in its accredited mechatronics engineering technology program. This shift is in line with the University's commitment to producing graduates who are well-equipped for in-demand careers.

The new robotics engineering bachelor's program, situated within the recently formed School of Engineering, facilitates hands-on training and classroom instruction to prepare students for sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace and automotive. With a growing need for skilled robotics engineers in Ohio and beyond, the University's program is uniquely positioned to nurture the next generation of leaders in these vital fields.

Electronic and computer engineering

In response to the rapid evolution of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT), BGSU also is establishing a new electronic and computer engineering program. Recognizing the escalating demand for electronic and computer engineers to support advanced manufacturing, particularly in sectors like semiconductors, electric vehicles and appliances, the University is transitioning its accredited bachelor's degree program in electronic and computer engineering technology to an enriched electronic and computer engineering degree.

Students in this program will gain hands-on experience and cutting-edge education, preparing them for careers in smart manufacturing and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.

Mechanical and manufacturing engineering

Additionally, BGSU is introducing a new and comprehensive bachelor of science in mechanical and manufacturing engineering program, building on the success of its previous accredited mechanical and manufacturing engineering technology program. This shift is driven by the escalating requirement for mechanical and manufacturing engineers across northwestern Ohio, the Midwest and the nation, particularly in areas such as semiconductors, electric vehicles and appliance manufacturing.

The new program, also located within the School of Engineering, offers a diverse curriculum encompassing mechanics, 3D printing, product design, automation and more, equipping graduates with the skills needed for the evolving manufacturing landscape.

The creation of the School of Engineering and the development of the new engineering programs demonstrates BGSUs commitment through its faculty to fulfill its mission of doing public good by supporting the growing advanced manufacturing industry in Ohio and beyond. The school of engineering and its new programs provide educational and employment opportunities for our students and future graduates.

The BGSU School of Engineering is home to a state-of-the-art facility with unique in-house systems for collaborative classroom training and hands-on instruction in the area of robotics for advanced manufacturing. The school will have 22 faculty members, with four tenured or tenure track faculty specializing in robotics engineering.

The eFactory, located inside the Stephen and Deborah Harris/Rixan Robotics Laboratory, prepares workforce-ready students to join the advanced manufacturing industry, enabling hybrid education and hands-on competency-based experiential learning. In the eFactory, which is supported by six rounds of Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS) funding, students use the 1,558-square-foot open classroom area for testing, construction, implementation and integration.

The School of Engineering also houses the Electronics and Computer Engineering Laboratory, Metrology Laboratory, CAD and CAM Laboratory, as well as the Mechanical and Manufacturing Laboratory, with both housing advanced manufacturing equipment, instruments and software.
Before just getting a list of to-dos, it is vital for us to know the goal. What is the mission?

Here is what Jesus said in Matthew 20:18-20:

Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

The goal is to make disciples. The 4-14 window of age is one of the most fruitful times for a child to place their faith in Jesus. Young people matter.

Barna Research Group says, Roughly seven out of ten Americans adults (71%) had a period of time during their childhood when they regularly attended a Christian church. Apparently, old habits die hard: a majority of those who attended church as a youngster still attend regularly today (61%).

This is not to say that our faith is dependent upon our church communities, but they do play a major role. However, the discipleship that takes place in the home is even more important. It is there where children see faith and sin modeled. How do we handle when we are wrong? Do we acknowledge and repent of our sin in front of our children? Do we model grace and forgiveness? Do we show the unconditional love of Christ? Do we discipline with the kindness of the Father?

The moment that we have a child enter our home is the moment when that specific child becomes a mission for us to share Jesus with regularly. God has entrusted a soul into our care to reveal His gospel and His Word. This is a great responsibility and a beautiful privilege.

Our Goal: To make disciples

We do this by sharing and showing the gospel of Jesus to our children.

1 Peter 3:15 says, But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

Kids are inquisitive. If you have spent any time with young people, they are constantly learning about the world around them. They love to ask questions. They love to gain understanding. This is a great quality. This is honestly a reason that I believe Jesus said we are to be like little children, because they are so willing and ready to learn.

This means that we need to be prepared to give answers for the hope we have in Christ to them.

Photo credit: Getty Images/SDI Productions
Revelation 1:8

I am Alpha and Omega

These are the words of Christ himself, appearing at once, and confirming what John had said of him, concerning his person, offices, and future coming: Alpha is the first letter, and Omega the last in the Greek alphabet, and signifies that Christ is the first and the last, as it is interpreted in ( Revelation 1:11 Revelation 1:17 ) , and is a character often given to the divine Being in prophetic writings; see ( Isaiah 41:4 ) ( 44:6 ) ( 48:12 ) ; and is no small proof of the proper deity of Christ. Alpha is used by the Jews for the chief of persons or things;

``Macmas and Mezonicha (names of places) are ( tlol apla ) , "Alpha for fine flour";''

that is, the best fine flour is there, they are the chief places for it: and again,

``Tekoah is ( Nmvl apla ) , "Alpha for oil",''

F19

Ezekiel 9:6

or the chief place for oil; the best oil was to be had there: so Christ, he is the Alpha, the chief as to his divine nature, being God over all, blessed for ever; and in his divine sonship, none, angels or men, are in such sense the Son of God as he is; and in all his offices, of prophet, priest, and King; he is the prophet, the great prophet of the church, never man spake like him, or taught as he did; he is the most excellent priest, that exceeds Aaron and all his sons, having an unchangeable priesthood; and he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords; he has the chief place in the church, he is the head of it, and has in all things the preeminence; he is the chief in honour and dignity, is at the right hand of God, and has a name above every name: he also in some sense may be said to be the Omega, the last and the lowest; as in his state of humiliation, he was not only made lower than the angels, but than man; he was despised and rejected of men, and scarcely reckoned a man, a worm, and no man; and he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Moreover, these letters, Alpha and Omega, being the first and the last in the alphabet, may stand for the whole; and it seems to be a proverbial expression taken from the Jews, who use the phrase, from Aleph to Tau, for the whole of any thing, which two letters in the Hebrew alphabet stand in the same place as these; accordingly the Syriac version renders it Olaph and Tau; and the Arabic version Aleph and Ye. It is said in () , "begin at my sanctuary";

``R. Joseph taught, do not read "my sanctuary", but "sanctified ones", these are the children of men who confirm "the whole law", ( wyt dew Plam ) , "from Aleph to Tau";''

the same as from Alpha to Omega, or from one end to the other: and a little after,

``says R. Levi, Tau is the end of the seal of the holy blessed God, for says R. Chanina, the seal of the holy blessed God is ( tma ) , "truth": says R. Samuel bar Nachmani, these are the children of men who confirm the whole law "from Aleph to Tau" F20 .''

So Christ, he is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the chief, the whole of things; as of the covenant of grace, he is the first and last of it, he is the Mediator, surety, and messenger of it, and the ratifier and confirmer of it, he is the covenant itself, all its blessings and promises are in him; he is the sum and substance of the Scriptures, both of the law and of the Gospel; he is the fulfilling end of the law, and he is the subject matter of the Gospel; he stands in the first verse in Genesis, and in the last of the Revelation; he is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the whole and all in the business of salvation, in the affair of justification before God, in the sanctification of his people, in their adoption, and eternal glorification; he stands first and last in the book of God's purposes and decrees, in the book of the covenant, in the book of the creatures, or creation, being the first cause, and last end of all things, in the book of Providence, and in the book of the Scriptures: likewise, as these two letters include all the rest, this phrase may be expressive of the perfection of Christ, who as God has the fulness of the Godhead, all the perfections of the divine nature in him; and, as man, is in all things made like unto his brethren; and, as Mediator, has all fulness of power, wisdom, grace, and righteousness in him, in whom all the saints are complete; and this may also denote his eternity, he having none before him, nor any after him; and which also is signified by some other following expressions:

the beginning and the ending;

the Alexandrian copy, the Complutensian edition, the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, leave out this; which seems to be explanative of the former clause, Alpha being the beginning of the alphabet, and Omega the ending of it; and properly belongs to Christ, who knows no beginning, nor will he have any end with respect to time, being from everlasting to everlasting; and agrees with him as the first cause of all things, both of the old and new creation, and the last end to which they are all referred, being made for his pleasure, honour, and glory: these things now

saith the Lord;

that is, the Lord Jesus Christ; the Alexandrian copy, the Complutensian edition, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, read, "the Lord God"; and the Ethiopic version only God:

which is, and which was, and which is to come;

who is God over all, "was" God from all eternity, and is to come as such; which he will show by: his omniscience and omnipotence, displayed in the judgment of the world: who "is" now a Saviour of all that come to God by him; "was" so under the Old Testament dispensation, being the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world; and "is to come", as such, and shall appear a second time unto salvation to them that look for him: particularly this phrase is expressive of the eternity of Christ, who is, was, and ever will be; and of his immutability, who is the same he was, and will be for ever the same he is, and was, unchangeable in his person, in his love, and in the virtue of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; he is the same today, yesterday, and for ever. This same phrase is used of God the Father in ( Revelation 1:4 ) ; and is a further proof of the deity of Christ; and which is still more confirmed by the following character,

the Almighty;

as he appears to be, by creating all things but of nothing; by upholding all creatures in their beings; by the miracles he wrought on earth; by the resurrection of himself from the dead; by obtaining eternal redemption for his people; and by his having the care and government of them upon him, whom he keeps, upholds, bears, and carries to the end, through all their infirmities, afflictions, temptations, and trials.
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The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed with costs an application by Jacob Zuma against journalist Karyn Maughan and advocate Billy Downer in his private prosecution of the pair. The judgement was handed down electronically on Friday 13 October.

Source:  123rf 123rf Jacob Zuma's appeal against journalist Karyn Maughan and advocate Billy Downer has been dismissed with costs by the Supreme Court of Appeal

The appeal is dismissed with costs, including those of two counsel, to be paid on the attorney and client scale, read the judgement.

The case by Zuma stemmed from a private prosecution in the Pietermaritzburg high court, against Downer and Maughan. On 5 September 2022, Zuma contended that Downer contravened provisions of the National Prosecuting Act when he supposedly leaked a document to Maughan containing his private medical information. The medical information was contained in a letter from a military doctor, submitted in August 2021 in support of an application for a postponement in Zumas Arms Deal trial.

Downer is a lead prosecutor for the National Prosecuting Authority and has worked on cases against Zuma, including the prosecution of Schabir Shaik, who was convicted of corruption in 2005.

Maughan, a legal journalist at News24, has been reporting on the various allegations against Zuma including criminal investigations, criminal indictments and numerous legal challenges and proceedings for several years.

Downer and Maughan applied separately to the high court to have the private prosecution set aside as an abuse of process of the court.

On 7 June 2023, the Pietermaritzburg High Court, in a judgment running to 63 pages, set aside the criminal summons against Maughan and Downer. The court ordered Zuma to pay costs on a punitive scale.
A momentous milestone in South African history is celebrated as Sandton City Shopping Mall marks its 50th anniversary. The iconic establishment, nestled in the heart of Sandton Central, has been instrumental in transforming this district into a thriving hub of commerce, innovation, and opportunity.

Muhammad Paruk

As Mahummad Paruk, the asset management executive of Pareto Limited, remarked during his speech at the celebration: "When we think of Sandton Central, we envision a bustling hub of commerce, innovation, and opportunity. It is a place where dreams are realised, where business leaders converge, and where the global economy finds its footing on African soil."

Sandton Central is home to some of South Africa's largest corporations, top multinational companies, and the prestigious Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), making it a vital financial node not just for South Africa but for sub-Saharan Africa as a whole.

Today's celebration is not only a tribute to the enduring legacy of Sandton City but also a recognition of the fruitful partnership between Pareto and other investment companies, including Liberty Two Degrees, that have played a pivotal role in this remarkable journey.

Pareto, a key player in the world of investments, has significantly contributed to the success story of Sandton City and the broader Sandton Central area. Their extensive property portfolio and national footprint extend beyond clever investments; they serve as the heart and soul of communities, beacons of local economies, and spaces where individuals enjoy meaningful experiences.

Paruk emphasised Pareto's commitment to providing first-class opportunities for the public to thrive, creating spaces that offer sensory ways to shop, play, earn, and live while generating diversified total returns for shareholders.

With nearly 30,000 people employed across their malls, Pareto is actively uplifting South Africa's future and creating sustainable employment. Their commitment to local and international retailers has introduced international brands to the South African market, contributing to the globalisation of the continent.

Pareto's impact reaches beyond bricks and mortar. Their social investments and community upliftment projects reflect their dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals in every community they touch.

As Paruk stated, "Our journey has been one of resilience, innovation, and collaboration. It is the result of the dedication of many, including the visionary minds at Pareto and our valued partners in the investment sector."

Over the years, Sandton Central has evolved into a global economic powerhouse, and Pareto remains steadfast in its commitment to its continued growth and success. Their association with Sandton City has been mutually beneficial, and they eagerly anticipate the future possibilities that lie ahead.

In closing, today's celebration is a testament to the enduring legacy of Sandton City and the remarkable journey it has undertaken over the past five decades. Together, as partners and visionaries, we have shaped not only a shopping mall but also a thriving community and a symbol of prosperity in Sandton Central.

"Here's to the next 50 years of success and growth for Sandton City and all the partners who have contributed to its remarkable story," concluded Paruk.

About Pareto:

Pareto is one of South Africa's leading retail investment funds with an iconic portfolio of regional and super-regional shopping centres across the country, as well as mixed-use developments. Pareto invests in prime iconic retail properties, including assets that are wholly-owned or co-owned alongside likeminded investors within major metropolitan areas. Some of Paretos properties include Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Sandton City, Cresta Shopping Centre, Pavilion Shopping Centre and Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, Mimosa, Southgate and Westgate Shopping Centre.
After months of intense preparation and practice in kitchens across the country, excitement reached its pinnacle as the nation's talented young chefs and bakers battled it out at the RCL Foods Young Chef & Baker Challenge 2023.

The grand finale, held on 12 October in Umhlanga, was a showcase of South Africa's culinary excellence, where 18 of South Africa's top chefs under the age of 25 went head-to-head for coveted titles.

An intense day of competition by the young chefs in which they were required to prepare a starter, main course and dessert from a mystery basket of ingredients culminated in the announcement of the three winning teams of two by the panel of esteemed SA Chefs Association judges.

Catherine Sainsbury and Robert Zituta from Silwood School of Cookery in Cape Town secured the first-place position. Their exceptional skills and outstanding performance in the competition earned them a well-deserved prize of R30,000, equally split between the two participants. The duo wowed the judges with their culinary creations, making them the reigning champions of the RCL Foods Young Chef & Baker Challenge 2023.

Catherine Sainsbury and Robert Zituta (Silwood School of Cookery) in Cape Town. Image supplied

The runner-up position was secured by Amaara Sulaiman and Lalana Santana Pillay from Capsicum Culinary Studio in Durban, who won R20,000.

Amaara Sulaiman and Lalana Santana Pillay from Capsicum Culinary Studio in Durban. Image supplied

In the third-place spot, Marna Brandt and Macaela Ntuli from Chefs Training & Innovation Academy (CTIA) in Gauteng walked away with R15,000.

Marna Brandt and Macaela Ntuli from CTIA in Gauteng. Image supplied

Chef Bradley Kavanagh, Head Chef of RCL Foods, remarked, "Culinary competitions are more than just a showcase of culinary talent, particularly when they are aimed at the youth. Through the extensive feedback that is shared with competitors and the seed it plants in young minds to strive for better results and to perfect their craft, this competition helps to uplift standards in our hospitality industry and sets ambitious young chefs on a path to a successful, goal-driven career."

This year's competition saw a stellar showcase of talent, with the National Finals judged by a panel of qualified South African Chefs Association judges consisting of Chef Candice Adams (Capscium Culinary Studio), Chef Warren Franz (uShaka Marine World), Chef James Khoza (President of SA Chefs), Chef Oliver Reddy (Fedics) and Chef Luke Reddy (Tsebo Solutions).

Stewart Jones, channel executive at RCL Foods with the winning teams. Image supplied

The participants impressed the judges by creating exquisite dishes using RCL Foods, Rainbow, Siqalo Foods, and LiveKindly ingredients.

Chef James Khoza, President of SA Chefs, says, The competition's success and the impressive performance of the winners underscore the importance of culinary competitions in developing young talent in South Africa's culinary industry.
In a significant stride toward enhancing healthcare accessibility, Zarcare, a leading telemedicine provider, has forged a strategic alliance with the University of the Western Cape. Together, they are hosting a free online health talk on Saturday, 21 October, dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer.

Source: Annie Gwerengwe, founder and managing director of Zarcare.

This enlightening session goes beyond awareness, featuring a practical demonstration of self-examination and offering crucial guidance for patients on recognising when to seek medical attention.

Breast cancer is a national health priority, with rising incidence rates in South Africa where one in 27 women are at risk, according to the 2019 national cancer registry. Even though healthcare services are offered to citizens by our overburdened health department, the financial- and time constraints of travelling to local clinics creates significant barriers for vulnerable communities, leading to overall poorer health outcomes.

According to the South African Department of Health, cancer stands as the second leading cause of mortality, second to heart disease. While relatively rare, breast cancer can affect men too. It is imperative that individuals are educated on proactive breast health, as knowledge and especially early detection can save lives.

Zarcare's online platform empowers members to access quality healthcare services remotely from anywhere, aligning with its mission to make healthcare accessible and convenient for all South Africans.

Annie Gwerengwe, founder and managing director of Zarcare, states, "We've meticulously curated this session to offer valuable insights into breast health and cancer. Our esteemed panel of speakers will share their expertise, research findings, and practical advice to enhance an understanding of these critical health topics."

Virtual session highlights

This virtual session promises to be both informative and enlightening as experts share advice not only on when to consult a medical practitioner but also on improving overall health and wellbeing after a breast-cancer diagnosis.

Speakers will include general practitioner Karla Talbot, specialist wellness counselor Liesl Townsend, medical doctor and breast-cancer researcher Sahar Sabdul-Rasool, and breast cancer survivor Kashifa Smith.

Passionate about primary healthcare and wellness, Talbot will discuss screening methods available for breast cancer. Liesl Townsend, registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, will focus on the emotional and psychological challenges individuals with breast cancer often encounter.

Sabdul-Rasool, from The University of the Western Cape, will discuss recent advancements in breast-cancer diagnosis and treatments, and Smith will share her inspiring 13-year journey of overcoming breast cancer, aiming to provide hope and encouragement to those currently battling the disease.

Click here to register for this event.
Source:  123rf 123rf Ray Harraway, master reward specialist and SARA member gives five ways to rebuild trust and productivity in the country's labour market

In addition, a deteriorating macro environment combined with high volume and pace of change is increasing distractions and fraying emotional connections at work broadly.These factors drive the prospect of lower productivity and weaker bottom lines.

Here are five ways reward practitioners can respond to rebuild trust and productivity.

Pay for potential Work success comes from at least two things, will and skill. - Will (Ambition, energy, enthusiasm, resilience, focus, drive).

- Skill (Knowledge, acquired through experience, exposure, training, qualifications and Interpersonal skills). Will is not dissimilar to potential and we tend to undervalue it. This is because there is no identifiable market value, such as benchmark survey data - it is not explicit like a qualification or years of experience. We have all heard of skills-based, competency-based, or performance-based pay. But, what about potential-based pay? The reason this is important is that attrition data, particularly of millennials, tells us that employees leave primarily because of a lack of career progression. Is this because we prefer to see a proven track record before we promote? Potential is anything but a proven track record. Call to action: Paying for potential, such as through a premature promotion, may well mean you are paying it forward and betting on a future outcome. But this bolder and proactive talent approach protects your talent base which one day should translate to performance.

Prioritise wellbeing Productivity creates wellbeing, and wellbeing creates productivity. But there is a paradox; on the one hand, organisational change tends to drive adverse well-being consequences, and then, on the other, the volume and pace of effective change is necessary to remain sustainable. The point is that the emotional state of the workforce going through a transformation is critical to the success of the transformation programme. There is a newfound respect for the strategic importance of well-being - corporate growth depends on it. Organisations have a responsibility to proactively provide wellbeing offerings for the wellbeing of the organisation. Employees must still own their well-being. Call to action: Why not incentivise line managers to destigmatise mental health and have whole person conversations in their regular direct report one-on-ones? This can be done through an online recognition system where direct reports award virtual badges when they observe this behaviour, as an example.

Strengthen communication on reward We know too well that effective reward is premised on driving behaviour and actions that achieve strategic objectives. The LTI award might be connected to corporate performance targets, but is the employee? The LTI scheme is wasted if we dont use it to connect employees to the strategic objectives of the organisation. Demonstrate in simple terms the probability of LTI performance vesting outcomes and how they are tied to the achievement of the targets. The retentive power of LTIs is heavily discounted if the participant is unsighted on this. After all, LTI awards should motivate them to be productive and achieve the targets as they have a stake in the company. Call to action: Engaging employees to be more productive is possible with better communication. Spend more time promoting your LTI scheme and how it aligns with the interests of shareholders and employees.

Keep the fair pay conversation going Lets face it - effort can be disproportionately spent on refining methodologies to calculate pay differentials, identifying and remediating unjustified ones and governance reporting. We can do as much variable regression analysis as we like to prove no systemic bias, but unless we are transparent with employees on the results, the work is largely wasted. Employees want to know that their pay is fair, otherwise, they will believe the corridor gossip. Pay is always a relative game - how it stacks up to the next guy. Explaining a pay differential is an art based on science. Call to action: Demonstrate to your employees that pay is fair or what you are doing to address inequities. Sharing the results might require some courage, but if done correctly, with trained line managers, it will drive an inclusive culture, a sense of belonging, and higher productivity. Knowing is always better than making assumptions because of not knowing!
As South Africa marks Teachers' Month, coinciding with last week's ceremony honouring the best in our teaching cohort, it's imperative to recognise the vital role teachers play in moulding our nation's future.

The public sector's successful resolution of teacher shortages means our educators are no longer merely on survival mode even though resource constraints remain.

Their impact, frequently extending beyond the classroom, is immeasurable. The significance of the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme in bolstering South Africa's teaching profession is commendable. Here in black and white are facts and figures about teachers in SA today.

Since its inception, the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme has facilitated the training and integration of new teachers into our educational system.

From 2007, marking the year when bursars completed their studies and became eligible for placement in 2008, up to the most recent data for 2023, a cumulative total of 52 099 teachers have successfully completed their training through the Funza Lushaka programme.

This underscores its success in supporting teachers and rejuvenating the nations educational system with well-trained professionals.

The impact of Funza Lushaka on teacher placement: A decade in review.

As we delve deeper into the data related to the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme, another significant aspect comes to the fore  the successful placement of these trained educators within our educational system.

This ensures that our investment in human capital translates into tangible benefits for our learners and the broader education sector.

From 2013 to 31 August 2023, spanning a decade and seven months, we have witnessed impressive placement rates across our Provincial Education Departments (PEDs).

Eastern Cape: Out of 6,608 trained teachers, 4 869 have been successfully placed, representing a placement rate of 74%. However, 1,739 remain unplaced.

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Free State: Here, we see a higher placement percentage. Of the 3 092 educators, 2,752 have found positions, marking an 89% placement rate, leaving only 340 unplaced.

Gauteng: This province has seen the training of 9,423 teachers, with 8 002 of them (or 85%) being effectively integrated into schools. However, 1, 421 are still seeking placement.

KwaZulu-Natal: With 9,012 trained educators, 6,908 have been placed (77%), while 2 104 await placement.

Limpopo: This province boasts one of the highest placement rates at 94%. Of 4,623 educators, 4,347 have been placed, leaving a mere 276 unplaced.

Mpumalanga: Here, 4,006 teachers were trained, and 3,161 (or 79%) have been placed, leaving 845 awaiting placement.

North West: An impressive 96% placement rate is observed here. Of the 2,543 educators, 2,436 have found their roles in the education system, with only 107 still unplaced.

Northern Cape: Another province with an excellent placement rate of 96%. Of 1 166 educators, 1,115 have been effectively placed, and 51 remain unplaced.

Western Cape: From 6,867 educators, 5,127 have been successfully placed, making the rate 75%. However, 1,740 educators are still seeking placement.

Of the 47 340 educators trained over the past decade and seven months, 38 717 have been effectively placed within our educational system, representing an overall placement rate of 82%.

While this achievement is worth celebrating, the data also underscores the need to address the 8 623 educators awaiting placement.

In other words, since 2013, 38 717 out of 47 340 Funza Lushaka graduates have found placement in schools, representing approximately 81.78% of these graduates. This translates to an average placement of about 4,300 graduates per annum.

To put this into perspective, Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme graduates placed in schools account for 20-25% of all graduates absorbed into the public education system each year. This figure is a testament to the programmes significant contribution to rejuvenating the teaching profession.

The financial magnitude of investing in tomorrows teachers

However, a programme of this magnitude comes with substantial financial commitment. Between 2007 and 2022, the cumulative financial outlay for the scheme across all participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) amounts to a staggering R13 115 645 580.95.

These figures highlight the vast number of future educators being nurtured through the programme and the immense financial commitment to ensuring their readiness to shape the next generation.

Its essential to view this not merely as an expenditure but as a significant investment in the future of South Africas basic education system.

Investing in todays educators for a brighter tomorrow

In 2023 alone, across all HEIs, some 10,864 students have been funded to pursue their dreams of becoming educators. This comes at the cost of the fiscus of R1, 164,539,332.47. This figure showcases a substantial investment into nurturing teaching professionals who will go on to play an integral role in our basic education system.

Its worth noting that behind each bursary is an aspiring educator, a beacon of hope equipped to inspire our nations youth. This investment signifies belief in the transformative power of education and those who deliver it.

Teacher supply and demand by 2030

The cepartments research indicates two major factors: the ageing teaching workforce, which necessitates a new influx of educators, and a surge in learner numbers due to population growth.

Given the current learner-educator ratio (LER) of 29.8:1, we employ around 405,000 educators in the public sector. However, by 2030, to maintain this LER, wed require about 428,000 educators.

Failing to meet this could result in the LER spiking to 31.6:1, signifying larger class sizes and potentially diminishing the quality of education. The challenge is further compounded when considering that funding plays a significant role in our ability to recruit and maintain these educators.

But heres the silver lining: theres already a surplus. Every year, while 31,000 fresh teacher graduates step out, only 18,000 to 20,000 are absorbed into the public sector, creating a significant reservoir.

However, quantity alone isnt the solution. As the curriculum evolves with the Three Streams Model focusing on technical vocational and technical occupational streams, the quality and specialisation of training become paramount.

Our bursary schemes must pivot, possibly minimising the general academic stream and emphasising the new curricular needs.
Many workers are looking at the catastrophic events unfolding in the Middle East, wondering what they can do to halt the imperialist carnage. Organised and mobilised, the working class has the power to stop the warmongers. The following article was written by our comrades in Britain, offering a model motion to be passed in Trade Unions and giving an explanation of what workers can do to combat the imperialist war machine.

Workers all over the world are looking on in horror as the Israeli state begins a campaign of collective punishment for the Palestinians trapped in Gaza.

Having been caught off-guard by the coordinated nature of Hamas attacks, the Zionist Israeli ruling class are now exacting a brutal revenge.

Seeing this bombardment and killing of civilians, many in Britain will be asking themselves the question: what can we do to help?

First of all, we must recognise that our strength lies in our collective organisation and mobilisation, especially in trade unions.

If youre in a trade union, you should therefore try to get your branch to pass our model motion: declaring unequivocal solidarity with the Palestinian people; condemning the attacks by the Israeli state; and denouncing the complicity of British imperialism.

Workers action

The power of the working class does not come from our decisions as consumers, but from our role as producers / Image: Socialist Appeal

This motion points to the real cause of the conflict: not who shot first, but who the oppressor is, and who aids them in their oppression.

But more than just condemning the imperialists, the motion calls for action. We need to understand our true power: our ability to mobilise and demonstrate; and, most crucially of all, to withdraw our labour.

This doesnt mean taking action on an individual basis  not turning up to work on Monday morning; refusing to buy this or that product  but collectively.

The power of the working class does not come from our decisions as consumers, but from our role as producers. We are not customers, but workers.

Whether through trade unions or otherwise, collective action by the organised working class  particularly in the industries that the capitalists rely on to keep their war machine going  can have a direct impact.

Such militant mass action can hit at the imperialists directly by stopping production. The Israel Defence Forces cant drop bombs they dont have!

In this way, workers can realise the full potential of the strength that they hold in society. Even one workplace taking action can have an enormous impact on events, and inspire other workers to follow suit.

Lessons from history

To take one heroic example: In 1974, following Pinochets coup in Chile, workers at the Rolls Royce factory in East Kilbride, Scotland, took action in exactly this way.

After learning that the jet engines they were repairing belonged to the Chilean junta, they refused to touch these vital aircraft components.

This workers boycott went on for so long that the engines themselves rusted  rendering them impotent, and preventing their use in the murder Chilean workers thousands of miles away.

Similarly, dock workers organised by the CGiL union in Genoa, Italy, went on strike in 2019 to prevent a Saudi-owned ship from loading its cargo of weapons, destined for use in the reactionary regimes war on Yemen.

Just last year, Greek rail workers also attempted to prevent tanks from being transported to Ukraine for use in the conflict there.

There is also a precedent in relation to workers action to stop arms heading to Israel: most notably of all, that of the South African port workers union SATAWU, who refused to unload an Israeli ship during the height of the states bombardment of Gaza in 2021.

In light of the latest aggression from the Israeli state, these inspiring examples provide vital lessons about how workers can and should fight the oppression of Palestinians today  by using their role in production and distribution to halt the imperialist warmongers in their tracks.

Enemy at home

Overthrowing our imperialist governments is ultimately what will prevent Israeli aggression and stop war for good / Image: Socialist Appeal

Such a movement must also take aim at our own ruling class. Netanyahus regime is able to act with impunity because US and British imperialism see a strong Israel as vital to their interests in the Middle East.

To fight such a force, we therefore need to think bigger. A campaign of workers action against the production and transport of arms is just the start.

Overthrowing our imperialist governments, the enemy at home, as well as the capitalist system they represent and defend, is ultimately what will prevent Israeli aggression and stop war for good.

We cannot rely on bourgeois diplomacy and international organisations like the United Nations  and other such tools of imperialism  to bring about genuine peace. The only true friends that the Palestinian masses have are the workers of the world.

By smashing their own imperialist states, workers in the West can provide genuine class solidarity to the Palestinian cause. That is how we can help win freedom, at long last, for the oppressed millions in the Middle East and beyond.

Workers control

Beyond just halting the production and distribution of weapons, workers in the arms sector should also fight for ownership and control over the industry.

In this way, taking inspiration from the Lucas Plan of the 1970s, factories and machinery could be repurposed away from arms and towards socially-useful products, such as green technologies and healthcare equipment.

On this basis, as part of a socialist plan of production, societys resources and workers skills could be utilised to benefit people and the planet, rather than the profits of the private arms manufacturers.

The role of communists in the trade unions is to draw all these threads together; to raise consciousness, and provide workers with confidence and a sense of their own power; and to be the most determined class fighters and internationalists.

If you want to get organised as a communist in the labour movement, join us today.
"Some of our colleagues have been brutally murdered while at the workplace."

Over 600 teachers marched to the Durban City hall under the Banner of the South African Democratic Teachers Union in a protest for better safety for teachers at schools. Photo: Tsoanelo Sefoloko

More than 600 teachers marched to the Durban City hall under the banner of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) on Friday. They were protesting for better safety for teachers at schools.

Sadtu provincial secretary Nomarashiya Caluza said the provincial government must take responsibility for the state of the provinces schools.

Some of our colleagues have been brutally murdered while at the workplace, she said.

Caluza said criminals targeted schools and violent incidents happened in front of learners.

We have noted the horrible conditions that teachers are working under. We have been told by the department that the department has run out of budget.

One teacher, Thandiwe Mkhize, had travelled the 380km from uMhlabuyalingana to join the march. She teaches at Mdumisa Primary, near the Mozambican border.

Our school conditions are not good at all. We dont even have security at the gate, she said.

She said cars such as SUVs and twin cabs were too dangerous to purchase in her area because these are quickly targeted by criminals and smuggled across the border.

Mbali Frazer, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, accepted the memorandum and promised to give feedback within 40 days.

Published originally on GroundUp.
Now in its 26th year, the Business and Arts South Africa (Basa) Awards, recognised projects that fuse the yin and yang of business and the arts to set a programme or project in motion. Celebrating 342 winning business and arts partnerships since its inception, the 2023 Basa Awards made a break from tradition and held its signature event in Cape Town for the first time. The ceremony saw finalists and guests entertained by South African dance legend and 2023 Basa Awards featured artist, Gregory Maqoma, jazz sensation Mandla Mlangeni, and electric violinist Kirsty Bows at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.

The Awards are endorsed and supported by a host of partners who celebrate the concept of mutually beneficial partnerships and the inclusion of creativity in their own strategies. Commenting on the profound impact that partnership can bring, Basa CEO Ashraf Johaardien said: "Collaboration is more than a buzzword, it requires a specific approach; trust, transparency, and a common goal are key elements.

Partnerships who get this right harness a certain kind of momentum that truly benefits both parties and more importantly, the communities and public they are creating for. From climate awareness projects to platforms for the extraordinary talent in our country, the results are amplified with good partners in the room. Whether transforming communities, shaping lives, or shifting the social and cultural narrative; the winning projects for the 26th Basa Awards are all examples of the powerful impact creativity can have when the right partnership delivers.

Said chairperson of the awards adjudication panel, Khanyi Mamba: Every submission we received represents a unique journey, a labour of love, and a bold step towards pushing boundaries and creating something extraordinary. So to all the finalists, I want to convey my heartfelt congratulations. Your work has captured the attention of our discerning judges, and you have earned your place among the best of the best. Your creativity, dedication, and passion serve as an inspiration to all those who aspire to make a meaningful impact in the world of arts and business.

Awarding partnerships in multiple categories, this year saw the Basa Awards confer a new Green Award (partnered by Twyg). This special award was selected to recognise an organisation that uses creativity to advance awareness and impact around climate and sustainability. The finalists were selected from Basas Climate/Culture programme that profiled projects at the intersection of these two streams. Well Worn Theatre was honoured for their tenacious commitment to using radical protest theatre and public art performances, utilising masks, puppets and street theatre, to highlight environmental injustices.

The Basa Chairpersons Award, supported by Zeitz Mocaa, awarded at the discretion of Basas board chairperson, was presented to FNB Art Joburg and BMW for the BMW Young Collectors Co. The programme brings CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs under 40, into a closer relationship with the countrys leading artists, galleries and art patrons through first-hand social experiences, creating a new generation of art collectors and stimulating the arts economy.

Gregory Maqoma presented the keynote speech Gregory Maqoma performing in the silo of the Zeitz Mocaa at the Basa Awards

Demonstrating that the successful fusion of creativity and strategy can yield extraordinary outcomes, the winning partnerships of this years Basa Awards are as follows:

IDC Community Development Award

Winner: ATKV & Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) for Karoo Kaarte

The impact of this project on the community of Oudtshoorn is profound and demonstrates how the KKNK and ATKV have made a meaningful difference, using the arts as a vehicle. Karoo Kaarte focuses on community development by actively involving the local community of Oudtshoorn through various disciplines in the arts, research and documentation of oral history and empowering community members to share their stories and experiences, thereby giving them a voice and a platform to express their cultural heritage. This aspect of the project is crucial in fostering a sense of pride, ownership, and connection within the community.

The project importantly contributes to job creation and skills development by involving local artists, performers, and historians and this helps to stimulate the local economy and improve the livelihoods of community members. The emphasis on the arts as a means of community development is also noteworthy with a visual arts exhibition, theatre production, talks, zines, and other public engagements at the KKNK Festival, showcasing the transformative power of the arts in fostering dialogue, understanding, and connection. Karoo Kaarte aims to leave a lasting legacy in terms of preserving oral history and cultural heritage by documenting and archiving the oral history of Oudtshoorn.

First-time Sponsorship Award supported by Radisson Red

Winner: Anna Pure Organic & Latitudes Online for The Anna Award

Latitudes Online strongly believes that collaboration is key to growth and sustainability in the creative sector. The Anna Award is proof of how a strong partnership can yield huge results, albeit with a limited budget. While Latitudes does not earn revenue directly from a campaign such as this, they identify talent for the platform, and earn revenue for both partners through the sale of artworks, which is both a smart and sustainable deployment of marketing spend and supports the development of a sales pipeline for talented creatives; one that keeps on giving long after the campaign has ended.

Anna Pure Organic has committed to sponsoring the award for an additional five years and in 2023 the reach of the award broadened through accepting entries from across the continent. This year 702 entries from 28 countries were received, offering Anna Pure Organic a meaningful and impactful way to promote their brand whilst it empowers creatives and changes the lives of women, for the better.

Heineken Beverages SMME Award and Sunglass Hut Sponsorship In-Kind Award

Winner: Avalon Cinema Group: Suncoast CineCentre and Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal for Durban International Film Festival

The 44-year-old Durban International Film Festival (Diff) is South Africas longest-running film festival. It is one of the leading festivals on the African continent and sits amongst other major festivals on the international calendar. The Festival is considered a premier space for the debut of South Africa films, as well as films from abroad that intend to premier on the African continent. The Diff award is considered a prestigious accolade. The winner of the documentary and shorts categories is automatically entered for consideration for the Oscars.

The Diff runs an extensive outreach and development programme for new and emerging filmmakers. In addition to screening films at the Suncoast CineCentre, the Festival also screens films at five community art centres in the broader eThekwini Municipality. Located within the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Festival, with its archive content, contributes to the Universitys objectives of teaching and learning, and research and community engagement. The Festival also supports innovation in filmmaking, free expression, leadership, film administration, and internationalisation through its extensive network.

Like all arts institutions in South Africa, the Festival is dependent on funding resources for its sustainability. The partnership with Avalon Cinema Group is a mutually beneficial partnership. The Festival benefits from having a professionally managed cinema complex as a hub for the Festival. The Festival also benefits through the Cinemas marketing and audience development strategies. The Cinema benefits through association with a reputable South African film festival with international gravitas.

Innovation Award partnered by Samsung and British Council Beyond Borders Award

Winner: E Squared Investments and Sunshine Cinema for Spark Impact Programme

Launched in 2021, the Spark Impact Programme has trained more than 40 young South Africans aged 21 to 34 from all nine provinces with the skills to use film as a tool for promoting dialogue and creating community-level impact on pressing issues such as gender-based violence, conservation, mental health, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse. Moreover, the skills development component has provided the Spark Impact ambassadors, or Sparks, with the necessary digital marketing knowledge and equipment to earn a monthly income from gig work (freelance digital marketing and media production work, such as photography or facilitation).

The funding from E Squared Investments facilitated the training of 20 Sparks, who received certificates from a University of Cape Town (UCT) course alongside 30+ graduates from the 2021 cohort who worked on paid impact campaigns. Going forward, the partnerships legacy lies in the establishment of a successful model for social change through job creation, film screenings and community engagement. The programme recently launched in Kenya, and its been operating in Zimbabwe for the last five years. Sunshine Cinema and E Squared Investments hope that by highlighting these achievements and emphasising the potential for further growth and impact, they can attract other like-minded organisations and investors to join their cause.

IDC CSI Award

Winner: The Sanlam Foundation Trust and Zip Zap Circus School Trust for Zappers Programme

The Sanlam Foundations support of the Zip Zap Youth programmes, contributes significantly to the skills development, growth opportunities, and employment of their talented young performers. This fruitful collaboration resulted in a noteworthy achievement when Zip Zap proudly included six jugglers from their youth programme, Zappers, in the production of Rhapsody. The production was staged at the Artscape Opera House in 2022 and building on its success, their troupe embarked on an extraordinary journey, securing a three-month contract to perform Rhapsody at Cirque Phenix, a grand dome-style circus tent in France.

This incredible opportunity allowed 17 Zip Zap performers, including the talented young Zappers who have progressed through Zip Zaps pyramid of programmes, to showcase their skills on an international stage. They astounded audiences with a total of 90 shows over three months, spending two months in Paris and one month touring, captivating an audience of over 350,000 individuals. The support provided has not only enabled the development and growth of talented performers but has also fostered their personal growth.

Heineken Beverages Long-term Partnership Award

Winner: Eyesizwe Mining Development Trust and Market Theatre Foundation for Ditshomo Mentorship Programme

The Ditshomo Mentorship Programme is a multi-pronged arts programme that, in part, creates and stages two exciting new South African plays annually, but this is also used as an opportunity to mentor young theatre practitioners in various theatre disciplines. In addition, a Schools Outreach Programme engages with Grades 11 and 12 learners to appraise them of the possibilities of behind the scenes careers in the performing arts industries (not involving performance on stage).

The Schools Outreach Programme engages with 60 students each year who show an interest in the creative arts, educating them about the social relevance of the performing arts as they contribute to social cohesion and at the same time introducing them to the different career opportunities that the performing arts can offer. The students attend weekly workshops in different theatre disciplines over six months  writing, directing, theatre design and producing  conducted by theatre professionals and held at the Market Theatre in Newtown.

Green Award partnered by Twyg

Winner: Well Worn Theatre Company

The Basa Green Award is a new branch or shoot of this years Awards, linked to Basas Climate Culture Programme, launched in partnership with Rand Merchant Bank (RMB). This category  like the programme is linked to Sustainable Development Goal 13: to limit and adapt to climate change. The Green Award was a special award selection from the projects featured in the Climate Culture Programme. The winner, Well Worn Theatre Company, creates fresh, homegrown productions for young audiences across South Africa focusing on ecological themes.

Well Worn Theatre Co has been at the coalface of theatre for sustainability for more than a decade, translating eco-socialism, climate justice and Earth-consciousness into theatre that is imaginative, entertaining, and accessible. The company of several young artists is headed up by artistic director Kyla Davis.

Basa Chairperson's Award supported by Zeitz Mocaa

Winner: FNB Art Joburg and BMW for BMW Young Collectors Co.

For centuries, patrons of the arts have remained far removed from the artists whose work they endorse. Interested in the artists work and practice but disconnected from the artists lived experience, the relationship centred around the material. The winning partners of this years award developed an initiative to champion Africas art market by cultivating a new patronage; a patronage that would grow the support systems artists have. A further objective of this initiative is to forge a culture that makes engaging with the local Creative Economy second nature for its members. This is achieved through facilitating organic encounters with key players in the arts throughout the year.

Aimed at CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs under 40, the initiative exists to develop a new generation of art collectors by affording them access to first-hand social experiences with the countrys leading artists, galleries, and art patrons. Looking to protect and serve the arts as much as they collect, this generation of imminent collectors have the opportunity to participate in the arts with a depth that comes from having first-hand insider knowledge.

Find out more about all the finalists in this years Basa Awards at https://bit.ly/3QbSHp6. For more information about each award and the winning partnerships, please visit Basa's website at https://Basa.co.za/.




Natalie Celani celebrates 20-years of success as a marketer in the alcohol industry. In her current role as marketing and innovation director at Diageo she says she is passionate about learning about new cultures, a crucial tool that bolsters her marketing strategies.

Natalie Celani is the marketing and innovation director at Diageo. Source: Supplied.

Take us through the evolution of your career.

The early years of my career saw me moving to London and working as a global brand manager for Peroni. In 2010 I moved to Tanzania as a marketing manager, and this is where my love for the continent of Africa was ignited and I havent left the continent since.

Following my stint in Tanzania I moved to beautiful South Africa where I had a regional role with SABMiller which allowed me to work across different countries and brands. This was an incredible experience for me because being a marketer having an understanding and an appreciation for people and culture goes hand in hand.

In 2018 I joined Diageo in Ethiopia as a marketing director. Joining the Diageo family was a no brainer for me  working on brand such Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Guinness, Captain Morgan and many more is any marketer's dream particularly those in the alcohol industry.

What does your role entail?

As marketing and innovation director at Diageo South Africa , there are three main aspects to my role that see me operating from a strategic perspective with leadership requirements to shaping the culture of the organisation and the brands that we work on.

I am responsible for brand portfolio strategies anchored by consumer insights and trends that have the power to drive sustainable and profitable growth for the business. I am also a leader, a role I take very seriously as allows me to role model, inspire and grow the future leaders of the company. Lastly, I am also responsible for brand advocacy  as you can imagine we work on brands that enjoy a tremendous amount of media and consumer attention. It is important to utilise the opportunities and responsibility that our iconic brands have to shape culture and drive some important topics, such as responsible drinking and progressive portrayal through our communication strategies.

What interested you in the alcohol industry?

The alcohol industry can be a lot of fun. We are a part of peoples celebrations and connections. Our industry also gives us an opportunity to utilise our brands to enhance and shape the future of celebrations, through great experiences, iconic brands and phenomenal products.

In addition to that, because of the nature of the business and what we do, when you work in the alcohol industry you create some strong bonds with your colleagues and I have to say that I have made some amazing friends at work throughout my career across the various markets I have worked in.

What are the biggest challenges in your role?

I work in a very competitive environment with tremendous pressure to deliver at all times and stay ahead of the competition. Not only do I have to ensure that I stay at the top of my game when the pressure is on, but I am also responsible of for keeping the team motivated and engaged  which can be challenging at times.

What have been the highlights of your career?

My experiences in my career have really made me a very strong person. I have had the amazing opportunity of working in different markets with different people which has taught me to adapt, deliver and grow as I moved across different markets and cultures.

When I look back at my career, whether I was front and centre for an exciting and game-changing campaign that delivered on business objectives or experimented with campaigns that didnt work as well but allowed me to learn from failures and setbacks.

I am extremely proud of the fact that I always moved forward, met and learned from amazing people along the way, and most importantly that I had the opportunity to motivate and inspire others to believe in themselves and become great leaders.

What impact do you want to have on your industry?

I believe that it is important that we deliver opportunities for consumers to enjoy more cheers but do so within moderation  which is something that our Captain Morgan Enjoy Slow campaign aimed to achieve  and inspire consumers to enjoy our brands responsibly. We should also utilise our brands to drive much needed conversations on inclusion, diversity and sustainability. We are on a journey and everyone in the industry is fortunately realising the importance of these topics, so the more we can all work towards the same agenda, the greater impact our industry can have on society.

Any advice for young marketers who want to end up in a niche field?

Marketing really gives you endless opportunities regardless of which industry you are in. It is really exciting as it places consumers at the centre of everything we do. For you to really succeed and truly make an impact it is important that you develop and maintain a culture of curiosity, the will to continuously learn, to trust the process and in the words of one of our iconic brand, Keep Walking!
Amazon announced that it will launch Amazon.co.za in 2024, providing South African-based sellers the ability to reach customers across the country starting next year. More than 60% of sales in Amazon's store are from independent sellers - most of which are SMEs - providing a vast selection of products, competitive prices, and great convenience for consumers. Starting today, independent sellers in South Africa can register their businesses on sell.amazon.com/south-africa

We look forward to launching Amazon.co.za in South Africa, providing local sellers, brand owners, and entrepreneurs  small and large  the opportunity to grow their business with Amazon, and delivering great value and a convenient shopping experience for customers across South Africa, said Robert Koen, general manager of the Sub-Saharan Africa region for Amazon.

Johannesburg-based African Mamas Crafts employs home based crafters in rural areas and sees opportunity to grow their small business in the Amazon store.

African Mamas is very excited at the prospect of working with Amazon locally to leverage their tools and expertise to grow our ecommerce business. We cannot wait to embark on this journey of growth, said Nomaswazi Tinus, founder and director of African Mamas Crafts.

Another business looking forward to the launch is Readers Warehouse, created by two brothers who grew up with a passion for books and reading. Sean Bulpin, director at Readers Warehouse, said I am absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to partner with Amazon and sell in their store. This presents an incredible chance to expand our ecommerce business and tap into a broader customer base in South Africa.

Amazon offers a range of valuable tools, programmes and services to empower sellers and foster their business growth, including hundreds of thousands of hours of free educational content to support sellers at every stage of their journey, including articles, videos, webinars, and case studies. For those looking to embark on their selling journey with Amazon.co.za, they can access these resources at sell.amazon.com/south-africa.

The launch of Amazon.co.za in 2024 will provide independent sellers throughout the country an opportunity to rapidly launch, grow, and scale their businesses while leveraging the innovative capabilities provided by Amazon.
In the heart of South Africa, where culinary innovation meets urban vibrancy, Urban Foods Wholesale stands as a beacon for chefs and restaurants striving for excellence. With warehouses strategically located in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Urban Foods Wholesale has become the go-to source for premium ingredients, serving a diverse clientele ranging from renowned restaurants to emerging talents in the culinary industry.

Specialising in fresh produce to the hospitality industry, Urban Foods is more than just a supplier, it is a partner in the culinary journey of its clients. The company's dedicated staff is committed to providing quality and reliable service that businesses can count on, ensuring that the essence of freshness is delivered straight to their doorstep.

Urban Foods understands the pivotal role that fresh ingredients play in creating memorable culinary experiences. Your culinary business, they believe, is an extension of your commitment to your customers. It's about ensuring they receive the highest quality, tastiest meals crafted from the freshest ingredients available. After all, an exceptional dining experience begins with the raw materials.

One of their distinctive offerings lies in being premier suppliers of micro herbs and edible flowers. These delicate yet vibrant elements are the essence of fine dining, transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary adventures. Urban Foods takes pride in curating a selection that elevates the visual and sensory appeal of dishes, making every bite an indulgence for the senses.

Prompt and reliable service is at the core of Urban Foods' ethos. Recognising that waiting for produce or having to inform customers of unavailable menu items due to delayed deliveries can be detrimental to a business, Urban Foods takes a proactive approach.

Urban Foods doesn't just deliver fruits and vegetables, they deliver prime quality, super-fresh produce that meets the highest standards. The company takes pride in the condition of its deliveries  each item arrives in optimum freshness, ready to be bought or used. This commitment to excellence is a testament to Urban Foods' dedication to elevating the culinary landscape by providing the essential building blocks for exceptional meals.

As Urban Foods savours their success, they are thrilled to announce their official expansion to Durban. This marks not only a geographical milestone but also an exciting step toward bringing the Urban Foods experience to a broader audience.

Looking ahead, Urban Foods harbours ambitious plans for further expansion, with George on the horizon. The vision is clear  to weave the tapestry of Urban Foods across South Africa, leaving no culinary enthusiast untouched by the magic of their premium ingredients.

In a world where speed often compromises quality, Urban Foods stands as a testament to the idea that freshness should never be sacrificed for convenience. Good food is not just a commodity; it's a way of life. Urban Foods is not just a distributor; it's a partner in ensuring that every culinary venture begins with the finest, freshest ingredients. As they say, good food equals good life, and with Urban Foods, the journey towards a flavourful life begins at your doorstep.

Stay tuned as they continue to embark on this exciting journey, bringing the best of South African produce to your plate, one city at a time.

Contact Urban Foods to elevate your culinary journey: 072 585 2804 | orders@urbanfoods.co.za.




In a first for the African continent, CNBC Africa has launched its AI newsreader.

Source: CNBA Africa CNBA Africa In a first for the African continent, CNBC Africa has launched its AI newsreader

The 24-hour pan-African business news channel says the move showcases its commitment to technological advancement and enhances its news delivery.

The avatar, a blend of AI and human likeness, is modelled on Chanel Retief, who works for Africa Business News (ABN), the parent group of CNBC Africa.

By integrating the features and persona of a real-life member of the ABN family, CNBC Africa aims to infuse a touch of authenticity and familiarity into the AI newsreader, bridging the gap between technology and human connection.

While AI technology continues to grow and capture an increasing share in various sectors, CNBC Africa emphasises that this new AI initiative is designed to augment human productivity, not replace it.

The integration of the AI newsreader will work in tandem with CNBC Africa's team of skilled journalists, analysts, and anchors, ensuring a seamless synergy of human expertise and technological efficiency.

We're incredibly excited about this new chapter for CNBC Africa," says Sid Wahi, executive director of CNBC Africa.

"As a first step, by introducing our AI newsreader, we're not just adopting new technology; we're embracing a future where humans and machines collaborate to deliver news in ways we once only imagined."
South Africa is leading the way in cybercrime across Africa. In 2022, the country detected a staggering 230 million threats, far outstripping Morocco, which came in second place with 71 million threats. South Africa also bore the brunt of the highest number of targeted ransomware and business email compromise attempts. It ranks third globally for the number of cybercrime victims, with an annual cost of R2.2bn.

Cybercrime has become a lucrative business for threat actors who are utilising innovative tools to carry out their attacks. However, cybersecurity is constantly evolving to meet these threats and cater to the ever-changing needs of individuals and organisations.

Enterprises are not only gaining access to but also beginning to utilise innovative solutions that bolster their security resilience. artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a pivotal role in this process. It can help enterprises secure their growing attack surface area and identify and rectify vulnerabilities without necessitating additional human intervention.

However, deploying AI-driven solutions is not without its challenges. Enterprises need a robust strategy in place that considers the long-term feasibility and requirements of these solutions as part of any business change.

Threats of escalating severity

For many threat actors, cybercrime is a business like any other. As a result, they are inclined to adopt the latest trends and use the latest technologies to carry out their attacks. The various features of AI and machine learning (ML) that enterprises are starting to explore are the same features criminals are misusing.

There are several examples of this. For instance, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Googles recently launched Bard can provide criminals with marketing messages for phishing emails. AI automation tools can be used to create automated interactions with a large pool of potential victims. Algorithms trained on personal data can be used to build profiles of victims and prioritised lists, minimising the resources needed to do so while increasing the accuracy of attacks.

However, the misuse of AI goes beyond straightforward phishing attempts using ChatGPT. AI-powered malware can leverage advanced techniques to evade detection by security software and use metamorphic mechanisms to change operations based on the environment theyre in.

Consider DeepLocker, an AI-powered malware developed by IBM research as an experiment. It conceals its intent until it reaches a specific victim, potentially infecting millions of systems without being detected. It is critical that enterprises stay one step ahead of malicious innovation like this, and they can do this by properly integrating AI-powered systems and countermeasures into their security strategies.

First responders

Having AI-enabled security systems requires an overhaul of organisations inner security workings. In other words, given the technological, legal, and ethical implications of those systems, companies need to provide adequate training and education for their security teams, as well as conduct due diligence with their respective IT suppliers and partners.

From there, the key factor is data. AI programmes can identify patterns, detect anomalies, and analyse vast amounts of data throughout an organisations network and infrastructure. This applies to infrastructure regardless of its scope and circumstance. Case in point, AI can be used to detect vulnerability in hybrid or remote environments where systems are decentralised.

These programmes serve as the first responders in countering any malicious activity, and they help organisations assume a more proactive, forward-looking risk posture.

AI is also a force for reducing organisations security workloads. For example, AI-powered automated patching can track and patch important software in real time and minimise potential exposure to threat actors. Keep in mind, businesses should not become over-reliant on these systems, or leave them susceptible to data breaches. To avoid this, organisations must implement solid policies and guidelines regarding data access, monitoring, and analytics.

We need to embrace the future

According to Microsoft-IDC research, 39% of companies in South Africa plan to address security concerns by improving the automation of processes and integration of their technologies. This is a step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning for many organisations and their efforts to overhaul their security setups.

AI represents a turning point in how we approach, among many other business functions, security. Its implementation may come with unanticipated consequences, but organisations need to be prepared to adopt it, lest they fall behind their competitors or only see its value too far down the road.




NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian defence ministry has signed a Rs 313 crore contract with the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for mid-life "upgrade and re-powering" of frontline frigate INS Beas.



The ministry on Monday said the "transformative maiden re-powering" project marks a significant stride in the maintenance philosophy of the Indian Navy and repair capabilities of CSL.



"The ministry of defence signed a contract on October 16 in New Delhi for mid-life upgrade and re-powering of INS Beas with Kochi-based M/S Cochin Shipyard Limited at an overall cost of Rs 313.42 crore," it said.

INS Beas is the first of Brahmaputra class frigates to be re-powered from steam to diesel propulsion.



"After completion of the mid-life upgrade and re-powering in 2026, INS Beas will join the active fleet of the Indian Navy with a modernised weapon suite and upgraded combat capability," the ministry said in a statement.



"The transformative maiden re-powering project marks a significant stride in the maintenance philosophy of the Indian Navy and repair capabilities of M/S CSL," it said.



"The project would involve more than 50 MSMEs and would lead to generation of employment for more than 3,500 personnel," the ministry said.

It said the project will be a "proud flag bearer" of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in consonance with the 'Make-in-India' programme of the government.


A South Dublin family doctor has secured a temporary High Court injunction restraining her landlord from repossessing the premises her medical centre has been based for many years.

On Tuesday, Mr Justice Oisin Quinn granted Dr Fiona Grant an interim injunction preventing Gradual Investments Limited from entering or re-entering a premises that operates as a medical clinic at the Village, Stepaside in Dublin 18.

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The court heard that the parties have been in dispute for some time over alleged unpaid rent.

Gradual Investments, which acquired the commercial unit in 2015 from the previous owner, has sued Dr Grant where it seeks what it claims is rental arrears, unpaid rent, interest and service charges.

Dr Grant denies all those claims and says while the hearing of the landlord's claim remains pending before the courts, Gradual Investments issued a number of forfeiture notices in respect of the lease for property.

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Dr Grant says that her landlord is not entitled to forfeit the lease that she first entered into in 2009, or to take any steps including re-entering and repossessing the facility in Stepaside.

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At the High Court on Tuesday Dr Grant's barrister Dean Regan BL said that his client has been in the premises for many years and has always paid rent in advance, bar on one occasion in March 2020 when the Covid-19 Pandemic struck.

He said that his client had come to court with "great reluctance" and that it "beggars' belief what the landlord is doing." regarding its claims that a forfeiture of the lease has occurred.

His client has been dealing with this dispute for the last three years, and the latest development had left her "surprised if not exhausted," counsel said.

As a result of an alleged missed payment in 2020 it is claimed by the landlord that Dr Grant breached an "abated" rental agreement entered into between the parties.

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Counsel said that she denies the claims against her on the grounds including that any breach was minimal.

Counsel said that last year the High Court dismissed Gradual's claim for summary judgement against Dr Grant for alleged rental arrears, charges and interest of over 140,000.

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The court heard that Dr Grant had raised a defence to the summary judgment application that needs to be determined by way of a full or plenary hearing of that dispute.

Counsel said that despite the extensive correspondence between lawyers for the parties, aimed at resolving this particular dispute, it had not been possible to get Gradual to give an undertaking not to act on the forfeiture notice.

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Counsel said that Gradual Investments was aware of Dr Grant's intention to seek an injunction.

He said that in its correspondence Gradual Investments has denied any wrongdoing and had expressed its opposition to any injunction being granted by the court.

After considering the matter Mr Justice Quinn said that while he had heard only from one side involved in the dispute, he was satisfied from the evidence put before the court that Dr Grant has raised a serious question that needs to be tried before the court.

The judge that he was also satisfied that the balance of justice requires that the status quo remain in place.

It is in the interests of the Dr Grant's patients that she and the other medical practitioners practising out of the premises be allowed to continue to work at the facility until the matter returns before the court, the judge added.

The case was adjourned to a date later this month.

The judge also granted both sides permission to return to court before then, on notice to each other, should the need arise.
A man has been jailed for life for the murder of a 24-year-old father to be who was ecstatic at the prospect of welcoming a baby with his partner prior to being stabbed to death in Mallow, Co Cork in 2018.

A sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork heard that Tyler Tiggy Jackson, formerly of Ballydaheen West, Mallow in Co Cork fled to the UK after he fatally stabbed Conor Quinn.

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Mr Quinn was a native of Loughrea in Co Galway but grew up in Tipperary town.

The girlfriend of Mr Quinn was heavily pregnant at the time of his death, with the court being told that his son often asked why his father had to go to heaven.

A jury took just under seven hours to return a 10-2 guilty verdict last Friday. Mr Jackson (26) was found guilty of murder by a majority verdict. The case was adjourned until Tuesday

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Ms Justice Eileen Creedon imposed the mandatory life sentence of life on Mr Jackson this afternoon.

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Altercation

Inspector Hugh Twomey gave an outline of the case. Inspector Twomey said that an altercation occurred between Conor Quinn and Tyler Jackson on the 12th of July 2018 on Bridge Street in Mallow. He stated that Mr Quinn was stabbed by Tyler Jackson.

Conor Quinn was attended to by a passing ambulance, but he succumbed to his injuries and died.

"Tyler Jackson fled the scene. Despite a number of searches in Mallow he was not located. He (Jackson) fled to the UK. On 17/10/2018, an arrest warrant was issued at Mallow District Court.

"A European Arrest Warrant was Pugh and extradition proceedings commenced in the UK. Tyler Jackson was located in Cambridge in November 2021. He was arrested and extradited to Dublin.

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Jennifer Quinn, an aunt of the late Conor Quinn, read out a victim impact statement on behalf of the family of the deceased.

Ms Quinn said that Conor was a wonderful person who could light up any room with his infectious laugh and love of life.

He cherished every moment of his life. He was the one who made us laugh no matter what. He was the dancer at the party, the storyteller in the room. The rascal who started the prank.

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"We will always remember how he loved to give bear hugs. He really was one of a kind, a true gent and a loyal young man.

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Ms Quinn said that at one point in the statement she was reciting the words of Teresa the mother of the deceased.

Teresa said that she was fortunate to have beautiful grandchildren who are the source of so much love and healing.

But it will ache me for eternity when my little grandson, often asks me, Nanny I wish my Daddy was here to play with me and give me a cuddle. Why did he have to go to heaven? What happened to my Daddy?

"A question no one should ever have to answer, not the way we will one day. A grief that I never want my grandchildren to endure.

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Father to be

Conor was ecstatic in anticipation to start his own family as a soon to be father. He was ready to embark on this new chapter of his life with so much enthusiasm love, and pure pride.

Christine Quinn said that the life of Conor was cut short in a manner that shocks the conscience.

A brazen and heartless act deliberately sought out, the premeditated nature of this crime worsens the pains and anguish we have endured. The fact that this act of violence occurred in broad daylight, in a public setting compounds the pain.

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She said that Tyler Jackson had shown a complete disregard for human life and the presence of other innocent bystanders.

Ms Quinn stressed that the decision made by Mr Jackson to flee the country only deepened their pain and suffering.

The relentless pursuit of justice during these years has been emotionally draining. It was also deeply distressing to witness the defendant laughing, sneering with his thumbs up to his acquaintances, displaying a complete neglect to the severity of the charges.

She also thanked the family liaison officer Garda Marie McCarthy, gardai, the courts and the DPP for their relentless hard work in relation to the case.

Appeal

Ms Justice Creedon sympathised with the Creedon family on the tragic loss of Conor. Defence counsel Brian McInerney, SC, said that his client planned to appeal the sentence.

Mr Jackson acknowledged the jury verdict. He disagrees with same. It is his intention to appeal.

Jurors were told that Mr Quinn had travelled to Co Cork in July 2018 to attend the Cahirmee Horse Fair and to meet up with relatives. His girlfriend was heavily pregnant at the time of his death.

In an outline of the case to the jury at the opening of the trial, Ray Boland, Prosecuting barrister, said that members of the group left the fair in Buttevant on July 12th 2018 and decided to stop off for food in Mallow.

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Mr Boland said companions parked on Main Street in the town that evening.

Conor Quinn spotted Tyler Jackson. Conor Quinn got out of his car and confronted Tyler Jackson  also known by his nickname Tiggy. They had some knowledge of each other in advance. There was some animosity between them. They were not friendly.

Mr Boland said that the cause of the dispute was of no particular relevance to the case.

He said that the first exchange between Mr Jackson and Mr Quinn occurred at 7.59pm. Mr Boland said that it was the prosecution case that a second interaction occurred between the two men at 8.38pm.

At 8.38pm the deceased and his party were stopped in traffic on Bridge Street. The deceased was in the front (passenger) seat of the car. Conor Quinn spotted Tyler Jackson across the road.

Confrontation

He left the car to confront Tyler Jackson. It was a physical confrontation  a scuffle between them.

Tyler Jackson struck Conor Quinn once in the chest and ran away. The prosecution contention is that the strike was with a knife.

It was a stab wound and that is the wound from which he died. I am sure that will be contested by the defence. Conor Quinn went back to his companions and said to his cousins, He is after stabbing me.

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By coincidence there was an ambulance also stopped in traffic. They went to the ambulance. He (Conor) collapsed, never regained consciousness and died.

Mr Boland said that Conor Quinn was taken to Cork University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The trial heard evidence from Samantha Quinn who is a cousin of the deceased. She said that Tyler stabbed her cousin 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 the ground.

There was an ambulance coming up the street. We all got out of the car. Conor ran towards the ambulance and tried to open the door. He was still holding his chest. He leaned against the wall. Then he slowly fell to the ground.

Defence barrister, Brian McInerney had claimed that Mr Jackson didnt have a knife on his person on the day of the fatal stabbing. The jury overwhelmingly rejected a suggestion by the defence that Mr Quinn had inadvertently stabbed himself after he collided with Mr Jackson during an altercation between the two men.

Prosecuting barrister, Ray Boland, SC said there was a witness who saw Mr Jackson leaving the scene after the fatal stabbing and that he was carrying a kitchen knife.

State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told the jury of eight men and four women that Mr Quinn died of haemorrhage, shock and partial lung collapse after he sustained a single stab wound to the chest. She said that the stab wound measured eight to 12 centimetres in depth, penetrated the heart and fractured a rib.

Dr Bolster said that a knife into the ventricle chamber of the heart which pumps blood in to the aorta, leading to the partial collapse of the left lung.

After Dr Bolster told the jury the cause of death, Mr Boland put it to her that the defence in the case had introduced the proposition that Mr Quinn could have accidentally stabbed himself when he collided with the accused.

Dr Bolster said that this would be very unlikely because the it would require at least a moderate degree of force.
A paedophile pensioner jailed for 11 years for repeatedly abusing his two granddaughters has appealed his convictions on the grounds of delay and alleged inconsistencies in one of the complaints, as well as arguing that evidence on how the abuse was disclosed should not have gone before the jury.

In July last year, serial abuser Patrick Shanahan (76), of Cooga, Doon, Co Limerick, was convicted by a unanimous jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Patrick Meghan of 14 counts of sexually assaulting Daria and Tara Tobin between 2010 and 2014.

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He had pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Daria and Tara waived their own right to anonymity last year, so Shanahan could be named.

The court heard that the abuse involved the rubbing of the girls' vaginas and later moved on to vaginal penetration by insertion of his finger and tongue when the girls were aged between 10 and 14.

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The abuse occurred in the appellant's own home, on nearby land and property as well as in his van on local journeys.

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At the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, Anthony Sammon SC for Shanahan, said the appeal was based on the time passed between the offending and the girls' complaint to their aunt and then to gardai. Counsel said the appeal was also grounded in the "inconsistency" of one complaint and that questions of a leading or a suggestive nature could have been used by their aunt in making her inquiries.

Counsel submitted that the trial judge erred in fact and in law in permitting the aunt's evidence to go before a jury, which was objected to by the defence regarding questions posed by her to Tara in 2018 about the offences.

Mr Sammon said the aunt asked Tara "Is it something to do with Paddy [Shanahan]?" and "You need to tell me what's going on". After Tara said it was not to do with her boyfriend or her friends, she confirmed Shanahan was abusing her.

Evidence

Mr Sammon said that one of the conditions of the admissibility of the evidence of the aunt was that the complaint of sexual offending must be made at the first reasonable opportunity after the commission of the offence.

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Mr Sammon submitted that two years before the aunt was informed of Shanahan's abuse, in 2016, the complainants disclosed to their mother that the appellant was the source of their unhappiness, but they did not disclose allegations of a sexual nature and denied that the appellant had touched them inappropriately.

It was submitted that the 2018 complaint, "on any interpretation of the term, could not be the first reasonable opportunity", said Mr Sammon, who added that the two statements of complaint were also inconsistent.

Counsel said that regarding the aunt's questioning it was submitted that the complaint may "not be a voluntary one" if questions of a suggestive or leading character were used".

"If the circumstances indicate that, but for the questioning, there probably would have been no voluntary complaint, the answer is inadmissible," he said.

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Court of Appeal President Mr Justice George Birmingham said the aunt had been "told by the other niece [Daria] 'I feel I can tell you now', at which point they drive to her [Tara] and she narrates without really prompting at that stage."

Mr Justice Birmingham that his reading of the case was that "one complainant directs [the aunt] to go to the other complainant because they are now ready to speak".

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Mr Sammon repeated that what was said to the girls' mother was inconsistent with what was said to their aunt and pointed out that the time gap was four years.

Communication

Lily Buckley BL, for the State, said there had been difficulties in communication in the family home as the girls' mother was deaf and that she had given her evidence at trial through a sign-language interpreter.

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Ms Buckley said that at the trial, the girls' mother gave evidence that Tara told her: "Mam, I am going to tell you the truth. Myself and Daria are in danger" but would not elaborate beyond identifying Shanahan as "the problem and what he did to me".

"Tara wouldn't tell her anything further. In that, there is the complaint regarding the appellant and that he presented a danger," said Ms Buckley.

Ms Buckley said that at the trial, the girls' mother gave evidence that Tara told her: "Mam, I am going to tell you the truth. Myself and Daria are in danger" but would not elaborate beyond identifying Shanahan as "the problem and what he did to me".

Ms Buckley said the complaint made by Tara to the girls' mother was consistent with what both girls told their aunt.

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"It would have been up to me to carry me and my sister. I went to the gardai after 18 because I knew I'd be able to do it on my own," Ms Buckley said, quoting Daria's evidence. "She felt her parents would not be able to help her," said counsel of the delay.

"The telling of the aunt is a pivotal step and outside the nuclear family and the assistance of the aunt is there in coming forward," said counsel, who noted Shanahan was "very much of part of daily life" for the girls.

"With the assistance of the aunt it was possible to take the next step," said Ms Buckley.

Ms Buckley said an intention had been formed by both girls to disclose the abuse as "the source of the distress" and that Daria had encouraged and created the occasion for the disclosure made by her younger sister. "Tara said she intended and planned to say the complaint," said Ms Buckley.

Ms Buckley said it had been a "struggle" for the girls to disclose the abuse, "taken the character and vulnerabilities of the complainants, when situated in the family home as they were at the time".

Mr Justice Birmingham said the court would reserve judgement in the matter.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Some of the European Commission presidents comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict have lacked balance, the Taoiseach has said.

Leo Varadkar said he had told Ursula von der Leyen his views on remarks she made on her visit to Israel last Friday.

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The Commission president has faced criticism for stating her support for Israel without any call for its actions in Gaza to comply with international law.

On Monday, President Michael D Higgins criticised the EU Commission President, insisting she was not speaking for Ireland.

Ursula von der Leyens initial comments drew criticism. Photo: Henry Nicholls/PA.

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Mr Varadkar faced calls to condemn Ms von der Leyen as he faced questions in the Dail on Tuesday. He appeared in the chamber ahead of participating in an emergency summit of EU leaders to discuss the crisis in the Middle East.

He said while he believed the Commission Presidents comments had lacked balance, he said her more recent statements on the war were more appropriate.

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The position of the European Union is the one agreed in the statement by the European Council and that was agreed on Sunday, after a lot of conversations over the weekend, he said.

And I hope well be in a position to build on that position today at the extraordinary council of the European Union.

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It is the case that each EU member state has its own foreign policy. We only have a common foreign policy when we agree to have one and we can agree join statements.

And while I think that President von der Leyen has done an extremely good job as President of the European Commission, whether its on issues such as climate issues, such as Covid issues, such as Ukraine, some of the statements that she made lacked balance, in my view. And I said that to her and I have no difficulty saying that.

Photo: PA Graphics.

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I do think statements that shes made more recently were more balanced, specifically talking about the tripling of humanitarian aid for Gaza, and also the attempts that were making at the moment to organise a UN humanitarian airbridge from Gaza through Egypt.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald heavily criticised Ms von der Leyen during the exchanges at Leaders Questions.

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EU Commission President von der Leyens unqualified support for Israels unmerciful military attack on the people of Gaza, her failure to assert the primacy of international law was reckless, inflammatory and dangerous, she said.

Ms von der Leyen does not speak for Ireland.

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Ms McDonald repeated her condemnation of the Hamas attacks, but she insisted Israels actions were not defensive.

They are an offensive attack against a beleaguered, impoverished civilian population, she said.

It is the horrible crescendo of occupation, annexation and apartheid. This is not defence. These are crimes against human rights perpetrated in full view of the world. And if we dont call this what it is, if the international community doesnt stand unified against it, then history will record this as the defining failure of our generation and our children and our grandchildren will ask us how this was allowed to happen.

Peace and justice demands that Gaza not become the graveyard of international law.

Palestinians look for survivors after an Israeli air strike on Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. Photo: AP.

Israels blockade must end, the bombardment of Gaza must stop and ceasefires called, hostages released and space created for a dialogue.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns had called on Mr Varadkar to condemn the Commission President.

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This isnt a war, its a genocide and ethnic cleansing, and the response of the EU has not just been inadequate, it has been callous, indifferent and dangerous, she said.

This reached rock bottom on Friday when Ursula von der Leyen visited Israel. By then Israel had dropped 6,000 bombs and on an area half the size of Louth. Thousands were dead and injured. Food, water and electricity supplies had been cut off and the Israeli government had given 1.2 million people 24 hours-notice to leave northern Gaza.

What was the European Commission Presidents response to this litany of war crimes and breaches of international law? She stood with the Israeli prime minister and offered him the EUs unqualified and unconditional support.

She said Israel can count on the EU.

Taoiseach, last year when Russia targeted civilian infrastructure and cut off electricity supplies, Ursula von der Leyen called out their war crimes.

When Israel acts similarly, she not only fails to utter a single word of criticism, she goes to the region to offer support for their war crimes in our name.

The Commission Presidents failure to unequivocally condemn Israels collective punishment of the Palestinian people has undermined the EUs response to this crisis. Given von der Leyen has no authority to override member states foreign policy positions, her comments also amounted to a serious overreach of authority.

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Mr Varadkar reiterated his view that Israel could not inflict collective punishment on the people of Gaza for the actions of Hamas.

I want to say once again that Ireland unreservedly condemns the brutal attack by Hamas and other militant groups on Israel and the devastating loss of life that it has caused, he said.

We also condemn the terrorist attacks that occurred in France last week and Belgium only yesterday.

We also demand the release of all hostages without any conditions immediately. Israel has the right to defend itself and to pursue Hamas terrorists who attacked its civilian population, and we accept that right.

However, Israels response must be exercised within the parameters of international humanitarian law. Even wars have rules. Collective punishment should not be inflicted on the population in Gaza. Citizens must be protected and Gaza must have access to humanitarian aid.

There must be the establishment of humanitarian corridors. Theres also a need to prevent the conflict from escalating and spreading to other parts of the region, which is an enormous concern at the moment.

He added: It is the case that Hamas hides itself among the civilian population, but theyre not to blame for that and there can be no excuse and no acceptance of civilians being targeted, or civilian infrastructure being targeted in this way.
There has been a hardening of opinion within loyalist communities in Northern Ireland against the Irish Sea trading border, with many young people looking at non-political solutions, MPs have been told.

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee he was worried that the process of transition of paramilitary groups towards civilianisation had halted while concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements remained.

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Giving evidence as the director of Northern Ireland Policy at the Centre for the Union, Mr Bryson said paramilitary leaders had told him that young loyalists had been beating their doors down wanting to join the fight against the Irish Sea border.

The committee is investigating the effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland.

Powersharing in Northern Ireland has not been operating for more than 18 months (PA)

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Powersharing in Northern Ireland has not been operating for over 18 months as part of a DUP protest at the internal UK trade barriers created by Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol.

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The party says the Windsor Framework deal struck by the EU and UK to reform the protocol does not sufficiently address its concerns and has made it clear it will not accept a return to devolution until the Government provides further assurances, by way of legislation, over Northern Irelands place in the UK internal market.

Talks between the DUP and Government have been ongoing over the summer.

One of the main parts of the framework  the green/red lane system for the movement of goods  became operational at Northern Ireland ports earlier this month.

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Mr Bryson told the committee there had to be the correct political context for loyalist paramilitary organisations to transition towards civilianisation.

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He said: I think the process of transition and civilianisation is halted and is unable to progress so long as the political context remains as it is.

He added: I struggle to see how those organisations can progress. The leaders of those organisations need to be able to say to their members, The Union is safe. The guarantees we signed up to in 1994 and 1998 are still in place.

They cant do that while the protocol and framework remains.

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Conservative MP Simon Hoare asked Mr Bryson how he believed loyalist concerns might manifest themselves. Photo: PA.

Committee chairman Simon Hoare asked Mr Bryson what his worst fear was about how these concerns would manifest themselves on the streets of Northern Ireland.

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Mr Byson said he did not want to whip up tension but opinion is hardening in loyalist communities.

He said: All protests should be peaceful and lawful at all times.

Mr Bryson added: There is significant anger in working class loyalist communities and at the moment the valve for that anger is the political action which the DUP have taken, and they have massive support for that.

I am worried that if we dont get a solution to this issue that we could see the progress which has been made, and which we all want to maintain, going backwards and a new generation of young loyalists taking a course which I dont think they ought to take.

Young loyalists are very, very angry and many of them are looking at non-political solutions and many of us are working to discourage that and find a political way forward.

There has to be a solution which deals with the very real concerns and issues.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart of the DUP asked Mr Bryson if the post-Brexit trading arrangements had led to increased recruitment into loyalist paramilitary groups. Photo: PA.

DUP committee member Carla Lockhart asked if the Irish Sea border had had an impact on recruitment for loyalist paramilitary groups and if it made transition more difficult.

Mr Bryson said: In short, yes and yes.

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Senior leaders in the paramilitary organisations told me that young lads were beating their doors down wanting to join the organisations to fight against the Irish Sea border.

Those organisations did not go on a recruitment drive and they put those young lads down the path of peaceful protest, politics and discouraged violence.
Israel has bombed areas of southern Gaza where it told Palestinians to flee ahead of an expected invasion, killing dozens of people.

Violence along Israels border with Lebanon has also led to concerns over a widening regional conflict that diplomats have been working to prevent.

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In Gaza, people wounded in the air strikes were rushed to hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported.

Hamas military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that an Israeli air strike in the central Gaza Strip killed one of its top commanders.

Palestinians look for survivors after Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis (Fatima Shbair/AP)

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Ayman Nofal is the most high-profile Hamas militant to be killed so far. Known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed, he was killed on Tuesday in Israeli strikes that targeted the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, the militant group said.

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Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

Elsewhwere, the UN agency for Palestinians said at least six people were killed when one of its schools in the central Gaza Strip was hit on Tuesday.

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Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner general, said dozens of people were also injured, including agency staff, when the UNRWA school in the al-Maghazi refugee camp came under bombardment.

(PA Graphics)

He said the school  which has served as a shelter for some 4,000 displaced people since the latest hostilities began  is seriously damaged.

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This is outrageous and it again shows a flagrant disregard for the lives of civilians, Mr Lazzarini said in a statement. No place is safe in Gaza anymore, not even UNRWA facilities.

An air strike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

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The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, well take care of it. Well handle it, said Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman.

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However, Irans foreign minister warned that pre-emptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahians threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas.

Israel has sealed off and bombed Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel on October 7 killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and left about 200 hostages held captive in Gaza.

Rockets are fired towards Israel from the Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP)

Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of the dead were children, said Medhat Abbas, a Gaza Health Ministry official.

The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to attack Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed buried under the rubble, health authorities said.

Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing air strikes.

On Monday, Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defence in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 10 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, health authorities said.

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Israel has massed troops at the border for an expected ground offensive, but Mr Hecht said on Tuesday that no concrete decisions have been made.

These plans are being developed. They will be decided by, and presented to, our political leadership, he said.

Palestinians evacuate a survivor from a house hit by an Israeli air strike in Khan Younis (Mohammed Dahman/AP)

The combination of air strikes, dwindling necessities caused by Israels blockade, and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately eight-mile area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse with ever-decreasing supplies of water and medicine and with power running out at hospitals.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a ceasefire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli air strikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached on Monday, but Israel denied reports of a ceasefire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

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Later, a senior Egyptian official said Egypt is still negotiating with Israel on the delivery of humanitarian assistance and fuel to Gaza from its crossing points, Rafah and Kerem Shalom.

The official said Israel is searching all aid deliveries and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas.

He said they are also negotiating a compromise that would allow foreign passport holders to cross into Egypt. Egypt has proposed that the United Nations oversee the process with help from Egyptian forces, the official said. Israel has yet to respond to the proposal.

The US, Qatar, the UN and several European countries are involved in the talks, which are led by security agencies in Egypt and Israel, the official said.

General Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel.

Mr Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict as fighting intensified along Israels border with Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

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There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way, he said.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread.

With taps dry, many rationed the little clean water available and others resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military said it was trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gazas north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Israel fought a vicious month-long war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Clashes erupted on Tuesday along the Lebanon-Israel border that left five Hezbollah fighters dead.

It marked the largest number of casualties for the militant group in a single day as tensions with Israel escalate.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah: Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier.

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

The Israeli military said on Monday at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.
The Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is the sole route for aid to enter Gaza directly from outside Israel and the only exit that does not lead to Israeli territory. It has become a focus in the intensifying conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have headed towards south Gaza after Israel warned them to leave Gaza City and the enclave's north.

Where is the Rafah crossing and who controls it?

The crossing is at the south of the Gaza Strip, a narrow slither of land that is home to 2.3 million people and wedged between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea.

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The crossing is controlled by Egypt.

Why is the Rafah crossing so important in this conflict?

In response to a devastating cross-border infiltration by Hamas fighters on October 7th that killed over 1,300 Israelis, Israel has imposed a "total blockade" of Gaza, cutting off electricity to the territory and stopping all supplies of food and fuel.

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That means the only likely route for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza is via Rafah from Egypt's Sinai region. It is also the only exit point for Gaza residents seeking to flee.

Foreign passport holders are expected to be allowed out under any deal to reopen the crossing, and have therefore headed in recent days to the vicinity, seeking to exit. Israel has also called on Gazans to move southwards closer to Rafah to shelter from bombardment, although residents say they cannot find safety anywhere in the crowded enclave.

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Why is access across Rafah restricted?

Egypt is wary of insecurity near the border with Gaza in northeastern Sinai, where it faced an Islamist insurgency that peaked after 2013 and has now largely been suppressed.

Since Hamas took control in Gaza in 2007, Egypt has helped enforce a blockade of the enclave and heavily restricted the flow of people and goods. Like the main crossings with Israel, restrictions have sometimes been eased but not lifted, and travellers need security clearance and lengthy checks to pass. In 2008, tens of thousands of Palestinians crossed into Sinai after Hamas blasted holes in border fortifications, prompting Egypt to build a stone and cement wall.

Egypt has acted as a mediator between Israel and Palestinian factions during past conflicts and periods of unrest. But in those situations, it has also locked down the border, allowing aid to enter and medical evacuees to leave but preventing any large-scale movement of people.

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Even as Israel pursues its heaviest and most unrelenting bombardment of Gaza in response to the Hamas assault, Egypt has shown no sign so far that its approach will change. More than 2,800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bombing strikes.

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What efforts are being made to open the border?

The United Nations has urged Israel to avert a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza, warning that food, fuel and even drinking water supplies are running dangerously low.

Hospitals say they are struggling to cope with the wounded as back-up generators run low on fuel. Egyptian aid trucks moved closer to the crossing on Tuesday, but it was unclear when or whether they would be able to cross into Gaza.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Tuesday the United States and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to get humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza without benefiting Hamas.

Why are Arab states so reluctant to take in Palestinians?

Arab countries have deep-rooted fears that Israel's latest war with Hamas in Gaza could spark a new wave of permanent displacement from land where Palestinians want to build a state.

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Egypt, the only Arab state to share a border with Gaza, and Jordan, which flanks the Israeli-occupied West Bank, have both warned against Palestinians being forced off their land.

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said it is vital that Palestinians "remain steadfast and present on their land," while Jordan's King Abdullah warned "against any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from all Palestinian territories or cause their internal displacement".

Israel-Hamas War Biden Israel, Jordan visit: Who will he meet? What... Read More

For Arabs and Palestinians, the idea of leaving or being driven out of territory where they want to forge a state carries echoes of the "Nakba", or "catastrophe", when many Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes during the 1948 war that accompanied Israel's creation.

Israel contests the assertion it drove Palestinians out, saying it was attacked by five Arab states after its creation.

Some 700,000 Palestinians, half the Arab population of what was British-ruled Palestine, were dispossessed and displaced, many spilling into neighbouring Arab states where they and their descendants remain. Many still live in refugee camps.

As a result, many Palestinians say they do not want to leave Gaza - from which Israel withdrew in 2005 after a 38-year occupation - even as this latest conflict has escalated.
A massive blast has rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said.

Hamas blamed an Israeli air strike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

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The Health Ministry said at least 500 people had been killed.

Video that the Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospitals grounds strewn with bodies, many of them young children.

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The carnage came as the US tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in Gaza, which has been under a complete siege since the deadly rampage by Hamas in southern Israel.

It also came a day before US president Joe Biden is due to visit the region to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading.

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Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in the past few days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

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Hamas called Tuesdays hospital strike a horrific massacre, saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

The Israeli military blamed Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often co-operates with Hamas in their shared struggle against Israel.

Palestinians look for survivors after Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis (Fatima Shbair/AP)

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The military said Islamic Jihad militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time and that intelligence from multiple sources indicated it was responsible for the failed rocket launch that hit the hospital.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza Citys main hospital, al-Shifa, already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia.

We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room. We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need everything, Mr Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospitals generators will run out on Wednesday. I think Gazas medical sector will collapse within hours.

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Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

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Nearly two thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

The Hamas attack on October 7th in southern Israel killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 200 captive into Gaza.

Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

In protest over the purported air strike, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his participation in the planned meeting with Mr Biden, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egypts president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan, to discuss the war. Mr Abbas Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Later, Jordans foreign minister told state-run television that his country had cancelled the summit, saying that the war between Israel and Hammas was pushing the region to the brink. He said the meeting would be postponed.

The comments emerged as Mr Biden boarded the plane for his Middle East trip. Reporters shouted questions at him about the Jordan summit, but Mr Biden did not answer.

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Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities, including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades.

Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli embassy.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

(PA Graphics)

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesperson Lt Col Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

Throughout the day on Tuesday, air strikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military had told Palestinians to evacuate.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

An air strike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighbouring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

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Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a UN school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency said. At least 24 UN installations have been hit in the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, levelling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said.

Rockets are fired towards Israel from the Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP)

Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including co-ordinating activities with other militant groups.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza.

Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli air strikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Mr Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City.

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With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since the Hamas attack, US secretary of state Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Mr Netanyahu to discuss the creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. US officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Palestinians evacuate a survivor from a house hit by an Israeli air strike in Khan Younis (Mohammed Dahman/AP)

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said on Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries.

Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested the entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating.

More than one million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60 per cent are now in the approximately eight-mile long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south with little food or water.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefited only 14 per cent of Gazas population, the UN said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Programme said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza.

Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on.

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israels Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza.

He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the UN oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Mr Bidens visit in part aims to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared on Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israels continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, he said, according to state media.
Rishi Sunak could visit Israel as soon as Thursday, according to reports, amid growing concerns about the crisis in the Middle East.

The UK prime minister could reportedly travel to the country as part of a wider trip to the region, including stops in Jordan and Egypt, Sky News reported.

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It would follow visits from US president Joe Biden and German chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Downing Street has said it will not comment on the UK prime ministers travel plans, but reports suggested he would travel to Israel in the coming days.

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It comes after a British teenager became one of the many murdered by Hamas during its attack on the country.

Yahel Sharabi, 13, was killed along with her mother, Lianne, while her elder sister, Noiya, 16, and her father, Eli, are still missing.

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The teenager disappeared after militants attacked Kibbutz Beeri and murdered her British-born mother.

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The girls death has been confirmed by her family, the Israeli embassy in London said.

Meanwhile, an Israeli air strike hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The attack would, if confirmed, be by far the deadliest Israeli air strike in five wars fought since 2008.

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Mr Sunak updated Cabinet on Tuesday with the latest developments from the conflict, telling ministers Hamas was responsible for the murder and suspected abduction of British nationals.

At least six Britons were killed in the Hamas attacks on October 7th, with a further 10 missing  some feared dead.

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More than 900 people have been brought back from Israel and all UK nationals registered with the UK Foreign Office and wanting to leave have been allocated seats, it is understood.

Any British citizens wanting to leave are being encouraged to book a flight before the portal closes at 10am UK time on Wednesday.

UK Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell told the BBC the British government is extremely concerned about British hostages being held by Hamas and on Sky News he said we pray that they are alive.

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Mr Mitchell was unable to elaborate on the efforts to secure their release, but insisted to LBC: The entire resources of the British Government are involved in doing everything we can to get our citizens back.

Palestinians rescue a survivor from a destroyed house hit by an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis (Mohammed Dahman/AP)

At least 1,400 people were killed, many of them civilians, and thousands more injured in Hamass attack.

At least 2,778 Palestinians have died as Israel launched air strikes on Gaza and cut off fuel, water, food and medical supplies from entering the cramped territory, which is home to more than two million people.

British officials are working to secure the opening of the Rafah crossing to allow Britons to flee to Egypt and for humanitarian aid to get into Gaza.

Mr Mitchell told Times Radio that Israel had both a moral and a practical responsibility on the issue.

We stand absolutely foursquare behind Israels right to defend itself, but all of us want to see the fighting contained, he said.

Britain urged Israel to restore the supply of water to Gaza, and refused to say whether its ally is complying with international law during its siege.

The prime ministers official spokesman said talks are ongoing with Israel as the UK is keen to see water restored, as he declined to say whether Israel had kept within legal limits.

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Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the UK government is doing all it can to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas (James Manning/PA)

We continue to urge Israel, as a democracy we work closely with, to act within international law in their actions, I think they are taking steps to do that, he said.

Mr Mitchell told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that Mr Bidens visit to Israel could be a significant fillip to getting humanitarian relief through.

The US president is travelling to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday amid concerns the Israel-Hamas conflict could spiral into a wider regional issue.

As well as his talks in Israel, the US president will meet King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr Scholz travelled to Israel for an impromptu visit on Tuesday, while French president Emmanuel Macron said he will travel to the region as soon as I consider that we have a useful agenda and very concrete actions to drive forward.

Downing Street would not comment publicly on whether Mr Sunak would head to the region.

The prime ministers official spokesman said: Well set out travel plans in the usual way, I couldnt get into speculation.

Israeli air strikes continued early on Tuesday, even inside the evacuation zone where Israel had told residents to gather in advance of the expected ground assault on Gaza.
US president Joe Biden leaves on Tuesday on a whirlwind trip to Israel and Jordan to get an update on Israel's war aims in its looming battle with Hamas militants and stress the need to get humanitarian assistance to Gaza civilians.

Meeting Netanyahu, Abdullah, Al-Sisi, Abbas

Mr Biden is expected to spend part of Wednesday in Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials as Israel prepares a ground offensive aimed at eliminating Hamas militants in Gaza who killed 1,300 people during a rampage through southern Israeli towns on October 7th.

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Mr Biden will then fly to Amman for talks about accelerating humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

In Amman, he will meet Jordan's King Abdullah, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, who has long been opposed to Hamas and whose organisation exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Humanitarian concerns in Gaza

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Mr Biden's second trip to a war zone this year - he visited Ukraine in February - carries some risk. His goal will be to show American solidarity with Mr Netanyahu while trying to avoid a broader regional war involving Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah and Syria.

The United States has stationed a carrier strike group in the eastern Mediterranean in a show of force for Israel and a second is on the way.

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Mr Biden also wants to avert a humanitarian calamity in Gaza where authorities say more than 2,800 people have already been killed in Israeli bombardment over the last week.

Hundreds of tons of aid from several countries have been waiting in Egypt's Sinai peninsula for days pending a deal for its safe delivery to Gaza and the evacuation of some foreign passport holders through the Rafah crossing.

"He'll make it clear that we want to continue working with all our partners in the region, including Israel, to get humanitarian assistance in and provide some kind of safe passage for civilians to get out," said White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.

Israel red lines

Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu, thrown into a wartime partnership despite deep political differences on the way forward in the Middle East, have joined forces.

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Mr Biden has given Israel full-throated support while stressing the need to head off a massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Their face-to-face meeting, after holding several phone calls since the October 7th attacks by Hamas, will allow Mt Biden to privately discuss concerns and possible red lines in the coming Gaza invasion.

Mr Biden will also get an update on the scores of hostages taken by Hamas.

The US State Department has said 29 citizens of the United States were killed in the Hamas attacks in Israel, with 15 citizens and one lawful permanent resident unaccounted for.

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Ireland Von der Leyens comments on Israel-Hamas conflict... Read More

Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement.

Mr Biden will make clear that "Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks," secretary of state Antony Blinken told reporters after hours of talks with Israel's war cabinet in Tel Aviv.

He said Israel would brief Mr Biden on its war aims and strategy and on how it will conduct operations "in a way that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas".

The US and Israel agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organisations to reach civilians in Gaza, Mr Blinken said.
Dawn French keeps a stick at the side of the stage on her current UK tour, Dawn French Is A Huge Twat, just in case her crumbly knee, as she calls it, needs support in her two-hour one-woman show, which she does standing up. So far, she hasnt used it.

Today, on a Zoom call, the award-winning comedian, actor and writer, 66, is adamant that shell be taking the show to Australia and New Zealand in April, even though her knee replacement surgery is scheduled just before Christmas and shes doing the tour against her surgeons advice.

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He said, Youll just make life worse for yourself, so that when it comes to the knee operation  which Im going to have in early December  it might be that youve done more damage. But a knee surgeon has no idea about the preparations for a tour, which you start booking a year earlier. So tickets are already sold by the time hes telling me not to do it.

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She injured her knee while appearing on the Paul OGrady show in 2009 when she recreated the famous Vicar Of Dibley scene, in which she jumped into a comically deep puddle  only on the second occasion, the stunt involved a 10ft drop on to thin crash mats and she twisted her knee on landing.

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The knee issue, temporarily relieved by steroid injections, is one she pens in The Twat Files, her hugely witty memoir of mistakes, inspired by the show, which charts her many gaffes and faux pas over the years.

View this post on Instagram Advertisement A post shared by Dawn French (@dawnrfrench)

Today, her smile is wide  in the book she self-deprecatingly calls it a rictus grin  and the grey bob she has after years of dyeing her hair (she stopped during Covid) suits her. She seems truly content.

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Why has it taken me 66 years to come to this understanding, which is that, along with all the mistakes we make in life comes embarrassment and shame, and actually if we could get rid of that, it would only be fun? she muses.

It only makes us human, fallible and serves to connect us better. Really shockingly, the minute I did start to think about these instances, they came at me like a tsunami, a cacophony of all the twatty moments in my life.

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The book features anecdotes of her twatty behaviour, from her response to Ben Elton on telling her I want you to play the lead in his new play, when what he actually said was I want Hugh to play the lead (as in Hugh Laurie), to over-exaggerating curtseys and dissolving into fits of giggles when meeting royals.

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She also includes several funny, twatty moments of her ex-husband, Lenny Henry, who she describes as the king of faux pas, but with massive affection.

French has long been one of the comedy elite, from her early days with The Comic Strip alongside Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer and Alexei Sayle, and the sketch show French And Saunders (with Jennifer Saunders), which set the bar for satire on popular culture, to branching out in the hit comedy The Vicar Of Dibley, the Sky drama Delicious and the movie Death On The Nile (teaming up with Saunders again).

She remains great friends with her comedy partner. Together they do the podcast Titting About  she loves just being in a room with her best friend to share laughter.

Its a chance for Jen and I to have a work connection, to sit in the room, just the two of us, with a microphone. Its a chance for us to be mates together and we do not filter.

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After the wave of alternative comedy she rode in the Eighties, does she think comedy will struggle to be as edgy now as it was then, given the cancel culture of today?

Yeah, theres a danger (of that), she contemplates. But Im a firm believer that if you censor comedians with their material, its a slippery slope to nowhere good.

The way we (should) cancel people is, just dont go to their gigs, dont watch them on telly, dont buy their books. Thats how you cancel people you dont like. Let the people who like them have them.

I believe that the whole point of comedians is to show you your world in a rather edgy way or a soft, fluffy way. Every comedian is different. Where would we be these days without Lenny Bruce or Richard Pryor or all of those people that will probably be massively un-PC now?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stand Up! Records (@standuprecords)

However, we all evolve and we know there are areas now that you think, Oh, thats a bit hateful or That sounds a bit dodgy and I wouldnt be going there, I dont think we ever did, particularly. But young comedians will find a way to say the things they want to say and long may that be the case.

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She follows newcomers, including a lot of women.

I am so delighted to see how many women there are. Back in my day I could tell you every single female comedian there was because there were only enough to count on the fingers of one hand. Now, there are so many I dont know who they are  and thats delightful.

French never encountered any intimidation from male peers when she was making her way in comedy, she says.

We were at a time in the early Eighties when they were desperate to find more women so that the line-up looked nice and diverse. So we were very unpolished when we first started. Im not sure if wed have got the job if we were guys. We were accepted into The Comic Strip because they desperately needed women in the line-up. And we had talents  but we learned on the job. The guys we worked with were nothing but welcoming.

She began her latest one-woman show last year.

To return to going on stage on my own is joyful, she enthuses. Its not something I want to do every year because its exhausting to be travelling all the time. I do it in clumps so that I can manage it.

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How does she prepare herself for touring?

How you prepare yourself for something physically when youre 66 and a bit of a fat old bird? Im not really sure. And Ive got this knee problem at the moment. We started this tour with lots of silly dancing and falling about on the floor. And now theres slightly less of that because it hurts so much. But that will all be sorted by the time I get on the plane to go to Australia.

With no let-up in her schedule, she confesses: Im not very good at relaxing. I think Covid was a massive lesson.

When we had to stop because things were stolen  tours, films  I thought, I dont really like this. Im not a jigsaws and sitting about person, however much I think thats what I want to do when Im very busy and a bit tired.

She lives in Cornwall with her husband, Mark Bignell, who heads up a drug rehabilitation charity founded by Frenchs late mother, and admits that shell get homesick when shes on tour, although he will visit her Down Under.

Theres a new BBC sitcom in the offing which she cant talk about, various documentaries she wants to make and another novel coming. There seems to be no slowing down.

Covid taught me a little more about who I genuinely am when it comes to being creative. I love it  so why would I stop?

The Twat Files by Dawn French is published by Penguin Michael Joseph. Available now. Dawn French Is A Huge Twat tours the UK until Nov 26. Tickets and venues: DawnFrenchontour.com.
Former British prime minister Boris Johnsons pandemic-era chief adviser Dominic Cummings has said he will give evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry later this month.

Mr Cummings used his latest Substack post to reveal he had been going through his statement with inquiry lawyers, describing the process as painful.

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I finally sent it in on Thursday. I give evidence on 31/10, he wrote.

Mr Cummings was Mr Johnsons closest aide when the pandemic emerged, and the UK government was forced to defend him after he drove to County Durham beauty spot Barnard Castle during the first lockdown.

But he resigned in December 2020 following infighting in No 10 and has since become a critic of the former prime minister, suggesting he was indecisive in the response to Covid.

In his post he said he would eventually do a post-evidence AMA (ask me anything) on his and others statements but had been asked not to post his yet.

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Former US president Donald Trump has returned to a New York City court to watch and deplore the civil fraud trial that threatens to disrupt his real estate empire, but he got no face-to-face encounter  for now  with the star witness against him.

After attending the trials first three days earlier this month, the Republican front-runner initially planned a return to coincide with testimony by Michael Cohen, his lawyer turned foe.

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But Mr Cohens planned appearance was delayed until at least next week, with Mr Cohen citing a health problem.

Instead, Mr Trump sat in on testimony from one of his companys accountants, Donna Kidder.



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Under point-by-point questioning about the intricacies of internal spreadsheets, she testified that she was told to make some assumptions favourable to the company.

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For example, she said, longtime former Trump Organisation finance chief Allen Weisselberg told her to act as if all space in a Trump-owned Wall Street office building would be leased by a certain date, even if some space was currently vacant.

For a Park Avenue residential tower, she was told to project that unsold units would all sell out in a certain timeframe, the trial heard.

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Ms Kidder said she was not aware that those assumptions would be used to improve Mr Trumps bottom line on financial statements that helped his company make deals and get financing and insurance.

Doug Larson, a certified appraiser and commercial real estate executive, was taken aback when told on the stand that he was repeatedly cited as an outside expert in former Trump Organisation controller Jeffrey McConneys valuation spreadsheets.



Donald Trump sat in on testimony from one of his companys accountants (Peter Foley/pool photo via AP)

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Its inappropriate and inaccurate, Mr Larson said. I should have been told, and an appraisal should have been ordered.

Mr Larson said he never suggested or condoned the ways that Mr McConney valued various properties.

For example, rather than using rates of return for comparable retail properties when gauging the worth of a Trump-owned retail space formerly known as Niketown, Mr McConney relied on rates for a different type of property, which doesnt make sense, Mr Larson said.

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He said he appraised a Trump-owned Wall Street building at 540 million dollars in 2015, while Mr McConney valued it at 735.4 million dollars on Mr Trumps financial statement.

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New York attorney general Letitia James lawsuit against Mr Trump alleges that he and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and inflating his net worth in paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

Mr Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, denies any wrongdoing. He says his assets were actually undervalued and maintains that disclaimers on the financial statements amounted to telling banks and other recipients to check the numbers out for themselves.

We built a great company  a lot of cash, its got a lot of great assets, some of the greatest real estate assets anywhere in the world, he said as he headed into court, dismissing the lawsuit as a witch hunt by a radical lunatic attorney general bent on dragging down his presidential run.



Donald Trump sits in the courtroom with his legal team (Andrew Kelly/pool photo via AP)

While he is attending the trial by choice, Mr Trump complained it was taking him off the campaign trail.

The attorney general, a Democrat, started investigating Mr Trump in 2019 after Mr Cohen testified to Congress that the billionaire politician had a history of misrepresenting the value of assets to gain favourable loan terms and tax benefits. She did not comment as she arrived on Tuesday.

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Mr Cohen said on Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he is not dodging Mr Trump. In a text message, he said he has an incredibly painful medical condition but anticipates testifying as soon as the pain subsides.

When I do testify, I am certain Donald will be in attendance, sitting with his lawyers at the defendants table, Mr Cohen wrote.

With Mr Trump at the defence table on Tuesday, one of his lawyers, Christopher Kise, objected to what he deemed very granular testimony from Ms Kidder.

If technical, it did provide a window into Trump Organisation accounting practices, including how the company paid for a settlement in a prior Trump tangle with New York states lawyers: former attorney general Eric Schneidermans 2013 lawsuit over the now-defunct Trump University real estate seminar programme.

Ms Kidder noted a spreadsheet entry about a loan that the Trump Organisation took out to pay a 25 million dollar settlement of lawsuits from Mr Schneiderman and others alleging that Trump University defrauded students.



Judge Arthur Engoron is presiding over the trial (Andrew Kelly/pool photo via AP)

During his first visit to the court earlier this month, Mr Trump said the trial was a scam, and accused Ms James of attempting to hurt his chances of re-election in 2024.

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Mr Trump recapped his various criticisms of the case and about Judge Arthur Engoron, a Democrat who is hearing the case without jurors. The suit was brought under a state law that does not allow for a jury.

Mr Trump used his Truth Social media platform early on Tuesday to blast Judge Engoron as radical and highly political, but the former president took a more temperate tone outside the judges courtroom doors a few hours later.

Mr Trump said that he had come to like and respect the judge but believed that Democrats were pushing him around like a pinball.

After Mr Trump maligned a key court staffer on social media during the trials first days, the judge called him into a closed-door meeting and issued a limited gag order, warning participants in the case not to smear members of his staff. The judge also ordered Mr Trump to delete the post.

Mr Trumps return to court comes a day after the judge in his Washington DC election interference criminal case imposed a narrow gag order barring the former president from making statements targeting prosecutors, possible witnesses and court staff.

In a pre-trial decision in the New York civil case last month, Judge Engoron resolved the top claim, ruling that Mr Trump and his company committed years of fraud by exaggerating the value of Mr Trumps assets and net worth on his financial statements.

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As punishment, the judge ordered that a court-appointed receiver take control of some Trump companies, putting the future oversight of Trump Tower and other marquee properties in question. An appeals court has since blocked enforcement of that aspect of the ruling for now.

The trial concerns six remaining claims in the lawsuit, including allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.
The US is trying to break a deadlock over delivering aid to millions of increasingly desperate civilians in the Gaza Strip as President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region.

Israeli air strikes continued to pound Gaza early on Tuesday, even inside an evacuation zone where Israel had told residents to gather in advance of an expected ground offensive.

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Israel appears set to mount a major assault on the northern part of the territory aimed at rooting out Hamas.



Palestinians look for survivors after Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis (Fatima Shbair/AP)

However, Irans foreign minister warned that pre-emptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahians threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas.

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Wounded people were rushed to hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, Gaza residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported that 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 were killed in Khan Younis.

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Israel has carried out unrelenting strikes against Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel last week killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

Dozens of Israelis and citizens of other countries were taken captive and brought to Gaza by militants.

The Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to attack Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

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Rockets are fired towards Israel from the Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP)

The combination of air strikes, dwindling necessities caused by Israels blockade, and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately eight-mile area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse with ever-decreasing supplies of water and medicine and with power running out at hospitals.

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At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

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Mediators were trying to reach a ceasefire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli air strikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached on Monday, but Israel denied reports of a ceasefire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

General Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel.

Mr Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict as fighting intensified along Israels border with Lebanon.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way, he said.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread.

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With taps dry, many rationed the little clean water available and others resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military said it was trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gazas north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Israel fought a vicious month-long war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.



Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah: Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier.

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

The Israeli military said on Monday at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

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Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.
One of the Amazon rivers largest tributaries has reached its lowest level since official measurements began 121 years ago.

The level of the Rio Negro at the Brazilian city of Manaus confirms part of the worlds largest rainforest is suffering its worst drought, little more than two years after its most significant flooding.

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Mondays water level in the citys port went as low as 13.5 metres, compared to the record level of 30.02 metres in June 2021.

The Rio Negro drains about 10% of the Amazon basin and is the worlds sixth largest by water volume.



Boats and houseboats are stuck in a dry area of the Rio Negro (Edmar Barros/AP)

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The Madeira, another main tributary of the Amazon, has also recorded historically low levels which have halted the Santo Antonio hydroelectric dam, Brazils fourth largest.

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Low river levels throughout the Amazon have left hundreds of riverside communities isolated and struggling to get access to drinkable water, as well as disrupting commercial navigation which supplies Manaus.

With a population of two million, Manaus is the largest city and capital of Amazonas, the state hit hardest by the drought with 55 of 62 municipalities entering states of emergency due to the severe drought in September.

Manaus and other nearby cities are also suffering from high temperatures and heavy smoke from nearby man-caused fires for deforestation and pasture clearance while the drought is the likely cause of dozens of river dolphin deaths in Tefe Lake, near the Amazon River.

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This is a startling contrast to July 2021, when the Rio Negro waters took over part of the Manaus downtown area, ruining crops of hundreds of riverine communities, for about three months.



View of houses flooded by the waters of the Rio Negro in Manaus in June 2021 (AP)

Philip Fearnside, an American researcher at the Brazilian National Institute of Amazonian Research, said he expects the situation to deteriorate as surface water in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean is warmer than during the Godzilla El Nino of 2015-2016 and expanding.

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In the Amazon, these Pacific warmings primarily lead to droughts in the northern part of the region.

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A warm water patch in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean is causing drought in the southern part of the Amazon, similar to what happened in 2005 and 2010, according to researchers.

The forecast is for the start of the rains to be delayed compared to normal, and for a drier-than-normal rainy season, Mr Fearnside said.

This could result not only in extreme low water this year, but also low levels in 2024.

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Until the rainy season begins in the basin, the situation that is already underway should worsen.
US President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday as concerns increase that the Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

Mr Biden will discuss humanitarian aid with Arab leaders in Jordan after meeting with officials in Israel.

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the trip to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile territory to root out Hamas militants.





This morning, @POTUS and @VP were briefed by their national security team on the latest updates in the wake of Hamass abhorrent attack in Israel and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/pthWb1R7kB  The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 16, 2023 Advertisement

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced Mr Biden would also go to Jordan to meet King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

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Weve been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza, Mr Kirby said. That has been a consistent call by President Biden and certainly by this entire administration.

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The president spoke by phone with Mr Fattah el-Sissi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday.

The US has pledged military support, sending carriers and aid to the region.

Officials have said they would ask Congress for upwards of 2 billion dollars (1.63 billion) in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russias invasion.

Mr Blinken made the announcement after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks in Tel Aviv (AP)

He said the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid from donor nations to reach civilians in Gaza including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

We share Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, he said.

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Irans foreign minister has warned that pre-emptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to its looming ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

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Hossein Amirabdollahian, whose theocracy provides support to Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon, told state television Israel cannot do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go after other resistance groups after its done with Gaza.

Therefore any pre-emptive action is possible in the coming hours, he said.

If the limited and extremely tight windows of opportunity available to the United Nations and political actors are not used over the coming hours, opening new fronts against the Zionist regime is inevitable.



Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, addresses members of the UN Security Council on Monday (Craig Ruttle/AP)

The UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution on Monday that condemned violence and terrorism against civilians but made no mention of Hamas.

Only four countries joined Russia in voting for the resolution. Four countries voted against it: the UK, US, France and Japan. Six countries abstained.

Britains UN ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward said it would be unconscionable for this council to ignore the largest terror attack in Israels history.

Russias UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia had urged support for the resolution to respond to the unprecedented exacerbation of the situation, citing the councils inaction since the October 7 attack by Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

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The UNs most powerful body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has not taken a position on the Hamas assault or on Israels response.

The Russian draft resolution would have called for an immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire  and strongly condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has held talks with Vladimir Putin in a rare in-person meeting for the Russian president with a leader of a European Union country.

The two leaders met in Beijing ahead of an international forum on one of Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature policies, the Belt and Road Initiative.

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Their meeting focused on Hungarys access to Russian energy.

EU and other western leaders have largely eschewed contact with Mr Putin over Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer met Mr Putin in person in April 2022.



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Hungary never wanted to confront Russia, Hungary always has been eager to expand contacts, Mr Orban told Mr Putin, according to a Russian translation of his remarks broadcast on Russian state television.

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Bilateral ties between the two countries have suffered because of EU sanctions against Moscow, he said.

Hungarys stance on the war has confounded its European partners and led to deadlocks in providing financial and military assistance to Kyiv.

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Mr Orban has refused to supply Ukraine with weapons and not allowed their transfer across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. He has also threatened to veto EU sanctions against Moscow, though has always ultimately voted in favour of them.

Mr Orbans meeting with Mr Putin appeared to be a boon for the Russian president, who could point to it as a sign that unity within the EU on its support for Ukraine  and its condemnation of Russia for starting the war  was faltering.

Mr Putin said that while opportunities for maintaining ties with some countries are limited in the current geopolitical situation, it causes satisfaction that we have managed to preserve and develop relations with many European countries, including Hungary.



Vladimir Putin listens to Viktor Orban during their talks in Beijing (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP)

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Budapest has blocked an EU military aid package to Kyiv worth 500 million euros since May, and said it would continue doing so until it receives concessions from Kyiv concerning its listing of a Hungarian bank as an international sponsor of the war.

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Mr Orban, a right-wing populist leader who has repeatedly criticised western sanctions against Russia, said that his country has remained eager to maintain ties with Moscow, on which Hungary is highly dependent for natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel.

While most of Hungarys neighbours in Central and Eastern Europe have taken great strides to wean themselves off of Russian energy, Mr Orban has worked to maintain and even increase supplies of Russian gas and oil, arguing that they are essential for the functioning of Hungarys economy.

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We are doing what we can and trying to save what we can in our bilateral contacts, he said, noting the planned expansion of Hungarys only nuclear power plant by Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom.

In a post on his Facebook page, Mr Orban reiterated his longstanding call for a ceasefire and immediate peace talks in Ukraine, though he has not indicated what such an arrangement would mean for Ukraines future security or territorial integrity.

In Europe today, one question is on everyones mind: will there be a ceasefire in Ukraine, Mr Orban wrote. For us Hungarians, too, the most important thing is that the flood of refugees, the sanctions and the fighting in our neighbouring country should end.

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Viktor Orban has worked to maintain and even increase supplies of Russian gas and oil (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP)

Mr Putin, making a rare trip out of Russia, is holding a series of meetings with other leaders who have come to Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum, and will also hold talks with Mr Xi.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday that he had a short meeting with Mr Putin, one that is also likely to raise concerns in Europe.

Serbia under Mr Vucic has been increasingly drifting away from its proclaimed goal of joining the European Union and is moving closer to Russia and China economically and politically.

Serbia has refused to join EU sanctions against Moscow, although Mr Vucic says Serbia respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Both China and Russia are the main suppliers of weapons for the Serbian army at a time when growing tensions over its former province of Kosovo is one of the main western security concerns for regional stability.

China has provided Serbia with billions of dollars in loans for factories and roads that Chinese companies are building. A free trade agreement signed with China on Tuesday goes directly against EU economic policies and would have to be scrapped if Serbia was to join the EU.
Ukraine claims to have carried out one of the most destructive attacks on Russian air assets since the beginning of the war.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the assault used longer-range ballistic missiles donated by the United States.

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Mr Zelenskiys announcement came hours after a US official revealed that the longer-range ballistic missiles sought for months by Kyiv and promised by US president Joe Biden had been delivered quietly and are in battlefield use.

Ukraines Special Operations Forces claimed it destroyed nine Russian helicopters at two airfields in Russia-occupied regions in a night-time attack on targets in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  17 October 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/LRafxn8hYV



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/96kwVqt4RV Advertisement Advertisement  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) October 17, 2023

It also hit military equipment, an air-defence system, ammunition warehouses and runways, a statement said. Dozens of Russian military personnel were injured in the attack codenamed Operation Dragonfly, it added.

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A US official said the United States had made good on a promise by Mr Biden to his Ukrainian counterpart last month that it would provide the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS.

Mr Zelenskiy offered special thanks to the US for sending the ATACMS.

Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented, Mr Zelenskiy said in his usual evening address to the nation, saying the ATACMS have proven themselves.

The weapons development piles pressure on the Kremlin as both sides look for battlefield advantages ahead of winter and what is shaping up as a protracted war of attrition.

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While some versions of the missiles can go as far as about 180 miles, the official said the ones that went to Ukraine have a shorter range and carry cluster munitions, making them suitable for attacks on airfields.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy had been urgently pressing the US to provide the Army Tactical Missile System (AP)

The Ukrainian statement did not say how the targets were hit and Russian authorities did not comment on the report.

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The airfields, in the Luhansk and Berdyansk regions, are located behind the front line. The Russian military apparently thought that they were at a safe distance from Ukrainian attacks.

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Meanwhile, Russia is throwing more units into its effort to take a key eastern Ukraine city, western analysts said, after apparent setbacks that have slowed its recent onslaught.

The attempt to storm Avdiivka, a heavily defended city that stands in the way of Moscows ambition of securing control of the entire Donetsk region, is Moscows most significant offensive operation in Ukraine since the start of the year, the UKs Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

The Kremlins push to claim Avdiivka comes after months of fending off Ukraines counter-offensive, which Kyiv launched some 16 months after Russias full-scale invasion.

The Kremlins forces deployed to Avdiivka are probably making slow progress and sustaining high casualties in what is proving a costly effort, the UKs Ministry of Defence said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Joe Biden is said to have given the green light for the delivery last month(Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

The pace of Russias attack on the heavily fortified target has reportedly slowed in recent days since its launch last week, a Washington-based think tank said.

Citing the Ukrainian General Staff, the Institute for the Study of War said Ukrainian forces pushed back 22 Russian attacks on Monday, down from 30 reported assaults the previous day. Kyiv officials said Russia mounted up to 60 attacks per day in the middle of last week.

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The Ukrainian defence ministry said on Tuesday that Russia is nevertheless still attempting to encircle the city, with 10 attacks over the previous 24 hours.

The UKs Ministry of Defence said Russias effort to overrun Avdiivka looks increasingly unlikely in the short term.
Fans of entertainers belonging to the Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates have expressed mixed feelings over the closure of shops selling official merchandise.

These so-called Johnny's Shops, which sell photos and other goods featuring the agency's talents, are scheduled to shut down on Monday. This follows the sexual abuse scandal involving the agency's late founder, Johnny Kitagawa.

The closure of the shops in Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya cities comes one day before the agency changes its name to Smile-Up.

Many fans gathered at the shop in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, from early on Monday. ...continue reading
LITERATURE

Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies

Elizabeth Winkler

Simon & Schuster, $49.99

As incendiary titles go, Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature is among the best.

Yet Elizabeth Winklers journalistic training has resulted in the content being a less provocative and more balanced primer on the thorny subject known as the Shakespeare authorship question  whether the man born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 really wrote the works attributed to him. Blending interviews with those on both sides of the question with a concise history of the debate, Winklers book is engaging and stimulating from its first chapter.

Kenneth Branagh as William Shakespeare in his film All Is True. Credit:

We discover scepticism grew in the 19th century  perhaps somewhat snobbishly  that a single person from such humble origins could amass the erudition contained within the works. Philosopher Francis Bacon was proposed as an early alternative. Mark Twain  no stranger to a pseudonym himself  was an early convert to the Baconian theory.
The controversial practice of strip searching children in NSW will be scrutinised amid revelations police have used the powers against girls as young as 12, with Police Minister Yasmin Catley vowing to examine whether the current laws are fit for purpose.

This masthead revealed this week that more than 100 children  including girls of primary school age  were subject to strip searches by NSW Police in the past 12 months.

In parliament today, government minister Tara Moriarty admitted the figures were cause for concern, saying Catley shared those concerns and would launch her own examination of the laws surrounding strip search powers.

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The minister for police and counterterrorism knows its important to consider these issues in a measured way and to take a holistic look at the policy settings involved, she said.

As has been noted in this place and in others there are some community concerns in relation to strip searches of children.

That has been well documented in the media. The minister for police and counterterrorism isnt turning a blind eye to these concerns raised by community members, and is planning to meet with key stakeholders in the coming weeks to probe whether the policy settings in place are fit for purpose.

The comments came as Labor backbencher Cameron Murphy added his weight to growing calls for reform of the laws, decrying the system underpinning the ability for police to undertake strip searches as broken and saying he had spent his whole life virtually arguing against drug detection dogs.
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 Interesting. Thats the word 99-year-old Brisbane-based artist Anne Collins uses to describe her life. Its not always been easy, she adds. But its been very interesting. Brisbane-based artist Anne Collins, 99, with friend Kathy Sullivan in Art Space Toowong. Credit: Courtney Kruk Collins spent the first 14 years of her life in Guernsey, the second-largest of the Channel Islands off the French coast. When her parents lost everything during the Depression, they decided to pack up and sail to Australia. They sold the house and went to France and bought a small fishing boat. It was only 50 feet long, she says as she sits with her elbows on a table under a tin-roofed pavilion in Toowongs Quinn Park. The 50-foot fishing boat that sailed Anne Collins and her family to Australia in 1937. They arrived in Sydney Harbour in 1939. Credit: Anne Collins

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Collins would spend two years on Reine DArvor, sailing across the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean with her parents, brother and a small crew. Among them was Fred Rebell, a Latvian-born sailor who fled to Germany in 1907 to avoid conscription then stowed away on a Sydney-bound ship in 1909. After a failed attempt to immigrate to the US and deportation back to Latvia, Rebell joined the Collins family on their ship to Australia in 1937. We went through Las Palmas and across the Pacific and through the Panama Canal, Collins says. We stopped for a short while on one of the Galapagos Islands  then on to Tahiti, Samoa and Fiji. Despite misadventures  the two crewmen who mutinied in Fiji, holding the family at gunpoint below deck until they turned back to Tahiti, plus the moments spent at the mercy of the sea  Collins describes those years as the best education she could have had. I can remember in the Bay of Biscay, my father had been sitting at the tiller all night and I came up to him and said, Oh dad, isnt it wonderful? because we were going up, up, up and down, down, down with the waves. To me, that was exciting. But my father wrote in the logbook, here I was thinking we were never going to survive. Tucked down a laneway off Milton Road is Art Space Toowong, formerly The Silk Shed Studio, a community art group co-founded by Anne Collins  pictured here with Kathy Sullivan  and Ruth Francis in 1989. Credit: Courtney Kruk

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Collins arrived in Sydney in 1939, a year shy of Nazi Germanys occupation of the Channel Islands. She went to work for a family in Duntroon, Canberra, which is where she met and married husband Lance. It was not easy in Canberra  or anywhere in Australia  during those war years, she says. But we managed. A sense of determination, stirred at sea and fortified in Australia, runs through Collins life. After Duntroon, the couple followed work to the Snowy River and Mount Isa. In 1972, they moved to Brisbane, which is where Anne has lived ever since. Its also home to her legacy. Tucked down a laneway off Milton Road in a quiet park is Art Space Toowong, formerly The Silk Shed Studio, a community art group co-founded by Collins and Ruth Francis in 1989. The building is unassuming, easily mistaken for a public restroom due to its simple rectangular design.

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Its exterior, likely exposed brown brick in its earliest iteration as a paediatric clinic in the 60s, is decorated with a large mural, which several members of the group contributed to. At the entrance, a sign reads: A community space for all interested in art in all forms. Here ideas and resources are shared in a friendly atmosphere. Loading Artist and current Art Space president Kathy Sullivan met Collins in 2017. Im so in awe of Anne and the way she lives her life, she says. Shes completely independent. She walks every day, she knows the ferry network, she gets out to exhibitions, she used to run a photography group. I just want to be like Anne. She has my deepest respect and admiration. Sullivan and Collins meet every Tuesday to practise art together and connect with the community of aspiring artists. We like to help people get started, says Sullivan, who also runs an art school in The Gap. A lot of people are not very confident when they first come, and it really does build confidence.

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Despite her age, Annes curiosity for the world around her has not wavered. Credit: Courtney Kruk When Collins and Francis first took over the space, it was mainly used for silk fabric printing. Now, its a place where all mediums are explored. Theres painting, embroidery, printing, pouring acrylic  it varies a lot, Sullivan says. Inside, one of the group is using a torch to direct the colours on a round resin piece. At another table, details are being applied to a painting under the supervision of a round-bellied spaniel named Teddy. Around the room, the white walls are lined with different-size canvases bearing colourful landscapes, silhouettes and abstract faces. Many of the pieces belong to Collins. I dont like to do the perfect painting. I like to discover something in what Im doing, she says. Artist and art teacher Kathy Sullivan with Tradewind Annie, her portrait of Anne Collins selected as a finalist for this years Brisbane Portrait Prize. Credit: Kathy Sullivan

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The Planning and Environment Court has ordered the former Ashgrove Methodist Church, known for its distinctive A-frame design, be removed from the Queensland Heritage Register.

Only two years after a community campaign led the Queensland Heritage Council to list the building, its owner, the Uniting Church, has managed to have the decision overturned.

The former Ashgrove Methodist Church, on Ashgrove Avenue, has lost its heritage protection.

The heritage listing noted the churchs distinctive tapered A-frame form, main front elevation with large, coloured glass cross, and features of its modernist architectural style.

But Judge Amanda McDonnell found the siting of the building significantly impedes its visibility, causing it to have poor landmark quality and limited picturesque attributes.

The church wants to demolish the building and have a childcare centre constructed in its place. The courts decision will allow Brisbane City Council to resume consideration of a development application.

If approved, the centre would accommodate 136 children with an on-site cafe and parking for 41 cars.
The reaction by Labor and the Greens to Brisbane councils 10 per cent spending cuts shows how both parties will tackle the March 2024 election to win City Hall.

Labor will pitch the message that inner-city projects are behind Brisbanes blowout in construction costs and are being favoured over projects in the suburbs.

Rising construction costs for projects such as the Indooroopilly roundabout have forced Brisbane City Council to cut spending by 10 per cent until June 30, 2024. Credit: Tony Moore

The Greens will question why developers infrastructure contributions to council coffers have been reduced while construction costs are rising.

Both will argue that in June 2023, the LNP should have foreseen the need to cut spending as costs increased.
Ahtisaari employed what Australias Gareth Evans, a former president of the International Crisis Group, once described as a negotiating style that combines charm and good humour with an iron determination. After Ahtisaari negotiated a peace agreement between Indonesia and the separatist Free Aceh Movement in 2005, Indonesian government envoy Farid Husain said that Ahtisaari exuded authority like a father and that his method was really extraordinary. He said, Do you want to win, or do you want peace? Martti Ahrtisaari with Yasser Arafat. Credit: AFP Ahtisaari joined Finlands Foreign Ministry in 1965 and began his first major peace effort in the 1970s, helping secure Namibias independence from South Africa while serving as a special appointee of the United Nations. In return for his help, Namibia made him an honorary citizen. Many boys in Namibia are named Martti, Ole Danbolt Mjoes, a member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, told the New York Times in 2008. That must be at least as great an honour as being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1994, Ahtisaari, a Social Democrat, was elected president in Finlands first direct presidential election, which had previously been determined by an electoral college. He helped guide the countrys move into the European Union and presided over a significant drop in unemployment. Toward the end of his presidential term in 1999, Ahtisaari worked with former Russian prime minister Viktor Chernomyrdin and Strobe Talbott, US deputy secretary of state, to broker an agreement leading to Serbias military withdrawal from Kosovo. Six years later, the United Nations appointed Ahtisaari as special envoy to Kosovo, overseeing negotiations for its eventual declaration of independence from Serbia. In between his Kosovo assignments, Ahtisaari worked as a weapons inspector monitoring caches of arms that the Irish Republican Army agreed to dump. Examining a pile of rifles stored in a woodsy building, Ahtisaari broke the tension by telling another inspector, There must be a better way to earn ones living, according to The Mediator: A Biography of Martti Ahtisaari by Katri Merikallio and Tapani Ruokanen.

Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari was born June 23, 1937, in Viipuri, a town in eastern Finland. His father was a millworker and then an army vehicle mechanic. His mother was a homemaker. World War II was the defining event of his life. When he was two, Soviet troops arrived in his town, causing his family to flee. UN Special Representative for Namibia Martti Ahtisaari (R) in 1989. Credit: AP We became refugees in our own country as great power politics caused the borders of Finland to be redrawn and left my hometown as part of the Soviet Union, Ahtisaari said in his Nobel lecture. This childhood experience contributed to my commitment to working on the resolution of conflicts. Ahtisaari graduated from the Oulu University Teacher Training School in 1959 and became a teacher. After a year in the classroom, he became an aide worker, first in Pakistan and then for international student organisations. After joining Finlands Foreign Ministry, he served as an ambassador to Tanzania, Zambia and Somalia.

Negotiating ethnic and political conflicts required the skills of a ships pilot, consulting medical doctor, midwife and teacher, Ahtisaari said in his Noble lecture. Mediators do not choose the conflicts they became involved in but the parties to the conflict choose the mediator, he said. Their participation as intermediaries is based on the trust of all the conflicting parties. Then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan announces the appointment of former Finnish Prime Minister Martti Ahtisaari to chair a UN. fact-finding team to visit the Jenin refugee camp in 2002. Credit: AP Ahtisaari did not accept the common view that tensions between religions made the problem unsolvable. During my career I have seen many crises in which religion has been used as a weapon or as an instrument for prolonging the conflict, Ahtisaari said. Religions themselves are, however, peace-loving.
A Melbourne doctor has avoided prison despite fraudulently obtaining more than $318,000 by lodging false Medicare claims on behalf of hundreds of patients he never treated.

Dr Sam Beitner faced the County Court on Tuesday, after pleading guilty to two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage from the Commonwealth.

The 78-year-old used the private Medicare details of 330 patients that he had obtained while employed as a general practitioner at several clinics across Melbourne, including St Kilda Super Clinic, Greenvale Medical Centre and Mill Park Super Clinic.

Beitner then made a series of false Medicare claims between 2011 and 2016 that he had provided more than 5000 medical services from his private home in Kew and a derelict office building in Melbournes CBD.
Senior staff within the West Australian governments own child health service believe the Cook cabinets shock decision to relocate Perths new $1.8 billion maternity hospital to Murdoch instead of next to Perth Childrens Hospital would represent an unacceptable risk of death and disability in newborn babies.

Nine News Perth has obtained a draft position paper authored by the Child and Adolescent Health Service  the government agency that runs Perth Childrens Hospital  which comprehensively rejects a decision made in secret six months ago by then-premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson to move the facility 20 kilometres away.

During the announcement to shift the facility, Sanderson argued building on the Queen Elizabeth II site alongside the childrens hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital would take 20 years to complete, cost an additional $229 million, and disrupt the adult hospitals operations.

The controversial April announcement drew criticism from individuals within the states medical fraternity. Now opposition to the move has expanded to include the agency responsible for neonatal care.
The Education Department has pushed out the opening of a new inner-west Brisbane school by five years as authorities consider deals with the private sector to get it built.

The flood-prone former Toowong Bowls Club site was chosen as the preferred site for a new primary school in December 2021 to ease enrolment pressure on Indooroopilly Ironside and Toowong state schools, but was ultimately scrapped after community opposition.

MP Michael Berkman, the Greens member for Maiwar, says progress is desperately needed to relieve overcrowding in inner-west schools.

Despite the school being due to open in 2024, the government in March this year scrapped the plan, and said the $90 million school was not required as soon as anticipated.

Tender documents published this week reveal the department now believed a new primary school would be required to relieve enrolment pressure in existing inner-west school catchments from 2028 or 2029.
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The expat

Growing up in Dubbo, NSW, was a far cry from the sea for Matthew Wakley. After a career in banking and then running a motel in Dubbo, he was approached by his family to manage their property, the Cove Resort, in the tiny island nation of Palau, where he has now lived since 2019. See coveresortpalau.com

The lagoon-rimmed Seventy Islands are part of the UNESCO heritage-listed Rock Islands. Credit: iStock

See

Come for some of the worlds best scuba diving and snorkelling at the UNESCO heritage-listed Rock Islands, south of the main island of Koror, or the world-famous Blue Corner and the German Channel. Otherwise, there are plenty of historic sites scattered around the island of Peleliu, which saw one of the bloodiest battles of WWII between Japan and the US. There was a major US Navy sea and air base here. You can see tanks, caves and military headquarters being overtaken by the jungle, as well as a WWII memorial museum.
Kristiansand is an ordinary place, but rather sweet. Ive had no need to stare at gloomy paintings or royal knick-knackery, and felt no fear of missing out. Ive done it all: a small destination leaves you satisfied. The Kattegat Sea too is small, which means long days in port and walks from the ship straight into town. Variety brings a new discovery on each day of this Oceania cruise. Norway, Denmark and Sweden are subtly different, and we visit small towns and cities with very different personalities. Case in point, Malmo in Sweden isnt anything like Kristiansand. Its big and cosmopolitan, the saltiness and rust of its seaside industrial areas offset by contemporary glass skyscrapers and sprawling parks. The sea is everywhere, at the ends of streets and below bridges and between apartment blocks. Trendy boutiques have me shaking my head at the fancies of the latest fashions in the old town, where there isnt much that is old. Fourteenth-century St Peters Church looks absurdly out of place. The Oresund Bridge that dips and swoops across the Kattegat Sea into Denmark seems more Malmo: progressive, modern and curiously chic. Malmo was Danish once, and its rival Copenhagen is only 40 kilometres away. In the evening as the ship sails, I eat garlic shrimps and glazed Virginia ham and gaze at rival fortresses glimmering in the late silvery sun.

Fine dining, excellent service and a comfortable stateroom are the joys of Oceania Marina that defuse the usual travel chores. Overnight, Im magicked into Gothenburg. Swedens second-largest city  home of Volvo and ship building  has only just begun to creep onto the tourist horizon as other Europeans begin to take interest in its museums, bar scene and Michelin-star restaurants. Skansen Kronan Lookout in Gothenburg. Credit: iStock Gothenburg is bigger and grittier than Malmo, but the city centre is finely laid out, with snaking parks and wide boulevards along which white-and-blue trams rattle. Its another place to walk and gawk. I dont have to see Big Things, and can stop at a brewery or an oyster stand. The city is full of life: arty, boozy university students, kids on skateboards, Turkish and Vietnamese immigrants, hipsters with forked beards. Gothenburg is another agreeable day out, far from the hectoring must-dos of guidebooks. And so back on the Kattegat Sea. Oceania Marina is a fitting vessel to sail here, sophisticated but unpretentious, just like these Nordic countries. I dont need needless bling or wild nights. Im happy with the outstanding food, the swimming pool, the library, the cocktail bar with its tinkling piano and agreeable hubbub.

Aarhus in Denmark is another city swimming into the consciousness of hip travellers: the sort of place inflight magazines declare has been discovered, even though its history goes back to the time of bog men. From the cruise terminal, I walk along the waterfront, along a canal and into a buzzing city centre. Somehow the day passes, and what have I done? Well, not a lot, which makes me very happy. I have no regrets about moving onwards. These are destinations for a brief but memorable affair, not a drawn-out love story. One of the great things about cruising is that youre never in one spot long enough for disenchantment to creep in. Skagen on Denmarks northern tip, where the Kattegat Sea ends in a convulsion of sand dunes and cornflower skies. Credit: iStock We sail away. As I pace the deck I could almost throw a stone into Sweden in one direction and Denmark in the other. Later over dinner in the main dining room  peppercorn steak in brandy sauce, and a chocolate cake that oozes caramel lava  seascapes unfurl again beyond the windows. Oceania Marina dodges container ships and wind farms and small islands where horses look over hedges. We make a last stop at Skagen on Denmarks northern tip, where the Kattegat Sea ends in a convulsion of sand dunes and cornflower skies. In a major port city, Id be stressed about rushing off and trying to see everything. No need here. Im sure Ill see all of Skagen at a strollers pace, and after my leisurely buffet breakfast. And Im sure Ill thoroughly enjoy it.

Five things to know about Oceania Ship shape

Oceanias ships are mid-sized. Marina carries 1250 guests and is small enough to feel intimate, yet large enough to avoid crowding. It still fits in a spa, multiple dining and bar venues, a culinary centre for food demonstrations and cooking classes, an attractive pool deck, and a theatre for shows and lectures. Crispy duck and watermelon salad from Red Ginger. Fine dine

Youll enjoy some of the best cuisine in cruising. Expect top quality not only in included speciality restaurants  which range from French and Italian to ever-popular Asian restaurant Red Ginger  but in the main dining room and buffet venue Terrace Cafe too. The latter is unusual on upmarket ships for serving an evening buffet, let alone one this refined. Art works

Marina isnt a boastful ship and its only bling is an arresting double staircase in the lobby, surmounted by a spectacular Murano chandelier. It does though have artworks to make you pause as you wander through public areas, including fetching contemporary glassware, and sculptures and sketches by the likes of Miro and Picasso.

Guest relations

Oceania passengers are, like its ships, understated and well-travelled. Theyre more focused on seeing destinations on long port days than cavorting in a floating resort. The dress code never goes beyond smart casual. You wont find many children on board, since Oceania ships have no kids clubs or other amenities. Price point

Oceania Cruises occupies a niche premium category between luxury small ships and bigger mid-range vessels. Its ships aim for the luxury look and amenities, but not everything is included. If you can forego abundant alcohol and do some excursions yourself, then Oceania offers a very attractive daily rate, especially considering its excellent and inclusive dining. THE DETAILS MORE oceaniacruises.com
Decisions, decisions... Eggs come fried, scrambled, poached, sunny side up, over easy, medium or over hard. Credit: iStock Remember that, much like Australia, this modern country has been built on migration, and all of those migrants have brought with them their culinary passions and skills. The most visible and readily available is Latin American, in particular Mexican cuisine. There is just so, so much great Mexican food across the US, dishes that are so far advanced from the tacos-and-burritos fare were typically restricted to in Australia. Most are affordable too, although Mexican food, a strength of US dining, has also been taken into the fine-dining sphere. But then, the US also has excellent Korean food, and Korean fusion. It has its own distinctive Chinese cuisine, featuring dishes such as General Tsos chicken and chop suey that you just wont find anywhere else. Italian food here is distinctive  just check out the pizzas. Theres American Jewish cuisine. Creole and Cajun cuisine.

Dont forget the styles of food, and of dining, that are homegrown and delicious. You havent tried barbecued meat until youve had it in the US, until youve had smoked brisket in Texas, pork ribs in Memphis, whole-beast pork roasts in North Carolina, pulled meats in Louisville. Loading The US is also the home of the farm-to-table movement, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Theres a booming fine-dining culture across much of the country, with galaxies of Michelin stars. Theres an obsession with craft beer, a nationwide scene that has to be the best in the world. Theres a trend right now for tinned fish, tapping into a classic preservation method more often associated with Portugal and Spain. You get to explore so many regional differences in the US too, from south to north, east to west. Theres lobster in Maine, crawfish in Louisiana, bison in Montana. Theres thin-crust pizza in New York, deep-dish in Chicago, and square-cut pies in the Midwest.

You will, of course, have to get your head around the tipping culture in order to enjoy all of these delicacies. Good luck with that. Youll also have to get used to giant glasses of iced water that you didnt ask for, and bottomless coffee that really should stop, and complex breakfast orders at a time when you would just like someone else to make all the decisions for you. But, really, the food is great. The mysteries of dining stateside: your questions answered Why are servings seemingly always so big in the US? Its not a case of seemingly  they really are that enormous. The theory behind the USs belt-busting portion sizes is that post-World War II, advances in farming technology, coupled with US government subsidies for farmers in the 1970s, made the production of food far cheaper. Restaurants realised that by making relatively inexpensive increases to their portion sizes, they could charge more for their food and maximise profits.
Singapore/Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo has distanced himself from a controversial court decision that clears the path for his eldest son to stand for the vice-presidency and that has intensified concern about a democratic slide in South-East Asias largest nation.

Indonesias Constitutional Court on Monday ruled in favour of an amendment to electoral laws that considered would-be presidential and vice-presidential candidates ineligible if they were under the age of 40.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives in Beijing on Monday for Chinas Belt and Road Summit. Credit: AP

It rejected a bid to reduce the minimum age to 35, but later gave the green light to a proposal by a student to permit under-40s to contest the top two offices if they already have regional or national leadership experience.

That opened the way for Widodos 36-year-old son Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who was elected mayor of his hometown of Solo in 2020, to join leading presidential contender Prabowo Subianto if named by the former special forces commander as his running mate.
Milan: Italian lawmakers on Monday marked the 80th anniversary of the Nazi round-up of more than 1200 Roman Jews in the Holocaust with a debate on a measure to partially fund a long-delayed Holocaust Museum in the capital.

The Shoah Museum project was launched in 2007, but has foundered over funding, a location and even reluctance to highlight the role of Italys fascist government as a perpetrator in the Holocaust.

The project was revived this year by far-right leader Giorgia Meloni and her culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, both of the far-right Brothers of Italy party with neo-fascist roots. The lower house will vote later this week on a measure that includes 10 million ($16 million) in funding for the museum over the next three years, following Senate approval this northern summer.

People participate in a march of remembrance marking the 80th anniversary of the round-up of the Jews of Rome in Rome on Monday. Credit: LaPresse/AP

The president of the Shoah Museum Foundation that is heading the project, Mario Venezia, said the Italian role in the Holocaust must be central to the museum. He expressed gratitude to the government for giving it new impetus.
After visiting Israel, Biden would travel to Jordan to meet King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, US national security spokesperson John Kirby said. Gaza authorities say more than 2800 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, around a quarter of them children, and more than 10,000 wounded are in hospitals desperately short of supplies. Israeli officials say that in addition to the casualties Hamas inflicted, the Iran-backed group took some 199 hostages into Gaza. Khaled Meshaal, a top Hamas leader, said the group has what it needs to free all Palestinians in Israels jails, indicating it may try to use the kidnapped Israelis as bargaining chips.

Soon after Meshaals remarks, the groups armed wing separately said the non-Israelis it had taken captive were guests who would be released when circumstances allow. Hamas released a video in which a French-Israeli woman captive was shown having her injured arm treated by an unidentified medical worker. She identified herself as 21-year-old Mia Schem and asked to be returned to her family as quickly as possible. Hamas released a video of Mia Shem, 21, from Shoham who was kidnapped from the party in Reim. The Israeli military said it had struck Hamas and Islamic Jihad military targets overnight, including Hamas headquarters and a bank used by the group. It said a Hamas military operative was killed in the strikes. Iran warns of long-term war

Bidens trip is a rare and risky choice, showing American backing for Netanyahu as the US tries to avert a broader regional war involving Iran, its Lebanese ally Hezbollah and Syria. It comes as Israel is preparing a ground offensive in Gaza expected to intensify the enclaves humanitarian crisis. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told state TV that Israel would not be allowed to act in Gaza without consequences, warning of preemptive action by the resistance front in the coming hours. Loading Iran refers to regional countries and forces opposed to Israel and the US as a resistance front. All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza, Amir-Abdollahian said. The resistance front is capable of waging a long-term war with the enemy.

Japan, the current president of the Group of 7 developed nations, said it was in the final stages of arranging a call with Iran, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said, as she announced $US10 million ($15.7 million) in humanitarian aid for Gaza. Last week, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tehran was not involved in the Hamas attack on Israel, but hailed what he called Israels irreparable military and intelligence defeat. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel. Credit: AP In the biggest sign yet that the war could spread to a new front, Israel ordered the evacuation on Monday of 28 villages in a 2-kilometre-deep zone near the Lebanese border. Netanyahu said Israelis should prepare for a long battle.

And I have a message for Iran and Hezbollah, dont test us in the north. Dont make the same mistake you once made. Because today the price you will pay will be much heavier, he told the Israeli parliament on Monday. US general visits Israel Diplomatic efforts have concentrated on getting aid into Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the sole route that is not controlled by Israel. Cairo said the Rafah crossing was not officially closed but was inoperable due to Israeli strikes on the Gaza side. On the military front, the US has deployed two aircraft carriers and their supporting ships to the eastern Mediterranean since the attacks on Israel. The ships were meant as a deterrent to ensure the conflict did not spread, US officials said.

The top US general overseeing American forces in the Middle East, Central Command chief Army General Michael Erik Kurilla, made an unannounced trip to Israel on Tuesday, saying he hoped to ensure its military has what it needs. Loading As Israel masses troops on Gazas border, it has told more than a million people in the northern half of the enclave to flee to the southern half for their safety, even though Hamas has told them to stay put. While tens of thousands have fled south, the United Nations says there is no way to move so many people without causing a humanitarian catastrophe. The United Nations says a million Gazans have already been driven from their homes. Power is out, sanitary water is scarce and fuel for hospital emergency generators is running low.
Russias Vladimir Putin, who is fighting a war with Ukraine that has killed hundreds of thousands of troops and thousands of civilians, has said the hundreds of people killed in Gaza at the Al Ahil Arab Hospital is a catastrophe.

The tragedy that happened there is a terrible event, he said.

Hundreds of dead and hundreds of wounded are of course a catastrophe.

I really hope this will be a signal that we need to end this conflict as soon as possible.

In any case, we need to focus on the possibility of starting some contacts and negotiations.

Earlier, Estonias Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said it had been heartbreaking to see Russia attacking Ukrainian hospitals, as she called for the facts to be established about what had caused the Gaza incident.

Putin was speaking in Beijing alongside Chinas President Xi Jinping, with whom he agreed a no-limits partnership on the eve of his own and ongoing war with Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo prior to their talks on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Credit: Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

The Israel-Hamas conflict started on October 7 when Hamas terrorists broke through the border fence separating Gaza and Israel and murdered more than one thousand civilians, including babies and children.

Israel has been responding with air strikes and says it is eliminating Hamas leaders who reside in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Defence Force has categorically denied responsibility for the explosion at the hospital and said that Islamic Jihad caused it when a misfired rocket landed back in the Gaza Strip instead of making it to Israel.

US President Joe Biden appeared to endorse that assessment after arriving in Tel Aviv.
Israel is expected to launch a ground offensive in Gaza; the United States has been pressing Israelis to allow humanitarian aid in to help civilians. The carnage unfolded as the US tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas deadly rampage in southern Israel last week. Hamas called the hospital blast a horrific massacre. The Israeli military blamed Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often co-operates with Hamas in their shared struggle against Israel. The military said Islamic Jihad militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time and that intelligence from multiple sources indicated it was responsible for the failed rocket launch that hit the hospital.

The Israeli governments X/Twitter account later edited a tweet to remove what appeared to be video evidence of the strike after The New York Times noted the clip was recorded 40 minutes after the time of the Gaza hospital explosion. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City last week. Credit: AP Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in Al Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip. Ambulances and private cars rushed about 350 casualties from the Al Ahli blast to Gaza Citys main hospital, Al Shifa, which was already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia. The wounded were laid onto bloody floors, screaming in pain. We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room. We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anaesthesia, we need everything, Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospitals generators would run out Wednesday. I think Gazas medical sector will collapse within hours.

Before the Al Ahli Arab Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2778 people and wounded 9700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7 killed more than 1400 people, mostly civilians, and took about 200 captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel. In protest over the purported airstrike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egypts president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan, to discuss the war. Abbas Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank. Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades.

Others threw stones at Israeli checkpoints, where soldiers killed one Palestinian, West Bank authorities said. Hundreds joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli embassy. Lebanons Hezbollah denounced what the group said was Israels deadly attack on a Gaza hospital and called for a day of unprecedented anger on Wednesday, as protests erupted outside the US embassy in Beirut just hours after the incident. The blast drew condemnation across the Arab world, and protests were staged at Israels embassies in Turkey and Jordan and near the US embassy in Lebanon, where security forces fired tear gas toward demonstrators. Television footage showed protests in Yemens southwestern city of Taz, as well as in the Moroccan capital Rabat and Iraqs capital, Baghdad.

Bidens visit in part aims to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared on Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate and where Israel has evacuated nearby towns. With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza, but its plans remained uncertain. We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different. Throughout the day on Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military told fleeing Palestinians to go. An Associated Press reporter saw about 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis. An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighbouring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a United Nations school in central Gaza where 4000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency said. At least 24 UN installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 members of the agencys staff. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres. A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, levelling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said, the highest-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war. Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including co-ordinating activities with other militant groups. Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed. With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Netanyahu to discuss the creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. US officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward. US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he was outraged by the explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed about 500 people and said he had directed his national security team to gather information about exactly what had happened. I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted, Biden, who is travelling to Israel, said in a statement.

The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy. Still, as of late Tuesday, no deal was in place. A top Israeli official said his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas. The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 14-kilometre-long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water. Loading The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people were crowded into schools and other facilities in the south with little food or water. Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefited only 14 per cent of Gazas population, the UN said. At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tonnes of food waiting to cross into Gaza.
New analysis of residential properties in Australia has identified more than 655,000 sites across the country that are suitable for the development of granny flats. CoreLogic has described the opportunity to be offering a solution to help ease the housing shortage.

In a news release, the property data and analytics provider, alongside national town planning research platform Archistar and real estate construction lender Blackfort, identified Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to have the most number of viable locations for the development of a self-contained two-bedroom unit. Sydney has the most, having over 242,000 suitable properties for a granny flat. Melbourne has almost 230,000 potential sites and Brisbane has almost 185,000 suitable sites.

Thirty-six per cent of these sites are just around two kilometres away from a train or light rail station, while 17% of these have a hospital within the suburb boundary, demonstrating accessibility as well as housing opportunity for healthcare workers.

For policy makers and government, granny flats present an immediate and cost-effective opportunity to deliver much needed housing supply within existing town planning guidelines, said Tim Lawless (pictured), research director at CoreLogic. For homeowners, the addition of a second self-contained dwelling provides an opportunity to provide rental housing or additional accommodation for family members, while at the same time, increasing the value of their property and potentially attaining additional rental income.

Since granny flat developments leverage existing lot areas and require no changes to town planning regulation, they offer an immediate opportunity to address housing shortages and affordability pressures expected in the coming five years for both buyers and renters, said Dr Benjamin Coorey, co-founder of Archistar.

Top suitable sites for a granny flat:

Sydney Central Coast (41,569) Northern Beaches (19,884) Hornsby (18,344) Blacktown (17,909) Ku-Ring-Gai (14,617) Baulkham Hills (4,673) Castle Hill (4,423) Cherrybrook (3,421) Carlingford (2,910) West Pennant Hills (2,698)

Melbourne Mornington Peninsula (23,870) Casey (16,861) Monash (13,960) Knox (13,741) Manningham (13,063) Glen Waverley (4,009) Rowville (3,674) Berwick (3,604) Rye (3,705) Doncaster East (3,397)

Brisbane Logan (33,414) Moreton Bay (31,949) Ipswich (22,569) Redland (19,243) The Gap (2,986) Alexandra Hills (2,789) Redbank Plains (2,479) Albany Creek (2,378) Rochedale South (2,215)



CoreLogic figures show an extra two bedrooms, and an additional bathroom could add around 32% to the value of an existing dwelling. For a house worth $500,000, the addition of a granny flat has the potential to add approximately $160,000 to the value of the property, said Lawless.

Have thoughts about this analysis? Let us know in the comments.
Iranian, Russian, Turkish presidents urge to end Israeli attacks on Gaza

Xinhua) 09:32, October 17, 2023

TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday highlighted the necessity of making immediate efforts to put an end to Israeli attacks against Gaza in separate phone calls with his Russian and Turkish counterparts, according to statements from the Iranian president's office.

Speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Raisi blamed Israel's intensification and continuation of military operations in Gaza, which were "supported by Western states, especially the United States."

"The major disaster that is occurring in the region is an outcome of the policies of the U.S. and Israel's other Western supporters, which are doomed to failure," Raisi stressed.

For his part, Putin said the large-scale Israeli attacks against a densely-populated region, where more than 2 million defenseless people live, "are in no way justifiable and must be immediately stopped."

He warned that carrying out ground operations in Gaza would have very heavy human and military costs and consequences, stressing that the U.S. sought to proceed with its desired approach toward the resolution of the Palestinian issue alone, but it has ended in failure.

In another phone talk with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Raisi warned of the possible expansion of the conflict, calling on the Muslim world to "make efforts to end Israel's brutal attacks against Gaza and lift the siege on the enclave."

Erdogan, for his part, said measures such as the U.S. aircraft carrier's presence in the region and bombardment of airports in Syria's Aleppo and Damascus could expand the Israel-Hamas conflict to broader parts of the region.

He noted that Turkiye is trying to assist the people in Gaza, adding that the achievement of a cease-fire, ceasing attacks on Gaza, and lifting the city's siege are three important and fundamental priorities to control the escalation at this critical point.

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) launched a surprise attack on Oct. 7, launching thousands of rockets and breaching land border with Israel, prompting extensive Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

The ongoing conflict has caused heavy casualties in both Israel and Gaza.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved a proposal for the dismissal of a child welfare committee chairperson (CWC) for misconduct, officials said on Monday.

The proposal was submitted by Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Atishi.

Approving the proposal, Kejriwal said the Delhi government will not compromise on the care and betterment of children and those who show negligence "will not be forgiven".

"In our government, there is a policy of zero tolerance for officials' negligent behaviour within the administration. The Child Welfare Committee deals with highly sensitive cases related to the care and safety of children. The role of the CWC chairperson is crucial in this regard," Kejriwal said.

"Therefore, any laxity or irresponsible conduct by individuals in meeting the needs of children can have serious consequences," he added.

Atishi said that several complaints were received against the CWC-IX chairperson, including delays in decision-making for critical cases involving children in need, improper conduct towards staff and committee members, misuse of powers and issuing orders without the consent of committee members.

"In response, an inquiry was ordered. Based on the recommendations from the inquiry report, the government has decided to terminate the CWC-IX chairperson with immediate effect. Children's welfare is non-negotiable and the Delhi government will continue to ensure that those in positions of authority uphold their duties with the utmost sincerity," she said.
The Pentagon has reportedly sent a prepare to deploy order to 2,000 marines and sailors it handpicked to support Israel in war against Hamas. The United States also sent its top General to Israel, a day before President Joe Bidens planned visit. The US show of military prowess comes amid reports that Israel will invade Gaza.

US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday to show support for its war on Hamas after Washington said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to let humanitarian aid reach besieged Gazans.

Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement that controls Gaza after Hamas gunmen killed 1,300 people, mainly civilians, during a rampage through southern Israeli towns on October 7  the deadliest single day in Israels 75-year history.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip with air strikes that have killed more than 3,000 Palestinians, a quarter of them children, and driven around half of the 2.3 million Gazans from their homes. It has imposed a total blockade on the enclave, halting food, fuel and medical supplies, which are rapidly running out.

A top Hamas leader said on Monday the group has what it needs to free all Palestinians in Israels jails, indicating the militant group may try to use the Israelis it kidnapped as bargaining chips to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Soon after Hamas official Khaled Meshaal made the remarks on the captives, who include Israelis and non-Israelis kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, the groups armed wing separately said the non-Israelis were guests who would be released when circumstances allow.

Scores of trucks carrying vital supplies for Gaza headed towards the Rafah crossing in Egypt on Tuesday, the only access point to the coastal enclave outside Israel's control, but there was no clear indication that they would be able to enter.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Bidens planned visit at the end of hours of talks with Netanyahu, in which he said Netanyahu had agreed to develop a plan to get humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians. He gave no details. Biden will hear from Israel what it needs to defend its people, Blinken said. He will also hear how Israel will carry out operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and lets humanitarian aid into Gaza to help civilians in a way that does not benefit Hamas.

Also Read Israel-Gaza war: Death toll up as conflict expands to bordering nations Israel-Gaza war: Nations call for peaceful resolution; latest updates here Gaza strip: Understanding the territory, its history, and ongoing conflict Israel-Palestine war: Here's a look at the history of the conflict Israel-Hamas war: Iran's warning, support from world leaders, and more US restricts Nvidia made-for-China semiconductor chips in new export rules Microsoft-Activision takeover emboldens merger traders to boost rally bets US retail sales exceed forecasts, economic data defies expectation again Canada ranking slips a notch on top FPI source list amid rising tensions CIE Automotive India results: Profit up 11%, revenue low in Europe segment

Israels national security adviser predicted on Tuesday that the United States would get "involved" if the Gaza war escalated to the point where Iran and Hezbollah joined in on behalf of Hamas.

In a televised briefing, Tzachi Hanegbi noted expressions of support by US President Joe Biden, which included US naval deployments in the Mediterranean and a public warning to the Lebanese group and to Tehran to stay out of the fighting.



Hamas releases 1st video of hostage taken to Gaza



Israel says Hamas fighters captured 199 hostages during their rampage. Hamas said foreigners among the captives were its guests and would be released when circumstances allow, while making clear it aims to swap Israeli captives for thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails. It released a video on Monday in which a French-Israeli woman captive was shown having an injured arm treated by a medic worker. She identified herself as 21-year-old Mia Schem and asked to be returned to her family as quickly as possible.



R euters

US senator accuses Meta, X of spreading fake news



US Senator Michael Bennet on Tuesday sought information on how tech giants Meta, X, TikTok and Google were trying to stop the spread of false and misleading content about the Israel-Hamas conflict on their platforms. "Deceptive content has ricocheted across social media sites since the conflict began, sometimes receiving millions of views," Bennet, a Democrat, said in the letter addressed to the company chiefs. Visuals from older conflicts, video game footage, and altered documents are among misleading content that has flooded social media platforms.



R euters

Israel approaches Musks Starlink



Israel is in talks with Elon Musks SpaceX to set up a Starlink satellite network to bolster wartime communications. Authorities are working to allow civilians to exit Gaza through a crossing with Egypt. Iran-backed Hezbollah said it launched attacks against several Israeli targets near the border with Lebanon. The Israeli military said it shelled Hezbollah positions and reported gunfire at army posts. Israel said the network would allow Israeli towns near the frontlines to have continuous internet service.



Bloomberg


















The top US general overseeing American forces in the Middle East made an unannounced trip to Israel on Tuesday, saying he hoped to ensure its military has what it needs as it fights a deepening war against Palestinian militant group Hamas.



The trip by Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, head of US Central Command, is the latest by a senior US official to Israel ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel's military in Gaza. It comes a day before a planned visit by US President Joe Biden to the country.



The US military is increasing its firepower in the region, aiming to prevent Iran and other Iran-backed groups from getting involved in the conflict as international fears of a wider, regional war grow.



The Pentagon is also rushing weaponry, including air defences and munitions, to Israel.



"I'm here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Kurilla told Reuters, which is traveling with him, in brief remarks before landing.



A US official told Reuters Kurilla was scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Israel's military leadership, ensuring a clear understanding of the close US ally's defense requirements.



Kurilla was also expected to outline US military support aimed at avoiding an expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict.



Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and is sending another carrier to the region in the coming days, moves the Biden administration says are meant as a deterrent, not a provocation.



The US already has a network of bases in the Middle East with troops, fighter aircraft and warships.



The United States has also told some troops, potentially 2,000, to be ready to deploy within 24 hours if notified - instead of the usual 96 hours - and could include units that provide assistance like medical aid if needed, a US official said on Monday.



Israel has vowed to annihilate Iran-backed Hamas - which controls the Gaza Strip - after its Islamist fighters stormed Israeli towns eight days ago, killing 1,300 people and seizing hostages in the worst attack on civilians in the country's history.



Also Read Israel-Gaza war: Death toll up as conflict expands to bordering nations WTO chief warns of 'big impact' on trade if Israel-Hamas conflict widens LIVE: Middle-East conflict raises fuel price concerns, says FM Sitharaman Air India suspends scheduled flights to Tel Aviv till Oct 18 amid conflict LIVE: Third flight of 'Operation Ajay' has departed from Tel Aviv to Delhi Israel to enable humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza: US Secy Blinken In Brazil's Amazon, rivers fall to record low levels during drought UNSC rejects Russia's resolution on Gaza that fails to mention Hamas Rolls-Royce plans to cut 2,500 jobs as CEO extends efficiency push US plans to push other countries not to pay hacker ransoms ahead of meeting

It has put Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, under a total blockade and pounded it with unprecedented air strikes, and is widely expected to launch a ground assault. Gaza authorities say at least 2,800 people have been killed there, around a quarter of them children.



US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held hours of talks with Israel's war cabinet in Israel on Monday, and was once forced to shelter in a bunker for five minutes when air raid sirens went off.



International diplomacy has been focused on the humanitarian toll and preventing a spillover of the conflict - particularly into Lebanon where Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have been exchanging fire with Israel across the border for days.



In the biggest sign yet that the war could spread to a new front, Israel ordered the evacuation on Monday of 28 villages in a 2 km-deep (1.2 mile) zone near the Lebanese border. Hezbollah said it had targeted five Israeli positions.



Clashes this last week have been the deadliest in the Lebanon border area since a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
CSC, an enterprise-class domain registrar and world leader in mitigating domain and domain name system (DNS) threats, today released its 2023 Domain Security Report which found that 43% of Forbes Global 2000 companies do not have control over their branded artificial intelligence (.AI) domain names, and theyre actually registered by third parties. In addition, 49% of the .AI brand domains for these companies remain unregistered, leaving them exposed to fraud and brand infringement.

The 2023 Domain Security Report highlights howdespite rising phishing and online fraudmany companies are vastly unaware of the state of their domain name portfolio and overlook foundational domain security measures such as registry lock, domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance (DMARC), DNS security extensions (DNSSEC), and DNS redundancy. The rapid rise in AI adoption and integration further elevates the need for domain security investments. Driven by the trending popularity for AI, cybercriminals are now taking advantage of trusted brands by creating fraudulent .AI domain extensions that misdirect internet users. This is emphasized by the 350% year-over-year increase in domain dispute cases involving .AI extensions in 2023 from companies who realized .AI domains using their brand were misappropriated by third parties.

Over the last year, weve seen a surge in cybercriminals exploiting AIs popularity by attempting to register the domains of trusted brands for malicious activity. Companies need to deploy proactive monitoring and domain security measures beyond just foundational efforts, says Mark Calandra, president of CSCs Digital Brand Services division. In addition, we warn about subdomain hijacking as our research shows that 1 in 5 companies have active DNS records that do not resolve, making them vulnerable to subdomain hijacking attacks. The reports findings point to a real need for companies to prioritize domain security if they wish to stay ahead of the numerous emerging threats on the horizon.

Additional key insights from CSCs research include:

79% of lookalike domains are owned by third parties, up 4% from 2022

Malicious actors continue to capitalize on lookalike domains (homoglyphs) that resemble the Global 2000 brands to launch phishing attacks, other forms of digital brand abuse, or IP infringement.

Malicious actors continue to capitalize on lookalike domains (homoglyphs) that resemble the Global 2000 brands to launch phishing attacks, other forms of digital brand abuse, or IP infringement. 112 of the largest companies in the world had a domain security score of 0

Based on CSCs analysis of the adoption of key domain security measures, these companies do not deploy any recommended domain security measures, leaving them with the highest risk of domain security threats.

Based on CSCs analysis of the adoption of key domain security measures, these companies do not deploy any recommended domain security measures, leaving them with the highest risk of domain security threats. DMARC adoption grew 6% in 2023, up 28% since 2020

With increasing volume and complexity of phishing attacks, industries continue to see value in DMARC, which validates emails and protects a companys email domain from being used for spoofing and phishing scams. This proven value can be seen in the significant growth rate of DMARC adoption over the last four yearsfrom 39% in 2020 to 67% in 2023.

With increasing volume and complexity of phishing attacks, industries continue to see value in DMARC, which validates emails and protects a companys email domain from being used for spoofing and phishing scams. This proven value can be seen in the significant growth rate of DMARC adoption over the last four yearsfrom 39% in 2020 to 67% in 2023. 46% of companies that use enterprise-class registrars also use registry lock

Registry lock enables end-to-end domain name transaction security to mitigate human error and third-party risk, and its especially effective in protecting domain names against accidental or unauthorized modifications or deletions. CSCs report emphasizes the value that enterprise-class registrars provide to companies looking to implement effective domain security and protect their brands, as only 7% of companies that use consumer-grade registrars have registry lock deployed.

Registry lock enables end-to-end domain name transaction security to mitigate human error and third-party risk, and its especially effective in protecting domain names against accidental or unauthorized modifications or deletions. CSCs report emphasizes the value that enterprise-class registrars provide to companies looking to implement effective domain security and protect their brands, as only 7% of companies that use consumer-grade registrars have registry lock deployed. 21% of DNS active subdomain records do not resolve, leaving companies vulnerable to subdomain hijacking

In addition to analyzing the Forbes 2000 list of companies, CSC analyzed over 6 million DNS records from our database and identified over 440,000 DNS records by looking at A records and CNAMEs pointing to major cloud infrastructure. This can result in a subdomain hijacking attack by bad actors.

CSCs report provides a more detailed breakdown of the highest and lowest performing industries based on the adoption of key domain security features such as having an enterprise-class registrar, registry lock, certificate authority authorization (CAA) records, DNS redundancy, DNSSEC, sender policy framework (SPF), DomainKeys identified mail (DKIM) and DMARC. The top five highest performing industries include IT software and services; media; business services and supplies; hotels, restaurants and leisure; and healthcare equipment and services. The lowest performing industries include utilities, trading companies, food markets, construction and materials.

To learn more about CSCs approach to domain security, visit cscdbs.com. Download the 2023 Domain Security Report now.

About CSC

CSC is the trusted security and threat intelligence provider of choice for the Forbes Global 2000 and the 100 Best Global Brands in enterprise domain names, domain name system (DNS), digital certificate management, as well as digital brand and fraud protection. As global companies make significant investments in their security posture, CSC can help them understand known cybersecurity oversights that exist, and help them secure their online digital assets and brands. By leveraging CSCs proprietary technology, companies can solidify their security posture to protect against cyber threat vectors targeting their online assets and brand reputation, helping them avoid devastating revenue loss, and significant financial penalties because of policies like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). CSC also provides online brand protectionthe combination of online brand monitoring and enforcement activitiestaking a holistic approach to digital asset protection, along with fraud protection services to combat phishing. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, since 1899, CSC has offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. CSC is a global company capable of doing business wherever our clients areand we accomplish that by employing experts in every business we serve. Visit cscdbs.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017103333/en/
Elegant Hotel Collection has entered the luxury soft brand market, launching with 25 luxury hotels, targeting 50 properties globally by summer 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017654803/en/

Catt McLeod Vice President Brand Development Elegant Hotel Collection (Photo: Business Wire)

The independently-owned flag will expand on a curated, invitation-only basis, creating a luxury community where individual hotels receive tailored service.

Elegant identified a gap in the luxury market and is designed to reflect a renewed perspective on high-end travel. All Elegant properties have been selected to embody the five elements of the Elegant brand  Hospitality, Authenticity, Inclusivity, Innovation, and Sustainability  echoing the demands of todays luxury travellers.

Elegant will take a dynamic approach to luxury distribution combining bespoke personalised service and global consumer and trade marketing. The group will operate on a commercial model biased toward results rather than high fixed fees to ensure a quantifiable return.

As part of an elite community of hoteliers, Elegant member hotels will have access to an array of benefits that equip them to thrive in the global competitive landscape utilising the latest technology to adapt to target demographic buying behaviour.

Catt McLeod, Vice President Brand Development, Elegant Hotel Collection said: We are thrilled to be launching the Elegant Hotel Collection and raising the profile of these exceptional hotels.

Elegant Hotel Collection offers a compelling alternative to traditional legacy brands, delivering a fresh, dynamic and comprehensive approach to luxury representation. The Elegant Hotel Collection is underpinned by a full suite of global partnerships and marketing solutions along with best-in-class technology.

Founding members of Elegant Hotel Collection include some of the most highly awarded and regarded properties, featuring: Home House, London; Rosselli AX Privilege, Malta; the Exclusive Collection (Pennyhill Park, South Lodge, Lainston House, The Manor House, Royal Berkshire and Fanhams Hall), Sunborn Hotel Gibraltar; Paresa Resort Phuket, Thailand; La Sultana Oualidia, Morocco; Cresta Palace Hotel, St Moritz; and Stapleford Park

Stephanie Hall, Group Director of Sales & Marketing at Exclusive Collection, said: We are thrilled to be a part of this community at a time when consumers are looking for brands that align not only with their values but in their quest to find new and memorable experiences that can be uniquely delivered from great boutique hotels and brands.

McLeod continued: Many independent luxury properties have been questioning the return on investment from their current representation and have been left behind in the race to find meaningful routes to market. We will enable them to find their own voice and thrive, providing personalised support, global distribution, and critically both incremental growth with a positive financial return. The key to this is enhancing the unique identities and awareness of these wonderful hotels.

The leadership team at Elegant Hotel Collection brings with it decades of experience in the hotel sector. We pride ourselves on offering creative revenue generating initiatives alongside a programme of marketing, distribution and sales which will ensure that sales channels are optimised and driving measurable returns.

Elegant has selected HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts to manage its member distribution. McLeod said: HotelREZ is the obvious choice for Elegant, allowing us to leverage its global strength while we focus on developing within the soft brand market, the partnership brings together the best of all worlds.

Mark Lewis, CEO & Founder, HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts stated: In the digital age, technology is a driving force behind the commercial success of any hotel  when used properly. Elegant Hotel Collection has rightly selected a global leader in distribution to support its growth.

Elegants luxury properties will capitalise on best-in-class distribution, worldwide partnerships, market leading personalised support, benefiting from a diversified distribution landscape. Our innovative solutions are designed to optimise Elegant Hotel Collections global reach and ensure that its handpicked, curated portfolio of unique world class hotels remain both competitive and profitable in an ever-evolving landscape. A model which focuses on performance, not high fixed costs is a refreshing change within the soft brand sector.

Elegant Hotel Collection will deliver a comprehensive brand marketing and channel distribution strategy including Booking Engine, a full suite of Web Services, GDS, OTA; multi-media and content management; RFPs; commission processing; along with a tailored account management plan detailing sales activities and marketing initiatives including social media and worldwide travel trade and consumer brand marketing through global agency representation and partnerships  of course with a fresh take on how technology can be leveraged to also drive direct business of the right customer set.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Elegant Hotel Collection

Elegant Hotel Collection is a full-service luxury soft brand committed to delivering best in class distribution operations, technology and sales and marketing services to a curated global network of unique and inspiring hotels. The independent flag is committed to sustainable, curated, invitation-based expansion centered around its four fundamental pillars - authenticity, inclusivity, innovation and sustainability. The Elegant Hotel Collection is represented worldwide under the HO GDS chain code powered by HotelREZ.

www.eleganthotelcollection.com

www.eleganthotelcollection.org (Hoteliers)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017654803/en/
Manawa Energys three NZX-listed bonds have been approved as Green Bonds by NZX today, resulting in over 80 per cent of the companys debt being classified as green.

To support the Green Bond designation, Manawa Energy (Manawa) has established a new Sustainable Finance Framework (Framework). The Framework outlines how Manawa intends to issue and manage bonds or loans in alignment with internationally recognised sustainable finance principles, including the Green Bond Principles.

The Framework enables Manawa to recognise its existing bonds as Green Bonds and also support future issuances of Green Bonds by notionally allocating an amount equal to the net proceeds of the Green Bonds to refinance or finance qualifying renewable energy assets, including hydroelectricity.

Manawa Energys Chief Financial Officer Phil Wiltshire noted that as one of Aotearoa New Zealand's largest renewable energy generators, Manawa has an important role in supporting the countrys renewable energy and emissions goals. The Green Bonds provide a way for investors to contribute capital to the energy transition and have exposure to our portfolio of renewable electricity assets.

Mr Wiltshire acknowledged the support of Westpac NZ, which acted as Sole Sustainability Coordinator. DNV provided a Second Party Opinion to confirm Manawas Framework and Green Bonds comply with the Green Bond Principles.

Westpac NZs Director of Sustainable Finance, Kate Archer, applauded Manawa for its focus on sustainability. Were delighted to work together with Manawa Energy to deliver greater renewable energy outcomes. The companys commitment to invest in the delivery of further renewable electricity, while enhancing its existing generation assets, is an important part of New Zealands transition to a low-carbon economy. The Framework enables Manawa to align these sustainability aspirations with its financing.

-ends-

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Photo: Pixabay

We have too many blind corners in our communities, says one correspondent.

And according the writer, they have had, and have seen, many near-misses because drivers cannot see around trees and shrubs when attempting to turn onto a street. It is often impossible to see cross traffic where the growth of grass and weeds forces drivers to pull too far out in order to see oncoming traffic.

Many four-way stops have hedges and trees growing (near them) sometimes blocking the view of the stop signs entirely. Property owners should be told when their bushes and trees pose a hazard to visibility and perhaps be asked to trim them, or have the city do it.

The City of Port Alberni's zoning bylaw is one example of how sight triangles at intersections there must be created and maintained.

Photo: Contributed

Notwithstanding any other section of this bylaw, on a corner lot at any street or lane intersection, except for a permitted principal building, there shall be no obstruction of the line of vision above a height of 1.25 metre (4.1 feet) and below a height of 3 metres (9.8 feet) in the triangular area contained by lines extending to points 6 metres along each lot line from the corner of the lot and a diagonal line connecting those points.

If the obstruction is from someone's property, the bylaw can be used as a remedy. When it is growing from or situated on the boulevard, then it is the municipality's responsibility.

Contact the municipality responsible and explain the difficulty. Bylaw officers will deal with the property owners and public works will do the maintenance on public property. Be persistent if no action is taken. The most effective method is likely sending a written notice to city council.

The same process works with provincial highways. The British Columbia Active Transportation Design Guide explains how sight lines are decided starting on page G10.

In that case though, the agency to advise is the road maintenance contractor, with a copy to the district office of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. It has the authority to take action under the Transportation Act.

Drivers who are faced with poor sight lines at an intersection must stop as required. Having done that, creep forward to a point where you can see without interfering with cross traffic and make a second stop. Proceed when it is safe to do so.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Contributed Ingrid Jarret, President and CEO of the BC Hotel Association

The B.C. hotel industry is taking a victory lap after the provincial government has brought in much-tighter restrictions on short-term rentals.

The new rules will force those offering short-term accommodation to live on the property they're renting and give local government additional tools to enforce bylaws.

Today is indeed a cause for celebration, said BC Hotel Association president Ingrid Jarrett in an email to members.

Jarrett called the new legislation groundbreaking and a monumental victory in our pursuit of affordable housing access for our industry.

The hotel sector has said the high cost of housing has made it hard to find and attract staff. Short-term rentals also, of course, directly compete for accommodation dollars.

We are thrilled that this legislation incorporates every recommendation that the BC Hotel Association has long championed, Jarrett said. These recommendations encompass crucial elements that will support long-term housing availability.

Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO will also now require a business license for listings, when required by the municipality, and share data with the government. A provincial registry of short-term rentals will be created.

Jarrett thanked the government for their proactive approach.

If passed, this groundbreaking short-term rental policy will not only set a new national standard but also serve as a model for the entire country, Jarrett said.

These practical, research-driven regulations are positioned to prioritize the housing needs of British Columbia's residents, returning rental housing to the long-term market  a move that benefits both our industry and employees who have faced housing challenges.
Photo: The Canadian Press Palestinian child wounded in Israeli bombardment is treated in a hospital in Deir al-Balah, south of the Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

The health ministry said at least 500 people had been killed. Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital's grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings.

The carnage came as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas' deadly rampage in southern Israel last week. It also came a day before President Joe Biden was due to visit the region to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Hamas called Tuesdays hospital strike a horrific massacre, saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time. Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch, it said.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza Citys main hospital, al-Shifa, already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia. The wounded were laid onto bloody floors, screaming in pain.

We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room. We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anesthesia, we need everything, Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospitals generators will run out Wednesday. I think Gazas medical sector will collapse within hours.

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

Hamas' Oct. 7, attack in southern Israel killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 200 captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

In protest over the purported airstrike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egypts president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan to discuss the war. Abbas Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades. Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli Embassy.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military had told Palestinians to evacuate to. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The U.N. agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south with little food or water.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the U.S., Israel and Egypt.

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israel's Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the U.N. oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Biden's visit in part aims to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.
Lucky Cement Ltd wins award for Best Corporate Report  2022

17 October 2023

Pakistans Lucky Cement Ltd has won the Best Corporate Report Award in the cement sector category at the Best Corporate & Sustainability Report Awards Ceremony  2022. The recognition was jointly announced by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP).

Atif Kaludi, CFO of Lucky Cement Ltd, said, At Lucky Cement Ltd, we consider governance, compliance, ethics, and transparency as the foundational principles of our business model. This recognition further reaffirms our unwavering dedication to upholding transparency and accountability in all operations.

The adoption of the International Integrated Reporting Framework in our report is a testament to our commitment to keeping our stakeholders well informed of our business operations and their performance. This recognition underscores our ongoing efforts to enhance transparency for all our stakeholders through our reporting, he added.

The award represents the Lucky Cements commitment to having the best corporate practices and governance, reflected by the stringent policies for IT, whistle-blowing, social responsibility, investor grievances, and safety record at the company. Furthermore, the comprehensive disclosure of the Lucky Cements operational environment, strategic objectives, risk management, and governance processes provided firm grounds for securing this recognition.

ICAP and ICMAP have been organising the Best Corporate & Sustainability Report Awards (BCSRA) ceremony since 2000. This recognition has been instrumental in encouraging entities to follow transparency in preparing their annual reports according to international best practices.

The award's objective is to encourage the publication of timely, accurate, informative, and well-presented annual reports for investors, regulators and other stakeholders and to recognise and honour such organisations for their exemplary achievement in producing such high-quality reports.

Published under
Fauji Cement Co solar facilities could yield annual savings of PKR2.1bn

17 October 2023

BMA Research has focussed on and discussed how Fauji Cement Co Ltd (FCCL) will progress and reap the benefits of various measures to improve profitability. The research house believes that FCC saw an enhanced focus on its production efficiencies through green technologies. After its recent installation, the company enhanced its solar production capacity to 40MW. With the potential to generate 60GWh annually, the solar facilities could yield annual savings of PKR2.1bn (US$7.63m).

In tandem with its installed 48MW waste heat recovery (WHR) plant, FCCL fulfils 50 per cent of its electricity requirements through cheaper energy sources.

Coal uses

Since the surge in global coal prices, FCCL has leaned on Afghan and local coal for its kiln fuel needs. During FY22-23, local coal constituted 53 per cent of the companys kiln fuel, while the remainder was fulfilled by imports from Afghanistan. BMA Research estimates that the increased use of local coal has enabled the company to yield production savings of around PKR600t (PKR30/bag). Moreover, the company is also utilising alternative fuel sources, including tyres and poultry waste, to further insulate itself from rising energy costs.

New expansions will allow market share growth

FCCLs expansion at its DG Khan site, scheduled for commissioning in the 2QFY23-24, will enhance the companys production capacity to 10.5Mta, cementing itself as the third-largest cement producer in the country. FCCL is in the process of setting up a cement manufacturing plant with a production capacity of 2.05Mta. For this purpose, the company has agreed with Hefei Cement Research & Design Institute Corporation Ltd of China for offshore equipment supply and Sinoma Handan Engineering Co Pvt Ltd of China for construction-related services.

Annual report releases

In the FY22-23 FCCL demonstrated a strong financial performance, attaining a profit after tax of PKR7.4bn compared to last years PKR7.1bn. This is despite the retrospective imposition of Super Tax having the impact of PKR1.9bn, stated by CEO/MD FCCL Qamar Haris Manzoor. The companys cement dispatches during FY22-23 were recorded at 4.8Mt.

Published under
EQS-Ad-hoc: The Social Chain AG / Key word(s): Personnel

The Social Chain AG: All three members of the Supervisory Board resign with immediate effect



17-Oct-2023 / 21:49 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Publication of insider information pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. OTHER RESTRICTIONS APPLY. PLEASE REFER TO THE IMPORTANT NOTES AT THE END OF THIS PUBLICATION.

The Social Chain AG: All three members of the Supervisory Board resign with immediate effect

Berlin, 17 October 2023 - The Management Board of The Social Chain AG ("Company") (ISIN DE000A1YC996 / WKN A1YC99) has today received a letter signed by all three members of the Supervisory Board, Mr. Stephan Brunke, Mr. Sebastian Stietzel and Ms. Henrike Luszick, in which they resign from their respective positions as members of the Supervisory Board with immediate effect. With effect from 1 October 2023, insolvency proceedings under self-administration regarding the company's assets have been initiated and the responsibilities of the Advisory Board have changed accordingly.

The Management Board will immediately file an application for the judicial appointment of members of the Supervisory Board in order to ensure that the Supervisory Board of the Company is constituted in accordance with the law and the Articles of Association.

Notifying person:

Jana Walker I Investor Relations

Alte Jakobstrae 85/86

10179 Berlin

+49 163 208 4182

ir@socialchain.de

Important notes

This announcement may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States of America (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia, "United States"), Canada, Australia, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such publication, distribution or transmission would be unlawful. This announcement does not constitute or contain an offer or solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan or in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful.

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company. The securities of the Company have already been sold.

In the member states of the European Economic Area other than Germany, this notice is only addressed to persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market ("Prospectus Regulation").

This announcement may only be distributed in the United Kingdom and is only directed at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation as that Regulation forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and who are, in addition, (i) professional investors within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended from time to time (the "Order"), or (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) or (iii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order. ) or (iii) are persons to whom a solicitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or transmitted (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This communication is directed only at Relevant Persons. Persons who are not Relevant Persons must not act or rely on this communication. Any investment or investment activity in securities of the Company is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.

This announcement does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities referred to herein 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 of the United States. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The securities referred to herein have not been approved, disapproved or recommended by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or any other U.S. regulatory authority, nor have any of the foregoing authorities evaluated or endorsed the merits of the offering of the securities referred to herein. There will be no public offering of these securities in the United States.

The securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, nationals, residents or citizens of Australia, Canada or Japan, subject to certain exceptions.

Certain statements contained herein may constitute "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements are based on the current views, expectations, assumptions and information of the Company's management, which the Company has made to the best of its knowledge and belief, but which do not purport to be accurate as of any date in the future (particularly where such forward-looking information relates to matters outside the control of the Company). Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual future results, performance or events could differ materially from those described in such statements due to various factors, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes any responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy of the views expressed or underlying assumptions made in this announcement. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release. Furthermore, it should be noted that all forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and that neither the Company nor the accompanying bank undertakes any obligation, except as required by law, to update any forward-looking statements or to conform such statements to actual events or developments. Both the Company and the accompanying bank and their respective affiliates expressly disclaim any obligation to update, revise or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contact:Jana Walker | Investor Relationsir@socialchain.com
A coalition consisting of Germany, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovenia and Latvia and the Netherlands has agreed to jointly select and purchase enough air defense systems to protect them all against missile attacks from Russia. These nations are only part of the coalition. Another nine nations in eastern Europe are making similar joint purchasing plans. The most likely purchases will be of systems like the American Patriot, the European IRIS-T, the Norwegian NASAMS and the Israeli Arrow system for use against longer range, and thus faster ballistic missiles. Iran has these and is now threatening to use them against Europe. Israel has been subject to that threat for over a decade and developed the Arrow system to deal with it.

Until Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Europe was not concerned about air defense systems because there was no threat. But the war in Ukraine involved heavy use of cruise and ballistic warheads with high-explosive warheads. In effect, these missiles were unmanned bombers that were difficult, but not impossible to stop. Western Europeans realized that they were within range of these missiles and now they had an air defense problem they could not avoid. That led to the Sky Shield Coalition.

While Patriot has been in combat before, especially during the 2003 Iraq War, it has seen a lot of combat actions since. That enabled more improvement to the system that made the Patriot more capable, especially against ballistic missiles. The European IRIS-T is undergoing a similar situation in Ukraine. The Ukrainians were quick to master the operation of both Patriot and IRIS-T systems they received. The Ukrainians had experience with Russian built systems and found Patriot and IRIS-T a major improvement. Ukraine also obtained the Norwegian NASAMS systems, which was favored because of its adaptability.

The Ukraine War was the first time there was heavy demand for the European IRIS-T SAM (Surface to Air Missile) system. Until 2022, IRIS-T found it difficult to compete against the similar and earlier NASAMS system. While demand for NASAMS was also heavy, IRIS-T was a bit cheaper and available to help NASAMS customers who did not want to wait.

This all began in 1998 when Norway pioneered the use of American AMRAAM air-to-air missiles as surface-to-air weapons and developed the fire control and launcher equipment needed to make it all work. It was a simple but very effective use of air-to-air missiles for air defense. Other air-to-air missiles have been used for ground-based air defense systems, but the Norwegian version is seen as the best of the lot. Norway has six NASAMS batteries for its own defense. Eleven other nations, like Hungary, Spain, Holland, Chile, and the United States, Finland and Lithuania also bought NASAMS before the Ukraine War. Fortunately, NASAMS was still in production but soon found itself unable to keep up with demand.

NASAMS was initially developed for the Norwegian Air Force by Norwegian firm Kongsberg, in cooperation with American partner Raytheon, which produces AMRAAM. A major upgrade, NASAMS 2, officially entered service in 2007 and since then it has gained interest in more nations.

NASAMS popularity is due to a truly open architecture that, unlike the competitor systems, allows NASAMS to be used with a wide variety of radars. Initially NASAMS used the American made MPQ-64 Sentinel radar but some customers requested a system that could work with different radars and air-to-air missiles. NASAMS has been tested and configured to work with more than 25 different radar systems and can fire just about any air-to-air missile that can be fired from NATO aircraft. All that is required are modifications to the size and electrical connections in the NASAMS launcher cells and software modification of the fire control system. Since NATO has long-established standards for NATO weapons, NASAMS takes full advantage of this.

So far NASAMS has been configured with AIM-120 AMRAAM (together with the longer-range ER variant), AIM-9X Sidewinder and the European IRIS-T. The last one is an interesting story. Norway had a big stock of the initial air-to-air version of IRIS-T for their F-16 fighters, but the new Norwegian F-35 is not compatible with IRIS-T, so they decided to use this very modern European missile as a ground-to-air anti-aircraft missile in NASAMS systems. This example clearly shows how flexible this system is while the competitor systems are tied to a limited number of missiles and radar.

A typical NASAMS battery consists of 12 launcher vehicles (each carrying six missiles), eight radar vehicles, one fire control center, and one tactical control vehicle. NASAMS does not provide protection for a large area because the max range of its missiles is 30-50 kilometers while range of battery radar target detection is up t0 160 kilometers.

Seven years later, in 2005, Germany introduced a similar and cheaper SSM system based on and called IRIS-T. The IRIS-T missile has a shorter range than NASAMs systems that use the American AMRAAM. Launched from the ground, AMRAAM has a range of 30 kilometers. The updated AMRAAM 2 has a 50 kilometers range. IRIS-T has a range of 25 kilometers.

Ukraine received both NASAMS and IRIS-T and found that both systems were equally effective at intercepting Russian missiles fired at cities. Ukraine also received the longer range (200 kilometers) Patriot air defense system. The Ukrainians found a way to use Patriot against Russian hypersonic missiles aimed at ground targets. The Russians were not expecting this and were not pleased.

One IRIS-T battery consists of three truck-mounted launchers, carrying eight missiles each. The missiles have a range of 40 kilometers or 25 miles), and a separate command vehicle that can be positioned up to 20 kilometers (12 mi) away. A NASAMS battery consists of six to nine launcher vehicles, each with six missiles in storage/launching containers. These are controlled by a radar and fire control system, each mounted on trucks.
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A home in Red Bank was destroyed by fire Monday afternoon.

A neighbor called 911 reporting the fire at 147 Lynda Ave. At 2:20 p.m., the Red Bank Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting heavy smoke coming from the basement vents and pouring out of the roof.



Red Bank fire officials requested a mutual aid response to the fire scene. Chattanooga Fire Department engine 17, Dallas Bay VFD and Signal Mountain Fire Department responded to the scene for additional manpower.



Red Bank firefighters conducted an interior attack to get the fire under control. At 2:53 p.m., Red Bank fire officials reported the fire under control.

The cause of the fire will be under investigation by the Red Bank Fire Department.

No injuries were reported but HCEMS was on the scene to check the vital signs of the firefighters.

Red Bank Fire Chief Brent Sylar reported the house is a total loss. American Red Cross was called to assist the family of three (two adults and one child) with their emergency needs.
A disorder was reported between a woman on E. Brainerd Road and her neighbor. The woman was walking her dog through the pool area and heard her neighbor upstairs calling for his cat. The woman took that as the man trying to agitate her dog. She said she called him a litany of choice profanities and called police. Police spoke with the woman and the man. Both said this has been going on for a long time (a year plus). Both feel like the other is the culprit that starts disputes. This disorder was verbal in nature.



* * *

Police were called about a vehicle blocking driveways in the 5600 block of Alabama Avenue. Police arrived on scene and made contact with the vehicle owner. Police had the owner of the vehicle move it so it was not blocking any driveways.

* * *

A man on Union Avenue told police he last saw his vehicle at his home the day before around 10 p.m., and it was left there overnight. When he went out to his vehicle that morning around 10:30 a.m., he discovered the window was broken out on the front passenger side door. No entry was made into the vehicle. There have been no estimates for repairs.

* * *

Police noticed people camping at 101 Riverfront Pkwy. Police explained to them that camping on city property is illegal. They were told not to return for camping purposes.

* * *

Police learned several vehicles were burglarized sometime through the night while parked at the Windbridge Apartment Homes, 1175 Pineville Road. The suspect(s) broke a window to make entry and rummage through the vehicles for items to steal. The following is a list of vehicles that were vandalized and items stolen from the vehicles: *Hyundai Venue (passenger side window)-nothing taken; *Nissan Frontier (passenger side windows)-Home Depot $200 gift card taken; *Subaru Outback (driver side front window)- nothing taken; *Chevrolet Silverado (passenger side front window)-nothing taken; *Ford F150 (passenger side front window)-nothing taken; *Hyundai Elantra (passenger side front window)-Network toner & wallet taken; and *Chevrolet Silverado (passenger side front window)- pouch that contained $2 in coins taken. There is no suspect information.

* * *

Officers were notified by a person of a found wallet in the area of the walking trail at 2600 Chestnut St. Officers retrieved the wallet and turned it into CPD Property for safe keeping. The wallet contained a TN drivers license for a woman.

* * *

A man on Murray Lake Lane told police that his parents have both recently passed away, and the Chevy Impala that is registered to his mother is in his possession. He said that both his parents had agreed for him to take the vehicle, prior to their passing. He said that now his nephew is attempting to try and take the vehicle and has expressed that he will be reporting the vehicle stolen so that he will be arrested when found in possession of the vehicle. Police explained to the man that only the owner of the vehicle could report it stolen and that right now the registered owner is deceased (his mother). The man plans to take the correct legal action needed to get the vehicle transferred into his ownership as soon as possible.

* * *

A manager for 7-11, 5208 Hwy. 153, told police a white male and a white female were concealing items on their person (approximately $100). The manager said she confronted the couple, who fled the store towards the hospital. Officers searched the area for the two, but were unable to locate either of them.

* * *

Vandalism was reported at Park Village Apartments, 701 N. Germantown Road. Police observed the front window of a woman's apartment was shattered. She said she heard a person bang on her door and a short time later heard the glass shatter. The unknown suspect apparently used the cover of a small, portable grill, as this was discovered inside the apartment. The base of the grill was observed outside of the apartment on the breezeway, so it appears as if this was a vandalism tool of opportunity. The woman did not have any suspect information. Police spoke with the assistant property manager at the front office of the complex. He provided police with surveillance footage of the incident occurring at 9:06 a.m. The video showed a black male exiting from a four-door white sedan and walking to the apartment door. The man can be seen knocking as reported and utilizing the grill lid to destroy the window. The man retreated back to the vehicle and exited the scene without further incident. A license plate was not able to be captured by complex cameras nor Real Time Intelligence Center cameras.

* * *

A bicycle was found abandoned at 101 Riverfront Pkwy. Police transported the bike to the Chattanooga Property Division.

* * *

A man on E. 18th Street told police he was involved in a verbal disorder with a neighbor. He said he heard and observed a silver F-150 speed through E. 18th Street, then turn around and screech to a halt. He observed a man exit the front passenger seat. The truck then left the scene. He informed the man to tell the driver to slow down. Police spoke with the neighbor and identified him. He said he was getting a ride with an Uber and that when he got dropped off, he and the man engaged in a verbal altercation. Both went into their own residences and no verbal altercation continued.

* * *

Police spoke with the staff of the Waffle House at 2024 E. 23rd St. They said there was a disorderly patron who was upset that they could not find their vape pen. Staff just wished to inform police that they had not observed this woman's vape pen.

* * *

A woman told police she was sitting in her vehicle on Greendale Way, talking on the telephone with her boyfriend. She said she saw three short people wearing ski masks walk towards her vehicle. She was unable to describe any clothing or the ethnicity of the three, but she believed they may have had guns in their waistbands. At this point, she said she put her car in reverse and began backing up, at which time the suspicious people ran away. She said the three never said anything during the encounter and, after she left, she called the police. Police searched the area for any suspicious people, without success. The woman said she was returning to her apartment while police were on scene. Police remained in the area for a time, and then cleared the scene after not locating anyone in the area.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga announced that their annual Raise the Roof fundraiser netted the non-profit more than $200,000, exceeding their goal for the event and setting a record for Habitat.

Habitat officials offered their thanks to those who helped make this years event a success. We are very thankful for the valuable guidance provided by Dr. Elaine Swafford, who served as this years chair and speaker. We are also grateful for the amazing support from our presenting sponsors, Crown Automotive Group and the Mark Hite Team. We appreciate all of the efforts that led to this years record-breaking success.

In addition, we want to thank our longtime supporter, Donna Williams, for not only sharing her inspiring story, but for her incredible donation match of $50,000," said Jens Christensen, Habitat president and CEO. "Thanks to her generosity and the generosity of all of our donors, this year, Raise the Roof literally raised a roof, and raised enough funds to build an entire home. One area family will now enjoy the incredible, life-changing benefits of home ownership thanks to this remarkable gift.

Over the past 35 years, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has built nearly 300 homes and repaired over 150 existing homes, providing more than 1,000 women, men, and children with stability and the joy and security of Habitat homeownership.

Proceeds from Raise the Roof will go directly into funding Habitat for Humanitys mission of building more decent and affordable homes for deserving families in Hamilton County.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, visit: www.HabiChatt.org.






The Hamilton County Coalition and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across Southeast Tennessee.

It will be Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees will be able to dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medications and vape pens or other e-cigarette devices.

Officials said, "For more than a decade, this event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications - those that are old, unwanted, or expired - that too often become a gateway to addiction."

We are so grateful that we are able to provide this service to our community, said Hamilton County Coalition Executive Director Camilla Bibbs-Lee. Keeping unneeded medication in the home is a safety risk that can be avoided by bringing them to a drop-off site on Drug Take Back Day.

Drug Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide.

The Hamilton County Coalition is partnering with state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies to host drop-off sites in Hamilton County and surrounding areas.

Sites:

Mt. Canaan Church  4801 SR-58, Chattanooga, TN 37416 Parkridge Camp Jordan ER  483 Camp Jordan Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37412

Food City  3901 Dayton Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37415

Food City  8634 Hwy 58, Harrison, TN 37341 Walgreens  3605 Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411

Walgreens  2289 Gunbarrel Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421

Walgreens  5301 Ringgold Rd, East Ridge, TN 37412

Walgreens  9307 S Lee Hwy, Ooltewah, TN 37363 Walgreens  5478 SR-153, Hixson, TN 37343

Greater Community Church of Chattanooga  1817 E 3rd St, Chattanooga, TN 37404

Elks Lodge #91  1067 Graysville Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421

Walmart  3034 Rhea County Hwy, Dayton, TN 37321

Walmart  16773 Rankin Ave, Dunlap, TN 37327

Leisure Time Bowling  2739 NW Keith St, Cleveland, TN 37312

Spring City Police Department  229 Front St, Spring City, TN 37381

Preferred Pharmacy  6206 US-411, Benton, TN 37307

Grundy Safe Coalition  173 College St, Monteagle, TN 37356

Sequatchie Valley Baptist Association  300 Cornerstone Dr, Jasper, TN 37347

To learn more and find a collection site near you, visit www.hccoalition.org/rx-drug-take-backevents.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) on Monday hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Mobile Training Labs at GNTCs Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton.

We are very excited about this opportunity, said Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC, adding that GNTC already has plans for the units. Textile Management Associates Inc. has already reserved use of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Lab at GNTCs Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.

GNTC, through its partnership with Endless Opportunities Inc., will use the Welding Training Lab at the Whitfield Murray Campus next week to provide 80 hours of hands-on training in Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), said Patty Hart, director of Economic Development at GNTC. Endless Opportunities is a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program funded through the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission to provide youth in Catoosa, Gordon, Murray and Whitfield counties with the knowledge and skills for a successful career.

The mobile labs will be used for both continuing education training and corporate training, said Angela Berch, vice president of Economic Development at GNTC. The labs provide an opportunity for GNTCs Office of Economic Development to complete training where its needed, when its needed.

The mobile labs are fully self-contained and can be set up anywhere as needed, including a manufacturing facility, a campus that does not offer the needed training or a prison, said Cody Holloway, director of Industrial Training at GNTC. Through the mobile labs, GNTC will offer various courses related to automation and industrial maintenance, such as Programmable Logic Controllers, Robotics and Welding.

The ultimate goal is for the labs to be a benefit to both community members by providing a pathway to better paying jobs and industry partners by providing a pipeline of skilled workers, Mr. Holloway said.

The mobile labs open the door for more individuals to receive high-demand skills desired by industry in GNTCs nine-county service area, Ms. Berch said, adding that the labs will also be used for student recruitment.

The trailers were purchased for about $600,000 each, and they contain about $800,000 in equipment, making the total investment roughly $2 million, Mr. Holloway said.

The project was funded through grants, including funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Dr. Popham said.

Technical Training Aids outfitted the Advanced Manufacturing lab, and the Welding lab was outfitted by Holston Gases Inc. and Sledge Tech, Mr. Holloway said.

The labs made their first appearance earlier this month at the Skilled Trade & Career Expo in Dalton, Berch said.

The labs support GNTCs mission to provide workforce development opportunities, non-credit continuing education and economic development throughout northwest Georgia, Ms. Berch said.

In 2020-21 GNTC borrowed one of the Technical College System of Georgias Mobile Welding labs and provided an opportunity for 24 Floyd County Prison offenders to obtain Welding certifications. The offenders planned to use the certifications and training for employment once they left the facility.
Tennessee State Parks on Tuesday unveiled a Comprehensive Strategic Plan that will guide the operation of all state parks in Tennessee for the next 10 years. Key components of the plan are focused on four cornerstones: resource stewardship, visitor experience, facilities and amenities, and operational excellence.

The parks will develop specific strategic management plans for each state park and invite input from the public about those objectives.

In-person meetings will be held at or near the individual parks to hear more about the plans from the park staff with an opportunity for public input. The public meetings are being held now until Nov. 30 and will cover each parks specific proposals. Anyone interested in the process can go to this link to view the systemwide plan, individual park plans, the meeting schedule, and access to the online survey.

Comments will be accepted through November 30 through an online survey or via mail. After the comment period, the parks will present the final plans in January.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) remains the primary steward of Tennessees natural, cultural, and historic resources, and the state parks plan is designed to meet current and emerging public needs.

We have a plan that lays out a long-term blueprint to best serve our state, said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner of TDEC. We are committed to stewarding our extraordinary natural resources and sharing Tennessees rich history and vibrant culture. We will have a parks system that reflects the foresight and planning to provide Tennesseans for generations with scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, and connections to our history. Our parks are the best system in the nation, and this plan will keep us on that path.

A theme throughout the plan is the commitment to a high-quality system that delivers world-class parks, with exceptional programming, trails, and facilities. Measures of success include being known regionally and nationally for its standard of excellence, and providing unique outdoor recreation opportunities for all, and contributing to local economies and the quality of life in Tennessee.

After the feedback from the public, the parks will adjust the site management plans for a report to the Tennessee General Assembly. The final comprehensive plan will be made available online.
The Tennessee Supreme Court held Tuesday that a property owner using his home as a short-term rental did not violate homeowner association restrictions requiring that homes be used for residential and no other purposes. However, the Court also held that the property owners short-term rentals violate later amendments to the restrictions that impose a minimum lease term of 30 days.

Four Seasons is a housing development on Center Hill Lake in Dekalb County, Tennessee.

FSD Corporation operates the Four Seasons homeowners association. Pratik Pandharipande purchased a property in Four Seasons in 2015. The property was subject to restrictive covenants that stated the property must be used for residential and no other purposes. Pandharipande began leasing his property to third-parties exclusively on a short-term basis. His leases lasted between two and 28 days. In 2018, a majority of FSDs shareholders amended the restrictive covenants by a majority vote. The amendments provided that property owners could lease their properties but imposed a minimum lease term of 30 days. Pandharipande continued to lease his property for terms of fewer than 30 days.

Pandharipande sued FSD and sought declaratory and injunctive relief. FSD counterclaimed and also sought declaratory and injunctive relief. Pandharipande argued that no restrictive covenant prohibited him from using his property for short-term rentals. FSD, by contrast, argued that both the original restrictive covenants and the 2018 amendments prohibited such use. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of FSD, holding that Pandharipandes short-term rentals violated the residential-purposes provision of the original restrictive covenants as well as the 2018 amendments. The Court of Appeals affirmed.

The Supreme Court granted Pandharipandes application for permission to appeal.

The Court first considered whether the residential-purposes provision of the original covenants prohibited Pandharipandes short-term rentals. The Court examined the text of the provision and concluded that, at best for FSD, the provision is ambiguous as to whether short-term rentals are allowed. Because restrictions on property use must be clear and unambiguous, the Court held that the residential-purposes provision does not prohibit Pandharipande from leasing his property for short terms.

The Court next considered the 2018 amendments. Pandharipande did not dispute that his short-term rentals would violate the provision imposing a minimum lease term of 30 days. He instead argued that his short-term rentals were permitted under the amendments grandfather clause, that amendments to restrictive covenants may not impose additional restrictions on property use, and that the amendments were arbitrary and capricious. The Court rejected those arguments and held that the 2018 amendments prohibited Pandharipandes short-term rentals. The Court therefore affirmed the Court of Appeals in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings.

To read the Courts unanimous opinion, authored by Justice Sarah K. Campbell, visit the opinions section of TNCourts.gov.
The 15th of October was Global Handwashing Day. Since the days of COVID-19, at the latest, everyone knows how important handwashing is for general hygiene. However, this day has not just existed since the pandemic, but already since 2008.

Hand hygiene is not only an essential issue in healthcare facilities and in everyday life. In all areas where hazardous substances have to be handled, such as in laboratories of scientific research institutions, in industry or even in the fire department, people need products other than soap to be able to remove the substances from the skin again quickly.

Two researchers from TU Dresden, Dr. Jonas Schubert and Dr. Max Schnepf, have joined forces and, in close cooperation with the Institute for Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics at TUD, have developed special, skin-friendly cleaning agents to remove hazardous substances from the skin. Together with Felix Klee, they founded the company "DermaPurge" in 2019.

On the occasion of the Global Handwashing Day, "dresden|exists" visited the founding team of "DermaPurge".

dresden|exists: Mr. Klee, you are a co-founder of DermaPurge. Briefly describe for us what the topic of hand washing has to do with your company.

Felix Klee: We at DermaPurge develop skin cleansing products that protect your skin against hazardous substances. This has something to do with the Global Handwashing Day, because there are still millions of employees in Germany alone who occasionally or regularly have to wash hazardous substances off their skin. This is not possible with conventional skin cleansers - such as soap, for example. And that's where our products come in.

dresden|exists: What products are you developing?

Felix Klee: The journey started with nano-ex. That's a patent to get rid of tiny particles from your skin. We developed this gel for laboratories where people work with nanoparticles - in research or industry, to name just a few. With nano-ex, we developed a patent with which 4-nanometer particles can be removed from the skin. Just try to imagine that.... We're talking about the thickness of a DNA strand. And such small particles, which pose a health risk, can be removed from your skin in an emergency.

The next product we developed was powder-ex. It is used in industry - including 3D printing. This is where dangerous metal powders are melted, which you want to be able to wash away reliably and, above all, gently from your skin before you go on your lunch break, for example. Another example is dental laboratories, where employees grind and polish and are not even allowed to wear gloves for occupational safety reasons. There you also need something to reliably get these substances off your skin.

Our latest patent is Pak-ex. We have developed this especially for professions that work with carcinogenic substances resulting from combustion processes, such as firefighters or chimney sweeps. Even when wearing protective clothing, the carcinogenic substances can still be absorbed through your skin. We won an award for pak-ex this year, as the best product innovation for the firefighting sector.

dresden|exists: That sounds very exciting. How did you come up with this idea and what does TUD have to do with it?

Felix Klee: TUD has contributed a great deal to our inventions. My two colleagues and co-founders Max and Jonas both completed their PhDs at TUD and developed the first patent for nano-ex while still working on their doctorates. At the time, they witnessed an accident at work in which a colleague got a certain type of nanoparticle on her skin, which could not be washed off. Back then, they worked in their after-work hours and subsequently developed the patent that we have now brought to market. I was still working at the university hospital in Dresden at the time and then joined the team to develop a marketable product. It all started at TUD.

dresden|exists: Research and development are important areas for you. What projects do you have coming up in the near future?

Max Schnepf: We have two major projects in the development pipeline right now. One is a product that can be used to remove chemical warfare agents from the skin. We are working with the German armed forces on this, because they currently have a problem with their existing products. The products they are currently using are relatively irritating to the skin because the chemical warfare agent must be destroyed after treatment. We are currently conducting research to develop a product that both destroys a warfare agent and does not stress the skin quite so much.

The second major project is a refinement of nano-ex and powder-ex - a cosmetic product for the consumer sector. The idea is that people who live in big cities and are therefore exposed to a lot of smog or other environmental influences, such as fine dust, can wash these substances off their skin more easily. Anyone who has ever been to a big city, for example in Asia, knows what we are talking about.

dresden|exists: Didn't you once carry out a pilot project on hand washing at a kindergarten? Could you tell us about it?

Jonas Schubert: We came together in March 2020, at the beginning of the Corona pandemic. Our powder-ex and nano-ex products have the property of being are very colorful. We had the idea of using this colored effect, the indicator effect. This way, you can see whether you have washed your hands properly. We wanted to apply this effect to a normal hand cleanser. For this purpose, we developed a product here in Dresden in cooperation with the company LiiL, which sells its products under the brand name Dresdner Essenz, and then offered it on the market. We also went to a kindergarten to show the children how to wash their hands properly. We even received an award for our "learning soap" as part of the Else Kroner Fresenius Foundation's special call for entries on "Improving hygiene in hospitals or outpatient facilities".

dresden|exists: What did you learn from this project?

Felix Klee: When it comes to hand washing, I have noticed that the visual feedback, i.e. that you can really see where the soap has already been rubbed in, leads to you cleaning your hands much more attentively.
A new environmental report from Fraunhofer FFB focuses on sodium-ion batteries as an alternative battery technology. The researchers examine the technological characteristics of the battery as well as the activities in research and industry related to this technology - from the production of materials and cells to the emergence of user markets. The environmental report was prepared as part of the overall "FoFeBat" project funded by the BMBF.

The demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIB) is growing rapidly. According to astudy by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, annual demand is expected to rise to 6,000 GWh per year by 2040. To meet this enormous demand for battery storage capacity or battery cells, not only a large number of battery cell factories are needed, but also a secure, economical and sustainable supply of raw materials. Given the high demand for lithium and the associated supply challenges, the question of alternative battery technologies that do not require lithium is extremely relevant.

In the search for alternatives, extensive activities in research and industry are particularly evident with regard to sodium-ion batteries (SIB). In these batteries, the rare lithium is replaced by sodium, which is widely available worldwide. Several new industrial players, also known from LIB production, are already producing prototypes or have already started SIB production. According to cell manufacturers, announced global production capacities for SIB cells amount to 75 GWh by 2030.

The newly published environmental report, which was prepared in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, the Chair of PEM at RWTH Aachen University and the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, first examines current research activities and related patents and publications in Europe and worldwide. The report then focuses on the characteristics of the industry groups (1) raw material extraction and material development or production, (2) cell development and production, and (3) applications and integration concepts. For each group, current innovations or goals, R&D challenges, and research and industry players in the field are analyzed. The report also shows to what extent Fraunhofer FFB's different innovation paths can support industry in solving R&D challenges at the threshold of industrial applicability of process technologies. The environmental report answers a number of questions regarding the future potential of SIB cells.

How are SIB cells different from LIB cells? SIB cells are characterized by good resource availability, safety and deep discharge capability. In terms of materials, sodium is available in Germany in almost unlimited quantities and thus at low cost, e.g. in the form of sodium chloride, i.e. table salt, or sodium carbonate (soda). The higher availability of sodium (compared to lithium) makes it an easily accessible and potentially scalable starting material for energy storage systems. However, sodium does not have the energy density of lithium. This means that the SIB cell can provide less energy than a comparable LIB cell. As a result, research is currently focused on increasing the energy density.

What are the potential applications for SIB cells? The range of market forecasts for SIB analyzed in the environment report is very wide. Much of the technological progress has been driven by Asian companies. In the medium term, SIBs will not match the performance of LIBs. However, they can play to their strengths, especially in stationary energy storage and cylindrical battery cells used in small appliances and power tools. Lithium-ion batteries, which are already on the market, have a much higher energy density on a mass basis, so they can cover a wider range of applications. However, the two technologies are not in competition with each other, but rather serve a strong growth market synergistically. Especially for urban mobility solutions and home storage, sodium-ion batteries can be an attractive solution due to their potentially lower price, explains Dr. Moritz Schaefer, researcher at Fraunhofer FFB's Materials Group.

What is the contribution of the European R&D innovation landscape to enable SIB's rapid entry into an economically and strategically independent market? In its function as an accelerator unit, Fraunhofer FFB supports industry in solving R&D challenges at the threshold of industrial technology exploitation. For this purpose, German and European industrial partners have access to various innovation paths of Fraunhofer FFB, such as bilateral contract research, participation in funding measures in battery research or industrial scaling in national and European programs. They are designed to help shorten the duration of innovation cycles.

Dr. Florian Degen, Division Director Strategy and Corporate Development at Fraunhofer FFB, points to the need for further funding and expansion of R&D activities to enable entry into an independent European market: In Germany and Europe, the conditions for the success of sodium-ion batteries are in place. How prices and the supply chain for LIB materials develop in the future will be decisive for the development of an SIB industry. This makes it all the more important to promote cooperation between industry and research, so that German manufacturers can enter the production of sodium-ion batteries at an early stage and use this technology to complement the battery market.
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A Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine is seen at a pharmacy in Cypress, Texas on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Fall 2023 vaccination season is in full swing, with health officials in the U.S. urging both an updated COVID-19 shot and flu vaccine for most everyone. New this year are vaccines for older adults and women in late pregnancy to guard against another virus named RSV.
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Sibling relationships can get really complicated and hard to maintain when parents divorce, and everyone is forced to split up.

One teenager tried to explain to her half-sister that she wasnt invited on a family vacation because of their childhood years spent apart, and she only ended up making things worse.

Shes 18 and has a 26-year-old half-sister. They both share the same dad. After her dad and her sisters mom divorced, her sister went to live with her mom full-time, so they grew up four hours apart.

I only saw her a week out of the year growing up, she explained.

She would attend some holidays with our dads side of the family. Once she graduated high school nine years ago, she lived with our dad, and I was seeing her all the time. Thats when we built our relationship.

Ever since she was a little girl, she was always very close to her aunt and uncle on her dads side. They have a son whos around her age, and every summer, shed stay with them out of state. During the years her sister lived far away, she never got to join her in visiting her aunt and uncle for various reasons.

However, her sister has been around a lot more since moving back nine years ago. But despite that, her aunt and uncle seem to have forgotten about her.

She recently graduated high school and celebrated at a family graduation party with her dads side of the family. During the party, her uncle revealed he had booked a trip for her and his family to go to Hawaii.

She had no idea her sister wasnt aware of the Hawaii trip, and when she found out that not only was it happening, but she also wasnt invited, she was hurt.

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By now you will have heard of slaughtered Israeli babies, seen the graphic video of a kidnapped Jewish teenager being pulled by her hair with what appears to be blood between her legs, read of the 85-year-old grandmother taken to the Gaza strip without her medicines to die alone and in great pain.

By now you will know that Hamas terrorists have shot children, raped women, snatched infants from their families. By now you may have heard the account of one survivor of the massacre at the music festival: The guy who was with me didnt stop crying and begging for his life.  And then he didnt scream anymore. They murdered him in front of my eyes.

At this writing, Hamas has killed more than 1,400 Israelis, injured 3,000, and is holding around 200 hostage. This attack has been called Israels 9/11. It could equally be called its Dunkirk, the beginning of a war for survival whose outcome is uncertain.

For Christians watching these horrors from afar, it is imperative to condemn the evil perpetrated by Hamasand to recognize that it must be resisted.

This should go without saying, but some American Christians refuse to denounce Hamas for its barbaric atrocities. A statement from the Episcopal Church in the United States, for example, mentions a time of violence but fails to say that Hamas was its instigator, suggests that occupation is the underlying cause, and charges that Israels response is disproportionate. The United Methodist Church similarly refers merely to an escalation of violence and urges both sides not to resort to further violence.

No further violence? Would we say the same if a terrorist group killed a proportionate number of Americans? (Scaled to our population, thatd be about 40,000 dead.) As The Wall Street Journals Elliot Kaufman contends, equivocation about the evil of Hamas is arguably a call for Israel to surrender instead of fighting back, because then Israels enemies will return to resume their massacres.

Thats not the only part of such equivocations which deserves scrutiny. Is occupation the cause of Hamass savagery? It cannot be, for Israel stopped occupying Gaza in 2005, and Hamas has run that city-state since 2007.

But more importantly, speaking of occupation suggests to many that Hamas wants to share the land with Jews. Yet Hamas declares openly that it wants to drive every last Jew into the seathis is the meaning of the popular sloganand kill all who try to remain.

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This is not an unfair allegation from the groups enemies. Article 7 of Hamass own founding charter quotes a saying of the prophet Muhammad: The Day of Judgment will not come about until Moslems [sic] fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say, O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.

And Hamas has not drifted from its antisemitic roots. The senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk said in 2021 that his organization wants Israel to come to an end just like it began. This war that Hamas has launched on Israel is not about occupation. It is about the elimination of the state of Israel and all its Jews.

So is Israels planned responseto destroy Hamasdisproportionate? Article 51 of the United Nations Charter states that any nation has an inherent right to defend itself against armed attack. The response needs to satisfy the principle of proportionality, which involves avoiding as much as possible the killing of noncombatants.

More than any other world power, Israel has gone out of its way to avoid killing civilians. But that is impossible when Hamas uses human shieldsboth Palestinian and, now, Israeli hostagesby putting its command centers in hospitals and schools and mosques. Hamas is now ordering Gazan civilians not to move to escape Israeli bombs.

This is why simply comparing the number of Palestinian and Jewish civilians killed misses the point. Hamas deliberately targets civilians, while Israeli forces try to minimize civilian casualties. And even when those efforts fail, Hamas is responsible for Palestinian civilian deaths because it cruelly forces Gaza residents to remain with terrorists whom Israel will rightly target.

Hamass desire to destroy Israel has brought only war and death to the Palestinians, writes Middle Eastern scholar Bassam Tawil. To achieve its goal of murdering Jews and eliminating Israel, Hamas appears ready to sacrifice endless numbers of Palestinians.

These distinctions matter deeply for Christians response to the war. First, we are called by both Testaments to hate evil. Proverbs says to fear the Lord is to hate evil (Prov. 8:13), and the apostle Paul urges us to hate what is evil (Rom. 12:9). We should hate the evil of Hamasand not be afraid to say so publicly.

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It is not hyperbolic to compare Hamass antisemitism to Nazism, for, in fact, Hamas comes out of the Muslim Brotherhood, which counted among its early leadership in Israel Amin al-Husseini, the mufti of Jerusalem, who was paid by the Nazis to make radio broadcasts that urged Muslims to kill Jews everywhere.

Opposing Hamas is not Islamophobia. There are many Muslims who also hate Hamas and hope Israel destroys it. We can seek the destruction of the Nazi-like Hamas without demonizing all Muslims.

Jesus hated evil. He commended John in Revelation 2 for hating the works of the Nicolaitans which I also hate (v. 6). These were works of idolatry and sexual immorality (vv. 1415).

Jesus also suggested he was not a pacifist but believed, as Ecclesiastes puts it, there is a time for war (3:8). In his parable of the wicked tenants, he said the vineyard owner punished the tenants who had killed his servants and then his son by bring[ing] those wretches to a wretched end (Matt. 21:41). This is the same Jesus whose robe is dipped in blood and from whose mouth comes a sword that slays the wicked (Rev. 19:13, 21)and the same Jesus who, according to Jude, destroyed those who did not believe (v. 5, ESV).

While Jesus calls us to love our enemies, this love does not mean we do not hate evil. It does not contradict the tragic need for nations to defend themselves against those who seek their elimination.

This is a bit of the biblical grounding (there is much more) for a second Christian response: analyzing this conflict within the framework of the just war tradition.

Fundamental to that tradition is the idea that the genocidal attempt to exterminate a people, nation, or ethnic minority is always a great moral evil. This is precisely what Hamas intends and precisely what Israel is trying not to do.

A second principle of just war is that of discrimination: Noncombatants should never be directly and intentionally targeted. Yet again, this is what Hamas did in its horrific attacks on babies, children, unarmed women, and the elderly, while Israel warns innocent Gazans to flee before it attacks.

A third principle is proportionality: Retaliation should be proportionate to the harm suffered, and secondary effects, such as unintentional killing of civilians, must be proportional to the military advantage of the attack. Israels purpose is to defend itself against an enemy bent on its elimination, which makes its war against Hamas justified. And when Hamas uses Gazan civilians as human shields, it is Hamas that is disproportionate in its brutal endangerment of its own people.

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Finally, Christians should recognize that Hamass war on Israel is also a war on Christians. Its aim is the elimination of Christianity from this planet. We are not talking about liberating our land alone, a co-founder of Hamas, Mahmoud al Zahar, said last year. The entire 510 million square kilometers of planet Earth will come under [a system] where there is no injustice, no oppression, no Zionism, no treacherous Christianity (emphasis mine).

Jewish tradition has a saying: Whoever is kind to the cruel will be cruel to the kind. Christians agree it would not have been just to be kind to Nazism, and we must equally support our elder brothers in Israel in their determination to end the cruelties of Hamas.

Gerald McDermott is an Anglican theologian who teaches at Jerusalem Seminary and Reformed Episcopal Seminary. He is the author of A New History of Redemption: The Work of Jesus the Messiah Through the Millennia.
Catholic Church seeing 'troubling' decline in attendance, except in these states

While Catholic Church enrollment continues to decline in the Northeast, it has experienced a rapid resurgence in South Florida as the Hispanic population increases.

In a piece published on Substack Thursday, Pastor Ryan Burge presented data outlining the changes in the share of Americans who identify as Roman Catholic by state from 2008-2022.

Based on information that Burge collected from the Cooperative Election Study, only six states saw an increase in the percentage of Americans who adhere to Catholicism: Vermont, Idaho, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Arizona and Tennessee. Increases in the percentage of Americans who practice Catholicism ranged from 1% in Arizona and Tennessee to 4% in Vermont.

Meanwhile, all other states saw a decrease in the share of Americans who identify as Catholic. The declines were most pronounced in Hawaii, home to a 20% drop in the number of Americans who identify as Catholic, followed by Connecticut at 16% and Montana at 12%.

Burge also examined the share of weekly Catholic Mass attendees by state. The percentage of Catholic Americans who go to church once a week in Alaska rose from 15% in 2008-2010 to 36% from 2020-2022. Similarly, the share of Americans who go to church weekly in Hawaii was 13% from 2008-2010, increasing to 32% in 2020-2022.

Other states that saw increases in weekly Catholic church attendance were Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Wyoming had the largest decline in the percentage of adults who attend Catholic Mass weekly, dropping from 42% in 2008-2010 to 17% in 2020-2022. Rhode Island had a similar decline in weekly church attendance among Catholics, plummeting from 47% in 2008-2010 to 25% in 2020-2022.

In addition to presenting data on a state-by-state basis, Burge examined statistics at the county level in three states: Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Florida. County-level data studied by Burge consisted of the change in the number of Catholic Church adherents from 2010-2020. Massachusetts is just a bloodbath. In really every county in the state, he wrote. The only exception is Plymouth County, where the church is up 1%.

Most of the states counties experienced declines of double-digit percentage points when it comes to Catholic adherence, with one county witnessing a 19% drop. A similar pattern emerged in much larger Pennsylvania, with a pronounced decline in much of the state with a few exceptions. In one county, adherence to Catholicism plummeted by 29%.

Burge identified Florida as a counter narrative when it comes to the decline of the Church, noting that there were 42 counties in the state that saw an increase in the share that are Catholic. He asserted that data from the United States Census Bureau in 2010 and 2020 as well as from the Religion Census from those same years reveals that the increasing Hispanic population is playing a role in changing the religious demographics of the state.

Burge detailed how this trend is specifically concentrated in the South: There are tons of counties in Texas that are more Catholic today than they were a decade ago. Thats also true in Florida and up through the Carolinas, as well.

As Hispanic share increases, so does the Catholic growth rate. In counties where the Hispanic share grew about 2 percentage points, the Catholic adherence rate stayed flat. However, as Hispanic migration increased, so did the Catholic share. Among counties where Hispanics were up 3 percentage points, Catholic growth was in the double digits.

Counties where Catholics made huge gains include the heavily Hispanic Miami-Dade County, where the number of Catholics rose by 8% in a 10-year period. Other counties in the southern part of the state witnessed even larger gains in Catholicism: Collier (21%), Monroe (15%) and Hendry (11%).

The trajectory that I am seeing with Catholics in the United States is definitely inconsistent, he added. There are clearly big swaths of the country where the Church is losing market share at an incredibly rapid rate. However, there are regions of the United States [where] Catholics are gaining ground. Thats certainly the case in the South.

As for the parts of the country where the Church is losing market share at an incredibly rapid rate, Burge pointed to places that are closer to Canada than Mexico. He pointed to big dips all over the Northeast, but even through the Rust Belt as well.

For Catholics, this data provides an increasingly mixed portrait, he concluded. Reasons for hope and reasons for despair. That seems to be where most of the data about American religion is pointing to right now, as well.
Liberty U threatened with $37.5M fine over alleged Clery Act violations, president says

Liberty University President Dondi E. Costin says the private Evangelical institution has been threatened with an "unprecedented" $37.5 million fine by the U.S. Department of Education for alleged Clery Act violations following the publication of a leaked report accusing a former president of rape and other school officials of destroying evidence.

"The leak is intentionally aimed at laying the groundwork for an unprecedented fine and the report is filled with factual errors that the department has admitted to Liberty in their negotiations," Costin said in an interview with Fox News published Monday.

The Clery Act is a consumer protection law passed in 1990 requiring colleges and universities to report campus crime data, support victims of violence and outline policies enacted to improve campus safety, according to the Clery Center.

In its preliminary review of Liberty University's compliance with the Clery Act between 2016 and 2022, copies of which were obtained by both USA Today and The Washington Post, government officials alleged that Liberty University destroyed evidence after the inquiry began in the spring of 2022.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Education also allege the Lynchburg, Virginia-based university founded by Jerry Falwell Sr. failed to warn the community about gas leaks, bomb threats and individuals who have been credibly accused of repeated acts of sexual violence.

Costin said the report is primarily "based on purely anecdotal information" and was leaked to "poison the well" and influence the outcome of ongoing negotiations with the Education Department.

"The most damaging element of this whole process is the fact that for the first time that any of us are aware, the Department of Education leaked a preliminary report while we are in the process of negotiating with the department about all the advancements that we've made. And so that's the biggest issue," Costin said.

"They are making claims about our intentions. They're claiming that we acted in bad faith. I think there are a number of factual errors in the report. For instance, they are assuming that individuals who are making these claims are accurate and honest and transparent without exception, when in fact, much of the assertions that they've made are based on purely anecdotal information."

Costin said because the report has been leaked to the public, the university hasn't "had the opportunity to respond in a way that would allow us, at least in a public setting, allow us to counter these assertions that have been made with factual errors."

"I would say, in bad faith, and in many cases, there are misstatements of legal requirements," Costin added.

The investigation of Liberty University's compliance with the Clery Act also highlights complaints about the school's student honor code, which prohibits sex outside marriage.

"Sexual relations outside a biblically ordained marriage, romantic displays of affection with a member of the same sex (e.g., hand-holding, kissing, dating, etc.), and actions confirming denial of biological birth sex (e.g., asking to be referred to by pronouns inconsistent with one's birth sex, using restrooms and changing facilities reserved for persons other than one's birth sex, etc.) are prohibited by The Liberty Way," the 25-page document reads in part.

The Education Department states that student complainants contend the school's guidelines discourage sexual assault victims or witnesses from coming forward.

When asked earlier this month if a copy of the preliminary report and specific disagreements Liberty University has with the findings could be provided, a Department of Education spokesperson told The Christian Post that "the U.S. Department of Education does not comment on pending institutional oversight activities, program reviews, or investigations."

Costin said Liberty University seeks to lower the potential fine through an appeals process.
Max Lucado shares how Christians should respond to Hamas attack, global conflict

Pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado has outlined ways Christians should respond amid global conflict  something he says is a "signal of the coming end of this age"  from the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia to the recent attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas.

We live in ever-present fear of worldwide destruction. Let one person press one button and nuclear disaster could happen. Russia has invaded Ukraine. China is threatening Taiwan. Israel feels pinched by Hamas to the south and Hezbollah to the North, Lucado, the leader of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, wrote in an op-ed published by Fox News.

Cain was violent first. We are violent still. Yet in the last few decades, the world has seen violence escalate to new levels. The phrase nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom is a Hebrew idiom for a world war. A global conflict is a signal of the coming end of this age, the pastor wrote.

Despite the seemingly endless bad news, the pastor said he has some good news: Jesus, the one who warned of these days will deliver us from these days, Lucado emphasized.

The birth pains will continue. The frequency of deception and division will increase, but Jesus will protect us until he comes, and He will deliver us once he comes. For that reason, Jesus spoke this next phrase, See to it that you are not troubled (Mt.24:6).

Lucado shared three ways Christians should respond to such turmoil.

First make sure that you are saved. Jesus Christ died on the cross for sinners like you and me. He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives." (2 Pet. 3:9), he stressed.

Second, he encouraged believers to Pray for peace in Jerusalem" (Ps. 122:6.)

Israel is special to God by covenant. Jesus was born there. He died there. He rose from and will return there. Its no wonder that the tiny nation of Israel has been the most disputed land in history. It is the staging ground of Gods story of salvation. Pray urgently for the nation of Israel, he wrote.

Finally, Lucado reminded Christians, Dont panic, adding: Dont let the chaos weigh you down. Hold on. Hang tight.

Lucado is one of many prominent U.S.-based pastors to urge Christians in the West to stand with Israel after Hamas invaded the Jewish state on Oct. 7, killing some 1,400 Israelis. On Monday, Israel said at least 199 people are being held hostage by the terrorist group in Gaza.

In retaliation, Israel launched a series of air attacks on Gaza and cut off water and electricity to the enclave.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that at least 2,670 Palestinians have been killed and 9,600 wounded since the fighting began. In an earlier update, the ministry said the death toll included 724 children and 458 women.

On Thursday, Southern Baptist Convention leaders, including SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Brent Leatherwood, SBC President Bart Barber and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler, took the lead in releasing a statement condemning the attacks by Hamas and expressing their support for Israel's "right and duty to defend itself against further attack."

"In the wake of the evil and indefensible atrocities now committed against the people of Israel by Hamas, we, the undersigned, unequivocally condemn the violence against the vulnerable, fully support Israel's right and duty to defend itself against further attack, and urgently call all Christians to pray for the salvation and peace of the people of Israel and Palestine," the statement said, in part.

ERLC President Emeritus Richard Land, who signed the statement, voiced his solidarity with the Jewish community, which he said had been distressed by the lack of global outrage.

"I've been contacted by several of my Jewish friends. And they're disturbed," Land told The Christian Post. "They're very concerned that there hasn't been more outrage and there hasn't been more condemnation of these atrocious acts."

"Hamas is a terrorist organization," he continued. "They don't want to negotiate with the Israelis. Hamas wants to drive the Jews into the sea and eradicate them. They are promoting genocide. They're even worse than the Nazis because at least the Nazis tried to hide what they were doing. Hamas is promoting what they're doing. Israel has every right to defend itself against the savagery.

Last week, American Evangelical leader Johnnie Moore called on the European Union to step up its support for Israel following the attacks which he said "materially involved" Iran.

Moore urged the EU to give Israel all the support it needs now, designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hamas as terrorist organizations and prevent any future EU funds from going to Hamas.

If the representatives cause harm, then punish the Islamic Republic [of Iran], Moore added.

Moore also called for the renewal of United Nations restrictions on ballistic missiles to Iran and a return to sanctions, which he said was more than justified.

He warned Hamas attacks on Israel could again mark the end of justice unless the world now joins in a collective response.

There is no place for moral ambiguity here, he added. This is the time to choose.
What is biblical submission in marriage? Pastor details what healthy marriages should look like

Pastor Aaron Graham of The District Church in Washington, D.C., recently preached a sermon about marriage, submission, "headship" and how families flourish when the father leads by example by taking the initiative as a servant leader submitted to Christ.

In progressive enclaves such as the nation's capital, the word submission, as defined in Ephesians 5:21-22 can often be misunderstood, especially "when we fail to read what it says before and after."

Submission, however, is not justification for either the husband or the wife to accept abuse or violence within a marriage, he added.

"Let me just say, man or woman, if you're in a marriage that is truly abusive and violent, you can get help. One of the most loving things you can do is draw a boundary in the relationship and say this must change for this relationship to continue. And you need to say to your partner, 'You have to get help and you have to do something that I can't do for you now.'"

"I want to go through what submission is and isn't because we can get so tripped up on that word," he reiterated.

Graham defined a "kingdom man" as "a man who lives under the Lordship of Christ while boldly advancing God's agenda in every sphere of his life."

"If a husband has to resort to the bare assertion of his authority like, 'I'm the boss,' that's a sign of deeper problems in your marriage. And the interesting thing is that the most healthy and committed marriages, the man has a revelation that he's responsible, that he's accountable before God," Graham said.

"[He] has a very high view of marriage and his role, which typically is a more conservative position. And yet, the research shows that the healthiest marriages, the way he engages in the marriage with his wife is very egalitarian relationally, not pulling rank  mutual submission," he added.

Graham said Christian husbands "are fighting a greater enemy in the spiritual realm who is out to divide your marriage and to divide your family."

"As a kingdom man, you need to stand guard in your home in prayer against the enemy and protect your family from the attacks of the evil one," said the pastor.

While many men do not want to express a "toxic" view of manhood in their marriages, Graham noted, it is difficult "to know what a positive vision of manhood looks like."

One aspect of this positive manhood is the word "engaged," according to Graham, namely that a good Christian husband seeks to be "staying engaged in the relationship."

Addressing his remarks to believing husbands, Graham said, "If your marriage is suffering, nine times out of 10, you have the power to turn your marriage around."

"If you take the initiative to say, 'We're going to go get help, I'm going to go get help, I'm going to do whatever it takes,' and really mean it and really get vulnerable and really take time to listen to what's going on in your wife's heart, that is the spark a relationship needs in order to be revived," Graham said.

Graham said a significant problem for many men today is "disengagement," specifically "emotional disengagement, and even at a deeper level, spiritual disengagement."

Graham mentioned that a biblical example of a man who was disengaged can be found in Genesis 3, when Adam hides from God after he ate the forbidden fruit along with his wife, Eve.

"God asks the man in Genesis 3, 'Where are you?' Not because God doesn't know where Adam is physically, but because He knows he is spiritually and emotionally hiding," Graham said.

"In his fear, in his shame, rather than taking responsibility for addressing things that God has commanded he take care of, the man blames the woman, says 'she made me eat it.'"

Graham argued that Adam's fall "happens because the man failed to submit to God's lordship" and that one of the consequences was that there is "tension in the marriage now."

Graham said that "there are too many men today who have received Christ as Savior but have not committed to following Him as Lord," adding that men need "to be first submitted to Christ."

"Committed Christians who believe in the Bible and attend church regularly have the best marriages in virtually every area  intimacy, emotional connection, parenting, happiness  because they have such a high view of marriage, they do the work to learn how to improve their relationship," Graham advised.

"[Paul] says in [Ephesians 5] verse 21, 'submit to one another, out of reverence for Christ.' In other words, it starts with our submission of Christ. And then, there's this mutual submission to one another; that's a reflection of our submission to Christ."

Graham said that misinterpreting the Ephesians passage can often lead to a lot of negative consequences in marriages, such as "women staying in abusive and violent marriages" and "men justifying doing some really awful things."

"If you're in a marriage that is truly abusive and violent, you can get help. And one of the most loving things you can do is draw a boundary in the relationship and say, 'This must change for this relationship to continue.' And you need to say to your partner, 'You have to get help, and you have to do something that I can't do for you,'" Graham said.

The pastor said it's important for men to recognize that submission does not mean women are inferior to men, pointing to the example of the Trinity and Persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

"Jesus came under God to carry out the divine plan of salvation. But, this doesn't mean that Jesus was any less God," he said.

Graham also clarified that "submission doesn't mean that a man is the head of all women," and it does not mean that a husband has "authority over your wife in anything and everything."

When a man does have authority, Graham said it "has to be consistent with the Word of God" and warned that "a man who is not under the leadership and guidance of the local church is not living under the headship of Christ."

"Since Christ is the Head of the Body of Christ, that's where we experienced the fullness of Christ. The other thing that submission or headship is not is it's not one-way accountability, right, where you're holding a woman accountable to something that you're not willing to do," Graham warned. "That's called a double standard. And it's one of the major reasons that causes breakdown in the family."

"Headship means being engaged and taking responsibility," he continued. "Of course, there's a joint responsibility in marriage. No marriage works unless the husband and wife are working together as a team."
Raymond Arroyo unveils true origin of presidential turkey pardon in new book, urges families to read together

At a time when important historical figures are often relegated to the background, Raymond Arroyo is on a mission to teach children about the heroes who helped form and shape the United States and its values.

Arroyo, a bestselling author and the host of EWTNs "The World Over," recently released the second installment in his Turnabout Tales series, a biography of Tad Lincoln, the youngest son of President Abraham Lincoln. Titled The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln,the illustrated book follows the story of the child responsible for an enduring national holiday tradition  the presidential turkey pardon.

Part of the reason I wanted to write this story and the Turnabout Tale Series series are historic figures, historic lives, and I love that kids have embraced them, educators have embraced the books, and parents and grandparents, because we shouldn't lose these people, Arroyo told The Christian Post.

When people lose their common understanding of their founding, the foundations they stand upon, if you don't have a common story and common heroes, you don't have anything. We have nothing to stand upon. And that's where division and fractures come from. We need to pass these people and their lessons and their lives to a new generation.

According to Arroyo, historic tales of young lives, particularly those facing challenges, serve as reminders that obstacles are merely beginnings. These tales, he said, spotlight the pivotal decisions these young figures made, which often led to game-changing historical moments.

For example, the book touches on the death of Tads brother, Willie, and the moral struggles of leadership Tad witnessed his father go through during the Civil War.

When young people are faced with a crisis or dilemma, they think that's the end of their journey. No, that's the beginning of your journey, Arroyo said. So each of these stories takes these historic figures and shows you the challenge they faced, the decision they made, and then how all of history was turned as a result of that.

Though the origin of the White House's annual turkey pardon is often incorrectly attributed to former Presidents John F. Kennedy or Harry Truman, it can be traced back to the father-son relationship of the Lincolns, he added. Arroyo said he wanted to focus on the influence Tad had on his father during the tumultuous Civil War era.

This tradition is really an emblem of the affection and love and the mercy and forgiveness that the father taught the son and later, the son taught the father, the author said.

Its important to know the origins of why we do the things we do, whether that's Christmas traditions or American traditions, and these figures. It's a way for families and kids to understand the power of a child in your family, in your life, and the marks that a child can leave not only on the president of the United States but on an entire nation long after they're gone. I thought that's an important story to tell.

Underneath it, kids are learning something about history, about a critical moment in our history when troops were surrounding the White House. There was an advancing army on the other side of the river; they were contending with real challenges, and they found hope in the midst of those challenges, and that hope was found in the family.

The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln follows the first book in the Turnabout Tales Series, The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison. The book highlights the support of Edisons mother, Nancy Edison, who understood Thomas had a special curiosity and went on to school him at home to help expand his worldview and understanding of all things nature and science.

Edison was a boy who was written off as an idiot, and his mother saw the promise and the inventiveness of his mind and gave him the tools to tinker and play and create and innovate, Arroyo said. That was the end of his schooling, but look at the innovations he created. [The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln] is about a boy who was just allowed to play, and he absorbs those lessons and reminds his father of mercy and forgiveness at a critical time.

Emphasizing the importance of reading these tales, Arroyo, a father of three, said hes an advocate for family reads  books that cater to all ages. The underlying intent, he said, is to foster bonding and conversations that organically arise from these stories.

This book is sweet. It's fun. There's a lot of slapstick, he said. Tad Lincoln ran wild in the White House. A Lincoln staffer said, Why are you letting this hellion run all over the place? As I explored that and studied it, I realized why, and it was because Tad Lincoln was a touchstone of normalcy, a touchstone of joy and fun in the hellscape that Lincoln was living in of the war, the loss of a child and so much else.

Children are important facets of our lives. And I hope not only do people appreciate what the Lincolns gave us, and Tad Lincoln's role in it, but the power of the children in your own lives if you'd let them just be kids, that's all they're supposed to do. And that's enough. And it's an important gift to us as adults and parents and mentors.

The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln is now available.
Orthodox Anglican bishops grieve over 'disastrous decision' to commend same-sex blessings

Orthodox Anglicans have voiced dismay over last Monday's decision by the House of Bishops in the Church of England to agree in principle to commending Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples.

In a statement, the network said that the House of Bishops had "betrayed their office" and their consecration vows to protect the flock.

The bishops "are not fit for office" and "stand under judgment," they said.

The statement was issued jointly by Bishop Andy Lines, of the Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE); Bishops Stuart Bell and Ian Ferguson, of the Anglican Convocation Europe (ACE); and Bishops Tim Davies and Lee McMunn, of the Anglican Mission in Europe (AMiE).

"This action is offensive to the God of love. It replaces his wonderful gospel of grace with a distorted message, blessing what God calls sin. This is heart-breaking, wicked and outrageously arrogant," the statement continued.

"Together the House of Bishops have embraced heresy by departing from the clear teaching of Scripture on matters of sexual conduct. As a result, they have betrayed their office."

The bishops added that it was "seriously misleading and distorted" to appeal for reconciliation among Anglicans without repentance.

"To appeal to the cross as the grounds to 'remain together as one Church in our uncertainty,' and, as a reason for embracing sin and failing to call for repentance, is an astonishing and blasphemous corruption of the grace of Christ and an entirely different gospel," they said.

The statement called for repentance from the House of Bishops and urged orthodox bishops to "publicly dissent and distance themselves" from other bishops backing "these dangerous prayers."

"We continue to pray for our faithful brothers and sisters in the Church of England as they weep, resist this apostasy and trust our Sovereign Lord," the statement ended.

Eleven members of the House of Bishops have since expressed their dissent. They are the Bishop of Blackburn, Philip North; the Bishop of Chichester, Martin Warner; the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Rob Munro; the Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson; the Bishop of Hereford, Richard Jackson; the Bishop of Islington, Ric Thorpe; the Bishop of Lancaster, Jill Duff; the Bishop of Oswestry, Paul Thomas; the Bishop of Rochester, Jonathan Gibbs; the Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox; the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, Paul Williams.

Originally published at Christian Today
Blinken warns Democrats that 'Azerbaijan could soon invade Armenia': report

Americas top diplomat is reportedly warning Democratic lawmakers about the possibility of Armenia being invaded in the near future.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered the warning to a small group of lawmakers last week, according to a Politico report, which said the State Department is tracking the possibility that Azerbaijan could soon invade Armenia.

Blinken is said to have made the comment while responding to the group of lawmakers  including Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Anna Eshoo of California, among others  in an Oct. 3 phone conversation where he was asked about the U.S. response to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs decision to invade the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Armenia last month.

In response, Blinken said his department was reviewing avenues to hold Azerbaijan accountable as well as warning of the possibility of an Azerbaijan invasion in the coming weeks. The secretary also is said to have expressed confidence about ongoing diplomatic talks between the Central Asia nations.

The Biden administration has faced criticism for what some Christian advocates say was a failure by the U.S. government to stop Azerbaijan from potentially committing genocide against ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, a self-declared Armenian breakaway state recognized by Armenians as the Republic of Artsakh but internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

Until the September invasion, the region had a predominantly Christian population. But after Azerbaijan reclaimed control of the region via a 24-hour offensive last month, killing at least 200 ethnic Armenians, including 10 civilians, thousands of ethnic Armenians have fled to seek refuge in Armenia and elsewhere.

Last week, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of "ethnic cleansing," warning that "in the coming days there will be no Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh."

That prospect has raised international concern from organizations across the political spectrum, including the National Council of Churches (NCC), which released a statement Friday reiterating its support for the Armenian Orthodox Church, one of the 37 member communions of the NCC.

The statement added, While genocide typically takes place methodically over months and years, the NCC believes we may indeed be witnessing a continuation of genocide against the Armenian people, one that is borne of supremacy as in other genocides, but rather than consume the perpetrators in swift and orchestrated killing, unfolds over the long term in disparate acts of ethnic cleansing.

As we have noted with alarm the illegal, humanitarian blockade of the region and the destruction of critical infrastructure, and observe the steady stream of refugees flowing through a single geographic conduit to safety, can we not assume this is in fact what is happening?

Between 1915 and 1923, an estimated 1.5 million Armenian Christians died after they were expelled from the Ottoman Empire, now known as Turkey. Turkey denied the existence of the Armenian Genocide, and it took over 100 years before the mass killing was finally acknowledged as a genocide by the U.S. government.
MBABANE  Mangololo Movement Eswatini has called for the review or abolishment of the law that allows Members of Parliament (MPs) to elect senators.

This comes in the wake of bribery allegations that have rocked Parliament following the election of 10 senators by the newly-elected MPs. There are serious allegations of bribery that have been levelled against both the MPs and aspiring senators, with some claiming to have paid as high as E900 000 in an attempt to secure a Senate seat. The allegations are yet to be proven but many commentators have decried that these have tainted the image of Parliament as a whole. Mangololo is of the view that Section 94(2) of the kingdoms Constitution Act No. 001 of 2005, which allows MPs to elect 10 senators into Parliament, must be removed. This was said by the organisations Secretary General (SG), Nhlanhla Zwane, amid a series of reports of bribery allegations.

Zwane said it was concerning that the MPs now elected the 10 members of the upper chamber based on who the highest bidder was, instead of electing the senators on merit. He rhetorically asked if the newly-elected senators were of the right calibre to be elected into office. We can say that the appointed senators are the ones who are credible as they would not have taken bribes to be appointed, as compared to the elected senators, who allegedly used money as an incentive to garner enough votes to be elected, he claimed.

Appointed

The remaining 20 senators are yet to be appointed by His Majesty King Mswati III. Zwane said if nothing was done to quell the bribery allegations, it then meant that for the next five years, Parliament would be led by senators and MPs who were not credible in the eyes of the masses. The MPs no longer deserve to be afforded the opportunity to elect senators because they (allegedly) use that for their own personal gain, where they think they can recoup monies they spent during the general elections, he shared. He further stated that some of the senators who allegedly bribed their way into Senate wanted to be elected into the upper house so they could be in a privileged position to influence decisions that could benefit their personal and business interests. If I have E1 million that is clean, I wouldnt see the need to bribe people simply for a position that would earn me E60 000 per month. It simply doesnt make sense, he added.

Zwane further mentioned that Mangololo Eswatini Movement would like a review of this piece of legislation, which should be abolished if some parliamentarians conducted themselves in such a dishonourable manner. The Mangololo SG recommended that all the 10 senators be appointed by the King or they be nominated through other structures from the four regions.

In reaction to the movements proposal, an MP from the Lubombo Region said: I do not agree with reviewing the section as MPs are the ones who are representing the 59 constituencies. We are there as representatives and just because there are MPs who are alleged to have taken the bribes, it does not mean that we are all corrupt. Another MP, who is also a businessman, said he was not sure about reviewing the law which would see MPs not voting for senators. He, however, said he was aware that there were bribes which were offered to some of the parliamentarians but he personally did not receive any bribe. Zombodze Emuva MP Ntando Mkhonta (28) said he opted to vote for individuals by merit, whom he knew even before the Senate elections.

Preferred

He said he voted for his preferred candidates, whom he knew were fit for office and would execute what was expected diligently. Nkwene MP Sikhumbuzo Dlamini said he was of the view that Mangololo Eswatini must voice this out at Sibaya next week Monday, given that this was a constitutional matter. Attorney General (AG) Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo could not be reached for the better part of yesterday when contacted for a comment. According to the Constitution where the composition of Parliament is concerned, Section 94(2) states that 10 senators, at least half of whom shall be female, shall be elected by the members of the House in such a manner as may be prescribed by or under any law at their first meeting so as to represent a cross-section of the Swazi (Eswatini) society.
Gaza's oldest church shelters Christians, Muslims after false rumors of destruction: report

A Greek Orthodox church in Gaza that was falsely rumored to have been destroyed amid the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel is reportedly sheltering people of multiple faiths seeking safe haven from the conflict.

The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrios, the oldest church in Gaza, was rumored on social media last week to have been damaged during Israel's shelling of the region, according to The Associated Press.

Church officials confirmed that the church, which is in the al-Zaytun section of Gazas Old City, was unharmed by the Israeli bombing of the Hamas-controlled territory, the AP reported.

The church is named for St. Porphyrios, who served as bishop of Gaza from A.D. 395 to 420. The present structure, which Crusaders built in the 1100s, was constructed on the former site of an earlier church that dates as far back as the fifth century.

A priest at the church named Father Elias claimed to the Qatari state-owned news outlet Al Jazeera that the Israeli military "has bombed many places of sanctuary," and that he is "not sure that Israel wont bomb the church."

Elias maintained to the outlet that any attack on the church "would not only be an attack on religion, which is a vile deed, but also an attack on humanity."

"Our humanity calls us to offer peace and warmth to everyone in need," the priest added.

George Shabeen, a Palestinian Christian and father whose street was reportedly hit multiple times by Israeli air raids, told Al Jazeera that his family's lives were saved by the shelter the church offered.

During the night, we huddle together, Muslims and Christians, old and young, and pray for safety and peace, Shabeen told the outlet.

St. Porphyrios also served as a place of refuge for Palestinian Muslims seeking refuge from Israeli bombardment in 2014, according to Reuters.

Violence has continued to roil the region after Hamas militants invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people, including 30 Americans, and more than 3,400 were wounded. Hamas is also holding as many as 199 people hostage, some of whom are Americans. Israeli forces claim over 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in the attack.

Israel retaliated with airstrikes that it said were aimed at Hamas infrastructure and locations in Gaza where the terrorists hide out.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 2,700 Palestinians have been killed and over 9,900 wounded in the conflict so far.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement Sunday that at least 30 Americans have been killed in Israel and at least 13 are missing.

Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached via email at jon.brown@christianpost.com
Jerusalem Catholic patriarch offers himself in exchange for children kidnapped by Hamas

The Catholic Church's top representative in the Middle East has offered himself in exchange for the Israeli children taken hostage by the Hamas terrorist group, asserting that the safe return of the victims is crucial to ending the violence.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, a position Pope Francis appointed him to in October 2020, after Pizzaballa served as apostolic administrator for four years.

Pizzaballa suggested the exchange during an online briefing with journalists Monday, stating that he is prepared to do "anything" to free the children seized by Hamas.

"I am ready for an exchange, anything, if this can lead to freedom, to bring the children home. No problem. There is total willingness on my part," he said, according to Reuters. "The first thing to do is to try to win the release of the hostages."

Pizzaballa warned that if the hostages are not freed, there will be no way to prevent the violence from escalating. While he expressed a willingness to assist in de-escalation efforts, Pizzaballa admitted that he and his office have not had any direct contact with Hamas.

The terrorist group's attack on communities near the Gaza border in southern Israel on Oct. 7 resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 Israelis. At least 30 Americans have been confirmed as being among the dead.

Hamas also took nearly 200 people  ranging from 3 months old to 85 years  as hostages.

The cardinal also said that around 1,000 Christians are sheltering in church-affiliated buildings in Gaza following Israel's retaliatory airstrikes, stating that they're unsure where to go because moving is "dangerous," Catholic News Service reports.

In an interview last week with The Daily Wire, Pizzaballa condemned the attack against Israel as "horrific" and "barbaric" and expressed concern for the Christian community in Gaza.

Pizzaballa told the outlet that the war between Israel and Hamas will likely impact people of faith in Gaza. He also admitted that the whereabouts of many are currently unknown due to the present situation.

"We have no place for them to evacuate to on that side of the border, and for the many disabled, the elderly, we have no way to transport them even if we did have a place," he said. "So we are powerless in this moment."

The cardinal asserted, however, that Israel attempting to negotiate or engage in peaceful dialogue is not "realistic" at the moment.

"We have to stop the violence, the war, and then see what we can do, after the ruins of this war are in front of us," he said.

On Sunday, Israel Defense Forces released photos and videos of a large cache of weapons the Yalam unit seized from Hamas during a recent raid. The confiscated weapons included bombs, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition and more.

After seizing the weapons, members of the Yalam unit were responsible for neutralizing them. In addition to the weapons, the unit discovered hundreds of documents detailing attack orders on kibbutzim surrounding Gaza, which the IDF noted "emphasize Hamas's planning for a terrorist attack and atrocities against civilians and soldiers alike."

The commander of the Amalah Research Institute, identified as Major G, explained that Hamas used all of the uncovered weapons against innocent civilians when it launched its assault against Israel.

"No type of ammunition that we confiscated surprised us," Major G said. "What did surprise us was the quantity. This indicates, according to me, that the terrorists were preparing for a long stay and entrenched themselves in the settlements."

As the Foundation for Defense of Democracy's War Journal reported Sunday, the IDF recovered black explosive disks that resemble explosively formed penetrators.

The number of EFPs found during the raid suggests that Hamas has multiple factories for producing weapons, as "EFPs require a machine shop and technical and explosive expertise."

"EFPs have been used with deadly effect against U.S., British, and Iraqi forces in Iraq. Iraqi Shia militias such as Hezbollah Brigades, Asaib Ahl al Haq, and the Mahdi Army, killed hundreds of American soldiers with EFPs from 2003 to 2011," the report noted.

According to FDD, Hamas possessing EFPs and having factories to create them suggests that the terrorist group is receiving support from Hezbollah and Iran.

"As the IDF prepares for a likely ground offensive to root out Hamas and its allies, EFPs, landmines, rocket-propelled grenades, and other weapons pose a significant threat to Israeli armor and troops," the report written by FDD research analyst Joe Truzman and FDD senior fellow Bill Roggio concluded.
Liberty's Helms School of Gov't names Mike Pompeo as distinguished chair

A former member of the Trump administration has taken on a new role at one of the most prominent Christian universities in the United States as he vows to invoke a love for Jesus Christ and a commitment to Christian life in his students.

Liberty University has announced that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has joined the Evangelical institution of higher education as distinguished chair of the Helms School of Government. In a statement shared with The Christian Post, the university said Pompeo began serving in that position on Sept. 1.

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, stated Liberty President Dondi Costin. 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.

Liberty Provost and Chief Academic Officer Scott Hicks echoed Costins praise of the former secretary of state: I am grateful for the leadership and the deep abiding faith of former Secretary Mike Pompeo. He has a reputation for being servant-hearted, and he brings a long history of excellence and distinction that is key to his new role at the Helms School of Government.

Hicks predicted that our students will benefit greatly benefit from his leadership, wisdom and experience.

Pompeo addressed his new role in a statement released last Wednesday.

I am honored to join Liberty University and thrilled to work with the Helms School of Government, he remarked. Nothing is more important to our nations future than the proper education of young Americans. Libertys mission, to promote academic excellence while fostering a love for Jesus Christ and a commitment to Christian life, is one in which I believe deeply, and I am looking forward to contributing to it in the days ahead.

As explained on the Liberty University website, the Helms School of Government seeks to develop leaders who are guided by duty, honor and morality by teaching classes from a conservative Christian perspective and instilling a Christian sense of justice and civic duty in our students. Fields of study offered by the Helms School of Government include criminal justice, international relations, government/politics and policy, strategic intelligence, pre-law and homeland security.

The addition of Pompeo to the Liberty University faculty comes after he spent a decade in both the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Kansas 4th Congressional District from 2011-2017. Former President Donald Trump appointed Pompeo to the position of CIA director in 2017. A year later, he was elevated to the role of secretary of state, a position he held for the remainder of the Trump administration.

Pompeo first became involved with Liberty University shortly after the Trump administration left office in January 2021. In April of that year, Pompeo became a senior advisor to Libertys Standing for Freedom Center.

While speculation suggested that Pompeo would run for the Republican nomination for president in the 2024 presidential election, he ultimately declined to do so. During his tenure as secretary of state and since leaving office, he developed a reputation as a tireless advocate for religious freedom worldwide.

In a previous interview with CP, Pompeo recalled how the Trump administration and the State Department, when I was leading it, placed a real premium on working around the world to promote religious freedom. He expressed concern that the Biden administration has worked to de-prioritize the issue of religious freedom.

We created something called the Commission on Unalienable Rights to look at the human rights conditions for people around the world and how American diplomats ought to execute that mission around the world, he said. They have essentially disowned that work, which was glorious work.

During Pompeos tenure as secretary of state, the State Department hosted two Ministerials to Advance Religious Freedom. The most recent event, held in July 2019, featured nearly 30 survivors of religious persecution sharing their stories. The three-day summit was touted as the largest religious freedom event ever held in world history. The inaugural State Department Ministerial on Religious Freedom took place in July 2018.
Most US voters support calls to 'eradicate' Hamas after deadly terror attacks on Israel

While most American voters agree with calls to eradicate Hamas following the terrorist groups surprise assault against Israel during a Jewish holiday, who voters hold responsible for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict differs among party lines, according to a recent survey.

According to a poll published Friday by Rasmussen Reports, 53% of likely U.S. voters believe Palestinians are responsible for the conflict with Israel, while 10% say Israel is at fault. Twenty-four percent believe both sides are equally responsible for the conflict, and another 13% said that theyre unsure who is to blame.

The national telephone and online survey assessed 1,007 U.S. likely voters from Oct. 10-12, and Pulse Opinion Research, LLC conducted the fieldwork for the poll. The surveys margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

Among party lines, Republicans (66%) were more likely than Democrats (40%) to hold Palestinians responsible for the conflict, while twice as many Democrats (14%) as Republicans (7%) said that Israel is to blame.

Fifty-four percent of voters unaffiliated with either party held the same stance as Republicans, believing that Palestinians are primarily responsible for the conflict, compared to 9% who said Israel is mostly to blame.

Opinions about who is responsible for the conflict differed among racial groups, as white voters (56%) were more likely than black voters (41%) or other minorities (50%) to say that Palestinians are mostly to blame for the conflict with Israel.

Older voters are also more likely to side with Israel, with 67% of voters 65 and older saying Palestinians are responsible for the conflict, an opinion they share with 57% of voters ages 40 to 64. Only 33% of voters 40 and younger said that Palestinians are responsible for the conflict, and voters younger than 40 were significantly more likely to blame Israel.

The voters who blame Israel for the conflict also said the United States is too supportive of Israel, while voters who hold Palestinians responsible (79%) said the United States does not do enough for Israel.

Forty-six percent of Republicans said that the United States does not do enough to support Israel, and 31% of unaffiliated voters said the same. Democrats were the least likely to say that the United States does not do enough to support Israel, with only 23% saying the country is not supportive enough of Israel.

The survey also asked participants how closely they had been following news about the recent attacks against Israel. Eighty-four percent answered that they had been following the situation, while 53% said theyd been following the news Very Closely. Forty percent of people in the latter group said the U.S. is not supportive enough of Israel, and 64% said Palestinians are mostly to blame for the conflict.

Participants were also asked if they agreed with a statement Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., posted on X on Oct. 9, writing that Israel has no choice but to seek the complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza.

Sixty-six percent of voters said they agreed with Rubio, and 41% said they strongly agreed. Another 19% said they disagreed with the Republicans statement, while 15% said they were unsure.

There did not appear to be a wide gap among party lines regarding their views on Rubios statement, as 74% of Republicans, 62% of Democrats and 61% of unaffiliated voters at least somewhat agreed.

Hamas large-scale offensive against Israel earlier this month resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 Israelis. At least 30 Americans have been confirmed dead and 13 are missing and possibly held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Lynn Hastings is calling for Hamas to release its hostages and the delivery of immediate, unconditional access into Gaza.

The request comes after Israel instructed 1.1 million Gazan residents to move south, warning that it is no longer safe to remain in the northern part of Gaza as it targets Hamas sites. According to Hastings, the U.N. is working to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, highlighting the dwindling supply of food, water and other essentials.

And just like we call for the unconditional release and immediate release of the hostages being held by Hamas, we are also calling for immediate, unconditional access to provide humanitarian assistance, Hastings said. And thats not just to get goods into Gaza, but its also to get goods throughout Gaza, which means we need pauses. We need a ceasefire. Our staff need to be able to move safely.

As WION reported Monday, a now-deleted X post by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East accused Hamas militants of stealing supplies intended for Palestinian people. The UNRWA later deleted the post and backtracked its initial claim.

Israel Defense Forces shared screenshots of the deleted posts on X, stating that the amount of fuel stolen is enough to power Gazas water desalination facilities for six days.

Hamas does not care about the people of Gaza, the IDF wrote. This remains true even if UNRWA deletes its tweets.

In response to UNRWAs now-deleted post, Israel's Energy Minister Israel Katz stated on X Monday that Hamas is stealing humanitarian aid from the Palestinian people, arguing that this is a reason not to allow aid into Gaza until Nazi Hamas is eliminated.
Professor encourages activist to start 'mass movement' for kids' right to sex work

A Johns Hopkins University professor appeared to advise a self-described sex work activist to create a "mass movement" to promote the idea of children in the sex industry, according to audio recorded by an undercover journalist during the Socialism 2023 conference.

Karlyn Borysenko, a psychologist and an independent reporter, attended three days of the most prominent socialist conference in the country, which took place in Chicago from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4. The conference hosts socialists and activists throughout the country for discussions on topics including Marxism and strategies for left-wing causes.

One of the panels titled "The Politics of Childhood" featured Jules Gill-Peterson, a male associate professor at Johns Hopkins University and a scholar of "transgender history" who identifies as female.

Sophie Lewis, the author of Full Surrogacy Now: Feminism Against Family, was another speaker on the panel.

In a statement earlier this month to Campus Reform, Borysenko said that before she began recording, the panel discussed abolishing the age of consent. The reporter also noted that most of the audience appeared accepting of the idea of children having a "right" to solicit sex.

"Socialists do not believe that children are the 'private property' of their parents," she told Campus Reform. "They believe children are little adults that can make all their own decisions."

The context of the clip is that there had already been a complete hour-long discussion of liberating children from their parents.

During the panel's question and answer portion, an attendee named Chanel introduced herself as a sex worker activist and said she didn't think she would ask her question if the event was live-streamed. The activist asked whether young people in the sex industry should be considered part of a "children's liberation vision."

According to the activist, "young people in the sex industry deserve and need rights at minimum actual liberation and justice."

"There's just like a utopia I had never really thought of before because the world feels so separated, and the issue of youth and sex work is so incredibly loaded," she said.

The activist, at one point, said that her activism includes "working at the intersection of migrants, justice, capitalism, and sex work" and that she would like to see a "liberation" movement for children that includes "highly marginalized kids on the street'" and "people selling sex to survive."

"Are we just like walking into too much trouble to try to even address that when talking about the rights of children?" Chanel asked.

Instead of responding to what Gill-Peterson described as "moral panics," the professor questioned what other strategies should be considered for creating "capacities of courage" and "truly a sense of solidarity."

"If you're part of a project trying to think about the young people's role in the sex industry, one of the ways that you might feel like you're going to be able to lend time and energy to that effort is if it doesn't feel like you could be hung up to dry alone for it, right?" the professor replied.

"So, a mass movement has a kind of persuasive value," Gill-Peterson continued.

Johns Hopkins University and Socialism 2023 did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment. The outlet attempted to reach Jules Gill-Peterson for comment Monday via his work email but received an automatic reply stating that the professor was on leave for the semester.

According to the panel's description, the discussion focused on "the urgent project  and problem  of solidarity across reproductive justice and trans justice movements." The panel takes place amid nationwidedebates about whether states should ban surgeries and the prescription of hormones for minors confused about their sex.

In a full recording of the panel published on Borysenko's Substack, both panelists can be heard describing social concerns about children as a "moral panic," with Gill-Peterson referring to this as "one of the oldest political playbooks in [the United States]."

Borysenko previously covered another speech Gill-Peterson gave at Lewis & Clark College as part of a gender studies symposium titled "Transition and Abortion as Vernacular Medicine." During his speech, the professor encouraged the use of do-it-yourself hormones, although he acknowledged that the practice can be "dangerous."

"DIY is not inherently free from danger or risk, but nothing is in life," he said. "So, I think it's a question of who do we trust more to negotiate and arrange risk and manage risk and danger in a way that we feel good about."
To reflect on our past: Virginia Theological Seminary marks 200th anniversary of founding

Virginia Theological Seminary, a historic seminary affiliated with The Episcopal Church, recently commemorated the 200th anniversary of its operation with worship and a reflection on its history.

The Alexandria-based Episcopal academic institution held a series of events last week commemorating its 1823 founding, including a formal communion service on Saturday.

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, dean and president of VTS, told The Christian Post that he thought of the bicentennial observance as less of a celebration and more an opportunity to reflect on our past, and think about both the positive and negative aspects of our history.

Markham pointed to the seminarys Reparations Fund, which was created in 2019 and aimed at making payments to the descendants of blacks both free and enslaved who worked at VTS but were either not compensated at all or not fairly compensated for their labor. The fund also gives financial aid to black clergy and churches.

The program is part of the seminarys commitment to recognizing the racism in its past and working toward healing and justice in the future, said Markham.

The dean and president also told CP that it was wonderful to welcome so many friends, alumni and members of the community to our campus to gather together to mark the moment, adding that the seminary was excited to be embarking on our next 100 years of ministry and mission.

The bicentennial was observed over the course of four days last week, with each day having a particular focus.

Last Wednesday centered on the African American Episcopal Historical Collection and the presence of African Americans in The Episcopal Church. Thursday focused on alumni reunion and Friday focused on friends, family and community, and included games and a dog-friendly church service. Saturday featured the Eucharist service held in honor of the Historic Bicentenary.

Markham told CP that the different themes were chosen to reflect the many different aspects of VTS as a community and organization.

The African American Episcopal Historical Collection is a significant partner that seeks to honor the legacy of African Americans in The Episcopal Church, and this act is an essential part of our own reflections at this moment, he said.

Thursdays focus on alumni included a reunion, while Fridays focus on friends, family, and community provided an opportunity to welcome people from the wider community to our campus. While each day had a broad theme, events were not limited to these themes.

For the VTS president, he considered the most moving part of the bicentennial observance to be a livestreamed conversation with seminary alumnus the Most Rev. Hosam E. Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, who was unable to attend the events because of the war between Israel and Hamas.

He joined us by a livestream link from Jerusalem, Markham told CP. It was deeply moving to be able to talk to him during this difficult time and for all of us present to have the opportunity to show him our support for his ministry.

When asked by CP about what he hoped attendees of the historic bicentenary took away from last weeks events, Markham replied that he wanted them to have a continuing commitment to supporting our work.

The strengths of this institution are very dependent on friends, alumni and other stakeholders who value what we do, Markham said.

This story was updated to include more detailed information on the Reparations Fund.
What is Hamas and what does the terror organization believe?

What is Hamas? What does the terror organization believe? These are just two of the many questions to emerge since the group's Oct. 7 terror attack against Israel shocked the world.

Christian Post reporter Samantha Kamman joined the latest episode of "The Inside Story" podcast to discuss the attack that left over 1,400 dead, protests against the Jewish state and highlight her coverage of survivortestimonies.

"The Inside Story" takes you behind the headlines of the biggest faith, culture and political headlines of the week. In 15 minutes or less, Christian Post staff writers and editors will help you navigate and understand what's driving each story, the issues at play  and why it all matters.

Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app  and be sure to subscribe to The Inside Story on your favorite platforms:

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Trump Sparks Backlash For Calling Hezbollah 'Smart,' NBC Podcast Takes Aim At Christianity, Dylan Mulvaney Named Woman Of The Year

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In today's episode, we examine the shocking new documents revealing that Hamas terrorists were ordered to launch meticulously rehearsed attacks on Israeli elementary schools and youth centers, causing unimaginable loss. We then pivot to discuss the criticism that former President Donald Trump has received for his remarks on Hezbollah. Later, we delve into NBC News new Grapevine podcast, aimed at uncovering the growing influence of Christian Dominion Theology in North Texas and beyond. Finally, we share our insight on transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney's harsh criticism of those not accepting his gender identity.

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Top headlines for Tuesday, October 17, 2023



In today's episode, we examine the shocking new documents revealing that Hamas terrorists were ordered to launch meticulously rehearsed attacks on Israeli elementary schools and youth centers, causing unimaginable loss. We then pivot to discuss the criticism that former President Donald Trump has received for his remarks on Hezbollah. Later, we delve into NBC News new Grapevine podcast, aimed at uncovering the growing influence of Christian Dominion Theology in North Texas and beyond. Finally, we share our insight on transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney's harsh criticism of those not accepting his gender identity.
Giving up the Occupied Territories is not the solution

There is a widespread belief that if Israel would only give back the territories it seized during the Six Day War in 1967, then peace would come to the Middle East. This is demonstrably false, especially in light of a popular chant heard around the world in recent days.

To start, Israel gave back the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in 1982 as a result of Egypt recognizing Israel as a legitimate sovereign state. This is the land that borders Israel on the south, including the southern border of Gaza, and is certainly of strategic importance. Still, Israel returned that to Egypt.

The other territories that Israel occupied after 1967 were the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan, the latter known as Judea and Samaria in biblical days. What has happened since then?

As is well-known now, in 2005, Israel gave Gaza back to the Palestinians. (On a side note, before the Six Day War, the Palestinians were known simply as Arabs, since there was not a Palestinian national identity, even though some of the local Arab inhabitants had lived there for centuries.)

And as is also well-known today, in 2006, the Palestinians in Gaza elected Hamas as their leadership. Yet Hamas was explicitly formed in 1987 with the purpose of obliterating Israel.

So much for the concept of land for peace. Not quite!

How would you like to live next door to a family who believed you did not have a right to be in your house and who expressly stated, We will drive you out or murder you?

Thats what Israel has faced since 2006.

As far as Gaza is concerned, Israel has returned to its pre-1967 borders.

You say, But it still exercises control over Gaza, not allowing the Palestinians to travel at will in and out of Israel and restricting their access to the outside world.

That is correct, but for one reason only: Hamas has vowed to slaughter as many Israelis as possible, and Hamas rules Gaza. Do you really think Israel will say, Yes, by all means, we will take down all defensive measures and open our borders fully to barbaric terrorists who want to wipe us out?

Remember that Hamas has training camps for children where they learn the value of being anti-Israel terrorists and aspire to become martyrs for the cause. Remember that from their earliest days they are indoctrinated with hatred of Israel and the Jews. Thats why whole families sing and dance in the streets when Hamas slaughters innocent Israelis  because in their eyes, there are no innocent Israelis.

To put this in perspective (and this view is not just held by the Gazan Palestinians; it is widely held in other Palestinian circles), consider these words from a Jordanian-Palestinian businessman and politician named Talal Abu Ghazaleh. He was being interviewed on Lebanese television on October 12 about the war in Gaza.

He said, Israel would not sacrifice a single person. There isnt a goal for which it would sacrifice a single person. They are afraid of death. Death for them is strange and loathsome. We, on the other hand, welcome death. A Palestinian carries his son on his shoulders, with a headband on the kids forehead, which his father inscribed: Martyrdom Seeker. This is a man who says: I want my son to die. A [Palestinian] mother says: I have given birth to six children, so that three could die in the revolution. I gave birth to children so that they would be martyred. This does not exist in the Zionist mentality.

Moms and dads, you might want to read those words again. This is what Israel is facing.

When the interviewer referenced the multitudes of innocent civilian victims [in Gaza], he replied, How many? Two thousand? The casualties always accumulate, unfortunately... Fine. How many people did Russia sacrifice in its war against the Nazis? Twenty-seven million. Not just a thousand ... We haven't gotten to thousands yet. Russia knowingly sacrificed those people. It was no coincidence. It is not that Russia did not know that these people were going to die. It wanted 27 million people to die so that Russia survives. We, Palestinians, are the same. There are two million people [in Gaza]. If one dies ... I hope I will be one of them. It would be an honor to die as a martyr. But there are two million people in Gaza. Will [Israel] kill two million people? How? Half of them are hidden underground, in tunnels.

And this was just a casual TV interview, two people talking about Israels war with Hamas.

Abu Ghazaleh also explained, You cannot defeat someone who wants to die. People who flee death cannot defeat people who seek death. What happened in Germany in the World War? Entire cities were destroyed. But didn't Germany become later one of the five most wealthy countries in the world? Let them destroy [Gaza]. What is destroyed can be rebuilt. I think that the goal of [Hamas's] lions of humanity was to cause the demolition of those buildings so that they could be rebuilt properly, according to more aesthetic and newer engineering standards.

As to why Hitler only slaughtered 6 million out of 9 million European Jews, it was because he wanted to leave some alive so everyone could realize why he did what he did.

And you actually think that Israel going back to pre-1967 borders would eliminate these kinds of sentiments? Spend a few hours on the Memri TV website and watch the clips for yourself. Or read the quotes on the Palestinian Media Watch site to see for yourself what the Palestinian people are hearing and reading and seeing (not just in Gaza but under the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank as well).

The peace-loving voices and the voices of conciliation are in the small minority.

Remember also that Israel did open its borders to Gazan workers on a limited basis, allowing those who were thought to be non-lethal to do various jobs in Israel.

As noted by the Institute for National Security Studies, In October 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic ebbed, the Israeli government decided to resume Gazan employment in Israel. Currently, about 11,000 Gazan workers have entry permits and are employed informally. In March 2022 the government decided to regulate Gazan employment in Israel and allocate 20,000 work permits to Gazans, 12,000 for the construction industry and 8,000 for agriculture. The permits are given to married Gazans aged 25 and up who have passed a security check.

A lot of good this ended up doing.

You say, Well, maybe the situation in Gaza is more complex, but surely, if Israel returned the West Bank to the Palestinians, there would be peace.

Not quite.

First, more than 500,000 Israelis currently live in the West Bank. A Palestinian state would demand that every last Jew uproot and leave. It must be Judenfrei (meaning free of Jews). In stark contrast, there are roughly two million Arabs (= Palestinians) living in Israel.

So, Palestinian Arabs can live in a Jewish state, but Jews cannot live in a Palestinian Arab state (if, in fact, they wanted to).

Second, and more importantly, remember that the rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948 is, in the Palestinian (and wider Muslim-Arab) world, Al-Nakba, the Catastrophe.

This is confirmed in the chant that is being heard around the world these days (as I referenced in my recent article on Hamas): From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free.

This means no more Israel, even with pre-1967 borders.

This means rejection of the UNs 1947 Partition Plan that resulted in the birth of the modern State of Israel.

This means no homeland for the Jews.

This is what the protesters are chanting. This is what Muslim crowds are calling for. This is what Palestinian sympathizers desire. Jews go home!

Sorry, but we are home  back in the Land, our one and only ancient homeland. And we are not about to leave.

In saying this, I do not demean the struggles of the Palestinian people.

I do not claim that Israel has always been ethical and righteous in all its dealings with the Palestinians.

And I do not present a peace plan for the Middle East.

Im simply debunking a popular myth.
Revelation 17: Imitation, deception and the ultimate triumph

Han Van Meegeren, a Dutch artist and art forger, is said to have duped buyers out of as much as $30 million. He gained notoriety for his forgeries during and after World War II. When the war ended, Van Meegeren was arrested for selling cultural property to the Nazis. More specifically, he was charged with selling a painting to Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring, one of the most powerful figures in Nazi Germany. The painting was believed to have been one of Johannes Vermeers works. However, facing the possibility of execution for his crime, Van Meegeren admitted that the painting he sold to Goring was a fake that he had painted.

Van Meegerens forgeries were driven by a desire for revenge against art critics who disparaged his original works. He wanted to prove he was equal to the Old Masters of the Dutch Golden Age. His paintings looked so much like what the Masters had done, they fooled the best experts and collectors into believing what he possessed were genuine 17th century works of art. But they werent. Instead, they were counterfeits. Van Meegeren was only a Master of imitation, and not himself a master.

One of Satans greatest devices for deceiving and destroying people is imitation. There are many notable instances of this throughout the Bible.

In the Old Testament, when Moses staff became a serpent, demonstrating the power of God, Satan enabled Pharaohs magicians to imitate the miracle (Exodus 7:8-13). Whenever God would send his prophets to his people to warn them, Satan would send his prophets to counter their message (Jeremiah 23:16-17; Micah 3:5-8).

In addition to Satan raising false prophets in the Old Testament, in the New Testament Jesus warned of false messiahs who would come and deceive many (Matthew 24:24). These individuals would claim to be the Messiah or the Christ, impersonating the One and only Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus. Jesus said there would also be false signs and wonders performed by these counterfeit religious leaders. These miracles would be so cunning and appealing, that if it were possible, they would even fool the elect.

The apostle Paul solemnly warned of a counterfeit spirituality, when false apostles, deceitful religious workers, masquerade as apostles of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). He also wrote in his letter to young Timothy to turn away from hypocritical teachers who communicate doctrines of demons and misrepresent the clear teachings of the Word of God (I Timothy 4:1).

The apostle James cautioned about counterfeit religion. He said counterfeit religion says you can say that you believe in God, but if your profession of faith isnt validated by a transformed life and proved by such behaviors as controlling your speech and helping your fellow man, then you are only fooling yourself (James 1:26-27).

In the Book of Revelation, there are similar contrasts made between what is genuine and what is forged, which present dualities or opposing forces.

Perhaps one of the central dualities in Revelation is the Lamb and the beast, both are presented as Saviors, but only Christ, the Lamb, is the true Savior, while the beast is an imitator, an imposter, who is in opposition to God.

The seven churches are addressed, and among them are those with a reputation for being alive, but are dead (Revelation 3:1). This represents congregations that have an appearance of godliness, but are really spiritually lifeless, counterfeit, and produce no fruit for God.

The dragon is first introduced in Revelation chapter 12, the beast is first seen in chapter 11, and the false prophet is first presented in chapter 13. This unholy trinity is the devils imitation, a counterfeit of Gods Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, all of which have a blessed role in salvation. The dragon, the beast, and the false prophet lead humanity into Hell.

According to chapters 17 and 18, God has a seal to identify those who trust in Him, and the beast imitates this action with his own mark that identifies those who trust in him.

Revelation chapters 19 and 21 reference the true Church, the Bride of Christ, as a city, the New Jerusalem, the Holy City. The harlot woman of Revelation chapters 17 and 18 is the devils imitation of Gods people, in alliance with the beast, which is also called a city, Greater Babylon. She is a spiritual fornicator who rides atop a worldwide government, reigning over the kings of the earth and forcing the people of God underground.

In the first six verses of Revelation chapter 17, an angel takes John to witness the judgment of the great spiritual whore. She represents the adulteration of Gods truth. She embodies the false religious systems throughout history that have joined with political structures. She is depicted in the last days as sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns and bearing blasphemous inscriptions. She is adorned with opulence and holds a golden goblet filled with moral decadence. Her forehead bears a name: Babylon the Great, Mother of all Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World. Lastly, she is a bloody persecutor of those who genuinely know God and walk in fellowship with him.

When shown this, the apostle John is flabbergasted by what he has witnessed. He is astonished at how effective the devil has been in obfuscating the truth with misleading imitations of the divine.

Here is the remainder of Revelation chapter 17. It says:

Why are you so amazed? the angel asked. I will tell you the mystery of this woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns on which she sits. The beast you saw was once alive but isnt now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit[ and go to eternal destruction. And the people who belong to this world, whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made, will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died. This calls for a mind with understanding: The seven heads of the beast represent the seven hills where the woman rules. They also represent seven kings. Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief. The scarlet beast that was, but is no longer, is the eighth king. He is like the other seven, and he, too, is headed for destruction. The 10 horns of the beast are 10 kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. They will all agree to give him their power and authority. Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him. Then the angel said to me, The waters where the prostitute is ruling represent masses of people of every nation and language. The scarlet beast and his ten horns all hate the prostitute. They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire. For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will agree to give their authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled. And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules over the kings of the world.

John, the beloved, is so taken aback by what he witnesses, that the angel sees he needs help with processing it. Note that in explaining the matter, the angel cross-references an expression from Revelation chapter 1, which describes the person and work of the Lord.

Jesus is said to be, the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come (Revelation 1:4). Now observe the devils imitation that confounds the entire world, that seeks to supplant Gods sovereignty over the earth. The beast, upon which the woman sits, was once alive but isnt now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit (Revelation 17:8).

Both descriptions refer to powerful and significant entities, but both are very different. Christ is God in human flesh who came, lived, and died, rose again for our redemption, and will one day come again. He is preexistent with no beginning or end. The other entity, however, is described as having existed in the past, then ceases to exist, and eventually emerges from the abyss. The similarities are that both come from eternity past, both die, and both come to life again. But unlike the first, the second entity is ultimately defeated and cast down to perdition.

Some believe the beast in Revelation chapter 17 is the Antichrist. It is said that the phrase, was once alive but isnt now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit  ( v. 8) should be understood as a prophecy of a counterfeit resurrection, or an imitation of Christs resurrection. The Antichrist will appear to be mortally wounded, but will miraculously come back to life, which will lead to the astonishment and deception of the unsaved masses.

Another interpretation views the beast as representing an empire or political system. Proponents of this view say the words, was once alive but isnt now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit signify the cyclical rise and fall of powerful empires throughout history. According to this perspective, this phrase speaks of the revival of a particular ancient empire, such as the Roman Empire, the capital of which was located on seven hills, (v. 9) Rome. The Roman Empire eventually became the Holy Roman Empire  a union of church and state  an amalgamation of distorted and diluted Christian doctrine with depraved Rome, which once thrived but is now gone and will eventually rise again. Or it may be that John only uses imperial Rome as the lens through which to portray the emergence of another idolatrous dominant political and global power during the end times, which will be destroyed as a result of Gods judgment.

Its worth noting these interpretations are not mutually exclusive. I believe, as many other theologians and scholars, in a combination of these views. In other words, the Antichrist is the preeminent figure, a monarch within a larger political system, such as an empire or world government. It is not either-or; instead, both are one. They are inextricably attached as a head and body. They take their meaning from each other and essentially rise and fall together.

Varied are the interpretations of the the seven heads and the seven hills.

The seven heads of the beast represent seven hills (mountains). In prophetic passages, mountains, or hills, can represent powerful nations or governments. For instance, in Isaiah 41:15, God says, You will be a new threshing instrument with many sharp teeth. You will tear your enemies apart, making chaff of mountains.

The reference to seven hills has been traditionally linked with the city of Rome because Rome has been known as the City of Seven Hills. But the text of Revelation chapter 17 verse 10 indicates the seven mountains are not actually physical elevations, but are seven kings, kingdoms, or world-dominating powers. So, although some are insistent there can be no reasonable doubt the text is referring to Rome, the city, the interpretation is still problematic. Its hard to deduct whether the harlot, who is an influential false religious system and responsible for the persecution of Gods people, is located in a city that sits on seven hills (Palatine, Capitol, Avenine, Caelian, Esquline, Viminal, and Quirinal), more specifically Rome, or whether she is linked to seven kings connected to Rome (Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, and Galba. This list may vary), or whether she operates in conjunction with seven distinct forms of government that characterized the Roman Empire (Kings, Consuls, Dictators, Decemvirs, Tribunes, Imperial, and a revived future form) or whether she has been united with seven historical empires or world powers that have persecuted Gods people throughout history (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and a future empire), or whether the situation is a mixture of these interpretations?

What about the five kings or kingdoms mentioned that the angel said had already fallen? Were they five fallen Roman Emperors who ruled before Revelation was written? Is the sixth king, the reigning emperor while the apostle John was living? What about the seventh, does this refer to a future emperor of Rome to come? Or do the five kings represent five world empires or kingdoms, with the Roman Empire being the sixth, and a future kingdom being the seventh? And, then there is the question of the eighth king, or kingdom, which is a reference to what leader, which world power, or is it both, that the text says develops in the last days.

Some may find this lack of clarity in Revelations apocalyptic message troubling. Some might even criticize this commentary for not taking a more definite theological position. Still, others may conclude that I am confused and totally in error. Perhaps. But could it be that these passages are not readily understood or left somewhat enigmatic so that we would earnestly watch for the Lords coming?

Jesus said, When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, Here comes a shower. And you are right. When the south wind blows, you say, Today will be a scorcher. And it is. You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you dont know how to interpret the present times (Luke 12:54-56).

Just as people can predict weather patterns by observing natural signs, people who love Jesus and eagerly await his appearance, are ever watching for the signs of his imminent return. If the people of Christs day had loved the Lord and were walking upright before the Lord, if they were eagerly waiting and watching for the Messiahs first coming, they wouldnt have rejected Jesus.

I believe that as we watch and discern the times by the Word and Gods Spirit, much of what we may not understand in prophecy now, God will make clearer as he unfolds his plan before us.

It turns out that the interpretation of the 10 horns (vs. 12) and the waters where the prostitute is ruling (vs. 15) is not so difficult.

The 10 horns represent rulers and their kingdoms who are in the future and will pledge their allegiance to the beast, reigning with him briefly to gain sovereignty over the world. However, the Lambs triumph is assured and Gods faithful ones are promised to share in the victory (vs. 13, 14).

The waters where the harlot, the false religious system, reigns is a cosmopolitan and transnational empire (vs. 15).

Last, but certainly not least, look at what happens to the harlot, Mystery Babylon. Consider the ultimate end of faith when compromised and apostatized. The world to which it sought to appeal, the ideas, the values, the culture, the crowd with which it sought to assimilate, turns on it with hatred and ravages it. They expose and shame her (strip her naked, vs. 16), ruthlessly and voraciously act to harm her (eat her flesh, vs. 16), and completely turn her to cinders (and burn her remains with fire, vs. 16).

A profound lesson for the wise: a relationship forged in adultery is not a match made in Heaven (vs. 17).

In the incomparable book of Revelation, we read of the timeless struggle between imitation and truth, deception and integrity. From art forgeries to Satans schemes, the theme of diabolical imitation echoes throughout history.

The content of Revelation beckons us to heed Christs call to vigilance (Mark 13:33). The harlot, the beast, the worlds rulers and kingdoms, and their judgment, as described, alert us to stand firm, unwavering, and anchored in Christ.

Let us never forget that it is the Lamb who prevails. It is the Lamb who shall dispel every darkness, overcome every counterfeit, and reign eternally.

May God give his people grace to always be found faithful.
11 Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza

Xinhua) 09:34, October 17, 2023

GAZA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 Palestinian journalists were killed and 20 more others injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said on Monday.

In a press statement, the syndicate said 50 local, regional, and international media organizations were targeted in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which have continued for 10 days.

Moreover, two journalists have gone missing as they were covering the escalation between Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel, the syndicate added.

It also noted that the continued power outage and internet problem in Gaza limited the ability of journalists to continue their coverage.

"Many journalists were subjected to direct threats and incitements from Israel on social media platforms," the syndicate said, calling on the international community to intervene to protect journalists.

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip a week ago, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming)
MBABANE  A South African man has run to court after his in-laws covertly took the body of his late wife, who is a liSwati, into the kingdom for interment.

Doctor Magidi Mpapane has since obtained orders interdicting Dups Funeral Home and Undertakers from releasing the corpse to his in-laws, stopping the burial of his wife by her in-laws and that the body should be released to him. The wife, Winile, is reported to have died on October 7, 2023 at Barberton Hospital in the Republic of South Africa. The order by the court comes after Mpapane filed an urgent application at the High Court. In his application, the applicant (Mpapane) argued that his in-laws allegedly removed the body of his wife from Barberton Hospital surreptitiously, without his knowledge and consent as the surviving spouse.

Children

The applicant brought it to the attention of the court that even their children were not aware on the whereabouts of their deceased mother. He contended that in terms of the law, the primary duty to bury a deceased spouse lay with the surviving partner. The applicant (Mpapane) argued that the matter was urgent as the body of her late wife might be buried any time. Respondents in the matter are Gugu Dlamini, Phinda Dlamini, Phila Dlamini, Sicelo Dlamini, Obed Dlamini, Sophie Dlamini and Dups Funeral Home and Undertakers. In his founding affidavit, Mpapane submitted that he married Winile in community of property on October 24, 1997 and same still subsists. He stated that with Winile, they established their marital home at Malelane in the Nkomazi Municipality, in Mpumalanga Province.

According to the applicant, this was known by his in-laws. The applicant highlighted to the court that they had two children and one of them was currently attending school in Nelspruit.

It was his averment that the minors were not consulted before the body of their late mother was taken to Eswatini. The deceased and I had some marriage challenges and we have not been living together for a limited duration. However, the deceased and I were always in constant contact as we have two children. Inasmuch as we had challenges in our marriage, this did not affect our relationship, alleged Mpapane. He submitted that they were not enemies with his late wife. According to the applicant, most of his late wifes clothes were still at their matrimonial home. He alleged that at the time of her demise, the deceased still had keys to their matrimonial home and would come and go as she pleased.

Sentimental

Mpapane alleged that the marital home was also of sentimental value to his late wife and she had frequently expressed to him that she wished to be buried in the Republic of South Africa, close to it. Up until her death, the deceased was my wife and I was responsible to her as a husband apart that we did not sleep on the same bed. I also ate her food when she visited the marital home, alleged the applicant. He narrated to the court that on October 11, 2023, he heard from a relative that his wife had passed away. Mpapane said he informed his family and waited with the hope that his in-laws would include him and his family to prepare and arrange the burial of the deceased. He claimed that his in-laws did not involve him and his family.

Upon further investigation, I have further learnt that the deceased died on October 7, 2023 at Barberton Hospital and her body was surreptitiously taken without consulting me, the minor children or my family, alleged the deponent.

He submitted that the alleged unorthodox removal of his wifes body from South Africa was, therefore, done under stealth. He said he was uncertain how the respondents managed to remove the body of the deceased, who was married in South Africa, to Eswatini. He said he had been advised that in such situations, the consent of the surviving spouse was needed but none was sought from him. I have now established that the respondents approached the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa and under questionable circumstances, obtained a death certificate without my assistance. This is despite that in terms of the civil registry in South Africa, I am still the one who ought to have obtained the death certificate, he argued.

Mpapane said he was not certain how the respondents managed to obtain the death certificate without his assistance or consent. The matter is pending before Judge Nkosinathi Maseko and the respondents are expected to show cause why the order should not be made final. The applicants are represented by Jasmine Dlamini of Robinson Bertram.
US broken immigration system: Are they going after Christians?

There are signs in the yards of some of the more liberal neighbors in my town that say, among other things, no human is illegal. That seems to align with the current concept of border protection that has now allowed over 1.5 million folks across our southernmost boundary in the past three years. Mind you, that is just an estimate because no one really knows how many have come over illegally.

Compounding the problem is that a vast portion of the ones who have crossed over under the watchful eye of Washington are now missing because they simply were not documented before being released into the heartland to roam freely and unobstructed. Apparently, there are so many of these folks that the various agencies just dont have the time to keep up with them all.

While these statistics should be of concern to every citizen as well as to those immigrants who have attempted to come into our country in a legal manner, there are some additional undercurrents that should give great pause, particularly to those who hold Christian values.

A recent news story revealed that due to some procedural changes illegal migrants are going to be able to get their green cards first as thousands of faith leaders are to be deported. The article focused on the plight of Torbon Sondergaard, who fled with his family from Denmark with only their suitcases because of religious persecution. They entered America through proper channels and have been allowed to remain until this past June when Torbon was arrested by the Joint Terrorism Task Force and ultimately deported after being held in custody for over a year because he had overstayed his visa.

Speaking about this matter at a House subcommittee hearing in July, U.S. Rep. Caly Higgin (R-La.) stated that Sondergaard ... is a legal immigrant from Denmark, came to our country legally, applied for asylum properly and [had] no criminal charges. He was arrested for overstaying his visa. He's been incarcerated and in solitary confinement for over one year. He's been persecuted by this administration and targeted, we believe because he's an evangelical Christian minister.

Believing in the promise of America, the Sondergaard family tried to do everything right and yet were targeted for harsh treatment by a government seemingly intent on allowing everyone else into our country. Maybe Congressman Higgin is right in his assessment.

Likewise, another family with a similar plight was highlighted in a recent report. This time it involves the Romeike family who fled their native Germany and fought unsuccessfully for religious asylum to homeschool their children. Apparently, the Romeike children were pulled from the public school system in their home country over concerns that the dictated curriculum was warping their childrens personalities and attacked family values.

Sound familiar?

Additionally, Germany effectively bans homeschooling or any other curriculum that doesnt coincide with what is promulgated by government dictates. Despite having lived legally in the United States for over 15 years, apparently with the governments blessing, they are now facing deportation next month. In 2014 they were granted deferred action status under the Obama administration. Yet, earlier this month, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer told the family they had four weeks to apply for German passports ahead of their deportation  with zero explanation for the sudden expulsion, according to the report.

Speaking of the Romeike case, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) penned a letter this past week to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that said in part, As millions of illegal immigrants flood across our southern border and disappear into our country, your immigration authorities have chosen to punish a family who has built their lives in Tennessee within the legal parameters of our immigration system.

Fortunately, through the yeoman efforts of the Home School Legal Defense Association, the Biden Administration bowed to intense public and Congressional pressure and has currently rescinded the immediate deportation order. However, based on the one-year stay order, the Romeike family will potentially have to face this whole sordid scenario at the end of that time period. At this point, it does appear that there is at least a short-lived victory if nothing more.

Unfortunately, these do not appear to be isolated events. There is, however, a disturbing pattern being played out through these controversies as our government chooses to expend its resources against Christians instead of focusing on the mass invasion of unknowns coming across the Southern border. At Southern Evangelical Seminary we are keenly aware of increased attacks on religious freedom in our country. Many would like to lay the total blame for these assaults against the most basic of our freedoms at the feet of the Biden administration or whoever is in control in Washington these days.



While that may or may not be the case, the truth is that the powers of darkness have set their sights on anyone who would name the name of Christ and truly mean it. Make no mistake, persecution is at hand, and Christ followers should take heed and become involved and at the same time prepare themselves for what is to come.

It is quite understandable that there will be those who will quickly disregard this claim and label it as nothing more than a conspiracy theory. However, when a theory, whether formed in conspiracy or not, becomes fact, then it turns into a fulfilled prophecy, and it is playing out right before our eyes. If our religious liberty is diluted or taken away, can any of our freedoms be safe?

Wake up America, before its too late.
Christian preacher facing prison over Bible sign near abortion clinic

A Christian preacher who held a sign with a Bible verse on it inside an abortion clinic 'buffer zone' could be sent to prison.

Stephen Green, 72, from south Wales, is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC) who said that he is being prosecuted after holding the sign within a buffer zone outside a clinic in Ealing, west London, run by MSI Reproductive Choices, formerly Marie Stopes International.

The clinic was one of the first in the country to be granted a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) by the local council forbidding prayer, protesting and "engaging in an act of approval/disapproval" towards abortion services.

Green's sign displayed the words: "Psalm 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb."

Ealing Council decided to take action against Mr Green in February under section 67 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Green, the director of campaign group Christian Voice, was due to appear at a court hearing on Tuesday. He faces being sent to prison for six months and a 1,000 fine.

Ahead of the hearing, Mr Green said: "I was deeply shocked to receive the summons from Ealing Council.

"I see this prosecution as an attack on the Bible and free speech. I am determined to defend myself and fight for justice.

"People are right to be concerned about the buffer zone legislation. To bar Christian witness and to control what people can say in an area is draconian and anti-Christian.

"There is a huge principle at stake here. If we are not free to hold a sign with a verse from Psalm 139 on it in a London street, then none of us is free."

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, called buffer zones "an oppressive part of the current culture which force consent and silence dissent".

"The effect of the PSPO is to criminalise any act of disapproval of abortion and to create an area where no discussion or even prayer relating to abortion, is permitted," she said.

"There have now been over 10 million abortions in the UK since abortion was legalised in 1967. That is a staggering number. That is almost twice the population of Scotland and more than the entire population of London. Millions of people would be alive today if abortion had not been legalised.

"Instead of lamenting this loss of life we are industrialising it, making it ever easier to obtain abortion effectively on demand, and now we are criminalising dissent.

"We will stand with Mr Green as he seeks justice in this case."
MBABANE - Economist Thembinkosi Dube says unemployment contributes to low life expectancy.

Dube was responding to questions on how economic instability contributes to people dying before at least reaching their retirement age. He said if a person failed to get a job or not succeed in life, stress developed and later led to hypertension or diabetes, which caused death. Dube also stated that unemployment also increased crimes such as housebreaking and theft, among others, which might expose the thieves to danger of being killed. When these people unlawfully break-into peoples houses, they expose themselves to the dangers of being shot and killed by the house owners. These thieves also expose themselves to mob attacks, said Dube.

The economist further highlighted that some women had become sex workers or started engaging in illicit practices with the intention of making money, despite the fact that they were exposing themselves to infectious diseases such HIV/AIDS and sexual transmitted infections (STIs), which lead to death at some point in time. According to Dube, people living in countries such as Britain and Japan, among others had a majority of an old age population as compared to African countries. He said the high number of old people in developed countries was as a result of a conducive political climate.

Developed

Government in developed countries is taking care of them (old people) and has old age homes where they are looked after, said Dube. Meanwhile, Dube said a lot was supposed to be done by government in as far as corruption was concerned. He, however, lamented on the current reports of corruption allegations leveled against some Members of Parliament (MPs), which he said it was, therefore, questionable on how they would enact laws in Parliament that would take the country forward. He said due to such allegations, it would be difficult for them to reprimand each other when something went wrong. He was responding to questions on what government needed to do to help assist in dealing with such a low life expectancy prediction expected to be below the retirement age, being 60 years. He said the nation had a long way ahead in dealing with corruption, which he said it had immensely affected the country. A high unemployment rate also results in corruption because some people are not hired based on qualifications but through nepotism. There is a need to sort out this issue, he explained.

Reasonable

The economist further pleaded with government to start paying civil servants reasonable salaries and its suppliers faithfully. He said once that started happening, it could lubricate the economy. Three months would be enough for the countrys economy to change for the better if government starts paying its suppliers on time. If government can be faithful for a year on this, then the countrys economy can be completely different, he said. Furthermore, the economist said once the unemployment rate was minimised, it would result to emaSwati starting to expand their businesses as a result of economic confidence. According to the economist, once the business people begin to expand, they would start to recruit more people to help in producing more and later exporting their products to other countries. He said such exportation would result to the growth in gross domestic products (GDP) of the country. He further said if government and parastatals would be committed to dealing with the aforementioned issues, then the economy of the country would change for the better.

Action

Governments rise to action can lubricate all the stresses faced by restaurants and others from shutting down their businesses. I have also noted that it is no longer busy on weekends in towns due to the fact that people dont have money, he said. Also, Dube noted with concern that the ease of doing business they had been advocating for would not be effective if emaSwati did not have money in their possession. He then lamented by stating that some businesspeople, soon after doing businesses with government and some parastatals, ended up not getting paid, leading to them closing down their businesses. It is so unfortunate that some small businesses are still being owed by government a sum of E800 000 for three years. This then frustrates the businesspeople because they fail to run their businesses properly, he said. Also, Dube said if Eswatini would start losing certain skills as result of deaths before the age of 57 years, government would be greatly affected in terms of getting relevant skills. If employees die as result of long illnesses, then government is expected to pay more. Government has to pay its staff while being admitted in various hospitals which increases the financial load, said Dube.
MANZINI  Not even a penny was received by some legislators in exchange for a Senate vote.

Some 12th Parliament politicians have denied ever being in the same space with an aspirant senator who offered cash for an original vote. In fact, some of the interviewed legislators claimed that they had not interacted much with the aspiring politicians as they had their own people to nominate. Nkwene Constituency Member of Parliament MP Sikhumbuzo Dlamini said from the onset, he would advise aspiring senators to curb their enthusiasm as he had two candidates he was canvassing votes for.

Campaign

As such, the MP said he was a campaign manager (galajane) for an aspirant senator, who eventually won in the female category. Also, he said in the male category, there was a candidate he supported because of the vision used while lobbying. No one approached me with the promise of money; but some would seek to meet me and Id tell them that I had already committed my votes for both categories, he said. He said those he met were also offering to assist and support with projects. The legislator emphasised that he had not received a single penny with a promise of an original vote. Anginavalo! loosely meaning he was not scared of anything. Also, Timphisini Constituency MP Thulani Nsingwane said he received nothing at all from aspiring senators. Nsingwane claimed that he had not been approached because few people knew him. I never saw the money and Ive been baffled on how they got it, Nsingwane said. In fact, he claimed that he voted for a relative who was already nominated and did not pay him as his vote was not for sale.

Also, Mafutseni Constituency MP Sabelo Mthethwa said he knew nothing about the sale of Senate votes. He said there were people who approached him; but he never took any money as he knew that it had to be earned. On the other hand, Mayiwane Constituency MP Sicelo Dlamini supposed that he was invited to meetings but never attended them. He purported to have been shocked when hearing that there were claims that some legislators were paid money in order to vote for the nominees. Hhukwini Constituency MP Alec Lushaba said he never attended any of the meetings where the Senate nominees lobbied the MPs and as such, he never got to see the money. I went with the people I had committed my votes to and I informed those who approached me late that I had already offered them to other people, Lushaba said.
ESCATEC Promotes Lambert Schutters to CPO to Redefine Procurement Strategy Published: 17 October 2023 by Tyler Hanes by Tyler Hanes

PENANG, MALAYSIA  Integrated electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, ESCATEC, has promoted Lambert Schutters to the newly created role of Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) with the mandate to strengthen partnerships with suppliers and deliver better value to stakeholders.

Currently General Manager (GM) of ESCATECs business units located within the major electronics cluster of Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia, Schutters will start his new role with immediate effect. Hailing from the Netherlands, Schutters remains based at ESCATECs corporate headquarters and will work closely with the rest of the C-Team and report directly to the CEO.

We are delighted to promote Lambert to the role of CPO. His experience has been instrumental in helping the organisation navigate the Covid-19 component shortages. In his new role as CPO, Lambert will be at the forefront of addressing the intricate challenges and tapping into opportunities within our procurement strategies and supply chain processes. We believe his extensive experience and proven track record are perfectly suited to lift the performance of our procurement activities to a new level, effectively navigate our increasingly complex supply chain management and assist ESCATEC in improving customer service and competitiveness, said Joe Lahra, Chairman of ESCATEC.

I am happy to make this significant next step in my career journey. Beginning as a buyer in the Netherlands and progressing through diverse procurement and supply chain management roles worldwide, I was privileged to advance to a General Manager role in the electronics industry. Since 2018, I've served as General Manager of ESCATECs facilities in Penang, noted Schutters.

I am excited to take on the pivotal role of Chief Procurement Officer. This new chapter enables me to reorient toward my original career path while actively contributing to ESCATEC's ongoing growth and success. I am enthusiastic about leading our procurement team, shaping our future strategy, and ensuring our continued excellence in delivering high-quality products and services to our esteemed customers, he said.

Schutters will be handing over the role of GM in Penang to Chua JJ Jin Jeong. JJ has been instrumental in managing the growth of ESCATECs medical business for the last 15 years as Business Unit Manager of ESCATEC Medical Sdn Bhd (EDM).

ESCATEC has been in rapid expansion mode over the past two years with the Group making major investments to acquire the latest technologies and capabilities, as well as significantly expanding its international production and design footprint via acquisition and partnerships.

Established in 1984, ESCATEC offers a fully integrated and complete range of electronics and box build manufacturing services, from D&D, prototyping, product certification, to cost-effective mass volume production and after-sales services. The Groups current portfolio comprises advanced microelectronics and D&D capabilities in Switzerland and a network of modern production facilities in Malaysia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. ESCATEC also has a long-standing partnership with Wisconsin-based SMT Corp that provides a base in the North American market.
MANZINI  Some Members of Parliament (MPs) want those purportedly swindled by their colleagues in the Senate elections, to name and shame the perpetrators.

The legislators were interviewed following that since the Senate elections; the media has been awash with allegations being made by some of those who lost out in the race. Some of the people who fell through in their pursuit for political office, claimed that they parted with amounts ranging from E500 000 to over E1 million while lobbying. The election of 10 senators was subsequent to the MPs taking the oath of office and allegiance.

Integrity

The elections were held on October 14, 2023. This exercise has resulted in questions regarding the integrity of some of the legislators forming the electoral college. It was alleged that it was during this period that money exchanged hands the most as there were endless meetings attended by the legislators with the aspirant politicians. Subsequent to their crash in the Senate race, some of them are reportedly demanding their money back from some of the 12th Parliament politicians, whom they claim had taken it with the promise of offering them an original vote. The allegations insinuating that some legislators had made money out of a noble exercise have drawn the scorn of the public and also some players in the political landscape.

It has brought the question of integrity among those elected into the august House and in establishing if the MPs were aware of the said allegations of money exchanging hands for votes, some said the corrupt should be named. Mbabane East Constituency MP Welcome Dlamini said the complainants should name those whom they gave their money to as at this instance, the image of all legislators was being affected. In fact, he said this was an argument he raised just before the Senate elections on October 14, 2023, inside the chamber. Welcome last Thursday said if any legislator had taken a nominees money, with the promise of an original vote, they should not include the other MPs in this. The Mbabane East MP said: Nangabe udle imali yemuntfu wamtsembisa lo-one, ungasifaki tsine.

His sentiments were also shared by Nkwene Constituency MP Sikhumbuzo Dlamini. He said his conscience was clear on this and the people who were alleging to have been swindled should simply name and shame those whom they paid. The former police officer said there was a need for clarity though on how the money exchanged hands as there were various models. He made an example wherein a nominee would commit to support a legislator during their tenure in Parliament. This, he said, involved money even though it was not instant cash. He said with the commitment, the nominee would be committing to assisting with finances in the near future and he saw nothing wrong with that as politics involved money.

Exchanging

We also campaigned with the promise of jobs and other opportunities, which indirectly involves money. So, with money exchanging hands directly, Im not certain of that as those I know promised to support my projects during my tenure as an MP, he said. Also, Thulani Nsingwane, who is Timphisini Constituency MP, said: They should name those whom they gave money to, so that they pay them back. Nsingwane said he only got to know of the allegations through the media. He said it was unfortunate that this had now come out with insinuations that most legislators benefitted from such. On the other hand, former Managing Editor (ME) of the Eswatini Financial Times, Alec Lushaba, advised those who were offered money to return it. Lushaba said: Those who took the money know exactly where they got it and why it was offered to him. So, they should return it. Also, Mafutseni Constituency MP Sabelo Mthethwa said: They should name the people they offered money and state why they offered it.

Meanwhile, Mayiwane Constituency MP Sicelo Dlamini said they were affected by the allegations in a way; however, he was not keen to involve himself in it. The former police officer requested not to pronounce whether the complainants should name and shame those who were supposedly offered money in favour of an original vote. He said: I supported someone who lobbied through sharing ideas aligned to what I believe in and so, mine is to protect my own integrity. It is worth noting that legislators are regarded as public officers and according to Section 30 of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 2006, a public officer who, whether in Swaziland (Eswatini) or elsewhere, solicits or accepts any advantage as an inducement to, or a reward for or otherwise on account of the public officer (a) performing or forbearing to perform or having performed or forborne to perform any act as such public officer.

On the other hand, Section 21 Subsection 1 states that a person who, whether in Swaziland (Eswatini) or elsewhere, offers any advantage to any public officer as an inducement to, or a reward for, or otherwise on account of that public officer (a) performing or forbearing to perform or having performed or forborne to perform any act as such public officer; The Act states that a person who is convicted of an offence referred to in Section 21 and or Section 30 shall be liable to a fine not exceeding E100 000 or imprisonment not exceeding ten years or to both. Meanwhile, this publication reported that some of the aspirant politicians who lost in the Senate race had been supposedly reimbursed by the legislators who had breached their agreement of offering them an original vote in exchange of cash.
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Fatigue and complacency led to a passenger and car ferry crashing into a terminal in Seattle last year, causing $10.3 million in damage to the ferry, according to the National Transportation Safety Boards final report.

The Cathlamet ferry departed Vashon Island on July 28, 2022 and crossed Puget Sound with 94 people on board. It was approaching its dock in West Seattle when it struck an offshore piling part of the dock called a dolphin, the NTSB said in the report. One minor injury was reported. The dolphin had $300,000 in damage, officials said.

The ferry captain did not take any action to correct the ferrys course, slow down or sound the alarm before the contact, according to the report. Investigators said the captain also didn`t recall what happened and seemed unaware of how the ferry wound up hitting the pilings. Those events are consistent with incapacitation from a microsleep, a period of sleep lasting a few seconds, because of fatigue, NTSB investigators said.

Mariners should understand the performance effects of sleep loss and recognize the dangers of fatigue, such as microsleeps, NTSB investigators said in the final report. Mariners should avoid being on duty when unable to safely carry out their responsibilities, investigators added.

Additionally, the ferry crew when docking didn`t comply with Washington State Ferries policies and neither did the quartermaster on board who should have been monitoring the captain as the ferry approached the dock, the report said. Had he done so, he could have taken over when the captain became incapacitated, according to investigators.

Washington State Ferries runs vehicle and passenger ferry service in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands and is the largest ferry system in the U.S. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the agency thanked the NTSB for their support and findings, which officials said essentially verified the results of an internal investigation released in March.

Safety is our top priority, Washington State Ferries tweeted.

A separate United States Coast Guard investigation is ongoing, the agency said.

The state ferry system has experienced staffing shortages for several years and mechanical issues with the vessels, which have led to delays and fewer boats in service at times.

Nicole McIntosh, Ferries` deputy assistant secretary, this week told the Legislature that hiring progress is being made, but a shortage remains, The Seattle Times reported.

The vessel involved in the crash, the Cathlamet, is 328 feet long and can carry up to 124 vehicles and 1,200 passengers.

Top photo: A damaged Cathlamet ferry sits at the Fauntleroy dock in West Seattle, July 28, 2022. Fatigue and complacency led to the passenger and car ferry crashing into a terminal in Seattle last year, causing $10.3 million in damage to the ferry, according to the National Transportation Safety Boards final report released on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. (Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times via AP, File)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
MEDINA, Ohio -- Issues regarding the deer population in the city have been under discussion by City Council for over a year now. On Nov. 7, residents will get to vote on how the city moves forward.

Over a year ago, the council passed a deer-abatement ordinance, and then there were referendum petitions circulated, said Finance Director Keith Durham said at last weeks council meeting.

The city ordinance would allow bow hunting to help control the deer population. But that did not sit well with some residents, who put a referendum in motion with the theme of Say No to the Bow. They collected enough referendum petition signatures to take the matter to the ballot.

Ongoing discussions among city officials, council members, hunters and residents have brought up concerns over the deer population, responsible hunters, community safety and more.

The ordinance that council has passed has not taken effect because we wait for (the community vote). The purpose of the referendum is to give the voters a say in that, Durham said.

A yes vote will allow the adoption of the ordinance that council passed. A no vote will reject the ordinance.

If theres a no vote and its rejected  there will be further discussions on something, I guess, said City Council President John Coyne.

I dont know what that would be, but the public would have spoken and told council what they wanted to do, and I guess we would have to try and figure out another solution, if there is one, he said.

No camping

In other news at the Finance Committee meeting, Police Chief Ed Kinney discussed a new ordinance that would prohibit camping on public property.

This is a new ordinance that would prohibit camping on public property, specifically property owned by the city, including without limitation to streets, sidewalks, easements, parks, parking lots, public grounds or right-of-ways, he said.

This section will not apply to people who have no alternative lodging available to them and are otherwise homeless and have insufficient resources to secure alternative lodging and are unable to secure free services such as shelters within a reasonable proximity to the city or hotel-motel vouchers, which are or have been made available, Kinney said.

He explained that all three of these conditions have to be met in order for an individual to be exempt from the camping ordinance.

The issue is, we have a lot of homeless folks where we have resources available to them; we have resources we can offer to them. They simply refuse to accept any help, Kinney said.

He elaborated that this ordinance is not targeted toward people who are struggling and accepting help, but rather people who are not accepting help and are creating a nuisance.

Read more from the Medina Sun.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- City Council unanimously passed a resolution Monday (Oct. 16) supporting Israel as it defends itself in a war launched by terrorists.

Council further recognized the significant number of its Jewish residents still reeling from the Hamas attack abroad earlier this month.

The resolution, introduced by all members of council and Mayor Kahlil Seren, also supported the city administrations deployment of an increased police presence in Jewish neighborhoods, at schools, synagogues and other potential targets of violence during this sensitive time.

In condemning the reprehensible, anti-Semitic actions of Hamas that have led to the suffering of both Israelis and innocent Palestinians in Gaza, city officials mourned the lives lost and expressed hope that peace and justice will be brought about swiftly.

We stand with the many residents in our city that are impacted by this war, as they have family members and friends in Israel who are in the midst of the violence and are in danger, the resolution stated.

The local legislation -- now to be forwarded to the White House and Ohios congressional delegation -- recognizes that thousands of innocent civilians, including children, have been targeted, taken hostage, injured and murdered in this senseless series of attacks.

Seren, who issued a statement Oct. 13 in response to a Hamas declaration of a Jihad day of rage incited against Jews and Americans, further denounced and condemned the terrorist attacks during his mayors comments at Mondays council meeting.

In quoting author James Baldwin that the children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe, Seren added that any ethnic hate has no home here.

He cited the murder over the weekend of a 6-year-old boy outside of Chicago. The child was stabbed to death and his mother seriously injured, allegedly by their landlord, simply because of their Muslim faith.

Theres no excuse for the slaughter of children, Seren said. And it is incumbent upon us as Americans to stand up for each other.

Mixed reaction

The resolution was not without its critics, including a woman who found Serens use of the Baldwin quote disingenuous.

If we sign this resolution, we are complicit in the impending genocide of a captive population of 2.2 million Palestinian and Muslim residents in the Gaza Strip who have no escape from the relentless bombing, the resident said.

She called for an immediate cease-fire and an end to Israeli Apartheid.

Another resident agreed, saying that after 400 years of oppression, we still have to say Black Lives Matter. Palestinian lives matter, too. We need to stand with the oppressed or we are all terrorists.

Resident Susan Efroymson disagreed, saying that every Jew knows someone affected by this atrocity, adding that Israeli officials have told Gaza residents to get out of the way as the military goes in after Hamas.

And I do appreciate the extra police protection on the day of Jihad, with targets on our backs, Efroymson said of the local effort. Its very American to stand up for whats right.

Cleveland Heights Planning Commission Chair Jessica Cohen said the latest compounding of collective genocide came at the hands of Hamas.

We all woke up to a nightmare on the Sabbath (Oct. 7), Cohen said, adding that she is still trying to shelter and shield her own young children from the harsh reality.

I and every other American know that but for the grace of God they and their children were a safe distance away.

Council comments

Prior to the individual roll call, council members defended the resolution. Councilman Anthony Mattox said that as a pastor, its hard getting up on a Sunday morning to try to explain this to people. Theres a lot of context, but also a lot of lost childrens lives.

Asking leaders on all sides to lean into the conversation, Mattox said he could see the local connection with people grieving the loss of loved ones. Its critical that we pray for all people. Its a reminder that all humans should have their lives valued.

Were grieving every victim, but asking for justice, Mattox added.

After listening to everyone Monday, Councilwoman Gail Larson said she did not want to talk about the various sides of the conflict. She pointed out that the resolution acknowledges both Israelis and Palestinians being affected by the reprehensible acts of Hamas.

Noting that terrorism is the enemy of our democracy, Councilwoman Davida Russell said that my familys deepest condolences, my heart and my prayers go out to all of you. This has to stop.

And we can protect one another, Russell added.

Councilwoman Janine Boyd recalled visiting Israel in 2018 with an Ohio Statehouse delegation and seeing a lot of collaboration between the Israelis and the Palestinians on everything from water purification to farming techniques.

We need to continue to separate the terrorist organization that is Hamas, Boyd added.

Councilman Tony Cuda said he worked on adding the clause to the resolution that also takes innocent Palestinians into account.

The past nine days since the attack have been traumatic for all of us, Cuda said.

Growing up in one of the only non-Jewish families on Desota Avenue, Cuda remembered neighbors with numbers (tattooed) on their arms from concentration camps, being only about 16 years removed from the Holocaust at the time.

Council Vice President Craig Cobb said that on the night after the attacks on Israel, he came across Schindlers List on TV and started watching the Oscar-winning film again.

I dont see how you can watch that movie and not support Israels right to defend itself, Cobb said. And I dont find anything controversial in this legislation.

In giving support to the citys Jewish citizens, Council President Melody Joy Hart said, Its not acceptable to have a terrorist organization affects our residents as Hamas does.

I will vote to condemn those attacks and defend the rights of Israel.

Read more from the Sun Press.
BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- In its first meeting since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel began, City Council on Monday (Oct. 16) unanimously approved a resolution in support of Israel as it defends itself in the war launched by terrorists.

Councilman Joshua Mintz was the lone speaker on the resolution, reading a prepared statement that told of how several of Beachwoods Jewish residents have become part of the war in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Innocent civilians, including Americans, were kidnapped, raped, tortured and killed, Mintz said. This was terrorism. Hamas plan was to murder innocent civilians in hopes that they can destroy Israel and annihilate the Jews. This is terrorism.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said it best: We are not all right.

And while Israel is 6,000 miles away, pain and trauma is affecting us here in Beachwood, Mintz continued. Many in our community are not all right. They are hurting, they are fearful and they are very scared.

We have Beachwood residents living in Israel. We have Beachwood residents serving in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). We have Beachwood children who are studying in Israel. And we have family and friends in Israel.

We are grieving together as a community, and we stand with Israel.

Keeping Beachwood secure

Mayor Justin Berns, after a Hamas leader called for a Worldwide Day of Jihad on Friday (Oct. 13), ordered Beachwood police to provide heightened security over the entire weekend.

The extensive networking connections Chief (Kate) McLaughlin cultivated over the past few years have proven to be nothing less than extraordinary and have significantly benefited our city, Berns said Monday.

I would like to express my gratitude to Chief McLaughlin, the entire police department and the external law enforcement agencies for their dedicated time and efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of our city. Thank you, Chief.

At the conclusion of Berns comments, McLaughlin received applause from the gathering.

I want City Council and the citizens of Beachwood to know that with everything thats unfolded the last week and two days, the Beachwood Police Department has enacted proactive measures to enhance security citywide, McLaughlin said during her report to council.

In close coordination with both private and public law enforcement agencies, we are actively engaged in the collection of intelligence and have intensified patrol and visibility efforts.

Our officers regard this matter with utmost seriousness, and I have complete confidence in their abilities.

McLaughlin thanked the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office, which shared its resources over the weekend, as well as the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Cleveland Police Department, East Side Department Group Enforcement, Valley Enforcement Group, Chagrin Valley Dispatch, the FBI and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, who all partnered with Beachwood police.

This continues to be a dynamic and fluid situation that we continue to treat proactively for the foreseeable future, she said.

Resident Jeff Moss, during the meetings public portion, told council, Driving down Green Road over the weekend and seeing the increased presence of various police agencies, it was especially appreciated.

Keeping us safe is very important and its appreciated by everybody.

Law Director Hastings resigning

Also at the meeting, Berns, council members and city directors paid tribute to Law Director Stewart Hastings, who has resigned and will leave his position at the end of October. He will then become law director for the City of Sandusky.

Under (Hastings) leadership, our law department is in better shape now than its been in a long time, said Councilman Eric Synenberg.

Public records return time is down, most of the litigation weve had over the past couple of years is settled and many of the special projects Mr. Hastings has been working on the past several months have recently been resolved favorably.

This is not an easy job, and he has navigated competing interests while always making sure he did what was best for the city while also following the law.

After the meeting, when asked why he was leaving Beachwood for Sandusky, Hastings said, Sandusky is an opportunity, and Im looking forward to it.

He said there was no particular reason why he was leaving his current post, which he has held for the past two-and-a-half years. Prior to that, he was law director in Cleveland for 17 years.

Hastings said he and his wife have a second residence in Sandusky.

Council approved Monday the hiring of Todd Hunt to serve as interim law director through the end of 2023. Hunt serves as law director in Richmond Heights and Gates Mills.

Police contract

Council also approved a tentative three-year contract with the Beachwood police officers union, Fraternal Order of Police, Beachwood Lodge 86.

The contract, in terms of pay increase, mirrors that of the previously negotiated firefighters contract, giving raises in each of the three years of 4 percent, 3.75 percent and, in the third year, 3.5 percent.

Berns told council, which was not involved in negotiations, that I went into these negotiations -- you can be mad at me if you want, whatever the case, I dont care -- I told our police I wanted them to be paid amongst the five highest police agencies in Northeast Ohio at this time. I want our police officers being paid.

And if some people think were overpaying them, so be it. We saw what they delivered last week, and Im proud of that. They are competitively being compensated, but we want them amongst the highest.

Read more from the Sun Press.
ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The Rocky River Chamber of Commerce held its popular annual Business Expo Oct. 12 in the Umerly Center. The new chamber director, David Lipinsky, noted that there were close to 100 businesses exhibiting that day.

The businesses were diverse, from insurance and remodeling businesses to banks, restaurants and house cleaning services -- and even the local library. All were looking for an opportunity to discuss their businesses with the hundreds of people who attend the expo.

A new addition were speakers addressing business owners. Four speakers covered business topics, and Lipinsky was proud to say the business owners filled the available seats.

It was a full audience (for them), he said.

Lipinsky is looking to find more resources, such as improved workers compensation for the 470 chamber members.

And we want to grow that number, he said.

The end of the COVID pandemic is helping most everything within the chamber.

Since the pandemic, the businesses are getting to know each other again and how to build on what should be done within their businesses, Lipinsky said.

For more information on the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce and its programs and events for businesses, visit www.rockyriverchamber.com or call 440-331-1140.

Read more from the West Shore Sun.
KINGSLAND, Georgia  A man who was released from prison after serving 16 years for a crime he did not commit was shot and killed Monday by a sheriffs deputy during a traffic stop after authorities say he resisted arrest.

Leonard Allen Cure, 53, was released in 2020 after he was convicted for the 2003 armed robbery of a drug store in Floridas Dania Beach. Cure was sentenced to life in prison because he had previous convictions for robbery and other crimes.

We are devastated by the death of Leonard Cure, who was the first person exonerated by our Conviction Review Unit, says a statement from the Broward, Florida, State Attorneys Office. The Leonard we knew was a smart, funny and kind person. After he was freed and exonerated by our office, he visited prosecutors at our office and participated in training to help our staff do their jobs in the fairest and most thorough way possible.

At about 7:30 a.m. Monday, Cure was stopped by a Camden County Sheriffs Office deputy while driving north on Interstate 95, according to a news release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The deputy asked Cure to get out of the vehicle and he complied, the release says.

Cure cooperated with the deputy until told he was under arrest, the news release says. Cure reportedly refused to cooperate with the deputy, who then used a Taser. The news release says Cure then attacked the deputy, who again used a Taser and also baton in an attempt to subdue him.

The deputy then shot Cure, authorities say. The news release does not say why Cure was pulled over or why he was being arrested.

I can only imagine what its like to know your son is innocent and watch him be sentenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and ... then be told that once hes been freed, hes been shot dead, said Seth Miller, executive director of Innocence Project of Florida, which represented Cure in his exoneration.

In June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a claims bill granting Cure $817,000 in compensation for his conviction and imprisonment, along with educational benefits. Miller said Cure, who lived in a suburb of Atlanta, received the money in August.

The Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
NEW YORK -- Mayor Eric Adams has been using artificial intelligence to make robocalls that contort his own voice into several languages he doesnt speak to reach residents who dont speak English

Adams told reporters on Monday that his calls have used AI to convert his English-speaking voice into languages such as Mandarin and Yiddish to promote city hiring events. They havent included any disclosure that he only speaks English or that the calls were generated using AI.

People stop me on the street all the time and say, I didnt know you speak Mandarin, you know? Adams, a Democrat, said Monday, according to The Associated Press. The robocalls that were using, were using different languages to speak directly to the diversity of New Yorkers.

The calls come as regulators struggle to get a handle on how best to ethically and legally navigate the use of artificial intelligence, where deepfake videos or audio can make it appear that anyone anywhere is doing anything a person on the other side of a computer screen wants them to do.

A number of technology companies have shown off AI tools that can synthetically dub a persons speech in another language so that it sounds like the person is speaking in that language.

The growing use of artificial intelligence and deepfakes, especially in politics and election misinformation, has prompted calls and moves toward greater regulation from government and major media companies.

Google has said it would impose new labels on deceptive AI-generated political advertisements that could fake a candidates voice or actions for election misinformation. Facebook and Instagram parent Meta doesnt have a rule specific to AI-generated political ads but has a policy restricting faked, manipulated or transformed audio and imagery used for misinformation.

A bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate would ban materially deceptive deepfakes relating to federal candidates, with exceptions for parody and satire.

Music streaming service Spotify offers an AI feature to translate a podcast into multiple languages in the podcasters voice. A startup company, ElevenLabs, introduced a voice translation tool that it said can convert spoken content to another language in minutes, while preserving the voice of the original speaker.

An Adams spokesperson said the ElevenLabs tool was used for his robocalls. Native speakers listened to the recordings before they went out to ensure the translations were accurate. Calls have been made in Spanish, Yiddish, Mandarin, Cantonese and Haitian Creole.

In New York, the watchdog group Surveillance Technology Oversight Project slammed Adams robocalls as an unethical use of artificial intelligence that is misleading to city residents.

The mayor is making deep fakes of himself, Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the organization, told The AP. This is deeply unethical, especially on the taxpayers dime. Using AI to convince New Yorkers that he speaks languages that he doesnt is outright Orwellian. Yes, we need announcements in all of New Yorkers native languages, but the deep fakes are just a creepy vanity project.

Adams pushed back, say his office is trying to reach New Yorkers through the languages they speak.

I got one thing: Ive got to run the city, and I have to be able to speak to people in the languages that they understand, and Im happy to do so, he said. And so, to all, all I can say is a ni hao.
FRANKFORT, Delaware -- A former Girl Scouts troop treasurer was arrested on felony theft charges after she was accused of stealing more than $12,000 from the troop, authorities said.

Kelly M. Raab, 52, of Frankford, Delaware, was arrested by Delaware State Police on Thursday following a 10-month investigation, which began in January. That investigation found she issued and cashed fraudulent checks and made unauthorized payment card transactions while serving as treasurer for Girl Scouts of Chesapeake Bay from Jan. 2018 to Nov. 2022, according to a DSP news release shared Monday.

RELATED: Is your favorite Girl Scout cookie being discontinued? 1 flavor axed

Raab turned herself into authorities Thursday and was charged with theft of over $1,500, a felony in Delaware. She was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on her own recognizance, according to the release.

Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, based in Newark, Delaware, issued a statement saying the organization takes these matters seriously and are committed to imparting the values of honesty and wise use of resources to all girl and adult members, as indicted by the Girl Scout Promise and Law, Delaware Online reports.

Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay serves all of Delaware, as well as parts of Maryland and Virginia.

RELATED: Girl Scout cookies hit by inflation; some boxes will cost more depending on where you live
Heres a look at some of the top stories trending online today, October 17. They include the latest news on the fight between Israel and Hamas and the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Jim Jordans push for House speaker and much more.

GOP holdouts persist as Jim Jordan plows ahead on House speaker vote (Axios)

New ad targets Jordan, Republican supporters over 2020 election, Jan. 6 (The Hill)

Desperately needed aid piles up outside Gaza as WHO warns water is running out (CNN)

Waiting for news, families of Israeli hostages in Gaza tell stories of their loved ones (AP)

Biden to travel to Israel (Politico)

Trump set to return to the civil fraud trial that could threaten his business empire (ABC)

21 species removed from endangered list due to extinction, U.S. wildlife officials say (CBS)

Other trending headlines

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Steven French at IAI News:

Husserls The Crisis of European Sciences and Transcendental Phenomenology is widely regarded as both his most accessible and most influential work, written under the shadow of fascist ideology looming over Europe. Based on lectures given in 1935 at Charles University and the German University in Prague, Husserl opens by addressing the Crisis? What crisis? question that many in the audience must have been asking themselves:

I expect that at this place, dedicated as it is to the sciences, the very title of these lectures  will incite controversy.

Husserl was alluding to the fact that the German University had been the academic home of such notable scientists as Ernst Mach and Albert Einstein and that science was then enjoying a period of obvious and wide-ranging success. How, then, could he talk of the sciences undergoing a crisis? Husserl makes it clear that he is not referring to the victorious struggle against the ideal of classical physics as represented by the rise of the theory of relativity and quantum physics.

More here.
WASHINGTON, D. C. - U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan on Tuesday fell short of the 217 votes he needs to become the House of Representatives next speaker, as 20 Republicans declined to back his candidacy in a recorded House vote.

Jim Jordan is strategic, scrappy, tough and principled, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said as she introduced Jordan. He is a mentor, a worker, and above all, he is a fighter. And the American people know, we know, that Jim Jordan is a winner on behalf of the American people.

Democrats, who nominated House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York for the job, described Jordan as someone who has spent his career trying to hold our country back, putting our national security in danger, attempting government shutdown after government shutdown and wasting taxpayer dollars on baseless investigations.

A vote today to make the architect of a nationwide abortion ban, a vocal election denier and an insurrection insider to the speaker of this House would be a terrible message to the country and our allies, House Democratic Conference Chair Pete Aguilar of California said of Jordan.

Now that Jordan knows who doesnt support his candidacy, hell reach out to them in an effort to win their backing, said Jordan spokesman Russell Dye. U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky predicted that Jordans popularity with the Republican base will make them urge their congressman to vote for Jordan.

I think it would be multiple rounds with each round seeing an increase in votes for Jim Jordan, said Massie.

House Republicans announced the next House speaker ballot will be after 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

All Ohio Republicans supported Jordan. U.S. Rep. Max Miller said he will continue to do so in future votes, unless Jordan decides to withdraw from the contest. Miller said Jordans camp was surprised by some of the no votes, such as that of House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger of Texas.

I think the American people can see, and our colleagues and you in the media can see that its not as easy electing a speaker and it cant be done within two weeks, said Miller, who said hed prefer a longer time frame for people to campaign for the job and sew up the votes.

As House Judiciary Committee chairman, Jordan has led the GOP charge on myriad investigations this year. He was tapped to lead a committee investigating the weaponization of the federal government, and he was to have a prominent role in a Republican-backed impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

Those committee posts and his staunch defense of former President Donald Trump over the years have made the conservative firebrand a favorite in hard-right circles, but a lightning rod for Democrats. Trump publicly backed Jordan for speaker and Jordan has been a fierce Trump ally on Capitol Hill, defending Trump from impeachment charges and trying to help him overturn results of the 2020 presidential election.

Jordan won a majority of his colleagues votes in a Friday secret ballot but was more than 50 votes short of the number needed to secure the gavel. He spent the weekend personally reaching out to reluctant colleagues, while his allies publicly blasted lawmakers believed to oppose Jordan. Right wing media figures encouraged their followers to contact perceived holdouts in an effort to convince them that opposing Jordan might enrage the MAGA base and trigger a primary challenger.

Jordan supporter Dan Crenshaw of Texas told CNN he thought the high pressure tactics were the dumbest thing you can do, because it would only entrench opposition.

By Monday, Jordan won over several high-profile legislators whod been reluctant to support him. He got endorsements from past skeptics including House Armed Services Committee chair Mike Rogers of Alabama, Missouris Ann Wagner and Floridas Vern Buchanan.

He has allayed my concerns about keeping the government open with conservative funding, the need for strong border security, our need for consistent international support in times of war and unrest as well as the need for stronger protections against the scourge of human trafficking and child exploitation, Wagner said in a social media post.

Jordan sent a letter to his colleagues on Monday that urged House Republicans to unite to get back to work on behalf of the American people. He also pledged to get more Republican voices involved in major decisions, and promised to work tirelessly to defend and expand our majority and help every Republican member back at home.

We must move forward. Jordan wrote. The role of a Speaker is to bring all Republicans together. Thats what I intend to do.

The House of Representatives has been without a speaker since Oct. 3, when 8 Republicans led by Floridas Matt Gaetz  a longtime Jordan ally  united with Democrats in a vote to remove Californias Kevin McCarthy from the post. Jordan did not support Gaetzs effort and voted to keep McCarthy.

Because Republicans hold a slim 221-212 advantage over Democrats in the House of Representatives, a GOP speaker cant afford to lose support from more than four Republicans. It took 15 House of Representatives floor votes over four days in January for Republicans to make McCarthy speaker.

Jordan, who supported McCarthy, announced his candidacy for speaker the day after McCarthys ouster. Even with Trumps endorsement, Jordan lost an initial vote to House GOP Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, who withdrew from consideration after concluding he couldnt get the 217 votes needed to win.

Jordan made a second run for the job after Scalise dropped out, pitching himself as the only one who could unite fractured House Republicans.

I think Im one individual who can bring our team together and then help our team go tell the country, what were doing and why it matters to them, Jordan told reporters. We got broad support across the conference. I feel good about where were at.

Jordan also said he was reaching out to less conservative Republican colleagues by discussing how he runs the House Judiciary Committee.

We try to talk to everyone get everyone working as a team and well do try to the same thing as speaker, use the same strategy, said Jordan.

But Jordans outreach didnt work with everyone.

Before the vote, U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida said on social media that he planned to vote for McCarthy instead of Jordan on the House floor.

Last week, eight colleagues joined all the socialist Democrats to carry-out a coup against our duly-elected Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy, said Gimenez. These 8 lit the fuse & every Democrat in Congress provided the gunpowder to overthrow the will of 96% of Republicans in Congress who voted to retain Speaker McCarthy. I will not partake in this despicable coup. Speaker McCarthy should have never been removed to begin with.

Weve had a minority of the majority dictate all of us, Nebraskas Don Bacon told reporters. Its unacceptable.

Another Republican, Floridas John Rutherford, said he believed voting for Jordan amounted to capitulating to the people who ousted McCarthy.

Im a no on allowing Matt Gaetz and the other 7 to win by putting their individual in as speaker, Rutherford told reporters last week.

Both McCarthy and Scalise said they back Jordan, with McCarthy describing Jordan as an integral part of our team when we took the majority, helping us get the majority, in a Fox News interview.

My focus is to get Jim Jordan elected speaker, get this Congress back moving again, said McCarthy. Look, I realize how difficult it is, it took me 15 rounds.

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and on to Jordan Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Bidens travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what U.S. and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.

Biden is looking to send the strongest message yet that the U.S. is behind Israel. His Democratic administration has pledged military support, sending U.S. carriers and aid to the region. Officials have said they would ask Congress for upward of $2 billion in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russias invasion.

Its a chance for Biden to burnish his national security credentials to U.S. voters with the 2024 election just over a year away. Its also an opportunity to demonstrate that hes making good on his campaign promise of exercising American leadership after four years of former President Donald Trumps America First foreign policy.

But Bidens presence could be seen as a provocative move by Hamas chief sponsor, Iran, or potentially viewed as tone-deaf by Arab nations as civilian casualties mount in Gaza. Blinken has already been traveling around the Mideast this past week trying to prevent the war with Hamas from igniting a broader regional conflict.

Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials.

He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region and for the world, Blinken said.

Blinken added that Biden will be briefed by Israeli officials on their war aims and strategy and would hear about how they intend to conduct operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas.

Shortly after in Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced that Biden would also go to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Weve been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza, Kirby said. That has been a consistent call by President Biden and certainly by this entire administration.

Truckloads of aid idled Monday at Egypts border with Gaza, barred from entry, as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last weeks rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.

Biden had been scheduled to travel to Pueblo, Colorado, on Monday but decided to postpone the visit so he could consult with his aides and speak with fellow leaders about the unfolding situation in the Middle East.

The announcements came after Biden consulted with a trio of world leaders and his own national security team on Monday amid growing global concern about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip and fears that the Israel-Hamas war could metastasize into a broader regional conflict.

Biden spoke by phone with Egypts el-Sissi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the fallout from Hamas militants surprise attacks on Israel that left 1,400 dead and retaliatory strikes that have killed at least 2,778 Palestinians.

European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday as concern mounts that the war between Israel and Hamas could fuel tensions in Europe and bring more refugees in search of sanctuary.

Bidens call with the Egyptian leader came one day after el-Sissi met with Blinken in Cairo. Egypts state-run media said el-Sissi told Blinken that Israels Gaza operation has exceeded the right of self-defense and turned into a collective punishment.

Kirby declined to comment on el-Sissis concerns about how Israel is conducting the war.

The humanitarian situation was high on the list of the discussion with President el-Sissi, Kirby said.

Irans foreign minister warned Monday that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to its looming ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Iran is a chief financial sponsor of Hamas militants in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The comments by Hossein Amirabdollahian follow a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran.

Leaders of the resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go after other resistance groups after its done with Gaza, he told state television. Therefore any preemptive action is possible in the coming hours.

Kirby said the U.S. has not seen any signs that Iran might try to get directly involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

White House officials have said that U.S. intelligence shows that Iran has been broadly aware that Hamas had been preparing for a possible strike against Israel. But the U.S. says it has yet to uncover evidence of direct Iranian involvement in the Oct. 7 attack.

Israel is also preparing for the potential of a new front opening on its northern border with Lebanon, where it has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. The military ordered residents of 28 Israeli communities near the border to evacuate.

Air raid sirens interrupted Blinkens meetings with Israeli officials on three different occasions Monday, including twice as he huddled with Netanyahu and his war cabinet.

In Washington, Biden was briefed in the Oval Office by his national security team on the situation on the ground in Israel and Gaza. White House chief of staff Jeff Zients joined the briefing led by national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns, according to the White House.

Blinken was in Israel on Monday for his second visit in less than a week for talks with Israeli leaders. He has been crisscrossing the Middle East with stops in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Blinken, in talks Monday with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, carried back some of the feedback he received from Arab leaders. He also underlined his firm support for Israels right to defend itself from Hamas terrorism and reaffirmed U.S. determination to provide the Israeli government with what it needs to protect its citizens, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

White House officials said Bidens talks with Arab leaders in Amman will largely focus on humanitarian concerns for Gazas 2.3 million people. Hell also make clear that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination.

Still, White House officials bristled about whether Biden would ask Netanyahu and Israel officials to show restraint or set any conditions on any new U.S. military aid that could be in the pipeline.

We are not putting conditions on the military assistance that we are providing to Israel, Kirby said. They have a right to defend themselves. They have a right to go after this terrorist threat.



Long and Madhani reported from Washington. AP writers Jon Gambrell in Jerusalem and Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  After years of fruitless efforts, legislation to close Ohios spousal rape loophole passed an Ohio House committee on Tuesday.

While House Bill 161 still faces a long road through the House floor, Senate, and governors office, the committee passage vote marks clearance of a major hurdle and a rare sighting of progress in closing a gaping gender disparity in state law.

This is an archaic piece of code that clearly does not need to be in the books anymore, said Rep. Jessica Miranda, a Cincinnati-area Democrat who championed the bill. People are dumbfounded that this even still exists, which makes it a no brainer to fix it.

Under current law, it is a felony for anyone to engage in a sexual act with another through use of force, married or not.

Its also illegal to drug someone to prevent resistance to a sexual act, but the law only applies to victims who are not the spouse of the offender, or who are married to but not living with the offender. The same carveout, often referred to as the spousal rape exemption, applies for lesser sexual crimes including sexual battery, sexual imposition, and gross sexual imposition.

According to the bills backers, Ohio is one of 11 states with a marital exception to rape offenses. In the late 1970s, states like Oregon and Nebraska launched the ongoing trend of repealing their spousal rape exceptions. California did the same in 2021, as did Mississippi earlier this year.

Here, it passed in committee Tuesday with a unanimous vote.

Miranda, who said she was the victim of sexual abuse as a child and sexual assault as a teenager, said the bill, along with others she has sponsored focused on justice for victims of sexual crimes, is a means of turning her vulnerability into a superpower. She also credited her fellow lead sponsor, Uhrichsville Republican Brett Hudson Hillyer, who said in a statement that their bill is an overdue reflection of Ohios dedication to providing survivors with pathways to justice and support.

In hearings at the House Criminal Justice Committee, no witnesses appeared in opposition to the bill. Conversely, several representatives of programs offering support services to victims of spousal rape and domestic violence urged the legislation forward.

Kasey Holderbaum of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network said nearly half of women in abusive relationships are sexually assaulted by their abusive partners. The spousal exemption in Ohio law, she said, acts as a disincentive to marriage while depriving women of equal legal treatment. Becca Geston, of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, said the continued existence of the legal loophole reinforces the notion that spousal sexual violence is somehow less serious than other forms of sexual violence.

The reality is married persons did not and do not forfeit their right to bodily autonomy because they got married, she said. A persons legal relationship to the person who harms them should never limit their options.

One woman who testified before lawmakers (she provided her first name during testimony, but Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer do not publish names of victims of sexual violence) said her husband repeatedly raped her as she experienced post-partum depression following the birth of her second child. She said it started with unwanted, forcible touching and kissing, escalating to the point where she would wake up to his unwanted penetration.

She said she filed police reports, but law enforcement indicated that what occurred was not, legally, a rape.

I told him to stop over and over again. I lost count how many times this happened to me, she said. Why should him being my husband have any difference?

Historically, according to Miranda, the bill has met opposition in Ohio House Majority Leader Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican and influential member of the caucus who sits on the House Criminal Justice Committee. Miranda said getting him on board was just a project of persistence, determination, and persuasion.

Seitz said he supports removing the spousal exemption when it comes to rape and sexual battery. However, he expressed concern with how the new law would be interpreted in the context of a marriage, but indicated he wouldnt oppose the bill.

Given my long record of concern about overcriminalization, we had to do a fair amount of work to consider how broadly we wanted to go so as not to criminalize the consensual sexual contact short of rape or battery that might occur when both spouses are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and one of them later claims victim status, he said.

He said only time will tell if the legislation as passed goes too far, though he voted for it Tuesday.

Ohio lawmakers since at least 1985 have sought to remove the spousal rape exemption, according to an article from the Cleveland State Law Review, which traces the origins of the exemptions in the U.S. back to English common law.

However, the 1980s effort ended in a compromise: Lawmakers expanded the definition of rape to include actions against husbands who no longer live with their wives. It still failed to capture the act of spousal sexual assault.

Ohio legislators have not offered a legitimate justification for allowing husbands to escape prosecution when they drug or intoxicate their wives in order to rape them, the author wrote in 1995.

In more recent years, bipartisan lawmakers have introduced some version of the bill, only for it to die on the vine. The last time it was voted out of committee in 2018, it passed on an 11-1 roll call but was never brought up for a floor vote. Seitz was the lone no-vote.

Miranda offered credit to the trailblazers who softened the ground before her, and points to the fact that there are people in the Statehouse culling vestiges and fighting to create better laws for women, children, and abuse survivors.

It speaks from a different time, she said of the spousal exemption. And its our job as state lawmakers to fix those issues as we see them.

Jake Zuckerman covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
U.S. President Joe Biden gestures as he boards Air Force One at Delaware Air National Guard Base, in New Castle, Delaware, U.S., April 25, 2022.

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday in an effort to mitigate the expansion of the war between Israel and Hamas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has made two trips to Israel since the war broke out on Oct. 7, announced Biden's upcoming visit during a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.

"President Biden will again make clear, as he has done unequivocally since Hamas slaughter of more than 1400 people, including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend his people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks," Blinken said following a nearly eight-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Read live updates of the Israel-Hamas conflict

Blinken said Biden will also work to establish a plan for the safe passage of critical humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The United Nations said that none of its agencies have been able to bring water, food, medical equipment or fuel into Gaza since the war broke out.

"This has become hell," Juliette Touma, Director of Communications for the United Nations Relief Works Agency, told reporters on a call. "The messages that we're getting is get us out of this hellhole," Touma added.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on a call Monday evening that Biden's travel to Israel was thoroughly evaluated, adding that the "security situation is certainly tense."

Earlier in the day, Blinken was forced to retreat to a bunker twice while meeting with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv due to air raid sirens. Over the weekend, a U.S. congressional delegation also sheltered in place.

Kirby said Biden will also travel to Amman, Jordan on Wednesday where he will meet with Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisiand and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

While in Jordan, Kirby said Biden will discuss regional security, the release of hostages held by Hamas and humanitarian needs for the people in Gaza.

"We certainly want to see that humanitarian assistance begin to flow as soon as possible," Kirby said.
Adobe executive David Wadhwani wonders whether expensive technology acquisitions should take as long as they are to receive approval from government regulators, he said on Tuesday at the WSJ Tech live event in Laguna Beach, Calif.

Adobe, the maker of design software, is working to complete its $20 billion acquisition of Figma, which people use to collaborate on the design of apps and websites. The two companies announced the tie-up in 13 months ago, and they've been dealing with investigations from the U.S. Department of Justice and regulatory bodies in the United Kingdom and in the European Union.

The comments come a week after Microsoft closed its $69 billion purchase of game publisher Activision Blizzard, nearly 21 months after disclosing plans for that deal. Microsoft lawyers dealt with pressure from the same three jurisdictions as Adobe, and they took on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission before a district court judge in San Francisco before ultimately winning approval to move forward.

Adobe has said it expects to close the Figma deal in 2023.

On Tuesday, Wadhwani, president of Adobe's digital media business that includes the subscription-based Creative Cloud, and the key executive driving the transaction, said the company now expects to hear back from regulators in the next few months. The United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority says the statutory deadline for the current stage of its inquiry is Dec. 31, 2023. Adobe has agreed to pay Figma $1 billion if regulators reject the deal, or if it isn't completed by mid-March 2024.

"The question we should be asking is, should it take this long  from a regulatory process, should it take this long to have the conversations?" Wadhwani said, adding that it's important to be able to move quickly with innovation.

Tools for creative expression, documents and marketing all represent growth opportunities for Adobe, and Figma is the fourth leg of the stool, Wadhwani said.

Since revealing its intent to buy Figma, Adobe has been busy releasing and promoting tools for generative artificial intelligence that can develop images and other content in response to a few words of human input. Wadhwani said he thinks there's an opportunity for Figma to do more generative AI when it comes to automatically creating designs for software. But he said he didn't want to speak for Dylan Field, Figma's co-founder and CEO.

"We're not a combined company," Wadhwani said.

The Competition and Markets Authority has been trying to figure out if the deal would substantially lessen competition. The group found that Adobe is still offering to customers customers its XD screen-design tool that competes with Figma, even if it was put in "maintenance mode." Adobe replied that "in an innovative and dynamic market XD cannot be considered a 'material' competitor to Figma."

WATCH: Adobe CEO on new AI models, monetizing Firefly and new growth
U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) hold a joint press conference in Bethlehem, West Bank on July 15, 2022.

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden will no longer visit Jordan as part of his Middle East trip this week, after a leaders summit on humanitarian aid for Palestinians was abruptly canceled Tuesday.

The decision was made as unrest across the region swelled, in response to the deadly bombing of a hospital in Gaza.

Biden had been scheduled to meet in with Jordan's King Abdullah, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority president Mahmound Abbas after first visiting Israel.

"There is no use in talking now about anything except stopping the war," Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi said on state television.

The bombing of the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City Tuesday killed hundreds of people and escalated the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Biden "sent his deepest condolences for the innocent lives lost in the hospital explosion in Gaza, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded," a White House official told CNBC.

In deciding not to travel to Jordan, the White House also considered "the days of mourning announced by President Abbas," for victims of the hospital attack, the official said.

Horrific scenes captured on video showed victims in the aftermath of the bombing, which the Hamas militant group blamed on Israeli airstrikes.

Israel denied that its targeted bombing in Gaza was responsible for destroying the hospital. "A hospital is a highly sensitive building and not an IDF Target. The IDF is currently investigating and as always prioritizes accuracy," a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense told NBC News.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 14, 2023.

President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Tuesday evening to show solidarity with the country as it responds to the deadly Hamas attacks earlier this month that killed more than 1,400 people, including Americans.

After visiting Israel on Wednesday, the president will go on to Jordan for a summit on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Biden's trip will "demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamas's brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Israel suffered the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust when the militant group Hamas launched surprise strikes on Oct. 7, seizing nearly 200 hostages and killing more than 1,400 people. Israel has responded with air bombardment of the Gaza Strip where Hamas fighters are reportedly sheltering. Israel's strikes have killed about 3,000 people and forced more than a million Gazans to flee their homes.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Biden's visit Monday after an hourslong meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had invited the president to make the trip. The visit will mark the second time Biden has traveled to an active war zone this year. He traveled to Ukraine in February amid its ongoing war against Russia.

Biden's visit is to "reaffirm the United States' solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security," Blinken said Monday.

"He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region and for the world," Blinken said.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler testifies before a House Financial Services Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 27, 2023.

More than two dozen California Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Gary Gensler, chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, pressing him to follow the precedent California recently established in requiring companies to disclose detailed greenhouse gas emissions data.

On Oct. 7, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that will require businesses with more than $1 billion in annual revenue that operate in California to provide detailed disclosure of their greenhouse gas emissions.

The law requires large businesses to report their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Scope 1 emissions are those generated by fuel sources that a business owns, such as boilers, furnaces and vehicles. Scope 2 emissions are greenhouse gasses emitted to generate the electricity, steam, heat or cooling a business purchases. Scope 3 emissions are generated indirectly from the supply chain and are almost always the largest pool of emissions for any business, as well as the hardest to track.

In March 2022, the SEC proposed instituting a set of climate disclosure regulations that would require businesses to report their greenhouse gas emissions and "information about climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on their business, results of operations, or financial condition."

The SEC has received many comments from parties opposed to inclusion of Scope 3 emissions in the forthcoming regulation, including Exxon Mobil, Walmart and agricultural organizations ranging from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association to the National Cotton Council to the Wisconsin Pork Association, all of which request, at the minimum, a Scope 3 exclusion for the agricultural industry.

But the California lawmakers "strongly urge" the SEC "to follow California's lead and specifically include Scope 3 disclosure requirements in addition to Scope 1 and 2," they said in a letter dated Thursday.

"Without consistent and reliable Scope 3 data, investors will be limited in evaluating the management's performance with respect to those risks and opportunities," the letter says.

Also, the California lawmakers say that because California has passed SB 253 requiring large businesses in the state to report their Scope 3 emissions, the cost for California businesses to submit the same data to federal regulators is negligible.

A spokesperson for the SEC told CNBC that Gensler would respond to Congress directly regarding the agency's intentions and added that the SEC "benefits from robust engagement and will review all comments submitted during the open comment period."

Gensler told the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services on Sept. 27 that it usually takes the SEC between 12 and 24 months to update its rulemaking, but also indicated that the SEC would not be rushed to a final adoption.

"We're focused on getting things right  based upon the economics, the Commission's legal authorities and promoting the SEC's mission  not the clock," Gensler said in testimony.



Don't miss these CNBC PRO stories:
 This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on October 13, 2023.

The strike has been ongoing for nearly a month now and has escalated once again. On Wednesday night, the UAW's president, Shawn Fain, ordered a strike at Ford's Kentucky truck factory. It's important to note that this is Ford's largest factory in the world and is considered by many in the industry to be the most profitable auto factory in the United States.

Approximately 19.7% of Ford's production comes from the Kentucky truck plant, generating an annual revenue of around $25 billion, about a sixth of the company's global total revenue. The plant mainly produces pickup trucks and SUVs, including the Ford F-series Super Duty, the Ford Explorer, and the Lincoln Navigator, which are among Ford's most profitable models.

While the UAW claims that Ford has failed its promises regarding wages and retirement benefits, Ford's Blue Department head responded on Thursday that the compensation and benefits offered to the UAW workers have already reached their limits.

Ford's current proposal includes a wage increase of about 23% over four years, the reinstatement of the cost-of-living-adjustments (COLA), additional paid leave, and a commitment to include the joint battery plant in contract negotiations. Ford has also criticized the union's decision to escalate the strike as irresponsible, as it not only directly affects Ford's workers but also has a ripple effect.

Currently, about 8,700 workers at the factory are on strike, and around 4,600 Ford workers could be idled because their jobs depend on the Kentucky factory's operation. It's noteworthy that the stamping equipment and components produced at the Kentucky plant are supplied to 13 other Ford factories in the supply chain.

Liz Door, the Chief Supply Chain Officer for Ford, has also said that the shutdown of the Kentucky factory could push the supply chain to the brink of collapse. Earlier, due to the UAW strike at two Ford assembly plants, Ford's suppliers had already laid off around 13,000 workers. Wells Fargo estimates Ford to incur weekly losses of around $150 million in core profits due to the strike at the Kentucky plant.

However, analysts suggest that now the only bright spot is that the escalation of the strike represents Shawn testing the automakers' bottom line. When it comes to these highly profitable factories, it may also indicate that contract negotiations are approaching an end.

Ann Marie Uetz

Partner and trial attorney with Foley & Lardner

"The surest sign that this strike will be nearing its end, in our opinion, is when he starts hitting the engines hitting the trucks hitting the big profit lines for the Detroit three that will be a game changer in this strike."

Between October 24th and 31st, Detroit's Big 3 automakers will release their quarterly reports. If the profits are strong, the UAW may use this as an opportunity to seek better contracts. Stay tuned for more details.
Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and climate activists attend an Oily Money Out and Fossil Free London protest, in London, Britain, October 17, 2023. Toby Melville | Reuters

LONDON  Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Tuesday was detained by police after joining hundreds of protesters to disrupt a major energy conference in London. Thunberg was arrested outside the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel during the "Oily Money Out" protest organized by Fossil Free London and Greenpeace. The demonstration was held on the first day of the Energy Intelligence Forum, a three-day gathering of major oil and gas executives, politicians, and civil society groups. "We need direct action to take back the power from the oil elite that has gathered here today behind closed doors. Their only plan is to profit at our expense," Nuri Syed Corser, an organizer with Fossil Free London, said in a statement. "Arrests like these will not deter us. Our right to protest is our own, it is not given to us by the Government," Corser added. Among those scheduled to speak at the Energy Intelligence Forum, formerly known as the Oil and Money conference, include Occidental Petroleum CEO Vicki Hollub, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser and Shell CEO Wael Sawan.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is taken into a police van after being arrested outside the InterContinental London Park Lane during the "Oily Money Out" demonstration organised by Fossil Free London and Greenpeace on the sidelines of the opening day of the Energy Intelligence Forum 2023 in London on October 17, 2023. Henry Nicholls | Afp | Getty Images

Addressing a news conference outside the hotel earlier in the day, Thunberg said, "We have no other option but to put our bodies outside this conference and to physically disrupt and, we have to do that every time. We have to continue showing them that they are not going to get away with this." "This is only the beginning of this fight and we are going to stay and we are going to come back time and time again until we see real action," she added. "We have to reclaim the power and that is what we are doing today. We have to kick oily money out." The 20-year-old was catapulted to fame for skipping school every Friday to hold a weekly vigil outside the Swedish Parliament in 2018. Thunberg took part in her final so-called school strike in June as she graduated from school, signing off after 251 consecutive weeks of demonstrations with a warning that "the fight has only just begun." Fossil Free London said 27 people have been arrested so far and protests would continue outside the conference through to Thursday. The Met Police said in a statement via X, formerly known as Twitter, that it had imposed conditions on the protestors under Section 14 of the Public Order Act "to prevent serious disruption to the community, hotel and guests." It said a number of protestors failed to comply, with six people arrested for obstruction of the highway, 14 arrests for Section 14 of the Public Order Act, and one for criminal damage. Section 14 of the Public Order Act allows the police to impose conditions on a public group to prevent a range of issues, including "significant impact on persons or serious disruption to the activities of an organisation by noise; serious disorder [and] serious damage to property."

'We are not in the business of ice cream'

Big Oil has been accused of dialing back its climate pledges in recent months following record annual profits that were described by human rights group Amnesty International as "patently unjustifiable" and "an unmitigated disaster." Speaking at the ADIPEC oil and gas conference in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, chief executives of some of the world's largest energy majors sought to defend themselves from climate criticism. "We've got to step up and prepare for the decarbonized systems of the future," Tengku Muhammad Taufik, president and group CEO of Malaysia's state energy firm, Petronas, said during a CNBC-moderated panel on Oct. 2. "So, the debate has always been posed here, I'm reminded of an old saying: 'If you want to keep everyone happy, sell ice cream.' We are not in the business of ice cream  and I'm reminded, there are people who are lactose intolerant," Taufik said.

Climate activists protest outside the InterContinental London Park Lane during the "Oily Money Out" demonstration organised by Fossil Free London on the sidelines of the opening day of the Energy Intelligence Forum 2023 in London on October 17, 2023. Henry Nicholls | Afp | Getty Images
Artificial intelligence stocks have been on a tear this year, but is it too late to invest? CNBC's Will Koulouris spoke to Nick Griffin, chief investment officer of Munro Partners, on the AI theme, Big Tech, and how to play stocks such as Nvidia and Microsoft . Munro Partners, with $4.3 billion Australian dollars under management, is focused on global growth stocks. Griffin is part of the investment team for funds including the Munro Global Growth Fund which aims to make "meaningful" absolute returns, and identify sustainable growth trends that are underappreciated and mispriced by the market. It utilizes both long and short positions. Themes in focus include internet disruption, high-performance computing, digital payments, and more. As well as AI, Griffin will also discuss GLP-1 drugs, or drugs for weight loss and diabetes. Stocks in this space include Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. The Munro Global Growth Fund's top five holdings are Alphabet , Amazon , Nvidia , Visa and Microsoft . Global stocks in its holdings include TSMC , ASML and Samsung SDI . The fund has returned 9.9% per annum since it was launched in 2016. The firm has another growth-focused fund, the Munro Concentrated Global Growth Fund, with a return of 12% per annum since its inception in 2019. Griffin has been managing global long/short equity strategies for over 15 years. He has been with Munro Partners since 2016 and before that was head of international equities at K2 Asset Management and was also at Deutsche Bank. Learn more from our previous Pro Talks: Forget India: One portfolio manager bucks the trend, says another market offers 'great value' This chip stock has a '50% margin' which rivals could struggle to catch up with, portfolio manager says Look beyond the 'Magnificent Seven' tech stocks, analyst says  and names 5 top picks Related coverage from Pro: This bearish fund manager thinks the U.S. is headed for a major debt crisis. Here's what he's buying Expecting a recession? Advisors say you could make 40% returns with a simple bond trade Cash vs. stocks: The pros weigh in on where to invest for the rest of the year
British workers' average earnings excluding bonuses grew 7.8% year on year for the three months to the end of August, down from an upwardly revised 7.9% in the three months to the end of July, the Office for National Statistics said Tuesday.

That marked the first fall for the regular pay metric  which is being closely monitored by the Bank of England as it assesses the inflation picture  since January.

Annual growth in private sector pay, a key measure in determining the persistence of inflation, fell from 8.1% to 8% in the three months to the end of August.

PwC economist Jake Finney said the underlying data showed that pay growth is softening and the labor market is loosening.

"Two years of high inflation combined with our long-term productivity challenges have left their mark on living standards. We expect to close the year with real pay lower than where it was in 2006," Finney said.

"This is equivalent to seventeen years of lost pay growth. We do not expect pay to grow meaningfully in real terms until at least 2025, once inflation has turned a corner."

Job vacancies in the three months to September fell to 988,000 from 998,000 in the three months to August, while provisional employer payroll data showed 11,000 fewer payrolled employees in September than the previous month.

"With the number of employees on payroll falling and wage inflation below expectations, this gives the Bank of England more reason to pause its interest rate increases," said Emma Mogford, manager of the Premier Miton Monthly Income Fund.

"If we are at peak rates, then a more stable outlook for interest rates could help the economy and stock market."

 Elliot Smith
UAW Local 5960 member Kimberly Fuhr inspects a Chevrolet Bolt EV during vehicle production on May 6, 2021, at the General Motors Orion Assembly Plant in Orion Township, Michigan.

DETROIT  General Motors said Tuesday it is delaying production of all-electric trucks at a Michigan plant by at least a year to "better manage capital investments" and implement improvements in an effort to make the new EVs more profitable.

GM now plans to begin construction of its next-generation EVs at Orion Assembly in suburban Detroit by late 2025, instead of next year. The factory currently produces Chevrolet Bolt EV models, which GM will cease producing at the end of this year.

The delay is the latest sign of potential trouble for the ambitious, multibillion-dollar plans of traditional automakers to move to electric vehicles. Adoption of EVs, which remain costly to produce and purchase, has been slower than many expected.

"General Motors today confirmed it will retime the conversion of its Orion Assembly plant to EV truck production to late 2025, to better manage capital investment while aligning with evolving EV demand. In addition, we have identified engineering improvements that we will implement to increase the profitability of our products," the company said in a statement.

The change in plans is not connected to the company's ongoing contract negotiations with the United Auto Workers union, according to a GM spokesman. However, the contentious talks do involve EVs, and current contract proposals by the company are expected to be more expensive than those in year's past. The UAW, which represents workers at Orion Assembly, did not immediately respond for comment.

The production delay calls into question GM's previously announced EV goals, including cumulative production of 400,000 EVs in North American from 2022 through mid-2024, which had already been pushed back. GM also has a goal to exclusively offer consumer EVs by 2035.

A GM spokesman late-Tuesday said there's currently no change in plans to the company's EV production targets.

New electric versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra that were supposed to be produced at Orion Assembly will be assembled at GM's Factory Zero in Detroit, the company said. Limited production of the Silverado EV is underway, while Sierra is scheduled to begin next year.

Alongside the Silverado EV, Factory Zero is currently building the GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV and Cruise Origin shuttle.

In January 2022, GM announced it would invest $4 billion to convert Orion Assembly to produce electric trucks. The plant was expected to be its second U.S. assembly plant to exclusively produce EVs. GM said construction includes significant facility and capacity expansion at the site, including new body and paint shops and new general assembly and battery pack assembly areas.

Roughly 1,000 hourly workers at Orion Assembly will have the option to transfer to other Michigan facilities until the retooling at Orion Assembly is completed.

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Rep. Jim Jordan's bid to become speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives failed in a first vote Tuesday, raising the prospect that the Ohio Republican could keep trying with multiple ballots.

Minutes into the vote, Jordan's candidacy was already in peril as a string of Republicans surprised their caucus by voting against the Ohio lawmaker. The trend continued over the half-hour voice vote. Jordan ultimately fell short by 20 votes, a higher number than many in the conference had predicted ahead of the vote.

Those who were opposed to Jordan cast their ballots for other people, including former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise. Neither man was in the running, however, so voting for them merely had the effect of denying Jordan that vote. Some Republicans even voted for Lee Zeldin, who left Congress in January.

Following the first ballot, Jordan huddled with his close allies on the House floor, before interim Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry called a recess of the House.

"We got to keep talking to members," Jordan told reporters after the first vote.

The House will meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET, when another vote on Jordan's speakership is expected. Postponing the vote for a day bought Jordan valuable time to try and win over Republican holdouts.

Yet with 20 members already having shown themselves willing to publicly vote against Jordan, and even more holdouts expected on a second ballot, the task of coming together, for House Republicans, is daunting.

Tuesday's vote came just two weeks after a faction of hard-line Republican lawmakers ousted then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy and threw the lower chamber into chaos.

The Judiciary Committee chairman could only afford to lose four Republicans out of 221 and still win the gavel. He lost 20.

The deeply divided Republican conference has so far been unable to coalesce around a candidate for speaker after McCarthy's ouster. Scalise was the party's original nominee to succeed McCarthy, but he was forced to abandon his bid last week after he could not secure the votes.

McCarthy himself faced 15 rounds of voting before he won the gavel in January. Jordan has said he wants the House to keep voting Tuesday until it chooses a speaker, suggesting Jordan intends to wear down his opposition on the House floor.
Just a few decades ago, the U.S. was a global leader in semiconductors, producing upwards of 40% of the world's supply after having invented the technology.

But as semiconductors became more important, the U.S.'s hold on that market has dwindled, now just producing 10% of the global chip supply and none of the bleeding edge semiconductors that are powering the next generation of AI, smartphones, and mobile devices.

That's where the bipartisan $52.7 billion CHIPS Act comes in, with a goal of having the U.S. compete once again with countries like South Korea and Taiwan in semiconductors.

"We're in a position now where one of the strategically significant goods for supply chains across the planet is one where we as a country are not in a strong position," Michael Schmidt, director of the CHIPS Program Office, told CNBC CEO Council members in a member-only virtual event on Oct. 10. "The CHIPS Act was a bipartisan recognition that is not an acceptable status quo."

Schmidt, who previously served as a senior advisor at the Treasury Department, is overseeing how $39 billion of the funds set aside by the legislation will be allocated toward manufacturing centers. He called the bill an opportunity for the U.S. to catch up.

"We as a country have to be prepared to make those investments and really use the funding we have as start-up capital, to build an ecosystem with enough scale and enough significance to build our workforce and supplier base to create an environment where ongoing investment in the semiconductor industry is attractive for the future," he said.

CEO Council members on the virtual meeting raised several of the challenges that lie ahead for these projects, which perhaps most importantly include finding capable workers. Schmidt noted that the U.S. government's focus on semiconductors has helped raise visibility and encourage college students towards semiconductor manufacturing as opposed to other tech jobs. He added that the continued success of American companies like Nvidia , Qualcomm , and AMD also helps. There is also funding from the CHIPS Act earmarked for worker development.

However, as now more than a year has passed since President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS Act into law, many in the U.S. semiconductor industry are waiting for that money to flow into it. While the potential for federal funding has spurred some potential huge investments in the semiconductor sector  in total, $231 billion has been announced in private sector semiconductor investments in the United States, according to the White House  many of those projects are contingent on receiving federal government aid.

"Moving the wheels of government is not always easy," Schmidt said. "But I think in many respects, we've moved so fast that our private sector counterparts and partners have had to keep pace with us and catch up."

Schmidt said the office is actively working with applicants and is "looking forward to announcing some major progress in the months ahead," telling CNBC's Morgan Brennan that "this is not your normal government program where you get the applications in, you close the doors while you read it, and then maybe a few months later you come out with the white smoke that says whether or not you're going to get funding  this is a highly iterative, commercial, interactive experience."

Schmidt assured CEOs that the funding will not be at risk if there is a change in the White House after the 2024 election.

"We have a lot of support on both sides of the aisle because this is fundamentally a national security initiative," Schmidt said. "My team isn't made up of political appointees. This operation will continue into the next term and for many years after that."

He stressed that the government's focus on rebuilding this sector is long-term in nature.

"After this program's money has been spent, I want the United States to continue to be a place where the leading companies in the world view it as in their core business interests to continue making large-scale investments," he said. "This is a global industry and will remain a global industry and that's a good thing, but we want the United States to be a core part of their business models."
The bombing of a hospital in Gaza City has killed hundreds of people and escalated the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Both sides blamed the other, but horrific scenes of the wounded ignited street protests in capitals across the region.

Israel's aerial bombardment campaign over the Gaza Strip is part of what it calls a total siege. This includes cutting off water, food and electricity supplies to a population of two million people. Human rights groups have criticized the siege for breaking humanitarian law.

U.S. President Joe Biden has said he plans to address the humanitarian crisis for Palestinian civilians when he visits Israel and Jordan this week.

Israel's military operation in Gaza, is in response to a brutal terrorist attack in Israel by Hamas Oct. 7 that killed at least 1,000 people, including Americans. The Israeli government says that Hamas is still holding at least 199 hostages kidnapped from Israel.
Ukraine fired long-range ATACMS missiles for the first time after they were delivered by the U.S., Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Tuesday.

"Today, special thanks to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. They are executed very accurately, ATACMS have proven themselves," he said, according to a Google translation of a transcript.

Ukrainian politician Oleksiy Goncharenko posted on social media: "ATACMS is already with us. The airfield in Berdyansk with enemy equipment was hit by them. Thanks to our partners!"

The Wall Street Journal reported the news earlier Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told CNBC it was unable to confirm the reports.

Ukraine has repeatedly said ATACMS are important to advance its difficult counteroffensive in Russian-occupied areas. The missiles can strike targets from as far away as about 180 miles.

However, U.S. officials previously said the U.S. does not have a large stockpile of excess ATACMS, while some have expressed fears use of the weapons could escalate the conflict.

 Jenni Reid
The floating solar photovoltaic power plant by EDPR Sunseap Group, a unit of Energias de Portugal SA, in Woodlands, in Singapore, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. Bryan van der Beek | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Southeast Asia is home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies. As energy demand grows, the region is turning to renewable energy to safeguard its energy security. Energy demand in Southeast Asia has increased by an average of 3% each year over the past two decades  a trend that will continue to 2030 under current policy settings, according to the International Energy Agency. But fossil fuels still dominate the region's energy mix, making up about 83% in 2020 compared to renewables' share of 14.2% in the same period, research from the ASEAN Center for Energy showed. By 2050, oil, natural gas and coal will account for 88% of the total primary energy supply, the center said. This "huge dependence" on fossil fuels increases the region's vulnerability to energy price shocks and supply constraints, said Zulfikar Yurnaidi, manager of energy modeling and policy planning at the ASEAN Center for Energy. Global events such as the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have driven up prices in recent years, with benchmark oil prices reaching its highest level in over a decade in March last year. Just last week, oil prices popped nearly 6% as Middle East tensions soared following Hamas militants' air, sea and land assault on Israel. "Our fiscal capacity is different from Europe. We can't outbid everyone to get our own gas supply," said Yurnaidi. In particular, Southeast Asia's gas and coal power sectors have expanded as power grows, increasingly exposing these markets to volatile fossil fuel prices on the international market, said David Thoo, power and low carbon energy analyst at BMI Fitch Solutions.

Overall, the region's policies and trends show countries are eager to transition to clean energy. Zulfikar Yurnaidi ASEAN Center for Energy

If Southeast Asian nations do not make significant discoveries or add to existing production infrastructure, the region will become a net importer of natural gas by 2025 and coal by 2039, the ASEAN Center for Energy estimated. That's going to raise fossil fuel prices and exert further strain on consumers. To prevent this, the region must diversify its energy sources for economic growth and security, said Yurnaidi. Most, if not all, Southeast Asian markets have taken strides to announce renewable energy targets and formulate their low-carbon energy transition plans, said Thoo. "Overall, the region's policies and trends show countries are eager to transition to clean energy," said Yurnaidi.

Energy transitions from Malaysia to Indonesia

Malaysia Malaysia launched its National Energy Transition Roadmap in July, which will scale up its renewable energy capacity and reduce its growing dependence on natural gas imports, according to the Ministry of Economy. The roadmap identified 10 flagship projects, including plans to build a one-gigawatt solar photovoltaic plant  Southeast Asia's largest  that can directly covert sunlight into energy, the ministry said. Solar power has remained the most encouraging segment of Malaysia's renewable energy landscape since 2011, with an installed capacity compound annual growth rate of 48%, according to the authorities. Other planned developments include an integrated renewable energy zone, five centralized large-scale solar parks and three green hydrogen production plants. These projects will leverage Malaysia's estimated 290 gigawatts of technical renewable energy potential to create a more resilient, low-carbon power system, said the ministry. Vietnam In May, Vietnam announced its Power Development Plan 8, a commitment to boost wind and gas energy while reducing its reliance on coal. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are projected to account for at least 31% of national energy needs by 2030, the government said, according to Reuters.
Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading. Lockheed Martin  The defense company gained about 0.2% after it reported third-quarter results that beat expectations. The company posted $6.73 in earnings per share on $16.88 billion in revenue. Analysts surveyed by LSEG, formerly known as Refinitiv, had forecast $6.67 in earnings per share on $16.74 billion in revenue. Shares of defense peers also gained on the news, with Circor International jumping 5.5%. Nvidia  The chip stock dropped more than 4% after the U.S. Department of Commerce said Tuesday it plans to ban the export of more artificial intelligence chips to China. Other chipmakers also moved lower on the news, including Marvell Technology, Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom. Dollar Tree  The discount retailer jumped 4.8% after getting an upgrade from Goldman Sachs to buy from neutral. The investment bank sees strong earnings growth potential and likes DLTR's compelling valuation. Ollie's Bargain Outlet , which was also upgraded to buy at Goldman, added 3.8%. Johnson & Johnson  The pharmaceutical giant fell 0.9% despite posting better-than-expected earnings and sales for the third quarter. J & J posted adjusted earnings per share of $2.66 on $21.35 billion in revenue. Analysts polled by LSEG forecast an adjusted $2.52 in earnings per share and $21.04 billion in revenue. The company said pharmaceutical sales growth was partially offset by a decline in sales of its prostate cancer drug Zytiga and blood cancer drug Imbruvica, as well as its Covid vaccine. Tripadvisor  Tripadvisor rose 0.8% after Goldman Sachs initiated the stock as a buy and said it sees upside to estimates for the travel website company "on the back of faster revenue growth at [tourism company] Viator/Experiences [and] scale/operating efficiencies leading to better profitability." Goldman Sachs  The financial company's shares fell 1.6% following the bank's third-quarter report. Goldman Sachs earned $5.47 per share on revenue of $11.82 billion, exceeding LSEG estimates. Those figures represent 33% and 1% year-over-year drops on the bottom and top line, respectively. Lucid Group  The electric vehicle maker shed 5.3% after its vehicle production fell 32% year over year in the third quarter, coming in at 1,550 vehicles. Meanwhile, the company's vehicle deliveries rose 4.2% from the prior year to 1,457 vehicles. Bank of America  Shares added 2.3% after the bank's third-quarter results topped Wall Street expectations. Bank of America reported 90 cents in earnings per share on $25.32 billion of revenue. Analysts surveyed by LSEG had estimated 82 cents in earnings on $25.14 billion of revenue. Bank of New York Mellon  The bank stock rose 3.8% following a strong earnings report. The company earned $1.22 per share on $4.37 billion in revenue for the third quarter. Analysts surveyed by LSEG forecast $1.15 in earnings per share and revenue of $4.33 billion. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts  The hotel operator jumped 9% after competitor Choice Hotels offered to buy Wyndham for $90 per share , valuing Wyndham at roughly $7.8 billion. Shares of Choice Hotels fell more than 5%. CyberArk  Shares of the information security firm added 3.6% following an upgrade to overweight from JPMorgan . Analyst Brian Essex cited an attractive setup and favorable competitive landscape as catalysts for the change. VF Corporation  The apparel and footwear company jumped more than 14% on news that activist investor Engaged Capital has built a stake in VF Corp . Viasat  Shares of the satellite broadband services company climbed 9.5% following an upgrade to overweight from neutral by JPMorgan. The bank cited "increased cost discipline" that should "encourage investors" for the upgrade. Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital  Shares rose 4% after Morgan Stanley upgraded the climate investment firm to overweight from equal weight. The bank said the stock's sell-off has been "overdone." Fortrea  Fortrea shares gained 2.8% after activist investor Starboard Value disclosed an 8.7% stake in the drug trial contract research company. The firm's Jeff Smith said Fortrea is trading at a discount to peers. Array Technologies  The solar energy tech company gained 2.5% after Morgan Stanley upgraded shares to equal weight from underweight. The investment bank cited its attractive valuation following a sell-off in clean energy stocks and growth forecasts in the utility-scale solar market. NetScout Systems  The cybersecurity company dropped 16.6%, reaching a new 52-week low, after its preliminary fiscal second-quarter revenue and 2024 fiscal-year guidance came in below expectations. NetScout's management mentioned macro headwinds negatively affecting service provider demand.  CNBC's Samantha Subin, Alex Harring, Lisa Kailai Han, Pia Singh, Sarah Min and Tanaya Macheel contributed reporting.
Remote work has plummeted from its pandemic high.

Less than 26% of U.S. households have someone working from home at least one day a week, down from a peak of 37% in early 2021, according to Census Bureau data.

Remote work's gradual decline reflects the ongoing push from companies to get employees back in the office: 43% of companies have set tighter limits around remote work or mandated some form of return-to-office over the past year, ZipRecruiter reports.

Business leaders have given various reasons for their disdain for the model, arguing that collaboration, mentorship and employee engagement all suffer without the office.

But the biggest disadvantage of remote work that employers cite is how difficult it is to observe and monitor employees, according to a new report from ZipRecruiter, which surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. employers between July and August.

Although some bosses have recognized the benefits of remote work  and studies have shown that employees are often more productive and less likely to quit when they have some degree of workplace flexibility  many are still hesitant to adopt remote work permanently. Especially as major corporations such as Goldman Sachs, Zoom and Meta introduce stricter requirements for in-person work.

"It's an incredibly challenging, frustrating and disorienting time for employers when the tool they relied on most, observing employees in-person, is gone," ZipRecruiter chief economist Julia Pollak tells CNBC Make It.

Pre-pandemic, bosses relied on desk visits and peer monitoring, which occurs when co-workers notice and comment on each other's work, to keep employees on track in the office, and there is no clear replacement for them in a remote setting, Pollak explains.

Although demand for employee monitoring software has skyrocketed since 2020, companies still haven't figured out how to effectively measure remote workers' performance.

"It's hard to know which measure these software programs track even matters," Pollak adds. "A lot of knowledge work is done in video meetings, or offline in phone calls, research and brainstorming, and it's impossible to quantify all of that."

Research has shown that workplace surveillance can also backfire as it undermines employees' confidence in their managers and desire to be productive, which can lead to increased turnover.

Pollak offers a better solution: Invest in middle managers as connecting leaders between front-line employees and upper management and encourage them to work one-on-one with their direct reports to outline clear workflows and expectations.

"If the pandemic and 'great resignation' taught us anything, it's that managers need to be intentional and engaged with employees to be truly effective," says Pollak. "The challenges with remote work aren't going to be solved overnight, but making that change is a strong start."

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Workers are the unhappiest they've been in 3 yearsand it can cost the global economy $8.8 trillion

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China may continue to see some market volatility but the worst has passed, the former head of benchmark giant FTSE Russell said.

"China has had success, and will become an important investment venue going forward, but in the short term, China does have some issues. We're not seeing the sort of growth in the market we've seen in the past, but the potential is there," Mark Makepeace, who is now the chief executive officer of Wilshire Indexes, told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia."

Makepeace said he is bullish in the long term on China and Hong Kong markets and is confident that they will continue to grow. He added that growth will come back to China next year, but that depends on the government and whether it will be more aggressive in terms of stimulus.

The country is expected to report third-quarter gross domestic product on Wednesday. Economists expect third-quarter GDP growth of 4.4%, according to a Reuters poll.

On Monday, China's central bank kept its medium-term lending facility rate unchanged at 2.5% in an effort to boost liquidity support for its banking system.

China's economy has struggled to come to grips with long-standing problems including slowing economic growth and weakening global demand for its products, especially against the backdrop of a flagging property sector.

Investors now await more economic readings as China is also set to report September retail sales on Wednesday.
Investors searching for income in today's volatile markets may want to look at the "magic seven" U.K. stocks identified by Berenberg. The London-listed stocks include British American Tobacco , Schroders , Rio Tinto , Aviva , British Land , Close Brothers and Legal & General . British American Tobacco and Rio Tinto are also listed on U.S. stock exchanges. Schroders, Legal & General, Aviva, and British Land are traded over-the-counter in the U.S. and Germany. Analysts at the Germany-headquartered investment bank say these dividend-paying companies offer attractive yields averaging 7.8%. "The U.K. equity market is cheap," Berenberg analysts Jonathan Stubbs and Leoni Externest said in a note to clients on Oct. 13. "The median U.K. dividend yield is back to 3.6% and close to the highs of last year (3.8%)." Their research found that the difference between the top and bottom quarters of the broader U.K. stock market based on dividend yields has widened to levels not seen since the 2008-2009 financial crisis. "Over the last 50 years, this has been a good buy signal for these stocks and also for the broader market," the analysts said. In the past, when the average dividend yield for these seven companies topped 7%, median returns over the subsequent 12 months reached 60%, with a positive outcome 95% of the time, according to the bank. Schroders The U.K. asset manager currently provides a 5.4% dividend yield. Berenberg notes that this exceeds payout peaks during the Covid-19 pandemic and global financial crisis. Historically, yields above 4.5% have preceded 12-month returns of 54% for Schroders, "with a win ratio of 98%," according to the bank. Rio Tinto The mining giant now yields 6.2%  just under double the broad U.K. market's 3.6%. Berenberg's analysis shows dividend yields above 4.5% have resulted in median returns near 30% for Rio Tinto, with a more-than-90% success rate. Aviva The insurer's 7.7% dividend yield has rebounded from below 2% during Covid-19. Berenberg points out that yields above 7% have meant over 20% median returns for the company in the past. British American Tobacco The tobacco giant's 9% yield hasn't been this high in 20 years; above 9%, the stock has historically returned 52% over the next 12 months with 99% accuracy. However, investors should be aware of the rising regulatory hurdles that companies in the tobacco sector face. British Land For the real estate company, the current 7.2% dividend yield has only been exceeded three times in over 50 years, according to the analysts. Berenberg said yields over 5% had preceded 21% median returns with an 82% probability. Close Brothers The financial services firm now yields 8.1%, topping its 2020 peak. According to the investment bank, yields above 6% have resulted in 29% median returns and a 94% win ratio since 1965. Legal & General Finally, L & G's 9%+ yield is more than double the U.K. market's. The analysts said the stock has returned 67% on average with 100% success when yields top 8%.
WalletHub compared more than 180 cities to determine the safest ones in the U.S.

In October, WalletHub released its annual ranking of the safest cities in the United States. The personal finance company compared 182 cities across 41 key indicators of safety including: traffic fatalities per capita, assaults per capita, flood risk level, wildfire risk level, unemployment rate, job security, median credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and percentage of the population that is uninsured. For the final ranking, the cities were scored across three categories: Home and community safety

Natural disaster risk

Financial safety WalletHub also used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, FBI, and more agencies to determine the results.

Nashua, New Hampshire is the safest city in America

Nashua ranked as the No. 1 safest city in the U.S., according to the WalletHub report. The city is located in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire and is considered one of the best places to live in the state, according to Niche. The report's findings show that Nashua has the second-fewest assaults per capita and is among five U.S. cities that tied for having the lowest unemployment rate in America. Nashua lies directly on the Massachusetts border, which means residents from that state can  and often do  take advantage of New Hampshire's lack of sales tax. The city is also referred to as a "gateway" because it is a center point of travel and economic and cultural transmission between Boston and Concord, New Hampshire, according to the city's website.

Nashua, New Hampshire ranked as the safesty city in the U.S., according to WalletHub. Denistangneyjr | E+ | Getty Images

Top 10 safest cities in America

Nashua, N.H. Columbia, Md. South Burlington, Vt. Gilbert, Ariz. Warwick, R.I. Portland, Maine Casper, Wyo. Yonkers, N.Y. Burlington, Vt. Scottsdale, Ariz. After taking the top spot for five years, Columbia, Maryland, came in second place on this year's list of safest cities in the U.S. The Maryland city has a population of over 104,000, according to the 2020 U.S. census. After Baltimore, Columbia has the second-highest population in Maryland. Columbia, Maryland, is in Howard County, which has seen a decline in violent and property crimes since 2018. Robberies declined 46 percent between 2019 and 2021, assaults dropped 13 percent during that period, and burglaries declined 33 percent, according to the city's website.

Columbia, Maryland ranked as the second safest city in the U.S., according to WalletHub. Mharisk | Istock | Getty Images
Former President Donald Trump attends trial in a civil fraud case that alleges Trump, two of his sons, the Trump Organization and others engaged in a yearslong pattern of business fraud, in New York, Oct. 17, 2023.

Donald Trump made statements that threatened the integrity of his criminal election interference case, a federal judge said Tuesday as she detailed her decision to impose a partial gag order on the former president.

Trump has made public statements "attacking individuals involved in the judicial process, including potential witnesses, prosecutors, and court staff," Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote in a filing in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Trump's language, spread to audiences of millions on social media and elsewhere, communicated "not merely that he believes the process to be illegitimate, but also that particular individuals involved in it are liars, or 'thugs,' or deserve death," Chutkan wrote.

The statements "pose sufficiently grave threats to the integrity of these proceedings that cannot be addressed by alternative means," the judge wrote.

The gag order on Trump has been tailored "to meet the force of those threats," she added.

Trump has vowed to appeal Chutkan's ruling, claiming that the gag order will hamper his ability to speak on the 2024 presidential campaign trail.

The three-page written opinion came one day after the judge placed limits on what Trump can say about the criminal case accusing him of illegally conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.

Chutkan delivered that ruling from the bench Monday after hearing arguments from a federal prosecutor for special counsel Jack Smith, who sought the gag order, and a lawyer for Trump, who opposed any restrictions on his speech.
Former US President and Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump holds a campaign event during a Club 47 USA event at Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on October 11, 2023.

Former President Donald Trump returned to court in Manhattan on Tuesday to attend the ongoing civil fraud trial against him and his company.

Outside the courtroom at Manhattan Supreme Court, Trump slammed the judge who will decide the case.

"He's a Democrat judge, he's very liberal, and I believe he's under a lot of pressure," Trump told reporters stationed in the hallway.

Trump also repeated attacks against New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the case accusing Trump, two of his sons, the Trump Organization and others of a yearslong pattern of business fraud.

James seeks around $250 million in damages, and a court order permanently barring Trump and other defendants from running a business in New York.

James, who was also present in court Tuesday, fired back at Trump after the trial day concluded.

"Trump continues to rant and rave and scream at the cameras" and "use this courtroom as a means to raise funds for his campaign," James told reporters outside court.

"Trump may lie, but numbers don't lie," she said, asserting that her office has repeatedly demonstrated in court that Trump's financial statements were inflated "to enrich himself, his family and his company."

"His entire empire was built on nothing but lies and on sinking sand," she said.

Trump said he will be back in court Wednesday.

Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled that Trump and others in the case are liable for fraud. The judge's decision revoked the defendants' New York business certificates and ordered an independent receiver to oversee their dissolution. A New York appeals court has temporarily paused the cancellation of those certificates.

The trial centers on James' six remaining claims in the case, which is being conducted without a jury. Engoron will deliver verdicts in the case himself.

Trump's remarks outside court came after he slammed Engoron as a "Radical Left Democrat" in a social media post Tuesday morning.

"America cannot let this happen. Our legal system is corrupt and broken!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump had initially planned to be present at the trial this week for the testimony of Michael Cohen, his former personal lawyer and fixer.

Cohen's testimony before Congress in 2019, in which he alleged that the Trump Organization misleadingly changed the values of key real estate assets for financial benefits, prompted James to launch a probe into Trump and his business.

But Cohen's expected appearance in the trial was delayed because of what he called a "pre-existing medical condition that impedes my ability to testify."

"Rest assured, I will testify at the earliest opportunity," Cohen said Saturday in a statement to NBC News.
Nvidia (NVDA) can for now likely withstand fresh U.S. regulatory hurdles limiting its business in China, largely due to robust demand for its artificial intelligence chips across the globe. But for Nvidia to continue to grow earnings at the clip many investors have come to expect, the semiconductor firm will likely need the Chinese market. The U.S. government plans to restrict the sale of advanced AI chips to China in the coming weeks, the Commerce Department announced Tuesday. The tighter export controls are expected to crimp Nvidia's ability to sell its H800 and A800 chips to China  products the company developed last year to comply with the Biden administration's initial restrictions on AI technology bound for the world's second-largest economy. Shares of Nvidia  the world's dominant AI chipmaker  fell 4.68% Tuesday, to close at $439.38 each. "It's disappointing to see the fresh restrictions on Nvidia since it made these chips specifically for its Chinese customers," Jeff Marks, the Club's director of portfolio analysis, said Tuesday. He added: "The short term impact should be immaterial since demand for Nvidia's AI chips is so strong in the rest of the world and exceeding supply...and it would not surprise us to learn that Nvidia has the ability reconfigure these chips to meet the standards of regulators." "But long term, there will need to be some give on China in order for the company to continue growing at these higher rates," Marks argued. Nvidia's profit tripled in the three months ended July 30 , and the company in August issued an implied earnings guidance for the current quarter that far exceeded Wall Street's expectations. While analysts generally see Nvidia's earnings growth moderating looking out a few years, projections still point to significant increases  helping to justify a premium valuation to its peers. For its part, Nvidia on Tuesday said it doesn't "expect a near-term meaningful impact" on its financial results given strong demand for its chips. Indeed, orders for the company's chips have skyrocketed over the past year  resulting in shortages  amid booming interest and investment in generative AI . KeyBanc Capital Markets said Tuesday that the new restrictions are a negative for Nvidia, arguing "it will ultimately be difficult to backfill China demand." The A800 and H800 are modified versions of Nvidia's cutting-edge AI chips used in data centers, known as the A100 and the more recent H100. Before the Biden administration's 2022 export controls took effect, Nvidia was able to sell its top-of-the-line AI chips to U.S. cloud-computing providers such as Club holdings Microsoft (MSFT) and Oracle (ORCL), as well as Chinese tech giants. That changed last year when the U.S. government stipulated that advanced processors exceeding certain performance thresholds required a license to be sold to Chinese customers. To comply with the new rules, Nvidia created the A800 and H800 chips, which had slower data-transfer speeds and therefore didn't violate the export controls. Crucially, the introduction of the H800 and A800 crucially allowed Nvidia to offset potential revenue losses from China, which the company had estimated last year could total $400 million . China has historically accounted for between 20% and 25% of Nvidia's data-center revenue, the company has said, comprising sales of both AI chips and networking products. China revenue fell within that range during Nvidia's last reported quarter  a sign its customers in the country were ordering the throttled-back chips . The latest export controls, which U.S. officials said will go into effect in 30 days, again threaten those sales. With U.S.-China relations at a recent low point , the Biden administration has argued the export controls are necessary to cut off the Chinese military from the most advanced AI and supercomputing technology. But Nvidia has warned that tighter restrictions portend "a permanent loss of an opportunity" for U.S. semiconductor firms to "compete and lead in one of the world's largest markets." While Nvidia's technological advantage on AI remains clear compared with semiconductor peers such as Intel (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), we share the company's sentiment about the long-term challenges in China presented by current U.S. policy.  CNBC's Kristina Partsinevelos contributed reporting to this article. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long NVDA, MSFT and ORCL. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

An exterior view of the Nvidia headquarters in Santa Clara, California, on May 30, 2023. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
Hamas says 200-250 Israeli captives held in Gaza, 22 killed in Israeli attacks

Xinhua) 09:34, October 17, 2023

GAZA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said on Monday that there are 200 to 250 Israeli captives held in Gaza.

In a televised speech, Abu Obaida, spokesperson of Al-Qassam Brigades, said the group has held 200 prisoners and "the rest are captured by other resistance factions in the Gaza Strip."

Obaida added that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 22 Israelis, including Guy Olives, a Tel Aviv-based Israeli artist.

He noted that the foreigners are not prisoners in Gaza, and they will be released once the current conflict ends.

The spokesperson also stressed that the armed group is willing to have a prisoner swap with Israel.

On Oct. 7, Hamas launched a heavy onslaught on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza. The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, now in its tenth day, has killed about 4,000 people on both sides.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  The illicit trade of tobacco could cost state coffers at least 60 billion in revenue this year, according to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means .

Salceda and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have moved to round up those behind the illicit activity and prosecute them.

In a forum organized by policy group Action for Economic Reforms on Tuesday, Salceda said that online selling platforms have been a fertile ground for the sale of tobacco products under the guise of Asian herbs with price points as low as P350 per rim versus the P1,750-per-rim price tag of legitimate brands that bear the BIR stamp.

The lawmaker, who is also an economist, explained that they sourced the information after his staff tried to access fake and unstamped cigars online.

He estimated that there are two billion sticks sold illegally this year, which doubled from 2020 level.

Salceda said he will soon file a bill, noting that a separate proposed legislative measure  the anti-smuggling of agriculture products  did not include digital platforms as possible channels for smuggling.

Dito ang platform Lazada, Shopee, Facebook marketplace," he said, "we will provide NBI, DOJ the capacity na putulin [to block] any platform that sells cigarettes."

"We will block any sale of cigarettes through digital platform," Salceda continued. "It is a complete ban definitely of cigarette sales through digital platform.

The lawmaker said any online platform, even if a buyer would claim he or she is 18 years old, would be blocked

Salceda noted that the fake cigarettes are being manufactured in or rolled within economic zones in Subic and Clark, although he declined to name the locators.

Meanwhile, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui told the same forum that his agency is procuring a provider that will help the BIR digitally track and trace the movement of tobacco products on a wider scale.

Under the present setup, cigarette packs bear the BIR stamp that can be read just by the agencys devices. What Lumagui wants is for the cigarette packs to have a QR code that consumers can scan and send to BIR to check if they are fake or not.

The agency wants to roll out the new cigarette tracking system by January 2025.

We are shifting since gagawin natin to a digital track and trace solution, meaning hindi lang yan stamp, hindi na lang evidence of whether excise tax has been paid," he said.

[Translation: We are shifting since this will be done using a trace solution, meaning it won't just be a stamp, not just proof whether excise tax has been paid.]

Using this method, Lumagui said the movement of cigarettes could be tracked using ordinary cellphones and not through any special gadget.

"Once you do that, it will go to our system, makikita kung anong produkto saan galing," he said. "If its illicit, definitely walang entry. If legit, may entry sa system namin."

[Translation: Once you do that, it will go to our system, we can see where the product came from. If it's illicit, there won't be an entry. If legit, then it will be in our system.]

Lumagui also said the public could be a partner in monitoring and they could make the report themselves.

"We will know the concentration where the products are located,' he said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  Recognizing today's youths key role as tomorrows guardians of the environment, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) and World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) have teamed up to launch YOUth are the Future, a leadership program aimed to equip young student leaders on environmental conservation, climate change, and sustainability issues.

There is no better time than now to educate the youth. As stewards of the planet, it is important that they have an opportunity to learn about environmental conservation, encourage them to voice out their fresh ideas, and share new perspectives, said WWF-Philippines Education for Sustainable Development Project Head Dino Calderon.

When we provide our young student leaders with learning opportunities and expose them to practical solutions, we have a chance to help them design a sustainable future. We are committed to make sure that things change for the better, says Hans Chico Sy, President of SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation (SMEDD) and SM sustainability champion.

Student ambassadors with SM Prime and WWF-Philippines visit the SM MOAs EV Charging Station. Photo from SM Prime

Youth are the Future ambassadors take a photo at the newly-installed Sustainability Wall in SM Mall of Asia. Photo from SM Prime

Commencing with the grand launch on October 10, 2023, the student ambassadors from various Metro Manila high schools participated in a discovery tour around the SM Mall of Asia Complex, which features SM Primes sustainability efforts and disaster resiliency practices. The formal introduction of YOUth are the Future Ambassadors was held at the SMX Convention Center and along with a pinning ceremony. Leaders and representatives from SM Prime, WWF-Philippines, government agencies, and foreign dignitaries were also present at the event.

Student ambassadors from Assumption San Lorenzo during their introduction and pinning ceremony in SMX Convention Center. Photo from SM Prime

SM s Sustainability Champion Mr. Hans Chico T. Sy Jr. and Xia Vigor shares a moment with the students in their pinning ceremony as ambassadors of the Youth are the Future program. Photo from SM Prime

In a message she delivered during the event, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said, Our journey is really about the race to resilience, as our climate changes, society is changing. Sustainability is our pathway to survival as a planet and that is what resilience is really about, the ability to withstand the impacts of the hazards that we know and those that we could face in the future.

The youth ambassadors will participate in a three-day eco-camp at Pico De Loro Beach and Country Club in November, where they will learn about waste and energy management, resource optimization, and climate mitigation and adaptation strategies from some of the countrys experts.

Renowned for its role in Olive Ridley Sea Turtle conservation, the 3-day eco camp in Hamilo Coast also serves as an immersive natural classroom in environmental conservation. The expected output from the eco-camp is a Green Manifesto that outlines their plans to effect change and a storybook module co-authored by all the participants. The program will culminate in a series of mall and school tours throughout Metro Manila to boost youth engagement and student ambassador recruitment.

Student ambassador trying out the SWAP Vending Machine in SM Mall of Asia. Photo from SM Prime

In a message sent by her excellency Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte, she said, This visionary program embodies the transformative power of education and empowerment in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future. Taking advantage of this program will give you all a head start on becoming influential figures in creating a more sustainable and ecologically aware culture.

Together with its partners, WWF-Philippines hopes to empower young Filipinos further to become the next generation of sustainability champions. Programs like YOUth are the Future, can help succeeding generations become proactive leaders who can #ChangeTheEnding for the planet.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  The countrys poll body has approved the request of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to exempt state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) from the ban on hiring and movement of employees, as he seeks to conduct reassignment following the loss of confidence in certain officers.

In a decision dated Oct. 16, released to the media on Tuesday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is allowing Herbosa and PhilHealths Board of Directors to transfer or detail any officer and employee of the agency in connection with the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia signed the order.

Comelec said Herbosa and the PhilHealth Board of Directors have the authority to reassign from Aug. 28 to Nov. 29 of this year.

The PhilHealth letter approved by Herbosa said the insurance firm was facing critical operation needs, prompting it to conduct an independent check on its management.

The Board expresses its loss of confidence in certain members of the Management Executive Committee due to their observed incompetence, gross negligence, and ineffective leadership, as manifested by their actions and decisions that have directly and adversely impacted the Corporation, the letter read.

The PhilHealth officials named were Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Eli Dino Santos, ASVP Nerissa Santiago, SVP Jovita Aragona, SVP Renato Limsiaco, SVP Jose Mari Tolentino, SVP Dennis Mas, and SVP Israel Francis Pargas.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  A 4th year criminology student died after a fraternity hazing in Quezon City, police said.

A police report released Tuesday identified the victim as 25-year-old Ahldryn Lery Chua Bravante, a resident of Imus, Cavite.

Authorities said they received a call from the Chinese General Hospital regarding Bravante's condition on Monday night.

The victim's two companions -- who were also considered suspects -- said he underwent initiation rites from some members of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity, Philippine College of Criminology Chapter.

"After the initiation rite, the victim had difficulty in breathing and became unconscious. Hence, they brought him to the hospital but he was declared dead on arrival," the police report stated.

It said examination showed Bravante sustained hematoma on both his legs, and cigarette burns on his chest and both hands. Pictures of the victim's body showed dark, severe bruises on his thighs.

Two other suspects surrendered to authorities.

"The incident is held under investigation and for follow up," police said.

In a statement, Bravante's school Philippine College of Criminology said it does not tolerate any form of hazing or organization that promotes illegal and violent acts, as it extended its condolences to the student's family.

"We are doing everything in our power to investigate this incident, extending assistance to the family, while cooperating with the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice," the school said.

In July this year, authorities nabbed two of more than two dozen suspects in the hazing death of an Adamson University student.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  The Department of National Defense (DND) is set to acquire three brand new C-130J-30 Super Hercules for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) after issuing its Notice to Proceed on Tuesday.

They will be delivered in July 2026, October 2026, and January 2027, respectively.

The DND noted that the acquisition started in 2021 as part of the Second Horizon of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.

The AFP has received the first of two C-130H aircraft it purchased through the U.S. governments military financing program.

The additional cargo space of the C-130J-30, coupled with the reliability of C-130 aircraft we have in our current fleet, will provide our Air Force with greater operational flexibility, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.

These features will empower our PAF to meet the demands of the AFPs tactical missions more effectively, he added.

The project was awarded to Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace, arms defense, information security, and technology corporation.

Andolong said the PAF currently operates a mixed fleet of C-130s, which is vital for supporting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and military operations.

He added that the additional C-130J-30 to the inventory will be a significant step in achieving a credible defense image.

In 2021, a rescue and retrieval operation was conducted on the Air Force C-130 aircraft that crashed in Patikul, Sulu, leaving 52 dead, which is the country's deadliest military air disaster in at least four decades.

READ: Military ends rescue and retrieval ops with 52 dead in C-130 plane crash in Sulu

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/7/5/AFP-Sulu-plane-crash-death-toll.html
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said his government will continue to support all modernization efforts by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

In a speech during the 122nd founding anniversary of the PCG, Marcos said these efforts are not just due to the threats in the West Philippine Sea, but also because of the role the Coast Guard plays in maritime incidents and even disaster assistance.

"This administration firmly stands with you in your plans and efforts to improve, expand and modernize the capabilities and services so that you may better contribute to the security and welfare of our people and of the nation," Marcos said.

The president lauded the PCG during the ceremony, recognizing their contributions in keeping the country safe.

'Your integrity, your discipline and professionalism in the performance of your mandate have helped us further our collective vision of a stronger, more harmonious and more resilient Philippines," he said.

PCG Commander Admiral Artemio Abu also said their achievements are due to the efforts of their personnel.

From actions in the West Philippine Sea, to responding to maritime incidents nationwide and environmental threats, he said the PCG would continue to make the country proud.

"We will continue to be a symbol of hope and a source of national pride for Filipinos," said Abu.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Brig. Gen. Jesus Nelson Morales of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as the new Presidential Security Group commander, the President Communications Office announced on Tuesday.

Morales, who was a deputy commander at PAF's Air Logistics Command, will now lead the agency tasked to provide security and escort Marcos and his family.

The PCO said that Morales will replace Brig. Gen. Ramon Zagala, who will now assume the post of Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations Service commander.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  The Philippines has been recognized as Asia's Best Cruise Destination at the third annual World Cruise Awards in Dubai.

This is the first time the country bagged the reward  besting India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

"Our archipelago of 7,641 islands offers a wide array of cruise experiences, from exploring picturesque coastlines and coral reefs to immersing in local culture and traditions," Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said in a statement.

Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, was named The World's Best Cruise Destination, where the Philippines was also nominated.

The World Cruise Awards is a sister event of the World Tourism Awards, which "acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries" since 1993.

"This prestigious award is not only a testament to the Philippines' allure as a cruise destination but also a validation of the collective dedication of the tourism industry and the Department of Tourism," Frasco said.

Other winners were Mozambique for best cruise destination awards in Africa; Jamaica in the Caribbean; Madeira, Portugal in Europe, Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, Mexico in Latin America, Abu Dhabi in the Middle East, Alaska in North America, and Fiji in Oceania.

The Philippine Ports Authority earlier said an international cruise ship terminal is set to open in Siargao and Coron in Palawan this year. The agency is also looking into building more cruise ship terminals in the Bicol Region, Boracay, and Panglao in Bohol.

READ: Int'l cruise ship terminal to open in Siargao in October
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  The Philippines and Canada have forged an agreement for the use of Ottawa's dark vessel tracking system to detect ships illegally fishing in Manila's waters.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said the deal signed on Oct. 12 covers the inclusion of the Philippine National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) in Canada's Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) System.

It was signed by Philippine Ambassador Maria Andrelita Austria and Assistant Deputy Minister Adam Burns of the Programs Sector of Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) at the sidelines of the 6th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Ottawa.

According to the DFA, the DVD System is "used to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) by vessels who deliberately turn off their Automatic Identification System (AIS). It utilizes layered multi-sensor satellite data from both commercial and government-owned satellite assets to provide near real-time satellite imagery."

This also incorporates historical vessel information, environmental data, and analytics for the conduct of analysis, it added.

The system will be jointly managed by the NCWC and Canada's DFO. It also aims to boost Manila's fight against IUUF and enhance its maritime domain awareness over its territorial waters and exclusive economic zones.

Canada is one of the countries supporting the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17)  A lawmaker urged the government to suspend the implementation of the SIM Card Registration Act amid the surge of cyberattacks against government sites and data systems.

The law mandates the public to register their SIM to access their telcos' communication services. Information such as names and addresses are required for registration.

"Matapos ang serye ng mga data hack, hangga't di naipapakita ng Marcos Jr. admin na kaya nitong tiyakin ang cybersecurity ng ating bansa, hindi dapat ipagkatiwala rito ang anumang dagdag na data ng mamamayan," Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said in a statement Tuesday.

"Dapat mapalakas ang data protection mechanisms ng pamahalaan, at susi rito ang pagsuporta sa ating homegrown IT specialists," Manuel added.

[Translation: After a series of data hacks, until the Marcos Jr. administration secures the cybersecurity in the country, additional data of our countrymen should not be entrusted to the government. The data protection mechanisms of our agencies should be strengthened, and the key is to support our homegrown IT specialists.]

On Monday, the House of Representatives website was back online after being hacked by anonymous user "3musketeerz."

READ: House website back online after hacking

The IT team of the Senate also made adjustments in their website security after the website hacking incident in the House, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said.

READ: Senate reports 'spike' in cyberattacks

In September, data from PhilHealth was compromised by the Medusa Ransomware group, which shared at least 700 gigabytes of information on the dark web and messaging app Telegram.

READ: Stolen PhilHealth data now being 'shared illicitly' -- NPC
(CNN)  US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in the early hours of Tuesday from Tel Aviv.

Biden had been deliberating whether to make a wartime visit to Israel, a trip fraught with risk that could stand as a dramatic show of support for a top US ally while sending a warning to other countries in the region against escalation.

Aides said the president has expressed a strong interest in making the journey after being invited over the weekend by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Biden has known for four decades.

The risks of a presidential visit to Israel are not small. On Monday, as Blinken met with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, air sirens blared, forcing the two men to shelter in place.

The United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza, Blinken said, adding that the president during the trip will hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas.

It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible, Blinken said, speaking from a US diplomatic building in Tel Aviv.

The top US diplomat noted that the US shares Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise preventing it from reaching the people who need it.

If Hamas in any way blocks humanitarian assistance from reaching civilians, including by seizing the aid itself, well be the first to condemn it. And we will work to prevent it from happening again, he said.

Blinken said the agreement to work on the plan was done at the US request, and they welcome the government of Israels commitment to work on this plan.

The president very much looks forward to discussing it further when hes here on Wednesday, he said.

In weighing Netanyahus invitation with his team, Biden factored in both the symbolism of a visit and its practicalities. Aside from a high-profile show of support for Israel, the trip will send a warning to other players in the region, namely Iran and its Hezbollah proxy in Lebanon, about becoming further engaged in the conflict.

But it will also link Biden more closely with the Israeli response in Gaza, including concerns over a mounting humanitarian crisis, and could act as a tacit endorsement of Netanyahus decisions.

The pressure on Biden to encourage restraint was evident Monday in front of the White House, where a large protest led by progressive Jewish groups called on him to push for a ceasefire. Loud singing and chanting could be heard from inside the gates.

Biden had originally planned to spend Monday in Colorado talking about wind energy, but that trip was scrapped at the last minute. The president instead received briefings from his national security team and made phone calls to the leaders of Germany, Egypt and Iraq.

The unusual cancellation of Bidens visit out west marked yet another example of how last weekends cross-border Hamas attack has forced an immediate reorienting of the presidents priorities and schedule as he confronts the realities of a new war.

The conflict is also forcing a new assessment of the administrations immediate foreign policy priorities, with the reality setting in that renewed violence in the Middle East will now occupy the bulk of the presidents time at least in the near-term.

Huddling in the Oval Office on Monday, Biden discussed the latest developments on the ground with top national security advisers, including the administrations two leading intelligence officials.

While Biden has stopped well short of encouraging a ceasefire  the word hasnt been used at all in the administrations response so far  he has issued steadily stronger warnings about protecting civilian life, including during his telephone calls with Netanyahu. Biden and Blinken, advisers say, have upheld a moral high ground and cemented credibility with the Israelis by remaining sympathetic to civilian and humanitarian needs, while reinforcing their commitment to the security state.

Traveling to Israel in person may provide Biden  who has long espoused the importance of face-to-face meetings  a better opportunity to convey those views to his Israeli counterpart, a leader with whom he believes he has a deep understanding. Before war in Israel broke out, Biden and Netanyahu were planning to visit in person again at the White House, a personal invitation Biden extended when the two last met in New York City.

Already, in their phone calls, the men have discussed the importance of adhering to the rules of war. In an interview that aired Sunday, Biden offered his most public statement urging restraint, saying it would be a mistake for Israel to try reoccupying Gaza.

Speaking to reporters Monday, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said a visit by Biden would have strategic importance for the entire Middle East.

The most senior representative of the USA comes to Israel for a full report on the war in the Middle East and all the action we have to take, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters when asked earlier about a possible visit by the US president.

Right now, we are focusing on Gaza and the steps that we are going to take to prepare for war and that is how we will progress, he added.

The last time that Biden made a last-minute and highly secretive trip abroad was in February, when he visited Kyiv, Ukraine, around the one-year anniversary of Russias invasion.

With only a small group of some of his senior-most advisers even aware of the plans ahead of time  and ultimately with just one reporter and one photographer in tow  the president quietly rode a train across the Polish-Ukrainian border to enter an active war-zone.

His brief visit served as a remarkable show of solidarity for the Ukrainian people and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, which the White House hoped would also translate to a forceful rallying cry for the US allies to continue supporting Ukraines cause.

But unlike his visit to Ukraine earlier this year, his expected to Israel this week marks a remarkably swift decision to visit the country only days after the outbreak of war. Those familiar with Bidens decadeslong relationship with Netanyahu say it is clear the administrations response to Hamas attacks is being shaped in no small way by Bidens personal friendship with Netanyahu  and his desire to demonstrate his unequivocal support for the prime minister.

American officials spent much of the weekend watching with growing concern the potential for the war widening, and sending public and private signals to Iran to stay out of the conflict.

From his first phone call with Netanyahu last weekend, Biden has raised concern that a northern front could open along Israels border with Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah has been engaging sporadically with Israeli forces.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the administration was engaged in back-channel diplomacy with Tehran to send the same message it has been conveying publicly about not escalating the crisis further.

Rhetorically, theyre cranking it up, said a person close to the situation. But theyre backing it up with hardware.

For Biden and his team, the risks of a wider conflict include the potential of further engaging American military assets in defending Israel. Though the White House has said repeatedly there are no plans to send American troops to Israel  in part because Israel itself does not want it  there is the potential US air and naval assets become further involved if a multi-front war breaks out.

Over the weekend, Biden ordered a second US aircraft carrier group to the eastern Mediterranean, bolstering what he and other officials have described as a deterrence posture. The military muscle is intended to send a signal to Iran to stay out.

Yet behind the scenes, Biden and his team are discussing the various possibilities should the crisis escalate.

We cant rule out that Iran would choose to get directly engaged some way. We have to prepare for every possible contingency, Sullivan said on CBS.

The outbreak of violence is forcing the Biden administration to closely engage with  and heavily lean on  actors in the region with histories of glaring human rights violations.

US officials have been actively discussing with their counterparts in Egypt the establishment of a humanitarian corridor that would allow civilians  including hundreds of American citizens  to escape Israels counteroffensive attacks raining down in Gaza. But those efforts have yet to be fruitful.

Over the weekend, scenes of chaos and confusion poured out of southern Gaza, where families attempting to leave found that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt remained closed, despite having been previously told that there would be a midday window to leave.

The issue had been a major topic of discussion between Blinken and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and after their in-person meeting, Blinken pledged Sunday that Rafah will be open.

Blinkens frenzied multi-day trip to the region also included a stop in Saudi Arabia, a country that Biden, as a presidential candidate, had pledged to make a pariah on the global stage after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The secretary of state met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the countrys de facto leader whom the US intelligence community concluded had approved the operation to kill Khashoggi.

Such direct and swift courtship of the regions strongman leaders is a clear signal of the administrations determination to prevent the conflict from spreading beyond Israels borders.

This story is breaking and will be updated.
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1923  100 years ago

What is claimed to be a record in loading a refrigerator car with apples was made last Friday evening by a crew of Apple Grower Association workers. From the time the first box rolled on the conveyor until the doors had been closed, just 47 minutes elapsed, loading proceeding at a rate of 16 boxes per minute.
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As the Apple world welcomes the USB-C Apple Pencil, Apple-in-the-enterprise proponents might want to eye a case study that suggests Apple products in business boost productivity, and can offer significant advantages in another big tech space, education.

The University of Kentucky recently shared interesting insights that suggest equipping any kind of knowledge worker with these tools should benefit learning and business. The educational institution has been running a Smart Campus iPad initiative for five years, under which all 33,000 students are equipped with iPads, Smart Keyboards, and an Apple Pencil for their studies.

Life of iPad

Whats interesting is that five years into the scheme, the program has raised graduation and retention rates to 70% and 90% respectively. Those are impressive results, but the university has also confirmed what an increasing number of enterprises  SAP, Cisco, IBM, and others  are experiencing: Apple kit is cheaper to run than other platforms.

At Kentucky, this has delivered significant benefits in the form of a 60% reduction in IT costs across the board. Most people only see the purchase price, but they dont consider the total cost of ownership. Apple devices cut our IT labor costs in half, said IT Director Bill Adams.

The data reflect the experience were seeing globally right now as incoming employees choose Apple products through any existing employee choice schemes. Its becoming increasingly clear that their use boosts attainment/productivity, enhances engagement, and cuts costs in a wide number of deployments.

The university also makes use of Apples biometric authorization systems, which means its students can use their iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad to access campus buildings, purchase meals, and more.

Adams wasnt always an Apple advocate  hes a traditional techie with a Windows background. But the data he touts speaks for itself.

Good bill hunting

The difference in costs is significant to any business, Adams explains in a profile hosted on Apples website: One employee managing 120 Surface tablets can keep over 1,200 iPads running over the same period of time, Adams says. And that shocked us! Most people only see the purchase price, but they dont consider the total cost of ownership. Apple more than pays off during the life cycle of its devices.

It's worth noting that while managing the Apple deployment, Adams himself switched to a Mac  something he never thought he would do.

Of course, the University of Kentucky is all about social responsibility. Its the states flagship public land-grant research institution and a huge number of its students are first generation, meaning parents did not get the chance to attend college.

With iPad, weve levelled the playing field for all our students, so even those who havent had equal opportunities can access the best technology possible, said Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky.

Thats all good, of course  particularly for Kentucky, as students at the school are required to also put energy and invention into projects that will deliver social good across the wider community.

Remember the titans

For enterprise professionals considering company-wide switches to Apple hardware or pondering the potential impact (and need to support) some form of employee-choice options, the experience at the university should provide reassurance that the longer-term benefits will almost certainly outweigh costs.

The experience is far from unique. In education, Taiwan last year revealed similar achievements with its own digital schemes. And in business, we continue to see a tidal wave of enterprise adoption with data to underline the very real business benefits of doing so. Apple recently confirmed two big deployments: at Blackstone, all employees are being offered Macs and iPhones, while biopharmaceutical concern Gilead has equipped its entire sales team with iPads.

Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
IDF confirms striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said it is striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanon, amid the ongoing conflict with the Hamas group.

The Israel Defense Forces has said it is striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanon Photo Courtesy: IDF X page video grab

IDF posted on X: "The IDF is currently striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanon."

The international community fears an escalation of the conflict between the Iran-backed Hezbollah and the Israeli army, The Times of Israel reported.

On October 7, Hamas launched a heavy onslaught on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting the Jewish nation to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza.

The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, now in its tenth day, has killed about 4,000 people on both sides.

Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said on Monday that there are 200 to 250 Israeli captives held in Gaza.

In a televised speech, Abu Obaida, spokesperson of Al-Qassam Brigades, said the group has held 200 prisoners and "the rest are captured by other resistance factions in the Gaza Strip".

Obaida added that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 22 Israelis, including Guy Olives, a Tel Aviv-based Israeli artist, Xinhua reported.
Ever since getting fired from Saturday Night Live, Adam Sandler has had to resign himself to the sad existence of being an enormously successful movie star. (Poor bastard.) Sometimes hes hilarious, sometimes hes in a stunningly good dramatic role and sometimes he makes stuff like Jack and Jill.

Regardless of the occasional clunker, though, The Sandman has never lost his A-list luster, which means hes had little time for TV. That said, he has made a few appearances as himself. Here then is every Adam Sandler as himself TV cameo ranked by just how Adam Sandler he is, starting with

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5 Jessie Jessie was a Disney Channel show that aired from 2011 to 2015 about a woman born on a military base who moves to Manhattan to be a star but ends up a nanny (all of which I just looked up on Wikipedia). One episode saw Sandler pop up to serve punch at a school dance for one of the kids Jessie nannies. There are obviously some attempts at humor  Sandler says the punch was made in Kevin James bathtub  but he looks uncomfortable amidst the broad Disney Channel acting. Sometimes Sandler appears shy on talk shows, but the hokey kids show writing here leaves him with little to do and feeling very un-Sandler-like. Furthermore, the guest spot is retroactively blanketed in sadness. Sandler likely agreed to it because Jessie star Cameron Boyce played his son in the Grown Ups movies. In 2019, the 20-year-old Boyce tragically passed away after an epileptic seizure.

4 Real Rob Celebs can be hilarious when mocking themselves for being overly pampered idiots, but it didnt really work for Sandler in Real Rob, a sitcom about a fictionalized version of Rob Schneider. In one episode, Sandler talks to Schneider on the phone while flying a drone that gets blown up by a police helicopter. He then later yells at Schneider for not joining him on a spontaneous trip to Greece. Both scenes seem out-of-character for Sandler, who is widely known to be a chill dude off-camera.

3 Undeclared A shy, awkward Sandler showed up in an episode of Undeclared. In one scene, hes hanging out with fawning college kids when one of them lets slip that he doesnt like any of Sandlers movies after Billy Madison. Still remaining bashful enough, Sandler leans into his assistant and asks for the kid to be removed. Its a little more sensitive than youd imagine the real Sandler to be, but the understated self-parody works far better here than it did in Real Rob.

2 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Sandler plays himself bidding on antiquities during an auction where Andy Sambergs Detective Jake Peralta is undercover as the auctioneer. Like Jessie, this one features another joke at Kevin James expense, except its far funnier. In an exchange with Samberg, Sandler is trying to defend his credibility as a serious filmmaker, bragging that hes writing a movie about the Russian Revolution. Samberg snaps back, Oh really? Who does Kevin James play in it? and Sandler replies, Its a serious movie Trotsky. After that, Sandler gets onstage and asks the fellow bidder to name a price to have him put one of his socks in Sambergs mouth. Its a very funny guest spot that allows Sandler to poke fun at himself while still seeming like himself. Advertisement Advertisement
After Jerry Seinfeld ominously warned that something is going to happen related to the much-maligned Seinfeld finale, Julia Louis-Dreyfus came out and clarified that her former co-stars warning left her just as dumbfounded as the time Seinfeld told her that Elaine would be ending her arc in prison.

Earlier this month, an audience member at a Boston stand-up show asked Seinfeld about his thoughts on the controversial final episode of the hit sitcom bearing his surname. The comics response was a coy, noncommittal suggestion that he has something planned in the near future related to the conclusion that left the four most iconic characters in sitcom history behind bars and fans scratching their heads. Almost immediately, Seinfeld enthusiasts across the internet began the speculation cycle, wondering whether a reunion or revival could be in the works while maintaining some well-earned skepticism that this is yet another instance of Seinfeld stirring up intrigue without a satisfying payoff.

Speaking to The Guardian, Louis-Dreyfus fielded the question she knew was coming the second Seinfeld opened his big mouth and teased that the Seinfeld universe may yet live on. Yeah, I just saw (that news) last night, she said of Seinfelds finale news teaser. And I dont know what the hell hes talking about. Its looking increasingly likely that this might all just be Seinfelds lead-up to another awkward Super Bowl commercial with Jason Alexander.

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Since NBC aired The Finale on May 14, 1998, the two-part, hour-and-fifteen-minute Seinfeld episode has gone on to be one of the most controversial pieces of television in sitcom history. Over the last quarter century, episode writer and series co-creator Larry David has continued to insist that The Finale was the only logical conclusion of the shows No Hugging, No Learning mantra, even as his star and partner vaguely and repeatedly postulates that they failed to stick the landing.

Louis-Dreyfus, on the other hand, has pledged a lukewarm defense of the episode while acknowledging fan complaints. I understood why people were disappointed, Louis-Dreyfus said of the Seinfeld ending in an interview with The Daily Beast back in May. First of all, expectations were ridiculous. But I also understood, because we didnt do too much in it. Once we had been arrested and in court, it was just us sitting there watching one person after another parade through.

Though Louis-Dreyfus has avoided voicing any strong feelings either way about a possible return to Seinfeld, many Elaine fans already found closure on how Jerry chose to close the chapter on TVs greatest sitcom heroine when they saw their queen take the stage in the last episode of The Late Show with David Letterman, when she told her host in front of Seinfeld, Thanks for letting me take part in another hugely disappointing series finale.
Great Rooms A visual diary by Design Editor Wendy Goodman. The Living Room: The walls have been painted Light Pistachio from Benjamin Moore. The custom valances are covered in Jim Thompson fabric with Kravet tassel trim. Photo: Michael Granacki

I dont have a very good sense of style, product manager Anna Turner says. Which isnt to say she doesnt know what she likes, its just that, left on her own devices, she tends to choose something practical. Shed been living in a rental in the East Village where I just went for the most functional thing, so a lot of my stuff was Ikea, shove-a-shelf -into-a-corner-that-works, she says. But I wasnt happy with how it looked.

When she bought her first apartment, a two-bedroom in Park Slope, she found herself admiring the exuberant work of legendary California designer Tony Duquette on Pinterest. I wanted eclectic, maximalist, Turner says, but I wanted it to be livable and functional as much as possible.

She found designer Tara McCauley on a neighborhood Facebook group, liked what she saw on her website, and reached out. It was the first solo job for McCauley, who had worked with designer Nick Olsen for eight years. McCauley kept Duquette in mind but kept her scheme for the apartment modern and pared down, befitting a young professional living with her black Lab mix, Tippy, and two cats. She also incorporated pieces which Turner had collected during her childhood living in Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, and Croatia when her parents worked in the State Department.

Annas directive to source only things with a story behind them was a dream come true, says McCauley.

The color scheme in the open living/dining kitchen was inspired by Duquette. We both loved the Adrian Green walls in the drawing room at Dawnridge (Duquettes residence in Beverly Hills), McCauley notes, but I wanted something a bit fresher and energizing in the living/dining room. She landed on what she calls Prada green and had her painter try to match the familiar pale mint color of the brand, ending up with Benjamin Moores Light Pistachio.

Turner wanted to keep the original solar shades in the living room, so McCauley suggested custom valances (a Duquette signature) using a Jim Thompson cotton woven stripe fabric.

I feel like I finally see my personality expressed in my surroundings, Turner says. Working with a design professional like Tara has enabled me to surrender my poorer design instincts. Left to my own devices, everything would be functional and a neutral color.

The Hallway: The blue and green wallpaper, inspired by Portuguese azulejo tiles was the perfect thing to connect the living room to the guest bedroom/office, McCauley says of the Hygge & West paper designed by Photo: Michael Granacki The blue and green wallpaper, inspired by Portuguese azulejo tiles was the perfect thing to connect the living room to the guest bedroom/office, McCauley says of the Hygge & West paper designed by Tilton Fenwick . The runner is from ABC Carpet.

The Dining Area: Anna loves to host dinner parties, McCauley says, since her parents live overseas, she hosted a large Friendsgiving in the apartment. The dining area needed to be comfortable enough to host dinner parties and durable enough for Tippy to hang out in so the bench and chair cushions are upholstered in strie-patterned indoor/outdoor fabric from Photo: Michael Granacki Anna loves to host dinner parties, McCauley says, since her parents live overseas, she hosted a large Friendsgiving in the apartment. The dining area needed to be comfortable enough to host dinner parties and durable enough for Tippy to hang out in so the bench and chair cushions are upholstered in strie-patterned indoor/outdoor fabric from Kravet . The antique lighting fixture over the dining table might be my favorite thing in the apartment, we won it at the Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia.

Photo: Michael Granacki Turner kept the kitchens original blue-painted cabinetry. The mirror is from Furnish Green in Chelsea.

The Primary Bedroom: Anna requested a lush bedroom, so I incorporated a variety of textures and tried to make things feel layered and luxurious. McCauley says. We won this 1950s Hollywood Regency mirrored vanity at Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia. Photo: Michael Granacki

Photo: Michael Granacki The headboard is upholstered in a pleated silk georgette. Wall-sconce lighting was used instead of side table lights due to the small space. The Rococo wood mirror above the bed was won at Hayloft Auctions

The Guest Bedroom and Office: The rug and wall hanging are from Turners collection from Pakistan. The walls have been painted Deep Ocean from Benjamin Moore. The daybed from CB2 folds out into a full-size bed. Photo: Michael Granacki

WFH Nook: We transformed the closet in the guest bedroom into a dramatic little work from home nook, McCauley says, the floor to ceiling curtains cover the entire wall and conceal an unattractive tiny window looking into an air shaft. Styled by Anthony Amiano. Photo: Michael Granacki

Tippy on Her Dog Bed: McCauley designed Tippys dog bed using an indoor/outdoor version of Brunschwig & Fils signature Les Touches fabric. Photo: Tara McCauley
The Israeli-Hamas Conflict Shows Cyber Warfare Is The New Normal

During the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine the hacktivist group Anonymous declared a cyber war against Russia. At the time, I conducted extensive research into the methods, tactics, and results of how a group of semi-unorganized non-governmental hacktivists were able to cause major havoc in Russia.

Their strategy included everything from hacking news outlets, home printers, and connected devices, to downloading a mind-boggling amount of Russian data belonging to companies and government agencies and then publicly releasing that data online.

It was the first time the world saw a successful crowdsourced cyber war that could not be tracked back to any specific country or government.

In the current conflict between Israel and Hamas, I have seen hacktivist groups attempt many of the same techniques that were successfully used against Russia. However, they seem to be less effective now. The one major factor that makes these cyber war tactics different is the time between conflicts. In the 19 months since hacktivists declared cyber war against Russia, cyber security experts and intelligence services around the world have had time to analyze, prepare, and try to insulate themselves by learning from the failures of Russias cyber defenses.

After all, it is a fact that cyber warfare will play a significant role in any current and future conflicts. Cyberspace acts now as a second front with no defined rules of engagement. Hacktivists and government-affiliated groups can choose a side and launch numerous attacks based on their specific skill sets, tipping the scales of the conflict with seemingly just a few clicks.

The most common tactic I have seen in the Israel-Palestine online conflict are denial of service (DoS) attacks. In the first days of the most recent confrontation, the attacks seem to have been focused on Israeli government websites, civil services, news sites, financial institutions, and telecommunications and energy companies. By targeting these sites, attackers can manipulate information and limit civilians access to real-time news, government instructions, and other important intel.

Who Is Hacking Who?

It is an open secret that many nations and other global actors have spent years testing each others cyber defenses and have extensive experience in offensive and defensive security. State-sponsored cyber attacks are a serious threat during both times of war and peace, but it appears to be the new normal that a cyber war accompanies a physical conflict.

The cyber war landscape seems to change rapidly, but many well-known groups have already announced their involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict, including various Anonymous factions, KillNet, AnonGhost, and others.

There were an estimated 58 different groups participating in cyber attacks in the first days of the conflict. Initial reports suggest there are 10 groups working in support of Israel and roughly 48 in support of the Palestinians. In general, due to the anonymous and covert nature of hacktivism, cybercrime, and espionage groups, its difficult to determine what their agenda is and exactly how much impact they have. They try to ensure by hiding their location, identities, and any state affiliations. It is also possible that some of these groups are actually formed by the same individuals and simply use different operational names to make the attacks seem bigger than they really are.

One of the major challenges in cyber warfare is attributing cyberattacks to specific state-sponsored actors or independent hacktivist groups. Not knowing exactly who is targeting what makes it difficult to establish responsibility and accountability.

Nevertheless, various cyber attacks have been publicly linked to one government or another. For instance, multiple Russian-aligned groups, such as KillNet and Anonymous Sudan, have publicly claimed involvement in cyber attacks against Israel. KillNet Group launched a new Telegram channel called KILLNET PALESTINE, where it reaffirmed its affiliation with Anonymous Sudan and announced their intentions to coordinate their targeting of Israeli assets. Furthermore, according to a report published by Microsoft, Iran has targeted Israels government and private sector infrastructure more than any other country between July 2022 and June 2023. In turn, Iran has also blamed Israel for numerous cyber attacks going back many years.

Cyber Attack Methods Being Used

There is no doubt that a cyber war is taking place online in conjunction with the current physical war. Right now, the impact of these cyber attacks appears to be minimal, causing only minor disruptions. As more groups and actors join the fight, the cyber security threats will only increase. We will add updates to this article as major cyber attacks happen.

Hacked data can have significant risks for years to come and can serve as a puzzle piece for gathering intelligence or launching future attacks. There are no rules in cyber warfare, which means all types of data could be considered fair game and valuable targets. Knowing the methods and tactics of cyber warfare can help protect people, businesses, and government entities.

Denial of Service (DoS)

There have been numerous reports of DoS attacks against private businesses and government entities of both Israel and Palestine. These attacks, which come from all over the world, simply flood websites with an overwhelming volume of traffic requests. This bad traffic consumes the networks resources - such as bandwidth, processing power, memory, or network connections - and leaves virtually no capacity for legitimate user requests, hence the term denial of service.

In other words, a DoS attack is a relatively low-tech but effective method to launch a malicious disruption of a network, service, or website by overwhelming it with a massive flood of traffic requests. The primary goal of a DoS attack is to make websites or networks unavailable to legitimate users for hours or, in rare cases, days.

Various DoS attacks have been launched since the conflict started. These include:-

The official Hamas site was briefly taken down, allegedly by a pro-Israeli hacktivist group called India Cyber Force.

The largest English-language news provider The Jerusalem Post was targeted by Anonymous Sudan, a group that, despite what its name suggests, many experts believe operates from Russia.

KillNet, another Russian-affiliated group, claimed to have taken down the primary website of the Israeli government.

ThreatSec, a pro-Israel group, is suspected to have targeted Gazas internet service providers. By disrupting internet access, it hinders both peoples ability to acquire information and the cyber capabilities of those who cant connect to the network.

Propaganda & Misinformation

This is likely the easiest of all cyber war tactics for the average person because it requires almost no technical knowledge and only an internet connection. However, sophisticated bot networks are more prevalent than ever on social media, making it even easier to use this tactic. Winning the hearts and minds of supporters has always been a primary goal of all global conflicts, and propaganda is an effective tool to sway opinions or gain support for a specific cause or ideology.

Social media outlets are struggling to keep up with the massive amount of misinformation and bot activity.

In 2022, there were an estimated 16.5 million bots on X (Twitter) alone. A report on Russian propaganda on X during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine found that bots played a large role in promoting pro-Russian content, with an estimated 20 percent of the messages being posted by bots and reaching nearly 14.4 million users. It is highly likely the same level of bot activity is still happening on social media, with the biggest risk being that the average users may not spot the difference between a bot and a human and could fall for disinformation.

The EU has issued a notice to both Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerburg over the alleged disinformation regarding the Hamas attack, fake news, and out-of-context visual content. The EU demands mitigation measures be implemented to tackle the risks to public security and civic discourse stemming from disinformation.

Cyber Espionage

Israeli, Palestinian, and other entities are actively seeking to monitor communications, infiltrate networks, and gain valuable information that can be used to their advantage. The Gaza-based hacker group Storm-1133 has a history of targeting telecommunications, energy, and defense companies in Israel with limited success. Storm-1133 has taken a slightly different approach than other groups by using everything from LinkedIn to Google Drive to launch social engineering campaigns.

Their goal is to deploy backdoors that bypass traditional security methods and then gather information through social engineering instead of relying only on bruteforce hacking attempts. The use of hacked systems and data also plays a role in cyber espionage. Once data or an intrusion is filtered, it can be a stepping stone for further attacks or targeted campaigns to gain additional espionage capabilities.

Hacking & Defacement

Hacking: In the current conflict, it seems like only a small number of proven claims of hacking have made a big difference for either side.

AnonGhost, a hacking group based in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe claimed they disrupted an Israeli emergency alert application (according to their social media channel).

A group calling itself Team Insane PK claimed that it hacked a hydroelectric power plant in Israel.

Cyber Av3ngers, a pro-Hamas group, claimed it attempted to target Israels power grid organization.

If true, this raises the stakes of the possibility of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, including power grids and water facilities.

Hacked data is another major concern during conflicts. One example is a Russian language forum that appears to be selling the personal data of Israel Defense Forces. These records may reveal sensitive personal information that could go far beyond personal security and safety, as the data could include home addresses, contact details, or even the names of family members, which could be exploited by the hacktivists for harassment or additional cyber attacks.

Access to private data can provide additional insights into the soldiers digital lives and put them at risk for targeted phishing attempts and malware distribution.

Being aware of cybersecurity best practices and understanding the importance of maintaining personal information secure is a priority when any nations defense forces have been involved in a data breach.



Defacing: Websites, social media accounts, and digital platforms associated with both Israeli and Palestinian entities have been targeted by defacement. In the first week of the conflict, an estimated 100 websites from both sides were defaced. The goal of these attacks is to hack the website and convey political messages and ideologies.

These attacks are usually done through an SQL injection where the hacker exploits vulnerabilities in a websites input fields to manipulate the websites database. By injecting carefully crafted SQL queries, an attacker can bypass security measures and gain unauthorized access. This form of attack allows the hacker to retrieve confidential user credentials, or take control of the website and deface it.

Although these appear to be major incidents, they are not likely to provide the hacker with any sensitive data or information because sensitive records are usually not stored on a public-facing website. Usually these credentials are specifically for one area of the websites administrative panel and, as long as credentials are not reused or shared to access other parts of the network, there is a lower risk of a serious data breach.

What We Can Learn From This

Cyber attacks in the Israel-Palestinian conflict show us how information warfare and cyber activities intertwine with traditional forms of war. My goal is to highlight the cyber security aspects of the conflict without the geopolitical, historical, political, or humanitarian complexities. The use of cyber warfare underscores and defines a new reality of conflicts in the digital age and highlights the importance of addressing these cyber security challenges.

Cyberattacks against any nation pose significant dangers with far-reaching consequences. Disrupting critical infrastructure, including power grids and communication systems, can also directly affect civilian populations.

These attacks serve as a warning to countries around the world - all nations should be highly prepared for potential future attacks and implement proactive cybersecurity measures. Unfortunately, when it comes to a cyber attack, it is no longer about if it happens, but when it happens.

Going forward, the same potential threats apply to corporations, private businesses, and individuals. The tools and methods used by hacktivists today could be used on you, your company, or your government tomorrow. Understanding how hacks occur is the first step to protecting yourself online and your digital life.

Jeremiah Fowler is a Security Researcher and co-founder of Security Discovery

This is an abridged version of an article first available at WebSite Planet: Image: BrasilNut1

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CRUDE OIL PRICE OUTLOOK

Oil prices fall for the second day in a row, but the fundamental outlook remains constructive

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to be supportive of some energy commodities

This article looks at the key technical levels for oil to keep an eye on in the coming days

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Most Read: Australian Dollar Forecast - AUD/USD Rallies Off Support but Trend Remains Bearish

Crude oil prices, as measured by WTI futures, retreated on Tuesday, extending their decline for the second day in a row after last Friday's massive rally. News that the U.S. may strike a deal with Venezuela for sanction relief weighed on the commodity, but geopolitical tensions capped the downside.

The White House and the Maduro administration have been working on an agreement that would open the door for more Venezuelan crude to enter international markets in exchange for a commitment to freer and democratic presidential elections in the Latin American country next year.

While this potential deal could contribute to bolstering worldwide supplies, it is unlikely to bring about substantial changes in current market dynamics, given the considerable hurdles that Venezuela's energy sector confronts due to prolonged neglect and underinvestment in the industry.

Focusing on other major catalysts, the situation in the Middle East remains supportive of energy markets. Although Israel has postponed its potential invasion of the Gaza Strip, a ground incursion into the coastal enclave remains a looming possibility.

Eager to gain a better understanding of where the oil market is headed? Download our Q4 trading forecast for enlightening insights!

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Any escalation of the Israeli-Hamas clash could raise the geopolitical temperature in the region, especially if it draws in other actors like Iran. This could result in new constraints on global energy supplies, contributing to ongoing strength in oil prices.

From a technical standpoint, WTI futures started to move lower this week after failing to clear resistance at $88.50. If the pullback accelerates in the days ahead, initial support rests in the $85.50/$85.00 range. On further softness, the focus will turn to a short-term uptrend line near the $83.00 level.

On the other hand, if oil manages to resume its trek upwards, overhead resistance appears at $88.50. Although it may be difficult for buyers to take out this barrier, a breakout could reinforce bullish momentum, setting the stage for a move towards $93.80.

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The stand-off over the Israel-Hamas war could have the potential to drag America, Russia and China into the conflict, a military expert warned today.

Professor JUSTIN BRONK said that if Iran attacks Israel in retaliation for invading Gaza, Moscow and Beijing will be compelled to step in and the war could escalate.

He pointed out that Iran and its Hezbollah proxies in Lebanon provide a potential second front, with the US warning Hezbollah and Iran to stay out of the war.

Professor Bronk, a senior research fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), added that Russia and China have been relatively restrained so far.

But if Iran gets involved, then Russia might support it  and the war could include the US if Iran or its proxies attack Israel over the coming weeks.

Israel has now bombed areas of southern Gaza where it told Palestinians to flee ahead of an expected invasion, killing dozens of people.

Violence along Israel's border with Lebanon has also led to concerns over a widening regional conflict that diplomats have been working to prevent.

It comes after historian Niall Ferguson wrote in the Sunday Times that the situation had a 'unpleasant 1930s feeling', asking: 'Will there be a World War Three?'

Professor Bronk, who specialises in airpower and technology, has analysed the situation in Israel and its global context in this exclusive article for MailOnline:

The appalling mass violence unleashed upon Israeli communities by Hamas has produced the predictable heavy bombing campaign against Hamas targets throughout Gaza, and preparations for a large-scale ground offensive by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

Alongside at least 1,400 Israelis killed in the initial assault, more than 2,700 Palestinians in Gaza have now been killed in retaliatory strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza.

The death toll on both sides, but especially among Palestinians, will increase rapidly when the IDF launches its ground operation to root out Hamas fighters, leaders, and infrastructure.

Israeli soldiers block their ears as a M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer fires rounds today

The violence has rapidly drawn in wider geopolitical involvement from the US and other Western Israeli allies; from Iran and its Hezbollah proxies in Lebanon as a potential second front that might be activated in various ways to aid Hamas if Israel moves to a ground invasion of Gaza; and from the wider Arab world as states across the Middle East and the Gulf attempt to mediate and manage the crisis.

Throughout any Gaza ground operation  which is likely to take weeks at least  the IDF must also maintain reserve forces and conserve ammunition to guard against any potential attack in support of Hamas by Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, or from the West Bank.

Iran has also stated that it may take pre-emptive measures against Israel, whilst the US government has warned Hezbollah and Iran to stay out of the war and sent two US Navy carrier battlegroups to the Eastern Mediterranean to strengthen that deterrence message.

Palestinians look for survivors today in buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Deir el-Balah

So far, the US military presence and messaging appears to have successfully reassured Israel that it does not need to take pre-emptive military measures to mitigate a Hezbollah entry into the war.

So far, Russia and China have remained relatively restrained in their public statements, but if Iran gets directly involved, Russia is likely to feel compelled to support it due to Iran providing important missile and UAV supplies and training support to the Russian military in its war against Ukraine.

Iranian proxy forces are also present in large numbers in Syria near the border with Israel, and under airspace guarded by Russian air defence systems.

The potential risk of the Israeli-Hamas war escalating into a much more serious regional conflict that includes the US is clear if Iran or its proxies attack Israel in the coming weeks.

For now, Israeli air strikes continue in large numbers.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike at Rafah on the southern Gaza Strip today

The densely populated urban terrain of Gaza ensures that avoiding collateral damage is extremely difficult even when carefully trying to strike only military targets; especially since many Hamas command centres, rocket factories, tunnel entrances and ammunition storage sites have been deliberately positioned underneath civilian high-rise buildings.

This makes them relatively difficult to locate and provides several stories of physical protection from strikes with light weapons.

It also makes it more politically difficult for the Israeli Air Force to strike them due to the large number of civilian casualties and displacement that inevitably results from the use of the necessary heavy penetrating weapons against them.

People search for bodies of Palestinians following a blast in the central Gaza Strip today

The normal Israeli procedure when striking such targets in the past has been to roof knock by dropping a very small bomb on the roof to signal civilians to leave a building, and then to strike the basement with multiple heavy 2000lb class JDAM precision-guided bombs a short while later to collapse the whole structure.

However, whilst roof knocking reduces civilian deaths, the civilians in question are still made homeless and some may be unable to vacate in time.

Furthermore, the warning time also allows Hamas militants and commanders time to avoid being hit.

It also ensures that when the strike is conducted there will be multiple live camera angles broadcasting the powerful images of tower blocks being levelled to the world, which rapidly produces powerful international political pressure on Israel to cease strikes.

Israeli troops in Armoured Personnel Carriers patrolling along the Israel-Gaza border today

Since the violence unleashed by Hamas a week ago, however, Israeli policy has changed and strikes are being conducted in some cases without warning.

This increases the military effectiveness of strikes against key Hamas personnel but has also inevitably has caused far higher civilian casualties.

Air strikes alone, however, cannot provide Israeli policy makers with the level of assured degradation of Hamas capabilities that the Israeli public understandably demands following the mass atrocities committed against civilians during the initial attack.

Mourners gather around coffins of the Kotz family at their funeral in Gan Yavne, Israel, today

The only way to do that is to clear territory throughout Northern Gaza, including Gaza City using ground troops and find and destroy the extensive subterranean tunnels and facilities that Hamas uses.

However, the dense buildings and tunnel systems provide Hamas militants with ideal defensive cover with which to set ambushes, lay booby-traps and conduct urban skirmishes against advancing Israeli troops.

Urban combat greatly favours defending forces, as illustrated vividly by the heroic defence of the besieged city of Mariupol for three months by completely outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian troops in 2022.

A picture taken from Sderot in Israel today shows smoke over the northern Gaza Strip

The IDF will, like almost every army that has tried to clear urban areas in modern times, be forced to use heavy firepower in the form of artillery and more airstrikes to make progress against dug-in enemy troops without its own forces suffering prohibitive casualties.

However, the densely populated nature of Gaza following more than a decade of effective imprisonment of its population by Israeli authorities means that its people have few options for relocating to safer areas away from the borders.

The steady advance of Israeli settlements over decades and the mutual hatred on both sides also means that many Palestinian civilians will likely refuse to leave their homes and head south as ordered due to the fear that they will not be able to return to their homes and their land.

Palestinian emergency services and local citizens search for victims today in Khan Yunis, Gaza

The result is that any IDF ground assault to clear Hamas out of Gaza will not only be extremely bloody for the combatants on both sides, but will also cause a rapid rise in civilian casualties as both sides use heavy firepower in areas where civilians are still sheltering in place.

Put simply, there is no clean or simple military option for the objective that Israel is now understandably committed to  the elimination of Hamas in Gaza.

Effective air strikes displace and  when roof knocking is not conducted first  kill large numbers of civilians who have nowhere else to go.

The ground invasion will be extremely dangerous for Israeli troops facing a dug in force that knows the urban terrain inside out and has had significant time to prepare, and so heavy firepower will be used to try and minimise the IDF casualties.

Israeli troops with a variety of military vehicles at a site along the Israel-Gaza border today

Orders for mass displacement of Palestinian civilians to southern Gaza are legally questionable and difficult to comply with, but there are no effective military solutions to respond against Hamas without causing massive civilian casualties if they are not evacuated first.

The scale and savage nature of the Hamas assault against Israeli civilians was calculated to provoke a massive Israeli reaction, and Hamas has deliberately postured itself to be impossible to effectively attack in Gaza without causing massive casualties amongst its imprisoned civilian population.

Calls for Israel to not respond militarily at scale are simply politically unrealistic.

However, the military reality of the challenge facing the IDF in Gaza means that it has no good options, and its most likely course of action in the shape of a ground invasion will result in loss and suffering on an even greater scale than that already endured by thousands of ordinary people on both sides.
We're all familiar with those 'cashmere Communists' who virtue signal their support for the poor and oppressed from the comfort of their million-pound mansions. But the past few days have seen the emergence of a whole new breed of hypocrite: the Rolls-Royce revolutionaries.

Step forward Alicia Keys and Gigi Hadid. Two wealthy, successful and influential women whose beauty, talent and connections have earned them a lifestyle most can only dream of. Two women who, from positions of lofty security have been accused by the Israeli government of 'turning a blind eye' to the actions of Hamas.

Nothing has exposed the puerile vacuity of certain celebrities like the onslaught on Israel. So many of the usual voices so quick to bewail what they see as injustices, from the treatment of refugees to the rights of trans people  Gary Lineker, Emma Thompson, Emma Watson et al  have been uncommonly circumspect when it comes to condemning Hamas's pogrom.

But Keys and Hadid take this craven idiocy to a whole new level. In a post on Instagram to her 27 million followers, Keys, 42, uploaded a picture of herself in a black, green and white biker jacket with a red logo on one lapel  the colours of the Palestinian flag. She captioned it: 'What would you do if you weren't afraid of anything? Tell me your truth . . . I've had my eyes on paragliding.'

Paragliding was, of course, one of the more chilling methods of incursion used by Hamas's terrorists as they attacked civilians on October 7, gunning down terrified festival-goers, kidnapping grandmothers and babies, raping women, torching whole families in their homes.

Pro-Hamas demonstrators have been seen wearing pictures of paragliders as badges of support. How could anyone  let alone a social media user with a vast global platform  not be aware of that fact, or appreciate its significance?

The past few days have seen the emergence of a whole new breed of hypocrite: the Rolls-Royce revolutionaries - step forward Alicia Keys

'There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians,' Gigi Hadid wrote on social media

However, soon after Keys claimed ignorance.

'The post I shared earlier was COMPLETELY unrelated in any way to the recent devastating loss of lives. My heart has been breaking.' Did Keys think she would make herself look cool by positioning herself on the side of the 'oppressed'  not realising that many Palestinians abhor the actions of Hamas?

Whatever her intention, in reality it's not only crass, it demonstrates an extraordinary level of ignorance. But that's the problem with being a Rolls-Royce revolutionary: you are so insulated inside your bubble of privilege, it never occurs to you that your pronouncements might have consequences. It's the same with Hadid. 'There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians,' she wrote on social media. 'Condemning the Israeli government is not antiSemitic and supporting Palestinians is not supporting Hamas.'

In response, the Israeli government posted: 'Have you been sleeping the past week? Or you just fine turning a blind eye to Jewish babies being butchered in their homes?'

Meanwhile, Hadid's father, the property developer Mohamed Hadid, born into a Palestinian Muslim family in 1948, openly victim-shamed Israel, blaming it squarely for the horrors visited on its people. 'This less of a human and Bibi [sic] and the far-Right government of this Zionist State is 100 per cent responsible for . . . this massive escalation between the occupied and the occupier,' he wrote, alongside a picture of Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who supports settlements in occupied territories.

Many of my Jewish friends would be the first to admit that the Israeli government, particularly 'Bibi' Netanyahu's current administration, has made mistakes. But 'less of a human'? Says it all.

The Nazis also referred to the Jews as less than human: 'Untermenschen.' This twisted perception helped to justify them carrying out the Holocaust. The same notion appears here to be deployed to justify the horrors meted out by Hamas.

In some ways, though, I suppose the selective morality of people such as Hadid and Keys is understandable. They both operate in superficial worlds devoid of intellectual rigour  where image, not substance, is everything.

And like most useful idiots, they romanticise what they see as the idea of the noble rebel standing up to the heartless power of the state. Forgetting, of course, that if Hamas and their Islamist paymasters ever got their way, their comfortable worlds would come crashing down.

Pop stars and supermodels are not generally viewed with respect by the mullahs who run Iran and fund Hamas, or by hardline Islamist leaders anywhere. I don't imagine Ms Hadid would be able to walk semi-naked down many runways if they ever got a grip on the West, or Keys warble her hits.

Gay rights, trans rights, women's rights  they don't exist in countries in the grip of Muslim theocracies. Israel, by contrast, for all its large Jewish orthodox community, is a liberal democracy where individual freedoms are not only tolerated, but staunchly defended.

It may not be perfect  but you only have to look to the misery of life in Tehran to see that the alternative is far worse. Perhaps Israel's fashionable critics might like to think about that next time they celebrate the massacre of its citizens and call for its annihilation.

An ungrateful brat, actually

Richard Curtis has said he was 'stupid and wrong' for joking about people's size in his films after he was chastised on-stage at a literary festival by his daughter, Scarlett.

This giant of British cinema is not the first member of her family young Scarlett has 'called out': she has previously described her maternal great-great grandfather Sigmund Freud as 'sexist' and 'horrible'.

Miss Curtis would do well to remember that, were it not for her dad's successes, not to mention the connections on her mother's side of the family, no one would give two hoots what she thinks  let alone give her a platform from which to air her woke grievances.

There's only one thing more annoying than a nepo-baby  and that's an ungrateful nepo-brat.

Talking of nepo-babies, Madonna's daughter Estere is turning out to be a bit of a star, sharing the stage with her older sisters Lourdes and Mercy on her mother's Celebration Tour.

There's just one thing though: the show is incredibly raunchy, and Estere is only 11. At one point, Madonna talks about giving 'b*** jobs for showers' when she was a struggling artiste in New York  and that's not the half of it.

Is it really appropriate for a minor to be exposed to such adult themes?

Talking of nepo-babies, Madonna's daughter Estere is turning out to be a bit of a star, sharing the stage with her older sisters Lourdes and Mercy on her mother's Celebration Tour

MPs really should lay off the HP sauce

Should Parliament ban alcohol on the premises? Very possibly, if a report by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) is anything to go by.

It says that alcohol is a 'frequent factor' in the misconduct of MPs, 'leading to intimidating behaviour like shouting and swearing'.

I'm old enough to remember a Fleet Street where newspapers had their own pubs. It was common practice for journalists to nip down to the bar for a quick half (or three) in between filing stories  and I must confess it made for a convivial atmosphere. But there were also occasions when it led to some very regrettable behaviour.

The Palace of Westminster is a place of work where monumental decisions are taken, often at the end of a long night's debate. I think  on balance  that it would be better if all involved laid off the sauce.

Bringing Princess Diana back as a ghost in the latest series of The Crown is in my view about as exploitative of her memory as it gets. And yet still Prince Harry  much of whose ire is directed at what he sees as the media's exploitation of her  continues to take the Netflix dollar.

Time to go home?

Following news that violent inmates are to be released early to ease overcrowding in prisons, I wonder whether the Government should also implement proposals to send foreign prisoners, who represent about 12 per cent of the prison population, back to their (often grim) countries of origin. You never know, it might encourage others not to commit crimes in the first place.

The country's biggest exam board has announced that, by 2026, pupils will be sitting their tests on laptops as part of an 'evolution' in learning. Forgive me for worrying where this ends.

Already, many of our lecture halls lie empty, with students being taught online. How long before teachers themselves become obsolete?

Are we looking at a future where children never get to experience a classroom, or play catch in a playground? I hope not. But I can't be sure.
Nigel Lawson, described by his son Dominic as an 'adamantine atheist', was given a fine memorial service at St Margaret's, Westminster.

Vaulting benedictions, lessons from testaments Old and New, Abide With Me, Mozartian eleisons: we had the lot, including an address from Justin Welby.

Lord Lawson was partly influential in him becoming Archbishop of Canterbury. 'Some here,' murmured His Grace with dry self-deprecation, 'may feel that was his greatest service to atheism'.

Dynamic, husky-voiced Lawson, chancellor from 1983-89, was Thatcherism's great tax-cutter. He liberated millions from the Inland Revenue's depredations and gave the City freedom to succeed.

Later he campaigned for Brexit and expressed bold scepticism about climate-change policies.

Lord Lawson (pictured in 2012), described by his son Dominic as an 'adamantine atheist', was given a fine memorial service at St Margaret's, Westminster, writes Quentin Letts

Nigella Lawson attends a Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of her father

'Few people have had more impact or done more good,' said Rishi Sunak, hot-foot from Cabinet.

READ MORE: TV chef Nigella Lawson breaks her silence after her father Nigel Lawson's death aged 91 Advertisement

'He did not think things had to be the way they were. He was a serious radical.'

After Lawson, said the PM, no one seriously tried to reintroduce foreign-exchange controls, renationalise Pickfords removals or reimpose 'the penally high tax rates of the post-war era'.

That last claim led to distinct coughing from the pews, congregants being aware how much the Treasury currently plunders from our pockets. Heckling in church!

If you wish to reflect on this transitory life, nothing matches a Westminster memorial service.

'Parliamentary colleagues to the right, family and friends to the left,' murmured an usher.

In they now drifted, some more frail than others, political ghosts creaking up the nave. Oddly, the editor of the Times Literary Supplement sat among them, a bluebottle caught in the web.

'Vanity of vanities,' rang Ecclesiastes. 'All is vanity and a chasing after wind.' The second lesson was the parable of the mote and the beam, a stricture against hypocrisy here in a church full of politicians.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left), John Major (second left) and Nigel Evans (right) leave St Margaret's Church

Liz Truss (centre left) and Lord Fowler (centre right) leave St Margaret's Church in central London after attending a Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of Lord Lawson

Jacob Rees-Mogg arrives at Westminster Abbey today for the memorial service

'Nothing can bring back the hour of splendour in the grass,' read a charming grandchild, quoting Wordsworth.

Grandees of yester-decade listened and remembered, rheumy eyes staring.

Two former prime ministers, six ex-chancellors, at least two former home secretaries, MPs and mandarins, even the occasional inky scrivener.

Sir John Major settled alongside Norman Lamont, with whom he once had such a falling-out; Norman Fowler, Virginia Bottomley, Michael Howard, John Wakeham and a few former Labour opponents.

Sometime chief whips stood stooped, now as harmless as J.R. Hartley, the Yellow Pages fly-fishing author. Under those snowy eyebrows the occasional hawkish glint was still evident, mind you.

Terry Burns, who once dominated the Treasury, wore old-man Steptoe gloves. Mervyn King, formerly of the Bank of England, was near the Princess Royal's husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence. A bruised-looking Richard Sharp, no longer chairman of the BBC.

Once-noted beauties crouched behind too much blusher. But it was not all autumn. Younger Conservatives had come to honour the Elijah of low-tax Toryism: Jeremy Hunt, Alex Chalk, Kemi Badenoch, Michael Gove, Jacob Rees-Mogg. There was a kiss for George Osborne from Priti Patel. During more Mozart ('Laudamus te'), Priti held her chin utterly motionless.

What intellectual guts Lawson had. 'There is no word in the English language,' said Dominic, 'which adequately encapsulates his confidence in his own judgment, regardless of the weight of opposition.'

Nigella Lawson talks with Dominic Lawson and Rosa Monckton outside Westminster Abbey after a Memorial Service for her father and former Chancellor Lord Lawson

Conservatives turn up to honour Lord Lawson in a service at Westminster Abbey. Pictured: Michael Gove

At the service there was a kiss for George Osborne from Priti Patel, writes Quentin Letts

In his father's memoirs, the section 'my share of mistakes' ran to just five paragraphs in a book of over 1,100 pages. When he left the Royal Navy, a report concluded 'Lawson could be more assertive'.

Dominic: 'Well, he certainly took that on board.'

Maybe it was the drink. It never made him remotely woozy but as he cheerfully told his doctor, his retirement routine in Gascony involved 'two Pernods before lunch, then at lunch a few glasses of red wine and an Armagnac.

More Pernods in the afternoon, then some more red with supper and an Armagnac before bed'. The local firewater was called Floc. 'It's Floc o'clock,' Nigel would say, sometimes not long after breakfast.

Told he was dying in April, he dined on figs with prosciutto and mozzarella with 'several glasses of red wine, a final Armagnac before bed... and five minutes later he was gone'.
She called out the US for not having a system in place for 'contactless payments'

An American woman living in England has laid bare the biggest difference she has noticed since relocating to the UK - and it is all to do with their contactless payment system.

Lola Oluremi, 29, relocated from Maryland to the city of Newcastle, in northeast England, for grad school in 2016.

The operations associate, who works at Deloitte, recently took to TikTok to emphasize her feelings that the US needs to catch up with the UK's more streamlined modes of paying for goods and services.

'As an American living in England, there's still so many things that I noticed that the UK does and America still doesn't do. And sometimes I'm just like, why?' she began.

Lola Oluremi, 29, relocated from Maryland to the city of Newcastle, in northeast England, for grad school in 2016

The operations associate, who works at Deloitte, recently took to TikTok to emphasize her feelings that the US needs to catch up with the UK's more streamlined modes of paying for goods and services

Lola went on to describe 'one of the things that bugs me the most' is how 'the US still has not caught up to contactless payments and card machines.'

In America, as Lola explained, when you're settling the bill after dining out, 'they normally bring you out the bill, then you leave your card, and then they charge your card.'

However, she continued, waiters and most American establishments often end up getting overwhelmed when it comes to complications around splitting the bill.

'Let's say there's four of you, and two of you wanna pay together on one card, and and the other two wanna pay on second, separate cards.

'They find that so difficult,' she emphasized of American wait staff.

But in the UK, she elaborated, waiters 'bring the card machine to you' before asking 'each person, "How much would you like to put on your card?"'

'It's not a big deal, and I just don't know why it's not a thing yet in the US?' she added.

Lola also discussed how, in America, contactless payments usually require third-party apps, like Venmo or PayPal - which isn't the case in the UK.

Lola went on to describe 'one of the things that bugs me the most' is how 'the US still has not caught up to contactless payments a nd card machines'

The content creator also discussed how, in America, contactless payments usually require third-party apps - which isn't the case in the UK

'Obviously in the UK, you transfer bank account to bank account. All you need is someone's account number and sort code - doesn't matter what bank you have - and you just send it to them,' Lola explained.

In contrast, she continued, 'In America, you need third parties like Zelle, Venmo - all these weird things that you don't need in the UK.

'And sometimes, they even take days to get it,' she added of third-party payment-transfer services popular in the US.

'Someone will send money to the app, then you've got to go on the app to take the money out to then deposit your account.

'So freaking complicated!'

Lola is far from the only American expat living in the UK to share her observations about similarities and differences between lifestyles on either side of the Atlantic.

Earlier this year, an American named Brittany posted about differences between British houses and those in the US.
A father has explained why he doesn't 'help' his wife with chores and looking after their four children, but has still won praise for his views that initially sound outdated and controversial.

J.R. Minton, from Dallas, Texas lives with his wife Brittany and four children, and has made a name for himself discussing his family life on TikTok, where he is known as @minton__jr.

In a recent clip, that amassed almost 7 million views, the UPS driver boldly stated: 'I don't help my wife cook, I don't help her clean, do laundry, take care of the kids - none of that.'

But the twist came when he explained his reason was far from misogynistic, saying: 'Because I do what I'm supposed to do as a father and a husband: I cook. I clean. I do the laundry. I take care of the kids.

'I can't "help" my wife do those things because they are my job too. Change the way you speak, change the way you think, and grow the f**k up and be a man.'

J.R. Minton , who is from Dallas, Texas, lives with his wife Brittany and four children and has made a name for himself discussing his family life on TikTok , where he is known as @minton__jr

The UPS employee went on to explain that his reason was far from misogynistic, saying: 'I do what I'm supposed to do as a father and a husband: I cook. I clean. I do the laundry. I take care of the kids'

Many women were seething until J.R concluded his clip, with one stunned commenter writing, 'I was ready to fight,' while another joked, 'I just got emotional whiplash'.

Others took to the platform to praise J.R. - calling him 'a REAL man, husband and father'. The same user continued: 'You, sir, are the example to follow'.

And another woman flipped it around, saying: ' Exactly what I was explaining to my husband the other day. I dont "help" with the bills, I do the bills too.'

Several wives and mothers on TikTok chimed in to tell J.R. he was 'the example to follow', but only after he'd finished his video which initially stunned his followers

Similarly, a woman spoke of the changes she had implemented in her own relationship.

'Had to tell my husband stop saying, for your mother, to the kids. Empty the dishwasher FOR ME? No. Those are everybodys dishes'.

But one account expressed her concerns that J.R's message may not reach its target audience.

'Sadly, the algorithm will show this to all us wives more than to our husbands'.
Meghan Markle opted for a stylish low-key ensemble as she and Prince Harry returned from a romantic weekend getaway in the Caribbean.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted arriving in Atlanta on a private flight on Monday following their brief holiday to the tiny island of Canouan in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Photos captured Meghan, 42, and Harry, 39, disembarking the plane and leaving the tarmac where they were greeted by staff and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents.

Looking typically chic, Meghan sported a black long-sleeve maxi dress which she teamed with her 570 Hermes Oran Sandals in Gold and her 1,000 Hermes Brides de gala scarf.

She completed her look with a new addition to her wardrobe, a 9 Caribbean Flour & Feed Sack shopping bag. The upcycled accessory is made by Alethea John and her mother Bernice John, who run A&B Boutique on the island of Bequia, the largest of the Grenadine islands.

Meghan Markle opted for a stylish low-key ensemble as she and Prince Harry returned from a romantic weekend getaway in the Caribbean

The tote - emblazoned with the words 'Cream of the Islands' - feature a shoulder strap and colourful detailing across the top of the bag.

They are also sold on the website Seven Council Fires Native Art, which is 'non-profit created to empower and promote Native American artists and crafters and to preserve Native arts traditions through selling opportunities, education, events and projects,' according to its site.

Showcasing the tote on the site, a caption reads: 'Thank you so much for your purchase of these authentic Caribbean upcycled feed and flour sack shopping bags made by Alethea John and her mother Bernice John.

'Alethea has a little shop, the A&B Boutique, on the island of Bequia that has been hit hard by significantly reduced tourism due to Covid. Your purchase is truly appreciated!'

There are daily flights and ferries to Bequia from Canouan - where Meghan and Harry were spotted strolling hand-in-hand along the paved promenade next to a sun-splashed marina.

Meghan teamed her shopping bag with sunglasses and a sunhat, while sporting a messy bun.

Equipped with his weekender bag, Harry was also dressed casually in a white polo shirt, olive pants, and shoes, and topped off his post-holiday look with a black cap.

Meghan's Hermes scarf design, which shows two bridles side by side, was sported by the late Queen on various occasions, with Her Majesty owning the scarf in various colours.

Meghan completed her look with a new addition to her wardrobe, a 9 Caribbean Flour & Feed Sack shopping bag. The upcycled accessory is made by Alethea John and her mother Bernice John, who run A&B Boutique on the island of Bequia, the largest of the Grenadine islands

The Brides de gala scarf is Hermes' best selling scarf of all time and is one of the most emblematic Hermes designs

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, was pictured with the 1,000 Hermes Brides de gala scarf. The Queen is pictured wearing the same scarf design in 1982

The late monarch sported it to her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1982.

While the Queen's scarf was navy, Meghan appeared to opt for a more modern version in dual grey and blue tones.

The Brides de gala scarf is Hermes' best selling scarf of all time and is one of the most emblematic Hermes designs.

It was first designed in 1957, when Robert Dumas was working with designer Hugo Grygkar.

According to the Hermes website, he placed two 'sumptuous' bridles side by side on the ground and was immediately struck by the perfect composition they formed, and the scarf design was born.

In Meghan's scarf, a reinterpretation of the original, one of the two bridles is redrawn to give the impression of the glued and stitched technique used by the house's leatherworking artisans. The scarf is a cashmere and silk mix.

It is unclear if Harry and Meghan have travelled to Atlanta - where close friend Tyler Perry is known to have his own massive studio lot - for work or leisure.

The couple's two young children were not seen returning with their parents and appeared to not have joined them on their trip.

Harry and Meghan enjoyed several days of quiet on the Caribbean island after a busy few weeks that saw them in Germany for the Invictus Games and then New York for Archewell's first in-person event marking World Mental Health Day.

Over the weekend, DailyMail.com spotted the pair strolling hand-in-hand along the paved promenade next to a sun-splashed marina, looking like any young couple enjoying a Caribbean vacation.

A photo taken by a passer-by on Friday shows the pair leaving a gourmet food store inside the Sandy Lane Yacht Club and Marina in Glossy Bay.

Meghan was seen wearing a simple ivory maxi-dress and a ribboned Panama hat while husband Harry was casual in navy shorts and a white t-shirt and flip flops.

The pair were without children Prince Archie, four, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet, and were 'affectionate' with each other according to the onlooker.

Meghan and Harry during The Archewell Foundation Parents' Summit: Mental Wellness in the Digital Age in New York City on October 10

The source told DailyMail.com: 'They looked happy. As Harry walked out of the shop, he slightly bumped into one of the barrels [outside] and they both giggled and Meghan reached for his hand. They just looked very happy to be having a holiday together.'

Meghan and Harry had been shopping at Faye  an upmarket grocery store that bills itself as offering an 'exclusive selection of fresh seasonal organic products, from vegetables to cheeses, sweets, seafood and exclusive meat cuts' imported from France.

After browsing the shelves, the couple enjoyed a stroll along the promenade before boarding a luxury tender that whisked them away towards Canouan's north shore.

The tiny Caribbean island is just three miles wide but has a reputation for being the place where 'billionaires go to escape millionaires' due to its gorgeous sandy beaches and a handful of upscale resorts.
The Crown is coming to an end later this year, but a new royal drama is already looking to fill the gap left behind.

Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands' love story is being turned into a six-part series - and new images of the production have finally been released.

Titled Maxima Zorreguieta: Motherland and produced by Dutch company Mill Street Films, the drama will cover Queen Maxima's upbringing in Argentina and how a chance meeting with King Willem-Alexander changed the course of her life forever.

Photographs of the series have surfaced on X, formerly known as Twitter - just a few months after filming began in New York. They show Maxima, played by Delfina Chaves, chatting to the then Prince Willem-Alexander.

Another captures the future Queen as she prepares to announce her engagement to the world in 2001, while a trailer shows the royal couple eagerly dancing with each other upon first meeting in April 1999, while Maxima was on holiday in Seville.

The biographical drama series will cover Queen Maxima's upbringing in Argentina and how her chance meeting with Willem-Alexander changed the course of her life forever

The then Prince Willem-Alexander initially hid his royal status from his future wife. When he finally admitted the truth, she thought it was a joke.

Delfina, 27, is taking on the role of the Dutch Queen. She is already a mega star in Maxima's home country - having appeared in hit shows such as Love After Loving, Rap Battlefield and The Secret of the Greco Family.

The glitzy adaptation, comprising three directors, Saskia Diesing, Joosje Duk, and Ivan Lopez Nunez, is based on the historical novel of the same name by Marcia Luyten.

It will follow Maxima's transition into royal life and the obstacles she had to overcome along the way, including the tragic death of a sister and Dutch public anger about her father's involvement in the military junta.

Maxima's father was an established politician, serving as the Minister of Agriculture under the regime of General Jorge Rafael Videla, commander in chief of the army and a member of the right-wing junta that ran Argentina.

His involvement in the dictatorship would later become an issue for Maxima to confront. It is remembered as the period of the dirty war against political opponents in Argentina. Up to 30,000 people died.

Maxima spent her childhood in Buenos Aires with two brothers, one sister and three half-sisters.

The future Queen was educated at the English-style Northlands school in the city, where she received a bilingual baccalaureate in 1988, speaking fluently in her native Spanish and English. She later learned to speak Dutch as well as conversational French.

Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands' love story is being turned into a six-part series - and new images of the production have finally been released. Pictured, Maxima's character ahead of her engagement being revealed

Prince Willem and Maxima pictured announcing their engagement in 2001. They met two years earlier

She went on to study at the Universidad Catolica Argentina, where she graduated with a degree in economics in 1995.

While at university, Maxima revealed her strong-willed nature by confronting a priest in a theology class who said 'women should serve men' to which she retorted 'why am I actually studying then?' leading her to be removed from the class.

After graduating, she had a brief stint working in Buenos Aires before relocating to the United States where she took on a series of high-flying roles.

These included being vice president of Latin American Institutional Sales for the finance house HSBC James Capel Inc. in New York before moving to Deutsche Bank, where she became vice president of Institutional Sales.

Little did she know that in April 1999, while on holiday in Seville, she would meet the love of her life.

The pair had both been attending a party at the annual Seville Spring Fair where she bumped into her future husband Prince Willem-Alexander.

During their chance encounter, the future King decided to keep his royalty a secret, not disclosing to Maxima he was a prince until later on.

When he declared his royal status, she thought it was a joke. The fact Maxima was unaware of his royal ties, however, did not seem to put a dampener on their relationship as two weeks later Willem had flown out to New York to meet her.

Titled Maxima Zorreguieta: Motherland and produced by Dutch company Mill Street Films, the drama will cover Queen Maxima 's upbringing in Argentina and how a chance meeting with King Willem-Alexander changed the course of her life forever. Pictured above is Delfina Chaves who plays Maxima

The glitzy adaptation covers Maxima's relationship with Beatrix, played by Elsie de Brauw (left) Willem-Alexander's mother who was Queen until 2013

Despite the controversy regarding Maxima's father, Beatrix continued to welcome Maxima into her home

Although they were in a serious relationship, Maxima did her best to keep the princes identity secret.

She said: 'I would tell them something different (about Willem) every time, but at some point, there was nothing for it other than to say: He's the Prince of the Netherlands.

The next year, in May 2000, Maxima relocated to work at the European Union Representative Office of Deutsche Bank in Brussels, Belgium.

Soon after the move, in 2001, Willem proposed to Maxima while ice-skating on a pond near Huis ten Bosch Palace.

The couple were married on 1 February 2002 at Amsterdam's Nieuwe Kerk, however, it was not straightforward leading up to the wedding and her fathers past threatened their marriage.

It became a point of national debate in the Netherlands whether Maxima could become part of the royal family because of her fathers ties with the right-wing junta that ran Argentina.

Despite ongoing controversies, Willem-Alexander's mother, Queen Beatrix at the time, set to be played by Elsie de Brauw, continued to welcome Maxima into their home.

Willem and Maxima making their first public appearance in 2001. The future King decided to keep his royalty a secret at first. When he finally admitted the truth, she thought it was a joke

The newly weds waving to the crowd on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam in February 2002

Maxima and Willem were only allowed to marry after the Dutch parliament investigating her fathers past concluded that the future Queen had known nothing of the war atrocities. She had been in primary school during the junta years.

Maxima managed to overcome the controversy surrounding their marriage amazingly, winning over the Dutch people with her smile, charisma and intelligence.

The couple have three children together, Princess Amelia, 19, Princess Alexia, 17 and Princess Ariane, 15.

Told from Maxima's perspective, the series sets out to explain the controversy surrounding her father's political career while she simultaneously navigated her relationship with the crown prince.

It comes after Delfina Chaves was revealed to be playing Maxima in the drama series- - who is tipped for superstardom, just like Meg Bellamy - the actress playing Kate Middleton in the final season of the Netflix series.

Following the lengthy audition process, it was announced in March this year that Delfina would be playing Maxima opposite Martijn Lakemeier - who has been cast as King Willem-Alexander.

What's more, the star also said that her father was the first person she told that she had bagged the role of Maxima earlier this year.

She told Yahoo: 'Honestly, I couldn't believe it. I got in my car, drove to my dad's, and I was shaking.'

Having always been a brunette, the actress has since dyed her natural brown hair bright blonde to mimic Maxima's vibrant locks.

Before filming began, Delfina relocated to Amsterdam to learn more about the country Maxima has been ruling with her husband for the past 10 years.

Discussing the drama, Delfina said she was thrilled that the show will focus on Maxima's perspective.

She said: 'Who she was and what she wanted from life were attributed by the outside world to first her father and after that her prince. I really love that the series now tells her story, from her point of view.'
Princess Marie of Denmark has stolen the spotlight in recent days as she appeared on the Danish Royal Household's Instagram account twice in a row.

The sudden social media presence of Queen Margrethe II's daughter-in-law is a marked difference from the last four months, when the 47-year-old royal didn't feature on any posts.

Marie, the wife of the monarch's youngest son Prince Joachim, 54, would routinely appear almost every month on the Instagram account before the hiatus.

The princess and her husband, who is sixth in line to the Danish throne, spoke out against Queen Margrethe's decision to strip their children of their royal titles last September in a move that saw a bitter royal row within the household unfold.

Months after the decision, the royal couple relocated from Paris to the US, where Joachim is now defence industry attache at the Embassy of Denmark in Washington DC.

Princess Marie of Denmark has stolen the spotlight in recent days as she appeared on the Danish Royal Household's Instagram account twice in a row (pictured)

But the duo and their children, Count Henrik of Monzepat, 14, and Countess Athena of Monpezat, 11, were back in Copenhagen this weekend to celebrate Joachim's nephew Prince Christian's 18th birthday.

The family were all smiles as they attended a glitzy gala dinner at the Christiansborg Palace. Count Felix of Monpezat, 21, Joachim's second eldest son from his first marriage, was also at the event.

Felix's older brother, Count Nikolai of Monpezat, 24, remained in Australia, where he is studying, but did mark his cousin's birthday with a sweet Instagram story.

Clearly Princess Marie didn't rush her return to the US, as after the posts celebrating Christian's 18th birthday, the Danish Royal Family's Instagram account shared pictures from one of her engagements in Copenhagen.

The mother-of-two, who was born in Paris, looked stylish in the photos as she sported a white blazer with a black trouser outfit to present a Literature Prize awarded by ambassadors of French-speaking countries at the French Embassy.

A second post was then dedicated to Princess Marie today, after she visited The Italian Residence in Copenhagen.

The royal was present as the guest of honour on Monday evening, when an Italian-inspired menu made from surplus food was served at a dinner focused on food waste.

In her opening remarks, the Princess said: 'Reducing food waste is a crucial step in the fight to ensure that everyone has access to food, as well as a healthier environment and a healthier population'

The sudden social media presence of Queen Margrethe II's daughter-in-law is a marked difference from the last four months, when the 47-year-old royal didn't feature on any posts. Pictured, Marie at an engagement on Monday night

Princess Marie last featured on the page in May in photographs taken to mark the confirmation of Count Henrik of Monpezat

Marie's husband (pictured) appeared on the account in September to mark his first day working at the Danish Embassy in Washington DC

The dinner was arranged by the organisation Stop Waste Of Food and the Italian Embassy in Denmark, and held in conjunction with the UN's International Food Day.

For the last four months, perhaps due to being based in the US, Princess Marie has been absent from the Danish Royal Household's Instagram page.

Her husband appeared on the account in September to mark his first day working at the Danish Embassy in Washington DC.

However, Princess Marie last featured on the page in May in photographs taken to mark the confirmation of Count Henrik of Monpezat. Before then, as far back as November 2022, Marie appeared on the account almost every month.

The Danish Royal Family suffered a difficult autumn last year after being rocked by a row over titles.

Joachim openly criticised Queen Margrethe's decision to strip his children of their royal status in September 2022.

Meanwhile, in October that year, Marie also revealed that her daughter Athena was bullied at school after the move was publicly announced.

'They come and say (to Athena): Is it you who is no longer a princess?,' the princess told Danish news outlet BT.

She said her children were put under the public spotlight and feels the need to defend them, especially after her youngest was picked on.

'The children were publicly exhibited. At very short notice. This means that we, as parents, have not had time to prepare them for the change and people's reactions,' she added.

But it seems the issue is now water under the bridge if Joachim and his family's appearance at Prince Christian's 18th birthday gala is anything to go by.

Joachim and his wife, as well as their children, were all smiles as they attended the glitzy occasion alongside other European royals.

This wasn't the first Danish Royal Family event the royal duo have attended; the couple were present at the Queen's New Year's banquet.

Count Nikolai recently opened up about his grandmother's decision to strip him and his siblings of their princely titles.

The 24-year-old, who was stripped of his HRH status in January, has admitted that the monarch's shock move last autumn continues to be 'a touchy subject' and 'bit weird still'.

Queen Margrethe's bombshell decision made headlines around the world and caused a bitter row within the Danish Royal Household after her youngest son Prince Joachim spoke out against the move to change his children's titles.

The monarch later issued an apology and admitted she had 'underestimated' the impact of her actions but said it was 'a long time coming'. She said the decision was intended to allow Nikolai and his siblings to enjoy normal lives without royal obligations.

Before then, as far back as November 2022, Marie appeared on the account almost every month. Pictured on the Instagram page with her husband in Paris in November 2022

Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Princess Marie, with Prince Joachim and his children on April 30, 2022 in Fredensborg

In an interview with Australia's 9Honey, Sydney-based Nikolai admitted: 'Not that I had any formal responsibilities before, but now I am officially free of them anyway... I think in the future I will be freer, but I've never felt limited before.'

The count, who is seventh in line to the Danish throne and quickly gaining a profile as a successful model, is studying at the University of Technology Sydney for a semester.

Out of a title: The four grandchildren who are no longer TRHs Nikolai of Denmark, 24: The Copenhagen Business School student and model regularly tops lists of the world's most eligible bachelors. He lives in Sydney now but has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia. Felix of Denmark, 20: Following in his brother's footsteps, Prince Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it 'wasn't for him'. Henrik, 13, and Athena, 11, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim's four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. Advertisement

But while he's moved on from his life in Denmark for the moment, he admitted Queen Margrethe's decision is 'still quite a touchy subject'.

Asked if he was hurt by the announcement, he told the publication: 'I wouldn't say hurt, and it's not my intention to stir the pot in any way. I think it's just a bit weird still, I still have to get used to it.'

He added that while his new title hasn't changed anything yet, he believes it will 'make a difference' in the future.

When asked about his relationship with his paternal grandmother, the count, whose mother is Prince Joachim's first wife Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, said it isn't formal and is 'very normal, very casual... nice.'

He also insisted he is on good terms with his aunt and uncle, Crown Princess Mary and heir to the Danish throne Prince Frederik.

Amid the royal title row, Prince Joachim admitted his relationship with his brother Prince Frederik is 'complicated'.

It was a tumultuous year for the Danish Royal Family after the monarch controversially took the HRH titles from Prince Joachim's children, including Countess Athena, 11, Count Felix, 20, and Count Henrik, 13.

They are now Counts and Countess and referred to as Their Excellencies - and in January this year the Danish Royal Family updated their website to show the new status.

The Queen insisted the move will be 'good for them in their future' and allow the children - who have maintained their positions in the line of succession - to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family involves.

Soon after his grandmother's move to strip him and his siblings of their titles 'for their own good', Count Nikolai said that he was sad, shocked and confused.

'My whole family and I are of course very sad. We are, as my parents have also stated, in shock at this decision and at how quickly it has actually gone,' he told Danish newspaper Extrabladet.

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark with Count Felix of Monpezat, Count Henrik of Monzepat and Countess Athena of Monpezat at the gala dinner to celebrate Prince Christian's 18th birthday

The Danish monarchy suffered a difficult autumn last year after being rocked by a row over titles. But it seems the issue is water under the bridge if Prince Joachim and his family's appearance at Prince Christian's 18th birthday gala is anything to go by. Pictured, Queen Margrethe II

'I am very confused as to why it has to happen like this,' he told reporters from outside the Copenhagen apartment where he lived with his girlfriend at the time.

Countess Alexandra, mother to Count Nikolai and Count Felix, was also 'very sad' and 'shocked' about the decision.

'She can't believe why and why now, because there's no good reason,' Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, press secretary to Countess Alexandra told CNN.

'They would lose their titles anyway when they get married one day. Her sons are young men so maybe they might get married in the near future so why shouldn't it wait until that day so that the titles would disappear on a happy day?'

Prince Joachim told Ekstra Bladet that his children had been 'hurt' by the decision - and claimed he had only been given a few days to break the news to them before the announcement was made publicly.

Prince Joachim, the brother of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, is now married to Princess Marie of Denmark.

Speaking in a televised New Year's address, Queen Margrethe admitted: 'That the relationship with Prince Joachim and (his wife) Princess Marie has run into difficulties hurts me.

'Difficulties and disagreements can arise in any family, including mine. The whole country has witnessed this.'

She added that she was 'sure that the family can enter the new year together with confidence, understanding and new courage'.
British chef Andi Oliver says people were 'irritated' by Jamie Oliver selling pouches of microwave jerk rice - not because he wasn't Caribbean, but because he 'didn't understand' the story behind what jerk is.

In 2018, the Essex-born celebrity chef was heavily criticised for selling his 2.35 bag of jerk rice in supermarkets, with many accusing Jamie of 'cultural appropriation'. The range has since been discontinued.

At the time, the row was sparked by London MP Dawn Butler, who is of Jamaican descent, who tweeted him saying 'your jerk rice is not ok'.

Speaking on the Where's Home Really? podcast this week, Andi, 60, who is British with Antiguan heritage gave her thoughts on why Jamie, 48, 'annoyed' people at the time with the decision to use his name to sell jerk rice.

She told host Jimi Famurewa the chef 'didn't fully understand what jerk was and that's why it was annoying to people - not because he wasn't Caribbean'.

The Great British Menu star and TV chef was speaking on the Where's Home Really? podcast and explained why Jamie Oliver had annoyed people with his 'punchy' microwave version of the culturally significant dish

Reflecting on the social media storm, she wrote: 'Everybody went nuts about it. I think it's irritating; it means he doesn't understand what jerk is. Jerk is not a spice, jerk is a cooking method.'

Andi explained to listeners that jerk 'came about because enslaved Africans were hiding from soldiers up in the mountains in Jamaica.'

In the mid 17th century, escaped slaves known as The Maroons fled the Spanish-owned plantations of Jamaica, taking refuge in the island's mountainous areas before establishing their own, free communities.

The TV chef continued: 'They covered the food so you couldn't see the smoke, and that's why the food is smoky, that's why it's cooked that way, so there's a story to it, there's a history to it, and it's important.

'So you can't jerk rice - it's not a thing you can do because it's not a seasoning.'

Oliver, pictured with wife Jools earlier this month, was criticised for selling the microwave jerk rice back in 2018; Andi said he received the negativity because he 'didn't understand what jerk was'

The 2.35 packet of rice sold out after the social media storm but has since been discontinued

The Great British Menu star also commented on cancel culture, saying when people make mistakes, it's important to engage.

She told the show said: 'I don't think it's helpful to shut other people down. If there's an issue, talk to them. That way we elucidate, we have growth. If we're just constantly just shutting people down then what we do is regress.'

After the row broke out the first time around, Jamie told Hello! magazine in 2018: 'I've never written an authentic recipe in my life', adding 'authenticity' is a word that should be used 'very carefully as most of the things we love... are not what we think they are'.

Andi explained to listeners that jerk was a method of cooking that stopped 17th century African slaves on Spanish-owned Jamaican plantations from being detected - they would cover their rice pots to stop smoke leaking into the air

Oliver told the podcast that while she understood why people had been irritated by Oliver selling jerk rice, there was nothing to gain from 'shutting people down' on such issues

Explaining, he added that the Cumberland sausage is originally German and the popular Indian dish chicken tikka masala was invented in Britain.

He added that when he's trying to 'nudge' people to 'try something new' he 'edits' original dishes for his recipes.

Oliver told Sky News at the time: 'I've worked with flavours and spices from all over the world my whole career, learning and drawing inspiration from different countries and cultures to give a fresh twist to the food we eat every day.

'When I named the rice my intention was only to show where my inspiration came from.'

The row started on the 18th August when London MP Dawn Butler tweeted him saying 'your jerk rice is not ok'.

The shadow equalities minister, who describes herself on social media as 'the UK's first elected female African-Caribbean Government Minister', wrote: '#jamieoliver @jamieoliver #jerk I'm just wondering do you know what #Jamaican #jerk actually is?

'It's not just a word you put before stuff to sell products. @levirootsmusic should do a masterclass. Your jerk Rice is not ok. This appropriation from Jamaica needs to stop.'

After Ms Butler's tweet, TV chef Levi Roots appeared on Good Morning Britain with fellow Caribbean cook Rustie Lee to discuss the row further.
Read More: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands exudes chic in a pencil skirt

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked chic as she made a working visit to the Circular Breeding Ground Bluecity in Rotterdam.

The mother-of-three, 52, looked typically elegant in beige trousers and a matching sleek top at BlueCity on Tuesday.

BlueCity is where entrepreneurs work on projects that contribute to a society without waste.

Maximum completed her outfit with nude stilettos and a beige leather handbag.

The royal added a bit more glamour with statement pearl and gold earrings and a slew of designer bracelets.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked chic as she made a working visit to the Circular Breeding Ground Bluecity in Rotterdam

Maxima was given a tour around the facility by a member of staff and got to see a demonstration of how seaweed can be reused.

Rotterdam has a goal to reduce the primary use of raw materials by 50 percent by 2030.

Startups in the city are leading the way with the support of the citys proactive policies and other initiatives.

It comes after Maxima looked effortlessly stylish as she made a working visit to the Centre of Expertise Applied Artificial Intelligence at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam in Amsterdam earlier this month.

She re-wore a Massimo Dutti camel pencil skirt with a sleek pussybow blouse for the engagement.

Maxima's visit was dedicated to the responsible use and application of artificial intelligence (AI).

The royal championed autumn chic by adding knee-high leather boots, while her golden locks were left loose.

She elevated her look further with an iconic Gucci Bamboo 1947 handbag and statement diamond flower earrings.

Maxima was given a tour around the facility by a member of staff and got to see a demonstration of how seaweed can be reused

The mother-of-three, 52, looked typically elegant in beige trousers and a matching sleek top at BlueCity on Tuesday

Maximum completed her outfit with nude stilettos and a beige leather handbag

The royal added a bit more glamour with statement pearl and gold earrings and a slew of designer bracelets

Located at Holland's largest University of Applied Sciences, the centre drives the development of applications of AI technology in a responsible and inclusive manner.

The rapid growth in the use of artificial intelligence presents the whole of society with dilemmas and ethical questions.

To address these issues, the teaching and research staff of the centre's seven labs work in close cooperation with business and civil society organisations towards the responsible application of AI.

Queen Maxima visited the Smart Asset Management Lab to speak to researchers and recent graduates about the added value of this close cooperation.

BlueCity is where entrepreneurs work on projects that contribute to a society without waste

Maxima appeared in great spirits as she beamed while getting a tour of the innovative facility

The royal was shown several installations, including an ultra-sensitive fridge for storing medicine that can repair itself using AI.

Maxima was also informed about cooperation involving AI and media, as well as democracy and responsibly applied AI, which focuses on issues of user dialogue and ownership of AI technology.

She then discussed the social impact of current and future applications with AUAS researchers and partners from civic society.

They then discussed the European Union and international perspectives on the application of AI, and what its threats and opportunities are for the Netherlands.
Martin Lewis has revealed how you can save up to 200 before Christmas - by simply switching banks.

The money-saving expert, 51, from Manchester, told This Morning viewers how they can take advantage of firms which are 'willing to legally bribe you for your service' - but warned that anyone looking to take credit out should hold off.

The savvy spender was answering a question from an audience member who asked 'Is it a good idea to switch bank accounts to claim the benefit?

'I'm looking to change my bank account to take advantage of the money offered to swap. I've done this before.

'Do the banks do everything for you or will I have to contact my direct debit companies. What will I need to do regarding my benefit payments?'

Martin Lewis , 51, told This Morning viewers how they can take advantage of firms which are 'willing to legally bribe you for your service'

Martin said that for the most part, you don't need to do anything at all, and encouraged people to get their 'free money'.

'When I've done polls on this in the past, 80 per cent of people tell me switching is easy and hassle free,' he advised.

'The system changed years ago. We now have this seven working day switch service, so the switch will take around 10 days on average from the time you apply assuming you're accepted to the time that you get through.'

The expert explained that the new bank who takes care of all this, including moving over all standing orders and direct debits.

'They will close your old bank account and all payments to the old bank account number will automatically be forwarded to the new bank account.'

He recommended those who receive benefits payments make sure they're not doing the switch in the ten-day period around when the payment is due in 'just in case'.

'It's also worth getting in touch with a benefits agency to tell it the new bank account number,' Martin said.

The financial expert said he's known people to be 'serial switchers' who make 'thousands' by swinging between bank accounts - but said you need to be careful if you've got upcoming credit commitments.

Martin said that for the most part, you don't need to do anything at all, and encouraged people to get their 'free money'

'People in my office, in my team have made over a grand doing this, people have made over two grand doing it,' he said.

'It can have an impact on your credit score though, doing that, so it's only for people who aren't about to apply for anything for credit.

'It is free money but you can only be a new customer - because these are new customer switch deals - normally you then have to wait at least a couple of years before you're counted as a new customer again so that's where it gets difficult.

'It takes a little bit of work to do it serially - just to do it once is very easy.'

Martin said he even has a guide on how do it, and teased that one element includes a 'mule account'.

'You make yourself a bank account you don't really use and then you just use it as a mule from one to the other, making sure you meet their minimum criteria when you do it,' he explained.

In terms of making a switch just to take advantage of the benefits, Martin said it's 'absolutely worth it'.

'You've got Nationwide at the moment it'll pay you 200 and has a linked 8 per cent regular savings account you could put up to 200 a month in.

'First Direct will give you 175 for switching to it, it's got a 7 per cent linked regular savings account, a fee-free international card and has top rated for service so if service is important for you that's a good one.

'Club Lloyds will give you 175 quid and a year of Disney Plus as part of the switch.

The financial expert said he's known people to be 'serial switchers' who make 'thousands' by swinging between bank accounts - but said you need to be careful if you've got upcoming credit commitments. Stock image used

'I mean they are paying for your custom so unless your current bank account makes you really happy, gives you a massage and tickles your feet you may as well go get paid, make some easy money just in time for Christmas.'

He also addressed credit scores in further depths while answering another viewer question about whether bank switches affect it.

'The new bank account will do a credit search as long as its a bank account that has an overdraft facility,' he said.

However, he explained that this doesn't have to be a big deal.

'Let's just go back to basics - you don't have a credit score. Nobody in the UK has a credit score,' Martin added.

'You may have been given one by a credit reference company but that is just its loose indication of what it thinks the average lender - how they would see you.'

He revealed that small changes on credit scores 'don't matter' - as 'every lender treats you differently based on its own wish list'.

Some may see closing down an account as a good sign because it means you've got less available credit.

However, others could see it as 'evidence against longevity'.

'If you did the serial switching it can affect your credit score,' he advised. 'Switching bank account will only likely have a small effect.

'I wouldn't do it if you were one month away from a mortgage application or from applying to an important balance transfer credit card.

'But if you don't have any plans in the next three to six months of anything you really need to do that's important with your credit then I'd get on and do the bank switch.'
It was the royal event of the year, with future kings and queens from all over Europe in attendance.

But one noticeable absence from Prince Christian of Denmark's 18th birthday party was his cousin, Count Nikolai.

The Danish royal, 24, who was stripped of his HRH status in January, shared a snap of himself surfing on an idyllic Sydney beach while his father, stepmother and siblings joined the festivities in Copenhagen.

Nikolai - who is also a model - is still seventh in line to the throne and currently studying at University of Technology in Sydney.

While he was embroiled in a row when he and his siblings lost their titles at the start of the year, there appears to be no bad blood between Nikolai and his cousin Christian - as he did take to Instagram to wish him a happy birthday.

The Danish royal, 24, who was stripped of his HRH status in January, shared a snap of himself surfing on an idyllic Sydney beach while his father, stepmother and siblings joined the festivities in Copenhagen

One remarkable photo from the night, shows five future monarchs of Europe gathered together. From left: Princess Estelle of Sweden, Princess Ingrid-Alexandra of Norway, Prince Christian of Denmark, Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium

Sharing a throwback image of him and Christian (who are both fifth cousins of Prince William and Harry) arm wrestling 13 years ago during a palace balcony appearance, Nikolai wrote: 'Funny how time flies... Happy 18th Christian! Hope everyone celebrates you just as you deserve.'

Royals from across Europe - including five future monarch's - attended Prince Christian's birthday bash.

The lavish event saw royals from across Europe travel to Christianborg Palace in Copenhagen where striking image shared on Instagram shows the future heads of monarchies from around Europe posing for a rare photograph together.

Dressed to the nines, future Queens Princess Estelle of Sweden, 11, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, 19, Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, 19, and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, 21, smiled for the camera next to Christian.

Nikolai's father Prince Joachim also made an appearance.

The youngest son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark openly criticised the monarch after she decided to strip his children of their royal titles last September - but he appeared to be all smiles when attending the glitzy party in Copenhagen.

Dressed in all his finery, Joachim, 54, was joined at the Christiansborg Palace by his wife Princess Marie, 47, and their children Count Henrik of Monzepat, 14, and Countess Athena of Monpezat, 11.

Count Felix of Monpezat, 21, Joachim's second eldest son from his first marriage, was also at the event.

While he was embroiled in a row when he and his siblings lost their titles at the start of the year, there appears to be no bad blood between Nikolai and his cousin Christian - as he did take to Instagram to wish him a happy birthday

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark with Count Felix of Monpezat, Count Henrik of Monzepat and Countess Athena of Monpezat

Princess Marie of Denmark has stolen the spotlight in recent days as she appeared on the Danish Royal Household's Instagram account twice in a row (pictured)

The show of support of Prince Christian may have got Joachim and Marie back in the good graces of the royals, as she has stolen the spotlight in recent days as she appeared on the Danish Royal Household's Instagram account twice in a row.

The sudden social media presence of Queen Margrethe II's daughter-in-law is a marked difference from the last four months, when the 47-year-old royal didn't feature on any posts.

Marie would routinely appear almost every month on the Instagram account before the hiatus.

The princess and her husband, who is sixth in line to the Danish throne, spoke out against Queen Margrethe's decision to strip their children of their royal titles last September in a move that saw a bitter royal row within the household unfold.

Months after the decision, the royal couple relocated from Paris to the US, where Joachim is now defence industry attache at the Embassy of Denmark in Washington DC.

This wasn't the first Danish Royal Family event Joachim and his wife have attended; the couple were present at the Queen's New Year's banquet.

Count Nikolai recently opened up about his grandmother's decision to strip him and his siblings of their princely titles.

The 24-year-old, who was stripped of his HRH status in January, has admitted that the monarch's shock move last autumn continues to be 'a touchy subject' and 'bit weird still'.

Queen Margrethe's bombshell decision made headlines around the world and caused a bitter row within the Danish Royal Household after her youngest son Prince Joachim spoke out against the move to change his children's titles.

The Danish monarchy suffered a difficult autumn last year after being rocked by a row over titles. But it seems the issue is water under the bridge if Prince Joachim and his family's appearance at Prince Christian's 18th birthday gala is anything to go by. Pictured, Queen Margrethe II

Prince Joachim and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway speak during Prince Christian's 18th birthday celebration

Count Felix (L) and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium at the gala dinner in Copenhagen last night

Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Princess Marie, with Prince Joachim and his children on April 30, 2022 in Fredensborg

Prince Christian of Denmark delighted crowds who had gathered outside the Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen to celebrate the heir to the throne's 18th birthday

The monarch later issued an apology and admitted she had 'underestimated' the impact of her actions but said it was 'a long time coming'. She said the decision was intended to allow Nikolai and his siblings to enjoy normal lives without royal obligations.

In an interview with Australia's 9Honey, Sydney-based Nikolai admitted: 'Not that I had any formal responsibilities before, but now I am officially free of them anyway... I think in the future I will be freer, but I've never felt limited before.'

The count, who is seventh in line to the Danish throne and quickly gaining a profile as a successful model, is studying at the University of Technology Sydney for a semester.

But while he's moved on from his life in Denmark for the moment, he admitted Queen Margrethe's decision is 'still quite a touchy subject'.

Asked if he was hurt by the announcement, he told the publication: 'I wouldn't say hurt, and it's not my intention to stir the pot in any way. I think it's just a bit weird still, I still have to get used to it.'

He added that while his new title hasn't changed anything yet, he believes it will 'make a difference' in the future.

Denmark's Prince Christian reacts as he delivers a speech during the gala for his 18th birthday at the Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen

The birthday boy's mother, Mary, 51, who is married to Prince Frederik , the heir apparent to the Danish throne, put on a dazzling display in the diamond tiara she wore on her wedding day in 2004

Denmark's Prince Christian and Crown Prince Frederik hug after he delivered his speech

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark with Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine

Looking effortlessly elegant, Princess Mary (pictured right) opted for a gem-encrusted blue gown from Danish designer Jesper Hvring and a pair of shimmering diamond drop earrings

The heir to the Danish throne, Prince Christian, gave a speech to guests at the lavish event

Crown Prince Haakon (left) and Crown Princess Mette-Marit (centre) of Norway arrived at the event with Princess Ingrid Alexandra (right)

Princess Estelle appeared to be in high spirits while attending the gala dinner to celebrate the 18th birthday of Prince Christian

When asked about his relationship with his paternal grandmother, the count, whose mother is Prince Joachim's first wife Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, said it isn't formal and is 'very normal, very casual... nice.'

He also insisted he is on good terms with his aunt and uncle, Crown Princess Mary and heir to the Danish throne Prince Frederik.

Amid the royal title row, Prince Joachim admitted his relationship with his brother Prince Frederik is 'complicated'.

The monarch controversially took the HRH titles from Prince Joachim's children, including Countess Athena, 11, Count Felix, 20, and Count Henrik, 13.

They are now Counts and Countess and referred to as Their Excellencies - and in January this year the Danish Royal Family updated their website to show the new status.

Out of a title: The four grandchildren who are no longer TRHs Nikolai of Denmark, 24: The Copenhagen Business School student and model regularly tops lists of the world's most eligible bachelors. He lives in Sydney now but has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia. Felix of Denmark, 20: Following in his brother's footsteps, Prince Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it 'wasn't for him'. Henrik, 13, and Athena, 11, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim's four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. Advertisement

The Queen insisted the move will be 'good for them in their future' and allow the children - who have maintained their positions in the line of succession - to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family involves.

Soon after his grandmother's move to strip him and his siblings of their titles 'for their own good', Count Nikolai said that he was sad, shocked and confused.

'My whole family and I are of course very sad. We are, as my parents have also stated, in shock at this decision and at how quickly it has actually gone,' he told Danish newspaper Extrabladet.

'I am very confused as to why it has to happen like this,' he told reporters from outside the Copenhagen apartment where he lived with his girlfriend at the time.

Countess Alexandra, mother to Count Nikolai and Count Felix, was also 'very sad' and 'shocked' about the decision.

'She can't believe why and why now, because there's no good reason,' Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, press secretary to Countess Alexandra told CNN.

'They would lose their titles anyway when they get married one day. Her sons are young men so maybe they might get married in the near future so why shouldn't it wait until that day so that the titles would disappear on a happy day?'

Prince Joachim told Ekstra Bladet that his children had been 'hurt' by the decision - and claimed he had only been given a few days to break the news to them before the announcement was made publicly.

Prince Joachim, the brother of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, is now married to Princess Marie of Denmark.

Speaking in a televised New Year's address, Queen Margrethe admitted: 'That the relationship with Prince Joachim and (his wife) Princess Marie has run into difficulties hurts me.

'Difficulties and disagreements can arise in any family, including mine. The whole country has witnessed this.'

She added that she was 'sure that the family can enter the new year together with confidence, understanding and new courage'.

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie and their two children recently relocated to Washington D.C, where the prince is working as a Defence Industry Attache at the Danish embassy following a similar posting to Paris.
Royal biographer Emily Andrews suggested Meghan is on the brink of a new project

Meghan Markle has been planning her comeback and will soon unveil a new money-making venture, a royal expert has speculated.

Royal biographer Emily Andrews has predicted a notable return to the spotlight for the Duchess of Sussex since her Archetypes podcast was axed by Spotify earlier this year.

It comes after Meghan, 42, signed up to talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) in April, which boasts clients including Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Serena Williams.

Speaking on Meghan's future in the public eye, Andrews noted that the Duchess has been spotted at public events more and more over the last few months - indicating that her next big step may be imminent.

She told Woman Magazine: 'It was no accident that over the Summer, we saw rather more of Meghan than for all of the past year.'

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, has been making more public appearances in recent months, according to a royal biographer (pictured at a mental health summit last week)

Ms Andrews believes Meghan's moves are very 'calculated' and claimed her 'sudden willingness' to be photographed suggests the former actress knows her 'commercial value.'

Indeed, the Duchess has been making regular appearances lately: shopping at a farmers' market, watching Barbie with friends, attending a Beyonce concert and celebrating her birthday at a local restaurant.

She also spent six days at the Invictus Games, attended Kevin Costner's star-studded One805 Live! fundraiser in Santa Barbara and spoke at a mental health summit in New York on World Mental Health Day.

The royal biographer said: 'Meghan has decided she wants to live her life much more openly and the 'relaunch' by her new Hollywood power broker agency, WME, was started with a series of August photographs and reports to maximise plans for a new money-making venture.'

The Duchess' recent career moves suggest she is working on her enterprise efforts - and, since she and Harry are still involved in a deal with Netflix, there could be more content in the works.

The royal attended Kevin Costner's One805 Live! fundraiser in Santa Barbara where she presented an award to first responders

The Duchess of Sussex signed to WME earlier this year, a talent agency which also represents her friend Serena Williams (left)

So far, the couple has released chart-topping docuseries Harry & Meghan, revealing shocking bombshells about the Royal Family, and Heart of Invictus, which followed six people competing in the 2022 Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently working on a project addressing the impact that social media can have on the mental health of young people, according to a report released by the Archewell Foundation.

After speaking with parents and young individuals, the pair outlined plans to address the negative impacts of social media, including altering platform design and bringing in new laws and special education, as well as increased access to resources.

It comes after Prince Harry and Meghan were spotted touching down in Atlanta following a romantic weekend getaway in the Caribbean.

They were seen flying into the city on a private flight on Monday as they returned from their brief holiday to the tiny island of Canouan in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the royal couple disembarking the plane and leaving the tarmac, where they were greeted by staff and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents.

Meghan, sporting a post-vacation glow, came prepared for the cooler Atlanta weather in a black maxi dress and Hermes sandals, along with the brand's Brides de Gala scarf.

She wore dark sunglasses and tied her hair back in a messy bun, and carried a souvenir tote emblazoned with the words 'Cream of the Islands'.

Equipped with his weekender bag, Harry was also dressed casually in a white polo shirt, olive trousers and shoes, topping off his look with a black cap.

The Sussexes' two young children were not seen returning with their parents and appeared to not have joined them on their trip.

It is unclear if Harry and Meghan traveled to Atlanta - where close friend Tyler Perry is known to have his own massive studio lot - for work or leisure.
An American woman living in London has sparked yet another culture clash row with her take on British street signs.

Content creator and management consultant Aurora Lofton, known on TikTok as @aurora._victoria often gives her 49,000 followers an insight into life in the UK as an American.

In a recent clip titled Something else to keep in mind, she illustrated her confusion when it came to road signs she'd seen around London, where she now resides.

She said: 'Something that I found to be so confusing about the UK when I moved here from the US were the street signs.

'In the US, when you get to the end of an intersection, the street signs are quite high up so you can see this street is ending and this street is beginning.'

In a recent clip titled Something else to keep in mind, Aurora illustrated her confusion when it came to road signs she'd seen around London, where she now resides

The TikToker then pointed to a street in Kensington and explained: 'But here there's no street sign. You have to turn and look low to see the street sign.

'So if you're an American who's coming to the UK or even here on vacation, make sure that you look low for the street sign.

'Sometimes they might be high as well, but it's not as clear - at least it wasn't for me when I moved.'

Many of her followers chimed in to agree, with one admitting: 'Roads/junctions/signage is something the US does wayyyy better than we do for drivers.

'Less so for pedestrians tbh, but always clearly marked.'

Another claimed she'd just had the same conversation with her partner, adding: 'Literally said the same thing to my boyfriend the other day.'

But a proud Briton took aim at her theory, saying: 'Better than a load of stupid numbers too. At least they are actual words!'

A history buff claimed to know the reason behind the sign placement, saying: 'They took a lot of them down during WW2 and didnt bother to put them back up properly/put them back up at all sometimes.'

TikTok users explained why road signs in the UK may be so subtle - and some fans were quick to defend them

The TikToker then pointed to a street in Kensington and explained: 'But here there's no street sign. You have to turn and look low to see the street sign

This comes after an American woman living in Britain candidly revealed yet more of the biggest differences she has noticed since relocating.

Andrea Celeste, originally from California, has shared a series of clips on TikTok to expose 'the things that are socially acceptable in England which would confuse Americans.'

Her first video tackled a selection of the dos and don'ts she has encountered during her eight years in London.

But she has now also addressed the topics of petrol, camping and coffee - to name just a few.
Putin says Russia ready to coordinate with partners to end violence, stabilize situation in Middle East

Xinhua) 09:35, October 17, 2023

MOSCOW, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia is ready to coordinate efforts with all constructively minded partners to bring an end to the violence in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and stabilize the situation.

The Russian leader made the statement during separate telephone conversations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Monday, in which the leaders discussed the recent escalation in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Putin stressed the unacceptability of any form of violence against civilians, adding that Moscow is ready to provide all necessary humanitarian assistance.

He noted that Russia's draft resolution, recently proposed to the United Nations Security Council, calls for the implementation of an immediate humanitarian truce, adding that the resolution is not politicized in any way.

Putin reiterated that a long-term fair solution to the conflict should provide for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state coexisting in peace and security with Israel.

The leaders further expressed extreme concern over the escalation in hostilities between Palestine and Israel, particularly the "catastrophic increase" in the number of civilian casualties and the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

All presidents agreed on the need to implement an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian truce to provide assistance to those in need, particularly considering the serious concern that the conflict could escalate into a regional war.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming)
He was in hospital for 28 days - and he needed open-heart surgery

Doctors thought he had the flu, but he had blood sepsis from a broken tooth

Brandon Baker, from Lancaster, Ohio, was severely sick for seven months

A man has told of his harrowing rotten tooth ordeal that saw him suffer seven months of extreme illness and lead him to having open-heart surgery.

Brandon Baker, from Lancaster, Ohio, recalled driving to work one day about five years ago when he suddenly felt 'as sick as I have ever felt in my life.'

'I was fine all that morning,' Brandon, who is in his late 20s, explained in a TikTok video.

'I had driven there, everything was okay. [Then] I was down for the count.'

Brandon Baker (pictured) recalled driving to work about five years ago when he all of a sudden felt 'as sick as I have ever felt in my life,' and was initially diagnosed with a bad case of the flu

However after spending weeks unwell, he collapsed in the shower and was diagnosed with a 'severe, full body, near septic blood infection,' which turned into bacterial endocarditis and required open-heart surgery (pictured in inset after his surgery)

After making it home, Brandon went to the doctor where he was diagnosed with the flu - but that was just the beginning of a seven-month battle with his health.

'I'd never had the flu that intensely before,' he admitted. 'But [the doctors] said it's a really bad flu year.'

Over the next three weeks he continued to be unwell, losing about 40 to 50 pounds because he couldn't keep any food down.

'I have never felt that way in my entire life,' Brandon admitted. 'Obviously, I went to the doctor many times.'

Brandon was diagnosed with bronchitis, pneumonia, and then double pneumonia before doctors thought he might have had meningitis after he collapsed in the shower and lost consciousness for an hour-and-a-half.

'I was finally admitted [to hospital] over the next three days, but they really weren't able to do anything because it was a really bad flu year and they were very understaffed,' he explained.

After Brandon landed in ICU with fluid in his lungs and was nearly intubated, he was sent to a state hospital where doctors discovered he was suffering from a 'severe, full body, near septic blood infection.'

However, the medical emergencies didn't stop there with Brandon developing bacterial endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart's inner lining or heart valves.

In total, Brandon, who is in his 20s, spent 28 days in hospital, but admitted his medical issues also severely impacted his mental health

TikTok users couldn't believe a broken tooth had caused so much damage

'Unfortunately, they found a massive infection on one of the leaflets on my mitral valve,' he explained. 'I spent like about 10 days or so at that hospital, then was sent home to be on at home antibiotics for about six weeks.

'Then, two weeks later, I had open-heart surgery to replace one of the leaflets on my micro valve that was destroyed by the infection.'

In total, Brandon spent about 28 days in hospital, racking up an eye-watering $830,000 worth of medical debt - and all because of a broken tooth.

'What made me that sick to begin with? About a year before I got sick, I broke a tooth,' he revealed.

The illness that lead to Brandon getting open-heart surgery: What is bacterial endocarditis?

Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the heart's inner lining or heart valves, according to Cedars-Sinai. It's a very serious condition that needs immediate medical attention, and is usually treated with antibiotics. In some cases, surgery may be needed and it can lead to death if untreated. Advertisement

Brandon explained at the time he didn't have very good dental insurance, so he just made sure his teeth were always clean and used mouthwash all the time - noting it never hurt so he thought it must be okay.

'Then I got a new job, and, one of the first things I did was I got that tooth fixed,' he shared.

However, the dentist did not give him antibiotics, which he says would have prevented the situation.

'Two weeks or so after I had that tooth cleaning, I was at work, and it hit me like a truck,' he said. 'The whole ordeal lasted about, like, seven months.'

Brandon added that being unwell for so long had a severe impact on his mental health as well.

'I was a completely different person afterwards, because I was totally shut in,' he explained.

After spending a few days in a mental health facility, Brandon was released but had some sage advice for everyone: look after your teeth.

Stunned users couldn't believe his story, while others shared their own tales of near-misses or plans to make an appointment with their dentists.

'I had a similar situation in 2013! I was sick for months after I had my wisdom teeth removed. Had two brain surgeries due to an infection,' one TikToker wrote.

'I had a broken tooth for like a decade before I got it fixed,' another admitted.

'New fear unlocked,' someone else declared.
As Ecuador elects its youngest ever President into office, the Latin American nation has also welcomed a new First Lady into the presidential palace.

Angela Lavinia Valbonesi Acosta Noboa, 25, will move into the Carondelet Palace with her husband, Daniel Noboa, and their son Alvaro after Mr Noboa, 35, of the National Democratic Action Party, won a general election.

While Angela prepares to be Ecuador's new First Lady, it will be a break from her first career as a glamorous influencer and nutritionist who documents her home and family life on TikTok and Instagram.

Among the content she shares on her social media platforms are clips of healthy recipes of snacks she makes for her son.

Stylish Angela also shares her outfits of the day with followers - and has recently reveals she takes style inspiration from the British Royal Family, and Princess Diana in particular.

Angela Lavinia Valbonesi Acosta Noboa, 25, will soon move into the Carondelet Palace after her husband Daniel was elected President of Ecuador

Angela told Italian newspaper Republica: 'I am inspired by Lady Diana.'

During the presidential campaign for her husband Daniel, of the centre-right party, some fans noted the similarities in Angela's outfits compared to iconic looks from members of the Royal Family, including Kate Middleton and Princess Diana.

In particular, she appeared alongside her husband on the campaign trail while wearing a crisp white suit, reminiscent of Kate's beloved, tailored Alexander McQueen suit.

Pictured on the campaign trail as she visited rural communities in Ecuador, Angela donned a white linen shirt and beige chinos, which mirrors Princess Diana's functional outfit she wore while visiting a minefield in Angola in 1997.

Angela, who shares a son named Alvaro with her husband (the family pictured at the beach) is a nutritionist and social media influencer

Angela, who previously revealed she is inspired by the British royal family in her style, has worn outfits that may have been modelled on royals during her husband's campaign trail. Left: Angela in a white tailored suit. Right: Princess of Wales wearing a white Alexander McQueen tailored suit

As she uses her social media presence to share snippets of her family life with the people of Ecuador, Angela praises her husband for his values.

In August, she wrote on Instagram: 'I've always been proud of you, but today I feel happy that more people can see what I've always seen, I'm overflowing with pride for you and I'm sure that after today Ecuador is ready to choose you as the best option to govern this country.'

Mr Noboa ran his campaign on a promise to get tough on violent crime and crack down on the cocaine trade in Ecuador.

Angela told Italian newspaper Republica that she is inspired by the style of the late Princess Diana

Angela's white linen shirt and beige chinos outfit mirrors that worn by Princess Diana in Angola in 1997

After his opponent, Luisa Gonzalez, conceded the election on Saturday evening, Noboa made a statement to the people of Ecuador, promising a new beginning.

He said: 'Tomorrow we start to work for this new Ecuador, we start working to rebuild a country seriously battered by violence, by corruption and by hate.

'From tomorrow, hope will start working. From tomorrow Daniel Noboa starts work as your new president.'

Noboa himself comes from extreme wealth, and is the heir to a banana plantation fortune of millions.

Angela was born in Chone, in western Ecuador, as the only child to an Italian father, but grew up in the Galapagos Islands made famous by Charles Darwin.

The clinical nutritionist, model, and influencer has more than 366,000 Instagram followers and 242,000 followers on TikTok where she gives food tips.

Angela said of her husband's victory: ''What you ask from your heart is what God gives you'.

'I uploaded this photo with this phrase just over two years ago, on my honeymoon with Daniel, the beginning of what I asked most of God, my family.'
An unopened box of rare Pokemon cards which were almost thrown in a skip are set to fetch 20,000 at auction.

An 81-year-old grandfather paid 100 for the Pokemon Fourth Print Base Set Booster Box from a shop in Chester in 1999.

He snapped up the box of the 102 Japanese trading cards as a spare set after catching 'em all' with his four-year-old granddaughter.

The rare cards will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on Today.

The box, which is still in its original cellophane wrapper, was kept in his cupboard for two decades before it was almost thrown out.

An unopened box of rare Pokemon cards which were almost thrown in a skip are set to fetch 20,000 at auction

The seller's 50-year-old daughter, a teaching assistant from Chester, said: 'The box set for auction sat in a cupboard in my father's house.

'Sadly, during Covid my mum became terminally ill with cancer.

'We needed to clear space quickly for a hospital bed so she could be cared for at home.

'During the clear out the cards were taken out of the cupboard. There were thousands of them.

'Dad planned to throw them away and a few did end up in a skip. But I said, 'Blimey, dad, some of these might be worth a bit'.

'Some loose cards were thrown away. The rest we decided to sell.

'That's when the extent of the collection was realised. 'Gotta catch 'em all' is the Pokemon catchprase and dad really had caught 'em all.

'The ones we've sold already have made around 50,000. The money's been split between family members.

An 81-year-old grandfather paid 100 for the Pokemon Fourth Print Base Set Booster Box from a shop in Chester in 1999

He snapped up the box of the 102 Japanese trading cards as a spare set after catching 'em all' with his four-year-old granddaughter

'Sadly mum lost her battle and passed away. Dad's health isn't the best either.'

Many of the cards have been snapped up by private collectors around the UK with others being sold to Pokemon fans in America.

The grandfather and his granddaughter started collecting Pokemon cards in when she was aged just four.

The seller's daughter added: 'They went on trips to Chester together at weekends to get the cards from a hobby shop.

'My dad is a collector and gets obsessed.

'He is a little eccentric and loves maths. He used to buy the cards loose but worked out it would take approximately three boxes of cards to complete a set.

'Eventually the person at the shop suggested he purchased boxes from him. It worked in both their favours.

'The shop keeper could do a bigger bulk order and my dad got his three Pokemon boxes.

'Once he'd completed a set spare boxes were never opened. They remained sealed and were carefully stored away.

'The cards were never played with either. Being an avid collector my dad kept the cards pristine.

'They were put into penny pockets and placed in numerical order in a folder.

'It seems crazy a box of cards could be worth so much now. Paying around 100 to 120 per box in 1999 was a lot of money for a working man.

The box, which is still in its original cellophane wrapper, was kept in his cupboard for two decades before it was almost thrown out

'But like all grandads he liked to spoil his grandchildren. She is grandad's girl, 100 per cent.'

The proceeds from the sale will go towards helping the seller's granddaughter, now 28, who is training to be a paramedic at university.

The family still have four other sealed boxes of Pokemon cards locked in safes to sell 'in case of emergencies'.

The seller's daughter said: 'Knowing I had a sealed base box set felt good. But this brings it full circle.

'It was started for my daughter and it ends for her.

'She is studying to become a paramedic. She needs financial support to manage this. This sealed box set was the 'in-case-of-emergencies' item.'

The original Pokemon Trading Card game launched in 1996, which is the same year that the first Pokemon video games were released in Japan.

David Wilson-Turner, Head of the Toy Department at Hansons, said: 'What distinguishes the Pokemon Fourth Print Base Set Booster Box from others, and makes it scarce, is that it was only released in the UK.

'The 102 cards inside, contained in 36 sealed booster packs, bear a definitive date stamp stating 1999-2000. Other base set cards are stamped 1999.

'The box is protected by its original cellophane wrap and features arched 'Wizards of the Coast' logos.

'This is only found on Fourth Print boxes. The 102-cards base sets were released in 1999 in Shadowless, First Edition, Unlimited and Fourth Print versions.

'This box offers a rare opportunity for someone to get their hands on a piece of Pokemon history.'
The 20th Duchess of Medinaceli is embroiled in a legal battle with her great uncle

Princess Victoria of Hohenlohe-Langenburg has tied the knot with her husband Maxime Corneille Iribarren after the loved-up couple announced their engagement in May this year.

Princess Victoria, who is also the 20th Duchess of Medinaceli, wed her beau in Jerez de la Frontera, a city in the Andalusian region of Spain, and the ceremony welcomed royals from all over Europe.

Among the attendees at the celebration on Saturday were Princess Amalia of The Netherlands, with her parents King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, who flew to Denmark the following day to attend Prince Christian's 18th birthday party.

After a religious ceremony at the Iglesia de San Miguel, guests celebrated the wedding reception at the home of the 26-year-old bride's family friend, as reported by Tatler.

Her day of wedded bliss comes after a controversy which rocked Spanish high-society in 2020, when Princess Victoria's great uncle expelled her and her close family members from the Casa Ducal de Medinaceli Foundation, thus denying her the right to access the family's properties and precious jewels.

Princess Victoria of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, 26, tied the knot in Andalusia, Spain, on Saturday to Maxime Corneille Iribarren

Princess Victoria, who is the most-titled aristocrat in the world, inherited the title of 20th Duchess of Medinaceli in 2016 following her father's death.

Upon assuming the title, the aristocrat was granted access to the family's residences around Spain, including castles and palaces, plus agricultural sites.

However, in a sensational move, her great uncle the Duke of Segorbe made the decision to expel Princess Victoria, plus her aunts and uncles, from the foundation which gave them access to the properties.

The Duke of Segorbe is the only son of Victoria Eugenia, the 18th Duchess of Medinaceli who passed away in 2013.

The happy couple left the Iglesia de San Miguel in the town of Jerez de la Frontera in a horse-drawn carriage

Royals from across Europe attended the royal wedding including Princess Amalia of The Netherlands

Princess Amalia's parents, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and Queen Maxima, were also in attendance

The bride stunned in a lace and embroidered gown with a long train, with her hair braided in a boho-inspired updo

Although a breathtaking bridal look, Princess Victoria's wedding outfit did not include the Medinaceli Ducal Coronet tiara owned by her family

The 20th Duchess of Medinaceli is the most titled aristocrat in the world - but she is currently embroiled in a bitter family dispute

Princess Victoria's bridesmaids carry her long train made of lace as she enters the Iglesia de San Miguel

The aristocrat waved to well-wishers as she entered the church in Jerez de la Frontera in the Andalusia region of Spain

Glamorous guests travelled to the town in Andalusia to celebrate Princess Victoria's nuptials

The guests made their way into Iglesia de San Miguel before travelling to a farm owned by family friends of the bride for the reception

Guests donned all their finery, including their best fascinators, to attend the high society wedding

Among the guests was well-known Spanish socialite Luis Medina (pictured)

In her will, Victoria Eugenia stipulated that her four children and their descendants should be given positions of trustees in the Casa Ducal de Medinaceli's Foundation - meaning that the Duke's attempts to expel them were against her wishes.

As the family spat dragged on, Princess Victoria and her relatives took legal action against the Duke - and won their case in 2021. However, the Duke appealed the decision, with the legal battle still ongoing in 2023 - meaning the family residences are still inaccessible to Victoria and her cousins.

Also off limits for Princess Victoria until legal proceedings have concluded are the family's hereditary jewels - meaning she did not wear the tiara donned by previous brides in her family as she tied the knoe at the weekend.

The Medinaceli Ducal Coronet was worn by Princess Victoria's grandmother Ana Luisa on her wedding day in 1961.

Despite not having access to a family residence for her lavish wedding party, and not wearing the family tiara with her bridal gown, Princess Victoria glowed as she tied the knot.

As the regal couple departed the church in a horse-drawn carriage, they and the guests made their way to the Salto al Cielo farm for the wedding reception, which is owned by the Lopez Carrizosa family, who were close friends of Princess Victoria's late father.
Sasha Obama was spotted making a pitstop at a 7-Eleven in Los Angeles on Monday before meeting her parents and sister for dinner.

The 22-year-old daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama was dressed casually in a black hooded sweatshirt that had 'DC is my Park' written in white on the front.

She paired the hoodie with baggy olive green cargo pants that covered her black sandals as she walked out of the convenience store

Sasha had her keys, wallet, and cell phone in her hand before she hopped into the driver's seat of her black SUV and headed to meet her family.

Sasha Obama, 22, was spotted leaving a 7-Eleven in Los Angeles on Monday

Sasha was headed to meet her parents, former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and her older sister, Malia Obama, for dinner

The University of Southern California graduate was dressed casually in a black hooded sweatshirt and baggy cargo pants

She wore her long micro-braids loose around her shoulders, and even though she was dressed in comfortable clothing, she had on plenty of jewelry.

The recent college grad wore small earrings, as well as rings on her fingers, and her signature long nails were painted light blue.

Sasha and her older sister, Malia Obama, 25, arrived for dinner separately, just two minutes apart.

Their parents came right after them with their security team, including Secret Service agents and police to ensure their safety.

The Obamas have traveled to Los Angeles numerous times over the past few years to visit their daughters, who share an apartment in the city together.

Sasha moved to LA last year after transferring from the University of Michigan to the University of Southern California to finish college.

The former first daughter graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in sociology, but her next moves remain unknown.

Sasha had followed in the footsteps of her sister, Malia, who relocated to the West Coast to pursue a career as a screenwriter after graduating from Harvard University in 2021.

Sasha's hoodie had ' DC is my Park' written in white on the front

Her long pants covered her black sandals as she walked out of the convenience store

The former first daughter had her keys, wallet, and cell phone in her hand

Sasha wore her long micro-braids loose around her shoulders

Even though she was dressed in comfortable clothing, she had on plenty of jewelry, including earrings and rings

Malia scored a lucrative position working on Donald Glover's Amazon show, Swarm, after previously working as an intern on Lena Dunham's HBO series Girls in 2015 and at The Weinstein Company in 2017.

Last year, their mother opened up about how her daughters are 'best friends' during an appearance on the Today show.

Michelle recalled how they invited her and her husband to their apartment for drinks during a recent visit while reflecting on what it has been like to watch them navigate adulthood.

'We were going to take them to dinner, and they said, "Why don't you come over to our spot for cocktails?"' she said. 'And we were like, "OK let's see what this is going to be like."

'The martinis were a little weak,' she admitted. 'I dont think they really knew what it was.'

Michelle also shared her amusement over her daughters' uncharacteristic insistence that they use coasters in their apartment.

'When we got the glasses they were like, "Use a coaster," and I'm like, "You never used a coaster in my house,"' she said. 'So now when it's your stuff, you want to take care of it?'

It's unclear how long Michelle and Barack have been in LA with their daughters.

Sasha moved to LA last year after transferring from the University of Michigan to the University of Southern California to finish college

She graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in sociology, but her next moves remain unknown

Sasha had followed in the footsteps of her sister, Malia, who relocated to the West Coast to pursue a career as a screenwriter after graduating from Harvard University in 2021

After leaving 7-Eleven, Sasha headed straight to her black SUV, which was parked out front

Sasha and her older sister, Malia Obama , 25, arrived for dinner separately, just two minutes apart

Their parents came right after them with their security team, including Secret Service agents and police to ensure their safety

The Obamas have traveled to Los Angeles numerous times over the past few years to visit their daughters, who share an apartment in the city together

The former president was spotted leaving the Beverly Hills restaurant Funke earlier this month.

Paparazzi who caught him leaving the hotspot asked him whether his wife, Michelle, would be making a bid for the White House amid swirling rumors.

Barack said something inaudible to waiting photographers, but he did not clearly respond to the question.

It comes after prominent Texas politician and former Republican candidate Ted Cruz speculated that Michelle could replace Joe Biden before the 2024 election.

The Texas Senator said Democrats may be looking to avoid nominating 80-year-old Biden over concerns about his advanced age.

'Here's the scenario that I think is perhaps most likely, and most dangerous,' he said on his 'Verdict with Ted Cruz' podcast. 'In August of 2024, the Democrat kingmakers jettison Joe Biden and parachute in Michelle Obama.'

At the time, Michelle was vacationing aboard Steven Spielberg's yacht on the Italian Riviera with the acclaimed director and his wife, Kate Capshaw, as well as Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.

A few days after her husband was seen in Los Angeles, they celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary on October 3 with gushing tributes, despite spending the day apart.
Hundreds have shared their disgust over ex-New Zealand Prime Minister Sir John Key's 'gross' election celebration dinner.

The politician honoured the National Party's first election win in six years on Saturday by dying his sausages the party colour, blue.

Even fans of the former National Party leader were left 'disgusted' by the bizarre dinner that was posted on social media by John's son, Max.

'What a better way to celebrate than a blue sausage party?' the post read showing John in a blue shirt holding a plate of three matching snags.

Another snap showed John halfway through his celebratory meal with a bite out of a blue sausage wrapped in bread.

New Zealand's former Prime Minister John Key's (pictured) blue sausages he made to celebrate the National Party's election win on Saturday had many recoiling in disgust

'What a better way to celebrate than a blue sausage party?' John son Max captioned an Instagram post showing his dad eating one of the snags in a slice of bread

'Love the result but not convinced on the blue sausages,' one commenter wrote and another said: 'Just wrong'.

One user thought the snags were 'borderline green' and a second agreed: 'Blue? Looks friggen green to me'

'This is incredibly meme-able,' laughed a third while someone simply reacted with: 'Ewww'.

'Blue poos for the old boy,' another chimed in.

However, not everyone was put off by the colourful barbecue feast.

'That's so funny. Should have done blue sausage rolls,' one woman said.

'It's just a bit of food colouring,' a second pointed out.

'Get over it, it was just a bit of fun,' quipped a third.
Crown Princess Mary has proven she still knows how to party with the royal celebrating her eldest son Christian's 18th birthday in style at Christiansborg Palace on Saturday.

Mary was dressed in a sparkling floor-length black gown for the occasion, finishing the look with a stylish up-do, her wedding-day diamond tiara and regal blue sash.

But the formal look didn't stop her from getting involved when Queen Margrethe unveiled her grandson's birthday surprise: a private palace rock concert.

The Tasmanian-born princess and mother-of-four clapped enthusiastically and grinned at the stage where popular Danish rock star Benjamin Hav jammed with his band, The Family.

The 51-year-old's family followed her lead and looked equally as impressed with the surprise performance as they pulled out their best moves on the dancefloor.

Crown Princess Mary has proven she still knows how to party - as she celebrated her eldest son Christian's 18th birthday at Christiansborg Palace on Saturday

Crown Prince Fredrick, who was dressed in full ceremonial dress complete with his traditional blue sash displaying his medals also danced up a storm on the night.

Prince Christian could barely keep his excitement contained and featured a broad grin as he shook his head wildly to the beat of the music.

His little brother Prince Vincent, 12, was bouncing alongside his brother - enjoying the big birthday bash.

The youngsters were joined by other European royals at the party.

The concert followed the princes official gala dinner and balcony appearance with his parents and The Queen.

Prince Christian took to the stage during the concert

Video of the concert was posted on the palace's official Instagram - thrilling the Danish public.

And a photo shows the birthday prince was able to hop on stage and take control of the microphone.

'Am so proud of our royal house. Beautiful young people what an experience you have had for life. What a party,' one person said in awe.

Some critiqued the princes moves.

His little brother's joy was also captured on camera

'Prince Christian may be king, but Vincent is The King Of The floor,' one fan said.

Others said the Queen proved herself well by putting on the concert.

'Greatest Queen in the world!'' others cheered.

'How cool is Queen Margrethe.... Cool gift for the guests.'

'A good present from a lovely grandmother. She knows how to catch the youth and hold on to them.'
A wellness pro and social commentator has shared four tactics that she believes will instantly make you seem 'cooler' at parties and other group settings.

It is widely agreed upon that being forgotten in the middle of conversations or being subtly put down is a disheartening experience.

Victoria, from the US, explained that genuinely caring about the people around you and making an effort to get to know them will have more of a positive impact than acting aloof and disinterested.

She said asking questions like 'What were you saying?' after a story was interrupted or remembering small details about other people's lives will help to elevate them.

Other tricks include paying attention to the people being excluded and defending those being needlessly criticised.

1) The 'You were saying?' or 'Stay with me' person

'Your chance to be this person happens when someone is in the middle of saying something and there's an interruption,' Victoria explained.

'You need to follow up on the original conversation once the interruption is over.'

Similarly, when someone is telling a story and there are lots of different conversations happening at once, people gradually drop off and stop listening to the story.

'The 'Stay with me' person does not drop off,' she said. 'They pay attention to the original story throughout.'

2) The 'To be fair' person

'Your chance to do this comes up when there's sh*t talking happening about someone who is not present in the group,' she said.

Victoria allowed that there can be some valid criticisms, but you need to step in if you see it turning into a dog-piling situation.

'All you have to do is interject and have a balanced take. This is so effective at taking the conversation in a compassionate direction, because people do not like an insinuation that they're being mean.'

3) The 'What do you mean by that?' person

'When someone is being subtly rude to someone else who is present, just ask them to explain themselves when they're being shady,' Victoria advised.

This tactic works because the impolite person will not expect to be called out on their subtle jab.

4) The 'Forget-me-not' person

'Snoop on people's social media and take note of any positive life changes,' the professional said. 'If someone has a new job, or they took a cool trip.'

'You need to be the person to bring it up in a group setting. People love to talk about cool things that are going on in their lives, but they won't want to bring it up themselves.'

Victoria explained that genuinely caring about the people around you and making an effort to get to know them will have more of a positive impact than acting aloof and disinterested

Many agreed with Victoria's tactics.

'I absolutely love how you broke this down. This is truly a confidence boost for me knowing I'm this person and it's comforting and warming for others,' one wrote.

'I love that these are all things that actually create positive interactions and strengthen friendships, not just gimmicky ways to appear 'cool',' another said.

But others claimed she was taking it too far.

'To be fair, sometimes people do stuff so unhinged you need to vent about this person without having someone trying to justify their unjustifiable actions,' a woman said.

'I don't want to be a people pleaser,' a second wrote.
Publishing Sir Patrick Vallance's full Covid diary entries would breach his human rights, it has been claimed.

No10's former Chief Scientific Adviser kept notes during the pandemic, which his lawyer described as 'a brain dump' written 'at the end of immensely stressful days to protect his mental health'.

Snippets have already been published as part of the Covid Inquiry's second module, which began this month examining Government decision-making during the darkest days of the crisis.

This includes logs which state scientists were used as 'human shields' by ministers and officials weren't informed about the latest scientific data, while Boris Johnson's decision making was described as 'bipolar'.

Eight media organisations have joined together to argue before the inquiry that the entries  redacted to chop personal and irrelevant information  should be shown in context as part of a full diary page.

However, Sir Patrick's lawyer Matthew Hill on Monday argued doing so would breach his right to privacy and that only text referred to in hearings should be released.

The UK Government's former Chief Scientific Adviser (pictured) kept a diary during the pandemic that he has described as 'a brain dump' written 'at the end of immensely stressful days to protect his mental health'

Sir Patrick's notes were 'never intended for publication', Mr Hill said. And they would have remained unseen had it not been for a request by the inquiry, he added.

One extract from Sir Patrick's pandemic diary released to the inquiry read: 'Number 10 chaos as usual.

'On Friday, the two-metre rule meeting made it abundantly clear that no one in Number 10 or the Cabinet Office had really read or taken time to understand the science advice on two metres. Quite extraordinary.'

Sir Patrick, who is now chair of the National History Museum's board of trustees, also wrote in his diary about the Sage committee, the chief medical officer and himself 'being used as human shields' by ministers.

Witnesses also complained about Boris Johnson's inconsistent behaviour, which was 'all over the place'.

Sir Patrick wrote: 'As another person said, it's so inconsistent, it's like bipolar decision-making.'

READ MORE: Covid lockdown was a 'failure of public health policy', SAGE adviser tells inquiry - and reveals government was not given full range of options Mark Woolhouse (pictured), professor of infectious disease and epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, said lockdown should 'always be a last resort' Advertisement

Speaking at the inquiry, Mr Hill said: 'They (the diary extracts) represent a snapshot of how he felt in the moment of writing them.

'He did not amend them if he changed his mind later, he made no attempts to correct them as and when he learnt new information.'

Mr Hill said that Sir Patrick described them in his own words as 'a form of release' and his way of 'creating some space for myself in what could have been an overwhelming situation'.

Mr Hill said the inquiry's use of the notes amount to an interference in Sir Patrick's right to private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights and the common law.

He suggested that a new document should be created containing the 'relevant extracts'.

Jude Bunting KC made submissions on behalf of the eight media organisations which include: Guardian News & Media Limited, Reach Plc, the BBC, ITN, Telegraph Media Group Limited, Associated Newspapers Limited, Times Media Limited, and News Group Newspapers Limited.

Mr Bunting said Sir Patrick 'does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the redacted notes'.

He added: 'They have been disclosed to the inquiry, judged to be "clearly relevant", provided to all core participants, and repeatedly referenced in open hearings.'

Mr Bunting added that any 'sensitive' aspect of the notes has been redacted.

Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett said she would reflect on the submissions and give her decision when she is ready to do so.

In the first inquiry module, which examined the UK's resilience and preparedness, Sir Chris Whitty argued that officials 'did not give sufficient thought' to stopping Covid.

England's Chief Medical Officer told the inquiry in June that it is 'sensible to have a plan for if everything fails, what we're going to do'.

In the first inquiry module, which examined the UK's resilience and preparedness, Sir Chris Whitty (right) argued that officials 'did not give sufficient thought' to stopping Covid

Meanwhile, Professor Mark Woolhouse, an epidemiologist at the University of Edinburgh, yesterday told the Covid inquiry that lockdown was a 'failure of public health policy'.

He said the draconian Covid curb should 'always be a last resort' and that the Government was not given a full range of options in the run-up to the November 2020 lockdown.

Professor Woolhouse, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M-O), was critical of a 'go hard, go early, go wide' approach favoured by some scientists.

He said: 'The harms of the social distancing measures  particularly lockdown, the economic harms, the educational harms, the harms to access to health care, the harms to societal wellbeing, just the way we all function, mental health  were not included in any of the work that SPI-M-O did and, as far as I could tell, no one else was doing it either.

'I take the view that it would have been very helpful if the Government said explicitly: 'We don't want to go into lockdown. What's your advice? How can we both minimise the health burden and stay out of lockdown?'

'And we could have given a lot of advice and all the other things you could do other than lockdown.

'The question of how to avoid lockdown was never asked of us and I find that extraordinary.'

Professor Woolhouse said he supported lockdown at the time it was introduced due to the rapid doubling times of hospital admissions and deaths.

But in his witness statement, he said that with hindsight he wondered whether the lockdown was necessary.

Drawing on data on where people were spending their time in the week before lockdown, he said the amount of time people were spending outside their homes had 'fallen off a cliff'.

He said he had not seen 'any good analysis' that the stay-at-home order was the 'killer punch that was really needed'.

In his statement, Professor Woolhouse wrote: 'I think it's fair to describe lockdown, not as a public health policy, but as a failure of public health policy.

'(Lockdown) is what you do when all those other things you know you can do haven't worked, it's a last resort and it should always be that in my view.'
Hitting 10,000 steps a day is a goal for millions of us. But the pace we walk at may be a more important target to focus on.

Research suggests brisk walkers  above 4mph  are less likely to die from cancer or suffer a heart attack.

Scientists believe being speedy on your feet boosts fitness and protects against the diseases.

But the researchers noted that their findings could be down to healthier people being able to walk quicker.

Brisk walkers  those who clock up speeds of more than 4mph  are less likely to die from cancer or suffer a heart attack

University of Leicester researchers monitored 391,652 people, aged 57 on average, included in the UK Biobank.

Participants self-reported their walking pace as 'slow' (below 3mph), 'steady/average' (3-4mph) or 'brisk' (above 4mph).

Just 6.6 per cent said they walked slowly, 52.6 per cent fell into the steady category and 40.8 per cent self-reported a brisk pace.

Participants were tracked for 13 years, on average, over which time 22,000 deaths were recorded.

NHS guide for boosting your step count Make it a habit The easiest way to walk more is to make walking a habit, the NHS says. Think of ways to include walking in your daily routine. Examples include: walking part of your journey to work

walking to the shops

using the stairs instead of the lift

leaving the car behind for short journeys

walking the kids to school

doing a regular walk with a friend

going for a stroll with family or friends after dinner Listen to music Walking while listening to music or a podcast can take your mind off the effort. It can also get you into a rhythm and help you walk faster. You'll be surprised at how fast the time goes when you're walking to your favourite tunes. Mix it up Add variety to your walks. You do not have to travel to the countryside to find a rewarding walk. Towns and cities offer interesting walks, including parks, heritage trails, canal towpaths, riverside paths, commons, woodlands, heaths and nature reserves. Join a walking group Walking in a group is a great way to start walking, make new friends and stay motivated. Ramblers organises group walks for health, leisure and as a means of getting around for people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of fitness. Advertisement

Results, published in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, show women who had a brisk walking pace were 26 per cent less likely to die of cancer than self-confessed dawdlers.

Men faced a 29 per cent lower risk, compared to that of slow walkers.

Fast-paced women faced a 60 per cent reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. For men, the figure was 62 per cent.

Both sexes saw their chance of dying early from other causes, such as dementia and respiratory diseases, fall by 71 per cent if they walked fast, according to the data.

The research only proves a correlation, not a cause-and-effect.

However Dr Jonathan Goldney and his team suggested that a faster walking pace could boost cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)  how well the body takes in oxygen and delivers it to muscles and organs during exercise.

This, in theory, may protect against cardiovascular disease  an umbrella term which includes strokes and heart attacks.

High levels of CRF have previously been linked to improved cardiac output  the amount of blood the heart pumps  and better oxygen uptake.

It is unclear how fast walking pace reduced the risk of dying early from other causes of deaths, such as cancer, dementia and respiratory diseases.

But staying healthy in old age has been shown to cut the risk of both.

However, the researchers noted their findings could be down to 'reverse causality', meaning those who walk slowly may have been in worse shape.

Under that same theory, they could have had an undiagnosed condition that also raises their risk of dying earlier.

The researchers suggested that doctors could ask patients for their self-reported walking pace to use as a 'predictive marker' of health.

For those who don't know how fast they walk, researchers have previously suggested that being slightly out of breath or sweaty when walking are signs of a brisk pace.

The NHS says adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise.

It says a brisk ten-minute walk daily counts towards its recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.

Walking is one of the easiest ways to get active, lose weight and stay healthy, as it can build stamina, burn calories and make the heart healthier, the NHS adds.
A junior doctor who mocked terrified civilians fleeing Hamas gunmen is named as one of 2,000 medics demanding officials tear down an Israel flag.

Dr Mennah Elwan is listed as a signatory of the online petition, which attacks Israel for allegedly 'committing inhumane war crimes and acts of genocide'.

It doesn't mention any of the atrocities carried out by pro-Palestinian terrorists who slaughtered innocent civilians as part of an unprecedented assault.

In the wake of Hamas' horrifying attacks, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) raised the Israeli flag over its London headquarters last week.

Posting an image of the flag on X, formerly known as Twitter, on October 13, DHSC's official account wrote: 'We are flying the flag of Israel at the Department of Health & Social Care in London.

Dr Mennah Elwan in her British Medical Association kit during NHS industrial action organised by the union

The petition has 2,006 apparent signatures from UK medics, with online form asking them to list their 'appropriate title' and 'healthcare profession/specialty'.

Medics took offence to the Department of Health and Social Care flying the Israeli flag in London last week

'We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel.'

Yet some medics called it 'totally unacceptable' because it 'makes no recognition of the loss of Palestinians life at the hands of the State of Israel'.

The open letter  aimed at healthcare professionals  was organised by NHS doctor Ayo Khalil.

At the time of publication, it had 2,006 signatures on an online form that simply asks for 'appropriate title' and 'healthcare profession/specialty'.

This includes some claiming to be GPs, junior doctors, midwives, dentists and pharmacists, including many who state they work for the NHS.

READ MORE: 'Yahel, full of adventure and mischief. We will forever miss her': Tributes to British girl, 13, kidnapped and murdered by Hamas - as fears grow for her missing sister and father Yahel Sharabi, 13, disappeared after the terrorists attacked Be'eri Kibbutz Advertisement

It said the DHSC's decision to wave the Israel flag 'demonstrates a flagrant disregard of international law violations and healthcare crises Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from'.

Israel has since embarked on a retaliation bombing campaign of Gaza, promising to destroy Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

The petition goes on to highlight the siege of Gaza enacted by the Israeli military, and how civilians have been cut off from accessing clean water, food, and energy.

The letter reads: 'The trauma inflicted upon Palestinian men, women and children at this time and over the last decades of displacement and occupation has permanently scarred whole communities and many generations.'

The petition lists four demands, including that the DHSC removes to Israeli flag and retracts its statement of support.

It also calls for the DHSC, headed up by Health Secretary Steve Barclay, to officially condemn 'the the inexcusable war crimes committed by the state of Israel against Palestinian civilians in Gaza'.

The other demands include making efforts to donate resources and equipment to Palestinian health services and that medical unions 'denounce the stance taken by the DHSC in supporting a state that is clearly committing inhumane war crimes and acts of genocide'.

Organisations named directly in the petition, the British Medical Association (BMA), the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council were contacted for comment by MailOnline.

The BMA and GMC declined to comment on the petition.

Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israel's southern regions in a surprise attack on October 7 that killed hundreds of unarmed civilians. One of the bloodiest attacks occurred at a music festival, the same one Dr Elwan mocked.

Israel's death tolls since the horrifying campaign now stands at 1,400, including soldiers.

Its retaliation campaign has also claimed the lives of some 2,750 Palestinians, with another 10,000 wounded, according to Gaza's health ministry.

The petition has also seemingly attracted medics with shocking views about the conflict such as Dr Elwan, whose name was listed.

Earlier this month, MailOnline revealed how the doctor mocked reposted horrifying footage of terrorists opening fire on innocent party-goers.

Dr Elwan, a neurology registrar, posted on social media mocking people fleeing a massacre by Hamas at a music festival

A ball of fire and smoke rise above buildings during an Israeli strike on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 15, 2023. Israel embarked on a withering air campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza after they carried out a brutal attack on Israel on October 7 that left more than 1,400 people killed in Israel

Her statements led to groups like the Campaign Against Antisemitism calling for her to be suspended from the NHS and investigated by the UK's medical regulator.

Tory sources also told this website said Dr Elwan should face 'immediate disciplinary action' for the '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'.

Reposting a terrifying 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.'

The Egyptian-trained Dr Elwan then closed off her statement with a smiley emoji.

People could be heard screaming as shots are fired while police were seen trying to help people evacuate.

Other footage from the incident has since emerged showing gunmen executing civilians as they lay in the sand before rifling through their pockets.

Corpses of victims from the festival had to be piled up in makeshift tents as Israeli emergency responders worked to identify their remains.

In another post, Dr Elwan also appeared to support the wave of horrific violence towards Israeli civilians and tourists during the attacks.

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.'

Other signatories appear to include Dr Siema Iqbal, a GP partner at the Wellfield Medical Centre in Manchester.

As Israel reeled from the attacks earlier this month, Dr Iqbal posted that Palestine 'has every right to fight against the occupation'

A Palestinian man walks amid the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israeli air strikes near his home in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern of Gaza Strip, on October 16, 2023

Palestinians search for casualties under the rubble of a house destroyed in Israeli strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 16, 2023

Palestinian children injured during Israeli raids in the southern Gaza Strip arrive on October 16, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza

And a separate post she shared on Facebook described those who carried out the bloody attacks over the weekend as a 'Palestinian resistance fighters'.

Another UK medic, previously highlighted by MailOnline for questionable posts about the conflict, Dr Clarissa Hemmingsen, is another apparent signatory.

Writing on X she said: '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 was 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 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.

As the petition can, in theory, be signed by any person using any name, it cannot be verified that the signatories are who they claim to be.

A DHSC spokesperson said: 'The Department of Health and Social Care stands in solidarity with the people of Israel following the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas last week.

'Like many government departments we flew the Israeli flag as show of support for the Israeli people and the Jewish community here in the United Kingdom.'

Dr Siema Iqbal, a GP partner at the Wellfield Medical Centre in Manchester, posted that Palestine 'has every right to fight against the occupation'

A post shared on Facebook by Dr Iqbal described the terrorists who carried out the attacks as 'Palestinian resistance fighters'

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'

It comes as more than a million people have fled their homes in the besieged Gaza Strip in the past week ahead of an expected Israeli invasion that seeks to eliminate Hamas' leadership after its deadly attack.

The enclave's food and water supplies are dwindling, with its hospitals warning that they are on the brink of collapse.

Israeli forces, supported by a growing deployment of US warships in the region and the call-up of some 360,000 reservists, have positioned themselves along Gaza's border.

They are preparing for what Israel said would be a broad campaign to dismantle the militant group.

Israel said it has already struck dozens of military targets, including command centres and rocket launchers, and killed Hamas commanders.

Officials in Israel have given no timetable for a ground incursion that aid groups warn could hasten a humanitarian crisis in the coastal Gaza enclave.

Horrific scenes from the ongoing war show civilians desperately trying to dig trapped people out of bombed out buildings with wounded children being pulled from the rubble.

Israel has said the siege will only be lifted when the captives are returned.
Britain's Covid lockdown architect today denied ever calling for the first national stay-at-home order.

Professor Neil Ferguson's terrifying March 2020 models warned that 500,000 Brits would die unless tougher action was taken to curb the virus's spread.

It spooked Boris Johnson into adopting draconian restrictions that saw the country told they 'must stay at home'. Vaccines  considered the only safe route out of the pandemic  were still months away from being deployed.

But Professor Ferguson, who quit his role as a SAGE adviser two months after being caught breaking social distancing rules to meet his married lover, today insisted he didn't tell officials to plunge the country into a lockdown.

He told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry that the situation was 'a lot more complex'.

Professor Neil Ferguson's modelling in March 2020 for then Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested 510,000 people in the UK would die due to Covid without drastic action

The epidemiologist drew heavy flak for his team's modelling on the Covid pandemic. Their work suggested 500,000 Brits would die if nothing was done to stop the spread of the virus (shown in graph) and there would be 250,000 deaths if two-thirds caught Covid

Imperial College London published a paper in March 2020 on the potential impact of coronavirus. It weighed up options on how a lockdown could reduce demand on hospitals

The inquiry is in its second module, which is examining core UK decision-making and political governance.

Hugo Keith KC asked: 'Do you feel that you did confine yourself to the provision of scientific advice, or did you become, despite your best endeavours, irrevocably involved in determination of policy?'

Imperial College London's Professor Ferguson, nicknamed 'Professor Lockdown' for his infamous modelling, said it was a 'difficult question to answer'.

He said: 'I know I'm associated very much with a particular policy.

'But as you'll be aware from the evidence I've given in my statement and statements of evidence, the reality was a lot more complex.

WHAT DID PROFESSOR FERGUSON'S WORK SAY? The scientific paper published by Professor Neil Ferguson and his colleagues on the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team was credited for persuading Boris Johnson's Government to ramp up their response to the coronavirus. The paper, released on March 17, and titled Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce COVID19 mortality and healthcare demand, predicted that the Government's original plan to 'mitigate' the outbreak instead of trying to stop it could have led to a quarter of a million people dying. Using data from Italy and China, the scientists predicted how different Government measures would have different impacts on the outbreaks. If no action at all had been taken against the coronavirus it would have claimed 510,000 lives, the team's report said. Had the Government stuck with their strategy of trying to 'mitigate' the spread  allowing it to continue but attempting to slow it down  with limited measures such as home isolation for those with symptoms this number would be roughly halved to 260,000. If the strictest possible measures are introduced, the number of deaths over a two-year period will fall below 20,000, the scientists said. Other points in the Imperial College report included: Lockdown measures could be brought back if the virus resurfaces after this epidemic is over

The coronavirus outbreak is worse than anything the world has seen since the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic

Dramatic measures to suppress an outbreak carry 'enormous social and economic costs which may themselves have significant impact on health and well-being'

Virus transmission happens evenly  one third of cases are caught in the home, one third at work or school, and one third elsewhere in the community

People are thought to be infectious from 12 hours before symptoms start, or from four days after catching the infection if someone doesn't get symptoms

Patients who do get symptoms are thought to be 50 per cent more infectious than those who don't

People are thought to develop at least short-term immunity after catching the virus, meaning they can't catch it again

Approximately 4.4 per cent of patients need hospital care. 30 per cent of those need intensive care, and 50 per cent of intensive care patients can be expected to die, according to data from China

The average length of a hospital stay for a coronavirus patient is 10 days  eight days for those who recover quickly; 16 days for those who need intensive care Advertisement

'I don't think I stepped over that line to say "we need to do this now".

'What I tried to do was at times, which was stepping outside the scientific advisory role, to try and focus people's minds on what was going to happen and the consequences of current trends.'

The epidemiologist, who today also apologised to the inquiry for breaking lockdown rules himself, drew heavy flak for his team's modelling on the Covid pandemic.

Their work suggested 500,000 Brits would die if nothing was done to stop the spread of the virus and there would be 250,000 deaths if two-thirds caught Covid.

It spooked then-PM Mr Johnson into lockdown. It saw schools, shops and hospitality close, social distancing come into force and Brits only allowed to exercise outdoors once a day.

Experts largely accepted that the economically-crippling measures were vital to control the spread of the virus, as there was no vaccine to prevent severe illness and stunt hospital admissions at the time.

But other epidemiologists and public health scientists shared 'grave concerns' about the collateral damages of such policies on the NHS and other parts of society in future.

The wave ended up being much less severe than Professor Ferguson predicted, leading some to call the modelling 'totally unreliable'.

Others insist that lockdown is why cases didn't reach the eye-watering levels set out in Professor Ferguson's models.

He made other gloomy models throughout the pandemic, and later accepted that some were 'off'.

The UK has logged 230,000 fatalities that have Covid on the death certificate since the pandemic began. Not all of these will have been caused by the virus.

Some 55,500 were logged during the first three months of the pandemic, official figures show.

Despite his models suggesting the death toll would be much higher, Professor Ferguson told the inquiry that he was initially wary about the idea of imposing Covid curbs, such as closing down schools or full lockdowns  known as non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).

Asked why he did not recommend such measures before mid-March 2020, he said: 'In part because of my belief that it isn't the role of scientific advisers to determine policy, but also because I was very conscious of the huge economic and social costs which would be entailed by long-term and intensive use of NPIs.'

Professor Ferguson noted that his models didn't take 'spontaneous' changes in behaviour  such as Brits choosing to mix less to avoid catching the virus  into account.

But he said his early estimates for the case fatality ratio (CFR)  the number of confirmed cases that die from the virus  and calculations that one third of infections would not have symptoms were largely correct.

Professor Ferguson expressed his 'frustration' that the Government's scientific committee SAGE took 'so long' to adopt the figures.

Covid models used throughout the pandemic tended to set out a lower, middle and higher estimate for projections in cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

However, Professor Ferguson told the inquiry he was 'always uncomfortable' with the central estimates of his models being labelled the 'reasonable worst case scenario' because it 'makes it sound like it's unlikely'.

He claimed that in early 2020, he didn't believe that the UK's containment approach  border controls and only testing hospital cases  would work and would only suppress a small number of cases.

But consensus statements from SAGE, read out to the inquiry, stated that there was no evidence to move away from this policy.

Professor Ferguson claimed reservations from England's Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty was the 'most significant driver' for that statement as he did not want to be the first country to move away from Covid containment policies.

The inquiry saw extracts from emails sent between Professor Ferguson and Government officials and scientists, including at 3:30am with Sir Chris as the pandemic hit the UK.

Asked why he did not recommend measures before mid-March 2020, Prof Ferguson said: In part because of my belief that it isnt the role of scientific advisers to determine policy, but also because I was very conscious of the huge economic and social costs which would be entailed by long-term and intensive use of NPIs.

Professor Ferguson also claimed the Government failed to communicate its Covid strategy with SAGE.

Academics also privately asked officials if they realised the true scale of the crisis, he said.

He told the inquiry: 'There was a complete Chinese wall between SAGE and Cobra.

'It was not as if SAGE meetings started with a readout from Cobra about what the government were thinking and planning to do.

'We had almost no visibility in fact, in terms of operational planning.'

He added: 'The artificial divide between scientific advice and then operational planning and response was a hindrance.'

Professor Ferguson said that by early March 2020, he and fellow SAGE member, John Edmunds, a professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine privately raised the alarm with officials.

He said they both 'started talking in the margins to Government attendees, saying: "Do you know what this is going to be like?"'

Professor Ferguson also said that by early March 2020, he and fellow SAGE member, John Edmunds (pictured), a professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine privately raised the alarm with officials. He said they both 'started talking in the margins to Government attendees, saying: "Do you know what this is going to be like?"'

Professor Ferguson claimed that in early 2020, he didn't believe that the UK's containment approach  border controls and only testing hospital cases  would work and would only suppress a small number of cases. But consensus statements from SAGE, read out to the inquiry, stated that there was no evidence to move away from this policy. He said reservations from England's Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty (pictured in June attending the inquiry) was the 'most significant driver' for that statement as he did not want to be the first country to move away from Covid containment policies

Despite resigning from his Government role after his rule-breaking affair was revealed, Professor Ferguson continued to sit on the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M) committee and the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG).

It comes after a Government scientist today told the inquiry that Covid deaths in the first wave of the pandemic could have been lower if the UK went into lockdown just two weeks earlier.

Professor Steven Riley, who worked alongside Professor Ferguson at Imperial College London during the pandemic, said lockdown should have been imposed on March 9, 2020.

The infectious disease expert, who now leads the data, analytics and surveillance group within the UK Health Security Agency, said data shows that people began to alter their behaviour on or around March 16, a few days ahead of the stay at home order.

But he said that Government action should have been taken sooner.

'My view is that the first national period of stringent social distancing (lockdown) should have been introduced on or around 9 March 2020,' he wrote in his witness statement to the inquiry.

Asked to elaborate, he told the inquiry: 'Once we had lab confirmed deaths in ICUs (intensive care units) with no travel history, no obvious connections to any out of country social networks, even a handful of those would indicate that we would be rapidly progressing in our epidemic.'

He added: 'We've got a lot of data about how social mixing changed over this period and actually on or around March 16 seems to be when everybody did start to change their behaviour.

'So I think the best way to talk about this is to say: had we achieved that rapid reduction in mixing earlier than the 16th then the peak height would have been lower, and the area under the curve for the first wave would have been less, and potentially quite a bit less.

'And the area under the curve is proportional to the number of deaths in a very kind of crude but useful way.'

It comes as evidence submitted to the inquiry by a leading think tank suggests that the NHS and social care in the UK is still 'highly vulnerable to future shocks' to the system.

The Health Foundation said in a statement that a 'lack of health service capacity constrained the response to Covid-19'.

'Without sustained investment in increasing resilience, response to future health threats are likely to be similarly hampered,' it said.

The UK entered the pandemic with fewer doctors, nurses, hospital beds and equipment compared to similar countries, according to the think tank.

Meanwhile, funding growth for the NHS was 'severely constrained' prior to the pandemic.

'The pre-existing constraints in our health and care system risk prolonging the recovery of services after the pandemic and, without sustained investment, leaves the UK highly vulnerable to future shocks,' the authors wrote.
READ MORE: Doctors stunned after woman falls pregnant TWICE in three weeks

A Pennsylvania woman who was already pregnant conceived twins one week later  a one-in-a-billion medical anomaly.

Deonna Fletcher, a marketing coordinator in Philadelphia, experienced superfetation, meaning she had gotten pregnant twice within a week.

The first embryo was conceived six days before the other two, in an event so rare the Cleveland Clinic says, 'your chance of experiencing superfetation is near zero.'

There are only about 10 confirmed cases in the world and all of them involved two children conceived at different times.

Ms Fletcher felt like 'everything had fallen into place' after she and her fiance, Antonio Livington, found out they were expecting a baby in 2019.

Deonna Fletcher, a marketing consultant in Philadelphia, became pregnant twice within six days. She gave birth to three daughters on January 18, 2021

Doctors believe that Ms Fletcher ovulated twice, which allowed the twins to be conceived after their older sister of six days

About four weeks into her pregnancy, she had a transvaginal ultrasound, which revealed one fetus.

However, about two weeks later, she started experiencing 'terrible' pains in her lower abdomen. She worried that she was having a miscarriage and rushed to the emergency room.

A second transvaginal ultrasound revealed two more babies - Ms Fletcher was having triplets.

''How can that be possible?' I asked the person doing the sonogram,' she told Insider. 'The previous scan had been very thorough. There'd been no doubt there was just one baby.'

However, Ms Fletcher had experienced irregular periods her whole life.

Sometimes, she would have two per month, and other times, she wouldn't have one at all. The doctor said that she must have ovulated twice, allowing for multiple pregnancies.

'Antonio and I were shocked,' she said. 'There was a lot to process. We'd never heard of getting pregnant when you're already pregnant. But the doctors went on to confirm that it was a case of superfetation.'

This happens when a woman experiences two menstrual cycles back to back, each resulting in a pregnancy. For this to happen, the woman's body would release an egg during her first cycle. After having sex, that egg would become fertilized and turn into an embryo. The embryo then implants into the uterine lining.

During the next period, the same thing takes place, and the new embryo joins the one already growing in the uterus.

Typically, hormones change during pregnancy to prevent ovulation, which is when the ovaries release an egg.

Superfetation is so rare that experts aren't sure what causes it. Most cases involve the use of assistive reproductive technologies (ART), which includes fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF), but it's still extremely unlikely with those methods.

Ms Fletcher and her partner, Antonio Livington, welcomed a baby boy, Antonio Junior, in October 2022. The couple have said that they aren't planning on having any more children

The girls - Dream, Amani, and Amber - are all 'perfectly healthy' and 'a bundle of energy,' Ms Fletcher said

In Ms Fletcher's case, the two 'younger' babies turned out to be identical twins. 'A specialist said that my pain early on was related to my uterus expanding so rapidly,' she said. 'It had needed to make room for three babies.'

Six months into the pregnancies, both of her waters broke, and she was put on bed rest for about two months. On January 18, 2021, she gave birth to three girls: Dream, Amani, and Amber.

Dream, who was the first to be conceived, weighed three pounds. Twins Amber and Amani were three and four pounds heavier, respectively.

The triplets spent more than a month in the NICU, though all are 'perfectly healthy' now at two and a half years old. 'They are a bundle of energy,' Ms Fletcher said.

Ms Fletcher and Mr Livington also welcomed a baby boy, Antonio Junior, in October 2022. They do not plan to have any more children.

'It's tiring, but it's fun. Still, Antonio, a photographer, and I are done in terms of having more kids,' Ms Fletcher said.

'Three girls  two of whom were very unexpected  and a baby boy are more than enough.'
A Russian woman survived what was meant to be a fatal stabbing through her brain as an infant, leaving behind a 3-centimeter needle that doctors have just discovered.

The 80-year-old woman was the victim of a botched infanticide carried out by her parents during World War II when many families struggled to survive because of a lack of essential resources.

Doctors found the needle by luck when the woman underwent a CT scan of her brain for another, unspecified reason.

They opted not to remove the needle, which was not causing the woman any pain or other symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, adding that surgery could cause more problems.

The three-centimeter-long needle was inserted through the woman's soft spot at the top of her head as a newborn. She was the victim of a botched infanticide believed to have been carried out by her parents during the World War II-wrought famine in the Soviet Union

The needle inserted into her brain as a newborn entered through the soft spot in the top of her head called the fontanelle where it lodged in her parietal lobe, the region responsible for processing sensory information and learning to do complex tasks like math.

The 80-year-old murder survivor hails from Sakhalin, an island just north of Japan home to around 461,000 people.

The health department of Sakhalin said on the messaging app Telegram: The needle penetrated her left parietal lobe, but it did not have the intended effect  the girl survived.

She is believed to have been born in 1943, during the height of fighting on the Eastern front of the war when Russia  then the Soviet Union  was fending off German invasion to gain control of Stalingrad.

The Soviet Union was already in the midst of a long famine that is estimated to have killed some 11 million people.

The situation was so dire that many families, knowing they would be unable to feed and take care of their newborns, resorted to killing them.

The Sakhalin health ministry added: Such cases during years of famine were not uncommon.

The needle was jabbed into the soft spot at the top of the newborns head. The fontanelle at the top of a babys head is where the two frontal and two parietal lobes meet, forming bony plates held together by strong fibrous tissue until eventually the plates meet and grow together.

Following what were meant to be deathly stabs into the babys brain, the fontanel would quickly close, hiding the traces of the crime, and the baby would die.

Sakhalin health officials said: The patients health is not in danger; her condition is being monitored by the attending physician.
A promising cancer treatment that blasts tumors using soundwaves has been approved in the US.

A machine that uses histotripsy, a technique that uses sound waves to break down tumors, has been approved to treat liver tumors by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It uses targeted sound waves - like an ultrasound machine - to form microbubbles within the tumor.

The forces generated as the bubbles expand and collapse rapidly cause the cancerous mass to break apart, destroying tumor cells and leaving the debris to be eliminated by the immune system.

The approval of the treatment means patients may be able to get treatment for liver cancer without the side effects of radiation or chemotherapy.

Minneapolis-based HistoSonics, a University of Michigan spin-off company founded in 2009, pioneered the treatment.

HistoSonics can now sell its histotripsy delivery platform, named Edison, to hospitals and doctors to use in patients. It costs $12,500 per procedure.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and is done alongside a live ultrasound of the liver to enable the radiologist to locate and blast the tumor.

A bedside machine with a robotic arm is moved into position over the patients abdomen like a traditional ultrasound device, and a doctor locks it above the target tumor.

The rest of the procedure is fully automated.

Attached to the end of the robotic arm is a transducer, a device that converts electrical energy into ultrasound energy.

The machine's software then calculates how much energy is needed to create a powerful enough bubble cloud to kill the tumor, with focused ultrasound waves converging at a focal point in its center.

Once the debris of the tumor has been liquified, it will be naturally absorbed in the body before it is passed out as waste.

The debris created becomes scar tissue.

Although its considered a safe treatment, there is a small risk nearby blood vessels (or in the case of liver cancer, bile ducts) could be damaged by the heat.

The duration of the procedure depends on the number and size of tumors, but it can take as little as seven minutes.

A human trial is currently underway, and previous animal studies have shown promising results.

In the first study, 50 to 75 percent of liver tumor volume in rats was destroyed by histotripsy and the rats' immune system cleared away the rest. No tumors recurred or spread in more than 80 percent of the animals.

A second study showed the sound waves also break down the cancer cell wall's 'cloak,' revealing proteins the immune system can use to recognize threats.

By killing the cancer cell's outer wall, the tumor's antigens are laid bare for the immune system to use for targeted attacks on other cancer cells to prevent recurring tumors.

A trial in humans has been underway since 2021 at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center and other locations have treated patients with both primary liver tumors and liver cancer tumors that have spread beyond the liver.

Zhen Xu, University of Michigan professor of biomedical engineering, inventor of the histotripsy approach and a co-founder of HistoSonics, said: 'We want to leverage histotripsys immuno stimulation effects and hopefully combine them with immunotherapy or drug delivery.

'That will move histotripsy from a local therapy into one that can treat tumors globally all over the body and eventually into a cure. In terms of the cancer treatment, that will be the next step, and I feel very excited about the potential.'

Despite the new promising treatment, cancer patients shouldn't expect to immediately do away with their chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

The machine has only been approved for use in liver cancer patients, and its limited availability and high price tag may make doctors prescribing it to patients prohibitive.

While the machine is a breakthrough in treatment, it may not be suitable for every liver cancer patient, and doctors will assess each case and determine the best course of action.

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the average five-year survival rate for all stages is 20 percent.

More than 40,000 live cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2023, the ACS predicts, and almost 30,000 people will die.

Drinking alcohol can raise the risk of liver cancer.

Histotripsy could be used in the future to treat renal and pancreatic tumors, Edison's makers said.
Health advocates are calling on President Joe Biden to declare a public health emergency over the surge in congenital syphilis cases, a type of STI that occurs in babies.

Between 2017 and 2021, the most recent year data is available, cases of congenital syphilis (CS) nearly tripled from 941 to 2,855, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

And the rate stands at 77 cases per 100,000 live births.

Congenital syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that occurs when an infected mother passes the STI to her baby during pregnancy.

The condition raises an infant's risk of bone damage, anemia, jaundice, nerve damage and meningitis.

The disease kills about 40 percent of babies born with it, but treatment is possible with the medication Bicillin L-A.

However, there has been a nationwide shortage of the drug and its manufacturer, Pfizer, does not anticipate the shortage to be resolved until 2024 - partly blaming the boom in cases, which has drastically increased demand.

In 2021, rates of CS were highest in Arizona, with a rate of 232.3 cases per 100,000 live births. The state was followed by New Mexico with 205.7 cases per 100,000 births and Louisiana came in third with 191.5 cases per 100,000

Between 2017 and 2021, the most recent year data is available, cases of congenital syphilis (CS) nearly tripled from 941 to 2,855

Congenital syphilis cases were highest among the Black and African-American community, with cases rising from 362 in 2017 to 885 in 2021

By declaring a public health emergency, it would allow the president to use the Defense Production Act to manufacture more Bicillin.

Earlier this month, 38 public health organizations called on the White House drug shortage task force to investigate the shortage of the vital medication.

The Biden administration responded, saying it had already established a taskforce to tackle the STI surge and was focused on repairing critical pharmaceutical supply chains.

Experts warn the eruption of infections in the US is driven by riskier sexual behaviors and less condom use. They also blame drug use during pregnancy, as the rate of women using drugs while pregnant is the highest it's been since 2017 in some states.

Regional discrepancies across the country have been observed, with cases higher in border states, the southwest and deep south where healthcare access is limited. States in New England, however, have all but eliminated the disease.

Researchers also blamed lack of funding and education.

In 2021, rates of CS were highest in Arizona, with a rate of 232.3 cases per 100,000 live births.

The state was followed by New Mexico with 205.7 cases per 100,000 births and Louisiana came in third with 191.5 cases per 100,000.

As for the highest number of overall cases, Texas topped the list with 680 cases in 2021.

The state was followed by California with 518 cases and Arizona rounded out the top three, with 181 cases.

Congenital syphilis cases were highest among the Black and African-American community, with cases rising from 362 in 2017 to 885 in 2021.

Cases were second-highest among white Americans, rising from 213 in 2017 to 782 in 2021.

Symptoms of congenital syphilis Symptoms of congenital syphilis may include: Deformed bones

Severe anemia

Enlarged liver or spleen

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Brain and nerve damage, such as blindness or deafness

Meningitis

Skin rashes

Death Source: Centers for Disease Control Advertisement

A report earlier this year from the CDC revealed Mississippi, the state with the highest overall STD rates in the US, is dealing with a particularly concerning situation, with cases of congenital syphilis spiking more than 1,000 percent from 10 in 2016 to 110 in 2022.

While the overall number of congenital syphilis cases in the state seem low, the CDC is concerned about the rapid rate the cases are rising.

A possible driver behind the rise: Mississippi has insufficient pre-pregnancy screening, which could prevent unnecessary illness and death.

The states with the lowest rates of CS were Maine, New Hampshire and Wyoming - all reporting zero cases of the STI.

Nebraska reported just one case and had a rate of 4.1 cases per 100,000 live births.

The state of Maryland did not report any data on congenital syphilis.

Overall, America is in the midst of an explosion of STDs and every state has seen a spike in syphilis cases between 2017 and 2021. Between these years, cases of the disease increased by 70 percent.

A total of 2.5 million STDs were reported in the US in 2021 and the STI epidemic has led to a combined rate of 763 cases per 100,000 people in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, an increase of six percent over 2020s rate of about 722.
Last year I was treated for prostate cancer. On June 14 this year, my wife and I were on a short break in Cornwall when I was unfortunately caught short while driving.

I desperately looked for a safe place to pull over and sort myself out. I found an area with a few parked cars and some buildings close to a beach. There was a sea mist and not much could be seen towards the beach.

Having parked, I went to find somewhere to change my clothes. This took around 20 minutes, after which I drove back to Port Isaac where we were staying.

About a week later, I received a Parking Charge Notice for 100 from Initial Parking for parking without a ticket. In my anxiety, I had not realised I had stopped in a private car park.

I emailed Initial Parking explaining the situation. Within 30 minutes I received a reply turning down my request for forbearance. It looked like a standard reply, so I decided to write a letter in the hope somebody would sympathise. This failed, as did my subsequent appeal to the Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) scheme.

Distressing situation: A parking firm is chasing a driver for a huge 170 fine after he was forced to stop due to medical condition

The POPLA assessor concluded he could not accept my mitigating circumstances. He said I should have been aware of the parking notices and paid the 2.20 fee. I do not believe he had taken into account the embarrassment and distress this condition causes.

The fine has now risen to 170 and I am being pursued by a debt collection agency with a threat of court action if I do not pay.

A. C., Hemel Hempstead, Herts.

Sally Hamilton replies: When youve got to go, youve got to go. But bursting for the bathroom appears not to be on the list of mitigating circumstances that will easily win over private parking companies.

They want motorists to pay up, even if they are parking simply to spend a penny in an emergency.

But yours was a more complex situation as your health condition and the effects of prostate surgery put you in a more vulnerable position than most.

It is not only hard to deal with such accidents physically but as you described, they can be psychologically unsettling.

POPLA states that it cannot allow an appeal due to mitigating circumstances alone. It considers whether a parking charge notice has been issued correctly in line with the relevant law, codes of practice, and the evidence provided by the parties.

I was shocked by the determination of both Initial Parking and POPLA to brush off your mitigating circumstance and apply the Penalty Charge Notice come what may. I would have expected more compassion.

Car parking firms have it within their power to withdraw a penalty charge, especially in exceptional circumstances, including when a car breaks down or when theres a medical emergency.

In my opinion, your predicament ought to meet the latter criteria. I put this argument to Initial Parking, asking it to show more understanding in your case and call off the debt collectors.

I am glad to report it responded, within a short time, with the words: This charge has been cancelled. You told me a huge weight had been lifted off your shoulders.

Straight to the point In August my wife and I booked a two- night stay at a hotel in Buckinghamshire via Hotels.com. I paid our 299 balance when we checked out. A few days later Hotels.com debited my account a further 243. Please help. D.W., Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancs. Hotels.com says it is sorry to hear that you did not have a good experience. It has now refunded you 243 and is working with the hotel to ensure that this issue does not occur again. *** My energy supplier, EDF, installed a smart meter in my home in April 2022. Since then EDF has repeatedly contacted me to say that I need to install a new smart meter as mine is not taking accurate readings. I have spoken to customer services numerous times but cant seem to resolve the issue. Can you help? S.W., via email. EDF has contacted you to resolve the issue and ensure your smart meter is functioning correctly from now on. *** I purchased a phone from Currys and traded in my old one with it online for 70. Currys said that it would send me a package in which to post my old phone but it never arrived. When I went to the shop, staff would only give me a voucher for the 70. A.S., via email. Currys has now spoken to you and agreed to transfer the 70 to your bank account, plus 40 for the inconvenience caused.

Late uncle was 1,411 in credit on his energy bills

I have been in dispute with Scottish Power since my uncle died more than a year ago. I arranged his funeral, cleared his flat, and notified all utilities with readings by August 2, 2022.

I received the final reckoning from Scottish Power on August 5, which to my surprise said the account was 1,411 in credit.

I am my uncles next of kin in the UK, although my cousins are his executors and live in South Africa. It was decided it was easier for me to deal with the UK matters.

After much communication, I received a cheque for the sum owed with my uncles name on it. However, this could not be paid in anywhere as all his accounts had been closed.

I asked if the cheque could either be reissued and made out to me or sent by bank transfer to his beneficiaries, my cousins.

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To cut a long story short, the payment was not sorted out, and I was forced to go to the Energy Ombudsman. It took up the case in December.

At the beginning of March, the Ombudsman upheld my complaint, and asked Scottish Power to pay the money owed plus compensation. Frustratingly, I am still waiting.

C. S., Burton upon Trent.

Sally Hamilton replies: When an energy account is closed, including when an account holder dies, the energy firm should automatically refund any credit owed within ten working days of the final bill being issued.

You suggested to me that if Scottish Power had met this deadline, there would have been no problem with cashing the cheque, as your uncles bank account was still live.

However, Scottish Power moved so slowly that by the time it issued the cheque, your uncles bank account was closed.

The delay set you on the course that, 12 months later, ended up with you writing to me.

You explained that a request to have the money sent by bank transfer to your cousins in South Africa had failed and even the cheque option proved fruitless as banks in that country stopped accepting cheques at the end of 2020.

You had clearly run out of energy in your pursuit of the money owed to your late uncles estate, even after the ombudsman had ruled in your favour.

So, I turned up the heat on Scottish Power. Normally, a firm can overcome payment issues after the account holder has died by simply changing the name on the energy account and reissuing a cheque in that name.

The new account holder doesnt need to be an executor or even a next of kin. But this wasnt explained to you.

After my intervention, Scottish Power finally resolved the issue, and reissued a cheque in your name. It included the 1,411 owed, plus the 60 compensation ordered by the ombudsman, and a further 60 as an apology.

A Scottish Power spokesman says: Were sorry for the delay in fully implementing the ombudsmans recommendations regarding the late customers account, and for any additional distress this has caused his family at this sad time.

Due to an administrative error, there was a delay in ensuring all credit refunds and additional payments were processed and payable to his niece to action on behalf of the family.
Rolls-Royce is set to slash as many as 2,500 jobs across the world as part of its new chief executives turnaround strategy.

The FTSE 100 engineering giant, which secured sales of 12.7billion last year, told investors on Tuesday that efforts to reduce its 42,000-strong workforce by 2,000 to 2,500 roles would help remove duplication and deliver cost efficiencies.

The engine-maker behind the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 has suffered several restructurings over the last decade, costing 13,000 jobs, and chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic said the latest revamp will ensure the business is fit for the future.

A reduction of 2,500 roles could net the company 200million in annual savings, according to analysts.

Rolls-Royce has endured a number of restructurings over the last decade

Rolls-Royce will focus on core capabilities, with engineering technology and safety units coming together as one team across the group, allowing for greater standardisation and efficiency.

The impact will see tech boss Grazia Vittadini exit the business next year, with director Simon Burr taking charge of the division.

The proposals include creating a new enterprise-wide procurement and supplier management organisation to support the consolidation of group spend, leverage scale and develop consistent best in class standards, the group explained.

Mr Erginbilgic, who joined in January, said: We are building a Rolls-Royce that is fit for the future. That means a more streamlined and efficient organisation that will deliver for our customers, partners and shareholders.

Our business is full of committed, talented people and I believe these changes will enable them to build greater capability in areas that are key to our long-term success.

This is another step on our multi-year transformation journey to build a high performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce shares were up 2.1 per cent to 218.1p in early trading.

Rolls-Royce swung back to a profit of 1.4billion in the first six months of this year, thanks to a bounce back in international travel and price hikes.

Its shares have been among the FTSE 100s top performers this year, upgrading profit forecasts even as others issued warnings.

After a tough few years, Rolls-Royce is once again beginning to deliver but bosses are acutely aware profit margins remain well short of US rival GE.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: 'A strategic overhaul at Rolls-Royce which will result in the global loss of 2500 roles was well-received given savings which could amount to up to 200million.

'The shares have had a stelar year so far, rising by more than 130 per cent, as any number of factors have played into the companys hands, not least of which has been the return to airline travel.'
Hundreds of UK jobs could be at risk after Rolls-Royce announced plans to axe up to 2,500 roles globally.

The engineering giant confirmed yesterday it will cut between 2,000 and 2,500 jobs as it tries to simplify the business.

Chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic said he is building a Rolls-Royce that is fit for the future as he announced plans to reduce the global workforce by 6 per cent.

More than half of Rolls-Royces 42,000 employees are based in the UK, and it has 11,000 workers in Germany and 5,500 in the US.

Rolls-Royce did not confirm which locations will be impacted by the redundancies, but reports said hundreds of UK roles are expected to be affected.

Rolls-Royce boss Tufan Erginbilgic (pictured) said he is building a Rolls-Royce 'fit for the future as he announced plans to cut the workforce by 6%

The layoffs will mainly affect back-office jobs rather than engineering roles, according to reports.

However, union Unite said it will be three months before any more details are provided to employees, saying no clarity had been given on where the job losses are likely to be.

Erginbilgic said: We are building a Rolls-Royce that is fit for the future.

That means a more streamlined and efficient organisation.

The companys share price ticked up 1pc following the announcement as investors reacted to the cost-cutting plan.

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said: Reducing the workforce by 6 per cent is a bold move and the challenge is not to sacrifice quality in the quest to save a few quid.

Rolls-Royce is planning to merge its engineering technology and safety units into one, resulting in the departure of chief technology officer Grazia Vittadini in April next year.

The team will be responsible for product safety, engineering standards, process, methods and tools.

Other departments affected by the restructuring are finance, legal and human resources. Rolls-Royces business in Germany is expected to be badly hit by the cuts.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: Rolls-Royce has provided no justification why it believes these job losses are necessary.

 It was a grim day for UK plc as consultancy giant KPMG and Swedish electric truck firm Volta announced job cuts. KPMG announced 110 jobs will be lost in the UK. Volta filed for bankruptcy meaning 600 British jobs are at risk.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has fired back at a former employee who claims she was unfairly booted out of her top role after raising concerns about sexual harassment and alleged illegal activity at his firm and is demanding her lawsuit be tossed, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Joyce Rosely, 53, was fired from her post as executive vice president at 'anti-woke' Ohio-based company Strive Asset Management, where Ramaswamy had served as chairman before stepping down to pursue his presidential bid in February.

In a complaint filed in early August obtained by DailyMail.com, Rosely - who joined the firm in August 2022 - claims was she abruptly dismissed from her $250,000-salary role earlier this year after complaining about Strive's alleged illegal security sales as well as COO Ben Pham's inappropriate conduct with a new lower level staff member.

The lawsuit - in which Ramaswamy and co-founder Anson Frericks are named as defendants - also alleges age discrimination, claiming Rosely was one of three executives over the age of 50 who were let go as part of the company's sudden 'reorganizing' plan.

Vivek Ramaswamy is demanding a judge dismiss a lawsuit filed by Joyce Rosely (left) who was fired from her role as executive VP at Strive Asset Management in March

Rosely, 53, is suing Strive co-founders Anson Frericks (left) and Ramaswamy, claiming she was abruptly fired after raising concerns about COO Ben Pham's (pictured) alleged sexual harassment towards a new lower-level female staff member

In a response filed on October 5, attorneys for the 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur slammed the suit as 'bare accusations' that have no 'direct or circumstantial evidence' to support Rosely's claims, and demanded the case be dismissed.

They are also requesting the case be moved from New Jersey - where Rosely is based - to Strive and Ramaswamy's home state of Ohio.

The asset management firm was founded in early 2022 and was backed financially by Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and Peter Thiel, a billionaire German-American conservative libertarian entrepreneur, venture capitalist and political activist.

Rosely claims she was informed that a new female employee, Shelby Fulton, had told a colleague that COO Ben Pham (above) had been romantically pursuing her in an 'aggressive manner'

Strive, which has branded itself as 'anti-woke', was created as an alternative to other investment companies like BlackRock, with the specific goal of staying clear of political involvement.

According to the lawsuit, almost immediately after joining the firm, Rosely had 'faced demands from Frericks and Ramaswamy to violate applicable securities laws'.

Among them, she claims, were utilizing 'non-compliant material that improperly promised future investment returns,' instructing new hires to engage in sales before their licenses had been transferred, and 'creating deal books and soliciting business on investment products before those products were registered and actively traded.'

The documents accuse Ramaswamy and Frericks of being 'unlawfully engaged in securities sales activities' themselves, 'despite the fact that neither has a securities license', with the GOP candidate allegedly using his X account for such matters.

Rosely claims she and fellow former colleague Jeff Nye had 'repeatedly objected' to engaging in the 'unlawful conduct' in conversations with Frericks and Ramaswamy.

In the filing obtained by DailyMail.com, Rosely claims her abrupt dismissal was retaliation for her complaints

Then in January, Rosely would raise concerns over a separate 'potentially legal liability' for the company after learning that a new female employee, Shelby Fulton, had told Nye that COO Ben Pham had been romantically pursuing her in an 'aggressive manner,' according to the documents.

Strive's website still lists Fulton as the firm's director of business development and it is unclear from the lawsuit what resulted from Pham's alleged advances.

Rosely claims she reported the issue to Head of People Strategy Laura Brady, admitting that she herself had witnessed interactions between Pham and Fulton when they traveled together and found them 'very uncomfortable to observe.'

In response, Brady instructed her to 'keep an eye on them and report back,' the papers state.

But according to the complaint, 'Brady nor anyone else acting on behalf of the company did anything to deter Pham from pressuring a newly-hired subordinate into a sexual relationship.'

She claims she confronted Pham directly about why Fulton was 'repeatedly traveling with him unnecessarily,' only for the COO to tell her to 'mind her own business.'

When she brought the issue up with Frericks, the filing claims, 'his only response was that it was none of his business.

About two months later on March 21, Rosely claims she met with Frericks and Brady, who 'summarily dismissed her with no prior notice or warning.'

'The only explanation that they provided to Ms. Rosely was that the company was 'reorganizing', and as a result, there was 'no longer a position' for her,' the complaint states.

The ousted executive also claims that her firing was motivated, in part, by her age.

Rosely, who was 52 at the time, Nye, 54, and Regional Sales Director John Phillips, 53 - the only Strive employees over the age of 50, were all the laid off on the same day - as well as Senior Vice President and Regional Sales Director J.P. Towey, 40.

The ousted executive, who is from New Jersey, also claims that her firing was motivated, in part, by her age

The asset management firm was founded in early 2022 by the presidential hopeful and Anson Frerick (pictured together) and has branded itself as 'anti-woke'

Curiously, Rosely also claims that Ramaswamy traveled to the company's headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, the day after her contract was ripped up where he reportedly briefed staff about her firing.

'We had to do this,' the lawsuit quoted him as saying, alleging he was still involved in the day-to-day running of Strive.

Two weeks later, Ramaswamy allegedly appeared at the firm's offices again to announce the appointment of Matt Cole as the new chief executive officer.

He had announced in February that he was stepping down as executive chairman to focus on his White House bid.

The Strive founders' lawyers want Rosely's case to be moved from New Jersey to Ohio where the firm is based and where Ramaswamy still lives.

Failing that, they called on the New Jersey judge, Julien Neals, in their letter filed last week to throw out her claims completely.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, a Strive spokesperson said: 'The allegations in the Rosely matter reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of Strive's business practices from an individual who underperformed in her role at the company.

'This suit is just part of the next round of attacks directed at Strive as it surpasses all growth expectations. As Strive continues to succeed with the contrarian position to protect and preserve Shareholder Primacy across Corporate America, we expect nothing less than for opponents of our important mission to increasingly strike back.

'The firm maintains its position on these matters and will vigorously defend itself in court.'

Joyce Rosely failed to reply to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Strive Asset Management is a self-styled activist investment firm that states its aim is to pressure companies to abandon environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives.

In a response filed on October 5, attorneys for Ramaswamy slammed the suit as 'bare accusations' that have no 'direct or circumstantial evidence' to support Rosely's claims, and demanded the case be dismissed

Ramaswamy has continuously railed against what he calls 'woke' investment policies during his tilt for America's top job.

And the Rosely lawsuit is the latest legal headache for the biotech entrepreneur.

He could be forced to testify under oath in New York as part of a separate legal case being heard in Bermuda, a tax haven.

A group of angry investors in another Ramaswamy venture want him to testify under oath because they believe they were short-changed in a merger deal.

Lawyers for Alpine handed Ramaswamy a subpoena to appear and be quizzed at their offices in New York, a move his attorneys have likened to harassment.

Their plan was to grill the GOP's rising star over his role in the $1.7billion buyout of Myovant Sciences in March of this year.

They are also asking him to cough up documents that they claim could boost their chances of winning their court case in the British territory, which was filed in February.

Ramaswamy's attorneys have lodged repeated motions to delay his participation in any deposition, arguing he is too busy with his presidential bid.

A spokeswoman for Ramaswamy's 2024 presidential campaign declined to comment.
When Walt Disney visited a tiny Lincolnshire village in 1949 in the hope of tracing his ancestry, he encountered more than he could have dreamed of.

There in Norton Disney's 1,000-year-old parish church was the tomb of his reputed ancestor, the 14th-century nobleman Sir William d'Isney - complete with a family crest.

It was that crest which was added to Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disneyland in California on Walt's orders in 1965, and since 2006 has featured in the opening titles of every Disney film.

But everyday parts of Norton Disney's fabric might also have inspired classic Disney films too.

A list of 'incumbents of Norton Disney' stretching back to 1223 hangs in the village's St Peter's Church and might have been echoed in the opening titles of the 1973 classic version of Robin Hood, where the pages of a similarly-styled book turn to tell the background story.

As for Norton Disney's pub  which Walt enjoyed a game of darts in  might it have been the inspiration for Gaston's tavern in the 1991 production Beauty and the Beast?

Meanwhile, the nearby Somerton Castle  which was the home of the d'Isney family in the 14th century  looks eerily similar to the King's Castle in the original 1950 production of Cinderella, along with its sequels.

And the stone gargoyles on the exterior of St Peter's Church could be compared to Victor, Hugo, and Laverne in the 1996 adaptation of the Hunchback of Notre Dam.

The stone gargoyles on the exterior of St Peter's Church could be compared to Victor, Hugo, and Laverne, the gargoyles in the 1996 adaptation of the Hunchback of Notre Dam

Accompanied by his wife and children, Walt visited Norton Disney while in the UK to supervise the filming of Treasure Island.

A film of his day-long visit shows the family greeting the then vicar at St Peter's Church, posing next to road signs and wandering around the tiny settlement.

Speaking to MailOnline yesterday, 94-year-old Norton Disney resident Hilda Kinnersley recalled the moment she took part in a game of darts with Walt, when he walked into the village pub, which is now called the St Vincent Arms but was then the Green Man.

Grandmother Ms Kinnersley, who lives on the appropriately named Disney Close, said: 'This good-looking man came in the pub with my brother and his daughters.

'Then he bought us all a drink

'We were all playing darts when he came in, so he had a game of darts. And his daughters had a game of darts.

'He came to talk to me. I used to know all of his films, look at them all.

'My daughter took her two daughters to Disneyland and they like Beauty and the Beast.

'They were all my favourites, I loved them all,' she added.

A list of 'incumbents of Norton Disney' stretching back to 1223 hangs in the village's St Peter's Church and might have been echoed in the opening titles of the 1973 classic version of Robin Hood, where the pages of a similarly-styled book turn to tell the background story

St Peter's church where ancestors of Walt Disney are buried baring the coat of arms which inspired Walt

A flag bearing the crest is seen fluttering at the top of Sleeping Beauty's castle in the short clip

Walt Disney's visit to his ancestor's tomb was documented in the popular London Illustrated magazine

Disney visited the Green Man pub, which was then called the St Vincent Arms. There he played darts with Ms Kinnersley and other locals

Gaston's tavern in Beauty and the Beast could be compared to the Green Man pub, which was visited by Walt Disney

The nearby Somerton Castle  which was the home of the d'Isney family in the 14th century  looks eerily similar to the King's Castle in the original 1950 production of Cinderella, along with its sequels

London Illustrated magazine dedicated two pages to the businessman's visit, the highlight of which was his discovery at St Peter's Church.

There he saw d'Isney's crest, which showed three lions facing left - the symbol of Normandy.

The d'Isneys had come from France to England with William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Their name then changed over the centuries, first to d'Isgny and then to D'Iseny, before finally becoming Disney in around the 13th or 14th centuries.

With its population of just over 240, the Lincolnshire village of Norton Disney is not often used to publicity. It has just one pub, a historic church and a village hall, so its residents are accustomed to a quiet life

Speaking to MailOnline this week, 94-year-old Norton Disney resident Hilda Kinnersley recalled the moment she took part in a game of darts with Walt, when he walked into the village pub, which is now called the St Vincent Arms but was then the Green Man

The tomb of Sir William d'Isney, whose family had come to England from France with William the Conqueror

Speaking from St Peter's Church, which dates back to the 11th century, historian and Disney expert Sebastien Durand told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme yesterday: 'This is the oldest place in England where you can find a trace of Disney, of Walt Disney's history and his family tree and even his coat of arms.'

He added that there is a '99 per cent' possibility that Disney's name originates with from the French family memorialised in St Peter's Church.

Local historian Richard Parker, 61, the secretary of the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, expanded on the De Isgnys' connection to the area, as well as their role in quelling the Lincolnshire Rebellion of 1470.

'This is in the place in England with the longest association with the name Disney but it's not the only place,' he told MailOnline.

'It's well known by locals.

'The family acquired lands nearby and there's tombs there. Next door in a parish called Ulessby there is a piece of land as Dis Ney Land. That's the first Disneyland.

In the Tudor times the Disney's were involved in putting down the Lincolnshire Rebellion. Pictured: A view of Somerton

Pictured: Somerton Castle; Temple Bruer, Lincolnshire, 1857

'You'd thought Disneyland was in Florida in America, but it's not. It's in a rural piece of Lincolnshire 700 years ago. It's official.

'Back in the Tudor times the d'Isenys were involved in putting down the Lincolnshire Rebellion.'

'They moved to Somerton Castle and it was in ruins. They rebuilt it and there's a Disney wing in the southwest part.

'This is the first Disney castle, and it has turrets as well.'

Stan Underwood, who works at St Peter's as a bell ringer, looks after the cartoons that were drawn to celebrate both the 50th anniversary of Mickey Mouse and the 100th anniversary of Disney.

Showing off the older cartoon, Mr Underwood, 83, said: 'This smaller one has been in the bell tower since 1978.

The 11th-century St Peter's Church, which was visited by Walt Disney in 1949

An image from London Illustrated's feature on Walt's visit, showing how he looked at signatures of members of the original Disney family, written more than 500 years ago

Walt Disney is seen standing near a road sign and with his daughters during his family's visit

A cartoon that was produced by a Disney illustrator to mark the 100th anniversary of the firm's founding

Stan Underwood, who works at St Peter's as a bell ringer, looks after the cartoons that were drawn to celebrate both the 50th anniversary of Mickey Mouse and the 100th anniversary of Disney

'It was a done by a bell ringer for the 50th anniversary of not the foundation of Disney but for Mickey Mouse.

'Disney recently saw that and decided to make a surprise presentation of this.'

Speaking of the newly-produced sketch, he added: 'It looks good, they've captured the sign well. This was done by a current cartoonist from Disney.

'We have to make sure that they don't get stolen.'

Roy Husemeyer, 77, owns the old Rectory where Walt and his family were seen visiting in 1949, when it was the home of the village's vicar, Reverend RK Roper.

He also owns an original copy of the London Illustrated feature documenting the family's visit.

'When we came here from Grantham there were cuttings from the magazine in the pub, framed and hanging on the wall.

Walt Disney is seen with his wife Lillian in the 1950s. The couple were married for more than 40 years

Walt Disney is seen with his wife Lillian and daughters Sharon and Diana

The crest also features at Disneyland theme parks around the world. Above: On Sleeping Beauty's castle in California

'About five or so years later the pub went into decline as so many do and the pictures disappeared but I don't know where they are.

'I heard from someone that in Chesterfield there was a one-man business who sold on copies of articles from publications.

'I'm a sucker for these sorts of things so I wrote to him.

'It cost me 18, that was it. It was a publication that I had never heard of.

'By that stage Walt Disney was a millionaire with every facility that he wanted at hand.'

He added: 'The church, the history, the d'Isneys, the proper Disneys, are just a fascinating story.'
A social media tv expert who worked on hit shows including The Voice and Sunday Brunch headbutted a pub manager during a covid meal row, a court heard.

Joel Young, 47, objected to what amounted to a 'substantial meal' after ordering sausage roll and chips and launched the sudden attack on Skyla Bryant as he left the premises, the jury at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court were told.

The Leather Bottle pub in Garrett Lane, Tooting were enforcing the then-covid rules, which stipulated alcohol could only be served with a full meal.

Young, from Colindale in Barnet, who has also worked for ITN, Channel Four News and First Dates Hotel, has pleaded not guilty to assault, causing actual bodily harm to Skyla Bryant on December 5, 2020.

'It was the evening and Joel Young and his friend ordered a basic sausage roll and fries, with maybe a scotch egg,' said Mr Bryant. 'They claimed they had a substantial meal, but I encouraged them to place another order.

Joel Young, a social media tv expert who worked on hit shows including The Voice and Sunday Brunch, headbutted a pub manager during a covid meal row, a court heard. He is pictured on the set of The Voice

Young, (left outside court) pleaded not guilty to assault, causing actual bodily harm to Skyla Bryant (right) on December 5, 2020

Young, 47, (pictured) objected to what amounted to a 'substantial meal' after ordering sausage roll and chips and launched the sudden attack on Skyla Bryant as he left the premises, the jury at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court were told

'They complained about the rules and I reminded them of the guidelines and things escalated from there.

'It was Joel Young that got angry and he continued the conversation, saying: 'This is f***ing ridiculous, this is a substantial meal,' and continued to swear.

'He downed the rest of his pint and said: 'Bye then,' and I said: 'bye then,' and he turned around on the spot and and head butted me in the face, in the nose.

'The top of his forehead landed on the bridge of my nose.'

Earlier prosecutor Mr Francis Gaskin told the jury: 'This was during covid and there were Tier Two restrictions in place at the time and customers needed to be having a substantial meal to be served alcohol.

'This defendant and his friend went to the Leather Bottle and ordered some drinks and some food, sausage roll and chips.

'The deputy manager, Mr Bryant looked at the food order and said it was not a substantial meal and the customers should go or order more food.

'Mr Young was not happy about this and was angry, is the prosecution's case. He put his glass down firmly on the table and said he was leaving.

The defence case is that Young thought he was about to be attacked by Mr Bryant and used lawful force to defend himself. Young is pictured with Nile Rodgers

When cross-examined by Young's lawyer Will Hanson Mr Bryant denied he was the aggressor. Young is pictured with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer

'He went to the door and there was a time when both men were close and Mr Young head butted Mr Bryant, striking his face with the bridge of his nose.

'This was completely unnecessary, uncalled for, unlawful and unprovoked.

'The defence case is that he thought he was about to be attacked by Mr Bryant and used lawful force to defend himself.

'He went to hospital with a cut to his eyebrow and redness to his nose, which was bent and there was a fracture and damage to the nose.

'To be fair there was a previous incident when Mr Bryant suffered damage to his nose.

'Nothing was done by Mr Bryant that would make anyone think he was going to assault anybody.'

When cross-examined by Young's lawyer Will Hanson Mr Bryant denied he was the aggressor.

The pub manager also denied 'facing up to,' Young with his 'fists clenched,' and was about to assault the defendant. Young is pictured with The Saturdays

'You could have appeared intimidating by following as he left?' asked the lawyer. 'Were you angry and acting aggressively?'

The pub manager denied this as well as a suggestion he repeatedly shouted: 'Get off the premises.'

He also denied 'facing up to,' Young with his 'fists clenched,' and was about to assault the defendant.

'I disagree,' insisted Mr Bryant.

The trial continues.
The war on holiday lets has moved inland  with councillors at a landlocked city preparing to vote on taking action against homes being converted into investment properties.

Seaside towns and villages around the country have been introducing bans on short-term rentals and holiday homes over concerns they inflate prices, leaving locals unable to get on the property ladder.

But historic Cambridge is now considering issuing a demand that the government cracks down on the practice.

The issue is to be debated this week after a Lib Dem councillor complained Airbnbs and similar websites were 'squeezing' young locals in particular out of the university city.

Karen Young said the Labour-run city council needs to write to the government to call for more regulation, adding many rental properties were also a 'source of neighbourhood nuisance' as they were not in a suitable area or were of substandard quality.

Seaside towns and villages around the country have been introducing bans on short-term rentals and holiday homes over concerns they inflate prices, leaving locals unable to get on the property ladder. Cambridge is now considering issuing a demand that the government cracks down on the practice

Historic Cambridge is now considering issuing a demand that the government cracks down on holiday lets

She said: 'Advertising a room on Airbnb and other similar platforms started off as a practical way to generate occasional income for a few, renting out a spare room or a whole dwelling for a few weeks of the year whilst on holiday. But the practice has grown hugely since the site was founded and is now enormously commercialised.

READ MORE: How villagers are going to battle across 30-mile stretch of coastline as they fight to ban wealthy townies from buying second homes Advertisement

'This has had the effect of taking out privately owned and rented property from the market for long-term living and putting it on the market for short-term and holiday lets and other temporary use.

'Currently, there are few or no proactive controls available to the local planning authority or council to oversee such changes of use, particularly in smaller properties, and therefore no means by which neighbours can put forward their views on such changes, or where additional comings and goings from servicing of such properties can be properly assessed.'

She added: 'Uncontrolled changes of residential property to continuous short-term lets have the effect of squeezing the housing market for people who want to live close by to where they work - in particular, driving out young people at the lower end of the price range who want to live where they were brought up and raise children, and thus reducing the long-term sustainability of communities.

'In some cases, [it is] enabling a source of neighbourhood nuisance by virtue of the use of inappropriate buildings or locations, turning Cambridge into a town with unsuitable or substandard accommodation for visitors to Cambridge.'

Cllr Young also called for the council to use the city's Local Plan  which sets out the framework for future development of an area - to 'address these concerns'.

The motion will be debated and voted on at a full council meeting on Thursday.

There are around 52,000 households in Cambridge. Figures in December last year showed there were 2,158 properties classed as second homes, compared to 2,001 in 2021.

The issue is to be debated this week after a Lib Dem councillor complained Airbnbs and similar websites were 'squeezing' young locals in particular out of the university city

These second homes are unlived in but fully furnished and include holiday lets like AirBnBs as well as 'buy-to-leave' properties, which are purchased as investments and left unoccupied in the expectation their value will rise.

Karen Young said the Labour-run city council needs to write to the government to call for more regulation

In April, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced a consultation into introducing planning permission for existing homes to be converted into short-term lets in tourist hotspots.

A property investor in Cambridge, who didn't want to be named, said: 'I will be watching the outcome of the [council] debate closely, as any vote to lobby government to toughen up things for people like me who rent out properties short-term is a strong sign they will take advantage of the Communities Department's plans, assuming they are adopted at some point.

'This is potentially another nail in the coffin for modest investors like me who have a property or two that are meant to be part of their pension income. Tax changes have already put a huge squeeze on us.

'I provide a valuable service and help bring tourist money into the city. As far as I'm concerned, the pendulum has swung too far.'

An Airbnb spokesman said: 'We welcome regulation and have long led calls for the introduction of a short-term lets register to give authorities the information they need to know what's going on in their communities.

'In the UK, the typical Host on Airbnb lets out their space for just three nights a month, with many doing so to afford rising living costs.

'The government is currently consulting on new rules for short-term lets and we look forward to an update in due course.'

Cambridge City Council was contacted for comment.
The family of a 22-year-old Canadian-Israeli woman has said she is dead following the Hamas terror attack at the Israeli music festival last week.

Shir Georgy had been missing following the barbaric ambush of the Tribe of Nova music festival in Southern Israel.

For a week her family held out hope that Shir might be found, but were recently given the worst news by authorities who confirmed her murder.

Michal Bouganim, Georgy's aunt, said the family is a devastated mess, while simultaneously preparing for the young woman's funeral in Israel Saturday night.

In an Instagram post, Bouganim shared a picture of her niece with a message that read: 'My family received the terrible news. It is with great sadness and a broken heart that we announce the murder of our beloved Shir.'

Shir Georgy had been missing following the barbaric ambush of the Tribe of Nova music festival in Southern Israel

Her body was found in the nearby Kibbutz Be'eri, a community that saw an unfathomable amount of carnage on October 7, as Palestinian terrorists went from home to home murdering entire families.

Messages of support began pouring in for the family, including one from Canadian Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, who wrote, 'Thinking of the family and friends of Canadian-Israeli Shir Georgy who was brutally murdered at the hands of the terrorist death cult, Hamas.'

'May her memory be a blessing.'

George became the fourth Canadian to be confirmed dead in the Hamas terror attack that launched the region into war and claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis.

Also passing from the attack at the music festival were 22-year-old Ben Mizrachi of Vancouver, 33-year-old former Montreal resident Alexandre Look and Adi Vital-Kaploun, a 33-year-old Israeli-Canadian with connections to Ottawa.

Since the terror organization Hamas, who was at one time democratically elected by the Palestinian people to lead Gaza, attacked Israel last Saturday, slaughtering some 1,400 Israelis and injured at least 3,600, death tolls have climbed on both sides.

The Gazan Ministry of Health reported the Palestinian death toll has climbed above 2,300, a figure that will surely increase if Gazans are not free to move out of the area Israel has explicitly told them to vacate.

The music festival attended was one of the first sites to be attacked by the terrorist group, with 260 revelers massacred there.

For a week her family held out hope that Shir might be found, but were recently given the worst news by authorities who confirmed her murder

George became the fourth Canadian to be confirmed dead in the Hamas terror attack that launched the region into war and claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis

Since the terror organization Hamas, who were at one time democratically elected by the Palestinian people to lead Gaza, attacked Israel last Saturday, slaughtering some 1,400 Israelis and injured at least 3,600, death tolls have climbed on both sides

Destroyed cars and personal effects are still left scattered around the Supernova Music Festival site

Israel reported Saturday that 258 of its soldiers had been killed so far.

As partygoers at the Nova music festival danced in the sands of the Negev desert at sunrise, they were oblivious to the horror about to descend upon them.

In one of the most spine-chilling videos, filmed by a carefree reveler in the moments before joy turned to unspeakable terror, the paragliders appeared simply as innocent grey specks in the sky.

Flying in formation, the fleet of Falcon Squadron fighters swooped low over the stunned partygoers and opened fire with machine guns mounted on the frames and Kalashnikov rifles.

Some of the Hamas 'pilots' were flying solo, others were in two-man aircraft.
Sunrise host Nat Barr has clashed with Peter Dutton in a fiery television interview after he abandoned plans to hold a second Indigenous Voice To Parliament referendum.

Weeks earlier, the federal opposition leader appeared on the program, vowing to hold a referendum to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution if elected in 2025, even if the Voice was defeated in Saturday's referendum.

He said it was the right and respectful thing to do to acknowledge the nation's history and Indigenous Australians.

Dutton has since backflipped on that promise after an emphatic No result, claiming that Aussies are over referendums and are in no rush to return to the polls.

His previous comments came back to haunt him when he appeared on Sunrise on Tuesday to take aim at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before Barr called Dutton out on his hypocrisy.

The Voice referendum ended in disaster for the Prime Minister and Yes camp. Pictured are supporters reacting to the loss

READ MORE: Nat Barr loses it at Anthony Albanese's government after the failed voice referendum Advertisement

'There will be a lot of Indigenous leaders pretty unhappy with the Prime Minister, who says one thing in one room and then walks into the next room and says completely opposite,' Dutton said.

Barr was quick to call out Dutton's hypocrisy.

'But that's exactly what you are doing,' Barr fumed.

Dutton interrupted, 'It's just not Nat,' before Barr unleashed.

'You are! You said to me on this program a month ago, that we are going to hold a referendum, and now you are not. You have flipped on it. Whether people agree with you or not is another point. You said that you were going to do it if you got in?'

Dutton insists the Coalition's policy remains the same but that the Prime Minister called for the referendum without support from both sides.

'This is the policy if you look at the detail that we went to the last election with,' he argued.

'There's nothing new or tricky here. The fact is you should not go to a referendum unless you have bipartisan support.'

Barr also reminded Dutton on his previous commitment made on the program in September.

'I said '$400 million to spend again after this referendum sounds a bit strange,' she recalled

'And you said ''yeah, yeah it's the right thing to do. Why is it not the right thing to do now?'

Nat Barr (left) clashed with opposition leader Peter Dutton (right) on a fiery interview

Dutton reiterated the Coalition's policy of working towards better outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

'It remains our policy, but as I've said and as John Howard and Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison have said, you can't go to a referendum unless you think you are going to win it, and this was a huge mistake that the Prime Minister made that ended up humiliating and dividing the nation.

'I think it made a statement that I don't think Australians are wanting to rush back to the polls for a referendum.'

Dutton was also grilled by Barr's co-host, Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington.

'The prime minister said that 'you are so negative, you are even opposing yourself right now. You are all trailer and no movie,' Shirvington began.

'He also said when you made a promise to Indigenous people in particular, that you should fulfil it.' Do you agree?'

Dutton agreed but pointed out that Mr Albanese committed to the Statement of Uluru in full on 34 occasions.

'That means not just a Voice. It means a treaty, truth-telling and a makarrata,' he said.

'The government committed something like $26 million already to this process. They've spent about $900,000 already in addition to the $450 million that he spent on the referendum, which has been a disaster.'

Dutton described Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's referendum as a disaster. Pictured is the PM addressing the nation on Saturday night

Mr Dutton added he wouldn't go to another referendum without refusing to explain or engage with Australians. Nor would he not seeking bipartisanship.

'Australians have paid a big price because he has divided our country and the task for us now is to get back to basics, to make sure the money is being spent where it is supposed to be spent in Indigenous communities, not on bureaucrats,' Dutton said

'Australians are working harder than ever for their money, they are paying tax dollars and they want them to be spent wisely.'

Barr and Shirvo continued their discussion after the interview ended.

'I agree that's exactly what people want, they want the politicians to get back to work and it was a resounding no but I also think if they say something it would be good if they just followed through,' Barr said

Shirvo added: 'Eighty per cent of Indigenous people wanted recognition in the Constitution at that point. It was then going beyond that.'

'Interesting to see politicians backtracking at the moment.'
An Indigenous woman has thanked Australians for voting No to the Voice to Parliament referendum, which was resoundingly defeated over the weekend.

The woman, who has long rallied against the proposal, shared a video to her social media account praising the community on Monday.

'Thank you, all Australians that cottoned on that dividing us by race and constitutionally enshrining us by race, an inferior classification, was wrong,' she said.

'Our old way is mob speak for themselves. Old people live on our lands. That's where the voices are,' she explained.

'Mob speak for others only when given mandate to.'

An Indigenous woman has thanked Australians for voting No to the Voice to Parliament referendum in a viral TikTok video

The First Nations woman argued that shutting down the referendum has allowed her mob to retain their independence and sovereignty.

'Thanks to a No vote, our mob still have human autonomy, and their human and cultural right to speak for their lands,' she said.

She tagged her clip, '#stillsovereign'.

The woman's video garnered more than 407,000 views.

Many viewers and followers in the comments agreed with her sentiment.

'I voted no and proud to do it. Its not up to us non indigenous to speak for you all,' said one viewer.

Another wrote: 'You are very knowledgeable. I have followed you throughout this whole process. I think you have potential to do a lot of good.'

'Too bad Albo didnt give that $380 million to the elders to hand out as needed,' commented a third viewer.

'Thank you!! You are a inspiration to black fellas and all Australians, you should be proud of your strength and the ability to ignore haters,' said another.

A fourth added: 'No matter the colour, we are all one.'

The woman argued that shutting down the Voice referendum has allowed her mob to retain their 'human autonomy' and independence

Australia voted No to the proposed change to the constitution, with every state rejecting the proposal and only the ACT voting Yes as the count continues.

The Albanese government is still facing the fallout from the failure of the Voice referendum, with federal cabinet reconvening to address Indigenous disadvantage this week.

Recent data from remote polling booths found large populations of Indigenous Australians were mostly in favour of the Voice.

This was especially accurate in the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Wadeye in the NT's north had a 91 per cent Yes vote, while the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin and which has an Indigenous population of 87 per cent, had support for the Voice at 84 per cent.

Palm Island in Far North Queensland has an Indigenous population of 91 per cent, with polling booths in the area having a 75 per cent Yes vote.

Also in Queensland, Mornington Island had 78 per cent of voters supporting the Voice. The Indigenous population is higher than 80 per cent.

Areas that had large populations of Indigenous Australians were mostly in favour of the Voice, data from polling booths has shown (pictured is booth in Midland, Perth)

In Broome, in Western Australia, there is an Indigenous population of around 30 per cent. The Yes campaign secured 56 per cent of votes in the region.

Three in four of the 740 living in Yuendemu also supported the referendum. Some of Ms Price's family live in the community.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Territory seat of Lingiari, which has an Indigenous population of 40 per cent, there was just a 44 per cent Yes vote.

The Yes campaign had said 80 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were in favour of the Voice - an argument rejected by the No camp.

That claim is based on 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.
A veteran Tory MP is facing suspension for belittling, hitting and exposing himself to a junior employee in a sleaze scandal that could spark another by-election.

Peter Bone was found by a parliamentary watchdog to have 'committed many varied acts of bullying and one act of sexual misconduct' against a young man who worked in his Westminster office.

The politician shouted at the staffer to shut up, threw pencils at him and ordered him to sit with his hands in his lap in a 'humiliating ritual'.

During a work trip to Madrid, the MP booked them into a shared hotel room and dropped his towel after telling the younger man to inspect the shower. Mr Bone, 70, dismissed the allegation as 'pure fantasy' and insisted that working for him was always 'relaxed and fun'.

But investigators believed the accounts of his former employee as well as of witnesses and the complainant's family. 'This case is all about the exercise of power and control over a young employee, both in the bullying and sexual misconduct,' said a report by the Independent Expert Panel, which deals with sanctions against MPs.

Peter Bone (pictured) was found by a parliamentary watchdog to have 'committed many varied acts of bullying and one act of sexual misconduct' against a young man who worked in his Westminster office

Mr Bone said the allegations were 'false and untrue' and that ten of his other employees had testified that his office was 'professional, accommodating and friendly'. Pictured: With ex-wife Jennie

Mr Sunak is already facing two challenging by-elections this week to replace Tory MPs who stood down. Pollsters have said he must win at least one of the contests  in the Mid Bedfordshire seat of former culture secretary Nadine Dorries and the Tamworth constituency of ex-deputy chief whip Chris Pincher  to keep alive hopes of winning the next election.

The parliamentary watchdog said the complainant kept a detailed log of the abuse he suffered while working in the Westminster office of Mr Bone, MP for Wellingborough since 2005 and briefly deputy leader of the Commons under Liz Truss.

Of the Madrid incident in January 2013, the report said: 'It was indecent exposure. There can be no doubt about it.'

The complainant resigned that month and later made a series of complaints. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards upheld five allegations of bullying and one of sexual misconduct against Mr Bone. His appeal was dismissed by a panel that determined he should be suspended from the Commons for six weeks. If confirmed by the House, the suspension will trigger a recall petition.

Mr Bone said the allegations were 'false and untrue' and that ten of his other employees had testified that his office was 'professional, accommodating and friendly'. He insisted the investigation was flawed and procedurally unfair.
At least 30 pro-Palestinian Jewish protesters were arrested on Monday for blocking all the entrances to the White House.

Demonstrators demanding an end to 'genocide' in Gaza and an Israeli ceasefire swarmed the complex while President Joe Biden held national security meetings inside.

Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, it was announced on Monday night. After meetings in Tel Aviv, he will then travel to Jordan to meet Arab leaders including the king, Abdullah, and the presidents of Egypt and Palestine.

IfNotNow, the group organizing the march, posted on X: 'We're prepared to put our bodies in the way of more slaughter  we're ready to stay here until Biden forces a ceasefire.

'We're here because we know humanitarian catastrophe, mass violence upon Gaza won't prevent more violence or heal our pain,' they added in another post.

The Secret Service told DailyMail.com they had recorded 33 arrests on charges of unlawful entry, and 16 on charges of 'incommoding,' or obstruction.

At least 30 pro-Palestinian Jewish protesters were arrested on Monday for blocking all the entrances to the White House

Demonstrators demanding an end to 'genocide' in Gaza and an Israeli ceasefire swarmed the complex while President Joe Biden held national security meetings inside

IfNotNow, the group organizing the march, posted on X: 'We're prepared to put our bodies in the way of more slaughter  we're ready to stay here until Biden forces a ceasefire.

The group shared video of their activists staging a sit-in outside the White House, blocking roads and being arrested.

They condemned the Hamas attack of October 7, writing on October 10: 'Our shock and grief grow as more gruesome details of crimes against humanity committed by Hamas against Israelis continue to emerge. We are counting our own loved ones among the victims. These crimes are indefensible and unconscionable.'

But they also demand that the bombing of Gaza stop.

They sat in front of the White House gates and demanded that Biden insist Israel stop its attacks on Gaza.

'Three big groups of Jews and allies have shut down the major exit of the White House on 17th st,' they tweeted.

'We're not leaving until Biden calls for a ceasefire and neither should they.'

More than a million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israeli invasion that seeks to eliminate Hamas' leadership.

Aid groups warn an Israeli ground offensive could hasten a humanitarian crisis.

Israeli forces, supported by U.S. warships, have positioned themselves along Gaza's border and drilled for what Israel said would be a broad campaign to dismantle the militant group.

A week of blistering airstrikes have demolished neighborhoods but failed to stop militant rocket fire into Israel.

The war that began October 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 killed.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded.

Iran's foreign minister has warned on Monday that 'preemptive action is possible' if Israel moves closer to its looming ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

People getting arrested  and getting replaced by more people willing to commit civil disobedience to make sure those inside the White House know this is urgent & the world is watching. pic.twitter.com/wPXGmN3mWZ  IfNotNow (@IfNotNowOrg) October 16, 2023

WATCH: the moment *another* group of Jews run into the street to start a new blockade of the White House. pic.twitter.com/YWJrf476Fv  IfNotNow (@IfNotNowOrg) October 16, 2023

Forensic expert marks a body bag of an Israeli killed by Hamas militants in the National Center for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv on Monday

Riding a donkey drawn cart as family along with hundreds of other Palestinian carrying their belongings flee following the Israeli army's warning to leave their homes and move south

Palestinians are pictured on Saturday waiting at the border with Egypt, trying to get out of the enclave

The comments by Hossein Amirabdollahian follow a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, whose theocracy provides support to Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel cannot 'do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go after other resistance groups after it's done with Gaza,' he told state television.

'Therefore any preemptive action is possible in the coming hours.'

He did not elaborate on what form any action might take.

'If the limited and extremely tight windows of opportunity available to the United Nations and political actors are not used over the coming hours, opening new fronts against the Zionist regime is inevitable,' he said.

The U.N. humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, said the United Nations is in 'deep discussions' with the Israelis, Egyptians and others about getting aid through the Rafah crossing - 'hugely helped' by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken who has been traveling in the region.

Griffiths, who is heading to Cairo on Tuesday 'to try to help in the negotiations,' said in an interview with the U.N. on Monday that he was hoping for 'some good news' soon.

Griffiths said the U.N.'s 'overwhelming priority' is to get access to Gaza, saying humanitarian rules of war are being violated.

'You cannot ask people to move out of harm's way without assisting them to do it,' said Griffiths.

Israeli air strikes continue to lay waste to Gaza, hitting homes sheltering people seeking safer ground and wiping out 18 members of the same family.

A fireball erupts during Israeli bombardment in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday

A picture taken from Sderot shows smoke plumes rising above buildings during an Israeli strike on the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, as Israel pummels Gaza in preparation for a land invasion

Three families who had fled Gaza City were in a house that was struck early Monday in the southern city of Rafah. The attack killed a dozen people and left nine buried in the rubble, according to surviving family members.

A vast crater marked where the building had stood.

In the Nuseirat refugee camp in the middle of the besieged Gaza Strip, the bodies of 18 members of the Ghabayen family were loaded onto a truck.

'This is an entire family,' said Mustafa Ghabayen, a relative.

'Eighteen martyrs and three are still under the rubble.'
In February of 2022 another Rodanthe beach house was washed into the sea

The houses were both at risk of collapsing on the shore due to beach erosion

Two oceanfront houses at risk of being washed away in the ocean from the North Carolina coast were purchased by the National Parks Service.

The East Beacon Road homes in Rodanthe, North Carolina, along the Outer Banks were in danger of collapsing due to beach erosion.

For $700,000, the feds bought the homes with immediate intentions of tearing them down and turning the land into public beach access.

'What's driving the boat on this is public safety. All three of the entities here local, state, and federal, we're concerned about making sure that people who are enjoyingthe best beaches in the United Statesit's about keeping the public safe,' Dare County Commissioner Danny Couch said.

The four-bedroom and six-bedroom homes have stood on wooden stilts since the 1980s but plans to demolish them come after five privately owned beach houses collapsed in Rodanthe since 2020.

Two neighboring oceanfront houses at risk of being washed away along the North Carolina coast were purchased by the National Parks Service for a total of $700,000. They intend to knock them down soon and create land for public beach access

Two houses in Rodanthe were bought by the National Park Service in order to avoid their expected collapse. 23298 E Beacon Road (pictured) was bought by the Park Service for $471,000- a six-bedroom, 1,920square-foot beach house

The Rodanthe house on 23292 E. Beacon Road was purchased by the National Park Service for $260,000. The four-bedroom, 1,568 square-foot home had previously had a failing septic tank and was considered unsafe

David Hallac, superintendent of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore told The Washington Post that funding for this large purchase came from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

'Up until we did this, there didn't appear to be any tools in the toolbox for us to help mitigate the problems associated with these threatened oceanfront structures,' Hallac said.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund was founded by Congress in 1964 and is funded by offshore oil and gas leasing. It was made to protect important cultural and natural areas, and to expand recreational opportunities for Americans.

The houses, which were practically unlivable, had many major issues that affected those inside and the people around them.

Like many shore houses, they were made of wood, which soon chipped off as debris caused by high winds, hurricanes and wave impact that managed to float away into the Atlantic and fly away around the properties.

The deteriorating structures were not only unsafe to humans but also to wildlife in the area.

The Outer Banks has a huge population of turtles and seabirds, but with unstable homes so close to the shore, they have lost their habitats.

The houses septic systems also weren't running properly and causing flooding issues.

The Rodanthe beach house on 23298 E. Beacon Road was previously owned by Daniel Kerlakian, 36, of Cincinnati, who bought the home for $380,000 two summers ago as a rental property and as a place to call home for the summer with his family

The second Rodanthe beach house on 3292 E. Beacon Road, also known as 'Mermaid's Kiss' was previously purchased by Erick Saks in 2021. Saks was paid $100,000 less than what he paid for the house by the National Park Service due to the battered septic system

A house (pictured) sitting along the shore of the Outer Banks in Rodanthe collapsed in February of 2022. The 1,960-square-foot structure was built in 1980 near the Rodanthe Pier on what has become an erosion-prone stretch of beach

The beach house collapse from February 2022 left behind debris along miles of the coast after the main structure of the home disappeared into the water. In an effort to prevent this from happening again, the Park Service purchased the two houses on East Beacon Road

Despite the setbacks, some homeowners have opted to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to have their homes shifted back away from the shoreline, but erosion in Rodanthe has moved too fast.

A National Parks official told DailyMail.com that the shoreline near the collapsed house in Rodanthe eroded at a rate of 4.1 meters/year between 1998 and 2019.

An engineering assessment done this year by Dare County, where Rodanthe is located, found that the cost of overhauling the entire beach to make it safe would cost as much as $40million.

Over 30 years, maintaining that beach would cost more than $175 million, the report found.

In March, a house collapsed on East Point Drive in Rodanthe. According to the Cape Hatteras National Park website, the house was unoccupied and demolished during inclement weather.

On February 9, 2022, another Rodanthe house fell to its doom because of beach erosion.

The 1,960-square-foot structure was built in 1980 near the Rodanthe Pier on what has become an erosion-prone stretch of beach.

Photos show the beige house sunken into the sand of the shoreline with its top floor crushing the bottom.

The siding and panels on the front of the building can be seen jutting into the air after having come unattached from the exterior.

The Rodanthe area was made popular by Nicholas Sparks' 2008 movie Nights in Rodanthe with Richard Gere and Diane Lane.

The two homes bought by the National Park Service have since been taken off the market as they purchased the six-bedroom, 1,920square-foot house for $471,000 as the house was deemed as livable with a working septic system.

The four-bedroom, 1,568 square-foot home sold for $260,000 as it had lost its septic tank and was considered unsafe.

The ocean view from the four-bedroom, 1,568 square-foot home that was sold to the National Park Service for $260,000

The neighboring houses on East Beacon Road were bought by the National Park Service. Both homes sat right on the shoreline and risked being taken over by the Atlantic Ocean as erosion has only grown in the area

It is unclear exactly when the demolition of the houses will occur, but it is estimated to happen in the next few months. The National Park Service said on its website: 'The Seashore will seek a contractor to remove threatened structures from the two properties and restore the beach

Now that the National Park Service has bought the two homes, they plan to demolish each one in the next coming months. 'Once the beach is restored, the adjoining lots will be opened for the public to enjoy. If the structures collapse prior to demolition, the Seashore will assemble a team to promptly clean the beach and restore the area,' they said on their website

'The daily effects of winds, waves, and tides, along with rising seas and storms, have played a part in contributing to coastal erosion impacts at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, particularly adjacent to the villages of Rodanthe and Buxton, North Carolina,' the National Park Service said on their website.

Daniel Kerlakian, 36, of Cincinnati, who bought the beach house on 23298 E. Beacon Rd. for $380,000 two summers ago as a rental property and as a place to call home for the summer with his family was more than happy to sell to The Park Service.

'Why continue the stress? Why continue this battle with the ocean?' said Kerlakian.

The house next door on 23292 E. Beacon Road was bought by Erick Saks in 2021 that he and his wife named 'Mermaid's Kiss'.

The couple, who got married in the Outer Banks had hoped to pass down the home to their two young children some day.

'We understood we were taking a risk,' said Saks.

Saks was paid $100,000 less than what he originally paid for the house from the National Park Service.

Over the years he replaced the roof and spent tens of thousands of dollars to repair the battered septic system.

Erosion on the shoreline in Rodanthe has eroded at a fast pace in recent years. It would cost $40million to overhaul the entire beach, and over 30 years, maintaining that beach would cost more than $175 million

Beach houses in the area are known to sit =on wooden stilts, but over time, high winds, hurricanes and wave impact erode the wooden structures and make the area and house unsafe

The deteriorating structures were not only unsafe to humans but also to wildlife in the area. The Outer Banks has a huge population of turtles and seabirds, but with unstable homes so close to the shore, they have lost their habitats

In a Facebook post addressed to Rodanthe homeowners, Saks said: 'While this decision came with a significant financial loss and a heavy heart, we believe it's a step in the right direction for the environment we're so passionate about protecting.'

It is unclear exactly when the demolition of the houses will occur, but it is estimated to happen in the next few months.

The National Park Service said on its website: 'The Seashore will seek a contractor to remove threatened structures from the two properties and restore the beach.

Once the beach is restored, the adjoining lots will be opened for the public to enjoy. If the structures collapse prior to demolition, the Seashore will assemble a team to promptly clean the beach and restore the area.'
Harvard's Arab Alumni Association has appealed for donations to help students' mental health after they were subjected to 'relentless bullying and intimidation' for blaming Israel for the Hamas terror attacks.

The Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee issued a letter on October 7, co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations, stating: 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.'

The students leading the 33 organizations and the Solidarity Committee were named and faced calls to be blacklisted from future employment. They included the son of British businesswoman Jo Malone.

On Wednesday, the Harvard Arab Alumni Association wrote to members appealing for help in supporting the students.

'They may require legal counsel, healthcare, mental health support, financial aid or mentorship to navigate these turbulent and uncertain times.'

Supporters of Palestine gather at Harvard University on October 14. When the terror attacks were launched by Hamas on October 7, the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee issued a co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations, stating: 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence'

Harvard students at the October 14 rally on campus

The letter caused a massive backlash after 33 student societies backed the statement written by the PSC 'holding the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence'

'They have been subjected to relentless bullying and intimidation,' the association wrote, in a letter obtained by reporter John Hasson.

'This situation is rapidly deteriorating as some students find their names on watchlists, creating severe risks for their immigration status and future career prospects.

'Our ask and plea to you all is to extend your hand to these students and provide the vital assistance they need within your capacity and scope of influence.'

Neither Harvard nor the association have responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

A letter from more than 30 Harvard student groups was sent on the day of the attacks, which saw Hamas terrorists stage a dawn raid from Gaza on a music festival near the border and villages nearby. Women and children were murdered in their beds, and an estimated 200 people have been taken hostage.

Since the raid, 1,300 Israelis have been killed.

'Today's events did not occur in a vacuum,' the statement read.

'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.

'In the coming days, Palestinians will be forced to bear the full brunt of Israel's violence. The apartheid regime is the only one to blame,' it continues.

Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard, said days later the letter does not speak for the educational institution as a whole or its leadership. Her comments came after some criticized the Harvard administration for taking too long to denounce the student letter.

On Friday, she issued another apology.

Gay said the university rejects terrorism, hate and harassment based on people's beliefs while embracing free expression, even 'views that many of us find objectionable, even outrageous.'

She wrote: 'We do not punish or sanction people for expressing' objectionable or outrageous views.

'But that is a far cry from endorsing them. It's in the exercise of our freedom to speak that we reveal our characters and we reveal the character of our institution.'

Among those signing the letter was perfume tycoon Jo Malone's son, who helps lead a pro-Palestinian Harvard group behind the letter.

Josh Willcox, 22, is listed as one of three students who run the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, according to Harvard's directory of student groups.

His mother, Jo, a British perfume giant founder who sold her eponymous company to Estee Lauder in 1999, refused to address her son, simply saying the war in the Middle East had left her 'heartbroken' as she branded the attack by Hamas as 'abhorrent.'

Josh Willcox (left) son of perfume mogul Jo Malone (center) is listed as one of three Harvard students who run the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee. He is also pictured with his father Gary Willcox at a ritzy London party in 2017

Harvard President Claudine Gay (pictured) has finally condemned the 'terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel' - at odds with 34 student groups at the Ivy League institution who have pledged support to the militants

The death toll has topped 1,300 in Israel as the country plots a bloody revenge

An aerial view shows the bodies of victims of the Hamas attack on the Kfar Aza Kibbutz on Tuesday

Troops remove the bodies of victims, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday

More than 1million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israeli invasion that seeks to eliminate Hamas' leadership.

Aid groups warn an Israeli ground offensive could hasten a humanitarian crisis.

Israeli forces, supported by U.S. warships, have positioned themselves along Gaza's border and drilled for what Israel said would be a broad campaign to dismantle the militant group.

A week of blistering airstrikes have demolished neighborhoods but failed to stop militant rocket fire into Israel.

The war that began October 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded.

Iran's foreign minister has warned on Monday that 'preemptive action is possible' if Israel moves closer to its looming ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Forensic expert marks a body bag of an Israeli killed by Hamas militants in the National Center for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv on Monday

Riding a donkey drawn cart as family along with hundreds of other Palestinian carrying their belongings flee following the Israeli army's warning to leave their homes and move south

Palestinians are pictured on Saturday waiting at the border with Egypt, trying to get out of the enclave

The comments by Hossein Amirabdollahian follow a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, whose theocracy provides support to Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel cannot 'do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go after other resistance groups after its done with Gaza,' he told state television.

'Therefore any preemptive action is possible in the coming hours.'

He did not elaborate on what form any action might take.

'If the limited and extremely tight windows of opportunity available to the United Nations and political actors are not used over the coming hours, opening new fronts against the Zionist regime is inevitable,' he said.

The U.N. humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, said the United Nations is in 'deep discussions' with the Israelis, Egyptians and others about getting aid through the Rafah crossing - 'hugely helped' by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken who has been traveling in the region.

Griffiths, who is heading to Cairo on Tuesday 'to try to help in the negotiations,' said in an interview with the U.N. on Monday that he was hoping for 'some good news' soon.

Griffiths said the U.N.'s 'overwhelming priority' is to get access to Gaza, saying humanitarian rules of war are being violated.

'You cannot ask people to move out of harm's way without assisting them to do it,' said Griffiths.

Israeli air strikes continue to lay waste to Gaza, hitting homes sheltering people seeking safer ground and wiping out 18 members of the same family.

A fireball erupts during Israeli bombardment in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday

A picture taken from Sderot shows smoke plumes rising above buildings during an Israeli strike on the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, as Israel pummels Gaza in preparation for a land invasion

Three families who had fled Gaza City were in a house that was struck early Monday in the southern city of Rafah. The attack killed a dozen people and left nine buried in the rubble, according to surviving family members.

A vast crater marked where the building had stood.

In the Nuseirat refugee camp in the middle of the besieged Gaza Strip, the bodies of 18 members of the Ghabayen family were loaded onto a truck.

'This is an entire family,' said Mustafa Ghabayen, a relative.

'Eighteen martyrs and three are still under the rubble.'
The leaders of several states and territories that voted against the Voice referendum are still going ahead with reconciliation plans.

The Voice was overwhelmingly rejected after polls on Saturday showed more than 60 per cent of Australians voted No in the bitterly contested referendum.

Despite the strong support against a Voice, some states and territory governments are pushing forward with their own plans that range from implementing a state Voice or treaty.

The bitterly fought Voice campaign delivered a resounding victory for the No vote (pictured) as a majority of Australian voted against constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians

NSW

The state government promised five million dollars towards establishing a treaty process before the state election in March but they are yet to begin consultations.

Premier Chris Minns said he would be open to a state Voice but did not want to front discussions with Indigenous leaders about how to move forward following the referendum result.

Mr Minns told the Daily Telegraph pursuing a treaty was a commitment his government had made.

He said the process which would require signing agreements with 150 different Aboriginal groups would not be a simple undertaking.

'As difficult and as long as that discussion will be, it is not tolerable that (the process) has not begun in NSW,' Mr Minns said.

'It's going to be complex and difficult'.

The move comes despite almost 60 per cent of voters in the state voting No in the referendum.

VICTORIA

The First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria - an independent, elected body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional owners - was established in 2019 to prepare for a treaty between First Nations communities and the government.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission, a formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by Victoria's First Peoples, is due to deliver its next report in December 2024.

The state is relatively advanced in treaty discussions, the furthest along in Australia.

The Treaty Act, which is Australia's first ever Treaty law, passed both houses of the Victorian Parliament in June 2018 and commenced on August 1, 2018.

It has paved the way towards treaty negotiations and established an agreement between the First Peoples' Assembly and the State to develop protocols to give practical application to the guiding principles set out in the Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians.

Some 55 per cent of Victorians voted No to the Voice in the referendum despite polls suggesting the state was one among the few that was on track to vote Yes.

States and territories across Australia (pictured) are making plans to create their own Indigenous Voice across their respective jurisdictions despite the disastrous referendum vote on Saturday which failed spectacularly

QUEENSLAND

Queensland parliament in May passed the Path to Treaty Bill to establish a First Nations Treaty Institute and a formal Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry.

The state government has not announced any plans to implement a state-based Voice.

The state government has committed to the treaty process several times and across multiple state election campaigns.

Queensland had the highest share of voters across the country who rejected the Voice.

Almost 70 per cent of voters in the Sunshine State voted No with around 76 per cent of the vote counted so far.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The South Australian government legislated a state-based voice to parliament in March but postponed elections to the body until March 2024.

The decision was made to allow the referendum 'clean air', Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher said.

The Weatherill Labor government embarked on a state treaty process in 2016 but it was halted by the previous Liberal government in 2018.

The current Labor government has yet to restart the process, focusing on implementing its Voice instead.

Like the national Voice proposal, the SA Voice will not have the power to veto policies and laws or force parliament to act.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has legislated the Uluru Statement in full, which includes Voice, Treaty and Truth.

Around 65 per cent of voters in South Australia opposed the Voice.

The Yes campaign was left reeling (pictured) following Saturday's result with a majority of Australians voting No to the Voice

WESTERN AUSTRLIA

Western Australia currently has no treaty or truth-telling plans, but some lawyers and academics have called the South West Native Title Settlement between the Noongar people and the state government Australia's first treaty.

Premier Roger Cook said a state Voice was not on the agenda and sought to remind people that the state's constitution was altered in 2015 to recognise Aboriginal people.

The previous state government led by former Premier Mark McGowan began plans in 2018 to create an Indigenous representative body in Western Australia.

WA senator Pat Dodson who is known as the 'Father of Reconciliation' has urged the current state government to enshrine a state-based Voice and a establish a truth-telling process.

The move comes despite close to 64 per cent of Western Australians voting No in the referendum

TASMANIA

The Tasmanian government has committed to 'progressing truth-telling and treaty in true partnership with Tasmanian Aboriginal people' and in December appointed a six-member Aboriginal advisory body to oversee the process.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Monday said there are currently no plans to advance a state-based voice.

Mr Rockliff was one of the very few liberals who backed the Voice despite a majority of people in his own state voting No.

Almost 60 per cent of Tasmanians rejected the constitutional amendment in Saturday's poll.

The Voice campaign featured several prominent Indigenous leaders including Warren Mundine and Senator Jacinta Nampajinpa Price (pictured)

NORTHERN TERRITORY

After consultation with Aboriginal people across the territory, the NT Treaty Commission developed a two-step process comprising an overarching Territory-wide treaty followed by individual treaties with First Nations people.

After delivering its final report in July 2022, the commission was replaced by a Treaty Unit, which was tasked with implementing the commission's recommendations for treaty and truth-telling.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said her government would continue to push for better outcomes for Indigenous Australians despite the disappointing result of the vote.

Just over 60 per cent of voters in the NT voted No.

ACT

The ACT has already established an elected Indigenous voice to parliament - the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body - which advises government on matters concerning Indigenous Territorians.

The ACT government committed to starting treaty conversations in the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028.

More than 60 per cent of voters in the ACT voted Yes to the Voice making the jurisdiction the only state or territory in the country to support the Voice in a majority.
High school students across one state have taken their muck-up days to the extreme with teachers egged, campuses destroyed and police called in.

Several schools in Victoria have been left picking up the pieces after graduating year 12 students ran amok and took their end-of-year tradition too far.

Police were called to Camberwell High School, in Melbourne's east, on Thursday following reports of students causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

A group of balaclava-clad Year 12 students broke into the school and spread sardines, bleach, varnish, rotten milk and vinegar throughout the senior centre.

The students were allowed to return to the school the following Monday. One furious teacher said staff and students were targeted by the group.

Year 12 students around Victoria have been warned against taking Muck Up activities too far

Police were called to Camberwell High School on Thursday after students adamaged the school (pictured, damage at Camberwell High)

'On Thursday they were also egging and flouring students and staff. They were told to leave but came back. Three female staff were hit with eggs and the police were called,' she told the Herald Sun.

'Teachers were told to clean it up before the students arrived. We had to throw out all the couches and I don't know what they are going to do about the carpet. It was really malicious.'

A Victoria Department of Education spokesperson said the offending students were appropriately punished.

'Camberwell High School is deeply disappointed with the behaviour of some of its Year 12 students and has taken appropriate disciplinary action,' they said.

'Camberwell High School has clear policies around the expected behaviour of its students and acted immediately to stop the disruptive behaviour and support students and staff affected.'

Year 12 students from around Victoria have shared hundreds of videos showing them trashing their schools.

READ MORE: Teacher is stabbed to death by knifeman Advertisement

Muck-up Day is an Australian school-leaver tradition that sees Year 12 students host fun activities during their last week at school.

However, some students have used muck-up as an excuse to cause serious damage and create messes that take staff hours to fix.

One student from Tintern Grammar said his class had been 'robbed' of their muck-up experience because teachers cleaned their mess before classes started.

The clip shows teenagers had thrown streamers across stairwells, piled furniture in classrooms and hung 2023 posters on the walls.

Some students arrived to school early to help staff clean up the mess.

'We were absolutely robbed,' the caption read.

Cohorts from across the state shared videos of their classmates throwing bean bag stuffing throughout classrooms and halls, drawing on walls and covering furniture in silly string.

One student said his class was 'robbed' of a muck-up experience after staff cleaned students' mess (above) before classes started

Year 12 students from around Victoria have shared hundreds of videos showing them trashing their schools (pictured, a muck-up video)

At Melbourne Girls' College, all Year 12 students were locked outside the school and had their final assembly and guard of honour cancelled after muck-up activities damaged school property on Monday morning.

'A lot of the girls were in tears, They couldn't get their bags, which were thrown over the fence. We sent them to school thinking they would be safe but they had been kicked out by staff,' one parent told the Sun.

The Education Department said: 'Melbourne Girls College cancelled a final assembly for its Year 12 students on Monday after some students in the year level breached the school's clearly defined standards of behaviour.'

'The school is investigating the incident and will be following up with students.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Melbourne Girls' College and Camberwell High.
A left-leaning electorate that was once a Greens stronghold decisively voted No to the Voice - and now the mayor is flying the Aboriginal flag at half-mast.

Fremantle, covering both sides of Perth's Swan River, rejected the Voice proposal with 53.5 per cent of voters opposed to amending the Constitution, Australian Electoral Commission figures show.

In the beachside Coogee polling booth, 60.2 per cent of voters wrote No.

This was despite the local City of Fremantle council spending $35,000 of ratepayers' money on the failed Yes campaign.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, a former Labor staffer, on Monday announced her council would fly the Aboriginal flag at half-mast for the next week 'as an expression of support for local elders following the Voice referendum result'.

A left-wing electorate that was once a Greens stronghold decisively voted No to the Voice - and now the mayor is flying the Aboriginal flag at half-mast (pictured is the City of Fremantle chambers)

Fremantle, covering both sides of Perth 's Swan River, rejected the Voice proposal with 53.5 per cent of voters opposed to amending the Constitution

'We are deeply aware of the disappointment and grief currently being experienced by Fremantle's Aboriginal elders and we want to express our support and empathy,' she said on Instagram.

'They have told me they would appreciate this simple sign of solidarity.'

Fremantle independent councillor Marija Vujcic said the lowering of the Aboriginal flag was disrespectful to voters who backed the No side.

'She has no authority to lower that flag,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'That flag is only lowered in the case of a death of a king or queen, person of some note in the community.

'She once again has taken it upon herself to basically trash the 53 per cent of her people, which are the majority.'

Councillor Vujcic said the $35,000 of ratepayers' money spent on the Yes campaign was part of an 'ideologically-driven agenda which was divisive' - from a council that couldn't afford to keep a bus service.

'How is the mayor now going to react to her ratepayers who voted No?'

The City of Fremantle's Instagram message divided ratepayers with one woman, who voted Yes, explaining why the No vote prevailed.

READ MORE: Proud Australians slam Waleed Aly and ABC hosts who said No voters were 'too stupid' to understand the Voice to Parliament Waleed Aly and Patricia Karvales have been slammed after they claimed the no vote in the Voice was driven by less-educated Australians who may not have fully grasped the complexities of the issue. Advertisement

'I voted Yes but have a close friend who voted No,' she said.

'After I got over the shock of that I listened to his reasoning, and it was sadly legitimate.

'If it had been Yes, how would it have been administered, in realistic terms?'

Daily Mail Australia sought comment from Fremantle Council over their backing of the Voice campaign.

This gentrified electorate of Fremantle is the only capital city one in Australia, that rejected the Voice, to have previously had a Greens MP.

The No vote prevailed despite Fremantle's biggest booth backing the Voice with a 60.7 per cent Yes vote.

Fremantle also previously had a Greens mayor with Brad Pettitt elected in 2009, 2013 and 2017.

The port city has long been regarded as Western Australia's most left-leaning with federal Greens leader Adam Bandt, who grew up in Perth, a Fremantle Dockers supporter.

The federal, Labor-held seat of Fremantle overlaps with the state seat of the same name where Adele Carles was the Greens member, following a 2009 by-election where she received 44 per cent of the primary vote.

This was the highest-ever first preference vote at the time for a minor party in a state lower house seat, but she quit the Greens the following year after she began a relationship with Liberal treasurer Troy Buswell.

Fremantle had Western Australia's strongest Greens vote in the 2021 state election that saw then premier Mark McGowan's Labor Party win 53 out of 59 lower house seats.

Here, the Greens vote was 18.6 per cent, making it the state's most left-leaning electorate.

At the last federal election, the Greens still had 18.2 per cent of the vote in Fremantle, held by Labor's Josh Wilson.

Perth, an inner-city Labor seat, was the only one in Western Australia to back the Voice with a 55.9 per cent Yes vote.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, a former Labor staffer, on Monday announced her council would fly the Aboriginal flag at half-mast for the next week 'as an expression of support for local elders following the Voice referendum result'

The rest of the mining-rich state voted No with a landslide 63.8 per cent rejecting the constitutional amendment proposal, after Labor Premier Roger Cook had to abandon his predecessor's disastrous Aboriginal heritage laws.

The Voice has also failed in inner-city areas with Labor MPs, including Adelaide and Boothby, Chisholm and Hotham in Melbourne, and Lilley in Brisbane.

Mr Bandt's seat of Melbourne had the highest Yes vote of 77.3 per cent.

The Voice was also approved in his party's other lower house seats in Queensland.

Brisbane voted Yes with 55.8 per cent support.

In Griffith, support was at 55.7 per cent while it was 52 per cent in Ryan, a former Liberal Party stronghold which overlaps with the state Greens seat of Maiwar.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's gentrified Sydney inner-west electorate of Grayndler had a 74.3 per cent Yes vote.

It overlaps with the Greens state seats of Balmain and Newtown.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek's seat of Sydney had a 70.8 per cent Yes vote, with this electorate overlapping with part of Newtown at a state level.

The Wollongong-based Labor seat of Cunningham narrowly supported the Voice with 51.4 per cent support, in an electorate which the Greens held from 2002 to 2004 following a by-election.

Perth, an inner-city Labor seat, was the only one in Western Australia to back the Voice with a 55.9 per cent Yes vote. The rest of the mining-rich state voted No with a landslide 63.8 per cent rejecting the constitutional amendment proposal, after Labor Roger Cook had to abandon his predecessor's disastrous Aboriginal heritage laws

Labor's inner-city seats in Melbourne, where the Greens vote is high, backed the Voice with 63 per cent support in Macnamara covering St Kilda, and 64 per cent support in Wills, covering Brunswick.

In Melbourne's inner north, the Yes vote was 65 per cent in Cooper, overlapping with the state seat of Northcote which firebrand senator Lidia Thorpe held for the Greens in 2017 and 2018.

The Australian Capital Territory's three federal Labor seats of Canberra, Bean and Fenner voted Yes, with the local territory assembly having six Greens MPs who govern in a minority Labor government.

The ACT voted Yes with 61 per cent support, making it the only state or territory to support constitutional change at Saturday's referendum.

But the Labor-held seat of Richmond, in northern NSW, delivered a 56.8 per cent No vote.

It overlaps with the Greens-held seat of Ballina containing the Byron Bay booth, which backed Yes with 64.9 per cent support.

Just 32 lower seats out of 151 voted Yes to the Voice, with the national No vote at 60.7 per cent.

The Yes seats included seven held by a 'teal' independent, four Greens electorates, one Liberal seat and 19 with a Labor member.
TV hosts Waleed Aly and Patricia Karvelas have been criticised after they claimed the No vote on the Voice was driven by less-educated Australians who may not have fully grasped the complexities of the issue.

Australia resoundingly voted No to the proposed change to the constitution, with every state rejecting the proposal and only the ACT voting Yes, in a major blow for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who spearheaded the referendum.

During The Project's analysis of the results on Monday night, Aly claimed educated Australians were more likely to vote Yes.

The Yes campaign suffered a significant setback in Western Sydney, with 10 federal electorates in the area which are critical for the Labor party all voting No.

They are also home to millions of working class Australians that Aly referred to in his analysis of the referendum outcome.

Ned Mannoun, Mayor of Liverpool Council in Sydney's west hit back at Aly's comments, and said No voters in his electorate were 'not dumb'.

Education levels were the major deciding factor on whether people voted Yes or No for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Waleed Aly said, adding the referendum was just too 'complicated' for some people

'Commentary that says 'we're not smart, that's why we didn't vote for The Voice' is pretty disrespectful,' Mannoun told 2GB's Ben Fordham.

'People here are very intelligent. They get what's going on, and there are multiple reasons why they didn't vote yes to the Voice, and it wasn't because of education reasons.

'If you're using tertiary education as a way to judge intelligence then I think that's (a) very simplistic view of the world.

'There are people, I'm sure you would've met them throughout your time Ben, that work bloody hard. They're very, very, very smart people - never gone to university before.'

Mr Mannoun said voters in Western Sydney rejected the idea of supporting the Voice due to a lack of detail about the proposal.

'Once again, that gut feeling, I think people here can smell bullsh*t a mile away.

'It just doesn't make sense because if there was detail I think they would've had (a) much greater chance of bringing people on, but people didn't know what it was.

'I couldn't explain it to people. I had no detail, I think I have a good idea how government works,' he said.

'It did not make sense. So just please don't look down on us out here.'

Aly, who is also a university lecturer, said people with 'the lowest levels of tertiary education ... were at the low end of the Yes vote'.

'The biggest dividing line seems to have been education. If you were in a seat with high levels of tertiary education, bachelor or post, you were at the very top end of the Yes vote,' Aly said.

'And that's not to say people who are educated know what they are doing, people who don't have tertiary education don't, it's about the style of the message.'

Aly said he 'can totally see why you would propose (the Voice). If you go through the history, you go through the experience of the people who designed it or came up with the idea, it actually makes perfect sense.

'But most people haven't been on that journey, and when you come to them with this idea that's actually quite abstract and complicated, they're going to respond with an instinct and that instinct is it just doesn't feel right.'

Meanwhile, ABC host Patricia Karvelas came under fire after she analysed how people's education and income reflected their vote with Fran Kelly on the ABC podcast, The Party Room.

ABC Radio National and Q&A host Patricia Karvelas (pictured) came under fire after her and Fran Kelly analysed how people's education and income reflected their vote

'The yes vote, if you look at it has been achieved in places where voters have a bachelor's degree or have better than average wages Fran, right?' Karvelas said.

'If you've got a bachelor's degree, chances are you know something about government structures, you've taken an interest in the kind of way these things happen, not because you're better, but just because you've got the opportunity to have done that.'

The Radio National host stressed that she wasn't 'judging people's achievements' and only suggesting that those with a bachelor's degree more likely came to a 'different conclusion' about the Voice.

'I think about you know, who and where remote, Indigenous Australians kind of probably get it, because they live it,' she said.

'And then where people have been educated, they've come to different conclusions.'

'And then you get a whole swathe of people working very hard can I say, and probably having very little time to focus on reading constitutions, or proposals, and making pretty quick on the hot decisions, where I do think quick social media campaigns probably have had a big impact.'

'And so I think that is the bigger part of the demographic story. And the Yes campaign didn't get to those people.'

Both Waleed and Karvelas' comments have been slammed by Aussies as 'out of touch'.

One said: 'When ABC journalists like Karvelas wonder why the No campaign's message of saying 'No to Division' cut through so much, they should look take a long hard look at themselves.'

Another added: 'That comes from a talking head working in a sheltered workshop.'

A third said: 'I've met so many university indoctrinated drones who confuse an education with intelligence! They're walking irony and will never know it'.

'Education doesn't make you intelligent; critical, independent thinking is part of intelligence,' a fourth agreed.

A fifth added: 'These elite people in their rich suburbs also live far, far away from the issues, people and places that the Voice was for.

'Perhaps we less educated in the regions have a better understanding at a grassroots level as we live it, see it and understand it from a different perspective.'

Despite the reasons behind why certain classes of people voted for or against the referendum, both Karvelas and Aly were correct in stating that Australians with a degree and a higher income were more likely to vote Yes.

This was according to the demographic breakdown of the voting results.
EXCLUSIVE

Police have charged a protester, who claims to work at an Australian Air Force base, after he allegedly used vile anti-Semitic language at a pro-Palestine rally on Sunday.

The man was videoed at the demonstration in Sydney CBD's Hyde Park repeatedly screaming 'Allahu Akbar... Get the f***ing Jews wiped out' until police intervened.

After footage of the shocking outburst spread on social media, police arrested a 63-year-old man in Mt Druitt in Sydney's west on Monday evening.

The Sydney rally was one of several held across the country condemning Israel's strong response to Hamas terror attacks.

The man was on the fringes of the Sydney protest where more than 6,000 gathered to demand an end to the 'Israeli apartheid' and called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Wearing sunglasses and a Kamikaze pilot-style headband bearing a message about the Gaza conflict, the man allegedly unleashed his torrent of hate at passers-by.

When a concerned onlooker stepped in to say 'that language is not acceptable', the man in the video replied: 'I don't care as a Muslim.'

A pro-Palestinian protester (pictured) allegedly used vile anti-Semitic language on Sunday and then claimed to a police officer that he works at an Australian Air Force base

The clip posted to social media showed him delivering a lengthy outburst against Israel and the Australian government before a police officer warned him: 'It is an offence to swear in public.'

The man replied: 'I'm going home now.

'I work for the air force too, at the Richmond Airport' - referring to the Royal Australian Air Force base in Richmond, 50km north-west of Sydney.

READ MORE: Radical Muslims shout vile anti-Semitic comments, throw flares, and chant 'gas the Jews' Pro-Palestinian protesters were allowed to chant 'gas the Jews' and burn the Star of David in front of Sydney's Opera House, while a counter-demonstrator was arrested for attempting to fly the Israeli flag. Advertisement

He then complained about the police warning, saying he was not allowed to speak freely because Australia is a 'nanny state'.

'We can't do anything, we can't protest, no free speech protest. We can't express our opinion,' he said.

'We have become a nanny state, we are a nanny state.'

Police later traced a man alleged to be the protester in the video and arrested him at his home.

'A man has been charged over alleged offensive comments made during protest activity at the weekend,' said a police spokesman.

'Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command commenced an investigation, following reports of offensive comments made by an attendee at a pro-Palestine rally in Sydneys CBD on Sunday.

'Following extensive inquiries, investigators arrested a 63-year-old man at a home in Mt Druitt about 8pm yesterday.

'He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with use offensive language in/near public place/school.'

The man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on November 15.

The protester was among the pro-Palestine supporters who defied NSW Premier Chris Minns calls to not attend the rally in central Sydney, while protests in Melbourne got more heated with flares set off and a blood-soaked baby doll held above the crowd.

Last week Hamas terrorists killed about 1,200 Israeli civilians in what was described as the darkest day for Jews since the holocaust during World War II.

The Israel Defense Force in response launched a barrage of missile strikes on Gaza killing more than 2,500 Palestinians.

A huge police presence in Sydney's CBD on Sunday prevented a repeat of the ugly scenes seen last Monday at the Opera House by limiting it to a static event.

But in Melbourne 10,000 protesters marched on Sunday, initially following the lead of retiring Greens senator Janet Rice, who fired up the rally with chants of 'Free, Free Palestine!'

The protesters heard fiery speeches at the State Library before setting off for the Victorian State Parliament carrying provocative signs and props.

The most confronting was a life-like doll of a child smeared in red and covered with band-aids, highlighting the deaths of children during the latest flare up of the long-running Jewish-Arab conflict.

Pro-Palestine protests in Melbourne were more heated than Sydney's one Sunday, with flares set off and a blood-soaked baby doll held above the crowd (pictured above)

Flares were set off during the Melbourne protest against 'Israeli apartheid' on Sunday

Protesters wearing the traditional Keffiyeh headdress, which is associated with Palestinian resistance, marched in Melbourne

In Melbourne 10,000 people marched in favour of Palestinian resistance on Sunday

A protester had her face painted in support of Palestinians in Sydney on Sunday

In a show of force, more than 1,000 cops were on standby to deal with demonstrators after tense scenes erupted at a similar rally on Monday night as the Sydney Opera House was lit up in blue and white in a show of support for Israel.

Shocking footage from Monday's event showed attendees chanting anti-Semitic slogans including 'gas the Jews' and 'f*** Israel', with some even throwing flares at police.

NSW Police revealed they did not use special powers given to them to crack down on demonstrators a week later.

NSW Police this week announced beefed-up security measures and 'extraordinary powers' after Premier Minns vowed to clamp down on protest activity.

The powers, which allow police to search protesters without a reason and to arrest people who refuse to identify themselves, were introduced after the 2005 Cronulla riots.

'It wasn't necessary ... Very clearly, based on the evidence of last Monday, there were serious concerns,' Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said.

'That was very much on the forefront of our minds, which is why you saw a significant police presence rolled out...'

A police statement said Sunday's rally concluded with no significant incidents, no arrests and no injuries.

'We appreciate the co-operation of all involved for working with police to achieve today's outcome,' Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.

'There were people in the crowd that were providing the voice of reason to the members of their own communities.

'That is exactly what we would expect.'

Melbourne marches heard fiery speeches although the rally did not become violent

Police gesture to pro-Palestine protesters in Melbourne on Sunday

Police stand guard during a rally by protesters showing their support for Palestinians at Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne

Sunday's protest was initially planned as a march through Sydney's streets, starting at Town Hall, but was scrapped just days out in favour of a static demonstration after organisers failed to get the rally authorised.

Authorisation requires organisers to submit an application for approval at least seven days prior to the rally.

Protesters gathered from midday, carrying signs expressing solidarity and support for Palestinians.

'Chris Minns wanted to ban Palestinian support - he picked the wrong fight, free Palestine,' read one woman's homemade sign.

Daily Mail Australia witnessed a huge police presence on Sunday afternoon, with mounted cops patrolling Hyde Park and standing outside the Jewish synagogue.

Four men who were in a car flying Palestinian flags were pulled over and searched outside the Jewish synagogue by police on motorbikes before being let go.

Pro-Palestinian community leaders spoke at Hyde Park on Sunday in Sydney

Police officers swarmed to Hyde Park in the heart of Sydney to crackdown on an unauthorised pro-Palestine protest

Hundreds of protesters flocked to the CBD on Sunday afternoon to rally against the renewed bloodshed in the Middle East after Hamas militants attacked Israel last week

Several thousand gathered on the steps of Melbourne 's State Library where retiring Greens senator Janet Rice led chants of 'Free, Free Palestine!'

Protesters in Melbourne held signs aloft saying 'Palestine will be free' and 'stop the genocide in Gaza'

Daily Mail Australia witnessed a huge police presence on Sunday afternoon, with mounted cops patrolling Hyde Park and standing outside the Jewish synagogue

Protesters stood in rows and bowed facing Mecca as they began the event with traditional Islamic prayers.

Event organizers, who called for Australia to cut ties with Israel, asked attendees not to wear face coverings unless for medical or religious reasons to avoid troublemakers infiltrating the protest as happened on Monday.

They said they wanted to make it clear that the protest was 'absolutely against anti-Semitism' and preventing racism was 'exactly what we're fighting for'.

They tied the failure of the Voice to Parliament to the Palestinian cause - claiming both were victims of colonial supremacy.

Indigenous activist Ethan Floyd Lybrand said the referendum outcome showed 'First Nations people here in Australia and Palestinians around the world join in our shared struggle for liberation'.

'Yesterday was an agonizing day, but it was a galvanizing day. It confirmed two things for us, one, that Australians have failed the judgment test time and time again,' he said.

'It's outrageous treatment of First Nations people and its inexplicable siding with a settler colonial state such as Israel. And two that we as First Nations people have yet again failed the test by placing our faith in Australians... we should not and you should not place your faith in Australia.

'Now we're under no illusions about the kind of settler colonial project we live under. It is one which rejects any offer for First Nations people.'

Professor Peter Slezak, who is Jewish, said his parents both survived the holocaust and he knows anti-Semitism when he sees it - but the Palestinian cause was not it.

He said there are many Jews around the world who are 'distressed' and 'shamed' by how Israel has treated Palestine historically.

Thousands have gathered in Melbourne for a pro-Palestine rally

Families came out to show their support for Palestine in the wake of renewed bloodshed in the Middle East

Pro-Palestine protestors waved placards in Sydney as thousands flocked to Hyde Park on Sunday

A child is hoisted on his father's shoulders and waves a banner at the Sydney rally

A pro-Palestine supporter who attended the massive and peaceful rally in Sydney

'The attack on Israelis was said to be unprovoked but, in fact, it was a desperate breakout from a concentration camp by the people of Gaza,' he said.

'The world only pays attention when Israelis are killed and Palestine resists.

'The people of Gaza have been under the most brutal, inhumane and illegal blockade. It's a crime in international law for the past 16 years.'

Event co-organiser Amal Naser previously said the decision to make the protest static was due to legal issues obtaining police protection.

Protesters stood in rows and bowed facing Mecca as they began the event with traditional Islamic prayers

Sunday's protest was initially planned as a march through Sydney's streets, starting at Town Hall, but was scrapped just days out in favour of a static demonstration after organisers failed to get the rally authorised

Thousands of pro-Palestine supporters turned up in Sydney (pictured) - with much larger crowds seen in Melbourne

'We'll be holding a static protest. We're going to be out, loud and proud and we're not going to bow down to the pressures that we've been experiencing from police and the premier,' she said on Thursday.

'We have full intention to march next week and every week after that as long as we need.'

Ms Naser said the demonstration was to show support for 'what's happening in Gaza right now'.

She said event organisers had been warned they were unlikely to get approval for future demonstrations, but would challenge those decisions in the Supreme Court.

The event organisers called for Australia to cut ties with Israel

The two-hour event ended with a series of chants, including 'Gaza, Gaza don't you cry

Palestine will never die' and 'In our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians.'

A police helicopter was seen hovering around Hyde Park as demonstrators disbanded.

But event organisers vowed to rally again next Saturday outside Town Hall, despite the government's requests.

'Let's come back and make the 10 times bigger again,' they said.
A Berkeley law professor has warned law firms against hiring some of his students, arguing members of a pro-Palestine group that defended Hamas's terror attacks 'advocate hate and practice discrimination'.

Berkeley's Law Students for Justice in Palestine on October 11 published a letter in which they 'denounce the framing of Israel as a victim.'

The letter notably avoided any condemnation of the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which killed 1,400 people, including civilians and soldiers, and saw the terrorists capture 199 hostages.

On Monday, pro-Palestine students holding placards calling Israel 'a terrorist state' and saying the country has 'blood on its hands' marched through Berkeley's campus.

Steven Davidoff Solomon, a professor of corporate law at Berkeley, said students backing the rallies and statements defending Hamas's actions should not be hired.

Pro-Palestine students on Monday marched through Berkeley bearing signs which read 'Israel is a terrorist state'

Berkeley students on Monday proclaimed: 'Israel: you have blood on your hands'

Steven Davidoff Solomon, a professor of corporate law at Berkeley

Berkeley protestors advocating for the complete erasure and end of Israel pic.twitter.com/ldyJCtd0B2  Adam Rosenblum (@aerosenblum) October 16, 2023

'My students are largely engaged and well-prepared, and I regularly recommend them to legal employers,' he wrote, in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, published on Sunday.

'But if you don't want to hire people who advocate hate and practice discrimination, don't hire some of my students.'

Solomon pointed out that, last year, members of his university's Law Students for Justice in Palestine voted to ban any pro-Israel speakers from events.

'The student conduct at Berkeley is part of the broader attitude against Jews on university campuses that made last week's massacre possible,' wrote Solomon.

'It is shameful and has been tolerated for too long.

'It's time for the adults to take over, and that includes law firms looking for graduates to hire.'

He praised the law firm Winston & Strawn for revoking its job offer from Ryna Workman, 24, a non-binary student at NYU's School of Law after they sent a weekly newsletter saying the Hamas terror attack was Israel's 'full responsibility.'

The law firm said Workman's condoning of Hamas's actions are unacceptable.

'Winston stands in solidarity with Israel's right to exist in peace and condemns Hamas and the violence and destruction it has ignited in the strongest terms possible,' the company said.

Ryna Workman, 24, a student at NYU's School of Law sent a weekly newsletter saying that the terror attack was Israel's 'full responsibility'

Solomon said Winston & Strawn set a powerful precedent.

'If a student endorses hate, dehumanization or anti-Semitism, don't hire him,' he wrote.

'When students face consequences for their actions, they straighten up.'

He called on law firms to ask firms which organizations they were members of at university, and which groups they supported.

'If a student endorses hatred, it isn't only your right but your duty not to hire him,' he concluded.

'Do you want your clients represented by someone who condones these monstrous crimes?'

The group responded in an Instagram Story, saying that Solomon's article 'contains hateful misinformation'.

It added: 'When your law school refers to itself as a paragon of free speech but it's (sic) faculty desperately tries to quash any pro-Palestinian speech.'

Berkeley students protests on Monday, calling Israel a 'terrorist state'

The Berkeley group on October 11 issued a long statement justifying the Hamas attack - the worst day for Jews since the Holocaust.

'This week's resistance builds on a century-long liberation struggle against the systematic, continuous, and genocidal violence toward Palestinian men, women, and children,' the group wrote.

'In the last few days, Israel has killed over 900 Palestinians, fulfilling its promise to 'open the gates of hell over Gaza.''

The group condemned the dean of Berkeley Law, Erwin Chemerinsky, for speaking out in support of Israel, and said his statement 'reeks of racism.'

In a statement which notably failed to condemn the loss of Israeli life, the group said: 'His statement laments the loss of Israeli lives but completely ignores the loss of Palestinian life.

'The double standard framing of Palestinian activism as terrorism is rooted in Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric. It reinforces the notion that Arab and Muslim communities are violent, desensitizing students and faculty to Palestinian death, and paves the way for its acceptance.'

They said Israel's existence was to blame for the attacks.

'Ignoring the apartheid regime, which is at the core of the violence today, misrepresents the historical and legal facts that underpin the occupation of Palestine,' they wrote.

'The Dean's comments erase the Palestinian right to self-determination and resistance, a right enshrined in international law.'

Palestinian officials say 1,000 remain missing, feared trapped beneath the rubble of ruined homes and offices in Gaza. Rescue workers are seen on Monday searching the ruins

Air strikes have cost more than 2,750 lives and rendered half the population of Gaza refugees. Pictured: Smoke rises from various areas as Israeli attacks continue during the 10th day of clashes near the Gaza border in Sderot, Israel, on Monday

Desperate families were seen carrying mattresses on their backs as they heeded Israel's warning of further retaliatory military action on Monday

Injured Palestinians arrive at the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza on Monday

Gazans are terrified about the expected ground invasion from Israel

Bodies of people killed in the attack by Hamas on southern Israel await identification on Monday

The row is similar to ones playing out across universities in the United States.

Harvard's Arab Alumni Association has appealed for donations to help students' mental health after they were subjected to 'relentless bullying and intimidation' for blaming Israel for the Hamas attacks of October 7.

The Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee issued a letter on October 7, co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations, stating: 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.'

The students leading the 33 organizations and the Solidarity Committee were named and faced calls to be blacklisted from future employment. They included the son of British businesswoman Jo Malone.

On Wednesday, the Harvard Arab Alumni Association wrote to members appealing for help in supporting the students.

'They may require legal counsel, healthcare, mental health support, financial aid or mentorship to navigate these turbulent and uncertain times.'

Supporters of Palestine gather at Harvard University on October 14. When the terror attacks were launched by Hamas on October 7, the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee issued a co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations, stating: 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence'

Harvard students at the October 14 rally on campus

The letter caused a massive backlash after 33 student societies backed the statement written by the PSC 'holding the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence'

'They have been subjected to relentless bullying and intimidation,' the association wrote, in a letter obtained by reporter John Hasson.

'This situation is rapidly deteriorating as some students find their names on watchlists, creating severe risks for their immigration status and future career prospects.

'Our ask and plea to you all is to extend your hand to these students and provide the vital assistance they need within your capacity and scope of influence.'

Neither Harvard nor the association have responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

A letter from more than 30 Harvard student groups was sent on the day of the attacks, which saw Hamas terrorists stage a dawn raid from Gaza on a music festival near the border and villages nearby. Women and children were murdered in their beds, and an estimated 200 people have been taken hostage.

Since the raid, 1,300 Israelis have been killed.

'Today's events did not occur in a vacuum,' the statement read.

'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.

'In the coming days, Palestinians will be forced to bear the full brunt of Israel's violence. The apartheid regime is the only one to blame,' it continues.

Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard, said days later the letter does not speak for the educational institution as a whole or its leadership. Her comments came after some criticized the Harvard administration for taking too long to denounce the student letter.

On Friday, she issued another apology.

Gay said the university rejects terrorism, hate and harassment based on people's beliefs while embracing free expression, even 'views that many of us find objectionable, even outrageous.'

She wrote: 'We do not punish or sanction people for expressing' objectionable or outrageous views.

'But that is a far cry from endorsing them. It's in the exercise of our freedom to speak that we reveal our characters and we reveal the character of our institution.'
In a haunting but extraordinarily powerful dispatch from a morgue in Tel Aviv, the Mail's Sam Greenhill today reveals conclusive proof of the war crimes of Hamas.

The testimony of pathologists at Israel's National Centre of Forensic Medicine, where the bodies of some of the 1,400 men, women and children slaughtered by the terrorists were brought, is truly harrowing.

In one horrific case, scientists identified the charred, disfigured remains of an adult hugging a child. They had been cremated alive. The morgue was, Greenhill says, a 'vision of hell'. There could barely be a more clear-cut example of deliberate, cold-blooded barbarity against innocent civilians.

Yet, in an all too familiar turn of events, the pro-Palestinian Left have tried to cast doubt on the incomprehensible scale and savagery of the racially-motivated murder of Jews  or whether it happened at all.

The morgue was, Greenhill says, a 'vision of hell'. There could barely be a more clear-cut example of deliberate, cold-blooded barbarity against innocent civilians

That these anti-Semitic ghouls quibble over whether infants, brutally murdered, were beheaded or not, shows they have no moral compass, no humanity.

As the world prepared for Israel to take the next step in its all-out war with Hamas, Rishi Sunak told the Commons that the massacre, in which six Britons were killed, was nothing less than a 'pogrom'.

The Prime Minister was right to urge Israel to act according to the rule of law, while making clear this atrocity was an 'existential strike' against the very notion of Israel.

For our ally  and our own Jewish population  we must stay firm in our support.

Criminally neglectful

The disastrous overcrowding in Britain's jails has been a slow-motion car crash unfolding in front of our eyes.

Yes, the Government deserves applause for bringing in measures to lock up for longer the most dangerous criminals, such as violent and sexual offenders, in a bid to protect society at large.

But surely it was blindingly obvious this would lead to an increase in the prison population. Why have successive ministers failed to ensure there were enough cells?

The Ministry of Justice says its prison-building scheme is the 'biggest since the Victorian era'  but it's clearly not enough.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk wants to deport thousands of foreign criminals to free up space in packed jails, saving 70,000 per prisoner. He must put words into action.

British Secretary of State for Justice Alex Chalk speaks at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on October 3

Minor offenders will get stiffer community sentences, instead of short spells behind bars. But how will Mr Chalk ensure they are adequately supervised? Many criminals routinely treat such orders with contempt.

Most troubling, all but the most serious offenders will be freed 18 days early. The law-abiding public may well conclude that the pendulum has swung too far in favour of the criminals  and away from the victims.

Stealth tax on strivers

It sounds like some term used innocuously by economic wonks, but fiscal drag is an insidious way of increasing the tax take.

By freezing thresholds, chancellors can pull workers guilty of nothing more than getting a modest wage rise into taxation for the first time or paying even more.

And so it has proved. While families struggle to make ends meet, the Treasury is positively raking in the cash.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies says the Government will soon collect a colossal 52billion a year more in income tax and national insurance from fiscal drag alone.

The 40p higher tax band has morphed from a levy on the well-off into a blunt tool to hammer middle-income households.

Of course, the Mail understands Jeremy Hunt wants to repair the public finances. But high taxes disincentivise enterprise, initiative and hard work  the main engines of growth. He must find a way to cut them.

Spurious stealth taxes were once associated with Labour. Craftily picking the pockets of workers should not be the Tory way.
An ex-commando's court win against the ABC could cost taxpayers up to $3.5million in legal fees, on top of the almost $400,000 in damages the national broadcaster has been ordered to pay out.

Heston Russell successfully sued the ABC for defamation over stories published in late 2021 that claimed his Australian platoon was under investigation over its operations in the Middle East.

The stories Mr Russell claims defamed him, written and produced by investigative journalists Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson, aired on television, radio and online in October 2020 and more than a year later on November 19, 2021.

The TV report and two online articles included allegations from a US marine that he indirectly witnessed Australian soldiers execute a hogtied prisoner in Afghanistan in 2012.

The Federal Court will consider the matter of legal costs in the case on October 24 and whether the ABC will be ordered to pay his costs on an indemnity basis - or to compensate Russell on his loss.

Daily Mail Australia understands that the Digger's legal costs are in the order of $1.5million. Before the case went to trial, Russell offered to settle his case for a much lower amount - believed to be around $99,000.

Heston Rusell celebrating his court win alongside Sue Chrysanthou, SC, who delivered closing submissions on Monday urging Justice Michael Lee to reject the ABC's public interest defence and rule in Russell's favour

Mr Russell (pictured) claimed that articles aired on television, radio and online in October 2020 implied he was involved in the death of an Afghan prisoner

Legal sources have confirmed that taking into account the cost of three barristers and five lawyers, the ABC's legal costs are likely to exceed those incurred by Russell.

Taking into account Monday's Federal Court judgment by Judge Michael Lee, and interest at 3 percent, it is possible that taxpayers are likely to foot a bill of close $3.5million as a result of the litigation.

On Tuesday, comments the ABC investigative journalist made when accepting his 2020 Gold Walkley came back to haunt him when they were played by 2GB host Ben Fordham on Tuesday morning.

'There's this idea that we make sh*t up and we don't... yeah come after me... if I've made a mistake or I've been loose with my journalism - come after me. I welcome it,' he said.

Heston told Fordham that not once had Willacy made any attempt to apologise for the defamatory articles

'The flippancy and arrogance of those statements... that piece just absolutely enrages me. And that was at the Walkleys,' he said.

ABC News Director Justin Stevens also passionately defended Willacy's journalism at the May Senate estimates hearing.

'His journalism is beyond disrepute. He has done some of the most important investigations in this country,' he said.

'He's a fantastic journalist, and I think it's important that, aside from the specifics of legal cases, his journalism is beyond repute defamation law can at times constrain good public interest journalism.'

In contrast Judge Lee gave a damning rejection of the ABC's public interest defence stating that: 'Mr Willacy.had become defensive about any criticism of the October article and considered such criticism was emblematic of a broader culture war attack on all the other war crimes reporting of ABC Investigations,'

He also criticised the ABC Investigations team for getting defensive when the ABC's own Media Watch program began scrutinising their reporting, instead of undergoing 'mature reflection upon whether the reporting was fair'.

Throughout a nine-day trial over July and August, the court was told the allegations arose from a US Marine named 'Josh', who contacted Mr Willacy about his time in Afghanistan working with Australian soldiers.

In an email to Mr Willacy, 'Josh' said he was not a witness, but heard a 'pop' on the radio he believed was a gunshot.

Former special forces commando, Heston Russell (pictured, centre), with his lawyer Rebekah Giles (left) and barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC (right) before the learning they'd won the case

Mr Russell was present for every minute of the trial in Sydney's Federal Court building at Queen's Square, sitting in the back of the court as his legal team described the 'violation' he felt when the articles were published.

During the trial, Mr Russell's barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC, urged the judge to reject the ABC's public interest defence.

'There is no public interest in being lied to by the ABC about a serious allegation of murder in relation to a group of soldiers who were not afforded the opportunity to even respond,' she told the court.

Ms Chrysanthou said there was a 'significant body of evidence' that demonstrated the articles in question were a PR exercise and 'ego protection' for Mr Willacy.

She told the court the articles were a 'vindication of his original story'.

A Federal court found the articles, produced by ABC journalists Mark Willacy (pictured) and Josh Robertson, could not be proven to be in the public interest and defamed Mr Russell

Mr Russell was present for every minute of the trial in Sydney's Federal Court, sitting at the back of the court while his Ms Giles and Ms Chrysanthou, SC, said he felt 'violated' by the articles

At trial, Justice Lee said the evidence from ABC witnesses, including journalist Mark Willacy, showed 'a very great sense of defensiveness, of circling the wagons against criticism and the degree of suspicions'.

The judge previously ruled 10 defamatory imputations were conveyed by the stories, but it was up to the ABC to prove there was 'public interest' in publishing them.

Ms Chrysanthou said the submissions from either side were further apart than 'two ships in the night'.

'There's one ship, let's call that Heston, that is gliding over the seas of legal principle and the ocean of actual evidence that Your Honour heard,' she said.

'Then there's the ABC ship, that is stuck on the rocks of complete self-delusion, hypocrisy and a misstatement of the relevant law.'

She told the court a major issue in the case was that the ABC 'don't seem to understand the notion of confession and avoidance', as the broadcaster claims they 'wholly unintentionally' accused Mr Russell of the allegations.

While the articles contained a denial from Mr Russell, he claimed the use of his name and photo implied he was involved in the death of an Afghan prisoner (stock image)

While the articles contained a denial from Mr Russell, he claimed the use of his name and photo implied he was involved in the death of an Afghan prisoner.

Meanwhile Nicholas Owens SC, representing the ABC, argued that public interest reporting shouldn't be 'subject to requirements of corroboration'.

'The applicant, in effect, wishes to hold journalists to higher standards ... because requirements for corroboration really is a pretty small portion of the criminal law now,' Mr Owens argued.

'The suggestion that a journalist needs to corroborate things would be, we say, to hold them to an entirely unrealistic standard.'
A Cornell history professor - with a past of radical left-wing views - has called the Hamas terror attacks in Israel 'exhilarating' and 'energizing' at a pro-Palestine rally.

Russell Rickford is an associate professor of history and, according to his Twitter bio, a 'Historian of the black radical tradition'.

He spoke about the attacks in terms of geo-politics, saying it has 'shifted the balance of politics and punctured the illusion of invincibility' of Israel and gave Palestinians hope when he made his most inflammatory statements.

'It was exhilarating. It was exhilarating, it was energizing. And if they weren't exhilarated by this challenge to the monopoly of violence, the shifting of the violence of power, then they would not be human. I was exhilarated,' he told the crowd.

He spoke at a protest backing Palestine in the wake of the attacks that killed over 1,400 people in Israel.

A Cornell professor with a history of radical left-wing views called the Hamas terror attacks in Israel 'exhilarating' and 'energizing' at a pro-Palestine rally earlier this week

There was some approval and applause from the crowd when Rickford made his comments.

'That's what they've done. You don't have to be a Hamas supporter to recognize it,' he added.

The people who filmed the video would not say whether the rally happened on the New York campus.

In response to the speech, the crowd began chanting: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.'

Many Jewish groups believe the chant is anti-Semitic and is meant to get rid of Israel completely.

Rickford has not tweeted since June and neither he nor Cornell have responded to requests for comment.

He was previously part of an effort to revamp police forces on Ivy League campuses in the wake of the George Floyd protests in 2020.

Rickford was against Ithaca's attempt to consider an ambitious - and contentious - plan to remake its force 'from the ground up,' thinking it didn't go far enough.

Russell Rickford is an associate professor of history and, according to his Twitter bio, a 'Historian of the Black radical tradition'

The proposal would have replaced the 63-officer Ithaca Police Department with a new Department of Community Solutions and Public Safety comprising both armed officers and unarmed 'community solution officers' to handle nonviolent calls like petty thefts.

Some social justice activists dismiss it as a diluted version of what they call 'defunding the police,'

Rickford, who focuses on the Black radical tradition, said he and members of the Tompkins County Antiracist Coalition are 'deeply skeptical' of the plan.

'We fear that it is an effort to rebrand policing while suppressing or erasing the fundamental demand for massive police defunding that arose in the context of the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor uprisings,' he wrote in an email.

Academia has been a huge part of the pro-Palestinian movement in the wake of the attacks.

Supporters of Palestine gather at Harvard University on October 14. When the terror attacks were launched by Hamas on October 7, the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee issued a co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations, stating: 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence'

Harvard students at the October 14 rally on campus

The letter caused a massive backlash after 33 student societies backed the statement written by the PSC 'holding the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence'

Harvard's Arab Alumni Association has appealed for donations to help students' mental health after they were subjected to 'relentless bullying and intimidation' for blaming Israel for the Hamas attacks of October 7.

The Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee issued a letter on October 7, co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations, stating: 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.'

The students leading the 33 organizations and the Solidarity Committee were named and faced calls to be blacklisted from future employment.

A letter from more than 30 Harvard student groups was sent on the day of the attacks, which saw Hamas terrorists stage a dawn raid from Gaza on a music festival near the border and villages nearby. Women and children were murdered in their beds, and an estimated 200 people have been taken hostage.

Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard, said days later the letter does not speak for the educational institution as a whole or its leadership. Her comments came after some criticized the Harvard administration for taking too long to denounce the student letter.
Firebrand Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan's bid for speaker will be put to the test on the House floor Tuesday in a dramatic vote that could end weeks of chaos in Congress.

The Republicans have been embroiled in a civil war since Kevin McCarthy became the first speaker in history to be ousted by colleagues when eight rebel GOP members voted to remove him.

Congress has been paralyzed for two weeks, unable to conduct any business and with a month until the government runs out of money again.

Jordan has emerged as the favorite after Rep. Steve Scalise suddenly dropped out last Thursday, but at least six members of his party have promised they will still reject his bid when the House votes at noon on Tuesday.

Some have said they will vote for Kevin McCarthy again, and a few others have not said either way. Jordan can only afford to lose around four Republican votes to get to a 217 majority.

Jordan and his allies spent the weekend making calls trying to whittle down the 55 members who said in a secret conference ballot last week that they would not vote for him after he won the nomination

Jordan and his allies spent the weekend making calls trying to whittle down the 55 members who said in a secret conference ballot last week that they would not vote for him after he won the nomination.

By putting holdouts on record on the floor, Jordan risks an embarrassing loss.

But by opposing Jordan publicly, his detractors run the chance of a conservative primary challenger, given the Judiciary chairman's popularity with the grassroots.

'If folks think that they can pressure me, that's where they lose me,' said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who insisted he would not vote for Jordan.

Rep. Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy from the speakership, said he wanted to have more 'conversations' with Jordan but is concerned that Jordan won't tell him Donald Trump did not win the 2020 election.

'If hes going to lead this conference during a presidential election cycle  he's going to have to be strong and say Donald Trump didnt win the election, and we need to move forward.'

On Friday the firebrand Ohio Republican became the GOP conference's nominee, defeating Georgia Rep. Austin Scott in a 124-88 vote. Scott had jumped into the race at the last moment as moderates had little appetite for a Speaker Jordan.

Rep. Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy from the speakership, said he wanted to have more 'conversations' with Jordan but is concerned that Jordan won't tell him Donald Trump did not win the 2020 election

'If folks think that they can pressure me, that's where they lose me,' said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who insisted he would not vote for Jordan

Then in a second secret ballot, Republicans were asked 'Would you vote for Jordan on the floor?' Fifty-five Republicans said they would not do so.

Jordan's nomination for the speakership comes after Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the House's Number Two Republican, dropped out of the running after receiving the nomination 24 hours earlier.

Scalise, like McCarthy before him, had faced insurmountable opposition from the right wing of the conference.

Though Jordan had opposition from moderates and pragmatists, they were more likely to hold their nose and vote for him to get back to House business than some right-wing Scalise opposers were.

Jordan has emerged as the favorite after Rep. Steve Scalise suddenly dropped out last Thursday , but at least six members of his party have promised they will still reject his bid when the House votes at noon on Tuesday

Florida GOP Reps. Carlos Gimenez and John Rutherford both still insist they will vote for Kevin McCarthy after he was ousted weeks ago - as does Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.

While the House has been in turmoil its larger battles have been on hold - one month from Tuesday government funding will run out again. House Republicans had hoped to pass 12 single-subject government funding bills by then, but it's nearly guaranteed they'll need another continuing resolution (CR) to punt the funding deadline down the road.

McCarthy put a CR on the floor, prompting the bid to remove him.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., had long promised to put a motion to vacate on the floor if McCarthy extended government funding at 2023 levels rather than pushing through 12 separate bills.

Even if the House can pass all its appropriations bills, then it has to work with the Senate to get spending legislation through the Democrat-led upper chamber. Jordan is not known for his ability to work across the aisle - another factor that could be drawing skepticism from moderates.

The outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas has also added pressure as Congress must decide whether to offer more defense aid to Israel - and deal with whether to offer Ukraine more aid in its fight against Russia.
Indigenous workers at some of Australia's top banks are being offered paid leave to recover from the Voice referendum result.

National Australia Bank (NAB) is offering cultural leave and counselling to Indigenous employees after Australia voted No in the referendum on Saturday.

Westpac and ANZ also have 'special leave' that could allow Indigenous staff to take time off to recover from the fallout, while accounting giant KPMG is offering to hold 'yarning circles' for Indigenous employees to discuss the result and 'heal in a culturally safe space'.

'KPMG Australia encourages all First Nations employees to take cultural leave and additional paid leave where required to help process the result of the referendum,' a spokesperson said.

NAB Group chief executive Ross McEwan told The Australian the referendum was a challenging loss for some staff but it respects the democratic result.

'The people of Australia have voted,' Mr McEwan said.

The announcement comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed a university had given extensions to Aboriginal students to cope with the emotional toll of the No vote.

Several banks around Australia have offered Indigenous staff paid leave and counselling after Australia voted against a Voice to Parliament and Indigenous recognition in the Constitution on Saturday (pictured, Yes supporters reacting to the result)

Suncorp, based in Queensland where almost 70 per cent of voters opposed the Voice, does not offer cultural leave but suggested staff could use personal leave.

The leave is not specific to Indigenous staff.

In a message online, Suncorp Diversity and Inclusion leader Catherina Behan wrote that a Yes result would 'have helped to restore even the smallest amount of trust in the people and systems that have inflicted ongoing trauma and violence for centuries.'

'Imagine the devastating blow to hope, the very loud message of rejection, the overt refusal to even come to the same table,' she said.

Ms Behan later said the post was her opinion, not a representation of Suncorp.

Commonwealth Bank has not commented on whether leave is available for Indigenous staff following the referendum.

Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has offered free 24/7 counselling for staff as well as Indigenous specific support.

National Bank Australia (above) is offering cultural leave and counselling to Indigenous employees

'IAG is a longstanding supporter of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition and reconciliation,' a spokesperson told The Australian.

'We will continue to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, businesses and communities to help achieve this,'

However, it's not just the financial sector looking to support Indigenous Australians.

READ MORE: Which towns and suburbs recorded the biggest No vote Advertisement

Brisbane's Griffith University is offering Indigenous students an extension on their assessments to help cope with the No result.

The university has not offered any exemptions to any students affected by the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Professor Carolyn Evans, vice Chancellor and president of Griffith University wrote to its 55,000 students last Thursday in an email subjected 'responding to national and international events'.

The email, seen by Daily Mail Australia, expressed sympathy for those who have 'friends and family in regions impacted by natural disaster or armed conflict, including Afghanistan, Israel, Gaza and Myanmar'.

'Nationally, we have for some weeks seen ugly, racist abuse directed at many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in the context of the Voice,' Professor Evans added.

She said in the email that Indigenous students would be granted extensions to their assessments in light of the toll the Voice debate might be taking on them.

Griffith University (above) offered assessment extensions to Indigenous students but controversially didn't extend the offer students affected by the Palestine-Israel conflict

'The University is offering assessment extensions to students identified as Australian First Peoples for certain assessment types due between now and 18 October 2023,' Professor Evans wrote.

'Any assessment item due between these dates may be submitted anytime up to 12pm (noon) on 19 October 2023.'

Those students who have been impacted by events outside of the Voice to Parliament's failure were told they can apply for an extension via the normal route.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Griffith University for comment.
President Joe Biden will visit Israel tomorrow, the Secretary of State announced on Monday night in order to 'reaffirm solidarity' with its closest ally in the Middle East, as well as to press for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.

Antony Blinken made the announcement after six hours of talks with Israeli officials. Biden was invited at the weekend by Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Blinken said that Biden's visit was in 'solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security.'

The secretary went on to say that both countries have a agreed to 'develop a plan' that will allow aid into Gaza. 'It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible,' Blinken said.

In the early hours of October 17, pictures showed trucks carrying aid designated for Gaza arriving at Rafah, the territory's southern border crossing with Egypt.

Blinken added that officials could also work together to create 'areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.'

After his Israeli visit, Biden will travel to Jordan in order to meet with that country's leaders, Egyptian leaders as well as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. During the conflict, Abbas has maintained that Hamas do no represent the interests of Palestinian people.

Antony Blinken on Monday announced that Joe Biden will be in Tel Aviv on Wednesday

As Blinken made his announcement, dozens of trucks stocked with humanitarian aid were pictured lined up at the Gaza-Egypt border crossing awaiting entry

Palestinians evacuate a body after an Israeli airstrike at the Rafah refugee camp, hours after Biden's visit was announced

In an interview with the BBC former CIA director David Petreaeus, shown here, said that Biden's decision to visit so early in the conflict shows how seriously US officials are taking it

Residents of northern Gaza were told last week to head south as the IDF plots a ground assault on the territory, the border crossings into Egypt and Israel are both closed

In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today program, former CIA director and retired US general David Petraeus said that Biden's visit so early into the conflict shows 'how serious this [conflict] is - there's nothing that shows that more than how the US president spends his time.'

'Going to Israel shows how important this is to the presidency, the US and, frankly, our allies across the world as well,' Petraeus said.

The general, who spearheaded US war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, added that security officials will also be watching other countries in the region, including Iran.

Petreaus said that it will be vital to watch what Iran's 'proxies,' terror groups that the country props up in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, will do in the coming days and weeks.

'There's a lot of risk here, there's a lot of potential [for] further challenges if the war truly becomes regional", he says, adding the Israeli military leadership "clearly understand the magnitude of what lies ahead,' Petreaus added.

It will be Biden's second visit to an active war zone this year. In February, he traveled to the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and mark the anniversary of that country's conflict with Russia.

Blinken said Biden, while in Tel Aviv, will be given a security briefing from Israel and discuss efforts to secure the release of hostages, including Americans.

Members of the United Nation's Security Council vote on a resolution related to he Hamas-Israel war on October 16.

Displaced Palestinians reside at an UNRWA-run school in Khan Yunis in the southern of Gaza Strip. Biden is set to visit the region this week, despite the ongoing conflict

Blinken said his six hours of talks with Israel had secured agreements for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, and included discussions of safe zones for Gazans. Pictured: An Israeli tank near the Gaza border

'He's coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world,' Blinken said.

'President Biden will again make clear - as he has done unequivocally since Hamas's slaughter of more than 1,400 people, including at least 30 Americans - that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists, and to prevent future attacks.

'The president will hear from Israel what it needs to defend its people, as we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs.

'Second: President Biden will underscore a crystal clear message to any actor - state or non-state - trying to take advantage of this crisis to attack Israel: Don't.'

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House spokesman, said during his meetings Biden 'will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza.'

Blinken said his six hours of talks with Israel had secured agreements for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, and included discussions of safe zones for Gazans.

John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said in a call with journalists that Biden's visit to the region was to hear from all sides what they need, and 'glean whatever additional information there might be out there.'

Kirby said rescuing the hostages remained a top priority, stressing they wanted to 'get Americans back at home and with their families, where they belong.'

People watch as Palestinians work to remove casualties from under the rubble of a house destroyed by Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip

US and Israeli officials have reportedly agreed to the principal of formulating a plan that will allow aid into Gaza

'He will have a chance to discuss the idea, the issue of humanitarian assistance, and making sure that we're all working together,' said Kirby, adding that they were working on mechanisms to ensure the aid went to the Palestinian people and not Hamas.

Kirby said officials were also working to secure ways for those trapped in Gaza to leave - in particular American citizens.

Earlier on Monday, Blinken experienced the tense security situation in Israel firsthand while meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when the two had to briefly retreat to a security bunker when air raid sirens went off.

It was the nation's top diplomat's second trip to Israel within days, as Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion of Gaza in response to the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.

His Monday trip was twice punctuated by air raid sirens, amid continued Hamas rocket attacks.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed the security precaution.

'During the Secretary's meeting with PM Netanyahu and the war cabinet, the air raid sirens went off and they sheltered in bunker for five minutes,' he said.

Other officials also had to find shelter in stairways and secure areas until they got the all clear.

Israel's Iron Dome defenses were activated while Blinken was en route to Israel's Ministry of Defense for a meeting.

It came on a day when Blinken met with the new war cabinet of Israel's new unity government. That included the minister of defense, Yoav Gallant, who met with Blinken at the Kirya, which houses the Israeli Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv.

The U.S. on Friday dispatched a second aircraft carrier group, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, to the region.

The Pentagon has also been positioning an air armada in the region, along with additional forces to advise Israel or provide medical assets as needed.

A timeline showing the activity around the border communities in Israel as well as what Palestinians in Gaza have been told by government officials

Blinken's meeting with Netanyahu came days after his October 12 visit (pictured), which also included meetings throughout the region

On his earlier October 12 trip, Blinken had an emotional encounter with a 24-year-old Israeli woman who recounted the horrors of the Hamas attack on an Israeli music festival.

She pleaded with Blinken to help free her friends who have been taken captive.

Blinken met the woman while touring a donation center.

The trip came five days after Hamas, the Palestinian terror group, launched an onslaught against Israel killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 150 hostages.

Blinken spoke with a young woman who was at a desert music rave attacked by the terrorists.

She told him: 'We lost a lot of our friends, close friends, lots of family members. There are a lot of people that we know that are kidnapped and now in Gaza. We went through horror, really.

'I'm just like  I'm 24. And I never imaged something like this would happen ever in a dance, at a music festival. We celebrated love and we danced,' she said.

Blinken told her: 'I admire your strength, and also telling your story makes a big difference, too. The world needs to hear this.'
Parts of Italian and Polish GCSEs would be first to go digital in 2026

Pupils could soon take some GCSE and A-level exams on computers under plans from England's biggest exam board.

AQA aims for teenagers to sit at least one major subject digitally by 2030.

The reading and listening parts of GCSE Italian and Polish would be the first to be on-screen in 2026.

An AQA report said the first digital exams will largely replicate the paper exams on screen but there is potential for 'more innovative and interactive assessment' in the longer term.

It added: 'We will not do away with traditional pen-and-paper exams in a rush and anticipate a system where some components of some courses are delivered in a paper-based manner and other components are digital.'

AQA, one of the UK's largest exam boards announced plans for some GCSE and A-level exams to be taken on computers, and aims for all students to complete at least one major subject digitally by 2030 (File Photo)

But the examining body said it was not in a rush to replace pen and paper tests. While digital exams would replicate traditional papers, it said they could be later used for more 'innovative and interactive assessment' (File Photo)

Pupils will not be able to use the internet or artificial intelligence tools.

AQA chief executive Colin Hughes said the board has spent years testing and piloting digital exams.

Earlier this year, the OCR exam board also tested on-screen exams in schools.

Tom Middlehurst, of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the move was 'very encouraging'.

But he warned that all pupils must have equal access to devices used in exams, or those with greater access to technology at home would have an unfair advantage.
Rapper Lady Leshurr attacked her ex-girlfriend and bit her new partner's ear in a late-night bust up, a court has heard.

The 35-year-old artist, real name Melesha O'Garro, is accused of attacking her ex-girlfriend Sidnee Hussein and Chante Boyea in an altercation in Walthamstow, east London on October 22, 2022.

The former Dancing On Ice contestant, from Kingshurst, Birmingham, is on trial alongside Sherelle Smith, 29, from Yardley, Birmingham, who allegedly also assaulted Ms Hussein.

O'Garro pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at a hearing in November, while Smith denies one count of the same charge.

In her opening remarks on Monday, prosecutor Polly Dyer said: 'In a nutshell, this is a case where in the early hours of the morning after a night out the defendants went and loitered outside one of their ex-girlfriend's houses, before going on to attack the ex-girlfriend's then new partner, followed by the ex-girlfriend.'

She added: 'It was undeniably a relatively quick and dynamic incident, but the key issue you may think is who were the aggressors?'

Ms Boyea left the home of her then partner Ms Hussein at about 5am and was driving to work along Knotts Green Road, Walthamstow, when two women flagged down her car appearing to need her help, the court heard.

Ms Boyea slowed the car and a person she recognised as O'Garro got into the passenger seat of her vehicle and 'started shouting at her', the prosecutor said.

Ms Boyea subsequently stopped the car and got out - with O'Garro following her, the prosecutor added.

'Ms O'Garro came towards Ms Boyea and as she did so Ms Boyea put out her left hand to protect herself.

'As she did that the first defendant (O'Garro) bit her on the hand.

'I anticipate that Ms Boyea will also describe being punched by Ms O'Garro.'

Lady Leshurr, 35, real name Melesha O'Garro, arrives at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London wearing a dark blazer and trousers with her hair in a bun ahead of her actual bodily harm trial. She is accused of attacking her ex-girlfriend Sidnee Hussein, and Chante Boyea

Sherelle Smith, from Yardley, Birmingham, arrives at the same court for trial. She has pleaded not guilty to one count of actual bodily harm

Ms Boyea was able to contact Ms Hussein, who rushed from the house to her aid and was unwittingly followed by a pet dog, Kodi, after leaving the door open, Ms Dyer said.

Ms Dyer added: 'Ms Hussein went to protect Ms Boyea from Ms O'Garro, as she did so she was attacked by Ms Smith.

'Ms Smith's intervention caused Ms Hussein to fall and when Ms Hussein tried to speak to Ms O'Garro, she had to act to protect herself.'

Ms O'Garro attacked Ms Hussein while 'shouting at her, calling her names, saying she was disgusting for dating her sister's ex-partner' and also 'kicked the dog' as it approached her, Ms Dyer alleged.

She said Ms Hussein 'suffered a number of injuries' during the confrontation.

The defendants ducked into a nearby home and were subsequently arrested after Ms Boyea called the police, Ms Dyer said.

During her police interview, O'Garro denied going outside her ex-partner's house and said she did not know where it was, Ms Dyer said.

O'Garro had found out Ms Boyea was in a relationship with Ms Hussein a month before and told her she 'felt disrespected', Ms Dyer said, summarising her police interview.

The artist, real name Melesha O'Garro, is accused of attacking her ex-girlfriend Sidnee Hussein and Chante Boyea in an altercation in Walthamstow, east London in October last year

The rapper feared Ms Hussein had been unfaithful to her and also noted that Ms Boyea was the ex-partner of Ms Hussein's sister, Ms Dyer said.

O'Garro told police she was 'bitten by the dog as Ms Boyea was directing it to get her' and that 'she was punched in the head and stamped on by Ms Boyea', Ms Dyer said.

Ms Dyer added: 'She could not recall if she bit Ms Boyea but she would not do anything like that and did not think she would have been able to in any event.'

In her police interview, Smith said Ms Boyea had 'called over O'Garro' and then 'dragged' her into the car before later attacking her again, Ms Dyer said.

Ms Dyer said Smith further claimed that 'Ms Hussein bit Ms Smith as she was pulling her away, and the dog bit her as well', and that 'Ms Boyea pulled her ponytail off, pulled her hair and punched her in the back of the head'.

The prosecutor added: 'The prosecution say there were lies told in (the) interviews of the defendants, most strikingly about their visit to near to Ms Hussein's address, and that the accounts given do not account for the injuries suffered by the complainants.'

She said the court is due to hear expert evidence about the bite mark to Ms Boyeas hand, adding: 'It is the prosecution case that it is consistent with a human bite mark.'

When they spoke to them shortly after the incident, police noted that the defendants also had injuries, including 'what are asserted to be dog bites', Ms Dyer said.

She added: 'You may not find it surprising that the defendants, if they had acted as alleged by the complainants, suffered some injuries.

'You may think that if an individual is attacked in the presence of their dog that dog may act to defend them.'

The Loose Women star arrived at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London today wearing a dark blazer and trousers with her hair in a bun.

Leshurr is known for her Queen's Speech freestyles and reached the semi-finals of Dancing on Ice with pro-skater Brendyn Hatfield.

She has performed at Glastonbury and used to present a Saturday show on BBC Radio1 Xtra but was taken off air when she was charged last October.

The BBC announced in February Leshurr was being replaced by Joelah Noble.

Leshurr won the celebrity version of The Circle in 2022 by pretending to be Big Narstie.

The trial continues.
Tensions have recently risen in the cartel since one of El Chapo's four sons was arrested and extradited to the states

The message comes as the cartel has experienced intense pressure from US law enforcement

The leading Mexican fentanyl exporter to the US has sent a clear order to its cartel members to stop moving opioids into America.

The order comes as the Sinaloa Cartel has expressed concerns about the US law enforcement pressures and future arrests of its top leaders.

A faction of the cartel known as Los Chapitos, the group led by the four sons of the notorious drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman recently issued the order, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The decision to lay low comes as the Biden administration has pushed the Mexican government to be stricter with the cartel that has been feeding the illegal drug into the country and causing countless deaths.

The newest message from Los Chapitos comes after El Chapo's sons ordered the murders and kidnappings of street dealers who have failed to comply with a ban on the production and sale of fentanyl.

Since the January arrest of El Chapo's one son, Ovidio Guzman, in Culiacan, cartel members have allegedly been killed for disregarding the ordered ban.

An estimated 109,680 overdose deaths occurred last year in the United States, according to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . About 75,000 of those were linked to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids that are pushed from Mexico to the states through cartels

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman (pictured) is in jail as his sons run the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico that is known for manufacturing and smuggling fentanyl to the United States, according to officials

Ovidio was extradited to the United States on September 15 and appeared before a federal court judge three days later and pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons charges.

In April, the US indicted the four brothers and two dozen of their associates.

The Wall Street Journal report added the Sinaloa Cartel is also halting its fentanyl production to push the US to crack down on its rival- Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, once known as Los Mata Zetas is run by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, another well-known drug lord.

'Exports of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine to the US will likely rise in the near future to make up for the income shortfall from the fentanyl ban,' a cartel member told The Wall Street Journal.

Los Chapitos instructed producers in Culiacan, Sinaloa, to stop manufacturing fentanyl in July, according to Sinaloan investigative outlet Riodoce.

Soon after, the bodies of several men were found with signs of torture and fentanyl pills placed over them, a warning sign to anyone else if they failed to adhere to their commands.

On the morning of June 26, authorities discovered two bodies of men who were handcuffed and shot also in Culiacan. Fentanyl-laced pills were also placed over their bodies.

Two days later, a man was found shot dead with fentanyl pills spread across his back in the municipality of Navolato.

The total ban on the highly addictive opioid has also affected the pockets of dealers, who are no longer seeing their usual illicit profits.

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's son, Ovidio Guzman (pictured), was extradited to Chicago on September 15. He appeared before a federal court judge three days later and pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons charges

Since Ovidio's arrest, other drug members and leaders are fearful that they might be arrested or extradited to the US. In the past ten days, over a dozen people that are suspected of being involved in the fentanyl community have gone missing or been kidnapped

Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that is operated by three of El Chapo's sons, had banners set up this week that banned the production and sale of fentanyl. 'Due to the incessant misinformation of some media and the obvious omission of the government in not investigating and prosecuting the true culprits of this epidemic, in Sinaloa the sale, manufacture, transportation or any type of business that involves the substance is strictly prohibited, known as fentanyl, including the sale of chemicals for its production,' the large sign reads in Spanish. 'We have never been nor will we be related to that business.. You have been warned. Respectfully, Chapitos'

According to the DEA, Los Chapitos provide fentanyl to 27 cities across the United States

In early October, Los Chapitos posted banners that hung off of overpasses in the Sinaloa cities of Ahome, Culiacan, Guamuchil and Mazatlan that issued stern warnings not to sell the drug.

The signs said that 'media misinformation' meant the government was failing to go after 'the true culprits of this epidemic' and warned that the making or transportation of fentanyl was 'strictly prohibited.'

'We have never been nor will we be related to that business. You have been warned. Respectfully, Chapitos,' it added.

Since Ovidio's arrest, other drug members and leaders are fearful that they might be arrested or extradited to the US.

In the past ten days, over a dozen people suspected of being involved in the fentanyl community have gone missing or been kidnapped.

Miguel Angel Murillo, a human-rights activist, said: 'We believe these kidnappings and disappearances are linked to the ban on fentanyl because their relatives haven't presented formal complaints to authorities. These people are very scared.'

As the production of fentanyl is expected to die down, US officials aren't counting out Mexican cartels from trafficking other drugs such as heroin and guns into the states.

Since the message to stop all fentanyl production and selling in the Sinaloa Cartel, many have been found dead with Fentanyl-laced pills covered over their bodies. The total ban on the highly addictive opioid has also affected the pockets of dealers, who are no longer seeing their usual illicit profits

In May, the four brothers released a public statement through a Mexican media outlet, distancing themselves from accusations.

'We have never produced, manufactured or commercialized fentanyl nor any of its derivatives. We are victims of persecution and have been made into scapegoats,' they claimed in the statement.

An estimated 109,680 overdose deaths occurred last year in the United States, according to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 75,000 of those were linked to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

DEA agents seized 58.4 million fentanyl pills and 13,000 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2022. The total equal to 387.7 million lethal doses.
A number of furious Qantas customers have lashed out at the airline claiming they have been charged twice while trying to book a ticket with the carrier.

The passengers, which include frequent flyer travellers, claimed they were slapped with a 'holding fee' that is the same price of the ticket.

Many claimed the extra costs meant they were unable to pay their rent, mortgage or groceries among other necessities.

Qantas said it was aware of a 'small number' of cases where it appeared customers had been charged twice, but said it was 'not the case'.

Furious customers have lashed out at Qantas after they were charged twice for their airfare leading to a wave of backlash against the major airline carrier

One Aussie was charged $5,500 after she had already paid the same amount to purchase her ticket to fly over and see her sick father-in-law in the UK.

She said she has been left waiting to be reimbursed claiming the extra charge left her without money to buy food.

'I haven't eaten or been able to survive properly since last Sunday. Qantas have charged a holding fee for flights I booked,' she said.

'It's been seven days and the fee should have been returned. This fee is the same as the tickets, which I have paid in full.

'So they have taken an extra $5,500 out and I've had an overdrawn account.

'I had $300 left to spend on groceries and household items, petrol  things you need to survive. I've never experienced this with any other airline.'

Rebecca Lynch claimed she was also forced to pay more for her family's airfare sharing her story to social media platform X.

'Qantas, you have double-charged my account for my family's tickets, $8,400...and left my account near empty with no money for my mortgage repayment and groceries,' she wrote.

Several travellers said they have previously spent hours on the phone to staff at Qantas trying to get their money back after being charged the 'holding fee'.

Some said they spent more than two hours on the phone waiting to speak to the airline's customer service team and were forced to wait for more than a week to receive their funds.

Lynda Shortis who used to be a frequent flyer with the airline said she paid twice for a ticket which she purchased for two separate trips.

She paid twice for tickets in March 2022 after she booked flights from Melbourne to Alice Springs and Darwin to Cairns for her and her husband with Qantas.

Instead of paying $7,000 for her airfare, an infuriated Ms Shortis told Yahoo she paid $14,000 after the amount was billed to her credit card.

Several customers revealed they were forced to wait for more than a week to recover their funds after the airline (pictured) charged travellers twice for a ticket

'I was ropeable,' she said. 'It's a fault in the system. The first time it happened, I got a call from the bank saying, 'One of your cards is overdrawn'.

A Qantas spokesman told Daily Mail Australia: 'We are aware that a small number of customers appear to be charged twice for flight bookings. This is not the case.'

'Unfortunately, there is sometimes a delay when banks and payment providers release pre-authorised funds after a transaction has been completed.

'We have worked closely with our banking and payment partners to resolve these issues, significantly reducing their occurrence.'

The Qantas spokesman said the airline was aware of some 'further isolated instances'.

'The pre-authorised funds are being automatically released by banks and payment providers within three to seven days,' he said.

'If customers need the funds sooner, they should contact their bank to request a payment release'.

Qantas conceded in 2022 that a pre-approval glitch in their payment systems was responsible for overcharging customers.

Qantas (pictured) said the error was due to a pre-payment glitch that led to several customers being overcharged for their airfare

The national carrier has endured a tumultuous time in recent months forcing former CEO Alan Joyce to step down after 15 years at the helm of the airline.

A month later the company's chairman Richard Goyder announced he would also be stepping down from his role after five years in the top job.

The company lost a landmark court ruling in September after the High Court ruled that Qantas illegally outsourced 1,683 ground workers' jobs in 2020.

The heads of Qantas have also been grilled at an inquiry into the airline's anti-competitive practices.

Mr Joyce told a Senate Committee hearing that the federal government should block flights from Qatar airways from being able to operate in Australia.
Indigenous rapper Briggs has delivered a blunt message to white Australians after the Indigenous Voice to Parliament was resoundingly rejected across the country.

The Yorta Yorta man, whose full name is Adam Briggs, published a series of caustic posts on X, formerly Twitter, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

'The thing is with white people in Aus. You think Blackfullas haven't faced this depravity before,' Briggs wrote.

'We've faced it everyday. For the "No" it was a SuperBowl. For me it was Saturday.'

His comments come in the wake of the Yes campaign's resounding defeat in Saturday's referendum, which saw every state in Australia reject the proposal. Only the ACT voted Yes.

The Yorta Yorta man, whose full name is Adam Briggs (pictured), published a series of caustic posts on X, formerly Twitter, in the early hours of Tuesday morning

Pictured: Briggs' brutal message for 'white people in Aus'

The rapper later added a mocking follow-up.

'I just can't wait for Warren & Jacinta to unify the Nation and all the career Uni students to decolonize (sic) their emails,' Briggs wrote.

The sarcastic comment was in reference to No campaign architects Warren Mundine and Jacinta Price, who celebrated Saturday's result.

Meanwhile, the reference to 'career Uni students' decolonising their emails is believed to be a comment about the practice, adopted by many corporate organisations and academic institutions, of adding a signature to their emails acknowledging the traditional owners of the land.

Some have criticised such moves as 'tokenistic'.

Briggs previously featured in a pro-Yes video alongside political satirists Jenna Owen and Victoria Zerbst.

The three-minute comedy skit, which has over 340,000 views on YouTube, shows Briggs calmly explaining what the Yes vote is to Owen and Zerbst, who play well-meaning but dim characters who have only engaged with online disinformation.

His comments come in the wake of the Yes campaign's resounding defeat on Saturday evening, which saw every state in Australian reject the proposal (pictured: a Yes supporter reacts at the Inner West for 'Yes2023' official referendum function at Wests Ashfield Leagues Club on Saturday evening)

READ MORE: Which towns and suburbs recorded the biggest No vote Advertisement

It was shared on social media by Kiwi actor and director Taika Waititi, US actor Jason Momoa and Australian comedian Celeste Barber.

Briggs said he wanted to 'debunk the comments section' with the video.

'I'm sick of having these arguments. We need to address that. We need to address the comment section,' Briggs told The Guardian.

'I didn't see anything poignant undoing the misinformation. Everything was just, "Vote Yes for equality".

'We've got to get it out of the bureaucracy, the muddy cloudiness of parliament. It's boring. We need to do something fun. That's how it came about.'

In the end, the video had little impact on the wider voting public. More than 60 per cent of Australians voted No.

On Monday, after the full extent of the Yes campaign's evisceration became apparent, Briggs asked on X: 'What's the point in truth telling if only Blackfullas are telling the truth?'

Another user retorted: What's the point of a voice, if no one agreed to listen?'

But Briggs suggested they were 'trippin' if they believed people 'were voting for/against a voice', implying they were motivated by other factors.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing today to meet with his Chinese counterpart and 'dear friend' Xi Jinping on a trip aimed at showcasing the 'no-limits' partnership between China and Russia.

Putin and his entourage flew into the Beijing Capital International Airport Tuesday morning, according to Reuters video footage, in the Kremlin chief's first official trip outside of the former Soviet Union this year.

The Russian leader is due to meet his Chinese counterpart on Wednesday to hold bilateral talks, taking part in a forum to mark 10 years of China's Belt and Road Initiative. It is the first time this year Putin has travelled beyond the limits of the former USSR.

Putin and Xi may also discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during their meeting in Beijing this week, Russia's RIA news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Tuesday.

Putin has traveled little since the Hague-based International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March, accusing him of illegally deporting children from Ukraine. Putin visited Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, earlier this month.

The ICC's move obliges the court's 123 member states to arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory. Neither Kyrgyzstan nor China are members of the ICC, established to prosecute war crimes.

Putin and his entourage flew into the Beijing Capital International Airport Tuesday morning, according to Reuters video footage. It's the Kremlin chief's first official trip outside of the former Soviet Union this year

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport on October 17

Putin (arriving today) will attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

The Russian leader is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Xi Jinping on Wednesday 18

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018 - they are seeking to further deepen the 'no-limits' partnership between their two countries

Beijing has rejected Western criticism of its partnership with Moscow even as the war in Ukraine showed no sign of ceasing, insisting their ties do not violate international norms, and China has the right to collaborate with whichever country it chooses.

Putin last visited China for the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022 when Russia and China declared a 'no-limits' partnership days before the Russian president sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine.

It would be Putin's third attendance of the Belt and Road Forum, which runs through Wednesday. He attended the two previous forums in 2017 and 2019.

The forum centers on the Belt and Road initiative, a grand plan launched by Xi a decade ago that he hopes would build global infrastructure and energy networks connecting Asia with Africa and Europe through overland and maritime routes.

Putin has praised the initiative, saying it is a platform for international cooperation, where 'no one imposes anything on others.'

Since the start of the Ukrainian conflict, Russia has cemented its energy ties with China in a sign of their economic cooperation.

Russia exports around 2 million barrels of oil per day to China, more than a third of its total crude oil exports. Moscow also aims to build a second natural gas pipeline to China.

While the heads of Russia's oil and gas giants Rosneft and Gazprom will be part of Putin's traveling delegation, no new deals in energy can be expected.

The trip is not a 'full-fledged bilateral' visit, but one made on the sidelines of an international conference, according to the Kremlin.

Xi kicked off the summit Tuesday with talks with Chilean and Kazakhstan Presidents Gabriel Boric and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chinese state media reported.

Ahead of the forum, China and Russia's top diplomats were singing from the same song sheet when they met in Beijing on Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thanked China for inviting Putin as the summit's 'chief guest', according to a readout from Moscow, which later said the top diplomat would head to North Korea after Beijing.

Putin and Xi will discuss the countries' ties 'in their entirety' when they meet this week, Lavrov told Wang.

Chinese honor guards are seen after welcoming Russia's President Vladimir Putin ahead of the Third Belt and Road Forum at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on October 17

A vehicle transporting Russia's President Vladimir Putin departs from Beijing Capital International Airport following Putin's arrival in Beijing on October 17, 2023

Beijing has rejected Western criticism of its partnership with Moscow even as the war in Ukraine showed no sign of ceasing, insisting that their ties do not violate international norms, and China has the right to collaborate with whichever country it chooses

Xi last saw his 'dear friend' in Moscow just days after the warrant was issued

Putin last visited China for the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022 when Russia and China declared a 'no-limits' partnership days before the Russian president sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine

Wang, in turn, said China 'appreciates' Russia's support for the BRI.

The two nations share a symbiotic alliance, with China appreciating Russia's role as a bulwark against the West, and Moscow increasingly reliant on Beijing's largesse in trade and geopolitical backing.

'Since Moscow embarked on its all-out invasion of Ukraine, it has been put in a position where it is unprecedentedly dependent on China,' Bjorn Alexander Duben of China's Jilin University told AFP.

At the heart of the deepening partnership is the relationship between Xi and Putin, who have described each other as 'dear friends'.

'President Xi Jinping calls me his friend, and I call him my friend, too,' Putin told Chinese state broadcaster CGTN ahead of his visit, according to a Kremlin readout.
Australia's Jewish Attorney General has been subjected to a barrage of anti-Semitic abuse for condemning the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

Mark Dreyfus, whose own father fled Nazi Germany, has been under siege from pro-Palestinian activists and other Left-wing Twitter trolls ever since he delivered a speech to parliament to 'mourn the greatest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust'.

In the speech on Monday, he recounted his father's journey to Australia as a child when he and his parents fled Nazi Germany.

'I am the son of a Holocaust survivor who, as a young boy, was forced to flee his home in 1939 and travel to the other side of the world,' he said.

'His life was at risk because - and only because - he is Jewish. My father and my grandparents escaped. More than six million Jewish men, women and children did not escape.'

Mr Dreyfus' father George, after settling in Melbourne with his brother and parents, went on to become a successful composer.

Mr Dreyfus' father George, after settling in Melbourne with his brother and parents, went on to become a successful composer (Pictured: Mr Dreyfus stands with a portrait of his father)

Mr Dreyfus went on to say that he, and Australia, supports Israel's right to defend itself.

'Antisemitism has been called ''the longest hatred'',' he said.

'The Nazis did not invent it. As the events of the last week have demonstrated all too tragically, antisemitism did not end when the Nazis were defeated.

'Make no mistake: this was not just an attack on the State of Israel and on the people of Israel. This was an attack on the Jewish people.'

But the speech was immediately criticised on social media platform X, with Mr Dreyfus called a 'coward', a 'disappointment' and 'shameful' - with pro-Palestinian critics demand he 'stop talking for them'.

Mr Dreyfus was inundated with hundreds of negative and hateful comments about his position.

His colleagues in Parliament - including Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie and Labor minister Clare O'Neil - have acknowledged Mr Dreyfus in speeches this week.

Quoting Mr Dreyfrus's speech at a community event they both attended, Senator McKenzie said: 'I was moved and struck in particular by the contribution of the Australian Attorney-General.'

October 7 marked the greatest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, when terrorist organisation Hamas launched a multipronged assault on Israel, targeting festivalgoers and civilians.

In his speech, Mr Dreyfus said: 'In the shadow of the Holocaust, Australia supported the legitimate right and aspiration of the Jewish people to establish a Jewish homeland

The moving speech attracted immense criticism on social media platform X, where Mr Dreyfus has been subjected to vitriol for voicing his opinion

He was called a 'coward', a 'disappointment' and 'shameful' as critics demand he 'stop talking for' them

At least 1,700 Israelis and 2,750 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing battle, as Israel launches airstrikes and a ground assault on Gaza in response to Hamas' attack.

The Australian government has joined most of the governments around the world in condemning Hamas' assault, but the Greens party have argued there should also be an acknowledgement of the brutality of Israel's response.

Israel has given civilians in northern Gaza a warning that they should evacuate south, as a humanitarian crisis grips the region with UN officials warning the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. Similarly, food, water and power resources are running dangerously low.

In his speech, Mr Dreyfus said: 'In the shadow of the Holocaust, Australia supported the legitimate right and aspiration of the Jewish people to establish a Jewish homeland.

'Australia unambiguously supports the right of Israel to defend itself today. At the same time the Australian government will continue to support the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.'

The Australian government's official position is the two-state solution, in which Israel and 'a future Palestinian state coexist in peace' with internationally-recognised borders.

This aspiration has been significantly hurt by the latest conflict.

Mr Dreyfus said while everyday Israeli and Palestinian civilians support such a solution, 'Hamas does not share this aspiration; Hamas has never shared this aspiration.

'As the founding charter of Hamas declares, its aim is to obliterate Israel.'

Mr Dreyfus said while everyday Israeli and Palestinian civilians support such a solution, 'Hamas does not share this aspiration; Hamas has never shared this aspiration
An entitled owner of a giant American-sized ute has hit a nerve with Aussie drivers over their selfish parking.

On Tuesday in Melbourne, the driver of a super-sized Dodge Ram 1500 utility vehicle parked horizontally, blocking three clearly marked disabled parking bays outside Chemist Warehouse.

This inconsiderate parking left no room for disabled Aussies who genuinely needed the spaces, prompting a furious local to share a photo of the driver's shocking act to Reddit.

'Seen in Dandenong this morning, no disabled sticker,' they wrote. 'I'm 50/50 on a fine, clearly mentally disabled.'

A RAM 1500 was spotted parked across three disability bays outside a Melbourne chemist

READ MORE: RAM owner slammed over selfish act at a Melbourne Westfield Advertisement

Aussies online were just as furious.

'Ram driver is not mentally disabled. Its because he/she is a massively entitled douchebag,' one said.

Another added 'I recently got an accessible parking permit, and I am astounding how many people park in disabled spots who don't have a permit. This one is next level though.'

A third wrote: 'That is simply extraordinary!'

Other suggested revenge by keying or crushing the vehicle, deflate the tyres, or dumping a load of dog faeces on the bonnet.

Other Aussies urged them to report the vehicle to the local council or police.

'We really need to clamp down on these c**** hard. If it's too big to park at the store then it's your fault for f****** using a truck as a car,' one wrote.

A few were willing to give the RAM owner the benefit of doubt.

'They're loading or unloading something?' one suggested.

Drivers are allowed to use a handicapped parking spot only if they or their passenger possess a blue and white parking permit designated for people with disabilities.

American pickup trucks have taken the Australian market by storm since they were first launched Down Under five years ago.

RAM is currently the biggest supplier in Australia while Chevrolet's Silverado 1500 is also in hot demand. Toyota and Ford are also bringing their American-sized models to Australia later this year.

The vehicles come with a six-figure price tag, along with massive fuel and maintenance fees.

But they've also sparked a huge debate over whether the vehicles are suitable for our roads.

Reddit user Charles Tang said that he had lived in the US where 'roads are straighter, lanes are wider, and spots are bigger and that Australia was not built to accommodate the larger vehicles.

'Unless you truly need that (Ford F150), you are making life worse for those driving around you and parked next to you,' he said.

'Dont let unnecessarily big car vanity culture from the US take over here just like tipping is trying to.'

Other Aussies said the cars were unnecessary, given other brands provide enough space.

'They are as big as a private car needs to be. A (Nissan) Patrol or (Toyota) LandCruiser are huge vehicles, and incredibly capable,' they wrote.

Another pointed out that they were not even well adapted for the local environment.

'These big nonsense American trucks are basically useless in Australian offroad conditions, the wheel base is made for driving on snow not steep rocky ground,' they said.

Some noted how expensive or polluting they were.

'I had an owner of one of these trucks pay for petrol in front of me,' a comment read.

'It was $200ish. I nearly choked.'

'Talk to your member of parliament and ask how a country not designed for them will cope and how they have passed emissions and pedestrian safety standards,' one user suggested.

'And why in an age of moving towards lower emissions, we're starting to bring in light trucks to use for dropping the kids off to school?'

The incident occurred outside Chemist Warehouse in Dandenong (pictured) on Tuesday

A number of self-identified Americans disputed that the vehicles were built on the right scale for the US.

'American here. Sorry you have to put up with this, but FWIW (for what it's worth) I shake my head when I see the same oversized vehicles here, and I see a lot of them,' the user wrote.

'Not all our parking spots and roads can even accommodate them. It is very normal to see one of these huge, lifted monstrosities taking up 2-3 spots before even considering the drivers skill in parking.

'I just cant find any rational explanation for why they are needed. Hillbilly stuff.'
EXCLUSIVE

A man who fell to his death from a famous rock was there to remove a 'Yes' mural painted ahead of the Voice referendum, Daily Mail Australia understands.

The 60-year-old slipped while climbing the steep rock face at Piano Rock, in Mount Tamborine, in the Gold Coast hinterland, at 4.05pm on Thursday.

Queensland ambulance crews were called to the Tamborine Mountain Road landmark where the man was found with critical head injuries. He was later confirmed dead at the scene.

Now, Daily Mail Australia can reveal the man was at the site to get rid of a heart-shaped Aboriginal flag alongside the word 'Yes' which had been painted on the rock two days earlier.

The Yes campaign love heart sparked outrage in the local community, with some locals condemning the artwork online and calling for the artist to return and remove it on Facebook.

After the man's death, social media users speculated that he was the Yes supporter who defaced the monument.

A 'Yes' mural was painted on Piano Rock, at Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland, (pictured) in the days before the Voice referendum

Emergency services are pictured at the site after the man, 60, died on Thursday

However, a longtime friend of the man has refuted those claims - revealing his mate was just a member of the community who wanted the artwork gone.

'He was just there to clean,' the friend said. '[He] died because he didn't want to see it [there].

'Hopefully someone will remove it.'

Local mayor Greg Christensen said he was also initially told the dead man had been trying to embellish the Yes graffiti but that was later revealed to be incorrect.

'I've more recently been told that he was trying to clean it off,' said the mayor. 'It's a tragedy.'

He said the dead man was not believed to live in the immediate area but was a regular visitor from a nearby town who enjoyed riding his motorcycle along the twisting local roads.

'This has caused a lot of pain from family, friends and people in the area,' he added. 'It's a pain we will all live with for some time.'

He said the Yes graffiti had appeared just before the tragedy, infuriating locals.

'We regard Piano Rock as a great local icon,' he said. 'It's always disappointing when people don't show respect.'

The rock, which is shaped like a piano, was painted to resemble a musical instrument in 1966 by a member of the local community.

It has been maintained over the years by relatives within the artist's family and has become a local icon.

Last week, just days before Australians hit polling booths to weigh in on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, furious residents flocked online to complain after the site was vandalised on Tuesday.

While every state in Australia returned a No result on Saturday night, Queensland gave the strongest rejection to the Voice out of any state or territory, with 68 per cent voting No.

'Piano rock... Mt Tamborine... an icon... defaced with vote yes... no need for defacing things... people doing this sort of thing are just idiots,' one person wrote.

The mural has since been painted over with white paint, sparking further fury among locals

Another said: 'Council should have removed it days ago. It was causing problems with motorists slowing to look at it.'

'Seems the idea of vandalising the constitution isn't enough that vandals have attacked the piano rock on Tamborine mountain,' a third said.

The mural has been painted over in the days since the man's death.

However, the painting has continued to cause issues with locals complaining the cover up looks 'fugly' and 'utterly horrendous!'

Local Councillor Jeff McConnell said the road is not governed by the council and the painting was removed by the Department of Main Roads and the Tamborine District Citizens Association.

He is currently in discussions with the community about permanent solutions to mask the mural.
The incredible story of an elderly grandmother who has cleaned train stations for 50 years with no plans on retiring has angered some millennials who have argued 'working until you drop' should not be normalised.

Vesela Grujoska, 80, has spent the past five decades cleaning Sydney's Central Station.

She's 'probably never taken a sick day' and has worked countless public holidays including every Christmas except three over the years in her 'dream job'.

Ms Grujoska came from humble beginnings, and was born in Vapila, North Macedonia, before migrating to Australia with her family in 1970, where she raised her two children on her own.

She didn't know English but landed a job with NSW Rail just three years later and has worked at Central Station ever since.

Her story was shared onto SBS News' Instagram page with many in awe at her incredible work ethic for her age.

But some younger generations took the chance to blast the idea that people should live to work.

Vesela Grujoska, 80, has spent the past five decades cleaning Sydney 's Central Station, and raised two children on her own

Ms Grujoska came from humble beginnings, and was born in Vapila, in North Macedonia before migrating to Australia with her family in 1970

'But if you are sick it's also okay to take a sick day. I don't like the hero-ship for people that never take a day off,' one commented.

'Work is not everything in your life,' said another.

'Normalising working till you drop? No thanks,' a third added.

A fourth said: 'That's great she's happy but I'm seeing more and more people of retirement age forced to stay in or go back to the workforce.

'I've also seen a lot of media trying to normalise this lately. I hope everyone gets the chance to rest and enjoy their last years in dignity and comfort.'

Despite the critics, many more Aussies were quick to celebrate her work ethic.

'What a noble character,' one said.

Another added: 'Bless her! Agree with her motto too.'

A third said: 'Hope they gave her a pay rise too!'

Others pointed out that some people had no choice but to work for most of their lives, while one 70-year-old said they were grateful to have a part-time job.

'Totally agree. I am 70 and work 4 days a week and love my job,' they said.

When Ms Grujoska first moved to Australia she started work in a factory for just $29 a week.

It wasn't until a kind neighbour wrote down on a piece of paper that Ms Grujoska was looking for work, telling her to hand it to the station manager at Rockdale Station, SBS Macedonian reported.

NSW TrainLink recently threw a special lunch to honour the grandmother's hard work over the past 50 years

When she started at Central Station, she had 'Central' written down on a piece of paper and had to match the shapes of the letters to the signs to know where to go.

Ms Grujoska also worked in a role alerting train drivers when passengers had safely got on and disembarked. That role later became digitalised and she returned to her work as a cleaner.

'I will, perhaps (retire), when I reach 100 but maybe not even then,' she told the publication.

While working at the station, Ms Grujoska went through 'a very difficult marriage and divorce', leaving her to provide for her two young children on her own.

She's been able to keep up her hard work through her motto: 'Work keeps you healthy and young. Doing nothing would be a disaster.'

Ms Grujoska had to raise her two children on her own after going through a difficult divorce

NSW TrainLink recently threw a special lunch to honour the grandmother's hard work over the past 50 years.

She has also had her nickname 'Vesa' put on the licence plate of one of the station's luggage carriers.

'If you stay at home, all sorts of negative thoughts will fill your mind that will get you depressed and you will start to deteriorate,' she said.

Her story of hard work comes just weeks after the boss of national recruitment agency, U & U Recruitment Partners, slammed the Gen-Z and Millenial work trend 'Bare Minimum Mondays'

Employees who practice the work-life trend, focus on getting the minimum amount of work done on Mondays - or only completing their contractually-obliged tasks - to ease into the week.

Workers catch up on everyday tasks that need to be done including washing, walking the dog, cooking meals, grocery shopping and even napping.

'Personally I am against it. Employees are paid to do a job and work the hours that they have agreed to,' Craig Sneesby told news.com.au.

'It creates a space for workers to be lazy and generates a culture of entitlement. These kind of work perks have really gone too far. It just is not sustainable.'

CEO of Winning Appliances, John Winning, who is also a millennial, called out the generations work ethic in comments that went viral in 2019.

He said good millennial workers were 'few and far between' and are 'expecting more than what they put in.'

'People are expecting more than what they put in,' the chief executive of the appliance retailer said in an interview with Nine newspapers.

'Some of the people coming in for interviews, their expectation of what they should be paid versus how much they're expected to work is just crazy.

'You train them up and by the time they've finished the two-month training, they're either looking for the next thing or asking for a promotion or more money.'
The man was found with a black backpack that contained small hygiene products and Japanese currency in his wallet

He has yet to be identified even after his picture was shared across social media

A man found with 'grave' head trauma in Los Angeles has sparked a mystery as cops and hospital staff cannot identify him after over a week.

Officials continue to plead for help naming the unidentified victim, who was found with only Japanese currency in his wallet.

The patient, an Asian man suspected to be in his mid-20s, was found October 9 in the 3700 block of South Meyler Street- a residential neighborhood.

He was found with a black backpack that contained travel-size hygiene products and a wallet with only Japanese currency inside.

He suffered a traumatic brain injury, leaving him unconscious. He was intubated and sedated as of last Wednesday at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he was listed as in grave condition.

The patient, an Asian man suspected to be in his mid-20s, was found October 9 in the 3700 block of South Meyler Street- a residential neighborhood

The man was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he was intubated and sedated. He has since been listed in grave condition. There were no identifiable tattoos, scars or marks found on his body

A photograph of the victim has been released by the health department has been viewed by over 16 million people on X, KTLA reported.

Authorities have revealed that the unknown man is 5-feet-10-inches tall and weighs approximately 158 pounds.

He also didn't have any identifiable tattoos, scars or marks on his body.

It is unclear how exactly he sustained his intense injuries.

Since he's been discovered, many have taken to social media and asked for others to share the man's photo and description to help find his family and friends.

'Hey friends, apparently they found this unknown young man in San Pedro, California, with a traumatic brain injury. He had Japanese currency in his wallet. I know a lot of my friends have Japanese friends or connections. Could you share to find his next of kin?

His family needs to be with him but he didn't have and ID. Someone's son is really really hurt right now. He may be a Japanese tourist or just came back from visiting family,' a person on Facebook who reposted his picture states.

A Californian Facebook group also went on to repost the young man's mysterious story.

'Despite being viewed by millions of people on social media, the case of an unidentified young man who was found with a severe head injury earlier this month still has not been solved,' the Facebook post read.

A missing people's Facebook group also reposted his story and said: 'Help find his family.'

Another post said: 'Does anyone know this young man? There is a phone number to call at the end of the story.'
Warren Mundine has revealed his faith in the 'common sense' of Australians kept him campaigning against the Voice even after he received vile abuse from Yes supporters and considered taking his own life.

Australians delivered a crushing No verdict in the weekend's referendum against the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament despite the measure being backed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, blue chip corporations, unions and other groups.

For Mr Mundine, who along with LNP Senator Jacinta Price were the most prominent official spokespeople against the Voice, the result came as a 'relief' even though the personal abuse directed at him still hasn't let up.

'I went through social media today and the attacks are still there,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.

'I was a "race traitor", I "hate Aboriginal people".'

Warren Mundine (pictured right with fellow leading No advocate Jacinta Price) said the Voice campaign was the nastiest he has ever been involved with

'I won't go into some of the language but they say "you're a disgrace", "just shut up". People made threats.'

Although Mr Mundine said he always believed the No vote would prevail in emphatic fashion, the constant abuse took a devastating mental toll.

READ MORE: How states and territories are forging ahead with their own Voice and treaties despite a resounding referendum defeat Advertisement

'The biggest downer I had during the campaign was the vitriolic attacks,' he said.

'They went after me, they went after my businesses, they went after everything.

'I was contemplating suicide during the campaign.

'The team came up to me and said "C'mon mate, we all love you, we have to keep moving".

'That's what we did, we kept on focusing on the people out there.'

He said accusations he did not care about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were particularly hurtful.

'There were these attacks saying I couldn't give a s***, people refusing to shake my hand when I was on some of the polling booths,' he said.

'My passion is improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and I have been doing that for about 30 years now.'

Mr Mundine cited employing Indigenous people in his business ventures and chairing the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation as proof of that passion.

Mr Mundine said the relentless personal attacks took a severe toll on his mental health during the campaign

Although Mr Mundine has a long history of running for office, for both major political parties, he said the Voice campaign was by far the nastiest he had seen.

He pointed the blame at some of the leading Indigenous advocates of the Yes campaign.

'The thing that really surprised me was people like Noel Pearson and Marcia Langton who I have known for 25-30 years, coming out and saying things about us,' Mr Mundine said.

'I was like, "Where's this coming from?"

'We are not attacking you. Get out there and prosecute your case and we will prosecute ours and the Australian public will make up their mind.'

Mr Mundine criticised Prof Langton on SBS show The Point on Saturday night as the referendum results came in.

Host Narelda Jacobs eventually interjected to defend Prof Langton from Mr Mundine's accusation she had 'racially abused this country'.

'She called Australia a racist country. She has no credibility in this,' he said.

'She needs to get out and actually meet Australians. Australians are not racist. They are incredible people.'

Mr Mundine has not backed down from his comments.

The No campaign was arrayed against a Yes one that had the backing of governments, big corporations, unions and other institutions

He alleged that an atmosphere of fear stopped many people from stating their true positions on the Voice.

'People were scared,' he said.

'Rugby league and AFL players rang us and said our sporting bodies are saying Yes and we are saying No and we can't tell anyone.

'We told them, "Just keep your head down and vote the way you want to vote, we didn't even say vote No".'

Mr Mundine said he also saw staff revolt in corporations such as Qantas, which gave Yes campaigners free flights and adorned planes with a message in support.

'I jumped on a Qantas flight once and the pilot came down and said he was voting No,' Mr Mundine said.

'Ground crews were saying that.'

He accused corporations of being out of touch with their own staff and the general population.

'They (corporations) supped with people who made racial abuse and called Australians dreadful names because they had a different opinion,' Mr Mundine said.

Mr Mundine (pictured with Senator Price) said he always expected a result similar to Saturday's crushing rejection of the Voice

Mr Mundine said he always expected a result like Saturdays, where around 61 per cent voted No, and Yes failed to carry a single state, despite the seemingly daunting opposition.

'We were taking on a huge monster,' Mr Mundine said.

'They had all the corporates, they had all the unions, they had all the religious organisations, had all the universities, all the higher education institutions, they had all the everything, we had hardly anything.

'I always had faith in the Australian people, they are pretty common sense people, even if they voted Yes they are still pretty common sense people.'

In parliament on Monday Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused Anthony Albanese of 'wasting' $450million on the Voice referendum.

'People said to me about the $450million, couldn't that have got kids to school and made a better life for them,' Mr Mundine said

'This was a total waste of money. It was the referendum we didn't need to have.'
The identity of a high profile man charged with the rape of a woman will continue to remain protected after a sweeping non-publication order on his name was continued.

Tuesday's development follows lawyers for the man lodging proceedings in Brisbane's Supreme Court just days after a magistrate found an existing non-publication order protecting his identity should be lifted.

The man is charged with two counts of rape which police allege stem from an incident in Toowoomba back in 2021.

Until this month, Queensland laws that prevented the identification of those charged with rape or sexual assault offences meant the man could not be named until he was committed to stand trial.

The state government recently revoked parts of a key piece of legislation, thereby revoking this protection.

The identity of a high profile man charged with the 2021 rape of a woman in Toowoomba will remain protected

However, before the changes took effect, the man's lawyers successfully applied to the Supreme Court for a non-publication order allowing their client to remain protected from identification until arguments could be heard in Magistrates Court about whether the order should remain in place.

Following a lengthy hearing at Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday, that order was revoked by Magistrate Clare Kelly.

In her decision, she found there was no justification to keep the order in place and the evidence tendered in support of the man did not establish the order was necessary to protect his safety.

At the Supreme Court on Tuesday, the man's barrister Andrew Hoare submitted Magistrate Kelly had erred in determining there was no risk of harm that would come to any other person.

He also submitted that the magistrate took other matters not relevant to proceedings into account while making her decision.

The court was told a transcript of the proceedings, as well as an audio file, was not available to legal representatives.

The man's lawyers lodging proceedings in Brisbane's Supreme Court (above) to protect his identity

READ MORE: Two women escape Brisbane torture house Advertisement

Supreme Court Justice Peter Applegarth asked how this was possible, noting other media outlets had likely recorded Friday's proceedings.

He noted he received an email at 3.43pm on Monday seeking directions to 'determine the matter as quickly as possible.'

'I'm exploring why it can't be promptly decided,' he said.

'You've had since Friday to prepare for a judicial review.'

Justice Applegarth adjourned proceedings until October 26, ordering a temporary stay of the non-publication order until that date.

During Friday's proceedings in Toowoomba, the man's legal team argued their client would be at a substantial risk of self-harm should his identity be published.

Robert Anderson KC, representing several media outlets including News Corp Australia, told the court on Friday the man had not turned up to give evidence before the sitting magistrate.

A change in key legislation could have seen the man's identity revealed (pictured, Rowan King - a solicitor on the man's legal team)

He said the high profile man had instead relied on his solicitors and psychologist to tender evidence on his behalf, noting the man appeared to be 'staying silent'.

Mr Anderson submitted the defendant was ready to speak his own truth but was still asking this court to prevent the public from knowing who he is and prevent open justice.

'He has voluntarily placed himself in a very public forum, in a way that will inevitably expose and require him to explain  all of his circumstances,' Mr Anderson said.
Yes campaign leader Thomas Mayo has said he refuses to accept the referendum's No vote verdict on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Despite the scale of the crushing defeat at the polls, Mr Mayo insisted to supporters: 'We're not taking No for an answer.'

Mr Mayo was the controversial figurehead of the official Yes23 campaign that backed the change to the constitution which would create the new advisory body.

He was one of the original signatories and architects of the Uluru Statement From The Heart in 2017 which triggered the referendum.

But his campaign failed miserably, losing millions of votes in the final few weeks before Saturday, with more than 60 per cent of Australians rejecting it.

The loss was so overwhelming the ABC's Anthony Green was able to call the result at 7.25pm on Saturday, less than 90 minutes after east coast polling booths closed.

Just before the loss was confirmed, Mr Mayo took to the stage at the Yes23 vote count HQ at Wests Ashfield Leagues Club in Sydney to deliver his defiant message to supporters.

Yes campaign leader Thomas Mayo has said he refuses to accept the referendum's No vote verdict on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Despite the scale of the crushing defeat at the polls, Mr Mayo insisted to supporters at Sydney's Wests Ashfield League Club: 'We're not taking No for an answer.'

'The campaign has never been about just Yes or No, two diametrically opposed words,' Mr Mayo told activists on Saturday night, new video from the event revealed.

'This has been about us. This has been about you. This has been about the Australian people. This has been about justice. And it doesn't matter what happens tonight.

'If it is a No answer, then we're not lying down, we're not taking No for an answer, and we will continue.'

Mr Mayo then unleashed a spray at the No campaign, accusing its activists and Opposition leader Peter Dutton of being 'dishonest' and 'lied to the Australian people'.

He added: 'There should be repercussions for this sort of behaviour in our democracy, they should not get away with this.

'So when we succeed at this, let it be known that they did that. That they have lied to the Australian people. That dishonesty should not be forgotten.'

The one-time wharfie became a household name during the referendum campaign, working closely with Anthony Albanese's government to help promote a Yes vote.

But comments from his past resurfaced in which he called for 'rent' to be paid to First Nations people, for the date of Australia Day to be changed and for reparations.

He later told Daily Mail Australia his opinion had changed as the referendum debate had progressed.

Critics also questioned Mr Mayo's heritage. In an interview with the Betoota Advocate, he said he was shocked by the insinuations.

'It's been quite shocking to see photos of your parents being shared around, saying we're not genuinely Indigenous,' he said.

His father is from the Torres Strait Islands. His great-great-grandfather arrived in the Torres Strait from the Philippines, and married a local woman, while his grandparents on his mother's side are English, Irish and Polish.

He was also accused of being a Communist after he spoke at a forum of Search Foundation, which was once linked to the former Communist Party of Australia.

'I wasn't from a family of activists or anything,' he said. 'I've never been a member of the Communist party.

He added: 'You can mash up all these videos and make people look scary.'

Yes volunteers broke down crying as the as the results rolled in (pictured, scenes at a Sydney Yes23 event)

Every state voted down the Indigenous Voice to Parliament by a clear margin, with more than 60 per cent of all Australians rejecting the proposal

Once the result became clear, Yes campaigners vowed to take a 'week of silence' and in a statement added: 'We now know where we stand in ... our own country.'

About 9.30pm a furious two-page statement was shared on social media by the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and the Central Land Council vowing to take part a week of silence, including a media blackout, from Sunday.

Both the Yes23 and Uluru Dialogue groups said they endorsed the statement.

It read the week will be used to 'grieve this outcome and reflect on its meaning and significance'.

'We will be lowering our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to half-mast for the week of silence to acknowledge this result. We ask others to do the same,' the group said.

The group said they would need to 'regather strength and resolve', to look toward the future and consider a new path forward.

'To our people we say: do not shed tears,' the statement added. 'This rejection was never for others to issue.

'The truth is that we offered this recognition and it has been refused. We now know where we stand in this our own country. Always was. Always will be.'

The group said the reasons for this 'tragic outcome' will be 'dissected in the weeks, years and decades to come'.

'Much will be asked about the role of racism and prejudice against Indigenous people in this result,' the statement said.

'The only thing we ask is that each and every Australian who voted in this election reflect hard on this question.'

In Canberra, in the wake of the defeat, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for unity and said he accepted the outcome

In Canberra, in the wake of the defeat, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for unity and said he accepted the outcome.

He said he took 'responsibility' for the decision to hold the referendum and added: 'Tonight's result is not one that I had hoped for.

'[But] I absolutely respect the decision of the Australian people and the democratic process that has delivered it.'
Radulovic was allegedly stabbed and shot in July

A man has been charged with the murder of Dejan 'Danny the Serb' Radulovic in Sydney's Inner West earlier this year.

Radulovic was allegedly stabbed and shot after an altercation with two men on Donnelly Street, Balmain, about 3.40pm on Saturday July 29.

After an extensive two-and-a-half month investigation, NSW Police raided a home in Austral on Tuesday morning about 7.15am.

There they arrested Matei Tavui, 19, and seized clothing relevant to their investigation, before taking him to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with one count of murder.

Dejan 'Danny the Serb' Radulovic (pictured) was allegedly fatally stabbed and shot after an altercation with two men on Donnelly Street, Balmain, about 3.40pm on Saturday July 29

Police on Tuesday arrested and charged Matei Tavui, 19, over Radulovic's murder

The clothing will now undergo further forensic examination.

He was refused bail to appear before Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday.

Detectives from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad established Strike Force Dears to investigate Radulovic's death, with Tuesday's arrest the second in the case.

The first arrest was made in September when a 30-year-old man was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.

He remains before the courts.

The investigation into Radulovic's death was initially investigated by local detectives who were told people in the area had witnessed a fight between three men.

Two men allegedly involved in the altercation then fled the scene in a white Jeep.

Tavui was taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with one count of murder

Radulovic was allegedly left lying on the ground with facial injuries and stab wounds to his torso

Radulovic was allegedly left lying on the ground with facial injuries and stab wounds to his torso.

A post-mortem examination further revealed that Radulovic had also suffered a gunshot wound.

Police allege a gun was found inside the white Jeep allegedly used to escape the scene by his killers.

Police said in a statement that investigations under Strike Force Dears are continuing.
The 'Utah cookie wars' appear to have come to a sweet resolution after competing companies Crumbl and Dirty Dough agreed to settle a long-standing lawsuit.

The cookie conflicts began in May 2022 when Crumbl took legal action against Dirty Dough and Crave, citing 'confusingly similar' logos and marketing materials.

The lawsuit specifically accused Dirty Dough of pinching recipes and trade secrets.

The lawsuit against Crave was settled after two months, in July 2022, but action against Dirty Dough persisted.

Crumbl, which owns more than 920 franchises in all 50 states, alleged that Dirty Dough's owner, Bennett Maxwell, had received information to essentially recreate Crumbl's recipes. Dirty Dough is a far smaller competitor with just 36 locations.

Crumbl and Dirty Dough say they have agreed to the terms of a settlement, but are still finalizing the agreement

Bradley Maxwell, left, used to work at Crumbl. He was accused of sharing Crumbl's recipes with his brother Bennett, right, the founder of Dirty Dough cookies

Bradley Maxwell, Bennett's brother, was previously employed by Crumbl in early 2019.

The lawsuit alleged how Bradley, a former process engineer, had downloaded 66 Crumbl recipes and other confidential operational information onto a personal cloud drive from Crumbl's internal server during his final week of employment at Crumbl.

Bradley Maxwell was also an early owner of Dirty Dough and he shared Crumbl's information with Bennett - the founder of Dirty Dough.

At first, Bennett even slammed the lawsuit and mocked it with various billboard ads across Salt Lake City.

Bennett said he was shocked by the claims made against him.

'I was like, 'Are you kidding me? They think they own the cookie with sprinkles,'' he told the Wall Street Journal.

Crumbl Cookies filed a lawsuit in May 2022 alleging startup rival Dirty Dough stole cookie recipes and packaging designs. Pictured: Dirty Dough cookies (left) and Crumbl cookies (right)

Crumbl claimed Dirty Dough founder Bennett Maxwell (left, pictured with with his wife) received 66 Crumbl recipes from his brother Bradley, who worked on Crumbl's processing line

Bennett denied the allegations and launched an ad campaign taunting the lawsuit and poking fun at Crumbl

Following its initial lawsuit filing, Crumbl said a former Dirty Dough employee informed them about the stolen files.

'Crumbl's recipes are among its most prized assets and Crumbl carefully guards their secrecy to protect them from falling into competitors' hands,' a Crumbl lawyer said in the filing.

After news of the lawsuit broke out and the 'Cookie Wars' began, Bennett launched an ad campaign poking fun at Crumbl for going after his start-up.

'Cookies so good we're being used,' one of the billboard ads read.

At first, Bennett even slammed the lawsuit and mocked it with various billboard ads across Salt Lake City

DIrty Dough took out a series of billboard ads scoffing at the lawsuit

Another stated: 'We don't file lawsuits, we just have better cookies.'

Crumbl then went to the courts to force Dirty Dough to stop its campaign mocking the case.

As part of the case being resolved, Dirty Dough returned the Crumbl information and has agreed to change certain cookie boxes in order to eliminate any potential confusion for customers - although the terms of the settlement are confidential.

Crumbl issued a statement Monday, calling the settlement 'amicable.'

According to Crumbl's statement, 'as part of the case resolution, Dirty Dough returned the Crumbl information and has agreed to change certain cookie boxes in order to eliminate any potential confusion for customers. The remaining terms of the settlement agreement are confidential.

Dirty Dough mocked the suit suggested that Crumbl was upset that DD had 'better cookies'

Crumbl alleged that Dirty Dough copied its box design and cookie recipes and menu layout

Bennett has attributed the suit to his latest round of successes, including opening a new franchise locations including Saratoga Springs, New York (above)

'Crumbl and Dirty Dough are pleased that they have been able to work together to resolve this dispute and each remains dedicated to serving its customers with excellence. Crumbl and Dirty Dough wish each other success in their future endeavors,' Crumbl's statement said.

Meanwhile, Dirty Dough founder Bennett Maxwell also released a statement Monday.

It read: 'This journey has been a wild and interesting ride, but now, with the situation coming to a close, we're eager to shift our full attention to vital business initiatives  particularly raising capital and energizing our new mobile franchise offerings. We are glad to be coming to a successful resolution that allows us to close this chapter and move forward with our vision.'

The two companies will now work on finalizing the written agreement between them over the next 30 days.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Broadcasting House last night as Downing Street insisted there was no ban on the BBC describing Hamas fighters as 'terrorists'.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman yesterday said Ofcom's rules did not restrict the corporation from using the term.

It comes after a broadcast by Radio 4's Today programme last week appeared to suggest the media regulator's rules prevented the BBC from using the word to describe Hamas, whose fighters slaughtered Israeli civilians.

The BBC has faced mounting criticism over its refusal to describe those behind the attacks as terrorists, instead using words like 'militants'  despite the fact the Government classifies Hamas as a 'terrorist organisation'.

Addressing a sea of protesters waving flags and chanting, Gideon Falter, the Chairman of Campaign Against Antisemitism asked: 'How many dead Israelis does it take before the BBC can find the courage to call terror by its name?'

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Broadcasting House last night as Downing Street insisted there was no ban on the BBC describing Hamas fighters as 'terrorists'

Pro-Israel rally gathers outside Broadcasting House on Portland Place last night

Some protesters held banners addressed to BBC bosses, one read: 'If the King can call Hamas terrorists, so can you'

Protesters outside Broadcast House called for the BBC to change its stance on not calling Hamas terrorists

Some protesters held banners addressed to BBC bosses, one read: 'If the King can call Hamas terrorists, so can you.'

When asked about the broadcaster's decision not to use the term, the Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'The legal position is that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist group  the term terrorist is an accurate legal description.

'The BBC has described other attacks as terrorism.

'To put it into context, the attack we witnessed in Israel was the third deadliest terror attack in the world since 1970. So there is no restriction on the BBC using that term, certainly not from Ofcom.'

The BBC last night addressed the issue in statements on the complaints section of its website, insisting 'careful consideration has been given to all aspects of our coverage to ensure that we report on developments accurately and with due impartiality'.

It added: 'The BBC, along with many other UK and global news organisations, does use the word 'terrorist' but attributes it. We have made clear to our audiences that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK.'
Chris O'Keefe has backed calls for councils to refund ratepayers after spending thousands of dollars to promote the Voice referendum.

The 2GB host made the extraordinary call on Monday decrying the use of ratepayer money to support the Yes campaign in the lead-up to the Voice.

Councils around the country set aside money with City of Sydney among the biggest contributors after setting aside $500,000 to the cause.

The huge expenditure came despite all six Australian states voting No in the referendum with most electorates turning against the referendum.

O'Keefe accused councils of overstepping the mark.

Sydney radio station 2GB afternoon drive host Chris OKeefe has demanded councils give a refund of the rates they spent on pushing the Indigenous Voice to Parliament

'Local councils have absolutely no place to be spending ratepayers money on social causes ever,' he said, saying they should stick to 'rates, roads and rubbish'.

'All of them should give discounts on rates notices as of next quarter.'

READ MORE: Warren Mundine reveals what kept him going after copping vile abuse from Yes supporters during Voice campaign Advertisement

A listener's suggestion that councils who pushed the Voice should offer some sort of refund or rate reduction was enthusiastically endorsed by O'Keefe.

'All of them that wasted their ratepayers money on pushing a cause that had nothing to do with them nor did they ask those rate payers if it was OK to push the Yes case,' he said.

O'Keefe picked out the particular example of Sydney's north shore Lane Cove council that he said lavished 'thousands and thousands' on the Yes case 'without ever asking their rate payers if that was OK'.

'And guess what?' O'Keefe asked.

'Of the 10,000 voters in Lane Cove almost half of them (45 per cent) voted No.'

Randwick Council, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, announced in June it was allocating nearly $29,000 to support the Yes case.

Labor councillor Linda Scott said the move represented 'the views of our community' although this was not only reflected in a narrow Yes win with 55 per cent of residents voting in support of the Voice.

Orange City Council, in central west NSW, had supported the Yes case since December last year but again appeared to be out of step with their ratepayers with 16,000 voting No in the city as opposed to only 7,000 supporting the Voice.

Councils across Australia spent millions of rate payer funds on supporting the Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Despite lavish spending at a local government level the Yes campaign faltered at the ballot box on Saturday

The City of Sydney and its mayor Clover Moore spent half-a-million dollars of ratepayer money backing the Yes vote.

'It did not move the dial at all because a Yes vote in Surry Hills means nothing (in deciding) if a referendum will be passed,' O'Keefe said.

The package included $260,000 for a communications and engagement campaign, $160,000 for banners and up to $90,000 to support community events in landmark council venues such as Town Hall.

In August it was revealed the council had also gifted Yes supporters $25,000 of free office space in the city's CBD to help with their campaign.

The Yes23 team set up operations in prime CBD real estate in the form of Town Hall House on Kent Street for three months under the agreement with the council.

Melbourne City Council also pledged resources to support the Yes case along with the inner north Merri-Bek City Council that put $22,000 in order to host forums, provide grants and display promotional material in support of the Voice.

Fremantle in WA allocated $35,500 to spend on the Voice
Britain is seeing a 'sharp rise in aggressive attempts' by hostile states to steal technology secrets, the head of MI5 has warned.

Ken McCallum said countries like China could have the 'power to shape all our futures' if it is able to 'steal competitive advantage' in emerging technologies.

The Director General of MI5 was speaking out at the start of an unprecedented summit by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance to raise their concerns over the security threat to the West.

The alliance, comprising intelligence agencies from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, was formed in the wake of the Second World War to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union.

But it has largely remained in the shadows and its joint leaders have until now never appeared jointly in public before.

Five Eyes intelligence chiefs are all pictured together for the first time ever. From left to right, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Director-General Mike Burgess; Canadian Security Intelligence Service Director David Vigneault; FBI Director Christopher Wray; New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Director-General of Security and Chief Executive Andrew Hampton; and MI5 Director General Ken McCallum

Ken McCallum (pictured) said countries like China could have the 'power to shape all our futures' if it is able to 'steal competitive advantage' in emerging technologies.

Today the security leaders of the Five Eyes met at the heart of Silicon Valley at the invitation of FBI Director Christopher Wray to discuss how to combat the threat posed by hostile states seeking to infiltrate firms working in key areas such as artificial intelligence.

Mr McCallum said: 'The UK is seeing a sharp rise in aggressive attempts by other states to steal competitive advantage.

'It's the same across all five of our countries.

'The stakes are now incredibly high on emerging technologies; states which lead the way in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and synthetic biology will have the power to shape all our futures.

'We all need to be aware, and respond, before it's too late.'

The spy chiefs are due to discuss the threat to businesses and the collective security of the five nations.

Mr Wray said: 'Emerging technologies are essential to our economic and national security, and America's role as a leading economic power, but they also present new and evolving threats.

'The FBI is committed to working with our Five Eyes and industry partners to continue to protect emerging technologies both from those who would steal them and those who would exploit them for malicious purposes.'

Ahead of the conference due to be attended by government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs and academics, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation's Director-General Mike Burgess said: 'The Summit is an unprecedented response to an unprecedented threat.

'The fact the Five Eyes security services are gathering in Silicon Valley speaks to the nature of the threat and our collective resolve to counter it.

'This summit will raise awareness of the threat, and help the technology sector understand, identify and manage the risks.'

The Five Eyes' coalition was formed in 1946 to share intelligence and coordinate security efforts.

The alliance focuses on countering a range of threats, including terrorism, cybersecurity, weapons proliferation, organized crime, and state-backed espionage and interference.
Sadiq Khan and the Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley will meet leading mobile phone companies today to ask them to commit to 'design out' mobile phone robbery in an attempt to crackdown in the surge of thefts across London.

In the last 12 months, mobile robbery in the capital has increased by 28 per cent, with some thieves even wielding knives as they carried out the thefts.

Figures from the Met Police revealed a total of 57,174 mobiles phones reported stolen, equating to an average of 157 being stolen each day.

The London Mayor and police boss will meet representatives from Apple, Samsung and Google, along with major phone network providers at City Hall, in a bid to to find the most effective deterrent and ultimately significantly reduce mobile phone robberies.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the meeting is a step towards making London 'safer for everyone'.

The Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner will meet with leading mobile phone companies today to ask them to commit to 'design out' mobile phone robbery

One thief, caught on dash cam footage in August, was seen riding an e-bike at speed through traffic in Piccadilly, London, as he snatched a woman's phone

The rider then went onto the pavement after seeing a woman on her phone while walking

Over the last year, shocking footage has revealed how widespread mobile phone theft is across London.

In August a brazen thief on an electric bike was seen snatching a woman's phone in broad daylight just metres from The Ritz Hotel near Green Park.

Dash cam footage shows the thug blasting through stationary traffic at a red light, before he later mounted the pavement.

The mugger then targeted a lone woman who was looking at her phone while walking on a pavement.

He then comes up behind her and grabs the phone, before wrestling with the woman.

The victim was left in a crumpled heap on the pavement in Piccadilly, Mayfair, as the criminal sped off, swerving between moving vehicles to get away.

On a separate occasion, a knife-wielding phone robber ended up stabbing two police officers when he was caught robbing a phone and power bank off a man in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Mr Khan said: 'This meeting is an important milestone to developing a practical and long-term solution to ending the menace of mobile phone crime, which we know is driving violence and criminality in our communities - not just in London but across the UK.

The bodyworn footage shows the officers covered in blood before bare-footed Rahman is restrained with a Taser

'Right now, it is far too easy and profitable for criminals to repurpose and sell on stolen phones.

'That must change and is why, alongside strengthening neighbourhood policing and record investment in supporting the police to go after the worst offenders, the Commissioner and I are now working closely with mobile phone industry to develop innovative and technological solutions that make a stolen phone far less desirable and usable by thieves.'

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the force made 'multiple arrests and seized more than 70 stolen phones at a shop selling them onwards' over the past weekend.

'But until we design out the ability for phones to be used in the way they currently are, we will be stuck in a vicious circle,' he added.

Hamish MacLeod, chief executive of Mobile UK, said: 'Mobile operators and the device and operating system manufacturers have several capabilities and measures to deter the theft of mobile phones, including the provision of capabilities which customers can enable, allowing them to track and disable mobile handsets.

'We welcome today's roundtable to discuss with the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police further actions, including prioritising mobile theft and prosecutions to deter and reduce these crimes.'
Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley has sparked a major backlash after asking a British-Palestinian MP if she knew about Hamas's terror attack on Israel before it happened.

Layla Moran, whose family are trapped in Gaza as Israel prepare a land invasion, was seemingly taken aback by Madeley's question and GMB viewers are calling for the presenter to be 'pulled off air' as they lodge complaints to media watchdog Ofcom.

Referencing the barbaric attacks launched by Hamas on October 7, Madeley asked the Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon: 'With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen ten days ago, two weeks ago? Was there there any word on the street?'

Stunned by the question, Ms Moran - whose father is a British diplomat, and mother a Christian Palestinian from Jerusalem - replied: 'Not this, not this. I think everyone, everyone has been surprised first of all by the timing and sophistication and the way that it's happened.'

As the first British-Palestinian MP, she added: 'What I will say is that I've been warning, and others have in Parliament as well for a number of years now, that if we don't find a way... People say 'go back to the negotiating table'.'

Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley (pictured) has sparked a major backlash after asking a British-Palestinian MP if she knew about Hamas' terror attack on Israel before it happened

Madeley asked Britain's first British-Palestinian MP: 'With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen ten days ago, two weeks ago? Was there there any word on the street?'

Hamas terrorists fire rockets towards Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 11. Israel is preparing a full invasion by land, sea and air in retaliation

'The fact of the matter is there has not been a table, let alone to go back to a negotiating table for at least ten years now.

MP Layla Moran's family Layla Moran is Britain's first ever Palestinian MP. Her immediate family are Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, while she has extended family members in Gaza City. She has spoken about her family members being trapped in Gaza - and how she and her sister are trying to get news from their relatives every day as they run out of food and have been reduced to drinking water. Ms Moran's mother Randa is Palestinian while her father James is British. He joined the EU Commission when she was one and the family moved to Brussels. Her mother's family are originally Greek but they moved to Palestine and then Jordan after the diaspora in the 60s. Her great-grandfather was the Palestinian writer Wasif Jawhariyyeh, who wrote memoirs about Palestinian life under Ottoman and British rule. Advertisement

'This is a cycle of violence. Every time there is a cycle of violence, my worry now is that this is radicalising another generation on all sides. We have to stop this hatred. We have to bring people together and find a way through... Peace is harder than war.'

Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel ten days ago, killing more than 1,400 people and taking scores of hostages including grandmothers, women and children.

Fellow MP Florence Eshalomi said: 'I just saw the clip from @GMB interviews this morning. Richard Madeley is actually disgraceful. I was in the chamber yesterday but sadly I didn't get an opportunity to speak in the statement.

The Labour & Co-op MP added: 'Solidarity with @LaylaMoran for having to endure this racist line of questioning.'

Outraged viewers also fumed at Madeley's comments and several have said they have reported him to Ofcom. MailOnline contacted Ofcom for comment but details of complaints will not be released until tomorrow.

One user said: 'Such an appalling, indefensible question from Richard Madeley. How on earth would Layla Moran know what Hamas was planning?

'The Israeli intelligence services claim they didn't even know! Good Morning Britain please sack Richard Madeley.'

Another posted: 'DID RICHARD MADELEY JUST ASK A PALESTINIAN MP IF SHE KNEW ABOUT THE ATTACKS BEFORE IT HAPPENED?? Absolutely VILE and OFFENSIVE! He should apologise or be taken off.'

A third wrote: 'He should be fired for this.' A fourth added: 'Richard Madeley needs to be taken off the air. This is deeply offensive.'

Layla Moran (pictured at a rally in November 2018) is Britain's first Palestinian MP

Several people, including MP Florence Eshalomi, condemned Madeley for his line of questioning

Others urged people to report the interview to media watchdog Ofcom after the backlash

And a fifth tweeted: 'Madeley should be sacked, today, for this.'

A Good Morning Britain spokesperson said: 'Richard is sorry that he has upset viewers with his question to Layla Moran. His intention was to understand the mood and atmosphere amongst the civilian population of Gaza immediately before the attacks.

'He asked Layla about her family in Gaza City because she had discussed speaking to them earlier in the interview. He did not mean to imply that she or her family might have had any prior knowledge of the attacks.'

Earlier on in the show, Ms Moran, fearing for her family, declared: 'I don't believe it's right that my family are being held to account for what Hamas has done'.

She said members of her extended family are 'too old' and frightened to flee after their home was bombed by Israeli forces.

The MP said of Israel's bombing campaign with a land invasion on the way: 'Two wrongs do not make a right in this situation'.

She added: 'My immediate family is from the West Bank, but we have extended family in Gaza City'.

Ms Moran said her relatives are stranded in a church, they have 'no food and no water', 'have nowhere to go' and are 'too old' to move'.

'They are there because an Israeli bomb hit their house. They have heard that there have been convoys of people who have also been hit. They just don't feel safe to move.'

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has said that members of her extended family in Gaza had their home bombed but are 'too old' to flee the area

The politician says her family are in a church and too scared to move

'I don't believe it's right that my family are being held to account for what Hamas has done. It is a choice to turn off the electricity and the water like they have done.'

When it was put to her that the Israelis are using it as 'leverage' to force Hamas to release hostages, the MP added: 'They must releases those hostages, not a hair on their heads harmed. But that doesn't make it ok that people like my family are impacted. Two wrongs do not make a right in this situation.'

Rishi Sunak yesterday backed Israel's 'absolute' right to defend itself - as he revealed six British citizens were killed and ten are still missing in the wake of the 'pogrom' by Hamas.

This morning a 13-year-old British girl, who disappeared after Hamas attacked Be'eri Kibbutz and killed her mother Lianne, was confirmed dead by her heartbroken family. Her 16-year-old sister and their father remain missing.

In a sombre statement to the Commons, the Prime Minister said the UK would not try to 'prescribe' how Israel should respond in the face of the terror group's barbaric assault.

He said that 'as a friend', the UK would urge Israel to 'take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians' as it seeks to root out Hamas from its strongholds in Gaza.

But he warned that critics of Israel had to recognise that Hamas bears responsibility for the bloodshed and is now using ordinary Palestinians as 'human shields'.

The PM said that men, women, children and even babies had been 'murdered, mutilated and burned alive' by Hamas, adding: 'We should call it by its name - it was a pogrom.'

'I believe we must support, absolutely, Israel's right to defend itself,' he said. 'To go after Hamas, take back the hostages, deter further incursions, and strengthen its security for the long term.

'But this must be done in line with international humanitarian law but also recognising that they face a vicious enemy that embeds itself behind civilians.'

In a sombre statement to the Commons, the Prime Minister said the UK would not 'prescribe' how Israel should respond to the terror group's barbaric assault

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote a message of goodwill to the people of Israel, whilst visiting a north London Jewish school

The PM said that 'at least' six British nationals had been killed in the conflict, with a further ten 'missing', some of them thought to have been kidnapped by Hamas.

Announcing an extra 10million in humanitarian aid for Palestine, he said civilians in Gaza were 'victims of Hamas too'.

He was backed by Sir Keir Starmer, who said Israel had been 'the victim of terrorism on an almost unimaginable scale'.

The Labour leader also offered support to Israel saying that 'while Hamas have the capability to carry out attacks on Israel's territory there can be no peace'.

Mr Sunak also tried to offer direct reassurance to the Jewish community that the Government and police would act in response to the 'sickening' rise in anti-Semitic incidents in recent days.

'This atrocity was an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland of the Jewish people,' he said. 'I understand why it has shaken you to your core.'

The PM condemned 'unacceptable' scenes at some UK protests where demonstrators openly celebrated the Hamas attacks - and warned that anyone identified would face 'the full force of the law'.

Earlier, Home Secretary Suella Braverman suggested that pro-Palestinian protesters could face prosecution if they continue chanting: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.'

Mrs Braverman said the slogan, which was heard at demonstrations across the country last week, was 'widely understood as a demand for the destruction of Israel. Attempts to pretend otherwise are disingenuous'.

She said 'mainstream groups' had dropped the 'intimidating' chant decades ago, adding: 'The slogan was taken up by Islamists, including Hamas, and remains a staple of antisemitic discourse.

'To hear it shouted in public causes alarm not just to Jews but to all decent people. Those who promote hate on Britain's streets should realise that our tolerance has limits.'

Her comments will pile pressure on the police and prosecutors to take more account of the context of anti-Israel protests in the wake of the massacres by Hamas.

Mr Sunak said it was right to recognise that it was also 'a moment of great anguish for British Muslim communities, who are appalled by Hamas's actions but fearful of the response.' Mr Sunak faced repeated calls from MPs to outlaw Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which has been blamed for sponsoring the Hamas attacks.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman suggested pro-Palestinian protesters could face prosecution if they chanted: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'

Former defence secretary Liam Fox said: 'If the fingers on the trigger were Hamas, the strings being pulled were from Tehran.'

Fellow Tory Bob Blackman said the Hamas attack 'was clearly well-planned, well-resourced, well-equipped and had been planned for many months'.

He added: 'It is beyond belief that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps who fund and support Hamas were not behind this whole operation.'

The PM said British spy planes and warships had been dispatched to the region in part to prevent Iran supplying weapons to anti-Israel terror groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

But he swerved questions about why the Government has still not banned the Revolutionary Guard.

British officials have been pressing for Egypt to open the Rafah crossing with Gaza to allow Britons, dual nationals, as well as their spouses and children, to flee, and to allow humanitarian aid into its more than two million people.
This is the horrifying moment a BMW driver ploughed into a mother walking her baby girl in a hit-and-run, narrowly missing the pram.

Terrifying footage shows Rajdeep Kaur, 37, pushing along her 13-month-old daughter on February 3 at the junction of North Hyde Lane and Raleigh Road in Southall, west London, when the silver vehicle slams into her from the wrong direction.

As she crossed the road, the BMW overtook the line of traffic, hitting her and only just missing the pram.

The mother was thrown several feet in the air, leaving her in hospital with life threatening injuries.

A 5,000 reward has now been offered for any information that leads to the driver's conviction.

Footage shows the moment a BMW driver knocked over a mother pushing a pram which was carrying her baby girl in a hit-and-run

Rajdeep Kaur, 37, (pictured after the incident) was pushing her daughter in a pram on February 3 at around 12.30pm at the junction of North Hyde Lane and Raleigh Road in Southall, west London when she was hit by the BMW

Emergency services were called to the scene and Mrs Kaur was taken to hospital with leg and pelvis injuries.

After spending several months in hospital, the mother has severely limited mobility and is now unable to care independently for her daughter.

Witnesses to the incident captured the number plates of the BMW X5 but these were later found to be cloned.

Detective Constable Davina Nash, who has been leading the investigation, said: 'This is a very distressing case. Mrs Kaur thankfully survived but has sustained injuries that will change her life forever. It was only fortunate that her 13 month daughter was not hurt too.

The mother (pictured before the incident) was thrown several feet in the air, leaving her in hospital with life threatening injuries

The BMW failed to stop at the scene and the driver has not come forward, prompting police to offer a 5,000 reward for any information that leads to the driver's conviction (File image)

'Crimestoppers  who are independent of the police - are now offering a reward for information and we are hopeful this will encourage someone to come forward.

'We believe the driver of the BMW is local to the Hounslow area and so someone will know who he or she is.'

They added: 'If you have information about the driver or anything else that could secure justice for the victim, the charity Crimestoppers guarantee you will stay completely anonymous. They are available on the phone or via their website 24/7, 365 days a year.'
A little boy's family got a surprise when he snuck his way into a claw machine full of stuffed toys.

Imran Hussein was with his parents at a Lollipops playcentre in Strathpine, north of Brisbane, last Thursday when a Minion soft toy caught his eye.

The mischievous three-year-old, from Moreton Bay in Queensland, was unfazed that the prize toy was out of reach behind a transparent case.

Determined to make the toy his own, Imran managed to evade his parents and climb inside a flap at the bottom of the machine.

Three-year-old Imran Hussein climbed inside a claw machine full of stuffed toys after a yellow Minion caught his eye

Another parent spotted the boy inside the machine and raised the alarm.

His mother, Iferana Hussein, said she had gone to the cafe to order some snacks when the cheeky toddler made his escape.

'My husband was at the table watching him but when I came back he had disappeared,' Hussein told 9News.

'We were looking for him everywhere.'

Ms Hussein said she then spotted her son's head poking out over the top of the plush toys.

'He got in there and then he had the Minion and was trying to get out,' she said.

'He was having fun.'

The toddler's parents rushed to get him out of the machine after another customer raised the alarm

Lollipops play centre in Strathpine, about 50 minutes drive north of Brisbane CBD

Ms Hussein said the little boy was trapped inside the machine for about five minutes.

She said she was grateful for the helpful staff at the playcentre.

'The staff were so great and it was lucky they had the key to get in,' she said.

Staff at Lollipops staff gifted Imran the Minion toy for his impressive efforts.

'We did ask at the Lollipops if we could buy the Minion and said we'd be happy to pay, but they let him take it home and didn't charge us anything,' Ms Hussein said.
Two men have pleaded guilty to a coward punch attack that left the victim unable to move his head or eyes, speak or swallow a year on from the assault.

Suliman Suliman and Khaled Haddara appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged over the attack that left Kevin Vidovic, 25, with lifelong disabilities.

The court was shown video of Suliman punching Mr Vidovic from behind before the final blow that caused him to collapse and crack his head on the ground, the Herald Sun reported.

Mr Vidovic suffered 'truly catastrophic' consequences from the assault, which led to two subdural brain haemorrhages, the court was told.

Haddara was also seen in the footage from the early hours of October 30, 2022, trying to hit Mr Vidovic.

Suliman pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury, affray and two counts of assault and will appear before the County Court on May 14, next year.

Haddara pleaded guilty to charges of affray and assault and will face the magistrates' court again on November 15.

A man has pleaded guilty to a coward punch attack that left Kevin Vidovic (pictured) unable to move his head or eyes, speak or swallow a year on from the assault

Mr Vidovic (pictured) suffered 'truly catastrophic' consequences from the assault, which led to two subdural brain haemorrhages, a court was told

Man killed in car crash on his birthday and months before the birth of his first child Advertisement

A medical report said Mr Vidovic is 'likely to have a short life expectancy, slow, incomplete recovery over many years without ever being fully functional again'.

The Springvale man will also require 'total assistance in all aspects of living'.

A witness said said Mr Vidovic tried to defend himself before the coward punch knocked him down.

'(Mr Vidovic's) eyes rolled back and he fell straight back into concrete, hitting his head.

'That's when I heard a splatter sound and I thought Kevin is dead,' the witness said.

Two of the victim's friends were also injured in the fight on Riverside Quay and needed surgery on their faces.

'A family has lost their son, the son they knew,' magistrate Malcolm Thomas said.

Suliman Suliman is pictured leaving Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a string of charges

Khaled Haddara (pictured) pleaded guilty to affray and assault charges over the incident

Mr Vidovic's family, some of whom flew from Poland and Croatia to be with him, has started a GoFundMe page to help cover his medical expenses.

His father, Ilija Vidovic, wrote on the fundraiser page that 'Kevin is a young 25-year-old boy who has had his life nearly ended because of an unprovoked brutal coward's punch to the back of his head during a quiet evening dinner in Melbourne'.

'The hospital surgeons and doctors quickly operated on Kevin and relieved his brain swelling by removing a large portion of his skull,' Ilija wrote, explaining the medical treatment his son had.

As of Tuesday evening, the fundraiser had raised more than $30,000 to help the family.
Hundreds of tons of life-saving humanitarian aid designated for stranded people in Gaza is stuck at the Rafah-crossing that links the territory to Egypt at its southern border.

Late Monday, it was announced that President Joe Biden will visit the region in order to reaffirm solidarity with Israel in the midst of the Jewish state's counteroffensive against Hamas terrorists but also to discuss getting aid into Gaza.

There were few details, but the plan would include 'the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way', Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

However on Tuesday morning, Israel continued to bomb southern Gaza, raising concerns for the safety of aid workers attempting to make the crossing.

'We have arrived at the terminal and are now waiting for the next step,' aid worker Heba Rashed told Al-Arabiya.

Residents of northern Gaza were told last week to head south as the IDF plots a ground assault on the territory, the border crossings into Egypt and Israel are both closed

Volunteers load food and supplies onto trucks in an aid convoy for Gaza in North Sinai, Egypt

Aid workers wait around the dozens of trucks that are unable to travel into Gaza

CNN reported that United Nations trucks were also seen moving fuel inside of Gaza on Monday. 'This is fuel that already existed in Gaza and UNRWA transferred it from very close to the borders and into GAZA City where it's going to health providers,' aid worker Juliette Touma told the network.

Touma said that since Hamas's barbaric assault on Israel on October 7, Gaza has been without any humanitarian aid. The Rafah crossing remains closed, as does the Kerem Shalom crossing which links the territory to Israel.

The area around the Rafah crossing is a evacuation zone where Israel had told residents to gather in advance of an expected ground offensive.

Israel appears set to mount a major assault on the northern part of the territory aimed at rooting out Hamas.

Egyptian officials said on Monday that their Israeli counterparts were not cooperating with the delivery of aid and the evacuations of foreign passport holders from Gaza.

Egyptian officials have put the blame on their Israeli counterparts for the lack of activity at the border

The aid convoy, organized by a group of Egyptian NGOs, set off Monday from Cairo for the Gaza-Egypt border crossing at Rafah

'There is an urgent need to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza,' Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told reporters, adding that talks with Israel had not been fruitful.

'Until now the Israeli government has not taken a position on opening the Rafah crossing from the Gaza side to allow the entrance of assistance and exit of citizens of third countries.'

The ongoing war made delivery of aid through Rafah 'very difficult', U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

'There will need to be a mechanism given that it implicates a lot of parties, some of which are not on speaking terms, to put it mildly. We're working on that with key partners,' he told reporters in New York on Monday.

Palestinians look for survivors after Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis

Rockets are fired towards Israel from the Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP)

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing (Fatima Shbair/AP)

In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today program, former CIA director and retired US general David Petraeus said that Biden's visit so early into the conflict shows 'how serious this [conflict] is - there's nothing that shows that more than how the US president spends his time.'

'Going to Israel shows how important this is to the presidency, the US and, frankly, our allies across the world as well,' Petraeus said.

The general, who spearheaded US war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, added that security officials will also be watching other countries in the region, including Iran.

Petreaus said that it will be vital to watch what Iran's 'proxies,' terror groups that the country props up in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, will do in the coming days and weeks.

'There's a lot of risk here, there's a lot of potential [for] further challenges if the war truly becomes regional', he says, adding the Israeli military leadership 'clearly understand the magnitude of what lies ahead,' Petreaus added.

In an interview with the BBC, former CIA director and retired US general David Petraeus said that Biden's visit so early into the conflict shows 'how serious this [conflict] is'

Wounded people were rushed to hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, Gaza residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported that 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 were killed in Khan Younis.

Israel has carried out unrelenting strikes against Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel last week killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

Dozens of Israelis and citizens of other countries were taken captive and brought to Gaza by militants.

The Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to attack Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

The combination of air strikes, dwindling necessities caused by Israel's blockade, and Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territory's 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than one million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60 percent are now in the approximately eight-mile area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse with ever-decreasing supplies of water and medicine and with power running out at hospitals.

At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a ceasefire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli air strikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached on Monday, but Israel denied reports of a ceasefire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

Garbage piles up in the street in the Rafah refugee camp

A Palestinian man fills a bucket with water at the Rafah refugee camp

A bakery prepares rations of bread to pass out to internally displaced Palestinians

An Emirates cargo plane is loaded with aid for the Palestinian Gaza Strip at the airport in Dubai before flying to the Egypt-Gaza border city of el-Arish

General Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel.

Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict as fighting intensified along Israel's border with Lebanon.

The Jordanian king said that 'this is a red line ... no refugees to Jordan and also no refugees to Egypt.'

'This is a situation that has to be handled within Gaza and the West Bank,' he said. 'And you don't have to carry this out on the shoulders of others.'

King Abdullah II of Jordan told reporters following a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that his country, nor Egypt, will accept any Palestinian refugees.

Secretary of State Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread.

With taps dry, many rationed the little clean water available and others resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military said it was trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gaza's north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas' military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Israel fought a vicious month-long war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah: 'Don't test us in the north. Don't make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier.'

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.
A high-flying maths pupil who found a revision question online that later appeared in his exam paper has been stripped of his GCSE amid claims he cheated.

Emil Bednarski, 17, recognised the question in his maths paper in May after stumbling across it the night before as he looked up practice papers for last-minute cramming.

Puzzled by the trigonometry question, he ran it past a teacher on the morning of the exam - who recognised it as material from the paper and reported it to his school.

Emil, a pupil at Kensington Aldridge Academy in west London, has been accused of cheating and deliberately obtaining the question early.

He maintains that he did not realise it was going to appear in the paper and had run it past the teacher innocuously.

Invigilator Pearson initially refused to award him any maths GCSE at all before agreeing to give him a grade 5 - equivalent to a high C or low B under the old marking system - upon appeal.

Emil Bednarski, 17, was stripped of his maths GCSE amid claims that he cheated

The pupil at Kensington Aldridge Academy in west London (pictured) said he recognised the maths question from a revision paper he found online

But Emil's family are demanding an apology and compensation from the exam board.

His father Cezary told The Times: 'Not guilty of anything, Emil would have been knocked off his A-level education pathway.

'This would have had a significant impact on his prospects for the rest of his life, were it not for his schools fairness and integrity.'

The headteacher of Kensington Aldridge Academy has stood by the pupil, telling the exam board that it would be 'very surprising' for a pupil to knowingly admit to cheating by sharing a leaked exam question with a teacher.

Emil says he came across the question while searching for practice papers the night before the exam on websites such as Reddit and TikTok.

Appealing to the exam board, he went as far as showing investigators his bank account to show that no money had been exchanged for illegal access to papers.

In a statement to the board, Emil said: 'This whole saga, which in reality has nothing to do with me, placed me under massive stress... in the middle of my GCSEs.'

Pearson initially wrote off all three maths exam papers, saying its finding of malpractice was done 'on the balance of probability'. It eventually granted him a grade 5 pass on appeal.

In remarks reported by BBC News, Emil's father said that he understood why the teacher reported the concerns to the school, and subsequently why the school passed the concerns to invigilator Pearson.

However, he maintains that the exam board has been too harsh - adding that his son had been on track for a top grade were it not for the punishment.

Kensington Aldridge Academy told MailOnline that it could not comment on individual pupils.

Pearson maintains that its decision to punish the pupil was correct. In an appeal outcome letter, seen by the BBC, it states that it was 'clear' the teenager had gained access to the question before it appeared in the exam. But it said it was unclear whether he knew it was going to be in the paper.

Emil said he came across the question after searching for past papers on websites such as TikTok and Reddit

A spokesperson for Pearson said: 'We cannot comment on individual investigations  however we take all malpractice allegations very seriously and our expert team investigates each and every one.

'Malpractice is extremely rare. We have well-established processes in place to ensure fair and accurate results.

'All exam boards use analysis during and after marking to look for tell-tale signs of malpractice in exam papers  both at an individual and cohort level.

'Our review found no evidence that would require an adjustment to the marking or grading of exams.'

But the row comes after Pearson and another exam board, OCR, were targeted in a data breach earlier this year that is being investigated by Cambridgeshire Police.

The force said both boards had exam papers extracted from their systems and sold online  though it isn't clear whether the papers accessed included maths materials.

A police spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are investigating a data breach where two examination boards had exam papers extracted from their systems and sold online.

'We are working with the Department for Education and the National Crime Agency's National Cyber Crime Unit.

'A 16-year-old boy was arrested on 4 July on suspicion of theft, fraud and computer misuse. He has since been released under investigation while we carry out further enquiries.'

Kensington Aldridge Academy is a non-selective, co-educational school in Notting Hill with more 1,300 students.

After being temporarily relocated following the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 - in which four pupils at the school died - it was named Secondary School of the Year by the Times Educational Supplement (TES).
Badly-behaved British tourists face being banned from the Balearic Islands under controversial new proposals being studied by regional government chiefs.

The islands' Head of Tourism Jaume Bauza appeared to confirm overnight holidaymakers who break strict rules brought in to crack down on anti-social visitors could be blacklisted.

A drunken tourism decree was agreed at the start of 2020 for certain areas like Magaluf in Majorca and the West End of San Antonio in neighbouring Ibiza.

It included fines of up to 50,000 for holidaymakers caught leaping off their hotel balconies and limits on the amount of alcohol served with meals at all-inclusive hotels.

The Balearics Islands' new right-wing regional government has already signalled its intention to change the name of the decree against excess tourism to that of the 'responsible tourism' decree to avoid negative connotations.

A drunken tourism decree was agreed at the start of 2020 for certain areas like Magaluf (pictured) in Majorca and the West End of San Antonio in neighbouring Ibiza

Holidaymakers who flout the rules can already be expelled from their hotels, such as those who jump between balconies in a dangerous practice known locally as 'balconing'

It is also planning to eliminate the current situation where only some streets in certain resorts including Magaluf and San Antonio are affected by the rules, meaning action against offenders could potentially be taken in any of the four islands that make up the Balearics.

But in a key announcement yesterday, Mr Bauza also appeared to admit that as part of a package of tougher measures being prepared against anti-social visitors, a proposal to put some of them on a plane back home and ban them for returning for a certain period is being considered.

Holidaymakers who flout the rules can already be expelled from their hotels, such as those who jump between balconies in a dangerous practice known locally as 'balconing.'

Speaking after a meeting yesterday of the Commission for the Promotion of Civism in Tourist Zones with representatives of the four councils affected by the current excess tourism decree, the islands' Head of Tourism confirmed the idea of a blacklist was being considered.

Asked by local press whether the tougher action the government was planning against anti-social tourists included the possibility of expulsion from the islands and a ban on returning for a period of time, Mr Bauza said it would depend on the 'crime or infraction committed.'

Explaining that it would be 'regulated in the decree' he was quoted by respected island newspaper Diario de Ibiza as saying: 'I've expressed the master lines and nothing's being ruled out or confirmed at this stage.

'Then it will need to have a legal framework.

'The main thing is to target companies as well, but above all those people who behave in a way that is not tolerable, here or anywhere.'

The party resorts of Magaluf (pictured above) and part of Playa de Palma east of the island capital which is also one of the areas covered by the excess tourism decree, have been rocked this summer by several alleged sex attacks involving foreign tourists including gang rapes

The party resorts of Magaluf and part of Playa de Palma east of the island capital which is also one of the areas covered by the excess tourism decree, have been rocked this summer by several alleged sex attacks involving foreign tourists including gang rapes.

A British 18-year-old was allegedly gang-raped at a hotel in Magaluf in the early hours of August 14.

Five French nationals and a Swiss man were arrested and remanded in jail pending an ongoing judicial investigation and a further two suspects subsequently held in France on European Arrest Warrants.

The incidents put the spotlight on resorts like the Brit-popular Magaluf which has been trying to improve its international image in recent years.

Prostitutes and some pickpockets have had restraining orders slapped on them by the courts banning them from setting foot in Magaluf so the adoption of measures declaring certain individuals as 'personas non grata' is not new to the area.

Any attempts by the Balearic Islands' government to blacklist anti-social tourists is set to come up against EU free movement legislation, where the holidaymakers are from EU member states.

Although the right wing Popular Party won the May elections in the Balearic Islands, Spain's left-wing acting PM Pedro Sanchez currently stands the best chance of forming a coalition national government which would exclude the right.

In August it emerged four of the five tourists handed five-figure fines over the summer for climbing between balconies at hotels in Magaluf were British.

The pioneering excess tourism crackdown ended pub crawls, happy hours and 2x1 cheap drink offers in areas like Magaluf and San Antonio's West End

Calvia Council which is responsible for the party resort said on August 21 five foreign holidaymakers had been fined for 'balconing'.

The five were handed fines of 36,000 (30,720) each and kicked out of their hotels.

The fines were levied under the regional government decree designed to stamp out drunken tourism approved just over three years ago.

Earlier the same month a firm offering British holidaymakers illegal booze cruises in Magaluf was hit with a near-140,000 fine levied under the same decree.

Council chiefs responsible for the Majorcan party resort said company bosses were caught 'red-handed' as they escorted around 130 tourists who had paid nearly 40 each onto a boat where loud music was going to be played and alcohol was on offer.

The pioneering excess tourism crackdown ended pub crawls, happy hours and 2-for-1 cheap drink offers in areas like Magaluf and San Antonio's West End.

It also suspended the concession of new 'party boat' licences, with boats that were already licensed banned from embarking or disembarking tourists in the areas covered.

Calvia's new mayor Juan Antonio Amengual said earlier this month after it emerged the 'singling-out' of certain areas which critics of the regional government decree have complained about would be stopped: 'What you find at the moment is that one side of the street you have the tough rules and on the other side you don't.

'We want it all to be the same.'
A HMP Wandsworth locksmith made moulds of jail keys to sell for 100,000 to fund a new romance in Trinidad - sparking an estimated 1million in replacement costs.

Married Andrej Martynov, 44, exchanged flirtatious online messages with a colleague at the notorious south-west London prison, urging her to join him in the Caribbean.

Lithuanian-born Martynov, of Beckton, told prison project escort officer Sabrina Ghany he had made moulds of three keys and could sell them for a new life together.

Ms Ghany had originally believed he had been joking but when he kept mentioning it she reported it to the authorities.

Police raided his matrimonial home and discovered in a sock drawer two quick-drying cement moulds, containing three key impressions.

Yesterday Martynov pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in public office and told he could face jail.

Previously it had been reported the incident caused some 3,200 keys having to be swapped for the estimated bill of 1million.

Martynov pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in public office and told he could face jail

Married Andrej Martynov, 44, exchanged flirtatious messages with Sabrina Ghany (pictured)

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court was told on Monday Martynov had been in a position of great trust.

Prosecutor Richard Job said he began working at HMP Wandsworth in April, 2017 and was fully trained in sensitive security procedures.

'He would be in possession of prison keys that he would collect at the start of his day's work and have access to the wings and the cells.'

He was employed by private facilities management firm Carillion, who had a government contract at the prison and began working there despite hardly speaking a word of English.

Giving evidence Ms Ghany told the court she had been one of only two fellow-workers who joined Martynov for his birthday drink in a local pub when he first mentioned his plot.

She explained: 'He told me he fancied me and he was interested in me and made two sets of keys and was going to sell them. He said he was going to sell them for fifty thousand pounds each and start a new life.

'It sounded like a joke and I did not take it seriously. It didn't sound genuine.

Martynov began working at HMP Wandsworth in April, 2017 and was fully trained in sensitive security procedures

The court heard there was no evidence Martynov used the moulds to manufacture any keys

'Later we had a beer on Wandsworth Common and he said he wanted to sell the keys and that he had a buyer.

'He said there was a woman interested and that we could go to Trinidad, where | am from and have a comfortable life there.

'He was very serious and very determined and I kept it very casual and did not show him any reaction, but he was saying it one too many times so I reported him.

'There was an extremely flirtatious Facebook element, but I deleted it and apologised to him.

'He specifically told me he made a set of Class One and Class Two keys.'

The court heard there was no evidence Martynov used the moulds to manufacture keys, but after their discovery all the keys and locks in the entire prison were changed.

Police raided his former home in Earlsfield, south London, on September 13, 2019.

After the plot was discovered HMP Wandsworth increased security at the gate and identity checks

The taxpayer faced a 1million bill to replace all 3,000 locks at HMP Wandsworth (pictured) after the security alert

Mr Job added: 'When officers searched a chest of drawers they found two blocks of cement, each bearing the impression of keys and he said they were moulds of prison keys.

'He used quick-drying cement, but said he had no intention to supply them to anyone else.

'Using the keys one could get from the cell to the prison grounds with only the wall to scale and as a result all the keys and locks in the prison had to be replaced.'

Police also found two containers of cannabis, which Martynov claimed he bought from a cyclist in Wandsworth Park for 80 and he paid a 246 fine, plus a total of 107 in court costs on his first appearance.

With the assistance of an interpreter Martynov lied to the court he innocently made the moulds to assist his understanding of prison locks.

'The prisoners block the locks and I thought I could make a tool to open the locks, like a tool bit,' he claimed.

'I wanted to train myself how to pick the locks, I wanted to know how prison locks work so I could complete call-outs quicker and go home.

'I made the moulds and one day took them home in my pocket. I did not want to throw them away in case someone recognised them as prison keys.

'I realised I made a stupid mistake and I wanted to smash the moulds when my wife was out, but I did not get the opportunity.'

Martynov laughed at the suggestion he could charge 50,000 per key, insisting he did not discuss this with Ms Ghany.

'About prison keys we talked nothing at all. We have not talked about prison keys,' he said.

'It was a bad idea to make the moulds, I recognise that. That is why I took them out to destroy them.'

But Judge Rajeev Shetty rejected Martynov's account and said he believed he had intended to go through with his plan.

He ruled on it after sitting on a Newton hearing to establish the facts after the defendant said he had admitted it only on the basis he was not going to sell them.

Martynov pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in public office on or before September 12, 2019, namely while the 'lock and key controller' made moulds of keys and removed them.

Judge Shetty told him: 'He had the moulds for the specific purpose of enrichment. The intention was for a dishonest purpose if a selling opportunity arose,

'I cannot see any justification for suspending the sentence. It is not that long ago that somebody actually escaped from Wandsworth prison.

'I don't see any circumstances where a court could impose anything other than an immediate custodial sentence.'

Martynov was bailed to return on November 30.
A heartbroken Israeli father has told of his guilt and pain after his wife and three daughters were all abducted by Hamas amid the ruthless terrorist attack on October 7.

Yoni Asher came home to discover his wife, children and mother-in-law were nowhere to be found - and quickly realised they had been dragged into trucks and cars and driven back into Gaza by the gunmen.

In a moving interview with CNN, Yoni could not hold back his emotions, breaking down and sobbing as he described his emotions.

'I just want her to know that I love her with all of my heart and I'm sorry,' he began.

'The worst thing as a father who has three girls, a wife and two little babies is the guilt - it's this guilt.

'I'm thinking about them if they're alive, they're sitting there thinking - ''why is daddy not coming to get me?''

'I'm afraid they will forget me. I'm afraid they won't recognise me, you know, for children a day is like a month for us. I want that I'll be in their mind like they are in my mind,' he said through tears.

'I have to be strong for them. I'm going through the fight of my life today.'

Yoni Asher came home to find his wife, children and mother-in-law were nowhere to be found

In a moving interview with CNN , Yoni could not hold back his emotions, breaking down and sobbing as he described his emotions

'The worst thing as a father who has three girls, a wife and two little babies is the guilt - it's this guilt', Yoni said

Yoni's family is just one of many taken hostage by Hamas attackers last weekend.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly.

Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

Meanwhile Hamas, who says it is holding more than 200 hostages, released a video overnight showing one of the Israelis in captivity.

In the video, which was published on Hamas's official Telegram channel, a young woman speaking Hebrew addresses the camera directly claiming to be from central Israel.

Mia Schem, who was abducted at the Nova festival, says that her captors are taking care of her and adds: 'I only ask that you get me out of here as soon as possible. Please.'

MailOnline has decided to publish one still image from the video after the 21-year-old's family gave media organisations permission to do so.

It is the first footage released by Hamas of a hostage purportedly speaking from captivity, with the caption saying she was abducted on October 7, when Hamas attacked southern Israel.

Speaking to the camera in Hebrew, the young woman asks for Hamas to release her and let her go home

In the footage Ms Schem can be seen saying she is being cared for while footage shows her receiving treatment for an injury to her arm

A man walks past images of Israeli hostages snatched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas last week in a surprise attack into Israel, plastered on a wall outside the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv on October 16, 2023

A woman takes a photograph with her mobile phone of images of Israeli hostages snatched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas last week in a surprise attack into Israel

Israel has carried out unrelenting airstrikes against Hamas-ruled Gaza since the attacks which are believed to have killed some 1,400 people in Israel, mostly civilians.

The Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there - though the strikes have not stopped Hamas from continuing to barrage Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling necessities caused by Israel's blockade, and Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territory's 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 8-mile-long section of the Strip south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse with ever-decreasing supplies of water and medicine and with power running out at hospitals.

At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians - many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities - were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel. The aid would then be allowed into Gaza.

A brief humanitarian ceasefire would take place and foreign nationals would be allowed to exit Gaza via Rafah, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media.

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians. But the agency said it has only one litre of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel imminently, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the U.N. said.

Yet doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators.
NSW police have released the images of several demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian rally, alleging they may have information relating to an assault on an Israeli supporter who confronted the protest.

A 45-year-old man began arguing with a group supporting Palestine about 7:30pm on Monday 9 October at the Sydney Opera House, as conflict raged on in Israel and Gaza.

Police allege the Israel supporter was assaulted and spat on during the argument, before officers intervened to break up the group.

After police stepped in, the group, including the alleged victim, dispersed and left the area.

The man later reported the assault to Maroubra Police.

NSW police have released the images protestors at a pro-Palestinian rally, alleging they may have information relating to an assault on an Israeli supporter who confronted the protest

The demonstration at the Sydney Opera House descended into racist obscenities when a small group began anti-Semitic chants

The demonstration, which took place as the Opera House sails were lit in the colours of the Israeli flag, descended into racist obscenities when a small group began anti-Semitic chants including 'f*** the Jews' and 'gas the Jews'.

Strike Force Mealing, set up to investigate the protest, released CCTV images of five people on Tuesday who they believe could 'assist with their investigation'.

The first man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 20s, of solid build, and has tattoos on both legs.

He was wearing black sunglasses, a white and blue keffiyeh (head-covering garment), a white shirt, black shorts, long black socks and black shoes.

The second man is described as Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 20s, of a medium build, has a moustache, and was wearing a white and blue keffiyeh, a white shirt with both Aboriginal and Palestinian flags print, black pants, and black and white Vans.

Police release CCTV images of protestors who they believe may have information about an alleged assault on a man supporting Israel

An image of one of the protestors NSW police are looking for in relation to the alleged assault

The third man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his early 20s, of a tall build, with medium-length curly black hair, and a stubbly goatee, and was wearing a white and blue keffiyeh, and a white shirt.

The fourth man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 20s, of a medium build, with short black hair, and a black beard, and was wearing a white and blue keffiyeh, a black tracksuit and white shoes.

Police on Monday released the image of a sixth man, alleging he threw a flare during the same protest.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any of the individuals have done anything unlawful, only that police believe they may have information about the alleged assault.

NSW police are searching for this man who may have information about an alleged assault

Strike Force Mealing has been set up to investigate the protest (pictured: one of the protestors NSW police are looking for)

Earlier in the evening an Israeli supporter was removed by police after waving the blue and white flag.

Police commanders said he was arrested for his own safety.

NSW Police did not authorise the gathering planned for Sunday, but conceded they had no power to stop people coming together to protest.

On Monday, NSW Police charged a 63-year-old man from Mt Druitt, who claims to work at an Australian Air Force base, saying he had made offensive comments at Sunday's protest.

The man was videoed at the demonstration in Sydney CBD's Hyde Park repeatedly screaming 'Allahu Akbar... Get the f***ing Jews wiped out' until police intervened.

He will appear in Downing Centre Local Court on November 15.

The Sydney rally was one of several held across the country condemning Israel's strong response to Hamas terror attacks.
An award-winning construction company is facing a shock collapse that could leave customers with half-finished homes.

The Australian Tax Office lodged an application in the federal court for 'the winding up' of Simsai Constructions, which operates three building operations in Western Australia.

While the company's fate is not yet determined, the intervention of the ATO spells serious trouble for the Perth-based residential and commercial builder.

Over 2,000 Australian construction firms collapsed in the 2022-23 financial year amid labour shortages and the rising costs of building materials, power and fuel.

Simsai runs apartment builder Multi Develop 360, designer and home builder Express Homes and 'help centre' First Home Buyers Direct.

Creditors owed money by a company trading insolvent usually force the issue. It is considered unusual for the ATO to lodge a winding up notice.

Simsai runs Perth-based apartment builder Multi Develop 360, designer and home builder Express Homes and 'help centre' First Home Buyers Direct

The Australian Taxation Office has lodged an application in the federal court for 'the winding up' of Perth-based Simsai Constructions. Pictured: one of the company's residential home projects under construction

READ MORE: NSW builder with 51 year history on major projects goes under Advertisement

When the application to wind up a company is successful the company ceases to exist and its assets are sold.

The issuing of the notice does not mean the company has been wound up however.

'An application for the winding up of Simsai Construction Group Pty Ltd was commenced by the plaintiff Deputy Commissioner of Taxation on 21/09/2023,' The Australian Securities and Investment Commission said in a statement.

This week the company told The West Australian that it did not expect to fold.

'We are aware of the order and we hope to have it sorted in the next two to three weeks,' a spokeswoman for Simsai Construction Group said.

It is understood Simsai was battling cashflow issues partly caused by its house-and-land packages which required no progress payments.

First Home Buyers Direct boasts on its webpage, 'We can get you into your own home, even if you don't have any genuine savings.'

Simsai Constructions is jointly owned by Ashley Thomlinson, Ann Ambrose, Chris Pottier, Amrish Valand and Mahendra Surti.

Simsai Constructions is jointly owned by Ashley Thomlinson (pictured right), Ann Ambrose, Chris Pottier, Amrish Valand and Mahendra Surti

Over 2,000 Australian construction firms collapsed in the 2022-23 financial year. Pictured: One of Simsai Constructions' multi-unit developments

The federal court hearing is set to take place on November 14.

News of Simsai's woes came just hours after another WA builder collapsed.

Joondalup-based builder Intellibuild Constructions had its registration renewal knocked back the WA Building Services Board on financial grounds.

While the company, trading as Boston Keys Pty Ltd, had applied for a renewal, the board said they weren't 'satisfied that the company met the financial requirements set out in the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011'.

They had been trading since December 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit and devastated the building industry.
The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann could face trial for a series of heinous crimes as soon as February next year.

According to the Spain-based Olive Press newspaper, convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner, 46, is likely to appear next February at Braunschweig High Court for his involvement in multiple crimes.

The trial, expected to span over a month, could spell a lifetime behind bars for the 46-year-old German sex offender due to the severity of the charges against him.

German police also believe Brueckner separately abducted Madeleine from her family's family apartment in Portugal in 2007, then killed her.

Although the German prosecutors have still not yet formally charged him with this, they have charged him with a range of other sickening crimes including three shocking rapes and two sex attacks on children.

Authorities in Germany have indicated that the long-awaited Madeleine McCann trial will follow closely on the heels of the upcoming case, according to police sources via The Olive Press.

Madeleine McCann (left) suspect Christian Brueckner (right) will be tried in Germany over separate rape and sexual abuse offences allegedly committed in Portugal

Hazel Behan was working in Praia da Rocha, Portugal, 30 minutes' drive from where Madeleine was abducted, when she was viciously assaulted by a stranger in her apartment in 2004

Christian Brueckner's bid to move the court to a different jurisdiction was denied recently, cementing his fate in Braunschweig.

Brueckner is currently serving a seven-year prison term in a high-security prison locally dubbed 'Alcatraz of the North' in Oldenburg, near the historic northern city of Bremen.

READ MORE: Madeleine McCann suspect CAN be charged by German prosecutors over separate sex offences committed in Portugal, court rules in new blow to Christian Brueckner Advertisement

He was handed the sentence for the brutal rape of an American pensioner in Portugal in 2005, but he now faces charges for the rape of a young Irish woman, Hazel Behan, in the Algarve in June 2004.

Behan, who was just 20 years old at the time, endured a harrowing ordeal when a blond-haired German intruder with blue eyes broke into her apartment.

The vicious assailant raped her at knifepoint and filmed the vicious four-hour attack.

Two witnesses reported seeing a man resembling Brueckner enter and exit the apartment in Portimao at dawn, with one hotel worker claiming he saw the German expat without his mask.

In addition to Hazel's case, Brueckner will also be tried for two other rapes he filmed at his former residence outside Praia da Luz, the same area where Madeleine McCann disappeared.

These cases involve the brutal sexual assault of an unidentified teenager and an older woman in her sixties.

The incriminating videos were discovered by two petty criminal acquaintances, Manfred Seyferth and Helge Busching, who had taken a camera from Brueckner's home.

Further, Brueckner faces two additional charges related to shocking child sex offences, including the assault of a young German girl on a beach near Praia da Luz, just a month before Madeleine's disappearance.

The assailant was witnessed by the girl's brother, and her parents have identified him as Brueckner.

Additionally, Brueckner is accused of a sexual assault charge for exposing himself to four young children in a playground in Sao Bartolome de Messines, on the Algarve, in 2017.

At that time, he was arrested by an off-duty female police officer who discovered his Interpol warrant for other crimes in Germany, and it was this incident which saw him deported.

For more than a decade, Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate (pictured together in 2017) have waited in vain for any news - any clue - that their little girl is somehow alive after all this time. Police sources now indicate the trial could follow Brueckner's current case

A police search team walk on the shore of the Arade dam near Silves, Portugal, in May 2023

Madeleine was snatched just nine days before her fourth birthday while she was left sleeping alone with her younger twin siblings

With nearly 20 previous convictions to his name, Brueckner faces a reckoning like no other.

Speaking to Germany's Bild newspaper, Friedrich Fulscher, Brueckner's lawyer, however, said he does not think the case will be heard next February:

'Due to other, priority proceedings in court and the defence, I do not expect the trial to begin before March.

'Proceedings in which pre-trial detention is carried out must be processed before proceedings in which the detention takes place on a basis other than a pretrial detention order.'
A teenager who has been missing since Friday has been spotted on CCTV with a mystery man, and police are asking the public for help identifying him.

Grace Fisher, from Gillingham, Kent, was seen on the footage for Friday evening walking with an unknown man.

Police first believed the teenager was last seen in Gillingham High Street at around 5.45pm.

But CCTV images have now emerged showing her walking down Gundulph Road and The Brook in Chatham an hour later.

Footage showing the man has not yet been released.

The 16-year-old girl was last seen wearing a grey jumper with a black 'New York' logo, black leggings, and white Nike trainers.

Grace Fisher, from Gillingham, Kent, was last seen on Friday evening around 5.45pm

Grace Fisher walking down Gundulph Road and The Brook in Chatham on CCTV

READ MORE - Police issue urgent appeal to find two teenage girls who are believed to have travelled from Blackpool to Manchester Advertisement

The unknown man she was spotted with is white, between 20 and 30 years old and between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 10ins tall.

He is of a medium build with dark, collar-length hair which was tied in a bun when he was with Grace.

The footage showed him wearing a light-coloured, thigh-length coat with a white t-shirt underneath.

He also wore light-coloured trousers and white trainers with a gold necklace on.

Kent Police are growing increasingly concerned for Grace's welfare and has asked for anyone who sees her or knows where she is to call 999 quoting reference number 13-1191.
A 13-year-old British girl who went missing after Hamas terrorists launched their barbaric attack in Israel has been murdered, her heartbroken family have revealed.

Yahel Sharabi, 13, disappeared after the terrorists attacked Be'eri Kibbutz and killed her British mother Lianne, who was born in Bristol.

Her family have now confirmed that the teenager was also slaughtered in the attack. Yahel's older sister Noiya Sharabi, 16, and their Israeli father Eli Sharabi are still missing.

The teenagers hadn't been heard from since black-clad gunmen, wielding assault rifles and hand grenades, went door to door at their small kibbutz looking for Israeli families to slaughter or kidnap in their savage attack on October 7.

Yahel and Noiya's heartbroken uncles yesterday told MailOnline that they weren't eating or sleeping since they reported the girls missing and were determined to do everything they could to bring them back to safety.

But today Yahel's grief-stricken family, still reeling from the murder of her mother Lianne, confirmed the 13-year-old had been killed by the terrorists.

Yahel, 13, (right) was murdered by Hamas terrorists, her family have confirmed, while her older sister Noiya, 16, (left) is still missing

Yahel (left) and her mother Lianne (centre) were killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Noiya (right) is still missing

Yahel, 13, disappeared after the terrorists attacked Kibbutz Be'eri and killed her British-born mother Lianne. Her family have confirmed she was murdered while her sister Noiya, 16, (right) is still missing alongside their father

Houses are destroyed after clashes between Israeli and Palestinian forces in Be'eri, Israel, on October 14

Israeli soldiers patrol the area as the traces of clashes between Israeli and Palestinian forces are seen in Be'eri on October 14

Her sister Noiya and father Eli, 51, remain missing whilst their uncle Yossi, 53, was kidnapped and taken to Gaza.

Only yesterday did the family have to confirm that the girls' mother Lianne, 48, was slaughtered in her home in last weekend's attack.

The girls' uncles, Raz Matalon and Sharon Sharabi, said they had received a series of panicked messages from Lianne on October 7 who told them she heard gunshots outside their home.

They told MailOnline: 'She wrote that she heard gunshots outside her home. That people were screaming and calling in Arabic. And people running all over.

'So they stayed in the safe room until they heard the terrorists had entered the house and tried to open the door.'

It was at this moment all communication from Lianne and her family ceased, leaving her family waiting in vain for any news of their loved ones.

The uncles said it wasn't until three days later that Israeli soldiers were able to enter Eli and Lianne's home, where they saw bullets embedded in the walls of the bomb shelter and in the children's room.

'There were too big blood stains on the floor,' Matalon and Sharabi said. 'They saw the dog lying there dead.'

The family have now confirmed Yahel, 13, and her mother Lianne were murdered by the terrorists.

In a tribute, family members said Lianne was a 'beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend who enriched the lives of all those lucky enough to have known and loved her'.

'She lived a beautiful life and will be sorely missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind.'

Noiya, far right, and her father Eli (centre) are still missing while her mother (left) was killed by the terrorists

Israeli soldiers cordon off an area in Be'eri Kibbutz near the border with the Gaza Strip on October 15 following the Hamas attack

Houses are destroyed after Hamas terrorists set fire to homes in Be'eri, Israel, last week

A man checks the interior of a house damaged in the October 7 attack by Hamas terrorists on Kibbutz Be'eri on October 14

A soldier inspects the debris, which includes smashed furniture and bullet-ridden walls

Israeli soldiers walk past a house destroyed in the attack by Hamas terrorists

The family fear Noiya and her father Eli have been taken into Gaza as hostages where the Hamas terrorists are using people they have captured as 'human shields' to fend off Israeli forces.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed yesterday that six Britons were killed in the attacks last week, while another ten are missing.

Last week, chilling video emerged of the moment Hamas terrorists ran towards homes in the Be'eri kibbutz and unleashed a hail of bullets on the terrified families living there.

What had been a quiet morning, where many of the 1,000 families - including Yahel, Noiya and their parents - would have been sleeping or enjoying breakfast, turned into one of nightmares.

The gunmen can be heard shouting orders at each other in the video as they run from house to house, the sickening sound of gunshots filling the morning air.

Four gunmen can be seen approaching one family home before shooting into the windows. One of the terrorists can be seen kicking down the door as a round of five gunshots can be heard in the background in quick succession.

The video cuts out before the terrorists manage to break down the door, but it was at this kibbutz they ruthlessly shot dead screaming families as they begged for their lives. Israeli soldiers would later find the bodies of 108 Israeli civilians lying riddled with bullet holes in their homes.

Chilling video has emerged of the moment Hamas terrorists ran towards homes in the kibbutz and unleashed a hail of bullets on the terrified families living there

Israeli soldiers carry the body of a Hamas terrorist in Be'eri Kibbutz on Wednesday

A house is completely destroyed after being burned by Hamas terrorists during the attack at Be'eri Kibbutz

Buildings and vehicles are destroyed after Hamas terrorists launched their attack on Be'eri

Israeli Major General Itai Veruv told how the Hamas terrorists had thrown a hand grenade towards 15 girls and teenagers who were desperately trying to hide from them. All were found dead in that single room.

The Hamas gunmen also set fire to several homes here in a sick attempt to force the families out so that they could gun them down as soon as they reached their gardens.

Horrific photos too graphic to publish showed how one woman was lying face down in the bed in a pool of blood with six gaping holes in her mottled, decomposing skin.

Next to her, a man with dark hair awkwardly slipped in a gap between the bed and a wall. His black clothes, which appeared to be pyjamas, were still slick with his blood, which pooled in a dark red mess on the floor below him.

His body could be seen decomposing - his face has blackened with boils all over his arms. Chunks of his flesh were missing from his right arm and hand.

Outside, several cars were left flattened, while the bodies of people in everyday clothing can be seen lying in awkward positions.

One survivor, Haim Jelin, told local media that Hamas fighters 'walked around Be'eri like they owned the place'.

He added: 'They shot indiscriminately, abducted whoever they could, burned down people's homes so they'd have to escape through the window, where the terrorists would wait.'

A woman called Miri Gad Mesika told local media that she and her husband were choking on thick smoke and gas fumes as they tried to hide.

'We soaked towels with water and covered our faces, while my husband Eli held the shelter door closed as hard as he could as the terrorists tried to break in,' she said.

'Moments before we jumped from the second floor, we assessed the situation of the fire and looked out for the terrorists and decided to jump.

'We fled to our neighbours across the street, and watched our house go up in flames before it was completely burned down. I have no idea how we survived.'

Israeli Major General Itai Veruv, who arrived at Be'eri on Saturday to join the fighting there, said as he walked past a home in the now blackened kibbutz: 'Children in the same room and someone came and killed them all. Fifteen girls and teenagers, they put (them) in the same room, threw in a hand grenade and it's over.'

'This is a massacre. It's a pogrom.'

Be'eri, a settlement of a little more than 1,000 people, is one of more than 20 towns and villages ambushed early Saturday by Hamas terrorists.

Before the attack, Be'eri  started by Zionist settlers two years before the country itself was founded  was known for its industriousness, including a large printing plant that turns out Israeli driver's licenses.

Now it has become a horrific symbol of the war with Hamas, which authorities say has so far left about 1,300 dead in Israel and about 2,778 people in Gaza.

Mr Sunak said the people killed and missing in the Hamas attack on Israel came from more than 30 countries, as well as Israel. He called the attack 'an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland for the Jewish people.'

He said Britain supports 'absolutely Israel's right to defend itself, to go after Hamas, take back the hostages, deter further incursions and strengthen its security for the long term - in line with international humanitarian law.'

He added the UK has earmarked 10million to alleviate the 'acute humanitarian crisis' in Gaza, and urged Israel and Egypt to open a border crossing to let in aid.

Meanwhile, further video of the attack on the Be'eri kibbutz where Yahel lived with her family shows the moment the murderous gunmen shot dead an Israeli family's dog before storming their home, raiding their fridge and setting their home alight.

The clip, obtained from the GoPro camera attached to the helmet of one Hamas fighter, showed how the dog came bounding out of the house towards the attackers and was immediately mowed down with several bullets.

Hamas terrorists promptly invaded one house and rifled through the family's belongings, drinking orange juice from their fridge and gorging themselves on its contents.

Then one militant drew a lighter from his pocket and took it to the wall, sparking house plants and hanging ornaments that quickly set ablaze before the heavily armed men made their exit.

Further video of the attack shows the moment the murderous gunmen shot dead an Israeli family's dog before storming their home, raiding their fridge and setting their home alight amid a campaign of civilian slaughter

One militant withdrew a lighter from his pocket and held it to the wall, setting fire to house plants and hanging ornaments

The dog came bounding out of the house towards the attackers and was immediately mowed down with several bullets

Another harrowing scene from the same kibbutz showed how a second group of Hamas militants gained access to the gated compound by slaughtering civilians at near point blank range as they sat in a car.

The footage of the brutal attack was captured by cameras mounted at various points overlooking the entrance to the kibbutz, protected by a yellow metal gate.

CCTV camera footage, timestamped 5.55am on Saturday, shows two Hamas militants armed with AK-47s and dressed in camouflaged military clothing, body armour and combat boots approaching the gate that blocks a two-lane road.

At first, the two fighters are seen trying to find a way through the gate, with one testing to see whether he could fit through the small gap underneath.

He soon changes his mind, and instead breaks into a small guardhouse that sits to one side of the kibbutz entrance, using his rifle to smash his way inside.

Seconds after he climbs through a window, the other combatant spots the approaching car. He hides behind a tree, while the first soldier hides inside the guardhouse, setting an ambush for the approaching vehicle.

At 5.57am, barely two minutes after the two militants were first seen inspecting the entryway to the kibbutz, the driver and passenger are seen pulling up to the gate.

Both are seemingly unaware that the two armed men are lying in wait, and the electronically-operated gate starts to open.

As the driver briefly leans out the window, seemingly to address whoever is inside the guard-house, the armed militant is seen running out from behind the tree.

Israeli rescuers shared a shocking image of a blood-soaked nursery in Be'eri

A nursery room is seen charred after Hamas set fire to the building

Once he is feet away from the car, he mercilessly opens fire from point blank range through the passenger side window, blasting the two Israelis with several rounds.

From the other side, the Hamas militant in the guard house also opens fire, hitting the driver several times, who is seen being buffeted as he it hit by the bullets.

As the militants run through the now open gate, the footage shows the car continuing to gently roll forward into the kibbutz which has now been breached.

The victims inside the car remain motionless, covered in blood. Both are presumed to have been killed in the attack, likely among the first victims on Saturday which saw more than 1,000 Hamas gunmen stream across the border from Gaza and into Israel, where they indiscriminately shot civilians while taking others hostage.

The Times of Israel reported Hamas had control of the Be'eri kibbutz for 17 hours.

General Veruv, who had retired from the military until he was recalled Saturday to lead forces fighting to regain control of towns that were attacked, said Hamas fighters had taken up entrenched positions in the ruins of Be'eri, hiding in small groups before surprising Israeli soldiers as they went from house to house.

'Every time that we thought we cleaned the area and everything was silent, suddenly another 12 or another 20 got out,' he said.
An image of four Greens MP sitting alone in parliament as they refused to back a motion supporting Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas has been called 'disgraceful'.

Two weekends ago, Palestinian terrorists launched horrific attacks from Gaza, killing at least 1,400 people, including babies, in what has been labelled Israel's 9/11.

Greens leader Adam Bandt was pictured alongside MPs Stephen Bates, Max Chandler-Mather and Elizabeth Watson-Brown, as every other MP in the House of Representatives voted for the motion.

Mr Bandt tried to add an amendment to accuse Israel of war crimes and declare the barrage of air strikes and imminent invasion of Gaza 'not just a humanitarian catastrophe, but a war crime'.

Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie and Sydney Teal MPs, Kylea Tink and Sophie Scamps supported this amendment.

An image of four Greens MP sitting alone in parliament (pictured top left) as they refused to back a motion defending Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, has been called 'disgraceful'

Max Chandler-Mather and Elizabeth Watson-Brown voted against the motion

Greens leader Adam Bandt and Stephen Bates also failed to back the motion condeming Hamas

Iran warns it will take 'pre-emptive action' against Israel in 'the coming hours' Tehran has repeatedly warned an invasion of Gaza would be met with a response from other fronts. Advertisement

Speaking on Sky News, former Victorian Liberals president Michael Kroger called the Greens MPs 'disgraceful' for not backing the motion and seeking to amend it.

Sky News presenter Andrew Bolt said the Teal independents would face a backlash at the next election.

'In those (former) blue ribbon Liberal seats I can see people being disgusted with those two and Jason Falinski and Trent Zimmerman if they front up again they will probably win those seats back,' he said.

Mr Falinski lost to Ms Scamps in the seat of Mackellar and Mr Zimmerman lost to Ms Tink in the seat of North Sydney in the May 2022 federal election.

Mr Bandt told parliament the Greens joined 'everyone in this parliament in mourning the 1,300 Israelis who have lost their lives', but he wanted to highlight that 'there are also between 2,300 and 2,600 Palestinians who have lost their lives, many of whom are children'.

'And we mourn them as well,' he said.

'This is now moving beyond self-defence into an invasion, and it is up to Australia as a peace-loving country to join the push to stop it.'

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said Jews were shocked by the actions of the Teal independents.

'Whilst the Jewish community expects such behaviour from the Greens  Ms Scamps and Ms Tink have turned their back on the Jewish communities in their electorates at their time of need,' Mr Ossip told The Australian.

Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie and Sydney Teal MPs, Kylea Tink and Sophie Scamps supported a Greens amendment. Ms Tink (left) and Ms Scamps (right) are pictured

A Palestinian man walks amid the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israeli air strikes near his home in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern of Gaza Strip

A rescuer salvages a gas canister from the rubble of a building after it was hit by an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 15, 2023

Children crying because of Israeli raids on October 15, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza.

He added that by voting with the Greens, the two Teal MPs had aligned themselves with the most extreme MPs in the federal parliament.

Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said the Greens were 'so hardwired in their loathing of Israel and distrust of the Australian Jewish community that they could not even extend symbolic solidarity with our community'.

Mr Ryvchin also said the Teal MPs who backed the Greens amendment were undermining Israel's efforts to save the 165 hostages taken by Hamas.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said what the Greens did was 'despicable', and that they 'really couldn't miss this moment more'.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton attacked those he called 'apologists' for Hamas who did not condemn anti-Semitic slurs shouted by protesters at pro-Palestinian rallies last week.

'Their silence is, frankly, contemptible,' he said.

The Israeli military has been pounding the Gaza Strip with unprecedented firepower ever since Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the enclave, launched the biggest attack on Israel since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

Authorities in Gaza said at least 2,750 people had so far been killed by the Israeli strikes, a quarter of them children, and nearly 10,000 wounded. Another 1,000 people were missing and believed to be under rubble.

A wounded donkey sits near houses and buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on October 11

A medic runs as he carries an injured Palestinian child to ambulance

alestinians inspect their destroyed car after an Israeli airstrike in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern of Gaza Strip on Monday

More than a million people have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas after its fighters rampaged through southern Israel.

Hospitals in Gaza now warn they are on the verge of collapse, with emergency generators that power machines like ventilators and incubators down to about one day of fuel and supplies of medicine almost exhausted.

The WHO said hospitals are 'overflowing' as people seek safety.

'We are concerned about disease outbreaks due to mass displacement and poor water and sanitation,' it said.

Four hospitals in northern Gaza are no longer functioning and 21 have received Israeli orders to evacuate. Doctors have refused, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators.

The WHO said water shortages caused by Israel's decision to cut off water supplies, combined with a lack of fuel for pumps and desalination stations, put thousands of hospital patients at risk.

'Water is needed to ensure sanitary conditions on inpatient wards, in operation rooms, and emergency departments. It is essential for the prevention of hospital associated infections and for the prevention of outbreaks in hospitals,' the WHO said.

Hamas meanwhile has urged people to stay in their homes, and the Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south.

Defence Minister Richard Marles (pictured) said what the Greens did was 'despicable', and that they 'really couldn't miss this moment more'
Greta Thunberg was arrested by the Metropolitan Police for 'refusing to move' when told to by police officers during a protest against an oil and gas conference in central London, according to eyewitnesses.

The 20-year-old Swedish activist could be seen smiling as she was detained by officers and led to a waiting police van after joining a protest outside the Energy Intelligence Forum (EIF) - formerly the Oil and Money conference - at the Intercontinental Hotel Park Lane.

In footage shared on social media, officers could be seen frogmarching the campaigner to the van as other protesters were told to stand back. The Met Police said it had arrested 21 protesters today.

Fossil Free London, which organised the demo, told the PA news agency that Thunberg was arrested while linking arms and changing with other activists; she was reportedly taken to Wandsworth police station.

It's the latest arrest for the campaigner, who rose to fame after she began 'striking' from school in 2018 over what she said was inaction by world governments to tackle climate change.

Greta Thunberg, wearing a large badge reading 'Oily Money Out', is led away from the Intercontinental Hotel Park Lane by two Met Police officers

Breaking: @GretaThunberg has just been arrested protesting in London



She was among hundreds of protesters outside the Energy Intelligence Forum (a conference formerly known as Oil & Money) where many senior oil and gas execs are speaking today pic.twitter.com/CwrWSDwG1c  Emily Gosden (@emilygosden) October 17, 2023

The 20-year-old Swedish activist was led to a police van as activists watched on

Other protesters were told to stand back while Ms Thunberg smiled from the back of the police van

Ms Thunberg was crowded by officers as she was detained and led to thevan

Ms Thunberg spoke at the Fossil Free London protest outside the Energy Intelligence Forum conference in central London, where she hit out at 'spineless' politicians

She had earlier spoken outside the hotel as part of a protest organised by Fossil Free London against the EIF event, urging eco-activists to 'reclaim the power' and hitting out at 'spineless' politicians for failing to act on global warming.

The Met said it arrested 14 activists under section 14 of the Public Order Act to prevent 'serious disruption' to the community; it did not name Thunberg.

Fossil Free London activists banged drums and chanted 'oily, oily money, out, out, out' as they blocked the hotel entrance; members of Greenpeace later dramatically rappelled down the side of the building to unfurl a banner reading: 'Make big oil pay.'

Speakers at the conference include COP28 President-delegate Dr Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, net zero minister Graham Stuart, former climate change minister Charles Hendry and senior figures from energy firms BP, Shell, Repsol and ExxonMobil.

Its agenda includes a discussion on whether the COP climate change gathering is 'still relevant'.

Speaking at the guerilla protest prior to her arrest, Ms Thunberg said: 'Behind these closed doors at the Oil and Money conference, spineless politicians are making deals and compromises with lobbyists from destructive industries - the fossil fuel industry.

'People all over the world are suffering and dying from the consequences of the climate crisis, caused by these industries, who we allow to meet with our politicians and have privileged access to.

'The world is drowning in fossil fuels. Our hopes and dreams and lives are being washed away by a flood of greenwashing and lies.

'The people in power are knowingly leading us to the edge of the precipice. They know very well the invaluable things they are sacrificing in order for them to continue squeezing out profits from a dying planet.

'We cannot let this continue. The elites of the Oil and Money conference, they have no intention of transition. Their plan is to continue this destructive search of profits.

'That is why we have to take direct action to stop this and to kick oily money out of politics. We have no other option but to put our bodies outside this conference and to physically disrupt.

'We have to do that every time. We have to continue showing them that they are not going to get away with this. This is only the beginning of this fight and we are going to stay and we are going to come back time and time again until we see real action.'

Activists from Greenpeace rappelled down the side of the hotel later and unfurled a banner reading: 'Make Big Oil Pay'

Thunberg (centre) stands among protesters from Fossil Free London as they blockade an oil conference in the centre of the capital on Tuesday

Thunberg punches the air as she joins other climate protesters in the Fossil Free London action

A protester cries out as he is restrained by police following the protest in London's Park Lane

Activists from Fossil Free London set off flares outside the Intercontinental Hotel, which is hosting the Energy Intelligence Forum meeting

Protesters banged drums, waved banners and chanted 'oily, oily money, out, out, out' as the Met Police supervised the action in Park Lane

A protester lights a flare outside the Intercontinental Hotel as officers from the Met look on

Met police officers move among protesters as they sit outside the hotel on Park Lane. Fencing draped in white sheets was put up outside the hotel as a protective measure

READ MORE: Climate change campaigner who sprinkled glitter over Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer boasts that eco-warriors are working with civil servants Advertisement

Thunberg added: 'We cannot rely on politicians and the people in power to save us. They have proven time and time again that they always prioritise the fossil fuel industry and destructive industries above people, above their own citizens.

'We have to reclaim the power, and that is what we are doing today. We have to kick oily money out.'

Protesters outside the Intercontinental, some of whom brought banners associated with Extinction Rebellion, chanted and set off flares as they called for the conference to be 'shut down'.

Some held up photographs that they said showed the effects of oil and gas drilling on communities around the world.

A white fence surrounded the hotel entrance keeping protesters out while police smuggled conference attendees through the crowd of chanting activists and a samba band.

Later in the morning, activists from Greenpeace abseiled down from the roof of the hotel to unfurl a banner reading 'make big oil pay', while a strong wind billowed the message and the protesters against the side of the building.

Maja Darlington, a campaigner at Greenpeace UK, told the PA news agency: 'Oil bosses are toasting each other in a luxury hotel and plotting how to make even larger profits, while millions struggle to rebuild after a summer of extreme weather.

'Big oil is profiting from humanity's loss and those who have done the least to cause climate change are being forced to pay the price.'

Police said they were 'working out' how to bring them down safely and arrest them 'if appropriate'.

Fossil Free London says it is 'blocking' the conference in protest at 'climate criminals conspir(ing) over canapes'.

The action is part of a series of 'action days' organised by the eco-group, which has carried out several protests across London in recent years.

It plans further action tomorrow, Thursday and Friday - including a 'Festival of Resistance' gathering at Marble Arch on Thursday afternoon and a 'Rave and Resist' after-party at the end of the week.

Director Robin Wells previously said: 'The main purpose of protesting this forum is to make it clear that the industry is not welcome to come to our city, is not welcome to schmooze our politicians, is not welcome to profit at the expense of the collective survival and the health of the one home that we all share.'

Met Police officers could be seen monitoring the protest in Park Lane on Tuesday morning.

Fossil Free London has accused oil producers of being 'climate criminals conspiring over canapes' at the event, formerly known as the Oil & Money conference

A climate activist is dragged away from the Fossil Free London protest by Met Police officers

Police stand over protesters as they sit outside the Energy Intelligence Forum at the Intercontinental Hotel. The Met says it has arrested five people on suspicion of blocking roads

Police move into the Intercontinental Hotel Park Lane as activists stage the Oily Money Out demonstration on Tuesday. Conference attendees were reportedly smuggled in by officers

Extinction Rebellion protesters brought a display of pink umbrellas emblazoned with eyeballs, and a banner reading: 'We are watching you'

READ MORE: Greta Thunberg pulls out of appearance at Edinburgh International Book Festival in fossil fuel money row as she accuses event sponsor of 'greenwashing' Advertisement

The force said it arrested six people on suspicion of obstructing a highway after receiving reports of the protest at 7.18am on Tuesday.

It arrested 14 more protesters in the afternoon for breaching section 14 of the Public Order Act and a further one for criminal damage.

A spokesperson for the force said: 'Officers have been on scene since this morning with a group of protesters in the road outside a hotel in Park Lane, W1.

'We have had continued discussions with the protesters and there have been interventions by officers to enable members of the public safe access in and out of the venue. Six people were arrested for obstruction of the highway.

'Officers on scene have kept this under constant review and at 1232 imposed conditions on the group under section 14 of the Public Order Act given to prevent serious disruption to the community, hotel and guests.

'Officers asked the protesters to move from the road onto the pavement, which would enable them to continue with their demonstration without breaching the conditions.

'A number of protesters failed to do so and we have now made a further 14 arrests for section 14 of the public order act and a further one for criminal damage. Officers remain on scene.'

The Energy Intelligence Forum says it is a 'platform for fostering debate...and finding answers to the big questions facing the energy industry'.

Speakers at the conference include the CEOs of Saudi Arabia's Aramco and Norway's Equinor, the German ambassador to the UK and Graham Stuart, UK energy security and net zero minister.

Mr Stuart has previously said that allowing oil and gas companies to continue drilling the North Sea for resources is necessary for energy security.

Discussions during the three-day event include whether the annual COP conferences are 'still relevant' , 'how far' renewable power can go, and whether net zero 'will remain the standard'.

Tickets for the conference started at 3,650 per person - plus VAT.

A spokesperson for the Energy Intelligence Forum told MailOnline: 'We recognize the protests at the Energy Intelligence Forum today, and believe this action reaffirms the need for constructive dialogue on climate change and the low-carbon transition.

'The Energy Intelligence Forum is a platform for discussing the biggest issues in energy, including the low-carbon transition.

'We believe the challenging process of reinventing the world's energy system requires the cooperation and collaboration of all sides.

'We are committed to bringing together stakeholders in the energy system  governments, companies, finance, civil society, and academia  to discuss the best way forward for the world.

'The issue of climate change is being presented and discussed constructively throughout the conference.'

Fossil Free London has disrupted events such as BP's annual shareholder meeting and an assembly of industry body UK Oil and Gas last year.

Meanwhile, Thunberg was fined by a Swedish court earlier this month 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. She then was dragged away by two uniformed officers.

Net zero minister Graham Stuart is among those attending the conference, alongside the CEO of the United Arab Emirates' state-owned oil firm, who is President-delegate at COP28

Other attendees at the Energy Intelligence Forum include Dr Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber (above) - who is both the CEO of the United Arab Emirates' state-owned oil company and president-delegate of the COP28 conference

Thunberg pictured at Malmo District Court in Sweden last week, where she was fined 2,250 kroner (169) after disobeying police during an environmental protest

The eco-activist, who rose to fame by 'striking' from school each week in protest at climate change, had to be forcibly removed from the entrance to an oil terminal in July

Thunberg 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 kroner (188) for refusing to obey police orders when taking part in a similar demonstration the previous month.

Earlier this year, Thunberg also pulled out of an appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival after accusing sponsors, investment firm Baillie Gifford, of 'greenwashing'.

Tuesday's action comes weeks after the UK government green-lit the controversial Rosebank oil field in the North Sea.

Around 350million barrels of oil are said to lie untapped in the oil field off the coast of the Shetland Islands, and Tories have hailed its approval as a means of reducing the UK's reliance on Russian oil and gas - but opponents say the project amounts to 'environmental vandalism'.

Lauren McDonald, a campaigner against Rosebank, said at Tuesday's protest: 'The only reason that they continue to pursue this is for profit, there is no justification for this.

'So as we head into another round of climate talks, we are demanding that Norway - that wealthy happy country that is powered by green energy at home - we are demanding that Norway stops putting the brakes on other countries' energy transitions.

'We are demanding that Norway stops profiteering while others around the world are struggling to pay their bills, struggling to live and struggling to survive in our destabilising climate.'
Reveals why she is pushing for Royal Commission

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has delivered her most scathing takedown yet of the government after her attempts to have a formal investigation into the sexual abuse of Indigenous children were dismissed.

The Country Liberal Senator issued a video message direct to the Australian public explaining the outcome of the urgency motion she tabled in the Senate on Tuesday afternoon.

She said she had 'never been so incredibly furious' in the 11-minute video, at several stages fighting back tears as she described why this matter is so important to her.

During her appeal to the government and cross bench to support a Royal Commission, Ms Price shared several real life examples of First Nations children being sexually abused.

One such story involved her niece, who at 15 years old was 'beaten and raped by her own father'.

'[She] suffered horrific abuse for years and tried at first to get support with family who didn't believe her.... it wasn't until my cousin took her to police so she could make a report, and she had the incredible courage to be heard at the age of 17 and testify,' Ms Price said, fighting back tears.

The Country Liberal Senator issued a video message direct to the Australian public explaining the outcome of the urgency motion she tabled in the Senate on Tuesday afternoon

'The judge in her case said the abuse had been protracted, prolonged and involved the use of weapons.'

Ms Price accused Labor Senator Tim Ayres of dismissing the importance of her speech in an attempt to shut down her motion.

'I'm horrified and disgusted,' she said.

'Given that I shared those stories in my speech, that Senator Tim Ayres would proceed to make light of Kamahl during the referendum in his speech was just beyond words.

'How absolutely degrading to sit there and hear that, and witness that, and be spoken at by a male senator in that fashion, after sharing those stories of abuse.'

The comments that Ms Price are referring to were made immediately after her own speech.

Mr Ayres said: 'Of course child sexual assault is abhorrent, and everybody in this place would condemn it.

'Like many of the interventions by those opposite, this is all about the politics and not about the solution. It's always about the politics, never about the solution.

'We will, having accepted what happened over the course of the weekend, listen carefully and continue to proceed in a careful and deliberate way. We will listen carefully to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.'

His comments regarding Kamahl - who famously changed his position on the referendum several times over during the debate - was a pointed comparison to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's apparent backflip on his own commitment to hold a referendum on constitutional recognition.

'He changed his mind more quickly and more often than Kamahl. At least Kamahl is popular,' Mr Ayres said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Senator Ayres' office for comment.

Ms Price accused Labor Senator Tim Ayres of dismissing the importance of her speech in an attempt to shut down her motion

Ms Price said she took Australia's comprehensive rejection of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament at the October 14 referendum as a mandate to pursue this inquiry.

She, along with the Coalition, is also seeking an audit into spending in Indigenous Affairs, to stop the 'drizzle down' approach which sees huge amounts of money being poured into services which seem to do little to help those most at need.

Three Indigenous senators; Ms Price, Kerrynne Liddle and Lidia Thorpe, all joined forces in August to push the matter through the Senate, but it narrowly failed.

'To ignore Indigenous children in this country who are suffering, generation after generation, from sexual abuse, is, I think, absolutely abhorrent,' she said in her message to fans.

But critics of the proposal said it was no more than a Coalition attempt to 'demonise First Nations people' and a disingenuous move.

Greens Senator Dorinda Cox said 'it will be dressed up to demonise our communities and culture, which has sustained us for tens of thousands of years.

'Our people are hurting right now... and I know some people on the other side of the chamber don't care.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney conceded the Voice's defeat on Saturday night, but vowed to continue working to improve the rights and lives of First Nations people

Ms Price also said she'd been wrongly accused of having sinister motives for calling for such an inquiry.

'One such excuse that was made, was that somehow we're playing politics with this issue,' she said.

'Sure. I'm playing politics with the lives of my own family. Yeah right.'

She also said she was accused of 'only wanting to do this to make Aboriginal men look bad'.

'It's not about the perpetrators,' she said. 'It's actually about the victims.

'The victims who we're talking about are Indigenous children. I don't care who the perpetrator is, so long as they're dealt with. Or what race the bloody perpetrator is.

'What I know, is the vast majority of victims in this country are Indigenous children. Why the hell should they not have the same opportunities as other kids in this country? Why aren't their human rights being upheld?

'These are the voices, these are the children, that the Labor government has now denied. That to me, is racism.

'I'm absolutely disgusted.'

Ms Price said despite the setback - and disappointment - she would not stop pushing for these inquiries.

'We will continue to fight, we will continue to hold this government to account, because we are serious about improving the lives of our most marginalised.

'They would rather protect the characters, the image of a group of people as opposed to protecting the children.'

Ms Price's emotional video attracted almost 2,000 comments and hundreds of shares within an hour of uploading it.
A heavily tattooed man dubbed the 'Human Satan' who is addicted to body modifications has three fingers removed from his hands to turn them into claws.

Michel 'Diabao' Praddo, 49, from the Praia Grande coast near Sao Paulo in Brazil, had the little and ring finger on his right hand as well as the ring finger on his left hand amputated.

The body-modification addict shared the shocking photographs of his recent amputation on his right hand on social media after having his first finger cut off two years ago.

Praddo told his fans how he had hesitated before going ahead with the procedure because he was worried it could ruin his work as a tattoo artist.

He said: 'At first it was very difficult, but it didn't take long to get back to tattooing almost normally.

Michel 'Diabao' Praddo (pictured after his most recent amputation), 49, from the Praia Grande coast near Sao Paulo in Brazil , had the little and ring finger on his right hand as well as the ring finger on his left hand amputated

The body-modification addict shared the shocking photographs of his recent amputation on his right hand (pictured left before and right after the fingers were removed) on social media after having his first finger cut off two years ago

Last year, Praddo underwent surgery surgery to remove both his ring finger on his left hand (pictured left after the amputation) and implant a set of silver tusks in his mouth, which he says cost only 5,000 Brazilian reais, or roughly 790

'Sometimes I have pain and a phantom sensation, which still leaves me confused when working or doing other things.'

But he added: 'I really wanted to change myself and I was very satisfied.'

The 49-year-old Brazilian ink addict is among the most altered human beings on the planet.

He currently holds the Guinness World Record as the person with the most subdermal 'horn' implants on his head, showing of 33 implants that drastically changed his appearance.

And he has had countless surgeries and inkings to make himself look less human.

He estimates that he has had more than 60 procedures, and around 85 per cent of his body is covered in ink.

Now Praddo plans to turn his left hand into a claw too, according to local media.

He said that the project, previously called 'La Garra', or 'The Claw', would now become known as 'Las Garras' or 'The Claws'

The 49-year-old Brazilian ink addict is among the most altered human beings on the planet

After he received the Guinness World Record entry earlier this year, he said his 'dream has come true'

Praddo added: 'I have three loves: my work, my weight training and body modification. I was taking care of the first two, but leaving my transformation aside.'

He shared various videos with his thousands of followers on social media, with some even showing him dangling from the ceiling by rings attached to the skin of his back.

After he received the Guinness World Record entry earlier this year, he said his 'dream has come true'.

The Brazilian, who beat another hopeful who had 18 horn implants, travelled to Milan, Italy, in February for the record to be verified on the TV programme 'Lo Show Dei Record'.

Speaking to Brazilian media about the experience, he said: 'It was something very special and surreal. A dream come true to enter Guinness and also go to Europe.

'At several moments, I was emotional, with tears in my eyes, as I went over my life. An experience that I will cherish forever in my heart and memory.'

Prior to winning the world record, Praddo had told Brazilian media: 'This is the TV programme, not the book, but it can open doors.

'Being there means the realisation of my project. I didn't just imagine it, like many people. I actually made it happen.'

The tattoo artist has been practising his trade for 25 years but has gone one step further to undergo several procedures and completely transform his aesthetic.

The Brazilian, who beat another hopeful who had 18 horn implants, travelled to Milan, Italy , in February for the record to be verified on the TV programme 'Lo Show Dei Record'

He had his ears, nose, nipples, and the ring finger of his left hand removed, and more than 80 per cent of his body has been inked, including his eyeballs

Praddo (left after surgery, right before) has 33 horn implants in his head as part of his years-long bid to completely transform his appearance

Last year, Praddo underwent surgery surgery to remove both his ring finger on his left hand and implant a set of silver tusks in his mouth, which he says cost only 5,000 Brazilian reais, or roughly 790.

He also claimed he was the third person in the world to have the end of his nose removed, in a procedure which is highly dangerous and for which the long-term health risks are unknown.

He also has four horns on either side of his head and several implants under the skin of his forehead.

Praddo had his ears, nose, nipples, and the ring finger of his left hand removed, and more than 80 per cent of his body has been inked, including his eyeballs. He even ate one of his amputated nipples.

But Praddo has no plans to stop and hopes to compete for the title of the world's most modified man.

He is married to his partner of more than 10 years, Carol Praddo, who is dubbed 'Mulher Demonia' or 'Demon Woman' and is also extremely modified (both pictured before their transformations)

His wife specialises in body modifications and has also helped him achieve his unique look

Praddo said: 'My wife (pictured together) has specialised in the area of modifications and the idea is for me to become her masterpiece when it comes to tattooing!'

He is married to his partner of more than 10 years, Carol Praddo, who is dubbed 'Mulher Demonia' or 'Demon Woman' and is also extremely modified.

His wife specialises in body modifications and has also helped him achieve his unique look.

'I have been a tattoo artist for 25 years, most of my tattoos I get from tattoo artists and professionals who I have paid,' Praddo said.

'I focus on blackwork and brutal tattoos, which are types of tattoos where you ink a large part of your body.

'But my wife has specialised in the area of modifications and the idea is for me to become her masterpiece when it comes to tattooing!'

Praddo claims to have a high pain tolerance and doesn't mind enduring more pain to achieve the body he desires.

He said: 'Actually I have a good resistance to pain, I don't think anything is so painful, I suffer a lot more in the post-procedures than at the time.

'And the truth is that there are changes that without anaesthesia would be almost impossible to be done, I would love not to feel any pain.

'But if I have to feel pain, to achieve what I want, for sure I will face it!'
A baby boy has died after a tragic water accident in the Scottish Highlands.

Screams and crying could be heard as people rushed to help the little boy at Ullapool Harbour in Wester Ross yesterday afternoon.

The baby and an adult were pulled from the water at around 1.20pm before the child was flown to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. But he was pronounced dead a short time later.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said no one else required hospital treatment. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Arianna Hardy, 20, was walking along the waterfront to work at the Ferry Boat Inn when she heard screams and crying. She saw medics trying desperately to save the boy's life before he was carried into the air ambulance.

The little boy and an adult were rescued from Ullapool Harbour (pictured) in Wester Ross. The baby was flown to hospital by air ambulance where he was pronounced dead

The waitress told MailOnline someone had jumped into the water to try to save the baby who she believes was around two to three months old.

'It's just so heart-wrenching, when I saw that pram I thought "oh no, please it better not be a child",' she said.

'It's just absolutely horrible and the community reaction has been heartfelt for that poor child.'

Highland councillor Liz Kraft told the BBC she wished to offer her deepest condolences to the boy's family and the 'tragic incident would no doubt affect the whole community'.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.'

Three coastguard rescue teams were dispatched to the pier area from Ullapool, Achiltibuie and Inverness.

The baby and an adult were pulled from the water in Ullapool Harbour (circled)

They were assisted by the Lochinver lifeboat crew - which turned back after launching - and the coastguard rescue helicopter from Stornoway.

Police, harbour authorities and paramedics were also in attendance.

A spokeswoman from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: 'Coastguard rescue teams from Ullapool, Achiltibuie and Inverness were sent, alongside the coastguard helicopter from Stornoway and the RNLI lifeboat from Lochinver.'

An ambulance spokesman added: 'An ambulance, air ambulance and HM Coastguard were dispatched to the scene and three patients were transported to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.'
Israel is on the cusp of an armed military incursion into the Gaza Strip to battle Hamas militants who slaughtered hundreds of civilians earlier this month in a series of ruthless surprise attacks.

But although Israel's Defence Forces are well-trained, well-equipped and outnumber their Hamas foes considerably, the hellish battlefield that awaits them in Gaza could cause huge casualties.

The Palestinian Islamist fighters operate in a complex network of reinforced tunnels, some of which are buried up to 40ft underground and all of which could conceal an ambush, be booby-trapped - or worse - filled with explosives and primed to cave in.

This means Israel can bomb Gaza all it likes and launch bunker-busting munitions to clear out some tunnels - but the IDF would still need to deploy hundreds of thousands of troops to sweep through the 'Gaza Metro' and neutralise every last Hamas fighter if it is to wipe the organisation out completely.

Hamas in 2011 said they had constructed more than 300 miles of tunnel systems and although analysts suspected that figure was inflated, the group is sure to have dramatically expanded the network since then.

Now, military experts and analysts have shared their concern at the huge losses Israel's forces could incur if they're forced to take the fight to Hamas in the Islamists' own backyard.

A Palestinian fighter from the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, gestures inside an underground tunnel in Gaza in this August 18, 2014 file photo

Israel has struggled to destroy the tunnels because they are extremely difficult to detect from the air (file image: an IDF officer inspects a tunnel in Gaza)

A picture taken on January 18, 2018 from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an Israeli army officer walking near the entrance of a tunnel

A member of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, walks inside a tunnel used for military exercises during a weapon exhibition at a Hamas-run youth summer camp, in Gaza City

Leading military and defence analyst and RUSI Associate Fellow Sam Cranny-Evans said Israeli forces are in for a particularly bloody fight, likening the potential conflict to scenes from the most bitter urban fighting amid the Iraq war.

He warned the Hamas fighters would likely mine the tunnels and deploy improvised explosive devices IEDs to cripple IDF troops tasked with clearing out the rat run.

He also said the above-ground battles would be just as bloody, with Hamas able to hide throughout civilian buildings to force Israeli army units into bitter close-quarter urban conflict.

'The tactics employed by the IDF will depend in part on the tactics used by al-Qassam (Hamas armed wing).

'It is likely that drones will be used to drop bombs on Israeli forces, and that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) will be deployed to slow them down,' he said.

'The IDF has experienced these technologies, but they do have the ability to inflict serious casualties.'

Hamas forces are likely to operate like guerrilla fighters, whose advanced knowledge of the terrain and understanding of the tunnels means they could spring surprise attacks on Israeli forces and immediately retreat, drawing IDF troops into traps in what are known as 'shoot and scoot' attacks.

Hamas 'knows its tunnels by heart,' said Colin Clarke, research director at the New York-based Soufan Center think-tank.

'Some are probably booby-trapped. Preparing to fight in such terrain... would require extensive intelligence... which the Israelis may not have,' he added.

'When tunnels are found, they can be closed off to shut in the people inside. In this case, the order is likely to be for no quarter to be given.'

Former British army officer and analyst at private intelligence firm Janes, Andrew Galer, said that the IDF's fight in the Gaza Strip would be tough, as city fighting is 'a 360-degree battlefield as the threats can be all around you.'

Going house-to-house to secure potentially booby-trapped buildings means bringing in bomb disposal experts with cumbersome gear like ladders, ropes and explosives - 'possibly all while taking fire' and in the dark, he added.

And there are 'inherent risks' of friendly fire given 'the difficulties of situational awareness', Galer said.

Paul Beaver, a top military historian, said: 'In my 40 years of experience, the Gaza operation unfolding now is the biggest challenge Israel has faced.

'It will not take days. This could take weeks and even months and cost countless lives.

'Hamas is not troubled by civilian casualties, is well dug in and holds a huge advantage over its enemy as they prepare to attack,' he told The Sun.

Cranny-Evans agreed with Beaver's assessment, adding: 'If al-Qassam has a lot of fighters who are determined to hold their ground, the Israeli forces may be faced with several Mosul-type operations requiring each urban area to be encircled and gradually cleared street-by-street.'

A Palestinian militant emerges from a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza strip (file image)

The network of tunnels were built after Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip in 2007 and have since been used to launch several attacks on Israel (pictured, Palestinian militants in the tunnels)

Israeli soldiers aim their weapons toward their colleague dressed as a Palestinian militant, while he exits from a fake tunnel, during training session simulating urban fighting at the Zeelim army base, southern Israel, Jan. 4, 2022

Another snag Israeli commanders are forced to contend with is the presence of hostages, many of whom are likely being held in the 'Gaza Metro'.

Israeli citizens taken captive by Hamas militants are likely to face the possibility of execution if their captors feel they are unable to escape.

Former UN senior advisor and one of the world's most experienced hostage negotiators Scott Walker said: 'It is understandable and reasonable for IDF to be preparing for an armed hostage rescue - but these operations are some of the riskiest.

'Hostages are likely to be dispersed and moved around and it will be highly unlikely that an Israeli force could just go in and liberate the hostages in one fell swoop without suffering significant losses, either of hostages or their own men,' he said.

The IDF has long been trying - and failing - to destroy the huge network of tunnels which were established after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.

Not only do they run underground throughout Gaza, but several reach into Israeli territory and have long served as a launch point for many of the Hamas' attacks.

Tunnels were among Hamas' most effective tools during the 2014 war with Israel, with militants using them to move weapons, enter the Jewish state, ambush IDF soldiers, and at times even return to Gaza through the underground passages.

But it is thought Hamas has expanded the network considerably since then, perhaps in preparation for their October 7 attacks.

The first Hamas tunnels were built in 2007 between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade.

However, some rudimentary networks existed in Gaza as early as 2002. One was used to bomb an Israeli outpost within the Strip in 2004. A second tunnel bomb attack on an Israeli outpost took place in December 2004, killing five IDF soldiers.

Hamas uses the network to hide rockets and other munitions, facilitate communication within their organisations, conceal militants, launch attacks, and conduct training (pictured, a Palestinian youth crawls in a tunnel during a Hamas graduation ceremony)

Smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12

A Palestinian man runs amid the rubble of a building hit in an Israeli air strike on October 13

Israel has long struggled to wipe the system out, despite top of the range military and intelligence equipment.

This is primarily because the tunnels, which are believed to have cost between $30 million (21.3 million) and $90 million (63.9 million) to build, are extremely difficult to detect from the air.

Some of the three dozen tunnels built since the end of the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict are estimated to have cost $3 million ($2.13 million).

The tunnels are reinforced with concrete to protect them from airstrikes and from caving in.

Footage from inside some of the tunnels shows a sweaty and cramped environment, not tall enough for fighters to stand up straight.

But others are well constructed, reinforced and large enough for troops to sprint through or move contraband.

By 2013, the network had definitively pivoted away from the Egyptian border and towards Israel and there were at least three tunnels under the Israel-Gaza border, two of which were packed with explosives.

The underground network now branches hundreds of miles through the Gaza Strip reaching the towns of Khan Younis, Jabalia, and the Shati refugee camp. They also stretch into Israel.

The tunnels are used by Hamas and other Islamist groups in Gaza, including the Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine, all of whom say tunnels are needed for defence, and to get around the difficulties imposed by Israel's strict border controls.
Hundreds of Australians evacuated from Tel Aviv have arrived home to emotionally-charged reunions, as the federal government tries to secure safe passage for more people still stranded in war-torn Israel.

A flight from Dubai containing 222 evacuated Australians, including families, landed in Sydney on Tuesday evening.

Many were finally able to let their enormous relief and emotions show after fearing for their lives during the last week after terrorist group Hamas brutally attacked Israel.

More than 1,400 Israelis were killed, most of them civilians, when militants fired rockets from Gaza then flooded into surrounding settlements.

Many passengers repatriated from Israel were finally able to let their emotions show at Sydney airport after fearing for their lives following the Hamas attack. Pictured: An emotional Dana Gilden is welcomed home by parents

A flight from Dubai containing evacuated Australians landed in Sydney on Tuesday evening, with many clearly letting their relief and emotions show. Pictured: Joyful passengers disembarking at Sydney

Emotions ran high as passengers arrive at Sydney International Airport on a DFAT repatriation flight from Israel. Some Australians feared they might never see their loved ones again. Pictured: a woman cries during a family reunion on Tuesday

Emotions among reunited families ran high at Sydney airport on Tuesday after the repatriation flight landed. More than 1400 Israelis died during the Hamas attacks

A man is overcome with emotion as he embraces a younger relative at Sydney airport on Tuesday. A repatriation flight with 222 people on board landed this evening

Some of the passengers were collected from Israel on government flights on Monday.

Foreign minister Penny Wong posted to social media that Australia airlifted 194 people from Tel Aviv to Dubai on Monday, including 75 Australians and their families.

A further return flight for Australian evacuees is also due to depart London on Tuesday night, Australian time.

At least 45 Australians remain trapped in Gaza with limited access to water, electricity, fuel and food after Israel imposed a total blockade on the conflict-stricken territory.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the humanitarian situation in the region was 'dire', with efforts underway for those stranded to be able to cross the border out of Gaza.

'The situation for Australians in Gaza and their families at home is deeply distressing,' she told parliament on Tuesday

'We are doing all we can to support the work of the United States, of Egypt and others to make the Rafah border crossing open for humanitarian purposes, including the passage of civilians.

'Regrettably, efforts to secure passage have not yet been successful, despite many attempts.'

Senator Wong said the government was already planning accommodation and onward travel for Australians in Gaza should safe passage through the border crossing be secured.

Michael and Leemore Landis and their daughter Libby are welcomed home by Micheal's mother and father Alan and Judy Landis after arriving at Sydney International Airport on a DFAT repatriation flight

Passengers who made it home and their loved ones who waited couldn't hide their relief after the evacuation mission

Families were overjoyed to receive their loved one back home safe and sound after the terrifying events in the Middle East in the last week

Family members smile as they are welcomed home after arriving at Sydney International Airport on a DFAT repatriation flight

The government has previously told citizens to move to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, in case a humanitarian window opens, but there is no guarantee this will eventuate or how long it might remain open.

The foreign minister also confirmed the National Emergency Management Agency had activated plans that would provide assistance to those returning to Australia on the repatriation flights.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia was supporting repatriation efforts for neighbouring nations, coinciding with a visit to Canberra by the Fijian prime minister.

'Australia is playing the role we always play in the Pacific family, to provide support where we can because obviously they don't have the capacity to be able to help their citizens,' he told reporters on Tuesday.

'That is one way Australia is helping not only our own citizens but others as well.'

The head of ASIO Mike Burgess said the intelligence organisation warned of possible spontaneous violence following the Middle East conflict.

In a press conference alongside FBI director Christopher Wray in the US, Mr Burgess urged political leaders to advocate restraint.

'We, of course, recognise this is a moment that drives feelings and attitudes in our respective countries and in Australia, so we're on the lookout for that as we see protests and counter protests ... but we do anticipate spontaneous violence around these,' he said.

Relieved passengers who were evacuated from Israel wave to friends and family at Sydney airport on Tuesday evening

An Australian government official embraces a relieved passenger who was on board a flight from Israel to Dubai on Monday. A flight to Australia followed on Tuesday

More than 220 Australians arrived back in Sydney after an emergency flight from war-torn Israel. Pictured: A relieved woman arriving home shows off her passport after a flight from Tel Aviv to Dubai

'We do see a direct correlation between language that inflames tension and out of that tension does grow a small number of people who think violence is the answer.'

Israel has begun amassing its forces to strike Islamist terrorist group Hamas, after an October 7 attack that has killed more than 1300 people and led to more than 150 being taken hostage, making it the deadliest day in the nation's history.

The Israeli Defence Force has retaliated by laying siege to the 2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza and unleashing a continuous bombing campaign that has killed at least 2750 in the territory.

The Gazan civilians have no power, water is scarce and the dwindling fuel sources used for emergency generators could run out within the next day.

The United Nations says about one million Gazans have been driven from their homes.

More than 1200 Australians have already been evacuated from Israel and Palestine.

Australia helped to organise a flight for 194 people from Israel to Dubai on Monday night. Pictured: An Australian government official helped a passenger with travel documents

Australia airlifted 194 people from Tel Aviv to Dubai on Monday, including 75 Australians and their families. Pictured: An official helps travellers to fill out paperwork
Aldi has revealed the locations of 12 new stores it will open before Christmas creating around 40 new jobs each as part of its target to have 1,500 branches in the UK.

The budget supermarket, which opened its 1,000th UK store in Woking last month, will be opening one new store a week on average between now and the end of the year.

New stores in Taunton and Oldham will open this month, after three new locations in Slough, Torquay and Cannock emerged last week.

Meanwhile, Farnborough and West Bridgford are set to see new Aldi branches open in November.

The supermarket is planning to invest 1.4 billion on expanding in the UK over the next two years.

Aldi has revealed the locations of 12 new stores it will open before Christmas around the UK

Each new store opening will create around 40 new jobs on average, boosting employment opportunities within local areas.

Store Assistants receive a starting pay of 11.40 per hour and those based in London get 12.85 per hour, while it is the only supermarket to pay for breaks, which Aldi says can be worth up to 972 a year.

George Brown, Real Estate Director at Aldi UK, said: 'We're welcoming more and more customers through our doors each week, which is why we're investing in new stores up and down the country to bring our great value groceries to even more people and meet the growing demand for Aldi.

'Shoppers know they'll always get more for their money when they shop with us, and we're confident Aldi's success will continue to grow.'

News of the new stores comes after Aldi revealed it will make changes to some staple products as it aims to reduce the amount of plastic in its packaging.

The company plans to reduce its plastic packaging by a quarter by 2025, and is already halfway to achieving that goal before it steps up its packaging overhaul according to Aldi's new Making Sustainability Affordable report.

The supermarket is set to invest 1.4 billion on expanding in the UK over the next two years - pictured is the new store in Slough

Three new locations in Slough, Torquay and Cannock emerged last week - pictured is the new store in Torquay

'Through our work with our supplier partners, we are redesigning all of our packaging to be 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by the end of 2025,' the report reads.

So far they are on track to meet that goal, with 83.3 per cent of packaging on Aldi brands now fitting in that category.

Some of the biggest changes that customers will notice will be in mince meat, noodle cups and batteries.

A swap from tray packaging to soft 'flow-wrap' casings will reduce the amount of plastic in the product by 70 per cent.

Styrofoam noodle cup packaging will be phased out by the end of the year, with production already underway for paper-based cup replacements for instant noodles.

Changes have already been made for battery packaging, with paper now used instead of plastic, which will cut down on 17 tonnes of plastic waste each year.

Aldi's sustainability director Daniel Baker assured customers that the sustainability push would not impact prices.
Met Police officers have been accused of showing 'total disrespect' to Britain's war dead by placing their riot helmets next to wreaths on the Cenotaph.

A YouTuber approached police guarding the memorial during a pro-Palestine protest on Saturday and asked, 'Do you think a war memorial is a good place to set your equipment down? Is that respectful?'

'It's suitable,' one of them said, to which the man filming replied, 'My grandfather fought in that war, I think it's disrespectful to have your equipment resting on a war memorial'.

At this point a second officer intervened, saying: 'Should I tell you why they are there? Ask me a question and I'll give you question if you want... I don't think it's disrespectful.'

Dominic Farrell, a former British Army major, was among veterans to criticise the officers on Twitter. 'Palestinian flags and police helmets/shields dumped on the Cenotaph. Is there no respect?' he tweeted.

Riot police helmets were seen placed next to wreaths on the Cenotaph as police guarded the memorial during pro-Palestine protests on Saturday

A YouTuber asked officers, 'Do you think a war memorial is a good place to set your equipment down? Is that respectful?'

Dominic Farrell, a former British Army major, was among veterans to criticise the officers on Twitter

The Met later tweeted: 'Thank you for drawing this to our attention and we apologise if it has caused any offence'

Henry Bolton, a former UKIP leader and Army lance corporal, tweeted the Met Police and said: 'You need to have a word with your officers about respect for war memorials.'

Others defended the officers, with one pointing out that they were 'protecting the memorial and risking serious injury to do so'.

A second wrote: 'First and foremost I'm glad that the police are there protecting what is a great part of British heritage but I agree they could keep their equipment by there feet.'

The Met later apologised, saying: 'Thank you for drawing this to our attention and we apologise if it has caused any offence. Officers worked hard yesterday to protect people and buildings but we will feed this into future policing plans.'

The protests on Saturday saw thousands of pro-Palestine activists march through London demanding an end to Israeli 'aggression'.

But there was anger that the demonstration was allowed to take place so close to the 'hallowed' ground of the Cenotaph.

Many Twitter users accused the officers of 'disrespect' but others defended them

Pictures showed the stage for speakers including Jeremy Corbyn was installed in front of the memorial to Britain's war dead.

The Met told MailOnline that Westminster Council is responsible for permitting or blocking protests on roads. But the council said it had not given approval.

The stage was installed by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Its director Ben Jamal said: 'It was a police decision. We wanted to have this stage outside Downing Street, but the police told us to put it further north, so we set up where the police decided.'

The Met is continuing to try and trace two women who attended the protest with images of hang gliders on their jackets.

Hamas used paragliders as part of its attack on Israel on October 7.
An ex-Tory MP has reported a former colleague to Parliamentary authorities, saying he publicly slapped him and called him a 'b*****d'.

Andrew Bridgen, who joined the Reclaim Party earlier this year after being kicked out of the Conservatives, demanded that Tory Crispin Blunt apologise for the 'chop' in Parliament on Monday.

It came the day after Mr Bridgen had used a newspaper interview to question why he had been expelled by the Tories while the former justice minister remained in the party.

Mr Bridgen, an anti-vaxxer who was kicked out the Tories in January for branded the life-saving Covid vaccines 'the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust', told the Sunday Express Mr Blunt was an 'unashamed apologist for Hamas'.

The outgoing Reigate MP was criticised in 2021 for opposing efforts to categorise Hamas as a terrorist group and suggesting it had 'legitimate targets' in Israel. He is also a director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians.

Andrew Bridgen (pictured), who joined the Reclaim Party earlier this year after being kicked out of the Conservatives , demanded that Tory Crispin Blunt apologise for the 'chop' in Parliament on Monday.

It came the day after Mr Bridgen had used a newspaper interview to question why he had been expelled by the Tories while Mr Blunt, a former justice minister, remained in the party despite opposing Hamas being proscribed as a terrorist group.

After the incident yesterday Mr Bidgen said: 'I was sitting at one of the round tables in Portcullis House and he went by the back of me and hit me on the back of the head with his hand and said, ''You're a b*****d'' and then legged it off.'

After the incident yesterday Mr Bidgen said: 'I was sitting at one of the round tables in Portcullis House and he went by the back of me and hit me on the back of the head with his hand and said, ''You're a b*****d'' and then legged it off.

'I was just completely shocked. That's not the behaviour you would expect from a Member of Parliament. I'm asking for an apology, it's just unbelievable behaviour.'

Portcullis House and said the Commons authorities and the whips' office were dealing with it.

A parliamentary spokesman said: 'The Behaviour Code makes clear the standards of behaviour expected of everyone in Parliament - whether MPs, staff, Members' staff, members of the House of Lords, press, contractors or visitors.

'There is zero tolerance for abuse or harassment.'

Mr Bridgen, the MP for North West Leicestershire, who said he was not injured in the incident, claimed there was a 'number of witnesses' who saw the incident and they had spoken to Parliament's authorities after he reported it to security.

Mr Blunt has not responded to requests for comment. On Saturday he warned that the UK could be complicit in war crimes in Gaza and may even face legal action if it does not do more to try and force Israel to show constraint in its attacks on Palestinians.

In the Commons debate on Gaza yesterday he welcomed Rishi Sunak's calls for Israel to act in line with international humanitarian law and to take every precaution to avoid harming civilians.

He added: 'Could I also ask (Mr Sunak) to press upon our Israeli friends the principles of distinction and proportionality in their action and to avoid any sense of which it looks like a collective punishment is being meted out on Palestinians in Gaza, as well as ensuring we do nothing that is going to leave the democracies worse off at the end of this.'
The comments follow a call for a 'Day of Jihad' around the world on Friday 13

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Tuesday that nobody would be able to stop Muslims around the world and resistance forces if Israel continues bombing Gaza, Iranian state TV reported.

'If the crimes of the Zionist (Israeli) regime continue, Muslims and resistance forces will become impatient, and no one can stop them,' Khamenei said.

'No matter what the Zionist regime does, it cannot make up for the scandalous failure it suffered,' Khamenei said.

The comments follow calls by former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal for a 'Day of Jihad' across the Muslim world last Friday, before hundreds of thousands of protestors turned out worldwide to show solidarity with the beleaguered Gazans as more than one million were forced to flee their homes.

Iran's clerical rulers have long been vocal in their support for the Palestinian cause. Tehran makes no secret of its backing for Hamas, funding and arming the Islamist group that controls Gaza.

Khamenei added today that Israeli officials should be tried for their crimes committed against Palestinians in Gaza as Iran steps up rhetoric condemning the siege - and suggesting that an all-out invasion will be met with a response on other fronts.

Khamenei (pictured October 10) said on Tuesday Iran 'must respond' to what is happening in Gaza and called for an end to the bombardment of the Palestinian enclave

A masked Palestinian protester gestures while walking near flaming tyres during clashes with Israeli forces following a rally in solidarity with Gaza in the West Bank on October 13, 2023

Afghans protesters burn representations of US and Israeli flags during a protest against Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, while holding a demonstration on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023

Protestors hold-up a large Palestinian flag during an anti-Israeli demonstration in Tunis on October 13, 2023

People attend a Pro-Palestinian demonstration with Palestinian flags and banners as they march from Times Square in front of the Consulate General of Israel in New York on October 13

A group of pro-Israel demonstrators gather to protest people attending a Pro-Palestinian demonstration with Palestinian flags and banners on October 13, 2023

Israeli soliders ride in their armoured vehicles towards the border with the Gaza Strip on October 16, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas

Israel has launched several raids into Gaza, having ordered half of the population to evacuate

Smoke rises after Israeli air strikes on the northen Gaza Strip, 17 October 2023

Tehran has repeatedly warned that an invasion of Gaza would be met with a response from other fronts - after a day where Israel also faced threats from Lebanon in the north. Pictured: An injured Palestinian boy sits on the ground at the emergency room of the al-Shifa hospital

The declarations of intent have rapidly heightened tensions in the fraught Middle East, sparking fears of a wider conflict in the coming days. Pictured: Wounded Palestinians arrive at al-Shifa hospital,

Iran's declarations of intent have rapidly heightened tensions in the fraught Middle East, sparking fears of a wider conflict in the coming days.

Tehran, which financially and militarily backs Hamas militants, celebrated the Hamas assault but insisted it was not involved, despite a report from the Washington Post claiming it was.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke of possible 'pre-emptive action' against Israel by the 'resistance front' while President Ebrahim Raisi said time was running out to reach a political solution.

Iran previously told Israel via the United Nations it would intervene if operations in Gaza continued, a report claimed, as Israel readied a 'wide range of offensive operational plans' including a 'joint and coordinated attack [on Gaza] from the air, sea and land.'

Diplomatic sources told Axios that while Iran did not want the conflict to escalate, it was prepared to intervene either directly or indirectly, such as via a military group in Syria or Lebanon.Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian - referring to his meeting with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday - said: 'The possibility of pre-emptive action by the resistance axis is expected in the coming hours.'

He said that 'the resistance leaders' will not allow Israel 'to do whatever it wants in Gaza'.

It comes as the United States told 2,000 troops to prepare to deploy to the region and moved a second aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean.The siege of Gaza has brought international attention to the conflict, with onlookers rallying to show support for Israel and for Palestine.

Khaled Meshaal, who led Hamas from 2004 to 2017, called for a Day of Jihad around the world last week in response to retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

He said: '[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday.'

Meshaal, who is based in Qatar and heads Hamas' diaspora office, 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 in a recorded statement.

'To all scholars who teach jihad... to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories).'

Jordan and Lebanon are home to the largest number of Palestinian refugees.

An Israeli embassy worker in Beijing was attacked on Friday, Israel's foreign ministry said. Video geolocated by AFP shows the man was stabbed with a knife on a street in the Chinese capital.

'An Israeli employee of the Israeli embassy in Beijing was attacked today,' a foreign ministry statement said, adding that the attack did not take place at the embassy compound. The employee is being treated at hospital and is in stable condition,' the statement said.

'The motive for the assault is being looked into.'

Protestors in the West Bank were seen near burning tyres during clashes with Israeli forces following a rally in solidarity with Gaza by supporters of the Fatah and Hamas movements, in the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on October 13, 2023.

Afghan protesters also burned representations of US and Israeli flags during a protest against Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, in Kabul on Friday.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators then gathered in New York City, chanting in support of resistance in a mostly peaceful protest.

'Resistance is justified when people are occupied!' many chanted, labeling Israelis 'settlers' and telling them to 'go back home'.

'If we don't get no justice, then they don't get no peace!' sang one of the event organizers.

Two people - one Palestinian protester and one Jewish - were arrested for fighting at the scene.

Two people - one Palestinian protester and one Jewish - were arrested for fighting at the scene

Protestors in New York on Friday October 13, amid international protests in support of Gaza

American Jewish People gather for a demonstration in support of Palestinians at the Farragut Square in Washington DC, on October 16, 2023

Protestors against Israel's planned military incursion into Gaza demonstrate outside the White House in Washington, DC on Monday, October 16, 2023

Palestinians evacuates a survivor from a destroyed house hit by an Israeli airstrike in town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Smoke rises after Israeli air strikes on the northen Gaza Strip, 17 October 2023

Repeated fire in recent days has claimed lives on both sides of the UN-patrolled border between Lebanon and Israel, which remain technically at war. Pictured: An injured Palestinian child is taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital

If Israel does invade the Palestinian enclave of Gaza in its war on Hamas, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement has warned it may escalate its military involvement. Pictured: An injured Palestinian child is taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital

If Israel does invade the Palestinian enclave of Gaza in its war on Hamas, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement has warned it may escalate its military involvement.

And Germany warned Iran not to 'pour oil on the fire' of the Israel-Hamas war, after the country's foreign minister met with high-ranking Hamas officials.

'Anyone who wants to play with fire in this situation and pour oil on the fire or ignite it in any other way should really think twice because we are facing a potentially major regional conflict,' foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Lebanon's terror group Hezbollah not to 'test us' in the north.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, 'Don't test us in the north. Don't make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier,' referring to Israel's 2006 war with Hezbollah.

He also called on the world to unite as it did 'to defeat the Nazis and ISIS', and admtitted that there are 'many questions surrounding' last week's disaster.

After Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel on October 7 and killed more than 1,400 people, Israel has unleashed a relentless bombing campaign of the Gaza Strip that flattened neighbourhoods and killed at least 2,750 people, mainly civilians.

Addressing parliament, Rishi Sunak condemned the Hamas 'Pogrom' as he said six Brits are confirmed dead and 10 more missing.

The PM insisted Britain would 'stand by' Israel as he insisted the country had the right to respond - although he stressed the need to avoid 'broader regional instability' and take 'every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians'.

Updating MPs after the Commons returned for the first time since the bloody attacks, Mr Sunak addressed Jewish community members in the gallery, saying: 'We stand with you, we stand with Israel.'

'The attacks in Israel last weekend shocked the world. Over 1,400 people murdered one by one, over 3,500 wounded, almost 200 taken hostage,' Mr Sunak said.

He went on: 'We should call it by its name: it was a Pogrom.

'The families of some of the missing are in the public gallery today. We call for the immediate release of all hostages and I say to them: we stand with you. We stand with Israel.'

After Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel on October 7 and killed more than 1,400 people, Israel has unleashed a relentless bombing campaign of the Gaza Strip that flattened neighbourhoods and killed at least 2,750 people, mainly civilians. Pictured: An injured Palestinian woman is taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital

The PM insisted Britain will 'stand by' Israel as he insisted the country had the right to respond Pictured: Shells from Israeli artillery explode over Dhayra village, near the Lebanese-Israeli border, Lebanon

Rishi Sunak stressed the need to avoid 'broader regional instability' and take 'every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians'. Pictured: Smoke rises from Israeli artillery shelling in Dhayra village, near the Lebanese-Israeli border

Mr Sunak (pictured) said the 'terrible nature of these attacks means it is proving difficult to identify many of the deceased'

Mr Sunak said the 'terrible nature of these attacks means it is proving difficult to identify many of the deceased'.

'But with a heavy heart I can inform the House that at least six British citizens were killed,' he said.

'A further 10 are missing, some of whom are feared to be among the dead.'

The government's stance was backed by Labour leader Keir Starmer, who said that Parliament must speak with 'one voice'.

But despite the looming threat a defiant Hamas has said the threat of invasion 'doesn't scare us and we are ready for it.'

In a televised statement, Abu Obeideh, the spokesman of Hamas's military wing, also revealed Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades were holding 200 people captive since a massive onslaught on Israel's south on October 7, with about 50 others held by other 'resistance factions and in other places'.

Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said earlier Monday Israel had been able to confirm and notify the relatives of 199 people held captives in Gaza.

According to Abu Obeideh, 'we will release the foreign prisoners when conditions are ripe'.

More than a million Palestinians have fled their homes ahead of an expected invasion of Gaza by Israeli troops. Pictured: Injured Palestinians arrive to the al-Shifa Hospital

Desperate families were seen carrying mattresses on their backs as they heeded Israel's warning of further retaliatory military action. Pictured: Smoke rises as Israeli attacks continue during the 10th day of clashes near the Gaza border in Sderot, Israel

Air strikes have cost more than 2,750 lives and rendered half the population of Gaza refugees. Pictured: Smoke rises from various areas as Israeli attacks continue during the 10th day of clashes near the Gaza border in Sderot, Israel

He said at least 22 hostages taken from Israel had been killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

The European Union has said that it will launch an humanitarian 'air bridge' to Gaza with the first flights this week, to provide 'help and aid' to millions of Palestinians trapped in the heavily bombarded enclave, President Ursula von der Leyen announced.

And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined calls for a humanitarian corridor to be opened into Gaza, saying urgent help was needed to address an increasingly dire situation in the enclave of 2.3 million.

President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support for the U.S. ally as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

Biden is looking to send the strongest message yet that the U.S. is behind Israel. His Democratic administration has pledged military support, sending U.S. carriers and aid to the region.

Officials have said they would ask Congress for upward of $2 billion in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russia's invasion.

More than a million Palestinians have fled their homes ahead of an expected invasion of Gaza by Israeli troops.

Desperate families were seen carrying mattresses on their backs as they heeded Israel's warning of further retaliatory military action.

1,000 remain missing, feared trapped beneath the rubble of ruined homes and offices. Pictured: Palestinians search for victims and survivors in the rubble of Al-Naqeeb family house leveled in an Israeli airstrike

Yesterday 600,000 displaced persons were reported to have reached the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis. Pictured: Palestinian children injured during Israeli raids in the southern Gaza Strip arrive in Khan Yunis

Around 400,000 are sheltering in facilities run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. Pictured: Displaced Palestinians reside at an UNRWA-run school in Khan Yunis

Air strikes have cost more than 2,750 lives and rendered half the population of Gaza refugees.

A further 1,000 remain missing, feared trapped beneath the rubble of ruined homes and offices.

Around 400,000 are sheltering in facilities run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

UN officials warned of an unprecedented catastrophe with hospitals expected to run out of fuel within a day, endangering the lives of thousands of sick and wounded people.

The World Health Organisation has described Israel's instruction to move patients, irrespective of their conditions, as 'a death sentence'. Israel said Hamas uses vulnerable civilians as 'human shields'.

In a bid to avert further bloodshed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Israeli officials yesterday to discuss the crisis.

But before it will facilitate the distribution of aid Israel has demanded the release of its citizens captured when Hamas infiltrated the country just over a week ago.

Gunmen killed more than 1,400 men, women and children in the most barbaric circumstances.

In a bid to avert further bloodshed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (pictured) met Israeli officials yesterday to discuss the crisis

Since the attack, Israel has pledged to destroy Hamas. But a former UK senior army officer warned that no Israeli incursion into Gaza would eliminate the Iranian-backed paramilitary organisation. Pictured: Military mobility of Israeli security forces continues in Sderot, Israel

The UK Foreign Office said it was working with the Egyptian authorities to arrange the safe passage of UK citizens. Pictured: A picture taken from the Israeli city of Sderot shows a salvo of rockets fired towards Israel from the Gaza Strip

Since then, Israel has pledged to destroy Hamas. But a former UK senior army officer warned that no Israeli incursion into Gaza would eliminate the Iranian-backed paramilitary organisation.

Major General Charlie Herbert, an Afghanistan veteran, suggested rescuing the 199 hostages by military means would also prove extremely difficult.

He said: 'I can't foresee a successful military solution to this objective. Diplomacy is better. The second objective is to capture or kill Hamas's political and military leadership. This is a given, but, again, this won't be easy in an operation of limited duration.'

Hopes were raised only to be dashed when a reported agreement to open the Rafah border crossing collapsed.

The move would have let thousands of dual nationals, including Britons, leave Gaza and for desperately needed humanitarian supplies to arrive from Egypt.

The UK Foreign Office said it was working with the Egyptian authorities to arrange the safe passage of UK citizens. However, the crossing remained closed yesterday.

This meant trucks loaded with 150,000 litres of fuel to run water and sewage pumping stations in Gaza remained stranded.

The charity Save The Children said that water was 'running out' in Gaza, with huge numbers of displaced civilians being rationed to one litre each per day.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced late Saturday that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower strike group was on its way to the eastern Mediterranean to 'deter' any escalation

Israeli army Puma armoured personnel carrierss (APCs) move in a column near the Gaza border in southern Israel on October 14, 2023

The UN said it was 'deep in negotiations' with Israel and Hamas in a bid to reach an agreement over aid and to establish humanitarian corridors.

About 400,000 Israeli troops have continued their preparations for an assault on Palestinian territory.

Russia also called for an 'immediate ceasefire', with President Vladimir Putin calling for the violence to end while making no mention of his on-going invasion of Ukraine that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians.

As the west prepares for Israel's ground assault, the Pentagon has reportedly selected about 2,000 troops to prepare for a deployment to help Israel as a second carrier strike group steams for the eastern Mediterranean.

Officials said the troops will not serve in a combat role but would be tasked with medical support or advisory duties.

Details emerged after the Department of Defense said the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower strike group, which deployed from Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday, is on its way.

She will join the USS Gerald R. Ford, which arrived off the coast of Israel last week.

The presence of two of the Navy's most powerful warships will send a clear signal to Iran and its regional proxies, such as Hezbollah, not to escalate the conflict.

Police spokeswoman Ilse Vande Keere said officers arrived soon at the scene in Brussels, and sealed off the immediate neighbourhood
The BBC today said it 'expects' and 'welcomes' scrutiny after criticism of its decision not to call Hamas terrorists.

The corporation has faced mounting criticism over its refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists, instead using words like 'militants'  despite the fact the Government classifies Hamas as a 'terrorist organisation'.

There was a fresh backlash today after the BBC described an ISIS-inspired shooting in Brussels as a 'terror attack' despite refusing to do the same for Hamas massacring Israeli civilians.



Last night, shortly after reports of the double killing in Belgium emerged, the BBC published an article with the headline: 'Brussels shooting: Suspects at large after two Swedes killed in terror attack.'

Its use of the term 'terror' was quickly picked up on and the headline was later changed to 'Brussels shooting: Two Swedes killed and suspect still at large'. The BBC said the headline was 'swiftly changed' and it was a 'mistake' not to have 'attributed the words'.

Today, after its regular monthly meeting, the BBC board released a new statement responding to criticism of its editorial policy.

Last night, shortly after reports of the double killing in Belgium emerged, the BBC published an article with this headline. It was later changed, with a spokesman calling it a 'mistake'

The corporation has faced mounting criticism over its refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists

Social media users reacted angrily after seeing the original headline last night

A statement read: 'No one who has watched or listened to harrowing reports over the last 10 days could be left in any doubt about the horror brought about by Hamas's attack on defenceless civilians in Israel.

'As this war continues, with so many deaths of innocent civilians in both Israel and Gaza, the BBC will no doubt continue to come under scrutiny about the way in which we cover it - that is to be expected and also welcomed. The BBC is listening.

'We believe that our editorial guidelines serve us well, and continue to serve us well in difficult circumstances; we do periodically review them as a matter of course, and when we do so at our next planned review in the spring, we will consult and debate these issues just as we always do.'

The board also expressed its thanks to the teams across the BBC that have been covering the conflict, adding: 'It's the BBC's job to inform people about what is happening and to explain as best we can, so that the audience can come to their own conclusions.

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'The surest way to do this is through frank, compassionate and, where appropriate, explicit reportage of what happened: that is the role of the BBC.

'Audiences turn to us for clarity in a chaotic world, and along with the rest of the media, the BBC plays an essential role in helping to explain these events to them. That is what we were set up for, and for over 100 years it is the job that we have been proud to do on behalf of the British people.'

On Monday, the BBC said it has received complaints about its coverage of the conflict and there have been accusations of bias from both sides. The complaints are in the high hundreds, rather than the thousands, it is understood.

Also on Monday, hundreds of protesters booed the BBC and demanded the corporation labels Hamas as 'terrorists' at a rally outside Broadcasting House.

The initial headline reporting on the attack in Brussels sparked fury on social media.

Nick Timothy, a former special adviser to former Prime Minister Theresa May, tweeted: 'I thought Jews Don't Count was a critique, not the title of the BBC style guide.'

Investigative report David Collier said: '1,300 Jews get slaughtered. The BBC says it is not terrorism.

A shooting in Brussels and within the hour... The BBC says it is terrorism. Utter b******s.'

Meanwhile, the journalist Nicole Lampert called the BBC's first headline 'extraordinary', adding: 'The BBC has refused to use the term 'terror attack' for the Hamas massacre yet they've used it within two hours of one in Brussels.'

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Broadcasting House last night as Downing Street insisted there was no ban on the BBC describing Hamas fighters as 'terrorists'

Pro-Israel rally gathers outside Broadcasting House on Portland Place last night

During the protest outside Broadcasting House last night, Gideon Falter, the Chairman of Campaign Against Antisemitism, asked: 'How many dead Israelis does it take before the BBC can find the courage to call terror by its name?'

Some protesters held banners addressed to BBC bosses, one read: 'If the King can call Hamas terrorists, so can you.'

Yesterday, the Prime Minister's official spokesman yesterday said Ofcom's rules did not restrict the corporation from using the term.

When asked about the broadcaster's decision not to use the term, he said: 'The legal position is that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist group  the term terrorist is an accurate legal description.

'The BBC has described other attacks as terrorism.

'To put it into context, the attack we witnessed in Israel was the third deadliest terror attack in the world since 1970. So there is no restriction on the BBC using that term, certainly not from Ofcom.'

Some protesters held banners addressed to BBC bosses, one read: 'If the King can call Hamas terrorists, so can you'

Protesters outside Broadcast House called for the BBC to change its stance on not calling Hamas terrorists

Other Ofcom-related broadcasters including ITV and Sky News do not have a fixed policy on the term 'terrorists' but have previously used it in their coverage.

The BBC last night addressed the issue in statements on the complaints section of its website, insisting 'careful consideration has been given to all aspects of our coverage to ensure that we report on developments accurately and with due impartiality'.

It added: 'The BBC, along with many other UK and global news organisations, does use the word 'terrorist' but attributes it. We have made clear to our audiences that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK.'
A female British Army staff sergeant who was accused of pulling down her colleague's trousers, yanking up her knickers and licking her face has been cleared of abuse.

StSgt Kayleigh Preston, who was originally demoted to sergeant, has also won her bid to have her rank restored at a summary appeal court.

She was accused of pulling down the lower-ranked soldier's trousers at work while she was on a Skype video call. It was claimed she also grabbed Sergeant Louise St Louis's underwear and pointed out it matched the colour of her trousers.

At another meeting Sgt Preston was accused of licking her junior colleague's forehead, but claimed it was just 'banter'.

She was disciplined and found guilty of ill-treatment of a subordinate which led to her being reduced in rank to sergeant and ordered to pay her victim 800. However, StSgt Preston appealed the finding and the punishment at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire.

StSgt Kayleigh Preston (pictured outside Bulford Military Court), who was originally demoted to sergeant, was cleared of abuse at an appeal hearing and has now won her bid to have her rank restored at a summary appeal court

Sergeant Louise St Louis (pictured outside court) accused StSgt Preston of pulling down her colleague's trousers, yanking up her knickers and licking her face

A panel of officers found in her favour. By winning her case, the original finding and sentence was quashed and was instead replaced with a fine.

The summary appeal court hearing had been told Sgt St Louis started working at the Army Welfare Service in Tidworth, Wilts, in November 2021.

She told the hearing that in May or June 2022, StSgt Preston - who was her supervisor - approached her whilst she was on a Skype call giving 'therapeutic' advice work.

Sgt St Louis claimed this was when StSgt Preston 'grabbed my underwear and pulled it out, and whilst doing so, said "You are wearing blue underwear".'

She added: 'A comment was made about my underwear because I was wearing blue underwear - the same as my trousers.'

After the incident, Sgt St Louis claimed she didn't initially report it because she didn't want to 'ruffle feathers'.

Sgt St Louis claimed another incident happened in June 2022 during a team meeting, telling the hearing: 'When I sat in my chair, Kayleigh walked into the office and, in a dragging motion, licked the right-hand side of my forehead.'

Sgt St Louis later filed a complaint against her supervisor.

By winning her case, the original finding and sentence was quashed and was instead replaced with a fine. Pictured: StSgt Kayleigh Preston outside Bulford Military Court Centre

However, Warrant Officer Rebecca Sugden - who is in charge of Sgt Preston - blamed the toxic working environment on Sgt St Louis.

She told the court: 'The dynamic worked really well but there was a period of time where it didn't work as well.

'The team dynamic was working well until Sgt St Louis entered the team.

'Then, the dynamic changed quite quickly - it became toxic.'

Major Sarah Gerrard, prosecuting, said that when Sgt Preston was interviewed by military police 'she admitted she licked the complainant on the forehead but she denied grabbing and pulling her underwear'.

In a summary hearing earlier this year, Sgt Preston was charged with ill-treatment of a subordinate for pulling Sgt St Louis' underwear and licking her face.

Sgt Preston was punished by a reduction in rank from Staff Sergeant to Sergeant and was ordered to pay Sgt St Louis 800.

Representing StSgt Preston, Derek Johashen, said she did lick the woman but it was in fact during a hug and did not constitute ill-treatment.

He said: 'It was just more of the same banter that would go on in the office.'
Humza Yousaf will plead with SNP activists to tone down their obsession with forcing an independence referendum today.

The Scottish First Minister will use his speech to the party's annual conference to say they must 'concentrate not on the how  but on the why' the UK should split.

He will try to move the focus on to policy by promising to spend an extra 100million a year on the NHS in Scotland  saying the cash could slash waiting lists.

The address in Aberdeen comes after Mr Yousaf conducted another U-turn in a bid to quell bitter internal wrangling about how to purse the independence dream.

Nicola Sturgeon previously vowed to make the next general election a de facto referendum on breaking up the UK, after the Supreme Court ruled she did not have power to hold one without permission from Westminster.

Humza Yousaf will plead with SNP activists to tone down their obsession with forcing an independence referendum today

Mr Yousaf has conceded he will only push the referendum issue if the separatists win more than half of Scottish seats at the election - far from guaranteed following a slide in the polls

Mr Yousaf was upstaged at conference yesterday as Nicola Sturgeon made a dramatic appearance

When he took over Mr Yousaf indicated that he would declare a mandate for independence if the SNP won more Scottish seats than anyone else at the election.

But he has now conceded he will only push the issue if the separatists win more than half of seats - far from guaranteed following a slide in the polls and a stinging defeat in the Rutherglen by-election.

There will be 57 MPs in Scotland following boundary changes, making the threshold 29, far fewer than the 48 the SNP secured in 2019.

Mr Yousaf will try to rally his troops this afternoon by insisting that 'around half' of Scots already support the country leaving the UK.

'I have no doubt that we can turn that half into a sustained majority,' the SNP leader will add.

But he will tell supporters that the party has to focus 'not on the how  but on the why' of independence.

Mr Yousaf will temper his warning about the obsession with process by stressing that he is adding the words 'independence for Scotland' next to the SNP's entry on ballot papers for the election next year. There had been concerns that will kill attempts to persuade pro-Union voters that they will stand up for the whole of Scotland.

'At the next election, page one, line one of our manifesto will say 'Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country'.

'And that's because independence is about building a better Scotland.

'It's about raising living standards. It's about protecting our NHS. Above all, it's about a stronger economy. An economy that works for everyone who lives here.'

Mr Yousaf was upstaged at conference yesterday as Ms Sturgeon made a dramatic appearance.

The former First Minister claimed her presence was 'not at all' a distraction for Mr Yousaf, saying he is 'doing a fantastic job' as leader.

She added: 'I don't think there is any doubt, from what I've seen, about who is in charge of this conference  it's Humza Yousaf.'

The SNP were dealt a shattering blow earlier this month as Labour overturned a majority of more than 5,000 to seize Rutherglen by a margin of 9,400

The former First Minister said she has not spoken to police again since her arrest as part of the police probe into the SNP, where she was subsequently released without charge pending further investigation.

She said the atmosphere at the conference had been 'absolutely fantastic' despite the main hall getting exchanged for a smaller room at The Event Complex Aberdeen, and the capacity being reduced to 1,200.



Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'Humza Yousaf may have publicly said he was delighted to see his predecessor turn up in Aberdeen, but privately he must find it utterly galling that she's stealing the limelight away from him.

'He's finding himself having to pick up the pieces of the divided party she left behind.'
The Treasury could be stripped of some of some of its powers and ministers handed greater control over the hiring of mandarins under plans for a major overhaul of Whitehall

Former minister Lord Maude is said to have recommended that the Treasury's role in setting budgets for government departments be hived off to a new 'budget ministry', while retaining tax responsibilities.

In a wide-ranging package of reforms he has also suggested the current top job in the Civil Service - Cabinet Secretary - be abolished and split into two roles.

One would be a permanent secretary within Government in No10, while the other would run the Civil Service, and go ideally to someone from the private sector.

Lord Maude, who first mooted similar reforms when he was a Cabinet office minister more than a decade ago, was reported by the Times to have said ministers should have more control over appointing senior mandarins.

But he also suggested ministers but should themselves face more scrutiny of their performance from colleagues and subordinates.

No10 declined to comment on leaks today when asked about the proposals, though Lord Maude spoke about his proposals at the Tory Party Conference earlier this month, where he said the current structure was 'archaic' and needed to learn from systems in the US and France.

Lord Maude, who first mooted similar reforms when he was a Cabinet office minister more than a decade ago, was reported by the Times to have said ministers should have more control over appointing senior mandarins.

Former minister Lord Maude is said to have recommended that the Treasury's role in setting budgets for government departments be hived off to a new 'budget ministry', while retaining tax responsibilities.

'The cabinet secretary is not the same as a powerful change manager,' he told a fringe event attended by the Guardian.

'A dedicated head of civil service needs to be properly empowered.'

The Times reported that the report has been submitted to Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin but is facing 'institutional resistance from Whitehall.

In April this year Lord Maude called for a 'much more robust culture' in Whitehall in the wake of Dominic Raab's resignation as Deputy Prime Minister over bullying.

He claimed 'there will be more cases' like Mr Raab's when 'frustrations boil over' without a shake-up of the civil service.

In an article for the Observer, he wrote: 'We need a much more robust culture, with less groupthink, more rugged disagreement, and the confidence to both offer challenge and to accept it.

'That includes accepting candid feedback. Today there is no external accountability for the quality of advice, other than to ministers.

'There could be value in regular external audits, conducted by qualified outsiders, with published results. This would reward officials who get it right, and provide a stimulus to the rest.'
Prince William has sent a letter to the Chief Rabbi offering support during a 'traumatic time' for Jewish people.

The Prince of Wales wrote a letter to the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis dated on 10 October, expressing his 'solidarity' in the wake of Hamas' terror attack in Israel three days earlier.

He told Sir Ephraim, 67, who posted the letter to X, formerly Twitter, last night, that it was 'truly a traumatic time for the Jewish community' in the UK and condemned that attacks 'unreservedly'.

Prince William also penned that peace between the two countries 'seems unobtainable' but expressed his hope that 'in time' conversations about resolving the conflict could 'come into the fore'.

Hamas terrorists launched an attack on southern Israel last week killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, with dozens of Israelis and citizens of other countries taken captive and brought to Gaza.

Prince WIlliam (pictured during a visit Israel in 2018) has sent a letter to the Chief Rabbi offering support during a 'traumatic time' for Jewish people

The Prince of Wales wrote a letter to the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (pictured with King Charles last week) dated on 10 October, expressing his 'solidarity' in the wake of Hamas ' terror attack in Israel three days earlier

The letter that the Prince of Wales wrote to the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis

Prince William wrote: 'I am writing to express my solidarity in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attack that began on Saturday.

'As you have said, this is truly a traumatic time for the Jewish community in the United Kingdom. So many will have loved ones directly affected by this terrible violence.

'I want to add my voice to those who condemn the attacks unreservedly. My thoughts are with you all.

'At this difficult time, I've been reflecting on my visit to the region in 2018. It was a profoundly moving experience. I was struck by how many Israelis and Palestinians wanted one and the same thing: a better future.

'In present circumstances, it seems unobtainable as their respective communities will be absorbed by grief, anger, and shock.

'I do hope though that in time, voices calling for peace, common understanding and co-existence can once again come into the fore so that such human suffering can be consigned to the past.'

Sir Ephraim Mirvis has now thanked Prince William for the letter.

He wrote on X: 'Thank you to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for this message of solidarity with the Jewish Community and wishes for a better future for all.'

Prince William touches the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on June 28, 2018

William stands in the Mount of Olives overlooking the Old City in Jerusalem on June 28, 2018

Charles visits the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem during a royal visit on January 24, 2020

It comes after Sir Ephraim met with King Charles last week in a private audience at Buckingham Palace.

Charles welcomed the Chief Rabbi to the London royal residence on Thursday, meeting in the King's audience room to discuss the horrors of the Hamas attacks.

Palace sources said Charles personally expressed his deep care and concern for the Jewish community in the UK who are suffering grief, fear and anguish.

The King, 74, and Sir Ephraim are also understood to have discussed ways to support interfaith harmony in Britain in distressing and dangerous times, and the continued hope that a path to peace can be found internationally.

The Chief Rabbi later thanked Charles for his supportive words for the Jewish community.

The conflict between Hamas and Israel has entered into its 11th day, in which more than 4,000 people have died, with more than a million people leaving their homes in the Gaza Strip.
The Reckoning starring Steve Coogan makes the BBC look tough on Jimmy Savile when it was an open secret amongst bosses that he was abusing children, experts claimed today.

Mark Williams-Thomas, the former police detective-turned-TV journalist who exposed the paedophile broadcaster, told MailOnline the four-part drama series fails to always make clear that the 'BBC management knew and did not take action'.

Former Newsnight journalist Meirion Jones, whose attempts to reveal Savile's abuse in his lifetime was blocked by his own bosses, has also said BBC executives 'knew damn well' what he was doing - even though some scenes in The Reckoning suggested otherwise.

In episode two, Savile is confronted with evidence that he had groped a young girl who later killed herself.

In an intense grilling by a BBC lawyer, the Top of the Pops host is asked if he had sex with children. Steve Coogan's Savile replies: 'You need to have a think about who it is you are talking to. Im a bachelor, I dont deny it, and I have got an eye for a pretty lady. But underage girls?' He added: 'That is not to say that I dont think its quite right that the BBC has asked you to establish the truth.

But experts told MailOnline today that it was inaccurate and claimed it was too generous to the BBC. It is also known that Savile was never grilled about the suicide case - and had refused to co-operate with any BBC inquiries.

Mark Williams-Thomas told MailOnline: 'If the programme did it properly then it would have shown the point of view from the BBC, victims, establishments and we could have seen what was known. But of course they were never going to do that on a BBC commissioned show, because they would have shown BBC management knew and did not take action'.

Steve Coogan as Jimmy Savile being grilled by a BBC lawyer over claims he abused children. Experts have said the scene is inaccurate and falsely paints the corporation in a positive light

In The Reckoning Savile is confronted with evidence that he groped a girl on set - but he denied it

Experts say that in fact, in real life, Savile admitted having children at his home but BBC bosses ignored this because he was a ratings hit

Savile was spoken to in the early 1970s by a BBC lawyer working for Brian Neill QC. But this was not related to the death of Claire McAlpine.

An account from a BBC source familiar with the interview said Savile refused to cooperate and instead 'ridiculed' the solicitor James Crocker.

Mr Williams-Thomas said: 'The inquiry by Brian Neill for the BBC was very much focused on Payola scandal - and not child sexual abuse or Claires death. Claires death has never had a review or been properly investigated by the BBC. The inquiry by Neill was poor and mainly because he was given very little access to information. The programme makes no mention of Payola and Savile likely did in the interview with Neill like he did with Surrey police and controlled the interview. BBC have never released the full Neill report'.

Former Newsnight journalist Meirion Jones has said: 'Very senior people in the BBC knew damn well what was going on with Savile. They didn't think at all about the girls. What they did think about was the 20million ratings on a Saturday night'

In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile By Dan Davies, who is portrayed in The Reckoning, said Savile had 'mocked' his interviewer, who complained but was dismissed by bosses.

Meirion Jones also spoke about the series to The News Agents podcast, presented by former colleagues Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel.

He said: 'I think senior figures knew from 1973 to 2010/2011. In 1973, the head of radio, Sir Ian Trethowan, who then become director general, is notified of concerns about Savile.

They do two lines of investigation. They send the chief press officer to the tabloids to say: Are you going to run a story saying Savile has been abusing kids in his mobile home. They say they are not.

'The other allegation is more seriously sourced because they pull him in, that he is regularly having underage kids coming around his flat in London. Plainly whatever evidence they had was too strong for him to deny it, so he says yes that does happen but that the reason is to protect them from dirty old men on the streets of London if they were left out there. He says they sleep in a separate room - it's a one room bedsit. They are again worried it is going to come out in the papers. He assures them it is not and nothing untoward is going on.

'They don't even say to him: "Stop having underage girls at your apartment overnight" They just say: 'What can you do'

'Very senior people in the BBC knew damn well what was going on with Savile. The worry was it would come out in the papers. They didn't think at all about the girls. What they did think about was the 20million ratings on a Saturday night'.

Investigator Mark Williams-Thomas exposed Savile's crimes in an ITV documentary on the DJ. He says The Reckoning was not done properly

The four episodes of The Reckoning portray events up until Savile's death in 2011.

But it does not dramatise the massive fall-out at the BBC over the way bosses buried an earlier investigation into the star.

Executive producer Jeff Pope said the programme examined how the Jim'll Fix It star had died 'without what he'd done being brought to light', adding 'that was the story we wanted to tell'.

He claimed the series had 'dealt with what happened after his death' and did not 'ignore the fact that the BBC dropped Newsnight and put out a glowing tribute instead'.

Steve Coogan said suggestions the series was a 'face-saving exercise by the BBC' were 'not true'.

A friend of a schoolgirl who killed herself after Jimmy Savile's abuse says the BBC's The Reckoning changed her skin colour and suicide for their drama.

Businesswoman Kelly Gold, 67, saw the tragic story of Claire McAlpine in episode two of the harrowing series, which stars Steve Coogan.

Claire had been a regular in the Top of the Pops audience, when she took an overdose and died in March 1971. She was just 15.

She had been seen going to Savile's BBC dressing room at least twice and had written a diary entry about having sex with a presenter in a hotel. Savile was questioned after her mother discovered what had happened. He denied everything.

On The Reckoning a character named Sara, played by actress Tia Dutt, is among girls waiting for Savile at his dressing room but is later left on her own. She goes with him to a hotel where she is sexually abused.

The programme then shows her mother crying, holding her daughter's suicide note before she rings up the BBC to complain. A flashback shows Sara died of an overdose, Savile is quizzed and denies ever 'laying eyes on her'.

Ms Gold told MailOnline she 'didn't know why they changed Claire's character', having no doubt it was her story being told on screen.

She said: 'I watched the series and thought it was good and that they'd done a good job and handled it well.

Claire McAlpine circled in red on Top of the Pops alongside BBC predatory paedophile Savile

The BBC say Sara, played by Tia Dutt, on The Reckoning is not Claire McAlpine but reflects elements of her story

'But I don't know why they changed Claire's character to be Asian. Also they said she left a suicide note but Claire actually left a diary, naming more than just Savile.

Businesswoman Kelly Gold, 67, saw the tragic story of Claire McAlpine in episode 2 of the harrowing series

'They mentioned that under 16s were not allowed in the bar but I was in there and I was 14.

'If they had a proper investigation at the time and took what Claire said seriously, he would've been caught a lot earlier.'

After being contacted for comment by MailOnline, the BBC denied the character on the show was the real-life victim but did incorporate some of her ordeal.

A spokesman insisted: 'Sara is not Claire McAlpine. We know many of Savile's victims were driven to thoughts of suicide and the drama has a duty to reflect the impact of his abuse in full.

'This fictional character has been portrayed sensitively and responsibly, and with the knowledge of Claire's family we have reflected elements of Claire's story in order to represent many more victims.

'The depiction of the BBC's response to the death of a vulnerable girl is rooted in fact - informed by the 1972 report by QC Brian Neill, as referenced in the Dame Janet Smith report - which was a significant missed opportunity by the BBC for effective safeguarding reform.'

Claire McAlpine called herself Samantha Claire when she was on the show and often appeared

The story in the series was something picked up first earlier this week by the investigator who exposed Savile for his appalling crimes.

Mark Williams-Thomas remarked on the character and her death after he watched episode 2.

He said: 'It has made me very annoyed and has really undermined the integrity of the series.

'The Claire McAlpine story, which 100% needed telling portrayed her as Asian - why?

'This massive deviation from a very important fact shows no sensitivity to Claire as a victim of abuse.'

He later added: 'Would people have been happy if Savile or Ray Teret had been Asian actors ? It's a real story - with real victims and survivors so cast correctly in all the roles.'
A Chinese vessel is suspected to have been close to a major undersea gas pipeline when it developed a sudden leak in the Gulf of Finland, it was revealed today.

Previous reports had focused on possible Russian sabotage to the Baltic Connector gas pipeline, linking NATO states Finland and Estonia, which Finnish authorities expect to be out of service for months after discovering it had been damaged earlier this month.

Vladimir Putin described the charge as 'complete nonsense' despite the presence of the Russian oil tanker SGV Float close to the scene, and Finnish claims that a 'state actor' was likely involved.

But now Estonian state broadcaster ERR said the container ship Newnew Polar Bear was closer to the pipeline at the key moment.

Estonian daily Postimees said the vessel - sailing under the Hong Kong flag but belonging to China - was in the vicinity of the Baltic Connector pipeline when 'seismic' activity was recorded in the area.

But now Estonian state broadcaster ERR said the container ship Newnew Polar Bear (pictured above) was closer to the pipeline at the key moment

Estonian daily Postimees said the vessel (pictured here) - sailing under the Hong Kong flag but belonging to China - was in the vicinity of the Baltic Connector pipeline when 'seismic' activity was recorded in the area

READ MORE: Finland suspects Russia is to blame as gas pipeline and phone cable connecting the country with Estonia is damaged Advertisement

It was 'much closer' than the Russian ship eight days ago when the leak was caused by 'strong mechanical force' in the Gulf of Finland.

The Estonian authorities were reported to have been slow to voice concrete suspicions because the information 'is so politically and diplomatically sensitive that they want to make absolutely sure first'.

The container ship was returning from Shanghai with a stop in Russian Baltic exclave Kaliningrad on its way to St Petersburg, it was reported.

Estonia has not yet challenged China at diplomatic level.

The reinforced ice class vessel is due to carry 62 large containers from St Petersburg to China, via the Northern Sea Route, to the north of Siberia.

Putin mocked the Western suspicion of Russia.

The 94-mile-long pipeline supplies a third of Finland's gas demands

Finnish defence sources previously said the government considered the possibility of Russian interference from the beginning

'Frankly speaking, I did not even know this [Baltic Connector] gas pipe exists,' he said.

'It could have been anything They might have hit it with some kind of hook. I don't know . . . There might have been an earthquake. I don't know, let them investigate.'

He claimed the West was seeking to mask its involvement - unproven - in explosions which damaged the Russian-built Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea last year.

'These claims have only one purpose: to cover up the terrorist act committed by the West against the Nord Stream gas pipelines,' he said.

Probes by Germany, Sweden and Denmark have so far failed to pinpoint the blame. Leaks from the German investigation focus attention on a Ukrainian link.

Russia has variously blamed Britain and the US.
More than 75,000 students are currently sitting their NSW HSC exams, but just 3,300 of them sat the three-hour maths extension 2 paper.

And looking at this year's notorious final page question, with its complex numbers - combining real and imaginary numbers - it's hard to blame those who took an easier option.

Complex numbers are used in physics, pure maths, aeronautics and electrical engineering, so the bright young pupils taking maths extension 2 are probably headed for challenging university courses.

But even some of them found this year's last page question more difficult than they had expected.

'Questions 14 to 16 (the final page questions) were harder than normal,' Vivian Xu, 17, from James Ruse Agricultural High School told the Sydney Morning Herald.

More than 75,000 students are currently sitting their NSW HSC exams, but just 3,300 of them sat the three-hour maths extension 2 paper. A girl is pictured working on a maths question on a board

Looking at this year's notorious final page question (pictured), with its complex numbers - combining real and imaginary numbers - it's hard to blame those who took an easier option

High school under fire for alleged anti-Semitic muck up day stunt A prestigious school previously warned about anti-Semitism has been caught up in another scandal after students allegedly dressed as Arabs for a 'muck-up' day joke. Advertisement

Vivian said time was tight, but she still managed to finish all the questions with two minutes to spare.

One of her classmates, Sizhe Pan, said 'Overall it was pretty hard, and (there were) a higher concentration of medium to hard questions, but I finished on time.'

If questions involving complex numbers and using words such as modulus sound hard, that's because they're designed that way.

Miriam Lees, a consultant for the Mathematical Association of NSW, said questions 15 and 16 of the extension 2 paper are set to specifically challenge the best students.

Complex numbers 'form the basis of a lot of our modern life', she said, including computing currents and voltages.

'To be able to turn on a fluorescent light, we need complex numbers.'

But Ms Lees conceded that this year's complex number questions were harder than she had ever seen before.

'Twenty years ago ... students could use their algebra brain to get the answer, this year you needed to use geometry, advanced trigonometry and visual representations to solve it,' she said.

The advanced maths paper came in for some criticism online, with one TikTok user saying it was 'ridiculously hard'.

'NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) what were you on when you wrote that?' the pupil said.

The advanced maths paper came in for some criticism online, with one TikTok user saying it was 'ridiculously hard'. Students are pictured sitting an exam

People who sat the higher maths exam decades ago also said this year's paper seemed extraordinarily hard.

'Seriously  51 years ago I got in the top decile for Maths Extension 2  but I assure you the questions were nowhere near this level,' one man wrote on Twitter.

Though just 4.4 per cent of HSC students took the highest level of maths, there was a further divide within that number, with twice the number of boys taking the subject this year compared with girls.

A new maths syllabus is being brought in in NSW next year which is designed to get more people studying the subject for their HSC.
A London doctor who travelled to Gaza to operate on Palestinians injured by Israeli airstrikes has accused the Met Police of 'harassing' his family.

Prof Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a top British-Palestinian plastic surgeon, has regularly spoken to the media to describe the horrific scenes he has witnessed while working in a crowded hospital in the besieged territory.

He tweeted yesterday: 'British counter terrorism police has showed up at my house in the UK and harassed my family.'

Today the Met said it had gone to the surgeon's home after receiving a report 'a man was planning to travel to a war zone' and after being told by his wife he was there for humanitarian purposes 'signposted the occupant to current FCDO advice'.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office continues to advise against all travel to Israel and Gaza due to the ongoing conflict.

Prof Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a top British-Palestinian plastic surgeon, is currently working in two hospitals in Gaza

He tweeted yesterday: 'British counter terrorism police has showed up at my house in the UK and harassed my family'

Speaking later on Newsnight, Prof Abu-Sittah said officers had asked his wife about why her husband had gone to Gaza, who paid for his ticket and what charity he was helping.

'I think it's a brutal attempt at harassment and silencing us,' he said.

'I remain committed to speaking out on behalf of my patients and on behalf of the wounded here, on behalf of these families that are being destroyed.

READ MORE - Prof Abu-Sittah describes babies caked in blood and young bodies peppered with shrapnel Advertisement

'There are 50 families that are wiped out of the civil register, that means the grandparents, the parents and the grandchildren are all killed.'

The surgeon said he would continue to 'bear witness' to the 'carnage' being caused by Israeli airstrikes - which follow terrorist attacks on Israel two weekends ago.

He continued: 'These police tactics, as if my wife didn't have enough to worry about that she had to endure this today. It's now been taken up by [my] lawyers.

'I need to find out why someone thought it would be a good idea for them to show up at my house and ask my wife which part of the hospital I'm in, and why did I go, and who paid for my ticket and which charity do I work for.

'At these times, these difficult times, my family is seeing this bombing unfold knowing I'm in the midst of it to have them harassed in this way has been just bizarre.'

Prof Abu-Sittah, who shares three sons with his wife, has previously said he felt a 'moral duty' to go to Gaza to treat the injured. He's previously worked in war zones including Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.

He has a practice near Harley Street in London that specialises in plastic and reconstructive surgery, including trauma injuries and facial deformities.

Prof Abu-Sittah, who shares three sons with his wife, has previously said he felt a 'moral duty' to go to Gaza to treat the injured

The Met said told MailOnline today: 'On 16 October, police officers responding to a report that a man was planning to travel to a war zone attended an address in north London where they spoke with one of the occupants.

'Having identified that the man had left the UK for humanitarian purposes, the officers signposted the occupant to current FCDO advice.'

Last week, Prof Abu-Sittah spoke to the Mail about the horrifying conditions he was experiencing at Gaza's Al-Shifa and Al-Awda hospitals.

'It's the little human things that break your heart,' he said.

'Like when a patient comes in, caked in blood and mud, and you clean them up to assess where the wounds are... but then you see something, the braids, the pink elastic of a hair band, or a bracelet.

'And suddenly you think, a little girl. Somebody's daughter. With half her face blown away.'
Police in Portugal are hunting for a group of British tourists after a teenager was attacked with a broken bottle and left for dead in Lisbon on Saturday.

Horrifying video shows the moment Daniel Galhanas, 19, was stabbed in the neck in the district of Bairro Alto around 4:30am this weekend.

Daniel was targeted while trying to defend his friend, one of several thieves from the Sintra Line gang who tried to rob the British tourists, according to local media.

Family members have denied Daniel was involved with the gang and say he was only trying to help his friend when he was attacked.

One tourist is seen launching a bottle at Daniel's friend before stabbing the victim, running off as Daniel stumbles and collapses in a pool of blood in the street.

Daniel went into cardiac arrest and was taken alive to Sao Jose Hospital after being found by volunteer firefighters - but did not survive his injuries.

The group, who police believe are British tourists, is seen in an altercation on a Lisbon street around 4:30am on Saturday. Daniel is pictured wearing a black top and white trousers

The group of British tourists were seen clashing with a group understood to be thieves. Daniel came between the group and his friend, who was reportedly hit with a bottle

Video footage from above the street shows about a dozen people clashing in the road as cars pass at the intersection of Calcada do Combro and Largo do Calhariz.

Police say the gang targets foreign tourists on weekend evenings as they walk through the city after a night out.

The Judiciary Police are now investigating the case and say they have already questioned several witnesses.

Stabbing victim Daniel Galhanas was first identified as one of the gang members who attacked the group, allegedly British tourists, in Lisbon.

A close family member said police are currently hunting a Brit for his murder.

He told local media: 'An Englishman throws a glass bottle at his friend, who breaks it.

'The same individual picks up the pieces of glass and hits Daniel, who stood in front of his friend to defend him.'

'The group of Englishmen flee and are chased by Daniel's friends.'

His parents have said he was not involved and only trying to help a friend when he was attacked.

According to the family, one of the tourists threw a bottle at Daniel's friend after the group was approached.

The bottle broke and the unnamed suspect picked up the smashed bottle, using it to slash at Daniel, who had come between the group and his friend.

In the video, one man is seen staggering off after apparently being hit with something.

He joins another group of men watching on from the road as Daniel is apparently stabbed.

The group of tourists is then seen in the video running away as Daniel is left bleeding in the street.

A team from the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department helped Daniel as they passed by before medical professionals took him to hospital.

Daniel was already in cardiac arrest when they arrived and did not survive his injuries.

Authorities continue to search for the group of Englishmen, though the Judiciary Police admit they may have already left the country.

From another view, the group of tourists is seen running off as Daniel bleeds out in the street

Around the corner, the group faces off with another group, seemingly the gang

In 2020, a British tourist was rushed to hospital in Portugal after being stabbed during a bungled street robbery while on a pilgrimage.

The 27-year-old woman was knifed in the arm by a masked mugger in Vialonga, north of Lisbon, on September 16.

Local reports said the criminal fled empty-handed after seeing the amount of blood she was losing.

Crime in Portugal is generally low and most crimes are non violent; the country is ranked the 6th most peaceful in the world.
A Moroccan national stabbed a 70-year-old passerby to death outside a migrant hostel after knifing his housemate, a court has heard.

Terrence Carney had just used a cash machine when he was attacked in Hartlepool town centre on Sunday morning.

Ahmed Alid, 44, was charged with the murder of Mr Carney and the attempted murder of Javed Nouri.

A police cordon at Wharton Terrace, Hartlepool where Javed Nouri was allegedly stabbed multiple times in the chest, legs and mouth

Ahmed Alid, 44, was charged with the murder of Terrence Carney and the attempted murder of Mr Nouri

The scene on Wharton Terrace in Hartlepool on Monday where a police cordon remains in place

Alid, from the north-east seaside town, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Tuesday via video link from a police station in Middlesbrough.

Prosecutors told the court Alid had allegedly been fighting with his housemate Mr Nouri at around 5.15am on Wharton Terrace before stabbing him multiple times in the chest, legs and mouth.

He is then accused of going to Tees Street, half a mile away, where he allegedly fatally stabbed Mr Carney in the chest and neck.

Alid did not enter any pleas and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday.
The UN's World Food Programme has said the food situation in the besieged and blockaded Gaza Strip is worsening by the minute, with only four or five days of stocks left in the shops.

The WFP said stocks were getting low in warehouses inside the Palestinian enclave, but at the shop level, the situation was even more acute.

'The situation in Gaza is getting worse by the minute: the humanitarian situation but also of course the food security situation,' WFP's Middle East spokeswoman Abeer Etefa, told reporters at the UN in Geneva via video-link from Cairo.

'The current stocks of essential food commodities are sufficient for only two weeks - and that's at the wholesalers' level,' she said, with the warehouses located in Gaza City in the north of the territory and shops having difficulties replenishing supplies.

'Inside the shops, the stocks are getting close to less than a few days, maybe four or five days of food stocks left.'

The UN's World Food Programme has said shops in Gaza are into their final 'few days' of supply as the situation worsens by the minute

Israel's siege of Gaza has also ended the city's supply of water, electricity, and fuel

The WFP is stockpiling supplies nearby in the Egyptian city of Al-Arish in the hope of a humanitarian corridor being set up

Gaza-based Hamas fighters broke through Israel's heavily fortified border on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

Israel has responded with withering air strikes on Hamas-controlled Gaza and by deploying tens of thousands of troops to the border in preparation for a full-scale ground offensive.

Israel has demanded that residents of north Gaza leave for the south, hoping to clear the area of civilians in preparation for a perilous urban ground assault.

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Etefa said that out of five flour mills in the Gaza Strip, only one was operating due to security concerns and the unavailability of fuel - also impacted by the siege.

'So the bread supply is running low and people are lining up for hours to get bread,' she said.

Only five bakeries out of 23 in Gaza contracted by WFP were still in operation, she added.

'Our food supplies within Gaza are running really short.'

The spokeswoman said there has been no looting of WFP warehouses, and 'anyway, whatever we have left in the warehouses is so little.'

Israel says at least 199 hostages were taken by Hamas or other groups during the October 7 raid.

Hamas's military wing has said the group was holding 200 people, with about 50 more held by other 'resistance factions and in other places'.
JK Rowling has condemned the kidnapping of children by Hamas as she posted a picture of an abducted autistic Harry Potter fan.

The author shared a picture of Noya, 12, wearing a Harry Potter costume on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption: 'Kidnapping children is despicable and wholly unjustifiable. For obvious reasons, this picture has hit home with me.

'May Noya and all hostages taken by Hamas be returned soon, safely, to their families.'

Noya had been tragically taken by Hamas alongside her grandmother Carmela, 80, on October 7 and her mother, Galit Dan, 53, believes they were taken to Gaza alongside nearly 200 other hostages.

In the photo posted by JK Rowling yesterday, Noya can be seen wearing a Gryffindor tie and clothes resembling the Hogwarts school uniform.

The author shared a picture of Noya, 12, wearing a Harry Potter costume on X, formerly known as Twitter, yesterday and condemned the kidnapping of children by Hamas

Noya (pictured left) had been tragically kidnapped by Hamas alongside her grandmother Carmela (right), 80, on October 7

JK Rowling wrote: 'May Noya and all hostages taken by Hamas be returned soon, safely, to their families'

She was also holding a Hebrew copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince as well as a wand.

Israel had previously posted Noya's picture on X on Sunday, saying: 'This beautiful 12 year old girl with autism was kidnapped from her home by Hamas terrorists and was taken to Gaza.

'Noya, is sensitive, kind, funny and a massive Harry Potter fan.'

The State of Israel's official X account also urged JK Rowling to share Noya's story in the hopes of 'bringing her home'.

Last week, Noya's mother had shared the heartbreaking last conversation she had with her 12-year-old daughter before the kidnapping.

Ms Dan was five miles away hiding in a panic room when Noya sent her a voice message: 'Mummy, I'm scared. There are people in the house - help me.'

Noya hid in darkness at her grandmother Carmela's home, texting each other in silence as explosions erupted around the kibbutz of Nir Oz on October 7.

They disappeared after Noya sent a panicked message and are believed to have been taken back to the Gaza Strip by Hamas gunmen, among at least 199 hostages.

Galit Dan (right) said her daughter (left) was kidnapped by Hamas from the Nir Oz kibbutz

Inon Ilan, whose partner's 12-year-old child, Noya, was allegedly captured by Hamas

Noya's mother managed to wait in safety with her husband - Noya's stepfather - and her other daughter Tomal, 9, at their home in the settlement of Kibbutz Kissufim.

After 22 hours, the family was evacuated to a Dead Sea resort hotel.

Ms Dan told The Sun last week: 'The pain is indescribable. My little girl went for a sleepover with her granny and was messaging us as these animals came for them.

'Our best hope now is that they have been kidnapped and will somehow survive. I am living every parent's nightmare  every parent in the world will feel our pain.'

Ms Dan told The Sun her daughter had autism and was extremely sensitive. She described her daughter as a 'very sweet, very funny, very clever little girl'. She said that her grandmother Carmela was 'vulnerable herself'.

'What do they hope to achieve by doing this to innocent helpless people?' she asked of Hamas.

The Israeli military confirmed yesterday that at least 199 hostages were taken back in Gaza, higher than previous estimates.

More than 1,400 people are known to have been killed by the terrorist attacks from Hamas on October 7 which has since been followed by thousands of deaths in Gaza in retaliatory Israeli air strikes.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have been massing in preparation for a ground invasion of the Palestinian territory, but this was postponed at the last minute over the weekend amid suggestions they had received new intelligence about hostages taken by Hamas.

Aaron Cohen, a former Israeli special operator, told Fox News on Sunday that claims the invasion had been postponed due to bad weather may not be the real or full reason.

The Israeli military confirmed yesterday that at least 199 hostages were taken back in Gaza, higher than previous estimates (pictured: a Hamas attack on the Be'eri kibbutz)

Among them is missing British teenager Noiya (pictured right) who have not been heard from since Hamas attacked the community where they were staying. Her sister Yahel (pictured left), aged 13, has recently been confirmed dead by her family

Israeli soldiers carry the body of a victim of a deadly Hamas attack last week at Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel

A bogus delay of the invasion may have offered the IDF extra time to save hostages, which is a top priority for the Israeli army and government. 'You're about to see Israel [do] what it does best: rescue good people. So stand by,' he said.

The delay has also provided Gazans extra time to flee to the southern part of the region, though it has become clear that Hamas are blocking the Palestinians' ability to move to safety.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed on Monday that six Britons were killed in the attacks by Hamas last week, while another 10 are missing, some of whom are feared dead.

Among them is missing British teenager Noiya who has not been heard from since Hamas attacked the community where she and her family were staying.

Her sister Yahel, aged 13, has recently been confirmed dead by her family. Their father Eli is still missing after the terror group targeted Kibbutz Be'eri in its cross-border attack on October 7.

Their mother Lianne, who is British and was born in Bristol, was tragically killed by the terrorists.

In a tribute, British family members said Lianne was a 'beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend who enriched the lives of all those lucky enough to have known and loved her.

'She lived a beautiful life and will be sorely missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind.'

While it is now ten days since the terror group stormed into Israel from Gaza, details are still emerging about the horrific rampage and of its many victims.
Chinese, Mongolian foreign ministers meet ahead of 3rd Belt and Road Forum for Int'l Cooperation

Xinhua) 09:37, October 17, 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with Mongolia to adhere to mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual support, and push bilateral relations to a new level, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with his Mongolian counterpart Batmunkh Battsetseg.

Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Mongolia relations have maintained a sound momentum of development, Wang said.

Mongolia is one of the first countries to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. China is willing to strengthen development strategies alignment with Mongolia so that mutually beneficial cooperation can benefit the two peoples more, contribute to regional development and stability, and promote the building of a global community of shared future, he noted.

Battsetseg said Mongolia attaches great importance to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, abides by the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests.

Mongolia looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges and expanding cooperation with China in various fields, he said, noting that Mongolia is willing to start preparations for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties at an early date.

Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh will attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Battsetseg said, expressing his hope to deepen cooperation with all parties involved and boost shared development and prosperity. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming)
A British mother has been sentenced to death in India after she brutally murdered her husband in front of their horrified nine-year-old son with the help of her lover.

Ramandeep Kaur Mann, 38, from Derby, was found guilty of murdering her husband Sukhjit Singh, 34, while they were on holiday at his mother's house in India in 2016.

Mr Singh, a devout Sikh and father-of-two from Derby, was found in bed with his throat slit on September 2, 2016  murdered in front of his terrified son, who was nine years old at the time.

Their son told the court during the trial that he had been sleeping in the bed next to his father when he was awoken to the sight of his mother smothering Mr Singh with a pillow.

Her lover, Mr Singh's childhood friend Gurpreet Singh, then hit the father-of-two on the head with a hammer before Ramandeep slit his throat.

Now, seven years on, Ramandeep has been found guilty of her husband's murder and been sentenced to death by hanging by an Indian court, reports NDTV.

Ramandeep Kaur Mann, 38, from Derby, was found guilty of murdering her husband Sikh Sukhjit Singh, 34, while they were on holiday at his mother's house in India in 2016. They are pictured together in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India on 2 September 2016 days before the murder

Mr Singh, a devout Sikh and father-of-two from Derby, was found in bed with his throat slit seven years ago  murdered in front of his terrified son, who was nine years old at the time

Left: Sukhjit Singh (L), Ramandeep Kaur Mann (C) and Gurpreet Singh (in the back)

Ramandeep Kaur Mann (right) with her lover Gurpreet Singh (left) during a court appearance in 2016 over her husband's murder

Gurpreet Singh was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison with a fine of 10,000 rupees (98.75).

Mr Singh, his wife and their two children travelled to his mother's house in Banda, south east of Delhi, on July 28 2016 to see relatives and meet up with Gurpreet Singh, who had attended school with Mr Singh.

Ramandeep had reportedly told police that her husband refused to give her a divorce. The couple had been married since 2005.

On the day of the murder, Ramandeep poisoned the entire family, including her seven-year-old son, after she made a pot of dahl for them. But she didn't realise that her other son, who was nine at the time, hadn't touched the dahl that night.

This meant that her eldest son witnessed his mother murdering his father with the help of Gurpreet Singh, who had spent days with the family on trips out.

Government lawyer Shree Pal Verma said the couple's eldest son later testified in court during his mother's murder trial.

'He told the court that he was sleeping with his father when his mother smothered her husband with a pillow,' Verma said.

'Then, Gurpreet hit Mr Singh with a hammer on his head. After that, Gurpreet took out a knife from his pocket and gave it to Ramandeep, who slit the throat of Mr Singh.'

Now, Ramandeep has been sentenced to death by the Indian court.

Ramandeep has been found guilty of her husband's murder and been sentenced to death by hanging by an Indian court

Ramandeep Kaur Mann, 38, from Derby, was found guilty of murdering her husband Sukhjit Singh, 34, (pictured together) while they were on holiday at his mother's house in India in 2016

Reacting to the verdict, Mr Singh's mother said: 'I feel relieved. My prayers were answered and I got what I was expecting from the court.

'I was demanding capital punishment for Ramandeep so that no mother's child dies like this.'

MailOnline has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment.

In older pictures Mr Singh has short hair, but in more recent family photographs before his murder - including one of the family riding camels in the desert - he sported a full beard and a turban.

Mr Singh regularly attended his local Sikh temple and was described as a 'devout' man.
A man wanted in connection with a fatal stabbing in London has been arrested in Italy after seven months on the run.

Vittorio Murro, 25, was held after leaving the country following the murder of Jordan Briscoe in Tottenham.

Detectives are investigating how he managed to slip out of the country and travel through France before being held in a routine spot check by police outside Rome.

It was only after his details were passed through databases as part of the routine stop that it emerged Mr Murro was wanted in connection with the murder that happened in March.

Italian-born Mr Murro was travelling on a German passport when he was stopped by police at a small beach resort just outside Rome.

Scotland Yard officers investigating the murder are thought to have identified him through CCTV footage from the crime scene and a warrant for his arrest was issued by Westminster Magistrates' Court in June.

Jordan Briscoe, 25, (pictured) was found with stab wounds in Tottenham, London, in March and was taken to hospital where he later died that night

Police pictured in Arnold Road, Tottenham, on March 5 this year where Mr Briscoe was stabbed

An Italian police source told MailOnline: 'He was stopped as part of a routine patrol and asked to show his documents. When colleagues checked his name it emerged he was wanted for murder and he was arrested and taken into custody.

'He will remain in prison until the extradition hearing is set and he will then be returned to London. He told us that he was in the area to see his father who hadn't been in touch with for years.

'We informed his father of the arrest and the circumstances, and he had no idea  he just said that he had received a call and was expecting to see his son for the first time in years.'

Four people have already been charged in connection with the murder and robbery of Mr Briscoe, 25, and are currently awaiting trial.

They are Jabir Sitar, 20, from Walthamstow, a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, Jahoe Allen, 32, of no fixed abode and Karl Black, 42, also from Walthamstow.

Mr Briscoe was found with stab wounds in Arnold Road on March 5. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to hospital where he later died that night.
An eight-year-old girl's head cracked 'like a boiled egg' after she fell from a high dive platform at a pool in Bali.

Aliyah Ayash, eight, plunged six metres onto a concrete ledge at the Mrs Sippy bar and pool in 2022 and now suffers memory loss.

She was rushed to hospital in Denpasar, undergoing emergency surgery to reduce swelling on her brain.

Aliyah was then flown to Perth Children's Hospital and had 16 titanium plates inserted in her head, which are 'holding her skull together', her mum Fergil Mestanov said.

Earlier that day, she had been jumping into the pool with her father, like other children around them, then decided she wanted to tackle the leap on her own.

Fergil Mestanov said that when she saw her daughter in hospital, Aliyah's head was 'like a boiled egg and the shell had just cracked into fragments'

A year after the accident, Aliyah's hair has grown back but she has developed serious memory problems. Pictured: Aliyah with her mother, Fergil Mestanov

The girl remembers being confused by instructions given to her by the attendant at the diving platform.

'They said "go" and I was about to jump, then they said "actually, don't go". So I hung on to the railing and I swung to the edge and I fell,' Aliyah told A Current Affair.

If she hadn't hit a rope part way down, which slowed her fall, she could have died.

Ms Mestanov said that when she saw her daughter in hospital, Aliyah's head was 'like a boiled egg and the shell had just cracked into fragments'.

A year after the horror accident Aliyah's hair, which had to be shaved off for brain surgery, has now grown back.

But she is suffering from lingering issues.

She now experiences short-term memory loss which Ms Mestanov fears will make Aliyah's future uncertain.

That is because she struggles to retain what she is taught at school.

She is also likely to need further surgeries, help from specialists and extra tutoring because of her memory problems.

Aliyah (pictured in mid-air) had been jumping into the Mr Sippy pool with her father, like other children around them, then decided she wanted to tackle the leap on her own

Her parents pursued Mrs Sippy for compensation but got nowhere.

A Current Affair approached Mrs Sippy's Sydney-based owner Ben May.

Mr May, who has four children, expressed horror at images of Aliyah and agreed to contact her mother.

He later told Nine the familys Balinese law firm didn't respond to requests for documents from Mrs Sippys insurer.

Mr May has committed to assist the family.
8 July 2023

Mr Win-Boh: Hows your trip?

Mr Takagi: Just landed.

It was great.

Mr Win-Boh: Welcome home!

10 July 2023

Mr Takagi: 'Hey Jackson, just letting you know I won't be able to work Tuesday  Thursday next week.'

11 July 2023

Mr Win-Boh: Hey Ken, thanks for letting me know, right now I don't have any shifts for you. Jamie has hired two new people for bar with Nhi leaving soon to go work in a lab and you going into a job interview before your holidays. I will let you know if these new people work out or not.

Mr Takagi: That job interview I went for before I left fell through. Wait so if the new guys work out will I just be out of a job.

Mr Win-Boh: We had to make a call on the bar position. We knew you were always going to leave to go be an accountant and with Nhi going also we needed to find replacements. So we are going to make the cocktail list simpler and have an all-rounder.

Also the decision to find someone quickly happened naturally because we realised we needed someone who wanted to be at nonda and enjoyed working with the team. The last few months you didn't show the right attitude. It was really hard to work with when it felt like you hated working here?

That's why when you told me you went for an interview that you were ready to leave and wanted a change.

Mr Takagi: I just would have wanted some notice as opposed to me finding out now.

Mr Win-Boh: The new hires also don't have any restriction.

Mr Takagi: I was happy to work at Nonda but you just assumed I wasn't

Mr Win-Boh: When someone tells you that they went for a job interview you have to prepare. Its not easy to find people to be in the bar.

Mr Takagi: I understand its hard to find bartenders right now. But give me some notice please.

Mr Win-Boh: In comparison to the others team members you looked miserable to be here.

How much notice do you need? The same notice you gave me when you started looking for another job?

Mr Takagi: There's a difference to looking for another job and starting another job. You should know that better than anyone else. Also I told you I was looking for another job because you asked me if I was free to work a shift last minute. Anyway, if your new hires don't work out just let me know.

Mr Win-Boh: Will do. I didn't want to have a quiet quitter. You told me honestly which I am appreciative of which also reminded me that you are going anytime soon to be an accountant. I had to find people asap.

Mr Takagi: That doesn't stop you from telling me you're firing me.

I wish you would have just told me outright. I wasn't a quiet quitter either, I was still coming into shifts early, I was cleaning the bar above and beyond was as expected as per the cleaning list, I was doing stocklists for you, I was coming to shifts that weren't rostered LAST MINUTE. Do not label me as a quiet quitter just because you the work environment was horrible.

Mr Win-Boh: Why was the work environment horrible?

Mr Takagi: Last minute shifts, shifts being cancelled last minute, prep not being done during quiet periods (weekday lunches), cocktails going out to the floor with terrible presentation, random new cocktail preps left to expire after the promotion (coconut foam), you not spiking your dockets, no-one cleaning lipstick off glasses except me, people wiping cutlery poorly so it's not shining, using the glass washer to wash cutlery (your glass washer recycles water so all that rice and oil on the cutlery is getting used on glassware all 'clean' glassware having either watermarks, lipstick marks or a combination of all 3) (this is a huge problem if you're serving a nice bottle of win and all the specialty glasses are dirty), glass bins not being emptied on busy lunches .....

Not to mention me finding out I'm fired indirectly and you coming at me personally by calling me a quiet quitter.

Mr Win-Boh: Cool thanks so it's everyone else's fault?

Mr Takagi: I mean rostering isn't my job. Neither is managing the business.

Mr Win-Boh: Exactly

Mr Takagi: The work environment is everything out of my control so it's always going to be things that aren't directly related to me. Things like the management, fit-out and co-workers.

Mr Win-Boh: I was going to make a roster to have you on for the next 3 weeks to give you time to make arrangements but I can hire an agency worker to do exactly what you are willing to do.

Mr Takagi: OK go ahead, you haven't given me any notice of what exactly you want from me so its nothing new. I think I can handle it.

Mr Win-Boh: OK Thanks Ken for pointing out and providing feedback. We will work on it.

Good luck with finding the accounting job.

Mr Takagi: Thanks, Good luck with Nonda.
Israel has bombed areas of southern Gaza where it told Palestinians to flee ahead of an expected invasion, killing dozens of people.

Violence along Israel's border with Lebanon has also led to concerns over a widening regional conflict that diplomats have been working to prevent.

In Gaza, people wounded in the air strikes were rushed to hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported.

Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

An air strike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

A woman embraces the body of a Palestinian child killed in Israeli strikes, at a hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023

More than 1,000 children have been killed in Gaza by Israeli forces since October 7 (as of Monday)

Palestinians evacuate wounded from a building destroyed in Israeli bombardment in Rafah refugee camp in Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023

Palestinians attend the funeral prayer of the Palestinians who died during the Israeli airstrikes in Dair Al-Balah, Gaza on October 17, 2023

A Palestinian woman weeps after an Israeli airstrike on the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

Palestinians rescue a girl from the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike at the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

Relief convoys which have been waiting for days in Egypt were on October 17 headed towards the Rafah border crossing with the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza, aid officials said

A Palestinian reacts amidst the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike on the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

Palestinian rescuers arrive at the scene after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

'When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, we'll take care of it. We'll handle it,' said Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman.

However, Iran's foreign minister warned that 'pre-emptive action is possible' if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahian's threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas.

Israel has sealed off and bombed Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel on October 7 killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and left about 200 hostages held captive in Gaza.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of the dead were children, said Medhat Abbas, a Gaza Health Ministry official.

The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to attack Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed buried under the rubble, health authorities said.

Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing air strikes.

On Monday, Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defence in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 10 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, health authorities said.

Israel has massed troops at the border for an expected ground offensive, but Mr Hecht said on Tuesday that no concrete decisions have been made.

'These plans are being developed. They will be decided by, and presented to, our political leadership,' he said.

The combination of air strikes, dwindling necessities caused by Israel's blockade, and Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territory's 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately eight-mile area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse with ever-decreasing supplies of water and medicine and with power running out at hospitals.

A Palestinian man wounded in Israeli strikes on houses reacts with a boy in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip October 17, 2023

At least 2,750 had been killed in Gaza and 9,600 injured as of October 16, amid a hurried evacuation from the north. Pictured: a Palestinian boy reacts at the site of strikes on houses in Rafah, October 17

Palestinians arrive at the scene after an Israeli strike on a building in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

A Palestinian woman reacts as others rush to look for victims in the rubble of a building following an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

Palestinians evacuate a victim following an Israeli airstrike on the Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

Palestinians search the rubble as others evacuate a victim following an Israeli airstrike on buildings in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians - many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities - were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a ceasefire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli air strikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached on Monday, but Israel denied reports of a ceasefire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

General Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel.

Mr Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict as fighting intensified along Israel's border with Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

There were few details, but the plan would include 'the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way', he said.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread.

With taps dry, many rationed the little clean water available and others resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military said it was trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gaza's north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas' military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Israel fought a vicious month-long war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah: 'Don't test us in the north. Don't make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier.'

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Palestinians react, at the site of Israeli strikes on houses, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip October 17, 2023

Israel has sealed off and bombed Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel on October 7

Bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes lie at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023

Civil defense teams and residents launch a search and rescue operation around the buildings that were destroyed after Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

Hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the brutal bombardment of the enclave

Civil defense teams and residents carry injured people as they launch a search and rescue operation around the buildings that were destroyed in Rafah, Gaza on October 17, 2023

Teams hurry to rescue civilians caught in the Israeli bombardment of Rafah on October 17

The Israeli military said on Monday at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas' military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.
Russian President Vladimir Putin shook hands with his 'dear friend' Xi Jinping upon his arrival in China today, with the pair aiming to bolster their relationship at a summit overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war.

The leaders of the Eastern powers were pictured sharing a warm embrace as Xi's wife Peng Liyuan looked on with a smile before posing for a series of pictures emblematic of their strengthened ties in the face of Western opposition.

China's President this week welcomes representatives of 130 countries for a forum on President Xi's vast trade and infrastructure Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

At the top of the guest list is Putin, who is on his first trip to a major global power since Moscow's Ukraine invasion threw his regime into international isolation.

He is due to hold talks with Xi on the sidelines of the forum on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, with the war raging between Israel and Palestinian militant organisation Hamas looming large over the summit.

'During the talks, special attention will be paid to international and regional issues,' the Kremlin said in a statement, without elaborating.

Western countries led by the United States have rallied to Israel's side since October 7, when Hamas launched the deadliest attack in Israel's history, shooting, stabbing and burning to death more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

The United States has asked China to use its influence to help de-escalate the war, which has seen more than a million people in the blockaded Gaza Strip flee the relentless bombardment that Israel launched in retaliation for the attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during their meeting on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023

China's President this week welcomes representatives of 130 countries for a forum on President Xi's vast trade and infrastructure Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). At the top of the guest list is Putin, who is on his first trip to a major global power since Moscow 's Ukraine invasion threw his regime into international isolation

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, Chinese President Xi Jinping, centre, and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a photo during their meeting on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan

China brokered an entente between key Hamas backer Iran and its regional foe Saudi Arabia earlier this year, and will send its Middle East envoy Zhai Jun to the volatile region this week.

No details have been given about where or when exactly Zhai would travel, though China's state broadcaster CCTV has said he will push for a ceasefire and peace talks.

Russia, which has traditionally maintained good relations with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, has called for an 'immediate ceasefire' in the conflict.

In Beijing, Putin is on a mission to strengthen the already strong bond with his communist neighbour, though experts say Moscow is increasingly the junior partner in the relationship.

China is Russia's largest trading partner, with exchange between the nations reaching a record $190 billion last year, Beijing customs data shows.

Beijing has drawn criticism from Western countries for its stance on the Ukraine war, on which China insists it is neutral even as it refuses to criticise Moscow's invasion.

When Xi made a state visit to Moscow in March, Putin hailed the 'truly unlimited possibilities' their countries' partnership offered.

But while the BRI forum provides a fresh opportunity for Putin and Xi to showcase their alliance, experts do not expect any new major agreements to be announced.

'Russia is aware that China doesn't want to sign any high publicity deals,' Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told AFP.

'China holds all of the cards,' he said.

Participants of the Belt and Road Forum pose for a photo in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023

Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev speak while posing for a group photo during a welcoming ceremony at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing

Xi kicked off the summit Tuesday with talks with Chilean and Kazakhstan Presidents Gabriel Boric and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chinese state media reported.

He then met Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, describing the conservative leader as a 'friend' and thanking him for his support for the BRI, state news agency Xinhua said.

Xi also met the prime ministers of Papua New Guinea and Ethiopia.

Putin, meanwhile, had a meeting of his own with Orban, telling him he was satisfied to still maintain relations with some European countries, 'despite... current geopolitical conditions'.

Putin also met with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thong, the Kremlin said.

China and Russia's top diplomats were singing from the same song sheet when they met in Beijing on Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thanked China for inviting Putin as the summit's 'chief guest', according to a readout from Moscow, which later said the top diplomat would head to North Korea after Beijing.

Putin and Xi will discuss the countries' ties 'in their entirety' when they meet this week, Lavrov told Wang.

The two nations share a symbiotic alliance, with China appreciating Russia's role as a bulwark against the West, and Moscow increasingly reliant on Beijing's largesse in trade and geopolitical backing.

'Since Moscow embarked on its all-out invasion of Ukraine, it has been put in a position where it is unprecedentedly dependent on China,' Bjorn Alexander Duben of China's Jilin University told AFP.

At the heart of the deepening partnership is the relationship between Xi and Putin, who have described each other as 'dear friends'.

'President Xi Jinping calls me his friend, and I call him my friend, too,' Putin told Chinese state broadcaster CGTN ahead of his visit, according to a Kremlin readout.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) believes that any foreign nationals in the United States that support Hamas terrorists should be immediately deported.

The Republican senator wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging the immediate removal of Hamas sympathizers after the Palestinian terrorist group launched a brutal attack on Israel last week.

Hamas is the de facto government of the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Terrorists with the Sunni Islamist political and military organization rampaged through Israel starting on Saturday, October 7. The hundreds killed that day marked the largest single-day murder of Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said this week that 1,400 of his citizens were killed so far in the conflict, while 120 were abducted by Hamas terrorists.

Meanwhile, 30 Americans are confirmed dead in Israel and 15 are missing  and believed to be held hostage in Gaza.

'I write to urge you to immediately deport any foreign nationalincluding and especially any alien on a student visathat has expressed support for Hamas and its murderous attacks on Israel,' Sen. Cotton said in his letter to Sec. Mayorkas.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) wrote in a letter Monday that any foreign nationals in the U.S. who support Hamas should be immediately deported and barred from returning to the country

'I write to urge you to immediately deport any foreign national... that has expressed support for Hamas and its murderous attacks on Israel,' Sen. Cotton wrote to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas while claiming these individuals have 'no place' in the U.S.

'These fifth-columnists have no place in the United States,' he added, using a term to describe a group of people undermining a large group from within  usually in favor of any enemy.

The carnage of Israeli people and the Palestinians caught in the crossfires of their counterstrikes led to widespread protests from those supporting both sides of the fight and clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups.

Sen. Cotton says anyone supporting Hamas terrorists or defending their actions due to the mere existence of the state of Israel, should be removed from the country.

'Federal law is clear that any alien who 'endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization' is inadmissible and must be deported,' he wrote.

Specifically, the Arkansas lawmaker referenced removing anyone who signed or promoted the letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee that Israel's 'apartheid regime is the only one to blame' for the horrific murder and kidnapping of Israelis.

'Swiftly removing and permanently barring from future reentry any foreign student who signed onto or shared approvingly the anti-Semitic letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee on October 7 would be a good place to start,' Cotton wrote to Mayorkas.

Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Saturday, October 7. The multi-front attack led to the largest single-day murder of Jewish people since the Holocaust in World War II. Pictured: Palestinian militants celebrate near the border of Israel and Gaza as Hamas terrorists brutally murdered and kidnapped Israelis on Oct. 7

Sen. Cotton specifically called for 'Swiftly removing and permanently barring from future reentry any foreign student who signed onto or shared approvingly the anti-Semitic letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee on October 7'

The letter to Mayorkas comes as reports emerge showing an uptick in the number of people crossing the southern border illegally on the terror watch list.

A fourth Iranian on the list was caught trying to get into the U.S. through the southern border over the weekend.

Iranians who cross illegally into the U.S. are classed as 'special interest aliens' because the State Department views Iran as a hostile nation that poses a threat to national security.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said last week that Iran was 'broadly complicit' in the recent unprecedented attacks on Israel because of Tehran's military and political support of Hamas.

Also this month, two men from Lebanon, the home of terror group Hezbollah, were arrested at Eagle Pass, Texas.

Cotton claims that since Hamas launched its attack on Israel there has been an 'appalling explosion of anti-Semitism in the United States.'

'While American citizens may have a First Amendment right to speak disgusting vitriol if they so choose, no foreign national has a right to advocate for terrorism in the United States,' he concluded in the letter to Mayorkas.
A Georgia man released after serving 16 years for a crime he did not commit has been shot dead by police during a traffic stop.

Leonard Cure, 53, was sentenced to life for armed robbery in 2003 but freed in 2020 after a review found there had been no physical evidence or witnesses, and that his solid alibis had been ignored.

He moved to Atlanta and was returning from a visit to his mother when a Camden County deputy pulled him over on Monday morning as he drove down Interstate 95 near the Georgia-Florida line.

Cure complied with the officers commands until learning that he was under arrest, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

After not complying with the deputy's requests, the deputy tased Cure.

Leonard began campaigning against wrongful convictions with visits to schools and lawmakers after his exoneration in 2020

He was returning from a visit to his mother when a Camden County deputy pulled him over on Monday morning as he drove down Interstate 95

Camden County Sheriff Jim Proctor lashed out at news media, and rumors within the community, (which) have provided the public with misinformation

Cure assaulted the deputy. The deputy used the Taser for a second time and an ASP baton; however, Cure still did not comply.

The deputy pulled out his gun and shot Cure. EMTs treated Cure, but he later died.

Camden County Sheriffs office said it had turned over bodycam footage of the incident to the bureau which is investigating the killing.

But friends who helped exonerate Cure said they were devastated at the death of a man who had himself begun campaigning against wrongful convictions with visits to schools and lawmakers.

The Leonard we knew was a smart, funny and kind person, said a spokesman for Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor.

He had been working a job in security, he was hoping to go to college and wanted to work in broadcast radio production, he was buying his first home.

Cure was convicted of the 2003 armed robbery of a drug store in Floridas Dania Beach.

His conviction came from a second jury after the first one deadlocked. Cure was sentenced to life in prison because he had previous convictions for robbery and other crimes.

In 2020, the Broward State Attorneys Office new Conviction Review Unit asked a judge to release Cure from prison.

Browards conviction review team said it found troubling revelations that Cure had solid alibis that were previously disregarded and no physical evidence or solid witnesses to put him at the scene.

An independent review panel of five local lawyers concurred with the findings.

Cure was released that April after his sentenced was modified. In December 2020, a judge vacated his conviction and sentence.

Im looking forward to putting this situation behind me and moving on with my life, Cure told the South Florida Sun Sentinel at the time.

In June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a claims bill granting Cure $817,000 in compensation for his conviction and imprisonment, along with educational benefits.

Cure had been represented in his exoneration case by the Innocence Project of Florida.

The groups executive director, Seth Miller, said he was devastated by news of the death, which he heard from Cures family.

I can only imagine what its like to know your son is innocent and watch him be sentenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and then be told that once hes been freed, hes been shot dead, he said.

Miller said he has represented dozens of people convicted of crimes who were later exonerated.

Even when theyre free, they always struggled with the concern, the fear that theyll be convicted and incarcerated again for something they didnt do, he added.

Camden County Sheriff Jim Proctor lashed out at news media, and rumors within the community, (which) have provided the public with misinformation.

It is common for rumors to occur, but blatant false information by some media representatives should not be tolerated, the office wrote on its Facebook page.

The offices media spokesman Captain Larry Bruce told Dailymail.com that a local TV reporter had wrongly suggested that that the sheriffs office has no jurisdiction over I-95.

I responded to her and said the sheriff is the top guy and he has control of every inch of Camden County, he added.

The sheriff was slammed in 2013 when he first suspended and then reinstated his deputy Chad Palmer who had dressed in blackface as a black prisoner in a striped jail uniform picking cotton' at a Halloween party.

There is no suggestion that Deputy Palmer was involved in Leonard's traffic stop.

Extremely insensitive, is what it is, he explained at the time.

I do not believe Chad Palmer is a racist. I have had to take action.

There's been a lot of thought, a lot of prayer into this decision, he added.

I thought about firing him but decided against it.
When paedophile Jimmy Savile's mother died he spent five days with her body, which was housed in an open casket for what he called 'The best five days of his life'.

The now-disgraced presenter insisted her corpse 'looked marvellous' and proudly declared 'she belonged to me'.

It could have been the end of an unusual mother-son relationship between a predatory sex offender and a devout Catholic whom he had nicknamed 'the duchess'.

But Savile had other ideas and transformed the flat in Scarborough, which he shared with her until she died in 1972, into a creepy shrine.

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.

Jimmy Savile with his mother at Buckingham Palace, London, to receive his OBE award

Savile would have his late mother's clothes dry-cleaned every year, insisting they were better than photographs, and he would still greet her despite her no longer being there

Savile transformed the flat in Scarborough, which he shared with his mother until she died in 1972, into a creepy shrine

'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.

'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.'

Later Savile would try and explain the odd five days away as being for practical reasons 'because the ground was icy'.

The serial rapist and abuser maintained her bedroom in the same state for the next 39 years until he perished in 2011.

He would have her clothes dry-cleaned every year, insisting they were better than photographs, and he would still greet her despite her no longer being there.

As he told the bewildered documentary-maker Louis Theroux: 'When I'm coming through the door, I go, "All right, darling?" It's a friendly thing, it's not morbid.'

Savile reclines on his late mother Agnes's bed smoking a cigar in the shrine-like former flat

After Savile's mother Agnes died in 1972 he maintained her bedroom exactly as she'd left it

Savile with his mother Agnes and fellow hospital porter Joe Tyrer messing around for a pose

Savile with his mother, Agnes, at a Variety Club lunch, London, back on September 14, 1965

At first Agnes was devoted to her son, and when he fell ill aged two with pneumonia she prayed at Leeds Cathedral for his recovery.

In a previously unpublished 2011 interview with the Sunday People he had called her the 'only true love' of his life, stressing she was 'the only woman I ever loved'.

But those who knew Savile in his later years believe the love may not have been reciprocated in the same way as time went on.

Journalist Dan Davies - a key part of the BBC's The Reckoning drama - wrote how Savile said there had been no tactile affection during his childhood, and that he had to learn how to enjoy her.

He added: 'It wasnt love but friendship, he said. I wanted to know how their relationship evolved in the years following his fathers death, and how it reached the point where he described it as "living through her proxy".

Louis Theroux was granted access to Savile's mother's preserved bedroom in a documentary

Savile with English actress Anita Harris and his mother Agnes back on November 5, 1968

Agnes Savile, played by Gemma Jones, and Jimmy Savile, played by Steve Coogan, in BBC's The Reckoning

'Savile said she never watched him on television or congratulated him on his achievements, and lived in constant fear of the police knocking at the door  she couldnt believe how successful hed become, fearing he might be some sort of crook.'

Agnes may not have realised just how close she came to uncovering the truth about her son.

In The Reckoning, BAFTA-winning actress Gemma Jones played Agnes, with the portrayal suggesting she was suspicious about Savile.

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 had to play that and I was actually nervous when I was watching it.

'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.'
More than 100 cryptocurrency accounts on platforms like the exchange Binance have been frozen as part of an attempt by Israel to block funding of Hamas, a terrorist group that received more than $40million through similar sites between 2021 and 2023.

Since October 7, Israel's law enforcement forces have ordered the freezing of accounts on Binance and ordered a closure inspection of around 200, sources cited by The Financial Times said on Tuesday.

Binance complied with the closure of some accounts and said it follows internationally recognized sanctions laws, but would not comment further. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has not commented on the asset seizure.

It comes after the revelation, revealed yesterday by Israeli research firms, that Hamas received a huge amount of funding through the crypto-currency sites.

Crypto wallets linked to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad received around $91 million between August 2021 and June 2023. Hamas took about $41 million in the same period

Tether, a cryptocurrency issuer, froze 32 digital wallets yesterday that contained $800,000 combined as part of the effort.

Since the October 7 attack on Israel, Israeli intelligence forces say links to Hamas crypto donation sites have popped up frequently.

Hamas and its military wing received around $41 million in digital currencies between around August 2021 and June 2023, according to analysis by BitOK, a Tel Aviv-based firm.

Separate research by Elliptic, another crypto research firm, found that wallets linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad - another designated terror group - received around $91 million in the same time frame, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Receiving money as cryptocurrencies, which do not require mainstream financial institutions as intermediaries, can help the groups circumvent sanctions designed to limit their funding.

The findings come as US officials step up their attempts to regulate the wider crypto industry. Senator Elizabeth Warren said 'the danger of crypto-financed terrorism is real and should be an urgent priority for Congress'.

Israeli soldiers walk past houses destroyed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Be'eri, Israel, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis on Oct. 15, 2023

More than 1,400 Israelis have died since Hamas launched its assault on October 7. Fighters from Palestinian Islamic Jihad were also involved in the attack. Nearly 200 Israelis, including children, have been kidnapped by Hamas and taken into Gaza, Israel has said.

The Gaza health ministry said 2,670 Palestinians have been killed and 9,600 wounded since the fighting erupted. More than a million people have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas.

Israeli officials have previously said the rise of cryptocurrencies has made it harder to track and block funding for groups like Hamas.

Elliptic's research found that between August 2021 and April 2023, wallets linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad received millions of dollars every month. In May 2022, the group received nearly $10 million.

Tom Robinson, the co-founder of Elliptic, said Hamas 'has been one of the more successful users of crypto for the financing of terrorism'.

The groups have previously asked publicly for donations by Bitcoin, the world's most popular cryptocurrency. They also use so-called stablecoins, whose value is tied to that of the US dollar to prevent volatility, to carry out transactions.

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has said it has been working in 'real time, around the clock' since the Hamas attacks to support Israeli officials who are working to freeze accounts linked to terror groups.

Armed members of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades - the military wing of Hamas - take part in a march in the southern Gaza Strip in December 2022

IDF soldiers move through neighborhoods destroyed by Hamas militants after they attacked this kibbutz days earlier near the border of Gaza on October 15, 2023 in Kfar Aza, Israel

A Palestinian youth reacts as he sits on the rubble of a destroyed home following an Israeli military strike on the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern of Gaza Strip on Octobers 15, 2023

Warren, the Democratic senator from Massachusetts, is currently pushing a bill to increase the regulation of cryptocurrencies, including imposing anti-money laundering rules.

She told Politico: 'There's a growing bipartisan coalition of senators who are committed to passing this bill and fighting back against terrorism worldwide by choking off the financing.'

US secretary of state Antony Blinken will return to Israel on Monday after completing a frantic six-country tour through Arab nations aimed at preventing the fighting from igniting a broader regional conflict, American officials said.

President Joe Biden is also considering a trip to Israel, though no plans have been finalized.

Biden has repeatedly proclaimed support for Israel, but he said in a TV interview he thought it would be a 'big mistake' for the country to reoccupy Gaza.

Israel's ambassadors to the US and UN said the country does not want an occupation. But ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan told CNN that Israel will do 'whatever is needed to obliterate their (Hamas') capabilities'.
The man accused of murdering an Irish primary school teacher told police 'I did it... I am the murderer' while receiving treatment in hospital, a jury has heard.

Ashling Murphy was killed while jogging along a canal path in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12 last year.

In the opening day of the trial, a Dublin court heard that the 23-year-old teacher had been stabbed 11 times in the neck.

Jozef Puska, 33, of Tullamore, Co Offaly, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Outlining the case to the jury at Dublin's Criminal Courts of Justice on Tuesday, senior counsel for the prosecution Anne-Marie Lawlor said that 'quite a number' of maps, some of the 25,000 hours of CCTV footage collected by gardai, and witness evidence would feature in the case.

She said Ms Murphy was stabbed 11 times to the right side of her neck, and had other wounds that may have been defensive injuries.

Ashling Murphy, 23, was killed while out jogging along a canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly, last January

The 23-year-old teacher was stabbed 11 times in the neck, a Dublin court heard. Prosecutors said she had other wounds that may have been defensive injuries.

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Ms Lawlor told the court there was no prior connection 'of any kind' between Ms Murphy and Puska.

She said that DNA samples taken from under Ms Murphy's fingernails matched that of Puska.

The prosecutor said a 'somewhat distinctive' bicycle, owned by Puska, was left next to Ms Murphy's body and that CCTV would show him on the bicycle in Tullamore in the hours before Ms Murphy's death.

She said there were briars and thorns at the scene that will emerge as 'significant' later on, because Puska would later be found with cuts on his hands 'consistent leaving the scene'.

The jury would be shown pictures of wounds to Puska's hands, taken by gardai while he was receiving treatment in St James's Hospital in Dublin.

Ms Lawlor said that he 'made up a pack of lies' to gardai about being involved in a stabbing in Blanchardstown.

She told the court that when gardai returned and questioned him again, Puska told them: 'I did it, I murdered, I am the murderer.'

In what Ms Lawlor called 'very significant evidence', she told the jury that after gardai told Puska he did not have to say anything, he apologised and said: 'I cut her neck.'

Puska appeared in court with a ponytail and wearing a grey suit.

The court rose for lunch early to wait for a Slovakian translator to arrive, as a Czech translator could only be found for Tuesday morning.

Judge Tony Hunt outlined the obligations a jury has and said that the defendant needed to be viewed as 'cloaked' in a presumption of innocence, and 'strongly' urged them to withstand the temptation to look at the case outside the courtroom.

'It is a reasonably lengthy case so I will be summing up the evidence at the end for you,' he said.

Ms Murphy's family were present in court for the opening of the trial.

Jozef Puska, 33, of Tullamore, Co Offaly, has pleaded not guilty to murder
Songtradr has successfully acquired Bandcamp for an undisclosed amount - but it's come at a price of 50% of the distribution platform's employees.

The layoffs came in less than a month after the acquisition, in which Songtradr originally reassured workers that the purchase would help Bandcamp continue to grow.

The editorial team was hit severely with layoff, and many former employees have taken to X to express their disappointment.

Some of the employees did not have to go too far, especially since some of Bandcamp's former workers were offered jobs at Songtradr.

60 Bandcamp employees were offered employment - 58 accepted, one is pending and one has declined.

Founded in 2007, the company was bought by Epic Games, who then sold it to Songtradr in October 2023

Songtradr is a B2B music platform founded by Paul Wiltshire and Helge Steffen in Santa Monica, California

Bandcamp is an audio distribution platform with a mission to 'help spread the healing power of music.'

It was founded in 2007 by Ethan Diamond, Shawn Grunberger, Joe Jolt, and Neal Tucker in Oakland, California.

Diamond is the current CEO of Bandcamp, and Grunberger is its chief technology officer.

Songtradr is a company with a goal to, 'change the music industry for good through technology, creativity, and transparency.'

It was created by Paul Wiltshire and Helge Steffen in 2014, and has since become partners with TikTok, as well as the largest music licensing platform in the world.

A group of laid off employees created Bandcamp United shortly after what happened, and are currently active on X

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Songtradr offered employment to 60 of the 118 Bandcamp members to join their staff of 369.

'After a comprehensive evaluation... 50% of Bandcamp employees have accepted offers to join Songtradr,' the company confirmed in a statement for Rolling Stone.

'We are committed to keeping the existing Bandcamp services that fans and artists love, including its artist-first revenue share, Bandcamp Fridays and Bandcamp Daily.'

Social media has expressed sadness and rage since the acquisition announcement on Monday and have made Songtradr look like the bad guys in the deal.

One user said: 'Everything has already been said about the Bandcamp layoffs. It's disheartening to witness the Editorial team go; they've been an incredible source for discovering music and a pillar of support over the years.'

Another user said: 'Deep rage, sadness & frustration at the Bandcamp layoffs (along with everything else atm).'

'The editorial team built one of the best & most dependable platforms for independent musicians to be celebrated & discovered. Only to be gutted by corporate greed,' they continued.

One person in response to a tweet said: '@songtradr doing exactly what everyone espected of them, and laying off almost half of @bandcamp's staff. miserable, moneygrubbing, contemptible behaviour.

One person wrote: 'I don't know what these Bandcamp editorial layoffs mean for the future and character of Bandcamp Daily, but that publication has been a lifeline for so many indepedent artists...'

Social media has been responding in support toward the laid off workers, while criticizing the companies for completing the sale

Bandcamp United consists of laid off employees that released the statement regarding the matter and that they will 'return to the bargaining table with Epic Games.'

Epic Games is the company who recently sold Bandcamp to Songtradr for an unknown amount.

The company is known for creating Fortnite - a popular online video game first release in 2017.

Other than Bandcamp, Epic Games aquired SuperAwesome advertising in 2020, which Chief Operating Officer Kate O'Loughlin announced the intention to 'acquire' most of it last September.
Cult mom Lori Vallow's murdered son JJ will finally get a funeral - with his heartbroken grandparents saying they hope his sister can also soon be laid to rest after the 'long, arduous' double-murder case.

A district judge in Idaho yesterday confirmed the seven-year-old Joshua's body will be released to his next of kin after he was found dead in June 2020.

His mother Lori was sentenced to life in prison in July for killing JJ and his sister Tylee, 16.

The state of Idaho has had custody of JJs body since the gruesome discovery and throughout the investigation, but his remains will now be returned to his family.

Tylee Ryan's body is still being held in the state's custody.

A district judge in Idaho yesterday confirmed that the seven-year-old Joshua 'JJ' 's body will be released to his next of kin after he was found dead in June 2020

Cult mom Lori Vallow's murdered son JJ will finally get a funeral - as his heartbroken grandparents say that they hope his sister can also be laid to rest after 'long, arduous' double-murder case. The murderer is pictured in court in May 2023

JJ's grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcocks, said in a statement: 'The last several years have been filled with pain and grief as we traveled this long arduous road.

'We have waited and prayed for this day for so long and are immeasurably relieved that JJ will finally be laid to rest.

'We have spent the past days immersed in the memories of the love and happiness that JJ shined and continues to shine on our life.

'As we reminisce in the joy that JJ filled our life with, our hearts ache for those that love JJ and share in the immense grief and loss of such a beautiful little man.

'We are grateful for the love and support of everyone that has come to love JJ, Tylee and Charles. As we continue to fight for justice, the dedication and strength given has helped to carry us through.

'We are anxious to find out when Tylee too can be laid to rest. Our greatest wish is for JJ and Tylee to be celebrated for the joy and love they brought to this world and for them to finally rest in peace. Only then, will our hearts begin to heal.'

The children's grandparents said: 'Our greatest wish is for JJ and Tylee to be celebrated for the joy and love they brought to this world and for them to finally rest in peace. Only then, will our hearts begin to heal'

Lori Vallow, 50, was convicted of the killing of her two youngest children as well as conspiracy to murder Chad Daybell's ex-wife Tammy Daybell

This past summer, Lori Vallow, 50, was convicted of the killing of her two youngest children as well as conspiracy to murder her husband 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 children and brother to be closer to him.

The boy's body was in state custody during the murder investigation

Siblings Joshua Vallow and Tylee Ryan. Their bodies were found in 2020

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.

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.

Lori Vallow Daybell, left, glancing at the camera during one of her hearings. She was sentenced to life in prison this past summer

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.'

Chad Daybell, husband of Lori Vallow, was in court earlier this month ahead of his own death penalty trial.

Daybell's trial is expected to begin next year and run for about two months.
The 73-year-old is set to be executed on November 8

Idaho's longest serving death row inmate could face a firing squad next month amid a shortage in lethal injection drugs.

Thomas Creech, 73, has now received his death warrant and is set to be executed on November 8.

The killer was sentenced in 1974 for the deaths of two people and admitted to another 1974 murder in 1979, before beating a fellow inmate to death with a sock filled with batteries in 1983.

Cops suspect him of at least seven more murders, and over the years he reportedly confessed to as many as 42 killings in several states.

The inmate could become the first in the US put to death by firing squad since 2010 due to problems with manufacturing lethal injection drugs, which led to the longest execution in history last year.

Thomas Creech, 73, is scheduled to be executed on November 8. He has been convicted of four murders, but is suspected of at least seven more and confessed to as many as 42

Idaho is one of five states that allow firing squad executions, with the punishment a backup option due to issues with obtaining lethal injection drugs in the US. Pictured is the execution chamber at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, where Creech is being held

Creech's official death warrant was handed down Thursday evening in an Ada County courthouse according to court documents obtained by the Idaho Statesman.

The state passed laws earlier this year making it among a select few, including Utah, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Mississippi, that allow firing squad as a backup option in carrying out the punishment.

The Idaho Department of Corrections said in a statement Thursday that it has secured the drugs needed to carry out Creech's lethal injection, however it is facing a lawsuit from another prisoner after consistently re-scheduling his execution.

The law has also fueled speculation that accused Idaho quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger could face a firing squad if found guilty.

The statement did not elaborate on how the drugs were procured, amid a slew of issues around the manufacture of the drugs that have been allegedly propped up by the black market.

Texas prison officials are also facing a number of lawsuits after allegedly extending the use-by-dates on the drugs used to carry out its lethal injections in recent years.

Creech's attorneys noted the scandal as they condemned the decision to execute the killer, given his four-decade wait.

Creech is Idaho's longest serving death row inmate, with his 44-year wait for death set to end next month

Creech was originally sentenced to death in 1974, and has awaited trial from the Idaho Maximum Security Institution (pictured)

'The state continues to be focused on rushed retribution at all costs and by any means necessary, rather than careful consideration of the propriety of execution,' Deborah A. Czuba, supervising attorney of the nonprofit Federal Defender Services of Idaho, a unit that oversees death penalty cases, said in a statement.

'We will be doing everything we can to fight for Mr. Creechs life, including challenging the quality of the drugs and execution by lethal injection.'

If the backup option of a firing squad is used, Creech would become the first since Ronnie Lee Gardner, 49, was killed in that way in June 2010 in Utah, although the murderer had the choice of a lethal injection at the time.

The firing squad execution was also the first in 14 years.

The killer's attempts to stay his execution were also notably supported by the judge who originally sentenced him to death, retired Judge Robert Newhouse.

Idaho has also faced challenges from other inmates contesting its death row practices, including Gerald Puzzuto Jr, who sued the state last year as he claimed the constant re-scheduling of his death was unconstitutional as it amounted to 'cruel and unusual punishment.'

Creech would be the first killer to be put to death by firing squad since Ronnie Lee Gardner (pictured) chose the punishment over a lethal injection in June 2010

Creech is set to become the first person executed in Idaho since Richard Leavitt (pictured) was put to death in July 2012

The state has attempted to execute Puzzuto, a quadruple killer, three times since 2021, but his execution was halted most recently in March because the state could not obtain the lethal injection drugs needed.

Creech was initially incarcerated for the 1974 murders of two men, Edward Arnold, 34, and John Bradsford, 40, in Valley County, Idaho. He also pleaded guilty in 1979, from behind bars, for the murder of William Dean in Oregon in 1974.

He was sentenced to death for the slayings, before his sentence was commuted to life in prison. In 1981, he found himself back on death row after pleading guilty to beating fellow inmate David Dale Jensen to death.

Creech was reportedly working as a jailhouse janitor at the time, and allegedly got into an argument with Jensen about cleanliness before he pummeled him with a sock filled with batteries.

If his execution is carried out on November 8, Creech will be the first person put to death by the state of Idaho since murderer Richard Leavitt in July 2012.
A measure that would compel hotels with vacancies to house homeless people alongside guests could turn establishments into squatter dens, the head of the largest hotel association in the US has warned.

Chip Rogers, President of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), aired the warning Wednesday - forecasting what he thinks will happen if the 'Responsible Hotel Ordinance' passes on the March 2024 ballot.

The proposal echoes the previously established 'Project Roomkey' - a hotel housing initiative that began in the pandemic - but is separate and exclusive to The City of Angels.

While distinct to the initiative - which lasted nearly three years and cost taxpayers $3.75 billion - it would take the same idea, but would set it in stone as law.

Speaking to Fox News, Rogers - already an open critic of the ordinance - publicly panned the plan, citing how it would force hotels to inform the city when they have unoccupied rooms and give out vouchers to homeless guests.

A measure that would compel LA's most luxurious hotels - such as the Beverly Hills Four Season on Rodeo Drive - to house homeless people alongside guests could turn hotels into squatter dens, the head of the largest hotel association in the US has warned

Chip Rogers, President of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), aired the warning Wednesday - forecasting what he thinks will happen if the 'Responsible Hotel Ordinance' passes on the March 2024 ballot

'You will have squatters,' he said, before describing why he believes it's a bad idea.

'Imagine if you give someone who's experiencing homelessness a voucher, and they go to a hotel and they don't want to leave. What are you going to do?

'You don't have their credit card or their identification,' Rogers added. 'You're going to have to call law enforcement - and in law enforcement, they don't want to be responding to things like this.'

Representing more than 32,000 lodging property members across the country, Rogers went on to state that his primary concern is the safety of hotel staff - the ones he said would be most affected if the initiative passes.

He also anticipated how it could lead to a collapse of the city's economy - echoing remarks delivered to Forbes last month, where he said officials were unfairly forcing the burden of a years-long housing crisis on his industry.

The city's most iconic and luxurious facilities - such as 1 Hotel West Hollywood, Hotel Bel-Air, The Georgian, and The Beverly Hills Hotel - are all subject to the looming law, which Rogers warned not only could spell doom for the industry, but LA as a whole.

He told the outlet: 'Safety is the most important concern... I think [it] will quickly lead to total destruction of the L.A. city hotel market.

'We polled consumers who travel,' he went on, speaking to the news station over the phone.

'Of those who intended to go to LA, 72 percent of them said they won't go if this happens.

'Those who've already been to Los Angeles before they were planning to go back,' he added, 'over 80 percent of those travelers say, "I'm not going to go if this passes."'

The proposal echoes the previously established 'Project Roomkey' - a hotel housing initiative that began in the pandemic - but is separate and confined to The City of Angels

While distinct to the two-and-half-year initiative - which cost taxpayers $3.75 billion - it would take the same idea, but would set it in stone as law

The pandemic-era plan lasted nearly three years, and saw California cities rented out entire hotel rooms to more than 10,000 homeless in Los Angeles alone

At that point in the interview, Rogers - who represents big names like the Hilton and Hyatt - turned his attention to the group that proposed the plan, Unite Here.

Representing roughly 300,000 hotel staff themselves, the hotel and casino labor union billed the ordinance as a solution to the city's well-known problems - sentiments Rogers on Wednesday cast doubt on.

"I don't know what they're doing,' he said of the group, which represents several thousand staffers in California.

'I can't find any rational thought process that would lead you to promote this policy.'

Calling them confusing and even nonsensical, he questioned the union's motives - asking, Why would you ever propose something that would put your own members in physical danger?

'They haven't answered that question - hey don't seem to answer this question to the underlying policy at all,' he continued - calling on onlookers to question the union plan.

Rogers - already an open critic of the ordinance - on Wednesday publicly panned the plan, which would force hotels to inform the city when they have unoccupied rooms and give out vouchers to homeless guests

He also anticipated how it could lead to a collapse of the city's economy - echoing remarks delivered to Forbes last month, where he said officials were unfairly forcing the burden of a years-long housing crisis on his industry

'It's hard for me to understand what they're trying to accomplish... I really wish people would question the union leadership.'

Currently, LA has roughly 1,000 hotels within its city limits - all of which would be at the mercy of the brewing law.

In a post to its website, the union responsible touted 'a massive increase in new hotel development in recent years' as a sideways solution for the outsized number of people experiencing homelessness - which it conceded 'has skyrocketed' while the 'Citys affordable housing crisis has grown.'

It concluded how hotels 'could be used to help alleviate the Citys need for affordable housing' - which by some estimates, has LA 3.5-million housing units short of what is needed to accommodate its current population.

Citing such statistics, Rogers said the plan could effectively turn the city's hotels into homeless shelters - before walking back that severe prediction somewhat, admitting he did not want to 'jump the gun.'

Commenting on property damages, he said hotel owners experienced during Project Roomkey through 2020 to 2022 - which he called 'significant and well-documented' - he theorized: 'We would imagine the same behavior patterns would occur here.'

Conceding how that potential reality 'remains to be seen', Rogers said the plan would 'cause immediate job loss and hotels to go under rather quickly.'

Citing property damages he said hotel owners experienced during Project Roomkey through 2020 to 2022 - which he called 'significant and well-documented' - he theorized: 'We would imagine the same behavior patterns would occur here.'

The city's most iconic and luxurious facilities like the Westin Bonaventure(left) and the Hotel Bel-Air (right) - are all subject to the looming guidance, which could spell doom for not only the industry, Rogers warned on Wednesday

He said prospective patrons will without a doubt be turned off by the idea of sharing quarters with the city's many vagrants, who for the past several years have taken to erecting well-equipped encampments across the city's streets.

'I just think that the immediate reaction to this is going to be a significant downturn in occupancy,' he said.

Of the impending vote, he said Unite has until December to pull its initiative from the March 2024 ballot.

He warned the union's top execs: "Stop playing around with the safety of your own members.

'Hotel workers deserve to be protected. We who represent [the] hotel industry believe they deserve to be protected.'

'The second message to Los Angeles voters,' he added 'if this remains on the ballot, [and] if Unite Here doesn't do the right thing, we have to resoundingly defeat this. It will hurt the local economy.

'It will cost jobs. It will not help the homeless and L.A. will again be in a position where they're going to have to defend something that is indefensible,' the hotel trade body boss said

'It will cost jobs. It will not help the homeless and L.A. will again be in a position where they're going to have to defend something that is indefensible.'

Hotel industry spokespeople, meanwhile, have theorized the ballot measure is a negotiating tactic by the union, which is currently on a rolling strike against unionized hotels in Los Angeles.

The ordinance will be voted on early next year, with hotel staffers and owners by and large openly against it.

Financing for the potential venture, moreover, has not been set, nor has anyone specified who will set the market rate for vouchers.

As previously mentioned, hotel owners and operators will have no discretion on whether to accept or decline new guests, and many have expressed concerns that vouchers could be used as a de facto street currency in open air markets.

Backed by virtually entire LA hotel scene, Rogers said last month: 'I dont think they are attempting to purposely kill the golden goose of tourism.

'This is a terrible idea, and we will speak loudly about it.'
READ MORE: Chicago is giving $9,000 to migrants to cover their rent and help furnish their apartments

Massachusetts governor Maura Healy has announced the state is 'on the verge of reaching capacity' and will not guarantee accommodation for migrants, as over 7,000 are currently living in shelters.

The Democrat warned on Monday the statewide emergency family shelter system will hit capacity by the end of the month, saying it has been expanding at an unsustainable rate to handle the demand from newly arriving migrant families.

As many as 40 families entered the system in just 24 hours, and combined with a slower exit of families already in long-term shelters, it means the state is on track to hit its capacity of 7,500 families  or about 24,000 people  by the end of October.

'Our shelter system cannot expand indefinitely. This level of demand is not sustainable. We need urgent support from the federal government, which bears ultimate responsibility for the situation,' Healy said.

It's a stark contrast to Healy's previous position on immigration: back in 2017, as the state's then-attorney general, Healy defended communities that choose to call themselves sanctuary cities, meaning they choose not to comply with federal immigration laws, saying it wasn't a matter of politics, but of values.

Massachusetts governor Maura Healy has announced the state is 'on the verge of reaching capacity' and will not guarantee accommodation for migrants

Healey said the state is not abandoning the right to shelter law, but after November 1, families seeking shelter will be assessed and those with the highest needs, including health and safety risks, will be prioritized.

As a 'right-to-shelter' state, Massachusetts is legally required to provide shelter to eligible families through its emergency assistance program. Families are currently spread out across hundreds of locations in 90 cities and towns in a range of facilities, from traditional shelters to hotels and motels to temporary sites like college dorms.

Families that cant immediately be placed in shelter will be put on a waiting list.

Back in 2017, Healey said: 'I think that it's important that local communities retain the ability to say they want to designate themselves a sanctuary city.'

But now, the governor, like Democratic mayors across the nation, has changed her tune.

'The reality we are facing now is this. We do not have enough space, service providers or funds to safely expand beyond 7,500 families,' Healey told reporters on Monday.

'From that point on we will no longer be able to guarantee shelter placement for new families entering the system.'

The state is also working to help families already in shelter exit the system to help open up more accommodation, she said.

Officials say about half of the people in shelters are new arrivals to Massachusetts, and that more than half of them are children.

Healey again called on the federal government for expedited work authorizations to allow new arrivals to more quickly find jobs and start earning a living, She said many are ready and able to work, and the state has plenty of job openings.

In August, Healey announced that she was activating up to 250 members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist at shelters and hotels as the state struggles with an influx of migrants.

The move came after the governor declared a state of emergency because of the strain on the shelter system.

As many as 40 families entered the system in just 24 hours, it means the state is on track to hit its capacity of 7,500 families

The governor declared a state of emergency because of the strain on the shelter system

Woburn mayor Scott Galvin, a Democrat, has been sounding the alarm in the Massachusetts town which has been struggling with the migrant crisis.

In a report from the New York Times, it was reported that the small town of 40,000 people had helped some 80 migrant families.

Liberal elite hub Martha's Vineyard, one of the sanctuary cities chosen by conservative governors to bus migrants to, also said has said it has no room for asylum seekers in the billionaire enclave.

Last year, director of homelessness Lisa Belcastro claimed 50 migrants flown in by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would have to go elsewhere.

The asylum seekers were put on a bus by liberal then-Governor Charlie Baker, and given a police escort to Joint Base in Cape Cod 32 miles away from Martha's Vineyard.

Other states and cities have also struggled to find shelter for migrants.

New York City mayor Eric Adams first welcomed migrants sent north by Republican governor Greg Abbot, who argues progressive cities should share the cost of what he sees as open-border Democratic policies.

Speaking to reporters in August 2022, the mayor said: 'As the mayor of New York, I have to provide services families that are here, and that's what we're going to do - our responsibility as a city, and I'm proud that this is a Right to Shelter state, and we're going continue to do that.'

But the buses kept coming, and a year later, Adams is pleading for federal and state aid - asking a judge to suspend the Right to Shelter policy as the city struggles to find room for the 120,000 asylum seekers that have arrived since the Spring of 2022.

Adams also has limited the number of days adults and families can stay at city shelters.

In May he made major changes to the 40-year-old 'Right to Shelter' law that guarantees a bed for anyone who needs it in the city, as his government asked for federal and state help to deal with the surge of migrants that he now says could destroy New York as we know it.

'This issue will destroy New York City,' Adams has said of the influx of asylum seekers.

Governor Kathy Hochul, who also first welcomed asylum seekers last year, is supporting the city's effort to suspend a unique legal agreement that requires it to provide emergency housing to homeless people.

Liberal elite hub Martha's Vineyard, one of the sanctuary cities chosen by conservative governors to bus migrants to, also said has said it has no room for asylum seekers

'I don't know how the right to shelter  dedicated to help those people, which I believe in, help families  can or should be interpreted to be an open invitation to 8 billion people who live on this planet, that if you show up in the streets of New York, that the city of New York has an obligation to provide you with a hotel room or shelter,' said the Democrat.

Meanwhile in Chicago, Governor JB Pritzker and mayor Brandon Johnson wrote a letter to president Biden saying the situation has overwhelmed the city an its ability to help the asylum seekers. They are asking the federal government for financial aid and to waive fees for migrants' work authorization.

Chicago has received over 18,000 migrants in a year, and the city's leaders have warned of a humanitarian crisis unfolding, with officials saying daily arrivals in the Windy City have increased tenfold over the last weeks.

Asylum seekers have been sleeping in airports and police stations as the sanctuary city's shelters are out of room.

Like New Yorkers, Chicago residents have opposed turning landmarks into emergency shelters, with some even asking city officials to close the city's borders as mayor Johnson quietly signed a $29million contract with a security firm to build migrant base camps.

DeSantis flew in the two planes without giving any warning, sparking criticism from Democrats

Meanwhile Chicago is struggling with over 11,000 migrants in shelters and 4,000 staying in police stations and the O'Hare International Airport (pictured)

Hundreds of migrants sleep in line early on August 1, for placement at the Roosevelt Hotel intake center in New York

El Paso's democrat mayor Oscar Leeser has also sent thousands to sanctuary cities last year, with Adams asking him to stop.

And this week the Biden administration backtracked on its rejection of a border wall,

In a shock announcement on Wednesday night, the Department of Homeland Security said it's waiving 26 federal laws to start constructing a new 'physical barrier' that was started under Donald Trump.

The Biden White House has consistently slammed Trump's tough migration policy and even cancelled the wall construction when Biden took office.

Meanwhile border crossings continue to increase - preliminary data obtained by found Border Patrol agents last month recorded an estimated 210,000 apprehensions - the third highest number on record.

September's apprehension tally is the highest since Dec 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.
An underage New Jersey girl was kidnapped and taken across state lines after talking to a 27-year-old Delaware man through online gaming platforms.

The 11-year-old girl was reported missing at 6.45 am on September 10 in Wayne and was later found in Bear, Delaware.

Police say Darius Matylewich took the girl from her hometown after chatting on multiple gaming platforms, including Robolox.

The Passaic County Prosecutors Office charged Matylewich with kidnapping in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child in the third degree. He could be jailed for 30 years if found guilty.

An unidentified 11-year-old girl from Wayne, New Jersey was kidnapped and taken across state lines by a 27-year-old Darius Matylewich to Bear, Delaware

The city of Bear, Delaware is about two to three hours away from Wayne, New Jersey

The attorney information for the accused is not clear. He faced a judge virtually from his jail cell with a detention hearing postponed for October 20

He was arrested the same day the girl was reported missing. Matylewich was extradited to New Jersey and held at the Bergen County Jail last week.

Matylewich faced a judge from his jail cell with a detention hearing postponed for October 20.

In a Twitter (formerly X) post, The Wayne Police Department wrote: 'At approximately 6.45 am on September 10, 2023, members of the Wayne Police Department responded to the area of U.S. Route 46 and Old Turnpike Road in Wayne, New Jersey on a report of a missing 11-year-old child.

'The Wayne Police Department located the victim soon after she was reported missing in Bear, Delaware.

'Based on the investigation, police determine that Darius Matylewich had met the victim while playing an online video game and transported her from Wayne, New Jersey, to Bear, Delaware, without the knowledge or consent of her parents.'

The city of Bear is about 130 miles away from Wayne, a journey which takes about two hours by car.

Parents in Wayne are now on high alert and urging others to take safety precautions around allowing kids access to chat rooms through online games.

One parent told NBC6: 'She [her daughter] plays Robolox all the time, they're addicted. Normally, I try to make sure that the chat are off and normally I try to be on top of it and controlling.

'But just to make sure of it, I'm aware of what's going on.'

Soon after news broke, a Roblox spokesperson said that they had not been contacted by law enforcement but they had reached out to the police themselves and offered assistance.

Investigation showed that she spoke to him on multiple gaming platforms, including Robolox

Seltzer advised parents to monitor their child's online activities and who they talk to

They told NBC New York: 'We work tirelessly to prevent grooming on our platform and have a team of thousands of moderators who enforce a strict set of community standards on Roblox, including zero tolerance for sexual content of any kind.

'We also have a number of dedicated features designed to keep kids safe including filtering text chat on the platform to block inappropriate content or personal information and offering parental controls and features to limit or turn off chat.

'Users can also mute or block players that they come across in games and report inappropriate content or behavior using our Report Abuse system.'

Cyber security expert and attorney David Seltzer also told the channel: 'Trust only goes far when the other person at the end of the line is not someone you can trust and their only goal is to trick your child into getting to that car.'

Seltzer advised parents to monitor their child's online activities and who they talk to.
Jovanovic's attorney will argue that the judge would be right to reverse his ruling and send the case to trial, which would lead to Hirschhorn's eviction if he wins

The judge denied homeowner Sascha Jovanovic's motion to overturn the decision on a legal technicality, but set a hearing on the matter for November 6

In a Santa Monica court Monday, Judge George Bird admitted that his previous ruling allowing Elizabeth Hirschhorn to stay at the Airbnb rental 'was erroneous'

'Tenant from hell' Elizabeth Hirschhorn has won three more weeks in the luxury Los Angeles guesthouse where she has already stayed rent free for 547 days.

But things aren't looking so good for her after that, as the judge who allowed her to stay in the first place now says he feels he made a wrong decision.

Now Judge George Bird has set a November 6 hearing to sort out once and for all whether Hirschhorn, 55, can stay in dentist Sascha Jovanovic's home.

Attorneys for Jovanovic, 61, who is fighting to evict the alleged 'professional squatter' from his $3.5million Brentwood property, filed a motion in Santa Monica court Monday to reverse Bird's July decision.

The request was formally denied on a legal technicality due to a California statute requiring the motion to be filed within ten days of the initial ruling. However, the judge acknowledged he may have made a mistake with his original order.

'This court is of the opinion that the previous ruling was erroneous,' Judge Bird said.

Elizabeth Hirschhorn (pictured left inside the Brentwood home) will be able to stay put at the Airbnb rental she is refusing to vacate for at least another three weeks

Owner Sascha Jovanovic told DailyMail.com he hopes the case goes to trial so he can finally get justice and 'expose' Hirschhorn's alleged scam

Jovanovic's lawyer Sebastian Rucci plans to argue that the judge would be right to reverse his ruling and send the case to trial, which  if the landlord wins  would pave the way to Hirschhorn's eviction.

'He wants a jury or a judge to decide this case,' Rucci told DailyMail.com Monday.

Speaking to DailyMail.com after the hearing, Jovanovic said it was 'hard to believe' that the judge could not have made an immediate ruling 'after all the evidence to go straight to trial'.

'He wants to be "fair" to both parties,' added Jovanovic. 'Not sure about this liberal judging. Be fair with fair people not with crooks and manipulators.'

Jovanovic said his legal team will prioritize eviction at trial but they also want to prevent Hirschhorn from suing others in the future.

'It's a kind of restriction that the judge can rule that she'll only be allowed to sue if the court allows her. I'm not sure if she'll go for trial though as her chances of winning are getting small. She might even default or disappear. All up in the air.

'I personally want to go to trial to tell my story and what she did to us, expose her BS and sickening behavior over the last decades.'

In his written motion asking Judge Bird to backpedal on his July ruling, Rucci noted that Hirschhorn 'has overstayed her tenancy by 547 days and has not paid any rent for 547 days.'

Hirschhorn's attorney Seward, challenged Rucci's motion, saying it 'goes against everything the American justice system stands for.'

She accused Jovanovic of 'planting sensational, one-sided stories full of venom and lies about (Hirschhorn) in an effort to try her in the media and now attempts to come into court and prove the court made a mistake.'

Jovanovic says he approved a six-month stay for Hirschhorn from September 13, 2021 to March 19, 2022 - a total of 187 nights that she later extended to April 12, but she is yet to move out

Harvard-educated Hirschhorn has a history of filing dubious lawsuits and has been involved in multiple disputes with landlords in the past, DailyMail.com revealed. She is pictured posing with a fellow grad at her Harvard alumni reunion in 2015

Seward called Rucci's motion for the judge to overrule his earlier decision 'nothing but inadmissible hearsay, inadmissible character evidence, tabloid fodder, and unsubstantiated information pulled off the internet.'

And she lashed out at Hirschhorn being dubbed a 'professional squatter', saying it's 'abhorrent and inadmissible hearsay, designed to prejudice the court against the defendant.'

Seward asked Judge Bird to deny Rucci's motion, adding: 'No one argues that (Jovanovic) cannot evict the defendant. It is just that he has not done it in the right way.

'(Jovanovic) rented an illegal unit and refused to follow the rules for Los Angeles.'

Hirschhorn  who is demanding $100,000 from Jovanovic to move out  is facing further legal action from Jovanovic's attorney, Rucci, after DailyMail.com's revelations about earlier court cases she's been involved in.

Her many previous legal fights, which dragged out for years, left Hirschhoorn empty-handed.

The Harvard grad  who paid $20,000 up front for a six-month stay in Jovanovic's rental unit as an Airbnb guest in September 2021  describes herself as a writer and film producer on her Linkedin page.

But she has barely worked since 2002  with her IMDB page showing her last credit was a writing gig for five episodes of The Osbournes that year.

At a court hearing in July, Judge Bird dismissed Jovanovic's request to send the case for trial and eviction proceedings, ruling that Hirschhorn had the right to be considered a tenant and had the legal right to stay on  despite Jovanovic saying she owes $60,000 in back rent for the 18-months-and-counting she has stayed since her original month tenancy expired in April last year.

Under LA tenancy regulations, renters who have established at least six months as a tenant, are entitled to renters' rights that protect them from eviction without being compensated.

Rucci says he believes the judge misinterpreted the tenancy law and that's why he filed his motion this week for the judge to reverse his earlier ruling.

At a court hearing in July, Judge Bird dismissed Jovanovic's request to send the case for trial and eviction proceedings, ruling that Hirschhorn had the right to be considered a tenant and had the legal right to stay on

Hirschhorn booked Jovanovic's property (seen in an Airbnb listing) in September 2021, paying the host $20,000 up front for her six-month rental that she has long overstayed

The attorney is also looking at bringing a new case against her under civil racketeering laws due to her litigious past and previous tenancy dispute.

Hirschhorn's legal team say their client should be allowed to stay due to Jovanovic's failure to get a certificate of occupancy for his rental unit nor a permit for a shower in the guesthouse which he has retrospectively applied for but cannot complete without getting access to the property  which Hirschhorn has denied him.

According to her San Diego attorney Colin Walshok, that makes the guesthouse a 'bootleg' illegal rental property  which lets Hirschhorn off the hook for $60,000 in back rent and also puts her in line to be reimbursed for the $20,000 of six-months rent she paid up front via Airbnb in September 2021.

Hirschhorn is suing Jovanovic for that $20,000 to be returned to her  while he is counter-suing her for the $60,000 in back rent she is yet to pay.

In a statement to DailyMail.com Walshok also accused Jovanovic of harassment and insisted that the two had agreed a longer tenancy  despite Rucci pointing out he has no documents to prove it.

Rucci told DailyMail.com he believes Hirschhorn is holding out for a settlement like the one she received in an earlier case in Oakland, California, saying: 'She countersued. If she has a claim, she will get her day in court.

'But what is your purpose for staying there right now? Your purpose is that you're hoping to get a settlement.

'Well, we're not going to push it through insurance and Sascha's not going to pay you $100,000.'
New Orleans' District Attorney and his elderly mother were carjacked by an armed suspect Monday night, according to a spokesperson for the top law enforcement official.

Keith Lampkin, a spokesman for the DA's office said that Jason Williams and his mother, 78, were held at gunpoint as Williams was attempting to help his mother into a car.

'DA Williams and his mother were unharmed and both thank the NOPD for their hard work tonight and every night responding to crime victims,' he said.

Williams and his wife Elizabeth appeared unharmed as they discussed the evening's events with New Orleans police officers outside of their home several hours after the incident.

When asked by reporters for additional details about the incident, Williams said: 'It's been a long night. I'll get with you in the morning.'

As of Tuesday morning, police had not released further information about a suspect or possible suspects.

New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams (pictured) was the victim, along with his mother, of a carjacking on Monday night

DA Jason Williams with his 78-year-old mother Janice Williams. The pair were carjacked Monday night

New Orleans has grappled with increased violent crime over the last several years. In September of 2022, it had the most homicides per capita among major US cities.

By the halfway mark of this year, the city had already logged more than 100 murders - nearly exceeding the total number of homicides that occurred in all of 2019.

Dr. Peter Scharf, a professor at LSU School of Medicine said, 'We have too many damn guns. Too many crazy kids. Too few prevention resources. And law enforcement is not funded to the level it needs to be funded to.'

In 2022, New Orleans was the only non-Mexican city to rank among the 10 deadliest cities in the world, The southern city came in at number eight on the list with a rate of 70.6 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.

The city's carjacking rate went up right along with its murder rate, climbing a whopping 165 percent between 2019 and 2022. According to the city's crime dashboard, there were at least 273 carjacking incidents in New Orleans last year.

Part of Williams' job in his capacity as DA is to determine how to charge carjackers and those wreaking havoc across the city.

He recently made headlines for opting to try a group of teenagers accused of killing a 73-year-old woman in a carjacking as adults.

Linda Frickey, the 73-year-old grandmother, was beaten and thrown from her car by John Honore, Lenyra Theophile, MarQel Curtis and Briniyah Bakerback in March of 2022.

As the teens attempted to remove Frickey from her SUV, her arm got twisted in the door and she was dragged to her death, her arm severing in the incident. She died of blunt force injuries.

The trial for the teenagers was slated to begin on April 4, but was delayed by a judge until March of next year. The Louisiana Supreme Court then ruled that the trial must be held in 2023.

New Orleans has grappled with increased violent crime over the last several years. In September of 2022, it had the most homicides per capita among major US cities

New Orleans Police Department Detective Louis Martinez Jr., next to New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, interim NOPD Superintendent Michelle Woodfork, Col. Lamar Davis of the Louisiana State Police, right, along with other members of law enforcement at Mardi Gras in 2023

Part of Williams' job in his capacity as DA is to determine how to charge carjackers and those wreaking havoc across the city

Carjackings have been on the rise across the country in the last several years, prompting police departments in multiple metro areas to put out tips about how to potentially avoid becoming a victim of such a crime.

Multiple departments, including Washington, DC's Metro Police Department say that drivers should try to travel in the center lane, which makes it more difficult 'for potential carjackers to approach the car.'

Departments have also urged drivers to travel with someone else in their cars and keep doors and windows closed and locked.

The Dallas PD added carjacking victims should cooperate with suspects and make note of any possible descriptions before calling 911 when it becomes safe to do so.
A member of the infamous Hells Angels Motorcycle Club illegally cremated four bodies - all believed to have been murdered - in an effort to make them 'disappear', federal prosecutors in California allege.

Merl Hefferman, 54, admitted he had fellow Hells Angels member and murder victim Joel Silva's body illegally cremated on or about June 16, 2014, according to prosecutors.

The case is part of a much larger racketeering takedown of 12 members of the Hells Angels of Sonoma County, brought by prosecutors with the Northern District of California.

Hefferman pled guilty to obstruction of justice by disposing of Silva's body in December and is set to be sentenced by Judge Edward Chenor for up to seven years on Thursday.

Levi Phipps, crematory manager at the Yost & Webb Funeral Home in Fresno, known as 'the pizza oven' by the Hells Angels, testified that on the day of Silva's murder Hefferman and his step-son threatened him with a gun and loaded Silva's body into the incinerator.

Merl Hefferman, 54, admitted he had fellow Hells Angels member and murder victim Joel Silva's body illegally cremated in 2014

Bodies were illegally disposed at the Yost & Webb Funeral Home in Fresno, known as 'the pizza oven' by the Hells Angels, prosecutors allege

Phipps alleged that before Silva's murder, Hefferman became 'fascinated with the crematory' and asked for the keys to the facility so that he could make 'something disappear' someday.

The manager also testified that Hefferman called him the next day to tell him to keep silent.

Cellphone records corroborated Phipps' story, according to prosecutors.

'Not knowing where our son was for years was difficult and extremely emotional,' Silva's mother wrote in her victim impact statement.

Phipps explained that three further such cremations were carried out by Hefferman and his associated, but he has not been charged or convicted with these, the LA Times reported.

Several months after Silva's murder, a man identified as Robbie Huff, a former Hells Angels member, went missing on February 11, 2015.

Prosecutors stated that Huff was involved in Silva's murder and the subsequent coverup.

On this occasion Hefferman 'personally delivered' the body to the crematory to have the body incinerated, prosecutors allege.

Hefferman pled guilty to obstruction of justice by disposing of Silva's body in December

Hefferman became 'fascinated with the crematory' and asked for the keys to the facility so that he could make 'something disappear' the crematorium manager testified

The next illegal incineration was of a man named Art Carasis, who was last seen at the Fresno Hells Angels clubhouse on July 7, 2016.

The final body to be cremated has not yet been publicly identified.

Phipps testified two men arrived at the facility and unloaded a body wrapped in plastic and duct tape.

Hefferman's attorney James Bustamante argued that the biker had a 'tumultuous and violent upbringing', including being abused by his stepfather.

'When Mr. Hefferman was seven years old, he came home from school to find his stepfather dragging his mother around the house by her hair.

'His stepfather then pulled out a gun and shot at Mr. Hefferman four times,' Bustamante wrote.

Adding: 'As a result of this incident, Mr. Hefferman packed up his belongings, including a sleeping bag, and left home.'

Bustamante also is asking that his client be sentenced for two and a half years, citing that he has has complied with all the court's requirements since his 2018 arrest.

As part of the same case, three other members of the gang were convicted of killing Silva.

Brian Wendt was convicted of shooting Silva in the head, and two senior Hells Angels members, Jonathan Nelson and Russell Taylor Ott, were convicted of murder for orchestrating the killing.
The first black Miss Israel slammed Black Lives Matter in an Instagram post, calling out the left-wing group's leadership for expressing support for Hamas in the wake of the terrorist organization's barbaric assault on Israel this month.

Yityish 'Titi' Aynaw, 32, who won the Miss Israel crowd in 2013 and whose celebrity saw her meet with then-President Barack Obama that same year, made specific reference to the BLM rallying cry of 'I can't breathe,' which became a slogan following the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020.

'I am so shocked by the response of Black Lives Matter regarding the terror attacks here in Israel. I remember you screaming in the streets, "I can't breathe." I want to inform you right now... [it's Israelis] who cannot breathe.'

Aynaw brought up the Israeli victims, namely women, children and babies, as well as though who were taken hostage.

Last week, a Chicago-based Black Lives Matter group posted a graphic that appeared to be supportive of Hamas' horrific actions.

In her emotional video, Yityish Aynaw used the Black Lives Matter's rallying cry: 'I can't breathe,' by saying that now it is 'Israelis who can't breathe'

They were kidnapped, raped by the terror organization Hamas slaughtering their souls. Hamas is ISIS. Pray for us,' she added

'They were kidnapped, raped by the terror organization Hamas slaughtering their souls. Hamas is ISIS. Pray for us. Pray for Israel because we cant breathe,' the beauty queen added in her intense video message.

Aynaw emigrated from Ethiopia at the age of 12 and rose through the ranks of the Israeli Defense Forces to become an officer before being crowned Miss Israel.

In an interview with the New York Post, Aynaw doubled down on her Instagram statement. 'These groups, BLM, need to learn their facts,' she said.

'People need to learn who theyre really supporting, what they do to their own people, let alone Jews. They dont care about saving lives. There are no human rights [with Hamas]. They kill their own  they also kill Muslims, Bedouins who serve in the army,' she added.

'The situation here in Israel is so bad. We really havent experienced something like this since the Holocaust,' the beauty queen went on.

'They dont have any idea that theres black Jewish people here  a huge community of Ethiopians living here equally. A lot of officers and soldiers are black and fighting for their country, Israel,' Aynaw added.

After winning the Miss Israel crown, Aynaw's celebrity was such that she met with then-President Barack Obama, Nobel Prize winner Shimon Peres looking on, in 2013

Aynaw (C), age 21, stands with other contestants during the swimsuit part of the Miss Israel 2013 beauty pageant in Haifa

At 22 years old, Aynaw was working as a sales clerk when a friend entered her name into Israel's beauty pageant.

She has lived in Israel since she was 10, when she was orphaned and went to live with her grandparents.

She recalled going to an Israeli boarding school without knowing a word of Hebrew and said some of the kids there made fun of her Ethiopian name.

'What is "Yitayish?" This is my name. but it sounds weird,' she told reporter Daniel Estrin in an interview. 'There were times theyd call me "Tayish." In Hebrew thats a kind of animal. You know?'

'Its time that someone from my community, someone with my skin color, who is Israeli just like everyone else, represent the country,' she said. 'I feel like I made history, that I blazed a trail.'

In 2013, Aynaw made international headlines when she was pictured alongside Obama at a state dinner in Jerusalem as part of a four day visit.

After the dinner, Aynaw gushed about meeting Obama in an interview with the Israeli publication Yediot Aharonot.

'Hes an exciting man, a world-class hunk, charming and an extraordinary gentleman,' she said.

Aynaw and Obama were introduced by Israeli President Shimon Peres.

'You are very beautiful,' Obama told her, according Israeli media. 'And Michelle would have been very happy to be as tall as you are.'

Aynaw said she recalled learning about Obama in high school.

'I did a research project about him in high school and I know he is a very powerful man, charismatic, and he achieved a lot on his own by virtue of the fact that he believed in himself and this stuck with me,' she told CNN.
Ford's executive chairman has called on United Auto Workers to end their 32-day strike and instead help the iconic American car manufacturer stave off competition from foreign rivals.

Bill Ford, the great grandson of company founder Henry Ford, warned that nonunion foreign automakers were benefiting from the strikes.

'Toyota, Honda, Tesla and the others are loving this strike because they know the longer it goes on the better it is for them. They will win, and all of us will lose,' he said.

'This should not be Ford versus the UAW. It should be Ford and the UAW versus Toyota and Honda, Tesla and all the Chinese companies that want to enter our home market.'

'Fords ability to invest in the future isnt just a talking point, it is the absolute lifeblood of our company. And if we lose it, we will lose to the competition. Many jobs will be lost.'

Ford executive chairman Bill Ford called for UAW to end their strike and come together against foreign automakers

United Auto Workers union president Shawn Fain (pictured) slammed Ford for his comments and said: 'If Ford wants to be the all-American auto company, they can pay all-American wages and benefits'

UAW president Shawn Fain slammed Ford for trying to pin the union against other workers and diverting the attention from the company's inability to meet their demands.

'If Ford wants to be the all-American auto company, they can pay all-American wages and benefits,' he said.

'It's not the UAW and Ford against foreign automakers. It's autoworkers everywhere against corporate greed.'

'Workers at Tesla, Toyota, Honda, and others are not the enemythey're the UAW members of the future,' said the UAW president.

Ford gave a speech at the company's historic Rouge assembly plant near their headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.

'We can stop this now,' the executive chairman said. 'We need to come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks,' he said.

Fain pushed back that Ford knows exactly what needs to be done if he wants to end the strike, and threatened to shut down the very plant he gave his remarks at.

'Bill Ford knows exactly how to settle this strike. Instead of threatening to close the Rouge, he should call up Jim Farley, tell him to stop playing games and get a deal done, or well close the Rouge for him,' said the union leader.

The UAW strikes have so far cost the economy $7.7 billion according to a new report from Anderson Economic Group.

Works have lost an estimated $359 million in wages since the start of the strike, and companies have lost $3.45 billion.

Ford said it has reached the limit of what they can spend in contract negotiations and has offered a 23 percent pay raise over four years. The union is seeking a 40 percent increase.

Workers strike outside Ford's Kentucky plant. Fain threatened to close additional Ford plants after he called on 8,700 to walk off the job at the Ford Louisville location last week

Union members picket outside the Louisville plant. Since the strike began, Ford has laid off nearly 2,500 workers

Ford announced on Monday that it will lay off about 700 workers from a Detroit plant that builds F-150 Lightning due to supply chain constraints and sales falling 45 percent - not the ongoing UAW strikes.

Since the strike began, the company has laid off nearly 2,500 workers, not including those involved in F-150 Lightning production.

Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, the company's internal combustion engine business, told reporters Thursday that Ford stretched to get to the offer it now has on the table.

Financial filings revealed Fain, who wore an 'eat the rich' shirt in recent remarks, is in the top five percent of earners in his home state - raking in more than $340,000 a year.

Last week, UAW upped the ante against Detroit's Big Three and called on 8,700 members to walk off the job at Ford's largest factory in Kentucky.

The move brought the total number of autoworkers striking to nearly 35,000 since the strike first started on September 15.

According to Gallup data, support for unions has been rising in recent years and two-thirds of Americans approve of labor unions

Since the start of September, data revealed over 330,000 Americans have participated in union-related strikes across the country.
Four prisoners, including one charged with murder, have escaped a Georgia jail - with the sheriff warning 'they could be anywhere'.

The men fled through a broken window in the 'falling down' prison which suffers with staffing problems at around 3.30am on Monday.

They climbed out of a second-floor day room and through a hole cut in the boundary fence where they were met by an unknown accomplice in a Blue Dodge Challenger who helped them flee, police said.

Bibb County Sheriff David Davis identified the escapees as Joey Fournier, Marc Kerry Anderson, Johnifer Dernard Barnwell and Chavis Demaryo Stokes.

The escapees were met by a Dodge Blue Challenger which helped with their getaway

The 43-year-old 'falling down' Bibb County Detention Centre in Georgia

Fournier, 52, is a white male with gray hair and blue eyes who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

He was being held on a murder charge accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in February 2022, according to local news outlets.

Anderson, 24, is a black male with dreadlocks and is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds. He is charged with aggravated assault.

Barnwell, 37, is a black male with braids and is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. He was being held for the U.S. Marshals Service on drug charges.

Stokes, 29, is a black male with short black hair and is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He was being held on charges of possession of a firearm and drug trafficking.

Staff at the Bibb County Detention Center did not notice the four men were missing for three hours until they found the break in the perimeter fence at 6am.

After watching CCTV footage, they discovered a blue Dodge Challenger had appeared outside the jail earlier in the night and someone seemed to be tampering with the fence.

The person then placed items inside the fence which investigators believe were used to help the men escape.

Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said they broke out from the 'oldest part of the jail' which was 'falling down on us' and suffered with 'staffing' problems.

Fewer than ten staff were on shift at the time of the escape and the sheriff said they need 30 to cover all 800 prisoners.

Staff at the jail are meant to do a prisoner count every shift, but Sheriff Davis said the escape happened 'between counts' when inmates 'are supposed to be asleep'.

Speaking at a press conference, he added that the fugitives 'could be anywhere' and he was not sure if they had split up, or were travelling together.

He added: 'Somebody that sees this tonight knows where these four people are, and somebody is probably laughing at the TV set saying, "They'll never get us".

'We will catch them. They will come back to jail. It's just a matter of time.'

Marck Anderson, 24, (left) is charged with aggravated assault. Joey Fournier, 52, was being held on a murder charge.

Chavis Stokes, 29, (left) was being held on charges of possession of a firearm and drug trafficking. Johnifer Barnwell, 37, was being held for the U.S. Marshals Service on drug charges.

CCTV revealed the blue Dodge Challenger had appeared outside the prison earlier in the night as someone appeared to tamper with the fence

An 'all hands on deck' search has been launched with the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service joining the manhunt.

A $1,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the recapture of each of the men.

The Bibb County School District said it had placed its 38 schools on 'soft lockdown' on Monday and limited children's outdoor activities to keep them inside.

Sheriff Davis said: 'Ive been talking about how we need a new jail, we need a new jail  and we have a jail that is falling down on us, that is breaking down.

'Right now my focus is getting these individuals back in the jail, and well dissect what happened and fix that as we go forward.'

DailyMail.com approached Bibb County Sheriff's Office for comment.

The escape comes just weeks after a 14-day manhunt for fugitive murderer Danelo Cavalcante, 34, who staged an astonishing escape from a Pennsylvania prison in broad daylight.

The escaped prisoner was finally captured when he got cornered by about 25 officers in the woods after authorities used thermal imaging from an aircraft to pinpoint his possible location the previous night

Danelo Cavalcante, 34, was captured on Wednesday after he spent two weeks on the run following his escape from Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania on August 31.

Cavalcante escaped from Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania on August 31 by climbing a wall.

He survived his two weeks on the run by eating watermelon, drinking stream water and covering up his poop in an effort to avoid tracking by authorities.

The killer terrorized the Pennsylvania community during his time at large by breaking into homes, changing his appearance and stealing cars.
Gen Z for Change is one of 26 groups that received part of a $2million grant from The Archewell Foundation

Two members of an activist group funded by Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation have been accused of posting anti-Israel rhetoric online  with one slamming the US for 'being silent as Palestinians are murdered'.

Executive director of Gen Z for Change, Elise Joshi, has been posting footage of 'Free Palestine' rallies outside the White House and top US universities on social media.

The 21-year-old also published a statement on behalf of the non-profit, which takes aim at Israel following the horrific terror attacks that have seen more than 1,000 killed and 10,000 injured.

She has also been circulating statements by former Labour leader in the UK, Jeremy Corbyn, who was suspended after a damning anti-Semitism report.

On October 13, she reposted a comment by Corbyn that said: 'We may be witnessing the total obliteration of Gaza. Political leaders refusing to speak out should feel eternal shame over the horror they are allowing to unfold.

Gen Z for Change is one of 26 groups that received part of a $2million grant from The Archewell Foundation and other groups in August to 'create safe and inclusive online spaces'

'Those of us who believe in peace cannot stay silent. We must say to the Palestinian people: you are not alone.'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a joint statement through Archewell condemning the acts of terrorism following the attack by Hamas on October 7.

It said: 'At The Archewell Foundation, with Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, we stand against all acts of terrorism and brutality.

'We are supporting our partners and organizations on the frontlines in Israel to provide the urgent aid needed and to help all innocent victims of this unconscionable level of human suffering.'

Gen Z for Change is one of 26 groups that received part of a $2million grant from The Archewell Foundation and other groups in August to create safe and inclusive online spaces. It is not known exactly how much the group received.

The Duke and Duchess appeared in a video for the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund (RTYPF), with their foundation being on the RTYPF Advisory Committee.

DailyMail.com did not receive a response from Archewell or Gen Z for Change.

Joshi also blasted the White House for 'condoning ethnic cleansing', and said: 'The status quo is violent, from routine bombing to home demolition.

Elise Joshi, 21, the executive director for the non-profit, has been posting statements by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn  who was suspended after a damning anti-Semitism report

Joshi also blasted the White House for 'condoning ethnic cleansing', and said: 'The status quo is violent, from routine bombing to home demolition'

Joshi also blasted the White House for 'condoning ethnic cleansing', and said: 'The status quo is violent, from routine bombing to home demolition

'To start and end with condemning Hamas only fuels the widely recognized apartheid state. My family was jailed for fighting against the British in India. I stand with Palestine and all anti-colonial movements.'

In a video posted to her TikTok she also accused the US of being 'silent as Palestinians are murdered, forcibly removed from their homes and denied basic human rights.'

Founder of Gen Z for Change, Aidan Kohn-Murphy, 19, also took aim at Congressman Jared Moskowitz, for 'calling for murder of innocent people'.

Kohn-Murphy, who is Jewish, was asked why he had 'nothing to stay' on the Hamas attack. Responding on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: 'I'm Jewish and have been targeted in anti-Semitic hate for years.

'I started my platform talking about antisemitism!! I made a vid on TikTok talking about Hamas recently.'

The video, posted on October 14, takes aim at Israel's response to the surprise attack by Hamas, and attacked members of congress for their statements on the Middle Eastern war.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a joint statement through Archewell condemning the acts of 'terrorism' following the attack by Hamas on October 7

The statement by Harry and Meghan was revealed by their favored journalist Omid Scobie

The Duke and Duchess appeared in a video for the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund (RTYPF), with their foundation being on the RTYPF Advisory Committee

He said: 'In America you have democratic leaders calling for the killing of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians as a response to Hamas violence.'

Kohn-Murphy also referred to a letter signed by 34 student groups at Harvard that blamed Israel for Hamas' massacre of Jewish people as a 'pro-Palestinian letter'  saying the response has been 'unacceptable and terrifying.'

'If this is terrifying for me I can only imagine how terrifying this must be for people in Gaza,' he added. 'And for Palestinian advocates and activists across the world.'

'I am Jewish and I have been incredibly troubled by video and pictures that we've seen form certain allies where extremists are advocating for the mass murder of Jews and that is not acceptable.

He went on: 'We are seeing before our eyes war crimes that Israel is committing against Palestine and that must be addressed and called out.'

The letter referred to by Kohn-Murphy sparked international outrage, and caused tensions to rise at the Ivy League college.

Many groups have since retracted their support for the statement, which said: 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.'

In a video posted to her TikTok she also accused the US of being 'silent as Palestinians are murdered, forcibly removed from their homes and denied basic human rights'

Founder of Gen Z for Change, Aidan Kohn-Murphy, 19, also took aim at Congressman Jared Moskowitz, for 'calling for murder of innocent people'

Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip

Buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza

Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania have been hit hardest by the backlash  with a host of alumni calling on the colleges to do better as some revoke their funding entirely.

Billionaire Ken Griffin has called for Harvard to take a robust stance in defense of Israel, and criticized students defending the Hamas attack.

Former US Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr has stripped support for UPenn after slamming their stance on the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The schools could lose millions in funding over their stance, based on current and prior donations by those speaking out against the colleges.

Over a dozen business executives are joining the call to blacklist the students, while the group whined about being persecuted in the aftermath.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman called for the students to be identified, to ensure that he and other CEO's would not hire them.
A frowning former President Donald Trump tore into prosecutors as he arrived in court for the third week of his $250 million New York fraud trial.

He went after state AG Letitia James, calling her a 'fraud,' a day after a federal judge overseeing a different case slapped a gag order on him.

It was just the latest development in Trump's web of legal drama. On Monday, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing his January 6-related case in Washington DC, imposed a gag order that prohibits him from attacking Special Counsel Jack Smith, his prosecutors, officers of the court, or witnesses. Trump has vowed to appeal.

Trump appeared to steer clear of the judge's admonitions against going after prosecutors in the DC case on Monday afternoon, even while complaining about the order. But on Tuesday, the former president ripped into James, who brought the fraud charges against him in New York State, and who is not covered by the order.

He pointed to her vow to go after Trump during her own election campaign, saying 'we have two tapes on her now' and that people 'couldn't believe her ranting and raving like a lunatic.'

Back in court: Trump sits in a Manhattan courthouse during the trial for his civil fraud case in New York, U.S., October 17, 2023. He is juggling a new gag order in his DC case and a Tuesday deposition in a suit filed by the 'FBI lovers'

'This is a witch hunt by a radical lunatic attorney general that shouldn't be allowed to be attorney general. She's horrible,' he said.

Trump tore into New York judge Arthur Engoron and James for relying on Palm Beach County assessors for a valuation of Mar-a-Lago, when he said it could be worth 100 times more than they assessed.

'They are the fraudulent people,' Trump said of James and Engoron, before allowing that Engoron: 'I like him, but it's not fair.'

'They are the frauds. Because the house is worth a billion, a billion and a half, $750 million. It's worth a fortune. It's the most expensive house probably in the world,' Trump said of his Florida club.

'He's got all the Democrats pushing him around left and right pushing him around like a pinball,' Trump claimed, a day after he pondered limits on his speech and whether he could rail against a 'department of injustice' or call Smith 'deranged.'

'This is a rigged trial,' said Trump, with a 'Democrat judge' who is 'very liberal.'

Trump's former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen had been expected to testify, after telling Congress Trump's company would inflate valuations when seeking financing. But he delayed his appearance, citing a medical issue.

Trump was accompanied by aides Margo Martin (r) and Jason Miller

Former President Trump accused state AG Letitia James of 'raving like a lunatic' in remarks at court in New York, a day after a federal judge gagged him from speaking about prosecutors in a separate case

Trump appeared with son Eric Trump, lawyer Alina Habba (l) and lawyer Chris Kise

Later Tuesday, Trump is scheduled to give a deposition in the lawsuit of 'FBI lovers' Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.

Stzrok, a former lead investigator in the Russia probe, says he was fired for exercising his First Amendment rights. He argues that DOJ higher-ups fired him after a relentless pressure campaign where Trump accused him of treason and for steering a 'witch hunt' against him.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson  who was in the courtroom for the start of Trump's D.C. trial with Judge Tanya Chutkan  and a federal appeals court both gave a green light to Trump's two-hour deposition.

Strzok and Page, who were having an affair, exchanged text messages in the run-up to the 2020 election calling Trump an 'idiot' and a 'loathsome human.'

Trump and House Republicans, who helped push out the private texts, said it revealed bias on the part of a 'weaponized' government.

The deposition was moved from a planned Mar-a-Lago interview to one in New York to comport with Trump's busy legal schedule.

Former President Donald Trump arrived at Trump Tower on October 16, 2023, with plans to attend a court session in Manhattan in the penalty phase of a fraud trial for him and his company. He was also set to give a deposition in the case of 'FBI lovers' Peter Strzok and Lisa Page

'I'll be the only politician in history that runs with a gag order where I'm not allowed to criticize people,' complained former President Donald Trump after a federal judge imposed a gag order that prohibits him from attacking special counsel Jack Smith and court personnel

Trump is set to be questioned under oath as part of lawsuits from 'FBI lovers' Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, two former FBI employees who provoked the former president's outrage after sending each other pejorative text messages about him

Former FBI lawyer Lisa Page is also suing. She resigned her post as an FBI lawyer in 2018. She charges DOJ violated her privacy by disclosing copies of her messages

Justice Arthur Engoron imposed a gag on Trump after the former president went after his clerk online

NYPD officers are briefed near Manhattan Supreme Court ahead of Former President Donald Trumps appearance in Manhattan Tuesday

He appeared for three consecutive days when the trial began, railing against Judge Arthur Engoron that New York AG Letitia James' charges against Trump and his company.

The judge already issued a summary judgement of fraud, so the trial is to determine the amount of any penalty.

Judge Engoron slapped a gag on Trump after he attacked his clerk on the former president's Truth Social platform.

He called her 'Schumer's girlfriend' and posted a link to her private Instagram account with an image of the two of them together  then deleted it.

The judge banned Trump from talking about the $250 million civil fraud suit and the judge's staff.

In his Washington, DC case related to his election overturn effort, Judge Chutkan cited the New York case, and imposed a limited gag that bars Trump from attacking Special Counsel Jack Smith, herself, prosecutors, or witnesses. Trump had called Smith 'deranged' just hours before her order.

Trump is still allowed to attack Washington, DC, the venue for that trial. He has called it 'rat-infested'
Russia has taken the first step towards revoking ratification of the nuclear test ban treaty.

The country's lawmakers today voted on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and their decision has moved them closer to abandoning the landmark agreement.

The vote comes after President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month he was 'not ready to say' whether Russia needed to carry out live nuclear tests - which they promised not to do when ratifying the treaty in 2000.

Lawmakers in the State Duma lower house of parliament unanimously approved the de-ratification bill in its first reading, with 412 voting for and none voting against.

The bill can be signed into law by Putin after passing three readings in the lower house and receiving approval in the upper house, although this is largely a formality.

The vote comes after President Vladimir Putin (pictured) said earlier this month he was 'not ready to say' whether Russia needed to carry out live nuclear tests

Lawmakers in the State Duma lower house of parliament (pictured during the session this morning) unanimously approved the de-ratification bill in its first reading, with 412 voting for and none voting against

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) aimed to completely ban all nuclear tests.

It never came into force as it was not ratified by all required signatories, but it did have symbolic value and helped put an end to the more than 2,000 nuclear tests carried out during and shortly after the Cold War.

Both Russia and the United States signed the treaty in 1996, but while Moscow ratified it in 2000, Washington never took the final step of codifying it into law.

'For 23 years we have been waiting for the United States to ratify this treaty,' Russia's top lawmaker Vyacheslav Volodin said ahead of the vote.

'But Washington, because of its double standards, its irresponsible attitude to global security issues, has not done so,' he said.

Since the start of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine, Putin and other Russian officials have given mixed signals about the possible use of nuclear weapons in the conflict, prompting alarm in the West.

Putin mobilised Moscow's nuclear forces shortly after the conflict began and has repeatedly invoked Russia's nuclear doctrine, which allows the use of nuclear weapons if the state faces a 'threat to its existence'.

In February this year, Russia pulled out of a separate nuclear treaty with the United States known as New START, which aimed to limit the number of nuclear warheads both sides could deploy.

During the summer, Putin confirmed Russia had sent tactical nuclear arms to its ally Belarus and earlier this month announced the successful testing of a nuclear-powered cruise missile.

'For 23 years we have been waiting for the United States to ratify this treaty,' Russia's top lawmaker Vyacheslav Volodin (pictured) said ahead of the vote

However, he told journalists at a political forum in Sochi this month that Russia had 'no need' to change its nuclear doctrine.

'Why should we? Everything can be changed, I just don't see the need for it,' he said.

'No person in his right mind and clear memory would think of using nuclear weapons against Russia,' he added.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters last week that Moscow would only resume nuclear tests if the United States did so first.

'We must ensure that our testing base is ready to resume testing activities,' he was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

'But the resumption in practical terms is (only) possible after the relevant tests are carried out by the United States,' he said.

The Soviet Union last carried out a nuclear test in 1990, while the United States' last test was in 1992.
Two young women have been filmed tearing down posters of Israeli children taken hostage by Hamas while another teen from Columbia University is facing hate crime charges for attacking a Jewish classmate with a broomstick.

The two female students have not yet been named publicly and the school is yet to confirm whether they are currently enrolled.

They were filmed yesterday at Tisch Hall in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, stripping clean a wall where students had plastered the faces of some of the hundreds of hostages taken by Hamas.

The pair were filmed by Students Supporting Israel, a campus organization which is now demanding that the pair be excluded permanently.

The two female students have not yet been named publicly and the school is yet to confirm whether they are currently enrolled. They were filmed yesterday taking down posters of Israeli children who have been taken hostage by Hamas

The young women and one other were filmed ripping the posters from the walls of Tisch Hall

The flyers were found in the trash on campus after the students fled

NYU has not commented on the video.

The footage, shared last night on social media, came as another student from a different liberal elite college was hit with hate crime charges for attacking a male, Jewish student with a broomstick.

Maxwell Friedman, 19, who uses female pronouns, was a student at Columbia University until the incident last week.

She attacked an unidentified male student as he put up his own posters to share the faces of the young children taken hostage by Hamas.

According to police, Friedman fractured the male 24-year-old's finger, and verbally harassed him.

Friedman has now been charged with assault and harassment as a hate crime.

The two incidents are the latest in a string at liberal, elite colleges across New York City and the country in which students have overwhelmingly sided with Palestine since the October 7 attack by Hamas against Israel.

Jewish students like those at NYU's Students Supporting Israel say the sustained sympathy for Palestine and refusal to acknowledge Israel's suffering by some make them feel unsafe on campus.

Jewish students like those at NYU's Students Supporting Israel say the sustained sympathy for Palestine and refusal to acknowledge Israel's suffering by some make them feel unsafe on campus.

'Today, we witnessed two NYU students violently tearing down posters of kidnapped babies, mothers, and grandmothers hanging outside of NYU Buildings.

'This was done in a laughing manner, exhibiting complete disregard for Jewish lives and Jewish safety.

'WE FEEL UNSAFE AND THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSETTLING!!! If you are unwilling or unable to protect our safety as students of this institution, we will be left with no choice but to publicize this so others can exercise their voices and pocketbooks to protect us!'

Yesterday, a New York City public school teacher doubled down on his defense of Palestine after students and others complained that he had changed his Facebook cover photo to a depiction of a Hamas paraglider.

Mohammad Jehadi Ahmad said he had every right to share his view on Israel, which he calls a 'terror state'.

He said he had received death threats for sharing his view, but gave no comment when asked for his response to concern for Jewish children in his classes.
Labour councillors have threatened to quit and hand control of councils to other parties amid a revolt over the party leadership's pro-Israel stance on Gaza.

Leaders of local authorities are said to have told senior figures including shadow foreign secretary David Lammy that Sir Keir Starmer needs to be tougher on Israel.

They are also furious about a ban on elected politicians attending pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London and other cities at the weekend.

Councillors are said to have been told 'they must not, under any circumstance', attend any of the rallies, some of which saw people wearing pro-Hamas symbols.

ITV News reported that they have given the party leadership days to speak out before they take action, which could include resigning and relinquishing control of councils.

Some have already stepped down. Amna Abdullatif, who sits on Manchester City council, announced yesterday she would sit as an independent on the Labour-dominated authority.

Sir Keir yesterday urged the Commons to show a united front with the government over the terrorist assault by Hamas.

Leaders of local authorities are said to have told senior figures including shadow foreign secretary David Lammy that Sir Keir Starmer needs to be tougher on Israel.

Councillors are said to have been told 'they must not, under any circumstance', attend any of the rallies, some of which saw people wearing pro-Hamas symbols.

Amna Abdullatif (pictured right in 2020), who sits on Manchester City council, announced yesterday she would sit as an independent on the Labour-dominated authority.

'I am appalled by the lack of humanity being shown to Palestinians by the party I have been a member of for the last 10 years,' she said in a statement posted on Twitter.

'Collective punishment is illegal under international law, it is inhumane and unconscionable.

'I cannot fathom how the leadership... has not called for a de-escalation to violence and a ceasefire. This is deeply irresponsible and dangerous.'

Sir Keir yesterday urged the Commons to show a united front with the government over the terrorist assault by Hamas.

The Labour leader said it was 'crucial that this House speaks with one voice in condemnation of terror, in support for Israel in its time of agony and for the dignity of all human life'.

He said that Israel must follow international law in its attacks on Gaza and ensure 'humanitarian access, including food, water, electricity, and medicines, so that hospitals can keep people alive and so that innocent people do not needlessly die'.

But he added: 'There can be no doubt the responsibility for this crisis lies with Hamas. They have no interest in Palestinian rights, no interest in the security of the people of Gaza, they unleash terror...

'They are destroyers of lives, of hope, of peace, and we cannot give them what they want. We must keep striving for a two-state solution. A Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.'

But a string of his MPs lined up to criticise Israel for its response to the atrocity.

Cries of 'shame' could be heard as former shadow cabinet minister Richard Burgon accused Israel of committing a 'war crime' by cutting off power and water to Gaza.

He urged Rishi Sunak to 'make clear to the Israeli government that this collective punishment of Palestinian civilians must end immediately'.

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain said that by 'laying siege to civilians in Gaza... and through indiscriminate airstrikes killing civilians' Israel was 'in clear violation of international law'.
A New York City doctor has been fired after celebrating the massacre of Israelis by the Islamist terror group Hamas.

Dr Dana Diab, an ER physician at Lenox Hill Hospital, shared an Instagram video showing the attack on the Nova music festival near Gaza where at least 260 people were killed on October 7.

The Palestinian doctor's caption rejoiced in the barbarity, reading: 'Zionist settlers getting a taste of their own medicine.'

The posts went viral after being shared by StopAntisemitism, a US non-profit organization, which warned: 'Jewish patients beware.'

Diab's employer, Northwell Health, today replied to StopAntisemitism on X (formerly Twitter), announcing that she had been dismissed.

Dr Dana Diab, pictured here, shared an Instagram video showing the attack on the Nova music festival near Gaza where at least 260 people were killed

Dr Dana Diab, an ER physician at Lenox Hill Hospital, shared a video to her Instagram showing the attack on the Nova music festival near Gaza where 260 people were killed on October 7. Her caption rejoiced in the barbarity, reading: 'Zionist settlers getting a taste of their own medicine'

'We've been alerted to discriminatory comments that appear to have been posted by a team member regarding the crisis in the Middle East. These views don't represent Lenox Hill Hospital & Northwell Health & go against our core values. We are investigating & taking immediate action,' Northwell said.

'We are deeply sorry for the hurt and offense these comments have caused... The team member is no longer employed with Northwell.'

Diab's Instagram account has since been made private. An 'I stand with Palestine' flag appears as her profile picture.

She insisted to the New York Post that she 'never called for harm to anyone' in her post.

'I never have and never will abdicate my duty and my oath as a physician,' she added.

Diab had formerly worked at Brookdale University Hospital, who told DailyMail.com: 'Dr. Diab is not an employee of Brookdale and has not been since 2022. Moreover her sentiments are not shared by this organization.'

A general view of the Lenox Hill Hospital on Manhattan's Upper East Side which is run by Northwell Health

Haunting images have since revealed the eerie quiet that settled over the site of the Nova festival that Diab had been referring to.

Dozens of cars are pictured abandoned after Hamas stormed the festival near Kibbutz Re'im, close to the Gaza Strip, as part of the groups surprise assault.

Whole windows are missing from many of the cars, after attackers wantonly shot at civilians in the early hours of the morning.

Camping gear, including sleeping bags, was left behind as thousands of revelers ran for their lives, as were everyday items, such as bottles of water and items of clothing.

Several tents, including those used to host events at the festival, were also abandoned by organizers and festivalgoers alike.

Aerial footage of the festival site, meanwhile, revealed a torched swathe of land, seemingly done by Hamas' terrorists.

Music at the deadly rave, which survivors said initially had 'good vibes', played all night until around 6.30am, when a siren began blaring warning of rockets.

Some 260 people have been confirmed dead at the festival ground, but a number of festivalgoers remain missing - with many fearing they are amongst those women, children and elderly victims who have been abducted by Hamas.

Hamas gunmen killed around 270 revelers who were attending the outdoor rave music festival in an Israeli community near Gaza

Israeli troops inspect the ravaged site of the weekend attack on the Supernova desert music Festival by Palestinian militants

The land around the festival site appears to have been torched by Hamas terrorists following the assault

One of those abducted from the festival after Hamas descended on the site was Mia Schem, 21, a French and Israeli citizen.

As the murderous gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns shot at the revellers, Mia's mother Keren Schem said her daughter sent her friend a panicked message that read: 'They're shooting at us. Please, come save us!'

For more than a week, Keren had no idea if her daughter was dead or alive. But last night, Hamas released chilling footage of Mia pleading with Israeli officials to 'get her out of Gaza'.

Her heartbroken mother is now 'begging the world to bring' her daughter home, with Keren saying she fears what the terrorists will do to 'her baby'.

She said the 21-year-old, who was shot at and abducted from the Nova Festival near the Israeli border, 'only went to a party, to a festival party to have some fun... and now she's in Gaza'.

Video released by her family shows Mia, who her mum has described as a 'warrior', dancing and smiling with friends.

At a Press conference today, Keren called for the world to come together to stop Hamas, who she said had committed a 'crime against humanity'.

She added: 'There are many children who went to this party, many babies, children, old people and Holocaust survivors that were kidnapped, their houses were burned.'

Keren Schem appealed for her daughter and all the other hostages taken on October 7 to be returned home

The 21-year-old is a French and Israeli citizen and was described by her mother as 'creative' and 'mature'. Pictured in a TikTok vide

Speaking to the camera in Hebrew, the young woman asks for Hamas to release her and let her go home

The video, which was published on the group's official Telegram channel, shows the young woman speaking Hebrew as she addresses the camera directly.

She says she is from central Israel and that her captors are taking care of her.

In a heartbreaking message to the Israeli government, she says: 'I only ask that you get me out of here as soon as possible. Please.'

It is the first footage released by Hamas of a hostage purportedly speaking from captivity, with the caption saying she was abducted on October 7.

Diab's sickening post is just the latest vile outburst of hatred which has punctuated the public reaction to the unprecedented terror attack on Israel.

Across US cities and university campuses, anti-Semitism has soared and pro-Hamas protesters have taken to the streets.

Harvard University is one of those currently facing a backlash after 31 of its student societies issued a joint statement 'holding the Israeli regime entirely responsible' for the conflict.

Subsequent protests have kicked off at the Ivy League school, with Israel supporters being branded 'Nazis' after turning out to challenge pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

A group of around 150 brandishing placards and Palestinian flags occupied the steps of Cambridge City Hall.

One was seen stamping on a US flag as he slammed the 'brutal treatment of Palestinians since 1948'.

Israeli supporters then appeared on the scene, having brought an amplifier along and berated the protesters as terrorists and cowards.

Students at the elite school had their own future thrown into doubt after a host of blue chip CEOs declared them unemployable.

The Palestine Solidarity Committee holding banners outside of Harvard University

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'

After 31 of the student societies on campus held Israel accountable for 'all unfolding violence' hedge fund manager Bill Ackman revealed 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.

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.

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

President of Harvard Claudine Gay issued a statement last Tuesday condemning 'terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel' and insisting the 31 student groups 'don't speak for the university or its leadership'.

'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.

The president added: 'We will all be well served in such a difficult moment by rhetoric that aims to illuminate and not inflame.

The organizations signing the 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.
New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is launching her own bid to stop Jim Jordan from becoming speaker by shaming Republicans from her state who back him.

The firebrand Squad member says GOP representatives who won swing districts in the 2022 midterms won't vote for the conservative because of his far-right record.

She believes they will be voted out of office in 2024 if they do, and referenced his vote to overturn Joe Biden's election win and his recent support for a nationwide abortion ban.

Jordan is the favorite to take the gavel and will face a vote on Tuesday at noon. But he could still lose out because of colleagues refusing to vote for him.

If he doesn't succeed, the chaos that has consumed the Republican party since Kevin McCarthy's historic ousting two weeks ago could continue with no end in sight.

The House has since been paralyzed without a speaker. They have been unable to conduct business and have just a month until another government shutdown deadline.

New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez predicted the Republicans from her state might not vote to elect Jim Jordan as speaker given the Ohio firebrand's far-right record

'We'll see if Jim Jordan has the votes,' the progressive Democrat told CNN. 'We'll see if individuals like Mike Lawler or Marc Molinaro who represent New Yorkers ... will actually vote to install a man who voted to overturn the United States' election and who supports a national abortion ban to be speaker of the House, second in line to the presidency.'

She predicted they would be voted out of office if they did support Jordan.

'I have my doubts that the people of New York would really stand for that.'

A founding member of the right wing Freedom Caucus, Jordan is known for being a conservative fighter in the House. He's widely popular with the grassroots and as chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee he went after 'weaponization' of the Justice Department for indicting Donald Trump.

The last bill Jordan co-sponsored was a bill to outlaw abortion medication, with a 25-year sentence for violations.

Ocasio-Cortez said she did not regret voting out former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and putting the House at risk of being led by an even more conservative figure.

Questions have also arisen over Jordan voting to overturn the election results in 2020.

According to the January 6th select committee, Jordan was a 'significant player' in Trump's efforts to overturn the election, huddling with White House staffers and allies like Rudy Giuliani to strategize about how to overturn the election results favoring Joe Biden.

'We'll see if Jim Jordan has the votes,' the progressive Democrat told CNN

New York experienced a red wave in 2022 with Republicans picking up five seats in the liberal stronghold.

Freshman Rep. Mike Lawler has said he is voting for Kevin McCarthy on the floor. New Reps. Marc Molinaro and George Santos are going for Jordan. Others like Reps. Anthony D'Esposito and Brandon Williams have not yet said how they'll vote.

Jordan's bid for speaker will be put up for a test on Tuesday at noon in the first floor vote since Kevin McCarthy's ouster two weeks ago.

Congress has been paralyzed for two weeks, unable to conduct any business and with a month until the government runs out of money again.

Jordan has emerged as the favorite after Rep. Steve Scalise suddenly dropped out last Thursday, but at least six members of his party have promised they will still reject his bid. Still more have not yet revealed how they'll vote.
President Joe Biden will land in Israel on Wednesday - the same day that the United Nations' sanctions on Iran's ability to acquire and send ballistic missiles to enemies of the U.S. is set to expire.

According to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, also known as the JCPOA, all UN restrictions on Iran's ability to obtain drone and missiles will terminate on October 18, known as 'Transition Day.' As a result, Iran's own firepower will increase and it will be easier for the country to send ballistic missiles to its dangerous terror proxy organizations and other nations hostile to the U.S. - including Russia.

October 18 is also the date that Biden is traveling to Israel, America's top ally in the Middle East, in a show of solidarity after Iran-backed Hamas terrorists in Gaza launched a brutal attack on Israel over a week ago, killing over 1,300 innocent civilians and at least 29 Americans.

The dangerous coincidence has not gone unnoticed by the national security community.

Richard Goldberg, senior advisor at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, tells DailyMail.com the timing of Biden's trip is stunning and said that the missile embargo should not be allowed to expire without new, stronger sanctions put in place by the U.S. and its allies.

Iran has been developing its growing rocket arsenal over the last decade and is known to have the most diverse arsenal in the Middle East over around 3,000 missiles

A new surface-to-surface 4th generation Khorramshahr ballistic missile called Khaibar with a range of 2,000 km is launched at an undisclosed location in Iran

President Biden is traveling to Israel in a show of solidarity after the country was attacked by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists

'It's absolutely unconscionable for the US to let the UN missile embargo on Iran expire this week without working with European allies to snapback all UN sanctions first,' he explained.

'Russia and China can't stop the snapback, so the only reason not to trigger it is to maintain a strategic paradigm of appeasement and accommodation toward the sponsor of this heinous Hamas massacre, Iran,' Goldberg told DailyMail.com.

According to experts, Iran plans to use the loosening of restrictions to better supply its connected terrorist organizations - including Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran has been developing its growing rocket arsenal over the last decade and is known to have the most diverse in the Middle East over around 3,000 missiles.

The country has the capability to land missiles in Israel and south-eastern Europe. This poses a huge security risk to the U.S. and allies with troops and other assets in the region.

The variety of missiles include close-range CRBMS, short-range SRBMs, and medium-range MRBMs which can hit targets 2,000km - or close to 1,200 miles away.

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in 2022, now-retired U.S. Central Command Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. warned that Iran's investments in missile development seem to be paying off.

'They have over 3,000 ballistic missiles of various types, some of which can reach Tel Aviv. Over the last five to seven years, they have invested heavily in the ballistic missile program. Their missiles have significantly greater range and significantly enhanced accuracy,' said Gen. McKenzie.

Goldberg, who formerly served in the Trump administration as the National Security Council Director for Countering Iranian Weapons of Mass Destruction, told DailyMail.com that Iran thrives when it perceives the West as being 'weak.'

With the expiration of these sanctions, Iran will likely boost its nuclear weapons arsenal and could even send missiles to Russia to aid the country in its war of aggression against Ukraine, which is nearing its two-year mark.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said in a statement Tuesday that the expiration of restrictions will leave Iran 'free to proliferate its missiles and drones on an even larger scale as it actively fuels conflicts around the world from Israel to Ukraine.'

He is urging his colleagues in the Senate to take up his bill that would put sanctions on Iran after the UN Security Council's lapse.

The U.K., France and Germany - European members of the JCPOA - have said that they are keeping sanctions on Iran in place.

Those 'snapback' sanctions would restore the UN's conventional arms embargo against the hostile nation, which terminated in 2020.

It also puts in place restrictions on Iran's work on uranium enrichment as it works to develop nuclear weapons. Iran is not currently known to have yet successfully developed a functional nuclear bomb.

However, those snapback sanctions will terminate in 2025, so the international community only has two years remaining until all restrictions on Iran are lifted.

Former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the JCPOA in 2018 because he said it was not hampering Iran's ability to develop its ballistic missile program.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday evening that President Biden will travel to Israel in order to 'reaffirm solidarity' with its closest ally in the Middle East, as well as to press for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.

Blinken made the announcement after six hours of talks with Israeli officials. Biden was invited at the weekend by Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said that Biden's visit was in 'solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security.'

The secretary went on to say that both countries have a agreed to 'develop a plan' that will allow aid into Gaza. 'It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible,' Blinken said.

The United States has deployed a carrier strike group led by the world's largest warship to the eastern Mediterranean in response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, which cost roughly $18 billion to develop - including $4.7 billion for research and development and $12.8 billion in construction - can carry up to 90 aircraft, including the military's most advanced fighter jets.

In addition, the Pentagon has reportedly selected about 2,000 troops to prepare for a deployment to help Israel as a second carrier strike group steams for the eastern Mediterranean.

Officials said the troops will not serve in a combat role but would be tasked with medical support or advisory duties.

Details emerged on Monday after the Department of Defense said the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower strike group, which deployed from Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday, is on its way.

She will join the USS Gerald R. Ford, which arrived off the coast of Israel last week.

The United States has deployed a carrier strike group led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest warship, to the eastern Mediterranean in response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel

Antony Blinken on Monday announced that Joe Biden will be in Tel Aviv on Wednesday

As Blinken made his announcement, dozens of trucks stocked with humanitarian aid were pictured lined up at the Gaza-Egypt border crossing awaiting entry

Blinken said his six hours of talks with Israel had secured agreements for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, and included discussions of safe zones for Gazans. Pictured: An Israeli tank near the Gaza border

In the early hours of October 17, pictures showed trucks carrying aid designated for Gaza arriving at Rafah, the territory's southern border crossing with Egypt.

Blinken added that officials could also work together to create 'areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way.'

After his Israeli visit, Biden will travel to Jordan in order to meet with that country's leaders, Egyptian leaders as well as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. During the conflict, Abbas has maintained that Hamas do no represent the interests of Palestinian people.

Biden's visit also comes as Israel is preparing an imminent ground invasion into Gaza.

It will be Biden's second visit to an active war zone this year. In February, he traveled to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and mark the anniversary of that country's conflict with Russia.
Natalee Holloway murder suspect Joran van der Sloot is expected to plead guilty to trying to extort her parents - in a deal in which he is expected to reveal how the American student died and how her body was disposed of.

Van der Sloot, 36, is accused of promising to lead Natalee's relatives to her body in exchange for $250,000 in 2010. Nearly 20 years after the student's disappearance, van der Sloot intends to plead guilty on Wednesday.

Natalee was 18 when she disappeared from the Caribbean island of Aruba in 2005 during a trip with school friends and was last seen with the Dutch citizen. Her disappearance has never been solved.

'It [the plea agreement] was conditioned upon Mr. van der Sloot revealing details of how Natalee died and how her body was disposed of,' Holloway family lawyer John Q. Kelly told NBC News on Sunday.

Van der Sloot was extradited to Birmingham, Alabama in June from Peru, where he was serving a 28-year sentence after confessing to killing Stephany Flores in 2010.

Joran van der Sloot, the prime suspect in the 2005 disappearance of American student Natalee Holloway, will be extradited to the U.S. on Thursday

Holloways body was never found, and no charges were filed in the case. A judge declared Holloway dead in 2012

'It [the plea agreement] was conditioned upon Mr. van der Sloot revealing details of how Natalee died and how her body was disposed of,' saidHolloway family lawyer John Q. Kelly

Holloway was last seen leaving a bar with van der Sloot, who was a student at an international school on the island at the time. Van der Sloot was identified as a suspect and detained weeks later, along with two Surinamese brothers, but was eventually let go by police.

The mysterious disappearance sparked years of news coverage and countless true-crime podcasts. Van der Sloot was identified as a main suspect and was detained for questioning but no charges were filed in the case.

A judge declared Holloway dead but her body has never been found.

The extortion charges are the only charges to have ever linked the Dutch citizen to Holloway's disappearance. While he is not charged with murder, he remains the chief suspect in the case.

Prosecutors allege that he reached out to the teenager's mother asking for $25,000 to disclose the location of her daughter's body.

He then allegedly demanded a further $225,000 if the body was found, and a sting operation saw van der Sloot initially single out a house he claimed her body was buried in.

Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway, said the family is 'finally getting justice for Natalee' in a statement released after Peruvian authorities agreed to the extradition

Natalee Holloway was 18 when she disappeared from the Caribbean island of Aruba during a trip with school friends

In later emails, the suspect admitted to lying about the location, an FBI agent claimed in an affidavit.

The killer's attorney in Peru, Maximo Altez, had previously told DailyMail.com that van der Sloot planned on making the extraordinary accusation that it was actually Natalee's mother, Beth, who approached van der Sloot offering money if he took her to her daughter's body.

Altez explained that his client is a 'sick person' and 'compulsive gambler', who 'needed the money to play at the casino'.

In 2010, the same year he was indicted in the U.S. for extortion, van der Sloot was arrested in Peru for the murder of 21-year-old Stephany Flores, a business student from a prominent family who was killed five years to the day after Holloways disappearance.

Peruvian prosecutors said van der Sloot killed Flores while trying to rob her after learning she had won money at the casino where the two met.

They said he killed her with 'ferocity' and 'cruelty,' beating then strangling her in his hotel room. He pleaded guilty in 2012.

A 2001 treaty between Peru and the U.S. allows a suspect to be temporarily extradited to face trial in the other country.

Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway, said the family is 'finally getting justice for Natalee' in a statement released after Peruvian authorities agreed to the extradition.

'It has been a very long and painful journey, but the persistence of many is going to pay off,' Beth Holloway said.
A mother beat her two-month-old baby daughter to death while the child's father ignored the horrific cruelty, a court heard.

Aissatu Barrie suffered multiple rib fractures, a skull fracture and damage to the spine at the hands of Raby Diallo, 26, while Mohammed Barrie, 37, allegedly turned a blind eye.

Aissatu was declared dead at their home in Brixton, southwest London, on May 19 2020 after Diallo phoned the emergency services, the Inner London Crown Court heard.

'On 19 May 2020, at about 8am, Raby Diallo called an ambulance; her baby was not breathing,' said prosecutor Sally Howes.

'Mohammed Barrie was at work in Fulham at the time. As they entered the flat they saw a baby lying on the sofa. This was Aissatu. She was not moving. She was not breathing.'

Mother Raby Diallo, 26, beat her two-month-old baby daughter Aissatu Barrie to death at their home (file photo) in Brixton, southwest London, on May 19 2020, a court heard

The paramedics did everything they could to resuscitate her, but to no avail, jurors heard.

'Aissatu was dead,' said Ms Howes. She was formally pronounced dead at 9.18am that morning.

'In due course, post mortem examinations identified findings consistent with four separate episodes of injury, the approximate timings of which are considered to be a few to several weeks prior to death.

'Fractures to her skull, ribs, and damage to her spine was found.'

A series of WhatsApp messages sent from Barrie's phone show the couple knew their daughter had been terribly injured.

In a voice message to 'Mum' on 10 May he said: 'We have to be extra careful with Aissatu and hold her neck otherwise she will fall because she tend to throw her head backwards and if one doesn't hold her neck properly, she can easily fall.

'Aissatu nearly fell several times while I am holding her on several occasions, that's why I always hold her neck. Now I understand how to hold her.'

Aissatu was declared dead at their home in Brixton, southwest London, on May 19 2020, after Diallo phoned the emergency services, the Inner London Crown Court (pictured) heard

Miss Howes said: 'This voice message suggests that Mohammed Barrie is well aware of the injuries to Aissatu's neck and head and is getting his explanation in first.'

The day before Diallo sent him a photo of Assatu's head on WhatsApp.

She said: 'Baby, Aissatu's head is swollen on that side, I've just seen it.'

'You are going to have to say that I am the one who did [it]'.

Diallo has admitted manslaughter but Barrie denies allowing the death of Assiatu and cruelty to a child and wilful neglect.

'It is the prosecution case that the defendant allowed the death of Aissatu and that he wilfully neglected his infant daughter by failing to ensure that she received the medical treatment and help that he was aware she needed,' Miss Howes said.

The trial continues.
Indiana police are investigating how gruesome crime scene images of the 2017 Delphi murders were leaked to the public, after numerous pictures were shared via text, email, and social media.

Richard Allen, 50, is accused of killing Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13, while they were hiking through Indiana's Delphi Historic Trails on 13 February 2017.

Their bodies were discovered the next day and the case puzzled police for years - until a bullet found at the bloody crime scene linked Allen to the slayings in 2022.

Lawyer Kevin Greenlee and journalist Aine Cain who run 'The Murder Sheet' podcast said they were sent the horrible scene photos from a source and contacted the police.

Cain described them as 'some of the worst I have ever seen. Very very disturbing, very upsetting not only what we are seeing but also the fact that they got out.'

Richard Allen, 50, is accused of killing Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13, while they were hiking through Indiana 's Delphi Historic Trails on 13 February 2017

Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13. Their bodies were discovered and the case puzzled police for years - until a bullet found at the bloody crime scene linked Allen to the slayings in 2022

Greenlee told Fox News: 'Crime-scene photos obviously serve an investigative purpose, and the evidence depicted in these pictures can be used to potentially demonstrate the guilt of a particular individual.

'So, obviously, it is very important for a jury to see these photos and these images.'

It's understood that the crime scene images, which have been dispersed on the internet, could harm Allen's case.

Greenlee added: 'Anybody who wanted to could copy [the photos] and do anything they want with them, including emailing the family members or doing other harassing things.

'And in addition to the pain it would cause the family members, it would also potentially infringe upon Richard Allen's rights because  people seeing these pictures could get inflamed with anger and passion and that could potentially taint the jury pool.'

Cain said: 'We contacted police to let them know that there had been a serious breach of discovery in the case. And we also sent an email to the defense team, letting them know.

Lawyer Kevin Greenlee and Aine Cain, a journalist, run 'The Murder Sheet' podcast. They said they received the horrible scene photos from a source

'At that time, we had no idea where the leak was coming from, so we really felt it was important to let both sides know what was happening so that they could both address it and perhaps look into where  the leak originated from.'

They allege that the images came from a former employee of attorney Andrew Baldwin, who is part of Richard Allens defense team. Baldwin has not commented, citing a court-enforced gag order.

Now Judge Francis Gull has ordered both sides of the case into court in Fort Wayne on Thursday. The hearing is to address 'other matters which have recently arisen.'

Shay Hughes of the Tippecanoe County Public Defenders Office, who knows Allen's lawyer, told Fox59 that 'the investigation into the leak needs to play its course and then its up to the state to how they want to address it later on.'

Allen's trial is set for January 8, 2024.

But if his defense lawyers are potentially removed, this could cause a delay.

Greenlee told the outlet: 'If Judge Gull chooses to remove his defense attorneys, his trial which is scheduled to begin in January, it will certainly not begin in January because these new attorneys are going to need to take time, months or perhaps a year or more, just to learn the case.

'So his pre-trial detention period is just going to grow even longer through no direct fault of his own.'

Podcaster Cain added: 'I think that the fact that this leak comes from the defense attorneys side, it makes it a little bit more complicated because theyre the ones fighting the system and this happened.

'I think in general, this case has become a circus and its driven by social media to a large degree.

'I think were seeing the dark side of the curiosity here because what youre having is people that are putting their own need for information and their own essentially personal gratification above the health and well-being of the case and this brief certainly speaks to that underlying trend.

'I think that social media has inflamed this case at every turn and I think that its a double-edged sword. You have the sheer amount of crankery that has occurred.'

This comes as lawyers for the suspected Delphi killer claim that Liberty German and Abigail Williams were 'ritualistically sacrificed' in bombshell court filings.

Unsealed legal documents sensationally claim that the two teenagers were killed by members of a pagan Norse religion and white nationalist group called 'Odinism.'

Attorneys for Allen are asking Allen County Judge Frances Gull to throw out evidence collected during a search of his home before his arrest last year.

His team argues that authorities left out important information in their request for a search warrant, including the link to Odinism.

The newly unsealed filings state: 'Members of a pagan Norse religion, called Odinism, hijacked by white nationalists, ritualistically sacrificed Abigail Williams and Liberty German.'

Bradley Rozzi and Andrew Baldwin are requesting a Franks hearing, which means they have reason to believe investigators withheld information from a judge or intentionally lied in order to get the search warrant approved.

Their filing, which is more than 130 pages, have questioned the validity of the search warrant and is pushing for Allen to be moved to a different facility, in a separate motion.

It claims that a report by the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit found the 'individual(s) responsible for the homicides were involved in Nordic beliefs.'

Abby was seen in a Snapchat video posted by her friend Libby in February 2017, moments before both were murdered

Libby's iPhone was discovered under her body in 2017, and contained the 43-second video that helped investigators piece the case together.

Search warrants show that investigators searched Allen's home in Delphi, including outbuildings, a shed and his car, looking for firearms and knives.

They also scoured the home for electronic devices, clothing and a specific cell phone.

Law enforcement recovered numerous items, including boots, multiple knives and sweatshirts, multiple cell phones, an iPod, a hard drive, laptop and other electronics.

An affidavit released in November 2022 shows that an unspent .40 caliber round was found between the teenagers' bodies, and it was later linked to Allen's Sig Sauer Model P226 firearm through forensic evidence.

Prosecutors believe the gun links Allen directly to the case, after forensics determined a bullet found next to the girl's bodies had cycled through his gun.

Kathy Allen also confirmed to police that her husband owned several guns and knives, as well as a blue Carhartt jacket similar to the one worn by 'Bridge Guy.'

He has pleaded not guilty to both counts of murder, his defense attorney Andrew Baldwin previously said Allen was the 'wrong guy' and the sealed probable cause affidavit is 'flimsy' adding: 'You expect more than what I saw.'

Prosecutors have not named any potential accomplices. Ron Logan, who died in 2022, had long been the prime suspect in the killings after the girls' bodies were found on his property, and Kegan Kline was also named as a possible murderer.

Both girls' bodies were discovered on Logan's property - just 1,400ft from his house - and it was revealed over the summer that his alibi for the day of the murder did not line up.

His home was searched and he was arrested shortly after the killings, but he was released and never charged.

The voice in a clip released by police of a man talking to the girls shortly before their deaths was described as being 'not inconsistent' with that of Logan, the FBI investigation concluded.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel's murderer Thomas Cashman is launching another appeal against his 42-year jail sentence - just months after failing in a desperate bid to have his term reduced.

Cashman, then 34, was jailed for life with a minimum term in April after being found guilty of shooting nine-year-old Olivia dead at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on August 22 last year.

He was chasing convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee, who tried to run into the girl's home in a bid to escape. Cashman opened fire, hitting Olivia's mother in the wrist as she tried to keep the door shut on Nee, with the same bullet then killing her daughter.

Cashman - who sparked fury when he refused to appear in the dock for sentencing - tried to challenge his 42-year minimum prison term less than 20 days after being jailed but it was rejected by a judge without a hearing earlier this year.

But Court of Appeal staff confirmed today that Cashman will be renewing his appeal bid at a hearing in London on November 15.

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's murderer Thomas Cashman (pictured) is launching another appeal against his 42-year jail sentence

Cashman, 34, was jailed for life with a minimum term after being found guilty of shooting nine-year-old Olivia (pictured) dead at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on August 22 last year

After Cashman lost his first appeal, Olivia's mother Cheryl Korbel said: 'That news meant everything to us as a family, it was huge.'

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In May, Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC said Cashman, a high-level Liverpool drug dealer, would not have his jail term increased.

It came after a number of requests were made for the father-of-two's prison time to be lengthened via the unduly lenient sentence scheme.

Mr Tomlinson said that Olivia's 'senseless murder' had 'shocked and sickened the nation', but added: 'Having received detailed legal advice and considered the issues raised very carefully, I have concluded Cashman's case cannot properly be referred to the Court of Appeal'.

Cheryl, 48, told The Mirror when he lost his application: 'We knew when he didn't show up in court that he was going to appeal it.'

Cashman, a high-level Liverpool drug dealer, reportedly launched an appeal less than 20 days after being handed the life sentence, which his lawyers argued was too harsh.

Cheryl said: 'I laughed when I heard he had appealed his sentence, I just thought it was a joke, we went right through court and then he never turned up for his sentence.'

Cheryl Pratt-Korbel has campaigned for a change in the law after her daughter's killer did not show up for his sentencing

An artist's sketch of Thomas Cashman in the dock at Manchester Crown Court on March 30

Cashman was branded a 'coward' for his refusal to come into Manchester Crown Court to be sentenced and face Olivia's family.

Olivia's mother is among those campaigning for a change in the law to allow judges to force offenders to attend sentencing hearings, after Cashman refused to come up to the dock when he was sentenced.

In August, she met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to hear the news that the government has pledged to introduce new laws requiring offenders to appear in court to be sentenced.

The authorities will also be able to use 'reasonable force' to make those convicted appear in court - demonstrating to victims and relatives that justice has been done.

The announcement comes after neo-natal nurse Lucy Letby refused to attend her own sentencing for murdering multiple babies. Many other criminals, including Cashman, have also shunned key hearings.

Cheryl joined the families of Elle Edwards, Zara Aleena and Sabina Nessa in demanding a law change to stop 'cowardly' offenders from 'hiding' when they are sentenced.

Mr Sunak met Cheryl Korbel in Downing Street in August to discuss harsher sentencing rules in court

Cheryl said she hoped that Olivia was 'proud of what we've done'.

'Because at the end of the day, it's in her name, it's why we've done this. And not only in her name, it's for every other family out there that has gone through it.

'We just hope it gets changed so no one else has to go through it,' she told ITV.

Cashman's trial heard how he 'lay in wait' with two guns to attack 36-year-old Nee.

After shooting Nee, his victim tried to escape, running towards the Korbels' front door, opened by Cheryl who had gone outside to see what was happening.

As she tried to block the door on Nee, frightened Olivia ran from her bed to the stairs, shouting, 'Mum, I'm scared!'

Cashman fired again, hitting Cheryl in the wrist as she tried to keep the door shut on Nee. The same bullet hit and killed her daughter, who was hiding behind her.

Jailing him, Mrs Justice Yip said the killer was 'not of previous good character', had made it clear he was a criminal and had 'demonstrated no remorse' during his trial.

She added: 'His failure to come into court is further evidence of that.'
In July, Paris' mayor faced pressure to lock the park at night after an alleged rape

The woman was staying overnight with a friend in Paris when she was attacked

A British police officer has said she was raped at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower on Monday.

The victim, 23, has told French police she was attacked by a man wielding a knife in the Champ de Mars park shortly before midnight that evening.

She said the suspect pulled out a knife as she tried to deflect his advances.

After the man fled, she called the police. An anti-crime squad rushed to the scene and the victim was taken care of by firefighters.

Police arrested a 35-year-old man around an hour after the woman reported the attack and gave a description of the suspect.

A British police officer has said she was raped at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower on Monday

The victim, 23, told French police she was attacked by a man wielding a knife in the Champ de Mars park

The victim was a tourist staying overnight with a friend in the French capital, according to Le Parisien.

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The attacker pounced after the victim went behind a bush to go to the toilet.

She was separated from her friend for only a few moments when the attacker threatened her with a knife.

Police officers arrested a man and a suspect was taken into custody overnight.

In July, a tourist from Mexico reported that she had been raped at a park near the famous monument.

A 27-year-old woman told authorities the attack occurred in the early hours of July 27 at the Champ de Mars park in Paris.

Two of the five men were arrested for their alleged involvement in the rape but were released shortly after.

The Champ de Mars is a large garden that extends from the Eiffel Tower and is hugely popular with tourists and locals.

It will be a key site during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris when beach volleyball is to be held at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and judo and wrestling at the temporary Arena Champ de Mars at the other end of the park.

Unlike most Paris parks which close during the night, the Champ de Mars can be accessed round-the-clock.

The reported rape has revived pressure on Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo to close the park at night for safety reasons.

The city's mayor has faced pressure to close the park at night after an alleged rape there during the summer

France is on its highest state of alert after a deadly knife attack in northern France last Friday

Police have been pictured patrolling the area around the Eiffel Tower in recent days after the decision to put the nation on its highest state of alert after a deadly knife attack in northern France on Friday, October 13.

Mohammed, a 20-year-old Chechen refugee, stabbed a French schoolteacher to death and injured two other people in a knife attack at a school in Arras.

France deployed an additional 7,000 troops to patrol key areas after the attack.

Earlier today, the Palace of Versailles was evacuated due to a bomb threat.

It is the second time in days that the former French royal residence has been evacuated.
More than 26,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, new figures revealed today.

Six dinghies carrying 185 men, women and some children were intercepted by Border Force yesterday.

They were the first to make the crossing in a week due to poor weather conditions, and were brought onshore at the Port of Dover.

Yesterday's arrivals take the number of migrants to arrive so far in 2023 to 26,168 in 552 boats. This compares to 45,755 in 2022 and 28,526 in 2021.

It came as food supplies were brought aboard the Bibby Stockholm in Portland in preparation for asylum seekers being returned to the vessel after Legionella was found in the water supply.

Six dinghies carrying 185 men, women and some children were intercepted by Border Force yesterday, bringing the total arrivals for this year up to 45,755

The Home Office have said all necessary tests have been completed on the barge, which has been out of use since August.

Letters have been sent to asylum seekers confirming their re-embarkation, which will reportedly take place later this week.

On Tuesday, a supply van was seen arriving at Portland Port, where the barge is moored, with food including fresh vegetables being brought on board.

A Home Office spokesman said previously: '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 move comes after local councillor Carralyn Parkes lost a High Court fight with Home Secretary Suella Braverman over the lawfulness of housing of asylum seekers on the barge.

It came as food supplies were brought aboard the Bibby Stockholm in Portland in preparation for asylum seekers being returned to the vessel after Legionella was found in the water supply

The Home Office have said all necessary tests have been completed on the barge, which has been out of use since August

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 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.

Mr Justice Holgate had considered arguments at a High Court hearing in London on Tuesday and ruled in the Government's favour the following day, saying Mrs Parkes did not have an arguable case.
Natasha Hodgkinson, 24, has had to send her son to hospital three times

A mother living with her two children and her mother in a mouldy home claims she is terrified for her son who has suffered 'whooping cough and just not being able to breathe'.

Natasha Hodgkinson, 24, who lives in the flat with both of her sons, Javell, six, and Jayshai, one, as well as her mother in Sydenham, south-east London, claims that she has endured the mould for the past five years.

The young mother said she continually reports the 'disgustingly humid' conditions to the housing association that owns the property, but the problems prevail.

Mould, which is caused by excess moisture, produce allergens and, sometimes, toxic substances, which can lead to respiratory problems and conditions affecting the immune system, according to the NHS.

Ms Hodgkinson says that her son has been admitted to hospital three times and prescribed a 'stronger inhaler' after having 'episodes of a whooping cough' and struggling to breathe.

Natasha Hodgkinson, 24, pictured with her two sons Javell, six, and Jayshai, one, at their home in Sydenham, south-east London

The housing association tenant has also made the shocking claim that she has found rat droppings in her son's bed

Ms Hodgkinson told MyLondon: 'My son has been admitted to hospital three times now and he has just been prescribed a stronger inhaler. I'm done with it.

'I am on my last leg, I am so worried my son is going to pass because of this situation because they are not addressing it. I am starting to feel very depressed.'

'My son was having episodes of a whooping cough and just not being able to breathe'

After giving birth to her eldest son, Javell, Natasha moved back in to the two-bedroom flat with her mother. She recalled how even then it was humid and she reported this to Hyde Housing Association, the landlord.

Now, she lives in the property with both her sons, Javell, 6, and Jayshai, 1, as well as her mother. Natasha and the boys share a bunkbed and they all currently sleep in the same bedroom as her mum's room is very damp.

She said: 'It got to a point where my son was having episodes of a whooping cough and just not being able to breathe. An ambulance came and the staff said it is disgustingly humid in here.'

'I've now found rat droppings in [my son's] bed'

Ms Hodgkinson pictured at her 'mould-infested' home in south London

She added: 'We've requested they move us and they are not trying to help. My son's asthma has got 20 times worse and I've now found rat droppings in his bed.'

Earlier this year, after Natasha sued Hyde for 4,000, they were moved to a hotel so work could be done in the flat and a leak in the bathroom could be fixed. They moved out of the property on March 20, 2023 and returned six weeks later.

Natasha claims: 'They have literally wiped down the mould and repainted, that's all they've done. We have come back and they have left holes in the back of the kitchen units and the plumbing has not been done. They've also left my ceiling half painted.'

'I stepped on [a rat] in the dark when I was going to the toilet at night'

She told MyLondon that she has been told by environmental health that they should not be living in the property. Since their return, her mum's stuff remains tied up in plastic bags to try and stop it from getting ruined due to the condition of her bedroom.

The bedroom of Ms Hodgkinson's home, where she lives with her two young sons and mother

After spotting the rats, pest control have also attended the flat. Natasha said: 'I stepped on one in the dark when I was going to the toilet at night.. I was so scared.

'We've caught about six of them. I'm just so tired, I can't even sleep at night because I'm so scared.'

She is worried that her younger son Jayshai is now also developing a bad cough and wants her family to be moved so that their health does not decline.

She added: 'They will propose to decant and move us in again in six weeks, I cant be unsettled anymore. It's not fair. It's ruining my livelihood.'

Steve Austin, head of property maintenance said: 'I'd like to apologise to our customer for the mould in her home - I know how distressing issues with damp and mould are. The work we carried out on our customer's home was completed in March this year.

'We carried out a mould treatment, and redecorated the living room, bedrooms, hallway, kitchen and bathroom. The heating system was also upgraded.

'We need to finish off some work in the toilet. We decorated the room, but could not complete a small area.

'There was a leak from the property above, we were unable to gain access, and have passed to our repairs team. We visited our customer's home this morning to make sure that there were no issues.

'We carried out further mould treatment on some surfaces, and identified some new issues, which started after we completed the earlier work, which we'll fix as soon as possible.'

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: 'We have been working closely with this tenant and Hyde Housing to resolve the issues facing this property.

'We served a formal improvement notice in February 2023 after repair works were not carried out in the required time period and were subsequently informed by the tenant that works were carried out in March 2023.

'Having been alerted to further issues at the property this month, we will be inspecting the property and work with the tenant and Hyde Housing to ensure these issues are addressed.'
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul said Monday that his committee is drafting legislation to green light U.S. military force in the Middle East if the conflict between Israel and Hamas becomes a wider proxy war with Iran.

McCaul's comment, made during an interview with CNN, came as the White House announced President Joe Biden would travel to Israel and Jordan in an effort to calm tensions as the crisis deepens.

The Texas Republican wouldn't say if the White House had asked his committee to draw up an official 'Authorization of Use for Military Force,' telling the network: 'I don't want to confirm that. It's just that there is concern that - we, I'm currently, we're currently drafting one in the event it's necessary.'

He also told CNN he hoped the U.S. wouldn't have to put boots on the ground.

'I hope I never have to mark this bill up,' McCaul said. 'But we have a situation in the Middle East that's growing day by day with intensity and if Hezbollah gets involved, Iran has already threatened if Gaza is, you know, if Israel goes, you know, if [Israel Defense Force] goes into Gaza that they're gonna come out.'

Israeli soldiers are positioned in tanks near the border of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul said Monday that his committee is drafting legislation to green light U.S. military force in the Middle East if the conflict deepens

House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul said on CNN that his committee is drafting an Authorization of Use for Military Force in case the current crisis in the Middle East grows into a proxy war with Iran

Hezbollah is the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group that has been exchanging fire with Israel at the country's northern border.

Sources told Reuters that last week's Hezbollah attacks had, so far, been designed to be contained to avoid another major war.

Israel's defense minister expressed Sunday that Israel had no interest in waging a war on its northern border.

At the same time, the Pentagon has reportedly selected 2,000 troops for a deployment to the Middle East, with officials saying Monday that they would serve in a medical or advisory role and not engaged in combat.

Additionally, the Pentagon sent a second carrier strike group, centered around the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, toward the eastern Mediterranean on Friday.

A carrier strike group is a naval force comprised of an aircraft carrier at its center, as well as support ships and attack submarines.

The U.S. military has 11 carrier strike groups, each with enough firepower to match the militaries of many small and midsize countries.

Sailors man the rails of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group deployed from Norfolk, Virginia on Friday and will join the USS Gerald R. Ford in the eastern Mediterranean

The USS Gerald R. Ford (pictured) was ordered to the region on Sunday, October 8, hours after Hamas' violent terrorist attack on Israel

The carrier strike group centered around the USS Gerald R. Ford had already deployed to the region.

It's considered the most advanced aircraft carrier in the fleet.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford on Sunday, October 8, in the hours following Hamas' brutal terrorist attack that kickstarted the current crisis.

Since then more than 1,500 Israelis have lost their lives.

In Gaza, more than 3,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Thirty Americans have been killed in the conflict.

The presence of the Navy's two most powerful warships is supposed to serve as a deterrent to Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, to stand down.

McCaul told CNN he was reluctant to name Iran in the Authorization of Use for Military Force initial draft.

'I'd prefer not to put Iran as a nation state in there. It would be more Iran proxies, you know, like Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran-backed Shiia militias, but if Iran gets directly involved, then we would have to put them on the list,' he said.
Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley has apologised after he sparked outrage for asking a British-Palestinian MP if she knew about Hamas's terror attack on Israel before it happened.

Layla Moran, whose family are trapped in Gaza as Israel prepare a land invasion, was seemingly taken aback by Madeley's question and GMB viewers called for the presenter to be 'pulled off air' as they lodged complaints to media watchdog Ofcom.

He has now apologised for the remarks made to the Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, with a statement from a Good Morning Britain spokesperson saying he is 'sorry that he has upset viewers'.

The spokesperson added that his intention was to 'understand the mood and atmosphere' of the situation before the barbaric attacks launched by Hamas on October 7 and 'he did not mean to imply that she or her family might have had any prior knowledge of the attacks'.

Ms Moran was appearing as a guest on the flagship ITV breakfast show when Madeley asked: 'With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen ten days ago, two weeks ago? Was there any word on the street?'

Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley (pictured) has apologised after he sparked outrage for asking a British-Palestinian MP if she knew about Hamas's terror attack on Israel before it happened.

Madeley asked Britain's first British-Palestinian MP: 'With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen ten days ago, two weeks ago? Was there there any word on the street?'

Hamas terrorists fire rockets towards Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 11. Israel is preparing a full invasion by land, sea and air in retaliation

A Good Morning Britain spokesperson said regarding the incident this morning: 'Richard is sorry that he has upset viewers with his question to Layla Moran. His intention was to understand the mood and atmosphere amongst the civilian population of Gaza immediately before the attacks.

MP Layla Moran's family Layla Moran is Britain's first ever Palestinian MP. Her immediate family are Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, while she has extended family members in Gaza City. She has spoken about her family members being trapped in Gaza - and how she and her sister are trying to get news from their relatives every day as they run out of food and have been reduced to drinking water. Ms Moran's mother Randa is Palestinian while her father James is British. He joined the EU Commission when she was one and the family moved to Brussels. Her mother's family are originally Greek but they moved to Palestine and then Jordan after the diaspora in the 60s. Her great-grandfather was the Palestinian writer Wasif Jawhariyyeh, who wrote memoirs about Palestinian life under Ottoman and British rule. Advertisement

'He asked Layla about her family in Gaza City because she had discussed speaking to them earlier in the interview. He did not mean to imply that she or her family might have had any prior knowledge of the attacks.'

It is also understood that Ms Moran appreciated the interview and would love to go back on the show.

Following Mr Madeley's question, Ms Moran - whose father is a British diplomat, and mother a Christian Palestinian from Jerusalem - replied: 'Not this, not this. I think everyone, everyone has been surprised first of all by the timing and sophistication and the way that it's happened.'

As the first British-Palestinian MP, she added: 'What I will say is that I've been warning, and others have in Parliament as well for a number of years now, that if we don't find a way... People say "go back to the negotiating table".'

'The fact of the matter is there has not been a table, let alone to go back to a negotiating table for at least ten years now.

'This is a cycle of violence. Every time there is a cycle of violence, my worry now is that this is radicalising another generation on all sides. We have to stop this hatred. We have to bring people together and find a way through... Peace is harder than war.'

Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel ten days ago, killing more than 1,400 people and taking scores of hostages including grandmothers, women and children.

Fellow MP Florence Eshalomi said: 'I just saw the clip from @GMB interviews this morning. Richard Madeley is actually disgraceful. I was in the chamber yesterday but sadly I didn't get an opportunity to speak in the statement.

The Labour & Co-op MP added: 'Solidarity with @LaylaMoran for having to endure this racist line of questioning.'

Outraged viewers also fumed at Madeley's comments and several have said they have reported him to Ofcom. MailOnline contacted Ofcom for comment but details of complaints will not be released until tomorrow.

One user said: 'Such an appalling, indefensible question from Richard Madeley. How on earth would Layla Moran know what Hamas was planning?

'The Israeli intelligence services claim they didn't even know! Good Morning Britain please sack Richard Madeley.'

Another posted: 'DID RICHARD MADELEY JUST ASK A PALESTINIAN MP IF SHE KNEW ABOUT THE ATTACKS BEFORE IT HAPPENED?? Absolutely VILE and OFFENSIVE! He should apologise or be taken off.'

A third wrote: 'He should be fired for this.' A fourth added: 'Richard Madeley needs to be taken off the air. This is deeply offensive.'

Layla Moran (pictured at a rally in November 2018) is Britain's first Palestinian MP

Several people, including MP Florence Eshalomi, condemned Madeley for his line of questioning

Others urged people to report the interview to media watchdog Ofcom after the backlash

And a fifth tweeted: 'Madeley should be sacked, today, for this.'

MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.

Earlier on in the show, Ms Moran, fearing for her family, declared: 'I don't believe it's right that my family are being held to account for what Hamas has done'.

She said members of her extended family are 'too old' and frightened to flee after their home was bombed by Israeli forces.

The MP said of Israel's bombing campaign with a land invasion on the way: 'Two wrongs do not make a right in this situation'.

She added: 'My immediate family is from the West Bank, but we have extended family in Gaza City'.

Ms Moran said her relatives are stranded in a church, they have 'no food and no water', 'have nowhere to go' and are 'too old' to move'.

'They are there because an Israeli bomb hit their house. They have heard that there have been convoys of people who have also been hit. They just don't feel safe to move.'

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has said that members of her extended family in Gaza had their home bombed but are 'too old' to flee the area

The politician says her family are in a church and too scared to move

'I don't believe it's right that my family are being held to account for what Hamas has done. It is a choice to turn off the electricity and the water like they have done.'

When it was put to her that the Israelis are using it as 'leverage' to force Hamas to release hostages, the MP added: 'They must releases those hostages, not a hair on their heads harmed. But that doesn't make it ok that people like my family are impacted. Two wrongs do not make a right in this situation.'

Rishi Sunak yesterday backed Israel's 'absolute' right to defend itself - as he revealed six British citizens were killed and ten are still missing in the wake of the 'pogrom' by Hamas.

This morning a 13-year-old British girl, who disappeared after Hamas attacked Be'eri Kibbutz and killed her mother Lianne, was confirmed dead by her heartbroken family. Her 16-year-old sister and their father remain missing.

In a sombre statement to the Commons, the Prime Minister said the UK would not try to 'prescribe' how Israel should respond in the face of the terror group's barbaric assault.

He said that 'as a friend', the UK would urge Israel to 'take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians' as it seeks to root out Hamas from its strongholds in Gaza.

But he warned that critics of Israel had to recognise that Hamas bears responsibility for the bloodshed and is now using ordinary Palestinians as 'human shields'.

The PM said that men, women, children and even babies had been 'murdered, mutilated and burned alive' by Hamas, adding: 'We should call it by its name - it was a pogrom.'

'I believe we must support, absolutely, Israel's right to defend itself,' he said. 'To go after Hamas, take back the hostages, deter further incursions, and strengthen its security for the long term.

'But this must be done in line with international humanitarian law but also recognising that they face a vicious enemy that embeds itself behind civilians.'

In a sombre statement to the Commons, the Prime Minister said the UK would not 'prescribe' how Israel should respond to the terror group's barbaric assault

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote a message of goodwill to the people of Israel, whilst visiting a north London Jewish school

The PM said that 'at least' six British nationals had been killed in the conflict, with a further ten 'missing', some of them thought to have been kidnapped by Hamas.

Announcing an extra 10million in humanitarian aid for Palestine, he said civilians in Gaza were 'victims of Hamas too'.

He was backed by Sir Keir Starmer, who said Israel had been 'the victim of terrorism on an almost unimaginable scale'.

The Labour leader also offered support to Israel saying that 'while Hamas have the capability to carry out attacks on Israel's territory there can be no peace'.

Mr Sunak also tried to offer direct reassurance to the Jewish community that the Government and police would act in response to the 'sickening' rise in anti-Semitic incidents in recent days.

'This atrocity was an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland of the Jewish people,' he said. 'I understand why it has shaken you to your core.'

The PM condemned 'unacceptable' scenes at some UK protests where demonstrators openly celebrated the Hamas attacks - and warned that anyone identified would face 'the full force of the law'.

Earlier, Home Secretary Suella Braverman suggested that pro-Palestinian protesters could face prosecution if they continue chanting: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.'

Mrs Braverman said the slogan, which was heard at demonstrations across the country last week, was 'widely understood as a demand for the destruction of Israel. Attempts to pretend otherwise are disingenuous'.

She said 'mainstream groups' had dropped the 'intimidating' chant decades ago, adding: 'The slogan was taken up by Islamists, including Hamas, and remains a staple of antisemitic discourse.

'To hear it shouted in public causes alarm not just to Jews but to all decent people. Those who promote hate on Britain's streets should realise that our tolerance has limits.'

Her comments will pile pressure on the police and prosecutors to take more account of the context of anti-Israel protests in the wake of the massacres by Hamas.

Mr Sunak said it was right to recognise that it was also 'a moment of great anguish for British Muslim communities, who are appalled by Hamas's actions but fearful of the response.' Mr Sunak faced repeated calls from MPs to outlaw Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which has been blamed for sponsoring the Hamas attacks.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman suggested pro-Palestinian protesters could face prosecution if they chanted: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'

Former defence secretary Liam Fox said: 'If the fingers on the trigger were Hamas, the strings being pulled were from Tehran.'

Fellow Tory Bob Blackman said the Hamas attack 'was clearly well-planned, well-resourced, well-equipped and had been planned for many months'.

He added: 'It is beyond belief that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps who fund and support Hamas were not behind this whole operation.'

The PM said British spy planes and warships had been dispatched to the region in part to prevent Iran supplying weapons to anti-Israel terror groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

But he swerved questions about why the Government has still not banned the Revolutionary Guard.

British officials have been pressing for Egypt to open the Rafah crossing with Gaza to allow Britons, dual nationals, as well as their spouses and children, to flee, and to allow humanitarian aid into its more than two million people.
A group of friends experienced a few minutes of havoc in one of San Francisco's driverless cars last week

A group of friends experienced a few minutes of havoc in one of San Francisco's driverless cars last week

A group of friends traveling in a driverless car last week experienced a few minutes of havoc in San Francisco.

The unidentified passengers were chatting about their trip when the vehicle appeared to suffer a technical glitch.

Footage shows the car suddenly swerving towards the sidewalk and coming to an abrupt halt.

The group are hearing laughing, with one person saying: 'Omg I don't think this was intended! Mate, what have you done to us.'

Another replies: 'Umm, that was kind of scary.'

A group of friends experienced a few minutes of havoc in one of San Francisco's driverless cars last week

The unidentified passengers were chatting about their trip the vehicle appeared to suffer a technical glitch

The car headed straight toward pedestrians using the sidewalk

The group are hearing laughing, with one person saying: 'Omg I don't think this was intended! Mate, what have you done to us'

The car then begins to move again and reverses itself on the main road while standing at an intersection, with one person heard yelling: 'Go left, please!'

Video, shared by Howbout, then shows a truck on the side of the street, waiting to go by. The car straightens itself and stops for a couple of seconds. Ultimately, it seems to have regained its sense of direction and starts to drive on the street.

In the end, the group is heard laughing and one of them says: 'Anyway, the future is now.'

It is understood the vehicle belongs to a line of driverless Cruise taxis. The company told DailyMail.com: 'The AV made a late decision to re-route and was not able to achieve the desired trajectory. The AV then came to a stop out of the flow of traffic and reached out to remote assistance.

The overall scenario was resolved quickly and the ride continued otherwise as planned.'

Only weeks ago the San Francisco Travel Association embraced the futuristic vehicles and invited travelers to experience the new thrill.

The cars have been around for two years in California and about a month ago, regulators in the state approved 24/7 access to Waymo and Cruise taxis.

Cruise taxis are Chevrolet Bolts that operate with a browser-based tool called Webviz.

Their competitors Waymo taxis are all-electric Jaguar-IPACEs operated by their fifth generation 'driver'.

It is understood the vehicle belongs to a line of driverless Cruise taxis

Forbes reported that in January 'Waymo reached one million miles of public autonomous driving with no human monitor in the vehicle', and Cruise reached the same milestone in February.

Waymo, which was formally known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project, started in 2009 and operates in Metro Phoenix and San Francisco, with plans to expand to Los Angeles and Texas.

Though there are no physical drivers in the cars, Waymo has crafted its very own programed driver in the hardware and software of each vehicle.

'Together, our hardware and software work in concert to paint a complete picture of the world around the car and enable us to navigate roads safely,' said the company's website.

Similar to rideshares, a Waymo autonomous car can be ordered on their app, but in the Metro Phoenix area rides come right away, while in San Francisco, a rider is notified when a vehicle is available.

Cruise taxis are Chevrolet Bolts that came out in November of 2021 after the founder Kevin Voyt launched the company in 2013.

The vehicles use the Webviz program, a tool that AV engineers use to see the world from a car's point of view. The program is designed to track everything going on around the car, as a driver would.

Though many have shown interest in these new futuristic vehicles, quite a bit of controversy has surrounded them.

On August 21, a Cruise vehicle that had a green light, entered an intersection, and was hit by a fire truck responding to a call.

The week prior, another Cruise driverless vehicle drove directly into wet cement and became stuck.

Ten driverless cars also stopped working near a music festival in San Francisco's North Beach causing a massive traffic jam which the company blamed on 'wireless connectivity issues.'

The firm thinks a nearby music festival may have overloaded telecommunications networks.

Though many have shown interest in these new futuristic vehicles, quite a bit of controversy has surrounded them

Since the firetruck incident, General Motors has announced that they have cut their driverless car fleet in half.

In the beginning of September, another two Cruise driverless taxis blocked an ambulance that was carrying a car crash victim and delayed response time to the hospital.

The victim, who remains unknown, passed away from 'significant lower extremity injuries' shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The company fired back at the fire department saying that their vehicles had made a path for emergency teams.

President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Aaron Peskin also told the Times that the number of incidents involving driverless cars was alarming regardless of what led to the victim dying.

Peskin said: 'All of them have a common theme, which is autonomous vehicles are not ready for prime time.'
A hospital has been evacuated in a town southeast of Perth and residents told to leave as a bushfire threatens homes.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued an emergency warning for Corrigin on Tuesday afternoon after the blaze intensified.

People in the danger area were told to leave for a safer place or, if they could not, to prepare to shelter in their homes.

Staff and patients have been evacuated from Corrigin Health Service and the facility will remain closed until further notice, the department said.

'Everyone is safe and well and we are in the process of contacting impacted families,' a statement read.

People in need of medical assistance were advised to call triple zero or go to Narembeen Health Service, about 70km away.

The emergency warning area is bound by a number of roads including Brookton-Corrigin, Dry Well, Heal, Bruce Rock-Corrigin, Corrigin-Kondinin, Dilling and Rabbit Proof Fence Road.

People in eastern parts of Corrigin were issued with a 'watch and act' alert and also advised to leave if they were not prepared to defend their homes.

The department said the fire started at the intersection of Brookton-Corrigin Rd and Jose Rd.
Sweden has said one of its telecommunications cables was damaged at the same time a pipeline between Finland and Estonia developed a mystery leak.

The cable connecting Sweden with Estonia was mysteriously damaged at the same time as the subsea gas pipeline Baltic Connector and another telecom cable, Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said today.

The Baltic Connector as well as its sister phone cable are expected to be out of service for months after Finnish authorities discovered it had been damaged on October 8 - coinciding with the damage to Sweden's telecom cable, according to Bohlin.

This comes after Estonian state broadcaster ERR said earlier today that the Chinese container ship Newnew Polar Bear was close to the pipeline at the key moment the damage occured.

Previous reports had focused on possible Russian sabotage to the gas pipeline, but Vladimir Putin described the charge as 'complete nonsense' despite the presence of the Russian oil tanker SGV Float close to the scene.

Estonian state broadcaster ERR said the container ship Newnew Polar Bear (pictured above) was closer to the pipeline at the key moment

The 94-mile-long Baltic Connector pipeline (part of which is pictured above) supplies a third of Finland's gas demands

But now Estonian daily Postimees said the Chinese vessel - sailing under the Hong Kong flag but belonging to China - was in the vicinity of the Baltic Connector pipeline when 'seismic' activity was recorded in the area.

It was 'much closer' than the Russian ship eight days ago when the leak was caused by 'strong mechanical force' in the Gulf of Finland.

The Estonian authorities were reported to have been slow to voice concrete suspicions because the information 'is so politically and diplomatically sensitive that they want to make absolutely sure first'.

The container ship was returning from Shanghai with a stop in Russian Baltic exclave Kaliningrad on its way to St Petersburg, it was reported.

Estonia has not yet challenged China at diplomatic level.

The reinforced ice class vessel is due to carry 62 large containers from St Petersburg to China, via the Northern Sea Route, to the north of Siberia.

Putin mocked the Western suspicion of Russia.

'Frankly speaking, I did not even know this [Baltic Connector] gas pipe exists,' he said. 'It could have been anything They might have hit it with some kind of hook. I don't know . . . There might have been an earthquake. I don't know, let them investigate.'

He claimed the West was seeking to mask its involvement - unproven - in explosions which damaged the Russian-built Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea last year.

'These claims have only one purpose: to cover up the terrorist act committed by the West against the Nord Stream gas pipelines,' he said.

Estonian daily Postimees said the vessel (pictured here) - sailing under the Hong Kong flag but belonging to China - was in the vicinity of the Baltic Connector pipeline when 'seismic' activity was recorded in the area

Finnish defence sources previously said the government considered the possibility of Russian interference from the beginning

Probes by Germany, Sweden and Denmark have so far failed to pinpoint the blame. Leaks from the German investigation focus attention on a Ukrainian link. Russia has variously blamed Britain and the US.

While no official cause has yet been announced, Finnish defence sources told the Iltalehti newspaper that from the beginning of their enquiries, the government considered it possible that Russia sabotaged the key pipeline.

READ MORE: Finland suspects Russia is to blame as gas pipeline and phone cable connecting the country with Estonia is damaged Advertisement

Finland's president, Sauli Niinisto, said in a statement: 'It is likely that the damage to both the 94-mile-long gas pipe and the communication cable is the result of external activity.'

He said that Finland was cooperating with Estonia to investigate the root of the problem, adding that he had spoken with NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said on X, formerly Twitter: 'NATO is sharing information and stands ready to support allies concerned.'

Several other countries have also announced that they are standing by Finland and Estonia.

Sweden's foreign affairs minister, Tobias Billstrom, said: 'Sweden stands with our Nordic-Baltic colleagues and are ready to offer any help regarding the damage to undersea infrastructure.'

And Latvia's president, Edgars Rinkevics, said he was 'very concerned about reports that the damage to the gas pipeline and the data cable between Finland and Estonia is caused by external activity.

'Looking forward to the results of the investigation.' he added.

Russia is known for sending spy ships into Nordic waters

The pipeline is able to send up to 2.6 billion cubic metres of natural gas every year, enough to power up to a third of Finland's gas demand.

Relations between Finland, one of the newest members of NATO, and Russia are fraught.

Earlier this year, Finland expelled nine Russian diplomats from the country for allegedly working with Russian intelligence.

And last year, it was reported that the navies of both Finland and Sweden were stepping up their preparations for if Russia decides to attack either of their energy grids.

Russian submarines and 'research vessels', which are reportedly used to disguise espionage activity, are often seen off Finland's coast.
Waiters at a national steak chain have launched a petition to stop the company from taking hundreds of pounds a month from their tips to 'to subsidise the poor wages of the kitchen and bar team'.

Miller & Carter Steakhouse implemented a controversial fixed pay-up policy that forced waiters to share a chunk of their tips with kitchen, bar and management staff - but not general managers.

Now a petition has been created and has already been signed by 6725 people to stop the policy in Cardiff Bay, Cardiff city centre and Killay, Swansea.

The policy, which allegedly forces the waiters to hand over in tips the equivalent of 1.5 per cent of the gross sales from their tables, regardless of how much they have made in tips, has left waiters terrified of going into 'tip debt'.

Miller & Carter Steakhouse implemented a controversial fixed pay-up policy that forces waiters to share a chunk of their tips with kitchen, bar and management staff

The policy, which is claimed to take 1.5 per cent of a waiters gross sales across all their tables regardless of how much their tips were from customers, has left waiters terrified of going into 'tip debt'

'Tip debt' is a term used by the teams that means if they are not given enough gratuity to cover the percentage of gross sales, the amount owed would be taken from tips made in future shifts.

Bryan Simpson, one of the organisers of the Unite petition, 'Give us back our tips', said: 'Previously, waiters had to 'tip-out' to the kitchen and bar around 20-25 per cent of their tips.

'Now they have to find 2p per cent of *gross sales* which is a huge increase and means that some are already going into tip debt...

'They cannot possibly sustain the levels of tips they are expected to collect to subsidise the poor wages of the kitchen and bar team.'

Miller & Carter have said that each branch 'democratically decides on its own tip distribution policy' through a vote.

But the employees in Cardiff have complained that the back-of-house staff outnumbered the front-of-house team therefore the vote is skewed.

One waiter in Cardiff said that workers had been left in tears and even quit their jobs over the policy.

He added: 'It is reaching a point where it is not possible to carry on.

'We are willing to share our tips with other team members but not in this way.'

A collective grievance was sent to the CEO of Miller & Carter by around 80 per cent of staff at the two branches in Cardiff.

A collective grievance was sent to the CEO of Miller & Carter by around 80 per cent of staff at the two branches in Cardiff

With the backing of Unite the Union they are calling on CEO Phil Urban to implement a 'genuinely democratic Fair Tips Committee to be elected at every restaurant without management interference'.

In a statement, Unite said: 'A week ago, 80 per cent of workers at Miller & Carter in both Cardiff restaurants sent a collective grievance to the CEO of Mitchells & Butlers about an unfair tipping policy.

'Within days, their hours were cut by up to 60 per cent.'

The restaurant chain denies any link between the grievance and its shift of work pattern.

Following the complaints Miller & Carter confirmed some of its restaurants in Wales would be 're-running the voting process' following complaints.

With the backing of Unite the Union they are calling on CEO Phil Urban to implement a 'genuinely democratic Fair Tips Committee to be elected at every restaurant without management interference'

A Miller & Carter spokesman said: 'There has been no change to the approach taken in deciding the distribution of tips at Miller & Carter. To suggest so would be fundamentally untrue.

'There are currently 124 Miller & Carter venues across the UK. Each team in each individual site democratically decides on its own tip distribution policy.

'Some teams in venues may adopt similar options, but those options are down to each team across all businesses who take a vote once a year, every year.

'The final decision on voting options is down to individual teams and to date, there are more than 70 variations across Miller & Carter of the way teams distribute tips.

'General managers are not involved in the vote and do not receive the benefits of tips. All other members of staff are encouraged to participate in the annual process of how times will be allocated amongst the team to ensure fairness for all.

'Members of staff will never be asked to contribute towards the tipping procedure from their own wages. Although the process has been run fairly, we can confirm that the businesses in Wales will be re-running the voting process on tips allocation following feedback.'
Humza Yousaf pleaded with SNP activists to end their obsession with the independence 'process' today as he tried to rally the party in his conference speech.

The Scottish First Minister warned supporters they must 'concentrate not on the how but on the why' to bolster the flagging separatist dream.

He admitted that more work is needed to build a 'sustainable majority' for splitting the UK.

After a gathering blighted by internal wrangling, Mr Yousaf tried to shift to focus to policy by promising to spend an extra 100million a year on the NHS in Scotland  saying the cash could slash waiting lists.

He declared that council tax will be frozen north of the border next year and complained that Westminster - rather than Covid or the Ukraine war - was to blame for the cost of living crisis.

However, the SNP's leader problems were underlined when his mention of Nicola Sturgeon resulted in her second standing ovation in two days. His predecessor was arrested and released pending further inquiries by police investigating the SNP's finances earlier this year.

Humza Yousaf pleaded with SNP activists to tone down their obsession with forcing an independence referendum today

The SNP's leader problems were underlined when his mention of Nicola Sturgeon resulted in her second standing ovation in two days

Mr Yousaf has conceded he will only push the referendum issue if the separatists win more than half of Scottish seats at the election - far from guaranteed following a slide in the polls

Mr Yousaf was upstaged at conference yesterday as Nicola Sturgeon made a dramatic appearance

The address in Aberdeen comes after Mr Yousaf conducted another U-turn in a bid to quell bitter internal wrangling about how to purse the independence dream.

Ms Sturgeon previously vowed to make the next general election a de facto referendum on breaking up the UK, after the Supreme Court ruled she did not have power to hold one without permission from Westminster.

When he took over Mr Yousaf indicated that he would declare a mandate for independence if the SNP won more Scottish seats than anyone else at the election.

But as he scrambled to defuse the issue earlier his week Mr Yousaf conceded he will only push the issue if the separatists win more than half of seats - far from guaranteed following a slide in the polls and a stinging defeat in the Rutherglen by-election.

There will be 57 MPs in Scotland following boundary changes, making the threshold 29, far fewer than the 48 the SNP secured in 2019.

'At our conference on Sunday we decided  together  on the process for winning our country's independence,' he said.

'This was a very important debate. But if I can be so bold, in a room full of committed independence supporters  it is not process arguments that will achieve our goal.

'Around half of our fellow Scots already support independence. I have no doubt that we can turn that half into a sustained majority. And we will do so when we concentrate not on the how  but on the why.'

Mr Yousaf tempered his warning about the obsession with process by stressing that he is adding the words 'independence for Scotland' next to the SNP's entry on ballot papers for the election next year. There had been concerns that will kill attempts to persuade pro-Union voters that they will stand up for the whole of Scotland.

'At the next election, page one, line one of our manifesto will say 'Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country'.

'And that's because independence is about building a better Scotland.

'It's about raising living standards. It's about protecting our NHS. Above all, it's about a stronger economy. An economy that works for everyone who lives here.'

Mr Yousaf also swiped at Home Secretary Suella Braverman over 'dog whistle' warnings on immigration, insisting it made him more determined to win independence.

The Scottish Government had opened a consultation which could see council tax on the highest bands increased by between 7.5 per cent and 22.5 per cent.

The move was intended to fill the growing black hole in the country's finances, which is significantly bigger than the rest of the UK.

However, addressing the P&J Live Arena in Aberdeen on Tuesday for the first time as leader, Mr Yousaf scrapped the plans.

'We have consulted on what level the council tax should be next year,' he said.

'And conference, we have reached our decision.

'I can announce to the people of Scotland that, next year, your council tax will be frozen.

'That's the SNP delivering for people when they need it the most.'

The leader announced that the Scottish government will be issuing its own bond - a method of borrowing - for the first time.

The powers to issue bonds for capital investment in infrastructure have been in place since legislation was passed in 2016, limited to 450million a year and 3billion in total.

Mr Yousaf said the plan would be 'subject of course to due diligence and market testing' and would enable the Scottish Government to fund 'vital infrastructure' such as affordable housing.

He said: 'In doing so, we will show the world not only that we are a country to invest in today  we will also demonstrate the credibility to international markets that we will need when we become an independent country.'

Tory sources pointed out that previously the bonds had not been viewed as a 'cost-effective' option, and questioned whether now would be the 'right time' given bond market yields are at high levels.

Mr Yousaf was upstaged at conference yesterday as an emotional Ms Sturgeon made an appearance, getting a rapturous reception from the party faithful.

In his speech today, he credited Ms Sturgeon with 'delivering' for Scotland - sparking another standing ovation in the hall.

'Nicola Sturgeon transformed Scotland. She reformed Scotland's public services. She improved the life chances of thousands of Scotland's young people,' he said.

'And we will never forget that in the toughest of times our country faced, Nicola was the calmest of voices and the coolest of heads. So for all of this and more, we say thank you Nicola.'

The former First Minister insisted yesterday that her presence was 'not at all' a distraction for Mr Yousaf, saying he is 'doing a fantastic job' as leader.

She added: 'I don't think there is any doubt, from what I've seen, about who is in charge of this conference  it's Humza Yousaf.'

The SNP were dealt a shattering blow earlier this month as Labour overturned a majority of more than 5,000 to seize Rutherglen by a margin of 9,400

The former First Minister said she has not spoken to police again since her arrest as part of the police probe into the SNP, where she was subsequently released without charge pending further investigation.

She said the atmosphere at the conference had been 'absolutely fantastic' despite the main hall getting exchanged for a smaller room at The Event Complex Aberdeen, and the capacity being reduced to 1,200.

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'Humza Yousaf may have publicly said he was delighted to see his predecessor turn up in Aberdeen, but privately he must find it utterly galling that she's stealing the limelight away from him.

'He's finding himself having to pick up the pieces of the divided party she left behind.'
Israel's Defence Forces have spent the past week preparing for a massive operation to crush Hamas after some 360,000 reservists were called up to encircle Gaza with tanks, artillery and armoured vehicles.

But now the expected ground assault appears to be on hold, with IDF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht refusing to confirm his troops will deploy into the Palestinian enclave.

'We are preparing for the next stages of war. We haven't said what they will be,' Lt Col Hecht teased.

'Everybody's talking about the ground offensive. It might be something different.'

The IDF's ambiguous messaging around its expected onslaught in Gaza comes hours before US President Joe Biden is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with speculation the next step of the Israeli military operation may be postponed until after the leaders share talks.

In the meantime, Israel's air force continues its incessant bombing campaign of targets throughout Gaza.

The enclave's Health Ministry this afternoon reported the number of Palestinians killed in the strikes has reached more than 3,000 - an average of 300 a day since Hamas launched its surprise attacks on Israeli towns and cities on October 7.

A woman embraces the body of a Palestinian child killed in Israeli strikes, at a hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023

Palestinian rescuers arrive at the scene after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

There is speculation that the next step of the Israeli military operation may be postponed until US President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli troops with a variety of military vehicles at a gathering site at an undisclosed location along the Israel-Gaza border, in southern Israel, 17 October 2023

Israeli troops in Armoured Personnel Carriers patrolling along the Israel-Gaza border

An Israeli soldier patrolling the Israel-Gaza border today in an armored personnel vehicle

Israeli soldiers take a position in the northern town of Kiryat Shmona close to the border with Lebanon on October 16, 2023

Israeli soldiers block the road leading to the Israeli-Lebanon border, 17 October 2023

Israel Defence Forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival to Tel Aviv, Israel

Army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said that Israeli forces 'will commence the enhanced military activities when the timing suits the goal'.

But any delay would come as a surprise after Mr Netanyahu today said preparations were being made around-the-clock to launch the ground offensive, with nearly 400,000 soldiers gearing up for battle in Gaza.

He pledged: 'They are ready to take action to defeat the bloodthirsty monsters who have risen against us to destroy us. Hamas thought that we would come apart  we will demolish Hamas.'

Scores of Israeli soldiers were yesterday photographed with arms draped over their shoulders in a 'band of brothers' moment as they prepared near Ashkelon, by the Gaza border.

And scores of tanks have been pictured trundling towards the border as heavy armour and artillery take up positions around the enclave.

The Israeli military's rules of engagement have reportedly been 'loosened' for the ground invasion to allow fewer checks before shooting.

But US President Biden, who has repeatedly proclaimed support for Israel, has warned any move for the country to reoccupy Gaza would be a 'big mistake'.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, back in Israel after a whistlestop regional tour, said Mr Biden's visit tomorrow would be a statement of 'solidarity with Israel' and an 'ironclad commitment to its security'.

Washington has already sent two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean 'to deter hostile actions against Israel', and the Pentagon has put 2,000 troops on deployment alert to be able 'to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East'.

US media said the troops would cover support roles such as medical assistance and handling explosives.

But no official agenda to the meeting between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu has been given.

More than 1,000 children have been killed in Gaza by Israeli forces since October 7

Palestinians evacuate the wounded from a building destroyed in Israeli bombardment in the Rafah refugee camp in the Gaza Strip today

A Palestinian woman weeps after an Israeli airstrike hit the Rafah refugee camp today

Palestinians attend the funeral prayer of the Palestinians who died during the Israeli airstrikes in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza on October 17, 2023

Relief convoys which have been waiting for days in Egypt were, on October 17, headed towards the Rafah border crossing with the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza, aid officials said

While in Tel-Aviv, Mr Biden is expected to reaffirm US support for Israel but to also push for the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow desperately needed aid to reach the civilian population.

The White House said it had been 'crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid.

Israel has claimed its bombs are targeting known Hamas command and operation centres.

'When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, we'll take care of it. We'll handle it,' said Lt Col Hecht.

But today several airstrikes targeted areas of southern Gaza where the Israeli army had told Palestinians to flee, killing dozens of people.

Violence along Israel's border with Lebanon has also led to concerns over a widening regional conflict that diplomats have been working to prevent.

In Gaza, people wounded in the air strikes this morning were rushed to hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported.

Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis in individual strikes there.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

Palestinians rescue a girl from the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike at the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

A Palestinian woman reacts amidst the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike on the Rafah refugee camp, in southern Gaza Strip today

An air strike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home.

The dead included one man and 11 women and children.

Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Iran's foreign minister warned that 'pre-emptive action is possible' if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive.

Hossein Amirabdollahian's threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas.

Israel has sealed off and bombed Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel on October 7 killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and left about 200 hostages held captive in Gaza.

In addition to the 3,000 confirmed dead, another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed buried under the rubble, health authorities said.

Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing air strikes.

But the strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to attack Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.
The founders of cryptocurrency exchange Gemini are under fire for quietly pulling $282 million from a bank just months before it froze funds and filed for bankruptcy.

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who famously feuded with Mark Zuckerberg over who founded Facebook, withdrew the money from Genesis in August 2022.

The bank froze up to $900 million in funds linked to customers in Gemini's Earn program just three months later, before filing for bankruptcy in January.

The withdrawal was first reported by the New York Post which said it was unclear if the funds were corporate assets or the Winklevoss' personal money, which sparked a harsh response from the twins.

'We pulled back $282 million of Earn users funds from Genesis on August 9, 2022 and held those funds in the liquidity reserve for their benefit,' they said on X, formerly Twitter.

Tyler (right) and Cameron (left) Winklevoss, creators of crypto exchange Gemini, are under fire for pulling $282 million from Genesis three months before it froze customer assets

The Winklevoss twins revealed the money belonged to customers in Gemini's Earn program and the withdrawal was to reduce their exposure

'Amidst the broad market turmoil in the summer of 2022, we decided to increase the liquidity reserve.'

'In hindsight, this proved to be a wise and prudent decision. As a result of our risk management, Earn users had $282 million less exposure to Genesis when Genesis halted redemptions on November 16, 2022,' said the twins.

But customers appear to still be unsatisfied with the Winklevoss brothers' explanation and are questioning why they did not halt the entire program.

'Theres no good way that Gemini can spin this,' said Eric Asquith, who is currently locked in arbitration with Gemini after allegedly losing over $1 million.

'So you had the smarts to withdraw $282 million, but you didnt halt the Earn program?'

'You didnt tell anyone what you were doing. You didnt disclose to any of the Earn users what was happening. You didnt warn anyone about what was happening.'

The Gemini Earn program was promoted as a way for investors to earn up to eight percent back on cryptocurrency investments, according to a previous blog post on their website.

Customers are appear to still be unsatisfied with the Winklevoss brothers explanation and are questioning why they did not stop the Earn program

The twins used a $65 million settlement from a lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg to fund Gemini

Investments from the program were held in the now-bankrupt crypto bank Genesis, owned by billionaire Barry Silbert through Digital Currency Group.

Genesis, the popular cryptocurrency broker, fell into financial trouble after the implosion of Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX.

The crypto bank froze $900 million in Gemini Earn customer assets after they suffered steep losses from loans it supplied FTX's now-defunct trading firm Alameda Research and its hedge fund backer Three Arrows Capital.

Genesis officially filed for bankruptcy in January and is working on deals with creditors.

When asked if they are investigating the Winklevoss twins withdrawal, a US Securities and Exchange Commission spokesperson said, 'The SEC does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation.'
A ten-year-old girl was fatally truck by a train after fainting and falling onto subway tracks during rush hour in Queens Tuesday.

She lost consciousness at 6:39am and fell onto the tracks at the 74th Street-Broadway station. Seconds later, she was struck by a southbound E train heading into the station.

Emergency medical services rushed to the scene and pronounced her death. Police confirmed to MailOnline.com that non criminal activity was involved.

The teen peered over the edge of the platform to look for the train, appeared to faint and fell onto the tracks, according to the police.

Cops said the teen girl suffered a medical episode and fell unconscious from the platform.

The ten-year-old victim has not been identified, as the police are notifying her family.

A ten-year-old girl was fatally truck by a train after fainting and falling onto subway tracks at the 74th Street-Broadway station (pictured) during rush hour in Queens Tuesday

Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue/74th Street station pictured. Emergency medical services rushed to the scene and pronounced the ten-year-old's death

Trains resumed running scheduled stops in Queens two hours after the incident, but with extensive delays in both directions

E, F, and R trains were delayed for the morning commute as the police force arrived at the scene and investigated.

The trains resumed running scheduled stops in Queens two hours after the incident, but with extensive delays in both directions.

The MTA advised to use 7, N, W as alternatives.

The NYPD has reviewed the station surveillance cameras but has not released any footage.

She lost consciousness at 6:39am and fell onto the tracks, struck by a southbound E train heading into the station

A 40-year-old man was pushed onto the tracks and came in contact with a Jamaica-bound F train at the same station last year

The victim was pulled from the tracks and was taken to Elmhurst Hospital last year. The ten-year-old is not identified

The NYPD posted train safety tips on its social media for students commuting to schools

The case is being investigated as an accident, and an autopsy by the city medical examiner is expected to determine how she died.

On Tuesday morning, around 40 minutes before the tragedy, the NYPD posted train safety tips on its social media.

'Students are heading to school again. Be mindful of the safety of your own and others as you use mass transit to commute throughout the city,' the post read.

Students are advised to 'stand back from the edge of the platform' and 'not ride between cars'.

'Never jump onto the tracks for any reason. Do not attempt to get on the train after it has started moving,' the police wrote.
This is the terrifying moment a furious hippopotamus charged a safari truck carrying American tourists in Botswana.

Bill and Linda Klipp, who were visiting the country in September from Key West, Florida, endured the alarming encounter whilst on a month-long photographic safari in the country's Okavango Delta.

At first the photographers thought the hippo might be conducting a false charge, but the beast continued to confront the vehicle, biting down on the front passenger side door preventing the truck from moving.

After three powerful clamps of the hippo's jaws the driver managed to reverse the vehicle and speed away.

Neither the couple, who are both professional wildlife photographers, nor the driver were injured in the incident.

At first the photographers thought the hippo might be conducting a false charge

However, the beast continued to confront the vehicle, whose engine was switched off

'It was shortly after lunch on an all-day game drive in Botswana's Okavango Delta when we stopped at a small natural water hole to photograph a lone Hippo doing what Hippos do, lounging in the water, snorting, staring at us, twitching his ears, rolling over, rising up and down with an occasional yawn and short rushes through the water' Bill Klipp wrote on his YouTube channel.

After watching the creature from the safari vehicle for a short while it began to rise out of the water, appearing to take issue with the intruders in his territory.

'He came rapidly at us through the water and within seconds was out of the water rushing towards our car' Bill explained.

'When photographing wildlife, the vehicle it is usually turned off to avoid the shake of the engine.

'As the Hippo got closer our guide started the car, revved the engine, and attempted to go in reverse.

'It was too late; he rose up, mouth wide open then clamped down on the front passenger side door, preventing the car from moving and us from escaping' Bill recalled.

As the hippo bit down on the car's front passenger door his upper canines started to splinter the wooden frame on the door, while his lower incisors and canines ripped a gash in the door.

The impact bent and dented the door, fender, windscreen frame and mirror making the door and windscreen inoperable.

As the hippo bit down on the car's front passenger door his upper canines started to splinter the wooden frame on the door

After three large clamps of the hippo's jaws the drive managed to reverse the vehicle and speed away

Linda Klipp documents the damage to the safari vehicle following the surprise attack

Despite damage to the vehicle neither the couple nor the driver were injured in the incident

After eventually managing to escape the couple reviewed their footage and believe the hippo might have been blind in one eye and maybe thought they were another hippo trying to attack him, as he might have experienced in the past.

'You always hear about how powerful a Hippo can be, but one really doesnt have a clue until a 7,000-10,000 pound animal crashes into and attacks your car' Bill wrote.

'I have always told Linda when the shit hits the fan just keep shooting. What an exhilarating event to experience and we are thankful to be around to share.

Adding: 'We just love being on Safari and cant wait to see what happens next.'
Republican Rep. Jim Jordan endured a disastrous loss in his first bid to become House Speaker in even more chaotic scenes from Congress.

Twenty colleagues voted against the firebrand GOP member and doomed his opening shot at the top job. Now the House is in recess while Jordan meets with the GOP holdouts to try to court votes.

It's expected the House will move to second vote on Tuesday - Jordan can call as many votes as he wants and it's not clear at one point he'd give up his bid for speaker. Kevin McCarthy went 15 ballots before becoming speaker.

Jordan and the House's Number Two Republican, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, met following the failed vote, according to a source familiar. Jordan asked Scalise for help in courting moderate votes, and Scalise allegedly would not commit to doing so.

A Scalise spokesperson pushed back on this characterization of the meeting - arguing Scalise has been the 'only candidate throughout this process who has publicly declared he will be supportive of whomever the conference nominates for Speaker, and his position has not changed.'

When Scalise had won the internal GOP conference vote, DailyMail.com reported that Jordan had publicly pledged to back him but made few moves to urge his supporters to vote for the majority leader.

Jordan quickly lost the support of four GOP lawmakers minutes after the vote began - Reps. Don Bacon, Mario Diaz-Balart, Jake Ellzey and Anthony D'Esposito - tanking his first bid for speaker.

Republican Rep. Jim Jordan endured a disastrous loss in his first bid to become House Speaker

The number of defectors continued to rise with more Republicans voting for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, Rep. Mike Garcia, former Rep. Lee Zeldin and others not included on the speaker ballot.

It is unclear if the Republican firebrand will move immediately for a second ballot, or if he will ask for time to get the 20 total Republican defectors who voted against him on his side.

The GOP dysfunction shows no sign of waning and some are worried that it will only get worse for Jordan during additional rounds of voting. Rep. Ken Buck - who voted for Emmer - told CNN that although he voted for him, 'I don't like Tom Emmer.'

Jordan could only afford to lose three Republican votes to get to a 217 majority with all Democrats expected to vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The House is currently led by interim Speaker Patrick McHenry, who has little power to bring up legislation on the House floor.

Congress has been paralyzed for two weeks, unable to conduct any business

The Republicans have been embroiled in a civil war since McCarthy became the first speaker in history to be ousted by colleagues two weeks ago when eight rebel GOP members voted to remove him.

Congress has been paralyzed, unable to conduct any business and with only a month until the government runs out of money again. The House is also unable to vote to provide desperately needed assistance to Israel after the brutal Hamas terror attack left over 1,300 civilians dead and at least 29 Americans killed.

House Freedom Caucus founder Jordan emerged as the favorite after Rep. Steve Scalise suddenly dropped out last Thursday. Jordan, who is seen as a far-right alternative to the more establishment Scalise, worked overtime over the weekend to try and flip Republicans to his side.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Jordan for the top Republican position, and reiterated his support in a post to Truth Social Tuesday.

First speaker vote tally Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. -- 212 Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio -- 200 Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. -- 6 Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y. -- 3 Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La. -- 7 Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif. -- 1 Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn. -- 1 Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. -- 1 Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. -- 1 Advertisement

'Jim Jordan will be a GREAT Speaker of the House. As everyone knows, I have long ago given him my Complete and Total Endorsement!'

McCarthy himself was urging Republican holdouts to vote for Jordan - or event vote 'present' to lower the threshold for the majority - so the chamber could quickly get back to business. He publicly backed Jordan in the recorded vote on the House floor.

When asked by CNN on his way down to the House floor, Jordan said that members could be potentially voting all day on multiple ballots to confirm a Republican leader.

'Whatever it takes to get a speaker today,' Jordan said about whether he was ready to go as many rounds as former Speaker McCarthy - whose confirmation went five days and 15 rounds long in January.

In the first vote for McCarthy, 19 voted for a Republican other than him. By the 14th round of voting, only six holdouts remained.

The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee also noted that he had not asked Trump to help with the whip count on his behalf.

He would not respond to a question about a demand by his fellow Republican Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., for Jordan to admit the 2020 presidential election wasn't stolen.

On the floor, Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., gave a nominating speech for Jordan praising his work.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a Jordan supporter, brought her new baby to the House floor Tuesday

'He is an America First warrior who wins the toughest of fights - going after corruption and delivering accountability at the highest levels of government on behalf of WE THE PEOPLE.'

Democrats started chanting at the start of Rep. Pete Aguilar's speech in support of Hakeem Jeffries - the sitting minority leader.

'Hakeem, Hakeem, Hakeem' started ringing out from the chamber by the enthusiastic Democrats.

They also began to yell out 'he said no' while Aguilar listed the many Democratic priorities Jordan has voted against, including Hurricane Sandy funding and others.

Aguilar slammed Jordan as an 'insurrection inciter' - referring to his vote against certifying the 2020 election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Jordan and his allies spent the weekend pressuring holdouts to vote for him - with the unspoken threat that not doing so could put them at risk of a primary challenge given Jordan's popularity with grassroots conservatives.

Rep. Don Bacon was the first member to cast his vote for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy - shunning Jordan

Another McCarthy supporter Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer refused to vote for Jordan on the floor

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, the top contender in the race to be the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, talks with House colleagues

Jordan and his allies spent the weekend pressuring holdouts to vote for him

House Republican chaos continued on Tuesday as firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan failed to get enough votes to replace Kevin McCarthy as the new speaker

While the House has been in turmoil its larger battles have been on hold - one month from Tuesday government funding will run out again. House Republicans had hoped to pass 12 single-subject government funding bills by then, but it's nearly guaranteed they'll need another continuing resolution (CR) to punt the funding deadline down the road.

McCarthy put a CR on the floor and it's what prompted his ouster - Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., had long promised to put a motion to vacate on the floor if McCarthy extended government funding at 2023 levels rather than pushing through 12 separate bills.

Even if the House can pass all its appropriations bills, then it has to work with the Senate to get spending legislation through the Democrat-led upper chamber. Jordan is not known for his ability to work across the aisle - another factor that could be drawing skepticism from moderates.

The outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas has also added pressure as Congress must decide whether to offer more defense aid to Israel.

On the other hand, Congress is also divided over whether to offer Ukraine more aid in its fight against Russia.
A man was arrested after throwing antisemitic slurs through a ring doorbell camera at a family with an Israeli flag outside their home.

Jacoby Reidy, 39, hurled abusive language at two families in a neighborhood in Bexley, Ohio for their support of Israel and ties to Judaism.

'You Zionist pigs are f***ing disgusting,' are the words Reidy fired at one family in the security video obtained by Fox News.

The anti-semite has since been arrested at his home in Bexley after a series of similar incidents after authorities tracked his vehicle. He was reportedly already being monitored for similar antisemitic incidents.

Debbie Meyer, the woman whose home was targeted, said: 'I was so shaken up that I had to call the police right away because I wanted them to get here as fast as they could and be able to find him.'

Jacoby Reidy, 39, hurled abusive language at two families in a neighborhood in Bexley, Ohio for their support of Israel and ties to Judaism

'You Zionist pigs are f***ing disgusting,' are the words Reidy fired at one family in the security video

Meyer is a mother-of-three whose own mother is a survivor of the Holocaust. She had put the Israeli flag on their lawn last Monday in support of Israel due to the ongoing war against the terrorist organization Hamas.

Ring doorbell footage showed Reidy approaching the door to the family's home and bizarrely leaning his body back while he waited for an answer. The Israeli flag could be seen waving in front of the doorway.

When Meyer answered the doorbell through the Ring device he said: 'Oh can I Just talk into this?'

The mother-of-three responded: 'Yeah. Go ahead. What can I help you with sir?'

This is when Reidy made his hateful statement has he bent down and put his face close to the camera.

Police confirmed that Reidy had no criminal history. He was allegedly spotted on Saturday after making his racist comments outside a synagogue.

Police confirmed that Reidy also paid a visit to another house one block away from Meyer's home.

At the other home he called the family 'dirty Zionists' and told them he 'wished they would die', according to a police spokesperson.

Meyer, who knows the other family that experienced the alleged hate attack, said: 'They told him to get off the property. Then he laughed like he did when he left my house and walked down the driveway, got in his car and drove away. Like no worries in the world.'

Police confirmed that Reidy also paid a visit to another house one block away from Meyer's home. At the other home he called the family 'dirty Zionists' and told them he 'wished they would die', according to a police spokesperson

The anti-semite has since been arrested at his home in Bexley after a series of similar incidents after authorities tracked his vehicle. He was reportedly already being monitored for similar antisemitic incidents

Debbie Meyer, the woman whose home was targeted, said: 'I was so shaken up that I had to call the police right away because I wanted them to get here as fast as they could and be able to find him.

She said: 'When youre in America, many share their support through donations, acts of kindness and prayer and for me, to put that flag up there was my way of supporting Israel. I knew in my heart deep down that anytime you put an Israeli flag up, you take a chance because of people who are out there who are antisemitic and hate Jews'.

The incident deeply upset Meyer and her family, she said: 'I am the child of a survivor of the Holocaust, so this hits home for me on so many different levels. So I take the barbaric acts committed against Israel and my family and friends over there very personally.'

The police department said it is investigating the series of incidents with state and federal authorities.

'The Department is in constant communication with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and working closely on this and potential matters which may occur subsequent to last weeks attacks', said a police statement obtained by Fox News.
A furious row broke out on the street of London after a man was caught allegedly writing the word 'coloniser' on posters of Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.

Footage of the encounter was captured on a mobile phone and then uploaded onto Twitter shows the man being confronted by a member of the public as he goes up to the posters.

The woman slams him for his actions, saying 'I know people who have died' in the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives so far in the Middle East.

His company tonight confirmed to MailOnline it was investigating and would not tolerate 'such behaviour', while the Met Police says it has launched an investigation.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators have previously been seen targeting posters which have been put up to raise awareness of the innocent civilians kidnapped by the terrorist group and taken into Gaza after their sneak attack.

Last week one woman was seen angrily tearing down flyers of kidnapped children which had been put up in Oxford Street, while shouting 'This is for Palestine' in front of an aghast British-Israeli woman.

There have also been mass pro-Palestine demonstrations on the streets of major cities around the world which have been marred with ugly scenes of violence targeted towards police and vile chants aimed at Jewish people including one in Sydney where a protester called for them to be 'wiped out'.

Footage of the encounter was captured on a mobile phone and then uploaded onto Twitter

Carlisle Support Services told MailOnline it does not 'tolerate such behaviour and are dealing with the incident accordingly'

Pro-Israel supporters have been putting up posters showing people who have been kidnapped by terrorist group Hamas in last weeks attacks

The posters have been put up to show the innocent civilians who have been caught up in the bloodshed following the terrorist attacks on October 7

The latest video was shared by the Campaign Against Antisemitism to its followers online on Tuesday.

The organisation wrote: 'This man was caught writing coloniser on posters of hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.

'The incident took place this morning on West End Lane in West Hampstead.'

The person filming the clip shouts to the man: 'Excuse me can you please stop it? Writing coloniser on an innocent two-year-old girl?

'I know people who have died.'

The man, who is wearing a jacket with Carlisle Support Services on it, looks as if he is not going to back down before the clip finishes.

A spokesperson for the firm told MailOnline: 'We were recently notified of a member of staff writing discriminatory messages on posters on West End Lane in West Hampstead.

'We do not tolerate such behaviour and are dealing with the incident accordingly, with the relevant authorities also notified.'

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: 'We are aware of a video posted on social media allegedly showing a man defacing posters in #WestHampstead.

'Officers are assessing the footage and an investigation is ongoing.

'Witnesses should call 101 ref CAD 2578/17 Oct.'

Scotland Yard have said that there had been a 700 per cent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the capital in the past two weeks when compared with the same period last year.

On Monday, Beis Chinuch Lebonos Girls' School just a few hundred yards away  was also hit at 11am, whilst children were already in school.

This time paint was thrown over a security gate, which stopped the vandal getting to the school buildings.

The area, which has a large strictly Orthodox community, is being targeted by protesters in the wake of the Israel and Hamas war.

This is the shocking moment a vandal walks up to a Jewish girls school and hurls paint over the property, in what is being investigated as an anti-Semitic attack

A vandal hurled red paint over Beis Chinuch Lebonos Girls' School in Hackney, which police are investigating as a 'hate crime'

Paint was thrown over four parts of the school building, including the front door, before the vandal walked away

Footage caught one perpetrator wearing a mask and carrying an umbrella approach the front of the school and throw red paint over the front door before leaving.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police are now investigating both incidents.

A spokeswoman said: We are investigating incidents at two Jewish schools and treating these as hate crimes.

At 9:00hrs on Monday 16 October officers attended a school on Lordship Road, N16 after reports that red paint had been thrown onto the school building.

Police attended the scene, and spoke to a member of staff at the school.

Police were told that the incident took place on Thursday 12 October at 06:51hrs.

Police are aware of a second incident at a school in Woodberry Down N4, in which paint was also thrown onto the school building. We are investigating whether these two incidents are linked.

The incidents are being treated as hate crimes, at this early stage there have been no arrests, and the investigation is ongoing.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets said extra police patrols had been introduced in the area since the attacks in Israel to provide reassurance.

He added: We are working closely with our partners in the Community Security Trust, the Shomrim, Hackney Council and other key local partners.

These incidents will be robustly investigated and we have been clear that we have a zero tolerance for hate crime.

The vandal can be seen approaching the school walls with a pot of red paint

Vishnitz Girls' school  just a few hundred yards away  was also hit in the early hours of the morning on Monday

This time paint was thrown over a security gate, which stopped the vandal getting to the school buildings

A spokesperson for Shomrim, an organisation which organises civilian security patrols in Jewish areas, said: The first attack happened early in the morning at the Vishnitz Girls School in Hackney.

The attacker threw red paint against a door and some windows and walked off.

There was another attack at the nearby BCL Girls school in Stamford Hill which had red paint thrown all over the front gates.'
Westminster has a 'culture of drinking' that is fuelling abusive behaviour by MPs and others in positions of power, a report warned today.

Booze was a 'frequent factor' in incidents reported to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme set up to address bad behaviour in the corridors of power.

In the scheme's fifth annual report, director Thea Walton hit out at 'the blurring of personal and professional boundaries' which was a 'prominent' feature of complaints against MPs' 'inappropriate behaviour' towards staff.

She also identified a major 'power imbalance' in Parliament, with the report finding a third of all calls and emails to its helpline coming from MPs' staff.

The report came as former minister Peter Bone was stripped of the Tory whip after a separate investigation ruled he bullied and sexually harassed a former aide, including exposing himself on a trip to Madrid.

Ms Walton noted: 'A number of the cases (investigated) included the presence of alcohol and the culture of drinking in Westminster.

Booze was a 'frequent factor' in incidents reported to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme set up to address bad behaviour in the corridors of power.

In the scheme's fifth annual report, director Thea Walton hit out at 'the blurring of personal and professional boundaries' which was a 'prominent' feature of complaints against MPs' 'inappropriate behaviour' towards staff. She also identified a major 'power imbalance' in Parliament, with the report finding a third of all calls and emails to its helpline coming from MPs' staff.

The report came as former minister Peter Bone was stripped of the Tory whip after a separate investigation ruled he bullied and sexually harassed a former aide, including exposing himself on a trip to Madrid.

'Alcohol was a frequent factor in incidents in bars on the parliamentary estate (leading to intimidating behaviour like shouting and swearing), external functions connected to parliamentary activities, or where colleagues socialised at bars/pubs after such events.

'Alcohol affects investigations in other ways such as impacting the ability of witnesses to recall events when gathering evidence in an investigation.'

It added: 'In a number of cases, the blurring of personal and professional boundaries led to complaints about inappropriate behaviour. This was most prominent in complaints against MPs by their staff.

'A lack of professional boundaries resulted in incorrect assumptions being formed about acceptable behaviours. Examples include invitations to events where the purpose or connection to parliamentary work may not be clear, overly frequent calls/messages and at unreasonable hours, and overly familiar behaviour.

'For example during one work-related evening event, a boss made unwanted physical contact and personal comments about their colleagues appearance. Even if the behaviour is unintentional, it does not mean it diminishes the potential impact.'
A Canadian Isis bride has said she was 'oblivious' to her terrorist ex-husband's role in the kidnapping, torture and beheading of Western hostages when she moved to Syria to join him.

Dure Ahmed, 33, said she was just a 'dumb girl in love' when she left Canada to be with the Isis 'Beatle', El Shafee Elsheikh, in 2014 and had no idea 'what was going on'.

She made the claims in a new interview with the BBC and CBC to try to highlight the plight of the women and children of suspected IS fighters stuck in Syrian camps.

Ahmed married Elsheikh in 2010 and moved to Syria to join him in 2014 before surrendering herself and her children in 2019. She then lived in a camp for three years before being repatriated to Canada in April.

When she arrived in Canada she was arrested under a 'terrorism peace bond' and a Crown lawyer argued she had been 'steeped' in IS ideology and 'likely' knew what her husband did before she went to join him.

But she was granted bail with conditions including GPS tracking and a curfew.

Canadian Dure Ahmed, 33, interviewed by CBC and the BBC

Elsheikh, 34, nicknamed Ringo, was sentenced in August to life in prison

Elsheikh is pictured in a court room sketch on April 1, 2022. 'The Beatles' - so-called because they had British accents - tortured and executed US and British hostages

Her former husband, Elsheikh, was captured in 2018 and is now serving eight life sentences in a US supermax prison with no option for parole.

A US prison insider told the Mirror: 'Elsheikh will rot in the closest thing America has to hell on Earth. He is now exactly where he belongs.'

US authorities say his Isis cell was responsible for the beheading of 27 hostages, and he and the other 'Beatles', Aine Davis, Alexanda Kotey and Mohammed Emwazi tortured people using waterboarding, electric shocks and mock executions.

Captives nicknamed the group the 'Beatles' because of their British accents.

But Ahmed has claimed she had no idea 'what was going on' when she moved to live with him and was not radicalized.

She told the BBC and CBC that she met her then-British husband 'smoking weed' in Toronto in 2007 when she was 17 and he was 19, at which time she said 'he didn't care about God, it was nothing to do with IS.'

They married in 2010 in an Islamic ceremony, but their relationship was mostly long distance as Elsheikh - the son of Sudanese refugees - had returned to London.

In London, Elsheikh was drawn into extremism and met the men who would become his fellow IS militants, travelling to Syria in 2012 and joining Isis before urging his wife to join him.

Ahmed said: 'He wasn't a social person. He's such an introvert. So he had all the qualities that can lead somebody into that dark path of radicalization.'

He told her to 'come check it out' and said 'you could go back'.

As she thought about going, she said members of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service - CSIS - questioned her about her husband, but said they 'didn't show me video' of the atrocities.

She was a 24-year-old jobless graduate when she decided to 'hop on a plane' to Turkey to join him in Syria just two months after the murders carried out by his IS cell caused outrage around the world.

Despite the media storm, she claimed he did not tell her he had joined Isis and that she was unaware of the group's jihadist ideology as she had not seen the news of the beheadings online.

She said he arranged everything, and she travelled with just 'three pairs of pants and two t-shirts'.

When she arrived, she said her husband had changed and she barely recognized the violent and controlling man he had become.

The pair lived in Raqqa and had two children. Beheadings in the city center were common with body parts put on display.

In a 2022 interview, Ahmed told the BBC her daily life in Syria had involved doing normal things with female friends, including going to restaurants and taking children on Ferris wheels.

But in the most recent interview, she claimed that her house in Raqqa had felt like a prison and they rarely went out, with no phone or internet.

She said it was just her, her children and Elsheikh's other wife, while Elsheikh was 'so private' they 'couldn't even pull up the blinds'.

She claimed her husband was violent towards her while she was pregnant and she tried to run away several times but had to return when she had no where to go.

She eventually left after he divorced her, seeking refuge with her boys in a guest house for women.

Peter Kassig, 26, in Syria wrote a letter to his father shortly before he was beheaded in a videotaped murder. The letter was read out in court during the trial

James Foley is pictured while covering the civil war in Aleppo, Syria

Left: US freelance journalist Steven Sotloff. Right: Kayla Mueller is shown after speaking to a group in Prescott, Arizona. Both were killed in Syria by ISIS

In 2022, Elsheikh was convicted of hostage-taking, conspiracy to murder US citizens and supporting a terrorist organization.

Prosecutors said his actions resulted in the deaths of four Americans - journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig.

Ahmed said she is 'not looking for sympathy or pity' but wants to highlight the plight of women and children of suspected IS fighters stuck in Syrian camps.
President Joe Biden left the White House on Tuesday afternoon to fly to Israel, a nation still mourning its dead even as it prepares a ground invasion of Gaza and a mission to wipe Hamas from the face of the earth.

Officials say his whistle-stop mission is two fold: To show solidarity with Israel and to help deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Written into that is an even bigger ask.

Analysts say Biden must walk a fine line between helping Israel ensure that Hamas terrorists can never repeat last weekend's murder spree, when they killed at least 1,300 people, without letting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military operation give an excuse to Iran's regional proxies such as Hezbollah to join the fight.

President Joe Biden left the White House on Tuesday afternoon to fly to Israel, a nation still mourning its dead even as it prepares a ground invasion of Gaza and a mission to wipe Hamas from the face of the earth

Brett Bruen, president of the Global Situation Room and a former U.S. diplomat, said the trip was on a par with some of the most significant diplomatic moves by any president in modern history.

'It is high stakes diplomacy with a slim chance of success,' he said. 'But it also is where Biden, if he rises to the moment, help us avoid a humanitarian catastrophe or regional conflict and a return to the age of global terrorism.

'But all of those are still very much in doubt at the moment.'

The White House announced the trip late on Monday evening.

Biden is expected to touch down in Israel on Wednesday morning, hours after hundreds were believed to have been killed in an airstrike on a Gaza hospital.

Israel denied Hamas' claim they were responsible for the attack, insisting it was a rocket misfired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists.

He will spend only three or fours hours in Tel Aviv, meeting Netanyahu and other officials.

Air Force is expected to be wheels up and on its way back to Washington before the end of the day.

It is not with risk. That was on display a day earlier. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Netanyahu had to race to a bomb shelter as sirens sounded through Tel Aviv.

Then there are the political risks.

It is a trip that Biden never expected to make. His administration had quietly scaled back any effort to find a broad Middle East peace, trying to broker instead a series of smaller steps to ensure security and prosperity in the Palestinian territories, while nudging along 'normalisation' of ties between Israel and Arab states (work that began under President Donald Trump.)

Biden is expected to touch down in Israel on Wednesday morning, hours after hundreds were believed to have been killed in an airstrike on a Gaza hospital

Biden salutes as he boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews for his flight to Israel. He will touch down on Wednesday morning on his toughest diplomatic mission yet

Hamas terrorists changed all that. In a long-planned raid, they knocked out surveillance platforms along the Gaza border before thousands of gunmen attacked civilian and military targets.

It humiliated a government that had staked its claim to power on protecting Israelis from the militant threat.

And it left a nation grieving for men, women and children who were gunned down in cold blood.

As many as 200 more are believed to have been taken hostage.

At the same time, Iran has raised the stakes, warning of a 'preemptive measure' ahead of an Israeli ground attack. Its allies in Hezbollah have kept up volleys of fire from their positions in Lebanon.

'All possible options and scenarios are there for Hezbollah ' Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on state TV on Monday night. 'Naturally, resistance leaders will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza, and when it feels reassured about Gaza, move on to other resistance areas in the region.'

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the president's first priority was to reaffirm U.S. solidarity with Israel and to ask what Netanyahu needed in terms of security assistance.

'He'll continue to talk to them about the hostage situation, to try to glean whatever additional information there might be out there to include continuing to coordinate on our efforts to get Americans home and back with their families where they belong,' he said.

The danger, according to Aryeh Lightstone, who was chief adviser to Trump's ambassador to Israel, would be to call for restraint.

Officials say Biden's whistle-stop mission is two fold: To show solidarity with Israel and to help deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip

Unverified photographs circulating on social media showed fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass and body parts scattered across the area. Israel denied Hamas' claim they were responsible for the attack, insisting it was a rocket misfired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip says at least 500 people have been killed in an explosion that it claims was caused by an Israeli airstrike. Israel denied the claims and insisted it was misfired rocket from Palestinian terrorists

An injured young child is carried by an apparent medic after an airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

'I've got my children at the table at the moment so I'm not going to recount that which we saw 10 days ago, he said. 'We've had 15 years of restraint and look where it got us.'

He said the most important thing to achieve with Biden's visit was a clear message to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia that stands across the border from Israel, that it must stay out of any conflict.

'The first is by being here with the aircraft carriers, he needs to deter Hezbollah and any other parties from thinking that they can enter into this war,' he said, referring to the decision by the Pentagon to send two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean.

'Not only does it need to be a visible threat, but it needs to be a credible threat.'

Number two, he said, was to support Israel's right to rid itself of Hamas.

'And number three, he needs to communicate to the region that they must work with Egypt, to take every Palestinian who does not want to fight out of Gaza, and to find another place for them to be while this war wages,' he said.

The last piece of the puzzle, added the former diplomat Bruen, is making sure Iran has no diplomatic space to maneuver.

'I think the piece for Bien is to keep the Europeans ... trying to keep some of our other allies on board with their support for Israel, which then makes it more challenging for Iran, to come out in opposition with a military response,' he said.

No small task for a few hours on the ground.
A school shooter who served 20 years in prison has complained that he's being harassed online after he shared a TikTok of the aftermath of the shooting, showing the hallways where he terrorized his classmates.

Jon Romano, who goes by Jon Seeking Peace on TikTok, was 16 when he opened fire at Columbia High School in New York in 2004, leaving one teacher injured.

The 35-year-old was released in December 2020 and has since amassed 254,000 followers on TikTok, where he claims to work for violence prevention. His bio reads: 'After being a part of the problem, its time to be a part of the solution.'

Romano turned his comments off earlier this month after he posted a video showing the school's hallways following the shooting 'for educational purposes.' In the chilling clip, Romano narrates his actions as he moved through the school with the weapon, leaving students traumatized.

'This is the view I had down the hall when I came around the corner. Two students came around the other corner and I fired up and away from them, hitting the higher part of the wall, and you'll see where it hit up in the ceiling,' Romano says on the clip.

Jon Romano, who goes by Jon Seeking Peace on TikTok, was 16 when he opened fire at Columbia High School in New York in 2004, leaving one teacher injured

The 35-year-old was released in December 2020 and has since amassed 254,000 followers on TikTok. Pictured: Romano aged 16 being led away in cuffs after the shooting at Columbia High School in East Greenbush, New York, on February 4, 2004

'My intent was not to kill but to die in front of other people and I knew that I'd be traumatizing them, which I did. I wanted to share my pain with others and I regret it more than anything, but I want people to know what happened that day,' he added.

'I just wanted to see people and have them see me. I can't justify what I did, but my intent was not to kill.'

Romano went on to say that he spared the lives of several terrified students who crossed his path during the shooting, noting that he only fired the weapon at walls and the ceiling.

But many have taken issue with Romano's use of social media, expressing outrage at his content, and particularly the video of the school's hallway taken right after the shooting.

'My comment section's been turned off because anybody who said anything slightly supportive of me was getting harassed and even threatened, and this includes some of my former classmates who were there the day of the shooting and now support what I'm doing today trying to prevent future shootings... So, no, we're not going to do that.'

Before turning off his comments, social media users slammed Romano for his videos.

In the chilling clip, Romano narrates his actions as he moved through the school with the weapon, leaving students traumatized

@jonseekingpeace This is police video footage showing the hallway and the physical evidence of what happened #jonromano  original sound - Jon Romano

One TikTok user who goes by youcancallmekait said: 'This man should not have a platform. You said that your victims are retraumatized every time theres a mass event. Dont you think just seeing you is triggering? I dont believe you for a second that you actually want to help. You just want attention.'

Another added: He is not some healed person. He is not reformed. He is not rehabilitated.. So stop giving him a platform. Stop rushing to his defense.'

A third user asked: 'Why is there an admitted school shooter on here?'

To which Romano replied: 'Well because I want to help prevent future school shootings.'

Romano was stopped by the principal of the school, John Sawchuk, who tried to take the weapon from him. During the struggle, the gun went off and injured a teacher who was nearby.

Back in 2018, after the Parkland high school shooting, Romano penned a letter from jail praising Florida students for being 'courageous and inspiring' while demanding politicians take action against gun violence.

He wrote the letter in response to journalist Chris Churchill's February 21 column, which featured an interview with hero and Columbia principal Sawchuk.

Romano was stopped by the principal of the school, John Sawchuk (pictured), who tried to take the weapon from him

Romano wrote that Sawchuk 'is a hero who I owe my life to.'

'I know that every time another horrible shooting happens, he and all of my victims are hurt all over again by what I did to them,' he admitted.

'I want to take away their pain, but knowing I cannot, I want to prevent others from experiencing this pain.'

Romano wrote that he had plans to 'advocate for gun safety and mental health reform after my release.'

'Also, I believe the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL are courageous and inspiring for speaking out and demanding action from politicians.'

Romano then called for the nation to demand 'life-saving policy changes from their representatives'.

'Only then could this generation be the last generation that lives in a nation plagued by gun violence,' he concluded in the letter.

Romano then called for the nation to demand 'life-saving policy changes from their representatives'.

'Only then could this generation be the last generation that lives in a nation plagued by gun violence,' he concluded in the letter.
The outing comes a week after Holmes settled his divorce with wife Marilee Fiebig - but friends say the former GMA3 stars will hold off on tying the knot

The co-hosts turned lovers were seen sporting similar biker outfits in motorcycle jackets and leather boots

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes taking his new Royal Enfield motorcycle for a spin in Manhattan

T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach's scandalous romance has kicked into high gear now that they have each finalized their divorces nearly a year after their affair was exposed.

The co-hosts-turned-lovers were seen going full throttle in New York City on Tuesday as they set off on Holmes's new Royal Enfield motorcycle just days after his split from ex-wife Marilee Fiebig was settled, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show.

Robach, 50, dressed for the part, opting for a biker-chic look in a black leather jacket, jeans, a studded belt, and combat boots.

Holmes, 46, who was equipped with a cherry red helmet, matched his girlfriend's style in a dark gray motorcycle jacket, cuffed jeans and leather black laced boots.

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes taking his new Royal Enfield motorcycle for a spin in Manhattan on Tuesday

The couple's scandalous relationship seems to be kicking into high gear now that both Amy and T.J. have finalized their respective divorces

The former GMA3 co-hosts were seen straddling Holmes's new chopper in their best biker gear

He waited for her to strap on her bright purple helmet and secure herself behind him before taking off on the sleek black motorbike.

It's been almost a year since DailyMail.com revealed the co-stars' secret relationship which sent both their personal and professional lives down a bumpy road.

The married lovers saw each of their 12-year marriages crumble in public view and their on-air jobs at GMA3 axed since the affair came to light last November.

By then, Robach and ex-husband Andrew Schue had already been separated after he had become aware of her affair months earlier.

DailyMail.com previously revealed the couple, who had been married since 2010, privately worked out a settlement through mediation and their divorce was finalized in March.

Holmes and ex-wife Marilee Fiebig, meanwhile, did not begin proceedings until early this year and only settled their split just last week.

With his divorce now final, it has cleared the way for Amy and T.J. to make it official between themselves.

But while it doesn't seem like the two will be pumping the breaks on their love affair any time soon, friends of the couple told DailyMail.com they won't be rushing into marriage either.

Robach, 50, dressed for the part, opting for a biker-chic look in a black leather jacket, jeans, a studded belt, and combat boots

She strapped on her purple helmet before hopping on the back of the bike

Holmes, who was equipped with a cherry red helmet, was at one point seen adjusting his girlfriend's studded belt before she hopped on the back seat

Amy tucked her hair into the helmet and made sure her strap was fastened

Holmes, 46, waited for his lover to secure herself behind him before taking off

The insiders say Robach and Holmes are now closer than ever, but want to wait until Amy's younger daughter graduates from high school before tying the knot.

With their divorce proceedings now behind them, the broadcast journalists are also now focusing on their next career moves, with Robach expected to return to the air at her new network in January.

DailyMail.com first revealed in August that Robach was in talks with executives at NewsNation to join the network for a new show tentatively titled Robach & Co.

It would mark her first on-air job since she and Holmes were suspended and then fired from their jobs as co-anchors of GMA3 in December 2022.

NewsNation insiders at the time revealed the company first began exploring taking both Robach and Holmes on shortly after they were axed, in hopes that the on-air chemistry they had while at ABC would continue in their new show together.

But after just a couple of months they dropped the idea and began preparing 'mockups'  behind-the-scenes work such as drawing up logos and preparing a theme tune for a show  with just Amy.

The show is scheduled for primetime, DailyMail.com has learned.

It is being described within the network as 'a weekly talk/sit-down with different news makers and human interest stories around the world'.

It is unclear if Holmes has managed to land a new gig of his own since his departure from ABC, but the former news anchor appeared to suggest there may be something in the works in an Instagram post last month captioned: '#newmorningcommute'

The couple's joy ride comes almost a year after their scandalous affair was made public and resulted in the end of their marriages and careers at GMA3

The outing also comes a week after Holmes settled his divorce with wife Marilee Fiebig - but friends say the former GMA3 stars will hold off on tying the knot

NewsNation launched in March 2021, initially as a station without a political standpoint. It has since taken on personalities and now airs opinion shows in primetime.

It is unclear if Holmes has managed to land a new gig since his departure from ABC, but the former news anchor appeared to suggest there may be something in the works in an Instagram post last month.

Holmes teased a potential new career move by sharing a photo from the driver's point of view of his motorcycle, captioned: '#newmorningcommute'.

Last week, Holmes's divorce from Fiebig was revealed to have been finalized with the paperwork submitted on October 11, US Magazine first reported.

The couple, who share a 10-year-old daughter, are next scheduled to appear in court on January 9.

The update marks the end of a months-long process that began when Holmes filed for divorce in December 2022 shortly after his extramarital affair came to light.

Fiebig, an immigration attorney, and Holmes were married for almost 13 years before the affair was revealed.

They had been known for their flirty onscreen chemistry since ABC first paired them on GMA3 in September 2020

Robach's divorce from former Melrose Place star Andrew Shue was finalized in March while Holmes's split from attorney Marilee Fiebig is in its final stages. Both couples had been married for 12 years

The couple were reportedly separated at the time, but Fiebig was said to have been 'blindsided' by the off-screen fling.

Robach's husband, former Melrose Place actor Andrew Shue, also reportedly separated with the presenter in August 2022, just weeks before the romance was exposed.

Holmes and Robach had been hosting Good Morning America for two years before their affair became public, and the duo won fans over with their on-camera chemistry.

The stars were often caught giggling to one another, partaking in sarcastic banter, and engaging in playful touches on the air - and their antics quickly turned them into one of ABC's most popular hosting teams.
A Christian preacher who is accused of protesting in an abortion clinic 'buffer zone' has appeared in court today, citing his right to freedom of expression.

Stephen Green, 72, from Carmarthen, Wales, is said to have protested against abortion within an area surrounding MSI Reproductive Choices clinic in Mattock Lane, West London, which is protected by law, on February 6 this year.

He held a placard sign with Psalm 139: 13 written on it - a scripture which implies that life is sacred from the moment of conception - according to the Christian Legal Centre supporting Green.

Appearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court today, Green pleaded not guilty to breaking a public spaces protection order (PSPO), which including prayer, criminalises 'protesting, namely engaging in an act of approval/disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services.

The PSPO, put in place by Ealing Council in April 2018, was the first 'buffer zone' surrounding an abortion clinic to be introduced in the UK.

PSPO legislation is usually reserved for anti-social behaviour such as dog fouling, littering and alcohol and drug misuse.

Stephen Green, a Christian preacher who is accused of protesting in an abortion clinic 'buffer zone' has appeared in court today, citing his right to freedom of expression

Green is said to have protested against abortion within an area surrounding MSI Reproductive Choices clinic in Mattock Lane, West London, which is protected by law, on February 6 this year

During the hearing, Rob Smith, defending, told Uxbridge magistrates court: My client does not accept the charges brought against him. He does not believe his action meets the charges brought.

'In the event that they do, he cites in his defence articles 9, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Article 9 is freedom of belief, Article 10 is freedom of expression, and Article 11 is freedom of assembly.

Green, a director of campaign group Christian Voice, was reported by a clinic employee who saw him reading aloud from a bible.

Police received a complaint and seven months later Green received a prosecution notice from Ealing Council.

The charge sheet against Green alleges: On 6th February 2023, you did something you were prohibited from doing in an area which is within the Mattock Lane Safe Zone Public Spaces Protection Order outside the MSI Reproductive Choices Clinic in that you:

a) Protested by engaging in an act of disapproval or attempted act of act of disapproval with respect to issues related to abortion services, by written means in that you were holding a large sign displaying the text Psalm 139:13 For thou hast possessed me (sic) reins: thou hast covered me in my mothers womb

b) Had text displayed on a large sign namely Psalm 139:13 For thou hast possessed me (sic) reins: thou hast covered me in my mothers womb relating directly or indirectly to the termination of pregnancy.

Contrary to Section 67 (1) (a) Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Appearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court today, Green pleaded not guilty to breaking a public spaces protection order (PSPO) and held a copy of the Bible outside court after the hearing

If found guilty under section 67 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Green from south Wales, could be sent to prison for six months and or fined 1,000.

In January 2023, following an amendment to the Public Order Bill, buffer zones around abortion clinics were brought in nationally.

Politicians and campaigners have decried the introduction of the zones as draconian measures that criminalize free speech and prevent vulnerable women from access to alternatives to abortion.

In 2019, Christian Hacking was arrested for praying outside of the same clinic in Ealing.

Bodycam footage showed officers carrying Mr Hacking to a police van.

But all charges were dropped with the CPS concluding that there was not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

Ahead of todays hearing Green said: I was deeply shocked to receive the summons from Ealing Council.

I see this prosecution as an attack on the Bible and free speech. I am determined to defend myself and fight for justice.

People are right to be concerned about the buffer zone legislation. To bar Christian witness and to control what people can say in an area is draconian and anti-Christian.

There is a huge principle at stake here. If we are not free to hold a sign with a verse from Psalm 139 on it in a London street, then none of us is free.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: It is worrying that a man in his 70s holding a sign with a Bible verse on it is now being treated as an emergency situation by the police.

Buffer zones are an oppressive part of the current culture which force consent and silence dissent.

The effect of the PSPO is to criminalise any act of disapproval of abortion and to create an area where no discussion or even prayer relating to abortion, is permitted.

There have now been over 10 million abortions in the UK since abortion was legalised in 1967. That is a staggering number. That is almost twice the population of Scotland and more than the entire population of London. Millions of people would be alive today if abortion had not been legalised.

Instead of lamenting this loss of life we are industrialising it, making it ever easier to obtain abortion effectively on demand, and now we are criminalising dissent.

We will stand with Green as he seeks justice in this case.

Green will face a one-day trial at Uxbridge magistrates court on Friday 19 January 2024.

He was granted unconditional bail.
Action star and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Monday that aging members of both parties should consider stepping aside so that a 'new breed' of leaders can step forward.

Schwarzenegger, 76, was interviewed onstage at The Wall Street Journal's Tech Live conference and noted that it was 'hard to say' if there should be an age limit on anything, 'especially in politics.'

But without saying names, the former Republican governor pointed to the recent freezing incidents of 81-year-old Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, noting it was clear that something was 'going on' despite a 'lot of spinning going on that he was just thinking about something very complicated.'

'So people like that should start thinking about stepping aside and letting a newer generation step in and fill the vacuum,' Schwarzenegger advised.

The Terminator star then pointed to 80-year-old President Joe Biden.

Action star and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (right) told The Wall Street Journal's Erich Schwartzel (left) Monday that aging members of both parties should consider stepping aside so that a 'new breed' of leaders can step forward

'To have a president run again - he's 81,' Schwarzenegger said, noting the age Biden will be on Election Day 2024.

Biden - the first U.S. president to become an octogenarian while in office - turns 81 on November 20.

Schwarzenegger wouldn't go as far as to say that Biden shouldn't run again.

'It's up to him, it's up to him, I'm not going to tell him not to run,' he said.

'But I just believe that we should look for the new breed in both parties, for the new breed, for the new generation, the new generation of leaders, rather than squishing them,' Schwarzenegger added.

Schwarzenegger, who called 77-year-old former President Donald Trump the 'worst president ever' in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol attack, has yet to endorse one of the other GOP hopefuls.

During his sit-down at the WSJ event, he encouraged his successor, Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, to try for the White House.

Schwarzenegger called attention to 81-year-old Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's freezing incidents, though didn't refer to the Kentucky Republican by name

He also mused whether 80-year-old President Joe Biden, seen falling over a sandbag at the U.S. Air Force Academy's commencemnt in June, should run for reelection but wouldn't go as far as to say he shouldn't

Schwarzenegger, who was married to a member of the Kennedy clan, Maria Shriver, for more than two decades, also had positive things to say about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent presidential bid.

Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaxxer, announced last Monday in Philadelphia that he was leaving the Democratic Party and would run third-party.

He polls better among Republicans and independents than Democrats.

Schwarzenegger said Kennedy, who advised him on environmental policy, understands business as much as the environment.

'There's a lot of interesting characters out there that are out there trying to win,' Schwarzenegger mused.
A woman who is accused of murdering her abusive stepfather confessed to an undercover police officer that she kept his body in a bath of bleach for three days, a court heard.

Surie Suksiri, 31, had forced Frank McKeever, 63, to film a 47 second video confessing to abusing her when she was six, saying: 'I deserve to be punished', the Old Bailey heard.

Mr McKeever 'vanished off the face of the earth' after visiting Suksiri at her home in north London on August 28, 2021 - his body has never been found.

Suksiri and her partner Juned Sheikh, 48, both deny murdering Mr McKeever. They also deny preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body on or around September 3, 2021.

The court had heard that Suksiri and Sheikh bought a 350 car and drove 80 miles to dump the body in a location they have never revealed.

Surie Suksiri, 31 and her partner Juned Sheikh, 48 both deny murdering Frank McKeever

Mr McKeever, 63, 'vanished off the face of the earth' after visiting his stepdaughter at her north London home in August 2021

Sheikh claims that Mr McKeever left the house alive and well and that while he has not seen him since he may well be still alive.

Suksiri claims she found him dead and Sheikh made her dispose of the body with him.

The undercover detective, known as Natalie, or Nat, explained that she and her colleagues had befriended Suksiri and hinted to her that they wanted to recruit her to a criminal gang.

She told the court: 'I never said exactly what I was involved in. I said I had a cleaning company and I hinted at involvement in possible criminality.'

Natalie introduced Suksiri to another undercover cop she called 'Lee,' saying he was her brother-in-law and the boss of a crime gang, who was looking to recruit Suksiri but wanted to test her with low-level work first.

On October 7, 2022 the undercover cops arranged to meet Suksiri at the Rabbit Hole Cafe on Holloway Road, where they gave her money to go to Argos to buy some phones for them.

Natalie said she used the personal rapport she developed with Suksiri to get her to open up about the alleged murder.

The court heard a recording of a call between the two women on October 18, 2022 in which Natalie asked her about what had brought her to the police station in the first place, where they first met.

Natalie said: 'I know you said it was something to do with a murder and everything. And then, you said some guy was missing. I mean, what the hell was that all about?'

Suksiri replied: 'Yeah. Yeah. M did happen'

Natalie later told the court she understood 'M' to be code for 'murder'.

Suksiri then asked Natalie: 'Ten out of ten, can I trust you?'

Suksiri told the court that she found him dead on August 30 and Sheikh made her dispose of the body with him

The undercover officer replied: 'Mate. F******g yes. I'm trusting you with our business.'

Suksiri said: 'Alright. I was part of it. He was a paedo, who got what he deserved.'

She then described how she and Sheikh had tortured and killed the 63 year-old.

'I'm not gonna lie. We did torture him. We took him in for four days. And we said he ain't leaving the house.

'He kept getting beaten. He admitted on camera the way he had abused me when I was six-years-old.

'So we got him to strip. And Juned almost put an umbrella up his a**e, right.'

She said on the call that after killing Mr McKeever by hitting him on the spine, they put his body in a bath of bleach for three days.

She then claimed they wrapped his body in a sheet and drove it to an undisclosed location 80 miles from their home.

She explained to the undercover officer that they had been careful to destroy the evidence of the killing.

She said that as well as covering the body with bleach, they had disposed of it whole.

'There's no evidence. He was in the bath for three days.

'His body, right. And when no-one's about, because I know where the cameras was, basically a rent car. Put it in the boot.

'And then we dashed the car.

'But he was not chopped up. He's in somewhere I know, right. It's been a year now. They still ain't found him.

'Now the way to do it is, you know where you go on f******g murder scenes and you f*****g chop them up. There's blood right.

'They can do forensic s**t like that.'

Natalie offered to ask Lee to clean up the body to ensure it doesn't get traced back to her, but she declined, saying: 'There's no DNA.'

Suksiri also explained how they'd killed Mr McKeevor: 'There's part of the back of the spine that will pop the lung.

'The only evidence you got to do is drag out that f*****g body. And dash it somewhere.

'And then dash the sheets somewhere else.'

Natalie explained to the court that the word 'dash' is street slang for disposing of something.

On a call later the same day Suksiri asked Natalie for help dealing with a 'f*****g rank smell' in her home, claiming it was the result of a cat that had urinated inside a walk-in cupboard.

Natalie could be heard on the call recommending sprinkling bicarbonate of soda on the carpet, and said she would bring some round along with a bottle of Febreeze.

She also suggested cutting out the affected piece of carpet if it was too far gone.

Mr McKeever had been due to swap his four bedroom Islington council house with Sheikh's sister but change his mind and decided to give it to another couple, the court heard.

Sheikh, of Camberwell, southeast London, and Suksiri, of Islington, north London, deny murder and preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body.

The trial continues.
Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley has broken cover after apologising to a British-Palestinian MP for asking if she knew about Hamas's terror attack on Israel before it happened.

Layla Moran, whose family are trapped in Gaza as Israel prepare a land invasion, was seemingly taken aback by Madeley's question and GMB viewers called for the presenter to be 'pulled off air' as they lodged complaints to media watchdog Ofcom.

His remarks sparked outrage, prompting him to make an apology to the Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, with a statement from a Good Morning Britain spokesperson saying he is 'sorry that he has upset viewers'.

Madeley was seen in public for the first time since the incident today. He appeared to be pumping up a tyre on his bike before heading out for a ride.

The spokesperson added that his intention was to 'understand the mood and atmosphere' of the situation before the barbaric attacks launched by Hamas on October 7 and 'he did not mean to imply that she or her family might have had any prior knowledge of the attacks'.

Ms Moran was appearing as a guest on the flagship ITV breakfast show when Madeley asked: 'With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen ten days ago, two weeks ago? Was there any word on the street?'

Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley has broken cover after apologising to a British-Palestinian MP for asking if she knew about Hamas's terror attack on Israel before it happened

The GMB star was seen pumping up a tyre on his bike before heading out for a ride

Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley (pictured) has apologised after he sparked outrage for asking a British-Palestinian MP if she knew about Hamas's terror attack on Israel before it happened.

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has said that members of her extended family in Gaza had their home bombed but are 'too old' to flee the area

Madeley asked Britain's first British-Palestinian MP: 'With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen ten days ago, two weeks ago? Was there there any word on the street?'

Hamas terrorists fire rockets towards Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 11. Israel is preparing a full invasion by land, sea and air in retaliation

A Good Morning Britain spokesperson said regarding the incident this morning: 'Richard is sorry that he has upset viewers with his question to Layla Moran. His intention was to understand the mood and atmosphere amongst the civilian population of Gaza immediately before the attacks.

MP Layla Moran's family Layla Moran is Britain's first ever Palestinian MP. Her immediate family are Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, while she has extended family members in Gaza City. She has spoken about her family members being trapped in Gaza - and how she and her sister are trying to get news from their relatives every day as they run out of food and have been reduced to drinking water. Ms Moran's mother Randa is Palestinian while her father James is British. He joined the EU Commission when she was one and the family moved to Brussels. Her mother's family are originally Greek but they moved to Palestine and then Jordan after the diaspora in the 60s. Her great-grandfather was the Palestinian writer Wasif Jawhariyyeh, who wrote memoirs about Palestinian life under Ottoman and British rule. Advertisement

'He asked Layla about her family in Gaza City because she had discussed speaking to them earlier in the interview. He did not mean to imply that she or her family might have had any prior knowledge of the attacks.'

It is also understood that Ms Moran appreciated the interview and would love to go back on the show.

Following Mr Madeley's question, Ms Moran - whose father is a British diplomat, and mother a Christian Palestinian from Jerusalem - replied: 'Not this, not this. I think everyone, everyone has been surprised first of all by the timing and sophistication and the way that it's happened.'

As the first British-Palestinian MP, she added: 'What I will say is that I've been warning, and others have in Parliament as well for a number of years now, that if we don't find a way... People say "go back to the negotiating table".'

'The fact of the matter is there has not been a table, let alone to go back to a negotiating table for at least ten years now.

'This is a cycle of violence. Every time there is a cycle of violence, my worry now is that this is radicalising another generation on all sides. We have to stop this hatred. We have to bring people together and find a way through... Peace is harder than war.'

Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel ten days ago, killing more than 1,400 people and taking scores of hostages including grandmothers, women and children.

Fellow MP Florence Eshalomi said: 'I just saw the clip from @GMB interviews this morning. Richard Madeley is actually disgraceful. I was in the chamber yesterday but sadly I didn't get an opportunity to speak in the statement.

The Labour and Co-op MP added: 'Solidarity with @LaylaMoran for having to endure this racist line of questioning.'

Outraged viewers also fumed at Madeley's comments and several have said they have reported him to Ofcom. MailOnline contacted Ofcom for comment but details of complaints will not be released until tomorrow.

Layla Moran (pictured at a rally in November 2018) is Britain's first Palestinian MP

Several people, including MP Florence Eshalomi, condemned Madeley for his line of questioning

Others urged people to report the interview to media watchdog Ofcom after the backlash

One user said: 'Such an appalling, indefensible question from Richard Madeley. How on earth would Layla Moran know what Hamas was planning?

'The Israeli intelligence services claim they didn't even know! Good Morning Britain please sack Richard Madeley.'

Another posted: 'DID RICHARD MADELEY JUST ASK A PALESTINIAN MP IF SHE KNEW ABOUT THE ATTACKS BEFORE IT HAPPENED?? Absolutely VILE and OFFENSIVE! He should apologise or be taken off.'

A third wrote: 'He should be fired for this.' A fourth added: 'Richard Madeley needs to be taken off the air. This is deeply offensive.'

And a fifth tweeted: 'Madeley should be sacked, today, for this.'

MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.

Earlier on in the show, Ms Moran, fearing for her family, declared: 'I don't believe it's right that my family are being held to account for what Hamas has done'.

She said members of her extended family are 'too old' and frightened to flee after their home was bombed by Israeli forces.

The MP said of Israel's bombing campaign with a land invasion on the way: 'Two wrongs do not make a right in this situation'.

She added: 'My immediate family is from the West Bank, but we have extended family in Gaza City'.

Ms Moran said her relatives are stranded in a church, they have 'no food and no water', 'have nowhere to go' and are 'too old' to move'.

'They are there because an Israeli bomb hit their house. They have heard that there have been convoys of people who have also been hit. They just don't feel safe to move.'

The politician says her family are in a church and too scared to move

'I don't believe it's right that my family are being held to account for what Hamas has done. It is a choice to turn off the electricity and the water like they have done.'

When it was put to her that the Israelis are using it as 'leverage' to force Hamas to release hostages, the MP added: 'They must releases those hostages, not a hair on their heads harmed. But that doesn't make it ok that people like my family are impacted. Two wrongs do not make a right in this situation.'

Rishi Sunak yesterday backed Israel's 'absolute' right to defend itself - as he revealed six British citizens were killed and ten are still missing in the wake of the 'pogrom' by Hamas.

This morning a 13-year-old British girl, who disappeared after Hamas attacked Be'eri Kibbutz and killed her mother Lianne, was confirmed dead by her heartbroken family. Her 16-year-old sister and their father remain missing.

In a sombre statement to the Commons, the Prime Minister said the UK would not try to 'prescribe' how Israel should respond in the face of the terror group's barbaric assault.

He said that 'as a friend', the UK would urge Israel to 'take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians' as it seeks to root out Hamas from its strongholds in Gaza.

But he warned that critics of Israel had to recognise that Hamas bears responsibility for the bloodshed and is now using ordinary Palestinians as 'human shields'.

The PM said that men, women, children and even babies had been 'murdered, mutilated and burned alive' by Hamas, adding: 'We should call it by its name - it was a pogrom.'

'I believe we must support, absolutely, Israel's right to defend itself,' he said. 'To go after Hamas, take back the hostages, deter further incursions, and strengthen its security for the long term.

'But this must be done in line with international humanitarian law but also recognising that they face a vicious enemy that embeds itself behind civilians.'

In a sombre statement to the Commons, the Prime Minister said the UK would not 'prescribe' how Israel should respond to the terror group's barbaric assault

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote a message of goodwill to the people of Israel, whilst visiting a north London Jewish school

The PM said that 'at least' six British nationals had been killed in the conflict, with a further ten 'missing', some of them thought to have been kidnapped by Hamas.

Announcing an extra 10million in humanitarian aid for Palestine, he said civilians in Gaza were 'victims of Hamas too'.

He was backed by Sir Keir Starmer, who said Israel had been 'the victim of terrorism on an almost unimaginable scale'.

The Labour leader also offered support to Israel saying that 'while Hamas have the capability to carry out attacks on Israel's territory there can be no peace'.

Mr Sunak also tried to offer direct reassurance to the Jewish community that the Government and police would act in response to the 'sickening' rise in anti-Semitic incidents in recent days.

'This atrocity was an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland of the Jewish people,' he said. 'I understand why it has shaken you to your core.'

The PM condemned 'unacceptable' scenes at some UK protests where demonstrators openly celebrated the Hamas attacks - and warned that anyone identified would face 'the full force of the law'.

Earlier, Home Secretary Suella Braverman suggested that pro-Palestinian protesters could face prosecution if they continue chanting: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.'

Mrs Braverman said the slogan, which was heard at demonstrations across the country last week, was 'widely understood as a demand for the destruction of Israel. Attempts to pretend otherwise are disingenuous'.

She said 'mainstream groups' had dropped the 'intimidating' chant decades ago, adding: 'The slogan was taken up by Islamists, including Hamas, and remains a staple of antisemitic discourse.

'To hear it shouted in public causes alarm not just to Jews but to all decent people. Those who promote hate on Britain's streets should realise that our tolerance has limits.'

Her comments will pile pressure on the police and prosecutors to take more account of the context of anti-Israel protests in the wake of the massacres by Hamas.

Mr Sunak said it was right to recognise that it was also 'a moment of great anguish for British Muslim communities, who are appalled by Hamas's actions but fearful of the response.' Mr Sunak faced repeated calls from MPs to outlaw Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which has been blamed for sponsoring the Hamas attacks.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman suggested pro-Palestinian protesters could face prosecution if they chanted: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'

Former defence secretary Liam Fox said: 'If the fingers on the trigger were Hamas, the strings being pulled were from Tehran.'

Fellow Tory Bob Blackman said the Hamas attack 'was clearly well-planned, well-resourced, well-equipped and had been planned for many months'.

He added: 'It is beyond belief that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps who fund and support Hamas were not behind this whole operation.'

The PM said British spy planes and warships had been dispatched to the region in part to prevent Iran supplying weapons to anti-Israel terror groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

But he swerved questions about why the Government has still not banned the Revolutionary Guard.

British officials have been pressing for Egypt to open the Rafah crossing with Gaza to allow Britons, dual nationals, as well as their spouses and children, to flee, and to allow humanitarian aid into its more than two million people.
The harrowing last text messages desperate Israelis sent to their loved ones before they were either slaughtered or kidnapped by Hamas have been revealed.

More than 1,400 Israelis have died since the Hamas assault began on October 7.

Relatives of a British mother and daughter who were murdered by the terrorists have released the last messages sent by the pair as gunmen rampaged through their Israeli home.

Lianne Shirabi sent a panicked text to her sister-in-law saying she could hear members of the terrorist group 'shooting and shouting "Die Israel''' before begging her to call for help.

It has now been confirmed that Bristol-born Lianne and her youngest daughter Yahel, 13, were horrifically killed during a massacre by Hamas as they attacked Be'eri Kibbutz on October 7.

Relatives of a British mother and daughter who were murdered by Hamas have released the harrowing last messages sent by the pair as terrorists rampaged through their Israeli home. Lianne Shirabi sent a panicked text to her sister-in-law saying she could hear members of the terrorist group 'shooting and shouting 'Die Israel''' before begging her to call for help

Yahel's heartbroken family this afternoon paid tribute to the 'beautiful' teenager

Yahel Sharabi, 13, disappeared after the terrorists attacked Be'eri Kibbutz

Yahel's older sister, Noiya Sharabi, 16, and their Israeli father Eli Sharabi remain missing, while her uncle Yossi, 53, was kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip.

On Tuesday their heartbroken family shared disturbing footage of their blood-spattered home, with stained possessions seen strewn across the home while Lianne's blood covered the walls and floors.

It is understood that Lianne had sent panicked text messages to relatives that she had heard gunshots outside the house before the horrific massacre.

The grief-stricken family said in a statement: 'Beautiful Yahel. A bundle of unbridled energy and joy, with a cheekiness that you could not help but smile at and a brain which was sharp as a tack. Full of adventure and mischief, we will forever miss her, but are grateful for the light she brought into our lives in the too short time she was with us.'

The family are now urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to visit the war-torn country to call on Hamas to release all the hostages.

Lianne called her family in panic when terrorists began attacking their kibbutz, her sister-in-law Nira Sharabi revealed today. Recalling the horrifying events, Nira told MailOnline: 'The last contact I had with Lianne and the girls was at about 11am on Saturday morning.

'She sent me a message saying: ''Nira, I can hear them. They are here at our house. They are shooting and shouting 'Die Israel'. Please call for help''.

'I told her: ''Be Strong! I am calling for help!'' But ten minutes later I lost contact with her and the girls.

'Later we learned that Lianne and Yahel had been murdered. But we don't know what has happened to Noiya and her dad Eli. All we know is that the terrorists broke into their safe room.

'Eli had barricaded the door and was holding the handle but the terrorists managed to get it open. When the soldiers went in there was a pool of blood outside the door of the safe room.

'The terrorists did not burned down the house but they smashed everything up. Everything inside the house was broken. They even shot the dog, Moka. She was found dead under the table in the living room. She had bled to death.'

An Israeli hostage who was paraded by Hamas terrorists in a chilling video pleaded with her friend to 'save us' in a harrowing final text message before the gunmen abducted her from a festival more than a week ago, it has emerged.

Mia Schem, 21, a French and Israeli citizen, was abducted from the Nova festival after Hamas terrorists descended on the site in southern Israel in paragliders, motorbikes and pick-up trucks on October 7. As the murderous gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns shot at the revellers, Mia's mother Keren Schem said her daughter sent her friend a panicked message that read: 'They're shooting at us. Please, come save us!'

Video released by her family shows Mia dancing and smiling with friends

The 21-year-old is a French and Israeli citizen and was described by her mother as 'creative' and 'mature'. Pictured in a TikTok video

Mia Schem, 21, a French and Israeli citizen, was abducted from the Nova festival after Hamas terrorists descended on the site in southern Israel in paragliders, motorbikes and pick-up trucks on October 7.

READ MORE HERE: Final text from Israeli hostage paraded by Hamas is revealed by heartbroken mother as she reveals her fears for what the captors will do to her 'baby' Advertisement

As the murderous gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns shot at the revellers, Mia's mother Keren Schem said her daughter sent her friend a panicked message that read: 'They're shooting at us. Please, come save us!'

And then there was silence. For more than a week, Keren had no idea if her daughter was dead or alive. But last night, Hamas released chilling footage of Mia pleading with Israeli officials to 'get her out of Gaza'.

Her heartbroken mother is now 'begging the world to bring' her daughter home, with Keren saying she fears what the terrorists will do to 'her baby'.

She said the 21-year-old 'only went to a party, to a festival party to have some fun... and now she's in Gaza'.

Video released by her family shows Mia, who her mum has described as a 'warrior', dancing and smiling with friends.

An Israeli television personality has recalled the last messages she received from her younger sister just after she was shot to death at point-blank range by Hamas terrorists who killed more than 260 partygoers at a music festival near the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli television personality has recalled the last messages she received from her younger sister just after she was shot to death at point-blank range by Hamas terrorists who killed more than 260 partygoers at a music festival near the Gaza Strip

Mourners gather beside the body of Mapal Adam during her funeral in Tel Aviv on October 11

A woman cries beside Ms Adam's grave during a funeral service four days after she was killed in Hamas's attacks

'Don't tell mom, but there has been an infiltration of dozens of terrorists,' Mapal Adam, 27, messaged her older sister, Ma'ayan Adam, 36, when the Nova electronic festival was infiltrated by Hamas gunmen.

Ma'ayan Adam broke down in tears last week during a television interview, remembering the final messages she received from her sister, who was killed while playing dead as she hid under a truck beside her boyfriend.

'There are wounded here, blood everywhere,' Mapal Adam texted her sister, according to the Israeli channel N12 News.

'I'm scared, Ma'ayan,' Mapal said in a text message from her hiding spot. 'I don't know where to run to.'

Ma'ayan responded: 'Talk to me. Take a photo of where you are.'

Ma'ayan told N12 News that she phoned her sister but was unable to get through.

'She keeps texting me: "They're killing everybody,''' Ma'ayan told N12 News.

An Israeli-American family who were attacked by Hamas terrorists on October 7 texted relatives to say they had safely reached shelter - but then sent distressing messages of their final moments as they were butchered in their home.

An Israeli-American family who were attacked by Hamas terrorists on Saturday texted relatives to say they had safely reached shelter - but then sent distressing messages of their final moments as they were butchered in their home

Johnny Siman Tov, his wife Tamar Kedem-Siman Tov, and their three children Omer, and twins Arbel and Shachar, were all shot to death in their safe room by Hamas terrorists

'They're here. They're burning us. We're suffocating,' Johnny Siman Tov messaged his sister Ranae Butler, who lives in Israel, The Times of Israel reported.

Tov, his wife Tamar Kedem-Siman Tov, 35, and their three children - six-year-old twin girls Shahar and Arbel and four-year-old son Omer - as well as his mother, Carol Siman Tov, 70, all died in the Hamas attack last Saturday.

The family of six were at their residence in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the Gaza border when Hamas rockets struck. They then ran to 'safe rooms' and messaged friends and family that they were secure.

Tamar messaged a loved one: 'Hi guys, we got into the shelter in our house, we are all going OK.'

But an hour later Hamas terrorists had broken into their house and shot them dead.

Tov's mother, Carol, was gunned down in her own safe room.

'Our hearts are shattered,' a family friend, Yishai Lacob, wrote on Facebook. 'An entire family was killed by evil murderers who shot the children and parents simply because they were Jewish. And this is just one story, among so many. It's unbearable.'

A 19-year-old who recently enlisted as Israeli soldier messaged her loved ones on October 7 to say she had sustained injuries during a surprise Hamas attack on her military base near Gaza and that a terrorist was approaching her hiding spot.

A 19-year-old who recently enlisted as Israeli soldier messaged her loved ones on October 7 to say she had sustained injuries during a surprise Hamas attack on her military base near Gaza and that a terrorist was approaching her hiding spot

Cpl. Boni, who served in the 77th Battalion of the Armored Corps, wrote a heartfelt message to her family as she faced down Hamas terrorists

Cpl. Naama Boni, serving in the 77th Battalion of the Armored Corps, was at her post when the Zikim military base in the city of Kiriyat Arba was overrun by terrorists early that day, the Israeli news outlet Ynet reported.

READ MORE: Tributes to hero British-Israeli man who was killed by Hamas gunmen as he tried to evacuate wounded civilians from kibbutz massacre Advertisement

After finding temporary shelter, Boni reached out to her friends and family.

'I deeply care for all of you. I have a head injury, and a terrorist nearby might start shooting at me,' she wrote via text message. 'I am currently with an injured soldier from the Golani Brigade, and there are no reinforcements available.'

In another update, she detailed the traumatic situation that she was in.

'There is terrorist here who wont go away. I can hear someone screaming, and there appears to be a human casualty,' she wrote.

Her aunt, Shmirit Ilook, told Ynet that her niece was stationed at the entrance when the gunmen entered after arriving by sea.

Ilook said: 'At around 7.30 am, she was still sending us messages about the terrorists shooting at her, after which she no longer responded.'

Bonis family members frantically made calls in an attempt to locate her. Eventually, they were told that she had been hospitalised at Brazilai Medical Center, but no one would give out details on her condition.

'We desperately wanted to believe she was still alive, but when the notifications officer showed up at her parents, we knew she just became a statistic,' Ilook said.
A Palestinian girl trapped in Gaza has described the horror of living amid constant bombing and insists 'nowhere is safe'.

Zaina, 13, has been fearing for her life amid Israeli air strikes and has been left scared that she may lose loved ones.

After Hamas' launched its attack last Saturday, Israel began a campaign of air attacks across Gaza in revenge.

Zaina and her family had to flee Gaza City and head south, to an area that Israel assured them would be safe.

In an emotional message shared with The Mirror, she said that they suddenly had to leave on the first day of Israel's attacks, without knowing where they were going or if they would be safe.

Zaina and her family had to leave Gaza City and head south, to an area that Israel assured them would be safe

Palestinians search through the rubble of a building after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

A Palestinian reacts as he is helped across the rubble following an Israeli airstrike on buildings in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

Zaina pleaded with the outside world not to neglect the Palestinians in Gaza, adding that she hopes that 'one day the world realises what we're going through'.

Her message read: 'Today, Israeli warplanes have struck near the Gaza border crossing of Rafah, not far from where Zaina and her family fled to.

'This comes as Israel continues to ready for its ground invasion of Gaza which could see conflict intensify and even more people die. The World Health Organisation also warned that Gaza is down to its last 24 hours of fuel, electricity, and water.'

Zaina said that since the first day of the attack on Gaza she has not been in touch with her extended family and nor have her neighbours.

She said that when they did get chance to speak and to call one another it was only for minutes at a time, without knowing anything about the situation that they were in.

She added: 'You start thinking about them, your neighbours, your family, what if you lose them. Your friends, you just can't call them. Sometimes then when you do call them they won't respond and that is really hard and you start thinking about the things - what if something happened to them, what would you do? And everything is just going on in your head which is really, really hard.'

The Palestinian death toll from Israel's bombardment of Gaza climbed to around 3,000 today.

At least six people were killed in an Israeli air strike that hit a school run by the U.N.'s Palestinian refugee agency.

The violence raged as Washington announced that U.S. President Joe Biden would visit Israel tomorrow to show support for its war on Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

However, his meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was cancelled in protest over a blast at a hospital in Gaza that has killed at least 500 people and trapped more under the rubble.

Israel has denied it was responsible for the blast, and claimed the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was hit by a misfired rocket by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists.

But a spokesman for Islamic Jihad has said this is 'completely incorrect' and accused the IDF of 'trying to cover for the horrifying crime and massacre they committed against civilians'.

Video from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital's grounds strewn with bodies, many of them young children. Hundreds of people were reportedly seeking shelter at the hospital at the time of the blast, which Hamas has called a 'horrific massacre' and a 'crime of genocide'.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip says at least 500 people have been killed in an explosion that it says was caused by an Israeli airstrike

Unverified photographs circulating on social media showed fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass and body parts scattered across the area

Scores of injured people are being taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

An injured young child is carried by an apparent medic after an airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

About 6,000 Palestinians were sheltering at the hospital, which is reportedly funded by the Anglican Church.

An analysis of IDF operational systems has indicated that the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation is 'responsible for the failed shooting that hit the hospital'.

The military, in a statement, said that a 'barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit'.

An IDF spokesperson added: 'Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza.'

The Islamic Jihad is another Gaza-based terrorist group which has claimed to be fighting Israel alongside Hamas. The group has denied responsibility for the attack.

The Israeli army earlier on Tuesday said that a hospital is a 'highly sensitive building' and is 'not an IDF target', and urged 'everyone to proceed with caution when reporting unverified claims of a terrorist organisation'.

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'WHO strongly condemns the attack on al-Ahli Hospital in north Gaza. Early reports indicate hundreds of deaths and injuries.

'We call for the immediate protection of civilians and health care, and for the evacuation orders to be reversed.'

But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: 'The entire world should know: It was barbaric terrorists in Gaza that attacked the hospital in Gaza, and not the IDF. Those who brutally murdered our children also murder their own children.'

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has also blamed the United States for the attack. He said in a televised speech late on Tuesday that Washington gave Israel 'the cover for its aggression'.

'The hospital massacre confirms the enemy's brutality and the extent of his feeling of defeat,' he said, adding that the attack will be 'a new turning point'.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against Abbas as popular anger boiled over after the blast

People clash with Palestinian security forces during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Tuesday

Demonstrators are seen flooding the streets of Ramallah on Tuesday evening in support of the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip

Haniyeh called on all Palestinian people 'to get out and confront the occupation and the settlers'. He also called on all Arabs and Muslims to stage protests against Israel.

Mark Regev, senior adviser to Netanyahu, told the BBC Israel would not deliberately target a hospital.

He said: My information, that I have just received from the highest authority ... is that all indications are that this was not Israeli orders, that this was rather a Hamas rocket that fell short.

Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal also called for protests in front of Israeli embassies across the world after the hospital blast.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against Abbas as popular anger boiled over after the blast.

Clashes with Palestinian security forces broke out in a number of other cities in the West Bank, which is ruled by Abbas' Palestinian Authority, late on Tuesday, witnesses said.
A jury inquest will consider if police officers could have done more to stop Zara Aleena's killer before the sexual predator was free to hunt and murder the law graduate as she walked home from a night out, a coroner has directed.

Jordan McSweeney was jailed for life with a minimum term of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022 after he brutally strangled and stamped the 35-year-old to death in a 'merciless' slaughter.

Prior to the savage killing, McSweeney should have been recalled to prison in June 2022, just six days before the attack and could have been back in his cell by the time of the murder.

McSweeney had been released on licence, but police did not find him at the address he had given.

Zara Aleena (above), 35, was walking home from a night out with friends when Jordan McSweeney leapt out of the darkness and murdered her in a frenzy of violence

Jordan McSweeney was jailed for life with a minimum term of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022 after he brutally strangled and stamped the 35-year-old to death in a 'merciless' slaughter

Jurors will now consider whether officers did enough to find him and 'whether adequate steps were taken to obtain information from Mr McSweeney's mother'.

McSweeney had 28 previous convictions for 69 separate offences at the time of the murder including burglary, theft of a vehicle, criminal damage, assaulting police officers and assaulting members of the public while on bail.

The Metropolitan Police said the Probation Service had commenced recall proceedings on June 22, just days before the murder, after he missed two appointments.

Coroner Nadia Persaud said on Tuesday she will empanel a jury for the month-long inquest into Ms Aleena's death.

At a pre-inquest review hearing at East London Coroner's Court in Walthamstow, Ms Persaud said: 'I consider there is reason to suspect the MPS police officers could and should have done more to locate Mr McSweeney prior to his attack on Zara Aleena, and a jury should be empanelled to consider this question.

'I therefore direct that this inquest must be held with a jury.

Jordan McSweeney was jailed for life for the murder of aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena (pictured) in December last year

McSweeney had 28 previous convictions for 69 separate offences at the time of Zara's murder

'The inquest into the death of Zara Aleena will consider the actions of police officers and will also consider the actions of prison and probation staff.

'These are all agents of the state who play a role in keeping the public safe.'

The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 says an inquest must be held with a jury if a senior coroner has reason to suspect the death resulted from an act or omission of a police officer in the execution of their duty.

Ms Persaud said: 'Acts or omissions of police officers who were tasked with recalling Mr McSweeney falls within the scope of this inquest.'

McSweeney was released on licence from prison on June 17 2022 and, after missing successive appointments, the Probation Service recalled him to prison on June 24 2022 - but police did not find him at the address he had given.

Ms Persaud said jurors will need to consider whether officers did enough to find him and whether adequate steps were taken to obtain information from Mr McSweeneys mother.

Interested parties will include Ms Aleena's family, the Probation Service, Metropolitan Police and Redbridge Council, Ms Persaud said.

McSweeney was caught on CCTV following Zara Aleena on the night of her death

McSweeney, 29, who was described as a 'ticking time-bomb' by an ex-girlfriend, was freed days before sexually assaulting, killing and robbing Zara in Ilford, East London

In a report published in January, chief inspector of probation Justin Russell highlighted a catalogue of errors in the Probation Service's handling of McSweeney which meant he was not treated as a high-risk offender when he should have been.

Article two inquests are enhanced hearings held in cases where the state or 'its agents' have 'failed to protect the deceased against a human threat or other risk', CPS guidance says.

Ms Persaud said: 'Having considered the further disclosure received to date and having considered the legal submissions from the interested persons, I direct that article two is engaged in this case so as to trigger the enhanced procedural obligation.'

Another pre-inquest review hearing is due to take place on March 4 and the inquest is listed for June 3-28 at the same court.
Josh Hammer is host of 'The Josh Hammer Show' and a research fellow at the Edmund Burke Foundation

To paraphrase the infamous words of President Barack Obama's former pastor Jeremiah Wright: American academia's 'chickens have come home to roost.'

The past week and a half, following the genocidal jihadist slaughter of more Jews than at any time since Hitler, has underscored just how bad it has gotten on the university campus.

Video surfaced on Monday of a Cornell University history professor delivering an impassioned speech where he described the Hamas massacre  leaving more than 1,400 dead and thousands more woundedas 'exhilarating' and 'energizing.'

Days before that, a Columbia University lecturer called the Islamist pogrom an 'awesome stunning victory.'

As bad as the professoriate has been, students have, predictably, been even worse.

At Harvard, over 30 student groups signed a letter placing the blame for the mass murder of Jews squarely at the feet of Israel itself.

Hundreds of UCLA students marching across campus called for Jewish genocide in Israel 'from the river to the sea.'

The President of the Student Bar Association at New York University School of Law proclaimed that 'Israel bears full responsibility' for Hamas' unspeakable barbarism.

And across the country, 'Students for Justice in Palestine' cheered the carnage; in one galling example, the University of Virginia chapter praised the savagery as a 'step towards a free Palestine.'

Video (above) surfaced on Monday of a Cornell University history professor delivering an impassioned speech in which he described the Hamas massacre  leaving more than 1,400 dead and thousands more woundedas 'exhilarating' and 'energizing'

At Harvard, over 30 student groups signed a letter placing the blame for the mass murder of Jews squarely at the feet of Israel itself. (Above) Israel critics gather at Harvard University on October 14, 2023

Harvard, Cornell, Columbia  these are some of the most prestigious institutions in the nation. Yet Jew-hatred, the world's oldest and apparently most politically correct form of bigotry, now pervades their faculty lounges and campus quads.

The Hamas paraglider has replaced Che Guevara or Angela Davis as the new symbol of fashionable radicalism.

This is profoundly dangerous.

America's future leaders are being brainwashed to embrace the vilest filth, and the adults nominally in charge are standing by and condoning itas they pocket tuition dollars and alumni donations.

Quite a racket, if you can get in on it.

University presidents and administrators, with rare exceptions, have failed to condemn this unfathomable immorality and wanton bloodlust.

Their mealy-mouthed excuse for not doing so? 'Free speech.'

How pathetic.

Try setting foot on campus and saying that there are two, and only two, genders. Or perhaps try asserting that the unborn child in the womb is worthy of moral and legal dignity.

These campus cowards don't actually believe in 'free speech'; they believe in 'free speech for me, but not for thee.'

Would university administrators appeal to the same sanctimonious faux-moral high ground if the Ku Klux Klan organized on-campus rallies calling for racial warfare against blacks?

No chance.

They would immediately condemn the Klan, kick them off campus, and try to get the organizers expelled and/or arrestedas they should.

Yet universities have now made clear where they stand.

Asserting biological and empirical reality is a 'micro-aggression' at best, and 'transphobia' at worst. But casually calling for the genocide of Jews? That's just 'free speech.'

How did this happen?

Look no further than the intellectual shepherds of the 'critical race theory' movement.

The Hamas paraglider has replaced Che Guevara or Angela Davis as the new symbol of fashionable leftist radicalism. (Above) Palestinian supporters march at Columbia University, on October 12, 2023

Radical leftists, like Ta-Nehisi Coates, the provocateur who just published over the weekend an open letter thatsurprise! blamed Israel for the Hamas atrocities, preach that victimhood absolves victims of blame.

And just as Obama's ex-pastor notoriously spat 'God Damn America' and said that the U.S. government was guilty of inviting the September 11th attacks, one shudders to think how today's college students and professors would react to a future strike on American soil.

It turns out that the decades of glib ivory tower claptrap about 'liberation,' 'colonizers,' and 'oppressed' people has real-world consequencesand they are revolting.

Higher education is now a Stage IV cancer afflicting the entirety of our body politic.

How far it has fallen from its ostensible purpose: the pursuit of truth and the formation of patriotic, well-rounded young men and women with sound republican habits of mind.

These institutions have betrayed their purported mission.

They have shown themselves to be little more than subversive fifth columns, dedicated to destroying Western civilizationfor which the Jews and the Jewish state serve as the proverbial canaries in the coal mine.

Thankfully, amidst all the cowardice and moral idiocy, market forces have started to push back.

Radical leftists, like Ta-Nehisi Coates, the provocateur who just published over the weekend an open letter thatsurprise! blamed Israel for the Hamas atrocities, preach that victimhood absolves victims of blame

At the University of Pennsylvania, former Utah governor and major funder Jon Huntsman, Jr. has announced he is no longer donating.

At the University of Pennsylvania, former Utah governor and major funder Jon Huntsman, Jr. has announced he is no longer donating.

Prominent Harvard alumni, such as hedge fund magnates Ken Griffin and Bill Ackman, have announced they will never employ students who signed onto the disgraceful pro-Hamas letter.

At least one federal judge has already announced he will refuse to hire any future law clerk who endorsed pro-Hamas sentiment.

'Never again,' as it turns out, is right now.

We all must fight back.

The corruption, decay, and decadence of American academia is now far too glaring to simply ignore.

Ordinary people must follow the lead of these greater entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

Don't trust your future or that of your children to these fanatics.

Take your tuition dollars elsewhere  now.
Tens of thousands of British companies are under siege from China as it steps up attempts to steal secrets, the head of MI5 warned yesterday.

Ken McCallum revealed Beijing has more than doubled its underhand approaches to UK workers on professional networking sites like LinkedIn.

Speaking at an unprecedented security summit in the US, the Director General of the Security Service vowed that MI5 and police will bring criminal charges against Chinese spies working covertly in Britain.

We are in a different world now than the world weve all lived in since the end of the Cold War, he said.

Authoritarian states are behaving much more aggressively. Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine is only the ugliest and most visible example of that.

Ken McCallum (pictured) revealed Beijing has more than doubled its underhand approaches to UK workers on professional networking sites like LinkedIn

MI5 is determined to bring more hostile state spies to justice under the new National Security Act, building a case in the same way that the domestic intelligence agency pursues terrorists.

Mr McCallum said: As we proceed further, you would expect to see our police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts will more often draw relevance to state threats work in the way that is entirely routine on our counter-terrorism work.

Typically on state threats work over the last many years weve often had to disrupt activity because it has been damagin - but it has not always been possible to prove a serious criminal offence and we are now in a different position.

The spymaster spoke out at the first joint conference by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance - comprising the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States - to highlight the massive amounts of covert activity from the hostile state.

Today, the alliance is launching a joint appeal to businesses and issuing guidance to help them protect their staff, innovations, products and partnerships from the pernicious threat.

In the five years to 2021, at least 10,000 Britons were targeted through fake profiles on LinkedIn.

But in the last two years, that figure has risen to over 20,000 as China seeks to infiltrate innovative British companies on an industrial scale, offering investment or manipulating staff into handing over sensitive information.

Today, the alliance is launching a joint appeal to businesses and issuing guidance to help them protect their staff, innovations, products and partnerships from the pernicious threat

In many approaches, individuals are lured to meetings in China with the promise of all-expenses paid trips, only to find themselves forced to divulge company secrets.

MI5 officials are weekly detecting covert attempts by China, as well as by Russia and Iran.

Mr McCallum said: Today is the first time weve ever chosen to come together publicly, and were doing so to send the most powerful signal we can to people in our countries that we havent really had to reach in this way before.

We are at a historic moment where emerging technologies - AI, quantum computing, synthetic biology, are leaping forward in ways that will change our world at a pretty fundamental level.

The nations that lead the way on them will command immense power and authoritarian states are laser focused on this. We know that because theyve said so publicly.

And we know it because week by week, our teams detect massive amounts of covert activity by the likes of China in particular, but also Russia and Iran.

Activity not aimed just at Government or military secrets. Not even just aimed at our critical infrastructure, but increasingly promising start-ups, innovative companies spun out of our universities, academic research itself.

In 2023, if youre anywhere close to the cutting edge of tech, you may not be interested in geopolitics. But geopolitics is interested in you.

In the five years to 2021, at least 10,000 Britons were targeted through fake profiles on LinkedIn

MI5 plans to engage with ten times more British companies to warn them of the threat from China.

Our current target over the next two years is to reach 10 times more organisations than we previously had been in a relationship with, Mr McCallum said.

MI5 is currently aware of more than 20 Chinese companies considering or actively pursuing concealed investment, imaginative company structures or trying to identify legal loopholes to gain access to sensitive technology developed by UK companies and universities.

Last year a Beijing company was blocked on national security grounds from buying intellectual property related to vision sensing technology developed by Manchester University.

Ministers also stopped China from buying Britains biggest microchip factory in Wales.

In another instance, a Chinese company acquired stolen research data from a top UK university.

There have been attempts to bypass and undermine the management and regulatory controls at two top British universities in order to access cutting-edge research.

MI5 has also been involved in the disruption of Chinese state acquisition of a sensitive British tech company linked to military supply chains.

In the first year of the UKs investment screening regime under the National Security and Investment Act, the Government received 866 notifications about sectors including defence, advanced materials, satellite, space and AI.

During the conference at Stanford University, FBI Director Christopher Wray also described an exponential growth in Chinese attacks on American firms.

I think the FBI has seen about a 1300 per cent increase in investigations over the last several years that are specifically focused on efforts to steal intellectual property or trade secrets or things along those lines that almost invariably trace back to the government of China, he said.

Were well north of about 2000 investigations. Its all 56 FBI field offices. It covers almost every sector that you can imagine.

There was a time not that long ago when we were opening a new investigation, again, Im just talking about China, roughly every 12 hours.
A correctional officer warned that convicted killer Danelo Cavalcante was planning to escape a month before the killer busted out of a Pennsylvania jail, sparking a massive manhunt.

Cavalcante, 34, broke out of the Chester County Prison on August 31 - shortly after he was sentenced to life for murdering his ex-girlfriend.

Just hours after Cavalcante crab-walked up a wall in the prison yard, Sgt. Jerry Beavers sent an email to Cpt. Harry Griswold noting there had been a warning about the killer's plans.

'I am just sending this cause I don't want this to come back on us or [Officer] Hernandez in anyway,' Beavers wrote in the email seen by ABC News. 'He noted back in July that this inmate was planning an escape.'

Griswold then forwarded the message to newly appointed acting warden Howard Holland, writing: 'This was sent to me this afternoon and I have not forwarded it to anyone else... I am not sure how you want to move forward with this information internally.'

A correctional officer warned that convicted killer Danelo Cavalcante was planning to escape a month before the killer busted out of a Pennsylvania jail

Danelo Cavalcante is spotted by a surveillance camera 'crab-walking' his way to freedom at the Chester County jail on August 31

And it was not the first time jail officials had noted that Cavalcante was at risk of escape. In fact, there were warnings about him from the moment of his arrest.

Chester County spokesperson Becky Brain told ABC News the killer was 'initially identified as an escape risk when captured in Virginia and committed to Chester County Prison in 2021.'

'During the time surrounding his trial, unsubstantiated information from an unknown source was received reinforcing Cavalcantes status as an escape risk,' she added.

However, despite the warnings, Cavalcante was allowed to spend time in the prison yard, where he mingled with other detainees during recreational time and was not directly supervised by an officer.

The escape is being investigated by the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, and a spokesperson for the jail has said changes have been made to the prison since Cavalcante's escape, including different color clothing and increased monitoring by correctional officers.

Hundreds of law enforcement officials spent days frantically searching for the killer before he was discovered hiding in thick underbrush by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection tactical team. The teams search dog, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois named Yoda, bit him on the scalp and then latched onto his leg as Cavalcante, still armed with a rifle hed stolen a few days earlier, made one last futile effort to crawl away.

Danelo Cavalcante once escaped from a juvenile detention center in Tocantins, Brazil, in 2006 before his escape from Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania in August

Danelo Cavalcante tried to run away, but a K-9 chased him through the woods, bit him and brought an end to the manhunt September 13. He was treated for injuries at the spot

Deborah Brandao (pictured) was stabbed dead in April 2021 by Danelo Cavalcante, who feared that she would turn him over to police because she knew he had murdered a person in Brazil

Just hours after Cavalcante crab-walked up a wall in the prison yard, Sgt. Jerry Beavers sent an email to Cpt. Harry Griswold noting there had been a warning about the killer's plans

Cavalcante, 34, broke out of the Chester County Prison in August - shortly after he was sentenced to life for murdering his ex-girlfriend

Speaking in Portuguese through an interpreter, Cavalcante told police he didnt eat for the first three days after busting out, surviving on creek water and then, finally, stealing watermelon from a farm and cracking it open with his head.

Using the difficult terrain to his advantage, Cavalcante stayed put for days at a time and only moved at night, hiding in foliage so thick that search teams came within a few yards of him on three separate occasions.

He said he covered his feces with leaves in an effort to hide his tracks from the hundreds of federal, state and local law enforcement agents who were out looking for him.

The killer's capture, which took about five minutes, brought relief to anxious residents of southeastern Pennsylvania who endured sleepless nights as he hid in the woods, broke into suburban homes for food, changed his appearance, and fled under gunfire with a rifle pilfered from a garage.

Residents or Pocopson Township had been told to stay alert and indoors as more than 500 agents actively searched for Cavalcante, who was armed and dangerous and somehow managed to escape the original search perimeter around the prison.

Cavalcante was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 33-year-old Deborah Brandao in 2021.

He stabbed Brandao 38 times in front of her then seven- and four-year-old children in April. She had brought the children to the US from Brazil for a better life. Prosecutors say he murdered her to stop her from telling police he was wanted in Brazil for a separate killing.

Police updated the search perimeter after Cavalcante was spotted outside the original search area over the weekend

Cavalcante had already been accused of murdering a friend before fleeing from authorities in his home country.

It's still unclear how the killer entered and made money in the U.S. after he fled Brazil following the murder of his friend Walter Junior in Figueiropolis, Tocantins, on November 5, 2017.

Evaldo Feitosa told Brazilian news outlet G1 that he was talking to Cavalcante when the killer approached Junior at a corner table. He remembered they were having a conversation before he heard several shots being fired and someone shout, man the guy killed his friend.

TV Globo also reported that the killing was over money Junior owed Cavalcante.

Two months after the murder, he managed to slip past authorities at BrasiliaPresident Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport.
The monstrous attacks in Israel have increased the risk of a terrorist atrocity in the UK, the head of MI5 warned today.

Ken McCallum said Jewish communities in Britain were under threat from Islamic extremists as well as anti-Semites, Neo-Nazis and extreme right-wing terrorists.

Speaking at an unprecedented security summit, the Director General of MI5 also raised the prospect of a heightened threat to Britain from an emboldened Iran.

At the first joint conference by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance comprising the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, Mr McCallum said he was sickened by the outrageous acts by Hamas.

There clearly is the possibility that profound events in the Middle East will either generate more volume of UK threat and or change its shape in terms of what is being targeted, in terms of how people are taking inspiration, Mr McCallum warned.

Ken McCallum said Jewish communities in Britain were under threat from Islamic extremists as well as anti-Semites, Neo-Nazis and extreme right-wing terrorists

Mr McCallum said he was sickened by the outrageous acts by Hamas. Pictured: Pro-Palestanian supporters protest in Birmingham City Centre on October 15

The spymaster revealed the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre was assessing the threat to the UK in light of developments in the Middle East. Pictured: Israeli troops with a variety of military vehicles at a gathering site at an undisclosed location along the Israel-Gaza border

Lots of things could shift over time.

He suggested MI5 analysts have got their minds open and their eyes and ears open, to the risk, adding: Sadly it is the case that in the particular case of Jewish or Israeli individuals or entities, they face risk potentially from those of an Islamist extremist mindset and those of an extreme right-wing, anti -Semitic or neo-Nazi type mindset.

We see both those forms of terrorism in the UK.

The spymaster revealed the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre was assessing the threat to the UK in light of developments in the Middle East.

Over the last few years we've seen the growth increasingly of self-initiated terrorism, often without meaningful international connectivity, people often inspired by what they're absorbing and digesting online, he said.

And so of course in the current climate, we and our partners are particularly attuned to the risk either that terrorist organisations may choose to strike in a new way, or perhaps even more likely that individuals choose to respond often in spontaneous or unpredictable ways.

He added: Terrorists can draw inspiration not just from things they see happening inside the UK, but things they see happening in the Middle East or on the continent or elsewhere.

So we would be silly not to be paying very close attention. And we are.

Last year Iran plotted the assassination or kidnapping of at least 10 people in Britain. Pictured: Two persons on a motorcycle ride past large Palestinian flags hanging next to Hamas (right) and Hezbollah (centre) logos in 'Palestine Square', in Tehran, Iran

Mr McCallum revealed MI5 was working closely with Israel to establish the facts and suggested UK intelligence may play a role in helping to locate the ten missing Britons presumed to have been taken hostage by terrorists. Pictured: Israeli troops in Armoured Personnel Carriers

Mr McCallum revealed MI5 was working closely with Israel to establish the facts and suggested UK intelligence may play a role in helping to locate the ten missing Britons presumed to have been taken hostage by terrorists.

But Mr McCallum refused to be drawn on the detail.

These were monstrous attacks which saw 1400 people murdered. That includes British citizens, others are still missing, Mr McCallum said ahead of the conference at Stanford University.

The UK is working with Israel to establish the facts as quickly as possible.

My thoughts are with all the innocent people suffering in the region. Today, my fellow Five Eyes agency heads and I are discussing one important issue in public. As you'd expect, we will also use our time together to discuss a range of other issues in private, including what Hamas attack means both in the region and in our homelands.

I spent the bulk of my career countering terrorism. It never loses the power to sicken me.

MI5 will continue to work without fear or favour to protect the UK national security wherever we see threats.

Mr McCallum also raised the spectre of Irans targeting intent shifting towards the UK.

A vandal hurled red paint over Beis Chinuch Lebonos Girls' School in Hackney, which police are investigating as a 'hate crime'

We have obviously been concerned about Iran's behaviour in the UK for a long time, he said.

In particular, the last 18 months or so, have been a particularly intensive phase of Iran generated threat on UK soil.

Plainly events in the Middle East sharpen the possibility that Iran might decide to move into new directions.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility that could include the UK.

Last year Iran plotted the assassination or kidnapping of at least 10 people in Britain.

Mr McCallum said the attacks in Israel by Hamas, which are widely seen as Iran funded, may embolden the hostile state.

For the most part, the activity we've seen backed by Iran in the UK for the last 18 months or so has been targeted at the regime's own internal enemies, dissidents, Farsi media organisations. Not exclusively, but predominantly, he said.

Clearly one of the things on our minds is, might the Iranian targeting intent shift in response to events elsewhere.

FBI Director Christopher Wray also warned at the summit there was the risk that Hamas and other terror organisations could exploit the conflict.

Here in the US we cannot and do not discount the possibility that Hamas or other foreign terrorist organisations could exploit the conflict to call on their supporters to conduct attacks on our own soil, he said.

We are also particularly alert to the potential these events have to inspire violence against Jewish Americans or Muslim Americans, institutions and houses of worship.

Over the past week, we have seen an increase in reported threats to these groups here in the United States.
They appear to be under the influence of a new 'tranq zombie' drug - fentanyl mixed with xylazine

A horrifying video of two people believed to be on a new 'tranq zombie' drug - fentanyl mixed with xylazine has people terrified on social media.

The video shows a man and woman filling up their BMW at a gas station. The unidentified woman is seen bending and resting her head on the car while holding on to the pump.

She is periodically seen twitching while being unable to open her eyes. The man beside her is also seen in a similar condition while taking the support of the car.

In one shocking moment, the woman leans forward and smacks her head on the edge of the car as the video ends.

A horrifying video of a man and woman at a gas station shows them being unable to open their eyes and twitching

She is periodically seen twitching while being unable to open her eyes. The man beside her is also seen in a similar condition while taking the support of the car

In one shocking moment, the woman leans forward and smacks her head on the edge of the car as the video ends

The duo appears to be on a new zombie drug that has been wreaking havoc on the streets of Philadelphia in the concerning footage

The duo appears to be on a new zombie drug that has been wreaking havoc on the streets of Philadelphia in the concerning footage.

The Kensington neighborhood - known as 'ground zero' for the city's drug crisis - is seen littered with zombie-like addicts, with many shamelessly shooting up in broad daylight.

Gruesome scenes in the 'City of Brotherly Love' show droves of homeless addicts aimlessly staggering through the streets, surrounded by tents and scattered trash.

The harrowing situation is fueled by the rise of the drug Xylazine, also known as 'tranq' - a lethal sedative often used to enhance the effects of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.

Administrator Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration says: 'Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier.

'DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 States. The DEA Laboratory System reports that in 2022, approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine.'

The DEA is warning people of this mixture and said that users are at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning due to xylazine not being an opioid; therefore naloxone (Narcan) being unable to reverse its effects.

Tranq is used as a potent sedative to put large animals to sleep before procedures.

Multiple individuals were seen buckled over, with no control of their limbs, on the trash-filled corner of Kensington and Allegheny avenues

The new footage shows addicts shooting up or passed out on the sidewalk

A man is passed out on Bienville Street in New Orleans. Just last April, drug-related deaths in the city rose by one third compared to a year prior, according to a local coroner who blames fentanyl

However, the DEA has said dealers are buying the drug from China and using it as a cutting agent to make opioids more potent and extend users' 'high'.

Experts have speculated whether this cocktail of xylazine - a sedative that shuts the body down - and stimulants like cocaine and meth that keep the brain wired awake are causing the 'dope lean' phenomenon.

Xylazine binds to and blocks adrenergic receptors in the brain, releasing the stress hormones norepinephrine and dopamine, slowing brain activity.

The result is a reduction in pain and stress and a sense of euphoria similar to that of opioids.

Because xylazine is usually fixed with fentanyl or heroin, it is commonly injected - but can also be swallowed, smoked, or snorted.

'When xylazine is injected, it's going to start having effects within minutes,' Dr Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a medical toxicologist with the National Capital Poison Center, told DailyMail.com.

'The effects can last for hours, or longer in some cases.'

If xylazine is injected, it immediately travels to the bloodstream and begins to kick in for most people in under 10 minutes.

Deaths caused by fentanyl in the US surged in the 2010s. At the start of the decade, 2,666 Americans died of a fentanyl overdose. This figure shot up to 19,413 by 2016. Covid made the situation worse, with a record 72,484 deaths recorded in 2021

A man is seen collapsed on the ground under the influence

At first, someone might notice a sense of euphoria and calmness as the drug suppresses the release of stress hormones in the brain.

'But as time goes on, especially at larger doses [and when mixed with other drugs], people might become very disoriented and confused, and even comatose,' Dr Johnson-Arbor said.

'They might develop shallow breathing, or their breathing might stop. They might have urinary incontinence, they might have muscle relaxation.

This is because while xylazine has an effect on the brain, it also shuts down the body, forcing muscles to relax and organs to slow down to the level they would operate at while we sleep.

Philadelphia has become overwhelmed with drug-fueled crime under woke District Attorney Larry Krasner, a self-described 'progressive prosecutor.'

His failure to clamp down on crimes and handling of the city's drug crisis led to his impeachment in 2022 for 'dereliction of duty', however he remains in office after his impeachment trial was indefinitely postponed.

But the effects of his tenure have seen tranq take over the streets of Philadelphia, with new footage showing a mass of addicts hunched over in a stupor or passed out on the sidewalk.

'I've never seen human beings remain in these kinds of conditions,' said Sarah Laurel, who runs outreach organization Savage Sisters, earlier this year.

'They have open, gaping wounds, they can't walk, and they tell me, 'If I go to the hospital, I'm going to get sick. They're so terrified of the detox.'

Huddled on the edge of the sidewalk, a woman helps inject drugs into a man's arm, aided by a band to find his veins

Fentanyl users in the dirt in front of the Capitol building in California's capital. According to official data, there were 5,622 fentanyl-related fatal overdoses in California in 2021 - nearly 225 of those were teenagers as young as 15 years old

A drug user prepares to shoot up on the side of the street in Philadelphia

The White House unveiled a plan in July to tackle the growing presence of the powerful animal sedative xylazine in a six-point agenda.

The administration stopped short of recommending restrictions on the medication with pushback from farmers, veterinarians and others that regularly use the drug in their field.

Federal officials hope the new strategy will reduce xylazine-related overdose deaths by 15 percent by 2025.

Meanwhile, crime has soared by a fifth in Philadelphia compared to last year, with theft among the law-breaking which has made the problem persistent.

Homeless people and drug addicts are often driven to petty theft as a way to find sustain themselves or scrape enough money together to supply their addictions.

One person gave DailyMail.com an inside look into the harrowing situation, explaining 'people are starving, people are overdosing.'

'I've had to do CPR on five people out here. We have found three dead bodies, people just stepping over bodies that are laying there. I've lost count of how many times we've had to do Narcan, uh, for folks,' the person said.

The person added that the addicts are flocking from California, New York, and other areas of the United States.

'You know, when I, when we come from Virginia, people are like, why are you going to Philly? It's a Philadelphia problem.

'Like, this is an America problem and it's coming to a city near you if we don't do something about it because, um, people are literally coming from all over the east coast because they know they can come here and use and they won't, they won't get in trouble for it.'
Rishi Sunak could travel to Israel as soon as Thursday in a show of support for the country following the Hamas terror attack, it has been reported.

The Prime Minister may visit Tel Aviv to discuss Gaza as part of a Middle East visit that also takes in Egypt and Jordan, Sky News reported.

If confirmed it would be the latest in a flurry of diplomatic visits to the area. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has already visited Israel this week and US President Joe Biden is expected to land tomorrow.

Mr Sunak has been in discussions with local leaders in recent hours and days. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with the leaders of Qatar and Saudi Arabia this afternoon and with the King of Jordan at the weekend.

The PM's official spokesman declined to speculate on his travel plans when asked by reporters this morning.

The Prime Minister may visit Tel Aviv to discuss Gaza as part of a Middle East visit that also takes in Egypt and Jordan, Sky News reported.

If confirmed it would be the latest in a flurry of diplomatic visits to the area. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has already visited Israel this week

President Biden is traveling to Israel in a show of solidarity after the country was attacked by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists

He said that, during Mr Sunak's call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the leaders 'agreed on the importance of avoiding further destabilisation across the Middle East including through Iranian proxies in the region and committed to co-ordinate action to escalate tensions'.

Mr Sunak told the Saudi leader that the UK 'continued to support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to statehood, alongside regional partners like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt'.

During his conversation with the Emir of Qatar, No 10 said the Prime Minister and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani discussed 'areas of co-operation' between their two countries, including on 'ensuring safe passage for aid to Gaza to alleviate humanitarian suffering, and on urgent efforts to secure the release of hostages'.

Mr Sunak 'thanked the Emir for his constructive role in regional diplomacy', the spokesman said.

The Downing Street official added: 'The Prime Minister updated on his conversations with other Arab leaders and they agreed that the conflict must not be allowed to destabilise the wider region and cause further bloodshed.'

The spokesman said he could not get into more detail about the conversations between the UK and Qatar leader on efforts to free Britons taken hostage by Hamas, saying only that London was speaking with Tel Aviv and other important regional partners, of which Doha was one.

A woman embraces the body of a Palestinian child killed in Israeli strikes, at a hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023

Palestinian rescuers arrive at the scene after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

Israel's Defence Forces have spent the past week preparing for a massive operation to crush Hamas after some 360,000 reservists were called up to encircle Gaza with tanks, artillery and armoured vehicles.

But now the expected ground assault appears to be on hold, with IDF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht refusing to confirm his troops will deploy into the Palestinian enclave.

'We are preparing for the next stages of war. We haven't said what they will be,' Lt Col Hecht teased.

'Everybody's talking about the ground offensive. It might be something different.'

The IDF's ambiguous messaging around its expected onslaught in Gaza comes hours before US President Joe Biden is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with speculation the next step of the Israeli military operation may be postponed until after the leaders share talks.

In the meantime, Israel's air force continues its incessant bombing campaign of targets throughout Gaza.

The enclave's Health Ministry this afternoon reported the number of Palestinians killed in the strikes has reached more than 3,000 - an average of 300 a day since Hamas launched its surprise attacks on Israeli towns and cities on October 7.
This is the hilarious moment that a nun grapples a climate protester to the ground after an eco-mob attempted to stop a new church from being built in France.

The clip shows the nun sprint across the muddy construction site of a Catholic centre in Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier in Ardeche, and charge towards one of the campaigners, grabbing him from behind.

The protestor, who is carrying two large cylinders in each hand as he attempts to run away, loses his balance as the nun grapples him towards the ground.

Gripping tightly onto his jacket, the nun pulls the eco-protester down to the ground in what almost looks like a professional rugby tackle.

The scuffle with the nun forces the protester to let go of the cylinders and throw them to the side as he attempts to break away from the heroic sister.

A french nun tackled one of the environmentalist wackos trying to blockade the construction site of a new church over its carbon footprint. pic.twitter.com/VTRqqPPgYp  malmesburyman (@malmesburyman) October 17, 2023

The clip shows the nun sprint across the muddy construction site of a Catholic centre in Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier in Ardeche, and charge towards one of the campaigners, grabbing him from behind

The nun, who also slips in the mud, swiftly gets up to recollect herself.

The video captures an eco-vandal stamping on the cylinders to destroy them, leaving the debris of broken plastic on the ground before walking away.

The protestors had reportedly attempted to thwart the planned construction of a church in France because of its carbon footprint.

According to French news site, France 3, the controversial project to build a large Catholic religious centre in Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier has caused a tense dispute with climate activists since 2018.

On Monday, October 14, a radical movement called Les Amis de la Bourge faced nuns protecting the construction site in a standoff that led to violent clashes.

The protestor was carrying two large cylinders in each hand as he attempted to run away from the nun

Gripping tightly onto his jacket, the nun pulls the eco-protester down to the ground in what almost looks like a professional rugby tackle

The scuffle with the nun forces the protester to let go of the cylinders in his hands, as he throws them to the side, and attempts to break away from the heroic sister.

The nun, who also ends up getting down in the mud with eco-protester, swiftly gets up to recollect herself

The protestors had reportedly attempted to thwart the planned construction of a new church in France because of its carbon footprint

The nuns guarded the site overnight and had fortified entrances with barricades to stop protestors from sneaking in, as protestors gathered for a demonstration from 8am.

According France 3, Sylvain Herenguel, co-president of the association for the future of the Bourges valley said: 'I didn't expect that'.

He added: 'I expected the nuns to be a little reasonable for the public order. The problem is that the religious people decided to resort to violence.

'I was attacked three times by five people, who snatched me, who wanted to throw me out.

'There, they decided to protect the site with their actions and their bodies.'
Speaking in London Mr Musk told Rishi Sunak that robots would become the best friend a human could ever have, becoming a 'magic genie' capable of granting limitless wishes to their owners. The billionaire said that he personally cannot 'wait' for AI to do parts of his job at Tesla, SpaceX and X, formerly known as Twitter , that keep him up at night. Sat on a stage with the British PM, the world's richest man and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX , said AI would be 'the most disruptive force in history' for jobs - hours after Mr Sunak tried to calm those fears. 'There will come a point where no job is needed - you can have a job if you want to for personal satisfaction,' Mr Musk said. But he also gave an apocalyptic warning about technology going wrong, saying fairytales rarely end well and admitting there is a threat of Terminator-style robots turning on humanity. 'A humanoid robot can basically chase you anywhere,' the tech tycoon said. 'It's something we should be quite concerned about. If a robot can follow you anywhere, what if they get a software update one day, and they're not so friendly any more?' 'There is a safety concern. A t least a car can't chase you into a building or up a tree'. Mr Sunak then reportedly replied, jokingly: 'You're not selling this'.
Martin Scorsese's latest cinematic effort, the much anticipated 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' has received its first critical notes from some of the Osage tribe film consultants who worked on the movie.

The film - out October 20 - follows the real life story of a series of murders in the 1920s carried out against members of the Osage Nation after oil was discovered on their Oklahoma land.

Christopher Cote, an Osage language consultant for the film, delivered honest remarks Monday evening at the LA premiere of the film, saying he had been 'nervous about the release of the film,' and not that he's seen it he has 'some strong opinions.'

The history of the murders, he said, 'is being told almost from the perspective of Ernest Burkhart [played by Leonardo DiCaprio] and they kind of give him this conscience and kind of depict that theres love.

'But when somebody conspires to murder your entire family, thats not love. Thats not love, thats just beyond abuse.'

L-R Christopher Cote, Janus Carpenter and Braxton Redeagle, Osage consultants for the film, gave their opinions of the movie at Monday night's premiere

The film, due out on Friday, follows the real life story of of a series of murders in the 1920s carried out against members of the Osage Nation after oil was discovered on their Oklahoma land

'As an Osage, I really wanted this to be from the perspective of Mollie and what her family experienced, but I think it would take an Osage to do that,' he said, referencing the character in the film portrayed by Lily Gladstone,' he continued.

He also noted that he thinks Scorsese did 'a great job representing out people,' but the movie 'isn't made for an Osage audience.'

Another Osage language consultant, Janis Carpenter, was on the premiere carpet Monday night and said that she too had 'mixed feelings' about the film.

'Some things were so interesting to see, and we have so many of our tribal people that are in the movie that its wonderful to see them. But then there are some things that were pretty hard to take,' she said.

The film follows DiCaprio's Burkhart, who becomes responsible for the murders of a number of his Native American wife's relatives as part of a plot to inherit their lucrative oil rights in Oklahoma.

The film also stars Lily Gladstone, who plays Mollie Burkhart, and Robert De Niro as William Hale, the ringleader of the plot to murder Mollie's family.

The murders, which later become known as the Reign of Terror, were not properly investigated by law enforcement at the time.

Eventually, Osage Nation members were forced to lobby the federal government to look into the string of killings.

The federal agency that was the precursor to the FBI investigated the murders and investigators concluded that Ernest and Hale were likely involved.

At the films premiere, Osage language consultant Christopher Cote shares his complicated feelings about #KillersOfTheFlowerMoon pic.twitter.com/DKR0KcsLTs  The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 17, 2023

Scorsese walked the carpet with members of the Osage Nation including Lawren Lulu Goodfox

Lily Gladstone, who plays Mollie Burkhart in the film, sits with director Martin Scorsese on set of Killers of the Flower Moon

Members of the Osage Nation were on the red carpet Monday night, celebrating the film's premiere. Pictured here: Gianna 'Gigi' Sieke

Gladstone plays the Osage wife of DiCaprio, who is accused of being part of the plot to murder her family

For years after the fact, Mollie stood by her husband causing her Osage family and friends to disavow her.

In 1926, Burkhart admitted to his role in the murders and testified against Hale and other conspirators. At that point Mollie divorced him, but her community declined to take her back.

'Killers of the Flower Moon' is based on the best selling 2017 book of the same name by David Grann.

The film was produced by AppleTV+ and also stars Jesse Plemons and Brendan Fraser.

The A-list cast of stars were not on the red-carpet Monday due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
The bizarre moment workers at a Braum's grocery store discovered a man sleeping in the ceiling has been revealed in bodycam footage captured by the Norman Police Department.

Philip Hickman, 41, climbed into the ceiling and fell asleep sometime between midnight after the store closed and 6am when employees arrived to work last month at a Braum's in Norman, Oklahoma.

Police responded to a report of a possible burglary at 6.40am when workers found about 15 tiles had fallen from the ceiling, and wiring and camera systems were damaged.

'Apparently, somebody broke in,' a worker can be heard saying in the bodycam footage released Monday.

'Got some dummy up in the ceiling,' an officer replies. 'If you go up the ladder, he's up in the rafters; you'll see him about six feet away.'

Philip Hickman, 41, went up and fell asleep on crossbeams in the ceiling of a grocery store in Norman, Oklahoma

After Hickman was arrested and taken into custody, he told the police that he didn't remember how he ended up inside the store

Hickman has been charged with breaking and entering and malicious injury to property

'Hey partner, Norman Police, you better come on out,' the officer said. 'The guy's in the rafters, we can't get him to move or do anything.'

An officer climbed a latter and saw Hickman, who was lying on crossbeams in the ceiling and pretending to be asleep.

Hickman acted unresponsive, an officer said although the suspect can't be seen in the footage because of the positioning of the bodycam.

'The guy is laying in the rafters, we can't get him to move or do anything. We got no idea how to get him down,' an officer can be heard saying.

'He's just up there takin' a nap,' one said.

It remains unclear how Hickman was able to get up to the hiding spot, as the Fire Department had to bring in their big ladder and tools to help.

'We are not sure how he got in,' one employee told the officer.

'Think he dug a hole in the roof?' one said.

He broke in sometime between midnight after the store closed and 6am when employees arrived to work

Braum's workers found about 15 tiles had fallen from the ceiling, and wiring and camera systems were damaged

It remains unclear how Hickman was able to get up to the hiding spot, as the Fire Department had to bring in their big ladder and tools to help.

'Is he acting like he don't see nobody?' asked one officer.

'Yeah, he's not doing nothin', just layin' there,' said another.

It eventually took about 30 minutes for police officers and the Fire Department to wake Hickman up and coax him out of the ceiling.

'Just in time for breakfast,' said one officer.

There was no immediate signs that Hickman was under influence. The doors were locked and nothing on the roof looked suspicious.

Nothing was stolen from the grocery store, and Hickman just wanted to a place to sleep, according to the police.

'No other parts of the store look like they had been disturbed or anything was taken,' Sarah Schettler, the public information officer for Norman Police Department, told Newson6.

After Hickman was arrested and taken into custody, he told the police that he didn't remember how he ended up inside the store.

Hickman caused about $1,000 in damages after he 'crawled some distance across the store', resulting in 'pretty significant damage to the store's ceiling'

No other parts of the store look like they had been disturbed or anything was taken

Hickman caused about $1,000 in damages after he 'crawled some distance across the store', resulting in 'pretty significant damage to the store's ceiling', Schettler said.

'What might have seemed like a simple act did quite a bit of damage,' said Schettler.

'The ceiling tiles and the bending of frames in that ceiling areas but also there's a lot of wiring that runs through those areas.'

Hickman has been charged with breaking and entering and malicious injury to property.
Fox News presenter Brian Kilmeade has been caught raging on a hot mic after House Republicans failed to elect Republican representative Jim Jordan as House Speaker.

Kilmeade was heard venting his frustration at Rep. Don Bacon after the Republican voted not for Jordan but instead for Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday.

As the names of lawmakers were read by the House clerk during a roll call vote, Bacon responded 'McCarthy,' who is not running for speaker after being ousted earlier this month.

The presenter of Fox's morning show Fox & Friends responded by calling the Nebraska congressman a 'dumbass' live on air.

Jordan endured a disastrous loss in his first bid to become House Speaker on Tuesday.

Fox News presenter Brian Kilmeade has been caught raging on a hot mic after House Republicans failed to elect Republican representative Jim Jordan as House Speaker

Republican Rep. Jim Jordan endured a disastrous loss in his first bid to become House Speaker

The House has gone into recess while the GOP firebrand meets with holdouts within his party in an attempt to secure more votes.

Jordan can call as many votes as he wants and it's not clear if, at any point, he'd give up his bid for speaker. Recently ousted Kevin McCarthy went 15 ballots before becoming speaker.

The Republicans have been embroiled in a civil war since McCarthy became the first speaker in history to be ousted by colleagues two weeks ago when eight rebel GOP members voted to remove him.

Jordan quickly lost the support of four GOP lawmakers minutes after the vote began - Reps. Don Bacon, Mario Diaz-Balart, Jake Ellzey and Anthony D'Esposito - tanking his first bid for speaker.

The number of defectors continued to rise with more Republicans voting for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, Rep. Mike Garcia, former Rep. Lee Zeldin and others not included on the speaker ballot.

It is unclear if the Republican firebrand will move immediately for a second ballot, or if he will ask for time to get the 20 total Republican defectors who voted against him on his side.

The GOP dysfunction shows no sign of waning and some are worried that it will only get worse for Jordan during additional rounds of voting. Rep. Ken Buck - who voted for Emmer - told CNN that although he voted for him, 'I don't like Tom Emmer.'

Jordan could only afford to lose three Republican votes to get to a 217 majority with all Democrats expected to vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Congress has been paralyzed for two weeks, unable to conduct any business

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a Jordan supporter, brought her new baby to the House floor Tuesday

Rep. Don Bacon was the first member to cast his vote for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy - shunning Jordan

Another McCarthy supporter Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer refused to vote for Jordan on the floor

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, the top contender in the race to be the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, talks with House colleagues

It was the first time a vote for speaker was taken on the House floor since Kevin McCarthy was ousted two weeks ago.

Congress has been paralyzed, unable to conduct any business and with only a month until the government runs out of money again. The House is also unable to vote to provide desperately needed assistance to Israel after the brutal Hamas terror attack left over 1,300 civilians dead and at least 29 Americans killed.

House Freedom Caucus founder Jordan emerged as the favorite after Rep. Steve Scalise suddenly dropped out last Thursday. Jordan, who is seen as a far-right alternative to the more establishment Scalise, worked overtime over the weekend to try and flip Republicans to his side.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Jordan for the top Republican position, and reiterated his support in a post to Truth Social Tuesday.

'Jim Jordan will be a GREAT Speaker of the House. As everyone knows, I have long ago given him my Complete and Total Endorsement!'

First speaker vote tally Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. -- 212 Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio -- 200 Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. -- 6 Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y. -- 3 Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La. -- 7 Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif. -- 1 Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn. -- 1 Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. -- 1 Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. -- 1 Advertisement

McCarthy himself was urging Republican holdouts to vote for Jordan - or event vote 'present' to lower the threshold for the majority - so the chamber could quickly get back to business. He publicly backed Jordan in the recorded vote on the House floor.

When asked by CNN on his way down to the House floor, Jordan said that members could be potentially voting all day on multiple ballots to confirm a Republican leader.

'Whatever it takes to get a speaker today,' Jordan said about whether he was ready to go as many rounds as former Speaker McCarthy - whose confirmation went five days and 15 rounds long in January.

In the first vote for McCarthy, 19 voted for a Republican other than him. By the 14th round of voting, only six holdouts remained.

The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee also noted that he had not asked Trump to help with the whip count on his behalf.

He would not respond to a question about a demand by his fellow Republican Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., for Jordan to admit the 2020 presidential election wasn't stolen.

On the floor, Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., gave a nominating speech for Jordan praising his work.

'He is an America First warrior who wins the toughest of fights - going after corruption and delivering accountability at the highest levels of government on behalf of WE THE PEOPLE.'

Democrats started chanting at the start of Rep. Pete Aguilar's speech in support of Hakeem Jeffries - the sitting minority leader.

'Hakeem, Hakeem, Hakeem' started ringing out from the chamber by the enthusiastic Democrats.

They also began to yell out 'he said no' while Aguilar listed the many Democratic priorities Jordan has voted against, including Hurricane Sandy funding and others.

Aguilar slammed Jordan as an 'insurrection inciter' - referring to his vote against certifying the 2020 election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania.
A plane containing hundreds of passengers was surrounded by police at Manchester Airport after a fake bomb scare email was sent to police.

A number of flights were reportedly diverted as an Emirates flight from Dubai was held on the apron after it landed in the northwest at 7pm on Tuesday evening.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police rushed to the scene, as did several fire engines, after the force was made aware of a hoax email claiming there was a 'suspicious package' on-board.

A witness reported seeing 'police in their dozens' at the airport, while it is understood the airfield was closed for a period of time while emergency services dealt with the incident.

GMP has since confirmed that security checks were carried out and that no suspicious items had been found so far, with passengers disembarking safely. No arrests have been made as of yet.

The Emirates Airbus A380 was surrounded by police after it landed at Manchester Airport tonight

A witness reported seeing 'police in their dozens' at the airport this evening, as heavy police presence and several fire engines have also been reported to be seen in the vicinity

The Airbus A380-842, which can carry up to 525 passengers, had taken off from the United Arab Emirates at around 2.50pm local time, before landing at Manchester at 7.22pm.

MailOnline understands the airfield was closed for a short period, causing three flights - from Palma in Spain, Paphos in Cyprus and London Heathrow - to be diverted.

A spokesperson from GMP said: 'At around 7.20pm this evening, Tuesday October 17, Greater Manchester Police were made aware of an email claiming there was a suspicious package on a flight.

'The aircraft had landed at Manchester Airport and was held for further assessment.

'Searches and security checks have been completed, and no suspicious items have so far been found.

'Passengers have now disembarked the aircraft with extra officers on hand to answer any questions and offer visible reassurance. No arrests have been made at this stage'.

MailOnline have contacted Manchester Airport and Emirates for further details.
Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated some of the most groundbreaking and compelling paranormal cases in history. Their investigations inspired The Conjuring universe, The Amityville Horror series and now a Netflix documentary The Devil on Trial.

The Warren couple were American paranormal investigators from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who brought attention to some of the world's most fascinating hauntings in the 1960s-1980s.

Netflix's new documentary will explore a case investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren in 1981 - the infamous case of Arne Johnson - the first and only time in U.S. history that 'demonic possession' was officially used as a defense in a murder trial.

The Devil on Trial investigates how 19-year-old Arne Cheyenne Johnson pleaded not guilty to the gruesome slaying of his landlord and friend, Alan Bono, in Brookfield, Connecticut, in 1981, the first murder in the town's 193-year history.

The Conjuring series - which based most of their movies on Ed and Lorraine Warren's investigations - also created a movie about Jonson's iconic case.

Edward Warren, who died aged 79, was a self-taught demonologist, author and lecturer who had previously served in World War II and served as a police officer.

Lorraine Warren, who died aged 92, was a clairvoyant and a light trance medium - she claimed she could communicate with the demons that Ed discovered.

They both belonged to the Roman Catholic Church and believed demonic forces are likely to possess those who lack faith. Together they founded the New England Society for Psychic Research.

Arne Johnson

in 1981, 19-year-old Arne Cheyenne Johnson was accused of killing his landlord and friend, Alan Bono, in Brookfield, Connecticut, in 1981, the first murder in the town's 193-year history.

Johnson claimed he was under the influence of Satanic forces when he stabbed the 40-year-old more than 20 times with a five-inch pocket knife after they got into an argument.

His family and friends backed up his shocking assertion, and with the help of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, his attorney contended the murder was the work of the devil.

The doll 'Annabelle' was gifted to Donna, a young nurse, by her mother and lived in her apartment along with a roommate, Angie. They began to notice that Annabelle was changing position and moving from one room to another without either of the girls moving it. They would find notes randomly scattered around their apartment that disturbingly read 'help me' in a child's handwriting

Annabelle

The Warren's first notable case was in 1968 and centered around two roommates who claimed their doll was possessed.

The doll 'Annabelle' was gifted to Donna, a young nurse, by her mother and lived in her apartment along with a roommate, Angie.

Donna and Angie began to notice that Annabelle was changing position and moving from one room to another without either of the girls moving it.

They would find notes randomly scattered around their apartment that disturbingly read 'help me' in a child's handwriting.

The hauntings escalated when Angie's boyfriend Lou claimed that the Annabelle doll had climbed up his body in the middle of the night and attempted to strangle him.

Donna and Angie decided to enlist the help of a medium, who told them the doll was possessed by the spirit of a little girl named Annabelle Higgins.

When Ed and Lorraine stepped in to investigate they had a different opinion and determined that it was actually a demonic spirit that was possessing the doll.

They performed a blessing in the house and then took the doll away from the girls and put it in a glass cabinet in their museum, The Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut.

The doll's sinister behavior and its transportation to the couple's museum of hauntings became the premises for movies in The Conjuring series including Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation and Annabelle Comes Home.

Roger and Carolyn Perron moved into a 200-acre, 14-room farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, with their five young daughters in 1971. Immediately after moving in - the family began to notice strange and disturbing things'

The Perron Family

Roger and Carolyn Perron moved into a 200-acre, 14-room farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, with their five young daughters in 1971.

Immediately after moving in - the family began to notice strange and disturbing things.'

Carolyn would notice the broom went missing or that some other item had bizarrely moved location. She would hear weird scraping sounds from the kettle when no-one was around. She found dirt in the middle of their freshly-cleaned kitchen floor.

Their daughters also picked up on strange happenings and told their parents they had noticed spirits around the house.

Carolyn decided to do research and to her shock and horror discovered that their new home was previously inhabited by a family for eight generations which had seen multiple horrific deaths under strange circumstances. The deaths included drownings in a nearby creek, hangings in the attic and a murder.

The oldest sister said: 'Whoever the spirit was, she perceived herself to be mistress of the house and she resented the competition my mother posed for that position.'

There was a rumored Satanist named Bathseba Sherman who lived in the Perron's house in the mid-1800s. The family believed it was Bathseba who was haunting their family.

The family lived in the home for 10 years and the Warrens visited them multiple times to investigate - including one visit when Lorraine conducted a seance to try and contact the spirits possessing the family. During the seance, Carolyn supposedly became possessed and began to speak in tongues and rising from the ground in her chair.

After the seance Roger Perron kicked the Warrens out because he worried for his wife's mental stability - but the family remained in their 'haunted' because they couldn't afford to move until 1980.

In 1977 the Warrens investigated a family home in the North London suburb of Enfield - which they clamed was haunted by poltergeist - ghost or spirit - activity

Single mother Penny Hodgson called the police to her home because she had witnessed furniture moving on its own and her two children had heard strange knocking from inside the walls

Two of Peggys daughters were photographed 'levitating' during the time of the hauntings

In the following months more than 30 people - neighbors, psychic researchers and journalists - said they saw the alleged hauntings for themselves

The Enfield Haunting

In 1977 the Warrens investigated a family home in the North London suburb of Enfield - which they clamed was haunted by poltergeist - ghost or spirit - activity.

Single mother Penny Hodgson called the police to her home because she had witnessed furniture moving on its own and her two children had heard strange knocking from inside the walls.

In the following months more than 30 people - neighbors, psychic researchers and journalists - said they saw the alleged hauntings for themselves.

Two of Peggys daughters were photographed 'levitating' during the time of the hauntings.

The Warrens concluded upon their visit to the Enfield family's home that a demonic presence did inhabit the house.

This story was the inspiration for The Conjuring 2 - although it has since been revealed that the Warrens weren't as involved as the movie suggested and that they showed up on the scene uninvited and refused to leave.

The haunting in Amityville, Long Island, in 1975 happened when the Lutz family moved into a family home in the area. Only one year before their move-in date, mass murder Ronald DeFeo Jr had killed six members of his family in the same house

During their first 28 days in the house the family witnessed swarms of flies, loud noises, disturbing spirits and levitation of family members. Ed and Lorraine were called to investigate and cleanse the house

The Amityville Case

The haunting in Amityville, Long Island, in 1975 happened when the Lutz family moved into a family home in the area.

Only one year before their move-in date, mass murder Ronald DeFeo Jr had killed six members of his family in the same house.

During their first 28 days in the house the family witnessed swarms of flies, loud noises, disturbing spirits and levitation of family members.

Ed and Lorraine were called to investigate and cleanse the house.

Lorraine Warren said that the case of the Amityville house hauntings is the one that haunted her the most.

The violent demonic presence eventually drove George and Kathy Lutz out of their home.

The Smurl Haunting

In 1974 the Smurl couple - Jack and Janet - moved into a new home on Chase Street in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, with their children and pet German shepherd.

Shortly after moving in they began to notice strange occurrences. They alleged that a demon possessed their home and that the demon had slammed their German shepherd into a wall, bitten Jack's ear and pushed their daughter down the stairs.

Along with experiencing disturbing sounds, smells and apparitions - both Jack and Janet claimed that they were sexually assaulted by the demon.

The couple called upon Ed and Lorraine Warren's expertise and they confirmed their their house was haunted.

Ed Warren said he witnessed a 'dark mass' form inside their house and the demon left a message ordering him to 'get out'.

The Smurl's story turned into a 1986 book called The Haunted and a televison film with the same name.
Jail staff stock piled hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment and built a makeshift lounge in an abandoned prison on Rikers Island, a city investigation found.

The New York City Department of Corrections (DOC) staff had $100,000 in tools, $450,000 worth of air filters, 17 snow blowers and $230,000 worth of lockers stashed at the James A. Thomas Center (JATC).

'These items had remained improperly stored, many ruined by exposure to moisture, heat, and vermin,' said a December 2021 report according to NY Daily News

'Some had been left so long they were obsolete. The overall result was enormous waste,'

The Department of Investigation (DOI) found the items in November 2020 after receiving a tip off the previous month into the makeshift employee lounge which had a 70-inch TV, a mini-fridge, two full-size leather couches and a bathroom.

The James A. Thomas Center on Rikers Island (pictured) was condemned in 2015 'due the facilitys age and decrepitude' and asbestos contamination

Department of Corrections staff did not let that stop them from turning an area of the abandoned jail into a makeshift employee lounge

Investigators found a spin wheel with pictures of DOC employees on it in the lounge area

DOI said the lounge creators, who they believe are maintenance employees, utilized DOC-purchased lumber, floor tiles, and plumbing and electrical equipment to build the space.

The equipment was used to raise flooring, install heating and cooling, and access existing power lines and pipes to run electricity and plumbing.

In 2015, DOC condemned the building because 'due the facilitys age and decrepitude, including peeling paint, DOC had concerns of lead and asbestos contamination,' according to the report.

During the investigation, the former DOC Deputy Commissioner told investigators they were aware of materials stored in JATC in lockers that were purchased in 2017 to 'boost morale.'

Filings show DOC submitted over $19 million in purchasing request from 2016 through 2020 and the investigation found almost all of the items bought were stored in the condemned building.

DOI documented over 1,729 boxed and 5,794 loose materials. There were 339 unused lockers within the JATCs main corridor, which were boxed, or wrapped on pallets.

DOI documented over 1,729 boxed and 5,794 loose materials stored in lockers. DOC submitted over $19 million in purchasing request from 2016 through 2020, most of which was stored in the condemned building

The makeshift employee lounge was made up of a 70-inch TV, a mini-fridge, two full-size leather couches and functioning bathroom

They found $100,000 in tools, $450,000 worth of air filters, 17 snow blowers and $230,000 worth of lockers

In one area, they discovered boxes of waterproof pillows, plastic totes, plastic dish pans, woolen blankets, polyguard mattresses and toilet paper.

The DOC said: 'The Department has installed new leadership for facilities management and restructured the division to ensure accurate tracking and inventory of all equipment for facilities.'

Rikers Island has faced growing calls to close over the years over inmate living conditions and staffing shortages.

The New York Times reported eight inmates have died at the jail system so far in 2023.

In 2022, 19 people died in the prison complex, its deadliest year in a decade.
A prominent Yes campaigner has highlighted Ally Langdon's A Current Affair interview with veteran journalist Ray Martin in a list of reasons why Australia Voted No for the Voice.

The TV icon sparked controversy when he called voters convinced by the No campaign's 'If you don't know, vote No' slogan 'd***heads and dinosaurs' during a Yes rally before he appeared on the Channel Nine news program he once hosted.

Prominent author and former journalist Martin Flanagan highlighted the interview in his analysis on the ways the No camp managed to win the referendum.

'I would like to establish a media award named after Ally Langdon from 'A Current Affair'. Ally grilled Ray Martin after he said dinosaurs were voting NO,' Flanagan wrote.

Ray Martin appeared on the Channel Nine news program he once hosted, A Current Affair, and was grilled by presenter Ally Langdon about his language at a Yes rally

'Ally said Australians didn't understand the Voice and, as proof of this proposition, said, "I mean, my parents don't understand it. They've looked at it, their group of friends who have looked at it and don't understand it, that is a massive problem".

'The prize for my media award is a cartoon with a group of dinosaurs looking up at a billboard saying 'If You Don't Know, Vote No'.'

Flanagan insinuated that Ally using the opinion of her friends and family during the interview should have been irrelevant.

'It's not just the Voice referendum  it's all the other things we don't want to know about,' he said.

'We've got an overpopulated, overheating planet with two global conflicts raging as we speak.

'Major environmental catastrophes could have hundreds of millions of people on the move, the effect of climate change on the world's agricultural regions could cause widespread famine etcetera etcetera.

'But back to you in the studio, Ally. Tell us what do your parents and their friends think.'

Author, veteran journalist and Yes supporter Martin Flanagan (pictured) referred to the interview in a piece he wrote that was addressed to the 39 per cent of Australians who voted Yes to the Voice to Parliament

Flanagan appeared to take a swipe at Ally (pictured) for using the opinion of her friends and family during the interview on the show when addressing Martin about his comments

Flanagan described the No camp's slogan as the 'most epoch defining campaign slogan I have seen in my adult lifetime'.

'It's Time' was a Labor Party campaign slogan under Gough Whitlam during the 1972 federal election, which played on the need for change after 23 years of a Liberal coalition government.

Flanagan claimed the No camp utilised Trump-like tactics to sway voters.

'Roger Stone, political ally of Donald Trump, listed as one of his rules of political combat, 'Attack your enemy from every front. Make him feel besieged and confused'. Australians were besieged  particularly on social media  and deeply confused,' he said.

'Trumpism isn't about winning the debate on any rational or intellectual plane. It's about sucking the life out of your opponent.'

Flanagan also dedicated an entire point to Tony Abbott, who he referred to in the piece as Tony Rabbit, as the former Prime Minister was an outspoken No supporter.

'NO needed a front man, a veneer of respectability, and Tony Rabbit provided it by saying he was against the Voice on grounds of constitutional law,' he said.

At the beginning of the article, Flanagan claimed the No camp utilised Trump-like tactics to sway voters

Flanagan also dedicated an entire point to former Prime Minister Tony Abbott (pictured), who he referred to in the piece as Tony Rabbit, as he was an outspoken No supporter

'The fact is that in 10 years when the social problems that triggered the Uluru Voice to the Heart are still unsolved, 'the progressive No-voter' will have to confront the fact that, having said NO to the Voice, they have done exactly nothing to address chronic Indigenous disadvantage,' he said.

'They will have done nothing because nothing can be done without the co-operation of Indigenous Australia and that's precisely what they have spurned.'

Flanagan suggested a lack of organisation within the Yes campaign and a lack of continuing momentum were factors to the referendum's defeat as well.
Lawyers for Donald Trump have filed notice they plan to appeal a federal judge's gag order prohibiting him from attacking witnesses, the judge, and the special prosecutor the former President has repeatedly called 'deranged.'

A single-page court filing gave notice that Trump was appealing the order to the U.S. Court of Appeals, a day after Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed the order.

'My speech has been taken away from me. Im a candidate thats running for office and Im not allowed to speak,' Trump said Tuesday, echoing arguments his lawyer made in federal court Monday while seeking to persuade Chutkan not to impose the order.

'Were being railroaded. And I have other trials where were being railroaded. You saw yesterday where they took away my right to speak. I wont be able to speak like Im speaking to you,' he told reporters inside a Manhattan courthouse.

He had said he was going to appeal Monday at a campaign event in Iowa where he blasted the order.

Trump's fulminations about the gag order came in a Manhattan courthouse where he tore into prosecutors in that case as he arrived in court for the third week of his $250 million New York fraud trial.

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump are appealing a judge's gag order that prohibits him from attacking prosecutors and witnesses in his January 6 case

The order only affects his Washington, DC case, where he is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing an official proceeding. His blasts against a different set of prosecutors are fair game.

In New York, Trump went after state AG Letitia James, calling her a 'fraud' as well as a 'lunatic'  a comment similar to the 'deranged' insult he lobbed at Special Counsel Jack Smith that got him in hot water with Judge Chutkan.

Chutkan's order prohibits him from attacking Special Counsel Jack Smith, his prosecutors, officers of the court, or witnesses. Trump lawyer argued in court Monday that the order would be impossible to enforce, and that Trump's criticism of the government is highly protected speech that must be protected amid his presidential campaign. The judge decided Trump was subject to limitations as a criminal defended, and warned about the potential impact on a jury who will hear the case.

In his attack on James, Trump pointed to her vow to go after Trump during her own election campaign, saying 'we have two tapes on her now' and that people 'couldn't believe her ranting and raving like a lunatic.'

Back in court: Trump sits in a Manhattan courthouse during the trial for his civil fraud case in New York, U.S., October 17, 2023. He is juggling a new gag order in his DC case and a Tuesday deposition in a suit filed by the 'FBI lovers'

'This is a witch hunt by a radical lunatic attorney general that shouldn't be allowed to be attorney general. She's horrible,' he said.

Trump tore into New York judge Arthur Engoron and James for relying on Palm Beach County assessors for a valuation of Mar-a-Lago, when he said it could be worth 100 times more than they assessed.

'They are the fraudulent people,' Trump said of James and Engoron, before allowing that Engoron: 'I like him, but it's not fair.'

'They are the frauds. Because the house is worth a billion, a billion and a half, $750 million. It's worth a fortune. It's the most expensive house probably in the world,' Trump said of his Florida club.

'He's got all the Democrats pushing him around left and right pushing him around like a pinball,' Trump claimed, a day after he pondered limits on his speech and whether he could rail against a 'department of injustice' or call Smith 'deranged.'

'This is a rigged trial,' said Trump, with a 'Democrat judge' who is 'very liberal.'

Trump's former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen had been expected to testify, after telling Congress Trump's company would inflate valuations when seeking financing. But he delayed his appearance, citing a medical issue.

Trump was accompanied by aides Margo Martin (r) and Jason Miller

Former President Trump accused state AG Letitia James of 'raving like a lunatic' in remarks at court in New York, a day after a federal judge gagged him from speaking about prosecutors in a separate case

Trump appeared with son Eric Trump, lawyer Alina Habba (l) and lawyer Chris Kise

Later Tuesday, Trump is scheduled to give a deposition in the lawsuit of 'FBI lovers' Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.

Stzrok, a former lead investigator in the Russia probe, says he was fired for exercising his First Amendment rights. He argues that DOJ higher-ups fired him after a relentless pressure campaign where Trump accused him of treason and for steering a 'witch hunt' against him.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson  who was in the courtroom for the start of Trump's D.C. trial with Judge Tanya Chutkan  and a federal appeals court both gave a green light to Trump's two-hour deposition.

Strzok and Page, who were having an affair, exchanged text messages in the run-up to the 2020 election calling Trump an 'idiot' and a 'loathsome human.'

Trump and House Republicans, who helped push out the private texts, said it revealed bias on the part of a 'weaponized' government.

The deposition was moved from a planned Mar-a-Lago interview to one in New York to comport with Trump's busy legal schedule.

Former President Donald Trump arrived at Trump Tower on October 16, 2023, with plans to attend a court session in Manhattan in the penalty phase of a fraud trial for him and his company. He was also set to give a deposition in the case of 'FBI lovers' Peter Strzok and Lisa Page

'I'll be the only politician in history that runs with a gag order where I'm not allowed to criticize people,' complained former President Donald Trump after a federal judge imposed a gag order that prohibits him from attacking special counsel Jack Smith and court personnel

Trump is set to be questioned under oath as part of lawsuits from 'FBI lovers' Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, two former FBI employees who provoked the former president's outrage after sending each other pejorative text messages about him

Former FBI lawyer Lisa Page is also suing. She resigned her post as an FBI lawyer in 2018. She charges DOJ violated her privacy by disclosing copies of her messages

Justice Arthur Engoron imposed a gag on Trump after the former president went after his clerk online

NYPD officers are briefed near Manhattan Supreme Court ahead of Former President Donald Trumps appearance in Manhattan Tuesday

He appeared for three consecutive days when the trial began, railing against Judge Arthur Engoron that New York AG Letitia James' charges against Trump and his company.

The judge already issued a summary judgement of fraud, so the trial is to determine the amount of any penalty.

Judge Engoron slapped a gag on Trump after he attacked his clerk on the former president's Truth Social platform.

He called her 'Schumer's girlfriend' and posted a link to her private Instagram account with an image of the two of them together  then deleted it.

The judge banned Trump from talking about the $250 million civil fraud suit and the judge's staff.

In his Washington, DC case related to his election overturn effort, Judge Chutkan cited the New York case, and imposed a limited gag that bars Trump from attacking Special Counsel Jack Smith, herself, prosecutors, or witnesses. Trump had called Smith 'deranged' just hours before her order.

Trump is still allowed to attack Washington, DC, the venue for that trial. He has called it 'rat-infested'
The son of British perfume tycoon Jo Malone has tried to distance himself from a Harvard University letter written by a student group he ran - which blamed Israel for the Hamas terror attacks.

Josh Willcox, 22, is listed as one of three students who run the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, according to Harvard's directory of student groups.

The PSC issued a letter on October 7, co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations, stating: 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.'

Willcox is now claiming that he had nothing to do with the letter written by his organization and said he was away from campus when it was written.

His mother - who sold her Jo Malone brand to Estee Lauder in 1999 for a sum described as 'undisclosed millions', and now runs her own Jo Loves brand - immediately rejected her son's group's statement, and described the Hamas attacks as 'abhorrent'.

But it was not until Saturday, after a week of mounting anger and widespread revulsion, that Willcox insisted he was not involved in its drafting.

'In contrast to the PSC open letter, I believe that anyone who inflicts violence on civilians is solely responsible for their actions,' he wrote on Instagram.

'I therefore do not support the letter's attribution of blame for Saturday's attacks to Israel.'

Josh Willcox (left) son of perfume mogul Jo Malone (center) is listed as one of three Harvard students who run the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee. He is also pictured with his father Gary Willcox at a ritzy London party in 2017

The letter caused a massive backlash after 33 student societies backed the statement written by the PSC 'holding the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence'

Willcox, a senior studying Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, insisted he had not been at Harvard all semester.

MailOnline.com has contacted Willcox and Malone to request clarification on why he has not been on campus.

He also insisted in his Instagram post he had nothing to do with the writing of the letter.

Willcox said he was writing the Instagram post 'to make clear my personal views in relation to the open letter.'

He wrote: 'Over the past few days, we have seen horrific massacres in Israel and as I write this, we are seeing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises unfold in Gaza.'

Willcox continued: 'Throughout my time at university, I've tried to stand up for the human rights of all people even when our campus and global community seemed heartbreakingly silent.

'My organizing has always been an explicit support of non-violent advocacy in the hope of achieving dignity for Palestinians living under an internationally recognized occupation.

'May we never stop advocating for the right of every individual to live a peaceful life of dignity.'

Willcox has been an active member of the PSC throughout his time at Harvard, writing op-eds in the Harvard Crimson student newspaper and speaking at rallies.

In an editorial published by the campus newspaper earlier this year, Willcox denounced 'the brutal oppression of Palestinians' by 'an apartheid regime,' a reference to Israel.

He criticized Harvard Kennedy School for extending a fellowship to Amos Yadlin, a former senior officer in the Israeli military.

He accused Harvard of 'welcom[ing] agents of colonial violence.'

Supporters of Palestine gather at Harvard University on October 14. When the terror attacks were launched by Hamas on October 7, the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee issued a co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations, stating: 'We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence'

Harvard students at the October 14 rally on campus

The students behind the letter have been condemned for their blaming Israel.

Many of those leading the 33 organizations and the Solidarity Committee have been named, and faced calls to be blacklisted from future employment. One NYU law student has had her job offer rescinded, and on Sunday a law professor at Berkeley called for law firms to refuse to hire 'my anti-Semite students'.

On Wednesday, the Harvard Arab Alumni Association wrote to its members appealing for help in supporting the students.

'They may require legal counsel, healthcare, mental health support, financial aid or mentorship to navigate these turbulent and uncertain times,' the group said.

'They have been subjected to relentless bullying and intimidation,' the association wrote, in a letter obtained by reporter John Hasson.

'This situation is rapidly deteriorating as some students find their names on watchlists, creating severe risks for their immigration status and future career prospects.

'Our ask and plea to you all is to extend your hand to these students and provide the vital assistance they need within your capacity and scope of influence.'

Neither Harvard nor the association have responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

'Today's events did not occur in a vacuum,' their October 7 statement read.

'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.

'In the coming days, Palestinians will be forced to bear the full brunt of Israel's violence. The apartheid regime is the only one to blame,' it continues.

Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard, said days later the letter does not speak for the educational institution as a whole or its leadership.

Her comments came after some criticized the Harvard administration for taking too long to denounce the student letter.

She then issued a second statement and said the university rejects terrorism, hate and harassment based on people's beliefs while embracing free expression, even 'views that many of us find objectionable, even outrageous.'

She wrote: 'We do not punish or sanction people for expressing' objectionable or outrageous views.

'But that is a far cry from endorsing them. It's in the exercise of our freedom to speak that we reveal our characters and we reveal the character of our institution.'

Harvard President Claudine Gay (pictured) has finally condemned the 'terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel' - at odds with 34 student groups at the Ivy League institution who have pledged support to the militants

The death toll has topped 1,300 in Israel as the country plots a bloody revenge

An aerial view shows the bodies of victims of the Hamas attack on the Kfar Aza Kibbutz on Tuesday

Troops remove the bodies of victims, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday

More than 1million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israeli invasion that seeks to eliminate Hamas' leadership.

Aid groups warn an Israeli ground offensive could hasten a humanitarian crisis.

Israeli forces, supported by U.S. warships, have positioned themselves along Gaza's border and drilled for what Israel said would be a broad campaign to dismantle the militant group.

A week of blistering airstrikes have demolished neighborhoods but failed to stop militant rocket fire into Israel.

The war that began October 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has pulled out of a radio interview at the last minute due to a 'family tragedy', just hours after her calls for a royal commission into the sexual abuse of Indigenous children were rejected.

It's been a rollercoaster few days for the Country's Liberal Senator and leading No campaigner - seen by some as a future prime minister - after the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.

The shadow minister for Indigenous affairs fought back tears as she issued a scathing attack on the federal government in a powerful video message on Tuesday night after her attempts to have a formal investigation into the sexual abuse of Aboriginal children were dismissed.

2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham revealed on his show on Wednesday that he had invited Senator Price to speak on his program, but she had been forced to pull out.

Senator Jacinta Price (pictured) pulled out of a radio interview due to a family tragedy, according to Ben Fordham

'I just checked in with her, she was going to join us, but she's had a bit of a family tragedy occur overnight involving a relative so she's not in the best space of mind to be talking to us this morning,' Fordham explained.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Senator Price's office for comment.

The latest family tragedy comes three years after her nephew Kumanjayi Presley was fatally stabbed in Alice Springs.

Her aunt, Marion Nabarula Nelson, disappeared from a remote part of the Northern Territory in 1982. She has never been found.

On Tuesday night, Senator Price issued an emotional video message directly to the Australian public explaining the outcome of the urgency motion she tabled in the Senate earlier that afternoon.

She said she had 'never been so incredibly furious' in the 11-minute video, at several stages fighting back tears as she described why this matter is so important to her.

Jacinta Price fought back tears in a powerful video message to Australians on Tuesday night

During her appeal to the government and cross bench to support a Royal Commission, Ms Price shared several real life examples of Indigenous children being sexually abused.

One such story involved her niece, who at 15 years old was 'beaten and raped by her own father', forced her to move away from home.

'[She] suffered horrific abuse for years and tried at first to get support with family who didn't believe her.... it wasn't until my cousin took her to police so she could make a report, and she had the incredible courage to be heard at the age of 17 and testify,' Ms Price said, fighting back tears.

Price also revealed earlier this week that her family were targeted by vandals after the Voice referendum failed.
Jewish BBC staff are said to have been shocked by references to Nazis in a blog by veteran journalist John Simpson explaining why the broadcaster refuses to call Hamas 'terrorists'.

The world affairs editor's 600-word post, published on the corporation's website last week, claimed 'BBC Broadcasters were expressly told not to call the Nazis evil or wicked' during the Second World War.

But the comparison left some Jewish workers at the BBC shocked, according to The Times.

This is said to have been made worse when Deborah Turness, the BBC's chief executive of news and current affairs, included this part of his blog in an email to staff.

One BBC staff member told the newspaper: 'What was he thinking of by referencing the Nazis?

Jewish BBC staff are said to have been shocked by references to Nazis in a blog post by veteran journalist John Simpson

Ahmed Hussain, who has been in charge of BBC radio station Asian Network since 2020, is also said to have reposted messages querying whether the terror group beheaded babies

'It's never a good idea, and particularly not at the moment.

'Does he not realise how vulnerable Jewish members of staff are feeling? It shouldn't have been repeated by Deborah.'

Another said that people were 'not happy about it' and it was 'questionable', having lacked awareness about the 'sensitivities' of this language.

Simpson wrote: 'It's always been like this in the BBC. During World War Two, BBC broadcasters were expressly told not to call the Nazis evil or wicked, even though we could and did call them 'the enemy'. 'Above all,' said a BBC document, 'there must be no room for ranting'. Our tone had to be calm and collected.'

It comes as it emerged that the head of BBC radio station Asian Network reposted tweets which described Israel's response to the Hamas attacks as 'genocide'.

Ahmed Hussain, who has been in charge of the station since 2020, is also said to have reposted messages querying whether the terror group beheaded babies. The BBC is already facing criticism from Jewish groups for its handling of the crisis, which began when Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7.

The BBC has refused to describe those behind the attacks as 'terrorists', instead using words such as 'militants'  despite the fact that the Government classifies Hamas as a terrorist group.

This has sparked a backlash from politicians and British Jews, with hundreds of protesters demonstrating outside the BBC in London on Monday night.

The BBC is now expected to look into its use of the word terrorism in relation to groups such as Hamas as part of a review of its editorial guidelines in the spring.

On Monday night there was anger when the BBC called the Islamic State-inspired shooting in Brussels, in which two Swedes were killed, a 'terror attack'. The BBC then said this use of the word terror had been a 'mistake'. The corporation is also facing scrutiny over claims that another BBC programme has questioned whether a Hamas massacre at a kibbutz had actually happened.

The BBC is now expected to look into its use of the word terrorism in relation to groups such as Hamas

According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, a BBC Arabic programme called Trending had suggested there was more than one version of this story.

A BBC spokesman said the report had been 'quickly removed from BBC output' as it did not meet its 'editorial standards'.

This comes as the BBC investigates reports that six journalists and a freelancer at for its Arabic service appeared to support Hamas and had backed its attacks on social media. All are thought to have been taken off air while the investigation continues.

Yesterday, the BBC responded to claims about the head of its Asian Network. It said: 'Our social media guidance sets out clear expectations for staff, including the particular responsibility for all senior leaders to uphold the BBC's impartiality. Any breaches are taken seriously, and we have spoken to Ahmed and reminded him of these responsibilities.'
A Labor senator has slammed Israel's retaliatory missile strikes in Gaza, warning that the 'price tag' of the Jewish state's 'right to defend itself cannot be the destruction of Palestine'.

Senator Fatima Payman, an Afghan-born Labor politician representing Western Australia, took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to call for the government to condemn Israel.

'Israeli missiles strike residential dwellings, civilians, multistorey apartments, health facilities as well as places of worship, indiscriminately killing men, women and children. We must condemn it,' Senator Payman said.

Senator Payman, who as a devout Muslim became the first hijab-wearing woman in the Australian parliament after being elected last year, also accused Israel of committing war crimes by using white phosphorus in Gaza.

Senator Payman, who as a devout Muslim became the first hijab-wearing woman in the Australian parliament after being elected last year, also accused Israel of committing war crimes by using white phosphorus in Gaza - the Jewish state disputes this

The Jewish state disputes this.

'The price tag of Israel's right to defend itself cannot be the destruction of Palestine,' Senator Payman said.

'Israel's right to defend its civilians cannot equate to the annihilation of Palestinian civilians. I hereby call for an immediate ceasefire to come into effect, alongside many world leaders and experts.'

Senator Payman, 28, began her speech by condemning the 'killing of innocent civilians in Israel'.

Her comments came just hours before a bomb blast at a hospital in Gaza killed at least 500 people, with more trapped under the rubble - many of them children, Hamas has claimed.

But Israel has denied it was behind the strike at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, claiming instead it was a rocket misfired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists.

Senator Payman's intervention in the debate came on the day that four Green MPs refused to back a motion supporting Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas.

Greens leader Adam Bandt was pictured alongside fellow lower house MPs Stephen Bates, Max Chandler-Mather and Elizabeth Watson-Brown, as every other MP in the House of Representatives voted for the motion.

Scores of injured people are being taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following an alleged Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday - Israel claims it was a rocket misfired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists

Soldiers and heavy armour are seen in a holding area outside Kibbutz Be'eri in Israel. Over 110 residents of the small community were killed during the attack on October 7

Mr Bandt tried to add an amendment to accuse Israel of war crimes and declare the barrage of air strikes and imminent invasion of Gaza 'not just a humanitarian catastrophe, but a war crime'.

Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie and Sydney Teal MPs, Kylea Tink and Sophie Scamps, supported this amendment.

Former Victorian Liberals president Michael Kroger called the Greens MPs 'disgraceful' for not backing the motion and seeking to amend it.
A man has been rushed to hospital after he was shot in the leg in Sydney's southern suburbs.

Emergency services were called to Rocky Point Rd at Sans Souci shortly before 6am on Wednesday after reports of a shooting.

On arrival, officers found a man suffering a gunshot wound to his leg in the Sans Souci Central shopping centre carpark.

On arrival, officers found a man suffering a gunshot wound to his leg in the Sans Souci Central shopping centre carpark

The 22-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital in a stable condition.

A crime scene has since been established and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.

More to come.
The group were attacked and their car burned in Queen Elizabeth National Park

A British tourist has been shot dead in Uganda on a safari park holiday by gunmen thought to be Islamic terrorists.

The unnamed Briton was one of three people targeted by militants as they travelled through Queen Elizabeth National Park in the East African nation.

Two other people - a South African holidaymaker and a Ugandan driver - were also killed in the attack, which police believe was committed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a terror group linked to ISIS.

The group has previously been blamed for numerous massacres, including attacks that have killed dozens of schoolchildren and kidnapping foreign tourists.

Disturbing photos from the scene show the group's safari vehicle set on fire while the bodies of the victims lie on the floor on the dirt road.

The tourists and their guide were targeted as they travelled through a safari park in Uganda

Disturbing photos from the scene show their safari vehicle set on fire, while the bodies of the victims lie on the dirt road

Police believe the attack was committed by the Allied Democratic Forces, an ISIS-affiliated terror group

The attack took place in Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its natural beauty and wildlife

Police have denounced the 'cowardly' attack while park officials vowed to do everything they could to find those responsible.

Fred Enanga, a Ugandan police spokesman, said: 'We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The three were killed, and their safari vehicle burnt.'

According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which runs the park named after the late Queen, the trio were travelling with the Gorilla and Wildlife Safaris, a local tour company.

A spokesman for the UWA described the incident as 'horrific', adding: 'The deceased whose names are withheld, include a Ugandan, a UK citizen and a South African citizen.

'We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, and we share in their grief during this difficult time.

'UWA has informed the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies who are working diligently to establish the precise sequence of events leading up to this horrific incident and to identify those responsible.'

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said they are working with authorities in Uganda.

They said: 'We are liaising with local authorities to ascertain more details. We stand ready to support the Ugandan authorities,.'

The ADF has previously been blamed for massacres, kidnappings and lootings, with a death toll estimated in the thousands.

In June, ADF militia members killed 42 people including 37 students in a high school in western Uganda.

The incident is the latest in a long line of attacks by the ADF, which has previously kidnapped tourists and massacred schoolchildren

Earlier this year the terror group killed 37 people in an attack on a secondary school in Uganda. Pictured: The burned remains of a dormitory in the school

Since April 2019, some ADF attacks have been claimed by ISIS, which describes the ADF as one of its offshoots.

In 2019 a US tourist and her safari guide were kidnapped by four gunmen as they drove through the park at dusk.

The gunmen dragged the pair from their safari vehicle, but left behind two other tourists, whom police described as an 'elderly couple'. The guide and tourist were exchanged after a ransom was paid for their release.

Police said the kidnappers used the American's mobile telephone to demand a ransom of $500,000 or 410,000 for their release.
President Joe Biden will no longer travel to Jordan on his high stakes trip to the Middle East after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pulled out a meeting with Biden and Arab leaders over a missile strike on a Gaza hospital.

The White House confirmed that the Jordan portion of the trip was off as the president boarded Air Force One en route to Israel.

The meeting between Biden and Abbas was also to be attended by King Abdullah II of Jordan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

'After consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, President Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President Sisi of Egypt,' a White House official said.

The official added that the president 'sent his deepest condolences for the innocent lives lost in the hospital explosion in Gaza, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.'

President Joe Biden boards Air Force One to leave for Israel. He was supposed to make a stop in Jordan too, but Palestinian Authority President cancelled the meeting after a blast ripped through a Gaza hospital

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled his meeting with Joe Biden and thus Biden's summit with Arab leaders that was scheduled to take place Wednesday in Amman, Jordan is off

Images from Tuesday's attack on a Gaza hospital, which the health authority, controlled by the terror group Hamas, said was an Israeli attack, while Israeli Defense Forces said it was hit by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad military group

'He looks forward to consulting in person with these leaders soon, and agreed to remain regularly and directly engaged with each of them over the coming days,' the official added.

The meeting with Arab leaders was scheduled to take place in Amman, Jordan.

A senior Palestinian official said Abbas was returning to Ramallah, the seat of his government in the occupied West Bank before Biden arrives.

They had been due to speak in the wake of the horrific Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Gaza-based terror group Hamas.

But Abbas is withdrawing to protest an alleged Israeli airstrike on the hospital in Gaza that Hamas health officials say killed hundreds of people.

According to the Health Ministry an Israeli airstrike hit the hospital in Gaza City which was packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter.

If confirmed it would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

But Israel's military denied responsibility and said intelligence suggested the hospital was hit by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad military group.

A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said: 'An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in Amman, Jordan on October 17, 2023. Abbas is scheduled to return to Ramallah, the seat of his government in the occupied West Bank, in the aftermath of the deadly hospital attack

'Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza.'

Abbas declared a 'public mourning for three days and flags flown at half-mast.'

The local health ministry, which is run by Hamas, said hundreds had been killed.

Images on social media showed fire engulfing the wreckage.

Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people after Israel ordered an evacuation of the city and surrounding areas ahead of an expected ground invasion.

The ground invasion is a response to the horrific Hamas attack last week that killed more than 1,400 Israelis.

Rescue personnel work at scene At Al-Ahli Hospital

An injured man is carried outside the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths.

He said: 'We will get the details and update the public. I don't know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike.'

It came after Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Palestinian security forces in Ramallah fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks.

U.S. officials tried to convince Israel to allow delivery of supplies to civilians, aid groups and hospitals in Gaza.

Joe Biden and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shake hands after a statement, in Bethlehem last year

However, a top Israeli official said his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas terrorists would not seize any aid deliveries.

The head of Israel's National Security Council said entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

U.S. Secretary of state Antony Blinken has been meeting leaders in the region in recent days.

They have told him that the situation following the Hamas atrocity threatens the stability of the entire Middle East.

Biden is likely to hear the same as he meets with leaders of Jordan and Egypt - but not Abbas - in Amman on Wednesday.
The US issued a 'do not travel' advisory for Lebanon and authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel

The US is elevating its travel advisory and allowing non-emergency personnel to leave Lebanon after the embassy in Beirut was targeted by Pro-Palestinian protestors who started a fire at the complex.

US military groups deployed smoke and gas to disperse the protestors who gathered at the embassy following an attack on a hospital in Gaza. Hours after the protests began, the State Department issued the travel advisory.

'The Department authorized the voluntary, temporary departure of family members of US government personnel and some non-emergency personnel from US Embassy Beirut due to the unpredictable security situation in Lebanon,' the announcement read.

Pro-Palestine protests have broken out in the Middle East after a blast at the hospital that killed at least 500 people. Palestine blamed Israel and said it was a targeted air strike. Israel contends it was a misfired rocket from inside Gaza that hit the facility.

Iran-backed Hezbollah, which fought a war with Israel in 2006, called for a day of unprecedented anger in Beirut on Tuesday in response to the attack.

Protests erupted outside the U.S. embassy in Beirut just hours after a blast at a hospital in Gaza that Hamas claims killed at least 500 people and has more trapped under rubble

Hundreds of Lebanese protesters, some waving Palestinian flags, gathered late into Tuesday night outside the U.S. embassy in response to the incident. Others gathered outside the French embassy in Beirut

Americans are also being advised to avoid the border with Syria due to terrorism and armed conflict, the border with Israel and refugee settlements.

On Tuesday, thousands of Lebanese protesters, some waving Palestinian flags, gathered outside the US embassy. Video shows the protestor scaling a barb-wire-topped fence to replace a US flag with a Palestinian version. A fire was also set near the complex. Later, footage showed gas being sprayed at the protestors to push them back.

It's unclear if any protestors have breached the perimeter fence or if any embassy personnel have been hurt.

It's unclear if the protesters are marching on the old embassy in Lebanon or the new one that began construction in April 2017, a 43-acre compound that has caused controversy in the country.

Initial press release described it as a $1billion project, according to The Independent. Objectors complained about the price tag and the size of the embassy given so few Americans travel to Lebanon.

Dorothy Shea, the United States' Ambassador to Lebanon, was previously the political officer at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, where she worked on the Israeli-Palestine peace process.

She was appointed to her role in 2020 by then-president Donald Trump.

Shea leads the embassy now under siege after the Gaza blast. Israel's military denied responsibility and suggested the hospital was hit by a failed rocket launch by the enclave's Palestinian Islamic Jihad military group.

Islamic Jihad denied that any of its rockets were involved in the hospital blast.

In denouncing what the group said was a strike by Israel, Hezbollah said in its statement: 'The attack reveals the true criminal face of this entity and its sponsor ... the United States, which bears direct and complete responsibility for this massacre.'

Video from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital's grounds strewn with bodies, many of them young children. Hundreds of people were reportedly seeking shelter at the hospital at the time of the blast, which Hamas has called a 'horrific massacre' and a 'crime of genocide'.

About 6,000 Palestinians were sheltering at the hospital, which is reportedly funded by the Anglican Church.

The strike, soon after at least six were killed in a strike on a nearby UN-run school during Israeli bombardments, escalates the 11-day-old war, which has already claimed thousands of lives on both sides.

It also happened just hours before US President Joe Biden was due to touch down in the Middle East for high-stakes talks on the war, which was cancelled as summit host Jordan and the wider region mourned the victims, the White House said.

Biden's visit to Israel was still going ahead.

Protesters clash with Lebanese security forces outside the US Embassy during a demonstration

A Lebanese protester flashes the V for victory sign as a fire rages behind the security gate of the US embassy

Lebanese protesters wave Palestinian national flags and shout slogans in solidarity with the people of Gaza in down town Beirut, after a strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip

Tear gas was fired at protesters near the U.S. embassy in Lebanon.

People stand in front of fire that erupted outside the security gate, during clashes between protesters and security forces outside the US embassy in Beirut

It's unclear if the protesters are marching on the old embassy in Lebanon or the new one that began construction in April 2017, a 43-acre compound that has caused controversy in the country

Hours after the blast at the Gaza hospital, Biden released a statement denouncing the attack on the facility.

'I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted. Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and have directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened,' the statement read.

'The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy.

An analysis of IDF operational systems has indicated that the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is 'responsible for the failed shooting that hit the hospital'.

The military, in a statement, said that a 'barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit'.

BREAKING: Protester place Palestine flag at US embassy in Lebanon, reports of tear gas fired at protesters pic.twitter.com/5BO5eoRqS4  Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) October 17, 2023

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip says at least 500 people have been killed in an explosion that it says was caused by an Israeli airstrike

Unverified photographs circulating on social media showed fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass and body parts scattered across the area

An IDF spokesperson added: 'Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza.'

The Islamic Jihad is another Gaza-based terrorist group which has claimed to be fighting Israel alongside Hamas. The group has denied responsibility for the attack.

The Israeli army earlier on Tuesday said that a hospital is a 'highly sensitive building' and is 'not an IDF target', and urged 'everyone to proceed with caution when reporting unverified claims of a terrorist organization'.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'WHO strongly condemns the attack on al-Ahli Hospital in north Gaza. Early reports indicate hundreds of deaths and injuries.

'We call for the immediate protection of civilians and health care, and for the evacuation orders to be reversed.'

But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: 'The entire world should know: It was barbaric terrorists in Gaza that attacked the hospital in Gaza, and not the IDF. Those who brutally murdered our children also murder their own children.'

Scores of injured people are being taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

An injured young child is carried by an apparent medic after an airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has also blamed the United States for the attack, saying in a televised speech late on Tuesday that Washington gave Israel 'the cover for its aggression.'

'The hospital massacre confirms the enemy's brutality and the extent of his feeling of defeat,' he said, adding that the attack will be 'a new turning point.'

Haniyeh called on all Palestinian people 'to get out and confront the occupation and the settlers.' He also called on all Arabs, and Muslims to stage protests against Israel.

Mark Regev, senior adviser to Mr Netanyahu, told the BBC Israel would not 'deliberately target a hospital'.

He said: 'My information, that I have just received from the highest authority ... is that all indications are that this was not Israeli orders, that this was rather a Hamas rocket that fell short.'

Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal also called for protests in front of Israeli embassies across the world after the hospital blast.

In the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against Abbas as popular anger boiled over after the blast.

Clashes with Palestinian security forces broke out in a number of other cities in the West Bank, which is ruled by Abbas' Palestinian Authority, late on Tuesday, witnesses said.

In the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against Abbas as popular anger boiled over after the blast

People clash with Palestinian security forces during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Tuesday

Demonstrators are seen flooding the streets of Ramallah on Tuesday evening in support of the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip

Protesters and Palestinian security forces clash during a rally in Ramallah on Tuesday night

Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli embassy.

In Tunisia hundreds gathered outside French embassy as they denounced the European country - who have 'firmly' denounced the strike - and the US as 'allies of Zionists'.

Hezbollah in Lebenon announced 'a day of unprecedented anger' against Israel and Biden's visit to the country, according to a statement released late on Tuesday.

The statement claimed: 'The attack reveals the true criminal face of this entity and its sponsor...the United States, which bears direct and complete responsibility for this massacre.'

Rishi Sunak is considering a visit to Israel as soon as tomorrow to offer support and discuss how to stop the conflict triggering a wider regional war. Downing Street declined to comment on the Prime Minister's travel plans last night. But senior Tories expect him to go in the coming days and Sky News reported that he could also visit Jordan and Egypt.

The Prime Minister has defended Israel's 'absolute right' to defend itself. He told MPs that the UK would not 'prescribe' how Israel's forces should go about rooting out Hamas from strongholds in Gaza  and rescuing hostages, including British nationals. But UK diplomats are privately urging Israel to ensure its operations do not break international law.

Mr Sunak is also pushing for Israel to open a 'humanitarian corridor' to allow people trapped in Gaza to escape to Egypt.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK will work with allies to find out the cause of an explosion at a hospital in Gaza which has killed hundreds of people.

In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Cleverly said the UK had been 'clear' that civilians must be protected in Gaza.

He said: 'The destruction of Al Ahli hospital is a devastating loss of human life.

'The UK has been clear. The protection of civilian life must come first.

'The UK will work with our allies to find out what has happened and protect innocent civilians in Gaza.'

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza - but plans remained uncertain.

Protesters are pictured following a clash with security forces at a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip in the West Bank city of Ramallah

Clashes with Palestinian security forces broke out in a number of other cities in the West Bank, which is ruled by Abbas' Palestinian Authority, late on Tuesday

On the opposite side,
With its HP sauce and bottle of 'Nurofen for children', the signs that this is a British family's home are obvious.

But theirs is a house of horror, covered with blood, smashed up furniture and a dead pet dog rotting in the living room.

Mother Lianne Sharabi, born in Bristol, was slaughtered here.

Her mischievous 13-year-old daughter Yahel, described as 'a bundle of unbridled energy and joy', was also murdered.

And in a fate some believe is almost as hideous as death itself, the father, Eli, and 16-year-old daughter Noiya are feared to have been abducted by sadistic thugs and taken back to Gaza.

Mother Lianne Sharabi and her 13-year-old daughter Yahel, described as 'a bundle of unbridled energy and joy', were murdered, while her 16-year-old daughter Noiya is feared to have been abducted

To her family's anguish, she is now presumed to be among the lost daughters held by armed Hamas savages.

In the massacre known as 'Israel's 9-11', this particular event happened in kibbutz Be'eri, a mile or two from the Gaza border.

It is a rural commune where the Sharabi family lived a simple, idyllic lifestyle, but the chaos and terror that gripped their leafy cul-de-sac in the Kerem  'grape vine'  neighbourhood on October 7 is plain to see.

Yesterday I crunched over the broken glass carpeting the family's home that was once filled with laughter and joy, but is now despoiled by pools of blood and the horrible stench of death in the air.

The family's bloodsoaked pet dog Moka is still sprawled lifeless on the living room floor. The dishwasher is half emptied, and there are dirty dishes in the sink.

A blood-spattered kitchen cupboard door lies open, with HP sauce in pride of place on the front rack. Along a ground-floor corridor, a sturdy metal door appears to be the 'safe room', which most Israeli homes have to protect against attack.

This one is decorated on the inside with family photographs showing smiles, party balloons and grinning selfies from happier times.

But gaze down, and an enormous pool of blood stains the floor and walls. Was this the spot where Mrs Sharabi made a brave last stand as her motherly instincts blindly forced her into battle with the armed thugs trying to snatch her children?

In the massacre known as 'Israel's 9-11', this particular event happened in kibbutz Be'eri, a mile or two from the Gaza border

The Sharabis, who are said to have visited the UK at least once a year, were all sheltering in the safe room when the terrorists broke in, according to relatives

This is a house of horror, covered with blood, smashed up furniture and a dead pet dog rotting in the living room

It appears to be where 'happy, friendly' 13-year-old Yahel was mortally wounded, in circumstances too distressing to imagine

Another pool of blood lies in the room nearby  adjacent to a child's wooden bed. It appears to be where 'happy, friendly' 13-year-old Yahel was mortally wounded, in circumstances too distressing to imagine. Amid the confusion of the massacre in Be'eri, the family at first feared she had been kidnapped along with her sister.

It is unclear where her body was found, but yesterday the family were told the numbing news that the teenager is dead.

Last night her uncle Sharon Sharabi, an IT procurement manager, sobbed: 'Our suffering could not be worse than this  my heart is broken. She was a British citizen and loved life so much. I went to her mum's wedding in Bristol and it was a wonderful day.

'But now Yahel and her mother are both dead and her father and sister are missing or kidnapped. Our family has been destroyed by inhumans with no souls.'

He said: 'Yahel was a wonderful, happy, friendly little girl who didn't understand all the hate surrounding us and wanted everyone to live happily together.

'She was also very funny with a great sense of humour and loved to make us laugh.'

A blood-spattered kitchen cupboard door lies open, with HP sauce in pride of place on the front rack

The dishwasher is half emptied, and there are dirty dishes in the sink of the family home

With its HP sauce and bottle of 'Nurofen for children', the signs that this is a British family's home are obvious

Mr Sharabi added: 'I'm still in shock after hearing Yahel has been identified among the dead and her big sister is missing and we have no idea whether she is alive, dead or a hostage in Gaza.

'I pray for a miracle but I have to say part of me thinks it's better to be dead than in the hands of these people.' The British sisters and their father have not been heard from since black-clad Hamas gunmen wielding assault rifles and hand grenades went on the rampage in their small kibbutz looking for Israeli families to slaughter or kidnap.

The Sharabis, who are said to have visited the UK at least once a year, were all sheltering in the safe room when the terrorists broke in, according to relatives.

Somerset-born Lianne, who first moved to Israel as a kibbutz volunteer when she was 19, lived 'a beautiful life and will be sorely missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind', her loved ones said in a statement.

And in a tribute to Yahel, the grief-stricken family said: 'Beautiful Yahel. A bundle of unbridled energy and joy, with a cheekiness that you could not help but smile at and a brain which was sharp as a tack. Full of adventure and mischief, we will forever miss her, but are grateful for the light she brought into our lives in the too short time she was with us.'

The Sharabis, who are said to have visited the UK at least once a year, were all sheltering in the safe room when the terrorists broke in, according to relatives

Family photographs showing smiles, party balloons and grinning selfies from happier time

For Lianne and Yahel, at least, they can now grieve.

But for missing Eli and Noiya  along with another uncle, Yossi, 53, also kidnapped and taken to Gaza  there is only the lurking sense of dread.

Raz Matalon, an uncle of the girls, told how the horror unfolded at kibbutz Be'eri, where 108 perished. He said: 'Early on Saturday morning when Hamas fired all the missiles at Israel we called Eli and Lianne. Lianne told us this was not like a usual missile attack.

'It was different. She said she had heard shooting and hand grenades exploding and that the noise of gunfire was getting closer. Then she said: 'We have to be quiet because they are near'.'

In harrowing final messages, Lianne sent a panicked text to her sister-in-law saying she could hear members of the terrorist group 'shooting and shouting 'Die Israel'.' The girl's aunt, Nira Sharabi, said: 'The last contact I had with Lianne and the girls was at about 11am on Saturday morning. 'She sent me a message saying: 'Nira, I can hear them. They are here at our house. They are shooting and shouting 'Die Israel'. Please call for help'. I told her: 'Be strong! I am calling for help!' But ten minutes later I lost contact with her and the girls.

'All we know is that the terrorists broke into their safe room. Eli had barricaded the door and was holding the handle but the terrorists managed to get it open.' Sharon Sharabi said: 'The last we heard from them was a text message from Eli at around 11.30am on the morning of the attacks.

'It read something like, 'They are shooting, they have smashed our house, they are killing children. They are going to murder us!' I was miles away and felt awful  so powerless. I will never forget that day.'

He and brother Raz yesterday broke the news of Yahel's death to her grandparents Peter and Gill Brisley, aged in their 70s and living in South Wales, and her brother Stephen. Sharon said: 'We are not the kind of people who demand revenge  we don't want more innocent people to die and we want this to stop.

'We also don't believe Palestinian people support this terror. But this will continue as long as Hamas is in control and we have to stop them  we have to win.'
The House will enter its 15th day without a House Speaker - with all legislative priorities on hold after Jim Jordan endured a disastrous loss in his first bid to become House Speaker.

The lower chamber has gone home for the evening as Jordan tries to woo the twenty holdouts that voted against his opening shot at the top job. He will try again at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Jordan can ask for as many votes as he wants and it's not clear at one point he'd give up his bid for speaker. Kevin McCarthy went 15 ballots before becoming speaker.

Jordan and the House's Number Two Republican, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, met following the failed vote, according to a source familiar. Jordan asked Scalise for help in courting moderate votes, and Scalise allegedly would not commit to doing so.

A Scalise spokesperson pushed back on this characterization of the meeting - arguing Scalise has been the 'only candidate throughout this process who has publicly declared he will be supportive of whomever the conference nominates for Speaker, and his position has not changed.'

When Scalise had won the internal GOP conference vote, DailyMail.com reported that Jordan had publicly pledged to back him but made few moves to urge his supporters to vote for the majority leader.

Jordan quickly lost the support of four GOP lawmakers minutes after the vote began - Reps. Don Bacon, Mario Diaz-Balart, Jake Ellzey and Anthony D'Esposito - tanking his first bid for speaker.

Republican Rep. Jim Jordan endured a disastrous loss in his first bid to become House Speaker

The number of defectors continued to rise with more Republicans voting for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, Rep. Mike Garcia, former Rep. Lee Zeldin and others not included on the speaker ballot.

It is unclear if the Republican firebrand will move immediately for a second ballot, or if he will ask for time to get the 20 total Republican defectors who voted against him on his side.

The GOP dysfunction shows no sign of waning and some are worried that it will only get worse for Jordan during additional rounds of voting. Rep. Ken Buck - who voted for Emmer - told CNN that although he voted for him, 'I don't like Tom Emmer.'

Jordan could only afford to lose three Republican votes to get to a 217 majority with all Democrats expected to vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The House is currently led by interim Speaker Patrick McHenry, who has little power to bring up legislation on the House floor.

Congress has been paralyzed for two weeks, unable to conduct any business

The Republicans have been embroiled in a civil war since McCarthy became the first speaker in history to be ousted by colleagues two weeks ago when eight rebel GOP members voted to remove him.

Congress has been paralyzed, unable to conduct any business and with only a month until the government runs out of money again. The House is also unable to vote to provide desperately needed assistance to Israel after the brutal Hamas terror attack left over 1,300 civilians dead and at least 29 Americans killed.

House Freedom Caucus founder Jordan emerged as the favorite after Rep. Steve Scalise suddenly dropped out last Thursday. Jordan, who is seen as a far-right alternative to the more establishment Scalise, worked overtime over the weekend to try and flip Republicans to his side.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Jordan for the top Republican position, and reiterated his support in a post to Truth Social Tuesday.

First speaker vote tally Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. -- 212 Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio -- 200 Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. -- 6 Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y. -- 3 Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La. -- 7 Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif. -- 1 Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn. -- 1 Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. -- 1 Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. -- 1 Advertisement

'Jim Jordan will be a GREAT Speaker of the House. As everyone knows, I have long ago given him my Complete and Total Endorsement!'

McCarthy himself was urging Republican holdouts to vote for Jordan - or event vote 'present' to lower the threshold for the majority - so the chamber could quickly get back to business. He publicly backed Jordan in the recorded vote on the House floor.

When asked by CNN on his way down to the House floor, Jordan said that members could be potentially voting all day on multiple ballots to confirm a Republican leader.

'Whatever it takes to get a speaker today,' Jordan said about whether he was ready to go as many rounds as former Speaker McCarthy - whose confirmation went five days and 15 rounds long in January.

In the first vote for McCarthy, 19 voted for a Republican other than him. By the 14th round of voting, only six holdouts remained.

The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee also noted that he had not asked Trump to help with the whip count on his behalf.

He would not respond to a question about a demand by his fellow Republican Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., for Jordan to admit the 2020 presidential election wasn't stolen.

On the floor, Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., gave a nominating speech for Jordan praising his work.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a Jordan supporter, brought her new baby to the House floor Tuesday

'He is an America First warrior who wins the toughest of fights - going after corruption and delivering accountability at the highest levels of government on behalf of WE THE PEOPLE.'

Democrats started chanting at the start of Rep. Pete Aguilar's speech in support of Hakeem Jeffries - the sitting minority leader.

'Hakeem, Hakeem, Hakeem' started ringing out from the chamber by the enthusiastic Democrats.

They also began to yell out 'he said no' while Aguilar listed the many Democratic priorities Jordan has voted against, including Hurricane Sandy funding and others.

Aguilar slammed Jordan as an 'insurrection inciter' - referring to his vote against certifying the 2020 election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Jordan and his allies spent the weekend pressuring holdouts to vote for him - with the unspoken threat that not doing so could put them at risk of a primary challenge given Jordan's popularity with grassroots conservatives.

Rep. Don Bacon was the first member to cast his vote for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy - shunning Jordan

Another McCarthy supporter Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer refused to vote for Jordan on the floor

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, the top contender in the race to be the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, talks with House colleagues

Jordan and his allies spent the weekend pressuring holdouts to vote for him

House Republican chaos continued on Tuesday as firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan failed to get enough votes to replace Kevin McCarthy as the new speaker

While the House has been in turmoil its larger battles have been on hold - one month from Tuesday government funding will run out again. House Republicans had hoped to pass 12 single-subject government funding bills by then, but it's nearly guaranteed they'll need another continuing resolution (CR) to punt the funding deadline down the road.

McCarthy put a CR on the floor and it's what prompted his ouster - Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., had long promised to put a motion to vacate on the floor if McCarthy extended government funding at 2023 levels rather than pushing through 12 separate bills.

Even if the House can pass all its appropriations bills, then it has to work with the Senate to get spending legislation through the Democrat-led upper chamber. Jordan is not known for his ability to work across the aisle - another factor that could be drawing skepticism from moderates.

The outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas has also added pressure as Congress must decide whether to offer more defense aid to Israel.

On the other hand, Congress is also divided over whether to offer Ukraine more aid in its fight against Russia.
First lady Jill Biden planted a kiss on the president's cheek shortly before he took off for Israel amid a tense situation in the Middle East that President Biden hopes to prevent from spiraling into a broader conflict.

The president popped into her event in the East Room of the White House, just hours before he took off for Tel Aviv, on a day when Israel's Iron Dome defenses continued to take out rocket attacks from Gaza.

'I couldnt let him go without kissing him goodbye,' she told the crowd, after kissing him on the cheek and whispering in his ear.

The event was to mark the US return to UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

First lady Jill Biden gave President Biden a kiss after he dropped by her White House event on a day he headed to Israel

The US pulled out of the group under former President Donald Trump in 2017, accusing the group of being anti-Israel. The US had stopped contributing to it after it admitted Palestine as a member state.

Biden had praised the group during his brief drop-by, after Delaware Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, one of his reelection campaign co-chairs, spokes.

'I miss the Senate, I really do,' he said wistfully. 'I miss seeing you, pal.'

'Thank you all, and we're glad to be part of your outfit,' he said.

The tender moment came hours before Biden motorcaded to Joint Base Andrews, where he took off shortly after the White House confirmed he would no longer travel to Jordan for a high stakes meeting.

The first couple touched cheeks while the first lady whispered in the president's ear

The first lady was hosting an event on rejoining UNESCO

That came after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pulled out a meeting with Biden and Arab leaders after an explosion at a hospital in Gaza was believed to have killed hundreds.

The Israeli army claimed the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City his hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists. The Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza blamed an Israeli airstrike hit the hospital in Gaza City which was packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter.

'After consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, President Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President Sisi of Egypt,' a White House official said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday had to decamp to a security bunker during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Biden's trip comes as Israel is massing thousands of troops on the Gaza border, as it prepares for possible ground invasion to take out Hamas following horrific terror attacks inside Israel Oct. 7.
Hellish footage emerged showing bodies strewn on the ground at the hospital

Horrified doctors stood among a sea of children killed after a massive blast tore through a hospital in Gaza with fears more than 500 people are dead and scores more are trapped under the rubble.

The huge explosion tore through the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday night while it was being used to treat and shelter thousands of civilians amid the ongoing conflict.

The devastating fireball has sparked a venomous blame game between Hamas and Israel, with both sides blaming armed forces across the border for the destruction and furiously denying it was their fault.

Palestinian officials say the horror explosion was caused by an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) air strike, while officials in the Jewish state insisted it was the result of a 'failed' rocket launched by terrorist group Islamic Jihad.

However, the terror group has labelled the claims 'completely incorrect' and accused the IDF of 'trying to cover for the horrifying crime and massacre they committed against civilians'.

The blast threw a visit from US President Joe Biden to the region - in the hopes of showing support for Israel and preventing the war from spreading - into chaos, with a planned meeting involving him, the president of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, and leaders from Egypt and Jordan cancelled by the Arab nations in protest.

Doctors stand outside al-Shifa hospital surrounded by a sea of dead children brought in from nearby al-Ahli hospital after the explosion

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip says at least 500 people have been killed in an explosion that it says was caused by an Israeli airstrike

Unverified photographs circulating on social media showed fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass and body parts scattered across the area

Among those wounded in the explosion were children, women and patients at the hospital. Pictured: A child at al-Shifa hospital after the fireball at al-Ahli hospital

Bodies of those killed in the blast were covered in white sheets and placed by the dozen in tents

A blood-soaked Palestinian woman holds a child as she waits for treatment at al-Shifa hospital following the explosion

Hellish video taken from the hospital, which was sheltering around 6,000 Palestinians and is funded by the Anglican Church, shows fire engulfing the building and the dozens of bodies strewn over the ground, many of them young children.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza City's main hospital, al-Shifa, already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia.

'We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room. We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need everything,' Mr Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospital's generators will run out on Wednesday. 'I think Gaza's medical sector will collapse within hours.'

READ MORE HERE: Biden says he is 'outraged' and 'saddened' by attack on Gaza hospital that left at least 500 dead as US intelligence works to determine who was responsible Advertisement

In a press conference at al-Shifa doctors stood in a sea of dead children who had been brought from the stricken hospital, holding some of their faces to the cameras to show the horror that had befallen them.

In the immediate aftermath Hamas called the devastation a 'horrific massacre' and a 'crime of genocide', laying blame at the feet of Israel.

British director of the charity that runs the hospital, Richard Sewell, said: 'Disaster: our hospital, Ahli Arab hospital has taken a direct hit from an Israeli missile.

'Early reports say hundreds of women and children killed. This is deliberate killing of vulnerable civilians. The bombs must stop now. There can be no possible justification for this.'

It claimed that the attack had mostly killed people who were homeless after Israeli bombardments had destroyed their houses, with the dead including patients, women and children.

Izzat El-Reshiq, a senior Hamas member, said: 'There are scores of dismembered and crushed bodies, baths of blood.'

The Israeli military blamed the explosion on Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often co-operates with Hamas in their shared struggle against Israel.

The military, in a statement, said that a 'barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit'.

An IDF spokesperson added: 'Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza.'

The Israeli army earlier on Tuesday said that a hospital is a 'highly sensitive building' and is 'not an IDF target', and urged 'everyone to proceed with caution when reporting unverified claims of a terrorist organisation'.

This was backed up by Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow in airpower and technology at the Royal United Services Institute, who said video of the explosion did not match with the type of weapons Israel typically uses.

On Twitter he wrote: 'For what it's worth, this doesn't look or sound quite like an air strike using the typical IAF 1000lb or 2000lb JDAM/Mk80 series to me. Incoming projectile sounds like it's under power and the explosion frames visible look like largely propellant fire rather than HE [high explosive] detonation...'

The incident has raised tensions in the region even further, with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon calling for 'a day of unprecedented anger' against Israel, while Libya's foreign ministry accused the Jewish state of 'war crimes and genocide'.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a statement on Tuesday, saying 'I condemn in the strongest of terms Israel's bombardment' on a hospital in Gaza, and calling it a 'clear violation of international law'.

Meanwhile, Iran's official Twitter account cryptically posted the words 'time is up', hours after its president Ebrahim Raisi declared 'the flames of US-Israeli bombs... will soon consume the Zionists'.

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'WHO strongly condemns the attack on al-Ahli Hospital in north Gaza. Early reports indicate hundreds of deaths and injuries.

'We call for the immediate protection of civilians and health care, and for the evacuation orders to be reversed.'

But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: 'The entire world should know: It was barbaric terrorists in Gaza that attacked the hospital in Gaza, and not the IDF. Those who brutally murdered our children also murder their own children.'

An injured man is carried from the hospital while others are moved clear by paramedics after the attack

A Palestinian woman cries while holding her child after the explosion at the hospital in Gaza City

Scores of injured people are being taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

An injured young child is carried by an apparent medic after an airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

People gather around the bodies of those killed in the devastation at the hospital on Tuesday

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has also blamed the United States for the attack, saying in a televised speech late on Tuesday that Washington gave Israel 'the cover for its aggression.'

'The hospital massacre confirms the enemy's brutality and the extent of his feeling of defeat,' he said, adding that the attack will be 'a new turning point.'

Haniyeh called on all Palestinian people 'to get out and confront the occupation and the settlers.' He also called on all Arabs, and Muslims to stage protests against Israel.

Mark Regev, senior adviser to Mr Netanyahu, told the BBC Israel would not 'deliberately target a hospital'.

He said: 'My information, that I have just received from the highest authority ... is that all indications are that this was not Israeli orders, that this was rather a Hamas rocket that fell short.'

Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal also called for protests in front of Israeli embassies across the world after the hospital blast.

In the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against Abbas as popular anger boiled over after the blast.

Clashes with Palestinian security forces broke out in a number of other cities in the West Bank, which is ruled by Abbas' Palestinian Authority, late on Tuesday, witnesses said.

In the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against Abbas as popular anger boiled over after the blast

People clash with Palestinian security forces during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Tuesday

Demonstrators are seen flooding the streets of Ramallah on Tuesday evening in support of the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip

Protesters and Palestinian security forces clash during a rally in Ramallah on Tuesday night

Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli embassy.

And in Tunisia hundreds gathered outside French embassy as they denounced the European country - who have 'firmly' denounced the strike - and the US as 'allies of Zionists'.

Hezbollah in Lebenon announced 'a day of unprecedented anger' against Israel and Biden's visit to the country, according to a statement released late on Tuesday.

The statement claimed: 'The attack reveals the true criminal face of this entity and its sponsor... the United States, which bears direct and complete responsibility for this massacre.'

The carnage came as the US tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since the deadly rampage by Hamas in southern Israel.

Rishi Sunak is considering a visit to Israel as soon as tomorrow to offer support and discuss how to stop the conflict triggering a wider regional war. Downing Street declined to comment on the Prime Minister's travel plans last night. But senior Tories expect him to go in the coming days and Sky News reported that he could also visit Jordan and Egypt.

The Prime Minister has defended Israel's 'absolute right' to defend itself. He told MPs that the UK would not 'prescribe' how Israel's forces should go about rooting out Hamas from strongholds in Gaza  and rescuing hostages, including British nationals. But UK diplomats are privately urging Israel to ensure its operations do not break international law.

Mr Sunak is also pushing for Israel to open a 'humanitarian corridor' to allow people trapped in Gaza to escape to Egypt.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK will work with allies to find out the cause of an explosion at a hospital in Gaza which has killed hundreds of people.

In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Cleverly said the UK had been 'clear' that civilians must be protected in Gaza.

He said: 'The destruction of Al Ahli hospital is a devastating loss of human life.

'The UK has been clear. The protection of civilian life must come first.

'The UK will work with our allies to find out what has happened and protect innocent civilians in Gaza.'

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza - but plans remained uncertain.

Protesters are pictured following a clash with security forces at a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip in the West Bank city of Ramallah

Clashes with Palestinian security forces broke out in a number of other cities in the West Bank, which is ruled by Abbas' Palestinian Authority, late on Tuesday

'We are preparing for the next stages of war,' military spokesman Lt Col Richard Hecht said. 'We haven't said what they will be. Everybody's talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.'

Meanwhile, ambulances and private cars have rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza City's main hospital, al-Shifa, already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia.

'We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room. We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need everything,' Mr Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospital's generators will run out on Wednesday. 'I think Gaza's medical sector will collapse within hours.'

Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of Palestinians after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

The al-Ahli Hospital was housing hundreds of 'sick', 'wounded' and 'forcibly displaced' people when it was attacked, Hamas has claimed.

The terrorist group, in a statement on its Telegram channel, alleged that most of the casualties at al-Ahli Hospital were 'displaced families, patients, children and women'.

The statement added: 'This also exposes the American and Western support for this criminal occupation.

'The international community and the Arab and Islamic countries must assume their responsibilities and intervene immediately, now and not tomorrow... to stop the arrogance of the occupation and its fascist army, and hold it accountable for the genocide it has been committing for the eleventh day in a row in the already blockaded area.'

Abbas has declared three days of mourning following the airstrike on the hospital, according to reports by state media.

An analysis of IDF operational systems (pictured) has indicated that the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation is 'responsible for the failed shooting that hit the hospital'. The Islamic Jihad has denied responsibility for the blast

Bodies of Palestinians killed by an explosion at the Ahli Arab hospital are gathered at the front yard of the al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City on Tuesday

An injured person is taken into a hospital after Israeli air strike hit a hospital on Tuesday

He has also canceled his participation in a meeting scheduled Wednesday with Biden and other Mideast leaders, a senior Palestinian official has claimed.

Abbas was scheduled to join Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at Wednesday's summit in Amman, Jordan, where they are to discuss the Israel-Hamas war with Biden.

But the senior official said Abbas was withdrawing to protest the alleged Israeli airstrike.

'The president is very angry after the news of the Israeli massacre at the hospital in Gaza, and he decided to immediately return to Ramallah,' the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, has claimed.

A Hamas official has also reportedly said they are willing to release all civilian hostages in one hour if Israel ceases its bombing of Gaza. Israel claims at least 199 people were taken hostage by the group last weekend during its surprise attack.

Biden was preparing to head to the region as he and other world leaders tried to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken had arrived in Israel last Thursday with a full-throated message of unequivocal US support for Israel in its campaign to destroy Hamas.

But in meetings with seven Arab leaders over the next three days, Blinken's tone shifted subtly, talking more prominently about the need for humanitarian aid.

US officials said it had become clear by then that already limited Arab tolerance of Israel's military operations would evaporate entirely if conditions in Gaza worsened.

They said that outright condemnation of Israel by Arab leaders would be a boon to Hamas and could encourage Iran, according to four officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration thinking. That prompted Blinken to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an aid deal.

People gather around bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on the al-Ahli Hospital hospital in central Gaza on Tuesday after they were transported to Al-Shifa hopsital

An injured child is taken into a hospital after an alleged Israeli air strike hit a hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

Scores of injured people are being taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

Frightened women and children are pictured following the airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the assaults on Gaza as a genocide against Palestinians and its foreign minister warned of action by Tehran-backed militant groups if the attacks continued.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said: 'All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes against the people of Gaza.'

He said it was 'inevitable' new fronts would open against Israel if the international community failed to stop the war, adding: 'The resistance front is capable of waging a long-term war with the enemy.'

Biden's visit to Israel Wednesday will signal the White House's support for a key ally.

He was also expected travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could spread in the region, but new reports indicate Abbas has cancelled the gathering.

Prior to the hospital attack Mr Biden was expected to signal America's ongoing support for Israel, but also stress the need to protect civilian lives in Gaza, including the need to allow humanitarian aid to enter the territory.

The White House said it had been 'crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid', following warnings of food shortages and water rationing.

The Pentagon said 2,000 troops had been put on deployment alert in response to the escalating crisis, although the White House stressed it did not intend to put US combat forces on the ground.

The US has already deployed two aircraft carriers to the region in attempt to deter hostile acts against Israel.

Israeli soldiers patrol the outskirts of Kibbutz Beeri, following a deadly infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel on Tuesday

Israeli soldiers inspect the remains of a burnt house, following a deadly infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Beeri on Tuesday

A view shows the remains of a family home, following a deadly infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Beeri on Tuesday

The hospital airstrike followed intense bombardments near two towns in southern Gaza on Tuesday that reportedly killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Israel faced fresh accusations of war crimes after reports it had bombed areas in the south of Gaza despite ordering civilians in the north to evacuate there.

The UN called for an investigation after reports that at least 57 people were killed in air strikes on the city of Khan Yunis and close to the Rafah border crossing into Egypt.

Those killed included a family that had evacuated from Gaza City after the Israeli order to leave. Witnesses said no warnings were given before the strike.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts and command centres. Earlier in the day US secretary of state Antony Blinken held talks with Israel's emergency national security cabinet, aimed at allowing aid convoys into Gaza through the Rafah crossing. Mr

Separately, the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees said six people were killed when one of its schools sheltering displaced families was hit, during Israeli air strikes.

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini called the bombing at Al-Maghazi refugee camp, also in central Gaza, 'outrageous' and warned the death toll would likely rise.

'It again shows a flagrant disregard for the lives of civilians. No place is safe in Gaza anymore, not even UNRWA facilities,' he added.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a UN school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the UN Palestinian refugee agency said. At least 24 UN installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agency's staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations following the Israeli airstrikes on a building at Al Bureij Refugee Camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on October 17, 2023

Israeli troops with a variety of military vehicles at a gathering site at an undisclosed location along the Israel-Gaza border, in southern Israel, 17 October 2023

An Israeli soldier patrolling the Israel-Gaza border today in an armored personnel vehicle

Israeli troops in Armoured Personnel Carriers patrolling along the Israel-Gaza border

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, levelling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said.

Among those killed was one of Hamas' top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the group's military wing said - the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas' armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israel's retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. 'Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, it's hiding behind civilians,' he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas' top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

Israel sealed off Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 200 taken captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes - roughly half of Gaza's population - and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said.

Palestinians rescue a girl from the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike at the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023

A Palestinian woman reacts amidst the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike on the Rafah refugee camp, in southern Gaza Strip today

Aid workers have warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 litre of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gaza's population, the UN reported.

At the Rafah crossing - Gaza's only connection to Egypt - truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the US, Israel and Egypt.

A senior Egyptian official called it a 'very tough, complicated back-and-forth process' and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israel's Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to 'ensure that such aid won't benefit Hamas.'

He said Egypt proposed that the UN oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Palestinians inspect the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike on the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday

Palestinians search for survivors in the rubble of a family house of Ayman Nofa, one of the top Hamas commanders, following Israeli airstrike at Bureij refugee camp on Tuesday

Aid convoy trucks are seen at the Rafah border with Gaza on Tuesday in North Sinai, Egypt

US officials have worked to convince Israel to allow delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals after days of failed hopes for an opening in the siege.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since the brutal attack by Hamas more than a week ago, Blinken secured an agreement with Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territory's 2.3 million people.

US officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place.

A top Israeli official said on Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries.

Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israel's National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

'The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts,' he told reporters, without elaborating whether Israel was demanding the release of all of the roughly 200 people Hamas abducted before allowing supplies in.'

Rockets are fired towards Israel from the Gaza Strip

Palestinians look for survivors after Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing

A Palestinian man fills a bucket with water at the Rafah refugee camp

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

'Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry,' Khamenei said, according to state media.
A couple branded 'ungrateful' by millionaire businessman Adrian Portelli after they won a $4.2million home in his raffle claim he is simply covering-up his own outrageous behaviour.

Kevin and Andrea Griffin have been mercilessly vilified by Australians since Portelli released edited footage of them appearing 'ungrateful' upon taking possession of a $4.2million home they won in his LMCT Plus raffle.

Portelli, who has been dubbed 'Mr Lambo' over his outlandish displays of wealth, released the footage last week after the couple claimed he removed more than $100,000 in luxury items from the home before handing them the keys.

Kevin and Andrea Griffin claim they were 'stitched-up' by Adrian Portelli in an effort to make them appear ungrateful

The dream home won by Kevin and Andrea Griffin

The lounge has spectacular views over looking the serene countryside

A bathroom inside the multi-million dollar property

'We are anything but ungrateful and we've said that all along. We even pull up at the gate now and look up and go, 'Wow, that's our house'. Like, we own that house. We are just so thankful that the dice rolled our way,' Mrs Griffin said.

Property investor Portelli 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.

After media pressure, Portelli released a selection of outtakes from the property handover in March which showed the couple asking questions about the pool, a missing wine fridge and the quality of workmanship in some rooms.

The edited video caused many Australians to see red, hitting social media and news sites to vent at the seemingly ungrateful couple.

On Tuesday, Portelli told Daily Mail Australia the issues highlighted by the Griffins are civil in nature and should be resolved through 'appropriate legal channels'.

'We are confident in the evidence at hand, and are fully prepared for the courts to review all aspects of this matter in totality if the Griffins bring any civil action which their lawyers have previously threatened but now seem to be ventilating their issues via the media instead,' a spokesman for Portelli said.

'The terms and conditions governing each competition hosted on our client's website are clearly displayed for all participants, ensuring transparency and a mutual understanding of the rules and expectations involved.

'Furniture is clearly not included.'

The Griffins have been at pains to explain they are not ungrateful for the dream home

Inside The Block mansion won by the Griffins

CCTV cameras showed Portelli and his crew removing items for the Griffin's home after they had become legal owners

Portelli released a video that appeared to suggest the Griffin's were ungrateful for the dream property, but they claim they were 'stitched up'

Mrs Griffin told Daily Mail Australia they had been unfairly and cruelly portrayed in the video by Portelli and his staff.

The couple claimed Portelli had asked them to take note of anything in the home that needed attention and he would pass on the builder's contact details.

'He told me I'd have to go through and pick everything that is wrong with the house so, "What, I've gotta go through and pick s*** out of it?" - and that's the comment he's used to make me to look like some ungrateful person,' Mr Griffin said.

'Leading up to all that (Portelli) was joking about the house and he said to us "I'm glad you took the house because I thought I was going to be stuck with the thing",' Mrs Griffin said.

'Kevin is a plasterer and straight away you look at the ceiling and it's all rippled right through the whole ceiling.'

Mrs Griffin, who described the couple as 'not really wine people', said it was obvious Portelli's crew, and a Ray White agent, had removed thousands of dollars worth of wine - and even the soap dispenser.

The wine and appliances also featured on a website that allowed giveaway participants to do a virtual tour of the property.

Portelli says the wine and appliances were not part of the prize as written in the T&Cs.

'We hadn't watched The Block, so we didn't know exactly what we'd won ... so we got the family all around and we all watched it together and spoke about the the beautiful home and everything in it,' Mrs Griffin said.

The Griffin family describe the property as their dream home, but are disappointed in how the handover went

Adrian Portelli owns and operates LMCT Plus, which ran the giveaway won by the Griffins

A crew of men remove items within the Griffin home (above)

After moving in, the Griffins quickly realised the home was riddled with defects that needed expensive fixes before it could even be lived-in comfortably.

Mr Griffin - a plasterer by trade - had recently been forced to close his business, with the couple reliant on cash from the sale of their previous property and Mrs Griffin's part-time job.

'It's just been an absolute nightmare,' Mrs Griffin said.

The couple had just 24-hours to decide on keeping the house or taking a $3million cheque instead.

'We never heard from Adrian again until the day we walked into the house,' Mrs Griffin said.

The couple were advised the house officially became theirs on March 10, but were told by a Portelli staffer not to attend the home until they had 'got it in order'.

'They said they had painters and decorators in, builders coming back to do stuff, it needs a good clean, we need to bring in our recording crew for when you arrive and we were like, 'Okay, that sounds legitimate',' Mrs Griffin said.

The Block home requires a range of repairs caused primarily by the haste in which it was built

The property enjoys spectacular views from its balcony

The Griffins were asked to point out areas of the home that needed improvement

But the Griffins claim that what actually happened was captured on CCTV installed by television network bosses to keep an eye on the property showed items being removed from the property.

'After Portelli left us on the handover day we started noticing other things were missing and then I spotted the cameras in the yard. I thought, 'This is my property, these are my cameras',' Mr Griffin said.

'So I accessed the cameras by scanning a code on them and downloading an app ... and was granted access to the whole lot... we saw everything that had happened on the cameras and that kind of took the shine off the whole show.'

Kevin Griffin - a plasterer by trade - couldn't help but notice problems within the property

Kevin Griffin was told to note any issues within the house. The plasterer found a few

Andrea and Kevin Griffin are angry over the state of the house

The property features picturesque views

The couple claimed Portelli threatened to sue them for defamation if they went public over the missing items.

Portelli said he 'welcomed the opportunity to defend any allegations made against us'.

'We have already notified them of our reservation of the right to sue for defamation which they have been notified of previously as they previously registered a domain name and threatened to damage the LMCT+ brand,' his spokesman stated.

'If the public perceives the video of them acting ungrateful then your publication or my client, if he was deemed publishing such a comment, would have a potential avenues of a defence in truth, honest opinion and others in either event as the video seems to speak for itself in how the Griffins received the prize in question during their walk through.'

The couple remain in negotiations with builders from The Block over urgent repairs in the hope their dream home can be finished properly.
Grade II listed home had been empty for five years before the renovations

Home was made famous by the Boy on the Bike TV advert for Hovis bread

Cottage on top of the iconic Hovis Hill has hit the market for 535,000

A run-down cottage on the iconic 'Hovis Hill' has been restored to its former glory and is now up for sale for 535,000.

Dexter Parsons paid 165,000 for the Grade II listed derelict home on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset, which was made famous by the Boy on the Bike TV advert for Hovis bread.

The empty shell of a building had been placed on Dorset Council's at risk register for heritage properties.

The cottage, believed to have been built in the 17th century or early 18th century, had lain empty, unused and in disrepair for five years.

The council's housing standards team traced the previous owner and persuaded them to put it on the market.

After buying it at auction in 2021, Mr Parsons, a builder, carried out a 10 month, 200,000 renovation on the two bedroom cottage, which is halfway up the hill and can be seen on the Hovis ad.

A run-down cottage on the iconic 'Hovis Hill' made famous by the Boy on the Bike TV advert has been restored to its former glory and is now up for sale for 535,000

After buying it at auction, Dexter Parsons, a builder, carried out a 10 month, 200,000 renovation on the two bedroom cottage, which can be seen on the Hovis advert

Number 16 Gold Hill needed a huge amount of work and only had an outside toilet and structural issues when Mr Parsons bought it for 165,000 in 2021

READ MORE: View made famous by iconic Hovis advert is 'ruined' by scaffolding Advertisement

Number 16 Gold Hill needed a huge amount of work and only had an outside toilet and structural issues when he bought it.

A lot of the oak beams had to be replaced, walls had to be replastered, it needed rewiring and replumbing, as well as creating an indoor bathroom for the first time in the cottage's history.

He was able to save many original features and used traditional building materials and techniques to preserve the historical fabric and make a home fit for modern living.

Mr Parsons, from Bristol, said: 'This renovation has been such a challenge, like nothing I have attempted before. I've listened carefully to Dorset Council to get the right conservation advice about how the work should be completed.

'I didn't have a lot of time to think about it. I viewed the property on the Thursday and the auction was on the Friday. It took a while to get started because it's a listed building and I had to get a lot of surveys done.

'I knew it was going to be a lot of work but I didn't mind the challenge because I knew it was all fixable.

Traditional building materials and techniques were used throughout the renovations to preserve the historical fabric and make a home fit for modern living

Mr Parsons (pictured) said it had been a 'privilege' to work in Shaftesbury and rescue the home

Builders created the first indoor bathroom in the cottage's history during the renovations

'We stripped it back to the shell and tried to keep as much of the original beams as we could. I think if it had been left another year or so, it would have collapsed.

'I know a lot of builders would have walked away but I just loved the place.

'I knew the Hovis advert but I didn't really know much about Gold Hill or the area until I started working here. Getting to know all the locals on the hill, they have been great, we had coffee from neighbours pretty much every day.

'I think they were relieved to see it looking nice again. There's a real community spirit in this part of Shaftesbury and it's been a privilege to work here and rescue this building, hopefully for generations to come.

'I bought it to turn into a holiday let but I am putting it on the market because I ended up spending a lot more than I was expecting. But it will be a bit of a shame to see it go. If it doesn't sell I will rent it out as a holiday let.'

The home now has a kitchen, three reception rooms on the ground floor, two bedrooms on the first floor and a bedroom on the second floor.

Shaftesbury is one of Dorset's prettiest towns and the view from the top of Gold Hill is said to be one of the most romantic anywhere

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for planning, said: 'This is a great example of the Dorset Council team working together to protect part of our rich historic environment.

'From finding an abandoned building, to getting renovations sensitively completed, the council has provided the kick start for private investment and enabled this success story.'

The cottage featured in the renowned Hovis advert in 1973 which saw a young bakery boy struggling to push his bike up the cobbled street with a basket full of bread to the last house on his round.

He said that delivering bread to the house on top of the hill 't'was like taking bread to the top of the world'.

The advert, directed by Ridley Scott, was voted Britain's all-time favourite in 2006 and Gold Hill in still a popular spot for tourists.
Stopping to refill the tank or charge up on a long road trip is a constant and inevitable frustration - but these engineering students might have done away with stops for good.

Their two-seater vehicle, Stella Terra, has just completed a 620-mile (1,000km) test drive across Morocco and the Sahara desert without stopping once to recharge.

Designed by students at Eindhoven University of Technology, the Stella Terra is described as the 'world's first off-road solar SUV'.

It's road-legal with a top speed of 90 miles per hour (145km/h), weighs only 1.2 tonnes, and has a range of 440 miles on a sunny day.

Relying only on the car's built-in solar panels, the vehicle crossed from Morocco's north coast, through the off-road trails of the Rif mountains, and into the sandy dunes of the Sahara.

Engineering students from Eindhoven University of Technology designed the two-seater Stella Terra, which is the world's first fully solar-powered off-road SUV

The student team put the Stella Terra through rigorous testing along a 620 mile route between Tangier, Midelt (one of Morocco's highest towns), and the Sahara Desert

Wisse Bos, the project's team manager, said the technology behind the car's performance was a decade ahead of anything else currently on the market.

'Stella Terra must withstand the harsh conditions of off-roading while remaining efficient and light enough to be powered by the sun. That is why we had to design almost everything for Stella Terra ourselves, from the suspension to the inverters for the solar panels', Mr Bos said.

To ensure the car could run on the power of the sun alone, the engineers had to make the chassis as light as possible.

This turned out to be a big advantage when it came to off-roading, as the lightweight construction and custom suspension meant Stella Terra was less affected by poor surface conditions.

During the epic road trip, the only issue occurred when the steering system failed.

However, this could be repaired by the roadside and the team was able to complete the journey.

The car also includes an in-built lithium-ion battery, meaning it can operate over shorter distances on less sunny days and can be charged via conventional charging stations.

Mr Bos added that Stella Terra actually surpassed some of the team's expectations, using 30 per cent less energy than expected and allowing the team to drive the entire trip without using any charging stations.

By unfolding the solar panel canopy, Stella Terra can charge more efficiently and provide its drivers with some much-needed shade on a sunny day

The lightweight construction not only allows the car to drive further but also stops it from sinking into sand dunes

Stella Terra 440-mile range on a sunny day, 341-mile off-road range

Top speed of 90 miles per hour

Weighs 1,200kg

In-built lithium-ion battery for additional charging on less sunny days

97 per cent efficient solar panel converters

Custom built suspension and steering system

Two seats able to recline fully into beds

Provides enough power to cook and charge devices

Extendable solar panel awning for additional charging and shade The Stella Terra has been designed by students at Eindhoven University of Technology as the first solar-powered off-road SUV Advertisement

The level of power provided by the solar panels was so great that there was even surplus energy at the end of the day that could be used for cooking and charging devices.

Stella Terra's roof can fold out into a larger canopy to improve the efficiency of charging while stationary, or to provide shade for a roadside picnic.

The team also discovered that the custom converter for the car's solar panels was 97 per cent efficient at converting light from the sun into electrical energy.

For comparison, the most efficient solar panels available for purchase are generally no more than 45 per cent efficient.

Mobility expert and University of Eindhoven professor, Maarten Steinbuch, says he is very impressed with the team's engineering efforts.

'It is already difficult in normal conditions to build an energy-efficient car that can handle rough conditions, let alone to integrate solar panels into the car as well. I haven't seen anyone do that yet,' Mr Steinbuch said.

He adds that the technology showcased in the Stella Terra could have wider impacts on the future of driving technology.

Mr Steinbuch said: 'I expect that in five to ten years electric cars will be part of our entire energy grid system.

'And when the home battery makes its appearance, it will even be possible to generate energy via a solar car and deliver it back to your home. Solar Team Eindhoven's innovations could change the future.'

The only mechanical problem encountered by the student engineers was a failure in the car's steering system, which they were able to repair by the roadside

Built and driven by a team of 21-25 year-old students, the Stella Terra boasts technology that is a decade ahead of anything else currently on the market

However, in order to change the world, solar vehicles will first have to become commercially viable.

The Stella Terra has not been designed for profit and is entirely funded by sponsorship.

The team has also said it cannot comment on how much the vehicle cost to create.

However, the cost of production does seem to be a significant problem for advanced solar vehicles.

Atlas Technologies, a company created by graduates from Eindoven's solar programme, was forced to file for bankruptcy due to a lack of sales for their 500,000 (432,180) car.

However, the company has since re-started as a subsidiary of the Dutch Lightyear and is offering a new model that would cost $40,000 (32,885) with a range of 500 miles (804 km) between charges.

Another issue for solar vehicles is the weather as, although the design may be viable in the sunny Sahara, other climates may be less suitable.

Relying only on the car's built-in solar panels, the vehicle crossed from Morocco's north coast, through the off-road trails of the Rif mountains, and into the sandy dunes of the Sahara

The Sahara receives about 10 to 13 hours of sunlight daily, while the UK averages just 4.9 hours per day.

The sunlight in the Sahara is also significantly more intense than elsewhere in the world and therefore has the potential to generate more solar power.

The region's sunlight is so intense that there is currently a project to connect a solar farm in Morocco to Britain via undersea cables.

It is believed that the Guelmin Oued Noun solar power plant could provide enough energy to power seven million homes by 2030.

However, solar cars may still be viable in a European climate as a previous Eindhoven team demonstrated when they drove a sun-powered camper van 1,864 miles (3,000km) from the Netherlands to the continent's southernmost point.

The Stella Vita 'Self-Sustaining House on Wheels' made the trip while generating enough energy to drive, watch TV, shower, charge your laptop, and brew coffee.
Food waste is a major problem in the UK, with Britons throwing away an estimated 9.5 million tonnes of grub every year.

Aside from being extremely wasteful, food waste can also contribute to climate change, because it releases huge amounts of methane gas as it breaks down.

Despite this, a new study has revealed that just 39 per cent of households are strongly motivated to reduce food waste.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide surveyed 939 housholds, and discovered three distinct styles of food waste managment.

While 39 per cent are classed as 'warriors', the other 61 per cent are either 'strugglers' or 'slackers', they say.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide surveyed 939 housholds, and discovered three distinct styles of food waste managment. While 39 per cent are classed as 'warriors', the other 61 per cent are either 'strugglers' or 'slackers', they say

What's your food waste style? Warriors - 39% H ave low food waste or avoid it, and sort it sustainably

Tend to be older, retired people who live in small, adult-only households Strugglers - 20% Have high food waste, and medium levels of sorting

Tend to be parents with busy lifestyles, who are managing a household with children Slackers - 41% Have low food waste, but sort little of it sustainably

Tend to be young people who live in small households Advertisement

According to Wrap, 9.5 million tonnes of food is wasted every year - 70 per cent of which was intended to be consumed by people.

'The food that could have been eaten would make the equivalent of over 15 billion meals  enough to feed the entire UK population 3 meals a day for 11 weeks,' it explains on its website.

With households known to be significant contributors to this food waste, the researchers set out to understand our food waste behaviours.

The team surveyed 939 households on two key behaviours - the generation and sorting of food waste.

The results revealed that all households fall into three categories.

Thirty-nine per cent of households are 'warriors', who have low food waste or avoid it, and sort it sustainably.

Warriors tend to be older, retired people who live in small, adult-only households, according to the researchers.

Meanwhile, 20 per cent of households are classed as 'strugglers', who have high food waste, and medium levels of sorting.

Strugglers tend to be parents with busy lifestyles, who are managing a household with children.

'Families with children are motivated to reduce and sort their food waste, but struggle due to their busy lifestyles and responsibilities,' said Trang Thi Thu Nguyen, lead author of the study.

Food waste is a major problem in the UK, with Britons throwing away an estimated 9.5 million tonnes of food every year (stock image)

Finally, 41 per cent are 'slackers', who have low food waste, but sort little of it sustainably.

Slackers tend to be young people who live in small households.

The researchers hope the findings could be used to create more tailored interventions for households - particularly those classed as 'strugglers'.

'This section of society would greatly benefit from tailored interventions, as parents would then set a good example to their children in adopting sustainably conscious behaviors,' Trang added.

According to Wrap, there are several things your household can do to reduce your food waste.

This includes using a portion planner and swapping out fresh foods for frozen options which last much longer.

'By cutting food waste the average UK household can save 500 each year and positively contribute to the UK's waste reduction targets,' Wrap said.
Advances in artificial intelligence could have 'civilisation-altering impacts' and rapidly increase the amount of dangerous misinformation being spread online, a former Facebook employee has warned.

Whistleblower Frances Haugen said as AI became bigger and economies relied more on software running on data centres the world would start to see an 'era of opacity' creep in.

The former engineer and product manager - who quit Facebook in 2021 after leaking thousands of documents showing toxic content was being spread knowingly by the platform - said without stronger regulation there would be 'a repeat of what we saw with social media' on a far greater scale.

'When we start getting into scalable systems that run on data centres, a very small number of people can have civilisation-impacting levels of power,' Ms Haugen told the National Press Club on Tuesday.

'At Facebook, there's a very small number of people who really understand how these algorithms work and yet it impacts what everyone sees in the news.

'When we see what kind of scale that can impact, that can have really serious consequences.'

Whistleblower Frances Haugen said as AI became bigger and economies relied more on software running on data centres the world would start to see an 'era of opacity' creep in

Millions of people worldwide use artificial intelligence programs daily.

ChatGPT has more than 100 million users worldwide. It generated 1.6 billion visits in June.

Recent surveys suggest nearly one in four Australians use AI programs in their workplaces and up to 70 per cent of kids aged between 14 to 17 have used an AI software at least once.

Ms Haugen - who built a successful tech career in California's Silicon Valley before testifying Facebook promoted hate speech and pushed eating disorder content to teenagers on Instagram - said newer algorithms promoted 'the most divisive, polarising content' to generate profit.

'It used to be content that kept you around was the best content. Then they said if you get a reshare, a like, a comment ... that's what good content is,' she said.

'Now, our most divisive, polarising, worst content gets the most distribution.

'Unless we pass laws that say, 'hey, we will not repeat the errors of social media, we have to have transparency ... we have to protect whistleblowers', we will see repeats of what we saw with Facebook.

'Any time there's a profit motive and no feedback cycle to correct those lies, we will see those gaps get bigger and bigger.'

The number of ChatGPT users grew from 100 million in January to 180.5 million by August. Picture: Marco Bertorello/AFP

Following calls for stronger regulation of online hate speech and misinformation, protections for whistleblowers and media are manifestly failing in Australia, according to a leading free speech advocate.

Award-winning journalist Peter Greste said Australia needed a mechanism that took the role of journalists and whistleblowers into account.

He also said the government and the ADF needed to be 'far more transparent' about the work that it did, particularly in the midst of a growing crisis in the Middle East.

'I just think that at the moment, generally speaking, as a country and particularly with our security and defence agencies, we are too obsessed with secrecy, with keeping these things closed,' Professor Greste told the National Press Club.

'I think that's causing a huge amount of problems for everybody.'
The noise of a cat purring is usually quite soothing.

But one cat's purr is so deafening that it will have you reaching for the ear defenders.

A 14-year-old cat from Cambridgeshire has broken the Guinness World Record for the loudest purr.

Bella, from Huntingdon, achieved a purr which measured 54.6 decibels - the equivalent to the volume of a boiling kettle.

Nicole Spink, Bella's proud owner, said: 'I couldn't be more thrilled that Bella has broken the world record.

The noise of a cat purring is usual quite a soothing sound. But one cat's purr is so deafening that it will have you reaching for the ear defenders

READ MORE: Kim Catdashian! Women who speak with husky 'vocal fry' use the same technique as cats when they purr, study finds From Kim Kardashian (left) to Paris Hilton (right), many female celebrities are known for their raspy, low voices Advertisement

'She has been our family's companion for many years  we love her to bits and are so proud of her achievement.'

Dave Wilson, the official Guinness World Records adjudicator who oversaw Bella's record-breaking attempt, said: 'It's always an exciting day when there is the potential for a new world record so we waited in anticipation to see whether Bella would be able to do it.'

Mr Wilson and an acoustic engineer prepared the room in Bella's home to block out external noises and set up recording devices before Bella settled down on her favourite cushion and began to purr.

Bella needed to purr louder than 50 decibels to achieve the record and Mr Wilson said 'the results were immediately obvious'.

Ms Spink said: 'We've always known Bella had a really loud purr  we even have to turn up the volume to hear the TV over her purring  and that's always after mealtimes.

'So, when we saw that the record for the World's Loudest Purr was up for grabs, we knew we had to put Bella forward, and we're so pleased we did.'

Speaking about Bella's new Guinness World Record certificate, Ms Spink said: 'It's going to have a really prominent place in the house.

'We're going to have to choose which child's photos to take down first.'

Nicole Spink, Bella's proud owner, said: 'I couldn't be more thrilled that Bella has broken the world record'

READ MORE: Cat claims the world record for feline with the longest tail, measuring a whopping 16.07 inches Altair (pictured) is the fourth feline of a US family to have broken a Guinness World Record Advertisement

Cats are known for their broad range of noises, whether it's sharp screeches or low-pitched purrs.

Previous studies have shown that meows and screeches are produced in the cat's larynx, or 'voice box', just like vocalisations in humans.

However, until recently, the mechanism behind purring remained unclear.

Research dating back 50 years suggested that purrs are produced by a special mechanism in which the muscles in the vocal folds within the larynx contract and relax in a cycle.

However, in a recent study, researchers questioned whether this is really the case - pointing out that such a process would require constant neural input and control from the brain.

To set the record straight, the team enlisted the help of eight domestic cats, whose voice boxes were analysed as they made a range of noises.

As predicted, the analysis revealed that cyclic muscle contractions are not needed to generate cat purrs.

Instead, the team found that cats have a unique pad within their vocal folds that's responsible for the low-frequency noises.

This process is very similar to vocal fry in humans, the researchers explained.
More than 21 million Americans are living in counties where air pollution is being kept dirty by a little-known legal loophole.

A provision in the Clean Air Act has allowed local regulators in 70 US counties to claim the air was cleaner than it really was

The 'exceptional events rule' allows pollution caused by 'natural' or 'uncontrollable' events  including wildfires  to be wiped from the counties' official records held by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Experts have warned that misuse of the rule means that the true extent of pollution could be concealed - posing serious health risks to millions.

Researchers say that industry lobbyists and business interests are among those that have pushed to have 'exceptional events' forgiven.

A provision in the Clean Air Act has allowed local regulators in 70 US counties to claim the air was cleaner than it really was

Many of the days with poor air quality happened thanks to wildfires in Canada

Affected areas include California, swathes of the West Coast, Rhode Island's coastline, the Ohio rust belt and the bayous of Louisiana.

Vijay Limaye, a climate and health epidemiologist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), told the Guardian, 'We may have a sort of stable, relatively rosy picture when it comes to our regulatory world in terms of air-quality trends.

'The true conditions on the ground in terms of the air that people are breathing in, day after day, week after week, year after year, is increasingly an unhealthy situation.'

Many of the 'problem' days came in June when Canadian wildfires stained skies in the eastern U.S. and Midwest, with 20 states having flagged high air-quality readings.

The EPA rules state: 'Exceptional events are unusual or naturally occurring events that can affect air quality but are not reasonably controllable using techniques that tribal, state or local air agencies may implement.

'Exceptional events may include wildfires, high wind dust events, prescribed fires, stratospheric ozone intrusions, and volcanic and seismic activities.'

Research by the Guardian and Muckrock found that regulators in 21 states had filed to forgive pollution and 20 of those requests were accepted.

Wildfires can have lasting effects on human health

Regulators noted 700 'exceptional' events and the EPA adjusted data on 139 of these.

Michael Wara, the director of the climate and energy policy program at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment told the Guardian: 'We have saved more lives in this country because we cleaned up the air than almost any other environmental policy. And that's what's being undermined.

'The world has changed. We are living in a different world when it comes to wildfire and all of its consequences, including air pollution.'

A report published by the UN last year warned that wildfires are on track to increase 50 percent by 2050 thanks in part to man-made climate change.

The EPA says, 'Multiple studies have found that climate change has already led to an increase in wildfire season length, wildfire frequency, and burned area.'

Research in 2022 focusing on fires in the Pacific Northwest suggests that the pollution could put the health of millions of people at risk.

Misuse of the rule could hamper attempts to crack down on polluters, experts warned

Research last year led by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), found that levels of carbon monoxide - a gas that indicates the presence of other air pollutants - increased as wildfires spread in August.

The research showed that pollutants could affect more than 130 million people, including about 34 million in the Pacific Northwest, 23 million in the Central U.S., and 72 million in the Northeast.

Khanya Brann, an EPA spokesperson said, 'Wildland fire and smoke pose increasing challenges and human health impacts in communities all around the country.

'EPA works closely with other federal agencies, state and local health departments, tribal nations, and other partners to provide information, tools, and resources to support communities in preparing for, responding to, and reducing health impacts from wildland fire and smoke.'
More than a million satellites could soon be in low orbit over Earth as nations scramble to launch thousands of communications satellites, scientists have warned.

The figure would be more than 115 times the number in orbit today, according to researchers at the University of British Columbia.

The traffic jam in low Earth orbit could lead to light pollution and even collisions between satellites, experts have warned.

The problem comes from so-called mega-constellations of communications satellites (similar to Elon Musks Starlink, but far larger with up to 300,000 satellites) which provide internet services from space.

Scientists have already warned that Elon's Starlink satellites could kill someone in the next decade.

Huge 'mega constellations' of satellites could soon be orbiting Earth

Could Elon Musk soon be in a 'space race' with Amazon's Jeff Bezos?

Muskss Starlink has launched 4,500 Starlink satellites in the past five years, and now accounts for more than 50 percent of all active satellites orbiting the Earth.

Jeff Bezos launched his first two Project Kuiper satellites this year, sparking fears of a space race between the two billionaires.

The researchers write, About 4500 Starlink and 630 OneWeb satellites are on orbit as of July 2023, but this is only the beginning.

Nations have to file for radio spectrum with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) before launching satellites - and recent filings suggest that more than a million satellites could soon launch across 300 mega constellations.

The researchers warn of a dramatic increase in the number of satellites, which could even imperil scientific missions in space.

The researchers write, Constellations much larger than SpaceXs Starlink have been filed, including a 337,320-satellite constellation named Cinnamon-937 that was filed in September 2021.

The Cinnamon-937 constellation, filed in Rwanda, is the single biggest that has been filed so far.

Andrew Falle, a researcher at the University of British Columbia's Outer Space Institute and lead author of the new study, said in an interview with Space.com, "If even a portion of these million satellites are actually launched, national and international rules will be needed to address the associated sustainability challenges, like collision risks, light pollution, and reentry risks,.

The researchers say that it appears that organisations are filing the same constellation through multiple nations - and say that some of the proposed satellites may never launch due to funding or technology issues.

The lack of clarity highlights the problem of regulation around the sector, the researchers say, and they hope that this years World Radiocommunication Conference in November in Dubai will see more regulation around the issue.

OneWeb already has hundreds of satellites in space

Amazon's Project Kuiper prepares to launch into space (AFP)

The researchers write, By treating orbital space as an unlimited resource, humanity is creating serious safety and long term sustainability challenges to the use of low Earth orbit (LEO), including science conducted from space and the ground. The ITU filings are the warning, and also part of the solution.

In 2019, the ITU brought in new rules for satellite constellations meaning that countries have to launch 10% of a constellation within two years of the first satellite, and the full constellation within seven years.

Falle said, "This is a welcome development, but that first satellite can be launched up to 7 years from the initial filing  so it could be a decade before we know which constellations are realistic,"

Elon Musks thousands of Starlink satellites beam signals for high-speed internet service from space to paying customers around the globe.

Tech billionaire Musk said last year, We think this is a key stepping stone on the way toward establishing a self-sustaining city on Mars and a base on the moon."
A decade of BRI: From vision to reality

(People's Daily App) 13:12, October 17, 2023

Ten years ago, in the autumn of 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road  the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for short. Over the past decade, BRI cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to participating countries, bringing remarkable and profound changes to the world. It has evolved from a vision into reality, from a general framework into concrete projects. Just before the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation commences, this video reminds us of the monumental events and infrastructure projects the BRI has brought to the world over the past decade. (Produced by Wang Tian, Ni Tao, Liang Peiyu, Zhang Jian, Hu Xiao and Shi Dijia. Interns Song Yanyan, Wang Yiting, Liang Jiayuan and Lu Baixuan contributed to this video.)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Contrary to popular dating advice, scientists now say that a good sense of humour won't get you far when it comes to finding love.

Researchers from the University of Queensland paired up 554 singletons for over 800 dates and found no correlation between ratings of attractiveness and humour.

Overturning another old adage, the researchers also didn't find any differences between the sexes in terms of how important humour was in a potential partner.

Women were no more likely than men to find a funny partner attractive, nor were men more likely to find someone attractive if they laughed at their jokes.

Lead researcher Henry Wainwright said the findings also fly in the face of the theory that humour is a sign of evolutionary advantage because it is linked to passing on intelligence to offspring.

No laughing matter: It turns out that someone finding your jokes funny may not be a good sign, after scientists found no connection between perceived humour and attractiveness (stock)

READ MORE: Opposites DON'T attract! We find people who look like us more attractive, study finds Many celebrity couples, including actress Rooney Mara and actor Joaquin Phoenix (pictured), look alike Advertisement

To test the theory that being funny is attractive, the researchers first asked the participants how funny their ideal partner should be, and how funny their partner should find them.

The participants then paired up for four three-minute speed dates with members of the opposite sex and were asked to score their partner on how funny they were and how much their partner enjoyed their humour.

The researchers also recorded how often the daters laughed, noting if it was at their partner or themselves.

The initial results from people's stated preferences seemed to confirm the conventional view as women showed a greater preference for funny partners, and saw this preference as important, while men preferred partners that would find them funny.

However, when the researchers came to examine the post-date scores, the preference for funny partners appeared to vanish.

'We found that irrespective of sex, participants who laughed more at their partner or received more laughs did not rate their partner as any more or less attractive,' Mr Wainwright said.

'It's interesting that this result opposes the commonly held belief that women are more attracted to funny men and that men are more attracted to women who find them funny.'

Mr Wainwright added: 'Our results suggest that trying too hard to be funny on a date might be more counterproductive than helpful  you should just be yourself.'

Getting laughs or laughing at a partner's jokes didn't have any positive impact on how attractive participants were perceived to be (stock image)

However, this isn't just about getting some good dating advice; these findings have some significant implications for theories about the origins of humour.

Despite humour being present in virtually every human culture, scientists are still unsure of the reason why it developed.

Likewise, people consistently report being more attracted to funnier individuals despite there being no clear reason why this would be the case.

One theory, known as the 'fitness indicator hypothesis', claims that humour evolved because it is an indicator of genetic fitness which humans would seek in a mate.

The idea is that if humour or wit requires intelligence or other beneficial traits, a funny partner would have some beneficial genes to pass down to their offspring.

'If true,' said Mr Wainwright, 'this process would lead to an evolutionary advantage both for being funny and being attracted to funny people, a potential explanation as to why humour is found in virtually all human cultures.'

However, Mr Wainwright said his study was inconsistent with the theory that being funny requires quick thinking, intelligence, and creativity.

The study has been published in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour.

What explains our attractions? Scientists have worked on a number of different theories to explain our attractions.

Despite our self-reported preferences, this study suggests that humour does not play a big role.

Other studies have found that humans appear to select partners that have similar facial features to themselves.

Early theories suggested that this was because couples tended to grow physically more similar over time, however, this theory was debunked.

Other theories have looked at the importance of having similar interests and beliefs, which appears to make attractiveness more likely.

Genetic selection has often been cited as a possible explanation, with scientists arguing that certain traits are indicators of valuable genetics.

Some studies show that in heterosexual pairings, masculinity was positively associated with attractiveness in men while it is negatively associated with attractiveness in women.

Some scientists believe this is because these features signal genetic fitness. Advertisement

The reasons behind our attractions may lie elsewhere as some recent studies suggest we are more attracted to those we share interests with or who are simply similar to us.

A series of studies by Boston University researcher Charles Chu found that people are more likely to be attracted to someone they share even a single common belief.

Dr Chu attributed this to something called 'self-essentialist reasoning', where people believe they have an inner core that determines why they are the way they are.

If someone believes their inner essence determines their likes and dislikes, they assume it is the same for someone else.

According to Dr Chu's findings, this may mean that when we find someone with a similar interest we assume they have a similar essential nature to us which we are attracted to.

This effect was found in big agreements like on the topic of abortion, but also on trivial matters like estimating how many blue dots were on a page.

'I found that both with pretty meaningful dimensions of similarity as well as with arbitrary, minimal similarities, people who are higher in their belief that they have an essence are more likely to be attracted to these similar others as opposed to dissimilar others,' says Dr Chu in an interview with The Brink.

Other recent speed-dating experiments have also shown that people are often more attracted to people who look similar to them.

The study found that higher ratings of facial similarity were a good predictor of whether two people would be attracted, even when they were of a different ethnicity.
As toilets go, there won't be many that can rival this one.

That's because this loo offers quite the view  allowing users to savour the spectacular sight of the curvature of the Earth from the comfort of a space balloon.

Such is the lavatory's luxuriousness  it features plants, plush seating and Wi-Fi for the 'high-altitude bathroom selfie'  that the company behind it has dubbed it 'the world's first space spa'.

Introducing the design, Florida-based Space Perspective wrote on X: 'One of the first questions we get about our six-hour spaceflight is, "Um, how about  going to the bathroom?"

'[This is] the ultimate retreat for our Explorers during their transformative journey to the edge of space.'

A bathroom break that's out of this world: As toilets go, there won't be many that can rival this one. That's because this loo offers quite the view  allowing users to savour the spectacular sight of the curvature of the Earth from the comfort of a space balloon

Such is the lavatory's luxuriousness  it features plants, plush seating and Wi-Fi for the 'high-altitude bathroom selfie'  that the firm behind it has dubbed it 'the world's first space spa'

SPACE PERSPECTIVE: KEY FACTS Ticket price: $125,000 (100,000) Take off from: Florida Experience lasts: 6 hours Cost per minute: 277 Weightlessness: No Altitude: 20 miles (km) Is it technically space? No First flight: End of 2024 Passengers: 8 Advertisement

Space Perspective is hoping to offer its first flight to the edge of space at the end of 2024.

The company has designed a sleek-looking capsule known as Spaceship Neptune which will offer panoramic views from an altitude of more than 100,000ft (32km) and extras that include a menu of cocktails, music playlist and reclining seats.

Up to eight passengers at a time will have the chance to enjoy a six-hour round trip for a price of $125,000 (100,000) per ticket, equating to 277 a minute.

It will include two hours to soak up the curvature of the Earth, 'the total blackness of space, and the thin blue line of our atmosphere', Space Perspective has said.

This can be viewed through the 'largest windows ever flown to space', while the capsule will even have a high-speed Wi-Fi connection so passengers can 'bring family and friends back on Earth along for the ride'.

But what separates Space Perspective from some of its rivals is the fact the company routinely seems to boast about its toilet's 'unbeatable view'.

In its latest promotional push, the firm said the bathroom will feature 'soft, soothing color tones, living plants, stunning window vistas, high-end products, and unique soundscapes'.

It added: 'Plush seating on the toilet lid means you can comfortably stay a while and enjoy a moment of solitude.

'And because there's Wi-Fi, you can even take a high-altitude bathroom selfie.'

Fancy: Introducing the design, Florida-based Space Perspective wrote on X: 'One of the first questions we get about our six-hour spaceflight is, "Um, how about  going to the bathroom?"'

Plan: Space Perspective is hoping to offer its first flight to the edge of space at the end of 2024

Futuristic: The company has designed a sleek-looking capsule known as Spaceship Neptune (pictured in an artist's impression) which will offer panoramic views from an altitude of more than 100,000ft and extras that include a menu of cocktails, music playlist and reclining seats

Unlike Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, which have all the flight turbulence one would expect from a rocket and a space plane, Space Perspective promises a somewhat calmer journey to the planet's stratosphere.

It will take passengers to a height of 20 miles but they will not get to experience the weightlessness offered by Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket and Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo.

As a comparison, the former takes its passengers to an altitude of 65 miles and the latter 50 miles.

Space Perspective's spherical pod will be attached to a balloon launched from shipping vessels being converted into 'floating spaceports' off the Florida coast.

It is currently under construction near NASA's Kennedy Space Center, with the aim to launch the first model to space by the end of next year.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared 21 species extinct including 10 birds and two freshwater fish - describing the moment as a 'wake-up call'.

But one bird was not on the list - the ivory-billed woodpecker.

Many of the species have not been seen in decades, and scientists have now ruled that they are extinct - 50 years after the Endangered Species Act came into force.

The Fish and Wildlife Service describes the moment as a 'wake-up call', adding it 'underscores how human activity can drive species decline and extinction by contributing to habitat loss, overuse, and the introduction of invasive species and diseases.'

The ivory-billed woodpecker could still be alive, researchers believe

Service Director Martha Williams said: 'Federal protection came too late to reverse these species' decline, and it's a wake-up call on the importance of conserving imperiled species before it's too late.

'As we commemorate 50 years of the Endangered Species Act this year, we are reminded of the Act's purpose to be a safety net that stops the journey toward extinction.

The five times humans almost went EXTINCT Advertisement

'The ultimate goal is to recover these species, so they no longer need the Act's protection.'

The 21 species will now be delisted from the Endangered Species Act.

One bird was conspicuous by its absence, the ivory-billed woodpecker, which featured on a proposed list of 23 species planned for delisting in 2021.

The last commonly accepted sighting of the woodpecker was in 1944 - but there have been unconfirmed recent sightings, including one by ornithologists from the National Aviary in Pittsburgh earlier this year.

Earlier this year, grainy photos emerged which seemed to show the bird - known as the Lord God bird - flying through a Louisiana forest.

The agency said, 'The Service will continue to analyze and review the information before deciding whether to delist the ivory-billed woodpecker.'

John Fitzpatrick, retired director emeritus of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, told CNN: 'I applaud the Service's decision to postpone a declaration of extinction, as the scientific community is by no means certain about the status of this iconic woodpecker.

'Evidence of its persistence continues to emerge, albeit none of it 100 percent convincing to everyone.'

The Kauai 'o'o was last seen in 1987

The Maui nukupuu was last seen in 1996

The San Marcos gambusia was last seen in Texas in 1983

The Bachman's warbler was last seen in the 1960s - although unconfirmed sightings continued into the 80s

The agency said that many of the species which have now been declared extinct were listed under the ESA in the 1970s and 80s and 'were in very low numbers or likely already extinct at the time of listing'.

After public comment, the agency withdrew one species  Phyllostegia glabra var. lanaiensis (a Hawaiian perennial herb in the mint family that has no common name)  due to new surveys identifying new, potentially suitable habitats for the species.

Species which have been ruled extinct include the Bachman's warbler, previously found in Florida, and several Hawaiian species.

Eight mussel species and the little Mariana fruit bat, previously found in Guam, were also delisted.

Of the delisted species, all but two were first listed as endangered before 1990, and none had a confirmed sighting in the 21st century.



The agency says that the ESA has protected 99 percent of listed species from extinction, with more than 100 species of plants or animals delisted based on recovery.
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While the classic fleece jacket is a winner when it comes to warmth, the garment is often more functionable than fashionable  until now.

With earthy colors and swirly prints inspired by the likes of hills and water, The Parks Projects fleeces are a work of art that you can wear on your body. And with each fleece purchase, youre helping to save one of Americas most-loved national parks.

Parks Project Yellowstone Geyser Fleece Pullover Inspired by the scenic landscapes of Yellowstone National Parks, this soft, high pile fleece pullover is made from recycled polyester so you can stay warm in a sustainable way. The material feels super thick, so you can stay toasty wherever you go - whether it's an outdoor adventure or a freezing day in the city. Shop

Whether you need a new fleece for outdoor adventures and hiking or you want something warmer and softer than a regular jacket to keep you comfortable when the temperature drops, the Parks Projects collection is pure feel good fashion.

For example, the green and yellow geyser print on the Yellowstone fleece hoodie is designed to remind you  and everyone who sees it  of the stunning scenery in the national park and the feeling of freedom and awe that comes with it.

The Parks Project high pile fleece has lots of detail to keep the wearer comfortable with lined pockets and thick recycled Sherpa material for warmth in all environments

At the same time, it feels super soft next to the skin with 100 per cent GRS Certified Recycled Polyester Sherpa thats super thick but breathable.

There are three designs to choose from and each has two high pile-lined pockets, elastic cuffs, and an elastic waistband to keep you toasty.

Like the feeling of relaxation as you watch waves lap at the shore? Take a look at the Acadia Waves fleece, inspired by the Acadia national park in Maine.

The Parks project fleeces are available in three different designs to celebrate Acadia national park, Yellowstone park and parks in general

In sizes X-Small to XX-Large, these are unisex so you can buy one for your household or match your other half with his and hers fleeces.

For extra wild vibes, the Acadia Waves print is also available in fleece joggers, so your lower body can keep as warm as your chest and arms.

The final design, which is new for this year, is the Parks Wonderland fleece, inspired by the flowers and color found in many Parks.

A world apart from a plain, block colored fleece, the Parks Project Wonderland fleece will stand out and get compliments, whether you were it for an adventure or for the commute

The purple color is sure to brighten up any environment that you wear it.

And by buying Parks Project fleeces, youre helping to keep the parks looking good for thousands of years to come.

Since the brand was founded, theyve given back over $2,500,000 to U.S. parklands. With each purchase you make, you join the mission to leave it better than you found it.

Head to the Parks Project website now to see more photos and shop the collection.
The chaos of passengers scrambling to cram cases into overhead stowage compartments on planes is increasingly likely to become a thing of the past.

Thats because new breeds of extra-large overhead bins have been rolled out, with more inked-in to be fitted in the near future.

The new Airspace L Bin, by Airbus, will be fitted to 38 of German carrier Lufthansas A320s in January 2025.

They provide 60 per cent more bag capacity than the previous-generation A320 bins, allowing for three extra bags per bin and able to accommodate bags that are 61cm (height) x 38cm (width) x 25cm (depth).

For reference, the large cabin-bag allowance for Ryanair is 55cm (height) x 40cm (width) x 20cm (depth).

The new Airspace L Bin (above), by Airbus, will be fitted to 38 of Lufthansas A320s in January 2025

Airbus said: L Bins are designed to be retrofitted in three to five days, which is Airbuss fastest and most cost-effective A320 retrofit solution.

This results in less aircraft downtime for the airline. Secondly, L Bins allow space for three extra bags per bin, creating a better experience for customers and crew when boarding and deplaning.

The carrier added: The bins, made of ultra-lightweight and highly stable composite products, will be manufactured by EFW (Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH).

As with all Airbus retrofits, reusing the same components to minimise waste is a key consideration. The L Bin reuses many parts of the original bin, including the sidewall, ceiling and lighting.

Airbus said: L Bins [above] are designed to be retrofitted in three to five days, which is Airbuss fastest and most cost-effective A320 retrofit solution'

American Airlines, meanwhile, was the launch customer for the Airbus Airspace XL overhead luggage bin, which can accommodate cases up to 60cm in height (24 inches) x 40cm in width (16 inches) x 25cm (10 inches) in depth.

American launched the Airspace XL on its Airbus A321 neo aircraft.

Airbus Head of Commercial Services Europe, Charbel Youzkatli, said: We know from talking with airline customers that bigger bins are a clear need to enhance the passenger experience. As with the XL Bins, the L Bins provide more space with the added advantage of a plug-and-play retrofit.

We are thrilled to see Lufthansa as the first to offer the L Bins to its passengers and to reap the efficiency benefits it brings to aircraft turnarounds.
Hotel rooms there are nearly 40 cheaper than they are in Venice, on average

If you love the idea of visiting Venice, but can't stand crowds, then this could be just the holiday destination for you.

The historic Italian city of Treviso is a relatively crowd-free alternative to the floating city, which welcomes a whopping 52,000 visitors a day on average - and up to 110,000 travellers a day in the summer months.

Often overlooked by visitors and disregarded as the location of Venice's second airport, Treviso lies just 30 minutes from Venice by train.

Visitors will find that it offers rich history, medieval city walls and a maze of scenic canals, not to mention cheaper hotels. The average hotel room is 73 ($89) a night in Treviso, versus 111 ($135) a night in Venice, according to travel finance site Budget Your Trip. Here, MailOnline Travel reveals five things to do when you get to Treviso...

Take a look at Treviso's canals

For tourists wishing to avoid the crowds of Venice, Treviso is a great alternative and sits just a 30-minute train ride away (above is a canal in Treviso)

Above is the rio di San Zan Degola canal in the city of Venice, a tourist hotspot that welcomes 52,000 visitors a day on average

While Venice may offer grander waterways, Treviso has some charming canals of its own, as the Sile and Botteniga rivers meet the town's historic walls and weave through the city.

'The Canale dei Buranelli, sweeping through the centre, is the prettiest [canal],' Lonely Planet reveals.

These canals are what has earned Treviso the nickname of 'Little Venice'. Explore the man-made canal system by yourself or join a guided tour around the centre of Treviso.

Visit the Fontana Delle Tette

The Fontana Delle Tette fountain in Treviso is carved into the shape of a woman with water flowing from her breasts. Above is the 1989 reproduction of the original

With a name that translates to 'fountain of breasts', the Fontana Delle Tette fountain is carved into the shape of a woman with water flowing from her breasts, Lonely Planet reveals.

The fountain that stands in the city today is actually a 1989 model of the original, which was given to the city by Venice in 1559 to celebrate the end of a drought.

The original is on display in the city's Loggia dei Cavalieri building, while the newer version lies on Calle del Podesta, a narrow street off Piazza dei Signori.

Historically, wine would flow from the statue instead of water - red from one breast and white from the other, Atlas Obscura notes. For three days every autumn, Treviso's citizens would be able to drink the wine for free. Sadly, the tradition no longer continues.

Venice too has historically had its own wine fountain - the fountain in St Marks Square was once filled with wine to celebrate the city's annual carnival, wine site Decanter reveals.

Take a break in Piazza Dei Signori

Explore Piazza dei Signori, pictured, which is ringed by historic palaces such as Palazzo dei Trecento and Palazzo del Podesta

Pictured above is St Mark's Square, one of the most famous landmarks of Venice

Venice is famous for its piazzas, with St Mark's Square the most renowned of all. Meanwhile, Treviso's most prized square is the 13th-century Piazza dei Signori, described as the 'heart of the medieval city' by Visit Italy.

It's surrounded by historic palaces such as Palazzo dei Trecento and Palazzo del Podesta, and 'on a sunny day youll spot plenty of locals sitting outside on the terraces of [its] numerous restaurants, bars and cafes, enjoying an Aperol spritz or a long lunch while watching the world go by', travel site Visit Prosecco Italy reveals.

Treviso's other main squares San Vito Piazza and Piazza del Duomo are also worth a visit, the site adds.

Whichever square you choose, make sure to pull up a seat in a local cafe and order a serving of tiramisu - the world-famous dessert that originated in Treviso.

Visit Treviso's cathedral

Treviso's cathedral dates back as early as the 6th century - with its white pillars and distinctive green domes it draws attention when entering the city

Hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers pay a visit to St Mark's Basilica in Venice each year

Venice's St Mark's Basilica draws hundreds of thousands annually - but you're unlikely to battle crowds while exploring Treviso's own striking cathedral, the Cathedral of St Peter the Apostle.

The Roman Catholic edifice is topped with several green domes and is one of the most notable landmarks in the city. It dates back as early as the 6th century but has been rebuilt since then, local travel site Veneto Way reveals.

It's guarded by 'six mammoth Roman columns', Lonely Planet reveals, adding that the main attraction inside the building is the Malchiostro Annunciation painting by the Renaissance artist Titian.

Tourists can also visit the 11th-century crypt underneath the cathedral. Later, take a stroll through the city's other historical churches, such as Chiesa di San Nicolo and Chiesa di San Francesco.

View the 16th-century city walls

Stroll around the historic walls that encircle Treviso, which were built to protect the city from attack

The octagon-shaped island to the right is part of the defensive system of the Venice Lagoon

One of Treviso's most striking attractions is its city walls, which were designed in the 1500s to defend the city against 'medieval assault techniques such as catapults and rams', Veneto Way notes.

It adds that 'in the summer, food and wine events are organized along these walls'. Tourists can follow the walls around the city, and can even walk on the structure at certain points, Visit Prosecco Italy reveals. Tripadvisor user 'Wembley1966' declared: 'They make for a very pleasant stroll in the evening.'

Like Treviso, Venice has a defensive system of its own. From the 14th century, forts, batteries and octagon-shaped islands with defensive walls were built by the Republic of Venice to protect the city and the Venice Lagoon, the tourist board reveals.
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Laureles in Medellin, Colombia, has been named the Coolest Neighbourhood in the World to visit right now by Time Out.

It offers an 'authentic balance of laid-back vibes alongside some of the best nightlife in the city' and tops a 40-strong ranking for 2023 designed to showcase neighbourhoods that 'have the best mix of cutting-edge culture, affordable great food and drink, street life, nightlife and community'.

Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, says: 'What stands out with this years Time Out Coolest Neighbourhoods is that, while most of them have seen transformation over recent years, they remain resolutely local-at-heart. Exciting new openings across culture, food and drink are bringing in new crowds, but neighbourhood stalwarts  from old pubs to family greengrocers  keep it real. And theyre fun! These are places where the city comes to play, be it an all-night party, a spot of urban fishing or a nighttime bike ride.'

The top-ranked spot in America is Mid-City in New Orleans, while in Australia, the Brunswick East neighbourhood in Melbourne reigns supreme. Meanwhile, the UK number one is the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool. Scroll down to see where each neighbourhood ranks - and for the list in full...

12. Cours Julien, Marseille - France

Time Out has named the coolest neighbourhoods in the world to visit right now, with Marseille's Cours Julien neighbourhood (pictured) ranking 12th overall

'A hotbed for graffiti in the early 90s when hip hop took root in Marseille, Cours Julien is as happening as ever three decades later,' says Time Out.

It adds: 'The cobblestone streets are chock-a-block with vintage boutiques, indie designers, live music venues and eclectic cafes that are popular with the citys booming creative class.'

For a perfect day out, Time Out recommends going people-watching at Black Bird Coffee, shopping for 'vintage treasures' along Rue Trois Mages, rummaging for records at Cave a Vinyle and sipping on drinks at Verre a Cruise.

11. Baltic Triangle, Liverpool - England

The UK's top-ranking neighbourhood is the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool. 'Fifteen years ago, what is now known as the Baltic Triangle was nothing more than a collection of largely abandoned shipping warehouses,' says Time Out

A mural of Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp in the Baltic Triangle

'Fifteen years ago, what is now known as the Baltic Triangle was nothing more than a collection of largely abandoned shipping warehouses,' says Time Out.

'But thanks to a huge regeneration project, theyre now populated by some of the best restaurateurs, artists and creatives in the city.'

Affectionately termed 'the Baltic', the area is a short walk from Liverpool's 'iconic Albert Dock', the guide reveals.

And it's the place to experience the 'city's younger side,' it claims, 'as lots of 20-and-30-somethings call this corner of Liverpool home'.

It continues: 'Skateparks, independent coffee shops and small galleries occupy the space between street art-adorned warehouses.

'There's also a budding food scene in the area, including the newly-opened Manifest, which has already been given the nod from Michelin.'

The perfect day? That would entail waking up in one of The Baltic Hotel's boutique bedrooms and grabbing a pastry from the nearby Baltic Bakehouse, says Time Out.

10. Tomigaya, Tokyo - Japan

Time Out says that Tokyo's Tomigaya district, which ranks 10th, offers plenty of 'trendy cafes and stylish stores'. Above is the area's Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park

Tokyo's Tomigaya district 'seems a world apart from the frenetic pace of the world's busiest pedestrian crossing' - Shibuya Crossing - despite being less than a 15-minute walk away.

So says Time Out, which describes the district as feeling 'more relaxed' with 'more independent businesses' and 'quiet residential streets'.

Despite the area's 'unassuming low profile,' the guide adds, 'theres no shortage of trendy cafes and stylish stores here, burrowed in side streets among fantastic restaurants and local grocers'.

The 'perfect' itinerary should include stopping off at Beasty Coffee 'for fresh roasts and matcha terrine' followed by lunch at the family-run Katsudonya Zuicho and an evening cocktail at The Bellwood, says Time Out.

9. Amsterdam-West, Amsterdam - Netherlands

Ninth in the ranking is Amsterdam's Amsterdam-West neighbourhood, which is praised as 'resolutely local-centric'

'Amsterdam-West has it all,' says Time Out, describing the neighbourhood as 'hip, cosy and creative' with 'a unique blend of Dutch heritage and international energy'.

It continues: 'Bordering the tourist havens of the Jordaan and Museumkwartier, Amsterdam-West remains resolutely local-centric, despite the area being jam-packed with the sort of aesthetic and architectural qualities you regularly associate with Amsterdam.'

Strolling into Westerpark 'to soak up some nature' and heading for 'a delicious brunch' at Dignita will make for 'a perfect day' there, according to the guide.

8. Isola, Milan - Italy

While in eighth-place Isola in Milan, Time Out recommends enjoying a 'traditional Milanese brioche with an espresso' at L'Ile Douce pastry shop followed by lunch at Deus Cafe. Above is the area's Bar Frida

'Fun fact: the name Isola  island  derives from the fact the district was "cut off" from the rest of Milan from the railway line that runs by it,' Time Out says.

It continues: 'And before the 2015 Expo [a World Expo hosted by Milan, partially in Isola], many people wouldnt have had a reason to cross that railway line. Seven years and a whole requalification later, Isola is claiming the title of Milans coolest district.'

The 'perfect day' in Isola starts with a 'traditional Milanese brioche with an espresso' at L'Ile Douce pastry shop followed by lunch at Deus Cafe and an afternoon spent 'exploring artistic tombs and monuments at Cimetero Monumentale', it adds.

7. Mid-City, New Orleans - U.S

Sliding into seventh place it's Mid-City (above), which sits 'midway between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain' in New Orleans

Above is the Swirl Wine Bar and Market in Mid-City, New Orleans

Mid-City lies close to the French Quarter of New Orleans and sits 'midway between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain', Time Out reveals.

What can you expect from the neighbourhood? The guide says: 'Youll find artsy crowds and colourful houses in the Bayou St. John area, historical landmarks along Bayou Road, and centuries-old oaks in City Park.'

Here, the 'perfect day' comprises a stroll around City Park, coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde, a visit to the New Orleans Museum of Art, and a shopping trip to jewellery and gift shop Home Malone, according to the guide. 'Wrap up the night with dancing and bowling at the legendary Rock 'n Bowl,' it adds.

6. Brunswick East, Melbourne - Australia

Brunswick East, pictured, is described by Time Out as a 'fast emerging' corner of Melbourne. It ranks sixth overall

Above is The Beast live music venue and bar in Brunswick East

'Move over Brunswick, Fitzroy and Carlton,' says Time Out. 'This eclectic - and increasingly cool - Northside neighbourhood is ready to emerge from the suburban shadows.'

The guide describes Brunswick East as a 'fast emerging' corner of Melbourne, and 'a vibrant go-to hub for multicultural eateries, live music venues and cosy bars that youll find yourself returning to again and again.'

For 'the perfect day', according to Time Out, get 'coffee and carbs' at Wild Life Bakery followed by shopping at Lygon Street Nursery and 'the best tacos in the city' at CDMX.

5. Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

'Youll find hipsters and their pets in chic cafes, while older generations explore bustling wet markets and seafood stalls,' Time Out says of fifth-place Sheung Wan in Hong Kong

'Once a neighbourhood known for its coffin shops and funeral-related services, Sheung Wan is now one of Hong Kong's liveliest districts,' says Time Out.

'This is the only place in Hong Kong where you can find a mix of historic temples, antique stores and dried seafood stalls alongside contemporary art galleries, Melbourne-style cafes, stylish boutiques, and contemporary restaurants,' it adds.

The guide continues: 'Youll find hipsters and their pets in chic cafes, while older generations explore bustling wet markets and seafood stalls that stretch all the way to Sai Ying Pun.'

4. Havnen, Copenhagen - Denmark

Time Out describes Havnen in Copenhagen, pictured, as 'the place where the city comes to play, whether that's on boats, floating rafts, paddleboards, kayaks or in its swimming pools'. It's fourth in the ranking

Time Out says: 'Copenhagens city architect Camilla van Deurs describes Havnen, Copenhagens harbour, as the citys living room  and we cant disagree. Its the place where the city comes to play, whether thats on boats, floating rafts, paddleboards, kayaks or in its swimming pools.'

Wondering how to plan a perfect day in the neighbourhood? The guide recommends waking up at Kaj Hotel, a floating houseboat hotel, before walking to Opera Park via the harbour, enjoying lunch at La Banchina and taking an afternoon dip in the harbour.

3. Carabanchel, Madrid - Spain

Time Out says that third-place Carabanchel in Madrid (above) is 'buzzing with trendy art galleries and cutting-edge creative spaces'

'Once known as a proper working-class area outside Madrids ring road, Carabanchel has turned into the citys latest version of Soho,' says Time Out.

'Its now buzzing with trendy art galleries and cutting-edge creative spaces.'

An ideal day in the area, according to the guide, comprises 'a banging brekkie' at Merinas' cafe and a visit to Sabina Amrani Gallery followed by a cheese board at La Griferia, where you can 'discuss the art over a glass of wine'.

2. Smithfield, Dublin - Ireland

Smithfield in Dublin, which ranks second is 'filled with independent bars, vegan-friendly restaurants, artisanal cafes and sourdough pizza shops'

Above is the popular Light House Cinema in Smithfield

Heaping praise on silver medal winner Smithfield, Time Out says: 'This Dublin 7 neighbourhood is a space where tradition and activism meet.' Giving examples of this, the travel site notes that the neighbourhood is home to establishments such as The Cobblestone, a 'historic pub known as the home of traditional Irish music in Dublin', and Third Space, a social enterprise cafe that 'serves homemade sausage rolls with bacon jam, all-the-while making the neighbourhood a better place to live'.

Time Out continues that it's also 'filled with independent bars, vegan-friendly restaurants, artisanal cafes and sourdough pizza shops  deeming the area a must-visit for anyone swayed by no-frills, post-industrial charm'.

Wondering when to visit? Time Out recommends making it to the Smithfield Fleadh on the last weekend of August, a two-day event that offers 'live Irish music, local art and hazy, summer evening pints'.

1. Laureles, Medellin - Colombia

You'll discover the Estadio Atanasio Girardot, pictured, in the world's coolest neighbourhood - Laureles in Medellin, Colombia

The coolest of them all, Laureles 'is home to the famed nightlife strip known as La 70' and 'Estadio Atanasio Girardot, Medellins main futbol stadium and concert venue', Time Out reveals.

It continues: 'While you might think all of this would make Laureles a bit noisy and hectic, the neighbourhood actually has a pretty laidback reputation. The area outside of La 70 offers tranquillity in the form of parks, tree-lined streets, yoga studios and countless coffee shops.'

The guide adds that 'Laureles still has a traditional Colombian neighbourhood feel, despite its growing popularity', adding: 'Fruit vendors push their carts through the circular streets like they have for decades.' It recommends grabbing a morning coffee at Rituales Cafe, stopping for lunch at Saludpan and dancing salsa at the 'no-frills' Tibiri Bar.
Richard Curtis has finally married his partner Emma Freud after spending 33 years with the broadcaster, following two failed engagments.

The 66-year-old Love Actually and Notting Hill maker's secret wedding was only revealed as Emma, 61, let the news slip at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in Gloucestershire on Saturday while she was interviewing actor Richard E Grant, 66.

Richard was also pictured at the event with a gold ring on his wedding finger, with which he kept fiddling according to guests.

One onlooker told The Sun: 'Emma confessed she had finally got hitched while interviewing Richard E Grant. She said they'd been married for four weeks.'

They added it was clear she wasn't meant to have said anything, as she apparently put her finger to her lips and made a 'funny noise which made everyone laugh' after mentioning she and Richard were married.

Newlyweds! Richard Curtis has reportedly tied the knot with his partner of 33 years Emma Freud , following two failed proposals (pictured together in 2022)

Couple: The screenwriter, known for his huge romantic comedies including Love Actually and Notting Hill, has been with presenter and director Emma Freud for over three decades and share four children together

The source said: 'It's not surprising Emma wanted to talk about it though.

'They've been together for over 30 years so it was about time they got married.'

She was said to have tried to change the subject but it was 'the talk of the festival'.

Emma has previously twice proposed to Richard twice  but neither attempt was successful as he refused the first time around and slept through the second.

Richard also revealed at the festival he would never include 'fat' jokes in his films again and regretted they were not more diverse.

He made the admissions while being quizzed on stage by his daughter Scarlett, 28, about criticisms he has received over the years that the casts of his rom-coms have been almost exclusively white.

Scarlett raised the lack of diversity in his 1999 film 'Notting Hill', despite it being set in one of London's most multicultural areas.

Richard said: 'I wish I'd been ahead of the curve. I think because I came from a very un-diverse school and bunch of university friends, I think that I hung on to the feeling that I wouldn't know how to write those parts.

Romance: According to reports Emma, 61, let slip about her big day while interviewing Richard E Grant at the Cheltenham Literary Festival (pictured in 2018)

Love birds: Movie maker Richard was also at the event and was pictured with a gold band on his wedding finger, which onlookers said he 'kept fiddling with' (pictured in 2019)

'I think I was just stupid and wrong about that.

'I felt as though me, my casting director, my producers just didn't look outwards.'

Ms Zellweger told British Vogue in 2016 how she never understood the fascination with Bridget Jones's weight.

'Bridget is a perfectly normal weight and Ive never understood why it matters so much,' she said. 'No male actor would get such scrutiny if he did the same thing for a role.' The character is described as having a 'bottom the size of Brazil' in the film.

Curtis also spoke of his regret of not having a black character in Notting Hill and 'not being ahead of the curve', but that his work was never intentionally meant to cause any harm.

But he did defend himself by saying he had written a gay couple into 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Curtis said he felt 'stupid and wrong' for thinking he couldn't write about those parts because of his 'very undiverse school' and 'bunch of university friends'.

He said: 'I felt as though me, my casting director, my producers just didnt look outwards.'

Curtis was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and had lived in Sweden and the Philippines before moving to Britain aged 11 where he was educated at Harrow. He went on to achieve a first-class Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature at Oxford University.

Making a change: Richard also revealed at the festival he would never include 'fat' jokes in his films again and regretted they were not more diverse after being quizzed on the subject by daughter Scarlett (pictured)

Changing times: The weight of Renee Zellweger's character Bridget Jones was discussed in the 2001 hit film

Last November he admitted that Love Actually's lack of diversity now makes him feel 'uncomfortable' and 'a bit stupid' as he looked back for the film's 20th anniversary.

Speaking to host Diane Sawyer for the ABC special The Laughter and Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later, he said the 2003 Christmas classic is 'out of date' in some moments.

'There are things you'd change, but thank god, society is, you know, changing. So, my film is bound, in some moments, to feel, you know, out of date,' he said.

'I mean, there are things about the film, you know, the lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid.'

Scarlett has previously spoken about the 'long line of very dodgy men' in her family with relatives on her mother's side being marred by controversy and scandal.

Famous footsteps: Scarlett Curtis, 28, this year made her TV writing debut on the second series of Amazon Prime Video's teen romance The Summer I Turned Pretty

Moving with the times: Curtis previously admitted that 2003 Christmas classic Love Actually's lack of diversity now makes him feel 'uncomfortable' and 'a bit stupid'

'Theres a long line of very dodgy men in my family,' she said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph in 2019.

'Thats why Im such a feminist, trying to redress the sins of the fathers.'

She told how the family avoided speaking about her 'sexist' great-great grandfather Sigmund growing up.

She said: 'My grandpa [Clement] had a really complicated relationship and we were banned from mentioning Sigmund because he was so obsessed with making it on his own. Mum wasnt interested. I actively skirted him as a child.'
Dame Joanna Lumley has called for an end to zoos keeping elephants, 40 years after the Daily Mail highlighted their plight in captivity.

There are 50 elephants held in enclosures across the UK, with some even kept on their own.

Campaigners claim elephants kept in zoos die younger than their wild counterparts and are 'physically and psychologically damaged' from being in captivity.

Dame Joanna, patron of wildlife charity Born Free, is leading renewed calls for an 'elephant-free UK' and for the Government to ban further attempts to breed elephants in zoos. It coincides with the 40-year anniversary of the death of Pole Pole, an elephant who captured the hearts of the nation thanks to a Mail photograph.

In 1968, aged two, the elephant was taken from the wild in Kenya and sent to London Zoo, where she spent 15 years pacing her concrete enclosure. The Mail was instrumental in supporting a movement in 1982 calling for her to be transferred to a large, leafy space at Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire.

Dame Joanna Lumley (pictured in May) has called for an end to zoos keeping elephants, 40 years after the Daily Mail highlighted their plight in captivity

There are 50 elephants held in enclosures across the UK, with some even kept on their own

Pulling the crowds: The herd of Asian elephants housed in an enclosure at Chester Zoo have been a popular attraction for thousands of visitors over the years

A picture, taken by Mail photographer Ted Blackbrow, became one of the most powerful images of the campaign. It showed the elephant reaching out across her enclosure towards Born Free founder Virginia McKenna.

In 1983 London Zoo agreed to send her to Whipsnade to be among other elephants  but she collapsed in her crate and 'lost the will to live'. She was just 17 when she died.

Ms McKenna has previously said: 'There is no doubt the Daily Mail photograph was a catalyst for change. How could people fail to respond to such a deeply poignant image? An elephant never forgets... and it never forgets it was born free.'

The charity is now urging the Government to prohibit future attempts to breed elephants in captivity and stop them being imported, either from the wild or from captivity.

Dame Joanna, 77, said: 'I am truly honoured to be part of this vital campaign... Pole Pole is our history and heritage, but she also guides our vision for the future  a future where, one day, no wild animal will be forced to live in captivity.'

Will Travers, Ms McKenna's son and Born Free's executive president, said: 'I remember seeing Pole Pole in London Zoo. She was on her own, her skin dry and cracked, her tusks broken, she paced relentlessly... It was heartbreaking.'

However, Nicky Needham, head of species management and conservation at the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Biaza), said: 'It is highly telling that this campaign centres on a story from nearly half a century ago. The simple fact is that modern zoos and safari parks are compassionate havens for elephants... Only last week the global authority on nature, the IUCN [International Union for Conservation of Nature], endorsed the work of zoos saving species from extinction.

Dame Joanna, patron of wildlife charity Born Free, is leading renewed calls for an 'elephant-free UK' and for the Government to ban further attempts to breed elephants in zoos. She is pictured at a special exhibition of sculptural elephants crossing The Mall, London in May 2021

Dame Joanna said she is 'truly honoured to be part of this vital campaign'. The charity is now urging the Government to prohibit future attempts to breed elephants in captivity and stop them being imported, either from the wild or from captivity. Dame Joanna is pictured last month handing petition to Downing Street that called for a ban on the export of live animals

'Zoos and safari parks that are members of Biaza adhere to the highest standards in the world on elephant care.

'A 2022 study showed elephants are living lives comparable to those in the wild in zoos and safari parks.

'The decades of data we have collected regarding the care, health and welfare of elephants in UK zoos shows that they are living better lives and in better facilities than ever before.'

A Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs spokesman said: 'The UK already has some of the leading zoos in the world, providing the best welfare conditions for their animals, as well as driving conservation work globally.

'Our zoos are already subject to a rigorous inspection regime. However, we recognise that some zoos should and could do more, which is why we are already proposing reforms to the current licensing regime.'
Kyle Sandilands has donated $20,000 to a rural Victorian hospital so they can purchase an incubator for sick newborns.

The emotional radio star, 52, said becoming a father last year to his son Otto has made him more concerned about helping ill babies.

'I'd seen reports about terrible things happening to babies and thought, "That's no good". But when you see a sick child when you have a child, I started to melt,' he told co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson on their radio show on Tuesday.

He added he was moved to donate because while $20,000 meant nothing to him, it could mean the world to the parents of a sick infant.

'For hospitals in the bush, incubators are donated by families. I thought there was millions of dollars for hospital equipment, but that's not true,' he explained.

Kyle Sandilands has donated $20,000 to a rural Victorian hospital so they can purchase an incubator for sick newborns

'I was watching someone on SkyNews last night and they were saying that hopefully by the end of the week they will have raised enough money to buy an incubator to keep the little kiddies alive.

'He said they had raised $5000 and I thought that I've got $20,000 in my pocket right now. I just texted host Paul Murray and said to put me down for it,' he added.

An emotional mother then called up the show to thank Kyle for his incredible act of kindness, in donating to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation for the Mildura Hospital.

The emotional radio star, 52, said becoming a father last year to his son Otto has made him more concerned about helping ill babies

'Without people like you, the babies wouldn't survive. I had my son early at 24 weeks and he was in an incubator for 130 days on breathing tubes. There's no way my baby would have survived without people like you,' she tearfully told the host.

Kyle previously revealed that welcoming his son Otto in August last year with his wife Tegan Kynaston has softened him up.

The shock jock gushed over the tot during an interview with Daily Mail Australia in October last year.

'I'd seen reports about terrible things happening to babies and thought, "That's no good". But when you see a sick child when you have a child, I started to melt,' he told co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson (right)

'I used to watch hours and hours of TV, and now I just sit there looking at him and he's really been a joy,' he said.

'I've just been sitting at home the whole time which I've enjoyed. I'm at home now more than I was with lockdowns, so we're loving every second of it. I'm pretty happy actually. I can't imagine being any happier.'

Kyle admitted he never dreamed of having children, but now he's 'thrilled' he decided to take the plunge and become a dad.

In September, he revealed Otto is already a millionaire after his great-grandfather put aside a huge amount of money in a trust fund for him.

Kyle previously revealed that welcoming his son Otto in August last year with his wife Tegan Kynaston (right) has softened him up
Sam Neill has revealed the emotional letter he wrote to his children as he battles stage-three blood cancer.

The Jurassic Park star, 76, told Australian Story he started planning to write the note to his son Tim, daughter Elena and grandchildren after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin blood cancer.

'I didn't know really how long I had to live,' the actor said.

'And I thought yeah, I should probably write something down for my children and my grandchildren because I may not be here in a couple of months and it would be good for them to have a sense of me and and some of the things that I've done.'

Neill also revealed he started taking a new experimental drug to fight off his angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma after chemotherapy failed to work.

Sam Neill has revealed the emotional letter he wrote to his children as he battles stage-three blood cancer

Despite the promising news, Neill knows it won't last forever. He's been told by his doctors that one day the drug will stop working - which he says he is 'prepared for'.

'I'm not in any way frightened of dying. That doesn't worry me. It's never worried me from the beginning, but I would be annoyed,' he added.

'I'd be annoyed because there are things I still want to do. Very irritating, dying. But I'm not afraid of it.'

Neill said he found out last year he had cancer during his first trip back to New Zealand, after lockdowns made returning home to see his family virtually impossible for two years.

Symptoms of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma can include having a high fever, night sweats, skin rash, and autoimmune disorders.

His son Tim told Australian Story his dad had been back in New Zealand for barely an hour when a doctor phoned with the awful news.

'When he hung the phone up and we sat down, and we had a little bit of a cry together. It was supposed to be a happy day. He didn't get to stay,' Tim said.

The Jurassic Park star, 76, told Australian Story he started planning to write the letter to his son Tim, daughter Elena and grandchildren after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin blood cancer

Sam continued: 'I was in really a fight for my life. And everything was a new world and a rather alarming world.

'I had three or four months of reasonably conventional chemotherapies which are, brutal.'

Tim went to visit his dad as he underwent chemotherapy and was horrified when he saw how weak he was.

'I was shocked, and I broke down and I could barely hug him. He was just, you know, bones and skin. And then he was giving me a hard time for being upset about it and saying I was stressing him out, but I was going, "What are you talking about, Dad?"'

Just when they thought Neill's health might be improving, he received even worse news: The cancer was back and it was more serious this time.

'I thought yeah, I should probably write something down for my children and my grandchildren because I may not be here in a couple of months and it would be good for them to have a sense of me and and some of the things that I've done,' he said. Pictured with son Tim Neill

Neill was eventually put on an experimental cancer drug, which thankfully started to work.

He has been in remission for 12 months now, but admits he is 'prepared' for the fact that it will eventually stop working.

'I know I've got it, but I'm not really interested in it. It's out of my control. If you can't control it, don't get into it,' he said of the disease.

Neill now has infusions every two weeks and will do so for the rest of his life or until the drug stops working.

The sessions are gruelling, 'very grim and depressing', he said.

Neill said he found out last year he had cancer during his first trip back to New Zealand, after lockdowns made returning home to see his family virtually impossible for two years

Neill first disclosed the news of his illness in his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This, where he writes in the first chapter that he is 'possibly dying'.

In an interview with The Guardian in March, the actor said: 'The thing is, I'm crook. I may have to speed this up. I found myself with nothing to do.

'And I'm used to working. I love working. I love going to work. I love being with people every day and enjoying human company and friendship and all these things. And suddenly I was deprived of that. And I thought, 'What am I going to do?''

Neill also told the BBC that he began writing his memoir as a distraction and to 'give me a reason to get through the day'.

The book looks back on the New Zealand actor's 50-year career on screen, as well as his sudden illness.

'I thought I need to do something, and I thought, "Shall I start writing?"' he told the BBC.

Neill has started taking a new experimental drug to fight off his angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma after chemotherapy failed to work

'I didn't think I had a book in me, I just thought I'd write some stories. And I found it increasingly engrossing.

'A year later, not only have I written the book - I didn't have a ghostwriter - but it's come out in record time,' he said proudly.

And about the literary effort he also said he 'never had any intention to write a book'.

Sam explained, 'But as I went on and kept writing, I realised it was actually sort of giving me a reason to live and I would go to bed thinking, "I'll write about that tomorrow that will entertain me."'

'And so it was a lifesaver really, because I couldn't have gone through that with nothing to do, you know.'

The star was married to Japanese makeup artist Noriko Watanabe from 1989-2017 and they share two kids - Elena, 32, and Tim, 40.

Sam's most notable role is Dr. Alan Grant, who he portrayed in the Jurassic World franchise most recently in last year's third installment.
Bobby Brazier has revealed he has taken up meditation to stay relaxed after an 'emotional week' on Strictly Come Dancing.

The EastEnders actor, 20, is partnered with Dianne Buswell on the most recent series of the BBC show.

After scoring 30 out of 40 for their Tango to Fashion by David Bowie on Saturday's show, an emotional Dianne held back tears and praised Bobby as her 'rock' after a difficult week.

Bobby also appeared a little downcast, telling Claudia Winkleman he felt: 'Just emotional. It's been so so emotional all week.'

He has now revealed he has turned to meditation as a way of coping with the stresses of the dance contest.

Strong: Bobby Brazier has revealed he has taken up meditation to stay relaxed after an 'emotional week' on Strictly Come Dancing

Contest: The EastEnders actor, 20, is partnered with Dianne Buswell on the most recent series of the BBC show

Bobby told The Mirror: 'I am reaping the rewards of chanting. And at work. I'm lucky that, you know, sometimes I'll be in my dressing room or sometimes I won't need to be on set.

'There's always an opportunity to chant. Even on the train and going to work in the car.

'No one is ever too busy to meditate ever. It is an opportunity to purify consciousness'.

In the post-dance chat with Claudia Winkleman, Dianne's eyes appeared to fill with tears as she spoke about getting the technical elements of the dance right before adding: 'He has just been a massive rock this week, so thank you.'

Her voice then broke as she leant into Bobby's chest and hugged him.

Tough: Emotional Dianne Buswell held back tears after her latest Strictly dance with partner Bobby Brazier on Saturday night

Emotional: The professional dancer, 34, and the EastEnders star, 20, closed the show with a Tango and after chatted to host Claudia Winkleman about their week of preparation

After the emotional appearance some took to social media to express concerns.

One said: 'I hope Bobby is okay. He just seemed very upset tonight. Not sure what they are eluding to when they said its been a hard week but I hope everything is okay. Xxx.'

Another said: 'Bobby seemed upset tonight, especially when the judges were talking to him after the dance and going up the stairs, and when he was talking to Claudia he looked like he was gonna cry, I really hope he's okay.'

A third penned: 'They both looked really sad tonight and neither have posted training footage on IG this week. I hope they're both ok.'

Another said: 'I hope Dianne is okay Dianne we love you.'

Dianne's partner Joe Sugg took to Instagram after the performance and penned: 'Loved it, incredible' along with a clip of the dance.

It comes after last week Bobby admitted he is 'falling in love' with his partner Dianne, after branding the pro 'a sister' to him.

Dancer: Dianne's eyes appeared to fill with tears as she spoke about getting the technical elements of the dance right before adding: 'He has just been a massive rock this week, so thank you'

All ok? Bobby also appeared a little upset after the performance despite scoring a decent 30 out of 40 for the dance to Fashion by David Bowie

Worry: After the emotional appearance some took to social media to express concerns

Strictly 2023: Week four Leaderboard Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin - Cha Cha Cha to Million Dollar Bill by Whitney Houston - 37 points out of 40 Nigel Harman and Katya Jones - Salsa to Suavemente by Elvis Crespo - 33 points out of 40 Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk - Waltz to I Wonder Why' by Curtis Stigers - 32 points out of 40 Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice - Foxtrot to Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac - 31 points out of 40 Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington - Rumba to Rise Like a Phoenix by Conchita - 31 points out of 40 Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell - Tango to Fashion by David Bowie - 30 points out of 40 Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe - Jive to Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man - 29 points out of 40 Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola - Samba to Copacabana by Barry Manilow - 28 points out of 40 Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima - Viennese Walt to You Don't Have To Say You Love Me by Brenda Lee - 28 points out of 40 Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu - Viennese Waltz to You Are the Reason by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis - 28 points out of 40 Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley - Paso Doble to By the Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers - 28 points out of 40 Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer - American Smooth to Sex Bomb by Tom Jones - 24 points out of 40 Jody Cundy and Jowita Przysta - Salsa to Samba de Janeiro by Bellini - 19 points out of 40 Advertisement

The duo have forged a firm friendship since hitting the dance floor last month and at Sunday night's Pride Of Britain Awards, Bobby admitted he is 'very lucky' to have the Australian beauty as his trainer on the show.

Speaking to Mirror, he said: 'I could speak about Dianne all day. She's just a diamond - you know what, I'm falling in love with her. She's just great. I feel very lucky.'

As well as speaking about her expertise as a trainer, Bobby divulged a cheeky secret about their training - admitting he is known to sleep on the job.

When asked if he is a 'perfectionist' during their 'gruelling' training sessions, he said: 'Dianne would say no because I've been taking as many breaks as possible, I've been napping as much as possible. Necessary digestive periods, I call i
Pink has announced the next two dates of her Summer Carnival tour have been postponed due to 'family medical issues.'

The songstress - born Alecia Beth Moore Hart - broke the news to fans on Instagram, writing that her October 17 and 18 shows in Tacoma, Washington were in the process of being rescheduled.

Pink, 44, apologized to ticket holders in a statement posted to her account on Monday.

'Tacoma shows postponed: I am so sorry to inform the Tacoma ticket holders that the two shows October 17 and October 18 (tomorrow and Wednesday) will be postponed,' Pink's statement read.

'Live Nation are working on future dates to reschedule. Family medical issues require our immediate attention. I send everyone my sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.

'I send everyone my sincerest apologies': Pink has announced the next two dates of her Summer Carnival tour have been postponed due to 'family medical issues'

Breaking the news: The songstress announced the postponement with a statement posted to Instagram

'I am sending nothing but love and health to all,' she concluded her statement.

She re-iterated her final message in the caption of the post: 'I send my sincerest apologies, love and health to all.'

Fans flooded the comments section with their well-wishes and were overwhelmingly positive.

'Hoping everyone recovers soon! Family and health always come first!!' one fan posted.

'Take care of you and the family, we know you dont cancel shows for any reason if not something really serious ' another wrote.

'we love you no matter what, i hope you your family, tour family and crew are all okay. sending all of the love to you all,' one supportive fan posted.

It comes just a day after Pink was forced to clarify she had not been using Israeli flags at her show after receiving 'threats' from those believing she had flown them amid the Israel-Hamas war.

She clarified she had actually been using Poi flags throughout her tour.

Speaking up: It comes just a day after Pink was forced to clarify she had not been using Israeli flags at her show after receiving 'threats' from those believing she had flown them

Supportive: Fans sent their well-wishes to Pink in the comments section; pictured 2019

She tweeted Sunday: 'This post will be controversial for some. At this point, breathing is controversial. I am getting many threats because people mistakenly believe I am flying Israeli flags in my show. I am not. I have been using Poi flags since the beginning of this tour.

'These were used many, many years ago by the Maori people in New Zealand and because they and the Maori people are beautiful to me, we use them. I do not fly flags in my show in support of anything or anyone except the rainbow flag.

'That will remain my position. I am a human. I believe in peace. Equality. Love. I am deeply saddened by the state of the world. I pray for all of us.'

Israel launched retaliatory strikes against Hamas after the militant group launched a series of attacks nine days ago which killed more than 1,000 people, in the biggest escalation in the region in decades.

Hitting the stage: Pink pictured performing in Paris in June

Hamas militants crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip, seizing settlements and capturing and murdering civilians celebrating a Jewish holiday.

A music festival attended was one of the first sites to be attacked by the terrorist group, with 260 revelers massacred there.

Survivors described how the gunmen went 'tree by tree' executing victims and posted clips of the ordeal to social media, showing how they 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.
An AFL star has been outed for having intimate relations with a male friend during a threesome with his girlfriend.

The high-profile player from one from one of Australia's glamour teams had been dating the woman for 'a bit over a month' when he asked her to perform the racy act.

'[It] started off fun, he was very keen for a threesome. I'm open minded, had been in a few in the past, Never two guys though,' the woman revealed in a blind item to Daily Mail Australia columnist Jana Hocking's 'Saucy Secrets' Instagram session on Monday night.

Things however took a turn when the young star brought his male pal to bed with the couple - and he turned his attention to him rather than his girlfriend.

Another user joined in the commentary to say they'd enjoyed a rendezvous with a prominent radio star.

An AFL star has been outed for having intimate relations with a male friend during a threesome with his girlfriend. Stock image

'Stumbled on [name redacted] on Bumble. Very, very hot one-night stand in a luxury hotel,' they wrote.

Other famous sports stars have also been engaging in extramarital affairs, according to a user.

'One of my married friends has slept with [two names redacted] multiple times. Even the guys that promote themselves as amazing 'family guys' often cheat,' they warned.

The blind item was posted by Daily Mail Australia columnist Jana Hocking during one of her 'Saucy Secrets' Instagram sessions. Pictured

Things however took a turn when the athlete brought his male pal to bed with them and he turned his attention to him

Another person recalled their awkward date with a man who auditioned for Australian Idol.

'When on a first date with a guy that told me in detail about how he lost his virginity,' they began.

'Then [he] proceeded to sing at the dinner table a song he auditioned with for Australian Idol. Oh and told me his biggest fear was ants,' they added.

Jana's Saucy Secrets runs every Monday night on Instagram.

READ MORE: Footy supremo Gillon McLachlan explains why no AFL player has come out as gay despite several homosexual stars being 'known to their teammates' Advertisement
Elizabeth Debicki has said she stuck to show creator Peter Morgan's 'emotional blueprint' for portraying Princess Diana in the The Crown.

In comments published by The Mirror, the 33-year-old actress spoke candidly about the challenges involved in playing such a beloved royal figure.

'I think it's a unique challenge as an actor, to portray those last days,' the Australian star said, referring to Princess Diana in 1997.

Debicki went on to say that Peter's interpretation made 'emotional sense' to her, using it to guide her acting style.

'It's his interpretation and it made emotional sense to me, so I clung to that. Because obviously it's devastating, and it's fraught and we can never know,' she added.

The Crown's Elizabeth Debicki, 33, told The Mirror that portraying Princess Diana was a 'unique challenge' in the final days of her life. Pictured: Paris, September 2023

The new season of the Netflix hit will premiere next month with it continuing to explore Diana's final days and her relationship with Dodi Al Fayed.

Diana and Dodi will be seen on his super-yacht in the Saint Tropez in July, 1997, just months before her tragic death in the Alma tunnel in Paris.

The new season, released in two parts on November 16 and December 14, will also explore Tony Blair's election and Charles and Camilla's marriage.

The early days of Kate and William dating will also be a subject of the hit show, which has gained a loyal audience around the globe.

'It's his interpretation and it made emotional sense to me, so I clung to that. Because obviously it's devastating, and it's fraught and we can never know,' she added. Pictured on The Crown

In a controversial move, Diana will also appear as a ghost in the new series, as reported by multiple news outlets.

Diana tells Charles how 'handsome' he is and how much she loved him as he weeps with regret, during an emotional reconciliation between the pair.

The imagined scene comes after Charles has been depicted sobbing over her body in a hospital morgue in Paris.

The new season will explore Diana's relationship with Dodi Al Fayed, the son of billionaire Harrods owner, Mohamed Al Fayed. It was also explore their death in Paris, 1997

Diana tells him: '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.'

Elizabeth has previously been praised for her portrayal of Diana, with commentators and royal watchers calling her talent 'unquestionable'.
Scarlett Johansson showed off her impeccable sense of style as she lead the stylish celebrity arrivals at the 2023 Golden Heart Awards in New York City on Monday.

The Lost in Translation star, 38, was the epitome of sophistication at the event, held at The Glasshouse, in a plunging long black gown with long sleeves.

Johansson was honored alongside actor Ben Platt, 30, at the awards  held in partnership with Michael Kors  for their 'work on behalf of AIDS, cancer, food, hunger and inclusion.'

The actress  who recently praised Pamela Anderson, 56, for going makeup-free at an event  drew attention to her magnetic green eyes with striking black eyeliner.

The blonde bombshell wore her tresses in a straight style, cascading down her shoulders.

Beauty: Scarlett Johansson showed off her impeccable sense of style as she lead the stylish celebrity arrivals at the 2023 Golden Heart Awards in New York City on Monday

Lovely: The Lost in Translation star, 38, was the epitome of sophistication at the event, held at The Glasshouse, in a plunging long black gown with long sleeves

The silver screen siren finalized her look with black tights and black heels.

The mom-of-two kept her accessories to a minimum, wearing just two rings for the occasion.

The star also posed with co-chair Michael Kors, 64, who looked sharp in a black suit over a black tee. The designer paired his outfit with black aviator sunglasses.

The duo warmly greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek while on the red carpet.

A number of other stars also attended the ceremony, including Julianna Margulies, 57, who went shirtless underneath a stylish black blazer with a sequin lapel.

The Good Wife star wore her raven tresses brushed back and accessorized with a black clutch.

Nicky Hilton Rothschild, 40, wowed in a leggy black sequin mini dress, which she paired with black pumps.

The Hilton heiress wore her golden locks halfway pinned back, and accessorized with diamond studs in her ears.

Honoree: Johansson was honored alongside actor Ben Platt , 30, at the awards for their 'work on behalf of AIDS, cancer , food, hunger and inclusion'

Magnetic: The actress  who recently praised Pamela Anderson , 56, for going makeup-free at an event  drew attention to her magnetic green eyes with striking black eyeliner

Stylish in black: The star also posed with co-chair Michael Kors, 64, who looked sharp in a black suit over a black tee

Sharp: The designer paired his outfit with black aviator sunglasses

Greetings: The duo warmly greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek while on the red carpet

Wow! Nicky Hilton Rothschild, 40, wowed in a leggy black sequin mini dress, which she paired with black pumps

Blondie: The Hilton heiress wore her golden locks halfway pinned back

Details: Paris Hilton's sister accessorized with diamond studs in her ears

Sophisticated: Julianna Margulies, 57, went shirtless underneath a stylish black blazer with a sequin lapel

Classy: The Good Wife star wore her raven tresses brushed back and accessorized with a black clutch

Jonah Hill's sister Beanie Feldstein, 30, looked chic in a long-sleeve black gown, which she teamed with open-toe black heels.

Luann de Lesseps, 58, had all eyes on her in a revealing black catsuit with transparent mesh paneling on the torso.

The Real Housewives of New York City star paired her look with large hoop earrings.

Meanwhile her RHONY co-star Dorinda Medley, 58, stunned in a beige suit.

Nicole Ari Parker, 53, put on a busty display in a semitransparent black gown with a tear-drop cutout that showcased her ample cleavage.

The model wore her caramel tresses in loose waves cascading down her shoulders.

At the event she mingled with her And Just Like That... co-star Christopher Jackson, 48, who looked dapper in a grey suit and white button-up shirt.

Sai De Silva, 42, rocked a sequin black blazer with black stockings and heels. Her tresses were accessorized with a black bow.

All black: Jonah Hill's sister Beanie Feldstein, 30, looked chic in a long-sleeve black gown, which she teamed with open-toe black heels

RHONY stars: Luann de Lesseps, 58, had all eyes on her in a revealing black catsuit, while her Real Housewives of New York City co-star Dorinda Medley, 58, stunned in a beige suit

Hoops: The reality TV beauty paired her look with large hoop earrings

Strike a pose: Luann showed off her ensemble from a number of angles

Busty: Nicole Ari Parker, 53, put on a busty display in a semitransparent black gown with a tear-drop cutout that showcased her ample cleavage

Glam: The model wore her caramel tresses in loose waves cascading down her shoulders

Dynamic duo: At the event she mingled with her And Just Like That... co-star Christopher Jackson, 48, who looked dapper in a grey suit and white button-up shirt

Sparkling: Sai De Silva, 42, rocked a sequin black blazer with black stockings and heels, while Alina Cho, 52, looked classy in a long black lace gown with a matching belt

Tres chic: Her tresses were accessorized with a black bow

Golden girl! Emily in Paris star Ashley Park, 32, was every inch the golden girl in a metallic bell-sleeve mini dress, which she teamed with golden platform heels

Elegant: Model Pritika Swarup opted for an elegant white gown with a sizzling thigh-high slit, while

Cool gal: The Hunger Games star Patina Miller, 38, opted for a brown halter-neck gown and wore her tresses in chic braids

Unique: Theatrical producer Jordan Roth, 47, shined in a metallic golden gown and a cozy yellow cardigan

Polished: American socialite Blaine Beard, 66 - who's the ex-wife of Donald Trump's brother Robert Trump - showed off her style in a fashionable white pantsuit with a cape

Performer: Attendees at the event were treated to a performance by Tony Award-winning actor J. Harrison Ghee, 34, who wore a black and red gown and elbow-length black gloves

Looking good! David Burtka, 48, and Neil Patrick Harris, 50, both sported sharp looking suits for the occasion

Hand-in-hand: The other honoree of the night, Ben Platt, was accompanied by partner Noah Galvin, 29, at the event

Power trio: Noah, Ben and Beanie were seen chatting it up at the event

Kisses! Ben received a kiss on the cheek from friend Ashley backstage

Class act: Canadian musician David Foster, 73, looked classy in a three-piece grey suit

Journalist Alina Cho, 52, looked classy in a long black lace gown with a matching belt cinching in her waist.

Emily in Paris star Ashley Park, 32, was every inch the golden girl in a metallic bell-sleeve mini dress, which she teamed with golden platform heels.

Model Pritika Swarup opted for an elegant white gown with a sizzling thigh-high slit.

Huma Abedin, 47, donned a smart white blouse with a black maxi skirt.

Theatrical producer Jordan Roth, 47, shined in a metallic golden gown and a cozy yellow cardigan.

Canadian musician David Foster, 73, looked classy in a three-piece grey suit.

American socialite Blaine Beard, 66 - who's the ex-wife of Donald Trump's brother Robert Trump - showed off her style in a fashionable white pantsuit with a cape.

The Hunger Games star Patina Miller, 38, opted for a brown halter-neck gown and wore her tresses in chic braids.

David Burtka, 48, and Neil Patrick Harris, 50, both sported sharp looking suits for the occasion.

Happy to be here! Scarlett flashed her megawatt Hollywood smile as she arrived to the event

Graceful: The beauty gracefully navigated the sidewalk in her heels

Enjoyable evening: Attendees enjoyed music by DJ Lina Bradford, as well as cocktails and refreshments from hotspot Indochine

Strike a pose! Scarlett shared the spotlight with Huma Abedin

Undivided attention! Scarlett appeared to be chatting with Huma

Worlds collide! RHONY newcomer Brynn Whitfield hung out with RHONY vet Dorinda Medley

Social hour! Nicky Hilton Rothschild and Tina Leung mingled

Rubbing elbows! Nicky mingled with Tina, Alina Cho, Huma, and Luann de Lesseps

Legendary! Neil Patrick Harris enjoyed the evening with his husband David Burtka

The other honoree of the night, Ben Platt, was accompanied by partner Noah Galvin, 29, at the event.

While Ben wore an eggplant toned suit, Noah opted for an all black look.

Attendees at the event were treated to a performance by Tony Award-winning actor J. Harrison Ghee, 34, who wore a black and red gown and elbow-length black gloves.

DJ Lina Bradford was in charge of the soundtrack for the night, while cocktails and refreshments were provided by hotspot Indochine.
Fans could soon get to see Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman return to his Australian roots.

The 54-year-old Sydney-born superstar has revealed he would like to play Hedley Thomas, the Aussie journalist who helped uncover the notorious Teacher's Pet cold case.

Thomas rose to fame behind his Teacher's Pet podcast which looked at the disappearance of Lynnette Dawson, and ultimately led to the trial of her husband Chris Dawson.

Dawson was convicted of Lynette's murder last year, though her body has never been found.

Appearing on KIIS Network's Will & Woody on Monday, Thomas said he had discussed a movie or TV version of his investigation with Jackman, though no production has been confirmed.

'Hugh and I had some very warm contact several years ago during the podcast and afterwards,' he explained.

Thomas revealed that Jackman, who studied at Sydney's University of Technology, before entering acting school in the late 1980s, was a 'frustrated investigative journalist' and was fascinated by the case.

'I remember saying to him once, "Mate, you're really interested in this podcast and you're helping me make sure I don't get burnt by people who wanted to talk to me about a TV series."'

Thomas says he then asked the actor, '"Do you see any role [for yourself to play]" and he goes ''Yeah, like I wouldn't mind considering a role,'' and I said, ''Who, what would it be?'' and he said, ''You,''.'

Thomas added that, 'Hugh is the best... and my wife was like "Oh my God".'

Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman has revealed he would like to play Hedley Thomas, the journalist who helped uncover the notorious Teacher's Pet cold case

Thomas rose to fame behind his Teacher's Pet podcast which looked at the disappearance of Lynnette Dawson 40-years ago, and ultimately led to the trial of her husband Chris Dawson

The journalist's true crime podcast was heard by a staggering 30 million listeners across the world.

The Teacher's Pet, started in 2018 by The Australian's Thomas - was key to justice catching up with Chris Dawson for the murder of his wife Lynette in 1982.

When Dawson, 74, was found guilty of the murder even though his wife's body has never been found.

Judge Justice Ian Harrison credited the role the podcast had played in the renewed investigation.

The podcast first began four years ago, re-examining the mysterious disappearance of the wife of the former Australian rugby league star in 1982.

The Teacher's Pet, started in 2018 by The Australian's Thomas - was key to justice catching up with Chris Dawson for the murder of his wife Lynette in 1982 Pictured: Thomas at the Dawson trial in 2022

Lynette vanished without a trace at the age of 34 while her schoolteacher husband was having an illicit affair with the family's 16-year-old babysitter.

Thomas launched a forensic re-examination of the police investigation in a 14-part podcast that was followed up by another two episodes later in 2018 when Dawson was finally charged and then a special update episode in 2019.

Meanwhile, Jackman, according to US Weekly is currently in the early stages of writing a bombshell memoir after announcing his divorce from his wife of 27 years Deborah-Lee Furness.

Jackman will next appear as Wolverine in Deadpool 3 which is due for release in 2024.
The doctor whose treatment has kept actor Sam Neill alive since he was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer is the ex-partner of game show host Andrew O'Keefe.

Blood disease specialist Orly Lavee and the former Deal or No Deal host shared a home during their relationship which lasted a couple of years.

The haematologist and mother-of-two appeared prominently in Monday night's episode of Australian Story which chronicled Neill's battle with stage-three blood cancer.

The doctor treating Sam Neill for a rare form of blood cancer is the ex-partner of game show host Andrew O'Keefe. Blood disease specialist Orly Lavee and the former Deal Or No Deal presenter (above) were in a relationship for a couple of years

Neill, the star of Jurassic Park, dedicated his recent memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? - which was written while being treated for cancer - to Dr Lavee and 'all my friends at St Vincent's'

Dr Lavee works at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst and has been looking after the Jurassic Park star since she diagnosed him with an aggressive form of lymphoma last year.

Neill dedicated his recent memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? - which was written while he was being treated for the cancer - to Dr Lavee and 'all my friends at St Vincent's'.

'I wouldn't have started the book without you,' he wrote. 'And I would certainly never have finished it.'

The 76-year-old told Australian Story that chemotherapy had failed to work, leaving him in a 'fight for life', which he hoped to win but was not scared of losing.

For the past year his body has been successfully fighting off angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with an experimental drug prescribed by Dr Lavee.

Despite that promising treatment, Neill said he had been told the drug would stop working one day and he was prepared for that eventuality.

Dr Lavee (above) works at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst and has been looking after Neill since she diagnosed him with an aggressive form of lymphoma last year

Neill told Australian Story he was not frightened of dying. 'That doesn't worry me. It's never worried me from the beginning,' the 76-year-old said. He is pictured with son Tim Neill-Harrow

'I'm not in any way frightened of dying,' he said. 'That doesn't worry me. It's never worried me from the beginning, but I would be annoyed.

'I'd be annoyed because there are things I still want to do. Very irritating, dying. But I'm not afraid of it.'

Neill found out he had cancer during his first trip back to New Zealand after Covid-19 lockdowns made returning home to see his family virtually impossible for two years.

Dr Lavee had called Neill barely two hours after his return with the bad news.

'It's always a difficult conversation, particularly if you're not face to face with someone,' she told the ABC program.

'What we found was a cancer, a particularly rare kind of lymphoma, which is a non-Hodgkin's type of lymphoma, but it is quite rare and it's quite an aggressive tumour that if not treated can cause major problems very quickly.'

Neill's best known international role was as Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park. He is pictured with Laura Dern playing Dr Ellie Sattler in the 1993 film directed by Steven Spielberg

Neill's son Tim Neill-Harrow told Australian Story what happened next: 'When he hung the phone up and we sat down, and we had a little bit of a cry together'.

'It was supposed to be a happy day. He didn't get to stay,' he said.

Neill said: 'I was in really a fight for my life. And everything was a new world and a rather alarming world.

'I had three or four months of reasonably conventional chemotherapies which are brutal.'

After Neill's first stage of chemotherapy the cancer came back even worse, which left Dr Lavee looking for a new course of treatment.

'I was surprised,' she said. 'I was obviously concerned, as he was, that his disease was behaving in such an aggressive way.

'The tumour started to outsmart the drugs before we even got through the first regimen.'

Dr Lavee suggested trying a second line of treatment - 'more novel agents' - to which she said Neill soon responded 'brilliantly'.

'Some people choose not to have further treatment if theyve found the up-front treatment quite rigorous,' Dr Lavee said.

'But he was keen to push on and try something new. We had to think of what the next step would be in order to try and salvage things.'

Neill began writing the memoir that would become Did I Ever Tell You This? as a record of his life for his children and grandchildren while undergoing treatment.

'He shared with me during that treatment that he had this idea of writing a book,' Dr Lavee said.

'At the time as part of his treatment he was on a lot of steroid medication which gave him a lot of energy and stopped him from sleeping particularly well and he burned the midnight oil by writing chapters and chapters of this book at an incredible pace.

'I thought I should probably reduce the steroids at some point.'

Neill (above) began writing the memoir that would become Did I Ever Tell You This? as a record of his life for his children and grandchildren while undergoing treatment

Thankfully, the new treatment regime worked and Neill has been in remission for a year but he knows that one day it will stop working.

'I know I've got it, but I'm not really interested in it,' he said of the cancer.

'It's out of my control. If you can't control it, don't get into it.'

Neill now has infusions every two weeks and will do so for the rest of his life or until the time the drug stops working.

Dr Lavee said if Neill stopped responding to his current treatment, 'we may need to think about a third-line option'.

'That's a difficult thing to carry around, day in, day out, waiting for that to happen,' she told Australian Story.
Lisa Snowdon turned heads on Monday evening as she arrived at the Lotus showroom in London wearing a sexy black PVC minidress.

The TV presenter, 51, looked stunning in the figure-hugging off-shoulder number as she attended the Starr Luxury Cars event to promote their Sirius Members Club for chauffeur driven cars and super car hire around the globe.

She opted for black tights and a matching clutch bag but added a pop of colour with a pair of red velvet heels.

Lisa picked natural make-up for her night out and kept her hair simple yet elegant in a slicked-back ponytail.

Other stars at the event included Kirsty Gallacher, who showed off her sensational figure.

Night out: Lisa Snowdon, 51, turned heads on Monday evening as she arrived at the Lotus showroom in London wearing a sexy black PVC minidress

Style: The TV presenter, 51, looked stunning in the figure-hugging off-shoulder number as she attended the Starr Luxury Cars event to promote their Sirius Members Club

The Scottish TV presenter, 47, looked radiant in a sleek black gown, which boasted an eye-catching shine.

She added to the elegant look by pulling her dark tresses back into a high ponytail, adding smokey black eyeliner to keep in with the monochromatic theme.

Natalie Pinkham, 46, was also present at the showing of the Starr Luxury Cars, donning a stylish plum jumpsuit, which she paired with a black clutch bag.

It comes after Lisa revealed she was once told by a fashion designer to 'lose weight' before a show in Milan.

The fashion model, 51, spoke about how the industry has changed over the years with fashion designer Amanda Wakeley on her podcast StyleDNA.

Lisa started by saying: 'It has changed in a good way, but still isn't where it needs to be. There's more inclusivity, it is less seedy, less manipulative but I'm sure there's still stuff that still goes on that you don't know about.

'I felt a lot of pressure in Paris to socialise and go out with clients, you know rich old men, it never sat well with me. I would always make up some elaborate excuse. That was the agency.

Speaking about working with Amanda in the past, Lisa added: 'You didn't once look at me and say your figure isn't going to work you were so encouraging, enthusiastic and embracing a women's physique.

Night out: Kirsty Gallacher showed off her sensational figure on Monday as she arrived at the Lotus showroom in London alongside Natalie Pinkham

Presenter pals: She arrived alongside Natalie Pinkham at the car show in London on Monday

Throwback: Lisa Snowdon has revealed she was once told by a fashion designer to 'lose weight' before a show in Milan (pictured in 1994)

Speaking out: The fashion model, 51, spoke about how the industry has changed over the years with fashion designer Amanda Wakeley on her podcast StyleDNA

'I previously got booked for jobs then cancelled because I was too curvy.'

When Amanda pointed out that Lisa had a 'washboard stomach when they met, Lisa replied: 'I didn't even do anything back then, I didn't even work out i just had this amazing six pack.

'But in Milan they were measuring me and telling me I have to lose weight. It didn't sit well with me.'

Lisa ended up forging a successful career as a fashion model, regardless of this knock-back.

She got her big break at age 22, modelling The Ultrabra by Gossard in 1994, and swiftly got snapped up by various swimwear brands.

She retained a successful career throughout the 1990s and 2000s, eventually being made the face of Britain's Next Top Model in 2006 as the UK's counterpart to supermodel Tyra Banks.

Lisa typically acts as a fashion presenter these days, but still models too.

She's a regular fixture on the This Morning presenting team, hosting segments about fashion.

Beauty! Lisa typically acts as a fashion presenter these days, but still models too [pictured this week]

Elsewhere, Lisa - who has remained open about her fertility struggle - discussed not having children.

She suffered a devastating miscarriage live on air after a violent attack from an abusive ex boyfriend and admitted she suffered with thoughts that the devastating outcome might be 'punishment' for an abortion she had in her late 20s.

She said: 'Society, if you don't go down the traditional route, is challenging. There's a lot of negativity surrounding that, a lot of questions, a lot of people don't understand.

'You never know what is going on behind closed doors and someone's story. We just need to be nicer to each other and look at the bigger picture.'

Lisa has been open about her 'many struggles with fertility' in the past, with the TV star last week opening up about her devastating miscarriage following violent attack from an abusive ex boyfriend.

But the star has since found happiness with entrepreneur George, with the couple content with a life with just the two of them.

The model and presenter first dated George 22 years ago when they both worked for MTV, but it wasn't until the pair were reintroduced to each other through a mutual friend in 2015 that their relationship was rekindled.

In January 2017, the couple announced they were engaged after George proposed to Lisa just five weeks after she left the 2016 series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
Trinny Woodall is known for her flawless style.

And on the the British fashion and beauty expert, 59, ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived in Sydney on Monday.

Trinny looked sensational as she strolled out of the airport in a fringed silver jumper with a matching silver Bottega Veneta bag.

She opted to pair her embellished top with a navy blue coat elegantly draped over her shoulders and a pair of loose-fitting trousers.

The mother-of-one finished her look with a pair of Hogan platform sneakers, worth around $700, and pushed along a silver Rimowa case, worth about $2000.

Trinny Woodall, 59, ensured all eyes were on her in a glittering silver jumper as she arrived at Sydney Airport on Monday

She also shielded her eyes with a pair of semi-transparent sunglasses.

At times Trinny was helped by an assistant through the terminal, who pushed along her other three suitcases of luggage.

Trinny appeared on Australian breakfast show, Sunrise on Tuesday where she spoke about the popularity of her brand, Trinny London.

'I think it's about talking to a woman who believes she is being ignored. To me, it's the 35 plus woman,' she said.

At times Trinny was helped by an assistant through the terminal, who pushed along her other three suitcases of luggage

The mother-of-one finished her look with a pair of Hogan platform sneakers, worth around $700, and pushed along a silver Rimowa case, worth about $2000

'I have made over a lot of women and those women are 35 to 70,' she added, talking about the beauty gap in the market.

Trinny also released a book called 'Fearless', which details all things beauty and health.

In 2017, the fashion expert launched her very own beauty and skincare brand, Trinny London.

Trinny said of the brand: 'I want to accelerate you getting to a stage where you know who you are and love yourself. If I had to think, 'what's my mission?' it's to bring that to you sooner.

'It is a rite of passage but sometimes you can find women at 60 and you think, 'you're not there yet', so it's also a generational thing of feeling you don't have the right to show that you want to care about yourself, or worry about yourself. And it's more of a privilege now to be able to do that.'
Supermodel Gigi Hadid was seen for the first time Monday since she was slammed by Israel's government over an Instagram Stories post she put up in support of the Palestinian people.

The model, 28, was seen donning a long wool gold-toned coat by Chanel with an open collar and black buttons on a daytime outing in New York City.

She had her blonde locks down and carried a black and yellow purse while wearing sunglasses and maroon loafers on the outing in the Big Apple.

The Los Angeles native - whose famous real-estate developer father Mohamed Hadid is Palestinian - posted a graphic to her 79.2 million followers on the platform about the war between Israel and Hamas.

It read, 'There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. Condemning the Israeli government is not antisemitic and supporting Palestinians is not supporting Hamas.'

The latest: Supermodel Gigi Hadid, 28, was seen for the first time Monday since she was slammed by Israel's government over an Instagram Stories post she put up in support of the Palestinian people

Israel's government quickly skewered Hadid's position, posting on their Instagram Stories a response to Hadid's commentary about the ongoing conflict, which began October 7, and has led to 4,000 deaths on both sides as of Monday.

It read: 'There is nothing valiant about Hamas' massacre of Israelis. Condemning Hamas for what it is (ISIS) is not anti-Palestine and supporting Israelis in their fight against barbaric terrorists is the right thing to do.'

The account of the State of Israel then directed comments at Hadid specifically, tagging her account and writing: 'Have you been sleeping the past week?'

'Or you just fine turning a blind eye to Jewish babies being butchered in their homes? Your silence has been very clear about where you stand. We see you.'

The Israeli government then posted a horrifying picture of the blood stained floor of a little girl killed in cold blood by Hamas terrorists.

'If you don't condemn this your words mean NOTHING,' the account wrote, again tagging Hadid.

Since the outbreak of the latest war in the explosive region, triggered by a barbaric Iran-backed Palestinian terror attack that killed 1,400 Israelis, the elder Hadid sister has posted multiple statements equivocating the actions of the Israeli army and government to those of pro-Palestinian extremists.

In the statement, Hadid said she does not explicitly condemn the actions of Hamas, nor does she call their terrorism antisemitic.

The post on Hadid's Instagram that caught the attention of the Israeli government. It comes after a week of Hadid sharing pro-Palestinian statements that blur the lines of where blame for the Hamas terror attack should be placed

The official State of Israel Instagram page flamed the model for her lukewarm statement about extremist Palestinian terrorism and implied blame being placed on Israel for the attack

Gigi Hadid with her Palestinian father Mohamed Hadid in 2018 in NYC. The supermodel was called out by the Israeli government for failing to condemn antisemitism and tip-toeing around a condemnation of the radical Palestinian terrorists

Hadid's statement from last week, which does not explicitly condemn Hamas terrorists or antisemitism, defends the Free Palestine movement

In fact, the only mention of the term antisemitic occurs when she claims that being pro-Palestine is not the same as being antisemitic.

'The terrorizing of innocent people is not in alignment with & does not do any good for the 'Free Palestine' movement,' she wrote.

Her words, however, run counter to the sentiments shared by many, many pro-Palestinian activists across the country and world in the days since Hamas' shocking attack.

Professors at Yale and Columbia Universities celebrated the day of savagery as a victory for the Palestinian resistance.

Pro-Palestinian students across the nation have gathered to express similar sentiments, many arguing that the terror attack was a first step toward decolonization and those who support the idea should also support the concrete effort.

Gigi's younger sister, Bella Hadid, 27, has yet to speak out about the terror attack on Israel that launched the Jewish state back into battle with its hostile neighbor.

In the past, however, Bella has been forthright about her support for the Palestinian cause.

In June of 2022, the posted to her Instagram: 'I will never allow anyone to forget about our beautiful Palestine, or our beautiful people.'

A statement shared by Iranian actress Yara Shahidi obfuscates the blame that has been placed on the radical Palestinian terrorists who stormed Israel last Saturday and claims the people of Gaza want peace

A post Hadid shared claiming that the Israeli military response to the killing of the most Jews in a single day since the Holocaust will amount to a second Nakba

Bella Hadid has been forthright about her position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, previously showing love for the people of Gaza and calling for the end of the 'occupation.' She has yet to speak out following the Hamas terror attack

An aerial view of Kibbutz Be'eri in southern Israel, where Palestinian terrorists butchered scores of innocent Israelis in an early morning raid last Saturday

The children of Mohamed Hadid (center top row) include from L to R Alana Hadid, Bella Hadid, Marielle Hadid, Gigi Hadid, and Anwar Hadid (center bottom row)

'Everyday I wish I could go back in time, to when I was a child, so that I could start fighting for Palestine sooner,' she continued. 'For my family, for my elders, our history and for the people of Palestine still living, now, through this treacherous, exhausting and painful occupation.'

In spring of 2021, when Palestinians began firing rockets indiscriminately into Israel because of a disagreement with the Israeli government's position on Palestinian housing in East Jerusalem, Bella shared a post from her older half sister.

It read: 'My sisters and I, we speak in a family group chat every day. Mostly about Palestine and all that goes on. It is so hard to put into words how I feel.'

Adding to her sister, Alana Hadid's thoughts, Bella wrote: 'I feel the pain of my ancestors. I cry for them. I cry for my Palestinian brothers and sisters, there now, feeling unsafe and scared.

'This needs to stop, there is NO room for this in 2021!!!! My sister [Alana] wrote perfectly how I feel today. We are proud [to be] Palestinian and we stand with Palestine.'

In October of 2022, Anwar Hadid - younger brother to Gigi and Bella - graced the cover of GQ Middle East.

In an interview, he spoke about his abiding support for the Palestinian cause.

Among other projects that feature the Palestinian people, last year Anwar and a friend co-produced a film that GQ Middle East called 'an eye-opening new documentary that breaks through the noise to highlight the pain and power of Palestinian resistance.

'The idea came to us as a way to humanize the Palestinian people, and allow our voices to be heard without judgment, in a way that is free and represents the people  and it just kind of evolved from there,' he said.

Mohamed's original caption, blaming the terror attack that killed 1,400 Israelis on their government

Two days later, Mohamed posted another statement making it clear that he is not in favor of violence against anyone, though he did not explicitly condemn Hamas

In 2019, Anwar named his gender-ambiguous jewelry line 'Martyre,' a word he said he would like redefine from its current meaning of battlefield death in the fight to defend Allah.

The Palestinian people often praise the martyrs who walk into Israel wearing suicide vests, or kill Israeli soldiers patrolling the border between Gaza and Israel's southern cities.

Students in the United States who support the Palestinian cause rallied last week with signs that read 'Glory to Martys.'

At the time Anwar said: 'I see it as a piece of armor, instead of a death sentence. Im Palestinian, I resist as I breathe. The spirit of Palestine flows through my body, through the name Martyre, certain songs Ive made, and the documentary we just created.'

Father to the five adult Hadid siblings, Mohamed Hadid, was born in 1948 in what is now Nazareth, Israel.

He has previously said that he took it upon himself personally to ensure that each of his children understood and revered their Palestinian identities.

In the wake of the Hamas massacre, Mohamed took to Instagram to post a statement that blamed the unimaginably bloody Palestinian terror attack on Israel.

'This less of a human and Bibi and the far right government of this Zionist State is 100 percent responsible for creation of this massive escalation between the occupied and the occupier,' he wrote, showing a picture of far-right, pro-settlements Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

A 360,000-strong IDF has assembled to prepare for battle with Hamas as Israeli leaders have sworn to eliminate every last operative of the terror group from the earth

While many commenters supported Mohamed's message, some were quick to admonish him for posting such a message on the day of the Hamas attacks.

'On the day of civilian massacre, it is better to remain silent,' wrote one user.

'Now got a war. Mohamed don't come crying when the results aren't what you hope for,' wrote another.

A third weighed in, saying: 'How about you let your daughters who model half naked visit Gaza and see how they are treated there with the way they dress and live their lives.'

Some of the comments perhaps got to Mohamed who, two days later, posted again - this time a picture of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel with the caption: 'To Be Clear I condemn the killing and hostage taking or abusing, torturing of civilians. Of Arab Muslims, Jews or Christians.

'And complete disapproval of the treatment of the occupation against the occupied.'

Since the terror organization Hamas, who were at one time democratically elected by the Palestinian people to lead Gaza, attacked Israel last Saturday, death tolls have climbed on both sides to 4,000.
A former CEO has been cleared of breaching an interim restraining order instigated by police on behalf of international model and reality TV personality Simone Holtznagel.

Benjamin Reeves was arrested on July 15 as he was leaving Sydney Downing Centre Court, after telling media he felt 'vindicated' because police had withdrawn the stalking charge against him.

He has now been cleared twice over similar police allegations.

Police had previously alleged that the 59-year-old was obsessed with Ms Holtznagel and he had stalked her from April to July last year in Sydney's CBD and eastern suburbs.

Mr Reeves strenuously denied the claims and the charges were dropped by police, who were ordered to pay his legal costs.

A former CEO has been cleared of breaching an interim restraining order instigated by police on behalf of international model and reality TV personality Simone Holtznagel (left)

The former CEO of Australian Association of Graduate Employers was arrested moments after the first decision and charged with breaching an interim apprehended violence order.

Police alleged he breached the interim personal violence order taken out to protect Ms Holtznagel by visiting Sydney's Vivid festival on July 14 when she was in the crowd.

On Tuesday, history repeated itself when the police again withdrew the charge against Mr Reeves.

Benjamin Reeves was arrested on July 15 as he was leaving Sydney Downing Centre Court, after telling media he felt 'vindicated' because police had withdrawn the stalking charge against him

Police alleged Mr Reeves breached the interim personal violence order taken out to protect Ms Holtznagel by visiting Sydney's Vivid festival on July 14 when she was in the crowd

Ms Holtznagel, 30, rose to prominence as a finalist in Australia's Next top Model in 2011 and has since modelled in numerous campaigns, even gracing the cover of Playboy in the United States.

The buxom blonde added reality TV to her resume when she appeared on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! And featured on SAS Australia.

She is currently expecting her first child with celebrity personal trainer Jono Castano.

Ms Holtznagel (left) is currently expecting her first child with celebrity personal trainer Jono Castano (right)

The couple revealed on Thursday they're having a baby girl in March 2024.

Ms Holtznagel shared images of herself showing off her baby bump in black underwear as well as an image of her ultrasound alongside the caption: 'We're beyond excited to share that we are expecting a baby girl.'

The beauty told last week's issue of Who magazine she's overjoyed about the news.

'Kids have always been in our plan. We started talking about it more and more and then it just happened,' she told the publication.

Ms Holtznagel said she discovered she was pregnant after she felt unusually sick following a holiday in the Maldives to celebrate her 30th birthday.
Andy Cohen's daughter, Lucy, proved she is already quite the fashionista in her own right.

While enjoying a neighborhood walk with his little girl, 17 months, the late-night talk show host posed for a sweet snap with his youngest, who sported a black leather jacket, khaki pants and sneakers.

The father-of-two, 55, styled his toddler's hair into space buns for their laid-back outing, which included a trip to Starbucks.

'Fall stroll with my girl ,' the Emmy Award-winning host captioned the image, shared with his 5.5 million Instagram followers on Monday afternoon.

Too cute! Andy Cohen's daughter, Lucy, proved she is already quite the fashionista in her own right

In the image, Cohen showed off his casual side in a navy blue and red flannel button-down, dark-wash jeans and brown loafers.

He completed his look with a black jacket and a warm beverage in his hand.

The single dad is also a father to a four-year-old boy, named Benjamin Allen Cohen, four.

Cohen welcomed Lucy - in April last year and son Ben in February 2019. Both children were born through surrogacy.

In February, while speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the star said he feels he's incredibly lucky to have a supportive network of women in his life from the Real Housewives franchise.

'I have a lot of help and I have a lot of female friends who have been in my life forever, and always around and who my kids love,' he said.

Manhattanites: The star is raising both his kids in the Big Apple (seen last month with both his children)

Family: The Watch What Happens Live star welcomed his son in February 2019, as well as daughter Lucy, in April 2022, via a surrogate; seen in February 2022 with his eldest

'It is important to me that my house always be very full of people, laughter and love. And that is what I am trying to fill it with.'

The revered TV host, who is set to release a new book about fatherhood, The Daddy Diaries, later this year, said an average day in the Cohen household is never the same.

'There is no average day. I think that is why this book is a lot of fun because every day is very different,' he explained.

'My kids are involved in every day, that is the constant. And what I am doing outside of that is totally different every day. That is one of the reasons I have a great life. It is very diverse.'

While Cohen is relishing in fatherhood, he has ruled out expanding his brood and admits dating with children is hard.

'It's challenging. I think there is an overlay of "I have two kids, are you up for that?" It's a big thing to have in the picture when you are just having a blind date,' he said.
He has been one of Hollywood's biggest stars for decades.

But Nicolas Cage proved he is just like the rest of us on Monday, going shopping at a local Asian grocer and supermarket in Busselton, Western Australia with his wife Riko Shibata.

In scenes reminiscent of his Oscar-winning film Leaving Las Vegas, the 59-year-old was seen pushing around a trolley full of shopping.

In an iconic scene from the 1995 film, his character Ben Sanderson goes on a booze shopping spree so he can drink himself to death in Sin City.

But on Monday, he swapped alcohol for fresh vegetables and nappies for the one-year-old daughter he shares with Shibata.

Nicolas Cage dons cowboy boots as he pushes a trolley full of groceries while leaving a supermarket in Western Australia with wife Riko Shibata on Monday

Nicolas wore his signature Elvis-style sunglasses, a velvet hoodie, jeans and cowboy boots as he visited an Asian grocer before heading to a local supermarket.

Wife Riko also opted for a casual look for the outing, wearing white jeans, a white T-shirt and a cardigan.

She finished her look with black combat boots.

He was seen leaving the shopping precinct with a trolley full of vegetables, potatoes, nappies and paper towel.

Nicolas wore his signature Elvis-style sunglasses, a velvet hoodie, jeans and cowboy boots as he visited an Asian grocer, collecting fresh fruit and vegetables from the store before visiting a local supermarket

Annie Liban, the owner of Busselton Food of Asia, told Daily Mail Australia the penny dropped when the A-list actor made his way to the checkout and she noticed his face up close and personal.

'I said, "You look like Nicolas Cage", recalled Liban, and he responded, "I am Nicolas Cage'.

She added the Con Air megastar was 'very polite, very respectful' and was happy to pose for photos with staff.

'He was so down to earth,' she said.

'They did a lot of shopping, the baby was crying a bit, so they just wanted to get all the stuff done,' she added.

In an iconic scene from 1995 film, his character goes on a booze shopping spree so he can drink himself to death in Sin City

The actor dropped about $400, stocking up on mostly Japanese food items.

'He bought lots of Japanese stuff, along with kimchi and fried rice,' she said.

Nic, Riko, and their daughter August are in the Margaret River to film his next project, The Surfer.

The couple welcomed their daughter August, who is Riko's first child and Nicolas' third, in September last year.

The Kick-Ass actor has son Weston Coppola Cage, 32, with ex Christina Fulton and son Kal-El, 18, with ex-wife Alice Kim.

He was seen leaving the shopping centre with a trolley full of vegetables, potatoes, nappies and paper towel

Nicolas, Riko, and their daughter August are in the Margaret River to film his next project, The Surfer

Nicolas and Rico met in Japan in 2020 when he was filming Sion Sono's Prisoners Of Ghostland.

She landed a role in the movie playing one of the four Mannequin Women.

After getting engaged on FaceTime, the couple tied the knot at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas in February 2021.

Nicolas and Rico met in Japan in 2020 when he was filming Sion Sono's Prisoners Of Ghostland

After getting engaged on FaceTime, the couple tied the knot at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas in February 2021

The couple welcomed daughter August in September last year, who was with them on their arrival to Australia

Nicolas will be shooting The Surfer, a psychological thriller, in Western Australia's most famous surfing and wine region.

CinefestOZ chief executive Cassandra Jordan said of Cage: 'It is beyond exciting to have something of this calibre shooting in our region.

'[The film] follows Nicolas Cage, a man returning to his hometown after many years of leaving the region, and it's all about him up against a local gang of surfers who claim ownership over a secluded beach of his childhood.'

The friendly star posed with staff at Food of Asia in Bussleton, Western Australia

Food of Asia owner Annie Liban said she was thrilled to serve the Hollywood star

Cage posed for selfies with the excited staff
Perth radio personality Kymba Cahill has revealed that beyond her on-air persona she leads a clandestine life as a marriage celebrant with a rock and roll twist.

The radio host underwent formal training to officiate weddings for her close friends, and has discreetly presided over union ceremonies on Mix 94.5 Pete & Kymba's breakfast show recently.

'I am a celebrant. I am an authorised marriage celebrant. I became authorised over a year ago and I have just been keeping it a secret. I did the standard legal celebrant training. I did the course and registered with the attorney general so I am ready to go,' she told PerthNow.

This week she is set to embark on her most significant undertaking yet, assuming the role of celebrant for 'The Wedding Perth Built' at The Vines Resort on Thursday.

She will be joining competition winners Lizzie and Dylan in matrimony, and the show's audience members have decided she will officiate dressed as Elvis Presley.

Perth radio personality Kymba Cahill has revealed that beyond her on-air persona she leads a clandestine life as a marriage celebrant with a rock and roll twist

But it's not just Cahill's role which has been selected by the audience, the ceremony's every detail from start to finish has been determined by listener votes on Instagram, resulting in the ultimate Western Australia wedding.

Fans have chosen The Vines Resort as the wedding venue, favouring it over contenders such as Mosman Park Bowls Club and the Morley Rollerdrome.

The three-tier wedding cake is set to be provided by Arianna's Little Bakery, and the rings will be supplied by Socklich & Co. Jewellers.

This week she is set to embark on her most significant undertaking yet, assuming the role of celebrant for 'The Wedding Perth Built' at The Vines Resort on Thursday. She will be joining competition winners Lizzie and Dylan in matrimony, and the show's audience members have decided she will officiate dressed as Elvis Presley

As for the bride and groom's entrance, the fans' pick is a quirky one, with the couple set to arrive at the ceremony on a lawn mower as their chosen mode of transportation.

Listeners voted for the groom to don Fred Durst-inspired attire (in homage to the American rapper, who happens to be the bride's 'hall pass').

In contrast, they've playfully selected an Op Shop vintage look for the bride on the big day.

The 35-year old groom said 'I think anyone that knows us, knows that we are a little left of field, nothing against those weddings, I just dont think it was for us.'

Meanwhile, the bride, 32, added, 'We just decided that we will give this a go and we will trust you guys, at least we'll know it's going to be unique.'
Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky have transformed land from their 100 hectares in the Byron Bay region into a dirt bike track.

The Thor star, 40, and the Spanish actress, 47, own property and land worth close to $90million in the region.

Aerial pictures taken on Monday show how the couple have developed a parcel of land into a dirt bike track for their family.

The oval race track is surrounded by luscious green grass and trees and also has a modern guest house nearby.

The couple often share photo to social media while hitting the track with their twin boys Tristan and Sasha and daughter India.

Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky have transformed a parcel of land from their 100 hectares in the Byron Bay region into a dirt bike track for their children

The Thor star, 40, and the Spanish actress own property and land worth close to $90million in the region

The nearby property features an outdoor pergola area with a large dining table.

Chris and Elsa also own a family home in Broken Head in Byron Bay, which they purchased for $7million back in 2014.

They have since transformed the sprawling property into a compound that has been valued at between $30million and $60million.

The actor carried out extensive renovations on the six-bedroom home, and it now boasts a steam room, gym, media room and games room.

There's also a stunning outdoor living area, play areas for his three young kids and a 50-metre rooftop infinity pool, which overlooks the ocean.

The couple often share photo to social media while hitting the track with their twin boys Tristan and Sasha and daughter India

Aerial pictures taken on Monday show how the couple have developed a parcel of land into a dirt bike track for their family

The oval race track is surrounded by luscious green grass and trees and also has a modern guest house nearby

Chris and his family began construction on the mansion, which was previously an eight-bedroom resort-style home known as Kooeloah, in late 2017.

The Thor star and wife Elsa also own a Broken Head horse ranch and retreat, purchased in 2019 for $4.25million, with an estimated value of $10million now.

Sitting on 35 hectares, it was developed to include state-of-the-art horse stables and dressage, show jumping and horse exercise arena.

There was also the development of a man-made swimming lake, complete with entertaining cabana, islands and even a water slide.

Last year the couple won approval to build yet another home in the Byron Bay region.

Elsa is pictured wearing motocross gear as she took her daughter India Rose to the track earlier this year

The couple often share photo to social media while hitting the track with their twin boys Tristan and Sasha and daughter India

The nearby property features an outdoor pergola area with a large dining table

The Hollywood couple was given the green light in August to build two 'celebrity guesthouses' next to their mansion.

Chris proposed $4.4million worth of works, bringing the finished property to $8.6million, reported the Daily Telegraph.

Detailed plans show the home will have two dwellings with a total of seven bedrooms; the primary mini-mansion will include five bedrooms while the second home will have two, each with its own ensuite bathroom.

The sprawling residence will have four levels, as well as a butler's pantry and swimming pool.

A second building will sit next to a pond, which already has a cabana and firepit.

A garage will comfortably hold three Ferraris for the Hemsworths or their Hollywood mates, who are expected to bunker down at the new pad.

Chris and Elsa also own a Byron Bay family home neaby which they purchased for $7million back in 2014. They have since transformed the sprawling property into a compound that has been valued at between $30million and $60million

Daily Mail Australia first revealed last year that Chris and Elsa wanted to build the new seven-bedroom home - each with its own ensuite bathroom - less than a kilometre from their mega-mansion.

Development plans were first lodged in March 2021, with a final draft submitted with Byron Bay Shire Council in July last year.

Along with his brothers Liam and Luke, Chris also made a Newrybar purchase in 2021, snapping up 37.5 hectares in the area for $6.8 million.

The land features sweeping ocean views and sits on the Newrybar ridge line.

The farmlet comes with a building block and last sold for $680,000 all the way back in 2001.

The Thor star and wife Elsa also own a Broken Head horse ranch and retreat, purchased in 2019 for $4.25million, with an estimated value of $10million now

The Hollywood couple was given the green light in August to build two 'celebrity guesthouses' next to their mansion

The property was toted by McGrath Real Estate as 'the hinterland's premier land opportunity boasting some of the best vistas in the Northern Rivers'.

'This ultra-rare property is the perfect blank canvas to create your idyllic hinterland estate perched high on the escarpment above Byron Bay and Lennox Head and offering uninterrupted views,' the agent added.

The brothers made yet another Newrybar purchase in 2022, snapping up 44.5 hectares in the region for $10.5 million.

Along with his brothers Liam and Luke, Chris also made a Newrybar purchase in 2021, snapping up 37.5 hectares in the area for $6.8 million
Amelia Hamlin showcased her phenomenal figure while grabbing coffee with her unidentified boyfriend in Los Angeles, California on Monday afternoon.

While picking up an iced beverage with her beau, the model, 22, was the epitome of cool in a cropped black tank top, low-rise jeans and leather belt that accentuated her tiny waist.

She accessorized her effortlessly chic look with a pair of black sunglasses over her dark brown eyes and a black handbag, slung over her left shoulder.

The Vogue cover girl's love interest was not pictured by her side during the laid-back outing, but an eyewitness confirmed to DailyMai.com they were together on her latest sighting.

Effortlessly cool: Amelia Hamlin showcased her phenomenal figure while grabbing coffee with her mystery boyfriend in Los Angeles, California on Monday afternoon

The couple have been seen out a handful of times since this past December when they were on a walk in Los Angeles, about a year after her split from Scott Disick.

She has not revealed the name of her handsome mystery man and has kept their romance out of the spotlight.

Hamlin and Disick, 40, were first romantically linked in October 2020 and dated for 11 months before they split in September 2021.

In December 2021, reports surfaced that she was ready to move on and meet someone new after ending her romance with the Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum, who is 18 years her senior.

'She's not opposed to dating someone in the spotlight,' a source told People, at the time.

The insider: 'And age is not a problem for her. She can date someone younger or someone older. It's not a deal-breaker.'

Following their split, she became focused on herself and took 'time to figure out what she wants in her next relationship.'

Before the father-of-three, Amelia dated Mercer Wiederhorn, the son of FAT Brands CEO Andrew Wiederhorn, for 17 months.

Stylish: While picking up two iced beverages with her beau, the model, 22, was the epitome of cool in a cropped black tank top, low-rise jeans and leather belt that accentuated her tiny waist

Last month, Hamlin marked a career milestone as she appeared topless on the cover of Harper's Bazaar France.

'So much love. Dream team. Truly thank you,' she captioned an image from the cover shoot on Instagram.

The feat comes after Amelia showed off her catwalk skills while hitting the runway at Jason Wu's SS24 New York Fashion Week show on September 9.

The Los Angeles native is the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin.

Earlier this year, Hamlin accomplished a goal that only very few models are able to achieve over their lifetimes as she graced April's upcoming issue of Vogue Japan.

Famous from birth: The Los Angeles native is the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin; seen last month (seen in September 2023)

Rising star: She previously served as the face for Too Faced's Damn Girl cosmetic line and Hudson Jeans

This spring, she graced the cover of April's upcoming issue of Vogue Japan.

'My first Vogue cover im on the cover of Vogue!??? What!!!! This is one of those dreams that always felt so unattainable. A dream so far away, I was unsure if it would ever become part of my reality,' the rising runway star wrote on Instagram.

She continued: 'I'm beyond honored, grateful, and speechless.'

The five-foot-nine beauty went on to thank Tiffany Godoy Presents, who is the head of editorial content at Vogue Japan, for 'believing in' her 'since the first day' they met.

High profile romance: The Vogue cover girl previously dated Scott Disick for 11 months between October 2020 to September 2021 (seen in May 2023)

First Vogue cover! Earlier this year, Hamlin accomplished a goal that only very few models are able to achieve over their lifetimes as she graced April's upcoming issue of Vogue Japan

In 2020, Amelia's mother revealed that Amelia, then 19, was paying for her own Los Angeles.

'It's all her money,' Rinna said on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills when asked her kid was paying for her $5,700-a-month apartment. 'I'm not even helping her a thousand dollars.'

The reality star then claimed: 'Amelia Gray makes more money than all of us.'

Despite her incredible success at such a young age, the bombshell has overcome a lot in her life, including battling anorexia as a teenager.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum previously said she was about 14 or 15 when her eating disorder started. She was going through an 'awkward stage' and was upset by her appearance in paparazzi photos that were taken when she was leaving a store with her mom.

'I remember crying to my mom about them,' she recalled on Dear Media podcast The Skinny Confidential Him and Her in 2020.

The then-teen decided to do the Master Cleanse after reading online that a model she had looked up to at the time would always do it 'before a huge job.'

Impressive recovery: Despite her incredible success at such a young age, the bombshell has overcome a lot in her life, including battling anorexia as a teenager

Ultimately, she eventually got so thin that her family took her to UCLA to get her treatment.

'We show up. It's like this really scary old man's office. It could not have been a more uncomfortable vibe for me,' she said. 'I sat there and there was just like books everywhere, even on the floor...

'He looked at me and he was like, "So, yeah, basically, at this rate in about four months you're going to be 45 pounds and you're going to be dead."'

Amelia remembered asking herself how that is even 'humanly possible' and couldn't get the number out of her head.

'I just snapped out of it,' she said. 'I was so lucky that I was just like, yeah, I don't want to be 45 pounds.'

Wake up call: At the height of her eating disorder, Amelia's family eventually took her for treatment at UCLA, where she was told she was 'going to be 45 pounds' and 'going to be dead' if she didn't get help (pictured in 2017)

She said the beginning of her recovery was particularly difficult because she started rapidly gaining weight and didn't know why.

'I was still eating just an apple a day, and then I would have a bowl of vegetables at night, maybe with some sriracha and like a drizzle of olive oil if things got pretty crazy,' she recalled. 'I gained 50 pounds in six months and I was like, I know something's wrong with me.'

Amelia went on to note that she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the thyroid gland is attacked.

She stressed that 'the longer you're anorexic, the more detrimental effects it's going to actually have on your body.'

In addition to Hashimoto's, the model stated that she suffers from an inflamed thyroid, a hormone imbalance, depression, and anxiety.

Over the years, Amelia said she has been focused on healing her body and mind and does not weigh herself.
Travis Barker's son Landon Asher Barker revealed he used to 'drink a lot' to help dull the effects of the five different psychological disorders he suffers from - ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and derealization.

'I would drink, and then the day after, I would disassociate really bad, and that's kind of how my habit of drinking a lot started,' the 20-year-old nepo-baby told People on Monday.

'It was like, oh, I'd feel better the second that I had a drink, and so yeah, it kind of just all started and it all kicked up really fast.'

Landon abused alcohol for months before he 'hit my head so hard that I actually couldn't drink anymore' in October 2022.

'When I got my concussion, I kind of just had to deal with it and I would just, I don't know, I just hated life for three or four months,' Barker recalled.

Burden: Travis Barker's (L, pictured August 6) son Landon Asher Barker (R) revealed he used to 'drink a lot' to help dull the effects of the five different psychological disorders he suffers from - ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and derealization

The 20-year-old nepo-baby (pictured October 9) told People on Monday: 'I would drink, and then the day after, I would disassociate really bad, and that's kind of how my habit of drinking a lot started. It was like, oh, I'd feel better the second that I had a drink, and so yeah, it kind of just all started and it all kicked up really fast'

'It was pretty awful. I remember I would just go to the hospital once a week just because I would have such bad panic attacks from everything that was going on. The disassociation happened first and then it all just got worse when I went through my concussion.'

The Calabasas native added: 'I think 100 percent it's important for me to not make that a habit again. I always tell myself, "I'll only drink on special occasions now." I just steer away from everything.'

Landon went public with his struggle with derealization (feeling detached from one's body) last year and he described it as 'feeling like I was in a video game.'

'I was watching my whole entire life through a movie screen. It was honestly awful. I always love to spread awareness about suicide and talk about it,' Barker said.

'I've definitely learned so much. I've learned how to deal with my anxiety, my OCD, ADHD, and my dissociation. I've learned all these tips and tricks and research so much, so I honestly did come out with a lot of knowledge on all of the stuff that I suffer with. Honestly, I was a little bit too scared to start medication.

'I just know how I get just having kind of an addictive personality, and I feel like I would be too scared to put myself in a dependent situation where I must use something every single day. I was just a little bit too nervous to even try it, but I was doing a lot of therapy and working out, and it was helpful.'

Just like his famous 47-year-old father, the NYX Cosmetics partner has an intense fear of flying and he's frequently comforted in private planes by his 24-year-old half-sister Atiana De La Hoya.

'[She's] my favorite person to fly with,' Landon gushed.

'I would have such bad panic attacks': Landon abused alcohol for months before he 'hit my head so hard that I actually couldn't drink anymore' in October 2022

Barker added: 'I think 100 percent it's important for me to not make that a habit again. I always tell myself, "I'll only drink on special occasions now." I just steer away from everything'

'It was honestly awful': The Calabasas native went public with his struggle with derealization (feeling detached from one's body) last year and he described it as 'feeling like I was in a video game'

'[She's] my favorite person to fly with': Just like his famous 47-year-old father, Landon has an intense fear of flying and he's frequently comforted in private planes by his 24-year-old half-sister Atiana De La Hoya (L, pictured in 2022)

'I'd love to do a song with her where she sings': Barker hopes to one day collaborate with his 17-year-old sister Alabama Luella Barker (R, pictured September 15) - who's 'pursuing rap right now, but she actually can sing really well'

Thanks babe! Last month, the NYX Cosmetics partner released a music video for his new single Friends With Your Ex, which starred his on/off girlfriend Charli D'Amelio (L) and featured the Blink-182 drummer on drums

'I'll just look at her face the whole entire time and she'll be like, "Everything's okay," even when it feels rocky, and she'll always help me out while I'm flying.'

Barker hopes to one day collaborate with his 17-year-old sister Alabama Luella Barker - who's 'pursuing rap right now, but she actually can sing really well, so I'd love to do a song with her where she sings.'

Last month, the homeschooled Zoomer released a music video for his new single Friends With Your Ex, which starred his on/off girlfriend Charli D'Amelio and featured the Blink-182 drummer on drums.

'We have a bunch of songs that we've written together,' Landon - who gets 390K monthly listeners on Spotify - said of Travis.

'But yeah, I want the song to inspire him, and I want the song to be appealing to him, and not just do it because I'm his son.'

Barker also happened to sign his eldest son to his Elektra Imprint label DTA Records, but only after he wrote some lyrics for Machine Gun Kelly's 2022 track Die in California.

'My dad would be like, "Show me that you want to sign,"' Landon recalled.

'It wasn't as easy as being like, "Sign me." I feel like I had to prove myself to get the opportunity to sign to them.'

Landon said of Travis: 'We have a bunch of songs that we've written together...But yeah, I want the song to inspire him, and I want the song to be appealing to him, and not just do it because I'm his son'

'My dad would be like, "Show me that you want to sign"': Barker also happened to sign his eldest son to his Elektra Imprint label DTA Records, but only after he wrote some lyrics for Machine Gun Kelly's 2022 track Die in California (pictured in 2021)

'She's great': Landon is excited to meet his baby brother in late October/early November when Travis' third wife - The Kardashians producer-star Kourtney Kardashian (R, pictured September 17) - is due to give birth

Barker said of his 44-year-old stepmother: 'She's super supportive as well, and brings a lot of love and support to me and my siblings'

Father-of-four! Kourtney will be relieved once the One More Time drummer gets a big break from his Grammy-nominated rock band's 93-date world tour starting next Monday through February 7 (pictured September 29)

'You're an amazing artist!' The homeschooled Zoomer notably made no mention of his real mother - Miss USA 1995-turned-OnlyFans model Shanna Moakler (R, pictured October 9) - whom Barker divorced in 2008 after three years

Barker added: 'A lot of people either do exactly what their parents did or the complete opposite, and I'm one of those who wants to do exactly what my dad did.'

The D'Amelio Show guest star is excited to meet his baby brother in late October/early November when Travis' third wife - The Kardashians producer-star Kourtney Kardashian - is due to give birth.

'She's great,' Landon said of his 44-year-old stepmother.

'She's super supportive as well, and brings a lot of love and support to me and my siblings.'

Kourtney will be relieved once the One More Time drummer gets a big break from his Grammy-nominated rock band's 93-date world tour starting next Monday through February 7.

Landon notably made no mention of his real mother - Miss USA 1995-turned-OnlyFans model Shanna Moakler - whom Barker divorced in 2008 after three years.
Brooke Blurton broke down and sobbed on Tuesday as she spoke about the No vote against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The Bachelor star, 28, who is a proud Noongar/Yamatji woman, became emotional as she spoke about the impact the vote had on the Indigenous girls she works with.

Shedding tears on her podcast Not So PG, the youth worker told co-host Matty Mills she was 'devastated' by Australia's rejection of the Voice.

'It makes me feel like everything I have worked for has been completely diminished in this country, and I feel so f**king devastated,' she said, crying.

'I'm a First Nations person forefront. I f**king hate calling myself Australian.'

Brooke Blurton, 28, (pictured) broke down and sobbed on Tuesday as she spoke about the No vote against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament

She continued: 'I do not think that I identify with that because that invitation was put to the Australian people and it was very f**king un-Australian of you to say No to us.'

Brooke went on to say she feels othered by the Australian people and sobbed as she revealed they make her 'feel like a disease'.

Struggling to talk through her tears, Brooke added that she 'feels scared' for the young 11-year-old Indigenous girls she works with as a youth worker.

The Bachelor star, who is a proud Noongar/Yamatji woman, became emotional as she spoke about the impact the vote had on the Indigenous girls she works with

Co-host and fellow Indigenous Australian Matty, 28, attempted to console Brooke, saying: 'The work you have done, it's not going unnoticed. You need to know that.

'The impact you have on those girls that you work with and every day they get to see you and succeed and be inspired by what you're doing - that is the future.'

It was at this point, Brooke lost her grip on her emotions and responded: 'But you don't understand. I was in damage control yesterday.

Shedding tears on her podcast Not So PG, the youth worker told co-host Matty Mills she was 'devastated' by Australia's rejection of the Voice

'It makes me feel like everything I have worked for has been completely diminished in this country, and I feel so f**king devastated,' she said, crying

She continued: 'Like I'm sitting down with these girls who have absolutely no, you know, I feel like their voice has been stripped.

'It's like they're fully diminished, have no self-esteem already as f**king teenagers and as women, as black women.'

Brooke explained that the young girls she works with struggled to put into words why they felt proud to be First Nations people in Australia.

Revealing how 'diminished' the girls in her care felt after the No vote at the referendum on Saturday, Brooke broke down completely into tears.
Priscilla Presley and Cailee Spaeny, who portrays Elvis' ex-wife in the upcoming biopic Priscilla, showcased their striking resemblance while mingling at a screening for Sofia Coppola's upcoming film based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me.

As the duo mingled and posed for a series of photographs together, the 25-year-old actress was the spitting image of Priscilla, now 78, during her six-year marriage to The King of Rock 'n' Roll, between 1967 to 1973.

Both women looked extremely comfortable in each other's presence after working together on the set of Priscilla.

While Spaeny served as the movie's leading lady, alongside Jacob Elordi, who portrayed Elvis Presley, Presley, took on the role of executive producer.

Perfect casting: Priscilla Presley and Cailee Spaeny, who portrays Elvis' ex-wife in the upcoming biopic Priscilla, showcased their striking resemblance while mingling at a screening for Sofia Coppola's upcoming film based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me

Executive producer: As the duo mingled and posed for a series of photographs together, the 25-year-old actress was the spitting image of Priscilla, now 78, during her six-year marriage to The King of Rock 'n' Roll, between 1967 to 1973

Beautiful: Both women looked extremely comfortable in each other's presence after working together on the set of Priscilla

For the occasion, Priscilla wore a semi-sheer black gown with sleeves, featuring an intricate lace overlay with a bustier-style neckline, a gold necklace and two coordinating bracelets.

Spaeny opted to flaunt her toned midriff in a white textured two-piece set, and no jewelry, apart from a pair of drop earrings.

Elordi, who who is six-foot-five, towered over his on-screen love interest, who is only five-foot-one.

Last month, he joked about their dramatic height difference as he assured audiences that he is 'excellent at finding ways to lean.'

'It's a skill I've perfected throughout my career,' Elordi told W Magazine. 'I'm always leaning.'

In addition to watching an advanced screening of the film, the Australian heartthrob, who sported a light grey suit, got on stage with the rest of the cast at the Academy Museum, Los Angeles.

Coppola, who has received an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her work as a screenwriter, rocked a black and white tweed blazer to the event.

Just weeks before the drama, surrounding her romance with Elvis, hits theaters on November 3, Presley teased that she was 'very excited to see the interpretation' of her book 'by the masterful Sofia Coppola.'

Breakout role: While Spaeny served as the movie's leading lady, Presley, took on the role of executive producer

On-screen love interest: Jacob Elordi portrays Elvis Presley in the biopic

Beautiful: For the occasion, Priscilla wore a semi-sheer black gown with sleeves, featuring an intricate lace overlay with a bustier-style neckline, a gold necklace and two coordinating bracelets

The vision behind the camera: Coppola, who has received an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her work as a screenwriter, rocked a black and white tweed blazer to the event

Glamorous: Spaeny opted to flaunt her toned midriff in a white textured two-piece set, and no jewelry, apart from a pair of drop earrings

'She has such an extraordinary perspective and I have always been such an admirer of her work.'

Presley also said: 'I'm certain this movie will take everyone on an emotional journey.'

Molly Shannon, Scout LaRue Willis, Soo Joo Park, Beck, Grace Van Dien, Linda Ramone and J. D. King were among the stars at the screening.

Meanwhile, Presley's estate is said to be slamming the Priscilla biopic as a cheap-looking 'college movie'.

Despite starring big names it has been reported officials in the estate are disgusted by the project.

TMZ said one estate official who has already viewed the movie described Sofia's writing and directing as 'horrible', and apparently added: 'It feels like a college movie. The set designs are just horrific, it's not what Graceland looks like.'

TMZ added estate officials also said the film was 'produced without the Estate's knowledge or consent'.

The film is set to chart how Priscilla and Elvis net when she was just a teenager to their 'long courtship and turbulent marriage.'

Catching up: Presley also spent time with her son, Navarone Garibaldi

Garibaldi is Priscilla's only son from her past relationship with Marco Garibaldi

Heartthrob: Elordi, who who is six-foot-five, towered over his on-screen love interest, who is only five-foot-one

The trio: Coppola, Spaeny and Presley posed for a group shot

Staggering: Last month, Elordi joked about their dramatic height difference as he assured audiences that he is 'excellent at finding ways to lean'

'It's a skill I've perfected throughout my career,' Elordi told W Magazine. 'I'm always leaning'

Funny: In addition to watching an advanced screening of the film, the Australian heartthrob, who sported a light grey suit, got on stage with the rest of the cast at the Academy Museum, Los Angeles

Just weeks before the drama, surrounding her romance with Elvis, hits theaters on November 3, Presley teased that she was 'very excited to see the interpretation' of her book 'by the masterful Sofia Coppola'

Coppola and Priscilla seen together above

A trailer has shown it includes a recreation of Priscilla's wedding dress for their 1967 wedding and Elvis leaving for the US Army.

In September, Coppola revealed Priscilla was 'complimentary' of her work as they shot the upcoming biopic.

Coppola also revealed how Priscilla praised her efforts on the film and became heavily involved in telling her story.

Speaking with W Magazine, Coppola said: '[Priscilla] was open and complimentary of my work but she was a bit tentative.

'I sent Priscilla the script, and she went through it page by page and gave me specific details, like "I didn't have a teddy bear on my bed."

'But, in the end, I did reinvent some things, like Elvis's bedroom. I wanted him to have a man cave - very dark and mysterious.'

The icon also spoke frequently with Cailee over the phone, and went in-depth on the emotions she experienced in each scene and before any moment with Elvis.

Star-studded crowd: Molly Shannon was in attendance

The film is set to chart how Priscilla and Elvis net when she was just a teenager to their 'long courtship and turbulent marriage'

In September, Coppola revealed Priscilla was 'complimentary' of her work as they shot the upcoming biopic

Coppola also revealed how Priscilla praised her efforts on the film and became heavily involved in telling her story.

Soo Joo Park and Scout LaRue Willis were also in attendance

Making a statement: Grace Van Dien turned heads in a red and black paisley suit

Casual: Beck wore light-wash jeans

Eccentric: Linda Ramone and J. D. King showed off their incredible style

All dressed up: Ramone sported a white cape and matching high heeled boots

But Cailee revealed that she had to put the brakes on their phone calls to avoid being too influenced.

'We had many phone calls, but once I started filming, I stopped speaking to Priscilla because it became too overwhelming,' she said. 'In the end, it had to be Sofia's vision.'

On many different levels, Sofia said she felt a connection with a Priscilla.

Aside from the fact they both share similar childhoods - with both having to relocate frequently - Sofia also identified with Priscilla becoming absorbed in her relationship with Elvis.

'By day, Priscilla went to Catholic school in Memphis for her senior year, and at night she would party with Elvis,' she explained.

Bride and groom: Elvis and Priscilla pictured on their wedding day

Perfect: Spaeny as Priscilla in the 2023 film by director Sophia Coppola; And Elordi as Elvis

'I found that reality fascinating: She wasn't allowed to have friends over to Graceland, and she'd hear other girls whispering about her. She was so isolated.

'It was strangely relatable: In my 20s, I remember having a crush on a guy, and part of it was, if I was with him, then I wouldn't have to develop an identity of my own: I could just be the girlfriend of this guy, and that would be so much easier.

'I was devastated when that relationship didn't work out. But it forced me to find my own personality, and that's a similar story to what happened with Priscilla - she lost herself in Elvis.'

She also admired Priscilla for her decision to split from Elvis during a difficult era for women.

Honest review: Priscilla has previously praised Coppola's adaptation, though admitted it was 'difficult' to watch a film based so closely to her life; the movie poster for Priscilla pictured

According to The Hollywood Reporter , she said at a panel: 'It's very difficult to watch a film about you and about your life and about your love; Elordi and Spaeny pictured in the upcoming film

'But Sofia did an amazing job. She did her homework. And I really put everything out for her that I could' (Elvis and Priscilla seen in 1968)

'I was so impressed that Priscilla left Elvis,' she told the outlet. 'She was always trying to be his fantasy, his ideal woman. I think about my mom's generation and how hard it was to be independent.

'Women without any power or money at that time had nothing when they left their husbands. Priscilla had courage, and that seemed, to me, to be a universal theme.'

Priscilla has previously praised Coppola's adaptation, though admitted it was 'difficult' to watch a film based so closely to her life.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, she said at a panel: 'It's very difficult to watch a film about you and about your life and about your love.

'But Sofia did an amazing job. She did her homework. And I really put everything out for her that I could.'
Millie Bobby Brown has said that she is ready to say goodbye to Stranger Things, as it is preventing her from taking on other projects.

The actress, 19, burst into the limelight at the tender age of 12 when she was cast in the hit Netflix show as Eleven in 2016.

But as the show is preparing to conclude with its fifth and final season, Millie says she's prepared to leave it behind, likening it to graduating from high school.

Speaking to Glamour magazine, she said: 'When youre ready, youre like, "All right, lets do this. Lets tackle this last senior year. Lets get out of here".'

She went on to point out that shooting for the show is lengthy and says it stops her from doing other things she 'passionate about'.

Prepared: Millie Bobby Brown has said that she is ready to say goodbye to Stranger Things , as it is preventing her from taking on other projects

Huge role: The actress, 19, burst into the limelight at the tender age of 12 when she was cast in the hit Netflix show as Eleven in 2016 (pictured on show)

Ready to say goodbye: But as the show is preparing to conclude with its fifth and final season, Millie says she's prepared to leave it behind, likening it to graduating from high school

Millie said: 'Stranger Things takes up a lot of time to film and its preventing me from creating stories that Im passionate about. So Im ready to say, "Thank you, and goodbye".

She says she's ready to leave the show that shot her to stardom and grew up with after seven years because it's given her 'the tools and the resources to be a better actor.'

She bluntly adds that she won't be sad because no one is dying, and stresses: 'When it ends, Im going to be able to still see these people.'

Millie has voiced her desire for the show to conclude before, telling Seventeen in March: I'm definitely ready to wrap up. I feel like there's a lot of the story that's been told now, and we know of it, it's been in our lives for a very long time.

'But I'm very ready to say goodbye to this chapter of my life and open new ones up. I'm able to create stories myself that are important to me and focus on the bigger picture. But I'm really grateful [for the show].'

In August she reiterated her readiness, telling Womens Wear Daily: 'I think Im ready. Its been such a huge factor in part of my life, but its like graduating high school, its like senior year.

'Youre ready to go and blossom and flourish and youre grateful for the time youve had, but its time to create your own message and live your own life.'

Her co-stars have also spoken about their feelings surrounding the conclusion of the megahit series.

Wants to move on: She went on to point out that shooting for the show is lengthy and says it stops her from doing other things she 'passionate about' (pictured on show)

Helped her: She says she's ready to leave the show that shot her to stardom and grew up with after seven years because it's given her 'the tools and the resources to be a better actor'

Friendships: She bluntly adds that she won't be sad because no one is dying, and stresses: 'When it ends, Im going to be able to still see these people' (Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard and Caleb McLaughlin pictured in 2017)

David Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper, shared similar thoughts to Millie, telling Discussing Film: 'Whats funny is when I started the show, I never ever wanted it to end. Thats why I love the show.

'I think its a great show, even if I wasnt in it. Now were almost nine years from filming the first season, and I think it is time for it to end.'

He added: 'But it is, of course, very bittersweet. You know, theres a sadness there. But also, weve all grown up. It is time for us to leave that nest and try other things and different projects.

'And to let the Duffer Brothers try different things as well. I mean, those guys are so talented. I want to see what they come up with next. So it is bittersweet, but its definitely time.'

However, Gaten Matarazzo and Finn Wolfhard have admitted that they are less prepared to say their goodbyes.

Gaten, who plays Dustin Henderson, told Jimmy Fallon in March interview that hes living in 'deep fear' of Stranger Things ending.

He said: 'Theres kind of an excitement there because you always want to wrap it up and see how these characters are going to finally develop one last time, and how theyre going to finish their journeys.

'But also theres like a deep fear. Not only has it been amazing, but its been pretty great job security for a while. Back to freelance.'

Bittersweet: Her co-stars have also spoken about their feelings surrounding the conclusion of the megahit series, including David Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper (pictured with Millie in show)

Unprepared: However, Gaten Matarazzo (second right) and Finn Wolfhard (third left) have admitted that they are less prepared to say their goodbyes (Caleb McLaughlin, Millie, Finn, Sadie Sink, Noah Schnapp, Gaten and Priah Ferguson pictured in 2022)

While Finn, who plays Mike Wheeler, confessed to Uproxx in January that he was 'not read' for the end, though conceded 'it would be ridiculous' for it to continue beyond a fifth season.

He said: '[I'm] not ready but I'm just really excited to start working on it because after I finished watching season four, I just was like, "Damn, let's just go back and film now."

'I just want to help finish it off, but not in a way of I want to be done with it. It's just like I want to know what happens. I'm definitely sad about it, but also, I know that it's the next kind of chapter of everyone's life that needs to happen.'

He added: 'I hope we kind of get an ending for each character thats pretty satisfying for fans.'


JP Huillet is a proud father to a baby girl.

The former My Kitchen Rules star and his wife, Lizzy, had their daughter early on the weekend at the Royal Women's Hospital in Brisbane, and the birth did not go to plan.

'She was due on the 18th... she came a bit early,' JP told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.

'On Saturday, around 4pm, Lizzy's waters broke at home, and we came into the hospital. Everything was all good and chill  we sort of had all the time in the world and the nurses were like, "Yeah, it'll probably happen Sunday or Monday morning,"' he said.

'And then probably within a minute, the baby's heart rate actually dropped. It turned into a quick emergency C-section.

JP Huillet is a proud father to a baby girl. The former My Kitchen Rules star and his wife, Lizzy, had their daughter on the weekend at the Royal Women's Hospital in Brisbane, and the birth didn't go to plan. All pictured

'So Lizzy got rushed out of the room extremely fast and quickly. We probably had 10 doctors run into the room straightaway to help her out and get everything sorted. It was like, go, go, go. Yeah, it was intense,' he continued.

'It was probably the scariest night of my life. I've never experienced anything like that.

'It was meant to be just a natural birth. And it was an absolute emergency because the baby's heart rate was dropping,' he said.

'When we sort of got into the birthing suite, the nurse was like, "Okay, Lizzy. What's your birthing plan? Like, what do you want to do?" And she was saying, "Epidural Hopefully we can push and do all that." And then, literally, within two minutes, everything changed.'

He continued: 'From when they took Lizzie out of the room to when the baby was born, it was literally three minutes.

'On Saturday, around 4pm, Lizzy's waters broke at home, and we came into the hospital. Everything was all good and chill  we sort of had all the time in the world and the nurses were like, "Yeah, it'll probably happen Sunday or Monday morning,"' he said

'And then probably within a minute, the baby's heart rate actually dropped. It turned into a very sort of like quick emergency C-section

'From when they took Lizzie out of the room to when the baby was born, it was literally three minutes,' he said

'I didn't even get to get the scrubs on. I wasn't in the room with her or anything. She just got rushed out. I sort of got left in this empty room that was dark. And I was like, "What is happening?" I didn't know what was going on.

'I was probably in the room for maybe two or three minutes without anyone having told me anything. And it was just the longest time of my life. I was like, "What the f**k is happening?" Like, this is insane.

'That was at 9.07pm. And then at 9.10pm the nurse cam and said "Your baby's born, she's perfect. She's beautiful. Nice and healthy." She cried as soon as she came out, which is a good thing.'

JP says that the pair hope to have more children in the future.

'I'm an only child. And Lizzy has brothers and sisters. I know she wants more. And I'm always happy with one. I think she definitely wants a second one.

In May 2021, JP tied the knot to dancer Lizzy Edwards in an intimate wedding ceremony in Byron Bay

'But this has definitely been a scary moment. She's kind of now like, "Yeah, one's probably enough."'

In May 2021, JP tied the knot to dancer Lizzy Edwards in an intimate wedding ceremony in Byron Bay.

The former reality star welcomed his daughter just days after his ex, Nelly Riggio, had her own baby.

Nelly and her husband Adriano Zumbo welcomed a son last week.

The dessert king, 41, and the reality star, 32, announced the joyful news on Instagram on Tuesday evening by sharing a precious black and white photo.

JP and Nelly split back in 2016 and she married Zumbo in 2022.
Emma Watson has been spotted in person at a matriculation ceremony at Oxford University after signing up for a master's degree in creative writing.

The 33-year-old Harry Potter actress attended the city's Sheldonian Theatre on Saturday for the gathering which marks students' formal admission to the university.

Fellow students were delighted to see Watson at the event where she was wearing a black gown, white blouse and black ribbon just like the other women there.

Speaking to the Daily Mail's diary editor Richard Eden, one student joked: 'It was the first time I had seen her in a gown since the Harry Potter movies.'

Many students were said to have been taking or sharing pictures of the actress - who played Hermione Granger in the films - despite photography officially being banned.

Emma Watson is spotted at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford on Saturday for a matriculation ceremony at the city's university after signing up for a master's degree in creative writing

Fellow students spot Watson wearing a black gown and white blouse at the event on Saturday

ministry of magic is in session and Emma Watson is also here



matriculation in the sheldonian at Oxford pic.twitter.com/ledRTcOAJC  zomnom (@yehshaammastani) October 14, 2023

There was also some surprise that Watson was there in person, given that previous reports had suggested that she would be mainly studying online for the degree.

READ MORE Emma Watson, 33, enjoys a cosy lunch with a Syrian refugee Bafta winner who arrived in the UK by dinghy Advertisement

Watson's plans to study creative writing were revealed in an interview with the Financial Times in April, in which it was reported that she had begun writing poetry during lockdown as well as essays on love, friendship and relationships.

Further details were then revealed by The Sun last month, which reported that her studies would be part-time and mostly online.

She is set to attend 'a handful' of lectures on site, with staff reportedly told that she would be present with a small security team.

It is also understood that she did have protection at Saturday's event, although they cannot be obviously seen in any photographs or videos.

Speaking last month, a source told The Sun: 'The course is for older adults and can be done on a part-time basis, which is perfect for Emma's schedule.

'She only has to be on site for four or five days a year because she can do the rest of the course online from home.

'Because she's a famous actress, she'll have a security team looking after her whenever she has classes to go to.

'There have been a few incidents recently and she is taking every precaution necessary to ensure her safety.'

Watson also spent a year attending Worcester College at Oxford as an undergraduate in the 2011/12 academic year.

Students at the matriculation ceremony held at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford on Saturday

The gathering on Saturday marks students' formal admission to Oxford University

Many students were said to have been taking or sharing pictures of Watson during the event

This was during the course of her English literature degree at Brown University in Rhode Island, from where she graduated in 2014.

The Oxford University website states that the creative writing master's course runs for two years and costs 9,025 a year for UK students and 14,155 a year for those from overseas.

Watson spent much of her childhood in Oxfordshire, living there with her mother Jacqueline from the age of five and attending Dragon School and Headington School in the city.

Last week, the Daily Mail reported that Watson was cosied up to Syrian refugee filmmaker Hassan Akkad  an English teacher in Damascus turned writer and human rights activist  at a lunch in Mayfair.

Watson and Mr Akkad, who arrived in the UK by dinghy in 2015 following an 87-day journey across Europe, enjoyed a date at expensive Italian restaurant Cecconi's, where starters cost up to 23.

Emma Watson attends The Soho House Awards at Dumbo House in New York on September 7

Emma Watson starred alongside Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter films

One onlooker said: 'They seemed very cosy.' However, Mr Akkad told the Mail yesterday: 'She's out of my league.'

Watson was seen embracing him during their lunch date, however, and he was later spotted carrying her bamboo water bottle  featuring her initials, ECW  as they left the restaurant and drove off in his Skoda SUV.

The pair have enjoyed a close friendship since 2017, when they met at a summit in Italy where they were both giving talks.

Watson previously dated Californian businessman Leo Robinton for two years. More recently, she dated Sir Philip's son, Brandon Green, for 18 months, but the pair broke up earlier this year.
Stranger Things fans have slammed Millie Bobby Brown after her brutal admission about the show.

The actress, 19, - who played Eleven in the Netflix science fiction series - said in a recent interview that she is ready to say goodbye to the series as it is preventing her from taking on other projects.

She burst into the limelight at the tender age of 12 when she was cast in the series which will soon conclude with its fifth and final season.

Speaking to Glamour magazine, she said: 'When you're ready, you're like, 'All right, let's do this. Let's tackle this last senior year. Let's get out of here'.'

However some Stranger Things fans have criticised her for seeming ungrateful for the fame and exposure the show gave her.

Not happy: Stranger Things fans have slammed Millie Bobby Brown after her brutal admission about the show

Candid: The actress, 19, - who played Eleven in the Netflix science fiction series - said in a recent interview that she is ready to say goodbye to the show as it is preventing her from taking on other projects

One wrote on Twitter: 'She has the right to feel that way. However, it's stupid to put your employer on blast publicly for - checks notes - having to work.'

Another said: 'How about be grateful for the thing that gave you the life you enjoy today.'

A third wrote: 'Imagine being this ungrateful to the role that gave you fame and pays you millions.'

Someone else penned: 'Stranger Things is the only reason she's famous lol.'

A fifth said: 'hating on the thing that made her.'

A different person said: 'She could have worded that a little better to sound a bit more grateful but I completely understand where she's coming from.'

In the interview she went on to point out that shooting for the show is lengthy and says it stops her from doing other things she 'passionate about'.

Millie said: 'Stranger Things takes up a lot of time to film and it's preventing me from creating stories that I'm passionate about. So I'm ready to say, 'Thank you, and goodbye'.

Fame: She burst into the limelight at the tender age of 12 when she was cast in the series which will soon conclude with its fifth and final season

Reaction: However some Stranger Things fans have criticised her for seeming ungrateful for the fame and exposure the show gave her

Having her say: In the interview she went on to point out that shooting for the show is lengthy and says it stops her from doing other things she 'passionate about'

Moving on: Millie said: 'Stranger Things takes up a lot of time to film and it's preventing me from creating stories that I'm passionate about. So I'm ready to say, 'Thank you, and goodbye'

She also said she's ready to leave the show that shot her to stardom and grew up with after seven years because it's given her 'the tools and the resources to be a better actor.'

She bluntly added that she won't be sad because no one is dying, and stressed: 'When it ends, I'm going to be able to still see these people.'

Millie has voiced her desire for the show to conclude before, telling Seventeen in March: I'm definitely ready to wrap up. I feel like there's a lot of the story that's been told now, and we know of it, it's been in our lives for a very long time.

'But I'm very ready to say goodbye to this chapter of my life and open new ones up. I'm able to create stories myself that are important to me and focus on the bigger picture. But I'm really grateful [for the show].'

In August she reiterated her readiness, telling Women's Wear Daily: 'I think I'm ready. It's been such a huge factor in part of my life, but it's like graduating high school, it's like senior year.

'You're ready to go and blossom and flourish and you're grateful for the time you've had, but it's time to create your own message and live your own life.'

Her co-stars have also spoken about their feelings surrounding the conclusion of the megahit series.

David Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper, shared similar thoughts to Millie, telling Discussing Film: 'What's funny is when I started the show, I never ever wanted it to end. That's why I love the show.

'I think it's a great show, even if I wasn't in it. Now we're almost nine years from filming the first season, and I think it is time for it to end.'

He added: 'But it is, of course, very bittersweet. You know, there's a sadness there. But also, we've all grown up. It is time for us to leave that nest and try other things and different projects.

'And to let the Duffer Brothers try different things as well. I mean, those guys are so talented. I want to see what they come up with next. So it is bittersweet, but it's definitely time.'

However, Gaten Matarazzo and Finn Wolfhard have admitted that they are less prepared to say their goodbyes.

Gaten, who plays Dustin Henderson, told Jimmy Fallon in March interview that he's living in 'deep fear' of Stranger Things ending.

He said: 'There's kind of an excitement there because you always want to wrap it up and see how these characters are going to finally develop one last time, and how they're going to finish their journeys.

'But also there's like a deep fear. Not only has it been amazing, but it's been pretty great job security for a while. Back to freelance.'

Career: She also said she's ready to leave the show that shot her to stardom and grew up with after seven years because it's given her 'the tools and the resources to be a better actor'

Views: She bluntly added that she won't be sad because no one is dying, and stressed: 'When it ends, I'm going to be able to still see these people'

Friendships: Stars of the show Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp, Millie, Finn Wolfhard and Caleb McLaughlin are pictured together in 2017

Bittersweet: Her co-stars have also spoken about their feelings surrounding the conclusion of the megahit series, including David Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper (pictured with Millie in show)

Unprepared: However, Gaten Matarazzo (second right) and Finn Wolfhard (third left) have admitted that they are less prepared to say their goodbyes (Caleb McLaughlin, Millie, Finn, Sadie Sink, Noah Schnapp, Gaten and Priah Ferguson pictured in 2022)

While Finn, who plays Mike Wheeler, confessed to Uproxx in January that he was 'not read' for the end, though conceded 'it would be ridiculous' for it to continue beyond a fifth season.

He said: '[I'm] not ready but I'm just really excited to start working on it because after I finished watching season four, I just was like, 'Damn, let's just go back and film now.'

'I just want to help finish it off, but not in a way of I want to be done with it. It's just like I want to know what happens. I'm definitely sad about it, but also, I know that it's the next kind of chapter of everyone's life that needs to happen.'

He added: 'I hope we kind of get an ending for each character that's pretty satisfying for fans.'
Gigi Hadid and her family have reportedly received death threats after sharing their support for Palestine online.

The half-Palestinian model, 28, has been vocal for her support for the state in recent days on social media amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Gigi - whose property developer father Mohamed Hadid is Palestinian - was then slammed by Israel's government for her posts in support of the Palestinian people.

It has now been claimed that Gigi and her family have been receiving death threats over their support for Palestine and have reportedly been forced to take action.

Gigi and her family, including supermodel sister Bella, 27, brother Anwar, 24, and parents Yolanda and Mohamed, have all had to change their phone numbers amid the threats, according to TMZ.

Difficult times: Gigi Hadid and her family have reportedly received death threats after sharing their support for Palestine online

Sources told the publication that the family have received horrific threats via email, social media and their phones, after their numbers were reportedly leaked online.

It has also been claimed that real-estate developer Mohamed is considering going to the FBI over the spate of death threats.

Mohamed also has children Marielle, 43, and Alana, 38, with his ex Mary Butler.

MailOnline has contacted Gigi, Bella, Yolanda and Mohamed's representatives for comment.

Since the terror organization Hamas, who were at one time democratically elected by the Palestinian people to lead Gaza, attacked Israel on October 7, death tolls have climbed on both sides to 4,000.

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 two million Palestinians, fueling fears that the impoverished population will be plunged into further misery.

Gigi voiced her support for the Palestinian people over the weekend as she posted a graphic to her Instagram Stories about the latest conflict.

It read: 'There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. Condemning the Israeli government is not antisemitic and supporting Palestinians is not supporting Hamas.'

Threats: Gigi and her family, including sister Bella and parents Yolanda and Mohamed (pictured in 2016), have reportedly had to change their phone numbers amid the threats

Her father Mohamed also shared the same graphic to his own Instagram grid alongside the caption: 'Just that simple.'

However, Israel's government quickly skewered her position, posting on their Stories a response to Gigi's commentary about the conflict.

It read: 'There is nothing valiant about Hamas' massacre of Israelis. Condemning Hamas for what it is (ISIS) is not anti-Palestine and supporting Israelis in their fight against barbaric terrorists is the right thing to do.'

The account of the State of Israel then directed comments at Gigi specifically, tagging her account and writing: 'Have you been sleeping the past week?'

'Or you just fine turning a blind eye to Jewish babies being butchered in their homes? Your silence has been very clear about where you stand. We see you.'

The Israeli government posted an image of what appeared to be a blood-stained floor next to children's toys and wrote: 'If you don't condemn this your words mean NOTHING,' again tagging Gigi.

In another post shared to her Instagram grid, Gigi shared her condolences with both her Palestinian and Jewish loved ones as she commented on the conflict.

She 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.

'I have deep empathy wand heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it's a responsibility I hold daily.

Words: Gigi voiced her support for the Palestinian people over the weekend as she posted a graphic to her Instagram Stories about the latest conflict

Slammed: However , Israel's government quickly skewered her position, posting on their Stories a response to Gigi's commentary about the conflict

Condolences: In another post shared to her Instagram grid, Gigi shared her condolences with both her Palestinian and Jewish loved ones as she commented on the conflict

'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 terrorizing of 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 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=anti-Semitic.

'If you are hurting, as I share my condolences today with my loved ones, both Palestinian and Jewish, I'm sending you my love and strength - whoever and wherever you are.

'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 to heal the deep wounds of so many, but I pray for the safety of innocent lives, always.'

Her father Mohamed, who has posted a string of posts in support of Palestine, re-shared her message to his own Instagram page.

In the wake of the Hamas massacre, Mohamed took to Instagram to post a statement that blamed the unimaginably bloody Palestinian terror attack on Israel.

'This less of a human and Bibi and the far right government of this Zionist State is 100 percent responsible for creation of this massive escalation between the occupied and the occupier,' he wrote, showing a picture of far-right, pro-settlements Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Family: As well as Gigi, Yolanda and Mohamed share supermodel daughter Bella, 27, and an actor son Anwar, 24. Mohamed also shares Marielle, 43, and Alana, 38, with his ex Mary Butler

Comments: Gigi's younger sister Bella has yet to speak out about the conflict, but has been forthright about her support for the Palestinian cause in the past

While many supported Mohamed's message, some were quick to admonish him for posting such a message on the day of the Hamas attacks.

Two days later, he posted a picture of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the caption: 'To Be Clear I condemn the killing and hostage taking or abusing, torturing of civilians. Of Arab Muslims, Jews or Christians.

'And complete disapproval of the treatment of the occupation against the occupied.'

Mohamed was born in 1948 in what is now Nazareth, Israel, and has previously said he took it upon himself to ensure that each of his children understood and revered their Palestinian identities.

Gigi's younger sister Bella has yet to speak out about the latest conflict, but has been forthright about her support for the Palestinian cause in the past.

In June 2022, she posted to Instagram: 'I will never allow anyone to forget about our beautiful Palestine, or our beautiful people.'

'Everyday I wish I could go back in time, to when I was a child, so that I could start fighting for Palestine sooner,' she continued. 'For my family, for my elders, our history and for the people of Palestine still living, now, through this treacherous, exhausting and painful occupation.'

Meanwhile, in October 2022, Gigi and Bella's younger brother Anwar spoke about his support for the Palestinian cause as he graced the cover of GQ Middle East.

Anwar and a friend also co-produced a film that GQ Middle East called 'an eye-opening new documentary that breaks through the noise to highlight the pain and power of Palestinian resistance'.

Candid: In October 2022, Gigi and Bella's younger brother Anwar spoke about his support for the Palestinian cause as he graced the cover of GQ Middle East

Conflict: Israel has vowed retaliation against the Palestinian terror group Hamas after its fighters stormed through the border fence on October 7. Pictured: Kibbutz Be'eri in southern Israel after the early morning raid

Fighting: A 360,000-strong IDF has assembled to prepare for battle with Hamas as Israeli leaders have sworn to eliminate every last operative of the terror group from the earth

'The idea came to us as a way to humanize the Palestinian people, and allow our voices to be heard without judgment, in a way that is free and represents the people  and it just kind of evolved from there,' he said.

Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Palestinian terror group Hamas after its fighters stormed through the border fence on October 7 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 families - including children and babies - who were massacred in a kibbutz.

Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed 900 Palestinians, the territory's health ministry said last week.
Sally Obermeder, Dr Kate Adams and Victoria Montano turned up the heat on Tuesday when they stepped out for a speaking engagement at SXSW Sydney.

The trio of gals from Real Housewives of Sydney looked every inch the glamorous socialites in their respective business attire during the Q&A.

Always the respectably put-together television star, former reporter Sally, 50, donned a classic all-black silhouette for the event.

She kept her look classy with a tastefully low-cut top under a business jacket which she paired with a matching skirt.

Letting her dark locks fall in loose waves about her shoulders, the media personality opted for a natural makeup palette to highlight her genetically blessed features.

Sally Obermeder (pictured), Dr Kate Adams and Victoria Montano turned up the heat on Tuesday when they stepped out for a speaking engagement at SXSW Sydney

The trio of gals from Real Housewives of Sydney looked every inch the glamorous socialites in their respective business attire during the Q&A. Pictured: Dr Kate Adams

Fashion stylist Victoria, 40, cast an angelic visage in an all-white ensemble which featured several layers. Pictured

The mum-of-two, who shares her daughters with husband Marcus, kept her accessories to a minimum, flashing only a black watch and her wedding ring.

Bondi Vet star Dr Kate, 40, opted for a bright hot pink outfit which made her standout from her co-stars.

Sporting retro padded shoulders, her vibrant dress molded to the veterinarian's figure before stopping at mid-thigh.

Always the respectably put-together television star, former reporter Sally, 50, donned a classic all-black silhouette for the event

Bondi Vet star Dr Kate, 40, opted for a bright hot pink outfit which made her standout from her co-stars

Sporting retro padded shoulders, her vibrant dress molded to the veterinarian's figure before stopping at mid-thigh

Her golden locks just brushed the tops of her shoulders as she slicked on a full-coverage base of makeup with sensuous smoky eyes.

The reality television star finished off her polished look with several gold rings adorning both hands.

Finally, fashion stylist Victoria, 40, cast an angelic visage in an all-white ensemble which featured several layers.

The Sport Luxe owner kept her look conservative with a high cut dress made of a thick fabric under an embossed jacket with gold buttons.

She topped the frock with yet another coat thrown casually over her shoulders for an incredibly luxurious look.

Flashing her diamond encrusted wedding ring to the crowd, the brunette beauty straightened out her long, dark locks.

Letting her tresses fall in a deep side-part, the mum-of-two opted for a bronzed makeup look with thick lashes and a nude lip.

Victoria kept her look conservative with a high cut dress made of a thick fabric under an embossed jacket with gold buttons

She topped the frock with yet another coat thrown casually over her shoulders for an incredibly luxurious look
Paris Fury has given fans a glimpse at her newborn baby Prince Rico's very lavish 'royal' crib with an eye-watering price tag.

The influencer, 33, welcomed her seventh child Prince Rico Paris Fury - known as Rico - with her boxer husband Tyson, 35, in September.

Now, Paris has shown off Rico's very lavish crib, complete with a personalised gold wooden headboard reading 'Baby Fury' in a cursive font.

The sprawling crib was entirely painted gold and featured a section below the bed for three drawers, while the cot also featured a lavish pillared headboard.

Rico could sweetly be seen lying in the crib wearing a babygrow with Baby Fury written across the front underneath a gold crown.

Wow! Paris Fury has given fans a glimpse at her newborn baby Prince Rico's very lavish 'royal' crib with an eye-watering price tag

Parents: The influencer, 33, welcomed her seventh child Prince Rico Paris Fury - known as Rico - with her boxer husband Tyson, 35, in September

The handmade cot was also furnished with white pillows featuring the same personalised gold logo, while a matching bib also lay alongside Rico.

Paris ordered the golden crib from Ling Lux, where the Kiro Cots with personalised plaques are priced from 2,300.

The colour options on the website include cream, white and off-white, with a section below to write any 'alternative colour options' not included in the selection given.

Alongside the snap of the crib, Paris wrote: 'My Prince Rico in his royal crib today. Love his big cot and bed set, thought it was so classic but different too. From @linglux_baby.'

Rico is the latest addition to the family as Paris and Tyson are also parents to Venezuela, 13, Prince John James, 11, Prince Tyson II, seven, Valencia, five, Prince Adonis Amaziah, four, and Athena, two.

It comes after Paris revealed she hasn't ruled out having an eighth child with her husband Tyson, just weeks after welcoming Rico to their brood.

Appearing on Loose Women earlier this month, she spoke about the possibility of further extending their brood.

She said: 'We're on the fence whether this is going be the last one. Every time I have a baby I say no more.

Lavish: Paris has shown off Rico's very lavish crib, complete with a personalised gold headboard reading 'baby Fury' in a cursive font - which cost upwards of 2,300

'Royal': The handmade cot was also furnished with white pillows with personalised gold font reading 'Baby fury', while a personalised bib also lay alongside Rico

'Then they go off to school and I get this little inkling. But seven is a lot, I'm not going to lie. It's very busy in my house.'

Paris went on to address why her latest book is titled How Does She Do It? as she said: '[Raising seven kids] it sounds unbelievable.

'When I wrote my first book, people started to get to know me, that's what they all asked, they kept coming up to me or my messages in my Instagram kept saying, 'How do you do it?'

'So when they said, 'Did you want to do another book?' I was like, 'Well, this is where we've got to aim with this.'

'I did put in some serious tips in there on how I juggle the kids, how I'm a mom, how I'm doing business, how I support Tyson and his work.'

She also revealed that since Rico was born she hasn't slept for three weeks, but still tries to still make some time for herself.

Paris went on: 'You've got to create five minutes for yourself - a girls night out, half an hour in the gym, a walk - anything for yourself, as a woman you need that to make yourself feel good.'

Speaking about Prince Rico Paris Fury's name choice, Paris told OK! magazine recently: 'All of my kids have got unusual names and obviously it's also really personal to Tyson.

'We also added my name because I've had seven kids and I still haven't had one named after me, so Tyson thought, 'Come on, it's about time!''

All four of the couple's sons share the same first name of Prince with Tyson previously revealing: 'I'm a king and they're princes until they earn their rightful name'.

Plans: It comes after Paris revealed she hasn't ruled out having an eighth child with her husband Tyson, just weeks after welcoming Rico to their brood

Family: He is the latest addition to the couple's brood as they are also parents to Venezuela, 13, Prince John James, 11, Prince Tyson II, seven, Valencia, five, Prince Adonis Amaziah, four, and Athena, two

While Paris is a nod to herself, Rico was chosen to honour Tyson's late cousin, who was tragically murdered last year.

Rico Burton, 31, was fatally stabbed outside a bar in Altrincham, Cheshire, in August last year. His attacker, Liam O'Pray, 22, was found guilty of murder last month.

Announcing the birth of her seventh child to OK! Magazine, Paris revealed her son was born at 2.29am on September 18, weighing 6lb 13oz.

She said: 'We're over the moon to have welcomed our baby boy to the Fury family. His brothers and sisters can't wait to meet him and create lots of Fury fun!

'Our boy is the most perfect addition and we're bursting with love for him. It's crazy how you can love someone so quick.'

Tyson and Paris are childhood sweethearts and got married when they were 21 and 19 respectively, with Tyson going on to find massive fame as a boxer.
Chloe Ferry went braless as she headed to work at her salon in Newcastle on Tuesday.

The former Geordie Shore star, 28, wore a ribbed cropped top with a pair of faux leather leggings.

She showed off her taut abs in the fitted ensemble, topping her outfit off with some knee-high boots.

Chloe styled her newly-dyed red hair into loose waved and highlighted her cheeks with a bright pink blusher to complete her look.

The TV personality, who opened the beauty parlour, The Beaute Lounge, in 2019, could be seen climbing a ladder outside the salon to close a window after the heating broke.

Stunning: Chloe Ferry, 28, went braless as she headed to work at her salon in Newcastle on Tuesday

Stylish: The former Geordie Shore star wore a ribbed cropped top with a pair of faux leather leggings

After sending out a message on social media to see if any plumbers were available, she did the best she could to ensure her customers were happy.

It comes shortly after Chloe was seen packing on PDA with her on/off boyfriend Johnny Wilbo while holidaying in Spain last month.

The couple - who seem to have rekindled their romance in August - were at the centre of the spotlight once again as they enjoyed another sun-soaked getaway.

Chloe seemed to confirm that the couple were back on when she shared videos to her Instagram Story of her lavish birthday presents from him including a 1,860 Cartier love ring which she showed off on her engagement ring finger.

She also showed her 3.8 million followers that she received a gold Rolex Day-Date, which costs 30,000 at a minimum.

Chloe first broke up with Johnny last September when she accused him of messaging other girls behind her back and, after deciding to give their relationship another go, they parted ways again a week later, with Chloe said to have been 'gutted'.

However, after having seemingly reunited in December, Chloe soon became single mere days later, saying: 'I literally want to be on my own'.

She told The Sun at the time: 'I don't even want to be with anyone. I had such a bad 2022 that I physically can't wait for '23.

Autumn ready: She topped off her outfit with some knee-high boots

Pretty: Chloe styled her newly-dyed red hair into loose waved and highlighted her cheeks with a bright pink blusher to complete her look

Oh no: The TV personality could be seen climbing a ladder outside her salon to close a window after the heating broke

Drama: After sending out a message on social media to see if any plumbers were available, she did the best she could to ensure her customers were happy

It comes shortly after Chloe was seen packing on PDA with her on/off boyfriend Johnny Wilbo while holidaying in Spain last month

At work: Chloe opened her beauty parlour, The Beaute Lounge, in 2019

Back on: Chloe, first broke up with Johnny last September when she accused him of messaging other girls behind her back

'Nothing could go any more wrong than what 2022 did and so I'm actually just really excited to be on my own for a bit.'

The former Celebrity Big Brother housemate added that she'll be 'unbreakable' if she can confront her difficult feelings on her own.

In the midst of their recent reunion, a source told The Sun: 'Chloe is taking it slowly with Johnny. She can't help her feelings for him.

'Over Christmas she spent some time working out how she felt and she wants Johnny in her life. Chloe is trying to put the past behind them and just wants to go back to having fun and enjoying life with Johnny.'
Bradley Cooper was spotted in New York on Tuesday following reports of his rumored love interest Gigi Hadid receiving death threats over her support of Palestine.

The 48-year-old Oscar winner -- who is said to be 'very excited' about dating Gigi -- cut a casual figure in a plaid flannel shirt and grey pants as he hit the sidewalks solo.

With his gray beanie and dark sunglasses, Bradley was giving off a cool vibe during his chilly outing in the the Big Apple.

The excursion comes as the 28-year-old supermodel, who's half-Palestinian, has been speaking out online in support of Palestine during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It has now been reported that Gigi and her family -- including supermodel sister Bella, 27, and brother Anwar, 24 -- have had to change their phone numbers due to death threats over Gigi's posts.

Bradley Cooper was spotted in New York on Tuesday following reports of his rumored love interest Gigi Hadid receiving death threats over her support of Palestine

Skater boi: The 48-year-old Oscar winner -- who is ' very excited ' about dating Hadid , 28 -- cut a casual figure in a plaid flannel shirt and grey pants as he hit the sidewalks solo

Bradley's NYC outing also follows a report that Bradley and Gigi were introduced by his former partner and the mother of his daughter, Irina Shayk, 37.

'Gigi was introduced to Bradley through Irina [Shayk] and their mutual friends in the industry,' a source told The Messenger on Wednesday.

'Gigi and Irina have been close over the years while working together, and Gigi and Bradley have hung out before, but it has always been friendly in social settings,' the source continued.

Bradley and Irina, who split in 2019 after four years together, share 6-year-old daughter Lea, while Gigi co-parents her 3-year-old daughter Khai with ex Zayn Malik.

'Gigi and Bradley were in touch recently, and were bonding over their daughters, when Bradley asked her out,' the source said, before adding,' He pursued her and she was definitely interested and excited'.

Earlier this year, Gigi was linked with Leonardo DiCaprio, and her new romance with Bradley is calling for something a bit more low-key.

'They have been casually seeing each other but it is extremely new,' the source continued. 'Gigi has expressed she does not want a serious relationship.

'They have a lot in common, and both relate to being parents in the industry. She wants to get into acting and is intrigued by Bradley's perspective and guidance. It is very casual at this point.'

As for Bradley, insiders say his interest in the catwalk queen is off the charts.

Big Apple movie star: With his gray beanie and a fresh pair of Nike high tops, Bradley was giving off a cool vibe during his chilly outing in the the Big Apple

Death threats: The excursion comes as the 28-year-old supermodel, who's half-Palestinian, has been speaking out online in support of Palestine during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Backlash: It has now been reported that Gigi and her family -- including supermodel sister Bella, 27, and brother Anwar, 24 -- have had to change their phone numbers due to death threats over Gigi's posts

A source told DailyMail.com exclusively that the matinee idol is 'very excited' about a love match and that Gigi is 'exactly his type.'

'He hasn't felt this excitement about a woman in a very long time,' the source added.

Meanwhile, Irina's ex Bradley has been weathering the backlash to his Maestro makeup and nose prosthetic, which some critics deemed anti-Semitic.

The Maestro film has the Oscar winner playing legendary Jewish American composer Leonard Bernstein.

The film's makeup artist, Kazu Hiro, defended the makeup, which took a whopping 5 hours to complete.

Co-parenting: Bradley and Irina, who split in 2019 after four years together, share 6-year-old daughter Lea, while Gigi co-parents her 3-year-old daughter Khai with ex Zayn Malik.

'I wasn't expecting that to happen,' Hiro admitted. 'I feel sorry that I hurt some people's feelings.

'My goal was and Bradley's goal was to portray Lenny as authentic as possible.

'Lenny had a really iconic look that everybody knows  there's so many pictures out there because he's photogenic, too  such a great person and also inspired so many people.'

Maestro  also starring Sarah Silverman, Matt Bomer and Maya Hawke  releases in theaters on Nov. 22, followed by a Netflix streaming premiere on Dec. 20.
Coleen Rooney exuded glamour on Tuesday as she attended the premiere of her new Disney+ documentary at The Soho Hotel in London and opened up about the fallout of her public feud with Rebekah Vardy.

The WAG, 37, looked nothing short of sensational in a white strapless dress that clung to her toned figure.

She elevated her height in a pair of strappy black high heels and swept her long tresses up into an elegant updo, to show off her gold and pearl statement earrings.

Her new tell-all documentary Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story is set to air on Wednesday, and charts her headline making Wagatha Christie investigation and subsequent headline-grabbing trial.

Rebekah sued Coleen over an accusation she had leaked details of Coleen's private life to the press after Coleen had staged an elaborate sting operation to find out who was passing on stories about her to The Sun.

Stunning: Coleen Rooney exuded glamour on Tuesday as she attended the premiere of her new Disney+ documentary at The Soho Hotel in London and opened up about the fallout of her public feud with Rebekah Vardy

All eyes on her: The WAG, 37, looked nothing short of sensational in a white strapless dress that clung to her toned figure

Flawless: She elevated her height in a pair of strappy black high heels and swept her long tresses up into an elegant updo, to show off her gold and pearl statement earrings

And while Coleen won the 3million libel case, she admitted that things weren't plain sailing at home and she the stress of the experience 'drained' her and impacted upon her family.

She is married to former footballer Wayne Rooney and the couple are proud parents to sons Kai, 13, Klay, 10, Kit, seven, and Cass, five.

During a Q&A with Edith Bowman, Coleen revealed: 'Ive been through quite a lot in my life. Ive been through a few really tough times, but this was something else.

'I was there physically for Wayne and the kids but I wasnt there mentally. It drained me.'

She added that she had wanted to do a documentary rather than an interview in order to get the full story out there, rather than trying to explain it in a few minutes which wouldnt have been possible.

It comes after Coleen discussed her upcoming documentary during a rare TV appearance on The One Show on Monday.

She admitted she only publicly named Rebekah after leaks from her personal social media account to The Sun newspaper 'just wouldn't stop'.

She told hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas that while it may have been 'easier' to just ignore the issue, it had been going on for 'so long'.

Infamous: Rebekah sued Coleen over an accusation she had leaked details of Coleen's private life to the press after Coleen had staged an elaborate sting operation to find out who was passing on stories about her to The Sun (Rebekah pictured in May 2022)

Tough: Despite winning the case, Coleen admitted that the experience 'drained' her and impacted her family - husband Wayne Rooney and their sons Kai, 13, Klay, 10, Kit, seven, and Cass, five pictured

She said: 'I put warning posts out there, saying "someone was leaking my private information" and it just didn't stop, it continued and I just had enough and I just wanted it done with'.

Coleen went on to admit that while she knew the story and aftermath would be 'big' she never imagined it becoming a worldwide phenomenon, with the phrase Wagatha Christie even entering the vernacular.

Speaking about the aftermath she said: 'There were times when I wanted it to go away but I had to battle on'.

It comes after the latest explosive trailer for the Disney+ documentary was released, showing Coleen tearfully divulging details of her investigation into her fellow WAG and unveiling the secrets of her hunt for the truth over who was leaking details of her life.

In the clip, Coleen is seen revealing that the saga, which began with a Twitter post on 9 October 2019, which was 'constantly on her mind', before issuing the warning to Jamie Vardy's wife: 'Don't play games with a girl who can play better'.

Coleen's husband Wayne features in the trailer, alongside Piers Morgan and Coleen's mother Colette and her friends, who shed light on the pains of the drama.

The trailer also saw stock footage of both women arriving to the High Court last year with their husbands on their arms, while other clips depicted crowds chanting 'Your wife is a grass' while Jamie hit the pitch in the midst of the case.

Coleen was asked: 'Have you still got the post on your phone?', to which she responded: 'Yeah, yeah, yeah. I stick by them', before the footage panned to images of the duo entering court to the sound of a news report.

Candid: It comes after Coleen discussed her documentary on The One Show on Monday, where she said that while it may have been 'easier' to just ignore the issue, it had been going on for 'so long'

Desperate: She admitted she only publicly named Rebekah after leaks from her personal social media account to The Sun newspaper 'just wouldn't stop' (Rebekah pictured during trial in May 2022)

The reporter read: 'Wagatha Christie starts today at the High Court, with fellow WAGs and former friends embroiled in a bitter row.'

Coleen said: 'Someone on my personal account was informing The Sun newspaper of my private posts and stories - I thought, I'm gonna do something about it'.

Showing Coleen hard at work, she was seen laying out pages, including images of her family and other posts from the private page.

One of the film's commentators said: 'This is a detective story - you never find someone responsible with a smoking gun in their hand'.

Coleen detailed: 'I needed evidence, I had to set a trap', before later conceding: 'I never imagined being in a legal battle'.

She was joined in her car by the camera crew, where she pointed out paparazzi following her.

Shedding further light onto the intricacies of the situation - and revealing the message Rebekah famously sent her, Coleen said: 'I had a message off Rebekah saying what is this and I said you know what it is. It was constantly on my mind'.

She revealed her father had said: 'You're just not you anymore'.

Emotional: It comes after the latest explosive trailer for the Disney+ documentary was released, showing Coleen tearfully divulging details of her investigation into her fellow WAG and unveiling the secrets of her hunt for the truth over who was leaking details of her life

Where it began: In a tweet and on Instagram, Coleen said Rebekah's account had leaked information about her. It triggered a wave of social media reaction and saw her dubbed 'Wagatha Christie'

In his first comment on the situation, Wayne said to the camera: 'I just thought what is she doing here, while laughing incredulously'.

Rebekah, 41, took Coleen to the High Court for libel  and lost  after Coleen claimed in October 2019 that stories about her were being leaked to the Press from Rebekah's social media account.

The story began when The Sun ran a number of fake articles about Coleen from September 2017 to October 2019, which came from Coleen's private Instagram.

The Liverpudlian star claimed she only shared the stories with Rebekah in a 'sting' operation, including claims that she travelled to Mexico to look into baby 'gender selection' treatment, a plan to revive her TV career and the flooding of her basement.

Rebekah was on holiday in Dubai with her husband, Leicester striker Jamie, 36, when Coleen made the accusations on Twitter and Instagram about the leaks.

Rebekah said: 'At the time I felt physically sick. I think it must have been the biggest panic attack. I was totally shocked. What to do next? That's the million-dollar question.

'I couldn't understand why someone would do that. Why someone would do that knowing someone's vulnerable, knowing the impact something like that is going to cause. It's going to cause a s***-storm  a massive one  and that it did.'

Referring to a fake story about a flooded basement in Coleen's new Cheshire mansion, Rebekah insisted: 'The first time I read about the flooded basement was in the Daily Mail online. I love how I get blamed for that one, incredible.

Detective: Coleen claimed she only shared the stories with Rebekah in a 'sting' operation, including claims that she travelled to Mexico to look into baby 'gender selection' treatment, a plan to revive her TV career and the flooding of her basement

Claims: Rebekah was on holiday in Dubai with her husband, Leicester striker Jamie, 36, when Coleen made the accusations on Twitter and Instagram about the leaks (Rebekah and Jamie Vardy pictured during the trial in May last year)

'If I had been selling stories, where are the messages saying "Give this to The Sun"? "Make sure I get paid for this". Where are they? There aren't any  because they don't exist.'

In June the following year, it was revealed that Rebekah was launching a libel case against Coleen which began in November.

The libel battle has its first High Court hearing in London. A judge ruled that Coleen's October 2019 post 'clearly identified' Rebekah as being 'guilty of the serious and consistent breach of trust'.

Mr Justice Warby concludes that the 'natural and ordinary' meaning of the posts was that Rebekah had 'regularly and frequently abused her status as a trusted follower of Coleen's personal Instagram account by secretly informing The Sun of Coleen's private posts and stories'.
Oprah Winfrey is 'praying' for a respite from the killing as she addressed the ongoing IsraelHamas War over the weekend.

In a statement posted to her Oprah Insiders on Sunday, the 69-year-old television host addressed both Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel, as well as Israel's ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which it occupies.

'I am utterly heartbroken for the loss of life in Israel,' Winfrey wrote, before condemning Hamas' attack.

She also wrote that she was 'heartbroken for the deaths of innocent children and civilians in Gaza.'

Winfrey's statement arrived shortly before Israel bombed a portion of Southern Gaza where it had previously told Gazan civilians to flee for safety.

Hoping for an end: Oprah Winfrey is 'praying' for a respite from the killing as she addressed the ongoing IsraelHamas War over the weekend in her Oprah Insiders newsletter; seen in June in New Orleans; pictured September 12 in NYC

Deadly fighting: Winfrey's statement arrived shortly before Israel bombed a portion of Southern Gaza where it had previously told Gazan civilians to flee for safety; Palestinian rescuers pictured after an Israeli strike on the Gaza Strip on October 17

'Words fail me in trying to express the depth of sadness and grief I have felt this week,' Winfrey began her somber statement.

While noting that her regular weekly statement could not 'capture the gravity of the situation and the crimes against humanity,' she opted to carry on anyway.

She added that the devastation in Israel and Gaza affects everyone, adding that 'we cannot turn away from the atrocities we are witnessing.'

The book club founder said she was heartbroken over deaths of Israelis, and she wrote that the 'murderous terrorist attacks by Hamas must be condemned.'

'I am also heartbroken for the deaths of innocent children and civilians in Gaza,' she added, though she stopped short of attributing their deaths to Israeli bombings of Gaza.'

At least 2,778 people have been killed by the Israeli strikes on Gaza, while 9,700 people have been wounded, the Gaza Health Ministry has said, via the Associated Press.

According to an official in the health ministry, almost two-thirds of the people killed in Gaza have been children.

More than 1,000 people are also believed to be currently buried under rubble, with some believed to still be alive under the wreckage.

Following Gaza's 2006 election, in which Hamas took power of the occupied territory, Israel instituted a blockade of the Gaza Strip the following year in conjunction with Israel.

In the wake of Hamas' recent attack, Israel is now blocking all water, fuel and food from entering Gaza.

Speechless: 'Words fail me in trying to express the depth of sadness and grief I have felt this week,' Winfrey began her somber statement; seen in April in Las Vegas at CinemaCon

Winfrey expressed sorrow for Israelis killed by Hamas' terrorist attack, but she wrote that she was 'heartbroken for the deaths of innocent children and civilians in Gaza' without mention of Israel's bombing of the occupied territory; Israeli soldiers pictured firing into Gaza on October 17

The lack of resources has led hospitals in Gaza to warn that they are on the brink of collapse.

Winfrey closed her brief statement with her hopes for the near future.

'This is what Im praying for: a way forward that ends the violence and the suffering; for all the families who have lost loved ones and for those who are still in despair hoping for the safe return of those held hostage,' she wrote.

She urged her readers and fans to focus on those 'who are dear to us' and urged them to 'love stronger' while communicating the 'need for peace, justice and the fullness of our humanity.'
TV fans are in for a throwback treat as BBC's classic children's show, The Wombles, is said to be returning to our screens.

Elisabeth Beresford's much repeated show first aired on BBC1 in 1973 and ended in 1975, meaning it has been half a century since it last aired any original episodes.

While the exact release date has not been confirmed, the Wimbledon folk will carry on spreading their sustainability message to a new generation.

The classic episodes followed the adventures of pointy-nosed, furry creatures in their Wimbledon Common home.

With their 'Make use of good rubbish' motto, the show shot to fame for their work in gathering waste and turning it into something useful.

Throwback: TV fans are in for a throwback treat as BBC's classic children's show, The Wombles, is reportedly returning to our screens (stock)

Iconic: It has been exactly 50 years since the iconic show was on UK screens but the exact release date has not been confirmed (stock)

The show was loved by all as the colourful characters was adored by children and the environmentally friendly message of the programme pleased parents.

While the eco message is to stay the same, the modernising changes are still unknown.

The original series could be remastered this year to mark it's half-century anniversary and now it's been reported that a full-scale remake is in the works after Altitude Television became the latest firm to gain production rights.

The new series has been written by How To Train Your Dragon and Johnny English screenwriter Will Davies, according to Deadline.

The Wombles was first remade in 1998 and spanned three series after Cinar Films bought the rights to the show.

There was also a CGI follow-up in 2015, but this was short-lived after producer Mike Batt filed for bankruptcy after just two episodes on new Channel 5.

Pictured: Elizabeth Beresford with Great Uncle Bulgaria at her Alderney home (undated)

While the iconic show will get a reboot, there has yet to be a word on whether we will get another run at a Wombles musical career.

Mike Batt was keen to make his Wombles music stars and succeeded, with hit singles and several albums to their name.

Many may look forward to the reboot but last time there was talk of a reboot, a new, politically correct era led to an extraordinary row with the family of their creator.

There were claims that a remake featuring 'woke Wombles' is a step too far.

The author's son feared the furry recyclers of human rubbish will be drawn into the modern world of identity politics with the introduction of new and altered characters who may be gender-fluid or of different races.
Emily Ratajkowski was pictured while taking her dog Colombo for a walk in New York City on Tuesday morning.

The 32-year-old model wore a body-hugging outfit as she took her four-legged-friend out for a bit of exercise.

It seems as though the Gone Girl star is taking a break from her very busy dating life at the moment, as she continues to be spotted around the city by herself.

Emily has hit headlines recently for dating the likes of Eric Andre, DJ Orazio Rispo, and Harry Styles to name a few.

The fashion industry figure, who recently avoided an awkward encounter with Olivia Wilde, donned a long-sleeve black dress that clung tightly to her toned midsection and showed off slight portions of her sculpted thighs.

There she is: Emily Ratajkowski was pictured while taking her dog Colombo for a walk in New York City on Tuesday morning

All dressed up: The 32-year-old model wore a body-hugging outfit as she took her four-legged-friend out for a bit of exercise

Making an impression: The fashion industry figure, who recently avoided an awkward encounter with Olivia Wilde, donned a long-sleeve black dress that clung tightly to her toned midsection

Ratajkowski contrasted the dominant tone of her look with a pair of dark brown high-heeled boots.

The social media personality accessorized with a single necklace and completed her look with dark sunglasses, from Hailey Bieber X Vogue Eyewear.

Her beautiful brunette hair fell onto her chest and paired well with the dark tone of her outfit.

Ratajkowski recently showcased her chiseled form in a series of photos shared on the Instagram account of her swimwear company, Inamorata.

In her shots, the model donned one of her brand's bikinis while posing for a set of promotional snaps during a trip to Brazil.

The fashion industry personality launched Inamorata in November of 2017.

Ratajkowski's brand's offerings were initially limited to various one and two-piece swimsuits.

However, the company eventually expanded to include other forms of clothing, including dresses and headwear.

The model has taken a hands-on approach to promoting Inamorata Woman and frequently appears in its promotional materials.

Ratajkowski spoke about Inamorata during an interview with Harper's Bazaar, during which she stated that she was grateful to be able to collaborate with her friends on a professional level.

Va va voom: Ratajkowski's outfit showed off slight portions of her sculpted thighs

Fancy footwear: Ratajkowski contrasted the dominant tone of her look with a pair of dark brown high-heeled boots

Accessorizing well: The social media personality accessorized with a single necklace and completed her look with dark sunglasses, from Hailey Bieber X Vogue Eyewear

Beautiful: Her beautiful brunette hair fell onto her chest and paired well with the dark tone of her outfit

Promotional work: Ratajkowski recently showcased her chiseled form in a series of photos shared on the Instagram account of her swimwear company, Inamorata

Fun in the sun: In her shots, the model donned one of her brand's bikinis while posing for a set of promotional snaps during a trip to Brazil

In the past: The fashion industry personality launched Inamorata in November of 2017

'Having my own business and working with a group of women that I love, that are my friends... that has been so enjoyable,' she stated.

The fashion industry personality also discussed being able to exert more influence over her professional life.

'What I like now is that, in my career, things are more in my hands and in my control,' Ratajkowski said.

She added: 'Failures feel more like road bumps than huge losses and I feel less impacted by other people saying no.'
Whoopi Goldberg shared a sweet flashback photo Tuesday in honor of her late brother.

The View host, 67, shared a black and white photo herself and her older brother, Clyde, on social media.

'Today is my big brother Clydes birthday and I miss him. Happy birthday bro!'

The snap of the two siblings shows Whoopi with a pointed party hat on her head and Clyde smiling into the camera, wearing dark sunglasses while giving her a hug.

Clyde died of a brain aneurysm in 2015.

Birthday: Whoopi Goldberg shared a sweet flashback photo Tuesday in honor of her late brother. 'Today is my big brother Clydes birthday and I miss him. Happy birthday bro!' Clyde died in 2015 of a brain aneurysm

He was her only sibling and used to work as a driver for her on film sets.

After the death of their mother in 2010, Whoopi told her View co-hosts, 'I think Im just sad sometimes because I think, "Who will love me the way that she did?" But I realized that my brother and I have each other so were OK.'

In 2021, the Oscar winner launched a line of cannabis products named Emma and Clyde for her late mother and brother.

On Monday's episode of The View, Whoopi described her recent visit at the Vatican with Pope Francis.

The entertainer said she had been trying to meet with a pope for 11 years, but hadn't been able to get it scheduled until last week.

'He is exactly what I hoped he would be,' The Color Purple star explained, 'which is a pope for all people, regardless of religion, which I really appreciated.'

'I wanted to thank him, for all of my gay friends, and for all of my divorced friends,' she continued, 'because his saying basically, "God love you no matter what. Come back to the church."'

Whoopi, who claims no religious ties joked 'I thought, "okay, I'm going to walk into this building and I'm going to burst into flames, but as it turns out, I did not.'

Cannabis: Whoopi honored her late brother and mother who passed away in 2010, naming a line of cannabis products Emma and Clyde after them in 2021 (Pictured in New York October 9)

The Star Trek: Picard actress gave the Holy Father some presents that he might enjoy - merchandise from 1992's Sister Act.

'He asked for it.' she said.

Video showed the pontiff giving a delighted smile when she showed him the gift, which she admitted was 'silly.'

Papal meeting: Whoopi recently met with Pope Francis at the Vatican and gifted him merchandise from her 1992 Sister Act. 'He asked for it.' she told her The View co-hosts

Family act: Whoopi's daughter Alex Martin, 50, accompanied her when she met the pontiff

The thoughtful Francis responded to that telling her via translator, 'One of the best things you can do for people is to help them have joy and make them laugh.'

'I'm trying,' Whoopi stated.

Whoopi's daughter Alex Martin, 50, accompanied her.

In the debrief of the show the comedian, who went to Catholic school as a child, but left the church when she got older, said as she briefly pointed to the ceiling, 'I feel better, because I feel like somebody up there likes me.'
Halle Bailey's fans reached a fever pitch over the weekend as they went into overdrive sharing their takes on pregnancy rumors that have dogged her in recent days.

The renewed rumors were set off when she was seen walking outdoors in Santa Monica on Friday with her boyfriend DDG (real name: Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.).

The songstress-turned-actress was seen wearing a particularly baggy gray hoodie on the outing, which some fans thought betrayed the outline of a bump.

It was the latest in a string of outfits that obscured her figure and led to a rash of fan posts both judging her for her alleged pregnancy and also defending her.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Halle's representatives for comment.

Rumors swirling: Halle Bailey's fans reached a fever pitch on Tuesday as they went into overdrive sharing their takes on pregnancy rumors that have dogged her in recent days

Covering her figure: She set off even more rumors on Tuesday, when she was seen in a particularly baggy gray hoodie in Santa Monica while walking with her boyfriend DDG (real name: Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.)

Halle was pictured on Tuesday while walking on a public sidewalk with DDG by her side and with his arm affectionately resting on her back.

The Little Mermaid live-action remake star had on a gray graphic hoodie that fit loosely on her but was tighter around her waist, showing what appeared to be a raised section where her stomach was.

She one sleeve rolled up, revealing a cotton ball taped at the crook of her arm where she had either had a blood draw or received an injection of some kind.

Notably, DDG had the same bandaged spot on both of his arms, though one of Halle's arms was covered up by her extended sleeve.

Halle had on a bright scarlet shirt that peaked out from underneath her muted hoodie.

She contrasted her dark outerwear with a pair of baggy light gray sweatpants that swallowed up her figure and dragged along the ground as she walked.

Halle completed her ultra-casual ensemble with a set of black socks and matching black slide sandals.

She added some more color by accessorizing with a tiny lavender clutch, which she held against her phone in one hand.

Coupled up: Halle was pictured on Tuesday while walking on a public sidewalk with DDG by her side and with his arm affectionately resting on her back

Bumping along? The Little Mermaid live-action remake star had on a gray graphic hoodie that fit loosely on her but was tighter around her waist, showing what appeared to be a raised section where her stomach was

Shot in the arm: She one sleeve rolled up, revealing a cotton ball taped at the crook of her arm where she had either had a blood draw or received an injection of some kind

It takes two: Notably, DDG had the same bandaged spot on both of his arms, though one of Halle's arms was covered up by her extended sleeve

Woman in red: Halle had on a bright scarlet shirt that peaked out from underneath her muted hoodie

Light and dark: She contrasted her dark outerwear with a pair of baggy light gray sweatpants that swallowed up her figure and dragged along the ground as she walked

Back in black: Halle completed her ultra-casual ensemble with a set of black socks and matching black slide sandals

Splash of color: She added some more color by accessorizing with a tiny lavender clutch, which she held against her phone in one hand

Long hair, don't care: The Chloe x Halle singer had her long highlighted braids piled up on her head, and she sported a modestly made-up face and long, bubblegum pink nails

The Chloe x Halle singer had her long highlighted braids piled up on her head, and she sported a modestly made-up face and long, bubblegum pink nails.

DDG was dressed in a similarly casual fashion with a plain black T-shirt and baggy back graphic sweatpants.

He also had highlighted braids, though he wore them down, and he wore a segmented necklace.

The rapper and YouTuber had one of his hands full with two black plastic shopping bags.

The lovebirds were only together for part of Halle's time out in Santa Monica, and she was also seen taking care of other errands on her own.

For the solo portion of her trip, she pulled out an enormous, boxy black Louis Vuitton bag that she slung over her arm.

Although rumors that Halle is pregnant have been circulating on social media for some time, they ramped up considerably after her sighting on Friday.

Back in September, fans argued on social media over whether Halle was pregnant, though her more restrictive outfit and slim waist shut down some of the most vocal posters.

Complementary: DDG was dressed in a similarly casual fashion with a plain black T-shirt and baggy back graphic sweatpants

Matching couple: He also had highlighted braids, though he wore them down, and he wore a segmented necklace

Stocked up: The rapper and YouTuber had one of his hands full with two black plastic shopping bags

Going solo: The lovebirds were only together for part of Halle's time out in Santa Monica, and she was also seen taking care of other errands on her own

Accessorized: For the solo portion of her trip, she pulled out an enormous, boxy black Louis Vuitton bag that she slung over her arm

Buzzing: Although rumors that Halle is pregnant have been circulating on social media for some time, they ramped up considerably after her sighting on Friday

Weeks on end: Back in September, fans argued on social media over whether Halle was pregnant, though her more restrictive outfit and slim waist shut down some of the most vocal posters

Going deep: The latest round of rumors and speculation included not only people debating whether or not Halle was pregnant, but also other fans opining on a potential pregnancy's impact on her career

Robbed of a career? Some fans worried that it would ruin her potential and prevent her from doing more high profile projects in both the music and film industries

The latest round of rumors and speculation included not only people debating whether or not Halle was pregnant, but also other fans opining on a potential pregnancy's impact on her career.

Several fans seemed particularly upset about her boyfriend DDG possibly being the father of her alleged child, with some users on Twitter (recently renamed X) referring to him as a 'bum.'

Even as some fans lashed out about her alleged lost potential from a young pregnancy, others lambasted those same fans for their judgmental posts.

While some fans rudely called her boyfriend a bum, but others defended him. One post claimed he 'got his family out the hood with a youtube channel.'

Others reminded more judgmental fans that even if Halle was pregnant, it wouldn't rob her of opportunities.

'IF Halle Bailey is pregnant, that ain't gon' stop no show. She's still Halle, still booked and still as gifted as it gets. It's not 1968 guys lol relax,' wrote one fan.

One person reminded naysayers that their critical comments about Halle's pregnancy would also offended anyone in their life who got pregnant at a young age.

But another user clarified that some of those worrying about her potential were just disappointed after seeing other Black women have to give up their careers and dreams due to pregnancies and child rearing.

They said concerned fans were 'just disappointed,' and pointed out that there were so 'many amazing Black women' who were also young mothers.

Catching strays: Several fans seemed particularly upset about her boyfriend DDG possibly being the father of her alleged child

Mean: Some users on Twitter (recently renamed X) referring to him as a 'bum'

Heading out: Halle capped off her trip by getting into her black car

Scolding the scolders: Even as some fans lashed out about her alleged lost potential from a young pregnancy, others lambasted those same fans for their judgmental posts

Now you see it, now you don't: Days after showing off what looked like a bump, Halle wore an outfit that appeared to hide her figure

Slimming black: She arrived at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in London on Tuesday in a gorgeous black off-the-shoulder mini dress with a skirt raised by thick white floral designs, which appeared to make her potential bump less visible

Mixed opinions: Some fans rudely called her boyfriend a bum, but others defended him. One post claimed he 'got his family out the hood with a youtube channel'

Chill: Others reminded more judgmental fans that even if Halle was pregnant, it wouldn't rob her of opportunities

Think of others: One person reminded naysayers that their critical comments about Halle's pregnancy would also offended anyone in their life who got pregnant at a young age

Realist: But another user clarified that some of those worrying about her potential were just disappointed after seeing other Black women have to give up their careers and dreams due to pregnancies and child rearing

Dehumanizing: But another person defending Halle noted that many users weren't referring to her as if she was a 'human being'

'It's tiring because we are worth so much more,' they wrote.

But another person defending Halle noted that many users weren't referring to her as if she was a 'human being' and 'a young woman who is on a new journey she is likely very excited about.'

They complained that others were 'talking about her like she's a character in your TV show and it is very gross. Be normal.'

They added that they hoped she was 'protected from these comments.'
Robert De Niro's daughter Drena De Niro-Rodriguez took to Instagram on Tuesday with a series of pictures as she visited the grave of her late son Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, who died more than three months ago at the age of 19 from a drug overdose.

Drena, a 52-year-old actress, model and DJ who is the adopted daughter of the Oscar-winning actor and his ex-wife Diahnne Abbott, was pictured with a friend, visiting the grave of her son, where she left flowers.

In the caption of the post, she discussed the intense feelings of grief she is experiencing in the wake of her child's July 2 passing, which came after he consumed counterfeit oxycodone pills that were laced with fentanyl.

'If everyone valued the depth of love & sadness, a person can feel I dont believe wed have wars, we wouldnt hurt children, animals, each other our planet and oceans the way we do,' Drena said.

Drena said that her heartbreak was for herself, her loved ones 'and everyone who has ever lost a child or one whom theyve loved so deeply.'

Mourning: Robert De Niro' s daughter Drena De Niro Rodriguez, 52, took to Instagram on Tuesday with a pair of pictures as she visited the grave of her late son Leandro who died more than three months ago at the age of 19 from a drug overdose

Flashback: Leandro, Drena and Robert De Niro were pictured together

She continued: 'Ill never get used to this, no one should. Praying for the whole world to heal and for this heart that beats inside me to find peace.'

Drena shared a series of photos from her somber day at the cemetery, including one of a rock which had a heart with wings drawn onto it, and the words, 'To Leo, we love you. The world misses you.'

She captioned the shot (in Italian), 'Mi manchi motto molto, il mio amore, mio cuore, Leo,' which translates in English to, 'I miss you very much, my love, my heart, Leo.'

On another picture of the gravesite with the flowers, she wrote, 'Love you sweet boy.'

Drena on August 11 paid tribute to Leandro on what would have been his 20th birthday. She wrote next to a carousel of 10 photos: 'You would have been 20 yrs old today.

'Thank you for the happiest and most profound 2 decades of my life, little angel. I hope you are at peace and your spirit is filled with joy today and always. 8~11~03 - 7~2~23.'

Leandro was found dead at his apartment in New York City July 2; A woman named Sofia Haley Marks, 20, has been accused of selling him drugs containing fentanyl - a powerful opioid which is said to be up to 50 times stronger than heroin.

Leandro died from a toxic mix of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine, according to medical records obtained by TMZ.

Memorial: Drena shared a series of photos from her somber day at the cemetery

Tragic: The actress wrote, 'Love you sweet boy' alongside a shot of his grave

Sorrow: Drena shared a series of photos from her somber day at the cemetery, including one of a rock which had a heart with wings drawn onto it

Message: The rock had the words, 'To Leo, we love you. The world misses you' written on it

Sad: Drena shared an image of the cemetery on the clear fall day, more than three months after his death

According to police documents, also obtained by the outlet, texts were found on Leandro's phone from Marks, where she asked him: 'do you really need them? I don't wanna kill you. I just don't like serving u them cuz they not script.'

Marks is reported to have agreed to sell him three oxycodone pills and two Xanax tablets for $105 before allegedly texting him to say: 'don't go overboard with these.'

The drugs were delivered by car to Leandro around 9 p.m. on July 1 and police say that Marks texted him at 1:50am to ask 'u good?'

However, he never responded and was found dead on July 2.

Investigators found 'one bag of cocaine, one straw with residue, two blue pills with 'M' and '30' (the oxycodone) and seven rectangular tablets - believed to be Xanax' on a table beside Leandro after his death.

Drena previously claimed her son died after taking pills laced with fentanyl.

In a post on Instagram, she alleged: 'Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him.'

'So for all these people still f****** around selling and buying this s***, my son is gone forever.'

Birthday: Robert De Niro' s daughter Drena De Niro Rodriguez paid tribute to her late son Leandro on what would have been his 20th birthday

Emotional tribute: 'You would have been 20 yrs old today,' she wrote next to a carousel of 10 photos. 'Thank you for the happiest and most profound 2 decades of my life, little angel. I hope you are at peace and your spirit is filled with joy today and always. 8~11~03 - 7~2~23'

Life in pictures: According to police documents, also obtained by the outlet, texts were found on Leandro's phone from Marks, where she asked him: 'do you really need them? I don't wanna kill you. I just don't like serving u them cuz they not script'

Family: She is reported to have agreed to sell him three oxycodone pills and two Xanax tablets for $105 before allegedly texting him to say: 'don't go overboard with these'

Looking back: The drugs were delivered by car to Leandro around 9pm on July 1 and police say that Marks texted him at 1:50am to ask 'u good?'

Tragic loss: However, he never responded and was found dead on July 2. Investigators found 'one bag of cocaine, one straw with residue, two blue pills with 'M' and '30' (the oxycodone) and seven rectangular tablets - believed to be Xanax' on a table beside Leandro after his death

Grief: Leandro's mother Drena De Niro - who is Robert De Niro's adopted daughter from his marriage to ex-wife Diahnne Abbott - previously claimed her son died after taking pills laced with fentanyl

Baby boy: In a post on Instagram, she alleged: 'Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him.' 'So for all these people still f****** around selling and buying this s***, my son is gone forever'

High five: Leandro is survived by his mother Drena De Niro and father Carlos Rodriguez

First grandson: Leandro was Robert De Niro's first grandchild

The 51-year-old actress previously confirmed his passing in an emotional post on Instagram.

She wrote: 'My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life.

'I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you. I don't know how to live without you but I'll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama.

'You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you. I'm so sorry my baby.'

The Academy Award-winning actor released a statement following the tragic death of his grandson.

'Im deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo,' he said. 'Were greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.'
Classic Aussie children's program Round the Twist he been voted Australia's Favourite Kids' Show.

In a survey of adults who grew up watching Australian-made children's television, the beloved show won out against other classics such as Play School, Bananas in Pyjamas and Blinky Bill.

Round the Twist aired on Australian screens between 1990 and 2001 and ran for 52 episodes over four seasons.

The votes were gathered in a project run by Swinburne University of Technology.

After Round the Twist, Play School scored second place, followed by Mr Squiggle, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Blinky Bill, The Ferals, Lift Off!, Ship to Shore, Bananas in Pyjamas, with The Genie from Down Under at number ten.

Classic Aussie children's program Round the Twist he been voted Australia's Favourite Kids' Show. Pictured: the cast of Round the Twist from left to right, Joelene Crnogorac, Richard Moir, Rodney McLennan, Ben Thomas

The university's research team examined 542 survey responses and conducted 21 in-depth interviews with adults who were raised on Australian television to gauge the enduring influence of children's TV.

Nine out of ten survey participants reported that some of their cherished childhood shows were of Australian origin.

The study also revealed that the most enduring Australian children's programs possessed a 'cheeky' or 'edgy' quality, often combining a distinctive blend of eccentric elements with relatable depictions of Australian life.

The survey highlighted that the beloved series, Round the Twist, not only ranked as the respondents' top choice but also emerged as the show most frequently revisited in their adult years. This was followed closely by Play School and Mr Squiggle.

In a survey of adults who grew up watching Australian-made children's television, the beloved show won out against other classics such as Play School, Bananas in Pyjamas and Blinky Bill. Pictured: Rodney McLennan from Round the Twist

The research also showed that over half of individuals aged 51 and older, as well as over two-thirds of those aged 41 to 50, revisited children's shows in recent years.

On the other hand, those within the age range of 18 to 40 were the most likely to revisit their childhood favourites, with a staggering 74% engaging in this nostalgic activity.

Chief Investigator Dr Joanna McIntyre said 'This study reveals just how significant Australian children's TV is to the cultural life of our nation. It's provided lasting experiences of wonder and a continuing sense of belonging to generations of Australians for more than 60 years.'

After Round the Twist, Play School got second place, followed by Mr Squiggle, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Blinky Bill, The Ferals, Lift Off!, Ship to Shore, Bananas in Pyjamas, with The Genie from Down Under at number ten. Pictured: Mr Squiggle

The study also revealed that the most enduring Australian children's programs possessed a 'cheeky' or 'edgy' quality, often combining a distinctive blend of eccentric elements with relatable depictions of Australian life

Australian Children's Television Foundation CEO Jenny Buckland said: 'what we watch when were young has a profound impact, shaping our experience of Australian culture and connecting us with our community and peers.'

'We need to make sure children today have the same opportunities to grow up with Australian shows,' Buckland remarked.

The Australian Children's Television Cultures research project is conducted in partnership between Swinburne University of Technology and RMIT University. The report was authored by Dr. Joanna McIntyre, Associate Professor Liam Burke, Dr. Djoymi Baker, and Dr. Jessica Balanzategui. This research initiative receives support from the Australian Children's Television Foundation. The report can be accessed here.
Gabrielle Epstein has revealed she has been receiving death threats after sharing her support for Israel online.

The Australian model, 29, has been vocal for her support for the country on social media amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On Tuesday, Gabrielle shared a photo of the threats she's been receiving online and revealed she lost 32 family members in the holocaust.

'Your time will come again very soon. And this time the world will not help you from the chambers,' the cruel message read.

Gabrielle responded: 'As someone who lost 32 family members in the holocaust. I simply have no words.'

Model Gabrielle Epstein has received death threats after sharing her support for Israel: 'It's terrifying'

On Tuesday, Gabrielle shared a photo of the threats she's been receiving online and revealed she lost 32 family members in the holocaust

'It's truly terrifying that people feel comfortable enough to leave a public comment like this.'

It comes after Gigi Hadid and her family have also reportedly received death threats after sharing their support for Palestine.

Gigi -whose property developer father Mohamed Hadid is Palestinian - was slammed by Israel's government for her posts in support of the Palestinian people.

It has now been claimed that Gigi and her family have been receiving death threats over their support for Palestine and have reportedly been forced to take action.

Gigi and her supermodel sister Bella, 27, brother Anwar, 24, and parents Yolanda and Mohamed, have all had to change their phone numbers amid the threats, according to TMZ.

Sources told the publication that the family have received horrific threats via email, social media and their phones, after their numbers were reportedly leaked online.

Gabrielle responded: 'As someone who lost 32 family members in the holocaust. I simply have no words '

The Australian model has been vocal for her support for the country on social media amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Since the terror organization Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, death tolls have climbed on both sides to 4,000.

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 two million Palestinians, fueling fears that the impoverished population will be plunged into further misery.

Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed 900 Palestinians, the territory's health ministry said last week.
Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswel looked downcast as they left rehearsals on Tuesday, after an 'emotional week' on Strictly Come Dancing.

The EastEnders actor, 20, and his professional dance partner Dianne, 34, kept their distance while leaving the studio in London.

Bobby kept a low-profile in a blue hoodie and joggers, teamed with brown UGG boots.

Meanwhile, Dianne looked casual in an oversized beige jumper and skin-tight leggings, while wrapping up in a padded coat.

After scoring 30 out of 40 for their Tango to Fashion by David Bowie on Saturday's show, an emotional Dianne held back tears and praised Bobby as her 'rock' after a difficult week.

Tough: Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswel looked downcast as they left rehearsals on Tuesday, after an 'emotional week' on Strictly Come Dancing

Emotional: After scoring 30 out of 40 for their Tango to Fashion by David Bowie on Saturday's show, an emotional Dianne held back tears and praised Bobby as her 'rock' after a difficult week

Bobby also appeared a little downcast, telling Claudia Winkleman he felt: 'Just emotional. It's been so so emotional all week.'

In the post-dance chat with Claudia Winkleman, Dianne's eyes appeared to fill with tears as she spoke about getting the technical elements of the dance right before adding: 'He has just been a massive rock this week, so thank you.'

Her voice then broke as she leant into Bobby's chest and hugged him.

Dianne's partner Joe Sugg took to Instagram after the performance and penned: 'Loved it, incredible' along with a clip of the dance.

He has now revealed he has turned to meditation as a way of coping with the stresses of the dance contest.

Bobby told The Mirror : 'I am reaping the rewards of chanting. And at work. I'm lucky that, you know, sometimes I'll be in my dressing room or sometimes I won't need to be on set.

'There's always an opportunity to chant. Even on the train and going to work in the car.

'No one is ever too busy to meditate ever. It is an opportunity to purify consciousness'.

It comes after last week Bobby admitted he is 'falling in love' with his partner Dianne, after branding the pro 'a sister' to him.

Casual: The EastEnders actor, 20, kept a low-profile in a blue hoodie and joggers, teamed with brown UGG boots

Strong: Bobby Brazier has revealed he has taken up meditation to stay relaxed after an 'emotional week' on Strictly Come Dancing

The duo have forged a firm friendship since hitting the dance floor last month and at Sunday night's Pride Of Britain Awards, Bobby admitted he is 'very lucky' to have the Australian beauty as his trainer on the show.

Speaking to Mirror, he said: 'I could speak about Dianne all day. She's just a diamond - you know what, I'm falling in love with her. She's just great. I feel very lucky.'

As well as speaking about her expertise as a trainer, Bobby divulged a cheeky secret about their training - admitting he is known to sleep on the job.

When asked if he is a 'perfectionist' during their 'gruelling' training sessions, he said: 'Dianne would say no because I've been taking as many breaks as possible, I've been napping as much as possible. Necessary digestive periods, I call it.'
Hawaii has been ranked as the most expensive state to hold a funeral, with grieving families expected to pay $15,203 on average, according to a new study.

Researchers said the high price of land in the Aloha state is a 'massive contributor' to its funeral costs, along with above-average living costs across the board.

The findings from online pharmacy Now Patient lay bare the rising cost of dying in the United States.

California came in as the second most expensive place to hold a funeral, with ceremonies costing $10,727 on average.

It was followed by Oregon, New York, and Massachusetts where funerals cost $10,424, $10,355 and $10,270 on average.

Hawaii has been ranked as the most expensive state to hold a funeral, with grieving families expected to pay $15,203 on average, according to a study by online pharmacy Now Patient

The top ten was rounded out by: Maryland, Alaska, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey.

By comparison, Mississippi came out as the cheapest place to hold a funeral. On average ceremonies there are around $6,568.

It was followed by Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri - where funerals all cost below $6,900.

Analysts at Now Patient used data from the World Population Review to find the average cost of dying in each US state.

The research formed part of a wider study into average living costs across America which looked at gas prices, health insurance, cost of groceries and gym memberships.

Unsurprisingly it found New York was the most expensive state to live overall, with a cost-of-living index score of 9.05 out of 10. It was followed by Alaska, Vermont, Hawaii and Massachusetts.

The US cremation rate is set to hit 81.4 percent by 2045, up from 60.5 percent this year, according to the National Funeral Directors Association

Since the pandemic, the cost of dying in America has radically increased. A study earlier this year by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) found the median cost of a funeral in the US has shot up to $7,848 - marking a five-year increase of 6.6 percent.

Funerals with cremation are slightly cheaper, costing $6,970. But it still marked a five-year increase of 11.3 percent.

It has led more grieving families to consider cremation. According to the NFDA, the US cremation rate is set to hit 81.4 percent by 2045, up from 60.5 percent this year.

Their survey showed that 54.4 percent of respondents cited cost effectiveness as the main reason for choosing cremation.
The Justice Department is reportedly considering taking legal action against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as part of an unprecedented clampdown on broker fees.

Commission, which can be as much as 5 or 6 percent of a property's value, is usually shared down the middle between the two brokers representing the buyer and seller.

On the median $407,100 home sale in the US, a 5.5 percent commission amounts to about $22,390.

After a years-long investigation by federal antitrust enforcers, action is now on the cards, a person familiar with the issue told Bloomberg, to scrutinize the broker commission system.

The NAR is a trade association of real estate brokers and agents in the US. It has over 1.5 million members - making it the largest professional organization in the country - and owns the trademark to the word 'Realtor.'

The Justice Department is reportedly considering taking legal action against the National Association of Realtors. Pictured is the Main Justice Building where the Department is headquartered in Washington DC

A study by credit firm Self Financial found that this year the highest commission rates are in Ohio, Georgia and Missouri

The association has control of many of the country's multiple listing services - platforms used by real estate agents and brokers to share information about properties for sale and find listings for prospective buyers.

To use the system, NAR requires brokers to be members of the organization. Sellers must also offer compensation to the buyer's representative. Critics say that inflates home prices.

A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment to DailyMail.com.

It comes after a study by credit firm Self Financial found that this year the highest real estate broker commission rates were in Ohio, Georgia and Missouri, with rates of 5.81, 5.76 and 5.72 percent respectively.

The reports of a potential antitrust trial come amid two separate private class-action suits brought against the National Association of Realtors in Illinois and Missouri.

The latter began on Monday and could result in as much as $4 billion in damages, according to the Bloomberg report. The former will see separate plaintiffs seek as much as $40 billion in a trial due to take place next year.

The commission-sharing structure equates to 'collusion,' Michael Ketchmark, the lead plaintiffs' attorney in the Missouri case, told Bloomberg. 'The day of accountability is coming.'

The NAR has been a target of DOJ scrutiny for some time now, beginning with a case brought during the Trump administration.

To settle that, the association agreed to measures such as increased price transparency, but later the Biden administration pulled out of that deal claiming it wanted to maintain the right to pursue further action against the NAR.

But a federal judge said earlier this year that the Department of Justice is still bound by that agreement - a decision the Department then appealed.

According to a brief filed by the Department in July, the federal agency was planning an 'investigation of conduct that affects over $100 billion in broker fees paid by Americans annually'.

'The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division brings this appeal to restore its authority to investigate potentially anticompetitive rules, policies, and practices of the National Association of Realtors,' the brief stated.

'Because NAR rules govern most residential home sales across the nation, they can have a significant economic impact on one of the most important transactions in many Americans' lives.'

The NAR has been a target of DOJ scrutiny for some time now, beginning with a case brought during the Trump administration. Pictured is the former president arriving to address the National Association of Realtors during a Legislative Meeting in 2019

Redfin is an online real estate firm that withdrew from the National Association of Realtors earlier this month, citing concerns about agent compensation.

'We've paid more than $13 million in dues, in an effort to influence NAR to advocate for an open, technology-driven marketplace that would benefit consumers,' it said in a release on October 2.

'We'll now explore other ways to advance those goals,' it added.

Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman told Bloomberg that the company supported potential action from the Department of Justice.

In the worst-case scenario for the industry, the federal government could seek to ban sharing commissions, prohibiting sellers' agents from compensating buyers' agents.

'Our guess is that the lawsuits in Missouri and Illinois will not go that far, but it's possible,' he told the outlet. 'We think that DOJ action is necessary to reach that level, and that would be a seismic change - basically, half the real estate agents in this country would be unemployed.'

NAR vice president of public relations Mantill Williams said: 'In response to the marketplace, NAR has developed guidance for local MLS broker marketplaces that supports consumers getting comprehensive, equitable, transparent and reliable home information while brokerages of any size, service or pricing model get a fair shot at competing.

'The result is an efficient model for brokers to serve sellers and buyers and to enable market-driven pricing and buyer representation for consumers. Realtors adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and bring incredible expertise to guide consumers through the financial, legal and community complexities of buying or selling a home. We are confident we will prevail in proving the lawfulness of the rules being questioned in the trial of Burnett v. NAR, et al. The DOJ is not involved in this matter.

'Regarding commissions, the market decides compensation rates, and compensation is always negotiable. The free market determines broker commission costs through factors like service quality, customer preference and market conditions.

'Consumers have the choice of who they want to pay and how they want to pay them. Consumers are encouraged to talk to their broker to understand and agree upon how they expect to be compensated.'
Colorado has the highest proportion of people still working from home of any US state, data shows.

Since the work from home boom during the pandemic, many companies have clamped down on getting workers back in the office.

Overall, the push seems to be working. Approximately 26 percent of households have someone working remotely at least one day a week, according to the two latest Census Bureau Household Pulse Surveys.

This is a sharp decrease from the early-2021 peak of 37 percent, according to data from Bloomberg, independently verified by DailyMail.com.

But there is still a large discrepancy between states - with Colorado coming in first with 38.3 percent of households reporting having someone working from home at least once a week.

Colorado is the state with the highest proportion of people still working from home, according to data from the US Census Bureau

Across the US, seven states - and Washington DC - have a work from home rate which is more than 33 percent.

Maryland has the second highest rate of households where someone had worked from home at least one day in the past seven - at 36.9 percent.

Some 34.9 percent of households in Utah have someone working remotely, 34.7 percent in Massachusetts and 34.3 percent in Minnesota.

On the other end of the spectrum, workers in Wyoming are working from home the least.

Only 12.9 percent of households had someone who worked from home in the last week in the state - where the main industries include mining, agriculture and manufacturing.

Mississippi has the second lowest work-from-home rate, at 13.5 percent, followed by Alabama at 14.8 percent, North Dakota at 16 percent and Arkansas at 16.2 percent.

States including Mississippi and Louisiana - which has a work-from-home rate of 16 percent - were not as able to able to widely embrace remote work due to a reliance on in-person industries including manufacturing and oil and gas.

Since the work from home boom during the pandemic, many companies have clamped down on getting workers back in the office

The declining work-from-home rates reflect the continued push by companies to get staff back into the office.

Remote workers have been blamed for dwindling profits, and 'zombie' workplaces remaining vacant in some of the country's biggest cities.

Companies including Goldman Sachs and X - formerly Twitter - have nixed working from home entirely and asked employees to return to the office five days a week, while others have pivoted to hybrid models.

Elon Musk has called working from home 'morally wrong', while Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said it made people 'lazy'.

'We got lazy in Covid. I mean seriously, people are still allowing people to work from home, all this silliness, right? All that's out the window. So we need to get people back in the office,' he said last month.

While the overall work-from-home rate is decreasing, it is still prevalent.

Separate research has showed that nearly a third of US workdays are spent at home.

In December last year, 29 percent of workdays were occurring at home, according to data from WFH Research, which went up slightly to 31 percent in July this year.
Southwest Airlines has announced changes that make it easier to qualify for its frequent flier loyalty program.

Beginning on January 1, 2024, the airline is lowering the threshold for earning 'A-List' and 'A-List Preferred' status in its Rapid Rewards Program.

It comes weeks after Delta Air Lines faced widespread backlash after announcing plans to cap the number of entries to its lounges and tighten the qualifying criteria for customers to earn frequent flyer status.

Following the criticism, CEO Ed Bastian admitted the company 'probably went too far' with the clampdown - and pledged to make 'modifications' to the changes.

Southwest Airlines announced the new requirements will be 20 qualifying one-way flights for A-List status, down from 25, and 40 qualifying one-way flights for A-List Preferred status - down from 50.

Southwest Airlines has announced changes that make it easier to qualify for its frequent flier loyalty program

The airline is also lowering the spend-to-earn threshold on its co-branded credit cards.

Rapid Rewards Premier, Priority, Premier Business, or Performance Business cardholders will now receive 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for every $5,000 in spending.

This is down from $10,000 currently.

The number of TQPs you will need to qualify for A-List and A-List Preferred status will remain the same - 35,000 and 70,000 respectively - but spending on a credit card will get you there twice as fast.

A-List members receive priority boarding, priority check-in and security lane access.

As soon as next month, A-List Preferred members will also be entitled to two complimentary alcoholic drinks per flight - including beer, wine, liquor and hard seltzer.

The airline is also lowering the spend-to-earn threshold on its co-branded credit cards (Pictured: CEO Bob Jordan)

Jonathan Clarkson, Southwest's vice president of marketing, acknowledged that the changes are going against the grain of other airline rewards programs.

'While I'd love to say that we're so nimble we did an immediate response, it just isn't the case. We've been working on this for a while,' he told USA Today, in reference to Delta's recent announcement.

'At a time when other programs, plural, are making it harder to achieve tier status, we're making it easier.'

The airline also announced other changes to its Rapid Rewards Program, including the option to book tickets using cash and points.

Previously, customers had to use exclusively one or the other.

Clarkson said he was not concerned about an increase in members of its frequent flier programs diluting the experience for seasoned travelers.

The announcement of changes at Delta came following issues with overcrowding at its airport lounges.

'Foremost was ensuring that whatever changes we make didn't result in bloating the program,' said Clarkson.

'It will result in a larger program we anticipate, but not to the point where it erodes the benefit of the people who get to take advantage of it.'
It is a case of revenge, which has become a sprawling legal case. Tuesday, October 17, in Constantine (eastern Algeria), the trial in absentia of Amira Bouraoui for identity theft and clandestine exit from the territory is due to begin. In January, the flight of the Franco-Algerian opponent, who was then under a ban on leaving Algerian territory, caused an intense diplomatic crisis between France and Algeria. In this case, his mother, Khadija Bourdjia, 71, his cousin as well as an illegal taxi driver, a police officer and the journalist Mustapha Bendjama are also being prosecuted for complicity and illicit trafficking of migrants. Apart from Ms. Bourdjia, all the defendants are in pre-trial detention.

The matter does not end there. Two days later, still at the Constantine court, another hearing is scheduled: the appeal trial of Mustapha Bendjama, again, and of Raouf Farrah, a researcher specializing in organized crime, must be held for "publication on the Internet of classified information and receipt of funds from abroad with the aim of carrying out acts detrimental to public order. Six people, including opponents in exile abroad under international arrest warrant, are also cited but on other charges. At the end of August, at first instance, MM. Bendjama and Farrah were sentenced to two years in prison.

If from a distance, these two files appear unrelated, they are nevertheless closely intertwined: the investigation into Amira Bouraoui led to the arrest of Mustapha Bendjama which led to that of Raouf Farrah. They illustrate the repression that has fallen on dissonant voices in Algeria since the Hirak, the popular movement which weakened the system.

 Humiliation 

In total, fourteen defendants have been charged by the courts since the flight of Amira Bouraoui in these two cases opened following her departure from the country. Some have already been sentenced to heavy sentences, such as journalist Abdou Semmar, a refugee in France, who received 15 years of imprisonment in absentia. He had already been sentenced to death in October 2022 for endangering national security, after the publication of articles online on his media Algerie Part. I dont even know why. We took people who have no connection with each other and we made a business out of them, he explains, still surprised. Its really a story of revenge, retaliation and intimidation, insists a friend of Mustapha Bendjama and Raouf Farrah. It was necessary to create a big file to make people forget the humiliation that Amira Bouraoui caused to the Algerian authorities. 

This humiliation begins on January 31st. That morning, no one recognized the opponent who got into a Toyota Yaris, in Annaba (eastern Algeria), the town where she is from. The driver Djamel Miassi, at the wheel of an "illegal" as these undeclared but tolerated collective taxis are nicknamed, politely calls this 46-year-old passenger "mom" whom he considers to be "an old lady", according to the explanations given by he gave during his interrogation.

Veil on her head, makeup for the occasion, Amira Bouraoui has managed to resemble as closely as possible the photo on her mother's passport, which she uses to cross into Tunisia. On the Algerian side, once at the Oum Teboul border post, the driver hands the papers of the various passengers to an agent, Ali Takida. Did the latter scan the biometric documents in the Albocos database (Algeria Border Control System) to check the travelers' fingerprints? He doesn't remember it anymore. The gendarmes, who arrested their colleague from the border police, doubt it, suspecting this official, now prosecuted, of having been corrupt. At 9:32 a.m., the Toyota crosses the border, and Amira Bouraoui, despite being banned from leaving Algeria, heads to Tunis.

Three days later, the Algerian authorities became aware of the opponent's flight: they were informed of her arrest at Tunis airport. Amira Bouraoui was trying to reach France with her French passport; However, the border police noticed that there was no trace of his entry into the country and arrested him. Algeria demands her extradition, but warned by her lawyer, the French authorities are mobilizing in favor of their national - she is dual national - to extract from President Kais Saied a green light to let her reach France on February 6. This intervention provokes the ire of the Algerian regime which denounces, in a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed to the French embassy in Algiers, "the clandestine exfiltration by means of a multidimensional operation carried out with the proven involvement of personnel officials of the French State. New diplomatic crisis between Paris and Algiers, the third since 2020.

However, according to our information, the investigation carried out by the Algerian gendarmes at no time mentions France's role in the activist's flight. It is not a question of spies or French barbouzes from the general directorate of external security as indicated by the official press, but of a simple escape supported by a cousin and a mother. Algeria is worse than Netflix, argues journalist Abdou Semmar who will find himself involved  with others  in what he calls a judicial tchoutchouka.

Amira Bouraoui being sheltered somewhere in France, according to her relatives, there must now be guilty people. One of them seems to be the ideal accomplice: journalist Mustapha Bendjama, 33. This young investigative reporter, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Le Provincial in Annaba, has been in the sights of the authorities for years.

Bad treatments

Because of his investigations into the murky links between the political and business world, the summons to police stations and courts followed one after another, as did the convictions, which led to him being described by his colleagues as "the most harassed journalist from Algeria ". He is also known for his pro-Hirak coverage, his support for prisoners of conscience and for press boss Ihsane El Kadi, sentenced in June to seven years in prison, five of which were closed, for foreign financing.

His articles are disturbing, and his friendship with Amira Bouraoui, even more so. On February 8, two days after the opponent's arrival in France, he was arrested in his office. The gendarmes accuse him of having been aware of the activist's plans in advance and, consequently, of having helped her to leave the country. Its defenders insist on the total absence of material evidence to support these accusations.

The investigators are convinced of the opposite: the exploitation of the young man's telephone will reinforce their conviction when they come across the numerous exchanges with her. A few months later, Mustapha Bendjama will tell a judge about the mistreatment he was subjected to. During his custody, which lasted eleven days, six gendarmes allegedly put him on his knees, then they used a screwdriver to scratch my fingers in order to use my fingerprint to unlock my smartphone, he described. .

With his phone accessible, the gendarmes begin a hunt for the journalist's sources. By searching it, they unearth  over several years  WhatsApp, Messenger or Signal conversations with various interlocutors and on the basis of these messages, which have nothing to do with Ms. Bouraoui, justice therefore opens another case. In this new file which will concern eight people, the young man is questioned until late at night on discussions with foreign or Algerian colleagues in exile in France, convicted of terrorism and whom Algeria continues to demand from the Elysee or on its links with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Why is he in jail?

Mustapha Bendjama is interviewed at length about work commissioned from him by Global Integrity Index (GII) in 2020 and 2021. For this organization, a partner of the World Bank, he wrote 54 articles on socio-economic indicators for the purposes of a report on good governance in Algeria. The investigators did not like it, especially when Mr. Bendjama sought to find out whether the country's airports met international standards. There is nothing sensitive in this information which is public, it is data collection work that we are doing in all African countries, Arnaud Yombo, its research director, explains extensively to Le Monde. cited in the investigation. I don't understand why he is in prison. It is only in Algeria that we have this kind of problem. 

For this essay, he was paid 1,500 dollars (1,400 euros). Mustapha Bendjama then asks one of his friends who lives in Tunisia, Raouf Farrah, if he can receive his remuneration on his account. The journalist was supposed to go there to collect the money, but he discovered that he was forbidden to leave the territory. His friend suggests that his father, who also lives in Annaba, give him part of the amount. For this reason, Raouf Farrah will be prosecuted for receiving funds from abroad with the aim of carrying out acts detrimental to public order, his father for complicity.

This 30-year-old is a respected researcher at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC). An Algerian and Canadian citizen, he has lived in Tunis for several years with his wife and their daughter. He is regularly interviewed by the Algerian media, particularly for his expertise in the Sahel, and was even, according to those close to him, invited to the national holiday on July 4, 2022 at the Algerian embassy in Tunis.

On hunger strike

It was also he who introduced Mustapha Bendjama to the Global Integrity Index. This information appears on the journalists phone and arouses new suspicions  not to say paranoia  among Algerian investigators. As a result, on February 14, while passing through Annaba for his cousin's wedding, Mr. Farrah was arrested at his parents' home, six days after the journalist.

The researcher gives the access codes for his phone. Did he have a choice? His father, 67, was detained for two months, his mother questioned and Mr. Farrah's smartphone scrutinized. Investigators accuse him of conversations with a Japanese diplomat interested in the Sahel and Western Sahara; its links with international NGOs; to have collected money from the diaspora to help the families and lawyers of prisoners of conscience during the Hirak; or even having spoken to Simon, a Franco-Israeli journalist, based in Tunis. We often talked because he is a researcher, then he became a friend, but Franco-Israeli? Im Anglo-Irish, insists Simon Speakman Cordall.

On October 3, Mustapha Bendjama began a hunger strike to denounce his detention. Amira Bouraoui, a gynecologist by training, started on-call duty in a French hospital. And through Raouf, the authorities are sending a clear message to researchers in the diaspora: Stop working on Algeria, otherwise we will put you and your family in prison, explains a close friend. The fear is there. 
The administration of US President Joe Biden reached an amicable agreement on Monday (October 16) with migrant families separated at the border with Mexico under a policy of his predecessor Donald Trump, the Department of Defense announced. Justice.

Nearly 4,000 minors were separated from their parents under President Trump under his so-called zero tolerance policy of bringing criminal charges against anyone who entered illegally across the border. As a result, parents could be immediately detained without their children.

The practice of separating families at the southwest border was shameful, Justice Minister Merrick Garland was quoted as saying in a statement. The agreement, which ends a class-action lawsuit initiated in 2018 in federal court in California, must still be submitted to a judge for approval. It provides assistance to affected families for immigration procedures, housing and care.

This agreement also aims to reduce the possibility of further separations in the future and notably prohibits the government from any action in this direction over the next eight years.

Closing one of the darkest chapters of the Trump era

Shortly after arriving at the White House, Joe Biden created a unit in February 2021 dedicated to identifying and locating separated migrant families. This unit has so far reunited more than 750 children with their families and has identified 85 others about to be, according to the press release.

The influential civil rights organization ACLU, which led the collective procedure, congratulated itself in a press release on having reached a historic agreement making it possible to close one of the darkest chapters of the Trump administration ".

An essential element of this agreement is that the government finally agreed not to renew this zero tolerance policy, emphasizes the ACLU.

The tragedies experienced by separated families had sparked an outcry even in Republican ranks, leading Donald Trump to decide in June 2018 to put an end to this policy intended to dissuade migrants from crossing the border. A federal judge, for his part, ordered the reunification of divided families.

But, at the same time, the administration continued to separate families using the rule allowing an undocumented parent to be arrested and expelled if they committed a serious crime.
The fratricidal war between former Bolivian president Evo Morales and his dolphin, president Luis Arce, has already claimed its first blood. At least 23 people were injured during the blockades that the Evistas have erected to sabotage the holding of the town hall meeting of the pro-government faction of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), which began yesterday in Alto de La Paz.

"Among the injured is the person who has been kidnapped and brutally tortured in the tropics of Cochabamba. After several hours he has been released," Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo denounced to the country on Monday night. With stones, shovels and punches, the followers of the former president attacked those who were trying to unblock the roads in the Cochabamba Tropics, the historical bastion of the great leader of the indigenous revolution.

The so-called Pact of Government Unity and the Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) also denounced the "ambushes" against their followers who were leaving Santa Cruz in the direction of El Alto.

Through his social media platform, Morales responded that these were "self-attacks" in search of legitimacy. "As in neoliberal times, they accuse and persecute us with false accusations. The MAS and its national leadership will never give up or divide," responded Evo, who has defined the council of his opponents as the broad front of the right. Morales is an unrestricted ally of Latin American dictatorships and one of the main pro-Putin activists on the continent.

Irreconcilably divided and marked by violence, this is how the council of the official sector of the MAS in El Alto began yesterday, with which Arce and the chancellor, David Choquehuanca, intend to recover the party initiative two weeks after the Congress of the other faction of the MAS, which imposed Morales as a presidential candidate for the 2025 elections. For this, it also has the Superior Electoral Court, which must decide on the repetition of the organic event due to alleged non-compliance with party statutes.

The organizers hope to bring together a million people, very optimistically, to refound their political instruments and recover the "process of change", which would entail the calling of a new congress to recover internal control and future candidacies.

"In the face of external and internal attacks, the Bolivian people respond with unity, unity and nothing more than unity to continue facing the challenges that lie ahead," Arce stressed to his followers.

The most striking thing about this revolutionary fratricidal war is that it is not about ideological or political differences, since both leaders share similar postulates. As so often, at the bottom are power and money. Morales, one of the great dinosaurs of Latin American politics (another of them, the Ecuadorian Rafael Correa, lost last Sunday's elections) not only wants to rule in the current legislature, he also wants to resume the presidency in the next one.

The electoral fraud orchestrated in 2019, as demonstrated by experts from the Organization of American States (OAS), finally caused Morales to leave the country and resign from the Presidency.

Morales uses complaints against government "corruption" as one of his main offensive tools. "I hope that instead of attacking the MAS, this right-wing council will serve to inform brother Lucho Arce who ordered the removal of bags with 99 million dollars from the vaults of the Central Bank of Bolivia," Evo shot in the last hours.
Amna Abdullatif was elected as Manchester's first Muslim councilor in 2019 and has now been among the first to announce her resignation from the Labor Party over opposition leader Keir Starmer's pro-Israel position. Shaista Aziz and Amar Latif also resigned last week as Labor councilors in Oxford for the same reasons, following their leader's statements justifying "Israel's right to defend itself."

Starmer, embarked on a three-year crusade against anti-Semitism as a leader, faces growing rebellion among his own deputies for unconditionally aligning himself with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and barely questioning Israel's military response and the humanitarian crisis. in Gaza.

"Israel is committing war crimes," Labor MP Afzal Khan, "shadow minister" for Trade, declared in the House of Commons, challenging his own leader's call for unity. Khan went even further and accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of having "contributed to the dehumanization of Palestinians" and to fomenting "Islamophobia" within the United Kingdom.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, a close ally and personal friend of Starmer, has also distanced himself by criticizing Israel's "disproportionate" response and the "inexplicable suffering" in Gaza. Khan has also been criticized by the conservative press for his lukewarm reaction to outbreaks of anti-Semitism and the temporary closure of four schools in London due to lack of security.

Former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn has set fire to the internal debate in his own way after his appearance last Saturday at the pro-Palestinian demonstration in London. "The right thing to do is to condemn the murders that have occurred," Corbyn said, referring to the Hamas attacks. "But it is also the right thing to condemn the targeting of the civilian population, which is a war crime in international law. Just as it is also right to demand that a million people leave their homes in 24 hours, when thousands are dying." .

Similar arguments were used by Muslim councilor Amna Abdullatif, co-founder of Sisters Rising, to announce her decision to leave the Labor Party: "I have been left with no choice after hearing the horrible comments from Keir Starmer and other MPs about the right to "Israel to leave 2.2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza without fuel, water, food or electricity. That is tantamount to supporting a war crime."

"Like any decent person, we are devastated by the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas in Israel," declared Shaista Aziz, who resigned last week from Oxford City Council for the same reasons. "But we are equally horrified by Starmer's words. We believe politicians need to emphasize humanitarian treatment and call for an end to collective punishment in Gaza."

Lubala Khalid, a Palestinian photographer, resigned this week from her position as leader of Young Labor BAME (which groups young people from ethnic minorities) claiming that the Labor Party "has ceased to be a safe place for Palestinians and Muslims."
A census on the educational and professional profiles of citizens would help the government devise policies to plug in gaps that impede our development

Even though scientifically we are one species of Homo sapiens, human beings continue to show discrimination based on religion, race and caste. Its a shame for our country in particular and humanity as a whole when people kill each other in the name of caste, religion and race in different parts of the country. Most of the so-called developed countries have reached the level that we see today as they were able to do away with this social mischief. Unfortunately, in our country caste is a dominating player in our social set-up. To preserve the dignity of ones caste even parents are killing their children who try to move away from the clutches of caste rules. People make relationships, friendships and even helping hands based on caste factors.

The caste system that we see today was initiated during the post-Vedic period when more rigid Jathis emerged from the varnas. Around the 6th century BCE, religious movements led by figures like Buddha and Mahavira challenged the hierarchical nature of the caste system.

However, the colonial British rule, as part of their policy of divide and rule, reinstated the social divisions. They introduced census operations that classified people into various castes and communities. This had the effect of reinforcing existing social divisions.

The great spiritual philosopher from Kerala Sree Narayana Guru advised people to follow the  one caste, one religion, one god philosophy for the betterment of humanity. Unfortunately, even in his home state, no one is following this in true spirit. The Christian missionaries who converted native people on the belief that Christianity does not follow a caste system and gives respect to everyone are also bereft of a culture of oneness. Few Christian sects in Kerala are more fanatic than any other community in the country. It seems that caste is a deeply ingrained aspect of Indian society, its reflection can be seen in every religious group in the country.

Even after 75 years of independence despite efforts to dismantle the formal caste system through legal means, caste-based discrimination and social stratification continue to be significant challenges in contemporary India. It is at this juncture, that the demand by the opposition parties in INDIA pushing for a nationwide caste census comes as a retrogressive step. What do our political parties expect from this? Do they want to reinstate the caste sentiments in the mindset of our youngsters? Are they promoting the historical wrongs our predecessors have done and want our youngsters to fight against one another along caste lines? Are they not interested in seeing our country as a developed nation? Politicians should not play petty electoral politics by fooling people. What is the ultimate objective of pushing for a caste census? If it is for the upliftment of a community/ caste by providing reservations, previous experience shows that it has failed miserably as the community that receives reservations remains backwards even today. What is the use of giving reservations to the children of government servants based on caste lines? Government support can be provided for one generation for their upliftment. There is no meaning in providing reservations to the next generation, as these people have been lifted from the marginalized category. Many communities that had been the dominant earlier are becoming marginalized now.

Irrespective of caste, governments should support every citizen who is marginalized based on their financial status. Instead of a caste-based census, our political parties should take steps to conduct a census on the educational profile and professional profiles of citizens. This can help devise policy measures to identify gaps that impede our development.

(The writer is an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, views are personal)
Discoms will be profitable only when they are unshackled from state controls and electricity distribution is deregulated

Even as the Central government is making all-out efforts to remove the financial distress of power distribution companies or discoms (situated at the core of the power supply chain, they procure electricity from power generating companies or gencos and distribute it to the consumers) and restore them to robust health, actions of the state governments undermine these efforts.

The financial distress of discoms arises fundamentally due to their inability to generate enough revenue to pay for the electricity they buy. For over two decades, they have been incurring losses year after year. They have funded these losses by borrowings from banks and other FIs apart from keeping bills pending. At the end of FY 2021-22, their total debt was Rs 620,000 crore.

Discoms inability to generate required revenue has to do primarily with two factors viz. aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses - a jargon for power theft - and shortfall in the average revenue realisation from the sale of electricity vis-a-vis the average cost of supply (cost of purchase, wheeling and distribution), or the ACS-ARR gap. During 2020-21, AT&C losses were 22.32 percent while the ACS-ARR gap was Rs 0.54 per kWh.

Both maladies arise due to constant meddling in the running of discoms by their owners namely the state governments. Power theft on such a massive scale is unthinkable without the complicity of the political establishment. People living in slum settlements/jhuggi clusters being a big vote bank, the party in power encourages unauthorized connections to enable their access to free power.

As for the second malady, the political brass orders discoms to sell a major slice of electricity to households (HHs) and farmers, either at a fraction of the cost of supply or even free (the state electricity regulatory commissions or SERCs which are mandated to fix tariff merely act as rubber stamps). Even as the state government promises to reimburse the differential amount to discoms, most states dont reimburse or do it partially and after considerable delay.

Given nearly a quarter of the revenue lost due to power theft and a substantial amount in subsidies remaining unpaid, the financial stress of discoms is inevitable. The politics of freebies now deeply entrenched in the system has exacerbated the already grim situation. Let us look at the developments in Punjab. Last year, amongst a host of freebies promised by AAP the most prominent was free electricity to households (HHs) for consumption up to 300 units per month.

Going by sheer common sense, the State should give help only to those HHs who cant afford to pay cost-based tariffs. The way to go is to identify households whose income is below a threshold. AAP hasnt gone by this. Could it be presumed that only low-income HHs have consumption of fewer than 300 units? So, in essence, the assistance reaches only to those who cant afford it. A closer scrutiny would reveal that the approach adopted by the AAP government is mischievous. Its real intent was to give the dole to all and sundry.

If a household consumes less than 300 units a month, it doesnt necessarily follow that it is a family with low income. For instance, there would be umpteen number of well-off/high-income old-age couples living alone who consume less than 300 units a month. Even for others, who consume more than this threshold, we see a dastardly trend of consumers applying for multiple connections within the same HH. For instance, a household consuming 900 units a month, gets three meters installed to keep consumption of each under 300 units thereby ensuring zero bill.

Reportedly, more than 100,000 meters have been bifurcated or trifurcated enabling even high-end consumers to avail of the free bonanza. As a consequence, currently almost over 95 per cent of power consumers in Punjab avail of subsidies. The swelling number of connections has increased the subsidy by Rs 125 crore per month on average. As a result, the total domestic subsidy for the current FY is now expected to be Rs 8,813 crore  Rs 1,500 crore higher than the initial estimate of Rs 7,313 crore.

In Delhi, where there is no charge for HHs consuming up to 200 units (HHs consuming between 200 and 400 units get a deduction of Rs 800 from their bill), the possibility of the majority of households availing of access to electricity - free of any charge  is not ruled out. The situation in other states wont be different. Given almost the entire population of the State - including the rich, millionaires, billionaires and so on, getting to enjoy the free bonanza, the burden of power subsidy is bound to gallop. Faced with budget constraints, the states will take increasing recourse to underpayment and delayed reimbursement of subsidy dues to discoms.

Meanwhile, the Centre is dealing with discoms under a two-pronged strategy (i) forcing them to make timely payments and (ii) helping them cut AT&C losses and reduce the ACS-ARR gap. Under (i), it implemented late payment surcharge (LPS) and related matters Rules, in 2022. The LPS rules made it mandatory for discoms to clear their legacy dues as existing on June 3, 2022, in a time-bound manner in 12 equal monthly instalments (EMI) with the benefit of non-applicability of the LPS after its implementation date. The same rules are also provided for time-bound clearance of current dues failing, which will attract a power supply cut.

The pressure tactics have worked. The legacy dues of all stakeholders in the electricity supply chain viz. power generating companies (gencos) and transmission companies (transcos) from discoms decreased from Rs 1,39,747 crore in June 2022 to Rs 69,957 crore in July 2023. Faced with the threat of LPS, the latter could have used loans taken from PFC and REC (out of Rs 130,000 crore sanctioned under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan) to make payments to the former.

As for (ii), under the Reforms-Linked, Result-Based Scheme for Distribution (RLRBSD) launched in July 2021, the Centre has undertaken a massive investment of Rs 300,000 crore to improve the reliability and quality of the power supply and enhance the efficiency of discoms. It has compulsory pre-paid and smart metering components to be implemented across the power supply chain, including in about 250 million households. The Scheme has yielded results.

The AT&C losses of discoms have gone down from 22.32 per cent during 2020-21 to 13.5 per cent during 2022-23. The ACS-ARR gap has also reduced from Rs 0.54 per kWh during 2020-21 to Rs 0.15 per kWh in 2022-23. A 9 per cent cut in AT&C losses is a stupendous achievement. It seems that pre-paid and smart meters have been installed, and power theft is almost eliminated. The Centre is keen that the ACS-ARR gap should be reduced to zero by March 2025. This will require making power theft nil and timely recovery of all subsidy dues from the States. But, this wont be possible if states continue with business as usual; it could even lead to erosion of the gains made in 2022-23. Modis efforts would deliver only when (a) discoms are unshackled from state controls; (b) States give subsidies directly to the beneficiaries and (c) electricity distribution is deregulated.

(The writer is a policy analyst, views are personal)
The Trinamool Congress continues to remain tightlipped on the cash-for-queries charges brought against its MP Mahua Moitra with some senior leaders privately communicating party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees views that she should be left to clean the mess she has created, if at all she has created it.

And as a measure to do so, Moitra on Tuesday filed a defamation suit against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey who had written letters to two Union Ministers and Speaker Om Birla charging her with accepting bribes from one business conglomerate in lieu of asking questions against its rival group: In this case the Adanis.

A senior party leader and a State Cabinet Minister said all the party leaders were expected to follow the austere lifestyle and valued principles of Mamata, and if anyone deviates from that then it is for that person to explain her conduct the party will not take any responsibility.

Earlier Dubey had alleged that Moitra had taken bribes from a business house to ask questions in the Lok Sabha against its rival the Adani group.

Dubey claimed if the claims are found to be true, then it constitutes a serious criminal breach of trust as well as a violation of Indias national security.

The TMC MP, however, put up a brave front saying she is ready for any kind of probe and iterating that all the allegations leveled against her were malicious and untrue.

The Speaker is known to have referred the matter to the Ethics Committee.

Moitra on Tuesday filed a defamation case against BJP Dubey before the Delhi High Court. A Supreme Court advocate has also been made a party in the suit.

The reason behind the top TMC leadership distancing itself from the Moitra case, or in the least not openly backing her are three-fold, insiders say.

Firstly, as a straight-talker, Moitra has often earned the wrath of senior TMC leaders most of whom have no sympathy for her now.

Even party supremo Mamata has on a couple of occasions rebuked her for crossing swords with other leaders or their supporters.

Secondly, the Chief Minister who is desperate to showcase some investment in Bengal post her Singur movement that drove away the Nano car factory of the Tata Motors from the State during the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee regime is not willing to enter into an issue where the Adanis are involved.

Remember the Adani group has offered to construct a deep sea port at Tajpur in East Midnapore district, a senior Bengal Minister said, adding Moitra had gone too far across asking questions against them in her bid to politically corner the BJP.

If Mamata is not happy with her on certain issues this is perhaps the one of them, said the TMC leader, adding the TMC has privately conveyed to the Adanis that Moitras stance would not reflect on what the TMC thought about the group.

And finally when a number of its senior leaders are already in jail in connection with recruitment, coal and cattle scams the Bengal ruling outfit does not want to get embroiled in more number of such issues particularly when Moitra is not a mass leader and a dispensable leader, a TMC sympathiser and a political analyst said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has referred the bribe-for-query complaint made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Moitra to the Ethics Committee of the lower House.

Dubey alleges that Moitra accepted bribes from a businessman in exchange for posing questions in Parliament. He has urged Birla to establish an inquiry committee to thoroughly investigate these accusations. The Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha is presided over by BJP member Vinod Kumar Sonkar.
Sabarimala, the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa, nestled amid the jungles in the Western Ghats, is back in the news and is expected to stir up a hornets nest, even as the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court is getting ready to hear the plea demanding the restoration of the ban on womens entry into the temple.

Adding to the woes of Lord Ayyappa devotees is the demand by a section of MLAs and MPs of Kerala, belonging to a particular community, that the Centre should take up the task of laying a railway track to Sabarimala ostensibly to facilitate the transportation of cannabis from the Western Ghats to the rest of the State.

The demand for womens entry to the shrine has been made by Ranga Hari, former All India Baudhik Pramukh of the RSS, the organisation that spearheaded the agitation against the entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 into the shrine.

Off with Outgrown Customs, authored by Hari (93), states that reformation is inevitable in Hindu society. Traditionalists have always opposed reformers, and it is a human phenomenon in human society. The great Indian poet Kalidasa has said that nothing is good only because it is old and nothing is bad only because it is new, Hari writes, quoting from Malaavikagnimithram, a play by Kalidasa.

Hari has also quoted Malayalams mystic poet Kumaran Asan, who exhorted the society to reform and change the rules. Else those very rules will be your downfall, the author has quoted Kumaran Asans explosive poem Duravastha written immediately after the Mappila Rebellion of 1922.

The nonagenarian has called for the extension of the darshan period of Sabarimala from the present three months to a year-round event. Sabarimala is a global Hindu pilgrimage Centre. Hence we have to consider the status of Hindu women globally, their psyche, knowledge, finance, inquisitiveness, scientific temper, jobs, etc. Todays woman is an entirely different person. Indian women have more adherence to things religion, and culture Though both men and women have gone through a westernised public instruction system, it is the woman who transforms India into Bharat; it is the man who makes Bharat, India, Hari has written, and he calls for the establishment of a casteless and classless Hindu society in the country.

To substantiate his arguments, he draws the attention of the Hindus towards temples in Mauritius, Trinidad, Myanmar, and Singapore. Hari points out in his book that though there are Hindus in these countries, there is no caste or caste-related discrimination.

The custom in Sabarimala, which was in vogue from time immemorial, was not to allow women to worship in the temple, citing that the presiding deity at Sabarimala was an eternal Brahmachari.

The apex court had passed a landmark judgment on September 28, 2018, in which it allowed the entry of women inside the Sabarimala Temple. The petitioners, Indian Young Lawyers Association, had contended that denial of permission to women for worshipping in the temple was violative of the Right to Equality and liberty. The association argued that the custom violates the Right to Equality under Article 14 since it is derogatory to the dignity of women.

Article 25 of the Constitution states that all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice, and promote religion. The exclusion of female worshippers was a violation of such rights.

The verdict was pronounced by a Bench consisting of the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justices Rohinton Nariman, DY Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra, and AM Khanwilkar.

Following the Supreme Court verdict, the Kerala Government went all out to ensure the entry of women into the temple. Despite a massive agitation staged by hundreds of thousands of devotees across the State and the resistance under the leadership of Valsan Thillankery, the top RSS leaders in the State, the Kerala Police ferried women activists to the shrine, masquerading them as women cops. Fatima and Bindu Ammini, the women activists who made it to the shrine, are Maoists.

Valsan Thillankeri, who spearheaded the agitation against the Kerala Governments move to allow women into the shrine, told The Pioneer that there was no change in the stance of the RSS. The Sangh as well as the women themselves are unanimous in their opposition to women entering the holy shrine. What Hari has written are his personal views, said Thillankeri.

The book, written in Malayalam, has been translated into English by eminent journalist and author Rama Chandran. Many scholars with whom The Pioneer spoke expressed their anguish over the views of Hari. It is an age-old custom and tradition, and there is a scientific reason behind the decision to ban women devotees. A pilgrimage to Sabarimala itself is a ritual that needs stringent regimen, said Unnikrishnan Panicker, a Vedic scholar in Keralas Parappanangadi. Many lives have been lost in police action on devotees who had thronged the shrine in 2018 demanding a ban on women.
A 60-year-old ex-Navy employee who faked his death for 20 years was arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for allegedly killing a relative and burning to death two labourers. He was nabbed from a house in Najafgarh.

According to police, Balesh Kumar was arrested from a house in Najafgarh where he was staying with his family having changed his name to Aman Singh.

Balesh was 40 when he allegedly killed his brother-in-law, Rajesh alias Khushiram, over money in Delhis Bawana area in 2004. He also allegedly had an illicit relationship with Rajeshs wife.

Police in 2004 arrested Baleshs brother Sundar Lal, who was also involved in Rajeshs murder, however, Balesh managed to give them a slip. According to Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav, Balesh, who was in a transport business then, escaped in a truck to Rajasthan.

There he set his truck on fire and burned two of his workers to death.

Rajasthan Police during the course of investigation identified one of the persons as Balesh, while the other body remained unclaimed. The family members of Balesh also identified one of the bodies as his, Yadav said. Rajasthan Police closed the case assuming the prime suspect dead.

After faking his death, Balesh fled to Punjab and managed to procure forged identity proof with the help of his family members and changed his name to Aman Singh.

He remained in touch with his wife and managed to transfer his insurance claim benefits and pension from the Indian Navy to her. Also, the truck involved in the incident was registered in the name of his brother Mahinder Singh, who allowed him to claim the insurance. He got insurance claim for the truck into the account of his wife, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ankit Kumar said.

Balesh then moved to Delhis Najafgarh with his family and started living with them.

On a secret tip-off, we managed to nab him from his house on Monday. During the interrogation, he confessed his involvement in the murder of his relative and two labourers from Bihar, Kumar said.

The Delhi Police has informed its counterpart in Rajasthans Jodhpur about Baleshs arrest and asked them to reopen the burnt truck case.

The Delhi Police claimed that Balesh had also stolen antique items in 2000 from Delhis Kota House and was booked for theft at Tilak Marg Police Station.
Asserting that when half the population is secure, the entire society is secure, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday issued a stern warning to the miscreants, saying that those who breach the safety of women will be hunted down even if they hide in the depths of inferno.

While addressing a programme held to inaugurate, lay foundation stones, and distribute assistance funds for 256 development projects worth Rs 632 crore in Transport Nagar, the chief minister emphasised that the safety, respect, and self-reliance of mothers, sisters, and daughters transcend caste, urging everyone to unite in safeguarding them.

The CM said that when the dignity of women was ensured, investment followed naturally. CM Yogi pointed out that over the past nine and a half years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tirelessly strived to elevate the respect and dignity of half the population.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Act is poised to be a significant milestone. Now the mothers and sisters of the state will get the opportunity to be elected to one-third of the seats in the Assembly and Lok Sabha, like the Panchayat and local bodies, he said.

Yogi pointed out that before the double engine government entered the scene, Uttar Pradesh was a BIMARU state, known for frequent incidents of unrest, chaos and anarchy. Unfortunately, this situation had even made it unsafe for daughters to attend school. However, since our government took office, rioters are now often witnessed begging for their lives with placards hanging around their necks, he remarked.

The chief minister said, Currently, we have taken forward the fourth edition of Mission Shakti. This edition is also a campaign to once again effectively protect the dignity of women, enhance their respect and pave the way for their self-reliance.

This mission was launched in 2020 and taking this forward, the double engine government is taking forward programmes for the welfare of women, he added.

He also pointed out that under the PM Awas Yojana, Prime Minister Modi had given houses to many women of the country, making them rightful owners of their houses. In Uttar Pradesh alone, 55 lakh sisters had received their own homes through this program, he informed.

Furthermore, Yogi underscored that under the visionary leadership of the prime minister, people have witnessed the emergence of a new India.

This is an India characterised by capability, strength and self-reliance, and which is on its way to becoming a global superpower, " he asserted. He contrasted it with the pre-2014 era, which was marked by a sense of distrust and insecurity. Infiltrators freely entered the country, and there was confusion surrounding policies, Yogi pointed out.

Yogi further said, Our daughters Parul Chaudhary and Anu Rani of Western Uttar Pradesh have brought laurels to the country as well as mother power by bringing gold medals in the Asian Games. Our government will directly appoint both daughters as Deputy SPs. Apart from this, by organizing a function in Lucknow, an assistance amount of Rs 3 crore will be given to those who won gold medals in the Asian Games, Rs 1.5 crore to those who won silver medals, and Rs 75 lakh to the players of Uttar Pradesh who won bronze medals.

Yogi distributed an amount of Rs 72.90 crore to 2,528 self-help groups of National Rural Livelihood Mission and Rs 29.02 crore to 54 beneficiaries of One District, One Product Programme. Apart from this, Yogi provided Rs 19.16 crore to 175 beneficiaries of Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme. At the same time, he distributed Rs 10.94 crore to 103 beneficiaries of Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana.

Yogi also interacted with entrepreneurs from Bulandshahr, discussing their concerns. During the conversation, he highlighted the states new industrial policy and reassured entrepreneurs of comprehensive policy support from the government. The event was attended by several high-ranking officials, along with MSME entrepreneurs from the district.
The second list of Congress candidates for the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections is likely to be released on Wednesday.

This was hinted at by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and PCC chief Deepak Baij who earlier left for New Delhi to attend a Congress meeting.

"A meeting will be held for finalizing candidates for some of the remaining seats. Then we will request the party high command to release all the names of the remaining nominees as soon as possible, Baij said.

Baij also accused the BJP of trying to spread hatred in view of the upcoming elections.

"They always spit venom. For the last five years, they (Modi government) tried to disrupt welfare schemes in the state and now they are spreading lies and venom. But it will have no impact," he said.

"The Congress will register a historic win in the election," he said.

Polling for the 90-member assembly will be held on November 7 and 17.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath on Tuesday released the party's manifesto for the upcoming state assembly polls, making a slew of promises including Rs 25 lakh health insurance cover to all the people in MP, 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, and to form an IPL team of the state.

Congress has made maximum promises in the manifesto for farmers. The party has given a new slogan for the farmers of the state "Sewa Sangrash aur Balidan Jai Jawan and Jai Kisan" on the lines of former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri's slogan Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.

Opposition party Congress released its manifesto for the assembly elections to be held in Madhya Pradesh next month. In this manifesto, the party has announced plans to build Shri Ram Van Gaman Path and Sita Mandir in the state along with health and education for the farmers, government employees, youth-women, sportspersons.

Along with the release of the Manifesto , Congress has also announced its slogan. This time Congress will enter the fray in Madhya Pradesh with the slogan 'Congress Aayegi Khushali layegi '. Congress has issued separate letters for these seven sections: farmers, women, youth, employees, social justice, faith and belief. This manifesto of total 1290 words has about 59 topics, out of which there are 225 points.

The party has said in its promissory note that Jai Kisan will continue the agricultural loan waiver scheme. Loans of farmers up to Rs 2 lakh will be waived off. The outstanding electricity bills of farmers will also be waived. Farmers will be given Rs 2600 for wheat and Rs 2500 for paddy. Apart from providing 5 horse power free electricity, 50 percent discount up to 10 horsepower will be provided.

Referring to the prosperity of cows and wealth, the party said that Congress has been associated with Indian culture and farmers. Initially the election symbol of Congress was a pair of bulls, then it was cow-calf, which symbolizes that Congress always follows the cow dynasty culture. In the manifesto, the party has talked about starting the Nandini-Gaudhan scheme in the state. Under this scheme, cow dung will be purchased from cow farmers and self-help groups at the rate of Rs 2 per kg.

Apart from this, Nandini mobile app will also be launched to provide facilities to the cattle farmers. The party has also talked about starting White Revolution Milk Mission in the state in the promissory note. For this, the slogan Shewt Kranti layenge Doodh ki Ganga Bahayange has also been given.

In the manifesto, Congress has promised to work on dam and canal projects to ensure utilization of the water of Narmada River, the lifeblood of the state. The party has talked about forming Maa Narmada Parikrama Parishad and stopping illegal sand excavation from the banks. The party has also given the slogan that calls for Mother Narmada, this time Congress government.

Congress has tried to woo the youth through the picture of former PM Rajiv Gandhi in the letter and promise. Congress has given the slogan that Congress's hand is with the youth. The party has talked about giving the youth the right to employment.

The party has promised to make a law for government recruitment in the state, fill 2 lakh government posts and give 100 percent relaxation in competitive examination fees. Congress has promised that when their government comes to power, the recruitment of teachers, police, patwari, forest guard, nurses etc. which have been pending for the last 18 years will be done in the state. Under Yuva Swabhiman, needy educated unemployed youth will be given financial assistance of Rs 1500 to Rs 3000 per month for 2 years.
The Congress on Tuesday complained to Chhattisgarh's Chief Election Commissioner against what it said was a hate speech by BJP leader and Union Minister Amit Shah.

At an election rally in Rajnandgaon on Monday, Shah accused the Bhupesh Baghel government of appeasement and said communal violence was going on in the state at the behest of the Congress government.

Congress leaders in a memorandum to the Election Commission demanded action against Shah after accusing him of violating the code of conduct due to his "hate speech".

Shah had charged that Bhuneshwar Sahu was lynched in Biranpur in Bemetara for vote bank (politics) and appeasement.

If the Congress comes to power again, it will continue the politics of appeasement and vote bank, he had said.

Congress leaders said Shah's statement was objectionable as Chhattisgarh was a peaceful state. They also charged state BJP chief Arun Sao and former Chief Minister Raman Singh with inciting communal hatred.
In several districts across the state, a concerning pattern of abuse has been detected in the crop insurance scheme, where farmers have manipulated the system for personal gains. Some have managed to claim insurance without actually sowing any crops, while others have falsely increased their cultivated area to get the insurance cover.

Shockingly, in certain instances, farmers have managed to claim insurance payouts from two different banks for the same crop. Reports indicate that around 8,000 such cases have been reported.

Case 1: Many farmers in Mahoba were found to have acquired Kisan Credit Cards from two different banks and claimed compensation for the same crop from both banks. There have been instances where both farmers and sharecroppers have credit cards associated with the same piece of land. The entire districts farmers are currently under examination.

Case 2: A farmer in Mathura falsely reported sowing mustard in two bighas of land. After successfully obtaining an insurance payout, he attempted to claim an additional three bighas of crop. An investigation was initiated when the situation appeared suspicious, and it was revealed that mustard had not been sown at all. The investigation unveiled tampered documents, including Khatauni records.

Officials of the Agriculture department have initiated a comprehensive re-evaluation of all farmers currently enrolled in the insurance programme, with a determination to recover funds from those who have unlawfully benefitted from the scheme. The Agriculture department is also actively devising strategies to prevent further manipulation.

Every case is being scrutinised, and recovery actions are underway for those who received improper payments. Farmers who attempted to claim benefits multiple times will face warnings, while a comprehensive strategy is being crafted to combat these fraudulent cases, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture, Dr Devesh Chaturvedi said.

The reach of the crop insurance programme has been on a continuous rise in the state. In the fiscal year 2022-23, a total of 41.47 lakh farmers were insured, covering both Kharif and Rabi crops.

Approximately 28.95 lakh hectares of land and an insurance value of Rs 16,009.19 crore were involved in this coverage. Farmers contributed a total premium of Rs 283.58 crore, the state government disbursed Rs 612.12 crore, and the Central government contributed Rs 610.61 crore in premiums.

During this period, the department disbursed a sum of Rs 795.96 crore as compensation to 10.67 lakh farmers. However, it has come to light that there were fraudulent activities in nearly 8,000 cases during the distribution of insurance claims. Some farmers made multiple claims, while others attempted to claim benefits they werent eligible for.

The authorities have taken swift action to isolate these fraudulent cases, emphasising on the need for recovery from farmers who wrongly claimed insurance. The Agricultural Statistics department is currently collecting district-wise factual reports and conducting investigations, with the majority of the multi-claim cases being reported from the Bundelkhand and Western Uttar Pradesh regions.

The investigation has also cast suspicion on the involvement of departmental officers and employees in these fraudulent activities. Measures are being taken to identify and take necessary action against these personnel who may have facilitated these wrongful claims.

To prevent future abuse of the system, the department is actively developing a strategy. One key initiative includes linking the land records and bank account details of all farmers to a centralised portal. This measure is expected to expedite the detection of fraudulent claims and prevent repeat occurrences, Chaturvedi said.
Centre of Happiness AIIMS Bhopal in coordination with Department of Surgery, AIIMS Bhopal conducted a session of happiness for Survivors of breast cancer and their families on Tuesday from 2:00pm to 4pm.

Centre of Happiness AIIMS Bhopal is continuously trying to emphasize role of positive psychology in healing as well as in overcoming the stress of treatment among patients as well as their families/caregivers.

Centre of Happiness has been established under the able guidance of Prof. Ajai Singh, Director and CEO, AIIMS Bhopal to strengthen the zeal of an individual to overcome the struggle and stress, patients and their family members undergo during the procedure of treatment. The centre of happiness works to enhance the positivity among the patients as well as the caregivers.

The month of October is observed as Breast cancer awareness month and on this occasion experts from department of surgery, psychiatry, physiology and yoga explained the role of positive thinking in overcoming the physical and mental stress of treatment procedures. The breast cancer survivors shared the ups and downs of their treatment journey and what strengthened their emotions during this phase.

Dr. Shyam Lal, professor Department of Surgery urged the patients and their caregivers to keep faith on their treatment and follow the directions/suggestions given by their treating doctors and never hesitate to ask queries.

Dr. Swagata brahmachari, additional prof. surgery explained that the fearless fight of patients against the disease helps them recover better and more strengthened. Dr. Ruchi Singh, additional professor, department of physiology emphasized that patients' caregivers too should seek out for support during the treatment of their dear one, and stay positive.

Dr. Snehil Gupta, associate professor, department of psychiatry made the patients realize that during this journey of diagnosis and treatment patients have emerged as knowing themselves better than ever before.

Dr. Jyotsana Rai, yoga trainer taught stress-relieving techniques to patients as well as caregivers as they too pass through enormous stress during the patient's treatment procedure. It was followed by an interactive session and many patients enthusiastically shared their stories and their journey through the treatment which in itself gave a positive motivation to many patients present in the Outpatient department of surgery.
Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Center (BMHRC) has come forward to treat an HIV positive patient suffering from a serious heart condition of a hole in the heart. Dr Ashish Shankhadhar, Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, BMHRC and his team implanted an ASD closure device in his heart.

The patient is now absolutely fine and has been discharged from the hospital. Dr. Ashish Shankhadhar said that the patient is suffering from congenital heart defects called Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). With increasing age, symptoms of ASD like shortness of breath, fatigue etc start appearing.

This problem increases with puberty. If treatment is not given on time, this condition can also be fatal for the patient. The patient wanted to get its treatment for the last several years, but failed to get it any. Disappointed everywhere, he came to BMHRC.

Seeing the condition of the patient, we decided to perform surgery. I informed the entire staff about the patient's condition and explained to them how important this procedure is for his life. The entire staff decided to take up this responsibility as a team to achieve a larger objective. Following all the guidelines required for the treatment of HIV patients, the ASD device was implanted in the patient's heart.

Since BMHRC has experienced staff, the procedure was completed easily. Risk of infection: Dr. Shankhadhar said that in this procedure, the ASD device is implanted to the heart through a vein in the leg with a thin catheter. There is some bleeding during this entire process, due to which there is a possibility of infection. Complete precautions were taken: To avoid infection, the entire staff wore plastic disposable aprons along with gowns. Eyes covered with good quality goggles.

Wear shoes that cover the entire foot. To minimize the number of items required to be disinfected after an operation, unnecessary furniture was removed from the cabinet. To reduce the risk of a syringe getting into your hands, we wear two good quality gloves. Dr Ashish Shankhadhar said, During my studies, I got a chance to know the plight of HIV positive patients. I understood how they were treated by society. They have to endure so much physical as well as mental pain while fighting this disease. If I didn't treat this patient, It would have been unfair to my profession. I explained the same to my staff also.

Being a specialist of Blood Transfusion medicine services, I understand the plight of HIV positive patients very well. They also have every right to receive treatment like normal patients. The doctors and staff of the cardiology department of BMHRC have set an example for the entire society, said Dr Manisha Shrivastava, Director-in-charge, BMHRC, Bhopal.
Haryana to model government and private ambulance system after Ola and Uber: CM



Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday unveiled a plan to establish an Ola and Uber-style system for immediate ambulance assistance to patients in need. Under this initiative, a unified pool of both government and private ambulances across the state will be created. Patients will receive prompt assistance from the nearest available ambulance, ensuring timely and efficient medical care. Khattar revealed this during the monthly meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee held in Faridabad. Out of the 13 cases brought forward in the meeting, 10 were promptly addressed. He also highlighted the importance of essential medicines and added that out of the 510 medicines required, specific instructions have been issued to ensure the availability of 65 critical medications in hospitals at all times.



Hry CM approves 13 new projects under Rural Augmentation and Mahagram Yojana worth Rs 284 crores



Chandigarh: To bring change in the lives of the state's rural population, the Haryana Government has decided to implement 13 new projects worth more than Rs 284 crore under Rural Augmentation programme and Mahagram Yojana in 4 districts--Hisar, Jind, Sonipat and Rewari. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday accorded administrative approval for these projects to be implemented by the Public Health Engineering Department with NABARD assistance as loan. He also allotted additional funds of Rs 16.98 crore for the speedy completion of ROB on Chandigarh-Kalka Railway line, NH21A (New NH-105). Now the total revised estimate of the construction work will be around Rs. 38.71 crore, said a government official spokesperson.



Foot escalator overbridge to be installed in Civil Hospital complex of Ambala



Chandigarh: Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday said that the foot escalator overbridge in the Civil Hospital complex of Ambala along Ambala-Saha Road will probably be the first escalator to be installed on any road in Haryana. This foot escalator overbridge will be built at a cost of Rs 2 crore, Vij said while addressing the gathering present after laying the foundation stone of Foot Escalator Overbridge in Ambala. He said that there is an OPD of more than three thousand patients every day in the Civil Hospital and in view of the increasing traffic on Ambala-Saha Road, a foot escalator overbridge was sanctioned.



Himachal govt identifies 11 eco-tourism sites to attract tourism: CM



Shimla: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the meeting of Himachal Pradesh Eco Tourism Society, said that the State Government would promote eco-tourism on a large scale and infrastructure was being developed for the same. The Government has identified 11 eco-tourism sites in forest areas having scenic and natural beauty including Swaar, Saurabh Van Vihar, Neugal Park, Bir-Billing in Palampur forest division, Kasol, Kheer Ganga and Sumarupa in Parvati forest division, Sojha in Seraj, Narkanda in Kotgarh and Shogi camping site besides Potter Hill camping site under Shimla forest division. Every eco-tourism destination will be developed in an area of one hectare. A reserve price has been fixed for these sites to be developed and operated through outsourcing, he added. Sukhu said that eco-tourism would help in increasing the footfall of tourists and add to the revenue as well. Apart from this, employment and self-employment opportunities will also be created in the state. He said that eco-tourism sites at other places in the state will also be identified and developed from a tourism point of view.



HPMC procures 32454 MT apples under MIS: Negi



Shimla: The 213th Meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) of H.P. Horticultural Produce Marketing & Processing Corporation (HPMC) was held on Tuesday under the Chairmanship of Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi. The Minister formally launched the new Web Portal of HPMC Ltd. All the services of HPMC such as booking of CA/Cold Stores, Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and sale of horticulture inputs have been made online through the web portal. Negi said that HPMC has procured 32454 MT apples to date, under the Market Intervention Scheme 2023. Despite the disaster caused by the heavy rainfall in the State, HPMC has managed to lift the entire quantity of apples procured under the Scheme. HPMC has produced a record 1288 MT Apple Juice Concentrate at its three Fruit Processing Plants at Parala, Parwanoo and Jarol (Mandi) during the current apple season. He informed that the trial and commissioning of the newly established HPMC fruit processing plant Parala was successfully conducted during the current apple season. HPMC will be producing Apple Juice Concentrate, Pectin, Ready to ready-to-serve juices and Drinks, fruit wines and apple cider vinegar at the facility.



GMSH-16 sensitizes staff on fire safety



Chandigarh: Due to the recent fire incidents in PGIMER, the Govt. Multi Speciality Hospital, Sector-16 on Tuesday sensitized the staff for disaster preparedness (fire safety) and conducted an awareness training and mock drill. This training was attended by all senior officials of the Health Department, U.T., along with SMO and MO Incharges, the Paramedical Staff including Nursing Officers, Lab Technicians, Operation Theatre Assistants, Reception Counters Employees, and Security Staff. The training was basically to make all the participants aware of usage and handling of fire safety equipments and the fire extinguishers. The Team from the Chief Fire Officer, imparted the training and stressed upon precautions to be taken in the hospital premises and dos and donts in case of fire and the importance of escape routes in the hospital buildings. A live demonstration was carried by the Fire Officers on types of fire extinguishers and the way to use them in case of any fire.
A low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) around October 20, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted on Tuesday.

A cyclonic circulation lies over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman Sea extending up to 4.5 km above mean sea level. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to form over Central parts of Bay of Bengal, the IMD said.

However, the system is unlikely to play spoilsports in the Durga Puja festivities in Odisha. The predicted low-pressure area is likely to move westwards towards north Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coasts with low probability of further intensification into depression, the IMD said.

However, the Regional Office of the IMD here hasnt issued rainfall warning for the State till October 21.
In a tense showdown of legalities and authority, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Governor Banwarilal Purohit are embroiled in a clash of words over the legality of an upcoming special session of the Punjab Assembly, scheduled for October 20-21. Days after the Punjab Raj Bhavan declared that the ensuing session, being projected as an extension of the Budget session, is bound to be illegal and any business conducted during it is unlawful, Chief Minister defied the same while claiming that the session is fully valid and legal.

That was not all! The Chief Minister announced that several pro-people bills would be presented during the two-day assemblys proceedings.

Mann argued that the session had been called in consultation with legal experts and in accordance with the Constitution. He emphasized that the legislative assembly is a democratically-elected body accountable to the people of the State.

The root of the dispute lies in whether the October 20-21 session should be treated as an extension of the previous Budget session or a distinct event requiring the Governor's approval. The Government officials contend that since the previous session has not been officially prorogued, the Governor's consent is not necessary. They argue that the Assembly Speaker holds the authority to convene the session under these circumstances.

The central focus of the upcoming assembly session is expected to revolve around a recent Supreme Court directive regarding the contentious Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project in Punjab. The State Government has resisted the canals construction, citing an alleged water scarcity issue.

Notably, the Apex Court, in its October 4 ruling, instructed the Central Government to assess the land allocated for the canals construction in Punjab and determine the extent of the work accomplished so far.

Aside from the legal tussle, the Chief Minister also challenged the opposition leaders to a debate on November 1. He accused them of running away from the debate and being responsible for deceiving the people of Punjab on various issues. Manns provocative challenge comes amid a backdrop of criticism from opposition parties on the contentious SYL canal issue.

These leaders deceived Punjab on various issues for which they are answerable to the people of the stateThese leaders looted the masses and backstabbed the Punjabis on various issues, he said.

Mann had recently dared Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal for an open debate on issues concerning the State. for the same, the State Government has made an arrangement for holding the debate on November 1 at an auditorium of the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana.

As the battle of legalities and political confrontations escalates in Punjab, the state braces for significant developments during the upcoming assembly session, as well as the anticipated debate on November 1.
Punjab Police on Tuesday claimed to have averted a possible target killing of prominent persons in the region with the arrest of four operatives of a terror module backed by Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda, and operated by USA-based gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia.

Sharing details, the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav identified the arrested accused persons as Vikramjit Singh alias Raja Bains of Batala; and Bawa Singh of Luddarh village in Amritsar; Gurkirpal Singh alias Gagan Randhawa; and Amanat Gill  both residents of Amritsar. Police teams have also recovered one .32 bore pistol along with 10 live cartridges from their possession, he added.

DGP Yadav said that following intelligence inputs about Rinda and Happy Passia planning to target some prominent persons in the state, and they have hired two shooters to accomplish this task, Police teams from State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar, launched a special operation and nabbed two accused persons, including Vikramjit alias Raja Bains and Bawa Singh.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that gangster Happy Passia had a deal with accused Vikramjit to pay Rs 15 lakh for to carry out target killing, said the DGP, adding that the accused Vikramjit had also conducted the recce of the target in the last week of September 2023.

DGP Yadav said that the follow-up investigations suggested that the pistol and live rounds for Vikramjit were arranged by Happy Passia through his local associates identified as Gurkirpal Singh alias Gagan Randhawa, Hari Singh alias Harry and Amanat Gill, all residents of Amritsar.

Following the disclosures of arrested accused persons, Police teams have also nabbed Gurkirpal Singh and Amanat Gill, while, Hari Singh managed to flee to abroad, he added.

An FIR has already been registered under sections 17, 18 and 20 of the UAPA Act; sections 115, 153, 153A and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC); and section 25 of the Arms Act.
The Israeli military said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon, its Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said.

A video from a reconnaissance drone the Israeli army shared showed the militants near the separation wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion.

No group in Lebanon claimed immediately claimed responsibility. Last week, militants from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in southern Lebanon crossed the border and clashed with Israeli troops, killing 3 and wounding several others. The militants were killed, and the Palestinian group held funerals for two of them.

Tensions have flared along the Lebanon-Israel border between the Hezbollah group and Israeli military. While shelling has been limited to towns along the border, there are fears Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups would escalate their actions to support Hamas should Israel begin a ground operation in Gaza.

Malaysia's Anwar Warns Gaza Crisis Could Turn Into Genocide

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the crisis in Gaza could turn into genocide if Israel's war against Hamas in the territory continues.

Anwar said Tuesday that civilian safety must be given top priority. He said he expressed Malaysia's unwavering support for the Palestinian people during a phone conversation Monday with Hamas political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh.

Given the dire situation in Gaza, I strongly advocate for the immediate cessation of bombardment and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in Rafah, he wrote on social media. He urged Israel to genuinely pursue a peaceful resolution to end the conflict.

Anwar told Parliament on Monday that Malaysia rebuffed calls by Western countries to condemn Hamas for its Oct 7 incursion into Israel that set off their latest war. Malaysia blames years of injustice and Israeli oppression on the Palestinian people for the Hamas incursion.

If no action is taken, it will turn into a genocide war, he said. If the world is unable to do anything, it means that the world is allowing the mass killing of Palestinians.

Malaysia, a moderate, mostly Muslim nation, has long been a critic of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. It does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.

Anwar plans to attend a meeting of Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia this week and has said he would discuss the issue with his counterparts.

Malaysia has allocated $2.1 million to the UN relief agency helping Palestinian refugees and hopes to raise up to $22 million for Palestinian humanitarian aid.

Palestinians Report Heavy Shelling In Southern Gaza

Gaza Strip: Palestinians in Gaza reported intense bombardments early Tuesday near the southern towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, where Israel ordered civilians to seek refuge.

Israeli bombs hit areas west and southeast of Khan Younis and west of Rafah, according to local reports. Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which contains the territory's only border crossing to Egypt, as international mediators press for a deal to allow aid in and refugees with foreign passports out.
Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC  Free Report) had its price objective decreased by BMO Capital Markets from $58.00 to $50.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. BMO Capital Markets currently has a market perform rating on the basic materials companys stock.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Commercial Metals in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. They issued a buy rating and a $63.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Commercial Metals in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $55.17.

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Commercial Metals Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:CMC opened at $42.82 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $52.49 and a two-hundred day moving average of $50.26. Commercial Metals has a 52-week low of $41.83 and a 52-week high of $58.09. The company has a quick ratio of 2.34, a current ratio of 3.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The company has a market capitalization of $5.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.29 and a beta of 1.34.

Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 12th. The basic materials company reported $1.69 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.77 by ($0.08). Commercial Metals had a return on equity of 26.49% and a net margin of 10.72%. The firm had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.45 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Commercial Metals will post 7.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Commercial Metals Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 25th. Commercial Metalss dividend payout ratio is 7.91%.

Insider Activity at Commercial Metals

In other Commercial Metals news, CEO Barbara Smith sold 48,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.51, for a total value 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 approximately $16,036,690.35. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its stake in Commercial Metals by 82.1% during the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 60,061 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,448,000 after acquiring an additional 27,074 shares in the last quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board purchased a new position in shares of Commercial Metals in the 1st quarter worth about $1,648,000. AE Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Commercial Metals by 3.6% during the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,404 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $495,000 after acquiring an additional 331 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Commercial Metals by 16.8% during the 2nd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 2,959 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $156,000 after acquiring an additional 425 shares during the period. Finally, Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in Commercial Metals during the 4th quarter valued at $89,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.64% of the companys stock.

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.

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Dominion Energy (NYSE:D  Free Report) had its price target decreased by BMO Capital Markets from $50.00 to $49.00 in a report published on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. BMO Capital Markets currently has an outperform rating on the utilities providers stock.

D has been the topic of several other reports. Guggenheim decreased their price target on Dominion Energy from $56.00 to $49.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. StockNews.com raised shares of Dominion Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday. Scotiabank decreased their target price on Dominion Energy from $68.00 to $60.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 11th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Dominion Energy from $71.00 to $53.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 13th. Finally, Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Dominion Energy in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. They issued an equal weight rating and a $52.00 target price for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $53.15.

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Dominion Energy Price Performance

NYSE:D opened at $42.21 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $35.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.48. Dominion Energy has a 52-week low of $39.24 and a 52-week high of $70.80. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $46.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $51.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 0.57.

Dominion Energy (NYSE:D  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 4th. The utilities provider reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $3.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.72 billion. Dominion Energy had a return on equity of 11.94% and a net margin of 12.71%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.77 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Dominion Energy will post 3.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Dominion Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 1st were paid a $0.6675 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.33%. Dominion Energys payout ratio is 98.89%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dominion Energy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV lifted its stake in shares of Dominion Energy by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 10,630 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $903,000 after buying an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Equity Partners grew its stake in shares of Dominion Energy by 1.7% in the first quarter. Golden State Equity Partners now owns 7,635 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $649,000 after acquiring an additional 129 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in Dominion Energy by 49.8% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 394 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 0.3% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 40,479 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,440,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the period. Finally, Ergoteles LLC grew its position in Dominion Energy by 3.2% during the first quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 4,719 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $401,000 after buying an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. 70.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Dominion Energy Company Profile

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Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through four segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Assets. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.7 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina.

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The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG  Free Report) had its price target reduced by JMP Securities from $160.00 to $150.00 in a research report report published on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. JMP Securities currently has a market outperform rating on the insurance providers stock.

THG has been the subject of a number of other reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered 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 report on Tuesday, August 15th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $125.00 to $126.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 31st. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their target price on The Hanover Insurance Group from $149.00 to $138.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $139.71.

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The Hanover Insurance Group Stock Up 3.1 %

NYSE THG opened at $118.32 on Friday. The Hanover Insurance Group has a fifty-two week low of $103.82 and a fifty-two week high of $148.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.37 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $109.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $114.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.23 billion, a PE ratio of -45.51, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.66.

The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The insurance provider reported ($1.91) EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of ($1.91). The business had revenue of $1.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.42 billion. The Hanover Insurance Group had a negative net margin of 1.60% and a negative return on equity of 2.83%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.32 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that The Hanover Insurance Group will post 3.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Hanover Insurance Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th were issued a dividend of $0.81 per share. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 14th. The Hanover Insurance Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -124.62%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Jane D. Carlin sold 1,246 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.04, for a total transaction of $142,093.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 2.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in The Hanover Insurance Group by 14.0% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 14,446 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,160,000 after purchasing an additional 1,772 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group during the first quarter worth about $209,000. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its stake in The Hanover Insurance Group by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 3,679 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $550,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in 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 buying an additional 277 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its holdings in The Hanover Insurance Group by 2.7% during the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 13,423 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,007,000 after buying an additional 355 shares in the last quarter. 84.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Hanover Insurance Group Company Profile

(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.

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Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD  Free Report) had its price objective reduced by Morgan Stanley from $75.00 to $72.00 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. Morgan Stanley currently has an equal weight rating on the stock.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Boyd Gaming in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Argus upped their price target on shares of Boyd Gaming from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Boyd Gaming from $82.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $76.75.

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Boyd Gaming Stock Up 1.3 %

NYSE BYD opened at $59.77 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. Boyd Gaming has a 1-year low of $51.36 and a 1-year high of $73.00. The company has a 50 day moving average of $63.67 and a 200-day moving average of $66.29. The company has a market cap of $5.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.65, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.77.

Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.02. Boyd Gaming had a net margin of 19.61% and a return on equity of 41.56%. The business had revenue of $916.95 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $910.59 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.48 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Boyd Gaming will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Boyd Gaming Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th were paid a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 14th. Boyd Gamings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.26%.

Insider Activity at Boyd Gaming

In other Boyd Gaming news, Director Christine J. Spadafor sold 735 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.02, for a total value of $49,994.70. Following the sale, the director now owns 4,212 shares in the company, valued at $286,500.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Director Christine J. Spadafor sold 735 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.02, for a total transaction of $49,994.70. Following the sale, the director now owns 4,212 shares in the company, valued at $286,500.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Stephen S. Thompson sold 16,825 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.15, for a total transaction of $1,146,623.75. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 22,113 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,507,000.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 169,681 shares of company stock worth $11,379,921 over the last 90 days. 27.94% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BYD. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Boyd Gaming by 4.1% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,030,684 shares of the companys stock valued at $594,039,000 after acquiring an additional 359,698 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in Boyd Gaming by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,049,436 shares of the companys stock valued at $558,389,000 after buying an additional 289,372 shares in the last quarter. Ariel Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Boyd Gaming by 63.4% during the 1st quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 2,629,438 shares of the companys stock valued at $172,965,000 after buying an additional 1,020,515 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Boyd Gaming by 45.2% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,382,418 shares of the companys stock valued at $156,715,000 after purchasing an additional 741,156 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Boyd Gaming by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,200,680 shares of the companys stock valued at $109,811,000 after purchasing an additional 10,796 shares in the last quarter. 67.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Boyd Gaming Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It operates through three segments: Las Vegas Locals, Downtown Las Vegas, and Midwest & South.

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Zions Bancorporation N.A. lowered its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A  Free Report) by 84.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 363 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 2,040 shares during the quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A.s holdings in Agilent Technologies were worth $44,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Foundation Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the second quarter worth approximately $228,000. Shell Asset Management Co. raised its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 30.1% during the second quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 38,379 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $4,615,000 after purchasing an additional 8,874 shares in the last quarter. Mendota Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Agilent Technologies during the second quarter worth approximately $128,000. Horan Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Agilent Technologies during the second quarter worth approximately $68,000. Finally, Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Agilent Technologies during the second quarter worth approximately $1,813,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.42% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Agilent Technologies

In other news, VP Rodney Gonsalves sold 3,500 shares of Agilent Technologies stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.78, for a total transaction of $415,730.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 24,219 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,876,732.82. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, VP Rodney Gonsalves sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.78, for a total value of $415,730.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 24,219 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,876,732.82. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael R. Mcmullen sold 944 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total transaction of $122,720.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 260,869 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $33,912,970. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on A. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Credit Suisse Group lowered their target price on shares of Agilent Technologies from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Agilent Technologies from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 16th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Agilent Technologies from $124.00 to $120.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies from $144.00 to $140.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Agilent Technologies currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $146.44.

View Our Latest Stock Report on A

Agilent Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE A opened at $111.43 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.17, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 2.29. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a one year low of $106.82 and a one year high of $160.26. The companys fifty day moving average is $116.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $122.75.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 15th. The medical research company reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.36 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.66 billion. Agilent Technologies had a return on equity of 29.86% and a net margin of 16.20%. The businesss revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.34 EPS. Analysts forecast that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Agilent Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.225 per share. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, October 2nd. Agilent Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.56%.

Agilent Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies.

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Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Free Report) by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 13,656 shares of the credit-card processors stock after purchasing an additional 467 shares during the quarter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Visa were worth $3,243,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of V. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its position in Visa by 107,990.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,998,628,576 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $474,634,314,000 after acquiring an additional 1,996,779,546 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in Visa by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 72,897,112 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $16,435,339,000 after acquiring an additional 2,572,159 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in Visa by 13.0% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 51,122,866 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $10,621,287,000 after acquiring an additional 5,864,340 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Visa by 116,608.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 24,504,130 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $5,090,978,000 after acquiring an additional 24,483,134 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Visa during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,067,232,000. 81.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 8,150 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $1,956,000.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Rajat Taneja sold 15,800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.01, for a total value of $3,950,158.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 232,112 shares of the companys stock, valued at $58,030,321.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 8,150 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $1,956,000.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 32,100 shares of company stock worth $7,923,039. Company insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $248.00 price target on shares of Visa in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Seaport Res Ptn reissued a neutral rating on shares of Visa in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on Visa from $266.00 to $300.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Credit Suisse Group increased their price objective on Visa from $265.00 to $275.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Finally, Raymond James increased their price objective on Visa from $282.00 to $284.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Visa currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $275.14.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Visa

Visa Stock Up 1.0 %

V stock opened at $239.98 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.49 and a quick ratio of 1.49. Visa Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $182.85 and a fifty-two week high of $250.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $446.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.45, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.96. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $239.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $234.55.

Visa (NYSE:V  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The credit-card processor reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.11 by $0.05. Visa had a return on equity of 49.42% and a net margin of 51.94%. The company had revenue of $8.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.06 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.98 earnings per share. Visas revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Visa Inc. will post 8.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Visa Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 11th were given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.75%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. Visas payout ratio is currently 22.84%.

Visa Company Profile

(Free Report)

Visa Inc operates as a payments technology company worldwide. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, click to pay; Visa Direct, a real-time payments network; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral B2B cross-border payments network; Visa Treasury as a Service, a cross-border consumer payments business; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services.

Further Reading

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Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its position in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ  Free Report) by 21.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,152 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,451 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLCs holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $2,007,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of STZ. Old North State Trust LLC boosted its holdings in Constellation Brands by 3,290.0% in the 1st quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 678 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 658 shares during the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in Constellation Brands by 323.1% in the 2nd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 110 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. TimeScale Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Constellation Brands in the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $37,000. 88.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Constellation Brands

In related news, EVP James O. Bourdeau sold 30,723 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $269.00, for a total value of $8,264,487.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,479,500. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO William A. Newlands sold 49,425 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $267.90, for a total transaction of $13,240,957.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 9,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,495,756.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP James O. Bourdeau sold 30,723 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $269.00, for a total value of $8,264,487.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,500 shares in the company, valued at $1,479,500. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 100,819 shares of company stock worth $27,054,755 in the last three months. 16.19% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

STZ has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial reissued a hold rating and issued a $260.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a research note on Friday, October 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Constellation Brands from $307.00 to $309.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 6th. Roth Mkm reiterated a buy rating and issued a $311.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Friday, October 6th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $265.00 to $280.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Finally, HSBC raised their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 6th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $277.76.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Constellation Brands

Constellation Brands Stock Performance

Constellation Brands stock opened at $234.79 on Tuesday. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 12 month low of $208.12 and a 12 month high of $273.65. The company has a market cap of $43.13 billion, a PE ratio of 28.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $255.53 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $246.64.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 5th. The company reported $3.70 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.33. Constellation Brands had a net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 23.35%. The company had revenue of $2.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.17 earnings per share. Constellation Brandss revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 11.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Constellation Brands Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 17th. Investors of record on Friday, November 3rd will be given a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.52%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 2nd. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio is currently 43.36%.

Constellation Brands Profile

(Free Report)

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Premier, Corona Familiar, Corona Light, Corona Refresca, Corona Hard Seltzer, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Chelada, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.

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Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG  Get Free Report) and Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions (OTCMKTS:HESAY  Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, dividends and valuation.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings for Signet Jewelers and Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Signet Jewelers 0 3 1 0 2.25 Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions 0 1 1 0 2.50

Signet Jewelers currently has a consensus price target of $84.20, indicating a potential upside of 16.25%. Given Signet Jewelers higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Signet Jewelers is more favorable than Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Signet Jewelers $7.53 billion 0.43 $376.70 million $8.79 8.24 Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions N/A N/A N/A $0.78 229.84

This table compares Signet Jewelers and Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Signet Jewelers has higher revenue and earnings than Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions. Signet Jewelers is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Signet Jewelers and Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Signet Jewelers 6.47% 34.59% 8.40% Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

Signet Jewelers pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions pays an annual dividend of $0.23 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. Signet Jewelers pays out 10.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions pays out 29.6% 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. Signet Jewelers has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Signet Jewelers is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Signet Jewelers beats Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Signet Jewelers

(Get Free Report)

Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a diamond jewelry retailer. It operates through three segments: North America, International, and Other. The North America segment operates jewelry stores in jewelry stores in malls, mall-based kiosks, and off-mall locations in the United States and Canada primarily under the Kay Jewelers, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, Jared Vault, Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Diamonds Direct, James Allen, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, and Peoples Jewellers names, as well as operates online through its digital banners, James Allen and Blue Nile. This segment also engages in jewelry subscription business. The International segment operates stores in shopping malls and off-mall locations primarily under the H.Samuel and Ernest Jones brands in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and Channel Islands. The Other segment is involved in the purchase and conversion of rough diamonds to polished stones, as well as the provision of diamond polishing services. Signet Jewelers Limited is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions

(Get Free Report)

Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions engages in the production, wholesale, and retail of various goods. The company offers leather goods and saddlery, such as travel articles, small leather goods and accessories, saddles, bridles, and a full range of equestrian products and clothing; ready-to-wear garments for men and women; and accessories, including jewelry, belts, hats, gloves, the Internet of Things products, and shoes. It also provides silk and textiles for men and women; art of living and tableware products; perfumes; and watches. In addition, the company is also involved in weaving, engraving, printing, dyeing, finishing, and producing textiles; and purchasing, tanning, dyeing, finishing, and selling precious leathers. It sells its products through a network of stores worldwide. The company also sells watches, perfumes, and tableware through a network of specialized stores. Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions was founded in 1837 and is based in Paris, France. Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions operates as a subsidiary of H51 SAS.

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Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC increased its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Free Report) by 16.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 139,320 shares of the technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 19,965 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLCs holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise were worth $2,341,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 152,566,180 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,549,380,000 after acquiring an additional 1,824,331 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 2.9% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 70,328,694 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,183,418,000 after buying an additional 1,959,250 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 12.5% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 59,288,867 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $944,472,000 after buying an additional 6,572,347 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 27.8% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 27,661,680 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $440,651,000 after buying an additional 6,019,701 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 0.9% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 27,039,043 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $430,081,000 after buying an additional 238,050 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.15% of the companys stock.

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Performance

Shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock opened at $17.11 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 1.22. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 52 week low of $12.63 and a 52 week high of $18.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The firms 50 day moving average is $17.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $16.32.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces Dividend

Hewlett Packard Enterprise ( NYSE:HPE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 29th. The technology company reported $0.49 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $7 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.99 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 3.64% and a return on equity of 5.32%. The firms revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.31 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 14th were issued a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 13th. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is currently 58.54%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Antonio F. Neri sold 434,884 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.48, for a total value of $7,601,772.32. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,370,291 shares of the companys stock, valued at $23,952,686.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Jeremy Cox sold 21,131 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.66, for a total transaction of $373,173.46. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 615 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,860.90. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Antonio F. Neri sold 434,884 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.48, for a total value of $7,601,772.32. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,370,291 shares of the companys stock, valued at $23,952,686.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 799,031 shares of company stock valued at $13,970,865. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on HPE. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $17.33.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile

(Free Report)

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other.

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Knife River (NYSE:KNF  Get Free Report) and Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU  Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Knife River and Centrus Energys gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Knife River $2.61 billion 1.17 $116.22 million N/A N/A Centrus Energy $324.70 million 2.51 $52.20 million $2.20 23.90

Knife River has higher revenue and earnings than Centrus Energy.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Profitability

67.1% of Knife River shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.6% of Centrus Energy shares are held by institutional investors. 6.4% of Centrus Energy shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares Knife River and Centrus Energys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Knife River N/A N/A N/A Centrus Energy 10.81% -58.24% 5.28%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Knife River and Centrus Energy, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Knife River 0 0 2 0 3.00 Centrus Energy 0 0 1 0 3.00

Knife River currently has a consensus target price of $61.50, indicating a potential upside of 14.21%. Centrus Energy has a consensus target price of $74.00, indicating a potential upside of 40.71%. Given Centrus Energys higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Centrus Energy is more favorable than Knife River.

About Knife River

(Get Free Report)

Knife River Corporation provides aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through six segments: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South, and Energy Services. The company mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as provides contracting services to support the aggregate-based product lines, including heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. It serves federal, state, and municipal governments for various projects, such as highways, bridges, airports, schools, public buildings, and other public-infrastructure projects. The company was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

About Centrus Energy

(Get Free Report)

Centrus Energy Corp. engages in the supply of nuclear fuel and services for the nuclear power industry. It operates through the following segments: Low-enriched Uranium (LEU) and Technical Solutions. The LEU segment includes various components of nuclear fuel to utilities from its global network of suppliers. The Technical Solutions segment offers advanced engineering, design, and manufacturing services to government and private sector customers, and is deploying advanced nuclear fuel production capabilities to power existing, and next-generation reactors around the world. The company was founded in October 1992 and is headquartered in Bethesda, MD.

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Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in TELUS Co. (NYSE:TU  Free Report) (TSE:T) by 8.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 696,475 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock after acquiring an additional 51,492 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates holdings in TELUS were worth $13,553,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in TELUS by 4.7% in the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 17,964 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $350,000 after acquiring an additional 810 shares during the last quarter. Walter Public Investments Inc. acquired a new position in TELUS in the second quarter valued at about $10,455,000. Creative Planning lifted its stake in TELUS by 16.9% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 15,025 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $292,000 after buying an additional 2,174 shares during the period. Addenda Capital Inc. lifted its stake in TELUS by 25.4% in the second quarter. Addenda Capital Inc. now owns 315,650 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $8,229,000 after buying an additional 63,850 shares during the period. Finally, Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd lifted its stake in TELUS by 9.2% in the second quarter. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd now owns 1,097,644 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $21,384,000 after buying an additional 92,769 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 49.48% of the companys stock.

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TELUS Stock Up 1.2 %

TU stock opened at $16.91 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $16.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $18.70. The company has a market cap of $24.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.74. TELUS Co. has a twelve month low of $15.47 and a twelve month high of $22.08.

TELUS Increases Dividend

TELUS ( NYSE:TU Get Free Report ) (TSE:T) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $3.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.72 billion. TELUS had a net margin of 6.04% and a return on equity of 8.19%. Analysts anticipate that TELUS Co. will post 0.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th were paid a dividend of $0.274 per share. This is an increase from TELUSs previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 7th. TELUSs payout ratio is currently 172.58%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on TU. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on TELUS from C$29.00 to C$27.00 in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Desjardins dropped their price target on TELUS from C$29.00 to C$27.50 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Barclays dropped their price target on TELUS from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on TELUS from C$33.00 to C$31.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. Finally, Scotiabank dropped their price target on TELUS from C$29.50 to C$28.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th.

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TELUS Company Profile

(Free Report)

TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services.

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Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Hormel Foods Co. (NYSE:HRL  Free Report) by 14.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 158,211 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 19,500 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc.s holdings in Hormel Foods were worth $6,363,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HRL. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 10.1% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 13,823 shares of the companys stock worth $712,000 after purchasing an additional 1,273 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 37,906 shares of the companys stock worth $1,954,000 after purchasing an additional 1,468 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 37,751 shares of the companys stock worth $1,946,000 after purchasing an additional 2,339 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 8,977 shares of the companys stock worth $463,000 after purchasing an additional 611 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Hormel Foods by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,030,288 shares of the companys stock worth $104,640,000 after buying an additional 8,636 shares during the last quarter. 41.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Hormel Foods

In other Hormel Foods news, SVP Kevin L. Myers sold 5,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.93, for a total value of $160,836.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 38,937 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,204,321.41. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Hormel Foods news, SVP Pierre M. Lilly bought 1,454 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 6th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $37.25 per share, for a total transaction of $54,161.50. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,454 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,161.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Kevin L. Myers sold 5,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.93, for a total transaction of $160,836.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 38,937 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,204,321.41. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Hormel Foods from $36.00 to $31.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of Hormel Foods from $33.00 to $29.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Hormel Foods from $41.00 to $35.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Hormel Foods in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hormel Foods has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $40.00.

View Our Latest Report on HRL

Hormel Foods Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of HRL stock opened at $32.12 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.40. The firms 50-day moving average is $38.19 and its 200-day moving average is $39.44. The stock has a market cap of $17.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.95, a PEG ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 0.20. Hormel Foods Co. has a 52-week low of $30.70 and a 52-week high of $49.73.

Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 31st. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $2.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.04 billion. Hormel Foods had a net margin of 7.20% and a return on equity of 12.20%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.40 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Hormel Foods Co. will post 1.64 EPS for the current year.

Hormel Foods Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 16th will be issued a $0.275 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 13th. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.42%. Hormel Foodss dividend payout ratio is currently 68.32%.

Hormel Foods Profile

(Free Report)

Hormel Foods Corporation develops, processes, and distributes various meat, nuts, and food products to retail, foodservice, deli, and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, and International & Other.

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Independent Advisor Alliance decreased its holdings in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 149,897 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,936 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble comprises about 1.0% of Independent Advisor Alliances investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Independent Advisor Alliances holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $22,745,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in PG. Jackson Square Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 24.1% in the second quarter. Jackson Square Capital LLC now owns 6,925 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,051,000 after acquiring an additional 1,344 shares during the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 3.2% in the second quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 46,658 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,080,000 after acquiring an additional 1,455 shares during the last quarter. Middleton & Co. Inc. MA boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 4.3% in the second quarter. Middleton & Co. Inc. MA now owns 16,807 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,550,000 after acquiring an additional 695 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New Hampshire boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the second quarter. Bank of New Hampshire now owns 22,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,354,000 after acquiring an additional 238 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baillie Gifford & Co. boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 3.2% in the second quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 888,740 shares of the companys stock valued at $134,857,000 after acquiring an additional 27,754 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Procter & Gamble Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of Procter & Gamble stock opened at $146.07 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $151.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $151.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $344.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.76, a PEG ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.44. The Procter & Gamble Company has a twelve month low of $125.86 and a twelve month high of $158.38.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $20.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.01 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 32.88% and a net margin of 17.87%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.21 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.38 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 20th will be given a dividend of $0.9407 per share. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.58%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 19th. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is 63.73%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on PG shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $170.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $169.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $174.00 price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Tuesday, August 1st. Barclays reduced their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $166.00 to $154.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, William Blair began coverage on Procter & Gamble in a research report on Friday, September 8th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Procter & Gamble presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $164.78.

Read Our Latest Report on PG

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 33,022 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.26, for a total value of $5,160,017.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 888 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $138,758.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 1,413 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.97, for a total value of $204,842.61. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 26,306 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,813,580.82. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 33,022 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.26, for a total value of $5,160,017.72. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 888 shares of the companys stock, valued at $138,758.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 108,760 shares of company stock valued at $16,835,914 in the last three months. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Procter & Gamble

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC reduced its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Free Report) by 5.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,594 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 84 shares during the period. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLCs holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $2,091,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 72.7% during the 1st quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 19 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 8 shares in the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 20 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 57.9% in the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 30 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 69.6% in the 4th quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 39 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. 93.11% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on MTD shares. TheStreet cut Mettler-Toledo International from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,660.00 to $1,520.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 31st. StockNews.com downgraded Mettler-Toledo International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,454.00 to $1,366.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1,470.14.

Mettler-Toledo International Stock Up 2.3 %

Shares of Mettler-Toledo International stock opened at $1,056.97 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $1,150.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1,298.97. The company has a market capitalization of $23.11 billion, a PE ratio of 26.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 1.16. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 52 week low of $1,028.56 and a 52 week high of $1,615.97.

Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The medical instruments supplier reported $10.19 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.99 by $0.20. The company had revenue of $982.12 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1 billion. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 2,136.23% and a net margin of 22.48%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 40.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.

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Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA  Free Report) by 23.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 127,499 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 24,635 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc.s holdings in HCA Healthcare were worth $38,693,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. WASHINGTON TRUST Co lifted its position in HCA Healthcare by 100.0% during the second quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 180 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare in the second quarter worth about $1,099,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of HCA Healthcare by 35.8% in the second quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 3,237 shares of the companys stock worth $982,000 after acquiring an additional 853 shares during the period. EA Series Trust acquired a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,336,000. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 2nd quarter worth about $210,000. 62.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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HCA Healthcare Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of HCA Healthcare stock opened at $239.41 on Tuesday. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a 1 year low of $178.32 and a 1 year high of $304.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 79.26, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.20. The company has a market capitalization of $65.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.78, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.62. The companys fifty day moving average is $261.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $273.43.

HCA Healthcare Dividend Announcement

HCA Healthcare ( NYSE:HCA Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $4.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.28 by $0.01. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 12,765.76% and a net margin of 9.32%. The company had revenue of $15.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.63 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $4.21 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 18.48 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th were paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.00%. HCA Healthcares dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.81%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

HCA has been the subject of several recent research reports. VNET Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $310.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 28th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $275.00 to $300.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Mizuho raised their target price on HCA Healthcare from $305.00 to $325.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $345.00 to $294.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, HCA Healthcare presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $308.55.

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Insider Activity at HCA Healthcare

In related news, SVP Kathryn A. Torres sold 5,204 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $269.12, for a total value of $1,400,500.48. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 19,760 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,317,811.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Kathleen M. Whalen sold 2,916 shares of HCA Healthcare stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.00, for a total transaction of $787,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 10,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,767,500. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Kathryn A. Torres sold 5,204 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $269.12, for a total transaction of $1,400,500.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 19,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,317,811.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 9,620 shares of company stock worth $2,592,820 over the last three months. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About HCA Healthcare

(Free Report)

HCA Healthcare, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides health care services in the United States. It operates general and acute care hospitals that offers medical and surgical services, including inpatient care, intensive care, cardiac care, diagnostic, and emergency services; and outpatient services, such as outpatient surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, cardiology, and physical therapy.

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WESPAC Advisors LLC grew its holdings in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 10.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,842 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 575 shares during the quarter. WESPAC Advisors LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $887,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 99,734.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 253,081,478 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,402,583,000 after purchasing an additional 252,827,976 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 161,843,254 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,064,473,000 after acquiring an additional 2,157,319 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 46,754,131 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,936,343,000 after acquiring an additional 510,559 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 44,320,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,717,246,000 after acquiring an additional 4,959,527 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 96,526.4% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 38,535,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,840,449,000 after acquiring an additional 38,495,676 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Procter & Gamble Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of PG stock opened at $146.07 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.44. The firm has a market cap of $344.33 billion, a PE ratio of 24.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a 50-day moving average of $151.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $151.13. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 1-year low of $125.86 and a 1-year high of $158.38.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $20.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.01 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.87% and a return on equity of 32.88%. Procter & Gambles revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.21 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.38 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 20th will be paid a $0.9407 dividend. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.58%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 19th. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is 63.73%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Balaji Purushothaman sold 12,629 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.19, for a total value of $1,985,152.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 13,051 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,051,486.69. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Balaji Purushothaman sold 12,629 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.19, for a total value of $1,985,152.51. Following the sale, the insider now owns 13,051 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,051,486.69. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 8,387 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.87, for a total transaction of $1,315,668.69. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 962 shares in the company, valued at approximately $150,908.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 108,760 shares of company stock valued at $16,835,914. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on PG. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $165.00 to $167.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, July 31st. HSBC began coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Friday, September 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $179.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and set a $174.00 price target on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $169.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $164.78.

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Procter & Gamble Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Zions Bancorporation N.A. reduced its stake in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 99.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 234 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 23,935 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A.s holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $27,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC raised its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 19.8% during the 1st quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 545 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $77,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the period. WASHINGTON TRUST Co grew its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 23.9% during the 2nd quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 519 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Brinker Capital Investments LLC grew its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Brinker Capital Investments LLC now owns 3,358 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $476,000 after buying an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Commerce Bank grew its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 7,943 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $781,000 after buying an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Financial Corp IN grew its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 93.9% during the 2nd quarter. First Financial Corp IN now owns 221 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. 99.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Digital Realty Trust Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE DLR opened at $123.72 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $124.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $111.50. The firm has a market cap of $37.45 billion, a PE ratio of 95.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.56. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a twelve month low of $86.33 and a twelve month high of $133.39.

Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th were given a dividend of $1.22 per share. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 14th. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 378.29%.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on DLR shares. Barclays raised their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $80.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Digital Realty Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $112.00 to $131.00 in a report on Friday, August 25th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $130.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 20th. Scotiabank began coverage on Digital Realty Trust in a report on Friday. They issued a sector perform rating and a $132.00 target price for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an outperformer rating in a report on Monday, August 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $122.20.

View Our Latest Report on Digital Realty Trust

Insider Buying and Selling at Digital Realty Trust

In other Digital Realty Trust news, insider Cindy Fiedelman sold 2,770 shares of Digital Realty Trust stock in a transaction on Friday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.00, for a total transaction of $346,250.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Digital Realty Trust

(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.

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Zions Bancorporation N.A. decreased its holdings in shares of Carrier Global Co. (NYSE:CARR  Free Report) by 31.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,443 shares of the companys stock after selling 657 shares during the quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A.s holdings in Carrier Global were worth $72,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of CARR. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in shares of Carrier Global by 98,174.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,790,574,025 shares of the companys stock worth $89,009,435,000 after acquiring an additional 1,788,752,009 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of Carrier Global by 712.1% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 17,482,866 shares of the companys stock worth $799,843,000 after acquiring an additional 15,330,140 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Carrier Global by 83,676.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 8,410,303 shares of the companys stock worth $346,925,000 after buying an additional 8,400,264 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Carrier Global in the 4th quarter worth approximately $297,581,000. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. raised its holdings in shares of Carrier Global by 5,728.5% in the 1st quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 6,659,207 shares of the companys stock worth $304,659,000 after buying an additional 6,544,955 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.47% of the companys stock.

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Carrier Global Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of CARR opened at $53.15 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.09, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.63. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $55.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $49.83. Carrier Global Co. has a 52 week low of $33.93 and a 52 week high of $60.04.

Carrier Global Dividend Announcement

Carrier Global ( NYSE:CARR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.03. Carrier Global had a return on equity of 25.42% and a net margin of 9.87%. The business had revenue of $6 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.83 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.69 EPS. The firms revenue was up 15.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Carrier Global Co. will post 2.63 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 27th will be given a $0.185 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 26th. This represents a $0.74 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.39%. Carrier Globals dividend payout ratio is currently 29.37%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CARR has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group increased their target price on Carrier Global from $47.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, September 8th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Carrier Global from $57.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, September 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Carrier Global from $54.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 28th. TD Cowen increased their target price on Carrier Global from $54.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Carrier Global from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and set a $53.00 price target for the company. in a report on Friday, October 6th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $55.53.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Carrier Global

Insider Transactions at Carrier Global

In other news, VP Kyle Crockett sold 6,817 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.22, for a total value of $403,702.74. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 42 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,487.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Carrier Global news, VP Kyle Crockett sold 6,817 shares of Carrier Global stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.22, for a total transaction of $403,702.74. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 42 shares in the company, valued at $2,487.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jurgen Timperman sold 164,450 shares of Carrier Global stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.25, for a total value of $9,743,662.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.38% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Carrier Global Profile

(Free Report)

Carrier Global Corporation provides heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation technologies worldwide. It operates through three segments: HVAC, Refrigeration, and Fire & Security. The HVAC segment provides products, controls, services, and solutions to meet the heating, cooling, and ventilation needs of residential and commercial customers.

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On the one hand, there are the Euro-sceptics, and on the other are the pro-EU people, so what did Churchill really want to happen in Europe post-war?

Contrary to belief, Sir Winston Churchill was for a global government, and he specifically wanted a union between France and Britain in forming a European Union. However, what was envisaged as an Anglo-Franco union by Churchill in his speech at the Albert Hall in 1947, has never materialised. We instead have a Franco-Germanic union within the EU, for they are the core players with Germany at the head. To this end, these two entities have chosen to isolate Britain, to flood these islands with millions of people from inside and outside of Europe and cause the countrys essential services to buckle with the strain. Churchill would not have been happy to have seen the deterioration in Britain we are seeing today, caused mainly by the Franco-Germanic alliance working against Britain and trying to destroy its sovereignty and democracy.

Nearing the time of his death, Churchill was sad about the decline of the British Empire, especially the loss of India, but the spectre of a Soviet threat was analogous to the desire to create a counterpoint to the threat from the East.

Churchills political stance wavered many times, at one time joining the Liberal Democrats, and then returning to the Conservative party, and so his attitude towards the EU would have equally wavered if he was around today, and witnessed what union has done to modern day Britain.

Europhiles within Britain will oft quote Churchill when espousing the positive points of the European Union, however they do not understand the man at all or the times we are in at this very point.

Where do we stand? We are not members of the European Defence Community, nor do we intend to be merged in a Federal European system. We feel we have a special relation to both. This can be expressed by prepositions, by the preposition with but not ofwe are with them, but not of them. Sir Winston Churchill  Commons speech 11 May 1953

The Middle East is in turmoil, millions of refugees are flooding to Europe and the threat from Russia has not dissipated despite the fall of the Soviet Union. We are in fact, in a state of (proxy) war, and Churchill, if he were alive would have addressed this issue with great volition. Instead, our current leaders are caught in the headlights, they are preoccupied with their project of union, when this project is being attacked daily from multiple angles. To have union, you must have peace, prosperity, of which we have none, the world is instead on the brink of economic collapse and war.

If Churchill were alive today, he would abhor Camerons vapid, duplicitous misleading stance, and he would balk at the way the British citizens themselves are being treated, not only by the EU, but by their own politicians. To ignore the people is to ignore political office, and to ignore what is going on in the Middle East is a death sentence for all civilisation. Cameron is weak, he is not an International thinker but a man only concerned for his minor role in sealing his tenure as leader of the Conservative party and his reputation.

The disingenuous workings of the pro-EU lobby in selling off Britain will backfire, the British people do not want this EU mess, simply because it is not what was sold to Britain. European union should mean prosperity, not poverty, Soviet collectivist doctrines, overcrowding, flooding of benefits seeking migrants, ludicrous diktats and a totalitarian expensive shambles ruled by unelected overpaid profligate technocrats.

Britain will always embrace the open sea, but why should it embrace imprisonment in a union of disunion? That is what the EU is now, it is falling apart, an almighty clutter that has lost its vision, led by idiots, megalomaniacs and freeloaders.

Did the real spirit of Britain die with Churchill? We shall find out soon enough..
Mombasa-Nairobi SGR: a flagship project of BRI

(People's Daily App) 13:17, October 17, 2023

Kenya plans to increase the capacity of its railway network from 40% to 80% in the next four years thanks to the China-built Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, which has been a catalyst for transformation since its launch six years ago.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
You may think the MSG laden crap you are used to eating in your local Chinese takeaways is authentic but you are all sadly mistaken. Here in China we eat pretty much everything and what is more, it has to be alive when eaten. This is the freshest way of cooking. We are extending our Chinese traditions to the UK and wish you all to enjoy how we live well in our polluted overcrowded hellhole brutality ridden communist country, Xian Zamalama Ding Dong, Culture Secretary to the Peoples Republic of China told the State news broadcasting station Xing Ling Ping.

Chinese authorities are sending their best chefs to European countries like Sweden, Britain and Switzerland in a bid to introduce truly authentic Chinese culture. America will also be targeted with the culinary education, as well as Canada says the Ministry.

They eat meat and boiled potatoes in those Western countries with a few boiled vegetables on the side. Have you ever tried a freshly cooked carp still squirming alive on your plate? Have you ever cooked and eaten a live octopus? How about getting your pooch Fido and sticking him in a bowl of soup? Huh? Cmon now, were exporting our culture here, get with the program already, Mr Ding Dong added.

The Culture Minister has also brought in British TV personality, Stephen Fry, as an aid to promoting Chinese culture to the West.

For the right price Mr Fry will do anything. We even got him to step away from his yawn inducing Tweeting for more than 20 minutes to film an infomercial on the very subject of cooking and eating animals alive. It was positively enthralling watching Mr Fry lob out those wonderful morsels of vocabulary as a live fish was decapitated and consumed right in front of him. Next week weve got Fry doing a special on Chinese dog skinning and the wonders of Chinese pollution, the Culture Minister said.

The Chinese are eager to export their culture around the world much like the millions of tonnes of pollution they export into the earths atmosphere every second of the day.
Something has brought forward this thought about the major threat to democracy in the West and the rise of China-led globalism.

Recently, the monopolistic tech companies like Google and Facebook started to clamp down on free speech, freedom of expression, satire, and other forms of literature. This totalitarian policy was once only seen in Chinas communist dictatorship, and censoring regime.

Put two and two together and you have globalism led by China. This means that the tech companies are actually following Chinese communistic techniques in limiting freedom of speech, censorship and dictating what people can and cannot say.

Therefore, one can see that there is a shift to soviet communism by the tech companies, who are pandering to Chinas globalistic aspirations to take over the West.

The tech companies are not doing this only for money, but one suspects that they actually subscribe to Chinese communist doctrine.

In relation to the communist doctrine that encapsulates China, some tech companies even happily report dissidents to Chinese authorities. Twitter and Google have both done this, which resulted in the dissidents disappearing, never to be seen again. The Chinese authorities can only get the data about someones details, from Twitter or Google, therefore they collaborate with the communist regime in arresting individuals who are critical of the state.

Chinas awful human rights record is of course glossed over when it comes to profit, and so is the treatment of Tibetans who have been tortured, killed and displaced by the brutal communist Chinese state.

Imagine being abducted and whisked away to a cell where you spend the next several months or years with no charge or conviction, and your organs harvested.

Communist Chinese brutality puts down any talk of democracy, freedom of expression or free speech. This is very similar to how the Western tech monopolies are acting right now.

There can be no globalism with communist China. If this happens, Western democracy loses everything.

Amnesty International China
The University of Linguistics in Mississippi is calling for the ban of the latin word for white  Album.

The scholars for the university are outraged that the latin word for black is banned, but not white.

These amount to double standards. Why ban the Latin word for black, but keep the word for white, it is a form of racism that we should not tolerate? We, today live by the standards and root of Latin, and this should be adhered to within our linguistic and societal discourse, professor Reginald Dwight, told assembled college members at a recent meeting.

Another scholar counteracted the argument by suggesting that the Latin word for black should be un-banned, therefore, the word for white, would be left alone and not banned as well.

However, banning the word for the colour white in Latin, Album, could have implications in the music biz.

Record executive, Donald D. Negreponte, for Warner Bros. was adamant that problems could arise.

What we gonna call albums then? We been callin that shiet albums since the beginning of the mufuggin recording industry. Niggaz need to all calm da fuck down, an shiet. I axe all yall foos to stop runnin around like headless chickins and can the hysteria about Latin!

The discussion is ongoing, and many, especially in socialist states across America where there is a large African American lobby are not calling for the banning of the Latin word for the colour white, simply because it will mean that it is as important as the Latin word for black, which is banned from everyday usage.

You cant ban the word white in Latin. Simply because by banning a word, you make it important, and you elevate it to a special status in linguistic usage. We dont want whites to have the same special status as blacks in America, to use the word to lament over eternally, and to use it as a reason for our victim status. No! Definitely not, Reverend Kessell Johnsons, said at a recent rally in Chicago.
The British taxpayer funded broadcasting corporation (BBC) has finally admitted that they are terrorists, but have still not been able to admit that terrorist group Hamas are terrorists.

Finally, out of the terror closet

Well, it came as a bit of a relief, really. We finally admitted that we are terrorists at the BBC because we enable terrorism by not admitting that Hamas are actually terrorists. Oops, I mean they are freedom fighters, the terrorist networks spokesman revealed on Tuesday.

A terrorist is someone who creates terror physically or non-physically, and the beeb have inadvertently become terrorists themselves because they refuse to acknowledge that the atrocities and genocide committed against unarmed Israeli civilians by the terrorist group Hamas.

Meanwhile, in London, demonstrators have gathered outside Aunties head office to protest the corporations refusal to brand Hamas as terrorists in coverage of the Israel-Gaza war.

The Israeli-flag-waving crowd chanted Shame on you! and held signs declaring: BBC, if the King can call Hamas terrorists, so can you

By enabling Hamas and not acknowledging the group as terrorists the British Broadcasting Corporation are peddling propaganda for the terrorists, and are thus culpable as terrorists themselves.
Just when you thought it was safe to look up again, out pops EU Commissar Tusk, formerly the president of the European Council. As bullying EU Rottweilers go, Donald Tusk was at the top of the pile during the prolonged and arduous Brexit procedure. He was there heckling Brits alongside Verhofstadt, grinning inanely with his toothy ugly gap-toothed smile.

Tusks new task is to make sure that Poland does not break away from the shackles of the EU and that he somehow becomes their new Prime Minister. The EU jail-keepers are very worried that another country may dare to break free from the pseudo fascistic soviet EU.

Ve vill not haven ein new Brexit. Ve invaded Poland on 1st September 1939 unt since then it has been part of ein EU (Fourth Reich). Ve are certain EU-Obersturmbannfuhrer Tusk vill do very vell. Halt! Your papers are not in order! an unelected member of the EU Commission told the blocs Euro News channel.

It is now a certainty that Poland is well and truly fucked as the EU digs in with its claws. Remember, there is no escape from Colditz EU, the Britishers tried to do it, but they are still part of the ECHR and ECJ who dictate everything to the silly Brits who dare not make any laws for themselves.

When Labour wins the next election, Keir Starmer will surely liaise with Donald Tusk and all the other unelected EU officials to bring further EU integration back into the frame. It will be less than a year before Brexit will be a distant memory only spoken of in jest.
Supreme Court (PTI)

New Delhi: A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, who was heading the bench pronouncing its verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages, said the court can't make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

At the outset, Justice Chandrachud said there are four judgments -- by himself, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha -- in the matter. Justice Hima Kohli is also a part of the five-judge bench.

Directing the Centre, states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure the queer community is not discriminated against, the CJI, who is heading the constitution bench, said queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages and is neither urban nor elitist.

Justice Kaul said he agrees with the CJI on grant of certain rights to queer couples.

"Non-heterosexual and heterosexual unions must be seen as both sides of same coin," he said, adding that legal recognition of non-heterosexual unions is step towards marriage equality.

Justice Bhat, who read out the operative portion of his verdict, said he agrees and differs with views of the CJI on certain points.

Delivering his verdict on the critical issue, the CJI said it is for Parliament to decide whether there is need for a change in the regime of the Special Marriage Act.

"This court can't make law. It can only interpret it and give effect to it," he said.

Justice Chandrachud said the court has recorded Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's statement that the Centre will form a committee to decide the rights and entitlements of persons in queer unions.

While reading out the operative portion of his verdict, he directed the Centre, states and UTs to take steps to sensitise public about queer rights and ensure that inter-sex children are not allowed sex-change operations at an age they cannot fully comprehend consequence.

The CJI directed the police to conduct preliminary enquiry before registering an FIR against queer couple over their relationship.

He said homosexuality or queerness is not an urban concept or restricted to the upper class.

To imagine queer as existing only in urban spaces would be like erasing them and queerness can be regardless of one's caste or class, Justice Chandrachud said.

He said it would be incorrect to state that marriage is a "static and unchanging institution".

Justice Chandrachud said the ability to choose a life partner goes to the roots of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The right to enter into a union includes the right to choose a partner and its recognition, the CJI said, adding that failure to recognise such an association would be discriminatory.

"All persons, including those queer, have right to judge moral quality of their lives," he said.

The CJI said this court has recognised that equality demands that queer persons are not discriminated against.

He said the law cannot assume that only heterosexual couples can be good parents as it would amount to discrimination against queer couples.

On May 11, the bench reserved its verdict on the pleas after a marathon hearing of 10 days.

During the arguments, the Centre had told the apex court that any constitutional declaration made by it on the petitions seeking legal validation for same-sex marriage may not be a "correct course of action" as the court will not be able to foresee, envisage, comprehend and deal with its fallout.

The apex court had commenced hearing arguments in the matter on April 18.

The bench had made it clear during the arguments that it will not go into personal laws governing marriages while deciding the pleas seeking judicial validation for same-sex marriages and said the very notion of a man and a woman, as referred to in the Special Marriage Act, is not "an absolute based on genitals".

Some of the petitioners had urged the apex court to use its plenary power, "prestige and moral authority" to push the society to acknowledge such a union which would ensure LGBTQIA++ lead a "dignified" life like heterosexuals.

LGBTQIA++ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual and ally persons.

On May 3, the Centre had told the court it will constitute a committee headed by the cabinet secretary to examine the administrative steps that could be taken for addressing "genuine humane concerns" of same-sex couples without going into the issue of legalising their marriage.

On April 27, the court asked the Centre whether social welfare benefits such as opening joint bank accounts, nominating a life partner in provident fund, gratuity and pension schemes can be extended to same-sex couples without going into the issue of legal sanction to their marriage.
Hansteen Holdings plc (LON:HSTN  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 116.20 ($1.42) and traded as high as GBX 116.20 ($1.42). Hansteen shares last traded at GBX 116.20 ($1.42), with a volume of 5,099,403 shares traded.

Hansteen Trading Down 0.2 %

The firms 50-day simple moving average is GBX 116.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 116.20. The firm has a market capitalization of 498.20 million and a PE ratio of 10.38. The company has a quick ratio of 2.37, a current ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 53.41.

Hansteen Company Profile

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Hansteen Holdings PLC is a company which was incorporated in the United Kingdom and registered in England and Wales on 27 October 2005. The Company is required to comply with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. The address of the registered office is 1st Floor, Pegasus House, 37-43 Sackville Street, London W1S 3DL.

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Nevsun Resources (TSE:NSU  Get Free Report) (NYSEAMERICAN:NSU) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$0.00 and traded as high as C$6.00. Nevsun Resources shares last traded at C$6.00, with a volume of 12,608 shares.

Nevsun Resources Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.82 billion and a P/E ratio of -50.00. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$6.00.

About Nevsun Resources

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Nevsun Resources Ltd. engages in the mining and development of mineral properties in Europe, Africa, and North America. It explores for gold, copper, zinc, and silver deposits. The company's principal assets include Timok project, a copper-gold development project in Serbia; and Bisha copper- zinc mine in Eritrea.

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Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have taken a significant step towards strengthening their defense industry ties, signifying a new era of regional collaboration. The move follows a history of political disputes, but a commitment to reconciliation in 2022 paved the way for these groundbreaking agreements. In July 2023, the two nations signed 13 deals worth an impressive $50.7 billion, with the UAE making substantial investments in Turkeys defense and space sectors.

The heart of this collaboration was unveiled during a defense industry event in Ankara, Turkey, jointly organized by SAHA, an Istanbul-based defense expo business, and the Emirati conglomerate Edge Group. The event featured 10 subsidiaries of Edge Group and 125 Turkish defense companies, including prominent players like Aselsan, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Tusas Engine Industries, Roketsan, Baykar, Havelsan, and STM.

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Haluk Bayraktar, SAHAs President and Chairman of Baykar, emphasized the significance of these agreements, saying, There is already a large-scale defense industry cooperation with the UAE. At this event, we signed letters of intent to upgrade this relationship with the participation of small and medium-sized [defense] entities. We are aiming at synergy.

To facilitate this collaboration, Edge Group established MALATH, an organization in the UAE solely dedicated to coordinating defense programs between the two nations. Bayraktar explained that these programs would encompass joint projects, direct defense industry trade, investment, and co-production, marking a significant step forward in their relationship.

Turkeys defense industry has been on the rise, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have recognized its potential. Saudi Arabia, in particular, inked several agreements, including one with Turkeys Baykar, to acquire cutting-edge AKINCI Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). AKINCI is a formidable UCAV capable of air-to-ground and air-to-air missions, solidifying Turkeys position as a top player in this technology.

The CEO of Baykar, Haluk Bayraktar, dubbed the Saudi deal as the biggest defense and aviation export contract in the history of the Republic of Turkey. This deal is estimated to be worth more than $3 billion and includes not only UCAVs but also training, technical support, logistic services, and joint production. Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman al-Saud stated that the deal aligns with their defense plan and aims to enhance the kingdoms armed forces and defense capabilities.

Turkeys defense industry has experienced remarkable growth since the early 2000s, evolving from a major weapons importer to a significant arms exporter. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) data shows that Turkeys arms exports have surged, increasing its share of the global arms market. The sales of UCAVs, such as the Baykar TB2 drones, have notably driven this growth.

The GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, have shown considerable interest in Turkeys defense equipment. These countries have moved beyond merely purchasing Turkish military equipment and have begun engaging in partnerships, joint projects, and production agreements. These initiatives have diversified their security and defense ties, aiming to build indigenous defense industries.

Despite previous diplomatic tensions, the UAE recently offered a significant contract to purchase 120 Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones, further strengthening their partnership. Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman have also been prominent clients of Turkish defense products, underlining the attractiveness of Turkeys efficient and competitively priced equipment.

The cooperation between Turkey and the GCC states signifies enormous strategic and economic growth potential. By focusing on long-term, mutually beneficial mega agreements, these nations aim to enhance their immediate defense capabilities and nurture indigenous defense industries. This partnership is crucial for regional security and economic development, as it allows these countries to pursue self-reliance and strategic collaboration.

As Turkey continues to introduce advanced defense technologies, including its largest warship, the TCG Anadolu (L-400), and its fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN, the opportunities for further defense collaboration between Turkey and the GCC nations are bound to expand. The regions emphasis on indigenous defense industries, advanced UCAVs, and joint defense projects demonstrates their commitment to self-reliance and strategic cooperation.

The increased engagement of Gulf nations in defense collaboration with Turkey brings the potential for competition, especially given the reported rift between Saudi Arabian and Emirati leadership. While the actual utilization of these systems remains to be seen, these collaborations open up new opportunities for defense cooperation in the future. This is especially true as these countries become more involved in African affairs, which may lead to contracts that involve security requirements further down the line.

With the GCC countries emphasizing the localization of defense production and the transfer of technology and expertise, Turkish firms have shown their readiness to match these endeavors. STM, for instance, has expressed its willingness to cooperate with Gulf countries and transfer its technology to meet local requirements.

The burgeoning defense ties between Turkey and the GCC states mark a significant shift in regional dynamics, offering promising prospects for security and economic growth in the Middle East.
Vedanta Resources plc (LON:VED  Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 832.60 ($10.17) and traded as high as GBX 838 ($10.24). Vedanta Resources shares last traded at GBX 832.60 ($10.17), with a volume of 162,101 shares.

Vedanta Resources Stock Up 0.9 %

The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 832.60 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 832.60.

Vedanta Resources Company Profile

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Vedanta Resources plc operates as a diversified natural resources company in India, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Australia, and Liberia. It primarily produces zinc, lead, silver, copper, iron ore, and aluminum deposits. The company also explores for, extracts, and processes minerals, as well as oil and gas.

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The North West Migrants Forum will hold its annual Black History Summit in Derry this Saturday.

This will be the charitys third such Summit, held each year as part of Black History Month.

The theme will be Decolonising Education and four high profile figures  Dr Ebun Joseph, Professor Charlotte Williams, Dr Hyab Yohannes and Donna Namukasa - have been invited to offer their thoughts and opinions on black history being taught in the classroom.

Naomi Green is Programmes Manager with the North West Migrants Forum and is leading its Hidden History Project' which explores black heritage in Northern Ireland.

Ms Green said the Summit  taking place in Ulster Universitys Magee campus - promises to be an enlightening experience providing invaluable insights into black history, black studies and decolonising narratives as well as practical ways they can be introduced into the education system.

Black history is not apart from Northern Ireland history but a part of it.

It is important that we engage with the past in a way that acknowledges the contributions, struggles and achievements of black individuals and communities, ultimately promoting a more comprehensive understanding of our shared history and a more equitable future.

Among the guest speakers will be Dr Hyab Yohannes, a research associate and academic coordinator who, through a decolonial lens, brings unique perspectives to policy development in migration and education.

Dr Yohannes described the Black History Summit as being part of a restorative process following a long history of heinous acts by colonial powers.

The British state, like other former colonisers, has not only committed egregious crimes against racialised people but also continues to overlook the history and dignity of these people.

However the question remains, how can we heal from these colonial wounds of raciality and coloniality?

The Black History Summit, I would argue, is a part of this restorative process of intercultural, inter-epistemic and inter-subjective dialogue.

Donna Namukasa, a Ugandan musician with an extensive knowledge of African music and culture, will be among the keynote speakers on Saturday.

Also addressing the audience will be Professor Charlotte Williams who has for many years been a leading voice in mainstreaming black and minority ethnic history in the Welsh curriculum and beyond.

Donna Namukasa, a Belfast-based Ugandan musician with an extensive knowledge of African singing, dancing and culture, will also speak, as will Dr Ebun Joseph, a Nigerian-Irish lecturer and author.

Dr Joseph is director and founder of the Institute of Anti-Racism and Black Studies.

She described black history as world history and said that it should absolutely be explored and taught in schools.

If we think of it as a map. A map enables us to show where we have been and where we are going. If that map does not have black history in Ireland on it then that means the people of Ireland do not know where they have been or where they are going. It leaves us with blank spaces which are then filled with stereotypes, Dr Joseph added.

Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Ulster University, Dr Philip McDermott, said it was going to be an inspirational day of discussion.

This promises to be an informative and enjoyable summit during which we will discuss the importance of an inclusive curriculum and how this might look in practice.

Opening Saturdays conference will be St Columbs College student and campaigner for black history in the curriculum, TJ Mushapho.

He said: We do learn a lot in school about our Irish heritage which is good but we do lack when it comes to learning about other aspects of our history, for example Africa.

I have always been a big supporter of black history being taught in the curriculum and in 2023 I have been head spokesperson for it. So I am delighted to see the progress that is being made and I look forward to the day when black history is just another subject in school.

Looking ahead to Saturday Director of Programmes at the North West Migrants Forum, Lilian Seenoi Barr, said it was going to be an informative day for anyone with an interest in history, education, Irish and international politics or just society in general.

Mrs Seenoi Barr said: We will be examining the importance of an inclusive curriculum and exploring how black history can be taught in schools and embedded across the curriculum.

We want to discuss how our view of the world shapes education and why we need to take a broader view of history and culture in Northern Ireland.

Black history is not just for October, but all year around. How might this look like in practice? We are inviting everyone - educators, students, parents, members of the public - to come along and allow themselves to be inspired by our fantastic line-up of speakers.

Registration for the Black History Summit is open now via Eventbrite or through the Migrant Forums website, www.nwmf.org.uk.

MAIN PICTURE: From left: Ken Odumukwu, his wife Adamma and their two sons Daniel and David with North West Migrants Forum Director Lilian Seenoi Barr and volunteer Seun Awonuga preparing for this Saturdays Black History Summit, being held as part of Black History Month.
A North West Regional College student (NWRC) who spent 25 years working as an on-screen special effects artist, says his new business flourished after receiving advice and guidance from the colleges Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), Alastair Cameron.

Christian Kotey who is in the final year of a Higher National Diploma in Digital Design at NWRCs Strand Road campus now runs his own multi award winning business, NuPitch.

He previously spent 25 years working in special effects on productions such as The Walking Dead, Alien vs Predator, Halloween, and Jurassic World before illness forced him to look at the hectic pace of his life and make some changes.

Now Christian is the chief executive of his own business, NuPitch, which supports filmmakers to create pitch decks to formulate their ideas into a business plan making it ready for the screen.

Hes already won a 10,000 TechStart grant, 750 from the Lab Fund, was a finalist in the Invent 2023 and Ideator Awards, and is now in the co-founder programme for Catalyst.

Christian decided to leave his life in Malta where he worked as a special effects artist after suffering a serious case of pneumonia.

He explained: After pneumonia, I realised I couldnt continue with my work in the industry as it had been. Standing for long days just wasnt possible anymore.

Im a single dad with a ten-year-old son and we decided to return home to Dungannon, Northern Ireland. I knew I wanted to go back to college, and, as I had experience in storyboarding and animation, the Digital Design HND at NWRC looked like a good option so I relocated to the North West and enrolled at college. The course has been great allowing me to develop new skills and learn more about new technologies.

Christian said he had no expectations about becoming an entrepreneur but after meeting Alastair Cameron, who works two days a week at NWRC as EIR, he received invaluable advice.

Some positive feedback I received was to develop the business into an app, he said. I wouldnt have got the business this far without the support from Alastair. Its key as a start-up that you receive support like this, and youre given access to key people in the industry. Entrepreneurship is a hard journey thats made so much easier with people like Alastair.

Christian is due to graduate from his course in 2024 when hell dedicate himself to the business full-time.

Alastair Cameron, NWRCs EIR said: My first year as the colleges EIR has been hugely successful and Ive enjoyed meeting so many students who have demonstrated such entrepreneurship potential and creative flair.

We have already hosted our first Ideator awards, celebrating the business ideas of students, staff, and alumni, and we look forward to the 2024 awards in the New Year.

Christian is one of many students who have started their own business and are now forging their careers as entrepreneurs. Its vital that as a college we continue with this focus on mentoring and networking to support students.

I look forward to using my experience and connections in the coming year to support students.

Students wishing to speak to Alastair can email him at Alastair.cameron@nwrc.ac.uk or read the Entrepreneurship booklet online at: https://www.nwrc.ac.uk/assets/files/Exploring-Entrepreneurship-Booklet-23-24.pdf
Virtual reality (VR) could help ease pain and distress among cancer patients, a new study suggests.

And the benefits of VR could also potentially help people with a number of other long-term conditions, academics have said.

Emerging work has found that using VR can help reduce psychological effects linked to chronic illnesses.

To firm up the findings, researchers from Queens University Belfast set out to examine all studies on the use of virtual reality to help patients with a number of long-term illnesses.

They carried out a review of 31 studies conducted between 1993 and 2023 on the topic.

People can engage with VR  whereby they experience being connected to a digital world outside of their physical bodies  using a range of tools including fully immersive systems such as a head-mounted device to present a 360-degree digital environment to increase a persons sense of presence in the digital environment, the authors wrote.

The studies looked at environment-based and game-based immersive virtual reality interventions, designed either to relax the user ahead of medical treatment with a combination of a nature walk and mindfulness meditation, for example, or to engage them by equipping them with specific skills or behaviours to help them cope better with their condition.

Researchers found that among cancer patients immersive VR can have a positive effects on anticipatory anxiety symptoms and pain.

The analysis also revealed that relaxing and engaging immersive VR interventions were acceptable and feasible among people with cancer, dementia, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and multiple sclerosis.

Our findings suggest that VR interventions are acceptable treatments that have the potential to improve physical and psychological consequences of physical illness, the authors wrote in the journal BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care.

There is good-quality research to suggest that these VR interventions are effective in reducing pain and distress, particularly among people with cancer.
The treatment of loyalist activist Jamie Bryson before a Westminster committee was like a character assassination, a DUP MP has claimed.

Carla Lockhart also said it was disappointing that there had not been a better attendance among MPs to hear Mr Brysons evidence, stating that it would not be lost on people back in Northern Ireland.

Mr Bryson was giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee which is investigating the effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in the region.

However, a number of MPs did not attend the session, with no representation from the Labour Party, Alliance Party or SDLP.

Several MPs instead attended a briefing by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on the Middle East crisis.

Opening the session, committee chair Simon Hoare said Mr Brysons appearance had generated conversation on social media and in his inbox.

He added: We are a democratically-accountable committee of the House of Commons and we are pluralist committee, committed to hearing all voices and all strands of opinion across the spectrum of views in Northern Ireland.

I said right at the start when I was elected as chairman back in 2019 that I wanted to hear as many voices as possible in Northern Ireland to ensure that our knowledge base was as full as it possibly could be.

Following more than an hour of questioning, Ms Lockhart said it had been a disappointing meeting.

She added: Disappointing with the attendance and disappointing that the voice of loyalism hasnt warranted attendance by some from across the board.

Very disappointing and I think that will not be lost on the people back in Northern Ireland.

The MP added: The hostility that has been evident at this meeting, the barrage of questioning, re-questioning, I believe it has been like a character assassination.

Sadly for any loyalist watching these proceedings, they will see the hostility in which the loyalist voice is held by this Government of this land.

Mr Hoare then intervened, stating it was a committee where there was robust discussion.

He said: You have effectively suggested that questioning hitherto has either been disorderly or out of order. That is a challenge to the chair.

Ms Lockhart said Mr Bryson had been subject to persistent silencing over a number of years and asked him why he thought that was.

Mr Bryson said he believed it had a political purpose but added he was willing to engage with anybody.

Among those MPs not at the evidence session were Claire Hanna from the SDLP and the Alliance Partys Stephen Farry.

An SDLP spokesperson said: Claire Hanna attended an MP briefing with the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on the evolving situation in the Middle East, including on aid to Gaza, this morning.

De-escalating this brutal conflict and providing urgent support to people facing destruction in the region is an urgent priority.

An Alliance Party spokesperson said Mr Farry was also attending the briefing by the Foreign Office.
HIGHLIGHTS A poster of the standard Xiaomi 14 has leaked on the Chinese microblogging website Weibo.

The leaked poster revealed full specifications of the Xiaomi 14 smartphone.

The Xiaomi 14 smartphone will likely feature a large square camera module housing three Leica-branded sensors.

For quite some time, there have been rumours about the Xiaomi 14 series. This series is expected to include three models: Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro, and Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Now, a poster of the standard Xiaomi 14 has leaked, revealing its full specifications.

According to a report by Gizmochina, the leaked poster of the standard Xiaomi 14 has surfaced on the Chinese microblogging website Weibo.

Also read: Xiaomi 14 Pro design revealed from all angles through renders: Check whats expected

Credit: Gizmochina

The leaked poster revealed that the upcoming Xiaomi 14 smartphone will likely feature a large square camera module housing three Leica-branded sensors. The setup is expected to have a 50MP OV50H main lens paired with a 50MP ultra-wide and a 50MP telephoto unit.

Also read: Xiaomi 14 series expected to launch on October 27: Know more

Moreover, the new Xiaomi 14 is expected to feature a 6.44-inch C8 OLED 12-bit display with a 1.5K resolution. It could offer a 120Hz refresh rate, 2,800 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ support.

The smartphone will likely come with dual-stereo speakers, an IP68-certified body, and an IR Blaster.

The Xiaomi 14 might also be powered by the unannounced Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor coupled with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4 storage.

The upcoming smartphone will likely feature a large VC liquid cooling system for heat dissipation. Also, it might pack a 4,600mAh battery with support for 90W wired, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging.

Earlier, it was rumoured that the Xiaomi 14 Pro is expected to come with a titanium frame and satellite connectivity.

Founder and CEO of Xiaomi, Lei Jun, today announced the companys new operating system called HyperOS. This new OS is set to debut on the upcoming Xiaomi 14 series and will gradually replace the companys current operating system MIUI.

Xiaomis global VP, Alvin, also confirmed that the new HyperOS will be available globally and will roll out throughout 2024
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Nvidia CEO to attend Foxconn HHTD

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is in Taiwan for a week, and his only public engagement is tomorrow's (October 18) Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD), according to sources familiar with the matter.

Huang will be the featured guest for the HHTD's opening. Alongside Hon Hai (Foxconn) chairman Young Liu, Huang will offer a blueprint vision for both companies' partnership in AI, electric vehicles, and other industries, the sources indicated.

Foxconn has had a close partnership with Nvidia for many years. The contract electronics manufacturer is also a part of the supply chain for servers, cabinets, modules, substrates, and motherboards that use Nvidia's latest AI GPUs.

According to the sources, Huang's one-week tour will also include meetings with TSMC and other local Taiwanese partners such as Quanta Computer and Gigabyte Technology.

While the supply of Nvidia's popular AI GPUs is expected to be at the forefront of Huang's negotiations with Nvidia's ODM partners, his meeting with TSMC's top executives will be surrounded by the foundry's capacity support particularly the available CoWoS packaging manufacturing capacity, the sources said.
A strike that was due to take place today by health and social workers in the community and voluntary sector, has been called off.

An agreement on pay, which included an 8 per cent increase from the Government in funding, was decided in the early hours of this morning following talks between unions INMO, Siptu, and Forsa and Government representatives at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

The increase is expected to come in three phases backdated to April 2023 and will run until March 2024.

A 5 per cent off was previously rejected by unions and reengagement between parties is set to take place in December.

A new method established to deal with the question of restoring the link between workers in the voluntary sector and the community with equivalent pay grades in the HSE was also part of the agreement.

Following extensive talks with Government todays strike action in S39 orgs has been suspended.



Members will be briefed on proposals today with a ballot to follow.



Thank you to all our members for their efforts to date. #JoinAUnion #SaveOurServices @irishcongress https://t.co/x3OJACg9S0  Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) October 17, 2023

If today's strike went ahead, 5,000 workers across 17 charities and organisations including Enable Ireland and DePaul would have been involved.

Following the talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Industrial Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Liam Berney, said they would be recommending acceptance of the proposals put forward.

"After a long number of hours and intensive negotiations we have a set of proposals from the WRC that we will now be consulting members on over the next couple of weeks.

There is an offer on pay and there is a method for dealing with the question of restoring people's pay to the point it should be at, equivalent to the pay scales for equivalent grades in the HSE.

We are happy that the proposals that have emerged here will allow us to re-establish that link and put members back on the points of the pay scale that they should have been on the for the last few years," Mr Berney said.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly welcomed the decision to call off the strike saying he wanted "to thank all of those involved, both the union representatives and those on behalf of Government", adding, "we never wanted to see those services close. They are essential and it's great to see."
Tanaiste Micheal Martin, on behalf of Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, has received Government approval for Ireland to seek leave to intervene in a case regarding emissions at the European Court of Justice.

The Government wants to intervene in an action which aims to overturn a strengthening of CO2 emission standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles in line with the European Unions increased climate ambitions, and which are considered critical to delivering on the EUs ban on sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035.

The increased emissions targets are a drop of 55% in cars and 50% in vans by 2030, and 100% from January 1 2035.

The Irish Government is understood to be relying heavily on this legislation to support the delivery of a Programme for Government commitment to ban ICE sales by 2030.

The European Commission has indicated that a complete ban of the marketing, import or registration of new ICE vehicles in a single member state is not compatible with EU law, and an EU-wide approach is therefore required.

Therefore, Ireland is restricted in introducing such a ban by way of domestic legislation.

It is understood the Government approval to intervene relates to the Kiene and Others action against the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

The applicants, who are involved in the development, production and sale of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, claim that regulations which set targets for reduced carbon emission values are only based on tailpipe carbon emissions.

They say that emissions during the manufacture, sale, use and disposal of a product outside of the operation of the vehicle were therefore disregarded, without any justification.

They claim this fails to consider the occasionally high emission values, in particular in the production of battery-powered electric vehicles, and fails to take account of the fact that the production of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels relies on carbon from the atmosphere or from unavoidable exhaust gases that would otherwise have gone into the atmosphere, and that the combustion merely releases the carbon bound during production again.

They allege the regulation breaches their right to freedom to conduct a business, their right to property by devaluing their previous investments, and their right to equality through treating carbon-neutral fuels different to electrical-charging energy for battery-powered electric vehicles.

They further allege an infringement of EU environmental policy because lifetime pollution of vehicles is not being taken into account.

It is understood the Government believes that if the case is successful, it would significantly impact on the EUs ability to achieve its ambition for the transport sector as well as Irelands own ability to meet its 2030 climate action targets.

The Government believes there is a strong rationale to seek leave to intervene, particularly due to concerns over its target for private fleet electrification, which is a key measure in the decarbonisation of the sector nationally.

The Government has a target under the Climate Action Plan of having almost a million electric vehicles on Irish roads by 2030.

The Programme for Government commits to legislation to ban registration of new fossil fuel cars and light vehicles from 2030 onwards, and to phase out diesel and petrol cars from Irish cities from 2030.

It is understood that a number of other EU member states are also actively considering seeking leave to intervene.

The deadline to notify the ECJ is October 23.
Irelands premier has said there is a great degree of unity within the EU on the Israel-Hamas conflict, after earlier saying some of the comments from European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen have lacked balance.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was speaking after a meeting of the heads of government of the 27 member states with Ms von der Leyen, European Council president Charles Michel and high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell.

The Irish leader said EU countries will work together to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza.

Speaking on Tuesday night after the meeting, he said: There is strong condemnation of Hamass terrorist attack on Israel, its use of Palestinian civilians as human shields and taking of hostages as well.

A lot of solidarity for France, for Belgium and for Sweden whove experienced terrorist attacks in the last couple of days and the real fear that well see more of that happening in Europe.

Support for Israels right to defend itself but a very clear view that that has limitations and Israel must act within the confines of international humanitarian law in the actions it takes.

And a real effort that I think youre going to see from European countries working together over the next couple of days to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, to try and gather EU passport holders out to safety, to avoid an escalation of conflict and to try and use the influence we have to ensure that we dont see this escalation and spread to other parts of the region.

Mr Varadkar said there was also a commitment to treble EU aid to Gaza.

The Irish leader said there were differences of opinion and differences of emphasis at the meeting.

Mr Varadkar had previously said he had told Ms von der Leyen his views on remarks she made on her visit to Israel last Friday.

The commission president has faced criticism for stating her support for Israel without any call for its actions in Gaza to comply with international law.

On Monday, Irish President Michael D Higgins criticised the EU Commission president, insisting she was not speaking for Ireland.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Varadkar said: What I would have taken away from the meeting was a strong view from a lot of us attending that meeting, that we needed to be balanced in our comments and what we say  and I think that was very much accepted by everyone.

That yes, Israel has the right to defend itself but thats not a carte blanche.

Principles such as humanitarian law are universal and Europe has been very strong in its condemnation of the targeting of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and those basic principles need to apply in all parts of the world, no matter whos involved.

He had earlier faced calls to condemn Ms von der Leyen as he faced questions in the Dail parliament on Tuesday.

Mr Varadkar said while he believed the commission presidents comments had lacked balance, he said her more recent statements on the war were more appropriate.

The position of the European Union is the one agreed in the statement by the European Council and that was agreed on Sunday, after a lot of conversations over the weekend, he said.

And I hope well be in a position to build on that position today at the extraordinary council of the European Union.

It is the case that each EU member state has its own foreign policy. We only have a common foreign policy when we agree to have one and we can agree join statements.

And while I think that President Von der Leyen has done an extremely good job as president of the European Commission, whether its on issues such as climate issues, such as Covid issues, such as Ukraine, some of the statements that she made lacked balance, in my view. And I said that to her and I have no difficulty saying that.

I do think statements that shes made more recently were more balanced, specifically talking about the tripling of humanitarian aid for Gaza, and also the attempts that were making at the moment to organise a UN humanitarian airbridge from Gaza through Egypt.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald heavily criticised Ms von der Leyen during the exchanges at Leaders Questions.

EU Commission President Von der Leyens unqualified support for Israels unmerciful military attack on the people of Gaza, her failure to assert the primacy of international law was reckless, inflammatory and dangerous, she said.

Ms von der Leyen does not speak for Ireland.

Ms McDonald repeated her condemnation of the Hamas attacks, but she insisted Israels actions were not defensive.

They are an offensive attack against a beleaguered, impoverished civilian population, she said.

It is the horrible crescendo of occupation, annexation and apartheid. This is not defence. These are crimes against human rights perpetrated in full view of the world. And if we dont call this what it is, if the international community doesnt stand unified against it, then history will record this as the defining failure of our generation and our children and our grandchildren will ask us how this was allowed to happen.

Peace and justice demands that Gaza not become the graveyard of international law.

Israels blockade must end, the bombardment of Gaza must stop and ceasefires called, hostages released and space created for a dialogue.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns had called on Mr Varadkar to condemn the commission president.

This isnt a war, its a genocide and ethnic cleansing, and the response of the EU has not just been inadequate, it has been callous, indifferent and dangerous, she said.

This reached rock bottom on Friday when Ursula von der Leyen visited Israel. By then Israel had dropped 6,000 bombs and on an area half the size of Louth. Thousands were dead and injured. Food, water and electricity supplies had been cut off and the Israeli government had given 1.2 million people 24 hours notice to leave northern Gaza.

What was the European Commission presidents response to this litany of war crimes and breaches of international law? She stood with the Israeli prime minister and offered him the EUs unqualified and unconditional support.

She said Israel can count on the EU.

Taoiseach, last year when Russia targeted civilian infrastructure and cut off electricity supplies, Ursula von der Leyen called out their war crimes.

When Israel acts similarly, she not only fails to utter a single word of criticism, she goes to the region to offer support for their war crimes in our name.

The commission presidents failure to unequivocally condemn Israels collective punishment of the Palestinian people has undermined the EUs response to this crisis. Given Von der Leyen has no authority to override member states foreign policy positions, her comments also amounted to a serious overreach of authority.

Mr Varadkar reiterated his view that Israel could not inflict collective punishment on the people of Gaza for the actions of Hamas.

I want to say once again that Ireland unreservedly condemns the brutal attack by Hamas and other militant groups on Israel and the devastating loss of life that it has caused, he said.

We also condemn the terrorist attacks that occurred in France last week and Belgium only yesterday.

We also demand the release of all hostages without any conditions immediately. Israel has the right to defend itself and to pursue Hamas terrorists who attacked its civilian population, and we accept that right.

However, Israels response must be exercised within the parameters of international humanitarian law. Even wars have rules. Collective punishment should not be inflicted on the population in Gaza. Citizens must be protected and Gaza must have access to humanitarian aid.

There must be the establishment of humanitarian corridors. Theres also a need to prevent the conflict from escalating and spreading to other parts of the region, which is an enormous concern at the moment.

He added: It is the case that Hamas hides itself among the civilian population, but theyre not to blame for that and there can be no excuse and no acceptance of civilians being targeted, or civilian infrastructure being targeted in this way.

Irelands deputy prime minister said the decision by the Israeli military to tell the entire civilian population in the north of the Gaza Strip to move southward was unrealistic, unworkable and deeply dangerous.

Micheal Martin, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, added: We are now seeing the terrible humanitarian consequences. There is an urgent need for humanitarian corridors to be established, to deliver vital assistance to Palestinian civilians.

Appearing before an Irish parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, he said Ireland supported a humanitarian pause in hostilities to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

He said there was a lot of effort among the international community for humanitarian corridors and restraint more generally.

Mr Martin said Ireland was also engaging with UN, Israeli and Egyptian authorities to get Irish citizens out of Gaza through the Rafah crossing.

He called on the international community to increase financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Tributes have been paid to the latest victim of a road fatality on Louth roads, following the death of a man in his 30s in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The death of Chris Bradley, a married father of two, who was a self employed drummer from Desertmartin, Co Derry, brings to seven, the number of people killed on roads in the Louth Garda Division since the beginning of the year.

Mr Bradley was returning home with two other band members, Bob Hunt and Jerome McBride, after performing with Declan Nerney at a dance in Toughers of Naas, Co Kildare, on Friday night.

Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of the fatal road traffic collision on the M1 Northbound between Junctions 12 & 14 at Mooremont, Co Louth on the morning of Saturday 14 October.

The collision occurred at approximately 2am and involved a tractor and car. Mr Bradley, who was a passenger of the car, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Gardai say that a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators would be conducted.

The two other occupants of the car, Mr Hunt and Mr McBride, were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening.

Mr Bradley, along with his two band mates, were musicians in Irish Country Music star, Declan Nerney's band. Declan Nerney, paid tribute to Mr Bradley at the weekend, saying on social media that:

Chris was a magnificent drummer and above all that an even better colleague and friend. He was the life and soul of the party, always lit up a room with his great sense of humour and a powerful legion of fans.

While we are all so devastated by this sad news we must keep his heartbroken wife Gabrielle, two children - Darcey and Brogan, Parents, siblings and extended family members in our thoughts and prayers. May god give them the strength to get them through the dark days ahead.

We must also keep our other two band members Bob and Jerome who were also involved in this horrific accident in our thoughts and prayers and wish them a speedy recovery.

Tributes for Mr Bradley poured in from across the Irish Country Music sphere through social media at the weekend.

Philomena Begley said on Saturday that, some days there are no words and today is one of those days for all of us in the country music scene.

In the early hours of this morning a very talented and gifted young man lost his life in a road traffic collision. Christopher Bradley was a young man who had a kind word for everyone.

I can only imagine the pain, the suffering and the shock and sadness that his wife Gabrielle and their beautiful kids Darcey and Brogan, his mum and dad Mario and Monica and his siblings Liam, Fiona, Dermot and Laura, his mother in law and father in law Gabriel and Donna McGilligan and all his family and many friends are experiencing this evening. I want to extend my sympathy also to my good friend Declan Nerney and all the band and team on such a tragic loss.

Christopher backed me on the drums on many occasions and we had great fun and I have great memories of a beautiful and kind young man which I will hold dearly in my heart.

Daniel O'Donnell said that It is with shock and sadness that I learned of the tragic death of Chris Bradley. My deepest sympathy to his wife, children and all his family.

Also to Declan Nerney and all his band. Thinking especially of Jerome and Bob and please God they will fully recover from their injuries. May god help them all at this very sad time.

Mr Bradley's death at the weekend, was the seventh in Louth so far this year, according to An Garda Siochana, who add that the figure is provisional and subject to change.

It also brings to 151, as of 16 October, the number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year. It is up from 116 last year, and from 110 on 2019.

Gardai in Drogheda are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision on Saturday to contact them. Any road users who were travelling on the M1 between Junctions 12 & 14, during the hours of 1:30am and 2:10am, and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), are asked to make this available to Gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Drogheda Street Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
To celebrate this years Harp Day in Louth a concert will take place on Saturday 21st October in St Nicholas' Church of Ireland in Dundalk at 7.30pm

Young harpers from Music Generation Louth harp ensembles will collaborate with musicians from Nos Nua Youth Folk Orchestra and trio Alfi for this special concert to celebrate harp day in Co.Louth.

Two members of Alfi, Ryan McAuley & Fiachra Meek are from the Dundalk area along with Alannah Thornburgh, a harper from Mayo, who has arranged some music for all three acts to perform together, especially for the occasion.

ALFI

Multi-award winning trio Alfi is the collaborative project of musicians Fiachra Meek, Ryan McAuley and Alannah Thornburgh. Featuring an unusual line-up of harp, five string banjo and uilleann pipes, Alfi explores a combination of music and song sourced from the folk traditions of Ireland & America.

Alfi released their debut album Say Old Man in July 2023 to great critical acclaim - the album captures the organic, full-bodied spirit of their live shows, as well as the distinctive personalities of the players  and marks Alfi as a vital force in Irelands ever-diversifying folk scene (Hot Press).

Nominated for Best Emerging Folk Artist at the RTE Folk Awards, Alfi have also received numerous accolades including the US Embassy Creative Minds Award, The Caoimhin O Dochartaigh Award at Imbolc International Music Festival and Molloy Award at Birmingham TradFest.

NOS NUA

Nos Nua is a joint initiative of Music Generation Louth and Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol (Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann regional centre for the northeast). With members drawn from across counties Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan and Armagh, the orchestra has been meeting regularly in Louth since October 2017 to rehearse and create unique, progressive arrangements of new and existing traditional repertoire.

To date performances include the Festival of Youth Orchestras in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, St. Patricks Festival, Dublin, and TV appearances on Fleadh TV 2018, 2019 & 2022, John Creedons Atlas of Ireland and most recently with Lisa Canny & guests on Up for the Match 2023.

They have recently wrapped a studio recording of Causeway in Black Mountain Studios. Causeway is a 40min suite of music composed with Mohsen Amini funded through the Arts Councils Young Ensemble scheme and the creativity and collaboration fund, a partnership of Arts Council of Ireland, Music Generation and the Department of Education. This same fund also facilitated creative workshops this year with Dr Ryan Molloy where they composed 5 new tunes collectively known as The Selkie Set.

Nos Nua are directed by Kay Webster and Deirdre Ni Bhuachalla and will be conducted on the night by Saran Mulligan.

MUSIC GENERATION LOUTH HARP ENSEMBLES

The Music Generation Louth Harp Ensemble, under the direction of Deirdre Ni Bhuachalla, brings young harpers of various musical backgrounds together to perform a repertoire of traditional Irish and popular music.

Formed in 2012, current members are aged from 10 to 20 years. Their video 'Harps at the Border', recorded in partnership with Harp Ireland, was chosen by the Department of Foreign Affairs to be broadcast across Irish Mission social media channels across the world for St. Patricks Day 2022.

Earlier this year they performed at Edinburgh Harp Festival and last summer, they travelled to Cardiff to perform at the World Harp Congress.

The Ensemble performs annually at An Chuirt Chruitireachta, International Harp Festival, Feile na Tana and Music Generation Laois Tionol for Harp and Pipes.

They recently collaborated with some of Ulsters harp ensembles as part of a Harp Ireland initiative to launch La na Cruite 2023. They are also members of the Music Generation Harp Collective, a collaboration of Music Generation Harp ensembles from Laois, Louth, Mayo & Waterford.

Other notable performances include performing for Vice President (Now President) of USA, Joe Biden in 2016, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2018 & 2019, World Harp Congress in Cardiff 2022, Live on Fleadh TV 2018, National Lottery Awards on TV3, Ray D'arcy Show, RTE & with Maire Ni Chathasaigh at An Chuirt Chruitireachta in Termonfeckin 2019.

Through their participation in a variety of projects, they collaborated with Catriona McKay, Michael Rooney, Joleen McLaughlin, Laoise Kelly and Maire Ni Chathasaigh in the past and are excited to premiere a new arrangement with Alfi, especially commissioned for this event for La na Cruite | Harp Day 2023.

Tickets for the night can be purchased here.
Last Friday morning, following a request by the Irish Coast Guard to go to the scene of a drifting leisure craft, 19 nautical miles east of Clogherhead, the Clogherhead volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather Shannon class lifeboat immediately under Coxswain Declan Clinton with four crew members on board.

When the lifeboat reached the scene of the drifting 42 ft. boat they found two crew members on board both unharmed and wearing life jackets. The vessel had developed fuel problems resulting in engine failure.

A decision was made to establish a towline which was done successfully. The vessel was then towed back to the nearest safe port at Port Oriel, Clogherhead. The lifeboat arrived in Port Oriel at 10.15. and saw the crew safely ashore.

Speaking following the call out, Clogherhead RNLI Coxswain Declan Clinton said:

The crew on board this drifting vessel did the right think in contacting the Coast Guard on their VHF radio when their vessel began to drift. Most importantly they were both wearing life jackets.

"We were able to assess the situation in a short space of time and thankfully, on this occasion, there was no risk to human life. Should you get into difficulty at sea call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
Dundalk non-profit Outcomers has been awarded a 10,000 grant as part of a 200K Coca-Cola Fund for their project to connect with LGBT members on the Aran Islands, hosting a cross-cultural exchange to share experiences and create new friendships.

The Footsteps Project Connect FRC in Drogheda, which runs youth development programmes has also been awarded a grant of 5,000

28 non-profit organisations from across Ireland and Northern Ireland will each receive a grant share from this years CocaCola Thank You Fund.

Operating in partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation and supporting partners YouthAction Northern Ireland, the Fund invests in community groups that are orientated towards young people, with this years theme centred around empowering young people through learning, inclusion, and sustainable development.

This year The CocaCola Company and its partner CocaCola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland joined forces to double the amount of funding on offer in 2023, making 200,000 in grants available.

Commenting on this years recipient announcement, Agnese Filippi, Country Manager, CocaCola Ireland said:

It has been truly remarkable to witness the evolution of the CocaCola Thank You Fund, an initiative that is firmly focused on having a meaningful impact on the future of young people in our local communities.

At The CocaCola Company, we recognise the importance of supporting organisations that empower our talented and passionate young people, who are the future leaders of tomorrow, which is why were thrilled to partner with CocaCola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland to double the size and impact of the Fund this year.

Our goal through this years increased Fund is to have a longer-term impact on the lives of young people, our communities, and our planet, empowering positive change that will help build a brighter future for all. Id like to recognise the efforts of the Irish Youth Foundation and YouthAction Northern Ireland in helping us to achieve this goal.

Congratulating the recipients of this years Thank You Fund, Davide Franzetti, General Manager, CocaCola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland said:

As a growth-focused organisation, we are honoured to be involved in this years CocaCola Thank You Fund. Together with our partners in The CocaCola Company, we are privileged to have an insight into the phenomenal work of local organisations that work to change the lives of vulnerable young people across the island of Ireland.

Emphasising the importance of education, inclusion, and sustainable development in empowering the next generation is incredibly important to us, and we wish the very best of success to the twenty-eight projects selected for this years Fund.

Speaking about the judging process, Lucy Masterson, Chief Executive of the Irish Youth Foundation, operating partners of the CocaCola Thank You Fund this year, said:

This year, we worked with supporting partners YouthAction Northern Ireland, along with a panel of industry experts, to identify community-based programmes and projects that engaged young people in models of innovative and inclusive practices.

Working with The CocaCola Company and CocaCola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland has allowed us to recognise and support twenty-eight valuable local resources for young people across the island of Ireland.

The standard of applications across the three pillars of learning, inclusion, and sustainable development has been incredibly high. Although it was a challenging process, it was incredibly enlightening and rewarding experience to hear from the vast number of community groups available to support vulnerable young people.
Its with great excitement, says everyone involved, that the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol will welcome former Eurovision winner and Classic FM Hall of Fame Composer, Eimear Quinn to its stage on Saturday 9th December at 8.30pm.

Eimear Quinn is one of the pre-eminent Irish voices of her generation. Occupying the space where traditional meets classical and sacred, as a classically trained soprano with a background specialising in Early and Choral music, she made her international debut in 1996, when she won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland with the haunting ballad The Voice written by Brendan Graham.

Eimear now often composes music using Latin and Irish languages and contemporises ancient text and chant. She has become a highly respected interpreter of Irish folk and traditional song in a classical context. Eimear was voted into the Classic FM Hall of Fame by the stations listeners and is only one of five female composers to receive this coveted vote.

Eimear has collaborated with Sir George Martin,Carlos Nunez, Liam Lawton, Donal Lunny, Joseph OConnor, Scullion, Pol Brennan, Dublin Brass Ensemble and of course Brendan Graham.

She has also collaborated with several international composers on a range of musical and television projects. These have included performing and co-writing the award-winning score to Belgian drama series Stille Waters with Steve Willaert.

Eimear released O Holy Night, a collection of carols, ancient chants, and seasonal compositions from Eimear, who has also produced and arranged the album.

It was inspired by the overwhelming reaction to her performance of O Holy Night live on Radio 1 show. This in turn led to Eimear presenting her own Television special A Christmas Celebration with Eimear Quinn on RTE Television, produced by Philip King. Eimear still tours with these songs nationwide every December.

This will be a very special, uplifting night of music and will be a rare opportunity to see Eimear Quinn perform in such an intimate and unusual venue so early booking is advised. Tickets are 30 and are available from www.orielcentre.ie.
Across Louth, 430,000 meals have been donated to community groups over the past decade as part of Tesco Irelands Food Surplus Redistribution programme, according to the supermarket chain.

The donations, which come from Tescos stores in Louth, have helped Connect Family Resource Centre and other organisations like them to feed people living in food poverty.

Working with FoodCloud and Olio, and over 350 local charitable and voluntary groups nationwide, Tesco redistributes surplus food at the end of each day to those who need it most in our communities.

This food is perfectly edible but because it is nearing its use-by date, it will be removed from the shelves in store. Typical donations comprise fruit and vegetables, bakery goods, meat and more. In ten years of partnership, diverting this surplus food from going to waste to those in Irish communities who need it, Tesco says it has significantly reduced emissions associated with the processing of this waste.

In 2013, Tesco became the first retailer to partner with FoodCloud nationally, and in the 10 years working together, its surplus food programme has delivered almost 20 million meals to help feed people living in food insecurity The programme, which is in operation across Ireland, has expanded into the UK, Czechia, and Slovakia.

Marking this important milestone, Tesco Ireland Communications Director Rosemary Garth said:

As a grocery retailer we have no time for waste and are absolutely committed to ensuring that no good food goes to waste when there are people in our communities who need it. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved since we launched our national Surplus Food Donations Programme powered by FoodCloud 10 years ago.

"In that time, we have provided almost 20 million meals to the most vulnerable in our own communities, with over 430,000 in Louth alone. This has enabled the charitable and voluntary sector in Ireland to save over 23 million off their food bills to date, which, according to FoodCloud, has empowered them to invest in providing a greater level of support services in towns and cities nationwide.

"Were a firm believer that every little helps, and were proud to have supported Louth groups such as Connect Family Resource Centre who need our help.

Co-founder of FoodCloud, Aoibheann OBrien said:

Tescos commitment to eliminating edible food waste from their stores has been a driving force in our work to tackle food waste at a national and international level. Through our strong partnership with Tesco, we have continued to grow our impact, innovate, and push boundaries around what is possible around food redistribution. We have worked together to reduce food waste for 10 years, expanding across four countries.

"Tesco Ireland has been appointed as a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) champion for 2023-2024 by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD. As a grocery retailer, Tesco is particularly committed to tackling SDG2 which aims to tackle hunger. In 2013, Tesco became the first national retailer in Ireland to partner with FoodCloud which now connects us with over 350 local charitable groups and enabling us to redistribute surplus food at the end of each day to families in need.

"The company has made considerable progress towards its climate action targets to date, with energy efficiency upgrades taken on refrigeration, lighting, and heating systems across its network of 167 stores."

To find out more about Tesco Irelands surplus food donation programme, visit TescoIreland.ie
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently hosted a Guest Lecture Series event in the Department of Hospitality and welcomed an international speaker, Mr Patrick Brady.

Patrick Brady is a graduate of the University of Southern Florida; and most recently employed as a Sustainability Engineer at Cooper Island Beach Club which is an Eco Resort in the British Virgin Islands. Patrick's lecture focused on - Sustainable Resort Development and managing the infrastructure of an Eco Resort in a remote location.

This resort is completely off the grid, so Patrick presented the challenges in supplying electricity and water to their guests.

Dr Kevin Burns, Acting Head of the Department of Hospitality Studies, DkIT, said:

The guest lecture series greatly enriches the educational experience by exposing students to a wide range of knowledge, perspectives, and opportunities that they might not encounter in their regular coursework.

"It is a valuable addition to the School and Departments educational programs. Equally beneficial for colleagues and a source of professional development learning from the expertise and experience of others.

This event was facilitated and organised by DkIT lecture James Browne.
MERCY Heroes is the inspiring initiative that brings communities together annually to support Mercy University Hospital Foundation, and aims to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those being treated at the hospital.

Ian Brown died age 28 on January 16, 2021, from cancer. His family have raised almost 30,000 since he passed away, and funds raised by them now help other cancer patients at the Mercys University Hospitals oncology day unit.

Ian was his sisters hero.

He was the protective big brother, says Chloe, from Ballincollig.

We always thought he was shy, but hearing the nurses talking, we now know Ian wasnt that shy after all! The nurses at the Mercy didnt treat Ian as a patient, they treated him as a friend.

Ian with sister Chloe and brother Niall

Ian died too young.

I was 23, says Chloe. And our younger brother, Niall, was 20. Ian was diagnosed with cancer in July, he was 25 at the time.

She said her brother was very brave, throughout his illness.

Ian was loving life before he got sick.

He had gone back to college, and he worked at An Spailpin Fanach at the weekends.

Ian was thoughtful.

He met a man in the hospital who needed counselling. It cost 150, but the man couldnt afford it. , Ian organised a fundraiser, raising almost 5,000, says Chloe who was always proud of her big brother.

She remembers when he was ill.

Ian had been sick for quite some time, but nothing showed up in his bloods, says Chloe.

It was all pushed out a bit regarding sending him for tests, etc. He travelled to Spain, and he became extremely unwell there. My parents took him to hospital in Alicante and they recommended that Ian return home to his doctor as they suspected a tumour.

What happened then?

From then on it was a lot of confusion, says Chloe.

Unfortunately, we were thrown a bit back and forth, so Ian decided to move to the Mercy for a second opinion. Professor Derek Power was recommended by another hospital.

Professor Power became Ians hero.

Before moving to the Mercy, Ian had been told he had three months to live, possibly six with treatment, but that essentially there was nothing much that could be done.

When the family met Professor Power, things were different. Like the nurses at the Mercy, the doctor became a friend and confidante to Ian.

Ian was able to ask him the hard questions.

Ian asked Derek Power if he had three months to live. Derek promised to give him as much time as he could, says Chloe.

He fulfilled his promise.

Two and a half years later, when Ian passed away, Professor Power was still checking up on him, and even then never told him there was nothing he could do. He gave Ian such positivity and reassurance that were forever grateful for, says Chloe.

Ian and his sister Chloe.

We really believe that is partly how Ian had so much borrowed time, as he called it.

What kind of cancer did Ian suffer from?

Ian had sarcoma, which had started in the muscle of his bowel but unfortunately spread really quickly, says Chloe.

What were his options?

No operations were options, says Chloe. But he received numerous rounds of chemotherapy in the Mercy, moving to Brookfield during Covid, and had radiotherapy in CUH. When the treatments did not seem to help anymore, Derek Power sent Ian for a trial test to see if he was suitable.

Unfortunately, he wasnt, and it was only then that Ian said he was ready to give up treatment.

Ian was a hero.

He never gave up until he could, says Chloe.

Her brother felt at home in the Mercy Hospital.

Ian adored all the nurses and the staff at the Mercy, says Chloe.

Ian was your typical guy.

He was embarrassed at the start as a lot of the nurses were the same age as him, but they never treated him as different to them, says Chloe.

Ian loved chatting to them all about Love Island or anything that wasnt to do with his illness.

Ian Brown with his family.

Everyone at the hospital looked out for Ian.

In January, 2021, when Ian had become very unwell, the hospital helped us to take him home so we could spend his last few days as a family.

On Saturday, January 21, shortly after 7pm, Ian didnt wake up from his sleep. He went so peacefully, and we received so many letters, emails, messages and support from both staff and patients at The Mercy, says Chloe.

We got so much comfort from this as we saw they were a community, and shared a bond based on things only they would understand.

Ians little brother, Niall, was only 20 when Ian passed.

Chloe said: Niall had an urge to check the notes app on his phone for some unknown reason to us. Ian had written a note on the day he went for a test to see if he was suitable for a trial and it simply said, Dont cry because its over, smile because it happened. That is what we remember Ian by.

Ian will always be remembered as a hero. A very special hero.

Funds raised this year during the Mercy Heroes Campaign, on Friday, October 20, will go directly to the Teens and Young Adult Appeal, which supports young patients of the Hospital through the challenges that serious illness brings. See www.mercyhospitalfoundation.ie
MUNSTER Technological University (MTU) has been granted conditional planning permission to create a new community work hub.

The university lodged the application with Cork City Council in August seeking permission for the extension and alteration of the Nexus Hall in the student centre at its Bishopstown campus.

The project includes the addition of a first-floor mezzanine level in the existing Nexus Hall to create a students' community work hub and the addition of a covered external escape stair.

There are eight routine conditions attached to Cork City Councils approval of the development.

All-weather pitch

Separately, MTU has also been grated conditional planning permission for the construction of a synthetic all-weather playing pitch and four floodlighting columns at its Bishopstown campus.

Cork City Council sought some further information before making a decision on the application, including hours of intended use and information on how the pitch would be managed.

A responding letter stated that the hours of usage would be from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm on weekends, corresponding with the opening hours of the university.

The letter said the proposed pitch would be primarily used by students and staff but that it is also intended to offer the facility to clubs and other outside users when available.

The all-weather pitch will be managed and operated by the university caretakers.

Cork City Council has approved the development subject to 12 conditions, which have yet to be published.
FINANCE Minister Michael McGrath paid a visit to sixth class pupils at St Marys National School in Carrigaline on Friday to chat about maths and the budget, in an event that was described by the schools acting principal as a real shot in the arm for learning in school.

The Ministers visit was part of a Childrens Budget Briefing to kick start Maths Week 2023, which runs until Sunday, October 22.

Boys and girls aged 11-12 participated in Fridays workshop at St Marys in Ms Roisin OSullivans sixth class where they balanced the Childrens Budget, using their maths skills to decide how they would like the Governments money to be spent.

The exercise was led by Maths Week Ireland coordinator, Eoin Gill.

The goal was to determine the childrens views of priority spending areas through discussion and debate and then to fairly and wisely distribute a nominal 100 budget among these areas.

They broke into six groups or cabinets for discussions, allocated their budgets and a collective budget was then decided by the class using their maths skills to create an average from the six groups.

It was great to see these fantastic young people put their minds into figuring out what a budget is all about, demonstrating great thoughtfulness and social awareness in the process, Minister McGrath said, commenting following the event.

Our learners of today are our leaders of the future.

I was delighted to meet the children and to hear their views on life and living in Ireland today and how Government can support society and the economy through our budgeting process.

Promoting the value of maths is essential not just for academic pursuits but for fostering critical thinking and problem-solving in every aspect of life.

Embracing and emphasising maths and numeracy ensures that we equip future generations with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly complex world, he continued.

Speaking to The Echo, acting school principal Olive Bradfield said the event allowed children see the relevance of maths in everyday life.

Ms Bradfield praised the level of engagement from the children and said the budget exercise and the Ministers visit was a real shot in the arm for learning in school, enabling pupils to realise the practical application of maths.

Maths Week is sponsored by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Programme and the Department of Education.

The annual event is coordinated by Calmast, the STEM engagement centre at South-East Technological University (SETU), with the core objective of fostering awareness and a positive attitude towards maths and its practical applications.

It is run with more than 50 partner organisations including the universities, institutes of technology, libraries, schools, training colleges and employers.
A MIDDLE-AGED man who threatened Brown Thomas staff with the neck of a broken bottle after stealing two bottles of perfume from the St Patricks Street store has been jailed.

Judge Joanne Carroll jailed Ian OSullivan of Cork Simon Community for four months for the offences, which occurred on June 29, when OSullivan pleaded guilty at Cork District Court by video link from prison.

This is a man who broke a bottle and returned to the store and threatened to kill the security people, said Judge Carroll.

Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said: He wholeheartedly expresses his sympathy and remorse.

It was a shameful act  he recognises that.

He did a psychology course in prison emphasising compassion. He does understand how an incident like that could adversely affect the security man.

Judge Carroll added: Not to mention the customers who could have been distressed by this disturbance.

Mr Cuddigan said: Extraordinarily, from the CCTV, customers continued to go in and out. One would have thought they would have been afraid to cross the door, but that was not the situation.

He wants to get back to being a sober person. He wants to get back with his family.

Garda Dave Tobin previously objected to bail being granted to the accused man on charges of having a broken bottle, engaging in threatening behaviour, being drunk and a source of danger to himself or others, and theft.

Gda Tobin said: The accused was captured on CCTV taking two bottles of fragrances to a total value of 207 and that outside the premises he had the broken neck of a smashed bottle and he was acting in a threatening manner to security staff.

He was threatening and abusive to the security staff and that he returned multiple times to the store in an aggressive and intoxicated manner.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the defendant had a bottle in his pocket when he was being escorted out of the premises and that this fell and smashed outside, and it was the neck of this broken bottle that he produced during the subsequent confrontation.

Sgt Kelleher said the accused had 173 previous convictions, including 52 for theft and 38 for making a gain by deception.

Mr Cuddigan said the defendants issues were with alcohol and gambling but that he had set up a Gamblers Anonymous group in Cork Prison that still operates.
TALKS at the Workplace Relations Commission are continuing late this evening in a bid to avert planned strike action involving thousands of agency healthcare and social workers across the community and voluntary sector.

Up to 5,000 workers employed across 18 community and voluntary agencies around the country are set to take part in the planned strike tomorrow. These will include staff at St Lukes Nursing Home, Cobh Community Hospital, Enable Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association, and St Josephs Foundation in Cork.

The action is set to have direct impacts on service users.

Area manager south for the Irish Wheelchair Association, Martin McCarthy, said the associations three community centres across Cork,  situated in Blackrock, Mallow, and Clonakilty  will all be affected.

These centres will not be open for services and no transport will be running, impacting many people and their families across the county, he said.

The assisted-living service in the community will be greatly affected by this action also.

The action is being taken over a pay gap between agency workers and HSE staff, which unions say is leading to retention issues.

Forsa, Siptu, and Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) members had called on the Government to come to the negotiating table and end the pay inequality that has led to the planned strike action, but despite last-minute talks today at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), it was decided that the strike would go ahead.

Workers voted to take industrial action following a breakdown of WRC talks in July after what they have described as years of pay disparity between workers who are employed directly by the State and their counterparts working in Section 39 (health and disability services), Section 56 (services to children), and Section 10 (homeless services) community services.

While these agencies are largely State-funded, workers employed in the community and voluntary sector are on different terms and conditions than their HSE counterparts.

'Staff distressed at prospect of strike action'

Mr McCarthy said that the Irish Wheelchair Association and other Section 39 agencies are not looking for anymore just the same as our counterparts in the HSE who fund us to provide services on their behalf.

He added: Staff at the IWA and service users are distressed by the prospect of strike action but the unresolved issue of pay parity can no longer be accepted at any reasonable level.

Speaking to The Echo, Cork-based industrial relations officer for the INMO, Liam Conway, said the pay differential between Section 39 organisations and the HSE is more than 10%.

Some workers havent seen any pay rise since 2008, said Mr Conway.

Its a great unfairness, and members are seeking equal pay for equal work.

The Government offered 5% previously, but talks collapsed and the strike really is about securing the future of these services and also, its a huge issue in terms of recruitment and retention.

Without these increases, were going to see continual issues in terms of staffing and resources for these services.

Many of the employers are reiterating the unions position that without these pay increases, they simply will not be able to staff services going forward, and theres a huge concern in relation to the funding model provided by the Government to Section 39 organisations as well.

Government response urged

Describing tomorrow's planned strike action as a pivotal day, Mr Conway called on the Government to get real and respond to the crisis in these sectors which he said are predominantly older persons and intellectual disability services.

Chief executive of the Disability Federation of Ireland John Dolan said that if the strike goes ahead, it will be disastrous at a number of levels, not least for disabled people and for their families.

He said: No one wants this strike, least of all the disabled people, the workers, and the disability organisations, but they have all watched what inadequate funding has done to their services and to the sector for the past number of years.

Sadly, it had to come to this.

Labour Party candidate in the South East Ward Peter Horgan appealed to the Government to step in, describing these workers demands as modest.

Government is the paymaster, he said. They can easily resolve this dispute and start treating these vital workers with respect. The budget last week made no mention of these workers. None.

He described these workers as the backbone of our social care system and said that it is an absolute dereliction of duty from the Government that we are going to face this action on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH) told The Echo: HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Disability Services have engaged with the agencies funded by the HSE in respect of the industrial action, which is due to commence on October 17, 2023.

Although CKCH Disability Services is an administration service and does not have staff which can be redeployed to support persons impacted by the industrial action, it has engaged with each relevant agency in respect of contingency planning and has noted that each agency has a plan in place in respect of the prioritisation of services.

CKCH Disability Services acknowledge, with regret, the potential impact on people with disabilities and their families or carers, as a result of the industrial action.
The status orange rain warning that is in place for Cork has been extended until 1pm tomorrow Wednesday, October 18.

Spells of heavy rain could lead to localised flooding, poor visibility, difficult driving conditions and possible wave overtopping at high tide.

Cork City Council have issued a statement warning of potential flood risks.

Tidal flooding risk:

Persistent rain will fall all day today and tomorrow morning with 60-70mm forecast over the 36 hours of the orange rain warning. Strong easterly and southeasterly winds  of up to 60km per hour - are also forecast from midday today which increases tidal flooding risk.

Fluvial (river) flood risk:

There is also a risk of fluvial ( river) flooding west of the city centre and in the city centre due to the combination of heavy rainfall and quantum of rain expected.

Flooding of the River Lee from Inniscarra to the Lee Fields is likely and the Rivers Curraheen, Shournagh and Bride are also at risk of localised flooding.

Localised flooding is expected at high tide this evening and tomorrow, Wednesday morning on low lying city centre quays such as Morrisons Island, Wandesford Quay, Union Quay and Lavitts Quay.

Cork City Council

Cork City Council crews are on standby in the city centre and across the wider city.

Property damage is not expected but because of the heavy wind and rain, commuter visibility may be impaired so motorists and cyclists are urged to be extra cautious when traveling.

High tide

This evening, Tuesday: 7.50pm

High tide tomorrow, Wednesday morning: 08:10am

Cork City Councils Flood Assessment Team met this morning and are due to meet later this afternoon.
A MOTORIST accused of endangering life, drink-driving, and having a false passport from the Czech Republic during an alleged escapade of dangerous driving in Cork city has appeared before Cork District Court.

Bartlomiej Wojtasiak, 38, of The Heron, Jacobs Island, Mahon, was charged by Detective Sergeant Christopher Cahill with a number of new charges arising out of the same incident yesterday.

He was previously charged with two counts of dangerous driving.

Most significantly, yesterday, he was charged with endangerment. It relates to December 6, 2022, at Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, when it is alleged that he recklessly drove a 2018 registered car in a manner that created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

He was also charged with drink-driving at the same time and place, having no insurance, no licence, and having a false instrument, namely a driving licence purporting to be issued by the Czech Republic which was and which he knew to be a false instrument.

Bail in the case was previously set by the High Court where he was required to lodge 15,000 cash. An independent surety of 25,000 also had to be lodged.

He is required to reside at his address at Jacobs Island, sign twice daily at Anglesea St Garda Station between 9am and 1pm and between 3pm and 7pm.

Mr Wojtasiak also has to surrender all identification documents and travel documents, provide a mobile number to gardai, have no contact with witnesses, and remain sober and be of good behaviour and keep the peace.

Judge Joanne Carroll adjourned the case until November 13 to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

The accused was represented by solicitor Michael Quinlan.
Corks popular Palestinian restaurant, Izz Cafe, has re-opened today following a temporary closure as a number of its staff members were trying to contact relatives and friends trapped in Gaza by sustained bombardment from Israeli forces.

The proprietor of the cafe, Izzeddeen Alkarajeh, told The Echo that the support of the people of Cork had been beyond expectations as he confirmed the re-opening of the Georges Quay premises for delivery and takeaway orders.

We open again today as we are hoping to do some trade while we are renovating, said Izz.

They are so generous, we opened the door this morning and we found many envelopes and cards coming from Galway, from Dublin, from Limerick, from other cities, they are really making us so proud to be part of the community.

We feel the generosity of the people and the solidarity we are feeling is beyond what we expected.

While Izzs own family are in the West Bank which is much safer than Gaza at the present, other staff members have relatives in Gaza.

My colleague, the chef, whose mother and siblings escaped their home and are sheltering in a building and the Israelis have started bombing United Nations buildings and they feel their time is coming.

Hes very distressed and very nervous about his family because communication with them is fading now because they are cutting all power and internet and even the water supply and the food supply is also becoming scarce.

Izz also expressed his appreciation and that of his colleagues for the many messages of support left by customers and friends on the cafes social media platforms.

There were many messages of solidarity and offers to help and people asking for ways to donate, he said.

The cafe has teamed up with a Dublin based organisation, Human Appeal Ireland, and will be offering customers the facility of donating to a collection box at their Georges Quay premises or online via humanappeal.ie.
Young Mallow man Tyler Jackson was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a 24-year-old Galway man as the victims family said justice had been served but they would never wake from the nightmare of their loved ones murder.

Ms Justice Eileen Creedon imposed the mandatory life sentence on Tyler (Tiggy) Jackson of Ballydaheen West, Mallow, County Cork, who was convicted last week of murdering 24-year-old Conor Quinn at Bridge Street, Mallow, County Cork, on July 12, 2018.

The evidence was that he stabbed the victim once in the heart on the side of the street resulting in Mr Quinns death moments later.

His last words were: Im after being stabbed, Im after being stabbed, am I going to die?

Eight men and four women of the jury in the trial took almost seven hours to reach their majority 10-2 guilty verdict at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

Inspector Hugh Twomey said that despite a full murder investigation immediately after the incident in July five years ago, the man that was suspected of the murder fled to England immediately afterwards.

Extensive enquiries were made to establish his whereabouts through the cooperation of police in the UK. Finally, in November 2021 Tyler Jackson was arrested in Cambridge. In February 2022 he was brought back on a European arrest warrant and charged with murder.

Defence senior counsel Brian McInerney said, Mr Jackson acknowledges the jury verdict. He disagrees with same. It is his intention to appeal.
Cork twins who were diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) last year have been featured as part of an international campaign to raise awareness of what is described as a hidden disability.

Tommy and Tony Dalton, from Fairhill, have been featured in promotional material for the international campaign for DLD Day 2023, which takes place on Friday.

DLD is a hidden but common disability that affects one in 14 people causing difficulties understanding and using language for no known reason.

Since their diagnosis last year, Tommy and Tony (8) have worked with their mother Neidin to increase public knowledge of the disability.

Im so proud of the boys and all they are doing to raise awareness of DLD, Neidin said, following the news that the twins had been featured in the DLD Day 2023 campaign.

Last year our story was picked up by The Echo, which must have caught the eye of the international team.

When we saw that our photo had been chosen in some of the promotional material for the international campaign for 2023 the boys were so excited.

Neidin Dalton with her twin boys Tommy and Tony wearing purple and yellow for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) awareness day last year.

Its important for us as a family to raise awareness of DLD to help bring about change in the system and help other families who might feel like there is no help out there.

This years theme for DLD Day is DLD Around the World, highlighting that DLD affects people around the world regardless of age, gender, language spoken or ethnicity.

Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD), the body who coordinate the international event, are advocating for increased recognition and support for people with DLD around the world.

People with DLD are six times more likely to suffer from anxiety and three times more likely to have clinical depression, chairperson of RADLD, Stephen Parsons, said.

They are also at significant risk of struggling with reading, spelling and mathematics.

Although DLD is a common condition affecting many areas of life, people with DLD are unlikely to receive access to services, he continued.

#DLDday, now in its seventh year, is celebrated annually around the world with more than 40 countries involved.

In Ireland, over 25 landmarks around the country this year will be shining a light on DLD by lighting up in purple and yellow. In addition, many local events in schools and community centres have also been planned.
A Ukrainian refugee is set to appeal her bail refusal to the High Court in a case where she is accused of dangerous driving causing the death of a fellow Ukranian man with whom she had been socialising in Cork.

43-year-old Kseniia Vasylenko of Cork Airport hotel appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison on the charge of dangerous driving a Hyundai Alantra at Cork Airport causing the death of Andrii Nesterov, who was aged around 50, after 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, October 8.

Detective Garda Gary Brennan alleged that she was driving the Hyundai car owned by the deceased and that her driving was dangerous, resulting in his death.

Bail was refused last week at Cork District Court.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, explained to his client that she would be obliged to turn up in Cork District Court in person if granted bail at the High Court.

On the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis, Judge Joanne Carroll adjourned the case until November 7.

Applying for bail last week the accused said her husband was still in Ukraine working in IT and working with the resistance in this capacity. Describing her decision to leave her home she said her child was in Kindergarten and she was working with the local authority in central Ukraine. She now lives in Cork with her five-year-old son and her mother.

I did not want to leave my country. I love my country. I made the decision to come here to save my life and the life of my son. I came across Poland, Romania, Moldova, to Dublin City West to here. I have been in Cork since December 2022. I have been in the airport hotel in accommodation centre.

I can understand police are afraid I will flee because I am not a resident of Ireland. I can agree to everything to be home with my son. I promise I wont be leaving the country. I would do everything suggested to me to confirm I am not leaving the country. I have nowhere to go. I have no relatives who can accept us across Europe.

I love Ireland and Irish people. It is like Ukraine. They accept us like relatives. They love us, Ms Vasylenko testified.

She testified that she would stay in Ireland to face the case, adding, I am not a criminal person. I want to be with my son if it is possible. Detective Garda Brennan said the objection to bail was based on the seriousness of the case and the prosecution belief that the defendant was a flight risk.
Workers in multiple locations across Cork have expressed their relief that a planned strike calling on the government to end pay inequality across the community and voluntary sector agencies was suspended following a proposal from government on pay.

An agreement was made in the early hours of Tuesday morning to suspend the planned strike following talks between unions and government representatives at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) which ended shortly after 3am.

Those who were due to take part in the strike action in Cork included St Lukes Nursing Home, Cobh Community Hospital, Enable Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and St Josephs Foundation.

Nationwide, up to 5,000 workers employed across 18 community and voluntary agencies were due to take part in the planned strike before the decision to suspend the strike after a proposal on pay was made.

Proposals include an offer from government of an 8% increase in funding for pay. A 5% offer was previously rejected by unions.

It includes a 3% pay rise backdated to April 1 this year, another 2% on November 1 and a further 3% on March 1 this year.

Further talks have also been proposed and reengagement between the parties is expected in December.

Forsa, SIPTU and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) had called on the Government to come to the negotiating table and end the pay inequality that had led to the planned strike action.

Workers had voted to take industrial action following a breakdown of WRC talks back in July about the pay disparity between workers employed directly by the State and their counterparts working in Section 39 (health and disability services), Section 56 (services to children) and Section 10 (homeless services) community services.

Speaking to The Echo, Liam Conway, Cork-based industrial relations officer for the INMO, said the proposal made has been largely welcomed by members and organisations involved in the dispute.

He said there will now be a process of engaging in consultation with INMO members and a balloting period in relation to the proposal after which the INMO will receive a mandate from its members in relation to the proposal and the acceptance or rejection of same.

It is the view of the organisations involved that we would be recommending acceptance of the proposal and further discussion will take place in relation to key alignment principal and ensuring that workers in Section 39 organisations receive equal pay for equal work, not just but going forward and this process is to commence shortly as set out in the WRC agreement, Mr Conway said.

Area Manager South for the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) Martin McCarthy expressed his relief that Union officials agreed to defer industrial action.

A statement released by the IWA on Tuesday read: Union officials have agreed to bring an offer of an 8% pay increase for IWA employees and the wider Section 39 employees alongside a commitment to continue meaningful talks for re-linking the pay rates with that of their HSE counterparts to their members.

However, the Irish Wheelchair Association slams the government for allowing widespread disruption, fear, and angst to spread across their community stating that it could have been completely avoided.

It is heartbreaking to witness the unnecessary challenges faced by their service users and employees as a result of this ordeal.
Olivia Kelleher

Over 500 people lit candles at an emotional vigil for murdered 45-year-old Tina Satchwell in the town park in her native Fermoy, Co Cork on Monday evening.

A minute of silence was observed in memory of Tina, whose body was found at a house in Youghal last week six years after she was reported missing by her husband Richard. She had been buried underneath a stairwell in her home.

Ms Satchwell, nee Dingavan, had four older sisters and three brothers. She was described as having been a warm, friendly person who had a great love for animals.

The Fermoy vigil got underway at 6pm today. A statement was read out on behalf of the Dingivan family by local woman Shirley Keegan. The family said that they would "cherish the moments and all the great memories they had of the youngest girl in the family.

"There are no words to describe the pain in our hearts right now Tina. If we knew the last time we met was going to be our last time we would have hugged you extra tight."

Tina would put a smile on anyone's face - she had a very bubbly personality and was a very sociable person, mourners were told.

"She was always out and about with her babies (dogs) Ruby and Heidi. Tina loved her fashion. She was always dressed so well.

"We will cherish the moments and all the great memories we spent with you.

"Fly high our angel - you will be in our hearts forever.

"Fly high our angel - you will be in our hearts forever. We love you Tina...you are at peace now. Until we meet again, give Nana a big hug."

Members of the Dingivan family were in attendance at the vigil. Songs such as I hope you Dance and Jealous of the Angels were played at the gathering. A large portrait of Tina was on display and candles and cards were placed around it. A poem was also recited.

Organiser of the vigil Grainne OConnor told Corks RedFM that locals decided to turn out in large numbers as a show of solidarity to the bereaved family.

I cant comprehend how they (the family) have coped over the last number of years. We wanted to say We are here for you, we have your backs, for however long it takes to heal. We are happy to take this time to remember Tina and to support her family.

Meanwhile, the body of Ms Satchwell was found buried at her home in Grattan Street in Youghal last Wednesday night by gardai who were searching the property. The case was upgraded to a murder probe last week, having originally been a missing persons' investigation.

Tina lived in the UK and in Fermoy moving to Youghal in the last two years of her life with her husband Richard.

Mr Satchwell (57) who is originally from Leicester in the UK was charged with her murder at a special sitting of Cashel District Court in Tipperary last Saturday morning. He is due before Clonmel District Court on Tuesday where he will appear by video link.

A vigil for Tina was also held in Youghal, Co Cork last Saturday. Around 200 people attended the gathering.

Parish priest Canon Bill Bermingham offered prayers for Tina and her loved ones. He also asked attendees at the Youghal vigil to spare a thought for householders in Grattan Street in the town.

Because it is a very distressing time for them to have known that such an occurrence could have happened in their midst.
By Claudia Savage, PA

President Michael D Higgins has criticised Ursula von der Leyens comments on the Israel-Hamas war.

Mr Higgins said the EU Commission president was not speaking for Ireland and she wasnt speaking for the opinions that they hold.

He was speaking at the World Food Forum in Rome, where he joined criticism of Ms von der Leyens comments on the Middle East conflict where she did not urge Israel to ensure its retaliation for the Hamas attacks to conform with international law.

There is no justification for Hamas heinous act of terror.



Israel has the right to defend itself.



At the same time civilians in Gaza are also victims of Hamas.



This is why we are tripling our humanitarian aid for Palestinians in need. pic.twitter.com/x0zlUOKdb8  Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 15, 2023

More than 4,000 people have been killed in Israel and Palestine since Hamass action on October 7th.

In retaliation, Israel cut off food, fuel and electricity to the Gaza Strip, an area inhabited by 2.3 million people, around half of whom are children.

Mr Higgins has previously said that Israels response must respect international law, while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Israel is engaging in collective punishment in the region.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signs the distinguished guests book as she meets President Michael D Higgins at Houses of Oireachtas in Dublin in 2022 (PA)

As well as the thousands killed in Israeli counter-attacks, at least 9,700 have been wounded in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestine health ministry, with hospitals nearing collapse due to lack of resources.

In the past week France has ordered a ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and Germany has offered military help to Israel.

Ms von der Leyen was criticised for failing to urge Israel to protect Palestinian civilians and stay within the bounds of international law.

Ursula von der Leyen is president of the European Commission (PA)

She has said: I know that how Israel responds will show that it is a democracy.

President Higgins said a better performance was needed from EU leadership.

I dont know where the source of those decisions was. I dont know where the legitimation for it was and I dont know where the authority for it is and I dont think it was helpful, he said.

It may not have been meant to have malevolent consequences but certainly we need a better performance in relation to European Union diplomacy and practice.

People take part in a Palestine Solidarity Campaign demonstration near the Israeli Embassy, in London (PA)

As a result of air strikes, rapidly diminishing supplies, and a mass evacuation order from Israel, more than a million people have fled their homes in the north of the Gaza Strip.

According to the UN, 60 per cent of them are in the approximately eight-mile area south of the evacuation zone.

Mr Higgins said Israels stated intentions for future action in Palestine reduced international law designed to protect civilians to tatters.

Its one thing, when we look at historic breaches of international law, that is incredibly bad, but to actually announce in advance that youre going to break international law, and that you announce it again and again, and that you do so on an innocent population, he said.

I have thought about it and I think that it really reduces all that code that was there from the Second World War through the Geneva Conventions about the protection of civilians, it reduces it to tatters.

One has to bear in mind how important it is to retain and insist on the veracity and the cogency of international law.

Hamas is a militant group which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007 and has sworn to destroy Israel.
Vivienne Clarke

Minister of State for European Affairs Peter Burke has said that the safety of Irish troops serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon and Syria was of great concern and would be raised by the Taoiseach today at a meeting of the EU Council.

The Department of Foreign Affairs was also working with the Israeli authorities and other leaders in the region about the evacuation of Irish citizens from Gaza, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

I think it's very important that we do get a humanitarian corridor, there is a number of vulnerable citizens in one region. And when you consider the Gaza Strip is an area not much bigger than Dublin and its suburbs, it's a huge, huge concern that it could be a catastrophic event happening in terms of so many vulnerable people.

Ireland would be working with the EU to get across a united message, to show that they were working together to ensure that humanitarian corridors are achieved and "key supplies like the Red Cross and like clean water, electricity, all those important utilities are so critical to get into the region.

The Department of Foreign Affairs had been in contact with a number of people in the region.

We've asked everyone in the region to register, which is very important, but we are aware that this is a very difficult circumstances. And obviously we will be working with other EU leaders because there are many EU citizens who are in Gaza, and it's important to collectively work together to use our power to try and achieve those humanitarian corridors because they are going to be of critical importance in the weeks ahead.

"This was what the Irish did best, he said of the Irish troops.

It's a region where we have a huge presence in terms of our missions to really try and stabilise and do what the Irish state does best, be a voice for peace and de-escalation.

"So we really have their safety to the very forefront of our minds, and that would be key with the Israeli authorities to ensure that their safety is not compromised. And we will be raising that very strongly at the EU Council.

Ireland had a proud history with regard to the region and had been the first state to advocate for a two state solution, in 1980. This was now European policy that shows the voice of Ireland's diplomacy how much we can work.

When asked about President Michael D Higgins comments about Ursula Von Der Leyen, Mr Burke said that the president obviously was very outspoken, and he had a huge value of experience to bring to the table, but he would not comment on the specific statement.

It was important to work through diplomacy, to work to find solutions to protect the most vulnerable people in the region. That would be the focus in the hours ahead at the EU Council meeting.

In terms of the orders by the Israeli authorities, telling civilians to move to a very densely populated part of a war torn region, that is totally irresponsible.

What had happened at the Supernova concert was horrific, but it was important to distinguish between Hamas and Palestinian civilians in the region, he said.

While Israels right to defend itself had to be acknowledged, they also had to abide by humanitarian law and the rules of war, to ensure that civilians were not collateral damage.

And that's what Ireland is really good at. We're really good at getting aid into the region. We want to get those humanitarian lines open and support those citizens who are very vulnerable right now," he said.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Migrant health workers have staged a protest outside Leinster House, calling for family reunification as they provide care to the sick and elderly in private nursing homes in Ireland.

Around 1,000 non-EU workers  mainly nurses from India and the Philippines working in roles below their qualifications  were recruited to work as healthcare assistants (HCAs) in Ireland under a general work permit scheme in June 2021.

These workers, the majority of whom are in the private sector, receive 27,000 per year, according to Migrant Nurses Ireland.

The minimum salary needed to apply for a visa for a spouse is 30,000, and additionally to bring one child is 33,000.

Migrant healthcare workers stage a protest at the Dail (Niall Carson/PA)

The salary threshold increases with further children.

Migrant Nurses Ireland said this means healthcare assistants are being separated from their spouses and children, which is very detrimental to physical and mental health.

The group is urging the employment minister to grant family status for this cohort, making them eligible for a critical skill permit which would automatically allow them bring their families over, rather than their current general employment permit.

It is also demanding pay parity with HSE workers which would bring them above the visa threshold.

It said another option, which is much less preferable, is to decrease the income threshold for bringing family to their current wage of 27,000.

The group also wants spouses to be able to work in Ireland.

Migrant Nurses Ireland said separating healthcare assistants from their spouses and children is very detrimental to physical and mental health (Niall Carson/PA)

Sheji Joseph, a healthcare assistant, said workers moved to Ireland anticipating they would be after a number of months.

We cant bring our family here. We are heartbroken and very sad.

Activist and former TD Ruth Coppinger said she helped organise the protest because she feels the workers are being badly treated and exploited by the Government.

These workers are mainly nurses, working way below their qualification, way below their pay grade, and they came to work as healthcare assistants in our private nursing homes because we couldnt get workers to do that.

Theyre doing essential work looking after our elderly and infirm but yet theyre not allowed bring their spouse or children over here, most of whom are healthcare workers as well who could work towards mitigating the labour shortage in health.
Quick Key Facts

An invasive species is a living thing that, typically because of human activity, has gained a foothold in a new part of the world and is causing negative ecological or economic impacts.

The term invasive species has become contentious among some observers because of concerns with how the subject intersects with climate change, colonialism, nativist ideology and parsing out unharmful, non-native species with harmful ones.

Non-native species can be harmful if they outcompete native species, consume excess numbers of prey species that havent adapted to ward them off, destroy ecosystems, introduce new diseases or cause economic harm.

Burmese pythons and some carp species were intentionally introduced to the U.S. and have since wreaked havoc in their new ecosystems, in part because of their ability to outcompete existing predators and consume large numbers of prey species that dont have defense mechanisms against them.

Some invasive species, like spotted lanternflies, are considered to be more of a threat to agricultural and economic activities than ecological wellness.

In the U.S., some communities and organizations eradicate invasive wildlife by hunting and eating them. Invasive plants are uprooted through targeted removal campaigns or events.

What Are Invasive Species?

Whether an animal, a plant or a microbe, an invasive species generally describes a living thing that has not historically lived in a given region. An invasive species by definition has a decidedly negative ecological or economic impact on the habitat it has entered, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That could be because it lacks natural predators in the area, so it eats a lot of prey that other native predators in the ecosystem rely on. Or perhaps it crowds out other species for space or necessary resources, killing off a vital crop that regional farmers sell.

An invasive species, as described by the USDA, is one that was likely spread by human activity  not one that naturally migrated or adapted to a new area.

Why Is The Term Invasive Species Controversial?

While some non-native species have a devastating effect once they are introduced to an ecosystem, and thus rise to the definition of invasive species, most do not. And not everyone agrees as to whether we should be classifying any species as invasive at all.

That controversy lies in part with the definition of what is native or not. Centuries of European colonization and exploration brought new species, intentionally or otherwise, to new lands. Plants and animals that feel distinctly, inextricably American  like apple trees and house cats, for example  were brought to what is now the United States, but attempts to remove or eradicate those from the country would likely face backlash.

Plus, as the climate changes, the related environmental impacts will influence where species are able to survive. Temperature bands are already shifting, forcing creatures to migrate into new territory they otherwise may not have ventured into if conditions in their former habitat were still amenable to them. That makes it tricky to categorize what is or isnt a native species, which could result in whether conservation measures are taken in that species favor as the climate crisis continues. Because of this and other forces pushing wildlife out of their current territory span

Another concern expressed by experts is that the focus on the purity of native species and ecosystems echoes nativist thinking and racial purity ideologies, according to Vox.

Meera Iona Inglis, a professor of animal and environmental ethics at Newcastle University, argued in a 2020 paper that we should discard the term invasive species and instead use the term potential problem species to describe species which appear to be causing harm in a given time and place, noting that part of her philosophy stems from the parallels between the portrayal of animal and human immigrants as dangerous invaders.

Why Are Some Invasive Species Harmful?

Non-native species have the potential to harm native wildlife and plant species by outcompeting them for critical resources like prey and habitat or by overly consuming them in the case of prey species without suitable defense mechanisms. Although natural selection means that species cant just survive or thrive unless they have evolved to earn a niche in their ecosystem, invasive species may have traits that give them a major evolutionary advantage over species in the native ecosystem. That would put native species at a severe disadvantage, considering they likely couldnt evolve or adapt quickly enough to ward off the threat. And if an invasive species is able to both outcompete native predators and eat more than their share of species that are lower on the food chain, they could reduce the biodiversity of an area with relative speed.

Other invasive species may end up destroying the ecosystem itself. The emerald ash borer, a type of beetle that likely came from Asia via wood packing material, has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America as its larvae eat the trees inner bark, according to the Emerald Ash Borer Network, which is affiliated with Michigan State University.

A sign warns residents that the emerald ash borer has invaded their neighborhood in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, on July 14, 2013. Creative Touch Imaging Ltd. / NurPhoto via Getty Images

The threat of invasive species also can look like the importation of diseases that native species arent equipped to fend off. According to the National Wildlife Federation, one type of introduced elm bark beetles is an efficient vector of Dutch elm disease, which since 1930 has spread through these beetles from Ohio through most of the country, killing over half of the elm trees in the northern United States.

Are Invasive Species Ever Beneficial?

By definition, invasive species arent beneficial to an introduced ecosystem. But again, non-native species arent necessarily harmful  meaning they have the potential to be beneficial within new ecosystems. Some non-native trees provide shelter for local pollinators or migrating birds, while some non-native wildlife can increase the amount of food available for native predators, according to The New York Times. And a 2022 study in the journal Science noted that when populations of native, seed-dispersing species are threatened, non-native species can help to disperse seeds instead.

How are Invasive Species Impacting American Ecosystems?

The United States Geological Survey, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior that conducts invasive species research, notes that more than 6,500 nonindigenous species are now established in the United States, although that number is not necessarily the number of invasive species, i.e., potentially harmful species. Here are five that are known to be causing harm in ecosystems in the U.S. to which they have been introduced.

Burmese Pythons

A python management coordinator with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation works with a Burmese python used to train dogs to detect them in the Florida Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March 23, 2021. Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Burmese pythons are native to several Asian countries, including India, China and Malaysia. But during an explosion of the U.S. exotic pet trade in the 1980s, according to the History Channel, Burmese pythons were imported for pets, often destined for South Florida homes  but the 20-foot-long snakes dont make good pets and were often dumped by their owners once they became difficult to keep.

Those snakes soon reproduced in the swamps across the region. Without native predators, the Burmese python has been tied to the decimation of many native species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Attributing the decline to the growth of the Burmese python, the U.S. Geological Survey notes that raccoons [have] dropped 99.3%, opossums 98.9%, and bobcats 87.5% since 1997 in the southern portions of the Everglades National Park.

While pythons will eat common native species and nonnative species such as Norway rats, they can also consume threatened or endangered native species, including endangered Key Largo wood rats, explains the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Certain Carp Species

Several species of carp are considered invasive, including bighead, black, grass and silver carps, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The fish were intentionally introduced in the 1970s to the U.S. to help control algae blooms and for human consumption, but the agency explains that the fish escaped confinement and spread to the waters of the Mississippi River basin and other large rivers like the Missouri and Illinois.

An invasive species silver carp jumps out of the Illinois River in central Illinois. MARLIN LEVISON / Star Tribune via Getty Images

Now, the invasive carp populations have exploded, reducing the amount of food and habitat available for aquatic species native to the area  which in turn makes it harder for commercial and recreational fishers to catch what they want.

As filter feeders, [different invasive carp species] consume the base of the aquatic food chain, starving out and outcompeting native fish species, explains the National Wildlife Federation on their website. Additionally, silver carp become a safety hazard to boaters and anglers on waters they inhabit, leaping feet out of the air and weighing up to 40 pounds.

Spotted Lanternflies

Spotted Lanternflies on a tree in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Bastiaan Slabbers / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Originally from China, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says that the spotted lanternfly was first found in the U.S. in 2014 and has since spread to 14 states. Currently considered to be more of an agricultural threat than an ecological one, spotted lanternflies are known to feed on fruiting trees, including apples, cherries, peaches, plums and walnut trees, as well as other crops like grapes and hops.

Water Hyacinths

Water hyacinths in Lake Martin, Louisiana. Dukas / Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Water hyacinths  a leafy, aquatic plant with light purple flowers  were introduced for ornamental purposes in the U.S. in the late 1880s from South Americas Amazon Basin. But according to the National Invasive Species Information Center, the freshwater plant also forms dense colonies that block sunlight and crowd out native species. The University of Floridas Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants finds that this blanketing effect makes human water activities impossible once they move into an area. The water hyacinth has made its way across two-thirds of the U.S., but Florida has been able to keep the plants abundance under control.

How Do Invasive Species Hurt Economic Activities?

Invasive species arent just an ecological concern; they can also cause strong economic problems. Spotted lanternflies, for example, threaten Pennsylvanias grape, apple and stone fruit industries, as well as its pine and hardwood logging sector. Those industries account for billions of dollars of sales and economic activities in the state, according to the Invasive Species Centre, based in Canada.

Another example can be found in the case of the zebra mussel. Originally from the Black and Caspian seas, the zebra mussel has proliferated across the Great Lakes region, according to the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. In addition to its voracious appetite for critical prey species  namely, plankton and microzooplankton  that threatens or endangers native mussel and other aquatic species, the zebra mussel attaches en masse to water intake pipes and industrial equipment, causing damage.

Zebra mussels on a sailboats propeller in Lake Erie. JeffCaughey / iStock / Getty Images Plus

How Can I Reduce The Impact of Invasive Species?

Preventing species that are known to harm local ecosystems from entering the region is key to reducing their harm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that invasive species can hitch a ride to new destinations on imported cargo and commercial shipments, in addition to passenger vehicles, in addition to ocean containers, aircraft, rail cars and commercial trucks. Checking personal vehicles and clothing for plants, seeds or wildlife before traveling between regions can help reduce invasive species contamination.

Once a harmful non-native species appears in a new area, there are different ways that nonprofits, governmental agencies, communities and even commercial entities opt to eradicate before the creature can cause problems or further existing concerns. In areas where lionfish have become invasive, for example, hunting competitions are held to catch and kill them for both sport and for consumption. Whole Foods even sells lionfish in some of its stores, noting on its website that the Monterey Bay Aquariums Seafood Watch considers the fish to be a best choice for consumption because of their invasive species status. And spotted lanternflies have been the subject of informational campaigns encouraging people to squish them on sight.

Some observers of the invasive species conundrum debate the ethics of culling creatures because of their potential for injurious behavior in their introduced habitat. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, has condemned decapitation that is allowed during contests to kill an invasive python species. However, the organization doesnt necessarily believe that all invasive species should be allowed to remain in the introduced environment, proclaiming that house cats should never be allowed outside because of their outsized impact on native wildlife.

In places where invasive plant species have begun to take root, volunteer events are sometimes held to teach community members which species are harmful and should be removed, as well as how to safely dispose of them. To find such events in your community, reach out to local extension schools, nature clubs or environmental agencies to understand what the options are  or use an internet search engine to seek out invasive species removal projects in your area.




Australia's live cattle export prices to Indonesia on decline

Australia's live cattle export prices to Indonesia are falling, with feeder steers shipped from Darwin fetching around $2.60 a kilogramme compared to a peak of $5.50 a kilogramme in 2022.

This means a 350kg steer which was worth around $1,900 in March last year is now valued at just over $900. The price has not been this low since the sudden price slump in 2020 triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garry Riggs from Lakefield Station in the Northern Territory, said he put together a consignment of "blemish-free cattle", only to be offered $2.60 a kilo, which for him was not enough.

"I just told my agent we're going to bush these cattle and try again next year when hopefully everything settles down," he said. "It's surprising how quickly the price has come back.

Riggs said the low prices and uncertainty of where to send cattle was "like being back in the live export ban [of 2011]".

"We've got good quality cattle and some of them are getting blocked because of a skin blemish or scratch," he said.

Indonesia's request for imported Australian cattle to be free of skin blemishes may have started due to genuine concerns around lumpy skin disease, but it remains in place despite Australia not having the disease.

Meanwhile, data from Meat and Livestock Australia shows year to date, Indonesia has imported 52,000 tonnes of beef from Australia, which is up 76% year-on-year.

There is also increasing amounts of cheaper, frozen Indian buffalo meat entering the Indonesian market, with expectations that India will export more than 100,000 tonnes this year.

ABC Landline has been told several exporters are now looking to source cattle via the Townsville Port where the cattle are cheaper than the Northern Territory  around $2.20 to $2.40 a kilogramme.

In the north of Western Australia, Kimberley cattle producer David Stoate said there are not many shipments on the horizon.

"I've got cattle that I'm hoping to get on a boat before the wet season starts, but there's limited opportunities from the Kimberley," he said. "The trade to Indonesia is open, it's just slower than normal and it's very challenging."

He said the risk of bushfires ahead of the wet season is adding a lot of stress to producers who have been forced to hold onto cattle.

- ABC News




Philippines feed millers association seeks for 5% tariff on corn imports

The Philippine Association of Feed Millers (Pafmi) is calling for the imposition of a standard 5% tariff on the Philippines' corn imports to strengthen domestic production of meat, fish and other poultry products, The Manila Times reported early this month.

According to Pafmi, its call for a standardisation of corn tariffs comes amid calls from agricultural groups for Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reject proposals to reduce tariffs on rice, pork, corn and chicken.

"Corn plays a vital role in ensuring that local livestock farms and even fisheries are able to give the best quality feeds to their animals," said Pafmi president Edwin Mapanao.

The Department of Agriculture reported that yellow corn production in the country is at over 7.0 million metric tonnes, of which 84% is used for animal feeds and food production.

Overall demand for yellow corn is estimated at nearly 9.5 million metric tonnes.

Pafmi said that the Philippines still needs to import to address the three million metric tonnes deficit, adding that the country is 64% sufficient in corn.

Acknowledging the farming sector's concerns on tariff reduction for some commodities that could negatively impact farmgate prices, Pafmi said that a 5% tariff on corn imports could help boost production in the local poultry sector.

"Unlike meat and rice, which are both finished products, implementing the 5% standard tariff on yellow corn, a raw material, may help the directive of strengthening and supporting local production of meat, eggs and fish," Pafmi said.

Moreover, Mapanao said that it is crucial to ensure that the demands of the industry are met to produce quality meat, poultry and eggs for consumers at affordable prices.

"One of the ways we can achieve this is by keeping the tariffs low and allowing importers to help fill our supply gaps," he said.

Pafmi also emphasised that focusing on making yellow corn more available, affordable and accessible will help the food value chain grow sustainably at the local level.

"The reduction of tariffs will not have any adverse effects on local corn farmers since as long as the quality of domestically produced yellow corn adheres to the prescribed standards, feed millers will continue to prioritise locally sourced produce," it said.



- The Manila Times




Companies join efforts to expand technology to Iceland's land-based aquaculture

Laksesystemer and VP Velaverksti are partnering to expand services and technology available to land-based aquaculture operations in Iceland.

Nrb, Norway-based Laksesystemer is a provider of aquaculture equipment and services, and Vogar, Iceland-based VP is a design and construction firm with expertise in repair and metalwork.

VP chief executive officer Jon Reynir Andresson worked for 25 years as chief technology officer for Benchmark Genetics Iceland.

"We have been searching for the right partner for a while, and we are really looking forward to the cooperation with VP," Laksesystemer general manager Ole Gabriel Kverneland said in a press release. "Jon has now been in Norway to learn more about our company and our technology, and we can easily see that Jon knows what this is about. Our systems are delivered with state-of-the-art remote support solutions and this, combined with the massive experience of Jon and his crew, means we are confident that our Icelandic customers will be in safe hands. We are primed and ready to grow together with the market in Iceland."

Andresson said his firm chose Laksesystemer due to its proven technology and expertise in land-based farming systems and operations.

"We believe Lakseystemer has developed technology that can solve many of the challenges in land-based aquaculture," Andresson said. "Having seen the technology in operation in huge Norwegian facilities, I am impressed by the scale and how advanced the technology has become. There are not many companies specialising in land-based aquaculture the way that Laksesystemer does, so their experience and technology is sure to be valuable for our market in Iceland.

"In particular, the focus on gentle feed handling and use of AI to prevent feed spill is something that can greatly contribute both to financial and environmental sustainability of the industry. We are happy to see that the cooperation will be fruitful from day one and we are ready to install their feed system to one of the most experienced land-based operations in the world."

Kverneland said his company began to look to Iceland as a potential expansion opportunity following the implementation of a tax on salmon farming the Norwegian government imposed earlier this year.

"The new aquaculture tax has obviously put many projects on hold in Norway. We immediately foresaw that the stagnation in Norway would represent an opportunity for other countries producing salmon," he added. "At the moment, there is very high activity in Iceland. We have been present with our technology for a while, and we are now moving forward with a strategic partnership with the company VP that will help us with installations and feet on the ground' in this important market for land-based aquaculture technology.

"We have also signed contracts for delivery of feed systems and for the ReelAppetite artificial intelligence feeding. Big projects on land [are] a perfect match for our newly developed technology focusing on gentle and precise feeding. We are also experiencing a lot of interest in our new lights developed especially for land-based aquaculture."



- SeafoodSource




Malaysia and Thailand to establish task force focused on agriculture

Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to set up task forces to boost several sectors including agriculture in both countries, New Straits Times reported last week.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said they were given one month to submit a report to chart the next course of action.

"I'm pleased with the pragmatic business-like decision, which is rare in our normal bilateral relation," Anwar said in a press conference. "The one month is for agriculture, tourism and security; of course trade and business, which will include the halal sector."

He added that the two countries hoped to increase trade investments, complement each other and benefit immensely from the each others experience.

"Hopefully, in one month, we'll meet after the report is submitted to me and (Thailand) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin as we have a lot of multi-lateral meetings," Anwar commented. "I'm sure, based on his seriousness in developing relations in practical term, we will then compare the notes and execute effectively."

Two of the multi-lateral meetings would be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this week and in Japan in December, he said.

Meanwhile, Srettha said Thailand hoped to obtain Malaysia's halal certification in its effort to export such food products.

He added that Thailand is a food-secured nation, with advanced agricultural technologies.

"Hence, we feel that we could increase productivity. Malaysia needs food and has the halal branding that could help Thailand to market the products globally," Srettha said.



- New Straits Times




Philippines president highlights agricultural industralisation key to country's food security

Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasised on October 12 the importance of industrialising the country's agriculture sector to realise his administration's goal of attaining food sufficiency and security.

Marcos made the assertion during the inauguration of the controlled-climate Magnolia Poultry Farm in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, which he hailed as the "way of the future."

"For the national government, it is important because this is the way forward, this is what we will have to do, to industrialise our agricultural sector so that we are able to provide sufficient food for our people at the price that they can afford," he said during the launch of the state-of-the art poultry farm.

"We put a high premium on investments in agriculture. And this is the key to combating hunger and poverty and achieving our goal of food sufficiency and security across the country."

Marcos said the agriculture sector must be industrialised, considering the population density and the current geopolitical situation.

He said the Magnolia Poultry Farm, a project by San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI), shows to local and foreign investors that the Philippines is ready for any initiatives that "are advantageous to the food supply."

"We can adapt here and adjust it to the Philippine conditions," Marcos said. "The most important part is that people realise that this is the way forward. We can no longer depend on the informal production of food in the way that we have depended on for a very, very long time."

Referring to SMFI's poultry farm, Marcos said the facility is expected to provide jobs to over 1,000 Filipinos, as well as open multiple opportunities for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), farmers and other sectors in Hagonoy town and nearby areas.

"Once realised, this will ensure a more stable, sufficient and cost competitive supply of chicken, as well as bolster the food and nutritional needs of our people," he said. "This kind of facility goes a long way in achieving that. So I thank, of course, the San Miguel Foods led by Mr. Ramon Ang, for continuing to expand its operations in the country, for answering the call for investments in our agricultural sector. You have become a reliable partner of the government through your investments in food and beverages, infrastructure and other sectors which align perfectly with this administration's social economic agenda."

Marcos also thanked SMFI for investing in Mindanao and hoped that it would also consider expanding its operations in the region, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

He made the call as he vowed to transform Mindanao as "bastion not only of peace and security, but also of progress and food sufficiency in the years ahead."

Marcos also vowed to address the agricultural issues in the region, including the incidents of avian influenza and Panama disease.

"Rest assured that this government will continue to mitigate the adverse effects of diseases in your sector," he said. "We will help mitigate the problems of disease through appropriate and timely interventions. I assure once again the private sector and our people in Hagonoy and the rest of Mindanao, that we still have many initiatives including big ticket projects in store for the island."





- PNA




Malaysia to source chicken and eggs from Thailand in case of shortfall

Malaysia is ready to buy chicken and egg stocks from Thailand to prevent any increase of prices in both food items should there be insufficient supply in the country.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he acknowledged there were concerns about the local supply of chicken and eggs which could experience a price hike and affect consumers.

"The approach that the government takes is to see if the current market prices are lower than the ceiling price, which is what is happening now; (and) when the market price is even lower in places such as Thailand, then that is when we float the prices," Anwar said during a Prime Minister's Question time on October 17. "However, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has ensured it has 30% of the chicken and egg supply. If there is indeed a shortage, the government will add to the stocks and we are ready to buy from Thailand to prevent the prices from rising.

"This is the assurance that we can provide and we are doing this now because the supply is abundant now and because of the low market prices."

Anwar said this in response to Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) on the government's guarantee that the move to float the price of chicken and eggs will not burden the people who are already dealing with the high cost of living.

Meanwhile, he added that the government would also ensure stricter enforcement is imposed towards traders who take advantage of ceiling prices for chicken and eggs in the country.

Anwar said since 2022, the government has spent about RM3.7 billion (US$782 million) subsidising chicken and eggs to help both local and foreign consumers residing in Malaysia.

- New Straits Times
Next-generation rocket for nation's manned space missions on track

13:53, October 17, 2023 By Zhao Lei ( China Daily

Yang Liwei interacts with young students during an activity in Beijing on Monday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of China's first manned space flight. XU JINGXING/CHINA DAILY

China's next-generation rocket to carry astronauts is expected to be ready for its maiden flight around 2027, according to a leader on the project.

Zhang Zhi, a senior rocket designer at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, said on Monday that research and development on the new rocket model, named Long March 10, has been progressing based on the project schedule at the Beijing-based academy, the major rocket maker in the nation and a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.

"The Long March 10 will be a brand new type of launch vehicle and will be tasked with launching the country's new-generation crewed spacecraft and the lunar landing module," he said. "It will feature a high level of reliability and operational safety."

Zhang said the moon-mission rocket will consist of a core booster and several side boosters and will be 92 meters tall, which is roughly the height of a 32-story residential building. The gigantic vehicle will have a liftoff weight of 2,187 metric tons and a thrust of 2,678 tons.

It will be capable of transporting spacecraft weighing at least 27 tons to an Earth-moon transfer trajectory, he added.

All necessary conditions for the rocket's first launch mission will be ready in 2027, he said.

"The Long March 10 will also have a variant that will not have side boosters. It will be used to transport astronauts or cargo with a combined weight of 14 tons to the Tiangong space station in low-Earth orbit," said Zhang.

He was speaking at an activity in Beijing hosted by the National Work Committee of the Chinese Young Pioneers. The event invited distinguished figures in China's manned spaceflight program such as Yang Liwei, the first Chinese person in space, to meet young students to share their spaceflight stories.

China's roadmap for its first manned lunar expedition involves two Long March 10 launches from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province to transport a landing module and a manned spacecraft to lunar orbit.

After reaching their preset orbital positions, the landing module and the spacecraft carrying astronauts will rendezvous and dock with each other. Two crew members will enter the landing module, which will then undock and descend toward the lunar surface for an engine-assisted soft landing.

On the moon, the astronauts will drive a rover to carry out scientific tasks and collect samples. Upon completion of their assignments, they will return to the landing module, which will fly them back to their spaceship waiting in lunar orbit.

In the final stage, the astronauts will carry the samples into their spacecraft, which will then undock and carry the crew back to Earth.

China has carried out five robotic missions to the moon. It has deployed two rovers on the celestial body and has retrieved samples through the most recent Chang'e 5 mission.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Elon Musk wants free speech to reign on the internet: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

closeVideo

Elon Musk would likely push for more free speech on Twitter should the Tesla CEO purchase Twitter, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, said.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is urging Big Tech platforms to censor election-related content ahead of the Tuesday midterms, saying uncontrolled speech on social media was fueling violent incidents like the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband.

"In advance of the upcoming November 2022 midterm election, social media platforms must take critical steps to stop the spread of disinformation and misinformation that attack the integrity of our electoral process," Bonta wrote Thursday in a 16-page letter to the heads of the of Meta, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, and Twitter.

Bonta said more efforts were needed to stem the flow of "fake news" that he said has played a role in some political violence seen over the last few years. He partly blamed social media for the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, and said the event was "derived from and deeply connected to hoaxes and conspiracy theories amplified on social media."

He added that the attack on Pelosi's husband is another example of an incident that was "fueled by social media" that "amplifies extremist messaging and perpetuates falsehoods."

CALIFORNIA, BLUE STATES GANG UP ON NORTH CAROLINA, FEAR 'EXTREME' SUPREME COURT ELECTION LAW DECISION

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says Big Tech must do more to protect the midterm election. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Bonta said that while he "appreciates" free speech, these events show more needs to be done to mitigate the "spread of election-related disinformation."

"I urge you to strengthen and accelerate your companies ongoing efforts to consistently, transparently, and aggressively address violations of your policies with respect to disinformation and violations of state and federal law," he wrote. "I also implore you to employ your immense resources, tools, and familiarity with the operation of your social media platforms to stop the spread of disinformation, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and threats that fuel political violence," he continued.

"While I appreciate that you must work to balance the free exchange of ideas and opinions, implementing your policies will mitigate the real-world threat that the spread of election-related disinformation poses to our democracy and its citizens," Bonta added.

Bonta cited research that said a majority of U.S. adults get some of their news from social media, but that most overestimate their skill at weeding out "fake news." He said that leaves many Americans vulnerable to "coordinated disinformation attacks," such as "Russia's brazen interference in the 2016 election."

"The spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms has led to a proliferation of conspiracy theories, political violence, and threats to democracy ahead of the 2022 midterm elections," Bonta said in a statement.

STUDY DEBUNKS RED STATE MURDER CLAIM FROM HILLARY CLINTON, DEMOCRATS

A top California official worries that Big Tech is still spreading too much disinformation and confusing voters. (REUTERS/Emily Elconin)

Bonta's letter said that while social media companies have tried to fight false information, "its continued spread and increasingly violent consequences demand greater corrective action."

"Reasonable users expect that social media platforms will vigorously enforce their terms of service and that they will provide a safe medium for engagement," he wrote. "It is therefore incumbent on your companies to institute and enforce durable, dynamic policies that will actually prevent disinformation and misinformation from spreading, as well as aid law enforcement in protecting the integrity of the democratic process."

Bonta cited a report produced in August by the majority-Democratic staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform, which he said found that "the greatest current threat to democracy legitimacy now comes from lies by domestic actors who seek to convince Americans that their election systems are fraudulent, corrupt, or insecure."

NEWSOM SUED OVER COVID MISINFORMATION LAW THAT DOCTORS SAY TRAMPLES FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in letter to Big Tech CEOs that while he "appreciates" free speech, these events show more needs to be done to mitigate the "spread of election-related disinformation." (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

"Hoaxes and fabricated claims of election fraud are prompting angry and misinformed actors to disrupt orderly election processes and inundate local government offices with baseless accusations and demands for investigations," Bonta wrote.

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"False narratives about ballot harvesting have prompted armed vigilantes to patrol ballot drop-boxes and film or photograph voters as they deposit their ballots," he continued.

Bonta used his letter to cite California law that he said gives him the authority to ensure the midterm election is run fairly and to fight the "dissemination of disinformation that interferes with our electoral system."

"As the chief law enforcement officer for the State of California, I cannot tolerate attacks on our elected leaders and civil servants," he wrote.

Brianna Herlihy is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
Fox News Flash top headlines for November 10

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Each time Ukrainian pensioner Halyna Halytska prepares for her hospital treatment, she is preoccupied with a single thought: Will there be enough power and water to see her through?

Outages, caused by Russian air strikes on Ukraine's infrastructure, can last for hours at a time as Halytska and 27 other patients lie tied to their dialysis machines in hospital in Obukhiv, a city south of Kyiv.

The power cuts hit pumping stations - a particular worry for the patients whose treatments use hundreds of litres of running water. Medics do their best. But sometimes the pipes run dry and they have to curtail the life-saving treatments.

WITH RUSSIA'S RETREAT FROM KHERSON, RUSSIA AND UKRAINE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO NEGOTIATE PEACE

"It's a war and there's nothing we can do about it," 65-year-old Halytska said from her hospital bed.

Russia stepped up attacks on power plants, substations and other targets in mid-October amid numerous battlefield setbacks following its Feb. 24 invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that around 40% of the country's energy infrastructure has been seriously damaged.

On Thursday, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said on television that Russia was likely stockpiling missiles and drones for future strikes.

Pedestrians use flashlights as they walk during a power cut in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, on Nov. 10, 2022. (DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)

'We Couldn't Leave'

Stable power is crucial for the patients in Obukhiv Central District Hospital, chief doctor Tetiana Tremba said.

But the outages keep coming, caused by direct strikes on infrastructure and the rolling blackouts imposed by energy providers to ease pressure on the grid and carry out repairs.

Shortening treatments can leave patients suffering from nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. But skipping treatment altogether is not an option. "They cannot live without it," Tremba said.

Sometimes the impact of the war comes even closer.

Amid the dull hum of the dialysis machines, Halytska recalled the time last month when Russian strikes hit nearby during her treatment.

"We couldn't do anything since we were tied up (to the equipment)," she said. "We couldn't leave."

Tremba was there too. "It's such a responsibility," she said. "So many people were lying here and we didn't know how it would end."

BIDEN MIXES UP UKRAINIAN CITY OF KHERSON WITH IRAQI CITY OF FALLUJAH

Blackouts And Generators

Vitalii Vlasiuk, deputy governor of the Kyiv region in charge of healthcare, said around 60 hospitals in his area had been damaged in attacks, and twice as many affected in some way by Russia's invasion.

Deputy Health Minister Bohdan Borukhovskiy told Reuters officials had not recorded any deaths as a result of power cuts.

"All departments in which planned surgeries took place were provided with a minimum level of electricity needed to continue and complete the medical procedures," he said.

But Ukraine's hospitals did not have enough generators to cover all the outages, he added.

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Government officials working with international partners had delivered more than 400 generators to hospitals nationwide, he said. Another 1,100 were expected from a joint project with the World Bank and 170 more from the World Health Organization.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed an 18 billion-euro financial support package for Ukraine that would include funding for Kyiv to restore critical infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Halytska and the 27 other patients suffering from kidney diseases in the Obukhiv hospital have to lie back and wait for the next gap in the power cuts.

"Without dialysis, there is no life," she said.
This top 5 betting prediction sitesphoto taken on Nov 12, 2022 shows an interior view of the media center for the upcoming 17th Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Bali, Indonesia. [Photo/Xinhua]

Steps to help developing countries, climate stressed as summit closes

The Group of 20 Summit closed on Wednesday with leaders of the world's largest economies and international organizations committing to concrete action that can help revive a global economy battered by the pandemic, climate change and geopolitical tensions.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, whose country held the presidency of the G20 this year, presented the G20 Bali Leaders' Declaration, which was adopted on the resort island of Bali.

In his closing speech, Widodo said Indonesia's presidency of the group produced concrete deliverables such as a list of cooperation projects that can help bring the work of the G20 closer to the people and ensure that all benefit. He also reiterated the G20 theme, "Recover together, recover stronger", in urging fellow leaders to press forward on these goals.

Widodo concluded the group's 17th summit by handing over the gavel symbolizing the G20 presidency to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a news briefing after the two-day summit, Widodo listed the "concrete, tangible actions" that have been undertaken under Indonesia's stewardship of the group this year. These include the $1.4 billion Pandemic Fund that aims to help developing countries cope with future pandemics and other global health threats.

Widodo also cited the Just Energy Transition Partnership between Indonesia and the International Partners Group. With the United States and Japan as the program's joint leads, it also brings together the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the European Union, Canada, Italy, Norway, and Denmark.

Under the partnership, Indonesia will mobilize $20 billion over the next three to five years so that it can retire coal plants and accelerate its shift toward renewable energy sources.

'Critical moment'

In the declaration, the G20 leaders noted that the global economy is at its "critical moment", making it essential for the group to undertake "tangible, precise, swift and necessary actions, using all available policy tools, to address common challenges, including through international macro policy cooperation and concrete collaborations".

The declaration adds: "In doing so, we remain committed to supporting developing countries, particularly the least developed and small island developing states, in responding to these global challenges and achieving the sustainable development goals."

The leaders said they will take coordinated actions to advance an agenda for a strong, inclusive and resilient global recovery and sustainable development that delivers jobs and growth. To achieve this aim, they affirmed that they will be flexible in their macroeconomic policy responses.

They have also committed to long-term fiscal sustainability by using all available tools to mitigate risks. The leaders noted the steps taken during the global financial crisis and how to strengthen financial resilience and promote sustainable finance and capital flows.

In addition, they vowed to promote food and energy security and stabilize markets, providing temporary and targeted support to cushion the impact of price increases.

The leaders also aim to strengthen dialogue between producers and consumers, and increase trade and investments for long-term food and energy security needs.

The leaders also wish to unlock further investments for low- and middle-income and other developing countries through innovative financing sources.

"We commit to protecting the most vulnerable from hunger by using all available tools to address the global food crisis. We will take further coordinated actions to address food security challenges including price surges and shortage of food commodities and fertilizers globally," the G20 leaders said.

Widodo said the leadership of the G20 has also called for an end to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has hurt a world economy still reeling from the pandemic. He said this was the most contentious provision and that the leaders had intense debates before reaching an agreement.
Pat Fallon rips Biden's climate push on the world stage: 'This is ridiculous'

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Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, responds to Biden's war on energy, his failure to discuss COVID and fentanyl with Xi Jinping and Putin's absence from the G20 summit.

President Biden unexpectedly skipped the G-20 gala in Indonesia Tuesday and returned early to his hotel room for the night.

Though the dinner was on the presidents public schedule for the day, he instead turned in early after a lengthy day of meetings and events.

It is unclear why exactly Biden did not hit the gala, but according to the White House press pool, an administration official said, "The president just had spent a full day [of] meetings and needed to attend to a few items tonight."

President Biden speaks during a news conference on the sidelines of the G-20 summit meeting on Nov. 14 in Bali, Indonesia. (AP/Alex Brandon)

BIDEN ANNOUNCES $20B TO MOVE INDONESIA AWAY FROM COAL

The spokesperson said Biden spoke to Indonesian President Joko Widodo about his regret over not attending the dinner who reportedly told Biden "it was not an issue."

The White House official noted that the "items" in question were "not urgent" though his absence comes after he was photographed with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who tested positive for COVID Monday.

President Biden shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen before their meeting during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

BIDEN-XI MEETING DID NOT MENTION COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ACCORDING TO WHITE HOUSE

The Cambodian leader hosted Biden and other world leaders at a summit in the capital city of Phnom Penh over the weekend in the lead up to the world forum in Indonesia, where Biden spent considerable time with him and sat next to him during a Saturday event.

Hun Sen said he first tested positive on Monday and was confirmed to have contracted the infectious disease by an Indonesian doctor Tuesday.

Sitting next to Indonesian President Joao Widodo, President Biden smiles during the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment meeting at the G-20 summit, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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The White House said Biden tested negative as recently as Tuesday morning and said the president is not considered to be a "close contact" as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Biden appears to be on track to follow his Wednesday schedule and the White House official confirmed that he "looks forward to seeing [Widodo] at the mangrove planting tomorrow."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Caitlin McFall is a Reporter at Fox News Digital covering Politics, U.S. and World news.
Chick-fil-A named best fast food chain: Survey

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For the sixth year in a row, a Florida Chick-fil-A celebrated the birthday of a longtime customer who has been coming to the restaurant on a regular basis for over 20 years!

The CFA location in Oldsmar, Fla., hosted a 104th birthday party for beloved customer Mr. Steve on Nov. 8.

In a Facebook post, the restaurant said Mr. Steve visited every morning for over two decades until 2018. He sat in the same booth, ordered the same breakfast and read the morning paper during his daily visits. Now, he visits on a regular basis.

"His visit was a daily highlight and our team would carve out a good five to 10 minutes each day to sit and talk with him," the post said.

OHIO COUPLE CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAYS, 79 YEARS OF MARRIAGE: 'BEEN A GOOD LIFE'

Employees at the Chick-fil-A location in Oldsmar, Fla., celebrate the 104th birthday of longtime regular Mr. Steve. (Chick-fil-A Oldsmar/Facebook)

He is described as one of the "sweetest, most genuine, kind, and humble people we have had the pleasure to know" by the restaurant employees, many of whom have developed a special relationship with him over the years.

"He always gave the best advice about life, about what's really important, and expressed a genuine interest in the happenings of our lives," the post said.

The restaurant shared pictures from each celebration since Mr. Steve's 99th birthday.

When he turned 100, the location said it went "big" by dedicating a booth to Mr. Steve and gifting him free CFA for life. The celebration resulted in national news attention and the opportunity for Mr. Steve to film a Chick-fil-A commercial in New York City.

Longtime Chick-fil-A regular Mr. Steve is seen in one of the restaurant's commercials. (Chick-fil-A Oldsmar/Facebook)

WOMAN CELEBRATING 101ST BIRTHDAY SAYS TEQUILA IS THE SECRET TO A HAPPY LIFE

In 2020 for Mr. Steve's 102nd birthday, CFA team members showed up to his home and celebrated him with a socially distanced party in the driveway.

In 2021, the restaurant opened its dining room just for Mr. Steve in order to celebrate his 103rd birthday.

The restaurant said even though the parties had to shift a bit during the pandemic, the "heart of the celebration has remained the same," which is to honor a man who has impacted the Oldsmar team, and captured the attention of the company and the country.
Taiwans Orient Europharma Co. Ltd. and Japan-based NanoCarrier Co. Ltd. concluded a licensing agreement Nov. 7 in Taipei City, paving the way for closer cooperation in pharmaceutical R&D between the two firms.

Under the pact, both companies will conduct registration trials for Nanoplatina new treatment for pancreatic cancerin Taiwan next year, as well as extend collaboration to markets in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.

The agreement also calls for NanoCarrier to make an equity investment in Orients new manufacturing subsidiary in Yunlin County, central Taiwan. Scheduled for completion in 2016, the NT$700 million (US$23.9 million) facility will produce Nanoplatin for the global market.

Orient President Peter Tsai said the companies began jointly developing the drug in 2008. After entering the second stage of clinical trials, the firms signed a memorandum of understanding last month covering development and marketing rights in Asia.

This cooperation is a milestone in our partnership with NanoCarrier and will benefit cancer patients worldwide, Tsai said. We expect our collaborative model will encourage other Taiwan firms to follow suit and pursue more cross-border tie-ups.

NanoCarrier President Ichiro Nakatomi said his company has been looking to expand its presence in Asia for some time. This new agreement represents a central plank in our development strategy and will help both firms forge an even stronger alliance going forward.

With no effective treatment for pancreatic cancer in the market, industry analysts estimate potential sales of Nanoplatin to hit US$500 million per year.

Meg Chang

Taiwan Today

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Chinese language internet search provider Baidu opened its first overseas joint laboratory with Singapores Agency for Science,casino euro login live poker reddit Technology and Research (A*STAR) on Thursday here.

The laboratory, under the agreement inked this February by senior officers of both parts, aims to work on cutting-edge research on human language technology.

Equipped with the latest computing facilities and a team of established researchers and engineers, it will focus on researches of Southeast Asian language resources, natural language processing, information retrieval and information extraction, and speech information processing, representing Baidus commitment to enhance its products and services in Southeast Asia, the A*STAR said in a statement.

In particular, the laboratory has already successfully completed its first milestone on a research project on Vietnamese and Thai Language Resources and Processing, which may extend the companys Web services to the Southeast Asian market.

Xinhua

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Conister secure UK deposit-taking licence

Conister Bank has become the first Island based bank to secure a UK deposit-taking licence.

The Islands longest community bank, Conister Bank say this is a significant reversal of the usual trend where British banks obtain deposit-taking permissions in the Isle of Man.

According to the bank, entry into the UK deposit-taking market, will not only help drive Conister's lending growth but also potentially bring additional employment opportunities to the Isle of Man community.

It said: Gaining approval from the UKs Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority not only stands as a testament to Conister Bank's credibility and ambition but also bolsters the reputation of the Isle of Mans regulatory environment.

The Bank's accomplishment has been acknowledged as a significant moment in its history, further reinforcing the Islands standing in the financial sector.
Andy Ralphs appointed permanent Chief Executive of the Isle of Man Government



Andy Ralphs has been appointed Chief Executive of the Isle of Man Government

Andy Ralphs has been appointed by the Public Services Commission as Chief Executive Officer (Isle of Man Government).

Mr Ralphs has more than 20 years of experience working in public services. He is expected to take up his role at the start of November and will relocate to the Island.

His background includes leading large scale cultural transformation and organisational change projects within UK local government and the UK Civil Service.

For the last five years Mr Ralphs has been Strategic Director of Customer and Corporate Services at Plymouth City Council. He has also worked for the UKs Home Office and Department for Work and Pensions, with private sector experience in his early career including British Telecom, the RAC and technology firm AOL.

He will take over from Caldric Randall, who returns to the Treasury as Chief Financial Officer, having served as Chief Executive on an interim basis.

Ralphs said: It is an absolute privilege to be given the opportunity to be the Chief Executive Officer, Isle of Man Government and to lead the Isle of Man Civil Service.

It is a place with a unique identity that is rich in history, and I look forward to meeting and working with staff, communities, partners and stakeholders so we can collectively deliver the ambitions of the Island Plan.
Google has revealed a string of accessibility updates it's rolling out for Maps, Search and Assistant, as well as greater availability of some camera-based Pixel features. One of the main focus areas this time around is wheelchair accessibility. A new option that's gradually becoming available on iOS and Android will allow Maps users to request stair-free walking routes. This feature  which Google says will benefit those traveling with luggage and strollers as well  will be available globally, as long as the company has sufficient data for the region.

Google notes that if you have the wheelchair-accessible option enabled in your transit preferences, this will automatically be applied to walking routes too. Otherwise, when you request a walking route, you can access stair-free directions by tapping the three dots at the top of the screen and enabling the "wheelchair-accessible" option.

On a related note, wheelchair-accessible information will be available across more Google products, namely on Maps for Android Auto and cars with Google built in. When you search for a place and tap on it, a wheelchair icon will appear if the location has a step-free entrance, accessible restrooms, parking or seating.

It should be easier to find and support businesses owned by people with disabilities in Maps and Search too. If a business chooses to identify itself as "disabled-owned," this will be mentioned in Maps and Search listings. Google previously rolled out similar Asian-owned , Black-owned, Latino-owned, LGBTQ+ owned , veteran-owned and women-owned business labels.

Elsewhere, Google is enabling screen reader capabilities in Lens in Maps (which was previously called Search with Live View ), an augmented reality tool that's designed to help you find things like ATMs, restrooms and restaurants with the help of your handset's camera. When you're in a perhaps unfamiliar place, you can tap the camera icon in the search bar and point your phone at the world around you.

"If your screen reader is enabled, youll receive auditory feedback of the places around you with helpful information like the name and category of a place and how far away it is," Eve Andersson, senior director on Google's Products for All team, wrote in a blog post. This Lens in Maps feature, which is geared toward blind and low-vision folks, will be available on iOS starting today and Android later this year.

On Pixel devices, the Magnifier app uses your camera to help you zoom in on real-world details from afar or to make text on menus and documents easier to read with the help of color filters, brightness and contrast settings. The app is available for Pixel 5 and later devices, but not the Pixel Fold.

Google also notes that the latest version of Guided Frame that arrived on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro earlier this month recognizes pets, dishes and documents in addition to faces to help people who are blind or have low-vision take good-quality photos. The Guided Frame update is coming to Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 devices later this year.

Meanwhile, Google is offering more customizable Assistant Routines. The company says you'll be able to add a Routine to your home screen as a shortcut, determine the size of it and customize it with your own images. "Research has shown that this personalization can be particularly helpful for people with cognitive differences and disabilities and we hope it will bring the helpfulness of Assistant Routines to even more people," Andersson wrote. Google developers took inspiration from Action Blocks for this feature.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

CoinAgenda, the longest-running conference in the blockchain industry, returns to Dubai for a three-day, all-inclusive event taking place October 18-20 at the luxurious five-star hotel and resort Atlantis, The Palm. Cypher Capital, one of the leading Web3 funds in the Gulf region, is the presenting sponsor and co-host of the conference.

CoinAgenda Dubai kicks off with registration and an opening reception on Wednesday afternoon, October 18, from 5-7 pm. The main conference begins Thursday, October 19, with fireside chats by Satoshi Roundtable founder Bruce Fenton; Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal; bitcoin pioneer Nick Spanos; Upland co-founder Dirk Lueth; Alphabit Fund managing director Liam Robertson, and many more  a total of 60+ speakers spanning the breadth of the blockchain industry. Thursday ends with another reception from 6-7 pm, followed by CoinAgendas famed Legendary Dinner at a private venue in the Dubai Marina.

Other top speakers on Thursday include Cypher Capital co-founders Vineet Budki and Bill Qian; 1inch co-founder Walid Benothman; M2 founder and CEO Stefan Kimmel; Crypto Valley architect Ralf Glabischnig-Rossi; bitcoin pioneer Nick Spanos; Peter Knez, Venom Foundation; Swissborg founder Anthony Lesoismier-Geniaux; Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; and Tim Frost, co-founder of YieldApp and Haven1. There will also be roundtable discussions at lunch each day, a daily hot breakfast, and a Legendary Dinner party on Thursday night at a private home.

On Friday, October 20, CoinAgenda Dubai concludes with another full day of content. Keynote and fireside chat speakers include Bijan Alizdeh, co-founder of Phoenix Group, which announced its plans to go public on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) on Friday; Saeed Al Darmaki, Sheesha Finance; Marcie Jastrow, Shiba Inu; and Dirk Lueth, co-founder of Upland and OMA3. The day will be packed with informative panels with leading speakers, including Kyle Chasse, Master Ventures; Mate Tokay, Metanews; Faraj Abutalibob, Venom; David Namdar, Coral Capital; Ahmed Albalaghi, Biconomy; Tone Vays, The Financial Summit; and Jorge Sebastiao, Global Blockchain Organization. The conference will conclude with a closing reception.

We are delighted to return to Dubai for our tenth year of conferences,." said CoinAgenda founder, Michael Terpin. Dubai has firmly planted itself on the map as the new crossroads of the Web3 world and this is our second time holding our regional summit during Dubai Blockchain Month.."

CoinAgenda Dubai is being co-organized and presented by Cypher Capital, and it is sponsored by Shiba Inu, Haven1, OpenCarbon, Transform Ventures, Alphabit Fund, and Alpha Transform Holdings.

For more information on sponsorship or media, please respond to contact@coinagenda.com. For information on tickets, please visit www.coinagenda.com/dubai, where full conference passes are still available.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Mostly sunny with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 53F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

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Farm leaders are requesting new livestock worrying legislation ahead of the upcoming Kings Speech after the government ditched tougher measures in the summer.

The industry has warned that dog attacks on livestock continue to represent a significant financial, emotional and welfare issue for farmers across the country.

Although sparse, where data on livestock attacks has been recorded by rural crime forces, the results demonstrate that this is an important issue which shows no sign of declining.

For example, data published by North Wales Police alone reported more than 100 attacks in a 12 month period in 2013; with significant injuries and mortality levels reported.

Further analysis of North Wales farms showed that there were 449 cases of livestock attacks between 2013 and 2017.

In addition, over the same 4 year period, data from 5 forces - North Yorkshire, Devon and Cornwall, Sussex, North Wales and Hertfordshire - found that there were 1,705 recorded incidents of livestock worrying and attacks.

During these incidents, 1,928 animals were killed, and 1,614 injured at an estimated cost to farming businesses of 250,000. One in 10 of the incidents involved repeat offenders.

Despite the growing problem, the government scrapped the Kept Animals Bill in May, which included tougher livestock worrying measures.

The Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) has written to the UK government highlighting that dog attacks on livestock continue to represent a significant issue for farming families.

In his letter, FUW President Ian Rickman stressed that the crime remains significantly under-reported and under-recorded.

He said: The inability to officially monitor the extent and impact of the issue - coupled with a lack of police powers to bring offenders to justice - has eroded confidence in reporting amongst our membership.

In the letter, the union further highlighted that the lack of a substantive legal framework meant that there was no real deterrent for offenders.

Alongside the mandatory recording of dog attacks on livestock by police forces, the FUW believes that a failure to report a dog attack should be an offence in order to ensure that injured sheep are not left with significant welfare issues.

In addition, it said that fines levied on offenders should be proportionate to the serious financial and welfare outcomes of this crime and should allow for full compensation.

The union also called for the legal framework relating to this issue to ensure that police forces had the powers requisite to allow for the proper investigation, enforcement and penalisation of such crimes.

This includes powers relating to search and seize, powers to obtain DNA samples from suspect dogs, powers to confiscate dogs , powers to ban owners from keeping another dog and powers of dog destruction after conviction.

Mr Rickman said: The evidence surrounding the nature and extent of dog attacks on livestock has led the FUW to believe that the only way to properly tackle such crimes is by introducing new legislation which is fit-for-purpose.

It is now incumbent on the government to protect rural communities by ensuring that these elements of the UK Kept Animals Bill are brought forward in the forthcoming Kings Speech."
The EU's proposal to renew glyphosate for the next 10 years is being taken to the Appeal Committee after member states failed to reach an agreement.

The European Commission put forward its draft regulation to renew glyphosate approval for a further 10 years to the vote on 12-13 October.

A "qualified majority" of 15 member states, representing at least 65% of the EU's population, is required to pass or to block the proposal.

However, as expected by many, the required majority of votes to adopt or reject the proposal was not reached, causing concern among farming unions.

The proposal will now be submitted to the Appeal Committee, which is expected to meet and vote in early November.

Glyphosate, which is the world's most widely used herbicide, is currently approved for use in the bloc until 15 December 2023.

A row over possible risks to the environment and human health has prompted numerous investigations in the US and Europe, forcing delays to re-licensing decisions.

However, a recent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) study found that glyphosate was unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency have also classified glyphosate as non-carcinogenic.

Responding to the EU's vote, NFU vice president David Exwood said the union had always lobbied for the regulation to be led by science and evidence.

He said: "In the EU, more than 11,000 pages of independent expert review of that evidence has concluded its safety and provides good reason for EU regulators to re-approve glyphosate.

Glyphosate has long been one of those essential products to control weeds before planting and is vital due to the popularity of a regenerative, no-till or minimum till approach.

Britains farmers and growers will continue to use glyphosate as long as it is safe and legal to do so to ensure environmental sustainability and a secure supply of high-quality affordable food."

NFU senior regulatory affairs adviser, Dr Chris Hartfield added: Reviews of all the available and latest evidence by regulatory scientific experts in the EU and across the world have confirmed that glyphosate is not carcinogenic.

Glyphosate reduces the need to use other herbicides, helps to protect soil and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for ploughing.

"It also enables European farmers to grow crops that help produce safe, affordable and high-quality food.
Donald Trump has pledged to ban immigrants who support Hamas from the United States.

Donald Trump has vowed to expel immigrants who support Hamas from the US

The controversial politician vowed to prevent entry to the US of anyone who does not believe in Israel's right to exist if he wins a second term in the White House as he issued a firm response to the conflict that has erupted in the Middle East.

Trump also declared that he would send officers to pro-Hamas protests to arrest and deport immigrants who show support for the Palestinian militant group.

The Republican frontrunner also vowed to step up travel bans from "terror-plagued countries" if he triumphs in the 2024 election.

Trump said on a campaign stop in Iowa on Monday (16.10.23) that he would ban immigrants from Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen "or anywhere else that threatens our security" and also read a poem where he likened immigrants to deadly snakes.

He said: "If you want to abolish the state of Israel, you're disqualified, if you support Hamas or the ideology behind Hamas, you're disqualified, and if you're a communist, Marxist, or fascist, you are disqualified."

A tough approach to immigration was a key feature of Trump's White House tenure between 2017 and 2021 - although many of his policies were challenged in court during his presidency.

Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, described the billionaire's latest pledges as Islamophobic, extreme and designed to exploit "fear and anxiety".
Small dogs live twice as long as big pooches - but age far more rapidly.

Small dogs live longer than their larger counterparts

Experts at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest recommend getting pet dogs that weigh between 10 and 30 kilograms - breeds such as Whippets, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Schnauzers.

Previous research has shown that little canines live longer but in this case the experts set out to understand how size impacts dogs in terms of cognitive ability.

The team analysed data on 15,000 dogs and found that those weighing over 30kg showed an earlier onset of age-related decline but a slower rate of cognitive decline.

Borbala Turcsan, lead author of the study, said: "Larger dogs experience a physical breakdown at an earlier age, and the accumulating illnesses, and degradation in sensory functions leads to 'old-age behaviours' long before their mental decline would begin."
Elizabeth Debicki says playing Princess Dianas last days was an emotional challenge.

Elizabeth Debicki says playing Princess Dianas last days was an emotional challenge

The 33-year-old actress stars as the tragic royal in the sixth and final series of The Crown, which will chart the doomed relationship between Diana and her rumoured lover Dodi Fayed, played by Khalid Abdalla, 41.

She was quoted by the Daily Mirror telling how she stuck closely to writer Peter Morgans emotional blueprint for Diana in the role.

She said: I think its a unique challenge as an actor, to portray those days.

Its his interpretation and it made emotional sense to me, so I clung to that.

The Crown will show Diana and Dodi on holiday with the princess sons William and Harry on their famous super yacht holiday in Saint-Tropez in July 1997.

Weeks later Di and Dodi, 42, along with their driver Henri Paul, 41, were killed during a car chase in Paris tunnel.

Its been widely reported even though the paparazzi chase of their Mercedes into the underpass will be chosen, the fatal collision will happen off screen.

But in already-controversial scenes, Dianas ghost will reportedly seen visiting her ex-husband Prince Charles and the Queen.

She is set to thank Charles for crying after she died and calls him handsome before telling him she loved him so deeply and so painfully.

Diana is also thought to send a message to the Queen from the afterlife, saying she taught us what it means to be British but suggesting it may be time for modernisation.

Dominic West, 54, will play Charles, while Imelda Staunton, 67, makes a comeback on the show as the Queen, who died aged 96 in September 2022.

The show will come out in blocks of four and six parts on 16 November and 14 December.


Food and travel enthusiast Rupali Dean picks five cool restaurants to help you spread your wings beyond Delhi NCR

Explore North Indias diverse culinary landscape beyond the bustling streets of Delhi NCR. From aromatic Indian delicacies to hearty Mediterranean fare, this curated list unveils five exceptional multicuisine restaurants. Embark on a gastronomic journey that promises a symphony of flavours.

Olive Cafe & Bar (also main image)

Chandigarh

Set against Chandigarhs metropolitan backdrop, Olive Cafe & Bar unveils a realm where Mediterranean charm converges with contemporary finesse. Chef Jyotika Malik curates a diverse and eclectic menu. The opulent Ravioli marries spinach with pasta in a luscious garlic cheesy embrace. The excellent Mezze Platter is a canvas for different tastes, from falafel, goats cheese and spinach borek to shish taouk and koftas, accompanied by muhammara, hummus, tzatziki, kalamata olives, feta cheese, pickles and lavaash. The pizzas are a midday delight, offering well-balanced flavours to entice the palate. Alongside the cherished Sorbet Gin-To, the Teq-Tonics emerge, where tequila melds with herbs, fruits, and flowers such as pimentos, hibiscus, and grapefruit, harmonising with tonic water. With its welcoming atmosphere and delectable offerings, Olive Cafe stands as a reliable haven for anytime dining.

Must-Tries: Mezze Platter (main image), Pizzas, Ravioli, Tiramisu




Bollywood

Khufiya

Mission Raniganj

Ganapath

Thank You For Coming

Hollywood

Killers of the Flower Moon

The Exorcist: Believer

South

Leo

Tiger Nageswara Rao

Korean

Ballerina

October has an interesting mix of theatrical and OTT movie releases. The month sees a line-up of big-budget Bollywood films and auteur-backed straight-to-streaming titles alike. Among the most-anticipated upcoming Hindi movies is Ganapath. The film starring Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon and Amitabh Bachchan is a sci-fi flick that promises cinematic visuals. The list of Hollywood releases garnering headlines is led by Killers of the Flower Moon with Martin Scorsese in the directors chair. Tamil-language film Leo led by Vijay arrives amidst fan anticipation and advance bookings if reports are to be believed. Meanwhile, the Korean revenge drama Ballerina which arrived on OTT, took over in early October.Here are the top trending movies of this month:Vishal Bhardwajs Khufiya was in the making for a while. The film features an ensemble cast of versatile actors including Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi and Tabu. The film is an espionage thriller based on Amar Bhushan's Escape to Nowhere. It follows a R&AW operative who is tasked with finding a mole within the unit. The film has some standout performances including a stunning introduction sequence featuring Gabbi who collaborated with Bhardwaj for the second time this year.Read about it here:Based on Jaswant Singh Gill, a mining engineer who rescued around 65 trapped miners at the Raniganj Coalfields in 1989, Mission Raniganj is a biopic film led by Akshay Kumar. The film made headlines not just for its gripping premise but for its track Keemti. It features Parineeti Chopra as the characters express their love for each other. The music video which arrived before the films release had fans attention.See Also:The catalogue of Bollywood sci-fi films is only growing by the day. The next VFX-heavy film arriving in cinemas releases in October. Directed by Vikas Bahl, the film starring Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon and Amitabh Bachchan is set in a dystopian future. It revolves around a vigilante who sets out to take down an evil empire that has left his people in fear. The trailer teases some good-looking shots that include adrenaline-pumping action sequences. Another highlight of the film is that it marks the onscreen reunion of Kriti and Tiger after Heropanti andin which the actress made a cameo appearance.Rhea Kapoors Thank You For Coming reportedly made waves at the Toronto International Film Festival where it premiered before arriving in theatres. The film featured an ensemble cast including Bhumi Pednekar, Shehnaaz Gill, Kusha Kapila, Shibani Bedi, Anil Kapoor and others. It focused on the female perspective and openly spoke about female orgasms. The plot follows Kanika, a woman who has never experienced an orgasm. Along with her friends, she navigates the ups and downs of womanhood.After The Irishman which arrived in 2019, director Martin Scorsese is back with his next. Killers of the Flower Moon is his star-studded epic Western. The film features a cast full of A-listers including Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons and others. The films official synopsis reads, At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight. The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder.See Also:This has been a busy year for. After the release of the latest Saw movie, The Exorcist: Believer. The film directed by David Gordon Green opened to mixed reviews but certainly had audiences talking. Its plot follows a single father who has to confront an evil entity after his daughter and her friend end up showing signs of demonic possession. In his desperation, he reaches out to the only person who has witnessed the phenomenon. The film features Ellen Burstyn who reprises her role as Chris MacNeil, the mother of the possessed Regan MacNeil. The actress earned the Academy Award in the Best Actress category for her role in the original film.Tamil-language action thriller Leo is one of the most talked about movies of October. Buzz around the film started months ago when the intriguing first poster was unveiled. The film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj features Vijay in the lead role. In the film, the actor plays Parthi, a mild-mannered cafe owner with a sketchy past. He gets targeted by gangsters who trigger his violent side. The films trailer teased lots of action and early reviews have been creating a stir for a while now. It reportedly raked in big numbers in advance bookings worldwide.See Also:Before we meet Salman Khans Tiger in Tiger 3, fans will witness Ravi Tejas upcoming film Tiger Nageswar Rao. The Telugu-language film which arrives this week is written and directed by Vamsee. The film also features Anupam Kher, Jisshu Sengupta and Gayatri Bhardwaj in pivotal roles. Set in the 1970s, it centres on a thief and local legend who orchestrates heists and applies his genius methods to one-up the cops.While the list of Korean movies released on OTT in India is slim, Ballerina is worth mentioning. The revenge thriller film directed by Lee Chung-hyun features Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon and Park Yu-rim in pivotal roles. It sees the lead character Jang Ok-ju, a woman who used to be a bodyguard for VIP clients. When her best friend is found dead, she sets out to find the sex trafficker who victimised her by filming her video and extorting money. Revenge dramas are a popular genre for K-drama fans who have been treated to shows like The Glory just earlier this year.
After alleged death threats, Shah Rukh Khan was given Y+ security last week. SRK surprised fans at a special screening of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in a Mumbai theatre by showing up with a Y+ security team. Shah Rukh was seen leaving his Mannat residence in a video posted on YouTube with high security in place.

The actor was seen in his car, seated, with a security detail surrounding him. Bodyguards were visible everywhere once he entered the theatre, ensuring his safety as he spoke with fans.

Shah Rukh reportedly received death threats earlier this month as a result of the success of Pathaan and Jawan. According to intelligence reports, the threat to SRK's life has dramatically escalated as a result of the commercial success of his two films Pathaan and Jawan.

According to the announcement made by Dilip Sawant, special IGP, VIP security: In view of the recent imminent and probable threats to Shah Rukh Khan, cine actor, all unit commanders are requested to provide him Y+ with escort scale of security on payment basis, with immediate effect till the next high-level committee recommendation and review committee decision, during his visit/engagements and stay in your jurisdiction to avoid any untoward incident.

As per reports, he will have six police commandos serving as his bodyguards. The security team will be equipped with Glock pistols, AK-47 assault rifles, and MP-5 machine guns. Four armed police officers will also provide round-the-clock security for his home.
Disha Patani unquestionably stands out as one of the most captivating actresses of the industry currently. Her hot dance moves is one that is remembered and admired from audiences around the globe! But one thing that surely sets Disha apart is her distinct fashion style has made her an audiences favourite!

Recently, the gorgeous actress was spotted at the airport, heading to Tokyo, Japan. The actress had heads turn to her chiseled abs, as she was seen wearing a blue bralette paired with a denim jacket, denim capris and white sneakers. This cool and classy look of Disha was definitely one of the reasons of the temperatures rising in Mumbai!

The actress is the only Indian to attend the launch event of Calvin Klein's Fall collection, apart from famous asian personalities like Jung Kook, Yeji, Amber Lui, Rowoon. She also took to her instagram to share a story of herself, looking gorgeous as ever, and flaunting her skin!

Meanwhile, Disha Patani, who made a mark with her directorial debut music video, 'Kyun Karu Fikar', will be next seen in 'Kalki 2898 AD ', Kanguva' and 'Welcome To The Jungle."
Amit Sadh Ghuspaith: Actor Amit Sadh's latest release, 'Ghuspaith Between Borders', has emerged as one of the finest short films this year. Inspired by the life of late Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, the film has been receiving glowing reviews from both audiences and critics.

Amit Sadh's portrayal of Maanav (the photojournalist) has earned him plaudits from all quarters.

Amit Sadh's performance in Ghuspaith

Having carved a niche for himself by delivering back-to-back stellar performances, Amit Sadh breathes life into this compelling short. Applauding the actor for his superlative act, critics have called 'Ghuspaith Between Borders' one of Amit Sadh's finest and career-defining performances.

Sadh's authenticity shines through the film, as he strongly makes the audience empathise with the struggles and dilemmas of its characters. Fans of the actor have continued to shower their love on him, declaring it a must-watch and a breathtaking display of his talent.

Dibyendu Bhattacharya Calls Mission Raniganj Co-Star Akshay Kumar 'Most Disciplined Actor' | Exclusive

Grateful for the positive response, Amit Sadh said, "As an actor, delving into the psyche of this character and understanding the remarkable dedication of photojournalists has been truly fulfilling. Their unwavering humanity, courage, and willingness to risk it all for the sake of others resonate deeply with me, reinforcing the invaluable nature of human life."

"We must treasure it and strive for a world where every individual is equally valued. I feel honoured to be a part of such an incredible story and am thankful for the love pouring in."

'Ghuspaith Between Borders' is written and directed by Mihir Kalpana Lath, was selected as India's official entry at The Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2023, and is now available on Jio Cinema.
National Award Winner, Kriti Sanon makes headlines as she wins the National Award for her solid portrayal of a surrogate mother in Mimi! The actress' journey, from an engineering student in Delhi to now being a national award winning actress is truly an inspiration for her fans and audiences alike to continue to believe that dreams come true with hard work and perseverance.

Recently, Kriti Sanon attended the National Award Ceremony that was conducted in New Delhi where she was seen wearing an elegant ivory saree, with multi pastel coloured hues in pleats, looking nothing short of a dream! When asked how she feels on this win, she said, "The surge of emotions that I'm feeling right now cannot be put to words honestly. Being a part of such a prestigious event, seeing your parents feel extremely proud of you and your journey while you are receiving such an honour, is truly like a culmination of dreams, I've been nurturing and manifesting for so long! Winning this award has left me feeling not just elated but also deeply humbled. It's a reminder that dreams do come true when you work hard for them! Hopefully this one is first of many many more!"

It is true that one always dreams of making their parents proud, and Kriti Sanon has achieved this, through this award win! In previous interviews, she has mentioned how she manifested this for years! Kriti's journey in showbiz today, truly stands as a testimony to the fact that dreams when worked hard for, isn't hard to achieve!

On the work front, Kriti Sanon is set to entertain fans with her next release, Ganapath which will hit theatres on October 20, 2023, and features Tiger Shroff opposite her. The talented actress also has her maiden production venture Do Patti and Rhea Kapoor upcoming film The Crew.
Actor Anshuman Jha's debut Directorial 'Lord Curzon Ki Haveli' - starring Arjun Mathur and Rasika Dugal - is making waves around the globe. After a successful World Premiere in August as the Centrepiece film at IFFM, Australia, a North American Premiere in September to a standing ovation as the Closing film at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival & a stupendous Canadian Premiere to a House Full Opening night at International South Asian Film Festival in Vancouver earlier in October, the film is now set for its European Premiere at one of the biggest Genre festivals in the world - Razors Reel Flanders - in Belgium on November 2nd.

Produced by Golden Ratio Films, Adya Films and First Ray Films - the film is one of the few Asian films to be selected at Europe's largest genre festival & will be screened at 6pm on November 2nd at Brugge, Belgium.

Speaking about it, director, Anshuman Jha, said, "Lord Curzon Ki Haveli' is a pure genre film, in its truest sense, and I am so excited with this news. The curation at Razors Reel Flanders has been top notch over the years & it was a dream to make the cut there. To have our European Premiere there in the 'Discovery Section' is a BIG shot in the arm for us & we are very grateful."
Madras High Court On 'Leo' Special Show Appeal: In a significant development, the producers of the highly anticipated film "Leo" have lodged an appeal with the Madras High Court, pushing for early morning showings to cater to fans' eager anticipation.

Yesterday, the company formally submitted its request to the court, seeking permission to initiate the initial screening at 4 a.m. rather than the government-mandated 9 a.m. start time. The plea underscores the unparalleled excitement surrounding "Leo" and the enthusiastic countdown among fans leading up to the film's premiere.

Leo Tamil Nadu Show Timing Update

Justice Anita Sumanth of the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider the issue of permitting five shows daily, starting at 7 a.m., between October 19 and October 24.

Justice Anita Sumanth refrained from passing any immediate orders regarding the special show at 4 a.m. on October 19, as the corresponding government order (GO) has not been formally challenged.

In response to this directive, the producer of the much-anticipated film "Leo," Seven Screen Studio, and representatives from the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association have been summoned to appear before Tamil Nadu government officials. The crucial meeting is set to take place at 4 p.m. later this evening, where the stakeholders will engage in discussions regarding the show timings and any other related matters.

Leo Show Timings In Tamil Nadu Under New Government Order

Ahead of the theatrical release of Thalapathy Vijay's 'Leo' on October 19, the Tamil Nadu government has recently issued a Government Order (GO). This upcoming film has obtained authorization for up to five screenings each day during a six-day period, spanning from October 19 to October 24, in theatres across the state.

According to the government order, cinemas in Tamil Nadu are authorised to hold a special screening of 'Leo' on the specified dates. The initial screening is scheduled to commence at 9:00 a.m., and the final show should conclude at 1:30 a.m.

In their recent government order, state authorities have instructed the licencing authorities operating under the Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1955, and Rules, 1957, to establish special teams within their jurisdictions to monitor any violations of provisions related to admission rates for cinemas screening 'Leo'.

Additionally, directives have been issued to enforce adequate safety and security measures for the general public and theatergoers. This includes overseeing traffic management and parking arrangements while preventing the imposition of excessive admission fees during the special 'Leo' screenings. This Government Order (GO) from the Tamil Nadu government serves to clarify prior reports that indicated the first 'Leo' show in the state was scheduled to commence at 4 a.m.

As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes are on the Madras High Court's decision regarding the early morning showtimes for "Leo," a film that has already garnered immense attention and enthusiasm. Fans of Thalapathy Vijay eagerly await the outcome, hoping for a chance to witness the movie at a more convenient hour.

Justice Anita Sumanth says that she will leave it to #TN govt to reconsider allowing shows from 7AM! https://t.co/0K0G9u9tuT  Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) October 17, 2023
xFusion International Pte. Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as xFusion) shines at this year's Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Global 2023 event (Oct 16-20) in Dubai as a key exhibitor, showcasing innovations in green computing integrated with artificial intelligence (AI). Stationed prominently at Booth A05 in Hall 20, xFusion reaffirms its commitment to spearheading advancements in computing to drive global digital transformation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016154985/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

Gathering Tech Leaders to Explore Digital Transformation

"In recent years, the surge in demand for diversified computing catalyzed by AI advancements has rapidly accelerated the development of green computing," stated Louis Zhao, President of xFusion International. "As a result, xFusion remains committed to delivering top-of-the-line, eco-friendly, and innovative computing products and solutions. By collaborating with partners worldwide and expanding our global presence, we aim to provide efficient, sustainable computing to customers globally, accelerate the adoption of green practices, and contribute to a greener future."

This year's GITEX Global theme "The Year to Imagine AI in Everything" reflects the growing integration of technology and intelligence across business and society. xFusion demonstrates expertise in merging AI with low-carbon development through state-of-the-art computing infrastructure and services. Working with global partners, xFusion actively builds a mutually beneficial and sustainable digital future.

Introducing Cutting-Edge Eco-Smart Computing

At GITEX, xFusion introduces its latest computing products, with the FusionPoD for AI taking center stage. This cutting-edge solution represents the future of eco-smart computing with its high-density, rack-scale liquid-cooled design. Delivering exceptional capabilities for AI workloads like large-scale training and complex data analysis, the FusionPoD for AI sets new standards in energy efficiency. Its advanced cooling technology reduces server energy consumption and enhances heat dissipation. This benefits enterprises through lower costs while minimizing environmental impact. With unparalleled flexibility and scalability, the FusionPoD for AI serves diverse industries including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunications, and government enterprises.

Championing Green Computing Through Global Collaboration

Notably, xFusion has partnered with Intel and signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with global and local partners, including Ankabut, IDC, and Systems. xFusion also entered an MOU and established a long-term agreement with the prestigious Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), to jointly advance technology and foster sustainable growth. These collaborations promote global adoption of green computing, contributing to sustainable digital economic growth.

xFusion's commitment to sustainability is evident. It obtained the world's first carbon footprint certification for servers and earned TUV Sud's globally recognized partial Power Usage Effectiveness (pPUE) certification, with a 1.06 pPUE index. xFusion's products have significantly reduced carbon emissions, with one FusionPoD avoiding 60,000 tons of carbon in 2022, equivalent to planting three million trees. xFusion also formally joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), engaging in global sustainable development initiatives. The recent "2023 Green Development Report" released by xFusion explores eco-friendly approaches in computing and underscores xFusion's unwavering dedication to promoting sustainable development within the technology sector.

With a global footprint encompassing 11 research centers, 7 regional offices, and 6 Global Technical Assistance Centers (GTACs), xFusion effectively serves over 10,000 customers across 130+ countries and regions. Looking ahead, xFusion will continue expanding in computing, fostering collective wisdom with partners worldwide to address evolving challenges and opportunities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016154985/en/

Contacts:

caoyang@xfusion.com

Cao Yang
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2023) - Tincorp Metals Inc. (TSXV: TIN) (OTCQX: TINFF) ("Tincorp" or the "Company") today announced that the Company intends to undertake a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") to raise gross proceeds of up to approximately C$3,000,000 from the sale of up to 7,500,000 units ("Units") at a price of C$0.40 per Unit with each Unit consisting of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one non-transferable Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Share from the Company at a price of C$0.58 per Share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering.

The Warrants will be subject to an acceleration clause which entitles the Company to provide notice (an "Acceleration Notice") to holders that the Warrants will expire 10 days from the date the Company provides the Acceleration Notice. The Company can only provide the Acceleration Notice if the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on the TSXV is equal to or greater than C$0.58 for ten consecutive trading days. The Acceleration Notice can be provided at any time after the statutory hold period and before the expiry date of the warrants.

Silvercorp Metals Inc. ("Silvercorp"), Tincorp's largest shareholder (29.2%), and other insiders of the Company have confirmed their intention to participate in the Offering by purchasing an aggregate of up to 2,190,000 Units.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes.

The Offering is anticipated to close on or about November 16, 2023, or such other date as the Company may determine (the "Closing Date"). The closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions, including the approval of the TSXV and certain other conditions customary for a private placement of this nature. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory four-month and one-day hold period from the Closing Date.

The Company may pay a finder's fee in respect of those purchasers under the Offering introduced to the Company by certain eligible persons (each a "Finder"). Each Finder will receive a cash payment equal to 6% of the gross proceeds received by the Company from purchasers under the Offering who were introduced to the Company by such Finder.

As insiders of the Company (including Silvercorp) are expected to participate in the Offering, any such subscriptions will be considered to be related party transactions within the meaning of TSXV Policy 5.9 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, which incorporates Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such insider participation.

The securities described herein 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 United States state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Tincorp

Tincorp Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focusing on tin projects in Bolivia and a gold project near Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. The Company has signed agreements to acquire a 100% interest in the Porvenir Project and SF Tin Project, which are 70 km southeast of Oruro, Bolivia. The Company's 100% owned Skukum Gold Project is approximately 84 km south of Whitehorse by road. An independent mineral resource estimate update in respect of the Skukum Gold Project was completed in October 2022.

On Behalf of Tincorp Metals Inc.

signed "Gordon Neal"

Gordon Neal, CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations, Tincorp Metals Inc.

Phone: +1 (604)-336-5919

Email: info@tincorp.com

www.tincorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collective, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Offering, the expected use of proceeds, the payment of a finder's fee and the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange are forward-looking statements. Estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources are also forward-looking information because they incorporate estimates of future developments including future mineral prices, costs and expenses and the amount of minerals that will be encountered if a property is developed. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategies", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "budgets", "schedules", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. The opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to: whether the Company will acquire up to a 100% interest of the Porvenir Project; market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices; that there are no significant disruptions affecting operations, including labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, security disruptions, damage to or loss of equipment, whether due to flooding, political changes, title issues, intervention by local landowners, environmental concerns, pandemics (including COVID-19) or otherwise; that the Company will be able to obtain and maintain governmental approvals, permits and licenses in connection with its current and planned operations, development and exploration activities, including at the Skukum Gold Project; that the Company will be able to meet its current and future obligations; that the Company will be able to comply with environmental, health and safety laws; and the assumptions underlying mineral resource estimates and the realization of such estimates.

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 information. Such risks and other factors include, among others: the risk that the Company will not acquire up to a 100% interest of the Porvenir Project; social and economic impacts of COVID-19; actual exploration results; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; results of future Mineral Resource estimates; future metal prices; availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms; general economic, market or business conditions; uninsured risks; regulatory changes; defects in title; availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis; accidents or equipment breakdowns; delays in receiving government approvals; unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same; and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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 in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

Additional information in relation to the Company, including the Company's most recent annual information form, can be obtained under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.tincorp.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO US INVESTORS

The technical and scientific information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, which differs from the standards adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, the technical and scientific information contained herein, including any estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies subject to the disclosure requirements of the SEC.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184211
Melbourne, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2023) - The world's mining and resource leaders are heading to Sydney for the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) from 31 October - 2 November in what has become a "Grand Slam" event of the industry, globally.

IMARC Chief Operating Officer Anita Richards said this year's event was looking to be the largest ever, with over 520 speakers from global giants such as, BHP, Fortescue, MMG, Gold Fields, Wesfarmers, Worley, Perenti, IGO, the US Departments of Energy and Defense, and the ICMM, coming together to collaborate on themes including Digital Transformation and Innovation; Sustainability, Social Value, Environmental Resilience, People and Culture; Trade, Investment and Project Opportunities; and Energy Transition.

"The mining and resources industry is evolving rapidly to meet the growing energy demands of today while developing the minerals needed for a decarbonised economy - under unprecedented scrutiny from communities, regulators and investors.

"IMARC 2023 comes at a time when explorers and miners are diversifying portfolios to align with future demand, triggering the highest level of M&A activity across both mining and METS we have ever seen."

This year's conference will see the return of the IMARC NextGen Program, which will provide an opportunity for 200 NSW school children to learn about the diverse and exciting mining and resources industry.

IMARC 2023 also features:

a special ESG focus on creating social value

an extensive look at First Nations engagement, human rights and transparency

a look at best-practice mine rehabilitation

global perspectives on heritage and environmental custodianship and economic development

a return of the successful Balance for Better Program which promotes equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of the mining and resources sector.

Ms Richards said: "Mining and resources have never been more important for sustainable economic, social and innovative development across the globe. We need more exploration and development to match surging demand for the critical minerals that are central to the global energy transition. IMARC 2023 is where the most important conversations are being held about how mining and resources can help achieve global development sustainably and equitably.

"IMARC is a key forum to address these challenges, and the global profile of the event is reflected in delegations already confirmed from India, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Chile, Mongolia, United States, South Korea, Japan, Germany, and many more."

At IMARC 2023 a range of exciting new features have been added to the program. These include the Low Emission Technology Australia session to help accelerate innovation in the clean technology sector, the 4,000sqm IMARC Mining Pavilion with over 150 exhibitors present and the final of the Unearthed Global Innovation Games where the winners will be announced and their technology displayed.

IMARC 2023 will take place at the ICC Sydney from 31 October to 2 November and will be a celebration of what has grown into one of Australia's biggest business events, with a record 8,500 delegates from over 120 countries, including upwards of 50 Government delegations expected to attend.

###

About IMARC

The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is where global mining leaders collaborate on trends in mining, investment and innovation towards a sustainable future. As Australia's largest mining event, it brings together over 8,500 decision makers, mining leaders, policy makers, investors, commodity buyers, technical experts, innovators, and educators from more than 100 countries for three days of learning, deal-making and unparalleled networking. IMARC is developed in collaboration with its founding partners the Victorian State Government, Austmine, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and Mines and Money, and held with the support of its Host Partner, the NSW Government.

Media Enquires

Jim Carden

jimc@bastionreputation.com.au

+61 429 112 381

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184225


Archistar's platform identifies the building potential of granny flats in Australia

SYDNEY, AU, Oct 17, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - New analysis of all residential properties across Australia's three largest capitals has identified more than 655,000 sites suitable for the construction of a granny flat, offering a solution to help ease the housing shortage.The inaugural report 'Granny flats: Where are the greatest opportunities for development?' by national town planning research platform Archistar, real estate construction lender Blackfort, and property data and analytics provider CoreLogic assessed every residential block across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to determine how many individual properties have building potential for a self-contained two-bedroom unit.Sydney is home to the most granny flat development opportunities with around 242,000 suitable properties, representing 17.6% of the metro region's housing stock. Melbourne has almost 230,000 potential sites, representing 13.2% of stock, while Brisbane has almost 185,000 suitable sites, representing 23.3% across the metro region.Of these sites, more than a third (36%) are within two kilometres of a train or light rail station and 17% have a hospital within the suburb boundary, demonstrating a combination of accessibility and opportunity to fast-track housing options for essential workers in the health care sector.CoreLogic Research Director Tim Lawless said the results highlight significant untapped development potential which could go some way toward addressing the housing shortage in the country's largest cities."NHIFC forecasts indicate the national housing market is forecast to be undersupplied to the tune of 106,300 dwellings over the next five years," Mr Lawless said."For policy makers and government, granny flats present an immediate and cost-effective opportunity to deliver much needed housing supply within existing town planning guidelines. For homeowners, the addition of a second self-contained dwelling provides an opportunity to provide rental housing or additional accommodation for family members, while at the same time, increasing the value of their property and potentially attaining additional rental income."Archistar co-founder Dr Benjamin Coorey said accommodating the growing population within these larger capitals is a critical issue that flexible housing solutions can help address."Since granny flat developments leverage existing lot areas and require no changes to town planning regulation, they offer an immediate opportunity to address housing shortages and affordability pressures expected in the coming five years for both buyers and renters."Top Sydney council regions and suburbsSydney is home to the most granny flat development opportunities, with 242,081 existing residential dwellings fitting the zoning, land area and existing home position requirements to build a granny flat.Across Sydney's council regions, the Central Coast hosts the most granny flat development opportunities, with 41,569 or 17.2%, of all potential sites. The Northern Beaches (19,884 / 8.2%), Hornsby (18,344 / 7.6%), Blacktown (17,909 / 7.4%) and Ku-Ring-Gai (14,617 / 6.0%) round out the top five regions.At a suburb level, neighbouring North-West suburbs show the highest opportunities for granny flat development. Baulkham Hills (4,673 / 43.3%), Castle Hill (4,423 / 39.8%), Cherrybrook (3,421 / 61.8%), Carlingford (2,910 / 46%) and West Pennant Hills (2698 / 49.3%) stand out due to their larger land areas compared to inner-city neighbourhoods."Sydney's household formation is forecast to outpace supply from 2025, with the most significant undersupply expected through 2025 and persist up until 2026 at -15,900 dwellings," Mr Lawless said.Top Melbourne council regions and suburbs"Melbourne is expected to face a major housing shortage from 2023 to 2027, with a deficit of 23,800 dwellings, which is nearly twice the anticipated shortfall of 12,100 new dwellings in Sydney during the same period," he said.Within Melbourne's broad regions, the Mornington Peninsula offers the highest potential for granny flat development, with 23,870 sites which make up 10.4% of the total sites across the city. Casey (16,861 / 7.4%), Monash (13,960 / 6.1%), Knox (13,741 / 6.0%) and Manningham (13,063 / 5.7%) round out the top five municipalities for the most granny flat development sites.East of Melbourne's CBD, Glen Waverley (4,009 / 27.4%), Rowville (3,674 / 30.3%) and Berwick (3,604 / 18.3%) suburbs show highest opportunities for granny flat investment sites. Hotspot potential extends out to the coastal suburb of Rye (3,705 / 38.6%) and the northern suburb of Doncaster East (3,397 / 34.9%).Top Brisbane council regions and suburbsMr Lawless said Brisbane's housing supply shortfall is more imminent relative to the larger capital cities, with the current forecast of newly built housing supply short by 3,100 this year.Across the council areas of Greater Brisbane, the Brisbane LGA has the most granny flat development sites, with 184,660 or 40.5% of all opportunities. Logan (33,414 / 18.1%), Moreton Bay (31,949 / 17.3%), Ipswich (22,569 / 12.2%) and Redland (19,243 / 10.4%) round out the top five council regions for the most granny flat development sites.The top five Brisbane suburbs with the highest potential for granny flat development sprawl out across urban centres, with opportunities in The Gap (2,986 / 48.8%), Alexandra Hills (2,789 / 46%), Redbank Plains (2,479 / 30.3%), Albany Creek (2,378 / 44%) and Rochedale South (2,215 / 42.3%).Granny flat development benefitsMr. Lawless said there are immediate lifestyle and financial upsides for investors whose properties met the planning requirements."Adding a granny flat accommodates extra living space for extended family, multi-generational households or rental purposes, thereby boosting a property's value and potentially creating extra income for rising living costs."CoreLogic figures show an extra two bedrooms, and an additional bathroom could add around 32% to the value of an existing dwelling. For a house worth $500,000, the addition of a granny flat has the potential to add approximately $160,000 to the value of the property."Dr Coorey said research showed more than a third of the sites identified are close to existing amenities and services such as transport or a hospital."Granny flats present a cost-effective opportunity to boost housing supply for growing capital populations close to existing infrastructure such as railways, bus routes and major road networks for state and local governments."While building regulations for secondary dwellings differ state to state, this unlocks a combination of accessibility and opportunity to fast track affordable housing options for all demographics, particularly essential workers in industries such as the health care sector."Read the full Granny flats: Where are the greatest opportunities for development report here (www.archistar.ai/granny-flat).About ArchistarFounded by Dr. Benjamin Coorey, a global expert in 3D generative design, Archistar is the world's leading digital platform for the Property Industry. The platform combines architectural design with artificial intelligence to inform decision-making in property and is used by agents, developers, architects, government planners and homeowners nationwide. Since launching in 2018, Archistar has grown rapidly, listed by the AFR as the 20th fastest growing company in Australia.About BlackfortBlackfort is a revolutionary real estate lender, that focusses on the longtail funding needs of the commercial real estate debt market - AU$750,000 to AU$20 million. The company uses proprietary AI-led decision making to rapidly assess sites for their development potential enabling confident and rapid decision making for funders and developers alike in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The company is led by a world-class executive management team and board and is chaired by the former Managing Director of Murdoch Media Prabhat Sethi.About CoreLogicCoreLogic Asia Pacific (CoreLogic) is a leading, independent provider of property data and analytics. We help people build better lives by providing rich, up-to-the-minute property insights that inform the very best property decisions. With an extensive breadth and depth of knowledge gathered over the last 30 years, we provide services across a wide range of industries, including Banking & Finance, Real Estate, Government, Insurance and Construction.For more information or interview requests, please contact:Michelle McKinnon and Santi Arya via media@corelogic.com.au.Note to editors: A granny flat is defined in the report as a self-contained two-bedroom / one-bathroom dwelling measuring at least 60sqm internally, and Archistar notes not every property is suitable for an additional dwelling. The report's methodology takes into consideration town planning guidelines, minimum land size requirements and the footprint of the existing property, which determines the suitability of a granny flat.Source: CoreLogicBlackfortArchistarCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
BEIJING, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: China will host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing from Oct. 17 to 18. It is reported that representatives from over 140 countries and more than 30 international organizations have confirmed their attendance at the event.

Despite the turbulent international situation, China has rolled out the red carpet to welcome guests from all over the world, which demonstrates the country's unswerving commitment to promoting world peace and development.

Over the past decade since Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), stories of win-win cooperation have continued to unfold along this public road of shared opportunities and common development.

So far, over 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations have signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with China; the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has grown from 57 founding members to 109 members, which account for 81 percent of the world's population and 65 percent of global GDP; and more than 80 routes have been launched for the China-Europe freight trains, reaching 217 cities in 25 European countries.

Experience over the past 10 years has fully proven that the BRI is an open and inclusive platform and a global public good jointly built by all partners.

International analysts have eagerly sought to understand what allowed China to conceive the grand initiative and accomplish significant achievements in furthering its development.

The BRI is the result of China's reflections on the future and destiny of humanity. In March 2013, in the face of the profound questions of "What is wrong with the world?" and "What should we do about it?", which concern the world, history and the times, Xi creatively proposed the concept of building a global community with a shared future for mankind.

By launching the BRI, China aims to put this concept into practice and build a practical platform and open up paths for creating an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

The BRI stemmed from China's unshakeable pursuit of world peace and development. China unswervingly follows the path of peaceful development. It safeguards world peace to ensure its own growth, and contributes to world peace through its own development.

Taking the path of peaceful development is China's response to international concerns about its development direction, and also a reflection of the confidence and consciousness of the Chinese people in achieving their development goals.

By proposing the BRI, China strives not only to pursue its own development and enhance its capacity to safeguard world peace, but also to benefit the world by strengthening the forces for upholding world peace and development.

In pursuing Belt and Road cooperation, China will not resort to the outdated geopolitical maneuvering, but will create a new model of win-win cooperation. It will not form "a small group detrimental to stability", but will try to create "a big family of harmonious coexistence".

The success of the BRI represents the success of China's development path and experience. China has achieved the two miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, resolved its problem of absolute poverty once for all, and realized its first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The fundamental reason for these achievements is that China has found a successful development path that is suited to its national conditions and people's aspirations and supported by its people.

With nine percent of the world's arable land and six percent of the freshwater resources, China feeds nearly one-fifth of the world's population. In 2022, China's GDP expanded to 121 trillion yuan ($16.56 trillion), while its share of the global economy rose to 18 percent, demonstrating remarkable development achievements.

The success of China's development path has strengthened other developing countries' determination to pursue paths based on their own national realities, and China's great achievements in development have boosted other developing countries' confidence in realizing national prosperity, national rejuvenation and improving people's wellbeing. The BRI has provided valuable opportunities for other developing countries to draw on China's development experience.

The success of the BRI is the success of China's commitment to open development. Only when a country is strong enough can it have the confidence to open its doors to the world, and opening up in turn enhances its prosperity. The BRI is a major initiative China has launched to expand opening up. It is not a solo endeavor by China, but a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders.

In the face of a rising tide of de-globalization, China remains firmly committed to high-level opening up, creating an even brighter future for cooperation under the BRI.

The BRI has continuously broken deadlocks, removed bottlenecks and spurred innovations, showing the world that only by building an open world economy can countries improve the wellbeing of their peoples.

As former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero pointed out, the BRI upholds an open and inclusive vision for development that transcends borders and zero-sum game mindset, which is precisely the development philosophy the world urgently needs today.

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The Tecpetrol Offer of C$1.48 in cash per share is the only offer to purchase all of the outstanding Common Shares that is currently open for acceptance by shareholders. No other binding offers have been received by Alpha.

The Alpha Special Committee and the Board of Directors have unanimously recommended that Alpha shareholders accept the revised and enhanced Offer from Tecpetrol and tender their shares.

PI Financial has confirmed that the increased Offer is fair to shareholders from a financial point of view.

Shareholders that have already tendered do not need to take any further action.

Questions or Need Assistance? Contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group at 1-877-452-7184 or email: assistance@laurelhill.com or visit https://www.tecpetrol.com/en/investors/alpha-lithium-offer for more information.

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tecpetrol Investments S.L. ("Tecpetrol") today issued a reminder to shareholders of Alpha Lithium Corporation (NEO: ALLI) (OTC: APHLF) (German WKN: A3CUW1) ("Alpha") to tender their shares in advance of the Offer deadline of 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on October 20, 2023 . Shareholders using a broker may have an earlier cut-off time and are urged to tender their shares immediately.

On September 28, 2023, the Board of Directors of Alpha, based on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee and after receiving a positive independent fairness opinion from PI Financial Corp., publicly announced its unanimous recommendation that shareholders tender their shares to the enhanced Tecpetrol Offer of C$1.48 in cash per share. Since then, a significant number of shares have been tendered to the Offer. As previously disclosed, the Offer represents Tecpetrol's best and final offer to Alpha shareholders. No further extensions are contemplated .

It is a non-waivable condition of the Offer that there be validly deposited under the Offer more than 50% of the outstanding Alpha shares, excluding Alpha shares owned by Tecpetrol and its joint actors. If this legally required minimum tender condition is not satisfied by the expiry time of 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on October 20, 2023, no Alpha shares will be acquired by Tecpetrol and Alpha shareholders will not be able to participate in the Offer and will not receive the Offer price of C$1.48 in cash per share.

Alpha shareholders who do not tender to the Offer will not receive the cash consideration of C$1.48 under the Offer. Shareholders should be aware that if the Offer is not successful or if they do not tender, they will face significant risks as Alpha shareholders, as described in Tecpetrol's Second Notice Extension dated October 3, 2023. Since the announcement of the Offer, comparable lithium developer peers have traded down 41%1, while Alpha is up 24% as of October 13, 2023. Tecpetrol believes that Alpha's share price may suffer significant downward pressure if the Offer is not completed.

________________________ 1 Lithium developer peers include Argosy Minerals, Galan Lithium, Lake Resources, Lithium Chile, Lithium South, Standard Lithium and Vulcan Energy.

Q: How do I tender my Alpha shares?

A:Shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of an investment advisor, stock broker, bank, trust company or other intermediary should immediately contact that intermediary for assistance if they wish to accept the Offer so that the necessary steps can be taken to enable the deposit of such shares under the Offer. Intermediaries likely have established tendering cut-off times that are prior to the expiry time. Shareholders must instruct their intermediaries promptly if they wish to tender.

Registered shareholders who own Alpha Lithium share certificates or DRS statements representing their shares and wish to accept the Offer must properly complete and execute the Letter of Transmittal that accompanied the original take-over bid circular dated June 8, 2023 (printed on YELLOW paper) and deposit it, at or prior to the Expiry Time, together with certificate(s) or DRS Statements representing their Alpha shares and all other required documents, with Laurel Hill Advisory Group, the Depositary and Information Agent, at its office in Toronto, Ontario specified in the Letter of Transmittal in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Letter of Transmittal. These materials are also available at https://www.tecpetrol.com/en/investors/alpha-lithium-offer and on SEDAR+ under Alpha's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Q: Who can I call if I have questions or require assistance in tendering my shares?

A:Shareholders who have questions or require assistance in tendering their Alpha shares may contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group, the Depositary and Information Agent for the Offer, by telephone toll-free inside North America at 1-877-452-7184, or outside North America at 1-416-304-0211, or by email at assistance@laurelhill.com. Additional information can also be found on Tecpetrol's website at https://www.tecpetrol.com/en/investors/alpha-lithium-offer.

Q: What is the deadline for me to instruct my broker to tender my Alpha shares?

A:The Offer is open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on October 20, 2023. Shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of an investment advisor, stock broker, bank, trust company or other intermediary should immediately contact that intermediary for assistance if they wish to accept the Offer so that the necessary steps can be taken to enable the deposit of such shares under the Offer. Intermediaries likely have established tendering cut-off times that are prior to the expiry time. Shareholders must instruct their intermediaries promptly if they wish to tender.

Tecpetrol has filed a Second Notice of Extension in respect of the recent extension of the expiry time to 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on October 20, 2023 that is available on SEDAR+ under Alpha's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and has been mailed to Alpha shareholders in accordance with applicable law. Tecpetrol encourages shareholders to read the full details of the Offer and other important information, including information on how to tender to the Offer, set forth in Tecpetrol's Second Notice of Extension and related offer documents.

Tecpetrol's Energy Transition Unit is Techint Group's dedicated business unit responsible for advancing its position in the global energy transition through investments in decarbonized energy sources, carriers and technologies, with the objective of contributing to a significant reduction in the carbon footprint. As part of this initiative through its subsidiary Techenergy Lithium S.A., Tecpetrol has built a lithium processing pilot plant in northern Argentina engineered for scale, which supports a production flowsheet involving direct lithium extraction. For additional information on Tecpetrol, please visit its website at https://www.tecpetrol.com/en.

The Techint Group is a global conglomerate with diversified business lines in steelmaking, complex infrastructure construction, design and construction of industrial plans and machinery, technologies for the metals and mining industries, oil and gas exploration and production and research-oriented health facilities. Through our six main companies - Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and EXM Italy: TEN), Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX), Techint Engineering & Construction, Tenova, Tecpetrol and Humanitas - the Techint Group operates on six continents, employs 79,300 employees and generates over US$33 billion in annual revenue. We have an extensive track record of completing large transactions in industrial and extractive sectors around the globe, including in Canada, and in navigating complex regulatory frameworks. For additional information on the Techint Group, please visit its website at https://www.techintgroup.com/en.

This news release contains "forward looking information". Forward-looking information is not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and is therefore subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects", "intends" or variations of such words, and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to expectations relating to the Offer; the ability of Tecpetrol to complete the transactions contemplated by the Offer; the results, effects, mechanics, timing and completion of the Offer; the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to consummate the Offer (including the statutory minimum condition); the likelihood that the price of the Alpha shares will decline back to pre-Offer levels if the Offer is not successful; and intentions to not further extend the expiry time of the Offer.

Although Tecpetrol believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and have been based on information and assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking information and such factors and assumptions are based on information currently available to Tecpetrol, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tecpetrol or the completion of the Offer to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information include, without limitation: that the conditions of the Offer may not be satisfied or waived by Tecpetrol at the expiry of the Offer period; the ability of Tecpetrol to acquire a majority of the outstanding Alpha shares, excluding those shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by Tecpetrol or any of its joint actors; the decision by Tecpetrol to further extend or not extend the expiry time of the Offer; and the pendency or completion of the Offer or any subsequent transaction. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the beliefs and opinions of Tecpetrol at the time the information is given, and there should be no expectation that this forward-looking information will be updated or supplemented as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, and Tecpetrol expressly disclaims any obligation to do so except as required by applicable law.

This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any securities. The Offer has been made solely by, and subject to the terms and conditions set out in, the formal Offer and Circular (as amended), letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery. The Offer has not be made to, nor will deposits be accepted from or on behalf of, shareholders in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. No securities regulatory authority has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

The Offer has been made for the securities of a Canadian company that does not have securities registered under section 12 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"). Accordingly, the Offer is not subject to section 14(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act or Regulation 14D or Rule 14e-1 of Regulation 14E. The Offer has been made in the United States with respect to securities of a "foreign private issuer", as such term is defined in Rule 3b-4 under the U.S. Exchange Act, in accordance with Canadian corporate and securities law requirements. Shareholders in the United States should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States applicable to tender offers under the U.S. Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

The Offer and all contracts resulting from acceptance thereof are and will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Accordingly, the provisions of the German Takeover Code (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz) do not apply to the Offer.

None of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, any United States state securities commission or the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority has approved or disapproved (or will approve or disapprove) the Offer or passed (or will pass) any comment upon the fairness or the merits of the Offer or upon the adequacy or completeness of the information contained in this news release or in any other document relating to the Offer. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.

Media Contact: Alexandre Meterissian, Email: Alexandre.meterissian@teneo.com; Investor Relations: Jorge Dimopulos, Email: Jorge.dimopulos@tecpetrol.com; Shareholder Questions / Tendering Assistance: Laurel Hill Advisory Group, Toll-Free: 1-877-452-7184, Outside North America: 1-416-304-0211, Email: assistance@laurelhill.com

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As Factbird sets its sights on the vibrant Swedish manufacturing sector, local companies stand to gain an impressive boost in productivity as well as reductions in waste. This entry marks Factbird's commitment to elevating the Swedish manufacturing landscape with innovative data-driven solutions.

Factbird has proudly announced its official entry into the Swedish market with the hiring of Sweden-based sales engineer Jonas El-Refai. This permanent entry into Sweden strengthens Factbird's European footprint and brings state-of-the-art Manufacturing Intelligence Solutions to Swedish manufacturers.

Already serving notable Swedish enterprises Lindvalls, Kronfagel, among others, Factbird sees a vast landscape of untapped opportunities in the Nordic manufacturing powerhouse. Factbird's successful track record of improving productivity for food and beverage brands, pharmaceutical companies, packaging manufacturers, and more will greatly benefit Swedish manufacturers looking to reduce costs, increase output, and meet sustainability targets.

Anders Rosengaard Holmenlund, Sales Manager, Nordics at Factbird, remarked, "Factbird's entry into the Swedish market is a significant milestone in our journey to redefine manufacturing intelligence. I'm excited to welcome Jonas, our first sales engineer for the Swedish market, and the pivotal role he will play in our mission. Together with Jonas, we're poised to supercharge productivity for Swedish manufacturers."

Jonas El-Refai, Sales Engineer, Sweden at Factbird, added, "I'm excited to join the Factbird team and mark the company's entry into the Swedish market. Factbird's combination of highly effective Manufacturing Intelligence Solutions, extremely skilled individuals, and, above all, a helpful and positive culture will assist many Swedish companies in becoming leaner and more profitable."

Emphasizing Factbird's commitment to the region, Sren Traumer Schnnemann, CCO Partner at Factbird, stated, "I'm excited to enter the Swedish market, where we have been servicing customers remotely for years. We know the market requirements, and we see a strong fit for our solutions. Not only will this help elevate our bottom-line, but we also expect to learn a lot from the market in terms of servicing the Enterprise segment that Sweden is so well-known and respected for mastering."

About Factbird

Factbird is a pioneering provider of Manufacturing Intelligence Solutions aimed at driving operational excellence. Our focus on data and factual insights empowers businesses to optimize operations, reduce downtime, and boost productivity. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies, Factbird delivers real-time insights and actionable intelligence. For more information, visit factbird.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016251789/en/

Contacts:

Sren Traumer Schnnemann

CCO and Partner

+45 51 55 85 15

sts@factbird.com
DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading inverter and energy storage system supplier, collaborated with LONGi for a groundbreaking joint seminar scheduled for October 11, 2023, at SO/Uptown Dubai, UAE. The event convened industry experts and thought leaders to delve into cutting-edge solar technologies and products, exchange insights on optimizing commercial and industrial (C&I) solar designs, and celebrate achievements within the solar energy sector.

The seminar encompasses essential sessions focused on advanced solar system technology and products, real-world case sharing for optimizing C&I designs, and an exciting announcement regarding sustainability initiatives geared towards empowering youth.

Sungrow and LONGi, both esteemed industry manufacturers, are jointly organizing this event to deliver innovative solar solutions tailored explicitly for the C&I sector. As an industry leader, Sungrow introduced its new generation C&I PV inverters to seminar participants. The inverters are more reliable, safer, and have higher yields. In addition to the inverters introduced at the event, Sungrow also offers the PowerStack to meet plant owners' needs when it comes to energy storage systems. We look forward to accelerating the energy transition for industrial and commercial enterprises in the MENA region.

As a testament to their commitment to sustainability and education, Sungrow and LONGi unveiled their joint initiative, "Sustainability for the Youth Collaboration". Recognized as leaders in the renewable energy sector, they collaborated on training programs, solar education courses, scholarships, CSR projects, and partnerships with local educational institutions and organizations. This initiative aims to enhance awareness and skills related to renewable energy among youth, further advancing sustainable education.

This event offers a unique opportunity for industry leaders to connect, expand their knowledge, and explore potential collaborations in the dynamic realm of solar energy.

About Sungrow

Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over?405?GW installed worldwide as of?June?2023. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial & industrial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions, NEV driving solutions, EV charging solutions and renewable hydrogen production systems. With a strong 26-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power over 150 countries worldwide.?For more information about Sungrow, visit www.sungrowpower.com.

About LONGi

Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world's leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.

Under its mission of 'making the best of solar energy to build a green world', LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development.

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Lonza Group AG / Key word(s): Forecast

Capital Markets Day 2023: New Mid-Term Guidance 2024 - 2028 Supported by Ramp-Up of Growth Projects



17-Oct-2023 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

At its Capital Markets Day, Lonza outlined its Mid-Term Guidance for 2024 to 2028, including: 11-13% sales growth, 32-34% CORE EBITDA margin and double-digit ROIC

Outlook 2023: higher end of mid-to-high single-digit CER sales growth and 28 to 29% CORE EBITDA margin

Business growth in 2024 will be offset by one-off events, with an anticipated margin in the high twenties

Dividend pay-out commitment range increased to 35 to 45%

Lonza also issued its quarterly qualitative performance update for Q3 2023. Group financial performance in Q3 reflects continued strong CDMO business dynamics and sustained commercial demand. Biotech funding constraints continued to impact growth in early-stage services in Biologics and led to lower sales growth rates in Cell & Gene. Capsules & Health Ingredients saw continued softness in the US nutraceutical market.

Lonza reconfirmed its Outlook 2023, which was restated in the Half-Year 2023 Results in July. CER sales growth will be at the higher end of mid-to-high single-digit Outlook, with a CORE EBITDA margin above the guided 28 to 29%. This increase is driven by the one-time termination fee associated with the Moderna mRNA contract cancellation agreement in September 2023.

Business growth in 2024 will be offset by the higher base in 2023 from the Moderna termination agreement, the subsequent lost Moderna revenue in 2024, and the risk of a smaller Kodiak Sciences business in 2024. In this context, we anticipate a margin in the high twenties. Further details on Outlook 2024 will be provided at Lonza's Full-Year Results 2023 presentation in January.

Please click here to download the Capital Markets Day 2023 Presentation.

About Lonza

Lonza is a preferred global partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutrition markets. We work to enable a healthier world by supporting our customers to deliver new and innovative medicines that help treat a wide range of diseases. We achieve this by combining technological insight with world-class manufacturing, scientific expertise and process excellence. Our business is structured to meet our customers' complex needs across four divisions: Biologics, Small Molecules, Cell & Gene and Capsules & Health Ingredients.Our unparalleled breadth of offerings across divisions enables our customers to commercialize their discoveries and innovations in the healthcare industry.

Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, today, Lonza operates across five continents. With more than 17,500 full-time employees, we comprise high-performing teams and individual talent who make a meaningful difference to our own business, as well as to the communities in which we operate. The company generated sales of CHF 3.1 billion with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 922 million in Half-Year 2023. Find out more at www.lonza.com

Follow @Lonza on LinkedIn

Follow @LonzaGroup on Twitter

Lonza Contact Details

Victoria Morgan

Head of External Communications

Lonza Group Ltd

Tel +41 61 316 2283

victoria.morgan@lonza.com
Mithra'sBoardofDirectorstoproposetheremovalofits request for change of the remuneration policy attheSpecialGeneralMeeting





Liege, Belgium, 17 October 2023 - 7:00 CEST -Mithra (Euronext Brussels: MITRA) (the "Company"),a company dedicated to Women's Health, announces today that following recommendation from itsNomination and Remuneration Committee, its Board of Directors has unanimously agreed by boardresolution of yesterday to request the removal of the second agenda point entitled "Remuneration ofdirectors" and third agenda point entitled "Revised Remuneration Policy" during the Special GeneralShareholders'Meeting(SGM)thatwillbeheldonMonday,October30,2023,at2:00PM(CEST)andtopostpone the vote on these two agenda points at a subsequent General Meeting to be held by theCompany when the appointment of new board members will be submitted to the General Meeting forapproval.





Christian Homsy, Chairman of the Board, and Independent & Non-Executive Director: "The Mithra Board of Directors would like to focus the agenda of the upcoming Special and Extraordinary General Meeting on the approval of the Armistice warrants and avoid distractions with other topics. It is therefore recommending the postponement of the point regarding director remuneration to a future meeting. The request to postpone is to be made during the 30, October SGM during the meeting. The Board of Directors plans to reintroduce the agenda item for shareholder approval when the process to recruit additional board members takes place and candidates are proposed for appointment to shareholders."





Formoreinformation,pleasecontact:

MithraPharmaceuticalsSA

Alex Sokolowski, PhD Head of Investor Relations

investorrelations@mithra.com (mailto: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





AboutMithra

MithraPharmaceuticalsSA(Euronext:MITRA)isaBelgianbiopharmaceuticalcompanydedicatedtotransforming Women's Health by offering new choices through innovation, with a particular focus oncontraception and menopause. Mithra's goal is to develop products offering better efficacy, safety andconvenience,meetingwomen'sneedsthroughouttheirlifespan.Mithraexploresthepotentialoftheuniquenativeestrogenestetrolinawiderangeofapplicationsinwomenhealthandbeyond.Afterhavingsuccessfullylaunchedthe first estetrol-based product in 2021, the contraceptive pill ESTELLE, Mithra is now focusing on its secondproduct DONESTA, the next-generation hormone therapy. Mithra also offers partners a complete spectrum ofsolutions from early drug development, clinical batches and commercial manufacturing of complex polymericproducts (vaginal ring, implants) and complex liquid injectables and biologicals (vials, pre-filled syringes orcartridges) at its technological platform Mithra CDMO. Active in more than 100 countries around the world, isheadquarteredinLiege,Belgium. www.mithra.com

ESTELLE and DONESTA are registered trademarks of Mithra Pharmaceuticals or one of its affiliates.

Importantinformation

The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-lookingstatements". 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",andincludestatementstheCompanymakesconcerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks anduncertainties, and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of futureperformance. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-lookingstatements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements,exceptasmayberequiredbylaw.

Subscribe to our mailing list on investors.mithra.comto receive press releases by email or follow us on social media:

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NEC OncoImmunity AS (NOI) today announced it has published a study that describes the use of its artificial intelligence (AI) based neoantigen prediction technology to demonstrate that high neoantigen quality in conjunction with infiltration of immune cells in tumors correlates with improved progression free survival (PFS) in sarcoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

The authors sequenced tumor samples and blood from patients who participated in the pivotal SARC028 clinical trial and received the pembrolizumab checkpoint inhibition therapy. They then used their AI-based neoantigen prediction technology, the NEC Immune Profiler, to investigate whether high quality neoantigens in cooperation with the immune cell composition in the tumor improved PFS. Their analysis suggested that the presence of high quality neoantigens together with T cells in tumors are key prognostic markers of PFS. This trend was not observed with the combined presence of T cells and high tumor mutational burden, highlighting the importance of accurate and clinically relevant neoantigen prediction.

The study which was published in Frontiers in Immunology was performed in collaboration with Oslo University Hospital (OUH) in addition to other collaborators from the SARC028 sarcoma clinical trial, including MD Anderson and the University of Pittsburgh Medical center. Professor Ola Myklebost, one of the senior authors in the paper at OUH, and who is currently serving as Professor of molecular oncology at the University of Bergen said:

"The heterogeneity and rarity of sarcomas makes it challenging to develop successful therapies for sarcoma patients. This research addresses the need to develop further insights into potential biomarkers that may determine which patients are most likely to benefit from precision immunotherapy in such rare cancers."

While the findings are promising, the published study acknowledges the need for further research and validation with larger sample sizes. The NOI researchers believe that AI can play a future role in guiding future personalized medicine and cancer diagnostics, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with cancer.

"Although our findings are based on a small number of patients, and this trend certainly needs to be corroborated in future studies, this work is potentially an important demonstration of how AI may guide future clinical trials and biomarker discovery. These and future advances in this field may lead to improved clinical outcome for patients suffering from rare cancers treated with cancer immunotherapy," said Dr. Trevor Clancy, Chief Scientific Officer at NEC OncoImmunity, and a senior author in the study.

References

Title: The interplay between neoantigens and immune cells in sarcomas treated with checkpoint inhibition

Authors: Irantzu Anzar, Brandon Malone, Pubudu Samarakoon, Ioannis Vardaxis, Boris Simovski, Hugues Fontenelle, Leonardo A Meza-Zepeda, Richard Stratford, Emily Z Keung, Melissa Burgess, Hussein A. Tawbi, Ola Myklebost, Trevor Clancy

URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1226445/abstract

About NEC OncoImmunity AS

NEC OncoImmunity AS is an artificial intelligence (AI) driven biotech company offering proprietary machine-learning based software, which addresses the key knowledge gaps in the prediction of bona fide immunogenic antigens for personalized cancer immunotherapy and infectious disease vaccines. The AI technology can be used to identify optimal antigen/epitope targets for infectious disease vaccines, truly personalized cancer vaccines Tcell therapies in a clinically actionable timeframe, and also facilitate effective patient selection for cancer immunotherapy. For more information, visit NEC OncoImmunity AS at http://www.oncoimmunity.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016783171/en/

Contacts:

Name: Trevor Clancy, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder NEC OncoImmunity

Phone: +47 41431242

Email: trevor@oncoimmunity.com
SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- By Huang Yu, Education Solution Expert of Huawei Enterprise Business

Education is becoming increasingly smart. Teaching, scientific research, campus management, and school services are undergoing profound changes:

Teaching and learning activities have shifted from using traditional blackboards to multimedia tools, from learning in a fixed location to now anytime, anywhere, and from one-way lecturing to more student-centric learning.

Scientific research needs to solve complex computing and analytics tasks and relies more on technologies like high-performance computing (HPC), high performance data analytics (HPDA), big data, and artificial intelligence.

Big data is now the basis of refined management and service decision-making. Administrators need to be abreast of key information regarding each service system in real time. In addition, there has been a gradual shift from decentralized to one-stop campus services to improve the experience of faculties and students.

Facing such profound changes in concept and form, the industry is actively exploring the in-depth integration of ICTs and education. Technologies such as knowledge graphs and big data make learning more personalized, while 5G and cloud enable hybrid learning more accessible. The demands of scientific research on computing power and storage are soaring. These successful practices have stimulated the sector's interest in applying ICTs. However, new problems like scattered construction, repeated construction, data silos, and outdated ICT infrastructure, are also emerging, which severely restrict reform. How to better utilize ICTs to upgrade and innovate education models is an urgent challenge for every stakeholder in the industry.

Renovating Intelligent Education with ICTs

As a leading global ICT solutions provider, Huawei believes in people-oriented education. We are committed to integrating ICTs such as cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence into the entire education process in order to promote innovation in teaching, scientific research, management, and services. To be specific, Huawei's Intelligent Education Solution uses advanced ICTs to offer intelligent interactions, connections, platforms, and applications to support customers in their digital transformation.

Change the education concept and follow the national top-level design

During the process of digital transformation, education administrators need to make centralized plans and high-level guidelines, and then implement them step by step. At the national level of China, policies such as the Mid- and Long-Term Development Plan for Education Informatization (2021-2035) and the 14th Five-Year Plan for Education Informatization set differentiated informatization goals for higher, vocational, basic, pre-school, and adult education. These policies coordinate the set-up of the informatization environment, including the network, cloud platform, contents, and informatization standards for education as well as corresponding policies and regulations. Universities and vocational colleges need to invest manpower, funding, and much more to plan informatization roadmaps according to their long-term plans. When it comes to basic education, primary and secondary schools normally are lack strong ICT capabilities. Therefore, education management departments need to take the lead in providing more platform and application support so that schools can focus on common ICT infrastructure construction.

Based on our ICT capabilities and industry understanding, Huawei proposes the concept of "digital education community". We look to utilize this to create all-scenario education resource connection and aggregation as well as all-dimensional openness and collaboration. The concept will help consolidate full-cycle O&M and continuous evolution with advanced cloud, network, edge, and device technologies.

"Five Ones" intelligent education solution

Huawei has built the "Five Ones" intelligent education technical architecture: one screen, one network, one cloud, one platform, and one portal.

One screen is the terminal interface for human-machine interaction represented by various display terminals, including PCs, tablets, digital, conference terminals, smart blackboards, and LED large screens. In different scenarios, there are matching intelligent interaction terminals for collecting and displaying information based on the requirements of each education subject. "One screen" is as important to intelligent education as a key is to a lock; it opens up the whole system to the user.

One network supported by new technologies and applications is needed to better drive the transformation of teaching, school management, and services. Nowadays networks are not only connected to mobile phones and computers, but also to IoT terminals and smart devices. Based on technologies such as 5G, optical network, and Wi-Fi 7, Huawei integrates wired, wireless, office, and IoT networks to connect campus networks, education MANs, education and research networks, and the Internet. This builds one secure, stable, and intelligent network, improving the bearing capability of the service system as well as user experience.

Huawei builds one samrt education cloud with centralized standards and services to integrate smart learning, teaching, scientific research, evaluation, management, and campus for an intelligent education environment where everyone can learn anytime and anywhere. In this way, the quality of teaching and learning can be greatly improved, and we can provide everyone with equal access to quality educational resources.

One platform is a public education digital platform that supports smart applications for teaching, scientific research, management, and services. It shares data across clouds, networks, devices, and systems, breaking data silos. This platform enables the agile innovation of education services and optimizes cloud-pipe-device synergy to connect physical and digital spaces for more intelligent educational data services and governance.

The campus intelligent operation center (IOC) and super app are built at one portal for centralized operation and management. It doubles as a one-stop display for teaching, scientific research, management, and services. Through IOC, school leaders can keep abreast of the status of the campus and carry out refined management, while logistics, security, information and other departments can enjoy more centralized, automated, and intelligent operation. The super app builds a unified intelligent education portal to connect people, events, and things so that users can access various cloud applications conveniently through only one app. Universities can build a mobile campus portal based on the super app to provide mobile terminal services that can cover work, learning, and life, fulfilling the goal that anyone can learn anytime, anywhere.

Working with the Industry and Moving Forward with Intelligent Education

To date, Huawei has served more than 2800 education ministries, universities, and research institutes in over 120 countries and regions. Over 30 of the QS World University Rankings' top 100 universities have chosen Huawei as their partner for digital transformation.

Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to deeply engage with the education industry and flexibly integrate big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud with education scenarios to develop scenario-based solutions with partners and drive high-quality education development through digital transformation.

This article is selected from the Smart Education Issue of the ICT Insights magazine. Welcome to visit Huawei's official website to learn more: https://e.huawei.com/en/ict-insights/global/ict_insights/ict34-intelligent-education

CONTACT:

hwebgcomms@huawei.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249174/image_1.jpg

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/five-ones-intelligent-education-solution-for-a-digital-education-community-301958499.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!

LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British Aerospace & Defense company Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (RYCEF.PK, RYCEY.PK, RR.L) announced Tuesday its plan to create a simpler, more efficient and effective organisation in the next phase of its multi-year transformation. The plan includes various cost saving efforts, including up to 2,500 job cuts. The new structure is expected to create a more agile business, which will help it build enhanced capabilities in key areas such as procurement and supply chain management. The company expects the proposed changes to remove duplication and deliver cost efficiencies. It is estimated that 2,000-2,500 roles will be removed globally. Rolls-Royce currently employs 42,000 people worldwide. Under the changes, Engineering Technology & Safety will come together as a single team across the Group, responsible for product safety, engineering standards, process, methods and tools. The division will be led by Simon Burr, currently Director - Product Development and Technology, Civil Aerospace, who is joining the Executive Team with immediate effect. Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer, will be leaving the business in April 2024. Further, the company will create a new enterprise-wide procurement and supplier management organisation. It will support the consolidation of group spend, leverage scale and develop consistent best in class standards. The company added that enabling functions, such as Finance, General Counsel and People will also be brought together across Rolls-Royce. 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.


EQS Newswire / 17/10/2023 / 09:00 CET/CEST

Startups battle for up to US$5 million in venture funding, US$240,000 in cash prizes, plus unrivalled partnership and funding opportunities HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 17 October 2023 - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is kicking off its eighth and biggest ever global Elevator Pitch Competition 2024 (EPiC 2024), by inviting leading tech startups around the world to join the four-city global contest and will have the excellent opportunity for up to US$5 million investment from HKSTP Corporate Venture Fund ("CVF"). Hong Kong's leading startup pitch competition also offers a total of US$240,000 in cash prizes, unrivalled business matching and funding opportunities, plus the ideal springboard to huge market opportunities in Mainland China, across Asia and beyond.





HKSTP is partnering again with world-leading accelerator Plug and Play to help take EPiC on this major global expansion. From January to March 2024, four regional EPiC semi-finals will be hosted in Silicon Valley, Stuttgart, Singapore and Hong Kong, culminating with the grand finale in Hong Kong in April 2024. Mid-to-late-stage tech ventures from around the world are invited to compete in the regional contests to join the list of 72 semi-finalists. The selected semi-finalists will come to Hong Kong to make their live 60-second pitch in front of judges while riding up the elevator at the iconic sky100 venue atop Hong Kong's tallest building, International Commerce Centre. All applicants of EPiC 2024 will have an opportunity to seek investment from CVF up to US$5 million. External corporations also have the option to co-invest, which further raises the potential final funding opportunity.



Additionally, 72 semi-finalists will enjoy benefits from the HKSTP value-added services for six months, even after the competition. These include business matching, investment referral, exclusive membership of a city-wide and cross-industry virtual lab (STP Platform), access to co-working space as well as an extensive talent pool by reaching out to Hong Kong's renowned universities, five of them being ranked in the world's top 100 according to the QS World University Rankings 2024.



Organised by HKSTP, EPiC 2024 is one of the global's most anticipated startup event and is now open for applications across three competition tracks - FinTech, PropTech and MobilityTech - from 17 October 2023 through to 31 December 2023. The finale will take place in April 2024 at the sky100 venue, International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, recreating a genuine elevator pitch experience for all participants.



Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: "The global growth of the EPiC pitching contest is proof of Hong Kong as a leading international I&T hub to top-tier global startups who seek critical support on their growth journey, connections with entrepreneurs, investors and corporate partners, plus access to Hong Kong's biggest innovation and technology ecosystem. Hong Kong is the international hub of the China's Greater Bay Area (GBA) and at the heart of Asia, while the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster is ranked second in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)'s latest Global Innovation Index, making the city the ideal springboard to the surging investment and market potential of Mainland China, Asia and beyond."



EPiC is HKSTP's annual flagship startup event, taking place in Hong Kong and gathering global entrepreneurs, technologists, investors, corporate partners and ecosystem leaders to help the brightest innovators to commercialise their ideas to success in Mainland China, across Asia and beyond. The success of EPiC 2023, which attracted a record 600 plus contestants and 55 economies, made it the city's most international pitch contest ever. The day-long event generated 150 businesses startup-corporate partnership opportunities and countless investment leads, with four of the EPiC 2023 finalist ventures currently close to becoming full-fledged companies landing at Science Park.



Who can apply to join EPiC 2024:



Tech startups that are less than 10 years old as of 30 April 2023 Ideas should focus on one of the THREE technology tracks: FinTech, PropTech and MobilityTech Applications will close on 31 December 2023 at 23:59 (GMT+8).



Please visit https://epic.hkstp.org/ for more information on EPiC 2024.



List of awards and prizes



All applicants of EPiC 2024 qualify for a chance to have up to US$5 million investment by the HKSTP Corporate Venture Fund.

Award

Cash Prize (for each winner)

Champion

Additional US$60,000

3 Tech Winners

(FinTech /PropTech /MobilityTech)

Additional US$20,000

Top 12 Finalists

US$10,000







Hashtag: HKSTP

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has for over 20 years committed to building up Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub to propel success for local and global pioneers today and tomorrow. HKSTP has established a thriving I&T ecosystem that supported over 10 unicorns and Hong Kong's leading R&D hub with over 13,000 research professionals and over 1,400 technology companies focused on healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies.



Established in 2001, we attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation and technology for entrepreneurs on their journey of growth. Our growing innovation ecosystem is built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. The three InnoParks are realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong. The goal is sectors like advanced manufacturing, electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined for a new generation of industry.



Through our infrastructure, services, expertise, and network of partnerships, HKSTP will help establish innovation and technology as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong, while reinforcing Hong Kong's international I&T hub status as a launchpad for growth at the heart of the GBA innovation powerhouse.



More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org .





News Source: Media OutReach

17/10/2023 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.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!

LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Melrose Industries PLC (MRO.L) Tuesday said its fiscal 2023 margin is now expected to be around 24 percent, around 2 percentage points above the previous margin target, reflecting the outperformance in the Engines business. The company further said it has full confidence that the 2025 targets will be achieved with current trading. In its update regarding current trading for the Engines business, ahead of the Engines Investor Event, the company confirmed that the Engines adjusted operating margin this year will continue the outperformance seen in the first half. In fiscal 2023, the company said the expected extra progress significantly underpins the 2025 targets by reducing the further required improvements from 6 percentage points to 4 percentage points. According to the firm, the biggest single reason for the outperformance is the continued strong aftermarket demand, at high margin, for the Engines business. Peter Dilnot, Aerospace Chief Executive, and Melrose CEO designate" said, 'The quality of our Engines business continues to shine through with margins exceeding expectations. . With positive momentum evident, we are confident of delivering strong returns and achieving our 30 percent margin target in the years ahead.' Melrose plans to release full trading update in November. 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.
Oct 13th 2023, Helical Fusion Co., Ltd. has been selected by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for its total $43 million (JPY 6.5 billion) Small Business Innovation Research(SBIR) program to develop cutting-edge fusion technologies.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231013712057/en/

top image (Graphic: Business Wire)

Helical Fusion is one of four companies to be selected and receive its max $13.5 million (JPY 2 billion). MEXT-funded mission will further advance Helical Fusion's effort to develop its cutting-edge High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) cable technology, which is expected to meet fusion industry's needs to secure commercially viable high-performance magnets. This funding grant represents the Japanese government's commitment and recognition of innovative fusion technology led by private sectors, including that of Helical Fusion.

Helical Fusion has developed a new HTS conductor, Wind and Impregnated Stacked Elastic tapes (WISE) that can be scaled and engineered into the high-performance magnet, together with a Japanese research institute, National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS). The program fund would accelerate commercialization of the WISE conductor by raising its Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from Level 5 to Level 7.

The WISE conductor is a breakthrough in the area of cable architecture with the advantage of flexibility to be wound to fabricate HTS coils with complicated shapes, while maintaining the needed tolerances and superconducting-current properties. In addition, the built-in cooling pipe provides enhanced cooling performance. Considering that competitiveness, the WISE conductor is expected to be an essential solution for developing small-scale and low-cost fusion reactors.

Takaya Taguchi, Helical Fusion's co-CEO, commented: "We are delighted to be selected by the Japanese SBIR program. Helical Fusion will, together with industrial partners and technology, accelerate development of the HTS cable which can contribute to the early realization of fusion reactors in Japan and overseas."

Helical Fusion welcomes inquiries from potential partners in and outside the fusion industry.

contact@helicalfusion.com

About Helical Fusion Co., Ltd.:

Helical Fusion is a private fusion technology company spun out of the National Institute for Fusion Science and is focused on developing fusion reactors using a magnetic field confinement method.

Various fusion methods have been developed in the world over the past 60 years. In Japan, the helical method, which uses superconducting helical coils with a double helical structure similar to DNA to stably confine high-temperature plasma, was born and has been greatly nurtured.

Our goal is to develop the world's first steady-state fusion reactor that incorporates further unique cutting-edge technology such as the WISE conductor into this helical method to create a sustainable and stable energy source that will enable the coexistence of humans and the Earth for the next millions of years.

The SBIR program was established to promote research and development for startups engaged in advancing innovative technologies, and to facilitate the smooth implementation of results through government support. The program is similar to the US program of the same name.

** An index created by NASA that is used to evaluate the proficiency level of a particular technology and, in principle, to determine the maturity level of the technology.

https://www.nasa.gov/general/technology-readiness-level/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231013712057/en/

Contacts:

Takaya Taguchi

mail: takaya.taguchi@helicalfusion.com

phone: +81-80-7383-3923
LONDON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The public is being asked to release their "inner engineer" by submitting ideas and creations that aim to make daily life more sustainable in the "Everyday Engineering" competition. The competition launches as data, analysed by the Royal Academy of Engineering (the Academy), shows a trend for sustainable home inventions is gripping the UK, as Brits take sustainability and tackling the cost-of-living-crisis into their own hands.

Seeing the nation embrace its inventive side, with 44% millennials (increasing to 51% for Gen Z) now describing themselves as creative individuals, will be welcome news to the UK's engineering community, amidst concerns around the perception of engineering preventing young people from considering a career in the profession.[1]

The number of TikTok videos in the UK with the hashtag "sustainableliving" has increased by 190% in the last year, coinciding with a boom in influencers promoting inventions which make everyday life more sustainable.[2] This includes TikTok sensation James Stewart, a sustainable living content creator who has seen his follower count grow to over 17,000 in the six months he's been on the platform.[3]

That's why this National Engineering Day (Wednesday 1 November 2023), the Royal Academy of Engineering will announce the winner of its "Everyday Engineering" competition, with a public vote on social media deciding the best invention. The lucky winner will have the opportunity to meet Deborah Meaden and get her advice on their idea, as well as an award from the Royal Academy of Engineering and a mentoring session from its Enterprise Hub.

Dragons' Den Investor, Deborah Meaden, said: "Sustainable inventions and the businesses that come out of them will be the key to meeting the UK's net zero goals and tackling climate change. These inventions would not be possible without the engineers who create them. From a revolutionary new type of car battery made in a shed to a home-compostable alternative to plastic film created in a kitchen, I passionately believe everyone has the capability to think like an engineer and create something that positively impacts both people and planet."

Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: "We're delighted to have Deborah Meaden involved with National Engineering Day. Her passion and dedication to sustainability are an inspiration to entrepreneurs across the UK, and we hope her commitment to innovation will help stimulate a new generation of creators.

"I look forward to seeing the nation's ideas for sustainable inventions and to discovering everyday engineers across the country. Ideas to create a more sustainable everyday can come from anyone, and this competition is a fantastic way to celebrate the varying skillsets that our industry requires."

Find out more about National Engineering Day here and the "Everyday Engineering" competition here.

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SpliceBio is eligible to receive upfront, opt-in and milestone payments up to $216 million plus royalties

Spark secures exclusive worldwide rights to SpliceBio's proprietary Protein Splicing platform to develop, manufacture, and commercialize a gene therapy targeting an undisclosed inherited retinal disease

BARCELONA, Spain, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SpliceBio, a genetic medicines company harnessing Protein Splicing to develop the next generation of gene therapies, is pleased to announce the signing of an exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement with Spark Therapeutics to utilize SpliceBio's proprietary Protein Splicing platform to develop a gene therapy for an undisclosed inherited retinal disease.

Under the terms of the agreement, SpliceBio and Spark will conduct a research collaboration utilizing SpliceBio's proprietary Protein Splicing platform, which offers the potential to address diseases that currently cannot be treated with gene therapies because the necessary gene is too large to be delivered by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Spark will have exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize a gene therapy arising from this research collaboration targeting an undisclosed inherited retinal disease. SpliceBio will be eligible to receive upfront, opt-in and milestone payments up to $216 million and royalties on net sales.

"This research collaboration and license agreement is an exciting opportunity to develop a novel gene therapy in an area of high unmet medical need. We are proud that Spark Therapeutics recognizes the potential of our pioneering Protein Splicing platform and the profound impact it could have in the treatment of inherited retinal diseases that are unable to be effectively addressed by other gene therapy approaches," said, Miquel Vila-Perello, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of SpliceBio. "In addition to the Spark collaboration, we continue to develop our lead program in Stargardt disease and further build our capabilities and pipeline of wholly-owned gene therapy programs to develop life-changing therapies for patients in need."

"This exclusive partnership builds on Spark's innovative leadership programs in gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases. Our breakthrough gene therapy LUXTURNA demonstrates the ability to transform the lives of patients with biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene whose physicians have determined their eligibility for treatment, while providing potential alternative treatment options for patients with other inherited retinal diseases," commented, Federico Mingozzi, PhD, Chief Science and Technology Officer of Spark Therapeutics.

"With our complementary capabilities, combined deep technical knowledge and SpliceBio's revolutionary platform capabilities, we aim to further advance progress in the treatment of inherited retinal diseases, bringing new transformational gene therapies into the clinic and eventually to the global market."

About SpliceBio

SpliceBio is a genetic medicines company harnessing its proprietary Protein Splicing platform to develop the next generation of gene therapies. The Company's platform offers the potential to address diseases that currently cannot be treated with gene therapies because the necessary gene is too large to be delivered by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. The company's lead program targets Stargardt disease, a genetic eye disease that causes vision loss in children and adults. SpliceBio's platform is based on technology developed in the Muir Lab at Princeton University after more than 20 years of pioneering intein and protein engineering research. For additional information, please visit www.splice.bio

About Spark Therapeutics

Spark Therapeutics is a fully integrated, commercial company dedicated to unlocking the power of gene therapy to accelerate healthcare transformation. At Spark, a member of the Roche Group, we see the path to a world where no life is limited by disease. For more information, visit www.sparktx.com , and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/splicebio-enters-collaboration-with-spark-therapeutics-to-develop-a-gene-therapy-targeting-an-inherited-retinal-disease-301958321.html
Day one brought together investors, business, government, policy and cultural leaders to discuss key investment themes and future large-scale possibilities

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister, Ministry of Economy, UAE today delivered the opening address at the much-anticipated inaugural edition of the SuperBridge Summit, at Dubai's iconic Museum of the Future. The first-of-its kind summit that highlighted the world's fastest growing economies and the collaborative opportunities that exist, offered a glimpse into the future of business and discussed the potential of AI to stimulate private investment and propel growth forward at a pace unimaginable just a decade ago.

In his keynote address, H.E. Minister Al Marri underscored why Dubai was the perfect location for the first SuperBridge Summit, commenting: "The global economy is going through immense change and new markets are reshaping the economic landscape with unprecedented growth. The UAE is deeply committed to fostering international cooperation with a knowledge-based and innovation-driven society to benefit this transformation. The UAE stands ready to play a pivotal role by creating an investment environment for economies to grow and expand through collaboration, building bridges for an inclusive and sustainable future."

His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, Member of the Executive Council, UAE also spoke at the opening session of the Summit, adding: "We live in a region with tremendous opportunities, and bringing people together from all parts of the world is important given the challenges we face. The SuperBridge Summit bridges the gaps and cements economic prosperity to better the world."

Day one of the summit provided a unique platform, converging more than 500 investors, business, government, policy and cultural leaders from 20 countries to accelerate investment and co-creation opportunities in hitherto untapped and under-explored markets.

In a panel titled 'The Importance of Public Private Partnerships in Boosting Economic Growth in the Fastest Growing Economies', visionaries discussed the levers propelling the world's fastest growing economies. Speakers Shane Tedjarati, Chairman of VS Partners & Co-founder of the Superbridge Council; Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder and President of Center for China and Globalization; and H.E. Umar Saif, Federal Minister for Science and Technology and Minister of IT of Pakistan, outlined the transformation driving economic development and the business ecosystem needed to drive growth.

The day was packed with impactful and engaging sessions, featuring a diverse line-up of influential speakers covering a range of topics. During a panel session titled 'Cross-Border Capital Allocation: Unlocking Multifaceted Investment Value', forward-thinking industry leaders from Africa and Asia, including Vanessa Xu, Co-founder, SuperBridge Council and Executive Chairman & CIO, VS Partners, and Takashi Maruyama, Chief Investment Officer, Asset Management One, discussed investment opportunities driving long-term growth. With the region undergoing an unprecedented economic transformation, panelists outlined compelling reasons to invest in underappreciated markets. Invaluable insights from experts in the private and public sectors ensured a compelling and lively discussion of the key drivers of investment opportunities into untapped markets across the world.

Meanwhile, in a panel session titled 'Envisioning the Future of Sustainable Tourism and Mobility in the Post-Covid Era', Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com, and Mudassir Sheikha, Co-Founder and CEO of Careem, discussed how technologies can address environmental challenges in tourism. Panelists outlined the cause for the resurgence of the tourism sector post pandemic and the effect it will have on global mobility.

Visitors had the opportunity to experience live performances by the likes of HS Liu, Pulitzer Prize Winner and Distinguished Adjunct Professor at Shanghai Tech University in Hong Kong, who led an interactive virtual showcase titled 'The World is Not What it Looks Like'. The Pulitzer Prize winner presented an engaging journey through modern history with attendees compelled to think deeply about the bridge to the future.

A pioneering initiative by KAOUN International, a subsidiary of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), and SuperBridge Council, the SuperBridge Summit Dubai is being held in partnership with the 43rd edition of GITEX Global, the world's largest and most influential tech event hosted in Dubai, attracting 180,000 tech executives and investors from 180 countries.

More information is available at www.superbridgedubai.com

Website:

http://superbridgedubai.com/

Press Registration:

http://event.superbridgedubai.com/MediaRegistration

On social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/superbridgesummit/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superbridgesummit/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/superbridgedxb

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/superbridgesummit/about/

Hashtag:

SuperBridgeDubai

About KAOUN International

KAOUN International is the independent events company and wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) established to organize and manage events internationally. Derived from the Arabic word 'universe', KAOUN International's mission is to 'Create Limitless Connections' for the industries and markets in which it operates. Created to leverage the 40-year legacy of DWTC's events management business and drive future MICE sector opportunity in the MENASA region. KAOUN International delivers game-changing live experiences that build robust business connections, create opportunity, and stimulate economic growth, building on DWTC's extensive portfolio of business and consumer events spanning multiple sectors, including technology, food and hospitality, sustainability, broadcast and satellite, automotive, talent development and leisure marine.

About the SuperBridge Council

The SuperBridge Council was established to synergize and bring together a new non-political platform for global leaders from fast-growing economies. It bridges the old and the young, tradition and modernity, the north and the south, the east and the west, to inspire new strategies and forge sustainable solutions for the next generations to thrive. The inaugural edition of the show will take place from 16-17 October 2023, at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, UAE. More information: http://superbridgedubai.com/

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/inaugural-superbridge-summit-kicks-off-to-accelerate-investment-opportunities-in-untapped-markets-301958564.html
BERLIN, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Uberall, the global trailblazer in location marketing, celebrates a decade of groundbreaking innovation while unveiling the awaited Fall release that ushers in a new era of AI-driven location-based growth.

In this latest release, Uberall introduces a game-changing platform enhancement, featuring cutting-edge AI-powered features set to redefine how local businesses connect with their customers. Here are the key highlights of Uberall's Fall 2023 Release:

Meet the Message Assistant: Your ultimate solution for supercharging customer engagement through the magic of conversational intelligence. The newly unveiled Message Assistant taps into a vast array of knowledge sources to deliver rich, precise, and captivating responses across various messaging platforms, from Google and Facebook to Instagram and web chat. It harnesses the power of information by expanding the chatbot knowledge base beyond location data to new horizons including website frequently asked questions, inventory, help articles and much more ensuring top-notch customer interactions. Moreover, it boasts expanded language support, enabling to effortlessly converse with customers in over 100 languages, no setup required, making multilingual interactions a breeze.

Your ultimate solution for supercharging customer engagement through the magic of conversational intelligence. The newly unveiled Message Assistant taps into a vast array of knowledge sources to deliver rich, precise, and captivating responses across various messaging platforms, from Google and Facebook to Instagram and web chat. It harnesses the power of information by expanding the chatbot knowledge base beyond location data to new horizons including website frequently asked questions, inventory, help articles and much more ensuring top-notch customer interactions. Moreover, it boasts expanded language support, enabling to effortlessly converse with customers in over 100 languages, no setup required, making multilingual interactions a breeze. Meet the Review Assistant: Your new trusty companion for managing online reviews with ease. The new review assistant excels in providing creative, context-sensitive, and linguistically spot-on responses with unmatched speed and efficiency. This AI-driven marvel simplifies response creation, offering suggestions that solve creative fatigue helping brands respond to hundreds of reviews in a unique way. It takes into account the review's sentiment, rating, business particulars, customer insights, and even the review's language, enabling the generation of tailor-made responses with a single click.

Florian Huebner, the CEO and co-founder of Uberall, reflects on this significant moment, saying, " "A decade ago, we embarked on a simple mission: to connect consumers with local businesses and empower them to thrive in their communities. It's been a journey that leaves me both humbled and excited for what comes next. At Uberall, we're all dedicated to harnessing the power of AI. We created an intelligent platform layer deeply integrated with our infrastructure and its unique ecosystem position. It already leverages our data expertise and user-friendly interfaces and empowers clients to intuitively supercharge their efficiency and capabilities - and overall boost their performance. Our AI vision focuses on enhancing every customer interaction and unlocking our clients' full potential. It's all about scaling authentic customer relationships"

The Uberall AI vision will set the future standard of location marketing with improved consumer experience and stronger performance of location-driven growth strategies.

About Uberall

Uberall , helps the world's most innovative multi-location businesses stay relevant, competitive, and profitable, by using digital technology to win clicks online and feet offline.

The Uberall location marketing platform powers the entire customer journey from online discovery, to store visit, to recommendation and repeat purchase.

Uberall, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, has more than 400 employees and services over 1,850 multi-location businesses across 170 countries.

For further information visit www.uberall.com | LinkedIn | YouTube

marketing@uberall.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uberall-marks-a-decade-of-innovation-and-paves-the-way-for-the-ai-powered-customer-connection-era-301958065.html
GKN POWDER METALLURGY AND SCHAEFFLER JOIN FORCES TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE PERMANENT MAGNET SUPPLY CHAIN IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA

GKN Powder Metallurgy and Schaeffler announce their mutual commitment to drive the development of the permanent magnet industry for electric motors.

Schaeffler has signed a memorandum of understanding with GKN Powder Metallurgy to source permanent magnets for European and North American markets.

This cooperation reinforces the overarching sustainability strategies of both companies and provides customers with additional security of supply through a stable, local-to-local delivery strategy.

Schaeffler AG, a leading Motion Technology Company, and GKN Powder Metallurgy, the world's leading provider of metal powder solutions, today announce their joint commitment to advance the development of the permanent magnet industry in Europe and North America through a memorandum of understanding. GKN Powder Metallurgy will supply Schaeffler locally with permanent magnets with the aim to ensure a stable, local supply whilst improving sustainability and transparency in the supply chain.

Diego Laurent, CEO of GKN Powder Metallurgy, said: "We are delighted to partner with Schaeffler to jointly provide solutions to the challenges of supplying permanent magnets to the automotive and other industries. This is a perfect match of two companies with a long-standing relationship and a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. The development of permanent magnets for EVs is a logical step for GKN Powder Metallurgy, as we continue to expand our capabilities to support the needs for electrification in the industry whilst pursuing ambitious sustainability targets."

Matthias Zink, CEO Automotive Technologies at Schaeffler, comments: "Schaeffler has key strengths in passenger car electrification, particularly in electric motors, which are integral components of all electric axles and hybrid modules. To ensure our successful growth in this segment especially in Europe and North America we aim to establish resilient, local, and sustainable supply chains for the relevant components like permanent magnets. This cooperation with GKN Powder Metallurgy is an important step towards this goal."

About GKN Powder Metallurgy

GKN Powder Metallurgy solves complex challenges in automotive and industrial markets with sustainable and innovative solutions through best-in-class powder metallurgy technology. The company is a world-class provider of powder metal materials, components, applications, and electrification solutions through its three business units GKN Powders/Hoeganaes, GKN Sinter Metals and GKN Additive. GKN Powder Metallurgy is committed to sustainable goals by providing leading powder metal expertise, innovative engineering, and extensive process experience to transform ideas into production. The company recently announced its expansion into permanent magnets, with the intention to build production facilities in Europe and North America with a capacity of up to 4,000 tons. GKN Powder Metallurgy is part of Dowlais Group plc and empowers more than 5,000 innovative thinkers in 27 locations, setting its global engineering network at the highest standard.

gknpm.com

For further information regarding GKN PM's capabilities in the permanent magnets for EV market, visit www.gknpm.com/en/solutions/permanent-magnets

About Schaeffler AG

Schaeffler Group We pioneer motion

The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for over 75 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO2-efficient drives, chassis solutions, Industry 4.0, digitalization, and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable over the entire life cycle. The motion technology company manufactures high-precision components and systems for drive train and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The Schaeffler Group generated sales of EUR 15.8 billion in 2022. With around 84,000 employees, the Schaeffler Group is one of the world's largest family-owned companies. With more than 1,250 patent applications in 2022, Schaeffler is Germany's fourth most innovative company according to the DPMA (German Patent and Trademark Office).

www.schaeffler.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017224299/en/

Contacts:

Katherine Skidmore

PR Executive

Fox Agency

katherine@fox.agency

+44 (0)20 3750 6688
TOKYO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Japanese hemp brand 'Kyoto Asanoha (produced by Wellness Kit Co.)' will announce the first Japanese company to exhibit at Cannafest 2023 (3-5 November 2023), the largest cannabis (hemp) expo in Europe.

This groundbreaking initiative is designed to promote Japan's unique hemp culture and history, which dates back 12,000 years.

Kyoto Asanoha will be showcasing an innovative relaxation product from Japan's oldest capital city, Kyoto: the scented hemp Kyo Sensu, a fan made of hemp.

Folding Fan (in Japanese name 'Sensu')

The fan is a traditional handicraft that originated in Japan around 1,200 years ago, and is highly valued as a decorative item as well as for keeping cool by blowing air.

The Kyoto Hemp Fan is a traditional Japanese craft from around 1,200 years ago and is highly regarded as a decorative item as well as a way to cool oneself off.

The fan is made of 100% hemp fabric and decorated with a traditional hemp leaf pattern.

Innovative relaxing function: every time you blow on it, the fragrance of the essential oil we have sprayed and soaked on it spreads.

The innovative, relaxing functionality of the fragrance spreads as you blow on it, making it a fashionable and portable gift.

Takuya Aiuchi, CEO of Kyoto Asanoha, says: "Japan has a very deep hemp and fragrance culture and history, but many people don't know this. By exhibiting at Cannafest 2023, we want to build a bridge between Japan and Europe.

Overview of Cannafest 2023

One of the three largest cannabis/hemp expos in Europe, along with Germany's 'Merry Jane' and Spain's 'Spanabis', this year marks the 13th edition. Conferences on various themes will also be held.

Event name: Cannafest 2023

Date: 3-5 November 2023: 11:00-20:00 (until 18:00 on the last day)

Venue: PVA EXPO PRAHA (Prague, Czech Republic)

URL: https://www.cannafest.com/en/

Organiser: Cannafest, s.r.o.

"KYOTO ASANOHA".

A Japanese hemp brand dedicated to the revival of hemp culture and with a mission to build a bridge to the future while respecting the tradition. The "hemp leaf=Asanoha" is an ancient Japanese hemp pattern, a symbol of hemp's long history and importance in the modern world.

Name: KYOTO ASANOHA

Location: Rafuineazabuzyuuban701, 1-2-7, Azabujuban, Minato Ku,Tokyo To, JAPAN

Representative: TAKUYA AIUCHI

Brand website: https://www.kyoto-asanoha.com

Company website: https://wellness-kit.co.jp/

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kyoto-asanohaa-challenge-from-japan-with-strict-cannabis-regulations---cannafest-2023-europes-largest-cannabis-hemp-expo-301957263.html
Closer ties with Swedish software product company to enhance telecommunication testing and network transformation capabilities

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has announced a strategic investment in VoerEir, a Swedish software product company specializing in the development of advanced software solutions for testing, benchmarking, and certifying the physical and virtual networks of Communications Service Providers (CSP). VoerEir solutions significantly streamline the process of deploying network infrastructure to the cloud. This investment strengthens UST's position as a leading provider of DevSecOps services in network engineering for 5G and beyond.

UST is expanding its presence in the rapidly growing telecommunications sector, partnering with innovative companies, and making strategic acquisitions positioned to address the primary challenges facing Tier-1 CSPs. Bolstered by the network engineering capabilities of the recently acquired telecom engineering firm MobileComm, UST's significant cloud, data, and DevSecOps expertise combines with VoerEir's Touchstone platform to ensure heightened network performance and reliability in a fully virtualized 5G network.

VoerEir's market-leading Touchstone platform helps telecom operators identify and resolve pain points in their telecom cloud environments, enabling greater Network Functions Virtualization (NFV). Touchstone is a comprehensive test system with extensive automated test cases and pre-packaged tools. It empowers its users to evaluate the performance, functionality, robustness, stability, and security of their cloud infrastructure for telecom applications. Furthermore, the dynamic solution supports Openstack and Kubernetes environments and offers deployment support for private and public cloud deployments.

UST's investment ensures that VoerEir is positioned to scale its business by leveraging UST's deep expertise in cloud solutions, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and the telecommunications sector.

"We welcome this strategic investment from UST, and believe that our closer relationship with the company will equip us with the capabilities and scale we need to continue growing as a credible and dependable partner in facilitating the transformation of CSPs from traditional legacy solutions to cutting-edge cloud based NFV architecture. UST shares our vision for transforming the telecommunications industry through cloud, data and DevSecOps, and our growing ties will allow us to improve at scale as we innovate to meet evolving demand in a growing sector," said Javier Garcia Gomez, Chief Executive Officer, VoerEir.

"This partnership further strengthens the growth strategy of UST's telecommunications vertical oriented around cloud, DevSecOps and data. We are excited to apply UST's experience and insights to VoerEir's innovative Touchstone platform to empower telecom operators. Our collaboration will simplify and streamline the evaluation of performance, functionality, robustness, stability, and the security of their cloud infrastructure for telecom applications," said Aravind Nandanan, General Manager, Telecommunications, UST.

VoerEir currently serves various marquee customers, including three of the top four Tier-1 Europe-headquartered multinational CSPs; and one of the top three Tier-1 US-headquartered hyperscaler cloud providers. VoerEir's Touchstone platform perfectly complements UST's telco network engineering, DevSecOps, and cloud capabilities, positioning these two leading companies to offer cutting-edge solutions to Tier-1 CSPs.

About VoerEir:

VoerEir is a telecom engineering-focused software product company founded and led by former Ericsson executives. The company addresses telecom operators' challenges in identifying, fixing, and eliminating pain points in their telco cloud environments using its market-leading software platform, "Touchstone." With over 1,000 integrated test cases and 140+ person-years of R&D, VoerEir automates the testing of Telco Cloud environments for telecom operators.

Media Contacts, VoerEir

Adriana Petkov

+34 657 127 755

info@voereir.com

About UST

For more than 24 years, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Through our nimble approach, we identify their core challenges, and craft disruptive solutions that bring their vision to life. With deep domain expertise and a future-proof philosophy, we embed innovation and agility into our clients' organizations-delivering measurable value and lasting change across industries, and around the world. Together, with over 30,000 employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact-touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com

Media Contacts, UST:

Tinu Cherian Abraham

+1 (949) 415-9857

Merrick Laravea

+1 (949) 416-6212

Neha Misri

+91-9284726602

Roshni Das K

+91 7736795557

media.relations@ust.com

Media Contacts, U.S.:

S&C PR

+1-646.941.9139

media@scprgroup.com

Makovsky

ust@makovsky.com

Media Contacts, U.K.:

FTI Consulting

UST@fticonsulting.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ust-continues-telecoms-sector-growth-with-strategic-investment-in-voereir-301957364.html
Acquisition of West Midlands commercial insurance firm, NFP's second in recent months, continues regional expansion

BIRMINGHAM, England, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NFP, a leading property and casualty broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager, HR services consultant, and retirement plan advisor, today announced its acquisition of The Cronin Insurance Consultancy Limited (Cronin), a commercial insurance broker based in the West Midlands. This latest acquisition continues NFP's growth in the region and provides Cronin with access to integrated risk management solutions for its clients. Darren Cronin, owner and managing director, will join NFP along with the rest of the team at Cronin.

"We are passionate about adding like-minded commercial insurance brokers to our roster, especially ones like Cronin who understand the industry and client needs," said John Paul Allcock, group managing director, NFP in Europe. "With an experienced team and a dedicated, well-respected leader in Darren, Cronin will be a valuable member of the NFP family. We look forward to providing their clients with our integrated solutions, while expanding our commercial offerings throughout the UK."

Founded in 2018, Cronin is an independent insurance broker offering a mix of products across commercial and personal lines. By joining NFP, Cronin will benefit from a stronger infrastructure of support and offer a wider range of group benefits, risk, wealth and retirement solutions to their existing clients.

"We are truly excited to join the NFP family and look forward to integrating our clients into the greater organization," said Cronin. "This is a win-win for all Cronin stakeholders, especially our clients, who will benefit from the wide array of NFP's solutions and services that can help them address ancillary needs around human capital, wealth and retirement."

About NFP

NFP is a leading property and casualty broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager, HR services consultant, and retirement plan advisor that provides solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates. NFP enables client success through the expertise of over 8,000 global employees, investments in innovative technologies, and enduring relationships with highly rated insurers, providers, and financial institutions. NFP is the 9th best place to work for large employers in insurance, 7th largest privately-owned broker, 7th largest benefits broker by global revenue and 13th largest broker of US business (all rankings according to Business Insurance).

Visit NFP.co.uk to discover how NFP empowers clients to meet their goals.

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The takaful insurance market is quickly expanding as a result of increasing awareness of islamic finance principles, growing demand for ethical and sharia-compliant financial solutions, expansion into new markets with significant muslim populations, and diversification of takaful product offerings

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Takaful Insurance Market by Type (Family Takaful, and General Takaful), Distribution (Agents and Brokers, Banks, Direct Response, and Others), and Application (Personal, and Commercial) Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032.According to the report, the global takaful insurance market was valued at $31.7 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $126.8 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 15.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime Determinants of Growth

The takaful insurance market is influenced by several major drivers, restraints, and opportunities. The takaful insurance market is rapidly developing as Growth in demand of takaful insurance across Muslim majority countries. Furthermore, the market is being driven by the distribution of Investment profits among both participants, by encourages a spirit of justice and teamwork, bringing people and companies into the takaful insurance market and fostering its expansion. However, the takaful insurance market faces growth challenges due to lower consumer awareness, as many potential participants are unaware of its benefits and Sharia-compliant options. On the contrary, for the takaful insurance business, the untapped market potential provides a large opportunity since it permits expansion and growth in niches and geographic areas where awareness and adoption are still in their infancy.

(We are providing report as per your research requirement, including the Latest Industry Insight's Evolution, Potential and COVID-19 Impact Analysis)

130 - Tables

54 - Charts

364 - Pages

Download Research Report Sample & TOC:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/12200

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $31.64 billion Market Size in 2032 $126.8 billion CAGR 15.2 % No. of Pages in Report 364 Segments covered Type, Distribution, Applicaton, and Region. Drivers Growth in demand of takaful insurance across Muslim majority countries Distribution of Investment profits among both participants Numerous benefits such as premium amount refund driving the growth Opportunities Untapped market potential for takaful insurance Restraints Lack of standardization in takaful insurance due to regional differences Lower consumer awareness

The general takaful segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on type, the general takaful segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for around three-fourths of the global takaful insurance market revenue. This can be attributed to the fact that it meets a variety of demands, such as insurance for houses, businesses, vehicles, and other valuable assets, general takaful appeals to a wider consumer base. It can take a bigger portion of the market thanks to its vast breadth. However, the family takaful segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 18.2% from 2023 to 2032, this is attribute to the fact that it takes care of urgent necessities like life insurance and family financial stability, making it a top priority for anyone looking to safeguard those they cherish.

The agents and broker segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on distribution channel, agent and brokers segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global takaful insurance market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to the fact that they ease the selling of takaful policies and offer individualized guidance, efficiently reaching a large consumer base and developing confidence via their knowledge and service. However, the direct response segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 21.6% from 2023 to 2032, this is due to their affordability and convenience, which let customers to buy insurance directly online or over the phone, without intermediaries, and which facilitate quick market penetration.

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The commercial segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on application, commercial segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global takaful insurance market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is Due to their varied risk management requirements, regulatory constraints, and the size of their activities, they represent a sizable group that demands complete takaful coverage. However, the personal segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 17.2% from 2023 to 2032, this is attributed to the fact that people's needs for insurance are more urgent and relatable, particularly those for personal and family security.

GCC to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, GCC held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global takaful insurance market revenue. due to their sizable Muslim populations, robust regulatory systems, and high levels of affluence, which foster a climate favorable for the growth of takaful goods and services. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 18.4% from 2023 to 2032 and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period, due to the region's sizable and diversified Muslim population, growing understanding of Islamic financial concepts, and expanding demand for financial products that adhere to Shariah, particularly takaful.

Leading Market Players: -

Abu Dhabi National Takaful Co.

Allianz

AMAN Insurance

Islamic Insurance

Prudential BSN Takaful Berhad

Qatar Islamic Insurance

SALAMA Islamic Arab Insurance Company

Syarikat Takaful Brunei Darussalam

Takaful International

Zurich Malaysia

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global takaful insurance market. These players have adopted different strategies such as expansion and product launch to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Key Benefits for Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the takaful insurance market analysis from 2022 to 2032 to identify the prevailing takaful insurance market opportunity .

. Market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

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 takaful insurance market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global 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 global takaful insurance market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

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Takaful Insurance Market Report Highlights

By Application

Personal

Commercial

By Type

Family Takaful

General Takaful

By Distribution Channel

Agents and Brokers

Banks

Direct Response

Others

By Region

GCC (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman)

(Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman) Asia-Pacific (Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brunei, Rest Of Asia)

(Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brunei, Rest Of Asia) Middle East and Africa (Iran, Jordan, Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria, Rest of Middle East And Africa)

(Iran, Jordan, Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria, Rest of Middle East And Africa) Rest of ME (Turkey, Sri Lanka)

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LONDON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wirex, a leading crypto payments platform, is thrilled to introduce the Wirex Dual-Mode Card, a cutting-edge solution that seamlessly merges the reliability of traditional financial systems with the transformative potential of decentralised finance (DeFi).

The Wirex Dual-Mode Card offers users flexibility and control over their financial assets, providing two distinct modes to cater to diverse preferences.

In Debit Mode, the card operates like a traditional debit card, supporting transactions in both fiat currencies and stablecoins. This mode is ideal for users who prefer the stability of fiat or stablecoin spending, minimising volatility and ensuring predictable value.

Switching to Credit Mode, the Wirex Dual-Mode Card utilises crypto holdings as collateral through a Collateral Debt Position (CDP). Tailored for crypto enthusiasts, this mode leverages DeFi protocols for decentralised lending and borrowing, allowing users to preserve the appreciation of their assets.

Pavel Matveev, CEO & Co-Founder of Wirex, said: "Wirex is proud to present the Dual-Mode Card, a catalyst for change in the financial landscape. It seamlessly integrates traditional and DeFi elements, giving users unparalleled control and flexibility - a true evolution in financial services."

Enjoy the following advantages with the Wirex Dual-Mode Card:

Flexibility: Users can effortlessly toggle between Debit and Credit modes, tailoring their spending experience in real-time based on their preferences and market conditions.

Users can effortlessly toggle between Debit and Credit modes, tailoring their spending experience in real-time based on their preferences and market conditions. Tax Efficiency: The Credit mode ensures that users can leverage their crypto assets for spending without triggering a taxable event, a significant advantage in many jurisdictions.

The Credit mode ensures that users can leverage their crypto assets for spending without triggering a taxable event, a significant advantage in many jurisdictions. DeFi Integration: By utilising DeFi to source liquidity in the Credit mode, Wirex ensures faster, more efficient, and transparent financial operations, removing the traditional banking system's inefficiencies and bottlenecks.

By utilising DeFi to source liquidity in the Credit mode, Wirex ensures faster, more efficient, and transparent financial operations, removing the traditional banking system's inefficiencies and bottlenecks. Asset Preservation: Users retain the potential upside of their crypto holdings, as these assets are not sold but used as collateral.

Taking innovation further, the Wirex Dual-Mode Card integrates with the Account Abstraction (AA) balance on the Wirex App Chain, providing exceptional benefits:

Direct Control: By linking the card to the AA balance, Wirex ensures that users have direct control over their funds. This eliminates the need for intermediaries, ensuring transactions are swift, transparent, and efficient.

By linking the card to the AA balance, Wirex ensures that users have direct control over their funds. This eliminates the need for intermediaries, ensuring transactions are swift, transparent, and efficient. Elimination of Third-Party Risk: Traditional financial systems often involve multiple intermediaries, each introducing potential points of failure or risk. By connecting the Dual-Mode Card directly to the AA balance, Wirex removes any third-party risk, ensuring that users' funds are secure and under their complete control.

Traditional financial systems often involve multiple intermediaries, each introducing potential points of failure or risk. By connecting the Dual-Mode Card directly to the AA balance, Wirex removes any third-party risk, ensuring that users' funds are secure and under their complete control. Empowerment of Account Owners: Whether you're an individual user or an enterprise, the connection to the AA balance empowers you with full autonomy over your funds. This means you can manage, spend, and secure your assets with the confidence that you're in the driver's seat.

Whether you're an individual user or an enterprise, the connection to the AA balance empowers you with full autonomy over your funds. This means you can manage, spend, and secure your assets with the confidence that you're in the driver's seat. Seamless Integration with DeFi: The connection to the AA balance further enhances the card's DeFi capabilities. Users can leverage the vast potential of decentralised finance, enjoying benefits like yield farming, liquidity mining, and more, all while maintaining direct control over their assets.

Stay tuned for more announcements regarding the availability of the Wirex Dual-Mode Card and experience a new era of financial freedom.

About Wirex

Wirex is a worldwide digital payment platform and regulated institution that has forged new rules in the digital payments space. In 2015, the firm developed the world's first crypto-enabled payment card that gives users the ability to seamlessly spend crypto and traditional currencies in real life.

Wirex was created in 2014 by CEOs and co-founders Pavel Matveev and Dmitry Lazarichev, who identified the need to open up the esoteric world of cryptocurrencies and make digital money accessible for everyone. With the core aim of making it as easy as possible to use digital assets in everyday life, Wirex provides a trusted and cost-effective service for crypto and traditional currency transactions by incorporating the next generation of payments infrastructure integrated with cryptocurrency blockchains.

With over 6 million customers across 130 countries, the company offers secure accounts that allow customers to easily store, buy and exchange multiple currencies instantly at the best live rates on one centralised mobile app. Quick and simple crypto transfer options are available, as well as the freedom to spend 150+ traditional and cryptocurrencies in more than 80 million locations around the world using the Wirex card.

Wirex continues to develop the product in line with market developments, whilst adhering to regional regulations and securing appropriate licensing where it exists. A proven industry pioneer, Wirex launched their own native utility token, WXT, and introduced the world's first crypto reward programme, Cryptoback, which earns cardholders up to 8% back in WXT for every transaction they make.

To reflect the growth of Web3, from 2021, the company has expanded their product to enable mainstream access to DeFi and wealth management. Starting with the launch of their popular X-Accounts feature, offering unprecedented levels of interest, Wirex has continued to add to their DeFi arsenal with the release of the non-custodial Wirex Wallet and a partnership with Nereus, a decentralised liquidity market.

Wirex is based in London, with offices in Singapore, Kyiv, Lviv, Sydney, Zagreb, and Atlanta. With over $20bn worth of transactions processed already and rapid expansion into new territories, including the US and Australia, Wirex is uniquely placed to support and promote the mass adoption of a cashless society through creative solutions.

| wirexapp.com |

For more information, please contact:

E-mail: press@wirexapp.com

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BIELEFELD, Germany, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NTT DATA Business Solutions AG publishes its first Sustainability Report, marking the start of regular annual reporting. Taking its cue from the guidelines of the German Sustainability Code (DNK), the report provides insights into the efforts made by the internationally operating SAP consulting company to foster sustainability within the company and along the supply chain.

- Picture is available at AP -

"I am proud of the publication of our first Sustainability Report. It is an important step for NTT DATA Business Solutions and illustrates our commitment to sustainability as a core element of our corporate strategy. For us as a company and for me as CEO, sustainability orientation and transparent communication of our actions are fundamental prerequisites. We have a responsibility towards our employees, business partners, and customers as well as towards the environment and society generally," explains Norbert Rotter, CEO of NTT DATA Business Solutions AG and EVP NTT DATA, Inc. "Technology can be an engine for positive change. As an IT service provider, we support our customers with innovative products and digital solutions that help them become more sustainable. While we recognize that we are still in the early stages of our journey, our first Sustainability Report is a clear statement of our aim to have a positive impact on our planet and on society."

One of the other crucial influencing resources is the international NTT DATA NET-ZERO Vision 2040, which the company is committed to as part of the NTT DATA Group. This stipulates that the NET ZERO target for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions is to be achieved by 2035 - with an interim deadline of 2030 for the data centers. By 2040, the NET ZERO target is then to be achieved along the entire value chain (Scope 3). The long-term sustainability strategy of NTT DATA Business Solutions has also been crucially informed by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which were adopted by the United Nations. Twelve of these are linked particularly closely to the company's business activities and are considered directly in the report. The report is divided into three sections, headed Environment, Social, and Governance, for each of which concrete figures, measures and sample projects from the company are provided.

Data centers under the spotlight

Based on the data for fiscal year 2022/23 (reporting period: April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023), the report focuses on the countries and business units that account for the majority of overall revenues and have a substantial influence on matters relating to sustainability. These also include the data centers in Germany, Denmark, the USA, Poland, and Malaysia. Here, the focus is clearly on energy-efficient operation and use of self-generated solar power, explains Jurgen Purzer, CFO of NTT DATA Business Solutions. "In Germany, our data centers account for some 80 percent of electricity consumption. Their planning back in 2011 already included aspects of sustainability and they have been operated exclusively using green power since 2021." In parallel with the increased use of renewable energies, the Travel and Mobility Policy is being revised with the aim of reducing emissions. "To us, 'Green IT' does not just mean 'Green Energy'; we also promote careful use of resources and actively support our customers with their green transformation by providing innovative software solutions."

Sustainable thanks to innovative IT solutions

Heading towards a climate-neutral circular economy, the SAP Platinum Partner develops IT solutions that will enable its customers to record and reduce emissions, optimize business processes, and lower costs. This involves above all the use of SAP sustainability solutions as well as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and IoT; in every case aiming at facilitating new intelligent business models and more efficient use of business software. The company also promotes the use of software solutions to manage societal challenges; examples include the provision of assistance to people at risk of suicide with the "AI Suicide Helpline", the transportation of medical goods in inaccessible areas using drones, and the promotion of digital education. All these examples and projects are presented in detail in the report, providing insights into the sustainability work done at NTT DATA Business Solutions.

From fiscal year 2025/26, companies like NTT DATA Business Solutions will be subject to a sustainability reporting requirement. In order to develop a deeper understanding of its customers' needs and steadily expand its own capabilities in this area, the company made the decision to publish an annual sustainability report even before the above-mentioned requirement comes into force. With this decision, the SAP consulting company intends to create transparency internally and externally so that any improvement potential can be recognized and realized early on. "Transformation into a sustainable enterprise requires perseverance and long-term measures that go beyond short-term achievements. It is therefore necessary for companies to remain self-critical and to keep questioning the course they are on with the aid of sustainability reports and make adjustments if necessary," Norbert Rotter comments.

Find the Sustainability Report of NTT DATA Business Solutions here.

About NTT DATA Business Solutions

NTT DATA Business Solutions drives innovation: - from advisory and implementation, to managed services and beyond, continuously enhances SAP solutions to make them work for companies - and for their people. Aiming to help companies to transform, grow and become more successful, NTT DATA Business Solutions connects with a more than in-depth expertise for SAP solutions its clients' business opportunities with the latest technologies - individually and across all business areas. As part of the NTT DATA group and as a global strategic partner of SAP, with close ties to other partners, NTT DATA Business Solutions gives clients and prospects access to innovative solutions and developments and thus makes an important contribution to innovation and long-term business success. NTT DATA Business Solutions employs more than 13,500 people in more than 30 countries.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA - a part of NTT Group - is a trusted global innovator of IT and business services headquartered in Tokyo. We help clients transform through consulting, industry solutions, business process services, digital & IT modernization and managed services. NTT DATA enables them, as well as society, to move confidently into the digital future. We are committed to our clients' long-term success and combine global reach with local client attention to serve them in over 50 countries around the globe. Visit us at nttdata.com.

Press Contact

Jasmin Straeter

Head of Global Communications

NTT DATA Business Solutions AG

Konigsbreede 1, 33605 Bielefeld

T: +49 521 9 14 48 108

Email: Jasmin.Straeter@nttdata.com

Contact

Dr. Adeline Anna Thomas

Global Head of Sustainability & Portfolio

T: +49 303/9 84 79 51

Email Adeline.Thomas@nttdata.com

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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/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Lonza (LZAGF.PK) said its third quarter financial performance reflects continued strong CDMO business dynamics and sustained commercial demand. Biotech funding constraints continued to impact growth in early-stage services in Biologics and led to lower sales growth rates in Cell & Gene, the Group noted. Capsules & Health Ingredients saw continued softness in the US nutraceutical market, Lonza said. Looking forward, Lonza reconfirmed its 2023 outlook. CER sales growth will be at the higher end of mid-to-high single-digit outlook, with a core EBITDA margin above the guided 28 to 29%. The company said the increase is driven by the one-time termination fee associated with the Moderna mRNA contract cancellation agreement in September 2023. The company expects its business growth in 2024 will be offset by the higher base in 2023 from the Moderna termination agreement, the subsequent lost Moderna revenue in 2024, and the risk of a smaller Kodiak Sciences business in 2024. Lonza projects a margin in the high twenties. Lonza issued new Group mid-term guidance 2024 - 2028. This includes: 11-13% sales CAGR in CER, 32-34% CORE EBITDA margin, and double-digit ROIC. Lonza has increased dividend payout range from 25-40% to a new range of 35-45%. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On 5th October, the European Union released a political agreement, which introduces a full ban on small (<12kW) monobloc heat pumps and air conditioning that contain F-gases with a GWP of at least 150 starting in 2027, and a complete phase-out in 2032. The agreement is to reduce fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions and fight global climate change, which is an important step towards the climate goals.

"The European Union's agreement has created opportunities for low-GWP solutions such as R290 heat pumps and has paved the way for the adoption of R290 heat pumps." Said Jab Fan, the vice president of PHNIX's overseas business.

R290, an eco-friendly refrigerant, brings unbeatable benefits to heat pumps. With a GWP of 3 and an ODP of 0, R290 doesn't harm the ozone layer and has almost no greenhouse effect compared to traditional refrigerants. As a result, R290 heat pump products provide sustainable heating solutions, offering cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives to address energy efficiency and environmental impact challenges. This positions them as the market's mainstream choice, especially under the background of the European Union's recent agreement.

"In early 2021, we introduced the R290 GreenTherm Series to the global stage, making us the first Chinese heat pump manufacturer to launch R290 heat pumps globally. Now we have established standardized production models for R290 heat pumps," continued Jab Fan. PHNIX now PHNIX offers a range of R290 heat pumps suitable for various applications, from residential to commercial applications, meeting the heating and hot water needs of different applications. Our R290 heat pumps include four series: Air-to-water heat pumps, All-in-one heat pump water heaters, Swimming pool heat pumps and Commercial heat pumps.

"The EU's new policy banning high-GWP refrigerants is a crucial step in the fight against climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our commitment to developing and producing high-quality R290 heat pumps that align with climate goals will remain unwavering," Jab Fan emphasized. With R290 heat pumps, both PHNIX and its partners are actively contributing to a more environmentally conscious world.

About PHNIX

As the leading heat pump manufacturer in China, PHNIX is an international enterprise specializing in the R&D and production of heat pumps and energy-saving solutions. Almost 50% of PHNIX products are exported to Europe, North America, and other overseas markets. To learn more about PHNIX and its products, please visit www.phnix-e.com.

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Every second respondent is willing to make their data available for insurance services

One in two drivers fears misuse of data

Three-quarters demand clear deletion procedures

The survey of European car drivers about vehicle data* conducted as part of this year's Allianz Motor Day revealed a rather low level of understanding of the modern world of data in our cars. The fear of data misuse and loss of privacy is noticeable. But the survey also showed that the benefits that people can derive from their data are seen. There is great interest in using data for innovative services and accident clarification.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017247685/en/

Every second respondent is willing to make their data available for insurance services (Credit: Allianz)

Better accident clarification, faster claims processing

With two-thirds of all respondents agreeing, approval is highest of data use for clarifying accident blame. For example, 69 percent (UK), 67 percent (France), 66 percent (Spain), 64 percent (Germany), and 63 percent (Italy) agree with the statement that every party involved should have the right to receive the data necessary for this purpose. "Our survey shows that there is a very positive view of the benefits of data recording for accident investigation," says Jorg Kubitzki, safety researcher at the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT) and co-author of the study.

The use of data for quick accident processing by the insurance company also found high approval ratings (UK: 71 percent, France: 63 percent, Spain: 61 percent, Germany: 58 percent, Italy: 57 percent). The interest in making data available to the insurance company for improved services (e.g., automatic accident detection, roadside assistance, adapted insurance products) is 61 percent (UK), 57 percent (France, Spain), 55 percent (Italy), and 53 percent (Germany). Clarification of vehicle condition at the time of purchase and sale was agreed to by 58 to 69 percent of respondents, and improvement of road safety by 48 to 58 percent.

Protecting privacy is important

Above all, telephone usage data, destinations or locations, and routes driven are regarded as sensitive information, the unauthorized use of which is viewed critically. There is a high level of fear of hacking attacks, data theft, and data misuse by unauthorized persons. In Germany (47 percent), the UK (49 percent) and Italy (51 percent), one in two had concerns. In Spain (37 percent) and France (41 percent), respondents rated the risk slightly lower. Many of those surveyed doubted that the data in the vehicle would only be used on an occasion-related basis (France: 42 percent, Spain: 46 percent, Germany: 54 percent, UK: 55 percent, Italy: 56 percent). "The concern about data protection is more than an abstract fear of hacking attacks," says Kubitzki. "Anyone who makes data available, for example to process claims more quickly, must be confident that the information required for this is only used for the intended purpose."

Three-quarters of respondents demand clear deletion procedures

Drivers in all five countries would like to see better data organization in their vehicles. More than two out of three respondents expect to be informed when phone data is stored (Spain: 57 percent, Italy: 63 percent, France: 65 percent, Germany: 70 percent, UK: 72 percent) and demand simple ways to delete their data in the car (Spain: 59 percent, Italy and France: 69 percent, Germany: 78 percent, UK: 82 percent).

*Representative Allianz online survey of 5,200 drivers in 2023 in Germany (N=1,200), Italy, France, the UK, and Spain (N=1,000 each) by Allianz market research institute DrivenBy, the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT), and market research company Ipsos. All results can be found in a 35-page report in German and English, which we will be happy to send to you in electronic form.

All press materials and the recording of the entire event as well as information on the EU Data Act can be found here: https://events.techcast.cloud/en/allianz/11th-allianz-motor-day-2023-en

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Contacts:

Allianz Versicherungs-AG

Corporate Communications

Christian Weishuber

Phone: 089.3800-18169

Mobil: 0172-8448464

E-Mail: christian.weishuber@allianz.de
- Agreement with Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group part of Company's global strategy to increase clinician and patient access to innovative diagnostic imaging agent -

Blue Earth Diagnostics Ltd, a Bracco company and recognised leader in the development and commercialisation of innovative PET radiopharmaceuticals, announced that it has signed an exclusive strategic agreement with Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group for the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent flotufolastat (18F) injection (formerly referred to as 18F-rhPSMA-7.3) in prostate cancer. Under the terms of the agreement this will be a close strategic partnership, with ongoing technology and regulatory support, aiming to support the use of flotufolastat (18F) for men with prostate cancer in China. It marks an important stage in the Blue Earth Diagnostics' strategy to make flotufolastat (18F) available to patients and clinicians globally.

The introduction of flotufolastat (18F) has the potential to fill a significant gap in the Chinese domestic market where there are currently no 18F-labeled PSMA-PET diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals available. This could provide new solutions and options for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in China, where there is a growing need for clinicians and patients to have access to the latest advancements.

In recent years, the incidence of prostate cancer in China has shown a significant upward trend. Although the incidence of prostate cancer is lower than in Western countries, the proportion of patients with advanced stage disease at diagnosis is higher.

The "2022 Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines" recommended by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) suggest that PSMA-PET can be used to assess prostate cancer patients undergoing definitive treatment, including surgery, diagnosis and location of biochemical recurrence after radical surgery or radiotherapy, and evaluation of systemic treatment efficacy and long-term follow-up.

Yanmin Tang, CEO of Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group, said, "Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group is dedicated to the field of new generation radiopharmaceuticals. We are pleased to form this strategic cooperation with Blue Earth Diagnostics and we look forward to making flotufolastat (18F) available to the clinical community in China. In the future, Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group will continue to make clinically valuable and excellent radiopharmaceuticals available to benefit more Chinese patients."

Matt Morrison. Ph.D., Head of Operations and Supply Chain, at Blue Earth Diagnostics said, "Partnering with experienced companies such as Sinotau supports our strategic focus on PET imaging in cancer, with the goal to provide global solutions for the informed treatment of prostate cancer patients, something that we could not accomplish alone. We look forward to working together with our colleagues at Sinotau with the aim to successfully bring flotufolastat (18F) to clinicians and their patients in China."

"We are delighted to have this new agreement in place with Sinotau, to make innovative flotufolastat (18F) PET imaging available to the Chinese community," said David E. Gauden, D.Phil., Chief Executive Officer of Blue Earth Diagnostics. "Flotufolastat (18F) represents a new class of PSMA-targeted PET radiopharmaceuticals that are based on novel radiohybrid technology. It is engineered to advance clinical decision-making by providing useful information to guide treatment planning in men with prostate cancer. We believe that the demonstrated diagnostic performance of flotufolastat (18F), with its high-affinity PSMA binding and low urinary bladder activity, make it a valuable diagnostic tool for markets around the world."

About Flotufolastat (18F)

Flotufolastat (18F) (formerly referred to as 18F-rhPSMA-7.3) is an optimised, targeted radiohybrid diagnostic imaging agent that is approved in the United States, where it is indicated for positron emission tomography (PET) of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positive lesions in men with prostate cancer with suspected metastasis who are candidates for initial definitive therapy or with suspected recurrence based on elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Precision PET imaging with flotufolastat (18F)can help identify the location and extent of prostate cancer, providing clinically valuable information to guide patient management. Flotufolastat (18F) represents a new class of high-affinity PSMA-targeted PET radiopharmaceuticals that are based on novel radiohybrid technology and is labeled with the radioisotope 18F to provide readily available patient access and leverage the high image quality of 18F-labeled PSMA PET imaging to facilitate effective detection of disease. Flotufolastat (18F) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May 2023.

About Radiohybrid Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (rhPSMA)

Radiohybrid Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (rhPSMA) compounds consist of a radiohybrid ("rh") Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-targeted receptor ligand which attaches to and is internalised by prostate cancer cells, and they may be radiolabeled with imaging isotopes for PET imaging, or with therapeutic isotopes for therapeutic use providing the potential for creating a true theranostic technology. Radiohybrid technology and rhPSMA originated from the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Blue Earth Diagnostics acquired exclusive, worldwide rights to rhPSMA diagnostic imaging technology from Scintomics GmbH in 2018, and therapeutic rights in 2020, and sublicensed the therapeutic application to its sister company Blue Earth Therapeutics. Blue Earth Diagnostics received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for its radiohybrid PET diagnostic imaging product for use in prostate cancer in 2023. rhPSMA compounds for potential therapeutic use are investigational and have not received regulatory approval.

About Blue Earth Diagnostics

Blue Earth Diagnostics, an indirect subsidiary of Bracco Imaging S.p.A., is a growing international molecular imaging company focused on delivering innovative, well-differentiated diagnostic solutions that inform patient care. Formed in 2014, the Company's success is driven by its management expertise and supported by a demonstrated track record of rapid development and commercialisation of positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals. Blue Earth Diagnostics' expanding oncology portfolio encompasses a variety of disease states, including prostate cancer and neuro-oncology. Blue Earth Diagnostics is committed to the timely development and commercialisation of precision radiopharmaceuticals for potential use in imaging and therapy. For more information, please visit: www.blueearthdiagnostics.com.

About Bracco Imaging

Bracco Imaging S.p.A., part of the Bracco Group, is a world-leading diagnostic imaging provider. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Bracco Imaging develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic imaging agents and solutions. It offers a product and solution portfolio for all key diagnostic imaging modalities: X-ray imaging (including Computed Tomography-CT, Interventional Radiology, and Cardiac Catheterization), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS), and Nuclear Medicine through radioactive tracers and novel PET imaging agents to inform clinical management and guide care for cancer patients in areas of unmet medical need. Our continually evolving portfolio is completed by a range of medical devices, advanced administration systems and dose-management software. In 2019 Bracco Imaging enriched its product portfolio by expanding the range of oncology nuclear imaging solutions in the urology segment and other specialties with the acquisition of Blue Earth Diagnostics. In 2021, Bracco Imaging established Blue Earth Therapeutics as a separate, cutting-edge biotechnology vehicle to develop radiopharmaceutical therapies. Visit: www.braccoimaging.com.

About Sinotau

Sinotau is an innovative radiopharmaceutical company located in China and developing globally. Since 2014, Sinotau started the research and development of targeted radiopharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Beijing, China, Sinotau has modern radiopharmaceutical intelligent production sites in Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Sichuan, an early discovery center in Shanghai, and a branch in the United States. Sinotau has taken the lead in deploying a portfolio of targeted therapies and precision diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals in the fields of tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. More than 20 novel product pipelines are in different development stages. Sinotau looks into the future following the company's mission "invent radiopharmaceuticals for lives", and through continued investments in R&D to help improve the quality of life of patients and to contribute to China's radiopharmaceutical sector.

PP-UK-0668 October 2023

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017771197/en/

Contacts:

For Blue Earth Diagnostics (UK)

Clare Gidley

Associate Director Marketing and Communications

+44 (0) 7917 536939

clare.gidley@blueearthdx.com

For Blue Earth Diagnostics (U.S.)

Priscilla Harlan

Vice President, Corporate Communications

(781) 799-7917

priscilla.harlan@blueearthdx.com

Media

Sam Brown Inc.

Mike Beyer

(312) 961-2502

mikebeyer@sambrown.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/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks were subdued in lacklustre trade on Tuesday amid concerns that the Israel-Hamas war may spill beyond the Israel-Palestine region. Heavy shelling was reported near civilian shelters in Gaza despite international messages of caution. Rising bond yields also weighed on sentiment, with Germany's 10-year bond yield last trading up 2 basis points (bps) at 2.803 percent, tracking higher U.S. Treasury yields. The benchmark DAX was down 9 points at 1,228 after closing 0.3 percent higher in the previous session. In corporate news, Deutsche Post shares fell 1.3 percent. DHL Supply Chain, a logistic firm and a division of Deutsche Post announced today that it is planning to invest 350 million euros in Southeast Asia over the next five years to expand its warehousing capacity, workforce, and sustainability initiatives. 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.
DJ J P Jenkins Ltd: DAACI Holdings Shares now trading at JP Jenkins

J P Jenkins Ltd J P Jenkins Ltd: DAACI Holdings Shares now trading at JP Jenkins 17-Oct-2023 / 10:44 GMT/BST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. =---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17^th October 2023 JPJ: DAA DAACI Holdings Shares now trading at JP Jenkins 17^th October 2023 - Shares in DAACI Holdings (www.daaci.com) have been admitted to trade on JP Jenkins share dealing platform. DAACI Holdings is based at 2.2.01 The Leather Market, Weston Street, London, England, SE1 3ER and is registered as a company in England and Wales under Companies House, company number 13676895. DAACI's patented generative and adaptive music technologies dynamically compose new music or intelligently adapt existing tracks in real time, empowering music makers to meet the rapidly growing demand for music, including in film and television, gaming, and digital worlds. Built on 30+ years of research, DAACI incorporates a growing portfolio of 60 granted patents in Music Information Retrieval techniques and generative AI. DAACI works in partnership with the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence and Music at Queen Mary University of London. JP Jenkins is liquidity venue for unlisted or unquoted assets in companies, enabling shareholders and prospective investors to buy and sell equity on a matched bargain basis. JP Jenkins is a trading name of InfinitX Limited and Appointed Representative of Prosper Capital LLP (FRN453007). Shareholders wishing to trade these securities can do so through their stockbroker. Trades will be conducted at a level that JP Jenkins is able to match a willing seller and a willing buyer. Trades can be conducted, and limits can be accepted, during normal business hours. Shareholders or potential investors can place limits via their existing UK regulated stockbroker. The indicative pricing for the ordinary shares (ISIN: GB00BRJ5GB72), as well as the transaction history, will be available on the JP Jenkins website at https://jpjenkins.com/company/daaci-holdings-limited/. Veronika Oswald, Commercial Director of J P Jenkins said: "We extend our warmest welcome to our esteemed new client DAACI to our share trading platform. We are looking forward to providing a valuable support to company's shareholders." Rachel Lyske, CEO of DAACI, said: "We are truly excited to be sharing our future opportunity with the J P Jenkins community. We are a leading AI company globally in this field. With over USD27m of cumulative revenue since 2019, and having proved out our first suite of products with more than 65 million monthly active users, we are in a position to deliver on our mission to become a multibillion-dollar leader in music and media AI. To protect this position, we have over 80 patents filed, 60 granted, giving DAACI an unparalleled pedigree and IP portfolio." For further information, please contact: J P Jenkins Ltd. Veronika Oswald +44 (0)20 7469 0937 Commercial Director DAACI Holdings Ken Lythgoe +44 (0)7454 004165 Head of Corporate Development

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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1750839 17-Oct-2023

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 17, 2023 05:44 ET (09:44 GMT)
The collaboration includes conducting the first carbon emissions measurement study for retail media

CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Kroger Precision Marketing, the retail media business of Kroger (KR) powered by 84.51, announces an agreement to become the first retail media network to measure carbon emissions through Scope3. On a mission to decarbonize media and advertising, Scope3 leads the industry in the measurement and reduction of digital supply chain emissions. The plan calls for Scope3 to measure carbon performance associated with offsite media campaigns placed through Kroger Precision Marketing.

"Media companies need to take action," said Cara Pratt, Senior Vice President of Kroger Precision Marketing. "The digital economy is energy-intensive - but we can reduce the impact today by eliminating wasted ad impressions. Scope3 is at the center of industry efforts to measure and verify the carbon output of the digital supply chain. This commitment paves the way for retail media to make publishers and ad tech more energy-efficient through precision audiences."

The announcement comes at a time when advertisers are faced with signal loss and concerns about the efficiency of programmatic media.

"Running tens-of-millions of digital ad impressions only to reach thousands of relevant consumers is not sustainable for business or the environment," said Brenda Tuohig, Chief Commercial Officer of Scope3. "Kroger Precision Marketing uses in-store purchase signals to cut advertising waste, while Scope3 does this by helping advertisers identify and avoid high emissions inventory. Combining the two will improve marketer outcomes while reinforcing that what's good for business is also good for the planet."

The agreement will use Scope3's open-source methodology and emissions model to measure the carbon impact by applying Kroger's audience data to offsite media campaigns. The resulting benchmarks will eventually allow advertisers and agencies to compare the environmental impact of Kroger Precision Marketing relative to other solutions.

"In order for the media industry to effectively reduce energy waste, we must do so through trusted verification," said Susan Schiekofer, Chief Digital Investment Officer, Group M North America. "Partnering with Scope3 and Kroger allows us to provide our advertisers with informed and transparent media buys that lead to greater accountability across advertising."

Earlier this year, Ad Net Zero announced Kroger Precision Marketing as the first retail media network to support its sustainability efforts in the advertising industry.

"We're committed to using our precision data science to make a lasting change," continued Pratt. "We're proud to be associated with organizations leading the industry in education, measurement, and standards which will reduce carbon emissions from advertising operations."

About Kroger Precision Marketing

Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM) is the retail media business of Kroger. Powered by 84.51 data science, and Kroger's popular loyalty card program, KPM connects customers to brands through engaging moments that inspire purchasing online or in-store. KPM has been recognized as a top-rated retail media network. A survey of brand managers conducted by The Path to Purchase Institute (P2PI) ranked Kroger Precision Marketing as the #1 retail media network for audience, measurement, and traffic-driving capabilities. Survey results appeared in the P2PI 2023 annual trends report. Learn more at KrogerPrecisionMarketing.com.

Media Contacts:

Jamie Scalici / John O'Hara

Mower

212-980-9194 / 315-413-4212

jscalici@mower.com / johara@mower.com

SOURCE: Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM) powered by 84.51

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793317/kroger-precision-marketing-announces-agreement-with-scope3
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 were seeing modest gains on Tuesday after falling more than 1 percent in the previous session following reports that the U.S. may ease sanctions on Venezuela. Benchmark Brent crude futures rose half a percent to $90.08 a barrel, while WTI crude futures were up 0.3 percent at $85.55. Oil prices received some support amid concerns that the Israel-Hamas war may spill beyond the Israel-Palestine region. Heavy shelling was reported near civilian shelters in Gaza despite international messages of caution. U.S. President Joe Biden plans to visit Israel on Wednesday to show solidarity and try to influence the conduct of its war against Hamas. The European Central Bank is eyeing energy prices and fallout from the Israel-Hamas conflict, ECB President Christine Lagarde reportedly told euro-area finance ministers. Amid concerns about slowing global growth, traders also await a slew of Chinese data, including reports on GDP, retail sales and industrial production on Wednesday for direction. Meanwhile, in a significant announcement, Libya said it would ramp up its oil production to two million barrels per day before the close of the decade. 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.
"Leselounge mit Libby" digital book club fuels library love for Libby app

FRANKFURT, Germany, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- German library users have fallen in love with the Libby library reading app. The highly rated, all-in-one library reading app for ebooks, audiobooks and magazines is used by over 400 German public libraries and was created by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for libraries worldwide. Through 30 September, libraries have loaned three million digital titles in 2023, which represents an increase of 46 percent year-over-year. Publishers are benefiting from the increased visibility of their books and direct spend from libraries, which has increased 25 percent over the same period.

One factor contributing to the library success is Leselounge mit Libby, a countrywide digital book club that emphasizes not just reading, but community and shared experiences. In March 2023, nearly 4,000 library patrons read the selected Leselounge mit Libby title through Libby, which boasts a 4.8 average rating in the Apple App Store and was named both Apple and Google Play Editor's Choice.

The next Leselounge mit Libby title selection is suspense thriller Zum Bosen verurteilt, published by SAGA Egmont. The ebook and audiobook will be available for free to public libraries and patrons using Libby from 30 October-November 13 with an integrated marketing campaign to elevate visibility of the title and drive patron engagement.

"With hundreds of thousands of titles released each year, it can be difficult for readers to find the books that we want them to read," said Signe Olesen, Editor in Chief, Saga DE. "The Leselounge was a terrific catalyst for conversation around our book. The program was a critical element in our publicity strategy."

OverDrive has invested in its European and German service teams, and VP of Global Libraries and Education Claudia Weissman is a native German and library advocate. "I grew up in Hamburg and spent many days with my mother and sister in the Hamburg Public Library fifteen minutes from the house my mother still lives in," said Weissman. "Today, I am proud to be part of a company with world-class technology that enables easy access to German and world language materials from their local public library."

Weissman's story is a familiar one that you'll hear in the halls of OverDrive's world headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. In addition to the German market, OverDrive's advocacy for equitable access to books drives their winning strategy around the world. As the leader in digital content distribution for institutional channels, OverDrive's catalog has more than five million ebooks and audiobooks in 100 languages, including 500,000 German-language ebooks and 63,000 German audiobooks.

For those brief moments when reading a book isn't possible, there's still a reason to love Libby. Many libraries also offer digital magazines and newspapers. The new Newsstand feature showcases glossies and niche chronicles in one easy to find section. With one tap, users can subscribe to a variety of periodicals which are then moved to their reading shelf within the app.

At the Frankfurt Book Fair from 18-21 October, OverDrive is meeting with publishers representing all genres and languages from across the globe. For over 20 years, OverDrive has been the source of significant growth for publishers for ebooks, audiobooks, digital comics, magazines, graphic novels and other media.

To schedule a meeting and learn more about OverDrive, email 2023FBF@overdrive.com or stop by Frankfurt Buchmesse Hall stand 5.1 D53.

Libraries interested in learning more about OverDrive can contact Tanja Fischer at tfischer@overdrive.com.

About OverDrive

OverDrive is a mission-based company that stands with libraries. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves more than 91,000 libraries and schools in 113 countries - including more than 400 in German - with the industry's largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, video and other content. OverDrive empowers libraries and schools by expanding access for all through tireless industry advocacy and consistent innovation. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading app, Kanopy, the leading video streaming app for libraries and colleges, and TeachingBooks.net, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com

Media contact:

David Burleigh

OverDrive Director of Brand & Communications

dburleigh@overdrive.com

Kathrin Klass

First Klass Communication

+49 176 64848 565

kklass@overdrive.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/german-libraries-achieve-three-million-digital-book-checkouts-with-overdrive-301957700.html
KUWAIT CITY, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk Gulf Cluster, an affiliate of the global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care, has been recently recognized as one of the best places to work in 2023. The certification covered Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain and it substantiates Novo Nordisk commitment to fostering a culture that provides a first-class employee experience while delivering on the company mission to help employees outperform.

Best Places to Work is an international HR certification program providing employers in different countries the opportunity to learn more about the engagement and satisfaction of their employees and honor those who deliver an outstanding work experience with the highest standards in regards to working conditions.

In a statement from Venkat Kalyan, Vice President and General Manager of Novo Nordisk Gulf Cluster, he said "This certificate showcased our dedication to creating a workplace that values and supports our talented team members. This achievement reflects the extraordinary commitment we have demonstrated in cultivating a positive workplace culture and nurturing a supportive community. It also embeds our diversity and inclusion mindset. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and collaborative efforts demonstrated by each member of Novo Nordisk."

Selim Ortega Kiziler, People and Organization Director commented "Employee engagement is our key priority, which is well aligned with our NNWay Essentials, We will keep Development and Wellbeing as essential core of our employee experience in Gulf Cluster"

The certification highlights successful companies across the gulf countries that are going above and beyond to keep their workforce engaged even in challenging periods.

For more information, please visit www.bestplacestoworkfor.org

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/novo-nordisk-honored-as-one-of-the-best-companies-to-work-in-kuwait-qatar-bahrain-and-oman-for-2023-301958754.html
Unique retrofit battery storage solution offers easier integration and installation

BIRMINGHAM, England, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EcoFlow, a leading provider of eco-friendly energy solutions, is set to unveil its new one-of-a-kind PowerOcean DC Fit. This innovative and cost-effective retrofit battery storage solution seamlessly integrates battery storage into existing residential solar systems. Showing at Solar & Storage Live 2023 - the UK's largest renewable energy exhibition - marks EcoFlow's debut in the UK home solar energy industry.

Previously showcased at InterSolar in Germany, the PowerOcean DC Fit obtained recognition and praise immediately from industry experts and professionals. Its PV-coupling technology, unique product positioning, and innovative features allowed it to stand out.

Easy integration. No need for additional storage inverters.

Unlike conventional DC-coupled or AC-coupled battery systems, PowerOcean DC Fit uses EcoFlow's PV-coupling technology to directly connect with existing home solar energy systems on the PV side - meaning users don't need to install additional storage inverters. In addition, because of the self-adaptive algorithm, the PowerOcean DC Fit is widely compatible with most solar inverters, so that users don't have to replace the existing ones.

Easy Expansion. Storage to suit everyone.

Beginning at 5kWh per battery pack, the PowerOcean DC Fit is expandable up to 15kWh when needed. Each battery pack has 800V high voltage to independently start single-phase or three-phase inverters, making home energy autonomy more achievable and affordable.

Easy installation. No change to the AC wiring.

Using EcoFlow's unique PV-coupling technology, the PowerOcean DC Fit connects its batteries directly with solar panels. Users can leave the AC wiring as it is and don't have to apply for an on-grid permit.

The PowerOcean DC Fit features a minimalist stack-up design with click-on battery terminals. These reduce the need for extra wiring work and guarantee ease of installation and use.

Making safety and reliability our priority

Besides the incomparably easy installation and system integration, the PowerOcean DC Fit offers an industry-leading 15-year battery warranty. This is thanks to its trusted LFP battery chemistry and a comprehensive range of active and passive safety measures, including fire-prevention and auto-heating modules.

Each battery pack is connected parallelly and equipped with the EcoFlow BMS (Battery Management System) to prevent one battery's issues from affecting other packs.

There for local customers and partners

EcoFlow is dedicated to providing professional after-sales support for both business partners and consumers. A 1v1 customer hotline and live chat will be available from 8 am to 8 pm, 5 days a week - better than the industry standard - along with prompt 24-hour email responses.

A dedicated service support team will be available to help clients and customers with queries, as well as a committed local repair and logistics centre. Alongside this, EcoFlow provides abundant training resources and partner trial programmes.

Initially inspired by users, EcoFlow began to expand its footprint into the industry of home solar battery solutions in 2023. The strategic move is in line with EcoFlow's mission and vision, which is to provide eco-friendly energy solutions for individuals and families and to build a future where everyone can care for their families and prepare for increasingly common climate disasters, aging power grids, and rising energy bills by way of reliable, safe, sustainable and smart energy solutions.

Craig Bilboe, Head of UK Business Development, Residential Storage at EcoFlow, commented, "At EcoFlow, we envision a future where everyone, irrespective of their living conditions or needs, can access reliable power solutions. The PowerOcean DC Fit is a firm stride towards it and a landmark in our mission to revolutionise home energy."

The PowerOcean DC Fit will be available early next year in the UK. Users can enquire and purchase through local installers.

Specs

Input (PV) Maximum PV input charging power 5kW (2.5kW*2) Maximum PV input bypass power per

string 15kW Maximum input voltage 1000V d.c. Operating voltage range 150V~800V d.c. Start voltage 150V Maximum PV current per string 20A Maximum operating current per string 12A Number of PV strings 2 Output Supported solar inverter type Single phase /

Three phase Output voltage range 150V~800V d.c. Maximum discharging output power to inverter 5kW (2.5kW*2) Maximum output current 20A Output current per string 12A Other specifications Operating temperature range -20?~50? Operating humidity 0~100% RH Maximum operating altitude 3000m Protection level IP65 Communication method RS485, Wi-Fi,

WAN, Bluetooth Noise level =35dB

About EcoFlow

EcoFlow is a leading eco-friendly energy solutions company with the vision to power a new world. Since its founding in 2017, EcoFlow aims to become a reliable and trusted energy companion for individuals and families across the world, providing accessible and renewable power solutions at home, outdoors, and in mobile spaces. Today, with operational headquarters located in the USA, Germany, and Japan, EcoFlow has empowered more than 2.5 million users in over 100 markets worldwide.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ecoflow-unveils-powerocean-dc-fit-at-solar-and-storage-live-2023-301953838.html
Expanded data capabilities empower connectivity service planning and customer prospecting in broader areas in Europe

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Connectbase , The Industry Cloud for Connectivity, has expanded planning and prospecting capabilities for network operators looking to grow in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Building out this data capability in The Connected World platform extends even more value to users with detailed tenancy data correlated to in-depth location information.

Detailed tenant data in the platform enables network operators to identify, prioritize and manage new opportunities and prospects in the UK and Ireland with:

Insights into buildings along network routes

Detailed information on tenants in those buildings, such as company name, employee numbers, connection status, and competitive score

Ability to query by company name or enterprise type within a region

Data layer views including shareable routes, towers, and data centres

"We are excited to bring this additional data-driven capability to our users who want to expand in the UK and Ireland. The insights available through this enhancement will help our users be more competitive and efficient," said Edison Smith, VP of Sales - Global at Connectbase. "This is a very competitive market with a lot of regional players, so this data will give users of The Connected World a leg up in their prospecting."

Examples of specific use cases for this enhanced capability include being able to help direct sales teams to identify new targets that are well-served by their network footprint, or determine where a customer's business location intersects with a service provider's network connectivity offering or identifying where network operators can prioritize and build new infrastructure based on business and tenant density. Overall, this reduces the need to consult multiple data sources and searches to identify and qualify business opportunities and can improve win rates for sales teams.

This data enhancement is available to both Buyer and Seller Cloud subscribers of The Connected World platform, to learn more visit connectbase.com/prospectingupdate .

About Connectbase

Connectbase is The Industry Cloud for Connectivity. Connectbase is a partner to the industry, enabling next generation buying and selling of connectivity, including automated quoting, and providing deep, trusted insights. Connectbase's industry-leading platform, The Connected World, serves almost 300 providers globally, managing 2.6 billion locations across more than 150 countries. Visit Connectbase at connectbase.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1738716/Connectbase_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/connectbase-expands-planning-and-prospecting-capabilities-for-the-united-kingdom-and-ireland-301958766.html
Wallbox (NYSE: WBX), a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management solutions worldwide, today announced that it will release its financial results for the third quarter of 2023 before market opens on Thursday, November 9, 2023. The company will host a webcast at 8:00 AM ET (2:00 PM CET), to discuss these results and provide a business update. The prepared remarks by Enric Asuncion, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Jordi Lainz, Chief Financial Officer, will be followed by a question and answer session.

Please visit this link, which is also accessible on the 'Events Presentations' section of the company's investor relations website, investors.wallbox.com, to register for and join the webcast. A replay of the webcast following the event and the accompanying presentation materials will be accessible through the same link and available for future download.

About Wallbox

Wallbox is a global technology company, dedicated to changing the way the world uses energy. Wallbox creates advanced electric vehicle charging and energy management systems that redefine the relationship between users and the network. Wallbox goes beyond charging electric vehicles to give users the power to control their consumption, save money and live more sustainably. Wallbox offers a complete portfolio of charging and energy management solutions for residential, semi-public, and public use in more than 100 countries around the world. Founded in 2015 in Barcelona, where the company's headquarters are located, Wallbox currently has offices across Europe, Asia, and America. For more information, visit www.wallbox.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017440985/en/

Contacts:

Wallbox Investor Contact:

Matt Tractenberg

VP, Investor Relations

Matt.Tractenberg@wallbox.com

+1 404-574-1504

Wallbox Public Relations Contact:

Elyce Behrsin

Public Relations

Press@wallbox.com

+34 673 310 905
MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (TSX-V:CRE)(OTCQX:CRECF)(FSE:F12) ("Critical Elements" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce the first grab sample results from the newly discovered spodumene-bearing pegmatite located approximately 8 km west of the Rose deposit (Figure 1).

The Rose Lithium-Tantalum project ("Rose or the "Project") is situated within the Rose and Rose South property blocks (Figure 1), which constitute 395 km2, or only 38% of the 1,050 km2 in the Corporation's highly prospective exploration portfolio in Quebec.

Summer 2023 Initial Prospecting Results

During the summer of 2023, Critical Elements conducted a prospecting program over several areas, including the Rose, Rose South, Rose North and Nemaska belt properties. The objective of the field program was to identify new pegmatite bodies using systematic rock geochemical sampling of all pegmatite bodies in order to refine the geological interpretation of the properties and prioritize for further exploration work including drilling. A total of 866 rock samples were collected during the exploration campaign.

As reported on September 12th, 2023 (press release), several new outcrop discoveries have been identified in the Rose pegmatite swarm. To date, 4 spodumene-bearing pegmatite outcrops have been identified in this New Discovery Area. At this early stage, the exact strike length, width and orientations of these dykes is unknown, but the apparent strike length along the outcrops exceeds 400 metres. To date, the results from the initial 10 selected samples have been received. All samples are lithium-bearing and 50% of them report values over 3% Li2O with some results as high as 3.02% Li2O, 3.62% Li2O, 3.60% Li2O, 3.37% Li2O, and 5.62% Li2O. (Table 1 and Figure 2). The reader is cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature and may not represent average grades of the mineralization in the pegmatites.

Table 1: New Discovery - Selected sample results

Property Sample UTM NAD 83 ZN18 Li2O T a2O5 number Easting Northing (%) (ppm) Rose E074801 411047 5764032 3.60 67 Rose E074802 411028 5763991 2.79 191 Rose E074803 410986 5763951 3.02 207 Rose E074804 411062 5763922 2.78 116 Rose E074805 411060 5763908 1.74 285 Rose E074806 411162 5763736 5.62 53 Rose E074807 411162 5763736 2.41 217 Rose E074808 411118 5763624 3.37 92 Rose E074809 411118 5763624 3.62 158 Rose E074811 411118 5763624 0.46 57

Note: Grab samples are selective by nature and may not to represent average grades of the pegmatite

Jean-Sebastien Lavallee, CEO of Critical Elements Lithium commented, "Today's results are very exciting as the exploration team is now planning a large-scale drilling program at Rose. Furthermore, with more than 395 km2 of property at Rose and Rose South, we believe that there might be potentially multiple discoveries in this highly prospective area within trucking distance to the proposed Rose concentrator."

Figure 1: Rose Lithium-Tantalum and Rose South Projects - New Discovery Location Map

Figure 2: Rose Lithium-Tantalum and Rose South Projects - New Discovery Samples Location Map

Note: Grab samples are selective by nature and may not to represent average grades of the pegmatite

Management is currently designing a large-scale drill program with multiple rigs to test the new discoveries and potentially expand the Rose project resource. Details of this extensive program will be forthcoming in the near-term.

Quality assurance/quality control

Quality assurance and quality control procedures have been implemented to ensure best practices in sampling and analysis of the samples. Standards and blanks were regularly inserted into the sample stream. The samples were delivered, in secure tagged bags, directly to the ALS Minerals laboratory facility in Val-d'Or, Quebec. The samples are weighed and identified prior to sample preparation. The samples are crushed to 70% minus 2 mm, then separated and pulverized to 85% passing 75 m. All samples are analyzed using sodium peroxide fusion ME-MS-89L, with full analysis for 52 elements. Value over 25,000 ppm Li were re-assays using Li-ICP-82b and value over 2,500 ppm Ta2O5 were re-assays using Ta-XRF10.

Qualified persons

Paul Bonneville, Eng, is the qualified persons that have reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Corporation.

About Critical Elements Lithium Corporation

Critical Elements aspires to become a large, responsible supplier of lithium to the flourishing electric vehicle and energy storage system industries. To this end, Critical Elements is advancing the wholly-owned, high-purity Rose Lithium-Tantalum project in Quebec, the Corporation's first lithium project to be advanced within a land portfolio of over 1,050 km2. On August 29, 2023, the Corporation announced results of a new Feasibility Study on Rose for the production of spodumene concentrate. The after-tax internal rate of return for the Project is estimated at 65.7%, with an estimated after-tax net present value of US$2.2B at an 8% discount rate. In the Corporation's view, Quebec is strategically well-positioned for US and EU markets and boasts good infrastructure including a low-cost, low-carbon power grid featuring 94% hydroelectricity. The project has received approval from the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the recommendation of the Joint Assessment Committee, comprised of representatives from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Cree Nation Government, received the Certificate of Authorization pursuant to section 164 of Quebec's Environment Quality Act from the Quebec Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, and the project mining lease from the Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and Forests under the Quebec Mining Act.

For further information, please contact:

Patrick Laperriere

Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Development

514-817-1119

plaperriere@cecorp.ca

www.cecorp.ca

Jean-Sebastien Lavallee, P. Geo.

Chief Executive Officer

819-354-5146

jslavallee@cecorp.ca

www.cecorp.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is described in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary statement concerning forward-looking statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian Securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "scheduled", "anticipates", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "scheduled", "targeted", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information contained herein include, without limitation, statements relating to the results and completion of the 2023 exploration program (including the potential of the Corporation's Nemaska trend properties) and its related objectives. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. 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 information.

Although Critical Elements 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. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: final and complete results of the Corporation's 2023 exploration program and effects on the Corporation's stated objectives, as well as those risk factors set out in the Corporation's Management Discussion and Analysis for its most recent quarter ended May 31, 2023 and other disclosure documents available under the Corporation's SEDAR profile. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and Critical Elements disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Critical Elements Lithium Corporation

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Board, the leading global provider of intelligent planning solutions which help organizations plan smarter, enabling actionable insights and better outcomes, today announced that its customer Granarolo has won the 16th annual Ventana Research Digital Leadership Award for the Operations and Supply Chain category using Board's Intelligent Planning Platform.

The Ventana Research Digital Leadership Awards recognize individuals and companies that use technology to help lead their businesses and improve their people, processes, information, and technology.

Granarolo, Italy's leading milk and dairy group, wanted to build a new international controlling model to support its worldwide growth, marked by a wide and diversified portfolio of products. The company chose the Board Intelligent Planning Platform to unify strategic, financial, tactical, and operational planning controlling processes with analytics in a single environment. Using Board, Granarolo has shortened the financial closing cycle from 20 days to five and optimized the logistics routes of its products, resulting in a more effective supply chain. Sales planning and forecasting have also been seamlessly integrated with a three-year strategic plan to ensure a forward-looking business approach, leveraging the scenario management capabilities of the platform.

"We are delighted to receive this great recognition that demonstrates the successful collaboration between Granarolo and Board's team. With the Board Intelligent Planning Platform, we now have a complex integrated planning application that extends over different levels of the Group, covering multiple areas from sales planning to logistics, accounting, purchasing, and reporting," said Mario Cavallo, Group Accounting Financial Reporting Director at Granarolo.

"Congratulations to Mario Cavallo at Granarolo and Board for receiving the 16th annual Ventana Research Digital Leadership Award for the Operations and Supply Chain category, and for the leadership in advancing the use of technology for impactful outcomes," said Mark Smith, CEO and Chief Research Officer at Ventana Research.

"We are delighted to support Granarolo in unifying strategic, financial and operational planning with our proven Intelligent Planning Platform," commented Marco Limena, CEO at Board International. "Our entire team would like to congratulate everyone at Granarolo and thank them for their partnership and trust in Board."

About Board

Board's Intelligent Planning Platform delivers solutions that help over 2,000 organizations worldwide plan smarter-enabling actionable insights and better outcomes. Board helps leading enterprises discover crucial insights which drive business decisions and unify strategy, finance and operations through more integrated and intelligent planning to achieve full control of performance. Partnering with Board, global enterprises such as H&M, BASF, Burberry, Toyota, Coca-Cola, KPMG, and HSBC have digitally transformed their planning processes.

Founded in 1994, and now with 25 offices worldwide, Board International is recognized by leading analysts including BARC, Gartner, and IDC.

www.board.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017391996/en/

Contacts:

Victoire Depoix, VP of Global Communications, vdepoix@board.com
Digital Ad Expert's programme to align with UNESCO's Global Skills Academy to empower economies to unlock economic growth, beginning in Grenada

MIAMI, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Ad Expert, Aleph Group, Inc's social initiative to create economic opportunities through digital advertising education, is delighted to join UNESCO's Global Education Coalition.

Formed in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Education Coalition was established by UNESCO - the United Nations agency dedicated to bringing people together through education and science - to bring together multi-sector partners to mobilise local, national, regional and global responses to ensure the continuity of learning. In 2023 and beyond, the Coalition has moved from pandemic response to focus on the transformation agenda, and aims to help realise the power of digital transformation, close the global educational gap, and support actions and investments for pilot projects that can be brought to scale at a national level in a sustainable way.

Joining more than 200+ partners, Aleph's Digital Ad Expert initiative - a skills-based education platform that provides students with the fundamentals they need to manage digital advertising channels and campaigns - will specifically support UNESCO's Global Skills Academy , an initiative that aims to help ten million young people build skills for employability and resilience by 2029.

Commenting on the partnership, Gaston Taratuta, CEO & Founder at Aleph Group, Inc, said: "As CEO & Founder of Aleph, I am incredibly proud to join this initiative to align with UNESCO's ambitious plans to upskill ten million people by 2029. At Aleph, we believe that the provision of digital literacy is a fast track to helping local communities and economies unlock huge economic opportunities. Combining the experience of UNESCO - one of the world's leading global authorities on digital literacy - with Aleph's industry leading expertise in digital advertising, the agreement will ensure people can confidently navigate the digital landscape, access greater employment opportunities, and help shape sustainable growth for generations to come. The learnings from this initiative will also aid the continued evolution of Digital Ad Expert, which we believe has the potential to become the world's leading skills-based digital advertising education platform."

Borhene Chakroun, Director of Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems Division at UNESCO, added: We have witnessed the positive impact of the Digital Ad Certificate program in Grenada. This is a remarkable demand-driven example of UNESCO Global Skills Academy action in the Caribbean and we are excited to expand our efforts beyond. We look forward to creating similar opportunities in other countries, unlocking the potential of digital skills for economic growth and sustainable development.

To kick start its partnership, Aleph launched Digital Ad Expert's Digital Ad Certificate programme with a specific cohort in Grenada. During the programme, which comprises several uniquely designed modules, students met virtually for four hours per week and had access to a wealth of online resources. Approximately 200 students from Grenada took the Digital Ad Certificate programme for three months.

In addition to education for students, Digital Ad Expert launched Train the Trainers - a bespoke one-month intensive training course - to upskill more than 50 digital advertising trainers in Grenada. Combined with Digital Ad Certificate, this will provide a strong platform that initially upskills students in the country and equips trainers with the skills and resources they need to maintain digital literacy over the long term.

The programmes offered by Digital Ad Expert and UNESCO in Grenada will provide an important opportunity to improve accessibility to digital education and, in turn, drive economic growth. As part of Grenada's National Sustainable Development Plan 2020-2035 (NSDP), the national government is aiming to create a vibrant, dynamic, and competitive economy, which will-in part-be achieved through expanding training and building national capacity in digital literacy.

Over the coming months, Digital Ad Expert and UNESCO will use the learnings from activity in Grenada to evolve the pair's cooperative agreement, which is targeting the launch of similar schemes in other countries.

"We are hugely excited to kick start our work with UNESCO in Grenada, a country with bold national development plans that will be unlocked through digital skills," saidFrancisco Anello, SVP - Education at Aleph Group. "We look forward to introducing students to our free Digital Ad Expert programme in the months ahead and look forward to playing our part in helping Grenada's young people learn digital skills and access new economic opportunities."

To find out more, visit www.digitaladexpert.com or watch the launch video: https://bit.ly/aleph_unesco

Media contacts

Digital Ad Expert via Hudson Sandler LLP

Andrew Leach / Andy Richards / Adam Joste-Smith

aleph@hudsonsandler.com

(+44) 20 7796 4133

About Digital Ad Expert

Digital Ad Expert is a social initiative to create economic opportunities through digital advertising education.

Totally-free, fully online, and designed by global digital advertising experts in the field, Digital Ad Expert is part of Aleph Group, Inc, which connects local and global advertisers with billions of consumers worldwide through digital media. It is a core part of the Group's mission to make digital advertising accessible to all.

Digital Ad Expert's programme, Digital Ad Certificate, provides students with the fundamentals they need to understand and manage digital advertising channels and campaigns. It is available in two formats: live and self-paced. Students who choose the live format will meet virtually with other students around the world while self-paced students can access resources 24/7, on demand.

At the end of the programme, students receive their Digital Ad Certificate and can join Digital Ad Expert's alumni network. Here, they can expand their own professional network, learn from peers, access exclusive Masterclass content and connect with employers seeking talent.

Digital Ad Expert was launched by Aleph in 2015. Since Aleph has exclusive representation for the largest global platforms (Snap, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Meta, Spotify, and 40+ others) the content that powers Digital Ad Expert is updated based on new industry trends, as soon as partners launch new products or features for advertisers.

At a local level, Digital Ad Expert provides communities with access to skills that unlock the rapidly increasing economic opportunities available through digital advertising. Meanwhile, at a global level, it is primarily fuelling long-term, digitally driven growth for emerging economies.

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Highlights:

The Company has completed 5 weeks of fieldwork, expanding the lithium-cesium-tantalum ("LCT") pegmatite trend on the property to a potential strike length of >25 km open at both ends. Phase 3 will consist of two (2) teams deployed onsite for up to six (6) weeks to maximize the mapping, sampling and prospecting that can be completed prior to initiating drilling.

Assays from 618 samples have delineated 10 high-priority drill targets with potassium/rubidium ratios (K/Rb) below 30. K/Rb is a key tool in identifying potentially spodumene-bearing dykes; to-date; 10 pegmatites have been identified with K/Rb ratios <30 with a low of 7.5. Values below 30 are indicative of rare-earth pegmatites, 20 of spodumene-subtype pegmatites[i], and those below 10 are often associated with economic spodumene pegmatites.

The Company intends on drilling each of the 10 target pegmatites as part of its maiden drill program.

Highlight results include up to 0.5% Li2O (2,310 ppm), 1,833 ppm cesium, 120,000 ppm tantalum and 3,540 ppm rubidium.

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Usha Resources Ltd. ("USHA" or the "Company") (TSXV: USHA) (OTCQB: USHAF) (FSE: JO0), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, is pleased to provide this update on its on-going field program at the White Willow Lithium Pegmatite Project ("White Willow" or the "Project") located 170 km west of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The Company has completed 5 weeks of fieldwork this season, with data compilation complete for 618 samples that have delineated 10 high-priority drill targets for its planned maiden drill program.

The focus of the third phase of fieldwork will be to complete a detailed follow-up of the targets at Bingo and Maple Leaf and to further prospect and assess the ground between these two lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite swarms. Two (2) teams will be deployed onsite for up to six (6) weeks, one at each swarm, to maximize the mapping, sampling and prospecting that can be completed prior to initiating drilling.

"We are thrilled with the findings from the initial programs at White Willow and are very excited to continue to build on our success," said Deepak Varshney, CEO of Usha Resources. "As seen at Patriot Battery Metals' Corvette Project, which has over 20 kilometres of trend, lithium pegmatite swarms occur in clusters, each of which has the potential to become a deposit. We now have 10 primary target areas across our 25 kilometre plus trend that include two highly evolved LCT pegmatite swarms at Bingo and Maple Leaf. With significant ground remaining between Bingo and Maple Leaf for further exploration and follow-up, we intend on maximizing the remaining time in the field season before commencing preparations for maiden winter drill program. The findings thus far strongly validate our belief that Willow is a flagship asset where Ontario's next major lithium discovery will occur."

The Company is presently compiling the remainder of the assays collected from the earlier fieldwork and will release them upon completion.

A key mineralogical finding to-date is the identification of holmquistite within the host rock at Bingo. Holmquistite is a mineral alteration that typically occurs on the margins of lithium-rich pegmatites and suggests that the dykes at Bingo have a strong potential to be spodumene-bearing.

Figure 1 - Top, aerial view of the Bingo Dyke where a potentially single large dyke over ~1.2 km in length is present if connected under cover. Bottom left, tantalite crystal with a spessartine garnet inclusion. Bottom right, holmquistite alteration within the country rock. The tantalite, spessartine garnet, and holmquistite indicate that the system is highly evolved and potentially spodumene-bearing.

Assay highlights to-date include:

Lithium oxide (Li2O) values up to 0.5%, with 76 samples containing very anomalous (>300 ppm) concentrations of lithium, including 14 above >1,000 ppm with a sample of the host rock which assayed 1,300 ppm indicating significant lithium-rich fluids are present within the system.

Cesium (Cs) values up to 1,730 ppm, with 71 samples containing very anomalous (>100 ppm) concentrations including 10 which are >500 ppm, indicating the samples are being collected from the outer zone of a fertile LCT system, which is where spodumene, if present, will be identified.

Tantalum (ta) values up to 120,000 ppm Ta, with 82 samples containing very anomalous (>30 ppm) concentrations including 35 which are >60 ppm, indicative of the presence of a spodumene-bearing pegmatite.

Of note, a high-grade showing of 14.64% Ta2O5 is present at the Maple Leaf Dyke; coarse-grained tantalite is only known to be found at one other locality in Ontario which is the North Aubrey pegmatite at Green Technology Metals (GT1) Seymour Lake Project where GT1 has identified a 9.9 Mt resource at 1.04% Li2O.

Rubidium values of up to 3,540 ppm, with 94 samples containing very anomalous (>1,000 ppm) concentrations including 24 >2,000 ppm.

Geochemical assessment also indicates the strong potential for spodumene-bearing dykes to be present at the property. Per Selway et al., potassium/rubidium ratios (K/Rb), are a key tool in identifying these types of dykes; K/Rb ratios of <30 are indicative of rare-earth pegmatites and <20 of spodumene-subtype pegmatites. To-date, 10 pegmatites have been identified with K/Rb ratios <30 with a low of 7.5. Values below 10 are often associated with economic spodumene pegmatites.

Figure 2 - Bubble plot of K/Rb ratios for the White Willow project. The Maple Leaf and Bingo Pegmatite Dike Swarms contain highly evolved LCT-pegmatites with excellent geochemical (low K/Rb and Nb/Ta ratios) and mineralogical (spessartine garnets, blue-green apatite, lithium amphiboles) indicators to be potentially spodumene bearing.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

All collected rock samples were put in sturdy plastic bags, tagged, and sealed at site. Sample bags were then put in rice bags and kept securely before being sent by road transport or delivered by the crew supervisor to either AGAT Laboratories Ltd. or Activation Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario. All samples are analyzed with Four-Acid Digestion/Combined ICP-AES/MS package (49 elements). The QA/QC protocol included the insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials, in this case high concentration and low concentration certified OREAS and CDN lithium standards to validate the accuracy and precision of the assay results.

Qualified person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Andrew Tims, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Usha Resources Ltd.

Usha Resources Ltd. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality lithium metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Based in Vancouver, BC, Usha's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes Jackpot Lake, a lithium brine project in Nevada and White Willow, a lithium pegmatite project in Ontario that is the flagship among its growing portfolio of hard-rock lithium assets. Usha trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol USHA, the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol USHAF and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol JO0.

USHA RESOURCES LTD.

For more information, please call email info@usharesources.com or visit www.usharesources.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements:

This news release may include "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry.

The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

[i] Selway, J. et al. 2005. A Review of Rare-Element (Li-Cs-Ta) Pegmatite Exploration Techniques for the Superior Province, Canada, and Large Worldwide Tantalum Deposits. Exploration and Mining Geology, Vol. 14, Nos. 1-4, pp. 1-30.

USHA RESOURCES LTD.

For more information, please email info@usharesources.com or visit www.usharesources.com or call Phone: (778) 889-1780

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Functional demonstration of Antion's uniquely capable technology to develop allogeneic anti-CD19 CAR T-cells with "tuned" silencing of HLA-I

Latest advancements in the application of Antion's miCAR platform to multiplex engineer allogeneic and hypoimmunogenic CAR T-cells with enhanced cellular potency by means of 6-target gene silencing

GENEVA, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Antion Biosciences SA (Antion), an innovative developer of cell and gene therapy technologies, is delighted to announce the presentation of two posters at the upcoming ESGCT Annual Meeting on 24-27 October 2023, in Brussels, Belgium. The data will showcase latest advancements in Antion's quest to develop safer and more effective off-the-shelf cell and gene therapies by applying its uniquely tunable, multiplex engineering platform.

"We are incredibly enthusiastic about presenting some of the most exciting data we have generated to date - not only are we able to multiplex engineer CAR T-cells beyond the capabilities of gene editing technologies, but we are also starting to show concrete functional data and rationale for tunable silencing of HLA-I," said Marco Alessandrini, PhD, CEO. "Antion is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in cellular therapy by employing our exceptionally versatile suite of technologies. We welcome all attendees to join us during the poster sessions to learn more about our advancements and to explore the potential applications of our technology across the field of cell and gene therapy."

Antion Abstracts:

MULTIPLEX CELL ENGINEERING OF ALLOGENEIC ANTI-CD19 CAR T-CELLS WITH TUNED SILENCING OF HLA CLASS I LIMITS REJECTION BY BOTH CD8 T-CELLS AND NK CELLS

Presenter: Marco Alessandrini, PhD.

Poster ID: P460

Poster Sessions:

Wednesday, October 25, from 18:15 to 19:30

Thursday, October 26, from 19:30 to 20:30

MULTIPLEX SILENCING OF SIX MOLECULES ENDOWS ALLOGENEIC ANTI-CD19 CAR T-CELLS WITH PROPERTIES OF ENHANCED CELLULAR POTENCY AND LIMITED REJECTION

Presenter: Audrey Roussel-Gervais, PhD.

Poster ID: P468

Poster Sessions:

Wednesday, October 25, from 18:15 to 19:30

Thursday, October 26, from 19:30 to 20:30

About Antion Biosciences

Antion Biosciences SA is a Swiss-based biotechnology company developing universal cell and gene therapy products for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Antion's proprietary gene silencing and co-expression gene constructs allow for a modular and tunable approach to multiplex engineering of therapeutic cells. By developing off-the-shelf therapies with enhanced potency, our vision is to make cell and gene therapies universal and broaden access to these life-changing therapies for all patients. For more information, please visit https://www.antionbio.com.

Antion's Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

Please note: This announcement can contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations and projections about future events. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, market conditions, industry trends, and operational risks.

Antion Biosciences Contact

media@antionbio.com

Antion Biosciences SA

Chemin des Aulx 12, CTN12

1228 Plan-les-Ouates

Geneva

Switzerland
New highly automated facility to increase efficiency and support growth



GREENWICH, Conn., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO), the world's largest pure-play contract logistics provider, announced today an agreement with Eddie Bauer, a SPARC group company, to optimize warehouse operations for the iconic American outdoor brand, including building a fully automated 385,000-square-foot warehouse. The Company will manage Eddie Bauer's retail, ecommerce and reverse logistics, transitioning to the new automated distribution center upon its completion in the first half of 2024.

"We are delighted to put our industry-leading technology and expertise to work for the iconic brand Eddie Bauer," said Eduardo Pelleissone, President, Americas and Asia Pacific, GXO. "The company is outsourcing its ecommerce, retail and reverse logistics and we're looking forward to driving operational efficiencies for Eddie Bauer while supporting its growth strategy."

The new, fully automated site will deploy a totes-to-person picking solution featuring GreyOrange technology as well as autobagger packing machines. GXO has successfully deployed similar totes-to-person solutions at other sites to optimize vertical space and tote-handling applications to deliver agility, accuracy and optimal workflows in support of efulfillment operations.

Mark Dorwart, Chief Logistics Officer, SPARC Group, said "We chose to enter a strategic partnership based on GXO's proven expertise in automation and its commitment to continuous improvement. With GXO's new automated warehouse, we expect to achieve higher efficiency and increased productivity as well as enhance service to our customers."

About GXO Logistics

GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO) is the world's largest pure-play contract logistics provider and is benefiting from the rapid growth of ecommerce, automation and outsourcing. GXO is committed to providing a diverse, world-class workplace for more than 130,000 team members across more than 970 facilities totaling approximately 200 million square feet. The company partners with the world's leading blue-chip companies to solve complex logistics challenges with technologically advanced supply chain and ecommerce solutions, at scale and with speed. GXO corporate headquarters is in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA. Visit? GXO.com ?for more information and connect with GXO on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube .

About Eddie Bauer

For more than 100 years, outdoor brand Eddie Bauer, owned by leading retail enterprise SPARC Group, LLC (SPARC), has been inspiring, enabling, and empowering people to live their adventure with products that are built to last. Their performance outerwear, apparel, footwear, accessories, and gear are available at eddiebauer.com and more than 200 stores in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Japan, and other international markets.

Media contacts



Matthew Schmidt

+1 203-307-2809

matt.schmidt@gxo.com

Fallon McLoughlin

+1 203-399-6998

Fallon.McLoughlin@gxo.com


NEW BRUNSWICK (dpa-AFX) - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) said, for fiscal 2023, the company now expects adjusted operational EPS in a range of $10.02 - $10.08, an increase in midpoint of $0.10 from the company's previous guidance range. Adjusted EPS is expected in a range of $10.07 - $10.13, an increase in midpoint of $0.05 from the prior outlook.



The company now expects fiscal 2023 reported sales of $83.6 - $84.0 billion, an increase in midpoint of $0.2 billion from prior guidance range. Operational sales are expected in a range of $84.4 - $84.8 billion, increasing midpoint by $0.6 billion from the prior outlook. Adjusted operational sales are expected in a range of 7.2% - 7.7%, revised from the previous guidance range of 6.2% - 7.2%.



Third quarter earnings from continuing operations totaled $4.31 billion, or $1.69 per share compared with $4.31 billion, or $1.62 per share, a year ago. Adjusted EPS from continuing operations was $2.66, an increase of 19.3% from prior year. Analysts on average had expected the company to earn $2.51 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.



Third-quarter reported sales were up 6.8% to $21.4 billion with operational growth of 6.4% and adjusted operational growth of 4.9%. Operational growth excluding COVID-19 Vaccine was 9.0%. Analysts on average had estimated $21.04 billion in revenue.



Shares of Johnson & Johnson are up 1% in pre-market trade on Tuesday.



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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Experience the perfect blend of tradition and modernity, and make the next corporate event an unforgettable success in Guadalajara.

Guadalajara, the vibrant and culturally rich city in the heart of Mexico, has been making waves as the premier destination for corporate events. Known for its blend of modernity and tradition, exceptional event venues, and warm hospitality, Guadalajara has become a top choice for businesses seeking a unique and inspiring location for their conferences, meetings, and conventions.

With its world-class infrastructure and dynamic business environment, Guadalajara has recently witnessed a surge in corporate events, drawing the attention of organizations from around the world. Here are some key factors contributing to Guadalajara's growing prominence as a corporate events hub:

1. Unparalleled Venues

This city boasts a diverse array of cutting-edge event venues, ranging from convention centers to luxury hotels and historic haciendas. The city's offerings can accommodate events of all sizes, from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences, including terrace for events in Guadalajara.

2. Cultural Riches

Guadalajara's rich cultural heritage adds a unique dimension to corporate events. Attendees can experience the city's traditional Mexican charm, including mariachi music, folklore, and delectable cuisine.

3. Connectivity

Guadalajara is easily accessible from major cities in North America, with an international airport offering direct flights from several major U.S. cities, making it convenient for attendees to reach the city.

4. Business-Friendly Environment

As one of Mexico's economic powerhouses, Guadalajara offers a thriving business environment. It is home to a significant number of multinational corporations and tech startups, which makes it an ideal destination for corporate networking and collaboration.

5. Event Support

The city is well-equipped with event planners, catering services, and technical support, ensuring that corporate events run smoothly and professionally.

6. Sustainability Initiatives

Guadalajara is committed to sustainability, with many event venues and hotels adopting eco-friendly practices. This aligns with the growing corporate focus on responsible and sustainable event management.

Prominent upcoming corporate events in Guadalajara include the EMBS Latin American Conference on Biomedical Engineering and the Mextesol 50 International Congress.

As the world navigates the changing landscape of corporate events, Guadalajara has emerged as a city that perfectly balances business and culture. There is an increasing interest in Guadalajara as a prime destination for corporate events and its residents look forward to welcoming organizations to experience all that the city has to offer.

About Guadalajara:

Guadalajara is Mexico's second-largest city and a dynamic hub for business, culture, and innovation. With a rich heritage, a thriving business environment, and state-of-the-art event venues like this terrace venue in Guadalajara, this destination offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, making it the perfect destination for corporate events.

Media Contact:

Ziannia Gamino

55 53277700

Grupo Presidente

ziannia_gamino@grupopresidente.com

SOURCE: Hotel Presidente Intercontinental Guadalajara

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793662/the-hotel-presidente-intercontinental-guadalajara-offers-its-facilities-for-corporate-events
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Fabled Copper Corp. (" Fabled " or the " Company ") (CSE:FABL)(FSE:XZ7) is pleased to announce the first Phase sampling program on the Volt 1 Property in Quebec.

The VOLT 1 Property is comprised of 9 contiguous cells with a total size of 504 hectares. The VOLT 2 Property is comprised of 2 contiguous cells nearby with a total size of 112 hectares. Both properties are located due east of the village of Miquelon, Quebec and are surrounded by Mosaic Minerals Corp.'s (CSE: MOC) "Lithium SM Project."

Figure 1 - Volt Property Location

Preamble

The late spring and summer of 2023 has been challenging due to forest fires in northern Quebec and as a result work in the forest was prohibited. In late July 2023 the ban was lifted for one day in the area of the VOLT 1 Property area and a first phase exploration sampling program was conducted over a period of half a day due to locating property access. The main objectives of the program were as follows:

Accessibility, road conditions, field conditions. Do reported pegmatites exist and over what area. If pegmatites are found, are they boulders, glacial trains or insitu outcrops. Do the boulders and or outcrops contain lithium and or associated subset of minerals and are the concentration of minerals associated with a particular type of texture, fine grained verses coarse grained. And finally do the results warrant and more comprehensive field program.

Discussion on the Findings.

During late July, 2023 the VOLT 1 Property was prospected and sampled over a half day and samples 28921 - 28923, were collected over an area of approximately 500 meters in length. See Map 1 below, Table 1 below.

The purpose of the sampling to was obtain typical pegmatite samples over the greatest area possible, in the fasted time possible due to travel distance back to Val D'Or. The 3 samples taken on outcropping pegmatites on a west trending road in the central portion of the property are by no means indicative of the property potential.

The volume of visible surface outcroppings on the higher portion of the property should allow a proper property wide evaluation. See Map 1 - Sample locations and yellow arrows indicating visible outcrops from google earth. Note the extent of outcropping form the road sampled.

Map 1 - Sample Locations

The central 3 outcrops sampled were composed of fine grained pegmatite. LTC pegmatites comprise a compositional defined subset of granitic pegmatites. The majority minerals are quartz, potassium feldspar, albite and muscovite all present in the pegmatites viewed See Photo 3 below.

LTC pegmatites crystallize at remarkably low temperatures (about 350 - 550 C) in a short period of time thus the large crystal sizes of associated minerals.

Photo 1 - Sample No. 28921 of road side pegmatite outcrop

Photo 2 - Sample No. 28922 of road side pegmatite outcrop

Photo 3 - Close Up of Sample No. 28922 , note muscovite content

Photo 4 - Sample No. 28923 of road side pegmatite outcrop

Early stage reconnaissance in the central part of the property has confirmed the presence of lithium (Li), cesium (Cs), tantalum (Ta), rubidium (Rb), beryl (Be), potassium (K) and niobium (Nb) in all 3 samples except for sample 28921 which lacked Ta. See Table 1 below.

Of the 3 samples, No. 28922 was very elevated compared to the other 2 samples.

Sample Number Rock Type Exposure Type Li ppm Cs ppm Ta ppm Rb ppm Be ppm K ppm Nb ppm 28921 Medium Grained pegmatite Surface Out Crop 21.60 2.04 0.005 21.40 0.41 0.28 0.706 28922 Fine Grained pegmatite Surface Out Crop 110.50 13.10 0.010 63.10 0.41 0.28 2.630 28923 Fine Grained pegmatite Surface Out Crop 82.50 5.00 0.018 28.10 0.58 0.18 3.000

Next Step Forwards

With only 3 samples taken over the entire property, mineral assays of interest and excellent road access in the central sector and as seen by google earth wide-spread out crop is yet to be sampled a Second Phase Exploration Program has already begun with a team currently in the field. This work will consist of follow:

In depth review of Quebec Ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets SIGEOM data base with particular attention to gradient and residual magnetics; magnetic tilt angle, magnetic analytic and magnetic analytic signal and the shadow relief LIDAR over the property.

Property wide detailed sampling program using diamond blade rock saws, if required, to obtain both insitu and channel samples due to the hardness of the pegmatites.

Detailed structural and pegmatite composition and size mapping of outcrops property wide integrated into our GIS data property data base.

About Fabled Copper Corp.

Fabled is a junior mining exploration company. Its current focus is to creating value for stakeholders through the exploration and development of its existing drill ready copper properties located in northern British Columbia. The Company's current property package consists of the Muskwa Project and the Bronson Property and comprises approximately 16,219 hectares in three non-contiguous blocks and located in the Liard Mining Division in northern British Columbia.

The Company is also seeking to broaden and diversify its portfolio. The Company has acquired the VOLT 2 lithium Property, located in Miquelton, Quebec and has options to acquire the OHM Property, located in Val D'Or, Quebec and the VOLT 1 Property located in the Miquelton, Quebec.

Mr. Peter J. Hawley, President and C.E.O.

Fabled Copper Corp.

Phone: (819) 316-0919

peter@fabledcopper.org

For further information please contact:

info@fabledcopper.org

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Peter J. Hawley, P.Geo. President and C.E.O. of Fabled, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition, development plans and business plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains any required regulatory approvals.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the failure of the shareholders of the Company to approve the Consolidation Proposal, impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; governmental regulation of the mining industry, including environmental regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; inability to obtain drilling permits; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for commodities; liabilities inherent in mining operations; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Fabled Copper Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793542/fabled-copper-samples-three-road-side-lithium-bearing-pegmatite-outcrops-on-volt-1-property-quebec
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Global cryptocurrency expert, Predmaster, today announces the launch of its groundbreaking digital currency trading platform. Designed to maximise the benefits of AI technology for De-Fi investors around the world, Predmaster helps master traders to manage finances and investments through the power of price prediction.

As the first decentralized prediction exchange powered by Artificial Intelligence, Predmaster is a platform born to empower traders that are looking to the future - not just today. By generating accurate predictions from a deep bank of historical trading data, Predmaster's AI-powered forecasts give users a competitive advantage over traditional traders.

To celebrate its launch, Predmaster is hosting a Tournament-to-Earn event. Developed from testnet to mainnet, participants will have the opportunity to compete against other traders from around the world, showcasing their own predictive skills to earn a host of rewards.

With a full-scope marketing campaign also designed from testnet to mainnet, Predmaster is doubling down on its investment in the industry to entice new traders to the scene, as well as supporting long-standing investors.

Valkil at Predmaster, says, "At its core, the cryptocurrency market is one of intense innovation and constant progression. We believe that Predmaster is the hallmark of what makes this industry so special - helping others to secure their financial future through informed, strategic investment.

"With our Tournament-to-Earn, we hope to raise awareness of what our platform has to offer, as well as celebrating the crypto community and all who are a part of making it as great as it is."

Built on the Binance Chain, opBNB, and will be built on Base and U2U, Predmaster provides a unique perspective on market movements by not just focusing on what has happened, but what will happen next. Enhanced AI functionality provides users with a range of benefits, from personalised trading insights to risk assessments.

To find out more about Predmaster and to be a part of its exciting upcoming tournament, visit the website, here: www.predmaster.ai

Contact person: Valkil

Company name: PREDMASTER

Website: https://www.predmaster.ai

Email: contact@predmaster.ai

SOURCE: PREDMASTER

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793654/predmaster-launches-ai-powered-crypto-prediction-tool-for-master-traders
Now AR Games Are Available as Spatial Experiences

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / ARway.ai ("ARway" or the "Company") (CNSX:ARWY)(OTCQB:ARWYF)(FSE:E65), an AI powered Augmented Reality Experience platform with a disruptive no-code, no beacon spatial computing solution enabled by visual marker tracking with centimeter precision, is pleased to announce the availability of stock or custom augmented reality games as spatial experiences in the ARway studio. This strategic expansion is set to further solidify ARway's position as a leading innovator in AR technology as well as indoor spatial mapping. Augmented reality has gained significant interest. Statista figures show over 1.7 billion mobile AR user app devices will be worldwide in 2024.

Watch a video showcasing various augmented reality games through ARway: click here

Augmented reality gaming, also known as AR gaming, is the real-time integration of digital elements into the physical world. AR gaming harnesses the power of real-world environments, seamlessly blending them with interactive digital content, creating engaging and immersive experiences. Augmented reality games detect the real world and then overlay game visuals and audio using sensors such as cameras, microphones and global positioning system (GPS). (Source: TechTarget)

Evan Gappelberg, CEO of ARway commented, "The integration of AR games into the ARway platform is a game-changer for our Company. We see this as a major driver for the widespread adoption of ARway. Our vision is to continue providing innovative solutions that cater to various industries, and AR games play a vital role in this strategy."

According to intelivita, AR is revolutionizing the gaming world. Gamers can now enjoy a more immersive, competitive, and engaging experience. Due to the numerous benefits of AR in gaming, its adoption will grow at a CAGR of 21.98% between 2021 and 2028.

Augmented Reality offers a range of benefits to the gaming industry. Some of these include: Immersive gaming experiences, real world interactions, social interactions, educational benefits, and significantly, marketing and advertisement opportunities.

ARway's AR Games integration is made possible through the ARwayKit Software Development Kit (SDK). This addition complements the existing array of features within the ARway platform, including 3D experiences, indoor navigation, advertisements, images, videos, text, hotspots, and audio. The incorporation of AR games opens a new avenue for 3D and AR game developers to integrate their stationary 3D games into the ARway platform, offering immersive, location-persistent experiences.

One prominent example of ARway's AR Games integration is Nextech's AR Powered Event Mobile App. This app will feature 10 out-of-the-box AR games, creating sponsorship opportunities for event organizers and show managers, while enhancing attendee engagement and creating memorable moments at events.

ARway's diverse customer base, spanning retail, airports, museums, marketing agencies, and more, can now leverage the platform to publish location-persistent and branded AR games that best suit their unique use cases. This expansion empowers ARway's partners in the gaming industry to distribute their gaming assets through the platform, gaining access to a broader audience and user base.

Importantly, ARway's AR Games integration offers full support for out-of-the-box game assets across Unity, the preferred 3D gaming platform for AR game developers. Unity provides the capability to customize and optimize graphics across various platforms, from mobile devices to high-end consoles and PCs. (Source: Unity)

Investors and stakeholders can look forward to exciting opportunities as ARway continues to innovate in the AR space. The integration of custom AR games is set to drive growth and further establish ARway as a leader in the augmented reality industry.

The Company has issued 500,000 three-year stock options at $0.60, as part of the Company's option program.

Sign up for Investor News - HERE

To learn more about ARway, please follow on Social Media: Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and visit our website: www.arway.ai

About ARway.ai

ARway.ai (CSE:ARWY)(OTCQB:ARWYF)(FSE:E65) is a spatial computing platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) providing an array of augmented reality (AR) experiences for indoor spaces. ARway's breakthrough no-code no-beacon IPNN allows for the easy creation of navigation, tours, information sharing, notifications, advertising and gamification. ARway works seamlessly as a cross platform solution on iOS/ Android. ARway's technology is optimized for both mobile devices and AR glasses: Apple's Vision Pro, Magic Leap and Microsoft's HoloLens. ARway has unlimited use cases for augmenting physical spaces, making it a valuable tool for creators, brands and companies in various industries. The complete ARway platform includes: the Web Creator Studio, the ARwayKit Software Development Kit (SDK) and a mobile app for iOs and Android.

Nextech 3D.ai

On October 26, 2022, ARway.ai. was spun-out from its parent Company, Nextech3D.ai (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:EP2). Nextech retained a control ownership in ARway.ai. with 13 million shares, or a 50% stake. Nextech3D.ai is a Generative AI powered 3D modeling Company and leading provider of augmented reality ("AR") experience technologies and 3D model services. Nextech's AI-powered 3D modeling platform, "ARitize3D" has contracts with; AMZN, KSS, CB2, Genuine Parts & many others. To learn more about Nextech3D.ai, visit www.nextechar.com

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact:

Julia Viola

investor.relations@arway.ai

ARway.ai

Evan Gappelberg

CEO and Director

866-ARITIZE (274-8493)

Forward-looking Statements

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. ARway.ai will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: ARway Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793517/arwayai-launches-augmented-reality-games
Dover, DE, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Green Technologies, Inc. ("Pacific Green"), (OTCQB: PGTK) today announced the appointment of Dane Wilkins as Managing Director of its Pacific Green Energy Parks Europe division, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pacific Green.

Dane will take up the post in November 2023 and joins from leading advisory firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), where he was European Head of Energy and Infrastructure Advisory.

At JLL Dane built a European wide team focussed on strategic and financial advisory within the renewable sector across the UK, Italy, Romania, and Poland that has been ranked one of the leading financial advisers in Europe and among the top 15 globally, by number of deals, according to data provider InfraDeals.

The team has been acclaimed for leading some of the first transactions in the battery storage and flexible generation sector, acting for buyers and sellers on battery, solar pv, onshore and offshore wind and advising clients on energy strategies.

Scott Poulter, Pacific Green's Chief Executive said: "We are delighted to have Dane join Pacific Green as we rapidly roll out our energy parks business throughout Europe and around the world to enable and facilitate the energy transition. Building on the success of the commissioning of 100MW Richborough Energy Park and development of 375MWh Sheaf Energy Park in the UK we are building a platform globally."

Wilkins added: "I have been impressed with the unique offering Pacific Green brings to the battery energy storage sector and am delighted for the opportunity to contribute to the next phase of the company's growth. It's a privilege to join the Pacific Green team at this exciting time."





About Pacific Green

Pacific Green is focused on addressing the world's need for cleaner and more sustainable energy. It offers grid-scale battery energy storage systems, renewable and environmental technologies.

For more information, visit Pacific Green's website:

www.pacificgreen.com

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the continued development of the Project, any potential business developments and future interest in Pacific Green's battery, solar and environmental technologies.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the continuation of the development of the Project, general economic and political conditions, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and Pacific Green assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although Pacific Green believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Pacific Green's annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, Pacific Green's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Meeranda, a privately held artificial intelligence (AI) solutions provider serving both small and medium businesses (SMBs) and global multinational corporations (MNCs), announced today that it has joined NVIDIA Inception, a program that nurtures startups revolutionizing industries with technological advancements.

Meeranda plans to use the resources available through NVIDIA Inception, such as the latest cutting-edge technical tools, to aid its teams in their continuous effort to deliver The New Personalized Customer Experience. Other advantages of being part of the NVIDIA Inception program include the opportunity to connect with potential investors who are passionate about supporting ground-breaking technologies. The program will also offer Meeranda the opportunity to collaborate with industry-leading experts and other AI-driven organizations.

"We are thrilled to be part of the NVIDIA Inception program," said Mr. Raji Wahidy, Co-Founder and CEO of Meeranda. "Meeranda is now joining an elite group of startups driving change across industries and around the world. The program will provide Meeranda with further expertise, technology, and access to venture capital, as well as global awareness of our service offering. This is yet another step forward in the right direction for our team, and we are excited and grateful for this opportunity."

NVIDIA Inception helps startups during critical stages of product development, prototyping, and deployment. Every NVIDIA Inception member gets a custom set of ongoing benefits, such as NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute credits, preferred pricing on NVIDIA hardware and software, and technological assistance, which provides startups with the fundamental tools to help them grow.

Meeranda is also part of Amazon's AWS Build Accelerator, the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, the Google for Startups Cloud Program, the OVHcloud Startup Program, and Amazon's AWS Activate Program.

About Meeranda

Meeranda is a privately held Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions provider, serving Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) and Global Multinational Corporations (MNCs). Meeranda is best known for its Human-Like AI that intends to offer the new personalized customer experience to combat the ongoing frustration of dealing with chatbots and half-baked AI solutions. Although in its early stages, Meeranda already has agreements across six countries and seven industries, thus far.

Follow Meeranda

Website: https://meeranda.com

Media Kit: https://meeranda.com/media-kit

X: https://x.com/HelloMeeranda

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloMeeranda

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/HelloMeeranda

Instagram: https://instagram.com/HelloMeeranda

Threads: https://instagram.com/HelloMeeranda

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@meeranda

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meeranda_ai

CONTACT: Meeranda Inc., Media Relations, media@meeranda.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/meeranda-joins-nvidia-inception-301956908.html
Fairtrade demonstrates partnership with farmers and workers with the announcement of a Fairtrade Minimum Price increase and a brand-new Fairtrade Living Wage Differential

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Fairtrade America, the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, today announced it is backing calls from banana producers and farm workers for fair prices and decent incomes - or banana producers risk going out of business.

In order to deliver on its promise to secure fairer prices for farmers and workers, Fairtrade recently undertook its annual public consultation and extensive cost of production study involving more than 165 farmers, traders and retailers. As an outcome, the organization updated the Fairtrade Minimum Price across 16 banana growing countries and introduced a brand-new Fairtrade Living Wage Differential.

"Price plays a critical role in creating fairer terms of trade for farmers and workers," said Fairtrade International's senior advisor for bananas Silvia Campos. "The price we pay for bananas at the supermarket checkout has a ripple effect all the way back up the supply chain to the workers and farmers who grow them. As the saying goes, price is everything, especially as these producers face inflated costs outside their control."

Fairtrade is the only global standard that offers a sustainable path to living wages, living incomes and resilient banana supply chains. Only Fairtrade offers the three elements that play a crucial role in the trading of bananas: a newly-updated Fairtrade Minimum Price, a Living Wage Reference Price, and a brand-new Fairtrade Living Wage Differential. Together, these cost-focused elements are designed to make both living wages and resilient banana supply chains a reality.

"We found that banana production costs have shifted significantly in key areas," continued Campos. "For example, wages - which account for around half of all production costs - have risen by nearly 15 percent. Fairtrade continuously monitors these changes and adjusts prices to reflect the realities of banana producers on the ground."

Fairtrade's unique model of minimum pricing and premium has acted as a vital safety net for banana producers since its introduction in 1996. The Fairtrade Premium alone has brought more than $259M USD in Fairtrade Premium to banana growers since 2015. Fairtrade International is the only certification in the world to have 50 percent producer governance and is proud of its farmer-centered approach to decision-making.

"This mechanism [Fairtrade] represents a significant step forward in ensuring sustainability and fairness in the banana industry, encompassing key elements such as fair labor standards, environmental sustainability and social responsibility," said Jose Antonio Hidalgo, executive director of the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador AEBE and coordinator of the Banana Cluster of Ecuador. "The new Fairtrade mechanism establishes a Fairtrade Minimum Price that not only covers the Fairtrade Base Wage (seventy percent of the Minimum Living Wage) and labor costs, but also includes environmental and social costs, as well as those necessary to address all of the industry's phytosanitary challenges such as sigatoka, moko and TR4 prevention. This comprehensive approach recognizes the complex nature of banana production, ensuring that producers can meet their financial obligations while achieving social and environmental sustainability."

Fairtrade is also offering its commercial partners a package of reporting and monitoring tools and continuously updated technical data. They'll be able to measure and visualize how their commitment to pay a fairer price is helping workers earn a living wage as well as supporting farmers and large-scale farming operation owners to pay for sustainable practices on their farms.

The comprehensive new offer reasserts the indispensable role price plays in building sustainable supply chains and reaching global sustainability goals. It also allows businesses to more directly invest in their supply chains and meet the increased demands of consumers for products that respect people and the planet.

"At Equifruit, we've had a 100 percent Fairtrade brand promise since day one. In order to assure fairness within our banana supply chains, it is crucial that we operate within a framework where we are not setting the rules nor marking our own progress. Fairtrade Standards are clear and minimum pricing is reviewed annually to reflect the cost of sustainable production," shared Kim Chackal, director of sales and marketing at Equifruit. "The pricing that retailers are accustomed to is unsustainably low for banana farmers. The Fairtrade framework gives us confidence in the transparency and traceability of our business model."

A Ripe Market for Fairtrade Bananas

Through the 2023 Fairtrade America Consumer Insights report conducted by independent insights consultancy, Globescan, Fairtrade America learned that - despite increases in the cost of living in the U.S. - nearly 80 percent of consumers who know Fairtrade are willing to pay more for a product to ensure producers are paid a fairer price and 86 percent of them trust Fairtrade.

The study also found a shift in consumer perceptions around the value of certified bananas. On average, U.S. shoppers today are willing to pay $0.60 USD more per pound for Fairtrade bananas.? The tolerance for higher banana prices also increased from 43 percent to 66 percent in the past two years. Today, 61 percent of consumers are aware of the Fairtrade Mark, and 2 in 3 shoppers familiar with Fairtrade prefer to shop at retailers that carry certified products.

"Climate change, workers rights and living wages are more top of mind than ever for U.S. shoppers. The time is right to create meaningful change throughout the supply chain," urged Amanda Archila, executive director of Fairtrade America. " We are optimistic that with a continued focus on fairer prices that address the urgent needs of banana producers, we can create a banana industry that will last for years to come."

About Fairtrade America

Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It's about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world's largest and most recognized fair trade certification program -part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtradeamerica.org, and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

New survey from Fairtrade America reveals shoppers are willing to pay more for Fairtrade certified products, despite rising cost of living in the U.S. Results also showed remarkable momentum for Fairtrade in the U.S. - an impressive 118% jump in less than 5 years - along with a continued rise in brand trust. These findings confirm that businesses can grow responsibly while providing the farmers and workers who grow our favorite foods, including bananas, a fairer deal. Photo credit: Angela Wu

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Fairtrade America on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Fairtrade America

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fairtrade-america

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Fairtrade America

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793671/spiraling-banana-production-costs-underline-need-for-fairer-prices-and-living-wages
ORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Newsweek has included Whirlpool Corporation on its list of America's Greenest Companies for 2024. This recognition for Whirlpool highlights the company's continued commitment to sustainability through innovative products and efficient operations.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from Newsweek which is a testament to the company's long standing commitment to environmental sustainability. Our employees work every day to improve life at home for our consumers by delivering products that are water and energy efficient without compromising performance," said Pam Klyn, Whirlpool executive vice president of corporate relations and sustainability. "We take proactive steps to ensure we're doing all we can to protect the environment in the communities where we operate and the planet as a whole."

Whirlpool has a long history of environmental stewardship.

In 1970, the company pioneered sustainability efforts in the home appliance industry with the creation of the Internal Office of the Environment.

Currently, all of Whirlpool Corporation's large manufacturing sites have achieved Zero Waste to Landfill gold or platinum status in 2022, meaning at least 95 percent of waste from operations is recycled.

Whirlpool also has invested in two wind VPPAs that match nine U.S. appliance plants' energy needs with renewable energy, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent from 2016 to 2022.

Sustainability innovation can be seen in products as well. Most Whirlpool Corporation dishwashers are 3 to 4 times more water-efficient than hand washing, saving over 2,500 gallons of water per home each year.

The company also is committed to our local communities.

Through Habitat for Humanity's BuildBetter with Whirlpool program, 250 climate-resilient and energy-efficient homes will be built in the U.S. by the end of 2024.

Looking to the future, Whirlpool has made a global commitment to reach net zero emissions in its plants and operations by 2030.

The America's Greenest Companies 2024 ranking is based on research and analysis of publicly available sustainability data (as of July 31, 2023) of the top 952 US organizations that meet the European Union's sustainability standards and have a minimum market capitalization of $5 billion. To create the list, Newsweek partnered with market data research firm Plant-A Insights and GIST Impact, a leading impact data and analytics provider. The companies were evaluated and scored on more than 25 parameters based on the following 4 categories: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water usage, waste generation, and sustainability data disclosure and commitments.

Click here to see the full list of America's Greenest Companies in 2024.

Based on favorable water and energy use comparison against KitchenAid Model No. KDTM354ESS, which was compared to manual handwashing among 40 study subjects using conditions and assumptions set forth in Gabriela Y Porras et al 2020 Environ. Res. Commun. 2 021004. Assumes 215 cycles/year.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whirlpool Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Whirlpool Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whirlpool-corporation

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793669/whirlpool-corporation-named-one-of-americas-greenest-companies-2024-by-newsweek
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) - While reporting its financial results for the third quarter on Tuesday, logistics real estate firm Prologis Inc. (PLD) raised its core funds from operations outlook for the full-year 2023. For fiscal 2023, the company now projects net earnings in a range of $3.30 to $3.35 per share, core funds from operation or core FFO in a range of $5.58 to $5.60 per share and core FFO, excluding net promote income, in a range of $5.08 to $5.10 per share. Previously, the company expected net earnings in the range of $3.30 to $3.40 per share, core funds from operation or core FFO in the range of $5.56 to $5.60 per share and core FFO, excluding net promote income, in the range of $5.06 to $5.10 per share. On average, six analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the company to report earnings of $2.94 per share for the year. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
NICOSIA, Cyprus, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicosia Book Fest 2023, Cyprus's most prestigious literary event, which features China as the Country of Honor, has seen one of the most renowned and influential authors in China's contemporary literature world, Liu Zhenyun, showcase his translated works and share his ideas behind the creations that interweave tragedies and comedies of ordinary yet unique people.

Under the theme of "Separation of Mountains and Seas, Reunion in laughter and tears", Liu Zhenyun's works sharing event that was held by China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Co., Ltd. at the 8th Edition of the Nicosia Book Fest welcomed Professor Dr. Kostas Gouliamos, Deputy President of the Prometheus Research Institute, Ordinary Member of the European Academy of Science and Arts, Former Rector of the European University Cyprus. and Cao Li, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus, as featured guests who introduced the author's exceptional literary contributions and highlighted his thought-provoking works that have a profound impact on global literature.

A literature giant whose short stories and novellas are recognized as classics of China's contemporary literature, his powerful storytelling transcends borders and captures the essence of humanity, enchanting readers worldwide with his unique blend of humor, philosophy, and poignant narratives.

Taking center stage is Liu Zhenyun's masterwork, "One Day, Three Autumns," a tale that charts the life of a father and son whose experiences are characterized by endless travel that brings them into contact with a diverse array of individuals, seeing, feeling, and testing the bittersweetness that defines human existence. The book delves into the relationships between humor, nation, and community and lays bare the cruel nature of jokes about ordinary people who are unable to escape but endure and laugh at life's absurdities.

Sharing his thoughts on the book, he said, "This is a book that explores the links between a joke and a person. Some individuals find their entire existence reduced to jokes when they reflect upon their life's journey. Yet, there exists a unique person who searches for jokes in the dreams of others. Through this pursuit, he later becomes an immortal who is able to live for three thousand years."

"It is the most exciting edition of the Nicosia Book Fest I have attended. We had discussions that revolved around mutual learning between civilizations, emphasizing language as the foundation for cultural exchanges. To foster communications between nations, we strive to promote Chinese language learning to unlock insights into Chinese culture, enabling more people to appreciate works like those of Liu Zhenyun. We also invite publishers to consider incorporating his book excerpts into textbooks, providing more learning materials to help individuals read, write, and speak Chinese as a gateway to understanding Chinese culture," said Cao Li.

At the event, Professor Dr. Kostas Gouliamos expressed his anticipation for the Greek version of Liu's work, eagerly awaiting its publication. He commended Liu Zhenyun's insightful and spellbound writing that resonates deeply with worldwide readers from all walks of life.

Liu Zhenyun's literary career spans several decades and boasts a collection of critically acclaimed works, including "Tofu", "College", "Office", "Officials", "Recruits", and "Remembering 1942". Later novels such as "Cellphone", "The Cook, the Crook, and the Real Estate Tycoon", "Nonsense Talk", "Someone To Talk To", "I Did Not Kill My Husband", "Strange Bedfellows", and "One Day Three Autumns" have earned both praise from literary critics and a devoted global readership. His accolades include China's prestigious Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2011 and France's Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2018.

Liu Zhenyun's works have captivated readers in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, Russian, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Serbian, Hebrew, Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Kazak, Uygur, and many other languages. To date, Liu Zhenyun's books have sold over 15 million copies in China alone, with numerous adaptations gracing the silver screen.

For more information about Liu Zhenyun's work, please visit http://liuzhenyun.net/index.php.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chinese-literature-giant-liu-zhenyun-comes-to-nicosia-book-fest-2023-sharing-his-latest-translated-novels-with-global-readers-301958961.html
TeloView Analyses Telomeres to Accurately Predict and Characterize Multiple Myeloma

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Telo Genomics Corp. (TSXV: TELO) (OTCQB: TDSGF) (the "Company" or "Telo") today announced the launch of its TeloViewSMM to clinicians in the United States.

Combining molecular biology and artificial intelligence, the diagnostic platform performs industry-leading 6-factor quantitative analysis of 3D telomeres, the protective end caps of chromosomes. TeloView has the potential to characterize multiple cancers, identify their current level of genomic instability and therefore predict their progression.

The Company's initial clinical launch will focus on testing for "Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM)" the precursor for Multiple Myeloma, a blood-based bone marrow cancer. Approximately 50% of patients with SMM will develop full Multiple Myeloma.

The test is available for physicians to order under the SMART (Smoldering Multiple myeloma Assessment of Risk for Transformation) protocol, an observational study intended for oncology/hematology physicians and their staff in the U.S., to gain experience ordering and utilizing the TeloViewSMM assay. SMART follows a positive industry trend toward introducing novel molecular testing tools in an observational construct to efficiently gather information and feedback from clinicians and their teams.

"The commercial launch of our flagship TeloView platform is a major milestone for our Company" stated Telo Genomics' CEO Kris Weinberg. "I am extremely proud of our entire team who have put forth a tremendous effort over many years in the development of our platform. Our presentations at this year's International Myeloma Society ("IMS") annual meeting and the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting were received very positively and have generated many leads for our new assay. We are also very active in discussions with platform partners and in the development of new tests in additional applications."

While the initial launch of TeloViewSMM will be conducted as a single-site CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) model, commercial-scale delivery of testing will be accomplished in partnership with large reference labs where FISH and microscopy resources are available and scalable. The company is also developing products and use cases for the biopharma and CRO segment and has an active business development pipeline focused on CDx opportunities and contract research.

About TeloViewSMM

The TeloViewSMM assay has been clinically validated in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic - data supporting this validation were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in 2023. TeloViewSMM has the potential to be an important tool for physicians managing the care of patients diagnosed with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma. The proprietary assay (and associated platform technology) quantifies individual patients' risk of transformation/progression by measuring the 3D structure and spatial organization of telomeres. This molecular signature identifies high-risk SMM patients who are likely to benefit from earlier treatment intervention. The larger subset of low-risk patients may not require immediate treatment and can be regularly monitored using the TeloViewSMM assay along with standard phenotypic measures. Over 200,000 patients in the United States are currently living with smoldering Multiple Myeloma.

About Telo Genomics

Telo Genomics is a clinical-stage high complexity laboratory pioneering the most comprehensive telomere platform in the industry. The company has developed powerful predictive and prognostic assay tools in oncology and neurological disease. These applications are facilitated on a liquid biopsy platform that performs quantitative analysis of 3D telomeres with molecular biology and artificial intelligence to recognize disease-associated genetic instability. The benefits of the TeloView platform have been substantiated in over 160 peer reviewed publications and 30-plus clinical studies involving more than 3,000 patients.

For more information, visit www.telodx.com

Kris Weinberg, CEO

678-429-5582

kris.weinberg@telodx.com

MaRS Centre, South Tower,

101 College Street, Suite 200, Toronto,

ON, M5G 1L7

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "will", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the clinical efficacy of products, commercial viability of products, use of proceeds, and the ability of the TeloView platform to deliver personalized medicine resulting in better treatments and outcomes are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184274
China, Ethiopia announce elevating bilateral ties to all-weather strategic partnership

Xinhua) 15:13, October 17, 2023

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China and Ethiopia have announced elevating the bilateral ties to an "all-weather strategic partnership," according to a joint statement.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, prior to the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Leading Commercial Real Estate Investment Firm Earns Industry Recognition for Key Initiatives

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Clarion Partners LLC, an independent investment subsidiary of Franklin Templeton, has issued its annual report detailing the firm's environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.

"Through our comprehensive ESG program, we are building toward a long-term vision of value for our stakeholders. The firm continues to expand our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, both within our firm and across our industry," says Chief Executive Officer David Gilbert.

Chief Investment Officer Jeb Belford notes, "Clarion's investment approach is informed by ESG considerations, with multiple layers of due diligence and assessment in place to evaluate climate risk and readiness as well as opportunities for increased efficiency."

The firm has achieved various ESG-related milestones over the past year [1], including industry recognition for:

Increased energy efficiency and high-performing assets

Clarion was named a 2023 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year and an Executive Member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2022 Certification Nation for certifying 78 properties. With the implementation of 154 energy efficiency projects in 2022, including the installation of shadow meters and LED lighting at industrial properties, Clarion continues to work toward improving data coverage and energy efficiency across its portfolio.

Tenant health/wellness and portfolio benchmarking

Fitwel recognized Clarion as a 2023 Best in Building Health Award winner for Portfolio Benchmarking. Clarion seeks to add value to its assets through a variety of initiatives including health and sustainability, and utilizes the benchmarking process to strategically support occupant wellness and asset quality through the design and management of its buildings.

Workplace engagement and satisfaction

Clarion was named a Pensions & Investments (P&I) 2022 Best Place to Work in Money Management and a GlobeSt. Commercial Real Estate's Best Place to Work 2023. These awards reflect the firm's culture, which seeks to foster meaningful experiences, growth opportunities, and access to rewarding careers. Clarion's DEI Council continues to prioritize initiatives that help to build an inclusive workplace and foster employee development, such as the firm's signature Analyst and Associate Summit.

The Clarion Partners 2022-23 ESG Report can be accessed here.

The 69-page report provides governance information on the firm's ESG framework and leadership, relationships with key industry organizations, climate risk management, and transparency and reporting. For environmental, it details the firm's net zero progress, performance metrics and reductions, green building certified and energy rated properties, and a new section that highlights Clarion Partners Europe. Social initiatives are grouped under diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), employee development, community involvement and tenant engagement.

About Clarion Partners

Clarion Partners, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser with FCA-authorized and FINRA member affiliates, has been a leading U.S. real estate investment manager for more than 40 years. Headquartered in New York, the firm has offices in major markets throughout the U.S. and Europe. With $79.8 billion in total assets under management, Clarion Partners offers a broad range of both debt and equity real estate strategies across the risk/return spectrum to its approximately 500 domestic and international institutional investors. Clarion Partners is an independent subsidiary of Franklin Templeton. More information is available at www.clarionpartners.com.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton's mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,300 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2023. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

[1] Industry awards, ratings and certifications described above are provided by third parties, which may receive submission or membership fees or project registration and certification fees in connection with these award, ratings and certifications programs. Please click here for important information.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Franklin Templeton on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Franklin Templeton

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/franklin-templeton

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Franklin Templeton

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793685/clarion-partners-highlights-latest-esg-strategies-policies-and-achievements-in-new-report
Settlement amount is more than 10 times the initial insurance company offer

NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / The legal team at Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers successfully secured a $725,000 settlement for a Tennessee man who fell victim to a devastating rear-end collision in Nashville. The victim, a man in his 50s employed by Nashville's Metro Water Services, was involved in a rear-end collision in 2017 on I-440, which would set in motion a series of events leading to a substantial decline in his health and quality of life.

$725,000 Nashville Settlement Alert

The collision occurred during a rainy day when the victim, operating a company vehicle, was hit from behind by a driver traveling at an excessive speed. Following the accident, the victim experienced severe back and knee pain, which prompted a hospital visit and steroid injections for pain relief. Unfortunately, these injections had unforeseen complications, leading to further pain and discomfort. Attempts to return to work were futile as he struggled with mobility issues, and his health continued to deteriorate. Multiple surgeries, physical therapy sessions, and significant medical interventions followed, but the victim's condition did not improve. He could no longer perform his job duties, and even simple tasks such as getting in and out of a vehicle became excruciatingly painful.

In a final devastating blow, the victim suffered a fall that resulted in a fractured back and temporary paralysis. Emergency surgery and months of rehabilitation followed. Despite his determination, he would never fully regain his previous level of mobility and would need assistance from a walker and a wheelchair.

"Our client's story is a tragic example of how one reckless driver's actions can shatter a life," said Lee Coleman, Attorney and Founding Partner of Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers. "It's our duty to ensure that individuals like him receive the compensation they deserve for the negligence they've endured. We are committed to justice for our clients and are dedicated to getting them the most money possible for their injuries."

While the legal battle was challenging, with an initial insurance company settlement offer of just $65,000, the Hughes & Coleman legal team continued fighting for more compensation, recognizing the extent of their client's suffering. The team relentlessly fought for a fair resolution through three rounds of mediation.

In 2023, a $725,000 settlement was reached on behalf of the victim. This substantial sum was over ten times the initial insurance company offer. Read the full details regarding this $725,000 Nashville rear-end collision settlement case.

"Our client can never fully recover what he has lost, but this settlement will at least alleviate the burden of unpaid medical bills and lost wages," Mr. Coleman added. "This settlement is a testament to the determination of our team to secure justice for our clients."

Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers is committed to fighting for justice. The firm recognizes that rear-end car wreck cases like these are far too common and remains committed to representing those wronged by negligence and recklessness.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or any other type of wreck, a Nashville car accident lawyer at Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers is here to help. Read more about recent verdicts won and settlements reached by our firm.

To learn more about how our injury lawyers can help in a rear-end collision, watch "What to do after a rear-end wreck in Nashville,"contact us online, or for a free case evaluation, call 800-800-4600.

About Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers:

Hughes & Coleman was founded in 1985 and has recovered over a billion dollars for our clients in Kentucky and Tennessee injured from auto accidents, big truck wrecks, motorcycle accidents, defective medical products, nursing home abuse, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, and other personal injury practice areas. Hughes & Coleman operates ten offices in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Contact:

Lora Fisher, Brand Development Director

270-782-6003 ext. 147

lfisher@hughesandcoleman.com

Related Images:

Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers Logo

Lee Coleman-Attorney and Founding Partner

$725,000 Nashville Settlement Alert

SOURCE: Hughes & Coleman

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791290/hughes-coleman-injury-lawyers-secures-725000-settlement-for-nashville-rear-end-collision-victim
RANCHO SANTA FE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Rancho Biosciences, the leading Data Science Services company based in San Diego, CA, proudly announces its achievement of the Great Place To Work Certification for the second year in a row. This coveted certification signifies the company's unwavering commitment to fostering a positive, supportive, and fulfilling work environment for all its employees.





Certificate





Unlike other accolades, the Great Place To Work Certification is awarded based solely on employee feedback, making it an authentic reflection of workplace culture. Rancho Biosciences' continued recognition proves that its workplace experience remains consistently positive, trusted, and valued by its team members.

Dr. Julie Bryant, CEO of Rancho Biosciences, remarked, "Earning this certification once is an honor, but to earn it for the second consecutive year is a testament to our ongoing efforts to maintain an inclusive, vibrant, and empowering workplace. Our people are our strength, and their feedback drives our mission to continually evolve and enhance our work culture."

The Great Place To Work Certification not only underscores an organization's commitment to its employees but also positions it as an attractive prospect for top-tier talent. With the globally recognized badge, Rancho Biosciences showcases its dedication to building an exceptional workplace culture, which will undoubtedly draw the best candidates in the industry.

Some key benefits of the Great Place To Work Certification include:

Improved employee trust and pride in the company.

Enhanced employer brand awareness.

Higher employee engagement and better recruitment metrics.

Recognition for having outstanding people managers and leaders.

Based on rigorous research and feedback from millions of employees worldwide, the certification evaluates five dimensions of a high-trust company culture: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and a sense of belonging. Organizations that score highly in these areas are known to outperform their competitors in recruitment, retention, innovation, and financial performance.

To learn more about Rancho Biosciences and its ongoing efforts in creating an exceptional workplace, visit Rancho's Website. Interested in joining our dynamic team? Explore exciting opportunities and apply now at: https://ranchobiosciences.isolvedhire.com/jobs/

About Rancho:

Founded in 2012, Rancho Biosciences is a privately held company offering services for data curation, management and analysis for companies engaged in pharmaceutical research and development. Its clients include top 20 pharma and biotech companies, research foundations, government labs and academic groups. With a team of experienced professionals, the company continues to pave the way for advancements in bio/pharma research through data.

For more information about Rancho, please contact:

Julie Bryant, CEO

Julie.Bryant@RanchoBiosciences.com

Contact Information

Julie Bryant

CEO

julie.bryant@ranchobiosciences.com

760-717-7881

SOURCE: Rancho BioSciences

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/792486/rancho-biosciences-earns-prestigious-great-place-to-work-certification-for-the-second-consecutive-year
CLO reveals winning organizations in annual learning and development program

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Chief Learning Officer (CLO) is proud to reveal the exceptional 59 organizations selected as the winners for the 2023 LearningElite program. For over a decade, the LearningElite initiative has recognized the most outstanding learning and development organizations. This comprehensive, peer-reviewed ranking and benchmarking program spotlights organizations that employ exemplary workforce development strategies, yielding remarkable business outcomes. The final rankings were unveiled during the LearningElite Gala, held in person Sunday, October 15, the evening before day one of the 2023 CLO Symposium in San Diego.

LearningElite Gala

This year's LearningElite Gala served a dual purpose, celebrating the winning organizations while also setting the stage for the pre-Symposium festivities and theme introduction. The 2023 CLO Symposium, recognized as the premier conference in learning and development, themed "All Eyes on the Future: Building a Culture of Lifelong Learning," drew participation from over 250 professionals, practitioners and vendors from around the world during the three-day event.

Ashley St. John, editor-in-chief of Chief Learning Officer and BetterWork Media Group, expressed her appreciation for the accomplishments of the 2023 LearningElite organizations and their dedication to creating conducive learning environments for their employees. "The applicants for this year were truly outstanding, and the 2023 LearningElite organizations epitomize the leadership and innovation essential for achieving strategic success in an uncertain and ever-evolving world," St. John said.

View the complete list of 2023 LearningElite winners at ChiefLearningOfficer.com.

###

About Chief Learning Officer

Chief Learning Officer is committed to providing a platform and support for C-suite and senior-level learning and development professionals to connect and advance in their careers and the field. We are created by CLOs, for CLOs.



Contact Information

Taylar Ramsey-Thompson

Contract Marketing & Events

taylar@betterworkmedia.com



SOURCE: Chief Learning Officer

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793167/chief-learning-officer-announces-its-2023-learningelite-organizations
Africa-focused Company is Positioned to Have Greater Impact on the Continent's Infrastructure Development and Trading

DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Heran Group , an infrastructure development and international trading company operating in Africa that delivers manufacturing, real estate development and hospitality projects, and fosters international and regional trade, today revealed its new visual identity including a new website. The new logo and website position the company as a leader in African development and a partner for international businesses looking to invest in the continent.

The new direction coincides with a fresh outlook on the great potential of African business and people. The brand identity conveys trust with clean lines in the updated logo and bright, friendly vector graphics, which were infused with a deliberate nod to indigenous African flora and imagery. It is used to align with the company's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility in all of its development projects.

"Our new visual identity reflects our long-term vision and commitment to building a prosperous future of Africa through sustainable economic growth," said Isayas Desale Berhe, CEO of Heran Group. "We've updated our brand that represents our optimistic point of view to attract investment and meet the needs of African nations, business and people through manufacturing, trade and infrastructure development. We're excited to unveil our new identity to the public for the first time and highlight our continued growth momentum."

The company's momentum has been steadily building with substantial growth over the past year. Heran Group has expanded its operations and deepened its business in several areas including real estate and manufacturing. Here are a few highlights:

Radisson Blu Hotel Juba opens in South Sudan

As part of the company's hospitality enterprises, Heran Group helped establish the first 5-star hotel in South Sudan by opening the Radisson Blu Hotel in Juba , which is the fast-growing capital and largest city in the country. The hotel offers 154 bright and contemporary rooms and suites with views of either the pool, the city, or the famed White Nile River.

Angolan expansion

Heran Group's manufacturing warehouse in Angola that produces baby diapers and paper goods now employs more than 200 people and has expanded to offer a new brand of diapers under the name called Nannies. This brand is now offered under the P&G Africa catalog. In 2023, Heran Group added high-tech equipment to manufacture a new line of tissue paper with 100TD capacity with an expectation to start the operations in the second quarter of 2024.

Heran Group started a new line of construction business in 2023 in a joint venture with one of the biggest construction companies in the country, which aligns with its objective of sustainable development and infrastructure growth. The company also broke ground on a new pharmaceutical manufacturing warehouse, which is set to open in January 2024.

Berhe added: "I founded the Heran Group as a family business with the core value of empowering people to achieve more and rise up to new challenges. Building on our prior successes, we will boldly identify opportunities, nurture partnerships and forge new paths. Working together with companies, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, social change makers and other national leaders, we are uplifting African economies by creating employment opportunities and driving an impact in the communities we serve. I know that, by working together, Africa stands to emerge stronger and more prosperous than ever before."

About Heran Group

Heran Group is committed to building the future of Africa through sustainable economic development projects and services that improve people's quality of life and advance society.

Founded and led by Isayas Desale Berhe, the Heran Group is an infrastructure development and international trading company that delivers a wide-range of opportunities for Africa including manufacturing, real estate development and hospitality projects, and fosters international and regional trade. Heran Group is headquartered in Dubai with operations in Angola, Kenya, South Sudan, and elsewhere on the African continent. Learn more at www.heranglobal.com .

Media Contact

Michelle Mead

Caliber Corporate Advisers for Heran Group

michelle@calibercorporate.com

SOURCE: Heran Group





View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/791604/heran-group-refreshes-brand-ushers-in-new-era-for-sustainable-economic-development-in-africa
1812 Brewing Company now to grow sales with five products in the marketplace.

WATERTOWN, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / 1812 BREWING COMPANY, INC. (OTC PINK:KEGS) (the "Company" or "KEGS") is pleased to announce that two of Company's new products - Helles Bells Lager and Route 11 Lager - have been approved for sale at Price Chopper Markets (https://www.pricechopper.com/). Price Chopper is owned by The Golub Corporation, which operates supermarkets under the Price Chopper, Market 32 and Market Bistro banners in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.

Both of the Company's new beers are crisp, light lager beers designed to be easy-drinking and affordable craft beers. Route 11 Lager (5.3% ABV) is a German style pilsner with barley and touch of wheat and finishes dry and crisp with a lemon note. It will retail at Price Chopper for $6.99 per six pack of 12-ounce cans.

Helles Bells (5.5% ABV) is also a German style lager but not quite as dry as a pilsner and has more prominent body. Helles Bells Lager will retail at $7.99 per four pack of 16-ounce cans.

Helles Bells and Route 11 Lager have been approved for sale in select stores in Jefferson and St. Lawrence County to start things off. Chairman and CEO Tom Scozzafava stated, "Both of these products have sold very well in tests. And now that Price Chopper carries War of 1812 Amber Ale in cans and bottles and enjoys strong sales in both, it makes sense to start expanding its selection of 1812 Brewing Company products to market along-side 1812 Amber. Once the new products have some sales history, we intend to take our entire portfolio of products into more and more markets."

About Price Chopper Markets ("Price Chopper") :

Price Chopper Supermarkets is a supermarket chain owned by the Golub Corporation and headquartered in Schenectady, New York. The chain opened its first supermarkets in New York's Capital District in 1932 and now operates 131 stores under the Price Chopper, Market Bistro, and Market 32 banners in six states: Upstate New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.

About 1812 Brewing Company ("KEGS or the "Company") :

KEGS is an operator of and investor in companies in the craft beer industry. The Company seeks to build a nation-wide network of craft breweries to develop and foster respective brand growth at the local, regional, and national level. KEGS looks to build a network wherein certain economies of scale can be shared across it such as production, distribution footprint expansion, inter-member contract brewing, new product development, sharing of best brewery practices and scale logistics and transportation. The network is to be built through investment by 1812 Brewing Company while maintaining the members' respective local and regional uniqueness, brand autonomy and direct involvement with its consumers. The Company seeks to be an "incubator" of growth for its holdings in the industry.

The Company's current holding, 1812 Brewing Co., produces award-winning beers such as War of 1812 Amber Ale ("1812 Amber Ale"), Helles Bells Lager, Route 11 Lager, 1812 Light, Hazy Oasis Pale Ale, Thousand Islands IPA, Malicious Intent XX IPA, Railroad Red Ale, St. Stephens Stout, Third Rail Porter, Featherhammer Maibock.

For more updates follow us on our Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin.

https://www.1812ale.com/

https://www.facebook.com/1812brewingcompany/

https://www.instagram.com/1812brewingcompany/

https://twitter.com/1812Brewing

https://www.linkedin.com/company/1812brewingcompany/

Contact Name: Tom Scozzafava

Contact Phone Number: 315-788-1812

Contact Email Address: contact@1812ale.com

Safe Harbor: This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approval for anticipated actions.

SOURCE: 1812 Brewing Company Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793663/price-chopper-supermarkets-to-carry-1812-brewing-companys-new-helles-bells-lager-as-well-as-route-11-lager
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) - HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA), its subsidiary Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, and healthcare company GRAIL, LLC announced Tuesday a strategic collaboration to advance comprehensive cancer care through early detection. Starting today, GRAIL's Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test will be available to patients who meet screening criteria at select HCA Healthcare physician practices. The Galleri test, available by prescription only, is the first clinically validated MCED test that can detect a shared cancer signal across more than 50 types of cancers using a simple blood draw. The MCED test offers a fundamentally different blood-based approach intended to be used in addition to recommended single cancer screenings. Recognizing the Galleri test is a new paradigm in cancer screening, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute will leverage its leading nurse navigation program to support patients and providers through the diagnostic journey following a positive Galleri test result. HCA Healthcare is also participating in the PATHFINDER 2 multi-center interventional study of the Galleri test in Nashville, Asheville, Austin, and Denver. 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.
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!

AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN), a food processing company, said on Tuesday that it has reached a deal to buy a minority interest in Protix, a Dutch insect ingredients provider for pet food, aqua culture, livestock feed, and organic fertilizers. In addition, Tyson Foods and Protix have entered a joint venture for the operation and construction of an insect ingredient facility in the continental U.S. Financial terms of the transactions have not been divulged yet. Protix processes 14,000 metric tons LLE annually in its Netherlands facility, operating since 2019. It serves companies in the pet food, aquaculture feed, livestock feed and organic fertilizer space. Upon completion, the site will be the first at-scale facility of its kind to upcycle food manufacturing byproducts into high-quality insect proteins and lipids which will primarily be used in the pet food, aquaculture, and livestock industries. The to-be-built facility will house an enclosed system to support all aspects of insect protein production including the breeding, incubating, and hatching of insect larvae. 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.
ROCHESTER, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023/ KeyBank is investing $200,000 to help Young Women's Christian Association of Rochester and Monroe County (YWCA) expand efforts to help homeless women and families find appropriate housing and improve financial stability. YWCA has been providing safe, quality housing to women in the Rochester community for 140 years and is the only agency within Monroe County that provides a full continuum of housing options targeting women, from emergency shelter services to permanent housing.

Rochester has very few shelters that can accommodate families in Monroe County as licensing requirements prohibit cohabitating singles with families. Funding from KeyBank will help YWCA as it renovates a facility on Ardmore Street in Rochester that will house a licensed homeless shelter allowing homeless women and their families to stay together while seeking a more permanent housing solution.

"Our investment and support of YWCA is symbolic of KeyBank's purpose to help Rochester and all of the communities we serve thrive," said Phil Muscato, KeyBank Rochester Market President. "The work YWCA will do at this new facility will provide women and families with a safe place to live together. It will also provide them a path to permanent housing and financial stability."

"We are grateful for KeyBank and their unwavering support of our community," said Dr. Myra Henry, YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County. "This expansion of our Emergency Housing services will enable YWCA to open twelve additional units of supportive services and shelter for unhoused families here in the 19th Ward."

Each year, more than 1,000 women and children take the first and subsequent steps to getting their lives back on track as part of YWCA's Housing programs.

Since 2017, KeyBank has made more than $727 million in investments in the Rochester market, supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities, and transformative philanthropy.

ABOUT KEYBANK

KeyBank's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $195 billion at June 30, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

ABOUT YWCA ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY

The YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County is a powerful resource in our community. We help women and girls who are faced with personal crises including homelessness and teen pregnancy. We also work hard to dispel stereotypes and promote racial justice. Our goal is to empower women to regain control of their lives and get on the path to a healthy, successful future.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: KeyBank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: KeyBank

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793684/200000-investment-by-keybank-to-help-ywca-of-rochester-monroe-county-expand-options-for-homeless-families
The Global Agri-Food Advancement Partnership (GAAP) and Ag-West Bio are welcoming five food innovation companies from South Africa, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Mexico to take part in the Navigate program, starting October 17th.

Navigate is organized by GAAP and supported by Ag-West Bio. The program seeks out cutting-edge technologies from around the world that align with the Canadian agri-food ecosystem.

The companies will spend time with GAAP and its partners across Canada and the US to explore how food and fermentation can achieve a greater level of efficiency, sustainability, and profitability through innovation adoption.

GAAP CEO Jay Robinson says he's thrilled to be hosting these innovative companies this fall.

"In today's rapidly growing food industry, food security and streamlined supply chain management are foundational cornerstones for success. Embracing innovation while balancing industry requirements and consumer demands are the key to unlocking the abundant opportunities Canada has on the global food technology stage.

GAAP is excited to host novel food ingredient companies from around the world because we understand that capturing these opportunities in a sustainable and profitable way requires the collaboration of the best and brightest minds. Together, we can mold a future where food innovation not only tantalizes our tastebuds but also nourishes our world, ensuring a bountiful and secure global food landscape."

Karen Churchill, president and CEO of Ag-West Bio, says "Bringing these diverse food companies together in Saskatoon the heart of Canada's agricultural biosciences industry is an opportunity for growth. We anticipate there will be a lot of ideas and information exchanged. I'm sure their stories will inspire our community. As well, we are excited to show them the world-class infrastructure in our research cluster and explore the potential for collaboration."

While in Saskatchewan, participants will engage with industry members, researchers, food producers, and other collaborators, and explore how they can fit into Canada's food ecosystem. GAAP and Ag-West Bio will provide concierge meetings and guided tours of local food and fermentation facilities.

About the companies:

Creative Food Labs

Millions of tons of agricultural waste decays (or is incinerated) every year, leading to massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. Creative Food Labs upcycles agricultural waste into xylitol a natural sugar substitute through a low-energy fermentation process. Xylitol tastes like sugar but reduces the risk of diabetes, obesity and tooth decay. Joining us from Mexico will be Javier Larragoiti Kuri and Isabella Fernandez Klimek. https://creativefoodlabs.mx/

De Novo Foodlabs Through itsproprietary precision fermentation technology, De Novo Foodlabs creates valuable compounds and nutrients that are difficult to obtain through traditional means, such as rare proteins and isolated peptides, without the need for animal agriculture. An example is NanoFerin a revolutionary, animal-free substitute for lactoferrin (a protein found in a cow's first milk) which has powerful health benefits. Joining us from South Africa are Leah Bessa and Richard Grieves. https://denovofoodlabs.com/

Ergo Bioscience is a biotech startup focused on the production of complex animal proteins through plant cell cultivation with high efficiency, with current cell lines for the expression of myoglobin for use in plant-based meat products, and caseins for use in plant-based dairy products. Joining us from Argentina will be Alejandro Barbarini. https://ergofoods.com/

Food4You develops unique bacteria combinations for fermentation that are optimized and quicker than commercial options. The customized bacterial cultures are used to optimize plant ingredient bases for yogurt, cheeses, dips or bean flours. Food4You's goal is to unlock access to a wider choice of nutritious and robust plant-based food products, using unique starter cultures and probiotics. Joining us from Argentina is Francisco Garbagnoli. https://food4you.bio/

NoPalm Ingredients harnesses fermentation to produce high quality oils and fats from agri-food waste streams, such as potato peels, rejected vegetables or any other biomass that contains either sugar, fatty acids, or alcohols, for use in food, cosmetics, and home care products. Their products are perfect substitutes to palm and other vegetable oils. Joining us from the Netherlands is Allard Langenhuijsen. https://www.nopalm-ingredients.com/

If you are interested in meeting with any of these companies, please contact info@gaapvc.com.

About the Global Agri-Food Advancement Partnership (GAAP)

GAAP is a privately run and operated agri-food investment incubator looking for cutting-edge technologies from early and rapid-growth companies seeking to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability within the global agriculture and food sector. www.gaapvc.com

About Ag-West Bio

Ag-West Bio is Saskatchewan's bioscience industry association. The company works as a catalyst for industry growth in the bioeconomy through investments, aiding strategic alliances, and providing business planning support, regulatory advice, and communications. Funding for Ag-West Bio is provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program. www.agwest.sk.ca

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017137028/en/

Contacts:

Grayson Berting

GAAP Marketing and Communications Manager

gb@gaapvc.com

306 231-6468
Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) (OTC Pink: CRUCF) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased to provide shareholders and interested parties with an update on its exploration and corporate activities.

"Colibri Resource Corporation's business mandate is to identify, acquire, explore, develop and monetize precious metals projects in the state of Sonora Mexico which have historically been exploited by artisanal or small-scale hard rock miners and/or surface placer miners. It is Colibri's assertion, that by following the trail left by the artisanal miners and applying modern technology and methodical exploration techniques to these areas, larger gold and silver resources can be discovered," said Ian McGavney Colibri's President & CEO.

Pilar Gold & Silver Project

On September 18th, 2023, Colibri received notice from its partner Tocvan Ventures Corp. ("Tocvan") that it has met all conditions set forth in its 2019 option agreement with Colibri to earn an initial 51% of its advanced exploration stage Pilar Gold & Silver Project ("Pilar"). The Pilar project is located near the town of Suaqui Grande in central Sonora. Under the terms of the agreement, Tocvan has until March 18th, 2024 to purchase the remaining 49% of Pilar from Colibri by paying an additional CAD $2 million in cash and issuing a 2% net smelter on the project to Colibri. Tocvan would maintain an option to buy back 1% of the royalty for CAD $1 million. Should Tocvan elect not to exercise its option, a joint venture between the two companies will be created to advance the project to a production decision. Pilar was originally found by Santa Catalina Mining Corp. in the mid 1990's by applying modern exploration methods and technology to a target area containing historical small scale mine workings. Colibri acquired Pilar in 2017 by way of acquiring Canadian Gold Resources and advanced the Pilar project by completing approximately 3,000 m of RC drilling. In 2019, Colibri optioned Pilar to Tocvan who has advanced the project through bulk sampling, various metallurgical testwork, and test mining.

EP Project

The Company recently announced the completion of a 2,200 metre drill program at its flagship EP Project. The EP Project is a consolidated land position consisting of Colibri's long held Evelyn Gold Project and the contiguous Plomo Gold Project which was acquired in early 2023 from the liquidators of Great Panther Mining. The total land position is 4,766 hectares and is located in the heart of the prolific Caborca Gold Belt. The project is encircled by Fresnillo Plc claims, one of Mexico's largest gold miners, which owns three open pit gold mines within 32kms of the project (including the La Herradura gold mine which has combined past production and current resources of more than 15 million ounces Au) and is presently developing a fourth deposit 11km south of EP.

Exploration of both Evelyn and Plomo began from the concept of applying modern exploration science and geological interpretation in areas where small scale hard rock miners and placer miners have left evidence of significant activity. Both properties have numerous small mines, test pits, and large areas of alluvium processing by placer miners referred to as "gambusinos."

EP Project exploration work completed to date includes a total of 13,087 metres of RC and core drilling, assay of more than one thousand surface rock and soil samples, geological mapping, structural mapping, and geophysical surveys including Magnetics and Induced Polarization ("IP"). The results clearly demonstrate that the EP Gold Project shares many geological characteristics with the operating mines and deposits in the adjacent Caborca Gold Belt. Compilation and interpretation completed by the Company has resulted in the identification and prioritization of a number of drill-ready and advanced exploration targets. Highlights of drilling include 12.2 g/t Au over 3m and 29m at 0.47 g/t Au from the Main Zone, 15m at 2.36 g/t Au from El Sahuaro, and 0.66 g/t Au over 11.65m from San Perfecto.

The most recent drilling at EP tested three target areas on the Evelyn Property. Assay results will be released upon receipt, validation, and interpretation of the data.

Diamante Project

The 1,057-hectare Diamante property is located adjacent to the Company's Mezquite and Jackie properties which cover 180 and 1113 hectares respectively thus providing the company with a total of 2,351 hectares of exploration ground. The Diamante property hosts a number of historical showings and combined with mineralization on the Mezquite and Jackie properties exhibit the geological characteristics of epithermal low to intermediate sulfidation Ag-Au (Pb-Zn), high sulfidation Au-Cu, and potential transition zones within and peripheral to porphyry style Au-Cu mineralization. Colibri and its partners completed the first-ever drill program on the Diamante property during 2022 at the El Pillado and La Prieta targets. Results included 2.48 grams per tonne ("g/t") Au and 56.7 g/t Ag over an intersection length of 9.0 metres ("m") from La Prieta and 0.26 g/t Au and 184.5 g/t Ag over an intersection length of 6.0 m from El Pillado. These two targets represent only two of nine known exploration targets on the property.

The Company is currently completing a geological mapping and sampling program at Diamante taking a property-wide approach as well as a more detailed evaluation of selected showings. Sampling includes outcrop sampling as well as property-wide stream sediment sampling. The Company anticipates initiating a drill program at Diamante before the end of the calendar year.

The Diamante property is located within a belt of Epithermal Au-Ag mineralization hosted by the Sierra Madre Occidental Volcanic Complex. Major gold mining operations in the area of the Diamante property include Alamos Golds' Los Mulatos Mine and Agnico Eagles' El India and Pinos Altos Mines. The Diamante project is located approximately 12km km northeast of Minera Alamos' Santana Au development project which is anticipated to commence commercial production in the near future. Colibri and its partners have located many areas on the project that have evidence of historical small scale production however no production records are available.

Financing

The Company has recently closed a convertible debenture private placement totalling USD $687,000. Current exploration plans are fully funded. For further details of the financing please refer to Colibri's news release dated September 12, 2023.

For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements." Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate.

For information contact: Ian McGavney, President/CEO and Director, Tel: (506) 383-4274, ianmcgavney@colibriresource.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184285
A New Era in AI-Driven Travel and Hospitality

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Belgian tech startup Wetime has entered into a transformative partnership with industry giants VodafoneZiggo and Packet Ship. This alliance aims to bring Wetime's cutting-edge AI technology to hotel rooms, starting with a pilot project at the Teaching Hotel in Maastricht.

Revolutionizing Personalized Travel Through AI

"Wetime's integration into Packet Ship's Guide platform marks a significant leap in personalized travel experiences," says Jan-Pieter Gerritsen, a representative from Packet Ship. Unlike conventional AI platforms that offer one-size-fits-all solutions, Wetime's AI technology tailors travel experiences to individual tastes and preferences, setting a new standard in a competitive market.

Turning Hotel Rooms into Revenue Engines

Wetime is not just an added amenity; it's a revenue accelerator for hotels. By incorporating Wetime into their in-room services, hotels can present guests with a curated selection of 150,000 activities, 250,000 hotel options, and 45,000 restaurants worldwide. This not only enriches the guest experience but has also been proven to boost in-room service revenue by up to 15%.

Academic Endorsement and Industry Accolades

"We consider it essential to be at the cutting edge of AI technology, a field that is becoming increasingly important in the hotel industry," states Eelco Holwerda from the Teaching Hotel. Wetime's credibility is further enhanced by its selection for the upcoming Web Summit's Growth Summit, an elite gathering of the world's most innovative companies. "Being chosen for the Growth Summit is not just an honor; it's a validation of Wetime's groundbreaking potential," adds Sietse Schelpe, co-founder of Wetime.

Global Ambitions: Starting with the Netherlands

Wetime, in line with its ambitious growth strategy, is actively seeking its first round of investors to fuel its expansion into new markets. The company is capitalizing on the platform provided by Web Summit's prestigious Growth Summit to connect with potential strategic partners. Their objective is to secure the initial investments that will propel them from being self-funded into Belgium and across the European continent in the coming years. This represents a unique and compelling opportunity for investors to participate in a pioneering AI-driven travel and hospitality venture poised for global disruption.

About Wetime

Co-founded by Sietse Schelpe and Marloes Decraemer, Wetime is on a mission to redefine how people plan city trips. The platform employs AI to create customized travel itineraries, factoring in variables such as budget, group dynamics, and personal preferences.

Contact:

Wetime

Sietse Schelpe

0032493881164

sietse@wetime.eu

https://www.wetime.eu

SOURCE: Wetime





View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793721/vodafoneziggo-implements-wetime-ai-for-hotels


BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - In response to the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza, the European Union is stepping up its emergency assistance to the Palestinian people.



The European Commission announced that it is launching a Humanitarian Air Bridge operation consisting of several flights to Egypt to bring lifesaving supplies to humanitarian organizations on the ground in Gaza.



The first two flights, carrying humanitarian cargo from UNICEF including shelter items, medicines and hygiene kits, will take off this week.



This operation via the European Humanitarian Response Capacity will facilitate the delivery of assistance to people in need in Gaza. Additional emergency items from EU emergency stockpiles are available and ready to be deployed to our humanitarian partners as soon as requested, the Commission said.



However, it is not clear how the aid will reach Gaza as the border crossing at Rafah remains closed.



In the wake of the ongoing war, the European Union had tripled its humanitarian assistance to more than EUR75 million to support civilians in Gaza. The funding will be channeled through selected EU humanitarian partners operating on the ground taking into account capacity and access.



The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened with Israel implementing a siege of the thickly populated enclave in retaliation against the deadly Hamas attacks.



Meanwhile, the U.S. Defense Department said a Marine rapid response force is being deployed to the waters off the coast of Israel to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East.



On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a prepare to deploy order to around 2,000 Marines and sailors and a range of units.



'No decisions have been made to deploy any forces at this time. The Secretary will continue to assess our force posture and remain in close contact with allies and partners,' Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement.



Additionally, he approved a deployment extension for the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Sixth Fleet Area of Operations. The strike group was nearing the end of its six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command.



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
Originally published on 3M News Center

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / 3M and Discovery Education named Heman Bekele, a 9th grader at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, Va., the winner of the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation's premier middle school science competition. Heman set himself apart with his compound-based Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS). As the grand prize winner, he will receive a $25,000 cash prize and the prestigious title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

Heman spent the last four months competing against nine other finalists and secured his win during final Challenge events at 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minn., on October 9 and 10. Finalists navigated a series of interactive challenges and were evaluated on their ingenuity and innovative thinking, application of STEM principles, demonstration of passion and research, presentation skills, and ability to inspire others.

"The need for scientists and innovators to develop solutions for the world's biggest challenges has never been greater. This year's Young Scientist Challenge finalists have demonstrated the skills required to reimagine what's possible-intelligence, curiosity, collaboration, and resilience," said John Banovetz, 3M executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility. "The magnitude and complexity of the issues these young minds are working to solve is inspiring. Congratulations to this year's finalists-we can't wait to see what you do next!"

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with an average annual treatment cost of $8.1 billion. Inspired by this costly and widespread health issue, Heman developed an affordable soap solution that could positively impact skin cancer outcomes. Over the next five years, he hopes to refine this novel innovation and create a nonprofit organization that will distribute this low-cost solution to communities in need.

Young Scientist Challenge finalists are paired with a 3M scientist who mentors and works with them one-on-one over the summer to transform their idea from concept to prototype. This year's winner was paired with Deborah Isabelle, Product Engineering Specialist, Abrasives, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division.

The program's Improving Lives Award gives students, teachers, parents, and other members of the public a chance to cast their vote for the innovation they believe has the most potential to make a positive impact on the world. This year's winner is Annie Katz, a 9th grader at Leffell School in New Rochelle, N.Y., whose Automated Ultrasound Hamstring Lesion Detection & Diagnosis device offers a more accessible way to detect and recover from hamstring lesions. As the Improving Lives Award winner, Annie will receive a $2,000 prize.

"Over the past 16 years, we've had the honor of enabling innovative students to turn their ideas into world-changing solutions through the 3M Young Scientist Challenge," said Amy Nakamoto, executive vice president of social impact at Discovery Education. "Their work is a rare and impressive accomplishment, and we congratulate each and every one of them."

In its sixteenth year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire and challenge middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to discover real-world solutions. America's Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine's first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and have appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more. In addition, a 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network was formed in fall 2022 and welcomed more than 100 former challenge finalists and winners for networking opportunities.

The award-winning competition supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program Young Scientist Lab, which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All its resources are also available on Discovery Education Experience, the company's award-winning K-12 learning platform.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from 3M on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: 3M

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/3m

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: 3M

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793743/14-year-old-named-americas-top-young-scientist-for-development-of-skin-cancer-treatment
Regulatory News:

The Pierre Vacances-Center Parcs Group (Paris:VAC) recorded double-digit revenue growth in its tourism businesses over the full-year 2022/2023 (+12.8% compared with the previous year and +27.6% compared with the pre-Covid reference year of 2019).

Q4 revenue was up 6.1% on demanding comparison with the year-earlier period which was especially robust (+15.4% in summer 2022 compared with summer 2021).

The performance brought Group revenue1 to a record level of 1,914.6 million (+8.2%) and adds weight to full-year 2022/2023 guidance, which was revised upwards in April to expect:

Adjusted EBITDA 2 of more than 130 million,

of more than 130 million, Operating cash flow3 generation of more than 50 million.

Franck Gervais, CEO of Pierre Vacances-Center Parcs, stated:

"With double-digit growth in its tourism businesses for the second year in a row, the Pierre Vacances-Center Parcs Group is proving the relevance of its ReInvention strategy. Sustained, ongoing investment in the renovation and upgrading of our product, coupled with the shift to an experiential offering, have enabled us to achieve record levels of customer satisfaction and meet our customers' new aspirations for local and responsible tourism.

The robust revenue performance was driven by all our brands and supports our latest earnings and cash flow guidance for 2022/2023, revised upwards in April this year.

Strengthened by the advance gained in reaching our strategic targets, as well as the higher level of reservations to date for the winter season compared with the previous year, we are entering 2023/2024 with confidence, while remaining cautious on the challenges raised by an uncertain economic environment".

1] Revenue

Under IFRS accounting, 2022/2023 revenue totalled 1,786.5 million (with Q4 revenue at 614.9 million), compared with 1,612.3million in 2021/2022 (and 574.1 million in Q4 2021/2022).

The Group comments on its revenue and the associated financial indicators in compliance with its operational reporting namely: (i) with the presentation of joint undertakings in proportional consolidation, and (ii) excluding the impact of IFRS16 application. A reconciliation table presenting revenue stemming from operational reporting and revenue under IFRS accounting is presented at the end of the press release.

Revenue is also presented according to the following operational sectors defined in compliance with the IFRS 8 standard4, i.e.:

Center Parcs covering both operation of the domains marketed under the Center Parcs, Sunparks and Villages Nature brands, and the building/renovation activities for tourism assets and property marketing in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.

Pierre Vacances covering the tourism businesses operated in France and Spain under the Pierre Vacances and maeva.com brands, the property development business in Spain and the Asset Management business line (responsible notably for relations with individual and institutional lessors).

Adagio covering operation of the city residences leased by the Pierre Vacances-Center Parcs Group and entrusted to the Adagio SAS joint venture under management mandates, as well as operation of the sites directly leased by the joint venture.

an operational sector covering the Major Projects business line responsible for construction and development of new assets on behalf of the Group in France, and Senioriales, the subsidiary specialised in property development and operation of non-medicalised residences for independent elderly people.

the Corporate operational segment housing primarily the holding company activities.



Q4 Total year m 22/23 21/22 Chg. 22/23 21/22 Chg. Center Parcs 377.4 361.2 4.5% 1,170.0 1,067.0 9.7% o/w accommodation revenue 288.3 276.3 4.3% 850.2 751.8 13.1% P&V 174.4 166.6 4.7% 426.7 412.6 3.4% o/w accommodation revenue 120.4 116.4 3.4% 298.5 288.6 3.4% Adagio 67.2 60.5 11.1% 232.5 180.7 28.7% o/w accommodation revenue 59.0 53.4 10.6% 208.6 161.6 29.1% Major Projects Seniorales 21.1 20.0 5.7% 83.8 107.4 -22.0% Corporate 0.4 0.0 NA 1.5 2.0 -22.6% Total 640.6 608.2 5.3% 1,914.6 1,769.8 8.2% Revenue from tourism businesses 608.1 573.2 6.1% 1,741.5 1,544.2 12.8% Accommodation revenue 467.7 446.1 4.8% 1,357.4 1,202.0 12.9% Supplementary income 140.4 127.1 10.5% 384.2 342.2 12.3% Other revenue 32.5 35.0 -7.2% 173.1 225.5 -23.3%

Revenue from the tourism businesses

Group revenue rose by almost 13% over the full-year, driven by all its brands. Q4 revenue growth stood at 6.1%, lower than the level seen over the first nine months of the year (+16.7%), given comparison with an historical high year-earlier period (+15.4% in Q4 2022 relative to Q4 2021).

Accommodation revenue

Q4

Accommodation revenue totalled 467.7 million in Q4 2022/2023 up 4.8% relative to Q4 of the previous year, driven by a rise in average letting rates (+4.9%) and a virtually stable number of nights sold. The occupancy rate stood at 83.7% (vs. 84.3% in summer 2022).

Revenue increased at all brands:

Center Parcs: +4.3%

Growth was driven by average letting rates (+2.8%) and the number of nights sold (+1.5%), benefiting from both:

- The French domains (+3.3%, with an outstanding performance by the new Domaine des Landes de Gascogne (+6.6%), opened in May 2022).

- The domains located in BNG5 (+4.8%, o/w +5.9% in Germany, +5.4% in the Netherlands and +2.1% in Belgium).

The occupancy rate was down by 1.6 point to 84.8% over the period, the 4th quarter 2022 having benefited from the post-Covid business rebound.

Pierre Vacances: +3.4%

Growth in revenue was driven by the rise in average letting rates (+5.8%) with the number of nights sold down 2.2%.

- Revenue from the residences in France increased (+1.3%), despite a reduction6 in the stock operated by lease (-4.0% of nights offered relative to Q4 of the previous year). On a constant stock basis, revenue was up (RevPar7 up 5.5%).

- Revenue from the residences in Spain also increased (+7.8%), driven by both average letting rates (+6.0%) and the number of nights sold (+1.8%).

The occupancy rate was up by 0.8 point to 85.3% over the period.

Adagio: +10.6%

Adagio continued to post particularly dynamic growth, driven by higher average letting rates (+10.5%), with the number of nights sold virtually stable.

The occupancy rate was down by 1.1 point to 77.9% over the period.

Full-year

Full-year 2022/2023 accommodation revenue amounted to 1,357.4 million, up 12.9% relative to the previous year, and up 27.1% on 2019, the pre-Covid reference year.

Growth was driven by all the Group's brands and destinations. It was also boosted by growth in average letting rates (+8.8%), benefiting especially from site premiumisation and the rise in the number of nights sold (+3.8%). The average occupancy rate also rose over the year (+0.8 point), to 74.4%, while customer satisfaction improved (NPS8 up 5 points for Center Parcs and 2 points for Pierre Vacances).

Supplementary income9

Q4 supplementary income totalled 140.4 million, up 10.5% relative to the year-earlier period. It benefited especially from the outstanding performance at maeva.com (+15.2%), boosted by a very good season for its camping product, and a rise in revenue from onsite activities at the Center Parcs domains, the result of initiatives taken to enhance the service offering.

Over the full year, supplementary income totalled 384.2 million, up 12.3%.

Other revenue:

Q4 2022/2023 revenue from other business totalled 32.5 million compared with 35.0 million in Q4 2021/2022 (decline with no significant impact on EBITDA), primarily made up of:

renovation operations at Center Parcs domains on behalf of owner-lessors, for 11.0 million (compared with 15.0 million in Q4 2021/2022).

- Seniorales for 14.6 million (vs. 17.5 million in Q4 2021/2022).

- The Major Projects business line for 6.5 million, compared with 0.3 million in Q4 2021/2022.

In all, full-year revenue from other business totalled 173.1 million, down 23.3% relative to the year-earlier period.

2] Outlook

Financial guidance for 2022/2023

This performance supports the Group's financial forecasts for the 2022/2023 financial year, which were revised upwards on April 18, 2023 as follows:

Group Adjusted EBITDA of more than 130 million,

- Operating cash flow generation of more than 50 million.

Operating performances expected for the first quarter of the year

The portfolio of tourism reservations booked to date for the first quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year is higher than the previous year's level for all the Group's brands. Revenue growth is driven by both higher average letting rates and a volume effect.

3] Financial calendar

The Group's full year 2022/2023 results will be reported on 1 December 2023 before the markets open.

4] Reconciliation table between revenue stemming from operational reporting and revenue under IFRS accounting.

Under IFRS accounting, Q4 2022/2023 revenue totalled 614.9 million (with full-year revenue at 1,786.5 million), compared with 574.1 million in Q4 2021/2022 (and 1,612.3 million over the previous full-year period). Revenue growth over the year stemmed from all Group brands, benefiting from the rise in both average letting rates and the number of nights sold.

 millions 2022/2023 according to

operating reporting Restatement IFRS11 Impact IFRS16 2022/2023 IFRS Center Parcs 377.4 -1.9 375.6 Pierre Vacances 174.4 174.4 Adagio 67.2 -17.0 50.2 Major Projects Seniorales 21.1 -4.8 -1.9 14.3 Corporate 0.4 0.4 Total Q4 2022/2023 revenue 640.6 -21.8 -3.8 614.9

 millions 2022/2023 according to operating reporting Restatement IFRS11 Impact IFRS16 2022/2023 IFRS Center Parcs 1,170.0 -6.4 -36.5 1,127.1 Pierre Vacances 426.7 426.7 Adagio 232.5 -56.7 175.8 Major Projects Seniorales 83.8 -21.8 -6.8 55.2 Corporate 1.5 1.5 Total FY 2022/2023 revenue 1,914.6 -84.8 -43.3 1,786.5

 millions 2021/2022 according to operating reporting Restatement IFRS11 Impact IFRS16 2021/2022 IFRS Center Parcs 361.2 -10.7 -4.6 345.8 Pierre Vacances 166.6 166.6 Adagio 60.5 -14.7 45.7 Major Projects Seniorales 20.0 -3.6 -0.4 16.0 Corporate 0.0 0.0 Total Q4 2021/2022 revenue 608.2 -29.1 -5.0 574.1

 millions 2021/2022 according to operating reporting Restatement IFRS11 Impact IFRS16 2021/2022 IFRS Center Parcs 1,067.0 -32.0 -51.5 983.4 Pierre Vacances 412.6 -0.1 412.5 Adagio 180.7 -42.2 138.5 Major Projects Seniorales 107.4 -16.2 -15.4 75.8 Corporate 2.0 2.0 Total FY 2021/2022 revenue 1,769.8 -90.5 -67.0 1,612.3

IFRS11 adjustments: for its operating reporting, the Group continues to integrate joint operations under the proportional integration method, considering that this presentation is a better reflection of its performance. In contrast, joint ventures are consolidated under equity associates in the consolidated IFRS accounts.

Impact of IFRS16: The application of IFRS16 as of 1 October 2019 leads to the cancellation, in the financial statements, of a share of revenue and the capital gain for disposals undertaken under the framework of property operations with third-parties (given the Group's leasing contracts). See below for the impact on FY revenue.

4] Change in operational KPIs

Average letting rates (by night, for accommodation) Number of nights sold Occupancy rate (excl. tax) Chg. N-1 Units Chg. N-1 Chg. Pts N-1 Chg. Pts N-1 Center Parcs 209.8 +2.8% 1,374 237 +1.5% 84.8% -1.6 pts Pierre Vacances 127.7 +5.8% 942,653 -2.2% 85.3% +0.8 pts Adagio 117.1 +10.5% 504,225 +0.1% 77.9% -1.1 pts Total Q4 2022/2023 revenue 165.8 +4.9% 2,821 115 0.0% 83.7% -0.6 pts

Average letting rates (by night, for accommodation) Number of nights sold Occupancy rate (excl. tax) Chg. N-1 Units Chg. N-1 Chg. Pts N-1 Chg. Pts N-1 Center Parcs 177.5 +5.2% 4,789,678 +7.5% 76.6% +1.2 pts Pierre Vacances 120.3 +6.6% 2,481,533 -3.0% 70.1% -1.5 pts Adagio 108.6 +23.7% 1,920,825 +4.4% 75.6% +3.2 pts Total FY 2022/2023 revenue 147.7 +8.8% 9,192,036 +3.8% 74.4% +0.8 pts

1 According to operational reporting

2Adjusted EBITDA current operating profit stemming from operational reporting (consolidated operating income before other non-current operating income and expense, excluding the impact of IFRS 11 and IFRS 16 accounting rules) adjusted for provisions and depreciation and amortisation of fixed operating assets. Adjusted EBITDA therefore includes the benefit of rental savings generated by the Villages Nature project following the agreements concluded in March 2022 for an amount of 14.4 million for 2022/2023, 14.6 million for 2023/24, 8.9 million for 2024/25 and 4.0 million for 2025/26.

3 Operating cash flows after capex and before non-recurring items and flows related to financing activities.

4 See page 186 of the Universal Registration Document, filed with the AMF on 22 December 2022 and available on the Group's website: www.groupepvcp.com

5 Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany

6 Decline in stock due to non-renewal of leases and withdrawal from loss-making sites

7 RevPar revenue per available room

8 Net Promoter Score: (difference between the number of "promoters" and the number of "detractors" to the question "would you recommend this site to your friends and family?".

9 Revenue from onsite activities (catering, animation, stores, services etc.), co-ownership and multi-owner fees and management mandates, marketing margins and revenue generated by the maeva.com business line.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017826462/en/

Contacts:

For further information:

Investor Relations and Strategic Operations

Emeline Laute

+33 (0) 1 58 21 54 76

info.fin@groupepvcp.com

Press Relations

Valerie Lauthier

+33 (0) 1 58 21 54 61

valerie.lauthier@groupepvcp.com
Results are the first data released on the development of an AI model which will be integrated into Median's iBiopsy AI/ML tech-based CADe/CADx SaMD for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) early diagnosis.

Initial results show an HCC lesion detection sensitivity of 92% of Median's iBiopsy AI model, versus a sensitivity of 69% observed among radiologists without AI-based computer-aided detection.

Results will be presented by Pr. Olivier Lucidarme, La Pitie-Salpetriere, AP-HP Hospital, Paris, France, at the ESMO 2023 Congress, during an oral session on Sunday, 22 October at 9:10 am.

The Median iBiopsy team will be at booth #522, Hall 5, from October 20 to 23 (exhibition dates) to discuss the study results as well as iBiopsy advancements.

Regulatory News:

Median Technologies (ALMDT:PA) (Paris:ALMDT) announces today that the first results of its iBiopsy HCC detection AI model developed on the PHELICAR clinical data registry will be presented during the annual congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), taking place from Oct 20 to 24, in Madrid, Spain.

The study, conducted using data from the PHELICAR clinical data registry (CDR), was led by Pr. Olivier Ludicarme, Head of Specialty, and Emergency Imaging Department at the Pitie-Salpetriere AP-HP Hospital, Paris, France, and his team as well as teams from the Beaujon and Paul-Brousse AP-HP Hospitals. The primary focus of this study was on the evaluation of Median's iBiopsy AI model for the detection of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ultimately targeting the early diagnosis of HCC.

HCC constitutes more than 90% of primary liver cancers, ranking as the third leading cause of death by cancer worldwide1. Notably, the 5-year survival rate of liver cancer patients is only between 3% to 13% if the cancer is diagnosed at advanced stage (C) yet rises significantly to 36% when diagnosed at early stage (A) and even higher when diagnosed at very early stage (0)2

Results presented at the ESMO 2023 Congress under the abstract Computer-Aided HCC Lesion Detection Based on Deep Learning and CT Images (abstract 1209MO) describe the first development step of a model slated for integration into Median's AI/ML tech-based end-to-end CADe/CADx3 Software as Medical Device (SaMD) for HCC early diagnosis, on multiphase CT images (Arterial and Portal phase). This initial work is centered on the detection features of Median's future iBiopsy HCC CADe/CADx SaMD and is based on a cohort of 753 patients from AP-HP, suffering from chronic liver disease and HCC. For the study, data from 561 patients were used for the algorithm's training tuning, whereas data from 192 patients were used for its testing.

Median's iBiopsy AI model, designed to detect HCC lesions as small as 10 mm in diameter, showcased promising results, achieving an impressive sensitivity rate of 92% on the test set. This notable achievement significantly surpasses the average sensitivity of 69%4 observed among radiologists without AI/ML tech-based computer aided detection. The next phase of research will focus on the small-size lesions to improve the diagnosis of very early stage (0) and early-stage (A) HCC.

Study results will be presented during the session Basic Science Translational Research (ID 81), to be held on Sunday 22 October, session time: 8:30 10:05 am CEST, oral presentation time: 9:10 am CEST, Santander Auditorium Hall 9.

As a reminder, PHELICAR is part of a large research collaboration agreement signed in March 2020 between AP-HP and Median Technologies, aiming at carrying out studies to be used for the development and validation of Median's iBiopsy AI/ML tech-based algorithms. More specifically, PHELICAR is a large-scale clinical data registry (CDR) to accurately identify the specific tumor phenotypes to better diagnose and predict patient outcome in HCC and supports the ongoing rise of predictive and personalized medicine.

The Median iBiopsy team will attend the ESMO 2023 Congress and be at booth #522, Hall 5, from October 20 to 23 (exhibition dates) to discuss the study results as well as iBiopsy advancements.

About iBiopsy: iBiopsy is based on the most advanced technologies in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science (DS), benefiting from Median's expertise in medical image processing. iBiopsy targets the development of AI/ML tech-based Software as Medical Devices (SaMD), to be used in several indications for which there are unmet needs regarding early diagnosis, prognosis and treatment selection in the context of precision medicine. iBiopsy currently focuses on Lung Cancer, Liver Cancer (HCC) and Liver Disease (NAFLD/NASH).

About Median Technologies:Median Technologies provides innovative imaging solutions and services to advance healthcare for everyone. We harness the power of medical images by using the most advanced Artificial Intelligence technologies, to increase the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment of many cancers and other metabolic diseases at their earliest stages and provide insights into novel therapies for patients. Our iCRO solutions for medical image analysis and management in oncology trials and iBiopsy, our AI/ML tech-based suite of software as medical devices (SaMD) help biopharmaceutical companies and clinicians to bring new treatments and diagnose patients earlier and more accurately. This is how we are helping to create a healthier world.

Founded in 2002, based in Sophia-Antipolis, France, with a subsidiary in the US and another one in Shanghai, Median has received the label "Innovative company" by the BPI and is listed on Euronext Growth market (Paris). FR0011049824- ticker: ALMDT. Median is eligible for the French SME equity savings plan scheme (PEA-PME). For more information: www.mediantechnologies.com

1 Global Cancer Observatory: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/cancers/11-Liver-fact-sheet.pdf

2 ASCO Cancer.net: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/liver-cancer/statistics

3 A radiological CADe device is "intended to identify, mark, highlight or otherwise direct attention to portions of an image that may reveal abnormalities during interpretation of images by the clinician." A CADx device is "intended to provide information beyond identifying abnormalities, such as an assessment of disease." Source: FDA

4 Roberts, Lewis R. et al. Roberts, Lewis R. et al. Imaging for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hepatology 67(1):p 401-421, January 2018

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017841752/en/

Contacts:

Median Technologies

Emmanuelle Leygues

Head of Corporate Marketing Financial Communications

+33 6 10 93 58 88

emmanuelle.leygues@mediantechnologies.com

Press ALIZE RP

Caroline Carmagnol

+33 6 64 18 99 59

median@alizerp.com

Investors ACTIFIN

Ghislaine Gasparetto

+33 6 21 10 49 24

ggasparetto@actifin.fr
LEWISVILLE, TX / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Prototype IT, a leading managed IT service provider, today announced the appointment of Thaddeus Siwinski as its new Chief Executive Officer. Siwinski officially stepped into the role on September 11, 2023, alongside Chief Operating Officer, Richard Crooks, and other executive team members.



Thaddeus Siwinski

Prior to joining Prototype IT, Siwinski served as a Strategy and Operations Executive at Credera, building teams and empowering clients to achieve their missions by modernizing their information technology programs. Siwinski's previous roles also include experience in Technical Program Management with Intuit, and proudly serving in the US Navy as a Navy SEAL. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Government and Politics, and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Maryland, College Park.

"It's a great time to join Prototype IT," said Siwinski. "Prototype IT is well-established and has earned its strong reputation as a top IT managed service provider in Dallas Fort Worth through fast, friendly support, and providing clients with peace of mind by improving their cybersecurity posture. I'm excited for the opportunity to build on this foundation and help drive increased value for our clients. Given my background and experience, I have a strong appreciation for what it takes to lift a company to the next level. I look forward to collaborating with the entire team to plan and achieve Prototype IT's next chapter of growth and success."

About Prototype IT

Prototype IT is one of largest Managed Service Providers in the Dallas Fort Worth area, providing best-in-class IT support services and solutions to businesses in the DFW metroplex and across North America. Headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, Prototype IT provides comprehensive technology support including 24x7 help desk, cloud solutions and services, professional project services, and IT consulting.

CONTACT:

Deanna Fielder

dfielder@prototypeit.net

Contact Information:

Deanna Fielder

Marketing Coordinator

dfielder@prototypeit.net

214-270-0850

Mark Wendorf

Vice President, Sales & Marketing

mwendorf@prototypeit.net

214-270-0850

SOURCE: Prototype IT

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793764/prototype-it-announces-appointment-of-new-ceo-thaddeus-siwinski
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 17

For immediate release

17 October 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 150,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 825.64 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 21,671,869; 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 203,319,434.

The figure of 203,319,434 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
CMiC's Philanthropic Efforts and Hiring Practices Make them a Strong Ambassador of Inclusivity

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / CMiC, a leading Next Generation Construction ERP provider, is showing their support for Construction Inclusion Week as both a sponsor and advocate of this great initiative. With their strong leadership team dedicated to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), CMiC strives to be an organization which not only provides cutting-edge construction software, but also plays a large role in "giving back."

According to Pat Shah, Chief Operating Officer - CMiC, "We have a strong resolve to expand and further strengthen our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts as it closely aligns with the values of our organization, which is espoused by the next generation of our employees."

From Vision to Reality: Construction Inclusion Week's Leaders' Mission to Advance Inclusion in the Construction Industry

With the goal of promoting and strengthening DEI within the construction industry, leaders from DPR, Gilbane, Turner Construction, Mortenson, McCarthy, and Clark Construction Group created an organization called "Time for Change" in 2020. One of their first accomplishments was the establishment of Construction Inclusion Week (CIW), which launched in 2021.

The defined goals of Construction Inclusion Week are:

To "champion inclusion empowering us to reach our full potential, fuel innovation, and enhance connections with our employees, clients, and the communities we serve." To "harness and leverage the capabilities and global reach of the construction industry and its affiliates to cultivate and perpetuate a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion."

At the highest level, the main purpose of CIW is to spark conversations within firms and industry partners, spearhead DEI-focused initiatives at the organizational level, and enhance our collective commitment to inclusion across the industry.

True to form, this year's 5 key themes include:

Commitment & Accountability

Belonging

Supplier Diversity

Workplace Culture

Community Engagement

Now in its third year, CIW continues to increase its number of partners, sponsors and the number of projects they participate in. With this upward trajectory, it shows no sign of slowing down.

Increased Engagement: CMiC's Continued Efforts to Promote and Support Construction Inclusion Week

CMiC continues their active involvement in Construction Inclusion Week 2023, not only by serving as an ambassador level sponsor, but also by promoting their themes and initiatives through various Marketing, PR and Social Media initiatives. In fact, they will be conducting an educational session for their employees to help spread awareness and invite them to participate in the cause.

Under the CMiC umbrella, key participants include: Gord Rawlins, President & CEO, Shirin Ali - Head of Marketing, Farhana Ahmad - Senior Content Marketing Manager, as well Vicki Morisson, the chair of Ready, Set, Build!, their CSR committee.

According to Morisson, "We're very excited to take part in the efforts brought to the forefront by the Construction Inclusion leaders." She adds, "It's both an honor and a privilege to be in the company of organizations that share our corporate values, primarily creating a culture of inclusivity and philanthropy."

Gaining Momentum: CMiC's Charity-Focused Initiatives and Hiring Practices

At the organizational level, CMiC continues to uphold their strong commitment to philanthropic and DEI efforts. While they fundraise for various causes and initiatives, their partnership with the ACE Mentor Program remains at the top position. In fact, CMiC has donated $2.5M to date to this program through the CMiC-Allen Berg Memorial Scholarship. This is a testament to their commitment to driving technological advancement and innovation in the construction industry.

On top of that, CMiC continues to donate to various local charities and projects. Their Ready, Set, Build! committee has successfully increased fundraising dollars by over 300% in the past 4 years. In addition, they have partnered with key charities and partners, namely Raising the Roof and Building Up.

Of course, their great work didn't go unnoticed. In fact, they have received the following awards, which commemorate the contributions they have made to date:

Deloitte's Best Managed Award: CMiC became a 6-time winner in 2022 (the second year as a Gold Standard recipient). The contributions and efforts made towards philanthropic and charitable initiatives are a key part of the selection process.

CMiC became a 6-time winner in 2022 (the second year as a Gold Standard recipient). The contributions and efforts made towards philanthropic and charitable initiatives are a key part of the selection process. Trust Radius Tech Cares Award: They were recognized as a winner in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

They were recognized as a winner in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Tech in Motion's Timmy Awards: CMiC was recognized as a 'Community Favorite' winner for the category of Best Tech Workplace for Diversity in 2019.

CMiC also puts a strong focus on inclusive hiring practices to promote diversity within their organization. One statistic that stands out is that 69% of their employee base falls under the visible minority category.

"Workforce diversity at CMiC represents a broad array of dimensions and initiatives, from talent sourcing and development - as well as religious, cultural, and gender inclusion - to active participation in community enhancement programs," says Gord Rawlins, President & CEO at CMiC.

To learn more about Construction Inclusion Week, please click here .

About Construction Inclusion Week:

Construction Inclusion Week is the first effort to harness the collective power of general contractors, specialty contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Initially launched in 2021 as an industry-wide awareness initiative, the entity is now an established 501(c)(6) organization. Construction Inclusion Week aims to build awareness of the need to improve diversity and inclusion in the construction industry by providing content and resources.

About CMiC

As an industry pioneer, CMiC delivers complete and unified Financials and Project Management software solutions for construction and capital projects firms. CMiC's powerful software transforms how firms optimize productivity, minimize risk and drive growth by planning and managing all financials, projects, resources, and content assets-from a Single Database Platform. With customers throughout North America and overseas, CMiC serves one-quarter of ENR's Top 400 Contractors and hundreds of small and mid-sized construction firms, from general and specialty contractors to heavy/highway and project owners. Over $100 billion in construction revenue is handled by CMiC annually.

For more information, about CMiC please click here.

Media Inquiries (CMiC):

Shirin Ali

Head of Marketing

shirin.ali@cmicglobal.com

SOURCE: CMiC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793474/cmic-secures-its-foothold-as-a-champion-and-sponsor-of-construction-inclusion-week
Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 17

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

17 October 2023

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 17 October 2023 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 100,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 322.3 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 324.25 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 321 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 16,140,071 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company is 229,951,352 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchase - Individual Transactions (as at 17 October 2023)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 60000 321.00 10:30:43 00067389346TRLO0 LSE 40000 324.25 16:09:00 00067399851TRLO0 LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:
BANGLORE, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 3D Semiconductor Packaging Market is Segmented by Type (3d Wire Bonding, 3d Tsv, 3d Fan Out, Others), by Application ( Consumer Electronics , Industrial, Automotive, Transport, IT & Telecommunication, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis And Industry Forecast, 2023-2029.

The global 3D Semiconductor Packaging market was valued at USD 1829.9 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 4646.1 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 16.8% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

Major Factors Driving The Growth Of 3d Semiconductor Packaging Market

The primary market factors accelerating the industry's growth are increased demand for the miniaturization of electronic devices and rapid expansion in the information and communications sectors. Additionally, the market is being driven by benefits including improved device performance, decreased size, increased integration, and energy savings.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE 3D SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGING MARKET

The growing need for electric device miniaturization is driving the market CAGR for 3D semiconductor packaging. The need for 3D semiconductor packaging is anticipated to rise in response to the growing demand for devices with high capacity and little storage. In the development and design of electronic equipment, the inclination towards miniaturization is increasingly significant. Heterogeneous integration, in which the circuit layers are created using several methods on various wafers, is one of the method's key features. Small surgical tools used in the healthcare sector and tiny MEMS devices used in electrical products are examples of microelectronics devices. These gadgets are made up of various integrated chips, and their manufacturers emphasize how little space they take up.

The key drivers of demand for chips using improved semiconductor packaging techniques, including 3D package design, are low power and small-size consumption. The smaller size of electronic gadgets for consumer convenience has increased demand for tiny electronic circuits. The market for 3D semiconductor packaging is being driven by an array of factors, including growing demand for miniaturized circuits in microelectronic devices, an increase in the need for tablets, wearable technology, low-end smartphones, and other connected consumer goods, rising demand for consumer electronics products, rising sales of MEMS devices, improved efficiency, and lower power consumption.

3D packing can occasionally result in financial savings. Smaller, less costly chips may be used, and materials can be used more effectively. Additionally, it can lessen the requirement for intricate and expensive interconnects. Keeping heat under control becomes a major concern as semiconductor devices get more powerful. Better choices for heat dissipation are provided by 3D packaging since heat may be dispersed more evenly over several stacked layers. Chips can be more easily integrated with various production nodes or technologies thanks to 3D packaging. This may result in devices that are more specialized and adaptable.

Reducing latency is essential for several applications, like data centers and artificial intelligence. By enabling the placement of memory and processor units closer together, 3D packaging can be helpful. The adoption of 3D semiconductor packaging is being fueled by advancements in consumer electronics, including the adoption of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things), rising demand for smartphones, computers, and other consumer devices, and growing trends in miniaturized circuits in electronic devices.

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3D SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGING MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

With a 68% market share, Asia-Pacific is the region with the largest market for 3D semiconductor packaging. With a market share of around 23%, North America comes in second.

lASE, Amkor, Intel, Samsung, AT&S, Toshiba, JCET, Qualcomm, IBM, SK Hynix, UTAC, TSMC, China Wafer Level CSP, Interconnect Systems, and others are the major producers. The top 3 businesses had nearly 50% of the market.

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Key Companies:

LASE GmbH

Amkor

SAMSUNG

AT&S

Toshiba

JCET

Qualcomm Inc

IBM

SK Hynix

UTAC

China Wafer Level CSP

Interconnect Systems

Intel

TSMC

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SIMILAR REPORTS

- The global AMC Filters for Semiconductor market is projected to reach USD 559.6 million by 2028 from an estimated USD 399.2 million in 2022, at a CAGR of 5.8% during 2023 and 2028.

- The global Semiconductor Liquid Filters market size is estimated to be worth USD 444.89 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 876.32 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 11.8% during the review period.

- The Semiconductor OHT (Overhead Hoist Transport) market is expected to reach USD 719 million in 2023, with a positive growth of %, compared with USD 669 million in 2022. Backed with the increasing demand from downstream industries, Semiconductor OHT (Overhead Hoist Transport) industry is estimated to reach USD 1246.2 million in 2029. The CAGR will be 9.6% during 2023 to 2029.

- The global Piezoelectric Devices market size is estimated to be worth USD 24020 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 28350 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 2.8% during the review period.

- The global market for Variable Frequency Drive estimated at USD 16 billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of USD 19 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 3% during the forecast period 2022-2028.

- The global Semiconductor Materials market size is projected to reach USD 52410 million by 2028, from USD 40420 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 3.3% during 2022-2028.

- The global Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market size is projected to reach USD 53200 million by 2027, from USD 39510 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 3.9% during 2021-2027.

- The Global Gate Driver IC Market Size was valued at 1.2 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 1.88 Billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5% from 2021 to 2030.

- The global Compound Semiconductor market size was valued at USD 38.25 billion in 2021 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 55.42 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 5.48% during the forecast period 2022-2028.

- 2018-2019 Recap and 2020 Forecast for the Semiconductor Industry

- The global Power Semiconductor market was valued at USD 46070 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 66420 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- The global RF Power Semiconductor market size is estimated to be worth USD 21010 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 34660 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 8.7% during the review period.

- Energy System Power Semiconductor Module Market

- The global Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment market size is projected to reach USD 53200 million by 2027, from USD 39510 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 3.9% during 2021-2027.

- The global Semiconductor Chemical Distribution Systems market is projected to reach USD 1027.7 million in 2029, increasing from USD 589 million in 2022, with the CAGR of 8.7% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- The global Semiconductor Spare Parts market is projected to reach USD 67290 million in 2029, increasing from USD 45650 million in 2022, with the CAGR of 5.6% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Semiconductor Chip Test Handler Market

- Semiconductor Thermal Control Devices Market

- The global Semiconductor Bellows market is projected to reach USD 114.5 million in 2029, increasing from USD 87 million in 2022, with the CAGR of 4.3% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- The global Molecular Pump for Semiconductor Equipment market is projected to grow from USD 642.2 million in 2023 to USD 1113.1 million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.6% during the forecast period.

- Semiconductor Gas Panel Market

- Semiconductor SoC Test Machine Market

- The global Spares Parts Manufacturing for Semiconductors market is projected to reach USD 67290 million in 2029, increasing from USD 45650 million in 2022, with the CAGR of 5.6% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

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BANGALORE, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Polyethylene Market Is Segmented by Type ( HDPE , LLDPE , LDPE , Others), by Application (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Construction Materials, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis And Industry Forecast, 2023-2029.



Polyethylene market is projected to reach USD 142120 million in 2029, increasing from USD 119310 million in 2022, with a CAGR of 2.5% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

Major Factors Driving the Growth of Polyethylene Market:

The strength and durability that polyethylene provides make it the most popular material in the packaging business, which increases demand for polyethylene across the world. The worldwide polyethylene market is anticipated to increase rapidly due to the product's accessibility and affordability. Additionally, the polyethylene industry is growing as a result of a number of characteristics, including its low cost, ease of processing, and recyclability. Increasing demand for polyethylene in the pharmaceutical, electronics, and automotive sectors is also anticipated to fuel market expansion over the forecast period.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE POLYETHYLENE MARKET

PE packaging aids in preventing food contamination during all phases of transportation, from the farm to the table. Food waste may be decreased by using plastic packaging, which has been shown to increase the shelf life of perishable items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. Modified atmosphere packaging, which enables the container to deliver a reduced-oxygen air combination that better preserves food, is one method for doing this. The adaptability of polyethylene packaging for a wide range of package sizes or kinds, as well as its puncture resistance, sterility, and lightweight, are further advantages. HDPE polymers are used in the production of bottles and other containers using the blow molding and thermoforming processes.

PE is essential to healthcare at numerous points during the patient experience. In addition, PE is more chemically compatible than the majority of other materials and is resistant to powerful acids and bases as well as mild oxidizers and reducing agents. Particularly, HDPE is resistant to a variety of organic contaminants, including bacteria and fungus. The hygienic features of multilayer film allow it to have a biological layer or agents that prevent germs and other impurities from accessing the surface while the transition from monolayer to multilayer film proceeds. PE products enable medical staff and patients to work and live in a sterile and safe environment, from the resilient and simple-to-clean waiting room furniture to the flexible packaging safeguarding the doctor's medical gadgets.

Polyethylene furniture has a number of hygienic benefits, including the absence of pores where dirt or pathogens might accumulate. Additionally, they are chemically resistant to body oils and cleaning agents, which lowers the chance of infection and lengthens life. Health professionals can utilize medical equipment that constantly complies with stringent sanitary regulations thanks to polyethylene goods. For instance, PE film packaging, which is frequently used in products like sterile syringes, bottles, vials, bags, and pouches, protects reusable healthcare equipment from harm and contamination. Healthcare providers frequently buy huge quantities of flexible packaging, such as shrink wrap, stretch film, and plastic bags, as secondary or tertiary packaging choices to sterilization wrap. Frequently composed of polyethylene and then recycled, this kind of packaging.

Although plastics like polyethylene are important in healthcare settings, customers also profit from plastic in over-the-counter medicines. Many common personal products like saline bottles, prescription bottles, and single-use bandages are bought in the pharmacy department. Due to its resilience to strong chemicals, HDPE is frequently used to create bottles for domestic cleaning products. By enhancing durability and dependable sterilization, polyethylene and polyethylene manufacturers will play a significant role in the packaging of consumables, personal care items, and healthcare facilities as customers continue to change their hygiene practices and sanitation expectations.

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POLYETHYLENE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS:

Turtle Wax, DowDuPont, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and others are some of the key companies operating in the worldwide polyethylene industry.

The largest markets, accounting for nearly 50% of the worldwide market, are Asia and the Middle East.

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Key Companies:

Turtle Wax

DowDuPont

Exxon Mobil Corporation

LyondellBasell

SABIC

Sinopec Corporation

BP

INEOS

Borealis AG

Total

Shell

National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)

TASCO Group

Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi (ENI)

CNPC

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SIMILAR REPORTS

- Green Polyethylene Market

- The global Polyethylene Wax Lubricant market is projected to reach USD 1352.9 million in 2029, increasing from USD 1100 million in 2022, with the CAGR of 3.0% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- 1-Hexene based Polyethylene Market

- Polyethylene Silage Film Market

- The global Linear Low-Density Polyethylene market is projected to grow from USD 49980 million in 2023 to USD 60030 million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.1% during the forecast period.

- The global High and Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene market is projected to grow from USD 1017.1 million in 2023 to USD 1301.8 million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the forecast period.

- The global Polyethylene Pipes & Fittings market was valued at USD 30470 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 43340 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- The global Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber market is projected to grow from USD 1017.1 million in 2023 to USD 1301.8 million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the forecast period.

- High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Tubing Market

- Post Consumer Polyethylene Industry

- Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Sales Market

- Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Market

- Industrial Metallocene Linear Low-density Polyethylene (mLLDPE) Market

- The global Metallocene Polypropylene market is projected to grow from USD 768.2 million in 2023 to USD 1006.2 million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.6% during the forecast period.

- Metallocene Linear Low-density Polyethylene (mLLDPE) Market

- The global Metallocene Catalyst market size was USD 347.1 million and it is expected to reach USD 441 million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 3.4% during 2021-2027.

- The global High and Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene market is projected to grow from USD 1017.1 million in 2023 to USD 1301.8 million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the forecast period.

- The global PE Film market was valued at USD 17850 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 23240 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- The global Flexible Packaging market was valued at USD 214120 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 289000 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- Polypropylene Compounds Market

- The global Ethylene Carbonate (EC) market size is estimated to be worth USD 308.5 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 506.1 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 8.6% during the review period.

- Ethanol-based Polyethylene Market

- The global Bio-based Polyethylene market was valued at USD 1031 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 3531.4 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 19.0% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- The global Chlorinated Polyethylene market was valued at USD 434.2 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 594.4 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- The global Medical Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene market size was USD 56 million and it is expected to reach USD 103.2 million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 8.7% during 2021-2027.

- Cellular Polyethylene Market

- The global HMPE (High Modulus Polyethylene) Ropes market is projected to grow from USD 295.6 million in 2023 to USD 509.6 million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.5% during the forecast period.

- Renewable Polyethylene Market

- Low Density Polyethylene Tubing Market

- The global Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) market size is estimated to be worth USD 260 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 298 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 2.3% during the review period.

- The Polymethyl Methacrylate market was valued at USD 4752.2 million in 2022, and it is anticipated to reach USD 6589.9 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of about 5.6% during the forecast period (2022-2028).

- The global Medical PMMA market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period.

- Antiseptic and Disinfectant Market size is about 46 Billion in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 6.3%.

- The global Quaternary Ammonium Compounds market was valued at USD 1178.6 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 1545.5 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

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Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs.

Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs.

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ZUG, SWITZERLAND, Oct 18, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - In an unprecedented-opportunity-driven move, four innovative companies in the travel and marketing sectors - Camino Network, initiated by Chain4Travel, DCM Swiss, 1World Online, and Web3-Solutions - have come together to announce a landmark partnership.This alliance aims to harness cutting-edge technologies in reshaping the future of travel and tourism experiences and bringing new monetization options and benefits to all ecosystem participants.We are happy to announce that:- DCM Swiss and 1World Online are becoming Validators at Camino Network.- Web3-Solutions becomes a Regional Partner of DCM: A regional partnership agreement has been signed between DCM Swiss and Web3-Solutions to start the rollout of Web3 Tours services across Austrian cities.- Technological Partnership: The parties have aligned their roadmaps for product technologies to offer groundbreaking experiences for consumers and businesses."Adding two stellar companies like DCM and 1World to our network is a thrilling development for us. They're at the forefront of innovation and are bringing a proven working combination of Web2 and Web3 experiences to the Travel sector that is so much needed for a true mass adoption" said Pablo Costillo, Co-Founder and CTO of Camino Network."The use of DCM marketplace hosted content for Web3 Experiences brings a plethora of advantages to our regional clientele. It's exhilarating to be part of such a transformative move." said Julia Zolotarenko, DCM Swiss's Founder and CEO."After a decade of working on global markets, enabling engagement and native advertising, we see a truly exciting business opportunity to leverage our technologies in delivering travel content via our decentralized network, and reach out to wide audiences with Web3 offers. It's a privilege to collaborate in this venture." said Alex Fedosseev, Founder and CEO of 1World Online."Having an innovation-driven set of products at our disposal is becoming a game-changer for Austria's digital transformation and tourism industry in particular. We couldn't be more pleased." said Martin Arnsteiner, Co-Founder and CEO of Web3-Solutions.This partnership stands poised to redefine the landscape of global and regional tourism by introducing new paradigms for customer engagement, operational efficiency, and business growth. The unique integration of blockchain, AI, and Web3 technologies ushers in a new, transformative era for the travel and tourism industry.AboutCamino Network, initiated by Chain4Travel technology, stands as a leader in blockchain technology for the travel industry. Driven by the Camino token, it offers a multi-faceted network that elevates existing business models and invents novel travel products.DCM Swiss is a vanguard in technology, specializing in immersive Web3 experiences, from city tours to cruises. Utilizing a blend of artificial intelligence and human intelligence, their platform offers engaging and tailored content.1World Online is an industry disruptor, focusing on the creation and streamlined delivery of innovative promotional, educational, and travel-related content to its decentralized global network of publishers.Web3-Solutions is a regional partner focusing on digitizing tourism and related business sectors in Austria.Contacts:Chain4Travel:Vincent Usbeck, VP Sales & Marketingvincent.usbeck@chain4travel.com+49 173 362 24 50DCM Swiss:Yuliia Zolotarenko, CEOjulia@dcm-swiss.com+41 79 799 82051World Online:Alex Fedosseev, CEOalex@1worldonline.com+1 408 717-0470Web3-Solutions:Margarita Slootweg, Co-founderinfo@web3-tourismus.at+43 678 781-0323Source: Web3-Solutions1World OnlineDCM SwissCaminoCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that high-grade gold mineralization has been cut in four of the first eight holes ever drilled at the 5300 ha Los Pavitos Project in the well mineralized Alamos region of southern Sonora State, Mexico.

The holes targeted the Hedionda mine zone along the Santa Cruz structure (Figures 1 and 2) and were designed to determine the overall nature, geometry and lateral and vertical continuity of mineralization around this small historic working. Mineralization consisting of foliation-parallel sulphides surrounded by silicification was cut in several holes (Figure 3). The best hole, LP-SC-23-02, intersected 6.65 meters (core length) reporting 10.2 g/t gold and 47.0 g/t silver, within a wider interval of 11.93 meters (core length) averaging 5.77 g/t gold and 28.7 g/t silver. Drilling to date represents about 850 m out of a 2000-2500 m budget and drilling has already shifted to the parallel Santa Cruz Southeast structure roughly 300 m southeast. Assays are pending for the first holes there.

"We are very pleased to see such excellent high-grade results in the first holes ever into just one of several multi-kilometer structural trends we've identified cutting across the property. These structures have seen extensive prospecting and very small-scale mining, but the system has never been explored with a large-scale perspective and we are excited to see what the other structures reveal", Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO commented.

He continued "It's early days, but the style of mineralization we're encountering does not look like the epithermal veins typical of the region, but more resembles the "orogenic" or shear-hosted gold that supports some of Sonora's largest gold mines, possibly with an intrusion related sulfide-rich replacement component. We are eager to continue exploring this target style longoverlooked in this part of Sonora."

Table 1. Selected drill intercepts from the Los Pavitos project

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) True

Width (m) Au

g/t Ag

g/t Cu % Pb % Zn % LP-SC-23-01 20.30 27.70 7.40 5.2 2.34 14.7 0.08 0.18 0.74 includes 21.80 23.84 2.04 1.4 7.04 43.1 0.19 0.57 2.33 LP-SC-23-02 21.75 24.07 2.32 1.2 0.27 0.5 0.01 0.00 0.01 52.27 64.20 11.93 6.0 5.77 *28.7 0.15 0.16 0.38 includes 54.88 61.53 6.65 3.3 10.22 *47.0 0.17 0.29 0.65 LP-SC-23-03 No Values LP-SC-23-04 No Values LP-SC-23-05 62.24 66.74 4.50 3.6 0.50 2.1 0.01 0.00 0.01 LP-SC-23-06 No Values LP-SC-23-07 49.00 59.40 10.40 8.3 1.52 18.9 0.11 0.09 0.06 49.00 55.00 6.00 4.8 2.52 28.7 0.15 0.14 0.10 LP-SC-23-08 74.30 82.10 7.80 7.0 3.78 19.2 0.19 0.08 0.22 includes 77.15 82.10 4.95 4.5 5.33 27.5 0.27 0.13 0.33

Au by fire assay for holes 1, 2, 7, & 8 others by ICP. *One overlimit Ag assay >100g/t taken at 100 g/t for the calculation of the average.

Mapping and surface sampling over the last year have delineated several kilometer-long mineralized structures with initial drilling at the Santa Cruz Southeast target to be followed by drilling of the Las Auras, Oromuri and Espanola targets (Figs. 1 and 2). At Las Auras surface sampling has encountered high grade gold values in several areas, and the latter two targets have characteristics indicating that similar high-grade mineralization may exist beneath cover. The abundance of sulphides at very shallow depths in the initial high-grade holes has led to consideration of geophysical surveys to trace such structures through cover. Exploration work is also advancing to develop additional new areas for drilling in several areas identified during reconnaissance work.

Table of drill hole data for the Phase I program at the Los Pavitos project

Hole Target Easting Northing Elev Azim Incl Depth (m) LPSC-23-01 Hedionda mine 677,103 3,002,113 215 310 -45 27.70 LPSC-23-02 Hedionda mine 677,109 3,002,109 207 310 -55 87.00 LPSC-23-03 Hedionda mine 677,082 3,002,157 201 130 -45 60.00 LPSC-23-04 Hedionda mine 677,082 3,002,157 201 130 -60 75.00 LPSC-23-05 Hedionda mine 677,109 3,002,109 207 270 -45 75.00 LPSC-23-06 Hedionda mine 677,060 3,002,060 210 325 -45 72.00 LPSC-23-07 Hedionda mine 677,048 3,002,147 202 130 -45 81.00 LPSC-23-08 Hedionda mine 677,055 3,002,147 205 160 45 109.50

Coordinates in UTM WGS84 using handheld Garmin GPS.





Figure 1. Geologic maps of Los Pavitos Project area showing major recognized mineralized trends and surface sampling results for gold. Inset shows silver results clustered in the SE Santa Cruz area.

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Figure 2. Drill hole map for the Santa Cruz drilling areas.

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Figure 3. Photographs of sulphide-rich, high-grade core from hole LP-SC-02, including the 6.65 meter core run from 54.88 to 61.53m reported 10.2 g/t Gold and 47.0 g/t Silver.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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About Los Pavitos

The Los Pavitos project consists of a 5,289-hectare property position located in southern Sonora State, Mexico (Figure 4). Pavitos lies 25 km west of the well-mineralized Alamos District, which encompasses several active exploration and mining projects, including the past producing Alamo Dorado mine of Pan American Silver, the Piedras Verdes copper mine of Cobre de Mayo and the Alamos and Aurifero vein projects being explored by Minaurum Gold Inc. Infrastructure is excellent with paved highway access, electricity and water. The project, which was generated by geologist and Prismo Metals Board Member Rafael Gallardo, is believed to have potential for both the typical epithermal veins of the Alamos district and "orogenic" or shear-hosted gold hosted in the highly metamorphosed basement rocks that crop out sparingly below the region's extensive blanket of mid-Tertiary volcanic rocks. Los Pavitos lies along the projection of the Caborca Orogenic Gold Belt (Fig. 4) and the fabric and style of metamorphic deformation of the basement rocks is similar to that elsewhere in the belt.

Pavitos was acquired from Minera Cascabel S.A. de C.V., a Mexican exploration and services company founded by Dr. Peter Megaw, an advisor to the Company (for terms see the Company's prospectus filed on SEDAR). The company completed a NI 43-101 Technical Report on the project in March 2021 available on SEDAR. Assays have been received for 1,384 surface rock samples taken by the company (excluding control samples); a further 347 samples were taken in 25 trenches cut across the main mineralized trends.





Figure 4. Location of the Los Pavitos project in southern Sonora State in relation to the Caborca Orogenic Gold Belt.

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Mapping and surface sampling over the last year have delineated several kilometer-long mineralized structures with initial drilling at the Santa Cruz Southeast target to be followed by drilling of the Las Auras, Oromuri and Espanola targets. At Las Auras surface sampling has encountered high grade gold values in several areas, and the latter two targets have characteristics indicating that similar high-grade mineralization may exist beneath cover. The abundance of sulphides at very shallow depths in the initial high-grade holes has led to consideration of geophysical surveys to trace such structures through cover. Exploration work is also advancing to develop additional new areas for drilling in several areas identified during reconnaissance work.

The trenching program across the main mineralized trends on the Los Pavitos property consisted of a cumulative length of 698 meters in 25 trenches. The best assays for individual samples are 20.4 g/t Au and 207 g/t Ag over 2 meters at Las Auras and 16.7 g/t Au and 48,2 g/t Ag over 1 meter at Santa Cruz. The main objective of the trenching program was to define the orientation and full width of the mineralized structures prior to starting the drill campaign.

QA/QC

Rock samples taken by Prismo are analyzed by multielement ICP-AES and MS methods and by fire assay by ALS Group and Bureau Veritas, both internationally recognized analytical service providers. Gold is analyzed as part of an ICP package using a 15 or 25-gram aqua regia digestion, and is also analyzed by Fire Assay with an AA finish. Au overlimits >10 g/t are analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Ag over 100g/t and Cu, Pb and Zn over 1% re-analyzed by the by overrange ICP methods. Certified Reference Materials including standard pulps and coarse blank material were inserted in the sample stream at regular intervals.

Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations and President, CEO and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release.

About Prismo

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on two precious metal projects in Mexico (Palos Verdes and Los Pavitos) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia).

Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube

Prismo Metals Inc.

1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6

Contact:

Craig Gibson, President & Chief Executive Officer craig.gibson@prismometals.com

Jason Frame, Manager of Communications jason.frame@prismometals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains 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, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184298
EQS-Ad-hoc: Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

MAR Notification - Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company



17-Oct-2023 / 20:20 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Disclosure of insider information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014

Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company (the "Issuer") issuance of up to 20,000,000 Participating Term Certificates due 2024

Dublin, October 17, 2023 - Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company (Vienna MTF, ISIN: IE000R49VZ64), a designated activity company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of Ireland and established to, inter alia, acquire, manage, hold, sell, dispose of, finance and trade in all forms of financial assets and to carry on the business of a qualifying company within the meaning of section 110 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (as amended) of Ireland.

Further to the consent previously received, the Issuer has entered into binding commitments to sell all of the Portfolio Investments (as such term is defined in the warehouse deed originally dated 10 May 2021 (as amended from time to time) entered into between, among others, HPS Investment Partners CLO (UK) LLP and the Issuer (the "Warehouse Deed")). Additionally, the parties to the Warehouse Deed have also agreed an amendment to the Warehouse Deed to allow for ad-hoc distributions to be made in accordance with the priorities of payments, subject to certain adjustments in relation to the timing of payments under items (1) to (3) thereof.

- End of Insider Information -

Contact:

The Directors

Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company

32 Molesworth Street

Dublin 2

Ireland

Telephone: +353 697 3200

Email: mfdublin@maples.com

Disclaimer

This release may contain forward-looking statements and information concerning Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 DAC and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and certain assumptions, which may be subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. The results actually achieved by Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 DAC may substantially differ from these forward-looking statements. Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 DAC assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to correct them in case of developments, which differ from those, anticipated.

17-Oct-2023 CET/CEST News transmitted by EQS Group AG. www.eqs.com




DJ Justin Sun Showcases Premier Art Collection at Giacometti's 'Le Nez' Exhibition in Paris

APENFT Justin Sun Showcases Premier Art Collection at Giacometti's 'Le Nez' Exhibition in Paris 17-Oct-2023 / 20:45 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. =---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS RELEASE BY APENFT Singapore | October 17, 2023 01:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time Singapore / October 17, 2023 / - On October 7, the exhibition of Giacometti's Le Nez (The Nose), co-sponsored by TRON DAO and APENFT Foundation, was unveiled in Paris, France. Justin Sun, founder of TRON, graced the occasion with his edition of this masterpiece, capturing the attention of the industry. This exhibition brings together, for the very first time, all editions of Le Nez by Alberto Giacometti, a Swiss surrealist artist of immense national significance. In addition to Sun's collection, the exhibition also encompasses three plaster editions and a virtual representation of the bronze sculpture edition, accompanied by all its drawings and archives from the Giacometti Foundation and the Center Pompidou. Industry professionals in attendance affirmed that this exhibition showcases the profound influence of Le Nez on contemporary art. They also praised the timeless vigor of Giacometti, a pivotal sculptor of the 20th century. And the presence of Justin Sun, a leader in the Web3 realm, made this event even more special. Meanwhile, the partnership between the Giacometti Foundation, TRON DAO, and APENFT is a groundbreaking cooperation in the art industry that signifies the fusion between digital and traditional art. Justin Sun's collection unveiled in the exhibition Justin Sun's 'Le Nez' Collection Makes its Physical Debut, Elevating Digital Art's Rise to Prominence During the event, the 1964 version of Le Nez from Justin Sun's personal collection, one of the highlights of the event, made its on-site debut. This artwork was acquired by Sun at the 2021 Sotheby's New York Fall Auction for USD78.4 million and was then donated to the APENFT Foundation. Some industry experts argue that while the artwork was previously showcased in metaverse galleries and other similar platforms, its physical display in this exhibition provides a unique and invaluable opportunity for art enthusiasts. It brings top-tier artworks closer to the general public, allowing them to closely observe this exceptional piece, appreciate its distinctive artistic allure, and find inspiration from it. Regarding the debut of this top-tier collection, Sun expressed his immense honor in a tweet, he eagerly anticipates the future possibilities that blockchain technology could bring to art. In a collaborative video with a Tik Tok influencer, Cai Luoli, Sun showcased this collection while giving her a tour of his private art gallery. As a dedicated proponent and innovator in the realm of art, especially digital art, Sun has made substantial investments in acquiring artwork pieces from globally celebrated artists, both traditional and digital, including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Alberto Giacometti, Beeple, and Pak. Sun has also donated several famous pieces from his collection, including Femme nue couchee au collier and OCEAN FRONT to the APENFT Foundation to support the growth of digital art. The Giacometti Foundation commended Sun's endeavors, viewing them as a testament to his commitment as a blockchain, digital, and VR pioneer. His efforts bridge the gap between virtual and physical realms while fostering the growth of both contemporary digital art and modern artistic works. TRON DAO Partners with APENFT to Curate an exciting Event, Bridging Web3 with Traditional Art TRON DAO and APENFT, partners of this exhibition, have always been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of digital art. With a sponsorship of USD1 million, TRON DAO will continue its partnership with the Giacometti Foundation, along with APENFT, to fund artwork research and grow relevant projects. Sun once predicted that 50% of the world's top 100 artists and artworks would be recorded as NFTs in the following decade, during which blockchain technology would build a bridge to merge traditional art with emerging technologies. The APENFT Foundation was founded for this very purpose. APENFT has sponsored an assortment of art summits held by Christie's New York and the likes, making itself the first-ever art foundation that collects artworks across different industries while offering a gateway for traditional art enthusiasts to enter the NFT world. TRON is also committed to promoting the adoption of blockchain technology within the art world. The TRC-721 standard for on-chain NFTs charges lower transaction fees whilst processing transactions at a higher speed. Its standardized guidelines and interfaces for NFT creation, issuance, and transactions make it a preferred choice for developers and users. This event is another landmark in TRON's collaboration with top-notch art institutions, manifesting the integration between Web3 and art. It opens a wealth of opportunities for artists and collectors, providing transparent, secure, and far-reaching avenues to trade and share art. The opening of the Le Nez exhibition celebrates the advent of a new era in art, in which the union of digital and traditional art creates new values for both the Web3 and art industries. The display of Justin Sun's collection adds more color to the event, and with TRON and APENFT's ongoing collaboration with the Giacometti Foundation, it will continue to energize the art sector with new possibilities. About APENFT Marketplace APENFT Marketplace is an NFT trading platform native to the TRON blockchain, launched by the APENFT Foundation, with additional support from the world's largest distributed storage system BitTorrent File System (BTFS). It provides a range of NFT-related services, including NFT minting, trading, and creation. By converting more artworks as NFTs and bringing more GameFi projects on the blockchain, APENFT Marketplace not only makes art unique and eternal but also boosts transparency in the exchange and transmission. With higher speed and zero transaction fees, APENFT Marketplace helps boost a more diverse ecosystem and a stronger community. The APENFT utility token (USDNFT) is the official governance token issued by the APENFT Foundation. It is a decentralized digital asset that is backed by TRC-20 protocols, and serves as proof of rights on APENFT. With the designation of TRON as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, USDNFT has been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country effective on October 7th, 2022. Currently, USDNFT is traded on over 27 CEXs and DEXs including OKX, HTX, KuCoin, Bybit, Uniswap, PancakeSwap, and SunSwap. Learn more about APENFT at their: Website: https://apenft.io/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/apenftorg Telegram: https://t.me/apenftEN Discord: https://discord.gg/Hq8GETYTrD Media Contact Lorna He contact@apenft.io About TRON DAO TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps. Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of October 2023, it has over 190.42 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 6.56 billion total transactions, and over USD15.99 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN. In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government's endorsement to issue Dominica Coin ("DMC"), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica's global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country. TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum Media Contact Hayward Wong press@tron.network Contact Details Lorna He contact@apenft.io =---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. =----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1751141 17-Oct-2023

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 17, 2023 14:45 ET (18:45 GMT)
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Cummins / The Cummins Inc. Board of Directors received a 2023 National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) award recognizing exemplary board practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).

The global power technology leader was selected in the category for public companies with a market capitalization value of more than $10 billion. Cummins was one of four finalists out of hundreds of submissions.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award on behalf of Cummins and our Board of Directors," said Cummins Chair and CEO Jennifer Rumsey. "At Cummins, we believe that by investing in diversity, equity and inclusion, we can bring people together to find solutions and drive innovation in safe and welcoming environments where all feel valued and heard.

"It is my personal belief that we win with the power of our differences, and it starts at the very top with our Board of Directors and executive team," she added. "As CEO, I commit to furthering those investments and the belief that DE&I is critical to our continued success."

Cummins' overall DE&I objectives seek to build and sustain a workforce that represents the diversity of the communities in which the company operates around the world, and to be a workplace where all people are embraced for who they are and what they aspire to achieve. Cummins aims for its employees to feel safe, bring their authentic selves to work, and believe they can reach their full potential as they experience a truly diverse, accessible, equitable, and inclusive environment.

"Cummins has worked to achieve great strides in creating an equitable boardroom," said NACD President and CEO Peter Gleason. "NACD is proud to honor Cummins for advancing DE&I in their boardroom and throughout their organization."

The company has a long history of supporting diversity dating back to Cummins' long-time leader J. Irwin Miller. Miller supported the Civil Rights Act of 1963 as President of the National Council of Churches. Today, the company sees DE&I as critical to creating a dynamic work environment. Cummins believes teams with different backgrounds and approaches are more likely to provide creative solutions to customers' biggest challenges.

The NACD is committed to helping leaders build successful companies that make a difference in the world. The award was announced at the NACD's DE&I Awards Gala outside Washington, D.C. earlier this month.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cummins Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Cummins Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cummins-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Cummins Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793819/cummins-board-honored-for-approach-to-diversity-equity-and-inclusion
CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the home elevators market is growing at a CAGR of 7.62% during 2022-2028.



To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3972

Browse in-depth TOC on "Home Elevator Market"

134 - Tables

114 - Figures

272 - Pages

Home Elevators Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) $10.91 Billion Market Size (2022) $7.02 Billion CAGR (2022-2028) 7.62 % Market Size - Shipments (2028) 322.97 thousand units Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Type, Application, Door Systems, and Geography Geographic Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Market Dynamics Rising Ageing Population

The Increasing Adoption of Smart Homes

Rising Building Permits and Renovations



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The home elevator market has a varied structure since each geography has its competitive dynamics and intensity of competition. The APAC can be termed as the most competitive due to its high product reach, increasing market demand, and several players competing on a price basis. China is the most lucrative market in APAC, with its growing adoption of home elevators due to a steady rise in the construction industry. It is also a leader in adopting smart home elevators due to strengthening safety norms. With highly productive domestic manufacturers and growing exports, it is expected to accelerate the growth of the home elevator market in APAC during the next few years.

The home elevator market in MEA has experienced a slight decline in new installations due to a slump in oil prices. The UAE and South Africa play a critical role in the growth of the market in MEA. The increasing number of skyscrapers, established installed base, and growing disposable income among the population are expected to spur growth in this region over the next few years. We expect the global home elevator market to witness healthy growth during the forecast period due to the higher adoption of home elevators globally.

Influence of Green Transition on Industry

A growing number of aging elevators are operating, the energy performance of which can be significantly improved through partial or complete modernization. The European Union's study called Energy-Efficient Elevators and Escalators (E4) concluded that by using the best available technology of today, energy savings of up to 63% can be achieved by modernizing elevators installed in 1985 or prior. On a European level, this translates to 11.6 TWh of saved energy.

The $220.3 million loan will support KONE's research and development for more energy-efficient elevators, escalators, auto walks, automatic doors, intelligent technologies, and solutions for people flow. The project will increase the European Union industry's technology leadership and competitiveness. The $220.3 million loan signed between the EIB and Finland-based KONE Corporation will support research and development in innovation. This will improve the safety and functional performance of KONE's product range while at the same time reducing the carbon footprint of KONE's solutions by improving the energy efficiency of the products and services and, consequently, of the buildings where they will be used.

Developers and homeowners have become environmentally conscious and aim for green certifications, such as LEED. Environmentally responsible elevators have enhanced the market growth.

Leading Elevator Manufacturers Revolutionize Energy Efficiency with Next-Gen MRL Traction Elevators

Elevator manufacturers develop superior elevators for buildings that are highly energy efficient. These traction elevators have enhanced hardware, controls, and other energy-efficient systems, are more compact, and generate electricity.

The machine-roomless (MRL) traction elevators are the most energy-efficient type of elevator. Manufacturers restructured the motors and all the other equipment generally held in a machine room above conventional elevators to be well-equipped into the hoistway. These space-saving developments eradicate the need to form and supply energy to a machine room, consuming considerably less energy than the more prominent forms formerly used. Moreover, they generate less heat.

Otis, one of the leading elevator manufacturers, provides further energy savings in its state-of-the-art Gen2 MRL elevator. Moreover, they compacted the controller and located it in the hoistway, eradicating the requirement for a separate control room. Manufacturers pay more attention to improving energy use in other systems, such as fans, cab lighting, brakes, doors, and elevator controls. They use efficient LED lights in overhead, cab panels, and in-floor indicators. They comprise door drive motors that can efficiently retrieve from the ejection of power when not in use or enter a standby mode. Moreover, these motors help in supporting variable door-close and -open times, and their energy consumption is incorporated into the overall control strategy.

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Home Elevator Market?Dynamics

Drivers

Rising Ageing Population

Increasing Adoption of Smart Homes

Rising Building Permits and Renovations

Restraints

High Maintenance and Installation Costs

Volatility on Raw Material Prices

Skilled Labor Shortage

Opportunities

Rising Demand for Smart Elevators

Increasing Demand for Energy-Efficient Elevators

Key Company Profiles

Otis

Schindler

KONE

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Toshiba Corporation

TK Elevator

Savaria

Hyundai Elevator

Fujitec

Hitachi Elevator

Stiltz Home Elevators

Inclinator Company of America

Eltec

Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators (PVE)

AmeriGlide

Garaventa Lift

Sigma Elevators

Johnson Lifts

Japan Fuji International

IFE Elevators

Cambridge Elevating

Hidral

Cibes Lift

Market Segmentation

Type

Traction

Hydraulic

Pneumatic

Others

Application

Passengers

Freight

Door Systems

Automatic

Manual

Geography

APAC

China



India



South Korea



Japan



Australia

Europe

Germany



Turkey



The UK



France



Spain



Italy

North America

The US



Canada

Middle East & Africa

Egypt



UAE



Saudi Arabia

Latin America

Brazil



Argentina



Mexico

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

How big is the global home elevator market?

What is the growth rate of the global home elevators market?

Which region dominates the global home elevators market share?

What are the significant trends in the home elevator industry?

Who are the key players in the global home elevator market?

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Now available to financial institutions in the United States and Canada, Evolve Credit pursues a universally accessible financial system.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Evolve Credit, a fintech offering no-code SaaS tools that democratize the creation of financial solutions, is now available to financial institutions, banks, and non-bank lenders in the United States and Canada. With the launch of their new global platform, Evolve Credit is positioned to help these North America-based institutions develop robust online services for their customers and clients.





Evolve Credit

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Being a US-registered entity since its inception in 2019, Evolve Credit is well-positioned to introduce its SaaS tools to the North American market.

"Our technology has been honed in Africa and is as formidable as tech developed anywhere else. But our legal roots and foundation are in the United States, and we're a beacon of what's possible when diverse worlds converge," Evolve Credit's Co-Founder and CEO, Akan Nelson, says.

In conjunction with this North American expansion, Evolve Credit is soon to close a seven-figure fundraising round. Now, with a meaningful presence in the United States and Canada, Evolve Credit is picking up even more momentum as the financial world becomes aware of their industry-disrupting technology.

Evolve Credit's flagship product, Configure, addresses a problem felt across the globe: the multi-trillion-dollar financing gap that represents the disparity between the financial needs of certain communities and the resources available to them. By making digital financial services accessible to financial institutions, big and small, Evolve Credit creates opportunities in sectors once seen as unprofitable.





A sneak peak into the platform

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A four-in-one digital lending suite, financial institutions can customize the experience of their users based on their branding, services, and region-all without using code. Functioning similar to WordPress and other accessible website builders, even the backend of Evolve Credit's tools are designed to be accessible to those with little technical experience.

"We're in pursuit of a society," Nelson says, "where the financial system, which I would say is a human right, is accessible to all people."

With this expansion into the United States and Canada, Evolve Credit has moved another massive step closer to that goal.

Those interested in Evolve Credit investment opportunities can reach out to CEO Akan Nelson on LinkedIn.

About Evolve Credit

A rising fintech star garnering global recognition, Evolve Credit is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform with no-code tools for creating digital financial solutions. Evolve democratizes the way that banks and non-bank lenders can serve their communities digitally, so that every modern financial institution can operate as a fintech in their own right. Scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness are all benefits of Evolve technology, which uses a modular system for building out online services.

Media Contact:

Full Name : Akan Nelson

Email : support@evolvecredit.co

Phone Number : (080) 60015883

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DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 43rd edition of GITEX Global, one of the three largest technology conventions globally, kicked off grandly at the Dubai World Trade Centre. H3C made its debut as an exhibitor, bringing a suite of digital products and solutions based on Cloud & AI-Native technology, including high-performance servers for AIGC large-scale models, 800G silicon photonic switches, and a complete set of liquid cooling solutions. Notable products and solutions, including the Wi-Fi 7 Aps, the next-generation core switch 10500X-G, H3C 8K MagicHub and industry solutions of Synergy Working, Innovative Education, Efficient Healthcare, Smart Manufacturing and Reliable Public Service, were also showcased. Together with numerous tech executives from the Middle East and worldwide, H3C focused on hot topics such as AI, cloud computing, smart cities, and network security, jointly exploring the latest global tech trends and innovative opportunities in the Middle East.

The GITEX Global 2023, a five-day event, has attracted over 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech executives from 180 countries, thanks to Dubai's liberal economic policies and its advantageous geographical location. The five-day event serves as an important platform for industry insiders to grasp professional information, understand global technological trends, and promote cooperation. At this event, H3C, with the theme of "Dedication, For A Smarter Future", has exhibited its full-stack and full-scenario technology coverage surrounding "Cloud-Network-Computing-Terminal". Through the "AI in ALL" strategy, H3C showcased its commitment to providing "AI for ALL" - tailored AI solutions and partnership services across a multitude of industries.

Seizing New Opportunities in the AIGC Era

In the face of rapid global development and application in the field of AI, enterprises need to enhance their risk response capabilities, leverage AI to build a strong digital foundation, unearth data value, and achieve sustainable development. H3C actively embraces the AI era, providing reliable and high-performance basic platforms for AI implementation in various industries. It also cooperates with industry parties to develop AI applications, empower industry development, embed AI capabilities into products and solutions, allowing computing power to serve data governance, using the network to connect computing power, using datacenters to support the digital infrastructure, and making the whole digital platform well managed by O&M systems.

Prioritizing Technological Progress to Create Intelligent Offerings

The exhibition showcased H3C's routers, switches, and wireless flagship products, all of which represent efficient, agile, and secure computing modes combined with vast, flash storage modes, thereby establishing the cornerstone of H3C's key business systems. The S9827 series, which includes 800G switches and 800G photonic modules, have integrated advantages of large bandwidth, low latency, and lossless networks to meet the explosive demand of the AI era. The breakthrough Wi-Fi 7, with high speed, low latency, and multi-AP collaboration, brings a smart and fast experience, helping network construction step onto a new level. H3C 8K MagicHub overcomes the technical challenges of the entire 8K chain. It integrates ultra-high-definition 8K display, a detachable camera, video conferencing, and UI into one, achieving a technological breakthrough.

Accelerating Digital Transformation in All Industries

In addition to enhancing the embedding of AI technology in products, H3C is committed to driving the digital development of all industries with AI. Recognizing the benefits of digital transformation to society and the pressing needs of various industries, H3C has launched five key scenario-based solutions - Smart Manufacturing, Synergy Working, Innovative Education, Efficient Healthcare and Reliable Public Service targeting different scenarios accordingly, which can cover 176 countries and regions and provide localized sales and services to global customers promptly and efficiently.

Deepening Global Cooperation to Build a Community of Shared Values

During the event, H3C also held an MOU signing ceremony at the exhibition site. H3C executives signed strategic cooperation agreements with partners and end-users from the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Turkey. The agreements help set a solid foundation for H3C's further expansion into overseas markets and continuously shape the reputation and value on a global scale.

On October 18th, the third day of GITEX Global, H3C will also host the H3C Tech Summit 2023, thoroughly introducing the "AI in ALL" technology strategy and heavy-weight product technologies, deeply interpreting the development and trends of technological changes in the AI era, and sharing the latest achievements and application scenarios in the field of digital technology with global leading industry partners.

Every technological leap signifies a new round of industry and business transformation. H3C firmly believes in the infinite potential of digital economic development, adheres to the determination of international development, insists on the ecological strategy of "Partner First", and helps the global digital industry development and enables green and low-carbon social development with the principle of "Dedication, For A Smarter Future". Together with customers and partners, H3C is committed to building a more responsible, more inclusive, and sustainable world with the power of digits.

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Book to outline solutions for tackling the most pressing climate challenges facing communities

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Today Enterprise Community Partners, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York announced plans to publish the seminal text on community development and climate change, What's Possible: Investing NOW for Prosperous, Sustainable Neighborhoods. The book will channel the voices of 30 leading climate and community development experts to lay out the challenges communities of color and low-income communities face on the frontlines of climate change - and what can be done to fortify those communities. Funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation, the book will be available in early 2024.

As UN climate scientists made clear in a report released this fall, the opportunity to ensure a resilient future for all is rapidly receding, and we must accelerate actions to reduce carbon emissions. The technologies and strategies are there, but far too often they fail to reach the most vulnerable. Across the United States, low-income Americans and people of color are often poorly positioned to withstand the effects of climate change. Now more than ever, ensuring a more equitable future means ensuring that all communities across the country are investing in sustainable systems, technologies, and solutions.

Through the lens of the community leaders driving this movement, the book will explore how governments, the private sector, thought leaders, and civil society can all contribute to the transformation of American communities. Deploying practical case studies, the text will serve as a nationwide call to action for how to craft a transition to a cleaner economy and more resilient future without leaving millions of people behind.

"As increasing greenhouse gas emissions escalate the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, we need to act now to ensure every community can thrive," said Krista Egger, vice president of Building Resilient Futures at Enterprise Community Partners. "We have an opportunity to make bold climate investments while addressing our country's aging infrastructure, racial inequities, health crisis, and economic downturn. This book outlines not only what's possible, but how to get it done."

"Climate risk is a civil rights issue, with social and economic consequences that directly connect to where people live, how much they earn and the color of their skin," said Michael T. Pugh, LISC CEO. "When we develop climate solutions that respond to long-standing inequities, we have the chance to build a stronger, healthier, future for tens of millions of people and better protect the planet."

"The private sector and nonprofits can make investments now that will protect communities and strengthen the economy," said Claire Kramer Mills, director of Community Development Analysis at the New York Fed. "We hope the case studies in this book will serve as creative examples for investors and community leaders to replicate and build on."

"Wells Fargo recognizes that the impact of climate change affects some communities more than others, especially underserved communities," said Robyn Luhning, chief sustainability officer at Wells Fargo.?"We look forward to the insights and thoughtful perspectives from this book that can support our customers and all communities in the transition to a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future."

The book will be available in print and online at no cost and will launch with a nationwide series of conversations - both virtual and in-person - featuring a collection of the book's authors, as well as experts in the field. A digital outreach campaign will engage policymakers, investors, philanthropists, and government officials to ensure community voices are fully included in the national debate over climate change, decarbonization, and resilience.

Among the topics to be explored in the book:

Defining climate resilience and why it matters for community development

Delivering the health benefits of decarbonization and clean energy to communities

Developing clean energy systems that don't burden residents

Ensuring equity in greener forms of public and private transportation

Investing in workforce development for Indigenous communities in the green economy

Facilitating resilient, equitable communities through federal, state, and local policies

For updates on the book, follow Enterprise and LISC on LinkedIn. More information will be shared on whatspossiblebook.org closer to the launch.

Media Contacts:

Stephen Fee

Enterprise Community Partners

202-309-8892

sfee@enterprisecommunity.org

Colleen Mulcahy

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

312-342-8244

colleen@mulcahycommunications.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Wells Fargo on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Wells Fargo

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/wells-fargo

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Wells Fargo

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793832/enterprise-lisc-and-the-new-york-fed-to-publish-book-on-community-development-and-climate-change
Regardless of PD-L1 expression levels, neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy showed a greater reduction in the risk of disease recurrence, progression or death than chemotherapy alone

Exploratory analyses from the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial will be shared in a late-breaking oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2023

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced three-year follow-up results from exploratory analyses of the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial, demonstrating sustained event-free survival (EFS) and promising overall survival (OS) trends with three cycles of Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), regardless of PD-L1 expression levels. Neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy also showed improvements in pathologic complete response (pCR) and major pathologic response (MPR) over chemotherapy alone in PD-L1 =1% and <1% patient populations. The safety profile of the Opdivo-based regimen was consistent across all PD-L1 subgroups. These results will be featured in a late-breaking oral presentation at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 on October 23, 2023, from 8:45 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. EDT 14:45 to 15:55 CEST (Abstract LBA57).

"The three-year results with neoadjuvant nivolumab with chemotherapy are a continuation of the statistically significant and clinically meaningful results we have seen with this regimen in the treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer, and they provide hope for patients that they may achieve long-term benefit," said Mariano Provencio Pulla, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain. "It is encouraging to see that this neoadjuvant immunotherapy combination has demonstrated improvements across efficacy measures, regardless of PD-L1 expression levels, including within the PD-L1 negative subgroup that faces high unmet needs and represents approximately 40% of the study population. The CheckMate -816 data clearly indicate the potential for better outcomes for patients with this regimen than chemotherapy alone."

With a median follow-up of 41.4 months in the CheckMate -816 trial, exploratory analyses showed:

OS: While OS remains immature at this follow-up, promising OS trends were seen in both PD-L1 =1% and <1% patient populations. For patients with tumor PD-L1 expression =1%, Opdivo with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 63% (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.37; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.20 to 0.71). Three-year OS rates favored neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy over chemotherapy alone at 85% vs. 66%, respectively. In patients with PD-L1 <1%, Opdivo with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 19% (HR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.36), with three-year OS rates being 71% vs. 60%.

with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 63% (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.37; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.20 to 0.71). Three-year OS rates favored neoadjuvant with chemotherapy over chemotherapy alone at 85% vs. 66%, respectively. In patients with PD-L1 <1%, with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 19% (HR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.36), with three-year OS rates being 71% vs. 60%. EFS: Among patients with tumor PD-L1 expression =1%, three-year EFS rates were 72% with neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy vs. 47% with chemotherapy alone (HR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.77). In patients with tumor PD-L1 expression <1%, EFS rates were 42% with the combination vs. 39% with chemotherapy (HR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.57 to 1.35).

with chemotherapy vs. 47% with chemotherapy alone (HR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.77). In patients with tumor PD-L1 expression <1%, EFS rates were 42% with the combination vs. 39% with chemotherapy (HR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.57 to 1.35). pCR: In patients with PD-L1 =1%, pCR rates were 32.6% with neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy compared to 2.2% with chemotherapy alone. For those with PD-L1 <1%, pCR rates were 16.7% vs. 2.6%, respectively.

with chemotherapy compared to 2.2% with chemotherapy alone. For those with PD-L1 <1%, pCR rates were 16.7% vs. 2.6%, respectively. MPR: Among patients with PD-L1 =1%, MPR rates with neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy were 44.9% vs. 5.6% with chemotherapy. For patients with PD-L1 <1%, MPR rates were 29.5% with the Opdivo -based regimen and 14.3% with chemotherapy alone.

with chemotherapy were 44.9% vs. 5.6% with chemotherapy. For patients with PD-L1 <1%, MPR rates were 29.5% with the -based regimen and 14.3% with chemotherapy alone. Definitive Surgery: Definitive surgery rates with Opdivo with chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy were 84% vs. 74% in patients with tumor PD-L1 expression =1% and 81% vs. 77% in patients with tumor PD-L1 expression <1%. Of these, complete resection was achieved in 91% vs. 82% and 79% vs. 76% of cases, respectively.

"At ESMO this year, we are presenting data from several trials across stages and treatment settings in non-small cell lung cancer, including two studies in resectable disease. This is an area of research that we are heavily committed to, as it presents an important opportunity to treat cancer at earlier stages when the tumor is most responsive to treatment and the patient's immune system is most intact," said Abderrahim Oukessou, M.D., vice president, thoracic cancers global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. "We are thrilled to see consistent results with the neoadjuvant regimen of Opdivo with chemotherapy from the CheckMate -816 study, regardless of PD-L1 expression, which build on the benefits we have already seen that led to multiple approvals of this combination globally. We want to sincerely thank every patient and investigator involved in the clinical trial."

Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations have shown improved efficacy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or perioperative treatment of four earlier-stage tumor types, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer and melanoma.

About CheckMate -816

CheckMate -816 is a Phase 3 randomized, open label, multi-center trial evaluating Opdivo with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (per the 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control staging criteria), regardless of PD-L1 expression. For the primary analysis, 358 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo 360 mg plus histology-based platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, or platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, followed by surgery. The primary endpoints of the trial are event-free survival and pathologic complete response. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, major pathologic response, and time to death or distant metastases.

About Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of lung cancer, representing up to 84% of diagnoses. Non-metastatic cases account for the majority of NSCLC diagnoses (approximately 60%, with up to half of these being resectable), and the proportion is expected to grow over time with enhanced screening programs. While many non-metastatic NSCLC patients are cured by surgery, 30% to 55% develop recurrence and die of their disease despite resection, contributing to a need for treatment options administered before surgery (neoadjuvant) and/or after surgery (adjuvant) to improve long-term outcomes.

Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer

Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision transforming patients' lives through science. The goal of the company's cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.

Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient's life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.

About Opdivo

Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body's own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body's own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.

Opdivo's leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb's scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.

In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company's Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.

INDICATIONS

OPDIVO (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

OPDIVO is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors =4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (=1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

Immune-mediated adverse reactions listed herein may not include all possible severe and fatal immune- mediated adverse reactions.

Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. While immune-mediated adverse reactions usually manifest during treatment, they can also occur after discontinuation of OPDIVO or YERVOY. Early identification and management are essential to ensure safe use of OPDIVO and YERVOY. Monitor for signs and symptoms 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 periodically during treatment with OPDIVO and before each dose of YERVOY. 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 OPDIVO and YERVOY depending on severity (please see section 2 Dosage and Administration in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information). In general, if OPDIVO or YERVOY interruption or discontinuation is required, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 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. Toxicity management guidelines for adverse reactions that do not necessarily require systemic steroids (e.g., endocrinopathies and dermatologic reactions) are discussed below.

Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. The incidence of pneumonitis is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune- mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.1% (61/1994) of patients, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.9%), and Grade 2 (2.1%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune- mediated pneumonitis occurred in 7% (31/456) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (2.0%), and Grade 2 (4.4%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune- mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.9% (26/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (1.4%) and Grade 2 (2.6%). In NSCLC patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks, immune- mediated pneumonitis occurred in 9% (50/576) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.5%), Grade 3 (3.5%), and Grade 2 (4.0%). Four patients (0.7%) died due to pneumonitis.

In Checkmate 205 and 039, pneumonitis, including interstitial lung disease, occurred in 6.0% (16/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 4.9% (13/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO, including Grade 3 (n=1) and Grade 2 (n=12).

Immune-Mediated Colitis

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may be fatal. A common symptom included in the definition of colitis was 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. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.9% (58/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (1.7%) and Grade 2 (1%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 25% (115/456) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.4%), Grade 3 (14%) and Grade 2 (8%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 9% (60/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (4.4%) and Grade 2 (3.7%).

Immune-Mediated Hepatitis and Hepatotoxicity

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 1.8% (35/1994) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (1.3%), and Grade 2 (0.4%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 15% (70/456) of patients, including Grade 4 (2.4%), Grade 3 (11%), and Grade 2 (1.8%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 7% (48/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (1.2%), Grade 3 (4.9%), and Grade 2 (0.4%).

OPDIVO in combination with cabozantinib can cause hepatic toxicity with higher frequencies of Grade 3 and 4 ALT and AST elevations compared to OPDIVO alone. Consider more frequent monitoring of liver enzymes as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. In patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib, Grades 3 and 4 increased ALT or AST were seen in 11% of patients.

Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, immune-mediated hypophysitis, immune-mediated thyroid disorders, and Type 1 diabetes mellitus, which can present with diabetic ketoacidosis. Withhold OPDIVO and YERVOY depending on severity (please see section 2 Dosage and Administration in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information). For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism; initiate hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism; initiate hormone replacement or medical management as clinically indicated. Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes; initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated.

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 1% (20/1994), including Grade 3 (0.4%) and Grade 2 (0.6%).In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 8% (35/456), including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (2.4%), and Grade 2 (4.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 7% (48/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (2.5%), and Grade 2 (4.1%). In patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 4.7% (15/320) of patients, including Grade 3 (2.2%) and Grade 2 (1.9%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (12/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.2%) and Grade 2 (0.3%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypophysitis occurred in 9% (42/456), including Grade 3 (2.4%) and Grade 2 (6%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypophysitis occurred in 4.4% (29/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (2.4%), and Grade 2 (0.9%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (12/1994) of patients, including Grade 2 (0.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, thyroiditis occurred in 2.7% (22/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (4.5%) and Grade 2 (2.2%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hyperthyroidism occurred in 2.7% (54/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (<0.1%) and Grade 2 (1.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hyperthyroidism occurred in 9% (42/456) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.9%) and Grade 2 (4.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hyperthyroidism occurred in 12% (80/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.6%) and Grade 2 (4.5%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (163/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.2%) and Grade 2 (4.8%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypothyroidism occurred in 20% (91/456) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.4%) and Grade 2 (11%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypothyroidism occurred in 18% (122/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.6%) and Grade 2 (11%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, diabetes occurred in 0.9% (17/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.4%) and Grade 2 (0.3%), and 2 cases of diabetic ketoacidosis. In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, diabetes occurred in 2.7% (15/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.6%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.9%).

Immune-Mediated Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated nephritis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction occurred in 1.2% (23/1994) of patients, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.5%), and Grade 2 (0.6%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated nephritis with renal dysfunction occurred in 4.1% (27/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.6%), Grade 3 (1.1%), and Grade 2 (2.2%).

Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions

OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) has occurred with PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate nonexfoliative rashes.

YERVOY can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis, including bullous and exfoliative dermatitis, SJS, TEN, and DRESS. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate non-bullous/exfoliative rashes.

Withhold or permanently discontinue OPDIVO and YERVOY depending on severity (please see section 2 Dosage and Administration in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated rash occurred in 9% (171/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (1.1%) and Grade 2 (2.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated rash occurred in 28% (127/456) of patients, including Grade 3 (4.8%) and Grade 2 (10%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated rash occurred in 16% (108/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (3.5%) and Grade 2 (4.2%).

Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of <1% (unless otherwise noted) in patients who received OPDIVO monotherapy or OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY or were reported with the use of other PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Severe or fatal cases have been reported for some of these adverse reactions: cardiac/vascular: myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis; nervous system: 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; gastrointestinal: pancreatitis to include increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis; musculoskeletal and connective tissue: myositis/polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis, and associated sequelae including renal failure, arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica; endocrine: hypoparathyroidism; other (hematologic/immune): hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, solid organ transplant rejection.

In addition to the immune-mediated adverse reactions listed above, across clinical trials of YERVOY monotherapy or in combination with OPDIVO, the following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions, some with fatal outcome, occurred in <1% of patients unless otherwise specified: nervous system: autoimmune neuropathy (2%), myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis, motor dysfunction; cardiovascular: angiopathy, temporal arteritis; ocular: blepharitis, episcleritis, orbital myositis, scleritis; gastrointestinal: pancreatitis (1.3%); other (hematologic/immune): conjunctivitis, cytopenias (2.5%), eosinophilia (2.1%), erythema multiforme, hypersensitivity vasculitis, neurosensory hypoacusis, psoriasis.

Some ocular IMAR cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment, including blindness, can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, which has been observed in patients receiving OPDIVO and YERVOY, as this may require treatment with systemic corticosteroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.

Infusion-Related Reactions

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause severe infusion-related reactions. Discontinue OPDIVO and YERVOY in patients with severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion in patients with mild (Grade 1) or moderate (Grade 2) infusion-related reactions. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy as a 60-minute infusion, infusion-related reactions occurred in 6.4% (127/1994) of patients. In a separate trial in which patients received OPDIVO monotherapy as a 60-minute infusion or a 30-minute infusion, infusion-related reactions occurred in 2.2% (8/368) and 2.7% (10/369) of patients, respectively. Additionally, 0.5% (2/368) and 1.4% (5/369) of patients, respectively, experienced adverse reactions within 48 hours of infusion that led to dose delay, permanent discontinuation or withholding of OPDIVO. In melanoma patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion- related reactions occurred in 2.5% (10/407) of patients. In HCC patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 8% (4/49) of patients. In RCC patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 5.1% (28/547) of patients. In MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 4.2% (5/119) of patients. In MPM patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 12% (37/300) of patients.

Complications of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) before or after being treated with OPDIVO or YERVOY. 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 OPDIVO or YERVOY and allogeneic HSCT.

Follow patients closely for evidence of transplant-related complications and intervene promptly. Consider the benefit versus risks of treatment with OPDIVO and YERVOY prior to or after an allogeneic HSCT.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal studies, OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. The effects of YERVOY are likely to be greater during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with OPDIVO and YERVOY and for at least 5 months after the last dose.

Increased Mortality in Patients with Multiple Myeloma when OPDIVO is Added to a Thalidomide Analogue and Dexamethasone

In randomized clinical trials in patients with multiple myeloma, the addition of OPDIVO to a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone resulted in increased mortality. Treatment of patients with multiple myeloma with a PD-1 or PD-L1 blocking antibody in combination with a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.

Lactation

There are no data on the presence of OPDIVO or YERVOY in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 5 months after the last dose.

Serious Adverse Reactions

In Checkmate 037, serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=268). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse drug reactions reported in 2% to <5% of patients receiving OPDIVO were abdominal pain, hyponatremia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased lipase. In Checkmate 066, serious adverse reactions occurred in 36% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=206). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were gamma-glutamyltransferase increase (3.9%) and diarrhea (3.4%). In Checkmate 067, serious adverse reactions (74% and 44%), adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation (47% and 18%) or to dosing delays (58% and 36%), and Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (72% and 51%) all occurred more frequently in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) relative to the OPDIVO arm (n=313). The most frequent (=10%) serious adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm and the OPDIVO arm, respectively, were diarrhea (13% and 2.2%), colitis (10% and 1.9%), and pyrexia (10% and 1.0%). In Checkmate 238, serious adverse reactions occurred in 18% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=452). Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions occurred in 25% of OPDIVO-treated patients (n=452). The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions reported in =2% of OPDIVO-treated patients were diarrhea and increased lipase and amylase. In Checkmate 816, serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients (n=176) who were treated with OPDIVO in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy. Serious adverse reactions in >2% included pneumonia and vomiting. No fatal adverse reactions occurred in patients who received OPDIVO in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy. In Checkmate 227, serious adverse reactions occurred in 58% of patients (n=576). The most frequent (=2%) serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, diarrhea/colitis, pneumonitis, hepatitis, pulmonary embolism, adrenal insufficiency, and hypophysitis. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1.7% of patients; these included events of pneumonitis (4 patients), myocarditis, acute kidney injury, shock, hyperglycemia, multi-system organ failure, and renal failure. In Checkmate 9LA, serious adverse reactions occurred in 57% of patients (n=358). The most frequent (>2%) serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, diarrhea, febrile neutropenia, anemia, acute kidney injury, musculoskeletal pain, dyspnea, pneumonitis, and respiratory failure. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 7 (2%) patients, and included hepatic toxicity, acute renal failure, sepsis, pneumonitis, diarrhea with hypokalemia, and massive hemoptysis in the setting of thrombocytopenia. In Checkmate 017 and 057, serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, dyspnea, pyrexia, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and respiratory failure. In Checkmate 057, fatal adverse reactions occurred; these included events of infection (7 patients, including one case of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia), pulmonary embolism (4 patients), and limbic encephalitis (1 patient). In Checkmate 743, serious adverse reactions occurred in 54% of patients receiving OPDIVO plus YERVOY. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients were pneumonia, pyrexia, diarrhea, pneumonitis, pleural effusion, dyspnea, acute kidney injury, infusion-related reaction, musculoskeletal pain, and pulmonary embolism. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4 (1.3%) patients and included pneumonitis, acute heart failure, sepsis, and encephalitis. In Checkmate 214, serious adverse reactions occurred in 59% of patients receiving OPDIVO plus YERVOY (n=547). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients were diarrhea, pyrexia, pneumonia, pneumonitis, hypophysitis, acute kidney injury, dyspnea, adrenal insufficiency, and colitis. In Checkmate 9ER, serious adverse reactions occurred in 48% of patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib (n=320). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients were diarrhea, pneumonia, pneumonitis, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, and hyponatremia. Fatal intestinal perforations occurred in 3 (0.9%) patients. In Checkmate 025, serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients were acute kidney injury, pleural effusion, pneumonia, diarrhea, and hypercalcemia. In Checkmate 205 and 039, adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 7% and dose delays due to adverse reactions occurred in 34% of patients (n=266). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 26% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =1% of patients were pneumonia, infusion-related reaction, pyrexia, colitis or diarrhea, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and rash. Eleven patients died from causes other than disease progression: 3 from adverse reactions within 30 days of the last OPDIVO dose, 2 from infection 8 to 9 months after completing OPDIVO, and 6 from complications of allogeneic HSCT. In Checkmate 141, serious adverse reactions occurred in 49% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=236). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, dyspnea, respiratory failure, respiratory tract infection, and sepsis. In Checkmate 275, serious adverse reactions occurred in 54% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were urinary tract infection, sepsis, diarrhea, small intestine obstruction, and general physical health deterioration. In Checkmate 274, serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=351). The most frequent serious adverse reaction reported in =2% of patients receiving OPDIVO was urinary tract infection. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1% of patients; these included events of pneumonitis (0.6%). In Checkmate 142 in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=119), serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients were colitis/diarrhea, hepatic events, abdominal pain, acute kidney injury, pyrexia, and dehydration. In Checkmate 040, serious adverse reactions occurred in 59% of patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=49). Serious adverse reactions reported in =4% of patients were pyrexia, diarrhea, anemia, increased AST, adrenal insufficiency, ascites, esophageal varices hemorrhage, hyponatremia, increased blood bilirubin, and pneumonitis. In Attraction-3, serious adverse reactions occurred in 38% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=209). Serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients who received OPDIVO were pneumonia, esophageal fistula, interstitial lung disease, and pyrexia. The following fatal adverse reactions occurred in patients who received OPDIVO: interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis (1.4%), pneumonia (1.0%), septic shock (0.5%), esophageal fistula (0.5%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (0.5%), pulmonary embolism (0.5%), and sudden death (0.5%). In Checkmate 577, serious adverse reactions occurred in 33% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=532). A serious adverse reaction reported in =2% of patients who received OPDIVO was pneumonitis. A fatal reaction of myocardial infarction occurred in one patient who received OPDIVO. In Checkmate 648, serious adverse reactions occurred in 62% of patients receiving OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=310). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients who received OPDIVO with chemotherapy were pneumonia (11%), dysphagia (7%), esophageal stenosis (2.9%), acute kidney injury (2.9%), and pyrexia (2.3%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 5 (1.6%) patients who received OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy; these included pneumonitis, pneumatosis intestinalis, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury. In Checkmate 648, serious adverse reactions occurred in 69% of patients receiving OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY (n=322). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% who received OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY were pneumonia (10%), pyrexia (4.3%), pneumonitis (4.0%), aspiration pneumonia (3.7%), dysphagia (3.7%), hepatic function abnormal (2.8%), decreased appetite (2.8%), adrenal insufficiency (2.5%), and dehydration (2.5%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 5 (1.6%) patients who received OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY; these included pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary embolism, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In Checkmate 649, serious adverse reactions occurred in 52% of patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=782). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy were vomiting (3.7%), pneumonia (3.6%), anemia (3.6%), pyrexia (2.8%), diarrhea (2.7%), febrile neutropenia (2.6%), and pneumonitis (2.4%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 16 (2.0%) patients who were treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy; these included pneumonitis (4 patients), febrile neutropenia (2 patients), stroke (2 patients), gastrointestinal toxicity, intestinal mucositis, septic shock, pneumonia, infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, mesenteric vessel thrombosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In Checkmate 76K, serious adverse reactions occurred in 18% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=524). Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of OPDIVO in >1% of patients included arthralgia (1.7%), rash (1.7%), and diarrhea (1.1%). A fatal adverse reaction occurred in 1 (0.2%) patient (heart failure and acute kidney injury). The most frequent Grade 3-4 lab abnormalities reported in =1% of OPDIVO-treated patients were increased lipase (2.9%), increased AST (2.2%), increased ALT (2.1%), lymphopenia (1.1%), and decreased potassium (1.0%).

Common Adverse Reactions

In Checkmate 037, the most common adverse reaction (=20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=268) was rash (21%). In Checkmate 066, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=206) vs dacarbazine (n=205) were fatigue (49% vs 39%), musculoskeletal pain (32% vs 25%), rash (28% vs 12%), and pruritus (23% vs 12%). In Checkmate 067, the most common (=20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) were fatigue (62%), diarrhea (54%), rash (53%), nausea (44%), pyrexia (40%), pruritus (39%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), vomiting (31%), decreased appetite (29%), cough (27%), headache (26%), dyspnea (24%), upper respiratory tract infection (23%), arthralgia (21%), and increased transaminases (25%). In Checkmate 067, the most common (=20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO arm (n=313) were fatigue (59%), rash (40%), musculoskeletal pain (42%), diarrhea (36%), nausea (30%), cough (28%), pruritus (27%), upper respiratory tract infection (22%), decreased appetite (22%), headache (22%), constipation (21%), arthralgia (21%), and vomiting (20%). In Checkmate 238, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in OPDIVO-treated patients (n=452) vs ipilimumab-treated patients (n=453) were fatigue (57% vs 55%), diarrhea (37% vs 55%), rash (35% vs 47%), musculoskeletal pain (32% vs 27%), pruritus (28% vs 37%), headache (23% vs 31%), nausea (23% vs 28%), upper respiratory infection (22% vs 15%), and abdominal pain (21% vs 23%). The most common immune-mediated adverse reactions were rash (16%), diarrhea/colitis (6%), and hepatitis (3%). In Checkmate 816, the most common (>20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus chemotherapy arm (n=176) were nausea (38%), constipation (34%), fatigue (26%), decreased appetite (20%), and rash (20%). In Checkmate 227, the most common (=20%) adverse reactions were fatigue (44%), rash (34%), decreased appetite (31%), musculoskeletal pain (27%), diarrhea/colitis (26%), dyspnea (26%), cough (23%), hepatitis (21%), nausea (21%), and pruritus (21%). In Checkmate 9LA, the most common (>20%) adverse reactions were fatigue (49%), musculoskeletal pain (39%), nausea (32%), diarrhea (31%), rash (30%), decreased appetite (28%), constipation (21%), and pruritus (21%). In Checkmate 017 and 057, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418) were fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, cough, dyspnea, and decreased appetite. In Checkmate 743, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO plus YERVOY were fatigue (43%), musculoskeletal pain (38%), rash (34%), diarrhea (32%), dyspnea (27%), nausea (24%), decreased appetite (24%), cough (23%), and pruritus (21%). In Checkmate 214, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in patients treated with OPDIVO plus YERVOY (n=547) were fatigue (58%), rash (39%), diarrhea (38%), musculoskeletal pain (37%), pruritus (33%), nausea (30%), cough (28%), pyrexia (25%), arthralgia (23%), decreased appetite (21%), dyspnea (20%), and vomiting (20%). In Checkmate 9ER, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib (n=320) were diarrhea (64%), fatigue (51%), hepatotoxicity (44%), palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (40%), stomatitis (37%), rash (36%), hypertension (36%), hypothyroidism (34%), musculoskeletal pain (33%), decreased appetite (28%), nausea (27%), dysgeusia (24%), abdominal pain (22%), cough (20%) and upper respiratory tract infection (20%). In Checkmate 025, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406) vs everolimus (n=397) were fatigue (56% vs 57%), cough (34% vs 38%), nausea (28% vs 29%), rash (28% vs 36%), dyspnea (27% vs 31%), diarrhea (25% vs 32%), constipation (23% vs 18%), decreased appetite (23% vs 30%), back pain (21% vs 16%), and arthralgia (20% vs 14%). In Checkmate 205 and 039, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=266) were upper respiratory tract infection (44%), fatigue (39%), cough (36%), diarrhea (33%), pyrexia (29%), musculoskeletal pain (26%), rash (24%), nausea (20%) and pruritus (20%). In Checkmate 141, the most common adverse reactions (=10%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=236) were cough (14%) and dyspnea (14%) at a higher incidence than investigator's choice. In Checkmate 275, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270) were fatigue (46%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), nausea (22%), and decreased appetite (22%). In Checkmate 274, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=351) were rash (36%), fatigue (36%), diarrhea (30%), pruritus (30%), musculoskeletal pain (28%), and urinary tract infection (22%). In Checkmate 142 in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO as a single agent (n=74), the most common adverse reactions (=20%) were fatigue (54%), diarrhea (43%), abdominal pain (34%), nausea (34%), vomiting (28%), musculoskeletal pain (28%), cough (26%), pyrexia (24%), rash (23%), constipation (20%), and upper respiratory tract infection (20%). In Checkmate 142 in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=119), the most common adverse reactions (=20%) were fatigue (49%), diarrhea (45%), pyrexia (36%), musculoskeletal pain (36%), abdominal pain (30%), pruritus (28%), nausea (26%), rash (25%), decreased appetite (20%), and vomiting (20%). In Checkmate 040, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=49), were rash (53%), pruritus (53%), musculoskeletal pain (41%), diarrhea (39%), cough (37%), decreased appetite (35%), fatigue (27%), pyrexia (27%), abdominal pain (22%), headache (22%), nausea (20%), dizziness (20%), hypothyroidism (20%), and weight decreased (20%). In Attraction-3, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in OPDIVO-treated patients (n=209) were rash (22%) and decreased appetite (21%). In Checkmate 577, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=532) were fatigue (34%), diarrhea (29%), nausea (23%), rash (21%), musculoskeletal pain (21%), and cough (20%). In Checkmate 648, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=310) were nausea (65%), decreased appetite (51%), fatigue (47%), constipation (44%), stomatitis (44%), diarrhea (29%), and vomiting (23%). In Checkmate 648, the most common adverse reactions reported in =20% of patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY were rash (31%), fatigue (28%), pyrexia (23%), nausea (22%), diarrhea (22%), and constipation (20%). In Checkmate 649, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=782) were peripheral neuropathy (53%), nausea (48%), fatigue (44%), diarrhea (39%), vomiting (31%), decreased appetite (29%), abdominal pain (27%), constipation (25%), and musculoskeletal pain (20%). In Checkmate 76K, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=524) were fatigue (36%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), rash (28%), diarrhea (23%) and pruritis (20%).

Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.

Clinical Trials and Patient Populations

Checkmate 227-previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA-previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649-previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577-adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238- adjuvant treatment of patients with completely resected Stage III or Stage IV melanoma; Checkmate 76K- adjuvant treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with completely resected Stage IIB or Stage IIC melanoma; Checkmate 274-adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275-previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142-MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142-MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3-esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648-previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648-previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040-hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743-previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037-previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066-previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067-previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017-second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057-second-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816-neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141-recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025- previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214-previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER-previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039-classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration

In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies' strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies as single agents and combination regimens for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

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 future study results may not be consistent with the results to date, that Opdivo (nivolumab) plus chemotherapy may not receive regulatory approval for the additional indication described in this release in the currently anticipated timeline or at all, that any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and, if approved, whether such combination treatment for such additional indication described in this release will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb's business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017739355/en/

Contacts:

Bristol Myers Squibb

Media Inquiries:

media@bms.com

Investors:

investor.relations@bms.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!

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) on Tuesday announced that it had secured a $244 million five-year contract by the Department of Defense (DoD) Information Analysis Center's (IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle. The contract covers the implementation of Minotaur software products in maritime platforms of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to support intelligence, surveillance, and analysis of warfighting needs. Minotaur software products empower the warfighter by optimizing sensor performance and consolidating data from multiple sensors, including radar, C5ISR, and other sensors, into a unified operational picture and relaying that data to multiple platforms and units in the course of operations. 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.
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.
Oneview Healthcare (Oneview), a leading provider of patient experience solutions, and Baxter International Inc. (Baxter), a global medtech leader, are pleased to announce the official launch of their strategic relationship in the United States. The launch was announced during a joint meeting at Baxter's global headquarters in the Chicago attended by the Irish government Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Simon Coveneyas part of Enterprise Ireland's trade mission to Chicago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017296352/en/

Oneview Healthcare, Enterprise Ireland, and Baxter at the Baxter Headquarters. (Photo: Business Wire)

Under the agreement, Baxter selected Oneview as their patient engagement solution provider. Baxter will now offer Oneview's Care Experience Platform (CXP) to their hospital customers across the United States. Adding Oneview's cloud-hosted CXP will broaden the Baxter care communications and collaboration portfolio, adding patient experience, digital door signs and digital whiteboards to its leading platform of connected solutions, helping to better connect patients, families and care teams during inpatient visits.

The collaboration comes at a time of significant change in the healthcare industry, characterized by financial constraints, staffing challenges, and evolving consumer expectations. These trends underscore the pressing need for digital transformation and workflow optimization that can help the nursing team work more efficiently while improving patient experiences. Oneview's CXP, designed to enable nurses to operate at the top of their license and to empower patients, will complement Baxter's portfolio, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the connected hospital room.

During the meeting with the Irish government Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Simon Coveney, representatives from both Oneview Healthcare and Baxter expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration and outlined their shared vision for the future of healthcare. This relationship directly aligns with the mission of Enterprise Ireland, which is to support Irish businesses in achieving global success. They emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to drive positive patient outcomes, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately transform the healthcare landscape.

"We look forward to working with Oneview to bring new connected solutions to the hospital that are focused on lessening the burden on the care team and improving the patient care experience," said Julie Brewer, president of Baxter's Care and Connectivity Solutions division. "As a global company that has operated for more than 50 years in Ireland, we remain committed to finding opportunities for further collaboration that can accelerate our vision of a connected care ecosystem."

"We are thrilled to partner with Baxter International in this exciting venture," said James Fitter, CEO at Oneview Healthcare. "This collaboration will enable us to combine our expertise and resources to deliver a truly transformative patient experience. As a result of the collaboration, in the last two months we have created over 20 new jobs in our Dublin, Chicago and St. Louis offices, strategically positioning us to leverage the growth we anticipate this partnership will deliver."

Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said, "With the US Midwest and Ireland being significant medtech hubs, we are seeing signification levels of partnership between US and Irish companies as they co-collaborate on innovations to improve patients' health and wellbeing. The partnership between Baxter International and Oneview Healthcare is a great reflection of this co-collaborative approach, not only improving healthcare, but also delivering job creation in both the USA and Ireland."

About Oneview Healthcare

Serving hospitals and healthcare systems, academic medical centers, and pediatric hospitals worldwide, Oneview Healthcare's Care Experience Platform (CXP) provides a unified set of digital tools in a single bedside solution. Oneview's CXP connects patients, families and care teams with services, education, and information during hospital stays. Fully automated, integrated, and personalized, hospitals using Oneview positively impact safe and timely discharges while streamlining nursing workflows.

For more information, please visit www.oneviewhealthcare.com.

About Baxter International

Every day, millions of patients, caregivers and healthcare providers rely on Baxter's leading portfolio of diagnostic, critical care, kidney care, nutrition, hospital and surgical products used across patient homes, hospitals, physician offices and other sites of care. For more than 90 years, we've been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers who make it happen. With products, digital health solutions and therapies available in more than 100 countries, Baxter's employees worldwide are now building upon the company's rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations. To learn more, visit www.baxter.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish government's trade and innovation agency. For 25 years, we've helped thousands of global customers to solve their business challenges and gain competitive advantage by partnering with Irish companies. As the most active venture capital investor in Europe by deal count, Enterprise Ireland invests in and supports innovative Irish companies and connects them with customers worldwide. Across 39 international offices, including 6 offices across the US, our industry advisors will work with international companies to understand their specific requirements and connect them with an innovative Irish partner. For more information on Enterprise Ireland, visit their website here.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017296352/en/

Contacts:

Rachel Broghammer, Oneview Healthcare rbroghammer@oneviewhealthcare.com
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / For many, real estate investment remains an enigmatic world filled with untapped opportunities. ComunidadREI, led by the visionary Daniel Segovia, is at the forefront of providing comprehensive training and mentorship for those seeking to enter the world of real estate investment.

ComunidadREI is a dedicated platform for individuals looking to learn, invest, and connect in real estate. They aim to empower people with the knowledge and tools to make successful property transactions while building a strong community of like-minded investors.

Daniel Segovia, a Venezuelan migrant, has a unique story driving his commitment to successfully helping others navigate the U.S. real estate market. With expertise in buying, selling, investing, estate planning, and distressed properties, he offers invaluable guidance to those seeking their path in real estate.

"I'm deeply committed to my Latin community, and I'm here to assist anyone seeking to learn," Daniel states.

Their vision includes equipping investors with the right tools and a supportive team to ensure successful transactions.

"Real estate changed my life when I was at my lowest point. Learning to raise capital, negotiate, and invest transformed my financial situation. I believe everyone should have access to this knowledge," Daniel shares.

Starting a business or investing in real estate can be daunting; many individuals are held back by their perceived limitations. At ComunidadREI, they emphasize the importance of self-belief and mentorship to overcome this.



"To achieve their dreams, most people need a mentor to reach the next level in their lives," the team shares.

Emotions can also run high in real estate investment, especially during negotiations. One of the critical lessons they impart is to avoid emotional buying. Real estate investment is about numbers, analysis, and strategic planning, not impulse decisions. It requires self-control and the ability to view properties as financial assets.

For those looking to start their own business or brand, Daniel offers three essential rules:

1. Invest with Knowledge: Before investing in real estate, understand the ins and outs of property evaluation and investment strategies.

2. Manage Risk: Real estate investment isn't without risk, but you can control it by knowing your parameters, understanding the area you're investing in, securing proper financing, and assembling the right team.

3. Commitment and Accountability: Success in real estate requires dedication and commitment. Segovia seeks individuals who are genuinely committed to change and are willing to put in the effort.

Looking ahead, the goal for Daniel with ComunidadREI is to provide a secure space for learning, investing, and networking. They envision a vibrant community where people can access the necessary tools to accomplish their goals.

Daniel Segovia is determined to change the narrative and unite the Latin community. "We want to be an example for other communities. Everyone deserves a home, and knowledge is the key," he passionately states.

About the Company

ComunidadREI is an educational platform and support network specializing in real estate investment. They aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to thrive in entrepreneurship and property investment. Through mentorship, expert guidance, and community-building, ComunidadREI is reshaping the future of financial success, one informed decision at a time.

Contact:

Paula Henderson

561-768-4444

phendersonnews@gmail.com

SOURCE: ComunidadREI

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/793863/empowering-dreams-daniel-segovias-journey-to-transform-real-estate-success
Ampacimon, a Grace Hollogne, Belgium-based provider of grid monitoring and analytics solutions, raised $10.6M USD in Series C funding.

The round was led by Junction Growth Investors with participation from Korys, Noshaq, Creos, and Gesval.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its expansion in the U.S. and accelerate development of its solutions.

Led by Frederic Vassort, CEO, Ampacimon is a technology company offering Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GET) to transmission and distribution utilities. Through its proprietary measurement systems and advanced analytics, it allows grid operators to optimize the use of their assets and their maintenance, and prioritize investments. It offers data-driven solutions enabling grid operators to accelerate renewables integration and the energy transition.

With offices in Belgium, Spain and the USA, Ampacimon has a global presence and systems in operations with grid operators.

Customers include Pennsylvania Power and Light, BC Hydro, San Diego Gas & Electric, Arizona Public Service, Tepco, EdP, Hydro-Quebec, Red Electrica, and SVK.

FinSMEs

17/10/2023

October 17, 2023 04:00 ET| Source: Ampacimon

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GRACE-HOLLOGNE, Belgium and ATLANTA, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)  Ampacimon , the leading provider of grid monitoring and analytics solutions that optimize the operation of the worlds critical energy infrastructure, today announces the conclusion of its Series C funding round, securing $10.6 million USD. The round is led by Junction Growth Investors and includes follow-on participation from longstanding investors Korys, Noshaq, Creos, and Gesval. Pieter-Jan Mermans, managing director at Junction Growth Investors, joins Ampacimons Board of Directors.

Ampacimon has deployed the largest number of dynamic line rating systems (DLR) in the world, which has had a tremendous impact on grid transmission, capacity, and reliability for our utility partners, said Frederic Vassort, CEO of Ampacimon. These solutions are critical to grid modernization and to the broad implementation of renewables. With this capital, we will accelerate our expansion in the U.S. and accelerate further development of our solutions to meet these critical needs.

Founded in 2010, Ampacimon is a pioneer in sensors and software solutions that optimize the performance and reliability of electrical transmission and distribution grids. Its patented technologies enable operators to enhance power transmission capacity by an average of 30%, reduce failures and safety incidents caused by aging assets, and improve grid reliability.

There were more than 8,100 sustainable energy projects, representing 2,020 gigawatts of capacity that were awaiting permission to connect to U.S. electric grids at the end of 2022. Expanding our reach within the U.S. will give operators an opportunity to decrease this queue, added Mr. Vassort.

The companys consistently high double-digit annual growth since inception has resulted in global presence, with offices across Belgium, Spain, and the USA. Prominent industry leaders such as Pennsylvania Power and Light, BC Hydro, San Diego Gas & Electric, Arizona Public Service, Tepco, EdP, Hydro-Quebec, Red Electrica, and SVK amongst others have long been loyal Ampacimon customers.

Were on a mission to accelerate the transition toward a lower emissions world through state-of-the-art grid optimization solutions. We couldnt be happier about our collaboration with Junction Growth Investors, and our continued support from Korys, Creos, Noshaq and Gesval, all of whom will be instrumental as we help utilities achieve greater grid performance and reliability in a cleaner, more reliable energy future, concluded Mr. Vassort.

Mr. Mermans commented: We are delighted to join Ampacimons shareholders and Board of Directors to further support Ampacimons international growth. We were impressed with the positive feedback from existing transmission and distribution customers. Our team looks forward to putting decades of operational experience in energy tech, grid management and market regulation to work for the benefit of Ampacimon and its customers.

About Ampacimon

Ampacimon is a technology company founded in Belgium and Spain in 2010, offering Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GET) to transmission and distribution utilities. Through its proprietary measurement systems and advanced analytics, Ampacimon allows grid operators to maximize the use of their assets, optimize their maintenance, and prioritize investments. It offers data-driven solutions enabling grid operators to accelerate renewables integration and the energy transition. With offices in Belgium, Spain and the USA, Ampacimon has a global presence and systems in operations with all major grid operators in the world. For more information about Ampacimon, please visit: www.ampacimon.com
Cognitive Space, a Houston, TX-based intelligent space automation company, raised $4M in Seed+ funding.

The round saw participation from York IE, Draper Associates, and Dolby Family Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to further advance its AI-powered Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, accelerate its go-to-market strategy, and expand its presence in the space industry.

Led by Guy de Carufel, Founder and CEO, Cognitive Space is a market leader in intelligent space automation. By leveraging artificial intelligence, software best practices, and operational expertise, it provides SaaS services that enable satellite constellations to grow and scale. The companys flagship CNTIENT platform offers a single scalable system that helps satellite constellation operations to drive strategic business outcomes. It allows operators to tailor remote sensing mission planning, scale, and automate payload scheduling, link management, and prioritized tasking.

FinSMEs

17/10/2023
DealMaker, a Toronto, Canada; Austin, Texas; and Tampa, Florida-based capital-raising technology platform, received an upsized growth capital financing.

CIBC Innovation Banking provided the financing.

This funding will further accelerate the companys accelerated expansion across North America.

Founded in 2018 by veteran Bay Street lawyers, Rebecca Kacaba and Matt Goldstein, DealMaker provides a suite of primary issuance, shareholder management, and capital raising solutions, including investor ranking algorithms and data analytics tools, to support all global private placements exemptions.

The company was recently selected to join Googles for Startups Accelerator program, which will help advance its AI innovation in the fintech space.

FinSMEs

17/10/2023
Picture of the CART BP Product

Sky Labs, a Seoul, South Korea-based healthcare startup, raised KRW 20.7 Billion in Series C funding.

The round, which brought the total amount to KRW 54.8 Billion, saw participation from Korea Development Bank (KDB), K2 Investment Partners, Devsiters Ventures, SJG Partners, and Openwater Investment.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.

Led by CEO Jack, Lee, Sky Labs is a preventive healthcare company aiming to transform conventional hospital centric care, into patient centric care with continuous monitoring in daily lives. Its CART BP is a ring-type cuffless continuous blood pressure monitor, that enables continuous blood pressure measurement and monitoring 24/7. CART BP also tracks how lifestyle habits, such as sleep and stress management, exercising, drinking, and reactions to taking blood pressure pills, can impact blood pressure levels. By doing so, it helps hypertension patients manage their blood pressure levels and contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Distribution of CART BP, a ring-type cuffless blood pressure monitor that enables continuous blood pressure measurement and monitoring 24/7, will be fully launched to hospitals and clinics across Korea through a distribution agreement signed with Daewoong Pharmaceutical for the Korean market

FinSMEs

17/10/2023
Aditya Chopra had kept Emraan Hashmis presence in Tiger 3 as a big secret and after seeing the blockbuster trailer of the film, we surely know why! Emraan is the biggest surprise of YRF Spy Universes latest offering Tiger 3, a cold-blooded nemesis of Salman Khan aka super agent Tiger aka Avinash Singh Rathore! The merciless mercenary is a wily character, whom Emraan describes as cerebral, his mind is his greatest weapon and he also wields immense power over authorities across countries.

Emraan also reveals the name of his character in Tiger 3! He says, I had an amazing time creating Aatish  a man who is fuelled by rage and will go to any length to finish Tiger. I play a very distinctively different villain that is rare in Hindi cinema. He is cerebral, his mind is his greatest weapon and he also wields immense power over authorities across countries to bring his devious plans into motion.

Emraan adds, He single-mindedly wants to destroy Tiger, his family and by doing that, he wants to take out the biggest super agent of India. He knows Tiger will always be the last man standing for India and he wants him removed at any cost.

The actors villainous turn is being lauded unanimously since yesterday, when the trailer of Tiger 3 dropped online. Emraan says he relished being the anti-hero of this YRF Spy Universe offering.

He says, The anti-heroes of the YRF Spy Universe have been the trump cards. They hit you hard by surprise and Aditya Chopra was clear that he wanted my character to also catch people by surprise. So, an elaborate plan was made to keep me under wraps.

Emraan adds, I was dying to tell people about Tiger 3 but couldnt, knowing very well that the pay off would be immense when my character is unveiled to the people. The decision was clear to bring the anti-hero to spotlight with the trailer of Tiger 3 and Im happy that people are loving my menacing turn!

Emraan has always felt that villains make for really memorable roles that people fondly remember for a long, long time!

He says, Anti-heroes are always fun to play because you get to essay someone who doesnt care a damn about rules. Instead, they create their own rules. So, I jumped at the opportunity because I knew that I will have the freedom to create a villain that people will hopefully remember for a long, long time.

He adds, Im thankful to Maneesh Sharma for being a guide to bring Aatish to life. It was his vision for the character that I was sold on. He helped me craft a character that Im immensely proud of.

Tiger 3 starring Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif is set to release this Diwali, November 12th, Sunday. The adrenaline-pumping action spectacle has been directed by Maneesh Sharma.
Actor Riz Ahmed has requested on social media calling for an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gazas civilians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. We are told there are two sides to what is happening in Israel and Palestine. But in my heart, I know there is only one  the side of our humanity, the Oscar-nominated actor wrote. What happened in Israel last week was horrific and wrong. The pain and fear so many are feeling is deep and real. Whats happening in Gaza now, and has been happening in Palestine under the Occupation for decades, is horrific and wrong. The depth and reality of this suffering cannot be ignored.

He further added, If we look only in one direction, we will go even deeper into darkness. But that is exactly what is happening right now. We are being asked to look away while the civilians of Gaza, half of them children, are running out of time. If we are on the side of humanity, we must urgently speak up to try and avert the loss of innocent life. This means calling for an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gazas civilians and vital infrastructure, the denial of food, water and electricity, the forced displacement of people from their homes. These are morally indefensible war crimes.

Since Hamas surprise attack on Israel, and the situation continues to be tense on both sides of the border. As the war continues, hundreds of people have lost their lives, and the horrific photos and videos of innocent Israeli and Palestinian people continue to emerge online.

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Prominent model and TV personality Gigi Hadid recently 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.

However, a post of the actress seems to have upset State of Israel. Gigi wrote- There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli governments treatment of Palestinians. Condemning the Israeli government is not antisemitic and supporting Palestinians is not supporting Hamas.

State of Israel responds

It replied to Hadid- Have you been sleeping the past week? Or are you just fine turning a blind eye to Jewish babies being butchered in their homes? Your silence has been very clear about where you stand. We see you.

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.

Since Hamas surprise attack on Israel, and the situation continues to be tense on both sides of the border. As the war continues, hundreds of people have lost their lives, and the horrific photos and videos of innocent Israeli and Palestinian people continue to emerge online.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

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The Supreme Court is pronouncing its verdict today on the number of petitions filed for the legalisation of same sex marriage. The date reserved for the verdict earlier was May 11. The Constitution Bench is being headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and the other four judges were Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice S Ravindra Bhat, Justice Hima Kohli, and Justice PS Narasimha.

Filmmaker Onir and actor Vir Das have tweeted about it and given their take ahead of the full verdict. The filmmaker, who dabbled with same-sex relationships in My Brother Nikhil and Pine Cone, shared a video and spoke about its importance:

He wrote- The Supreme Court of India will deliver its verdict on #MarriageEquality this week . Hope that the weakness of the majority community to be better humans do not dictate the verdict to us being equal citizens.

Vir Das replied to a fan who asked to keep same-sex marriages only for America. He wrote-  I promise you if two people of the same sex marry each other you have no reason to be worried. Your life will completely remain unaffected by #samesexmarriage andprobably sex.and marriage. Okay bro? Relax. Have a protein shake.

Anshu. I promise you if two people of the same sex marry each other you have no reason to be worried. Your life will completely remain unaffected by #samesexmarriage andprobably sex.and marriage. Okay bro? Relax. Have a protein shake. https://t.co/dWi9K3iIhZ  Vir Das (@thevirdas) October 17, 2023

Back in April, filmmakers like Vivek Agnihotri and Hansal Mehta also said why its not wrong to legalise same sex marriages in the country.

The Vaccine War director had tweeted- NO. Same sex marriage is not an urban elitist concept. Its a human need. Maybe some sarkari (government) elites drafted it, who have never travelled in small towns and villages. Or Mumbai locals. First, same sex marriage is not a concept. Its a need. Its a right. And in a progressive, liberal and inclusive civilisation like Bharat, same sex marriage should be normal, not a crime.

Hansal Mehta had written- Come on Supreme Court! Pave the path. Legalise same sex marriages.

What the verdict about the legalisation says

The Supreme Court of India has granted equal rights to same-sex couples without legalising marriage. CJI Chandrachud has said that a transgender man can marry a woman or vice-versa. However, he said the directions do not result in the creation of an institution.

Other details about the verdict will follow soon.

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We all remember how The Elephant Whisperers, a short documentary feature, managed to do what big names like Lagaan and Mother India could not  win at the Oscars for India. The film won the Best Documentary Short Subject award at the 95th Academy Awards. In one of the most heartfelt moments in the ceremony, the films director Kartiki Gonsalves dedicated the award to India. Kartiki Gonsalves is now elected to the jury for Indias biggest environmental film festival, All Living Things Environmental Film Festival.

The festival will take place in a hybrid, decentralised model between 1st to 10th December with 62 official selections. All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) proudly announces its return for the fourth consecutive year.

A highlight of this years festival is the presence of filmmaker, Kartiki Gonsalves. Kartiki, in collaboration with Guneet Monga, received the prestigious award for their outstanding documentary film, The Elephant Whisperers earlier in 2023 marking it as a historic win for India. Her valuable expertise and artistic vision as a filmmaker that made films with the environment and nature at the very heart of the film, makes her the perfect new addition to the festivals esteemed jury panel. In 2023, ALT EFF will feature a curated selection of 62 compelling films, encompassing Indian and international titles across various genres including documentaries, short films, fictional films all centred around various aspects and themes of environment, conservation and sustainability. This diverse lineup that includes 39 India Premieres promises to captivate and inspire audiences, offering a unique perspective on our planets most pressing environmental challenges.

This year there will be a significant expansion of the decentralised festival model with on ground screenings planned across all states in India, with over 40 screenings planned over the festival period. The overwhelming success of the decentralised format in 2022 prompted the festival to continue this approach for its fourth edition, strengthening its foothold in the hearts of cinephiles and environmental advocates alike.

The festival is scheduled to kick off on December 1st, 2023, and will run until December 10th, 2023. This years edition is designed to cater to a wider audience, offering both virtual screenings and in-person events in key cities across India.

On joining the festival as the jury, Kartiki expressed, People across the world should see these films. Every person should see these films. Students, as well as adults, should watch because then they can see how the world is deteriorating slowly, and I think that in itself is a powerful motive to inspire change. It was really interesting to see how different filmmakers across different places express themselves and their own voice through the stories they decide to tell. All of the films are so well made, such good storytelling.

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The excitement among the audience for Tejas post the release of its high-octane action-packed trailer has been raised to a whole new level.

Amid all the rising craze, the lead Kangana Ranaut is leaving no chance to actively take the film across the nation much before its release with its promotional tour. After taking the film on many different renowned podiums, now Kangana reached the Statue Of Unity in Gujarat to give a tribute to the Iron Man Of India, Vallabhbhai Patel ahead of the release of Tejas.

Kangana Ranaut has made her visit to Statue Of Unity in Gujarat to promote Tejas. As the film celebrates the spirit of love for the nation and patriotism, Kangana standing aside and clicking photos with the Iron Man Of India, Vallabhbhai Patel is indeed a sheer pride for the actress and encapsulates the idea of Tejas, which is all set to bring the story of Indias pride Tejas Gill.

As the film is all set to bring an immensely captivating story of nations pride, her visit to Statue Of Unity indeed celebrate spirit of togetherness.

Produced by RSVP, Tejas stars Kangana Ranaut in the titular Role. Written and Directed By Sarvesh Mewara and Produced By Ronnie Screwvala, the film is scheduled to release in Theatres on October 27th, 2023.

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Will Smith breaks his silence on his wifes bombshell tell-all Worthy, which reveals the couple has been separated for seven years. In an email sent to The New York Times, the actor admitted that the book woke him up, noting the actress had lived a life more on the edge than hed realized, and she is more resilient, clever and compassionate than hed understood.

When youve been with someone for more than half of your life, a sort of emotional blindness sets in, and you can all too easily lose your sensitivity to their hidden nuances and subtle beauties, the Oscar winner wrote.

On the other hand, Pinkett Smith appeared on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, where the host also read a letter to her written by Smith. I applaud and honour you, Shetty read the letter in a clip shared by The Associated Press on social media. If I had read this book 30 years ago, I definitely wouldve hugged you more.

Ill start now  Welcome to the Authors Club, the letter continued. I love you endlessly. Now go get some Merlot and take a rest. In response, Pinkett Smith laughed and said, He knows I cant have no Merlot, she replied before getting emotional. Thats beautiful.

Thats why I cant divorce that joker, she added. Smith has chosen to make light of the frenzy around Pinkett Smiths memoir, which hits bookshelves on Oct. 17.

On Sunday, the Fresh Prince turned to Instagram and shared a clip of himself on a ship. He was seen lying down below deck, bundled up and seemingly at ease with his arms crossed and eyes shut.

Fun fact about me,

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smiths secret separation

Jada Pinkett Smith and husband Will Smith have lived completely separate lives since 2016, she revealed in an interview with Hoda Kotb. The prominent Hollywood couple married in 1997 and have addressed separations and marital troubles, but never this specifically.

Though its not a legal divorce, Pinkett Smith told Kotb in a clip released Wednesday on Today that it is essentially a divorce without papers. Smith and Pinkett Smith share two children, Willow and Jaden, as well as a son, Trey, from Smiths first marriage. The news came as a surprise to many, considering Pinkett Smiths candor in her Red Table Talk series, in which she and Smith addressed her extramarital relationship in an episode in 2020, and the slap at the 2022 Academy Awards. At the ceremony, Smith infamously walked up on stage and struck presenter Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smiths hair.

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The Biden administration made a notable decision regarding its policy during its first few months in office: it would deprioritise a half-century of prominent efforts by previous American presidents, particularly Democratic ones, to broker an extensive and lasting peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

Many US administrations, since Richard Nixon, tried to lend a hand at Camp David summits, shuttle diplomacy, and other large-scale attempts to persuade Israeli and Palestinian leaders into negotiations to resolve the differences that are the root of 75 years of West Asia hostilities.

Joe Biden has not, significantly, as much as other recent presidents.

Instead, early on, officials in the administration outlined what they called Bidens approach of quiet diplomacy.

They argued for more modest advances in Palestinian rights and lives under the hardliner Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which has promoted settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and consists of coalition partners that oppose to the two-state solution supported by America.

The more conservative strategy suited Bidens resolve to shift his foreign policy priorities from West Asia flashpoints to China.

Neglected Israel-Palestine conflict back in the spotlight

The Hamas attack on Israel on Saturday, 7 October and Israels retaliatory military bombardment of Gaza, however, brought the long-term risks of neglecting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict back into the forefront. As Israeli-Palestinian violence intensifies with each passing day, the United States angry Arab allies are criticising the country for being passive in the situation.

Biden sent carrier strike groups to the region as a result of the deadly Hamas militants attack from Gaza and Israels militarys intensifying response, which have murdered thousands of civilians in Israel and Gaza, threatened to escalate the conflict, and have caused Palestinian refugees to flee across borders.

More than a million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of expected Israeli invasion.

Irate Arab allies warn the US

In Cairo this past weekend, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was one of a succession of Arab leaders to warn Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is scrambling through West Asian capitals to try to contain the conflict, that the Israel-Gaza war threatens the stability of the entire region.

Following his visit to Israel, Biden is likely to hear the same as he meets with leaders of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority in Jordan on Wednesday.

Sissi, who fears the Israeli military offensive will push Gazas 2.3 million people across the border into Egypt, cast blame on the near-disappearance of any international pressure on Netanyahus government and Palestinians to return to negotiations.

Sissi cited a buildup of outrage and hatred for more than 40 years and the lack of any horizon to solve the Palestinian cause; one that gives hope to the Palestinians for a state with a capital in East Jerusalem.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, pointed to Saudis repeated warnings of the danger of the explosion.

Arab leaders are very aware this is going to keep blowing up. And they might ride it out this time, they might ride it out next time, as they have in the past, said Yezid Sayigh, a senior fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Centre in Beirut, Lebanon.

But its not actually a comfortable position for them to be endlessly living in, with endless cycles of Israeli and Palestinian wars that threaten the regions peace and economies, said Sayigh, who accused the US of encouraging Netanyahu to think there was no need to address Palestinian concerns.

Underscoring his administrations diminished emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Bidens call to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this past weekend amid the building Gaza war was the American leaders first since taking office.

In 1973, Arab nations surprise attack on Israel, and Arabs devastating oil embargo on the US and other countries for their support of Israel in that fight, convinced US leaders that a lasting resolution to Palestinian demands for statehood was in Americas strategic interest.

But after some early successes, recurring violence, the disappointments of past failed mediation efforts, and the scale of the disputes helped derail the US push. By the time Biden, a strong supporter of the state of Israel, took office, any support for major negotiations among Israelis was faint.

To be sure, theres little to suggest ambitious engagement by Biden on Israeli-Palestinian issues would have made immediate progress, or done anything to discourage the attack by Hamas, whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel.

Even after a 2021 burst of fighting between Hamas and Israel, administration figures argued that a big push on peace efforts would undermine more easily won goals, like cease-fires with Hamas.

More on Bidens normalisation policy

Instead, Biden has enthusiastically followed the new path that predecessor Donald Trump had laid out on West Asia peacemaking: lobbying for so-called normalisation deals with Arab countries, absent any Israeli-Palestinian accord.

Under Trump, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco all signed normalisation deals establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.

Up until 7 October, Biden appeared to be fast closing in on brokering a normalisation deal with the biggest prize of all, regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia.

Then, Hamass breakout from Gaza shattered what National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had hailed as a period of West Asia calm. The violence has been the deadliest of five wars between Hamas and Israel, killing more than 1,400 people in Israel and nearly 2,800 in Gaza.

Its not clear what happens to Bidens normalisation push now. Despite their angry comments and varying degrees of popular support among their public for the Palestinian cause, Americas Arab partners are pragmatists, and like the US and Israel, adversaries of Hamas and other Iran-backed groups.

Additionally, the Biden administrations immediate and all-in rallying to Israels mounting defence after Hamass 7 October massacres may only heighten Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans desire to lock in that kind of security alliance with the US for the kingdom, many analysts are arguing.

I think Gulf partners are looking at the quick, decisive response that the US has provided Israel, and are incredibly jealous, said Jonathan Lord, director of the West Asia security program at the Centre for a New American Security think tank.

Brokering those alliances would stabilise the West Asia in themselves, no Israeli-Palestinian peace accord needed, supporters have argued.

The nightmare unfolding now for Israeli and Palestinian civilians argues differently, when it comes to Bidens approach, critics say.

As long as the core issues stay unresolved, ignoring them does not make them go away, said Yousef Munayyer, who heads the Palestine-Israel program at the Arab Centre, a Washington think tank. And I think thats a lesson for everybody.

With inputs from The Associated Press
The Israeli-Palestinian crisis has entered its eleventh day, with worries over its escalation. Israel has bolstered Operation Iron Swords by sending troops and tanks along the Gaza border, launching missile strikes that have killed thousands of civilians.

Israel has one of the best-resourced militaries in the world, hugely supported by Washington. In Hamas, it faces a highly-trained armed group with powerful regional allies.

With both sides poised for a ground offensive in the wake of the deadly attack by Hamas on 7 October, here is an overview of their military resources.

Israel

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) number 169,500, of which 126,000 are army, according to Britains International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

On top of that, it has 400,000 reservists, of which 360,000 have been mobilised since the Hamas attack.

Israel has some of the most technologically advanced defences in the world, including the Iron Dome anti-missile system.

IISS says it has some 1,300 tanks and other armoured vehicles, 345 fighter jets and a vast arsenal of artillery, drones and state-of-the-art submarines.

Though not a declared nuclear state, Israels nuclear weapons cache is an open secret and the Arms Control Association puts its number of warheads at 90.

US ally

Washington currently provides $3.8 billion per year to Israel in military aid under a 10-year agreement running until 2028.

It has delivered increased munitions to Israel and deployed two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean  the USS Gerald Ford, the worlds largest warship, and the USS Eisenhower, aimed at deterring not just Hamas but also its allies in Iran and Hezbollah.

Also Read: What is the Rafah crossing, the only escape for Gazans amid Israeli bombing?

British defence analysis firm Janes told US aircraft carriers travel with smaller ships  destroyers, cruisers, submarines and support vessels  that offer a multitude of capabilities including ballistic missile protection, command-and-control, humanitarian assistance, evacuation and disaster relief.

Also Read: Why has Israels ground invasion of Gaza been delayed?

Another aircraft carrier adds another 95,000 tons of power projection to the point that the United States is making, said Janes expert Nick Brown.

Hamas

Hamas has a diverse arsenal built up over many years.

Its armed forces, under the name Al-Qassam Brigades, numbers 15,000 men according to IISS, though it notes Arabic media have put the figure at 40,000.

They have heavy weapons sourced from across the Middle East  particularly Iran, Syria and Libya  and has also sourced handguns and assault rifles from China and other regions.

The majority of its rockets are also locally manufactured and technologically rudimentary.

Hezbollah

There have already been exchanges across the border between Israel and Lebanon, where the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah is based.

Also Read: How Israeli cybersecurity professionals are helping in the time of war

Hezbollah can tie up IDF resources without having to fully commit to the fight, instead relying on occasional rocket or missile strikes to prevent the Israelis from growing complacent and forcing the IDF to commit manpower and materiel along the northern border, said the Soufan Centre, a US think tank.

In 2021, the group claimed to have 100,000 fighters. The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), an Israeli think tank, says the number is half that.

Independent Middle East expert Eva Koulouriotis estimates Hezbollah has 20,000 highly trained fighters and a reserve of some 50,000 who have received three months of training in Lebanon and three months in Iran.

INSS says the groups arsenal counts between 150,000 and 200,000 rockets and missiles, including hundreds of precision rockets.

Hezbollah simulated cross-border raids into Israel in May that involved weapons systems from Iran, Syria, Russia and China.

Iran

Since its Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran has made support for Palestinians one of the pillars of its ideology.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned in recent days: No one can guarantee the control of the situation and the non-expansion of the conflicts if Israel sends its soldiers into Gaza.

In graphics : What is Israels military strength? What weapons does it use?

Raz Zimmt, of INSS, said Iran currently had no interest in Hezbollah engaging in an all-out war that might threaten such a key strategic asset.

But he added that Irans hand could be forced by an Israeli ground invasion, and especially Israeli military success, which will threaten the very survival of Hamas and/or its ability to maintain effective control over the Gaza Strip.

With inputs from AFP
While Indias Supreme Court declined to legalise same-sex marriage and did not grant gay couples adoption rights, there is some good news.

CJI DY Chandrachud in a ruling on Tuesday struck down the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) regulations which stop gay and unmarried couples from adopting.

However, the five-bench judge led by CJI DY Chandrachud in a 3-2 verdict stated that non-heterosexual couples cannot be granted the right to jointly adopt a child.

Lets take a look at what the SC said about adoption for gay and unmarried couples and the adoption laws in India:

What did the Supreme Court say?

As per NDTV, CJI DY Chandrachud, reading out his verdict on same-sex marriages, said the judges shared degree of agreement and a degree of disagreement

The disagreement, Chandrachud added, was on how far the court should go.

Bar and Bench quoted Chandrachud as saying, The law cannot make an assumption about good and bad parenting and it perpetuates a stereotype that only heterosexuals can be good parents.

The CJI said regulation 5(3) of CARA  a government agency which comes under the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and lays down the rules for adopting children in India  discriminates between partners in atypical unions.

A queer person can adopt only in an individual capacity. This has the effect of reinforcing the discrimination against the queer community, he said as per India Today.

As per Live Law, CARA regulation 5(3) states: No child shall be given in adoption to a couple unless they have at least two years of stable marital relationship except in the cases of relative or step-parent adoption.

The regulation is violative of the rights of the queer community, he added.

When it comes to adoption, for unmarried couples the CJI said CARA has exceeded its authority due to its regulation 5.

 Unmarried couples are not excluded from adopting but regulation 5 prevents them by stating the couple must be in a stable marital relationship for 2 years.. JJ Act does not prevent the unmarried couples from adopting but only when CARA regulates the same but it cannot defeat the objective of JJ Act, Chandrachud noted.

There is no material on record to prove that only a married heterosexual couple can provide stability to a child, Justice Chandrachud added as per India Today.

As per Live Law, Chandrachud ruled that unmarried couples, including gay couples, could jointly adopt.

The CJI ruled that Regulation 5(3) of the CARA Regulations, insofar as it prohibited unmarried and queer couples from adopting, violated Article 15 of the Constitution.

The CJI thus struck down CARA.

Chandrachud was joined by Justice SK Kaul in saying that gay couples and unmarried couples ought to be given adoption rights and that CARA had surpassed its authority.

The Union of India has not proved that precluding unmarried couples from adopting is in the best interest of the child. So CARA has exceeded its authority in barring unmarried couples, Chandrachud stated as per Live Law.

Differentia between married couples and unmarried couples has no reasonable nexus with the objective of CARA  the best interests of the child, CJI Chandrachud said as per Hindustan Times.

However, the other three judges  justices Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha  disagreed with the decision.

We voice certain concerns. This is not to say that unmarried or non-heterosexual couples cant be good parents given the objective of section 57, the State as parens patriae has to explore all areas and to ensure all benefits reach the children at large in need of stable homes, Justice Bhat was quoted as saying by India Today.

As per Live Law, Justice Bhat disagreed with Chandrachud that gay couples had the right to adopt.

Bhat said that Regulation 5(3) of the CARA regulation could not be held unconstitutional  which Justice Hima Kohli agreed with.

Justice PS Narasimha, also agreed with Bhats view that CARA regulations could not be deemed unconstitutional, as per Live Law.

Indian Express quoted Justice Bhat as saying that the Centre must decide when it comes to policy changes.

What are the adoption laws in India?

As per Outlook, adoption in India is governed by

The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956

The Guardianship and Wards Act, 1980

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.

In India, a single man is not eligible to adopt a child.

When it comes to married couples, both spouses need to agree for an adoption

As per Outlook, CARA Section 5(2) A says that a child can be adopted only if there is consent of both the spouses for the adoption in case of a married couple, and a single male shall not be eligible to adopt a girl child.

Meanwhile, CARA Section 5(3) of the Act states that that a married couple cannot adopt unless they have been in a stable, relationship for a minimum of two years.

This excludes adoption in the case of relatives or step-parents.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had opposed adoption rights of same-sex couples.

The child rights body had argued that children raised by same-sex parents may have a limited exposure to the traditional gender role models.

The commission has said the Hindu Marriage Act and the Juvenile Justice Act do not recognise adoption by same-sex couples.

Same-sex parents may have a limited exposure to the traditional gender role models and hence, the childrens exposure would be limited and their overall personality growth would be affected, the plea has said.

The petition has referred to studies on adoption by same-sex parents which, it claimed, show that such a child gets affected both socially and psychologically.

Allowing adoption to same-sex couples is akin to endangering the children, the plea has said.

Referring to a study conducted by the Catholic University of America, the plea has said emotional and developmental problems are twice as prevalent in children of same-sex parents than in children with opposite sex parents.

The court ruling comes five years after a historic 2018 judgment when the Supreme Court scrapped a colonial-era ban on gay sex.

Only Taiwan and Nepal allow same-sex unions in Asia, where largely conservative values still dominate politics and society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis government had opposed the petitions, calling them urban elitist views and stating that parliament is the right platform to debate and legislate on the matter.

It had also said that such marriages are not comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children.

With inputs from agencies
The Supreme Court has refused to legalise same-sex marriage in India. A five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court on Tuesday (17 October) rejected the petitions seeking marriage equality in a 3:2 verdict, with the dissenting judges saying that the right to marry cannot be considered a fundamental right.

However, the top court has recognised the rights of the queer community, asking the Centre to ensure they do not face discrimination. Observing that queerness is a natural phenomenon, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, who headed the five-judge bench, told the Centre, states and Union Territories (UTs) to make sure that the queer community is not discriminated against because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

The apex court also issued certain directives to the Centre and the police in this regard. What has the Supreme Court said? Lets take a closer look.

SCs order for Centre, states

Announcing his ruling, CJI Chandrachud noted that queerness is not an urban or elitist concept or restricted to the upper classes of the society.

To imagine that queer people exist only in urban and elite spaces is to erase them.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, had told the apex court earlier this year that same-sex marriage was an urban and elitist concept, which is far removed from the social ethos of the country.

The chief justice asked the Centre and state governments to ensure that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) community is not discriminated in access to goods and services.

It asked the government to sensitise the public about queer rights as well as set up a hotline for the queer community. The court also called for establishing safe houses or Garima grih for queer couples.

The apex court directed the Centre to ensure that inter-sex children are not forced to undergo sex change operations. The CJI said that queer people cannot be compelled to receive any hormonal therapy, reported Indian Express.

ALSO READ: Why the Supreme Court did not legalise same-sex marriage in India: The big takeaways

SCs ruling for police

The top courts instructions for the police hold significance. CJI Chandrachud has directed the police not to harass queer people by summoning them to police stations solely to enquire about their sexual identity.

Queer persons should not be forced to return to their native families against their wishes, the apex court ruled.

The police should conduct a preliminary enquiry before registering an FIR against a queer couple over their relationship, the bench observed, according to Hindustan Times (HT).

As per Times of India (TOI), when queer persons lodge a complaint against their families accusing them of restricting their movement, the court told the police to ensure their movement is not curbed after verifying the genuineness of such allegations.

The police must ensure due protection when a complainant alleges violence from the family because of their queer identity, or for being in a queer relationship after confirming the genuineness of the complaint.

On bouquet of rights

CJI Chandrachud said towards the end of his judgement that the top court cannot strike down the provisions of the Special Marriage Act or read words differently to permit marriage equality and left the issue to the Parliament.

However, he also argued that the failure of the state to recognise the bouquet of rights flowing from a queer relationship amounts to discrimination.

Right to enter into union cannot be restricted on the basis of sexual orientation, the CJI observed.

Justice Ravindra Bhat in the judgement signed by him and Justice Hima Kohli said the apex court cannot chalk out a legal framework for queer couples as that lies with the legislature.

All queer persons have the right to choose their partners. But the state cannot be obligated to recognise the bouquet of rights flowing from such a union. We disagree with the CJI on this aspect, The Wire quoted Justice Bhat as saying.

Despite the split verdict, the five-judge bench agreed to direct the Centre to form a high-level Cabinet committee to examine the rights and entitlements of persons in queer unions  without legally recognising their relationship as a marriage.

As per The Wire, CJI Chandrachud suggested the panel could consider the inclusion of queer couples as family in ration cards, allowing queer couples to name each other as nominees in bank accounts, etc. The panel may also analyse other rights for non-heterosexual couples, such as opening joint bank accounts, enabling queer people to nominate their partner as a beneficiary for provident fund, pension or inheritance, allowing queer couples to take medical decisions for each other, and so on.

On 3 May, the Centre had told the top court it would set up a committee headed by the Cabinet secretary to look into measures that could address the genuine concerns of same-sex couples.

The top court also had varied views on the queer couples right to adopt, with CJI Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul in favour of giving them the option, and Justices Bhat, Kohli and PS Narasimha opposing it.

The court delivered four separate judgements which, as the CJI described, carried a degree of agreement and a degree of disagreement.

With inputs from agencies
On 6 September 2018, the Supreme Court of India delivered a historic judgment decriminalising consensual same-sex relationships and declaring Section 377 as unconstitutional. Now five years later, on 17 October, the country awaits the apex courts decision on whether it pens a new chapter in the rights for same-sex couples, and allows for equality in marriages.

Today, a five-judge Constitution bench presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud will announce its verdict on same-sex marriages after it heard a batch of petitions in Supriyo@Supriya Chakraborty versus Union of India & Ors, which claim marriage equality in India back in May and had reserved their verdict following a 10-day hearing in the matter, which was live-streamed for all to see.

As the nation and countless of members of the LGBTQIA+ community wait with bated breath for a favourable judgment, we take a look back at what was the case all about, who stands where on the matter and what it would mean for India to recognise same-sex unions.

As one member of the community told Bar & Bench: With the kind of diversity in cultures across India, one had to frame a broader picture and to preview the case under Special Marriage Act is one such step. I not only hope for the verdict to fall on our side, but at the same time, hope it opens up a larger discussion on the rights to privacy, life and equality.

Who are the petitioners?

A group of 18 same-sex couples moved the countrys Supreme Court to legalise same-sex marriages in the country.

This includes Utkarsh Saxena, a developmental economist and a lawyer, who has challenged the matrimonial laws in the country along with his partner Ananya Kotia, an economist. Speaking to The Scroll, he explained that same-sex couples are also not given basic financial benefits, such as getting life and health insurance benefits or opening a joint bank account.

The 18 couples put up their arguments for the country to recognise their rights to marry through various lawyers, including the well-known Menaka Guruswamy, who was also at the forefront of the legal battle in the case pertaining to decriminalisation of homosexuality, holding Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to be unconstitutional, in 2018.

Other reputed names such as Mukul Rohtagi, the former attorney general for India, and Abhishek Manu Singhvi also appeared for the petitioners in the case, arguing that India should recognise same-sex unions.

Also read: Which countries approve of same-sex marriages?

What do the petitioners want?

The petitioners are challenging the provisions of the Special Marriage Act 1954, Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the Foreign Marriage Act 1969 to the extent these legislations do not recognise non-heterosexual marriages.

The hearing first began on 18 April and senior advocate Dr Abhishekh Manu Singhvi then said in the apex court on behalf of the petitioners: Homosexual persons can no longer go to jail. The second step has to be affirmative, which is the recognition of their right to marriage.

On the same day, Dr Menaka Guruswamy argued that marriage wasnt just a question of dignity. It is also a bouquet of rights.

Furthering the case, Mukul Rohatgi argued that the right to marry for non-heterosexual couples is implicit in Articles 14 (Equality), 15 (Non-Discrimination), 16 (Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment), 19 (Freedom of Speech), and 21 (Right to Life), especially after the SC rulings in Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India and KS Puttaswamy and Anr vs Union of India.

Rohatgis arguments also centred around the interpretation of the Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954, so that the same is reworded to read marriage as between spouse instead of man and woman.

During the 10-days of hearing, Singhvi further stated that marriage equality must encompass the full spectrum of sexual orientations and not just the gay-lesbian binary.

Singhvi also argued that a civil union, as some countries permit, is not an equal alternative and sends a message that it is legitimate to differentiate between the commitments of heterosexual and non-heterosexual couples, by indicating that the latters marriages are not as significant as real marriages.

Primarily, the petitioners argued that because they cant legally marry, they dont have rights to inheritance, maintenance and tax benefits. Moreover, after their partner passes away, they cant avail of benefits such as pension or compensation.

And most significantly, as marriage is a social institution that is created by and highly regulated by law, without this social sanction, same-sex couples struggle to make a life together.

Who opposes same-sex marriage?

The Union government, the national child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and a body of Islamic scholars called the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind, opposed the petitions in the Supreme Court.

In the initial days of the hearing, the Union government through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta raised objections that the Parliament is the proper forum for this matter.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also urged the top court to reject the petitions, saying that a marriage could take place only between a man and a woman who were heterosexual. He also criticised the same-sex petitioners, saying that they merely reflect urban elitist views.

The child rights body also opposed same-sex marriages with Additional Solicitor General Aishwaraya Bhati submitting that while the concept of gender may be fluid, the concepts of mother and motherhood are not. Entire architecture of our laws is to protect the interest and the welfare of children who are naturally born to heterosexual persons, and the State is justified in treating heterosexuals and homosexuals differently, Bhati said, adding that the welfare of children is paramount.

Also read: Why recognising and prioritising children in the same-sex marriage debate is important

Kapil Sibal appearing for the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind also argued that argument advanced by the petitioners that the apex court should make a declaration about legal validation for same-sex marriage as Parliament is not likely to do anything about it, is a very dangerous proposition.

He told the bench that any law of this nature, which is pursuant to a tectonic shift in societal value, requires public discourse which includes discourse within and outside Parliament.

Why the decision will be historic?

It is unknown which way the court will rule, but it is will be historic either way.

The apex court had earlier clarified that it was not touching personal laws, such as the Hindu Marriages Act, and was only confining itself to the Special Marriage Act.

If the court recognises same-sex marriages in India, it would recognise the rights of a huge part of the population. It is believed that India is home to the worlds largest LGBTQ+ community, estimating numbers to be around 135 million or 10 per cent of Indias 1.4 billion people.

Also read: Same-sex marriage gets a push in India, but some in queer community feel other rights require more urgent attention

Even if the Supreme Court doesnt rule in favour of the petitioners, it will still bring about change as the Centre during the course of the hearings agreed to set up an inter-ministerial committee, headed by the Cabinet secretary, to examine the administrative steps that it can consider for ensuring certain benefits for the same-sex couples even in absence of a legal recognition of marriage.

However, some remain sceptical. Kanav Sahgal from the Vidhi Center for Legal Policy, an independent legal think-tank in India, told TIME magazine that even if the Supreme Court legalises same-sex marriage, LGBTQ+ individuals would continue to face discrimination in public services, renting, or adoption. India doesnt have a national anti-discrimination law that protects sexual orientation, he told the publication. Sahgal also warned that some Indian states may refuse to give marriage licences to couples who want to marry.

With inputs from agencies
Marriage equality in India remains elusive. In a big blow to the countrys homosexual community, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against legalising same-sex marriage. The verdict was pronounced by a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. It comprised Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha.

The bench also ruled in a 3:2 verdict against civil unions for non-heterosexual couples. While all five judges agreed that there is no fundamental right to marry, the Chief Justice and Justice Kaul spoke in favour of civil unions for homosexual and queer partners.

Also read: Why the Supreme Court did not legalise same-sex marriage in India



What is a civil union? How is it different from marriage?

A civil union is a legal status that bestows upon same-sex couples some rights and responsibilities which are allowed to heterosexual married men and women.

Civil union gives couples employment, inheritance, property and parental rights. However, there are some differences between a marriage and a civil union.

In the United States, same-sex marriages were legalised only in 2015. Before that, most American states allowed same-sex couples to marry under civil union laws. But this did not provide them with formal recognition of marriage.

Civil unions were recognised only by individual states and not by the federal law in the US. Hence, while a union was recognised in one state it was not in another if it did not have similar laws. Hence couples could not enjoy the benefits of being in a civil union across the US, according to a report in The Indian Express.

After the legalisation of same-sex marriages, several civil unions were converted into marriages.

What did the Supreme Court say about civil unions?

During the hearings in the apex court earlier this year, the Centre contested the maintainability of the petitions and also the judiciarys right to confer legal recognition on the socio-legal institution of marriage. Then the CJI clarified that the hearings scope would be limited to developing a notion of a civil union that finds legal recognition under the Special Marriage Act.

In Tuesdays verdict, while CJI and Justice Kaul were in favour of civil unions, the other three judges, Justices Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha were not.

In his judgement, the CJI held that queer couples have a right to seek recognition of their union. He said that the freedom of queer community to enter into unions is guaranteed under the Constitution.

Also read: Same-sex marriage verdict: Can unmarried partners, gay couples now adopt in India?

Justice Kaul said the legal recognition of civil unions for non-heterosexual couples represents a step towards marriage equality. He observed that queer unions are to be recognised as a union to give partnership and love, and held that the Special Marriage Act was violative of Article 14 for being discriminatory. However, similar to the view taken by the CJI, Justice Kaul too held that there were limitations on the court in including queer unions in the Special Marriage Act as the same was for the Parliament to decide, according to a report on LiveLaw.

However, a majority opinion did not recognise civil unions. Justice Bhat differed on the judgement of the CJI and stated that an entitlement to civil union could only be through enacted law. He held, All queer persons have the right to choose their partners but State cannot be obligated to recognise the bouquet of rights flowing from such a Union.

Queer persons are not prohibited in celebrating their love for each other, but have no right to claim recognition of such union, he said. Justice Kohli concurred with Justice Bhat.

Justice PS Narasimha, agreeing with Justice Bhat, stated that there existed no unqualified right to marry and that the right to marriage was a statutory right or flowing from a custom. He further held that it would not be constitutionally permissible to recognise a right to civil union mirroring a marriage, according to LiveLaw.

What did the petitioners say?

Advocate Karuna Nundy, who argued in favour of same-sex marriages, shared her views on the judgement and said that there were some opportunities that she believes the Supreme Court pushed off to legislators and the central government.

The central government has made their stand clear with regards to marriage, we hope that their committee will ensure that civil unions are recognised and concomitants of marriage are then brought into law at least with regards to civil unions, Nundy told the news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Supreme Court refuses to give marriage equality rights to the LGBTQIA+ community in India Lawyer Karuna Nundy says, There were some opportunities today that I believe has been pushed off to the legislators and the central govt has made their stand clear with regards pic.twitter.com/BerEKzHmCY  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2023

What is the Centres committee?

During hearings in the case, the Centre had submitted that it would set up a committee headed by the Cabinet secretary to look into practical difficulties faced by same-sex couples. These include getting rights to Provident Fund, and pension benefits among others.

The Supreme Court took note of the Centres submission and asked it to proceed with the formation of this panel.

Which countries allow civil unions?

Civil union is seen as an important step toward recognising same-sex relationships. In 1989, Denmark became the first country in the world to grant legal rights to same-sex couples by introducing registered partnership legislation. It replaced the law with marriage equality legislation.

Today, at least 12 nations allow civil unions or registered partnerships for homosexual couples. Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, and Estonia have such laws.

Austria, Sweden, Norway, Brazil and Chile are among the nations that first recognised the right of same-sex couples to enter into civil unions before recognising their legal right to marriage.

With inputs from agencies
For many, today (17 October) was to be a historic day. Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies awaited the Supreme Courts verdict on the matter of same-sex marriages, hoping that the apex court would recognise this right and reverse years of what they deemed discrimination.

However, the five-judge Constitution bench, comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, PS Narasimha and Hima Kohli, refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, with the Chief Justice saying the court cant make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

As people decode and debate the verdict, we bring you the biggest takeaways from the verdict and what it means for the LGBTQ+ community in India.

No fundamental right to marry

All five justices hearing the matter concurred that there was no fundamental right for non-heterosexual couples to marry.

Justice S Ravindra Bhat in his judgment asserted that marriage was a social institution and there could not be an unqualified right to marry which was to be treated as a fundamental right. If it is agreed that marriage is a social institution, does it follow that any section of society which wishes for the creation of a like institution, can seek relief by court intervention?, he stated.

Justice Narasimha too agreed with his colleague on the matter, saying: There is no unqualified right to marry. Right to marriage is a statutory right or flowing from a custom. Constitutional challenge to the Special Marriage Act and Foreign Marriage Act must fail for the reasons given by Justice Bhat.

No adoption rights for gay couples

In their petition for recognising same-sex marriages, the petitioners had raised the issue of their right to adopt. Hence, this became a major aspect of the justices judgment.

The judges did not hold a consensus on the matter, with a 3:2 majority holding that gay and unmarried couples couldnt adopt.

Earlier, reading his judgment, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that unmarried couples, including gay, could jointly adopt a child. He said that the law cannot assume that only heterosexual couples can be good parents and that doing so would amount to discrimination.

Also read: Same-sex marriage verdict: Can unmarried partners, gay couples now adopt in India?

He said that the Juvenile Justice Act doesnt preclude unmarried couples from adopting and hence, Central Adoption Resource Authority (the ruling body on adoption) has exceeded its authority in barring unmarried couples.

He further stated: It cannot be assumed that unmarried couples are not serious about their relationship. There is no material on record to prove that only a married heterosexual couple can provide stability to a child.

However, the CJIs views were not held by the other judges. Justice Bhat disagreed with the CJIs opinion of allowing non-heterosexual couples to jointly adopt. This view was also held by Justices Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha.

Justice Bhat argued that unmarried gay couples can be as good at parenting as heterosexual couples, but there are certain concerns that need to be addressed. We voice certain concerns. This is not to say that unmarried or non-heterosexual couples cant be good parents given the objective of section 57, the State as parens patriae has to explore all areas and to ensure all benefits reach the children at large in need of stable homes, Justice Bhat said.

No tweaking Special Marriage Act

While reading out their verdict on the matter of same-sex marriage, the five justices agreed that it was not possible to tweak the Special Marriage Act, 1954 by using gender neutral language to allow same-sex marriage.

This came after petitioners had urged the apex court to interpret the word marriage as between spouses instead of man and woman. CJI Chandrachud said striking down the Special Marriage Act provisions would jeopardise the legal framework for interfaith and inter-caste couples. He added that interpreting the Act in a gender neutral way would amount to judicial lawmaking, which would violate the doctrine of separation of powers.

Queerness is neither urban nor elite concept

While the justices have differing opinions on issues like adoption, there was consensus on one matter.

Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, in his reading said: Queerness is neither urban nor elite.

In the limited exploration of the literature on the subject it makes it clear homosexuality is not a novel subject. People may be queer regardless whether they are from villages or cities not only an English speaking man can lay claim to being queer It is also a woman working at a farm in a rural area, said the chief justice.

Justice Ravindra Bhat also agreed with CJI Chandrachud. He asserted that queerness is not urban or elite.

These remarks came in response to the Centres argument that it had made earlier about the matter being elitist and urban-centric. The Centre had then argued that petitions seeking legal validation of same-sex marriage reflect an urban elitist view.

Directives to Centre and states

While the justices have thrown the ball in Parliaments court again on the matter of same-sex marriages, they directed the Centre to constitute a committee to examine the rights and entitlements of persons in queer union, without legal recognition of their relationship as a marriage.

In his minority judgment, CJI Chandrachud issued a slew of directions to the Centre, states and the police forces to protect the gay community. He said that administrations should take steps to ensure that the gay community is not discriminated again. Moreover, there is no discrimination in providing services and goods to members of this community.

He further added that the public should be sensitised about gay rights; a hotline should be created and safe houses or garima grih should be built for them. He asked that there are measures taken to ensure that inter-sex children are not forced to undergo operations and no person should be forced to undergo any hormonal therapy. He also asked that the police should not harass queer people or forced them to return to their natal families.

With inputs from agencies
The Israel-Hamas conflict has entered its 11th day. For more than a week, it has overshadowed diplomatic conversations. It will be no different on Tuesday as Russian president Vladimir Putin visits China to meet his counterpart and dear friend Xi Jinping.

The Russian leader arrived in Beijing for an infrastructure summit  the Belt and Road Initiative forum that hopes to boost Chinas international standing. Representatives from 130 countries will be attending the gathering but Putin is the biggest name on that invitation list. This is his first trip to a major global power since the invasion of Ukraine has left Russia isolated.

We take a look at what the two powerful autocrats will discuss and why this visit could be significant.

Where do Russia, China stand on the Israel-Hamas war?

According to the Russian media, Putin will attend the Belt and Road forums official opening reception hosted by Xi and hold talks with leaders of Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia and Laos on Tuesday.

The Russian leader is the chief guest at the summit. He will speak with Xi on Wednesday and meet the Chinese president for bilateral talks later that day, reports Reuters.

All attention will be on what the two leaders discuss. The Israel-Hamas war will feature prominently during the talks, as Russia and China have in recent days hardened their stand on the ongoing conflict.

On Friday, Putin likened Israels actions in Gaza to the Nazi Germany siege of Leningrad, a comparison that will deeply offend Israel. He said a ground offensive would lead to an absolutely unacceptable number of civilian casualties even as he acknowledged that Israel had been subjected to an attack unprecedented in its cruelty by Hamas militants.

The Chinese foreign minister said that Israels airstrikes on Gaza had gone beyond the scope of self-defence and that it should stop collective punishment of the people of Gaza.

Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Beijing on Monday before Putins visit.

China has historically backed Palestine as did the Soviet Union during the Cold War. But Putin has portrayed himself as an ally of Israel. Israels Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the Russian leader for his particularly friendly attitude toward the Jewish people during a memoir published during the war, according to a report in The Guardian.

But as the war with Hamas broke out, Putin appears to have forgotten about the friendship.

What can we expect from the Putin, Xi meet?

Two wars in two years have left the world divided. In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine just weeks after meeting Xi Jinping in Beijing. The US and the West have sided with Ukraine, slapping sanctions on Russia, which China has condemned.

Now the conflict between Israel and Hamas threatens to grow bigger and bring instability to West Asia. The US is Israels biggest ally and once again Russia and China are on the opposite side.

Putin and Xi meet as US president Joe Biden is travelling to Israel to show his support to the country. The meeting in Beijing is expected to emphasise their shared vision for a new world order, which is no longer dominated by the US and its allies.

Both Beijing and Moscow have criticised Israels actions and called for a ceasefire, in the latest showing of the two powers efforts to step up their alternative leadership to that of the US, which affirms Israels ongoing right to retaliate, writes CNNs China writer Simone McCarthy.

It comes as no surprise then that in his first comes on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Putin blamed the US, saying that its policy had failed in West Asia.

In an interview with Chinese state broadcaster CGTN ahead of his visit, the Russian president said that a multipolar world is taking shape, and the concepts and initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping are highly relevant and significant.

What do Russia, China want?

According to experts, the Israel-Hamas conflict gives Putin the chance to shift the spotlight away from the Ukraine war. He is also looking for support for the conflict, which he finds in China.

Beijings one big goal is to extend its influence on the world and continue its efforts to take on the US.

almost anything that the US supports, China must be against. Beijing also wishes to be seen as a key supporter of the global south, which includes most Arab countries retaining friendly ties with China. Its a matter of maintaining those relations by continuing to support the Palestinians, Dr Yu Jie, a senior research fellow on China at the Chatham House think tank in London was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

The article also says that analysts believe that China is trying to offset concerns in Islamic countries about its treatment of Uyghurs, the Muslim ethnic group, from Xinjiang. China gets a majority of its oil from West Asia and the region is a nexus in Xis ambitious Belt and Road initiative.

Can Russia and China broker peace?

Moscow tabled a United Nations Security Council resolution that condemned violence and terrorism against civilians but made no mention of Hama. The UNSC rejected it on Monday night.

On Monday, Putin told Netanyahu that Moscow wanted to help prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The Russian leader also made a flurry of calls to key regional players, Arab and Iran.

The Kremlin said Putin expressed Russias willingness to work towards ending the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation and achieving a peaceful settlement through political and diplomatic means.

China has also said it would send its envoy to West Asia to encourage talks as it condemned all acts that harm civilians but it did not mention Hamas in its statements. Beijings special envoy Zhai Jun will visit West Asia this week to push for a ceasefire and peace talks, Chinas state broadcaster said. No details have been given about where he will go.

Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who called on Beijing to use its influence in West Asia to push for calm. The Communist nation has a warm relationship with Iran, where the clerical leadership supports both Hamas and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that could open a second front against Israel, reports AFP.

In March, China announced a surprise deal restoring ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, hinting at Beijings desire to be a diplomatic heavyweight in the region. Back then Chinese media hailed Beijings rising profile in a region long dominated by Washington. Wang Yi said the country would continue to play a constructive role in handling global hotspot issues, according to a Reuters report.

The ongoing conflict will definitely test the limits of that ambition.

With inputs from agencies
After the success of Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission, India has set itself a lofty new goal  having a space station by 2035.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spelled out the ambitious goal for the Indian Space Research Organisation.

Modi gave his directions during a briefing by ISRO chairman S Somanath on the Gaganyaan mission.

But what is a space station? Which countries have one?

Lets take a closer look:

What is it?

As per Britannica, a space station is an artificial structure that is sent to orbit and which remains there.

A space station has all the necessary equipment to sustain human life for long periods of time.

This includes a pressurised enclosure, power, and environmental systems.

A number of activities can be conducting on a space station including observing objects in space, planets such as the Sun and the Moon, studying Earth and examining the long-term effects of space on the human body.

Smaller space stations are usually assembled into one piece and then launched into orbit. However, larger space stations are usually sent piecemeal and then assembled in orbit.

It is usually sent into orbit vacant with its crew and equipment reaching in separate spacecraft.

They thus need a conveyance system for crew and hardware and to restock items such as propellant, air, water, and food.

Space stations usually run on a combination of solar panels and batteries.

NASA explained the importance of space stations thus: The space station has made it possible for people to have an ongoing presence in space. Human beings have been living in space every day since the first crew arrived.

It added that a space station allows crew to conduct research that benefits mankind which cannot be conducted anywhere on Earth.

The fruits of such research are labelled spinoffs.

Scientists also study what happens to the body when people live in microgravity for a long time. NASA and its partners have learned how to keep a spacecraft working well. All of these lessons will be important for future space exploration, the NASA website states.

Which countries have a space station?

China is the only country with a space station as of now.

Beijings self-built Tiangong Space Station  known as Celestial Palace or Heavenly Palace  has been fully operational since late 2022.

It currently hosts three astronauts  two men and one woman  and sits at an orbital altitude of up to 450 kilometres.

China in November 2022 docked its third and final module with the Tiangong.

Mengtian, or Celestial Dream, joined Wentian or Quest for the Heavens as the second laboratory module for the Tiangong Space Station.

Both are connected to the Tianhe core module where its crew lives and works.

In all, the station will have about 110 cubic meters (3,880 cubic feet) of pressurized interior space, including the 32 cubic meters (1,130 cubic feet) added by Mengtian.

China in 2023 plans to launch the Xuntian space telescope, which, while not a part of Tiangong, will orbit in sequence with the station and can dock occasionally with it for maintenance.

No other future additions to the space station have been publicly announced.

As per BBC, China previously put two temporary space stations into orbit Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2.

Tiangong has become an emblem of Chinas growing clout and confidence in its space endeavours, and a challenger to the United States in the domain after being isolated from the ISS.

It is banned by US law from any collaboration, direct or indirect, with NASA.

Arguably the most famous space station in history is the International Space Station (ISS)  which is a collaboration between over a dozen countries.

It is jointly run by the European Space Agency, NASA, Russia, Canada and Japan.

The ISS, which launched its first module in 1998, weighs around 465 tons.

Orbiting around 400 kilometres above the Earth, it remains the largest human structure ever placed in space and can hold a crew of seven astronauts.

To put it in perspective, Tiangong is still just 40 per cent of the mass of the ISS.

As per Foxweather.com, work on the ISS began in 1998 with Russias first agency sent its first module called Zarya or Sunrise into orbit.

Zarya was a temporary control centre.

Then, NASA launched its Node 1 module via the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

As per NASA, the first crew arrived at the ISS on 2 November 2000.

But putting the ISS together took more than a decade and over 30 missions.

Work on the ISS was only completed in 2011.

It circles the Earth every 90 minutes at a speed of 28,163 kilometres per hour.

As per Space.com, its solar panels alone cover one acre.

It weighs a mammoth 419,725 kilograms on its own.

It offers its crew 13,696 cubic feet of habitable space with seven sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym  and a magnificent 360-degree-view bay window of the Earth.

ISS crew are guided by mission control in Houston and Moscow.

A payload control center in Huntsville, Alabama also provides support.

Mission control centres in Japan, Canada and Europe also provide assistance.

The ISS can be seen by the naked eye.

Astronauts aboard the ISS must work out for at least two hours a day to counter the effects of space on the human body.

Sadly, the ISS is nearing the end of its lifespan  it is likely to be decommissioned after 2030.

The ISS will either be deorbited, or recycled for future commercial space stations, as per Space.com.

Which means with its lifespan of 10 to 15 years, Tiangong could soon find itself the only space station still running by 2030/

Chinese state media said last year as Tiangong became fully operational that China would be no slouch as the ISS headed toward retirement, adding that several countries had asked to send their astronauts to the Chinese station.

China built its own station after it was excluded from the International Space Station, largely due to US objections over the Chinese space programs intimate ties to the Peoples Liberation Army, the military wing of the ruling Communist Party.

But in a blow to Chinas aspirations for space diplomacy, the European Space Agency (ESA) said this year it did not have the budgetary or political green light to participate in Tiangong, shelving a years-long plan for a visit by European astronauts.

China in 2003 became the third government to send an astronaut into orbit on its own after the former Soviet Union and the United States. It conducted its first spacewalk in September 2008 and the tempo of such activities has increased since the launch of the Tianhe module in 2021.

However, Russia, which has already announced its withdrawal from the ISS in 2024, is also planning to get in on the act.

Moscow has suggested that its partners in the BRICS group, Brazil, India, China and South Africa, could construct a module for its space station.

Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, said last year it was planning to build a space station comprising six modules that could accommodate up to four cosmonauts.

India first human space flight in 2025

Indias first human space flight is now expected to take off in 2025, a PMO statement said after the meeting.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister outlined the future of Indias space exploration endeavours and urged scientists to work towards interplanetary missions, including a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander and also explore the moon in greater detail.

Building on the success of Indian space initiatives, including the recent Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 missions, the Prime Minister directed that India should now aim for new and ambitious goals, including setting up the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian space station) by 2035 and sending first Indian to the Moon by 2040, the statement said.

To realise this vision, the Department of Space will develop a roadmap for Moon exploration, it said.

ISROs moon exploration plans will comprise a series of Chandrayaan missions, developing a new rocket the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), building a new launchpad and setting up human-centric Laboratories and associated technologies.

The Department of Space presented a comprehensive overview of the Gaganyaan Mission, including various technologies developed so far such as human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification.

It was noted that around 20 major tests, including three uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) are planned.

Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in Indias capabilities and affirmed the nations commitment to scaling new heights in space exploration.

The Gaganyaan mission, which entails sending two astronauts to low earth orbit, was originally planned for launch in 2022. However, the Covid pandemic and the complexity of the mission led to delays and the first human space flight was expected to take place in the second half of 2024.

From Tuesdays meeting, it has emerged that the Gaganyaan launch will now take place in 2025.

Besides Somanath, Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra and other officials were present during the meeting.

The meeting chaired by the Prime Minister came after Indias successful soft landing near the unexplored south pole of the moon on 23 August.

Within 10 days of the lunar landing on 2 September, India launched a spacecraft to study the Sun from a place called the Lagrange Point (L1), situated about 1.5 million kilometers from the Earth.

The Aditya L-1 mission will study the solar atmosphere, solar magnetic storms, and their impact on the environment around the Earth.

With inputs from agencies
As the ongoing conflict entered its 11th day on Tuesday, Israel is reportedly planning to use its cutting-edge laser weapon system for the first time on the battlefield.

This is done to improve its air defence capabilities against diverse threats.

The new technology closely resembles the weapons in science fiction films like Star Wars. Iron Beam systems have the ability to fire intense laser beams that can destroy fast-moving projectiles.

It was previously planned to enter service in 2025. The Israeli Ministry of Defence may, however, think about deploying it earlier if conflict intensifies.

According to The Telegraph which cited local media as stating that Israeli military are quickening the deployment of Iron Beam and testing it.

About Iron Beam Laser System

The Iron Beam, also known as Magen or Light Shielf, is a 100 kW class High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS), according to News18.

It is made to destroy a wide variety of threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Rocket Artillery, Mortars, and RAM from a few hundred yards to several kilometres away. It is anticipated that it would launch first in its class as an operational system.

Israel has not yet seen it in action after it was unveiled in 2014 at the Singapore Airshow.

It is a directed-energy weapon that emits strong laser beams, and it was built by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. It will soon be included in Israels integrated missile defence system, along with Iron Dome, Davids Sling, Arrow 2, and Arrow 3.

According to Interesting Engineering, as of 2016, Iron Beam was primarily financed by the Israeli Ministry of Defence (MoD), with Rafael working to extend the systems range and collaborating with other businesses to advance the prototype.

A joint initiative to create a laser defence system based on the Iron Beam concept was launched by Rafael and Lockheed Martin in December 2022. The objective is to create a system consisting of a pair of solid-state lasers that, when coupled, could increase power up to 300 kilowatt and utilise multiple beams to burn many targets at once. A report from 2016 claimed that laser power levels were in the tens of kilowatts.

While it is unclear how it will take to use the system, Dr Yehoshua Kalisky of the Institute for National Security Studies indicated that the technology could be operational very soon.

The laser works. The only problem that I see is to integrate it into all the early warning systems. Its not a standalone system. It must be coupled with all the air defence, The Telegraph quoted him as saying.

Features

A fibre laser is used by the Iron Beam to destroy airborne threats, providing a practical and affordable solution.

According to Business Today, this system has the ability to be used both independently and as part of a larger air defence system.

Footage of the operation of the Iron Beam laser system appeared on Israeli resources. Officially, Israel has not yet commented on these recordings. Some users are skeptical about them and call them computer graphics. pic.twitter.com/soSJap04yI  Only Truth  (@Neurographx) October 15, 2023

Compared to conventional missile interceptors, the Iron Beam has a lower cost per shot, an infinite firing range, lower operational costs, and no chance of interceptor debris falling on protected zones.

A 2020 study claims that the system displayed an amazing effective range of up to seven kilometres and was capable of quickly neutralising missiles, UAVs, and mortar rounds within seconds of target engagement. Additionally, there are plans to raise energy levels, which may do so by 2023 and reach 100 KW or higher.

Better than Iron Dome

With an intercept range of 2.5 to 43 miles, Iron Dome is a short-range anti-rocket, anti-mortar, and anti-artillery system. It is built by Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.

Iron Beam is a less expensive and more adaptable option to the Iron Dome missile protection system.

According to a missile defence specialist at the Israeli Ministry of Defence, one might transmit a laser beam for a few dollars instead of the Iron Dome interceptors, which can cost up to $60,000 each, according to India Today.

Additionally, the Iron Beam is lighter and smaller than the Iron Dome, making it simpler to move around and conceal oneself.

Cons

In rainy conditions, the Iron Beam cannot function properly. Even under ideal circumstances, the laser loses 30 to 40 per cent of its potential energy to atmospheric moisture prior to striking the target.

Contrary to Iron Dome, the location of the Iron Beam is significantly more crucial because it needs a clear line of sight to reach its target.

The Iron Beam also fires at a significantly slower rate; it takes about five seconds for it to send forth enough energy to annihilate its target.

The Iron Beams battlefield use is currently only a matter of conjecture.

Israel-Hamas war

In the deadliest escalation of the conflict in decades, Hamas launched a wave of attacks on Israel on Saturday.

According to The Associated Press, Israel maintained punishing airstrikes across Gaza as a ground invasion loomed, while Hamas militants kept up a barrage of rocket attacks, and tensions mounted near the Israel-Lebanon border.

At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority civilians massacred in Hamas assault.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling supplies and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation. More than one million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 14-kilometre-long (eight mile) area south of the evacuation zone, according to the United Nations.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. With taps dry, many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military says it is trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gazas north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

With inputs from agencies
The Supreme Court Tuesday ruled that there cannot be legal recognition for same-sex marriages in India, passing over the case to the Parliament.

The five-judge bench came up with four judgments while unanimously agreeing that there is no unqualified right to marry for same-sex couples. While Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachudh and Justice SK Kaul ruled that same-sex couples have the right to adopt, the other three judges disagreed.

The apex court has asked the Centre to form a committee with domain experts that will be responsible for protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community.

However, CJI Chandrachud also upheld the rights of queer people in the judgment. These are:
The Supreme Court is pronouncing its verdict on same-sex marriage in India. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, while pronouncing the verdict, said that the Special Marriage Act cannot be held void and that its incorrect to say marriage is a static and unchanging institution.

Whether a change in the regime of the Special Marriage Act is required is for the Parliament to decide. This Court must be careful to not enter into legislative domain, he said.

He noted that the Special Marriage Act cannot be held void and that its incorrect to say marriage is a static and unchanging institution.

While Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachudh and Justice SK Kaul ruled that same-sex couples have the right to adopt, the other three judges disagreed.

The CJI said that homosexuality or queerness is not an urban concept or restricted to the upper classes of society.

The doctrine of separation of powers cannot stand in the way of the court issuing directions to protect fundamental rights. The court cannot make law but only can interpret and give it effect, he said.

The Special Marriage Act cannot be held unconstitutional just because it doesnt recognize same-sex marriages, Chandrachud said, adding that the apex court cannot compel Parliament or state assemblies to create a new institution of marriage.

Committee to be set up to protect queer rights

The five-judge bench has asked the Centre to form a committee with domain experts that will be responsible for protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community.

The committee is to hold wide stakeholder consultations with the queer community: the community to see if such families can have ration cards can have insurance facilities and the medical practitioners have the obligation to consult family for terminal illness, rights from employment, gratuity etc to be looked into, the bench said.

SC strikes down CARA regulation

The bench also struck down the regulations laid down by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) observing that it is wrong to assume that only heterosexual couples can be good parents.

CARA regulation 5(3) discriminates between partners in atypical unions. It will disproportionately effect non-heterosexual couples and thus a unmarried heterosexual couple can adopt but not the same for the queer community, the CJI said.

The law cannot make an assumption about good and bad parenting and it perpetuates a stereotype that only heterosexuals can be good parents. Thus the regulation is held to be violative of the queer community, the bench noted.

VIDEO | Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud-led five-judge Supreme Court bench delivers verdict on a clutch of petitions seeking legal validation of same-sex marriage. (n/1) (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/KYZWhbrCCy  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 17, 2023

The five-judge bench includes DY Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S. Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and PS. Narasimha. They heard several petitions concerning the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community to marital equality.

On May 11, following the conclusion of the arguments from all of the solicitors, the order was reserved.

On April 18, the Constitution Bench started considering the case, and the hearing lasted for over ten days.

Several arguments ranging from the right to equality to the right to privacy were heard during the hearing.

Those opposing the move include the Centre which has argued against the argument and maintained that Parliament, not the court, should decide the matter.

The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has informed the

Supreme Court that adoption is not a substitute for biological birth in heterosexual couple households because the entire legal system is framed with the welfare of the child as its primary concern.
The Hamas audacious attack on Israel on 7 October took advantage of the Israeli political establishment and security apparatus being engaged in internal struggles. Israel was caught by surprise a second time. With over 1,200 dead already, many through gruesome barbaric acts shocked the country and the free world. It was the worst single day massacre after the Holocaust. Israel had first to get the intruders out. The next step was to show resolve and strike at the core of Hamas in Gaza strip. It was decided to launch a massive air assault. Simultaneously, blockade Gaza from air, land and sea routes. Over 1,300 are dead in Gaza, mostly civilians, and numbers are mounting. The ground offensive will follow if Hamas has to be eradicated. Iranian support is suspected. The Hezbollah has become active from southern Lebanon. While sympathetic, international community has started reacting and taking sides.

Israels internal strife and busy foreign policy establishment

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was busy in controversial radical judicial reforms. The country was getting highly polarised. The social cohesion was fraying. The military leadership were concerned of increasing politicisation. The training status of some crew had been affected. The Abraham Accords had their own dynamics. These were signed by Israel with United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. The Israel-Morocco and the Israel-Sudan normalisation agreement had been signed. The Israeli foreign policy apparatus and even the intelligence agency Mossad were busy in pushing through rapprochement with Saudi Arabia. The Palestine issue was to be part of the bargain for normalisation.

Palestinian internal dynamics

At the core of the Palestine Liberation Organisations (PLO) ideology is the belief that Zionists had unjustly expelled the Palestinians from Palestine. The PLO is recognised by the Arab League as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and by the United Nations as the representative of the Palestinian people. In 1993, PLO chairman Yasser Arafat recognised the State of Israel and Israel decided to revise its stance toward the PLO and to recognize the organisation as the representative of the Palestinian people. This led to the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993.

The largest PLO faction is Fatah which is secular, left-wing nationalist. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) is the second largest, which is radical left militant and communist. PLO competes with more religious-orientated factions like Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Practically the whole population of the Territories is Muslim, mostly Sunni. Islamic sharia is the principal source of legislation. Hamas, officially the Islamic Resistance Movement is the Sunni Islamist political and militant organization currently governing the Gaza Strip of the Palestinian territories since 2007. Hamas was founded by a Palestinian Imam and activist Ahmed Yassin in 1987, shortly after the outbreak of the First Intifada against Israel.

The FatahHamas conflict is an ongoing political and strategic conflict. The reconciliation process and unification of Hamas and Fatah administrations remains frozen. The PLO seems worried about Hamass initial military success and surge in popularity among Palestinians. A public-opinion poll of Palestinians support armed resistance against Israel. Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas polled badly, compared to much more popular Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in presidential elections primarily due to PLOs failure to achieve meaningful progress towards a Palestinian state through negotiations. A harsh Israeli response in Gaza could provoke Palestinian civilians, even prompting an intifada. Hamass military success may also inspire other Palestinian militant groups in the West Bank to get hostile towards Israel. Exodus from Gaza could a cause a humanitarian refugee crisis.

Regional positions and reactions

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) had said a month ago about the Saudi-Israeli normalisation talks: Each day, we get closer. Will Hamas attack derail Israel-Saudi normalisation talks is being asked. MBS and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt have said that they are making every possible effort in communicating with all international and regional parties to stop the ongoing escalation and prevent its expansion in the region. But Riyadh believes that the conflict was the outcome of continued occupation and depriving Palestinians of their legitimate rights and the repeated systematic provocations against their sanctities. Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar have asserted their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as per the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Despite strategic benefit from closer relations with the US and Israel, Riyadh will have to pay unacceptable domestic and regional political price by pursuing normalisation amid the ongoing conflict. By contrast, the UAE has stood out, and was appalled by the targeting of Israeli civilians. The UAE has felt that the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas were threat to its security.

Iran backed Hezbollahs involvement, could prompt US intervention. Iran lauded the Hamas attack on Israel. Hamass surprise initial military success against the regions most powerful country emboldens Irans ability to project power through its proxies. Iran benefits from a long and difficult Hamas-Israel war. Iran or its partner groups might target US bases in the Gulf region, widening the scale of the conflict into a regional war. Irans Khamenei says Tehran was not behind Hamas attack on Israel. As US intelligence agencies hunt for evidence of Iranian role in Hamas attack on Israel, preliminarily investigation suggests no direct involved of Tehran in the attack.

Regional repercussions of escalation

A full-blown war between Israel and Hamas could have devastating repercussions for the region. The human, operational and strategic blow inflicted on Israel would invoke heaviest Israeli retaliation since the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. It may affect the regional reconciliation process and economic integration.

Irans support or entry into the conflict would have serious escalatory implications. Tehran would not like to confront Israel directly. This could also bring in the US and therefore will like to be careful. Hamas stature and influence among the Arabs is likely to go up. They may be able to get more funding, albeit surreptitiously. Will Israel be able to weaken Hamas militarily has to be seen.

Reaction to a massive Israeli ground offensive could result in sympathy in many Muslim countries and put pressure on their governments. Immediate moderate neighbours Jordan and Egypt are likely to be most affected. Gaza occupation will have refugee issues for Egypt, and an active border. The Jordanians had already been warning the West of what was developing. Jordan will be affected by a war next door.

Turkiye and Qatar have a close relationship with Hamas and have been supporting financially. Their stand and stance will be watched closely. Both Saudis and UAE view Hamas as an ideological and security threat. They will have to walk a responsible calibrated path.

Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas are well coordinated group and are all staunch adversaries of Israel. Iran and Hamas would hope that the war will kindle widespread support for the Palestinian cause and for confrontation with Israel. Iran and Hezbollah will find it hard to respond to request for military intervention from Hamas. Would they be willing to become belligerents in a war with Israel? The Lebanon-based Hezbollah could be emboldened to open a second front in the north of Israel. But there will be consequences. Also, the poor economic situation in Lebanon has affected Hezbollahs popularity. The group did initiate limited mortar attacks after claiming three of its own causalities in Israeli shelling. It appears that without getting into conflict, Hezbollah could support by pinning significant Israeli forces on the northern border.

It is unlikely that many regional governments will abandon or confront Israel. Most countries do not want confrontation or side terrorist organisations.

The European position

Europe is mostly following a wait and watch approach. They will go be what the US does. Europe has significant migrant Muslim population. That has its own dynamics. Many European countries have condemned the Hamas attack and asserted their support for Israel. Will the 27 member European Union (EU) have a cohesive strategy? It is unlikely because of deep divisions in approach and diverse interests in West Asia. At best Palestine developmental aid may be temporarily frozen. EUs greatest concern remains further migrations. Some Muslim immigrants in EU nations have publicly celebrated the Hamas attack, forcing them to provide greater security to Jewish population and their synagogues.

Impact on Russia-Ukraine war

Israel has retained good relations with Russia even after the invasion of Ukraine. Russias desire and attempt to remove Ukraines Jewish President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not affected that relationship. Israel has given Ukraine only limited, non-lethal aid. Israel needs Russia to limit pro-Iranian forces in Syria. On the other hand, since the war, Russia has moved closer to Iran and has sourced kamikaze drones from them. Hamas officials have visited Moscow a few times in the recent past. Israel believes that the Hamas attack had an Iranian footprint. Russia has not condemned the attack. Clearly it is a complex cocktail. The other issue is that Wests attention has diverted to Israel. Will that mean diluting support to Ukraine. This could be good for Russia. Could there be a cross-play of concessions?

Role of the big player: the United States

Some call the Hamas attack, a 9/11 moment for Israel. In 1973, when Arab militaries threatened Israels existence, America airlifted massive arm supplies to support its long-term ally. Thereafter, the US diplomacy was used to broker a historic peace accord signed by Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin at Camp David. Egypt now moved from Soviet to the American strategic influence. In the recent past the US has been actively supporting the Abraham Accords and reproachment in West Asia. It managed the I2U2 grouping between Israel, India, UAE and the US. It has tacitly appreciated the Iran-Saudi deal, albeit it was brokered by China.

But options could be more complex this time. Washington will support Israel to try destroying Hamas for good. Will this actually be possible and what will be the cost in terms of Palestinian civilian suffering and casualties will have to be factored.

Indias position

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Indias policy has been long standing and consistent. India has always advocated direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders, side by side, at peace with Israel. Indias position is also very clear on no compromise on terror. India condemns that Hamas attack unequivocally and yet is sympathetic to Palestinian cause.

Indias relationship with Israel is important. Israel is a significant defence equipment supplier to India. It has been supporting Indias defence atmanirbharta Make-in-India initiatives. Israel has also been supporting India in international forums, including membership of UNSC. As Indias economy and global stature, and diplomacy, has made many West Asian countries to re-evaluate their relations and come closer to India. India has traditionally maintained position of fairness. India is thus respected by most countries as was seen during its G20 Presidency. India is clearly the leader of Global South. Indian political establishment must speak in one voice.

The writer is Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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In recent memory, no foreign war or conflict has so stirred Indians as Israels ongoing war on Hamas. Soon after the 7 August strike on Israel by Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi. Shortly thereafter Modi issued a strong statement in support of Israel as well as a condemnation of terrorism in all forms. Since then, most Indians have rallied behind their prime minister, showing unprecedented pro-Israeli fervour. Leading Indian channels and anchors are seen from the war front, with daily reportage, even when there is very little ostensibly happening on the ground.

India has shown open loyalty to Israel, whose help it has received in every major conflict with Pakistan in the past. In a way, India also demonstrated its loyalty to long-standing ally and supporter, Russia, by not condemning the latters invasion of Ukraine. But there is a major difference between these two expressions of loyalty.

Since Modi became prime minister in 2014, Indias tilt towards Israel has become more pronounced and overt, rather than secret and shamefaced, as in the past. That same year, 2014, in a UN vote on Israels war crimes, India abstained from voting. Modi also became Indias first prime minister to visit Israel in 2017. The Indo-Israeli partnership is not only strategic, but involves technology, business and educational partnerships. What is more, there are over 80,000 Israelis of Indian origin and close to 20,000 Indian students and workers in Israel. But what is perhaps more important is that India is no longer hostage to the compulsions of what some have called Muslim appeasement.

To understand the true import of Indias pro-Israel shift, we might compare the Modi administrations response to the worlds two ongoing wars: The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Both of these wars have significant implications for regional and global security, as well as for the humanitarian situation of the affected populations. India, as a rising power and a responsible actor in the international arena, has been closely following these developments and has expressed its views on both of them.

When it came to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, India maintained a balanced and nuanced position. The conflict commenced in 2014, with the annexation of Crimea by Russia, but full-scale war broke out last year when Russia invaded Ukraine. India has recognised the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, but has also refrained from openly criticising Russia, its strategic partner and a major supplier of defence equipment. Nor has India supported or joined Western sanctions against Russia. Instead, India has supported the diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully, such as the Minsk agreements and the Normandy format talks.

Indias response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine reflects its pragmatic and non-aligned foreign policy, which seeks to maintain good relations with both Russia and the West, without overtly taking sides in their rivalry. Though under tremendous pressure from the United States, India maintained its resolve not to name and blame Russia. Instead, India played the peacemaker, especially as the President of the G20, a role that both the US and Russia lauded publicly. Indias stance that a peaceful solution can be found through dialogue and respect for international law was appreciated by both sides.

But when it came to Hamass Gaza strike, the response was markedly different. One reason is that Hamas is neither a state nor government in the normal sense of the word. Hamas militants also displaced despicable cruelty in massacring innocents, with images of their horrible deeds flashed all over global media. That is why, India, which had adopted a more balanced approach in the past, came out all guns blazing, so to speak, in favour of Israel this time.

Compare this with the last Israel-Hamas conflagration, which erupted in May 2021, after weeks of tensions in Jerusalem. That war resulted in hundreds of casualties and widespread destruction. India condemned the indiscriminate rocket attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians, but also expressed concern over the disproportionate use of force by Israel in Gaza. India called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a restoration of peace. It also reiterated its support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on mutual recognition and coexistence.

This time, as we know only too well, the response is much more direct and definite. India has lined up behind Israel along with the latters Western allies such as the United States and Europe. There is much less balancing and prevarication this time. Why? One reason is that Indias strategic partnership with Israel, especially in defence, agriculture and innovation, is stronger than ever. But the ruling BJPs Hindu vote bank is so solidly and vocally in support of Israel that Indias stance against Hamas actually shores up the governments support base in India.

Predictably, the I.N.D.I.A alliance, led by the Congress, has been much more equivocal. It is still hoping for electoral gains and votes from Indias very large Muslim population, which they believe, probably erroneously, supports Hamas. Hamass attack on Israel, especially its barbarism and brutality, is only one part of the story. The world itself, the Middle East included, has moved away from religious extremism and violence. Indian Muslims, too, however much they might support the Palestinian cause  and here one seriously doubts whether the common populace really knows or cares enough  want to have nothing to do with Hamas.

[To be concluded]

The writer is an author, columnist, and professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor is not new to controversies. He stoked a major one Monday when he called the Congress a family-run party, echoing the longstanding label used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking about who could be the prime ministerial probable if the INDIA bloc came to power, Tharoor, much to Congress embarrassment, said, I think that once the result comes out, then because its a coalition and not one party, the leaders of those parties will have to get together and pick someone. But, my guess is that from the Congress Party, its going to be either Kharge, who then will be the first Dalit prime minister of India, or Rahul Gandhi, since in very many ways it (Congress) is a family-run party.

So well have to wait and see, he added.

In an interaction during an event in Keralas Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor suggested at the possibility of a surprising result in the Lok Sabha polls next year, indicting that I.N.D.I.A bloc could defeat the BJP-led NDA and hog power at the Centre.

Tharoor, who was union minister under the Congress tenure, also said the Prime Minister is the first among equals, and he was confident in his ability to perform whatever responsibilities may be assigned to him.

With inputs from PTI
Gary Gensler, the Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of unregulated artificial intelligence in the financial sector. Gensler expressed deep concerns that if regulators do not take immediate action, AI could be the catalyst for a financial catastrophe within the next decade.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Gensler outlined a critical issue in the world of AI within finance. He emphasized the risk associated with major financial institutions all relying on the same AI models.

With limited variations in AI tools, widespread adoption of identical models could result in herd behaviour among banks and other significant economic players, leading to simultaneous decision-making. This, in turn, could trigger a sudden market shift that sets off a chain reaction, potentially causing the next financial crisis.

Gensler commented, I do think we will in the future have a financial crisis, and in the after-action reports, people will say, Aha! There was either one data aggregator or one model weve relied on. Maybe its in the mortgage market. Maybe its in some sector of the equity market.

The finance industry is already rapidly advancing in this direction, with many firms incorporating AI tools into their operations for both consumers and employees. AI-driven data analysis is becoming a cornerstone of business models.

Over the past year, AI accessibility has expanded, making it easier and more affordable to integrate into various financial activities.

However, Gensler highlighted the regulatory challenges posed by AI in finance. The SECs authority primarily covers financial markets, while AI tools are largely in the hands of tech companies.

This divide leaves a regulatory gap that has yet to be addressed by Congress. Gensler noted the inadequacy of the current regulatory system, which focuses on individual institutions rather than the broader use of AI in finance.

Gensler acknowledged the complexity of addressing this hard financial stability issue because existing regulations mainly pertain to individual banks, money market funds, and brokers. He emphasized that this challenge transcends the SECs jurisdiction and requires cross-regulatory collaboration.

While Gensler pledged to act in the best interest of the American public by creating rules within the confines of the law, his concerns about AI in finance seem to hint at the immense challenges ahead, underscoring the urgency of developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI in the financial sector.
In the run-up to an annual gathering of more than 45 nations in Washington this month, the United States is pressuring governments to publicly commit to refraining from making ransom payments to hackers.

Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Adviser, expressed hope for garnering support for such a declaration but acknowledged the difficulty of this policy decision. If member countries fail to reach an agreement before the meeting, the topic will be discussed during the event.

Ransomware attacks have surged in popularity in recent years due to their profitability for hackers. In these attacks, malicious code encrypts a victims computer files, rendering them inaccessible.

Hackers then demand a ransom in exchange for providing a decryption key. Another form of extortion involves hackers stealing sensitive documents and demanding payment to prevent their public release.

The intention behind the proposed statement is to change the calculus of victims, who often find it easier to pay the ransom and restore their operations rather than resist the hackers demands.

Neuberger explained that ransom payments are whats driving ransomware, and addressing the issue at its root, namely the financial incentive, is crucial. The statement is expected to target governments rather than companies that frequently fall prey to ransomware attacks. It serves as an initial step toward broader efforts to curb ransom payments to hackers.

The Biden administration established an annual international summit to address ransomware in 2021, bringing together cybersecurity leaders from various nations to collaborate on strategies to combat these attacks.

The inaugural summit followed the Colonial Pipeline Co. cyberattack, which disrupted fuel supplies along the US East Coast. Since then, the number of participating countries has grown from 31 to over 45.

Despite progress since the Colonial Pipeline incident, a series of disruptive ransomware attacks on hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and casinos in recent months underscores the ongoing challenges. Neuberger emphasized the goal of eradicating the threats posed by ransomware.

While some argue that an outright ban on ransom payments is not yet feasible, Neuberger contends that advancements in cybersecurity standards, preparedness, and more robust law enforcement interventions make it increasingly viable to avoid making ransom payments. Many companies are now implementing backup systems for system restoration in the event of a cyberattack, and insurance policies are incentivizing higher cybersecurity standards.

In addition to the initiative against ransom payments, the US is advocating for greater transparency in cryptocurrency transactions to combat money laundering.

Neuberger aims to expand the number of countries implementing Know Your Customer rules for cryptocurrency firms on a voluntary basis.

The US is also encouraging governments worldwide to establish cybersecurity labelling standards for internet-connected devices, enabling consumers to assess the security of products like baby monitors and home alarms before purchase. The goal is to have these labels on Internet of Things devices available in stores by Christmas 2024.
A team of Chinese geologists have reported a remarkable discovery of niobobaotite, a previously unknown ore with promising superconductive properties, according to the South China Morning Post. The ore deposit comprises niobium, barium, titanium, iron, and chloride.

The ore has been found in Inner Mongolia, a region that China claims as its own for decades now, and has designated autonomous region

Niobium, a versatile transition metal, is not only a crucial component in steel production but is also renowned for its superconductive abilities, enabling the efficient transmission of electrical currents at low temperatures.

This unique property has spurred global scientific interest in niobium-based batteries, which have the potential to be safer and offer faster charging than traditional lithium-ion batteries.

For China, which currently imports 95 per cent of its niobium, this discovery holds significant implications. Antonio Carlos Neto, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the National University of Singapore, explained, Depending on the volume and quality of this niobium, it could make China self-sufficient.

This newfound self-sufficiency could have a substantial impact on the nations steel industry and its participation in the competitive global battery market.

One of the key benefits of niobium-lithium batteries is their improved safety profile. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which are known for their susceptibility to catching fire, niobium-lithium batteries may eliminate this risk.

Additionally, these batteries have the potential for rapid recharging, with some researchers suggesting recharging times of ten minutes or less. This innovation could be particularly transformative for electric vehicles, making them more practical and attractive to consumers.

The niobobaotite deposit was discovered in the Bayan Obo mining district in Inner Mongolia. Chinas state-run nuclear oversight body, the China National Nuclear Corporation, announced that the ore has received an official approval number from the International Mineralogical Associations classification committee.

As of 2022, Brazil was the worlds largest niobium exporter, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of global niobium exports. Canada supplied approximately 30 per cent of the worlds niobium, and the United States was in the process of opening its first niobium mine in Nebraska. China, on the other hand, was Brazils top niobium importer, according to the 2022 US Geological Survey.

If the newly discovered niobobaotite indeed contains high-quality niobium, China could transition from being the worlds largest niobium importer to becoming the worlds primary source of this valuable compound. This shift has the potential to redefine the global niobium market, particularly in the midst of the fierce competition within the battery industry.
LinkedIn announced a new round of layoffs affecting around 668 people within its engineering, product, talent, and finance teams. This decision comes as a response to the professional social networking platforms continued struggle with sluggish year-over-year revenue growth, which has persisted for eight consecutive quarters.

In its quarterly revenue report released in July, Microsoft, the parent company of LinkedIn, reported modest revenue growth, with only a 5 per cent increase in the second quarter. This is despite consistent growth in LinkedIns membership over the past two years. To bolster revenue, Microsoft has articulated its intention to enhance its operations and give priority to key initiatives. These recent layoffs at LinkedIn are aligned with the companys strategy for FY 24.

LinkedIn acknowledged the challenges of these talent changes in its official blog post, describing them as a necessary and regular aspect of managing their business. Approximately 668 roles are expected to be affected by these changes, spanning various departments such as engineering, product development, talent acquisition, and finance.

These layoffs at Microsofts LinkedIn subsidiary reflect a broader trend in the tech sector, where companies are grappling with slowing revenue growth and an uncertain economic outlook, leading to job cuts across the industry.

The recent layoffs at LinkedIn, which account for approximately 3 per cent of the companys workforce, are in addition to the 10,000 job cuts that Microsoft had previously announced in January and July. The companys overall revenue growth has experienced a decline in recent months, prompting CEO Satya Nadella to take measures to reduce costs throughout the organization and prioritize revenue generation.

In an official memo obtained by CNBC, LinkedIn executives Mohak Shroff and Tomer Cohen conveyed, As we continue to execute on our FY24 plan, we need to also adapt how we operate and what we emphasize, so we can effectively deliver on the key initiatives weve identified as instrumental in achieving our business objectives. This involves refining our organizational structures to enhance agility and accountability, establishing clear ownership, and driving increased efficiency and transparency by reducing layers.

Interestingly, even amid these layoffs, LinkedIn is reportedly increasing its hiring efforts in India, as indicated by an informed source. LinkedIn emphasized in its blog post, While we are adjusting our organizational structures and streamlining our decision-making processes, we remain committed to investing in strategic priorities for our future and ensuring that we continue to provide value to our members and customers.

Its worth noting that the tech sector has witnessed a wave of layoffs in recent months, resulting in tens of thousands of workers losing their jobs. Major companies like Amazon, Meta, and Google have all announced job cuts, reflecting their preparations for a potential economic downturn. According to a report from the employment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the tech sector has laid off 141,516 employees in the first half of 2023, a stark contrast to the approximately 6,000 layoffs recorded in the same period a year ago.

(With inputs from agencies)
Amid the Israel-Hamas war, a Pakistani woman lawmaker has urged the cash-strapped countrys prime minister to give a stern warning to Israel to end the atrocities on Palestine or else it would be erased from the map of the world.

In the viral video, the woman lawmaker from Pakistan could be seen making a strong statement in the countrys Assembly.

In her statement, she made a remark about Pakistans nuclear capabilities and the countrys commitment to protecting Muslims.

In the undated video, the Pakistani woman lawmaker is heard saying: Pakistan is an atomic power. These atom bombs have not been kept to show but to protect Muslims and Pakistan. I urge the Prime Minister of Pakistan to warn Israel to end the atrocities on Palestine and their capture or else we will erase Israel from the map of the world.

Pakistan law maker in National Assembly- We have Atom bombs. Pakistam should issue threat & warn Israel that if atrocities against muslims are not stopped we will remove Israel from the map of world pic.twitter.com/NqPPbxk1qg  Megh Updates  (@MeghUpdates) October 17, 2023

The Pakistani woman lawmaker's video went viral within days after the son-in-law of the country's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif asked the people of his nation to get ready for the Jihad and back the Muslims in Palestine.

Sharif's son-in-law Captain Safdar, addressing a pro-Palestine rally in Peshawar on Saturday also had said: "Pakistan's nuclear weapon was not only for Pakistan, but for all Muslims."

"Today, people in Palestine are looking at you...tell the Muslims of Gaza that we are with you. The Muslims of Gaza, we are with you. We are with oppressed Palestinians," Safdar had said.

Several rallies were held in Pakistan to back Palestinians. Last Friday, hundreds of Pakistanis took to the streets in several parts of the country to voice their protest against Israel's bombing of Gaza.

On Sunday, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif condemned Israel's war against Hamas and said the bombing in Gaza must stop immediately.

"We appeal to the OIC nations to provide food and medicines to Palestinians urgently. We all support an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital."

The war that began October 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.

With inputs from agencies
After the Hamas bombings, a British teen girl and her sister were reported missing. Her family has reportedly told Western Media that the one of them has already been killed by Hamas terrorists.

On Tuesday morning, they said that it was now verified that Yahel, a 13-year-old, had died in the assault.

Lianne, her mother, also perished. Both her father Eli and her 16-year-old sister Noiya are still missing.

Following the operation on Beeri Kibbutz, Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, vanished.

Their father, Eli, is still missing and their mother, Lianne, was dead.

It comes after Rishi Sunak informed MPs on Monday that the pogrom on October 7 resulted in at least six British deaths and ten more going missing.

Rishi Sunak also asked for the immediate release of the 200 prisoners that Hamas has been holding as hostages.

According to reports, Raz, 52, the fathers brother-in-law, urged the British authorities to take some action or investigate what happened to the family.

We dont know if they were kidnapped but if we come to that point we will be happy if they try to do whatever they can to bring those girls back, he stated to The Times.

Benjamin Trakeniski, a 32-year-old British-Israeli national, was also killed in Beeri while attempting to assist locals in escaping Hamas terrorists, according to numerous accounts.

A Hamas spokesman had earlier on Monday sought the release of 6,000 Palestinian men and women jailed in Israeli prisons in return for hostages in Gaza.

The hostages, according to Khaled Meshaal, head of Hamass diaspora office, include senior officers from the Israeli Defense Forces Gaza Division, which is in charge of monitoring the Gaza Strip.

500 British citizens have returned from Israel thus far on eight planes. Reportedly, over 350 bodies of suspected civilian victims in Israel still have not been identified even after 10 days passed since Hamas terrorists attacked Israel.
According to official notices and more than a dozen people with knowledge of the situation, Chinese civil servants and employees of state-affiliated enterprises are subject to stricter restrictions on personal travel abroad and increased scrutiny of their foreign connections as Beijing fights foreign influence.

Ten current and former workers told the media that since 2021, restrictions have been broadened to include prohibitions on international travel, stricter restrictions on the frequency and length of travels, onerous approval procedures, and pre-departure confidentiality training. They claimed that the actions had nothing to do with COVID-19.

According to two analysts who spoke to the media, the moves reflect President Xi Jinpings attention to national security in the midst of tense relations with the West. China recently promoted anti-spying initiatives among its populace and passed new legislation that widened the scope of spying.

In China, senior government officials and state executives with access to sensitive information have long been subject to restrictions on personal international travel. According to the most recent data from 2015, there were 7 million public officials in China, and there were 70 million people employed by state-owned enterprises. Reuters discovered that these restrictions are now affecting these numbers.

According to a teacher in Zhejiang provinces southeast and a person with knowledge of new rules implemented in a Shanghai area this year, some public school instructors now face additional restrictions on their ability to go abroad.

An employee of a state-affiliated mutual fund said that recent travel restrictions had been extended to new workers in Hong Kong and Singapore. A big office of the state policy lender China Development Bank has reportedly barred abroad travel this year.

According to media sources, one of the 10 people who discussed travel restrictions, and three other state-enterprise employees with knowledge of the situation, Chinese officials are also looking into individuals personal international relationships.

These individuals claimed they started receiving questionnaires in the latter part of last year from organisations including the Communist Youth League, Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC), local governments, and their various businesses.

According to the respondents, the applications requested information on relatives who had a foreign nationality or permanent residency abroad, as well as specifics about any foreign help or experience. They added that this was the first time they had ever seen the demands.

As China increases its public messaging about foreign influence, the actions are being taken. The Ministry of State Security issued a warning about the possibility of Chinese being recruited abroad in August on its recently formed WeChat account after identifying a Chinese person in Italy who was thought to be spying for the American Central Intelligence Agency.

(With agency inputs)
According to official notices and more than a dozen people familiar with the matter, Chinese civil servants and employees of state-linked enterprises are facing tighter restrictions on private travel abroad and scrutiny of their foreign connections as Beijing wages a campaign against foreign influence.

Ten current and former workers told Reuters that restrictions on abroad travel, trip frequency and length limits, onerous permission processes, and pre-departure secrecy training had been imposed since 2021. They claimed the measures had nothing to do with COVID-19.

Individual experiences varied, but all described increased surveillance of international travel even after China reopened borders in January. Because of the sensitivity of the matter, the persons who worked as civil employees, in state-owned firms, or in the public sector in general spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Reuters also discovered eight public statements by eight government agencies, including the national pension fund, during the last two years indicating that they were tightening restrictions governing employees personal visits outside of China, but without disclosing all of the changes.

Other individual accounts and documentation reviewed by Reuters show a parallel effort by central and local Chinese authorities to map government and state-linked workers personal and family ties to other countries. Reuters is reporting these measures and the scope of some post-COVID travel curbs for the first time.

The actions reflect President Xi Jinpings focus on national security amid fraught relations with the West, two experts told Reuters. China in recent months has encouraged citizens to participate in anti-espionage activity, and introduced new laws that broadened the definition of spying.

Beijing is increasingly paranoid about the threat of espionage by Western countries, and preventing government employees from going abroad could be a way to reduce opportunities for spying by foreign powers, said Neil Thomas, a fellow of Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institutes Center for China Analysis in Washington.

Political ideology was a factor, too, Thomas said, with Xi wanting to look inward for ideas rather than seek inspiration from the West.

Neither the State Council Information Office, which handles media queries on behalf of Chinas government, nor any of the state-linked enterprises, Chinese government and Communist Party entities described in this report responded to Reuters questions about the travel curbs or data collection.

New limits

Restrictions on personal foreign travel have long applied to senior government officials and state executives with access to confidential information. Reuters found these limits are now filtering down the ranks of Chinas civil servants  who numbered 7 million, according to the most recent data from 2015  and 70 million state-enterprise workers.

Lower-level workers at China Construction Bank in Beijing and Shanghai can travel abroad for personal reasons just once a year and for only up to 12 days, according to two bankers, one with almost two decades of service.

Both discovered the constraints, which they said were unprecedented, when applying for time off in early 2023.

Some public school teachers also face new curbs on overseas trips, according to a teacher in southeastern Zhejiang province and a person with knowledge of new regulations introduced in a Shanghai district this year.

At one large branch of state policy lender China Development Bank, overseas trips have been banned this year, according to a person who works there, while an employee of a state-connected mutual fund said travel restrictions were extended recently to new hires in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Reuters could not determine whether restrictions varied by destination.

Among the official notices seen by Reuters were directives by a government affairs unit in a district of eastern Ningbo city in September and another by the National Council for Social Security Fund earlier this year. Both emphasised tougher vetting of employees requests for personal trips overseas.

In eastern Wenzhou city, a branch of the Municipal Eco-Environment Bureau published revised rules on an official website in September last year, stating that employees can travel abroad only once a year and for no longer than a month.

Wang Zhian, a former Chinese state-television anchor who runs an independent media outlet in Japan, said authorities may be worried about officials observations outside China.

This exposure might subtly influence the thinking and awareness of these officials, he said. They might start to question the Communist Partys management system and wonder why its like this.

Mapping connections

Chinese authorities are also scrutinising personal foreign ties, according to a document seen by Reuters, one of the 10 people who discussed travel curbs and three other state-enterprise workers with knowledge of the matter.

Starting around late last year, these people said they received questionnaires from bodies such as the Communist Youth League, Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC), local authorities, and their respective employers.

The forms asked for information on relatives with foreign nationality or overseas permanent residence, and details of foreign assistance or experience, the people said, adding that it was the first time they had received the requests.

Reuters saw one of the questionnaires but could not fully establish how authorities used the data.

The measures come as China steps up public messaging about foreign influence. In August, the Ministry of State Security said on its recently launched WeChat account that it had identified a Chinese national in Italy suspected of spying for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, and warned of the potential for Chinese to be recruited abroad.

The CIA did not respond to a request for comment.

Thomas said the travel curbs in particular would have implications for Chinas interactions with the world.

The less Chinese officials go abroad, the less theyre able to learn from good things that foreign governments are doing, the less they are familiar with foreign societies, and the less they understand how China is truly perceived in the world, he said.
In June, Pokhara, Nepals picturesque paradise in the shadow of the majestic Himalayas, received a Sichuan Airlines flight from China, ushering in a historic moment for the city. Finally open for business was the recently built international terminal at Pokharas airport, which was largely sponsored and carried out by Chinese businesses.

The complex and frightening truth that lurked beneath this ceremonial opening, according to The New York Times, underscored Chinas questionable influence over infrastructure and its geopolitical competition with India.

Nepal had long wanted to build an airport in Pokhara, seeing it as a key factor in making the city a popular travel destination on a global scale.

However, the project had stalled because of political unrest, governmental obstacles, and money problems. That is, until China came in to fill the hole, advancing its efforts to forge a rival sphere of influence and posing a threat to American hegemony on the international scene. Nepal, which is adjacent to India and is situated south of China, offered an alluring geopolitical opportunity.

As part of President Xi Jinpings major infrastructure initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which promised significant investments in infrastructure projects around the world, the airports construction was a component of Chinas ambitious objectives.

Nepal, however, subtly rejected the idea that the project included the Pokhara airport. According to The New York Times, this disagreement led to a diplomatic tug-of-war at the airport between China and India.

While dozens of nations, including Nepal, gathered in Beijing for the Belt and Road Initiatives 10th anniversary celebration, Chinas international development initiatives came under fire for their high budgets and subpar workmanship. The Pokhara airport served as a prime example of the risks associated with importing Chinas infrastructure-at-all-cost growth model, which disproportionately benefited Chinese businesses at the expense of the borrowing country.

The state-owned corporation Sinomachs construction business, China CAMC Engineering, was essential to the Pokhara airport project. The airport itself was filled with Chinese-made industrial and security equipment, and it imported Chinese building materials and machines. Despite Chinas assurances that the project would be of high quality, a New York Times inquiry turned up an unpleasant story.

A careful review of thousands of documents and input from numerous project participants revealed that China CAMC Engineering had repeatedly imposed terms to boost revenues and advance its objectives. It also gradually eliminated Nepali oversight at the same time. As a result, without the anticipated flood of travellers to pay back the debts, Nepal found itself deeply in debt to Chinese creditors.

Even before the official bidding process had begun in 2011, Nepals finance minister had signed a memorandum of understanding in favour of CAMCs plan. Chinese companies could only submit bids for the project under the terms of the Chinese credit deal.

The initial bid from CAMC was for USD 305 million, almost double what Nepal had estimated it would cost to build the airport. Politicians in Nepal criticised this, claiming the price was exaggerated and the process was corrupted. Following the criticism, CAMC reduced its offer to USD 216 million, cutting the price by roughly 30%.

A 20-year deal was signed between China and Nepal in 2016, with a quarter of the cash coming from an interest-free loan. Nepal wanted to borrow the remaining funds at a rate of 2% from Chinas Export-Import Bank, with payback starting in 2026.

As work on the project continued, obvious problems were discovered. The Chinese contractor was overseen by the Nepalese Civil Aviation Authority, however the project was hindered by the lack of skilled staff and the insufficient funding for consultants. The budget for paying consultants to make sure CAMC complied with international building standards was initially set at USD 2.8 million, but as money was diverted elsewhere, it was eventually lowered to just USD 10,000.

Due to a lack of control, CAMC was able to start construction projects before hiring consultants and complete them below international standards. The runways stability was jeopardised by the omission of crucial elements, like soil density studies for the runways foundation. Other mistakes included not taking historical rainfall data and slopes into account when designing the airports drainage system.

While consulting efforts were expected to oversee CAMCs work, the Chinese company managed to sidestep consultants and interact directly with Nepali officials who had limited construction experience. Any efforts to seek additional information or documentation were often fruitless.

Chinas Export-Import Bank had commissioned China IPPR International Engineering, a consulting firm, to ensure the quality, safety, and schedule of the project and to confirm Nepals satisfaction with CAMCs work. However, the situation grew murkier in 2019 when CAMC acquired IPPR, turning it from a sister company into a direct subsidiary. IPPRs fees came from Nepal as part of its loan from the Chinese bank.

Chinese engineers working on the project claimed that they were instructed not to scrutinise CAMCs work closely, with a focus on delivering an airport rather than a chicken farm. Furthermore, allegations surfaced that documents related to the qualifications of IPPRs workers in Pokhara had been falsified. In some cases, even employee credentials were manipulated. Such practices revealed a disconcerting disregard for transparency and accountability.

CAMC and IPPR remained unresponsive to inquiries and requests for comments about their involvement in the Pokhara airport project.

Yet, what went unmentioned was a tragic incident involving Zhu from three years earlier. In 2019, Zhu struck and killed a pedestrian in Pokhara following a night of drinking. Police suspected he was intoxicated when he hit Deu Kumar Tamang, who was walking in a crosswalk.

Tamangs tragic death led to a contentious compensation offer from CAMC, starting at 1 million Nepali rupees (approximately USD 7,500). When the family declined, CAMC offered to double the payment and provide space for a coffee shop within the new airport. Eventually, the family accepted the offer, with the condition that payment would only be made after Zhus release from prison.

However, allegations arose that CAMC sought to downplay the incident by arguing that Tamang had been drinking and had contributed to the accident. The case went to trial, with Zhu being found guilty of a traffic death and sentenced to four months in prison. This sentence, considered lenient by many, was further reduced to time already served, causing outrage among the victims family. Nabin Tamang, Deu Kumar Tamangs brother, expressed disappointment in the justice system, perceiving it as prioritizing the projects progress over seeking justice.

The opening of the Pokhara airport in January 2023 was marred by geopolitical tensions. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal declared the airport as the flagship project of China and Nepals Belt and Road Initiative cooperation, despite its pre-existing status. This declaration ignited a diplomatic dispute, with Indias skepticism regarding the Chinese initiative further complicating the situation.

As Pokhara airport struggled to attract international flights, especially from Indian airlines, Nepals aspirations for the airport were put in jeopardy. Buddha Air, Nepals largest airline, had requested permits for flights to India but awaited approval from the Indian government. A feasibility study commissioned by CAMC had projected passenger numbers that would enable the airport to repay its loans from profits, but as of now, no international flights have commenced.

Nepali officials have reportedly requested that China convert the loan into a grant due to the airports financial challenges, a matter discussed during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahals visit to Beijing in late September. The joint statement issued by China and Nepal during the visit acknowledged the completion and operation of the Pokhara airport but made no mention of plans to waive the loan.

Concerns have been expressed concerning the calibre of the work, the abuse of monitoring, and the financial burden on Nepal resulting from the construction of the Pokhara airport in Nepal, which was mostly funded and carried out by Chinese businesses. It is also difficult for the airport to draw foreign flights because of its connection to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, which has sparked diplomatic controversies with India.

The Pokhara airport is a clear illustration of the dangers of adopting Chinas infrastructure development model, raising questions about financial sustainability and transparency while also igniting geopolitical tensions in the region.

(With agency inputs)
On Tuesday, Chinas President Xi Jinping met Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who remarked that a stable and vibrant relationship was beneficial to both nations growth.

Tokayev was in Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum, President Xi Jinpings grandiose global infrastructure programme. The two presidents last met in May, when China hosted an in-person meeting of central Asian leaders for the first time.

According to a statement issued by Chinas foreign ministry, Xi called Tokayev a old friend and said the two nations should deepen cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as investment and commerce.

Xi also stated that China is eager to enhance agricultural imports from Kazakhstan, as well as expand the scope of railway freight and utilisation of international transport routes over the Caspian Sea.

No matter how the international situation changes, China and Kazakhstan should adhere to their original intentions, watch over each other, and continuously promote the development of the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Xi said.

In the meeting, Tokayev said he was willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China, the statement said.

On Monday, China National Offshore Oil Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstans national oil and gas company KazMunayGas JSC, also known as KMG, which included an agreement to conduct joint geological research as well as expand cooperation on existing oilfields, according to Chinese state media.
Greta Thunberg, an activist against climate change, is said to have been held by police in London on Tuesday after speaking to demonstrators at an anti-oil and gas protest in the citys central area.

After organising weekly protests in front of the Swedish parliament in 2018, Thunberg rose to prominence as the face of young climate activists throughout the world. This year, police have detained or removed Thunberg from protests in Sweden, Norway, and Germany.

Video shows Thunberg standing quietly as two police officers spoke to her while she was sporting a badge with the motto Oily Money Out. One could be seen grabbing her arm.

Londons Metropolitan Police did not immediately issue a statement.

Greenpeace, an environmental organisation, said that two of its activists ascended the Intercontinental Hotel in Mayfair and unfurled a huge banner that read Make Big Oil Pay above the buildings entrance in protest at a meeting of oil and gas executives that was taking place within the building, including Shell CEO Wael Sawan.

According to the organisation, hundreds of protesters had assembled in front of the venue to voice their opposition to the fossil fuel industrys influence on UK and international climate politics, obstructing entrances and keeping delegates outside.

(With agency inputs)
The Hamas has held over 200 to 250 people, including foreigners, hostage in Gaza, the terror groups spokesperson Abu Obeida said in a televised statement.

Obeida noted that although there is no fixed number of people who have been held hostage due to security and practical difficulties, 200 of them have been confirmed to be in the hands of Hamas since 7 October.

The spokesperson added that 50 other hostages have been held by other resistance factions and in other places.

Obeida said that they will protect the foreign hostages under them as they are their guests. However, they will only be released whenever conditions on the ground allow for it.

He further said that Israels ground operations in Gaza do not scare us and we are ready for it.

Israel-Palestine War: Day 10

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden confirmed that he will travel to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Bidens travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what US and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and made it clear that Israel would not stop until it had destroyed the military and governing capabilities of Hamas.

With inputs from agencies
As diplomatic efforts to open the border crossing at Rafah with Egypt continue, thousands of civilians from Gaza have congregated there in anticipation of Israels anticipated ground attack.

The United Nations, however, said that the talks to reopen the bridge had not made any headway.

Israel is accused of not cooperating by Cairo.

All exit points from Gaza are blocked off as Israel keeps up its airstrikes in retaliation for the attack by Hamas on October 7.

The second time in less than a week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Monday.

After visiting six Arab nations in the area, he came back to try and pressure the government to reopen the border crossing so that humanitarian aid could enter and foreign passport holders could be evacuated.

Blinken and James Cleverly, the foreign secretary of the United Kingdom, both stated that they were collaborating with Israel, Egypt, and other leading political voices in the region to reopen the bridge.

In response to the deadly Hamas attack on Israel last week, during which militants raided communities, abducted civilians and soldiers, and killed more than 1,400 people, the Israeli military ordered a blockade of Gaza and cut off the supply of water, food, and fuel before launching a wave of air strikes.

Following news that there might be a brief ceasefire on Monday, throngs of civilians flocked to the Rafah crossing on Monday morning.

Immediately after any such agreement was reported, both Israel and Hamas rejected it.

Later, a BBC reporter in southern Gaza reported that an air strike had struck the vicinity of the crossing, damaging both the road and a building on the Palestinian side of the crossing.

Since it started its air assault against Gaza, Israel has at least three times bombed the region around the Rafah crossing point.

The Israeli embargo on other access routes to the region held by Hamas continues, leaving the bridge as the only feasible route out of Gaza.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, dozens of lorries carrying gasoline and emergency supplies stay on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, waiting for authorization to enter.

Since the Hamas attack, over 2,750 people have perished in Gaza and more than one million have been displaced.

Egypts foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, stated on Monday morning that it was necessary to ease the suffering of Palestinian residents in Gaza and noted that negotiations with Israel had been unsuccessful.

Cairo has been concentrating on getting aid to Gaza for civilians. According to Shoukry, Egypt could permit medical evacuations and admit select Gazans with travel authorization.

Many nations, including the US and the UK, have advised their citizens to proceed to the Rafah crossing in preparation for its potential reopening.

Egypt is ready to reopen the Rafah gate so that people with foreign passports may leave and humanitarian aid can enter, but it is afraid of a huge flood of Palestinian refugees escaping the conflict.

According to Israel, the siege wont end until Hamas releases the captives it kidnapped on October 7 from Israel. Israeli authorities now think 199 persons are detained in Gaza, up from their earlier estimate of 155.
Hamas has stolen fuel and medical supplies from the United Nations that were meant for refugees in the premises of the Gaza Strip, the UNRWA said.

Today, the UN revealed the true face of Hamas when they confirmed that Hamas stole fuel and medical equipment from UN offices in Gaza City. The amount of fuel stolen is enough to power Gazas water desalination for 6 days, Israel Defence Forces Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

The Palestinian terrorist group said it has held over 200 to 250 people, including foreigners, hostage in Gaza.

Spokesperson Abu Obeida noted that although there is no fixed number of people who have been held hostage due to security and practical difficulties, 200 of them have been confirmed to be in the hands of Hamas since 7 October.

The spokesperson added that 50 other hostages have been held by other resistance factions and in other places.

UNRWA deletes post

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) had earlier posted the claim that Hamas stole its supplies on X but later deleted the post.

In an earlier statement, the humanitarian body said, UNRWA received reports that yesterday a group of people with trucks purporting to be from the Ministry of Health of the de facto authorities in Gaza, removed fuel and medical equipment from the Agencys compound in Gaza City.

It added, Our staff were compelled to evacuate the headquarters in Gaza City on a few hours notice during the night of Friday 13 October. Since then, UNRWA has had no access to the compound and no additional details about the removal of assets.
Gaza has about 84,000 pregnant women, 10 per cent of whom are expected to give birth in the next month. The region is reeling under a humanitarian crisis with the World Health Organisation (WHO) warning that the water supply will completely dry out for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians.

Babies dont care about bombs, they come when they come, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said in an interview with CNN.

The UNFPAs representative for Palestine, Dominic Allen said that with an already faltering healthcare system, pregnant women of Gaza are under extreme threat and devoid of basic medical supplies.

Imagine going through that process in those final stages and your last trimester before giving birth, with possible complications, without clothing, without hygiene, support and not sure about what the next day, next hour, next minute will bring for themselves and for their unborn child, Allen told CNN.

He further said that midwives are unable to the maternity ward to provide assistance due to the unsafe environment.

On Tuesday, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said, US and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza.

It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible, Blinken said, noting that the US shares Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it.
Harvard University will stop receiving funds from the Wexner Foundation, a philanthropic organisation owned by Victorias Secret billionaire Leslie Wexner and his wife Abigail over its response to the ongoing Israel-Palestine war.

In a letter, the Wexner Foundation said that it would be cutting off its financial and programmatic relationship with Harvard and the Harvard Kennedy School, saying it was stunned and sickened at the dismal failure of Harvards leadership to take a clear and unequivocal stand against the barbaric murders of innocent Israeli civilians by terrorists last Saturday.

The letter was addressed to Harvards second-highest governing body, the Board of Overseers and was sent by Wexner Foundation President Elka Abrahamson, Director General Raanan Avital, and chairmen Abigail S. Wexner and Leslie H. Wexner.

In the absence of this clear moral stand, we have determined that the Harvard Kennedy School and the Wexner Foundation are no longer compatible partners, the Wexner letter stated.

It added, Harvards leaders were indeed tiptoeing, equivocating, and we, like former Harvard President Larry Summers cannot fathom the administrations failure to disassociate the university and condemn the statement swiftly issued by 34 student groups holding Israel entirely responsible for the violent terror attack on its own citizens.

The Ivy League school has been facing flak over its response to Hamas invasion of Israel and its students issuing statements holding Israel responsible for the war. From political leaders to top scholars, people have condemned Harvards reaction to the conflict.

Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer and his wife Batia quit the Kennedy Schools executive board in protest of the Universitys leaderships response to Hamas attack on Israel.

What is Harvards stand on the war?

In an emailed statement, HKS spokesperson Sofiya Cabalquinto said that Harvard Universitys President Claudine Gay and HKS Dean Douglas W. Elmendorf have made clear our rejection of the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.

We are grateful to the Wexner Foundation for its very longstanding support of student scholarships, Cabalquinto wrote.

Earlier, Dean Elmendorf condemned Hamas, describing the attacks against Israel as terrorist atrocities.

I am outraged by the savageness and brutality of the crimes perpetrated by Hamas against defenseless Israeli civilians, he wrote.

Meanwhile, Gay said, Let me be clear: Our University rejects terrorism  that includes the barbaric atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.

Our University rejects hate  hate of Jews, hate of Muslims, hate of any group of people based on their faith, their national origin, or any aspect of their identity, he added.

Penn University gets same treatment

Since the Hamas attack, prominent Jewish alumni of the University of Pennsylvania pushed officials to speak out on the war. So much so, that some influential alumni demanded the resignation of of the schools president, Liz Magill, and the universitys chairman, Scott L. Bok.

Marc Rowan, the chief executive of Apollo Global Management, who had pledged more than $50 million to the school, has called on donors to cut the funds.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and made it clear that Israel would not stop until it had destroyed the military and governing capabilities of Hamas.

During the call, Netanyahu told Putin that Israel had been attacked by brutal and abhorrent murderers and had gone to war determined and united.

Putin, during the conversation, highlighted the measures Russia is taking to stop the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip from escalating further during their discussions.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said: "President Putin laid out the steps being taken by Russia to prevent the further escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip."

 President of Russia Vladimir #Putin spoke with Prime Minister of the State of Israel @netanyahu over the phone. President Putin laid out the steps being taken by Russia to prevent the further escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip.  https://t.co/RTGHRgJPKY pic.twitter.com/TO5Bi472Fl  MFA Russia  (@mfa_russia) October 16, 2023

According to Moscow, the conversation between Putin and Netanyahu was centred on "the crisis situation resulting from the brutal escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

"The Israeli side was in particular informed of the essential points of telephone correspondences that took place today with the leaders of Palestine, Egypt, Iran and Syria," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Kremlin said the Russian President had expressed "his sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased Israelis."

Along with that, Putin informed the Israeli leader of the measures taken by Russia to "prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip."

According to a report by The Moscow Times, a statement from the Russian government said Putin also expressed to Netanyahu his country's "fundamental desire to continue its targeted action aimed at ending" the crisis and achieving "a peaceful settlement through political and diplomatic means."

The Israeli military is all set to launch a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip, but its extent and when it is carried out may be affected by operational considerations, as tensions grow on the northern border.

Meanwhile, Israel's National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi has reaffirmed that the cabinet's war goal is to remove Hamas from military and political control over the Gaza Strip.

Hanegbi said in a recent cabinet meeting, the government approved a plan to "destroy" Hamas, as stated by the prime minister and defence minister.

With inputs from agencies
Iran has warned that the countrys proxies around West Asia could launch preemptive strikes on Israel in the coming hours.

Referring to his recent meeting with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said: In the coming hours, any preemptive action against the Zionist regime is conceivable.

The leaders of the resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go to other fronts of the resistance, Amirabdollahian said.

The Iranian minister further claimed that his country does not give orders to the Iran-backed terrorist groups throughout the region.

Today, when we talk about the resistance in the region, it is not only Hezbollah, and we are witnessing the activities of various resistance groups in the region, the Iranian official said.

Amirabdollahian also threatened if the war expands to other fronts, it will change the map of Israel.

 if the war crimes of the Zionist regime are not stopped, new fronts will be opened and this issue will be inevitable, Amirabdollahian said.

The comments by Amirabdollahian came after he held a series of meetings with leaders of Iranian proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, and politicians in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Qatar in recent days.

The Iranian minister also claimed that a messaged was sent to to Iran by the US asking them to show restraint and not expand the conflict, saying that Iran responded that we are not seeking to expand the war, but restraint is not unilateral.

Responding to the possibility of Iran joining the war against Israel, Amirabdollahian said: Every possibility is conceivableno party can be indifferent to the continuation of these crimes.

Amirabdollahian added that if we do not defend Gaza today, tomorrow we will have to deal with the phosphorus bombs of the regime in our own hospitals. An opportunity has been obtained for us to stop the Zionists inside their own home.

On Saturday, Amirabdollahian met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar, promising to continue cooperation to fully achieve the goals of Hamas and the Palestinian people.

During his visit to Beirut, Amirabdollahian warned that all the terrorist groups that are part of the Axis led by Iran have their fingers on the trigger.

In case of procrastination by the international community and the United Nations and the activists who support the warmongering of the Israeli regime, the response will be done at the right time and the desired resistance, said Amirabdollahian.

I found out in the conversation with the leaders that the response that will be given is regrettable and will change the current map of the occupied territories, the Iranian minister said.

With inputs from agencies
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, claims that no one can stop resistance forces if Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza in retaliation for the brutal attack by the Hamas terror group, which controls the Strip, on October 7.

Israel has made it clear that it wants to destroy Hamas.

According to Khamenei, if the Zionist (Israeli) regimes atrocities continue, Muslims and resistance groups will grow frustrated and no one would be able to stop them.

Since the Palestinian Islamist terror group Hamas attacked Israel, breaching the heavily fortified border from Gaza and killing more than 1,300 people, the majority of them civilians, Iran has been in close contact with its regional allies, including Lebanese terror group Hezbollah and pro-Tehran Iraqi militias.

Terrorists in Gaza also took 200250 captives, including infants, kids, and senior citizens.

According to the health ministry run by the terror organization, Israels catastrophic air and artillery assault on Gaza, which was under Hamas control, resulted in at least 2,750 Palestinian deaths, the majority of whom were civilians. It was impossible to independently verify the number.

No matter what the Zionist state tries to achieve, Khamenei claims, it will never be able to make up for the humiliating failure it experienced.

(with inputs from agencies)
Israeli troops killed four terrorists attempting to infiltrate from Lebanon, the army said Tuesday, as tensions run high along the border between the two countries.

Observation troops spotted a terrorist squad attempting to infiltrate the security fence with Lebanon and plant an explosive device, the army said in a statement.

Four terrorists were killed, it added.

Earlier the military said it had targeted Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah group with overnight air strikes on southern Lebanon.

Since the start of the war triggered by the unprecedented attack by Hezbollahs Palestinian ally Hamas on Israel on October 7, clashes on the Israel-Lebanon border have left more than 10 people dead on the Lebanese side.

Most of the dead have been combatants, but they also include a Reuters journalist and two civilians.

On the Israeli side, at least two people have been killed.

Lebanons state-owned National News Agency (NNA) reported that areas along the western section of the border came under continuous bombardment overnight.

Homes in the village of Dhayra were hit, resulting in casualties, NNA reported, without elaborating on how many villagers had been wounded or whether any had been killed.

The enemy (Israel) used phosphorus bombs and targeted civilians, the news agency said.

The Israeli army denied it had been using the incendiary weapon white phosphorus in either Gaza or south Lebanon after Human Rights War accused it of doing so last week.

It did not immediately comment on Tuesdays NNA report.

The international community fears the opening of a second front in the conflict, with Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah group joining Hamas in the fight against Israel.

Israel has begun evacuating thousands of residents from 28 locations in the north.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday there was no proof North Korea was sending supplies of weapons to Russia, after Washington released images purportedly showing arms shipments from Pyongyang.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un travelled to Russia last month and met President Vladimir Putin, sparking speculation among Western countries over the possibility of a potential arms deal.

They report this all the time, without providing any proof, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies when asked about the reported arms shipments.

The White House said on Friday that North Korea had already delivered over 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia in recent weeks for use in Ukraine.

While Russia said no agreements were signed during Kims visit in September, Putin said he saw possibilities for military cooperation.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to arrive in the reclusive country on Wednesday for a two-day visit. Details of the trip remain unclear.

Russia and North Korea, historic allies, are both under rafts of global sanctions  Moscow for its Ukraine offensive, Pyongyang for its nuclear weapon tests.

North Korea, which the United States has previously accused of supplying shells to Russias Wagner mercenary group, is a mass producer of conventional weaponry and is known to be sitting on large stocks of Soviet-era war material.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to diversity of opinions among students in various universities and premier educational institutes across the world. The war between the two West Asian nations began on October 7 and within hours, several places witnessed pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

In the US, around 34 student organisations of Harvard University held the Israeli regime entirely responsible for unfolding violence.

The student groups, however, drew intense backlash with campus and in the country for signing onto the statement.

What did the statement say?

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, the statement read.

In the coming days, Palestinians will be forced to bear the full brunt of Israels violence. The apartheid regime is the only one to blame, it continued.

HORRIFYING- NYU students walking around campus removing posters featuring missing Israelis being held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. The lack of humanity by your students is not only heartbreaking but extremely concerning @nyuniversity @NYUCampusSafety pic.twitter.com/BmTs1OzGF2  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 17, 2023

It was initially released on the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee's Instagram page, but was later temporarily suspended by Meta. The account was, however, back online.

Couple of days after the statement was released, thousands of Harvard affiliates signed a joined statement condemning the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas and called for the retraction of student group signatures on a statement that held Israel entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.

Harvard pays for defending Hamas attack

Billionaire Ken Griffin, who pledged $300 million to Harvard this year alone, called for University to take a robust stance in defense of Israel. He also criticised students defending Hamas attack.

The Wexner Foundation pulled their support from Harvard school entirely, after donating at least $56 million over the span of 30 years.

Marquette University student Amina Dalieh - Palestinians have every right to resist in the way they are resisting. No Amina. No one has the right to behead children, kidnap Holocaust survivors, and slice babies out of their mothers womb!@MarquetteU - this is an pic.twitter.com/p4g50KGNII  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 16, 2023

In a statement, Wexner Foundation said they feel "stunned and sickened" at Harvard's failure to take a "clear and unequivocal stand against the barbaric murders of innocent Israeli civilians".

Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer and his wife Batia have stepped down from an executive board at Harvard after previously donating $20million to the school.

Also, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman called for the students to be identified, to ensure that he and other CEO's would not hire them.

Heartbreaking - students at UC Berkeley plead with Vice Chancellor of DEI Dania Matos and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Steve Sutton to protect their Jewish students as promotion of Hamas intensifies on campus. pic.twitter.com/kWJLd00Xlm  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 16, 2023

In 2014, Ackman donated $17million to Harvard, but his current stance of calling out the college for a lack of action implies further funding will not be given.

Students of Columbia University call for Free Palestine

The Columbia University also witnessed two groups of hundreds of students tensely faced each other in dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations. They were blocked access to the New York City campus due to safety measure.

Palestinian supporters were seen wearing face masks to hide their identities and held signs that read "Free Palestine" and "To Exist is to Resist." About 100 feet (30 meters) away, students backing Israel silently held up posters with the faces of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.

UNC Chapel Hill student - Hamas are

Palestinians. WE are Hamas! F*ck your mother [in Arabic]!. Imagine being a Jewish college student right now.  pic.twitter.com/RBm5ZxIOJI  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 14, 2023

University of Virginia declare 'unequivocal support to Palestine'

At the University of Virginia, the chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine declared that it unequivocally supports Palestinian liberation and the right of colonised people everywhere to resist the occupation of their land by whatever means they deem necessary.

George Washington Universitys Students for Justice in Palestine also joined the University of Virginia to support Palestine.

Decolonisation is not a metaphor. It is not an abstract theory to be discussed and debated in classrooms and papers. It is a tangible, material event in which the colonized rise up against the coloniser... We reject the distinction between civilian and militant. We reject the distinction between settler and soldier. Every Palestinian is a civilian even if they hold arms. A settler is an aggressor, a soldier, and an occupier even if they are lounging on our occupied beaches," said the group.

MORE vile hatred at UNC Chapel Hill as these stickers are being found all over campus. pic.twitter.com/ebVshlrrlN  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 16, 2023

The list and support for Palestine continues. A small liberal arts school near Philadelphia, the group Swarthmore Students for Justice in Palestine said, We call on all Swarthmore community members to unite in solidarity with the plight of the oppressed and confront the dishonest, racist tropes that view resistance as barbaric and uncivilized only when it is exerted by indigenous people.

With inputs from agencies
Israel on Tuesday reported two incidents of anti-tank guided missiles fired from Lebanon.

The first missile reportedly hit the southern town of Metula leaving at least three individuals injured. The second one hit at a military post near the northern community of Margaliot.

   pic.twitter.com/SzbvBXc44Y    || Ali Shoeib  (@alishoeib1970) October 17, 2023

The IDF does not immediately provide details on possible casualties in the second attack.

The strikes apparently have been carried out by the Hezbollah terror group.

The Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen says the Hezbollah terror group is responsible for the latest attack.

Hezbollah has claimed several missile, mortar, and gunfire attacks on the northern frontier in recent days.

Additionally, a number of other military posts along the Lebanon border were attacked with gunfire, the Israeli Defense Forces adds.

The IDF says it is responding with artillery shelling toward the sources of the missile fire and gunfire.

Ziv Medical Center in Safed says it will soon admit three people wounded in the anti-tank guided missile attack launched from Lebanon on the northern town of Metula.

Their conditions are not given, but earlier reports said two people were lightly hurt.

Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, claimed that no one can stop resistance forces if Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza in retaliation for the brutal attack by the Hamas terror group.

Israel has made it clear that it wants to destroy Hamas.

According to Khamenei, if the Zionist (Israeli) regimes atrocities continue, Muslims and resistance groups will grow frustrated and no one would be able to stop them.

World Health Organization (WHO) says there have been 2,800 deaths in Gaza, with 11,000 wounded. It says half are women and children. The WHO said there had been 115 attacks on health facilities in Gaza.

Israels health ministry has stated that 4,229 Israelis have been wounded since the Hamas attack.
As part of Operation Ajay, India is returning 286 additional people from Israel, including 18 natives of Nepal, the foreign affairs minister S Jaishankar announced on Tuesday.

Kanta Rizal, Nepals ambassador to Israel, told the media that some of the 18 Nepalese nationals were staying in dangerous areas while others desired to return home.

We sent 254 Nepalese citizens on the Nepal Airlines on October 12 and may look to arrange more flights to take them out, she was quoted as saying by PTI.

It is the fifth trip carried out as part of Operation Ajay, which was started by India on October 11 in order to make it easier for Indian nationals to return from Israel, which is at war with the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

V Muraleedharan, the minister of state (MoS) for external affairs, stated on Tuesday that more flights will be run as needed in light of the impending scenario.

As of new, 5 flights have come and if required we will operate more flights on the basis of the situation that emerges. During the last, almost 4-5 days, we have flown aircraft from Israel to India, the minister told the media.

Conflict erupted in Israel, the Indian Embassy had issued an advisory, requesting the Indian citizens there to be cautious and also to register their names in the Indian Embassy, Muraleedharan added.

(With agency inputs)
The indictment of former prime minister Imran Khan and his close aide Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case for allegedly breaking the nations secret laws was postponed by a special court in Pakistan on Tuesday until October 23.

The controversy surrounds a covert diplomatic document that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Khan used to denounce his rivals for supposedly planning his overthrow in April of last year.

According to reports, the paper left his possession. According to Khans party, the document contained a US threat to remove Khan from government.

The Islamabad High Court dismissed Khans appeal against holding his trial in secret on Monday, so the government-established special court held the hearing behind closed doors at Rawalpindis Adiala Jail.

Judge Abual Hasanat Zulqernain adjourned hearing till October 23 with the remarks that Khan and former foreign minister Qureshi would be indicted on that day.

Barrister Salman Safdar and Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry were present as 71-year-old Khans counsels, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Qureshis wife and daughter also reached the court. However, it was not confirmed whether they were allowed to attend the hearing, it said.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) special prosecutor Shah Khawar, Khan, Qureshi and their legal teams were all present during the hearing.

Khawar told journalists that the indictment proceedings will take place next Monday (October 23), Geo News reported.

On October 23, the charges will be framed and the indictment will be filed. After the indictment, the regular trial of the cipher case will begin, he said.

(With inputs from agencies)
President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and on to Jordan Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Bidens travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what US and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.

Biden is looking to send the strongest message yet that the US is behind Israel. His Democratic administration has pledged military support, sending US carriers and aid to the region. Officials have said they would ask Congress for upward of $2 billion in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russias invasion.

Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials.

He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region and for the world, Blinken said.

Shortly after in Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced that Biden would also go to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Weve been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza, Kirby said. That has been a consistent call by President Biden and certainly by this entire administration.

Truckloads of aid idled Monday at Egypts border with Gaza, barred from entry, as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last weeks rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.

Biden had been scheduled to travel to Pueblo, Colorado, on Monday but decided to postpone the visit so he could consult with his aides and speak with fellow leaders about the unfolding situation in the Middle East.

The announcements came after Biden consulted with a trio of world leaders and his own national security team on Monday amid growing global concern about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip and fears that the Israel-Hamas war could metastasize into a broader regional conflict.

Biden spoke by phone with Egypts el-Sissi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the fallout from Hamas militants surprise attacks on Israel that left 1,400 dead and retaliatory strikes that have killed at least 2,778 Palestinians.

European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday as concern mounts that the war between Israel and Hamas could fuel tensions in Europe and bring more refugees in search of sanctuary.

Bidens call with the Egyptian leader came one day after el-Sissi met with Blinken in Cairo. Egypts state-run media said el-Sissi told Blinken that Israels Gaza operation has exceeded the right of self-defense and turned into a collective punishment.

Kirby declined to comment on el-Sissis concerns about how Israel is conducting the war.

The humanitarian situation was high on the list of the discussion with President el-Sissi, Kirby said.

Earlier Monday, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed in the Oval Office by their national security team on the situation on the ground in Israel and Gaza. White House chief of staff Jeff Zients joined the briefing led by national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns, according to the White House.

Blinken was in Israel on Monday for his second visit in less than a week for talks with Israeli leaders. He has been crisscrossing the Middle East with stops in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Blinken, in talks Monday with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, carried back some of the feedback he received from Arab leaders. He also underlined his firm support for Israels right to defend itself from Hamas terrorism and reaffirmed US determination to provide the Israeli government with what it needs to protect its citizens, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
In the midst of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, more than a thousand supporters of Palestine staged a human chain and led a candlelight march through Bengaluru.

When they congregated near the MG Road metro station to form the human chain during the protest on Monday, a number of civil society organisations, including Bahutva Karnataka and the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, denounced the genocide committed by the Israeli army.

They intended to discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict and debunk fake news spread by the mainstream media about it at the Rangoli Metro Art Centre on MG Road. However, the Cubbon Park police kept the protestors from the MG Road boulevards.

But by six oclock in the evening, hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrators had congregated close to the MG Road metro station and were marching by candlelight to the Anil Kumble Circle. The police, who were overwhelmed by the demonstrators, permitted the march of to continue.

Aishwarya Ravikumar, general secretary of the PUCL, said, It is unfortunate that in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, protesters standing up for Palestine are being detained by police. India has always stood with Palestine. In Bengaluru, we tried to bring together people who continue to stand in solidarity with Palestinians no matter what people in power are trying to do. The genocide there has reached unprecedented levels.

(With agency inputs)
Without indicating whether it now intended to back Tehrans missile development, Russia said it need not comply with U.N. Security Council sanctions once they expire on Wednesday.

Supplies to and from Iran of products falling under the Missile Technology Control Regime no longer require prior approval by the U.N. Security Council, Russias foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The limitations were laid forth in Resolution 2231 of 2015, which supported an agreement in which Britain, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States lifted sanctions against Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme.

The JCPOA was abandoned by then-President Donald Trump in 2018, leaving only unilateral U.S. sanctions in place. As a result, Iran accelerated its nuclear programme, which it claims is only for peaceful purposes.

As the agreement fell apart, U.N. sanctions meant to stop the theocratic state from building long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missiles resumed. But on Wednesday, these will eventually run out.

Since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent isolation by the West, Russia has gotten closer to Iran. It is thought that Iran produced many of the hundreds of one-way attack drones that it has employed to bomb Ukraine in the past year.

After the U.N. restrictions expire, the EU declared on Tuesday that it intended to join the U.S. in maintaining sanctions against Irans ballistic missile project.

Russia pushed the European Union and the U.S. to drop their sanctions, which it said were an effort to settle political scores with Tehran and had no implications for other countries that treat international law and their obligations with due respect.

(With agency inputs)
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to hold a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Putins visit to China comes after Jinping invited him to attend the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. The Russian leaders rare foreign trip is being widely watched as it is aimed at portraying the deep mutual trust and no-limits partnership between Russia and China.

Putin and his entourage flew to Beijing on Tuesday morning. The Kremlin chief has refrained from making foreign trips since a Hague-based international court issued an arrest warrant against him in March, accusing him of committing war crimes.

Putin arrived in Beijing with an honor guard meeting his plane. His visit is also a show of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinpings signature Belt and Road initiative to build infrastructure and expand Chinas overseas influence.

The two countries have forged an informal alliance against the United States and other democratic nations that is now complicated by the Israel-Hamas war. China has sought to balance its ties with Israel with its economic relations with Iran and Syria, which are strongly backed by Russia.

The Russian president last visited China last year during the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022. This is when both countries declared a no-limits partnership.

Ahead of his visit to Beijing, Putin said, In my opinion, the main advantage of the cooperation concept proposed by China is that within the framework of cooperation, no one imposes anything on others.

This is the difference between President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative and other projects pursued by countries with a colonialist flavor, he added.

With inputs from AP
There have been 320 antisemitic incidents reported in the UK since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

According to the most recent figures, the Community Security Trust (CST), which speaks for British Jews on racial and policing problems, said it had documented events it deemed to be anti-Jewish hate over the course of 10 days.

According to the charity, just 47 instances were reported over this same period in 2022, a rise of 581%.

According to the CST, about 36 of the events included universities throughout the UK, while 17 were directed towards Jewish institutions, students and teachers at non-Jewish schools, or students traveling to or from their place of instruction.

The UK has made it clear that it opposes anyone who supports Hamas. On Monday, PM Rishi Sunak reiterated to the public that waving a Palestinian flag on UK soil is punishable by a 14-year prison sentence.

In the wake of the attack on Israel, home secretary Suella Braverman urged officers to use the full force of the law against displays of support for Hamas or attempts to intimidate the UKs Jewish community.

The Cabinet minister set out examples of protest that she said could amount to public order offences, including targeting Jewish neighbourhoods, waving pro-Palestinian or pro-Hamas symbols, and chanting slogans that could be interpreted as anti-Israeli.

Since Hamas, which the UK has designated as a terrorist organization, launched a deadly incursion on Saturday, scores of people have died in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Israel has also put the 25-mile Gaza Strip under siege and bombarded it with retaliatory airstrikes.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, claimed on Tuesday that Kiev had employed long-range Army Tacticle Missile System (ATACMS) missiles supplied by the United States.

In the belief that the missiles would improve Ukraines ability to target and damage supply lines, air bases, and rail networks in Russian-occupied area that could not be reached by short-range equipment, Kyiv has sought the U.S. administration for ATACMS on numerous occasions.

Today, special thanks to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. Very accurately  ATACMS missiles proved themselves, he said in his nightly address.

This is the ATACMSs first publicly acknowledged use in Ukraine and it has a maximum flight range of 190 miles (306 km).

The Russian airfields in the cities of Luhansk and Berdiansk, which are held by Moscow, were reportedly attacked by two Ukrainian military strikes earlier on Tuesday.

Its reports stated that nine helicopters, an air defence missile launcher, and other tools had been destroyed, runways had been damaged, and Russian forces had suffered significant losses. The assaults were not mentioned by the Russian Defence Ministry.

(With agency inputs)
Dwindling humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees threatens to exacerbate one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises, the UNs refugee chief said on Tuesday

Bangladesh is home to around a million members of the stateless minority, most of whom fled a Myanmar military crackdown in 2017 now subject to a genocide probe at the International Criminal Court.

Frustration is widespread over the lack of progress in a repatriation deal, rampant lawlessness in the refugee settlements and cuts to international humanitarian aid.

Humanitarian assistance is declining amid crises in Ethiopia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Israel, Filippo Grandi told reporters on the sidelines of a regional meeting.

This is a crisis that should not be forgotten If contributions decline, we are in trouble.

The Rohingya crisis had only 42 per cent of the $875.9 million funding needed this year, he said.

Budget cuts have forced the UN World Food Programme to steeply reduce humanitarian aid to the Rohingya camps this year, with rations now $8 per refugee, per month.

Malnutrition in the sprawling camps is already rampant rights groups say.

Grandi said repatriation to Myanmar was still Plan A, even as he acknowledged many Rohingya were still afraid to return to the country where they are widely viewed as interlopers from Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and Myanmar are working on a pilot programme to begin repatriating a limited number of Rohingya, despite concerns from rights groups who say conditions are not safe for their return.

Rohingya in Myanmar are denied citizenship and access to healthcare and require permission to travel outside of their townships.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing  who was head of the army during the crackdown  has dismissed the term Rohingya as imaginary.

Plan B is the status quo, people continue to be in host countries but this is not sustainable in the long term, Grandi said.
On the first evacuation boat planned by the US amid the rising Middle East crisis, dozens of US citizens fleeing Israel arrived in Cyprus early on Tuesday.

The luxurious cruise ship Rhapsody of the Seas carried 159 passengers as it departed Haifa and arrived at Limassol port in Cyprus early on Tuesday.

More evacuation vessels are anticipated to arrive over the next 12 hours, Cypriot government official Victor Papadopoulos told Cyprus state TV.

Since shortly after the most recent outbreak of unrest on October 7, Cyprus has served as a transit hub for foreign nations to evacuate their civilian populations.

(With agency inputs)
The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that as part of a series of steps to prevent Beijing from obtaining cutting-edge American technologies to bolster its military, it intends to prohibit shipments of more sophisticated artificial intelligence chips made by Nvidia and others to China.

The regulations ban Chinese chip designers Moore Threads and Biren and limit access to a wider range of sophisticated processors and chipmaking tools to more nations, including Iran and Russia.

Gina Raimondo, secretary of the Commerce Department, told reporters late on Monday that the new measures, which aim to close regulatory loopholes and will likely be modified at least annually, are intended to impede Chinas military growth.

She emphasised that the administration was not aiming to harm Beijing economically, only to restrict Beijings access to advanced semiconductors that could fuel breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and sophisticated computers that are critical to (Chinese) military applications.

The extensive limitations announced last year increased tensions between the superpowers despite the fact that the United States and China have been engaged in a long-running technology battle.

Leading AI chip designer Nvidia (NVDA.O) stated in a statement that it conforms with legislation and does not anticipate a near-term meaningful impact to its financial results.

The business has produced chips like the A800 and H800 that strictly adhered to the prior regulations in order to continue selling to China, and AMD (AMD.O), too has said it plans a similar strategy.

Shares of Nvidia dropped 6%, while those of AMD and Intel (INTC.O), two major competitor manufacturers of AI chips, fell 3.4% and 3.8%, respectively.

Because its China-only processors are still superior to alternatives, Nvidias business has increased dramatically since the rules were implemented last year. The Silicon Valley company is now selling nearly every chip it can find as global demand exceeds supply, but would suffer in the long run as Chinese chip firms compete to fill any gaps left by U.S. corporations.

Due to a change in chip features aimed to catch more chips, the new restrictions will have an impact on Nvidias A800 and H800 chips.

Most consumer processors used in computers, cellphones, and gaming devices will be excluded from the regulations, but some may be subject to licencing and notification requirements by U.S. authorities.

The fact is, China, even after the update of this rule, will import hundreds of billions of dollars of semiconductors from the United States, Raimondo said, emphasizing that the goal of the measures was not to hammer U.S. companies.

The prior regulations mandated a two-pronged test that assessed a chips processing performance as well as its interprocess communication capabilities, a crucial factor in AI supercomputers where hundreds of chips are connected to process enormous amounts of data.

For the Chinese market, Nvidia and Intel developed specialised CPUs with advanced computational capabilities but constrained communications rates to comply with earlier regulations.

The new regulations place restrictions on how much computer power a chip may fit into a given size. This precaution is meant to stop workarounds utilising the new chiplet technology, which China has stated would be essential to the future of the semiconductor industry.

Both Biren and Moore Threads are Chinese businesses created by former Nvidia workers who seek to compete with the American AI chip giant. Their U.S. suppliers will now have to meet a strict licencing requirement before delivering goods to them.

Biren said it vehemently disagrees with being placed on a blacklist and will ask the American government to reconsider its position. Moore Threads stated that it vehemently objects to its inclusion on the trade blacklist.

The new regulations also increase licencing requirements for exports of cutting-edge chips to more than 40 additional nations that pose a threat of being diverted to China and are restricted from receiving American armaments.

This action appears to be a follow-up to a letter Nvidia claimed restricted the export of its A100 and H100 chips to nations outside of China, including several in the Middle East, when it was received in August.

Chips wont be allowed to be shipped to businesses with locations anywhere in the globe if their parent company are based in China, Macau, or other nations subject to a weapons embargo, according to a Reuters report. The action is a part of an effort to prevent the chips from being remotely accessed by Chinese parent businesses or being smuggled illegally into China.

Additionally, the Biden administration imposed a licence requirement for chipmaking equipment on 21 nations outside of China.

Additionally, it was put to the list of items whose import into that nation is prohibited.

Modern extreme ultraviolet (EUV) equipment, which has already been withheld from China, is more advanced than DUV but can produce chips that are nearly as advanced at a higher price.

In a statement, ASML stated that while the firm anticipated the new rules to have an effect on the regional split of our system sales over the medium to long term, it did not anticipate a material impact on its financial outlook for 2023 or the longer term.

Competing American equipment manufacturers Lam Research, Applied Materials, and KLA saw their shares fall by 3%, 2%, and 3%, respectively. Requests for feedback from such businesses as well as the Chinese Embassy in Washington went unanswered right away.

According to American officials, Raimondo, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen all informed their Chinese colleagues that new laws will soon be implemented.

In a statement, the Semiconductor Industry Association asked the government to cooperate with friends while evaluating the impact of the new regulations. Overly broad, unilateral controls risk harming the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem without advancing national security, the organisation stated.

(With agency inputs)
A U.S. official said on Tuesday that Chinese military aircraft had flown unsafe or reckless manoeuvres in close proximity to American aircraft about 200 times since 2021, giving a number to what the Pentagon has dubbed Chinas increasingly irresponsible behaviour in the skies.

Nevertheless, the official declined to reveal how many of those close calls were unsafe and unprofessionala term used frequently in the military when interactions are in fact dangerous. This was true despite the significant number of risky intercepts.

Under the condition of anonymity, the official stated that there had been 180 occurrences since 2021 involving American military aircraft, and that number rose to 300 when manoeuvres near allied aircraft were added.

A Canadian military plane was shot down by Chinese fighter jets on Monday, which Ottawa deemed to be reckless and dangerous.

In June 2022, the military of Canada said that Chinese warplanes had harassed its patrol aircraft while they were keeping an eye on North Koreas attempts to evade sanctions, at times causing Canadian aircraft to deviate from their flight patterns.

The worlds two largest economies have been at odds with one another over a variety of issues, including Taiwan, Chinas record on human rights, and its military activities in the South China Sea.

Nevertheless, Washington has been eager to reopen military-to-military contacts with China.

The Pentagon announced last week that it had accepted an offer to attend Chinas premier annual security gathering in late October, the most recent indication of perhaps improving ties between the two forces.

(With agency inputs)
After the White House claimed last week that Pyongyang recently provided Russia with a shipment of weaponry, Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, said on Tuesday that relations between the two countries were very worrying.

After meeting with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Jakarta, Kim told reporters that the arms transfers between the two nations were dangerous and destabilising and reiterated the U.S. commitment to safeguarding its friends.

At the same time we will continue our work to counter the DPRKs unlawful WMD (weapons of mass destruction) and ballistic missiles, Kim told a briefing, referring to North Korea by the acronym for its official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

A significant consignment of weapons from the North to Russia, which the United States claimed aroused worries and suggested an expanding military connection between the two nations, was delivered just days prior to the meeting.

Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un travelled to Russia for a rare meeting with President Vladimir Putin, raising concerns that this may strengthen Russias military presence in Ukraine as North Korea acquired missile technology that is prohibited by U.N. resolutions.

According to both Russias foreign ministry and North Koreas official media outlet KCNA, Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, will visit North Korea this week.

Kim Jong Un is continuing with his nuclear obsession by sacrificing peoples livelihood and violating their human rights, Kim Gunn, South Koreas nuclear envoy, said, condemning the alleged military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang as a blatant violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

South Korea, the US, and Japan have finished construction of a three-way communications hotline, according to a senior Seoul official quoted by Yonhap news agency on Tuesday. This is another indicator of a rising trilateral security cooperation.

The hotline claim was not immediately confirmed by South Koreas foreign ministry.

In his speech at the inauguration of the nations greatest defence show on Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol promised to strengthen the defence sector. The event featured a rare flypast by a U.S. nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bomber.

The recent arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier has drawn criticism from Pyongyang, which has frequently called the American deployment of strategic assets in the area a provocation.

(With agency inputs)
Scientists call for deeper international space science cooperation

Xinhua) 15:18, October 17, 2023

HANGZHOU, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Scientists are exchanging views on the latest progress, major achievements and frontier trends of space science at the ongoing 3rd China Space Science Assembly in Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, calling for deeper international cooperation in space science.

The world is becoming more and more complex, and cooperation is now even more necessary than ever, Jean-Jacques Dordain, former director-general of the European Space Agency (ESA), said at the assembly.

We have no alternative to cooperation, because we are living on one planet, meaning that we have only one common future, he said.

Dordain believes that cooperation in space is not only necessary, but also more and more possible, adding that cooperation is based on mutual interest, real understanding and trust.

The China-Europe joint space mission, Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), is scheduled to enter space in 2025, said Wang Chi, director of the National Space Science Centre (NSSC) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), at the assembly.

SMILE is a collaborative science mission between the CAS and ESA to build a deeper understanding of the Sun-Earth link by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere.

Space science is about discovering the natural laws of space, which is the common knowledge of humankind, Wu Ji, chairman of the Chinese Society of Space Research (CSSR), said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua at the assembly.

International cooperation in space science can lead to higher efficiency, richer results and maximized scientific output, which will benefit all participating countries, Wu said.

China has been actively promoting international cooperation in space science, and has shared the data from scientific satellites, such as the Gravitational Wave High-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor (GECAM) and the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S), with the world, Wu said.

Sun Yueqiang, a researcher at the NSSC, who has led the establishment of the International Laboratory on Climate and Atmosphere Research with Occultation &Reflectometry Observing Systems, is also attending the assembly.

Her team cooperated with the University of Graz in Austria and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) to jointly create a global shared Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) remote sensing climate database, develop new GNSS remote sensing technology, and promote the development of GNSS meteorology.

The assembly, being held by the CSSR, the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology, and the Huzhou City government from Oct. 14 to 17, has attracted more than 1,000 experts and scholars from the country's scientific research institutes, universities and enterprises.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Venezuelas government and opposition said Monday they will restart talks seeking to end the countrys political and economic crisis, after a nearly year-long suspension.

In a joint statement, the two sides said that the Norway-facilitated negotiations will resume Tuesday in Bridgetown, Barbados, with participation of the United States  the destination for millions of Venezuelans who have fled economic hardship at home.

In his weekly television appearance, President Nicolas Maduro said his government was on the verge of starting a new round of signing agreements with the opposition.

We are on the threshold of beneficial agreements for the country I can say that these agreements will be very beneficial for peace, because peace must be taken care of, they will be very beneficial for the upcoming elections, he said.

The opposition, backed by several countries including the United States, did not recognize Maduros 2018 re-election in a vote widely dismissed as fraudulent.

The following year, Washington ramped up sanctions against Caracas first imposed in 2015 over the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

On Monday, the United States welcomed the announcement of fresh talks.

Along with likeminded partners and other friends of Venezuela, the United States will continue its efforts to unite the international community in support of the Venezuelan-led negotiation process, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

Talks seeking to end the impasse began in August 2021 but were suspended in October after the extradition to the United States of businessman Alex Saab, a Colombian national accused of acting as a money launderer for Venezuelas socialist leader.

The negotiations briefly resumed but in November 2022 there was a new break after the government said continued dialogue was conditional on the release of $3 billion in frozen funds abroad.

The opposition, for its part, wants guarantees for free and fair elections next year.

In March, a Venezuelan official said free presidential elections in 2024 were dependent on the lifting of sanctions by the United States and European Union.

Absolutely economic

Observers hope the Barbados talks will yield an agreement through which, in exchange for sanctions easing, an election timetable will be drawn up for 2024 and the opposition allowed to hold primary elections later this month.

They also hope it will yield the release of political prisoners and the lifting of political disqualifications of presidential candidates.

The energy crisis sparked by Russias war on Ukraine saw global efforts renewed to solve the crisis in Venezuela, which has the worlds largest oil reserves.

Last year, US delegates went to Caracas to meet Maduro, even though it does not recognize him as a legitimate leader.

After talks initially resumed between the government in Caracas and the opposition, Washington granted a six-month license to US energy giant Chevron to operate in Venezuela and has voiced a willingness to ease sanctions further in return for progress.

Earlier this month, the two countries struck a deal under which Venezuela would accept back nationals deported from the United States after arriving there illegally.

Oil prices fell Monday on the promise of a prospective deal loosening sanctions on Venezuelan crude exports.

According to state-owned broadcaster Voice of America, American diplomats planned to travel to Barbados to meet representatives of both delegations.

The United States is interested in normalizing relations a little, not so much for political reasons, but rather for the benefit of its national interest, which is absolutely economic, Venezuelan political consultant Pablo Quintero told AFP.
After conducting a raid to confiscate illicit items from a market in the citys major commercial district, a team of Customs officers, joined by police and paramilitary rangers, were ambushed by an Afghan mob living in Pakistans largest city.

A video that has gone viral depicts scores of Afghans armed with sticks chasing after Customs agents and police and ranger cars on Tariq Road on Monday night as they attempted to conduct a raid.

One of Karachis largest business districts, Tariq Road is home to a large number of fabric and garment stores, many of which are owned by Afghans who have since relocated to the city after fleeing their own country.

A source in the Customs vigilance confirmed the incident and said the team had gone with police and rangers back up after confirmed intelligence reports that smuggled cloth and fabrics worth millions of rupees were being sold by Afghan shop owners on Tariq Road.

Many of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan have established successful businesses in Karachi and other parts of the country and mostly focus on clothes, fabrics, carpets, curtains, and rug businesses. They own or rent shops in nearly all the major commercial centres and malls of Karachi.

A police official said the raid had nothing to do with the government announcement that Afghans living illegally in Pakistan had to return home by November 1 or would be sent back to Afghanistan forcibly after the deadline.

It is a case of the smuggling that takes place between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the smuggled goods are sold openly in big markets of Karachi and other cities, the SSP ranked officer, who declined to be named, said.

The video shows the Afghans running after the raiding party with sticks and then smashing and damaging glasses and bodies of vehicles in the area.
At least 30 Jewish pro-Palestinian protestors were detained for obstructing the White Houses doors while President Joe Biden attended national security talks there.

Protesters swarmed the building calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza and an Israeli ceasefire.

On Monday night, it was revealed that Biden would be traveling to Israel on Wednesday.

After his discussions in Tel Aviv, he will go to Jordan to meet with the monarch, Abdullah, and the presidents of Egypt and Palestine, among other Arab leaders.

The marchs organizers, IfNotNow, wrote on X: Were ready to stay here until Biden forces a ceasefire. Were ready to put our bodies in the way of more slaughter.

In another post, they continued, Were here because we know that the humanitarian catastrophe and massive violence against Gaza wont stop further violence or ease our suffering.

We're seeing aggression from police as we block 17th and State street outside of the @WhiteHouse. We will not be deterred in stopping a genocide from happening in our name. @POTUS must implement a #CeasefireNOW. If you want to fight back, join us at https://t.co/e0szjGkonP pic.twitter.com/CFNbZcqqjb  IfNotNow (@IfNotNowOrg) October 16, 2023

According to the Secret Service, there have been 16 cases of incommoding or obstruction and 33 arrests for unauthorized entry.

The organization posted video of their activists obstructing roadways, conducting a sit-in outside the White House, and getting detained.

They occupied a bench in front of the White House gates and urged Biden to demand that Israel cease its assaults on Gaza.

They tweeted, Three large groups of Jews and allies have blocked the main White House exit on 17th Street.

We wont leave until Biden declares a cease-fire, and they should do the same.

In anticipation of an anticipated Israeli assault to remove the leadership of Hamas, more than a million people have evacuated their homes in the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli ground offensive, according to aid organizations, might precipitate a humanitarian crisis.

Israeli forces have positioned themselves around Gazas border and conducted drills in preparation for what Israel claimed would be a massive effort to destroy the militant organization, supported by U.S. warships.

Despite destroying entire communities over the course of a week, militant rocket fire into Israel continued unabated.

With more than 4,000 casualties on both sides, the conflict that started on October 7 is now the bloodiest of the five Gaza conflicts.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 2,750 Palestinians have died and 9,700 have been injured.
Truckloads of aid idled at Egypts border with Gaza as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded Monday for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last weeks rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.

US President Joe Biden planned to travel to Israel on Wednesday to signal White House support for the country and to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the trip early Tuesday in Tel Aviv during his second visit to Israel in less than a week amid fears that the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. Israel maintained punishing airstrikes across Gaza as a ground invasion loomed, while Hamas militants kept up a barrage of rocket attacks, and tensions mounted near the Israel-Lebanon border.

More than a week after Israel cut off entry of any supplies, all eyes were on the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt. Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire that would let in aid and let out trapped foreigners. Israeli airstrikes forced the crossing to shut down last week, but it remained unclear Monday which of the regional actors was keeping the crossing closed.

Blinken, who returned to Israel after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

We share Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, Blinken said.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier, referring to Israels 2006 war with Hezbollah, which operates out of Lebanon.

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahians threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

This has become the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority civilians massacred in Hamas Oct. 7 assault.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages, including foreigners whom it said it would free when it was feasible.

Also Monday, Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself in the video as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. In her statement, Schem said she was taken from Sderot, a small Israeli city near the Gaza border where she had attended a party. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation.

The Israeli military said Schems family was told of her abduction last week, and officials dismissed the video as propaganda.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews of their relatives playing almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

The head of Israels Shin Bet security service, in charge of monitoring militant groups, took responsibility for failing to avert Hamas surprise attack. As agency head, the responsibility for that is on me, Ronen Bar said.

There will be time for investigation  now is a time for war, he wrote in a letter to Shin Bet workers and their families.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling supplies and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and increasing desperation. More than 1 million have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, according to the U.N.

The Israeli military says it is trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gazas north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Those fleeing northern Gaza still faced airstrikes in the south. Before dawn Monday, a strike in the town of Rafah collapsed a building sheltering three families who had evacuated from Gaza City. At least 12 people were killed and nine others remained buried under rubble, survivors said. The strike reduced the house to a vast crater blanketed with wreckage.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the U.N. said.

People grew increasingly desperate in their search for food and water. With taps dry, many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

More than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians, UNRWA. But the agency cant provide them supplies. UNRWA said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life, said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, calling for a lifting of the siege. We need this now.

The few operating bakeries had long snaking lines of people. Ahmad Salah in the city of Deir al-Balah said he waited 10 hours to get a kilo (2 pounds) of bread to feed 20-30 family members.

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave.

UNRWA said 170,000 people were sheltering at its schools in the north when the order to leave came. But it couldnt evacuate them and doesnt know if they remained. More than 40,000 have crowded in and around Gaza Citys al-Shifa Hospital, hoping it will be safe from bombardment.

Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south.

Doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators. The aid group Doctors Without Borders said many of its personnel decided to stay to treat wounded. They ran out of painkillers, and staff reported wounded screaming in pain, it said.

On the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, crowds of Palestinians with dual citizenship waited anxiously, sitting on suitcases or crouched on the floor, some comforting crying infants.

They are supposed to be a developed country, talking about human rights all the time, Shurouq Alkhazendar, whose two children are American citizens, said of the United States. You should protect your citizens first, not leave them all alone suffering.

After increasing cross-border exchanges with Hezbollah in the north, the Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate 28 communities within 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of the Lebanese border.

Israel is ready to operate on two fronts, and even more, said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman.

Hezbollah released video showing snipers shooting out cameras on several Israeli army posts along the border, apparently to prevent Israel from monitoring movements on the Lebanese side.

The US government began evacuating some 2,500 American citizens by ship from the Israeli port city of Haifa to Cyprus. Commercial airlines have largely stopped flying into Israels Ben-Gurion International Airport.
Endefo, the Dubai-based brand specializing in smart wearables, has unveiled its latest line of True Wireless Earbuds (TWS) in the Indian market. This launch follows the successful introduction of their Smartwatches and Speakers in July of this year.

Endefos commitment to offering quality audio solutions at affordable prices is evident with their TWS earbuds. These earbuds cater to a wide range of budgets, starting at just Rs. 899, without compromising on performance.

With a diverse collection of five exceptional models  Enbuds 12, Enbuds 14, Enbuds 20, Enbuds 21, and Enbuds Aura  Endefo aspires to revolutionize the audio experience for Indian consumers.

Enbuds 12 offers:

Advanced Environmental Noise Cancellation

Up to 30 hours of Playback

Intuitive Touch Sensor Controls

Seamless Integration with Voice Assistants

Enbuds 14 offers:

Lightweight and Sleek Design

Up to 30 hours of Playback

Easy-to-Use Touch Controls

Seamlessly Integrated Voice Assistant

Enbuds 20 offers:

Elegant Transparent Design

Environmental Noise Cancellation

Equipped with a Quad Microphone Setup

Up to 40 hours of Playback

Enbuds 21 offers:

Advanced Environmental Noise Cancellation

A Quad Microphone Array for Clear Conversations

Low Latency for Gaming Enthusiasts

Extended Battery Life for Endurance

Enbuds Aura offers:

Feather-Light Design

Designed to Withstand Sweat

Advanced Environmental Noise Cancellation

Uninterrupted 40 hours of Playback

Pricing and Availability

Endefos newly launched True Wireless Earbuds will be available exclusively in more than 2,000 select retail stores across India, and on its own e-commerce platform starting from today, with pricing as follows:

Endefo Enbuds 12: Rs. 999 (MRP Rs. 2,999).

Endefo Enbuds 14: Rs. 899 (MRP Rs. 2,999).

Endefo Enbuds 20: Rs. 1399 (MRP Rs. 4,499).

Endefo Enbuds 21: Rs. 1499 (MRP Rs. 4,999).

Endefo Enbuds Aura: Rs. 899 (MRP Rs. 3,999).

Speaking at the launch, CEO of Endefo, Aneef Tas, said:
Texas main voucher bill seeks to avoid other states mistakes

The Texas Senates main school voucher proposal this special session, which was given approval in the Texas Senate on Thursday, closely resembles two of the biggest such programs in the country.

Like in Arizona and Florida, Senate Bill 1 would create a voucher-like program known as education savings accounts. It would give families access to taxpayer money to pay for their childrens private schooling, be open to most students in the state and prioritize disabled and poor students if there are more applicants than funds available.

In some aspects, the bills architects took notes from those programs mistakes. In an effort to prevent fraud and misuse of funds, which has been a problem in Arizona, the Texas proposal doesnt give parents direct access to the cash and requires the comptrollers office to audit participants accounts.

In other areas, Texas repeated ideas that garnered criticism in other states. Critics across the country point out that private schools receiving state funds through existing voucher programs arent required to show that students are succeeding academically, like public schools are. And like in other states, voucher supporters in Texas say thats by design. Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Republican from Conroe and SB 1s author, has argued that the market will weed out underperforming private schools.

Those voucher programs in other states also sparked vigorous debates, came with the same promises and faced similar concerns, providing a window into the impact they might have in Texas once enacted. The Arizona program, for instance, confirmed critics concerns that it would require increasingly larger amounts of funding as it grew  just like opponents in Texas fear. But it hasnt led to a mass exodus of students from public schools.

Heres how education savings accounts have performed in other states.

Arizona and Florida

Education savings accounts started propping up around 2012 and currently serve more than 90,000 students across the country, according to EdChoice, a nonprofit organization that advocates for these policies.

There are 13 education savings account programs nationwide and 31 states  plus Washington, D.C.  offer some sort of voucher program that allows children to use either taxpayer money or tax-credit donations for private schooling.

To date, Arizona and Florida have the largest and most expansive education savings account programs in the country, where almost any child is eligible.

Arizona  which has set the standard for education savings accounts, according to EdChoice  began with a limited version of the program in 2011 that only served students with disabilities. It expanded this year and opened its doors to virtually every child in the state.

In 12 years, enrollment in the program grew from about 150 students to over 60,000. The Arizona Department of Education believes it would need $900 million by June to cover 100,000 students in the program. What once was a small program is now expected to balloon to nearly $1 billion.

Meanwhile, the states public school funding per student continues to rank at the bottom when compared to the rest of the country.

Carrie Sampson, an assistant professor of educational leadership and innovation at Arizona State University, argued that the money being poured into this program couldve been used to increase funding to the states public schools.

Earlier this year, Floridas education savings accounts were also expanded to include virtually every child. More than 170,000 new students  most already enrolled in private schools  have been admitted to the program, making it the biggest in the country.

Florida launched its program in 2014 focused on students with disabilities. The state launched another education savings accounts program that prioritized low-income families in 2019.

Analysis and data show that this school year about $1.5 billion will be diverted from Florida public schools to private schools as students leave.

Plenty of families have lauded education savings accounts in both states for giving them access to other educational opportunities. But the programs have also attracted criticism for their loose financial oversight and for not requiring private schools to report student test scores or meet the same academic standards as public schools.

Arizona parents have spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on fraudulent and questionable purchases, including buying chicken coops, trampolines and tickets to SeaWorld. The problems stemmed from the practice of sending program funds to participants through debit cards issued by the state, said Tom Horne, the Arizona superintendent of public instruction.

Horne, a Republican, said the program has phased out debit cards in an attempt to curb misuse of funds. Now, parents log on to a website where they can browse through pre-approved vendors and choose the services they need, which allows the state to approve the purchases.

We want the program to be administered totally within the law and the money can only be used for educational purposes so we can prove that its a successful program both for Arizona and for the country, since other people are looking to us as an example, he said.

In Florida, flat screen TVs, paddleboards and entry to Disney are approved educational expenses. Critics there say thats not how taxpayer money should be used; defenders of the program say education has evolved and those can be justified expenses.

Who uses the funds is also a concern for those against education savings accounts. In Arizona, as in Texas, the program was promoted as a way for low-income families who might feel confined within the public education system and want to explore other educational options for their children. But after the program expanded, the Arizona education department found that 75 percent of those in the program were not previously enrolled in public school, meaning they were already home-schooling, enrolled at a private school or had never entered the school system.

The Grand Canyon Institute, a non-partisan think tank, echoed those findings and estimated that 45 percent of applicants were among the wealthiest quartile of students in the state.

Horne admitted that most of the money went to families already at private schools jumping into the program to get financial help from taxpayers. But he projects that the distribution of funds will eventually balance out as more families not in private schools apply.

And while program supporters promote them as a tool to help students with disabilities get a better education, only 17 percent of education savings accounts in Arizona have gone to students with disabilities, according to the Arizona education department.

Arizona does not provide data on demographics or income for those enrolled in the program.

Texas

SB 1 would allow almost all Texas families access to $8,000 of taxpayer money to pay for private schools and other educational expenses such as uniforms, textbooks, tutoring or transportation, among other things.

Texas would become the third largest provider of education savings accounts in the country if the bill is approved with its current eligibility requirements and budget. It could serve nearly 60,000 students.

Educating the next generation of Texans is a fundamental responsibility, and it is my belief that empowering parents with school choice will encourage competition, innovation and ensure that every student in Texas has the opportunity to find an educational path for their unique needs, Creighton said in a statement.

SB 1 seeks to address some of the problems the Arizona and Florida programs have had.

The bill would allocate $500 million from the states general revenue fund for the next two years to pay for the program. The state comptrollers office would establish and administer the savings accounts; be in charge of preventing fraud and misuse of funds; and hire a contractor to help process applications and approve vendors and participating private schools.

In addition, the bill would require the comptroller to compile an annual report that would include how many students are in the program, the number of applications received or waitlisted, feedback from users, public and private school capacity, and how many kids are considered ready for college, the military or a career after graduating in the program.

The legislation would also mirror much of what Florida and Arizona are already doing.

While almost any child is eligible for the program, SB 1 has a prioritization system if applications exceed the funding. To prioritize entry to underprivileged groups, the bill proposes that no more than 40 percent of spots be reserved for students who receive free or reduced lunch; no more than 30 percent for families who earn between 185 percent and 500 percent of the federal poverty line; no more than 20 percent for students with disabilities; and 10 percent for all other applicants who attended public, private or home-school in the last school year.

The prioritization system has garnered criticism though. Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, said the no more than language implies there will be a cap on how much funding goes to underprivileged applicants, instead of prioritizing them.

And like programs in other states, the bill does not require private school students to take a state-administered academic achievement exam, something that school voucher critics in the Texas Legislature have said an education savings account proposal should have to even consider it.

Creighton says that the program will not siphon money away from public schools  a recurring criticism of school voucher programs  as the funding comes from general revenue, not the Foundation School Program, which is the main source of funding for the states K-12 public schools.

But according to the bills financial analysis, school districts are set to receive less money as students sign up for education savings accounts and leave public schools. School districts in Texas receive funding based on student attendance.

Research

School vouchers  a term used to describe government programs like education savings accounts that provide taxpayer money to pay for childrens private schooling  have been a goal of conservative, free-market groups for decades.

Plenty of research has been produced on these programs. Creighton himself has cited research from EdChoice that shows vouchers have a mostly positive impact on student scores.

But research on vouchers is often contentious, with studies ranging in methodologies, sample sizes and demographics. Donors advocating for and against these programs have directly funded their own research.

The Texas Tribune looked at independent research and spoke to experts who have studied voucher programs for decades. For the most part, studies suggest that test scores go down for students in such programs, especially in math. This has been the case in states like Indiana and Louisiana.

Some research from the Journal of Economic Literature suggests that there is a case that, as competition from voucher programs ramped up, test scores in public schools slightly improved. But there isnt enough evidence to suggest vouchers are the main reason for improved outcomes.

Patrick Wolf, a proponent of vouchers and a distinguished professor of education policy at the University of Arkansas, said hes found that test scores among students in voucher programs have been mixed but tend to have a slight positive tilt.

But in 2016, Wolf and his colleagues found that within two years after Louisiana expanded its limited voucher program to all students, there were substantively large negative effects on math scores of students in the program. Louisiana first only offered vouchers to students in low-performing public schools.

Wolf attributed the decline in academic achievement to Louisianas strict regulations on private schools, like requiring them to take a state assessment. In his research, he found that high-quality private schools did not want the state oversight that Louisiana proposed, leading those schools to opt out of the program.

Results depend on policy design and context, Wolf said.

Wolf believes voucher programs work if they start on a small scale and gradually grow and set up systems to avoid misuse of funds as best as possible.

I dont think many states are prepared to implement a universal school choice program instantly from the jump, Wolf said.

Joshua Cowen, an education policy professor at Michigan State University who has studied school choice programs for more than a decade, said test scores for students in voucher programs decrease in part because of low-quality private schools. Some just open to collect tax dollars, he said, and most of the high-quality private schools cost too much money for parents to afford anyway, often leaving them with few viable options.

Theyre not these elite college, prep type environments, Cowen said. These are sub-prime providers.

In Wisconsin, home of the oldest voucher program in the country, a study found that 41 percent of all private voucher schools operating in Milwaukee between 1991 and 2015 closed.

Cowen said Texas lawmakers should stay away from voucher-like programs because he still doesnt believe that there is enough credible data that shows vouchers are good for student test scores.
Is It iPad Updates or New Apple Pencil 3 at Apples October Event? News oi -Kabir Jain

Apple's upcoming product launch event was originally thought to unveil new iPad models, including the base iPad, iPad Mini, and iPad Air. However, new reports have cast doubt on this, suggesting that the third-generation Apple Pencil may be the star of the show.

Although Apple has yet to confirm the specifics of the event, here is what we know so far.

Apple Pencil 3

Japanese blog MacOTAKARA suggests that the Apple Pencil 3 could be the highlight of the event. This iteration is rumored to feature interchangeable magnetic tips, offering users a wide range of options suitable for tasks such as drawing, technical drawing, and digital painting. This significant departure from the second-generation Apple Pencil, introduced in 2018, is noteworthy, as it comes equipped with a non-magnetic tip and limited replacement choices.

The well-known leaker Majin Bu previously released a leak of the rumored Apple Pencil 3. Here is a look:

Based on what my source reported

the new Apple Pencil 3 will come with interchangeable magnetic tips



(for drawing, technical drawing and painting) pic.twitter.com/AXUdpbZFVh  Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) September 30, 2023

Currently, the second-generation Apple Pencil magnetically attaches to select iPad models, including the 2018 and newer iPad Pro, 2020 and newer iPad Air, and the latest iPad mini. On the other hand, the first-generation Apple Pencil, which features a Lightning connector, caters to older iPad models, and speculations abound regarding a potential update to include a USB-C connector.

The Potential iPad Lineup

Although the focus has shifted towards the Apple Pencil, prior leaks suggested a new and improved iPad lineup. These upgrades encompass enhanced performance and user experiences across the board. Here's a summary of what we might expect:

iPad Air with M2 Chip: The existing iPad Air, powered by the robust M1 chip, is rumored to receive an upgrade to the M2 chip. This transition promises substantial performance and efficiency enhancements, further solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the lineup.

iPad Mini with A16 Bionic Chip: The iPad mini is set to undergo a transformation with an upgrade to the A16 Bionic chip. This move aims to address the "jelly scrolling" issue, ensuring smoother and more responsive scrolling, which is great news for users seeking top-notch performance.

Base iPad Upgrade: Even the base model iPad, updated just a year ago, is reportedly in line for improvements. While details regarding the chip for the 11th-generation model remain undisclosed, speculation points to the potential inclusion of the A16 chip, aligning with the enhancements seen in the iPad mini.

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iPhone 15 Sales in China Falter as Huawei Surges: What's Behind the Slide? News oi -Kabir Jain

Apple's flagship device, the iPhone 15, is experiencing a cooler reception in China compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 14, as per recent reports. Data collected by market tracker Counterpoint Research revealed that sales of the iPhone 15 dropped by 4.5% during the first 17 days after its release when compared to the iPhone 14. Meanwhile, Jefferies analysts painted a bleaker picture, estimating a double-digit percentage drop in sales for the iPhone 15 compared to its predecessor.

This decline marks a concerning trend for Apple, especially as it grapples with the weakest smartphone demand in a decade, exacerbated by backlash over overheating models. These figures suggest one of the iPhone's weakest debuts in China since 2018 when local brands like Oppo and Vivo began to captivate Asian consumers.

Factors Impacting iPhone 15 Sales

Counterpoint Research attributes the iPhone's slump in China primarily to an economy struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. On a brighter note, the iPhone 15 likely posted double-digit growth over 2022 sales during its first nine days in the United States, offering some relief for Apple.

However, Apple's iPhone 15 launch in China coincided with the debut of Huawei's Mate 60 Pro, a device celebrated for its advanced made-in-China processor. Huawei's ability to surpass Apple in overall sales in China, propelled by the Mate 60 Pro's success, highlights Apple's growing challenges in the country.

Additionally, the Chinese government expanded its ban on iPhone use to government agencies and state companies around the same time, further impacting Apple's prospects in China.

Huawei's Ascendancy and the Road Ahead for Apple

Analysts remain divided on the long-term implications for Apple in China, the world's largest smartphone market. Many believe that Huawei's growing prominence could erode Apple's dominance in the higher-end segment of the market.

Counterpoint Research estimates that Huawei could sell between 5 to 6 million units of the Mate 60 Pro in China this year, a number expected to reach double digits by 2024. In fact, Huawei has now claimed the top position in the market, surpassing Apple.

Jefferies analysts predict that this trend could lead to Huawei outperforming Apple in 2024. The weak demand for iPhones in China may eventually result in lower global shipment figures than expected.

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Xiaomi HyperOS will replace MIUI in 2024; Expected to debut on the Xiaomi 14 series first News oi -Carlsen Martin

Xiaomi is gearing up to launch a new operating system in China. Xiaomi aims to gradually replace MIUI with what it calls HyperOS. The new HyperOS operating system will first arrive with the Xiaomi 14 series.

Founder and CEO of Xiaomi, Lei Jun confirmed the development of HyperOS through a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). He noted that the new HyperOS would signify a "historic moment" for the brand and that it will make its debut with the Xiaomi 14 series.

Xiaomi HyperOS

Alvin, Xiaomi's global VP also confirmed that its new HyperOS will start replacing MIUI on supported devices through 2024. To recall, Xiaomi's MIUI Android skin has been around for 13 years now. HyperOS has reportedly been in development since 2017 and will aim to carter to a wide range of products including smartphones, smart home devices, and cars.

Super excited to share @miuirom big announcement - the all new Xiaomi HyperOS!



It will come preinstalled w/ the latest Xiaomi 14 flagship series & will gradually replace MIUI. Can't wait for this new era of Hyper Performance, fluidity and connectivity across Smartphones x AIoT! pic.twitter.com/CFGHApjziB  Alvin @Xiaomi (@atytse) October 17, 2023

In a Weibo post, Lei Jun confirmed that HyperOS is "based on the integration of the deeply evolved Android and the self-developed Vela system, completely rewriting the underlying architecture, and preparing a public base for the Internet of Everything for tens of billions of devices and tens of billions of connections in the future."

Xiaomi 14 Series

Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit will take place between October 24 to October 25, where the chipmaker is expected to unveil the next flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. So the Xiaomi 14 series launch will likely take place shortly after the release of the chip. The Xiaomi 14 series is expected to include the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro.

Xiaomi 14 poster



6.44-inch Huaxing C8 OLED display

1.5K 120Hz display

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

4600 mAh battery

90W wired, 50W wireless charging

50MP OIS+50MP+50W Rear

IR blaster

IP68-rated body#Xiaomi #Xiaomi14 #Xiaomi14series pic.twitter.com/2Bz47kYhOF  Theprtech (@theprtech) October 16, 2023

The Xiaomi 14 series is expected to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. The Xiaomi 14 could sport a 6.44-inch C8 OLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel boasts a peak brightness of 2,800 nits as well as HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support.

The Xiaomi 14 Pro, on the other hand, is expected to have a slightly larger 6.6-inch 2K AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. The Xiaomi 14 could pack a 4,600 mAh battery, while the 'Pro' model will use a larger 5,000 mAh battery. The Xiaomi 14 series will feature both wired and wireless fast charging support.

The Xiaomi 14 series will run Android 14 out of the box with HyperOS on top. Both the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro are expected to feature three 50 MP cameras that are fine-tuned in collaboration with Leica. However, there are rumors that the 'Pro' model could feature a fourth rear camera.

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Defence support for assisted-departures for Australians

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Joint media release with:

The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Defence

The Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Government Services

16 October 2023

The Australian Government has safely airlifted 255 people utilising two Royal Australian Air Force flights (a KC-30A and a C-17A Globemaster III) and a Government-supported private charter from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The deployment of the two Defence aircraft, activated under Operation BEECH, follows the commencement of Australian Government assisted-departure flights from Tel Aviv on 13 October, 2023. Including the first flight on October 13, operated by Qantas, more than 400 Australians have now been airlifted from Israel on Government-supported flights.

Subject to factors including the security environment, the Australian Government is planning additional flights departing from Tel Aviv to Dubai today, for Australians wanting to leave. We encourage Australians wanting to leave to take these opportunities.

In addition, we have secured flights for onward travel to Australia for Australians arriving in Dubai.

The situation is highly challenging and rapidly changing. The Australian Government is considering whether further assisted-departure flights are required.

Australians in the affected areas who want to leave need assistance with departure should register via DFAT's Crisis Portal or by calling the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia).

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to provide updates to registered Australians.

Since Thursday, Services Australia has been assisting in the response to this developing crisis, with experienced staff taking consular calls on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Services Australia is also working with DFAT to identify what additional services may be required as the situation evolves over the coming days and weeks to ensure Australians are supported in their time of need, such as a referral avenue to social workers if required.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Richard Marles MP:

"The safety of Australians impacted by this conflict is paramount for the Australian Government." "The activation of two Defence aircraft provides critical options for Australia as the conflict in Israel continues to evolve." "Australian nationals and visa holders who wish to leave Israel should ensure they are registered with DFAT via their crisis portal."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong:

"More than 1,200 Australians previously registered have now left Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including more than 400 Australians and their families on four Australian Government assisted-departure flights." "We continue to consider options to assist Australians who want to leave Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories. "We encourage Australians who want to leave to take the first option available, do not wait for a different option."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services, the Hon. Bill Shorten MP:

"The National Emergency Call Centre staffed by Services Australia plays a critical role in times of crisis." "Since the call centre activated at 2am on Thursday until midnight (AEDST), staff answered 1620 calls from people concerned about the situation in Israel and Gaza, seeking support to return home during this distressing time," Minister Shorten said. "It's important they know the Australian Government is ready to provide assistance, and I know the professional social workers and call centre staff at Services Australia will do everything they can to provide that help."

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

October 16, 2023

Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

The Prime Minister condemned Hamas' brutal terrorist attacks against Israel and reiterated Canada's support for Israel's right to defend itself, in accordance with international law. He stressed that in Gaza, as elsewhere, international law, including humanitarian law, must be upheld by all. He reiterated his support for a two-state solution and for the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, security, with dignity, and without fear.

The two leaders expressed concerns about the complete blockade of Gaza and the worsening conditions for civilians. The Prime Minister and the President agreed on the necessity to deliver humanitarian relief. Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada's call for unimpeded humanitarian access and a humanitarian corridor so that essential aid can be delivered to civilians in Gaza. He noted that Canada is a leading provider of humanitarian and development assistance in the occupied territories and has committed an initial $10 million to help provide essentials like food, water, emergency medical aid, and protection assistance to those affected by the crisis in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel.

Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his appreciation of President el-Sisi's engagement and key diplomatic role in trying to de-escalate the crisis and provide humanitarian access to Gaza. The Prime Minister also thanked the President for his efforts to support Canadians affected by the conflict. Prime Minister Trudeau stated that Canada will continue to work closely with allies and partners in the region, including Egypt, to do everything it can to support affected Canadians departing from Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel as quickly and safely as possible.

The two leaders agreed to remain in contact as the situation evolves.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

October 16, 2023

Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, about the situation in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister unequivocally condemned Hamas' multi-front terrorist attack against Israel. He reiterated Canada's support for the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security, and for a two-state solution.

The two leaders discussed the regional implications of developments since October 7, and the need to avoid escalation in the region. They discussed ongoing efforts to de-escalate and prevent further loss of civilian life. They exchanged views on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and discussed ongoing initiatives to help address the situation.

Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada's call for unimpeded humanitarian access and a humanitarian corridor, so that essential aid like food, fuel, and water can be delivered to civilians in Gaza. He emphasized Canada's ongoing work with its allies and international partners to help people leave Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel as safely and quickly as possible, and reiterated that Canada has announced an initial $10 million for humanitarian support and protection assistance to those affected by the crisis. The Prime Minister stressed that in Gaza, as elsewhere, international law, including humanitarian law, must be upheld by all.

The two leaders reaffirmed their intention to remain in close and regular contact.

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NATO Defence Ministers met in Brussels

Danish Ministry of Defence

16.10.2023

Author: by MoD Defence Policy and Strategy Division

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation shall carry on supporting Ukraine and strengthening its own strategic deterrence potential. It shall also continue its operational engagement in the Western Balkans and the NATO Mission in Iraq and shall flexibly adapt its operation to the ever-changing security environment. All this was agreed by the NATO Defence Ministers during their two-day meeting in Brussels, which unexpectedly also welcomed the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"On behalf of the Czech Republic, I assured the NATO Allies as well as Ukrainian representatives that they can continue relying on our support in the fight against the Russian aggression, which I was able to prove by the fact that the Czech Government approved the mandate for the training of Ukrainian service members in the Czech territory for the next year," said Deputy Defence Minister Daniel Blazkovec, who led the Czech delegation.

The Czech Republic is also among the ten NATO nations that moved towards the shared goal of common procurement of air defence systems. The representatives of these Allied nations signed an agreement in Brussels, which defines the fundamental legal rules for such acquisitions. The objective of this initiative is a project of common air defence called the European Sky Shield Initiative, which is, under German leadership, designed to significantly boost missile and air defence.

This was first defence ministerial session after the NATO Summit in Vilnius, which shortened Ukraine's path into NATO and emphasised investments into defence. During the two-day program, the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers was complemented by a Ukraine Defence Contact Group that associates countries supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression, and the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, where Ukraine was represented by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.

Outside schedule, the meeting was attended by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. President Zelensky was assured that NATO seeks to mobilise a greater military support to Ukraine. "Your fight is also our fight, your security is also our security," Jens Stoltenberg said.

The Defence Ministerial agenda primarily checked on the delivery on the Vilnius Summit taskings in defence. "I was able to present to the NATO Allies the new Defence Strategy authorised by the Government of the Czech Republic," Deputy Minister Blazkovec said. He also notified the participants of the growth of Czech defence spending, which will for the first time reach the NATO minimum benchmark of 2 percent GDP next year.

The agenda included the Western Balkans and the NATO Mission in Iraq. "I particularly accentuated the need to drive down Russia's influence in the region of the Balkans and I also expressed our full support to the NATO Mission in Iraq as it counterbalances the influence of Iran," Deputy Minister Blazkovec highlighted.

Defence Minister of the State of Israel, Yoav Galant, joined the session by videoconference on an extraordinary basis to shortly inform his colleague Ministers about the current situation in his country. NATO Allies unanimously condemned the despicable terrorist acts by Hamas and expressed their support to Israel.

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October 16, 2023

Transcript

Press Gaggle With Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: So, I'm just going to read a few things that I have at the top and then happy to take your questions.

So as you know, on Friday, Secretary Austin visited Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Gallant, as well as the Israeli War Cabinet. Since leaving Israel, he has held calls with MOD Gallant almost on a near daily basis and will likely have another call today. We are working to meet Israel's needs, which include air defense, precision-guided munitions, artillery, and medical supplies. Sorry, let me stop there.

On hostage recovery, as you've heard us say, we're providing planning and intelligence support to Israel, which is in the lead. We do not have -- we do have a small number of personnel in Israel in support of this effort, as augmentation to the embassy staff.

As the President stated, any presence of military personnel will be to advise and consult on hostage recovery efforts. This is the extent of information we have to offer at this time, and I could -- just can't get into more specifics on -- on how many people and any further details on our intelligence sharing.

The department remains focused -- focused on the following -- supporting Israel's defenses, containing the conflict to Gaza and deterring others from entering the battle space, and on U.S. force protection.

And with that, I will -- I will take your questions. Tara?

Q: Thanks. So a couple of questions on the two U.S. Iron Domes. Is the U.S. look -- or is the Pentagon looking at ways to get around some of the legislative hurdles there might be to provide those to Israel? And has Israel asked for them?

And then secondly on the ships, can you give us any sort of sense of what those ships will be doing? Will they provide any sort of air cover for Israel if they're incoming from, say, Hezbollah? Just some sort of idea of what's going on there?

MS. SINGH: Sure. So for -- in terms of the carrier that's in the region right now, you're talking -- referring to the Ford? They're strictly for deterrence purposes.

I don't have more in terms of what other activities they'll be doing, other than just to further deter and to send a -- a -- a pretty clear message into the region that -- I think you heard Secretary Austin speak to this and the President -- that for any other actors considering getting involved in this conflict, don't. So that's the -- the main priority of the carrier being there now.

In terms of what we're providing Israel and what they've requested, I think I read out at the top that, you know, they've requested munitions, air defense capabilities, things like that. I'm not going to get into more specifics other than what the Secretary said, is that they have of course requested more Iron Dome interceptors, but in terms of where those come from, different stockpiles, things like that, I'm just not going to get into more details.

Q: But they haven't requested the two Iron Domes themselves that we have --

MS. SINGH: I'm just not going to get any further than that.

Idrees?

Q: I think it was on Friday that the Defense Secretary said he had not seen a massing of Hezbollah forces on the border with Lebanon.

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: Is there any update? Is that still your assessment?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I don't have any update from what the Secretary said on -- on Friday or Saturday. I can't remember when that was. So yeah, I don't have anything further on that.

Yeah?

Q: So Sabrina, a couple of questions. So the -- probably you saw the reporting from Wall Street Journal today that the -- the Secretary and the Pentagon selected 2,000 U.S. forces to potentially be deployed to play a advisory and maybe medical support role. Can you give us more details on this? Could you confirm the report?

And second, well, in Israeli leadership, very clear that they want to have an incursion yesterday. President Biden said we (inaudible) this (inaudible) could be a mistake but going in and taking out Hamas, that's something the administration supports. Will the -- the carrier group and -- be playing a role in supporting this incursion, in terms of intelligence?

And finally, when the Secretary says, like, he didn't see any massing of forces of Hezbollah on the border, this is the guerrilla force. When was the last time you saw them attack one of tactic by Hezbollah?

MS. SINGH: So there are about 20 questions in there.

Q: Three -- three -- three.

MS. SINGH: Three questions with many parts. Okay, so let me see if I remember.

So on the Wall Street Journal reporting, I don't have more to provide at this time. I might be able to give you more details later, but at this time, I just don't have anything more specific to add to.

On the -- I'm sorry, your second question was on the carrier group and what --

Q: -- like they -- intelligence sharing. In case there's a incursion, will that apply to the -- supporting the forces on the ground -- Israeli forces inside of this (inaudible) with intelligence?

MS. SINGH: Well, I won't get into the specifics of our intelligence sharing but one of the things that I think we've said early on that you're -- that you probably know is part of what the intelligence that we are sharing is for hostage recovery.

So whether that's an incursion, if Israel were to launch a ground incursion in, and part of that would be, you know, of course if they were be -- engaging in hostage recovery, of course we're going to be providing intelligence for them to do so and -- and to help with that. But again, our role is just advise and assist in this right now.

And then your third question -- I'm sorry, I wrote down -- I wrote down incursion and intelligence but maybe that was your second question.

Q: -- yeah, the Secretary said, like, he haven't observed any major movement or massing of forces of Hezbollah. This is a guerrilla force.

MS. SINGH: Yep.

Q: I was wondering if you've ever seen something like this happen, you know, in -- in previous wars?

MS. SINGH: I wouldn't speak to our intelligence on -- on what -- on I guess amassing at the border previously. I'm not aware of, like, size and scale to other incidents. I just don't -- I just don't have that at the top of my head.

Q: -- let me explain my question more --

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: -- what I'm getting at. It seems like that -- that statement was meant to kind of play down any major activities on the border by Hezbollah or readiness to get involved in the war. And so the -- the fact that we didn't see any movement kind of goes into that.

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I don't --

Q: Yeah.

MS. SINGH: -- I don't have any more -- thing to add to that. I mean, Idrees asked this same question. I think that's what you're getting at, and I just don't have more than what the Secretary said.

Q: Okay.

MS. SINGH: Great. Liz?

Q: Does the U.S. have any forces or personnel on the ground assisting with where exactly the military aid is going and just sort of helping to keep track of that?

MS. SINGH: Not in terms of, like, assisting with, like, the -- I mean, we have folks obviously assisting with the delivery of aid of getting to Israel but not folks on the ground, in terms of, like, taking things off our gray tails or -- or any C-17 that might be landing. That's -- the Israeli Defense Forces are doing that.

Q: Okay.

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: And then just a second, separate question, how would you characterize the military personnel sent into Israel after the conflict has begun to help with hostage recovery efforts and -- like, how would you characterize that --

MS. SINGH: So I -- it -- characterize it as an advise and assist role. They are there to help support and provide intelligence to the Israeli Defense Force, when it comes to hostage recovery. I don't have -- I'm -- wouldn't get into more details, other than that, but it is really to advise and assist.

Q: Do you have any picture of, like, how many personnel?

MS. SINGH: No, I won't get into how many personnel are on the ground.

Yeah, Missy?

Q: So just -- just to follow up --

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: -- so -- but the -- you said that that -- that group is specifically working on hostage recovery, not broader military advising, correct?

MS. SINGH: They're there for mainly the hostage recovery --

Q: Okay.

MS. SINGH: -- and advising, assisting in that.

Q: And are they under embassy chief of mission authority as part of, like, the Security Cooperation Office or are they tasked under the military chain of command as part of, like, the carrier group or something else?

MS. SINGH: You know what? That is a great question. I'm going to take that cause I don't -- I don't know that answer off the top of my head.

Q: Okay, thanks.

MS. SINGH: Yeah. Oren?

Q: Just a quick follow-up and another question. Has Israel accepted the offer of planning and intel help with the hostage recovery? Because we know the offer was out there, but wasn't clear whether they had accepted the help of the team there. Have they officially accepted the help? And is there cooperation, or is it the offer is still out there?

MS. SINGH: No, we're -- we're working with them. We're -- our -- our folks that are at the embassy right now are in touch with their IDF counterparts and working on hostage recovery.

Q: And then another question just on -- has -- have U.S. forces in in Syria taken any additional force protection measures? And have you seen any -- any reason to believe there's increased threat from either Shiite militias in Syria or -- or the Iranian Navy in the Gulf?

MS. SINGH: I mean, our forces are always on alert, I think, in the -- in the region, especially given the most recent events that happened in Israel. Cert- -- certainly, there are measures being taken place (sic) that commanders are using at their discretion in terms of directing folks either on base or providing guidance on -- on security measures that they should be taken (sic). But you know, we haven't seen anything new or any changes within Syria or Iraq in the last -- I don't know, from this weekend. But of course, it's at the discretion of the commanders.

Let's see -- Nick. Welcome back.

Q: Thank you, thank you.

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: In our interview on Satur- -- this Saturday morning, which was like an eternity ago, (inaudible) --

MS. SINGH: Yeah. Well, it ran yesterday, so --

Q: Well, Saturday (inaudible).

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: The secretary was unwilling to say that the Israelis have been following the rules of war at that moment. Is that even an assessment that DOD or the U.S. is doing ongoing, whether the Israelis are following the rules of war?

MS. SINGH: Well, I watched your interview twice, so I don't know that he said that exactly. He said that we've been encouraged of what -- in his conversations with Gallant and others when he was on the ground, and then post, when he was, of course, flying back and -- and back in the U.S., is that we've, of course, encouraged Israel to follow the laws of war. That's what strong democracies do. That's what the conversations have been, and I think we've been encouraged by those conversations. But I don't think he -- he's -- the way you framed it. I don't know that he said definitively that they were. (inaudible).

Q: Oh, no, he said -- he was -- he -- he -- he did not say whether or not they were.

MS. SINGH: I think we are --

Q: So that's why I'm wondering if there's --

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: -- even an assessment going on as to whether they are or not.

MS. SINGH: I think right now, we are continuing active conversations with them, of course, consulting with them on any -- or working with them and getting more information on what a ground incursion might look like. But you know, the secretary and -- and others in this administration feel pretty confident in Israel's democracy, and that they would uphold the -- the laws of war.

Q: Okay. And then the other one is --

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: Talking to IDF folks over the last few days, they seem to suggest that the hostage operation, the hostage overall focus is actually more of a diplomatic and intelligence one. Obviously, you know, we are all focused, as you guys have been talking about.

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: But do you understand this to be primarily an IDF and with DOD's help, or is this actually as much, if not more in the category of diplomatic and intelligence?

MS. SINGH: I think it's certainly both. I think you're seeing the secretary of state engage with partners in the region to see what we can do not only to secure safe passage of those that are in Gaza, but also working to see what we can do to secure the release of hostages in Gaza.

The Department of Defense has offered its intelligence services and capabilities to the IDF to help with hostage recovery, so I certainly think it's a combination of both, and it doesn't just stop there, right? This is a full - all levels of government are engaging on this, from the White House on down. And so I think it's a combination.

Q: Meaning it's still possible that it would be a military operation, not just a diplomatic agreement?

MS. SINGH: I don't -- I mean, at this point, I -- I don't think there's one way or the other. I think we'd love to see any type of hostage recovery as a result of diplomatic negotiations. But again, we are working to support the IDF and what they need.

Konstantin?

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Are there any Special Forces assets embarked on the U.- -- on the Ford Carrier Strike Group or on the Eisen- -- Eisenhower Strike Group that's going to join the force?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I just won't get in -- I'm just not going to get into that.

Q: Okay. And then I -- from what I understand, the Bataan and its associated Marine Expeditionary Unit has moved from sort of the Persian Gulf area to the Gulf of Oman area. Is that at all an indication that they're going to chop into the Med as well anytime soon?

MS. SINGH: Right now, I don't have any further comment on that. That is really -- they are being made available in case there is a need. But right now, they are just -- they are just there in the region and will be able support, if needed in any way.

Q: Thank you.

MS. SINGH: Mike, do you have a question?

Q: Yes, I do. Can you confirm whether or not any of the people in Israel now are with JSOC J2, or with Task Force Orange involved in support activity or anybody like that?

MS. SINGH: I cannot.

Q: Okay.

Q: Yeah, can I just follow up on Liz's question? Is there any end-use monitoring of U.S. weapons going on, if guided munitions, for example? Do we know what those are being used to target? Does the United States have that fidelity, or once a weapon is given to the Israelis, are they free to use it as they choose?

MS. SINGH: Well, I mean, very similar to Ukraine. Of course, we monitor and we keep track of the assistance that we're providing. But once it is in the hands of, whether it's the Ukrainians on how they want to deploy on the battlefield, or whether it's in the hands of the Israelis on how they want to use, it's -- it's really their decision. We don't keep track of how and when, like what -- when they use something at what time.

Israel certainly has the right to defend itself. This was the biggest attack on their people since -- I mean, is it -- it -- I mean, you -- you know this, that they've compared this to their 9/11. So they certainly have the right to respond, but you know, the way we do end-use monitoring is we're not keeping track of how one thing is used in -- in a particular spot. We keep track of the flow of assistance that goes in just like we do with Ukraine. So how the Israelis choose to use the supplies capabilities that we give them is really not up to us.

Q: Is -- but do -- do they tell you? I mean, do you have -- does the United States know broadly if they're going to a specific Air Force unit, do you know that, and then that (inaudible) it? Or is it just --

MS. SINGH: I don't -- I'm not going to get into that. I don't -- I don't have more specificity on that.

Yeah?

Q: Just a follow-up.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: There are allegations that the Israeli Army is using white phosphorus bombs on Gaza district. So you said, like, the U.S. is continuing to provide artillery shells and so on to the Israeli Army. Have you ever provide white phosphorous bombs to Israel before and now?

MS. SINGH: I've seen those reports. I just don't have a comment on that. And I think -- I think the spokesperson from the IDF said that they were not using that. So I just -- I don't have any further comment on that.

Q: There are pictures from the battlegrounds shows artillery shells with DOD coding saying (D-500-28 ?). Is that -- does that mean that this is a U.S.-provided shell?

MS. SINGH: I can't verify the authenticity of those photos or what you're referring to, so, yeah.

Anyone else?

Q: It's actually our agency, so it's fresh, like, from --

MS. SINGH: Yup. Still can't verify anything like that.

Q: Sabrina can -- can you give us a verification? Does the Pentagon have any authority to get involved in the war against Hamas, Hezbollah, or any other party if U.S. forces were not attacked?

MS. SINGH: I -- right now, we are, again, trying to maintain this conflict strictly to a very confined region. We do not want to see this escalate into a broader - broader regional war -

(CROSSTALK)

Q: My question is legal, not political.

MS. SINGH: --I am -- I am answering your question. So again, I will say that we're not -- we're not -- we are there in Israel, you're seeing our carrier moving to strengthen our deterrence in the region. We are hoping and we are certainly encouraging any actor who seeks to take advantage of the situation to not do that. And I'm just going to leave it at that.

Q: Can you -- can you take the question from a legal perspective? Does the Pentagon have authority to get involved in this war against Hamas, Hezbollah, or any other party if US forces are not attacked?

(CROSSTALK)

MS. SINGH: Again-- let me -- let me just -- again, this is -- the -- this -- this is absolutely a question that the President would also have to weigh in on to further -- to further engage in any -- in any war. Right now, our goal is to -- is to strictly be in a -- a position to deter, and I'm just going to leave it at that.

Q: Can you please take the question? --

MS. SINGH: Okay -- no. Okay, I'll take one more.

Q: When the Eisenhower strike group gets there, is the Ford going to remain there on station or are they going to rotate back? Do you know?

MS. SINGH: I do not know. A decision has not been made at this time.

Okay, I'm going to wrap it up with -- oh, sure, okay.

Q: Sabrina. You mentioned that the -- you know, how the Israelis choose to use the supplies you're giving was really up to them. The Secretary has said he expects the IDF to do the right thing, they're a professional military. The administration has said they expect the -- the Israelis to abide by the law of war.

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: Can you tell us -- I mean, there's no monitoring of whether or not the Israelis are actually doing that?

MS. SINGH: Again, I will direct you to exactly what the Secretary said -- we expect Israel to uphold the laws of war. We've -- they are a professional army -- or a -- a professional military, a democracy that we hold to a very high standard, and we accept -- expect them to do the same.

Q: And if it's determined by, you know, the UN or rights groups where they say that the -- the Israelis are not doing that, is the department going to look into that?

MS. SINGH: That's a hypothetical that I'm just not going to get into. Thanks.

All right. Thanks, all.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3558907/

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October 16, 2023

By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

Southcom Aims to Create Maintenance Partnerships With South American Nations

U.S. Southern Command has a plan to help partner nations in South America better maintain equipment they've bought from the U.S. through either the foreign military sales or excess defense articles programs.

As part of its Theater Maintenance Partnership Initiative, or TMPI, Southcom will work with South American partner and allied nations to develop maintenance expertise, which runs the gamut from equipment-level maintenance all the way to life-cycle management, said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gabriel Christianson, multinational logistics officer at U.S. Southern Command.

"We are looking to provide a spectrum of support and engagement for our partners and allies," Christianson said. "This is more than just simple maintenance training on end items, although that is a tangible, very important aspect of the program."

At the tactical level where maintainers actually put wrenches to hardware, Christianson said Southcom will work with host and attending countries to both educate and enable. But the aim of TMPI goes further than that.

For more senior military and civilian leaders, a multinational logistics officer's course is expected to provide, among other things, an understanding of the six functions of logistics, NATO codification, lifecycle management and planning at the operational and strategic levels, Christianson said.

"At the strategic level, we will look to support our partners with logistics professionals ... to advise the sustainment professionals within our partner and ally force components, joint commands, and ministry of defense offices to achieve their readiness goals," Christianson said, adding that courses will be available in multiple languages.

The TMPI concept, Christianson said, was developed after partners and allies in Southcom expressed concerns regarding the maintenance challenges they have with their own equipment.

Last week, Southcom Commander Army Gen. Laura Richardson spoke with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C., where she discussed development of the TMPI and its goals.

Richardson said partner nations in South America together operate more than 50 C-130 Hercules aircraft, a cargo plane that's been in operation in the United States and other nations since the mid-1950s.

Not all those C-130 aircraft in Southcom's area of responsibility are maintained to the same standard, however. Because of that, missions that might have happened in Southcom have not happened the way partner nations would have liked, Richardson said.

"[During] the Haiti earthquake a couple of years ago, in 2021, there was some countries that wanted to participate in that recovery effort but couldn't get there," she said. "And we weren't able to fly them ... but they had forces on the ground. They were ready. They had the equipment. They were ready to go, and they couldn't get there."

Through TMPI, aircraft owned by partner nations in the region could all be ready to fly and could all meet modern standards for interoperability  meaning that if any mission from any nation required airlift, anybody could contribute or participate.

"This fits right in line with ... how do we not just have individual countries doing internal things, but how do you bring that forward for the betterment of the hemisphere and partner nations working together," Richardson said.

Christianson said that TMPI's focus will include more than just aircraft like the C-130, however.

"It will not be only the large items like C-130s, but those end items in all domains that we want to ensure remain a prime asset for our partners to utilize," Christianson said. "If a truck isn't running, they can't get to the field. And if it is a U.S. truck, we want to support their efforts to ensure strong maintenance readiness. This goes for boats, helicopters, radios  whatever they have acquired and have a desire to engage with us on. We want this to be a true partnership where we share requirements and provide solutions for the full spectrum of defense articles, from education to depot-level repair in some cases."

The TMPI is expected to have nine "centers of excellence" to help maintainers and leaders in partner nations develop the skills needed to keep equipment they are responsible for operating and ready to participate in missions across Southcom's area of responsibility. Those centers of excellence will be hosted by partner nations in Southcom.

Already, Richardson said, three locations for those centers of excellence have been selected. In Columbia, there will be both an aviation maintenance and electronic maintenance center of excellence. Meanwhile, Jamaica's Caribbean Military Academy will host a multi-domain center of excellence that involves maintenance of not just aircraft, but ground equipment and naval vessels, as well.

"Jamaica [has] a well-respected defense capability in the Jamaican Defence Force and an excellent military school that trains the entire spectrum of their forces from initial entry to officers," Christianson said. "We would like to collaborate with the Caribbean Military Academy in Jamaica over the next several years to invest in facilities and materials to allow them to further their offerings in maintenance of articles in air, sea, and land."

The Colombians, Christianson said, have a center in Tolemaida  just outside the capital city of Bogota  that already trains pilots from multiple nations and also trains some maintainers for the region. He said Southcom would like for the Colombians to expand the capacity of the facility.

"We would like to move their goals a little further down the field and give some additional focus to the production of maintainers but also support their expansion of the Tolemaida depot-level repair facility from strictly a national capability to an organization that has expanded throughput sufficient to support other partners and allies in the region and with expanded capabilities, as well," he said.

Southcom is also working with the Colombians to host a multinational course for logistics officers.

"The multinational course will do for the leaders of tomorrow what the centers of excellence will do for the young solder, sailor or airman: arm them with the education and ideas that will support the complex systems of the future, while building relationships for our western hemisphere family of ally and partner nations," Christianson said.

In addition to facilities in Colombia and Jamaica, Christianson said other nations in Southcom have also expressed interest in hosting maintenance training centers of excellence. The remaining centers of excellence will be rolled out during fiscal year 2026 and 2027.

"Maintenance is hard for the U.S. military," Richardson said. "And if it's hard for us, I know it's hard for everybody else."

Fortunately, she said, there's a lot of competence in Southcom partner nation militaries, and it's expected that TMPI will bring the best of what those nations have to offer to help every partner nation inside Southcom up their maintenance game.

"Being a helicopter pilot, I know what it means to keep all your aircraft when you're in combat," she said. "You want as many that can fly in the air and [are] not broke on the ground. ... The countries are excited about this. Really excited. It'll touch on aviation maintenance, radio maintenance, vehicles, all of it. And I think it can really help in the hemisphere with our countries."

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Ecuador: Statement by HR/VP Josep Borrell on the presidential election

European External Action Service (EEAS)

16.10.2023

Strategic Communications

The European Union congratulates the people of Ecuador for their orderly participation in the second round of Ecuador's presidential elections that took place on Sunday 15 October.

The people of Ecuador's commitment to democracy was notably reflected in the high voter turnout, despite the challenges posed by the overall security situation.

The EU is a long-term partner and will continue to cooperate with Ecuador to support its democratic institutions, strengthen the rule of law, improve the security situation, and promote economic and social development. Our ties have intensified in recent years, as evidenced by the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the margins of the EU-CELAC Summit, and we look forward to further deepening our relations with the new government of Daniel Noboa.



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MILEX23: EU carries out first military live exercise in Cadiz

European External Action Service (EEAS)

16.10.2023

EEAS Press Team

From 16 to 22 October, the EU will carry out its first-ever live exercise from the Rota Naval Base located in Cadiz, Spain. On 17 October, the High Representative will participate in a demonstration of the exercise.

He will hold a press conference at ca. 09:15, which will be broadcast live on EbS. During the visit, High Representative Borrell will be accompanied by the Chair of the EU Military Committee, General Robert Brieger, and the Spanish Chief of Defence, Admiral General Teodoro E. Lopez Calderon.

The same day, High Representative Borrell will address the EU Military Committee at Chiefs of Defence level that will convene in Sevilla.

Approximately 2,800 personnel from Member States will simulate the initial phase of a stabilisation operation, involving the Spanish amphibious assault ship 'Juan Carlos I', leading an amphibious task group comprising 31 units including maritime, air, land, space and cyber assets.

Over the coming week, Member States' armed forces will train their capability to act as a credible global security provider, as underlined in the Strategic Compass. The outline of the exercise will involve the preparation for the operation, an amphibious assault, securing and controlling the Seaport of Debarkation followed by the insertion of land enablers to ensure a safe and secure environment.

Background

The EU is moving at full speed with the implementation of the Strategic Compass at all levels. This includes the first-ever EU live exercise. The LIVEX is a crucial step in the preparation of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC) - a key instrument that will increase the EU's ability to act rapidly and robustly in response to crises by mobilising the necessary Member States' capabilities in a coordinated manner.

The LIVEX also represents the EU's need for common training and exercises of its personnel to test and validate its concepts, procedures and tactics. Similarly, together with future LIVEX, it is a step further to reach full operational capability of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) by 2025, which should become the EU's preferred command and control structure, including for the EU RDC.





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Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Rama and German Chancellor Scholz

European Commission

Statement

16 October 2023

Tirana

Thank you, dear Edi, for the wonderful hospitality and your leadership at this Summit,

Thank you, Olaf, for the excellent cooperation in the preparation, but also during this Summit.

We are here in Tirana, working on bringing the Western Balkans and the European Union closer. But at the same time, the eyes of the world are now on Israel and Palestine, and our minds, too. There can be no justification for Hamas' heinous acts of terror. For the brutal slaughter of 1,400 people in Israel. In the face of this horror, Israel has the right to defend itself, in line with humanitarian and international law. Right now, Palestinians in Gaza are in need of humanitarian help and aid. They cannot pay the price of Hamas' barbarism. This is why the Commission has announced that we will triple humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza to EUR 75 million. We are launching an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge to Gaza through Egypt. The first two flights will start this week. They will bring humanitarian goods to Gaza. And we will keep working with our partners in the region to assess and address the needs on the ground.

Turning now to our work here today. Last year, I said that with Albania at the helm, the Berlin Process would be in good hands. And I was right. So, thank you very much, Edi and Olaf, for the very good exchanges and for a very successful Summit.

But a lot remains to be done. We need to bring our economies even closer, and we need to speed up the reforms for accession. This is why I presented to the leaders our Growth Plan. If implemented, the new Growth Plan has the potential to double the size of the Western Balkan economies still in this decade.

It has four pillars. The first pillar of the Plan is bringing the Western Balkans into the Single Market. We basically open the door of the Single Market in seven key areas for the Western Balkan companies, already now. Just to give you a few examples on customs cooperation, e-commerce, cashless payments, road transport, electricity, roaming - just to name a few.

The second pillar is that the Western Balkans themselves have to complete their Common Regional Market. If they complete their Common Regional Market, this could increase the GDP of the Western Balkans by 10%. So, the Western Balkans also need to open their own markets to their five neighbours and partners.

The third pillar is reforms. If we want to give access to the Western Balkans to the European Single Market, of course, there needs to be a level playing field, the same rules and standards. This means reforms are necessary. And these reforms will also bring the Western Balkans closer to membership. These reforms will also make the Western Balkans even more attractive for European investors and make our respective economies - which is very important - converge. Because today, we have a situation where the Western Balkan economies are at 35% of the EU average. So there is a lot of work to be done to have more convergence of the economies.

Finally, the fourth pillar of the Plan is, if reform efforts are being done, they will be matched by increased EU funding for investment. In other words, we have proposed a EUR 6 billion investment package. This is composed of EUR 2 billion in grants and EUR 4 billion in loans. The same logic applies like to our investment plan NextGenerationEU for the Member States. That is investment and reforms. Funds will be released upon delivery of reforms. So it is conditional. It works very well in the European Union. I am deeply convinced it will work in the Western Balkans, too.

Thank you again. This has been an excellent Summit. We want to move forward, and we want to move faster. Let us seize the moment.

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Chinese citizens in Israel advised to take commercial flights to return home: FM

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Oct 16, 2023 05:09 PM

Commercial flights between China and Israel are still operating, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, advising Chinese citizens to use commercial flights to return home as soon as possible.

We will continue to carefully evaluate the security situations, closely monitor the opening of local air and land routes as well as security conditions, and spare no efforts facilitating Chinese nationals in need, Mao said.

Currently, four Chinese nationals have been confirmed dead, two are missing and six were injured in the Palestine-Israel conflict, according to Mao. China expresses the deepest condolences to the victims and extends the sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured, said Mao.

Relevant Chinese diplomatic institutions are doing everything they can to coordinate efforts to save lives and treat the injured, and make proper arrangements for the deceased. They have been urging relevant parties to do everything needed for the search and rescue of missing Chinese and take every effective step to keep Chinese nationals and institutions safe, Mao noted.

China is willing to maintain communication and coordination with the Arab League and Arab countries and make efforts in helping get the Middle East peace process back on track, Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue said on October 13, when having a group meeting with diplomatic envoys of Arab countries in China and head of the representative office of the Arab League in China.

Zhai is scheduled to visit the Middle East this week. His visit aims to build consensus of the international community, urging relevant parties to cease fire and stop violence, cooling down the situation, creating necessary conditions for a political settlement, Mao said on Monday.

On October 13, Zhai had a phone call with Minister of State of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Khalifa Shaheen Almarar on the Palestine-Israel situation.

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Philippines condemned for serious violation of China's sovereignty in S.China Sea

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Oct 16, 2023 09:25 PM

"Zhongye Island is China's territory. The Philippines has illegally occupied Zhongye Island, which seriously violates China's sovereignty. The Chinese warship's navigation and patrol in waters of Zhongye Island is lawful and legitimate," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, in response to Manila's "unsafe actions" claim against Chinese navy.

Mao's remarks came after Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday claimed that one of its transport vessels, the BRP Benguet (LS-507), issued "consecutive radio challenges" to a Chinese naval vessel for shadowing it while near Zhongye Island on Friday.

BRP Benguet was en route to the station of Siling Jiao - a reef that was illegally occupied by the Philippines - for its "regular rotation and resupply mission" when the tailing occurred on Friday, the Philippine side claimed. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner Jr. reportedly asked China to cease such "dangerous maneuvers and aggressive actions," Philippine News Agency reported.

Zhang Junshe, a senior research fellow at the Naval Research Academy of the PLA, debunked the recent actions by the Philippines, describing them as a typical example of "distorting the truth and shifting blame."

Firstly, the Philippine military claimed that the incident occurred 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Zhongye Island, which is actually located a few nautical miles northeast of China's stationed Zhubi Reef, according to the map. The distance between Zhongy Island and Zhubi Reef is only about 11 nautical miles, but the Philippines deliberately avoided mentioning the fact that it happened in the waters near China's Zhubi Reef, Zhang revealed.

He told the Global Times that the Chinese warship was conducting normal patrols in the waters near Zhubi, while the Philippine warship had ulterior motives.

"This blatantly exposed the Philippines' consistent rhetoric of deliberately creating sensationalism and deceiving international public opinion," Zhang said.

"Since the beginning of this year, the BRP Benguet has repeatedly provoked our normal duty-bound coast guard ships and navy vessels in the waters of the Nansha Islands, especially in August, when it appeared near Zhubi Reef and provoked our coast guard ships," Zhang stated.

The expert said that in view of the Philippines' consistent fabrications and deception of the international community, its statements have become untrustworthy. The most direct evidence was the Philippines' high-profile boasts in late September of "forcibly removing" blocking nets set by the China Coast Guard at Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, which were "completely fabricated and self-directed," Zhang noted.

According to public information, the Chinese navy vessel mentioned by the Philippines is believed to be the Panzhihua frigate, which is a Type 056A frigate weighing approximately 1,400 tons. In contrast, the Philippine navy's landing ship the BRP Benguet is much larger.

Regardless of the quality and performance of the vessels, in the event of a collision, the smaller vessel would inevitably suffer more damage. If we consider the Philippine's claims, tactically speaking, as a small-tonnage PLA vessel responsible for safeguarding national territorial rights, it would only engage in a confrontation with a larger-tonnage vessel if our territorial sovereignty is violated, experts remarked.

The presence of the BRP Benguet near China's Zhubi Reef was undoubtedly another deliberate provocation. In this kind of situation, Chinese vessels patrolling and on alert in the vicinity will inevitably take relevant measures to track, monitor, and even force it away. This was a reasonable, lawful, and professional operation by the well-trained PLA, the experts stressed.

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Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 16, 2023 (18:00)

IDF Press Release

Official IDF Daily Update

16.10.23

IDF

Overview

Senior Hamas operatives like Muetaz Eid, the Commander of the Hamas Southern District of National Security continue to be targeted, as well as hundreds of other military and administrative targets over the last day.

IDF combat engineering forces finished repairing breaches in the security fence. Infantry, ground forces and the Israel Air Force are also securing the area. Over the past day, three terrorist cells were neutralized in southern Israel.

Hamas rocket fire continues to target southern and central Israel

The IDF is continues to prepare for intensified operations in the Gaza Strip

The IDF targeted a number of Hezbollah posts last night after a series of attacks that killed one Israeli civilian and one IDF officer. The IDF is on high alert and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any aggression. Israeli civilians within two kilometers (1.2 miles) are being evacuated to preserve flexibility for a range of responses.

Key Data Points

1,400+ Israelis killed

291 families of fallen soldiers notified

199 abducted Israelis whose families have been notified

6,000+ rockets fired at Israel

Field Notes from Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, IDF Spokesperson to International Media

Ten days into our war on Hamas, and the stories continue to emerge; stories of brutality alongside stories of heroism. With each passing day, the depravity of Hamas' attacks becomes clearer. So does the degree to which these attacks were meticulously planned. Field guides that instruct how to maximize civilian harm, huge arsenals of weapons, maps and even GoPro cameras to document the atrocities from the October 7 assault.

Today, we invited some journalists to view some of the horrific camera footage. It's hard not to look away. But we have an obligation. The world has an obligation.

We also have an obligation to ensure that this never happens again. Over the last 24 hours, the IDF prevented three separate attacks down south. It is clear to me that in each and every case, the terrorists' operational success would mean more civilians murdered.

This is what we are up against. And it's why we continue our strikes on Hamas, with a particular emphasis on the leaders behind these attacks. It is why we are preparing to expand our operation by air, land and sea - to make sure that this cannot happen again.

Our war is not with the residents of Gaza and we're taking measures to mitigate civilian casualties. However, the looming threat of Hamas on the border is not one that we can tolerate. It is not one that anyone could.

Key Links

Pictures of weapons seized during raid (Link)

Overview of six senior Hamas operatives killed in targeted strikes (Link)

Aerial footage of strikes on Hezbollah positions following ongoing attacks (Link)

IDF Chief Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari's daily briefing (Video, Hebrew)

Some of the Hamas weapons found

Arena Overview

IDF Activity in Gaza

Israel continues striking Hamas targets in the Strip based on intelligence reports, and currently continues to press ahead with the fighting.

The IDF is calling on the population of Gaza to evacuate toward the south. Thus far, 600,000 Gazans have been evacuated.

Hamas is preventing Gazans from evacuating, and is hiding behind the local population, embedding itself in residential neighborhoods and jeopardizing the lives of the Gazan population.

The IDF's main mission remains to dismantle Hamas, and is targeting its chief political and militant operatives.

Yesterday, the IDF struck about 250 military targets, primarily in Northern Gaza. Overnight the Israeli Air Force struck dozens of targets overnight including Hamas operatives, operational compounds, military infrastructure, military observation posts, rocket launch sites and more.

In one strike, leveraging ISA and IDF intelligence, the IDF neutralized Muetaz Eid, the Commander of the Hamas Southern District of National Security.

IDF troops neutralized terrorists in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip on three separate occasions. This included one encounter with two terrorists that had anti-tank weapons near Nahal Oz, one encounter with a terrorist near Nir Am and an UAV strike on a terrorist cell identified last night near Kissufim.

IDF engineering work has been completed on breaches in the security fence.

Defense of the region continues to be augmented by tanks, infantry and aerial support.

Abducted civilians and soldiers

As of today, the IDF has updated the families of 199 Israelis that their loved ones were abducted and are currently held hostage in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF is supporting government efforts to return all Israeli hostages, civilian and military alike, to Israel, and considers it a chief priority.

The IDF remains in constant contact with the families of soldiers and civilians abducted and held in Gaza, using both operational and intelligence means to gather more information about the hostages' whereabouts and their condition.

Northern Arena

Over the last 24 hours, Hezbollah has been escalating the situation along the northern border, including targeting Israeli civilian communities and military positions. In one attack on Sunday, an anti-tank missile was fired at the Israeli community of Shtula, killing one civilian and injuring three. In another, an IDF officer was killed by anti-tank fire. In all cases, the IDF responded with both artillery fire towards the sources of fire as well as expanded strikes on Hezbollah positions.

Hezbollah's attacks on Israel are coordinated with Iran.

The Defense Ministry and the IDF are operating to protect Israeli civilians in the area. The IDF continues to respond to attacks against Israel and will assist in the evacuation of Israeli residents who live up to 2 kilometers from Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

28 Israeli communities on the northern border will be evacuated in order to allow the Israeli military to strike and to continue defending Israel against Hezbollah's attacks.

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Found: Hundreds of Materials Collected From Terrorists Illustrate Hamas' Brutal Attack Plan

IDF Press Release

16.10.23

Encrypted phones, operational handbook for Hamas terrorists, operational plans, communication channels and encrypted numbers belonging to Hamas; All exposed in an investigation by the Intelligence Directorate



So far, hundreds of documents and materials have been collected by the Intelligence Directorate and the Yahalom Combat Engineering Unit, including cellular phones, communication equipment, cameras, and dozens of intelligence reports that were widely distributed to the terrorists







Starting Saturday morning, reservist soldiers from Unit 8200 (Elite intelligence unit) assembled a task force in order to investigate, analyze and examine the wide array of items collected from the terrorists. The items, including equipment, documents, phones, and certificates, were examined and destroyed by the Yahalom Unit.



Among the documents collected were detailed attack orders against communities near the Gaza Strip, which illustrate Hamas' plan to carry out a terrorist attack and commit atrocities against both civilians and soldiers.



In addition, a pamphlet and breakdown of the combat doctrine used by the Hamas forces that carried out the terror attack were found. The documents contained coordination actions, stages of attack and code words. One section details the treatment and abduction of civilians of communities near the Gaza Strip.



Soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade 202nd Battalion located the body of a Hamas terrorist within Israel with a detailed plan for a terrorist attack on Kibbutz Alumim, further evidence of Hamas' intent to carry out the horrific terrorist attack against Israeli civilians.

The Intelligence Directorate is leading the investigation of Hamas items gathered during the war. Explosive material is separated from documents and other sensitive materials, which are then transferred for processing by the Document Collection and Technological Gathering Division.



The materials are sorted, catalogued, translated and distributed to the Intelligence Directorate's research, information collection and field units.



The unit responsible for sorting the materials is composed of both active duty and reserve personnel, whose purpose is to extract critical information from items located by the security forces in combat zones. The unit then inputs the information into intelligence databases.



At the beginning of the war, special forces from the Yahalom Unit took part in efforts to identify combat equipment in communities near the Gaza Strip, which were filled with explosive devices, grenades, weapons, mines and more.

The area needed to be declared safe prior to the entry of the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) units. Active service and reserve soldiers of the Yahalom Unit operated in all nearby communities to locate and dispose of explosives.



All items collected in the field are gathered and examined by soldiers from the Yahalom Unit in the field.



The soldiers separated explosive devices and equipment found in the area and handed the materials over to representatives from the Intelligence Directorate in the field, including phones and communication devices. These items were thoroughly handled by bomb disposal experts and were transferred for further examination.



The operational unit of the Combat Engineering Corps operates day and night to protect Israeli civilians and will continue to play a part in the ongoing war effort.



Attached are related pictures: https://idfanc.activetrail.biz/ANC151005694894

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Iran: Any preemptive action by resistance possible in coming hours

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 16, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that resistance leaders will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action it wants in the region, adding that preemptive measures by the resistance front are possible in the coming hours.

Amirabdollahian made the comment on Monday night in a televised interview in which he spoke about the ongoing Israeli war in the Gaza Strip where the civilian population is subjected to relentless airstrikes amid a total blockade and a looming ground invasion by the regime.

The foreign minister referred to his meetings with resistance leaders including Lebanon's Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah over the past several days.

"All possible options and scenarios are there for Hezbollah. Everything has been considered correctly in their calculations and resistance leaders will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in the region. Any preemptive measure is possible in the coming hours," Amirabdollahian said.

He added that the resistance leaders were all of the opinion that they will give a chance to a political solution if any is reached, but "any action is possible" in case that the Zionist regime continues its war crimes against civilians.

He said that the resistance front has the capability of "long-term wars with the enemy", and that the expansion of the ongoing conflict will change the map of the Zionist regime.

The top diplomat also referred to his phone talks with counterparts from some Islamic countries on Monday, saying that they came to the conclusion that "if the limited opportunities that the United Nations has are not used, the possibility of the opening of new fronts against the regime is unavoidable."

Amirabdollahian said that Iran does not support the expansion of the conflict, but it is possible that the country enters the war as no party can remain indifferent with the ongoing situation.

"If we do not defend Gaza today, we should defend our cities tomorrow. Mr. Nasrallah has also said that if they do not take preemptive action, they will have to fight with Zionist forces in Beirut. The issue is that what has happened to the Zionist regime was an earthquake," he said, referring to the operation launched by Palestine's Hamas Resistance Movement against the regime from the Gaza Strip on October 7.

"The Zionist regime collapsed on October 7", Amirabdollahian said, adding that the regime's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the war to Palestinian homes because of his weakness.

Security is an integrated issue, and it is an opportunity for us that the Zionists are stopped from within, he noted.

The Iranian foreign minister also warned that time is running out, and the UN and the international community should find a political solution as soon as possible before things reach "a boiling point".

"Time is running out. They should find a solution within an international framework and should stop Netanyahu before the crisis deepens. They should know that time is running out and should find a political solution before reaching the boiling point."

In his interview, the top Iranian diplomat also warned the United States to stop supporting the Zionist regime in its "crimes against civilians", saying that the US cannot invite parties to exercise restraint and at the same time stands by the "Zionist criminals."

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Iran FM calls for opening humanitarian corridor to send aid to Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 16, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has called for the opening of a humanitarian corridor in the war-hit Gaza Strip where the civilian population is subjected to relentless Israeli airstrikes and a full blockade by the regime.

The top Iranian diplomat said on Monday that the corridor should be opened as soon as possible in order for the civilians in Gaza to receive humanitarian assistance.

He made those comments in a phone conversation with Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, saying that an end to "war crimes against the civilians in Gaza and the humanitarian siege" is the most important issue at the current time.

"The continued war crimes against the civilians and genocide by the Zionist regime have no boundaries. This regime has destroyed a children's hospital in Gaza, using phosphorous bombs and massacred children hospitalized there," Amirabdollahian told his Malaysian counterpart.

Zambry Abdul Kadir, on his part, condemned the killing of women and children, and stressed the need for the people in Gaza to receive food, water, electricity and medicines.

Both ministers announced their readiness to take part in a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Gaza.

Time running out for political solution to Gaza war

The Iranian foreign minister meanwhile discussed the ongoing developments in the Gaza Strip with his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani on the phone on Monday.

Amirabdollahian said that time is running out for a political solution to the conflict in Gaza, warning that "the expansion of the war to other fronts is nearing the stage which is unavoidable."

He said that the "child killer Zionist regime has resorted to murdering children and civilians" because it is unable to counter resistance forces.

The regime's attempts to migrate people from the Gaza Strip is another "crime pursued by Tel Aviv", the Iranian minister said.

Jalil Abbas Jilani said on his part that the OIC member states should cooperate in order to facilitate an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and open connection corridors to the blockaded territory.

He also said that the Israeli regime's move to force people in the northern Gaza Strip to go to southern parts amounts to a war crime and genocide of the Palestinian nation.

The defensive response of the Palestinians should never be regarded as equal as the actions by the Zionist regime, the Pakistani foreign minister said, adding that the Palestinian people have the right to decide their own fate based on international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

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Hezbollah says 'directly' targeted five Zionist military posts

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 16, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese Resistance Movement, Hezbollah, has announced that it "directly" targeted five Zionist military posts, using "appropriate" arms.

In a statement issued on Monday, Hezbollah said that its forces "inflicted losses on the enemy" after they "directly targeted" five military posts of the Zionist regime near Lebanon's border, using "appropriate" weapons.

The Lebanese movement also said that resistance forces had targeted another Zionist military post, destroying a Merkava tank by a guided rocket.

The Israeli military has confirmed that its posts were targeted by Hezbollah, saying that it has responded by firing artillery into southern Lebanon. The regime said that no casualties had been caused by the Hezbollah operation.

Tensions remain high in southern Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel amid the regime's onslaught against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Hezbollah has expressed support for the October 7 unprecedented operation that Palestine's Hamas Resistance group launched against Israel from the Gaza Strip.

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'Resistance front fully prepared to counter Israeli warmongering'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 16, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says resistance is a legitimate defense to end the occupation of Palestine, saying the resistance front is fully prepared to respond to the Zionist regime's warmongering.

"According to our assessment, the resistance is fully prepared to respond to the Zionists' warmongering," Amirabdollahian said in a phone conversation with his Tunisian counterpart, Nabil Ammar, on Monday.

The two diplomats discussed the latest developments in Palestine and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, caused by ten days of incessant Israeli airstrikes and a full siege on the coastal enclave.

"We will continue our efforts to alleviate the humanitarian siege and provide humanitarian assistance, including sending medical and food aid through Egypt," the Iranian foreign minister said.

He expressed hope that an upcoming summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, to which Iran has been invited, would send a strong message in support of the Palestinian people and calling for an end to Israeli atrocities in besieged Gaza.

Ammar, for his part, said Tunisia shared the same position with Iran regarding the Palestinian cause, and stressed the necessity of promptly ending the killing of innocent civilians in Palestine.

"The brutal actions of the Zionist regime do not align with any humane, legal, or historical standards. The organized massacre by this regime is unjustifiable, and the ongoing events in Gaza today undermine the credibility of countries that support this regime's positions," he said.

More than 2,800 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli air strikes on Gaza, and nearly 11,000 others wounded. The strikes have primality targeted residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and mosques.

More than a million Palestinians have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion of Gaza.

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Iran FM says time is running out for political settlement to Palestine developments

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 16, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says the time for finding political solutions for the developments in Palestine is running out.

He made the remarks via social networks, noting that he has conferred with his counterparts from Malaysia, Tunisia and Pakistan today.

Amirabdollahian underlined the need for an immediate stop to the Zionist massacre and war crimes in Gaza, as well as the urgency of speedy dispatch of humanitarian aid to this region.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Palestine, Iran has launched a diplomatic campaign to help end the Zionist crimes against the oppressed people of Gaza.

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Hamas operation first stage of Israeli regime's collapse: IRGC chief

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 16, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has described the Operation Al-Aqsa Storm by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas as the first stage of the impending collapse of the Zionist regime of Israel.

"Today, the Zionist regime has not only suffered defeat, but also been humiliated, and Hamas alone and without relying on any other power, has inflicted a heavy defeat upon them," Major General Hossein Salami said on Monday.

Hamas launched an unprecedented retaliatory attack against the Israeli regime on October 7, firing thousands of rockets towards the Israeli occupied Palestinian territories while also infiltrating Israeli military bases and illegal settlements.

General Salami said that the Operation Al-Aqsa Storm represents the initial stage of the rapid downfall of the fake Zionist regime.

He pointed out that the fake identity of the Zionist regime has now crumbled, leaving behind nothing more than an empty shell.

General Salami emphasized that no efforts by the Zionists will repair the degradation of the Israeli regime, whose arrogance collapsed with Hamas' operation.

The IRGC chief made it clear that bombing civilian buildings is not a sign of strength in any rational sense.

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Resistance will not turn blind eye to Zionist atrocities: Tehran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 16, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran says the Resistance Front will not turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by the Zionist regime against the defenseless Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani warned that the continuation of this "barbaric approach" by the Zionist regime can inflame the situation in the region and spin it out of control.

"The Palestinian nation has the right to defend itself, and the regional resistance will not turn a blind eye to the Zionist crimes," Kanaani said.

He said amid the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip and the brutal attacks of the Zionist regime on civilians, "we are witnessing a historic courage from a zealous nation that has a thousand-year history in the land of Palestine."

The Zionists, stated Kanaani, are faced with the natural reaction of the Palestinian nation against such cruelty and oppression. "Today, the Palestinians are the most oppressed nation in the world," he said.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also highlighted the bitter irony that while Monday marks World Food Day, the Zionists are depriving the oppressed Palestinian children of access to food and water, among other basic needs.

"It is deeply regrettable that those who claim to advocate human rights while pursuing their political goals under this slogan have turned a blind eye to the images coming out of Gaza today," he said.

Kanaani then asked, rhetorically, whether Western countries would form a so-called fact-finding committee in this regard. "Will they try the Zionist regime in international courts?" he added.

"Today, the responsibility of the supporters of the Zionists in these crimes is the same as the forces of this regime."

Support for Palestine

This is the international societies' and governments' responsibility to support Palestine, the spokesman underlined.

And Iran, too, as a committed country which pursues rights of the oppressed worldwide has been following up support for the Palestinians in various areas for years, he added.

The spokesman went on to say that the highest priority is to cease crimes being committed by the Zionists against Gaza, put an end to bombardment of the residential areas and dispatch humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Regional tour of Iran FM

Speaking about the recent regional tour of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the spokesman said it took place in a bid for extending support for the Palestinian people.

As he said, Amirabdollahian visited Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Qatar and met with the officials in the neighboring countries as well as the leaders of the Resistance groups to review ways how to halt the Zionists crimes.

Raisi's phone calls with world countries' officials

Kanaani talked of the recent telephone conversations held between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and a number of world officials to exchange views about the developments in Palestine.

Following the talks, the foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation have decided to meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, within next two days, Kanaani said describing such a meeting as a proper opportunity to draw the attention of the Islamic countries to Palestine.

And, the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its related diplomatic efforts, Kanaani underlined.

Israeli crimes must be documented

Kanaani said that the documentation of the Zionist regimes' war crimes is an obligation that international bodies and non-governmental organizations can play a key role in this respect and that such documentation can be followed up seriously in the near future so that Zionist criminals can be brought to justice at international courts.

So-called normalization of ties with Zionist regime

If certain states were of the opinion that thanks to normalizing relations with the Zionist regime, they would guarantee their own security, they now see that the regime is incapable of maintaining its own safety, the spokesman argued.

The issue, that certain governments pursued or now seek normalization with the Zionist regime, will not affect the Palestinian people's determination to stand against the regime with the aim of liberating their occupied territories and reinstating their lost rights, he added.

Extension of Gaza crisis

Kanaani went on to say that we (the Iranian authorities) are all concerned about the escalation of the crisis in the Gaza Strip and that we continue consulting with various states in this respect; however, we hope that the international community would fulfill its duty at this juncture.

We are of the opinion that occupation is the root cause of the crisis and tension in the West Asia region, and as long as the phenomenon exists and certain countries support it, as a result, tension and insecurity will persist in the region, the Iranian official warned.

The United Nations Security Council can play a key role in dealing with the crisis; thus, they are expected to fulfill their task appropriately, he urged, adding that Iran holds negotiations with Russia and China as permanent members of the Security Council in pursuit of this objective.

Kanaani also censured vain attempts to vilify the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas over the dire situation in Gaza, saying the Palestinian resistance has been fighting on behalf of the Palestinian nation against the Zionist regime.

Blaming the resistance group for the current situation is an attempt to change the places of the oppressor and the oppressed, he maintained.

The spokesman slammed the relentless Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip as a "war crime", citing reports of the repeated use of prohibited weapons as well as the cutting off of water, food and medicine supplies to the territory as examples.

Everything will be possible if the Zionist regime continues such inhumane policies, he warned.

On the possibility of Iran directly entering the war against the Zionist regime, Kanaani said, "We do not attach much importance to such claims. What was done was the action of the Palestinian resistance groups against the Zionists."

"Making such claims is an attempt to divert public attention regarding the US's unconditional support for the Zionist regime against the oppressed Palestinian nation," he added.

He also asserted that the US government must be held to account for the crimes of the Zionist regime, pointing to its sending of an aircraft carrier to regional waters as "nothing but supporting the oppressor."

"We believe any party that supports the Zionist regime bears the same international responsibility and must be held to account before the Palestinian nation."

US involvement in regional events

Asked about the possible military engagement of the United States in the ongoing regional developments, the spokesman said the Islamic Republic believes that the US has now involved in the current war between the Zionist regime of Israel and the Resistance.

The American officials had announced that they would send aircraft carriers to the region, Kanaani said stressing that they did so after dispatching the second aircraft carrier, giving eight billion dollars to the Israeli regime and helping Iron Dome equip its rocket reserves.

Today, the people have gone to the streets in different world countries to support the Palestinians, the spokesman said.

As Kanaani noted, continuation of such crimes against the oppressed Palestinian people will lead to a war against the Zionist regime.

Rafah crossing

Elsewhere, the spokesman referred to Rafah crossing on border between Gaza and Egypt as the only way to send aid to the stricken people in the Strip.

Meanwhile, the Zionists have put pressure to not let the crossing be opened, Kanaani underlined.

The oppressed Palestinians expect the global community to take due measure towards the issue, and this is their right to express such an expectation, he noted.

Iran has held talks with Egypt on the Rafah crossing issue; meanwhile, Cairo says the issue needs the International Committee of the Red Cross involvement, so Iran connected with the ICRC, said the spokesman expressing hope that the Egyptian government would continue its efforts to open the crossing.

The resistance movement repeatedly cautioned the Zionist regime to stop assassinating the Palestinians and storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque, because the holy place is considered their red line, but the regime neglected the warnings, Kanaani said.

The resistance movement expects the international community to put an end to the Zionists' crimes against Palestinian civilians, pave the way for lifting the siege on the oppressed nation, and help open a humanitarian corridor for the transfer of the injured ones, the Foreign Ministry spokesman noted.

We (the Iranian officials) have heard from the resistance groups that they have no problem to continue the fight and they have enough military strength to go ahead in the battlefield, he said, arguing that it is the Zionist regime that extended the battleground to public areas.

According to the diplomat, Iran has shown that it never turns its back on supporting the Palestinian people; so, we have time after time announced our support for the resistance, and this is not a secret issue, because backing Gaza is a humanitarian responsibility.

As to a recent meeting between Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Head of Hamas's Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh, the spokesman mentioned that at the same time when the two officials were meeting in Doha, Qatar, the Zionist regime carried out strikes, which led to a significant number of casualties mostly from one family in three residential complexes in Gaza.

In the mentioned meeting, a Hamas official told the Iranian delegation that he lost more than 10 family members in an Israeli attack, he added.

One Belt One Road initiative

With regard to the One Belt One Road initiative, Kanaani said that Iran has welcomed the initiative and taken steps to this end.

Projects like this are pursued in line with securing both sides' interests, he said, adding that the Islamic Republic advocates the initiative.

Iran has held constructive talks with China on the issue, he added.

Touching on the remarks of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia, he said that what matters to us is peace and stability in Caucasus region.

Resolving disputes through diplomacy could benefit all countries in the region, Kanaani said, terming the regional mechanisms as the only solutions.

On Iran-Iraq talks pertaining to security agreements, the official said that the both sides have had proper talks.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman went on to say that further steps will be taken to implement in this regard.

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Iran Foreign Ministry denies reports on UN mission comment on Gaza war

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 16, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the comment attributed to Iran's mission to the United Nations about potential involvement of the Islamic Republic in the conflict in the Gaza Strip in Palestine is not correct.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Sunday that Iran will remain committed to its support for the Palestinian resistance groups in their fight against the Zionist regime.

"The quote attributed to the Islamic Republic of Iran's mission in New York is a flawed and imprecise narrative and interpretation of certain media and news centers from the answer provided by that representative mission to an inquiry by a media outlet," said Kanaani in response to a question from a journalist.

The spokesman said Iran will always support the resistance against occupation and will back the indispensable and natural rights of the oppressed people of Palestine against the fake Zionist regime.

The comments came hours after the Reuters news agency published a comment from Iran's UN mission suggesting that Iran will leave the resistance groups to fight on their own with the Israeli regime amid a bloody conflict in Gaza.

"Iran's armed forces will not engage, provided that the Israeli apartheid does not dare to attack Iran, its interests, and nationals. The resistance front can defend itself," Iran's mission told Reuters.

More than 2,600 people have been killed and around 10,000 have been injured in nearly nine days of Israeli attack on Gaza.

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Turkish, Iranian presidents discuss latest developments in Gaza over phone

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 16 October 2023 / 17:43

Tehran (ISNA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on Monday discussed the ongoing conflict between Zionist regime and Palestine, increasing tension in the region and the steps to be taken for de-escalation.

In a phone call, Erdogan said that ending the conflicts as soon as possible is important for regional and global peace, Turkiye's Communications Directorate said on X.

Erdogan also told Raisi that Turkiye is making "intensive efforts" in order for the humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza, it said.

He stressed that steps that increase tension should be avoided and that positive steps to be taken mutually on the Israel-Palestine issue could bring about a permanent solution.

Ten days into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people - almost half the total population of Gaza - having been displaced, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, according to Anadolu Agency.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out, as civilians flee to the south following Israeli warning to evacuate northern areas.

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated a surprise attack named Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza has risen to 2,750, including 750 children.

In Israel, 1,300 have been killed.

End Item



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Time for political solutions running out: Iranian FM

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 16 October 2023 / 17:10

Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held separate phone conversations with his counterparts from Tunisia, Malaysia and Pakistan, discussing the current developments in the occupied territories.

Amir-Abdollahian wrote in a post on the messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, "Today, I discussed with my counterparts from Tunisia, Malaysia and Pakistan on the phone".

He said that they stressed need to immediately stop the killings and war crimes of the Zionists in Gaza and to send humanitarian aid to this region.

During the phone conversations, Amir-Abdollahian warned that the time for political solutions is running out and the possible expansion of the war on other fronts is approaching the inevitable stage.

End Item



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Iran FM calls for China to use its capacities to stop Zionist regime's attacks on people of Gaza

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 16 October 2023 / 09:16

Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yee on the phone.

Amir-Abdollahian referred to the brutal crimes of the Zionist regime against the people of Gaza, saying the situation is highly critical in the region and the top priority now is to put an end to the Zionist regime's crimes and attacks on women, children and civilians in the territory.

He also spoke about the shocking death toll and the high number of injuries as a result of attacks by the Zionist regime on homes and residential buildings and even medical centers of Gaza as well as Tel Aviv's use of banned weapons including reports of dropping phosphorous bombs, the human siege and the cutting of water, electricity and fuel to Gaza.

Amri-Abdollahian said such crimes are gross examples of war crimes and mass killing of people of Gaza.

Pointing to his regional tour and his meetings with the high-ranking officials of countries and leaders of some resistance groups in the region, the foreign minister of Iran said the situation is highly dangerous and worrying and things could spiral out of control any moment.

Amir-Abdollahian added that if the Zionists do not stop their crimes and criminal attacks on the people of Gaza, no one can guarantee that the war will not spread across the region.

Amir-Abdollahian reminded the UN Security Council of its responsibility regarding international peace and security, calling for China to use its capacities to stop the Zionist regime's attacks on the people of Gaza.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yee, for his part, voiced concern over the critical situation in Gaza.

He said the international community must push back against attacks on civilians and the Security Council must also assume its responsibility in this regard and play its inherent role.

Wang described the collective punishment of the people of Gaza as unacceptable and underlined the necessity of creating a humanitarian corridor there.

End Item

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Telephone conversations with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad, President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Today, Vladimir Putin had telephone conversations with President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas and President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

October 16, 2023

18:20

During the discussions, the focus was on the rapidly escalating Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The parties expressed deep concern about the massive escalation of hostilities that have led to a catastrophic increase in civilian casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. They unanimously agreed on the need to immediately cease fire and to establish a humanitarian truce in order to provide urgent help to those in need.

The Russian President listened to the views and assessments provided by his counterparts who highlighted the severity of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need to lift the blockade in order to fast-track the delivery of medications, food and other essential supplies. Serious concerns were voiced about the possibility of the conflict evolving into a regional war.

In response, Vladimir Putin emphasised the unacceptability of using any form of violence against civilians and conveyed Russia's deep sympathy for all those affected and the families and friends of the people who have died in the hostilities and noted Russia's readiness to provide humanitarian aid. The Russian side reaffirmed its commitment to coordinating efforts with all constructively-minded partners with an eye towards bringing the hostilities to an end and stabilising the situation. This aligns with Russia's submission to the UN Security Council of a draft resolution calling for an immediate, balanced and non-politicised ceasefire.

The parties agreed that the current unprecedented escalation is rooted in the prolonged stagnation in the Middle East peace process. In this context, Vladimir Putin reiterated his principled stance in favour of restarting the political process to achieve a lasting and fair resolution to the Palestinian issue on an established international legal basis which would provide for the creation of an independent Palestinian state coexisting in peace and security with Israel.

In a conversation with the President of Egypt, the issues related to facilitating the evacuation of Russian and CIS citizens from the Gaza Strip by Egypt were also touched upon.

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The President, together with EU leaders, strongly condemned Hamas attacks

President of the Republic of Lithuania

October 16, 2023

President Gitanas Nauseda, along with the leaders of the European Union member states, issued a joint statement condemning in the strongest possible terms Hamas and its brutal attacks across Israel.

In their joint statement, the leaders of the 27 EU member states emphasized Israel's right to defend itself under humanitarian and international law in the face of violent and indiscriminate attacks by Hamas.

The EU leaders called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any preconditions. They underscored the importance of the provision of urgent humanitarian aid and reiterated their readiness to continue supporting those civilians most in need in Gaza in coordination with partners, ensuring that such assistance is not abused by terrorist organizations.

The President of Lithuania and EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution and underlined the need to engage with the legitimate Palestinian authorities as well as regional and international partners.

Read the full text here.

The President's Communication Group

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Poland's parliamentary elections were competitive but marked by misuse of public resources and public media bias, international observers say

WARSAW 16 October 2023

WARSAW, 16 October 2023 -- Poland's parliamentary elections were characterized by record high voter participation with a wide choice of political options and candidates able to campaign freely, but the campaign was tarnished by notable overlap between the ruling party's messages and government information campaigns. Together with distorted and openly partisan coverage by the public broadcaster, this provided a clear advantage to the ruling party, undermining the democratic separation of state and party, international observers said in a statement today.

Yesterday's elections took place in a highly polarised atmosphere and were regarded by many as critical to Poland's democratic future. The joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), found that the legal framework provided a sufficient basis to hold democratic elections. While recent legal amendments incorporated some previous recommendations made by ODIHR, their adoption occurred shortly before the elections and without meaningful public consultation.

"This Sunday's parliamentary elections, while offering Polish voters different political alternatives, took place in a complex and polarized political environment," said Special Co-ordinator Pia Kauma. "This translated into a campaign dominated by a highly confrontational tone, with regular use of inflammatory rhetoric and personal attacks against the main party leaders."

Over 29 million voters were registered for yesterday's elections, including over 600,000 who applied to vote abroad. The national election commission prepared for the elections efficiently and despite some questions being raised about their impartiality, generally enjoyed public trust. All sessions were closed to the public, resulting in a lack of transparency in their decision-making process. Election day itself was calm, and the process was efficient and well organized in the polling stations visited by observers. However, the secrecy of the vote was frequently compromised by overcrowding, voting booths not being spacious enough to conceal large ballots, and voters marking ballots outside the booths. While concerns about independence of the judiciary remain, the handling of election-related cases by the Supreme Court was transparent and supported greater observer participation.

"We witnessed a polarized campaign environment where heightened rhetoric, recent changes to the legal electoral framework and serious concerns over the judicial system undermined citizens' trust in the institutions," said Azadeh Rojhan, alternate head of the PACE delegation. "Nevertheless, the historic high turnout demonstrated the commitment of citizens to upholding democracy in Poland."

While freedoms of association and assembly were respected in a pluralistic campaign, it was marred by the misuse of state resources. The overlap between the ruling party's campaign messages and government information campaigns as well as state-controlled companies and their foundations, including on the referendum, gave a further significant advantage to the ruling party. In addition, the lack of detailed campaign finance reporting ahead of election day as well as ineffective regulation for the referendum had a negative impact on the accountability of political party and campaign finance.

The run-up to the election remained peaceful overall. However, the campaign was highly confrontational and often negative, with candidates repeatedly using intolerant, misogynistic and discriminatory language, including anti-migrant narratives from some parties that were at times xenophobic. Personal verbal attacks against the main party leaders were widespread.

"While the elections in Poland were competitive, we noted the erosion of checks and balances to gain further control over state institutions by the governing party, including the courts and the public media," said OSCE PA head of delegation Pere Joan Pons. "This tilted the playing field, which meant the opposition did not have fully equal opportunities."

While Poland's media landscape is diverse, the purchase of most regional daily newspapers and many other regional media outlets by a state-controlled energy company, attempts to limit foreign media ownership, and protracted license renewal processes indicate increasing political control by the government. The observer mission found that while public television gave free airtime to all contestants, its political coverage clearly promoted the ruling party and its policies and at the same time demonstrated open hostility towards the opposition. Most monitored private media adopted a critical editorial line against the ruling party, while some clearly favoured the opposition.

"Equality, inclusiveness and transparency are key to good election administration and vital for an election to fully meet democratic standards," said Douglas Wake, head of the ODIHR limited election observation mission. "But while Poland's election administration performed efficiently, transparency was regrettably limited. More troublingly, we observed that the ruling party and its candidates gained a clear advantage from the misuse of state resources, undermining the separation between state and party."

The international election observation mission to the Polish parliamentary elections totalled 154 observers from 44 countries, consisting of 33 ODIHR-deployed experts and long-term observers, 94 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA, and 27 from PACE.

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Dispatch of Humanitarian Assistance to Gaza

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In the wake of indiscriminate Israeli aggression and siege of the Gaza Strip, the already oppressed people of densely-populated Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

In view of the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza, the Government of Pakistan has decided to immediately dispatch humanitarian relief assistance to Gaza, to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian brothers and sisters. The Government is coordinating with the Government of Egypt, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, relevant UN agencies, and Pakistan Missions abroad to finalize modalities of delivery.

Islamabad

16 October 2023

196/2023

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Israeli missile strike targets Syria's Aleppo airport again

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:09, October 16, 2023

DAMASCUS, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The international airport in Syria's northern province of Aleppo was hit by an Israeli missile strike on Saturday night, causing damage to the recently repaired runway, Syrian state TV reported.

The attack is the second hit to the Aleppo airport within three days following the Israeli strike on the airports in the capital Damascus and Aleppo on Thursday.

According to Bassem Mansour, the head of the Syrian Civil Aviation, the strike has temporarily halted airport operations, as it again caused damage to the runway.

The airport had resumed service earlier in the day after repairs were made following the previous attack.

The repeated strikes came amid escalating tensions in the region as Israel and Hamas are engaged in fierce conflict.

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Hamas denies temporary ceasefire with Israel in Gaza

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 17:10, October 16, 2023

GAZA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Monday denied reports that it had agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip.

There are media reports saying a five-hour ceasefire would take place in Gaza to allow Egypt to send humanitarian aid to the coastal enclave.

According to the reports, under the ceasefire, the Rafah border crossing -- the only crossing point between Gaza and Egypt -- would be reopened to allow the entry of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the evacuation of foreigners from the conflict zone.

"We were not informed from any parties that the ceasefire would take place in Gaza in the upcoming hours," Salama Maarouf, head of the Hamas-run government media office in Gaza, said in a statement.

The Xinhua correspondent in Rafah confirmed that the border point remains closed, with no signs of reopening any time soon.

Israeli Prime Minister's Office also denied reaching any agreement on a ceasefire or humanitarian aid in Gaza for the evacuation of foreigners.

Israel escalated its attacks on Gaza during the past hours, killing and wounding dozens.

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Roundup: Israeli army says preparing strike on Gaza from "air, sea and land"

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:08, October 16, 2023

JERUSALEM, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday toured southern Israel, where the surprise Hamas attack took place a week ago, encouraging troops to get "prepared for what is coming," according to his office.

The spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Daniel Hagari also said the forces are preparing to expand the attack, suggesting a ground operation on the Gaza Strip.

A statement released by the military said "The IDF forces are currently preparing to implement a wide range of operational offensive plans, which can include combined and coordinated attack from the air, sea and land."

Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel continued on Saturday, with tens of rockets being intercepted by Israeli air-defense systems, while the IDF continued to pound Gaza with airstrikes and issued a second warning to Gaza residents, urging them to evacuate to the southern part of the coastal enclave. The army allowed safe passage on two major routes in the Gaza Strip for several hours and resumed massive airstrikes afterward.

Israel's mass evacuation order was met with rejection from several countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, as well as regional and international organizations, including the Arab League, United Nations and the WHO.

According to the IDF, its aircraft targeted and killed Ali Qadi, a commander of the Hamas commando force believed to be behind the surprise attack on southern Israel exactly a week ago.

Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi admitted in a press conference that Israel made a mistake in not foreseeing the attack. He also warned that Hamas will "no longer be the sovereign, or in control" of the Gaza Strip after Israel's military operation.

About 150 to 200 hostages are believed to be held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hanegbi said, confirming no active negotiation efforts are underway with Hamas.

In northern Israel, the IDF and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have been exchanging missiles and artillery shellings since Sunday, raising fears of a second front in the war.

The Israel-Hamas conflict, as it entered the eighth day, has pushed the Palestinian death toll to 2,215, with 8,714 injuries, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Israeli fatalities since Oct. 7 had reached 1,300, while nearly 3,400 were injured, Israeli media reported on Friday, citing official sources.

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ASEAN Leaders Endorse Post-2025 Vision; High-Level Task Force Proceeds with ASEAN Strategic Plans

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

JAKARTA 16 October 2023 -- Following the ASEAN Leaders' endorsement of the draft ASEAN Community Vision 2045 at the 43rd ASEAN Summit on 5 September 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia, the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community's Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV), at the 11th HLTF-ACV Meeting on 10-11 October 2023 in Jakarta, agreed to fast-track the development of the Strategic Plans of the ASEAN Community Pillars as well as a Strategic Plan on Connectivity.

The HLTF-ACV adopted the Philippines' proposal to name the attendant documents of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 (ACV2045) "Strategic Plans", and adopted the format proposed by the Philippines to reflect the strategic and visionary character of the document. Formerly called ASEAN Community Blueprints, the Strategic Plans 2025-2045 will serve as a guide for ASEAN in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Taking into consideration the lessons learned in the creation and the on-going implementation of the ASEAN Community Blueprints, the Philippines highlighted the significance of monitoring and evaluation, and cross-pillar coordination in the development and implementation of the Strategic Plans.

"One glaring observation common to all the Blueprints is addressing the issue of coordination across all pillars and sectors. How do we ensure cross-pillar and cross-sectoral coordination in our Strategic Plans?", said Ambassador Buensuceso. She then suggested ways to address these gaps, including built-in coordination mechanisms.

The Strategic Plans will identify specific goals, objectives, action plans, and performance measures, among others. The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans take into account megatrends and challenges, such as climate change, digital transformation, and major power rivalries, among others, that will confront ASEAN in the coming years. It will be adopted by the Leaders in 2025. END

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Amid war on Gaza, Colombia says Israel's ambassador must 'apologize and leave'

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 7:06 PM

Colombia has said Israel's ambassador must leave the country after President Gustavo Petro censured the regime for crimes against the Palestinians of the besieged Gaza Strip.

Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva said on Monday that Gali Dagan should "at a minimum, apologize and leave" after he criticized President Petro's remarks.

The foreign minister took to social media to slam the "rudeness" of Israel's response to Petro. "Shame," he posted online.

The Israeli regime on Sunday said Colombia's Ambassador Margarita Manjarrez had been summoned over President Petro's statements, in which he likened Israelis to "Nazis" due to their brutality in Gaza.

"If we have to suspend foreign relations with Israel, we will suspend them. We do not support genocides," Petro said.

"The president of Colombia will not be insulted," he said after Israel decided to cut arms exports to Colombia over Petro's "hostile and anti-Semitic statements."

Since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, Petro has voiced solidarity with the Palestinians in numerous comments on X.

Petro has said Israel must cease its systematic attacks on civilians and genocide, urging the European Union to abide by international law and condemn the crimes of Israel.

Petro has also vowed that Colombia will send humanitarian aid to Gaza.

On October 7, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm deep into the territories occupied by the Israeli regime in reaction to the recurring desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds as well as intensified Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians of the occupied West Bank.

Israel has so far killed more than 2,800 Palestinians in Gaza.

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Iran ready to send aid to Gaza, cooperate with all countries to end Israel's atrocities, Raeisi tells Erdogan

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 4:34 PM

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Tehran is ready to cooperate with all countries to dispatch humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza and use diplomatic capacities to stop Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people there.

Raeisi made the remark in a phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday amid the Israeli regime's ongoing deadly war against the Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip.

He warned against the spillover of the ongoing developments in Gaza to other parts of the region should Israel refrain from ending its criminal attacks in the strip.

He added that Israel's savage attacks once again proved that it is a "racist and anti-human regime" and commits every crime to achieve its own goals.

He once again condemned Israel's heinous crimes against the oppressed people of Gaza, urging the Muslim world to confront the regime's criminal acts and make efforts to end the barbaric attacks on the defenseless women and children in the Strip.

Stressing that every minute and second matter in stopping Israel's brutal attacks on Gaza, Raeisi said, "The Muslim nations and the oppressed Palestinian people expect the Muslim world to use all its capacities to stop the usurping regime's crimes."

He urged the Muslim world to put an end to Israel's genocide and crime against humanity, lift the siege of Gaza and deliver basic items to the people in the tiny sliver.

The Iranian president also stressed the importance of strengthening convergence among the Muslim, neighboring and regional countries and using the capacity of agreements on regional cooperation such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to end the Zionists' oppression.

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm on October 7, penetrating deep into the territories occupied by the Israeli regime, by carrying out large-scale air, land, and sea strikes.

The group said the operation was a reaction to the recurring desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds as well as intensified Israeli atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Israel responded with intensive airstrikes on civilian targets in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 2808 Palestinians in Gaza and wounding some 10,859 others, according to the territory's health ministry.

The regime has also intensified the siege of Gaza, leaving the city, home to more than 2.3 million Palestinians, without water, electricity, fuel and internet.

For his part, Erdogan also expressed concern over the developments in Gaza and the relentless bombing of residential areas and civilians living in the besieged area.

He said Turkey condemns Israel's savage acts against Palestinians and is making efforts to help the people of Gaza.

He slammed the presence of US warships in the region and the bombing of the Aleppo and Damascus airports in Syria which he warned would spread the conflict to other parts of the region.

Erdogan said establishing a ceasefire, stopping the attacks and lifting the blockade imposed on Gaza are among important and fundamental priorities to control the situation at the current sensitive juncture.

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Al-Aqsa Storm marks 'initial step' towards Israel's early collapse: IRGC chief

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 3:56 PM

The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has lauded the ongoing anti-Israel operation by the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance groups as the initial step toawrds the occupying regime's early collapse.

Major General Hossein Salami made the remarks on Monday as he described Hamas-led Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the Israeli regime on October 7 as an event that exposed the illegal entity to a "political and security earthquake."

Stressing that the war on the besieged Gaza Strip was "the first stage in the early collapse of the fake Zionist regime," Salami said Operation al-Aqsa Storm had a tactical aspect in terms of geography but its sphere of influence spanned all across the globe.

"Today, as acknowledged by everyone, the Zionist regime has not only suffered defeat but also been humiliated, and Hamas, single-handedly and without reliance on any other power, has inflicted a major defeat on them," the IRGC chief added.

Salami underlined that the occupying regime would not be able to recover from such a humiliating defeat despite its desperate attempts.

"No matter what the Zionists do in the future, the regime cannot recover from such humiliation," he said, adding, "Israel's delusion of grandeur collapsed with the operation by Hamas and its powerless reality was revealed to everyone."

Stressing that the bombing of residential buildings is not a sign of power and defies any logic, Salami said, "Today, the fake identity of the Zionist regime has fallen apart and nothing else is left of it but a hollow shell."

In an interview with the Qatar-based Al Jazeera network on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned that the Islamic Republic would not be a bystander if the Israeli occupying regime pressed ahead with its savagery against the Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Expressing optimism about political efforts aimed at ending the conflict, the top Iranian diplomat, however, warned that the continuation of Israeli aggression against Gaza would expand the war fronts across the entire region.

"We hope that political efforts will prevent the war from expanding, otherwise no one knows what will happen in the next hour; Iran cannot remain as a spectator to this situation," Amir-Abdollahian added.

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm last Saturday, penetrating deep into the territories occupied by the Israeli regime, by carrying out large-scale air, land, and sea strikes.

The group said the operation was a reaction to the recurring desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds as well as intensified Israeli atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Israel responded with intensive airstrikes on civilian targets in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 2,808 Palestinians in Gaza and wounding some 10,859 others, according to the territory's health ministry.

The regime has also intensified the siege of Gaza, leaving the city, home to more than 2.3 million Palestinians, without water, electricity, fuel and internet.

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Gaza death toll rises to 2,808 as Israel ramps up attacks on besieged territory

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 3:23 PM

The death toll from more than nine days of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in Palestine has reached over 2,800 as the Tel Aviv regime keeps bombing the defenseless civilian population in the besieged territory.

Health authorities in Gaza said on Monday that at least 2,808 Palestinians had been killed and some 10,859 others had been wounded since the Israeli regime launched its campaign of airstrikes and shelling against people in Gaza on October 7.

Figures provided by the media government office in Gaza said that women and children had accounted for nearly 64% of the fatalities from Israeli attacks on Gaza.

The figures showed that some 254 Palestinians had been killed in Gaza in the past 24 hours.

Israeli assaults on Gaza, a besieged territory on the Mediterranean which is home to 2.3 million people, began after the Gaza-based resistance movement Hamas launched multi-pronged attacks on settlers and military forces in the Israeli-occupied territories of Palestine.

The Hamas operation against the Israelis, dubbed the Al- Asqa Storm, came amid growing violence against the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and after Israeli extremists desecrated al-Asqa Mosque in the occupied city of al-Quds on multiple occasions.

Estimates show that more than 1,400 Israelis, many of them military forces, were killed in the unprecedented operation launched by Hamas against Israel.

Meanwhile, reports on Monday suggested that there was no change in Israeli regime's plans to launch a major ground offensive into Gaza despite warnings by governments and experts that the move could cause the conflict to spiral out of control and would result in more deaths among the Palestinians.

The plans come as Israel has maintained a crippling blockade against Gaza by cutting food, water and electricity supplies to people living there.

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US, West 'blind support' for Israel root cause of genocide in Gaza: Iran's president tells Putin

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 3:14 PM

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the "blind support" of Western countries, particularly the United States, for Israel has given the Zionists an incentive to intensify their crimes and continue genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

"The grave catastrophe that is taking place in the region is the result of the policies of the US and other Western supporters of the Zionist regime, which are doomed to failure," Raeisi said in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

He hailed Russia's positive stance in condemning Israel's war crimes and genocide in Gaza and warned against the possible spillover of the war to other parts of the region.

"Given the current developments happening in Gaza, there is a possibility of the expansion of the scope of war and conflict to other fronts. In such a case, it will be more difficult to control the situation," the Iranian president said.

Raeisi called on all countries and international circles, including Russia, as one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to play a more effective role in stopping the Israeli regime's war crimes in the besieged strip.

He explained that the Israeli regime has resorted to genocide and crimes against the defenseless civilians in Gaza in order to compensate for its ignominious defeats.

He emphasized that widespread bombardment and the use of heavy and unconventional weapons and equipment against residential areas as well as forcing a large population to flee their homes are definitely among the clear examples of crimes against humanity.

He said the Israeli regime's leaders are trying to link the cause of the recent events to external issues, however, the ongoing incidents are rooted in the 75 years of oppression, crime, apartheid, and massacre of Palestinian people as well as desecration of sanctities.

The Iranian president emphasized that putting an immediate end to Israel's attacks and lifting the blockade of Gaza should be the priority of all the efforts pertaining to the Palestinian issue.

He noted that the common stance of Iran and Russia on the Palestinian issue can prepare a suitable ground for bilateral consultation and efforts aimed at establishing and promoting peace and stability in the region.

Iran has repeatedly announced that support for Palestine is among the priorities of the Islamic Republic's foreign policy "but the resistance groups are independent in making decisions," Raeisi added.

On October 7, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm deep into the territories occupied by the Israeli regime. The operation involved large-scale air, land, and sea strikes.

At least 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 others wounded as the Israeli regime presses ahead with its bombing campaign against residential neighborhoods in the besieged Gaza Strip.

During the retaliatory operations by Palestinian resistance groups, more than 1,885 Zionists were killed and above 3,800 injured.

For his part, Putin said that Russia shares the same analysis with Iran regarding the causes of the current crisis in Gaza and said there is no justification for Israel's extensive attacks on a dense area with more than two million defenseless residents.

The Russian president urged the Israeli regime to urgently stop its aggression, warning a ground operation in Gaza would be costly and would have very heavy military and humanitarian repercussions.

Russia is worried about the spread of the current conflict in Gaza to other areas, he added.



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Anything possible if Israel insists on committing crimes against Gazans, Iran warns

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 11:25 AM

Iran has warned of the adverse consequences of the Israeli regime's inhumane actions against Palestinians in light of its atrocious military campaign against the besieged Gaza Strip.

Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said the Gaza-based resistance groups are fighting the occupying Tel Aviv regime on behalf of the entire Palestinian nation.

He criticized the distorted narrative of the Western mainstream media regarding what is happening against the defenseless people of Gaza, saying they seek to exonerate the oppressors and change their place with that of the oppressed.

"Resistance is the [undeniable] right of the Palestinian nation. The Zionist regime has lost the battle, and the latest developments clearly show its resounding defeat in the face of the Palestinian resistance front. In order to make up for the defeat, the regime has employed all means at its disposal against Palestinians," Kan'ani said.

The senior Iranian diplomat also described the Israeli actions in Gaza as a war crime, pointing to Israel's repeated use of internationally-banned weapons against civilians in the enclave as well as its decision to cut off water, food and medicine supplies to the area.

"The world public opinion has awakened. We are witnessing that various nations are significantly throwing their support behind the Palestinian nation. Iran has repeatedly emphasized that the prolongation of the status quo could agitate the atmosphere in the region," Kan'ani said.

He continued, "If such an inhumane policy persists, all options are possible. The resistance [front] in the region will not close its eyes to the Zionists' crimes. The continuation of these conditions can endanger regional peace. It is everyone's responsibility worldwide to confront the actions of the Zionists."

Kan'ani also argued that Operation al-Aqsa Storm launched by the Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movements was purely indigenous in nature, roundly dismissing baseless US media claims about Iran's possible involvement as part of attempts to stop the world public opinion from challenging Washington's unconditional support for Israeli atrocities against Palestinians.

"The dispatch of [US] naval fleet to the region can be best explained as support for injustice. Any party which supports the Zionist regime bears the same level of responsibility, and has to be held accountable before the Palestinian nation," the Iranian diplomat said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kan'ani lashed out at certain Arab states over the "unacceptable" normalization of diplomatic ties with Israel, stressing that "Normalization with the Zionist regime will not guarantee security for any party in the region. Those who once deemed that normalization could stop the Zionists' crimes have now realized that they were mistaken."

"If they thought they could provide their own security [through normalization], they are now witnessing that the Zionist regime is unable to ensure its own security. The Palestinian nation has demonstrated that it possesses the willpower and prowess to confront the Zionist regime and will not hesitate to take any necessary action."

"Operation al-Aqsa Storm pulled the plug on normalization of relations with the Zionists," Kan'ani underscored.

The spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry also said the Palestinian nation has the right to defend itself, terming the ongoing anti-Israeli operation as a natural response to the regime's crimes and provocative measures against the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied al-Quds as well as Palestinian prisoners.

Kan'ani also said the bloody scenes coming out of Gaza have exposed the hypocrisy and insincerity of the so-called advocates of human rights more than ever.

The Iranian diplomat finally described the Israeli occupation as the "main cause of crises" in the West Asia region, stating that Palestinians view resistance as their natural right.

Palestinian resistance groups have clearly declared their readiness for a long-term battle against the Israeli military, Kan'ani said.





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'Genocides are not supported': Colombia president condemns Israeli crimes in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 11:25 AM

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has slammed Israel for committing crimes in the besieged Gaza Strip, saying "genocides are never supported."

"If we have to suspend foreign relations with Israel, we will suspend them. We do not support genocides," Petro said on Sunday.

"The president of Colombia will not be insulted," he stressed after Israel decided to cut arms exports to Colombia over "hostile and anti-Semitic statements" by Petro.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat on Sunday said Colombia's ambassador Margarita Manjarrez was also summoned over Petro's statements in which he likened Israelis to "Nazis" due to their brutal aggression and complete siege of Gaza.

Since the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza on October 7, Petro has voiced his solidarity with the Palestinians in numerous comments on X, formerly Twitter.

Petro has said Israel must cease its systematic attacks on civilians and genocide, urging the European Union to abide by international law and condemn Israeli crimes.

That came as the EU has expressed its support for Israel in its aggression on Palestinians in Gaza, sparking widespread criticism.

Petro also stressed that the basic needs of life must be protected in Gaza, vowing to send humanitarian aid to the besieged strip.

Venezuela to send humanitarian aid to Gaza

In a post published on X on Sunday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also condemned the "indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population by Israel, causing thousands of deaths and injuries."

He said the Israeli aggression crossed "the line of respect for international humanitarian law."

Maduro also noted that he told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a phone call on Sunday that Caracas would send more than 30 tones of humanitarian aid in the next few days.

According to his remarks, the two presidents agreed on the need for the establishment of a humanitarian aid corridor to help Gazans.

On October 7, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm deep into the territories occupied by the Israeli regime in reaction to the recurring desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds as well as intensified Israeli atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Israel responded with intensive air strikes on civilian targets in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 2,700 Palestinians in Gaza and wounding some 10,000 others, according to the territory's health ministry.

The regime has also intensified the siege of Gaza, leaving the city, home to more than 2.3 million Palestinians, without water, electricity, fuel, and internet.

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Award ceremony for short video competition about China-Laos Railway held in Laos

Xinhua) 15:45, October 17, 2023

VIENTIANE, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The award ceremony of a short video competition themed "My story with China-Laos Railway", aimed at celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, was held in Lao capital Vientiane.

The award ceremony, held on Monday, was organized by the Chinese embassy in Laos, together with Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC), and the China Cultural Center in Laos.

The ceremony was attended by Wang Chang, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Laos, and Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Vansy Kuamua.

The competition focused on the stories of Lao people with the China-Laos Railway, attracting many people to participate enthusiastically. Since the beginning of the competition, nearly 100 short videos have been submitted, and finally, the committee selected 21 winning entries and broadcasted part of them at the award ceremony.

The winning videos showed that the China-Laos Railway has helped the development of Laos, created benefits for local people, changed the face of socio-economic development, and turned the dreams of the people along the railway corridor into reality.

In remarks at the ceremony, Wang Chang said the China-Laos Railway is a landmark project showcasing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and friendship between China and Laos.

The competition aimed to encourage Lao society to care more about supporting the railway and warm up for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, he said.

He added that China is willing to work with Laos to thoroughly implement the strategic consensus reached by the top leaders.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Israel will be gone soon as victory belongs to Palestinians: Leader's adviser

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 10:00 AM

The Israeli regime will be gone soon and the Palestinian nation will be victorious in the final battle to liberate Palestine, says a senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

"This is a definite principle," Ali Akbar Velayati added in a Monday meeting with Khaled al-Qaddoumi, the Hamas representative in Iran amid the Israeli war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

He hailed the recent achievements made by the Palestinian resistance, saying that Hamas is moving ahead on the right path toward winning a final victory.

Velayati, who is also the secretary general of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening, said the ongoing Hamas' large-scale operation against the occupation, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, was a major step that shocked the enemies.

He emphasized that Iran stands by the oppressed Palestinian people and would continue its spiritual support.

The Leader's aide also encouraged Hamas fighters to move ahead with all their might, saying the Muslim world is strongly supporting them in the war against the Israeli regime.

Qaddoumi, for his part, praised Iran's stance in support of the Palestinian cause, saying that as emphasized by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Palestinians must reinforce their unity to obtain their goal and defeat the criminal Israeli regime.

He said the recent unprecedented achievements made by the Palestinian people proved that the Israeli regime is in decline and that Palestinians will liberate al-Quds.

On October 7, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm deep into the territories occupied by the Israeli regime. The operation involved large-scale air, land, and sea strikes.

At least 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 others wounded as the Israeli regime presses ahead with its bombing campaign against residential neighborhoods in the besieged Gaza Strip.

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Exit poll shows Poland's right-wing ruling party set to lose power

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 8:05 AM

Exit poll shows that Poland's Law and Justice (PiS) ruling party have won the most votes for a single party in Sunday's parliamentary elections, but failed to secure a majority that will enable it to stay in power for a third term.

The Ipsos exit poll gave PiS 36.8% of the vote, which means the party won 200 seats in the 460-seat Sejm or lower house of parliament, falling short of the 231 seats needed for a majority.

Meanwhile, it suggested that opposition parties, led by the liberal Civic Coalition (KO), together obtained 248 seats, with the KO scoring 31.6%.

"Democracy has won ... This is the end of the PiS government," KO leader Donald Tusk, 66, a former European Council president, told party members on Sunday evening.

Partial official results are scheduled to be published on Monday.

If the outcome is confirmed by official results, Tusk's KO has a better chance of forming a coalition, ending eight years of nationalist rule.

Commenting on the exit poll conducted by Ipsos, PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said his party's result was a great success, but admitted he did not know whether that "will be able to be turned into another term in power."

"We have to have hope that regardless of whether we are in power or in opposition, our project will continue ... We will not let Poland lose ... the right to decide its own fate," Kaczynski told officials gathered at the party's headquarters in central Warsaw on Sunday evening.

The predictions came amid reportedly mounting discontent in the former Soviet bloc country over democratic erosion and concerns over women's rights and the cost of living. PiS denies eroding democratic standards.

The results have reportedly delighted Brussels as the three opposition parties, Tusk's Civic Coalition, Third Way, and the New Left, have vowed to restore good ties with the European Union, bucking a trend of right parties getting closer to power all over Europe.

The head of the electoral commission said the turnout in Sunday's general elections was probably the highest since the fall of communism in 1989.

Poles also voted for the upper house, the Senate, and took part in four referendums on Sunday.

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Raeisi strongly condemns silence of certain countries on Israeli heinous crimes in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 5:56 AM

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Israel's shameless move to force the people of Gaza to flee their homes runs counter to all international laws and humanitarian principles.

Addressing a cabinet session on Sunday evening, Raeisi strongly condemned the silence of certain countries and international organizations in the face of Israel's unprecedented and heinous crimes against the oppressed and defenseless people of Palestine

Those who keep silent in the face of Israel's crimes must be held accountable for their actions and face the judgment of history, he added.

He reiterated the Islamic Republic's unwavering and definite policy of supporting the people of Palestine.

The Iranian president warned that wasting any second to stop Israel's bombardment of residential areas in Gaza and to help people access basic commodities would lead to harmful consequences.

He also called on all countries to fulfill their responsibilities vis-a-vis the ongoing situation in Gaza, where the Israeli occupying regime presses ahead with its brutal attacks against civilians.

On October 7, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm deep into the territories occupied by the Israeli regime. The operation involved large-scale air, land, and sea strikes.

The group said the operation was a reaction to the recurring desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds as well as intensified Israeli atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Israel responded with intensive air strikes on civilian targets in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 2,670 Palestinians in Gaza and wounding some 10,000 others, according to the territory's health ministry.

The regime has also intensified the siege of Gaza, leaving the city, home to more than 2.3 million Palestinians, without water, electricity, fuel and internet.

According to reports, Israel also destroyed some 135,000 houses and residential units in Gaza since the beginning of its savage attacks.

In a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier on Sunday, Raeisi said Israel's actions against Palestinians echo the crimes perpetrated by the Nazis during the Second World War, warning that the dimensions of the war will broaden if the Israeli regime persists with its attacks.

"If the Zionist regime seeks to pay for its defeat through the continuation of these crimes [against Palestinians], the dimensions of the developments will expand," the Iranian president said.

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Iran will always remain supportive of resistance: Foreign Ministry

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 October 2023 12:40 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry has reasserted the Islamic Republic's unwavering support for the regional resistance axis amid the Israeli regime's ongoing hugely deadly war against the Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip.

"The Islamic Republic has always been and will always be supportive of the resistance and against the occupation," spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said on Sunday.

Tehran, he added, would also continue to remain in favor of "the oppressed and resistant people of Palestine's obvious and natural rights against the bogus and usurping Israeli regime."

The comments came after the Israeli regime called up an unprecedented 300,000 reservists, declaring a "long" war on Gaza in response to Operation al-Aqsa Storm. The operation was launched by the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movements last Saturday in response to the occupying regime's decades-long campaign of bloodshed and destruction against Palestinians.

As many as 2,670 people have been so far killed and nearly 10,000 others injured since the regime launched its bloody aggression against the coastal territory.

Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned that the Islamic Republic would not be a bystander if the occupying regime pressed ahead with its savagery against the Palestinian people.

Speaking to the Qatar-based Al Jazeera network, the top diplomat said, "If the Zionist entity decides to enter Gaza, the resistance leaders will turn it into a cemetery for its soldiers."

Continuation of the Israeli aggression against Gaza would expand the war fronts across the whole region, he added.

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China says Israel's war in Gaza goes 'beyond self-defense'

Foreign minister calls on Israel to end the 'collective punishment' of Palestinian civilians.

By Lee Wing Tim for RFA Cantonese 2023.10.16 -- China's foreign minister has said Israel's military action in Gaza in the wake of attacks by Hamas militants "goes beyond self-defense" and called for an end to the "collective punishment" of Palestinians as Beijing said it would send an envoy to try to ease the crisis.

"China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Israel's strategy has gone beyond self-defense - and it must cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza," Beijing's international broadcaster CGTN reported on Sunday.

"In a phone call with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Wang said all parties should refrain from actions that escalate the situation, and return to the negotiating table as soon as possible," the report said.

Meanwhile, China will send special envoy Zhai Jun to the Middle East this week in a bid to build international consensus, "cool down the situation and create necessary conditions for political settlement," a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Wang had earlier called in a news conference on Saturday for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for Israel to open up channels for humanitarian aid and the rescue of Palestinian civilians trapped in the enclave.

Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinian, have died since Oct. 7, after Palestinian Hamas militants entered and bombarded Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip enclave, where 2 million people live.

"The first [priority] is to stop the fighting as soon as possible, prevent it from spreading endlessly and avoid further deterioration of the situation," Wang told a joint news conference with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at the weekend.

"Second, it is imperative to observe the international humanitarian law, make every effort to ensure the safety of civilians, open up a humanitarian rescue and assistance passage as quickly as possible, and prevent a severe humanitarian disaster," Wang said.

Aerial bombardment

Israeli forces kept up their bombardment of Gaza on Monday after diplomatic attempts at brokering a ceasefire allowing foreign nationals to leave and humanitarian aid to enter the Hamas-run territory broke down.

Overnight air strikes were the heaviest yet as the conflict entered its 10th day, with many buildings flattened and yet more people trapped under rubble, Gaza residents told Reuters, while Israeli officials have also issued multiple warnings of Hamas rocket fire into Israel.

Wang, who also called for an international peace conference brokered by the United Nations, said on Saturday that China backs a two-state solution with an independent Palestine, which he said would also contribute to "lasting security" for Israel.

He called for an immediate cease-fire and the resumption of peace talks "as soon as possible."

Wang described the question of Palestine as "a wound that keeps being torn open," blaming "a long delay in realizing the dream of an independent state of Palestine and the failure to redress the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people."

"Israel has the right to statehood, so does Palestine," Wang said. "The Israelis can safeguard their survival, but who will care about the survival of the Palestinians?"

"The Jewish nation is no longer homeless in the world, but when will the Palestinian nation return to its home?" Wang said. "There is no shortage of injustices in the world, but the injustice to Palestine has dragged on for over half a century."

Blinken calls on China

Wang's comments came after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on China, a partner of Iran, to use its influence to push for calm in the Middle East, amid fears that violence will spread.

Blinken had a "productive" one-hour telephone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Saturday.

"He thought it could be useful if China could use its influence," Miller told reporters on Blinken's plane from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi.

China's official statements on the conflict have not specifically named Hamas in their condemnations of violence, leading to criticism from some Western officials who said they were too weak, Reuters reported.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed on Monday that four Chinese nationals have been killed in the latest Israel-Palestinian conflict, with two missing and six injured.

"Relevant Chinese diplomatic institutions are doing everything they can to coordinate efforts to save lives and treat the injured, and make proper arrangements for the deceased," Mao said.

"They have been urging relevant parties to do everything needed for the search and rescue of missing Chinese and take every effective step to keep Chinese nationals and institutions safe," she said, adding that commercial flights between China and Israel are still in operation.

"We advise local Chinese nationals to fly back to China on commercial flights as soon as possible," Mao said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

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Global water crisis imperils $58 trillion & food security

The Mekong Delta, one of the most endangered regions, is 'sinking' and 'shrinking.'

Subel Rai Bhandari for RFA 2023.10.16 -- The global water crisis poses a significant threat, endangering approximately US$58 trillion - roughly 60% of global GDP - in annual economic value, food security, and sustainability, an environmental group said in its inaugural assessment of the economic value of water and freshwater ecosystems.

Direct economic benefits, such as water consumption for households, irrigated agriculture and industries, amount to a minimum of $7.5 trillion annually, the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) said in its new report, "The High Cost of Cheap Water," released Monday.

However, the unseen ecosystem benefits - which include water purification, sediment delivery, soil health enhancement, biodiversity conservation, carbon storage and the protection of communities from extreme floods and droughts - are seven times higher at around $50 trillion annually, WWF estimated.

That figure is equivalent to 60% of 2021 global GDP.

The groupIt said the continuous degradation of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and aquifers threatens their economic value and irreplaceable role in sustaining human and planetary health while jeopardizing climate resilience in the 21st century.

More than two-thirds of the world's large rivers are no longer free-flowing, and one-third of wetlands have been lost since 1970, according to a 2021 report by the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands.

Freshwater wildlife populations have, on average, dropped by 83%.

Consequently, half of the world's population is currently exposed to water scarcity at least once per month, while 55 million people are affected by droughts annually, the United Nations has said.

"We need to remember that water doesn't come from a tap - it comes from nature," said Stuart Orr, WWF's global freshwater lead.

"Water for all depends on healthy freshwater ecosystems, which are also the foundation of food security, biodiversity hotspots and the best buffer and insurance against intensifying climate impacts."

"Reversing the loss of freshwater ecosystems will pave the way to a more resilient, nature-positive and sustainable future for all."

The WWF report said that agriculture is the dominant consumer of water resources, responsible for nearly 70% of global water extraction.

The Mekong Delta is sinking and shrinking

The Mekong Delta, one of the world's largest and most fertile deltas in Vietnam, faces an existential threat from rampant sand mining and dam construction, WWF said in its report.

Spanning 41,000 square kilometers (15,830 square miles), the Delta is a linchpin of Southeast Asia's economy and international trade, contributing to almost one-quarter of global freshwater fish catches.

Favored by nutrient-rich sediment deposits and regular river flooding, the region has become an agricultural powerhouse responsible for producing nearly half of Vietnam's rice, accounting for 95% of its rice exports.

Additionally, WWF said that the Mekong River, boasting the world's second-highest fish biodiversity after the Amazon, contributes nearly a quarter of global freshwater fish catches.

However, the group said the degradation of freshwater ecosystems - often linked to over-extraction of water for agriculture - is increasing the pressure on irrigated agriculture in many areas.

It added that demand for sand, primarily for construction and landfills, has soared to hundreds of millions of tons annually.

"As a result, the Mekong Delta has been sinking and shrinking," causing detrimental consequences for the communities that rely on it, global rice production, and biodiversity, WWF explained.

According to researchers, sand extraction exceeds natural sediment deposition, alters river dynamics, diminishes water quality, and increases erosion along riverbanks and coastlines.

The situation has worsened with the construction of 11 mainstream dams in the Mekong, which could prevent up to 94% of river sediment from reaching the Delta, WWF said, adding that such activities pose a dire threat to biodiversity and fisheries in the region.

Annually, over 600 hectares (1,482 acres) of riverside and coastal land vanish due to erosion, while 1,808 homes in the Delta were lost between 2018 and 2020.

Furthermore, the shrinking of the Delta exacerbates saltwater intrusion, disrupting ecological balances, freshwater supplies, and agricultural yields, jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions.

Climate change intensifies these problems, bringing erratic rainfall patterns, more frequent and severe storms, and rising sea levels.

The Mekong Delta's economic and ecological importance makes these threats regional and global threats that demand immediate attention and action, WWF said.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

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Afghan Women Demand The Release Of Activists From Taliban Detention

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi October 16, 2023

In separate protests in Afghanistan and Germany, Afghan women rights activists have demanded the Taliban release two activists detained last month under unknown circumstances.

Nearly a dozen women activists in the northeastern province of Takhar on October 15 called on the Taliban to release women's rights activists Neda Parwani and Zholya Parsi, whose detention on September 19 prompted a rebuke of the Taliban rulers by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for a spate of "arbitrary arrests and detentions."

"We demand their release and [call on the international community] to recognize [the Taliban's policies toward women] as gender apartheid," said Parisa Mubarez, one of the activists in Takhar.

In addition to Parwani and Parsi's arrests, reports suggest the Taliban has also detained Parsi's son and husband.

They are among the hundreds of Afghan women detained by the Taliban since it returned to power in the wake of the final withdrawal of the U.S.-led international troops in August 2021.

Since then, the hard-line Islamist group has banned women from education, employment, and public life with few exceptions. These policies are rooted in the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Women opposing or protesting the Taliban's restrictive policies have faced its wrath.

"There is no information about whether these detained activists have access to health care and legal services," Monse Mubarez, another of the women's rights activists, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi on October 15.

"We are more worried about Zholya because even the place of her detention is unknown," she added.

Meanwhile, a hunger strike by Tamana Zaryab Paryani and other Afghan activists entered its 17th day in the German city of Cologne.

The group on October 15 also demanded the release of Afghan activists and pleaded with the international community to declare the Taliban's policies as gender apartheid.

"As a last resort, we are fighting through this sit-in protest," said Zarmina Paryani, a sister of Tamana Zaryab Paryani. "This is a fight against the silence of human rights organizations."

Paryani launched a similar protest last month, which garnered some support from activists.

In the past two years, the Taliban has detained hundreds of women's rights activists, human rights campaigners, academics, and journalists.

In addition to Parwani and Zholya, the Taliban is currently holding journalist Morteza Behbodhi, Rasul Parsi, an academic, and education activist Matiullah Wesa.

On September 29, UNAMA expressed concern over the arrests and detentions of other individuals for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and opinion.

"Ongoing arrests and detentions of individuals simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and opinion is deeply troubling and contrary to Afghanistan's international human rights obligations," UNAMA said.

Written by Abubakar Siddique based on reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Azadi

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-women-demand-release- activists-taliban/32639622.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Sandu Says Diversification Means Russia Can't Blackmail Moldova Over Gas

By Rikard Jozwiak October 16, 2023

Moldovan President Maia Sandu says steps taken by her country -- one of Europe's poorest -- to diversify its gas supplies means Russia can no longer "blackmail" Chisinau "as it used to."

Speaking to RFE/RL at its headquarters in Prague on October 16, Sandu said Moldova's move to access gas through purchases on the open market and not directly from Russian energy giant Gazprom has given independence it previously didn't have.

"We don't buy Russian gas from Gazprom. We buy gas on the market, which means that Russia cannot blackmail us as it used to blackmail before, like a year ago, when every time they would not like the policies of the government in Moldova, they would just come back and say, 'We cut gas supplies,'" Sandu said.

Moldova used to buy Russian natural gas, but in October 2022 Gazprom decided to reduce the volumes of natural gas delivered to Chisinau even though it was in violation of its contract.

The former Soviet republic in September proposed paying $8.6 million to settle the debt that Gazprom says is more than $700 million.

But an audit showed there was no documentation for some of the debt and another portion of the debt was considered expired because it had accumulated over a long time while not being periodically reconfirmed by Gazprom. The audit also found the Moldovan government can demand compensation for Gazprom's decision in October 2022 to reduce the volumes of natural gas delivered to Moldova in violation of its contract.

Currently Gazprom provides gas supplies only to Moldova's Russian-backed breakaway Transdniester region, Moldovan authorities have said, with none going to central authorities in Chisinau.

But the Russian gas is being delivered to Transdniester via Ukraine, and the contract that provides for the transit of gas from Russia through the territory of Ukraine expires in 2024.

At the same time, Sandu said Moldova also buys electricity from a power plant in Transdniester, so Moldovans shouldn't be at risk of freezing in the winter if gas supplies to Transdniester are halted.

"Moldova is in a much better situation today compared to the previous two winters. First, because we have managed to make some stocks of gas. And second, we do believe that we are going to have electricity supply this winter," she said.

Wedged between Ukraine, Romania, and the Black Sea, Moldova has often found itself in the center of a struggle for influence between Moscow and the West.

The situation has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, especially with the Kremlin-backed breakaway region of Transdniester on its eastern border. Russia keeps more than 1,000 troops in Transdniester as "peacekeepers."

Sandu said Moldova has a connection to other European electricity markets, though that route goes through Ukraine, and is building a direct high-voltage connection line with Romania to ensure electricity supplies.

"Every time Russia drops bombs on the electricity network of Ukraine, we have problems. So that's why we need to have a direct connection, and we're working on it," Sandu said, adding the Romanian link would be ready in 2025.

Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022 and was granted candidate status in June 2022.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-sandu- gas-russia-blackmail-interview/32639572.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Wider Europe Briefing: Armenia's Pivot To The EU

By Rikard Jozwiak October 16, 2023

Brief #1: What Now For EU-Armenia Relations?

What You Need To Know: On October 18, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian will address the full plenary of the European Parliament. It comes just a month after Azerbaijan's military carried out an offensive that overwhelmed breakaway ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku now controls territory that has been under ethnic Armenian rule for decades, forcing up to 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee Karabakh for Armenia.

It also comes at a time when the European Union is getting increasingly engaged in a diplomatic settlement between Baku and Yerevan -- while pondering what its relations with Armenia might look like in the future. In the coming weeks, European Council President Charles Michel is expected to host Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels for talks.

For Brussels, it is important to get this peace process started, after the failure of the trio to meet in the Spanish city of Granada on October 5, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Aliyev backed out, reportedly after his request that Turkey participate in the talks to counter France's supposed pro-Armenian bias was denied. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stayed away from Spain altogether, focusing on the congress of his Justice and Development Party that took place a couple of days later. Despite the snag, Michel remains an acceptable interlocutor to both sides and, for the EU and the United States, the ultimate goal would be to have some sort of peace treaty, preferably by the end of the year.

Deep Background: EU leaders, officials, and diplomats are now wondering what to with Armenia, especially as Pashinian made it clear that he wants closer ties with Brussels. In a statement issued after the Granada meeting on behalf of the Armenian leader, Macron, Michel, and Scholz, they "expressed their support to the strengthening of EU-Armenia relations, in all its dimensions, based on the needs of the Republic of Armenia."

EU officials have told me on background that the European Commission, the bloc's top executive body, now has an "internal reflection exercise" ahead of it on how to best help Armenia. Brussels has already provided 10.5 million euros ($11 million) in immediate humanitarian support and will soon provide another 15 million euros to help support the Armenian government.

There has also been talk among EU officials of setting up some sort of macro-financial assistance to Yerevan with regular payment cycles, similar to what Brussels has done to aid Moldova and Ukraine. But what Armenia also needs is security, with Yerevan fearing that Azerbaijan might make more military advances in the future. Earlier this year, the EU began an unarmed monitoring mission in Armenia, along parts of the border with Azerbaijan, and while more people could be added to boost the mission capacity from today's 150 people, they will remain unarmed. Armenia might also explore options of getting money from the European Peace Facility (EPF), the same pot the EU is using to purchase arms and other military gear for Ukraine.

Drilling Down:

There are, however, two considerable hurdles to pass: Firstly, the EU is wary of antagonizing Azerbaijan and handing over EPF cash could be seen as too much of a risk. And secondly, there is Armenia's relationship with Russia. Yerevan is still a member of the Moscow-dominated Eurasian Economic Area, as well as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) military alliance. Yerevan's commitment to the latter probably makes EPF funding difficult.

Many in Brussels think that Armenia is slowly pivoting away from Russia. Speaking on background as they are not permitted to speak on the record, a senior EU official recently told me, "It strikes me that Armenia has perhaps made a very accurate conclusion that the security guarantees that they have been given in the past by Russia are not worth the paper they are written on."

An obvious indicator of that was Armenia's recent decision to ratify the International Criminal Court's Rome Statute, which could obligate the country's authorities to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he were to visit the country.

More long-term, Armenia could hope to upgrade its current Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU to something more like the association agreements that Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine enjoy.

An upgraded agreement could also pave the way for Armenian citizens to benefit from the current visa-facilitation agreement with the EU to full visa liberalization.

Then there is the question of punishing Azerbaijan. A recent discussion paper, authored by the EU's diplomatic corps, EEAS, and seen by RFE/RL, noted it was possible to enact "sanctions in case serious human rights violations are committed."

A European Parliament resolution, passed on October 5, called for the EU to impose sanctions on Azerbaijanis responsible for human rights violations in Nagorno-Karabakh and reconsider the "strategic partnership" with Azerbaijan in the field of energy.

Despite the resolution garnering considerable media attention, it's worth noting that the resolution was nonbinding for member countries and EU institutions and the bloc is unlikely to take any significant punitive measures against Baku. Hungary has already indicated as much in public, and countries such as Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and Romania -- interested in buying Azerbaijani gas or getting access to even more lucrative Turkmen gas through Azerbaijan -- would likely block such a measure.

Brief #2: Can The EU Muster Up More Sanctions Against Russia?

What You Need To Know: There was a time, not long ago, when a substantial amount of EU diplomats' time was devoted to designing and adopting sanctions against Russia. Immediately after the country's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the bloc imposed its first sanctions package and, to date, another 10 have followed. Those sanctions have targeted the Russian oil, mining, lumber, and coal industries; have closed EU airspace and ports for Russian-flagged flights and vessels; have cut Russian banks off from the international SWIFT bank-payment system; and have imposed asset freezes and visa bans on over 1,800 individuals and firms, including President Putin and many in his closest circle.

The period of frenzied sanctions work in Brussels is now over. And it is already slowing down. In 2023, only two rounds have been adopted, with the latest agreed at the end of June. Some diplomats are saying that there isn't that much left to target, whereas others are pointing to the increasing difficulty in getting all 27 member states to come to an agreement -- the most recent package only saw the light of the day after almost eight weeks of negotiations.

So, it comes as no surprise that, in her big "state of the European Union" address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen didn't mention Russian sanctions at all. EU sources -- speaking on the condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to speak on the record -- told me that only a handful of member states had mentioned more Russian sanctions.

Deep Background: The sands are shifting within the European Union. Migration has crept up to the top of the agenda again, with a 28 percent jump in asylum requests in the bloc this year, compared to the same time period in 2022, according to data from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). With the populist leftist party Smer winning the most votes in Slovakia's recent parliamentary elections and now looking set to form the next government, Hungary could have a new ally in its fight against further Russian sanctions. On the campaign trail, Smer's leader, former Prime Minister Robert Fico, said no more weapons will be sent to Ukraine and praised Moscow.

Despite this reluctance, EU sanctions experts are holding preliminary talks and it's possible that a new package could be presented to member states, most likely some time in November. A lot will depend on what other priorities there are, vis-a-vis Ukraine, which need to be adopted before 2023 is rung in. For example, all the member states need to give the green light in order for Kyiv to start EU accession talks in December. Plus, there will be an EU drive to reach agreement on a 20 billion-euro ($21 billion) fund to pay for military aid for Ukraine over the coming years, and then another proposal of 50 billion euros to finance the country's reconstruction between 2024 and 2027. And on top of that, more sanctions. Not everything will get over the line in 2023.

Drilling Down:

If there is a new sanctions proposal, what will it contain? The best bet is to look at two sanctions discussion papers, seen by RFE/RL, recently produced by perhaps the two biggest Russian sanctions hawks, Lithuania and Poland. Their proposals are likely the maximum the bloc would go.

Perhaps the four most obvious areas for new measures, which are mentioned in both papers, would be liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), steel, and diamonds.

The last sector is perhaps the most realistic to target. Raw diamond exports from Russia in 2021 were worth $4.5 billion and amounted to 1 percent of all Russia's total exports. Belgium, home to the European "diamond capital," Antwerp, has long been opposed to clamping down on Russia's diamond business, arguing that it would hurt itself more than Russia. EU action also hinges on whether the Group of Seven (G7) leading economies can find a global solution to the issue.

Even if such measures were implicated, there still might be too many loopholes, as Russian diamonds could be rerouted from Antwerp directly to Dubai and the Indian city of Surat. Governments in the United Arab Emirates and India would be unlikely to align with such sanctions.

Poland remains the main EU importer of LPG from Russia, followed by the Netherlands. So even if Warsaw has indicated that it is ready to cease LPG imports, the question remains as to whether other countries will be willing. As winter is approaching and energy prices remain high, there doesn't seem to be much appetite within the EU to target LPG and LNG. Russian imports of the latter into the bloc even increased this year compared to 2022, with Belgian, French, and Spanish ports reportedly seeing more trade.

Lithuania is pushing for harsher EU measures against the Russian nuclear sector, which would prohibit EU companies from signing contracts with Russian nuclear giant Rosatom, investing in the Russian civil nuclear energy sector, and from importing enriched uranium from Russia. While some member states might be persuaded on halting business with Rosatom or staying out of the Russian nuclear business, stopping uranium imports from Russia would likely be a bridge too far. In the first four months of 2023, the bloc's two biggest member states, France and Germany, imported Russian-enriched uranium worth 134.5 million euros and 12.3 million euros, respectively.

And what about steel products? Sanctions were introduced in October 2022, but both Belgium and Italy pushed for wind-down periods lasting two years, something that is unlikely to change. There is some wiggle room, with the possibility that different types of iron products could be added to the sanctions list to tighten existing loopholes, such as with steel sheets and pig iron.

So, what might fly? There could be some new sanctions against the Russian laser industry and a widening of the EU ban to provide Russia with IT consultancy services, which for now largely concerns the installation of computer hardware and software. The sale to Russia of European cloud-computing technologies, for example, is not covered by any sanctions.

Then there is a whole list of components made in the EU that can be used in Russian military hardware. These parts -- for example, small drones, electric motors, generators, and sensors -- might not often make the headlines, but experts say blocking their export could make it harder for the Russian military to function.

Looking Ahead

On October 20, European Commission President von der Leyen and European Council President Michel will travel to Washington to meet U.S. President Joe Biden for the first EU-U.S. summit in nearly two years. The wars in Ukraine and Israel will feature prominently on the agenda, although China is likely to grab the headlines, as Brussels is set to announce anti-subsidy investigations against Chinese steelmakers.

Also, look out for the Berlin Process summit in Albania's capital, Tirana, on October 16. The Berlin Process was an initiative of yearly summits first launched in 2014 to improve cooperation between various EU member states and the six Western Balkans EU hopefuls (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). This is, however, the first time the summit is being held in one of the six Western Balkan countries. No big announcements are likely, but there could be an increased push from countries such as Albania and North Macedonia to speed up their EU accession paths.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-armenia-russia-pivot- sanctions/32639183.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Bosnian Serb Leader Dodik Refuses To Plead In Court Hearing He Calls A 'Circus'

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service October 16, 2023

Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik refused to enter a plea on charges related to his efforts to ignore decisions by an international envoy in a court appearance for a trial he called a "circus."

Dodik appeared on October 16 in the Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina for a preliminary hearing that he called illegitimate, saying he didn't understand the charges against him because they were written in Latin script and not Serbian Cyrillic. He also refused to stand in front of the judge, saying his back hurt.

"This is a political process; this is a circus," he said after the brief hearing.

The 64-year-old has emerged as a major force in postwar Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority entity that along with a Bosniak-Croat federation compose Bosnia since a 1995 peace deal followed a bloody war of independence during the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.

Dodik, along with the head of Republika Srpska's official legal gazette, Milos Lukic, is charged with criminal offenses in connection with efforts to ignore decisions by Bosnia's Constitutional Court and by the international High Representative Christian Schmidt.

The Office of the High Representative is the international community's overseer of civilian, administrative, and other aspects of government stemming from the Dayton agreement that ended three years of intense fighting in 1995. As the international envoy, Schmidt has vast powers, including to fire officials and impose laws.

The legislation at the center of the case was approved by Republika Srpska lawmakers in June and signed by Dodik on July 7, before being published in the gazette run by Lukic. It stipulated that the decisions of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the Constitutional Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina should not be applied in the territory of the Republika Srpska.

The indictment states that Dodik signed the laws "even though he was aware that the decisions of the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina are binding." The prosecution alleges that Dodik did this "with the intention that the afore mentioned decisions of the OHR in Bosnia and Herzegovina are not applied and implemented."

Lukic is accused of having "facilitated the implementation of the publication procedure" of the laws.

Dodik and Lukic face up to five years in prison and a ban on working in all public institutions and companies if found guilty.

Dodik told the court on October 16 that he did not know why he was charged and refused stand up to confirm his details and enter a plea, saying that his "back hurts."

After leaving the court, Dodik told reporters that the trial was "political" and that the laws he signed had passed all constitutional procedures in Republika Srpska. He also claimed that the indictment was a product of the "criminal enterprise made by Schmidt and the American ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina."

Dodik is a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Republika Srpska officials led by Dodik have questioned Schmidt's legitimacy since Moscow and Beijing opposed his appointment through their roles on the UN Security Council.

Dodik is under sanctions by the U.S Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) over alleged corruption and threatening the stability and territorial integrity of the country. He has also been designated for sanctions by the U.K. government because of his attempts to push for "de facto secession of Republic of Srpska."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-serb-dodik-court- hearing-/32639850.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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? La presidenta Dina Boluarte dialogo via telefonica con el presidente electo de Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, a quien reitero su felicitacion por su triunfo en las recientes elecciones democraticas y le expreso su voluntad de seguir fortaleciendo la relacion bilateral de cooperacion y pic.twitter.com/METBfHrRB7
Kyrgyz President Says Military Prosecutors Check Legality Of Killing Of Criminal Kingpin Kolbaev

By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service October 16, 2023

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov says the Military Prosecutor's Office is looking into the legality of actions by security officers who killed notorious Kyrgyz organized-crime figure Kamchy Kolbaev (aka Kamchybek Asanbek) earlier in October.

The State Committee of National Security (UKMK) said on October 4 that Kolbaev, who was added by Washington to a list of major global drug-trafficking suspects in 2011, was "liquidated" during a special operation in Bishkek after he resisted arrest and opened fire at security forces.

"The case was given to the Military Prosecutor's Office to check if the special operation was handled legally or illegally. The investigation is under way. Let us wait for the results," Japarov said in a televised interview on October 16.

Last week, the UKMK said it detained more than 40 persons on suspicion of having links to the late kingpin and impounded $1 billion in property and assets belonging to Kolbaev.

The 49-year-old Kolbaev, known as a "thief-in-law," a title traditionally given to kingpins among criminal groups in former Soviet republics, was detained in October 2020 on suspicion of organizing a criminal group and participating in the activities of an organized criminal group.

The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek welcomed Kolbaev's detention at the time and expressed hope that Kyrgyz authorities would "prosecute and continue to detain this dangerous criminal leader in the interest of public safety."

However, in early March 2021, Kolbaev was released from pretrial detention and ordered not to leave Bishkek.

Weeks before his early release, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the disruption of the financial mechanisms of Kolbaev's criminal network, which it described as being "part of the broader Brothers' Circle transnational criminal organization composed of leaders and members of several Eurasian criminal groups."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-kolbaev-death- investigation/32639541.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Assad, Putin Discuss Ways to Stop Israeli Attacks on Gaza Strip at Phone Talks

Sputnik News

20231016

CAIRO (Sputnik) - Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed ways to stop attacks by Israel on the Gaza Strip during a phone conversation, the office of the Syrian leader said on Monday.

"Presidents Assad and Putin had a phone conversation, during which they discussed ways to end Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and emphasized the need for urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip," the office said in a statement.

Israel introduced a complete blockade of Gaza Strip, cutting civilian population of water, electricity and heat. Reportedly, Palestinian hospitals have fuel for less than 24 hours and after that, thousands of patients will be in even greater peril. WHO and other international organization slammed Israel blockade of Gaza Strip and stressed that the risk of disease outbreak seriously increased

 Sputnik

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UN's Palestinian Refugee Agency Says 14 of Its Members Killed in Gaza

Sputnik News

20231016

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on Sunday that 14 of the organization's staff were killed in the Gaza Strip.

On Thursday, the agency said that 12 of its employees were killed in Gaza.

"We, as UNRWA, have already lost 14 staff members. They were teachers, engineers, guards and psychologists, an engineer and a gynecologist," Lazzarini said in a statement, adding that most of the organization's 13,000 employees in the Gaza Strip were forced to leave their homes.

He also added that at least "400,000 displaced people are now in UNRWA schools and buildings," and the situation is approaching a humanitarian catastrophe.

"Imposing a siege and bombarding civilian infrastructure in a densely populated area will not bring peace and security to the region," Lazzarini said.

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. Both Israel and Palestine have reported over 1,000 deaths and thousands of injured as a result of the escalation.

 Sputnik

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Venezuelans Return to Negotiations

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

October 16, 2023

The United States welcomes the announcement by Maduro representatives and the Unitary Platform to resume Venezuelan-led negotiations in Barbados.

Along with likeminded partners and other friends of Venezuela, the United States will continue its efforts to unite the international community in support of the Venezuelan-led negotiation process.



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UK announces 10 million humanitarian aid for civilians in Occupied Palestinian Territories

10 million of humanitarian aid announced by the Prime Minister to support civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in response to escalating conflict.

16 October 2023

Prime Minister announces 10 million package of support for Palestinian civilians in response to escalating conflict

funding is an increase of a third on existing aid and will provide essential relief items and services, such as food, water and emergency shelter to meet needs on the ground

in statement to Parliament, PM makes clear the UK's unequivocal condemnation of Hamas' actions and support for Israel's right to self-defence in line with international law

Today [Monday 16 October] the Prime Minister has announced a further 10 million in humanitarian aid funding for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), in response to the escalating conflict.

He made the announcement in a statement to the House of Commons, in which he also reiterated the UK's condemnation of Hamas' actions in both Israel and Gaza, and called for immediate access for humanitarian organisations to be allowed to deliver life-saving aid.

This latest commitment is in response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, including shortages of key goods and widespread displacement due to the conflict.

This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground.

The UK is also exploring options for moving humanitarian supplies closer to the region and is liaising with aid agencies in the region to ensure relief supplies can be distributed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

I'm proud that we are a longstanding and significant provider of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. And I can announce today that we are increasing our aid by a third, with an additional 10 million of support. An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding, to which we must respond. We must support the Palestinian people - because they're victims of Hamas too.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

We are committed to supporting the Palestinian people - they are victims of Hamas too. This funding will provide vital, lifesaving support to Palestinian civilians who are caught up in this conflict and are in desperate need of help.

The UN estimates that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced so far. Prior to the recent escalation of hostilities, the UN estimated that nearly 60% of people in Gaza already needed humanitarian assistance, including over 1.5 million people in need of food assistance and 1.6 million in need of health and nutrition assistance.

Today's announcement is a 37% uplift to the existing 27 million of UK funding this year which is already providing critical support to the region, including an extra 10 million announced by the Foreign Secretary during his visit last month. We will consider further support depending on the changing humanitarian needs on the ground.

The UK remains committed to mitigating the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza while standing alongside the people of Israel against the terrorist group Hamas.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken to Israel, Egypt and other international partners about opening the Rafah crossing to allow urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza.

All UK aid funding to the OPTs undergoes rigorous oversight, and no funding goes to Hamas.

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PM statement to the House of Commons on the latest situation in Israel and Gaza: 16 October 2023

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made an oral statement to the House of Commons on the latest situation in Israel and Gaza.

16 October 2023

Mr Speaker, the attacks in Israel last weekend shocked the world.

Over 1,400 people murdered, one by one.

Over 3,500 wounded. Almost 200 taken hostage.

The elderly men, women, children, babies in arms - murdered, mutilated, burned alive.

We should call it by its name: it was a pogrom.

Mr Speaker, the families of some of the missing are in the public gallery today.

We called for the immediate release of all hostages.

And I say to them.

We stand with you.

We stand with Israel.

The murdered and the missing come from over 30 countries - including the United Kingdom.

The terrible nature of these attacks means it is proving difficult to identify many of the deceased.

But with a heavy heart, I can inform the House that at least 6 British citizens were killed.

A further 10 are missing, some of whom are feared to be among the dead.

We are working with Israel to establish the facts as quickly as possible, and we are supporting the families who are suffering unimaginable pain.

We are also helping British citizens who want to leave Israel.

We have organised 8 flights so far, bringing out over 500 people, with more flights leaving today.

We are working with neighbouring countries on land evacuations for our citizens in Gaza and the West Bank.

I have spoken specifically to President Sisi about supporting civilians to leave Gaza via the Rafah border crossing - which at present remains closed.

And we have a Border Force team in Egypt working with our Embassy to help citizens when they are able to cross.

I will come back to the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza for a moment.

But first, Mr Speaker I want to address the British Jewish community directly.

As I said at Finchley United Synagogue last week and a Jewish school I visited this morning - we stand with you, now and always.

This atrocity was an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland of the Jewish people.

I understand why it has shaken you to your core.

And I am sickened that antisemitic incidents have increased since the attacks.

We are doing everything we can to protect you.

We are providing an additional 3 million for the Community Security Trust to protect schools, synagogues, and other Jewish community buildings.

And we are working with the police to ensure that hate crime and the glorification of terror is met with the full force of the law.

I know the whole house will support this - and join me in saying unequivocally:

We stand with the Jewish community.

Mr Speaker, I also recognise that this is a moment of great anguish for British Muslim communities, who are also appalled by Hamas' actions but fearful of the response.

We must listen to these concerns with the same attentiveness.

Hamas is using innocent Palestinian people as human shields - with the tragic loss of more than 2,600 Palestinian lives, including many children.

We mourn the loss of every innocent life - civilians of every faith, every nationality who has been killed.

And so let's say it plainly: we stand with British Muslim communities too.

Mr Speaker, Israel was founded not just as a homeland for the Jewish people, but as a guarantor of their security.

To ensure that what happened to the Jewish people in the Holocaust could never happen again.

Through its strength and resilience Israel gradually achieved some of that longed for security.

Despite the strategic threats on their borders, including Hezbollah in the north, with Iran at their back.

They normalised relations with the UAE and Bahrain through the Abraham Accords and moved towards normalising ties with Saudi Arabia.

Steps that not long ago were thought unthinkable.

One reason why this attack is so shocking is that it is a fundamental challenge to any idea of coexistence.

Which is an essential precursor to peace and stability in the region.

Mr Speaker, the question is: how should we respond?

I believe we must support, absolutely, Israel's right to defend itself.

To go after Hamas, take back the hostages, deter further incursions, and strengthen its security for the long term.

But this must be done in line with international humanitarian law but also recognising that they face a vicious enemy that embeds itself behind civilians.

As a friend, we will continue to call on Israel to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians.

I repeat President Biden's words - as democracies "we are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law."

Humanity. Law. Decency. Respect for human life.

That's what sets us apart from the mindless violence of the terrorist.

Mr Speaker, there are three specific areas where the UK is helping to shape events.

First, we are working to prevent escalation and further threats against Israel.

On Friday, RAF surveillance aircraft began patrols to track threats to regional security.

I have deployed a Royal Navy task group to the eastern Mediterranean - including RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus, 3 Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines.

Ready both to interdict arms and support the humanitarian response.

And we are bolstering our forces in Cyprus and across the region.

Let me be clear, we are not engaging in fighting or an offensive in Gaza.

But we are increasing our presence to prevent broader regional instability at this dangerous moment.

Second, Mr Speaker, I'm proud that we are a longstanding and significant provider of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

And I can announce today that we are increasing our aid by a third, with an additional 10 million of support.

An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding, to which we must respond.

We must support the Palestinian people - because they're victims of Hamas too.

Like our allies, we believe that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, or their legitimate aspirations to live with equal measures of security, freedom, justice, opportunity and dignity.

Hamas simply does not stand for the future that Palestinians want.

And they seek to put the Palestinian people in harm's way.

So we must ensure humanitarian support urgently reaches civilians in Gaza.

This requires Egypt and Israel to allow in the aid that is so badly needed.

We also need to keep the situation in the West Bank in the forefront of our minds at this moment of heightened sensitivity.

Earlier today, I spoke to Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, to express our support for his efforts to provide stability.

Third, we will use all the tools of British diplomacy to sustain the prospects of peace and stability in the region.

Ultimately, that requires security for Israelis and Palestinians and a two-state solution.

So we're increasing our regional engagement.

I have spoken to Prime Minister Netanyahu twice in the last week, along with the United States, France, Germany, Italy and others.

My Right Honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary was the first to visit Israel after the attacks.

I met with His Majesty the King of Jordan yesterday - a long-time voice of reason and moderation.

I have spoken today with the leaders of Turkey and previously Egypt ... and will speak to others in the coming days.

Our partners in the region have asked us to play a role in preventing further escalation.

That is what we will do.

However hard it is, we need to ask the tough questions about how we can revive the long-term prospects for a two-state solution, for normalisation and regional stability.

Not least because that is precisely what Hamas has been trying to kill.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, unequivocally backing Israel's right to defend itself.

Stepping forward with humanitarian support.

Working to protect civilians from harm.

And straining every sinew to keep the flame of peace and stability alive.

That is our objective.

It is the right approach for the region.

It is the right approach for Britain.

And I commend this statement to the House.

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PM call with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority: 16 October 2023

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas this morning.

16 October 2023

The Prime Minister spoke to President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas this morning.

He expressed his condolences for the deaths of Palestinian civilians, who have been caught up in the aftermath of Hamas's terror attack. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK's position that Hamas does not speak for ordinary Palestinians.

The leaders agreed on the importance of avoiding further regional escalation and ensuring calm in the West Bank. The Prime Minister committed the UK's support for the Palestinian Authority in trying to establish peace and stability. They also discussed support for Gaza, including humanitarian aid and measures to protect civilians.

More broadly, the Prime Minister and President Abbas agreed that the international community must intensify efforts to break the cycle of violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Prime Minister affirmed that the UK continues to support a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel.

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Civilians are the primary victims of increased violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, says the UN Commission of Inquiry

United Nations Human Rights Council

GENEVA (16 October 2023) - All parties to the conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory have failed to take effective precautionary measures to avoid civilian casualties, exacerbating the long-running crisis and deepening divisions and hate on all sides, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, said in a new report today.

The report to the General Assembly, which was completed before the latest upsurge in violence began and covers the period between May 2021 and August 2023, examines the use of force by Israel and the de facto authorities in Gaza, and Israeli military and police operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.

"Our report is painful and timely," said Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission. "It emphasises that the only path towards ending violence and achieving sustainable peace is through strict observance of international law throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. This requires addressing the root causes of the conflict, including the occupation of Palestinian territory, and allowing the Palestinians to exercise their right to self-determination."

"The atrocities we have witnessed since 7 October add an unprecedented urgency to our conclusions and recommendations," Pillay said. "Civilians and civilian objects should always be protected. They are never a legitimate target. All parties must uphold their duty to protect them under international humanitarian law."

Following the complex attack on Israel launched by Hamas on 7 October, the Commission has begun collecting evidence of war crimes committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups and by Israeli security forces. The Commission underscored the urgency for the parties involved to cease all forms of violence and ensure that civilians are protected.

In the report, the Commission concluded that the firing of rockets and mortars by Palestinian armed groups towards civilian population centres is inherently indiscriminate in its nature and so clearly constitutes a war crime. The report also found that the damage and casualties caused by Israeli attacks were not proportionate to the military advantage and so the actions constitute a war crime. Additionally, the Commission noted that the prevention of entry of food and medical supplies into Gaza is a violation of international humanitarian law.

It also found that Israel's history of military incursions and aerial attacks on Gaza must be seen within the broader context of Israel's occupation, which it has no intention to end. Militarized law enforcement operations and incursions into Gaza are intended to weaken opposition to the occupation, fragment Palestinian political cohesion, and ultimately prevent the establishment and functioning of a free Palestinian state.

The report found that Israeli security forces used excessive force and indiscriminate means to disperse demonstrators in Israel and in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, resulting in serious harm to persons, including death and permanent injuries. The Commission found there is a distinct hierarchy of methods in dispersing demonstrations, with the harshest and often lethal responses used against Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The Commission reviewed search and arrest operations said to be aimed at disrupting the activities of armed groups in the West Bank. It concluded that several operations carried out in Jenin in 2023 appear to have included use of unnecessary and disproportionate force by the Israeli security forces. Based on the evidence before it, the Commission concluded that Israel applies the framework governing conduct of hostilities to law enforcement operations in the West Bank, contrary to international law, resulting in civilians being killed and injured.

The Commission examined the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and concluded on reasonable grounds that Israeli forces used lethal force without justification under international human rights law and, intentionally or recklessly, violated Abu Akleh's right to life. The Commission also determined on reasonable grounds that the Duvdevan Unit of the Israeli security forces participated in the operation in Jenin on 11 May 2022 and that the unit's soldiers were likely in the vehicle from which shots were fired at Abu Akleh and other media workers.

The Commission recommended that Israeli Government cooperate fully with the continuing investigation into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Commission will provide the evidence it collected, to the International Criminal Court for its investigation in the Situation in the State of Palestine.

"The killing of Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin is a direct result of Israel's militarization of law enforcement operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem," Pillay said. "Shireen Abu Akleh is another victim of the excessive and disproportionate force used by Israeli security forces in these operations. This was also an attack against journalists, who were all clearly identifiable, which is a recurring pattern identified by the Commission."

The report recommends that the Government of Israel clearly distinguish between situations of law enforcement and conduct of hostilities and apply the framework of international human rights law to law enforcement operations in line with its obligations as an occupying power and relevant treaties; review and reform rules of engagement; ensure independent, impartial and thorough investigations into possible violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza; and end the practice of withholding bodies and information from family members.

The report recommends that the State of Palestine ensure strict observance of international humanitarian and human rights law and enforce accountability for violations of that law, and that the de facto authorities in Gaza, along with armed groups, stop all targeting of civilians, including through indiscriminate firing of rockets, mortars and other munitions towards civilian populations.

The report recommends that the International Criminal Court prioritize the investigation into the Situation in the State of Palestine, including the identification of those exercising command responsibility in the killing of Abu Akleh and other cases. It also urges the United Nations Secretary-General to list Israel in the annexes of the next annual report on Children and Armed Conflict in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1379 (2001).

The Commission's report will be presented to the Third Committee of the General Assembly on 24 October 2023 in New York.

ENDS

Background: The UN Human Rights Council mandated the Commission on 27 May 2021 to "investigate, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law leading up to and since 13 April 2021." Resolution A/HRC/RES/S-30/1 further requested the commission of inquiry to "investigate all underlying root causes of recurrent tensions, instability and protraction of conflict, including systematic discrimination and repression based on national, ethnic, racial or religious identity." The Commission of Inquiry was mandated to report to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly annually commencing from June 2022 and September 2022, respectively.

Commission Chair Navi Pillay will be available for media interviews after a press conference she will hold in New York on 25 October 2023, following the presentation of the Commission's report to the General Assembly.

More information on the work of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, can be found at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/co-israel/index

For more information and media requests, please contact: Todd Pitman, Media Adviser for the Human Rights Council's Investigative Missions, at todd.pitman@un.org, Cell: +41 76 691 1761, or Pascal Sim, Human Rights Council Media Officer, at simp@un.org.

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World News in Brief: UN 'committed' to aid Ukraine, blue helmets exit northern Mali, Chad update

16 October 2023 - Ukrainian civilians are committed to staying in their homes near the frontline, as the Russian invasion continues - and the UN "is committed to staying with them."

That's according to Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown, who led a convoy at the weekend carrying aid for around 1,000 civilians to Chasiv Yar, just six kilometres from the frontline in the Donetsk region.

The UN aid coordination office OCHA warned on Monday that civilians are facing "daily attacks" along frontline areas in the east and south.

"In recent days, homes, schools, healthcare facilities, port infrastructure and aid distribution points have all been hit", said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, briefing reporters in New York.

No water for a year

Civilians told Ms. Brown they had been cut off from water, electricity and gas for more than a year. Most homes and civilian buildings and roads have been damaged. Around 90 per cent of the population has fled.

"This year, we have organized more than 90 inter-agency convoys to frontline communities in northern, eastern and southern Ukraine, with one-third delivering aid to the Donetsk region", said Mr. Dujarric.

The UN and partners have reached more than 8.3 million people in Ukraine with humanitarian assistance so far this year alone.

Peacekeepers in Mali begin withdrawing from restive Kidal region

UN peacekeepers from the Mali mission MINUSMA announced on Monday that they have begun withdrawing from the northern camps in the Kidal region, as security conditions worsen.

More than 300 'blue helmets' have lost their lives during the decade-long civilian protection mission, which is due to fully drawdown by the end of this year, at the request of Mali's military authorities.

Extremist violence and rampant insecurity have been constant, made worse by major political unrest which has seen several coups in the past three years. Violence has only increased in the past few weeks across the centre and north of the country.

Exit 'as soon as possible'

The UN Spokesperson said that MINUSMA was "doing everything it can" to complete the withdrawal process "as soon as possible, in the midst of the rapidly deteriorating security situation and also increased risk to the lives of hundreds of peacekeepers."

Mr. Dujarric acknowledged that "this is becoming increasingly difficult" and said personnel from the Mission were forced to seek shelter in bunkers due to an exchange of fire in Tessalit earlier on Monday.

"All parties, including the Government and including the signatory armed movements, have an obligation to ensure the secure, safe, and unimpeded withdrawal of the Mission personnel and equipment."

He reminded reporters of a statement at the weekend outlining the increasing likelihood that the MINUSMA will be forced to leave "without being able to repatriate equipment belonging to Troop-Contributing Countries and the UN."

The Mission is now intensifying engagement with the Malian authorities to convey its concerns and underscore their responsibilities as the host nation for the safety and security of peacekeepers.

Top humanitarian official in Chad calls for urgent support

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Chad, Violette Kakyomya, warned on Monday that the country is facing multiples humanitarian crises, issuing an urgent call for support.

The conflict in Sudan between rival militaries which has now raged for six months, has had a strong impact on Chad, with nearly 490,000 Sudanese refugees - mostly women and children - having crossed the border into the eastern part of the country to seek safety.

In total, there are one million refugees are living in Chad.

The conflict in Sudan is also affecting Chad's food supply chain, with prices of basic commodities more than doubling since the outbreak of the conflict, the UN Spokesperson told correspondents in New York.

Chad is also vulnerable to climate change. Last year, the heaviest rains since the 1960s triggered a major crisis, impacting 1.4 million people and destroying 350,000 hectares of valuable farmland.

Ms. Kakyoma underlined the extreme generosity of the people in Chad who continue to welcome refugees and call for support to ensure seven million Chadians - out of a population of 18 million - receive humanitarian assistance this year.

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Do Not Sell My Personal Information
STRASBOURG, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola has expressed unwavering support to Armenias independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders.

Its a great honor for me to welcome you to the house of democracy in Strasbourg, Metsola said at a joint press conference with Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan. Having you here today, prime minister, demonstrates our commitment to Armenia as well as your commitment to the European family. The European neighborhood is more volatile and insecure than ever before. War, conflict and instability is now reality all around us. And let me assure you that Armenia is a vital partner for us and the EUs Eastern Neighborhood and underline our unwavering support to the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Armenia. During the last plenary [session] couple of weeks ago we voted on a resolution that deplored the attack on Nagorno Karabakh. Our focus now must be on honest and fair peace talks to resume. We call for respect of Armenians rights and security in Nagorno Karabakh, active participation of international community as well as international assurances for Armenians who continue to live in Nagorno Karabakh can help achieve peace and resolution. We remain committed to all efforts directed towards the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on mutual recognition of sovereignty, inviolability of the borders and territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Now, Europe will continue to support Armenia in dealing with the situation. This is something that the prime minster and I have spoken about. We are offering our assistance to deal with the influx of refugees from Nagorno Karabakh as well as the reintegration into Armenia. Many member states have also donated much needed shelter equipment, food and medical supplies through the EU civil protection mechanism. Let me reiterate our calls for the resumption of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on all pending issues in view of the conclusion of a peace treaty and remain fully committed to supporting such negotiations. Just as we remain fully committed to facilitating dialogue between all sides under the auspices of the European Council President with support of the EU special representative in order to ensure long lasting peace for the benefit of all people of the region. Dear Nikol, Since May 2018 youve led your country and I applaud you on charting a pro-EU democratic path. We support your countrys democratic reforms, the strengthening of our bilateral relations and stronger cooperation with the EU. This house will keep supporting the people of Armenia in these difficult times, she added.
SECNAV Announces Future USS Philadelphia (LPD 32)

US Navy

Philadelphia

Speech by Carlos Del Toro

Presented on 12 October 2023

Date Published 16 October 2023

Good morning, everyone! It is wonderful to be with you here in Philadelphia for Navy Week.

The last time Philadelphia hosted a Navy Week was in 2011, and I am honored to be here today, celebrating our return to this historic city.

I hope that this week allows the citizens of not only Philadelphia but also Pennsylvania to learn more about the Navy and how the Navy ensures national security and prosperity.

Since 2005, Navy Week engagements have been a highlight for our Navy, allowing our uniformed personnel to share their stories of service with cities across the country, deepening the bonds between our Navy, our Marine Corps, and the American public they serve.

I cannot think of a city with a richer maritime history than Philadelphia. As the birthplace of not only American Democracy, but also both the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps, Philadelphia is undoubtedly a "Navy Town."

Philadelphia Navy Yard  founded in 1776 as a commercial shipyard  throughout its duration, played an important role in building and maintaining our Fleet.

The Philadelphia Navy Yard consistently delivered the ships our Fleet needed for over 150 years. From USS Franklin  the yard's first warship, launched in 1815  the battleship USS New Jersey, to the last new ship built at the yard  the current U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge  the ships constructed here at PNY served our Nation in both times of peace and conflict with distinction.

Today, the Philadelphia Navy Yard is no longer owned by the Navy, but instead is an American landmark and a thriving 1,200 acre business community, resulting in the most successful commercial redevelopment of a former military facility in the country.

The Port of Philadelphia, from its origins has held a reputation for fast, expert handling of any cargo imaginable and plays a central role in the economic health of the nation.

In 2002, The Port of Philadelphia was named as a strategic military port by the Department of Defense, highlighting its important role in ensuring military cargo destined for various points around the globe.

The Port of Philadelphia has also served as the site for Navy ship ceremonies. USS Somerset (LPD 25), named to honor the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 whose actions prevented terrorist hijackers from reaching their intended target by forcing the airplane to crash in Somerset County, PA, was commissioned at the port in 2014.

The relationship with the Navy and Philadelphia is defined by more than just the city's shipyard and port, but also by the service of its people.

Led by Colonel Ciuccoli, the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Philadelphia Consortium, trains approximately 100 midshipmen per academic year enrolled at four Philadelphia Universities; University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, Drexel University, and Temple University.

This naval officer development program enables a strong civil-military relationship, with Midshipmen engaging as student leaders in academia and volunteering in communities across the Philadelphia area.

Looking back at Philadelphia's maritime legacy, I can only be proud. And while our Navy's footprint throughout the city has decreased over the years, Philadelphia's support of our Navy remains as strong as ever.

And today, here at Independence Hall, I am pleased to announce that, in honor of this city's naval legacy, we will be welcoming a USS Philadelphia back into our fleet.

USS Philadelphia (LPD 32), once commissioned, will be our nation's newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock (LPD).

LPDs are warships that are used to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies across the globe, and are manned by crews comprised of both Sailors and Marines, making our next USS Philadelphia a fitting tribute to the city that is the birthplace of both services.

Our newest USS Philadelphia will follow in the wake of the six prior USS Philadelphia's, all six of which played critical roles in defending our nation since its founding.

This ship will build upon the legacy of her namesakes, and will no doubt represent the people of this city and our nation with honor wherever she may sail.

And I am pleased to announce that our ship sponsor for USS Philadelphia will be Mrs. Maureen Paparo.

Mrs. Paparo, a native of Philadelphia  and graduate of Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls and Villanova University  is the wife of U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Sam Paparo, who also a Villanova University alum.

For decades, Mrs. Paparo has been a staunch supporter of our Fleet, both as a former U.S. Navy civilian employee and as an advocate for our Navy families throughout several assignments during her husband's career.

According to naval tradition, a ship sponsor's spirit and presence guides the ship and her crew throughout her time in service, serving as the bond that connects the ship to its namesake.

I have no doubt that Mrs. Paparo will be that bond between the ship, her crew, and the city that she loves dearly.

To the citizens of Philadelphia, thank you for welcoming our Sailors and Marines to your city once again for this year's Navy Week.

May God continue to grant our nation and our people fair winds and following seas.

--



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Israel Ambassador: Hamas Used North Korean Weapons to Attack Israel

By Christy Lee, Soyoung Ahn October 16, 2023

Israel's ambassador to South Korea believes North Korean weapons are being used by Palestinian militant group Hamas to attack Israel, even as Pyongyang has denied the accusations that have surfaced online as groundless.

Akiva Tor, the Israeli ambassador serving in South Korea since 2020, told VOA's Korean Service on the phone from Seoul on Saturday that Hamas militants are using weapons manufactured by North Korea.

"In Gaza, as it is the one which attacks us, they use North Korean weapons," said Tor. "It could be that these North Korean weapons have been in Iran for quite a long time."

"We will destroy these weapons in Gaza," he added.

Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, photos of F-7 rocket-propelled grenades with a claim they were made by North Korea have been surfacing on X, formerly known as Twitter.

A self-proclaimed weapons researcher, who uses the name War Noir, posted photos of rockets and machine guns with the caption that Israel Defense Forces allegedly captured the North Korean-made weapons belonging to the Al-Qassam Brigades near Gaza.

Bruce Bechtol, a former intelligence officer at the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency who is now a political science professor at Angelo University in Texas, told VOA Korean via email that the F-7s in the photos that are "identified [as] looking like North Korean in origin, look that way to me as well."

"It appears likely that considerable number of the weapons that Hamas has [been using came] from the North Koreans," said Bechtol.

Bechtol continued that more North Korean weapons are likely to be found in Gaza after the Israeli Defense Forces begin a ground offensive in the territory.

North Korea denied its weapons were used by Hamas to attack Israel through a statementissued on its state-run KCNA on Friday.

The U.S. is spreading "groundless and false rumors" that North Korean weapons were used in the attack on Israel as a way "to shift the blame for the Middle East crisis caused by its wrong hegemonic policy onto a third country," said the KCNA.

Analysts said it is not surprising that Hamas appears to be using North Korean arms as Pyongyang has a long history of supplying arms to Hamas, the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah and Iran, which supports both groups.

James Jeffrey, who from 2018 until November 2020 served as U.S. special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, is currently chair of the Wilson Center's Middle East Program. He told VOA Korean during an Oct. 10 telephone interview, "North Korea has long provided weapons and technical knowledge to radical forces in the Middle East."

He continued, "I wouldn't be surprised because North Korea is engaged in illicit arms sales and deliveries, both to make money and to destabilize the international order in a big way. Therefore, every time we have a crisis or a new conflict, there're North Korean fingerprints."

Fred Fleitz, who spent 19 years with the CIA and served as acting national security advisor during the Trump administration, said, "It certainly appears that either through a direct deal in which Hamas paid the North Koreans or through the IRGC, the Iranian Republic Guard Corps, they smuggled those weapons in or through Hezbollah."

Fleitz, who is now the vice chair of the Center for American Security, continued, "But the latter seems more convincing. Iran is closer to both North Korea and Palestine and likely has many more routes."

Multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from exporting weapons.

Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, at a press briefing on October 10 said the U.S. will "look to counter" actions by any country that is providing either financial or military support to Hamas.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday that he could not confirm reports of North Korean weapons being used by Hamas.

The possibility of arms dealings between North Korea and Hamas first surfaced in 2009.

In December of that year, a North Korean plane carrying about 35 tons of weapons including rockets and rocket-propelled grenades were seized at a Bangkok airport while the aircraft landed there for a refueling stop. The next month, the Thai government submitted a report to the U.N. Security Council saying the weapons were headed to Iran.

White House's Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes said in November 2012 that Thailand's interdicted shipment from North Korea in 2009 were "bound for Hamas."

In 2013, a UNSC report included photographs of North Korea weapons in the cargo plane.

At the time of the weapons shipments, Israel was fighting a proxy war with Iran for supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, according to then-Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon.

Tor told VOA's Korean Service that "there's no question" Iran is supporting Hamas politically, financially and strategically. But he said he is "not able to say" what exact role Iran has played in this conflict.

Tor also dismissed speculation that Tehran used $6 billion of its funds unfrozen from South Korean banks to support Hamas in this conflict.

"We don't have any evidence that the release of the funds, which were held in [South] Korean banks, have reached Hamas in any way," he said.

Tor continued, "Israel's view, in general, is that sanctions against Iran should not be eased up, and that funds that go to Iran, even when they're directed to humanitarian purposes, [could be used] for improper purposes."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that Iran has not been able to tap any of the funds that were released from South Korean banks and that those funds "could only be used for humanitarian purposes."

The transfer of funds was arranged as part of a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Iran. Iran released five U.S. citizens held hostage in exchange for the release of the funds and transfer of five Iranians held in the U.S.

Jiha Ham and Sangjin Cho of the Korean Service contributed to this report.

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Palestinians Face Gaza Humanitarian Crisis as Israel Readies Assault

By VOA News October 16, 2023

Latest developments

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to "demolish Hamas" as Israel masses troops on Gaza border for likely invasion.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to return to Israel Monday after talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will begin evacuating U.S. nationals by sea from Haifa to Cyprus.

U.S. says 30 Americans killed, 13 unaccounted for.

Israeli military says 199 hostages were taken to Gaza, raising previous figure.



The United States says a border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will be reopened, but the timing remained unclear as the United Nations warned of dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and Israel told Palestinians living in the northern part of the enclave to leave ahead of a military operation.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who returned to Israel Monday after visits to several other countries in the region, said the United States was working with Egypt, Israel and the U.N. to ensure aid can enter Gaza and reach those in need.

"Over the past few days, I've traveled to Israel, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt," Blinken said Monday on X. "What I've heard from every partner is a shared view to prevent the conflict from spreading, to safeguard innocent lives, and to get assistance to those in Gaza who need it."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement Monday there was no agreement in place for a cease-fire to allow aid into Gaza and for foreigners to exit.

The head of the U.N.'s Palestinian refugee agency said Sunday that Gaza is "being strangled" and that soon supplies of water, food and medicine will run out.

"Last week's attack on Israel was horrendous," he told reporters. "The attack and the taking of hostages are a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. But the answer to killing civilians cannot be to kill more civilians."

Israel's military said Monday the number of hostages taken to Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack was 199, a jump from the previously released figure of 155.

"The efforts on the hostages are a top national priority," military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said. "The army and Israel are working around the clock to bring them back."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Hamas to immediately release the hostages without conditions. He also urged Israel to allow for unimpeded access for humanitarian supplies and workers to Gaza.

U.N. humanitarian relief chief Martin Griffiths said he will travel to the region Tuesday "to try to help in the negotiations, to try to bear witness and to express solidarity with the extraordinary courage of the many thousands of aid workers who have stayed the course and who are still there helping the people in Gaza and in the West Bank."

The U.N. Security Council is set to vote Monday on separate draft resolutions, submitted by Russia and Brazil, on humanitarian access to Gaza.

Netanyahu vowed Sunday to "demolish Hamas" as 300,000 Israeli troops massed on the border of the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground invasion to find and attack Hamas militants.

The Hamas attack has killed 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals. Israel, in turn, has launched hundreds of airstrikes and missile attacks on Gaza and killed 2,750 Palestinians.

"Hamas thought we would be demolished," Netanyahu said. "It is we who will demolish Hamas." He said the show of political unity "sends a clear message to the nation, the enemy and the world."

Thirty Americans have been killed in the fighting and 13 others remain unaccounted for.

U.S. President Joe Biden expressed support for Israel's response to Hamas, saying in an interview on CBS' "60 Minutes" broadcast Sunday night that Israel "is going after a group of people who have engaged in barbarism that is as consequential as the Holocaust."

Biden said Israel would do "everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians."

He also said it would be "a big mistake" if Israel were to occupy the Gaza Strip.

Following a series of cross-border attacks in northern Israel by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, Israel on Monday announced the evacuation of residents from 28 villages within two kilometers of the border.

Some information for this article came The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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EU to Discuss Israel-Hamas War Response Amid Political Divisions

By Henry Ridgwell October 16, 2023

European Union heads of state will hold an emergency meeting Tuesday on the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, following the cross-border attack by Hamas gunmen on October 7 that killed at least 1,400 Israelis.

Health authorities in Gaza say at least 2,750 Palestinian civilians have been killed by Israeli bombings.

EU Meeting

Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said he had called an urgent video conference of EU leaders to address the many consequences that conflict would have for the bloc.

"First, we must work towards urgently providing assistance for the basic needs of the most vulnerable civilians, and it must be done in full accordance with the humanitarian law. Second, everything must be done to avoid regional escalation and strong engagement with regional actors is thus key. We must continue to work towards a sustainable peace based on a two-state solution and this should be based on renewed efforts in the Middle East peace process, such as the Peace Day initiative."

"Third, the conflict could have major security consequences for our societies. It has the potential to worsen tensions between communities and to feed extremism. Finally, there is a major risk of migration and movements of a large number of people to neighboring countries," Michel said in a televised statement Monday.

Coherent policy

It's vital that Europe formulates a coherent policy on the Middle East conflict, said analyst Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at the Department of Defense Studies at Kings College London.

"It is, I would say, the most important neighborhood region for the European Union. And so a lot of what Europe does in this region is not based on the luxury of having a choice but of pure necessity," he told VOA.

Mixed messaging

European nations gave Israel their full support in the days following the Hamas attacks. However, critics say there has been mixed messaging from EU leaders as the Israeli assault on Gaza intensifies and the mounting Palestinian death toll exposes divisions in the European response.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the Kfar Aza kibbutz in southern Israel Friday, where Israeli forces say Hamas tortured and murdered dozens of civilians. She offered unequivocal support for Israel in its response to the attacks.

"Israel has a right to defend itself. In fact, it has the duty to defend its people. And we must call by their name the atrocities committed by Hamas. This is terrorism. This is an act of war," von der Leyen said at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Hamas' despicable actions are the hallmark of terrorists and I know that how Israel responds will show that it is a democracy."

Humanitarian law

Von der Leyen's speech sparked criticism from some senior European politicians. Nathalie Loiseau, a French MEP and chair of the European Parliament's security and defense committee, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the EU commission president was "forgetting an important message: Israel must respect international humanitarian law."

Meanwhile the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell last week said that Israel's siege of Gaza "is against international law," following a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

The political narrative is becoming more nuanced, said analyst Krieg of Kings College London.

"I think we're already seeing some of the Western policymakers backtracking and trying to put things into context  and saying, well, we stand with Israel, we also have to make sure that the lives of Palestinian civilians have to be secured and protected," he told VOA.

European public opinion

That view is echoed in European public opinion, says Andreas Bohm of the University of St Gallen in Switzerland. "There is a significant part of the public today that acknowledges, recognizes the Palestinian struggle. They do have solidarity for Israel, I think, due to the nature of the attack. But in ... the long run, if we see these pictures of, say, thousands or tens of thousands of people killed in Gaza, well that might change it," Bohm told VOA.

For Hamas, such an outcome is desirable, Bohm added. "They want to weaken Israel. And so for them, any large scale ground invasion, with say thousands or tens of thousands of casualties  that would be a major success for them, because it hurts Israel. It tarnishes Israel's reputation both in the region and globally with Western audiences," he said.

Krieg, however, said Israel is unlikely to change course.

"I think the Israelis also will be more resilient in sustaining criticism and sustaining also the leverage of Western policy makers, because they're saying, 'This is our war. Look at these atrocities and we'll do whatever is necessary to eradicate Hamas,'" Krieg told VOA.

EU Aid

Meanwhile, the European Union Monday announced a tripling of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, to $79 million, despite suggestions in the days following the Hamas attack that all aid to Gaza could be suspended.

With Israel maintaining a complete siege of the territory, it isn't clear how or when the assistance might reach those in need.

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Australia Evacuation Flights Leave Israel

By Phil Mercer October 16, 2023

Three Australian government evacuation flights carrying 255 people have left the Israeli city of Tel Aviv bound for Dubai.

The government in Canberra has reiterated its support for Israel and the right for it to defend itself following attacks by Hamas militants more than a week ago

Most of the passengers onboard two military planes and a commercial aircraft were Australian citizens and their family members who left Sunday for Dubai.

Two flights that had been planned for Saturday were canceled because of fears of worsening violence in the region.

Australia has upgraded its travel advice for the Middle East and is urging its citizens to defer non-essential travel to Lebanon.

A similar warning about travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories was issued last week.

A massive Israeli military buildup is continuing near the coastal enclave of Gaza ahead of an expected ground assault against Hamas militants, who crossed the border with Israel more than a week ago to attack civilians and soldiers.

Officials have said that 1,600 Australian citizens are registered in Israel or the West Bank, and 19 in Gaza.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Monday that not all the evacuation flights from Tel Aviv were full.

"There were actually empty seats on the flights," Marles said. "So, we would really encourage Australians who are in Israel now who want to leave to take the opinions that are being made available to them."

Australian police say that 10,000 people turned out for a pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne Sunday, while another 6,000 attended a gathering in Sydney. There was a heavy police presence at both events, but the authorities say the rallies were mostly peaceful.

Large rallies have also been held in Australia in the past week by Jewish groups and other supporters of Israel.

The Australian government has reiterated its support for Israel and its right to defend itself following what Deputy Prime Minister Marles said were the "appalling terrorist attacks" by Hamas fighters on Israeli civilians and troops.

Politically, Canberra is committed to a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist within internationally recognized borders.

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Community Hostility in Chad Rising as Refugee and Displacement Crisis Grows

By Lisa Schlein October 16, 2023

U.N. officials warned Monday that community hostility in Chad is rising as thousands of refugees from conflict-ridden Sudan continue to arrive, putting pressure on limited resources Chadians depend on for their livelihoods and survival.

"People in Chad have been displaced from their own communities because the pressure of the many refugees that have arrived has even pushed them further into the country and displaced them from their natural homes," said Madeleine Alingue, secretary of state for economic prosperity and international partnerships in Chad.

"We really think that if we do not take care of the host communities, this hostility, the tension can be brought up and we can have instability in that region," she said.

Eastern Chad is facing an unprecedented new influx of refugees and returnees from Sudan. The U.N. refugee agency reports nearly 490,000 Sudanese have sought refuge in Chad since April 15, when armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces plunged the country into a catastrophic war.

The UNHCR projects more than 600,000 Sudanese refugees and Chadian returnees will arrive in eastern Chad before the end of the year.

"Chad is living in an unstable regional situation, bordered by countries in a state of crisis," said Alingue. "Our border with Libya is in crisis, so is Niger, the Central African Republic and Sudan," she said, noting that Chad, with its open-door policy, has received many refugees fleeing these surrounding countries in crisis.

"This is putting enormous pressure on our resources, which are limited," she said, noting that only one-fourth of the more than $920 million needed for lifesaving operations in the country has been received.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, reports 5.7 million people are food insecure, with 2.1 million suffering from acute hunger.

"People have just gone through the worst lean period in a decade," said Violet Kakyomya, U.N. resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Chad.

She said that the lean period, the time before the next harvest, is when food stocks are at their lowest and "people have been unable to meet their basic food needs."

She said people in Chad are living in one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to climate change. "We have suffered from floods and drought, affecting more than 7 million people out of a population of 18 million."

Despite the many challenges, Kakyomya said Chad has always been welcoming to refugees. Over the past two decades, and during periods of violence and the arrival of new refugees, she said Chad still managed to engage in a vibrant trading relationship with Sudan.

Since Sudan has become a war zone, she said trade between the two countries has stopped, creating great difficulties for both the refugee and local host communities in Chad.

"The local population is turning up more and more at food distribution sites," she said. "They want food for themselves. They are expressing their needs. We cannot just watch them standing by while we assist the refugees. We need to assist them as well," she said.

U.N. officials have been meeting with international donors in Geneva to describe the dire humanitarian situation in Chad. The U.N. is also seeking to persuade them to fill the large funding gap threatening the ability of aid agencies to respond to the food, forced displacement, health and climate change emergencies facing the population.

Resident coordinator Kakyomya said, "The response to eastern Chad must be multi-dimensional. It is not just a response to the refugees, but a response to the needs of the host community is crucial.

"This is very fertile ground for social instability and conflict," she warned.

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Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt

October 16, 2023

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt. They discussed ongoing efforts to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, in coordination with the UN, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and other regional partners, and the need to preserve stability in the Middle East more broadly. President Biden condemned Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel and reiterated that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination. The two leaders agreed to continue their close coordination to prevent the conflict from widening and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.

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Israel-Palestine conflict at critical point amid rising concerns, tensions

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Oct 17, 2023 12:29 AM Updated: Oct 17, 2023 10:41 AM

With a looming Israeli ground invasion in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that the Palestinian people are facing, the Israel-Gaza conflict is escalating at a crucial point. Israel may not stop its military actions despite mounting pressure from the international community, and the battlefield between Israel and Palestine is now extending to diplomacy and public opinion, which will make the situation more complicated, analysts said, calling for the acceleration of mediation efforts to prevent the situation from getting worse.

The war has continued for 10 days after Hamas' surprise attack against Israel on October 7. Israel's military said Hamas' attack has killed more than 1,300 people, and injured 3,200 others. In Gaza, the Health Ministry said Monday that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 2,750 people and wounded at least 9,700, according to media reports.

China is providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the Palestinian National Authority respectively, for the urgent needs of food, medical care and housing in Gaza, a spokesperson from China International Development Cooperation Agency said on Monday.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed that four Chinese citizens died in the conflict, two are missing and six injured. Mao added that the operation of commercial flights between China and Israel continues and advised Chinese nationals to return to China as soon as possible. The ministry will provide convenience to Chinese people while closely monitoring the security situation and the situation of land and air travel, she said.

The crisis has reached a turning point as Israel reportedly plans to conduct ground operations in Gaza. Israel's retaliatory actions have also alarmed the international community and more major countries have increased their efforts at mediation, Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times.

Liu predicted that Israel will take harsh action against Hamas in an effort to demonstrate its response to the group's attack that left Israel with severest damages in decades.

The conflict is escalating as Israel is currently adopting a more aggressive offensive policy, which is to completely eradicate Hamas and prevent them from remaining in the Gaza Strip, Sun Degang, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Monday.

Sun noted that Israel will have to bear the burden of international moral responsibility and increase the political cost of its military actions in the Gaza Strip. However, despite the pressure from the international community, Sun estimated that Israel's military operations will not cease.

Moreover, if internal Palestinian divisions between Fatah and Hamas were to open up, the Israeli-Palestinian situation would become even more complicated, said Sun.

The international community has criticized Israeli for causing humanitarian crisis and refugee issues, Sun said. "Furthermore, some countries that previously supported or remained neutral towards Israel may also shift their attitudes," he said.

The situation is becoming worse. Despite the fact that a schedule for a ground operation has not been disclosed, Israel has been reportedly massing troops along the Gaza border. As Israel ordered 1.1 million Palestinians living in the region's north to move to the south and UN agencies issued dire warnings about a catastrophic calamity, more heartbreaking images have been covered by the media.

According to Liu, growing support for the Palestinians also reveal growing concerns about the dim future of the conflict because it is difficult to predict when Israel will cease.

The military battles would continue, and the situation would be more tense and contentious and greater efforts would be made to establish moral superiority, with both Israel and Palestine engaging in diplomatic efforts to gain sympathy or support, said Liu.

The risk for an escalation exists, Tian Wenlin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times. Although the main conflict took place in the Gaza Strip, there are some militant anti-Israel groups in the West Bank, and if they decide to launch an attack on Israel together, the fighting will spread. The war fire will also grow if new parties, like Syria and Lebanon, are drawn into the fight, said Tian.

A source with knowledge on escalating Israel-Palestine conflicts told the Global Times on Monday that the goal of Israel's military operations is to eliminate Hamas and to make sure that it will not govern Gaza anymore.

"For now, I don't think the ceasefire or peace talks is on the table until Hamas will be eliminated," the source said.

With the spillover effect of the Hamas-Israel conflicts affecting Israel-Lebanon and Israel-Syria borders, the source said Israel is not wanting to create another front in the West Bank with any other political branches of the Palestinians. However, there is a risk if there is another front, Israel would need to deal with another front that might affect other countries in the Middle East.

Split widens

The prolonged conflict between Israel and Palestine has increased divisions both inside and between the US and the EU, analysts said.

In response to the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip, citizens of numerous European nations and in US colleges demonstrated in the streets for the past days. Also, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has been under criticism for the past days for an omission of international law when showing support to Israel's "right to defend itself," according to media reports.

Sun noted that Europe is very concerned that the current protests may lead to increasing tensions or even conflicts between the Muslim population and pro-Israel forces within their own countries, as well as polarization within the European public opinion sphere.

"While Europe is politically supportive of Israel, it also fears that if Israel's military actions escalate, it could lead to a spill-over effect, meaning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict spreading to Europe," Sun said.

Liu noted that the longer Israel maintains its military operations in the Gaza Strip, the more the EU's position toward Israel would increasingly diverge from US', with more sympathy being shown for Palestine. Moreover, the EU has another serious concern -- if two to three million people are displaced in the Gaza Strip, the refugee situation in the EU will become worse.

On Sunday, the CBS news released an interview with US President Joe Biden, in which the US President said "Israel has to respond. They have to go after Hamas," but warned that an Israeli occupation of Gaza would be "a big mistake."

In response to the latest remarks of Biden saying that Israel occupation of Gaza would be "big mistake", the source said the occupation of Gaza is not the goal.

The US is more or less contradicting itself in handling the situation. On the one hand, the US does not want the conflict to escalate, which is why the top US diplomat has been busy meeting with regional nations for the past week. On the other hand, the US still needs to show support for Israel, especially on the diplomatic front, while such a stance and some of the US officials' remarks could also incite Israel to seek retaliation, said Liu.

Tian said that the outbreak of the conflict serves as a further proof of the complete failure of the US policy in the Middle East as it attempted to achieve the goal of regional reconciliation but having biased favoring toward Israel.

Sun noted that currently, neither side is prepared for the outbreak of the sixth Middle East war. However, if the conflict between Hamas and Israel escalates in the Gaza Strip, and more parties are forced to get involved, "the conflict will spread and become a regional war between nations."

Therefore, the international community should expedite mediation efforts to prevent the situation from escalating and spilling over, the expert noted.

The Palestinian issue cannot be solved by condemning one party at a certain time. China has always emphasized that it is necessary to see the complex historical context of the matter, rather than simply choosing sides to solve the problem, analysts said.

Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun will be visiting the Middle East this week. Mao Ning, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, said that the purpose of Zhai Jun's visit is to gather consensus from the international community, urge relevant parties to cease fire and violence, and promote a cooling down of the situation, in order to create necessary conditions for a political resolution.

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Syrian, Russian presidents hold phone talks on Gaza situation

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:05, October 17, 2023

DAMASCUS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation Monday to discuss the pressing situation in the Gaza Strip, according to Syria's state news agency SANA.

The two leaders highlighted the urgency in the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged, densely-populated enclave, and discussed ways to stop Israeli shelling and the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, it reported.

At least 2,750 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army in Gaza, while in Israel, the death toll was at least 1,284 as of Sunday, according to official figures from the two sides.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 16 October 2023 - Day 600

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 the purported Private Military Company (PMC) Redut is recruiting mercenaries under the guise of "volunteers", including former Wagner personnel. The Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) likely supervises and finances the group's activities, including its recruitment. Since the start of the invasion, Redut has been involved in combat operations in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Luhansk oblasts. The group highly likely has over 7,000 personnel.

At present, Redut is one of a number of PMCs and Volunteer Corps units being utilised by the Russian Ministry of Defence to augment Russian regular forces. It is a realistic possibility that the Russian Ministry of Defence's practise of recruiting through "volunteer" units has contributed to Russia avoiding further unpopular mobilisations.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that at the beginning of the day, Russian forces launched yet another missile and air strike on Ukraine, using 5x Kh-59 guided missiles, 1x Iskander-M ballistic missile and 12x Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means shot down 2x Kh-59 missiles and 11x Shaheds.

During the day of October 16, there were 53x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 6x missile and 39x air strikes, 16x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or 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. The Russian occupiers launched an air strike in the vicinity of Buchky (Chernihiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Buda-Vorob'ivs'ka (Chernihiv oblast), Sosnivka', Tur'ya (Sumy oblast), Udy, Veterynarne, Hatyshche, and Neskuchne (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian soldiers repelled 12x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast), and 4x more attacks near Stel'makhivka and Nadiya (Luhansk oblast). In addition, Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of settlement of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Kam'yanka, Dvorichna, Berestove, Syn'kivka, and Krokhmal'ne (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinity of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), the settlements of Sivers'k and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, and Spirne (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian soldiers repelled 3x Russian attacks in the vicinity of settlement of Andriivka. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 15x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Min'kivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and New York (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful assault operations with the support of aircraft in the vicinities of Avdiivka and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x Russian attacks in that area. The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Keramik, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke, and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: during the day of October 16, Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled 16x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Oleksandropil' (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Shakhtars'ke axis: Ukrainian soldiers repelled Russian attacks south of Zolota Nyva and south of Prechystivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled all of the Russian attacks southwest of Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces also attempted to regain the lost ground west of Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast), to no success. More than 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Hulyaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Novodanylivka, and P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: the Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Mykolaivka and Ivanivka (Kherson oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at Antonivka (Kherson oblast) and Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast).

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 Russian occupation forces, exhausting Russian forces all along the front line.

During the day of October 16, the Ukrainian Air Force launched 4x air strikes on the concentrations of Russian troops, weapons, and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x artillery system of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems repelled 10 attacks of assault detachments of the AFU 68th Jaeger, 32nd, 44th and 115th mechanised brigades near Sinkovka, Ivanovka, Novoyegorovka, (Kharkov region), and Makeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic).

In addition, Russian forces delivered strikes on manpower and hardware of AFU 112th territorial defence, 14th mechanised, 95th air assault brigades near Petropavlovka, Kupyansk, and Petrovskoye (Kharkov region).

Up to 85 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, one D-20 gun, and two 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems have been eliminated in this direction during the day.

In Krasny Liman direction, two attacks launched by assault detachments of the 67th Mechanised Brigade and the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry were repelled by coordinated efforts of the Tsentr Group of Forces, helicopter strikes, and artillery fire.

In addition, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit close to Torskoye, Serebryanka, and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 65 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, one pickup truck, as well as two D-30 howitzers.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled 10 attacks of AFU assault detachments near Kleshcheyevka, Andreyevka, and Mariynka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Ground-attack aircraft launched strikes at manpower and hardware of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, 53rd, 93rd, and 110th mechanised brigades close to Belogorovka, Kurdyumovka, Belaya Gora, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's casualties were up to 460 Ukrainian personnel killed and wounded, three tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, and 12 motor vehicles.

In counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit two U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, two D-20 howitzers, and one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer.

In addition, an ammunition depot of the 54th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU was destroyed near Slavyansk (Donetsk People's Republic).

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 58th ad 72nd mechanised, and 128th Territorial Defence brigades near Novomikhailovka, Ugledar, and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

During the day, the enemy's losses in this direction have amounted to over 70 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one Giatsint-B howitzer, and Msta-B howitzer.

Two ammunition depots have been annihilated close to Zelenyi Gai and Alekseyevka (Zaporozhye region).

In Zaporozhye direction, one AFU attack close to Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region) was repelled by actions of the Russian Group of Forces, air strikes and artillery fire.

In addition, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit close to Malaya Tokmachka and Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 55 servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two pick-up trucks.

In counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, and one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.

In Kherson direction, up to 65 Ukrainian troops, 12 motor vehicles, one D-30 howitzer, as well as an electronic warfare radar.

Two AFU ammunition depots were wiped out close to Nikolskoye and Kherson (Kherson region).

One AFU sabotage and reconnaissance group was disabled close on Korabelka Island.

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 119 areas during the day.

One P-18 air target detection and tracking radar station was destroyed near Sergeyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Missile-artillery armament depots and aviation fuel storage facilities were hit close to Khmelnitsky and on the airfield of Starokonstantinov (Khmelnitsky region). One communication centre was destroyed on the Mirgorod airfield (Poltava region).

Russian air defence means have shot down two Su-25 airplanes and MiG-29 of Ukrainian Air Force near Arkhangelskoye (Kherson region), Dmitrovka and Zvonetskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). In addition, two HIMARS MLRS projectiles have been intercepted.

Moreover, 31 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down near Berestovoye, Belogorovka, Vasilevka, Yelenovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Kamenskoye, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), and Aleshki and Krynki (Kherson region).

In total, 491 airplanes and 250 helicopters, 7,919 unmanned aerial vehicles, 441 air defence missile systems, 12,673 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,163 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,788 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 14,356 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed regret that the international community failed to prevent the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan despite numerous warnings that Baku seeks to perpetrate it.

It is regrettable, extremely regrettable that despite hundreds of warnings, the rulings of the ICJ, resolutions adopted by the European Parliament, the PACE, and parliaments of various countries, and calls from governments, the international community, all of us were unable to prevent the ethnic cleansings of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, PM Pashinyan said in his speech in the European Parliament.

We initiated three discussions on this issue in the UNSC, but the discussions didnt have any practical result, and now Nagorno-Karabakh is depopulated. In conditions of the inaction of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, over 100,000 Armenians left their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh over the course of one week, another 20,000 were forced to leave Nagorno-Karabakh immediately after the 44-Day-War, and others were unable to return to Nagorno-Karabakh due to the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor since December 2022. And today, some are pretending they dont understand why the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh left their homes en masse. Such a question is cynical in itself, because the answer is more than clear. Azerbaijan had clearly and unequivocally showed its decision to make life impossible for Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, Pashinyan said.

PM Pashinyan said Armenia warned the international community about Azerbaijans intentions since December 2022.

I do not accept the surprised faces of some international officials regarding the depopulation of Nagorno-Karabakh in September, Pashinyan said.

The Armenian PM thanked the European Parliament for calling whats happened in NK by its name in terms of protecting the rights of the forcibly displaced persons in the future.
Russo-Ukraine War - 17 October 2023 - Day 601

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 has highly likely begun a coordinated offensive across multiple axes in the east of Ukraine. Russian forces in Donetsk are conducting a combined arms offensive on the heavily defended town of Avdiivka, which has been on the front line since 2014. The town is a major obstacle in preventing Russian forces from their wider objective of taking control of Donetsk Oblast.

Russia's attack is likely being carried out with multiple armoured battalions, which are attempting to envelop the town. It is likely to be the most significant offensive operation undertaken by Russia since at least January 2023.

Entrenched Ukrainian forces have so far likely held back the Russian advance, with the latter sustaining heavy equipment and personnel losses. Slow progress and high casualties have likely triggered a change in messaging from Russia, from an offensive to 'active-defence', as successfully clearing Avdiivka looks increasingly unlikely in the short term.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that at the beginning of the day, the Russian occupants launched yet another missile and air strike on Ukraine, using 1x Kh-59 air-launched cruise missile, S-300 surface-to-air guided missiles and 6x Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means shot down 1x Kh-59 air-launched cruise missile and 6x Shaheds.

During the day of October 17, there were 56x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 3x missile and 34x air strikes, 6x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or 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. The Russian occupiers launched an air strike in the vicinity of Mykolaivka (Sumy oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Sen'kivka, Tur'ya, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Baranivka, Sosnivka, Shalyhyne, Holyshivs'ke, Pokrovka (Sumy oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian soldiers repelled 12x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka, Kyslivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast), and 7x more attacks near Nadiya (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Krasne Pershe, Syn'kivka, Kyslivka, Petropavlivka, Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinity of Serebryans'ke forestry and Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), the settlements of Vesele and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Kolodyazi, Bilohorivka, Vesele, Spirne (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian soldiers repelled Russian attacks in the vicinity of settlement of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of New York (Donetsk oblast). More than 15x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful assault operations with air support in the vicinities of Avdiivka and south of Tonen'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5x Russian attacks in that area. The occupiers also launched an air strike near Stepove (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Sukha Balka, Keramik, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful assaults with air support in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 17x attacks in that area. Around 10x settlements, including Oleksandropil', Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Shakhtars'ke axis: the Ukrainian defense forces repelled Russian attacks south of Zolota Nyva and south of Prechystivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast). Around 15x settlements, including Vuhledar, Bohoyavlenka, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled all of the Russian attacks west of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Novodanylivka, Shcherbaky, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: the Russian occupiers launched an air strike in the vicinity of Beryslav (Kherson oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at Zolota Balka, Odradokam'yanka, Antonivka, Kizomys (Kherson oblast), the city of Kherson, and Dmytrivka, Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast).

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 17, the Ukrainian Air Force launched 15x air strikes on the concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 3x air strikes on anti-air missile systems.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 5x command posts, 1x concentration of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x ammunition depot and 1x artillery system of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, in the course of active operations, units of the Zapad Group of Forces, supported by aviation and artillery, have repelled seven enemy attacks close to Ivanovka and Timkovka (Kharkov region), Nadiya (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 270 soldiers killed and wounded, one tank, ten armoured fighting vehicles, and three pickup trucks.

During counter-battery warfare, two Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery systems, and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems have been hit.

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 21st and 63rd mechanised brigades of the AFU have been repelled, and 21st and 67th mechanised brigades of the AFU have been hit near Chervonaya Dibrova, Shipilovka, and Kuzmino (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 115 servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.

In addition, during the counter-battery warfare, two D-20 guns, as well as one Msta-B howitzer, have been hit.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, have repelled nine attacks by Ukrainian units. Enemy manpower and hardware have been eliminated close to Orekhovo-Vasilyevka and Andreevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 485 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and one D-20 gun.

In addition, one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar station, as well as one field ammunition depot of the 3rd Assault Brigade of the AFU have been destroyed.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, in cooperation with helicopters and artillery, have inflicted a fire attack on manpower concentration areas of units of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU near Ugledar (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 150 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, as well as two D-20 howitzers.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, aviation and artillery have repelled four attacks by 117th mechanised and 82nd air assault brigades of the AFU near Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 110 Ukrainian servicemen, seven tanks, seven armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-manufactured M109 Paladin howitzer and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been destroyed.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were more than 45 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised manpower and military hardware in 117 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force.

Five tactical missiles and four U.S.-manufactured guided GLSDB bombs have been intercepted.

In addition, 34 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Belogorovka, Vasilyevka, Svatovo (Lugansk People's Republic), Berestovoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Novaya Tarasovka (Kharkov region), Peschanovka, and Sagi (Kherson region).

In total, 491 airplanes, 251 helicopters, 7,953 unmanned aerial vehicles, 441 air defence missile systems, 12,706 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,163 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,802 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 14,372 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira

15 October 2023 18:31

2058-15-10-2023



On October 15, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil Mauro Vieira, at the initiative of the Brazilian side.

They discussed the work of the UN Security Council, in which Brazil took over the presidency in October. The ministers exchanged views on the current situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and possible further steps towards de-escalation. They emphasised the urgent need to ensure the safety of the civilian population and prevent the crisis from spreading to other countries in the region.

The Russian side noted the imperative of returning to the search for mutually acceptable solutions through the universally recognised international legal framework of the Middle East peace process, with the ultimate goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and coexisting in peace and security with Israel.

The ministers also discussed topical aspects of cooperation in a bilateral format and reviewed the schedule of forthcoming Russian-Brazilian contacts at various levels.

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Russia closely backs Belt and Road Forum for intl cooperation

Global Times

BRI facilitates Beijing-Moscow collaboration, vital for Eurasian economy: experts

By Deng Xiaoci Published: Oct 16, 2023 09:01 PM

China is set to host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin attending, which has been hailed by analysts as another milestone in the development of China-Russia bilateral ties and demonstration of Russia's support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and willingness to further boost pragmatic collaboration.

Analysts expect China and Russia to engage in in-depth exchanges with the goal of further tapping the potential of raising the levels of economic, trade and investment cooperation, improve bilateral cooperation institutions and mechanisms, and consolidate and expand energy and connectivity cooperation at the BRF.

Ahead of Putin's visit to Beijing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in the Chinese capital on Monday morning for a visit. China's top diplomat Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Lavrov.

During their meeting, Wang said that China will use the forum as an opportunity to form a broader international consensus and promote the new stage of high-quality development of the BRI. China appreciates President Putin's high regard and support for the joint construction of the BRI, and welcomes Russia's continued active participation in contributing to the promotion of common development and prosperity, Wang said.

Lavrov said the bilateral relationship between Russia and China is maintaining positive momentum. Russia looks forward to maintaining close strategic communication with China and deepening practical cooperation in various fields, he added.

The BRI has become an important platform for promoting international cooperation, and all parties are actively participating. The joint construction of the BRI also promotes mutually beneficial cooperation in the Eurasian continent. President Putin is looking forward to meeting with President Xi Jinping and believes that this summit will be a complete success, Lavrov said.

Putin's attendance of the BRF will be of great significance for the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, showing Russia's growing embrace of the BRI, Cui Heng, a scholar from the China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Monday.

Putin attended the two previous forums in 2017 and 2019.

Russia has increasingly realized the important role the BRI played in the past decade in both boosting pragmatic collaboration between the two countries and in promoting the Eurasian economy as a whole, Cui noted.

According to statistics released by the General Administration of Customs of China on Friday, from January to September 2023, the trade volume between China and Russia was more than $176 billion, a year-on-year increase of 29.5 percent. Of this figure, China's exports to Russia came to over $81 billion, an increase of 56.9 percent; China's imports from Russia exceeded $94 billion, an increase of 12.7 percent.

Russia's Sputnik news agency reported that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed on Sunday that Putin and President Xi will find time for a private conversation on the sidelines of the forum, which "will pay much attention to the world situation."

Peskov said this is "because both Russia and China play a very significant role in international affairs, and this role is growing... We are united by many integration processes, many associations, which are becoming increasingly attractive to the world community. These associations include countries that already represent the majority of the world's GDP and the majority of the world's population," the spokesman said.

Cui believes that during the talks, Putin will also present and confirm the fruitful outcomes from the two leaders' agreements reached during Xi's visit to Russia in March, especially in the domain of interconnectivity.

Moscow and Beijing are not seeking to establish a military or political alliance, in contrast to what Western countries tend to practice, Putin said in an interview with Rossiya 1 Television, TASS reported on Sunday.

Putin's latest remarks came shortly after a bipartisan panel appointed by the US congress suggested that the US should prepare for a war against Russia and China by expanding its conventional forces, strengthening alliances and enhancing its nuclear weapons modernization program.

Citing a senior official involved in the report released by the Strategic Posture Commission, Reuters said the panel members are worried about "ultimate coordination" between China and Russia, which will throw the US into a two-war construct.

Such suggestions showed the US to be the major threat to global strategic stability, while China and Russia are the cornerstone of the global stability and relations between powers, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

China-Russia strategic coordination has transcended the bilateral concept and has become increasingly vital in safeguarding the international order, fairness, justice and stability. China and Russia also share unique duties in multilateral, regional frameworks including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Sunday.

By sowing discord and creating conflicts, the US is trying to manipulate its allies in pursuit of its own maximum interests and secure its hegemony. However, this kind of Cold War mentality is already obsolete, Wang noted.

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Top procuratorate orders arrest of former chairman of Bank of China

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:22, October 16, 2023

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has ordered the arrest of Liu Liange, former chairman of the board of directors of the Bank of China, for suspected bribe-taking and illegal loan-issuing, the SPP said Monday.

The case was transferred to procuratorial authorities for examination and prosecution following the conclusion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision.

Further handling of the case is currently underway.

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China's Xi Eyes Victory Lap For Belt And Road On Its 10-Year Anniversary, Despite Criticism

By Reid Standish October 16, 2023

Despite criticism that it has saddled some countries with unsustainable levels of debt since being launched 10 years ago, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to tout the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a foreign policy success while showcasing it as an alternative development model to the West at a major summit in Beijing.

The third Belt and Road Forum will begin on October 17 and is set to be attended by representatives from around the world as China looks to cement the program championed by Xi as a key part of the country's foreign policy.

"This is the 10-year anniversary for the first big foreign policy idea that Xi pushed out," Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, told RFE/RL. "Everyone always focuses on individual projects, but [BRI] is ultimately a Chinese vision for how to engage with the world and Beijing is looking to celebrate that idea."

Formally launched in 2013 following speeches by Xi in Kazakhstan and Indonesia shortly after he became China's leader, the BRI has financed the construction of ports, power plants, railroads, highways, and other infrastructure projects and invested hundreds of billions of dollars in dozens of countries to boost trade and investment by improving China's transport links with the rest of the world.

Ahead of the upcoming Belt and Road Forum -- the first since 2019 -- the Chinese government released a report praising the program's accomplishments as a sustainable development model and framing it in opposition to the West, with Li Kexin, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's director for international economics affairs, telling reporters on October 10 that the BRI "transcends the old mindset of geopolitical games and creates a new paradigm of international cooperation."

Many experts say the BRI has directed much-needed funding to poorer countries, but that this has also come with a cost. Over the past decade it has grappled with scandals over corruption, environmental degradation, and contributing to a rising debt crisis in the Global South.

The BRI has seen the amount of financing decline since 2016 and fewer projects being funded following numerous high-profile scandals over soaring debts tied to projects that left host governments unable to make repayments, such as a nearly $1 billion highway in Montenegro and a port in Sri Lanka.

Analysts say these problems have led to Beijing becoming more risk-averse.

A study earlier in October by Boston University's Global Development Policy Center said the BRI had delivered more than $330 billion in loans to developing countries through 2021, lending more than the World Bank in some years. But the study also noted that many recipients of Chinese loans are now struggling with their overall debt and that many Chinese-funded power plants abroad are greatly adding to greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite these obstacles, the BRI is far from fading away, Pantucci said, adding that Xi is likely to use the Belt and Road Forum to respond to these criticisms while enshrining the program as a "foundation within Xi's foreign policy vision" for a "new global order where China is at the center."

"The BRI was always a concept with very fluid goals and very fluid goal posts," Pantucci said. "So, Beijing can move the goal posts and redefine what success looks like."

What To Look For At The Forum

The BRI has been central to Chinese efforts to raise its international stature over the years and experts say Beijing will be looking to carefully manage the optics of the Belt and Road Forum.

Central to that will be ensuring a large delegation of attending officials from around the world.

Beijing has not released an official guest list yet, but the Chinese Foreign Ministry said "representatives from more than 130 countries as well as many international organizations" will attend. However, it's unclear how senior these officials will be.

The first Belt and Road Forum in 2017 had 30 heads of state or government in attendance and the second gathering, in 2019, had 37. Beijing will be looking to grow that figure as it celebrates the BRI's 10th anniversary, but it may face some difficulties, especially as many top officials around the globe find themselves dealing with the crisis between Israel and Hamas.

Ensuring strong representation across Europe may also be difficult. While pro-Beijing governments in Hungary and Serbia have said they will send high-profile delegations led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Serbian President Aleksandr Vucic, it's unclear who else will attend, particularly among European Union members.

European countries formed some of the largest contingents of leaders at the previous meetings, but fallout from China's handling of the pandemic, its support for Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and numerous scandals related to BRI projects have seen Beijing's standing fall and ties fray. Italy, which was the only Group of Seven country to join the BRI, announced its intent earlier this year to withdraw from the program.

"A lot has happened since 2019 and many countries have been shocked by China's leadership and how it's navigated certain issues," Niva Yau, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, told RFE/RL. "This shift has now changed how China can use and market the [BRI]. It's no longer seen simply as this public good that China is providing to the world."

One world leader who confirmed his attendance long ago is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will be making his first trip to China since his February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and is expected to raise a variety of issues with Xi, including the future of the much-sought-after Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline.

In an October 15 interview in Moscow with the state-owned China Media Corporation, Putin praised Xi and the BRI and took aim at the West's own history of development assistance across the world, saying the main difference for BRI is that "no one imposes anything on others" and that the program doesn't have the same "colonialist flavor" as other projects.

Adapting For The Future

The BRI's official goal since its launch a decade ago has been to boost trade and investment by improving China's transport links with the rest of the world and to build up China's economic and political influence in the process.

Yau says that while the BRI's main narrative has been about building and funding infrastructure, the project itself shows that "China feels so confident about its own practices that it is ready to offer them to the world."

"The BRI is much more than a global infrastructure and connectivity project. The BRI has instead communicated a clear Chinese conviction that China believes it's ready to articulate its own vision and values to the world," Yau said.

This attitude was on display ahead of the Belt and Road Forum, with a new Chinese government report on the BRI saying the program offered a new approach that wouldn't look to "dominate world economic development, control economic rules, and enjoy development fruits."

But Chinese officials also looked to respond to criticism against the BRI in the report, saying China would adhere to "the principle of sustainable debt" and work with indebted countries toward "a sustainable and risk-controllable investment and financing system."

Christoph Nedopil, director of the Asia Institute at Griffith University in Australia, told RFE/RL that in response to debt crises in multiple countries and also because China has less money to lend as its own economy slows down, Chinese banks have become more selective of projects and partners and are increasingly prioritizing investments in renewable energy and digital initiatives that are seen as more likely to bring a return on investment.

Nedopil adds that this shift away from large-scale lending by Chinese policy banks seen in the early years of the BRI has coincided with an uptick of involvement from Chinese private companies in recent years that looks set to continue into the future.

"This is partly because Chinese banks might be turning their attention away from developing countries and toward the domestic market," Nedopil said. "But lots of these private companies are now investing because they are far more competitive globally than they were when [the BRI] was originally launched."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-xi-belt-road- initiative-anniversary-criticism/32639807.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi

16 October 2023 09:51

2060-16-10-2023



On October 16, Beijing hosted talks between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi.

The two ministers praised the positive dynamic of Russian-Chinese comprehensive interaction, had a detailed discussion of issues on the bilateral agenda, including contacts at the highest and high levels with a focus on the preparation for the Russian President's participation in the Third Belt and Road Forum, as well as cooperation between Moscow and Beijing on aligning the development of the Eurasian Economic Union and China's Belt and Road initiative.

The meeting participants underscored the importance of strengthening close coordination between Russia and China on the global stage, including in the UN and its Security Council, as well as the SCO, the G20, APEC and other mechanisms and forums. They also reaffirmed mutual intention to improve contacts within BRICS in the context of Russia's chairmanship of the group in 2024.

The two ministers also exchanged opinions on a wide range of international and regional issues, including the sharply aggravated situation in the Middle East. They had a detailed discussion about security in the Asia-Pacific region in the context of maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula and preventing the undermining of the ASEAN-centric security structure.

Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi also discussed the Ukrainian crisis, including the efforts to settle it through political and diplomatic means.

They noted with satisfaction that their positions were close or similar on all issues discussed.

The talks were held in traditionally trust-based and constructive atmosphere.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at the talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, Beijing, October 16, 2023

16 October 2023 07:28

2059-16-10-2023



Mr Minister,

My dear friend,

Colleagues.

We are happy to be in Beijing again and to have the opportunity, ahead of President Vladimir Putin's arrival in the People's Republic of China, to exchange views on bilateral affairs, which are on the upswing.

I would like to extend my greetings once again on the recent 74th anniversary of the People's Republic of China and of diplomatic relations between our countries. They are on the rise. The leaders of Russia and China will discuss them in their entirety when they meet soon.

We are grateful to our Chinese friends for inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to be the guest of honour at the Third Belt and Road International Forum. We regard this project as an important part of promoting cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit throughout the Eurasian continent. Relations between the Belt and Road Initiative project and the EAEU, the SCO, ASEAN and other organisations that operate in this geopolitical and geo-economic space are developing in this direction.

We are interested in the success of the Third Belt and Road International Forum and are confident that it will be. The very fact that almost 150 delegations from different countries and organisations will participate in it underscores the importance of this project and its excellent prospects.

I am glad to have the opportunity to discuss with you today the international agenda and other issues that we would like to prepare for the meeting of our leaders.

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BRI Boosts Beijing Efforts to Expand Influence in Latin America

By TAmas Guevara October 16, 2023

For years, China has been seeking to expand its influence in Latin America, a region that is rich in natural resources and considered to be within the U.S. sphere of influence. Since the launch of its Belt and Road Initiative a decade ago, Beijing's reach has expanded through loans, trade agreements and investments in infrastructure as well as the extraction of minerals.

As of 2023, 21 Latin American countries have joined the BRI a including Nicaragua and Argentina last year. After the launch of the BRI in 2013, China's investment in the region surged, but analysts and data show it has decreased in recent years. Meanwhile, trade between China and Latin America continues to expand, although the United States is still the region's biggest trading partner.

China's growing presence in Latin America has been met with mixed reactions. Some countries have welcomed the investment and trade opportunities that China offers. Others have expressed concerns about China's growing influence and its potential to undermine U.S. interests in the region.

Juan Pablo Cardenal, an expert in Chinese politics and economy and co-author of "The Silent Chinese Conquest," says Beijing's influence in the region varies by country, social and political conditions, and the availability of the natural resources that the Asian giant needs to meet the demands of its manufacturing sector.

"China uses its loans and its money as a penetration strategy throughout Latin America and in other parts of the world," said Cardenal.

Venezuela: BRI model flop

When China first turned its attention to Latin America, Venezuela was a key target, given its status as a major oil producer with close ties to the United States prior to Hugo ChAvez's rise to power, says Parsifal D'Sola, founder and chief executive officer of the Bogota-based Andres Bello Foundation - China Latin America Research Center.

However, Venezuela's disbursal of vast sums of state-owned bank resources from Beijing, calculated at around $65 billion, has served as a cautionary tale for China.

"By 2023, after more than $60 billion in loans, neither China nor Venezuela has anything to show for it, not a single project," D'Sola told VOA. He added that China has since shifted to work more behind the scenes to recover the loans from Venezuela and stopped putting money into the country.

"Venezuela was supposed to be the first country with the first bullet train in the region, but it never happened. The bulk of that money was supposed to be used for the country's oil and gas infrastructure, which imploded," D'Sola explained.

"From Beijing's perspective, Venezuela failed to uphold its end of the deal. This was supposed to be the model for China-Latin America cooperation, but it turned out to be the opposite."

Defying U.S. sanctions, Venezuela has used its oil to pay off billions of dollars in debt to China. Millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil have been rebranded and shipped to China, according to a 2022 Reuters report based on sources familiar with the matter.

Despite China's experience in Venezuela, the BRI model continued to attract the interest of Latin American countries. One simple reason, experts say, is because signing up is not difficult.

Joining the initiative is made through a "memorandum of understanding" that does not legally require the parties to deepen trade or investment, but does represent "a gesture of approval" of China's policies by the participating country, according to D'Sola.

Participation in the BRI does not necessarily involve large loans or donations from China, D'Sola said. He added that based on tracking of participating countries, there is typically a slight increase in interaction or investments in the months following the signing of an agreement, but after that the relationship resumes its normal course.

Observers note that recent developments a including China's tense relationship with the United States and Europe, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and China's own economic slowdown a have led to less big BRI spending and a more strategic approach by Beijing.

White gold

Cong Liang, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, says that one area of focus is on more environmentally friendly projects, according to a recent report from China's state backed Xinhua news agency.

"China will continue to boost the green development of the Belt and Road, better protect the environment, and bring benefits to the people of all Belt and Road partner countries," Cong was quoted as saying.

China has stepped up its search for minerals used in green technologies. Beijing's interest in Latin America includes the region's vast lithium reserves, often referred to as the new "white gold."

Three South American countries a Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina a make up the "Lithium Triangle," which holds 68% of the world's reserves of this key mineral needed for batteries and the green energy transition, according to the Bueno Aires-based think tank Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales.

Chinese companies are already involved in dozens of lithium extraction projects, especially in Argentina and Chile, said Juliana Gonzalez, a China and Latin America expert at Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales.

"The lithium reserves are very important in Bolivia, but they are not being extracted at an industrial level. In the case of Chile, yes, as well as in Argentina, which has witnessed an important boom in the last five years," Gonzalez told VOA.

According to Gonzalez's research, there are approximately 35 lithium extraction projects in various stages of development in Argentina. Of those projects, China has invested in nine, and Chinese investments primarily come into play when the deposits are ready for extraction.

China is also interested in other natural resources found in the South American region, including significant deposits of copper, iron and zinc.

Analysts say Peru, a key Chinese ally, is heavily influenced by Beijing because of its export dependence and trade agreements. It also has the most productive copper, zinc and iron mines in the region.

Bargain partner

Felix Maradiaga, a Central American researcher and public policy expert who has studied the differences in China's relations with countries, says Beijing adapts its approach based on the nuances of each country's government.

China's relations with Costa Rica and Maradiaga's native Nicaragua illustrate Beijing's varied approach. While China has a non-ideological relationship with Costa Rica, Nicaragua has aligned itself with Beijing under the banner of "anti-imperialism," he said.

"In the case of Costa Rica, China's strategy has been primarily commercial, lacking the deeper political undertones that exist, for instance, in the case of Nicaragua, which I've dubbed 'a bargain partner' because establishing a relationship with Nicaragua came at a very low cost for China," he explained.

Analyst Hernan Alberro studies the complexity of China's relationship with Latin American countries and says it is challenging to understand the different strategies Beijing applies to each country in the region. China clearly knows what it is doing, he says.

"China knows much more about Latin America than Latin Americans know about China," he said.

And while China's overall investments in the Belt and Road have slowed, experts say Beijing will continue to grow its ties with Latin America to access raw materials to sustain its economy and to help realize its vision of a green BRI.

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US, South Korea confront China on North Korean human rights

Both sides' commitment comes amid reports hundreds of escapees were forcibly sent back to the North from China.

By Lee Jeong-Ho 2023.10.16 -- The United States and South Korea issued a veiled warning to China for repatriating North Korean escapees, pledging to collaborate in addressing the human rights situation in the country.

The vow came as South Korea's Foreign Minister, Park Jin, met with the U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues, Julie Turner, in Seoul on Monday. During their meeting, the allies confirmed their commitment to enhancing the human rights situation in North Korea, particularly concerning China's return of escapees to the North.

"The North Korean people are living in extremely dire conditions," Park told Turner, adding that the Kim Jong Un regime is pursuing nuclear weapons at the expense of its citizens' basic rights.

The foreign minister then indirectly criticized China for sending escapees back to the North. Recent media reports alleged that "hundreds of North Korean defectors detained in China have been forcibly repatriated to North Korea," Park said. "Under no circumstance should North Korean defectors be forcibly repatriated against their will."

"That is our government's position. And we've made it clear to the Chinese side," the foreign minister continued. "My government is engaging in vigorous diplomatic efforts to ensure that North Korean defectors are not forcibly repatriated to North Korea, but rather in accordance with humanitarian principles."

"I look forward to a continuous robust engagement and to our active collaboration to bring about real change in the North Korean human rights situation."

Park's comments added weight to the announcement from South Korea's Unification Ministry on Friday that it had lodged a protest against China regarding the suspected forced repatriation of numerous North Koreans. The escapees are viewed as a betrayal and a threat to the Kim Jong Un regime, and are often subjected to harsh punishments, including imprisonment, torture, and potentially capital punishment - according to testimonies of North Korean escapees.

Human Rights Watch reported last week that Chinese authorities had forcibly returned over 500 North Koreans to the reclusive nation. The organization urged governments worldwide to condemn Beijing's actions. Most of these North Koreans were civilians and religious figures who were arrested while attempting to travel to South Korea from China, Radio Free Asia has learned.

Peter Jung, head of Seoul-based rights organization NGO Justice for North Korea, also told RFA that a large number of North Koreans had been repatriated through the North Korean-Chinese border, including children, and that the repatriations had taken place simultaneously in several areas.

Turner, who was sworn into office on Friday and began her inaugural three-day visit to Seoul Monday, vowed to work with South Korea in making a difference regarding this issue.

"I am very much looking forward to working with you and others in the ROK government to further advance North Korea," Turner said, referring to South Korea's formal name. "The human rights situation in North Korea remains amongst the worst in the world."

"The international community must come together to work to expose the regime's human rights abuses and create concrete change to improve the lives of the North Koreans," she added.

The U.S. and South Korean collaboration in gathering and disseminating information to provide an unfiltered view of the ground realities, may have the potential, albeit limited, to influence North Korea's human rights situation.

As two major international players with vested interests in the Korean Peninsula, their combined diplomatic and political weight could garner a broader international coalition to exert pressure on North Korea to change its practices.

"The nomination of a U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues, a post that has been empty for a while, conveys a significant message to the North Korean people," said Ji Seong-ho, who defected from North Korea to South Korea, where he's now a member of the national assembly. "It's a message that the allies will actively raise voices to protect basic rights of the ordinary North Koreans."

"It's particularly crucial for both ROK and the U.S. to intervene and aid North Korean escapees in China, actively working to halt further forced repatriations," Ji added. "We hope that such messages persistently resonate from Washington and the global community."

Edited by Elaine Chan and Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2016, 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.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's upcoming visit to the DPRK

16 October 2023 10:05

2061-16-10-2023

On October 18-19, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay an official visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the invitation of the DPRK's Foreign Ministry.

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STRASBOURG, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenia wants to deepen relations with the EU and doesnt want to oppose this with the vision of strengthening and developing regional relations, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a joint press conference with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.

The Armenian government is committed to the full implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, Pashinyan said, adding that there are opportunities to further expand the cooperation.

A security component has been added in the EU-Armenia relations, in person of the EU civilian mission, which is monitoring Armenias border with Azerbaijan. As a result of the European Political Community Granada summit and todays discussions and your speech, it is obvious that a consensus exists among EU institutions regarding deepening relations with Armenia, the PM said.

Pashinyan said that Armenia expects strong support from the EU in overcoming a number of challenges. Among others, I am speaking about overcoming the humanitarian problems in Armenia resulting from the forced displacement of more than 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, where we need urgent support, the PM said.
Report of SPA Standing Committee on Elections of Deputies to People's Assemblies at All Levels

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, October 17 (KCNA) -- Elections of deputies to provincial (municipality), city (district) and county people's assemblies will take place in the DPRK on November 26, Juche 112 (2023) under Article 139 of the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK and decisions of the regional people's committees.

The Standing Committee of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) announced a report on the elections on Monday. -0-

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Int'l Affairs Analyst on NATO's Nuclear War Drills

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, October 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Tong Myong, a researcher of the Society for International Politics Study in the DPRK, released the following article titled "NATO's nuclear war drills again highlight the U.S. entity as a nuclear maniac" on October 17:

The U.S.-led NATO will stage a simulated nuclear bomb dropping drill called "Steadfast Noon" on October 16-26.

In this regard, the secretary general of the NATO said the Ukrainian war reminds that NATO's nuclear weapons play an important role in deterring aggression, asserting that the drill will promote the reliability, efficiency and security of the NATO nuclear deterrence and send a clear message that NATO would protect and defend its allies.

The "Steadfast Noon" drill, which had been staged under tightest secrecy with the aim of making the pilots of NATO member states get familiar with the use of U.S. tactical nuclear bombs according to the "NATO nuclear-sharing policy" adopted in 1966, has developed very dangerously, revealing its offensive nature since last year.

Various kinds of airplanes, including the 4th and 5th generation fighters, reconnaissance planes and tanker planes, and even U.S. nuclear strategic bombers B-52 are involved in the drill to master the dropping of B61 tactical nuclear bombs deployed in Europe. This drill is evidently actual nuclear war maneuvers.

Moreover, B61 tactical nuclear bomb is 20 times stronger in killing and destructive power than the nuclear bombs that reduced Hiroshima and Nagasaki to a heap of ashes in a moment and killed hundreds of thousands of people. To throw such bomb on mankind is a dangerous nuclear gambling that can be done only by nuclear maniacs.

What is more serious is the fact that all those deeds are being done under the active participation and support of the U.S., the only nuclear war criminal state in the world.

No one can deny that the U.S. is persisting in nuclear threat and blackmail against the anti-imperialist independent countries while unhesitatingly transferring nuclear technology to its followers kowtowing to it.

It is none other than the U.S. which is spreading nuclear technology through the formation of AUKUS, a nuclear confrontation alliance, and systematically violating and destroying the international nuclear disarmament treaties.

The U.S. nuclear racket going far beyond the danger line has been intensively revealed in the Korean peninsula.

The U.S. has frequently staged large-scale separate and combined drills making a preemptive nuclear strike at the DPRK and its neighboring countries a fait accompli, while deploying all kinds of nuclear strike means in the Korean peninsula, the biggest hotspot in the world, on a permanent basis.

It was only some days ago that the U.S. strategic nuclear submarine with dozens of nuclear warheads showed itself in the waters of the region of south Korean puppets and that the U.S. nuclear carrier Ronald Reagan appeared at Pusan Port in the puppet region.

Owing to the U.S dangerous nuclear provocations not only in Northeast Asia, including the Korean peninsula, but also in other parts of the world, this planet is now getting closer to a thermonuclear zone, not a nuclear-free zone, and to war and confrontation, not peace and stability.

It is by no means fortuitous that the international community is raising the voice of uneasiness and concern that the cloud of a thermonuclear war from Washington makes Armageddon potential.

The reality goes to prove once again that the dark clouds of a dreadful thermonuclear war can never be wiped out as long as the U.S., a heinous nuclear war killer which regards nukes as the key for its hegemonic foreign policy, exists.

The whole international community strongly aspiring to justice and truth should squarely see through the aggressive nature of the U.S. and NATO forces' reckless thermonuclear war moves and resolutely foil them step by step with the concerted efforts. -0-

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U.S. Scheme for Nuclear Supremacy Rebuked

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, October 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Kwang Myong, a researcher of the Institute for Disarmament and Peace of the DPRK Foreign Ministry, issued the following article titled "U.S. pursuit of nuclear supremacy is root cause of strategic instability destroying world peace" on October 17:

At a time when peace and stability are seriously wrecked in Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world due to the U.S. hegemonic moves and interference, American politicians again asserted that the U.S. should dominate the world with nuclear upper-hand, arousing great uneasiness and concern of the international community.

Some days ago, the U.S. congressional sub-committee on strategic forces termed the anti-U.S. independent countries' bolstering of self-defensive military capability "threat", and released an extremely risky report which calls for rounding off the U.S. mainland missile defense system and accelerating the modernization of nuclear forces to cope with it.

The U.S., the world's biggest nuclear weapons state and the world's first nuclear user which adopted the preemptive nuclear attack on other countries as its national policy, is talking about "nuclear threat" from someone. This is a sophism making profound confusing of right and wrong and just like a guilty party filing the suit first.

It is working hard to highlight the defensive nature, but the world recognizes that the U.S. mainland missile defense system is, in essence, a means for carrying out a nuclear war of aggression.

In the Cold War period, the U.S. put forward the "Strategic Defense Initiative", called the "star wars" plan, under the pretext of coping with the nuclear threat from the former Soviet Union. After the end of the Cold War, it unilaterally quit the ABM treaty (anti-ballistic missile system), which was concluded between the Soviet Union and the U.S., in 2001 under the judgment that the treaty was hindering its nuclear arms buildup.

Clear is the ulterior aim sought by the U.S. through its ceaseless updating of the interceptor missile system. Its aim is to make the shield stronger so that the spear can be used as safely as possible.

In this sense, the U.S. scheme to build the missile defense system in the mainland under the pretext of "nuclear threat from north Korea" is, in fact, part of the out-and-out offensive moves for bolstering up the nuclear force to make a preemptive nuclear strike at the DPRK easier.

The disruption of the strategic balance between offense and defense will cause conflicts.

The U.S. spearhead for carrying out its geopolitical hegemony strategy by blackmailing other countries with nukes is now being further sharpened, revealing its insidious appearance.

The U.S., giving up its "principle of no-first use of nuclear weapons", is planning to increase the stockpile of nuclear materials necessary for making strategic and tactical nuclear warheads and nuclear bombs in a geometric way. And it is hell-bent on modernizing the nuclear triad to carry them on.

In January 2017, the U.S. Department of Defense approved the development of next-generation Columbia-class strategic nuclear submarine, and has been speeding up the work for replacing all Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarines with Columbia-class ones from 2027. Last December, it first opened the sixth-generation stealth nuclear strategic bomber, B-21 Raider, to the public.

In addition, the U.S. planned to replace Minuteman 3 with a new ICBM, LGM-35A Sentinel, from 2029 and announced the fact that the first ground test of the first-stage solid-fuel engine for the LGM-35A Sentinel was conducted in March last.

It is also desperately resorting to space militarization and spending astronomical funds on the development of latest weapons using laser technology.

This is proved by the facts that the U.S. put 10 military satellites into orbit in April in order to bolster the capability of tracking ultra-modern missiles including hypersonic missiles in the low earth orbit and that a person concerned of the Missile Defense Agency of the U.S. Defense Department said in August that the research of a directed-energy weapon for intercepting missiles of hostile countries finally came to fruition.

What merits a more serious attention is that the U.S. has deliberately escalated the situation by frequently dispatching nuclear strategic assets to hotspots including Northeast Asia and offering ultra-modern military hardware to its junior allies.

All the facts eloquently show who is threatening with nukes and who is threatened by whom.

The strengthened military capability for independence and self-defense can never be a pretext for bolstering up the nuclear force for aggression.

The U.S. arms buildup targeting nuclear powers is bound to bring about a due counteraction, and the world is plunging deeper into vortex of the "new Cold War", an era of new nuclear arms race.

The reality urgently requires the DPRK, which is standing in confrontation with the U.S. imperialism, the most aggressive nuclear war criminal force, to bolster up its self-defensive military capabilities for deterring a nuclear war both in quality and quantity and in a rapid way.

The international community should heighten vigilance against the U.S. reckless moves for nuclear arms buildup that undermine the basis of global peace and stability, and never remain a passive onlooker to them.

The DPRK will counter the hostile forces' any attempt for a nuclear war with its overwhelming and decisive response strategy and fulfill its mission as a responsible nuclear weapons state for reliably defending peace and security in the region and the rest of the world. -0-

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Inaugural India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue

India - Ministry of External Affairs

October 16, 2023

The inaugural India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 16 October 2023. Indian delegation was co-chaired by Shri Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary Europe West, Ministry of External Affairs and Shri Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary, International Cooperation, Ministry of Defence. The UK delegation was co-chaired by Mr. Ben Mellor, India Director, Indian Ocean Directorate, FCDO and Lt. General Rob Magowan, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Finance and Military Capability, Ministry of Defence.

The 2+2 dialogue at Senior Official level is a mechanism to discuss and review all aspects of India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both delegations expressed satisfaction at the regular high level political exchanges and interactions which have provided guidance and momentum to India-UK multifaceted ties. They expressed happiness on the progress made in diverse areas of India-UK Roadmap 2030 including political exchanges, economic cooperation, defence and security, people to people ties, as well as regional and multilateral cooperation.

The two sides also discussed possibilities for further collaboration particularly in areas of trade and investment, defence, critical and emerging technologies, civil aviation, health, energy, culture and strengthening peoples connect. The officials had an opportunity to exchange assessments about recent international developments including in the Indo-Pacific region, given their shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity and for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They also considered possibility of enhancing collaboration in areas of counterterrorism, HADR and maritime security.

They agreed to report outcome of the Dialogue to higher bilateral mechanisms, Foreign Office Consultations and Defence Consultative Group, and hold second meeting of the Dialogue in UK at mutually convenient time next year.

New Delhi

October 16, 2023

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Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani of Iraq

October 16, 2023

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani of Iraq. They discussed ongoing efforts to prevent an expansion of the conflict in Gaza in the wake of Hamas's abhorrent attack in Israel. The two leaders discussed the importance of addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, in coordination with the UN and regional partners. The President and the Prime Minister also affirmed the importance of the bilateral partnership between Iraq and the United States as outlined in the Strategic Framework Agreement between our two countries. They finally committed to regular coordination between their teams to advance shared objectives and preserve regional stability over the coming weeks.

###

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October 16, 2023

By Joseph Clark , DOD News

DOD Remains Resolute in Support of Israel

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is continuing to coordinate closely with his Israeli counterpart in response to last week's deadly attacks by Hamas terrorists, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said today.

Since meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and members of the Israeli War Cabinet in Tel Aviv on Friday, Austin has remained fully engaged with the country's leaders as the U.S. works ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself from further attacks.

"Since leaving Israel, he has held calls with MOD Gallant ... on a near daily basis and will likely have another call today," Singh said. "We are working to meet Israel's needs, which include air defense, precision guided munitions, artillery and medical supplies."

In addition to quickly fielding U.S. aid to Israel, the U.S. has bolstered its presence in the region to deter further aggression.

The increases to U.S. force posture signal the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and our resolve to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war."

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III

Over the weekend, Austin directed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group which arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean last week.

The Navy units are part of a broader bolstering of U.S. forces in the region. Last week, the Air Force announced the deployment of F-15 and F-16 fighter squadrons and A-10 attack squadrons to the region.

"The increases to U.S. force posture signal the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and our resolve to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war," Austin said in a statement over the weekend.

Singh noted that the U.S. is also providing planning and intelligence support to the Israeli-led hostage recovery efforts following last week's attack.

That support includes a "small number of personnel in support of this effort as augmentation to the embassy staff," Singh said.

"As the president stated, any presence of military personnel will be to advise and consult on hostage recovery efforts," she said.

Singh said DOD remains focused on supporting Israel's defenses, containing the conflict in Gaza, deterring other state or non-state actors from entering the battle space and protecting U.S. forces.

During his visit to Tel Aviv last week, Austin condemned the "bloodthirsty, fanatical and hateful" attacks by Hamas terrorists.

"The world has just witnessed a great evil: the deadliest attack on civilians in the history of the state of Israel and the bloodiest day in Jewish history since the end of the Holocaust," Austin said after meeting with Israeli officials.

"So, make no mistake: The United States will make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself," he said.

Austin said U.S. support to Israel remains "non-negotiable" and that additional security assistance would continue to "flow at the speed of war."

"For any country, for any group or anyone thinking about trying to take advantage of this atrocity to try to widen the conflict or to spill more blood, we have just one word: Don't," Austin said.

"The world is watching," he said. "So are we. And we aren't going anywhere."

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PM Netanyahu Meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the Second Time since the Outbreak of the War

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

16.10.2023

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the second time since the outbreak of the war. They are currently meeting with the streamlined War Cabinet - Minister Yoav Gallant, Minister Benny Gantz, Minister Gadi Eisenkot, Minister Ron Dermer and MK Aryeh Deri, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv.

Earlier, Prime Minister Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Blinken held an in-depth private meeting, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, during which National Security Council Director Tzahi Hanegbi and the Prime Minister's Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Avi Gil, participated at times.

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Prime Minister's Office: Coordinator for the Captives and Missing Brig.-Gen. (Ret.) Gal Hirsch in his Second Meeting with Deputy US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Steven Gillen

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

16.10.2023

Prime Minister's Office: Coordinator for the Captives and Missing Brig.-Gen. (Ret.) Gal Hirsch in his Second Meeting with Deputy US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Steven Gillen: "I thank you for standing alongside Israel and greatly appreciate the assistance."

Coordinator for the Captives and Missing Brig.-Gen. (Ret.) Gal Hirsch, today, met with Deputy US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Steven Gillen, who arrived with his team.

Their second meeting was held at the national control center for the families of captives and abducted, which was established at IDF Home Front Command headquarters, where Deputy Envoy Gillen was briefed on the activity at the Center.

The Deputy US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs reiterated the steadfast commitment of the US to the security of Israel and to the return of the captives, and said that he was at the disposal of the State of Israel and would do everything necessary to help it.

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PM Netanyahu Speaks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

16.10.2023

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, last night, spoke with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

The two leaders discussed regional developments in wake of Hamas's murderous assault against the citizens of Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is determined to destroy Hamas's military and governing capabilities, and is making every effort to prevent harming non-combatants.

The two leaders agreed to keep in contact.

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Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the State of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.

October 16, 2023

20:05

The focus was on the crisis situation caused by the dramatic escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The President of Russia expressed his sincere condolences to the families and friends of the Israeli victims and stressed his total rejection and condemnation of any actions that result in civilian casualties, including among women and children.

Vladimir Putin laid out the steps being taken by Russia to help normalise the situation, to prevent the further escalation of violence and to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. In particular, the Israeli side was informed of the key points of today's telephone calls with the leaders of Palestine, Egypt, Iran and Syria.

Russia's principled commitment to continue its work to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieve a peaceful settlement through political and diplomatic means was reaffirmed.

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The Government of Armenia will allocate approximately 100,000,000 dollars to support the forcibly displaced Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and expects the international communitys assistance in this regard, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in the European Parliament on October 17.

Under the decisions that weve already adopted, we will allocate approximately 100 million dollars to support the forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh. And we need international assistance, including in the form of budgetary support, the PM said, adding that the mechanism of support is transparent.

And we are grateful to our international partners, the EU and member states, whove already made allocations or will continue doing so to overcome the humanitarian crisis resulting from the forced displacement of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, he said.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant After Their Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

The Secretary of State

Tel Aviv, Israel

October 16, 2023

DEFENSE MINISTER GALLANT: Mr. Secretary, thank you for coming to Israel. We always know - knew that the United States is a great ally. But today people in Israel, in the world, see with their own eyes you are here for the second time in this week, senior officials of America are here every day, and the American flag is on - is sailing on boats in the Mediterranean, and we know what is the meaning.

So let me tell you, Mr. Secretary, this will be a long war; the price will be high. But we are going to win for Israel and the Jewish people, and for the values that both countries believe in.

With your permission, a few words in Hebrew.

(In Hebrew.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you, Mr. Minister. You know our deep commitment to Israel's right - indeed, its obligation - to defend itself and to defend its people. And in that, you have and always have the support of the United States. Thank you.

DEFENSE MINISTER GALLANT: Thank you very much, sir.



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Myanmar junta enlists ethnic militias in fight for Kachin state

The groups have joined in clashes with anti-junta forces since mid-September.

By RFA Burmese 2023.10.16 -- Myanmar's junta is beefing up its proxy forces in Kachin state, pitting ethnic minority fighters against one another to counter staunch resistance in the northern region, according to military experts.

The use of ethnic fighters, in addition to other militias such as the Pyu Saw Htee, is the latest gambit by the junta to solidify power in Myanmar, where the military has become embroiled in a multifront conflict with armed groups following its February 2021 coup d'etat.

Fierce fighting between junta troops and a joint force of the Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, and People's Defense Force, or PDF, paramilitary groups began moving in July towards the KIA's headquarters in Lai Zar, a remote town in Kachin state on the border with China.

Since then, the junta has been attacking townships on the ground and from the air near Lai Zar and areas along the Myitkyina-Bhamo road, as part of a bid to gain control of the major Kachin cities of Hpakant, Bhamo and Myitkyina.

But the KIA and PDF - loosely organized units of civilians across the country who have taken up arms against the junta - have proved worthy adversaries.

Col. Naw Bu, a spokesman for the KIA, recently told RFA Burmese that more than 80 battles were fought the vicinity of Bhamo, Hpakant, Tanai, Shwegu, Momauk, Waingmaw and at the KIA's Lai Zar headquarters between July 23 and Sept. 11, during which 51 junta soldiers were killed and 106 injured.

The number of casualties among anti-junta forces was not immediately available and the junta has provided little information on the fighting.

On Monday, Naw Bu said that amid the resistance, the junta has begun enlisting ethnic militias in Kachin and neighboring Shan state to reinforce its Bhamo-based troops in attacking the KIA in Lai Zar.

"These militias are sent to the front line after receiving only brief amounts of military training," he said. "They would never arm those militias unless they were being used on the front line ... So, we ethnic groups have to fight one another and they are happy to let ethnic troops die."

Naw Bu said that the junta had been sending ethnic militias to fight around Lai Zar since Sept. 17.

Among them are the Lisu militia, led by Shwe Min, and the Warazup militia, led by Min Zay Thant, he said. The two militias clashed with the KIA several times since last year, and the Warazup group claimed that its troops raided and destroyed a post manned by KIA Battalion 14 on Oct. 2.

Reports of the junta's use of ethnic militias follow a Sept. 10 visit by junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to northern Shan state, during which he met with several militia leaders and urged them to cooperate in military and security initiatives.

Reserve force for 'dwindling' military

Warazup leader Min Zay Thant told RFA that his militia, based in Hpakant township, has fought the KIA as a matter of "self-defense" against repeated attacks.

"If they attack us, we will respond as much as we can, in accordance with our plan for security of the area and the safety of our people," he said. "If they don't want these problems, the KIA shouldn't attack us."

Min Zay Thant said that the militia was "enforcing the security of Warazup village" and "not involved in junta troop offensives."

Attempts to contact junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the military's use of ethnic militias in Kachin state went unanswered Monday.

But Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the pro-military Thayninga Institute of Strategic Studies, made up of former generals, told RFA that the military has a long tradition of using militias to counter armed groups in Myanmar.

"Beginning with the communist insurgency that started after our [1948] independence, and later, when armed violence took place across the country, it was the militias that kept the regions stable," he said. "This is the method that was used in the past, and now it is being used again. It's nothing special."

Other observers say the junta's push to enlist ethnic militias in its fight against the KIA shows that its ground forces are increasingly stretched thin.

"[Militia groups] can be used as a kind of reserve force," said political commentator Than Soe Naing. "When the military is dwindling, as it is these days, they are mobilized to join in the war."

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Joshua Lipes 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.

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Five-day raid continues as 45,000 flee Myanmar's Sagaing region

Junta troops killed one civilian and arrested nearly 30.

By RFA Burmese 2023.10.16 -- One local was killed and nearly 45,000 people were displaced during military raids in Myanmar's northern Sagaing region, local residents told Radio Free Asia on Monday.

Junta troops stormed villages across four townships from Thursday until Sunday, detaining nearly 30 people along the way.

Most of the internally displaced are from Khin-U, Shwebo, Pale and Kanbalu townships.

On Thursday and Friday, five residents remaining in Pale township's Kyar Si village and Kan Gyi village were captured when junta troops stormed the area, Zaw Htet, a leader of the local people's administration group, told RFA.

"The villagers told them to flee," he said, adding that they did not know whether the captured people were still alive. "The junta troops are still in Kyar Si village. Similarly in Kan Gyi, two people were arrested because they did not flee when the troops entered the village. One was shot dead and another was beaten and released."

Zaw Htet identified the dead man as Chan Thar, in his 40s.

Nobody has been in contact with the three men taken from Kyar Si village and their status is still unknown.

Troops are continuing to destroy villages in Pale township, said Nan Win, a member of the township's People's Defense Force. He added that this assault was more violent than ones previously carried out in the township and that troops were still stationed in two villages.

Soldiers set up a blockade in Chin Pyit village trapping nearly 30 residents, locals said. The number of women and children is still unknown, as the army has not allowed anyone to enter the village since Thursday.

The next morning, 500 soldiers raided two more villages, forcing over 15,000 residents to flee.

One woman told RFA the army was shooting people along the route.

"It seems like they will continue to raid Nyan Inn village," she said, requesting anonymity to protect herself. "The people outside the village were chased and shot at with guns and shelled with heavy weapons. The entire village was forced to flee because they were afraid of the [troops]."

The convoy was divided into groups to carry out attacks on more villages in Khin-U and Shwebo townships on Saturday, residents said.

A group of over 100 soldiers raided four villages, according to the residents.

A Khin-U resident who did not want to be named for security reasons told RFA that he had to flee when he heard the convoy was on its way.

"I was so worried about the heavy rain and had to run, despite bad communication," he said. "I had to flee ahead as soon as I heard because I was worried that I would be too delayed by the muddy roads to escape."

On Sunday, nearly 30 civilians were arrested when the army raided Tha Yet Pin Wun village and nearby forests in Shwebo township, said an official of Khin-U Special Force Organization.

"When the army left the village they [civilians] were trapped because they thought that the convoy would not come to the forest where they were fleeing," the official said. "We got the information that mothers ... were among the arrested. We don't know who or how many were arrested. But the junta council troops captured them to use as human shields."

Local defense forces attacked the group entering Khin-U township using landmines, leading to speculation that villagers were held hostage in retaliation, a local defense forces official told RFA, asking to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.

RFA called Sai Naing Naing Kyaw, the junta spokesperson, seeking comment on the raids, but he did not reply by the time of publication.

On Oct. 5 and 6, a raid in Sagaing's Pale and Salingyi townships left one man dead, 10 people in police custody, and thousands displaced.

More than 800,000 people in Sagaing region have been forced to flee their homes due to violence since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup,, according to the United Nations.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.

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.

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Meeting on current issues

The President chaired a meeting to discuss the course of the special military operation and the situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

October 16, 2023

15:50

Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region

The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, Director of the Federal Service of National Guard Troops Viktor Zolotov and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

We will discuss two issues.

First, we will discuss the situation in the special military operation zone. I would like to ask Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to brief us on current developments there.

Second, we will focus on the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and the situation in Gaza. I have already had several conversations with regional colleagues, and several other conversations are to take place before the day is over.

So, let's get to work.

Mr Shoigu, you have the floor, please.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu: Mr President, colleagues,

Current developments in the special military operation zone are marked by various attempts by the enemy to launch offensive actions on different fronts. They have run into our defence units on almost all fronts. Notably, we have managed to improve our tactical positions in many sections of the front. In fact, the enemy has been unable to make any significant advances.

The Ukrainian authorities had planned a spring offensive campaign, followed by a summer and now an autumn campaign, but they have not achieved any notable success in any of them. On the sections along the frontline where we observe heightened enemy activity today, we have built deep layered defences, which we can now refer to as active defence because since the beginning of the summer campaign on June 4, the enemy has suffered substantial - or at least major - losses in terms of personnel and equipment, including hundreds of tanks, over 1,000, almost 1,500 armoured vehicles, and they continue to incur such losses.

We maintain active operations on the fronts where we deem it necessary to improve our position.

Overall, the situation appears stable and secure. The troops are acting professionally and displaying heroism on many fronts. They are confident that they will not only hold their positions, but also continue to implement the plans we have outlined.

Vladimir Putin: Good.

Mr Ryabkov, I value the opinions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, special services, foreign intelligence, and all of our colleagues here.

Considering the unfolding developments and the presence of many Russian citizens in the conflict zone on both sides, along with the suffering of the civilian population, there is a pressing need for providing humanitarian assistance to everyone in the region.

So, in the run-up to the telephone calls and in order to formulate a common position on this matter, I would appreciate it if you could begin by providing a general assessment of the Foreign Ministry's perspective on the situation. After that, we can discuss the first and second issues in more detail.

Mr Ryabkov, please go ahead.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov: Thank you.

Mr President, colleagues,

In our assessment, the situation in the Middle East conflict zone is tending to get worse. The operations undertaken by the Israeli military are indiscriminate. There remains the looming threat of a ground operation encompassing an incursion into Gaza. This enclave and its residents are now facing a humanitarian crisis. They are not receiving medical assistance and their essential needs are not being met, which is causing substantial concern around the world.

The Russian Federation is doing its best politically, as you just mentioned, particularly through the UN Security Council, where we have put forward a draft resolution focusing on humanitarian matters. The United States, which holds the primary responsibility for this dramatic and severe crisis since it has sought to monopolise the settlement process for many years now and to disregard the relevant Security Council resolutions, is now obstructing efforts to achieve a proper solution.

Diplomatic efforts on various fronts are intensifying. In principle, the risk of this conflict spiralling out of control is substantial. We will spare no effort in collaboration with our partners and political allies to curb the ongoing developments and to establish conditions that ensure the safe evacuation of our citizens from harm's way. Efforts to this end are being carried out through our embassies and our mission in the Palestinian National Authority, as well as through our consular services. Our Crisis Management Centre remains in touch with all relevant agencies at all times.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Ok. Thank you very much.

<...>

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'Creating Chaos Wherever He Can': Khodorkovsky Argues Ukraine War Is Taxing Putin's Hold On Power

By Igor Sevryugin October 16, 2023

PRAGUE -- For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Israel-Hamas war is like every other crisis around the world: an opportunity to further Russia's aims in its invasion of Ukraine, says former oil tycoon and Russian opposition activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

"They are not supporting anyone," Khodorkovsky said of the Kremlin. "They are for chaos. Putin today needs chaos to get what he wants out of increasingly muddy, murky waters. And what they want is not to lose in Ukraine."

"Putin is creating chaos wherever he can to distract people, to distract resources, to distract politicians, and to be able to finish his dirty work [in Ukraine]," he said in an interview with Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.

Putin, he said, "has no personal interest in Hamas."

"But there is a personal, a practical interest in destabilizing the situation," Khodorkovsky added. "It doesn't matter if it is Hamas or Hezbollah, whether it is the situation in Israel or some mess in the Balkans. It doesn't matter. What does matter is that the attention of the major world players is diverted."

'Illegitimate And Criminal'

Formerly Russia's richest man, Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003 on fraud charges that he says were trumped up by Putin and his allies to punish his political activity, bring influential tycoons to heel, and put the oil assets of his company, Yukos, into state hands. He spent just over a decade in prison before being pardoned and flown out of the country in December 2013.

He has since lived in London and funded various projects aimed at promoting democracy in Russia. In April, he was among a group of some 50 leading Russian opposition figures who signed a joint declaration denouncing the invasion of Ukraine and proclaiming Putin's government "illegitimate and criminal."

At the age of 60, Khodorkovsky denies he has political ambitions in Russia and describes himself as "a public figure" and an "influencer."

"I am a person in this situation who constantly asks, 'Guys, how do you want to live? It is not for me to live here. It is for you,'" he said.

'We Are Literally Months Away'

Putin's penchant for chaos, Khodorkovsky argued, has created a "dangerous situation" globally.

"What brings us closer to a global war is that there is now such a normalization of international violence," he said. Before Russia waged its brief war against Georgia in 2008, the world could still be appalled by war. Now, Khodorkovsky told Current Time, "public opinion has gotten used to it."

"If we stop valuing human life, of course, the clock of a nuclear apocalypse or a world apocalypse in general gets closer to midnight," he said in the interview in Prague on October 13.

There has been considerable discussion of "Ukraine fatigue" in the West, with analysts saying Putin's best hope of what he could call a victory in the war he unleashed is the prospect that international support for Kyiv could fade, depriving it of the aid and arms it needs to push back the Russian invasion.

But Khodorkovsky said Ukraine fatigue, or war fatigue, is a potential domestic problem for Putin as well.

So far, he said, despite the deaths of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, the impact of Western sanctions, and the economic costs of waging war and occupying swaths of Ukrainian territory, "we don't have this uproar yet."

"There is silence," he said. "Why? The reason is that Putin pays money. The fact that he pays money, unfortunately, has been a quite effective communication with the public."

Payments to mercenaries and to the families of the killed or wounded, Khodorkovsky said, have made the war "acceptable" to many impoverished Russians.

"How soon will it become unacceptable?" he asked. "Historical experience shows that two years or so after the beginning of a war, people start to feel tired. I think we are literally months away from people in Russia starting to feel this fatigue. But it remains a big question whether this will happen faster in Russia or in the West."

Putin cannot win the war in Ukraine as he would like, Khodorkovsky said, because even if he defeated Kyiv, he would be left occupying a devastated country whose population overwhelmingly hated him, as well as facing the likelihood of permanent crippling sanctions. One way or another, Khodorkovsky is confident, the war will end with the defeat of "Putinist Russia, the Putin regime."

"Strategically, Putin cannot win this war," he said.

Lessons From Prigozhin's Mutiny

For many years, Putin's hold on power has rested on Russia's military and its security agencies -- the so-called siloviki -- and the perception that a majority of Russians support him, Khodorkovsky said. However, the short-lived mutiny of the notorious Wagner mercenary group and its now-deceased leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in June showed that both of these pillars could be shaky.

"Prigozhin's mutiny showed in real time that the army does not support Putin," Khodorkovsky said. "Do you remember how the Prigozhin forces proceeded toward Moscow like a knife through butter? And all the military units just stepped aside?"

"And the people didn't support him either," he continued. "We saw how the people of Rostov-on-Don escorted the Wagner fighters to prevent anyone from defending Putin."

Khodorkovsky noted that there was never a moment in Rostov when people came out to support the government or express disapproval of those acting against it.

"It would have been understandable if some people had come out with flowers and cameras, while others came out with bricks and bottles," he said. "Then it would have been clear that part of society supported the current authorities and part of it did not. But most people just didn't care at all. Or, rather, were pleased [by the uprising]."

Although Khodorkovsky offered no specific predictions for how the end of the Putin era could come for Russia, he did predict the transition would be long and difficult.

"It will be at least five years before democratic forces could be in a position to run the country [after Putin's departure]," he said.

"Even if Putin leaves tomorrow or the day after, there will be fluctuating processes for some time," Khodorkovsky said. "And what comes [immediately] after him will look very bad."

Written by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on an interview conducted by Current Time correspondent Igor Sevryugin

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/khodorkovsky-interview- russia-putin-ukraine-war/32639952.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Navalny Attorney Goes Incommunicado After Three Other Lawyers For Imprisoned Kremlin Critic Arrested

By Current Time October 16, 2023

Aleksandr Fedulov, a lawyer of imprisoned Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, has gone incommunicado after three other lawyers who defended the Kremlin critic were arrested last week.

Navalny's team wrote on Telegram on October 16 that Fedulov did not show up at Navalny's hearing in the penal colony as scheduled and that his telephone appeared to have been switched off.

The Vyorstka Telegram channel cited an associate of Fedulov as saying the lawyer has not been detained and is in a place of "safety."

Fedulov's father and sister told Vyorstka they do not know his whereabouts.

Last week, Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin, and Aleksei Lipster -- three lawyers who have defended Navalny -- were detained and later sent to pretrial detention for at least two months on a charge of taking part in an extremist group's activities.

Navalny's groups and organization were labeled as extremist and banned in Russia in 2021.The punishment for taking part in an extremist group's activities while using the powers of an official position is up to 12 years in prison.

In August, judges of the Moscow City Court found Navalny guilty of creating an extremist organization and more than doubled his term to 19, ruling that one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's sharpest critics must be transferred to a harsher "special regime" facility, rather than the maximum-security prison where he currently is held.

Last month, after a court rejected his appeal against the 19-year sentence, Navalny said he had been informed that he will be transferred to the strictest possible prison cell for one year.

It was unclear whether the punishment will be carried out in a special regime prison or in the maximum-security IK-6 penal colony 250 kilometers east of Moscow where he is currently held.

Navalny has been in and out of solitary confinement since August last year, and his allies say his health has deteriorated.

The charges against Navalny are widely seen as retribution for his efforts to expose what he describes as the pervasive lawlessness, corruption, and repression by President Vladimir Putin and his political system.

Navalny was Russia's loudest opposition voice and galvanized huge anti-government rallies before he was jailed.

His previous sentence was handed down in 2021 after he arrived in Moscow from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack he blamed on the Kremlin. Before the most recent conviction, he was serving a combined 11 1/2 years for embezzlement and violating the terms of his parole while he was in Germany being treated for the poisoning.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/navalny-lawyer-missing-arrests- russia/32639832.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Regional Governor Tells Citizens Russia Was Unprepared For A War 'We Don't Need'

By RFE/RL's North.Realities October 16, 2023

A Russian governor has said the country was not prepared for the war with Ukraine and that the invasion was not in Russia's interests, contradicting Kremlin propaganda.

Natalya Komarova, who has run the energy-rich Khanty-Mansi autonomous district in Russia's north since 2010, made the comment during a meeting with constituents that was broadcast live on her social-media page.

When asked by one resident why her husband was shipped off to the war without a backpack with equipment, Komarova snapped back that the military was in charge of such issues, not her.

She continued that the authorities were not prepared for the war and that "we don't need it."

President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine on the assumption that Russian forces would take the country in a few days.

Now, 20 months later, Russia has captured only a small portion of Ukraine at enormous human and financial costs.

Public criticism of the war, especially by officials, is rare after Putin outlawed it last year. Russian authorities have already arrested hundreds for violating the law.

However, Komarova's off-the-cuff remark indicates that behind the veneer of support, some of Russia's elite believe the war was a mistake and are frustrated with the consequences.

Her remarks were quickly picked up by media and now at least one resident has filed a complaint to the Interior Ministry, accusing her of discrediting the Russian military.

Komarova's office did not immediately comment on the complaint.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-war- ukraine-unprepared/32639008.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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China-Russia relationship 'a paragon of interstate cooperation between major powers in the 21st century': Russian FM spokeswoman

Global Times

By Wang Wenwen and Xia Wenxin Published: Oct 17, 2023 10:17 AM

Developing relations of comprehensive interaction and strategic partnership with China is an absolute priority for Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Global Times in an exclusive interview, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is on a visit to China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Zakharova describes the relations between Russia and China as "a paragon of interstate cooperation between major powers in the 21st century."

She believes that Putin's visit will become the central event of bilateral relations in the current time of the year.

The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday. Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning.

Putin was quoted by Russian news agencies on Sunday as seeing the BRI as "a desire for cooperation." The Russian president attended the previous two forums in 2017 and 2019. A representative Russian delegation will attend the forum this year.

Russia is cooperating with China on pairing the development of the Eurasian Economic Union with the BRI.

"We view this important integration project as the backbone and key element in building a broad unifying framework for the Greater Eurasian Partnership," said Zakharova, referring to Moscow's strategy of connecting Europe and Asia.

In February, China and Russia held the third meeting of the Joint Committee of the Agreement on Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Eurasian Economic Union and adopted a roadmap. Zakharova said that the roadmap provides a good basis for the process of pairing the development of joint industrial integration projects.

Putin's visit to China and attendance at the BRI forum "underscores the great importance we attach to the development of the integration processes in the Eurasian area," Zakharova added.

Putin's visit follows the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russia in March. It was Xi's first visit to Moscow in three years. It was also his first overseas trip to Russia after his reelection as president of China.

Zakharova told the Global Times that the two presidents pay high personal attention to the continuous progress of bilateral interaction, which is truly comprehensive.

"Any contact between the heads of state is an opportunity to substantively coordinate positions, analyze the implementation of previous agreements and approve new large-scale cooperation projects. Such meetings have never been of a formal nature; they are increasingly important in the context of the rapidly changing geopolitical situation and contribute to qualitatively strengthening ties between our countries," Zakharova said.

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UK Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon stated that, 10 years since its accession, Syria must comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention.

16 October 2023

Statement from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations:

In August, we commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Syrian regime's horrific chemical weapons attack on Ghouta, Damascus, which killed 1,400 innocent civilians - including hundreds of women and children. Under international pressure following that attack, Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and committed to stop its chemical weapons programme and destroy all its stockpiles. This is a commitment all states enter into on joining the CWC.

In the 10 years that have passed, the Syrian regime has ignored these obligations. It has carried out at least nine further chemical weapons attacks using sarin or chlorine. The hundreds of victims deserve justice.

Syria's continued use of chemical weapons confirm beyond all doubt that, despite repeated Syrian regime assurances, it has not declared and destroyed all of its stockpile. It has continued to obstruct the efforts of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to verify its destruction and frustrated UN and OPCW work to investigate chemical weapons attacks.

We commend the OPCW's perseverance over the last 10 years. Responsibility for compliance rests solely with Syria: it must declare and destroy its chemical weapons; it must cooperate with the OPCW to assure the world that it has renounced chemical weapons and that the destruction of its chemical weapons stocks is verified and complete.

Syria has chemical weapons and must not be able to use them again. With international partners, the UK has in place sanctions and trade restrictions applied to Syria on goods and technology relating to chemical weapons.

Victims deserve accountability for violations of international law. The UK supports international mechanisms in pursuit of this, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) for Syria. Those responsible for chemical weapons in Syria must be held to account for their crimes against the Syrian people.
Tsai lauds domestic submarine, jet trainer projects

ROC Central News Agency

10/16/2023 04:10 PM

Taipei, Oct. 16 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) told a group of visiting U.S. scholars on Monday that Taiwan has continued to demonstrate its determination to defend itself with the domestic development of a submarine prototype and a jet trainer.

At the Presidential Office, Tsai told the group of visitors from the Washington-based think tank American Enterprise Institute (AEI) that in recent years, Taiwan's efforts to defend the country "have been manifested in greater national defense autonomy."

"For example, 20 of our domestically built 'Brave Eagle' jet trainers have already been delivered. And last month, our indigenous 'Narwhal' submarine was also launched at a ceremony," Tsai said.

"These achievements demonstrate our determination to safeguard national security," she added.

Tsai referred to the Advanced Trainer Jet (ATJ) program, also known as Brave Eagle launched in 2017.

The first prototype of the new ATJ, serial 11001/08-9001, flew for the first time in June 2020. The Industrial Development Corp., a domestic aerospace contractor, is scheduled to deliver 66 advanced trainer aircraft to Taiwan's Air Force by 2026.

Meanwhile, Tsai also unveiled the "Narwhal," the first boat developed under by the Indigenous Defense Submarine program, at a ceremony in Kaohsiung on Sept. 28.

At the time, Tsai described the event as a crucial moment in Taiwan's mission to produce domestic submarines and achieve "defense autonomy."

In the Monday morning meeting, the president underlined that her government would continue to uphold the position of "neither provoking nor acting rashly," as it will bolster cooperation with the United States and other like-minded democracies, and "serve as a force for good."

Tsai made the comments when receiving the delegation, which included AEI President Robert Doar, leader of the think tank since 2019, and Dan Blumenthal, a senior AEI fellow researching East Asian security issues and Sino-American relations.

For his part, Doar praised Tsai for her leadership in helping Taiwan "navigate what is an increasingly complicated geopolitical climate."

He also noted that the AEI has watched with horror as Hamas has "unleashed war on Israel and the Jewish people," Doar said.

"The United States and AEI stand ready to come to the aid of a close friend under attack, and we appreciate Taiwan's support for Israel under your leadership," he added.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ASG

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STRASBOURG, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Democracy in Armenia is being attacked, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned in the European Parliament on October 17.

Democracy in Armenia continues to sustain strong blows which act in nearly the same scenario: foreign aggression, followed by inaction of Armenias allies, then attempts to use the war or humanitarian situation or the threat of foreign security to overthrow Armenias democracy and sovereignty, which are manifested by incitements of domestic turmoil with hybrid technologies guided by foreign powers, Pashinyan said.

Armenia underwent such realities several times since 2020, with the most major one happening in September 2022, when Azerbaijan attacked Armenia and occupied sovereign territories.

Similar, most tragic cases took place most recently when Azerbaijan, implementing its policy of many years of ethnic cleansing, launched a major attack on Nagorno-Karabakh. Then, when the one hundred thousand Armenians were fleeing from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, our security allies not only failed to help us, but were publicly calling for a change of government, overthrowing the democratic government in Armenia. But the people of the Republic of Armenia united for their own independence, sovereignty, democracy, and yet another conspiracy waged against our state failed. The government and people of Armenia united in accepting and giving shelter to over 100,000 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh whove become victims of ethnic cleansing, and I have to say that we did this work honorably, Pashinyan said.
Visiting AIT chair praises Taiwan defense reforms, reiterates U.S. support

ROC Central News Agency

10/16/2023 05:03 PM

Taipei, Oct. 16 (CNA) Visiting American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairwoman Laura Rosenberger on Monday reiterated Washington's pledge to help Taipei defend itself with a "full range of tools" while praising ongoing efforts to enhance the country's self-defense capabilities.

Speaking to President Tsai Ing-wen () during a meeting in the Presidential Office, Rosenberger said the U.S. approach toward Taiwan has remained consistent "over the past 40 years and across administrations."

"We stand with our friends and will continue to do so," the AIT chair said.

As part of that decades-long commitment, Washington is continuing its efforts to enable Taiwan to maintain "sufficient self-defense capabilities," she said.

"The United States is seizing upon the full range of tools authorized by Congress, such as Presidential Drawdown Authority and Foreign Military Financing [to reach that goal]," Rosenberger added.

The AIT head lauded the Tsai administration's decision to enhance Taiwan's self-defense capabilities through initiatives such as increasing defense spending and reforming its reserve forces, conscription and mobilization systems.

Meanwhile, the AIT chair welcomed Taiwan's participation at next month's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting in San Francisco.

Calling Taiwan a "critical economic player, a beacon of democracy in the Indo-Pacific, and a genuine force for good in the world," Rosenberger applauded Taiwan's contributions to APEC since joining the organization in 1991.

Tsai, meanwhile, thanked U.S. President Joe Biden's administration for focusing with "great attention" on Taiwan's defense needs and continuing to "normalize arm sales" to Taiwan.

"This is helping Taiwan bolster its self-defense capabilities as we jointly work to safeguard regional peace and stability," Tsai told Rosenberger.

On economic and trade, Taiwan and the United States have also kicked off a second round of negotiations under a bilateral trade initiative, titled the "United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade," Tsai said.

Describing Taiwan and the U.S. as "staunch partners," the president said both countries will continue to deepen their partnership and stand together in addressing the challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region.

Rosenberger is making her third trip to Taiwan since becoming AIT chair on March 20. She arrived in the country on Sunday and is scheduled to depart on Friday.

The AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties.

It is headquartered in Virginia and has a main office in Taipei and a branch office in Kaohsiung.

Its Taipei director serves as the top U.S. envoy to Taiwan, with the chairperson holding a more ceremonial role.

A Reuters report published in March predicted that Rosenberger would take a more "hands-on approach" to building unofficial ties with Taiwan than her two immediate predecessors, citing four people familiar with the Biden administration's thinking.

A major focus of her job, the report said, will be to maintain communication channels with candidates in Taiwan's presidential election on Jan. 13, 2024, which could affect the dynamic between Taipei and Beijing.

The main opposition Kuomintang chose New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih () as its candidate, and he will face Vice President Lai Ching-te (), the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's nominee, and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je () of the Taiwan People's Party.

Rosenberger has so far this year met all three candidates in Taipei or the U.S.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ASG

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Experts weigh in on lessons Taiwan should learn from Israel-Hamas war

ROC Central News Agency

10/16/2023 11:54 AM

By Sean Lin, CNA staff reporter

The swift coordinated attack on Israel by Hamas that began on Oct. 7 shocked the world and prompted discussions in Taiwan over how the island country would defend itself if China were to launch a similar attack.

In particular, experts have underlined the importance of intelligence and civil defense and offered insights into what a "saturation attack," similar to the one by Hamas, on Taiwan, would look like.

When rockets rain down

The militant group fired more than 2,000 rockets from Gaza into Israel in about 20 minutes, overwhelming Israel's famous Iron Dome air defense system.

"The threat of a rocket attack [on Taiwan] is real," said Chieh Chung (), an associate research fellow with the National Policy Foundation in Taipei, citing two reasons.

First, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been deploying rockets with a range of 150-300 kilometers, which can reach Taiwan's west coast, Chieh said.

Additionally, he said that during the large-scale military exercises China staged around Taiwan in August 2022 in retaliation to then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei, the PLA fired rockets into a maritime zone near the median line of the Taiwan Strait, to demonstrate its ability to carry out such an attack.

"When the number of incoming rockets reaches a certain level in a certain amount of time, no surface-to-air missile system can intercept them all. Taiwan's MIM-104 Patriot and Tien Kung (Sky Bow) systems are no different," Chieh said.

As such, he said, the assets most in need of protection would need to be prioritized to ensure they would not be paralyzed by a saturation attack involving PLA missiles or rockets, while civilian casualties would be "inevitable."

Lin Ying-yu (), an assistant professor at the Tamkang University Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, agreed that it would be impossible to intercept all incoming rockets or missiles in the event of a saturation attack.

He said what should be focused on is how to preserve and relocate troops and other key military assets so the country's armed forces can continue fighting.

Protecting the public

The prospect of Taiwan being hit by a barrage of rockets has also highlighted the issue of air raid shelters in the country.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Wang Ting-yu () broached the issue of the public not being aware of shelter locations and how to access them with Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng () during an interpellation on Oct. 12.

Currently, information regarding the shelters is only accessible through scanning a QR code located in an online file named "All-Out Defense Handbook," and Wang said that not everybody knows how to do so.

To tackle this problem, Chieh recommended that agencies assign air raid shelters to be used by residents in a borough or township depending on their house numbers, with borough or village chiefs responsible for going door-to-door to deliver such information.

"Sometimes, the old way is the best way," he said.

Chieh also recommended conducting annual or biannual evacuation drills that require residents to enter their assigned air-raid shelter -- something that is not covered in Taiwan's Wan An air raid drills -- to help them become familiarized with the route.

Ho Cheng-hui (), CEO of the privately-run civil defense education institution Kuma Academy, said although the nation has designated enough locations to act as air raid shelters, it was doubtful how many would be functional if an enemy attack occurred.

Under Taiwan's laws regarding shelters and evacuating during an airstrike, legal residential buildings with a basement are meant to be considered air raid shelters, but this has presented a host of problems, Ho said.

"Say you're walking along the street and the air raid siren is sounded, but the nearest building to you is a luxury condominium. Would the caretaker let you in?" he asked.

"Is the basement of your building easily accessible? Does it have a generator to power ventilators? Is it stocked with food, water, and medical equipment? What if you live on the 13th floor?" he continued.

"None of these issues are addressed in the regulations, which is a big problem," Ho said.

Viability of a Chinese invasion

Regarding the concern that the United States could become militarily involved in the Israel-Hamas war, thus presenting China with the opportunity to invade Taiwan, Lin said he did not see a direct link between the two scenarios.

"The decision to attack, or not attack, depends on PLA's capabilities. It does not matter whether there is a conflict between Israel and Palestine," he said.

In addition, recent reports of the arrests of former PLA Rocket Force Commander Li Yuchao () and his sitting and former deputies on charges of corruption, as well as the disappearance of Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu (), have likely impacted PLA morale, which in turn reduces the likelihood of an attack on Taiwan, Lin said.

Li Shangfu has not been seen in public since Aug. 29. According to media reports, he has been under investigation and is suspected of the corrupt procurement of military equipment while he was head of the Chinese Central Military Commission's Equipment Development Department.

Echoing Lin, Chieh said the PLA currently lacked what it would take to launch a successful invasion of Taiwan, but he has concerns that the U.S.' focus on Israel-Hamas war could potentially compromise stability in the Taiwan Strait.

To take Taiwan, he said, the PLA would need to be able to secure a "quick victory" in its "first battle" against Taiwan's armed forces, adding that it was still building up its capabilities to be able to do so.

Chieh also noted that the U.S. had deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean to assist Israel and to prevent any expansion of the conflict, in particular the possibility of Iranian and Syrian militant groups aligned with Hamas joining the fight.

In a statement on Oct. 8, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he had directed the Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean. The Pentagon has also taken steps to augment U.S. Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region, Austin said.

On Oct. 15, Austin announced that he had ordered the deployment of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean, to deter others from joining the conflict as Israel prepares to expand its ground operations in Gaza.

According to CNN, which cited an unnamed defense official, it is, however, unclear how long the Ford will stay in the region once the Eisenhower carrier strike group arrives.

Chieh said that while he did not believe that China would change the status quo in the Western Pacific by force and risk a direct confrontation with the U.S., he was worried that Washington pivoting its military deployments away from the Western Pacific region could embolden China's campaign of military intimidation in regions in which it is engaged in territorial disputes with other countries, including Taiwan, because this increases the risk of skirmishes, which could lead to conflicts.

The power of intelligence

After the Hamas attack on Israel, another focus of discussions has been the crucial role of intelligence in preparing for an attack and how Israel seemed to have had an "intelligence failure."

Asked to comment on the issue, Lin and Ho both said the problem with Israel's intelligence system was not its ability to gather information, but with analyzing information and making decisions based on the intelligence it has.

"Mossad (Israel's intelligence and special operations institute) must have received relevant information but misinterpreted it, which in turn caused it to make wrong decisions," Lin said.

In the same vein, Lin said that while Taiwan can quickly obtain intelligence on the PLA, its development, and movements, whether top intelligence officials will be able to form an accurate judgment from it will depend on the country's understanding of the PLA, which underscores the importance of PLA studies.

Over the years, gathering intelligence on Palestine has very much constituted Israel looking through a "one-way mirror," and this may have caused it to become overconfident in its ability to process the data and in turn neglect signs it should have been more wary about, including changes in communications and planning methods, Ho said.

In Taiwan's case, he said, its intelligence agencies are plagued by problems more serious than those of their Israeli counterparts because he has yet to see any of Taiwan's intelligence and government agencies collate intelligence about Chinese politics, military, or the economy, let alone utilize it to form effective responses.

Chieh, meanwhile, said that because invading Taiwan would be a massive operation and require large-scale mobilization of troops, vehicles and ships, the PLA has formulated plans to speed up the process, including teaming up with logistics companies and incorporating artificial intelligence to assist with necessary changes in deployments.

As such, it is important that Taiwan can obtain intelligence on the PLA at the earliest opportunity so it can conduct any necessary mobilizations to respond to an imminent attack, he said.

Civil defense in peacetime

The early obtaining of intelligence would also aid civil defense efforts -- such as mobilizing reservists, assigning medical personnel, and moving civilians to safety -- allowing them to be made before rather than after an attack like in the Israel-Hamas conflict, Chieh said.

Ho pointed out that the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia shows that as wars become protracted, civil defense plays a prominent role that has evolved from its traditional definition of concentrating all efforts on supporting the military.

Nowadays, civil defense is also responsible for helping society develop resilience and encompasses efforts to ensure the continued stable operation of society after it has come under attack, to bring about speedy economic recovery, to treat people experiencing trauma, and to counter cyberattacks, cognitive warfare, and disinformation campaigns, he said.

To ensure these functions during wartime, preparations should be made during peaceful times, he said.

"So far, Taiwan's civil defense system has neglected increasing social resilience," he said. "We need to rethink and review civil defense and overhaul the entire system. This will be a great challenge for Taiwan."

Enditem/kb

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No easy choices in Taiwan's presidential polls

With three months to go, a divided opposition are struggling to hold hands for victory.

By Chris Taylor for RFA and Hwang Chun-mei for RFA Mandarin 2023.10.16 -- As Taiwan approaches its presidential elections in January, the spotlight falls on candidates leaning towards establishing agreements with China and those favoring the continuation of the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) leadership.

But amid rising concerns over stagnant wages and affordable housing, no opposition figure currently poses a significant challenge to the DPP's Lai Ching-te, the incumbent vice president.

Polls suggest that if the DPP secures a victory, it might not solely be due to their policies but rather because of the divided opposition.

Opposition leaders, former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) and Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT), have been reportedly under pressure to potentially unify their bid for the presidency.

Last Saturday, efforts towards this collaboration were visible when the campaign managers of both leaders met in Taipei, exploring the formation of a "blue-white alliance," reflecting the party colors of KMT (blue) and TPP (white).

While Hou's team proposed an open primary to determine the leading presidential candidate between the two parties, Ko's side suggested determining based on opinion poll averages.

The KMT wants - for the first time - to deploy an open primary system for electing the leadership in the January election, with candidates receiving direct votes at polling stations across the island, which would play to the KMT's long-standing political presence in Taiwan since 1949. This presence began when the party, also recognized as the Nationalists, relocated to Taiwan following their defeat by the Chinese Communist Party.

If a vote of some kind were to happen, which most observers consider unlikely, the outcome would determine the order of a joint ticket: whether it's Hou-Ko or Ko-Hou, indicating the roles of president and vice president, respectively.

However, Ko has dismissed the open primary proposal from KMT.

"Ko thinks the KMT offer was just an attempt to show off their local organizational strength. It wasn't a serious offer," says Taiwan-based Californian lawyer Michael Fahey.

Separately, Taiwan watcher and pollster Courtney Donovan Smith noted the challenges faced by the relatively new TPP.

"Ko and the four-year-old TPP are struggling to establish themselves as a distinct party, and no doubt Ko is mindful of the experience of a similar party," said Smith. "The People's First Party, which accepted the vice-presidential slot on a unity ticket in the 2004 election but failed to effectively differentiate themselves from the KMT and have slid into irrelevance since."

There are other formidable obstacles to a joint ticket. Both Hou, a former police officer and current mayor of New Taipei City, and Ke, a trained doctor popular for his straightforwardness, are not keen on taking a secondary role to the other.

"A 'Ko-Hou' ticket is impossible, and the chances of a 'Hou-Ko' ticket, I believe, are less than 10% likely," Liao Da-chi, a professor at National Sun Yat-sen University's Institute of Political Science, told Radio Free Asia.

"The KMT, with its 14 mayors and 38 legislators, cannot possibly play second fiddle. Moreover, Hou Yu-ih has only been re-elected as the mayor of New Taipei City for less than a year. It would be a significant risk to give that up for a vice-presidential position. What would be the point?"

Local issues count

The recent Taiwan News "weighted poll of polls" shows Ko is ahead of Hou by about 5%. Lai from the DPP has an average support of 32%-35%, with Ko at 18%-20% and Hou at 15%-18%.

Terry Gou, billionaire and Foxconn founder, polls at around 10%, but he suggests having additional "hidden supporters." Observers believe Gou may seek a pivotal role after the election, especially as local issues gain prominence in Taiwanese politics.

Many Taiwan elections in the past have turned on the China issue, said Roy Ngerng, a Taiwanese labor and wages activist who described the January elections as "different."

"While the two major parties still draw voters based on using China as the key campaign agenda, there has emerged a group where other issues take center stage and these seem to be around livelihood issues like Taiwan's high housing prices and stagnant wages," said Ngerng.

There are significant numbers of younger voters, argues Ngerng, who "are eager for Taiwan's elections to be normalized around local livelihood concerns ... due to their distrust of KMT which is not seen as committed to Taiwan's statehood, and due to the belief that the DPP has broken its promise of improving the livelihoods of Taiwanese over the last two terms."

Ngerng added: "These voters are gravitating to the ... TPP, in the hope that Ko Wen-je might refocus, addressing the stagnant economic situation in Taiwan."

While this does not mean that Ko is likely to win the presidential election - particularly given the unlikelihood of being able to join forces with the KMT - it does signal that the DPP, if they do win, will not do so on a strong wave of support.

Ngerng said he thinks there's "disappointment arising from the fact that Tsai [Ing-wen] was elected on her promise to the youths of improving livelihoods but has failed to do so ... and Ko has been adept at positioning his campaign to reflect their concerns."

"Eventually, the DPP cannot be using democracy and human rights as a rallying cry, without meaningfully enhancing the labor rights and livelihoods of Taiwan's workers," said Ngern.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

Updated to clarify the process of the open primary and to correct the names of Hou Yu-ih and Roy Ngerng.

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.

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Denmark and Czech Republic to support Ukraine together

Danish Ministry of Defence

16.10.2023

Author: by editorial staff

Denmark and the Czech Republic shall supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine with infantry fighting vehicles, battle tanks, heavy weaponry and other materiel from the production and stocks of the Czech defence industry. The supplies shall be financed by the Danish Government.

The countries joined their effort within a project designed to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom, democracy and right to self-determination against the Russian aggression through the provision of modern weaponry.

In the first phase of the project, both states expect a delivery of nearly 50 IFVs and main battle tanks, 2,500 handguns, 7,000 rifles, 500 light machine guns and 500 sniper rifles, electronic warfare and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) equipment, as well as sizeable quantities of large-calibre ammunition from the production and stocks of Czech companies.

"This step represents a significant donation of equipment which is highly sought after in Ukraine. This donation was enabled by the excellent cooperation between Denmark and the Czech Republic," said the Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.

"In this project, the Ministry of Defence plays merely an intermediary role. There is a significant number of defence industry companies with whom we have a long-lasting relationship and therefore are able to link them up with those, who - just like us - wish to help Ukraine," explained Czech Deputy Minister of Defence Daniel BlaAkovec. He further added that such a form of cooperation will make it possible for the stakeholders to continue supporting Ukraine not only in the upcoming months but also in 2024 and, if needed, in the long-term horizon.

The delivery includes modern Czech weaponry, as well as refurbished equipment, which is already being used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The list was devised in accordance with the requests and needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the aim to strengthen their combat capabilities.

Both countries intend to also donate to Ukraine 500 heavy machine guns, 280 recoilless cannons, 7,000 antitank missiles, 10,000 hand grenades and 60 mortar systems. The delivery is expected to include a significant number of counter-drone systems.

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Foreign Minister Karins in Vilnius underlines the need for Latvia and Lithuania to jointly work on continued international support to Ukraine

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

16.10.2023

On 16 October 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Krisjanis Karins, made a working visit to Vilnius, Lithuania, where he met with the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Simonyte, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis.

At the meetings with the Lithuanian officials, views were exchanged on bilateral relations and topics of high importance for regional cooperation and the international agenda. In a conversation with Ingrida Simonite and Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Latvian Foreign Minister Karins also underlined the need in the current complicated geopolitical situation to jointly work as part of continued international effort in support of Ukraine, who keeps on fighting against Russia's military aggression.

At his meeting with the Lithuanian Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, Krisjanis Karins reaffirmed: "Latvia and Lithuania share common interests; close cooperation and coordination between them as neighbouring countries is currently of particular importance."

The development of further cooperation was discussed both in economy and regional infrastructure projects, with Rail Baltica being a priority. Latvia is prepared to expand cooperation with Lithuania in the fields of energy, transport, information and communication technologies, research and innovation.

Given the damage caused to the Balticconector gas pipeline and the telecommunications cable, the Ministers discussed safety of critical infrastructure and agreed that the matter should be on the agenda of the European Union (EU) and NATO. The results of the NATO summit in Vilnius and current NATO issues were then reviewed. The Latvian Foreign Minister also welcomed the successful cooperation between Latvia and Lithuania in international organisations.

The security situation at the EU's external border with Belarus was discussed with both the Lithuanian Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, in view of a significant influx of illegal migrants to the Latvian-Belarusian border. Krisjanis Karins thanked Lithuania for assistance it had been providing to Latvia in order to ensure order at the border, and he also emphasised the importance of a regionally coordinated approach.

The officials also discussed current developments in Russia's war against Ukraine, provision of support to Ukraine, and its integration into the EU.

During the visit, in the presence of the Foreign Ministers of both countries, a ceremony was held for the presentation of the annual Balts' Award of the Latvian and Lithuanian Ministries of Foreign Affairs. This year, the award went to Edmundas Trumpa, who has been working as lecturer in the Department of Humanities at the University of Latvia for more than 20 years, as well as being a senior researcher at the Latvian Language Institute and Director at the Centre for Lithuanian Studies of the University of Latvia. Edmundas Trumpa has made an outstanding contribution to the research of the Baltic languages - he has studied the dialects of Latvian and Lithuanian and is the author of a considerable number of scholarly articles and publications, while also working as a translator. Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins thanked Edmundas Trumpa for his remarkable work in the field of the Baltic language studies and maintaining of ties between the two countries.

Background information

The Balts' Award bestowed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Lithuania to recognize excellence and achievement in research, fostering and strengthening of the Balts' heritage was first presented in 2018. Since then, the award has also been received by the linguist Prof. Laimute Balode; a long-standing head of the Latvian Studies Centre at Vytautas Magnus University, Prof. Alvydas Butkus; the diplomat and linguist Alberts Sarkanis; the President of the Baltic Centre at Siauliai University, linguist and lecturer Dr Regina Kvasyte; and the translator Dace Meiere.

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Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis met with his Latvian counterpart Karins: "Ukraine's victory must be a strategic goal for all of us"

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2023.10.16

On 16 October in Vilnius, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis will meet with the new Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins.

The chiefs of diplomacy of both countries discussed regional security issues and continuous support for Ukraine in its fight.

"With more and more hot spots worldwide, we unanimously agreed on the need to maintain attention, increase and accelerate Western military support for Ukraine as it continues to fight for us all against Russia's aggression. Ukraine's victory must be a strategic goal for all of us. Otherwise, there will be serious geopolitical consequences in Russia's neighbourhood, the Baltic Sea region and the international system. The signs are already visible. The only way to maintain stability is through a clear demonstration of the Western leadership," Landsbergis said after the meeting.

The Lithuanian and Latvian Foreign Ministers condemned the Hamas' attack on Israel.

"Israel has the right to defend itself, of course, following the principles of international humanitarian law. Hamas must immediately release hostages without further conditions. With Karins, we discussed the need to avoid the spread of this conflict, as it would be in the interest of the countries seeking to destabilize the international system further. The West must contribute constructively to the search for a solution, and the Middle East region expects it from us," said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed bilateral cooperation projects and stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of Rail Baltica and decouple from the Russian power grid in early 2025. The Latvian Foreign Minister thanked Lithuania for helping to protect Latvia's border with Belarus from irregular migration flows.

The Lithuanian and Latvian Foreign Ministers conferred this year's Balts' Award on a famous scholar of the Baltic languages' history, dialectology, geolinguistics, and a well-known translator Edmunds Trumpa.

In 2022, the Latvian translator Dace Meiere received the annual Balts' Award.

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Ukraine Reports More Than 50 Frontline Clashes As 600th Day Of War Marked

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service October 16, 2023

The Ukrainian military said its forces fought 53 combat clashes at the front on October 16 -- the 600th day of Russia's all-out invasion -- and said the operational situation in the east and south "remains difficult."

The General Staff said Ukrainian soldiers repelled 12 enemy attacks in areas near Kupyansk in the northeastern Kharkiv region and another four attacks near communities in the Luhansk region.

The command also reports on three attacks by Russian troops near Andriyivka, south of Bakhmut, saying it repulsed all of them.

Near Avdiyivka in the eastern Donetsk region, which has been at the center of a large-scale Russian offensive in recent days, "the enemy conducted unsuccessful assault operations with the support of aviation" and Ukrainian forces repelled seven of the attacks.

In the Maryinka district of the Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces successfully repelled 16 enemy attacks, the General Staff said.

In the southern Zaporizhzhya region, the enemy tried unsuccessfully to regain a position west of Robotyne and west of Vervovy, the report said, adding that more than 20 settlements in the region were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.

Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles, drones, air strikes, Ukraine's military reported earlier on October 16. Russia launched 10 missiles and 12 kamikaze drones, with the air force claiming to have shot down two of the missiles targeting Ukraine's north and east.

Eleven of the drones, mostly targeting western Ukraine, were shot down, according to the air force.

"Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population," the Ukrainian military said, without providing casualty figures.

Filip Pronin, the governor of the eastern region of Poltava, said that three civilians had been hospitalized after the region was attacked by drones and missiles.

"Fortunately, no civilian or critical infrastructure was hit," Pronin wrote on Telegram. "However, missile fragments damaged several private homes."

Russia also carried out air and artillery strikes in the southern Zaporizhzhya region, according to regional authorities. Several residential buildings and infrastructure were damaged and one elderly woman was reportedly injured.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a report presented on October 16 to President Vladimir Putin that Ukrainian forces have suffered the loss of 1,500 armored vehicles and many troops during their counteroffensive. Shoigu presented the report to mark 600 days since the start of the war, TASS reported.

According to Shoigu, Ukrainian troops have failed to achieve any success during their counteroffensive, while Russian forces have improved their tactical positions.

There was no independent confirmation of either side's claims.

In central Kyiv, a group of relatives of soldiers who are missing in action or who have been taken prisoner protested in Kyiv on October 16, accusing President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the military leadership of failing to help them.

Around 200 protesters, almost all women, rallied on Independence Square and marched to a military checkpoint near Zelenskiy's office. They shouted angry accusations at soldiers and police guarding the checkpoint.

"You are taking our guys away to the slaughter," shouted one woman, according to AFP.

"Where are they? Bring us back our children!" shouted another. "How long do we have to wait for our children?"

They complained that military commanders have given them little information and refused to take their calls. They named numerous units, mainly ones fighting in the Donbas region.

The military said that it continued to defend the east and south of Ukraine against Russian offensive maneuvers, while Ukraine's counteroffensive to regain territory occupied by Russian forces continues in the southeast in the direction of Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhya region.

Russian drone strikes were reported by the Ukrainian Air Force in four cities located in the central Kirovohrad, Poltova, and Khmelnytskiy regions.

Ukraine did not provide information on the extent of damage caused by the attacks.

In the southern Kherson region, a local Ukrainian military spokesman said that the onset of rain had somewhat slowed Russian attacks.

Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, spokesman for the Kherson Regional Military Administration, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on October 16 that "now it's more or less quiet, now it's raining a lot in Kherson and the region. This prevents them from firing."

With reporting by dpa, AFP, and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-strikes- avdiyivka/32639270.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ukrainian Military Casualties Amount to 460 in Donetsk Direction

Sputnik News

20231016

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian military has repelled 10 attacks in the Donetsk direction in the past 24 hours, and the Ukrainian troops has lost up to 460 soldiers as killed or injured, the Defense Ministry reported on Monday.

"The enemy lost up to 460 military personnel as killed and injured, three tanks, two armored combat vehicles, 12 cars," the military said in a statement.

The Russian troops also repelled 10 attacks in the Kupyansk direction, where the Ukrainian military lost up to 85 soldiers as killed or injured in the past day. In the South Donetsk, Ukraine's military casualties amounted to over 70 troops. Moreover, Ukraine lost up to 65 soldiers in the Krasny Liman direction, where Russian troops have repelled two attacks.

In addition, the Russian military downed three Ukrainian fighter jets over the past 24 hours.

A Sputnik

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Andriy Yermak had a conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta

President of Ukraine

16 October 2023 - 21:27

On the instructions of the President, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone call with Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malta Ian Borg.

Andriy Yermak briefed the Minister on the current security situation and Ukraine's preparations for the winter period, in particular, the need to strengthen the protection of energy infrastructure facilities from Russian terrorist attacks.

The Head of the President's Office informed on the preparations to hold the third meeting at the level of national security advisors and diplomatic advisors in the nearest future, which will focus on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the organization of the Global Peace Summit. He noted the participation of the Ambassador of Malta in regular thematic meetings at the ambassadorial level dedicated to specific points of the Peace Formula.

Andriy Yermak expressed gratitude to Malta and its people for their continued support of Ukraine and drew attention to the fact that this country is well known for its participation in humanitarian initiatives and is an authority in advocating for peace and security.

The interlocutors discussed the importance of cooperation in the context of expanding the circle of countries that support the Peace Formula by including the states of the Global South.

"Malta, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, focuses on the issues that are part of the Peace Formula: security, resilience and solidarity. We also need to develop an effective platform for deepening the dialogue with the countries of the Global South, and Malta's role is very important for us," emphasized Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta agreed to continue the dialogue and enhance coordination on the issues raised during the conversation.



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An expanded meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine on the issues of Kyiv region was held under the chairmanship of Andriy Yermak and with the participation of Penny Pritzker

President of Ukraine

16 October 2023 - 20:47

On the instructions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak held an expanded meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine, which focused on the reconstruction of Kyiv region.

The event was also attended by U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker.

In total, more than 200 participants joined the meeting in person and online, including representatives of the central government, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada and MPs, representatives of Kyiv region, including the head of the regional military administration, the acting head of the regional council, heads of district military administrations, as well as foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organizations.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Executive Secretary of the Presidium of the Congress Oleksiy Kuleba, who moderated the meeting, emphasized the importance of resolving problematic issues regarding the implementation of projects for the reconstruction and restoration of territorial communities in Kyiv region affected by Russian aggression.

Participants of the Congress Presidium meeting heard issues raised by representatives of local governments and residents of Kyiv region's territorial communities.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that the reconstruction of all war-affected regions is a key element of Ukraine's recovery. He emphasized the role of partner countries that provide our country with significant assistance in various areas.

"In addition to infrastructure reconstruction, we are talking about a decisive reform of many systems, elements and "settings" in our country. In a certain way, we are talking about re-founding Ukraine according to the standards of the EU and NATO, of which we will certainly become members in the foreseeable future. This includes a market economy, security, democratic mechanisms, finding a new mix of checks and balances, the rule of law, social justice, openness to advanced ideas and practices, and much more," said Andriy Yermak.

He emphasized that the United States plays a special role in providing defense support to Ukraine.

"Together we have held back the aggressor. And now Ukraine is successfully regaining its territory. However, we must admit that the existential threat to our country has not passed, so this time should be used to maximize its resilience. The basic element here is a close dialog on the comprehensive reconstruction of Ukraine. And we are grateful to the United States, our strategic partner, for its leadership in this process," the Head of the Presidential Office noted.

Andriy Yermak noted that in confirmation of this leadership, on September 14 this year, President Joseph Biden appointed Penny Pritzker as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery. He welcomed Penny Pritzker's participation in the meeting of the Congress Presidium.

The U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery thanked for the meeting and the important issues discussed today.

She assured of continued U.S. support for Ukrainian regions and noted that decentralization makes it possible to listen to the opinions of community residents.

"Your country's economy is developing in the regions. This has its results. Today, I want to hear your ideas on how Ukraine can develop and how we - in particular, the international community, the private sector - can help you implement your projects," said Penny Pritzker.

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that Kyiv region, which is being discussed at today's meeting, is the region that prevented the Russian occupiers from reaching the capital in the first days of the full-scale invasion.

"That's why our task is to do everything to rebuild Kyiv region and other regions that have been devastated by this terrible invasion," he emphasized.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said that the communities of Kyiv region are almost 100% prepared for the heating season, nuclear power plants are operating, and there is enough gas in storage - 15.8 billion cubic meters.

"Of course, the key is passive and active defense. In particular, in Kyiv region, we are protecting key energy facilities from drone and missile attacks," he said.

The Prime Minister called the rebuilding of communities in Kyiv region the second challenge. The priorities include demining and restoration of residential buildings.

"The United States is also a leader in supporting us here. A special training center has been set up to train sappers - Ukraine needs more than 10,000 of them. This is our security," he said.

According to Denys Shmyhal, 12,000 out of 28,000 residential buildings destroyed as a result of the hostilities have been restored in Kyiv region. This was done using all types of funding, including assistance from international partners.

During the online conference call, representatives of the communities of Irpin, Moshchun, Kukhary, Andriivka, Shevchenkove and Markhalivka informed the participants of the Congress Presidium meeting about the problems related to the reconstruction process. In particular, they discussed drafting design and estimate documentation for housing reconstruction, implementing a program to restore destroyed private homes, paying appropriate compensation to affected owners, and demining the territories.

The Head of the President's Office emphasized that the new, expanded format of the Congress Presidium meeting allows any community representative to receive a comprehensive response from the authorities on the current problems of the settlement.

"Such a connection between the government and the citizen is a guarantee that we will have full information about the issues and together we will find ways to solve any problem," said Andriy Yermak.





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STRASBOURG, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is ready to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan by yearend, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in his speech in the European Parliament.

We are ready to sign a treaty on peace and normalization of relations with Azerbaijan by the end of the year, Pashinyan said, adding that Azerbaijans refusal to attend the planned Granada meeting did not make our work easier.

Signing a peace treaty by yearend would be strongly realistic if the principles adopted during the Brussels meetings are officially reaffirmed, the PM said.
President met with U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery

President of Ukraine

16 October 2023 - 16:42

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker, who is on a visit to Ukraine.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to President of the United States Joseph Biden, the Congress and the American people for providing powerful defense, financial, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to counteract full-scale Russian aggression.

"Your visit is a signal of strong support. It is important for us to understand that the United States is ready to help Ukraine get through the winter and protect critical infrastructure," the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that all of Ukraine's partners are well aware of the urgent need to strengthen our country's air defense system to protect cities, domestic export routes and critical infrastructure.

The issue of ensuring Ukraine's macro-financial stability in 2024 was raised.

The Head of State touched upon the topic of rebuilding our country.

"The recovery of Ukraine despite the ongoing Russian aggression is a priority, as it allows us to provide the necessary conditions for the struggle and victory of our state," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President noted that reconstruction projects require private investment. Therefore, the Ukrainian side is counting on the active involvement of American business in long-term projects in the most promising sectors of the Ukrainian economy, such as agriculture, engineering, chemical industry, etc.

"The participation of American companies in the reconstruction of the Ukrainian energy system is of particular interest. This is especially topical on the eve of the winter period, when the aggressor is expected to intensify attacks on energy infrastructure facilities," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The Head of State noted that in order to attract investment, it is necessary to develop mechanisms to guarantee risks.

The issue of using frozen Russian assets as a significant source of funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine was also raised.

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All 31 Abrams Tanks in Ukraine, US Military Confirms to VOA

By Carla Babb October 16, 2023

All 31 U.S.-made M1A1 Abrams tanks promised to Kyiv by the Biden administration have arrived in Ukraine, according to the U.S. military.

Col. Martin O'Donnell, a spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, told VOA that all of the Ukrainians who trained on the tanks with U.S. forces in Germany have also returned to Ukraine, along with ammunition and spare tank parts.

"We have lived up to our end of the bargain. From this point forward, it is up to them [Ukraine] to determine when and where they will deliver this capability," O'Donnell said.

Military officials say it could take time before the Abrams are sent to the battlefield, as Ukrainian troops make sure they have needed support elements in place and determine when and where to use the tanks for greatest effect against Russian forces.

"I think Ukraine will be deliberate in when and where they use it," O'Donnell said. "The Abrams tank is one hell of an armored vehicle, but it's not a silver bullet. Ultimately, it's Ukraine's determination to break through that matters most."

The first of the 31 American-made Abrams tanks were delivered to Ukraine late last month, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The delivery came faster than initial estimates and in time for potential use in the final weeks of Kyiv's counteroffensive against Russian forces before winter sets in.

"Abrams are already in Ukraine and are preparing to reinforce our brigades," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on September 25.

The Abrams will add to other Western tanks already in Ukraine's arsenal as it fights to reclaim Russian-held territory in Ukraine's eastern and southern regions.

The U.S. pledge to donate Abrams tanks earlier this year came alongside a pledge from European nations to deliver German-made Leopard 2 tanks, which Berlin had been unwilling to approve without a similar commitment from the United States.

The United Kingdom was the first country to agree to send Western tanks to Ukraine, pledging its Challenger 2 tanks in January of this year, which arrived in the spring.

British Major Nick Bridges told VOA shortly after the U.K announcement that Challenger 2 tanks can "take multiple hits and stay in the fight," even as they are considered slower than the Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks.

"The battles in the Ukraine will be slow, and what you need is a heavy tank like a Challenger [2 tank] that can take a hit, and more so than a T-72 [Russian-made tank], which will probably be destroyed after one round," he told VOA.

Russian forces hit a Challenger 2 tank in Ukraine for what appeared to be the first time last month. Video released at the time showed a badly-damaged tank ablaze, with a Western defense source confirming to news outlets that the tank was indeed a Challenger 2 tank and that all of the crew had survived the attack.

Ukraine has asked for hundreds of Western tanks for its offensive. They have received dozens to date.

Ukraine has intensified a campaign of missile and drone strikes to hit targets deep behind Russian lines, which has placed parts of the occupied Crimean Peninsula under repeated attack.

But with winter approaching, Ukrainian forces have yet to achieve a decisive breakthrough, a concern among Kyiv's backers that has raised questions about the future of international support.

The Abrams tanks' arrival in Ukraine comes as the United States provided up to $200 million in additional military aid for Ukraine in a package last week. The Pentagon said the package included weapons for air defense such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, artillery munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), TOW anti-tank missiles, and 155mm and 105mm rounds.

The package marked the 48th time that the U.S. has used the presidential drawdown authority to provide Ukraine's miliary with equipment from U.S. stockpiles, and it was the first since Congress excluded new aid for Ukraine in a stopgap spending bill passed last month to prevent a government shutdown.

The U.S. has provided about $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked invasion in February 2022.

The Pentagon still has about $5 billion of congressionally approved funding for Ukrainian military aid.

Soon after the stopgap spending bill passed, the House ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position as speaker. The House has yet to vote for a new speaker, and new aid for Ukraine could hinge on who is selected.

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Russian Military Operations Slacken Near Strategic Town of Avdiivka

By VOA News October 16, 2023

An operation by Russian forces to storm the strategically important city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine appears to be running out of steam, Kyiv officials said Monday.

Ukrainian forces repelled 15 Russian attacks from four directions on Avdiivka over the previous 24 hours compared with up to 60 attacks a day in the middle of last week, according to Vitalii Barabash, head of the city administration.

The slackening suggests the Russian effort to capture Avdiivka has "deflated," Barabash said.

The Institute for the Study of War echoed Barabash's sentiment in a report late Sunday. According to the Washington-headquartered research group, "Russian forces continued offensive operations aimed at encircling Avdiivka ... but have yet to make further gains amid a likely decreasing tempo of Russian operations in the area."

Before the onset of winter, both sides have been seeking battlefield breakthroughs that could invigorate their efforts and raise morale.

Russia hopes to break through Ukrainian defenses in the Kupiansk-Lyman sector of the front line in northeastern Ukraine, the commander of Ukraine's ground forces warned Monday. Video footage released by the ground forces showed Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi telling soldiers, whom he met in an undisclosed location, that the situation on Ukraine's northeastern front line had "significantly escalated" in recent days.

"The enemy is preparing, seriously preparing for offensive actions, bringing in staff," Syrskyi said in the footage posted on the Telegram messaging app. "The main goal is to break through our troops' defenses and recapture our territory."

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said Ukrainian troops are holding their positions in the east but so far, Ukraine's counteroffensive in the east and south a since the beginning of June a has yielded only minor gains.

Ukraine's military said Monday that Russia attacked overnight with six missiles and 12 drones.

The Ukrainian air force said it downed two of the missiles, which targeted the northern and eastern part of Ukraine, as well as 11 of the drones.

Russia also carried out artillery shelling and airstrikes in the Zaporizhzhia region, damaging several residential buildings and infrastructure and injuring one elderly woman, the governor there said.

Russia will spend around $618 million to develop drone manufacturing, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told lawmakers Monday.

"The task is that 41% of all drones by 2025 should have the label 'Made in Russia,'" Siluanov said. He added that, so far, its drones are mostly sourced from China.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit North Korea this week, the foreign ministry said Monday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia last month to meet President Vladimir Putin and visit key military sites, triggering speculation about a possible North Korean plan to refill Russia's drained munition stores in return for sophisticated Russian weapons technologies to boost North Korea's military and nuclear program.

The White House claims Pyongyang delivered munitions and military equipment to Russia for use in the fighting in Ukraine.

On Friday, the White House released satellite images showing more than 1,000 containers being loaded onto a Russia-flagged ship before transport via train to southwestern Russia. The containers were shipped between September 7 and October 1, the White House said.

Ukraine aid

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Monday in Kyiv with U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker for talks focused on infrastructure reconstruction.

"We managed to discuss all the issues that directly affect life in Ukraine," said Zelenskyy in his nightly video address. "Protection of our energy sector, especially this winter. Macro-financial support. Reconstruction. Protection of investments from the war risks. Attracting private business," he added.

Zelenskyy also talked about the need for more air defense for Ukraine to "give more protection to our cities, so that they can maintain life, including economic life. Plus, the development of our industries, including defense production," he said.

"All of this together keeps us resilient. All of this together adds to Ukraine's strength," he noted.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday that support for Ukraine remains a "top priority" for the United States and Europe, calling it crucial to sustain Ukraine's military battle against Russia's invasion.

"We cannot allow Ukraine to lose the war for economic reasons when it has shown an ability to succeed on the battlefield," Yellen said in remarks prepared for her third meeting with the Eurogroup finance ministers.

She said the Biden administration is committed to supporting Ukraine "for as long as it takes" and would fight to ensure a bipartisan majority in the U.S. Congress enacted "robust" and uninterrupted assistance for the war-torn country.

Her meeting with the Eurogroup in Luxembourg comes as the Biden administration prepares to push through a new military assistance package worth well over $2 billion for Ukraine and Israel. The latter is preparing a ground invasion after a deadly October 7 attack by the militant Hamas group that rules Gaza.

Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told the Reuters news agency on Saturday that Ukraine is finding it harder to secure financial support.

Some Republicans in Congress have questioned funding for Kyiv, including Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, who has been nominated to be House speaker and leads a hardline Republican party caucus backed by former president and likely 2024 nominee Donald Trump.

Ukraine children

Qatar announced Monday the reunification of a group of Ukrainian children with their families, a start on the return of some of the thousands of children whom Ukraine says Russia forcibly took after launching its invasion in February 2022.

The repatriations took place after months of talks brokered by Qatar.

Officials familiar with the matter said four children, ages 2 to 17, were being reunited under an arrangement that could lead to more repatriations.

"We are bringing home four Ukrainian children illegally deported to the Russian Federation," Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office, said on X, formerly known as Twitter. He gave no further details.

Kyiv says the abduction of about 20,000 children from Ukraine to Russia or Russian-held territory is a war crime that meets the U.N. treaty definition of genocide.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.

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NEWARK, Del, Oct. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The size of the global cellular M2M connections and services market is anticipated to propel at a CAGR of 20.4% from 2023 to 2033. By 2023, its value is anticipated to reach US$ 20.9 billion.



By 2033, the market for cellular M2M connections and services is expected to reach a value of about US$ 134 billion. From 2023 to 2033, it is projected to expand to have a real financial potential of US$ 113.1 billion.

Through 2033, it is expected that countries in North America, such as Canada and the United States, will dominate the market for cellular M2M connections and services. The ongoing development of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring in these nations is anticipated to push demand. These new services frequently use real-time data and transmit the same between medical equipment and healthcare specialists, necessitating M2M connections.

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Several health insurance companies in North America might also employ cellular M2M connections and services to track policyholders' health. Delivering personalized incentives and insurance policies for leading healthy lives can be done using the data provided.

North America is also projected to be a leading hub for clinical trials and medical research. As these would be required to transmit and gather information from participants, the need for cellular M2M connections and services might increase. Researchers can use these services to assess patient health and medication efficacy remotely.

Demand in Asia Pacific is projected to increase as wearable technology for health monitoring becomes more widely accepted. There has been an increase in the release of new smartwatches and fitness trackers that can record information on activity levels, heart rate, and sleep habits.

The need for cellular M2M connections and services is anticipated to increase due to the growing popularity of smartwatches in China, India, and Japan. These could send real-time data to mobile applications and medical personnel. Healthcare practitioners might create individualized treatment plans and enable remote patient monitoring with cellular M2M connections.

As the number of seniors increases, there will likely be a greater demand for aged care services across Asia Pacific. It is anticipated that GPS-enabled watches and wearable fall detection systems will be used to monitor the whereabouts and well-being of elderly patients. As a result, makers of wearable technology are turning to cellular M2M connections to relay location information and alarms to caregivers or emergency personnel.

Key Takeaways from Cellular M2M Connections and Services Market Study

The global cellular M2M connections and services industry grew at a decent CAGR of 25.4% in the historical period from 2018 to 2022.

in the historical period from 2018 to 2022. The United States is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 20.3% in the forecast period.

in the forecast period. China is likely to reach a valuation of US$ 20.9 billion by 2033 in the cellular M2M connections and services industry.

by 2033 in the cellular M2M connections and services industry. In terms of organization size, the large enterprises segment is set to showcase a CAGR of 20.2% in the assessment period.

in the assessment period. Based on end-users, the transportation & logistics segment expanded at an average CAGR of 25.1% between 2018 and 2022.



By 2033, it is anticipated that both developed and emerging nations will experience a rise in traffic control-related challenges. Several nations invest large sums in creating smart cities to ease traffic congestion and improve traffic management. Adoption is anticipated to be supported by cellular M2M connections' and services' capacity to enhance traffic flow, reduce traffic congestion, and improve urban mobility.  opines Sudip Saha, managing director and MD at Future Market Insights (FMI) analyst.

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Competitive Landscape

Players in the cellular M2M connections and services market concentrate on developing and expanding their networks to lower latency, improve dependability, and provide extensive coverage. By developing 5G networks, they are also delivering tremendous bandwidth, making them perfect for M2M connections.

Customers should be very worried about security while using M2M applications. As a result, renowned corporations plan to spend a lot of money creating top-notch security software to safeguard devices and data. They are acquiring security certificates and providing encryption and authentication technologies.

For instance,

In July 2023 , Soracom introduced a cutting-edge cellular data package to help European entrepreneurs and SMBs deploy connected goods and services more quickly while keeping data prices low. Soracom's Plan X3-EU offers a simple, affordable M2M sensors and devices solution.

, introduced a cutting-edge cellular data package to help European entrepreneurs and SMBs deploy connected goods and services more quickly while keeping data prices low. Soracom's offers a simple, affordable M2M sensors and devices solution. Bharti Airtel announced in October 2022 that the 'Always On' IoT connectivity technology would be introduced in India. An IOT device can constantly maintain a mobile network connection from multiple Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) through an eSIM thanks to the dual profile M2M eSIM.

Restraints:

Despite the promising outlook, challenges do exist. Concerns regarding data security and privacy in M2M applications need to be addressed. Additionally, the cost of implementing M2M solutions and the need for skilled professionals may hinder market growth.

Region-wise Insights - Category-wise Insights:

The regional dynamics of the Cellular M2M Connections and Services Market vary, but each region is contributing to its expansion. North America is prominent in healthcare and automotive applications, while Europe excels in smart city implementations. Asia-Pacific shows immense potential for agriculture and manufacturing M2M solutions.

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Global Segmentation of Cellular M2M Connections and Services Market

Cellular M2M Connections and Services Market by Organization Size:

Large Enterprises

SMEs

Cellular M2M Connections and Services Market by End-User:

Transportation & Logistics

Energy & Utilities

Manufacturing

Healthcare

Others



Cellular M2M Connections and Services Market by Region:

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

South Asia and Pacific

East Asia

Middle East and Africa



Top Reports Related to Technology Market:

The cellular M2M market size is predicted to expand at a significant CAGR of 19.1% within the forecast time frame. It is predicted to reach a valuation of US$ 80,726.9 million by 2033 from US$ 14,018.0 million in 2023.

The Poland IT Software and Service Market Share is expected to register a strong growth of 5.9% in its CAGR during the projected period to reach US$ 6,245.8 million by 2020.

The cellular IoT Module market Trends is projected to have a CAGR of 23.4% by 2033. According to FMI, the market is expected to expand from US$ 16.88 Billion in 2023 to US$ 20.83 Billion by 2033.

The Europe-connected cars market Demand revenue by the end of 2021 was US$ 10.2 Billion. The Europe-connected cars market is expected to reach US$ 49.7 Billion by 2032, as it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.6% from 2022 to 2032.

The connected game console market forecast revenue totaled US$ 19,550.7 million globally in 2023. The market is expected to reach US$ 75,280.8 million by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 14.4% from 2023 to 2033.

The molded interconnect devices market Overview revenue totaled US$ 1.2 Billion in 2022. The molded interconnect devices market is expected to reach US$ 4.2 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 12.4% from 2023 to 2033.

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Covina, Oct. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prophecy Market Insights has published a new research report titled The Data Monetization Market accounted for US$ 2.02 billion in 2020 and is estimated to be US$ 15.84 billion by 2030 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 22.8%.

What is Data Monetization? How Big It is Data Monetization Market Size and Share?

Overview:

Data monetization is the process of converting raw data or information into revenue or business value. It involves the extraction, analysis, and utilization of data to generate income, improve operational efficiency, or create new business opportunities. This concept has gained prominence with the advent of big data and the recognition of data as a valuable asset.

The amount of data produced globally is still increasing tremendously. There is a wealth of data that may be tapped for monetization due to the growth of IoT devices, social media, and digital transactions. This trend is expected to continue, providing ample opportunities for Data Monetization Market.

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Some of the Top Market Leaders Are:

Cisco Systems Inc.

Google Inc.

IBM Corporation

Accenture

Monetize Solutions, Inc.

VIAVI Solutions Inc.

Adastra Corporation

CellOS Software Ltd

Infosys Limited

Mahindra Com Viva.

Recent Key Highlights of Data Monetization Market:

In September 2023, AltHub launched AI-driven Alt data monetization platform called Altlab360, helping firms more easily collect, package and commercialize their data assets. The recently released modular platform from AltHub uses AI to convert unprocessed data into datasets that are suitable for usage. The AltLab360 platform aids data owners in assessing different use cases, properly packaging data, creating market signals, and validating the prediction strength of their data.

Report Scope:

Attribute Details Base year for estimation 2020 Forecast period 2020  2030 Market representation Revenue in USD Million & CAGR from 2020  2030 Market Segmentation By Method- Direct and Indirect Monetization

By Industrial Vertical Finance, Retail, Telecommunication & IT Manufacturing, Healthcare, Energy and Utilities, Government and Defense and Others

By Application Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Capital Asset Management and Remote Equipment Monitoring Regional scope North America - U.S., Canada

Europe - UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific - Japan, India, China, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America - Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa - South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Rest of Middle East & Africa Report coverage Revenue forecast, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends

Analyst View:

Numerous sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and retail, are becoming more aware of the potential of data monetization. They are adjusting their data tactics to cater to the needs of particular industries, which is fueling data monetization market expansion in these fields.

Explore the comprehensive report description, detailed research methodology, comprehensive table of contents, and informative infographics by visiting Our PDF Brochure:

https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-pdf/899

Top Trends Influencing the Market:

Data Privacy and Ethics: Heightened focus on ethical data use and adherence to privacy regulations shape monetization strategies. AI and Advanced Analytics: Utilization of AI and sophisticated analytics enables businesses to extract valuable insights, enhancing data monetization. Real-time Data Monetization: Immediate value generation through real-time processing and utilization of technologies like IoT. Blockchain Security: Adoption of blockchain ensures secure and transparent data transactions, boosting confidence in data sharing and monetization. Personalization Demands: Monetizing individual data for personalized customer experiences, tailoring services to specific user preferences. Subscription-based Models: Exploration of steady revenue streams through subscription services, encouraging businesses to adopt subscription-based data monetization strategies.

Market Dynamics:

The ever-changing forces influencing business environments. These include supply and demand fluctuations, competitive pressures shaping strategies, consumer behaviors driving purchasing patterns, and regulatory factors governing industry practices. Additionally, technological advancements, economic indicators, cultural trends, market segmentation, globalization effects, and supply chain intricacies play vital roles. Businesses must adeptly navigate these dynamics to make informed decisions, stay competitive, and succeed in dynamic markets.

Any query or customization before buying:

https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-customization/899

The Report Answers Questions Such As:

What is Data Monetization? How Big is the Data Monetization Market Size and Share? Who Are the Top Market Leaders? What are the Recent Key Highlights of the Data Monetization Market? What Are the Top Trends Influencing the Market? How Do Market Dynamics Affect Business Strategies?

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Newark, Oct. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the report published by The Brainy Insights, the global Concierge Medicine market is expected to grow from USD 17.32 Billion in 2023 to USD 30.26 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 7.22% during the forecast period 2023-2031.



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Female doctors are moving their inclination towards concierge medicine since they experience more stress than male doctors do. As a result, they gained more significant influence over their jobs, establishing equal subscription fees for their male coworkers, allocating more family time, and finding it interesting to pursue personal and professional interests. As a result, many female doctors are switching to a retainer or membership-based practice, opening up new global market opportunities.



Competitive Strategy



To enhance their market position in the global Concierge Medicine market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as product innovations, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, joint ventures, collaborations, and partnerships.



 In July 2019: Concierge Choice Physicians (CCP) acquired the Private Practise Direct (PPD), a concierge and direct primary care service organization. This acquisition helped the organization expand into the 30 US states and enter the direct primary care segment.



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Report Coverage Details



Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2031 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2023 USD 17.32 billion Market Size in 2031 USD 30.26 billion CAGR 7.22% No. of Pages in Report 235 Segments Covered by Ownership, Application, Regions Drivers Rising prevalence of chronic diseases, expanding elderly population, physician shortage, quickly increasing patient volume, and rising waiting times for doctor visits Opportunities Legal and regulatory compliance, increasing advertising costs, and lower patient awareness - Restraints Shifting inclination of female doctors towards concierge medicine

Market Growth & Trends



Direct primary care and retainer-based medicine are other names for concierge medicine, boutique medicine, platinum practices, and concierge care. Both primary care physicians and their patients find value in the concierge medicine model. Concierge medicine market expansion is anticipated to be fuelled by the growing need for individualized and efficient treatment services. Due to the high affordability of such luxurious and private medical care among high-income clients, this trend is gaining quick popularity and fueling the market's expansion. Patients are charged retainer fees for healthcare consultation services in the private medical practice known as concierge medicine. These services offer lab tests, specialist consultations, regular examinations, travel care, and access to doctors around the clock. The consulting fees for concierge medical services are based on an annual or monthly membership fee, and they avoid insurance companies. These services are becoming more and more popular among people everywhere. The key reasons driving the growth of the global concierge medicine market are the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, expanding elderly population, physician shortage, quickly rising patient volume, and rising waiting times for doctor visits. Concierge medicine is becoming increasingly popular among the general public due to its advantages, which include longer doctor consultations, customized care, preventive care, and fewer hospitalizations. In addition, one of the main factors promoting the acceptance of the retainer care model is physician stress. Plans with a membership feature can open up a good market potential. For tailored healthcare, many people are choosing subscription-based membership programmes. This aspect will undoubtedly increase the demand for concierge medicine globally in the coming years.



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Key Findings



 In 2023, the group segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 57.33% and market revenue of USD 9.92 Billion.



The ownership segment is divided into group and standalone. In 2023, the group segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 57.33% and market revenue of USD 9.92 Billion. The group segment consists of businesses with associated doctors and a group of physicians with their membership-based care model. Many doctors integrate their practices with concierge care firms because switching to a membership model necessitates legal compliance, extensive advertising, and patient communication.



 In 2023, the primary care segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 19.38% and market revenue of USD 3.35 Billion.



The application segment is divided into pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, primary care, cardiology, osteopathy, and others. In 2023, the primary care segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 19.38% and market revenue of USD 3.35 Billion. This is primarily due to doctors using the retainer model more frequently to manage their workload, maintain work-life balance, and serve a smaller patient base. The rise of the primary care market has been aided by the psychological and financial advantages that the concierge medicine model offers physicians.



Regional Segment Analysis of the Concierge Medicine Market:



 North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America)

 The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)



The North America region occurred as the largest market for the global Concierge Medicine industry, with a market share of 36.11% and a market value of around USD 6.25 Billion in 2023. Concierge medicine has grown tremendously in North America due to the US's sharp increase of retainer doctors. Additionally, the increased incidence of cancer, diabetes, obesity and other psychological diseases in the US encourages patients to seek more specialized care. Concierge medicine is more in demand in North America due to rising consumer health consciousness and demand for individualized healthcare services. Additionally, a number of significant, well-known vendors in the area, such as PartnerMD, Crossover Health, and MDVIP, are assisting them in growing their company in this market.



Key players operating in the global Concierge Medicine market are:



 Signature MD

 Specialdocs Consultants, LLC

 Concierge Consultants & Cardiology

 Peninsula Doctor

 Priority Physicians, Inc.

 U.S. San Diego Health

 MDVIP

 PartnerMD

 Destination Health

 Crossover Health

 Cambell Family Medicine

 Castle Connolly Private Health Partners

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2019 to 2031. The Brainy Insights has segmented the global Concierge Medicine market based on below mentioned segments:

Global Concierge Medicine Market by Ownership:



 Group

 Standalone



Global Concierge Medicine Market by Application:



 Pediatrics

 Internal Medicine

 Psychiatry

 Primary Care

 Cardiology

 Osteopathy

 Others

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About the report:



The global Concierge Medicine market is analysed based on value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analysed on global, regional and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each segment. The report offers in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining the key insight of the market. The study includes porters five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution and marketing channels analysis.



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Due to the multi-metal nature of the deposit, the resources are reported using Net Smelter Return (NSR) cut-off values which are as follows: Polymetallic Domain (Zn-Pb-Ag) = US$9.20/t for open pit (OP) mining and US$34.00/t for underground (UG) mining; Tin Domain (Sn-Ag-Pb) = US$6.00/t for OP mining. Costs have been significantly reduced due to the major impact of the positive ore-sorting tests.



Potentially open pittable inferred mineral resource in Polymetallic Domain (Zn-Pb-Ag) of 541 million tonnes grading 0.69% Zn, 0.28% Pb and 13.6 g Ag/t with an NSR value of US$20.32/t at an NSR cut-off of US$9.20/t which is equal to the estimated operating cost.

Polymetallic Domain includes a core inferred mineral resource at an NSR cutoff of US$15/t of 342 million tonnes grading 0.85% Zn, 0.35% Pb and 17 g Ag/t with an NSR value of US$25.22/t which is 2.74 times estimated operating cost of US $9.20/t

This core mineral resource includes a higher grade near surface inferred mineral resource at an NSR cut-off of US25/t of 132 million tonnes grading 1.11% Zn, 0.50% Pb and 24.3 g Ag/t with an NSR value of US$34.50/t which is 3.75 times estimated operating cost of US $9.20/t

Potentially open pittable inferred mineral resource in the Tin Domain (Sn-Pb-Ag) of 110 million tonnes grading 0.12% Sn, 0.14% Pb and 14.2 g Ag/t with an NSR value of US$12.22/t at an NSR cut-off of US$6.00/t

Potential underground inferred mineral resource in the Polymetallic Domain of 19 million tonnes grading 1.88% Zn, 0.36% Pb and 18.8 g Ag/t with an NSR value of US$42.23 at an NSR cut-off of US$34.40/t.

The open pit and underground NSR cut-off grades defining the overall mineral resource consider estimated mining costs, G&A expenses, processing costs, metallurgical recoveries, smelter deductions, treatment charges, penalties, and transportation costs for all metals of potential economic interest and, accordingly, are equal to estimated total operating costs.

Potential open pit defining the bulk of the mineral resource is 1.4km in diameter, extends to a maximum depth of 750m below the Santa Barbara hill and has a stripping ratio of 1:1.

Total in situ metal is estimated to be 298 million ounces Ag (silver), 4.09 million tonnes Zn (zinc), 1.74 million tonnes Pb (lead) and 130,000 tonnes Sn (tin).

Resource estimate is based on 139 diamond drill holes totalling 96,386m. All holes intersected significant reportable mineralization and the deposit is open in all directions.

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX: ELO; OTCQX: ELRRF; FSE: P2QM) (Eloro, or the Company) is pleased to announce the filing of the National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) Technical Report in support of the initial mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project in the Potosi Department of southwestern Bolivia. The MRE, as set out in Table 1 below, has been prepared by independent qualified persons (QPs) with Micon International Limited as defined under NI-43-101.

Table 1: Summary of the Iska Iska Initial Mineral Resources as of August 19, 2023

Item Average Value Category Domain Mining Method Zn-Pb-Ag NSR

Cut-off (US$) Tonnage

(Mt) Zn-Pb-Ag NSR ($/t) Zn

(%) Pb

(%) Ag

(g/t) Inferred







Polymetallic







OP 9.20 541 20.32 0.69 0.28 13.6 UG 34.40 19 42.23 1.88 0.36 18.8 OP+UG - 560 21.08 0.73 0.28 13.8 Category Domain Mining Method Sn-Pb-Ag NSR Cut-off

(US$) Tonnage

(Mt) Sn-Pb-Ag NSR

($/t) Sn

(%) Pb

(%) Ag

(g/t) Inferred Tin OP 6.00 110 12.22 0.12 0.14 14.2

Notes:

The mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with the CIM Best Practice Guidelines (2019) and the CIM Definition Standards (2014). It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. The OP Mineral Resources are reported within a constrained pit shell (slope angle 45 degrees) at NSR cut-off values of US$6/t and US$9.20/t, for the Tin Domain and Polymetallic Domain, respectively. The UG resource is a coherent mass (less 20 m thick crown pillar) beneath the pit reported at an NSR cut-off of US$34.40/t. Metallurgical recoveries for the Polymetallic Domain are based on pre-concentration recoveries of 97% for Zn, Pb and Ag, followed by the concentrator recoveries of Zn = 87%%, Pb = 80%, and Ag = 88%. Metallurgical recoveries for the Tin Domain are based on pre-concentration recoveries of 62% for Sn followed by concentrator recoveries of Sn = 50%, Pb = 64% and Ag = 53%. The mineral resource estimate is based on 3-year trailing average metal prices of Ag = US$22.52/oz, Pb = 0.95/lb, Sn = US$12.20/lb, Zn = US$1.33/lb, and an exchange rate of 1.30 C$: 1 US$. Other economic factors include: mining costs = US$3.41/t and US$25.22/t for open pit and underground, respectively; G & A costs = US$0.55/t for the Polymetallic Domain and US$0.68/t for the Tin Domain; all-inclusive processing costs for the Polymetallic Domain = US$8.62/t comprising US$0.40/t for pre-concentration followed by US$12.66/t for concentrator, and all-inclusive processing costs for the Tin Domain = US$5.29/t comprising US$0.40/t for pre-concentration followed by US$13.80/t for concentrator. Concentrate transportation, smelting and refining terms have been included for the Polymetallic Domain. Tin fuming recoveries and costs, and concentrate transportation, smelting and refining terms have been included for the Tin Domain. Mineral resources unlike mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. The QPs are not aware of any known permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Resource Estimate. The UG resources include the must take minor material below cut-off grade which is interlocked with masses of blocks above the cut-off grade within the MSO stopes. Figures may not tally due to rounding. Average stripping ratio for the open pit is 1:1. The open pit has a diameter of approximately 1.4km and extends to a maximum depth of approximately 750 m from the summit of the Santa Barbara hill.

The Micon QPs with responsibility for the Initial Mineral Resource Estimate are Charley Murahwi, MSc., P.Geo., FAusIMM., Alan San Martin, MAusIMM (CP), and Abdoul Aziz Drame, B.Eng., P. Eng.

Initial Mineral Resource Estimate

1. Definition  Net Smelter Return (NSR) & Metal Equivalent:



The Iska Iska deposit is polymetallic in nature and, as such, the value of its mineralized material will result from the extraction and sale of a combination of metals which include Ag, Pb, Sn and Zn for the Initial Mineral Resource. Pending further success in metallurgical testwork, Cu (copper), Au (gold), and In (indium) may be added to the economic equation.

Based on the CIM Best Practice Guidelines of November 2019: Two methods are widely applied in the mining industry to address the polymetallic nature of such deposits. These include the use of a metal-equivalent or the calculation of the Net Smelter Return (NSR) . For the NSR method, the estimated dollar value that each metal contributes towards the total value of each tonne is calculated and is expressed as one value referred to as the NSR value per tonne. The calculation of an NSR value per tonne considers estimated revenues, mining costs, G&A expenses, processing costs, metallurgical recoveries, smelter deductions, treatment charges, penalties, and transportation costs for all metals of potential economic interest. This NSR value per tonne can then be used to derive a cut-off value, where the NSR cut-off value per tonne is equal to the estimated total operating costs of mining, processing and recovering the metals per tonne of the resource.

In some cases where there are multiple elements in the deposit that contribute to the deposit value, a one-commodity equivalent calculation is sometimes used as the cut-off grade or value. In this approach, all the grades for the various commodities are converted to an equivalent metal grade by consideration of the metal prices and recoveries. The calculation of equivalent cut-off grade or value is based on a formula developed by the Practitioners. This formula, and the parameters used for its development, must be clearly stated. The metal-equivalent grades are then used as the cut-off grades to estimate the Mineral Reserves.

2. NSR versus Metal equivalent grade cut-off grades:



Based on the Micons QP Experience: In multi-metal deposits where there is a primary product supported by secondary products, it is more appropriate to use a Metal Equivalent cut-off grade based/denominated on the primary commodity. Conversely, in multi-metal deposits where the deposit constituents/metals are considered largely as co-products with no obvious dominant commodity, it is better to employ a NSR value in applying a cut-off grade. The second scenario suits the Iska Iska deposit better at this stage of exploration in the definition of the deposit.

3. ISKA ISKA Initial MRE Statement



Due to the multi-metal nature of the deposit, the resources are reported using Net Smelter Return (NSR) cut-off values per tonne which are as follows:

Polymetallic (Zn-Pb-Ag) Domain = US$9.20/t for open pit (OP) mining and US$34.00/t for underground (UG) mining; Tin (Sn-Ag-Pb) Domain = US$6.00/t for OP mining. Costs have been significantly reduced due to the major impact of the positive ore-sorting tests (see Eloro press release of July 26, 2023).

Note that the open pit Mineral Resources are reported within a constrained pit shell (slope angle 45 degrees) at NSR cut-off values of US$6/t and US$9.20/t, for the Tin Domain and Polymetallic Domain, respectively. The UG resource is a coherent mass (less 20 m thick crown pillar) beneath the pit reported at an NSR cut-off of US$34.40/t. The open pit and underground NSR cut-off grades consider estimated mining costs, G&A expenses, processing costs, metallurgical recoveries, smelter deductions, treatment charges, penalties, and transportation costs for all metals of potential economic interest and, accordingly, are equal to estimated total operating costs.

In the section below, areas of higher-grade resource within the overall constraining pit in the Polymetallic Domain are highlighted at higher NSR cut-offs of US$15/t and US$25/t, respectively. It is important to recognize that this highlighting of the higher-grade resource does NOT in any way change the overall total estimated operating cost per tonne which for the Polymetallic Domain is US$9.20/t. The mineral resource defined by using a US$25/t cut-off to identify and define a high-grade zone is particularly important as it is near surface and would be mined in the early years of production generating potential for earlier payback. The average NSR value of this higher-grade resource is US$34.49/t which is 3.75 times total estimated operating cost.

Using the above cut-off values, the Initial Mineral Resources for the Iska Iska deposit as of August 19, 2023, are shown in Table 1 above. The economic and technical assumptions used are stated in the notes beneath the Table. All the resources are in the Inferred Category. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.

The potential open pit defining the bulk of the mineral resource is 1.4km in diameter, extends to a maximum depth of 750m below the Santa Barbara hill and has a stripping ratio of 1:1. Total in situ metal is estimated to be 298 million ounces Ag (silver), 4.09 million tonnes Zn (zinc), 1.74 million tonnes Pb (lead) and 130,000 tonnes Sn (tin).

Resource estimate is based on 139 diamond drill holes totalling 96,386m. All holes intersected significant reportable mineralization and the deposit is open in all directions.

Figure 1 below is a 3D image of the resource block model while Figure 2 below is a representative cross section showing distribution of the resource blocks.

Figure 1: 3D Perspective of the Iska Iska Pit Constrained Resource Showing Distribution of Resources in Major Domains as of August 19, 2023.





Note: For Tin Domain (Sn-Pb-Ag), high grade (HG) = NSR > US$12/t and low grade (LG) = NSR between US$6/t and US$12/t. For Polymetallic Domain (Zn-Pb-Ag), HG = NSR > US$25/t & LG = NSR between US$9.2/t and US$25/t. UG Resource = NSR > US$34.40/t.

Figure 2: Cross Section B-B of the Iska Iska Pit Constrained Resource

as of August 19, 2023.





Note: For Tin Domain (Sn-Pb-Ag), HG = NSR > US$12/t & LG = NSR between US$6/t and US$12/t. For Polymetallic Domain (Zn-Pb-Ag), HG = NSR > US$25/t & LG = NSR between US$9.2/t and US$25/t. UG Resource = NSR > US$34.40/t.

4. Higher Grade Resources in Polymetallic Domain



As shown in Figure 3, there is a core higher-grade inferred mineral resource in the Polymetallic Domain at an NSR cut-off of US$15/t of 342 million tonnes grading 0.85% Zn, 0.35% Pb and 17 g Ag/t for an NSR value of US$25.22/t which is 2.74 times the total estimated operating cost of US $9.20/t

This core mineral resource includes a higher grade near surface inferred mineral resource at an NSR cut-off of US25/t of 132 million tonnes at 1.11% Zn, 0.50% Pb and 24.3 g Ag/t for an NSR value of US$34.50/t which is 3.75 times total estimated operating cost of US $9.20/t as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 3 : Summary of the Distribution of Higher Grade Polymetallic (Zn-Pb-Ag) Resource

at NSR Cut-off Value of US$15/t





Figure 4: Summary of the Distribution of Higher Grade Polymetallic (Zn-Pb-Ag) Resource

at NSR Cut-off Value of US$25/t





5. Use of Silver Equivalent Calculation



Previous disclosure by Eloro of drill results had employed silver equivalent calculations using current metal prices to provide comparative results for polymetallic mineralization. Metallurgical recoveries were recently assessed and are now available for the major elements in both Polymetallic and Tin Domains as outlined in the Notes in Table 1. Going forward, Eloro will use these recoveries, as well as current metal prices, for determining any disclosure of silver equivalent calculations. The previous disclosure of silver equivalent estimates should no longer be relied upon.

6. Estimates of In-Situ Metal Value



Eloro withdraws the previously released estimates of in-situ metal value for the Iska Iska mineral resource in the press release of August 30, 2023 and in the webinar of September 5, 2023. Eloros corporate presentation has been updated to remove references to these estimates and the link to the webinar has been removed from the corporate website.

Qualified Person



The initial MRE for Iska Iska has been prepared by Micon International Limited. Independent Qualified Persons (each a QP) for the Technical Report are Charley Murahwi, P.Geo., FAusIMM, Richard Gowans, P.Eng., Ing. Alan J. San Martin, MAusIMM (CP) and Abdul Aziz, Drame, P.Eng., all of whom are independent QPs as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Murahwi completed site visits in January 2020 and November 2022.

Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P. Geo., General Manager of Eloros Bolivian subsidiary, Minera Tupiza S.R.L., and a Qualified Person in the context of NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., Executive Vice President Exploration Eloro, who has more than 45 years of worldwide mining exploration experience, including extensive work in South America, manages the overall technical program, working closely with Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P.Geo. Dr. Quinton Hennigh, P.Geo., Senior Technical Advisor to Eloro and Independent Technical Advisor, Mr. Charley Murahwi P. Geo., FAusIMM of Micon are regularly consulted on technical aspects of the project.

Eloro is utilizing both ALS and AHK for drill core analysis, both of whom are major international accredited laboratories. Drill samples sent to ALS are prepared in both ALS Bolivia Ltdas preparation facility in Oruro, Bolivia and the preparation facility operated by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the main ALS Global laboratory in Lima for analysis. More recently Eloro has had ALS send pulps to their laboratory at Galway in Ireland. Eloro employs an industry standard QA/QC program with standards, blanks and duplicates inserted into each batch of samples analyzed with selected check samples sent to a separate accredited laboratory.

Drill core samples sent to AHK Laboratories are prepared in a preparation facility installed and managed by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the AHK laboratory in Lima, Peru. Au and Sn analysis on these samples is done by ALS Bolivia Ltda in Lima. Check samples between ALS and AHK are regularly done as a QA/QC check. AHK is following the same analytical protocols used as with ALS and with the same QA/QC protocols.

About Iska Iska

Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project is a road accessible, royalty-free property, wholly controlled by the Title Holder, Empresa Minera Villegas S.R.L. and is located 48 km north of Tupiza city, in the Sud Chichas Province of the Department of Potosi in southern Bolivia. Eloro has an option to earn a 100% interest in Iska Iska.

Iska Iska is a major silver-tin polymetallic porphyry-epithermal complex associated with a Miocene possibly collapsed/resurgent caldera, emplaced on Ordovician age rocks with major breccia pipes, dacitic domes and hydrothermal breccias. The caldera is 1.6km by 1.8km in dimension with a vertical extent of at least 1km. Mineralization age is similar to Cerro Rico de Potosi and other major deposits such as San Vicente, Chorolque, Tasna and Tatasi located in the same geological trend.

Eloro began underground diamond drilling from the Huayra Kasa underground workings at Iska Iska on September 13, 2020. On November 18, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of a significant breccia pipe with extensive silver polymetallic mineralization just east of the Huayra Kasa underground workings and a high-grade gold-bismuth zone in the underground workings. On November 24, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of the Santa Barbara Breccia Pipe (SBBP) approximately 150m southwest of the Huayra Kasa underground workings.

Subsequently, on January 26, 2021, Eloro announced significant results from the first drilling at the SBBP including the discovery hole DHK-15 which returned 29.53g Ag/t, 0.078g Au/t, 1.45%Zn, 0.59%Pb, 0.080%Cu and 0.056%Sn from 0.0m to 257.5m. Subsequent drilling has confirmed significant values of Ag-Sn polymetallic mineralization in the SBBP and the adjacent Central Breccia Pipe (CBP). A substantive mineralized envelope which is open along strike and down-dip extends around both major breccia pipes. Continuous channel sampling of the Santa Barbara Adit located to the east of SBBP returned 164.96 g Ag/t, 0.46% Sn, 3.46% Pb and 0.14% Cu over 166m including 446 g Ag/t, 9.03% Pb and 1.16% Sn over 56.19m. The west end of the adit intersects the end of the SBBP.

Since the initial discovery hole, Eloro has released a number of significant drill results in the SBBP and the surrounding mineralized envelope which along with geophysical data has defined an extensive target zone. In its September 20, 2022 press release, the Company reported that new downhole geophysical data has significantly extended the strike length of the high-grade feeder zone at Santa Barbara a further 250m along strike to the south-southeast from existing drilling. The 3D inverse magnetic model which correlates very strongly with the conductive zone suggested that the high-grade feeder zone may extend across the entire caldera for as much as a further 1 km along strike for a total potential strike length of at least 2 km. As reported, the definition drill program was modified to sectionally drill this potential extension with the intention of defining a major open pittable deposit in the valley of the caldera.

The Company completed 84,495m of drilling in 122 holes from the definition drill program in the Santa Barbara target area, as previously announced on November 27, 2022.

On November 22, 2022, Eloro announced the pending acquisition of the Mina Casiterita and Mina Hoyada properties covering 14.75 km2 southwest and west of Iska Iska. These properties connect with the TUP-3 and TUP-6 claims previously staked by Eloro. Eloro has also staked additional land in the area. Subject to the finalization of the granting of the mining rights process and the completion of the acquisition transaction for the Mina Casiterita and Mina Hoyada properties, the total land package in the Iska Iska area to be controlled by Eloro will total 1,935 quadrants covering 483.75 km2.

Artisanal mining in the 1960s identified high grade tin (Sn) veins on the Mina Casiterita property that are hosted in an intrusive dacite. Production from 1962 to 1964 is reported by the Departamento Nacional de Geologia in Bolivia to be 69.85 tonnes grading 50.60% Sn.

Recently completed magnetic surveys by Eloro has outlined an extensive, near surface, magnetic intrusive body on the Mina Casiterita property immediately southwest of Iska Iska. This intrusive hosts the previously mined high-grade tin veins and is very likely the continuation of the porphyry tin intrusion projected to be below the epithermal Ag-Sn-Zn-Pb mineralization at Iska Iska. Initial reconnaissance drilling at Casiterita returned 0.17% Sn over 52.75m in the vicinity of these old artisanal workings.

On July 26, 2023, Eloro released results of substantial metallurgical work on samples from the Polymetallic and Tin Domains. Preliminary tests at TOMRA in Germany indicate the mineralization at Iska Iska is amenable to ore-sorting with removal of at least 40% of the waste in the Polymetallic Domain and up to 80% in the Tin Domain which would substantially increase concentrator feed grades as well as reduce future operating costs and significantly lower the cut-off grades.

Positive ore-sorting results were obtained from composite samples of both the Tin (Sn-Pb-Ag) and Polymetallic (Zn-Pb-Ag) Domains in the Santa Barbara deposit indicating its wide applicability throughout the entire deposit.

Further metallurgical studies conducted by Wardell Armstrong International on a composite sample of the tin mineralization has improved tin concentrator stage recovery to 50%. This recovery is un-optimised and has been achieved using a mixture of Multi Gravity and tin flotation techniques which are specifically designed to recover the finer grained cassiterite.

The concentrator could produce an approximately 5%Sn concentrate grade amenable to the tin fuming process that ultimately could produce a 60-70%Sn concentrate for smelting.

The level of metallurgical and pyrometallurgical work that has been conducted is exceptionally high for an initial MRE but is justifiable due to the significance of this large potentially open pittable tin and polymetallic resource. The additional metallurgical/mineralogical knowledge will enable Eloro to rapidly move towards a preliminary economic assessment (PEA).

About Eloro Resources Ltd.

Eloro is an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in Bolivia, Peru and Quebec. Eloro has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the highly prospective Iska Iska Property, which can be classified as a polymetallic epithermal-porphyry complex, a significant mineral deposit type in the Potosi Department, in southern Bolivia. A recent NI 43-101 Technical Report on Iska Iska, which was completed by Micon International Limited, is available on Eloros website and under its filings on SEDAR. Iska Iska is a road-accessible, royalty-free property. Eloro also owns an 82% interest in the La Victoria Gold/Silver Project, located in the North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru some 50 km south of Barricks Lagunas Norte Gold Mine and Pan American Silvers La Arena Gold Mine.

For further information please contact either Thomas G. Larsen, Chairman and CEO or Jorge Estepa, Vice-President at (416) 868-9168.

Information in this news release may contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Companys plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/902b1463-ee23-442e-bfc0-60d584c3c39d

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India, Pune, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Bunker Fuel Market was experiencing several notable trends and patterns indicating both challenges and opportunities. The volume of global maritime trade is a significant driver for the bunker fuel market. As international trade and shipping activities increase, so does the demand for bunker fuel. This driver is closely tied to economic growth and globalization. According to a report by Fortune Business Insights, titled Bunker Fuel Market Size, Share And Global Trend By Fuel Grade (IFO 380, IFO 180, MGO/MDO), By Seller Type (Major Oil Company, Large Independent Distributors, Small Independent Distributors), By End User (Container Fleet, Tanker Fleet, Bulk And General Cargo Fleet), And Geography Forecast Till 2030,

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Stringent Emission Regulations: Environmental regulations, particularly those aimed at reducing emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), have a substantial impact on the bunker fuel market. These regulations, such as the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) sulfur cap regulations, drive the demand for cleaner and lower-sulfur bunker fuels.

IMO 2020 and IMO 2030: The IMO 2020 regulations mandated a significant reduction in the sulfur content of bunker fuels, leading to the increased use of low-sulfur fuels like very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) and marine gas oil (MGO). Additionally, IMO 2030 targets aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry, which may drive the adoption of alternative and cleaner fuels.

Fuel Price Volatility: Bunker fuel prices are influenced by global oil prices and geopolitical factors. Fluctuations in crude oil prices impact the cost of bunker fuels and, in turn, the profitability of shipping companies. Price volatility can be a major driver of decision-making in the bunker fuel market.

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The report has provided an in-depth analysis of how such regulatory compliances will impact the businesses of prevailing companies. Furthermore, the report also stresses on business strategies adopted by these companies and gauges the impact of these companies on the global bunker fuel market.

S&P Global Platts Marine Fuel 0.5% Will Enable Growth

The global bunker fuel market will derive growth from new product launches. In the wake of IMOs regulatory compliance update, several companies have come up with their patented bunker fuels, with the inclusion of various chemical compounds in combination with low sulphur content. Besides applications of bunker fuels in shipment carriage and transport, they are being used in offshore drilling purposes to enhance hydrocarbon uses.

Encouraged by the high demand, S&P Global Platt introduced the Marine Fuel 0.5%. The product was manufactured in compliance with IMOs usage compliance. Fortune Business Insights states that this product will gain huge popularity and an increase in adoption will have a positive impact on the global bunker fuel market.

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Besides product launches, the report provides an insight into various companies that are operating in the global market. Some of the leading companies that have made significant growth contributions are Sinopec, Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc., Bomin Bunkering, BP Plc, Bunker Holding Group, Chemoil Energy Limited, Exxon Marine Ltd., Gazprom Neft, Transocean Oil, Total Marine Fuels, Lukoil, and Petro China Company Ltd.

Major Points from Table of Contents:

Executive Summary Overview of Key Findings

Major Market Trends

Key Recommendations Introduction Definition of Bunker Fuel

Market Segmentation

Research Methodology Market Overview Historical Market Evolution

Current Market Status

Market Size and Growth Prospects

Major Market Challenges Market Drivers and Trends Global Maritime Trade Growth

Stringent Emission Regulations

IMO 2020 and IMO 2030

Fuel Price Volatility

Transition to Low-Sulfur Fuels

Emerging Use of LNG

Environmental Concerns and Emission Reduction

Fluctuating Oil Prices

Technological Advancements Market Segmentation Type of Bunker Fuel

End-User (Shipping Industry, Other Industries)

Fuel Delivery Method (Pipeline, Tanker, Barge)

Regional Analysis Regulatory Landscape IMO Regulations

Other Regional and National Regulations

Compliance and Enforcement Competitive Landscape Market Players and Profiles

Market Share Analysis

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships Price Trends and Analysis Bunker Fuel Price Volatility

Factors Affecting Bunker Fuel Prices

Price Forecast Environmental Impact Emissions Reduction Efforts

Impact of Bunker Fuel on Air and Water Quality

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India, Pune, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The District Cooling Market has been experiencing steady growth, primarily in urban and densely populated areas where the demand for cooling services is high. The global District Cooling Market size was valued at USD 27.12 billion in 2022 and is expected to be worth USD 28.19 billion in 2023. The market is projected to reach USD 44.46 billion by 2030, recording a CAGR of 6.72% during the forecast period. Rapid urbanization and increasing urban populations were driving the demand for cooling in commercial, residential, and industrial buildings. District cooling offered an efficient solution for meeting these needs. Fortune Business Insights displays this information in a report titled, "District Cooling Market, 2023-2030."

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Report Highlights:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 CAGR 6.72% 2030 Value Projection USD 44.46 Billion Base Year 2021 Market Size in 2023 USD 28.19 Billion Historical Data for 20218-2020 No. of Pages 286 Segments covered Fuel Type, By End-User, Application and Region Growth Drivers Market Support Will Come from Adequate Government Support for Mining Activities High Versatility of Rotary Bits to Boost Segment Growth

Key Industry Development:

The National Central Cooling Company, also known as Tabreed, signed an agreement worth USD 83.43 million with Egyptians for Healthcare Services (EHCS) to deliver district energy services to CapitalMed, its new healthcare city project. With this move, Tabreed plans to expand its presence in Egypt.

Drivers and Restraints:

Energy Efficiency: District cooling systems are known for their energy efficiency compared to traditional air conditioning units. They utilize centralized cooling plants, which can take advantage of economies of scale and implement energy-efficient technologies, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Urbanization and Population Growth: As urban populations continue to grow, the demand for cooling in commercial, residential, and industrial buildings increases. District cooling provides a scalable and efficient solution for meeting these cooling needs.

Smart Cities and Building Management: The trend toward smart cities and intelligent building management systems has led to increased interest in district cooling. These systems can be integrated with IoT technology to optimize cooling operations and improve overall building performance.

Long-term Planning and Infrastructure Development: District cooling systems are often part of long-term urban planning and infrastructure development projects, making them a strategic choice for city planners and developers.





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COVID-19 Impact:

COVID-19 Pandemic Boosted Product Demand Despite Initial Challenges

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused several supply chain challenges during the initial stages, the installation of district cooling systems increased during this period. As these supply chain issues worsened, they resulted in the shortage of various supporting devices. The market is witnessing encouraging growth in GCC economies as these nations have an extremely hot climate, which boosted the demand for these systems.

Segments:

Type of Application: Residential: This segment includes district cooling services provided to residential buildings, such as apartments and housing complexes.

This segment includes district cooling services provided to residential buildings, such as apartments and housing complexes. Commercial: Commercial district cooling serves office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, and other non-industrial commercial properties.

Commercial district cooling serves office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, and other non-industrial commercial properties. Industrial: District cooling for industrial applications caters to manufacturing facilities, data centers, and other industrial complexes with significant cooling needs. End-User: Public Sector: District cooling systems may serve public sector facilities, including government offices, public buildings, and educational institutions.

District cooling systems may serve public sector facilities, including government offices, public buildings, and educational institutions. Private Sector: The private sector encompasses privately owned businesses and organizations, including commercial and industrial entities.

The private sector encompasses privately owned businesses and organizations, including commercial and industrial entities. Mixed-Use Developments: Some district cooling systems cater to mixed-use developments, which combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. Cooling Capacity: Low-Capacity District Cooling: These systems serve smaller or less densely populated areas with lower cooling demands.

These systems serve smaller or less densely populated areas with lower cooling demands. Medium-Capacity District Cooling: These systems cater to moderate-sized urban areas and may have several cooling plants.

These systems cater to moderate-sized urban areas and may have several cooling plants. High-Capacity District Cooling: High-capacity systems are designed for large, densely populated cities and urban regions with substantial cooling requirements.





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Report Coverage:

The report offers a detailed analysis of the industry and highlights important areas such as top companies, product/service types, and key applications of the product. It also provides valuable insights into the latest market trends and highlights key industry developments. Besides the factors above, the report encompasses several factors that contributed to the markets growth in recent years.

Regional Insights:

Middle East & Africa to Dominate Global Market Due to Extreme Climatic Conditions

The Middle East & Africa region is expected to hold a dominant market share during the forecast period as the region has extremely hot climatic conditions. The regions commercial and residential sectors are also expanding at a notable rate, further improving the regional markets growth.

North America will also be a viable market for district cooling solutions as many programs and policies have been launched by the regional governments to boost energy efficiency in existing buildings.

Competitive Landscape:

Market Leaders to Boost Production Capacity to Keep Up With Rising Product Demand

Among many companies involved in this market, ENGIE captured the largest share as the company has a major stake in Tabreed, a leading firm in the Gulf state urban climate control systems market. This has made ENGIE the worlds largest independent player in the urban cooling networks.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED IN THE REPORT

Danfoss (Denmark)

ENGIE (France)

Tabreed National Central Cooling Company PJSC (UAE)

Emirates Central Cooling System Corporation (Empower) (UAE)

Emirates District Cooling LLC (Emicool) (UAE)

Stellar Energy (U.S.)

Marafeq Qatar (Qatar)

Shinryo Corporation (Japan)

Veolia (France)

Keppel Corporation Limited (Singapore)

Ramboll Group (Denmark)

Vattenfall (Sweden)

Gas District Cooling (M) Sdn Bhd (Malaysia)





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Table of Contents:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions & Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Emerging Trends  For Major Countries Latest Technological Advancement Insight on Regulatory Landscape Porters Five Forces Analysis Impact of COVID-19 on the District Cooling Market

Global District Cooling Market (Thousand RT, USD Billion) Analysis, Insights, and Forecast, 2019-2030 Key Findings Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By Technology Electric Chillers Absorption Chillers Others Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By End-User Residential Industrial Commercial Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa

North America District Cooling Market (Thousand RT, USD Billion) Analysis, Insights, and Forecast, 2019-2030 Key Findings Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By Technology Electric Chillers Absorption Chillers Others Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By End-User Residential Industrial Commercial Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By Country U.S. Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By End-User Residential Industrial Commercial







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Pune, India, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Fortune Business Insights, the global Modular Construction Market size was valued at USD 79.92 billion in 2022. The market is anticipated to grow from USD 84.48 billion in 2023 to USD 131.58 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.5% over the estimated period. Construction of modular buildings moves along more quickly than conventional construction since it requires less time to finish. More flexibility, better air quality, and quicker construction times are further benefits of modular buildings. Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its research report, titled Modular Construction Market, Forecast 2023-2030.

Industry Development:

January 2020: Algeco Group announced the acquisition of Altempo SAS. Altempo specializes in catering to large and complex tenders, which require customized and innovative offerings.

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Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR 6.5% 2030 Value Projection 131.58 billion Base Year 2022 Modular Construction Market Size in 2022 79.92 billion Historical Data for 2019-2021 No. of Pages 140 Segments covered By Type, By Material, By Application, By Region

Drivers and Restraints:

Changes Governmental Initiatives to Drive the Market Growth

The market is driven by changing government programs to lessen construction waste and support green buildings. In many projects on government property, for instance, the government of Singapore has required the use of PPVC (prefabricated, pre-finished, volumetric construction) elements. Additionally, the government offers businesses subsidies that standardize contemporary building techniques. Additionally, it is anticipated that rising government spending on R&D for cutting-edge building solutions will soon increase the modular construction market share.

On the contrary, strategic project pre-planning boosts industrial investments, exerting pressure on the investment rate for later stage planning and impeding modular construction market growth.

COVID-19 Impact:

COVID-19 Regulations Limited the Possibilities for New Construction Activities

COVID-19 has significantly harmed the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic's recent emergence has raised market volatility and uncertainty. It resulted in a total economic shutdown that had a major impact on businesses across all industries in countries like India, China, the U.S., Italy, Israel, and the U.K. The market for modular construction has decreased as a result of the significant decline in new residential and non-residential constructions.





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Report Coverage:

It assimilates key market drivers and restraints.

It profiles the rankings of key market players accordingly.

It includes key market developments and information on different market segments.

It provides a comprehensive market assessment.

It assesses the COVID-19 pandemics impact on the market.

Modular Construction Market Segmentation Analysis:

Permanent Modular Construction Controls A Significant Share Time And Cost-Efficiency

By type the market is segmented into permanent modular construction (PMC) and relocatable modular construction. Permanent modular construction (PMC) retains the biggest market share and is the fastest-growing industry segment. The PMC module can be adapted to the existing building or given as a turn-key solution with time and cost-efficiency.

Due to Growing Need for Road Infrastructure, the Concrete Segment Dominated In 2022

By material type, the market is divided into concrete, steel, and wood. In 2022, revenue from the concrete segment was significant owing to the increasing demand for concrete materials from the road and highway infrastructure business.

Commercial Application to be the Fastest Growing Sector Due to Rising Number Of Start-Ups

On the basis of application, the market is divided into commercial, healthcare, educational & institutional, hospitality, and others (residential, etc.). The rising number of start-ups in emerging economies is resulting in the progress of the commercial sector.

Regional Insights:

Asia Pacific to Dominate the Market due to Growing Construction Activities

Over the projected period, the market share for modular construction is anticipated to expand most quickly in the Asia Pacific region. The regional market is anticipated to be driven by expanding building activity as a result of increased demand from the residential and commercial sectors. Furthermore, the demand for modular buildings is rising in developing nations as a result of rising government measures to encourage eco-friendly housing.

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Competitive Landscape:

KEF Collaborates with Katerra to Strengthen Market Position and Expansion

The leading manufacturers in this market are focused on mergers and acquisitions. For instance, Katerra and KEF Infra collaborated to create KEF Katerra in order to improve their skills, increase their product offerings, and broaden their geographic reach. For instance, Blu Homes offers personalized home designs, layouts, and finishes. Sources claim that they offer homes that are 40% more energy-efficient and include modern features like thermal insulation and environmentally friendly water fixtures.

A List of Key Manufacturers Operating in the Global Market:

Guerdon Modular Buildings (U.S.)

Laing O'Rourke (U.K.)

ATCO (Canada)

Red Sea International Company (Saudi Arabia)

Bouygues Construction (France)

VINCI Construction Grands Projets (U.K.)

Skanska AB (Sweden)

Algeco (U.K.)

KLEUSBERG GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)

Katerra (U.S.)

Lendlease Corporation (Australia)

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Table of Content:

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Supportive Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19

Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Global Modular Construction Key Players Market Share/Ranking, 2022 Business Performance Dashboard

Global Modular Construction Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2019-2030 Key Findings By Type Permanent (PMC) Relocatable By Material Concrete Steel Wood By Application Commercial Healthcare Education & Institutional Hospitality Others (Residential, Religious buildings) By Region (USD) North America South America Europe Middle East & Africa Asia Pacific



Continued.

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is ready to have stronger ties with the EU, PM Nikol Pashinyan has said.

The Republic of Armenia is ready to be closer to the EU, as close as the EU would consider it possible, the Armenian Prime Minister said in his speech to the European Parliament on October 17. Our joint statement with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says in these difficult times, the EU and Armenia stand shoulder to shoulder. Lets continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with a commitment to make the times better. As I said, I am convinced that democracy can ensure peace, security, unity, prosperity and happiness. Lets prove this together, Pashinyan said.

He said that the EU has become one of the key partners of Armenia in the past years.
London, UK, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMS (Insurance & Mobility Solutions), the leading global vehicle and driving data business, has signed a pan-European strategic partnership with leading automotive OEM data provider, High Mobility.

The partnership comes as interest in OEM embedded telematics surges among UK and European insurers, in particular how new data points can deliver additional benefit for risk profiling and claims analytics when combined with existing data streams from aftermarket telemetry, such as smartphone-as-a-sensor.

Founded in 2013 and based in Berlin, Germany, High Mobility is a next generation car data provider, and already works with 18 OEM brands including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Renault, Dacia, Toyota, Lexus, Mini, Audi, Porsche and the Stellantis group.



With 10 years of experience in the Connected Car industry, High Mobility has been able to establish itself as a trustworthy technical market leader. Choosing to focus on the optimisation of the delivery and consumption of data instead of creating their own insurance or mobility products.

IMS CEO Paul Stacy said the partnership is a direct response to ongoing dialogue his team is having with UK and European insurers who are looking for new ways of obtaining customer risk insight using OEM data in concert with IMSs smartphone-based telematics platforms.

Stacy said new and unique data insights can be obtained from OEM embedded sources, albeit there is some distance to go before OEM telemetry data can become the default option for UBI and broader connected motor insurance propositions. Our partnership with High Mobility has been created to give insurers an opportunity to better understand the art of the possible both today and for the future  and for OEMs to better understand what the insurance market needs.

Im convinced there is an important and growing role for OEM in-car data for insurers, and now is the right time to understand the opportunities it presents. Were also reaching the point where practical experimentation is possible, and our aim with High Mobility is to make that both accessible and viable.

Looking ahead, we want to help insurers understand how some of the unique data points that are available from OEM-embedded telemetry can throw new light on driver risk. For example, being able to monitor certain in-vehicle events and then correlate them with data collected through smartphone will create powerful new risk factors which have, until now, been unavailable. Blending telematics data derived from different sensor types in this way opens up new horizons.

This perspective is particularly relevant considering recent findings from Thatcham Research in the UK and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US. Studies suggest that many drivers are either turning off in-car safety systems or becoming too over-reliant on them  meaning that systems designed for collision avoidance could be indirectly contributing to road traffic accidents. Real-time OEM data can illuminate these worrying trends and allow insurers to build rating strategies around them, said Stacy.

Commenting on behalf of High Mobility, Katharina Roecker, Lead Manager of Strategic Projects and Customer Development, said: We are excited about the evident synergy that exists between ourselves and IMS in how we view the future of connected motor insurance. We are looking forward to showcasing our combined proposition to insurers across Europe and the UK.

The OEM data marketplace sector has seen some notable failures in recent times, but Katharina says High Mobilitys technology focus and concentration on core use cases like insurance are the key to its sustainability.

Many players previously overestimated or over-promised what they could deliver and did not satisfactorily resolve critical issues like customer consent management. We are focused on moving OEM data use to being a question of when, not if, for insurers and their customers.

Paul Stacy concluded: Insurers need an approach that turns OEM data into practically useful insights. We believe that joining forces with High Mobility brings this exciting and transformative opportunity a big step closer.

Interested auto insurers and other parties can learn more detail about this partnership by watching IMS and High Mobilitys announcement interview at https://ims.tech/high-mobility, or by contacting IMS at www.ims.tech/contact.

# # #

About IMS

IMS (Insurance & Mobility Solutions) is a vehicle and driving data business, delivering enterprise solutions to global insurers, mobility operators and governments. The IMS DriveSync platform provides the capability for customers to improve their approach to pricing, customer engagement, risk management and claims handling by leveraging telematics data from any source  smartphone apps, aftermarket hardware and OEM embedded units. The company, with offices across the UK, Europe and North America, has analyzed over 15 billion driving miles and its algorithms are fed by trillions of data points each day. For more info visit www.ims.tech.

About High Mobility

High Mobility is a vehicle data marketplace offering personalised data from various manufacturers through a single API and business interface. The company is a trusted technology partner enabling innovation-centred new mobility services in the sectors of enhanced insurance, fleet management, maintenance, EV charging, logbook, and claims service, that are rapidly scalable.

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Wilmington, Delaware, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to RationalStat s most recent industry report, the Global Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market value is estimated at US$ 2,230.2 million in 2023 and is expected to rise at a strong CAGR of over 12.8% over the forecast period of 2023-2030





Market Definition, Market Scope, and Report Overview

Mobile application performance monitoring (APM) software is a technology that enables businesses to monitor, analyze, and optimize the performance and user experience of mobile applications. These software solutions provide insights into various aspects of mobile app performance, such as app responsiveness, load times, error rates, and user interactions.

APM tools for mobile devices give useful data and insights into user behavior, app usage patterns, and performance indicators. Businesses use this data to make informed decisions, improve app features, and adjust marketing campaigns, resulting in increased business growth.

According to a deep-dive market assessment by RationalStat, the global Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software market has been analyzed on the basis of market segments, including type, application and geography/regions (including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific) . The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030.

. The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030. Market intelligence for the global Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software market covers market sizes on the basis of market value (US$/EUR Million) and volume (Units) by various products/services/equipment, demand assessment across the key regions, customer sentiments, price points, cost structures, margin analysis across the value chain, financial assessments, historical and forecast data, key developments across the industry, import-export data, trade overview, components market by leading companies, etc.

In addition, the long-term sector and products/services 10-year outlook and its implications on the global Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software 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.

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Global Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market: Segmental and Market Share Analysis

Based on application, SMEs are significant segment for propelling the market growth due to rise in adoption of mobile and cloud technologies by various organizations.

Based on type, cloud-based segment dominate the global mobile application performance monitoring software market. As advancement sin digital technologies have changed the way of interaction.

Report Synopsis

Report Metrics Details Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Base Year Market Size US$ 2,230.2 million Market Size Forecast US$ 5,183.7 million Growth Rate 12.8% Dominant Segment Cloud Dominant Region North America Key Market Drivers Technological innovation and advancements

Growth of mobile commerce

Increasing adoption of smartphones Companies Profiled AppDynamics LLC (Cisco Systems Inc.)

New Relic Inc.

Dynatrace LLC

IBM Corp

Broadcom Inc.

Microsoft Corporation

Mic Focus International PLC

Datadog Inc.

SignalFX

Akamai Technologies Inc.

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Competition Analysis and Market Structure

Leading players adopt various strategies in order to reinforce their market share and gain a competitive edge over other competitors in the market. Mergers & acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, and product launches are some of the strategies followed by industry players. Some of the key developments in the global mobile application performance monitoring software market include,

In April 2020, Ensono introduced a new application performance management (APM) tool that offers clients in-depth analysis of application performance while reducing downtime and enhancing stability.

Some of the prominent players, software developers, and brands operating and contributing significantly to the global mobile application performance monitoring software market growth include AppDynamics LLC (Cisco Systems Inc.), New Relic Inc., Dynatrace LLC, IBM Corp, Broadcom Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Mic Focus International PLC, Datadog Inc., SignalFX, and Akamai Technologies Inc., among others.

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RationalStat has segmented the global mobile application performance monitoring software market based on type, application and region

Global Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Type On-premise Cloud Hybrid

Global Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Application Small and Medium Enterprises Large Enterprises

Global Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Region North America Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market US Canada Latin America Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Western Europe Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market Germany UK France Spain Italy Benelux Nordic Rest of Western Europe Eastern Europe Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market Russia Poland Hungary Other CIS Countries Rest of Eastern Europe Asia Pacific Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market China Japan India South Korea Australia ASEAN Indonesia Thailand Philippines Vietnam Malaysia Rest of ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Market GCC Saudi Arabia (KSA) United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rest of the GCC South Africa Nigeria Turkey Rest of the Middle East & Africa



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Key Questions Answered in the Mobile Application Performance Monitoring Software Report:

What will be the market value of the global mobile application performance monitoring software market by 2030?

What is the market size of the global mobile application performance monitoring software market?

What are the market drivers of the global mobile application performance monitoring software market?

What are the key trends in the global mobile application performance monitoring software market?

Which is the leading region in the global mobile application performance monitoring software market?

What are the major companies operating in the global mobile application performance monitoring software market?

What are the market shares by key segments in the global mobile application performance monitoring software market?

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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.

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Wilmington, Delaware, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to RationalStat s most recent industry analysis the Global Pendant Lamps Market value is US$ 2,031.3 million in 2023 and is expected to rise at a strong CAGR of over 11.6% over the forecast period of 2023-2030





Market Definition, Market Scope, and Report Overview

Pendant lamps, also known as hanging or suspender lamps, are light fixtures that hang from the ceiling with the help of a cord, chain, or metal rod. They are intended to dangle from the ceiling and offer focused lighting over a specified area, such as a dining table, kitchen island, or work surface. Pendant lamps are available in a wide range of forms, shapes, and materials, allowing them to suit a wide range of interior designs and aesthetics.

Pendant lamps are frequently used in the hospitality industry, restaurants, cafes, and retail establishments to create attractive atmospheres and improve the overall client experience. The need for pendant lighting in business environments considerably contributes to market growth.

According to a deep-dive market assessment by RationalStat, the global Pendant Lamps market has been analyzed on the basis of market segments, including type, application and geography/regions (including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific) . The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030.

. The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030. Market intelligence for the global Pendant Lamps market covers market sizes on the basis of market value (US$/EUR Million) and volume (Units) by various products/services/equipment, demand assessment across the key regions, customer sentiments, price points, cost structures, margin analysis across the value chain, financial assessments, historical and forecast data, key developments across the industry, import-export data, trade overview, components market by leading companies, etc.

In addition, the long-term sector and products/services 10-year outlook and its implications on the global Pendant Lamps 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.

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Global Pendant Lamps Market: Segmental and Market Share Analysis

Based on type, glass segment is dominating the market with market share of over 50%. Glass pendant lamps are popular in both residential and business settings because of their elegance and sophistication.

Based on application, residential segment is the largest segment of the global pendant lamps market. The growth of the residential segment is being driven by the increasing demand for home decor and the growing popularity of minimalism.

Report Synopsis

Report Metrics Details Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Base Year Market Size US$ 2,031.3 million Market Size Forecast US$ 4,387.6 million Growth Rate 11.6% Dominant Segment Glass Segment Dominant Region Asia Pacific Key Market Drivers Increased demand for stylish lighting fixtures

Rise of e-commerce platforms

Growing emphasis on energy conservation Companies Profiled Pinch Design

Calligaris

DelightFULL

Bert Frank

Art et Floritude

IQ Light

David Hunt Lighting

Le Deun

PSLAB

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Competition Analysis and Market Structure

Some leading players, prominent brands, and pendant lamp developers adopt various strategies in order to reinforce their market share and gain a competitive edge over other competitors in the market. Mergers & acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, and product launches are some of the strategies followed by industry players. Some of the key developments in the global pendant lamps market include,

In October 2022, The NYMANE LED pendant lamp has been included to Ikea's smart lighting collection. The device's design is based on the 1960s KLANG light.

Some of the prominent players and suppliers operating and contributing significantly to the global pendant lamps market growth include Pinch Design, Calligaris, DelightFULL, Bert Frank, Art et Floritude, IQ Light, David Hunt Lighting, Le Deun, and PSLAB, among others.

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RationalStat has segmented the global pendant lamps market based on type, application and region

Global Pendant Lamps Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Type Metal Lamp Glass Lamp Plastic Lamp Fabric Lamp Wooden Lamp Others

Global Pendant Lamps Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Application Home Commercial Residential

Global Pendant Lamps Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Region North America Pendant Lamps Market US Canada Latin America Pendant Lamps Market Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Western Europe Pendant Lamps Market Germany UK France Spain Italy Benelux Nordic Rest of Western Europe Eastern Europe Pendant Lamps Market Russia Poland Hungary Other CIS Countries Rest of Eastern Europe Asia Pacific Pendant Lamps Market China Japan India South Korea Australia ASEAN Indonesia Thailand Philippines Vietnam Malaysia Rest of ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Pendant Lamps Market GCC Saudi Arabia (KSA) United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rest of the GCC South Africa Nigeria Turkey Rest of the Middle East & Africa



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Key Questions Answered in the Pendant Lamps Report:

What will be the market value of the global Pendant Lamps market by 2030?

What is the market size of the global Pendant Lamps market?

What are the market drivers of the global Pendant Lamps market?

What are the key trends in the global Pendant Lamps market?

Which is the leading region in the global Pendant Lamps market?

What are the major companies operating in the global Pendant Lamps market?

What are the market shares by key segments in the global Pendant Lamps market?

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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.

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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.

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Dublin, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Single Use Bioreactors Market (3rd Edition) - Distribution by Type of Bioreactor, Scale of Operation, Type of Cell Culture, Type of Biologics Synthesized, Application Area, End-users, and Key Geographical Regions: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2023-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Single use Bioreactor Market Size: Stirred Tank Single-Use Bioreactor Segment holds the Largest Market Share

The global single use bioreactors market is likely to be worth around USD 1.3 billion in 2023. Driven by the rising demand for novel biopharmaceuticals, high adoption rates of precision medicine, along with advancement in bioprocessing technologies, the single use bioreactor market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 17%, during the forecast period 2023-2035.

One of the key objectives of the market report was to estimate the current opportunity and the future growth potential of the global single use bioreactor market over the forecast period. We have provided an informed estimate on the likely evolution of the market for the period 2023-2035.

Currently, the global market for single-use bioreactors is dominated by companies providing stirred tank bioreactors. The single-use stirred tank bioreactor segment captures 80% of the market share and it is likely to grow at a CAGR of 14% during the forecast period.

Over the past few years, biopharmaceuticals have gained significant attention owing to their therapeutic efficacy. In fact, in the past two decades, over 170 biologics have received the USFDA approval, while over 10,000 biologics are currently under different stages of development.

Moreover, many single use bioreactor manufacturers are focusing on incorporating a variety of advanced features, including provisions for alerts / alarms, electronic process logs, built-in system process control sensors, touch screens, remote monitoring features, and advanced safety provisions in their proprietary offerings.

In order to address the growing demand for biologics, such companies are working towards manufacturing more efficient single use bioreactors for global markets and thereby, supporting the adoption of single use technology. The global market for single use bioreactors is anticipated to witness substantial growth during the forecast period.

Rising Interest in Large Scale Disposable Bioreactors for Single use Bioprocessing

Several breakthroughs in the biotechnology industry, over the last few years, have provided a considerable boost to the overall growth of biopharmaceutical industry. However, in 2022, owing to the increasingly stringent regulatory guidelines related to biomanufacturing process, the new drug approvals declined by around 25%.

Hence, the growing demand for quality products has encouraged biologic manufacturers to adopt single-use bioreactor, a more advanced and long-term solution. These disposable bioreactors are cost effective and have the capability to provide operational flexibility as compared to the conventional technologies.

The ongoing technological advancements focused on the development of improved versions of biosensors and single use bioreactor bags are likely to encourage the biopharmaceutical companies to adopt disposable bioreactor for bioprocessing, representing a lucrative opportunity for companies engaged in this growing market.

Current Single use Bioreactors Market Landscape

The single-use bioreactor market features a mix of large, mid-sized and small companies that have the required expertise to provide various types of single use bioreactors for the production of biologics. At present, more than 260 single-use bioreactors have been developed by over 60 industry stakeholders to enable the manufacturing of biologics. It is worth highlighting that majority of the single use bioreactors (~60%) offered by various manufacturers are stirred tank bioreactors.

This can be attributed to the fact that stirred tank bioreactors are less likely to cause damage to the cell cultures, as these bioreactors possess optimal blade diameters and agitation speed. It is worth highlighting that constant evolution of disposable bioreactors is likely to support the development of novel and more efficacious biologics, in turn, contributing to the substantial growth of single use bioreactor market, during the forecast period.

Key Advantages Associated with Single use Bioreactors Used for the Production of Wide Variety of Biopharmaceuticals

Single use bioreactors offer various advantages over conventional stainless steel bioreactors. These advantages include ~50% reduction in total energy and water consumption and ~40% cost saving by elimination of cleaning and sterilization processes after every batch production. Apart from the aforementioned benefits, use of single-use bioreactors also lowers the risk of cross-contamination, making these disposable bioreactors more user-friendly and efficient.

Further, these systems are portable and have a smaller footprint as compared to the conventional systems, which reduces the total space required for installation. Owing to the aforementioned benefits associated with single use bioreactors, we believe that there is significant growth opportunity for the companies engaged in this industry during the forecast period.

Key Challenges Associated with the Adoption of Single use Bioreactors

One of the key challenges faced by single use bioreactor manufacturers is the reluctance of industry players to adopt these novel systems. This can be attributed to the expenses that they are likely to incur while switching to a new technology.

Although, disposable bioreactors have gained significant popularity in the recent past owing to their advantages, they still pose a reasonable risk of contamination from extractables and leachables. Single use bioreactors are developed using plastic materials that can release organic or inorganic chemicals into liquid pharmaceutical products under high temperature and pressure. Potentially, these chemicals can jeopardize the safety of drug products and well-being of the patient.

North America and Europe to Compete for the Largest Share of Single use Bioreactors Market

Overall, the companies based / headquartered in North America and Europe capture 75% share of the current market. Companies, such as ABEC, Eppendorf, Merck Millipore, PBS Biotech and Thermo Fisher Scientific offer a wide range of single use bioreactors. These companies have in-house single use bioreactor portfolio, with different types of bioreactors, such as stirred tank bioreactor, wave / induced bioreactor and pneumatically mixed bioreactor.

Furthermore, Asia Pacific region is witnessing huge growth in biopharmaceutical market, with a number of CMOs setting up new facilities or announcing expansions in countries such as Singapore and Korea. In May 2023, Merck KgaA announced its plan to build a bioprocessing center in Daejeon City, Korea.

Key Topics Covered:

1. PREFACE

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3. INTRODUCTION

3.1. Chapter Overview

3.2. Overview of Single-use Bioreactors

3.3. Types of Single-use Bioreactors

3.4. Advantages of Single-use Bioreactors

3.5. Key Applications Areas

3.6. Prevalent Regulatory Standards

3.7. Challenges Associated with Single-use Bioreactors

3.8. Concluding Remarks

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

4.1. Chapter Overview

4.2. Single-use Bioreactors: Overall Market Landscape

4.3. List of Single-use Bioreactor Manufacturers

4.4. Leading Manufacturers: Analysis by Number of Products

5. KEY INSIGHTS

5.1. Chapter Overview

5.2. Analysis by Company Size of Manufacturer and Type of Single-use Bioreactor

5.3. Analysis by Type of Single-use Bioreactor and Mode of Operation

5.4. Analysis by Type of Single-use Bioreactor and Type of Biologics Synthesized

5.5. Analysis by Scale of Operation, Type of Cell Culture and Type of Biologics Synthesized

5.6. Analysis by Company Size and Location of Headquarters

5.7. Analysis by Location of Headquarters

6. COMPANY COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS

6.1. Chapter Overview

6.2. Methodology

6.3. Assumptions / Key Parameters

6.4. Single-use Bioreactor Manufacturers: Company Competitiveness Analysis

7. SINGLE-USE BIOREACTOR MANUFACTURERS IN NORTH AMERICA: COMPANY PROFILES

7.1. Chapter Overview

7.1.1. Celartia

7.1.2. Cell Culture Company

7.1.3. Cytiva

7.1.4. Merck Millipore

7.1.5. Pall Corporation

7.1.6. PBS Biotech

7.1.7. Synthecon

7.1.8. Thermo Fisher Scientific

8. SINGLE-USE BIORECTOR MANUFACTURERS IN EUROPE, ASIA-PACIFIC AND REST OF THE WORLD: COMPANY PROFILES

8.1. Chapter Overview

8.2. Leading Players based in Europe

8.2.1. Applikon Biotechnology

8.2.2. Cellexus

8.2.3. CerCell

8.2.4. Eppendorf

8.2.5. PerfuseCell

8.2.6. ProlifeCell

8.2.7. Sartorius Stedim Biotech

8.2.8. Solaris Biotech

8.3. Leading Players based in Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World

8.3.1. Biolinx Labsystems

8.3.2. CESCO Bioengineering

9. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS

9.1. Chapter Overview

9.2. Partnership Models

9.3. Single-use Bioreactors: List of Partnerships and Collaborations

10. PRODUCT COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS

10.1. Chapter Overview

10.2. Methodology

10.3. Assumptions / Key Parameters

10.4. Single-use Bioreactors: Product Competitiveness Analysis

11. BRAND POSITIONING ANALYSIS

11.1. Chapter Overview

11.2. Methodology

11.3. Key Parameters

11.4. Brand Positioning Matrix

11.5. Brand Positioning Matrix: Pall Corporation

11.6. Brand Positioning Matrix: Biolinx Labsystems

11.7. Brand Positioning Matrix: Eppendorf

11.8. Brand Positioning Matrix: Solaris Biotech

11.9. Brand Positioning Matrix: Sartorius Stedim Biotech

11.10. Brand Positioning Matrix: Applikon Biotechnology

11.11. Brand Positioning Matrix: Cercell

12. PATENT ANALYSIS

12.1. Chapter Overview

12.2. Scope and Methodology

12.3. Single-use Bioreactors: Patent Analysis

12.4. Single-use Bioreactors: Patent Benchmarking Analysis

12.5. Single-use Bioreactors: Patent Valuation

12.6. Leading Patents by Number of Citations

13. MARKET FORECAST AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS

13.1. Chapter Overview

13.2. Key Assumptions and Methodology

13.3. Global Single-use Upstream Bioprocessing Technology Market, 2023-2035

13.4. Global Single-use Bioreactors Market, 2023-2035

14. CASE STUDY: KEY TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN THE SINGLE-USE BIOREACTORS INDUSTRY

14.1. Chapter Overview

14.2. Innovations in Bioreactor Display / Control Features

14.2.1. Built-in System Control Sensors

14.2.2. Advanced Alarm Systems

14.2.3. Electronic-Log Records and Touch Screens

14.2.4. Real-Time Tracking and Remote Monitoring

14.3. Innovation in Mixing Technologies

14.4. Automation in Single-use bioreactors

14.5. Concluding Remarks

15. SWOT ANALYSIS

15.1. Chapter Overview

15.2. Single-use Bioreactors: SWOT Analysis

16. CASE STUDY: BIOPROCESS CONTROLLERS AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

16.1. Chapter Overview

16.2. Bioprocess Control Software: Overall Market Landscape

16.3. Bioprocess Control Software Developers: Overall Market Landscape

16.4. Upstream Controllers: Overall Market Landscape

16.5. Upstream Controller Developers: Overall Market Landscape

16.6. Downstream Controller Systems: Overall Market Landscape

16.7. Downstream Controller System Developers: Overall Market Landscape

17. CONCLUSION

18 EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

18.1. Chapter Overview

18.2. Membio

18.3. Distek

18.4. Refine Technology

18.5. CerCell

18.6. CelVivo

19. APPENDIX I: TABULATED DATA

20. APPENDIX II: LIST OF COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

21. APPENDIX III: LIST OF BUSINESSES OFFERING BIOPROCESS RELATED ACCESSORIES, EQUIPMENT, AND AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS

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Attachment
Pune, India, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global rockets and missiles market size is anticipated to achieve a valuation of USD 84.77 billion by the year 2029, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.58% during the forecast period. The increasing adoption of 3D printing technology in the manufacturing of weapon systems on a global scale is expected to significantly contribute to the market's growth, as highlighted in the report titled "Rocket and Missile Market Size, Share, and Global Trends Forecast 2023-2029."

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List of Key Players Profiled in the Rocket and Missile Market Report:

Denel Dynamics (South Africa)

General Dynamics Corporation (U.S.)

ROKETSAN A.S. (Turkey)

KONGSBERG (Norway)

Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.)

MBDA (France)

MESKO (Poland)

Nammo AS (Norway)

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. (Israel)

Raytheon Technologies Corporation (U.S.)

Saab AB (Sweden)

Thales Group (France)

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2029 Forecast CAGR 4.58% 2029 Value Projection USD 84.77 Billion Market Size in 2022 USD 61.96 Billion Historical Data 2018-2020 No. of Pages 248 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Type Analysis

By Platform Analysis

By Launch Mode Analysis

By Propulsion Analysis Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

South America

Middle East and Africa Rocket and Missile Market Growth Drivers Technological Advancements in Warfare Techniques to Propel the Markets Progress Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) Missile Systems Became More Prominent Due to Rising Demand

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/rocket-and-missiles-market-101822

Segments:

Missile Segment to Grow Exponentially Backed by Rising Self-propelled Guided Missiles

By type, the market is segmented into missile and rocket. The missile segment is expected to dominate, owing to rising self-propelled guided missiles.

Ground Segment to Dominate Attributable to Rising Adoption of Land-Attack Cruise Missiles

As per platform, the market is classified into airborne, naval, and ground. The ground segment is expected to dominate the market due to the rising adoption of land-attack cruise missiles.

Surface to Surface Segment to Dominate Owing to Rising Laser Guided Missile Adoption

By launch mode, the market is segmented into surface-to-surface, surface-to-air, air-to-air, air-to-surface, subsea-to-surface, and sea-to-sea. The surface-to-surface segment is expected to dominate due to rising laser-guided missile adoption.

Solid Segment to Lead Attributable to Growing Solid Fuel Use in Ballistic Missiles

As per propulsion, the market is classified into solid, liquid, hybrid, scramjet, cryogenic, and others (ramjet, turbojet, and pulsejet). The solid segment is expected to lead attributable to rising solid fuel use in ballistic missiles.

Regionally, the market is clubbed into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and the rest of the world.

Many government and private defense manufacturers are exploring the potential of additive manufacturing techniques in the designing and engineering of rockets and missiles market for space exploration and military purposes. This rising interest is owing to the ability of 3D printers to produce virtually any kind of three-dimensional metallic and plastic objects. For example, US-based Lockheed Martin announced its plans in 2017 to develop the countrys next generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) using 3D printing. In the space domain, NASA and Space X are aggressively experimenting with 3D printing to produce rocket engines for spacecraft. Thus, widening application of additive manufacturing techniques in the aerospace and defense industry will augur well for this market in the near future.

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According to the report, the market value was at USD 59.21 billion in 2021. Its other highlights include:



In-depth analysis of the key factors driving and restraining the market growth;

Comprehensive study of all segments of the market;

Identification of upcoming market opportunities;

Detailed evaluation of the impact of the changes in the regional and competitive dynamics on the market.

Market Restraint:

Supply Chain Disruptions Caused by the COVID-19 Outbreak to Stall Market Growth

The rocket and missile market growth is likely to get hampered throughout 2020 by the outbreak of the COVID-19 contagion. The pandemic has led to unforeseen shocks to supply chains worldwide, crippling defense manufacturing activities around the globe. For instance, the Italian shipbuilding company, Fincantieri, was forced to halt its operations in March 2020 as the coronavirus spread like wildfire around the world. Accentuating these disruptions is the suspension of business development activities in the defense sector. For example, planned expos such as the EUROSATORY 2020, where procurement contracts are finalized, now face an uncertain future, further affecting this industry. Moreover, major players in rockets and missiles market domain are also witnessing a sharp fall in their stock prices. For instance, between February and March, stock value of the Thales Group fell by 33%, while Leonardos declined by 55%. The cascading effect of the coronavirus pandemic is, therefore, expected to negative on this growth in the immediate future.

Regional Insights:

High Military Expenditure to Favor Market Growth in North America

One of the prominent factors supporting the growth of this market in North America is the consistently high levels of military spending in the US. This coupled with rapid adoption of advanced military technologies in the US and Canada will aid the region command the rocket and missile market share in the foreseeable future. In 2019, the regions market size was at USD 15.03 billion.

Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit notable growth in the market owing to rising uptake of multiple independent re-entry vehicles (MIRV) by the Chinese army. On the other hand, in Europe, the market is set to experience promising growth on account of increasing investment by private defense companies in ballistic missiles to cater to the military needs of European countries.

Competitive Landscape:

Close Collaborations between Governments and the Private Sector to Characterize the Market

The competitive landscape of this market is highly charged up as a result of the increasing number of collaborations between private defense contractors and government defense agencies. This is represented through frequent awarding of contracts and other deals to top market players by the US Armed Forces.

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Detailed Table of Contents:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Industry Developments  Key Contracts & Agreements, Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis

Quantitative Insights-Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Rocket and Missile Market Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Rocket and Missile Market Steps Taken by Industry/Companies/Government to Overcome the Impact Key Development in the industry in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Potential Opportunities due to COVID-19 Outbreak

Global Rocket and Missile Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2018-2029 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Type Missile Rocket Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Platform Airborne Naval Ground Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Launch Mode Surface-to-Surface Surface-to-Air Air-to-Air Air-to-Surface Subsea-to-Surface Sea-to-Sea Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Propulsion Solid Liquid Hybrid Scramjet Cryogenic Others (Ramjet, Turbojet & Pulsejet) Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia-pacific The Middle East Rest of the world

North America Rocket and Missile Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2018-2029 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Type Missile Rocket Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Platform Airborne Naval Ground



TOC Continued...!

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Industry Developments:

March 2020: Raytheon Company secured a USD 1 billion-worth agreement to buy propulsion systems for their standard missile products from Aerojet Rocketdyne. The agreement will span five years and is focused on optimizing supply chain dynamics between the two companies.

Raytheon Company secured a USD 1 billion-worth agreement to buy propulsion systems for their standard missile products from Aerojet Rocketdyne. The agreement will span five years and is focused on optimizing supply chain dynamics between the two companies. April 2020: The US Army awarded a contract of estimated value of $6.07 billion to Lockheed Martin to produce and deliver Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors over three years till 2023. This will bolster USs position as a major supplier of missile interceptors among other leading world economies.

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C5ISR Market to Reach USD 152.51 Billion in 2028; High Demand for Battlefield Management System from Soldiers to Bolster Growth, Says Fortune Business Insights

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Patient-specific cranial implant produced with 3D Systems point-of-care additive manufacturing technologies used in pioneering surgery at University Hospital Basel (Switzerland)



3D Systems technologies enabled first 3D-printed cranial implant used in surgery at Salzburg University Hospital (Austria)

Companys additive manufacturing technologies enabling advances in cranial implants market  anticipated to reach more than $2 billion by 2030



ROCK HILL, S.D., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced a patient-specific 3D-printed cranial implant produced using its point-of-care technologies was successfully used in a cranioplasty at the University Hospital Basel (Switzerland). Under the leadership of Prof. Florian Thieringer, head of the Medical Additive Manufacturing Research Group (Swiss MAM) at the University Hospital Basel's Department of Biomedical Engineering (UNIBAS DBE), and the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), in collaboration with Prof. Raphael Guzman and the Department of Neurosurgery, the team employed 3D Systems technologies to produce the first cranial implant at the point of care that complies with the current Medical Devices Regulations (MDR). 3D Systems extrusion printing technology is unique as its architecture and design are easy to use to produce durable, biocompatible implants using Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material. Additionally, the technology enables the production of patient-specific geometries at the hospital itself providing tremendous benefits to both surgeons and patients. The implant created by the team at University Hospital Basel was used to successfully replace a section of disintegrating skull in a 46-year-old male who was experiencing complications from a stroke in 2019.

When the patient first entered Prof. Guzmans care, he was experiencing visual disturbances, severe headaches, and dizziness, and his forehead was sinking due to a disintegrating skullcap. The University Hospital Basel team under the guidance of Dr. Neha Sharma, Ph.D. first took a computed tomography (CT) scan of the patients skull and imported that into software to create a model of the implant customized to his unique anatomy. The implant was then produced in the Hospitals 3D printing lab using VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK by Evonik on 3D Systems EXT 220 MED extrusion platform. PEEK is a very desirable material for such applications due to its mechanical properties (i.e., lightweight, resistant to thermal and ionizing radiation, and similar to human bone). 3D Systems printing technology has been uniquely engineered to enable healthcare applications within sterile environments.

The successful implantation at the University Hospital of Basel is a pivotal moment for medical 3D printing, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize patient care, said Prof. Thieringer. Our collaboration with hospitals across Europe, along with the invaluable expertise provided by POC APP AG around QMS and regulatory guidelines, showcases the power of advanced technology and collaboration in improving healthcare outcomes.

3D Systems point-of-care solution was also successfully used by a team at Salzburg University Hospital, Department of Oromaxillofacial Surgery, to produce a patient-specific cranial implant for a 55-year-old male, Mr. Rainer Trummer, who suffered from craniosynostosis (i.e., one of the cranial bones ossified too early during childhood, resulting in a deformation of the skull). These technologies were brought together by the hospitals in-house clinicians to successfully address the patients needs, providing a customized solution that best positioned the team for success. The hospital used Oqtons D2P software to create 3D models from the patient's CT images and Oqtons Geomagic Freeform to complete the design of the patient-specific occipital prosthesis. The cranial implant was printed using VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK by Evonik on 3D Systems EXT 220 MED extrusion platform.

The solution has also been successfully deployed at the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Salzburg, for patient-specific implants after decompressive craniectomy, which is regularly performed for aggressive brain swelling. According to Prof. Christoph Griessenauer, chairman of the department for neurosurgery in Salzburg, 40 decompressive craniectomies are performed in Salzburg annually. After the swelling subsides, the bone is replaced with a patient-specific cranioplasty implant. So far four cranioplasty surgeries have been performed within the last month, and multiple more are planned for the future. We are proud now to use for the first time a patient-specific cranial implant printed at our hospital, said Griessenauer. One of the departments senior attendings, Dr. Poppe, was spearheading this effort from the clinical side. This revolutionary procedure showcases the power of medical 3D printing in providing personalized solutions that adhere to regulatory standards. The success of these procedures marks a significant step forward in the integration of 3D printing into routine clinical practice, said Dr. Poppe.

"We are proud to be at the forefront of this medical revolution, leveraging our expertise in 3D printing to bring tangible benefits to patients," said Stefan Leonhardt, director, medical devices, 3D Systems. "Our collaboration with hospitals in Europe demonstrates the potential of 3D printing to transform healthcare, and we are excited to continue advancing this technology to address a broader range of medical needs. 3D Systems remains committed to driving innovation in the field of medical 3D printing, working hand in hand with healthcare professionals to enhance patient care and contribute to a brighter, healthier future.

It is anticipated that the use of 3D-printed cranial implants will accelerate based on the availability of advanced technologies. According to a report released by Acumen Research and Consulting in February 2023, the cranial implants market size in 2021 was roughly $1.2 billion and is anticipated to approach $2.1 billion by 2030. Cranial implants can address a breadth of applications including trauma, defects, and reconstruction. The continued innovation in materials and manufacturing methodologies such as 3D printing are expected to enable new solutions to catalyze growth in this market.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "may," "will," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon managements beliefs, assumptions, and current expectations and may include comments as to the companys beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as of the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

About 3D Systems

More than 35 years ago, 3D Systems brought the innovation of 3D printing to the manufacturing industry. Today, as the leading additive manufacturing solutions partner, we bring innovation, performance, and reliability to every interaction - empowering our customers to create products and business models never before possible. Thanks to our unique offering of hardware, software, materials, and services, each application-specific solution is powered by the expertise of our application engineers who collaborate with customers to transform how they deliver their products and services. 3D Systems solutions address a variety of advanced applications in healthcare and industrial markets such as medical and dental, aerospace & defense, automotive, and durable goods. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com .

Investor Contact: investor.relations@3dsystems.com

Media Contact: press@3dsystems.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/834f98b4-fb7d-4b7a-80dc-14d0805820d5




Pune, India, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global drone software market size was valued at USD 1,165.3 million in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 5,961.6 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 25.05 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 25.05% during the forecast period. Increasing applications in commercial and civil sectors and the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are expected to market growth. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in its report titled Drone Software Market, 2023-2027.

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List of Key Players Profiled in the Drone Software Market Report:

Airware, Inc (U.S.)

3D Robotics (U.S.)

Dreamhammer Inc. (U.S.)

Drone Volt (France)

DroneDeploy Inc. (U.S.)

ESRI (U.S.)

Pix4D(Switzerland)

Precisionhawk Inc. (united states)

Sensefly Ltd.(Switzerland)

Skyward Ltd. (U.S.)

DJI (China)

Other Players

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2020-2027 Forecast CAGR 25.05% 2027 Value Projection USD 5,961.6 Billion Market Size in 2020 USD 1,165.3 Billion Historical Data 2016-2018 No. of Pages 200 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Architecture Analysis

By Platform Analysis

By Application Analysis Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

South America

Middle East and Africa Drone Software Market Growth Drivers Increasing Adoption of Drones for Commercial Purposes to Surge Demand Prominent Developments in Photogrammetric Software Technology to Propel Market Growth

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/drone-software-market-103527

Segmentation:

Open Source Architecture Segment to Dominate Attributable to Extensive Adoption of Open Source Software

By architecture, the market is segmented into open source and closed source.

The open source architecture segment is expected to grow exponentially due to the extensive adoption of open source software. Further, the increasing demand for customized and secure architecture is expected to foster market growth.

Desktop Based Platform Segment to Dominate Attributable to Rising Preference for Desktop Software

As per the platform, the market includes app-based software and desktop-based software.

The desktop-based platform is expected to dominate the market due to the rising preference for desktop software. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of mobile-based platforms in several industries is expected to boost the market growth.

Control & Data Capture Segment to Dominate Owing to Exclusive Adoption in Control and Operation of Flights

Based on application, the market is segregated into analytics, image processing, and control & data capture.

The control & data capture segment is expected to dominate, attributable to its exclusive adoption in the control and operation of flights. This factor is expected to foster segmental growth.

Regionally, the market is clubbed into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the rest of the world.

COVID-19 Impact:

Strong Demand for UAV Services Fostered Market Growth

This market was positively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the rising demand for UAV services. The alarming spike in COVID patients led to stringent lockdowns, thereby enhancing the online shopping and online e-delivery industrys scope. This factor enhanced the demand for drones. Furthermore, manufacturers adopted drones to reduce the dependency on manual labor, thereby enhancing the demand for reliable drone software. These factors propelled industry growth during the pandemic.

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Report Coverage:

The report provides a detailed analysis of the top segments and the latest trends in the market. It comprehensively discusses the driving and restraining factors and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Additionally, it examines the regional developments and the strategies undertaken by the market's key players.

Drivers and Restraints:

Rapid Developments in Photogrammetric Software Technology to Foster Market Progress

Drone software is used in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to enhance video processing and photographic ability. Rapid developments in photogrammetric software technology are expected to foster the demand for drone software. Furthermore, the increasing adoption in commercial sectors for logistics, transportation, insurance, energy & power, security, construction & infrastructure, and agriculture is expected to foster drone software adoption. Moreover, the increasing adoption of the software for military purposes due to its real-time data collection ability is expected to bolster sales. These factors may drive the drone software market growth.

However, rising cyber security concerns and anti-drone technologies are expected to hinder the industrys growth.

Regional Insights:

Rising Number of Software Developers to Fuel Market Growth in North America

North America is expected to dominate the drone software market share due to the rising number of commercial and military software developing companies. The market in North America was valued at USD 422.7 million in 2019 and is likely to grow in the upcoming years. Furthermore, the presence of numerous UAV manufacturers is expected to foster industry growth.

In Europe, strong demand for military and commercial drones in Germany, France, U.K., and others is expected to propel the demand for drone software. This factor may fuel industry growth in the region.

In Asia Pacific, the increasing adoption of UAVs in the agricultural, energy & power, construction, and infrastructure industries is expected to foster market growth.

Competitive Landscape:

Companies Update Existing Products to Foster Sales

Prominent companies operating in the market launch new updates to enhance the features of their existing software and boost sales. For example, DJI released an update for DJI Terra drone mapping software in August 2020. This update makes the mapping software significantly faster than the previous firmware version. This software incorporates features such as three-dimensional maps to enhance accuracy and enables fast data processing. This launch may allow the company to elevate its brand image and boost sales.

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Detailed Table of Contents:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Industry Developments Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis

Quantitative Insights-Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Drone Software Market Impact of COVIC-19 Pandemic on the Global Drone Software Market Steps Taken by the Industry/Companies/Government to Overcome the Impact Key Development in the Industry in Response to COVID-19 Impact

Global Drone Software Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2016-2027 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Architecture Open Source Closed Source Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Platform Application-based software Desktop-based software Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Application Analytics Image Processing Control & Data Capture Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia pacific Rest of the world

North America Drone Software Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2016-2027 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Architecture Open Source Closed Source Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Platform Application-based software Desktop-based software Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Application Analytics Image Processing Control & Data Capture Market Analysis  By Country The U.S. Canada

Europe Drone Software Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2016-2027 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Architecture Open Source Closed Source



TOC Continued...!

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Key Industry Development:

June 2020- Pix4D launched a new drone mapping technology named Pix4Dcloud Advanced and Pix4Dcloud. It can be used for site monitoring and surveillance applications.

Read Related Insights:

Commercial Drones Market Size to Hit USD 47.38 Bn by 2029 | With a 28.58% CAGR

Drone Services Market to Worth USD 134.89 Billion Forecast by 2028

Small Drone Market Size to Hit USD 77 Billion by 2030 | With a CAGR 24.2%

About Us:

Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

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Dublin, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amidst China's remarkable agricultural achievements, the "2023 China Food and Beverages Machinery Industry Automation Market" report added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering, empowers entrepreneurs and managers with vital insights into the food and beverage machinery industry automation market.

This invaluable resource promises to provide entrepreneurs and managers in the food and beverage machinery industry with vital insights into the world of automation.

In China, the agricultural landscape is rapidly evolving, with a relentless commitment to boosting productivity and sustainability. Farmers like Yu Dianhong in Heilongjiang Province, the nation's leading grain producer, persevere through challenging conditions to ensure bumper harvests. It is in this context that the comprehensive research report becomes an indispensable tool for business leaders and entrepreneurs looking to thrive in the ever-competitive food and beverage machinery industry.

The "2023 China Food and Beverages Machinery Industry Automation Market Research Report" is a reservoir of knowledge designed to equip professionals with a deep understanding of the automation market's development and prospects within this dynamic sector. Here's a glimpse of what this report has to offer:

Industry Overview: Gain comprehensive insights into the current state of the food and beverage machinery industry, including its classification and market size growth and forecasts.

Gain comprehensive insights into the current state of the food and beverage machinery industry, including its classification and market size growth and forecasts. Automation Products: Explore various automation products, from low voltage frequency converters and PLC products to servo products and HMI products. Uncover market size growth and forecasts, sub-industry segmentation, and supplier data for each automation product.

Explore various automation products, from low voltage frequency converters and PLC products to servo products and HMI products. Uncover market size growth and forecasts, sub-industry segmentation, and supplier data for each automation product. Sub-Industries Unveiled: Dive into sub-industries within the food and beverage machinery sector, including soft drinks, dairy products, beer, food & cooking oil, grain processing, sugar production, and meat products. Each section provides industry processes, current developments, market size growth and forecasts, industry policies, business models of industry projects, and performance analysis of automation products in the respective sub-industry.

Dive into sub-industries within the food and beverage machinery sector, including soft drinks, dairy products, beer, food & cooking oil, grain processing, sugar production, and meat products. Each section provides industry processes, current developments, market size growth and forecasts, industry policies, business models of industry projects, and performance analysis of automation products in the respective sub-industry. Data-Driven Insights: Access a comprehensive set of tables that offer valuable data on market size of automation products, market size by sub-industry and product, and production output and forecasts for various sub-industries.

With this meticulously researched report, entrepreneurs and managers in the food and beverage machinery industry can unlock countless opportunities for growth and innovation. The report's findings are especially relevant in light of China's relentless efforts to bolster its agricultural productivity.

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Don't miss out on the chance to gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving food and beverage machinery industry.

For more information and to purchase the report, please visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uqccld

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.
Dublin, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a world where breast cancer awareness is more critical than ever, a groundbreaking research report, titled "Europe Breast Cancer Screening Market, Size, Forecast 2023-2028" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report offers invaluable insights into the current landscape of breast cancer screening. The research, conducted by leading experts and analysts, is set to revolutionize the way business entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and policymakers approach breast cancer detection and treatment.

A recent news article by Ohio State University has shed light on the alarming fact that while over 90% of people are aware that a lump can be a sign of breast cancer, they often struggle to identify other crucial symptoms. Of particular concern is the low recognition rate, with only 31% of survey respondents identifying a retracted, inverted, or downward-pointing nipple as a potential symptom of breast cancer. These findings underline the urgent need for enhanced breast cancer screening methods.

The "Europe Breast Cancer Screening Market" report, with a forecast projecting it to reach US$ 433.45 Million in 2028, serves as a beacon of hope in this challenging scenario. Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer affecting women in Europe, with approximately 400,000 new cases annually and resulting in 100,000 fatalities. In 2020, breast cancer constituted 13.3% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in the EU-27 countries, making it the most prevalent cancer type.

This report offers a comprehensive overview of the European breast cancer screening landscape, highlighting the following key aspects:

Increased Awareness and Demand: Growing awareness among European women about the significance of breast cancer screening has led to an increased demand for screening services. Various initiatives, including campaigns and educational programs, have contributed to this heightened awareness. Additionally, the aging population in Europe has played a significant role in driving the demand for breast cancer screening.

Technological Advancements: Advancements in technology have led to more precise and minimally invasive screening methods, such as digital mammography, breast ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These advancements have significantly improved the detection of breast cancer, offering early diagnosis and treatment opportunities.

National Strategies and Policies: Several European countries have implemented comprehensive strategies involving Patient Support Programs and awareness campaigns to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer. These initiatives, along with collaborations between academic institutions and industry players, have been instrumental in improving outcomes.

Key Market Players: Prominent players such as AstraZeneca, Novartis, Sanofi, Pfizer, Bayer AG, and GlaxoSmithKline plc hold significant positions in the Europe Breast Cancer Screening Market. Their commitment to driving advancements and innovation reflects their dedication to improving breast cancer detection and patient outcomes.

The report's segmentation by type includes Mammography Screening, MRI Screening, and Ultrasound Screening, offering a detailed analysis of breast cancer screening methods in various European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Notable highlights from the report include:

Germany's Leadership: Germany holds the largest market share in the Breast Cancer Screening Market due to its robust healthcare infrastructure, well-established screening programs, and a proactive approach towards breast cancer awareness and early detection. Ongoing research and development activities, collaborations, and government initiatives further support Germany's dominance.

Spain's Growth: Spain is emerging as the fastest-growing market in the Breast Cancer Mammography Screening industry, with investments in advanced mammography technologies and comprehensive screening programs driving its remarkable progress.

UK's Advancements: The United Kingdom is rapidly growing in the Breast Cancer MRI Screening industry, thanks to substantial investments in state-of-the-art MRI technology and a comprehensive healthcare system that emphasizes early detection and screening programs.

Ultrasound in Germany: The ultrasound screening market in Germany is experiencing notable growth due to advancements in technology, comprehensive screening programs, and a commitment to research and development.

In conclusion, the "Europe Breast Cancer Screening Market" report is a vital resource for anyone involved in the fight against breast cancer. By providing crucial insights, it empowers businesses, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to make informed decisions that can save lives.

For access to this groundbreaking report, please visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fd2wxw

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.
LODI, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just in time for the holiday season, Corto Olive Co., 100% California-grown olive oil and the secret ingredient of top chefs across the nation, announces The Corto Cup Cocktail Kit in collaboration with Camp Craft Cocktails , the beloved purveyor of handcrafted cocktail creation kits. A perfect gift for the home bartender and a must-have for the holiday entertainer, the kit includes ingredients to make a flavorful, on-trend olive oil cocktail, or a zero-proof mocktail. For detailed instructions for crafting a non-alcoholic mocktail, please visit The Corto Cup Cocktail Kit.



Available now on Amazon for $65, The Corto Cup Cocktail Kit brings together Camp Crafts curated cocktail ingredients and Cortos 2023 Agrumato-Method Lemongrass & Basil Olive Oil into an easy and elevated recipe. Celebrating chef-driven flavors with a balanced blend of herbaceous aromas and notes of bright citrus, the kit includes:

1- 16-ounce jar pre-filled with a perfectly proportioned blend of dehydrated lemon, cranberry, sage, and vegan, non-GMO citrus infused sugar for a touch of sweetness and ready for a fill of vodka. The jar will steep in the refrigerator for three days to get to full flavor and ready to mix with simple syrup, lemon juice and Cortos Agrumato-Method Lemongrass & Basil Olive Oil to create eight cocktails.

1- 500-ml bottle of Cortos Harvest 2023 Agrumato-Method Lemongrass & Basil Olive Oil. In addition to enhancing the cocktails flavors and adding a silky mouthfeel, the oil will be a treasured addition to any kitchen, elevating dips, soups, pasta, seafood, and desserts, year-round.

Every year since 2021, Corto has made a limited supply of award-winning seasonal oil using the Agrumato-method of crushing and cold-extracting Fall harvested olives simultaneously with Californias freshest seasonal ingredients. To create the flavor for this years Agrumato-Method Lemongrass & Basil Olive Oil, Corto worked closely with a panel of chefs and culinary experts with diverse backgrounds ranging from pizza to fine dining. The resulting oils delightful aroma and exceptional freshness, combined with its exquisite flavor, amplifies any dish.

There's a long history of savory cocktails taking cues from the food world. Olive oil is having its moment, and for very good reason, explained Rhonda Stringfellow, co-owner of Camp Craft Cocktails and a creator of The Corto Cup Cocktail Kit. The practice of mixologists (and even TikTok creators) experimenting with olive oil has exploded over the past few years.* Olive oil is no longer just for food  it is becoming a behind-the-bar staple thanks to its nuanced flavor profile.

"We believe olive oil should play a central role in recipe creation, in the kitchen and the bar," explained Corto Master Miller David Garci-Aguirre. "The beauty of The Corto Cup Cocktail Kit is the unique flavor and texture that olive oil brings to the drink. Our Agrumato-method olive oil bursts with vibrant, citrusy notes of lemongrass and the peppery kick of herbaceous basil, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors and adding a touch of elegance and allure to the cocktail."

Cortos Harvest 2023, limited-edition Agrumato-Method Lemongrass & Basil Olive Oil is certified kosher, non-GMO, Halal-certified, and gluten-free. To learn more or to purchase Cortos Harvest 2023, limited-edition Agrumato-Method Lemongrass & Basil Olive Oil, visit Amazon . For more home bartender inspiration and cocktail kits, visit Camp Craft Cocktails .

ABOUT CORTO OLIVE CO.

Rooted in its Italian heritage, inspired by innovation, and committed to its values of transparency and quality, Corto has been producing the highest quality, freshest, 100% California olive oil since 2005. Made from beautifully fresh olives grown in California groves, the oil is expertly blended by Corto's Master Miller to achieve a stunningly bright flavor profile that professional chefs have relied on for over a decade to enhance their favorite dishes. Corto currently offers consumers two award-winning oil varieties to fit every type of cooking: TRULY 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil and La Padella Saute Oil, a blend of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, rice bran, avocado, and grapeseed oils crafted specifically for high-performance sauteing. Additionally, every Fall, Corto offers its limited-edition Agrumato-Method oil which has garnered multiple top awards, including the EVO IOOC, the London IOCC International, the Olive Oil Japan, and Self Pantry olive oil competitions.

ABOUT CAMP CRAFT COCKTAILS

Proud Woman-Owned Business - Camp Craft Cocktails is a community-driven business in Jacksonville, Florida, dedicated to bringing exceptional cocktails into the home bar with curated cocktail infusion kits, simple syrups, and more. Born from a cross-country journey and a love for handcrafted flavors, Camp Craft Cocktails empowers home bartenders to explore and delight in the process of crafting a simple, delicious cocktail. An excellent gift, Camp Craft Cocktails aspires to build longer tables for slower sipping.

Sources:

* https://www.bhg.com/2022-tiktok-food-trends-7089781

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f00bb75c-dff9-4c7d-b6da-f938d21a46e4

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Bakus claims that the Armenian-Azerbaijani border doesnt exist contradicts the Alma-Ata Declaration signed by itself and the recently reached agreements, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in the European Parliament.

He said that Azerbaijan is keeping ambiguity in the issue of adopting the most recent Soviet maps as the basis for border delimitation, which some experts believe indicate that Azerbaijan could be plotting new aggression and territorial claims.

Pashinyan said that Armenia and Azerbaijan have both unequivocally reiterated commitment to the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration as the political framework for border delimitation. The Alma-Ata Declaration recorded that the USSR ceases to exist and that the republics are recognizing each others territorial integrity, sovereignty, inviolability of existing administrative borders, and therefore the administrative borders that existed between the republics of the USSR became state borders.
Pune, India, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to The Insight Partners,  Chillers Market to 2030  Global Analysis  by Chiller Technology (Air-Cooled, Water-Cooled, and Steam-Fired), Technology (Process Chillers, Scroll Chillers, Screw Chillers, Centrifugal Chillers, Absorption Chillers, Modular Chillers, and Reverse Cycle Chillers), Application (Commercial, Industrial, and Residential), and Geography, the market is expected to grow from US$ 9.97 billion in 2022 to US$ 14.87 billion by 2030; it is anticipated to register a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2030.





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Green building projects and third-party data centers are among the significant trends creating promising opportunities for the chiller market players. Also, the growing investments in various developing countries of the Middle East & Africa creates immense scope for specific HVAC chillers required in commercial, industrial, and residential spaces. Concerns such as global warming and climatic changes are also contributing to the chiller market growth. In Europe, hotels, restaurants, resorts, cafeterias, food and beverage processing plants, multiplexes, etc., are expected to be major consumers of HVAC chillers in the coming years.

Considering summer heat, long sticky days, high humidity, nighttime temperatures, and mold, Japan generates a high demand for chillers. Australia's changing weather represents a considerable challenge to communities, individuals, businesses, governments, and the industrial sector. The country has already witnessed a rise in average temperatures for the past 60 years. These conditions drive the sales of residential and commercial chillers in Australia. Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, and Bangladesh are among the major countries contributing to the chiller market growth in Asia Pacific.

Considering climate conditions, the UAE is the country that will need a high count of chillers in the coming years.

The chiller market share is segmented based on technology, type, application, and geography. The market, based on technology, is sub segmented into air-cooled, water-cooled, and steam-fired. On the basis of type, the market is sub segmented into process chillers, scroll chillers, screw chillers, centrifugal chillers, and absorption chillers. The chiller market share, by application, is sub segmented into commercial, industrial, and residential.





Global Chillers Market Scope:

Market Size Value in USD 9.97 Billion in 2022 Market Size Value by USD 14.87 Billion by 2030 Growth rate CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2030 Forecast Period 2022-2030 Base Year 2022 Segments covered Offering, Type, End-User Regional scope North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South & Central America. Country scope Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends





Chillers Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

Danfoss; Carrier Global Corporation; DAIKIN Industries, LTD; Johnson Controls; Kaltra; LG Electronics; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; SKM Air Conditioning; Trane Technologies Inc; and Thermal Care, Inc. are among the key chiller market players profiled during this study. In addition, several other important chiller market players have been studied and analyzed during the study to get a holistic view of the chiller market and its ecosystem.

In November 2022, Drake Refrigeration, Inc. introduced its new Cannabis extraction chillers at the 11th Annual MJBizCon event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The new chillers help maintain fluid temperatures as low as -20F to -40F.

In October 2022, Mitsubishi Electric Corp announced that it had launched a new air-source chiller, which was developed in the Italian factory. This new R32 air-cooled chiller is highly efficient and operates using R32 refrigerant, which has a lower GWP of 677.

In February 2022, LG Electronics Inc announced the launch of the LG Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller (ISHPC). It provides high performance and increased efficiency in the heat pump air-cooled chiller category.

In Jan-2022, Thermal Care, Inc. announced the launch of a new chiller, the Accuchiller TCFW375. It is specifically designed for ice rink applications and has efficiencies of both hybrid film evaporator and Turbocor TTH375 high lift variable speed centrifugal compressor.





Order a Copy of this Report at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00005476







Chillers Market Analysis: Type Overview

Compared to other chillers, screw chillers have excellent part-load and full-load kW/ton efficiencies. Generally, with higher noise levels in the lower frequency octave bands, screw compressors are louder compared to scroll compressors. The screw chiller functions on screw compressors, and generally, very less space is needed to install them in residential and commercial buildings. The screw chiller is very efficient with regard to function as per the building capacity, and it never overcools the internal building space or internal environment. Usually, the source of coolant is water, and it has higher efficiency of cooling as compared to the air. The water which is there inside the compressor reduces the vibration effects of the plant. The functioning of the screw chiller does not create much noise within the long run or short run functioning. Screw chiller compressor has very a much smaller number of spare parts, and owing to this, maintenance work is significantly less. These chillers are perfect for high-rise buildings.





Go through further research published by The Insight Partners:

HVAC Chillers Market - Global Analysis and Forecast to 2028

Process Chillers Market - Global Analysis and Forecast to 2030

Modular Chiller Market - Global Analysis and Forecast to 2030





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Dublin, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Rugged Notebooks Market by Type, Application, and Region 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global rugged notebooks market has reached a significant size of USD 2.56 billion in 2022 and is projected to experience substantial growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.44% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2028. This growth is expected to lead the market to reach USD 4.87 billion by 2028.

Rugged Notebooks: Robust and Reliable Computing Solutions

Rugged notebooks, also known as ruggedized laptops, are specialized laptops designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions and harsh working environments. These laptops are characterized by their durability, reliability, and ability to endure adverse conditions such as extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, water, and physical shocks.

Rugged notebooks are commonly used in industries such as military and defense, construction, mining, and oil and gas, where standard laptops may not survive. They feature reinforced chassis, spill-resistant keyboards, high-brightness displays, and long battery life, making them suitable for outdoor and challenging work environments.

Market Trends:

Growing Demand for Durability: The increasing demand for durable and reliable computing devices is a key driver for the rugged notebooks market.

The increasing demand for durable and reliable computing devices is a key driver for the rugged notebooks market. Expansion of Military and Defense Sectors: Significant expansion in military and defense sectors worldwide is fueling the adoption of rugged notebooks due to their reliability in demanding field conditions.

Significant expansion in military and defense sectors worldwide is fueling the adoption of rugged notebooks due to their reliability in demanding field conditions. Adoption of Cloud Computing and IoT: The widespread adoption of cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) is driving the need for rugged notebooks for real-time data collection and transmission.

The widespread adoption of cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) is driving the need for rugged notebooks for real-time data collection and transmission. Data Security and Analytics: Rugged notebooks are preferred for data security and analytics applications, contributing to market growth.

Rugged notebooks are preferred for data security and analytics applications, contributing to market growth. Work-from-Home and BYOD Trends: Trends like work-from-home and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) are creating new opportunities for rugged notebook adoption.

Trends like work-from-home and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) are creating new opportunities for rugged notebook adoption. Technological Advancements: Ongoing technological advancements in rugged notebook design and functionality are enhancing market prospects.

Key Market Segmentation:

Type: The rugged notebooks market is categorized into Fully Rugged Notebook, Semi-Rugged Notebook, and Ultra-Rugged Notebook.

The rugged notebooks market is categorized into Fully Rugged Notebook, Semi-Rugged Notebook, and Ultra-Rugged Notebook. Application: Market applications include Industrial, Government, Military and Defense, and Others, with industrial applications representing the largest market share.

Regional Insights:

North America: The region includes the United States and Canada.

The region includes the United States and Canada. Asia Pacific: Encompasses China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others.

Encompasses China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others. Europe: Comprises Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others.

Comprises Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others. Latin America: Includes Brazil, Mexico, and others.

Includes Brazil, Mexico, and others. Middle East and Africa.

Competitive Landscape:

The global rugged notebooks market is characterized by intense competition, with numerous major companies. Key players include Acme Portable Machines Inc., American Reliance Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., GETAC (MiTAC-SYNNEX Group), Handheld Group (MilDef Group AB), Lenovo Group Limited, Panasonic Holdings Corporation, Twinhead International Corp., and others. (Please note that this is a partial list of companies; the complete list is provided in the report.)

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global rugged notebooks market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?

What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global rugged notebooks market?

What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global rugged notebooks market?

What are the key regional markets?

Which countries represent the most attractive rugged notebooks market?

What is the breakup of the market based on the type?

Which is the most attractive type in the rugged notebooks market?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

Which is the most attractive application in the rugged notebooks market?

What is the competitive structure of the global rugged notebooks market?

Who are the key players/companies in the global rugged notebooks market?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 141 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $2.56 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $4.87 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 11.3% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fx9c8d

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Chico, CA, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Work Truck Solutions, the leading authority on commercial vehicles, today released their Q3, 2023 Commercial Vehicle Market Analysis. Data reveals a growing demand for new work trucks and vans, with average prices reaching record highs. Meanwhile, used work trucks and vans continue to show higher average mileage when compared to all but one quarter of 2022.

New Commercial Vehicles

Average vehicle prices increased 5.5% QoQ and 8.2% YoY.

QoQ and YoY. On-lot vehicle inventory per dealer continues to grow, up 12.4% QoQ and a staggering + 78.6% YoY.

QoQ and a staggering + YoY. Average Days to Turn (DTT) showed a slight increase QoQ of 1.9% and an incredibly high YoY jump of 46.0% .

and an incredibly high YoY jump of . Vehicle movement, or sales, showed a slight dip QoQ, coinciding with the DTT increase, with a 1.4% QoQ drop, but was still up 15.3% YoY. Considering the large influx of on-lot inventory in Q1, and the corresponding jump in sales in Q2, its no surprise to see a tempering of sales in Q3 as some of the pent-up demand is being satisfied.

QoQ drop, but was still up YoY. Considering the large influx of on-lot inventory in Q1, and the corresponding jump in sales in Q2, its no surprise to see a tempering of sales in Q3 as some of the pent-up demand is being satisfied. Searches for new work trucks and vans increased slightly QoQ, up 1.1%, and still show increases YoY. These bumps are partially due to the rise in new on-lot inventory as weve reported over the last several quarters, which has given rise to website shoppers having more confidence that they can acquire vehicles right away, rather than having to order them. However, many commercial vehicle buyers are also recognizing the need to exercise more foresight when considering their work truck needs, understanding that the pre-order process may be here to stay.

Used Commercial Vehicles

Average vehicle prices increased 1.6% QoQ and decreased 1.0% YoY.

QoQ and decreased YoY. On-lot vehicle inventory per dealer fell 5.25% QoQ, but remained practically unchanged YoY with a 0.3% increase.

QoQ, but remained practically unchanged YoY with a increase. Average DTT showed a dip of 3.9% QoQ following the large 9.0% drop from Q1 2023 to Q2 2023.

QoQ following the large drop from Q1 2023 to Q2 2023. Vehicle movement, or sales, numbers cooled off this quarter, with average moved used work trucks/vans per dealer decreasing 2.3% QoQ, but still up 12.3% YoY.

QoQ, but still up YoY. Median mileage of used work trucks and vans remains elevated overall, with only marginal impacts on prices. Mileage slipped slightly QoQ, down 2.2%, and shows a 4.2% decrease YoY, possibly indicating a new trend in used vehicle age as older inventory finally moves off dealership lots. Availability of new vehicles impacts average used vehicle mileage as businesses are able to replace fleet vehicles before they accrue too many miles.

Notably, even as some manufacturing recovery from pandemic related downturns occurs, other issues, such as labor strikes, can still have a significant impact on used vehicle mileage and price.

"As we analyze the market for work trucks and vans, the data indicates continued strong interest in new vehicles, even as the average price for them has hit a record high of $57,290," says Aaron Johnson, CEO of Work Truck Solutions. "These insights signal a potential shift towards newer commercial vehiclesespecially a desire for medium-dutyrequiring strategic adjustments to inventory and a careful watch on these trends, including the upfit configurations that are critically important to buyers in your market. Having the tools to ride these waves is what will set some dealers apart from those that try to return to business as usual."

About Work Truck Solutions

Work Truck Solutions is the smart technology platform that serves the Commercial Vehicle industry. End-to-end solutions such as Comvoy.com, the national commercial marketplace, and CV Showroom, the smart digital catalog of commercial vehicles not in stock, connect the dots between commercial vehicle buyers, dealers, manufacturers and upfitters. This innovative technology is the one-stop inventory management, operational analytics, and digital marketing solution that maximizes commercial sales, customer relationships and profitability.

Work Truck Solutions provides commercial vehicle dealerships with the necessary tools to manage their commercial inventory and connect with business buyers, reducing buyer obstacles throughout the transaction process, while increasing profits within commercial operations.

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METTAWA, Ill., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) today declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of $0.40 per share.

The dividend will be payable on December 15, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 22, 2023.

About Brunswick Corporation:

Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) is the global leader in marine recreation, delivering innovation that transforms experiences on the water and beyond. Our unique, technology-driven solutions are informed and inspired by deep consumer insights and powered by our belief that Next Never Rests. Brunswick is dedicated to industry leadership, to being the best and most trusted partner to our many customers, and to building synergies and ecosystems that enable us to challenge convention and define the future. Brunswick is home to more than 60 industry-leading brands. In the category of Marine Propulsion, these brands include, Mercury Marine, Mercury Racing, MerCruiser and Flite. Brunswicks comprehensive collection of parts, accessories, distribution, and technology brands includes Mercury Parts & Accessories, Land N Sea, Lowrance, Simrad, B&G, Mastervolt, RELiON, Attwood and Whale. Our boat brands are some of the best known in the world, including Boston Whaler, Lund, Sea Ray, Bayliner, Harris Pontoons, Princecraft and Quicksilver. Our service, digital and shared-access businesses include Freedom Boat Club, Boateka and a range of financing, insurance, and extended warranty businesses. While focused primarily on the marine industry, Brunswick also successfully leverages its portfolio of advanced technologies to deliver an exceptional suite of solutions in mobile and industrial applications. Headquartered in Mettawa, IL, Brunswick has more than 18,000 employees operating in 27 countries. In 2023, Brunswick was named by Forbes as a Worlds Best Employer for the fourth consecutive year and has been one of Americas Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek for three consecutive years. For more information, visit www.Brunswick.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about Brunswicks business and by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Words such as may, could, should, expect, "anticipate," "project," "position," intend, target, plan, seek, estimate, believe, predict, outlook, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations as of the date of this news release. These risks include, but are not limited to: the effect of adverse general economic conditions, including the amount of disposable income consumers have available for discretionary spending; changes in currency exchange rates; fiscal and monetary policy changes; higher energy and fuel costs; competitive pricing pressures; adverse capital market conditions; actual or anticipated increases in costs, disruptions of supply, or defects in raw materials, parts, or components we purchase from third parties; supplier manufacturing constraints, increased demand for shipping carriers, and transportation disruptions; managing our manufacturing footprint; international business risks, geopolitical tensions or conflicts, sanctions, embargoes, or other regulations; public health emergencies or pandemics, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; adverse weather conditions, climate change events and other catastrophic event risks; our ability to develop new and innovative products and services at a competitive price; loss of key customers; our ability to meet demand in a rapidly changing environment; absorbing fixed costs in production; risks associated with joint ventures that do not operate solely for our benefit; our ability to integrate acquisitions, including Navico, and the risk for associated disruption to our business; our ability to successfully implement our strategic plan and growth initiatives; attracting and retaining skilled labor, implementing succession plans for key leadership, and executing organizational and leadership changes; our ability to identify, complete, and integrate targeted acquisitions; the risk that restructuring or strategic divestitures will not provide business benefits; maintaining effective distribution; dealers and customers being able to access adequate financing; requirements for us to repurchase inventory; inventory reductions by dealers, retailers, or independent boat builders; risks related to the Freedom Boat Club franchise business model; outages, breaches, or other cybersecurity events regarding our technology systems, which have affected and could further affect manufacturing and business operations and could result in lost or stolen information and associated remediation costs; our ability to protect our brands and intellectual property; changes to U.S. trade policy and tariffs; any impairment to the value of goodwill and other assets; product liability, warranty, and other claims risks; legal, environmental, and other regulatory compliance, including increased costs, fines, and reputational risks; changes in income tax legislation or enforcement; managing our share repurchases; and risks associated with certain divisive shareholder activist actions.

Additional risk factors are included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2022 and in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Brunswick does not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release.
Charleston, SC, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The horror and thriller genres are steeped in East Cost tradition a literary space occupied by homerun hitters like Stephen King (Carrie) Richard Bachman (Rage) and Michael Punke (The Revenant) who explore the mental landscape of human struggle in local and historical settings. These stories are grounded firmly in realism, bringing the darkest aspects of human nature to the forefront, often centering around antihero character studies, and delving deep into the pain that drives an individual forward to healing  or fatal regression.

Time The Avenger by Jason Marinko joins that rich tradition with a sweeping narrative surrounding an investigation into a murder that conjures up remembrances of a troubled past. When Paiges former friend and classmate is pulverized at the hands of a killer, her recollections take her back to 1988, through the corridors of Middleton High School. Through her memories Paige pieces together how past and present connect, as a plot for tragic revenge unfolds.

A coming-of-age novel full of 80s nostalgia, information age chaos, nail-biting tension, friendship, and love in the face of life-threatening turmoil. The telling spans the social upheaval of the late Cold War and comes to a murderous halt amid the late 2000s housing crisis and economic recession. Fans of chaotic thrillers, crime noir, and modern tragedies will love Time The Avenger. A Gen- X saga that proves you never get too old to take your revenge.

If Time The Avenger is a dish served ice cold then JASON MARINKOS STARRY NIGHTMARES are just desserts. An original, spine-stiffening collection of stories tailor-made for readers who acknowledge the violent realities of evils that move and writhe among us all. Adeptly crafted with gripping plots with East-Coast American roots and satisfying suspense.

Time The Avenger and Jason Marinkos Starry Nightmares are both available for purchase at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and other fine retailers. For more information visit timetheavenger.com.

About the Author:

A storyteller and actor born and raised in New Jersey Jason Marinko has lived a most interesting life, frequenting locales of the Tri-State area. His tellings specialize

in East Coast grit and glamour alike his writing is informed by his experiences in over forty different career roles with nearly as many addresses. From Bars and grills to side streets, alleyways and college hills boat clubs, surf clubs, turf clubs, night clubs and gentlemens clubs, crash houses, crack houses and stash houses, steakhouses, ski-slopes, and shores from the hills into Harrisburg to the hot blocks of Harlem, he has been afforded a unique perspective into the lives and stories of extraordinary individuals to that of which he is eternally grateful and most fortunate. Family, friends, and the amazing and interesting people he has encountered along the way have graciously influenced him. Chance has bestowed upon him lifelong relationships and support from countless others. A member of multiple writing groups including the Hamilton Township writers group, Hamilton Barnes & Noble writers group, and the McCarter Theatre's Shakespeare Community reading groups. He resides in New Jersey with his loving and supportive girlfriend Michelle and his pets and coauthors Mr. Speedy and Mrs. Selina Catface.

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Eurobio Scientific: GenDx reduces organ matching time to 3 hours

Launch of NGS-Turbo, a unique test to match organs on Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing devices

A valuable technological partnership with Oxford Nanopore Technologies

A significant advance in HLA typing

Paris, 17th October 2023  5:40 pm

Eurobio Scientific (FR0013240934, ALERS), (FR0013240934, ALERS, PEA-PME eligible), a leading French group in in vitro specialty medical diagnostics and life sciences, today announces the launch by its GenDx subsidiary of their newly developed product, NGS-Turbo, designed for HLA typing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing devices, for Research Use Only (RUO). NGS-Turbo represents a significant leap forward in the field of HLA typing, offering unparalleled speed and efficiency when time is of the essence.

With the release of this new product, GenDx continues to push the boundaries of innovation in the field of HLA typing, and NGS-Turbo demonstrates their commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for the transplantation community.

NGS-Turbo is characterized by its exceptional turnaround time, providing high-resolution HLA typing results in as little as three hours, from blood sample to the final result.

Maarten Penning, PhD, PhD, General Manager of GenDx, declares: Our collaboration with Oxford Nanopore has led to the development of an assay that not only seamlessly integrates with their platform but also excels in speed and user-friendliness. The overwhelmingly positive feedback received during the early access program speaks volumes about the product's potential impact.

Denis Fortier, CEO of Eurobio Scientific, adds: This new product will enable us to increase our market share in HLA typing. It also has the potential to expand the transplant market: by reducing the compatibility test to just 3 hours, we can envisage new possibilities for situations where existing technologies are too slow to test high-resolution compatibility. The launch of NGS-Turbo is further proof of the Group's strong capacity for innovation.

Next financial meeting

2023 FY revenues: January 30, 2024, after market closes

About HLA

The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system comprises a diverse family of genes and allelic variants crucial for the human immune system. Precise HLA matching between patients and donors is essential in transplantation, as even slight differences in HLA alleles can significantly impact transplant outcomes. HLA typing enables the identification of specific nucleotide sequences, making it an indispensable tool for transplantation purposes.

About Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Oxford Nanopore Technologies goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for real-time, high-performance, accessible and scalable analysis of DNA and RNA. The technology is used in more than 120 countries to understand the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses and whole environments. Oxford Nanopore Technologies products are intended for molecular biology applications and are not intended for diagnostic purposes.

About GenDx, a Eurobio Scientific company

Genome Diagnostics B.V., trading as GenDx, is a Dutch company specializing in molecular diagnostics. It focuses on the development, production, and sale of innovative assays and analysis software for transplantation and companion diagnostics. GenDx offers a range of HLA sequencing-based typing strategies, reagents, software, and custom laboratory services. GenDx Education also provides dedicated training courses worldwide for professionals in tissue typing, research laboratories, blood banks, and donor registries. In October 2022, Eurobio Scientific acquired all shares of GenDx. For more information, visit www.GenDx.com.

About Eurobio Scientific



Eurobio Scientific is a key player in the field of specialty in vitro diagnostics. It is involved from research to manufacturing and commercialization of diagnostic tests in the fields of transplantation, immunology and infectious diseases, and sells instruments and products for research laboratories, including biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Through many partnerships and a strong presence in hospitals, Eurobio Scientific has established its own distribution network and a portfolio of proprietary products in the molecular biology field. The Group has approximately 290 employees and four production units based in the Paris region, in Germany, in the Netherlands and in the United States, and several affiliates based in Dorking UK, Sissach Switzerland, Bunde Germany, Antwerp Belgium, Utrecht in The Netherlands and Milan in Italy.



Eurobio Scientific's reference shareholder is the EurobioNext holding company which brings together its two directors, Jean-Michel Carle and Denis Fortier, alongside the "Pepites et Territoires" by AXA & NextStage AM investment program, managed by NextStage AM.







For more information, please visit: www.eurobio-scientific.com







The company is publicly listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris



Euronext Growth BPI Innovation, PEA-PME 150 and Next Biotech indices, Euronext European Rising Tech label.



Symbol: ALERS - ISIN Code: FR0013240934 - Reuters: ALERS.PA - Bloomberg: ALERS:FP







Contacts





Groupe Eurobio Scientific



Denis Fortier, Chairman and CEO



Anne-Sophie Herelle, Deputy CEO Finance & IT



Tel. +33(0) 1 69 79 64 80 Calyptus



Mathieu Calleux



Investors Relations



Tel. +33(1) 53 65 68 68 - eurobio-scientific@calyptus.net





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Appointment of Thierry Le Mouroux to the EDF Groups Executive Committee

As of January 1st, 2024, Thierry Le Mouroux will be appointed as Executive Vice-President responsible for the advance planning of the future Nuclear Projects and Construction Division. He is currently Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Areva, in charge of the Olkiluoto 3 EPR project.

Thierry Le Mouroux, 58, graduated in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the ESTP engineering school and holds an MBA in project management.

He began his career in the United States in 1989, in charge of the development of a startup specialising in broadband technology. He joined the Eiffage Group in 1990, and then became the CEO of Forclum Littoral in 1995. Between 2000 and 2010, he occupied several management posts in the Suez Eau France company. In 2010, Thierry Le Mouroux was appointed CEO of Endel Engie, where he was closely involved in operations for the construction of the Flamanville 3 EPR and the Grand Carenage. In 2013, he became Chairman and CEO of Endel Engie, and drove the companys growth in the civil nuclear and energy sectors, as well as in the space industry and naval shipbuilding sector. From 2016 to 2020, he held several key positions at Framatome. And in 2020, Thierry Le Mouroux joined Areva as Deputy CEO in charge of the Olkiluoto 3 EPR project. He led in particular a functional reorganisation of the project that ensured its delivery on time and on budget. Thierry Le Mouroux has proven experience in industrial and nuclear sector projects.

Luc Remont, EDF Chairman and CEO, states: I am delighted to welcome Thierry Le Mouroux, whose first task will be to set up the organisation of the future Nuclear Projects and Construction Division. Throughout his career, Thierry Le Mouroux has demonstrated outstanding strategic and operational abilities, and he will bring to EDF his experience and expertise in the perspective of future nuclear projects. Thierrys input, together with that of the other Executive Committee members, will be decisive and will enable the EDF Group to meet the challenges of the industrial-scale construction of the carbon-free generation capacities needed for the European energy transition.

This press release is certified. Check its authenticity on medias.edf.com

About EDF

As a major player in energy transition, the EDF Group is an integrated energy company active in all businesses: generation, transmission, distribution, energy trading, energy sales and energy services. EDF group is a world leader in low-carbon energy, having developed a diverse production mix based mainly on nuclear and renewable energy (including hydropower). It is also investing in new technologies to support energy transition. EDFs raison detre is to build a net zero energy future with electricity and innovative solutions and services, to help save the planet and drive well-being and economic development. The Group is involved in supplying energy and services to approximately 40.3 million customers (1), of whom 30.3 million in France (2). It generated consolidated sales of 143.5 billion in 2022.

(1) Customers are counted per delivery site. A customer can have two delivery points: one for electricity and another one for gas.

(2) Including ES (Electricite de Strasbourg) and SEI.

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UV1, in combination with the checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab and nivolumab from Bristol-Myers Squibb, demonstrated a clinically meaningful overall survival benefit with no added toxicities, compared to ipilimumab and nivolumab alone, in the second-line treatment of patients with malignant mesothelioma

The UV1 cancer vaccination combined with ipilimumab and nivolumab reduced the risk of death by 27%, meeting the protocol predefined threshold for statistical significance, in a hard-to-treat patient group with currently no standard-of-care treatment options

First demonstration of universal cancer vaccine efficacy and therapeutic impact in a randomized Phase II clinical trial, supporting further clinical development

NIPU results to be presented by the Principal Investigator Professor Aslaug Helland , MD, Ph.D., at the ESMO Congress 2023 happening this week in Madrid





, MD, Ph.D., at the ESMO Congress 2023 happening this week in Madrid The full dataset will be shared in a separate press release and at the Company website after the Principal Investigators oral presentation, Saturday October 21, 2023 at 15:15 (CET)

Webcast with the Principal Investigator and Ultimovacs management to take place

on Mon, Oct 23 2023 at 14:30 (CET) < Link to webcast>





Oslo, October 17, 2023: Ultimovacs ASA (Ultimovacs) (OSE ULTI), a clinical-stage biotechnology leader in novel immunotherapeutic cancer vaccines, today announced the results from the NIPU clinical trial ( NCT04300244 ), an investigator-initiated, randomized, multi-center, open-label Phase II clinical trial for second-line treatment in patients with malignant mesothelioma. The data presented as a late-breaking abstract at the ESMO Congress, shows that Ultimovacs cancer vaccine UV1, in combination with ipilimumab and nivolumab, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement of overall survival versus ipilimumab and nivolumab alone, a key secondary endpoint. No additional safety concerns were reported from the UV1 treatment. The late-breaking abstract is accessible at the ESMO website.

Malignant mesothelioma is considered an aggressive, complex form of cancer with a high mortality rate and few therapeutic options. Patients affected have often been occupationally or environmentally exposed to asbestos. Several efforts have been made in the last decades to improve the survival outcomes of patients with mesothelioma. There is currently no established standard of care in second-line treatment.

For patients with malignant mesothelioma, few treatment options are available after first-line chemotherapy. The NIPU study showed that patients receiving UV1 vaccination as add-on to nivolumab and ipilimumab experienced an increased objective response rate and a clinically meaningful prolonged survival. These encouraging results provide a foundation for advancing further clinical development with UV1 vaccination in mesothelioma patients, said Principal Investigator of the NIPU clinical trial, Professor Aslaug Helland, MD Ph.D. We want to extend our gratitude to the patients and their families, as well as the dedicated investigators and all our supporters whose invaluable contributions made this study possible.

The results showed that UV1 plus ipilimumab and nivolumab improved overall survival (OS), reducing the risk of death by 27% (HR=0.73 [80% CI, 0.53-1.00]). The median OS was 15.4 months (95% CI, 11.1-22.6) for UV1 plus ipilimumab and nivolumab (treatment arm) versus 11.1 months (95% CI, 8.8-18.1) for ipilimumab and nivolumab alone (control arm), with a median observation time of 17.3 months. This degree of improvement met protocol predefined threshold for statistical significance.

The data further demonstrated a benefit in terms of objective response rate, as determined by a blinded independent central review. In the UV1 arm, 31% of the patients experienced an objective response, as compared to 16% in the control arm (odds ratio 2.44 [80% CI, 1.35-4.49]).

The safety profile of the combination of UV1 plus ipilimumab and nivolumab observed in the trial was consistent with the safety profile of ipilimumab and nivolumab alone, confirming the good safety profile for UV1. The patients will continue to be monitored for efficacy and safety endpoints over the next years.

The title of the late-breaking ESMO abstract is LBA99 First survival data from the NIPU trial; A randomized, open-label, phase II study evaluating nivolumab and ipilimumab combined with UV1 vaccination as second line treatment in patients with malignant mesothelioma.

We are thrilled to announce the highly advantageous results from the first randomized UV1 Phase II trial, marking a major milestone for Ultimovacs. Overall survival is the gold standard in cancer treatment. We believe these data supports further development in mesothelioma, and we are looking forward to discussing the results with the regulatory authorities, said Carlos de Sousa, CEO of Ultimovacs. UV1, by demonstrating significant survival improvement in a hard-to-treat indication as malignant mesothelioma, shows that universal cancer vaccines are a treatment modality with the potential to improve the current treatment regime for cancer patients globally. The encouraging NIPU results heighten our optimism and raise our expectations for favorable results in the four additional ongoing UV1 Phase II trials. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed, especially Professor Aslaug Helland, who invited us to participate in the study, and Bristol-Meyers Squibb for their valuable contribution.

The NIPU study is sponsored by Oslo University Hospital with support from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ultimovacs. The randomized, open-label, multi-center trial with 118 patients conducted in Australia, Denmark, Norway, Spain, and Sweden, was designed to investigate if combining UV1 with checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab and nivolumab would provide a benefit compared to ipilimumab and nivolumab alone, in patients with malignant mesothelioma after first-line treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy. The first patient in the NIPU trial was enrolled in June 2020, and the last patient was enrolled in January 2023.

The NIPU study announced topline results in June 2023. Based on blinded independent central review (BICR), the study did not meet the primary endpoint of PFS. Investigator assessment, a pre-defined supportive analysis of the primary endpoint performed by specialized radiologists at the study hospitals, showed a statistically significant positive PFS benefit for the patients in the UV1 arm. The HR per BICR was 1.01 (80% CI 0.75-1.36), with a median PFS of 4.2 months (95% CI 2.9-9.8) for UV1 plus ipilimumab and nivolumab, and 4.7 months (95% CI 3.9-7.0) for ipilimumab and nivolumab alone. The HR per investigator assessment was 0.60 (80% CI 0.45-0.81), with a median PFS of 4.3 months (95% CI 3.0-6.8) for UV1 plus ipilimumab and nivolumab and 2.9 months (95% CI 2.4-5.5) for ipilimumab and nivolumab alone.

The data from June 2023 showed a positive trend of improvement in overall survival in the UV1 arm over the control arm, but the data needed to mature before a conclusion could be reached. As of August, with a median observation time of 17.3 months, the data presented at ESMO demonstrates survival benefit for patients receiving the UV1 vaccine in the NIPU study.

In October 2023, Ultimovacs announced that FDA had granted Orphan Drug Designation for UV1 in the treatment of mesothelioma (based on the NIPU data from June 2023).

UV1 is a therapeutic cancer vaccine used to generate an immune response against the enzyme human telomerase (hTERT). The enzyme is essential for the ability of cancer cells to proliferate. Telomerase is present in 85-90% of all cancers, across the stages of the disease. The vaccine is manufactured as an off-the-shelf product with a long shelf life. UV1 is easy to use and does not require sophisticated hospital infrastructure, enabling patient access to therapy also in community centers, and in rural and underserved communities.



Ultimovacs is evaluating the universal cancer vaccine UV1 in a broad clinical development program across various cancer indications with different biologies and disease stages, in combination with different checkpoint inhibitors. The topline data from NIPU are the first results among the five randomized trials in the UV1 Phase II clinical program. In addition to malignant mesothelioma, Phase II studies are ongoing in patients with malignant melanoma, head and neck cancer, ovarian cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. The topline data from the malignant melanoma and head and neck cancer trials are expected during the first and second half of 2024. UV1 is a patented, proprietary technology owned by Ultimovacs.

==ENDS==

About NIPU

NIPU ( N ivolumab and I pilimumab P lus/minus U V1 vaccination) is a randomized, multi-center phase II trial in which Ultimovacs universal cancer vaccine, UV1, is evaluated in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibbs checkpoint inhibitors, nivolumab and ipilimumab, as second-line treatment of malignant mesothelioma. The trial sponsor is Oslo University Hospital, supported in the preparation and execution of the trial by Ultimovacs and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

The 118 patients are randomized 1:1 into two treatment arms. All participants receive treatment with nivolumab (240 mg every 2 weeks) and ipilimumab (1 mg/kg every 6 weeks) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or for a maximum of 2 years. Patients randomized to the experimental arm received 8 intradermal injections of UV1 vaccine during the first three months of treatment. The objective of the study is to achieve a clinically meaningful benefit in patients with malignant mesothelioma (MPM) after progression on first-line standard platinum doublet chemotherapy. Subsequent events emerging in patients in both arms of the NIPU study will continue to be monitored beyond read-out of the primary endpoint. The ipilimumab and nivolumab combination has recently been approved as first-line treatment for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma in Europe and the U.S.

The trial was sized to detect a target PFS HR of 0.6, with 80% power and a 1-sided alpha of 0.1. Overall survival was calculated using the same method as for PFS.



About Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds the lungs and inside of the chest. Mesothelioma accounted for 30 870 new cancer cases and 26 278 cancer deaths worldwide in 2020, according to International Agency for Research on Cancer (Globocan 2020). Mesothelioma is a disease with a high unmet medical need, especially in industrialized countries. The median overall survival is approximately 1 year. Occupational asbestos exposure is the No. 1 cause of the disease, and several occupations like firefighters, military veterans, construction, and industry workers, are at risk. This cancer usually takes several decades to develop after a persons first exposure to asbestos. Most patients are diagnosed after age 70 because of the long latency period. Even though the use of asbestos to a large extent is banned in new constructions in many countries today, new incidences of mesothelioma will continue to be a medical and public health challenge because of the long latency period typical of the illness. For patients with inoperable disease, few treatment options are available after first-line chemotherapy. The combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab has recently shown increased survival compared to standard chemotherapy, but most patients do not respond, and improvements are called for. Telomerase is expressed in mesothelioma cells and is therefore a relevant target for therapeutic vaccination.

About Ultimovacs

Ultimovacs is a clinical-stage biotechnology leader in novel immunotherapeutic cancer vaccines with broad applicability. Ultimovacs lead cancer vaccine candidate UV1 is directed against human telomerase (hTERT), an antigen present in 85-90% of cancers in all stages of tumor growth. A broad clinical program, with Phase II trials in five cancer indications enrolling more than 670 patients, aims to demonstrate UV1s impact in combination with other immunotherapies in multiple cancer types expressing telomerase and where patients have unmet medical needs. UV1 is universal, off-the-shelf and easy to use, and is a patented technology owned by Ultimovacs.



In addition, Ultimovacs adjuvant platform, based on the proprietary Tetanus-Epitope-Targeting (TET) technology, combines tumor-specific antigens and adjuvant in the same molecule and is in Phase I clinical development.

The Company is listed on Euronext Oslo Stock Exchange (ULTI).

About the UV1 Phase II program

The immunotherapeutic cancer vaccine UV1 is investigated in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in patients with various cancer indications with diverse tumor biology. The diversity of the UV1 Phase II program places Ultimovacs in a favorable position to capture the cancer vaccines potential broad applicability when combined with checkpoint inhibitors:

INITIUM : Evaluating UV1 in combination with ipilimumab and nivolumab as first-line treatment for patients with malignant melanoma. Enrollment of 156 patients completed. Expected readout H1 2024. Sponsored by Ultimovacs.

: Evaluating UV1 in combination with ipilimumab and nivolumab as first-line treatment for patients with malignant melanoma. Enrollment of 156 patients completed. Expected readout H1 2024. Sponsored by Ultimovacs. NIPU : Evaluating UV1 in combination with ipilimumab and nivolumab as second-line treatment for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Enrollment of 118 patients completed; results will be presented at the ESMO Congress in October 2023. The investigator-initiated study is led by Oslo University Hospital and supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ultimovacs.

: Evaluating UV1 in combination with ipilimumab and nivolumab as second-line treatment for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Enrollment of 118 patients completed; results will be presented at the ESMO Congress in October 2023. The investigator-initiated study is led by Oslo University Hospital and supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ultimovacs. FOCUS : Evaluating UV1 in combination with pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. Enrollment of 75 patients completed, expected readout H2 2024. The investigator-initiated study is led by Halle University in Germany, supported by Ultimovacs.

: Evaluating UV1 in combination with pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. Enrollment of 75 patients completed, expected readout H2 2024. The investigator-initiated study is led by Halle University in Germany, supported by Ultimovacs. DOVACC : Evaluating UV1 in combination with olaparib and durvalumab as maintenance therapy in non-BRCA mutated patients with advanced ovarian cancer. >20% of 184 patients enrolled as of Q2 2023 reporting, expected readout H2 2024. The investigator-initiated study is led by NSGO-CTU and supported by ENGOT, AstraZeneca, and Ultimovacs.

: Evaluating UV1 in combination with olaparib and durvalumab as maintenance therapy in non-BRCA mutated patients with advanced ovarian cancer. >20% of 184 patients enrolled as of Q2 2023 reporting, expected readout H2 2024. The investigator-initiated study is led by NSGO-CTU and supported by ENGOT, AstraZeneca, and Ultimovacs. LUNGVAC: Evaluating UV1 combined with cemiplimab as first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients. <10% of 138 patients enrolled as of Q2 2023 reporting, expected readout H2 2025. The investigator-initiated study is led by Vestre Viken (Drammen Hospital) and supported by Ultimovacs.

About UV1

UV1 is a universal cancer vaccine designed to induce a specific T-cell response against telomerase. UV1 consists of long, synthetic peptides representing a sequence in the reverse transcriptase subunit of telomerase (hTERT), shown to induce CD4+ T-cells. These CD4+ T-cells have the potential to provide inflammatory signals, and T-cell support is believed to be critical for triggering a strong anti-tumor immune response. Following intradermal injection, antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the skin are exposed to the vaccine peptides. These APCs will process the peptides and present vaccine epitopes on Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules to naive T-cells in the lymph nodes. Activated vaccine-specific T-cells will then enter the circulation and search for cells displaying their cognate antigen in the context of HLA molecules.

The UV1 peptides contain several epitopes, shown to be non-restrictive in terms of (HLA) alleles for presentation. It is, therefore not required to perform HLA pre-screening of patients, which potentially enables broad population utilization of the vaccine. UV1 is administered over three months as eight intradermal injections together with the immune-modulator GM-CSF.

A link to the webcast and the comprehensive results from the NIPU study may be accessed from the Company website www.ultimovacs.com . For further information, please contact:

Carlos de Sousa, CEO

Email: carlos.desousa@ultimovacs.com

Phone: +47 908 92507

Anne Worse, Head of Investor Relations

Email: anne.worsoe@ultimovacs.com

Phone: +47 90686815

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was published by Anne Worse, Head of Investor Relations at Ultimovacs ASA, on October 17, 2023 at 18:05 CET.
FLUSHING, N.Y., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The distinguished Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors is proud to announce its inaugural scholarship program, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of medical professionals. Established by the esteemed Dr. Arun Arora, a stalwart in the field of medicine with over four decades of exceptional service, this scholarship embodies a commitment to shaping the future of healthcare through education and innovation.



The Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors, with a one-time award of $1,000, presents a unique opportunity for students with a deep passion for medicine to further their academic pursuits. Aspiring medical professionals, whether currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in medicine or high school students with dreams of attending university for a medical degree, are invited to apply for this prestigious scholarship.

Dr. Arun Arora's journey in the field of medicine has been nothing short of extraordinary. A distinguished graduate of Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India, Dr. Arora embarked on his illustrious medical career in 1974. His unwavering commitment to patient care and medical excellence has been evident throughout his distinguished career, with areas of specialization that include Cardiovascular Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Arora's impact extends beyond the clinical setting. He has actively engaged in medical education, teaching, and research, further enriching the medical community. As a Diplomate in Critical Care and Internal Medicine, Dr. Arora's expertise is highly regarded in the medical field. His dedication to advancing medical knowledge and providing exceptional care to patients has earned him the respect and admiration of peers and colleagues alike.

The Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors is a testament to his vision of nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals and supporting their educational pursuits. This scholarship symbolizes Dr. Arora's lifelong commitment to healthcare, which has transformed the lives of countless patients and inspired countless individuals to join the medical field.

Scholarship Criteria: To be considered for the Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Academic Pursuit: Applicants should be either current undergraduate students actively pursuing a career in medicine or high school students with plans to attend university for a medical degree. Excellence in Academics: We highly value exceptional academic performance. Successful applicants should have a strong academic record, demonstrating outstanding scholastic achievements. Commitment to Medicine: Applicants must possess a deep and genuine commitment to the field of medicine, showcasing a passionate drive to make a positive impact on the lives of patients and the healthcare industry as a whole. Dedication to Personal Growth: We are looking for individuals who exhibit a strong desire for personal and professional growth. Successful candidates should continuously strive to expand their knowledge and skills within the medical field, reflecting a commitment to lifelong learning. Essay Requirement: As part of the application process, candidates are required to submit a well-thought-out essay of under 1000 words in response to the following prompt: "Describe a significant challenge currently faced by the healthcare industry and propose an innovative solution to address it effectively." Problem-Solving Skills: We are particularly interested in applicants who demonstrate creative and resourceful problem-solving skills. Candidates should showcase their ability to identify and address complex issues within the healthcare sector, highlighting their potential to contribute to positive change in the field.

Important Dates:

Application Deadline: June 15, 2024

June 15, 2024 Scholarship Winner Announcement: July 15, 2024

Dr. Arun Arora and the Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors invite aspiring doctors to seize this extraordinary opportunity to propel their medical journey to new heights. The scholarship not only provides financial support but also offers recognition for the commitment, dedication, and potential of future healthcare leaders.

To apply for the scholarship and find more information, please visit the official website at www.drarunarorascholarship.com/dr-arun-arora-scholarship. For inquiries and further details, please contact arun@drarunarorascholarship.com.

About Dr. Arun Arora: With a career spanning over four decades, Dr. Arun Arora is a respected figure in the field of medicine. A graduate of Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India, he has specialized in Cardiovascular Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Internal Medicine. Dr. Arora has been affiliated with renowned medical institutions, including New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital and Flushing Hospital Medical Center, and has actively engaged in medical education, teaching, and research. As a Diplomate in Critical Care and Internal Medicine, Dr. Arora's expertise is highly regarded in the medical field.

About the Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors: The Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors was established to support the educational aspirations of aspiring medical professionals. This scholarship reflects Dr. Arun Arora's dedication to healthcare and his vision of nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. It aims to provide financial assistance and recognition to individuals who are committed to advancing the field of medicine and addressing its challenges innovatively.
Portland, Oregon, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Earlier this year, Cayuse surveyed members of the research community around the world, seeking their insights and experiences surrounding the state of research today and predictions for the future. With over 1,400 responses representing over 600 institutions across 10 different countries, the results have been analyzed, summarized, and collected in the 2023 State of Research Administration Benchmark Report.

To build a clearer picture of the state of research administration, the report covers several main areas of importance to the research community: top priorities and anticipated barriers, resource allocation including time spent on tasks and annual research spend, workload volume, and systems or tools used to manage research administration.

Key Highlights:

1 in 3 respondents said they are focused on expanding their research portfolio in the next year

76% of respondents experienced increased workloads in the past year

56% said they dont have the right amount of staff, resources and time

The biggest challenges respondents are facing are staffing constraints and inefficient processes

46% of respondents indicated that creating and reviewing documents are the most time-consuming aspects of their job

This analysis is divided into several key areas of the research lifecycle, namely pre-award, post-award, compliance, vivarium operations, commercialization and tech transfer, research library services, and graduate education management.

The full 2023 State of Research Administration Benchmark Report is now available to download for free from the Cayuse website. Additionally, Cayuse hosted a webinar that provided an overview of the results and discussed industry trends. Click here to watch the recording of the webinar.

Cayuse would like to thank all survey participants for their feedback, and for helping to make this years report the most comprehensive yet.

About Cayuse

For nearly 30 years, Cayuse has empowered organizations to conduct globally connected research and modernize research administration. Our industry-leading cloud-based research platform powers a suite of applications that maximizes researcher success, improves collaboration, and simplifies work across the entire research lifecycle, including commercialization and tracking of research outcomes. The Cayuse global community includes academic institutions, hospitals and health systems, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, government agencies, independent research institutions, and non-profit organizations.







Attachment
Argentine president expects broader cooperation with China

Xinhua) 15:47, October 17, 2023

SHANGHAI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China is a geographically remote country that has close relations with Argentina, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said during his recent visit to Shanghai.

The Argentine president arrived in Shanghai on Oct. 14 and left the city on Tuesday to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing.

He said that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, China has supported Argentina with anti-COVID materials and vaccines. And when Argentina was experiencing a severe drought and financial difficulties, China also extended a helping hand. Moreover, the investment of Chinese companies in Argentina has continued to grow without any additional conditions. China has become Argentina's biggest source of foreign investment in the fields of mining development and infrastructure construction.

Argentina and China share common views in many fields, and they can undertake more cooperation and develop closer relations. It is based on this belief that Argentina has joined the Belt and Road Initiative, Fernandez noted.

When visiting a Chinese company that has invested in Argentina, Fernandez said that Argentina is rich in lithium and copper resources, and is an ideal environment for the development of new energy industries. Indeed, there are already Chinese companies developing such lithium resources in Argentina.

Fernandez flew from Argentina to Shanghai by chartered plane, which took him about 30 hours. He expressed his expectation that the two sides will find ways to shorten the flight time and increase the frequency of flights to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries further.

China has become one of the most desirable tourist destinations for people in Argentina, and Chinese food has gained popularity there. Photographs of Shanghai's landmarks can often be seen in Argentina, Fernandez said.

There is a lot of room for cooperation between Argentina and China in all fields, he added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
YEREVAN, 17 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. Any artificial intelligence tool can make a person both smart and crazy.



Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Arayik Harutyunyan expressed such a point of view during the panel discussion under the title "Smart Citizen" organized within the framework of the "Silicon Mountains" conference.



Artificial intelligence is another tool for solving various situations. Any such tool can make a person both smart and crazy. If previously a large amount of information was transmitted as a source, now we must teach how to use information sources correctly, Harutyunyan said.



During the discussion of the topic Smart Citizen, Harutyunyan noted that a digital citizen and a smart citizen are different things. According to him, the secret of a smart citizen is in the development of the education sector.



Now the tools that enable a smart citizen to progress and develop the society have become digital. All the secrets of a smart citizen are in the education system, Harutyunyan noted.



He recalled the introduction of new standards in the field of general education, which will finally be implemented for all grades from 2026.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan told Armenpress that the IT and HT sector are priority directions for the country. The minister noted that specific steps are being taken to develop this field in the educational system.

Since September of the current year, we have started the artificial intelligence course in schools. Work is being done to create laboratories in all schools," said the minister.



She reminded of the new state standard of general education, the introduction of which has begun in September on a phased basis.



According to Zhanna Andreasyan, the main part of the new standard is the improvement of technological education.
Montreal, QC, Canada, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bath Fitter, a leading provider of bathroom remodeling solutions, is thrilled to announce it has been recognized as a 2023 Best Workplace in Quebec. Presented by the Great Place To Work Institute, this prestigious award is a testament to Bath Fitter's dedication to fostering a supportive and empowering culture that focuses on safety, employee engagement and a strong sense of belonging.

"We are incredibly proud to be named as a 2023 Best Workplace in Quebec," said Glenn Cotton, President and CEO of Bath Fitter. "This achievement talks to our unwavering commitment to our employees and their professional growth. We believe that the sense of belonging reflected among our workforce is the key to our success, and this recognition further validates our efforts in that sense." Bath Fitter's success as a Best Workplace in numerous categories can be attributed to its comprehensive employee development and recognition programs, competitive benefits package, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our dedicated employees who continuously contribute to making Bath Fitter a truly exceptional workplace," added Sophia Nardelli, Vice-President, Human Resources. "Their hard work, dedication, and passion have been instrumental in achieving this recognition. We will continue to invest in our employees and provide them with the support they need to thrive both personally and professionally." As Bath Fitter celebrates this remarkable achievement, it remains committed to maintaining its status as a Great Place to Work-Certified organization and continuously improving employee experience. With a focus on innovation, growth, and employee well-being, Bath Fitter is poised to continue its success as a leader in the industry.

About Bath Fitter

Founded in 1984 in Montreal, Canada, Bath Fitter was conceived by three brothers who sought to find a demolition-free remodeling solution for bathrooms. Today, nearly 40 years later, Bath Fitter has transformed over two million bathrooms with its unique tub-over-tub installation process and has become a household name and respected leader in bathroom remodeling. Bath Fitter is the market leader in manufacturing and installation of premium-quality acrylic bathtubs, showers, shower liners and one-piece seamless walls. They have two production facilities, in Quebec, Canada and in Tennessee, USA and retail locations serving markets across the United States and Canada, and a newly developed commercial location in Limerick, Ireland. Bath Fitter is committed to providing homeowners and commercial customers with high-quality products and superior service.

Bath Fitter is actively recruiting. To learn more about working at Bath Fitter, please visit: careers.bathfitter.com
HAYWARD, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Predicine, a pioneer in the liquid biopsy, announce its participation in the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress in Madrid, Spain. The company will present six compelling poster studies, unveiling the future of liquid biopsy solutions.



These poster presentations will shine a spotlight on Predicines groundbreaking liquid biopsy innovations, including PredicineBEACON, a revolutionary solution for personalized and actionable minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis. Additionally, PredicineWES+ liquid biopsy will be showcased for its capacity for boosted whole exome sequencing for cfDNA genomic profiling, along with PredicineCARE, an advanced cfDNA NGS assay for genomic alteration detection, and PredicineSCORE for copy number detection, tumor fraction, gene expression, and disease monitoring.

The upcoming data presentations will spotlight Predicines state-of-the-art MRD solution, unveil genomic profiling in breast cancer, and explore the use of urinary cfDNA in bladder cancer. These discoveries underscore Predicines pioneering efforts to revolutionize oncology through liquid biopsy solutions, promising to reshape the landscape of personalized cancer care, clinical trials, and companion diagnostic (CDx) development.

The lineup of poster presentations includes:

#2397P: A Real-world Study of Longitudinal Urinary ctDNA Monitoring of MRD in Patients with Muscle Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma

#2262P: Baseline-informed vs. tumor-agnostic MRD Concordance Study in Patients with HER2+ Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma

#496P: Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of Advanced HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer Patients Using Liquid Biopsy

#2401P: Detection of Molecular Recurrence in Early-Stage Bladder Cancer Patients using a Urinary Tumor DNA Assay

#2402P: Urine-based Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Reveals Mutational Landscape in Patients with Bladder Cancer

#1436P: Prospective Study Utilizing ctDNA Genome-wide Copy Number Variations for Longitudinal Monitoring of Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Predicine's CEO, Shidong Jia, expresses his excitement for these upcoming presentations, stating, "These studies at ESMO are a testament to our unwavering commitment to MRD technology innovation and its incredible potential to transform clinical trials and patient care. We look forward to engaging with the oncology community to explore the limitless possibilities of MRD in precision medicine."

About Predicine

Predicine is a global molecular insights company committed to advancing precision medicine in oncology and infectious disease diagnostics. Predicine is developing proprietary technologies for cell-free DNA and cell-free RNA liquid biopsy to enable minimally invasive molecular diagnoses for early cancer detection, treatment selection, therapy response, minimal residual disease monitoring, and disease progression. The Predicine portfolio includes blood, urine, and tissue based NGS assays designed for globally harmonized use in research, clinical investigation, and companion diagnostic (CDx) development. Through its business operations in Silicon Valley, Houston, Chicago, Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, and Harbin, Predicine is partnering and collaborating with leading biopharma companies, institutions, and governments to support personalized healthcare on a global scale. Further information is available on the company websites, http://www.predicine.com . Stay in touch on LinkedIn or @Predicine on Twitter (X).
IRVING, Texas, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hospital readmission for diabetes patients is an enormous health risk and an expensive problem for the U.S. healthcare system. The question is how do we address it?



Gainwell Technologies (Gainwell), a leading innovator in healthcare technology solutions, partnered with its state Medicaid clients and SMU (Southern Methodist University) to develop an answer.

Diabetes affects roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population. These patients have elevated rates of hospital admission and all-cause mortality. They are also twice as likely to be readmitted within 30 days of discharge as similar patients without diabetes. The estimated cost of hospital readmissions is $20 billion to $25 billion annually.

While predictive hospital readmission models for diabetes exist for Medicare, they do not for Medicaid, which is the single largest source of health insurance in the U.S. This fact helped motivate this research.

SMU determined the first step was to develop a model to predict which Medicaid patients admitted to a hospital for any reason are most likely to be readmitted within 30 days. To develop a predictive model, Gainwell enabled SMUs research by providing an advanced research platform and de-identified Medicaid claims from its clients in seven states.

SMU used 69,640 claims for the research that focused exclusively on patients who were diabetic, admitted to the hospital for any reason and discharged either to their homes or a non-hospice facility.

Using claims data only, SMU concluded Medicaid patients with diabetes were much more likely to be readmitted to hospitals within 30 days of their release than Medicaid patients without diabetes.

This important research was published in The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), a respected peer-reviewed medical journal.

Some of the most significant findings from the research were:

Researchers derived and validated a Medicaid claims-only statistical model to predict 30-day readmission for hospitalized Medicaid patients with diabetes.



The models accuracy is similar to that of other models that are based on more granular clinical and demographic data. It identifies populations by risk and suggests targets for interventions to improve outcomes.



The model will be of use to insurers, policymakers and health systems as they seek to categorize patients by risk to improve health outcomes and contain readmission costs in Medicaid programs.



The research will enable payers and health systems to use a patients age, gender and admissions history to predict the likelihood of a readmission.

This research provides important guidance to clinicians, said Daniel Heitjan, Ph.D., professor and chair of Statistics and Data Science at SMU. Our new predictive model is accurate and much simpler to process. Thats a significant advantage when predicting the likelihood of readmission.

A cost driver in healthcare

Thirty-day readmissions are widely recognized as a driver of increased healthcare costs. And it is to the benefit of hospitals and health plans to address it.

These results are important to ensure patients get the care they need for this pervasive and deadly disease. This predictive model will help providers and payers identify Medicaid patients with a higher risk of readmissions. It also enables them to proactively focus on care transitions to improve outcomes and decrease costs, said Gainwell Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gary Call.

By identifying high-risk diabetics, clinicians will be better equipped to focus on patients during and after hospitalizations to improve treatment adherence and avoid readmissions. These models can also track high-risk population outcomes, develop care management programs and monitor the effectiveness of existing ones, Dr. Call said.

He added the research would not have been possible without the foresight of Gainwells clients who enabled the company to share the de-identified Medicaid claims for this vital research.

Cooperative research

This research is one in a series of studies Gainwell has enabled for top universities on issues ranging from hospital readmissions to opioid addiction to the impact of the social determinants of health.

Gainwell facilitated the research data environment for SMU under the umbrella of Australias Digital Health CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) to sponsor this study. The DHCRC connects government, academic and industry partners to harness digital technology to address many of the worlds most challenging healthcare issues.

About Gainwell Technologies

Gainwell Technologies is the leading provider of digital and cloud-enabled solutions vital to the administration and operations of health and human services programs. With more than 50 years of proven experience, Gainwell has a reputation for service excellence and unparalleled industry expertise. We offer clients scalable and flexible solutions for their most complex challenges. These capabilities make us a trusted partner for organizations seeking reliability, innovation, and transformational outcomes. Learn more at gainwelltechnologies.com.

About SMU

SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMUs alumni, faculty and over 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world.

CONTACT:

Elizabeth Bonet, Gainwell Technologies

972-556-5082

elizabeth.bonet@gainwelltechnologies.com
SAINT-VALLIER-DE-BELLECHASSE, Quebec and SAINTE-SOPHIE, Quebec, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALUS officially launched two new communities in the regions of Chaudiere-Appalaches and the Laurentians, in collaboration with the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) of Quebec.

The national ALUS program has existed in Canada for almost twenty years and was established in Quebec in 2016 thanks to a strong partnership with the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) of Monteregie. In 2021, Outaouais became the second region to benefit from the adoption of the ALUS program. Now expanding into Chaudiere-Appalaches and the Laurentians, ALUS aims to multiply the number of participants and nature-based solutions on Quebecs agricultural territory.

In addition to fostering agricultural leadership and creating links between local communities interested in agri-environmental practices, the ALUS program is currently the only program in Quebec to offer an annual monetary payment to farmers who decide to implement biodiversity-enhancing projects and produce ecosystem services on their land. ALUS supports farmers on the ground, which makes it possible to respond to agricultural and environmental issues specific to each region.

The launch of ALUS Chaudiere-Appalaches took place on the 11th at the Paularo Farm in Saint-Vallier. The event brought together roughly fifty people, including partners, agricultural producers and media. Throughout the day, participants were treated to presentations by researchers and specialists, as well as a tour of the farms riparian buffer, an ALUS project run by the farms owner with the support of the Bureau decologie appliquee (BEA). During lunch, participants had the opportunity to exchange views with the many stakeholders present.

Following ALUS undeniable success in the Outaouais region, and thanks to the financial support of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Syndicats locaux des Laurentides, the Federation de lUPA Outaouais-Laurentides and ALUS have decided to extend the program to the Laurentians, Laval and Montreal.

For the official launch of ALUS Laurentides, the Alary family welcomed federal elected officials, agri-environmental partners and producers to their farm, Les Fromagiers de la table ronde, in Sainte-Sophie. Participants heard from a number of speakers, toured the ecological corridor project and sampled local products.

Interested in taking part in the ALUS program? Contact your local program coordinator:

ALUS Chaudiere-Appalaches

Isabelle Lessard

ALUS Laurentides

Maria Jose Maezo et Stephanie Hedrei

Quotes :

The St. Lawrence Lowlands are a unique and ecologically rich ecosystem. We are proud to support actions on farmland that are essential to the survival and recovery of species at risk. The Government of Canada has adopted an approach to species at risk that includes working with partners and stakeholders to implement mitigation measures and identify opportunities to improve the conservation of species at risk, and will continue to work with its many partners to achieve this goal.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

The launch of two new ALUS communities in Quebec demonstrates the willingness of the provinces farming community to be part of the solution to biodiversity loss and climate change. Communities across the country are supporting farmers and ranchers who are implementing nature-based climate solutions on their land to provide ecosystem services for the benefit of society and future generations. Together, were building our collective resilience.

 Bryan Gilvesy, CEO, ALUS

After more than two years of implementing the ALUS program at the Federation, we can see that its a program that makes sense for producers. There are fewer and fewer farmers in Quebec, and were at the heart of whats being done in terms of land use and development. The Federation is proud to be a partner of ALUS, not only to protect endangered species in the right way, but also to protect farmland for future generations. With ALUS Laurentides, we are opening the door to a region that is fertile ground for agri-environmental projects.

Audrey Lemaire, Member of the executive board of the Federation UPA Outaouais-Laurentides and President of the Basses-Laurentides UPA Union.

About ALUS

ALUS is a national charitable organization that provides expertise, resources, and direct financial support to 38 communities across six provinces where more than 1,600 farmers and ranchers establish and steward nature-based solutions on their land. Through these solutions, they deliver ecosystem services to help sustain agriculture and fight climate change and biodiversity loss for the benefit of communities and future generations. Projects such as enhanced wetlands, windbreaks, riparian buffer zones, wildlife habitats, adaptive agricultural practices and other impactful environmental solutions produce cleaner air, cleaner water, greater biodiversity, carbon sequestration, erosion control, flood and drought mitigation, pollinator and wildlife habitat, and other ecological services. Learn more at ALUS.ca .

About the Federation UPA Chaudiere-Appalaches

The Federation de lUPA de la Chaudiere-Appalaches brings together and represents agricultural producers who own the 5,500 farms in the ten regional county municipalities of the Chaudiere-Appalaches administrative region. The Federation contributes to the continuous and sustainable improvement of the quality of life of all agricultural and forestry producers in the Chaudiere-Appalaches region, by acting to promote, defend and develop their professional, economic and social interests. The UPA is a professional union organization whose raison detre and actions are based on the values of respect for the individual, solidarity, collective action, social justice, equity and democracy. www.chaudiere-appalaches.upa.qc.ca

About the Federation UPA Outaouais-Laurentides

The Federation de lUPA de lOutaouais-Laurentides is a union organization representing roughly 2,500 farm businesses in the 16 regional county municipalities located in the Outaouais, Laurentians, Laval and Montreal regions. The UPA contributes to improving the social, economic and cultural living conditions of agricultural producers. www.outaouais-laurentides.upa.qc.ca



For further information, please contact :

Nadine Mercure

Director, Communications & Digital Strategy, ALUS

media@alus.ca

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/263c66e9-e899-4689-bbc4-1b52ec56cf55

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4c0d7ca6-cb2b-4953-8ea8-beb215dc7171
CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amlan International, the animal health business of Oil-Dri Corporation of America (NYSE: ODC) and a global leader in mineral-based feed additives that optimize the intestinal health of poultry and livestock, announces the appointment of Dr. Cesar Coto, a distinguished industry expert, as the newest addition to its team. Dr. Coto will assume the role of Technical Services Director, LATAM, a position vital to supporting customers in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. His appointment underscores Amlan's commitment to delivering reliable technical support and natural solutions to its valued customers.



Cesar's educational background, coupled with his extensive industry experience, makes him an invaluable addition to our team, said Dr. Robin Jarquin, Regional Director Latin America. We look forward to his contributions as we continue to expand our customer base across Latin America and the Caribbean.

In his role as Director of Technical Services LATAM, Dr. Coto will provide a range of technical and commercial support. His responsibilities will encompass addressing customer inquiries, assisting with product applications, and ensuring seamless integration of Amlan's products. Dr. Coto will work closely with the Amlan team to deliver customized feed additive programs tailored to the unique needs of producers.

Dr. Cotos expertise makes him well-equipped to provide technical service of the highest caliber. Most recently, he spent thirteen years as Manager of Technical Service for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean at a major poultry breeding company. During this time, he demonstrated his ability to direct technical complexities and build strong customer relationships across the region. His dedication to serving customers and delivering results has consistently set him apart in the industry.

Dr. Cotos educational background has provided a foundation for his success in the industry. He holds a Master of Science in Poultry Science, a Master of Science in Agribusiness, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Poultry Nutrition, all from the University of Arkansas.

About Amlan International

Amlan International is the animal health business of Oil-Dri Corporation of America, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of sorbent minerals. Oil-Dri leverages over 80 years of expertise in mineral science to selectively mine and process its unique mineral for consumer and business-to-business markets. Oil-Dri Corporation of America doing business as Amlan International is a publicly traded stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ODC). Amlan International sells feed additives across the world. Product availability may vary by country; associated claims do not constitute medical claims and may differ based on government requirements. For more information on Amlan International, please visit www.amlan.com .

Media Contact

Reagan Culbertson

VP, Strategic Marketing

Press@amlan.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1706642-bf5d-42e9-aa65-c042c61c702f
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Business leaders across the country are joining the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in voicing support for the agencys 8(a) Business Development Program, the federal governments premier business development program helping socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners expand their footprint in the federal marketplace through training and contract support. In light of a United States District Court ruling in Ultima Servs. Corp. v. Dept. of Ag. affecting how participants establish eligibility, the SBA issued interim guidance to participants and stakeholders and announced the reopening of the application portal on Sept. 29.

Statement from SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman :

Though the administration of the 8(a) Program has been impacted by a recent court injunction and order, the program is open for business. In the weeks since the injunction, the SBA has reviewed or recertified thousands of current 8(a) participants through a process consistent with the courts order. Now the SBA has reopened the 8(a) application portal to new participants  ensuring a vast, talented pool of vendors are available to federal agencies.

The SBAs 8(a) Program has more than a 50-year track record of making contracting with the U.S. government more accessible for thousands of small businesses who in turn provide critical products and services to advance agency missions. Leveling the playing field not only provides entrepreneurs from historically underserved communities the opportunity to grow their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to their local economies  it is also crucial to enhancing performance across our federal government.

As we await a final ruling, the SBA and Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to supporting the 8(a) Program and standing up for the small business owners who have helped drive Americas historic economic growth. We will not let attacks from those who seek to take us backward chill our efforts to promote equity, expand access to the American Dream, and ultimately strengthen our countrys industrial base.

Statements from leaders in the business community :

The 8(a) Program is one of the federal governments most effective tools for establishing and growing minority-owned businesses, said Chris James, President and CEO of The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. I have witnessed its impact firsthand, both as a former SBA official and as the leader of an organization that has worked with countless 8(a) companies at all stages of their development. I applaud the SBA and Administrator Guzman for their unyielding support for the 8(a) Program and look forward to working with them to ensure minority-owned businesses have access to resources that will help them succeed.

We are pleased to see the 8(a) Program reopening its doors to new applicants, said Justin Nelson, Co-Founder and President of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). This represents a significant opportunity for the diverse business community to thrive and succeed. The NGLCC looks forward to working closely with the Small Business Administration to ensure that LGBTQ and other diverse-owned businesses that have faced discrimination in their entrepreneurial journey can share their experiences and be a part of the program. The 8(a) Program is not just about federal contracting and training; it's about empowering socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners to reach their full potential and contribute to a more inclusive, prosperous economy.

The SBA 8(a) Program is a powerful tool that affords Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) the opportunity to improve economic stability while providing resources to address the specific needs of the Native Hawaiian community, said Cariann Loo, President of the Native Hawaiian Organizations Association. Native Hawaiians fall significantly behind in economic and socioeconomic indicators and face systematic inequalities that have been detrimental to our overall well-being. Since first participating in the SBA 8(a) Program in 2004, NHOs have successfully cultivated self-sufficient economic ventures that have created jobs, spurred innovation, and built community capacity. Unfortunately, Native Hawaiians are still plagued with considerable challenges. As Chairperson of the Nakupuna Foundation and President of the Native Hawaiian Organizations Association (NHOA), I look forward to continuing to work with SBA to ensure NHOs can continue to use the 8(a) program to address the disparities in our community through economic opportunities.

The SBAs 8(a) Business Development Program has helped thousands of businesses prepare to take on federal contracts, helping them scale, grow their networks, and fuel job creation in their communities, said Chiling Tong, President and CEO of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) is optimistic that under updated SBA guidance, the 8(a) Program will continue to be a strong tool for underserved businesses preparing to pursue federal contracts. We were encouraged by the SBAs announcement that the 8(a) program is accepting new applications again, and we look forward to helping AAPI businesses access resources needed to apply to the program. In addition, we applaud the swift action by the SBA to ensure that the 8(a) program continues to be available to underserved businesses. National ACE looks forward to continuing our work with the SBA toward advancing our shared goal of increasing equity within the small business community.

The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program serves as a crucial stepping-stone for thousands of small businesses entering the contracting and procurement space, said Angela Dingle, Chair of the Board for Women Impacting Public Policy.

I am very impressed by the thought and responsiveness of the SBA in addressing the impacts of the recent ruling related to the valued 8(a) Program, said Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of the Womens Business Enterprise National Council. Small business is a major driver of our economy and support for small business owners is critical to an equitable playing field that can best benefit our economy.

The 8(a) Business Development Program has been a long-time instrument of economic equity for minority business enterprises (MBE), and NMSDC applauds the Administrators recent efforts to ensure the 8(a) Program can continue to deliver economic opportunities in the face of these legal challenges, said Ying McGuire, President and CEO of National Minority Supplier Development Council.

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce proudly stands with the SBA and the Biden-Harris Administration, united in our unwavering commitment to the 8(a) Program, said Ramiro Cavazos, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Access to this program is critical for the growth and development of the over five million Hispanic-owned businesses that contribute over $800 million to our nation's economy every year. Their innovation and resilience drive Americas economy. Together, through equitable access to key programs to level the economic playing field, we forge a path to brighter opportunities and shared prosperity.

For the past 24 years, Oweesta has fostered entrepreneurship in Native communities through the direction of capital and technical assistance, said Chrystel Cornelius, President and CEO of the Oweesta Corporation. Through our work, we recognize the importance of Native entrepreneurs and small businesses in accessing significant federal contracting opportunities in supporting and building Native economies and economic sovereignty. A program like the SBAs 8(a) Program is critical to leveling the playing field in accessing opportunities to contract with the federal government.

The SBA reopening the 8(a) Business Development Program deserves attention from small business owners and entrepreneurs across the country, said Rhett Buttle, President of Public Private Strategies Institute. The program has and will continue to help entrepreneurs access the American dream to start small businesses which are the backbone of our economy.

The SBAs 8(a) Program reopening is a positive step. Small businesses can face extra challenges and need a level playing field. This program can help them thrive which in turn will bolster our economy, said Shaundell Newsome, Co-Chair of Small Business for Americas Future.

In 2021, President Biden set an overall goal of awarding 15 percent of federal prime contracting to small disadvantaged businesses by fiscal year 2025, representing a 50 percent increase in spending on these businesses from when he first took office. The 8(a) Program has helped achieve historic progress toward this goal  under President Biden, federal agencies have achieved record levels of spending on contracts with small businesses overall, and with small disadvantaged businesses specifically. The federal governments small business prime contracting program supported the creation of 727,800 jobs nationwide in fiscal year 2022 alone.

The SBAs 8(a) Program remains open for business. For more information on the status of this program, visit Updates on the 8(a) Business Development Program.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Waxhaw, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Waxhaw, North Carolina -

The Regenerative Center, a beacon of hope for those seeking holistic healing and rejuvenation, proudly announces its commitment to delivering state-of-the-art alternative medicine treatments. Nestled in the heart of Waxhaw, North Carolina, The Regenerative Center is the brainchild of esteemed physician Dr. Ammar Alamarie, dedicated to serving the Union County and Mecklenburg County communities with bespoke treatment plans that prioritize wellness, pain management, and anti-aging solutions.

In a world where health and well-being are paramount, The Regenerative Center stands out as a locally owned and operated sanctuary, designed to restore, renew, and regenerate patients through a harmonious blend of cutting-edge equipment and expert techniques. Dr. Ammar Alamarie, a trusted physician in the region, leads the center with a mission to transform lives and elevate the standard of healthcare.

The Regenerative Center is every patients partner on the path to optimal health and vitality. Dr. Ammar Alamarie understands that each patient is unique, and thus, customizes treatment plans to cater to individual needs and goals. Whether patients seek relief from chronic pain, desire a more youthful appearance, or aspire to improve their sexual health, The Regenerative Center has the expertise and resources to make their patients aspirations a reality. Learn more about Dr. Ammar and the company here: https://theregenerativecenterspa.com/about-us/

At the core of The Regenerative Center's philosophy is the belief that integrated medical health and wellness solutions can unlock the full potential of the human body. Through a carefully curated range of services, patients can access the most innovative treatments available, each delivered by a team of experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping their customer achieve their desired state of well-being.

The Regenerative Center offers a diverse array of services, including but not limited to:

Microneedling: Harness the power of controlled micro-injuries to stimulate collagen production, resulting in rejuvenated and youthful skin.

HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound): Experience non-invasive skin tightening and lifting for a more youthful appearance without surgery.

Chemical Peels: Reveal inner radiance by removing damaged outer layers of skin, addressing issues like pigmentation, fine lines, and acne scars.

Botox: Achieve a smoother, wrinkle-free complexion with the help of this tried-and-true cosmetic treatment.

Pain Management: Find relief from chronic pain through personalized treatment plans that target the root cause of discomfort.

Anti-Aging Solutions: Rediscover a youthful glow with a range of anti-aging treatments tailored to a patients unique needs.

Cosmetic Enhancements: Enhance patients natural beauty and confidence with a variety of cosmetic treatments designed to meet their aesthetic goals.

Dr. Ammar Alamarie and his team at The Regenerative Center are passionate about improving the lives of their patients. They believe that everyone deserves to look and feel their best, regardless of age or health condition. The Regenerative Center is not merely a medical spa; it is a sanctuary where science and compassion converge to empower individuals to live their lives to the fullest.

The Regenerative Center invites patients to embark on a journey of transformation, where their well-being takes center stage. Discover the power of alternative medicine and innovative therapies, all within the warm and welcoming ambiance of their Waxhaw-based medical spa.

For more information about The Regenerative Center, to explore their range of services offered and follow them on Social Media, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheRegenerativeCenter

About The Regenerative Center:

The Regenerative Center, located in Waxhaw, North Carolina, is a haven for those seeking alternative medicine treatments. Founded and led by physician Dr. Ammar Alamarie, The Regenerative Center is dedicated to restoring, renewing, and regenerating patients through a combination of state-of-the-art equipment and expert techniques. Dr. Alamarie and his team create customized treatment plans for patients, encompassing pain management, wellness solutions, and premium anti-aging and cosmetic treatments. Their goal is to help patients achieve optimal health and vitality, enabling them to look and feel their best.

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For more information about The Regenerative Center, contact the company here:



The Regenerative Center

Dr. Ammar Alamarie

(833) 704-7246

theregenerativecenter@gmail.com

105 Waxhaw Professional Park Dr Suite D

Waxhaw, NC 28173
Findlay, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Findlay, Ohio -

FINDLAY, Ohio - In a world where diversity and self-acceptance should know no limits, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller, renowned as "The Dream Maker" and CEO of TheREDCarpetConnection.com, LLC, steps into the realm of LGBTQ+ support, ready to illuminate the path towards confidence, positivity, and self-acceptance. As the country approach LGBT Center Awareness Day on October 19, Dr. Andrea highlights the invaluable role of queer-friendly community centers and their services for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Dr. Andrea, CEO of TheREDCarpetConnection.com, LLC, is a leading master neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and master hypnotherapy practitioner. Through The Subconscious Connection Institute, a subsidiary of The RED Carpet Connection, her compassionate approach to mind mastery empowers individuals to overcome anxiety, guilt, shame, fear, and emotional distress. With a focus on eliminating negative coping behaviors and fostering self-acceptance, she aims to create a positive outlook and a sense of well-being in LGBTQ+ individuals who may have grown up feeling different or unsupported.

Dr. Andrea shares, "Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and acceptance."

LGBT Center Awareness Day celebrates the critical role of LGBTQ+ community centers nationwide. These centers provide essential services such as mental health counseling, cultural and educational programs, and support groups. They are safe havens for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking acceptance and support.

The LGBTQ+ community's fight for equal access to essential services and freedom from discrimination led to the establishment of LGBTQ+ community centers in 1971, with the first centers founded in Los Angeles, Albany, CA, and New York. These centers provided support groups, safe spaces, health clinics, and legal assistance, catalyzing community action.

During the 1980s AIDS crisis, LGBTQ+ community centers played a vital role in HIV caregiving, awareness, and prevention, benefitting both LGBTQ+ individuals and affected heterosexual couples. In the 1990s, these centers expanded to smaller cities, becoming primary hubs for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking information, support, and political engagement. In 1994, the National Association of LGBT Community Centers, now known as CenterLink, was established to support and unite community centers nationwide, with over 250 member centers today ensuring LGBTQ+ individuals have access to vital resources and support.

Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller shares her vision: "Every LGBTQ+ individual deserves to embrace their true self with confidence and pride. During this important week, we call upon everyone to join us in supporting LGBTQ+ community centers and the incredible work they do to foster self-acceptance and well-being."

In addition to her extensive expertise in neuroscience, Dr. Andrea completed the BGSU Safe Zone Project workshop in 2013, offered by Bowling Green State University. The Safe Zone Project promotes awareness of LGBTQ+ people and issues, seeking to improve the environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. Dr. Andrea's commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity extended to her hosting Sex Talk LIVE, an international terrestrial radio show, WBGU 88.1 FM, for 13 years at BGSU, for which Dr. Andrea was honored with a Diversity Award for her exceptional inclusion efforts.

There are three crucial reasons for TheREDCarpetConnection.com utilizing Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller's expertise in neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy to offer invaluable support and empowerment to LGBTQ+ individuals:

Building Confidence and Self-Acceptance: NLP techniques, under the guidance of Dr. Andrea, help individuals overcome the feelings of being "different" or unsupported that may have plagued them in their formative years. Through NLP, individuals can reframe negative thought patterns, boost self-esteem, and develop deep self-acceptance. This newfound confidence becomes a powerful tool for navigating a world that is still not accepting, allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to stand proud and authentic in their identities.

Eliminating Negative Coping Behaviors: LGBTQ+ individuals may have developed negative coping behaviors or habits in response to societal pressures or discrimination. Dr. Andrea's expertise in hypnotherapy provides a safe and effective avenue for breaking free from these detrimental habits. By delving into the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy can uncover and reshape deep-seated patterns, allowing individuals to replace negative coping behaviors with healthier, more positive ones. This transformation is pivotal in promoting overall well-being and emotional stability.

Fostering Resilience and Emotional Well-Being: LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique challenges, including discrimination, stigma, and emotional distress. Dr. Andrea's approach combines NLP and hypnotherapy to equip individuals with the emotional intelligence and resilience to navigate these challenges effectively. NLP enhances emotional regulation, enabling individuals to respond to stressors with composure. Hypnotherapy aids relaxation, self-control, and mental resilience, helping LGBTQ+ individuals maintain a positive outlook and well-being despite adversity.

By offering these three essential benefits, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller's expertise in NLP and hypnotherapy becomes another branch of hope and support for LGBTQ+ individuals, fostering self-acceptance, confidence, and emotional well-being as they navigate their unique life journeys.

To schedule breakthrough sessions with Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller and to interview her to learn more about her transformative approach to self-acceptance and well-being or book her to speak at businesses and organizations, please contact her at 419-722-6931 or via email at AndreaAdamsMiller@TheREDCarpetConnection.com. Explore additional insights and receive additional free resources at www.TheREDCarpetConnection.com.

Join the celebration of LGBTQ+ Center Awareness Day on October 19 and honor the remarkable contributions of LGBTQ+ community centers to society.

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For more information about The RED Carpet Connection.com, contact the company here:



The RED Carpet Connection.com

Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller

419-722-6931

AndreaAdamsMiller@TheREDCarpetConnection.com

8155 Township Road 89, Findlay, OH 45840
President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced Monday night, ABC News informs.

October 17, 2023, 10:29 President Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday: Sec. Blinken

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 17, ARTSAKHPRESS: Blinken made the announcement from Israel, where it was early Tuesday morning, following a lengthy meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Beyond the news of Bidens impending visit, Blinken also announced the U.S. and Israel will develop a plan "that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza and them alone, including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way," he said.
Robust Production for Third Quarter of 2023

Serabi Gold Plc (AIM: SRB, TSX: SBI), the Brazilian-focused gold mining and development company, is pleased to report operational results for the third quarter of 2023 and provide a review of its development and exploration activities.

QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Serabi's operational improvement continues with third quarter gold production totalled 8,738 ounces, a 3% improvement on the second quarter in 2023 and the highest quarterly total for 2023.

Mined tonnage was 44,744 tonnes, the highest quarterly total for the year to date, with average grades of 6.69 g/t gold.

Palito mined grades for the quarter were the highest this year at 6.81 g/t gold.

Coringa mine development has continued to contribute significantly with mined grades of 5.99 g/t gold. The development ore transported to Palito plant contributed over 1,700 ounces of gold production for the quarter.

Significant increase in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant resources for Palito (30 June 2023) confirms production longevity. Measured and Indicated ("M&I") resource of 377,800 ounces of contained gold, an increase of 50% compared with December 2021 Inferred resource of 153,900 ounces (682,400 tonnes at an average in-situ grade of 7.01 g/t).



93% increase in average reported grade of the M&I resources at Palito Complex from 5.23 g/t to 10.08g/t. 45% increase in average reported grade of the Inferred resource 4.83 g/t to 7.01g/t.



The Vale Exploration Alliance continues to progress well with over 11,400 metres of drilling, which included 20 holes now drilled at the Matilda Copper target. Other regional targets, Calico, Ganso, Forquilla and Cinderella have also had initial drill testing, with results still awaited.

Cash held on 30 September was US$15.3 million (US$14.7 million net of cash held under the Vale Exploration Alliance) compared to US$13.3 million as at 30 June 2023.

Net cash attributable to the Group has increased by US$2.4 million in the third quarter.

Mike Hodgson, CEO of Serabi, commented:

"An excellent third quarter of 8,738 ounces gold production, our best quarter of the year which builds on the previous two quarters and results in a total for the year of more than 25,000 ounces, keeping the company on course to meet its guidance for this year of between 33,500 to 35,000 ounces. Not only was it a good quarter for production, but our development rates also remained high, so critical for an underground operation, with approximately 3,000 metres of horizontal development reported.

"Coringa development continues to be very significant, now having contributed over 6,100 ounces of gold production this year. The Coringa orebody continues to exceed expectations with payability of the development remaining very high. Simplistically put, we encounter very limited low-grade or waste zones as we advance, and this means the amount of development we need to do per ounce of gold is lower than forecast. .

"The results of the updated geological resource announced on 6 October 2023 were excellent. The new geological resource at Palito also means that Serabi has achieved that milestone of breaking through a total mineral resource inventory of 1Moz of gold.

"This is also the first time a total mineral resource inventory at Palito has exceeded 500,000 ounces, and the grades in each category have improved significantly. These latest figures illustrate what a long life asset Palito can be. With a maiden global mineral resource in 2004 of 440,000 ounces mineral resource, and more than 400,000 ounces mined since that time, to still have a total mineral resource inventory of over 500,000 ounces, clearly demonstrates the geological potential of the deposit.

"We remain sharply focussed on building to the future which we believe looks very bright, particuarly the opportunity to unlock Coringa's potential to deliver meaningful production and cash flow growth. This is coupled with our highly exciting exploration activities in the region. We look forward to providing further updates."

OPERATIONAL RESULTS

Total production for the third quarter of 2023 was 8,738 ounces. Coringa contributed 1,713 ounces to this total.

Total ore mined from the Palito Complex during the quarter was 35,219 tonnes at 6.81 g/t compared to 31,652 tonnes at 6.68 g/t of gold for the second quarter of 2023. Palito grades of 6.81 g/t gold are the highest for the year to date. Most of the ore is being generated from the Ipe and Mogno veins, but development of the G3 North block has also now commenced. This looks very encouraging and is expected to be an increased source of production ounces in 2024-2025.

Development mining operations at Coringa generated a total of 9,525 tonnes at 5.99 g/t in the quarter. The Coringa ore is being derived from the development of the Serra orebody, part of the Coringa complex, from the 290 metre level and the recently intersected 260 metre level.

43,092 tonnes of ROM ore were processed through the Palito plant during the quarter, with an average grade of 6.72 g/t of gold, compared with 41,116 tonnes at 6.84 g/t in the second quarter of 2023. This included 8,577 tonnes of Coringa ore at a feed grade of 6.37 g/t gold.

A total of 2,923 metres of horizontal development has been completed across both sites. At Palito, 2,325 metres of horizontal development was recorded, of which 1,256 metres was ore development. The balance is the ramp, crosscuts and stope preparation development. Horizontal development at Coringa totalled 598 metres, of which 268 metres was in ore.

SUMMARY PRODUCTION STATISTICS FOR 2023 AND 2022







Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 YTD Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Full Year 2023 2023 2023 2023 2022 2022 2022 2022 2022 Group Gold production (1)(2) Ounces 8,005 8,518 8,738 25,262 7,062 8,418 8,542 7,798 31,819 Mined ore Tonnes 41,546 41,022 44,744 127,312 40,606 44,008 46,863 42,264 173,741 Gold grade (g/t) 6.49 6.94 6.64 6.69 5.95 6.26 6.22 6.01 6.14 Milled ore Tonnes 39,004 41,116 43,092 123,213 41,357 43,488 44,867 42,692 172,404 Gold grade (g/t) 6.75 6.84 6.72 6.77 5.72 6.43 6.34 6.05 6.14 Palito Complex Gold production (1)(2) Ounces 5,776 6,332 7,025 19,134 7,062 8,418 7,972 7,355 30,807 Mined ore Tonnes 31,705 31,652 35,219 96,562 40,606 44,008 43,180 38,293 163,506 Gold grade (g/t) 6.14 6.68 6.81 6.62 5.84 6.26 6.28 6.20 6.15 Milled ore Tonnes 31,273 31,620 34,515 95,557 41,357 43,488 42,257 39,573 165,502 Gold grade (g/t) 6.14 6.67 6.81 6.61 5.72 6.43 6.30 6.17 6.14 Horizontal development Metres 2,011 2,469 2,325 6,805 2,938 3,353 2,458 2,245 10,994 Coringa Gold production (1)(2) Ounces 2229 2186 1713 6,128 570 443 1,013 Mined ore Tonnes 9841 9,370 9,525 28,736 3,683 3,971 7,654 Gold grade (g/t) 7.63 7.83 5.99 7.15 5.46 4.15 4.78 Milled ore Tonnes 7731 9215 8577 25,523 2,610 3,119 5,729 Gold grade (g/t) 9.22 7.59 6.37 7.67 7.00 4.58 5.68 Horizontal development Metres 453 508 598 1,559 212 302 632 645 1,791

(1) The table may not sum due to rounding.

(2) Production numbers are subject to change pending final assay analysis from refineries.

CORINGA LICENCING

In July 2023, the Company signed an agreement with the indigenous communities around Coringa. This has resulted in a six-month suspension of a prior court decision which restricted the ability of government agencies to issue new permits at Coringa before an indigenous study report ("ECI") was completed and fully accepted. This July agreement confirmed the willingness of all stakeholders to see the project progress. The ECI will be followed by a Plano Basico Ambiental (PBA) which will define the community programmes that the Company will undertake over the life of the project. The intention is that the ECI and PBA completion can be achieved in this six month suspension period. Completion of the ECI itself, will allow the court process to be extinguished and clear the way for the Installation License ("LI") to be granted.

EXPLORATION UPDATE

The Vale Exploration Alliance continues to progress well with multiple exploration activities ongoing across a number of key target areas of the Palito tenement package, including over 11,400 metres of surface drilling now completed. Results of the first 7 holes so far received of the initial 20 holes drilled at the Matilda copper target, have been very encouraging. Holes 4 and 6 are the highlight holes, with hole 4 recording an intersection of 0.49% Cu over 60 metres. Assay results from the remaining holes are eagerly awaited. During the quarter a terrestrial Induced Polarisation ("IP") geophysics programme over the Matilda target was commenced, which encompasses the drilled area to date and beyond.

Three contractor diamond drill rigs are in operation, having completed a total of 11,400 metres out of 14,000 metres planned. 20 holes out of this total have been drilled at Coringa from 2 rigs, testing the Matilda copper porphyry target.

As reported in September 2023, results for the first seven holes have been received, with the highlight holes being:

23-MT-004 reporting 59.45m @ 0.49% Cu and 0.13 ppm Au from 29.85m (including 6.93m @ 0.95% Cu and 0.28 ppm Au from 78m)

23-MT-006 (full results) - 13.81m @ 0.47% Cu and 0.10 ppm Au from 200.95m

40km of IP is ongoing at Matilda. The IP lines are covering the initial drilling and beyond, with the lines initially at 400 metre spacing. The objective is to calibrate IP anomalies with drill results, in order to better target the next phase of drilling.

Samples from the remaining holes have been sent to an independent laboratory for multi-element assays.

Drilling has also been undertaken on the Ganso, Calico and Cinderella targets.

Systematic Auger drilling is being undertaken with 842 metres out of a programme of 1,725 metres completed.

A total of 5,500 soil samples are programmed in regional grids of 400 to 800 metres x 100 metres for completion by year end. To date 71% of the programme has been executed with samples sent for assaying. Soils are being initially tested with a hand-held XRF (X-ray fluorescence) and delivering some interesting results. Following the receipt of results from the external laboratory, further mapping activities and a drilling programme will be considered.

FINANCE UPDATE

Cash balances at the end of September 2023 were US$15.3 million which includes US$0.6 million of funds held for the Vale Exploration Alliance. This compares with a cash balance of US$13.3 million as at 30 June 2023 and US$7.2 million at the end of December 2022. Cash directly attributable to the Group was US$14.7 million at 30 September an increase of US$7.5 million during the first nine months of the year.

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Clive Line, Director.

Enquiries

Serabi Gold Plc

Michael Hodgson t +44 (0)20 7246 6830

Chief Executive m +44 (0)7799 473621

Clive Line t +44 (0)20 7246 6830

Finance director m +44 (0)7710 151692

e contact@serabigold.com

BEAUMONT CORNISH Limited

Nominated Adviser & Financial Adviser

Roland Cornish / Michael Cornish t +44 (0)20 7628 3396

PEEL HUNT LLP

Joint UK Broker

Ross Allister t +44 (0)20 7418 9000

TAMESIS PARTNERS LLP

Joint UK Broker

Charlie Bendon/ Richard Greenfield t +44 (0)20 3882 2868

CAMARCO

Financial PR

Gordon Poole / Emily Hall t +44 (0)20 3757 4980

Copies of this announcement are available from the Company's website at www.serabigold.com.

See www.serabigold.com for more information and follow us on twitter @Serabi_Gold

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following is a glossary of technical terms:

"Ag" means silver. "Au" means gold. "assay" in economic geology, means to analyse the proportions of metal in a rock or overburden sample; to test an ore or mineral for composition, purity, weight or other properties of commercial interest. "CIM" means the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. "chalcopyrite" is a sulphide of copper and iron. "Cu" means copper. "cut-off grade" the lowest grade of mineralised material that qualifies as ore in each deposit; rock of the lowest assay included in an ore estimate. "dacite porphyry intrusive" a silica-rich igneous rock with larger phenocrysts (crystals) within a fine-grained matrix "deposit" is a mineralised body which has been physically delineated by sufficient drilling, trenching, and/or underground work, and found to contain a sufficient average grade of metal or metals to warrant further exploration and/or development expenditures; such a deposit does not qualify as a commercially mineable ore body or as containing ore reserves, until final legal, technical, and economic factors have been resolved. "electromagnetics" is a geophysical technique tool measuring the magnetic field generated by subjecting the sub-surface to electrical currents. "garimpo" is a local artisanal mining operation "garimpeiro" is a local artisanal miner. "geochemical" refers to geological information using measurements derived from chemical analysis. "geophysical" refers to geological information using measurements derived from the use of magnetic and electrical readings. "geophysical techniques" include the exploration of an area by exploiting differences in physical properties of different rock types. Geophysical methods include seismic, magnetic, gravity, induced polarisation and other techniques; geophysical surveys can be undertaken from the ground or from the air. "gossan" is an iron-bearing weathered product that overlies a sulphide deposit. "grade" is the concentration of mineral within the host rock typically quoted as grams per tonne (g/t), parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb). "g/t" means grams per tonne. "granodiorite" is an igneous intrusive rock like granite. "hectare" or a "ha" is a unit of measurement equal to 10,000 square metres. "igneous" is a rock that has solidified from molten material or magma. "IP" refers to induced polarisation, a geophysical technique whereby an electric current is induced into the sub-surface and the conductivity of the sub-surface is recorded. "intrusive" is a body of rock that invades older rocks. "Indicated Mineral Resource An Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing and is sufficient to assume geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation. An Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a Probable Mineral Reserve.



"Inferred Mineral Resource" An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated based on limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that most of the Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.



"Measured Mineral Resource"



A Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the application of Modifying Factors to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing and is sufficient to confirm geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation. A Measured Mineral Resource has a higher level of confidence than that applying to either an Indicated Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource. It may be converted to a Proven Mineral Reserve or to a Probable Mineral Reserve.



"mineralisation" the concentration of metals and their chemical compounds within a body of rock. "mineralised" refers to rock which contains minerals e.g., iron, copper, gold. "Mineral Resource" A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade or quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade or quality, continuity and other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling.



"Mineral Reserve" A Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined or extracted and is defined by studies at Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility level as appropriate that include application of Modifying Factors. Such studies demonstrate that, at the time of reporting, extraction could reasonably be justified.



"Mo-Bi-As-Te-W-Sn" Molybdenum-Bismuth-Arsenic-Tellurium-Tungsten-Tin "monzogranite" a biotite rich granite, often part of the later-stage emplacement of a larger granite body. "mt" means million tonnes. "ore" means a metal or mineral or a combination of these of sufficient value as to quality and quantity to enable it to be mined at a profit. "oxides" are near surface bedrock which has been weathered and oxidised by long term exposure to the effects of water and air. "ppm" means parts per million. "saprolite" is a weathered or decomposed clay-rich rock. "sulphide" refers to minerals consisting of a chemical combination of sulphur with a metal. "vein" is a generic term to describe an occurrence of mineralised rock within an area of non-mineralised rock. "VTEM" refers to versa time domain electromagnetic, a particular variant of time-domain electromagnetic geophysical survey to prospect for conductive bodies below surface. "XRF" X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is a spectrometric technique used to perform elemental analysis non-destructively on samples

Assay Results

Assay results reported within this release include those provided by the Company's own on-site laboratory facilities at Palito and have not yet been independently verified. Serabi closely monitors the performance of its own facility against results from independent laboratory analysis for quality control purpose. As a matter of normal practice, the Company sends duplicate samples derived from a variety of the Company's activities to accredited laboratory facilities for independent verification. Since mid-2019, over 10,000 exploration drill core samples have been assayed at both the Palito laboratory and certified external laboratory, in most cases the ALS laboratory in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. When comparing significant assays with grades exceeding 1 g/t gold, comparison between Palito versus external results record an average over-estimation by the Palito laboratory of 6.7% over this period. Based on the results of this work, the Company's management are satisfied that the Company's own facility shows sufficiently good correlation with independent laboratory facilities for exploration drill samples. The Company would expect that in the preparation of any future independent Reserve/Resource statement undertaken in compliance with a recognized standard, the independent authors of such a statement would not use Palito assay results without sufficient duplicates from an appropriately certificated laboratory.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identi?ed by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'', ''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements re?ect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Several factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements.

Qualified Persons Statement

The scientific and technical information contained within this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Michael Hodgson, a Director of the Company. Mr Hodgson is an Economic Geologist by training with over 30 years' experience in the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognizing him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release

Attachment
Vancouver, October 17, 2023 - Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE: WDGY) (OTCQB: WDGRF) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce commencement of a large scale production enhancement program, including both chemical reservoir stimulations and extensive improvements to surface facilities for its central Texas oil and gas assets.

Reservoir stimulations will initially be conducted on fifteen of the Company's operating wells, with the goal of improving production rates and enhancing overall oil recoveries. Wedgemount is optimistic that the chemical stimulation program will again materially enhance production as it has in prior treatments completed earlier this year.

In addition to reservoir stimulations, Wedgemount will invest in optimization of existing surface facilities in order to speed up post-production treatment of oil to WTI sales quality. It's anticipated that the program will be completed prior to year-end 2023.

"We're excited to kick off our largest ever production enhancement program," stated Mark Vanry, President and CEO of Wedgemount. "Based on our early results with much smaller chemical treatments we're optimistic that the larger reservoir stimulations to be undertaken will further increase production rates and oil recovery. Additions to our surface facilities should significantly speed up oil processing times thus enabling the Company to improve our sales and cash flow cycle."

The Company continues to target closing of its recently announced acquisition, see press release dated August 23, 2023 (the "TCS Project"), on or before October 31, 2023. Upon closing, Wedgemount anticipates commencing chemical treatments and reservoir stimulations on each of the nine producing TCS Project wells to be acquired.

About Wedgemount Resources Corp.

Wedgemount Resources is a junior oil & gas company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, development and exploitation of natural resource projects in the southern USA.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Wedgemount Resources Corp.

Mark Vanry, President and CEO

For more information, please contact the Company at:

Telephone: (604) 343-4743

info@wedgemountresources.com

www.wedgemountresources.com

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements made in this news release include the anticipated completion of the acquisition and the proposed timing thereof, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the potential for gas production and production from additional zones as a result of the acquisition. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, availability of funds, personnel and other resources necessary to conduct exploration or development programs, successes of the Company's exploration efforts, availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/184189
VANCOUVER, Oct. 17, 2023 - FE Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: FE) (OTCQB: FEMFF) (WKN: A2JC89) ("FE" or the "Company) is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement for the Pontax West Lithium Property ("PWL") in the James Bay lithium region of northern Quebec.

The newly acquired land package consists of 72 mining claims within an extremely active hard rock lithium district. The James Bay region is now one of Canada's best-known regions for lithium with several known deposits, numerous spodumene showings, and a continuous array of new discoveries.

Prospecting and initial cursory field work has identified over 20 pegmatite outcrops on the claims and a total of 117 samples have been collected from the property. Unlike many of the projects in northern Quebec, the PWL claim group are highly accessible as the area, which covers over 3,800 hectares, straddles an 8km stretch of the James Bay Road (Route Billy-Diamond Highway) which is maintained year-round and offers one of the only routes into the James Bay region of Quebec.

The PWL property is underlain by rocks of the Neoarchean age Nemiscau Subprovince which is composed mainly of metasedimentary rocks migmatized to different degrees, as well as intrusions of tonalitic, granitic to granodioritic composition and known large masses of pegmatite.

Transaction Details:

Pursuant to a property purchase agreement between the Optionor and the Company, dated October 13, 2023 (the "Effective Date"), FE Battery Metals holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Property by common shares issuances and exploration expenditures as follows:

The Company allotting and issuing the following common shares in its capital stock to the Optionor subject to the approval of the regulatory bodies as follows:

1,500,000 shares, issued upon the execution of the purchase agreement.

An additional 2,000,000 shares issued on or before the date of being one year from signing the agreement; and

An additional 2,500,000 shares issued on or before the date of being two years from signing the agreement.

The Company incurring the following exploration expenditures on the Property:

$100,000 on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date.

An additional $200,000 on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date; and

An additional $250,000 on or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date.

The Optionor will retain a 1.0 % NSR from any future production. In addition, the Company, at its discretion, holds the right to accelerate the above noted payments at any time and earn 100% interest in the PWL property.

This above noted agreement is with a non-related party and there are no directors, officers, or senior management in common. Closing of the Transaction is subject to obtaining all required approvals, including the CSE and including any other regulatory approval.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF

FE Battery Metals Corp.

"Gurminder Sangha"

Gurminder Sangha

CEO & Director

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-looking Information

Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. "Forward-looking information" in this news release includes information about the Company's intentions, plans and future actions described herein and the terms thereon.

The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions about the Company's ability to obtain required approvals. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

SOURCE FE Battery Metals Corp.
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Capella Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CMIL) (OTCQB: CMILF) (FRA: N7D2) ("Capella" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding asset sale agreement (the "Agreement") with NickelX AS ("Nickel X"), a private Norwegian mining company, through which it will divest its interests in the Hessjgruva, Kjli, and Lkken copper-zinc-cobalt projects located in Trndelag Province, central Norway (collectively the "Central Norway Copper Projects" or the "Assets")(the "Transaction").

NickelX currently holds 100% interests in 4 nickel exploration projects in northern Norway (namely Hamn, Palfjellet, Birgivi, and Envold), and is in the process of undertaking an Initial Public Offering ("IPO") with the combined Assets on Oslo's Euronext Growth Exchange with the objective of becoming Norway's leading independent battery metals company.

The total consideration of the Transaction to Capella, payable upon completion of the NickelX IPO, is CAD $7 million via a combination of cash and NickelX shares.

Eric Roth, President and Chief Executive Office of Capella said: "Capella is pleased to have reached this agreement with NickelX providing for the creation of a premier Norwegian battery metals company. Combining our Central Norway Copper Projects with NickelX's exploration properties and then listing on the Oslo Euronext Exchange will ensure that our projects are benefited through access to local capital and stakeholders rewarded through advancement of the project portfolio. The Transaction will also allow us to further focus on our organic operations in Finland while, through the contemplated distribution of NickelX shares, enabling our shareholders to retain direct exposure to the strong upside of those Assets. We are very confident that NickelX has the technical and financial capabilities, through its access to the Nordic capital markets, along with the depth of expertise and vision to advance further the exciting development phases of the Assets and to become the Norwegian critical minerals champion requires for the energy transition".

Main Terms of the Transaction

Capella has agreed to sell its 100% interests in the Assets to NickelX under the following main terms:

Capella will receive at closing of the Transaction C $5 million (the "Cash Consideration") in cash; and

Capella will also receive new NickelX shares with a value of C $2 million (the "Share Consideration") to be issued and allotted to the Company at the IPO. Thereafter Capella intends to distribute the Share Consideration to its shareholders on a pro-rata basis. Further information about such distribution and return on capital to Capella's shareholders will be given in connection with the completion of the transaction. Completion of the Transaction is conditional upon, (i) the successful IPO of NickelX on Euronext Growth Exchange in Oslo, (ii) Capella shareholders' approval, (iii) receipt of the written consent of each counterparty to some existing royalty agreements and (iv) TSX Venture Exchange approval. Closing of the Transaction is expected to take a couple of months with a long-stop date agreed by the parties of April 7, 2024, following which each party retains the option to terminate the Transaction.

Financing Update

To allow fair dissemination of the news of the Transaction, the Company has determined to cancel its previously announced private placement (June 13, updated August 31, 2023) to ensure that participants in the private placement can be fully informed of the Transaction.

Consequently, the Company wishes to announce a new non-brokered private placement, under the same terms as the previous financing of up to 33 million units at a price of C$0.03 per unit to raise gross proceeds of up to C$1,000,000 (the "Private Placement"). The Company had already secured an initial commitment of C$357,000 from an existing European-based shareholder with a focus on the metals required for the green energy transition.

Concomitantly, the Company is also pleased to report a C$500,000 lead order in the revised Private Placement by Mr. Julien Balkany, a founder and related-party to NickelX, through one of his personal investment vehicles. Mr. Balkany has agreed to the lead order subject to the same terms as conditions of the Private Placement, which is not tied to the closing of the Transaction. For clarity, Mr. Julien Balkany will not be become an Insider of Capella as he will not own more than 9.9% of the common shares of the Company.

Each unit of the Private Placement consisting of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of C$0.06 per share at any time within two years from the date of issuance. The warrants shall also be subject to an accelerated exercise clause in the event the Company's share price exceeds C$0.15 for 10 consecutive trading days.

Proceeds from the Private Placement, assuming total amount raised, are anticipated to be expended as to 50% on advancing the Company's northern Finland gold-copper assets and 50% for payment of accounts payable and for general working capital purposes.

The Company may pay finders fee's in either cash, shares, share purchase warrants or a combination thereof, as permitted by regulators, on a portion of the Private Placement and of the Transaction. All securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months from the date of issuance.

The Company intends to complete the Private Placement prior to the end of the month, upon receipt of conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Julien Balkany

Julien Balkany has extensive experience as a seasoned investor and board member in the natural resources industry. Julien is the Founder of Nanes Balkany Partners, a New York based investment fund. Julien Balkany is currently the position of Chairman of Panoro Energy ASA and Chairman of Pan African Diamonds Ltd. He is also a non-executive director of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. and has been a on the board of Sarmin Bauxite Ltd. Amromco Energy SRL (a subsidiary of Mercuria Energy Trading), Norwegian Energy Company ASA (Noreco), Gasfrac Energy Services Ltd and Toreador Resources Corp. Julien began his career as an oil & gas investment banker and studied at the Institute of Political Studies (Strasbourg) and at UC Berkeley.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Capella Minerals Ltd.

"Eric Roth"

___________________________

Eric Roth, Ph.D., FAusIMM

President & CEO

About Capella Minerals Ltd

Capella is engaged in the exploration and development of quality mineral resource properties in favourable jurisdictions with a focus on European base and battery metals projects.

In Finland, the Company holds a 70% interest in the Northern Finland Gold-Copper project (Central Lapland Greenstone Belt) through a Joint Venture with ASX-listed Cullen Resources Ltd. A total of five exploration permits have now been approved, including the high-priority Killero Cu-Au target which is currently scheduled for first-pass drilling in Q1, 2024. In central Finland, the Companys focus is on the discovery of lithium and REE deposits in the broader Keliber district through a JV with European Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FIN), together with the Company's Perho reservation.

In Norway, the Company's focus has been on: i) the advanced exploration-stage Hessjgruva copper-cobalt project and the adjacent Kongensgruve and Kjli projects in the northern Rros mining district, and ii) the discovery of satellite high-grade copper-cobalt deposits around the past-producing Lkken copper mine. The Company also holds an interest in the Vaddas-Birtavarre copper-cobalt project in northern Norway.

Capella also retains exposure to exploration success in precious metals projects through its Canadian Joint Ventures with Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) at Savant, Ontario, and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (TSX/NYSE: AEM) at Domain, Manitoba. The Company also holds a 49% interest in the Sierra Blanca low sulfidation gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, which is currently being explored by Austral Gold Ltd (TSXV: AGLD; ASX: AGD). Strategic alternatives for all three precious metals projects are currently being evaluated.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of Capella, including the timing, completion of and results from the exploration and drill programs described in this release. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Capella in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Capella's most recently filed MD&A. Capella does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Capella Minerals Ltd.
HIGHLIGHTS

Solis has commenced a 3,600m diamond drill programme on its Estrela prospect located in the emerging Borborema Lithium Province.

The first of two large capacity track mounted rigs onsite and drilling the first pegmatite target which previously returned rock chips of up to 7.6% Li2O1.

Multiple outcropping pegmatites have been identified at Estrela and will be tested as part of this initial program.

Four separate outcropping pegmatite bodies have been confirmed to be spodumene bearing, representing over 1.5km of surface strike extension.

Pad selection and preparation works are now underway at Mina Vermelha prospect for an additional 1,300m diamond drill programme to be conducted in parallel with the Estrela drilling programme.

West Leederville, October 17, 2023 - Solis Minerals Ltd. (ASX: SLM) ("Solis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an update on commencement of drilling activities at the Estrela prospect in the Borborema province of Brazil.

Executive Director, Matthew Boyes, commented:

"Solis is exploring the lithium potential within the Borborema Province, with primary targets at Estrela and Mina Vermelha, both located within 15km of the town of Parelhas, where the company established a base to facilitate operations and to engage with local communities.

"Drilling has now commenced at the Estrela prospect. Early results from surface samples appear to be highly prospective with at least four different spodumene rich pegmatite outcrops sampled. All samples returned high grades of lithium from the artisanal workings, from pegmatites up to 30m in apparent thickness (Figure 2). The purpose of this drill program is to demonstrate continuity of mineralisation and volume down dip and along strike across the tenement. The first track mounted rig has commenced drilling on site, with a second machine scheduled to arrive before the end of the October. This program will maximise the chance of proving the potential at Estrela in a rapid timeframe."





Figure 1: Drone view at Estrela prospect of TRUST drilling rig in foreground on the first hole of the 3,600m campaign with artisanal pegmatite workings visible in the background, approximately 500m along strike.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/184291_picture1.jpg

The Drilling Programmes

The maiden drilling programme at Estrela consists of twenty-three drillholes and will target four outcropping pegmatite bodies with identified spodumene in rock chip samples. The outcropping pegmatites have been mapped over a strike distance of greater than 1.2km with surface expressions exhibiting widths up to 30m in artisanal workings.

Drillholes are designed to intersect the pegmatite bodies at between 60-120m below surface with the scope of demonstrating the bodies have potential to host economically viable volumes and grades of mineralisation. Solis expects the first programme will require two months to complete with the addition of a second rig scheduled to arrive on site in the fourth week of October.

An additional 1,420m programme consisting of eight holes has also been designed for the Mina Vermelha prospect. The main pegmatite bodies located in the southern and central zones of the known outcropping pegmatites will be tested in this maiden programme. A second drill is now being mobilised and is scheduled to arrive in late October. Mina Vermelha and Estrela tenement locations shown in Figure 3.





Figure 2: Drillhole location plan for maiden drill programme at Estrela prospect. Mapped and sampled pegmatite bodies are shown at surface in pink, results of grab and float samples preciously reported in ASX announcement 7 September "Exploration Update - Borborema and Jaguar Projects."

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/184291_picture2.png





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/184291_picture3.png

Figure 3; Location of Mina Vermelha and Estrela leases within the Borborema province

ENDS

This announcement is authorised by Matthew Boyes, Executive Director of Solis Minerals Ltd.

Australia

Matt Boyes

Executive Director

Solis Minerals Ltd.

+61 8 6117 4795

Jonathan van Hazel

Investor Relations

Citadel-MAGNUS

+61 (0) 411 564 969

North America

Jason Cubitt

VP of Administration

Solis Minerals Ltd.

+1 (604) 209 1658

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

About Solis Minerals Ltd.

Solis Minerals is an emerging lithium explorer focusing on Latin American critical minerals.

The Company owns a 100% interest or option to acquire 100% interest in the Borborema Lithium Project in NE Brazil, covering 26,100ha.

Brazil is rapidly growing in global importance as an exporter of lithium to supply increasing demand of battery manufacturers. Both projects cover highly prospective, hard-rock lithium ground on which early-stage reconnaissance mapping and sampling have verified. Drilling programmes are either underway or due to commence shortly.

In addition, Solis also holds a 100% interest in 35,700ha of combined licences and applications of highly prospective IOCG (iron oxide copper/gold) and porphyry copper projects in southwestern Peru within the country's prolific coastal copper belt - a source of nearly half of Peru's copper production.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that relate to future events or performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward- looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward- looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected, including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 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 save as required by applicable law.

Qualified Person Statement

The technical information in this news release was reviewed by Matthew Boyes a Fellow of the Australian institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101).

Competent Person Statement

The information in this ASX release concerning Geological Information and Exploration Results is based on and fairly represents information compiled by Mr Matthew Boyes, a Competent Person who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Boyes is an employee of Solis Minerals Ltd. and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the exploration activities undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr Boyes consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. Mr Boyes has provided his prior written consent regarding the form and context in which the Geological Information and Exploration Results and supporting information are presented in this Announcement.

1 See ASX release 7th September 2023. The Company confirms that it is not aware of new information that affects the information contained in the original announcement

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184291
Toronto, Oct. 17, 2023 - Canada Carbon Inc. (the "Company" or "CCB"), (TSX-V:CCB), (FF:U7N1) strongly reaffirmed its commitment to the Miller graphite mining project (the "Miller Project"), located in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge ("GSLR"). The Miller Project will provide a mineral essential to the battery industry aimed at decarbonizing Quebec, electrification and the fight against climate change, a key objective of the Quebec and Canadian governments.



Following the Preliminary Orientation released by the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Quebec ("CPTAQ") in connection with the Miller Project, the Company wishes to confirm its ongoing commitment to bringing the project into production. CCB would like to share the following observations about the CPTAQ process:

The Company is clear that it is fairly normal, at this stage, for CPTAQ to issue a negative Preliminary Orientation with an eye toward ensuring that a project proponent optimizes a development plan.

The Preliminary Orientation has clearly not taken into account all available studies, empirical data and analyses, as well as the full range of potential solutions offered.

As part of its commitment to transparency and collaboration, the company is calling for a public hearing to present all of the aforementioned studies and data to the commissioners and the public, so that any and all concerns can be addressed.





Concerns raised

In response to the concerns expressed by the CPTAQ regarding the potential impact of the project on agricultural lands and sugar maples, Canada Carbon made a clear and explicit commitment in its application to the CPTAQ. As stated in the Company's previous communications (see press release of May 24, 2023), CCB has developed an ambitious restoration plan aimed at achieving no net loss in maple syrup potential. For each maple felled, at least one new tree will be replanted. In addition, maple syrup production facilities will be integrated into the preserved forest areas in the first year of the project, guaranteeing higher maple syrup production capacity than currently exists.

Canada Carbon has already conducted an in-depth hydro-geological study to assess and minimize the impact on water resources essential to agriculture. The Company anticipates that this study will convincingly address the CPTAQ's concerns, attesting to minimal localized impacts, with no negative consequences on the water table or neighboring agricultural activities.

The recent position adopted by the CPTAQ is seen by the Company as a constructive milestone in an exhaustive process. It is CCB's intention to establish a productive, collaborative, and constructive relationship with the CPTAQ. Canada Carbon intends to integrate CPTAQ's recommendations so as to optimize plans for the Miller project to ensure that it integrates harmoniously with Quebec's strategic ambitions and comprehensively addresses the needs of the GSLR community.

"The observations made by CPTAQ so far are subjective. Canada Carbon is anxious to meet with the commissioners and the public to address any concerns raised during the review process to date. Since the release of the Preliminary Orientation, there have been many public assertions made, the vast majority of which have been completely baseless. We are confident that, following a fair and open public hearing with the objective analysis of all available information, we will have demonstrated that the company meets and, in certain cases, exceeds all of the criteria for a compliant application," said Mr. Ellerton Castor, CEO of Canada Carbon.

"We understand that the Preliminary Orientation by the CPTAQ is only the first step in the process. The public hearing will be an opportunity to obtain feedback from all stakeholders in order to improve our project," concluded Mr. Castor.

For more information on Canada Carbon's mining activities, please visit our website at www.canadacarbon.com

About Canada Carbon Inc.

Canada Carbon Inc. is a mining exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of graphite deposits. The Company has acquired two historical graphite mines, the Miller and Asbury mines, located respectively in the Grenville-sur-la-Rouge and Notre-Dame-du-Laus within the province of Quebec. Canada Carbon is committed to realizing its potential as a high-quality graphite producer while maintaining the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility.

Canada Carbon Inc.



"Ellerton Castor"

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Contact Information

E-mail inquiries: info@canadacarbon.com

P: (905) 407-1212

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this press release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: compliance with extensive government regulations; financial abilities; the ability to develop the Miller Project; domestic and foreign laws and regulations adversely affecting the Company's business and results of operations; and general business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

54599157.1
Every year, one week in October is designated as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This year, Oct. 22 to 28 is that week.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week aims to bring together individuals, organizations, businesses and tribal, state and local governments to reduce childhood exposure to lead by increasing lead poisoning prevention awareness. This is an opportune time to highlight the many ways parents, caregivers and communities can reduce childrens exposure to lead and prevent its serious health effects.

Lead is a heavy metal that was added to paint and used in our homes, as it made paint more durable and resisted moisture, brightened colors and decreased the drying time. Lead proved to be toxic, however, and especially dangerous to young children. In 1978, the U.S. government banned the use of most lead-based paints.

You may be asking yourself why this date should matter to you. In Cayuga County, three out of four homes were built before 1978. This means there is a 75% chance your home contains lead.

If youre unsure the age of your house, you can visit Cayuga County Real Property Services website and search your address in the Image Mate Online database for free. If you own your home, this information can likely be found in your title records, like your deed.

So, what do you do if your house was built before 1978? Well, that depends. If you have painted components throughout the residence, like door or window frames, check their condition. If the paint is intact, lead is not likely to be a hazard. Lead-based paint becomes a health concern when it ages and starts to chip, peel or flake. Both inside and outside the home, lead-based paint pieces, and the dust they generate, pose a risk to a childs health. By putting their hands in their mouths after touching something with lead dust on it, or by putting objects like toys in their mouths that have been coated with lead dust, children can be lead-poisoned.

Children 6 years old and younger are at a higher risk of lead exposure because their bodies are developing and more susceptible to taking in lead if exposed. When lead is absorbed into the body, it can cause damage to vital organs, such as the brain and kidneys, along with damage to nerves and blood cells. It may also cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and, in extreme cases, death. Some symptoms of lead poisoning may include headaches, stomachaches, nausea, tiredness and irritability. Children who are lead poisoned may show no early symptoms at all.

The only reliable way to know if a child has been exposed to lead is to get them tested. A simple blood test can detect lead poisoning by taking a small blood sample from a finger prick or from a vein. New York state requires lead blood tests in children at the age of 1 and then again at 2. Kids aged 6 months to 6 years old should be considered for additional blood lead testing in certain situations, such as living in or regularly visiting a building built before 1978 with potential lead exposures, like peeling or chipping paint, or with ongoing or recent renovations or remodeling. If you think your child has been exposed to lead, contact your health care provider or call the Cayuga County Health Department at (315) 253-1560.

The good news is that lead poisoning is 100% preventable. With some simple precautions, you can help protect your family from lead exposure and make your home "No Home for Lead."

The Cayuga County Health Department wants to help eliminate the dangers of lead to your family. Maybe youve seen our billboards and bus ads, or perhaps youve seen us on Facebook and Instagram. Our program is available to help you create a home thats No Home For Lead.

If you own or rent an older home or apartment, are pregnant or have children 6 years of age and younger who live with you or visit regularly, you are eligible for a free home lead risk assessment. During an assessment, we will test chipping and peeling paint for lead and teach you how to protect yourself and your children from being exposed to lead.

Call the Cayuga County Health Department at (315) 253-1560 or visit us at cayugacounty.us/nhfl to schedule your no-cost assessment! For more information about lead, visit epa.gov/lead.
"Why can't government be run like a business?" How often have we heard that question? In my mind, many government functions should be run in afashion; help-desk units, customer-service offices, financial transactions and dozens of other government activities should seek out and adopt the best private-sector practices. But many Americans really don't want government to act like a business if that means investing their tax dollars in innovative (and thus risky) programs.Any experienced entrepreneur knows that the process of innovation involves trial and error, and often failure. Think of your favorite high-tech companies. Many of them -- Apple, Twitter and PayPal, among others -- began with failures. Indeed, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs have a mantra: "Fail fast, fail often." They know that you rarely get it right the first time. Develop the product, get the "beta version" in the hands of some users, learn what doesn't work, fix it and repeat the process until you have a winner.While most Americans are delighted to use the amazing products that survive this process, we are ambivalent at best about the risks of innovation in the public sector. Take Solyndra, a clean-energy startup that received over $500 million in federal loan guarantees and left taxpayers holding the bag when it went bust in 2011. Politicians and many other Americans were outraged, and it became an issue in the 2012 presidential campaign. Yet when the signs of a resurgence in clean-tech companies became apparent in 2013, few in the media bothered to cover it.So it's easy to understand why so many elected officials and public managers are risk-averse when it comes to innovation. The risk/reward ratio just isn't in their favor. Except ... except that Americans are also extremely proud of a host of innovations that came directly from government -- things like land-grant universities, the Interstate Highway System, the technology underlying the Internet, drugs to treat a host of ailments, effective law-enforcement approaches such as "broken-windows" policing and CompStat, and hundreds of products developed from NASA research, such as safety grooving on our highways, aircraft de-icing systems and cordless phones.Each of these were innovations, none of them were guaranteed to work, and all of them cost considerable money to develop. Now there is no constituency to eliminate any of them. But today, when government officials announce an effort to do something new and unproven, powerful constituencies emerge to argue against it.What to do? How can public-sector leaders overcome risk aversion and gain support for their innovative projects? Here are some strategies to consider:"The cost is high, other (traditional) approaches fell short. Avoiding the problem is irresponsible."Don't promise the world. Call it a pilot, start small, focus on learning.Describe where this approach has been tried, and the results.If working with a private firm is appropriate to the task, find a respected company that has experience with the approach.Seek backing from well-respected individuals in the community who have no self-interest in the program and believe it's a legitimate role for government.The U.S. government, for example, has been funding cancer research since the late 1960s. We haven't found the cure, but the need is huge and the public supports ongoing research."This is America. We don't back away from the tough ones. We're a can-do people."And perhaps the most important strategy is patience. Take the long view. It may take years to get the needed support to launch an initiative, guide it through the inevitable failures and setbacks, and finally see results. That's a cost innovators learn to pay. And it's often well worth it.
FIA says Renault cannot stop Andretti's F1 debut

Mohammed Ben Sulayem says Renault or any other engine supplier will not be able to stop Andretti-Cadillac from entering F1.

Esteban Ocon, Qatar GP 2023

 Alpine

The FIA president is currently in a power struggle with Formula 1 commercial rights holder Liberty Media and the ten existing teams, who are opposed to Andretti being welcomed to the grid as early as 2025.

Months ago, Andretti actually agreed a provisional engine supply deal with Renault.

But Alpine team boss Bruno Famin now reveals that the agreement has expired and talks will not resume until the hopeful American concern is green-lit by Liberty.

According to FIA president Ben Sulayem, however, even the lack of a customer engine deal won't silence the Andretti bid.

The rules state that no one can refuse them, he is quoted as saying in the latest edition of the Dutch magazine Formule 1.

"If all the suppliers say no, then the FIA has the power to appoint someone. These would be the suppliers that supply the fewest teams.

We then randomly choose from those two and they then have to deliver, the FIA boss insists. That's no secret either. It will probably be Alpine and Honda, and one of them will win because that's just the rules.

Although Andretti's bid is explicitly supported by General Motors-owned Cadillac, Ben Sulayem says the team would initially need to be powered by a customer engine.

But he says the goal is eventually for a works Cadillac engine.
Address tax inefficiencies for more revenue  Prof Bokpin

Kwame Larweh Business News Oct - 17 - 2023 , 03:13

An economist and Professor of Finance, Professor Godfred Bokpin, is alarmed at the numerous taxes imposed on just a few Ghanaians who are eligible to pay tax.

He asserted that burdening a minute percentage of the tax paying population of the country wont spur the growth that the country deserves.

Professor Bokpin, consequently, tasked government to impress on the tax collecting agencies to generate sufficient taxes from eligible taxpayers who are out of the tax net.

Out of a tax paying population of 13.4 million, only 2.5 million pay direct income taxes. We are not generating sufficient taxes from the various tax bodies but we have saddled a few with so many taxes. This must change, he noted.

He called for a change in the structure of the economy that will ensure the remaining 10.9 million tax paying population honour their tax obligation to the state.

IMFs focus on macro

Taking his turn on the Graphic Business Twitter Dialogue Series in Accra last Monday on the topic IMF Review of the Ghanaian Economy, Professor Bokpin stated that the IMFs preoccupation was macroeconomic stability which is inimical to households and the ordinary Ghanaian citizen.

He noted that if the cost of seeking macroeconomic stability was not appropriately managed and its transition mechanisms to micro was not optimal, it would have an effect on the economy.

Burden-sharing has become burden transfer; the government has transferred its burden to private companies and households that means the payment of higher prices of goods and services, he noted.

He challenged government to cut down on its size and ensure efficiency with its tax collecting system to sustain the gains chalked up under the current debt restructuring and IMF programme.

He also advocated the restructuring of state owned enterprises to make them efficient and fit for purpose.

According to him, if government was lean with some ministries merged, it would have a long-term significance on the citizens.

Ghana needs greater discipline, and a little bit of money, not money; there is a huge inefficient government size. The country must strike a balance between government operational cost and growth enhancing balance space, he noted. He disclosed that the average Ghanaian spent 42 to 44 per cent of their disposal income or household expenditure.

Artificial growth

He said the IMF and Bank of Ghanas projected growth of more than 1.5 per cent at the end of the year would be artificially driven as it failed to address the major problem of unemployment and inflation.

Growth must come along with job creation, BoGs data on real economic activity is contracting at a slow pace, Ghanaians want job rich growth; the service sector and the agricultural sector which is growing at 6.2 per cent dont come with job creation,
Risk Assessment in Enterprise Risk Management: Techniques and Best Practices

Frederick Pokoo-Aikins Business News Oct - 17 - 2023 , 03:31

In the vibrant business world of Ghana, where tradition meets innovation, understanding potential challenges and opportunities is crucial.

Think of a fisherman in Elmina gauging the weather before setting sail. That's risk assessment in business terms. Today, let's dive into its essentials in a Ghanaian context, keeping it straightforward and relatable.

What is Risk Assessment?

Picture you're organising a traditional Ghanaian durbar. You'd ponder: Will it rain? Have I considered the preferences of all tribal leaders? Will the hired band be punctual? Risk assessment is the method of identifying and evaluating possible challenges a business could face.

Techniques in Risk Assessment

Lets look at the foundational one, even though there are many more:

1. Brainstorming: Imagine gathering the elders in a village under the Onyina tree to deliberate on community matters such as an upcoming festival. Their combined wisdom is invaluable. Similarly, businesses assemble their teams to pinpoint potential risks through collective knowledge. Through this process, they may also identify very good opportunities for the business.

2. SWOT Analysis: A tool where businesses list their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It's akin to a cocoa farmer in Kumasi knowing the best seasons for harvest, the pitfalls and new regions with booming demand. Or a fisherman in Cape Coast, aware of the sea's moods, the best fishing spots and areas to avoid during turbulent weather.

3. Checklists: Over time, businesses, like seasoned kente cloth weavers and craftsmen, like the bead makers of Krobo, develop checklists, ensuring that no critical aspect is missed in their intricate designs, and ensure consistency in their creations.

Best practices in risk assessment

1. Be Comprehensive: When planning a durbar, one wouldn't merely prepare for a potential downpour but also consider the local chieftain's availability. Similarly, a thorough risk evaluation looks at all scenarios, no matter how remote they seem.

2. Stay Updated: Business environments, like Accra's bustling Makola Market, are ever-evolving. Regular updates ensure businesses aren't blindsided by new developments.

3. Involve Everyone: Just as every member in an Akan clan has a voice, different departments in a business offer unique risk insights. Making sure everyone is involved helps see risks from all angles.

4. Prioritise: All the things that adversely or favourably affect the business aren't of equal weight. It's important to differentiate between minor and major challenges, much like discerning between a brief power cut and an extended 'dumsor' period.

5. Have an Eye for Opportunities: Just as Ghana's vibrant culture is full of possibilities; every business risk may hint at an underlying opportunity. For example, local textile businesses facing cheap imports might venture into unique designs that are distinctively Ghanaian, creating a niche market.

6. Document Everything: Recording risk assessments is akin to how Ghana's rich history is preserved through oral traditions and tales. It serves as a guide, narrating past decisions and their outcomes.

7. Review and Adapt: Much like how Ghanaian cuisines have evolved while retaining their essence, businesses should revisit their risk strategies, making alterations as needed.

8. Embrace Technology: With Ghana's tech hubs like the one in Osu gaining prominence, many digital tools can simplify and refine risk assessment processes.

Conclusion

Ghana has always been a land of resilience, innovation and vibrant culture. Similarly, with a robust risk assessment, Ghanaian businesses can not only navigate challenges but also harness them, turning potential threats into opportunities. In the heart of Ghana, risk isnt just about caution; it's about growth, innovation and a bright future.

The writer is an independent Internal Audit Advisor, Enterprise Risk Management Consultant, and professional trainer. He is the founder and Chief Operating Officer of Redric Consulting, your trusted partner for comprehensive training and consulting services in the fields of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC).

With a proven track record in Internal Audit, Internal Control, Compliance, Fraud Risk Management, and Cybersecurity, Redric Consulting empowers your organisation and ensures its success.

You may reach out to Frederick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The writer is the Chief Operating Officer at Redric Consulting
I'm human and you should know by now that we are not perfect in this life -Shatta Wale

Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Oct - 17 - 2023 , 11:06

Today, October 17 is award winning Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wales birthday and taking a reflection of his life, he admits hes human with many imperfections.

In a Facebook post earlier today, the Taking Over artiste said people should focus on his music and enjoy the sweet melodies and find happiness in your life.

Shatta Wale asked his followers to celebrate the day with him in love and not hate adding, Be part of the shatta story and dont be late !!

After today I want to stay calm and do what God asked me to come do for mankind ...please and please you can be my friend if only you dont come into my life to torment Me.

Yes, I am human and you should know by now that we are not perfect in this life.so please kindly try hard to pay attention to my sweet melodies and find happiness in your life..

I have been thru the worst things but I trod on because of my belief in the most high God and that spirit has made me realize the most precious gift we have in this world ..

Its my birthday and I want you to start celebrating with me in love but not hate.

Be part of the shatta story and dont be late !!, Shatta Wale wrote.

The reigning Ghana Music Awards (GMA-UK) Artiste of the Year winner is no stranger to controversies.

For a long time, Shatta Wale, who deems himself as the saviour of Ghanaian music has been relentless in his call for what he believes are the right things to be done to develop Ghanas music industry.

However, his rather raw way of tackling some of these issues have not gone down well with some industry players.

Perhaps, his birthday message is a silent call to his critics to accept his flaws.

Recommended articles: Editor's Lens: Voices of celebrities matter on national issues

Fame does not come with outright wealth - Lawyer Nti
Moyo Lawal reveals she only had sex twice last year

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Oct - 17 - 2023 , 09:55

Nollywood actress, Moyo Lawal has disclosed that she only had sex twice last year.

The actress made this revelation on her Instagram page on Sunday, October 15, while recounting the circumstances that led to the leaking of her sex tape weeks back.

In the said post, she insisted on her innocence of leaking her sex tape and vowed to defend herself.

Sharing her painful story again, the curvaceous actress said the man in the tape was someone who went the extra mile to gain her trust as she was considering getting a house and spending the rest of her life with him.

According to her, she broke up with him last year, after she started experiencing communication challenges with him, having put entire life on pause with any man I am dating.

She wrote: Until a lioness tells her story, every hunter will continue to be a hero. People always take quiet, non-problematic people as fools. However, I think it is time for me to start talking.

One thing I can tell you for a fact however is that things are never what they seem to be. I only had sex twice last year, one of those times is the video. That I agreed to it because he started recording after the fact that he doesnt live in Nigeria.

He put in a lot of work winning my trust over the years and I mean a lot. So much so, we were already working towards a house, marriage and all. That is why I had to break up with him last year, when I started having communication challenges with him, because I put my entire life on pause with any man I am dating.

I have not made so many sacrifices by turning down so many dating offers, sleeping alone 90% of my entire adult life, choosing to be alone to have an ugly video that happened when I was ill, hanging over my head (meanwhile to the set of unbelievers who actually thought that video was released by me, because of a foolish narrative that started because I didnt point fingers or start trash talking or blaming anyone and stayed quiet to end it all quickly I honestly dont know what to tell you ).

(The rest of my caption is in my slides) P.s They say what doesnt kill you make a you stronger and changes you. I pray I become carefree and outgoing because doing life the right way has shown my enemy shege.

Read also: I havent lost faith, I am still standing  Moyo Lawal speaks after leaked tape
Should insults be the only way of expressing opinions? asks Prince David

Edith Mensah Showbiz News Oct - 17 - 2023 , 11:49

Ghanaian actor Prince David Osei has voiced concern over the growing culture of people resorting to insults when expressing their opinions about issues.

In a recent Twitter (X) post, the Open Scandal actor decried the disturbing trend of using insults and disrespectful language to address issues in the country.

He asserted that insults have become the norm when expressing opinions, particularly among the younger generation, who openly insult leaders on various platforms, including radio, television, and social media.

"I am deeply concerned about the future of Ghana. It pains me to see how we have become a nation of insults, lacking respect for morals. The younger generation finds it acceptable to insult leaders openly on various platforms such as radio, television, and social media. It seems that insults have become the preferred method of expressing opinions."

The actor also expressed concern about the youth, who he believes are becoming misguided and desperate in their pursuit of wealth, resorting to various means that may not be ethical.

The youth of our nation are becoming misguided and desperate, resorting to various means to make money," he wrote.

Prince David Osei urged Ghanaians to take action and be the change they wish to see in their country and similarly called for a collective effort to renew minds and strive for individual change.

It is imperative that we take action and become the change we wish to see. Let us renew our minds and strive for individual change. We must remember that Ghana belongs to all of us, not just a select few."

Recommended article: I'm human and you should know by now that we are not perfect in this life -Shatta Wale
Insidious culture of soliciting

Caroline Boateng Opinion Oct - 17 - 2023 , 07:01

Begging.

Its our culture.

Politicians do it best.

They do not know how to think through issues, to sit and think; but here and there we find them, cup in hand and stretched out, imploring for everything and anything under the sun.

Even in begging we are not strategic!

When donor agencies get firm, sometimes, and say no to what we beg for, because the begging is as a result of bad governance and policies, politicians call for reparation!

Were we mere sitting ducks during the slave trade?

Our kith and kin helped in the trade!

I would not entrust any politician in Ghana, be they leader or Member of Parliament, with any reparation funds.

They would squander it all, and the cycle of begging would persist.

Culture

The culture of begging has so eaten into us that we all beg to live...

We have fathers to be, knowing about delivery dates of wives, and yet, they put no plan in place in eight months, only to go begging and haranguing friends, family, colleagues, etc., for the funds needed by medical facilities to deliver their wives.

We have presenters on radio, distastefully putting out birthdays and subtly soliciting listeners for gifts on the day...

We have teachers (even at Sunday schools in churches) advertising their birthdays to children they are supposed to teach and soliciting gifts from them.

Thus, children get home and put pressure on parents for expensive items like shoes, dresses, etc, for their teachers at church.

We are a society of beggers!

We beg police officers to be let off the hook when we clearly infract traffic regulations.

Because police officers get a sense of feeling big when being begged, they make processes of arresting and processing for courts tedious and time wasting!

We beg for money for food, school fees, medical attention, to start businesses, etc, etc.

What do we not beg for, collectively as a nation and individually?

Soon we will be begging for water from wiser neighbouring countries, as Ghanaian politicians hedge their positions against winning the fight against illegal mining, only to turn a blind eye on it, or in certain cases, profit from it behind our backs.

Do they think they would not be affected?

Like a boomerang their offspring would bear the effects of the dishonesty and bad governance.

Growing up

Begging was never an option, growing up, and not that there were no hard times.

Growing up at the height of military regimes, with control prices and scarcity of all items, including common herrings for shito for secondary school, we learnt how to survive without begging.

I never heard or saw my parents beg, or any of their friends begging from them.

My parents generation always, always, looked at what they could do as families to weather the storms of scarcity.

They fell on their savings, sold their dumasis, (quality African cloth), jewellery and other precious possessions to get the wherewithal for the survival of their families.

Integrity, the pride of being adults and knowing how to fend for oneself in challenging times were guiding principles.

In these days we beg and are not ashamed doing so.

Begging erodes confidence.

It makes adults children.

Proverbs 22:7 states, the rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

No wonder we have young IMF staff at our Ministry of Finance telling experienced adults and technocrats what to do.

Begging erodes our sovereignty as a nation.

Remember Dr Kwame Nkrumah saying that we are capable at managing our own affairs, on the eve of independence?

In retrospect, I wonder whether he was merely being over exuberant that night before independence.
Man sues ex-girlfriend for $61,000, alleging she failed to repay loan

Vancouver Sun International News Oct - 16 - 2023 , 22:51

All within six months, the couple met as friends, became romantic, he loaned her $80,000 and they split up, according to a claim filed by the man in B.C. Supreme Court

A Vancouver man who had lent his new girlfriend $80,000 is suing her after they broke up and she failed to repay him all of the money.

Xinlong Wang and Yi Hsuan Lee met as friends in June 2022 and the relationship became romantic, according to a notice of civil claim filed by Wang in B.C. Supreme Court.

Within six months, they had split up, but not before Lee borrowed from him $20,000, then a week later $25,000 and then two weeks later, $15,000, the claim said. Wang also alleges he sent Lee several e-transfers on several dates that totalled an additional $20,000.

Lee had borrowed the money on the premise that her mother was ill, the claim said.

Given the romantic relationship between the parties, Wang was willing to provide an interest-free loan to her without asking her to write a promissory note, it said.

After they split up in October 2022, Lee signed a promissory note at Wangs request, saying she would pay back the loan in eight monthly instalments on the last day of each month from October 2022 to May 2023, according to the claim.

She has paid back $18,800 but Wang is suing for $61,200, however if the promissory note is unenforceable, he is suing for damages for breach of contract or unjust enrichment, the claim said.

The plaintiff and the defendant have a valid and binding contract in the promissory note and Lee is in default by failing to repay the loan, said Wang.

The allegations have not been proven in court and Lee has yet to file a response.

credit: Vancouver Sun
Cayuga Community College is continuing its annual series of candidate forums that are cosponsored with The Citizen and produced by the colleges Telcom/Media Department.

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, the second forum will be for Cayuga County Legislative District 2 with incumbent Legislator Lydia Patti Ruffini (R, C), running against Benjamin Vitale (D). The newly designed District 2 includes the towns of Conquest, Mentz, Montezuma and Throop. This is a rematch between the candidates, who ran against each other in 2021.

The forum will air at 7 p.m. on Spectrum 12 on Tuesday and at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, and will replay on Spectrums 12 and 98 and FIOS Verizon Channel 31 at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, and Sunday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. from Auburn Regional Media Access.

On Thursday, Oct. 19, a forum will be held for Cayuga County Legislative District 10 with Democrat Stephanie DeVito facing Republican Michael Pettigrass. This is an open seat due to current Cayuga County Legislator Trisha Kerr not seeking reelection. The new Legislative District 10 is located in the southeast quadrant of Auburn.

The forum airs at 7 p.m. on Spectrum 12 on Thursday and at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, and will replay on Spectrums 12 and 98 and FIOS Verizon Channel 31 at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, and Sunday, Oct. 22.

Guy Cosentino will moderate the forums and questions will be asked by The Citizen political reporter Robert Harding. The shows are rebroadcast starting at 10 a.m. each Saturday on the colleges station, WDWN 89.1 FM.

The following week will see forums for the 5th, 6th and 9th legislative districts. Presentations by the three candidates for Cayuga County Clerk are scheduled for Oct. 24.

The Auburn City Council forum will be held Tuesday, Oct. 31, and the race for mayor of Auburn on Thursday, Nov. 2.

The forums are taped at the college on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons by the students of the Cayuga Community Colleges Telcom/Media Department, headed by new Telcom department Director Erin McCormack.
Samuel Nartey George, MP for Ningo-Prampram

Graphic.com.gh Personality Profiles Oct - 16 - 2023 , 16:34

Samuel Nartey George born January 22, 1985, is a Ghanaian politician. He is a member of the National Democratic Congress. He is currently a Member of the Parliament representing Ningo-Prampram constituency.

He is also a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party. George was the assistant director at the Office of the Head of Civil Service from 2010 to 2014 and a communications specialist at the Office of the President from 2014 to 2016.

He is currently a member of both the Public Accounts Committee and the Communications Committee.

Sam George obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering (Soil & Water Engineering) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Bachelor of Law from the University of London. He has an Executive Master; Dissertation (Conflict, Peace, and Security) from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Center (KAIPTC). In December 2022, he graduated with an MSc in International Strategy and Diplomacy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

George holds anti-LGBTI views and has described homosexuality as a "perversion". In 2021, together with other Members of Parliament, he proposed a law criminalizing homosexuality and many forms of LGBTI support and activism, even medical support. The draft has been widely criticized by human rights activists for its "cruelty".

He is married with three children.
Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Klottey-Korle

Graphic.com.gh Personality Profiles Oct - 16 - 2023 , 20:31

Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings born on June 1, 1987, is a medical doctor, politician, humanitarian activist, and campaigner who is the eldest daughter of the 1st President under the 4th Republic of Ghana Jerry Rawlings (19932001) and former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman (19932001).

She is a Member of Parliament for the Klottey-Korle Constituency in Greater Accra. She is also a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). She serves as a Member of the Defence and Interior Committee, the Business Committee, and the Standing Committee on Gender.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland for her medical degree. She also has certificates in defense management and conflict and crisis management from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. She also holds a Master's Degree certificate in Conflict, Peace and Security (EMCPS) from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre (KAIPTC).

Achievement

In June 2015, she served as an Ambassador for TV3's fundraising campaign, "TV3 June 3 Disaster Support Fund", which was aimed at raising funds to support the victims of the 3 June flood and fire disaster.

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings was instrumental in the co-development of a disaster and early-warning mobile application, and additionally in the retrofitting of carbon-reducing implements at a well-known night market in Accra, the research of which was presented at the Triple Helix Conference in Cape Town in 2019.

She also built a bridge for the Osu Anorhor community which has helped reduce the issue of floods and easy transportation in the community. In March 2014, Dr. Rawlings was a special guest at the exceptional Meeting of African Women in the framework of the crans-Montana Forum on Africa and the South-South Cooperation in Dakhla, which was aimed at promoting a more humane and impartial world.

Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has three children.
UTAG calls for overhaul of accreditation regime - Kicks against 5 new universities

Mohammed Fugu Education Oct - 17 - 2023 , 07:00

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has kicked against the decision by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to suspend the accreditation of new academic programmes for public universities in the country.

It has further criticised the intention of the government to establish five new universities, demanding that the funds should be channelled into lecturer welfare and expansion of existing infrastructure, among others.

The association said the GTECs decision would not serve the interest of tertiary education as the world was evolving so rapidly that academic programming must continuously evolve to keep pace with that.

The National President of UTAG, Prof. Mamudu A. Akudugu, said: For a regulator to decide that it will stop accrediting new academic programmes is more or less the case of putting rods in the spokes of success.

He called for a complete overhaul of the accreditation regime in the country, stressing that it must start with a review or amendment of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).

Prof. Akudugu was addressing the 21st biennial congress of UTAG at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale last Friday.

The event was on the theme: Labour Unionism and Socioeconomic Transformation in Ghana: Can UTAG be the pacesetter?

It brought together UTAG executives from all public universities to discuss the welfare of members of the association and to swear in new members.

Suspension

GTEC this month announced the suspension of the processing of new accreditation applications for academic programmes from all public universities, including the technical universities, with immediate effect until January 1, 2024.

The suspension, however, does not cover the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya in the Eastern Region.

According to the commission, the decision is informed by the need to sanitise the accreditation space as a result of the persistent non-compliance with the accreditation requirements of the country by some institutions.

Transformational changes

But Prof. Akudugu said it was about time the country moved away from the rigid public regulatory regime to a more efficient accreditation framework for accreditation of our academic programmes.

He expressed the UTAGs commitment to partner GTEC and other stakeholders to initiate and push for the transformative changes that were needed in higher education in the 21st century.

We demand our employer, government, to, as a matter of urgency, work with us and all other stakeholders to review the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) or in the meantime expand the levels and notches to accommodate our members or take us out of the spine altogether, he said.

New universities

The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, in a speech read for him by the Director of Tertiary Education at the ministry, Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, announced plans by the government to establish five new universities across the country.

He said the universities would increase the intake of students in fields that would drive industrialisation in the country.

Communique

But in a subsequent communique issued by the association at the end of the congress, UTAG called on the government to channel resources intended for the setting up of five new universities into improving the conditions of lecturers, as well as infrastructure and facilities in the existing universities.

It said the establishment of the new universities should not be an overriding factor, as improving quality in the institutions was more important.

"The government has hinted at establishing five additional universities to augment the existing ones.

Ordinarily, this should be welcome news for UTAG as it expands access to higher education for all Ghanaians.

"However, given that all existing public universities are seriously underfunded and suffering from severe infrastructural deficits, coupled with undignifying conditions of service for public university lecturers, we strongly submit that this should not be a priority for the government," the communique said.

To improve the quality of tertiary education, UTAG emphasised that the government should apply such resources to improve the conditions of the existing public universities through the expansion of infrastructure, improvement in working conditions of university lecturers, recruitment of more lecturers, research support and the payment of subventions, which, it said, the government had reneged on as a responsibility to all the public universities.

The Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Yaw Baah, urged UTAG to support efforts to review the Constitution of Ghana to limit the powers of the executive, ensure good governance, safeguard democracy and return power to citizens.

Writers email:mohammed.fugu@

graphic.com.gh
Awareness campaign on small-scale cross border traders launched

Benjamin Glover & Della Russel Ocloo Oct - 17 - 2023 , 06:17

A sensitisation campaign to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women small-scale cross-border traders within ECOWAS has been launched in Tema.

The campaign, which is in partnership with the Trade Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Gender Development Center (EGDC), is funded by the World Bank Group.

It aims to educate women traders about their rights and responsibilities under regional trade agreements, and to help them overcome the challenges they face in their businesses.

The launch, which coincided with a three-day training for selected women from Ghana, will see officials use trade caravans and town hall meetings along the Tema-Ouagadougou and Lagos-Abidjan corridors to sensitise identifiable groups of women engaged in small-scale cross-border trading along the listed routes.

Gender Report

A Gender Assessment report conducted by the World Bank Group in 2023 found that women cross-border traders earn less, access less capital, trade in lower-value goods, are less informed on trade regulations, and are more exposed to other security threats than their male counterparts.

Bureaucratic processes by way of complex regulations in member countries, corruption, and other factors also impede the activities of women engaged in small-scale border trade.

The report also found that although women are the majority in small-scale cross-border trade, they are not well represented in policymaking.

The sensitisation campaign, therefore, seeks to address these challenges by providing women traders with information and resources to help them to succeed in their businesses.

Vital role

At the launch of the campaign, a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah Adjei, said that women played a vital role in facilitating trade and economic growth in the West African region.

However, she noted that they faced unique challenges that limited their full participation.

"The time has come to move from rhetoric to results," Ms Asiamah Adjei said.

"We need regular public-private dialogue to shape pragmatic policies that knock down barriers."

Describing the campaign as a welcome initiative that has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of women cross-border traders in ECOWAS, Ms Asiamah Adjei also pointed out that women's economic empowerment was essential for the development of the region as a whole.

"When women traders understand regional protocols and regulations, they can thrive and contribute even more to the prosperity of our communities," she said.

ECOWAS

The Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP), Francisca Oteng-Adjei, said in a speech read on behalf of the Director of the Department, Faustina Acheampong, that empowering women was the most necessary action to take in improving sustainable national development.

She said once women were equipped with knowledge of business operations, it helped them to function effectively considering that women often made up a substantial portion of small-scale cross-border traders.

The Acting Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, Kolawole Sofola, said the level of registered intra-regional trade of between nine and 12 per cent over the years was low compared to other trading blocs such as the European Union, Asia, and Latin America.

This highlights the need to promote opportunities and address obstacles to trade in West Africa.

Mr Sofola emphasised that in addition to being a significant proportion of the continent's self-employed population, small-scale cross-border trade was operated mainly in the informal sector, with various studies citing women as forming 70 and 80 per cent of the cross-border trader population, acting as traders, transporters, logistical service providers, food processors, local vendors, and market managers.

The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Baba Gana Wakil, reiterated the ECOWAS's commitment to regional integration, emphasising the importance of trade facilitation to the regional bloc.

"There cannot be a successful story to tell about ECOWAS without comprehensively and sustainably promoting and strengthening trade across the various communities in the ECOWAS region," Mr Wakil said.
Buipe drowns in month-old flood - Sparks fears of disease outbreak

Mohammed Fugu Oct - 17 - 2023 , 06:34

There could be an outbreak of waterborne diseases at Buipe in the Central Gonja District in the Savannah Region following a month-old flood which has submerged parts of the town.

For now, a number of public latrines have been submerged, leading to the contamination of water sources, including wells, dams and boreholes.

The situation has caused fear and panic among residents due to the possible outbreak of an epidemic in the area.

A month-old flood, occasioned by the overflow of water from the Black Volta, coupled with torrential rain, has caused massive devastation in Buipe and its environs.

So far, more than 5,000 people have been displaced, while a number of structures, including houses, schools and health facilities, have been submerged, according to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).

Checks by the Daily Graphic showed that some of the victims were staying in classrooms or with relatives.

Increasing risk

The National Disaster Manager of Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS), Jonathan Hope, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said: "There is a significant risk of increased cases of waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dengue fever and the upsurge of malaria due to increased mosquito breeding grounds".

He said communities in the area were still inundated with flood waters, and that they were facing water, sanitation and hygiene challenges.

There is a need to enhance the awareness sessions for water-related diseases and vector-borne diseases which are likely to escalate during the floods," he added.

Mr Hope indicated that the GRCS's preliminary assessment showed that this year's disaster was more devastating, adding that his outfit had provided about 21 emergency family tents and other relief items to the victims to alleviate the plight of the victims.

While urging the Ghana Health Service and other health providers to also step in, he reiterated his outfit's commitment to provide some relief items to the displaced persons.

Appeal

The Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, who toured the area to assess the situation, appealed to the government and philanthropists to come to the aid of the flood victims.

He said the situation was not only affecting the livelihoods of the people, but also having a negative impact on the economic activities in the area.

Our bridge area, which is the economic hub of the whole of Buipe and beyond, has been submerged in water. So, it is affecting even our economy seriously," he said.

Assessment

Meanwhile, personnel of NADMO have been assessing the extent of damage and evacuating victims who have been trapped in the flood waters.

Writer's email:mohammed.fugu

@graphic.com.gh
Ghana Cooperative Credit Unions to mark 55th anniversary Oct. 21

Peter Sarbah Oct - 17 - 2023 , 17:02

The Ghana Cooperative Credit Unions Association (CUA) Limited will mark its 55th anniversary to create awareness of how the union is empowering its members economically towards financial independence while impacting their communities.

The Vice President of the Republic, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will join the Association as the Special Guest of Honour to mark the 55th Anniversary which will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 in Koforidua.

Other distinguished guests scheduled to grace the occasion include Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Governor of Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong and Paramount Chief of New Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Kweku Boateng III.

The event will also to be attended by Executive Director of African Confederation of Cooperatives Savings and Credit Association (ACCOSCA), Mr. George Ombado and other development partners.

It is under the themeSavings Mobilization: A Transformational Agenda for Ghana."

The Ghana Cooperative Credit Unions Association (CUA) Limited, is the umbrella body of credit unions in Ghana and will celebrate 55 years of its existence and also celebrate the global credit union movement day as it also marks its 75th ICU Day this year.

In view of these commemorations, the general public is entreated to join the Association on the 21st of October 2023 at the ICGC  Jesus Temple, Koforidua, to celebrate together in recognition of how Credit Unions in Ghana have appreciably enhanced the financial wellbeing of their members and to join the world to observe the 75th International Credit Unions Day (ICU).



The Credit Union Movement in Africa began in 1955 when Rev. Father John McNulty introduced the idea and formed the first Credit Union in Jirapa.

In 1968, a National Association was conceived and was affiliated with the African Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Association and the World Council of Credit Unions.

Ghana Cooperative Credit Unions Association (CUA) Limited supervises Credit Unions by promoting, educating, organizing, and supporting the Credit Union Movement nationally and internationally.

As part of the activities outlined, was the launches of the 55th Anniversary at the just ended Credit Union Innovation Forum which took place at the Credit Union's Training Center (CUTRAC).

The Board of Directors, Management and staff of CUA thereby call on its members to reserve the day to soberly reflect and take stock of the Credit Union Movement in Ghana, and at the same time join the world to observe the 75th commemoration of International Credit Unions Day.
Akosombo Dam Spillage: There was no deeper stakeholder engagement by VRA  Ablakwa

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Oct - 16 - 2023 , 12:17

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has accused the Volta River Authority (VRA) of not engaging stakeholders ahead of the spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.

The VRA commenced the spillage of excess water on September 15, due to rising levels of the Akosombo and Kpong hydro dams.

Many communities along the Lower Volta basin have been affected by the spillage.

The hardest-hit areas are South, Central, and North Tongu districts in the Volta Region.

The MP of North Tongu who described the development as a national crisis said knowing how massive this years spillage will be, the VRA should have briefed all stakeholders and also strategized ahead of the spillage.

In a radio interview monitored by Graphic Online on Accra based Okay FM on Monday morning (Oct 16) Mr Ablakwa said, No one can challenge their justification for the spillage, but it is the process that we have issues with, how they went about it. Because the level of the water was increasingly rising and based on meteorological forecast, they would have known that there will be a need for this massive spillage.

The best thing they could have done was, there should have been a deeper engagement so we all, especially those at the lower belt of the Volta Lake and all stakeholders will be prepared, so there will be relocation to higher grounds.

That kind of deeper engagement was not done. Do you believe that as a Member of Parliament for the area, nobody called me, I got no information from the VRA, no meetings, no engagement. I only saw press statement on September 4, 2023, he explained.

He continued that That press statement did not tell us the nature of the spillage. We know that every now and then there is one spillage. Those spillages are on a lower scale. But this one its extraordinary spillage, many people say the last time they saw something like this was in the 60s. So, this is major, it is not the ordinary spillages we have been witnessing.

He stressed that knowing the nature of the spillage, the VRA should have been proactive in order to avert such a disaster.

Volta River Authority (VRA) has said all communities in the lower Volta basin, affected by floods as a result of the spillage from the Akosombo Dam were adequately informed and educated on the need to move to higher grounds before the spillage started.

It said the last simulation exercise about a possible spillage as a result of the continuous inflow of water into the dam was undertaken in May 2023.

But Mr Ablakwa said simulation did not give an indication that there was going to be a massive spillage this year. "The simulation is to prepare the minds of people that in an eventuality when the time comes this is what you do, so yes the simulation was done, but that simulation did not give an indication that there was going to be a spillage of this scale this year. And they do this simulation regularly.

He said "Beyond simulation, now that you became aware that you have to spill and it's not going to be an ordinary spilling, the discharge will be on such a grand scale, you should let us know. Engage us as key stakeholders, even Members of Parliaments were not engaged what about the individuals.

If they had told us in clear terms what to expect, because it looked like the annual press statement that come out, .they did not tell us the scare that this one is going to cover communities, cover farms, livihoods are going to be destroy, then we will know what to do Unless they want to tell us that they themselves didnt know the kind of spillages and the effect that will have been an indictment on them " , he added.

Related article:

Why is the Akosombo Dam Reservoir spilling water

VRA intensifies humanitarian efforts to support flood victims

Akosombo dam spillage: North Tongu victims to undergo health screening

Akosombo Dam still receiving over 200% of water, spillage to continue to prevent dam break - VRA

Akosombo, Kpong, dams spillage - President Akufo-Addo visits flooded areas today

Akosombo, Dam spillage wreaks havoc downstream
GJA consoles former President Kufuor

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Oct - 17 - 2023 , 09:00

A delegation from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) joined the many mourners who thronged Peduase in the Eastern Region, last Wednesday, to commiserate with former President John Agyekum Kufuor and his family as they marked the one week of the passing of his wife, Theresa Aba Kufuor.

Mrs Kufuor died on October 1, 2023, at the of age 87.

Delegation

The delegation was accompanied by the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) and veteran journalists.

They included former Night Editor of the Daily Graphic, Vance Azu; Tina Aforo-Yeboah, former Editor, The Spectator, a member of the NMC, Gabriel Asante Bosompem; a member of the association, Betty Apau-Oppong ; and the Director of Editorial of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Beatrice Asamani Savage, among others.

The event was attended by the top brass of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), the party ticket on which Mr Kufuor became president.

As custom demanded, the GJA presented 20 packs of water and GHc2,000 to the former President and his family.

Also present were traditional rulers and heads of both state and private institutions who presented beverages and various sums of money.

The President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, described the former First Lady as an epitome of motherhood who ably supported and complemented President Kufuor during his tenure.

He added that she was the spouse of the president who saw it fit to designate the current offices of the association further enhancing the critical role the association and its members played in the country.

So, we are here to say that we stand with the family because she was a woman who discharged her role as First Lady in a motherly manner.

May her soul continue to lie in the bosom of her maker, he stressed.
President Akufo-Addo's you didn't vote for me comment "shameful" - Dzifa Gomashie

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Oct - 17 - 2023 , 13:08

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ketu North, Abla Dzifa Gomashie has waded into the public debate about President Akufo-Addo's comment that the people affected by the floods from the Akosombo Dam spillage did not vote for him.

In a radio interview with Accra based Class FM on Tuesday afternoon (Oct 17), she described the President's comment as unfortunate, arguing that for a very long time, the people of the region had been neglected by President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

A number of communities in South Tongu, Central Tongu and North Togu districts have experienced severe flooding following the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams by the Volta River Authority (VRA).

Following the impact of the flood waters from the dam, President Akufo-Addo on Monday, October 16, 2023, visited the area to sympathise with the victims and said the government's immediate action was to provide relief items and that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture will look at a term plan on how to assist farmers whose farms have been destroyed by the floods.

It was during his (Presidents) address that he said he had come to visit the area to provide any assistance they needed to live comfortably and safely as Ghanaians and that he took the oath of office as the President for the whole country.

President Akufo-Addo said he could not neglect the people in their time of need even though they did not vote for him when he contested the Presidential elections. "When these things happen and government acts, politics does not come in at all. I took the oath of office as president to protect every citizen of Ghana, whether they voted for me or not, once I have taken the oath, I am the president. So Togbe, I want you and your elders and the people to understand that the government is acting for all Ghanaians," he said. "I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and suffering and it is my responsibility to try and help, because if it is a question of who votes for me and who does not vote me, I should not be here because you don't vote for me, that is not my concern," the President added. President Akufo-Addo explained that when the tragedy occurred, he was out of the jurisdiction in the United States of America (USA) but has already discussed with the Chief of Staff on what has to be done in response to the tragedy.

Dzifa Gomashie

Reacting to the Presidents comment in the Class FM interview, the Ketu North MP said President Akufo-Addo should not have made such a comment to people going through devastating disaster.

She accused the President of neglecting the people of the Volta Region during disasters, pointing out that when parts of the region experienced a tidal wave disaster, neither the President nor his vice president made any comment on the matter or even visited the people.

For Madam Gomashie, the President should not have made that political comment during a meeting with people who are traumatised with floods and that this was the least thing the president should have said during his visit.

"His excellency the President should be ashamed of himself," she said, adding that disaster issues in the region have been handled ineffectively by the President.

At least, 26,000 people have been displaced along the lower Volta Basin as of the last count Monday as officials continue to take stock of the extent of havoc and devastation caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has confirmed that the spillage by the Volta River Authority (VRA) has disrupted economic activities, stripped communities of their livelihoods and left many people needing emergency help in food, water and health care.
Vice President Bawumia calls for strengthening of inter-faith harmony at 2023 Maulid

GraphicOnline Oct - 17 - 2023 , 06:30

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for the continuous promotion of inter-faith harmony in order to strengthen peace and tranquillity in the country.

In a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Ben Abdallah Banda, Presidential Coordinator for Zongo and Inner-cities Development, under the theme: "Interfaith harmony; a total for global peace and tranquillity," Dr. Bawumia said Ghana's acclaimed peace and stability is largely down to inter-faith tolerance, adding that at a time many countries are plagued by religious and political intolerance, Ghana ought to strengthen its respect for diversity.

"Today, we live in a time of unprecedented challenges, where divisions and conflicts based on religion, ethnicity and politics continue to plague and undermine national and global stability," Dr. Bawumia said.

"In our increasingly interconnected world, we must recognize that our destinies are intertwined, regardless of our faith, nationality, political differences and ideologies or cultural background. It is worth noting and remembering that no true religion advocates hatred or violence and that true faith promotes love, compassion, understanding and peaceful coexistence," he added.

While calling for the strengthening of inter-faith harmony among the citizenry, the Vice President also reiterated government's commitment to the promotion of Ghana's peace and stability, which said, is recognised by the Global Peace Index.

"As a government, maintaining and promoting peace in our country has always been a priority, because without peace and tranquillity, there cannot be development and progress."

"If Ghana is ranked the most peaceful country in West Africa and the 2nd most peaceful country on the African continent by the Global Peace Index, it is because as a government, and a people, we are collectively doing many things right."

Dr. Bawumia commended the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, for his respect for diversity and public demonstration of inter-faith tolerance, and called on Muslims to emulate him.

"The National Chief Imams consistent demonstration of both intra, and interfaith harmony is not only desirable but essential for peace and stability, not only in our nation but throughout the world.

"His Eminence the National Chief Imams life embodies these principles, and his dedication to building bridges between different faiths has made our nation a more harmonious and peaceful place."

The Vice President also commended the Clergy, for their reciprocal cooperation with the National Chief Imam and other Muslim leaders in the country.
Auburn Mayor Michael Quill and Owasco Supervisor Ed Wagner delivered an urgent message to Gov. Kathy Hochul: Don't let Cayuga County become the next Flint, Michigan.

Quill and Wagner signed a joint letter to Hochul criticizing the state's response to Owasco Lake water quality concerns. Both leaders also note they requested a meeting with the governor, but have not received a reply.

The letter, which was emailed to Hochul's office and shared at the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council meeting Tuesday, urges the governor to direct the state Department of Health to adopt the the locally drafted watershed rules and regulations "without substantial revisions."

The watershed rules and regulations haven't been updated since 1984. A group of local stakeholders began working on the changes after toxins from harmful algal blooms were found in drinking water.

In 2020, the city of Auburn and town of Owasco signed off on the proposal and submitted it to the state Department of Health. The agency did not issue a formal response until 2022.

The state Department of Health released its proposed revisions in August, leading local officials to say the agency has "failed us" by drafting weaker watershed protections.

One of the main differences between the documents is the local plan sought to address nutrient management through stronger regulations. The state plan calls for voluntary participation in an environmental program, but does not include any new rules to combat this pollution.

Quill and Wagner also ask Hochul to order the state Department of Environmental Conservation to develop a total maximum daily load, a pollution control plan, for Owasco Lake. Auburn city councilors and Owasco town board members passed resolutions in September asking for what's known as a TMDL.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a TMDL is needed for Owasco Lake because of the presence of harmful algal blooms.

"Without both actions, Cayuga County, New York, like Flint, Michigan, may soon become a nationwide byword for state government mismanagement and neglect," Quill and Wagner wrote.

It is the latest attempt by local leaders to ask the state for stronger watershed protections, especially after the Department of Health's proposed revisions that, in their view, fall short of what's needed to ensure clean water for residents.

State and local elected officials who represent Auburn and Cayuga County held a press conference in September asking for strengthened watershed rules and regulations. Days later, another press conference was held with elected officials and environmental groups requesting a TMDL.

Auburn and Owasco officials have not ruled out suing the state over the watershed rules dispute.
Why Duncan-Williams, Eastwood Anaba resigned from National Cathedral Board

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Oct - 17 - 2023 , 18:02

The Founder and General Overseer of the United Denominations of Action Chapel Churches Worldwide, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams together with the President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries, Rev. Eastwood Anaba have resigned from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral project in Ghana.

The National Cathedral of Ghana is an elaborate 5000-seater auditorium which was borne out of a pledge, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, then presidential candidate, made ahead of Election 2016.

It was his pledge that if God made him win the 2016 and become President of Ghana, he was going to build a national cathedral to honour God.

The two clergymen were appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees overseeing the construction of the much-talked about National Cathedral.

In their resignation letter, they cited failure on the part of the Cathedrals Board to appoint an independent accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to the National Cathedral project.

Archbishop Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba are of the view that appointing an independent accounting firm to audit the Cathedrals activities will ensure transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people.

In their resignation letter dated October 12, 2023, Archbishop Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba said, "Despite our prayers, best hopes and wishes, unfortunately a needed audit to help restore public confidence and trust in this consequential project has not been enacted to the best of our knowledge."

They explained that they wrote to the Board to ensure that the auditing was carried out before the project proceeded but that was not done as promised by the Board.

Further to the National Cathedral in January 2023 as Trustees of the Board of Trustees we submitted a draft Resolution to the said Board resolving that current activities advancing the construction of Ghana's National Cathedral be deferred until the findings of an audit.

This deferment included a cessation of activities of the Board of Trustees. Specifically, our Resolution stated, in the spirit and cause of transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people the current Board of Trustees of The National Cathedral shall appoint an independent accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to The National Cathedral. This appointment of an auditor shall take place before the deferment of the activities of the Board of Trustees, they explained.

Attached below is a copy of the resignation letter

We extend our profound salutations to you in the Name of Jesus Christ! As much as we have met many times over the past two years on issues of national significance. you may recall our requests for an appointment with you to specifically discuss the National Cathedral of Ghanaa vision of yours that we share and cherish. We truly understand that the demands of the nation and indeed the world that have been placed upon your shoulders may have prevented the realisation of this meeting.

Further to the National Cathedral in January 2023 as Trustees of the Board of Trustees we submitted a draft Resolution to the said Board resolving that current activities advancing the construction of Ghana's National Cathedral be deferred until the findings of an audit. This deferment included a cessation of activities of the Board of Trustees. Specifically, our Resolution stated, in the spirit and cause of transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people the current Board of Trustees of The National Cathedral shall appoint an independent accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to The National Cathedral. This appointment of an auditor shall take place before the deferment of the activities of the Board of Trustees."

Despite our prayers, best hopes and wishes, unfortunately a needed audit to help restore public confidence and trust in this consequential project has not been enacted to the best of our knowledge. Since January 2023, we awaited news, to no avail. regarding the finding of the audit We. therefore, regret that as a matter of conscience and faith, we hereby submit to you our resignation from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral. We honourably assure you, as we assured the Board of Trustees in January 2023 with the submission of our Resolution, that our action in no way impugns the vision or intent of The National Cathedral. but rather ensures that it is advanced and built on a foundation of integrity. efficiency and quality while garnering and maintaining public trust and support We truly owe this to God and to country.

We remain confident that one day your vision of a National Cathedral of Ghana that provides a "sacred space and infrastructure" for formal religious and other activities in the nation, such as state funerals, presidential inaugural services, and global gatherings that advance faith, peace, reconciliation, stability and a better world, while supporting tourism as a promising pillar of Ghana's economy, will be realised in our lifetime. We believe that you will always stand as the visionary and the architect of this vision and trust that 'a dream deferred is not a dream denied."

Your Excellency, please accept the assurances of our prayers and best wishes and The Board of Trustees of Ghana's National Cathedral for strength and We thank you for the opportunity to serve our nation

Yours sincerely.
A new report coming from a reputable source for Samsung-related leaks suggest that the company will bring the Galaxy S24, S24+ and 24 Ultra closer together, display-wise. Apparently, the Korean tech giant has decided to incorporate its latest and greatest tech into all three models, not just the Ultra as was the norm in previous years.

The post on X (formerly known as Twitter) reveals that all three models will feature LTPO, M13 displays with 2,500 nits of peak brightness. Up until now, only the Ultra members had LTPO panels and was able to reach higher brightness.

For the next generation the only difference will be the vanilla Galaxy S24's display resolution and obviously the size of the three.

This means variable refresh rate will finally be available on the non-Ultra models, but the 2,500 nits peak brightness likely refers to the panels' ability to boost brightness when playing HDR-compatible content. Still, that value is pretty impressive.

This is an welcome shift in strategyas the Galaxy S24 and S24+ are still considered flagship phones, so offering the best of what Samsung makes all the sense in the world.

Source
The chancery property in Agana Heights valued at $2.3 million is now back on the market, and the Archdiocese of Agana thanked the Phoenix Foundation and its donors for their courageous efforts to save the chancery though they were not able to raise the full amount needed to close on the property.

The Phoenix Foundation told the PDN on Monday that they came up short of about $250,000 to complete the purchase on the eve of the Oct. 17 bankruptcy court deadline.

The foundation has since started returning the donations.

We are extremely heartbroken, especially because the Chancery and Archbishops home have immense spiritual, cultural and historic significance not only to our Church but to the entire island because of Saint John Paul the Greats unprecedented visit to Guam in 1981, the archdioceses apostolic administrator, Father Romeo Convocar, said in a Tuesday statement.

Convocar, on behalf of the entire church, expresses deepest gratitude to all members of the Phoenix Foundation and all donors for their courageous efforts trying to save the chancery complex and archbishops home.

Weve received the heartbreaking news from the Phoenix Foundation that their selfless and inspiring drive to raise funds to purchase the Chancery complex on San Ramon Hill has not met the necessary overall amount, the statement added.

{span}The chancery property sale is part of the court-approved deal to settle the clergy sex abuse claims and get the archdiocese out of bankruptcy. {/span}

Phoenix Foundations goal in buying the prime property on San Ramon Hill is to preserve the chancery complexs historic and religious significance, and allow the archdiocese to continue its use for the Catholic Church. A majority of the Guam population is Catholic.

At the same time, we understand the enormity of the challenge that the Phoenix Foundation undertook. As Catholics and baptized children of God, we also know that even in sad, difficult and painful times, our merciful Lord blesses us, Convocar said. We find great consolation in the strong devotion and unselfishness that we saw emerge from members of our Catholic community in the form of the Phoenix Foundation and the many individuals and groups who stepped forward to contribute to the cause. They have been inspiring. We are most grateful to all of them.

The archdiocese said in the months ahead, it will announce more on how it plans to relocate from the chancery compound.
Students interested in attending U.S. military academies can submit an application by Nov. 3.

Delegate James Moylan, in a news release, said the honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies:

U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY;

U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD;

U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY.

The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Moylan may nominate up to 10 individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to the district.

The military service academy nomination application deadline is Nov. 3, 2023.

Each applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:

Age: Be at least 17 years old but not have passed the 23rd birthday

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen

Marital status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents

Residence: Must reside within the boundaries of the Congressional District of Guam.

Skill/Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy

Below are the documents required when submitting your nomination packets:

Current photo

High school transcript

ACT & SAT scores

Resume of extracurricular activities

Essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (500 words or less)

A minimum of three letters of recommendation

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Moylans office at (671) 922-6673 or email james.moylan@mail.house.gov or go to moylan.house.gov for more information.
If there is one thing that separates the three candidates running in the Cayuga County Legislature's District 1 race, it's their backgrounds.

Legislator Jim Basile, who is running on the Conservative line after losing the Republican primary in June, has served as a lawmaker for two years and is the mayor of Fair Haven. Outside of his public service duties, he has spent 40 years working in the construction industry.

Jonathan Anna, the Democratic candidate who will also appear on the Preserve and Protect Our Water line, is a retired Onondaga County sheriff's deputy who lives with his son in the town of Sterling. He joined the town government as a codes enforcement officer.

Al Simmons, who won the Republican nomination by defeating Basile in the primary, is a retired Cayuga County Highway Department employee and serves on the Ira town board.

District 1 is slightly different than what it's been for three decades. Before the 2020 census, the district included the towns of Sterling and Victory. When new legislative district maps were drawn and presented to voters in 2022, the northern Cayuga County district added the town of Ira.

Basile wants to keep his job and has pledged to resign as mayor of Fair Haven if he is reelected as a county legislator.

"The (District 1) legislator is going to have to pull those three towns together," Basile told The Citizen. "I look forward to doing that. I look forward to continuing some of the work I've already done and some of the work I didn't get to finish."

Anna thinks the northern part of the county is often overlooked, especially when it comes to the county providing services in places like Ira, Sterling and Victory. He proposed placing a northern satellite office in the district and wants to hold monthly breakfasts to meet with constituents.

"If you're not visible and talking to people, you don't understand what their needs are and you can't do your job," Anna said.

If Simmons is elected, he plans to have a network of town officials, mainly supervisors and highway superintendents, to keep him updated on what's happening in Ira, Sterling and Victory. He also plans on communicating with his constituents.

While Anna and Basile have other jobs, Simmons is retired. Serving as a legislator, he said, "will be my main focus."

Simmons has a few priorities if elected to the county Legislature. He wants to keep taxes low, address concerns with existing water districts in the northern towns and work on improving utilities, namely broadband.

Basile's agenda is similar, with broadband and taxes also on his to-do list. Streamlining county services and "sticking up for constituents in District 1" are among his other priorities.

Broadband is also an issue Anna hopes to address if he wins the District 1 seat. He also plans to work on offering better access to county government services and, generally, finding solutions to problems facing the county.

On the issues, there is some agreement between the candidates on challenges facing the county. As the 2024 budget process begins, one question that has been raised is whether the county should continue providing $375,000 to the Cayuga Economic Development Agency. CEDA fired its second executive director in a year and the agency faces uncertainty.

Legislator Robert Shea has proposed shifting CEDA's funding to the Cayuga County Industrial Development Agency. A final decision will be made in the budget.

Anna said he is learning more about the funding issue and doesn't see why the county couldn't support the IDA, but he questioned CEDA's lack of support for northern Cayuga County projects. (CEDA's website lists one business, Sterling Custom Canvas, that it has assisted in District 1.)

"I think there's got to be a better way," he said.

Basile and Simmons are supportive of Shea's idea to shift the funding from CEDA to CCIDA. While CEDA has struggled, Basile said, the IDA "seems to have a pretty solid foundation."

Although the funding would be directed to another agency, Basile thinks it's important for CEDA to continue its role in helping businesses. Simmons is asking for a cost-benefit analysis of how county funding is used to support economic development.

"I want to see that money coming back," Simmons said. "I want proof."

The three candidates support what the county is doing to try and capitalize on Micron's planned $100 billion investment in central New York. They also agree that the county should look at certain infrastructure needs, namely broadband, to attract businesses and people linked to the project in neighboring Onondaga County.

One issue the candidates disagree on is how to handle the county's management. Cayuga County previously had an administrator who was tasked with overseeing day-to-day operations. But in recent years, those duties have shifted to the chair of the county Legislature.

Anna criticized this approach, saying "it's a full-time county being operated on a part-time basis." He supports having an elected county executive.

Simmons believes the current system is appropriate, but is open to having a county executive post if the population grows.

Basile hopes the next county Legislature, beginning in 2024, will make a final decision on this question. He didn't take a position on which option is best, but thinks legislators should explore each alternative.
From left: Jonathan Cheng, chief information officer, Goodwind Development Corporation; Connie Mayers, manager, Goodwind Travel; Chita Blaise, CEO Guam Chapter of the American Red Cross; David Taitano, winner of a Philippine Airlines trip to Dubai; Rene Lao, executive director, Goodwind Development Corporation; and Angela Ng, event sales and service manager, Dusit Thani Resort Guam.
Shell Guam plans to open within the next few weeks a gas station along Route 15, commonly known as the backroad to Andersen Air Force Base.

Motorists traveling along Route 15 in recent months will have noticed the small station along their commute. Its set to be the only place to fuel on along the routed road, which is a major artery connecting the populous northern villages of Yigo and Dededo to Mangilao.

The new station is pretty much set to open as of Monday, according to Camille Denight, marketing manager of Shell station operator IP&E Holdings, LLC.

All thats left to do, she said, is hook the pumps up to the power grid, something thats been stalled due to the recent passage of Typhoon Bolaven and general bad weather.

Once the power is switched on, a set opening date will be announced, hopefully before the end of the month, Denight told the Pacific Daily News.

Theres definitely a gap for customers that are traveling on that road, so it just seemed like a good location for customers to have the option to fill up, she said.

The new Route 15 station is like an express location, similar to the Shell station thats already open in Chalan Pago-Ordot, Denight said.

One wont be able to get a milkshake and a hotdog there on the way to work, at least not at first, as only regular grade fuel and Shell V-Power will be offered at the location for the first few months. Current plans call for a mini Foodys convenience store to be added either later this year or early next year, according to the marketing manager.

Route 15 is the first of a number of locations that are planned to open as Shell Guam looks to expand its footprint on the island, Denight said, though exact details of where other stations will be arent available yet.

Were looking to just identify some other locations that would be convenient for customers, she said.




Haiti - History : Message from Lesly Conde, 217th of the death of J-J Dessalines





Tuesday October 17, 2023, day of commemoration of the 217th anniversary of the assassination of the Founding Father of the Nation, Emperor Jacques 1st (Jean-Jacques Dessalines September 20, 1758 - October 17, 1806), the Ex-Consul General of Haiti in Chicago Lesly Conde delivered, as every year, a message of reflection that we invite you to share :



Message from Lesly Conde:



"Dear fellow citizens and friends from everywhere



This year, we commemorate the 217th anniversary of one of the most disastrous and significant events in our country's history. From October 17, the day the founding father of the Haitian Nation was cowardly assassinated, we can say that this Mation turned its back on its glorious destiny to become a lost sheep allowing itself to be led by partners whose benevolence leaves something to be desired. It is true that we cannot change history, but when we look at the circumstances of the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, we cannot help but imagine the best path that this Nation, our Nation, would have chosen. On October 17, 1806, universal freedom lost one of its most authentic allies.



On the occasion of the 217th anniversary of the very unfortunate event of the assassination of the founding father of the Haitian nation, I observe with great interest that October 17 is also the world day for the eradication of poverty. We are here in the presence of a harmonious coincidence because the refusal of poverty is a theme worthy of being associated with the memory of the valiant Father of our Nation. The World Day for the Eradication of Poverty is a clearly socialist initiative which is in the same line as the work of the man who led the only victorious struggle in history against poverty and the injustice of slavery. Following the defeat of the slave forces, Jean-Jacques Dessalines firmly defended the former slaves who, according to him, deserved freedom and well-being. In this new country of freedom, he wanted as much well-being for everyone. This included all the poor whose parents are in Africa. Emperor James the First therefore made powerful enemies among his fellow soldiers because of his attachment to his egalitarian philosophy. Well ahead of his time and even ours, the Father of our Nation was assassinated, and, all over the planet, those who are supporters of justice and freedom are still pursuing his beautiful dream.



To speak of the disappearance of Jean-Jacques Dessalines only two years after this valiant General had led an army of slaves to victory is to evoke a page of our history which gives rise to so much pain and so much regret.



Indeed, for having been cowardly assassinated by some of his own brothers in arms before even being able to establish the foundations of his brand new Nation, Jean-Jacques Dessalines was the victim of a double injustice. It is perhaps better to say that our Nation is the great victim because when Emperor James I disappeared, his vision also disappeared. The decisions that were taken after this assassination contrasted blatantly with the philosophy of the Founding Father of the Haitian Nation. This philosophy advocated the unconditional well-being of the unknown heroes who had contributed, through their sacrifices, to the only victorious slave revolt of all time. This vision cost Jean-Jacques Dessalines his life.



The man whose life we celebrate today is not only a Haitian hero. It is a giant of planetary dimensions. He is a military genius and an ardent defender of human rights even before the concept was popularized and vandalized. There are heroes who are revered around the world for their bravery and for their accomplishments brilliantly recounted in great detail. But it is mainly about invaders and conquerors. They are honored for having subjugated their adversaries and conquered their territories. Dessalines conquered freedom. And for having vigorously defended it against all, he was assassinated.



Today, the Nation of Jean-Jacques Dessalines seems to inevitably sink into chaos and destruction. Our country which, at the beginning of its existence, was a dream destination for all human beings who wanted to breathe the air of freedom, is now among the countries to which no one wants to belong. The assassination of the Father of our Nation proved that hatred had replaced the love of freedom in the hearts of some of our ancestors. When we stop loving our own compatriots because of their economic or social condition, we are likely to betray our Nation. Haiti has been repeatedly betrayed by its children. This indifferent or downright hostile world will not reach out to us. Like our ancestors, we can only count on ourselves. We must transcend our prejudices and this afraid of freedom in order to surprise the world... again. 



Reflection messages from Lesly Conde 2023 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40543-haiti-history-265th-anniversary-of-the-birth-of-emperor-jean-jacques-dessalines.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40420-haiti-history-message-of-tribute-from-lesly-conde-to-jean-jacques-dessalines.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40251-haiti-history-message-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-the-232nd-anniversary-of-the-bois-caiman-congress.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39882-haiti-social-message-from-lesly-conde-for-the-feast-of-our-lady-of-perpetual-help.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39859-haiti-social-message-from-lesly-conde-for-haitian-father-s-day-2023.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39639-haiti-social-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-mother-s-day-2023.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39562-haiti-220th-flag-day-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39348-haiti-national-day-of-the-haitian-diaspora-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39261-haiti-easter-2023-message-of-reflection-by-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39222-haiti-holy-week-2023message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-39124-icihaiti-social-international-day-against-racism-message-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-39116-icihaiti-international-francophonie-day-message-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39016-haiti-social-message-of-reflection-by-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38747-haiti-black-history-month-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38592-haiti-earthquake-2010-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38507-haiti-history-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html



All Lesly Conde's reflection messages in 2022 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38451-haiti-christmas-end-of-year-message-from-lesly-conde.html



All Messages from Lesly Conde in 2021 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35584-haiti-social-wishes-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-the-new-year.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Although state Sen. John Mannion joined the 22nd Congressional District race in July, Sarah Klee Hood continues to be the top fundraiser among Democrats.

Klee Hood, D-DeWitt, raised $237,735 in the third quarter, which ran from July 1 through Sept. 30. She received more than 97% of her funds from individual donors and $6,000 from PACs and other political committees.

Her campaign spent $206,779 and has $252,040 cash on hand entering the final quarter of 2023.

Aside from the slew of individual donations Klee Hood received, the Honor Bound PAC donated $5,000 and The Long Run PAC gave $1,000. Honor Bound PAC was established by Amy McGrath, a Marine Corps veteran who ran for U.S. Senate and House seats in Kentucky. The Long Run PAC was formed by Mandela Barnes, the former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin who ran for U.S. Senate in 2022.

Honor Bound PAC and The Long Run PAC have endorsed Klee Hood, a DeWitt town councilor and Air Force veteran, in NY-22.

Since launching her second bid for Congress in April, Klee Hood has raised $551,206, including $540,206 from individuals and $11,000 from PACs and other committees. Her campaign has spent $300,867.

"I've spent my life taking on problems and finding solutions  and what's happening now in Washington is a big problem," Klee Hood said. "I'm incredibly honored by the support of thousands of people from across the country and from central New York who chipped in their hard-earned dollars to support my campaign."

While Klee Hood leaned on individual donors, Mannion received nearly one-quarter of his money from PACs and other political entities. He raised $221,117 in his first quarter as a congressional candidate, $170,120 of which came from individual donors.

Mannion's third-quarter haul included $50,996 from PACs, mainly unions that are supporting his congressional campaign. He received $5,000 from the American Federation of Teachers and $5,000 from United Food and Commercial Workers.

Some state Senate colleagues also chipped in to help Mannion's congressional campaign. Committees linked to state Sens. Sean Ryan and James Skoufis each gave $1,000. Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli's campaign contributed $1,000.

Mannion's campaign spent $69,874 and has $151,242 cash on hand.

Clemmie Harris, a Camillus resident and Utica University professor, raised $21,969 in the third quarter. He received all but $1,000 of his haul from individual donors, including a $3,300 donation from former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

Harris' campaign spent $4,468 and has $33,078 in the bank. Since entering the NY-22 race, he has raised $39,461, including $38,461 from individuals, and spent $6,382.

The three Democrats are vying to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams, who will seek a second term in 2024. Williams, R-Sennett, raised $285,319 and spent $231,119 in the third quarter. He has $860,921 in the bank.




Haiti - FLASH : Haiti keeps its door closed, the Dominican Government will not give in





Monday October 16, 2023, the authorities of Ounaminthe decided to keep the border gate providing access to the binational market of Dajabon closed.



Business leader Dimary Sosa said he had received information from representatives of the Ouanaminthe Chamber of Commerce that the gate will remain closed until the Dominican Government orders the full opening of the border, with the entry of personnel with visas, that the price of visas be lowered and that equality be applied in the transport, sale and loading of goods on the market.



Let's remember that the day before hundreds of Haitian merchants had crossed the border accompanied by the Mayor of Ounaminthe, to load their products and goods which were blocked in warehouses (more than 40% of which belong to Haitian merchants... https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40744-haiti-flash-haiti-has-reopened-its-border-gate-and-allowed-haitians-to-enter-dajabon.html and bring them back to Haiti.



Furthermore, following the suspicious fire at the Dajabon market last week https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40719-haiti-news-zapping.html where 36 Haitian stands were destroyed, the owners are demanding compensations.



President Luis Abinader, during his weekly meeting with the media at the National Palace, declared Monday afternoon that the Haitians "are free to decide to keep the doors of their border closed," specifying that the Dominican Government will continue the plan that he established, affirming "[...] we are not going to give in [...] If they want to buy, that's there, otherwise it's their decision" while explaining that the Dominican Government was working on the opening of other alternative markets for products consumed by Haiti.



Abinader returned to the biometric identification measure after Haitians at the border on the Elias Pina side claimed that the recording of biometric data by the Dominican authorities was illegal. Abinader affirmed "We will not give in on this measure, anyone crossing this border must do their biometric identification [...] We will follow the plan that we have established since we said that the border will no longer be the same [...] The disorder that there was previously on the markets, cannot start again. We have to give it order and that involves measures that may disturb some..."



President Abinader insisted that "the objectives set during the closure of the border have been achieved" and declared that even if the Haitians stopped the construction of the canal on the Massacre River tomorrow, his plan would be continued by the executive branch, to apply border protection policies and we will implement new protection policies as we have already done, affirming that the border area between the two countries "will never be the same again."



Concerning the repatriations of foreigners in an irregular migratory situation on Dominican territory, "they will continue" and Abinader indicated that he would present within two to three weeks a plan for mechanization of the labor market aimed at eradicating the recruitment of labor of Haitian labor in different sectors "We are allocating approximately 3 billion pesos to the Development and Export Bank for mechanization in the agricultural sector and in the construction sector, where the Haitian workforce is the most used" adding "mechanization will make the country more efficient and the sectors concerned can count on the Government which will support them in terms of regulations and for financing the acquisition of this equipment.



Also read about the affair of the construction of the Canal in Haiti :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40735-haiti-customs-haitian-authorities-burn-15-000-dominican-eggs-in-belladere.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40732-haiti-economy-adih-in-solidarity-with-the-closure-of-haiti-s-land-borders-with-the-dom-rep.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-40729-icihaiti-canal-crisis-the-haitian-government-against-a-halt-to-the-construction-of-the-canal.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40722-haiti-masacre-river-haiti-reaffirms-the-sovereign-right-of-the-haitian-people.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40492-haiti-canal-conflict-a-haitian-delegation-in-the-dominican-republic-today.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40478-haiti-flashthe-dominican-government-announces-measures-and-issues-an-ultimatum-to-haiti-canal-river-massacre.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-40476-icihaiti-diversion-canal-tension-rises-in-the-dominican-republic.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40463-haiti-flash-4th-day-of-border-closure-in-dajabon-the-standoff-continues.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40450-haiti-flash-diversion-channel-the-dominican-republic-sends-armored-vehicles-to-the-northern-border-with-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40406-haiti-politic-the-dr-asks-haiti-to-stop-the-resumption-of-work-on-the-diversion-channel-of-the-massacre-river.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36174-haiti-politic-claude-joseph-deplores-the-stoppage-of-the-construction-of-the-irrigation-canal-of-the-massacre-river.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34875-icihaiti-rd-resumption-of-works-of-the-massacre-river-irrigation-canal.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34389-icihaiti-dr-stop-in-haiti-of-the-construction-of-the-canal-to-collect-water-from-the-massacre-river.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33974-haiti-dr-the-construction-of-the-haitian-canal-on-the-massacre-river-on-the-way-to-becoming-an-international-affair.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33953-haiti-flash-dominican-geologist-osiris-de-leon-denies-haiti-s-assertions.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33945-haiti-flash-canal-on-the-massacre-river-in-haiti-dominican-president-abinader-raises-the-tone.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33854-haiti-flash-president-abinader-announces-the-construction-of-a-dam-on-the-artibonite-river-in-dominican-soil.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33823-haiti-agriculture-diversion-of-the-massacre-river-in-search-of-a-solution-with-the-dr.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33596-haiti-flash-conflict-with-the-dr-over-a-canal-diverting-the-massacre-river-to-haiti.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Release of a 2-year-old hostage

The national police in the Nord department carried out last weekend the release of a 2-year-old child kidnapped on October 9 in the town of Saint-Raphael. The kidnappers were to receive a ransom of 600,000 gourdes the same day to release him. 4 suspects were arrested and two others wanted in connection with this case, informs the spokesperson for the PNH in the North, divisional inspector Harold Jean.



School infrastructure covered with excrement

On the night of Sunday October 15 to Monday October 16, 2023, the walls of several Jeremie educational establishments: Lycee Nord Alexis, the Beraca Educational Center, the College Saint-Louis de Jeremie, Danilou, the Lycee des Jeunes Filles, the Mixed Classical Institution of Musketeers were smeared with human excrement. Furthermore, the premises of Saint-Antoine Hospital and several stores were attacked. Faced with this situation, the majority of schools have temporarily suspended their activities.



Cap-Haitien : Tribute to MIKABEN

Sunday October 5, 2023, despite the rain, an imposing crowd from the four corners of Cape Town gathered at Place d'Armes du Cap-Haitien to commemorate with a host of artists, the first anniversary of MIKABEN's death. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37895-haiti-flash-michael-benjamin-mikaben-dies-on-stage-in-front-of-20-000-fans-video.html and pay tribute to the legacy of love and Peace that MikaBen left us. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40503-haiti-flash-dr-closes-its-land-sea-and-air-borders-with-haiti-goods-and-passengers.html



Boundary marking of the Bois Caiman site

"I am happy to announce, on October 17, which marks the 217th year of the death of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines, that the Government carried out, during the month of September, the demarcation of the Bois site Cayman [...] This boundary paves the way for various projects, including the construction of the Museum of Slavery in Haiti" said Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Recognized as being of public utility by decree dated August 20, 1998, Bois-Caiman belongs to the national and universal heritage, consecration of the centuries-old struggle of all Maroon slaves.



Les Cayes : Ultimatum to street and sidewalk vendors

In order to restore order in the street, the Mayor of Les Cayes, the Paquet and the Police came together to issue a press release, which demands that all small sellers, motorcycle businesses, garages which invade the sidewalks and the street, have until October 20 to vacate these spaces. "Sidewalks are for children who go to school, for people to move around, they are not made for commerce."



Personalities who are never discouraged

After the failure in the Bahamas at the beginning of the month to bring the Haitian actors back to the discussion table and the many others in previous months... the CARICOM Group of Eminent Personalities will try again to relaunch the negotiations in the hope of finally obtain an agreement. These next negotiations should be held in Port-au-Prince from October 29 to November 6, 2023.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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I reckon its clear that tightening the requirements and encouraging integration is likely to cause that you cant get citizenship as easily as currently. And thats very much the goal, she outlined at a press conference in Helsinki.

MINISTER of the Interior Mari Rantanen (PS) on Monday shed light on how the government plans to tighten citizenship requirements, report YLE and Helsingin Sanomat .

The goal is that successful integration is a requirement for citizenship. Citizenship is the reward of that.

The government intends to raise the residence requirement from five to eight years while reducing the number of days the applicant may have spent abroad during that period and specifying that only residence on a residence permit is counted toward the requirement. The exemption that has enabled people granted international protection to receive citizenship after a residence of four years will be removed.

Rantanen reiterated yesterday that the changes to the residence requirement are in line with those planned in the rest of the Nordics.

Minna Hulkkonen, the director general of immigration at the Ministry of the Interior, viewed that the government can facilitate the naturalisation of people granted international protection in other ways, such as by supporting them with the costs of the application.

The government will require aspiring citizens to pass a language and citizenship test.

I reckon the intention is to determine if the person has understood the values and principles of Finnish society, that the person has factually orientated themselves with Finnish society, summed up Rantanen.

The government will also revise the income and integrity requirements. Presently, the processing of a citizenship application can be discontinued or suspended for a certain time period if the applicant is found guilty of a criminal offence. The Ministry of the Interior is exploring the possibility of lengthening the waiting period or expanding the category of crimes that could invalidate the application altogether.

Citizenship applicants are currently also required to reliably demonstrate their source of income, which can include social security benefits disbursed by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela).

Rantanen on Monday declined to comment on where the income requirement could be set but indicated that in future applicants are unlikely to be able to refer to benefit decisions by Kela.

The planned revisions to the citizenship requirements reflect especially the objectives of the Finns Party. The Ministry of the Interior will draft the bills in three phrases: the proposal on the residence requirement is to be debated in parliament next spring, that on the income and integrity requirement in the second half of next year, and that on the citizenship test in the first half of 2025.

The revisions should not have a negative impact on work-based immigration to Finland, argued Rantanen. People moving to the country for work, she viewed, primarily examine factors such as the safety, services and tax rate of their destination country.

This tightening is surely within reason. It may of course have a bit of an effect that our citizenship act has been relatively lax so far. But I dont think the citizenship law is decisive for peoples choices about where they work, she commented.

The Finnish government is also planning on decreeing that people who have provided false information about their identity or committed serious crimes, such as treason or terror crimes, can be stripped of their citizenship.

Statistics from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) reveal that Finland processed around 10,700 citizenship applications in 2022, granting citizenship to 9,500 applicants.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

IM Motors receives up to 6,000 orders for LS6 model within 48 hours since market launch

Within a mere 48 hours upon the market launch, IM Motors managed to secure over 6,000 orders for the LS6 model, according to the co-CEO of IM Motors, Liu Tao, who revealed the news on his personal social media platform. In response to the enthusiastic demand from consumers, IM Motors has adjusted its factory production schedules to implement a two-shift operation.

IM LS6; photo credit: IM Motors

Geely unveils images of Galaxy E8 all-electric sedan

Galaxy, a new energy vehicle range under Geely Auto, recently released images of its pure electric sedan, the Galaxy E8. This vehicle represents the inaugural model of Geely Galaxy's "smart pure electric E-series," built on Geely's SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture). Deliveries for the Galaxy E8 are set to commence within the year 2023.

Galaxy E8; photo credit: Geely Galaxy

Ultrasonic radar sensor supplier Youhang Technology closes Pre-A round of financing

Zhuhai Youhang Technology Co., Ltd. ("Youhang Technology"), a Chinese ultrasonic radar sensor supplier, recently announced it had successfully completed a multi-million dollar pre-series A financing round led by South China Venture Capital. The funds raised in this round will primarily be allocated to projects including the automotive-grade validation, testing, and volume production of the AK2 ultrasonic sensor chips, the production capacity expansion for ultrasonic detection units, as well as R&D of in-vehicle micro-collision sensor chips.

Beijing grants first autonomous driving road test license to large-size public bus

In a significant leap forward for autonomous driving in public transportation, Beijing Public Transport Corporation, along with Yizhuangs operating company, Foton AUV, and QCraft, secured an intelligent connected vehicle road test permit from the Beijing High-level Automated Driving Demonstration Area (BJHAD).

Baidu's ERNIE Large Model 4.0 gives AI boost to Baidu Maps, autonomous driving tech

On October 17, during Baidu World 2023, CEO Robin Li unveiled the latest iteration of the ERNIE Large Model, the 4.0 version, and introduced over ten new AI-native applications, including enhanced search capabilities and a new mapping system.

Windrose Technology, Goodman Group ally on development of fast-charging facilities for new energy heavy-duty trucks

Global industrial property group, Goodman Group, announced on October 16 a partnership with the Chinese new energy heavy-duty truck developer, Windrose Technology. Together, they will combine their expertise in technology and sustainable development to establish fast-charging infrastructures for new energy heavy-duty trucks within Goodman's properties.

BYD-backed DENZA delivers 100,000th DENZA D9 MPV

DENZA, the premium auto brand majority-owned by BYD, recently announced the completion of the cumulative deliveries of 100,000 DENZA D9 MPVs. According to a post issued by Zhao Changjiang, DENZA's Sales Division General Manager, on October 16 via his Weibo account, the key of the 100,000th D9 was handed over to Mr. Cao Hui, Vice Chairman of Fuyao Group.

Chinese, Thai companies collaborate to launch autonomous driving project for mining business

On October 15, a consortium of Chinese and Thai companies inked a cooperation agreement to bring a groundbreaking 5G+ autonomous driving project to Thailand's mining industry.

Leapmotor boasts 31.9% YoY jump in Q3 2023 revenue

During Q3 2023, Leapmotor achieved revenue of 5,655.5 million yuan, marking a substantial 31.9% surge compared to the 4,287.8 million yuan achieved in the same period of 2022. Additionally, this also represents a 29.4% jump from the previous quarter.
Deputy Mayor for Urban Development Anni Sinnemaki (Greens) stated to Helsingin Sanomat on Thursday that the Finnish capital could feasibly create a zone where the use of diesel and petrol cars is prohibited, similarly to what is on the drawing board in Stockholm.

POLITICAL PARTIES in Helsinki are divided over the idea of prohibiting the use of diesel and petrol cars in downtown areas, reports Helsingin Sanomat.

Stockholm is set to establish a low-emission zone consisting of 20 blocks that is only accessible to electric and low-emission vehicles at the start of 2025. The zone will be enforced around the clock every day of the week, with a violation resulting in a fine of 85 Swedish krona, according to the newspaper.

I dont see why this kind of thing couldnt work in Helsinki, remarked Sinnemaki.

The City of Helsinki has struggled to achieve its emission reduction goals. Transport emissions are presently on track to decline by 39 per cent by the end of the decade, well short of the target of 69 per cent. Calculations, in fact, indicate that the current measures would not suffice to reach the target even by 2040.

The city is weighing up the possibility of setting up a low-emission zone as part of an analysis of additional emission reduction measures.

The situation is looking very bleak when it comes to the target, and the city must resort to all measures at its disposal without delay in order to reach the goal, Kaisa-Reeta Koskinen, the project director for the emission reduction plan, conceded already in 2022.

The idea of zones where combustion-engine vehicles are banned was shot down by Daniel Sazonov (NCP), the deputy mayor for social services and health care at the City of Helsinki.

The proposal for zones where combustion-engine vehicles are completely prohibited is detached from reality. The city and state must create the preconditions for electrifying the vehicle stock before even considering any kind of restrictions, he argued in an e-mail to Helsingin Sanomat.

He reminded that promoting electric road traffic is a goal that is shared by all parties. Helsinki, he suggested, should draft a three-year investment plan to promote the development of charging infrastructure particularly in downtown areas.

Olli-Pekka Koljonen (SDP), a deputy member of the Urban Environment Committee, said it is premature to comment on the idea. He estimated that the city should focus on the most effective measures in its bid to reduce emissions, such as improving the appeal of public transport and promoting the renewal of the vehicle stock in a way that increases the number of low-emission vehicles.

A ban on combustion-engine vehicles could also have socio-economic effects, he reminded, with residents who cannot afford to switch to an electric vehicle affected the most.

Koljonen also called attention to the fact that electric vehicles make up a larger share of the vehicle stock in Norway and Sweden than in Finland.

In Helsinki, electric vehicles made up 11.4 per cent of cars in use in 2022, signalling an increase of three points from the previous year. The proportion should be raised to at least 30 per cent in order to reach the emission reduction target for 2030.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
City is not getting its way in Raleigh

The road to plurality elections for council elections in three Henderson County cities has been longer and more complicated than anyone would have predicted, thanks to the sausage grinder in Raleigh.

And now that the end is in sight, its clear that the Hendersonville City Council will pan the result.

State Sen. Tim Moffitt said Tuesday that other counties wanted to get aboard the bill he filed moving city elections from odd- to even-numbered years and that he expected the omnibus bill to pass the Senate soon.

Moving city elections to even years prompted the Hendersonville City Council to ask Moffitt to also change the elections from a majority to plurality elections, eliminating primaries. (Had If they kept majority elections, cities would have seen primaries move from October to March.) The council also wanted filing for city elections to remain in July as it is now. That wont happen either, Moffitt said. Although he said hes open to discussion in the future, the bill as drafted sets filing for all offices  local, state and federal  Dec. 4-15.

At its Oct. 5 meeting, the City Council adopted a motion asking the Legislature to set the citys filing period in July 2024, to no avail.

So now that means when you go to vote in the 2024 presidential election and youve got that big long ballot, you're gonna find the City Council at the very end, Councilman Jerry Smith told people at a Council Conversations forum last week. Personally, I think that's a bad idea, because City Council is a nonpartisan election. I don't think it should be included with partisan elections.  People who are running for City Council for election in November 2024 are going to have to file in about six weeks.  None of this was requested by a majority of council.

Mayor pro tem Lyndsey Simpson said in the Oct. 5 council meeting that some voters, and potential candidates, had been confused by the changes.

I think it's important to note that none of these changes have been done to stop anyone from running for City Council, she said. Everyone that is sitting up at this table is in the exact same boat as everybody that's out there. The General Assembly keeps changing things. It's nothing that we've requested. It's nothing that staff has requested, and we still have the same questions that you do.

Moffitt said the Henderson County Board of Elections requested that qualifying for all offices be at the same time  Dec. 4-15.

Getting everybody in alignment is easiest for any community and from an elections administration standpoint, he said. No one likes change. Change is difficult but we all survive.
CAMPAIGNERS staged a protest in Henley to highlight the pollution of the River Thames.

The event at the Friday Street slipway was organised by the Henley Mermaids open water swimming group and the Henley and Marlow River Action Group.

People from groups including Ocean Rebellion, River Action UK, Project Planet Earth and Thames21 also came for a swim, performance, music and speeches.

About 30 supporters joined them, including town councillor Sara Kandiah, who carried a placard which read: Restore nature now.

Ocean Rebellion put on a performance called The bathing beauties, which symbolised the sickness of the river.

Four actors dressed as Victorian swimmers and wore make-up to make them look unwell.

They sat in deckchairs, coughing and groaning with pain while surrounded by rubbish typically found in water, including bottles, dog poo bags, tampons, crisp packets and netting.

Around them were placards reading: Thames Waters s*** and Sick to death of Thames Water.

The actors took turns to throw up on the floor, to exclamations and gasps from the spectators, before getting in the water in gas masks for a paddle while one laid down, dying.

Gary Hamilton played various tunes on the French horn, including the death march from Star Wars and the Drunken Sailor sea shanty.

Mermaids Laura Reineke, Joan Fennelly and Susan Barry and Dave Wallace, of the Henley and Marlow River Action Group, went for a quick dip.

Soraya Wooller and Sam Hayes, of Earthwatch Europe, an environmental charity, tested the river for nutrients and provided test kits for campaigners to use later.

They explained their equipment and said their results had shown that the water contains unhealthy levels of nitrates and phosphates.

Ms Wooller said: [This] is something that needs further investigation to understand what the potential sources of pollution are. Were in an urban site here and standing right above a combined sewer overflow which is owned by Thames Water.

Currently that pipe is trickling. We dont know specifically whats coming out but downstream we are seeing high levels of nutrients.

Nitrates and phosphates are a proxy to tell us there is potentially sewage pollution here.

We may also have road run-off, so there is a host of different chemicals, bacteria and toxins  all the chemical cocktail of 21st century living is pouring into this river.

She said it wasnt just humans who faced health risks by using the river but also the creatures in it and insects that relied on it. Ms Wooller added: There is very little plant life in this patch of river. We can see a lot of algae as a result of nutrient pollution.

You tend to see the death of plant life, accumulation of sediment and the overgrowth of algae, which has a direct impact on the ecology of the river.

Youre destroying the habitat by having this build-up of sediment and algae.

It has an impact on river invertebrates, the very base of the rivers food chain. The ecosystem is impacted and it has a knock-on effect up the food chain  fish and the other wildlife that inhabits the river.

We have a choice as to whether we want to get in or not but the creatures that live here dont have a choice and were impacting their habitat hugely.

Ms Reineke said: We are here giving our voice to the river against the sewage pollution that Thames Water continues to dump into our beautiful Thames.

Its killing our wildlife, its affecting the inhabitants and us humans that use it.

We are trying to gain support and educate people as to why Thames Water is doing this, what exactly its doing, telling the truth and giving people the power to use their voice.Protecting these habitats is not just an environmental duty, its a moral obligation.

Sue Walker, of Ocean Rebellion, said: Thames Water has failed to deliver 105 schemes in the last five years, was in breach of its commitment to Ofwat, was prosecuted more than 180 times and fined more than 100 million.

But a 35 per cent increase in charges to households to pay for their fines. Water is a human right and should not be privatised for profit. We are in a worldwide natural crisis caused by humans and Thames Water is just adding to it.

I emptied my kettle the other day and was absolutely horrified at what came out of it: it was disgusting, filthy, and that was tap water that I pay quite a lot for.

Youre paying, too, for water that is not being cleaned, for water that is going into our rivers and the sea.

We have no idea what the long-term effect will be but its serious and it needs to be sorted now. Water is a right, it is not a profit-making business, Thames Water.

Ms Reineke said: Rivers are lifelines for nature, sanctuaries for our spirit and economic engines for our community.

They create ecosystems and support a staggering variety of wildlife. Our waterways foster recreation, relaxation and adventure, making our lives richer in the process.

Moreover, they contribute to our local economies: think of the towns and villages nestled among these waterways, the businesses they support, the tourism they attract and the jobs they create which are integral to many communities and particularly our own.

Our waterways are facing threats, pollution, habitat degradation and overuse, putting them at risk.

Let us all be guardians of these precious lifelines, cherishing their beauty and biodiversity and preserving them for all to enjoy.

We have had many meetings with Thames Water and they have fobbed us off time after time.

We need to educate everybody in our communities along the river as to exactly what is happening so that every single person who looks at the river, uses the river, can have a voice and call out water companies. Water companies are failing, our government is failing and the regulators are failing.

Mr Wallace said: Thames Water, why do you hate Henley so much? Our children have been getting sick. We test the water and find harmful bacteria and a high level of pollutants.

This testing tells us the river is in dire ecological health. Why? Dark satanic mills that line our rivers sewage treatment works. They spew treated and untreated effluent into the river every day.

This is 2023, not Victorian Britain. Our demands are simple: Thames Water, clean up your act, stop poisoning our river, treat it with respect and invest in infrastructure to ensure that wastewater is stripped of everything harmful to humans and nature.

We must restore nature now. The Thames is Henley. Without it, we are nothing.
GORING Gap Players are to perform a play written in the Thirties that has a modern resonance as its title has slipped into the vernacular.

Patrick Hamiltons Gaslight tells the story of married couple Jack and Bella Manningham. It is a dark tale of betrayal and mystery set in fog-bound London in 1880.

Bellas husband keeps disappearing without telling her where he is going and she is becoming increasingly anxious and insecure. There are odd goings-on in their house  the lights keep dimming and weird noises are heard  so Bella thinks she is going insane.

Servants Elizabeth and Nancy add to the pressure and Bella doesnt know who she can trust. When Inspector Rough arrives at the house, can she turn to him for help?

A gaslight was a lamp used in Victorian times, while the term gaslighting is used when someone manipulates others into questioning their own sanity or reasoning.

The piece was chosen by director David Irving.

Publicist Rita Butler says: Hes actually a novice director but the assistant director, Phil Davies, has directed before, so hes got back-up and someone to lean on.

As an amateur dramatic company, we encourage people to do things theyve never done before and were all involved.

Goring Gap Players have been going since the early Sixties and we put on two productions each year. We try to do a mixture of genres.

Last spring, we did The Titfield Thunderbolt, which was hilarious  it was really good and very well attended. Weve also done things like pretending to be a radio studio. We did a couple of Francis Durbridge plays, with all of us on stage in our blacks but with scripts as if we were in a radio studio, which was different and good fun.

Gaslight is not horror exactly but its a very dark story. I remember seeing it at the Mill at Sonning a few years ago and it was brilliantly done.

Were all amateur but were all professional in the way we deal with things. We work well and we rarely need to be told what to do, were not newbies.

John Turner plays Jack, Joanna Watson is Bella, Jo Griffin is Elizabeth, Emma Jhita is Nancy and Chris Bertrand is Inspector Rough.

 Goring Gap Players present

Gaslight at the Morrell Room, Church Lane, Streatley, from Wednesday to Saturday, November 15 to 18 at 8pm. Tickets cost 12. For more details and to buy tickets, visit www.trybooking.com/uk/events/

landing/46467
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On October 15, a consortium of Chinese and Thai companies inked a cooperation agreement to bring a groundbreaking 5G+ autonomous driving project to Thailand's mining industry.



Signing ceremony; photo credit: WAYTOUS

The collaboration involves some prominent players, including Thailand's largest conglomerate SCG, the country's leading telecom operator AIS, Chinas Huawei, intelligent mining tech provider WAYTOUS incubated by Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Chinese bus manufacturer Yutong Bus. This initiative marks a pivotal step for Chinese mining autonomous driving enterprises' expansion beyond China and the launch of the first autonomous driving project in a foreign mining region.

WAYTOUS, as a representative of Chinese mining autonomous driving companies, is poised to introduce its first batch of electric autonomous off-road vehicles into a cement mine in Thailand's Saraburi Province. This transformation will be completed by around January 2024, effectively contributing to the construction of an environmentally friendly, intelligent, efficient, and safe new-age mining operation.

By participating in this venture, these companies aim to use it as a stepping stone for energy strategic layout along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). They are eager to explore broader and deeper collaborations with Thailand and other countries along the BRI, with plans to expand into Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and other BRI-related regions. This endeavor not only signifies the inaugural overseas project in the Chinese mining autonomous driving sector but also serves as a blueprint for promoting green development across the Chinese-Thai and ASEAN regions, enhancing cooperation in energy resources, and upgrading industrial structures for BRI countries.

After a series of extensive discussions and meticulous planning, the consortium resolved various issues related to solution integration, trade logistics, project feasibility, alignment of technical standards, and preparation of implementation details. With the signing of the cooperation agreement on October 15, the first 5G+ autonomous driving and green mining project in Thailand is now set to become a reality.

The 5G network is currently under construction within the mining region, and the transformation of autonomous electric mining vehicles is well underway. The completion of this project not only symbolizes a breakthrough for Chinese mining autonomous driving companies venturing abroad but also represents a pioneering model for sustainable economic and social development in the Sino-Thai and ASEAN regions. It holds significant potential for advancing cooperation and upgrading the energy and industry sectors of BRI countries.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- DENZA, the premium auto brand majority-owned by BYD, recently announced the completion of the cumulative deliveries of 100,000 DENZA D9 MPVs. According to a post issued by Zhao Changjiang, DENZA's Sales Division General Manager, on October 16 via his Weibo account, the key of the 100,000th D9 was handed over to Mr. Cao Hui, Vice Chairman of Fuyao Group.

Photo credit: DENZA

On September 24, DENZA officially declared that the 100,000th DENZA D9 had rolled off the assembly line. It took the automaker just 11 months to reach this milestone, solidifying DENZA D9's position as the fastest-produced luxury new energy vehicle model to reach the 100,000-unit production mark, said the automaker.

The DENZA D9 is the first model introduced after DENZA's brand renewal. Positioned as a mid-to-large high-end new energy MPV, it hit the market in August 2022 and began deliveries on October 26. Currently, there are ten different trim levels available, with prices ranging from 33,580 yuan to 660,000 yuan, offering consumers a choice between plug-in hybrid electric and all-electric versions.

The plug-in hybrid version features the DM-i Super Hybrid technology, offering a fuel consumption of 5.9L/100km and a range of up to 190km on battery power alone, and achieving a combined range of 1,040km. On the other hand, the all-electric version is built on the e-platform 3.0 and can reach a maximum range of 620km under the CLTC test cycle.

While the DENZA D9 continues to enjoy great popularity, DENZA has expanded its product range by putting the DENZA N7 SUV and the DENZA N8 SUV onto the market in the second half of this year. This expansion has positioned DENZA as a prominent player in various segments, including MPV and SUV.

DENZA has not only made an impact in the Chinese luxury new energy vehicle market but has also actively pursued an international strategy. This year, the DENZA D9 has made appearances at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Thailand and the IAA Mobility in Germany, with plans to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show opening later this month.
Inspirational tour across China: Pakistani researcher hails BRI's role in promoting global development

15:56, October 17, 2023 By Peng Yukai, Zhou Yu, Zhang Rong ( People's Daily Online

Zoon Ahmed Khan, a Pakistani researcher at the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) expressed her admiration for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which she lauded as an example of affirmative action answering the urgent needs of nations, especially those in the developing world, to advance their development.

"Over the years, we have seen that countries that needed infrastructures and the basic pretext for national development have been offered significant opportunities through China," she said in an exclusive interview with People's Daily Online. "It is really a vision to think about development that is conducive to our common goals as mankind."

Zoon commended the pivotal role played by BRI in driving Pakistans progress and its social and economic development, noting that the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the "most exciting thing that had happened for Pakistan."

"It is very important to note that it [BRI projects in Pakistan] was about mutually determining what China can do and what Pakistan really needs," she said, noting that the impact of these projects extended to nearly 200 million people in her homeland.

According to Zoon, the collaboration between China and Pakistan under the BRI has brought about transformative projects over the past few years, resulting in substantial improvements in infrastructure and transportation in major cities in Pakistan. This partnership has evolved into a second phase, emphasizing socioeconomic development and impacting ordinary citizens. In Pakistan, critical discussions are underway regarding poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, and the modernization of various sectors, vividly reflecting the far-reaching global impact of the BRI.

During the interview, Zoon expressed her deep admiration for China's unprecedented speed, scale, and scope of development over the last four and a half decades. She reserved particular praise for China's monumental achievement of lifting over 800 million people out of poverty, especially during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. She firmly believes that this accomplishment not only attests to China's success, but also underscores the fundamental values of upholding human dignity.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Du Mingming)
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Global industrial property group, Goodman Group, announced on October 16 a partnership with the Chinese new energy heavy-duty truck developer, Windrose Technology. Together, they will combine their expertise in technology and sustainable development to establish fast-charging infrastructures for new energy heavy-duty trucks within Goodman's properties.

Kristoffer Harvey, Chief Executive Officer, Greater China at Goodman (left), Han Wen, founder, chairman, and CEO of Windrose Technology (right) photographed in front of Windrose Technology's next-gen zero-emission intelligent heavy-duty truck

This collaboration is set to commence with testing and construction on properties owned by Goodman in China and will gradually expand to other regions.

Windrose Technology boasts a roster of investors, including FountainVest, Yunqi Partners, GSR Ventures, as well as executives from prominent companies such as Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Decathlon, Li Auto, and Geely Group. The newly formed partnership made Goodman Group a new investor to Windrose Technology.

Windrose Technology's Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Han Wen, stated, "For our clients and their carriers, new energy heavy-duty trucks are a key step in reducing carbon emissions and operational costs. By strategically deploying infrastructures for the rapid and safe charging of these vehicles, we can provide superior service to our customers. Goodman Group is committed to developing high-quality sustainable properties in major global markets, and the collaboration with Goodman will help us assist our clients in accelerating their supply chain decarbonization efforts."

Windrose Technology is a Chinese supplier of fully self-developed new energy intelligent driving heavy truck solutions. The company is crafting a next-generation zero-emission intelligent heavy-duty truck to meet the needs of consumer goods transportation, facilitating global cross-border trade and logistics connectivity. Its initial vehicle model is projected to have a range of 600 kilometers, weigh 49 tonnes, and feature an 800V high-voltage rapid charging platform. Windrose Technology has conducted high-temperature and high-altitude tests with Decathlon, a client of Goodman Group, for the model. This vehicle series is set to debut in China in 2024 and subsequently expand into the American, European, and Australian markets.
How did the idea for The Visible Invisibles come into being? Is the finished work how you had envisioned it from the start? Shivaji Das: Migration is one of the most defining characteristics of our world today. Consequently, there has recently been a profusion of migrant literature. But they are inevitably the voices of the well-heeled expats and not those of low-wage migrants: the construction worker, miner, domestic worker, or the sex worker. And unlike high-income migrants, low-wage migrant workers have little political agency and therefore face crippling issues such as trafficking, wage theft, racism and unsafe working conditions. Thats how the idea of this book came in  to create a work focusing solely on the life journeys of low-wage migrant workers as narrated by them in their own words. Through this book, we hope to foster greater understanding about low-wage migrants. Our underlying belief behind this effort is that with understanding comes political agency, and with political agency, comes positive structural changes. The finished work did surprise us with the sheer diversity of life stories that yet revealed common themes that transcended jurisdictions and socio-political contexts. PREMIUM Migrant workers in Singapore (The Light Lab/Shutterstock)

226pp, 499; Penguin

The stories are grouped under different sections on the basis of the issues highlighted in them ending with the final part titled Potpourri of Musings. How did you go about deciding on this structure and was there any confusion as to the categorising of these stories in the separate parts?

Yolanda Yu: The sections are defined loosely by questions each explores in more depth than the rest: is becoming a migrant worker a matter of choice, or a lack of one? How do political conditions shape the course of their life? What prejudices do low-wage migrant workers have to face? Are they able to shed their own biases? How does migration change them?

And yet, there are many overlaps between the various sections. We made a conscious decision about not being too rigid about the structure because that is how all our lives are, without clear categories or chain of consequences. So we felt that such loosely defined sections would be the best suited for a book about life stories. The stories are narrated in the first person and you mention how it was important to the overall project in the introduction. How did you come to that decision and did the storytellers also approve their contributions before publication? Shivaji Das: It was important for us to give a direct voice to migrant workers as the key objective was to make them visible. This has also been the core idea behind the design of the poetry competitions we run for migrant workers  to speak for themselves instead of through NGOs or academics. It is both empowering and powerful. Where we could, given the challenges with accessibility, we got the contributors to approve the draft versions. It was important for us to give a direct voice to migrant workers as the key objective was to make them visible. This has also been the core idea behind the design of the poetry competitions we run for migrant workers  to speak for themselves instead of through NGOs or academics. It is both empowering and powerful. Where we could, given the challenges with accessibility, we got the contributors to approve the draft versions. How did you conducting these interviews and how did you zero in on the people whom you chose for this project? Yolanda Yu: Most of these interviews were done during the pandemic. We could still meet the workers who were based in Singapore, where we live. But for those featured workers based outside Singapore, we could only talk to them over video calls. Some stories are also based on our interactions with migrant workers we interviewed during our past travels. Most of these interviews were done during the pandemic. We could still meet the workers who were based in Singapore, where we live. But for those featured workers based outside Singapore, we could only talk to them over video calls. Some stories are also based on our interactions with migrant workers we interviewed during our past travels.

Co-author Yolanda Yu (Courtesy the subject)

What were some of the challenges you encountered in the process of collecting these narratives? How difficult was it to have the interviewees enter into a vulnerable space during the conversation?

Yolanda Yu: We almost had to do some detective work to gain access to some groups of migrant workers such as sex workers, tea plantation workers, and Chinese workers in Indian restaurants. But we also knew many of the featured workers from our past work with them.

The interviewees were surprisingly ready to enter the vulnerable space and share their life stories, thoughts, and feelings with our readers. Many said that this was the first time someone had asked for their life stories and were therefore delighted to reveal all. Certain uses of derogatory words to describe people of different ethnicities have been kept as is. Was that a conscious choice? Shivaji Das: It was a conscious choice, by us, and the featured migrant workers. Migration, domestic or cross-border, mashes up people from different cultures and communities. Migrant workers have to deal with employers and co-workers who speak different language or dialects. They have to share the dining table and the kitchen fire with people where ones food could even be taboo for others. A Bangladeshi could be sharing room with seven Chinese persons. A workers religious books and charms could be called back magic and thrown away by the employer. So a big part of a migrants life involves dealing with cultural or racial contrasts, conflicts and biases. For some, their own cultural biases get reinforced even further. Thereby, in this book, we kept the expressions of such strong emotions as they were told to us because to ignore them would be tantamount to dehumanizing the migrant workers. And yet, we found a universal feeling of solidarity among all the migrant workers we interviewed. This transcended all their psychological boundaries. Over time, many formed cherished friendships with the other. And a fellow workers death by an accident is mourned by all migrant workers, irrespective of their race or culture. Mingled with the tragic narratives are also stories of hope where migrant workers narrating their struggles also share how they went on to find success in creative fields such as writing and designing. Having organised poetry competitions for migrant workers as well, in your opinion, does art then present itself as not only an outlet but also a potent mode of authentic expression of such precarious existences? Yolanda Yu: I believe it is much more complicated. First of all, migrant workers life is more than struggling and suffering. The experience also encompasses love, friendship, passion, hope, and dignity in intricate manners. This means their art has the potential to and often does reflect such life in its entirety. But migrant workers may also self-censor such expressions, with various motives such as to maintain a certain self-image, or to avoid reprisals by their employer, government, or even families back home. I believe it is much more complicated. First of all, migrant workers life is more than struggling and suffering. The experience also encompasses love, friendship, passion, hope, and dignity in intricate manners. This means their art has the potential to and often does reflect such life in its entirety. But migrant workers may also self-censor such expressions, with various motives such as to maintain a certain self-image, or to avoid reprisals by their employer, government, or even families back home. Shivaji Das: N Rengarajan, a migrant worker, put it elegantly in one of his poems: Ours is not a foreign life, Our lives are foreign to us.

Co author Shivaji Das (Courtesy the subject)

Many stories also outline how the pandemic had an impact on their jobs and lives, in addition to how state institutions were not as helpful as NGOs during that period of extreme uncertainty. Which stories stood out that perhaps couldnt make it to publication?

Shivaji Das: We have not omitted anything that was worth highlighting. Overall, the migrant workers highlighted both positive and negative experiences of life during the pandemic, and we have tried to showcase both.

An important aspect of these tales is how care labour comes to be showcased with workers tending to their employers children while missing out on their own childs life. Was that a recurring narrative? Yolanda Yu: What you have mentioned is a clear contrast worth noting, underlying which is a more common theme that many low-wage migrant workers miss out on their own childrens life. This, as the nature of migrant life, happens regardless of what they do and who they tend to. However, taking care of other peoples children does bring a new dynamic, making the experience either harder to bear, or easier by creating the possibility of transference. What you have mentioned is a clear contrast worth noting, underlying which is a more common theme that many low-wage migrant workers miss out on their own childrens life. This, as the nature of migrant life, happens regardless of what they do and who they tend to. However, taking care of other peoples children does bring a new dynamic, making the experience either harder to bear, or easier by creating the possibility of transference. Shivaji Das: This is a matter specific to certain jurisdictions which restrict low-wage migrant workers from bringing in their own families. Also for caregivers and domestic workers in such jurisdictions, the worker has extremely limited bargaining power compared to her employer, and thereby she often views the employers child as a peer or her only friend. Are there any plans on bringing out a second part? Are any other collections in the works? Shivaji Das: Our next writing project, showcasing the life stories of Chinese-Indian couples, is due for publication next year. With regards to migrant workers, we would definitely consider a second part a few years later, perhaps exploring the connection between climate change and migration for low-wage jobs. Our next writing project, showcasing the life stories of Chinese-Indian couples, is due for publication next year. With regards to migrant workers, we would definitely consider a second part a few years later, perhaps exploring the connection between climate change and migration for low-wage jobs. Simar Bhasin is an independent journalist.

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Dubai, UAE  In the heart of the thriving business landscape of Dubai, Anuvi Business Solutions is making waves by spearheading an inspiring initiative that is empowering startups and small businesses. This innovative company has quickly become the go-to resource for entrepreneurs looking for premium business setup in Dubai at an affordable cost.

The company's mission is simple yet powerful: to provide startups with the premium tools, strategies, and guidance they need to succeed, without the prohibitive price tags associated with top-tier business consulting. Anuvi understands that startups often face budget constraints and limited resources, and they are determined to bridge this gap.

One of the key features that sets Anuvi Business Solutions apart is its comprehensive range of services. From business development and marketing strategies to financial planning and legal counsel, Anuvi offers a one-stop solution for startups in Dubai. Their team of experienced professionals is dedicated to customizing services to meet the unique needs and goals of each business they serve.

Speaking about their mission, the founder and CEO of Anuvi Business Solutions Anuradha Sharma, shared, We are passionate about supporting the startup community in Dubai and helping them realize their dreams. Therefore, we made a Programme for Start-ups, named Super Start-ups where we will be promoting the newly registered company on Anuvi Social Media Channels, Basically, its launching the Newly Registered UAE Companies, once they are on board with us to help them to brand there product or services in Dubai New Market. As, we firmly believe that every business, regardless of its size, should have access to premium business solutions. Our team is dedicated to making that a reality for every entrepreneur.

In an era where startups are on the rise and the competitive market continues to evolve, Anuvi Business Solutions has emerged as a beacon of hope for those seeking expert guidance and high-quality services without breaking the bank. Their commitment to helping startups thrive is making waves throughout the Dubai business community.

Furthermore, Anuvi's focus on affordability doesn't mean they compromise on quality. The company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of service, ensuring that every startup they work with receives the premium support they deserve. This commitment has earned them a reputation for excellence and reliability in the industry.

Startups that have partnered with Anuvi Business Solutions sing praises of the invaluable support and guidance they've received. "Anuvi not only helped us refine our business strategy but also provided essential insights into market trends and competitor analysis.

In addition to their consulting services, Anuvi Business Solutions hosts regular workshops, seminars, and networking events, providing startups with a platform to learn, connect, and grow. This collaborative approach is helping foster a strong and vibrant startup ecosystem in Dubai.

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, Anuvi Business Solutions Dubai stands out as a beacon of hope, offering premium business solutions at a price that doesn't deter startups from reaching their full potential. Their commitment to supporting the dreams of entrepreneurs in the region is not only inspiring but also a testament to their dedication to the success of the Dubai business community. With their affordable, premium solutions and unwavering support, the sky's the limit for startups in Dubai.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.

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Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), the largest network of design institutes in India and abroad, showcased its creativity and innovation on the grand stage of Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI at Pragati Maidan, Delhi. The spectacular event unfolded on October 11, 2023, as INIFD presented two captivating shows - 'INIFD Presents GENNEXT' and 'INIFD Launchpad.'

The dazzling Hina Khan, a renowned actress known for her dominating on-screen presence and glamorous looks, graced the ramp as the showstopper at 'INIFD Launchpad.' She was bedecked in stunning creations crafted by INIFD's talented student designers. Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi, Bigg Boss, and Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2's Komolika fame, Hina Khan, has previously walked for distinguished designers and now lends her charm to INIFD's design students.

INIFD Interior Design Students Divya Kothari, Binay Sohanya, Yashi Agrawal, Arpita Sen, Pramal Kulal designed the sets of designer fashion shows at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI. INIFD Fashion Design students - Bhumika & Ketaki, Preksha & Soumya, Rajveer & Anisha, Zubiya & Prachi and Leesa Shah presented a wonderful show INIFD Launchpad. They were inspired from the vivid themes like land of Turkey & its Iznik prints, Mughal manuscripts & miniature paintings, Ikat & bead weaving, Block printing, Macrame, Kalamkari representing the Craft of Fashion in own exquisite way. INIFD is the only educational institution that grants its design students the unique opportunity to showcase their talents at Indias most esteemed fashion week. This prestigious platform is where renowned designers such as Manish Malhotra, Tarun Tahiliani, Ashish N Soni, and Abraham & Thakore unveil their latest collections.

Mr. Anil Khosla, Global CEO of INIFD, expressed his enthusiasm for the 'INIFD presents GENNEXT' program, an essential platform for young designers. He emphasized how this initiative plays a pivotal role in showcasing aspiring designers' talents to a broader audience and providing exposure both nationally and internationally.

Ms. Tisha Khosla, Style Mentor at INIFD, praised the student designers for their innovative collections inspired by the theme 'CRAFT TO FASHION.' She recognized them as the future of the design world, showcasing their creativity and talent on a national platform.

The 'INIFD Presents GENNEXT' platform has consistently nurtured emerging designers, including celebrities like Masaba Gupta, Rahul Mishra, Nachiket Barve, Gaurang, Asa Kazingmei, Mohammad Mazhar, and more, making their debut under the 'GENNEXT' designer program.

This season, the 'INIFD presents GENNEXT' show introduced young designers Sonam Khetan, Prasoon Sharma - label 'TRIUNE and Arnav Malhotra with his label 'No Grey Area. Each season, these designers are meticulously selected by a jury comprising top designers, corporate leaders in the fashion industry, and eminent media personalities.

INIFD, a pioneer in design education, boasts a legacy of over 28 years in the field of fashion and interior design. It holds the distinction of being the first fashion institute to showcase its students' collections at both New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week, season after season. INIFD has a stellar set of mentors, from the leading designer Manish Malhotra to celebrity Interior designer Twinkle Khanna and Star Bollywood Fashion Stylist Ashley Rebello.

The impressive showcase at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI is a collaborative effort between three major industry pillars  Lakme, FDCI, and RISE Worldwide, which unite to present the best designers from across India.

For more information, please visit www.nifd.net.

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 17: More than half of first-year college students (54%) frequently felt anxious since starting college - and 60% don't turn to professionals for help* but turn to their friends instead. To encourage open conversation and ensure support is accessible to all, Maybelline New York, the world's #1 makeup brand, has partnered with The Jed Foundation (JED), to create Brave Talk, a free expert-developed training designed to equip individuals to handle delicate and often difficult conversations around mental health with a friend or peer who may need their support.

Speaking at the event, Zeenia Bastani, General Manager - Maybelline New York & NYX Professional Makeup, L'Oreal India, said, "Maybelline New York has been an ardent advocate for mental health. Since the launch of Maybelline Brave Together, our objective has been to destigmatize mental health conversations and make free support accessible to all through our 1:1 helpline. As part of this journey, through the Brave Talk training, we aim to equip people with the know-how and skills necessary to identify signs of anxiety or depression in their friends, family, or peers, navigate that often difficult conversation, offer support, and facilitate connections to appropriate resources. With Brave Talk, we believe more people will encourage open conversation on mental health, and those experiencing anxiety will feel heard, supported, and be brave together."

For the launch, influential mental health advocates like Ananya Birla, Anshula Kapoor, Kusha Kapila, and Nikhil Taneja came together for an engaging panel discussion, each contributing unique insights to the conversation. Ananya Birla, the brand spokesperson and also the campaign ambassador, brought her valuable perspective to the discussion. The panel discussion was moderated by Varun Duggirala content creator and podcaster who guided the conversation toward meaningful discourse. In addition to this engaging dialogue, the event also provided attendees with workshops focused on the arts, dance, and listening circles, acknowledging the pivotal role these activities play in addressing mental health challenges.

Maybelline New York's Brand Ambassador Ananya Birla will also introduce 'The Brave Together' track, a tribute to mental health that underscores her steadfast dedication to increasing awareness about mental health concerns. Ananya's wholehearted commitment to this cause strikes a chord, as she utilizes her platform to motivate change and encourage candid discussions regarding mental well-being. Her actions serve as a poignant reminder of the significance of placing mental wellness at the forefront and offering support to those who require it.

Ananya Birla said, "I am incredibly thrilled to be launching a track for Maybelline New York's Brave Together campaign on World Mental Health Day. Mental well-being is a cause that resonates deeply with me, and I believe it's high time we prioritize it on a global scale. Through this track, I aim to put a spotlight on the pressing issue of mental health and contribute to the vital conversation surrounding it."

Brave Talk is created with a memorable frame and includes "Brave Steps" to allow anyone to remember how to start and navigate a conversation with a friend.

*Source: Healthy Minds Study Fall 2020 Data Report

Maybelline New York is the number one cosmetic brand in the world, available in over 120 countries. By combining technologically advanced formulas with on-trend expertise and New York City edge, Maybelline New York's mission is to offer innovative, accessible, and effortless cosmetics for all. In 2020, Maybelline introduced Brave Together, a long-term program to support anxiety and depression worldwide. Brave Together provides critical one-on-one support, an online education hub, and a variety of programming to help destigmatize the conversation around mental health and has committed to donating $10 million over the next five years to global and local organizations.

For more information log on to www.maybelline.com.

(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)

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Cambridge, MA - October 11, 2023 - MobileUnlocks.com, a leading provider of mobile phone unlocking services, is proud to announce its commitment to delivering reliable and efficient unlocking solutions to customers worldwide. With a user-friendly platform and a team of experienced professionals, MobileUnlocks.com is dedicated to helping customers unlock their mobile devices quickly and securely.

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LOS ANGELESMen.com will soon release "Gym Powerfuck," a new scene featuring Nate Roses first-time bottoming on screen.

Contract star Malik Delgaty will be Rose's partner in the gym-themed scene.

In the scene, powerfully muscular gym bros Delgaty and Rose immediately notice each other in the gym, and after Rose asks Delgaty for a spot, the guys' flirting goes to the next level.

Rose, a former Canadian stripper, has previously worked with other studios, such as TransAngels and Why Not Bi.

"Gym Powerfuck" debuts on Friday, Oct. 27, streaming exclusively on Men.com.

Follow Men.com on Twitter/X @Men, Instagram @themenaccount, and TikTok @themenaccount.

Follow Delgaty on X @Malik_Delgaty.

Follow Rose on X @nate_rose324.
In 2023 to 2024, technology will be fundamental to how modern businesses operate, making complicated jobs more straightforward. Nowadays, practically everyone is concentrating on creating attractive and user-friendly mobile applications, whether a startup or an established firm. In this blog, we will tell you the top 10 mobile app development companies in the USA. However, if you are the one looking for a trusted and the best mobile app development company, Sapphire Software Solutions can be your best Place. They are awarded as the Best Development Company by CLUTCH worldwide, the most reputed platform, due to their constant innovation and dedication in creating mobile apps. Not only this, Sapphire is also awarded by Goodfirms as the top mobile app development company, most reviewed company as well as the top web development company based on the client reviews. The company is top-rated on other reputed platforms like Upwork and Freelancer due to its amazing work and satisfied customers.

Here are the top 10 mobile app development companies in 2023-24:

Sapphire Software Solutions

Established in 2002, Sapphire Software Solutions is a web and mobile app development company with ISO 27001:2013 certification. They provide Software outsourcing, product Development, and maintenance are all included in their services. Sapphire has a successful track record in developing mobile applications. As a global leader, the company has 2800+ satisfied clients in 30+ countries. With a wide range of clients, from startups to major enterprises, Sapphire has developed strong client ties that span more than 20 years. As a Multinational company, they have experience working with several Fortune 500 companies and popular brands like American Express, Bayer, Chevron, Almarai, Adani, L&T, Vedanta, JSW, Cummins, ACC , Ambuja, B irla Group, Dr Reddy, and LOREAL.

Infosys

Infosys Limited, a multinational information technology firm based in India, offers business consulting, information technology, and outsourcing services. It is a leader in consulting and next-generation digital services.

Tata Consultancy Services

Many of the biggest companies in the world have partnered with TCS, an organization that provides IT services, consulting, and business solutions. The company is creating a meaningful future through innovation, technology, and accumulated expertise.

Tech Mahindra

Tech Mahindra, which provides cutting-edge and client-focused information technology experiences, stands for the connected world. They employ professionals with rich experience and abilities that are in line with the demands of the industry from a variety of backgrounds.

Peerbits

Peerbits provide effective mobile app solutions so that SMEs and bootstrapped startups can scale to their full potential. They can develop mobile apps for you on a budget, which ensures productivity, efficiency, and resilience.

Globant

They are a digitally-native business that helps organizations reinvent themselves to advance and reach their full potential. With a dedicated team of mobile app developers, they can develop a mobile app for any industry type and size.

Rightpoint

Rightpoint is a leading mobile app development company with a team of talented developers. They can create mobile apps that support clients' success and keep them one step ahead of their competitors.

DataArt

Businesses can engage with DataArt, a global custom software development company based in Orlando, Florida, to design, build, and maintain mission-critical apps and software. The business develops user-friendly and durable customer apps using the most trustworthy techniques.

Five

Five is a cutting-edge and hybrid mobile application development company, established in 2008. The developers at "Five" use the most recent technologies and development techniques to create mobile applications that help your businesses grow.

VironIT

VironIT is an IT firm offering full-service mobile app creation, integration, updating support, and application maintenance. Their programmers create specialized software and apps for large and small businesses.

Sapphire is the right destination if you seek tactical and out-of-the-box solutions to digitize your business. Their team is committed to creating the highest caliber mobile apps while also satisfying and supporting its customers. Additionally, they are the Clutch and Google's top-rated mobile app development company. Sapphire has delivered 1500+ projects and assisted big clients like Adani and American Express in skyrocketing their business by delivering top-notch services.

About CEO

Kumaril Patel-

Kumaril Patel, CEO of Sapphire Software Solutions, one of the leading mobile and software development companies, exudes a dynamic, practical, and inspirational leadership style that inspires. He is a leader, mentor and a role model within the company and throughout the industry, he has immense knowledge in this field. Kumaril has been managing the company for more than 20 years with the same fervor, excitement, and commitment.

Sapphire Software Solutions.

Kumaril Patel

Contact: +91-942-970-9662

Email: contact@sapphiresolutions.net

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The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) anticipates a staggering business turnover of 4.25 lakh crore within 23 days of this wedding season. (Representational photo)

Between November 23 and December 15, approximately 3.5 million weddings are slated to take place, as per a survey conducted by CAIT Research & Trade Development Society. This grand celebration is expected to generate an impressive 4.25 trillion in purchases and services, as reported by Business Standard.

Delhi alone is set to host over 3.5 lakh weddings during this season, contributing to an estimated business worth around 1 lakh crore in the city. Last year, during the same period, approximately 3.2 million weddings occurred, with expenses tallying up to 3.75 lakh crore, according to B C Bhartia, National President of CAIT.

In these 23 days of wedding festivities, around 6 lakh weddings will have an estimated expenditure of 3 lakh per wedding, while approximately 10 lakh weddings will have costs of around 6 lakh per event.

A further 12 lakh weddings are projected to bear expenses of about 10 lakh per wedding, while 6 lakh weddings may witness a budget of 25 lakh per event. Additionally, 50,000 weddings are expected to have an expenditure of 50 lakh, and another 50,000 weddings will have budgets exceeding 1 crore.

According to the survey, popular wedding destinations in India encompass sought-after locations such as Goa, Jaipur, Kerala, and Shimla.

The prevailing wedding trends in India encompass destination weddings, themed weddings, and an increasing emphasis on eco-friendly celebrations.

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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
Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., an international proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal to appoint billionaire Mukesh Ambanis youngest son, Anant Ambani, on the board of the family-controlled Reliance Industries Ltd., underscoring concerns around succession planning at Indias largest company by market value. Anant Ambani

A vote against this resolution is warranted as Anant Ambanis limited leadership/board experience of around six years, raises concerns on his potential contribution to the board, ISS said in an Oct. 12 note, which it shared with Bloomberg. It has backed the board appointments of his elder siblings, Isha and Akash Ambani, in the shareholder vote that will close on Oct. 26.

ISSs objections echo the recommendations from Mumbai-based Institutional Investor Advisory Services, or IIAS, which said in an Oct. 9 report, that at 28 years of age, appointment of the young Ambani scion does not align with our voting guidelines. IIAS has supported the proposals seeking to elect Isha and Akash.

Reliance did not respond to Bloombergs queries but told the proxy companies that Anant has the relevant experience and maturity to add value to the board deliberations given his participation in the conglomerates businesses and the grooming he has received from senior leadership over the years. Both ISS and IIAS added Reliances response to their reports.

Another international proxy firm, Glass Lewis, is in favor of Anants appointment. We do not single out Anant Ambani from the other siblings based on experience, Decky Windarto, Glass Lewiss director of Asia-Pacific Research, said in an emailed response. We noted that the other two directors up for election are just three years older than Anant, with similar professional experiences.

While the induction of Anant and his elder, twin siblings as non-executive, non-independent directors, is critical to the succession plan announced by Asias richest person, the counterpoints from proxy advisories show that Ambani and the next-generation leaders at $190 billion group will continue to be in focus for corporate governance watchers.

Evolving Expectations

The recommendations from ISS and IIAS also point to the evolving investor expectations from a conglomerate that now counts Google and Meta Platforms Inc. among marquee investors in its consumer businesses.

Reliances founders own over 41% shares in the company, making them the single largest voting chunk. The three resolutions need a majority of votes cast to go through. Foreign and local institutions, that often vote based on proxy firms recommendations, own close to 40% in Reliance. Their stance will be known after the voting closes.

Succession is a crucial issue for the billionaire. Ambani, who was appointed to the Reliance board in 1977 at the age of 20, had to tackle a bitter fraternal feud after his father died without a will in 2002.

From Reliance investors viewpoint, the leadership transition is critical as the fossil fuel behemoth transforms into a consumer and technology titan with massive green energy ambitions. Ambani told shareholders in August he intends to helm the company for five years as he prepares his children.

Akash, 31, has been working at Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. since 2014 and is currently its chairman, said the company notice to shareholders. Isha, also 31, has been driving the expansion of the retail business as an executive director of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. Both have presented to shareholders at the flagships annual shareholder meeting in the past few years.

Anant, said to be driving the expansion of energy and materials businesses, especially green energy, has yet to formally address shareholders. Anant has been a member of Reliances executive committee, is on the boards of two green energy subsidiaries and has been part of the decision making for the large strategic investments and partnerships, according to the company response included in the ISS report.

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Recognizing the crucial role of electricity in agriculture, Karnataka Energy Minister KJ George affirmed that the government is committed to providing 5 hours of uninterrupted power supply to farmers. Karnataka minister KJ George.(Twitter/@thekjgeorge)

Minister KJ George after meeting with Department officials held a press conference today at Belaku Bhavana to detail the government's efforts to ensure a minimum of 5 hours of uninterrupted power supply to farmers.

"We are committed to providing 5 hours of uninterrupted power supply to farmers during either daytime or nighttime on a rotation basis in three shifts. We will be notifying on the shift timings to the farmers through publications, radio, and TV. Presently, our state faces a shortage of 1,500 MW. However, we are leaving no stone unturned to generate more power in the coming months to meet the ever-increasing demand," George said.

READ | Plan ahead! Power cuts in Bengaluru this week amid electricity shortage

Earlier the Minister held a review meeting with the Managing Directors of Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs) and urged them to implement efficient measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers. To ensure seamless implementation of the same, Nodal Officers have been appointed district-wise among Chief Engineers, overseeing the provision of an uninterrupted 5-hour power supply, following the directives of the Chief Minister.

Action will be taken to purchase short-term electricity deficit, taking the approval of the KERC. The minister explained that Section 11 of the Electricity Act has been invoked under national disaster management to procure electricity from power generators in the State and the power shortage would be overcome.

"The demand for power has increased significantly due to a severe drought situation in Karnataka. But the government is trying to meet the increasing demand by purchasing power from both inside and outside the State. An order has been issued asking those generating power in the State to supply it to the government," he said.

READ | Karnataka facing acute power shortage as demand surges due to deficit rainfall

"The deficit is attributed to natural calamities, including drought, a shortfall in wind energy, and cloud cover. Nevertheless, we have effectively managed this situation by procuring power from the grid. We have taken significant steps, by identifying 400 substations, out of which 230 are in progress. We are on track to procure power from KUDAGI by December 1st, and we have also established a barter system with Punjab and UP," he added.

From April 23 to October 15, 2023, 1627 M.U. of Electricity amounting to 1102 crores has been purchased, and similarly, during the same period, a total of 636 MU of electricity has been sold through IEX.

"It is essential to debunk the misconception that Karnataka is in darkness. Soon, we are planning to expand the Pavagada Solar Park from its current capacity of 2,300 MW to adding another 2000 MW in 10,000 acres. We are also actively working on expanding solar power generation in Gadag and Gulbarga. These initiatives are a testament to our deliberate actions in this direction," George assured.

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Bengaluru, Oct 17 (PTI) The Karnataka government has requested the Centre to release pending Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme wage component at the earliest, for its effective implementation, in the wake of a drought in a majority of taluks across the state. Karnataka Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma has written to Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India in this regard. HT Image

Sharma noted that wage release to Karnataka is due from MoRD since August 29, 2023, which amounts to 478.46 crore and said the last wage grant released to the State government is on September 24 for 1.55 crore for August and September. Karnataka's Rural Development Commissionerate has already submitted Utilisation Certificates and Annual Audited accounts to the Ministry of Rural Development for the current and previous year, the Chief Secretary said in her letter. According to her, 195 of the total 236 taluks in the state have been declared as drought-hit, and out of 195 taluks, 161 have severe drought, and 34 taluks have moderate drought. "Because of the drought situation rural labourers are highly dependent on MGNREGS jobs for their livelihood." Sharma further noted that the main objective of the scheme is to reduce the number of migrants moving from rural to urban areas and to provide job opportunities for them at their residences; and because of delays in the payment of wages, labourers are unable to meet their daily needs and started migrating from rural to urban areas seeking jobs. "As we have submitted the 2022-23 FY Audited Utilisation Certificate and Annual Accounts to MoRD on 22.09.2023 and also the Wage Utilisation Certificate dated 30.08.2023 (for the current year) to MoRD, we are requesting for wage grant releases to the Government of Karnataka at the earliest to implement the scheme effectively," she said.

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Contrary to the Janata Dal (S) supremo H D Deve Gowda's decision to form an alliance with the BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, C M Ibrahim, the President of the JD(S) unit in Karnataka, hinted at a possible split, asserted that his faction represents the true essence of the JD(S) as a 'secular' party. JD(S) leader and Karnataka state party chief CM Ibrahim.(ANI)

"Those who want to come with us can come, those who want to leave can do so. We will see how many MLAs are with which side," Ibrahim said speaking to ANI on Monday.

On not abiding by national president HD Deve Gowda's diktat on the party's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Pary (BJP), he said, "I am the state party president...Where are you in Kerala, Tamil Nadu or Maharashtra? How come are you the national president? At least I have Karnataka with me."

READ | Discontent continues in Karnataka BJP as ex-CM questions JD(S) ties

Ibrahim said that the state leadership will decide with whom should they form any alliance, except the BJP.

"We will decide with whom will we form an alliance except the BJP. There are only two, one INDIA and the other NDA. We will talk with them and decide on our own in Karnataka," he said.

The JDS state chief claimed that he shares good ties with former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy but he urged them to "come back" to the party's fold.

READ | Sadananda Gowda expresses concerns over BJP-JD(S) alliance

"Kumaraswamy is like my little brother. Deve Gowda is like my father. Please come back and strengthen the JDS. In time people will support us. We must have lost one election. But elections are held every year," Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim added that he is happy with the support shown towards his party faction from every district in the state.

"I am happy that people have come from every district. We don't have money but people want to come with us. What does it mean? What we have in our heart is also in theirs," he said.

The JDS in September announced an alliance with the BJP and joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

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The local unit of the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of the Punjab Police arrested four operatives of a terror module backed by Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and operated by US-based gangster Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia. The local unit of the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of the Punjab Police arrested four operatives of a terror module backed by Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and operated by US-based gangster Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia. (Representational image)

The accused were identified as Vikramjit Singh alias Raja Bains of Batala, Bawa Singh of Luddarh village in Amritsar, Gurkirpal Singh alias Gagan Randhawa and Amanat Gill, both residents of Amritsar. Police recovered a .32 bore pistol along with 10 live cartridges from their possession.

According to sources, the accused had planned to eliminate a retired superintendent of police (SP) of the Punjab Police to avenge encounters of terrorists by him during his service.

Sources said Vikramjit, who was recruited in the Punjab Police in 2016 after his fathers death, was dismissed around three months back from the force citing his long absence from the job. He was last posted as a constable in Jalandhar.

Vikramjit and Bawa were nabbed last week as they reached here to eliminate a retired SP. The other two accused helped them to procure the weapon from Kartarpur and dropped them there in their car from where they further reached Mohali but were nabbed. The accused got the target to eliminate a few more police officers after eliminating the SP, a Punjab Police officer said.

Meanwhile, disclosing their arrest on Tuesday, director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said with the arrest of these accused, the police averted possible targeted killing of prominent persons.

He said that after receiving intelligence inputs that Rinda and Happy had planned to target some prominent persons in the state for which they hired two shooters to accomplish the task, police teams from SSOC, SAS Nagar, launched a special operation and nabbed Vikramjit and Bawa.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Happy had a deal with Vikramjit to pay 15 lakh in lieu of carrying out targeted killing. Vikramjit had also conducted the recce of the target in the last week of September. The pistol and live rounds for Vikramjit were arranged by Happy through his local associates identified as Gurkirpal Singh, Hari Singh and Amanat Gill, the DGP added.

Police claimed that following the disclosures of arrested persons, the SSOC also nabbed Gurkirpal Singh and Amanat Gill, while Hari Singh managed to flee abroad.

An FIR has already been registered under sections 17, 18 and 20 of the UAPA Act, sections 115, 153, 153A and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 25 of the Arms Act.

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Seema Kumari, a domestic help from Bihar working in Ludhiana, was shocked to discover that she had been heading a company with a 10-crore turnover for two months. She learnt of her business from the Punjab GST authorities who contacted her over phone after detecting massive transactions and tax evasion by her company. Far from setting up a company, Seema told the GST officials that she was being paid 10,000 a month to sign some documents and providing her Aadhar card for job verification. The state intelligence and preventive unit is conducting data mining and has found cases in which bogus billing was done. (Representational photo)

Her phone has been switched off ever since the call was made on October 1 and she has gone underground.

Also read: Punjab governor fires another missive, questions AAP govts fiscal management

Sharing details of the case, goods and services tax (GST) additional commissioner Jiwanjot Kaur said on Tuesday that data analysis led her team to intercept and impound a truck (PB 22 J 9058) that was transporting three tonnes of copper scrap on October 1, 2023. State tax officer Amit Goyal imposed a penalty of 11.66 lakh that was subsequently recovered by the Ropar GST officials.

A fortnight on, the GST authorities have found that this case is just the tip of the iceberg for it led to the unearthing of a network of fraudulent firms. One of the firms, M/s Kuma Traders in Ludhiana, obtained GST registration on June 28, 2023, on the pretext of trading salt, pepper and tea. However, the firm had been issuing counterfeit invoices for copper scrap.

The firm has created fake invoices of copper scrap. It uploaded forged documents while applying for GST registration, including the rent deed on manual stamp paper that the Punjab government has abolished since July 7, 2022. The fake rent deed was prepared on June 5, 2023. When we contacted Seema Kumari, the proprietor of Kuma Traders, Ludhiana, she said shes a migrant labourer unaware of any firm in her name. However, this firm fraudulently made bogus billing to the tune of 10 crore in just two months, Jiwanjot Kaur said.

She said the GST investigation wing is now tracking every transaction of the firm to impose penalty for tax evasion.

The state intelligence and preventive unit (SIPU) is conducting data mining and has found two more cases in which bogus billing was done.

32-crore penalty on tax evaders in two months

Since taking charge of the state intelligence and preventive unit (SIPU) in August, Jiwanjot Kaur said she has imposed a total penalty of 32 crore on tax evaders.

In August, SIPU cracked several cases of tax evasion and imposed a penalty of 15.85 crore, while in September a fine of 16.24 crore was collected. Not only copper scrap, tax evasion has also been detected in the trade of tobacco products, particularly cigarettes, she said.

The SIPU is scanning data from the GST portal to identify tax evaders besides putting special checkpoints and conducting raids to catch tax evaders.

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A 58-year-old woman and her 32-year-old daughter were shot dead by two masked assailants at their house in Bhujewal village of Jalandhar district on Tuesday morning. A CCTV grab of the two assailants released by Jalandhar police after a woman and her daughter were shot dead at their house at Bhujewal village on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

The two motorcycle-borne youngsters barged into the house of Ranjit Kaur and her daughter Gurpreet Kaur and opened fire at them from point-blank range. The accused poured petrol on Ranjit Kaurs body and set it ablaze before fleeing.

Also read: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann hands over 1 crore cheque to sepoy Parvinders kin

Senior superintendent of police Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar said initial probe pointed to the role of Gurpreets US-based estranged husband, Jaswinder Singh, alias Jassa, in hiring contract killers to eliminate his mother-in-law and wife.

Suspected wife of illicit relations

Jaswinder, who belonged to Munnowal village in Hoshiarpur district, suspected his wife of having an illicit relationship with his friend and former business partner, Inderjit Singh of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

Jaswinder married Gurpreet eight years ago. He moved to the United States eight months ago following which he started suspecting his wife and his friend of being involved in an illicit relationship, SSP Bhullar said.

On Tuesday morning, Gurpreets father, Jagtar Singh, had gone to drop her five-year-old son to school when the two assailants entered the house and murdered the women.

To destroy evidence, they set ablaze Ranjits body.

Police and forensic teams rushed to the spot. CCTV footage shows the two masked men approaching and leaving the house.

Ranjit Kaur and her daughter Gurpreet Kaur, who were murdered at their house on Tuesday. (HT file photos)

Bid on life of ex-business partner in Zirakpur

SSP Bhullar said on July 21, Jaswinder had also conspired to kill Inderjit Singh at a market in Zirakpur town of Mohali district.

The assailants intercepted Inderjits car and fired multiple shots, injuring him in the chest, while a bullet pierced the thigh of his friend, Satinder Singh. Both survived the attack. The Mohali police booked Jaswinder for attempt to murder.

The SSP said it appears that the two assailants, who committed the double murder in Jalandhar, were involved in the Zirakpur incident. We have zeroed in on both the men and teams have been rushed to different parts of Doaba to arrest them, he said.

A case was registered under Sections 302 (murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and the Arms Act against Jaswinder and the two assailants.

The police said that complainant Jagtar Singh had also accused Jaswinders family member of conspiring to kill his wife and daughter.

Jaswinder and Inderjit ran a drug de-addiction centre in Himachal Pradeshs Una before they fell out. Inderjit had confronted Jaswinder for carrying out illegal activities while running the centre, police sources said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Navrajdeep Singh Navrajdeep Singh is a senior staff correspondent. He covers agriculture, crime, local bodies, health and education in the Patiala district of Punjab. ...view detail
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday held a meeting with representatives of various industry groups in the road show organised in Dubai for the Uttarakhand Global Investor Summit 2023.



Till now, investment memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth 5,450 crore have been signed with various industrial groups in the Emirates nation in the presence of the chief minister.



Pushkar Singh Dhami also invited all the industrial houses for the summit to be organised in Dehradun on December 8 and 9, the government said in a statement. State cabinet minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat was also present along with the CM Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is seen during the signing of MoU with an industrial group in Dubai.

The Uttarakhand government signed MoUs worth 5,450 crore with industrial groups related to tourism, education, infrastructure and real estate. The industrial groups which signed MoUs include Sir Biotech and Hyatt India ( 2,000 crore), Carmilla Nutrition Technology Group ( 950 crore), GTC Group and Flow Conglomerate Group ( 800 crore),



An MoU of 500 crore and 700 crore for manufacturing sector with Exley Group and investment MoU of 500 crore with Sharaf Logistics have been signed. Uttarakhand's secretary (Industries) Vinay Shankar Pandey signed the MoUs on behalf of the state government.

Dhami said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an investment friendly system has been developed in Uttarakhand. A lot of work has been done in the field of infrastructure in the state, he added.

Bilateral relations between India and the United Arab Emirates have become stronger than before. Bilateral trade between the two countries is growing at the rate of about 20 percent, the chief minister said.



Dhami said that a large number of NRIs are working in the UAE.



Uttarakhand is also keen to cooperate with you for the planned development of its cities and establishment of new cities, so that it can take advantage of your expertise in this field. The Government of Uttarakhand is always ready to provide all the basic necessary facilities to the investors in the state and especially in the last two years, it has made planned efforts for attracting investment in the state, he added.



In this regard , to attract global investment in Uttarakhand in the month of December, 2023. Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit  2023 (Destination Uttarakhand) is being organised, the CM said.

The state of Uttarakhand has succeeded in creating a distinct identity for itself in India due to its progressive industrial promotion policies. Industrial electricity rates in the state are lower than other states of India, industrial harmony and excellent law and order in the state make it more special. Our state, being situated in the Himalayan region, is blessed with a diverse agricultural climate and is suitable for organic agriculture, Dhami was quoted as saying in his statement.



Various policies, schemes and facilities are being provided by the state government to provide a better environment for the establishment of food processing industries in the state. At present, two mega food parks and four food clusters have been built in Uttarakhand, which are working at their full capacity, he added.

Uttarakhand cabinet minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said,"The state government is continuously making active efforts to develop the state as a most suitable destination for investment. In this direction, the state of Uttarakhand has appeared before you with its limitless possibilities. The state government is continuously making efforts in the direction of ease of doing business. Uttarakhand is in the achievers category. The state has taken specific initiatives towards reforming labour laws".



Similarly, continuous improvements and simplification have been made in the direction of providing land to investors. The State Government is particularly conscious of encouraging investment in specific sectors based on the resources available in the State, Rawat added.

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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
DALLASAylo and its affiliated companies were sued for infringement of a patent by a niche real estate video management software development start-up company based in Boulder, Colo.

In a suit filed with a Texas federal district court, WellcomeMat claims that Aylo, formerly MindGeek, has infringed on a patent that allows clients of WellcomeMat to use action tags to jump through a video and highlight popular points of interest in the clips. This is used by realtors and multiple listing services to provide their clients with an eased user experience for virtual tour videos of potential home purchases. Note that the term action tags is Aylos terminology.

Aylo and its affiliated companies were collectively renamed from the MindGeek moniker shortly after a private equity firm, Ottawa-based Ethical Capital Partners, purchased it for an unknown sum. Aylo, through its subsidiary Aylo Freesites (a.k.a. MG Freesites), owns and operates a set of popular adult tube sites, including Pornhub, YouPorn, Redtube and other adult tube platforms.

WellcomeMats founders invented methods and systems for video chaptering that, for example, enables individuals to upload video files to an online video platform and add, modify, and delete video cue point informationi.e., particularly indexed positions or tagsassociated with those files and further enables viewers to select and utilize such video cue points to navigate to and stream desired content, argues counsel for the plaintiffs in the filing. The plaintiffs point to a series of content creator guides and marketing collateral as evidence of this.

For example, the lawsuit links to an FAQ page published on Pornhubs help and support site. Action tags are indicators you can add to your videos player bar to help users get to their favorite parts easily. These indicators tag significant events or actions in your video. It is worth noting that action tag management on Pornhub, as described in the lawsuit, is similar across dozens of adult tube platforms and mainstream platforms.

YouTube creators can upload videos, manage, and use timestamp tags in a manner that is ultimately similar to action tags on a Pornhub creators clip.

Out of respect for the integrity of court proceedings, our policy is not to comment on ongoing litigation, said a spokesperson for Aylo in an email to AVN.

We look forward to the facts being fully and fairly aired in that forum, the spokesperson said.

According to the legal complaint, counsel for WellcomeMat says that Pornhubs parent company is infringing on U.S. Patent No. 8,307,286. But what is alarming in this suit is that named with Aylo and its affiliated companies is an independent Pornhub content creator geographically based in or near the judicial district, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Plaintiffs seek a jury trial. Chief District Judge Rodney Gilstrap is the assigned judge for the complaint.

The Eastern District of Texas is regarded in the legal community as a friendly jurisdiction for plaintiffs who file patent infringement actions. The content creator, referred to by his real name in the lawsuit, is independent male talent Jarrod from Texas. His name is mentioned 64 times throughout the 26-page complaint. Corey Silverstein, an adult industry attorney, told AVN in a phone call that the decision to name a single content creator as a defendant is a legal strategy to beat concerns over personal jurisdiction or whether the plaintiffs have a right to bring such an action. Silverstein explained that this is an unfortunate case of the counsel for the plaintiffs picking a random name out of a hat.

They named him as a defendant so that they could establish jurisdiction in a jurisdiction that is historically friendly to patent litigation cases, Silverstein said. Theyre making a mistake because [Aylo] doesnt fold to these things.  Theyll seek to invalidate the patent, and they wont bend over and die. This is ridiculous.

Chief Judge Gilstrap and his district court have also been accused of being plaintiff-friendly from outside the legal profession. For example, in 2016, Vice News reporter Kaleigh Rogers found that Judge Gilstrap heard over a quarter of the nations patent lawsuits, including patent troll cases at the time. A Wall Street Journal investigation from 2021 also named Gilstrap for having ruled on cases in which he had a financial conflictnamely, about 138 cases were assigned to his courtroom that also involved companies in which he or his wife held a financial interest. There is no indication that the judge has a financial interest in WellcomeMat.

Silverstein said that the Eastern District of Texas is also called by some in the legal community the rocket docket, meaning that the court is favored for litigants who want a quick resolution. This sort of litigation is ridiculous, and the entire patent system has been grotesquely abused, and large adult companies have been specific targets for years, Silverstein adds. Patent trolling is common even among adult industry firms.

The plaintiffs are ultimately using Jarrod from Texas to serve as the personal jurisdiction link so that the case can proceed in the district. They also argue that Pornhubs content creators, through Aylos actions, are indirectly infringing on the patent and the intellectual property of their client.

Jarrod from Texas has indirectly infringed, and continues to indirectly infringe...by taking active steps to encourage and facilitate direct infringement by MindGeek, in the United States, through his use of the accused platforms. The plaintiffs additionally insinuate that the various model and content creator and partner programs and their participants, even if theyre not subject to the laws of the U.S. or the local jurisdiction of the Eastern District of Texas, are infringing on their patent.

They also argue that Pornhubs millions of daily users are indirectly infringing on the patent. In the format of this lawsuit, Silverstein expects the litigation will proceed, even with the creator.

AVN received no response to requests for comment from counsel for the plaintiffs or from Texas creator Jarrod by press time.
The Delhi high court on Tuesday allowed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member of Parliament Raghav Chadhas plea in the trial court order that lifted an interim order preventing the Rajya Sabha secretariat from removing him from the government bungalow allotted to him. Chadha had challenged the trial courts October 5 order which vacated the April order. (PTI photo)

A single bench led by justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani revived the citys courts April 18 order restraining the Rajya Sabha secretariat from dispossessing the MP from his bungalow till adjudication of his application seeking stay against eviction.

Also Read: Raghav Chadha of AAP moves Delhi HC against trial court order over bungalow allocation

The court has directed Chadha to approach the city court within three days with his application for interim relief while directing the trial court to first decide on the same in accordance with law.

Chadha had approached the high court against city courts order that had paved Rajya Sabha secretariats way for dispossessing the MP from his official residence.

The appeal is allowed. Holding that A) there was no requirement for the appellant to file an application under 80 CPC to comply with that provision thus the application under 80 CPC is disposed of as infructuous. Directing the appellant to be present in the court within three days of the pronouncement of the judgement with the direction to the trial court to first decide the application under Order 39 rule 1 and 2 & thus to proceed in accordance with law. In the meantime, the order dated 18/4 shall stand revived till the application under order 39 rule 1 & 2 is decided by the trial court, the bench said while pronouncing the verdict.

The high court while reserving verdict on Thursday had refused to grant an interim stay against the proceedings initiated by the Estate Officer under the eviction law but had taken on record Chadhas statement that he would urge the Estate officer under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 to defer the proceedings listed for Friday.

Chadha on September 8, 2022 was allotted a Type VII bungalow at Pandara Road from the Rajya Sabha pool and took possession of the bungalow in November 2022.

However, on March 3, 2023, his allotment was cancelled on the grounds that he was a first-time MP and was entitled to only a Type VI bungalow.

Subsequently, Chadha moved a Delhi trial court, which in an April 18 interim order restrained the secretariat from dispossessing the MP from the bungalow till the adjudication of his suit seeking permanent injunction.

However, the Rajya Sabha secretariat moved an application in the trial court, seeking a review of its interim order.

Vacating the same on October 5, additional district judge Sudhanshu Kaushik observed that no one had a vested right to continue to occupy a government allotted house after the privilege was withdrawn.

The judge had observed that the MP had failed to provide urgency to receive the interim relief under section 80(2) of CPC and had said that both sides should be given time to decide the urgency of the matter. Although under section 80 (1) a suit can be filed against the government or a public officer, the person can only institute the same only after giving a two-month notice, but section 80(2) exempts the person to give the said notice in case of urgency.

Chaddha appearing through senior advocate AM Singhvi told the court that he was being selectively targeted by the Rajya Sabha secretariat for cancelling the allotment of his Type VII bungalow.

He argued that although the MP was allotted Type VII bungalow after a proper application of mind by Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar considering the fact that he was provided Z plus security but the letter for cancellation of allotment was issued by Chairman of the House Committee.

Rajya Sabha Secretariat appearing through ASG Vikramjit Banerjee told the court that Chadha could not say that the house committee was not entitled to cancel the allotment.

As till date no order has been passed by the Estate Officer. Eviction proceedings have not been initiated. He couldnt have registered the suit & shouldve heard me before passing this order (April 18, 2023 order), Banerjee had added.

Responding to Banerjees argument regarding Chadhas failure to issue notice before instituting a suit against the secretariat, Singhvi in his rejoinder argued that the secretariat was neither public officer nor government.

These (RS secretariat) are employees discharging public functions, public duties. Mr Banerjee said, if I dont fall here (under the category of government), I fall here (under the category of public officer), Singhvi had said.

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After going through the formal report submitted by Gorakhpur district jail superintendent RK Kushwaha regarding the release of former U.P. minister Amarmani Tripathi, chief judicial magistrate, MP/MLA court Basti, Pramod Giri on Monday (October 16) issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Tripathi in a 22-year-old kidnapping case and directed the Basti SP to produce him before the court on November 1. Former U.P. minister Amarmani Tripathi. (HT file)

The court also directed police officials to form a police team for arresting Tripathi besides declaring the two other accused in the caseNaini Sharma and Shivamabsconding. In 2001, a Class 6 student Rahul Gupta, the son of a businessman Dharmaraj Gupta, was kidnapped while on his way to a school in Basti district.

The Basti police found the boy at the Lucknow residence of Amarmani Tripathi, who was an MLA from Nautanwa seat in Maharajganj district then. His name came up as the accused in the case that was lodged by the police.

As per ASP Basti Dipendra Nath Chaudhari, the police were yet to receive the copy of the order and that the courts order will be complied with. On August 24 this year, the state government had ordered the release of Tripathi and his wife Madhumani, who were serving life term in the murder case of poet Madhumani Shukla in Lucknow in 2003.

The couple were released from the Gorakhpur jail a day after. However, the couple have been undergoing treatment at BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur since then.

On Monday, the MP/MLA court, Basti, also expressed displeasure over the lackadaisical attitude of police in taking action against the former minister in the 2001 kidnapping case. Despite repeated notices, Tripathi has avoided appearing before the court on the pretext of undergoing treatment at the BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur.

The medical examination board that was constituted by chief medical officer, Gorakhpur, Dr Ashutosh Dubey following the directive of the court had submitted its report to the court on September 16. However the court was not duly informed that ailing Tripathi had been released from jail. Thus on September 16, the MP/MLA court directed the Gorakhpur jail officials to produce him before the court for hearing on October 16.

Health officials in their report said the former minister was suffering from depression and spondylitis along with multi organ problems. However, CJM, MP/MLA court, Basti, Pramod Giri had then observed that an accused could not be exempted from appearing the before court on the ground of depression.

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Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said the Ujjwala scheme beneficiaries would get a free cooking gas cylinder as a Diwali gift. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath addressing the gathering while inaugurating/laying the foundation stone of 256 development projects worth  632 crore in Bulandshahr district on Tuesday. (HT)

The free gas cylinder to beneficiaries of Ujjwala scheme has been a pre-poll promise of the BJP. Ahead of Diwali, Adityanath said that his government intends to honour his partys commitment.

Adityanath made the announcement while inaugurating a BJPs women meet from Bulandshahr in western Uttar Pradesh where he also launched or laid the foundation stone of several projects worth 632 crore.

While 104 projects worth 208 crore were inaugurated, the foundation stones of 152 projects worth 424 crore were laid.

PM Modi had recently given a gift to Ujjwala scheme beneficiaries by reducing prices of cooking gas cylinders and now we intend to give a free cooking gas cylinder to women as Diwali gift, he said.

The chief minister reminded women how before 2014 getting a cooking gas cylinder was a difficult task.

Now, around 1.75 crore women have benefitted through the Ujjawala scheme, Adityanath said.

He also spoke of how 55 lakh women in Uttar Pradesh now have a house of their own under the PM Awas Yojna and 2.75 lakh toilets built in the state under Swachh Bharat initiative have also benefitted women. He also referred to schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao to highlight the double engine BJP governments women-centric push.

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KANPUR A multi-storey hotel of gangster-politician Anupam Dubey was demolished in Farrukhabad on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. The 20-crore structure was allegedly built on a graveyard and pond at Thandi Sarak locality of the district, as per revenue records. The hotel belonging to the gangster-turned-politician being demolished on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. (Photo from X)

District magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh said the action was in line with the ongoing crackdown on mafia. He oversaw the demolition of the building spread over nearly two bigha land.

With 63 criminal cases against him, Dubey was currently lodged in Agra jail. He was associated with the BSP and contested assembly elections two times.

The Farrukhabad administration had made elaborate security arrangements ahead of the demolition. The area was cordoned off and vehicular movement was stopped completely while four circle officers and 400 policemen manned the roads. Nagar palika teams took out various things from the hotel and transported them to DUDA building.

The demolition started at night with bulldozers bringing down the structure. Dubeys wife Meenakshi reached the hotel and called the action unjustified. She claimed that the demolition was being carried out despite a stay order by a court.

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Amur falcons, the worlds longest travelling raptors, began to arrive in Manipurs Tamenglong district as part of its annual routine migration. These pigeon sized birds undertake a yearly journey covering up to 22,000km. (Sourced photo)

Weve started to see the first batch of Amur falcons hovering around the sky in Tamenglong town yesterday, a local, Jimmy Pamei said.

These pigeon sized birds undertake a yearly journey covering up to 22,000km.

The migration of Amur falcons, which are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and included under Schedule IV, usually arrive in many parts of north east India, including Tamenglong district, from second week of October and is likely to roost till the end of November.

Also Read: Manipur to conduct census of Amur falcon, worlds longest travelling raptors

For the first time, the Manipur forest department will be carrying out a census of Amur falcons in Tamenglong district where most of the birds roost.

We have engaged a renowned NGO in the state for conducting census at the roosting sites. They will carry out the head count when the birds arrive in Tamenglong, divisional forest officer Amandeep of Tamenglong district said.

Generally, the number of birds flocking in the district varied from one roosting site to another, he said.

At some points, over 5,000 falcons roosted while more than 50,000 were seen flocking at other roosting sites, he added.

Once the census is conducted, we will maintain data on their (falcons) arrival, he continued.

Both Tamenglong and Noneys district magistrates have released an order banning the hunting, catching, killing and selling of the birds.

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 Wildlife Institute of India experts, the forest officer said.

The radio-tagging programme of Amur Falcon in Manipurs Tamenglong was undertaken in two phases, first in 2018 and then in 2019, to conserve wildlife and also study the route of these long-distance migratory birds and the environmental patterns along the route as India is a signatory to an international agreement on conservation of migratory birds of prey.

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A 32-year-old woman allegedly murdered her 11-year-old stepson and dumped his body inside a septic tank located behind their house in Ghaziabads Modinagar, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place in Govindpuri locality where the minor boy lived with his father and stepmother. (Representative file image)

The woman along with another 30-year-old woman neighbour who helped her were arrested.

The incident took place in Govindpuri locality where the minor boy lived with his father and stepmother.

According to police, the minor boy was a student of class 3. He had gone missing around 3pm on Sunday.

Also Read: Kharar triple murder: Accused stole 14 L from his house in 2018

After his father returned from work late Sunday night, his stepmother told him that the boy had gone out to play in the afternoon and did not return thereafter.

A lot of searches by the family proved futile and they finally approached the police on Monday. An initial case was registered for abduction at Modinagar police station and investigation was launched. The police scanned nearby CCTV footages and concluded that the husband entered the house around 3pm and thereafter he did not step out. This raised suspicion on Rekha, and she broke down and confessed that she had murdered her stepson, said Vivek Chandra Yadav, DCP (rural).

The stepmother told police that she called her neighbourhood friend to her house. She then strangulated the boy with a dupatta while her neighbour aided her. Once the boy became unconscious, the two went to a septic tank behind the house. They tied one heavy stone to the boys waist and the other to his legs and threw the body in the tank before covering it again with a stone slab, the DCP said.

When the police uncovered the tank cover, they found the boys body inside with stones tied to it. The suspect told police that her relations with the boy were not cordial, and he often misbehaved with her. Further, she also wanted to get rid of him as he was the only heir to the parental property and she wanted her minor daughter to be the successor of these properties, the DCP added further.

The police said during questioning on Monday night, the woman also named her neighbour friend as her accomplice in the murder. The DCP added that both women were arrested under IPC section 302 (murder) and 201 (destruction of evidence).

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Peeyush Khandelwal Peeyush Khandelwal writes on a range of issues in western Uttar Pradesh  from crime, to development authorities and from infrastructure to transport. Based in Ghaziabad, he has been a journalist for almost a decade. ...view detail
LUCKNOW A female advocate has accused a fellow lawyer of assaulting her and tarnishing her reputation with abusive language at the ACP court in Ghazipur. The incident, which occurred on Monday, has now led to the registration of a case by the police. Representative photo (HT File)

The victim filed a complaint, alleging that advocate Awdhesh Pathak had verbally abused her, using offensive language that sullied her character while instructing her not to interfere with his work. Subsequently, he physically assaulted her by grabbing her hair and uniform collar, then kicking her and targeting her private parts.

Despite attempts by others present in the courtroom to intervene, the accused continued his assault, pinning her down and sitting on her chest. The victim managed to escape and run for her safety, but Pathak allegedly tore his shirt and damaged buttons, seemingly to falsely implicate her for the assault. Additionally, she claimed that Pathak engaged in body shaming, making derogatory comments about her height.

DCP North Qasim Abidi confirmed the registration of a case under relevant sections of the IPC, including those related to assault and criminal intimidation. An investigation is currently underway.

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Bihars Siwan police on Tuesday arrested Osama Sahab, son of former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) member of Parliament (MP) late Shahabuddin, and two others in connection with a case lodged with Hussanganj police station under sections of extortion, threat and attempt to murder charges. Sahab had been absconding since the filing of the first information report (FIR) on October 6. Osama Sahab had been absconding since the filing of the first information report on October 6. (Representative Image)

Osama, along with his two friends, was arrested by Rajasthans Kota police on Monday under Section 151 of CrPC, said Kota rural superintendent of police (SP) Kavindra Sagar. Osama and his two associates identified as Mohammad Wasim and Mohammad Saif, have been arrested under Section 151 of CrPC. They were arrested by Ramganj Mandi police station as a precautionary measure during the blockade when they were on way to Goa from New Delhi. Osama was traveling in a Delhi number SUV, he said.

Saran DIG Vikash Kumar confirmed that Osama is wanted in a case lodged with Husainganj police station of Siwan. Siwan SP Shailesh Kumar told HT that a police team has been sent to Kota for bringing them to Siwan on a transit remand.

One Abhishek Kumar alias Jimmy lodged a complaint against Osama and Salman alias Saif on October 6, alleging that they threatened him several times on his cell phone and forced him to hand over his 42 kattha land, said Siwan SP.

Earlier on June 4, Siwan police lodged an FIR against eight persons including Osama with Husainganj police station in connection with attack on a convoy of MLCs independent candidate Rayees Khan at Mahual village, in which one person was killed and six persons were injured.

The FIR was registered on the basis of the statement of criminal turned politician Rayees. In his complaint, Rayees alleged that due to increasing political stature in the region, Osama hatched a conspiracy with connivance of Chavanni Singh and 5-6 SUV borne armed assailants carrying AK-47 assault rifle opened fire at his convoy.

Earlier on August 1, 2023, the East Champaran police registered an FIR against six persons including Osama on the charges of brutal assault, ransacking properties, breaking walls, doors, furniture and firing several rounds in the air.

Police seized a few vehicles, including four-wheelers, while a person was also arrested in this connection.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Avinash Kumar Avinash, a senior correspondent, reports on crime, railways, defence and social sector, with specialisation in police, home department and other investigation agencies. ...view detail
President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in Patna on Wednesday on a three-day visit to Bihar, her first to the state after assuming the top office, during which she will inaugurate the fourth edition of the states agricultural road map and attend several events, officials said. A banner welcoming President Droupadi Murmu in Patna. (HT photo)

As per the schedule, the President would land at the Patna airport around 11.30 am and drive straight to Bapu Sabhagar near Gandhi Maidan to inaugurate the agricultural road map. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, chief minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and other cabinet colleagues will be among those in attendance.

Agriculture secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said, Following the launch of the road map (2023-2028), all the related projects and schemes would be kick-started from this rabi season. The road map will put thrust on integrated approach for crop diversification, higher production of oilseeds, pulses and millets, with coordination among 12 different departments.

The first agricultural road map was launched in 2007 at the initiative of chief minister Nitish Kumar for improving farm production, income of farmers and for better marketing of agricultural produce.

After attending the agricultural road map event, the President is scheduled to visit the Takht Shri Harimandir Sahib in Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Govind Singh, to offer prayers.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rajiv Mishra said around 2,000 police personnel would be deployed in and around the venues and roads.

On October 19, the second day of her visit, the President will attend the convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Central University at Motihari in East Champaran district. Later in the day, she will return to the state capital and will confer degrees and medals to meritorious students of AIIMS Patna.

On October 20, the last day of his visit, the President is scheduled to attend the 3rd convocation ceremony of South Bihar Central University at Gaya.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirban Guha Roy A journalist for 21 years, Anirban covers RJD, legislature and government beats. Has extensive experience in covering elections and writes regularly on finance, land reforms, registration, excise and socio-economic issues. ...view detail

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Avinash Kumar Avinash, a senior correspondent, reports on crime, railways, defence and social sector, with specialisation in police, home department and other investigation agencies. ...view detail
Congress leader Rahul Gandhis pitch for Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq (greater the population, greater the rights) has led to a palpable discomfiture within the party leadership in Bihar, where most of its chief ministers in its heyday and top office bearers at present were and are upper castes, which are otherwise numerically insignificant as per the caste survey findings released earlier this month. Rahul Gandhi in Mizoram on Tuesday. (PTI)

In fact, none of the senior Congress leaders in Bihar openly came out to support the caste survey findings released on October 2, according to which extremely backward classes (EBCs) and backward classes (BCs) together constitute more than 63% of Bihars population.

Former Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Anil Sharma and senior leader Kishore Kumar Jha openly dubbed the findings flawed.

In a string of tweets after the findings were released, Sharma had even dared chief minister Nitish Kumar to swear in three more deputy CMs from the EBCs, scheduled castes and the minority community, which constitute about 36.01%,19.65% and 17.70% of Bihars population, respectively.

Former Congress legislature party (CLP) leader Ajeet Sharma was more guarded in response, saying Rahul Gandhis call was aimed at countering the politics of BJP, which claims to be pursing EBC politics. We dont follow caste politics. Instead, our party thrived on holistic politics and taking care of all castes. So far as elevating the reservation ceiling is concerned, it should be decided after correcting the enumeration figures, Sharma said.

A former MLA and party spokesman, who was not willing to be named, said Congress always stood for welfare of all communities, but with upper caste leaders mostly at the helm. Currently, both BPCC chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh and CLP leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan hail from upper castes. Their immediate predecessors, Madan Mohan Jha and Ajeet Sharma, too were upper castes. Ashok Chaudhary and Ashok Kumar were from the scheduled caste community as the BPCC chief and CLP leader, but the upper castes dominated the organisation mostly, said the former spokesman.

Even in case of the chief ministers, Congress preferred upper caste faces. The first CM, Srikrishna Sinha, was a Bhumihar. His successors, Deep Narayan Singh, Binodanand Jha, KB Sahay and Kedar Pandey were all from upper castes. Jagannath Mishra, a Brahmin, was the last Congress chief minister in Bihar before Lalu Prasad assumed the office. Before him, Satyendra Narayan Sinha, Bhagwat Jha Azad, Bindeshwari Dubey and Chandra Shekhar Singh also hailed from the upper caste community, said another Congress MLA, adding that some leaders from other castes, like Bhola Paswan Shastri and Abdul Gafoor, also served as Congress chief ministers.

Another senior party leader, pleading anonymity, said the party needed drastic reshuffle of the organisation in Bihar to suit Rahul Gandhis new political line as 24 out of its 40 district unit presidents in Bihar come from upper castes. In fact, all four Congress MLCs in Bihar are upper caste faces, the leader said.

According to AICC member Kishore Kumar Jha, Congress had given about 50% of party tickets in the 70 constituencies it fought in the 2020 assembly polls to candidates from upper castes. There is obvious indifference among party leaders in Bihar towards Rahul Gandhis call for pursing the Mandal politics in Bihar. We have towering leaders in the party from all communities, said Jha.

Incidentally, it was the Mandal wave (the aftermath of the implementation of the Mandal commission report that recommended 27% quota for OBCs) that dislodged the Congress from power in Bihar more than three decades ago.

Nawal Kishore Chaudhary, political analyst and former head of economics department of the Patna University, said the Congresss strategic shift to mobilise backward classes, apart from the minority community, is set to pay rich dividends for the party nationally, though it might face some resistance from its own leaders and allies in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhis call may lead to minor churning of upper caste votes, but ultimately the party is set to gain nationally from the new elector base. This is the reason why BJP and RSS leaders are at their wits end to counter the Congresss politics, Chaudhary said.

He said Congresss current allies, RJD and Janata Dal (United), may not like its shift though. RJD and JD(U) considered Congress as the party of upper castes and hence they banked on it for their support and allotted it seats with upper caste dominance. However, they will now have to adjust the Congress, which is addressing the national constituency by raising the pitch for justice to the backward castes, Chaudhary said.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind.Sexual wellness brands and sexual education groups from all over the United States have taken up the cause of helping keep the world-renowned Kinsey Institute at Indiana University open and operating after the conservative state legislature chose to defund it.

The defunding of the Kinsey Institute was a wake-up call for all of us who understand the importance of comprehensive sex education, Tara Michaela Jones told AVN in an email. Jones is the founder and executive director of The Youth Sexpert Program, a nonprofit group working to improve comprehensive sexual educational curriculums at school districts all over the country.

The Youth Sexpert Program, partially taking inspiration from the critically acclaimed Netflix original comedy series Sex Education, is focused on developing peer-to-peer sexual wellness and health experts among high school-aged students. The group is one such organization working to carry on the institutes legacy by supporting it through engaging in fundraising and education.

We saw a gap in traditional sex education and knew we had to step in, Jones explained.

Our program empowers our youth to become advocates for sexual health and wellbeing, and it's our way of filling the void left by the defunding. We're committed to ensuring that young people have access to accurate, non-judgmental information about their bodies and relationships, and we won't let setbacks like these deter us from our mission, she added.

This dedication is reflected in recent fundraising efforts led by Desert Harvest, a sexual health and wellness company in Maine.

As a sexual wellness company, we're passionate about supporting unbiased research on human sexuality, relationships and reproduction, said Heather Florio, chief executive officer at Desert Harvest. Florio, with the help of organizations such as Jones Youth Sexpert Program, is trying to raise funds throughout the month of October on behalf of Kinsey.

Our auction brings together celebrities and designers to raise crucial funds for the Kinsey Institute, ensuring that their invaluable work continues to educate and inform society, Florio said.

The auction features items by celebrity fashion designers like Stella McCartney, Cesar Galindo, Nikki Green and Carlton Jones. The auction is live on Desert Harvests website and will run through the end of the month. All of the proceeds will benefit the Kinsey Institute.

At Desert Harvest, we recognize that sexual wellness extends beyond productsit's about education and research. Thats why we're hosting the October auction, Florio explained.

During the 2023 legislative session of the Indiana General Assembly, hard-right Republican state lawmakers were able to adopt a budget resolution that prohibits state dollars from going to fund the work at the Kinsey Institutethe heart or center of modern sexual health research in the U.S., and for much of the world.

Founded by and named after famed sexual health and zoology researcher Alfred Kinsey, the institute has long been at the center of criticism from conservatives who view the research produced by the organization as immoral and obscene. This is what led to the proposal to defund the Kinsey Institute based on unfounded claims of child sexual abuse.

We have child rapists in Indiana prisons right now, yet were willing to give Indiana University, Bloomington campus, over $400 million as they protect the legacy of this sexual predator, said state Rep. Lorissa Sweet, a Republican lawmaker backed by hard-right super PACs in the state.

Rep. Sweet proposed an amendment to the state budget on February 22 prohibiting funds to the institute. The proposal was adopted. Claims against the Kinsey Institute remain unfounded, and some of the institutes proponents say that the complaints regarding Kinsey are misinformation.

Weve long been called ... perverts and sexual predators. [...] Its just so far from reality, and its so far from the research practices then, and its wildly far from the research practices today, the institutes director, evolutionary biologist Dr. Justin Garcia, told the Associated Press in May 2023.

A statement from Indiana University leadership echoed similar support at the time Rep. Sweet and her political allies introduced and adopted the amendment that explicitly refers to Kinsey.

The university is concerned that a provision singling out a specific research institute sets a troubling precedent with implications that could limit the ability of public colleges and universities to pursue research and scholarship that benefits people and improves lives, said Indiana University (IU) president Pamela Whitten at the time.

IU is committed to the ongoing crucial research and robust scholarship conducted by IU faculty and the Kinsey Institute.
The British Council, in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, is inviting applications to the South Asia Festivals & Culture Academy (SAFCA). SAFCA features a series of short courses specifically designed to equip festival managers with the skills essential for success in the ever-evolving festival landscape.

According to a press release by the British Council, this initiative bridges the gap between festival enthusiasts and industry experts, facilitating an exchange of knowledge and insights online in India and neighbouring South Asian countries. The South Asia Festivals Academy's Intermediate Course starts in January 2024, with applications open until November 19, 2023.

SAFCA features a series of short courses specifically designed to equip festival managers with the skills essential for success in the ever-evolving festival landscape. These courses cover international programming and curation, leadership and governance, financial management, operations and staffing, marketing and audience development, risk management and health and safety, equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as environmental sustainability, mentioned the press release.

Festival managers must have the skills necessary to increase the sustainability and growth of festivals worldwide. The South Asia Festivals & Culture Academy is a fantastic opportunity for artists, performers, and those working in the festivals sector to develop their business skills in an inclusive environment and learn from international experts and each other. We are committed to enhancing the richness, excellence, and variety of festivals between the UK and India while strengthening the arts and culture festival sector through skills development, capacity building, and knowledge sharing, said Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council.

The intermediate course offered by SAFCA is the culmination of three years of experience, having evolved to align with academic BA Hons courses and adapt to the unique South Asian festival and cultural context. The programme is taught by festival academics and experts from both the UK and South Asia. Designed for festival directors, founders, entrepreneurs, and senior managers of arts and cultural festivals across South Asia, this is a 10-week immersive, structured skills development programme, informed British Council.

According to the press release, the intermediate-level course is open to festival directors, founders, entrepreneurs, and senior managers in the arts and culture sector across South Asia. Applications will be considered from those who can demonstrate active experience in a senior leadership role and possess 510 years of experience working within the festival and culture sector. The full cost per student is 750, with the British Council providing a subsidy of 500 per student, reducing the total fee to 250.

For detailed information, visit the British Council website.

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To empower the retailer community in the states of Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), working under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) announced a partnership with Coca-Cola India to launch the Super Power Retailer Program under the Skill India Mission. The program is being piloted in the state of Odisha. The partnership was formally announced in the esteemed presence of the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan; Ved Mani Tiwari, COO, NSDC; and Sanket Ray, President, Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia.(Handout)

According to a press release by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the partnership was formally announced in the esteemed presence of the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan; Ved Mani Tiwari, COO, NSDC; and Sanket Ray, President, Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia.

The program facilitates the empowerment and progress of the retailers, marking a significant milestone in Skill Indias efforts to support the workforce. The initiative focuses on enabling retailers by focusing on building their capacity and capability in todays modern retailing sector. It focuses on providing training to small and micro retailers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to better understand consumer behaviours and their preferences. It aims to provide retailers with skills, tools and techniques that are required to succeed in the constantly changing retailer ecosystem and to spread knowledge of best practices, equipping traditional retailers with the right skill set necessary to make their business more profitable, as well as build their business skills, informed the ministry.

According to the press release, the Super Power Retailer Program will offer industry-specific skills such as customer management, inventory and stock management, financial management etc. that are tailored to the professional needs of retailers, making the retailer proficient and enhancing their knowledge. As part of the program, the participants will undergo a 14-hour training which will comprise of two hours of classroom session and 12 hours of digital training. The training will include physical classroom sessions along with an app-based Learning Management System (LMS) that is accessible on mobile and handheld devices for online modules. The modules will be hosted on Skill India Digitals platform (SID) and the training will be executed through a multimedia approach with a blend of videos and texts, by experienced trainers facilitating learning. The participants will receive a certificate upon completion of classroom, online training, and assessment modules.

As the auspicious celebrations of Durga Puja begin today, we launch the Super Power Retailer program in partnership with Coca-Cola India to empower our retailers and provide training to them on expanding their businesses and enhancing consumer experiences. I am confident that the initiative will play a pivotal role in strengthening Indias economy by skilling, reskilling, and upskilling the retailers by paving the way for their growth. I congratulate all the successful self-reliant retailers who have been awarded today," said Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.

Under the partnership, NSDC will support Coca-Cola India in expanding the program's outreach on SID. This involves creating and refining training content that aligns with industry-specific skill requirements. Additionally, NSDC will facilitate the recruitment of trainers for program implementation and ensure a seamless learning experience by providing the requisite training infrastructure, mentioned the press release.

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Houston, Oct 17 (PTI) An elementary school in the US state of Texas named after Indian-American trailblazer Sonal Bhuchar has been formally dedicated to her memory at an official ceremony where speakers highlighted her contributions to the community and the needy. HT Image

The Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) Board of Trustees on Sunday unanimously approved naming the elementary school after Sonal, who died in 2019 at the age of 58 due to cancer complications.

The funding for the Sonal Bhuchar Elementary School in Missouri City, Texas was provided through a 2018 bond.

Sonal was an FBISD board member, an esteemed leader, a consensus builder and a well-respected trailblazer.

She was a dedicated volunteer with Child Advocates, the Literacy Council, the Cultural Arts Foundation and the Fort Bend Education Foundation.

She was elected to the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees for six years and served as the Board President for two years.

Sonal also took her community service to the political field too and sought the Republican Party nomination for the State Representative position in 2012.

In 2015, Texas Governor Greg Abbot appointed Sonal to the One Star National Service Commission Board which promotes volunteerism and oversees the administration of the AmeriCorps programmes in Texas.

Originally from Mumbai, Sonal, a professional physiotherapist, had her bachelor's degree in physical therapy from Mumbai University before immigrating to Houston in 1984 with her physician husband Dr. Subodh Bhuchar.

The memorable dedication for the school named after her opened its doors in August.

The schools mascot, a Bengal tiger named Royal, is an emblem of Bhuchars Indian culture. ROYAL stands for Resilient, Optimistic, Youthful, Admirable, Leader.

Walking into the lobby of the school is a prominently placed mural on a wall, with her image alongside a quote that guided her life, The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

The school was built to house 1,000 students and features an outdoor classroom for students' and teachers' use on nice weather days.

Glowing tributes were paid by the speakers at the ceremony, highlighting the contribution of Sonal in the community and how she encouraged them to serve for the betterment of the needy in the community.

Consul General of India D C Manjunath, who was amongst the special guests at the event, paid his tributes and gifted the elementary school with special books on India.

Sonals children gave an emotional speech about the lessons learned from their mother, and how she spent hours volunteering the community causes without any expectations in return as she believed in doing things for good without an ego.

The school will forever promote education and development, which was close to her heart. Their speech touched many chords and left many eyes wet.

Along with establishing her own practice, she managed her husbands office, raised three children, and served on various charitable boards in the community, they said.

She served in many leadership roles, and up until her passing, was actively involved as a Board Member with the Child Advocates of Fort Bend and Parks, Art, Recreation, Culture, and Streetscapes (PARCS).

During her tenure with the district, she spearheaded many efforts including chairing the WATCH programme (a healthy lifestyle education program for elementary school kids), developing the concept for the Fort Bend Education Foundations Annual International Festival to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the District, Student Leadership Programme, Legislative Advocacy Program, and countless scholarship opportunities for students."

She was a giver in the community, highly regarded, said Christie Whitbeck, superintendent for Fort Bend ISD.

Others who spoke at the dedication include Judy Dae, FBISD Board President, Robin Elackatt, Mayor Missouri City, Nikki Robert, School Principal, Rebecca Wells, School Music Teacher.

Principal Nikki Roberts said she is incredibly excited.

Roberts told PTI that we are honoured to celebrate the life of service Sonal Bhuchar dedicated to the district and the beautiful school she is named after.

Roberts said she wants all children to love learning and is grateful for the opportunity to open a school that pays tribute to a person who was a giant in the community.

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Filmmaker Onir has expressed his disappointment at the verdict pronounced on Tuesday by the Supreme Court of India, which refused to legalise same-sex marriages. DISAAPOINTED . The cis gendered world FAILED to be better humans, Onir posted on X (formerly Twitter) soon after the judgement by a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. (Also Read: Onir: Big filmmakers should be more considerate towards Indie films to thrive) Onir has directed films on homosexuality, such as My Brother Nikhil and Pine Cone

The filmmaker, who has explored same-sex relationships in My Brother Nikhil and Pine Cone, also posted on the X app, What a shame.

The apex court has, in a majority verdict, ruled that for LGBTQIA+ couples there is no unqualified right to marriage and that conferring legal status to a civil union can only be through enacted law.

I think that the Supreme Courts verdict has come, but it has been highly disappointing because, since the beginning, a lot of positive things were discussed. The court said that the government should take this decision and support it, however, the decision has been given into the hands of the Parliament, Onir told ANI after the apex courts verdict.

In 2018, the Supreme Court took the decision, and it was a positive decision because the court takes the decision considering human rights the filmmaker said.

The struggle that is already going on will continue with the hope that we will get justice very soon. There was a lot of hope this time, but unfortunately, it couldnt happen in our favour, Onir said.

I would like to ask the government that this is a human rights issue, and no culture, no religion, no tradition is above human rights, and why there is a debate over the happiness of a community," he added.

A Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha delivered the verdict it had reserved on May 11 this year.

The court, however, said the judgement will not preclude the right of queer persons to enter into relationships.

The apex court also said that the challenge to Special Marriage Act (SMA) on the ground of under-classification is not made out.

Justice Ravindra Bhat, Justice Narasimha and Justice Hima Kohli were in agreement on these positions, while CJI Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul took divergent positions.

In his judgement, the CJI passed directions that the Union government and State governments must ensure there is no discrimination against the queer community.

The CJI said it should be ensured that there is no discrimination in access to goods and services to the queer community. There is a need to sensitise public about queer rights. The Union and state governments must create a hotline for queer community to prevent harassment. The government must create safe houses for queer couple. Government also must ensure inter-sex children are not forced to undergo operations.

The CJI said that it should be ensured that no person shall be forced to undergo any hormonal therapy. There shall be no harassment to queer community by summoning them to police station solely to enquire about their sexual identity.

The CJI directed the Union Government to constitute a committee to decide the rights and entitlements of persons in queer unions.

The Constitution bench had begun the hearing on the matter on April 18 and the hearing went on for nearly 10 days. The court had clarified that it will deal with the issue under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act and will not touch the personal laws on this aspect.

The Centre has opposed the plea and said that the Parliament, and not the court, should consider the issue. The Centre called it an urban elite concept, but the court did not agree.

During the hearing, the Centre had agreed to examine issues relating to giving some certain rights to LGBTQIA+, but opposed legal recognition to the same-sex couple.

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The rumor mill is spinning once again as Halle Bailey, the celebrated star of "The Little Mermaid," was spotted strolling the streets of Santa Monica alongside her boyfriend, DDG. Clad in an oversized gray hoodie and loose sweatpants, Bailey's rounded stomach caught the keen eye of fans, reigniting speculations about her pregnancy. FILE PHOTO: Cast member Halle Bailey attends the premiere of the film "The Little Mermaid" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2023.(REUTERS)

The pair, who made their relationship public earlier this year, has been under the microscope since dating rumors surfaced in January. These recent photographs, shared by The Shade Room, depict Bailey purposefully concealing her figure beneath the baggy attire, fueling the rumors further.

Fans took to social media platforms, expressing their excitement and curiosity. One user exclaimed, "So Halle Bailey pregnant, sexyy red pregnant, my cousin pregnant like come on yall fight tf back!!!!" Another user, questioned, "Why am I just finding out Halle Bailey is pregnant by DDG" Halle Bailey pregnant at the height of her young career by a BUM. im so tired, wrote another.

Questioning the veracity of the rumours, one user wrote, Halle Bailey is not pregnant its a prank for YouTube IM NOT CONVINCED !

These new pictures add to the growing buzz that started in September when Bailey wore an oversized outfit to the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, and a video circulated showing her teary-eyed while hugging her sister, Chloe. For someone known for her stoicism, this emotional display only fueled the speculation further.

While Bailey and DDG have neither confirmed nor denied the rumours, fans continue to decipher every public appearance and social media post for clues. Halle Bailey's relationship with DDG, as she described in a recent Cosmopolitan interview, is her "first real, deep love," making these rumours all the more intriguing for their supporters.

As the public awaits an official announcement, Bailey's admirers are eagerly anticipating any updates from the couple.
American actor Kevin Spacey made an unexpected appearance at an Oxford lecture that paid tribute to the late conservative philosopher Roger Scruton on Monday night. It marked Kevin's first public performance since his acquittal on sexual assault charges in London. Kevin Spacey returns to the spotlight with powerful performance on Cancel Culture, receives a standing ovation in Oxford

The opportunity was very well utilised by the actor accused in the Me Too scandal who has been recently acquitted by a UK court to reply back to Hollywood which cancelled him and threw his Hollywood career in jeopardy.

During the event, titled "What Shakespeare Can Teach Us About Cancel Culture," Douglas Murray, an associate editor at The Spectator, invited Kevin to the stage to deliver a monologue from Timon of Athens.

The performance aimed to address the theme of society's tendency to ostracize individuals without valid reasons, reflecting on the concept of cancel culture. A subject well suited for Spacey to answer to the world and break his silence over the Me Too allegations he has faced which led to cancelation of his popular series House of Cards and him being tacitly ostracised for Hollywood.

Its about what happens when a society drops a person for no reason, Murray stated about the particular scene that Spacey was asked to perform. Its something that has been on Kevins mind, as it was on Roger Scrutons mind, so I said I want him to be back on stage in the U.K.

Spacey then delivered the performance, making his way through the crowd before saying the monologues final line: I am sick of this false world, and will love it not! Spacey dramatically stormed out of the room before re-entering, and was greeted with a standing ovation from the audience.

ALSO READ: Kevin Spacey says he was rushed to hospital after fearing a heart attack in Uzbekistan: I felt my left arm go numb

Douglas emphasized that this scene resonated with both Kevin and Roger. Kevin's delivery was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience, with a dramatic exit and re-entry followed by a standing ovation.

He said, In an era of cancellation and defenestration, we sometimes forget that we cannot go on like this and that we have been here before. We know this because our greatest writers and artists have addressed this question in their own times.

ALSO READ: Kevin Spacey acquitted of sexually assaulting four men, celebrates not guilty verdict in high-profile #MeToo trial

In July, Kevin was cleared of sexual assault charges in the UK after a four-week trial. He had been accused of sexually assaulting four men between 2004 and 2013. Prior to this, he had faced similar charges in a New York trial in 2022, where he was also acquitted.

Despite these legal victories, Kevin continues to grapple with the impact of the allegations on his career. The premiere of his latest film, "Control," faced controversy when a London cinema canceled the event.

This decision prompted strong disapproval from the cinema's management, but the premiere found an alternative venue less than 24 hours after the cancellation.
The Union government on Monday notified the much-delayed appointment of Delhi high court judge Siddharth Mridul as the new full-time chief justice of the Manipur high court, more than three months after the collegiums recommendation. Justice Siddharth Mridul (HT Photo)(HT_PRINT)

HT had on October 5 reported first that there was progress on the transfer and appointment of justice Mridul as the chief justice of the 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 Monday, Union law minister made the announcement on platform X (formerly Twitter). In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, President of India, after consultation with Chief Justice of India,is pleased to appoint Sh Justice Siddharth Mridul, Judge of the Delhi High Court, as Chief Justice of Manipur High Court. I convey best wishes to him, Meghwal posted.

The notification to appoint the new chief justice came a week after the government assured the Supreme Court that the collegiums recommendation will be acted upon soon. 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 Sanjay Kishan Kaul, that justice Mriduls notification 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.

A day after the governments assurance, the collegium recommended the transfer of MV Muralidaran, acting chief justice of Manipur high court, to the Calcutta high court. The collegiums recommendation, issued on October 10, 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.

The Supreme Court collegium comprised Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and justices Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and Surya Kant.

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.

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.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utkarsh Anand Utkarsh Anand is Legal Editor at the Hindustan Times. He writes on law, judiciary and governance. ...view detail
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said the Supreme Court has upheld the principle of parliamentary supremacy, reacting to the apex court's refusal to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi. (Mohammed Aleemuddin)

"SC has upheld the principle of parliamentary supremacy. It is not up to the courts to decide who gets married under what law," the Hyderabad MP said on social media platform X. "My faith and my conscience say that marriage is only between a man and a woman. This is not a question of decriminalisation like in the case of 377, it is about recognition of marriage. It is correct that the state cannot extend it to anyone and everyone."

Same-sex marriage verdict all updates

A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court Tuesday unanimously refused to accord legal recognition to same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act, ruling that it is within Parliament's ambit to change the law for validating such union.

The top court, however, recognised equal rights for queer people and their protection, as it called for sensitisation of the general public about the LGBTQIA community.

Owaisi further said he was concerned about "an observation made from the bench that transgender people can marry under SMA and Personal Laws". He said, "This is not a correct interpretation as far as Islam is concerned, as Islam does not recognise marriage between two biological males or two biological females."

He added: "I agree with Justice Bhat that 'a gender-neutral interpretation of the Special Marriage Act may not be equitable at times and can result in women being exposed to vulnerabilities in an unintended manner'."
Amritsar: Akal Takht Jathedaar Giani Raghbir Singh held his first meeting since taking charge. (AFP)

The Akal Takht on Monday banned destination weddings at beaches and resorts, citing the violation of maryada, the religious protocol of Sikhs.

The Panj Singh Sahiban, or five Sikh clergymen led by the Akal Takht jathedar, arrived at this decision after a meeting at the highest Sikh temporal seat. It was the first meeting since Giani Raghbir Singh took charge as jathedar.

Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Takht Kesgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Sultan Singh were among the Sikh clergymen who attended the meeting.

As per complaints sent by the sangat (Sikh community), some persons while violating maryada conduct Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding) by installing Guru Granth Sahib at beaches or resorts, Giani Raghbir Singh said after the meeting. As per the resolve of Panj Singh Sahiban, conducting Anand Karaj with parkash (installation) of Guru Granth Sahib at these places is banned.

The trend of conducting Sikh marriages at beaches, resorts, banks of lakes and other natural sites, including parks, is fast growing. Saroops (scriptures) of Guru Granth Sahib are brought from gurdwaras to these places to organise the weddings according to Sikh rituals. There is a ban already on bringing the saroop to marriage palaces, banquet halls and hotels for Anand Karaj, according to an earlier hukamnama (decree).

In the other resolutions adopted at the meeting, the Akal Takht dismissed the managing committee of the gurdwara in Bathinda, where a same sex marriage of two women was conducted recently. As per the decree, members and office-bearers of the committee can never be part of a gurdwara management anywhere.

Besides, gurdwara head granthi Hardev Singh, granthi Ajaib Singh, ragi Sikader Singh and tabla player Satnam Singh, who were involved in the wedding of the two women, were blacklisted for five years for violating Sikh maryada. They will not be able to perform duties at any gurdwara and religious function.

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Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], October 17 (ANI): The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday adjourned Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu's bail plea to October 19 in skill development case. HT Image

Due to the absence of Chandra Babu Naidu's legal team few members, rest of the team requested for adjournment of the hearing for tomorrow but the High Court adjourned the hearing to October 19.

Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh government on Friday assured the Supreme Court that former Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu will not be arrested till October 18 in the FiberNet scam case.

A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi also issued notice to the government on the plea of Naidu challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court order denying him anticipatory bail in the case and posted the matter for hearing on October 17.

The top court was hearing Naidu's special leave petition against an order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court refusing to grant him anticipatory bail earlier this week.

The bench is also seized of another plea filed by Naidu seeking quashing of FIR registered against him rooted in a skill development scam. He has challenged the High Court judgment rejecting his plea for the quashing of FIR.

Naidu is currently in judicial custody.

Earlier, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders on Sunday staged a protest in Telangana's Hyderabad, against the arrest of TDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu in the alleged skill development scam case.

They tied their hands with black ropes during the demonstration.

Chandrababu Naidu's wife, Nara Bhuvaneshwari, and son, Nara Lokesh, also participated in the protest.

"Justice is behind the bars today. Even though there is no evidence, Chandrababu was illegally arrested to keep him distant from the people. It is alleged that they are conspiring to threaten Chandrababu's life by keeping him in judicial remand while managing the systems", Nara Lokesh said while speaking to ANI. (ANI)
NAPA, Calif.Vibratex, the company behind the Magic Wand brand, is currently fulfilling pre-orders and shipping the Magic Wand Microa 4.5-inch, 3-ounce version of the massage wand.

Its here! Vibratex CEO Ken Herskovitz said. The Magic Wand Micro is officially in stock and being shipped to customers now. Were sure the Micro will be a holiday must, and its on-time arrival ensures retailers will be able to have plenty of stock to meet the demands of gifting season.

The first-ever pocket sized Magic Wand features three speeds and four vibration patterns. Its USB-C rechargeable battery will allow up to three hours of run time on a full charge. Like its larger siblings, the Micro boasts a silicone head and flexible neck that combine to deliver that familiar Magic Wand rumble instead of the buzz one might expect from a vibe of its size. Additionally, the Micro is designed to accept the included wrist strap or lanyard.

Retailers were equally excited to see that the Micros small packaging features a hang tab, making it the first Magic Wand that can hang on slat wall pegs. Like the other wands in the Magic Wand range, the Magic Wand Micro carries an FDA medical device registration, ETL listing, and the brands user-friendly one-year warranty.

Interested retailers should contact their distributor or [email protected] for additional information and/or to place an order today.
Bengaluru Income Tax officials with cash recovered during tax evasion searches against some Karnataka-based contractors and persons linked to them, in Bengaluru on Friday. (PTI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka staged demonstrations at various district headquarters on Monday while accusing the Congress government of indulging in corruption, following the seizure of over 94 crore cash in the recent Income Tax raids from some people, including 42 crore from a contractor.

The BJP has alleged that the money seized by the IT sleuths has links to the Congress, adding that the ATM government of Congress is amassing money to fund Assembly elections in five states.

The protests took place at Tumakuru, Bidar, Vijayapura, Shivamogga, Kalaburagi and Chikkodi. Holding the party flags, posters and banners, the party activists raised slogans against the Congress government alleging that it had resorted to extorting money.

According to a statement released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Monday, the IT department has seized 94 crore in cash, gold and diamond jewellery worth 8 crore and 30 luxury watches following raids at premises linked to government contractors and real estate developers in Karnataka and some other states.

The search has resulted in seizure of unaccounted cash of approximately 94 crore and gold and diamond jewellery of over 8 crore, aggregating to more than 102 crore, the CBDT said in a statement.

Further, a cache of about 30 luxury wristwatches of foreign make were unearthed from the premises of a private salaried employee, not engaged in the business of wristwatches, it said without identifying the accused entities.

The searches were conducted on October 12 at 55 premises in Bengaluru and other cities in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi.

Meanwhile, the BJP has decided to stage a major demonstration in Bengaluru on Tuesday and a few other cities across the state.

Reacting to the development, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel said that during the IT raids, crores of money was found and further demanded the resignation of the chief minister and deputy chief minister. The chief minister and deputy chief minister should resign on moral grounds, he said.

BJP president JP Nadda on Monday claimed the Congress can only give a guarantee of loot as he accused the party of turning Karnataka into an ATM for collecting money through corruption to fund its poll campaign.

The Congress and corruption are two sides of the same coin. Congress governments have made Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan ATMs of corruption. It wants to make Telangana and Madhya Pradesh similar ATMs to loot peoples money, Nadda said.

Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said that he would respond to all the allegations soon. Im not a coward. Im not afraid to run away. I will give a befitting reply to all. I will unravel all of them, Shivakumar said.

BJP should protest. If they protest, people will come to know about all their loot and we will expose everything, the deputy chief minister added.

BJP leader CT Ravi on Sunday alleged that there is a target of collecting 1,000 crore for Congress in Karnataka for funding the party to fight the Assembly polls. We had earlier alleged that the state [Karnataka] would be an ATM for the Congress government. That has turned out to be true. The truth will come out after enquiry. We are demanding a CBI inquiry, he added.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah has denied the allegation as baseless. This is a baseless allegation. Contractors do not belong to any political party. Neither do we ask them [contractors], nor do they give us, Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mysuru on Sunday.

Public Works minister Satish Jarkiholi on Monday said the IT department belongs to the Central government. BJP is protesting against IT raids in the state. Who is the BJP protesting against? The IT department belongs to the Central government, not the state government...BJP said the money found during the IT raids was that of Congress. This is just a political accusation.

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Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday rebutted the BJP's charge that 82 crore recovered in the state recently was linked to the Congress, saying the JP Nadda-led party was the "foundation of corruption". The Congress stalwart claimed the unaccounted cash and assets unearthed in the Income Tax department's raids belonged to BJP leaders. DK Shivakumar(HT file photo)

"Entire corruption is by the BJP only. The BJP is the foundation of corruption, that's why the people of Karnataka threw them away. Money that has been found is linked to BJP leaders and it is nowhere connected to the Congress government," he told ANI.

On October 12, the Income Tax Department conducted searches in premises linked to government contractors and real estate developers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, New Delhi and recovered unaccounted cash worth approximately 94 crore and gold and diamond jewellery of over 8 crore. 30 luxury wristwatches were also found.

42 crore was also recovered from the house of a close relative of a Karnataka contractor, named Ambikapathy. The contractor was one of the state's numerous contractors who had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, complaining against alleged corruption in the state government.

Also read: 'ATM to fund elections': BJP links 42 crore cash recovery to Congress

On Sunday, 40 crore were recovered from the premises of a Bengaluru builder.

The BJP alleged on Sunday the Congress was using Karnataka as an ATM machine to fund its electoral expenses in 5 poll-bound states.

" 42 crore cash was recovered from Ambikapathy's house. Another 40 crore was recovered from the residence of another builder Santhosh Krishnappa. We have information regarding the 5-state elections. All this money belongs to Congress. We had earlier alleged that the state (Karnataka) would be an ATM for the Congress government. That has turned out to be true. The truth will come out after enquiry. We are demanding a CBI inquiry," BJP leader CT Ravi had said.

Also read: : 40 crore seized from contractors house in Bengaluru

Reacting to Shivakumar's allegation, BJP leader Sadananda Gowda said today: "The deputy CM says that the money belongs to the BJP. Let him inquire and come up with proof that it belongs to the BJP people. Such people should be punished, whoever it turns out to be..."

Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday said the contractor had branded the previous BJP government in Karnataka as "40 percent commission government" and wrote a letter to PM Modi, at the behest of the Congress.

Also read: 42 crore bundled in 23 boxes found at Bengaluru contractor's house in Income Tax raid

We must remember the name of a person, Ambikapathy, the contractor who, on behalf of the Congress, had written to the prime minister in July-August last year labelling the erstwhile BJP government in Karnataka as 40 per cent commission government," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

He attributed the party's loss in the Karnataka assembly election to a "massive drama they had orchestrated with a singular objective -- corruption".

With inputs from agencies

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Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Tuesday filed a defamation suit in Delhi high court against Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey, Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and several media organisations. TMC MP Mahua Moitra(PTI)

Nishikant Dubey and Dehadrai had alleged that the MP had taken"bribes" to ask questions in the Lok Sabha. The plea was listed before bench of justice Sachin Datta today. The court said it would now hear the matter on Friday.



Jai Anant Dehadrai is said to be an estranged partner of Mahua Moitra. The lawyer is reportedly in the midst of a bitter feud with the TMC MP over the custody of their pet dog. The TMC lawmaker had filed multiple police complaints against Dehadrai in the last six months for alleged criminal trespass, theft, vulgar messages and abuse, news agency PTI reported.

Nishikant Dubey, who had written to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla accusing Moitra of taking bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in the form of cash and gifts to ask questions in parliament, has also written to Union minister for information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging him to investigate the IP addresses of her log-in credentials for the House.



Dubey had claimed that lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai had "shared irrefutable evidence of bribes exchanged" between her and Darshan Hiranandani.



ALSO READ: On bribe for question allegation against TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Adani Group says charges corroborate our claim



In response, Moitra had posted on social media platform X,"Am using all my ill gotten cash & gifts to buy a college/ university in which Degree Dubey can finally buy a real degree. Please @ombirlakota @loksabhaspeaker finish the enquiries against him for false affidavits & then set up my enquiry committee".



The Hiranandani Group has said there is no merit in the allegations. We have always been in the business of business and not in the business of politics. Our group has always worked with the government in the interest of the nation and will continue doing so, the group said in a statement.



On Tuesday, the Lok Sabha speaker referred Dubey's complaint against the MP to the ethics committee of the lower House. The ethics committee of the Lok Sabha is chaired by BJP member Vinod Kumar Sonkar.



(With bureau inputs)

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New Delhi Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has referred to the parliamentary privileges committee a complaint from BJP lawmaker Nishikant Dubey alleging Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra accepted cash and gifts from a member of the Hiranandani family to ask questions, senior officials said on Monday, even as the Hiranandani Group denied the allegations. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. (File Photo)

Referring to a complaint by a Delhi-based lawyer on the basis of which Dubey shot off his complaint, the Adani Group, the target of many of Moitras comments and speeches inside and outside Parliament, jumped into the fray and said it proved that some groups were working overtime to harm our name, goodwill and market standing.

Escalating the issue, Dubey shot off a letter to information technology (IT) minister Ashwani Vaishnaw and minister of state for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar to probe if Moitra had given access to her login credentials for the Lok Sabha website to Hiranandani and his real-estate conglomerate, so that they could utilise it for their own personal gain .

Moitra hit back and tweeted, All parliamentary work of MPs done by PAs, assistants, interns, large teams. Respected @ashwinivaishnaw please release details of location & login details of ALL MPs with CDRs. Please release info on training given to staff to login.

Referring to the allegations, Chandrashekhar, in a post on X, said he was not aware or privy to the full facts or background on this, but if it is true then it is a terrible travesty and misuse of PQs (parliament questions).

The minister said he learnt from news reports that a parliamentary question was likely asked by a MP at the behest of a data centre company. If true this is indeed shocking and shameful. And went on to say, ...It is true that this company was actively and aggressively lobbying for data localization. Language used in PQ is very similar (linking need for data localization to data breaches) to that used when the head of this company met me.

The Adani statement mentioned that a Supreme Court lawyer Mr. Jai Anant Dehadrai, filed a complaint with the CBI in the form of a sworn affidavit bringing on record the commission of an elaborate criminal conspiracy by Honble MP Ms. Mahua Moitra and Mr. Darshan Hiranandani, CEO of Hiranandani Group, for specifically targeting, inter alia, Mr. Gautam Adani and his group of companies through parliamentary questions.

The Hiranandani Group is a conglomerate with interests in several industries including real estate, IT, and energy.

Moitra, who had earlier demanded probe into the Adani Group, launched an attack on Mr A and A Company on X, formerly Twitter.

3 questions jittery A Company need to answer in next press statement: 1- Where is the national interest when you used a Chinese national and a UAE national and 3 offshore companies to over invoice  13000 crores of coal? she tweeted.

Where is the national interest in you manipulating IOCL and GAIL in Dhamra LNG contract of 46500 crores without a tender? What is your national interest in getting coal mines in Rajasthan without a tender? Where is the national interest in SEBI letting your benami FPI holdings manipulate lakhs of crores in the market. Moitra tweeted.

Dubey in his letter to the ministers claimed Moitra gave Darshan Hiranandani and the Hiranandani Conglomerate access to her login credentials for the Lok Sabha website so that they could utilise it for their own personal gain is possibly the most damning and grave of all the charges that are being made against her.

 If the claims made above are found to be accurate, this constitutes a serious criminal breach of trust as well as a violation of Indias national security because it would give unauthorised individuals access to government websites that may contain classified information., he said.

The BJP lawmaker said the unauthorised access risks exposure of strategic data that could be exploited to undermine Indias policy decisions or strategic interests.

In his complaint on Sunday, he said 50 of 61 questions asked by Moitra in LS were intended at protecting or perpetuating business interests of Darshan Hiranandani and his firm. Any attempt by a Member of Parliament to compromise the sanctity of our democratic temple by accepting monetary or other types of remunerative benefits in exchange for asking questions for the benefit of a business house ought to be thwarted as quickly as possible..., he said in the letter.

In her response on X on Sunday, Moitra had said she welcomes any move against her after the Lok Sabha Speaker is finished dealing with pending charges against him (Dubey). The MP had also urged Birla to Finish the enquiries against him for false affidavits & then set up my enquiry committee.

In a legal notice filed through Panag & Babu Law Offices on Sunday, Moitra vehemently denied the allegations. In such tweets, videos and News Reports being carried by Noticee Nos. 3 to 21 (media houses) contain and propagate the defamatory allegations levelled our clients which are ex facie false, misconceived and designed to curry political mileage and extract personal vendetta and do not have an iota of truth to the same, the notice said, as quoted by legal website Bar and Bench.

Moitra also said she had a falling out after sharing a personal friendship with Dehadrai for several years, after which he sent her vile, malicious and vulgar messages and trespassed into her government residence, said the notice, as quoted by Bar and Bench.

The last cash for query scandal had erupted in 2005. A sting operation by online news site Cobrapost that aired on a private TV channel on December 12, 2005, showed the 11 MPs accepting cash in exchange for raising questions in the Parliament.

On December 24, 2005, Parliament voted to expel the 11 MPs in a historic vote. Pranab Mukherjee , the leader of the Lok Sabha at the time, introduced a resolution asking for expulsion of the members while then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did the same in the Rajya Sabha.
Hyderabad : The Congress, which is making a strong pitch for a caste survey across the country in a bid to ensure social justice for Other Backward Castes (OBCs), is facing a piquant situation in Telangana in the selection of right candidates to contest the assembly elections scheduled for November 30. Even as Telangana Congress president A Revanth Reddy has said that the party is trying to give 34 tickets to the OBCs as demanded by them, other leaders winnability is the focus during ticket distribution. (ANI)

The Congress is focussing on selecting the winning horses who can withstand the money power and party machinery of the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) candidates in their respective constituencies, according to Congress functionaries.

But with the Congress taking up the OBC slogan across the country, the party in Telangana is under tremendous pressure from the OBC leaders who are demanding their pie in the party tickets to contest the assembly elections.

Though caste has never been a major factor in the Telangana region in any elections, the OBC leaders have been insisting that they should not be ignored on the pretext of selecting winnable candidates.

As per the household survey conducted by the Telangana government in 2014, the OBCs constitute 51% of the total population of 36 million population in the state. We have submitted a representation to the All India Congress Committee, seeking at least three assembly seats for OBCs in each of 17 parliamentary constituencies in Telangana, which comes to around 51 out of 119 assembly seats in the state. Rahul Gandhi assured that if not three, a minimum of two assembly seats would be given to the OBCs, former MP and Congress OBC MPs Forum convenor V Hanumantha Rao told HT.

Telangana PCC campaign committee chairman Madhu Yashki Goud, too, said the party should give at least 34 assembly seats to the OBCs in those constituencies where they have fair chances of winning. The OBC leaders of the party have made a request to the high command to this effect, he said.

Even PCC president A Revanth Reddy told reporters in the last week of September that the party is trying to give 34 tickets to the OBCs as demanded by them. In any case, we shall give more seats to the OBCs than what the BRS has given, he said.

BRS president and Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who was the first to announce the list of party candidates on August 21 for the assembly elections, gave only 22 tickets to the OBCs.

On Sunday, the Congress released the first list of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, of which only 12 are OBCs, while the Reddy community got the lions share with 17 tickets, followed by seven Velamas, two Brahmins and three Muslims. As many as 12 SCs and two STs were accommodated in the constituencies reserved for them.

There are still 64 seats left for which the Congress has to announce candidates. Of them, the OBCs should get another 22 seats in the distribution of tickets, Hanumantha Rao said. This will give us an advantage over the BRS, which is fielding only 22 OBCs in the elections, he added.

In the last assembly elections held in December 2018, the Congress had allotted 24 seats to the OBCs, compared to 32 seats in 2014. This time, we are asking for more, in tune with the partys stand for OBC reservations all over the country, the former MP said.

What is more, the OBC leaders in the Congress want the tickets in the constituencies where the party has the chances of winning. There is no point in giving more seats to the OBCs in the old city of Hyderabad, just for the sake of satisfying them, because they cannot win those seats. Similarly in districts like Mahabubnagar, where there are more assembly seats, the OBCs should be given more than two seats, Hanumanth Rao said.

However, the Congress doesnt want to lose the chances of winning the elections just to appease the OBCs. No doubt, OBCs are important; but we need candidates who have the resources to win the elections, irrespective of whether they are Reddys, Kammas, Velamas or even OBCs. If we go only by the caste criterion, the party cannot come to power, a senior Congress leader, who refused to be quoted, said.

He reminded that even in the past, when tickets were given to the OBCs as per their demand, they did not win enough seats. For example, former PCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah, a prominent OBC leader, was given the party ticket twice from Jangaon assembly constituency in 2014 and 2018. On both the occasions, he had lost by a huge margin, the party leader said.

So was the case with senior OBC leader Ponnam Prabhakar from Karimnagar, who also lost the election twice despite being given preference. This time, we are looking for strong candidates, who are being identified based on a survey done by our strategists, the party leader added.

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Bengaluru: The joint production of GE Aerospaces F414 engines in India will help the country overcome a striking technology gap, lay the foundation for indigenous development of bigger jet engines , and possibly open doors to exports, HAL chief CB Ananthakrishnan said, adding that the American company and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited could hammer out a deal within a year. The F414 engine has evolved from the F404 (above) that powers the LCA Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants. (Rahul Singh/HT Photo)

We have lacked the capabilities required to build jet engines, he said in an interview. The deal we are negotiating with GE will help fix the shortcomings. It will bring advanced technologies into the country and form the basis of future engine programmes to meet the Indian Air Forces growing needs.

GE and HAL signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington in June to produce 99 F414 engines for Indias light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk-2 programme during PM Narendra Modis visit. The deal will involve 80% transfer of technology (ToT) and is estimated to be worth around $1 billion.

This never-seen-before scale of technology transfer will be a big game-changer, and result in the Mk-2 fighter jets having a significantly improved indigenous content compared to the two current LCA variants, Mk-1 and Mk-1A, Ananthakrishnan said. Still, we will drive a hard bargain to conclude the most competitive deal. The figure of $1 billion has been indicated by them (GE) and our effort will be to bring it down.

HALs current experience with engines includes manufacturing the AL-31FP engines for Sukhoi-30s under licence from Russia, and the Shakti engines that power the advanced light helicopter and the light combat helicopter that have been co-developed with French engine maker Safran, the HAL chief said. HAL is also carrying out repair and overhaul of other aircraft engines.

We are manufacturing the AL-31FP and Shakti engines under technology transfer which is not as exhaustive as what we will get under the F414 deal. But the experience thus far has been good and there have been valuable learnings that will help execute the new programme, Ananthakrishnan said. The first lot of F414 engines will be made in India three years after GE and HAL conclude the deal.

The ToT for F414s will cover 11 critical areas many of which were entirely off-limits more than a decade ago when the US and India began talks on the possible production of the engines in the country, HAL officials said. Back then, the US agreed to only 58% technology transfer, keeping a string of key engine technologies out of Indias reach.

The F414 has evolved from the F404 engine that powers the existing Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants and is imported from the US. The local production of the F414 engines will result in the Mk-2 jets having an indigenous content of 75% compared to 55%-60% in Mk-1A and 50% in Mk-1.

HAL will set up a new engine complex for producing the F414 engines as existing capacities are insufficient for the programme.

Ananthakrishnan said. An exclusive engine complex to build bigger engines will be a significant capacity addition which will help meet the countrys future requirements. He said with necessary approvals, GE and HAL could later use the facility for exporting engines without restricting the effort to Indian requirements.

India has sanctioned 10,000 crore for the Mk-2 programme. The new fighter will cater to the future requirements of IAF, which has already inducted several of the 40 earlier Mk-1s, ordered 83 newer Mk-1As and plans to order 97 more Mk-1As. The IAF could order more than 100 Mk-2s.

The Mk-2 will be ready for production in five years, the officials said.

It will have improved range, higher weapons payload capacity, superior radar capability, better avionics, advanced electronics, enhanced survivability, better situational awareness for pilots, network centric capabilities, and the ability to quickly switch from one role to another.

The 17.5-tonne fighter will have a maximum speed of 1.8 Mach, compared to the 13.5-tonne LCA Mk-1A that has a top speed of 1.6 Mach. The new aircraft will come with a payload capacity of 6.5 tonne (compared to 3.5 tonne for the Mk-1A) and it will carry a mix of weapons including beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, heavy precision guided weapons and conventional bombs.

The engine technologies that will now be transferred to India under the GE-HAL deal include machining and coating for single crystal turbine blades, fabrication of powder metallurgy discs, inertia friction welding for fan and afterburner, laser drilling technology for combustor, special coatings for corrosion and erosion, machining and coating of ceramic matrix composites for nozzle guide vanes, flaps and other parts, machining of thin-walled titanium casing, polymer matrix composites for bypass duct and bottle boring of shafts.

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Speaking to PTI, Nissim Rubin, Assistant Director of the American Jewish Committee's Asia Pacific Institute based in Washington DC pointed out that the Indian Jewish community in Israel, like other inhabitants of the country, has been "severely affected" by Hamas' brutal attack on October 7 that killed over 1,300 people. HT Image

We are very grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the robust statement of support, within a few hours of the attacks on October 7. And Prime Minister Netanyahu, on the following day, spoke with him, which shows the bond between the two countries and the two persons, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on October 10 that the 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.

Rubin, who has been working in Washington DC for the past 20 years, said, I am an Indian Jew, originally from Ahmedabad, but most of my family live in Israel." His work focuses on building partnerships in the US, Israel, and Asia, with a significant focus on India and the Indian American diaspora.

"We lost a young female Jewish soldier of Indian origin who died in a firefight with the terrorists on the first day of the attacks on October 7, he said, citing the sufferings of the Indian Jewish community in the war-torn country.

At least two Israeli women security officers of Indian origin were killed in the unprecedented attack carried out by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, official sources and people from the community confirmed on Sunday. Both of them are said to have died on duty in combat. Israel, Rubin said, has always stood with India.

Even when there were low-level diplomatic relations, Israel came to India's aid in the wars of 1965, 1962, 1971 and especially in 1999 in Kargil when Israel rushed much-needed defence recoupment and supplies at short notice. Today we see this support being repaid back multifold by the people of India with a robust support and understanding of Israel's situation, Rubin said.

We are very grateful to Prime Minister Modi and Foreign Minister Jaishankar for initiating Operation Ajay through which Indian students and IT professionals were taken back from Israel to India, he said.

There are 90,000 Jews of Indian origin. There are 30,000 Indian citizens who are working mostly as caregivers. We have not heard of any of them abandoning their jobs and going back to India because they are a very vital part of Israeli society and take care of the elderly and handicapped people, Rubin said.

Even the students who stayed back in Israel, their professors, and their college-mates are checking with them regularly about their wellbeing, he added.

As an Indian American and as a Jew, we have been very distraught for the past eight days. But we have enormous hope in the US-Israel-India Partnership. We will not forget that just before these attacks at the G20 IMEC, the India-Middle East Economic Corridor pact was signed. I2U2 was initiated at the recent general assembly in 2023. We are very confident that the Middle East will progress on the path of peace and prosperity in future, he said.

But one thing is for sure, that we definitely need to get rid of Hamas. We need to get rid of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, said the Indian American Jew.

Rubin said the most vital factor in this scenario was the US and India being in sync with each other regarding matters concerning the Middle East. That's how the IMEC was signed, bringing hope for expanded economic opportunities for the region and beyond. India, the US and Israel can work together in terms of ensuring peace through security. Without security, there will be no peace, he said.

The second most important factor, he pointed out, was India and the US having common partners in the Middle East. "We have to realise that after the United States, India has the closest ties with all the Gulf nations, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia. Both the nations working with these close allies will bring about a stabilised situation regarding the conflict, Rubin said.

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Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah couldn't topple his government even when the governments in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka collapsed following rebellion of ruling parties' MLAs. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot(HT_PRINT)

Gehlot's party, the Congress, was in power in all these states.

Gehlot said had the people of Rajasthan weren't in support, half of the MLAs would have left.

People appreciate our government's work...PM Modi and Amit Shah could not make the Rajasthan government collapse...The government (non-BJP)of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka collapsed," CM Gehlot said.

He further said, If people would not have been with us, half of the MLAs would have left.

He said people would take revenge from the BJP (in the upcoming elections).

Also read: Gehlot aims to counter BJPs Hindutva plank

The Congress-JDS government collapsed in 2019. The Congress government in MP collapsed in 2020.

The Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government -- comprising Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena -- fell last year after Shinde and 39 other MLAs revolted against the party leadership.

In 2018, the Congress secured 101 seats, a wafer-thin majority in the 200-strong Rajasthan assembly.

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday changed the poll dates of Rajasthan Assembly elections from November 23 to November 25.

The counting of votes will take place on 3 December.

With inputs from ANI

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Homosexuality isn't an urban elitist concept, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said on Tuesday, while announcing his verdict on petitions demanding legal status to same-sex marriages. Observing that marriage can't remain a static, stagnant or unchanging institution, he said he can't compel Parliament or state assemblies to create a new institution of marriage. He added queer people and couple can't be discriminated against and must get all the benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Here are the top quotes from the verdict. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud during pronouncement of verdict on same-sex marriages. (PTI)

Also read: Same-sex marriage verdict: 5-judge bench refuses to grant legal recognition

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud

#Homosexuality isn't an urban elitist concept.

#Gender queerness isn't about status or affluence.

#Marriage can't remain a static, stagnant or unchanging institution.

#Can't compel Parliament or state assemblies to create a new institution of marriage.

#Can't hold SMA unconstitutional just because it doesn't recognize same-sex marriages.

#Can't redraft SMA or other legal provisions to substitute "man" and "woman" or "husband" and "wife".. There can't be judicial legislation.

#Right to enter into an union must lead to a recognition by the State for fulfillment of such a right.

#Equality demands queer persons and couples aren't discriminated & all benefits flowing to the heterosexual couples from the State must also flow to queer couples.

#Can't assume only heterosexual couples can be good parents.

Justice SK Kaul agrees with CJI on recognition of civil unions

#Principle of equality demands all people have the right to unions irrespective of sex, gender or orientation.

#Non-heterosexual unions and heterosexual unions must be seen as both sides of the same coin.

#This moment is an opportunity to remedy the historical injustice and discrimination and thus, governance needed to grant rights to such unions or marriages.

Justice Bhat

#Queerness is neither urban nor elitist. However, I do not agree with the directions issued by the CJI.

#Courts can't create a social or legal institution for non-heterosexual couples.

#There's no unqualified right to marry and a consequent recognition by the State.

#Can't put State under any obligation when there's no constitutional right to marry or legal recognition of unions among non-heterosexual couples.

#Justice Bhat dissents with the CJI on issuing an array of directions to State.

#Can't give queer couples right to jointly adopt

#There can't a right to civil unions through judicial orders.

#The overarching regime enunciated in the CJI's judgment doesn't hold good after declaring that there's no fundamental right to marry. Also, right to settle, cohabit, non-discrimination, are already rooted in the Constitution.

#Courts must exercise restraint and leave it to legislature to decide this issue through debates, discussion and policy decisions.

Justice Narasimha

#Right to marry is just a statutory right.

#It's not a constitutional right.

#There can't be a right to civil union.

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China announced today that it had successfully exploded its first atom bomb. But it did not say immediately whether the test was held in the atmosphere or underground. HT This Day: October 17, 1964 -- China explodes its first a-bomb

The New China News Agency quoted a Government statement saying: China exploded an atom bomb at 15-00 hours (Peking time) on Oct. 16 and thereby conducted successfully its first nuclear test.

The statement said: The Chinese Government hereby solemnly declares that China will never at any time and under any circumstances be the first to use nuclear weapons.... The Chinese people can be trusted.

It called for an all-nation summit to discuss banning and destroying all nuclear weapons.

The statement said that China was forced to conduct nuclear tests and develop nuclear weapons. China cannot remain idle and do nothing in the face of the ever-increasing nuclear threat posed by the United States.

NCNA account

It had been expected that China would explode its first nuclear test shortly.

The NCNA gave this account:

The success of Chinas nuclear test is a major achievement of the Chinese people in the strengthening of their national defence and safeguarding of their motherland, as well as major contribution made by the Chinese people to the cause of the defence of world peace.

The success of this test was due to the hard work and the great coordinated effort of Chinas workers, engineering and technical personnel scientific personnel and all working personnel engages in building up Chinas national defences as well as various regions and departments throughout the country who, under the leadership of the party, displayed a spirit of relying on their own efforts and making enterprising endeavours.

The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council warmly congratulate them.

The U.S. Secretary of State, Mr Dean Rusk, forecast on Sept. 20 that Communist China might soon explode its first test device. He said then: For some time it has been known that the Chinese Communists were approaching the point where they might be able to detonate a first nuclear device. Such an explosion might occur in the near future.
The BlueKraft Digital Foundation on Tuesday launched Igniting Collective Goodness: MKB@100, the third book in the series, which captures the journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modis 100 episodes of Mann Ki Baat, which has been broadcasted on a monthly basis since October, 2014. The publishers said the book seeks to explore life journeys, initiatives and milestones that have made the radio broadcast a force for positive change. (Image posted on X by Amit Shah)

According to the publishers, the book seeks to explore life journeys, initiatives and milestones that have made the radio broadcast a force for positive change. Divided into three sectionseach dealing with an aspect of nation-building powered by democratic conversations, social reforms and changing mindsetsthe book contains a mosaic of experiences that have shaped the essence of the programme.

In his foreword, Prime Minister Modi said, I am glad that a book is being penned on Mann Ki Baat, in light of this programme having completed 100 episodes in April 2023.

This first book in the series was published following the culmination of 26 episodes and was released in May 2017 by the then President Ram Nath Kovind.

The ensuing book, marking 50 episodes, was launched in March 2019 by the then-union finance minister Arun Jaitley.

Congratulating the publisher for coming up with the third book in the series, union home and co-operation minister Amit Shah in a post on his X handle said, The new book Igniting Collective Goodness: Mann Ki Baat @ 100 tells the story of a unique journey undertaken by our nation under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji. It sheds new light on how Modi Ji with the sheer power of his words rallied the nation behind common goals of greater goodness. Powered by data and insights, the book is a must-read for the youths who wish to reflect on the transformative journey, as Mann Ki Baat crosses the mark of the 100th episode.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president J P Nadda said, The title of the book itself suggests, Mann ki Baat, the monthly radio broadcast by PM @narendramodi ji, has been a platform to celebrate the collective goodness of our people. This book, with its deep insights, data driven analysis and a peek into the process behind every months episodes, will be a scholarly new addition in the literature around Mann ki Baat. I encourage all of us to read this book that chronicles a modern mass movement.

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India is bringing back 286 more passengers including 18 Nepalese citizens from war-torn Israel under Operation Ajay, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday.



Nepal's ambassador to Israel Kanta Rizal told news agency PTI that some of the 18 Nepalese citizens were staying in difficult zones while others wanted to go back.



"We sent 254 Nepalese citizens on the Nepal Airlines on October 12 and may look to arrange more flights to take them out," she said.



ALSO READ: What is Operation Ajay? How Indians stranded in Israel will be brought back



It is the fifth flight operated under Operation Ajay, that was launched by India on October 11 to facilitate the return of Indian nationals from Israel, which is in the midst of a war with Palestinian militant group Hamas.



On Tuesday, minister of state (MoS) for external affairs V Muraleedharan said if required, more flights will be operated on the basis of the upcoming situation. Passengers pose for a photograph prior to their departure from Israel to India.(S Jaishankar/X)

"As of new, 5 flights have come and if required we will operate more flights on the basis of the situation that emerges. During the last, almost 4-5 days, we have flown aircraft from Israel to India," the minister was quoted by ANI as saying.



"Conflict erupted in Israel, the Indian Embassy had issued an advisory, requesting the Indian citizens there to be cautious and also to register their names in the Indian Embassy...," Muraleedharan added.

"The Indian Embassy is taking the call on who all have to travel to India based on the requests of the people and their ground situation there," he said.

Last week, four chartered flights from Tel Aviv came with a total of 906 passengers, including children.

At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority civilians massacred in Hamas October 7 attack.

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Hyderabad Speaking at the Infosys campus inauguration in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy Jagan said the state has no proper capital after it had unfortunately lost Hyderabad to Telangana due to bifurcation. (PTI)

YSR Congress Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday announced postponement of his plan to shift his camp office and other administrative offices to Visakhapatnam to December.

Jagan made an announcement to this effect while addressing a gathering after interacting with Infosys Development Centre built at a cost of 35 crore at Madhurawada in Visakhapatnam. The state-of-the-art facility will accommodate 1,000 employees initially.

I was hoping to shift to Visakhapatnam in October itself, but it will take some more time. The outer line for me to stay here is December. The official machinery is looking for suitable accommodation, he said.

On September 21, the state cabinet approved the shifting of the CMO to Visakhapatnam from its present location in Amaravati by Dussehra festival.

State minister for information and public relations Chelluboina Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna told reporters after the cabinet meeting that in the first phase, the chief ministers office (CMO) would be shifted and it would start operating from the port city with effect from October 23. In the subsequent phases, the other administrative offices would be shifted to Visakhapatnam, he said.

Speaking at the Infosys campus inauguration, Jagan said the state had no proper capital after it had unfortunately lost Hyderabad to Telangana due to bifurcation. Nevertheless, Visakhapatnam is the biggest city in the state and has the high potential to catapult into a world-class tier-I city, he said.

Visakhapatnam is also an education hub having eight universities including National Law University, four medical colleges, 14 engineering colleges and 12 degree colleges, besides several public sector undertakings and Eastern Naval Command, he said, adding that it also has strong port-based infrastructure.

Visakhapatnam, a happening city with good facilities, has the potential of becoming a city like Hyderabad and Bangalore soon, he said, adding that the Bhogapuram international airport would be ready in another two years.

Jagan said companies like TCS and Infosys could change the face of the information technology sector in Visakhapatnam. More companies like Adani Data Centre and Submarine Cable Company from Singapore will soon come to the city spurring growth, he said.

I hope Infosys will create wonders in the path of development taking the lead for other IT companies to arrive here, he said and wished the company good luck in its endeavours.

He further assured the top management of the company that the Government is just a phone call away in case it needs any support.

The chief minister also inaugurated the unit of Eugia Sterils at Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City at Parawada in Anakapalle district and the second unit of the Laurus Labs at the Special Economic Zone at Atchutapuram. He laid foundation stone for a new unit of the Laurus Labs.

He also flagged off beach cleaning machines procured by the Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation. The machines will be operated on beaches at Visakhapatnam, Bheemunipatnam and other nearby beaches.

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Bengaluru: Disquiet grew within the Janata Dal (Secular) over its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with the partys Karnataka unit president CM Ibrahim on Monday saying the JD(S) will not join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), defying the decision taken by party supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda. CM Ibrahim, a former Union minister, said he would form a core committee to meet Deve Gowda and convey the decision taken at meeting on Monday. (Savitha)

Urging Deve Gowda to reconsider his decision to ally with the BJP, Ibrahim hinted at a possible split in the JD(S) by claiming several party legislators were in touch with him. The veteran leader said he and his supporters represented the original JD(S) for being secular and that being the state president he can take a decision about the party in Karnataka.

Our first decision is that the JD(S) will not go with the NDA. The second decision was a request to Deve Gowda that he should not give his consent to this alliance, Ibrahim told reporters after a meeting with some party leaders and supporters.

Ibrahim, a former Union minister, said he would form a core committee to meet Deve Gowda and convey the decision taken at meeting on Monday.

The meeting called by Ibrahim, titled Chitana-Manthana, was convened in Bengaluru, notably without photographs of former chief minister and Deve Gowdas son HD Kumaraswamy. People familiar with the details said several speakers in the meeting demanded removal of Kumaraswamy and his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy from the party.

They (Deve Gowda and his family) didnt call us (for consultation before the alliance), so they dont have the right to go (for the alliance talks). We will communicate the decision, he said, adding that the core committee will meet soon at the Palace grounds.

On September 22, Kumaraswamy announced the decision to be part of the NDA after meeting Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda in New Delhi. The two parties have come together to take on the Congress in the next years general election.

Claiming that his faction represents the original JD(S) due to its secular stance, Ibrahim said: Deve Gowda became prime minister due to secular credentials. We cannot be in an alliance with the BJP. We have to defeat the NDA and we are ready to support Congress. We are the original JD(S) and nobody can remove me.

Ibrahim, who has served as the Union minister for civil aviation, tourism and information and broadcasting during 1996-1998, beseeched Deve Gowda not to consent to the alliance with the BJP, pointing at opposition to the decision from partys units in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra where several leaders have quit the JD(S) recently.

In Karnataka, however, we still have affection for you. You are a father figure. We will tell him (Gowda) that we should not have any relation with the BJP, Ibrahim added.

When asked about the course of action if Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy do not concur with his decision, Ibrahim said that in his capacity as state president, it will be his responsibility to decide the partys fate in the state.

I am the state president. I have to decide about my party in the state, which I will take. Already we have decided that we will not go with the BJP. What else is there more than this? he said. If Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy have decided to go with the BJP then let them go.

Reacting to Ibrahims statements, Kumaraswamy, who is the second in command in the JD(S), said the veteran leader is very independent and we will wait for his decision.

There is one decision taken by the party workers, and all leaders. In that background, he (Ibrahim) deliberated with his supporters in the meeting convened by him. He is completely free to make his decision, the former chief minister said.

Though the BJP declined to comment on the issue, partys state spokesperson Prakash S said the JD(S) does have a national president, who will take a call on this matter. It is ultimately up to the JD(S) to handle this situation, he said.

The BJP and JD(S) joined hands for the Lok Sabha elections months after facing huge defeat at the hands of the Congress in the Karnataka assembly elections in May. The BJP managed to win 66 seats, while the JD(S) was reduced to 19 seats in the 224-member assembly. The Congress won 135 seats with a vote share of nearly 43%. The JD(S) did not only lose seats but also lost a considerable vote share in the elections.
Kochi: Four districts in Kerala are expected to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday night, the India Meteorological Department said, under the influence of multiple weather systems in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Floodwaters receded from most parts of Thiruvananthapuram city and the larger district on Monday after rainfall eased. Major flooding was reported in the district with dozens of homes overrun by water on Sunday following heavy rainfall. (PTI)

The weather agency has declared code orange alert in the districts of Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki. Eight other districts are expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall and have been issued yellow alerts by the IMD.

A cyclonic circulation lies over Southeast Arabian Sea & adjoining Lakshadweep area and extends upto 3.1 km above mean sea level. Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to develop over southeast & adjoining eastcentral Arabian sea during next 48 hours. It is likely to move further westnorthwestwards and intensify into a depression over central Arabian sea around 21st October, the IMD said in its latest bulletin on Monday.

It added, A cyclonic circulation lies over coastal Tamil Nadu & neighbourhood and extends up to 3.1 km above mean sea level. A cyclonic circulation lies over northeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood at 3.1 km above mean sea level.

Rainfall is expected to continue on Tuesday as well, the agency indicated, with yellow alert issued for four districts.

Revenue minister K Rajan, who holds the charge of disaster management in the state, convened a meeting in the state capital to oversee relief measures and to ensure close coordination of various government departments across the districts.

Emergency operation centres at the district level are currently functioning 24x7. Directions have been given to provide the helpline numbers of these centres at the taluk and district level to the public. Officials on leave have been requested to rejoin service except in cases of medical emergency, the minister told reporters.

Meanwhile, floodwaters receded from most parts of Thiruvananthapuram city and the larger district on Monday after rainfall eased. Major flooding was reported in the district with dozens of homes overrun by water on Sunday following heavy rainfall. As of 8 am Sunday, Vellayani area in the district had recorded 216 mm rainfall, followed by Trivandrum city (211.4 mm), Ponmudi (211 mm), Neyyar dam (200.2 mm) and Neyyattinkara (188 mm) as per IMD statistics.

Even though floodwaters receded, residents in the city found it hard to clean their homes after large quantities of mud and slush were deposited. State health minister Veena George asked people in flooded areas to take extreme caution as there was a risk of spread of infectious diseases like leptispirosis. She has called for further strengthening of health surveillance in the districts and increased availability of medicines. Residents and those taking part in rescue operations should take doxicycline tablets as prescribed by health professionals to prevent leptospirosis infection, she said.

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Nashik, Indias wine capital, is set to emerge as the next hub for aircraft manufacturing in the country, with Bengaluru-based state-owned plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) preparing to activate new production lines for the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A and Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) planes to meet the Indian Air Forces growing requirements for fighter jets and basic trainers, senior officials aware of the development said. HAL is preparing to activate new production lines for LCA Mk-1A and HTT-40 planes. (Rahul Singh/HT Photo)

The new plant for the Mk-1As will enable HAL to advance the deliveries of the 83 such fighters ordered by IAF for 48,000 crore in February 2021 by at least a year, HAL chief CB Ananthakrishnan said in an interview. His comments came days after IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari announced plans to order 97 more LCA Mk-1As at an estimated cost of 67,000 crore.

HAL has a capacity to build 16 LCA Mk-1As every year in Bengaluru, and the Nashik line will help the firm ramp up production to a total of 24 jets.

The first Mk-1A will be delivered to IAF in February 2024, and the last of the 83 jets by 2028 (instead of 2029, the contracted delivery schedule), Ananthakrishnan said. Timely delivery is a top priority for IAF, which is grappling with a shortage of fighter squadrons.

We are hoping to achieve a targeted minimum capacity of building 24 fighters. Nashik has been a big aircraft division that was earlier manufacturing Sukhoi-30s. Building eight LCA-Mk-1As every year with an additional production line is not going to be a difficult job. This will help us make more fighters available to IAF at the earliest, he said.

The aircraft manufacturing division at Nashik, set up in 1964, has produced MiG variants and Su-30s under licence.

The new Mk-1A production line is being set up fast to begin deliveries from Nashik.

We have already started installing the jigs, fixtures and other equipment. We expect the first assembly to happen in December 2024. Our target is to deliver three aircraft from Nashik in 2024-25 and eight every year thereafter, Ananthakrishnan said.

The ancillary industry ecosystem in and around Nashik is good, and several micro, small and medium enterprises will be involved in LCA Mk-1As production, especially in supplying structural parts and components, he said.

If LCA Mk-1A production rate increases to 24, then the timelines will be met considerably, said former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major (retd). But it should be a constant effort to ensure that HAL maintains a 24-aircraft per year production rate. This will help IAF reach the desired force levels, he said.

IAFs plans to go in for 97 more LCA Mk-1As reflected its confidence in the firms ability to fulfil orders within the stipulated timeline, he said.

Will the Mk-1As to be ordered come with improvements over the first lot of 83 jets?

HAL hasnt gone into those details yet. The existing (83) Mk-1As will come with additional systems and features IAF wanted in LCA Mk-1. Once we get to the technical discussions, we will have to see whether any further improvements are required. If IAF wants it and if it fits within the design, we should be able to accommodate the customers needs. Improvements are possible (in the next 97).

On October 4, HAL handed over the first trainer version of LCA Mk-1 to Chaudhari in Bengaluru, with the twin seater set to fill a key training role and double as a fighter if needed.

The aircraft is part of an earlier order for 40 Mk-1 jets in the initial operational clearance (IOC) and the more advanced final operational clearance (FOC) configurations  the first variants of LCA. Of the 40 Mk-1s, IAF has inducted 32 single seater jets and raised two LCA squadrons. The remaining eight aircraft are trainers. Seven more twin seater aircraft will be delivered to IAF by March 2024.

LCA is set to emerge as the cornerstone of IAFs combat power in the coming decade and beyond. IAF, the worlds fourth largest air force, is expected to operate around 350 LCAs (Mk-1, Mk-1A and Mk-2 versions), with a third of those already ordered, some inducted, and the rest figuring prominently on the air forces modernisation roadmap and expected to be contracted in the coming years. The newer variants, Mk-1A and Mk-2, will come with significantly improved features and technologies over the Mk-1 aircraft.

LCAs will be a very formidable part of the future fighter fleet. Given their design architecture, the aircraft can be continuously upgraded to meet IAFs requirements, Major added.

Basic trainers will start rolling out of Nashik in 2025-26, said DK Sunil, director (engineering and R&D), HAL.

In March, the defence ministry awarded a 6,838-crore contract to HAL for 70 HTT-40 planes. The new aircraft, a longstanding need, will be used for ab initio training of IAF pilots.

HAL will deliver 12 trainers to IAF in 2025-26. Ten of those will be built at Nasik and the remaining two in Bengaluru. Deliveries will follow at the rate of around 20 every year, with 15 of the aircraft to be built in Nashik, Sunil said.

Currently, ab initio training of all rookie pilots is carried out on Swiss-origin Pilatus PC-7 MkII planes and Kiran Mk-1/1A trainers. Those training to become fighter pilots further train on the British-origin Hawk advanced jet trainers.

A repeat order for 35 HTT-40s is likely, the officials said.

The LCA project was sanctioned in 1983 as a replacement for the Soviet-origin MiG-21 fighter fleet. IAF raised its first LCA squadron with two aircraft in July 2016. The existing Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants will replace IAFs MiG-21 fighters. IAF currently operates more than 50 MiG-21 Bison aircraft (three squadrons), the latest and the last variant of the MiG-21. It is set to retire these squadrons by 2025.

The Mk-2 aircraft is planned as a replacement for IAFs MiG-29s, Mirage-2000s and Jaguar fighters that will start retiring in the coming decade.

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The Congress on Tuesday promised 25 lakh health and 10 lakh accidental insurance schemes for all, a caste census, purchase of cow dung at 2 per kg as it released its manifesto focussed on welfare ahead of the November 17 elections in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh at the release of the party's manifesto. (PTI)

Former chief minister Kamal Nath, Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh, Congresss manifesto committee head Rajendra Singh, and campaign committee chief Kantilal Bhuria were among those present at the launch of the document titled Vachan Patra. Nath said he would like to see an Indian Premier League team from Madhya Pradesh and also promised a scheme for sportspersons.

The Congress promised a waiver of loans of farmers up to 2 lakh per head apart from 1500 to 3000 monthly for two years for unemployed educated youth. The manifesto guarantees 1500 per month to every woman, an LPG cylinder for 500, no charges on the consumption of 100 units of power and half tariff on 200 units, resumption of the old pension scheme, free power to farmers for irrigation and 27% reservation to the Other Backward Classes.

The manifesto promises 500 to 1500 monthly to students of classes 1 to 12, which Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vardra announced at a public meeting in Mandla. It pledges to fill 200000 government posts.

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan rejected the manifesto as a bundle of lies. Kamal Nath made 900 promises five years back but did not implement even nine of them. People do not trust Congress and they know the BJP fulfils its promises. The Congress will not be able to mislead people.

Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram will go to the polls between November 7 and 30 while the results will be declared on December 3. This is the last major electoral exercise ahead of the 2024 national elections.

The Congress wrested power from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Hindi-speaking heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh months before the 2019 general elections. But it managed to win only three of the 65 Lok Sabha seats in the three states five months later as BJP returned to power with a bigger majority at the Centre.

The fresh elections encapsulate the countrys diversityfrom Rajasthan in the north to Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in central India, Telangana in the south and Mizoram in the northeast. They are also the first major polls since 26 Opposition parties formed the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance in July to take on the BJP in the 2024 elections.

The Congress hopes to return to power in Madhya Pradesh, the largest of the states going to the polls that sends 29 members to the Lok Sabha. It has set a target of winning 150 of the 230 seats in the state. The Congress lost power to the BJP in Madhya Pradesh in March 2020 after the resignations of 22 legislators.

The BJP has since 2003 been in power (barring 18 months between 2018 and 2020) in Madhya Pradesh, where it faces anti-incumbency and infighting. The BJP lost power to Congress in Himachal Pradesh in 2022 and Karnataka in May.

The Congress is particularly buoyed by its performance in Karnataka, where it returned to power on the back of an ideological campaign centred on welfare, social justice, and anti-corruption.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting with Department of Space officials on Gaganyaan, India's first manned space mission. The huddle taking place days ahead of the first demonstration flight of the Crew Escape Test Vehicle evaluated the mission's readiness, affirming its launch in 2025.



During the meeting, the Department of Space presented to the prime minister a comprehensive overview of the mission, including various technologies developed so far such as human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification. It was noted that around 20 major tests, including 3 uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) are planned, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.



During the meeting, PM Modi directed that India should now aim for ambitious goals including the set up of a Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs the meeting in the presence of Science Minister Jitendra Singh and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Somnath.

The Department of Space, headed by the prime minister, will develop a roadmap for the Moon exploration. It will encompass a series of Chandrayaan missions, the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), the construction of a new launch pad, and setting up human-centric Laboratories and associated technologies, the PMO statement added.

PM Modi also called upon Indian scientists to work towards interplanetary missions that would include a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander. He expressed confidence in Indias capabilities and affirmed the nation's commitment to scaling new heights in space exploration.

The maiden test flight of an unmanned crew module of the Gaganyaan will be launched from Sriharikota on the morning of October 21.

Mission Gaganyaan: The TV-D1 test flight is scheduled for October 21, 2023 between 7 am and 9 am from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. #Gaganyaan, ISRO posted on X.



India has already achieved the distinction of becoming the first country to touch down on the Moon's South Pole, after Chandrayaan 3 made a soft landing on the lunar surface on August 23. The country's first solar mission Aditya L1 was successfully launched on September 2.



On Aditya L1 mission, ISRO posted on X, The Spacecraft is healthy and on its way to Sun-Earth L1. A Trajectory Correction Maneuvre (TCM), originally provisioned, was performed on October 6, 2023, for about 16 s. It was needed to correct the trajectory evaluated after tracking the Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) maneuvre performed on September 19, 2023. TCM ensures that the spacecraft is on its intended path towards the Halo orbit insertion around L1. As Aditya-L1 continues to move ahead, the magnetometer will be turned on again within a few days.

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New Delhi: NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and its human resources department head Amit Chakravarty on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking urgent hearing against the Delhi high courts refusal to interfere with their arrest and police remand in a case lodged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). HT Image

A bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Purkayastha and Chakravarty, that the matter needed urgent hearing and asked him to write to the courts registry for the same as per the standard operating procedure (SOP).

The journalists are in police custody. Here one of the accused is a 75-year-old man, Sibal said.

The CJI assured Sibal that he will take a call on the urgent listing. Till late on Monday, however, the cause list of the Supreme Court for Tuesday did not reflect the case.

On October 13, the Delhi high court dismissed the plea against the arrest and police custody of Purkayastha and Chakravarty in the case registered under anti-terror law UAPA for allegedly receiving money to spread pro-China propaganda.

Both the accused were arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell 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.

In their first information report (FIR), the Delhi police have alleged that a sum of 75 crore to the website allegedly came from China to disrupt the sovereignty of India and cause disaffection against the country. The accused, the FIR said, conspired with a group  Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS)  to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The FIR was registered on August 17, roughly two weeks after an investigation in the New York Times alleged that the portal was part of a global network that received money for pushing Chinese propaganda. Besides provisions of the anti-terror law, the two have also been booked under Indian Penal Codes sections 153A (promoting enmity) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

Both the accused are currently lodged at Tihar Jail after a Delhi court sent them to judicial custody till October 20.
Nineteen of the 20 International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN)-accredited Indian fact-checkers have not applied to be empanelled for Karnatakas Information Disorder Tackling Unit (IDTU), citing the lack of editorial independence and its focus on prosecution. Karnatakas information technology minister Priyank Kharge earlier claimed that multiple fact-checkers have shown interest. (ANI)

The Karnataka government a fortnight back sought proposals until Monday (5pm) to set up its three-pronged IDTU. It said being a signatory to IFCNs code of principles will be an added advantage for the fact-check team. The requirement was at odds with IFCNs code of principles. The signatory status cannot be granted to an organisation whose editorial work is controlled by the state, a political party or a politician.

Karnatakas information technology minister Priyank Kharge earlier claimed that multiple fact-checkers have shown interest in getting empanelled when HT cited the contradiction.

The 19 of the 20 Indian fact-checkers, including Boom, Factly, TV Today Network and Lallantop, Press Trust of India, Quint, Vishwas Network, The Healthy Indian Project, Newschecker, Factchecker.in and NewsMobile, told HT that none of them intended to submit any proposals.

Fifteen of the 20 fact-checkers have renewed their IFCN accreditation. Four of themFirst Check, Lallantop, Logical Indian, and Digital Forensic, Research and Analytics Centerwere in the process of getting it renewed.

Alt News is the only signatory, which has not renewed its accreditation since April 2020. IFCNs accreditation is valid for a year.

The fact-checkers reiterated their commitment to remaining non-partisan, free, fair, and independent. State interference, apart from undermining the newsroom, can also result in the loss of their IFCN accreditation.

Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha said they did not apply as they feel that the focus is on prosecution and not awareness. There is no attempt to reimagine how information is shared. We do not work with governments, especially when there is a renewed focus on prosecuting speech.

Tarunima Prabhakar, the co-founder of Tattle Civic Technologies which works for a healthier online information ecosystem, said they fundamentally disagree with punitive action over speech. There is a lot of work that needs to be done before we get to punitive action.

Rahul Namboori, the co-founder of the fact-checking website Fact Crescendo, echoed Sinha and said they were not applying because it is a government-controlled unit. How will non-partisanship work? Do we have the freedom to work on stories that we pick up editorially? There is a lot of confusion around the process. At the end of the day, we rigorously follow the IFCNs code of principles because we are active in seven countries... Fact-checkers cannot be working for the state.

The IDTUs fact-checking workflow says the empanelled agency will proactively hunt for content that needs fact-checking. The agency will have to first get approval from the review single point of contact (SPOC)a state government-appointed officialto begin the fact check.

The review SPOC will once again vet the fact check, whether in response to a user complaint or after proactive hunting, before making it public.

Prabhakar said the government could have given grants to the fact checkers and remained out of the process. They could have built the capacity of grassroots organisations that tackle hate speech. Instead, they have taken control over the process.

For 10 of the 15 signatories, IFCN accreditation also means that they are a part of Metas third-party fact-checking programme. Meta partners with certain IFCN signatories to fact-check misinformation and disinformation on its platformsFacebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This partnership with Meta acts as a source of revenue for the fact-checkers.

IFCNs code of principles says that the signatory status cannot be granted to any organisation whose editorial work is controlled by a state, a political party, or a politician. It may however be granted to organizations that receive funding from state or political sources to carry out public service journalism if the IFCN assessor determines there is clear and unambiguous separation of editorial control from state or political influence, says the IFCN website.

IFCN director Angie D Holan said the Karnataka governments requirements do not meet that standard as it permits it to select fact-checks and control the publication of findings. No IFCN signatory could agree to such a plan and still meet the codes principles, she said. She added if a signatory still applied, it would be subject to their process and would not be able to meet the terms for renewal of its status.

Holan said the state government did not reach out to the IFCN to the best of her knowledge.

Kharge first spoke about a fact-checking cell in June weeks after the Congress returned to power in Karnataka. There was consensus about rejecting the cell since it opened a Pandoras Box when at least 16 organisations had a video conference with Holan on October 13.

Representatives from IFCN-accredited Logically Facts, an independent fact-checking entity under UK-based Logically that claims to use AI to fight misinformation, also attended the conference.

A spokesperson for the entity said as a verified signatory of the IFCN, Logically and Logicallys independent fact-checking subsidiary, Logically Facts does not intend to respond to the fact-checking element of IDTUs call for proposals as it stands. Logically will continue to engage with the Government on best practices and adhere to any guidance from the IFCN on the appropriate relationship between fact-checkers and Government entities.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aditi Agrawal Aditi covers technology policy, online free speech, privacy, cybersecurity, and surveillance. ...view detail
A SpiceJet flight with 286 passengers, including 18 Nepalese nationals, from Tel Aviv landed at the Delhi airport on Tuesday. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that 286 passengers, including 18 Nepalese nationals, arrived on board the fifth flight under Operation Ajay.(X/@MEAIndia)

This is the fifth flight to be operated under the government's Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of Indians who wish to come back from Israel where an intense conflict is going on with the militant group Hamas.

In a post on social media platform X, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that 286 passengers, including 18 Nepalese nationals, arrived on board the fifth flight under Operation Ajay.

He also shared pictures of the passengers being welcomed at the airport by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan.

According to the Kerala government, there were 22 people from the state among the passengers who arrived in the flight.

The SpiceJet aircraft A340 had faced a technical issue after landing at Tel Aviv on Sunday and the plane was taken to Jordan to rectify the problem.

After fixing the issue, the plane returned with people from Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

The aircraft was originally scheduled to return to the national capital on Monday morning.
New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its offshoots on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Courts decision not legalise same sex marriages and barring couples from adoption. (HT photo)

The Sangh, the ideological mentor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been steadfast in its opposition to such unions, dubbing them as unnatural. The BJP, too, has been against same sex marriages, even as both the party and the Sangh lent support to the demand for decriminalisng homosexuality.

Within hours of the SC decision, Sunil Ambeka, the chief spokesperson of the RSS said, the decision regarding same sex marriage is welcome and Indias democratic parliamentary system can seriously discuss all the issues related to this and take appropriate decisions.

Similar views were echoed by Alok Kumar, the central working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a hardline affiliate of the Sangh. Today we are satisfied that the Supreme Court, after listening to all the concerned parties including Hindu, Muslim and Christian followers, has given the decision that the relationship between two homosexuals in the form of marriage, is not eligible for registration. This is not even their fundamental right. Not giving homosexuals the right to adopt a child is also a good step, Kumar said.

BJP lawmaker Harnath Singh Yadav welcomed the apex courts decision and said same sex unions should be condemned.

These unions are antithetical to the customs, traditions and religious practices followed in India and have no place here. People who support such unions are those with a perverted and convoluted mindset and it seems they are part of a campaign to destroy the morality and ethics of this country, he said.

Also Read: SC refuses to legalise same-sex marriage, says queer couples have right to cohabit

While the Sangh and its leadership have over the years softened their stand on homosexuality, they are unwavering in their opposition to allowing marriages between same sex individuals.

This is primarily because the Sangh views such relations as a threat to the concept of marriage being a sacred union and not a contract and to the concept of family. In the last decade, family or Kutumb Prabodhan, focussed on deepening family ties, has been an area of focus for the Sangh. They are concerned that western lifestyle and concepts are weakening the Indian traditional way of life and same sex marriages will exacerbate the problem, said a Sangh functionary, asking not to be named.

The Sangh has held Shakhas for families and to encourage them to participate as a unit. The family itself has been denoted as a union of male and female. Often Sangh leaders are questioned about the status of transgender in society, about live-in relationship and contractual marriages. We have said unequivocally that there should be no discrimination based on gender, but the rest society has already laid down norms. If society wants to reconsider the norms of marriages, it should be discussed widely. It cannot be a court order or a pressure group push, the functionary quoted above said.

In 2018, while the Sangh supported the Supreme Courts judgment to decriminalise gay sex, it asserted that the support was not for same sex marriages.

Bharatiya (Indian) society also doesnt have the tradition to recognise such relations, its then chief spokesperson Arun Kumar said. The first signs of the Sangh revisiting its views on homosexuality came in 2016 when the then joint general secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale, said: Homosexuality is not a crime but a socially immoral act in our society. He went on to say that homosexuality should not be punished but treated as a psychological issue.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused Mizorams ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and Opposition Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) of furthering the interests of and being the entry points of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological fountainhead, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to the Christian-majority northeastern state. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Aizawl on Tuesday. (PTI)

...MNF [which is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre] is directly linked to BJP... ZPM has said it will work with the BJP. Both these parties are entry points for the BJP and RSS in Mizoram, said Gandhi at a press conference in Aizawl on the second day of his two-day visit to election-bound Mizoram.

Gandhi said the BJP and the RSS were trying to spread an authoritarian and centralised system. He added that Congress opposes their ideology. Gandhi said the Congress believes that all religions and cultures must be protected. That is also what our alliance INDIA [Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance] believes in. It is important to realise that our alliance represents 60% of India.

Gandhi said they represent more people than the BJP. He referred to the RSS and said the larger question was whether it would control Mizoram. We oppose them and will fight them tooth and nail. People of Mizoram know that and that is why I am confident the Congress will form the next government in Mizoram.

The Congress lost power to the MNF in its last bastion in the northeast in 2018 and managed to get just five seats in the 40-member assembly. MNF won 26 seats, ZPM eight, and the BJP one.

Gandhis visit to the poll-bound state is the first by a top Congress leader following last weeks announcement of assembly polls on November 7.

He highlighted social security schemes in Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Karnataka and added they believe in testing them at the state level. Gandhi added they will implement them across the country when it comes to power at the Centre next year. For Mizoram, we have plans such as 2000 as an old-age pension, LPG gas cylinders at 750, and economic empowerment schemes for entrepreneurs and people who have struggled, said Gandhi, who was due to depart for Delhi via Agartala after addressing a public meeting in Lunglei.

On Monday, Gandhi hit out at the MNF, saying drugs were rampant in the state and had led to the deaths of 250 young people. He said the MNF government provided just 2,000 jobs in five years while roads and infrastructure in Mizoram were in shambles.

Gandhi accused the MNF of being in cahoots with the BJP while underlining his partys good record of governance and development and pledging to protect the poll-bound states culture, tradition and religion.

The MNF is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre and in Mizoram. The BJP is not part of the MNF government in Mizoram.

Gandhi, who addressed a gathering after starting his poll campaign with a march from to the governors residence in Aizawl on Monday, spoke about his visit to neighbouring ethnic violence-hit Manipur and accused the BJP-led government of failing to address the issue. He said there were similar issues in other parts of the country as well and that minorities, tribals, and Dalits were feeling uncomfortable under the BJP rule while calling it an attack on the idea of India.

Mizoram is the smallest of the five states going to the polls next month. The elections encapsulate the countrys diversityfrom Rajasthan in the north to Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in central India, Telangana in the south and Mizoram in the northeast. They are also the first major polls since 26 Opposition parties formed the INDIA bloc in July to take on the BJP in the 2024 elections. The ruling MNF and the Congress have dominated politics in Mizoram. The Congress was in power from 2008 to 2018.

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Indias current consul general in New York, Randhir Jaiswal, is set to be the next spokesperson of the external affairs ministry, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. During his diplomatic career of more than two decades, Randhir Jaiswal has served in Portugal, Cuba, South Africa and at Indias permanent mission to the UN in New York

Jaiswal, an officer of the 1998 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, will succeed the current spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, who has been appointed Indias permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva.

During his diplomatic career of more than two decades, Jaiswal has served in Portugal, Cuba, South Africa and at Indias permanent mission to the UN in New York.

Jaiswal has also served in the external affairs ministry as the deputy secretary, looking after relations with the US and as joint secretary managing ties with countries in western Europe.

In mid-2017, he was deputed to serve the President as the joint secretary responsible for international relations. He was appointed in his current position of consul general in New York in July 2020.

Jaiswal has also been part of the Indian delegation at climate change conferences. He has a masters degree in history from Delhi University.

Earlier, the people cited above said Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, joint secretary (G20), and K Nandini Singla, high commissioner to Mauritius, were among officials considered for the post of spokesperson, one of the most high-profile positions in the foreign ministry.

Bagchi is expected to continue as spokesperson for some more time, and the change is expected to happen towards the end of the year, the people said.

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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
The minority judgment of the Supreme Court in the same-sex marriage case embarked on an expansive jurisprudential journey in its zealous endeavour to forge a right for the queer community to enter into a civil union, holding it to be the key to the fulfilment of their existing rights and entitlement of a raft of other benefits available to heterosexual couples. PREMIUM Members of LGBTQ+ community outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT photo)

Authored separately by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, the judgment held that it is insufficient for the State to hold that queer couples are not legally prohibited from cohabitation or living as couples when the full enjoyment of such relationships makes it necessary that the State accord recognition to such relationships.

Through their judgments, the justices gave queer couples a series of potential rights -- to adopt a child, to succession and maintenance, to pension and gratuity, to end-of-life medical decisions -- only for the majority judges to overrule an order that the community would have perceived as a significant step.

Thus, the right to enter into a union includes the right to associate with a partner of ones choice, according to recognition to the association, and ensuring that there is no denial of access to basic goods and services is crucial to achieving the goal of self-development, noted the CJIs judgment.

The CJI interpreted three provisions under Article 19  right to freedom of speech and expression, right to form association, and right to settle in any part of India, to declare that the right to enter into a civil union is a constitutionally protected right, obligating the State to recognise it and ensure an array of benefits.

The freedom to choose a partner and the freedom to enjoy their society which are essential components of the right to enter into a union (and the freedom of intimate association) would be rendered otiose if the relationship were to be discriminated against. For the right to have real meaning, the State must recognise a bouquet of entitlements which flow from an abiding relationship of this kind. A failure to recognise such entitlements would result in systemic discrimination against queer couples, held Justice Chandrachud.

Highlighting the regard for the autonomy, privacy, freedom to choose and well-being of the queer community, the 247-page judgment by the CJI maintained that a union may emerge from an abiding, cohabitational relationship of two persons  one in which each chooses the other to impart stability and permanence to their relationship.

Such a union encapsulates a sustained companionship, said the CJI, adding an abiding cohabitation relationship which includes within its fold a union of two individuals who cannot be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation.

This court holds that all persons have a right to enter into an abiding union with their life partner. This right, undoubtedly, extends to persons in queer relationships...Material and expressive entitlements which flow from a union must be available to couples in queer unions. Any form of discrimination has a disparate impact on queer couples who unlike heterosexual couples cannot marry under the current legal regime, Justice Chandrachud declared in his judgment.

Also holding that the right to enter into a union cannot be restricted based on sexual orientation, the judge underscored that such a restriction would breach Article 15 of the Constitution which states that no citizen shall be discriminated against based on religion, race, sex, place of birth, or any of them.

Justice Chandrachud then proceeded to issue a series of directions to protect same-sex unions from interference by the State, or in some cases, parents even as the judge cited institutional limitations to hold that such relationships cannot be granted legal recognition or protection under the Special Marriage Act.

Justice Kaul, penning a separate judgment, agreed with the CJI on recognising queer relationships as civil unions.

Although no such provision exists in the Indian Constitution, our courts are no stranger to interpreting statutory laws through fundamental rights...This technique of reading in Constitutional values should be used harmoniously with other canons of statutory interpretation. In this context, legislations that confer benefits on the basis of marriage should be construed to include civil unions as well, where applicable, said the judge.

According to Justice Kaul, non-heterosexual unions and heterosexual unions ought to be considered as two sides of the same coin, both in terms of recognition and consequential benefits. The only deficiency at present is the absence of a suitable regulatory framework for such unions. I believe that this moment presents an opportunity of reckoning with this historical injustice and casts a collective duty upon all constitutional institutions to take affirmative steps to remedy the discrimination, said the judge.

Noting that recognition of civil unions may give rise to an edifice of governance for meaningful realisation of the rights of queer couples, Justice Kaul asserted that incidental legislations and regulations pertaining to marriage should henceforth be read in a manner to give effect to this right, together with the principle of equality and non-discrimination under Articles 14 and 15.

Legal recognition aids social acceptance, which in turn increases queer participation in public spaces. Through the medium of legal recognition, queer persons will have a greater opportunity to be seen and heard in ways not previously possible. Queer expression will help facilitate an expansive social dialogue, cutting across communities and generations. This dialogue will help us reimagine all our relationships in a manner that emphasises values such as mutual respect, companionship, and empathy, added Justice Kaul. He also favoured a separate anti-discrimination law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, regretting marginalised communities are still facing several challenges.

The capacity of non-heterosexual couples for love, commitment and responsibility, the judge said, is no less worthy of regard than heterosexual couples. Let us preserve this autonomy, said Justice Kaul, concluding his judgment with a line from Bohn Jovis popular track - Its my life.

Clearly, the two judges made an endeavour to open a window of legal rights and entitlements for the queer couples by juxtaposing civil unions with some of the well-cherished fundamental rights, but the majority remained in disagreement.
Senior counsel P Wilson, representing Udhayanidhi, also said Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to practice and propagate religion, also "gives the right to people to practice and propagate atheism." HT Image

Article 25 read with Article 19(1)(A) (freedom or expression) clearly protects the Minister's speech, Wilson submitted before Justice Anita Sumanth on Monday.

Right wing outfit Hindu Munnani had filed a quo warranto, challenging Udhayanidhi's holding of public office in view of his alleged remarks against Sanatana Dharma at an event last month.

Wilson further submitted the petitioners have filed this case because DMK is antithetical to their ideology and stands for Dravidian ideology and speaks of self-respect, equality, rational thought and brotherhood, "while the opposing sect speaks of division on the basis of caste."

The judge posted the matter for further hearing on October 31, after asking the petitioners to produce the invitation of the event, where Udhayanidhi is alleged to have made the remarks, and the list of those who attended the meeting.
New Delhi The Supreme Court on Monday turned down the plea of a married woman seeking immediate termination of her 27-week pregnancy, relying on her latest medical report which indicated that there were no foetal abnormalities, nor was the health of the 27-year-old mother of two at risk, to let her end her pregnancy beyond the cut-off period fixed under law. It said that the court is averse to passing a direction for stopping a foetal heartbeat at this stage. Supreme Court of India (Representative Photo)

The 2021 Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act permits abortion beyond 24 weeks only in cases of substantial foetal abnormalities, or when there are serious threats to the pregnant womans life or well-being. The woman approached the court earlier this month, saying she was unaware of her third pregnancy due to a disorder called lactational amenorrhea, which prevents a patient from menstruating, and suffered from postpartum depression and poor financial conditions.

Drawing the curtains on a case that witnessed two women judges on a previous bench delivering a split verdict in less than 48 hours after they unanimously allowed abortion; and finally, a refusal by the larger bench after a week, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud went by the letter of the law to state that the termination of pregnancy after 24 weeks cannot be allowed in the given facts of the case.

Under Article 142 of the Constitution, this court has the power to do complete justice. However, this power may not be attracted in every case. If a medical termination were to be conducted at this stage, the doctors would be faced with a viable foetus. One of the options before this Court, which the email from AIIMS has flagged, is for it to direct the doctors to stop the heartbeat. This Court is averse to issuing a direction of this nature, the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said in its order.

It further noted that the petitioner also did not want the foetal heart to be stopped, which would mean a pre-term delivery of the viable foetus with a significant risk of lifelong physical and mental disabilities. For these reasons, we do not accede to the prayer for the medical termination of the pregnancy, it held.

The court took note of the latest report of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), which stated that though the woman was suffering from postpartum psychosis and was on medication for her medical condition, it did not have any adverse effect on her pregnancy. No substantial foetal abnormalities were detected due to the medication, the report added. The fresh report, which was submitted on Monday following the courts order on October 13, also prescribed a safer medication for the woman.

In its order, the court added that allowing the woman to end her pregnancy of over 26 weeks would violate Sections 3 and 5 of the MTP Act, which has fixed the outer limit for abortion at 24 weeks, except in extraordinary situations. There is no threat to the pregnant woman in this matter and this is also not a case of substantial foetal abnormalities, noted the bench, rejecting her plea.

Allowing the Centres application to recall the October 9 order of the previous bench permitting the abortion, the court said that the State shall bear all the expenses of her pregnancy, clarifying it would be completely the mothers decision to give up the child for adoption after birth and that the government would provide all assistance to her.

The order followed a brief hearing during which the bench pointed out that it has to apply the law as it stands today, and that international literature or jurisprudence cannot have an overriding effect on the legal regime in India, regulated through the MTP Act.

The womans lawyer Amit Mishra argued that allowing the woman to end her pregnancy is a facet of her reproductive autonomy and right to lead a meaningful life under Article 21 of the Constitution, only to be told by the bench that such a broad interpretation of meaningful life is difficult to accept.

Suppose a woman wants to terminate her pregnancy in her 34th or 35th week because she thinks she wont be having a meaningful life after delivery of the child, can we allow that? That would be contrary to Section 3 of the Act which has prescribed a cut-off, it told Mishra.

Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, said that a womans absolute right to make her choice goes once there is a viable foetus since the only decision then can be made at that point would be between a pre-term delivery, seriously putting the physical and mental health of the foetus in jeopardy, or timely delivery. It does not remain a question of termination of pregnancy at 26 weeks or more. Once a report says its a viable child, the right to make a choice goes, she added.

Appearing for one of the intervenors of the case, senior counsel Colin Gonsalves pressed for an absolute gestational right of a pregnancy women, irrespective of the period fixed under the MTP Act. There is no right of an unborn child or a foetus. It has to be the choice of the woman, said Gonsalves, citing some international laws and a WHO report.

But the bench remained unimpressed. Why do we have to look at international laws? Its not that India has a regressive regime. Its very easy to criticise our own country but see what happened in the US in overturning Roe Vs Wade. The legislature has done an act of balancing. The question will be whether that act of balancing violates any right or not. But thats not the issue here. In this case, we are not concerned with the validity of the Act. We have to apply the law as it stands today, it said.

In June 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the landmark 1973 decision that institutionalised right to abortion nationwide. The 6-3 ruling of the US Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to choose abortion that existed for almost 50 years, clearing the decks for the states to severely restrict or completely ban the practice.

The courts decision on Monday came a week after the bench of justices Hima Kohli and BV Nagarathna first permitted the abortion but later put it on hold due to divergence of opinion. The judges, on October 11, sharply differed on whether the abortion could go forward, after a medical report sought the courts approval to put an end to the foetal heart.

Taking up the matter on October 12, the CJI-led three-judge bench had given the woman 24 hours to reconsider her plea for immediate abortion. Responding the next day, the woman stood firm on her plea for immediate termination of her pregnancy, prompting the bench call for a fresh medical report.

Under the MTP Act, first enacted 1971, a pregnancy could only be terminated if it did not exceed 20 weeks. The 1971 law restricted the applicability to married women, except in cases where courts passed orders.

The Act was amended in 2021, allowing both married and unmarried women to access safe abortion up to 20 weeks. Between 20 and 24 weeks, women can terminate their pregnancy on account of mental anguish, rape, assault and health complications, among other reasons.

The culmination of the 12-day proceedings in the court on Monday brought to fore intricate legal conundrums surrounding rights, competing interests, and a complex web of laws that the highest court of the land must navigate through in individual cases to reach its final decision.

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The Supreme Court on Monday refused to vacate the Karnataka high courts interim order staying the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into a disproportionate assets case against Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar but sought his response on the CBI appeal against the court order. CBI registered a corruption case against Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar in October 2020. (PTI)

A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi issued notice and posted the matter for further hearing on November 7

CBI filed an appeal against the Karnataka high court order dated June 12.

Additional solicitor general SV Raju, appearing for CBI, urged the bench to vacate the stay.

The bench said, We will not grant ex parte stay (grant of stay without hearing the other side), while observing, He (Shivakumar) is not running anywhere...

CBI registered a corruption case against Shivakumar in October 2020. This followed the 2017 raid by the Income Tax Department and probe thereafter by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The state government had accorded its sanction in 2019.

The consent order issued by the Karnataka government challenged by Shivakumar led to registration of a regular case in 2020 under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act. According to CBI, as per an election affidavit submitted by Shivakumar in 2013, he was found to be in possession of movable and immovable assets worth 33.92 crore as on April 1, 2013.

The CBI stated in its appeal to the top court that between April 2013 to April 2018, Shivakumar and his family members acquired assets and the total value of all his acquisitions marked a rise from 128 crore to 162 crore, showing a jump of nearly 45% or nearly 75 crore.

Finding fault with the HC order, CBI said that the interim stay was issued without hearing the investigation agency. The HC gave no reasoning to stall the probe where 90% of work was complete.

Even on the legal front, CBI said that the stay could not be granted as this was a case involving disproportionate assets. Shivakumar had relied on Section 17A of the PC Act which protects public servants against any enquiry or investigation of offences relatable to the decisions taken by a public servant in discharge of official functions and duties. CBI alleged that the DA case was not relatable to any official duty performed by Shivakumar, then a member of Karnataka legislative assembly, who would not be entitled to Section 17A protection.

The HC order was further questioned on the ground that the state government order challenged by Shivakumar was previously challenged by another person associated with Shivakumars family before the Karnataka HC which dismissed the same in July 2020. It was CBIs case that this judgment was binding on the HC which ought not to have stayed the notification allowing CBI probe.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved orders on the bail petitions filed by former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in separate cases lodged against him by the Enforcement Directorate (CBI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Delhi excise case. Manish Sisodia. (File Photo)

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti asked additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju on the estimated time for trial to complete as Sisodia has been in custody since February this year. ASG Raju told the court that the trial is most likely to be over in 9-12 weeks (roughly three months).

Wondering if the time estimate was realistic, the bench, before reserving orders, told Raju, There are 294 witnesses involved in the CBI case and over 160 witnesses in ED case, with roughly 50,000 documents to be examined in both the trials.

ASG Raju said that the court may test his statement after six weeks to know the progress of trial. He submitted to the court that in the present case, bail cannot be granted to Sisodia if the court finds a genuine case against him.

Sisodia is accused of making changes in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy of 2021 to benefit a group of liquor dealers, referred to as the South Group, causing wrongful loss to the exchequer by increasing profit margin under the new regime.

The CBI has already filed chargesheets in connection with the crime registered under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act against the senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader while the ED claimed that 100 crore kickback was paid by the beneficiary companies and Sisodia helped them to generate proceeds of crime by raising the profit margin from the existing 5% to 12% under the new policy.

Responding to the allegations, Sisodias lawyer, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that even after one year of probe, the ED is relying on superficial evidence to deny him bail. Singhvi told the court that the ED could not find any money trail of alleged kickbacks to Sisodia or his family and came up with the allegation that a sum of 2.2 crore was paid to a person linked to Sisodia for bringing changes in the policy. This bribe is not part of the predicate offence investigated by the CBI, Singhvi said.

The bench told ASG Raju, If this is not part of the predicate offence that the bribe is paid and the prosecution under the PC Act is not under that, you (ED) may be in difficulty in pursuing proceedings under the PMLA.

Raju said, The FIR is broad enough and even if you find something later, you can intimate it to the agency concerned. Since this had not been done so far, the court replied, You have not done that so far and we cannot go on assumptions.

Singhvi said, They are completely after me. This is not prosecution but persecution by hook or by crook. After this court put queries on the money trail, the ED examined some angadias (couriers who help in huge cash transfers across states) as late as in August this year. I am on the manner and kind of their investigation. Being a premier investigation agency, it is bound to be transparent.

It was further pointed out by Singhvi that the law is clear that generation of proceeds of crime can arise only in the predicate offence. This was held by the Supreme Court in the landmark decision upholding PMLA provisions in Vijay Madanlal Chaudhary in July 2022. Does the ED want the Vijay Madanlal judgment to be reconsidered just because you are after me (Sisodia). With nearly 500 witnesses and 50,000 documents to be examined in trial, he said there was no possibility of the trial ending soon

The ED has so far arrested two senior AAP leaders in connection with the excise scam. Besides Sisodia, AAP member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Singh has been arrested in connection with the alleged kickbacks after three of the accused in the case turned approvers to support the ED case. On Monday, ASG Raju told the court that the ED is contemplating making the AAP itself an accused in the case under Section 70 of PMLA which deals with offences by a company. Here company includes a firm or an association of persons.

The court had asked Raju whether the political party is sought to be roped into the same offence as against Sisodia and others or a separate offence. However, no statement in this regard was made by ASG on Tuesday.

Sisodia had approached the top court against separate orders passed by the Delhi high court denying him bail. On May 30, bail was denied in the CBI case followed by a similar order on July 3 in the ED case. The HC noted that the allegations are serious, and the petitioner held a powerful position of being the deputy CM.

Sisodia argued that the excise policy was formulated and finalised at different layers involving officers in the government, group of ministers, cabinet, and the then lieutenant governor. He was arrested on February 26 as CBI began its probe into alleged irregularities in the excise policy based on a complaint by the Delhi L-G VK Saxena in July 2022.
Six people, including a six-year-old boy, were killed and three others injured after the car they were travelling in collided with a state government bus in Gadag district of Karnataka on Monday, police said. Quoting an eyewitness, the SI said the car was travelling at a high speed when it collided with the bus, which caused the mishap. (HT Archives)

According to the police, the car (a Tata Sumo) was carrying a group of people from Kalaburagi district to a mutt in the Gadag district. They deceased have been identified as -- Sachin Katti (31), Drakshayani Katti (32), Shivakumar Kalashetti (50), Rani Kalashetti (32), Ninganeshwar Kalashetti (6), and Chandrakala Shivakumar Hipparagi (42).

Naregal police sub inspector (SI) Basava Reddy told HT that the mishap occurred in outskirts of Naregal town, near Gaddihalli of Gajendragad taluk, on Monday at around 11.30 am. Five among the travellers were killed on the spot and the six-year-old Ninganeshwar Kalashetti died while undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Gadag. The three injured people are also undergoing treatment at the same hospital, after being given first-aid at Primary Health Centre at Naregal. A few travelling in the bus also sustained minor injuries who were treated in out patients department and sent to their places in other bus, he said.

The police said the group of people had rented a car from Afsalpur town in Kalaburagi district on Sunday evening to visit the Baalehannur mutt in Lakshmeshwar taluk in Gadag district.

Quoting an eyewitness, the SI said the car was travelling at a high speed when it collided with the bus, which caused the mishap. The police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.

The local residents and the police had a tough time evacuating the people stuck in the vehicle as the front portion of the car was completely damaged, Reddy said.

To identify the victims, the police used their Aadhaar cards. They also informed about the mishap to their family or relatives by using their mobile phones, the SI added.
Supreme Court advocate Karuna Nundy, who argued from the petitioners' side during the same-sex marriage hearing, on Tuesday said that the apex court bench, while pronouncing the same-sex marriage verdict, pushed off some opportunities to legislators. Lawyer Karuna Nundy speaks to the media over the Same-Sex marriage verdict, outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi. (ANI)

Nundy added that the Central government made itself clear with regard to same-sex marriage.

The Supreme Court of India refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages on Tuesday, saying it was the responsibility of the Parliament and state legislatures to develop such institutions and grant them legal validation.

The five-judge bench was unanimous in giving a go-ahead to a high-powered committee proposed by the Centre in May to examine the concerns of same-sex couples and moot certain corrective measures.

We hope that their committee will ensure that civil unions are recognised and concomitants of marriage are then brought into law at least with regards to civil unions, said Nundy.

The 3:2 verdict of a five-judge bench stated that there were judgments which talked about the obligations of the State to look at civil unions, Nundy added.

Nundy said, There were judgements that spoke of the obligations of the State to look at civil union, to examine the way in which the relationship of queer couples must be respected and recognised in terms of the various accoutrements to a long and solid relationship.

She said that the unanimous judgement by the bench was that queer citizens have rights. Nundy added that while same-sex marriage was not something the SC granted the petitioners on Tuesday, the court affirmed that the rights of queer citizens must be protected and state governments can protect them today.

Right to Dignity

She noted that the apex Court detailed a set of legal and jurisprudential principles. She further said that while there was no fundamental right to marriage, aspects of the right to marriage have been located in various parts of the Indian constitution including Article 21, which is the Right to Dignity.

Transgender marriages

The SC affirmed that Transgender couples in heterosexual relationships have a right to marry under statutory and personal laws. Nundy said"speaking on the judgement, Three judges said today that if in a Trans couple, one identifies as male and one identifies as female, then that marriage is recognised by law. There is no bar to that marriage.

Speaking on the observations made by the CJI Chandrachud, Nundy said that the Chief Justice made detailed remarks on the protections to be given to queer couples. She added, Throughout the word queer has been used as inclusive of not just same-sex couples but also Trans couples and this is very important because it includes non-binary people.

She added that various aspects of protection under the criminal law were also specifically elucidated and take the law forward.

The bench was divided in deciding how far the court could go with the majority of three judges rejecting the view that there can be a right to form civil unions and that the State would be under an obligation to ensure a bouquet of benefits for the non-heterosexual couples, as permissible under the law. The CJI and justice Kaul ruled in favour of recognising a right to form a civil union, but justices Bhat, Kohli and Narasimha emphasised that there is no unqualified right to marriage under the Constitution and thus, it cannot be recognised as a fundamental right.

Same-sex couples' right to adopt

CJI Chandrachud struck down the Central Adoption Resource Authority's (CARA) regulation that restricted queer and unmarried couples from adopting children. The five-judge bench, however, in a 3:2 verdict, ruled that non-heterosexual couples cannot be granted the right to jointly adopt a child.

Nundy said, The Chief Justice and Justice Kaul also spoke of the right of queer couples to adopt and this is something that was extremely important because they looked at the CARA guideline and found that a loving home is something that queer couples can provide as much as any other couple. They recognised that explicitly. Unfortunately, Justice Bhat did not agree with that and this is something that should be examined more closely.

Nundy notes the responsibility of Opposition in upholding queer rights

Speaking on the Congress party's and other State governments' responsibilities in the matter, Nundy said that they had several opportunities to bring the recognition of same-sex partners' rights into law. There is a lot that can be done.

If it is the legislator's responsibility, when the opposition parties speak, those that are in power in the state governments, let us not hear mere condemnation or any detraction from anyone else's position. Let us see affirmative work to protect the rights of all citizens. If they say they stand with all citizens, let them put their money and democratic mandate where their mouth is and protect the rights of all citizens in legislation, office orders, notifications and everywhere that queer rights deserve to be protected, Nundy said.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation has charged six men with the gang-rape of three tribal women in the Nongpok Sekmai district of Manipur on May 4, and the murder of two male relatives of one of the women, officials said on Monday. The case drew widespread attention as a video of the incident showing the women being paraded naked and molested went viral on social media. Manipur has witnessed ethnic clashes between Meiteis and tribal Kukis since May 3, which has claimed 178 lives, displaced thousands. (Representative Image)

Separately, a report has been filed against a juvenile accused in the case about his exact role in the case along with the evidence for it, officials added.

A charge sheet was filed today before the special judge, CBI Court, Guwahati designated as per the orders of the Supreme Court, CBI said in a statement.

A mob of 900-1000 men, armed with sophisticated weapons, entered the B Phainom village, set houses ablaze, looted properties, assaulted villagers, committed murders and sexually assaulted women in the afternoon of May 4, officials said.

On July 19, a 30-second video emerged on social media, which showed a group of men hooting and applauding as two distraught women were stripped and paraded through a field; the women were molested and groped as they walked. An FIR filed on May 18 identified the women as Kuki, and said the mob was composed of Meitei community members.

Police arrested four accused in the case on July 20, one accused was arrested and a juvenile was apprehended on July 22 and the sixth accused on July 23, and the seventh accused was arrested on July 24.

CBI took over the probe on July 21 after allegations of inaction against the Manipur police.

In its statement on Monday, the CBI statement said, CBI investigation revealed that these accused were involved in the said incident. Further investigation is continuing, including the identification of other accused involved in the offences beside other aspects of the case.

This is the first charge sheet that CBI has filed in the 27 FIRs it is probing in connection with the ethnic clashes that have roiled the state since May 3. Of the 27 cases, 19 are those of crimes against women.

The accused have been charged under sections of murder, gangrape, criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups, and under sections of the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act among, officials aware of the case details said.

During its probe, the central agency recorded statements of the survivors, who identified the accused, the officials said.

Speaking to HT over the phone on October 5, the husband of one of the rape survivors said he was unable to understand the CBI had only arrested seven people in the case. Those too were initially arrested by Manipur Police. So many people were involved in the crime, but there have been no more arrests, he said.

The mother of the second woman seen in the video said that while the family continued to live in Churachandpur, they were unsafe in their own homes. The CBI officers say they have arrested the accused; so many people were involved, but only seven have been apprehended. How is this possible? The photos of the arrested were shown to us by CBI over video call. We confirmed that they were there at the spot, but what about the others? I want those animals arrested, she told HT on October 6.

One held for June 21 blast

The National Investigation Agency and Assam Police on Monday arrested the main accused of a bomb blast took place in Manipurs Bishnupur district in June this year.

The person identified as Mohammad Noor Hussain was arrested from Assams Cachar district, officials said.

On June 21, a blast took place in a parked Scorpio in Bishnupur district of Manipur. Three people were injured, and the bridge, along with nearby houses, got damaged in the impact.
Chennai: A government doctor, A Anuradha, and a tout have been arrested in Namakkal district for selling seven newborn babies across Tamil Nadu to childless couples from those who had more than two children, said state health minister M Subramanian on Monday. Tiruchengode town police in Namakkal district arrested the 49-year-old doctor and broker T Logammbal, 38, on Sunday night based on a complaint lodged by a couple. (HT Archives)

He added that they had received information a week ago about babies being sold and illegal kidney donations. District officials have been investigating for the past one week, the minister said.

Tiruchengode town police arrested the 49-year-old doctor and broker T Logammbal, 38, on Sunday night based on a complaint lodged by a couple S Dinesh and Nagajothi. The woman had her third baby girl on October 12. The couple previously had two daughters. In his complaint, Dinesh said a woman identifying herself as a nurse said she would give them 2 lakh if they sell their baby.

Namakkal district superintendent of police S Rajesh Kannan and collector S Uma coordinated a confidential enquiry. The doctor and the broker have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, said a police officer not wishing to be named. They have admitted that they have sold seven babies. Logammbal has been doing this for several years.

Officials said that if a mother gives birth for a third time irrespective of whether the infant is a boy or a girl, the two try to entice them with money to sell the baby since these are lower income families who give birth in government hospitals. For boys, they have offered 5,000 and for girls 3,000, officials said.

Its not a case where babies are being stolen and sold but where the poverty of the couple is taken advantage of to convince them to part with their third newborn, Subramanian said. This violates the law. There are several steps to be taken to register and legally put up children for adoption. But, none of this was done. They have done this solely for money. Anuradha, the doctor, has been an accomplice because of whom they managed to sell several babies.

The state is casting a wider net enquiring if this is happening only in Tiruchengode or other hospitals have been involved in a bigger network. We have also got to know from the arrested two that illegal kidney donations have also happened, the minister said. We have formed a committee of top police and health officials to investigate. If more people have been found to be involved, we will take departmental action as well as legal action.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Divya Chandrababu Divya Chandrababu is an award-winning political and human rights journalist based in Chennai, India. Divya is presently Assistant Editor of the Hindustan Times where she covers Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. She started her career as a broadcast journalist at NDTV-Hindu where she anchored and wrote prime time news bulletins. Later, she covered politics, development, mental health, child and disability rights for The Times of India. Divya has been a journalism fellow for several programs including the Asia Journalism Fellowship at Singapore and the KAS Media Asia- The Caravan for narrative journalism. Divya has a master's in politics and international studies from the University of Warwick, UK. As an independent journalist Divya has written for Indian and foreign publications on domestic and international affairs. ...view detail
Mixed reactions poured in after the Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to legally recognise same-sex marriages in a 3-2 verdict. LGBTQ community supporters and members outside the Supreme Court on October 17.(AP)

A Constitution bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, said that making such a law is the domain of Parliament and that courts can only interpret them. It also held that non-heterosexual couples cannot be granted the right to jointly adopt a child.

The bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha, directed the Centre, states and Union Territories to ensure the queer community is not discriminated against.

While pronouncing the judgment, Justice Chandrachud said that being queer is a natural phenomenon and has been known for ages and underlined that it is neither urban nor elitist. Top quotes from SC verdict

Supreme Court Bar Association president Adish Aggarwala said that he welcomes the judgment of the court.

"I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court where they have not allowed same-sex marriage," Aggarwala told ANI.

Some people tried to spoil the Indian system, but I'm happy that the court has accepted the version of the government of India.

Activist Anjali Gopalan, who is also one of the petitioners in the case, said that the community will continue to fight for their rights.

Regarding adoption also nothing was done, what the CJI said was very good regarding adoption but it's disappointing that other justices didn't agree... she told ANI. This is democracy but we are denying basic rights to our own citizens.

Lawyer Karuna Nundy said that there were some opportunities today that she believed were pushed off to legislators and the Central government.

The central govt has made their stand clear with regards to marriage, we hope that their committee will ensure that civil unions are recognised and concomitants of marriage are then brought into law at least with regards to civil unions, Nundy told ANI.

Another activist and petitioner in the case, Harish Iyer, said that while the court's ruling was not in the favour of the queer community, certain conversations made by the bench were.

"They have also put the responsibility on Central govt and Central govt's Solicitor General said so many things against us so it is important for us to go to our elected govt, MPs and MLAs and tell them we are as different as two people. War is underway...it might take sometime but we will get societal equality," Iyer told ANI.

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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 Supreme Court judgement on same-sex marriages balances the interests of individuals with the interests of a civilised society, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre, said on Tuesday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. (Jitender Gupta )

The five-judge constitution bench today refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, ruling that changing the law for validating such union was under Parliament's purview.

"It is an important step in jurisprudential development on the question of separation of powers and provides vivid and eloquent insights into the working of the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary which functions complement each other strictly as per the Constitution," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said.

The Supreme Court, however, said queer people mustn't be discriminated against. The court observed there was "no unqualified right" to marriage, and same-sex couples can't claim it as a fundamental right under the Constitution.

Also read: SC refuses to legalise same-sex marriage, says queer couples have right to cohabit

The bench, however, took exception to the Centre's contention that the pleas for legal validation of same-sex marriage was reflective of an urban elitist concept. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, while delivering his verdict, said queerness is neither an urban nor an elite concept or characteristic.

The court said it can't make laws but only interpret them. It said it was for Parliament to make changes to the Special Marriage Act.

The court also didn't recognise the right to jointly adopt children.

Also read: End discrimination against queer couple, SC says. Lists out directions

Welcoming the judgement, Mehta said, "I wholeheartedly welcome the judgment. I am happy that my stand has been accepted. All four judgements have taken the jurisprudence of our nation and the intellectual exercise which went into writing the judgments to the next level. There are very few courts in the world where one can expect this level of intellectual and scholarly judicial exercise. This judgement would be read across jurisdictions."

With inputs from ANI

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The controversy over Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey's allegation that Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra took "bribes" to ask questions in the Lok Sabha intensified on Monday with senior BJP leaders terming it as a "severe blow to the dignity of Parliament" and Moitra asserting that the charges were based on a jilted exs lies. Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra

On Sunday, Dubey wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accusing Moitra of taking bribes for raising questions in Parliament to "protect the interest of a business group and claimed that advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai had "shared irrefutable evidence of bribes exchanged" between her and Darshan Hiranandani. Dubey also wrote to IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging him to investigate the IP addresses of Moitra's log-in credentials for the House.

The Hiranandani Group has said there is "no merit" in the allegations.

In her reply to Dubey's complaint to Vaishnaw, Moitra said "all parliamentary work of MPs done by PAs, assistants, interns, large teams" and urged the minister to release details of location and login details of all MPs with Call Detail Records. "Please release info on training given to staff to login," she said but did not elaborate any further.

Moitra has sent legal notices to Dubey, Dehadrai and several media organisations for making defamatory allegations against her.

The Adani group, too, released a statement, alleging that to tarnish its brand value, several individuals as well as groups are working overtime.

Slamming the Adani group over the statement, Moitra posted a series of comments on X and said, "Mr A - this lame statement your best efforts? Falling back on Fake Degree MP & a jilted exs lies? I wont rest till the ED, CBI investigate and freeze Rs. 13,000 crore coal scam you have stolen from Indians. Im told even Honble Narendra Modi is sick of you & your frauds."

Who is Jai Anant Dehadrai?

Jai Anant Dehadrai is said to be an estranged partner of Mahua Moitra.

He reportedly has a bitter feud running with the TMC MP over the custody of their pet dog.

Moitra had filed multiple police complaints against Dehadrai in the last six months for alleged criminal trespass, theft, vulgar messages and abuse, news agency PTI reported.

On Dehadrai, the legal notice says that Moitra and the advocate used to be close friends, but had a falling out. After that, Dehadrai allegedly repeatedly threatened our Client [Moitra] with several vile, malicious and vulgar messages and trespassed on her official residence and stole personal possessions, including Moitras dog.

The legal notice says the dog was later returned. After repeated violations, Moitra had filed police complaints against Dehadrai. Dehadrai tried to get journalists to publish false stories about Moitra, the notice says, but could not convince anyone because of the lack of evidence. Since journalists could not be convinced, Dehadrai allegedly then approached the BJP and Dubey, the notice states. Dubey then went on to repeat these allegations and did not even bother to conduct any due diligence of any kind to establish the veracity of the allegations.

The notice also claims that Dubey and Dehadrai have allegedly leaked private photos of Moitra after cropping them.

The notice calls upon Dehadrai to withdraw the allegations in all communications and issue a public apology.

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A 20-year-old student has alleged she was harassed by an off-duty pilot onboard an Akasa Air flight while travelling from Bengaluru to Pune earlier this month. Akasa Air flight(Representational image)

According to a report by the Times of India, the student alleged that the pilot forced her to switch seats to sit near him and then offered her an alcoholic drink that he was consuming.

The incident reportedly took place on October 1, when the student was returning home on the flight after finishing her three-month internship in Bengaluru.

Also read: Akasa Air takes legal action against pilots who quit without any notice

Recounting her disturbing experience, the student told TOI that the off-duty pilot - who was wearing his airline ID card - initially offered to assist her with luggage. After a while, he reportedly asked the girl - through a flight attendant - to come to the backside of the plane.

Initially, I thought there was some problem with my check-in luggage. I went there and asked if there was an issue. He started laughing and offered me something in a bottle, claiming it was an alcoholic beverage he was drinking. I refused and returned to my seat with difficulty as he was constantly trying to strike up a conversation with me," the girl told TOI.

According to the woman, she attempted to seek assistance from the flight attendant and the airline, but no one took any action. She later claimed that the airline responded to her social media post, but no one reached out to her.

Meanwhile, according to media reports, Akasa Air claimed to have conducted a detailed investigation but found difficulties in reaching the complainant.

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Multilateral development banks (MDBs) have managed to raise $ 100 billion in climate finance for mitigation as well as adaptation efforts last year, a new report claims. And around $ 60.7 billion of that went to low and middle income countries. Aerial view of the city of Santiago showing the smog caused by high temperatures, taken on August 2, 2023. Global warming caused by human activity was the main driver of the recent heat wave that hit South America, a report by the scientific network World Weather Attribution (WWA) revealed on October 10, 2023. (AFP)

Total climate finance raised by MDBs is up from $81.8 billion raised in 2021. For low and middle income countries, the climate finance available increased from $50.7 billion in 2021, but the Joint Report on Multilateral Development Banks Climate Finance also shows that around $67.82 billion of the total was provided as investment loans and only around $6.84 billion was in grants. And experts also said the number itself remains to be examined, as needs be the contribution of developed countries to it.

Im encouraged to see the joint report released by MDBs showing nearly $100 billion was delivered for adaptation and mitigation climate finance in 2022, with half of this going to low-income and middle-income economies. This, along with the joint statement released by MDBs committing to greater action ahead, shows that the calls of the global community are being heard, COP28 President, Sultan Al Jaber of UAE, which is hosting the UN Climate Conference (COP28) in December, said in a statement on Sunday.

As we look towards COP28, we must still do more. We must build on this momentum to keep 1.5 degrees C within reach and enhancing climate finance will play a crucial role. We look forward to joint MDB action at COP28 that sets a higher level of ambition commensurate with the needs of tomorrow, to ensure climate finance is available, accessible and affordable, he added.

With the record 2022 climate finance volumes, MDBs are surpassing for the second year in a row the 2025 climate finance targets they set themselves at the UN Secretary Generals Climate Action Summit in 2019. These included delivering an expected collective total of $50 billion climate finance for low-income and middle-income economies; at least US$65 billion of climate finance globally; an expected doubling in adaptation finance to $18 billion; and private mobilisation of $40 billion, a statement by Asian Development Bank said on Monday.

It is encouraging to see the growth in MDB climate finance for low- and middle-income economies, particularly the rise in the amount of private sector finance mobilised, said ADB Climate Envoy Warren Evans in a statement.

But we need to do more. In Asia and the Pacific, home to many of the most climate-vulnerable countries, we will need to mobilise significant amounts of private sector finance to move from the billions to trillions required to cut greenhouse gas emissions and urgently scale up climate resilience both now and into the future, he added.

In 2009, at COP15, developed countries promised to mobilise $100 billion in climate financing for developing nations starting 2020. While developed countries channelise their contribution to climate finance through MDBs, its not clear how much funding has been delivered by rich countries alone in the break up provided in the current MDB report.

The G20 New Delhi declaration called for talks on higher and adequate climate finance at upcoming COP28. There is a need for $ 5.8-5.9 trillion in the pre-2030 period for developing countries in particular to implement their nationally determined contributions, or NDCs that are emission reduction commitments, as well as a need of $4 trillion per year for clean energy technologies by 2030 to reach net- zero emissions by 2050, according to the G20 consensus statement released on September 9.

MDBs are going to be a critical channel of climate finance for the developing world. The debate on climate finance is about new and additional finance. The claim that 50% of $100 Billion has already been channelled through MDBs to low and middle income economies has to be closely examined to verify if the delivered finance is indeed new and additional. Else, it will be a rehash of the old and discredited Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) claim that the developed world has delivered on its climate finance commitments. The developing world would expect the COP presidency to not be swayed by any such claim without first evaluating it, said Vaibhav Chaturvedi, fellow, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) responding to the MDB report.

Despite claims by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) of allocating $100 billion to developing nations, its imperative that we critically examine these figures through the lens of climate justice. The 2009 pledge seemed to emerge out of thin air, especially when the reality is that we need trillions in climate finance to reduce emissions, adapt to impacts, and address loss and damage. However, a prevailing trend shows that the bulk of this finance is structured as loans, placing an undue financial burden on countries already facing poverty, escalating climate challenges, and rising food and energy prices. Its a stark double injustice to burden these nations with loans when whats truly needed is expansive public financing, said Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy, Climate Action Network International.
Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are among the many big names attending the National Film Awards 2023 in Delhi for her Best Actress win for Gangubai Kathiawadi. The couple flew from Mumbai today with Karan Johar, and the paparazzi clicked them at the Kalina airport. Pictures and videos of them arriving at the awards are circulating on social media, and fans are in love with the star repeating her wedding drape to collect her National Award. Yes, you read that right. Alia Bhatt rewears her Sabyasachi wedding saree for National Film Awards 2023. (Instagram)

Alia Bhatt rewears her wedding saree for National Film Awards 2023

Alia Bhatt arrived in Delhi with Ranbir Kapoor to attend the National Film Awards 2023. The star is winning the Best Actress award for Gangubai Kathiawadi with Kriti Sanon, who won it for Mimi. Alia rewore the elegant ivory embroidered drape designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee for the special occasion. Meanwhile, Ranbir complemented her in a black bandhgala blazer and matching pants set. Scroll through to see how Alia styled her wedding ensemble differently for the occasion, and steal inspiration from the star to repeat your wedding outfit.

Alia's ivory and gold Sabyasachi wedding saree has scalloped borders, intricate floral designs, and a long floor-sweeping pallu, which she draped on her shoulder and carried in one hand. She matched the six yards with a matching blouse featuring a plunging neckline, similar hand embroidery, half-length sleeves, and a cropped silhouette.

Alia accessorised the traditional ensemble with a gold and pearl choker necklace, matching earrings, diamond rings, and a floral gajra adorning her hairdo. Lastly, she chose a red bindi, nude lip shade, winged eyeliner, subtle eye shadow, blushed cheeks, feathered brows, mascara on the lashes, and a dewy base for the glam picks. A side-parted messy bun gave the finishing touch.

Meanwhile, Ranbir complemented his wife in a black bandhgala blazer featuring raised collars, front button closures, full-length sleeves and a tailored fitting. He complemented it with a white shirt, black straight-fitted pants, dress shoes, sunglasses, a trimmed beard, and a back-swept hairdo.

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Deepika Padukone is a style icon, and the actor never fails to impress her fans and fashion enthusiasts with her sartorial picks. The proof? Her attendance in steal-worthy outfits at multiple events, fashion photoshoots, red-carpet occasions, award shows, and even casual outings. Elegant yet risque- these words sum up Deepika's style aesthetics. For instance, her latest OOTD (outfit of the day) for a dinner outing with her friends in the bay backs our statement. She set the temperatures soaring in Mumbai in a black backless bodysuit and denim jeans. Deepika Padukone raises the temperature in a risque backless bodysuit and steal-worthy denim jeans. (Instagram)

What Deepika Padukone wore for a dinner outing in Mumbai?

The paparazzi clicked Deepika Padukone outside a restaurant in Mumbai. The pictures and videos showed Deepika arriving at the eatery joint, greeting the media outside the outlet, and later leaving while having a gala time with her friends. The star chose the classic black top and denim jeans for the occasion. However, she elevated the style by adding risque elements - a backless top accentuating her enviable frame and baggy cargo pants-style bottoms. Read our download on Deepika's look for the outing below.

The black bodysuit Deepika chose for the occasion is from the shelves of the New York-based fashion brand Helmut Lang. It features a round neckline, half-length sleeves with slits on the trims, a cut-out design revealing her full back, and a figure-sculpting fitting highlighting her frame. She teamed the top with blue faded cargo-style denim jeans featuring a high-rise waistline, multiple pockets on the side, fit and flared silhouette, and a straight-leg design.

Deepika accessorised the ensemble with minimal additions, including chunky white lace-up sneakers, gold hoop earrings, rings, bracelets, a luxurious watch, and a black shoulder bag from Louis Vuitton (Deepika is their global ambassador). Lastly, she chose shimmery eye shadow, winged eyeliner, glossy nude lip shade, feathered brows, mascara on the lashes, rouge on the cheeks, light contouring, and centre-parted open locks with well-defined waves for the glam picks.

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An investigation by Lee Enterprises and Type Investigations looked at how agencies have responded to calls for more accountability  including the use of cameras  after George Floyd's murder. Read moreCamera use by local police departments rises, but are they worth it? Experts disagree
Covid may trigger complex biological reactions from the bowel to the brain, leading to persistent neurological symptoms in some people, according to a study that points the way toward a treatment. (Also Read | Obesity during pregnancy predictor of future cardiovascular disease: Study) More than 200 symptoms have been associated with long Covid, an umbrella term applied to the often debilitating health problems estimated to afflict 10% or more of people who have had Covid-19. (REUTERS)

Viral vestiges in the gastrointestinal tracts of a subset of long-Covid patients may drive chronic inflammation that interferes with a key chemical messenger involved in nerve activity, brain function and memory, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania reported Monday in the journal Cell.

The findings provide an explanation for poor concentration, memory problems and other neurocognitive symptoms in long Covid, they said. Importantly, their experiments identified Prozac and other drugs that boost levels of the chemical messenger  serotonin  as promising targets for future study.

More than 200 symptoms have been associated with long Covid, an umbrella term applied to the often debilitating health problems estimated to afflict 10% or more of people who have had Covid-19. The new research suggests some hallmark symptoms may converge on common pathways, said co-author Christoph Thaiss, an assistant professor of microbiology at the Penn Institute for Immunology in Philadelphia.

Further research may determine how many long Covid sufferers are affected by this cascade of reactions and uncover additional potential therapies, he said. The implications of the study may also extend to other post-viral syndromes.

While serotonin is most widely associated with mood and mental health, the researchers had a different focus as they sought to unravel drivers of long Covid. Thaiss and colleagues found that ongoing inflammation in the gut, which they link to a persistent reservoir of the virus, sabotages circulating levels of the neurotransmitter in multiple ways, including through blood clotting abnormalities.

Unifying Framework

This is as close as I have seen to a unifying framework for long Covid, said Ziyad Al-Aly, director of the clinical epidemiology center at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System in Missouri, whose research has led to important long Covid findings. This is a very important advance in the field.

Cohort studies and lab experiments were used to interpret the cause of serotonin depletion and its downstream effects. The researchers focused on the molecules activity on the vagus nerve, which innervates internal organs and is thought to stimulate neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in learning, memory and cognition.

The fact that we see serotonin being dysregulated in some individuals with long Covid can potentially explain why theres such a broad spectrum of symptoms, spanning brain fog and mood to problems sleeping and gastric upset, Thaiss said.

Low serotonin has been observed across several long-Covid studies, including patients with different but over-lapping symptoms, he said.

The sicker the person is in terms of the number of symptoms they present with, the lower their serotonin, Thaiss said.

No Silver Bullet

A single biological pathway isnt likely to explain all long Covid cases, said Akiko Iwasaki, a professor of immunobiology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, who also studies the condition. Other proposed drivers of neurologic symptoms include persistent neuroinflammation, possibly from a deficient immune response that allows the virus to linger in the brain.

But still, its a very important mechanism that deserves a lot of attention, Iwasaki said in an interview. Serotonin might help gauge the effects of treatments in studies, including a trial of Pfizer Inc.s antiviral Paxlovid that she is working on.

If serotonin is really the key marker, we definitely should be including that, Iwasaki said.

Not all scientists are convinced that low serotonin is playing a key role or acting in isolation in long Covid. Also many sufferers have taken the medicines without benefit.

Avindra Nath, clinical director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Maryland, praised the study for its extensive body of research, but said that except in some rare disorders or micronutrient and vitamin deficiencies, its unlikely alterations in levels of a single molecule can be blamed for starting a disease process, especially one triggered by an infection.

Targeted Studies

Strategies aimed at increasing serotonin levels or targeting its signaling should be examined in randomized, controlled trials of patients most likely to benefit from the approach, said Liam OMahony, a professor of immunology at University College Cork, whose own research found serotonin depletion in long Covid patients.

Prozac, Luvox and other antidepressants that work by increasing serotonin in the brain have been studied during the pandemic to both prevent and treat Covid due to their potential to disrupt the biological processes of infection, but results have been mixed. People taking them when they caught Covid had about a 25% lower risk of developing long Covid, scientists at the National Institutes of Health found in a retrospective study released in November before peer-review and publication.

It may be a combination of therapies that ends up being the most effective for patients and not one drug in isolation, said study co-author Benjamin Abramoff, director of Penn Medicines Post-Covid Assessment and Recovery Clinic.

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Commercial operations began Monday at Cambodias newest and biggest airport, designed to serve as an upgraded gateway to the countrys major tourist attraction, the centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex in the northwestern province of Siem Reap. Cambodian Buddhist monks visit the Angkor Wat on the northern outskirts of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Commercial operations have begum at Cambodia's newest and biggest airport, designed to serve as an upgraded gateway to the country's major tourist attraction, the centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex in the northwestern province of Siem Reap. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

A Bangkok Airways flight from Thailand was the first to land, with 16 additional flights scheduled for the first day of operations at the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport.

The airport, which was built at a cost of about $1.1 billion on 700 hectares (1,730 acres) of land about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Angkor Wat, boasts a 3,600-meter (11,810-foot) long runway. Construction began in 2020 to replace the old airport, about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the temple site, which is being retired in part because of fear that vibrations from frequent flights were damaging the temples foundations.

The new airport can handle 7 million passengers a year, with plans to augment it to handle 12 million passengers annually from 2040. It was constructed under a 55-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) program between Cambodia and China.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia received some 3.5 million international tourists in the first eight months of 2023, while for the whole of 2019  the last year before the coronavirus pandemic  it received some 6.6 million foreign visitors. Tourism is considered one of the main pillars supporting Cambodias economy.

Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth, who headed the ceremony marking the start of operations, said the new airport will be officially inaugurated on Nov. 16 by Prime Minister Hun Manet and top Chinese officials.

Another Chinese-funded airport is being constructed at a cost of $1.5 billion to serve the capital Phnom Penh. The new Phnom Penh international airport, formally known as the Techo International Airport, is set on 2,600 hectares (6,425 acres) and scheduled for completion in 2024.

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The Congress national general secretary Priyanka Gandhi had promised 40 percent tickets to women in the 2022 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. Despite the best of intentions, her ambitious plan failed. PREMIUM Women participate in a march demonstrating the Urgent Need to Pass Women's Reservation Bill in Winter Session of Parliament in New Delhi in December 2017(Arvind Yadav/HT PHOTO)

Why? The answer obviously would be that Congress is in a shambles, losing elections for over three decades in the countrys largest state, irrespective of the candidates, their gender and qualifications.

But the Congress played a gamble as it had little to lose. It also tested the waters to see if women, who have been granted entry to many male fiefdoms like the armed forces, as well as broken the glass ceiling in the IT sector and sports, were election-ready, as it were. Priyanka had also announced an exclusive womens election manifesto while labelling her campaign as, Ladki hun, lad sakti hu' [I am a woman, I can contest] to attract women voters.

The Congress hunted for women candidates and eventually fielded 159 in the 403 assembly constituencies of the state. The list included activists Sadaf Jafar, who was sent to jail during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act demonstrations in Lucknow, Asha Devi, mother of a rape victim, Nida Ahmed, a former TV journalist, and Archana Gupta, former Miss UP.

Only one of the 159 candidates, Aradhana Mishra aka Mona, daughter of Congress veteran Pramod Tiwari, won the election. The others ended up with a couple of thousand votes in an election in which women outnumbered men in casting their votes  62.24% women cast their votes compared to 59.56% men. The women voters did not vote for their gender despite the Congress partys women's manifesto as well as the women-oriented poll campaign. As such only two of the 403 candidates won their seats with the party polling barely 2.33 percent votes.

Aradhana Mishra admits to the challenge that the party faced in finding suitable candidates in a patriarchal society, which she says will also take years to accept the 33 percent quota for women in the legislatures.

Even decades after the 33 percent quota for women in the panchayat system was announced by late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, the male members continued to dominate the system through a proxy rule. Not much has changed since then, as in most of the political parties, both the organisation as well as the cadre is dominated by men.

Claiming that the Congress has been liberal, appointing two woman state presidents, she asks, Can you identify women leadership in any other political party, like the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or even the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) that is led by a woman president, Ms Mayawati. The process will be slow but the quota will give ample opportunities to women to enter the electoral system."

Would this lead to Vidhayak Pati culture? The term borrowed from Pradhan Pati refers to the title given to the husbands of elected women village pradhans, when womens reservation was introduced in gram panchayats. Vidhayak, in Hindi, means legislator.

As men have continued to dominate the panchayat system and the local bodies in the last three decades (the quota for women was introduced in 1993), many now fear the advent of Vidhayak Pati culture for two reasons: One, women may lack the confidence or training to win elections and deliver their legislative duties and two, male MLAs who nursed their constituencies for decades would obviously push their women relatives in reserved seats.

Notwithstanding the so-called Pradhan Pati syndrome, the reality is that some women leaders have displayed their administrative acumen in rural areas and their numbers are growing.

A ray of hope also comes from the fact that women, despite the domination of men in society, are winning elections in villages in the general category. In the 2021 panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh for instance, 44% of the 59,613 gram panchayats were won by women  11% more than the reserved quota of 33%. The panchayat system has given birth to Pradhan Patis, but it has also proved that women when given power, can deliver  sometimes better than men.

Senior lawyer and states first woman additional advocate general of Uttar Pradesh Bulbul Godiyal (2012-2017) contested the mayoral elections in Lucknow as a BSP nominee in 2017. Belonging to a family of lawyers, she had no political background when the BSP leader Mayawati gave her a ticket to contest elections. Godiyal did not win the election, but shared her experience: There were so many women within the cadre holding aspirations to enter politics, contest elections. I dont think there will be any paucity of women candidates. However, they need basic qualifications, and training to translate their aspirations into a reality. Its not easy to contest elections and match the money and muscle power. One has to be thick-skinned in the rough and tumble of politics, whereas women generally are very emotional.

According to her, the political parties should start identifying potential women leaders and groom them for the elections as well as for a bigger role in the interregnum period as there is still time for the implementation of reservation for women.

Often it has been observed that the participation of women legislators in the proceedings of the house is comparatively low as compared to men. Perhaps they need training to boost their confidence to speak in the house, Mishra said.

Uttar Pradesh has 47 women MLAs, of them 22 are first-timers. While some senior ruling and opposition party members raised issues of their constituencies in the assembly, the women MLAs in general remained silent spectators, rarely participating in the discussions.

In fact, UP Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana organised a day-long session for women legislators on September 22, 2022. In his words, The women who have won the elections are obviously strong as well as competent but they may not be articulate. The session will provide them an opportunity to speak and boost their confidence.

Interestingly, many women MLAs have left a mark. For instance, 31-year-old Ragini Sonkar of SP and 37-year-old Surabhi of Apna Dal (S) raised issues concerning women from menstrual hygiene to security and gender equality. Both are qualified doctors.

As Bulbul Godiyal said, Women at every strata of our society, literate or illiterate, want to enter politics. They are enthusiastic and have the potential to win elections. The parties have time to evolve ways and means to groom women leaders, prepare them for the elections if they dont want Vidhayak Patis.

A study conducted by the Institute of Womens Studies, University of Lucknow on women's participation in elections in 2003 had noted, The nature of electoral politics in India also marginalises women and womens issues from the political agenda. The elections are largely conducted by men and with mens support. Electoral expediency requires women participants to compromise to survive in the mans world of politics.

Much water has flown down the Ganges since then.

The study had suggested a special grooming programme. We all know that confidence, charisma and oratory skills are key to effective leadership. Women need grooming to understand the power they wield by enhancing their leadership style. Many countries are running such courses for women politicians. Such exposure would prepare more women for leadership roles.

In some countries like the United States, private organisations are running proper courses to nurture female young politicians.

UP never had a woman opposition leader, speaker or deputy speaker though it gave to the country its first woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and its first Dalit woman chief minister Mayawati, the second to head the state four times beginning with its first tenure in 1993. Sucheta Kriplani was the first Congress chief minister to rule the state from 1963-67.

However, not much changed in the status or representation of women in the UP legislature or even in other states as political parties, even under the leadership of imperious women, continued to favour the kitchen-to-cabinet syndrome (housewife entering the arena).

Former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi is a perfect example of a dutiful wife who occupied the coveted CMs chair in 1997 after an arrest warrant was issued against her husband and the then chief minister Lalu Yadav in the fodder scam. It was an open secret as to who made the administrative decisions.

Interestingly, the country has seen the rule of 16 women chief ministers since Independence: Mamata Banerjee has been ruling West Bengal for over 12 years and is a strong leader ready to accept any challenge. Some of the prominent former/late CMs, who had either a long or a notable tenure include Vasundhara Raje Scindia (Rajasthan), J Jayalalithaa (Tamil Nadu), Rajinder Kaur Bhattal (Punjab), Sushma Swaraj (Delhi), Uma Bharti, (Madhya Pradesh), Sheila Dikshit (Delhi), Anandiben Patel (Gujarat) and Mehbooba Mufti (Jammu and Kashmir). All of them were in a commanding position but did little to promote women politicians in their respective states.

Ironically, while women could become ministers, they rarely held positions in the organisational decision-making bodies. Despite seniority, they were confined to the womens wings of their political parties which hardly had any say in ticket distribution during elections.

Now, as five states head for polls in November 2023, there lies an opportunity for the political parties to display their commitment to the cause by fielding more women candidates, notwithstanding the hype over the passage of the women's quota bill.

Two of the five states, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, have seen the governance of women chief ministers.

In Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje Scindia, a heavyweight politician, has been the chief minister of the state twice. She is currently facing a tough challenge in maintaining her domineering position in the party as the party's high command has decided to test the waters without her at the helm of affairs.

Now coming to her state, though the political parties have given larger numbers of seats to women in successive elections, their numbers in the 200-member state assembly have remained below 30. As many as 118 women contested elections in 2003, 154 in 2008, 166 in 2013 and 189 in 2018. Of them, 29 won in 2008, 25 in 2013 and 27 in 2018.

Coming to Uttar Pradesh, there is no second-run woman leader one can count on in the BSP. The BJP, which claims to have launched a slew of welfare schemes for women, is yet to find a suitable leader for its state organisation. The same is the case with the Samajwadi Party. Only the Congress has been more liberal in promoting women's leadership.

The story is no different in other states. The political parties are rarely headed by a woman till she is someones daughter, wife or widow. Supriya Sule, daughter of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder-president Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra may break the glass ceiling by inheriting the mantle from her father.

There is no paucity of able leadership as proven by many of the chief ministers who have performed at par if not outperformed their male colleagues. Its a gender bias which required a Womens Reservation Bill to break it.

Last month, the Narendra Modi government introduced the much-awaited Womens Reservation Bill granting 33 percent quota in the Lok Sabha and the state legislatures almost three decades after the 72 and the 73rd amendment in the Constitution provided for one-third representation of women in urban and rural bodies in 1993.

In three decades, the political participation of women in rural areas increased with growing signs of assertiveness. And they are ready for bigger roles as well as elections.

From her perch in Lucknow, HTs resident editor Sunita Aron highlights important issues related to Uttar Pradesh
Indians who visit Sri Lanka for the first time usually come back saying how much it reminded them of Kerala. I am not so sure about that. Though it is a small island, Sri Lanka has such a wide variety of landscapes that it is hard to generalise. (But then Kerala has it all too; from beaches to backwaters to hills.) Almost from the day it opened, one of my favourite restaurants in London has been Hoppers. (Instagram/@hopperslondon)

What is clear, however, is that Indians who go to Lanka thinking it is just an extension of our country are in for a surprise. In some ways, it does look like India but the vibe, the people and the cultures are very different from here. Even the Tamils of northern Sri Lanka are different from ours in many respects.

The food can be confusing. Yes, the Sri Lankans eat dal. But they call it dal curry and add coconut milk to it. They add dried fish to many dishes, which always surprises Indians. Many decades ago, I was part of an Indian delegation to Sri Lanka. A vegetarian member of our delegation told a Lankan chef how much he had enjoyed the aubergine at lunch . What was the unusual spice he tasted in the dish?

Dried fish, said the chef.

The colour drained from the vegetarians face and our party quickly moved on.

The Lankans also have great sambals (a cross between pickles and chutneys) that have more in common with South East Asian food than our own cuisine. And the dishes that must be Indian in origin have often been transformed. Apparently the Sri Lankan hopper comes from Indiafrom our appam and even the word hopper is supposed to be derived from the word appam. (How? Dont ask me. I have no clue.) But the Lankan hoppers are very different from our appams and their famous egg hopper (of which we have no exact counterpart) is a thing of beauty.

Despite all this, I have found one way in which Kerala, Sri Lanka and the hopper are connected. Almost from the day it opened, one of my favourite restaurants in London has been Hoppers, described as a Sri Lankan restaurant, though the kitchen is full of Keralites. The head chef is a Malayali. Renjith Sarathchandran is probably the best Indian chef you have not heard of. Low-profile and unassuming, he rarely ventures out of the kitchen but has built up a crack team which runs the three Hoppers branches: The small Soho original, the always jam-packed Wigmore Street outlet and now, a larger operation at Kings Cross.

Renijth has powerful backing. Hopper is owned by the mighty JKS group run by the two Sethi brothers and their sister Sunaina. Though Karam, the creative head of the group had the original idea for a Sri Lankan restaurant, Hoppers is mostly the creation of his brother-in-law Karan Gokani.

Karan grew up in Mumbai, read Law at Cambridge and then gave it all up to run restaurants. It helps that he is supposed to be an astonishing cook. As the critic Fay Maschler has written Karan is one of the best cooks I have ever encountered and not just of the Sri Lankan and Indian traditions. Karan is also a great restaurateur. The king of New Yorks restaurant scene Danny Meyer (though I suspect that Meyer may be best known outside of New York for his Shake Shack chain) described his first visit to Hoppers as one of the most exciting lunches I have ever had. He was impressed, he said by Gokanis enthusiasm, his sense of hospitality and by how he looked after his staff.

Ever since it opened, not only has the first Hoppers been full but the accolades have kept coming. Yotam Ottolenghi, the celebrated British-Israeli chef has written How lucky we are to have Hoppers! And Angela Hartnett, one of Londons most respected chefs, has said I want to spend a week in the kitchen with Karan cooking.

So how does a Gujarati boy from Mumbai put Sri Lankan food on the map? Well, partly I imagine, it is because Karan loves Sri Lanka. But it also has to do with his childhood in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Mumbai where he developed a love for South Indian food.

The menu at Hoppers is a mix: A central core of Sri Lankan favourites supplemented with dishes from South India and with entirely new dishes that were invented by the Hoppers team.

The most famous of these - and the main reason I head for Hoppers nearly every time I land in London - is bone marrow varuval It is not really a varuval (which usually refers to a fried and not particularly wet dish) so the name does not fit. But by God is it delicious!

Bone marrow is a delicate substance and the food at Hoppers is characterised by the spices of Southern India and Sri Lanka. But the balance in the dish is perfect: You get the clean but complex and buttery taste of bone marrow with the spices coming in seconds later as a second wave of flavour hits your palate.

Why dont we have anything like Hoppers in India? Partly it is because we are as wilfully ignorant about Sri Lankan food as we are about Nepali food. Because ours is such a great cuisine, we take the line that everything in our neighbourhood is just a variation of Indian food.

Actually, it is not. Nepal has many distinctive cuisines of its own. So does Sri Lanka because, despite its relatively small size, it is home to many different ethnic groups. The Tamils have a cuisine of their own. And so do the Burghers , a small community with European roots (lamprais is probably their most famous dish) that most Indians have never ever heard of.

I spent several days in Sri Lanka a couple of years ago trying only to eat the local cuisine and I cant recall a single bad meal. But the reason I like Hoppers is because the food is so distinctive that it reaches beyond Sri Lanka. This is probably because Karan Gokani has the advantage of distance and perspective. He can pick and choose the best Sri Lankan dishes but he can also add dishes from Kerala and Tamil Nadu to the menu.

The JKS group has no plans to open Hoppers in India, apparently. So, if you do go to London try one of the three branches there. If you cant do that then look for Karans Hoppers: The Cookbook. It is beautifully produced, tells wonderful stories, provides the recipes (including the one for bone marrow varuval) and offers an insight into the Hoppers phenomenon.

It does make me wonder though. If Karan, a Bombay boy, can be so imaginative with South Indian dishes and flavours (and, of course, with the food of Sri Lanka) then why has nobody done it as well in India? Could it be that we are just too reverential with our food and too obsessed with authentically recreating old recipes to have fun with the food? The nearest we come to anything like Hoppers in India is O Pedro which offers a relaxed and imaginative take on Goan food.

Its time to do the same with the cuisines of the South.

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US President Joseph Biden is travelling to Tel Aviv and Amman tomorrow to politically isolate Hamas terrorist group and commiserate with Israel for the October 7 massacre as the last step before Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) launch a land offensive into Gaza. In Amman, President Biden will meet Israel's neighbours--King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fateh el-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbasto seek their views and support for the land offensive. Hamas terrorist cadre in Gaza

While Hamas main backer Iran is threatening Israel to refrain from entering Gaza or else Shia Hezbollah will open the second front on the Israel-Lebanon border, the rocket attacks on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv by Hamas on Monday during the Knesset session shows that the war-making capability of the Sunni Salafi terrorist group has not been severely degraded despite pin-pointed aerial bombing by IDF. Also by broadcasting images of hapless hostages, it is quite evident that Hamas' information warfare capability is still potent and its ability to colour global perception in its favour still exists.

Given the fact that Hamas war-making potential still exists after nine days of aerial precision-guided bombing by the IDF, Israel has no options but to go into Gaza and destroy Hamas war-making infrastructure piece by piece or the Jew nation will be hit again in near future by terrorists. It is quite evident that while Israeli famed intelligence servicesMossad and Shin Betwere in a Covid lockdown, Hamas was preparing for the terror offensive since 2020. This means that Hamas would also be ready with how to deal with Israeli counter-strike and get away unscathed after the pogrom in South Israel. With no less than 200 Israeli hostages in their captivity, Hamas still holds trump cards and the Netanyahu government will have to bite the bullet to teach the jihadists a lesson. And that the US intelligence with its assets in Qatar and Jordan could not pick up early warning signs of an impending Hamas attack is also a matter of huge concern for the democratic world.

Even though pro-Hamas nations in Middle-East and their Left-liberal supporters in Europe are putting pressure on Israel to ceasefire operations in Gaza, Israel, after getting some 1300 innocents murdered and some 4000 wounded, has no options but to decimate Hamas or the latter will go down in history as being successful in taking on a much larger and manifolds stronger nation-state. It will be a double whammy on the terror victims if Hamas is not made to pay in full for the dastardly attack on South Israel against non-combatants, teenagers, children and toddlers. Simply put, Hamas or Hezbollah or terror groups affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood will attack again if Israel does not teach terrorists a lesson that they will not forget.

Given the fact that Hamas still has war-making capability in Gaza, the IDFs land offensive into Gaza will be fraught with danger as the terrorists will put up a fight for they have nothing to lose and have their backs against the wall. The fact is that the IDF will have to take Hamas road by road, house by house in Gaza if they want to permanently deactivate the group in the Strip. After indulging in orgy of violence and mayhem on October 7, Hamas cannot be allowed to get away or this will give nefarious ideas to other Islamic jihadists around the world.

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AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes took to LinkedIn to praise the low-cost Malaysian airline for its work culture. However, his positive sentiment was overshadowed by a picture of him chairing a management meeting without a shirt garnered significant criticism. Tony Fernandes shared this picture on LinkedIn. (LinkedIn/@Tony Fernandes )

"Was a stressful week, and Veranita Yosephine suggested a massage. Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture that I can have a massage and do a management meeting. We are making big progress, and I have now finalized Capital A structure. Exciting days ahead. Proud of what we have built and never have lost sight of the finish," wrote Tony Fernandes on LinkedIn.

He also shared a picture of him sitting shirtless on a chair and getting a massage while attending a meeting.

Take a look at the post shared by Tony Fernandes here:

This post was shared on October 16. Since being posted, it has been liked more than 500 times. The share has also received numerous comments. Many took to the comments section of the post to share how it is "inappropriate" to hold meetings shirtless and have a massage in the office.

Here's what people are saying about this post:

An individual wrote, "A grown man, who is the chief executive of a publicly listed company, conducts a management meeting with his shirt off as he gets a massage. Remove 'who is the chief executive of a publicly listed company,' and it is still inappropriate."

A second commented, "I'm going to assume that this meeting took place long after the workday was over and most of the office was empty (except a few C-level), but at least put on a shirt for the photo."

"Yea, maybe this isnt the best way to show off work culture. Dont think you are giving the intended impression you hoped it would," posted another.

A fourth commented, "I am curious how this would be received if a woman or woman-identifying person posted a picture of themselves in this same position? What are we conveying here? No time for self-care? 'Hustle culture,' and 'grinding' are no longer part of the younger generations' vocabulary. This is actually a snapshot of losing sight of the finish line of modern C-Suite culture. This is a snapshot of my early career and being uncomfortable every moment of my day. This is a snapshot of why so many workers are not returning to the office. Why do so many staff reductions happen due to loss of cash flow to frivolous loss of billable hours and expenditures? I usually refrain from commenting. But this is beyond stressful indeed."

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Researchers recently used cutting-edge technology to read a word from an irreparably damaged manuscript. They used an AI program to read from an ancient scroll that was burned and carbonised by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Researchers read the ancient scroll using AI as a part of The Vesuvius Challenge. (X/@NEHgov)

Brent Seales, a professor at the University of Kentucky, hosted a conference and live-streamed the event that took place in the UK, reports a blog by Kentucky University. Seales and his team started working on scroll when he took up the Vesuvius Challenge - a machine learning and computer vision competition to read the Herculaneum Papyri.

What are the Herculaneum Papyri?

In 79 AD, during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a villa in Herculaneum, which was believed to have belonged to Julius Caesars father-in-law, was buried in hot mud and ash. After it was discovered, experts were surprised to find a vast library of burned papyrus scrolls inside it. The scrolls are impossible to read by unfolding as attempting to do so will crumble them into pieces.

The scrolls are carbonized by the heat of the volcanic debris. But they are also preserved. What is interesting is that this unique storage condition makes the scrolls safe from air decays.

Researchers believe that the scrolls contain the secrets of Roman and Greek philosophy, science, literature, mathematics, poetry, and politics.

What is the word researchers read?

The researchers were able to retrieve a few letters from the papyrus scroll, reports The New York Times. Not just that, they also managed to read a complete word, porphyras. In ancient Greek, it means Purple.

The University of Kentucky also took to YouTube to share a glimpse of the process they used to look inside the scroll.

What did Seales say about this feat?

These texts were written by human hands at a time when world religions were emergent, the Roman Empire still ruled and many parts of the world were unexplored, Seales told University of Kentucky. Much of the writing from this period is lost. But today, the Herculaneum scrolls are unlost, he added.

"For me, reading words from within the Herculaneum scrolls is like stepping onto the moon, Seales told The Guardian. Honestly, I knew that the text was there, waiting for us to arrive, but arrival only happens at the last step. And with such a talented team working together, reading the words is that step into new territory, and weve taken it. Now it is time to explore, he further told the outlet.

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A passenger on a flight in San Francisco was amazed to see a plane that seemed to be frozen in the air. The passenger recorded a video of the rare optical illusion and shared it on Reddit. The video sparked curiosity and confusion among viewers. Froze plane stumps travelers(Reddit)

The video shows the plane hanging over a highway that crosses a large body of water. The video poster captioned: People reacting to this viral video are saying its a glitch in the matrix.

The illusion is not caused by magic or a malfunction, but by a combination of factors.

One Redditor in the comment section discussed the Relative velocity. It points towards the factor of the lack of visual reference points in the open sky, which makes it hard to see that the plane is actually moving.

Comment

byu/MartianXAshATwelve from discussion

inStrangeEarth

Some Redditors also pointed out another interesting factor is the synchronized movement of both the passenger and the plane, traveling at comparable speeds and in the same direction. This makes the plane appear stationary because it does not change its distance from the eye of the observer. This can happen if you are travelling next to a plane, either in another plane or in a car near an airport and the other plane is moving slightly slower. This theory also agrees with the basic physics of motion.

This phenomenon is relatively rare but appears to occur more frequently in San Francisco, where specific weather conditions and visibility often enable planes to execute closer landings than the norm.

However, some viewers had their own theories about what was happening, suggesting that the plane was still stuck there or that it was a glitch in the matrix. Some locals said they had seen this many times and it was not unusual or special.

ASLO READ| Can you spot the hidden number in the puzzle? Only a few people with high IQs can!

They come in all the time going super-slow like that, one person wrote, who claimed to live near San Francisco airport.

It looks impossible but its not.

As someone who lives in this area and drives on that bridge all the time, Im sure hundreds or thousands of people on it would have stopped and recorded the plane just floating above them in mid-air, another person commented.

In August, a similar video was posted on Reddit, showing a United Airlines plane hovering in mid-air.

It was also captured at San Francisco airport.

Landing at SFO. What is happening here? the poster wrote, adding an alien emoji.

One commenter joked that it was a UFO at SFO while another said San Francisco airport was famous for its dual landings, which created this effect.

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The US military has put 2,000 troops on deployment alert, the Pentagon said, in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Israel-Hamas War: Israeli soldiers block their ears as a M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer fires rounds from near the Israeli border with Gaza.(AFP)

US defense secretary Lloyd Austin placed the personnel and a range of units "on a heightened state of readiness through a prepare to deploy order," the Pentagon said, to be able to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East.

The troops would cover support roles, such as medical assistance and handling explosives, US media reported.

"No decisions have been made to deploy any forces at this time," it added.

The move comes as US president Joe Biden heads to Israel on to show Washington's support for Israel. Joe Biden will be on a mission to prevent the escalating war in Gaza from spilling over into a wider Middle East conflict, the White House said.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas after the group's fighters broke through the Gaza border on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, and taking at least 199 people hostage.

Israel has responded with air strikes that have killed more than 2,700 people, imposed a crippling siege on Gaza, and deployed tens of thousands of troops to the border. The United States has already deployed two aircraft carriers to the region "to deter hostile actions against Israel," Lloyd Austin said last week.

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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
The attack on the Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital in the north of the Gaza Strip that killed hundreds was "unprecedented in scale," the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, condemning the blast. An injured person is assisted at Shifa Hospital after an Israeli air strike hit the nearby Al-Ahli Hospital, according to Gaza Health Ministry, in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023.(REUTERS)

The strike was the bloodiest single incident in Gaza since Israel launched a bombing campaign against the densely populated Gaza Strip in retaliation for a deadly cross-border Hamas assault on Israeli communities on Oct. 7.

"This attack is unprecedented in scale," said Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the West Bank and Gaza. "We have seen consistent attacks on healthcare in the occupied Palestinian territory."

Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said there were patients, healthcare workers and internally displaced people in the hospital when it was struck.

"The hospital was one of 20 in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military," he said.

"The order for evacuation has been impossible to carry out given the current insecurity, critical condition of many patients, and lack of ambulances, staff, health system bed capacity, and alternative shelter for those displaced," he added. (Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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(Construction) - On October 3, 2023, in Tokyo - Capital of Japan, Construction Newspaper of Vietnam, represented by Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung - Editor-in-Chief continued to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Daily Engineering and Construction News of Japan (DECN) with the witness of the MLIT and many businesses in Japan.

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The Swedish government on Tuesday called on the Nordic country's citizens abroad to be cautious after two Swedes were shot dead in the capital of Belgium on Monday. Brussels Shooting: Forensic officers work after a police operation against a deadly shooting suspect, in Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium.(Reuters)

"The threat picture against Sweden and Swedish interests abroad was already heightened," it said on its website.

"Due to the fact two Swedes were killed in Brussels in a suspected terrorist act, Swedes abroad are urged to observe increased caution and increased vigilance and to follow local authorities' advice," it said.

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US President Joe Biden will pay a solidarity visit to Israel on Wednesday following the Hamas attacks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced, as he also said Israel and Washington had agreed to develop a plan for aid to Gaza. US President Joe Biden (AFP)

Blinken spoke after meeting for nearly eight hours at the defence ministry with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the top US diplomat's second visit since the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

"The president will reaffirm United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security," Blinken said early Tuesday in Tel Aviv.

"Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks," Blinken said.

Biden "will hear from Israel what it needs to defend his people as we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs," he said.

Blinken said that the United States also secured assurances from Israel on working to bring foreign assistance into the impoverished and blockaded Gaza Strip as Israel prepares a ground offensive against the Hamas-ruled territory.

Biden hopes to "hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hama," Blinken said.

"At our request, the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza," Blinken said.

He said the two sides were discussing the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way.
Sweden and the European Union need better border controls, and Sweden needs to increase its own security, the country's prime minister Ulf Kristersson said after a gunman late on Monday killed two Swedes in Brussels. Two Swedish nationals were shot dead and a third person injured in Brussels, in an attack which prosecutors are treating as terrorism. Brussels Shooting: A police officer stands guard in the street in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels.(AFP)

Brussels is on its highest terror alert as federal prosecutors say a terrorism inquiry has been opened over the shooting on Boulevard d'Ypres, 5km (3 miles) from the King Baudoin Stadium.

A spokesman for the prosecutor, Eric van Duyse, urged the public to "go home and stay at home as long as the threat has not been eradicated".

The man claiming to be the attacker had said in a video on social media that he had been inspired by the Islamic State group. The video showed the man saying he carried out the attack in the name of God and that he killed three people.

"I understand that many Swedes are afraid and angry," Ulf Kristersson said, adding: "this is a time for more security, we can't be naive."

Sweden has never in modern times faced a bigger threat against its security, the premier said, qualifying the attack that killed two Swedes a "terror attack".

"Sweden has in modern times never been under as big a threat as now," he said.

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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
The man who killed a French schoolteacher last week said he was acting for the Islamic State (IS) group in a video recorded before the attack, a source close to the case said Tuesday. France School Stabbing: Rescue workers wait in front the Gambetta high school during bomb alert.(AP)

Mohammed Moguchkov, 20, also made a "very marginal" reference to the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel in the video before knifing the teacher to death at a school in Arras, northern France on Friday, the source added.

Moguchkov, a Russian from the mainly Muslim northern Caucasus region, was due to appear before an investigating magistrate later Tuesday to be charged.

The attack came almost three years to the day after a similar killing of a teacher near Paris, which shocked the public and triggered a massive security response.

France again raised its security level after Friday's attack, deploying 7,000 troops.

Adding to the tension, the school in Arras was evacuated Monday over a bomb threat, which proved to be a false alarm.

French President Emmanuel Macron has told ministers to "embody a state that is ruthless towards all those who harbour hate and terrorist ideologies", a senior aide told reporters Monday.

Macron later wrote that schools would remain a "bulwark" against extremism and "a sanctuary for our pupils and everyone who works there" in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Macron's office said he would attend the funeral of the victim, 57-year-old Dominique Bernard, on Thursday.

The murder has intensified nervousness in France, which has large Muslim and Jewish populations and has been on the alert for violence since Hamas's attack on Israel.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Monday that 102 people had been arrested for anti-Semitic acts or expressing support for terrorism since the October 7 assault.

Bernard was killed almost three years to the day after teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded outside his school in a Paris suburb, on October 16, 2020.

The families of Paty's killer and the suspected Arras assailant both hail from Russia's North Caucasus region.

Moguchkov was born in the republic of Ingushetia and reportedly arrived in France aged five.

He was already on a French national register as a potential security threat and under surveillance by France's domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI. His father, who was also on the list, was deported in 2018.

Macron has called on police to comb through their files of radicalised people who could be deported.

Darmanin said 193 such cases would be reexamined.

Macron has told Darmanin to focus especially on "young men between the ages of 16 and 25 from the Caucasus", his aide said.

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Climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained by police in London after she addressed protesters at a demonstration against oil and gas companies in the centre of the city, news agency Reuters reported. Greta Thunberg has this year been detained by police or removed from protests in Sweden, Norway and Germany. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is arrested by police outside the InterContinental London Park Lane.(AFP)

She became the face of young climate activists worldwide after staging weekly protests in front of the Swedish parliament in 2018.

Video footage showed Greta Thunberg, wearing a badge with the slogan 'Oily Money Out' standing calmly as two police officers spoke to her. One was seen holding her arm, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, environmental group Greenpeace said that two of its activists scaled the Intercontinental Hotel in Mayfair and unfurled a giant banner over its entrance reading Make Big Oil Pay in protest at a gathering of oil and gas leaders taking place inside the building.

Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered in front of the venue to protest against the influence of the fossil fuel industry on UK, the group said.

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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
The United Kingdom's Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, has taken to social media to share a letter Prince William wrote him about Israel days before William and Kate issued a statement on the ongoing Israel-Palestine crisis. Thank you to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for this message of solidarity with the Jewish Community and wishes for a better future for all, Mirvis captioned a photo of the letter, posted to X. The United Kingdom's Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, has taken to social media to share a letter Prince William wrote him about Israel (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, chiefrabbi/Instagram)

I am writing to express my solidarity in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks that began on Saturday, William wrote in the letter. As you have said publicly, this is truly a traumatic time for the Jewish community in the United Kingdom. So many will have loved ones directly affected by this terrible violence. I want to add my voice to those who condemn the attacks unreservedly. My thoughts are with you all.

William reflected on his 2018 visit to Israel, where Mirvis had accompanied him. At this difficult time, I've been reflecting on my visit to the region in 2018. It was a profoundly moving experience. I was struck by how many Israelis and Palestinians wanted one and the same thing: a better future. In present circumstances, it seems unobtainable as their respective communities will be absorbed by grief, anger, and shock, he said.

William concluded, I do hope though that in time, voices calling for peace, common understanding and co-existence can once again come to the fore, so that such human suffering can be consigned to the past.

William and Kates statement on Hamas attack

A few days ago, William and Kates spokesperson shared a message on their behalf about the tragic Hamas attack on Israel. "The Prince and Princess of Wales are profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days," a spokesperson for the royal couple said. The horrors inflicted by Hamas's terrorist attack upon Israel are appalling; they utterly condemn them."

"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. Those The Prince of Wales met in 2018 overwhelmingly shared a common hope - that of a better future, the statement continued.

It added, In the midst of such terrible suffering, The Prince and Princess continue to share that hope without reservation."
Iran banned teaching of all foreign languages, including English and Arabic, in kindergartens and primary schools, with immediate effect, state media reported. "The teaching of foreign languages is prohibited in kindergartens, nursery schools and primary schools, because at this age, the Iranian identity of the child is being formed," Massoud Tehrani-Farjad, an education ministry official, said as per IRNA news agency. Iran foreign language ban: An Iranian flag flutters.(Reuters)

Iran had already banned the teaching of English in primary schools in 2018, although it is taught from secondary school onwards.

"The ban on the teaching of foreign languages does not only concern English, but also other languages, including Arabic," Massoud Tehrani-Farjad said.

Persian is the only official language in Iran. In June 2022, Iran's ministry of education signaled its plan to begin a "trial to teach French" in schools across the country to "eliminate the monopoly of the English language".

In September, the country banned Iranian or dual-national students from attending international schools, saying children had an obligation to follow the country's school curriculum. The decision led to a sudden drop in the number of students in some international schools in Tehran, including French and German institutions, AFP reported.

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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
Iran has sentenced the lawyer of Mahsa Amini, the Iranian Kurd whose death triggered widespread protests in 2022, to one year in prison for "propaganda" against the state, local media reported on Tuesday. Iran Anti-Hijab Protests: A woman holds a placard with a picture of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini during a protest against her death.(AP)

"My client Saleh Nikbakht has unfortunately been condemned to the maximum penalty, one year in prison, for propaganda activity against the system," his lawyer Ali Rezai, was quoted as saying by the Ham Mihan newspaper website.

Nikbakht was the lawyer for the parents of Amini, 22, who died in custody on September 16, 2022, after being arrested by the morality police who accused her of violating the strict dress code imposed on women in the Islamic republic.

At the end of August, Rezai announced that a trial had begun in Tehran against his client for "having spoken to foreign and local media about the Mahsa Amini case".

Nikbakht had indicated at the end of September 2022 that the Amini family had filed a complaint against the police officers who arrested her.

Originally from Iranian Kurdistan, Nikbakht has represented numerous Iranian personalities throughout his lengthy career. Among them is the film-maker Jafar Panahi, who was released on bail in February after around seven months in prison.

"It is surprising that they have imposed the maximum sentence on Mr Nikbakht, who is 73 years old," Rezai said, before expressing hope that the verdict would be "overturned in the upcoming proceedings".

Nikbakht is not presently in custody, pending the appeal's outcome.

Hundreds of people, including security force members, were killed during the protests sparked by Amini's death, with thousands of demonstrators also arrested.

The authorities at the time accused the protesters of participating in "riots" incited by the West.

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The Israeli military says it had no involvement in an explosion that killed hundreds of people at a Gaza City hospital and that the blast was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket. People clash with Palestinian security forces during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on October 17, 2023.(AFP)

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says an Israeli airstrike caused the blast, and that it killed some 500 people, many of whom had sought shelter from an ongoing Israeli offensive.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time.

The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds of people. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

The health ministry said at least 500 people had been killed. Photos and video purportedly from al-Ahli Hospital on social media showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital's grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings. The images could not immediately be independently verified.

The strike came as the U.S. was trying to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas' deadly rampage last week. President Joe Biden was due to visit the region Wednesday to show support for Israel and to try to prevent the war from spreading.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip. Hamas called Tuesdays hospital strike a horrific massacre.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: We will get the details and update the public. I dont know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike.

In protest at the reported strike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egypt's president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan to discuss the war. Abbas' Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades.

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military had told Palestinians to evacuate to.

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

Israel sealed off Gaza after Hamas stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 200 captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating whether Israel was demanding the release of all of the roughly 200 people Hamas abducted before allowing supplies in.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The U.N. agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the U.S., Israel and Egypt.

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israel's Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the U.N. oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Biden's visit in part aims to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.

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Israel-Hamas war latest updates: US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and make clear Israel has the right to defend itself, secretary of state Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday, as the war between the Israeli forces and Palestine-based Hamas militants entered its 11th day. Israeli soldiers patrol a border fence gate with the Gaza Strip on October 15.(AFP)

Blinken also said the US and Israel agreed to develop a plan that would enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organisations to reach civilians in Gaza.

Earlier, Iran's foreign minister said Israel would not be allowed to act in Gaza without consequences, warning of "preemptive action" in the coming hours.

Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement that rules Gaza after fighters burst into Israel on October 7, killing 1,300 people, mainly civilians, in the deadliest day in the country's 75-year-old history.

Follow Live Updates on Israel Hamas war

Gaza authorities said over 2,800 people have been killed there, around a quarter of them children, and more than 10,000 wounded are in hospitals desperately short of supplies.

Meanwhile, Israel launched strikes overnight on Hezbollah "terrorist" targets in Lebanon, the Israeli army said in a statement early on Tuesday.

Israel-Hamas war: Latest updates on October 17

Antony Blinken said after lengthy discussions with Netanyahu that Biden will reaffirm solidarity with Israel, which has widely been expected to launch a ground assault in Gaza.

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told state TV: Leaders of the Resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza. ... All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza. "The resistance front is capable of waging a long-term war with the enemy (Israel)... in the coming hours, we can expect a preemptive action by the resistance front," he said, without elaborating. Iran refers to regional countries and forces opposed to Israel and the United States as a "resistance front."

The Israeli Air Force said it struck terror targets and military infrastructure of the Hezbollah in Lebanon, in response to fire yesterday (Monday) towards Israel.

Calling this the worst of times, the UN humanitarian chief said the United Nations is in deep discussions with the Israelis, Egyptians and others about getting aid through the Rafah crossing, hugely helped by Blinken who has been travelling in the region. Martin Griffiths, who is heading to Cairo on Tuesday to try to help in the negotiations, said in an interview with the UN on Monday that he was hoping for some good news soon.

Some 400 of the 950 Israeli civilian bodies sent to the National Center of Forensic Medicine following the Hamas attacks remain unidentified, the head of the centre said on Monday. The amount of charred bodies that we receive now, the proportion is high, Dr Chen Kugel said. I dont know how long it will take.

The UN Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian resolution condemning spiralling violence in the Middle East, with delegates refusing to back a motion that did not single out Hamas for its surprise attack on Israel. The council huddled as Israel readied for an expected ground assault on the Gaza Strip.

Hamas terrorists have released footage of a hostage, who was kidnapped amid the Israel attacks, showing the woman receiving medical care while asking to be returned home. Mia Shem, 21, is seen with her arm bandaged up in the clip posted on Hamas' Telegram channel on Monday. She then addressed the camera directly, saying her hand was injured, but underwent surgery by Hamas at a hospital in Gaza.



(With inputs from agencies)

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Chinese envoy calls for Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire, protection of civilians

Xinhua) 16:24, October 17, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called for a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians for the protection of civilians, at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The latest round of conflict has resulted in massive civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis. Its spillover effects have impacted regional peace and stability. China is deeply concerned about this, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

China condemns all acts that harm civilians and opposes all acts that violate international law. China supports the UN Security Council in playing a responsible role, supports all efforts aimed at de-escalation and peace, and welcomes all initiatives that are conducive to protecting civilians and mitigating the humanitarian crisis, he said.

On the basis of the above-mentioned position, China voted in favor of the Russian-drafted resolution, said Zhang in an explanation statement after the vote at the meeting.

The Security Council failed to adopt the draft resolution that calls for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza.

In the face of the dire situation, China calls for efforts to realize a cease-fire as soon as possible and to prevent the spread of the flames of war, so as to avoid the further escalation of tensions. Military means are not the way out. Violence for violence will only lead to an endless vicious cycle, said Zhang.

"China calls for respect for international humanitarian law and for all efforts to ensure the security of civilians. The protection of civilians in armed conflict is a red line under international humanitarian law. Civilians should not be the target of military operations. The indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable. The maintenance of one's own security cannot come at the cost of harming innocent civilians. The safety of UN staff and humanitarian workers must be guaranteed," he said.

China supports diplomatic and mediation efforts aimed at the release of hostages. China calls for the opening of a humanitarian relief corridor as soon as possible to avoid a more severe humanitarian disaster, he said.

Zhang expressed China's grave concerns about the consequences of Israel's imposition of a full siege on Gaza and its order of an emergency evacuation of the population in northern Gaza.

China calls on Israel to heed the appeals of the international community and resume water, electricity and fuel supplies to Gaza, and stop the collective punishment of the people in the strip. China supports the opening of a humanitarian corridor at an early date so that food, medicine and other humanitarian relief supplies could be delivered in a timely and smooth manner, said Zhang.

The Security Council bears the primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security and should play its due role in resolving the current crisis. It is also the common expectation of the international community for the council to reach consensus as soon as possible and adopt real measures, he said.

The Russian-drafted resolution demonstrates the overall direction of the council's focus on humanitarian concerns and the protection of civilians. China greatly regrets the fact that the council failed to agree on this draft resolution, he said.

"Humanitarian issues should not be politicized. The protection of civilians should be a priority for all parties," said Zhang.

The current conflict is spreading and suffering is continuing. The council should not give up its efforts in this regard. Brazil has also proposed a draft resolution. China hopes that all parties continue to seek consensus and take more active actions to ease the tension and avoid a humanitarian disaster, he said.

History has time again proved that the repeated outbreak of the crisis between Israelis and Palestinians is fundamentally due to the fact that the basis of the two-state solution keeps being eroded, that the Middle East peace process has veered from the right track and that relevant UN resolutions have not been effectively implemented, he said.

When dealing with this new round of conflict, the international community must go beyond the fragmented case-by-case crisis management model and persevere toward the fundamental direction of the two-state solution and make greater efforts toward a comprehensive lasting solution to the question, he said.

Since the outbreak of the crisis, China has actively conducted efforts to facilitate the ease of tension and actively promote peace talks. China will always stand on the side of peace, justice, and international law.

China is ready to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts to stop the fighting in Gaza at an early date and realize the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel, as well as lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Israel-Hamas war highlights: The Israeli military has said that it killed four people who tried to infiltrate the fence bordering Lebanon and plant explosive devices. An injured person is assisted at Shifa Hospital after an Israeli air strike hit the nearby Al-Ahli Hospital, according to Gaza Health Ministry in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Al-Masri(REUTERS)

United States President Joe Biden will visit Israel and Jordan on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in the early hours Tuesday. He also announced that the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza.

The war between Israel and the Hamas militants entered its 11th day on Tuesday. Tel Aviv has stationed its forces along the Gaza border, carrying out drills for a possible ground invasion to pursue Hamas militants. The war has claimed over 4,000 lives since it began last Saturday. These include around 1,400 Israelis and 2,750 Palestinians.

Israel has put the Gaza Strip under a total blockade and has pounded it with unprecedented air strikes. Concerns have been mounting globally about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip and fears that the war could metastasize into a broader regional conflict. Truckloads of aid by the United Nations and other organisations remain at Egypts border with Gaza as residents and humanitarian groups plead for water, food, and fuel for dying generators.
Palestinian militant group Hamas said Tuesday one of the top leaders of its armed wing was killed during an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip. Israel-Hamas War: An Israeli soldier stands in front of a burnt house on October 17, 2023 in Kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza.(AFP)

"Ayman Nofal, 'Abu Ahmad', a member of the general military council and commander of the central command in Al-Qassam Brigades, was killed" in an Israeli strike on the central Gaza Strip, Hamas said in a statement, referring to its military wing.

Confirming his killing, the Israeli military described Nofal as "one of the most dominant figures" in Hamas.

On October 7 the Gaza-based militants attacked Israel, killing more than 1,400 people and triggering Israeli retaliatory strikes on Gaza where around 3,000 people have been killed, according to officials on both sides.

An army statement described Nofal as the group's former head of military intelligence, who has been involved in manufacturing weapons and directing rockets fired at Israel.

Nofal was also "involved in planning the abduction of Gilad Shalit", a soldier released in 2011 after being held for more than five years, the army said.

Earlier Tuesday the military said it had killed another top Hamas militant -- Osama Mazini -- an announcement which the group is yet to comment on.

Israel had earlier announced the deaths of other Hamas commanders or officials since its bombing of Gaza targets began.

Hamas separately reported Israeli forces targeted a Gaza City home belonging to the family of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar.

The property belongs to Haniyeh's brother, a Gaza security source told AFP.

With hostilities escalating, Israel has evacuated many of its border communities.

It has been impossible for Gaza's 2.4 million residents to leave the Palestinian territory, as all exits remain closed.

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Hamas and Israel have both been accused of breaking international law during their latest conflict, and the United Nations says it is collecting evidence of war crimes by all sides. Israel-Hamas War: Israeli soldiers block their ears as a M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer fires rounds from near the Israeli border with Gaza.(AFP)

Enforcing the law amid the fog of war is difficult. Holding perpetrators to account once conflicts are over has often proved elusive.

Here is a look at some of the issues.

WHAT ARE THE RULES OF WAR?

The rules of armed conflict are governed by a set of internationally recognized laws and resolutions, including the United Nations charter, which prohibits aggressive wars but allows countries the right to self-defense.

Battlefield behavior has international humanitarian laws including the Geneva Conventions, drawn up after World War II and agreed on by almost every nation.

The four conventions agreed upon in 1949 set out that civilians, the wounded and prisoners must be treated humanely in wartime. They ban murder, torture, hostage-taking and humiliating and degrading treatment and require fighters to treat the other sides sick and wounded.

The rules apply both to wars between nations and conflicts, like that between Israel and Hamas, in which one of the parties is not a state.

Another key document in the law of war is the founding Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, which defines as war crimes acts including intentional attacks on civilians, civilian settlements or humanitarian workers, destroying property where not militarily necessary, sexual violence and unlawful deportation.

Other agreements ban certain types of weapons, such as chemical or biological munitions. Most but not all countries have signed up to these.

Read more: France warns against Lebanon travel: List of countries that issued advisories

HAS HAMAS COMMITTED WAR CRIMES?

Hamas has fired thousands of rockets at Israeli towns and cities, and on Oct. 7 sent hundreds of gunmen across the border from Gaza. They attacked and killed civilians  including children and elderly people -- in their homes and neighborhoods and kidnapped scores of others. Israel says at least 1,400 people died and 199 others were abducted.

Haim Abraham, a lecturer in law at University College London, said the evidence of crimes is clear.

They massacred civilians at their homes. They kidnaped civilians, taking them hostage. All of these things are clearly war crimes, he said.

Jeanne Sulzer, a lawyer with the Commission for International Justice of Amnesty International France, said the Geneva Conventions state that civilians should never be taken hostage. If they are, that may be characterized as a war crime.

HAS ISRAELS RESPONSE BEEN LEGAL?

The Israeli military has pounded Hamas-ruled Gaza with airstrikes, blocked deliveries of food, water, fuel and electricity and told people to leave the northern half of the strip ahead of a possible ground invasion. Gaza authorities say 2,800 people have died and 11,000 have been injured during days of bombardment.

Critics accuse Israel of collectively punishing Gaza's 2 million residents.

The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross has said the instruction for hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes, coupled with the complete siege explicitly denying them food, water, and electricity, are not compatible with international humanitarian law.

The Israeli army says it follows international law and strikes only legitimate military targets as it seeks to root out militants who embed themselves among the civilian population.

Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using munitions containing white phosphorus. The incendiary substance is not banned, but its use in densely populated areas has been widely condemned. The Israeli Defense Force has denied using white phosphorus as a weapon in Gaza.

CAN LAWBREAKERS BE HELD TO ACCOUNT?

A United Nations Commission of Inquiry says it is collecting and preserving evidence of war crimes committed by all sides in the current conflict. That evidence could be added to an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court into the situation in the Palestinian territories.

The Netherlands-based ICC has the power to prosecute nations officials for violations and order compensation for victims. But some countries  including the United States, Russia and Israel -- do not recognize the courts jurisdiction, and the ICC does not have a police force to execute arrest warrants.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER ROUTES?

While the ICC is the only permanent international tribunal set up to prosecute war crimes, other international courts including the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights can hear cases related to alleged violations. So can domestic courts in Israel or elsewhere, Under U.S. law, American victims could try to bring claims for compensation against Hamas in U.S. courts.

As with Russias invasion of Ukraine, the prospect of prosecuting war crimes in the current conflict seems remote. But Amnesty Internationals Sulzer said legal initiatives are already a reality. She said French national and dual citizen victims of the Hamas attacks have already filed complaints in French courts.

Breaches of international law can also trigger sanctions  such as those imposed on Russia by the United States, the European Union and others over the invasion of Ukraine  and in rare cases draw U.N.-authorized military intervention.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Tuesday for broad international support in the country's war against Gaza rulers Hamas after the militant group's deadly attack on Israel. Israel-Hamas War: Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu(Reuters)

"The world must stand united behind Israel to defeat Hamas," Netanyahu said alongside visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The German leader is one of a slew of top politicians to have visited Israel since Hamas militants from Gaza attacked the country on October 7.

"The savagery that we witnessed perpetrated by the Hamas murderers coming out of Gaza were the worst crimes committed against Jews since the Holocaust," Netanyahu said, referring to the extermination of more than six million Jews by the Nazis.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel and around 3,000 in Gaza since the conflict erupted, according to tolls by officials on both sides.
Israel says its in talks with SpaceX on setting up Starlink internet services to bolster its wartime communications, ahead of its expected ground invasion in the Gaza Strip. Israel-Hamas War: Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X. (Reuters)

The announcement comes as Israel goes to war with Hamas in Gaza, following a deadly cross-border invasion on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians. The Israeli army has responded with heavy airstrikes in Gaza, which have killed more than 2,800 Palestinians, and stopped fuel, water and electricity supply into the Hamas-run Strip while amassing hundreds of thousands of troops along the front lines.

SpaceX didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement on Tuesday, Israels Communications Ministry said the move would ensure towns on the frontlines would have continuous internet service. It will be the first time Israel has relied on Starlink, which will serve as a backup in case other systems are disrupted, a spokesperson for the ministry added.

The Israeli ministry said it is also considering disconnecting the internet and phone services it provides to Gaza. It also confirmed it was working to shut down the Israel offices of Qatari state-owned news network Al-Jazeera, which is used for Hamas propaganda, incitement and harm to national security during wartime.
Israels invasion of Gaza has been delayed until after the visit of US president Joe Biden, a report claimed. The expected ground assault has been postponed to an unknown date but is expected to take place once the US president has left the country, Telegraph reported quoting Israel's news site Walla. Israel-Hamas War: Israeli soldiers are positioned outside kibbutz Beeri near the border with the Gaza Strip.(AFP)

The report claimed that the delay had caused frustration among some military commanders, who believe it will give Hamas more time to prepare. This comes as Israels military said that it is still developing plans for its ground operation in the Gaza strip, which will be presented to the countrys political leadership.

Lt Col Richard Hecht, a spokesman for the IDF, said, Its something different. We have to break off from the old Gaza tit-for-tat. Its going to look different, it is going to take longer, and its going to look totally different. These plans are being developed, theyll be decided by and presented to our political leadership."

US president Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced. He is also expected to meet authorities in Jordan and Egypt as Palestinians described intense bombardments near two towns in southern Gaza, where Israel had ordered civilians to seek refuge.

Hamas' military wing said a separate attack on a refugee camp in central Gaza killed a top Hamas commander as thousands of people are trying to escape Gaza from the Rafah border crossing.

Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege that followed a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 which has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Gaza health ministry said that 2,778 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.

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British prime minister Rishi Sunak is set to visit Israel this week, Sky News reported without citing sources. Last week, UK foreign minister James Cleverly travelled to Israel to show solidarity with the Israeli people following attacks by Hamas. This comes as US president Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday. Israel-Hamas War: Britain's prime minister Rishi Sunak speaking during a statement on the situation in Israel and Gaza in the House of Commons, in London.(AFP)

Rishi Sunak also spoke with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the tense situation in Israel and Gaza, stressing that both countries will work closely to prevent escalation. Rishi Sunak said that both leaders recognise the devastating consequences of the conflict in the Middle East.

"I spoke to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier on the situation in Israel and Gaza. We both recognise the devastating consequences of wider conflict in the Middle East. We will work closely to prevent escalation, including destabilisation fuelled through Iranian proxies," Rishi Sunak posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier, Rishi Sunak stressed that the UK will also play its part in helping Palestinian civilians and will continue to take every step to support their Jewish community.

I updated Cabinet this morning on our response to the Hamas terror attacks. As we stand with Israel, we will play our part in helping Palestinian civilians. And at home, we will continue to take every step to support our Jewish community. There is no excuse for antisemitism, he said.

Rishi Sunak said in the Parliament, The attacks in Israel last weekend shocked the world. Over 1,400 people were murdered, over 3,500 wounded, almost 200 taken hostage. The elderly, men, women, children, and babies in arms were murdered, mutilated and burned alive. It was a pogrom...We stand with Israel. The murdered and the missing come from over 30 countries, including the United Kingdom. At least six British citizens were killed and ten are missing...We are working with Israel to establish the effects as quickly as possible...we are also helping British citizens who want to leave Israel.

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The United Nations human rights office said that Israel's Gaza evacuation order for the north could amount to a forcible transfer of civilians and be in breach of international law. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN human rights office, said that Israel seemed to have made no effort to ensure the civilians temporarily evacuated in Gaza were provided with proper accommodation, as well as satisfactory conditions of hygiene, health, safety and nutrition. Israel-Hamas War: Palestinians search for casualties at the site of Israeli strikes on houses in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.(Reuters)

"We are concerned that this order, combined with the imposition of a complete siege of Gaza, may not be considered as lawful temporary evacuation and would therefore amount to a forcible transfer of civilians in breach of international law," she said.

Those who managed to comply with the Israeli authorities' order to evacuate are now trapped in the south of the Gaza Strip, with scant shelter, fast-depleting food supplies, little or no access to clean water, sanitation, medicine and other basic needs, she added.

The term "forcible transfer" describes forced relocation of civilian populations. It is a crime against humanity punishable by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme said that its food supplies in Gaza were running low but that it was stockpiling supplies in the Egyptian city of Al-Arish nearby. Abeer Etefa, WFP Regional Communications Lead for the Middle East and North Africa, said they hoped "to cross as soon as the border access is granted."

"We call for unimpeded access, safe passage to desperately needed humanitarian supplies to Gaza," she said.

In addition to dwindling food and water supplies, Gaza's health sector finds itself at a "breaking point," UN Special Rapporteur Tlaleng Mofokeng said.

"Gaza's medical infrastructure has been irreparably damaged and healthcare providers are working in a dire situation with limited access to medical supplies and conditions that do not allow them to provide timely and quality healthcare," Tlaleng Mofokeng said.

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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
Israel's national security adviser predicted that the United States would get "involved" if the Gaza war escalated to the point where Iran and Hezbollah joined in on behalf of Hamas. Tzachi Hanegbi talked about support from US president Joe Biden, which included US naval deployments in the Mediterranean and a public warning to the Lebanese group. The US has also warned Iran to stay out of the fighting, he said. Israel-Hamas War: Members of emergency services inspect the site of a direct hit by a rocket launched from Gaza.(AFP)

"He is making clear to our enemies that if they even imagine taking part in the offensive against the citizens of Israel, there will be American involvement here," Tzachi Hanegbi said, adding, Israel will not be alone ... A US force is here and it is ready.

This comes as Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for broad international support in the country's war against Hamas.

"The world must stand united behind Israel to defeat Hamas," Benjamin Netanyahu said alongside visiting German chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"The savagery that we witnessed perpetrated by the Hamas murderers coming out of Gaza were the worst crimes committed against Jews since the Holocaust," Benjamin Netanyahu said, referring to the extermination of more than six million Jews by the Nazis.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel and around 3,000 in Gaza since the conflict erupted, according to tolls by officials on both sides. Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip with air strikes which have driven around half of the 2.3 million Gazans from their homes. Tel Aviv has also imposed a total blockade on the enclave, halting food, fuel and medical supplies, which are rapidly running out.

US president Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday to show support for its war on Hamas after Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to let humanitarian aid reach besieged Gazans.

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European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Tuesday that US President Joe Biden's planned visit to Israel after the Hamas attacks was "absolutely necessary". Israel-Hamas War: US President Joe Biden(AP)

Biden is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday amid frantic diplomatic efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after waves of Israeli retaliatory air strikes on the Hamas-ruled enclave.

Israel has also lined up forces on the Gazan border ahead of an expected ground incursion.

"President Biden's visit...is absolutely necessary," Borrell told a news conference in Rota in southern Spain where EU member states are holding joint military exercises.

"We have called on Israel to conduct its defence activities in accordance with international law, for humanitarian corridors to be opened to bring aid to Gaza and for civilians to be protected. I am sure that this will also be the message that the president of the United States will convey," he added.

While signalling support for Israel with his visit, Biden is also expected to try to quietly steer its military response, as criticism grows about the devastating impact of the war on Palestinian civilians.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that Biden hopes to hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas.
Julie Fisher was recently honored with a display at the Gage County Museum as she has been the only female firefighter and paramedic with Beatrice Fire and Rescue.

Fisher said she was surprised with the display.

My granddaughter, Aubrie, had told me she was working on a project for school in May, she said. Then she asked to meet me at the museum to work on a different project, but it was really to reveal the display to me. It was a great surprise.

In 1997 Fisher graduated from Southeast Community College with a degree in social services. She was inducted into the department on March 4, 1999.

During the almost 18 years she served in Beatrice, she served as a Juvenile Fire Officer and assisted in the development of the Juvenile Fire Setters program. She met with juveniles that had set fires and taught them about safety.

She was trained and provided Critical Incident Stress Management for several area fire departments after traumatic calls. CISM helps members process and cope with mentally challenging events.

Fisher took the role as Acting Captain during a part of her time with the department.

She received the Life Saving Award for her prompt and alert actions resulted in successfully saving a human life.

Fisher said that there were memorable moments.

The best moments were when someone would come up to me in the community and remind me that I had helped them, she said. That was pretty okay.

Her daughter, Lindsey Leishman Meints, said watching her mom as she grew was important in her growth.

I was about 10 years old when she started with the reserves, she said. Just to watch her grow and continue with the fire department really set a path for my own self. I knew I wanted to have a career and I could meet those challenges.

Meints said she knew when there was a tough call out.

When I was a teenager and had a cell phone, I knew if my mom called and just said 'I love you' that she had been on a tough call out," Meints said. "Shes been an amazing person and has set that standard high.

Fisher said the male firefighters were supportive of her.

There were a couple of old timers that just guided me in the right direction. They were receptive and supportive of me, she said.

Her husband, Craig Fisher, is currently a firefighter with Beatrice Fire Department.

She was good at it, Craig said.

Fisher retired in 2016 from the Beatrice Fire Department, and said it was her favorite job.

It was the best job I have ever had, and I miss it, she said. I miss helping people.

The display of Fisher hangs beside Gage Countys first female homesteader, physician and pilot at the Gage County Historical Society and Museum.
Hundreds of Israeli high-tech experts have temporarily put their private sector jobs aside to help locate Israelis missing after last week's attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Professor Karine Nahon, head of the missing civilians' war room, gestures as she describes the initiative by cyber professionals in Tel Aviv.(Reuters)

Hamas gunmen evaded heavy Israeli security measures to escape the Gaza Strip and storm Israeli towns and kibbutzes, killing 1,300 people and taking almost 200 into captivity. In response, Israel has bombarded Gaza for days, killing more than 2,700 Palestinians while its troops prepare a ground assault. Follow Israel-Hamas war LIVE updates here.

Karine Nahon, one of the leaders of the initiative, said volunteers have been analysing footage - including videos posted online by Hamas - to help identify and locate the more than 1,000 people who are still unaccounted for. Any information gleaned is passed on to Israeli authorities.

Based out of Tel Aviv, the centre of Israel's high-tech and cyber security sector, the volunteers have created a makeshift command center where they use artificial intelligence and facial and voice recognition to help locate those unaccounted for after the attack, sometimes by clothing or recognizable features.

"The government right now relies on the information that is coming from these rooms," Nahon said.

Pictures of the missing Israelis line the walls, reminding volunteers of their mission.

"We try to understand the status of each one of the missing people and we still have more than a thousand people who are missing," she said.

They are working against the clock.

Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas in response to the attacks while Hamas says it will execute hostages in response to Israeli strikes on civilians.

Hamas is now also removing footage of the attacks that it has posted online, suggesting that the militant group is aware those videos are being analyzed for information, Nahon said.

"Hamas now is deleting and removing videos that they have. There was a live video of how they entered into different rooms of slaughtered children, and horrible pictures.

"What they do now is they go one by one and they remove those videos, because they understand that we basically monitor that and we analyse those videos," she said.

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An earring pokes out from under the helmet of Israeli army reservist Amir, a self-professed leftist who is pro-peace but finds himself looking through his rifle scope at buildings inside Gaza. Israeli soldiers patrol a road near the border between Israel and Lebanon on October 16.(AP)

"It's surreal to be here", said Amir, one of more than 360,000 Israeli reservists called up for the war against Gaza-based Hamas militants.

Civilians one day, men and women like Amir become soldiers the next.

Under camouflage only 1.5 kilometres (one mile) from the Palestinian enclave, Amir who did not give his last name according to army orders -- finished his military service in 2014, just after an earlier Israeli war with militants in Gaza.

He said meekly that he still has "grief and trauma" from that conflict, and despite undergoing annual training exercises, he didn't "realise" that  nine years later  he'd be called to fight again.

"No one should have to find themselves in this situation", he said, holding his rifle.

"I still know how to use it, but I hope I don't have to", he sighed.

Behind him, his platoon, a group of reservists who didn't know each other, practise the basics of tactical movement while camouflaged on the ground, communicating silently through hand signs.

Israeli soldiers ride in their armoured vehicles towards the border with the Gaza Strip on October 16, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.(AFP)

Most Israelis who have already done their mandatory military service remain in the reserves until age 40.

In Amir's unit, like many across Israel, older volunteers have also decided to come back into service since the beginning of the war on October 7, when Palestinian Hamas militants broke through the militarised border barrier around Gaza and attacked southern Israel.

They gunned down, stabbed and burned more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

Israel is preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza but has for days been dropping thousands of munitions on targets in the coastal strip, levelling entire neighbourhoods, where at least 2,750 people, most of them ordinary Palestinians, have been killed.

Israel's reserves supplement the 169,500 military personnel under contract -- both mandatory service and career soldiers.

Terrifying

Elia, 24, is a female reservist, a medic who hasn't worn a uniform in four years.

The French-Israeli, who works in a startup, found out that she had been called up for service while she was on a beach in Thailand.

"Even for us, it's terrifying. Of course I'm asking myself what I'm doing here, but this is just how it is. It's our duty", she told AFP, with a medical bag on her back.

Since the last week, at least 258 Israeli soldiers have been killed in fighting, the army said.

At a rest stop in Beit Kama, one of the last stops before Gaza, the scene is colourful as the transformation from civilian to soldier takes place. Dreadlocks hang from under helmets. There are hipster beards, quirky glasses, oversize pants hanging down below the waist, and hiking shoes that are anything but regulation.

While the army dress code is extremely rigid, and a source of punishment for soldiers who deviate from the right sock colour to the texture of a hair scrunchie, the reservists "come as they are", a military police officer near Gaza explained to AFP.

In Israel, flipping from civilian to military life happens via text message or phone call.

Since October 7, entire planes have been chartered to bring home reservists and other Israelis.

The extent of the mobilisation can be seen in the two kilometre line of cars parked along the highway passing one of the largest bases in the country, near Jerusalem.

To support their loved ones, the home front is increasing donations: food, equipment, camping material, and even free hair cuts. But the army reminded over-eager donors that tactical or combat equipment is its responsibility.

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The Kremlin said on Tuesday there was "no proof" North Korea was sending supplies of weapons to Russia, after Washington released images purportedly showing arms shipments from Pyongyang. Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un.(Reuters)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un travelled to Russia last month and met President Vladimir Putin, sparking speculation among Western countries over the possibility of a potential arms deal.

"They report this all the time, without providing any proof," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies when asked about the reported arms shipments.

The White House said on Friday that North Korea had already delivered over 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia in recent weeks for use in Ukraine.

While Russia said no agreements were signed during Kim's visit in September, Putin said he saw "possibilities" for military cooperation.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to arrive in the reclusive country on Wednesday for a two-day visit. Details of the trip remain unclear.

Russia and North Korea, historic allies, are both under rafts of global sanctions -- Moscow for its Ukraine offensive, Pyongyang for its nuclear weapon tests.

North Korea, which the United States has previously accused of supplying shells to Russia's Wagner mercenary group, is a mass producer of conventional weaponry and is known to be sitting on large stocks of Soviet-era war material.
In a suspected hate crime, a 19-year-old Sikh was assaulted and injured in New York for wearing a turban while travelling in a bus, the police said. The attack took place on Sunday when the Sikh teen was riding a shuttle bus in Queens, CBS News channel reported. The suspect approached the victim, asking him to remove his turban and said, "We don't wear that in this country and take that mask off!". The suspect approached the victim, asking him to remove his turban.(Representational)

The attacker then punched the teen in his face, back, and the back of his head, causing minor cuts, the police said. He also tried to remove the victim's turban from his head before getting off the bus and leaving, the report said. Police described the suspect as "a male, 25-35 years of age, dark complexion, slim build, approximately 5'9" tall, with brown eyes and black hair."

The New York Police Department hate crime unit is investigating the incident and it called the incident a hate crime assault, it was reported. No arrests have been made in the case yet, it added.

"Right now, the victim is very traumatised," community activist Japneet Singh told ABC7 television station, adding, The family is very scared for him.

Sikh Coalition, an organisation representing the community, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), We are in contact with the survivor and working with him to provide support as needed; he has requested anonymity for the time being. Our current understanding is that NYPD is, appropriately, investigating this incident as a hate crime. As we stand alongside our allies from all communities, we will continue to insist that no one should have to fear for their personal safety while simply existing in public.

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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
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled a planned meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, following an Israeli strike on a Gaza hospital on Tuesday that killed hundreds, a senior Palestinian official said. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (REUTERS)

The meeting was due to take place in Jordan. The senior Palestinian official said Abbas was returning to Ramallah, the seat of his government in the occupied West Bank.
As it closed on Tuesday, a petition for the recognition of Hinduphobia in Canada gathered over 25,000 signatures as against just 500 needed for it to be referred to the government for a response. MP Melissa Lantsman (left), who sponsored the petition, with devotees at a temple in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada. (Credit: Melissa Lantsman/X)

The petition, e-4507, was launched on July 19, and is listed under the Civil and Human Rights category, and was sponsored by MP Melissa Lantsman, deputy leader of the opposition Conservative Party in the House of Commons.

It was started by the Indo-Canadian organisation, Canadian Organisation for Hindu Heritage Education. Pleased with the response, one of its directors Vijay Jain said, Considering this being the first petition from the minority Hindu community, and it receiving more than 25,000 signatures which is more than 2.5% of the total population shows its a matter of huge concern from the community at large. We are very happy to see such a fantastic participation from the community. This a matter of human rights for a minority Hindu community.

The petition calls upon the House to recognise Hinduphobia as a term in the glossary of terms in the Human Rights Code to describe anti-Hindu prejudice and discrimination, to define Hinduphobia as denial, negation, prejudice or vilification against Hindus, Hinduism, or Hinduness and to raise awareness and address systemic and institutional Hinduphobia.

The petition gathered momentum after the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) released a video last month targeting Canadian Hindus of Indian origin. In a video that went viral, SFJs legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun said, Indo-Hindu leave Canada, go to India.

You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs, he said, adding they were also promoting violence by celebrating Nijjars assassination. He was referring to the killing of SFJs principal figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18. That murder has bedevilled relations between India and Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons on September 18 that there were credible allegations of a potential link between the crime and Indian agents.

Jain said earlier this year the city council in Brampton unanimously passed a similar motion recognising Hinduphobia. We are very hopeful this should pass in Federal Parliament too, he said.

Other than the SFJ video, there have been at least a dozen instances since last summer when temples were desecrated either with pro-Khalistan graffiti or posters attacking Indias senior-most diplomats in Canada.

Those acts have led to the issue of Hinduphobia coming to the fore in Canada, and the phenomenon was recognised by Canadian leaders. In April this year, Pierre Poilievre, leader of the principal opposition Conservative Party, told the news outlet Prime Asia, We have to stop Hinduphobia and nasty comments that are made about Hindus and the vandalism and other violence targeting Hindu Canadians. This is totally unacceptable.

In January, Liberal Party MP Chandra Arya, speaking in the House, said, Like Islamophobia and anti-Semitism resulting in hate crimes against our mosques and synagogues causing pain to our Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters, Hindu Canadians are experiencing the same pain due to rising Hinduphobia.

Jain was hopeful that feeling was shared by Ottawa and it would introduce legislation in this regard before the House.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirudh Bhattacharyya Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb. ...view detail
The two countries have forged an informal alliance against the United States and other democratic nations that is now complicated by the Israel-Hamas war. China has sought to balance its ties with Israel against its relations with Iran and Syria, two countries that are strongly backed by Russia and with which China has forged ties for economic reasons as well as to challenge Washington's influence in the Middle East. HT Image

Putin's plane was met by an honour guard as the Russian leader began his visit that is also a show of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road initiative to build infrastructure and expand China's overseas influence.

In an interview to Chinese state media, Putin praised the massive but loosely linked BRI projects.

Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the People's Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise, we just see desire for cooperation, he told state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin on Monday.

Putin will be among the highest profile guests at a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Xi's announcement of the BRI project, which has laden countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debt from contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports and other public works they could not otherwise afford. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised the Chinese policy as bringing development to neglected areas.

Asked by reporters Friday about his visit, Putin said it would encompass talks on Belt and Road-related projects, which he said Moscow wants to link with efforts by an economic alliance of former Soviet Union nations mostly located in Central Asia to achieve common development goals.

He also downplayed the impact of China's economic influence in a region that Russia has long considered its backyard and where it has worked to maintain political and military clout.

We don't have any contradictions here, on the contrary, there is a certain synergy, Putin said.

Putin said he and Xi would also discuss growing economic ties between Moscow and Beijing in energy, high-tech and financial industries. China has also grown in importance as an export destination for Russia.

Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, said that from China's view, Russia is a safe neighbour that is friendly, that is a source of cheap raw materials, that's a support for Chinese initiatives on the global stage and that's also a source of military technologies, some of those that China doesn't have.

For Russia, China is its lifeline, economic lifeline in its brutal repression against Ukraine, Gabuev told The Associated Press.

It's the major market for Russian commodities, it's a country that provides its currency and payment system to settle Russia's trade with the outside world  with China itself, but also with many other countries, and is also the major source of sophisticated technological imports, including dual-use goods that go into the Russian military machine.

Gabuev said that while Moscow and Beijing will be unlikely to forge a full-fledged military alliance, their defence cooperation will grow.

Both countries are self-sufficient in terms of security and they benefit from partnering, but neither really requires a security guarantee from the other. And they preach strategic autonomy, he said.

There will be no military alliance, but there will be closer military cooperation, more interoperability, more cooperation on projecting force together, including in places like the Arctic and more joint effort to develop a missile defence that makes the U.S. nuclear planning and planning of the U.S. and its allies in Asia and in Europe more complicated, he added.

The Chinese and Soviets were Cold War rivals for influence among left-leaning states, but China and Russia have since partnered in the economic, military and diplomatic spheres.

Just weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February, Putin met with Xi in Beijing and the sides signed an agreement pledging a no-limits relationship. Beijing's attempts to present itself as a neutral peace broker in Russia's war on Ukraine have been widely dismissed by the international community.

Xi visited Moscow in March as part of a flurry of exchanges between the countries. China has condemned international sanctions imposed on Russia, but hasn't directly addressed an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court on charges of alleged involvement in the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. (AP) NPK NPK
Russia's parliament took the first step on Tuesday towards revoking ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and its top lawmaker warned the United States that Moscow might even abandon the pact altogether. Russian national flag flies atop the Russian State Duma, lower house of Russia's Parliament.(AFP)

Russia says the aim is to restore parity with the United States, which has signed but never ratified the 1996 treaty, and that it will not resume testing unless Washington does.

But arms control experts are concerned that Russia may be inching towards a test which could usher in a new era of big power nuclear - and which the West would perceive as a Russian nuclear escalation amid the Ukraine war.

Parliament's lower house, the Duma, voted by 412 to zero, with no abstentions, to approve the withdrawal of the ratification in the first of three readings.

"Our vote is an answer to the USA - to their crass approach to their duties to maintain global security," Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, a member of President Vladimir Putin's Security Council, told parliament.

"And what we will do next - whether we remain a party to the treaty or not, we will not tell them. We must think about global security, the safety of our citizens and act in their interests," Volodin said.

Read more: Attacker in fatal France school stabbing claimed attack for Islamic State group

Volodin said that the United States had asked Russia via the United Nations not to revoke ratification. He said Moscow's move was a wake-up call for Washington after its failure to ratify the CTBT for the past 23 years. Russia ratified it in 2000.

Putin said on Oct. 5 that he was not ready to say whether or not Russia should resume nuclear testing after calls from some Russian security experts and lawmakers to test a nuclear bomb as a warning to the West.

No country except North Korea has conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion this century.

'SLIPPERY SLOPE'

Swift passage of the deratification bill was guaranteed after 440 of the Duma's 450 members attached their signatures to it as sponsors last week.

While Russia is revoking ratification, it has said it will remain a signatory to the CTBT and continue to supply data to the global monitoring system which alerts the world to any nuclear test.

Post-Soviet Russia has never carried out a nuclear test. The Soviet Union last tested in 1990 and the United States in 1992.

A resumption of nuclear tests by Russia, the United States or China could mark the start of a new nuclear arms race between the big powers who stopped nuclear testing in the years following the 1991 collapse of the USSR.

Andrey Baklitskiy, senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, said Russia's deratification of the CTBT was part of a "slippery slope" towards resuming testing.

He noted that Putin had said in February that Russia must "make everything ready" to conduct a test in case Washington did so, and that Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had visited Russia's testing ground in the remote northern archipelago of Novaya Zemlya in August.

CNN published satellite images last month showing Russia, the United States and China have all built new facilities at their nuclear test sites in recent years.

NUCLEAR TEST?

Baklitskiy said in a telephone interview he did not see a Russian test as imminent, but "the more you go in this direction, the less of a big decision you would have to make" to proceed with one.

For many scientists and campaigners, the extent of nuclear bomb testing during the Cold War indicated the folly of nuclear brinkmanship, which could ultimately destroy humanity and contaminate the planet for hundreds of thousands of years.

But the Ukraine war has raised tensions between Moscow and Washington to the highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis just as China seeks to bolster its nuclear arsenal to accord with its status as an emerging superpower.

Putin has said he sees no need to change Russia's nuclear doctrine - a document that outlines that Russia would only order a strike with nuclear weapons if it was attacked, or if the existence of the state was endangered by an attack with conventional weapons.

Since the CTBT, 10 nuclear tests have taken place. India conducted two in 1998, Pakistan also two in 1998, and North Korea conducted tests in 2006, 2009, 2013, twice in 2016, and 2017, according to the United Nations.

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Russia said it need no longer obey U.N. Security Council restrictions on giving missile technology to its ally Iran once they expire on Wednesday, without saying whether it now planned to support Tehran's missile development. A view the Red Square with the Historical Museum, right, and the Kremlin Towers in background in Moscow, Russia,(AP)

"Supplies to and from Iran of products falling under the Missile Technology Control Regime no longer require prior approval by the U.N. Security Council," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The restrictions were defined in Resolution 2231 of 2015 endorsing a deal by which Britain, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Russia and the U.S. removed sanctions against Iran in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal, known as the JCPOA, leaving unilateral U.S. sanctions in place, and Iran subsequently accelerated its nuclear programme, which it says is purely peaceful.

With the deal in shreds, U.N. sanctions intended to prevent the theocratic state developing long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missiles came back into force. But these will finally expire on Wednesday.

Russia has grown close to Iran since invading Ukraine in February 2022 and itself being shunned by the West. Many of the hundreds of one-way attack drones it has used to bomb Ukraine in the last year are believed to have been made in Iran.

The EU said on Tuesday that it planned to join the U.S. in retaining sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile programme after the U.N. sanctions expire.

Sources had earlier told Reuters there were three reasons for this: Russia's use of Iranian drones against Ukraine; the possibility that Iran might transfer ballistic missiles to Russia; and the need to deprive Iran of the benefits of the nuclear deal, which it violated after the U.S. withdrew.

Russia urged both the EU and the U.S. to drop their sanctions, which it said were "an effort to settle political scores with Tehran" and had no implications for "other countries that treat international law and their obligations with due respect".

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Russian president Vladimir Putin rejected comments by US president Joe Biden, saying in an interview in Beijing that Moscow's interests could not be suppressed, and that US politicians should learn to respect others. In an interview, Joe Biden had said, Imagine what happens if we, in fact, unite all of Europe and Putin is finally put down where he cannot cause the kind of trouble he's been causing. Russian president Vladimir Putin looks on.(AP)

This comes as Vladimir Putin, subject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, made a rare trip to China to attend the Belt and Road forum in Beijing.

Earlier, Vladimir Putin said on the suggestions that the United States should prepare for a war against Russia and China that these were nonsense as he warned the West that any war against Moscow would be on a whole different level to the conflict in Ukraine.

"I don't think these are healthy thoughts in the minds of healthy people, because to say that the United States is preparing for war with Russia, well we are all preparing for war because we follow the ancient principle: if you want peace, get ready for war," Vladimir Putin said, adding, "But we want peace. Moreover, to fight with both Russia and China, it is nonsense - I don't think it is serious. I think they are just scaring each other."

And if they want to fight with Russia then it will be a completely different war - it will not be carrying out a special military operation. Look at the Middle East - is that a special military operation - can you compare them? If we talk about a war between great nuclear powers, then it would be a completely different story. I don't think that people in their right minds can think about such a thing, but if such a thought does come to them then it can only cause us to be wary," the Russian leader said.

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Montana State University Billings has recorded its second-highest fall-to-fall retention rate in 14 years for all new students with increased retention for the majority of student categories tracked and steady enrollment for fall 2023.

The overall retention rate is 56.2 % which is progressing toward the goals of the universitys comprehensive retention and graduation plan, university officials said in a press release. In its second year of implementation, the plan includes intentional strategies for retaining students and shortening the time to degree completion.

This milestone marks a defining moment in the life of our university, said MSUB Chancellor Stefani Hicswa. Our efforts to enhance retention rates and enrollment have produced commendable results. This is a testament to our belief that we should never fear trying new things in support of student success. Embracing change with courage and creativity is ushering in a new era for the institution where we see an increased number of students persisting in attaining their educational goals.

Compared to fall 2022, undergraduate headcount grew by 2.7 %, full-time enrolled first-time freshman grew by 2.6% including a 12% increase at City College. Undergraduate international student enrollment increased 28.6% and the entering freshman cohort of Hispanic students increased 16.4 %. On-campus housing rates increased by 6.1% overall including an 8% growth among freshman residents. High school student enrollment increased by 17 %. At the official 15th class day count, a total of 4,092 students were enrolled.

New sprint degrees began this semester to a positive start with a total of 29 enrolled students, university officials said. Sprint degrees are accelerated high-quality degree pathways that train skilled graduates for successful, reliable, and high-demand careers in Montana.

The sprint degree pathways condense the traditional bachelor's degree pathway to 2.5 years and the associate degree pathway to between 12 and 18 months without sacrificing quality or accreditation standards. Sprint degrees in human services are offered at the university campus and a paramedic program is offered at the City College campus.

Last fall MSU Billings launched Montana 10, a new wrap-around student success program from the Montana University System, that offers academic, social, and financial support designed to help students succeed in college. Traditional freshmen enrollment in this program for fall 2023 increased by nearly 2%. Montana 10 scholars have a community of staff who know them individually and support them along their academic journey, ensuring they receive tailored support to achieve their educational and career goals. There are currently 95 Montana 10 scholars at the university campus and 67 students at the City College campus.

Additional highlights from MSUBs fall 2023 enrollment data include:

 Bachelor of Science in Biology enrollment increased by 45.8%.

 Associate of Applied Science in Computer Programing and Application Development enrollment increased by 30%.

 Music department enrollment increased by 28.1%.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Tuesday to meet his "dear friend" Xi Jinping, bolstering their relationship at a summit that will be overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping (AP)

China this week welcomes representatives of 130 countries for a forum of President Xi's landmark project, the Belt and Road Initiative, that Beijing is using to extend its global influence.

Putin is at the top of the invitation list, with the Russian leader on his first trip to a major global power since the Ukraine invasion threw his regime into international isolation.

His plane landed in China just before 09:30 am, an AFP journalist on the tarmac saw.

He is due to meet Xi for talks on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.

"During the talks, special attention will be paid to international and regional issues," it said, without elaborating.

He is on a mission to strengthen the already strong relationship with his communist neighbour, though Moscow is increasingly the junior partner.

Experts expect few big surprises during the Russian leader's visit to China, seeing the meeting as more a symbolic gesture of support for Moscow.

"Russia is aware that China doesn't want to sign any high publicity deals," Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told AFP.

"China holds all of the cards," he said.

The Kremlin said the two leaders would meet on Wednesday "on the sidelines" of the BRI forum.

And global headlines will be dominated by Israel's war with Palestinian militant organisation Hamas.

Israel declared war on the Islamist group after waves of Hamas fighters broke through the heavily fortified border with Gaza on October 7, shooting, stabbing, and burning to death more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

More than one million people have fled their homes in scenes of chaos and despair under heavy Israeli bombardment of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Israel's bombing has killed around 2,750 people in Gaza, mainly civilians, according to Palestinian authorities, and flattened entire neighbourhoods.

Western officials have criticised Beijing for not naming Hamas in statements on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on Sunday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who called on China to use its "influence" in the Middle East to push for calm.

China has a warm relationship with Iran, where the clerical leadership supports both Hamas and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that could open a second front against Israel.

This year, China brokered an entente between former regional foes Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Beijing's special envoy Zhai Jun will visit the Middle East this week to push for a ceasefire and peace talks, China's state broadcaster CCTV said. No details have been given about where he will go.

'Dear friends' reunited

China and Russia's top diplomats were singing from the same song sheet when they met in Beijing on Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thanked China for inviting Putin as the summit's "chief guest", according to a readout from Moscow, which later said the top diplomat would head to North Korea after Beijing.

Putin and Xi will discuss the countries' ties "in their entirety" when they meet this week, Lavrov told Wang.

Wang, in turn, said China "appreciates" Russia's support for the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Both sides should plan commemorative activities, deepen strategic mutual trust, consolidate traditional friendship, and promote friendship from generation to generation," he said.

The two nations share a symbiotic alliance, with China appreciating Russia's role as a bulwark against the West and Moscow increasingly reliant on Beijing's largesse in trade and geopolitical backing.

"Since Moscow embarked on its all-out invasion of Ukraine, it has been put in a position where it is unprecedentedly dependent on China," Bjorn Alexander Duben of China's Jilin University told AFP.

At the heart of the deepening partnership is the relationship between Xi and Putin, who have described each other as "dear friends".

"President Xi Jinping calls me his friend, and I call him my friend, too," Putin told Chinese state broadcaster CGTN ahead of his visit, according to a Kremlin readout.
The longer-range ballistic missiles long sought by Ukraine have been delivered quietly by the U.S. and were being used on the battlefield against Russia on Tuesday, an official familiar with the move said, nearly a month after President Joe Biden promised them to his Ukrainian counterpart. Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a press conference.(Reuters)

The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter before an official announcement and spoke Tuesday on the condition of anonymity. The missiles delivery to the war front was shrouded in secrecy, with the expectation that the first public acknowledgement would come when the missiles were used on the battlefield.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders have been urgently pressing the U.S. to provide the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS. But the U.S. balked for months, worried that Kyiv could use the weapons to hit deep into Russian territory, enraging Moscow and escalating the conflict.

Biden finally greenlighted the delivery last month and told Zelenskyy during a meeting at the White House that the U.S. would finally give Ukraine the ATACMs, according to officials at the time. The U.S., however, has refused to provide any details on timing or how many missiles would be delivered, although officials suggested that the plan was to send a small number of roughly two dozen.

Because of lingering U.S. concerns about escalating tensions with Russia, the ATACMS version that went to Ukraine will have a shorter range than the maximum distance the missiles can have. While some versions of the missiles can go as far as about 180 miles (300 kilometers), the ones sent to Ukraine have a shorter range of and carry cluster munitions, which when fired, open in the air, releasing hundreds of bomblets, rather than a single warhead.

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Doubling down on the hardline immigration policies that have long animated his base, former President Donald Trump on Monday vowed to bar refugees from Gaza and immediately expand his first-term Muslim travel ban if he wins a second term following the deadly attack on Israel last week. Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, in Clive, Iowa. (AP)

Trump, speaking to supporters in Iowa, said that if he returns to the Oval Office, he will immediately begin ideological screening for all immigrants and bar those who sympathize with Hamas and Muslim extremists.

No longer will we allow dangerous lunatics, haters, bigots, and maniacs to get residency in our country, he said. If you empathize with radical Islamic terrorists and extremists, youre disqualified... If you want to abolish the state of Israel, youre disqualified. If you support Hamas or any ideology thats having to do with that or any of the other really sick thoughts that go through peoples minds  very dangerous thoughts  youre disqualified. It is unclear how he would enforce that dictate, though current and former members of communist and totalitarian parties and their sympathizers are already banned.

The proposals marked a dramatic expansion of the controversial  and legally dubious  policies that drew alarms from immigrant rights and civil liberties activists  but helped him win the GOP primary in 2016.

The former president and GOP front-runner also said that he would aggressively deport resident aliens with jihadist sympathies and send immigration agents to pro-jihadist demonstrations to identify violators.

In the wake of the attacks on Israel, Americans have been disgusted to see the open support for terrorists among the legions of foreign nationals on college campuses. Theyre teaching your children hate, he said. Under the Trump administration, we will revoke the student visas of radical anti-American and anti-Semitic foreigners at our colleges and universities and we will send them straight back home."

He also pledged the bar the entry of refugees from Gaza fleeing Israel's retaliatory strikes after the surprise Oct. 7 attack, just as he tried to bar citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries during his first term. The war the attack sparked is now the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead.

Trump, the early GOP front-runner, has stepped up his caucus campaigning this fall as his team tries to lock in support to not only avoid a repeat of his 2016 second-place finish but to win an overwhelming victory that would deny momentum to whoever finishes in second place.

Trump, continuing to paint himself as a martyr for his loyal supporters, also continued to rail against the four indictments he is facing  along with a narrow gag order that was imposed Monday by the federal judge overseeing the 2020 election interference case against him in Washington. The order, which has pledged to appeal, bars him from making statements targeting prosecutors, possible witnesses and court staff.

"I am willing to go jail if thats what it takes for our country to become a democracy again," he said in Clive.

Earlier, Trump had rallied caucus-goers in Iowas rural Dallas County, where he received the endorsement of the states attorney general and predicted a landslide victory three months before voting begins in the GOP contests kickoff state.

Ninety-one days. Are you ready? Trump asked more than 1,000 supporters packed into a livestock expo barn at the Dallas County fairgrounds in Adel. Were going to have a historic landslide, Trump predicted, he he stood flanked by giant bales of hay.

Brenna Bird, Iowa's Republican attorney general, served previously as former Iowa Rep. Steve Kings chief of staff and last year beat Democrat Tom Miller for the states top legal post.

Even before he returned to Iowa on Monday, the Republican former president had more than 10,000 people to his events in the state in less than a month.

Theres no guarantee his crowds will translate to support in the states Jan. 15 caucuses, which will launch the 2024 nominating cycle. But unlike his seat-of-the-pants campaign in 2016, he has a more sophisticated organization to capitalize on his high-wattage events and often emphasizes in his remarks how to participate in the caucuses.

His advisers want to lock in a blowout that discourages talk of a second-place finisher consolidating support and taking on the former president directly.

A traditional measure of campaign organization in Iowa is the caucus pledge card. People who attend Trump's events are asked to sign a commitment that they will attend the caucuses and support him, providing their contact information so the campaign can inquire about them volunteering and finding others to attend.

After Trumps second-place 2016 finish behind Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a ragtag effort of big crowds but little organization, state GOP staffers cleaned out his caucus campaign office to find thousands of signed pledge cards that had never been logged.

This time, his campaign aims to enter each card into its database within a day and to call each signee within two days. It collected 1,200 cards from two events on Oct. 7 out of about 4,000 attendees.

I can promise you there is no backlog," said Alex Latcham, a senior Trump adviser and early-state coordinator.

Trump was hitting both ends of Dallas Co. Monday as he headlined a central Iowa caucus organizing event in booming Dallas County, west of Des Moines, and a speaking event in the city's GOP-leaning western suburbs on Monday. Dallas is the fastest growing county in the state and among the fastest growing in the country. Though Republican-leaning, it is divided, with more strict religious conservatives weighing the western rural end of the county and more moderate, younger GOP voter on the suburban Des Moines eastern side.

When he launched his candidacy for president, Trump memorably was unsure about the caucus process. The quirky contests  more than 1,600 simultaneous, neighborhood-level political meetings at which party members register their presidential preference publicly  are not state-sanctioned primary elections and require intense organization to have supporters in place at each location.

During a campaign stop in Cedar Rapids this month, Trump pivoted from attacking New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is pursuing a civil trial against him, to remind his audience of the fundamentals of participating in the caucuses.

You have a very big, powerful election coming up. It's called a caucus here, Trump told about 2,500 inside a hotel ballroom. And you have to get out at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15. We're asking you to commit to caucus and bring five or seven or 10 maybe, as many as you can, because we have to win big."

He has netted thousands of commitments. But not every supporter equals a caucus vote.

Rick and Nancy Anderson, of Ottumwa, are devout Trump fans, particularly wed to his ideas on energy and maximizing U.S. oil production.

But asked if they'll caucus for Trump, Rick Anderson said, Nope. We live in Florida in the winter.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, one of Trump's main rivals for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, is betting that despite a sluggish late-summer campaign and organizational shakeup, an all-out focus on Iowa and the potential benefits of reaching every county could allow him to stress more populated counties down the stretch, perhaps trimming Trump's potential margin.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, having sparked renewed interest after two solid GOP presidential debate performances, plans to return to Iowa next week for the fourth time within the past month.

There is little doubt that Trump has the advantage, said David Kochel, who has advised Republican presidential candidates, including their caucus campaigns. But Kochel says Trump also still has something to prove.

"How far apart Trump is from the No. 2 person, assuming Trump wins Iowa, is important, and how far apart the second-place person, assuming its not Trump, and the rest of the field is also important," he said. Those are things we can't know yet.

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The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has called on the international community to make every effort to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and becoming a "failure" like North Korea. An Iranian flag flutters.(Reuters)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has since 2021 been struggling to monitor Iran's nuclear programme, which Tehran has stepped up, denying that it seeks to build a bomb.

"We have to deploy every effort... to prevent a country that has capabilities which could potentially lead to the development of nuclear weapons from doing it," Rafael Grossi told a US State Department non-proliferation conference in a recorded video message.

"We saw the failure of this type in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea", which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 despite diplomatic efforts, he said in a speech seen on Tuesday by AFP.

Inspectors from the IAEA were kicked out of North Korea in 2009, and the agency has since monitored it from outside, including through commercial satellite imagery.

The "uncertainties and dangers on the Korean peninsula and in Asia" have since increased, Grossi said.

"This is why our current efforts in Iran are so fundamental, and... why the support of the international community and of course the United States is indispensable for us," he added.

"The IAEA is the eyes and ears and presence of the international community in Iran," he said.

In 2015, major world powers reached a deal with Iran, under which Tehran would curb its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions.

That started to unravel in 2018 when then US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from it and reimposed sanctions.

Efforts to revive the deal have so far been fruitless.

In September, Grossi said he was concerned the international community was losing interest in holding Iran to account over its advancing nuclear programme.

Iran then withdrew the accreditation of eight top inspectors.

In its latest reports, the UN nuclear watchdog deplored that Iran had made "no progress" on several outstanding nuclear issues.

These include reinstalling several IAEA monitoring cameras Tehran had removed from its nuclear sites and explaining the presence of uranium particles found in Iran.
Belgrade [Serbia], October 17 (ANI/WAM): The Secretariat of the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), have signed a Joint Declaration to strengthen cooperation. HT Image

The declaration, concluded on the sidelines of the Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Carpathian Convention held in Belgrade recently, marks an important milestone for cooperation aiming to spearhead new joint initiatives for the sustainable industrial development of the Carpathian region.

The Joint Declaration will facilitate new engagement opportunities and initiatives focusing on country-level, sub- and inter-regional technical cooperation projects, technology transfer, know-how and expertise exchange, advancement of sustainable business linkages for enhanced environmental sustainability, economic competitiveness and innovation ecosystem building in the Carpathian region.

Harald Egerer, Head of the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, said, "The seven Central and Eastern European countries Parties to the Carpathian Convention have welcomed the strengthened partnership with UNIDO as the leading UN agency for industrial development. UNIDO's mandate, expertise and network will support innovative solutions to tackle the challenges of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and loss of nature affecting the Carpathian region and help preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Carpathian Mountains, which is a treasure of European and global importance."

In the Joint Declaration, both institutions confirmed their commitment to increase cooperation in areas such as the circular economy, waste management, clean energy and energy efficiency, agribusiness and food security, sustainable forestry, industrial policy research, investment promotion and support for the private sector of the countries of the Carpathian region.

Chief of Cabinet and UNIDO Special Representative for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Josef Karl Pelikan, said, "The need for UNIDO's close and well-coordinated work with the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention is gaining additional relevance in view of the major multifaceted crises unfolding in Europe and beyond, directly affecting the natural environment and creating the heightened risk of loss of biodiversity of the countries of the Carpathian region."

Tapping into UNIDO's expertise, well-established cooperation with the countries that are parties to the Carpathian Convention, and the existing synergies of the thematic priorities mean the formalisation of the partnership will be instrumental in facilitating new engagement opportunities and initiatives for the sustainable development of the Carpathian region and beyond.

The Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians is a sub-regional treaty adopted in 2003 which aims to foster sustainable development and the protection of the Carpathian region to improve quality of life, strengthen local economies and communities, and the conservation of natural values and cultural heritage.

It represents a unique framework of cooperation bringing together the seven member countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine, and benefits from a large support network of observers and partner institutions, and representatives of academia, NGOs and the private sector. (ANI/WAM)

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Former US President Donald Trump has filed a case in London's high court, alleging that the "Steele dossier," which accused him of engaging in "perverted sexual behavior" and paying bribes to Russian officials, is "false" and "phony." (FILES) Former US President Donald Trump waves after speaking to the media during the third day of his civil fraud trial in New York on October 4, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)(AFP)

Trump is seeking damages for breach of data protection rights by Orbis Business Intelligence, the firm behind the dossier compiled by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele.

In a written witness statement, Trump expressed his willingness to provide evidence at the high court, emphasizing that the only way to prove the inaccuracies of the dossier's personal data is through legal proceedings.

"A judgment of the English court on this issue will be an immense relief to me as it will completely confirm the true position to the public at large. Until there is such a judgment, I continue to suffer damage and distress as a result of people wrongfully believing that the data in the dossier is accurate," he stated.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump is returning to his civil fraud trial, but star witness Michael Cohen won't be there

The 45th U.S President alleges reputational damage caused by Orbis sharing the dossier, which he claims contains "false, phony, or made-up allegations," with three individuals. While Trump acknowledges that Orbis was not legally responsible for the dossier's publication by BuzzFeed in 2017, he argues that it would never have entered the public domain if not for Orbis's involvement.

The "Steele dossier" included salacious allegations, such as Trump hiring sex workers for lewd acts in a Moscow hotel suite and participating in sex parties in St. Petersburg.

Trump's lawyer, Hugh Tomlinson KC, informed the court that Trump is aware of his legal responsibility to prove the allegations false and intends to provide evidence in court. Tomlinson added, "It's uncontroversial for me to say that President Trump is a controversial figure. His interactions with the American legal system have been many and varied, and he has sometimes been subject to serious criticism by judges in the US  None of this is relevant to whether the personal data is accurate."

The former president currently faces 91 felony counts across criminal cases in New York, Florida, Washington, and Georgia. In civil cases, he has been found liable for defamation and sexual abuse against advice columnist E Jean Carroll. He is also accused of inflating his net worth to secure favorable loan terms and gain tax benefits.

Orbis is seeking to have the case against it struck out, claiming that it has no realistic prospect of success.

The firm argues that the claim was brought too late, and any damage to Trump was caused by BuzzFeed's publication. Plus, Orbis asserts that the case has been brought for "an improper purpose."

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Orbis's representative, Antony White KC, stated in written arguments, "The claimants exceptional and unexplained delay in bringing the claim against Orbis, his pursuit of this case only after similar litigation against Orbis and Mr. Steele in the US was dismissed and found to be a meritless, vexatious and politically motivated abuse of the court process, his numerous abusive personal attacks and slurs against Mr. Steele, and his extensive track record of using legal proceedings to harass, bully, and intimidate his perceived opponents, all lead inexorably to the conclusion that the present claims have been brought for an illegitimate purpose and are therefore an abuse of process."

A judgment in this case will be delivered at a later date.

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Quinn Mitchell, a 15-year-old budding journalist was kicked out of the New Hampshire Republicans First in the Nation Leadership Summit on Friday, October 13. He was accused of being a Democratic operative by a volunteer. On grounds of causing multiple disturbances at previous events, a pair of GOP officials instructed security to oust him. Mitchell has attended over a hundred campaigns across New Hampshire to date. After the news of his ousting broke, Redditors became furious over the fact that he was removed from the event merely because he asked tough questions. Student Quinn Mitchell, of Walpole, N.H. asks a question to Republican presidential candidate former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during a campaign event at V.F.W. Post 1631, Monday, July 24, 2023, in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)(AP)

Taking to the platform, a Reddit user said, Republican candidates want us to think they're strong enough to stand up to terrorists and rogue state leaders, yet they are too cowardly to take questions from a teenager. As an aside, I wish more so-called journalists would ask tough questions like this young man.

ALSO READ: Top 5 horror movies to watch when you're not out trick-or-treating on Halloween

Replying to the thread, another user wrote, "If you're entire ideology can be shattered by a child asking "why?", then it was never an ideology in the first place ; but an odious, decrepit, narcissistic and fleeting feeling of self-importance. And thus Human misery continues for their is potential to be siphoned off for their maladaptive hedonism. Keep asking questions young one."

Several other users took part in the discussion and expressed their views on the situation. One user, citing his personal experiences, wrote, I have a friend who works with an organization with the mandate of helping people leave hate groups. And they get a lot of neo-Nazi types turning up at events and filming them, asking questions, etc. And he welcomes that. Because if they're filming him answering their questions, there's a chance someone in their groups might see and hear him that wouldn't otherwise. And there's a chance that what he says might resonate, and that person will begin the journey to leaving. He's not ashamed of what he's saying, and he knows it's not bulls**t. That seems to be the difference.

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U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he believes the Hamas militant group must be eliminated but there should be a path to a Palestinian state, after top U.S. officials warned the war between Israel and Hamas could escalate. US President Joe Biden (Getty Images via AFP)

Biden did not think American troops would be necessary on the ground as Israel has one of the "finest fighting forces," even as American warships headed to the area amid growing clashes on Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

Israel unleashed a ferocious bombing campaign over Gaza in retaliation for unprecedented attacks by Hamas eight days ago that killed some 1,300 Israelis, mostly civilians.

When asked if he believes Hamas must be eliminated entirely, Biden said "Yes, I do. But there needs to be a Palestinian authority. There needs to be a path to a Palestinian state," he said during a CBS 60 Minutes interview broadcast on Sunday.

The U.S. President warned it would be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza but that "taking out" Hezbollah and Hamas was a "a necessary requirement." He said "It would be a mistake to ... for Israel to occupy ... Gaza again."

Israel captured and occupied the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. It withdrew its settlers and troops from Gaza in 2005, before Hamas' takeover of the Strip in 2007.

The conflict has sent tensions soaring.

"There is a risk of an escalation of this conflict, the opening of a second front in the north and, of course, Iran's involvement," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS earlier in the day.

Gaza authorities say more than 2,670 people have been killed there, a quarter of them children. Casualties are expected to rise as Israel prepares for a ground assault on the tiny, densely populated enclave that could start within days.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced deployment of a second aircraft carrier group late on Saturday, calling it a sign of "our resolve to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war."

The aircraft carrier the Dwight Eisenhower will join a small fleet including the massive Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier in the eastern Mediterranean.

"Iran is the elephant in the room," a U.S. official briefed on the situation said about the increasing military presence. "The carriers are accompanied by warships and attack planes. Every effort is being made to stop this from becoming a regional conflict."

Biden said his message to Iran is to not escalate the conflict.

Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian warned on Sunday his country could act, telling al Jazeera that it had conveyed a message to Israeli officials that "if they do not cease their atrocities in Gaza, Iran cannot simply remain an observer."

"If the scope of the war expands, significant damages will also be inflicted upon America," he warned.

Biden told CBS the threat of terrorism in the U.S. has increased due to growing unrest in the Middle East. He said, however, the U.S. can take care of wars in Israel and Ukraine and still maintain its "international defense."

Violence on Israel's northern border is already escalating. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters launched attacks on Israeli army posts and a northern border village on Sunday; Israel retaliated with strikes in Lebanon.

The U.S. is urging Israel to hold off on its ground offensive to allow humanitarian efforts for Gaza's residents trapped in the area, several U.S. officials said.

Sullivan discussed a new weapons package for Israel and Ukraine that would be "significantly higher" than the previously reported $2 billion. He told CBS that Biden planned to have intensive talks on the package this week with the U.S. Congress, which has been hobbled by Republicans' struggles to pick a new speaker of the House of Representatives.

Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, speaking in Tel Aviv on Sunday, said the U.S. Senate could move first to approve more funding for Israel. "We're not waiting for the House (of Representatives)," he said.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Sunday he is traveling to the region with other senators in coming days to push continued negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Graham said he intended to introduce a bill that would "allow military action by the United States in conjunction with Israel to knock Iran out of the oil business" if Iran attacks Israel.

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

U.S. government officials also said they are mobilizing to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, anticipating a brutal ground offensive.

Israeli officials have made clear it will not be an easy or swift campaign. It faces the challenge that scores of hostages seized by Hamas on Oct. 7 could now be held in a warren of underground tunnels, which its soldiers must clear to destroy Hamas.

Biden, in a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, said: "We must not lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas' appalling attacks, and are suffering as a result of them."

The U.S. has appointed former ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield as a special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues. His focus would be to "promote the safety of civilians," the State Department said.

"We're pushing Israel to delay any action on the ground," said one U.S. official briefed on the situation. Asked directly if the U.S. was pushing Israel to delay its ground war for civilians, Sullivan told NBC "we are not interfering in their military planning or trying to give them instructions..."

However, he added, the U.S. is telling Israel any actions should follow the law of war, and that "civilians should have a real opportunity to get to safety."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that the Egyptian-controlled border crossing into Gaza would reopen and the U.S. was working with Egypt, Israel and the United Nations to get assistance through it.

Hundreds of tonnes of aid from several countries have been held up in Egypt's Sinai peninsula for days pending a deal for its safe delivery to Gaza and the evacuation of some foreign passport holders through the Rafah crossing.

Sullivan told NBC, "so far, we have not been able to get American citizens through the border crossing and I'm not aware of anyone else being able to get out at this time."

He added that he wanted to make sure the civilian population that remained in Gaza had access to food, water and safe shelter, and in an interview with CNN said Israeli officials had recently "turned the water pipe back on in southern Gaza."

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Reuters that the Israel assault on Gaza would be bloody.

"I expect urban warfare on steroids," he said. "There will be cries from the international community for Israel to stand down, but I think it's imperative that we give Israel the time and space to destroy Hamas."

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U.S. President Joe Biden's White House is wrestling with thorny security and political challenges as officials consider a potential trip to Israel that may hold longer-term diplomatic advantages for Biden. (FILES) US President Joe Biden abruptly called off a trip October 16, 2023 to Colorado, as he weighs an invitation to go to Israel to show support as it wages war against Hamas. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(AFP)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Biden, who has been outspoken in his support for Israel, Washington's closest Middle East ally, still reeling after a devastating cross-border assault by Palestinian Hamas militants on Oct. 7 in which 1,300 Israelis were killed.

The White House declined to comment on any planning for the trip. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement that "we have no new travel to announce." A source said on Sunday that U.S. and Israelis officials were discussing the possibility of a visit soon.

Such a trip would be a rare and risky choice, showing American backing for Netanyahu as the U.S. tries to avert a broader regional war involving Iran, its Lebanese ally Hezbollah and Syria, and as food and fuel run low in Gaza, where authorities say more than 2,800 people have been killed in Israeli attacks.

ALSO READ| Joe Biden may visit Israel soon as Gaza invasion looms

A visit would, however, grant Biden fresh leverage to influence events on the ground and bolster his image at home.

Biden and Netanyahu, uncomfortable allies in the best of times, have joined forces despite being at odds over the path forward in the Middle East with Biden frequently stressing support for independent Israeli and Palestinian states.

A meeting in person would allow Biden to privately discuss concerns and possible red lines in a looming Israeli ground invasion of Gaza.

"Biden needs to look Netanyahu in the eye and make sure he understands that America's global reputation is at stake and an occupation of Gaza will drag both countries into a protracted conflict," said Kirsten Fontenrose, a former U.S. national security official who is now a fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Highlighting the unique security risks facing a Biden trip, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Israel for meetings, was forced to take shelter in a bunker for five minutes with Netanyahu when sirens went off in Tel Aviv during their meeting.

Israel is planning a ground offensive in Gaza expected to intensify the humanitarian crisis there, missiles have been exchanged between Lebanon and Israel and Israelis throughout the country continue to take shelter from Hamas-fired missiles.

Other Western leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and lawmakers are planning similar Israel visits this week, as are members of Congress. U.S. presidents rarely visit allies shortly after the outbreak of conflict, typically leaving the job to a senior diplomat or defense official.

"Presidential visits try to be tightly choreographed and wars are never tightly choreographed," said Jon Alterman, a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

SUPPORT FOR GAZA RESIDENTS?

Biden on Monday talked by phone with foreign leaders and condemned a 36% rise in anti-Jewish hate crimes, but made no public appearances. He canceled a trip to Colorado.

Some 30 protesters including some American Jews were arrested outside the White House as they called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the Secret Service said.

Some 78% of Americans, including majorities of both Democrats and Republicans, support U.S. diplomatic efforts to allow Gaza residents fleeing the fighting to move to a safe country, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Forty-one percent of respondents said they agreed with a statement that "the U.S. should support Israel" in its conflict with Hamas, while just 2% said the U.S. should support the Palestinians.

In recent days, the Democratic president has tried to thread a needle by publicly lending unconditional support for Israel's response to Hamas attacks while showing humanitarian concern for Palestinians in Israeli-bombarded Gaza.

ALSO READ| Probable ISIS extremist shot dead 2 Swedes in Brussels in retaliation for murdering 6-year-old Illinois boy

Biden thinks that for him to effectively influence Israel, officials there need "to feel you are in it with them and understand their anger and pain," Alterman said.

Biden could pair the visit with a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, as he did on the sidelines of his one prior visit to Israel as president last year, said Alon Pinkas, a longtime foreign policy adviser in Israel who served former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak.

Biden has visited Israel 10 times, first as a senator in 1973, before the Yom Kippur War involving Israel, Egypt and Syria. Several presidents have visited dating back to Richard Nixon in 1974.

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The father of a six-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in a suspected hate crime said his son may have tried to hug his attacker before he was killed. I keep thinking that my son was probably running towards him before getting stabbed, trying to give him a hug," the victim's dad said.(AP)

Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times along with his mother, who survived the attack, in their home in Illinois.

The boys murder has been linked to the Israel-Hamas war amid concerns over a surge in violent attacks against innocent Jews and Palestinians around the world.

I keep thinking that my son was probably running towards him before getting stabbed, trying to give him a hug," his dad told the Daily Beast.

Today, the young boy was laid to rest at the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois, located to the southwest of Chicago, as confirmed by a statement from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

ALSO READ| Illinois Muslim boy murder fallout: Probable ISIS terrorists kill 2 in Brussels

The suspect, Joseph M. Czuba, 71, of Plainfield, Illinois, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of hate crimes and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to the sheriffs office.

The sheriffs office said the suspect was found Saturday outside the house with a cut on his forehead and that he targeted the victims because they were Muslim and because of the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and Israel.

Detectives were able to determine that both victims in this brutal attack were targeted by the suspect due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis, the sheriffs statement read.

According to the sheriff's office, the woman dialed 911 to report that her landlord had assaulted her with a knife. She sought refuge in a bathroom, where she valiantly defended herself against the attacker.

Recently, law enforcement agencies in American cities and federal authorities have maintained heightened vigilance due to concerns over the potential for violence driven by anti-Semitic or Islamophobic sentiments.

Officials from the FBI, along with Jewish and Muslim organizations, have documented a surge in hateful and menacing rhetoric.

During a press conference held on Sunday by the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the boy's father, as well as the boy's paternal uncle, Yousef Hannon, addressed the audience.

We are not animals, we are humans. We want people to see us as humans, to feel us as humans, to deal with us as humans, because this is what we are, said Hannon, a Palestinian American who emigrated to the US in 1999 to work, including as a public school teacher

The Muslim civil liberties organization called the crime our worst nightmare and part of a disturbing spike in hate calls and emails since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The group cited text messages exchanged among family members that showed the attacker had made disparaging remarks about Muslims.

ALSO READ| Joe Biden may visit Israel soon as Gaza invasion looms

Palestinians basically, again, with their hearts broken over whats happening to their people, said Ahmed Rehab, the groups executive director, have to also worry about the immediate safety of life and limb living here in this most free of democracies in the world.

The boy's father, Oday El-Fayoume, conveyed to The Daily Beast that there had been a "positive relationship" with Czuba, who had even constructed a treehouse for the young child outside their rented home.

He is an angel. Basically a small angel in the form of a person, El-Fayoume said of his son.

It is hard to picture this man holding a knife about to stab my son.

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A Utah man accused of embezzling more than $700,000 from a Montana company admitted to charges Monday.

Thomas Lynn Syddall, 50, of American Fork, Utah, who worked for a company owned by Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to money laundering-concealment as charged in an indictment. Syddall faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction and three years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for March 20. Syddall was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that Syddall worked as a salesman for Information Technology Corporation, which was owned by Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. From about March 2020 to about August 2021 in Helena, Syddall embezzled money through multiple means, including creating bogus purchase orders and invoices, stealing inventory and directing payments to fictitious companies and unauthorized vendors.

Syddall then sold the inventory, none of which was authorized, on eBay and KSL Classifieds. When questioned by other employees about the discrepancies in orders and payments, Syddall sent lulling emails attempting to cover up and prolong the fraud. In addition, Syddall concealed financial transactions by laundering proceeds from the wire fraud into third-party accounts. Syddall then directed the transfer of the money into accounts over which he had control. The investigation has identified approximately $759,100 in restitution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.
It's a crisis US politics could have avoided. Nearly two week after majority Republicans ousted Speaker Kevin Mccarthy and unanimously refused to rally around Louisiana Rep Steve Scalise. Donald Trump has endorsed Jim Jordan for US House Speaker(Reuters/Mike Segar and AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

An unprecedented vote of no-confidence was triggered by a contingent of hard-right conservatives, presumably Trump allies, that threw the House and its Republican leadership into chaos. Later McCarthy's successor, Scalise, was nominated by most Republicans, but withdrew after it was clear he would lose the speakership vote on the floor.

On Friday, Republicans nominated Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio, a staunch ally of Donald Trump, but the vote was split. Jordan had lost to Scalise just days earlier, and the Freedom Caucus founder has a long way to go to win enough support from his colleagues ahead of a House floor vote.

With Republicans unable to find McCarthy's replacement the way forward looks uncertain. The US House of Representatives will vote on Tuesday in its latest attempt to elect a speaker, members were told Sunday.

The path forward is uncertain as lawmakers prepared to return Monday evening. Many Republicans in the majority were feeling frustration and an increased urgency to find a successor to McCarthy as a new war in Israel rages abroad and government funding expires in five weeks.

Can McCarthy return as US House Speaker?

There are speculations that McCarthy could stage a longshot bid to return to the post. Others have suggested an unexpected candidate for speaker will ultimately prevail. Surprisingly Trump has also shown interest in the position but Republicans are aware that he will never be allowed to win the vote on th floor of the House.

Will Trump ally Jim Jordan win GOP support?

Meanwhile Hardline conservative and a staunch Trump ally, Jim Jordan has gained momentum in his campaign to be US House speaker. He was endorsed by three GOP leaders after his comments on promise to fund the military and promise to destroy Hamas and support Israel. However he needs the majority support considering his closeness to Trump and support to isolationist America First agenda.

During the speaker vote each party puts a name into nomination for speaker. Democrats will nominate their current leader, New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, and vote for him. The main complication for Republicans is their narrow majority in the house. Any nominee would need full support from the party as a party member can vote for anyone they want to.

The newly elected Speaker's first move would be to pass a bipartisan resolution making clear that House stands with Hamas and make Republicans' stand strong ahead of US government shutdown deadline looming in mid-November deadline.

(With Agency Inputs)

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The founder of Victorias Secret and billionaire retailer, Leslie Wexner, has cut off funding to Harvard, one of the elite schools that have faced criticism for their response to the Hamas attacks on Israel last week. Les Wexner cut ties with Havard(AP)

The Wexner Foundation, the Jewish leadership philanthropy established by the retailer, posted on X, that it has ended its relationship with Harvard, saying the universitys leaders failed to take a clear moral stand against terrorism and anti-Semitism. The decision follows the calls from investors, CEOs, and donors for Ivy League schools to show more support for Israel and denounce anti-Jewish hatred.

The statement, bearing the signatures of Leslie and Abigail Wexner, alongside Wexner Foundation President Rabbi B. Elka Abrahamson and Director General for Israel, Raanan Avital, expressed, Harvards leaders were indeed tiptoeing, equivocating.

ALSO READ| Joe Biden's Israel trip weighs probable security and political risks

We have determined that the Harvard Kennedy School and The Wexner Foundation are no longer compatible partners. Our core values and those of Harvard no longer align, the statement said.

The statement also indicated that the Kennedy School of Governments openness to diverse perspectives had declined slowly but perceptibly in recent years, and that Wexner fellows experienced being shouted down for their voices and views.

Many of our Israel Fellows no longer feel marginalized at HKS. They feel abandoned.

The foundation supports a fellowship for government and public service professionals from Israel who pursue a one-year degree from the Harvard Kennedy School.

A spokesperson for the Harvard Kennedy School referred Insider to statements issued by both Harvard President Claudine Gay and Dean Doug Elmendorf last week in which the university made clear our rejection of the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.

Out university rejects terrorism  that includes the barbaric atrocities perpetrated by Hamas, Gay wrote.

Elmendorf also denounced the attacks in his Friday statement, expressing his concern, "I am very concerned about the threats, vitriol, doxxing, and other menacing actions directed at members of our community," while noting that these actions were primarily originating from individuals outside of Harvard.

We are grateful to the Wexner Foundation for its very longstanding support of student scholarships, a Kennedy School spokesperson said.

Wexner amassed his wealth by establishing companies such as Victorias Secret and Bath & Body Works. The Wexner Foundation, founded in 1983 with the mission of "strengthening leadership for the Jewish people," as stated on the foundation's website.

ALSO READ| A tragic story of an Israeli family of five found dead in each other's arms after Hamas assault

The mogul stepped down from the leadership at the retail brands following revelations that he was close personal friends with Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sexual assault.

The announcement made on Monday marks the conclusion of a partnership that spanned over three decades, offering management and leadership training to Israeli government personnel at the prestigious Ivy League public affairs school.

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Jim Jordan, the 59-year-old Republican representative from Ohio, is on the brink of becoming the next Speaker of the House. But who exactly is this figure causing such a stir, and what can Americans expect if he ascends to this influential position? WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) speaks briefly to reporters as he departs a House Republican Caucus at the U.S. Capitol October 16, 2023 in Washington, DC. House Republicans are holding a caucus meeting Monday night to continue their search for a new Speaker of the House, which they hope to elect on Tuesday.(Getty Images via AFP)

A defiant conservative:

Jordan is not your typical politician. With a reputation as a rabble-rouser, he has earned his stripes as a fierce conservative unafraid to challenge Democrats and his own party's establishment. His political journey began in 1994 when he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, paving the way for his current role representing Ohio's 4th Congressional District.

A Trump favorite:

Perhaps what sets Jordan apart is his close alliance with former President Donald Trump. Their bond was cemented through shared ideologies and mutual support. Jordans unwavering loyalty was evident during the tumultuous aftermath of the 2020 presidential election when he echoed Trump's baseless claims of election fraud, garnering him favour among Trump supporters.

A controversial path to the speakership:

Jordan's journey to the speakership has not been without controversy. His association with Ohio State University's wrestling program during a period of alleged sexual abuse by a team doctor has sparked debates. While Jordan vehemently denies knowledge of the incidents, his critics remain sceptical.

An impeachment veteran:

Jordan rose to prominence during Trump's impeachments, staunchly defending the former president. Now, as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, he leads the Biden impeachment inquiry into alleged overseas business dealings of the Presidents family, demonstrating his continued influence in shaping the nation's political landscape.

The Speaker in waiting:

With the House GOP's nomination in hand, Jordan is tantalizingly close to wielding the Speaker's gavel. However, his path to victory is not without hurdles. Despite his endorsement by Trump and some Republican heavyweights, 55 House Republicans have expressed reservations about his candidacy, complicating his bid.

Also Read | US House Speaker position vacant for weeks, can McCarthy stage a comeback or will Jim Jordan win GOP support

What to expect from Jordan's speakership:

If Jordan assumes the role of Speaker of the House, his hardline stances on issues like abortion, federal spending, and immigration will likely shape legislative debates. His fervent support for Trump's policies, particularly regarding Israel and anti-Iran measures, could also come to the forefront.

As the potential leader of the House, Jordan faces immediate challenges, including funding legislation to prevent a government shutdown and addressing the aftermath of recent attacks in Israel. His ability to navigate these challenges will be closely watched, as will his efforts to unite a party divided on key issues.

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The United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan to get humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza without benefiting Hamas, US secretary of state Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday. He also announced that US President Joe Biden will be visiting Israel and later meeting Arab leaders in Jordan on Wednesday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks in Tel Aviv on October 18.(Reuters)

Today, at our request, the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza, including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way, Blinken wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Blinken, however, did not provide details about the aid plan. Israel has put Gaza under a total blockade and has pounded it with unprecedented air strikes in response to the October 7 attack on its town by Palestine-based militant group Hamas.

As Israel stopped the flow of resources to Gaza, over 2.3 million civilians there have been facing a deepening struggle for food, water, and fuel. Media reports showed hospitals in Gaza were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients.

The United Nations said truckloads of aid remain stuck at Egypts border with Gaza. Cairo had said the Rafah crossing, a potentially vital opening for desperately needed supplies into the Palestinian enclave, is not officially closed but is inoperable due to Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza side.

Concerns have also been mounting globally about the humanitarian crisis and fears that the war could metastasize into a broader regional conflict.

On Tuesday, Blinken said the United States shared Israel's concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or prevent it from reaching people in need.

If Hamas in any way blocks humanitarian assistance from reaching civilians, including by seizing the aid itself, we'll be the first to condemn it, he said. And we will work to prevent it from happening again.

Blinken made the announcement after holding talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for over nine hours. At one point, their meeting was disrupted by air raid sirens warning of incoming Palestinian rocket fire, forcing them to briefly take shelter in a bunker.

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Lebanon's Hezbollah group has been supporting the Hamas militants in the war with Israel in which over 4,000 people have died so far on both sides. Ever since the conflict began on October 7, the Iran-backed group has been exchanging fire with Israel across the border for the past nine days - threatening to expand a conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Iran backed Hezbollah is a sworn enemy of Israel(REUTERS)

On Saturday, Hezbollah said it is fully prepared to join its Palestinian ally Hamas in the war when the time is right. We, as Hezbollah, are contributing to the confrontation and will (continue) to contribute to it within our vision and planWe are fully prepared, and when the time comes for action, we will take it, Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem said.

However, Israel has said it has no interest in waging war with Hezbollah, and that if the group restrained itself then Israel would also keep the situation along the border as it is.

What is Hezbollah and what is its connection with Iran?

In 1982, Iran's Revolutionary Guards founded Hezbollah - amid the Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war. The group was a part of Iran's effort to export its 1979 Islamic Revolution around the region and fight Israeli forces after their 1982 invasion of Lebanon. While earlier it was a shadow faction, the group has risen to a heavily armed force with major sway over the Lebanese state. Hezbollah has been supporting other Iranian-backed groups across the Middle East and has trained armed groups in Iraq. According to Saudi Arabia, Hezbollah also fought in support of the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen, however, the group has denied it. Several Western countries including the United States designate the group as a terrorist organisation. The US holds Hezbollah responsible for a suicide bombing that destroyed US Marine headquarters in Beirut in 1983 - killing 241 servicemen. Meanwhile, the European Union classifies Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist group, but not its political wing. Reportedly, Iran has been providing Hezbollah with weapons and money. According to the US, Iran has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars annually in recent years to the group. In 2021, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the group had 100,000 fighters, reported Reuters. Hezbollah also has deep ties with Hamas which controls Gaza and Islamic Jihad - another Palestinian faction backed by Iran.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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U.S. President Joe Biden still plans to continue his Israel visit, although it is very physically and politically risky. He announced this effort after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited him over the weekend.

After that, the American leader showed a strong interest in flying to Israel despite the worsening war against Hamas terrorists. Now, here's why this risky trip is critical during the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict.

Joe Biden's Israel Visit Both Physically, Politically Risky

According to the New York Times, the Israel trip of Biden comes with serious physical and political risks. This was evident on Monday, Oct. 16, when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Middle Eastern nation.

While he was there, sirens, which are used as warnings for incoming missiles or rockets, went off. This happened when Blinken was having a meeting with Netanyahu and his war cabinet at a military base.

Because of this, the U.S. official, as well as his hosts, were rushed to a bunker. They remained there for five minutes before continuing their discussions.

Despite what happened to Blinken, National Security Council's spokesman, John F. Kirby, claimed that Tel Aviv already has low physical risks.

Meanwhile, Joe Biden usually shares how he feels comfortable when visiting Israel. This was seen in one of his trips back in 2022. During that trip, Netanyahu was out of power, but it didn't bother POTUS.

With the current plans of Joe Biden, it looks like he is still comfortable visiting the Middle Eastern country despite the civilian casualties and mass destructions caused by the counterattacks of both the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas terrorists.

As of writing, Biden is still scheduled to take his flight to Israel on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Read Also: Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani of Iraq

Importance of Joe Biden's Israel Visit

CNN reported that although the risks of Joe Biden's Israel trip are not something to be taken lightly, his decision to visit the country is important.

This is because it could become a drastic show of support for one of the top allies of the United States. Aside from this, Biden's upcoming visit is also expected to send a strong warning to other countries not to take advantage of the ongoing war.

However, there are some downsides. For example, experts warned that if Biden continues supporting Israel, the United States will be linked to the violent actions of IDF in Gaza, which killed civilians.

As of writing, people are divided when it comes to supporting Israel and Gaza. Some individuals argue that Palestinians deserve what they are experiencing because of the deadly Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

On the other hand, others argued that Israel should think about the innocent civilians in Gaza since they are just among the victims of the ongoing war.

Related Article: Biden Considers Israel Visit After Invitation From Netanyahu as Gaza Full-Scale Invasion Looms

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GARDAR -- Funeral services were held Monday for former North Dakota Lt. Gov. Rosemarie Myrdal at Pioneer Lutheran Church in the small Pembina County community of Gardar.

Myrdal died Wednesday at age 94. She was lieutenant governor to former Gov. Ed Schafer. The two Republicans served from 1992-2000.

Myrdal also served in the state House of Representatives from 1985-92. She was a teacher and a mother of five.

Schafer and former first lady Nancy Schafer attended Monday's service in the rural church that dates to the late 1800s. Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak also were on hand. Myrdal was eulogized by her oldest grandchild, Megan Myrdal Sveen.

We called her Granmarie, and today is exactly what Granmarie would want. She loved the fall and these colors -- she would absolutely be delighting in this day, Myrdal Sveen said following the service that closed with a singing of "Silent Night," with the first verse in Icelandic.

Myrdal was the second woman to serve as North Dakota's lieutenant governor. State Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, her daughter-in-law, previously told The Associated Press that her mother-in-law was respected by Republicans and Democrats alike.

Gov. Doug Burgum in a statement last week called Rosemarie Myrdal a tireless advocate for the citizens of our state and a champion for children, education and agriculture.
Federal investigations into possibly sensitive military defense and commercial aerospace materials discovered at a Dunseith manufacturing facility are curtailing development of a new company that could hire dozens of employees once fully operable.

Greater concerns beyond local development are also being raised, with the potential that some of these components made their way into military or commercial aircraft supply chains, threatening both flight safety and military readiness.

Citing ongoing investigations, the U.S. Armys Criminal Investigation Division declined to provide further information about materials found at the site once operated by defense and aerospace contractor Benchmark Electronics, then owned by the city since 2015.

The town of just upwards of 600 residents at the western edge of Rolette County had attempted to find a prominent job-creating tenant for the nearly 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility since late 2015.

The city had over $200,000 in expenses over seven years to keep it from deteriorating in hopes it could eventually house a job-creating company.

When Benchmark moved its operations from the facility to Rochester, Minnesota, starting in February 2015 and ending later that year, 140 locals lost their jobs.

For the town of Dunseith, the arrival of Hoefer RV and its interest in purchasing the site appeared to be a godsend for the local economy in the poorest county in the state.

Hoefer RV, owned by Charles Hoefer, son of recreational vehicle industry pioneer David Hoefer Sr., best known for Four Winds and Dutchman RV brands, purchased and finally took over the site and 10 acres in 2022 for $525,000.

It was as Hoefer RV attempted to get its operation up and running in late summer 2022 that the discovery of potentially sensitive materials left behind began causing problems.

Documents, photographs and other information provided by Hoefer show the U.S. Army and other Department of Defense personnel collected around 20 boxes of material from the facility in June 2023.

A spokesman for the U.S. Armys CID at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, said no further information could be released because the CID is still in the process of its investigation.

The North Dakota News Cooperative has viewed documentation revealing criminal investigators from the IRS, and the Federal Aviation Administration also collected materials from the site earlier this year.

NDNC verified the identity of agents by first calling and then emailing them, which elicited responses from the criminal investigation division of the St. Louis field office of the IRS and the head Washington, D.C., office of the FAA.

Both offices declined to confirm or deny whether official investigations had commenced following the evidence collection.

North Dakotas Bureau of Criminal Investigation also confirmed an active investigation into what occurred at the former Benchmark site in response to an open records request from NDNC in early October, but said it could not release anything at this time.

Post-Benchmark work

Some details of evidence discovered at the site during the renovation process are documented in a lawsuit filed by Hoefer against Benchmark, William Tuttle of Dunseith and five John Doe defendants who have not been named. Lawsuit papers were initially served in mid-April, with an amended 122-page suit filed in August in Rolette County.

Under agreements with the city, Tuttle operated the company Chiptronics Inc. at the facility after his former employer, Benchmark, left in late 2015.

Tuttle was also temporarily employed by Hoefer from April 2022 until being fired in July 2022 and is now employed by Dunseith High School as a business teacher.

Some of the evidence at the site was potentially leftover material from Benchmark and some potentially from activities by Chiptronics after Benchmark vacated. It will be up to federal investigators to determine whether crimes may have been committed.

Attempts to interview Tuttle were unsuccessful. His attorney, Erin Conroy of Bottineau, stated that Tuttle had no knowledge of any of the criminal investigations.

Erin Bradham, a partner at Dentons, the international law firm representing Benchmark in the civil suit filed by Hoefer, stated that the company has not been contacted by any law enforcement agency regarding any criminal investigation.

Former processes

When Benchmark was producing and reworking electronic assemblies, strict production procedures were followed from station to station among the production line, said Chris Wilmot, a former process engineer at Benchmark who left shortly after the announced closure in February 2015.

Other requirements included controls for temperature, humidity, dust and static electricity, said Wilmot, who now works as a senior engineer for Hoefer RV.

From what they found hidden throughout the building starting in August 2022 -- physical components, check copies, record logs of rework, shipping logs of materials going to and from Rochester by UPS -- it appeared that work occurred long after Benchmarks site departure.

At that point, I couldnt conceive of any activity still occurring, Wilmot said, referring to records dating all the way up through May 2022 -- after Hoefer RV had occupied the site. As we kept on renovating, we kept finding materials that were present when I was working here, still here.

Besides information discovered in the lawsuit, Hoefer provided other documentation including evidence of defense and aerospace components such as digital ring laser gyroscopes, also known as GG1320s, that were found.

According to documentation from aerospace giant Honeywell, these components are essential to flight safety, reduced human error, accuracy and more, in both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Also discovered were guided missile launch system electronics, parts and related documents, discs and hard drives, with materials detailed in collection forms filled out by Department of Defense agents.

Some of the components were materials potentially covered under International Traffic in Arms Regulations, according to the lawsuit.

Hoefer also alleges he found, and has shown documentation to investigators, records of shipments to China during the period after Benchmark vacated the facility.

Production of GG1320s, when conducted by Benchmark at the facility before it left, was calculated by the number of cans finished, reworked or cleaned.

If production or rework of these components was done by Chiptronics at the Dunseith site, it is unclear if the necessary certifications to handle sensitive defense and commercial aerospace work orders were held or obtained.

"On the whole, the situation was shocking, Hoefer said. For nine months, we were struggling to get missile parts lawfully removed, and kept uncovering more things that shouldn't have been there. It really impacted facility use and access."

Senator concerns

After learning about the investigations and the trouble that Hoefer RV has had getting off the ground, state Sens. Kent Weston, R-Sarles, Bob Paulson, R-Minot, and Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, attempted to obtain information from state officials about the situation as well as how to resolve it.

This included requesting a meeting with Attorney General Drew Wrigley for Oct. 3, which his office initially accepted and then declined due to a scheduling conflict.

NDNC requests to interview Wrigley about his understanding of the federal investigations were declined, with his executive assistant stating that it would not be appropriate to comment on this as it is a sensitive ongoing investigation.

Requests to Gov. Doug Burgums office about knowledge of the investigations were referred to the Commerce Department. Burgum spokesperson Mike Nowatzki stated that, to his knowledge, the Governors Office has received no briefings from federal authorities related to this project.

Weston and Boehm met with State Auditor Josh Gallion on Oct. 3, and also had a video meeting with members of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, which is under contract with Hoefer RV on a $2.25 million line of inventory financing credit.

At this point, with state laws, I cant really disclose, Gallion told NDNC following that meeting when asked about the investigations. Were evaluating.

Paulson, an ex-Navy and commercial pilot, said his main concern is that there seems to be a hesitancy to engage on the part of state officials who may have had knowledge of this situation for some time now.

I think its just important to get to the bottom of it, Paulson said. I think theres too many people who seem hesitant to visit about it and that makes me concerned. Lets go ahead and get everything on the table so we know what the deal is and then deal with whatever it is that we have.

Asked about potential safety concerns related to possible work on components being done at the facility after Benchmark left, Paulson said, If they were trying to keep the repairs under the radar, thats concerning to me. There are some unexplained things going on with airplanes that are heavily reliant on electronics, so I think thats something that should be looked into.

(Jason Nordmark, publisher and editor of the Turtle Mountain Star in Rolla, contributed to this story.)
Orient Express has appointed Giampaolo Ottazzi as General Manager of the first two Orient Express Hotels in Italy: Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and Orient Express Palazzo Dona Giovannelli in Venice.

Ottazzi will be responsible for the strategic positioning, development, and operations management of both hotels, which are set to open in 2025.

With over forty years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Ottazzi began his career in sales and marketing management roles in Venice at the CIGA Hotel, in Portofino at Hotel Splendido, in Florence at Villa San Michele, in Como at Villa d'Este, and in 2000, moved onto General Manager of Villa La Massa Hotel in Florence. In 2008, he served as General Manager of Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice for more than twelve years before his most recent position as General Manager of Hotel De Russie in Rome where he began in 2021.

The prestigious arrival of Orient Express Hotels in Rome and Venice mark the establishment of the brand in Italy, a significant milestone for Orient Express as well as for, Arsenale, expert in luxury hotels and hospitality, who strive to promote Italian assets in the hospitality sector.
Ecole Ducasse is thrilled to announce that its iconic campus, Paris Campus, has been awarded World's Best Culinary Training Institution 2023 and Europe's Best Culinary Training Institution 2023 by World Culinary Awards. Voted for by culinary professionals, media, and consumers worldwide, this honour recognises Ecole Ducasses commitment to excellence and the unique training standards provided at Paris Campus.

As a sister competition to the World Travel Awards (established to recognise excellence in travel and tourism and currently commemorating their 30th anniversary), the World Culinary Awards, now on its 4th edition, is a globally recognized platform that celebrates excellence in the culinary industry. These awards honour exceptional achievements in various categories, including culinary education, restaurants, chefs, and more. This year, Ecole Ducasse has earned the two prestigious titles of World's Best Culinary Training Institution 2023 and Europe's Best Culinary Training Institution 2023.

These awards demonstrate Ecole Ducasse Paris Campus' dedication to culinary education and its unwavering pursuit of culinary perfection. Ecole Ducasse was founded in 1999 by Alain Ducasse who with 34 restaurants, 20 Michelin stars is the most influential and decorated chef in the World. Today, Ecole Ducasse comprises three schools in France: Paris Studio in the heart of Paris, Paris Campus very close to the French capital, and the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie (ENSP) in Yssingeaux, Haute-Loire. Ecole Ducasse has also developed a network of schools throughout the world: in Thailand, India and in the Philippines.

Each year, this worldwide network of schools welcome more than 3000 students with a wide range of profiles, from young students to professionals and gastronomy enthusiasts, all of whom share a single passion: taste and gastronomy. Today, the institution is the leading the path in culinary arts and pastry education, offering courses taught by renowned professionals: from Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (Best Craftsmen in France) toWorld Champions, experts and artisans.

The renowned culinary institution has also just announced expanding its presence in the United Arab Emirates with the establishment of the Ecole Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio  a pioneering venture in the area. The Ecole Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio will offer by year-end a unique opportunity for aspiring chefs and culinary enthusiasts to access avant-garde and unique culinary education in the region.

Elise Masurel, Managing Director of Ecole Ducasse, expressed her enthusiasm for the awards, saying, Today's chef plays multiple roles, embracing the responsibility of feeding our contemporaries and engaging with the cultural and social currents of the times. This recognition underscores our contemporary vision of chefs as experts, managers, entrepreneurs, global citizens, and, above all, major players in the eco-responsibility landscape. It acknowledges our dedication to shaping the future of gastronomy.

About Ecole Ducasse:

Ecole Ducasse is a network of schools founded in 1999 by multi-starred chef Alain Ducasse, dedicated to the transmission of outstanding French expertise and excellence in culinary and pastry arts.

Ecole Ducasse runs three schools in France  Paris Studio, Paris Campus and Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie as well as international schools with  Manila Campus in the Philippines, Gurugram Campus in India and Nai Lert Bangkok Studio in Thailand. All are united by a desire to share a passion for gastronomy with seasoned professionals as well as food enthusiasts, career changers and students. This broad portfolio of programs aims to meet all training needs: from short programs for experts or food enthusiasts to intensive two, four-or six-month programs, to three-year undergraduate programs and bachelors degree in culinary and pastry arts. Ecole Ducasse is part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education.

For more information: https://www.ecoleducasse.com/en

Anouck Weiss

Chief Communication Officer Sommet Education

Sommet Education

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Dubai, UAE - World Culinary Awards  the global initiative to recognize and reward excellence in the culinary industry  has announced the winners of its 2023 programme at a glittering dinner reception in Atlantis The Royal, Dubai, UAE.

This years edition of World Culinary Awards proved a global gathering of the culinary industry, with pioneers and leading figureheads travelling from across the world to attend the prize-giving evening at Dubais most exciting new resort.

Dubai  with its tantalising range of gastronomy from across the globe  was named Worlds Best Culinary Destination and Middle Easts Best Culinary Destination. France collected Europes Best Culinary Destination with Paris named Worlds Best Culinary City Destination. Peru was voted Latin Americas Best Culinary Destination and Cape Town collected Africas Best Culinary City Destination. Jamaica won Caribbeans Best Culinary Destination, whilst Thailand was crowned Asias Best Culinary Destination.

The results follow a year-long search for the worlds leading culinary brands. Votes were cast by culinary industry professionals and the general public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.

Our World Culinary Awards 2023 winners represent stellar examples of excellence in the culinary industry, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark to even greater heights. My congratulations to each of them. Rina van Staden, Director, World Culinary Awards

Other World winners include Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers (Worlds Best Culinary Hotel); Forte Village Resort (Worlds Best Culinary Resort); Zuma Dubai (Worlds Best Brunch Venue); Mezzaluna @ Lebua State Tower (Worlds Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant); Saigontourist Group Culinary Culture, Delicacies Festival (Worlds Best Culinary Festival); Gourmet on Tour (Worlds Best Culinary Operator); and Ecole Ducasse (Worlds Best Culinary Training Institution).

Other regional winners include Siba the Restaurant @ The Table Bay (Africas Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant); Pier Restaurant, Cape Town (Africas Best Restaurant); Anan Restaurant & Rooftop Bar (Asias Best Restaurant); Hibana by Koki @ Capella Hanoi (Asias Best Hotel Restaurant); Vila Joya Restaurant (Europes Best Hotel Restaurant); THE VIEW Fine Dining (Europes Best Culinary Experience); Barbados Food and Rum Festival (Caribbeans Best Culinary Festival); Stone Barn @ Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour (Caribbeans Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant); The Ledge by Dave Pynt @ Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi (Indian Oceans Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant); At.Mosphere Burj Khalifa (Middle Easts Best Landmark Restaurant); Nobu Dubai (Middle Easts Best Restaurant); Mayta (Latin Americas Best Restaurant); La Mariposario Restaurant and Butterflies Sanctuary (Latin Americas Best New Restaurant); Aria Sydney (Oceanias Best Restaurant); Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute (Oceanias Best Culinary Training Institution); The French Laundry (North Americas Best Restaurant); and Eden @ The Rimrock Resort Hotel (North Americas Best Hotel Restaurant').

For a full list of winners visit here.

World Culinary Awards is the sister event to World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 30th anniversary.

For more information about World Culinary Awards, visit worldculinaryawards.com.

About World Travel Awards

WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

WTA gala ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

For more information about WTA visit worldtravelawards.com.

World Travel Awards

+44 (0) 20 7925 0000

World Travel Awards
Travelodge has granted employees up to 250 worth of vouchers to redeem at supermarkets and retailers, including Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Aldi, Iceland, John Lewis and Waitrose

The Top Up Your Trolley scheme is available to over 12,200 hourly paid and salaried employees in the UK

Travelodge has invested a total of 4 million in the voucher scheme, with the company covering the tax and national insurance bill on behalf of employees

Travelodge, the UKs largest independent hotel chain which operates nearly 600 hotels, has provided over 12,200 employees with 250 supermarket vouchers amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The Top Up Your Trolley scheme will see Travelodge give employees a voucher worth between 150 and 250 to pay for goods from a set of nominated supermarkets and retailers - including Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Aldi, Iceland, John Lewis and Waitrose.

Travelodge has invested a total of 4 million to carry out the voucher scheme, with the company covering the tax bill on behalf of employees.

Travelodge recognises the hard work and dedication of employees as pressures on the cost of living continue to be a concern for many across the UK.

The company also offers a range of employee benefits, including 50% off Travelodge's UK hotels, room discounts for family and friends, work anniversary booking vouchers, and the Travelodge Wellbeing Programme 'Better Me'.

The rising cost of living continues to be a concern for many across the UK as we see the impact of higher food prices and the rising cost of essentials. The Top Up Your Trolley vouchers are designed to give our hard-working colleagues a bit of extra help. The vouchers can be spent over the next six months  so they can either help today or in the next few months with the Christmas shop or brightening up January. Hannah Thomson, Chief People Officer, Travelodge

Travelodge Employee Benefits

Travelodge offers a great range of benefits, available to new joiners from their first day of employment. These benefits include:

50% off Travelodges UK hotels

Room discounts for family and friends

Work anniversary complimentary booking voucher

Pension scheme

Discounts at a range of retailers

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Travelodge Wellbeing Programme - Better Me

The Travelodge wellbeing programme Better Me recognises that true wellbeing is dependent on a number of elements and, through listening to its colleagues the company has responded with a wide range of successful initiatives to support financial, emotional, physical and work health. For further information on Travelodge employee benefits please visit: https://www.travelodge.co.uk/applicantPortal/benefits.

About Travelodge

In 1985, Travelodge became the UK's first budget hotel brand when it opened its first hotel at Barton-under-Needwood. Today, we operate nearly 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain and annually welcome over 21 million guests.

With rooms from 38 or less, Travelodge is the ideal base for all business and leisure trips and we aim to offer customers the location, value and quality to suit all their travel needs.

We are currently looking to expand our UK hotel network and we have identified a further 300 locations where we would like to open a Travelodge hotel.

Travelodge employs over 12,000 employees and is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can learn more, earn more and belong.

www.travelodge.co.uk

The Travelodge Press Office

+44 1844 35 8703

Travelodge
Clarence Hotel in Dublin

Specialist lender Leumi UK has agreed a 43 million loan to The Dean Hotel Group for the purchase of the Clarence Hotel, a historic four-star hotel in Dublin's city centre previously owned by members of the rock band U2.

The funds will allow the borrower, which has owned the leasehold on the property since 2019, to acquire the freehold and add an additional 43 rooms.

The Clarence Hotel, known internationally as Dublin's 'rock and roll hotel', is located in the Temple Bar neighbourhood next to the city's top music venues and tourist attractions. Purchased by U2's Bono and The Edge in 1992, the building's iconic rooftop is known for the band's live performance of hit song 'Beautiful Day' on BBC's Top of the Pops in 2000.

It has historically been one of the best performing hotels in the city with a typical occupancy rate of more than 90 percent.

Dean Hotel Group's refurbishment will combine the hotel with the adjacent building, which the company is also purchasing. The addition of 43 rooms will bring the total rooms to 102, and further renovations will create a modernised boutique hotel containing eight specialist food and beverage spaces.

Press Up Hospitality Group, and The Dean Hotel Group are Ireland's largest leisure and hospitality companies with more than 1,600 employees and 150 million in annual revenue.

Liam Mullans, Relationship Director at Leumi UK, said: "This was a complex transaction that required the specialist expertise of Leumi UK's hotel finance team, but I am glad to say that through regular communication with the client we have agreed a package that will see this iconic property reach new heights. It has been a pleasure working with Press Up Hospitality Group, whose experienced team will grow the hotel's already illustrious reputation among locals and tourists alike."

Paddy McKillen Jun at The Dean Hotel Group, said: "Our exciting refurbishment and growth plans required a reliable and expert financial partner, qualities we quickly discovered in Leumi UK. Working closely with the team showed us their dedication to understanding the asset and structuring the most effective solution to support our plans."
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 58F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Gov. Doug Burgum has ordered a special session of the Legislature next week to address a major budget bill recently voided by the North Dakota Supreme Court as being unconstitutional.

Legislative leaders will be deciding in coming days about what unrelated bills they will allow to be introduced during the session.

Burgum issued an executive order on Tuesday, as members of the Legislature's interim Legislative Management committee were meeting to discuss a path forward for Senate Bill 2015, the Office of Management and Budget funding bill. The special session is to convene this coming Monday, Oct. 23, and "should" end Friday, Oct. 27, a five-day span, according to Burgum's order.

The session will look to replace the voided bill by dividing its contents into 14 proposed pieces of legislation, which became available Monday night. The portion of the bill that sparked the lawsuit and eventual special session -- an increase in the number of legislators appointed to the states retirement board from two to four -- is broken out into a piece of legislation that includes two other small items related to the Public Employees Retirement System.

The Legislature could use the five days remaining from its constitutional limit of 80 days every two years to meet in session. But Burgum said legislative leaders last Friday asked him to convene a special session. A special session is not subject to the 80-day limit.

"They noted that all legislation enacted during a special session called by the governor becomes effective on the date specified in the act. By contrast, if the Legislature were to call itself back into session using the remaining five days of their 80-day biennial session limit, any bill that passed would not take effect for 90 days unless an emergency clause was approved by two-thirds of the Legislature," Burgum said in a statement.

The governor also said that "convening in special session next week will avoid a Nov. 1 interruption to state government services to citizens."

The state Supreme Court on Sept. 28 invalidated the OMB bill -- which is usually the last one passed in each regular legislative session and often used as a catchall or cleanup bill -- saying it violates a state Constitution provision limiting bills to one subject.

The Legislature requested a delay in the judgment, but the Supreme Court last Thursday denied the request, meaning the bill was immediately voided. Funding in the bill totaled about $322 million for the state's 2023-25 budget cycle.

Burgum has directed state agencies not to retrieve already spent or transferred money from the voided bill and to refrain from actions requiring expenditures from the bill.

Burgum in his statement said that By calling the Legislature back into session, we can enact the OMB budget and other provisions of the bill before Nov. 1, continue delivering services to citizens without interruption and make strategic investments in areas such as tax relief and infrastructure that strengthen North Dakotas economic future."

House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, chair of Legislative Management, on Tuesday said that legislators negotiated with Burgum and the states executive branch in good faith to get the governors backing for the special session so that the Legislature didnt have to burn through its remaining five days. As a result, Lefor said, the Legislature will consider an energy topic, there's maybe a tax relief topic and maybe an infrastructure topic -- though that doesnt necessarily mean any proposed legislation will receive a floor vote. Governor's spokesperson Mike Nowatzki said he had no further details to release on those priorities at this time.

The Legislative Management committee decided Tuesday that it would make decisions about legislation that can be considered in any capacity during the special session. Legislators that are interested in having a new legislation considered must have shared at least the idea for a potential bill with the states Legislative Council -- the Legislature's research arm -- by 5 p.m. Thursday.

Legislative Management will then reconvene on Friday morning to consider the merits of any completed bills and provide direction on next steps for concepts that have not been turned into bills.

Some lawmakers in Tuesday's meeting expressed concerns about new legislation, preferring to limit the session to the voided bill. Mike Lefor said new bills would have to be emergent, something that can't wait until the next session in 2025.

The 14 bill drafts to address Senate Bill 2015 cover myriad items including transfers from state government funds, K-12 education funding provisions, a special criminal penalty for supplying drugs resulting in overdose deaths and injuries, and details for transitioning the state's public employee pension plan to a 401(k)-style plan for new hires.

Numerous state agencies had items in the voided bill, such as a $100 million line of credit for water project loans and $2 million for a newly established state immigration office.
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Talk with Fine Art Conservator at Ventfort Hall

LENOX, Mass.  There will be a lecture at Ventfort Hallwith fine art conservator Troy Amuso of Amuso Fine Art Services in Sheffield/Ashley Falls and Fairfield, Conn.

Tea will be served after his presentation.

Amuso will talk about art restoration, starting with the common environmental dangers to paintings, what you can do to prevent curtail damage and ending with some of the treatments he uses to return paintings to good health. Amuso will use visual examples of his process, including work he has done to paintings of all styles and values from collections around the northeast.

Amuso entered the world of art restoration in 1977 working as a studio apprentice in southern Westchester County, New York, under highly respected Dutch art conservator, Yan Vanderviver. It was that unique opportunity that sparked Amuso's passion in the craft of art conservation, setting him on a path towards an unyielding career as a fine art oil painting conservator from a young age. From 1977 to 1995 Amuso held studio positions focused on the preservation of fine art in New York, Connecticut and Los Angeles. It was during those formative years that Amuso earned a respected reputation for his conservation work from art collectors, art galleries, and private museums throughout the North East and West Coast.

In 1996 Amuso and his wife, Denise DiGrigoli, founded Amuso Fine Art Services, an art conservation studio modeled on the philosophy that each client and painting is unique and should receive only exceptional personal attention located in Sheffield/Ashley Falls and Fairfield, Conn.

Tickets are $30 for members and with advance reservation; $35 day of; $22 for students 22 and under. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/events/ or call us at (413) 637-3206. All tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable.

The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.
Pittsfield CPA Project Eligibility Applications Open

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Community Preservation Committee will be holding a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25 related to the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds and the city of Pittsfield's priorities in relation to the Community Preservation Plan.

The hearing will be held in Room 203 on the second floor of City Hall, 70 Allen Street.

Also, the Committee announces that the project eligibility application process for a new year of CPA funding is open through November 17. The Committee will provide an overview of previous allocations of CPA funds and welcomes public participation to understand community priorities as it begins a new year of soliciting potential projects for funding.

Eligibility project applications are due by 3 p.m. on Nov. 17. The application process involves two steps:

The first is a determination of whether a project is eligible for CPA funds under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44B. A digital version of the application for this first step is available through the Community Preservation Committee webpage: https://www.cityofpittsfield.org/departments/community_preservation_committee/index.php

Upon confirmed eligibility, projects will then be invited to submit applications for funding in early 2024.

A link to the Community Preservation Plan and eligibility application is available on the Community Preservation Committee page: https://www.cityofpittsfield.org/departments/community_preservation_committee/index.php

A shortcut to the page is also listed under "Hot Topics" on the home page of the city's website, cityofpittsfield.org
The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Monday approved a motion to hold a hearing on the applicability of local ordinances in the siting application for Summit Carbon Solutions' planned multistate 2,000-mile carbon dioxide pipeline.

Regulators did not set a date, time or location for the hearing due to the need to accommodate the schedules of PSC commissioners, PSC staff, Summit and the multiple project intervenors. Commissioners also noted that room availability at the state Capitol will be scarce in the near term given construction and the return of lawmakers for a legislative session to fix a budget bill struck down by the North Dakota Supreme Court.

The PSC has a hearing room in the Capitol, but it is not large enough to hold the size of the crowds that have attended the hearings for Summit's case.

Only legal arguments from Summit and intervenors will be considered at the hearing on the applicability of local ordinances. There will be no outside public input, according to the commissioners.

Summit's proposed Midwest Carbon Express pipeline would capture climate-warming CO2 emissions from over 30 ethanol plants across five Midwestern states with an intended storage site in western North Dakota.

The approval of a new hearing follows the PSC's 2-1 decision in September to grant Summit a petition for reconsideration after regulators rejected the company's initial proposed 320-mile route through North Dakota in August. The PSC cited several reasons including that Summit had not adequately addressed sensitive geological areas and landowner concerns.

The details regarding scheduling for one or more hearings on Summit's broader petition for reconsideration have not been decided yet.

Earlier this year, Burleigh and Emmons counties placed restrictions on pipelines carrying hazardous materials within their borders, in response to Summit's project. The company sought to have the PSC declare these ordinances preempted and superseded.

The PSC in its rejection of Summit's initial application in August decided to declare the question of local ordinances moot, which left open the possibility for both sides to make arguments at a future date.

Summit made the same request for local ordinances to be overridden in its petition for reconsideration.
Among the 3,197 undergraduate students, 14 per cent chose to study abroad , a sharp contrast to the rate in 2017, when 28 per cent of undergraduates sought overseas education . A similar downward trend can be seen at another first-class institution  Peking University.

These days, the landscape has changed dramatically. This can be seen in the latest statistics: in 2022, only 7 per cent of all Tsinghua graduates, across both undergraduate and postgraduate students, pursued further studies abroad.

This story was told in 2017 by Shi, who was vice-president of Tsinghua University at the time, in a programme broadcast by Chinas state-owned CCTV.

In 1989, when structural biologist Shi Yigong got his bachelors degree from Beijings Tsinghua University, of the 2,251 students who graduated the same year, about 1,600 of them went to the United States and stayed.

In the past four years, the majority of our best students have chosen to stay in China, with fewer going abroad , said a physicist at Tsinghua, who asked not to be named.

Biden is freezing out Chinas tech industry

He said that before 2019, nearly half the graduates from his department would opt to study abroad, mainly heading to the best-known institutions in the United States  such as its Ivy League universities  as well as Britain. However, that rate has been declining significantly.

What has happened at Tsinghua University is a reflection of a quiet, emerging trend: despite studying abroad remaining appealing, an increasing number of high academic achievers are ruling it out.

Since Chinas reform and opening up in 1978 until the end of 2021, around 8 million Chinese students have studied abroad, according to the Ministry of Education. This is a huge number and their flow is strategically important for both sides.

EVERY SATURDAY A weekly curated round-up of social, political and economic stories from China and how they impact the world.

Now the reduction in the number of Chinese students heading overseas is being felt by some scientists working in American academia.

Zhao Yiping, a distinguished research professor of physics at the University of Georgia in the US, said more than half of the newly recruited students in his department used to be of Chinese origin, but this year that number is just one or two. Candidates from developing countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh are filling the spots instead.

We want to hire more Chinese students because generally, they have a more solid academic foundation, Zhao said.

Chinas zero-Covid policy, which lasted for around three years, directly affected this shift.

But the Tsinghua physicist said that even in the post-pandemic era, students might not stay in the US, with both domestic and international issues contributing.

The pandemic is a disruption, but it is not the main reason, said Shen Wenqin, an associate professor from the school of education at Peking University, adding that the decline had been particularly pronounced in the last two years.

Shen has been observing this issue since 2016. He said that around five or six years ago, the smartest students who majored in subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry at Chinas best universities saw overseas study as the optimal next step on their career ladder.

But it is a trend that has been fading. In 2020, Qiu Yong, then-president of Tsinghua University, pointed out that in the previous five years, the proportion of the institutions graduates studying abroad had declined more each year.

More and more graduates choose to stay in China to further their studies or go to the job market, Qiu said.

Externally, worsening relations between the US and China have cast a shadow over some students American education dreams, leaving them putting off their study plans, mainly as a result of a tougher visa approval.

When structural biologist Shi Yigong first graduated in 1989 from Tsinghua University, around 70 per cent of undergraduate students went to do further studies abroad. Photo: Westlake University

In mid-2022, the US issued around 45 per cent fewer visas to Chinese students compared with the same period in 2021, according to the US-based Chronicle of Higher Education.

However, researchers interviewed by the Post attached more importance to the fact that, unlike where China was at the start of the century, the nation is now becoming a major global powerhouse of science and technology.

This was seen in the latest Nature Index released in June, in which rankings based on published scientific papers showed that Chinese institutions had overtaken the US and other Western counterparts.

China is experiencing a fast rise in many academic fields, Shen said. For example, if students are restricted from getting a computer science qualification in the US, they are less likely to seek an alternative in Germany, the UK, or other countries because China is also a leading power and it harbours so many big tech companies.

Shen has conducted interviews with students from top mainland universities in recent years, and they listed the Western-trained teachers as a reason why they were now looking at continuing their studies or conducting research in China.

If you have a scan at the resumes of faculty at such institutions, you will find that many younger generation scholars are armed with a background at the most prestigious schools like Stanford, MIT or Harvard, and therefore they have a worldly horizon and international collaboration network, he said.

In the same vein, China has been upgrading its industrial structure to grow into a more technologically advanced economy and thus has created more hi-tech jobs for young professionals.

One of the most important ways that American universities promote mutual understanding between countries  while also advancing US interests  is by educating students from around the world, a Foreign Affairs article published last month said, adding that the ability of American universities to attract the worlds best talent was key to the countrys success.

But, what implications will it bring for China? Academics interviewed expressed a cautious but positive sentiment towards the change.

China is not as reliant on the West in talent training as it was in the past, Zhao said.

In Shens opinion, the shift is in fact a good thing for China.

I think in the past we were experiencing a sort of talent drain as the best brains went abroad and a high proportion of them no longer came back, which was in return hurting Chinas talent training system, he said.

But if the rate continued to drop, Shen said there would be a reason to be worried, as one of the key contributions to Chinas scientific development over the last few decades has come from sending young talent to developed countries and maintaining academic exchange with the world.

Parents fear impact of China's zero-Covid measures as post-lockdown college entrance exams begin

That said, studying in well-known international higher education institutions is still a tantalising dream for many Chinese families.

According to data from market research firm ICEF Monitor, in 2022, around 1.3 million international students held valid study visas in the United States, a 10 per cent increase compared to 2021. China remained the largest source country, with around 320,000 students heading to America.

A vaccine development scientist at a mainland university, who spoke on condition of anonymity, observed that some college students, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, were no longer as keen to pursue further education in the US, under the converging influences of the negative portrayal of the country by Chinese media, the hype about Chinas technological prowess, and anti-Asian hate crimes in the US.

However Chinas elite group, he said, was increasingly prioritising international education for their children. He said a close friend, a famous scientist who intended to send his child to a US university, had decided to bring that plan forward, opting to send them there for high school.

The vaccine expert said he could understand such a decision, as he has become disappointed with the fostering of talent in mainland universities.

Many irrelevant political ideology courses are consuming a significant portion of students time, while major-related materials and knowledge imparted are outdated, he said, adding that the intensifying restrictions on freedom of expression and exploration had hindered innovation.

He said that despite significant advancements in science and technology in China, there was a considerable gap when compared to some Western countries, citing the proliferation of Chinese biotech companies in recent years as an example.

Many of them lack original technologies, he said.
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Chinese fighter jets carried out dangerous and reckless interception of a Canadian military plane over international waters, defence minister Bill Blair said.

Chinese fighter jets came within five metres of the Canadian surveillance plane in international waters off the coast of China, putting it at significant risk, Mr Blair said.

The incident happened on Monday when the Canadian jet was on a UN mission for the surveillance of enforcement of sanctions against North Korea.

China on Tuesday blamed the Canadian military plane for seriously violating Chinas sovereignty and national security by entering its airspace.

A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said it lodged a protest with Canada after its Lockheed CP-140 Aurora jet travelled thousands of miles to Chinas doorstep to provoke trouble.

At least two different Chinese jets intercepted the Canadian plane for several hours during a more than eight-hour-long mission, Global News  whose journalist was on board the aircraft  reported.

The fighter jets of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army also dropped multiple flares in the path of the Canadian fighter jet, it said.

"I am very concerned about the unprofessional way in which this was done," Mr Blair said about the incident.

"It was quite frankly dangerous and reckless. And those types of behaviours are not ever acceptable and we will express that to the Peoples Republic of China in the most appropriate way," he continued, but did not give details.

Major general Iain Huddleston told the outlet that Chinese jets became aggressive to the extent that the Canadian military would deem it unsafe.

Its a ramp-up of the aggressiveness thats really unexpected and unnecessary in the context of the mission that were flying, Major General Huddleston said.

The reported aggressive interaction above the international waters happened shortly after the crew lost touch with their base following a communication glitch.

In response to the allegations, the Chinese foreign ministry called on Ottawa to stop spreading false information and respect objective facts.

A Canadian CP-140 aircraft illegally intruded into the airspace of Chiwei Yu, an island affiliated to Chinas Diaoyu Islands, seriously violating Chinas sovereignty and threatening Chinas national security, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing in response to a question.

This incident underscores Chinas evident frustration with Western military flights in proximity to its coast, even when these operations take place in international airspace. China has been long called out for its actions in the South China Sea with countries accusing Chinese jets of engaging in harassment of military planes from other countries.

In June 2022, the Canadian military accused Chinese warplanes of harassing their warplanes in international airspace after they were repeatedly buzzed by Chinese jets at dangerously close distances.

Chinas foreign minister, however, accused Ottawa of endangering the Asian countrys national security by ramping up reconnaissance and provocations against China.

In May this year, Pentagon said a Chinese fighter jet performed an unnecessarily aggressive manoeuvre in front of a US military plane over the South China Sea in international airspace.

The US Indo-Pacific command released a video of the Chinese J-16 fighter involved in the incident, forcing a US RC-135 plane to fly through its wake turbulence  the disturbance caused behind an aircraft as it passes through the air.
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The death by suicide of a 19-year-old Indian Army soldier has snowballed into a political controversy after his last rites were conducted without a military guard of honour.

Recruited under Agnipath  a tour of duty style four-year service scheme introduced last year  soldier Amritpal Singh died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound on 11 October.

Political parties both in national capital Delhi and in Singhs home state have accused the army of discriminating between those enlisted under the scheme and other soldiers, forcing the military to issue a clarification.

Parliamentarian Raghav Chadha of the Aam Aadmi Party which is in power in Delhi lashed out at prime minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not according Singh the status of a martyr.

No army unit came to hand over his body. His body was brought in a private ambulance and he was not given any military honour. But the police gave him state honours during his last rites, Chadha said.

This raises serious questions over the policies of the BJP-led federal government, he was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India.

The army, however, clarified that because the death of the young soldier was due to a self-inflicted injury, no guard of honour or military funeral was accorded as per its existing policy.

"Armed Forces do not differentiate between the soldiers who joined prior to or after implementation of the Agnipath Scheme as regards entitled benefits and protocols," said the army in its statement issued on Sunday, as it condoled the loss of Singh.

His mortal remains were transported under army arrangements along with an escort party to the native place for the last rites, said the army. Singhs father told The Indian Express that an army havildar (sergeant) and two soldiers accompanied his sons body to his native village for the last rites.

The controversy erupted after the ruling and opposition parties in Singhs home state Punjab lashed out at Mr Modis federal government for disrespecting the serving members of the army.

The Agnipath scheme, first introduced in June last year, reduces the initial contract length of most soldiers from the current 17 years to four. It effectively makes them ineligible for pension that was seen as one of the main benefits of joining the armed forces for hundreds of thousands of aspirants as it provided social security to those coming from marginalised backgrounds in the absence of resources to get degrees for other career options.

"The Punjab government, led by chief minister Bhagwant Mann, will be giving an amount of Rs 10m (98,828) to the family of Amritpal Singh and will also accord the status of a martyr to him. The Punjab government is with them in this hour of grief," Mr Chadha said.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal also expressed her shock over the reports that Singh was cremated without the army guard of honour as she sought the intervention of the countrys defence minister, Rajnath Singh.

The Indian Army however asserted that this has been their long-standing policy, saying that an average of 100 to 140 soldiers die each year by suicide. They are not accorded military funerals but financial assistance is provided as per entitlement.

"Unfortunate instances of death arising out of suicide/self-inflicted injury, irrespective of the type of entry, are accorded due respect by the armed forces along with deep and enduring empathy with the family.

Such cases, however, are not entitled military funerals as per the extant Army Order of 1967," the army stated.
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Indias top court has rejected a landmark petition seeking the recognition of same-sex marriage in the country, a blow for the queer community that denies tens of millions of LGBT+ couples the right to marry their partners.

In a lengthy judgement, the Supreme Court of India urged the government to create legal recognition for same-sex couples so that they do not face discrimination but stopped short of including such couples within the existing legal framework of marriage.

The case involved 21 separate petitions from members of the LGBT+ community who argued that not being able to marry violated their constitutional rights, making them second-class citizens.

The government contested the petitions, which came just five years after India decriminalised gay sex, arguing that marriage is exclusively an institution between a man and a woman and that those seeking marriage equality represented an urban elitist view for the purpose of social acceptance.

The case was overseen by the countrys most senior judge, chief justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, as well as four other Supreme Court justices. It held hearings up until 11 May this year and had been deliberating its verdict for more than five months since then.

Giving his judgment, Mr Justice Chandrachud said marriages were clearly defined as being between a man and a woman in Indias Special Marriages Act (SMA), under which weddings outside of the scope of traditional religious ceremonies such as interfaith and intercaste marriage are registered. The petitioners had asked that the SMA be interpreted to also cover same-sex marriage.

Mr Justice Chandrachud said the role of the court was not to make laws but only to interpret them, adding that reading words into the SMA would be redrafting the law.

Despite Mr Justice Chandrachud speaking in favour of allowing same-sex and unmarried couples to adopt children, the court also ruled by three judges to two against expanding the definition of adoption laws to permit this.

However, he also argued that the failure of the state to recognise the bouquet of rights flowing from a queer relationship amounts to discrimination.

The chief justice rejected the governments submission that the push for same-sex marriage was only an urban and elitist concept.

The judges differed over whether the court should recognise the right to form same-sex civil unions (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Homosexuality or queerness is not limited to urban and affluent spaces, the chief justice said. To imagine that queer people only exist in urban centres is to erase them [where they exist elsewhere]. People may be queer regardless of whether they are from villages or small towns and regardless of caste or economic location.

The chief justice concluded that there is no universal conception of the institution of marriage and that it lies within the domain of parliament and state legislatures to enact laws recognising and regulating queer marriage.

This court cannot either strike down the constitutional validity of the Special Marriage Act or read words into the Special Marriage Act because of its institutional limitations.

The court, in the exercise of the power of judicial review, must steer clear of matters, particularly those impinging on policy, which falls in the legislative domain, a view also concurred to by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Shripathi Ravindra Bhat in their own judgments.

An activist displays a tattoo reading Born this way in the courtyard of Indias Supreme Court in New Delhi on 17 October 2023 (Sajjad HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty)

The judges differed over whether the court should recognise the right to form same-sex civil unions. While Mr Justice Chandrachud and Mr Justice Kaul ruled in favour, Mr Justice Bhat, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha emphasised that there was no unqualified right to marriage under the Indian constitution.

Mr Justice Bhat said that though people have the right to choose their partners, If it is agreed that marriage is a social institution, does it mean that any section of the society which wishes for the creation of a like institution, can seek relief by court?

The court accepted the governments proposal to set up an expert panel looking into the package of rights and privileges that can be extended to same-sex couples, short of permitting them to marry.

Indias government had earlier indicated its willingness to extend some social benefits to same-sex couples, though what form the recognition of such couples would take remains unclear.

The committee, headed by the cabinet secretary, will look into the administrative steps that the government can consider for ensuring social security and other welfare benefits, solicitor general Tushar Mehta informed the court in May.

Uday Raj Anand, a Delhi-based businessman and one of the petitioners in the case, expressed his disappointment with the verdict, saying he had waited anxiously in the court since 9am in the morning and had been cautiously optimistic when the judges finally emerged just before 11am. Describing his mood after hearing the judgements, he told The Independent: Unfortunately, at the moment, it is not really celebratory.

I was looking for some kind of concrete relief but unfortunately, thats not really come.

Maps showing criminalisation of same sex relations around the world (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association)

Last updated in March 2023, this map shows the countries that recognise marriage equality. Nepals top court has since issued an order de facto legalising same-sex marriage (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association )

Another petitioner, Mario da Penha, said it was a day to be disappointed but not to lose hope.

Theres been tremendous work that has gone into these petitions, and many hopes and dreams of the queer community attached to them  to lead lives that most other Indians take for granted.

The fact that the dream could not come to fruition today is a disappointment for all of us, he said.

He expressed concern that it was not yet clear from the spoken judgements whether the court had set a mandate or timeline for parliament to act. Without that mandate, there is no pressure on parliament to enact any legislation, he said.

Karuna Nundy, one of the lawyers representing the petitioners, said: There are queer couples today that are already families and in relationships, and are pillars of society. That they are not afforded the dignity and rights that they are due is deeply disappointing.

An activist holds a rainbow flag in the courtyard of Indias Supreme Court in New Delhi on 17 October 2023 (AFP via Getty)

Mr Anand, who has two children with his partner Parth Phiroze Mehrotra, shares his anguish at not being seen as a family unit. Despite raising them as a couple, on paper, the children have only one parent, he says, as he raises concerns about not being able to share joint custody of his children with his partner.

I mean, if you want to travel abroad, one of the fathers (who is not named as a guardian on paper) cant really just take a minor child and travel abroad with him, he explains.

If one father who is not on the legal papers wants to transfer money to the child for his school or for his college education or while hes living in another town wants to transfer money to him, he cant do that without attracting income tax questions.

The school can declare only one parent, despite having two. It is bad psychologically for the child in every way.

While, legal rights for the queer community in India have been expanding over the past decade, mostly as a result of the Supreme Courts intervention, the latest ruling leaves Taiwan and Nepal as the only Asian jurisdictions among 34 nations that permit same-sex marriage.

In 2018, Indias top court struck down a colonial-era law that had made gay sex punishable by up to 10 years in prison and expanded constitutional rights for the gay community. The decision was seen as a historic victory for LGBT+ rights, with one judge saying it would pave the way for a better future.

LGTB+ activist Shivangi Sharma speaks with the media at the courtyard of Indias Supreme Court (Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)

Expressing her deep anguish at the judgment from the apex court, Shrushti Mane, a queer woman residing in Mumbai, said it feels like a betrayal of the most fundamental principles of fairness and acceptance.

Im quite disappointed by the judges stance again, she tells The Independent. Despite a hearing that ostensibly addressed discrimination and social acceptance, the judges chose to evade delivering a direct judgment in our favour.

The judges surely didnt pass a single judgment in our name, at least not directly. The hearing, instead of being a beacon of hope, felt like a rehearsed script where existing rights were merely sugarcoated without genuine advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights.

Its as though weve been given a foot in the door, but the path to LGBTQ+ rights remains obstructed. I am reminded again that hope is more the consequence of action than its cause.
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Dozens of breastfed babies have lost their mothers in Afghanistan and millions of people left homeless, as the emergency response in the country collapsed after successive earthquakes and storms.

Nearly 20,000 people across six Afghan districts and 30 new villages were affected by the latest of four earthquakes that have hit Herat province in just a week, killing some 2,000 people in total.

The countrys population was already struggling with a financial collapse following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, which has also complicated efforts by international rescue agencies to reach the remote area affected.

Dozens of newborns who have lost their mothers in the earthquake cannot be breastfed, said Salma Ben Aissa, Afghanistan country director with the International Rescue Committee, as she emphasised the urgency of the rescue and relief operation in Herat.

During our emergency relief search, we have seen several cases of babies who are less than two years old that need to be breastfed but have lost their mothers. We cant find milk for them [through other mothers] and we dont have it with us either, Ms Ben Aissa told The Independent.

Women and children in Herat are already nutrition deficient, she said, adding that the provinces official emergency efforts have completely collapsed.

Children who have lost one or both parents were likely to be taken in by surviving relatives or community members, aid officials said, pointing out that orphanages in Afghanistan at this point were non-existent or rare.

Some returnees, likely who had come from Pakistan, were searching for their families but only saw their houses completely demolished, Ms Ben Aissa said.

The affected regions in Afghanistan have been hit by massive storms in the last week, as thick blankets of dust approached earthquake relief camps and blurred visibility in the region to near zero.

Dust storms have blown away and damaged the basic makeshift tents humanitarian aid teams were setting up in the city for those injured, and for hundreds who were sleeping in the open due to the fear of aftershocks.

Some of the villages that barely withstood the previous weeks earthquakes were reduced to rubble on Sunday after another 6.4 magnitude tremor struck the area.

Earthquake survivors continue to live in tents, as they fear entering their homes due to possible aftershocks (Middle East Images/AFP via Getty)

Our teams are reporting the bleakest of scenes, said Arshad Malik, country director for Save the Children in Afghanistan. Hundreds of tents have been set up on open plains to shelter families who have lost everything, which themselves are exposed to brutal winds and dust storms. Former villages are just rubble, rock. What precious little belongings families once had are completely buried, Mr Malik said.

He called it a crisis on top of a crisis for Afghanistan. Even before this disaster, children were suffering from a devastating lack of food. At the same time, the harsh winter is approaching fast while the children and families have no shelter or warm clothes to protect themselves, he said.

Already stretched thin on the economic front after the Taliban took over, public institutions such as schools and hospitals were struggling.

The IRC and other humanitarian aid workers were already alert to an unfolding and urgent healthcare situation in Herat even before the quakes struck. In the past month, 28 hospitals in the country lost financial support. Another 30 before that lost help from donors via international non-profits that were supporting them.

This directly hit women and children, in most cases, with aid agencies estimating that they make up 70 to 90 per cent of the casualties in the Afghanistan quakes.

There would have been no gender dimension to the death toll if the quake had happened at night, said Jaime Nadal, the Afghanistan representative for the United Nations Population Fund. As the first quake happened during the day, however, many women were at home while men were out.

An Afghan woman who lost her home in Chahak village, Injil district, in Herat (Sourced: Abdul Khaliq Sediqi/ IRC)

Those who survived were seen collecting their remaining belongings, such as mattresses and storage boxes, beside the piles of rubble that were once their homes.

The World Food Programme said it will need to assist more than 100,000 people affected by the earthquake for several months to help them stay alive and rebuild their lives.

We have launched an initial response but cannot continue without an additional injection of funds. We urgently need $19m to support over 100,000 people in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes, Philippe Kropf, head of communications at WFP Afghanistan said.
"I think the gold price will continue to improve, at least in terms of increased investment demand, because there is chaos across the globe," he told Mining Journal during the Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

Until recently he thought of Hong Kong as one of the safest and best jurisdictions on the planet, but today, it had descended into "complete chaos". So too had the trade war between the USA and China escalated (and unnecessarily) to previously unexpected levels.

He believes the makings of a global economic recession are evident. "Where there is political uncertainty, economies tend to suffer."

Bhandari expects China will continue to face a trade-related economic slow-down. The situation is further complicated by a culture of honour that permeates Asia and it is therefore unlikely that president Xi Jinping will back down on issues such as the trade war or on Chinese interference in Hong Kong, "because saving face is more important than pragmatism".

The US economy is also slowing, and its sky-high levels of debt remain of particular concern. The Federal Reserve might not have much wiggle room to deal with another deep recession this time round.

Elsewhere, India and Pakistan seemed on the brink of war over the the disputed Kashmir region, the Middle East chaos looked poised to escalate before it would get better, and the Brexit saga continues with allindications pointing to a no-deal departure from the EU, he said.

"These issues create opportunity," according to Bhandari.

"The current rise in the gold price is, in my view, the product of geopolitical turmoil across the globe. Times have changed and safe-haven demand has clearly improved," he said.

Bhandari said the recent run up in the gold price had to date not yet percolated down to the junior and exploration companies much, which presented an investment opportunity if one picked the right stocks.

"That is where the money is to be made at this time. I'm not a fan of investing in big mining companies, because they are often venues for people to hedge against some other evil.

"For people with billions of dollars, maybe that will make sense, but for the average retail investor looking for value upside, the only place to find it is in the junior and exploration space."

Bhandari said companies had a habit of lowering the grade of their resources and reserves when the gold price ran higher for the sake of optics, but this time round, he cautioned companies to be more careful before taking advantage of the higher gold price to artificially inflate their resource and reserve bases.

"This is no longer the last decade where people valued companies based on ounces produced, which was an incentive for companies to produce as much as they could at whatever cost. Those times have gone.

"Today investors want a real profit and that is where miners will be under immense pressure to make sure they continue to turn a profit."

He thinks the fact Mark Bristow is at the helm of one of the world's largest gold producers have brought a new paradigm to the mining industry. "He is a profit-conscious person and I think he will continue to show leadership in the gold mining space, which will help the industry as a whole to be more responsible and accountable to investors."

Religious' folks

One area of the resource space he suggests investors best avoid is uranium. Bhandari is known for his strong dissentient views on the current uranium market and receives regular hate mail for it.

"People remain excited about the uranium space because they are religious followers. I have nothing against uranium, if one does an objective evaluation of uranium and uranium mining companies, and comes to a positive conclusion," he said.

However, anything said against the yellow metal was seen as "sacrilegious" by the religious' folks. "I am reasonably sure, on a probability adjusted basis, that uranium mining companies only have a downside in the future. It means people invested in uranium will only lose money going forward."

The reason or this, according to the analyst, was that uranium miners were valued as if uranium was priced 100% higher than what it is today.

"If uranium will not go up, which I don't think it would, it means these companies have everything to lose until their market values reflect the real uranium price."

Of the broader junior and exploration sector, Bhandari bemoaned other religious investors for continuing to give money to companies that clearly could not create value.

"The junior sector will always lose money because there are always investors who give money to them for religious reasons other than value creation.

"What I have seen in the past nine months, despite the run up in the gold price, is the sector has not performed well because investors have used the same broad brush to put a similar value on all these companies. They should have instead differentiated between the good and the bad.

"But because many of the good companies have not increased in value, there is a very good sweet spot for us to crystallise value in the coming months," Bhandari said.

One of Bhandari's two top gold picks is Osisko Mining spin-out, O3 Mining (TSXV:OIII), which is trading at about C$2.39. He thinks the company took advantage of a company (Alexandria Gold) that was being sold off for the wrong reasons. Despite the higher gold price, O3's stock has trended lower. "That is exactly the kind of opportunity I look for."

The same has happened with Anaconda Mining (TSX:ANX), which is trading at about 24c. "I think the company is on the right track, despite having had a bad Q2. It is developing the Goldboro project in Maritime Canada, but the Point Rousse mine put in a poor performance in the June-quarter.

"Once the company has addressed the problem and it is understood by the market that the problem had been dealt with, that share price should start performing and see a rerating," he said.
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Greta Thunberg has been arrested in London during a climate protest at a glitzy oil industry summit.

The Swedish activist joined a large demonstration in central London on Tuesday outside of the Energy Intelligence Forum at the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane which draws some of the most powerful players in fossil fuels.

Video footage showed Ms Thunberg, wearing a badge with the slogan Oily Money Out, calmly listening as two police officers spoke to her, with one holding her arm.

She was then led towards a police van by two officers and put inside.

The Met Police said they have arrested 14 people under the Public Order Act to prevent serious disruption to the community, hotel and guests.

Officers asked the protestors to move from the road onto the pavement, which would enable them to continue with their demonstration without breaching the conditions, the police said in a statement.

A number of protestors failed to do so and we have now made a further 14 arrests for section 14 of the public order act and a further one for criminal damage.

Earlier in a speech, Ms Thunberg said people in power were knowingly leading us to the end of a precipice as she encouraged people to take direct action to stop this and to kick oil money out of politics.

We have no other option but to put our bodies outside this conference and to physically disrupt, she added. And we have to do that every time we have to continue showing them that they are not going to get away with this.

During the demonstrations, dozens of people attempted to block access to the hotel, chanting oily money out and cancel the conference.

Protestors from Fossil Free London and Extinction Rebellion beat drums, and waved banners and pink umbrellas as they vowed to continue to protest throughout the three-day Energy Intelligence Forum.

Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg is put in the back of a police van, while being detained, during an Oily Money Out protest in London (REUTERS)

The event, earlier known as Oil and Money conference, draws business and policy leaders to debate and shape sustainable solutions to the energy challenges of the 21st century.

The CEOs of oil giants like Saudi Arabias Aramco and Norways Equinor will speak at the event along with the German ambassador to the UK and Graham Stuart, UK energy security and net zero minister.

Sultan al-Jaber, the oil executive who is also chair of this years Cop28 climate summit, had been expected at the event. However the final attendees list did not include his name.

Demonstrators from Fossil Free London and Oily Money Out protest as oil companies attend the Energy Intelligence Forum in London (REUTERS)

At Tuesdays event, Ms Thunberg, who has been vocal in her criticism of UN climate summits, said Cop28 cannot be trusted because the fossil fuel industries are tightening their grip around their processes and dictating their outcomes.

Our world is being washed away by greenwashing and lies. The fossil fuel industry has actively distracted and delayed. They have created loopholes to allow their business to go on at the expense of the planet, she said.

We are choking from their fumes.

Director of Fo Robin Wells previously said: The main purpose of protesting this forum is to make it clear that the industry is not welcome to come to our city, is not welcome to schmooze our politicians, is not welcome to profit at the expense of the collective survival and the health of the one home that we all share.
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His shoes have been worn by everyone from Diana, Princess of Wales, to Beyonce, but legendary designer Jimmy Choo said his greatest achievement is setting up his own fashion school.

Professor Choo  as hes known to his students  set up the JCA London Fashion Academy in September 2021, calling it my dream.

I feel very proud  I know my dream has come true, he told the PA news agency ahead of the masters students presenting their final collections.

My father said to me: whatever you learn, put it back to the industry. So we are lucky we have the JCA  I can put all my spirit and my knowledge, [and] give back to the students.

Before becoming a professor, Choo, 74, made his name with glamorous high-fashion footwear.

After moving from his native Malaysia to study in the UK, he set up his eponymous brand in 1996  designing heels for Diana, as well as being worn on red carpets all over the world and getting a nod in an episode of Sex And The City (when Sarah Jessica Parkers fashion-obsessed character Carrie Bradshaw famously laments: I lost my Choo!)

Hes delighted with the JCA Academy, but in a nod to his glittering career, Choo added: Ive had a lot of proud moments, from personally designing shoes for Princess Diana and other incredible VIPs [to] seeing emerging designers that Ive mentored succeeding in their careers.

And while hes an industry veteran, Choo said hes still constantly learning.

The best piece of advice I received was to learn as much as possible, he said  which is particularly important in the fashion industry where everything changes.

He said: The material, design, machinery, fabric  everything changes. So you have to adapt. Whatever you do, you must learn something.

Sustainability is one of the biggest areas of change in the fashion industry.

Now people [are] talking about sustainability  how to help the environment and that kind of thing, Choo explained.

Everyone has to think about the future of the earth  if you spend so much and waste so many things, nature will be in trouble and so will we.

He looks to his students for inspiration, who never fail to amaze me.

Sophie Park was one of our footwear designers who made shoes out of plant-based materials such as cacti, pineapple and leaves. Olivia Black and Polly McKevitt both have collections made out of deadstock and materials that would have otherwise been discarded.

Choo enjoys working with young people because they will listen to you, and added: Theyre also very down to earth, willing to learn  thats very important.

In turn, Choo emphasises to his students the importance of asking questions.

You have to ask why, he said, giving the example of making a suit that doesnt fit right and questioning why you cant button the jacket up.

Because youve cut the pattern wrong, so your button cannot close. [With] only one inch, you made the whole thing difficult.

The key to success, according to Choo, is collaboration  something which isnt necessarily the norm in the highly competitive fashion industry.

At JCA, he said he never wants anyone to think theyre better than you, [or] youre better than me, he said.

If youre better than anyone we should share their ideas and the whole thing benefits. We cannot be selfish.

Its something he suggests is missing from the wider fashion industry.

Of course its important to own your ideas, but creativity flourishes when you can bounce ideas off other people. I think its important to have a network of people that you can speak openly with in the interest of improving and sparking creativity.

Among all the good advice propelling Choos career to the stratosphere, what was the worst he ever got? Maybe its when someone told me I should retire.

See jca.ac.uk and @JcaLondon.
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Some restaurants in California are charging an additional fee to customers who throw up in the public space after drinking too many mimosas during bottomless brunch.

A restaurant based in San Francisco, Kitchen Story, first made customers aware of the cleaning fee with a sign in the bathroom, as reported by SFGate. In its message, the popular brunch spot  which offers bottomless mimosa for 60 minutes  encouraged customers to drink responsibly, before describing the rules they should follow if they dont want to be charged extra.

Dear all mimosa lovers, the sign reads. Please drink responsibly and know your limits. A $50 cleaning fee will automatically be included in your tap when you throw up in our public areas. Thank you so much for understanding.

Speaking to SFGate, Kitchen Story owner Steven Choi specified that the sign has been up for nearly two years, after staff members had to spend a lot of time cleaning customers vomit.

This was still during the pandemic and it became a very sensitive issue for customers and staff having to clean up, he said. But this is not unique. Its there to make the customers stop and think about other people.

Chaiporn Kitsadaviseksak, the co-owner of Kitchen Story, said that the sign has successfully prevented customers from getting sick in public spaces of the restaurant. Although he couldnt recall the last time that someone was charged with a clean-up fee, there were multiple instances of customers throwing up before the sign went up.

People were scared with Covid. And this was happening a lot. My workers dont want to do that, he said. It got better. Now [customers] know they have to pay. They understand.

Another restaurant in San Francisco, Home Plate, had a similar sign as Kitchen Story, warning customers about the cleaning fee if they vomit. The sign on the wall of the eatery read: Please Drink Responsibly. $50 Cleaning Fee for any incident incurred as a result of intoxication.

Speaking to SFGate, owner Teerut Boon said that customers vomiting after drinking was an issue in 2021, which is why he instituted pretty much the same policy as Kitchen Story.

While customers complained about the sign, prompting it to be taken down in July, the fee still applies. In fact, the same warning from the sign is on the bottom of Home Plates menu, right under the price of bottomless mimosas per person. The menu also specified that customers can only do bottomless mimosas for 75 minutes.

Although its not the same rule as Home Plate and Kitchen, a gastropub in San Francisco, The Sycamore, has its own way of making sure that customers drink responsibly. Speaking to SFGate, restaurant co-owner Liz Ryan said that although the eatery doesnt charge a fee to customers who throw up in the restaurant, there is one staff member who keeps an eye on how much people drink.

We have a staff member who is a mimosa fairy. They bring a pitcher around that they use to refill glasses, she said. Theres a [mimosa] station and it says this is for staff use only so please do not help yourself,

She also noted that during the two-hour brunch, the mimosa fairy goes to the dining area every 15 minutes or so to pour more of the drink for customers. Throughout the time, workers also examine how customers are behaving.

Our staff is trained to make sure our customers dont overdo it. Nobody wants to see people throwing up. That sort of spoils the party vibe that were trying to create, she said, referring to a Responsible Beverage Service training from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

As noted by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the service teaches servers to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption and mitigate alcohol-related harm in California communities.

During the interview, Ryan also claimed there have been ways to cut people off from drinking without them realising it.

This is the kind of thing they teach you. We practice eye contact and engagement, we come by with a pitcher of water, she said, before acknowledging that there have been people who step outside to throw up and then come back into the restaurant after drinking too much. People can get carried away.
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Gigi Hadid has been criticised by Israel after she shared a statement about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The half-Palestinian supermodel, 28, took to Instagram over the weekend to share an infographic about support for Palestine being mistaken as antisemitism or support for Hamas. Hadids Instagram Story post, which was originally shared by @consent.wizardry, read: There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli governments treatment of Palestinians. Condemning the Israeli government is not antisemitic and supporting Palestinians is not supporting Hamas.

In response, the official Instagram account for the State of Israel criticised Hadids statement by sharing a recreation of the infographic to its Instagram Story. However, the re-posted infographic was altered to read: There is nothing valiant about Hamas massacre of Israelis. Condeming Hamas for what it is (ISIS) is not anti-Palestine and supporting Israelis in their fight against barbaric terrorists is the right thing to do.

Alongside the graphic, the State of Israel added the caption: @gigihadid Have you been sleeping the past week? Or are you just fine turning a blind eye to Jewish babies being butchered in their homes? Your silence has been very clear about where you stand. We see you.

In a follow-up post, the State of Israel shared an image of what appeared to be blood on the floor next to childrens toys and clothing. Tagging Hadid, they added: If you dont condemn this your words mean nothing.

The Instagram row comes one week after the mother-of-one shared an initial statement about the Israel-Hamas war. On 10 October, she condemned the terrorising of innocent people and wrote 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, adding 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 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 [is equal to] antisemitic, Hadid continued.

(Instagram / State of Israel)

She acknowledged 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, Hadid concluded her statement.

Both Gigi and her fellow supermodel sister, Bella Hadid, have been vocal about their support for the Free Palestine movement. Their father, American real-estate developer Mohamed Anwar Hadid, is a Palestinian immigrant. On 17 October, TMZ reported that the Hadid family - including their brother, Anwar Hadid, and mother Yolanda Hadid - have been receiving death threats over their support for Palestine.

According to the outlet, the family has received ominous messages that make them fear for their lives through email and social media, as well as through their private phone numbers. Sources claim that several of the familys phone numbers were leaked online, prompting strangers to send graphic descriptions of how they would carry out the Hadids executions. Theyve reportedly changed their numbers as a result of the ongoing threats.

Following an attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas last week, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis, Israel has declared war against Hamas and retaliated with airstrikes in Gaza. Now, Israel has ordered an evacuation of the two million Gazans in the north to evacuate to the south in preparation for a ground invasion.

With more than 2,750 Palestinians killed since the start of the escalation, Gazas civilians have been stripped of food, water, and electricity as a result of a total siege imposed by Israel.

Hadid isnt the only celebrity to speak out against Israels blockade and evacuation order of Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. Over the weekend, Oscar winner Riz Ahmed accused Israel of morally indefensible war crimes against Gazans and Palestinians.

In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, the 40-year-old actor and musician called for an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gazas civilians and vital infrastructure after Israel began rolling airstrikes on the strip.

We are told there are two sides to what is happening in Israel and Palestine. But in my heart, I know there is only one - the side of our humanity, Ahmed wrote. What happened in Israel last week was horrific and wrong. The pain and fear so many are feeling is deep and real. Whats happening in Gaza now, and has been happening in Palestine under the Occupation for decades, is horrific and wrong. The depth and reality of this suffering cannot be ignored.

If we look only in one direction, we will go even deeper into darkness, he continued. But that is exactly what is happening right now. We are being asked to look away while the civilians of Gaza, half of them children, are running out of time.

Ahmed encouraged people to speak up if we are on the side of humanity, as he called for an end to the airstrikes in Gaza and maintained that staying silent is not an option.

He continued: If we are on the side of humanity we must urgently speak up to try and avert the loss of innocent life. This means calling for an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gazas civilians and vital infrastructure, the denial of food, water and electricity, the forced displacement of people from their homes.

These are morally indefensible war crimes, Ahmed said.

The Independent has contacted Hadids representatives for comment.
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Although people typically associate the month of October with spooky season and the beginning of fall foliage, the month is also known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month dates back to 1985, when the American Cancer Society picked one week in October and teamed up with the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries  now part of AstraZeneca, which has worked to develop medicines for breast cancer treatment. The initial goal for the week-long event was to raise awareness towards breast cancer screenings and mammograms.

First Lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer when her husband, former US president Gerald Ford, was in office. As a breast cancer survivor, she initially helped bring attention to the disease during the week-long event.

Over the years, the original week transformed into a month-long event. The goals for Breast Cancer Awareness Month have also evolved over time, such as supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer, educating people about breast cancer risk factors, stressing the importance of regular screening starting at age 40, and fundraising for breast cancer research.

However, the well-known pink ribbon associated with Breast Cancer Awareness Month wasnt introduced until the 1990s. The inspiration for the ribbon dates all the way back to 1979, when the wife of a hostage who had been taken in Iran tied yellow ribbons around the trees in her front yard as a symbol of her desire to see her husband return home safely. Ribbons were also used years later during the AIDS epidemic, when activists made bright red ribbons to represent those affected by AIDS.

The AIDS ribbon was made mainstream after the 1991 Tony Awards, when actor Jeremy Irons was the first to publicly wear the pinned ribbon with a singular loop while hosting the awards show.

A woman named Charlotte Haley is attributed with the creation of the Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon, as she was the granddaughter, sister, and mother of women who have all battled breast cancer. Initially, she designed the breast cancer ribbon to be peach-coloured instead of pink. With each ribbon, she passed out a card that read: The National Cancer Institute annual budget is $1.8 billion, only five per cent goes for cancer prevention. Help us wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon.

Because of her success in passing out thousands of ribbons, many corporations and news outlets reached out to Haley asking to showcase her ribbons and the message she was promoting. She declined each offer as she believed they were too corporate, but Self magazine was increasingly persistent. The magazines lawyer insisted they change the symbols colour, and the pink ribbon was born.

In October 1992, the pink ribbon first spread across the nation after Estee Lauder displayed the symbol on its cosmetic counters throughout the country.

While the iconic shade of pink is normally associated with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, other colours have been introduced, including hot pink for inflammatory breast cancer; teal and pink for hereditary and gynecologic cancers; pink and blue for male breast cancer; and teal, pink, and green for metastatic breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. There is a 13 per cent chance, or one in eight chance, that a woman will develop breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. Although breast cancer is more typically associated with women, it can also occur in men. In 2021, President Joe Biden designated 17 October to 23 October as Mens Breast Cancer Awareness Week.

While Friday the 13th may be a spooky-themed day, dont forget that its also Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
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On Saturday 7 October, the militant group Hamas  labelled as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the EU  invaded Israel from Gaza, launching a horrific series of attacks on civilians along with thousands of rockets fired at population centres.

The assault is the deadliest in the Jewish nations history, with thousands of soldiers and civilians having been killed, wounded or abducted. Following the incursions, Israel declared war on Hamas, prompting a military operation in Gaza. Israel has also cut the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip off from food, electricity, medicine and other supplies until they release the dozens of hostages captured during the assault.

In addition, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Approximately 6,000 bombs have been dropped on the Gaza Strip with a total weight of 4,000 tonnes. An estimated 1,799 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gazas health ministry.

The tragedy and devastation is harrowing, especially surrounding reports of babies and other children being killed, leading to a storm of emotions, among them how to communicate about the tragedy with children.

On top of this, a childs propensity to notice the slightest signs of confusion, uneasiness and grief are often underestimated, said Dr Robin Gurwitch, a professor in the Duke University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science in North Carolina, noting that a small change in routine or signs of distraction can be picked up by young children.

Right now [is] creating a whole series of emotions from anger, to sadness, to horror, to anxiety, depression, fear  a myriad of emotions that are happening, Dr Gurwitch told The Independent. And for adults, it may lead to things like anxiety, depression, a sense of helplessness, problems with sleeping.

The really young children, the twos and threes, and maybe even the fours dont truly understand whats happening, said the senior advisor to the Terrorism and Disaster Program of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. And kids can pick up on anxiety, kids can pick up on distress. So if they recognise that somethings wrong, they may have more meltdowns and temper tantrums. ... Because theyre too little to know whats going on is that they pick up on our cues, even infants pick up on those cues.

And while children aged two through five may not be exposed to any online news like those in elementary school could be at the moment, their attention to mood shifts could not only lead to their own behavioural changes but questions.

After speaking with Dr Gurwitch, as well as Robin Werner, director for early childhood at Solomon Schechter Day School in Greater Hartford, and Rabbi Jonathan Berger, the head of school, The Independent has compiled a set of guidelines for how to talk to young children about whats going on between Israel and Hamas.

Find out what they know/understand

First, its important to start any conversation of this nature by inquiring about what a child already knows or has heard. For a productive conversation to take place, and to know how much needs to be explained or divulged, you need to figure out what they think they know. This also helps to prevent you from providing unnecessary information.

One thing that can happen is a parent will hear a question and start unloading everything, but the kid didnt know or want to hear all of that, they actually had a smaller question, Rabbi Berger said. So, you first want to make sure you understand your child, like where theyre coming from and what they want to know about.

Though you may be doing everything in your power to shield your kids from horrific realities  and, according to Rabbi Berger, its easier to do so for younger infants  its very possible older children have been exposed in some way, even if they dont fully understand it.

It is a wish rather than a reality that our children dont know whats happening. Because they have heard adults in conversations, theyve been in a room and even if the adults dont think theyre watching the TV, theyre hearing it, Dr Gurwitch explained.

To start, you can say: There was a horrible attack in Israel, tell me what you know about it.

Answer questions truthfully

Once you have a firm understanding on what theyve been exposed to, its important to respond to their questions in both a candid and careful manner.

If kids see us as people who should be trusted adults, not talking about something makes it even scarier for them, Berger noted. If they see us afraid to talk about something, which is how its going to come across, thats ultimately a lot worse for them.

Meanwhile, say the experts, keep in mind what information is age-appropriate and which details arent necessary for them to know. Overall, its best to keep your answer simple, limiting yourself to one or two sentences.

As Dr Gurwitch pointed out: It is okay not to share the gruesome details. You know, if children say I know that there were children that got killed, yes, there were. But you dont have to say they beheaded them.

So we answer it in a way they understand how we talk to a five-year-old is certainly going to be different than how we talked to the 11-year-old, she went on to say. So at a level they can understand.

Ask how they feel and validate them

After youve given them a chance to ask questions, and youve answered their inquiries honestly and simply, allow them to open up about how theyre feeling. Whether theyre exhibiting feelings of distress or noticing adults in their life acting differently, children should be given the space to speak on the situation is affecting them.

Like grown-ups, kids too can feel the weight of a myriad of emotions, and they then need to be validated too.

We validate rather than try to talk them out of it, Dr Gurwitch said.

Emphasise safety and be positive

Wrapping up the conversation on a positive note is essential, the experts said. Infants, toddlers and elementary school children have innocent natures that should be protected. And although you as an individual may find it difficult to assume an optimistic mindset, a child needs to know is that theyre safe and we care about the innocent people affected in Israel and Gaza.

Theyre so innocent. They dont know whats going on. And they just come to school with smiles on their faces and see whats in front of them, Werner said. You want to make sure that they know that were safe.

According to the early childhood director and Jewish educator, emphasising the level of concern and attention designated to the safety of humanity is crucial.

A simple answer is: We care about Israel. Everyones feeling this way because we care. But as simple as you can, as honest as you can, as loving as you can, as empathetic as you can be to a child who, you know whos innocent and who looks at the world with rose-coloured glasses.

Aside from ensuring curious children are well-informed to the level they should be, Dr Gurwitch noted the necessity of having other trusted adults for parents and teachers to talk to. This not only benefits the adults mental state but aids a childs perception of the situation.

What they need to see is that we can pull ourselves together and be fine, she said.
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Jada Pinkett Smith was brought to tears over a heartfelt letter from Will Smith.

The Girls Trip star recently appeared on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast on 16 October, one week after revealing that she and her husband have been separated for seven years. In the podcast episode, host Shetty gave Jada a note from her husband Will, in which the Men In Black actor expressed his awe and appreciation for Jadas upcoming memoir, Worthy.

Although the pair have been separated since 2016, Wills note indicated that theres still a lot of love between them. Shetty read Wills note aloud for Jada, saying: I just turned the final page of Worthy.

It is amazing to realise that despite having lived most of my life by your side, I still found myself shocked and stunned and caught off guard, laughing, then inspired, then heartbroken I was all over the place. Its one thing to hear anecdotes at a family barbecue, but it was truly overwhelming to take in your story, potently condensed in this way.

You are one of one, a rare blend of power and delicate sensitivity, the podcast host continued, as he shared Wills words of admiration. I know it wasnt easy to excavate the depths in that way. I applaud and honour you. If I had read this book 30 years ago, I definitely would have hugged you more. Ill start now. Welcome to the Authors Club. I love you endlessly. Now go get some Merlot and take a rest.

With tears in her eyes, Jada jokingly replied to Wills last sentence, noting: He knows I cant have no Merlot. Thats beautiful. Thats why I cant divorce that joker.

The teaser, which was released ahead of the full podcast episode, provided glimpses into Jadas memoir, Worthy - including anecdotes about her life journey and her complicated marriage with Will.

Last week, Jada revealed the bombshell news that she and Will had been separated for many years. As she sat down with the Todays Hoda Kotb to promote her upcoming memoir, the 52-year-old actor disclosed to Kotb that she and Will, 55, had been living completely separate lives for seven years.

Although neither had the heart to file for divorce, Jada clarified: Yes, it was not a divorce on paper, but it was a divorce.

Kotb was taken aback by the revelation and asked Jada why the pair had hidden their separation from the public eye for so long. She replied: I think just not being ready yet. Still trying to figure out between the two of us how to be in a partnership, and in regards to how do we present that to people, you know? And we hadnt figured that out.

For years, rumours and speculation swirled around the couple. However, both Will and Jada have publicly denied they were separated and maintained that they were still married. She dispelled the majority of these rumours, saying: I can definitely understand why there would be misunderstandings, but none of its true.

When Kotb asked what led to the separation, Jada admitted: 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.

The former Hollywood power couple connected on the set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and later tied the knot in 1997. Will was previously married to ex-wife Sheree Zampino, with whom he shares son Trey Smith, 30. Jada and Will are also parents to two children - Jaden, 25, and Willow, 22.
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Robert De Niro has confessed that his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, does most of the heavy lifting when raising their six-month-old daughter, Gia.

The actor, 80, spoke candidly about raising his seventh baby and first child with Chen during an interview with The Guardian, published on 16 October. When asked if fatherhood ever gets easier after being a parent for quite some time, De Niro admitted that it doesnt. However, he still praised his partner for her support when raising their daughter.

It doesnt get easier, he said. It is what it is. Its OK. I mean, I dont do the heavy lifting. Im there, I support my girlfriend. But she does the work. And we have help, which is so important.

In addition to his daughter Gia, the Taxi Driver star has six other children from previous relationships. De Niro and his first wife, Diahnne Abbott, share daughter Drena, 52, and son Raphael, 46. In 1995, he welcomed twins Julian and Aaron, 27, with ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith. He also shares 25-year-old son, Elliot, and 11-year-old daughter, Helen Grace, with ex-wife Grace Hightower.

Speaking to The Guardian, De Niro addressed some of the things that he enjoys the most about being a parent.

With a baby, its different to with my 11-year-old. My adult children. My grandchildren. Its all different, he said.

De Niro also described how his relationships with his older children and younger children differ from each other. Well, I dont talk to the adult children the way I talk to my baby, he said. Or the way I speak to my 11-year-old, though shes pretty smart.

This isnt the first time that De Niro has opened up about raising his seven children. During an appearance on Today in June, he expressed how great fatherhood has been two months after welcoming Gia, and acknowledged how his approach to parenting has changed over time.

When youre older, you have awareness of certain things in life - dynamics, everything, family dynamics, he said. You cant avoid learning certain things and how you can deal with those and manage them and this and that, the usual.

The Goodfellas star has also given candid advice about what it takes to be a good father. Sometimes, I dont think people really know what being a good father is, he said during an interview with Access Hollywood. Well, they do. You know you have your responsibility. Look, its a mystery, its a lot of excitement. But its scary and you do your best, he said.

De Niro first revealed he had become a father for a seventh time in May, when he corrected an ET Canada reporter who described him as a father of six. Seven, actually, he said. Speaking with Page Six in June, De Niro also set the record straight on whether Gia was planned, with the actor clarifying that he wasnt surprised by Chens pregnancy.

How could you not plan that kind of thing? De Niro asked.

After Chen gave birth to their baby in April, she spoke out about her experience with postpartum complications. In July, Chen revealed in an interview with CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King that her face felt weird and her tongue was funny post-delivery.

When I got home, it was like everything was just starting to fall down on itself, like my face was melting, Chen said.

She explained that about a week later, she couldnt move her mouth to eat and had begun slurring her words. Chen then called her doctor, only to find out she was experiencing Bells palsy - a neurological disorder that causes paralysis in the face.
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The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees urged the international community on Tuesday not to forget the plight of ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in the midst of many other world crises. More support is needed to help the displaced Rohingya and also relieve the burden on the countries hosting them, High Commissioner Filippo Grandi said.

Grandi said providing humanitarian assistance is becoming increasingly difficult because of the continuing armed conflict in Myanmar and reduced funding and aid due to the other crises, including in Afghanistan, Ukraine and the Middle East.

Speaking on the sidelines of a regional meeting on Rohingya refugee assistance in Bangkok, he emphasized that a voluntary, dignified return to Myanmar by the Rohingya refugees is the most desirable solution, but acknowledged there are many challenges that need to be overcome.

What I have asked the participants in this meeting is to make big pledges in support of the Rohingya refugees: open policies for the host countries, contributions for the donor countries and for everybody else across the world, and attention by the international community, he said.

More than 1 million Rohingya refugees have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh over several decades, including about 740,000 who crossed the border starting in August 2017, when Myanmar's military launched a brutal counterinsurgency operation following attacks by a guerrilla group.

The United States said last year that the oppression of Rohingya in Myanmar amounts to genocide, after U.S. authorities confirmed accounts of atrocities against civilians by the military in a systematic campaign against the ethnic minority. The Rohingya, who are Muslim, face widespread discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, with most denied citizenship and many other rights.

Tuesdays meeting was attended by delegates from Bangladesh, Britain, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States, as well as representatives of Rohingya-led organizations. There was no representative from Myanmar, said Babar Baloch, a U,N. spokesperson.

Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed to a two-year repatriation process in 2018. However, security in Myanmar has worsened following an army takeover more than two years ago that ousted the elected government of Aung Sun Suu Kyi, triggering widespread armed resistance, and plans to repatriate the refugees have not succeeded.

Grandi said financial contributions for Rohingya relief have declined, and the U.N.s mission plan for this year is barely 40% funded, a sharp drop from about 60%-70% in previous years.

The situation greatly impacts countries that are suffering from the enormous burden of hosting Rohingya refugees awaiting repatriation or resettlement, he said. Something has got to change here. Otherwise, really, Im worried about the future of Rohingya refugees and the patience of the host country in hosting them."

Britain's minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, announced 4.5 million pounds ($5.5 million) in additional funding from her nation to provide humanitarian services to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement.

It said Britain is committed to finding a long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis. This includes their safe, voluntary and dignified return to Myanmar, when the conditions there allow.

"Until the Rohingya can safely return to their homeland, we are committed to providing ongoing humanitarian support," it quoted Trevelyan as saying.
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A British teenager was among those murdered by Hamas during its attack on Israel.

Yahel Sharabi, 13, was killed along with her mother, Lianne, while her elder sister, Noiya, 16, and her father, Eli, are still missing.

The teenager disappeared after militants attacked Kibbutz Beeri and murdered her British-born mother.

The girls death has been confirmed by her family, the Israeli embassy in London said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak updated Cabinet on Tuesday with the latest developments from the conflict, telling ministers Hamas were responsible for the murder and suspected abduction of British nationals.

At least six Britons were killed in the Hamas attacks on October 7, with a further 10 missing  some feared dead.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell told the BBC the Government is extremely concerned about British hostages being held by Hamas and on Sky News he said we pray that they are alive.

Mr Mitchell was unable to elaborate on the efforts to secure their release, but insisted to LBC: The entire resources of the British Government are involved in doing everything we can to get our citizens back.

At least 1,400 people were killed, many of them civilians, and thousands more injured in Hamass attack.

At least 2,778 Palestinians have died as Israel launched air strikes on Gaza and cut off fuel, water, food and medical supplies from entering the cramped territory, which is home to more than two million people.

British officials are working to secure the opening of the Rafah crossing to allow Britons to flee to Egypt and for humanitarian aid to get into Gaza.

Mr Mitchell told Times Radio that Israel had both a moral and a practical responsibility on the issue.

We stand absolutely foursquare behind Israels right to defend itself, but all of us want to see the fighting contained.

Britain urged Israel to restore the supply of water to Gaza, and refused to say whether its ally is complying with international law during its siege.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said talks are ongoing with Israel as the UK is keen to see water restored, as he declined to say whether Israel had kept within legal limits.

We continue to urge Israel, as a democracy we work closely with, to act within international law in their actions, I think they are taking steps to do that, he said.

Mr Mitchell told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that US President Joe Bidens visit to Israel could be a significant fillip to getting humanitarian relief through.

Mr Biden is travelling to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday amid concerns the Israel-Hamas conflict could spiral into a wider regional issue.

As well as his talks in Israel, the US president will meet King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz travelled to Israel for an impromptu visit on Tuesday, while French President Emmanuel Macron said he will travel to the region as soon as I consider that we have a useful agenda and very concrete actions to drive forward.

Downing Street would not comment publicly on whether Mr Sunak would head to the region.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Well set out travel plans in the usual way, I couldnt get into speculation.

Israeli air strikes continued early on Tuesday, even inside the evacuation zone where Israel had told residents to gather in advance of the expected ground assault on Gaza.
Ten years on, Shanghai free trade zone becomes pacesetters of opening-up

13:31, October 17, 2023 By Liu Shi'an, Xie Weiqun, Fang Min ( People's Daily

Building pilot free trade zones (FTAs) is an important strategic measure of China to comprehensively deepen reform and expand opening up in the new era.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China's first pilot FTZ in Shanghai. Over the past decade, the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, or Shanghai FTZ, has achieved a series of important outcomes in liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment, promoting financial openness and innovation, and enhancing governance capability of the government.

Photo shows the Lingang new area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. (People's Daily Online/Ji Haixin)

Aligned with international economic and trade practices, the Shanghai FTZ introduced a negative list for foreign investment upon its establishment. Market access for foreign investment has transitioned from a review-based system to a filing-based one. Today, there number of items on the list has been shortened to 27 from 190 , with no restrictions imposed on the manufacturing sector.

This July, leading circular materials technology company Umicore headquartered in Belgium set up a technology development company in the Waigaoqiao Bonded area of the Shanghai FTZ, with an investment of 15 million euros ($15.92 million).

"Less items on the negative list mean less restrictions. The market access for foreign investment is getting wider and wider, which better facilitates the investment of enterprises," said Zhang Kefang, an executive of Umicore.

As the negative list shortened, the Shanghai FTZ has implemented a number of first-in-China projects in 60 areas of opening up including automobile manufacturing, financial services, medical services, and value-added telecommunications. It promoted the formulation of the systems of pre-establishment national treatment and negative list for foreign investment, as well as their incorporation in the foreign investment law, and introduced the negative list for foreign investment to cross-border service trade and market access sectors.

Containers are loaded onto and unloaded from giant cargo ships at the Yangshan Deep Water Port, Shanghai. (People's Daily Online/Ji Haixin)

The establishment of a "single window" platform for international trade marked a significant innovation of the Shanghai FTZ in promoting trade facilitation.

As the head of the planning department of Shanghai-based E&P international, a company specialized in the development of information technology in aspects of international trade and port logistics, Pan Xiaodong was involved in the development of the "single window" platform ten years ago.

"Similar to 'one-stop online service' in the field of international trade, this platform seamlessly integrates customs, quarantine, maritime, and border inspection information, greatly facilitating customs clearance and trade," Pan said.

So far, the "single window" platform has served over 600,000 trade enterprises, facilitating the data processing of more than a quarter of China's total trade in goods.

The Shanghai FTZ takes institutional innovation as its core task, with a focus on generating replicable and scalable institutional outcomes. Of the 302 institutional innovation outcomes for FTZs promoted nationwide, nearly half were pioneered or synchronously piloted in Shanghai.

Finance is a crucial area for the experimentation of free trade. Speaking of the opening up of the financial sector, Lu Fang, CEO of J.P. Morgan Securities (China) Co., Ltd. noted that foreign investment in the financial sector used to be subject to equity ownership restrictions. "The Shanghai FTZ has been at the forefront of financial liberalization," Lu added.

The free trade account introduced by the Shanghai FTZ is a "pioneer" in innovative cross-border RMB business, with integrated financial services for cross-border settlement and financing in both RMB and foreign currencies.

Photo shows the Yangshan Free Trade Zone of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. (People's Daily Online/Ji Haixin)

As of now, Shanghai has cumulatively opened 144,000 free trade accounts, handling the equivalent of 142 trillion yuan ($19.5 trillion) in cross-border settlement transactions, with an average annual growth of 61 percent. The total financing that enterprises have obtained through free trade accounts in RMB and foreign currencies totaled 2.8 trillion yuan.

International asset management institutions are increasingly flocking to the Shanghai FTZ. Since 2020, nine of the world's top ten asset management companies have chosen to establish offices in Shanghai's Pudong New Area.

"We firmly believe in the potential of the Chinese market and will continue to bring our diverse range of resources to Shanghai, exploring new models for the development of asset management companies in China," said general manager of Schroder Investment Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Zhang Lan.

By combining the expansion of opening up with institutional reforms, Shanghai has been actively promoting the transformation of government functions, innovative management models, optimized operational mechanisms, and a shift in service approaches.

It continuously works to optimize the market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment. It is reported that Shanghai has delegated over 100 municipal-level administrative approval matters to the government of Pudong New Area.

"Recently, a new Lawson convenience store opened in Pudong, and the procedures went smoothly," said Jin Ye, deputy director of the business risk control department of Shanghai Lawson, Inc.

"In the past, it would take nearly two months to complete the procedures for opening a store, but now it only takes two to three days," Jin noted.

After a decade of hard work, the Shanghai FTZ has achieved remarkable success. By the end of 2022, over 84,000 enterprises had been newly registered in FTZ, along with more than 14,000 new foreign-funded projects. The total amount of foreign investment reached $58.6 billion.

In 2022, Pudong New Area's GDP hit 1.6 trillion yuan, 2.5 times higher than that of 2013. Since its establishment, the Lingang new area of the Shanghai FTZ has experienced an average annual GDP growth of 21.2 percent.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Police in Spain's Blanca region arrested a gentleman who became infamous at local restaurants for eating a fancy dinner and then feigning a heart attack to avoid paying his bill. According to police, the unnamed Lithuanian gentleman, aged 50, has conned more than 20 restaurants out of a free meal.

From Oddity Central:

Last month, the Lithuanian man was at El Buen Comer, a restaurant in Alicante, enjoying some seafood paella and a few shots of whisky when the staff brought him the bill for 34.85 euros ($37). When the waiter left the table, he just got up and tried to leave, but he was stopped and notified that he still had to cover the bill. Visibly upset, the scammer said he was going to get the money from his hotel room, but the staff didn't let him leave. It was at this point that he started faking a heart attack.

The restaurant staff didn't fall for the theatrical performance, and instead of calling an ambulance, they notified the police. When the officers arrived at the scene, the seemingly ill man called for medical assistance, but what he didn't realize was that the policemen had already recognized him from run-ins at other restaurants in Alicante.
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A British teenager was among those murdered by Hamas during its attack on Israel.

Yahel, 13, was killed along with her mother, Lianne, while her elder sister, Noiya, 16, and her father, Eli, are still missing.

The teenager, whose family name has not been revealed, disappeared after militants attacked Kibbutz Beeri and killed her British-born mother.

The 13-year-olds death was confirmed by her family, the Israeli embassy in London said.

The development came as Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the Government is extremely concerned about British hostages being held by Hamas following the October 7 attacks and we pray that they are alive.

Up to 10 hostages are feared to have been taken and Mr Mitchell promised the UK is doing everything possible to rescue them.

On Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told MPs that at least six British citizens were killed, with a further 10 missing, some of whom were feared to be among the dead.

Mr Mitchell told BBC Breakfast: We mourn the six British hostages we know who have died and we are extremely concerned about the fate and the state of the other 10.

He told Sky News: We pray that they are alive.

Mr Mitchell was unable to elaborate on the efforts to secure their release, but insisted to LBC: The entire resources of the British Government are involved in doing everything we can to get our citizens back.

At least 1,400 people were killed, many of them civilians, and thousands more injured in Hamass attack.

More than 2,700 Palestinians have died as Israel launched air strikes on Gaza and cut off fuel, water, food and medical supplies from entering the cramped territory, which is home to more than two million people.

British officials are working to secure the opening of the Rafah crossing to allow Britons to flee to Egypt and for humanitarian aid to get into Gaza.

On Israels role, Mr Mitchell told Times Radio: Its both a moral and a practical responsibility. We stand absolutely foursquare behind Israels right to defend itself, but all of us want to see the fighting contained.

Britain was urging Israel to restore the supply of water to Gaza, and refusing to say whether its ally is complying with international law during its siege.

The Prime Minister said talks are ongoing with Israel as the UK is keen to see water restored, as he declined to say whether Israel had kept within legal limits.

We continue to urge Israel as a democracy we work closely with to act within international law in their actions, I think they are taking steps to do that, he said.

Mr Mitchell told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that US President Joe Bidens visit to Israel could be a significant fillip to getting humanitarian relief through.

Mr Biden was travelling to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday amid concerns the Israel-Hamas conflict could spiral into a wider regional issue.

As well as his talks in Israel, the US president will meet King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli air strikes continued early on Tuesday, even inside the evacuation zone where Israel had told residents to gather in advance of the expected ground assault on Gaza.
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Pupils in England could be assessed digitally in some of their GCSE and A-level exams under proposals.

AQA, the biggest exam board for GCSEs and A-levels in England, is aiming to roll out on-screen exams over a period of years and it hopes that students will sit at least one major subject digitally by 2030.

The reading and listening components of GCSE Italian and Polish  subject to regulatory approval  would be the first to move to digital exams in 2026, according to the proposals by the exam board.

Our ambition is that students will sit a large-entry subject  that means, in our case, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous exams  digitally by 2030 Colin Hughes, AQA

A report by AQA said that the first exams will largely replicate the existing paper exams on screen, but it said there is much potential for more innovative and interactive assessment in the longer term.

Digital exams help prepare young people for the digital world, are more inclusive, more environmentally sustainable, develop digital skills and are what young people want, according to the report.

It added: We will not do away with traditional pen and paper exams in a rush, and anticipate an exam system where some components of some GCSE or A-level courses are delivered in a paper-based manner and other components are digitally delivered.

Students devices will be offline in the exam hall and they will not be able to search for information on the internet, nor will they be able to access artificial intelligence (AI) tools, the exam board said.

The proposals come after AQA has spent years piloting digital exams.

Colin Hughes, chief executive of AQA, said: Technology and change are two constants in education. After all, we went from quills to fountain pens to biros, and from scrolls to books. Moving to digital exams is the next step of this evolution.

We cannot and should not change the way we conduct exams overnight. AQA has spent several years trialling and piloting digital exams and we will roll them out over many years.

Our ambition is that students will sit a large-entry subject  that means, in our case, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous exams  digitally by 2030.

In the meantime, well continue to talk to teachers, school leaders and exams officers about how they want to make these changes. The benefits are substantial.

Our current system is becoming increasingly outdated, and at GCSE results in students taking a vast number of terminal pen-and-paper exams Tom Middlehurst, ASCL

Earlier this year, the OCR exam board also piloted digital exams in UK schools.

In a policy document published this month, which set out plans to introduce a single qualification which will eventually replace A-levels and T-levels, the Department for Education (DfE) said it would work with the sector and experts to look again at the type and format of GCSE exams needed at age 16.

It said it would consider whether it can adopt digital solutions, such as on-screen assessment to allow performance to be assessed in more innovative and less onerous ways.

Tom Middlehurst, curriculum, assessment and inspection specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: It is very encouraging that exam boards are continuing to explore ways of moving towards digital exams.

Our current system is becoming increasingly outdated, and at GCSE results in students taking a vast number of terminal pen-and-paper exams.

He added: While a digital approach has many benefits, it is imperative that it comes with proper investment in educational technology that ensures all students are given equal access to the devices they will use in exams.

Otherwise, this approach risks favouring students who have greater access to technology at home and could inadvertently increase the disadvantage gap.
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Britain is doing everything possible to save the up to 10 British hostages being held by Hamas, a Foreign Office minister has vowed.

Andrew Mitchell said the Government is extremely concerned about the fate and the state of the missing Britons after six citizens were confirmed to have died in the attack on Israel.

He also said Israel has a moral responsibility to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza as the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on which hopes had been pinned remains closed.

Two sisters, Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, are among the 10 British citizens who have been reported as missing after last weekends attack by Hamas.

Mr Mitchell said he does not know where the two sisters or the others are but promised the Government is working flat out to ensure they are found.

We dont know where they are and we are thinking of them all the time. And of course we are strongly supporting the attempt by Israel to find them and release them, he told BBC Breakfast.

The British Government will do everything we possibly can to get them back, as soon as we possibly can.

We mourn the six British hostages we know who have died and we are extremely concerned about the fate and the state of the other 10.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Commons on Monday that he fears some of the missing are dead as he called for the immediate release of the around 200 hostages.

Mr Mitchell told Sky News: We pray that they are alive.

He was unable to elaborate on the efforts to secure their release, but insisted to LBC: The entire resources of the British Government are involved in doing everything we can to get our citizens back.
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Nato and the UK may have to contend with a more assertive presence from China in the Arctic and High North as sea lanes open up, a report has said.

Meanwhile, a US defence adviser to Nato said Russia still has significant defence capabilities in the region, which are increasingly engaging in risky behaviours like air incursions.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank launched a report on the UKs contribution to security in northern Europe on Tuesday.

It noted the UK is increasingly prioritising this region, saying the UK is a heavyweight which provides specialist military capabilities which can match threats posed by Russia.

There has been growing Sino-Russian cooperation in the High North, which is loosely defined as the Arctic region and the seas surrounding it.

Meanwhile, climate change means the northern sea route which links Europe and Asia is becoming increasingly navigable to shipping.

The RUSI report said: This transformational geopolitical change will directly link the UKs two priority geographic strategic arenas  politically, economically and militarily  which will fundamentally impact UK and Euro-Atlantic security.

Given this, Nato may have not only to contend with Russia, but also with a more assertive Chinese presence in the Arctic and High North.

Westminsters Scottish Affairs Committee recently recommended a reassessment of the defence presence in Scotland in light of new threats in the High North, as well as dangers to pipelines and undersea infrastructure.

During a panel discussion at RUSIs offices on Tuesday, representatives from the UK, the US and Norway highlighted the importance their governments placed on the region.

Rachel Ellehuus, the senior civilian representative of the US defence department in Europe, said Russia had developed a reliance on China for economic help following the war in Ukraine.

Despite losses among Russias conventional forces, she said Russia still has a large military presence in the region and may grant China more access as a reciprocal deal.

Ms Ellehuus said: The reality is there are some pretty significant air and maritime capabilities in that region.

The Bastion (a Russian defence concept) is centred around the Kola peninsula, so Russias strategic forces are based there.

So the reliance on that region to project power and influence is only going to grow.

She continued: Weve seen that on the defence side with more risky behaviours from the Russians.

The number of unsafe air incursions, unsafe maritime manoeuvres and suspect ships has really taken off.

At the same time we have less of a reliable communication channel, so thats something we really need to watch.

Mette Birkelund OConnor, a counsellor at the Norwegian embassy in London, said Russia had modernised its military capabilities in the region.

She said that during an exercise in August this year, the Russian navy demonstrated the ability to isolate the Scandinavian peninsula and disrupt transatlantic shipping.
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A gang ringleader convicted over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese men, women and children in a lorry in Essex made at least 90,000 from people-smuggling, a court has been told.

Gheorghe Nica, 46, was jailed for 27 years for the manslaughter of the victims, who died in sweltering conditions as they were transported in an airtight container from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet on October 22 2019.

The deaths marked the end of a long-running and profitable operation in which migrants would pay up to 13,000 for what they thought was a VIP service.

Seven smuggling trips were identified between May 2018 and October 23 2019, although investigators believe there was probably more.

Migrants would board lorries at a remote location on the continent to be transported to Britain, where they would be picked up by a fleet of smaller vehicles organised by Nica for transfer to a safe house until payment was received.

Romanian Nica, of Basildon in Essex, was one of five gang members jailed for the manslaughters, with others convicted of people-smuggling.

On Tuesday, he returned to the Old Bailey dock for a confiscation hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC.

A financial investigator identified at least 90,000 of Nicas ill-gotten gains even though the defendant only admitted in his trial to receiving 5,000.

Unexplained cash deposits to Nicas bank account from 2014 to 2019 totalled 24,430 and euros valued at 4,410.92 were seized upon his arrest in Frankfurt, Germany, in January 2020, the court was told.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said there was a cash deposit of 7,000 for the purchase of a Range Rover Evoque in July 2018.

He also highlighted hidden assets of 70,000 euros relating to a loan on a property in Romania in the wake of the migrants deaths.

It was taken out in November 2019 and paid into Nicas wifes account while he was on the run.

Giving evidence on Tuesday, Nica disputed the figures, saying he had struggled financially and needed money to support his wife and three children, including a disabled daughter.

The former driver and mechanic accepted being involved in smuggling, having claimed in his trial he suspected it was goods and not people being transported from continental Europe.

But he disputed the trial judges assessment of his role as a leader, organiser and manager of the gang.

Mr Polnay said: I suggest you have got money hidden away, Mr Nica.

Nica said: I wish.

The prosecutor accused Nica of lying, as he had in his trial, saying: I suggest you do have money  the proceeds of your crime.

Nicas ex-wife and bookkeeper Elena Adelina Nica told the court there was nothing unusual in cash payments in her husbands business.

In November 2019, she was in Romania and had no idea what was going on in England, she said.

Mrs Nica denied being aware that her husband was involved in people-smuggling or that the 70,000-euro loan was to conceal his money.

She said it was not unusual to keep cash at home in Romania, but added: I did not have a pile of money.

She said: I do not think its fair what is happening. If he was to have any money Im telling you I would be abroad and I would not be here. I would pay therapy for my daughter if I had money to live on, if there were hidden assets.

Asked if she was aware of the nature of her ex-husbands crimes, she added: I do not believe he was guilty of the manslaughter and I cannot accept it.

You have to understand the drivers in Europe always have euros so I have to go with them to change into sterling. It's not an easy process Gheorghe Nica

Mrs Nica became emotional about the effect of the case on her family, saying: With my kids, we feel like animals. We are not guilty of anything.

Earlier, Nica said he worked in Dublin before coming to England in 2008 and worked driving and fixing lorries in the Basildon area.

In 2012, he was left needing surgery after being badly hurt in a lorry accident.

On his financial state by 2014, he said: My wife was working as a dental nurse in Basildon and I looked after the kids and we had tenants in the house because we cannot afford the bills because I cannot work.

He claimed some of the cash deposits were payments for fixing broken-down lorries and said he also made money from exporting car parts.

Defence barrister Rory Keene asked: Is there anything unusual in accepting cash in the lorry trade?

Nica said: No, its not unusual. You have to understand the drivers in Europe always have euros so I have to go with them to change into sterling. Its not an easy process.

The defendant told the court he paid 10,000 for his mothers treatment for pancreatic cancer and another 8,000 for her funeral.

If he was to have any money I'm telling you I would be abroad and I would not be here. I would pay therapy for my daughter if I had money to live on, if there were hidden assets Elena Adelina Nica

Judge Lucraft adjourned the case and said he will deliver his ruling on November 24.

Previously, Nicas partner in crime, haulage boss Ronan Hughes, from Armagh, Northern Ireland, was ordered to pay the victims families more than 180,000 after being jailed for 20 years.

Lorry driver Maurice Robinson, of Craigavon in Northern Ireland, who found the bodies in the back of his trailer and was jailed for 13 years and four months, had to sell his 44 vehicle and watch to pay more than 21,000.

Romanian Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, from Essex, was ordered to pay 3,000 after being jailed for three years after admitting conspiring to assist unlawful immigration.

Another people-smuggler, Valentin Calota, from Birmingham, was ordered to pay more than 1,000.
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A jury has been sworn in for the trial of a man accused of trying to murder two elderly men after they left mosques in Birmingham and London.

Mohammed Abbkr is accused of setting on fire Hashi Odowa, 82, and Mohammed Rayaz, 70, using petrol in two separate incidents earlier this year.

The first alleged attack was against Mr Odowa, 82, near the West London Islamic Centre in Ealing on 27 February. The second was against Mr Rayaz, 70, near Dudley Road Mosque in Edgbaston on 20 March.

Abbkr was arrested in the Dudley Road area the next day on suspicion of Mr Rayazs attempted murder. He was later arrested on suspicion of attacking Mr Odowa, who suffered severe burns to his face and arms.

Appearing at Birmingham Crown Court, Abbkr, wearing a grey jumper, pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder.

The 29-year-old, of Gillott Road, Birmingham, also denied two alternative charges of unlawfully and maliciously administering a destructive thing, namely petrol, so as to endanger life.

Abbkr, who is of Sudanese origin, was assisted during the hearing by an Arabic interpreter.

After the jury was sworn in on Tuesday morning, Judge Melbourne Inman KC adjourned the case for Thursday, when prosecutor Mr Nicholas de la Poer will deliver the opening of the Crowns case against Abbkr.
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A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court over the murder of a 70-year-old man in Hartlepool.

Terrence Carney had just used a cash machine when he was attacked in the town centre on Sunday morning.

Ahmed Alid, 44, who was living in the north-east seaside town, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Tuesday via video link from a police station in Middlesbrough, charged with the murder of Mr Carney and the attempted murder of Javed Nouri.

Prosecutors told the court Alid had allegedly been fighting with his housemate Mr Nouri at around 5.15am on Wharton Terrace before stabbing him multiple times in the chest, legs and mouth.

He is then accused of going to Tees Street, half a mile away, where he allegedly fatally stabbed Mr Carney in the chest and neck.

Police officers arrested Alid, who is a Moroccan national, on the corner of Victoria Road and York Road.

He was charged on Monday, following an investigation by Counter-Terrorism Policing North East and Cleveland Police.

Alid did not enter any pleas and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday.
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A baby girl allegedly squeezed to death was subjected to a substantial force that was way beyond rough play, a court has been told.

Laura Langley, 37, is on trial at Preston Crown Court accused of murdering her daughter Edith by inflicting terrible injuries.

Prosecutors say the seven-week-old victim suffered 33 rib fractures at the defendants hands.

Giving expert evidence on Tuesday, Professor David Mangham told the jury that 30 of the fractures happened hours before death, including very close to it.

He also identified three older cracked ribs which he said happened between two and four days earlier.

This is a very high number of fractures to identify in these kind of cases. That implies a high level of force - a substantial force being delivered that was way beyond rough play and something that would alarm an onlooker Professor David Mangham

The consultant pathologist, a specialist in bones, was sent a series of samples after Ediths post-mortem examination.

Asked by prosecutor Timothy Cray KC to explain his findings, Prof Mangham said: This is a very high number of fractures to identify in these kind of cases.

That implies a high level of force  a substantial force being delivered that was way beyond rough play and something that would alarm an onlooker.

He said the injuries were most likely caused by a squeezing or compressive force to the ribcage.

Prof Mangham said it is well recognised in literature that CPR chest compressions on babies can cause rib fractures to the front  but not the back.

He said: I dont deny CPR could have caused some of the anterior (front) fractures but it cant account for all of them.

The number is too high and the severity of the fractures is too great.

And also there are some older fractures which obviously are not CPR.

The post-mortem evidence suggests that, sadly, those accounts from the defendant were untrue because Edith had died from terrible injuries Prosecutor Timothy Cray KC

Langley called 999 just before 4am on Friday November 20 2020 and said her daughter was not breathing.

Paramedics were at the family home in Belgrave Road, Marton, Blackpool, within minutes and took over chest compressions.

Edith was taken to the seaside resorts Victoria Hospital but could not be revived and was declared dead at 4.43am.

Opening the case last week, Mr Cray said in the days after Ediths death, the defendant said it was sudden and unexplained.

He said the furthest she went in terms of her own responsibility was to blame herself for drinking alcohol on the Thursday night and into the Friday morning.

The barrister told the jury: The post-mortem evidence suggests that, sadly, those accounts from the defendant were untrue because Edith had died from terrible injuries.

Langley denies murder and child cruelty.

Tana Adkin KC, defending, highlighted to the jury a research paper that looked at four very new infants who died after the two-thumb technique of CPR was used and all had posterior (back) rib fractures.

Miss Adkin suggested to Prof Mangham: So its not unheard of, is it?

Prof Mangham replied there were a couple of research papers on the subject in which peer-reviewed publications did not follow, as opposed to a wider study of 500-plus cases where no posterior fractures were found.

The court heard that another bone expert, with some 50 years of experience, thought that Edith did not sustain any rib fractures days before her death.

The trial continues on Wednesday.
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Police officers have begun digging for the remains of a mother-of-three who was killed 10 years ago by her husband.

Rania Alayed, 25, was murdered by Ahmed Al-Khatib in a pre-planned honour killing in June 2013, with her killer claiming that he had buried her body between trees near the A19 in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

Greater Manchester Police have now begun searching the site after receiving new information, with a detailed search being carried out of a lay-by.

A spokesperson for the police said: We are carrying out a detailed search in relation to recovering the body of Rania Alayed. Following new information for a non-recent investigation, GMPs Major Incident Team have been authorised to begin looking at land on the side of the A19 near Thirsk.

Officers will be on location to carry out a thorough search of the area identified and will keep disruption to the local community to a minimum, with no wider risk or threat to the public.

GMP remain committed to finding Rania and will act on all available lines of enquiry when it is possible to do so to help bring some form of closure to her loved ones ten years on.

CCTV image of Ahmed Al-Khatib in the clothing of his wife Rania Alayed, which he wore to convince her family and friends she was alive (PA)

Al-Khatib was found guilty of her murder following a trial in 2014, with his two brothers also jailed for helping him dispose of the body.

Jurors heard that Ms Alayed had suffered years of domestic and sexual abuse before breaking free from her husbands control, and beginning a new life with her children in Blackley.

After luring her to his brothers flat in Salford, she was murdered before he began an elaborate plan to pretend she was still alive.

His claims that he had been mentally ill and had believed her to be possessed by a demon were rejected by the jury and he was jailed for a minimum term of 20 years.

Sentencing Al-Khatib, Mr Justice Leggatt said Ms Alayed had suffered years of abuse.

The contempt you showed for Rania in death matched the contempt of how you treated her in life, he said.

The suitcase used by Ahmed Al-Khatib to carry his wife Rania Alayed in after he lured her to her to death (PA)

CCTV had shown him wearing her clothes to disguise himself while carrying her body in a suitcase, before setting off for North Yorkshire to dispose of her body.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Reade, of GMPs Major Incident Team, said after Ahmeds sentencing: Rania was a young mother-of-three with everything to live for. She was beginning to put an abusive and violent relationship behind her and had genuine cause to be optimistic for the future.

But at the point when she thought she might be able to create a better life for her and her children  free of the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of Al-Khatib  her husband snatched it all away in the cruelest and most despicable way possible.

Invited to a neutral meeting place, he murdered her in cold blood while her children were in the next room. We might never know whether they heard or saw anything of their mothers last movements.

To deprive his own children of their mother is both sickening and chilling in the extreme. To later attempt to justify the killing by claiming a Jinn was about to attack him is both insulting to Ranias memory and counter to all the evidence of a pre-planned honour killing. And, make no mistake, this was an honour killing.
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A Cambridge-educated mother-of-four who became a barrister more than 35 years ago has been made a Supreme Court justice.

Dame Ingrid Simler, who has been a Court of Appeal judge for more than four years, will replace Lord Kitchin, who recently retired.

Her appointment was announced by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

A Supreme Court spokeswoman said Lady Justice Simler, who was a High Court judge between late 2013 and mid-2019, is the fifth woman to become a Supreme Court justice.

She said there are currently 10 male justices and one woman  Lady Rose.

The spokeswoman said the King made the appointment, on the advice of the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, following recommendations by an independent selection commission.

Dame Ingrid Simler was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 1987, having read law at Cambridge University, and completed a post-graduate diploma in EU law at the Europa Institute, University of Amsterdam, said the spokeswoman.

Lady Justice Simler is married with four children.

She will bring exceptional experience and ability to the court following a distinguished career as a barrister and judge Supreme Court President Lord Reed

Supreme Court President Lord Reed said: I am delighted to welcome Lady Justice Simler as a Justice to the Supreme Court.

He added: She will bring exceptional experience and ability to the court following a distinguished career as a barrister and judge.

Her experience in employment law, tax, public law and criminal law will be highly valuable to the Supreme Court and will further strengthen us as a world-leading court.

Meanwhile, a new female High Court judge has broken with tradition by opting for the title Ms Justice not Mrs Justice.

Barrister Ruth Henke KC, who recently began overseeing cases in the Family Division of the High Court, will be known Ms Justice Henke.

Her appointment was recently announced by the Judicial Office.

A spokeswoman for the Judicial Office said the prefix of Mr, Mrs or Ms is a matter for the individual High Court judge in consultation with senior judiciary.

Ms Justice Russell, who also oversees family cases, was the first judge to opt for the title Ms Justice, in 2014.
The Asteroid Smoothie Shack was the only smoothie shop on the tiny planetoid NX-42789. Business was slow out here on the frozen edge of the solar system. Some days only a handful of customers stopped by, miners and traders mostly, looking for a cold treat to break up the monotony.

Owner Jax Tanner did his best with the old beat-up blender he'd inherited when he took over the shop. But it was on its last legs, sputtering and spraying chunks of fruit all over. He needed a serious upgrade if he was going to keep the Shack open.

When he saw an ad for the Cuisinart SmartPower Deluxe, Jax knew it was the answer. This hardcore blender could crush anything he threw at it. No more limp, half-blended shakes. The patented stainless-steel blade and powerful motor would pulverize fruits and ice into the perfect consistency.

Jax ordered one right away, maxing out his credit to pay the insane shipping cost all the way out here. This baby was an investment in his future. The day it arrived, he eagerly ripped open the box, reveling in the heft of the die-cast base. He tossed in a bushel of asteroid sourced berries and hit puree. A flawless vortex of juice and fruit swirled within the borosilicate glass. It was poetry in motion.

For a month, business boomed. The asteroid miners couldn't get enough of Jax's silky smooth new shakes. But thendisaster struck. Bandits hijacked the supply shuttle bound for NX-42789. All incoming food shipments were cut off, leaving Jax's shelves bare. He rationed what few ingredients remained, but when the last spaceship banana got sucked into the blender, he knew the end had come.

The Cuisinart had been a lifesaver, but it couldn't conjure food out of thin space. As Jax flipped the sign to closed, he gazed longingly at the idle machine. Perhaps one day fresh fruit would return, so it could whirl and swirl once more. But for now, the Smoothie Shack was truly shakenout of business.

Aren't you glad you aren't Jax? Not only are you safe from space bandits, but you also get free shipping!

Get the the Cuisinart SmartPower Deluxe at Sidedeal today!

Here's how to get free shipping:

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1. Select $8.99 Shipping

2. Enter SDFALL23FREESHIP

3. $8.99 Shipping fee should change to $0.00
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Downing Street has said it is confident that key players will attend its artificial intelligence (AI) summit amid reports Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany may snub the summit.

Rishi Sunak hopes the summit on AI safety will cement the UKs status as a leading world player in the cutting-edge technology.

But it is not yet clear which international leaders will attend the gathering at Bletchley Park in November which is intended to discuss how to ensure AI can be used safely around the world.

The BBC reported that Mr Scholz could turn down the invitation, potentially leading to other leaders declining the chance to attend.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We are confident that the summit will bring together the right group of individuals to discuss this important issue.

But Im not going to get into speculation, it will be for other countries to set out their attendance.

The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday received an update on preparations for the summit, which has been championed by the Prime Minister.

The spokesman said it would be the first time that international partners, AI experts and tech companies and civil society will come together in this way to build a shared understanding of risk and inform a shared approach to safety at the frontier of AI development.

The Prime Minister made clear that it is only by managing the risks around AI that we can reap its benefits as a powerful tool for good; improving lives; boosting productivity; delivering better public services and growing our economy, Mr Sunaks official spokesman said.

The UK was uniquely placed to lead international co-operation on the agenda, Cabinet was told.

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan and Frontier AI taskforce chairman Ian Hogarth both updated ministers on the preparations for the summit.
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Google and the University of Cambridge have agreed a joint research partnership that will see the tech giant provide a grant for a new AI research centre.

The long-term agreement will allow for collaboration between researchers and scientists from Google and Cambridge in the development of responsible artificial intelligence designed to benefit people.

The technology giant has become the first funding partner for the universitys Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence, which is researching areas including responsible AI, robotics, human-machine interaction, healthcare, economic sustainability and climate change.

By collaborating with one of our world-leading British academic institutions, we can enable AI research that is bold, responsible and designed to meet the needs of people across the country Matt Brittin, Google EMEA

Next month, the UK will host an AI safety summit, where governments, researchers and tech giants are expected to discuss the potential opportunities and concerns around the technology.

On the new Google and Cambridge agreement, Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: Artificial intelligence can offer us enormous opportunities  growing the economy, creating new jobs and making lives longer, healthier and happier for British people.

To seize those opportunities, we must bring together insights from business and academia to encourage the safe and responsible development of AI. That is why we are welcoming the partnership which Google and the University of Cambridge have announced today.

As we prepare for next months AI safety summit, this partnership shows that the UK  home to world-leading research facilities as well as some of the biggest tech companies in the world  is perfectly placed to support the innovation that underpins this critical technology.

The new agreement builds on years of existing collaboration between Google and the University of Cambridge.

Matt Brittin, president of Google EMEA, said: AI has huge potential to benefit people across the world  whether its through making daily life that bit easier, or by tackling some of societys biggest challenges.

Its vital that we work together to seize this opportunity. By collaborating with one of our world-leading British academic institutions, we can enable AI research that is bold, responsible and designed to meet the needs of people across the country.

Partnerships like this  between academia and industry  will continue to be vital for the successful development of human-inspired AI Professor Anna Korhonen

This partnership also reaffirms Googles commitment to the UK as a global AI and technology leader.

Professor Anna Korhonen, director of the University of Cambridge Centre for Human-Inspired Intelligence, said: Here at the Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence our researchers are dedicated to making sure that people are put at the very heart of new developments in AI.

As our first funding partner, Google has been with us from the start of our journey, helping enable the breakthrough interdisciplinary research that we do.

Partnerships like this  between academia and industry  will continue to be vital for the successful development of human-inspired AI.
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Legislation to ban harmful conversion practices must be included in the Kings Speech next month, the equalities watchdog has said.

Campaigners have repeatedly called for conversion therapy  which seeks to change or suppress someones sexual orientation or gender identity  to be outlawed, saying it has ruined lives with its attempts cure LGBT+ people of being themselves.

But there have been years of delays and U-turns, with the Government saying in January this year that it would shortly publish a draft Bill.

Legislation to ban harmful conversion practices is needed, and...thorough and detailed scrutiny remains imperative to ensure that any ban is fully effective in protecting people Baroness Kishwer Falkner, EHRC

Now, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has written to women and equalities minister Kemi Badenoch, insisting legislation to ban conversion therapy is needed.

Commission chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner wrote that the EHRC position remains that legislation to ban harmful conversion practices is needed, and that thorough and detailed scrutiny remains imperative to ensure that any ban is fully effective in protecting people with the protected characteristics of sexual orientation and gender reassignment from harm, while avoiding any unintended consequences.

As such, I hope to see this legislation in the forthcoming Kings Speech. We of course remain happy to engage and provide advice if required on the equality and human rights implications of any proposals.

Baroness Falkner acknowledged it is a complex and sensitive area with the potential to have wide-ranging impacts and therefore said any legislation should be carefully considered to ensure it uses clear terminology and definitions, and is proportionate and evidence-based.

Theresa Mays government first vowed to ban conversion practices in July 2018.

On initially announcing a consultation into the conversion therapy ban, the universal proposals were intended to protect all LGBT+ people.

But in March 2022, then-prime minister Boris Johnson dramatically dropped plans for legislation, later defending a decision not to include trans people by saying there were complexities and sensitivities to be worked through.

In January of this year, the Government said it would ban conversion therapy for everyone, including transgender people.

The Kings Speech is due to take place on November 7.

Earlier this month, the shadow women and equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds said a no loopholes trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy would be introduced under a Labour government.
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Ministers are considering whether to urgently move Afghans eligible for relocation to the UK to safety as the deadline for them to leave Pakistan looms, a court has heard.

Around 2,300 Afghans who worked alongside British armed forces have been stuck in hotels in Pakistan for months after the government stopped chartering flights last November and stopped use of hotels in the UK.

Two of those stranded in Islamabad are taking legal action against the prime minister, home secretary, defence secretary and foreign secretary over the governments failure to bring them to safety.

But the High Court has paused their case until Friday to await an expected government decision on the matter, a judge said on Tuesday.

Mr Justice Chamberlain also ordered the immediate relocation of an Afghan refugee who worked with the British armed forces, currently living in Iran, who has also brought a case against the government urging his relocation.

Documents provided by the government that were relevant to the mans case, and to that of the two Afghan men in Pakistan, were discussed in private in a closed court on Tuesday, despite representations by The Independent and the Press Association that the evidence be heard in public.

Pakistan police have already stormed one of the hotels housing the UK-bound Afghans, arresting several whose visas had run out. The authorities have also issued an ultimatum to Afghan asylum seekers in the country without legal documents, saying they must leave by 1 November.

When open court resumed after the private hearing, Mr Justice Chamberlain said: The material I have seen is relevant to the risk posed to these claimants in Pakistan.

He continued: I will order the secretary of state to procure the relocation as soon as possible of AZ from Iran to the UK. The reasons for this decision cannot be stated in public.

The British armed forces work with the US military to evacuate eligible civilians and their families out of the country on August 21, 2021 in Kabul, Afghanistan (MoD Crown via Getty)

The judge said that although the documents he had seen detailed risk to the Afghan claimants in Pakistan he would give the government the chance to resolve the issue imminently itself.

Lisa Giovannetti KC, on behalf of the government, told the court on Tuesday morning: We are hoping that there will be a decision later today that will cover relocations and accommodation in the UK. This decision decision was not made by the end of the court session at 5pm.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said: The secretary of state should be given the opportunity to take a decision about what is to happen to those who are beneficiaries of the Arap scheme who are currently in Pakistan. Ms Giovannetti tells me that decision will be made later today or very soon. Ive also asked for further information related to further matters in closed.

It is not clear whether any decision taken by the government would cover only the men bringing the case or all those awaiting relocation in Pakistan.

If the government decides not to move the claimants, the court will consider representations from their lawyers about the need for them to be moved to the UK later this week.

The Ministry of Defence and Home Office have been approached for comment.
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Police in Iceland are investigating after a British schoolgirl was allegedly assaulted by a tour guide while on a school trip to see the Northern Lights.

In a clip posted on social media, the Black teenager can be seen being slapped in the face and chased by a woman at Hotel Ork, Hveragerdi, in an incident on Friday night.

The video quickly went viral, amassing thousands of views online and sparking concern about the childs well-being while she was on the four-day geography trip.

The child, 13, can be heard telling the woman, who is standing close to her with a finger in her face, Please dont come near me.

The adult is then seen slapping the girl who is then seen running away and being chased by the same woman in a second clip. The girls school, Harris Girls Academy, contacted Icelandic Police who attended the scene and interviewed the woman but no arrests have been made.

The girls mother, Priscilla, who did not want her surname used, told The Independent the incident happened after her daughter spoke up to defend her friend after the woman shouted at her.

I cannot sleep, Priscilla said, adding that her daughter had returned to her south London home on Saturday evening feeling completely distraught.

I feel that there was a racial element to this because the girl that the woman was originally shouting at was my daughters white friend. My daughter politely asked her to step back and she slapped her.

If my child were white, I do not think this wouldve happened. The woman didnt slap my daughters friend, whos white, or make any attempt to hit but she felt comfortable hitting my child.

Thats the reality of life; Black people are not respected, valued or appreciated.

The teenager told The Independent: Ive never faced racism and never thought that I would experience it, for the first time in my life, on this trip.

Priscilla continued: My daughter is not going to forget this and I told her Im sorry because this is not the experience I signed her up for. This is not the reason why I allowed her to go on the school trip.

My child is traumatised; she has her own bed but has been sleeping in mine ever since this happened and is asking me to stay home from work.

Thats the reality of life; Black people are not respected, valued or appreciated - the teenagers mother (Screenshot)

In an email from Icelandic Police to Priscilla, seen by The Independent, the force said it was investigating the incident and advised the family they could put forward a compensation claim.

Responding to a social media post about the incident on Sunday, Harris Federation, which runs Harris Girls Academy, confirmed that the adult in the clip was not from the school.

The children are safe and ok, and weve reported the adult to the police, who are rightly taking it seriously. We share your disgust and are supporting the police investigation, it added.

In a statement issued on Monday, Hotel Ork said it condemned all forms of violence.

Its important to clarify that the tour guide was not a hotel employee; she was a guest, staying at our premises, the same as the student. Following the incident, we immediately recommended contacting the local authorities, which in this case was the Icelandic police, the statement reads.

The police conducted their investigation, and its standard practice in Iceland not to arrest individuals unless the situation is exceptionally violent or poses an ongoing threat.

The Independent has contacted the Harris Federation and the Icelandic Police for comment.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury has condemned a rise in anti-semitic incidents in the UK following Hamass attack on Israel as he called for unity between Muslims and Jews.

Justin Welby was joined by leaders from the two faiths for talks at Lambeth Palace, with the group urging people across the country to reject any form of hatred or discrimination against Jewish people or any other community.

Their comments come following a huge spike in reports of anti-semitic incidents across the country amid the war between Israel and Hamas.

I know that all of us are profoundly concerned by what is happening in Israel and Gazawe are praying constantly for all those who are caught up in this war that has already brought so much suffering to so many people, the archbishop said in a statement after the meeting.

Today we have come together out of shared concern for our communities and neighbourhoods here in the UK, and to stand together against any form of hatred or violence against Jewish people or any other community.

He was joined by Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, a scholar and imam from Leicester, and a former assistant secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, the senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism UK and Rabbi of the New North London Synagogue.

Sheikh Mogra said he was deeply pained by what was unfolding in the Middle East.

At this critical time, we share deep concern for the welfare of everyone, he said. We are determined to do our utmost to prevent violence and intimidation across our country, whether on the streets, in places of worship, in schools, in universities, or in any other institutions.

Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra (L), Rabbi Jonathan (R) and Justin Welby (C) (Neil Turner/Lambeth Palace)

He added: It is deplorable and wrong that our Jewish community here has been the target of hate crimes. It is unacceptable that synagogues and Jewish centres have been targeted.

There has been a 500 per cent rise in antisemitism. I condemn these attacks and call on all fellow citizens to stand up and speak out against all and every form of hate.

Rabbi Wittenberg said: As leaders in the British Jewish and Muslim communities we affirm the importance of maintaining our relationships even, and especially, in troubled times.

We have so much in common; there are many friendships between us, and we have stood together through both peaceful and challenging days. As you say, we will sometimes have different loyalties, yet it is essential that we live together across the United Kingdom as neighbours and fellow citizens in peace and with respect.

He added: I share your prayers for an ultimate end to war. My prayers, too, are with all the innocent people caught up in this horror, for all those who are hurt and grieve, and all who long for the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones.

We are both on the side of life. We share deep concern for the welfare of everyone and pray for a better future for all.
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A Black millionaire and celebrity jeweller who was denied entry to a popular London bar says he was racially profiled.

Lamar Berko, 30, queued to enter 100 Wardour Street in Soho, West End, with eight Black friends last week but said they were turned away from the restaurant and given conflicting reasons about why.

Mr Berko said the group was blocked from entering by a door attendant who said there were too many men among them, only to then watch as multiple white people in the queue were waved through the doors.

In my field, Im used to dealing with racism. In this country, its always indirect and never direct. For example, Ive been stopped by the police so many times for no reason other than the car I drive, Mr Beko said.

Lamar Berko said he could not believe my eyes when employye took he and his friends out of the queue (Lamar Berko)

But I could not believe my eyes when the staff member took my friends and out of the queue - making everyone look at us as if we were troublemakers  then let in all white people and not us. I havent slept; I felt so violated.

Mr Berko has worked with some of the worlds biggest stars including David Beckham, Burna Boy, Steff London, Wizkid, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Joey Essex.

The entrepreneur, who runs LB Jewellery, built his empire after being kicked out of school at the age of 15. After becoming a jewellery consultant aged 19, he went on to launch his own business.

Lamar Berko runs LB Jewellery (Lamar Berko)

Mr Berko said he questioned the door attendant on why the group was refused entry when others were allowed in after being given differing reasons. At first, he said they were told there were too many men and were later told the venue was packed, even though he said the bar was nowhere near capacity.

Mr Berko said he told the employee he felt racially profiled and was told: I dont judge by the race, just by the person.

The jeweller said he felt compelled to explain what he does for a living and even Googled his name to show the door attendant. The staff member said he would consult colleagues inside but the group was still denied, despite Mr Berkos offer to purchase tables to the value of 10,000.

I didnt even ask the price of the tables  but this was turned down. What reason would they really have to say no?

I wasnt causing trouble or shouting; I didnt flare up or swear, Mr Berko said.

Ben Cavila, 33, who was also part of the group and had driven from Northampton to meet Mr Berko and friends for the evening, said: Ive been through this before, where Ive been turned away at the door of a Central London venue, so I wasnt particularly shocked.

Lamar, Ben, Gregory and friends at the beginning of their planned night out (Supplied)

Another friend, 33-year-old Gregory Nicholls told The Independent: We werent causing any issues; its not like we were lairy young lads outside. We were quiet in the line, good as gold. If you were going to make any assumptions about us that we were any kind of a threat, that wouldnt have come across from our behaviour.

This is something that happened to me throughout my 20s. Its disappointing that, in my 30s, Im finding myself in the same situation. It feels like the fact that were Black means that were not considered good enough to enter certain places in this country, despite having the financial means. Its sad.

After Mr Berko posted about his negative experience on Snapchat, 100 Wardour Streets Instagram page was flooded with criticism from users. The restaurant later posted photographs of Black women on their stories.

Lamar Berko and his merchandise (Supplied)

When people started getting on to them, they went on their 24-hour Instagram story and posted photographs of Black women, back to back. I find that to be such a mockery, Mr Berko said.

He continued: I want them to understand that what theyve done is mad. I am speaking out because theyre not going to make me feel like Im crazy. The only difference between my friends and I, and everyone else who was let in was our ethnicity.

100 Wardour Street has not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Independent.
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Disturbing footage showing a 14-year-old Black boy being held in a headlock and tasered to the ground by a police officer has sparked an outcry on social media.

West Midlands Police said officers were called to a property in Bromford, Birmingham, at around 5.20pm on Monday to a civil matter between neighbours.

The video, viewed thousands of times, shows one officer wrestling the child from the address in a headlock while onlookers shout: Get off him, get off him. The boy breaks free and the same officer is seen discharging a taser on him, causing him to fall to the ground.

Police confirmed they arrested the child, along with a 37-year-old man, on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and the pair remain in custody. The teenager was also arrested for criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said the force was reviewing officers bodyworn video and a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will be made as is usual protocol in these circumstances.

In the video, a woman thought to be the childs mother, can be heard shouting hes 14 and What the f**k have you done to my son? As the officer tells the boy not to move, people can be heard pleading Watch his asthma, look he cant breathe, hes a child.

The officer can be heard telling people to stay back before adding: I dont care, I dont care.

A number of social media users have expressed concern and anger at the boys treatment.

Disturbing footage reveals a 14-year-old Black child being choked and tasered by West Midlands Police, highlighting the urgent need to end police brutality and excessive use of force, Black Lives Matter UK wrote online.

This clip seems to show an escalation rather than controlling of a situation, which cant be acceptable practice, another user on social media commented.

Journalist Lorraine King posted: If three grown a**e men cant restrain a child without resorting to Tasering him then they are too weak to be police officers. This is deeply distressing and that poor boy carry that trauma into adulthood.

Michael Morgan, a social commentator, posted online: Deeply worrying footage of a 14-year-old boy choked, tasered and arrested yesterday by West Midlands police. 

A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct said: We are aware of this incident and we understand that a referral is to be made to us by West Midlands Police in relation to it. When we receive that we will carry out a thorough assessment to determine what further action is required from us.
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A banking analyst who was sacked after claiming two sandwiches on his expenses has lost his legal battle for unfair dismissal.

Szabolcs Fekete was fired by international firm Citibank after claiming to have eaten two sandwiches, two coffees and two pasta dishes on a work trip to Amsterdam.

Mr Fekete, a financial crime expert working in London, denied buying the items for his partner.

He said he bought two coffees because they were small and that the second sandwich was intended to serve as his dinner after eating the first one for lunch.

But the bank didnt believe his explanation and launched an investigation.

Mr Fekete noted that the amounts were well within the banks 100 euro (87) daily expense limit and said: I dont think I have to justify my eating habits to this extent.

The analyst later admitted that his partner, who didnt work for Citibank, had traveled with him but continued to claim he ate all the food himself.

Fekete later claimed he had been undergoing personal problems after the death of his grandmother, was on medical leave from work and was on medication while he was answering emailed questions about his expenses claim.

Szabolcs Fekete denied buying the items for his partner (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Following a hearing in September, employment judge Caroline Illing ruled in favor of the employer, saying the issue was not the sums of money involved, but about Mr Feketes failure to make a full and frank disclosure.

The judge said Citibank requires a commitment to honesty from its employees.

I have accepted that the expense report may have been submitted in error, the judge said.

However, I am satisfied that a dismissal in relation to the misrepresentation allegation alone would fall within the band of a reasonable response by a reasonable employer.

The judgment was dated 19 Sept but first reported by the Financial Times on Monday.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A British teenager who went missing during Hamass attack on Israel was murdered, it has been confirmed.

Yahel, 13, disappeared after militants attacked Kibbutz Beeri and killed her British-born mother Lianne.

Her family members have confirmed to the Israeli embassy in London that Yahel was also killed. Noiya, 16 and her Israeli father Eli are still missing.

They have decided not to release the girls surname.

The British family of Lianne previously described her as "a beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend who enriched the lives of all those lucky enough to have known and loved her".

"She lived a beautiful life and will be sorely missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind," they told the BBC.

On Monday Rishi Sunak said that at least six Britons had been killed in Hamass attack while a further 10 remain missing. It was not immediately clear if Yahel was among the six. The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.

The prime minister described the attack as a pogrom.

He said he had increased aid to the Palestinian people by a third and reiterated that the UK must support absolutely Israels right to defend itself as it targets Hamas.

He also called for the immediate release of the around 200 hostages taken by the militant group.

With the families of some of the missing watching his statement in parliament, Mr Sunak told MPs that more than 1,400 people were killed, more than 3,500 wounded and almost 200 taken hostage in Hamass attack.

Yahel (L) with her mother who was also murdered in the attack (C) and her sister Noiya (R) who remains missing (Family hand out)

The elderly, men, women, children, babes in arms, murdered, mutilated, burned alive, he continued. We should call it by its name: it was a pogrom.

Speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday morning, a minister said the government was doing everything we possibly can to secure the release of 10 British hostages being held by Hamas.

We dont know where they are and we are thinking of them all the time. And of course we are strongly supporting the attempt by Israel to find them and release them, Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell told BBC Breakfast.

The British government will do everything we possibly can to get them back, as soon as we possibly can.

We mourn the six British hostages we know who have died and we are extremely concerned about the fate and the state of the other 10.

President Joe Biden (left) was invited to visit Israel by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the White House announced on Monday night that Joe Biden would travel to Israel on Wednesday to show US support for the Middle East country.

The president is also expected to plead with military leaders there to avoid civilian casualties ahead of an expected Israel offensive into Gaza.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said over the weekend that the tens of thousands of heavily armed soldiers surrounding the border with Gaza were ready for war.

But for the past four days, since the first evacuation order was handed down to Palestinians to head southward towards Egypt , a major offensive has not materalised.

Following another late night meeting in Tel Aviv, the US secretary of state said that Mr Biden would visit on Wednesday to hear from Israel what it needs to defend its people as we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs.

Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears that the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.
With 20 members of his own party voting for others, Republican Jim Jordan failed to win the majority needed to become House Speaker in a first vote today in Congress. His 200 total fell short of Democratic Party nominee Hakeem Jeffries' 212. With his party in the minority, Jeffries cannot reach the threshold of victory in future rounds without unlikely GOP support, whereas Jordan needs only to win over his own party's objectors.

The failure mirrors that of Jordan's predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, who prevailed only after 15 rounds of votingand only lasted a few months in the job.

Jordan is famed outside of politics for his role in the Ohio State University sexual abuse scandal, in which he was accused of turning a blind eye to the abuse occuring in his department. He was not himself accused of sexually abusing students.

The scandal has hardly been mentioned in the weeks-long squabbling over who will succeed the recently-deposed Kevin McCarthy. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, a Jordan supporter, recently said she didn't know anything about the issue. But the allegations have stuck with Jordan through the years, earning him the moniker "Gym Jordan" from detractors.

Correction: Totals.
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There has been a hardening of opinion within loyalist communities in Northern Ireland against the Irish Sea trading border, with many young people looking at non-political solutions, MPs have been told.

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee he was worried that the process of transition of paramilitary groups towards civilianisation had halted while concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements remained.

Giving evidence as the director of Northern Ireland Policy at the Centre for the Union, Mr Bryson said paramilitary leaders had told him that young loyalists had been beating their doors down wanting to join the fight against the Irish Sea border.

The committee is investigating the effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland.

Powersharing in Northern Ireland has not been operating for over 18 months as part of a DUP protest at the internal UK trade barriers created by Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol.

The party says the Windsor Framework deal struck by the EU and UK to reform the protocol does not sufficiently address its concerns and has made it clear it will not accept a return to devolution until the Government provides further assurances, by way of legislation, over Northern Irelands place in the UK internal market.

Talks between the DUP and Government have been ongoing over the summer.

One of the main parts of the framework  the green/red lane system for the movement of goods  became operational at Northern Ireland ports earlier this month.

Young loyalists are very, very angry and many of them are looking at non-political solutions Jamie Bryson

Mr Bryson told the committee there had to be the correct political context for loyalist paramilitary organisations to transition towards civilianisation.

He said: I think the process of transition and civilianisation is halted and is unable to progress so long as the political context remains as it is.

He added: I struggle to see how those organisations can progress. The leaders of those organisations need to be able to say to their members, The Union is safe. The guarantees we signed up to in 1994 and 1998 are still in place.

They cant do that while the protocol and framework remains.

Committee chairman Simon Hoare asked Mr Bryson what his worst fear was about how these concerns would manifest themselves on the streets of Northern Ireland.

Mr Byson said he did not want to whip up tension but opinion is hardening in loyalist communities.

He said: All protests should be peaceful and lawful at all times.

Mr Bryson added: There is significant anger in working class loyalist communities and at the moment the valve for that anger is the political action which the DUP have taken, and they have massive support for that.

I am worried that if we dont get a solution to this issue that we could see the progress which has been made, and which we all want to maintain, going backwards and a new generation of young loyalists taking a course which I dont think they ought to take.

Young loyalists are very, very angry and many of them are looking at non-political solutions and many of us are working to discourage that and find a political way forward.

There has to be a solution which deals with the very real concerns and issues.

DUP committee member Carla Lockhart asked if the Irish Sea border had had an impact on recruitment for loyalist paramilitary groups and if it made transition more difficult.

Mr Bryson said: In short, yes and yes.

Senior leaders in the paramilitary organisations told me that young lads were beating their doors down wanting to join the organisations to fight against the Irish Sea border.

Those organisations did not go on a recruitment drive and they put those young lads down the path of peaceful protest, politics and discouraged violence.
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The sister of a British man who was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed by Hamas militants has said her brother was a typical 20-year-old cheeky chappie who died protecting his country.

Gaby Young told the PA news agency her younger brother Nathanel Young, 20, loved his four nieces, was fun-loving and had a passion for DJing.

The 38-year-old from Tel Aviv said she was in contact with her brother by phone on the morning of October 7, when Hamas militants attacked, but he then stopped reading or responding to her Whatsapp messages.

Born in Southgate, north London, Mr Young had a strong Jewish identity and attended JFS, the largest Jewish secondary school in Europe.

He decided to come to Israel just for a short amount of time  but ultimately stayed a year before joining the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), his sister said.

Ms Young said her brother joined the IDF because he wanted to be able to protect Israel and protect civilians, especially from terrorist threats and served in the force for one year before his death.

(He) loved fashion and trainers and he had a trainers collection just like a typical 20-year-old cheeky chappie, Ms Young said.

As air raid sirens sounded at around 6:30am on the morning on October 7, the British-Israeli soldier rang his sister and said hed heard that there were missiles.

He was actually on the border with Gaza at that time, and so we exchanged a few WhatsApps because I couldnt hear him properly on the phone, Ms Young explained.

I had to grab my husband and my children and rush them into a shelter, so obviously, we were terrified.

At the time, Ms Young said they had not yet realised the extent of the attack that morning.

Shortly after the siblings exchanged texts, she said the blue ticks confirming her Whatsapp messages had been read stopped appearing.

He hadnt seen my messages, Ms Young said.

I spent the whole day trying to figure out what was going on and where he was, hoping he was okay, that he just left his phone somewhere or something like that, not anything worse.

Ms Young was informed by the IDF around 1am on October 8 that he had been killed while protecting a kibbutz on the Gaza border.

His funeral took place two days later, during which an air raid siren rang out while Ms Young read her eulogy.

Everyone had to just get on the floor, she said.

My parents and my sister from the UK had come from the funeral and theyve never had to even experience air raid sirens so you can imagine how terrified they must have been.

Ive had more experience with hearing sirens so its more of a reflex for me to react.

I really wanted to continue and I was determined to give Nathanel the honour that he deserves and finish my speech.

Ms Young did finish the eulogy, and she said she hopes to further honour her brother in future.

I hope that after all of this, and in more peaceful times, well be able to honour him with some kind of music studio in his memory for those maybe with PTSD, or even just young people who have an interest in music, she said.

Id love to follow that dream.
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Faith leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury have urged communities across the country to stand together against hatred, amid a rise in reported antisemitic attacks and hate crimes in the UK.

Justin Welby, Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg delivered a joint statement of solidarity at Lambeth Palace amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Mr Welby said the faith leaders were speaking alongside each other on Tuesday morning to stand together against any form of hatred or violence against Jewish people or any other community.

He added: We cannot allow the seeds of hatred and prejudice to be sown afresh in our communities. And at this time especially, we cannot allow the cancer of antisemitism to spread in our nation.

Mr Welby welcomed the solidarity shown by Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and said they speak for their own communities and networks, and not for any others, but they speak out of their particular friendship, as a Muslim, and as a Jew.

Sheikh Mogra, a scholar and imam from Leicester, said it was deplorable and wrong that the Jewish community in the UK has been the target of hate crimes.

He said it is unacceptable that synagogues and Jewish centres have been targeted and called on all fellow citizens to stand up and speak out against all and every form of hate.

The former assistant secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain said: British Muslims and Jews have much in common and there are many personal ties between us.

We have celebrated happy times together and stood together in solidarity during difficult and challenging times.

We have, and will sometimes be on opposite sides, but we live together as neighbours in peace and harmony, disagreeing with each other respectfully without resorting to hate or violence.

Rabbi Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism UK, said Sheikh Mogras solidarity in speaking out against antisemitism means a great deal amid a five-fold rise in incidents of antisemitism over the last week.

We will sometimes have different loyalties, yet it is essential that we live together across the United Kingdom as neighbours and fellow citizens in peace and with respect Rabbi Wittenberg

He said the Jewish community has long condemned and continues to condemn all racism directed against Muslims, from whatever source.

The Rabbi of the New North London Synagogue said: As leaders in the British Jewish and Muslim communities we affirm the importance of maintaining our relationships even and especially in troubled times.

We have so much in common; there are many friendships between us and we have stood together through both peaceful and challenging days.

Rabbi Wittenberg added: We will sometimes have different loyalties, yet it is essential that we live together across the United Kingdom as neighbours and fellow citizens in peace and with respect.
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The head of MI5 will make his first joint public appearance with counterparts from the Five Eyes intelligence services amid warnings about the threats to UK businesses from foreign states.

Ken McCallum will appear alongside fellow spy chiefs from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand at an event hosted by the FBI later on Tuesday.

He said: The UK is seeing a sharp rise in aggressive attempts by other states to steal competitive advantage.

The stakes are now incredibly high on emerging technologies; states which lead the way in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and synthetic biology will have the power to shape all our futures Ken McCallum, MI5

Its the same across all five of our countries.

The stakes are now incredibly high on emerging technologies; states which lead the way in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and synthetic biology will have the power to shape all our futures.

We all need to be aware, and respond, before its too late.

All five figures are set to take part in a fireside chat with former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to discuss threats to businesses across their home nations.

They met at the start of the first Emerging Technology and Securing Innovation Security Summit in Silicon Valley, which will also be attended by business chiefs and academics.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation director-general Mike Burgess called the summit an unprecedented response to an unprecedented threat.
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An education minister has faced calls to resign in the Commons over the Department for Educations school funding error.

Nick Gibb described the error as unfortunate but insisted no money has been taken out of the school budget as he answered an urgent question on the matter in Parliament.

He also disclosed that it took approximately four weeks to identify and correct the error in the calculation of the national funding formula (NFF) figures.

It's the Gibb factor. Why doesn't he resign and talk to people? Labour MP Barry Sheerman

Labours Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) unleashed a scathing critique of Mr Gibbs tenure as education minister and called for his resignation, accusing him of overseeing the demoralisation of the education centre of our country.

Earlier this month, the Government ordered an inquiry and the Department for Education (DfE) apologised after it miscalculated its funding plans for the next academic year.

On October 6, the DfEs top official, permanent secretary Susan Acland-Hood, admitted there was an error processing forecast pupil numbers in the NFF, which would mean the overall cost of the core schools budget would be 0.62% greater than allocated in 2024/25.

Four education unions have written to Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, urging her to restore the original rates, as they claimed the revisions effectively reduced the value of the NFF by 370 million.

But in a written statement this week, Mr Gibb said schools have not yet received their 2024/25 funding and so the correction of this error does not mean adjusting any funding that schools have already received.

On Tuesday, Mr Sheerman told MPs he received an X post earlier in the day, which characterised the ministers actions as a total cock up.

He went on: I dont know if thats technical language, but the fact of the matter is, this is a minister, the longest serving minister, I think in any department, in any government for so many years, and under his watch, we have seen the demoralisation of the education centre of our country in his office and good people leaving.

Its the Gibb factor. Why doesnt he resign and talk to people?

Mr Gibb replied: That was, if I may say so, an extraordinary outburst. We have the highest number of teachers in our teaching profession, 468,000 teachers today, 27,000 by the way more than in 2010 when we came into office, and indeed were not seeing that rise in the number of teachers in Labour-run Wales.

It is shambolic, it is chaotic, and our children deserve a lot better Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson

Mr Gibb was previously education minister between July 2014 and September 2021 and between May 2010 and September 2012.

Asking the urgent question earlier, shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: The Conservatives are taking 370 million out of schools budget allocations for next year.

It is shambolic, it is chaotic, and our children deserve a lot better.

She added: Rather than blaming officials, will the Secretary of State (Gillian Keegan), wherever she is today, finally take some responsibility?

Ms Phillipson also said: We need to know why, when the mistake was first identified in September, it was not until after Conservative Party conference in October that headteachers were finally notified.

Mr Gibb said: No money has been taken out of the school budget. Its 59.6 billion next year, and it will remain at 59.6 billion.

What would be irresponsible would be to increase funding for schools by the 0.62% solely as a result of an error by officials. That is not how Government spending systems work.

Recounting the moment he was made aware of the error, he later said: It was unfortunate. And when you are a minister and officials gather outside your office to tell you this great news about the error thats been made, my instinct is always find out what the error is, rectify it as quickly as possible.

And that took about four weeks compared to the normal six weeks in calculating the NFF and then publishing those figures as rapidly as possible. Thats been the approach that I have taken and which the department has taken.
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Nigel Farage has hit out at a totalitarian decision after GB News was removed from the internal television system at the Welsh Parliament.

The GB News presenter and former Brexit Party leader joined Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies in condemning the move.

A spokesman for Elin Jones, the Senedds Llywydd  the presiding officer  said the channel was removed following a broadcast that was contrary to our parliaments values.

Actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox was sacked by the channel earlier this month following comments he made on-air about a female journalist, including asking who would want to shag that?.

The decision to remove GB news will be considered by the Senedds cross-party commission at a later date, with the channel still available online.

The spokesman for Ms Jones said: GB News has been removed from the Senedds internal television system following a recent broadcast that was deliberately offensive, demeaning to public debate and contrary to our parliaments values.

There are now several ongoing Ofcom investigations into the channel.

The commission will discuss the issue at a future meeting, and staff and members who wish to view GB News will still be able to do so online in the Senedd.

Mr Davies said: This is a disgraceful decision. Its censorship. Pure and simple.

Although the decision was taken by the Senedd, rather than Mark Drakefords government, Mr Farage hit out at Labour.

This shows just how awful the Welsh Labour administration is, he said. They are totalitarian in their thinking and behaviour.

Is this what lies in store for the whole of the UK under (Sir Keir) Starmer?

Welsh Secretary David Davies also accused Mr Drakefords administration of imposing a blanket ban on the station on Senedd televisions, calling it an appalling move.

Plurality of the media is crucial to ensure a functioning democracy, he said.
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Watch as the UK's Palestinian Ambassador, Husam Zomlot, gives a press conference at the offices of the Palestinian Mission to the UK on Tuesday, 17 October.

Mr Zomlot's speech comes as medical staff in Gaza warn that thousands could die as hospitals run dangerously low on basic supplies and fuel ahead of a predicted Israeli ground offensive in response to Hamas' attack in which at least 1,400 people were killed, more than 3,500 wounded and almost 200 taken hostage according to Rishi Sunak.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,670 Palestinians have been killed and 9,600 wounded since the fighting began.

The UK prime minister added that at least six Britons had been killed in Hamass attack while a further 10 remain missing.

Gaza hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the coming days - according to the UN, Gazas sole power plant shut down because of a lack of fuel after Israel sealed off the long territory following the Hamas attack.
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The BBCs Mishal Husain was in another testy exchange with a Cabinet minister today over the Israel-Hamas war.

She interrupted Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell after he supported Israel, saying it had suffered the biggest loss of Jewish lives since WW2.

And he hit back again after Ms Husain questioned the why Israel had cut off water supplies to Gaza.

Mr Mitchell said Hamas was to blame making weapons out of water pipes.

The exchanges on Radio 4 Today follow a similar clash between Ms Husain and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps last week over the BBCs decision not to refer to Hamas as terrorists.

Mr Mitchell spoke out after Ms Husain asked him if the Government had asked the Israeli government how it would limit civilian casualties in its proposed military offensive in Gaza.

He told her: "It is worth making the point that Israel uses its defence forces to protect its citizens. Hamas uses its citizens to protect Hamas."

This was a reference to the way Hamas is accused of placing military bases in civilian areas to make it harder for Israel to attack them.

When Ms Husain asked: Why are so many civilians in Gaza dying then? Mr Mitchell replied: They are dying because of the appalling acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas, a terrorist organisation, in an attack on Israel which saw more Jewish people murdered than at any time since the Holocaust.

At this point Ms Husain interjected: "Forgive me, I am not asking how this phase began. Its about the nature of how this operation is being conducted. Is it being conducted in a way that minimises civilian casualties? Because if it is the numbers are very significant."

Later in the interview, when Mr Mitchell said Israel had a right to defend itself and he believed the Israeli Army would "respect international humanitarian law," Ms Husain challenged him again, saying: "The water supply (to Gaza) has been bombed. Thats why people are in this situation."

Mr Mitchell retorted: "Lets be clear: water pipes have been dug up by Hamas and the pipes themselves turned into offensive weapons. This is all as a result of the appalling events perpetrated by the terrorists in Hamas."

The public broadcasters reporting on Israel and Palestine has long been scrutinised by both sides of the long-running conflict.

The BBCs HQ in London, Broadcasting House, was doused in red paint last week by pro-Palestine activists, who accused it of manufacturing consent for Israels war crimes.

Supporters of Israel have meanwhile criticised the broadcaster for its policy of avoiding the use of the word terrorist to describe groups, including Hamas. The broadcaster says the term is loaded.
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Defeated New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Tuesday he will continue to lead his liberal Labour Party  for now, at least  despite its big election loss over the weekend.

I've still got a bit of fight left in me, Hipkins told reporters.

Hipkins made the comments after a meeting with his party's caucus, during which there was no immediate move to oust him.

Still, Hipkins acknowledged that he and others in the party would be reflecting on their futures over the coming months and figuring out what would be best for the party going forward.

Obviously the election result was one that was very disappointing to us as a team, Hipkins said.

Former businessman Christopher Luxon will be the nation's next prime minister after his conservative National Party won 39% of the vote during the election, by far the largest share of any single party.

Under New Zealand's proportional system, National plans to form a coalition with the libertarian ACT Party.

The two parties combined hold only a slim majority, which could evaporate once the remaining 20% of outstanding votes are counted. In that instance, the parties would also need the support of a third party, New Zealand First, which is led by 78-year-old maverick Winston Peters.

Luxon said he wouldn't be revealing the blow-by-blow details of the negotiations between the various parties until a deal is finalized.

We had a mandate on Saturday night. Were going to work our way through our arrangements, Luxon told reporters.

He said the only roles that were locked in so far were his own as prime minister, and his deputy, Nicola Willis, as finance minister.

The final vote tally will be announced in early November.

Hipkins spent just nine months as prime minister after replacing Jacinda Ardern, who unexpectedly stepped down after five years in the top job. She won the last election in a landslide, but this time the Labour Party won just 27% of the vote.

One of Hipkins's top deputies announced Tuesday he would retire. Andrew Little, a former party leader who held many ministerial portfolios including health, immigration and defense, said by stepping aside he would allow a face of the future to take his place.
If you have thirty minutes to spare, do yourself a favor and watch this incredible concert by Jonathan Richman, with Modern Lovers Brennan Totten and Andy Paley, that first aired on April 28, 1986 as Qui Te por de Jonathan Richman? (Who's Afraid of Jonathan Richman?) on a television program for TV3 (Televisio de Catalunya) called Arsenal. It's unclear when the original live footage was shotone source stated that it was recorded at the Otto Zutz Club in Barcelona on April 10, 1986, and another said it was from 1984the footage itself says "Otto Zutz Club, Barcelona, April 10, 1986" so let's go with that.

Dangerous Minds describes the incredible show:

Recently I went on a Jonathan Richman YouTube kick, possibly instigated by my hearing "Egyptian Reggae" in a rum commercial (hey, don't hate, even Modern Lovers gotta pay those bills). When I came across this 1984 appearance on Spanish television, I was struck by two things. First of all, the program he's on, Arsenal, is actually in Catalan, a language effectively banned in Spain up until 1975, now spoken by a cultural minority. Catalan has an extremely heavy political history in Spain, but it's pretty esoteric to see the title, "Who's Afraid of Jonathan Richman?" in Catalan. Second, amidst a fantastic performance with Modern Lovers, Brennan Totten and Andy Paley, you see Jonathan performing little skits in additional video content, narrating the story of his first guitar, and actually talking about his fame. Anyone familiar with Richman knows that while he's an incredibly garrulous performer, offstage he often seems very averse to talking to press or journalists. This appearance is a rare and sweet moment of insight into his genuine enthusiasm for what he does.

The show starts with Jonathan trying to speak Spanish, which really just amounts to him saying awkward phrases like "Hola, aqui Jonathan Richman" and random words that he knowsbuenas tardes, buenas noches, hola senor, hola senora, muchachos, muchachas, trabajadores. The set includes lots of favorites (The Tag Game, Ice Cream Man, This Kind of Music, I'm A Little Dinosaur, Give Paris a Chance, That Summer Feeling, and many more) as well as terrific versions of Wipe Out and La Bamba, both of which feature JoJo on saxophone!

Here's the full thirty minute showthe quality isn't as good as another slightly different version that I found (Part One and Part Two), but it seems to have more songs. Enjoy!
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Watch as the foreign affairs committee questions Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad on Tuesday 17 Setember.

Discussions are likely to include the governments efforts to evacuate citizens from Israel, in a week that Rishi Sunak has faced renewed pressure to add Irans revolutionary guard to the list of banned terrorist organisations.

As conflict in the Middle East continues, Dr Liam Fox, Conservative former defence secretary, warned that while Hamas had its fingers on the trigger of the violence in Israel and Palestine, the strings being pulled are from Tehran.

He was joined by a host of influential Tories, including Alicia Kearns, Conservative chairwoman of the foreign affairs committee, in calling for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a special Iranian military force, to be proscribed as a terrorist group.

Ms Kearns said the attack on Israel constituted crimes against humanity, but stressed that how Israel defeats Hamas will shape the regions future.
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Several Labour councillors have quit the party in protest over Sir Keir Starmers stance on Israels planned invasion of Gaza  including the first Arab Muslim woman on Manchester City Council.

Amna Abdullatif said she had been left no choice other than to resign from Labour as she accused the Labour leader of effectively endorsing a war crime.

The councillor said Sir Keir and senior frontbenchers had made horrifying comments about Israel having the right to withhold fuel, water, food and electricity from the 2.2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza, effectively endorsing a war crime.

Sir Keir, who has continued to emphasis his strong support for Israels right to defend herself and has said responsibility lies with Hamas for the bombardment on Gaza.

Asked on LBC if he thought a siege of Gaza was appropriate if it involved cutting off power, cutting off water, the Labour leader replied: I think that Israel does have that right, before also clarifying: Obviously, everything should be done within international law.

Ms Abdullatif, who will now sit as an independent, said: Collective punishment is illegal under international law. It is inhumane and unconscionable.

I cannot fathom how the leadership of the party I represent has not called for a de-escalation to violence, and a ceasefire. This is deeply irresponsible and dangerous.

Two Labour councillors in Oxford, Shaista Aziz and Dr Amar Latif, have also quit the party since Sir Keir made the comments about Gaza.

Keir Starmer has emphasised Israels right to defend herself (AP)

Ms Aziz said politicians must evoke humanity and put an end to collective punishment in Gaza. Mr Latif claimed Mr Starmer had responded in such a way because hes afraid of losing votes.

The Labour Muslim Network also 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.

Asked if Israel has a right to lay siege to Gaza, the Labour leader told BBC last week: 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.

On Monday Sir Keir insisted in parliament that civilians in Gaza must not be targeted as he called for humanitarian corridors to be opened to allow the supply of food, water and electricity to the Gaza Strip.

Sir Keir also said the international community must keep striving for a two-state solution" to the conflict. We cannot let Hamas brutality be a catalyst for conflict in the wider region. Engagement between Israel and Arab nations must be strengthened not abandoned.

The Labour leader said it is crucial that this House speaks with one voice in condemnation of terror, in support for Israel in its time of agony and for the dignity of all human life.
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The head of MI5 has warned of a sharp rise in aggressive attempts by hostile states like China to steal Britains technology secrets.

Ken McCallum will make his first joint public appearance with counterparts from the Five Eyes intelligence services amid warnings about growing threats to the west.

The intelligence boss will appear alongside fellow spy chiefs from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand at an event hosted by the FBI later on Tuesday.

The UK is seeing a sharp rise in aggressive attempts by other states to steal competitive advantage, said Mr McCallum. Its the same across all five of our countries.

The stakes are now incredibly high on emerging technologies; states which lead the way in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and synthetic biology will have the power to shape all our futures.

The MI5 chief added: We all need to be aware, and respond, before its too late.

Mr McCallum has previously warned that China is the biggest long-term threat to Britains interests, and the country should prepare to face Russian aggression for years.

The MI5 chief also warned British researchers earlier this year they are key targets for hostile actors, who are stealing British research with dispiriting regularity.

He said: If your field of research is relevant to advanced materials or quantum computing or AI or biotech, to name but a few, your work will be of interest to people employed by states who do not share our values.

MI5 director General Ken McCallum is in US for intelligence meeting (PA Archive)

Rishi Sunaks government warned that China is actively trying to headhunt top British officials in government, business and the military

Beijing has attempted to recruit nationals in key positions with sensitive knowledge and experience, the government acknowledged in response to a damning report by MPs.

It follows the arrest of a parliamentary researcher on suspicion of spying for the superpower. The man in his 20s  who has insisted that he is innocent  reportedly met a Cabinet Office minister to discuss the Procurement Bill.

All five intelligence bosses are set to take part in a fireside chat with the former Bush-era US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday to discuss threats to businesses across their home nations.

They already met at the start of the first Emerging Technology and Securing Innovation Security Summit in Silicon Valley, which will also be attended by business chiefs and academics.

FBI director Christopher Wray said the intelligence agencies would continue to protect emerging technologies both from those who would steal them and those who would exploit them for malicious purposes.

David Vigneault, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), said the threats to innovation are increasing in both scale and complexity.

Meanwhile, No 10 has said it is confident that key players will attend its artificial intelligence (AI) summit amid reports German chancellor Olaf Scholz may snub the summit.

Mr Sunak hopes the summit on AI safety will cement the UKs status as a world player in the technology. But it is not yet clear which international leaders will attend the gathering at Bletchley Park in November.

Britain has invited China to its summit, but it is not yet clear if officials will be asked to take part in some or all of the event. Foreign secretary James Cleverly has previously said the risks of the technology could not be contained if one of its leading players was absent.
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Peter Bone has been stripped of the Conservative whip removed after he was found to have indecently exposed himself to a staff member and trapped him in the bathroom of a hotel room.

Parliaments standards chief upheld five claims of bullying and one of sexual misconduct against the leading Brexit backer and recommended a lengthy suspension.

A spokeswoman for the Tory chief whip Simon Hart said Mr Bone  who faces a possible by-election in his Wellingborough and Rushden seat  would no longer sit with the party in the Commons.

The six-week suspension recommended by the Independent Expert Panel (IEP) would trigger a recall petition if approved by MPs  creating yet another by-election headache for Rishi Sunak.

Mr Bone was found by the parliamentary complaints watchdog to have committed many varied acts of bullying and one act of sexual misconduct against a staff member in 2012 and 2013.

The standards commissioner also said the MP  who has denied all misconduct claims and attacked the watchdogs flawed investigation  had indecently exposed himself to the complainant on an overseas trip.

The IEP report also found that the veteran MP, , one of the most outspoken pro-Brexit Conservatives, was also found to have repeatedly pressurised [the complainant] to give him a massage in the office.

The report detailed how Mr Bone booked a single hotel room for himself and the complainant during a work trip in Spain, which one staffer told The Independent is extremely unusual.

Mr Bone then became angry when the complainant separated the two single beds in the room before engineering a situation in which the complainant was confronted by his penis at very close quarters, the report said.

Tory MP Peter Bone faces a six-week suspension and possible by-election (PA Archive)

In a statement posted on Twitter/X, Mr Bone said the allegations were false and without foundation, adding: None of the misconduct allegations against me ever took place.

Mr Bone indicated he would fight the suspension, saying it has been an honour to represent his constituents and I will continue to represent them to the best of my ability.

He accused the parliamentary watchdogs investigation of being flawed and procedurally unfair. I am currently in discussion with lawyers what action could and should be taken, he added.

A six-week suspension, if approved by MPs, would trigger a recall petition. If 10 per cent of Mr Bones constituents vote for a by-election, one would take place several weeks later.

It would set up the latest in a series of demoralising by-elections for Mr Sunak in safe Conservative seats, with the party lagging far behind Labour in the polls.

Mr Bone has an 18,000 majority in the East Midlands seat, smaller than that overturned by Labour MP Keir Mather in Selby in north Yorkshire in July.

His recommended suspension comes days before Mr Sunak faces key by-elections in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth  with voters able to give their verdict on the governments performance.

A leaked Tory memo revealed that party officials expect to lose half their vote share at the two by-elections this week  putting them course for poentially embarrassing defeats despite huge majorities.

The document written for Tory chairman Greg Hands predicts the Tories would win between 28 per cent and 33 per cent of the vote in Tamworth.

And in Mid Bedfordshire, they expect their vote share to be cut to 29 per cent. Parties try to manage expectations ahead of such contests and the document may have been written with the intention of being leaked.
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ITV presenter Richard Madeley is facing calls to be taken off air after he asked a senior Liberal Democrat MP if she knew Hamas was planning to kill innocent Israelis.

The Good Morning Britain host was accused of appalling behaviour by asking Layla Moran  who is of Palestinian descent  if she was aware in advance of the terrorist attack which saw more than 1,400 murdered.

The Lib Dems foreign affairs spokesperson had told the Commons about the bombing of her own relatives home in Gaza as she shared her profound emotions of loss and grief with the Jewish community.

But Mr Madeley asked her: With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen 10 days ago  was there any word on the street?

Taken aback, the senior Lib Dem politician replied: Not this, not this. Everyone, everyone has been surprised first of all by the timing and sophistication and they way that its happened.

Ms Moran added: I dont believe it is right that my family is being held accountable for what Hamas is done. It is a choice to turn off the water and the electricity and the way that has happened  I dont believe that is right.

Issuing an apology following widespread outrage, a Good Morning Britain spokesperson said: Richard is sorry that he has upset viewers with his question to Layla Moran.

They added: His intention was to understand the mood and atmosphere amongst the civilian population of Gaza immediately before the attacks  He did not mean to imply that she or her family might have had any prior knowledge of the attacks.

Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran (PA Archive)

Condemnation for Mr Madeley was swift  with some demanding the host to be removed from GMB hosting duties. Liz Jarvis, the Lib Dem candidate for Eastleigh, said Ms Moran had handled this situation with remarkable composure and dignity but Richard Madeley should apologise or be taken off air.

Ash Sarkar, the left-wing commentor and Novara Media editor, accused Mr Madeley of racism. This is no different from asking British Jews if they have any special warning about settlers attacking Palestinians. Outright racism from Richard Madeley, she tweeted on X.

Political commentator Jonathan Lis, deputy director of the British Influence think tank, called Mr Madeley Newsnight Alan Partridge and also accused him of racism.

He said the host had casually asked a British MP with Palestinian heritage whether her family connections gave her advance warning of Hamass massacre. Call this what it is: racism. He should unreservedly apologise or be taken off air.

SNP activist Olaf Stando said Mr Madeley was so obscenely stupid and crass that he shouldnt be allowed anywhere near this topic.

Lets repeat: all Jewish people arent accountable for the Israeli governments actions, and all Palestinians arent accountable for Hamas actions.

Political and economic commentator Frances Coppola added: This is an outrageous question. Madeley should be ashamed of himself.

Ms Moran spoked about the struggles of her own relatives in the Commons on Monday, as Rishi Sunak made a statement about the six Britons killed and 10 missing in Israel.

My immediate family is in the West Bank  but we have extended family in Gaza city, she revealed. Their house was bombed by the IDF, they went to seek sanctuary in a church because we are Christian Palestinians  They say to me they have nowhere to go.

Ms Moran said she shared profound emotions of loss and grief with the Jewish community, before calling on Rishi Sunak to help work toward a Palestinian state to call our own at the end of it.
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A renowned fact-checking organisation has accused Rishi Sunak of "damaging democracy" and "spreading misinformation" by repeating false claims about Labour's immigration policy.

The charity FullFact said claims made by the prime minister about the opposition's position to seek an asylum returns agreement with the EU were "not based on on reliable information".

Mr Sunak and his party chair Greg Hands had both claimed Labour wanted to open the door to another 100,000 migrants a year  a claim which the charity says does not stand up to scrutiny.

FullFact had already warned Mr Sunak in September that the claim "was not based on reliable information" and urged him to stop repeating it.

But the PM ignored the warning and has since repeated it again, as has Tory party chair Greg Hands.

"As elected representatives, you have a duty to voters to lead with honesty. Any claims you make should be based on reliable information," the charity's chief executive said in a letter released on Tuesday.

"With a general election on the horizon, we want to be reassured that you will do everything possible not to mislead voters."

They added: "Spreading misinformation about political opponents is damaging to our democracy and it is important that you stop repeating this claim."

The 100,000 claim is based on a pledge by Keir Starmer that he will seek a returns agreement with the European Union for asylum seekers arriving in the UK.

But FullFact said it was "based on a number of assumptions about a hypothetical returns agreement" and included "a misrepresentation".

More than 2,700 people have contacted the PM to urge him not to repeat the claim.

In his latest letter, Andrew Dudfield, the interim chief executive of Full Fact said: "It is vital that political parties ensure claims they make about their opponents are accurate and based on reliable information, particularly when claims such as this have the potential to affect peoples opinions of individuals and parties, and how they choose to vote.

"The public are deeply concerned about untruthful behaviours from politicians, as are we. We would be grateful if youd let us know what action you take in relation to our request."

Opposition leader Sir Keir has previously said is prepared to do a deal which would involve the UK taking asylum seekers who arrive in the bloc, in exchange for the ability to return people crossing the English Channel.

Sir Keir Starmers has said a Labour government would seek returns agreement with the EU (Getty Images)

But shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has said Labour would not join a formal European quota scheme.

Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said Mr Hands and the PM were plucking numbers out of the air to divert the blame away from their own shambolic handling of the asylum system.

Labour is committed to stopping the small boats crossings, smashing the criminal gangs, ending 8m-per-day asylum hotel use and fixing the broken asylum system, he added.

Mr Kinnock said: One hundred thousand people have crossed the Channel on small boats under the Tories. Meanwhile the asylum backlog has rocketed nine-fold to 176,000 since Labour left office in 2010, despite the constant lies from Tory ministers.

A Tory spokesman pointed to Sir Keir saying in an on-the-record interview that he was open to accepting quotas of migrants as part of an arrangement with Brussels.

The spokesman said 100,000 is a conservative estimate of how many the UK would be required to take under any such agreement.

They added: The fact he is now refusing to engage in the substance of this discussion shows he will always prioritise scoring a quick political point over the long-term interests of the country.
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Senior cabinet ministers Grant Shapps and Oliver Dowden have faced a backlash after they were spotted laughing in the Commons as Rishi Sunak addressed Hamass pogrom in Israel.

The defence secretary and deputy prime minister appeared to share a joke as they chatted while Mr Sunak was answering questions on the terrorist attack which saw 1,400 Israelis killed.

Mr Shapps and Mr Dowden were then seen smiling and giggling  just as the PM said he wanted to work for a better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people in the midst of the tragedy.

Many on social media condemned their behaviour as disrespectful and disgraceful  calling on the senior Tory ministers to say sorry.

Best for Britain, the internationalist campaign group, said it was completely unacceptable and called on the PM to demand an apology from Mr Shapps and Mr Dowden.

Tom Brufatto, policy director for the group said: The sight of two of this governments most senior representatives smirking like schoolboys during this most serious debate was completely unacceptable. Sunak should show leadership and demand they apologise.

The writer and political commentator Gerry Hassan said the fact that ministers had giggled together showed Tory statecraft as ministers act like children.

Sunak gives a sincere statement on the Israel-Hamas crisis. Dowden and Shapps chuckle away like schoolboys behind him, said Owen Williams  arguing that it showed an unserious government.

Tory MP Michael Fabricant joined the criticism, saying on Twitter / X that it was very silly of them to laugh during the debate.

The Independent has asked Mr Dowden and Mr Shapps for comment  but there was no response to the criticism and calls for an apology.

The amusement from the ministers came as Mr Sunak responded to a question from former Tory minister Nadhim Zahawi, who said Gaza and the world will need Israel to show her best self after this war.

The PM thanked him for the powerful statement and said: We cant lose sight of the better future that we strive for, and indeed my conversations with leaders have already been thinking about that.

Its something I raised with the prime minister of Israel as well. We all want that better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people, and hopefully, out of this tragedy, we will find a way to move closer toward it.

Mr Sunak called the barbaric attacks by Hamas as a pogrom, as he told the Commons that at least six British citizens have been killed in Israel while another 10 are missing.

The PM said Britain stands with Israel when he repeated his support for the countrys right to defend itself as it prepares for to go after Hamas [and] take back hostages with a ground invasion of Gaza.

The Tory leader also called for every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians  arguing that Israels military push to destroy Hamas must be done in line with international humanitarian law.

Mr Sunak announced an extra 10m in UK aid for the Palestinian people, and called on Israel and Egypt to open up the Rafah border crossing to allow urgently needed humanitarian supplies.
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Two teenage sisters are among the British citizens still missing following Hamass attacks on Israel as efforts continue to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

According to reports, the girls, named only as Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, disappeared from their home in Kibbutz Beeri after it was stormed by militants and their mother Lianne was killed.

Rishi Sunak told MPs on Monday at least six Britons were killed and a further 10 missing in the pogrom on October 7 and called for the immediate release of the around 200 hostages taken by the militant group.

The Times reported the girls father Eli is also missing, and said his brother-in-law, Raz, 53, had called for help from UK officials.

He told the paper: We want the British government to take some action to at least find out what happened. We dont know if they were kidnapped but if we come to that point we will be happy if they try to do whatever they can to bring those girls back.

According to multiple reports, 32-year-old British-Israeli national Benjamin Trakeniski was also killed in Beeri while trying to help residents flee the Hamas gunmen.

Meanwhile aid into Gaza remains blocked at the border with Egypt as governments and humanitarian groups called for food, water and fuel to be allowed into the region amid fears citizens could starve and hospitals would run out of electricity.

Local media reported Israel carried out air strikes on the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, as mediators tried to reach a ceasefire deal to help people leave.

In a Commons statement on Monday, Mr Sunak said he recognised the Palestinian people are victims of Hamas too as he announced an extra 10 million of aid funding.

British officials have been pressing for Egypt to open the Rafah crossing with Gaza to allow aid in and Britons, dual nationals, as well as their spouses and children, to flee.

However, expectations in Government for opening the crossing were understood to be very low on Monday.

Mr Sunak raised the border crossing in a call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi last week, and it is understood that opening the border for foreign nationals and for Palestinian refugees could be treated separately.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We do think it is important, both in the interests of British nationals and others, but also important for the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

With the families of some of the missing watching his statement in Parliament, Mr Sunak said more than 1,400 people were murdered, more than 3,500 wounded and almost 200 taken hostage in Hamass attack.

The elderly, men, women, children, babes in arms, murdered, mutilated, burned alive, he continued.

We should call it by its name: it was a pogrom.

Mr Sunak said the terrible nature of these attacks means it is proving difficult to identify many of the deceased but at least six Britons were killed.

Of the further 10 missing, he said some are feared to be among the dead as the UK works with Israel to establish the facts and support the families through their unimaginable pain.

He said eight flights so far have brought back 500 British nationals from Israel.

Addressing the British Jewish community, Mr Sunak said: We stand with you now and always. This atrocity was an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland for the Jewish people.

The Prime Minister said he is sickened that antisemitic attacks have increased since the wave of bloodshed in Israel, as he vowed to do everything we can to protect you.

But he said we stand with British Muslim communities too as he noted the moment of great anguish for those appalled by Hamass actions while being fearful of the response.

Mr Sunak announced that a further 10 million in humanitarian aid would be provided to civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, up from the 27 million existing funding this year.

Responding to Mr Sunaks statement, Sir Keir Starmer added it is crucial that this House speaks with one voice in condemnation of terror, in support for Israel in its time of agony and for the dignity of all human life.

The United Nations and global aid agencies have expressed alarm about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, after Israel ordered civilians to evacuate the north ahead of an imminent attack.

Western diplomats are also concerned that the war between Hamas and Israel could spark a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Israel has said the siege will not be lifted until Hamas releases all the captives, but the countrys water ministry said supplies had been restored at one specific point, outside the southern town of Khan Younis.
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Scotlands First Minister has called on the international community to create a refugee programme for those fleeing the hostilities in the Middle East.

Speaking to the SNP conference on Tuesday, Humza Yousaf urged the Israeli government not to use collective punishment against the Palestinian people for the actions of Hamas, which he said can never be justified.

The First Minister told the party faithful there were currently one million people displaced within the Gaza Strip, after Israeli warnings to leave ahead of an expected ground invasion.

Mr Yousafs in-laws: Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla are in Gaza with his wife Nadias cousin having been injured by shrapnel.

He said: There are currently around one million people displaced within the Gaza strip  I am therefore today calling on the international community to commit to a worldwide refugee programme for the people of Gaza.

I am calling on the UK Government to take two urgent steps.

Firstly, they should immediately begin work on the creation of a refugee resettlement scheme for those in Gaza who want to, and are able to, leave.

And when they do so, Scotland is willing to be the first country in the UK to offer safety and sanctuary to those caught up in these terrible attacks.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks official spokesman said he was not aware of the SNP approaching the Government formally about Mr Yousafs refugee scheme call.

The No 10 official told reporters the UK Governments first focus was on reopening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt to help Palestinians to leave the strip.

What takes places after that Im sure we will give a great deal of thought to but Im not aware of any formal proposal for a resettlement scheme, the spokesman said.

The First Minister, whose brother-in-law works as a doctor in Gaza, also called on the UK Government to support the medical evacuation of injured civilians in the territory.

When we can get through to him on the phone, he tells us of scenes of carnage.

Hospitals running out of medical supplies, doctors and nurses having to make the most difficult decision of all. Who to treat and who to leave to die. This cannot be allowed to continue.

I therefore urge the UK Government to support the medical evacuation of injured civilians in Gaza.

Let me be clear, Scotland is ready to play her part and our hospitals will treat the injured men, women and children of Gaza where we can.

The First Minister, making his first speech to an SNP conference since taking over as leader in Aberdeen, thanked members for their support since the Hamas attack which stranded his family members.

This is a party I consider my home, full of people I see as my extended family, he said.

As long as I am First Minister let me be abundantly clear, there is no room for antisemitism, Islamophobia or hatred of any kind here in Scotland Humza Yousaf, First Minister

I have never felt the love, kindness and solidarity of the SNP family as much as I have over the last 10 days.

So on my behalf, and on behalf of Nadia, my girls and our family in Gaza, from the bottom of my heart, let me say thank you.

Mr Yousaf spent the end of last week with both the Jewish and Palestinian communities in Scotland, telling members they are communities I love.

I want you to know that as First Minister and as a fellow human being, I share the pain and sorrow you are feeling, he said.

I have attended your synagogues, your churches and your mosques. You are communities I have grown up with, danced with, laughed with, and in this last week, that I have shed many tears with.

Each and every person in Scotland, from all of the vibrant communities of our nation, must feel safe here.

As long as I am First Minister, let me be abundantly clear, there is no room for antisemitism, Islamophobia or hatred of any kind here in Scotland.

Since 2015 we have offered a safe and legal route to the UK to over half a million people seeking safety but our approach must be considered in the round, rather than on a crisis-by-crisis basis Home Office spokesperson

A Home Office spokesperson said: The UK is committed to supporting those directly from regions of conflict and instability.

Since 2015 we have offered a safe and legal route to the UK to over half a million people seeking safety but our approach must be considered in the round, rather than on a crisis-by-crisis basis.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Donald Trumps political fundraising machine is raking in donations at a prodigious pace, but hes spending tens of millions of dollars hes bringing in to pay attorneys to deal with the escalating costs of the various criminal cases he is contending with as he moves further into the 2024 presidential campaign.

Campaign finance experts say using the money to pay for lawyers in cases not related to the campaign or officeholder duties appears to conflict with a federal ban on the personal use of donor dollars, even though the Federal Election Commission has ruled the prohibition doesnt apply to so-called leadership political action committees. The massive amount of money going to lawyers also amplifies the urgency Trump is feeling to raise money both for the campaign and his legal defense, which is unfolding on multiple fronts.

Trumps Save America political action committee has paid nearly $37 million to more than 60 law firms and individual attorneys since January 2022, Federal Election Commission records show. That amounts to more than half of the PACs total expenditures, according to an Associated Press analysis of campaign finance filings.

During the first half of 2023, Save America spent more on legal-related costs, over $20 million, than any other political committee that discloses to the FEC  more than the Republican National Committee, Democratic National Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee spent during that period combined.

The bulk of the Trump PAC money went to law firms that have defended Trump against criminal charges or in civil lawsuits. Other attorneys paid with the contributions worked on behalf of Trumps businesses, his children, former White House aides and employees of the ex-president.

Footing the legal bills for co-defendants and potential witnesses raises additional thorny ethical questions: Will the attorneys paid by Trump be more loyal to him or their clients? If clients feel indebted to Trump, will they be less forthcoming about what they know?

The way these cases get built is you persuade the little fish to testify against the big fish, said Randall Eliason, a former federal prosecutor and criminal law professor at George Washington University Law School. Well, if the little fishs lawyer is being paid by the big fish thats less likely to happen potentially.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ___

Trumps status as the first former president to be criminally indicted, his run for another White House term while defending himself in multiple court cases, and the loads of donor money flowing to lawyers are a trifecta unparalleled in U.S. history. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and he and his allies have blasted the long list of felony charges and lawsuits as political attacks meant to derail his 2024 campaign.

But the legal jeopardy has become his most potent fundraising tool. Trumps claim that hes the victim of a corrupt justice system determined to silence him and his supporters is a primary plank in his platform. And hes turned the courthouse into a campaign stage to pound that message and fire up his supporters.

As Trumps civil fraud trial in New York got underway earlier this month, he used the heavy media coverage as a megaphone. To the cameras stationed in the courthouse hallways, Trump denounced state Attorney General Letitia James case as a witch hunt and a disgrace. He and his company are accused by James of inflating the value of his real estate empire to deceive banks and insurers.

Trump also turned his surrender in Georgia on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election into a fundraising bonanza. His presidential campaign said it has sold about 47,000 T-shirts, coffee mugs and posters featuring the mug shot of the former president when he was booked in August at the Fulton County Jail. Overall, the campaign said it raised $9.4 million in the days following the photo's release. That money is earmarked for political and campaign activities, not for legal expenses, according to the campaign. To help pay the legal fees, Trumps political operation has also moved millions from his super PAC, MAGA Inc.

The indictments are probably not expanding his coalition, but its certainly giving it greater intensity, said Anthony Michael Kreis, a law professor at Georgia State University. So people who are already supporting Donald Trump are probably going to dig in their heels and support him more.

Thats true of at least some donors, who say they have no problem with their money going to lawyers.

First thing I thought: What a crock, said Robert Lee, a motorcycle repairman in Boca Raton, Florida, who made a small donation after the FBIs Mar-a-Lago search. None of this ever happened to anyone who wasnt Trump.

Asked about a campaign that spends so much on legal expenses, Lee said, That would be fine with me.

In addition to the New York business fraud case and the Georgia election case, Trump is battling federal felony counts arising from the Mar-a-Lago records case in Florida and the 2020 election subversion case in Washington, D.C. In a separate New York state case, hes accused of making hush money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep a sexual relationship from becoming public. Trump has denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to charges involving the payment.

The FEC declined to comment for this story, but it seems unlikely to act anytime soon. The agency is led by six commissioners, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. Trump nominated all the GOP commissioners. One of the Democratic commissioners joined with the Republicans to declare in March the personal use ban didnt apply to leadership PACs.

Saurav Ghosh, director of federal campaign finance reform at the non-profit Campaign Legal Center, criticized what he called the FECs  blinkered and narrow view of the personal use prohibition.

The FEC is a dysfunctional agency that often fails to enforce the law because several commissioners dont genuinely support the mission of the agency and favor a deregulatory approach to campaign finance laws, Ghosh said.

The hands-off approach, he added, has allowed Trump to exploit people who give him money.

It does feel like donors are being taken advantage of to advance Donald J. Trumps personal interests, Ghosh said.

In a recently unsealed court filing, Smith and his team of prosecutors described Trumps decision to pay legal fees of co-defendants and potential witnesses as part of a pattern of obstructive conduct.

None of that matters to donors contacted by the AP. Dawn Smelcer of Fayetteville, North Carolina, a frequent donor to Trumps 2024 campaign, said shes backing Trump because of the mistreatment hes endured.

Hes fighting an evil and were helping him to fight that evil, she said.

Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.
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Hundreds of Palestinian Americans are still stuck in Gaza after the US State Department claimed they would be allowed to leave through Egypts border crossing near Rafah.

Families  many with children  sat with their suitcases outside the border crossing on Monday waiting for news on whether or not they'd be allowed to leave besieged Gaza.

One woman, Maha Barkat, told NBC News that her family is "surviving on sandwiches" while they wait to escape.

We are American citizens and should be treated the same as the Americans who got put on planes out of Tel Aviv, she said on Monday.

The US State Department told American Palestinians they would be given passage through the Rafah border last week. However, there was some apparent miscommunication between Washington and Cairo, as the border never opened, and the Americans were left stuck waiting, and have been for days.

Its getting dark, its already getting loud. Weve heard a few bombings in the area. Were not going to have electricity for the rest of the night, Ms Barkat told NBC News.

Some reports from the area suggest that Israel bombed the Rafah crossing, which may have contributed to the Americans' inability to leave through the border. Signs posted on the border seemed to corroborate those reports, warning "danger: the crossing is threatened by bombing."

Israel's military response to a Hamas attack that killed approximately 2,000 citizens has displaced more than a million residents of Gaza. The IDF warned residents of the northern city to evacuate, forcing around a million people from their homes.

In the meantime, Hamas has taken hostages, including Americans, and is reportedly executing them in response to Israeli bombings.

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Despite the closure, the US State Department is still advising Americans in Gaza to head to the crossing, noting that it may open without announcement and may only remain open for a short time.

Egyptian authorities have reportedly told the US State Department that "security threats" are preventing the border's opening.

While Americans are still stuck inside Gaza, they've received little in the way of sympathy from GOP lawmakers who are rallying behind Israel's bombing, which has leveled apartment blocks and killed families, including children.

Senator Tom Cotton told Fox News that Israel can "bounce rubble" in Gaza and insinuated if civilians are killed by Israelis in Gaza, it is the fault of Hamas and is justified.

Anything that happens in Gaza is the responsibility of Hamas. Hamas killed women and children in Israel last weekend, the self-proclaimed pro-life Mr Cotton said. If women and children die in Gaza, it will be because Hamas is using them as human shields because theyre not currently allowing them to evacuate as Israel has asked them to do so.

He said, if Hamas uses schools, and kindergartens, and mosques for military purposes, Israel has every right under the laws of war to strike back.

GOP presidential primary candidate and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley shared similar sentiments, saying the IDF should "finish them" when referring to Hamas.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that "every death, going, forward, I blame on Hamas, not Israel," and has been spoiling for conflict with Iran, who he believes stoked Hamas' 7 October attack.

Al-Qaeda leader and 9/11 architect Osama Bin Laden operated off of similar logic after the 9/11 attacks, justifying the targeting of civilians by claiming they were responsible for the actions of the US government abroad, including the killing of civilians and children.

While Hamas was elected into power by Palestinians in 2006, approximately 50 per cent of the population is under the age of 18, meaning most of the residents in Gaza who are now facing Israeli bombardment were not alive or were too young to vote for the militants. No new elections have been held since.
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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.
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Ukrainian special forces reported on Tuesday that they had struck two Russian military airfields, following the first-time deployment of long-range ballistic missiles supplied by the US.

The details of the weapons delivery has been shrouded in secrecy  unlike previous aid provided to Ukraine from the Biden Administration.

The missiles  which Ukraine has reportedly been petitioning the US to deliver for months  may prove key to helping Ukrainian forces in the months of conflict ahead.

Heres what we know.

What are ATACMS and why does Ukraine need them?

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a long-range guided missile that gives operational commanders the immediate firepower to win the deep battle.

Produced by US global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin, the missiles carry a 500lb (227kg) class blast fragmentation warhead.

The weapons are fitted with a specialised GPS system and have a maximum range of 300km (around 190 miles)  though the ones supplied to Ukraine have a shorter range and carry cluster munitions.

When fired, the clusters open in the air, releasing hundreds of bomblets rather than a single warhead.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (AP)

Ukraine says the missiles will help fuel their counteroffensive as it heads into the muddy and colder winter months, enabling troops to strike behind Russian lines while staying out of firing range.

The ATACMS have been key in Ukraines ability to hit an airfield in Berdyansk since it is within striking distance of the shorter-range version of the missile, and the cluster munitions would be effective in hitting multiple targets.

The closest Ukrainian troop positions on the western bank of the Dnieper River are just about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Berdyansk.

What have they been used for?

On Tuesday, president Zelensky confirmed the ATACMS had been used on the battlefield against Russia and "executed very accurately during an offensive known as Operation Dragonfly.

Ukraines Special Operations Forces claimed that a nighttime attack on targets in eastern and southern Ukraine destroyed nine Russian helicopters and other military equipment and personnel at two airfields in Russia-occupied regions  including the one at Berdyansk.

The missiles also struck an airfield in Luhansk, an occupied city in eastern Ukraine. The special forces also managed to successfully damage airfield runways, Ukraine said.

The ammunition depot in Berdyansk detonated until 4am. The detonation in Luhansk continued until 11am, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said in a statement.

Losses in the enemys manpower amount to dozens of dead and wounded. Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble.

How many ATACMS has the US provided?

After many months of dragging its feet, the Biden administration greenlit the delivery of a small number of the missiles last month, following continued pressure from Ukraine.

The delivery of the missiles was made quietly and US officials have refused to discuss it publicly. The expectation was that the first public acknowledgment would come when the missiles were used on the battlefield.

An official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the missiles got into Ukraine within the last few days.

The US has refused to provide any details on how many missiles have been delivered, although officials had suggested that the plan was indeed to send a small number  roughly two dozen.

During his Tuesday address, Mr Zelensky said: "Today I express special gratitude to the United States," adding that the missiles "have proven themselves."

Biden insists US can back two wars at the same time in Israel and Ukraine

Why the secrecy?

That intense secrecy is a marked change from previous US weapons sent by the Biden administration. In nearly all other cases, the US has publicly announced its decision prior to the weapons and equipment being shipped overseas.

The hesitancy may be, in part, to do with the range of the missiles, with concerns that Kyiv could use the weapons to hit deep into Russian territory, enraging Moscow and escalating the conflict.

Lingering US concerns about escalating tensions with Russia are reportedly the reason that the ATACMS version that went to Ukraine has a shorter range than the maximum distance the missiles can have.

Recommended

The small number of missiles sent also underscores the US reluctance to send the powerful weapons.

Sending the cluster munition version will mark the second time the Democratic administration has moved to send that type of weapon.
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Fox News host Jesse Watters has been slammed after saying there is no difference between Hamas and Palestinians and they all love killing Jews.

During Mondays The Five, Watters discussed the recent Hamas terror attack on Israel, in which more than 1,400 people were killed, while many more were injured and dozens were taken back to Gaza as captives.

I dont like how people try to differentiate between the Palestinians and Hamas, he said.

The Fox News host went on: To me, I see people with guns. Thats Hamas. The people without the guns are the Palestinians. They believe the same thing. The Palestinians hire Hamas to run their government. You poll them; they all love killing Jews. Its in their charter. They say they believe in suicide bombings.

He followed up his sweeping claim by adding: Every time a Palestinian refugee goes to another country, it doesnt work out so well for the country and for those Palestinians.

Watters then discussed how bordering countries like Egypt have declined to take in refugees from Gaza. I think we all know why they dont want the Palestinians, he said.

The host made similar comments on Fox News just a week ago after a Republican lawmaker proposed banning Rep Rashida Tlaib, who is of Palestinian descent, from displaying the flag of Palestine outside her office.

He slammed Ms Tlaib before saying: Palestinians and Hamas are in bed together. They live together.

He added: Palestinians let Hamas conduct terror campaigns from their territory. Hamas is a big faction of the Palestinian government.

While Hamas controls Gaza, it does not control the West Bank  another part of Palestine.

The group last held elections in 2006, when they first came to power. Nearly half the population of Gaza consists of children, who could not have voted in that contest.

The Independent has contacted Fox News for comment.

Jesse Watters has become the most recent permanent member of The Five after Tucker Carlson was fired (Fox News)

His most recent comments attracted backlash on social media, with MSNBC Mehdi Hasan host describing his remarks as sickening and shameful.

A reminder that Jesse Watters went on this racist, anti-Palestinian rant today, the same day a Palestinian family near Chicago buried their 6-year-old son Wadea, after his landlord allegedly stabbed him & said: You Palestinians dont deserve to live, he said.

Beyond sickening/shameful.

Joseph Czuba, 71, was arrested on Saturday morning after allegedly stabbing six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume 26 times and the little boys 32-year-old mother Hanaan Shahin more than 12 times, in an attack that police say was sparked by the Israel-Hamas war.

Wadea died at the hospital, while his mother remains in a serious condition but is expected to survive.

Prosecutors say that the suspect allegedly knocked on his tenants door before shouting You Muslims must die and stabbing the child and his mother.

Police said that the boy and his mother were targeted due to their Muslim faith and the on-going Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis.

At his court appearance, prosecutors said that Mr Czuba had been listening to right-wing talk radio coverage of the Israel-Hamas war before the attack, causing him to become increasingly concerned for his safety, reported The Chicago Sun-Times.

Mr Czuba was charged with a hate crime, as well as first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery.

More than 1,400 Israelis and 2,800 Palestinians have been killed since fighting broke out on 7 October when Hamas terrorists stormed across the Gaza border into Israel, killing hundreds of people and taking dozens captive.

At least 30 American citizens are among the dead, the White House confirmed.
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The influential Huntsman family has pulled its donations to the University of Pennsylvania in the latest college campus row over the Israel-Hamas war.

Jon Huntsman Jr  former governor of Utah and former US ambassador to China, Russia, and Singapore  sent a letter to the UPenns President Elizabeth Magill announcing that the Huntsman Foundation is halting donations to the university over what he described as antisemitism.

The Universitys silence in the face of reprehensible and historic Hamas evil against the people of Israel (when the only response should be outright condemnation) is a new low. Silence is antisemitism, and antisemitism is hate, the very thing higher ed was built to obviate, Mr Huntsman Jr wrote in the letter, which was published in the student newspaper.

Consequently, Huntsman Foundation will close its checkbook on all future giving to Penn.

After the letter was sent, Ms Magill sent an email to the UPenn community condemning the attacks by Hamas on Israel, according to Insider,

I want to leave no doubt about where I stand, she wrote. I, and this University, are horrified by and condemn Hamass terrorist assault on Israel and their violent atrocities against civilians.

The Huntsman family, which includes three generations of UPenn graduates and has donated tens of millions of dollars to over the years, has become the latest to close their checkbooks in protest over the colleges response to the Hamas attacks.

Last week, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan announced he would donate $1  rather than his typical annual contribution  unless Ms Magill and the chairman of its board of trustees, Scott Bok, stepped down from their roles.

Mr Rowan called for the ousters after his alma mater hosted the Palestine Writes Literary Festival last month.

The event, which was not sponsored by the university, featured over 100 speakers and artists from Palestine and its diaspora dedicated, according to its organisers, to the belief that art challenges repression and creates bonds between Palestine and the rest of the world.

Jon Huntsman Jr has been donating to the university for years (AP)

The festival sparked controversy after polarising figures such as Professor Marc Lamont Hill were invited to the event. Mr Hill was ousted from CNN in 2018 after calling for an end to what he said was Israels ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and supporting a free Palestine from the river to the sea.

Others took issue with presenters using the academic frame of settler-colonialism to discuss Zionism and Israeli policy.

Organisers of the festival have denied that it embraced antisemitism, The Daily Pennsylvanian reported.

Following the event, more than 4,000 people, including Mr Rowan, signed an open letter to Ms Magill, saying that platforming of outright antisemitism without denunciation from the university is unacceptable.

At the time, the university disavowed the event, but supported its right for it to be held on campus, saying in a statement that we unequivocally  and emphatically  condemn antisemitism as antithetical to our institutional values.

The statement continued: As a university, we also fiercely support the free exchange of ideas as central to our educational mission. This includes the expression of views that are controversial and even those that are incompatible with our institutional values.

But in the wake of Hamas attack on Israel, which saw more than 1,400 Israelis killed and 2,800 Palestinians killed in retaliatory air strikes, Mr Rowan argued that the universitys response was not enough and urged fellow UPenn alumni to close their checkbooks until the institutions leadership resigned.

Join me and many others who love UPenn by sending UPenn $1 in place of your normal, discretionary contribution so that no one misses the point, he wrote.

The dispute follows similar issues at Harvard University after a group of 33 student organisations, led by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, released a now-deleted statement on social media arguing that Israels apartheid regime had created the impetus for the war.

The letter prompted furious backlash, with Harvard professors and alumni calling on the universitys leadership to condemn the letter as well as Hamas.

Harvards President Claudine Gay issued a statement three days after the letter was published condemning the attacks and distancing the universitys leadership from the letter.

Apollo CEO Mark Rowan (Reuters)

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.

Billionaire Bill Ackman then called for the names of all Harvard students who signed the letter to be made public. Mr Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, said he did not want to inadvertently hire students who were part of the organisations.

Other executives, such as the CEOs of Sweetgreen and MeUndies, voiced their support for the effort, with Jonathan Shokrian of MeUndies comparing the ideas in the original letter to a cancer.

But by Wednesday, Mr Ackmans call came under fire after a truck appeared near the Harvard campus, circling the university and displaying photos of Harvard students and organisations allegedly linked to the original statement.

Meanwhile, the universitys Hillel  a centre for Jewish students  said it strongly condemns any attempts to threaten and intimidate co-signatories of the Palestine Solidarity Committees statement.

Yale, NYU, and Stanford have also been caught up in the escalating tensions.

More than 1,400 Israelis and 2,800 Palestinians have been killed since fighting broke out on 7 October when Hamas terrorists stormed across the Gaza border into Israel, killing hundreds of people and taking dozens captive.

At least 30 American citizens are among the dead, the White House confirmed.
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Last week, Republican officials and right-wing figures amplified warnings of a global day of jihad across social media platforms, joining the already-toxic flood of viral mis- and disinformation from the fog of the Israel-Hamas war.

After growing increasingly concerned for his safety after listening to right-wing media and fearing a day of jihad attack against him, a 71-year-old landlord attacked the Palestinian-American tenants in their home, according to prosecutors in Illinois.

Joseph Czuba fatally stabbed a six-year-old boy 26 times and severely injured his mother, who was stabbed at least a dozen times, according to law enforcement officials. Wadea Al-Fayoume was buried on 16 October.

False claims about a global day of jihad joined increasingly violent on- and offline rhetoric surrounding the crisis in Gaza, with members of Congress calling on Israels military to level the Palestinian territory and prominent far-right personalities calling on Americans to arm themselves.

The war between Israel and Hamas also has rapidly generated a flood of false, unverified and misleading information on social platforms, serving as a new front in modern warfare: it amplifies vile rhetoric dehumanizing people [and] spreads disinformation, according to watchdog organisation Center for Countering Digital Hate. Its both a weapon for propagandists [and] a business focused on profiting.

And its one that analysts and civil rights organisations fear will continue to trigger real-world violence.

Alleged hate crime incidents and anti-Muslim threats were also reported in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Philadelphia and Texas within the week after the Hamas attacks, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Palestinian racism being spread by politicians, media outlets, and social media platforms must stop, the group said.

The killing of Wadea Al-Fayoume cannot help but further raise the fears of Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities in our country with regard to hate-fueled violence, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

A joint statement from Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden urged Americans to come together and reject Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred.

This horrific act of hate has no place in America, and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are, they said.

Ahmed Rehab, left, executive director of the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, embraces Odey Al-Fayoume, father of Wadea Al-Fayoume, on 15 October. (AP)

Violent rhetoric surrounding the so-called global day of jihad followed a statement from former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, who called for protests to support Palestinians and said that to all scholars who teach jihad ... to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories).

Far-right social media influencers including Jack Posobeic and Laura Loomer as well as platforms like InfoWars and Babylon Bee began designating 13 October as a day of jihad based on those comments. Rogan OHandley falsely claimed Hamas called for an international day of terrorism. Charlie Kirk, the founder of influential right-wing organisation Turning Point USA, told his followers on Instagram to arm up.

Members of Congress including US Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andy Biggs also promoted the global jihad claim.

Those posts followed a week of statements from Republican officials in Washington DC supporting retaliatory strikes against Gaza after Hamas launched a surprise rampage that killed at least 1,300 Israelis.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported on 16 October that at least 2,808 people in the enclave have been killed and 10,850 wounded in the days that followed. Thousands of people in Gaza have been displaced by constant bombing, Israels blockade of food, water and fuel has accelerated a humanitarian crisis, and more than one million people in northern Gaza were warned to evacuate amid looming incursions.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News that Israel must do whatever the hell you have to do to defend yourself and level the place.

Gaza is going to look like Tokyo and Berlin at the end of World War II when this is over, he told Fox host Sean Hannity. And if it doesnt look that way, Israel made a mistake.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio said Israel must respond DISPROPORTIONATELY to the Hamas attack and to any future attacks from any enemy.

House Republicans also have introduced legislation to block the US from accepting any new Palestinian refugees fleeing Gaza.

During a campaign event in Iowa, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis refused to admit people from Gaza into the US as refugees, baselessly asserting that they are all antisemitic and none of them believe in Israels right to exist.

As far as Im concerned, Israel can bounce the rubble in Gaza, US Senator from Arkansas Tom Cotton told Fox News Sunday on 15 October. Anything that happens in Gaza is the responsibility of Hamas. Hamas killed women and children in Israel last weekend.

This talk raises the threat environment in the US as people hear it as license that threatening childrens lives  Jewish or Palestinian  is acceptable, Harvard Kennedy School professor and national security analyst Juliette Kayyem said. It is possible to BOTH condemn Hamas terrorism in Israel and warn against a response that kills innocent Palestinians.

US Rep Tim Burchett of Tennessee advocated for Israel to deliver Old Testament judgment in Gaza.

In another segment on Fox News, US Rep Max Miller of Ohio called Gaza a territory thats about to probably get eviscerated and go away here shortly, adding that were going to turn that into a parking lot.

Speaking to reporters, he also pointed to what was already-debunked viral footage taken before the Hamas attack as he announced his support for no rules of engagement and to allow Israel to do what it needs to do.

Within hours, at least 15 false claims surrounding the attacks spread across X, formerly Twitter, as well as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, according to online watchdog NewsGuard.

We have been stunned at how quickly the misinformation machine has geared up since the Saturday attacks, although we probably should not have been given what we saw following Russias invasion of Ukraine, NewsGuard co-CEO Steven Brill said in a statement shared with The Independent. And now, with generative [artificial intelligence] having become a force multiplier, it seems clear that the news environment is only likely to get much worse, much faster.

On X, which significantly loosened content moderation policies after Elon Musk purchased the platform, so-called verified users who pay for the service have boosted false and misleading claims, compromising a platform on which users previously relied for real-time updates in a crisis, according to watchdogs. Those verified users also can be eligible for payments from the platform, creating a financial incentive to post highly reactive content.

Political scientist Ian Bremmer wrote that disinformation on X surrounding the Israel-Hamas war is being algorithmically promoted on the platform unlike anything Ive ever been exposed to in my career.

Musk himself shared and ultimately deleted a post about real-time updates to his 160 million followers by promoting two accounts that were known for spreading false claims.

The European Commission has warned Musk about the alleged spreading of illegal content and disinformation, in particular, the spreading of terrorist and violent content and hate speech on the platform.

7amleh-The Arab Center for Social Media Advancement documented thousands of posts on X related to the invasion and ensuing conflict that contained violent or hateful speech towards Palestinians within the week after the Hamas attacks.

These tweets, classified as hate speech and incitement, can potentially translate into real-world attacks on Palestinians, as previously seen with incitement on the same platform, leading to organized attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities both in the West Bank and Israel, 7amleh general director Nadim Nashif said in a statement.

Antisemitic influencers on far-right platforms have also exploited the crisis to amplify calls for violence against Jewish people and Israelis, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Violent far-right extremist groups and conspiracy theorists flocked to platforms like Telegram as well as X to support the attacks.

In a series of letters to social media platforms, New York Attorney General Letitia James requested detailed explanations for steps they are taking to combat the spread of hateful content against Jewish and Muslim people and organisations.

She also warned terrorist groups and others intend to exploit growing antisemitism and Islamophobia and threats of violence.
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A man who served 16 years behind bars for a crime that he did not commit was shot dead by a Georgia sheriffs deputy during a traffic stop.

Leonard Allen Cure, 53, was fatally shot by the Camden County deputy who pulled him over while driving northbound on Interstate 95, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), which is reviewing the shooting.

Cure was released from prison in 2020 after his case was taken up by the Innocence Project of Florida, a nonprofit legal organisation that helps exonerate people who have been wrongfully convicted.

The GBI said that around 7.30am on 16 October, the Camden County deputy performed the traffic stop.

Officials claim that Cure exited his car at the request of the deputy, who has not been publicly identified, and complied with the officer until he learned that he would be arrested.

When he refused to follow the deputys instructions, Cure was shot two times with a Taser and struck with a baton before he was shot by the deputy. Emergency responders rushed to treat Mr Cure, but he later died.

Mr Cure was stopped because he was reportedly driving recklessly and travelling at speeds of at least 90mph in an area where the speed limit was 70mph, a spokesperson from the Camden County Sheriffs Office told The Independent.

The Independent has contacted the Camden County Sheriffs Office for comment.

The Innocence Projects executive director, Seth Miller, said he was devastated by news of Cures death.

I can only imagine what its like to know your son is innocent and watch him be sentenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and ... then be told that once hes been freed, hes been shot dead, Mr Miller said to the Associated Press.

Mr Miller explained that many people freed from prison are worried that they would end up in custody again.

Even when theyre free, they always struggled with the concern, the fear that theyll be convicted and incarcerated again for something they didnt do, he said.

Cure was convicted in 2003 for an armed robbery and assault at a drug store in Dania Beach, Florida.

After an initial jury became deadlocked, a second jury decided his fate and he was sentenced to life in prison due to other convictions for robbery and other crimes he had in his past.

After 16 years, the Broward State Attorneys Offices Conviction Review Unit asked a judge to release Cure from prison.

Leonard Cure had been wrongfully convicted of an armed robbery in 2003 (Innocence Project of Florida/Associated Press)

The unit had said it had found troubling evidence to suggest that Cure had a strong alibi for his innocence in the crime that was previously disregarded.

They also argued that there was no physical evidence or a solid witness to confirm that he was at the scene.

Cure was finally released from prison in April 2020, with a judge vacating his conviction and sentence in December.

After he was freed and exonerated by our office, he visited prosecutors at our office and participated in training to help our staff do their jobs in the fairest and most thorough way possible," Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor told The South Florida Sun Sentinel at the time.

Cure would frequently call to check in on Assistant State Attorney Arielle Demby Berger, the head of the Conviction Review Unit, and offer encouragement to continue to do the important work of justice, Mr Pryor continued.

He also told the paper he was looking forward to putting this situation behind me and moving on with my life.

He had a job, was in the process of buying a new home and was aspiring to attend a music production college, according to Reuters.

In August this year, Cure received $817,000 from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis after he signed a bill for his compensation for his conviction, along with educational benefits.
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Mahmoud Kasem hands out piping hot pieces of freshly fried falafel to customers standing in line at his Al Aqsa bakery and restaurant in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Its Palestinian falafel, he tells The Independent on Monday afternoon. The best.

Behind the warm welcome, Mr Kasem is a ball of pent up energy. Since the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and the subsequent bombing of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli Defence Force, which combined has claimed more than 4,400 lives, he has barely slept.

Mr Kasem said his car, which bears a Palestinian flag, was spat on while he was driving to work earlier in the week. He is now fearful every time his wife Sojood leaves the house wearing her hijab.

The murder of 6-year-old Palestinian boy Wadea Al-Fayoume in Chicago, allegedly carried out by the familys 72-year-old landlord, has devastated him.

Where the hell is this mans heart, to stick a knife into a child? Mr Kasem, the father of two young sons, asks. After hearing the news on Sunday, he went home that night and wept as he hugged his children, 5-year-old Shoib, and 1-year-old Hani, tight.

His mother, who lives with his family in Queens, had been visiting relatives in Gaza just before the war broke out. She has made it to the relative safety of East Jerusalem, but Mr Kasems cousins home in Gaza was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike. His family members have been left to scavenge for scraps of food and water after Israel imposed a complete blockade of the Strip that is home to 2.3 million people.

Mr Kasem, 36, came to the United States in 1999 and opened his restaurant in 2018.

His staff cook the taboon flatbread on the premises, the hummus is made fresh each day. A Palestinian flag flies prominently outside, and signs declare Palestine is not for sale.

Mr Kasem is fiercely proud of his US nationality, but says the violence he had hoped to escape in the Middle East now appears to have arrived in the US.

A Palestinian flag flies outside of the Al Aqsa bakery and restaurant in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (Bevan Hurley)

Images of violence and destruction trigger painful memories of witnessing the murder of his father Hani in an extortion plot at the familys wholesale distribution center in Ozone Park, Queens, in 2017.

As Mr Kasem chain smokes outside the eatery on Monday, he pauses to greet numerous passersby with a habibi, which translates to My love in Arabic.

I wish people knew how Palestinians are as human beings, he says. Theyre good people. Very hospitable. But people look at us as if we are terrorists.

After watching this conflict his entire life and hearing about it from the generations before him, Mr Kasem fears what will happen next to Palestinians in Gaza. Im really, really scared, he says. Is anyone going to come up with a solution to let them live?

New York is home to around 800,000 Muslims, and an estimated 1.6 million Jewish people, the largest of any city outside of Israel.

The citys small Palestinian diaspora is mainly concentrated in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and Astoria in Queens.

Since war erupted when Hamas terrorists launched surprise attacks by sea, land and air on 7 October, more than 1 million people have been displaced from Gaza. There have been heated, but largely peaceful demonstrations in New York, and isolated reports of hate crimes.

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator holes up a Swastika on their phone at a rally in Times Square (Stuart Meissner)

In Bay Ridge, a group of suspects in three cars waving Israeli flags and shouting anti-Palestine statements allegedly attacked a group of three men of Arab descent who were walking along 86th St last Wednesday night.

A few hours earlier, a 34-year-old man holding a Palestinian flag was attacked in Williamsburg, police said. No arrests have been made and none of the victims were seriously hurt, according to the NYPD.

Republican pro-Israeli councilwoman Inna Vernikov was arrested on Friday after carrying a gun at a pro-Palestine peace rally.

Anti-semitic attacks have also been on the rise. At a rally in Times Square on Sunday, a protestor held up an image of a Nazi swastika on their phone. The Anti-Defamation League has warned of widespread support for the Hamas terror attacks at demonstrations across the US.

On Sunday, FBI director Christopher Wray warned of a sharp increase in reported threats against both Jewish and Muslim people. In response, officials have met with leaders from both communities.

For New Yorkers of Palestinian origin, the rhetoric coming from city and national lawmakers is fuelling the divisions and hate.

Arab American Federation chairman Zein Rimawi says Palestinian-Americans feel under siege after inflammatory remarks about the war in Israel by US lawmakers (Bevan Hurley)

A block away from Al Aqsa bakery at the An-Noor Social Center, Zein Rimawi, the chair of the Arab American Federation, tells The Independent Palestinian-Americans feel abandoned and ignored by US political leaders.

Mr Rimawi, 69, has lived in Bay Ridge for decades and used to host a monthly meeting with New York City mayor Eric Adams during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President.

Since the Hamas terror attacks, Mr Adams has spoken at a New York Stands with Israel rally, met with Jewish education leaders and attended shabbat services at the Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side, according to media statements from his office.

Mr Adams has made no efforts to reach out to the Palestinian community, Mr Rimawi said.

The mayors statements proclaiming that Your fight is our fight at the 10 October rally were inflammatory and effectively inciting violence against the Muslim community, Mr Rimawi said.

Shame on you Eric Adams, he said. You want to bring the war from there, here to America.

As the Israeli government cut off food, water and electricity to the entire Gaza Strip, it felt like the whole world was clapping them on, Mr Rimawi added.

Tensions rose over the weekend, after a Hamas leader called for a global day of Jihad and NYPD officers swarmed the streets on high alert.

But there was no violence, and no appetite for trouble among Palestinian-Americans, Mr Rimawi told The Independent. The heavy presence of law enforcement merely added to the sense that they were being besieged.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the mayors office told The Independent that Mr Adams had held several public and private security briefings with the citys Muslim community in the past week.

The spokesperson added that Mr Adams had consistently denounced hate and violence towards any community in New York City  whether Jewish or Muslim, Israeli or Palestinian, or any other ethnic or religious group.

Hamas is a terrorist organisation that Mayor Adams has made abundantly clear in no way reflects the Muslim community in our city or Islam around the world, they said.

On Monday, worshippers gather at the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge draped in Palestinian flags. Images of babies atop piles of rubble in Gaza appear on a nearby TV screen.

Ramzey Ahmad says that US lawmakers have failed the Palestinian people (Bevan Hurley)

In a flat upstairs, Ramzey Ahmad told The Independent his family were on high alert. A shelter in place order had been issued at a Muslim school where his daughter teaches after reports of a man with a gun on Monday.

Mr Ahmad was born in the US, and identifies as a conservative and was a card carrying member of the NRA as a young man.

He says that decades of Palestinians being dehumanised and treated as the other has led to the point where their suffering is not recognised as equal to Israelis.

On a recent visit to East Jerusalem, Mr Ahmad said he was nearly shot dead at a checkpoint when he thought he had been waved through by a soldier. A sniper had his sights set on him, he says, and was about to shoot until another officer intervened.

People die for silly things, for miscommunications, Mr Ahmad says. As an American, you think youll never take that. But those people dont have the luxury: if they lift their head up, they get a rifle butt in the head. Its a military occupation.
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A terror suspectin Brussels has died after being shot by police in a cafe on Tuesday.

The 45-year-old Tunisian man, identified as Abdesalem Lassoued, was shot in the chest and died in hospital from his wounds, local media said.

Two Swedish nationals were killed in Brussels after a gunman opened fire in the city centre on Monday night ahead of a qualifier game for the UEFA Euros between Sweden and Belgium at the Heysel Stadium, some three miles away. The second half of the match was later called off.

Footage shared online showed a man dressed in an orange jacket unloading several shots, using a large weapon. The bearded man was reportedly seen leaving the crime scene on a scooter.

After the shooting Abdesalem Lassoued posted a video on Facebook about the killings, claiming he was a member of Islamic State (IS) and had killed three Swedes so far.

Picture of Abdesalem Lassoued who is said to be the suspected Brussels gunman (Facebook)

Authorities searched for the man overnight, before finding him inside a cafe in the Brussels neighbourhood of Schaerbeek at 8am and opened fire.

Heres everything we know about the terror suspect:

Who is the terror suspect?

The gunman was named on Monday night by local media as 45-year-old Abdesalem Lassoued from Tunisia.

He was reportedly a failed asylum seeker living illegally in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels, which is about a ten-minute drive from the scene of the shooting.

Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborn said Lassoued was convicted in Tunisia for common law offences, but was not reported for a terrorist risk.

Moment gunman opens fire killing two people in Brussels

Why did he carry out the attack?

After the shooting, Lassoued posted a video to Facebook, using the name Slayem Slouma, speaking in Arabic: Islamic greeting Allahu Akbar. My name is Abdesalem Al Guilani and I am a fighter for Allah. I am from the Islamic State. We love who loves us and we hate who hates us. We live for our religion and we die for our religion.

He added that he had killed three Swedes so far and also claimed he had carried out the attack in revenge in the name of Muslims.

A Belgian federal prosecutor said there was no evidence that the attacker had any link to the renewed conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants.

Swedish supporters react as they wait in the stand (AFP via Getty Images)

What happened after the shooting?

Police in Belgium searched overnight to find the suspect who opened fire in the Brussels city centre. Footage shared online showed a man dressed in an orange jacket unloading several shots using a large weapon, before leaving the crime scene on a scooter.

Police raided a building in the Brussels neighborhood of Schaerbeek overnight where the man was thought to be staying but did not find him.

Suspected Brussels gunman moments before police shot and apprehended him

Authorities eventually found a suspect inside a cafe in the Brussels neighbourhood of Schaerbeek at 8am. He was shot in the chest before dying in hospital from his wounds, local media reported.

Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden posted on X: The perpetrator of the terrorist attack in Brussels has been identified and died.

The European Commission, which is based in Brussels, has urged staff to work from home and some schools were closed in the wake of the attack.
If you look at the current surface weather map, there is a definitive northerly flow in most of the eastern U.S., tied to the orientation of the depicted isobars.

The ridge of high pressure to the west extends northward to Hudson Bay, and its northerly fetch has been augmented by the northerly flow behind a departing deep Atlantic storm. Ordinarily, it would look like a setup for cold weather in our region, as well as the Great Lakes. Instead, weve had only seasonably cool temperatures  below average, but not truly cold.

Don Paul: Cool and unsettled weather pattern here for the long haul Since the advent of this chillier pattern, the lake temperature has gone from a whopping 8 degrees above average down to 63 degrees, just 3 degrees above average.

Where is the true arctic cold in Canadian high latitudes? By statistical standards, it is almost nowhere to be found at this time. Using the Celsius scale, you have to reach interior and northern Alaska, along with far northwest Canada, to find subfreezing temperatures.

Why is there an absence of more typical cold in the northern latitudes? The depicted readings, even in those coldest locations, are above average for mid-October. This evolves into a chicken-or-the-egg question. The Rutgers Global Snow lab analyses are showing negative anomalies for snow cover in these same locations. Here is the snow cover as of Sunday.

This is the climatologically normal snow cover for Oct. 15.

And this is the departure from normal anomaly map.

Thus, the academic question: "Is there an absence of normal snow cover because of the lack of true polar air, or is there an absence of true polar air because of the lack of snow cover?"

Taking into account these two anomalies alone, this is clearly a difficult question to definitively answer. But the bigger picture includes global land and ocean temperature anomalies, as well those in North America. When viewing the global perspective, there is greater clarity brought to the North American anomalies.

We are just coming out of the hottest summer on record, globally, going back to 1880.

Much of this extraordinary warming took root this year, even before the currently vigorous El Nino began adding its natural warming. This year began spiking record warmth on a global basis in midwinter. But now that El Nino is making its mark, global oceanic temperatures, already having spiked earlier in the spring, have been reaching new record heights.

Ask Don Paul: What do we need to know about next Aprils total eclipse? The total eclipse on April 8, 2024, for Buffalo is a rare event and, given less than a dense overcast, will be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

University of Alaska climate scientist Brian Brettschneider took a wider statistical view of how the years been set apart from previous years.

With reflective arctic sea ice in a nonlinear  but nearly constant  decline, dark ocean waters have been absorbing more and more solar energy during the melt season, storing up more heat to release during evaporation.

Ask Don Paul: What's the latest on El Nino's growing impacts? "Locally, the strong El Nino in our region typically leads to somewhat milder mean temperatures, which could also reduce total snowfall," writes Don Paul.

With all this in mind  the lack of snow cover, the presence of a rather strong El Nino, the absence of persistent polar air growing in the high latitudes and the vast reservoir of oceanic heat being released into the atmosphere  I have to come down on the side of mean temperatures running milder than average into the start of the cold weather season. I dont mean to imply that well have extreme warm anomalies or consistent warmth. However, it appears to me our cold outbreaks will be moderated by all these elements, as per the cool-but-not-cold temperatures weve experienced recently with lake-effect rain and the northerly flow that followed. There will gradually be expansion of the snow cover in northern North America, with lengthening darkness allowing more cooling of the continental polar air masses. Some of our chilly outbreaks will transition to cold outbreaks, but with less frequency and severity. A strong El Nino, even by itself, does favor mild anomalies across much of the northern tier of the U.S. and lesser amounts of snow.

Having written this, it might be tempting to assume that Western New York might have near immunity from harsh winter and lake effect storms. If you look into mid-November at 768 hours out, an extended range model (in which my confidence is admittedly low) depicts an anomalously warm upper level ridge extending over central Canada into the high Arctic region.

But when this 768-hour climate-related model is animated, while the warm ridge is there a lot of the time, it also breaks down periodically and allows a few arctic air intrusions. As an example, the cold temperature anomaly at 5,000 feet, a critical level for lake effect, just a day earlier shows such a breakdown of the ridge in our region, with a cold upper air storm system sweeping through the Northeast.

In sum, probabilities favor a milder start to the cold weather season and a milder winter overall, when all is said and done. But there is no immunity. There can still be disruptions in the upper and lower levels of the polar vortex, and shorter episodic wintry outbreaks accompanying a near certain open Lake Erie into January. Unfortunately, these polar vortex disruptions cannot be forecast more than two to three weeks in advance. We may have some confidence in the overall milder probabilities, but a nasty breakdown in such a pattern from time to time cannot be ruled out.
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A train heading to Strasburg carrying hundreds of members and staff of the European Parliament ended up at Disneyland Paris on Monday after taking the wrong turn.

The special train - which costs 90million a year to run - is chartered once a month to get European officials between parliaments in Brussels and Strasbourg.

However, a signalling error on Monday meant that MEPs briefly ended up with a view of Disney princesses and animated attractions.

After departing from Brussels, the train left Charles de Gaulle Airport and headed towards Disneyland because of the error.

Officials on the train were told that the diversion was due to an error in the route and were quick to make light of their predicament on social media.

German MEP, Daniel Freund joked on X: We are NOT a Mickey Mouse Parliament.

Another Dutch lawmaker, Samira Rafaela, wrote Team Disneyland, in a photo posted on social media.

Unfortunately, the stopover at Disneyland was not long enough for the MEPs to enjoy themselves at the theme park, as the delay was only 45 minutes.

SNCF Networks, the railway company who charter the train, said the cause was a signalling error at the Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle TGV station. It apologised for the inconvenience, noting that the diversion caused only a 45-minute delay. The passengers arrived at their destination at 12.50pm, it told AFP news.

It was eventually put back on to the correct track for Strasbourg.
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The Ukraine war may remain a stalemate throughout 2024, military experts have told The Independent, as hopes fade for a major breakthrough in this years counteroffensive against Russia.

Delays in Western military aid handed Moscow time to build heavily fortified defences which have largely held up against months of intense assaults  and constraints in ammunition and weaponry now mean both armies may struggle to sustain the current pace of the war, some analysts believe.

With the prospect of a Middle East conflict likely to further stretch Washington  Ukraines largest backer  ahead of a US presidential election in November 2024, Vladimir Putins strategy may now be to preserve the current state of the front line and wait it out, Western experts say.

Servicemen load a NSV machine gun during training manoeuvres in Kyiv (EPA/Oleg Petrasyuk)

With just weeks likely left before seasonal weather changes dampen offensive efforts in Ukraine, Dr Patrick Bury of the University of Bath said: There hasnt been a breakthrough, theres been tactical gains, low-level operational gains  but not strategic.

What this summer has shown is that [Ukraine] can fight at company level [of around 100 soldiers] but when you go the next level up to the battalion, they just dont really have the coordinated experience to fight with all the moving parts, said Dr Bury, a former Nato analyst and British Army captain.

While the US is due to start providing F-16 fighter jets next year, the sophistication of the Russian air force means Ukraine will still struggle to achieve air superiority, and you need air superiority really to be able to free up the chance of large-scale manoeuvre, he added.

Therefore unless theres significant widespread packages of training, new weapons and equipment, Dr Bury said, its looking like 2024 is a bit of a stalemate  with any significant shifts instead likely to take place off the battlefield.

Agreeing that were [already] seeing a stalemate now, Dr Frank Ledwidge  a former military intelligence officer, now at the University of Portsmouth  questioned whether any tactics would have worked against defenders who [Ukraine] didnt outnumber three to one.

A Ukrainian soldier in his position in Avdiivka, Donetsk (AP Photo/Libkos)

In the most basic military algorithms, you need an attack ratio of three [troops] to one, and the Ukrainians dont have anything like that, he said. So barring any significant change in that force ratio theres no reason really now to assume that future operations will be any different.

Warning that there are no game changers, including F-16s, Dr Ledwidge likened the situation to the Western Front in 1917, adding: Breakthroughs were made eventually in the First World War, but only when the Americans came in with two million soldiers.

He added: Unless somebody has the moral courage to say, Ukraine is highly unlikely to retake all its land, then this will go on.

James Nixey, director of the Chatham House think tanks Russia and Eurasia programme, said: It does seem as though were heading towards a battle for Crimea.

While noting that Russia is going all-in by putting its economy and society on a near at total war footing, which may help address ammunition shortages, Mr Nixey said he agreed that significant changes to the situation in Ukraine will now likely happen off-field.

Putin is banking almost everything on a Trump return, he said, adding that the conflict emerging in Gaza and Israel  and threatening to become a wider Middle East conflict drawing in Hezbollah and Iran  means that attention, resources and funding will be diverted now from Ukraine.

Putin is banking almost everything on a Trump return (Getty)

While its true that the US army prepares for two simultaneous separate wars, the reality is that the pie is likely to be smaller  even if Ukraine funding is tagged onto an Israel assistance bid, said Mr Nixey.

US president Joe Biden, who recently suffered a setback in securing Congresss approval for Ukraine aid, rejected that prospect this week, telling CBS News: Were the United States of America, for Gods sake. The most powerful nation in the history of the world.

We can take care of both of these and still maintain our overall international defence. We have the capacity to do this and we have an obligation  If we dont, who does?

But agreeing that a second conflict has certainly got the potential for stretching the US, Dr Bury and Dr Ledwidge both believe a military stalemate in Ukraine is therefore very satisfactory to the Russian president.

Israel is preparing to mount a ground offensive in Gaza after Hamas militants broke through the border and massacred hundreds of Israelis (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Putins strategy is just to wait it out, said Dr Bury. Putins played a masterstroke here  hes basically used a nuclear threat to slow down and salami-slice the aid to Ukraine. Thats the effect its had.

Those threats were enough to make the Biden administration and the Germans very wary of supplying F-16s, tanks and long-range weaponry, he noted, adding: We got there in the end, but it took time.

And that, it turned out, gave Russia time to build very good defensive lines and make their problem easier and the Ukrainians much harder.
 Close Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Ukraine mail depot that killed six

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Russian troops have been executed for retreating from Putins offensive in the eastern city of Avdiivka, Donetsk, according to the White House.

We have information that the Russian military has been actually executing soldiers who refuse to follow orders, White House spokesperson John Kirby told a media briefing on Thursday.

Ukrainian forces have been repelling the Russian onslaught on the frontline in Donetsk for several weeks since mid-October.

It comes as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Putin had lost at least a brigdade of troops in the offensive as Kyivs forces pushed them back.

The invaders made several attempts to surround Avdiivka, but each time our soldiers stopped them and threw them back, causing painful losses. In these cases, the enemy lost at least a brigade, Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson for Ukraines southern groups of forces, said last week that Russian forces had suffered over 400 casualties a day in its campaign which has relied on small assault groups of 30 to 40 men.
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Russia has intensified its offensive in northeastern Ukraine to break through its heavily fortified defence and recapture the Kupiansk-Lyman area.

The Russian Army is preparing for serious offensive actions and sending more staff in Kupiansk-Lyman, commander of the Ukrainian ground forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

The fighting had "significantly escalated", he said, adding, "The main goal is to break through our troops defences and recapture our territory".

But Ukraines eastern forces said president Volodymyr Zelenskys forces were putting up a tough fight from well-entrenched troops, forcing Russian soldiers to retreat.

Our fortifications there are quite reliable. We have a powerful, dug-in position, Ilia Yevlash, spokesperson for Ukraines forces in the east, told Ukrainian television. So the enemy got it right in the teeth and retreated in order to regroup.

Russia captured the northeastern towns near Ukraines second-largest city of Kharkiv when the invasion began but Ukrainian forces recaptured the areas last year, evicting invading forces from some parts of the countrys Donbas industrial heartland.

Its recapturing marked a significant step in the Ukrainian offensive to defend its territories.

The Russian defence ministry acknowledged that it launched an intense military activity in the area and repelled 10 Ukrainian attacks in the Kupiansk area and two more in adjacent Lyman.

In June, Ukraine initiated a counteroffensive with the primary objective of reclaiming territory in the eastern region, notably in the vicinity of Bakhmut, which had fallen under Russian control in May. Their strategy also involved advancing southward toward the Sea of Azov.

The Ukrainian military primarily achieved gradual progress, disregarding criticism from certain Western observers who contended that the offensive was proceeding too slowly.

Over the past week, the focus on the eastern front has shifted from Bakhmut to Avdiivka, a town located further southwest renowned for its substantial coking plant.

The leading local authority in Avdiivka said there was a temporary calm in the city but they anticipated a forthcoming assault.

Shelling has diminished, there was less today, Vitaliy Barabash, head of Avdiivkas military administration, told national television, while noting that two people were killed in a nearby village.

We expect there will be new waves of heavy attacks in the days to come.
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Four children from Ukraine are to be to be returned to their families from Russia in a deal brokered by Qatar.

The youngest is two years old, while the oldest is 17.

A seven-year-old boy returned to Ukraine on Monday via Estonia after he was reunited with his grandmother in Qatar's Moscow embassy last week, the official said. The two-year-old boy was handed over to Qatari diplomats in Moscow on Monday, and a nine-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl are due to be handed over this week, the official said.

The Ukrainian Presidential Office said the children would all be home soon.

"We are bringing home four Ukrainian children illegally deported to the Russian Federation," Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office, said on X, formerly known as Twitter. He gave no further details.

Kyiv says about 20,000 children have been taken from Ukraine to Russia or Russian-held territory without the consent of family or guardians. It calls this a war crime that meets the UN treaty definition of genocide.

Moscow, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year, denies committing the accusation and says it has protected vulnerable children from the war zone.

The return of the first four children tests a system the Gulf Arab state established after months of secret talks with Moscow and Kyiv, the Qatari official said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the process.

Qatar's minister of state for international cooperation, Lolwah Al Khater, confirmed the mediation in a statement and described this week's repatriations as "only a first step".

Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, shared a short initial list of Ukrainian children to be returned with a team of Qatari diplomats who verified each child's identity, the official said.

It was not clear how many additional children Russia would authorise to return to Ukraine via the Qatari mechanism, the Qatari official said.

About 400 children have been returned to Ukraine since Moscow's invasion, but the United Nations human rights agency raised concerns last week that there was no system to facilitate such returns.

Qatari diplomats will accompany the children over the border with Estonia, Latvia or Belarus or to Qatar by chartered jet before returning them to Ukraine, the Qatari official said.

"Both Ukrainian and Russian officials have been cooperative," the Qatari official said, adding that Ukraine approached Doha to mediate with Russia over the children.

The seven-year-old boy reunited with his grandmother on Friday had been in Russia at a children's home "as a result of being separated from his mother who was in Russia when the war broke out", a Qatari official told Reuters.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in March for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ms Lvova-Belova, accusing them of the war crime of illegally deporting children from Ukraine. Both deny the allegations against them.

Reuters reporting contributed to this report
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Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a rare trip abroad to join ally China in marking the 10th anniversary of an international cooperation forum.

The two-day visit is only his second known trip abroad since the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader in March over Ukraine war crime allegations.

The Russian president and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are holding talks to bolster their shared trade and security amid Western sanctions against Moscow over Mr Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Several other world leaders also arrived in Beijing for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum championed by Mr Xi, including Vietnams president Vo Van Thuong, but Mr Putin is being heralded as the talks chief guest.

The Russian presidential entourage was greeted by Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao after Mr Putins plane touched down at the Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday.

Beijing has supported Russia in rejecting resolutions on Ukraine in the United Nations Security Council, part of Western efforts to isolate Russia over the war. China has rejected Western criticism of its close partnership with Russia in spite of the war in Ukraine, which entered its 600th day on Monday.

Mr Putin is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia and Laos on Tuesday and attend the forums official opening reception hosted by Mr Xi, Tass news agency reported.

Chinese honor guards are seen after welcoming Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Beijing Capital International Airport (Getty Images)

On Wednesday, he will address the forum after Mr Xi as the chief guest and will meet the Chinese president for talks after.

Before embarking on the trip, Mr Putin said in an interview with CCTV that he had met with Xi more than 40 times so far and the two have many fond memories. He praised Chinas ambitious BRI project and said contrary to the Wests perception, Beijing was seeking cooperation and not to put someone under its thumb.

China launched its signature BRI project in 2013 and funded $900bn in infrastructure and other projects to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through overland and maritime routes.

The project has since faced many challenges, including concerns about debt sustainability and the impact of Chinas economic slowdown.

Vladimir Putin has come to Beijing for a two-day visit (EPA)

Mr Putin said his meeting with Mr Xi would encompass talks on Belt and Road-related projects, which he said Moscow wanted to link with efforts by an economic alliance of ex-Soviet Union nations mostly located in Central Asia to achieve common development goal.

This is his second visit outside Russia after his visit to Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, earlier this month. The ICC accused Mr Putin of committing a war crime by illegally deporting children from Ukraine. The ICC obliges the courts 123 member states to arrest Mr Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory.

Recommended

The Kremlin leader last visited China for the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022 when Mr Xi declared a no-limits" partnership with Russia.

Mr Xi met Mr Putin in March during a three-day trip to Moscow amid the Pentagons fears of Beijings potential military cooperation between the two countries for supplying weapons to be used in Ukraine. They greeted one another as dear friend when they met in the Kremlin, and held informal talks for over four hours.
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Palestinian civilians fleeing Israels bombardment and looming ground invasion must be given guarantees that they will be allowed to return to their homes in Gaza, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture has said.

Israel is amassing troops near the densely-populated enclave and conducting heavy airstrikes as it vows vengeance after Hamas militants burst through the border and massacred hundreds of people in nearby Israeli settlements last weekend.

At least one million people have already been displaced from their homes in northern Gaza while a river of people continues to flow south, the UN has said, as Palestines health ministry warned hospitals had just hours of fuel left amid an intensified Israeli blockade on electricity, water and other vital supplies.

A host of UN experts jointly called for a ceasefire last week as they warned that Gazas 2.3 million-strong population was at inescapable risk of starvation and said indiscriminate attacks on civilians trapped in the enclave amounted to the war crime of collective punishment.

Asked a hypothetical question over what would happen if Egypt opens its border to civilians fleeing an invasion, Dr Alice Jill Edwards told The Independent that those individuals must be guaranteed the right to return to their homes in Gaza.

That may well be a reason why individual families may choose not to leave  for fear that they may not be able to return to their land, said the UNs special rapporteur on torture, who was among those to sign the joint statement on Thursday.

Given that Gaza is made up of both refugees, but also Gazans, its really emotionally and psychologically very complex for Palestinians to think that there is an exit.

History may tell them its a door they shouldnt leave from.

Dr Alice Jill Edwards assumed the post of UN special rapporteur on torture last August (UN Human Rights Council screengrab)

The prospect of Cairo opening its border to civilians appeared unlikely on Tuesday, as the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip remained closed even to allow aid to be brought in and foreign nationals to leave.

For Palestinians, the idea of leaving or being driven out of land where they want to forge a state carries echoes of the Nakba, or catastrophe, when many Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes during the 1948 war that accompanied Israels creation.

While the United States said last week it was talking to Israel and Egypt about the idea of safe passage for Gaza civilians, the UN has said it does not want to see a mass exodus of Gazans, while Egypt and Jordan have both warned that Palestinians must remain on their land.

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian Territory, warned on Saturday that Palestinians may be facing another Nakba, adding: Again, in the name of self-defence, Israel is seeking to justify what would amount to ethnic cleansing.

There are currently 1.7 million people registered as refugees living in Gaza, close to half a million of whom live at eight refugee camps in the enclave.

Smoke billowed after an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday (AFP via Getty Images)

Israel has enforced a strict blockade of the Strip since 2007, having previously occupied it for nearly 40 years after seizing Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war.

Urging Palestinian militants to release their hostages  whom Israel say number nearly 200  and ensure they are treated in line with international norms, Dr Edwards added: I would really like to see that this long-standing conflict between neighbours is resolved.

And I really think there needs to be a much greater push by the United Nations and also the member states to bring the Palestinian Authority and Israel together to find a resolution to the conflict and occupation.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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Israels defence minister has ordered a total siege on Gaza that would sever all power and water supplies, as well as blocking food and fuel, a move Palestinian medics warn will be catastrophic for the embattled civilian population.

Israel has turned the full might of its army onto pounding the 42-km long territory in retaliation for a surprise attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas at the weekend which has killed more than 1,400 Israelis.

The military told The Independent its troops were still battling militants across six different locations in the south of Israel.

As part of the surprise attacks, Hamas militants blew open border fences, infiltrated towns, killed civilians and soldiers and took over 100 hostages.

A plume of smoke rises in the sky of Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike (AFP via Getty Images)

In quick retaliation, Israels defence minister then announced a total closure of Gaza, which is home to two million people, and was already subject to a crippling Israeli and Egyptian blockade.

I ordered a full siege on the Gaza Strip, Yoav Gallant said in a terse statement shared on social media. No power, no food, no gas, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we act accordingly.

Israel formally declared war and the army called up around 300,000 reservists, signalling a bloody battle is ahead after the unprecedented assault by Hamas.

In the early hours of Saturday, October 7, as many as 1,000 Hamas militants stormed Israel by land, sea and air, killing hundreds of civilians and seizing hostages.

Among the captives are soldiers and civilians, including women, children and the elderly, British and American citizens.

Senior Israeli military officials told The Independent that due to the unprecedented nature of the attack, all options are on the table including possible ground assault into Gaza  a move not seen since 2005.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of a long and difficult war ahead and vowed to destroy the military and governing capabilities of the militant group, which is deeply rooted in Gaza .

On the ground, Nizar, a father-of-five who lives in Beit Lahia in the north of Gaza and asked not to be fully named, said a ground invasion would be our worst nightmare for families.

Israeli army soldiers are positioned with their Merkava tanks near the border with the Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images)

We have no shelter, no safe place to go. My house is already hosting two other families of relatives who fled from the border regions, he said in desperation.

We lost two children in the 2008 war, and have been displaced multiple times. Bombing is taking place every minute.

Palestinian hospitals meanwhile said they were already struggling to treat the wounded from the relentless Israeli attacks because of pre-existing shortages of medical supplies.

Gaza, which is one of the most densely populated places on earth, has been subject to 16-year blockade by Israel and Egypt, ever since Hamas violently seized control of the strip in 2007.

This sparked a humanitarian crisis even before this latest war erupted. Mahmoud Shalabi, acting director of UK based Medical Aid for Palestinians charity, said the current restrictions already means nearly half the essential drug list is missing.

The Gaza health ministry said on Monday that at least 680 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since Saturday, including dozens in airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp.

A full siege would be a catastrophic we already only have three or four hours of electricity a day, water comes every once every 3 days, we lack antibiotics, saline even disposable medical gloves, Mr Shalabi told The Independent from Gaza City.

Israeli military tries to strengthen borders with Gaza as battle enters third day (EPA)

Now we add this unparalleled escalation. We have never seen this level of violence in the initial days, so we dont know what is going to happen.

He said medics at al-Shifa hospital , the largest medical centre in the strip, likened the influx of wounded from Israeli strikes to a slaughterhouse.

Another problem is the lack of electricity in Gaza, he added, which relies on Israel for a large part of its power supplies.

No electricity in a hospital means death. Already hospitals are having to turn off generators and they are running out of fuel. The list goes on.

Maha Hussaini, a Palestinian human rights advocate also in Gaza City, said the complete siege announced by the Israeli defence minister would cut Gaza off from the outside world entirely.

There will be a total blackout as without electricity areas are already struggling with internet connections. People will be in total black out, being killed and wiped out in silence, she added.

So far Israel says it has hit more than 2,000 targets in Gaza, and has levelled much of Beit Hanon in the northeast of the country where it says Hamas has been staging attacks.

Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on buildings in the refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images)

Across the border in southern Israel, tanks and drones are guarding the half-destroyed openings in the border fence.

Israeli military spokesperson Major Nir Dinar said the IDF was trying to wrestle back control of at least six areas, after militants had blown open border fences in as many as 30 places.

We are striking hard and will continue to strike hard, he said, saying Hamas was worse than Isis.

Throughout the day, Palestinian militants continued firing barrages of rockets, setting off air raid sirens as far north and east as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Video posted online appeared to show plumes of smoke near a terminal at Ben Gurion International Airport. There was no immediate word on casualties or damage.

Back in Gaza, civilians showed The Independent text messages they had been sent by the Israeli military, urging them to evacuate to different parts of the strip or risk being hit in further bombardments.

A member of the Palestinian civil defence carries a wounded boy rescued from rubble (AFP via Getty Images)

Literally there is nowhere to go, said Ms Hussain, adding that tens of thousands of Palestianins have already been displaced, after receiving text messages telling them to leave their homes.

There is no safe place here, every place is targeted and can be targeted at any given moment. There are no shelters. Even the United Nations schools, which have received 74,000 people, can be hit. Yesterday an Unrwa school came under direct fire.

Egypts state media reported that Cairo is trying to mediate an initial deal in which would see Hamas release captive women in exchange for Israel freeing female Palestinian prisoners.

It said that if both sides agree, there would be a temporary cease-fire to facilitate the exchange.
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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.
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The Israeli military has launched limited raids into Gaza to kill Hamas gunmen and search for hostages taken from southern Israel. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it had attacked over 320 targets in Gaza in the last 24 hours, including terrorist infrastructure and military equipment.

Gazas trapped and densely-packed 2.3 million inhabitants have suffered constant retaliatory air strikes since the unprecedented Hamas attack, with more than 1,000 Palestinians killed and 5,000 injured.

Vowing to reduce Gaza to a city of tents, Israel has called up 300,000 reservists and claims to have created an iron wall of tanks, helicopters and aircraft around the enclave, pledging that Gaza will never return to what it was.

With an existing humanitarian crisis in Gaza now threatening to spiral into catastrophe as Israel shuts off electricity and already tight supplies of food and water, its inhabitants now face the prospect of the Israel Defence Forces unleashing the might of its significant firepower upon their towns and cities.

Here, The Independent speaks to experts about the Israel Defence Forces capabilities and how a ground invasion of Gaza could unfold.

How big is the Israeli military?

The IDF has three branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy. In 2021, the Israeli military spend was $24.34bn (20bn).

Fixed-term military service has been compulsory for nearly all citizens over the age of 18 since the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948.

Israel is amassing troops near the Gaza border (PA)

There are currently 173,000 active soldiers in the Israeli army, including 8,000 commanders. 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, who it is expected will aim to neutralise high-ranking fighters and rescue captured Israelis.

In total, Israel has 15 active infantry brigades, each around 3,000 troops strong, plus another 22 brigades in reserve  which contrasts with just seven in the British Army, according to Dr Frank Ledwidge, a senior lecturer in military strategy at the University of Portsmouth.

While reservists would likely not be committed to frontline fighting, the mass of the Israeli army deployed to Gaza would be further divided by concerns of uprisings in the occupied West Bank, and most importantly and formidably of Hezbollah in Lebanon, which is far stronger than Hamas, said Dr Ledwidge.

Israeli soldiers in Kfar Aza (Bel Trew/The Independent)

What weaponry does the Israeli army have?

Israel has already used 600 planes and 300 rocket launchers to strike Gaza. The air force is known for its Kfir fighter jets and also has a number of F-35 Lightning II jets obtained from the US. Israel is by far the strongest air force in the region, comparable with Turkey, said Dr Ledwidge.

Israel also has amazing capabilities for automated weaponry, said Dr Ledwidge, adding that there is a question to whether Israel is the first country to have executed an operation wherein [artificial intelligence] selects the targets for killing within the context of swarm drones.

Ground troops are drawing from an arsenal of around 1,100 third and fourth-generation Merkava tanks, which are similar to the German Leopard 2 battle tank widely used in Ukraine, with a thick front armour plate to provide maximum protection for its crew, and a 120mm main gun.

The Merkava tank is a main weapon weve seen in previous Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip and we are likely to see it again in the coming invasion, Dr Ahron Bregman, a former IDF major who served in the 1982 Lebanon war, told The Independent.

Where could Israel focus an invasion?

Whatever the Israelis do will be very much at the extreme end of plans which have been refined over nine years since the last incursion into Gaza in 2014, which lasted for a month, said Dr Ledwidge, adding that there is already evidence of a fairly systematic plan being executed.

Dr Bregman expects a ground invasion to be mainly, but not exclusively, into the northern Gaza Strip, which has so far seen the bulk of Israels aerial bombardment, although heavy and deadly strikes have been reported in the southern city of Khan Yunis, and other locations.

What Hamas want is to get those Israeli solders into their alleyways where they can exploit their local knowledge, says expert (REUTERS)

These airstrikes are aimed at preparing the ground for the invasion, including emptying the area of innocent residents  getting them out of the way so it would be easier to hit the enemy, Dr Bregman said, adding that northern Gazas more open and agricultral terrain makes it easy for Israeli tanks to manouvre.

As with previous operations, the invasion will involve carving up the strip and cutting off communications between the different sectors, particularly between Gaza and the rest, he added.

Dr Bregman added: Its hard to say, but I cant see how the military could achieve its main aim  weakening the military capabilities of Hamas  without moving into towns and even cities.

Israeli assaults on cities would open with massive [barrages] from air, land and sea, said Dr Bregman, adding: While inside urban areas, troops will try to move from house to house breaking internal walls rather than moving along roads.

What dangers do Israeli forces face?

The dangers to the Israelis fighting in urban areas are clear, as it is there that Hamas, equipped with Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, can cause much damage. Also, inside towns and cities Hamas got tunnels from where it could emerge, hit, and then retreat back, said Dr Bregman.

Dr Ledwidge agrees that you wont see tanks in built up areas  theyre much too vulnerable, and if you do theyre probably going to get killed.

An Israeli tank drives toward the Israeli southern border with the Gaza Strip (Getty Images)

The militants stock of drones now means also that for the first time for the Israelis, Israeli soldiers willl have to look up and make sure theyre not being spied on or bombed by drones, added Dr Ledwidge, a former military officer who has served in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Gaza, Hamas also have the advantage of local knowledge, and of extensive preparation, and there is no doubt whatsoever they have very capable leadership, said Dr Ledwidge.

Describing Saturdays brutal incursion and slaughter of civilians as a come-on, in our parlance, he said What they want is to get those Israeli solders into their alleyways where they can exploit their local knowledge, the cover, the tunnel systems, use their new drone capabilities, and trap them and kill them there  which the Israelis are more than aware of and will offset, but thats the Hamas plan.

And they will have prepared ambushes, fortified positions, tunnels, weapons dump, human shields, hostages, and extensive information operations to support all of those things.

How long could an invasion last?

With Hamas having clearly long-planned their incursion, and Israel bracing its citizens for a long, long haul, both sides appear steeled for a drawn-out conflict.

Bombs drop on Gaza throughout night

Dr Ledwidge compared an invasion of Gaza to the battle against Isis in the Iraqi city of Mosul, which took many months to subdue  and in which Isis certainly hadnt prepared in the same way that Hamas has for years.

He added: While its not quite an immovable object meeting an irresistible force  because the Israeli army will prevail  the question is how many sides are both sides willing to sustain in this fight? And both sides are clearly not casualty-averse.

The Israelis consider themselves to have been defeated in Lebanon in 2006 when they lost 136 soldiers killed and were forced to retreat because of the political effect. Now that is not going to be an issue - they want this done, and are prepared to pay the cost for that.
Menthol tobacco is killing between 40,000 to 45,000 African Americans annually, according to advocates behind a new push to ban the sale of the product in the City of Buffalo.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration missed its August deadline to finalize guidelines for a nation-wide ban, and New York state did not include it in its budget. But advocates like Stan Martin are not deterred.

Why the state wants to ban menthol cigarettes  and why some think that's a bad idea The move to ban menthol cigarettes was applauded by health advocates, including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association. But plenty of people have come out against the proposal.

When it comes to saving Black lives and saving the next generation, Im unapologetic about this, said Martin, owner of Stan Martin Consulting, which provides professional services in tobacco control, health, social justice and community engagement.

Martin wants the City of Buffalo to act now to prohibit the sale of menthol tobacco products. With the help of the Public Health Law Center, he drafted a policy specific to Buffalo and plans to submit it to the Common Council for its approval.

Were going to be putting forth an ordinance to the Common Council with that position to remove menthol from retail stores in City of Buffalo, Martin said. Our goal is to have the City of Buffalo adopt an ordinance ... by June 30 next year.

Black ministers would like to see menthol cigarette ban go up in smoke If menthol cigarettes are prohibited in New York State, there are two fears: that it will open up an illegal black market for cigarettes from other states, and it will make Blacks a target for police enforcement.

But city lawmakers, some of whom are familiar with Martin and his work, say they need to hear more about the ban Martin is proposing. And they are unsure whether the city has the authority to implement such a ban.

There are some legal issues and questions that need to be answered, Niagara Council Member David Rivera said. I really dont know legally if we can ban menthol city wide. We would look to the Law Department for the answers.

Fillmore Council Member Mitchell Nowakowski met Martin at an event in the Fillmore District recently, where Martin brought up the proposed ban.

For me I certainly understand why advocates want to push for that change, Nowakowski said. But theres a lot of nuance and complexity that needs to be worked out, because multiple levels of government have stalled any implementation of that.

University Council Member Rasheed Wyatt knows Martin and says he will be meeting with him on the issue. Even though Wyatt is interested in hearing more about Martins proposal, he is also not sure whether Council members have the authority to enact such an ordinance.

Something needs to be done, Wyatt said. Im not totally sure what, but I do know the impact it has on the Black and brown community. Its dramatically affecting our children. We have to take a stance. Im definitely interested in hearing and seeing what we can do.

Lovejoy Council Member Bryan Bollman said he has worked with Martin on anti-tobacco programs in Buffalo Public Schools in the past and is interested in hearing more about a ban.

Other menthol bans

In the 1950s, fewer than 10% of Black smokers were menthol tobacco users, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free kids. Today, the figure is 85%, largely due to targeted marketing and advertising.

Menthol is a chemical compound extracted from peppermint or corn mint plants or created synthetically, according to Truth Initiative, a nonprofit public health organization. Menthol reduces the harshness of cigarette smoke due to its characteristic cooling effects on the mouth and throat. It also suppresses the coughing reflex, which makes inhaling smoke from cigarettes more tolerable.

Massachusetts became the first state to implement a ban in 2020. A ban went into effect in California in December 2022. And Canada prohibited menthol cigarettes in 2017, followed by the European Union in May 2020.

In 2014, Chicago became the first major US city to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol, within 500 feet of schools, according to the National Institutes of Health. Initially, the ban extended to retail stores within 500 feet of elementary, middle and high schools. However, political pressure from a retail association resulted in a 2016 vote to limit the ban to stores within 500 feet of high schools.

The San Francisco City Council unanimously passed a ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes in 2017, and voters later upheld it in a referendum.

Its a movement, Martin said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in April 2022 that it was going to prohibit the sale of menthol cigarettes and set a deadline of August 2023 to finalize the details. A spokesperson for the FDA said last month it will complete work on the rule in the coming months, according to CNN.

Gov. Kathy Hochul had sought a provision in her 2024 state budget proposal banning flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes and flavored smokeless tobacco. The move was applauded by health advocates, including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association.

But the proposal faced fierce resistance in the Legislature, dividing Black lawmakers. There was also heavy pushback from convenience store owners, faith leaders in the Black community and the tobacco industry.

The ban, ultimately, was not included in the budget.

Ban supporter

Rev. George Nicholas knows about Buffalos health inequities as CEO of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity. He also sees the disparities up close, in his role as senior pastor at Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church on Masten Avenue.

In the five ZIP codes in the citys East Side and West Side and in the Cheektowaga-Sloan area, African Americans are three times as likely to die prematurely as a white person living in a different ZIP code in Buffalo, according to a 2019 report by the Buffalo Center for Health Equity. Overall, Nicholas said, a Black person in Buffalo dies 10 to 12 years sooner than a white person.

As a supporter of a ban on menthol cigarettes, he said its a logical conclusion for civilized societies to ban the sale and distribution of menthol cigarettes.

When you think of the relationship of smoking, diabetes, and hypertension and other chronic diseases, and a community that struggles to have access to healthy food you think about how menthol has been targeted towards Black people in terms of advertising and how menthol is easier to get addicted to, Nicholas said. Its all documented.

Opposing view

The Rev. Frank Bostic of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on Michigan Avenue said he is not in favor of a ban on menthol cigarettes only.

Any ban could lead to minorities and other disenfranchised community members getting targeted by law enforcement, Bostic said. Once you start cherry picking, we (Black people) get locked up.

A ban also could foster an underground market such as what happened with Prohibition, which created a culture for people to run moonshine, he said.

The answer lies in providing information so people can responsibly choose on their own.

Heres my problem with all of it, Bostic said. When youre talking about a ban, youre dealing with policy and law enforcement. Thats what I want to avoid. I have no problem saying, lets make them (tobacco companies) put bigger warning signs; lets have extra (taxes) or something to curb peoples appetite for smoking. Lets curb it. Lets not deal with laws like that because it creates a black market. Lets provide the information. Lets tell them this is what its doing to you. Its killing you.
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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.
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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.

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Scientists have found the cause of the largest ever quake on the Martian surface  and an unexpected explanation.

Last year, Mars was hit by a quake that had a magnitude of 4.7 and meant that the red planet continued to shake for another six hours. It was first detected by Nasas InSight lander, which was sent in part to investigate such quakes.

Scientists initially thought the signal looked similar to meteoroid impacts, and so searched for signs of any crater it might have left. But they found that was not the cause.

Instead, the quake appears to have been the result of massive tectonic forces within Marss crust, the scientists say. That suggests that Mars is much more seismically active than we had realised.

We still think that Mars doesnt have any active plate tectonics today, so this event was likely caused by the release of stress within Mars crust, said Benjamin Fernando from the University of Oxford, who led the study. These stresses are the result of billions of years of evolution; including the cooling and shrinking of different parts of the planet at different rates.

We still do not fully understand why some parts of the planet seem to have higher stresses than others, but results like these help us to investigate further. One day, this information may help us to understand where it would be safe for humans to live on Mars and where you might want to avoid!

Mars is smaller than Earth but does not have any oceans, so actually has a similar amount of land surface area, at around 144 million km2. That can make scanning it for signs of asteroid impacts  such as craters, or dust clouds  difficult.

To do that work, scientists from across the world  from the Chinese space agency to the one from the United Arab Emirates  collaborated to search all over the planet. Scientists believe it is the first time that all of the missions in orbit around Mars have worked together on one project.

But they could not find a crater. That led them to believe that the source of the quake was actually Mars itself, rather than something hitting it.

A study detailing the findings, A tectonic origin for the largest marsquake observed by InSight, is published today in Geophysical Research Letters.
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UK car manufacturers have warned of a devastating rise to the cost of electric cars if Rishi Sunak fails to strike a post-Brexit deal with the EU on tariffs.

Industry bosses told The Independent the costly new rules, set to come in by January 2024, will threaten both the electric vehicle (EV) market and the UKs climate change commitments and will cost British motorists an extra 6,000.

In the latest major Brexit row, the Sunak government is pushing the European Commission to agree to delay the costly new rules set to come in at the start of next year as part of Boris Johnsons Brexit trade deal. Despite this, Brussels has shown no sign it is willing to budge.

We want to know whether you think the potential post-Brexit price rise will impact rising EV ownership?

Is cost the main factor holding drivers back from adopting a greener commute? Or are other considerations like the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, charging access and range equally important?

If you want to share your opinion then add it in the comments and well highlight the most insightful ones as they come in.

All you have to do is sign up and register your details - then you can then take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen.

Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines , which can be found here . For a full guide on how to comment click here.

Join the conversation with other Independent readers below or by clicking here.
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An adults dream holiday is four years in the making, according to research.

A poll of 2,000 adults found 60 per cent have a special trip they hope to go on, with a fifth of those over 45 planning it from the age of 18.

The average adult has been on 23 holidays over their lifetime, but 67 per cent are saving the perfect trip for much later in life.

Reasons for this included being more financially comfortable the older you get, having less dependencies, and appreciating things later in life.

The Maldives, New Zealand and the USA topped the list for destinations Brits would most like to visit  with Australia and Japan following closely behind.

Ryan Howsam, CEO and founder of specialist travel insurance provider Staysure, which commissioned the survey, said: Most of us have that one special trip weve been dreaming of since we can remember, and its great to see that people have been planning it for a long time.

Its only as we get older that it starts to become more attainable as certain barriers start to come down  such as having more free time or less responsibilities.

Holidays are so important to us, and sharing new experiences with family and friends is priceless.

To help those who are unsure on where their dream holiday destination might be, Staysure has created a fun and useful quiz that will help you decide the best places to visit based on your travel preferences.

The study also found when thinking about their dream destination, 41 per cent said its a place theyve wanted to visit since they were young.

While 21 per cent have discovered it online and instantly felt they wanted to go.

Ideally, the trip would last an average of three weeks and involve visiting eight different sights.

The hunt for the northern lights in Finland topped the list of dream experiences, followed by a safari in Kenya and soaking in the healing minerals of the blue lagoon in Iceland.

Visiting Australia to see Uluru and snorkelling in its famous Great Barrier Reef also featured as must-do activities.

But 74 per cent still arent sure on all the details of their dream holiday yet even though they often think about it.

More than a quarter are already saving specifically for their dream holiday and regularly add money to an account  with 18-24-year-olds leading the way with this (43 per cent).

When it comes to genders, its men (35 per cent) who are topping up the holiday fund more so than women (18 per cent).

Of all those polled, 32 per cent arent yet as financially organised, but said they do plan on saving for the trip in the not-too-distant future.

For 57 per cent, the main thing theyd like to get out of it is to make unforgettable memories, while 52 per cent are looking to experience new things.

However, 33 per cent hope it will boost their happiness and improve their mental health and 35 per cent dont want to regret not ever doing it.

They OnePoll.com study also found 74 per cent believe this type of trip would be transformative for them as a person  leaving them feeling fulfilled (52 per cent) and content (43 per cent).

But when it comes to protecting themselves on this type of holiday, four in 10 worry the insurance for it will be too expensive, while 17 per cent arent confident they will be able to get the right cover.

Of those who have already been on this type of holiday, 43 per cent plan on doing it again in the future.

Ryan Howsam added: Besides from ticking it off the list, an unforgettable holiday has so much more to offer - from self-discovery to opening your eyes to a completely different culture.

Our research shows just how much time and money people put into planning their dream holidays, the things theyd like to experience, and why they might feel the need to save it for later in life.

But for any successful holiday, having confidence in your travel insurance is key  its worth checking your insurer can cover the experiences youre hoping to have as well as the length of time you can spend in one destination as all policies differ.

Whilst financially we are all feeling the pinch as we navigate through rising costs at every turn, its important not to scrimp on cover.

Top 40 dream holiday destinations
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An airlines decision to enforce child-free zones during flights has prompted an internet frenzy, with upset passengers questioning the division.

In August, Corendon Dutch Airlines  the sister company to Turkey-based Corendon Airlines  announced it would be trialing an Only Adult zone beginning 3 November. All flights from Amsterdam to the Carribean Island of Curacao will have 102 seats at the front of Airbus A350-900 and nine with extra legroom, designated as an adult-only area.

Instead of sitting next to a crying baby or whiny child for a long flight, passengers will have the opportunity to be placed in a quiet section separated by walls and curtains. If a traveller wants to ensure theyre not seated next to a teenager 16 years old or younger, theyll have the option to pick a seat far away for an additional cost. Securing a spot in the child-free area will cost 45 ($47.67) for one flight and 100 ($105.94) for the seats with extra leg room.

On board our flights, we always strive to respond to the different needs of our customers. We are also the first Dutch airline to introduce the Only Adult zone, because we are trying to appeal to travellers looking for some extra peace of mind during their flight, proclaimed Atilay Uslu, chairman and founder of Corendon.

We also believe this can have a positive effect on parents travelling with small children. They can enjoy the flight without worrying if their children make more noise.

Following the new movement, which sees airlines prioritising placing children away from adults who arent their guardian, people have been debating whether the policy is necessary or upsetting.

So apparently airlines are considering making child-free zones on planes, and I cant decide if this is a dystopian shift or not, but generally its really sad how little tolerance people have for children and babies - even acting like they shouldnt be in public, @LizardKangz_95 wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The original poster, whose tweet now has over 17,400 views, started the online discussion of whether this policy was beneficial.

One X user commented: Ive noticed people seem more annoyed with kids in public than Ive ever seen before. Usually people see little kids and babies and smile or whatever but thats seeming to slowly change. Its weird and sad.

I have personally seen a lot of this in California. Normally when people see my son they are very happy to see a smiling sweet little boy, but recently I feel like no one smiles at him anymore, and people generally avoid people with children and children, @LizardKangz_95 replied.

Having kids is already an isolating experience, before I had kids I never cared about other kids in resturants or on airplanes, one woman added, while another said: Ive literally seen apartments flat out say they dont accept tenants with kids. Its disgusting.

While many people were bothered by the news, a few travellers expressed relief that the airline was willing to prioritise their well-being as solo passengers without children.

I will not tolerate a screaming baby next to me on a four hour flight, one individual noted.

Another pointed out: I think some of it is driven by changes in parenting. Like when I was a teen, a lot of kids seemed pretty well-behaved. But I see more and more young kids that are incredibly rambunctious and loud and the parents just sit their scrolling on their phones.

Last time I was on a plane, I thought: I would pay more money to be on a plane without children. Almost every time I fly, which isnt much at all, theres a child crying the whole time, another person added.

Another airline has enacted a policy, different from the Dutch airlines, that settles the debate of whether a solo traveller should have to give up their seat to allow a family to sit together.

Per a JetBlue press release, the airline announced they would start guaranteeing that any child 13 and under would be automatically seated next to at least one adult on their flight for no extra cost. Whether passengers are booking their flights through JetBlues Blue Basic fare, their basic economy option, or booking their travel less than 24 hours before departure, children who fall in that age group will still be sat next to their adult.

Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer of JetBlue, said: We know travelling with young children can add challenges, and we want to do everything we can to put parents and families at ease by providing a smooth trip each time they choose JetBlue.

This enhanced family seating policy reflects our commitment to continue to meet the needs of our customers and provide exceptional service, she continued.

The Independent has reached out to JetBlue for a comment.
Dramatic CCTV footage shows an armed robber holding a cashier at gunpoint in Houston.

The suspect can be seen entering the convenience store before approaching the store employee.

He then points his gun at the shop worker and demands money from the cash register.

The armed suspect removed stacks of money from the cash drawer before fleeing the scene.

Houston Police released the footage in a public appeal to help identify the suspect responsible for the robbery which occurred on Thursday 24 August 2023.
Climbers scaled a tower in Barcelona on Tuesday morning (17 October), dramatic footage shows.

Footage showed two men, one dressed in dark clothing and another in a white top, climbing up the 38-storey Torre Glories, formerly known as the Torre Agbar, near Placa de les Glories Catalanes.

According to local reports, neither of the climbers were wearing protection and did not use climbing equipment.

Catalan television channel Beteve reported that the climbers were arrested by officers from Mossos dEsquadra (Catalonian police).
Footage shows the moments before two Swedish people were shot dead in Brussels on Monday night (16 October).

In a video circulating on social media, people can be seen running for their lives as gunshots ring out in the centre of Belgiums capital city.

Belgian authorities have raised the terror alert to its highest level in Brussels and the second-highest level across the rest of the nation.

The violent incident came ahead of a qualifier game for Euro 2024 between Sweden and Belgium at the Heysel Stadium, some three miles away.

Belgian media reported the suspected assailant was shot in a cafe in the Schaerbeek neighbourhood of Brussels on Tuesday morning.
Rite Aid will put three Buffalo-area properties up for sale as part of the drugstore chain's financial restructuring amid Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

A store at 452 Main St. and land at 15 Arnold St., both in Buffalo, and a store at 2453 Elmwood Ave. in Kenmore are among 78 Rite Aid locations put up for sale by A&G Real Estate Partners, Rite Aid's real estate adviser. Among those 78 locations, 14 are in New York State.

"As it moves through this process, the Company will continue assessing its property footprint and close additional stores to improve its overall financial performance," A&G said in a release Tuesday.

Last month, Rite Aid closed the store at 452 Main St., near Lafayette Square in downtown Buffalo. The store at 2453 Elmwood Ave. will close Nov. 1.

A&G said it expects to field interest in the sites from dollar stores, gyms, grocers, specialty discount stores and quick-serve restaurants, as well as medical, health, wellness and service-related businesses.
Belgian authorities have raised the terror alert to its highest level in Brussels and the second-highest level across the rest of the nation after two Swedish people were shot dead in the city centre on Monday night (16 October).

Footage shared online showed a man dressed in an orange jacket unloading several shots, using a large weapon.

The violent incident came ahead of a qualifier game for Euro 2024 between Sweden and Belgium at the Heysel Stadium, some three miles away.

The suspected assailant was shot in a cafe in the Schaerbeek neighbourhood of Brussels on Tuesday morning, Belgian media reported.
A father has spoken of his fears for his family in Gaza as civilians are in desperate need of humanitarian supplies.

Resident Eyad Khalil told the World Food Programme (WFP) on 14 October that Palestinians "need everything."

"We need safety. We need peace. We need the necessities of life. Electricity. Water. Food. Drinking. There is no water. There is no water at all. Medicines for children. Food. Drinking. There is nothing," he added.

Food supplies are being stockpiled in the Egyptian city of Al Arish and close to the Gaza border ready to be transported as soon as border access opens.
Richard Madeley has sparked backlash after he asked a British-Palestinian MP if she or her family had any indication of Hamass attack on Israel before it unfolded.

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday 17 October to discuss the ongoing conflict, explaining that she has family stranded in a church in Gaza City.

With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen? Madeley asked, during the discussion.

Any word on the street?

Shortly after the discussion aired, a number of viewers took to social media website X to criticise Madeleys question.

Absolutely insane behaviour, one person said.

Im genuinely disgusted by this, another wrote.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, on a trip aimed at showing the no limits partnership between China and Russia.

Putin flew into the Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday morning.

He is among over 100 representatives from different countries attending an event to mark the 10-year anniversary of President Xis initiative to grow Chinas overseas interests through various projects.

This latest trip comes just days after Putins visit to Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian nation with strong ties to Moscow.
The Irish Independent first revealed the planned investment by the retail giants investment unit

Ingka owns the Ikea outlet in Dublin, which is the retailer's busiest in the world. Photo: Mip.ie

The investment arm of the worlds largest Ikea franchisee, Ingka, has confirmed that it has invested in a portfolio of large-scale offshore wind farm development projects around Ireland and the UK that are controlled by Irish firm Source Galileo.

The Irish Independent exclusively revealed the planned tie-up between the companies on Monday.

Ingka Investments has taken a 20pc stake in the offshore wind project portfolio of Source Galileo, which is developing 10GW of offshore wind to electricity and hydrogen production off the north-western coasts of Europe.

The schemes will cost billions of euro to fully develop. Ingka Investments will initially help bankroll millions of euros of development costs as the projects reach a stage where a final investment decision is made.

Ingka has already teamed up with Source Galileo as part of a consortium to help develop a major floating wind farm in Norway. That UtsiraVIND consortium also includes Norwegian offshore wind technology firm Odfjell Oceanwind, and one of Japans largest utilities, Kansai. The consortium is hoping to build and operate a floating wind farm in the North Sea that will ultimately generate up to 1.5GW of power.

Frederik de Jong, head of renewable energy at Ingka Investments, said the partnership with Source Galileo is a further step in addressing climate footprint reduction well beyond our retail consumption and into the Ikea value chain.

The investment by Ingka Investments comes despite significant challenges facing companies hoping to develop Irelands offshore wind energy potential due to delays in the planning process combined with other issues.

Source Galileo is a joint venture between Source Energie and Galileo Green Energy, a renewables firm backed by Australias HRL Morrison, an alternative asset manager with more than $18bn under management.

Source Energie was co-founded by its executive team including chief executive Kevin Lynch, who previously worked with John Mullins Amarenco; Fintan Whelan, a co-founder of Mainstream and its former chief financial officer who is now CFO at Source Galileo; and Torben Andersen, a former executive director at Mainstream who also worked for Airtricity.

Source Galileo is developing five major offshore wind farms around Ireland. Its developing three wind farms around the UK coast. In total, the five Irish wind farms have the potential to generate almost 5GW of electricity.

The significance of the investment from Ingka is transformational for offshore wind in Britain and Ireland, said Mr Lynch on Tuesday as Ingka confirmed the deal with Source Galileo.

The UK has committed to deploy 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, up from 14GW now, he pointed out. Ireland too is expected to develop at least 20GW of offshore wind by 2040, starting from pilot projects today, as a contribution to meet Europes climate goals. The commitment from Ingka Investments, in partnership with Source Galileo, to help deliver on these targets is enormous.

Gina Cassidy, the chief operating officer of Source Galileo, said that the wind energy projects would bring economic benefits to local communities.

We welcome the opportunity to work with government bodies in Ireland and the UK to expedite national policies and supply chains to allow the industry to reach its full potential, she added.
Card-only payment is currently allowed in Ireland if a business specifies the policy at the shop entrance or check-out area

The European Central Bank (ECB) is seeking a clear ban on no-cash policies in shops and public bodies, including hospitals and museums across the euro area.

The move would make it illegal for shops and other business not to accept cash.

In an opinion on a draft EU law to regulate the use of cash, the ECB said the spread of card-only policies would seriously undermine the status of the euro as the blocs legal tender.

The ECB says the draft law, which was tabled in June, should clearly indicate that ex-ante unilateral exclusions of cash are prohibited even if retailers put no cash signs at shop entrances or check-outs.

The ECB is also seeking fewer exemptions to the rules, including for public bodies such as hospitals and museums.

The news comes a month after the Irish Independent reported that Finance Minister Michael McGrath told ministerial colleagues to ensure that all public bodies continue to accept cash, following an attempt by NCT car testing operator, Applus, to block cash payments.

Card-only policies are currently allowed in Ireland if a business specifies the policy at the shop entrance or check-out area, or in standardised contracts.

The ECB wants to outlaw those practices.

A new provision should be included in the proposed regulation to clearly indicate that ex-ante unilateral exclusions of cash are prohibited, said the ECB opinion, signed by president Christine Lagarde and published last Friday.

The ECB also suggests amending the definition of ex-ante unilateral exclusions of cash in the proposed regulation to clarify that it includes no cash practices (e.g. no cash signs at shop entrances or points of sale) as well as contractual terms that have not been individually negotiated (e.g. pre-formulated standard form contracts).

The ECBs opinion is not binding on the European Commission, which will have to get the law past MEPs and the blocs 27 governments.

The ECB, which has the exclusive right to issue euro banknotes in the 20-member eurozone, said the use of cash is especially important for immigrants, older people, disabled people, socially vulnerable citizens and minors.

A clear ban would absolve governments from having to monitor instances of cash bans, the ECB said, as the practice would be illegal. Governments could then concentrate on issuing fines or stopping the practice if it is discovered.

The European Commission proposed in June that pharmacies and other essential retailers, such as local newsagents, be forced to accept cash payments in future.

The draft law gave the EU the right to intervene if access to cash falls below certain limits and national governments fail to take action.

But it allows retailers to refuse cash in good faith instances, such as if the banknotes offered are too large or if they have run out of change.

The move is part of the blocs attempt to reassure consumers as it pushes ahead with plans for a digital euro.

The Commissions draft law pre-empted Mr McGraths proposed access to cash rules. The heads of bill for the new law are expected to be tabled by the end of this year.

That is part of a wide-ranging payments review, the terms of which said the Government should look into new laws on cash acceptance by certain classes of firms, sectors or sub-sectors.

The Government is due to publish a new national payments strategy next year.
US urges EU to follow by blocking sensitive investments in China

Janet Yellen tells meeting of EU finance ministers there is much to be gained by working together

Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe (left) and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at the EU finance ministers' meeting. Photo: European Union

Sarah Collins Tue 17 Oct 2023 at 03:30







The US wants to see the EU follow its lead in imposing targeted bans on investments in sensitive technologies in China.
In 2012, in a small town in Oklahoma, David Grann met the devil. The magazine journalist was on the hunt for his next story and he stumbled into the Osage Nation Museum, which commemorated the history of the local Native American tribe.
Hannah Quinn-Mulligan: Gentleman foresters are buying up land  but theyre not a big threat to farmers

These city dwellers are generally buying small plots of land that we dont want, they are helping the environment  and we can learn from them

These city dwellers just want to buy a rough 20ac of land and plant it with native Irish trees. Photo: Getty

Hannah Quinn-Mulligan Tue 17 Oct 2023 at 03:30

There is a movement that has been gathering momentum for some time on the outer edges of the countryside, and I believe we are in the midst of the dawn of the gentleman and lady forester.
Over the years, six separate local groups have been established to oppose the development of the 200km cycleway. Photo: Patrick Browne

A drastic rethink of the proposed Athlone to Galway Cycleway will be required to gain the support of landowners, according to a local farming group.

A number of farmers living along the preferred route of the cycleway have called for a new approach to be taken to the development, following the move by consultant engineers RPS to step away from the project last week.
Movable curbs. Electronic sensors to detect parking availability. Heated sidewalks. Charging stations. New pop-up parklets or streateries, play areas or public seating. Dedicated lanes for bikes and scooters.

Its the street of the future, and its coming downtown.

A seven-block stretch of Washington Street from South Division to Genesee streets will be the guinea pig for the citys first implementation of its new Smart Streets design, to highlight new and alternative ways to not only get downtown but to get around once there.

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That means not just using traditional cars, Metro Rail and Metro Bus, but electric vehicles, autonomous shuttles, e-bikes and e-scooters.

Were looking collectively at mobility in Buffalo and the central business district in particular, said Brendan Mehaffy, Buffalos economic development commissioner, and executive director of the Office of Strategic Planning. Were trying to take what we do in Buffalo up to a higher form of sophistication.

The goal is to use technology and adjustable infrastructure to make the street more user-friendly, attractive and welcoming for residents, workers and visitors. The idea is to make it easier to bring people downtown, and then help them move around the central business district once they are there.

The ultimate goal is to show, in a very real way, all the things that a street is capable of doing, said Ralph DeNisco, senior principal at Stantec, an Alberta-based international engineering services company that has been working with the city on the project. By pulling all those things into one place, youre showing whats possible in all places.

At the same time, officials will focus first on getting the basics right, DeNisco said. All the sidewalks will be nice and even. All the pavement will be new. All the crosswalks will be repainted. All the pedestrian ramps will meet code. All the signals will have push buttons and will work. Basic blocking and tackling. But then on top of that, adding a whole bunch of the elements you can do.

The consultants examined 10.3 miles of downtown using 30 metrics, and evaluated three other downtown streets as alternatives  Court, Pearl and Genesee  but settled on Washington because it offered the most opportunity and visibility in one place.

Its a transit street. Its a downtown destination street. It connects two of the citys parking ramps, and this is the street that you would use to get up and down. Theres large employers that front on Washington Street. Plus it provides a connection to East Buffalo, DeNisco said. Washington checks more boxes than most other streets in town.

Ultimately, officials hope to use the 2,200-foot stretch of Washington as a test area to see what works and what doesnt, before applying similar features to other streets.

Meanwhile, others may watch Buffalos experiment, to learn from it. While a few cities like Tulsa or Detroit are trying some elements of smart-streets design, or have started down a similar path as Buffalo, the Stantec consultants said the Queen City may be the first to put it all together and get it implemented  largely because the public and private sectors are working together.

The goal of this project is to be a recognized national leader, DeNisco said. Yes, were learning from other people, but our charge is to be the place that pulls all of that together. Buffalo is trying to be first.

Even better, the city has tens of millions of dollars in funding.

Developer Douglas Jemal, owner of Seneca One tower, and M&T Bank Corp., the towers anchor tenant, agreed several years ago to contribute to a public infrastructure fund in lieu of getting tax breaks on the building redevelopment. Jemal has now agreed to a similar step with his purchase and redevelopment of the Mohawk Ramp and Simon Electric properties.

That was a really compelling part of awarding Douglas that project, because he was willing to forgo the tax exemptions he was entitled to and invest that money in public right-of-way, Mehaffy said. What he understands is its not just about your building, but everything that happens around your building as well.

The smart-streets design is part of the citys broader Race for Place initiative to make Buffalo more attractive and appealing for both residents and workers to build on the redevelopment and economic growth that the city has experienced in the last 15 years. It also follows Stantecs Future of Mobility forum and report in 2020, and a series of subsequent public meetings and studies over the last three years.

Whatever we do here is not just for downtown, its not just for the new developments, its not just for the new people moving in, DeNisco said. Its got to benefit the people who are already here and challenged with their everyday existence.

Stantec cited data showing that 61% of people coming to downtown are drivers, with another 19% as passengers and only 11% walking. But once there, 56% get around by walking, with only 34% by car and 1% by Metro Rail.

Downtowns evolving, not just in Buffalo but around the country, DeNisco said, citing the slowdown in office demand and the rise of residential use, with 2,080 new apartment permits in downtown Buffalo and a 51% growth in downtown population since 2012. We have to understand how streets evolve to meet that moment. Thats what our charge is.

The firms consultants have been working on the project since February with the citys Office of Strategic Planning, as well as Buffalo Place, the Buffalo Urban Development Corp., Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps, Erie County, the state and the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council.

If we want to continue to be a downtown thats growing and advancing, we have to take a look at all options. And smart streets seem to be the way of the future in a lot of cities, said Michael Schmand, executive director of Buffalo Place, the nonprofit organization that runs the downtown business improvement district.

You cant be afraid of the future, he said. You have to embrace it, and you have to work with the people who are a lot smarter than we are to figure things out.

But officials still have to determine the governance  who makes the decisions and how, and who executes them. Thats expected to include a much bigger and broader role for Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps around mobility in general, rather than just managing the city-owned parking ramps.

Recently, the team from Stantec laid out details of the plan to the public during a forum in the auditorium at Seneca One tower, and then took comments and fielded questions from the dozens of attendees.

Reactions were generally positive.

Emma Hoffritz, who studied sustainable engineering and transportation in school, and now works for the city, said shes interested in what theyre doing downtown because she lives there, but wondered how much the innovations apply in the real world.

Its productive. Its a good innovation to start here, she said, while questioning what she saw as incomplete recommendations. But where will we be if were not focused on public transit as well as personal transit?

Walter Michalski, a 24-year-old city resident and highway engineer at Colliers Engineering & Design, said he liked the idea, but wondered who would be responsible for changing out the movable street infrastructure to switch from eatery by day to parking by night.

Its a really interesting concept. Id love to see how it gets implemented, he said. Itd be cool to make Buffalo a more walkable city, and this would definitely move towards that.

For Dan Piersa, who lives on the East Side but works in the Main Court Building at Lafayette Square, its the basics that are most important. He bikes to work every day, and has only brought his car downtown once since starting his job in January.

Its nice to see the protected bike lane, and it seems that they recognize that thats a basic thing to do, said Piersa, 28. Making downtown available to more people than can just get here by car is an important place to start, and it looks like the project understands that, so its encouraging.

E-scooters were a particular draw for Darryl Gaines, a member of the NAACPs Housing Committee who is retired from the Erie County Sheriffs Department. Hes seen them before in Washington, D.C. Theyre everywhere in D.C. Id like to see something like that in Buffalo, he said.

The city and Stantec will compile the data and feedback, and use it to complete a preliminary curb management plan and design for Washington Street by November. City officials will then work with engineers to finalize the details and begin implementing them, with features like e-scooters likely starting to appear next year.

Its not an option. Buffalo has to do this, or get left behind, Mehaffy said. We need to do this in order to continue our momentum and growth as a city.
The issuing of 179 million to over 85,000 farmers is in line with previous years, with 85,000 farmers paid in the first pay run in 2022. Stock Image: Getty

Payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme have commenced being issued to farmers.

Advance payments totalling 179 million are being issued to over 85,000 farmers under the scheme with the payments several weeks later than previous years as a result of the rollout of the new CAP.

In line with last year's arrangement, the payments currently issuing are an 85% advance payment on the ANC Scheme. The 15% of balancing payments are due to commence in early December.

In line with previous years, not all applications are currently cleared for payment under the ANC Scheme. Regular pay runs will continue in the coming weeks to ensure cleared cases are processed for payment as quickly as possible.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said he wrote to farmers in March and again just a few weeks ago to explain that there would be some changes to payment dates in 2023 due to this being the first year of the new CAP Strategic Plan.

A whole range of new schemes have been introduced along with substantial changes to existing schemes over a relatively short period, and payments commencing today is a significant milestone achieved."

"The issuing of payments under the ANC scheme is crucial to farm families, and I know the importance of getting payments out as quickly as possible. Payments will be visible in farmers' bank accounts in the coming days, and my department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria," he said.

The Minister also confirmed that his department is on track to commence payments of the advance under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS) from October 24 and Eco Scheme payments from October 31, 2023.

The issuing of 179 million to over 85,000 farmers is in line with previous years, with 85,000 farmers paid in the first pay run in 2022.
A "conservative" system to allow voluntary assisted dying people for people who have a prognosis of less than six months or a terminal illness causing severe physical deterioration was proposed by a group of Irish doctors supporting it introduction today.

Kildare GP and assistant adjuvant professor in public health and primary care at Trinity College Dublin Medial School Dr Brendan OShea, one of 100 medics in the group Irish Doctors Supporting Medical Assistance In Dying, was appearing before the Oireachtas committee on assisted dying.

He told the committee that "having considered the various models of assisted dying in various countries we wish to propose the following model which has borrowed heavily from the models of care in Australia and New Zealand."

It would include qualifying conditions and safeguards underpinned by legislation.

It would be confined to individuals over 18 years, with a progressive, incurable, terminal illness. They would have a prognosis of less than six months or a terminal illness causing severe physical deterioration.

The patient must also have capacity to consent to assisted dying.

Safeguards include having two independent medical assessments by two doctors, both of whom have completed appropriate training.

There should be a reflection period of two weeks, reduced to five days in individuals with a short prognosis of one month or less.

The reflection period should start from the first assessment, the group says. Any doctor participating in voluntary assisted dying needs to be on the specialist register of the Irish Medical Council and their main place of practice needs to be on the island of Ireland.

"We believe that there should be specific conditions which are excluded as a qualifying condition, Dr OShea said.

He added: We should exclude any mental health condition as a qualifying condition for voluntary assisted dying. Due to the complexities relating to capacity and consent we are not advocating for dementia to be included in the legislation as a qualifying condition, at this point in time.

Voluntary assisted dying can be self-administered with oral medication, or through intravenous medication administered by a registered medical practitioner, the group says.

"The patient should have the choice in what form of voluntary assisted dying is administered, be that intravenous or oral; and if oral  be it self- or doctor-administered, the group says.

"Regulations and safeguards are important to protect society and vulnerable people. It is also important that they dont become barriers to frail ill people wishing to exercise their rights."

He was supported by chairman of the group Dr Andrew Lyne, who said patients choices should be respected and supported where reasonable, with decision-making shared between doctor and patient.

As a society we have empowered individuals through referenda to take control and reasonability of their personal lives. Ireland is now a progressive, caring and compassionate society which respects individuals rights, he said.

Dr Rob Landers, president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, told the committee that a major factor the committee will need to consider in full is safeguards, both for patients and medical professionals.

"For example, the matter of a cooling off period after a declaration of assisted dying, a requirement for a patient to be formally advised  in a fashion that is witnessed and recorded  of their right to withdraw from the process at any stage. How would this work? What would it mean for medical professionals? he said.

Dr Fergal Twomey, a palliative care consultant and representative of the Royal College of Physicians, argued strongly against the introduction of assisted dying in Ireland.

He said: There have been major advances in promoting high-quality care at the end of life across the spectrum of healthcare provision in Ireland, in particular through the provision of both palliative care services and increased training in palliative care across the professions.

Legislating for assisted dying would undermine those efforts - risking a shift away from the funding, development and deliery of new and existing palliative care services and potentially reducing research, he added.

"Its vital to consider this legislation in the context of unmet needs  needs for more and better palliative care resources, and for example for greater availability of psychiatric services and treatments. The focus must be on meeting these needs, Dr Twomey said.
The Army Ranger Wing played a vital role in the seizure of 150m of cocaine from the MV Matthew last month

The countrys elite military force, the Army Ranger Wing (ARW), is still owed millions of euro in backdated allowances despite the Government lavishing it with praise for securing the biggest seizure of cocaine in Irish history.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who is also Defence Minister, were among the first to express the appreciation of a grateful nation for the courage demonstrated by the commandos during the high-risk drug interception last month.

In treacherous weather conditions off the south coast, the Rangers abseiled from an Air Corps helicopter on to the deck of the cartel-owned MV Matthew moments after the Naval Service ship LE William Butler Yeats fired warning shots across its bows.

The seizure of the ship and over two tonnes of pure cocaine worth more than 150m was the successful conclusion of an intelligence-led operation by the joint taskforce consisting of gardai, customs and the Defence Forces, with the support of other international agencies.

The dramatic actions of the Rangers also received praise from their peers in the international special forces community, as an example of the highest standards of operational ability.

But following the success of the huge drug seizure, it has emerged that the Department of Defence has failed to implement a recommendation that ARW personnel should be paid a collective 3m in backdated allowances.

As part of talks under the governments conciliation and arbitration scheme for the defence sector in 2010, an independent adjudicator recommended the special forces allowance be increased from 100 a week to 200.

The adjudicator also recommended that the money be backdated to 2006.

The special forces increased allowance was eventually implemented in 2018, with the department refusing to pay the arrears. As a result, individual former and serving members of the elite unit believe they are owed between 10,000 and 30,000 per soldier.

Many believe that the sums are very modest given the inherent dangers of special forces operations and the fact the troops are permanently on call.

Last month, the special forces allowance was increased to 270 a week for current serving members.

Sources stressed that the increase was on the back on previous agreements on allowances and not connected to the recent drug seizure.

Independent TD Cathal Berry, a former second-in-command of the ARW, welcomed the pay rise for his former colleagues.

The new allowance better reflects the expertise and professionalism of the Rangers and it is to be welcomed, Mr Berry said.

But he added that the payment of the backdated allowances would demonstrate that the Taoiseach and Defence Minister are genuine when they say they have great pride and high regard for the soldiers.

In response to a query from the Irish Independent, the Department of Defence said the adjudicators findings in 2010 could not be implemented at the time due to restrictions on public finances imposed by the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation.

In a brief statement, it confirmed that the allowance finally came into effect on October 1, 2018  eight years after it was first recommended.

It added the allowance was introduced on a non-retrospective basis because the department was not permitted to backdate the money under existing public sector agreements.

This matter was subject to discussions under the defence sector conciliation and arbitration scheme, the proceedings under which are confidential to the parties concerned, it said.

The terms of the adjudication subsequently came into effect from October 1, 2018, on a non-retrospective basis, under the Public Service Stability Agreement, 2018-2020.

However, Mr Berry claimed that as Defence Minister, Mr Martin has the discretion to honour the outstanding payments to show that he has their backs. He said very little is being done to reverse the exodus of experienced personnel which has left the Defence Forces drastically depleted in numbers.

If the minister and the Government continue to ignore the issue of providing the pay and conditions to retain vital staff then the organisation will not be fit to operate, Mr Berry added.

We can already see the effects of the exodus as the navy can only send a maximum of two ships to sea while the rest of the fleet is tied up at base because the establishment strength of the Naval Service has almost halved in recent years and the personnel are not there to crew them. The interception of such a huge load of cocaine underlines why we need to have an effective defence organisation with the capacity to protect our seas and air space.

Following the drug seizure, it emerged that personnel shortages meant the Air Corps and Naval Service had the bare minimum of resources required to execute such a complex mission.

Only one helicopter was available to insert the troops, when there should have been a second one providing cover. The chronic shortage of personnel in the Naval Service meant one ship was available when similar operations required up to three.
Thirteen consultants have warned of service collapse at Letterkenny Hospital in Donegal and expressed fears for the safety of patients attending its emergency department.

In a strongly-worded letter sent to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and the HSE, the consultants supported similar concerns by 78 Donegal GPs.

Waiting times at the emergency department have deteriorated quite dramatically and only half of patients are seen within six hours.

We consider this hospital is in crisis and rapidly approaching a tipping point beyond which failed recruitment of medical and surgical specialists will lead to a failure of on-call rosters.

They warned that such a scenario will inevitably lead to service curtailment and raise the possibility of service collapse.

They are calling for an external review of the hospital saying its emergency department is one of the largest in Ireland with 150 patient presentations a day, around 50 of whom need to be admitted.

The consultants pointed to several difficulties at the hospital, saying the main issue is a lack of resources.

The consultants named other issues to be investigated including the sustainability of medical and surgical services, facilities and staffing levels in the emergency department, access to community beds for step-down, and recruitment of medical and surgical sub-specialities given the size of the hospital.

Doctors also warned of long waits for ambulances.

In response, the Saolta Hospital Group, which includes the hospital, said it deeply regrets that any patient faces a long wait for a bed .Patient safety is at the forefront of everything we do.

The group added that like other hospitals around the country it is extremely challenged by a sustained increase in demand and lack of available beds. The emergency department continues to be extremely busy with high numbers of patients attending, many of whom present with complex needs requiring admission.
Courts

Catriona Carey is banned from road for four years as she turns up in court
A man (39) who drove his Lamborghini at 217kmh  more than twice the 100kmh speed limit  along a stretch of the N17 in Co Mayo during the recent Cannonball charity run was disqualified from driving for two years and fined 2,000 by a district court judge this afternoon.
Family pay tribute to Irishman (61) killed in New Zealand after kick to the head by teen

I'll never be able to give him a hug and tell him I love him. These memories are what make life worth living

Anthony Michael Kelly

Neil Fetherstonhaugh Tue 17 Oct 2023 at 11:59







The family of an Irishman killed in New Zealand by a teenager who delivered a fatal martial arts-style kick to his head have paid tribute to him as a man whose Irish charm touched many a life.
A violent criminal who has escaped from prison is suspected of carrying out a crime wave across the country in recent days.

The inmate, who is originally from Dublin, is being investigated for involvement in a number of armed robberies since fleeing from custody earlier this month.
Corcomroe Abbey in Co Clare, where signs have now been erected by the Office of Public Works warning people against holding unauthorised ceremonies there. Photo: Getty Images

Unauthorised humanist weddings and civil ceremonies at a 13th-century abbey in the Burren are damaging grave slabs and upsetting local families, according to a government minister.

Junior Minister Patrick ODonovan said that as a last resort the Office of Public Works (OPW) had now erected signage at Corcomroe Abbey advising visitors that such events would not be allowed.

Corcomroe Abbey is a Cistercian Monastery located a few kilometres from the coastal Clare village of Ballyvaughan.

However, Mr ODonovan said the abbey, which is a designated national monument, was being regularly advertised by wedding celebrants as a location to stage a humanist or civil ceremony.

In a written Dail response to local Independent TD Michael McNamara on the issue, Mr ODonovan said the activity at Corcomroe had led to concerns about damage to grave slabs located in the nave of the abbey in the front of the altar.

He said: Chairs and other items are being placed on the grave slabs which leave scratches behind. The graveyard is an active graveyard regularly visited by family members who have been upset by finding litter, broken glass, bottles, and flower arrangements left behind after these unauthorised events.

Mr ODonovan said the OPW was aware of unauthorised ceremonies at the abbey and had tried to engage with celebrants asking that they remove reference to it from their advertising.

The erection of a sign by the OPW would ensure anybody wanting to get married was aware ceremonies were not permitted there and any breaches should be reported.

The Limerick TD said there were a number of sites around Ireland where the OPW permitted humanist weddings and civil ceremonies. He added that these venues had been chosen after consultation with the civil marriage registration authorities so that they met criteria for suitability, access, health and safety and non-religious themes.

The sites, which are listed on the OPW website, Ceide Fields, Ormond Castle, Casino Marino, Dungarvan Castle, Kilkenny Castle and Charles Fort.

Mr McNamara said Corcomroe was more impressive than many better-known monastic sites across the country.

It is a fantastic abbey and it would be great if the abbey could be utilised more in a way that doesnt negatively impact on it and that is the fear that the OPW has in terms of the civil ceremonies that have taken place there, he said.
Both workers and clients express their concern over impact of action

'This is just simply unacceptable' - Geraldine Lavelle calls on government to provide equal pay to staff not directly employed by HSE ahead of strike

Geraldine Lavelle worries about the threat of an indefinite strike by staff at the residential centre where she lives from today.

She says workers at Cheshire Ireland in Sligo have been her second family since she moved there over nine years ago after suffering a spinal cord injury in an accident.

Older people, people with disabilities, the homeless, and at risk children may be affected if thousands of community health and social care workers at 19 state-funded organisations take industrial action from today.

Although they are not directly employed by the HSE, they want the same pay as its staff in similar jobs.

Some claim their pay was previously linked to public servants for decades.

They include workers at Cheshire Ireland, Cobh Hospital, Enable Ireland, Don Bosco Care, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Ability West, and DePaul Ireland.

Last-ditch talks began yesterday to prevent pickets after the Workplace Relations Commission invited the parties to a meeting.

Unions have warned that the action could escalate to hundreds more services provided by 5,000 section 39 workers.

I am concerned about the strike, said Ms Lavelle. Its kind of hanging over everyones heads, really. The service users are concerned. The staff are too. They dont want to do it as well, but they have no real choice at this stage.

I dont really know what to expect or how long it will go on for. They will help us with the basics but cant really do much more outside of that. We just have to accept that.

I dont have any family in Sligo town, the nearest are one and a half hours away. These people are my day-to-day life.

A lack of community care staff recently thwarted her plans to rent a home in Castlebar. Indeed, she was ready to leave the facility when she learned she would not be able to get the support she needed.

As a result, she is paying double rent for her accommodation at Cheshire Homes and the Castlebar residence.

For healthcare assistant Martha Buckley, if the strike goes ahead, it will be the first time that she will have taken industrial action.

She cares for people with dementia and also provides end-of-life care at a large nursing home in Cork.

On a daily basis Im dealing with people who sometimes have no family, she said. So you are their everything. One lady said to me the other night, ye are my family and I have nobody. In the morning she says, thank God youre here today.

She said for 13 years of her career, her earnings have not changed. Money is tight as she has a mortgage and a son in college.

Im on 17.64 an hour and have 18 years experience and someone in the HSE with nine years is earning 20.35. Were not looking for a pay rise, but pay restoration and to be on a level with the HSE. It doesnt make sense to me to be doing exactly the same, probably harder and more challenging work, and coming out with less pay, she said.

Its an indefinite strike so its worrying, she added. Were not going to be out for just one day.

The whole organisation is going to be in a very vulnerable state.

Where I work, it is causing a lot of stress and anxiety.

A lot of my colleagues are having sleepless nights about this. One part of me feels so guilty about doing this and on the other hand Im saying, I have to do this. Its what we deserve.

Many Enable Ireland services will close if the strike goes ahead.

A spokesperson at the charity, which provides services to children and adults with disabilities, said it expects substantial disruption.

Siptu official Karan OLoughlin said Siptu, Forsa and the INMO will assess whether to ramp up action if the first wave of planned strikes goes ahead.

The effect on the families and service users is very, very, difficult, particularly for elderly people, she said.

A Department of Health spokesperson said any industrial action will impact negatively on service users.

He said while it is acknowledged that section 39 and section 56 organisations are in receipt of state funding, the terms and conditions of employment in the privately operated organisations are ultimately between the employer and their employee.

A HSE spokesperson said its staff had engaged with the organisations in relation to contingency planning to ensure service user safety.

This is an ongoing process and the HSE remains concerned in relation to the impact of this dispute, should it proceed, on vulnerable service users across residential, respite, day and home care services, she said.
Its not fun to lose elections. But if there is one silver lining, India Walton explained to me this week, its that she gets to keep saying whatever she wants.

Walton, who won the 2019 Democratic primary for Buffalo mayor before losing in the general election, has never been one to shy away from controversial topics. So last week, she delved right into the most heated and politically explosive subject of them all: the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

I hope someone can help me understand why so many mainstream Dems are mourning with Israel without acknowledging the decades of apartheid, loss and devastation thats has (sic) plagued the Gaza Strip for decades, she wrote on X. Violence is wrong, but how do we just ignore the atrocities of the occupation of Palestine? The people of Palestine are trapped, have been murdered, starved and oppressed. Im no expert on foreign relations but I understand apartheid is wrong. Apartheid is wrong. Right?

Two hours later, Walton posted again, moderating but also intensifying her remarks: Mourning may have been a poor choice of words, she wrote. I am mourning, any human with an ounce of humanity is mourning. I should have said why the (expletive) are they supporting the continued occupation and attempted extermination of the Palestinian people? Thats better.

It was a bold statement because the Democratic Socialists of America were facing what Politico termed a major inflection point  and identity crisis  over Israel after the New York City chapter of the DSA promoted a pro-Palestinian rally in Times Square that has been heavily criticized. Even left-leaning DSA member Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez ripped the rally, calling it antisemitic.

The issue is once again exposing divisions between the typically older, more mainstream Democrats and younger, more left-leaning members of the party. Contrast Waltons tweets with Mayor Byron W. Brown, who announced Thursday that the American, Israeli and Ukrainian flags would be flown at half staff indefinitely in Niagara Square.

Buffalo is the proud home to a large Jewish population and I want our Jewish community to know that we are doing everything we can to support and protect them during this challenging time, Brown said. We are horrified by the unspeakable violence in Israel and condemn the attack by Hamas. The lives of innocent Israeli, Palestinian and American civilians must be protected as we continue to pray for peace in the Middle East and around the world.

Support for Israel has been bipartisan. Most Democrats have expressed support for Israel after the Hamas attack. So have Republicans: Former Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw called on Cheektowaga Council Member Brian Nowak, a Democrat who is running for town supervisor, to take a stand on the issue.

Obviously I condemn the horrific actions of Hamas against Israel, and I equally condemn those, including those in the DSA, who are making excuses for terrorism, Nowak wrote.

Walton told me this week that she decided to write about the Israel-Hamas war because she happened to be attending a conference with members of two social justice groups, Jews United for Justice and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice.

Listening and taking cues from these organizations, I began to think about why we always have to choose one side or the other, she said. Ive said multiple times that two things can be true at once.  There should be calls for a cease-fire. No one should die. War is wrong. Why isnt that the conversation that were having  calls for peace  rather than the eradication of an entire people?

Walton said her interest also stems from her new position as senior strategist at Roots Action, a nonprofit that says it is dedicated to galvanizing people who are committed to economic fairness, equal rights for all, civil liberties, environmental protection  and defunding endless wars.

The organization is urging people to contact their representatives in Washington to support de-escalation and diplomacy and a cease-fire in the region. Many Palestinians are bracing for what is expected to be a brutal ground war between Israel and Hamas. The United Nations has condemned Israels blockade of essential supplies such as food, water, electricity and medicine into Gaza.

But a child who is hunkered down wondering if the building they live in is going to be bombed and collapse on top of them, how scary that must be for people, Walton said. More than one wrong can be committed at a time and the starving of women and children and poor people who cannot defend themselves and have no resources is wrong. The killing of civilians is wrong. Terrorism is wrong. All of those things are wrong and evil and should not be tolerated from either side.

Others have said that Israel has a right to defend itself from neighbors who not only kill civilians but who fundamentally believe the Jewish state should not exist. Israeli officials have compared the Hamas attack to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which unleashed decades of war between the U.S. and groups in Afghanistan and Iraq.

To Walton, thats more reason to be careful about whatever comes next.

If we are always going to repay evil with the same evil, what would the world look like? she asked. Someone has to display some kind of diplomacy, otherwise were going to be in a state of perpetual war, and thats the wrong path to be going down.
Plans to reduce hospital waiting lists are at risk of becoming a casualty of cuts in health spending next year despite nearly 900,000 people languishing in some form of queue, it emerged yesterday.

The extent of funding available to tackle hospital waiting lists is now uncertain and is expected to be cut next year .

As the health service faces into a spending squeeze, the Department of Health was unable to say yesterday how much will be allocated to reduce the misery of patients facing gruelling delays on waiting lists.

Asked if next years funding will match the 2023 allocation of 240m, a spokesperson for the department was unable to provide assurance and could not put a figure on the spend.

The spokesperson said full details of the 2024 waiting list action plan will be published in 2024.

It comes amid confusion over a recruitment freeze ordered by the HSE for staff grades which include home help workers.

Speaking on the RTE radio over the weekend, Junior Health Minister Mary Butler, the minister of state for older people, said she was very concerned to learn home helps were included in the freeze.

Ms Butler said she was told 1,000 much-needed home helps would be hired this year and as of September, the number stood at 745.

There is still availability for 255 posts, she said.

However, the patient and client care grades have been capped at a maximum of 150  and 100 of these are ambulance staff, leaving home helps in the scramble for another 50 jobs, some which may go to healthcare assistants.

More than 6,000 people across the country are desperate for home care, mostly due to a lack of carers.

There will also be a greater reliance on home care as the winter trolley crisis worsens and delayed discharges  people who no longer need medical care but are occupying a bed  need to be moved out of hospital.

The two critical areas of health service delivery  reducing waiting lists and home care  now look set to be among the major victims of the spending curbs.

It follows the criticism of the 22.5bn budget for the health service for next year, which the HSE said falls far short of what is needed and will plunge it into another 1bn overrun at the end of 2024.

Meanwhile, Tanaiste Micheal Martin appeared to take a tougher line with the HSEs complaints yesterday, saying funding for the health service in Ireland needs examination.

The Fianna Fail leader said 7bn in additional funding had been allocated to the health service over the past few years. I heard the term recruitment freeze the issue for example, is that given the money already allocated, the HSE has not recruited staff even from the existing basis of funding, over the last while in critical services, particularly in disability, for example, Mr Martin said.

So we will work through the funding in health, but the scale of allocation in the last number of years has been very, very significant.

We will work with the HSE, but the HSE also have to work with Government. There has to be deeper analysis of health spending, parallel with analysis of demographics and ageing population.

That has implications in terms of pressure on services.

Mr Martin added, however, that funding has dramatically increased by 1.8bn this year. If you look over the last three years, I think youre looking at 7bn additional to health. So the issue needs examination, he said.

Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane called on the leaders of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party to urgently agree a supplementary budget for 2023, and a revised budget for 2024, to address the funding shortfall which is putting patients at risk and stalling essential clinical programmes to improve services across cancer, maternity, stroke, rare diseases, and more.

Labour health spokesman Duncan Smith called for the funding shortfall to be debated in the Dail.
Inspectors have expressed serious concerns about the control of residents' finances and fire safety risks following a visit to a Co Galway nursing home.

The inspection of Aperee Living Galway, a purpose-built facility on the Headford Road, took place last May.

"Following information of concern about residents finances, inspectors reviewed the policies and procedures in place to ensure residents funds were safeguarded," said the report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).

"The provider was a pension agent for one resident, and also held a small amount of money belonging to the estate of two deceased residents.

"The provider held residents' money in the company's bank account. Inspectors were very concerned about the manner in which residents funds were being managed, and were not safeguarded.

"An urgent compliance plan request was issued to the provider during the inspection to provide assurance to the chief inspector that the centre was adequately resourced to provide a safe and effective service to residents."

The report said that a fire safety risk assessment commissioned in November 2021, and an inspection carried out by inspectors of social services in June 2022, found significant issues of concern in relation to fire safety.

"A compliance plan submitted by the provider following this inspection was not in progress and minimal action had been taken to address the immediacy of the risks identified.

"Following significant engagement with the chief inspector, the provider had committed to taking action to address all identified fire risks, some of which has been identified as high risk to residents, staff and visitors.

"On the day of inspection, inspectors found the majority of issues identified in the fire safety assessment and on inspection had not been addressed. There was no information available as to when the required works would commence. This was a risk that was not being managed effectively by the provider.

"The fire risk assessment of November 2021 identified that the upper floor of the centre had limited compartmentation, with up to 20 residents being accommodated in one compartment, with the requirement for these 20 residents to be evacuated from this area in the event of a fire.

"The provider had committed to commencing fire safety works to reduce the size of the compartmentation within this area. This would allow for containment of smoke and fire, and the safe evacuation of residents in the event of a fire emergency. This work had not commenced and the risks associated with the current arrangement remained."

As separate inspection was carried out of Tara Winthrop private Clinic in the village of Swords, Co Dublin.

Residents and their loved ones reported to inspectors that staff were kind, patient and go over and above to help residents, however there was not enough of them.

"For example, one resident told inspectors that staff levels were insufficient resulting at times in waits for assistance of up to 30 minutes to attend the bathroom.

"Residents reported that there was insufficient staff to assist with breakfast on days when they were leaving the centre to attend appointments early in the morning.

"Residents reported there were often delays in night time staff answering call bells and that on one occasion a resident had to phone their relative to phone the centre in order for staff to answer their call bell.

"Visitors who spoke to inspectors reported concerns regarding night time staffing levels, in particular, arrangements in place to cover staff sickness and absence as there were four nurses on at night to cover the five units in the centre.

"They also expressed concern regarding the lack of senior management support for staff particularly at times of staff shortage and during other challenging times, such as when there was an outbreak of Covid-19."

The report found that oversight of the medicines practices in the centre was not adequate. Inspectors found a number of issues that had not been identified by the management team, and there was a risk that medication was not being monitored and stored appropriately.

Although efforts were made to support residents' rights, action was required to eliminate institutional practices occurring and to ensure that approaches to care were person-centred to ensure that residents' rights were protected and upheld.

Residents reported that staff pop into other residents rooms to borrow continence pads or wipes while residents were still sleeping.

Other residents reported repeatedly that they felt that staff treated them like children and ignored their requests for less noise from banging doors and conversations at night time.

This had not been addressed despite being brought to the attention of staff on three occasions.
Record-breaking 23,000 Polish people voted in Ireland ahead of todays results

Queue to the Embassy of Poland in Dublin. Photo: Aleksandra Rosiak.

A record-breaking 23,000 Polish people voted in Ireland in the Polish general election last Sunday, which is almost 10,000 higher than in the previous elections in 2019.

Poles were queueing at 11 electoral points in Ireland to cast their votes. There were five voting stations in Dublin, two in Cork, and one each in Kilkenny, Limerick, Galway, and Athlone.

After the heated electoral campaign, the democratic opposition was elected the majority of seats in the Polish Government, winning over the governing right-wing party Law and Justice, which had been in power since 2015.

The Polish National Electoral Commission announced the final count of votes this morning.

Although the conservative Law and Justice had the highest number of votes with 35,38pc, the centrist opposition is set to form the new government, which foreruns radical changes in Poland.

Civic Coalition took the second place with 30,70pc.

Democracy has won, the leader of Civic Coalition Donald Tusk told his supporters on Sunday evening after the exit poll results.

Next was the centre-right Third Way with 14,40pc, followed by the Left with 8,61pc and then the far-right Confederation with 7,16pc.

These elections have seen the highest turnout since the fall of communism in 1989, with more than 74pc of voters participating. In Warsaw, the turnout was almost 85pc.

Teresa Buczkowska has been living in Ireland for 18 years and voted at the OConnell High School at North Richmond Street. She said these elections were very important.

I see it not only as my duty but also as a privilege. Because we grew up in a country where voting wasn't really free or democratic for many, many years, she told the Irish Independent.

She went to the voting station with her friend Karolina Salagierska and her friends son Dorian Salagierski.

Ms Buczkowska said that election day was also full of fear as democracy in Poland was in danger for so many years.

We never knew how people will be voting, especially since the governing party was using so many undemocratic tools to campaign.

Monopolising the state TV and radio to use them to spread their campaigning messages and completely marginalising campaigns of the opposition parties. And we know how impactful that is on people's decisions.

To vote in their election abroad, Polish migrants need to register one month in advance for their name to be added to one of the voting stations.

It was full of anxiety, knowing that participation of Poles registering to vote in Ireland is going down every single election.

Ms Buczkowska said theres always a dilemma about voting in the elections as she hasnt been living in Poland for almost two decades.

I was part of the generation growing up in Poland, where everyone was leaving.

"That was a survival strategy for us to just go abroad and look for a job and better quality of life.

"I don't know if I ever go back to Poland because Ireland is my home right now.

However, she had no doubt this time about her participation in elections.

I wanted to vote because I wanted to protect not only Polish democracy but European democracy.

She's relieved that the democratic opposition parties have a realistic chance of forming a government. However, she said that this is not the end of our journey.

Shes most excited about the high turnout that Poland never had before, but it brings a bitter joy, she said.

If we had voted at such a high level before, if we mobilised a society, we wouldn't have to live with this anxiety.

"Democracy isn't something given, democracy can be taken away from us very easily, and we've seen that before, she said.

Aleksandra Rosiak has been living in Ireland for 22 years. She arrived at the Embassy of Poland at Ailesbury Road in Dublin on Sunday morning and stood in the queue for almost two hours.

The queue was pretty long, but I didnt see anybody leaving the queue, she said.

She spoke about the meaning of voting as a Polish migrant living in Ireland.

"I haven't lived in Poland for 22 years. Now, I do have family there and friends so I care for their lives and their future.

But at the same time, I feel like sometimes we are deciding about a situation in which we are not in really, our friends are.

She said in the past, she would have abstained from voting.

Whereas in the last election and then this one, I have voted because I felt it was really important.

It's going through an authoritarian situation, so you want to help to stop that.
A patient was waiting for a bed in a hospital emergency department for 67 hours when inspectors arrived unannounced and found "gross overcrowding," a new report revealed today.

The inspection of Mercy Hospital in Cork last March found that corporate and clinical governance arrangements were not sufficient or effective in managing patient flow on the day of inspection when the department was full and overcrowded.

While the hospital had systems in place to monitor, analyse and respond to information relevant to the provision of care in the department, inspectors were not assured that measures were effective to protect people attending from risk of harm.

"Risks identified on inspection included gross overcrowding, which led to concerns on timely access and exit from the service in the event of an emergency situation," the report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) found.

It was one of five hospitals where emergency departments were inspection along with St James' Hospital Dublin, the South Infirmary cork, Portiuncula Hospital Galway and Portlaoise Hospital.

A separate examination of St Jamess Hospital in Dublin found the number of patients occupying bed who no longer needed to be be in the hospital was high and this exacerbated overcrowding.

At the time of inspection, there were approximately 66 patients who no longer needed to be there but were waiting for a nursing home bed.

"Lengthy patient experience times increased the risk to patient safety and did not fully support the delivery of high-quality, safe, reliable care."

An inspection of Portiuncula University Hospital in Galway in May found it had an effective management arrangement in place to support and promote the delivery of care in the emergency department but it was hit with capacity issues and lack of isolation facilities resulting in poor patient flow.

There was a mismatch between demand for inpatient beds, especially isolation facilities, and the hospitals overall capacity which resulted in 14 admitted patients being accommodated in an overcrowded environment while awaiting an inpatient bed.

It was evident that hospital management and staff were aware of the need to respect and promote the dignity, privacy and autonomy of people receiving care at the hospital.

An inspection of South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in Cork last April found it had corporate and clinical governance arrangements in place for assuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and reliable healthcare.

"It was evident that hospital management was planning, organising and managing staffing levels to support the provision of high-quality, safe healthcare.

However, hospital management must progress with recruitment efforts to address the shortfall in staff vacancies and the reliance on locum medical staff to maintain the out-of-hours medical registrar roster."

An inspection of Portlaoise Hospital emergency department the same month showed it also had corporate and clinical governance arrangements for assuring the quality and safety of healthcare.

The emergency department was functioning effectively at the time of inspection but there was a need to fill vacancies.
The final report on the Government's major consultation on security has said that Ireland's neutrality is "neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition" for Ireland's standing as a force for good in international affairs.

Professor Dame Louise Richardson, who was the chair of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, said some people have a strong and emotive attachment "to the concept of neutrality as part of our national identity".

However, in her final report on the security forum to Tanaiste Micheal Martin, she said this "appears to be more to an abstraction than to a specific policy".

The forum was convened to discuss Irish foreign policy and the approach to defence and security in a changing geopolitical environment.

It was held across four days in June in Cork, Galway and Dublin and was disrupted by several protests.

Critics said the forum was a deliberate attempt to erode Ireland's position on neutrality, a claim rejected by the Government.

Senior ministers had said there were no predetermined outcomes from the security forum.

In her report, Prof Richardson said there was an absence of a popular mandate to drop the current policy of neutrality.

However, she said the link between Ireland's global reputation and its policy of neutrality "is probably more tenuous than is generally asserted" and that the policy has changed throughout the history of the State.

The forum chair said it was "difficult to argue persuasively that neutrality between an aggressor and a victim is righteous".

She said it was also evident there was no agreed definition of neutrality in Ireland and under international law.

Prof Richardson said Irish governments have recently drawn a distinction between military and political neutrality and between military nonalignment and political nonalignment.

However, she characterised Ireland as an outlier compared with other neutral countries in Europe.

Prof Richardson said: "Austria, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland all invest heavily in their defence forces; they have conscription and very large reserves to supplement their significant standing forces.

"Ireland is not, and never has been, in a position to defend its neutrality, unlike other neutral European countries.

"Neutrality without the means to defend it necessarily entails relying on the goodwill or enlightened self-interest of others. This is not an optimal position for any sovereign state.

"Throughout the forum discussions and in the subsequent submissions, there was widespread support for increased expenditure on defence.

"It was not tested whether there was an appetite for the scale of expenditure that would be required to defend Irish neutrality, or even to deter an attack. This would require a radical change in government policy."

She said proposals for a constitutional amendment on neutrality were another contested issue, adding it could impair future governments' ability to respond effectively to a crisis.

Prof Richardson added: "Ireland's conception of neutrality might more accurately be described as political alignment and military nonalignment. While Ireland's practice of neutrality does not conform to international norms, it remains popular in Ireland."

She noted there was "considerable disagreement" on the extent to which Ireland's international reputation as an honest broker and positive force was due to neutrality.

Prof Richardson said some argued that it was one factor among many and that other countries were not aware of the policy.

She added that some had contended that Ireland's policy of allowing others to provide our security amounted to "free-riding and undermined our global standing".

Prof Richardson concluded: "It would seem, therefore, that Ireland's policy of neutrality is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for Ireland's global standing as a force for good in international affairs. The most that could be said is that it probably helps."

Throughout the forum, it was suggested that the Constitution should be amended to include a perpetual commitment to neutrality.

Reflecting on the divided debate on the suggestion, the forum chair wrote: "In view of the rapidly changing nature of the security environment faced by the State, it would be reasonable to conclude that the imposition of rigid constraints, like a constitutional amendment, is likely to have a negative impact on the state's ability to act effectively in the international arena."

The security forum was not designed to make policy prescriptions.

Prof Richardson said the forum found a number of areas of agreement, including pride in Ireland's global reputation in international affairs and the need for greater public expenditure on all three branches of the Defence Forces.

However, she said there were other areas which were contested, including that Ireland's "triple lock" policy, which requires Dail, government and UN Security Council approval for the deployment of more than 12 Defence Forces members on overseas peacekeeping operations, should be reconsidered.

On the triple lock mechanism, Prof Richardson wrote: "While there was not a consensus on this point, the preponderance of views, especially among the experts and practitioners, is that it is time for a reconsideration of the triple lock as it is no longer fit for purpose."

Responding to criticism of the make-up and structure of the security forum more generally, she said: "I believe that this was an admirably open and transparent process where unfettered debate was encouraged, and a wide range of views expressed."

Prof Richardson concludes that it will be "important to continue this national conversation on Ireland's role in the world".

Mr Martin said he wanted to commend Prof Richardson for her work.

Appearing before an Oireachtas committee on foreign affairs, Mr Martin said: "The question of the triple lock was also raised.

"From reading the chair's report, it is clear that there is no one viewpoint on how best to manage the decision to deploy Irish troops abroad.

"However, in my own view, we must consider the challenges facing the UN Security Council in agreeing or renewing UN peacekeeping mandates.

"The implications of this for Ireland and our current policy is simply something we have to take seriously."

The Tanaiste is to consider the report's conclusions ahead of a Dail debate in the coming weeks.

Mr Martin is then to decide whether to bring recommendations to Government.
Irish President Michael D Higgins has led tributes from politicians following the death of the former president of Finland Martti Ahtisaari, who was one of a number of international mediators in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Mr Ahtisaari, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008, died on Monday aged 86.

Among his most notable achievements, Mr Ahtisaari helped reach peace accords related to Serbia's withdrawal from Kosovo in the late 1990s, Namibia's bid for independence in the 1980s, and autonomy for Aceh province in Indonesia in 2005.

In his work with the peace process in the late 1990s, he was tasked with monitoring the IRA's disarmament process.

President Higgins said Mr Ahtisaari's contribution to peace and reconciliation was not confined to Finland, but was "delivered to the whole world".

"The establishment of the Namibian state owes much to his efforts and he was to continue his efforts for peace in Kosovo, Cyprus, Aceh and of course Ireland," he said in a statement on Monday.

"Martti dedicated his life to the cause of peace.

"Importantly, he realised that peace is not something which can be simply wished for, rather it is something which can only be achieved through a process of engagement, negotiation and a shared commitment on each side to building a better, shared future for all those who have been in conflict.

"It was, importantly, something which he believed could be achieved in relation to all conflicts.

"In Ireland we will remain in Martti's debt for the important role which he played as a weapons inspector at a vital time in the peace process in Northern Ireland in the years following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

"The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Martti Ahtisaari in 2008 was thoroughly deserved recognition of the vital role he played in the resolution of so many conflicts across the world."

He added: "In our conversations, Martti was always a voice of hope, one that proved that war is not the solution to conflicts and that there is always a way to find peace.

"He will be deeply missed."

Mr Ahtisaari worked with South African politician Cyril Ramaphosa to inspect paramilitary arms caches and their verification, a defining issue in peace negotiations.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said Mr Ahtisaari played a "crucial role in advancing the peace process" as one of a number of international mediators in Northern Ireland.

"Along with George Mitchell, John de Chastelain, Richard Haass, Cyril Ramaphosa, Harri Holkeri, and others they facilitated the necessary dialogue and participated in initiatives that led to the Good Friday Agreement and to subsequent agreements," he said.

"Martin McGuinness and I met Cyril Ramaphosa and Martti Ahtisaari in London in early 2000 and asked if they were willing to act as international arms inspectors examining and securing IRA arms dumps.

"They agreed and over the following year they carried out three inspections.

"The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning reported in 2001 that the dumps that Cyril Ramaphosa and Martti Ahtisaari had inspected were secure and that none of the materiel in them could be removed without their knowledge.

"Their willingness to undertake this difficult work made an important contribution to the peace process.

"In my conversations with Martti and Cyril I found them both to be committed to making our efforts successful. We got on well together."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also paid tribute to Mr Ahtisaari, saying he "made a lasting contribution that will not be soon forgotten".

"Throughout his life Martti Ahtisaari played a key role in resolving difficult conflicts around the world," he said.

"His contribution was recognised when the Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts over many decades.

"Millions of lives have been changed for the better as a direct result of his efforts and by helping end these conflicts he undoubtedly saved many lives.

"In the North he will be remembered for the role he played in our own peace process, particularly around decommissioning that was so important to allow us to build trust between our political parties and to transition to a more normal society."
SIPTU, Forsa and INMO workers were set to strike from this morning.

AN indefinite strike by 5,000 community healthcare and social care workers has been suspended following an 8pc pay offer at late night talks.

Staff at 19 organisations including Cheshire Ireland, Ability West, Cobh Hospital and Enable Ireland were due to mount pickets this morning in a dispute over pay.

A group of unions representing the workers has agreed to recommend that they accept a proposal brokered at the Workplace Relations Commission.

It includes a 3pc pay rise backdated to April 1 this year, another 2pc on November 1 and a further 3pc on March 1 this year.

Further talks on a key demand to link their pay to public servants wages are also proposed.

The agreement says the government acknowledges that the pay of workers in section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations had fallen behind equivalent and comparable grades in public service organisations.

It says it is committed to fully dealing with this issue before the expiry of any successor agreement to Building Momentum.

The proposal says the government recognises the need to provide sustainable funding in this very key sector.

It says this lack of funding has meant that there is a significant recruitment and retention challenge.

The Workplace Relations Commission will convene the parties to the agreement no later than December 1 this year.

The purpose of this engagement will be to agree further adjustments in funding for organisations and their staff that will have regard to the terms of the Building Momentum and the terms of any successor agreement, it says.

Talks began yesterday afternoon between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Health and the Ictu group of unions.

Its brilliant to wake up to the news that the strike was called off, said Emma Ward, an Irish Wheelchair Association service user, based in Galway.

Im glad the unions reached a decision and that those important services wont be called off and the service users wont have to struggle without them now.

Its like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I feel so relieved that I get to keep my independence which I rightfully deserve.

Workers at Ardeen Cheshire Ireland, Ability West, Cheshire Ireland, Cheshire Dublin, Cheshire Home Newcastle West, Co-action West Cork, Cobh Hospital, Daughters Of Charity Child and Family Service, DePaul Ireland, Don Bosco Care and Enable Ireland had been due to mount pickets this morning.

Staff at Family Resource Centres, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Kerry Parents and Friends, St Catherines Association, St Josephs Foundation, St Lukes Nursing Home, and the Western Care Association were also due to hold stoppages.

The workers who are employed by state-funded organisations but are not directly employed by the HSE demanded equal pay to public servants in the same roles.

A spokesperson at the Department of Health warned yesterday that any industrial action would impact negatively on service users.

Many Enable Ireland services were due to close. A spokesperson said it expected substantial disruption.
A voluntary redundancy scheme will be sought for up to 650 workers at Tara Mines after its owner failed to give a reopening date today.

Swedish-owner Boliden told unions that it was unable to give a definitive date for the resumption of normal operations at the zinc mine near Navan by a deadline this morning.

Workers are on temporary lay-off since July when the company wound down operations.

Boliden management and unions are now due to meet for talks at the Workplace Relations Commission on Thursday.

The mine is in care and maintenance mode while staff are anxiously awaiting a return.

Our members are really frustrated and angry at the lack of an opening in sight, said Adrian Kane , Siptu divisional organiser. The closure of the mine has had a huge impact on Navan. There needs to be a political intervention.

He said the union will be writing to Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys today seeking assurances that workers will not lose a days benefit after the company agreed to continue a retainer payment. The payment is worth 65 a week.

The not knowing whats happening has workers in a terrible position when applying for jobs, said one worker, who did not want to be named.

Companies dont want to know you when they ask you if you are returning to Tara. It is like asking someone to marry you with your current wife standing behind you. Employees have been rejected by good prospective employers.

Tara Mines in Navan, Co Meath.

John Regan, Siptu sector organiser, said a reopening date was crucial to workers.

We will need Boliden to give assurances that they are still committed to operating the company, he said.

He welcomed the companys commitment last week to extend retainer payments until January 31.

The retainer allowance is worth an extra 65 a week along with health insurance payments on top of welfare benefits.

Mr Regan said the union wants Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys to bring in emergency pay-related jobseeker benefits ahead of schedule.

The minister has promised measures to link payments with a workers former wages from the end of next year.

She mentioned the Tara Mines workers when announcing the new measure.

She advocated that it would be in the New Year but why not bring in an emergency measure ahead of that? he said.

When asked if this would be considered, a Department of Social Protection spokesperson said the introduction of new social welfare schemes involves a considerable lead-in time following approval by government.

She said this was due to the requirements of the legislative process and the development of appropriate technological and administrative arrangements.

Budget 2024 included provision for pay-related benefit for jobseekers to be introduced later in 2024, she said.

This is subject to a further government approval of the scheme. This would link the rate of benefit to a persons previous earnings, from December 2024. 

She said the aim of a pay-related benefit scheme is to soften the income shock that a worker may face if they suddenly lose their job.

The spokesperson said the introduction of a pay-related benefit system would bring Ireland in line with its European neighbours and would represent a significant change to the Irish social welfare system.

Last week, unions secured the extension of the support package agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission.

Gunnar Nystrom, general manager at Boliden Tara Mines, said the company agreed to extend the current support package for employees until the new year.

Unfortunately, the factors that influenced the decision to temporarily place the mine into care and maintenance are still evident, he said.

As such, it is not possible to be definitive about the timeline for reopening. We thank the group of unions for their continued engagement and will remain in dialogue with employees and all stakeholders throughout the period of care and maintenance.

He said Boliden Tara Mines will continue to work closely with all stakeholders and the companys group of unions to explore potential options to re-open the mine.

A spokesperson for Boliden declined to comment on a resumption date.
The Winners Room in Lotto HQ became a bit crowded today as almost 4 million in prizes were claimed by two separate syndicates.

Winners from Dublin claimed a 3.8 million Lotto jackpot in Lotto HQ, and another lucky syndicate from Co Laois scooped a 100,000 top prize from a scratch card.

The Dublin syndicate landed the jackpot in mid-October and were thrilled to collect their cheque today.

I was watching the draw as it happened and just knew they were our numbers that had come out, one member of the syndicate said.

I just knew they were ours.

We checked our ticket immediately, and it was a real mix of emotions from excitement to being utterly overwhelmed.

Theres just nothing that can prepare you for that, they added.

Shortly after learning the news, they decided to Facetime their family to let them know about their big win.

I think they definitely thought we were about to tell them bad news, so when we finally said that we won the Lotto, the excitement took over, and we were all jumping around the place.

I really believe that whats for you wont pass you by, but even still, this is so surreal, they said.

The syndicate does not have any specific plans involving the life-changing prize yet, as they wish to take their time to decide how to put the fortune to good use.

With the ticket finally out of our hands and with the cheque in front of us, I feel like now we can actually take it in and think about what to do next.

The first thing well do is let the news sink in and have a proper think of what well do, they said.

In Co Laois, another syndicate celebrated their win of the 100,000 top prize won on a 5 Money Multiplier scratch card.

They purchased their winning card at the Maxol on Dublin Road in Portarlington.

The syndicate from Laois also did not wait to realise their good fortune and call the National Lottery to confirm the win.

Id say within half an hour of scratching the ticket, I was on the phone to the claims team to make sure I wasnt seeing things, they said.

Its just not something that you expect to see at all, so you almost convince yourself that its not real when it does happen.

The Laois winners said they are especially delighted to win ahead of Christmas time.

While any time of year is, of course, lovely for a win, we had only just been chatting about Christmas and shopping the night before winning, so it certainly feels like perfect timing, they added.
BRI cooperation ushers in heartening stories of the times

14:00, October 17, 2023 By Guo Jiping ( People's Daily

The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) is slated to take place in Beijing from Oct. 17 to 18. Themed "High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity", the forum, to be held on the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, is set to bring together representatives from over 140 countries and more than 30 international organizations.

Tourists take photos of the China-constructed Peljesac Bridge in southern Croatia. (People's Daily/Liu Zhonghua)

Since it was proposed 10 years ago, the BRI has ushered in many heartening stories of cooperation of the times.

British scholar Martin Jacques has pointed out that it is not an exaggeration to argue that over the decade of its existence the BRI has "changed the world".

A review of the BRI cooperation in the overall context of global changes and development of the times can help better understand how it has changed the world.

The BRI was proposed at a time when the deep impacts of the Global Financial Crisis continued to emerge, and the international community faced the common task of exploring new growth points and starting a new cycle of world economic growth.

At that time, the foundations of global economic growth were unstable, trade and investment were sluggish, and economic globalization suffered setbacks while imbalances in development intensified.

In an effort to help the international community jointly meet the challenges of the times and overcome obstacles to development through cooperation, China proposed the BRI, a solution full of Oriental wisdom.

Photo shows a section of the Nairobi Expressway linking the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya's main airport, on the eastern side of the country's capital to the Nairobi-Nakuru highway in the west. The expressway has been financed, built, and operated by a Chinese company. (People's Daily/Huang Weixin)

"The Belt and Road Initiative embodies our pursuit of common development. The Initiative aims to break development bottlenecks, narrow development gaps and promote the sharing of development fruits among countries. It envisions a community of common development where we work together through thick and thin for a shared future," Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out.

Focusing on the fundamental issue of development, the BRI aims to realize economic integration, interconnected development, and the sharing of achievements through the alignment of development strategies, injecting impetus into global economic recovery.

In June 2019, the World Bank released a special research report, which presented the concept of "Belt and Road Economics". According to the report, the initiative, if fully implemented, could contribute to lifting 32 million people who live on less than $3.20 a day from moderate poverty, and are estimated to increase trade by as much as 6.2 percent for the world.

Development is an inalienable right of all countries, not a privilege reserved for a few. However, the reality in recent years is that the global development gap continues to widen, and imbalanced development has become the biggest imbalance in today's world.

The BRI has unleashed the development potential of developing countries and promoted balanced, coordinated and inclusive global development.

It has helped many countries improve infrastructure, establish their own industrial systems, and solve long-standing problems such as power and talent shortages. Thanks to cooperation projects under the framework of the BRI, many countries have built their first expressway, first modern railway, first industrial park, among other key infrastructure facilities.

A foreign scholar noted that the BRI has created development opportunities for countries in the Global South and changed the prospects for many developing countries.

For a long time, some developing and least developed countries have become "forgotten corners" in the tide of economic globalization. The international community has increasingly recognized the need to reform the traditional global economic governance model and establish a new global development philosophy that is fair and inclusive.

Upholding the aim of facilitating policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and closer people-to-people ties, the BRI has promoted connectivity over land, maritime, air and cyberspace.

Photo shows the China-Kazakhstan (Lianyungang) logistics cooperation base in Lianyungang city, east China's Jiangsu province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Jianmin)

It has facilitated the building of high-quality, sustainable, risk-resilient, reasonably priced, inclusive and accessible infrastructure, promoting the orderly flow of production factors, efficient allocation of resources, and deep integration of markets. This has helped more countries better integrate into global supply, industrial, and value chains, making it an effective solution to promote healthy economic globalization and build an open world economy.

For many countries, the development opportunities brought about by the BRI are unprecedented. Because of these unprecedented development opportunities, Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, has gained access to the sea, Croatians held grand celebrations on the day the Peljesac Bridge opened, Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina joined the public in cheering "Goodbye, mud!" at the opening ceremony of the Route Nationale 5A after a renovation project. The list goes on.

The BRI has brought to the world a new type of economic globalization and a new model of global economic governance.

The BRI is very timely and is a better benchmark for economic globalization, said former German President and former International Monetary Fund Managing Director Horst Koehler.

BRI cooperation represents a new model of international relations and world trade that will make globalization fairer and more humane, pointed out former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The Western New York Land Conservancy is purchasing a 152-acre forested area in Perrysburg populated with hemlock-northern hardwoods, maple basswood and beech trees with the help of a $227,474 grant from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The Perrysburg Headwater Forest conservation easement is in the Western New York Wildway, an initiative of the Land Conservancy to protect and connect the regions largest and most climate-resilient forests for the benefit of people, nature and wildlife. The grant is part of $1.35 million given to six land trusts in the state to protect local forests.

Working in close partnership with land trusts across New York State is critical to protecting forest lands from the pressures of development, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in a statement.

The Western New York Land Conservancy has also just opened the 185-acre Janet Gallogly Allegany Wildlands, in South Valley, Cattaraugus County. The preserve has 2.1 miles of trails.

 Mark Sommer
Lucinda OSullivans restaurant review of Mizu: The restaurant is lavishly furnished and menu is extensive

With Japanese food being all the rage once more, our critic found another gem in the mix in Killarney

Crispy crusted veggie gyoza. Photo: Lucinda O'Sullivan

Lucinda O'Sullivan Tue 17 Oct 2023 at 03:30

Ive been fortunate enough in the past few weeks to have had two great trips to Killarney, which, with new restaurants opening apace adding diversity to the culinary scene there, was alive and buzzing with activity.
And memories of that time flooded back to me last weekend when I settled down to watch Ireland play the All Blacks in a lively and extremely crowded bar (lets not focus on the result).
Josef Puska (inset) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Offaly schoolteacher Ashling Murphy

I am the murderer  Jury hears what the man accused of murdering Ashling Murphy told gardai.

Jozef Puska has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Murphy on January 12, 2022.

The trial was told that the 23-year-old primary school teacher was stabbed 11 times in the right side of her neck.

The Jury also heard that Mr Puska, had no connection with the 23-year-old.

Ashling Murphy was a popular young teacher from Tullamore. On the day of her death, she was out jogging by the grand canal  something she did regularly.

The reaction to Ashlings death was felt not only in Ireland but also abroad, with vigils held in her honour.

Today the opening statements in her murder trial were heard.

Fionnan Sheahan is joined on the Indo Daily podcast by special correspondent for the Irish Independent Catherine Fegan, to go through the opening statements in the murder trial of Ashling Murphy.
A letter from the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to members of the Northern Committee prompted substantial criticism from its elected members at last Mondays meeting.
Following the withdrawal of the SouthDoc out-of-hours service during the summer in Fermoy, two motions were submitted by the committee for the attention of the HSE.

In a letter to last Mondays Northern Committee meeting, Michael Moriarty the Acting Head of Service, Primary Care, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare outlined the agencys current strategy in relation to Fermoy.

The number of doctors on duty is aligned with demand. Therefore at busy times, such as public and general holiday periods, this number will increase. Generally, this may be one or two. There is one locum doctor who is part of a pool available to us and provided through a locum agency. Staff includes a driver and receptionist. The building is a HSE facility and is not leased by SouthDoc.

SouthDoc continually evaluates the service provision, formally with the HSE and on an ongoing basis internally. SouthDoc continues to deliver the service in response to the patient needs in a manner, which assures safety, ease and equity of access. All patients are dealt with in accordance with their clinical needs. Currently there are no plans to close the Fermoy Treatment Centre, he added.

Various councillors shared their concerns about the service and the lack of out of hours service available to a big population over a vast hinterland.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn expressed his displeasure with the letter. I am not very happy with it. There is a receptionist in Fermoy from 5.30pm until 10pm. There is definitely no driver there. I welcome the reply stating that there no plans to close the Fermoy Treatment Centre. However we have no service in Fermoy from 10pm until the doctors came in around 9am the following morning. I know from talking to people who use the service, that Mallow is exceptionally busy at the moment.

Fianna Fail councillor William OLeary said he is worried about the surge in calls when the flu season commences. The commitment given to keeping the existing service open is welcome. The service from 10pm until the following morning has been removed since mid-July. They are not even acknowledging that their overnight service has been removed and that is dishonest. Our worry is that coming into the flu season and winter time, that this will be when the real pressure will be felt. Their whole attitude towards us and the public since this issue arose has been disgraceful.

I really worry about the word currently, said Fine Gael councillor Kay Dawson: I would be frightened that they put that word in. There is no affirmation that they will retain the service that is there at the moment even though it is not the service we as users of the service would want. They seem to be a law unto themselves. They seem to be able to pull a service with no consultation with staff or with the people on the ground that need the service.

Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre OBrien said the situation makes no sense. If an ambulance goes out for a patient, that means an admission to hospital and clogging up the hospital. It makes no sense.

Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy also expressed his fears ahead of winter. The letter is only giving us information we already knew. It is disrespectful. We need to discuss with them why our service closed and what we can do to get it back. We have a big area and I think it is only going to get worse as the winter comes in.
A new festival is set to take place this October in Kinsale which features iconic images including Lady Diana Spencer and Samuel Beckett by West Cork photographer John Minihan.

Minihan spent 30 years working in Fleet Steet before returning back to Ireland, where he now focuss on documenting life in his home town.

His photograph of Samuel Beckett sat in a French cafe has been described as one of the greatest photographs of the 20th century. While his picture of Lady Diana, was one of the first images to be captured of her prior to widespread recognition and fame.

The Irish Independents Mark Condren will also feature at Big Picture 2023 after a recording breaking sixth win of the AIB Press Photographer of the Year award. He will discuss his work and stories in relation to An Garda Siochana and the NYPD.

The festival which runs across three days from Friday, October 20  Sunday, October 22 consists of free and ticketed events, exhibitions, a walking tour of Kinsale and a Newsbrand Engagement day for secondary students, where theyll get to experience a smartphone photo workshop.

Chief Photographer of The Irish Examiner and Event Co-Ordinator Dan Linehan commented You don't need to be a photographer to enjoy this festival, anyone who enjoys strong visual stories of the world around us will find this programme worthwhile."

Photographers Valerie Cox and Domnick Walsh are also featured in the line-up and will present "Eye On Kerry". Photographic insights of the Farmers Journal archives will be showcased by Philip Doyle.

The festival will be held across a number of locations including the new Kinsale Library, the Temperance Hall and Actons Hotel.
Tattoo artist Lucas Costa has been living in Ireland for the past six years and works in a Dublin studio

A Dublin-based tattoo artist says the failure to recognise his craft as a unique form of artistry is inaccurate and unjust.

Lucas Costa, from Brazil, has been in Ireland for the past six years and has worked with Heartbreak Social Club, a tattoo and piercing studio on Dublins Drury Street.

Mr Costa has launched an appeal following a fourth refusal by the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment (DETE) to grant him a permit to work full-time as a tattoo artist here.

He claims the decision to find that tattoo artists are not legally entitled to work permits is inaccurate and unjust, as it fails to recognise tattooing as a unique form of artistry.

Over 3,000 people have added their signatures to an online petition supporting his appeal.

Mr Costa first came to Ireland on a student visa and has remained here after obtaining a graduate visa allowing him to stay until September next year.

Heartbreak Social Club has been highly appreciative of his work and has actively supported his application for a full-time work permit.

Recently, his fourth application to the DETE for a general employment permit was turned down on the grounds that tattoo artist is on the list of ineligible categories.

He claims his craft should be considered in the same category as other artists.

Mr Costa said that every time he has applied, he has been told his job description falls under the profession of beautician or related occupations, which are on the ineligible list for employment permits here.

We had my extensive portfolio, which is not just tattoos. I paint, I make engravings and mirrors, I do metalwork, and I work with jewellery. I just so happen to tattoo for most of my time, Mr Costa said.

He claims the decision is unfair, frustrating, and amounts to an error in the system. He is now appealing for signatures for a review into this fourth refusal.

If I was able to be classified as an artist, which I am, I would be able to apply for the permit, be able to live here, and not be so stressed, he said.

He claims there is no reference to tattoo artists or anything that comes close to that job description in the list of professions deemed ineligible for employment permits.

I think as an immigrant, its a piece of paper or someone at a desk who will make that decision, and it changes so much in my life, he said.

It could be a small decision for them, but its something that can change the whole course of my life.

Mr Costa has said he considers Ireland his home, has built his dream career here, and actively contributed to the local art scene.

All my clientele, friendships, communities and life are here. All of which are reasons why I consider Ireland my home, he said.

If this appeal is denied, he will be forced to leave the country next September.

A spokesperson for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said: Irelands employment permits system helps businesses to bring skilled workers from outside of the EEA to fill skills gaps and labour shortages here.

This must be balanced by ensuring that the skills shortage is genuine and there are no qualified Irish or European workers able to fill the gap.

The system is, by design, vacancy led, and the Department utilises the Standard Occupational classification system when considering applications.

The role of Tattooist is on the ineligible list, effectively meaning it is considered there is no labour shortage for this particular occupation within Ireland and the EEA.

These lists undergo periodic reviews to ensure the system can best support Irish businesses and our economy, and in 2022, almost 40,000 permits were issued.

On June 26, an 8-week consultation period was announced for a review of the lists for this year, during which businesses and employers were encouraged to make a submission on what occupations they would like to see considered for a work permit.

Over 100 submissions were received, none of which were in respect of tattoo artists. A report containing recommendations is expected in November.
The funeral cortege of Aoife Kingston stops as a mark of respect outside the family premises on Market Street, accompanied by a guard of honour from schools and local groups in the Killorglin area. Photo by Michael G Kenny

The Kingston family have thanked the community for the wonderful support they have received in recent days following the loss of a much loved mother, wife, sister and daughter, who tragically lost her brave battle with cancer, a diagnosis she only received in February.

Aoife Kingston  nee Neville - who had just turned 50 in July, passed away on Saturday in the Palliative Care Unit of University Hospital Kerry, surrounded by her family, including husband Erwin and much loved daughters Molly, Lucy and Anna.

In recent weeks Aoife had spoken openly of her admiration for the staff of the Palliative Care Centre in Tralee and how it had been of huge help to her.

At her Requiem Mass in St James Church, Killorglin, on Tuesday, symbols highlighting Aoifes love for life were presented, including a globe representing her love of travel and a toy dog representing her beloved golden retrievers Baily and Lily. There was humour too, including a DPD package for her love of online shopping, a tonic  minus the gin  to represent her sense of fun and laugher with friends and a hoover head with marigolds as "she was never without one or the other!

But family was paramount to Aoife and, fittingly, a family portrait was the first item carried to the altar.

Originally from Foynes, Aoife settled in Killorglin where she worked alongside her beloved husband in Kingstons Bar and Townhouse, the latter a project in which she had worked closely with Erwin to create a boutique facility that had received rave reviews.

Mourners heard how, just last month, she had travelled with Erwin and the girls to Altura, Portugal - spending two weeks in a place that was very special to them. Despite her illness she managed this final holiday, Aoifes sister, Lorraine, told the congregation..

"She defied everyone to do what she wanted and she wanted a holiday in Altura and she got to spend two weeks there last month, which proved the character she was. When she put her mind to something she would achieve it and it was mind over matter to ensure that her beautiful family had more memories.

It was also where Aoife and Erwin got married and their wedding celebrations, the congregation heard, went on for a very special two weeks. She met Erwin through a college friend when they stopped in Killorglin on the way back from a trip to Killarney and Aoife found her soulmate who she loved with every bone in her body.

Speaking bravely and fondly of her sister, Lorraine said that Aoife never liked the limelight but the limelight loved her and while she enjoyed a party, her ideal night was in fact spent in her pyjamas, by the fire with the girls and Erwin and her beloved dogs Baily and Lily  all on the couch watching Netflix.

"She lived the simple life, no drama or hassle, surrounded by those she loved and who loved her. She was loved more than any of us could ever imagine, said Lorraine. To highlight the fact, she referred to the three hour queue in the cold spent by neighbours and friends the evening previous as they waited to sympathise at the couples Ownagarry home.

The support has been phenomenal. When we brought her home on Sunday the streets were lined with candles and lights to guide her. We were astounded and comforted by it. Thank you for such a beautiful, kind gesture, Lorraine continued.

And she also spoke of how close the sisters were: "We were the Neville sisters and it was a gang that everyone wanted to join and a gang Aoife was so proud to be part of.

When we got together it could be described as carnage but we were also therapy for one another.

"We are so sorry for what happened you Aoife. We so would love to turn back the clock but we can't but we will ensure that your legacy lives on in your girls, she added.

Fr Kevin Sullivan said that Aoifes life wasnt one dimensional and while you can never describe a person with just one word, the phrase that came to mind for Aoife was full of grace. She had a depth of kindness, was compassionate and was funny, warm and great company, he told mourners.

He said there was a sense of anguish and sorrow in the hearts of everyone gathered but that the friendship and kindness that has come to the fore in the community will help carry her family through this difficult time.

Following communion, Molly bravely sang to the congregation, a touching moment during a moving service and, afterwards, Aoife was laid to rest in Dromavalla Cemetery, Killorglin.
Former Tipperary camogie star Ciara Gaynor is competing in her sixth Ironman contest at the Triathlon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Ciara is the daughter of Tipperary GAA legend Len Gaynor and his wife Eileen, of Cloughjordon in north Tipperary.

Ciara's brother-in-law is Tipperary hurling Manager Liam Cahill, married to Eimear Gaynor. Her sister Sinead is following her every move and has posted pictures of the Tipperary athlete taking on the best in the world in America. So proud of you Ciara Gaynor and so happy to be here with you, posted Sinead.

Ciaras mother Eileen said the whole family is proud of Ciara, but expressed concern about the difficult conditions.

It was in intense heat, 28 degrees, said Eileen. She started her swim at 7.20am and the water was actually 25 degrees. Its 3.8k for the swim, 180kms on the bike, and 42kms of a run. I was relieved when it was over.

Its understood the all-female triathlon requested Ciara to take part based on her previous competition times. Ciara and Sinead departed for the US last Sunday week on October 8 for the gruelling long haul flights, first an eleven-hour leg to Los Angeles, followed by a four-hour connecting flight to Hawaii. They are due back in Dublin next Thursday, October 19 at about 3pm.

Ciara is a Garda Liaison Officer stationed at Mayorstone Garda Station in Limerick City.

She needs to be fit. I dont know what drives her on, to be honest, said Eileen. Ciaras previous triathlon was in Hamburg, Germany, in June. This Ironman took Ciara 13 hours and 15 minutes to finish, slightly longer than the Hamburg event, which she completed in under 12 hours.

There was no shelter from the intense heat in Hawaii, impacting on all the competitors performances. While Hawaiis time zone is eleven hours behind Ireland, making communication with home difficult, Eileen has called her daughter on Whatsapp to keep abreast of the latest news.

I rang her earlier on today and she was going to bed. Shes delighted she did it. I said I hope thats her last but she didnt answer me that. She was saying she couldnt pass up on this one, as its an honour to do this one, said Eileen.

Ciara is involved with the North Tipperary Foxhounds, and her husband and 15-year-old son share her passion for horse-riding. Ciara has won five All-Ireland medals, in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004, was the winner of an All-Star award in 2004, and has represented Nenagh Triathlon Club.
This year is the 60th anniversary of the only time that The Beatles ever played in Dublin (November 7th, 1963, at the Adelphi Cinema on Middle Abbey Street), and the Dublin Beatles Festival is going to mark the occasion in style on November 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th.

The festival was started by Drogheda man Stephen Kennedy ten years ago, and there was little doubt that he had to reach this milestone too.

I had to do it because I started doing it on the 50th in 2013, and that was meant to be just a one off, and it was just very popular, so it kept going. And every year I keep saying it's the last one. And it never is, laughs Stephen, who is originally from Newfield, but has lived in Dublin for many years. We're going to have people in the audience who were at the original concert in 1963 and they're going to come up and introduce the Beatle band on the night.

There will be lots of live music over the four days  including Beatles For Sale playing the exact same set of songs which The Beatles played in Dublin in 1963 60 years to the night after it originally happened. And Hamburg Beat are coming over from the UK to play the raw rock n roll which The Beatles played in Germany in the early 1960s. And The Newspaper Taxi Men are reuniting for a special headline show at the Workmans Club for the Big Gig on the Saturday night.

This year is the 60th anniversary of the Beatles visit to Dublin.

It takes a special kind of fan to run a festival and it has been a life-long obsession for Stephen!

I started listening to them when I was very young, in my mother and father's record collection and just fell in love with them by the time I was 10 or 11, explains Stephen. I've been to the houses in Liverpool to see John Lennon and Paul McCartney's houses and I've gone over to Hamburg to see where the Beatles played there. And I've gone over to New York to see the building where John Lennon was shot.

Its not just music at the festival, as there will be a performance of Lennon & Shotton, a stageplay about John Lennon and his best friend Pete Shotton, and their wild years at Quarry Bank High School in Liverpool. And there will be more live music from artists such as Let It Be-atles, Fiach Moriarty, Lenin & Lionel, Duncan Maitland and Padraig Bennett. Therell even be a ukulele version of the Abbey Road album from Polythene Jam and Terry Saunders Free Beatles Walking Tour is back by popular demand.

The full run down of events at the Dublin Beatles Festival.

So, what makes so many generations of people adore the Beatles music, over six decades later? I think there's probably plenty of reasons. First of all, the songs are so great. There are roughly 230 songs in the Beatles catalogue and no two songs are alike, muses Stephen. At the festival, we get people in their 70s coming and we get people in their teenage years, and even kids of 11 and 12 om teams in the table quiz.

The Beatles appeals keeps going, and I think it'll be around for as long as the human race is around.

Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite and the link below has more details about each of the events.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/dublin-beatles-festival-8136394852.
Community Services for Every 1 has been awarded $4.5 million in state funding to develop 18 units and 26 beds of permanent supportive housing in Niagara Falls for families and individuals, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday.

The competitive grant from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistances Homeless Housing and Assistance Program is part of Hochuls $25 billion comprehensive housing plan in the 2023 state budget, which aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across the state, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations.

The housing is part of a larger project called the Nest, featuring a new six-story mixed-use building with 73 units, a community room and greenspace with a playground. Community Services for Every 1 will use the commercial space to provide job readiness and workforce development for local residents.

 Harold McNeil
SUH midwife Mary Meade praised for her work after nomination by patient who praised her empathy and support

A Sligo midwife has been awarded a 5,000 bursary for her work at Sligo University Hospital.

WaterWipes announced the two Ireland winners of the fourth annual Pure Foundation Fund, which celebrates the achievements of healthcare professionals working in maternity, neonatal and postnatal care, Maria Flannery OBoyle from Ballina, and Mary Meade from Sligo, who received a bursary of 5,000 each for their departments to continue to improve the care of parents and babies.

Mary Meade, a midwife from Sligo, was nominated by Mary Keating, who whilst pregnant with her second baby last year was diagnosed with placenta previa which resulted in a hospital stay for four weeks prior to delivery.

Mary highlighted how comfortable Mary had made her feel during what was a traumatic experience.

I would never have got through those four weeks last November only for Mary Meade.

I think of her often with such fondness and I will be forever thankful to her for the help, support, compassion and empathy that she gave me during that time.

Mary said of her win: It is really an honour to accept this award.

Nursing and midwifery has been my life since I was very young and I suppose I never lose sight of the fact that it could be me in the bed or a member of my family, so I always say to treat people like I would like to be treated at such a vulnerable time.

Midwifery certainly isnt about individualised awards as I work as a part of a wonderful team of midwives, student midwives, healthcare assistants and a wider circle, so Im delighted to accept this award on behalf of our team at Sligo University Hospital.

Maria Flannery OBoyle, a public health nurse from Ballina, was nominated by twenty-two people.

One nominator, mother of two Laura Murphy, praised Maria for her wealth of knowledge and amazing support for mothers on their breastfeeding journeys.

She commented on Marias practical advice and going above and beyond in her role, running a breastfeeding / mother and baby group in Ballina once a week, making time for every parent who needs her.

Maria said she is Amazed, delighted and extremely grateful when asked how she felt about winning this years award.

When asked what inspires her to do the work she does, Maria said My experience as a mother, my professional knowledge as a public health nurse, lactation consultant and having a Masters in motherhood /social support.

This gives me insight regarding the importance of good quality support and the creation of networks for mums and babies to support them in the transition to motherhood.

The group creates awareness around mums and babys mental health and integrates the childs developmental milestones in the first year of life.

WaterWipes encouraged parents and healthcare professionals to nominate individuals who played crucial roles in pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care and made a difference in the lives of parents and babies in Ireland and the UK.

They received 395 nominations for this years Pure Foundation Fund.

The worthy winners were selected by an expert panel including Steve Pitman, Head of Education and Professional Development at the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, and Mandy Daly, Founder of the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance.

This years Pure Foundation Fund nominations have been some of our most inspiring yet, reminding us of the pivotal support that maternal, neonatal, and postnatal healthcare give to families in the UK and Ireland.

They truly are our Great Protectors and WaterWipes are delighted to support the further improvement of care with the award of this years bursary funds said Brogan Chesters, Brand Marketing Manager at WaterWipes.
A Nenagh householder is seeking ways to deal with a huge swarm of bees in his remote mountain retreat

A householder living in the hills over Nenagh who has recently moved into his mountain lodge, is calling for professional advice on how to deal with a swarm of bees in his attic without killing the creatures.

Apis Mellifera Mellifera. What's that you might ask, well it's the official name for our native Irish Honey Bee, said his neighbour David McGee.

This person has recently moved into a house in the Nenagh area, but they've got a problem. It's not one or two bees, it's hundreds, maybe even thousands: to say they are bee-sieged might be overstating the case, but trust me there's plenty.

The bees are living in the attic, which has no access from inside the house. The bees are arriving and departing through a ridge tile. The man moved to the rural house which overlooks the north Tipperary town from Wexford.

This is a very isolated rural cottage on the very top of the mountain. The nearest neighbour would be at least half a mile away, said David. The house has been empty for years, having previously been owned by an American as a hunting lodge.

He cant get into the attic. These bees are going in and out. He doesnt want to kill them. Thats abhorrent to his nature. It's a single story cottage, and both they and I believe that the bees are Native Irish Honey Bees which to a beekeeper are very desirable. They are looking for someone to remove the bees without killing them, said David.

If you are a beekeeper you can contact me and I will provide you with as much information as I have, and the contact details of the individual be-sieged by bees.

Readers with advice, or local beekeepers, can contact David through his Facebook page, Nenagh Community News.
A significant landmark building in the centre of Gorey Town, needs more than a lick of paint and a carpet but is full of potential and redevelopment opportunities.

On sale by private treaty, this commercial property is on the market for 950,000.

Situated on one of the nicer roads in the area, it has 72ft of road frontage and is 20 metres from Gorey Main Street.

Its a generously proportioned property which comprises of 3 beds and 2 baths and is 248m sq. "It doesnt blend in with everything else, its a very recognisable building, said David Swaine of Property Partners OBrien Swaine.

Due to the size of the existing building and the size of the yard, David expects this landmark building to have a broad spectrum of people interested in it from prominent local business people to people from Dublin.

Its a truly historical landmark with a well-known owner who ran it as an auctioneer in the past. Years before that, there was an animal mart out the back.

Laid out in two buildings which total 2669 sq ft. The first building has an entrance porch, three rooms on the ground floor and W.C. The second building comprises of an office, a large open plan room and a kitchen on the ground floor.

The generous sized yard at the rear is 0.318 acres, with direct access to market square and a large shed. Its unusual there are not a lot of buildings like that in that location with the size and space like that, youd get them in an industrial estate or a business park but not on the avenue, said David.

There are three access points; at the entrance porch, garage and yard. These features lend themselves to a lot of development possibilities such as a residential home, a shopping complex or even a car park.

A new roof was installed around 10 years ago, despite this, the building needs a lot of refurbishment. "Its going to need somebody that will roll their sleeves up and give it a new lease of life. By the nature of the property and the plan with it its probably going to attract somebody that will be doing that anyway, said David.

If youre interested in viewing the property, call David Swaine at 053 948 1708 or visit the Property Partners OBrien Swaine website https://www.propertypartners.ie/estate-agent/wexford/gorey/property-partners-obrien-swaine-gorey.
Gorey native works in Arklow and is among eight finalists

Arklow pharmacist Jessie Millar has been selected among seven other finalists in this year's Irish Pharmacy News 'People's Pharmacist of the Year 2023' award.

Having received an anonymous nomination for Irish Pharmacy News and Panadols Peoples Pharmacist of the Year award, Arklow pharmacist Jessie Millar has been shortlisted alongside seven other finalists for the prestigious honour.

Still coming to terms with her nomination, the supervising pharmacist at Grants Pharmacy on the Wexford Road said that it was a surreal moment when she learned she had been nominated, and an even bigger shock when she was shortlisted out of 400 pharmacists nationwide who were put forward for the award.

With public voting on the award set to close on Sunday, October 22, Jessie said that she feels supremely proud to have even been nominated for what is one of the most distinguished individual honours in the industry, and was full of praise for the close-knit team at Grants Pharmacy, who she said are a joy to work alongside.

It was a bit of a shock, to say the least, Jessie said. I was at work when I got the phone call and didnt know what it was about. You never really hear from the Irish Pharmacy News, and then I get a call from them out of the blue to say I was nominated!"

I wasnt given any information about who put me forward or their reasons for doing so, but Im delighted they did!

It was a brilliant call to get and such great news. Even the thought that someone has gone out of their way to put you forward means a lot and is really gratifying in that sense.

The girls here are all ecstatic for me. We have a small enough team here, with five girls working in the front of the shop, two technicians, and a support pharmacist who floats between some of the shops  so its quite a tight-knit team. Theyre absolute stars.

Wexford native Jessie, who lives between Gorey and Arklow, attended St Marys College during her formative years. After she had completed her studies in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) in 2020, she jumped at the opportunity to return to the seaside town to work.

Im from just outside Gorey, between Gorey and Arklow, but I was schooled in St Marys College in Arklow, Jessie continued. So, it has been a really nice experience to return to Arklow to work.

Ive been with Grants four years now, ever since I graduated back in 2020, and have worked my way up to supervising pharmacist.

Were a pretty busy pharmacy, and we had a recent refit back in April, and its beautiful in here now and has brought a lot of people back in  its very modern.

Its a growing, independent chain and just a pleasure to be part of the team here.

Im so grateful for all of the team at Grants - I would be totally lost without all my girls.

I am so proud to be representing Grants Pharmacy Arklow for this award and would like to thank everyone in advance for your help and support.

Voting has now opened, and I would be so unbelievably grateful for anyone who can spare a minute to cast a vote.

I think the November issue of the Irish Pharmacy News will have information on the eight finalists, and then, I think the December one theyll announce the winner.

The winner gets a trophy and a nice little plaque, but I suppose its more about the honour of being put forward. Itd be one of the highest honours a pharmacist could get, and Im over the moon that I was put forward for it.

To vote for Jessie, visit irishpharmacyawards.ie/panadol or go to Irish Pharmacy news Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages before the deadline on Sunday, October 22.
Further outages expected in south west Wexford over winter months

The increasing number of ESB outages on the Hook Peninsula is a cause for concern for local businesses  some of whom are busiest on Sundays, and the ESB has confirmed that further outages are likely over the winter.

Cllr Michael Whelan highlighted the matter after Hook Lighthouse  one of the regions most popular tourist attractions  had to close for the second time in a fortnight due to a notification from the utility provider that power would be out for most of the day.

A fortnight ago they changed their minds and the power wasnt cut across the peninsula, but by the time we knew staff had been rostered so had to be paid, said Cllr Whelan.

He said Sunday is the most lucrative day at the tourist attraction and for many establishments selling food.

"The ESBs argument is that they will have to close schools if its Monday to Friday. This is not what we want but we would appreciate more notice than were getting.

They maintain that they are giving us as much notice as they can but more cooperation is needed with the businesses in the area. Its the whole peninsula, its restaurants and pubs that are affected as they cant operate without power. An ESB spokesperson said: ESB Networks can confirm that a number of outages have affected customers on Hook Peninsula over recent weeks. On September 23, a large fault impacted customers in the area as well as parts of Wexford Town.

"This led to the cancellation of a planned outage due to take place on Hook Peninsula on September 24. This was rescheduled and took place on October 8  all customers were notified via post in advance.

The spokesperson said there is a possibility that further planned outages may be needed over the coming months to improve the resilience of, and upgrade, the network in the area due to essential works required at Bealistown substation. If so, all customers will again be notified via post in advance. ESB Networks apologises to homes and businesses in the area for the inconvenience caused.
Comedian Neil Delamere will perform his hilarious new show Neil by Mouth at the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre on Friday, October 20.

Iconic Irish comedian Neil Delamere will perform his hilarious new show Neil by Mouth at the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre on Friday, October 20.

With the Courthouse Arts Centre about to begin renovations, the stunning venue has managed to squeeze in Delameres new show to tide Wicklow audiences over. Expect the usual hilarious stories, wry observations and quick-witted improvisation as the Offaly native tries to make sense of the world around him.

The award-winning comedian is one of the top acts working in the Irish comedy scene today, well known to audiences for his regular television appearances on RTE and the BBC, as well as his hilarious sell-out stand-up tours.

With stellar reviews and a number of platinum-selling DVDs under his belt, Neil has turned his attention to comedy documentaries, writing and presenting IFTA Award- and Celtic Media Award-winning TV programmes on the Vikings and St. Patrick. His four-part series on heroes from Irelands past, Holding out for a Hero, was aired as part of RTE2s 2022 autumn schedule.

Never one to sit around, Neil is also back in the hot seat with The Blame Game, the perennially popular BBC panel show, back for its 14th season in 2018. He is a regular panellist on BBC 5 Live's Fighting Talk and recently appeared on BBC 4's The News Quiz.

Neil continues to tour extensively at home and internationally, with appearances at the Kilkenny Cat Laughs, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival (from which he presented the RTE television series covering the event) to name just a few.

His shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival have garnered rave reviews, including a coveted five stars from The Scotsman, the premier broadsheet reviewer at the event.

Neil Delamere will perform at the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre on Friday, October 20, at 8 p.m. Tickets are 25.

For further information, contact 0402 38529, email pr@courthousearts.ie or barbara@courthousearts.ie or visit courthousearts.ie
Pupils and faculty from St Marys College in Arklow recently hosted an open day to remember, welcoming over 100 prospective students and parents through their hallowed doors with open arms.

The halls of the historic school were alive with wonder and curiosity as the sounds and smells wafting out of classrooms drew inquisitive children and their parents in to learn more.

After Principal Aidan Wards address, visitors explored the myriad of activities and classes on offer, with eager minds perusing the PE hall, sampling plenty of freshly baked treats from the home economics kitchen, and even getting a sneak peek at the school's upcoming The Addams Family musical, which takes place from November 24 to 27.

We had a really good turnout, and there was a great buzz around the place, Assistant Principal Siobhan Doyle said.

We were blessed with the weather. Our grounds are fabulous, so when we get some good weather, it makes a big difference to the open day. Our hall is in use for the rehearsals for the musical, so the students were able to play outside and greet everyone as they arrived.

There was a lot of activities going on in all the rooms. They were baking in the home economics kitchen, and visitors got to sample buns. The language room had German sausages and croissants.

With the rehearsals going on, people got a bit of a sneak peek of the musical, and people were in and out watching that. Over in the PE hall, they had reps from all the different sporting groups. Some of the seniors who do weightlifting had their weights out on display  there was a lot going on!

Our principal, Aidan Ward, gave his address in the hall, which was filled with people, and he was very pleased with the turnout.
Aileen Richardson MacCarthy, Noelia OReilly, Laura Costello and Teresa Mulvaney at the launch of North Wicklow Women's Shed, in Bray.

Frances Browner, Orla Finn, Emer ONeill, Rebecca Molloy and Noelia OReilly at the launch of North Wicklow Women's Shed, in Bray. Photos: John McGowan.

The official launch for the North Wicklow Womens Shed took place in the Villa Pacis Centre in Bray on Tuesday October, 10, where guest speakers East Coast FMs Laura Wood and Bray for Loves Emer ONeill were on hand to officially declare the Womens Shed open.

The group has amassed over 1,800 Facebook followers since the committee members began campaigning to get a home to call their own as far back as 2021.

The evening was abuzz with rich conversations, much laughter and empowering motivational speeches in the presence of an array of local community groups, volunteer organisations, Community Gardai and representatives from Butler & Barry, Bray Area Partnership, Tidy Towns and Dancing Skirts, to name a few.

Chair Orla Finn welcomed those in attendance, and a letter of support from Wicklow County Council CEO Emer OGorman was also read out.

In her speech, Emer ONeill spoke of the importance of creating safe spaces for women to come together in friendship, inclusivity and respect  key values that reflect those of the Womens Shed, to create an environment where all women in the community feel welcome.

Laura Wood shared the values of communicating with each other and the rich potential for empowerment and learning through spaces that the North Wicklow Womens Shed is creating, as well as the range of activities being offered.

North Wicklow Womens Shed (NWWS) already welcomes members on Thursday mornings at the Villa Pacis, Putland Road from 11.30am-1pm, starting with a cuppa and a chat followed by an activity, guest speaker or workshop.

The group began evening membership activities on from Tuesday, October 17, from 7.30-9pm upstairs at Butler and Barry on Bray Seafront.

NWWS caters for a range of activities including arts, crafts, yoga, well-being, mental health, topical speakers, and womens health, to name a few.

Mostly though, it is a safe space for women of all backgrounds from across North Wicklow to come together.

The committee for the North Wicklow Womens Shed is made up of Orla Finn Chair, Aileen Richardson Mac Carthy, Elaine Casey, Laura Costello, Noelia OReilly, Sinead Merrigan, Rebecca Molloy, Teresa Mulvaney and Anita Tuesley. Women from across the community are always welcome to come along, whether on your own or with a friend, to embrace the values of empowerment, inclusivity, friendship, respect, and fun.

The members would like to thank Wicklow County Council, Codling Wind Park, Powerscourt Distillery, Bray Area Partnership, County Wicklow Partnership, Lansdowne Risk Solutions, the Villa Pacis Centre for the support and Marisa Garrido Martinez for their logo.
Though a planned strike of health and care workers over pay was averted by eleventh hour talks, north Wicklow service providers and users have spoken out about the stress the weekend of uncertainty caused, with one mum saying these people wouldnt have needed to strike if the Government were taking care of them.

The strike action due to begin on Tuesday would have involved some 5,000 section 39 workers across 17 charities and organisations including Enable Ireland in Bray, Greystones Family Resource Centre and Cheshire, Greystones. Section 39 workers are employed in front-line services, including health and disability services and family support.

Talks between unions and Government representatives at the Workplace Relations Commission went into the early hours of Tuesday morning, with an agreement tabled offering an 8 per cent increase in funding for pay; this followed a 5 per cent offer which had previously been rejected by unions.

The increase will come in three phases backdated to April of this year, and will run until March of next year, while there will be re-engagement between the parties in December.

Kirsty McKenna from Bray, who has six children, four of whom are disabled and one of whom attends St Catherines Special School in Newcastle, said the recent uncertainty had been difficult for staff and service users.

For 13 years Kirsty and her family have been relying on the services of staff at St Catherines, as well as Enable Ireland. She said she has been fully behind the staff involved in the dispute, adding that they were getting desperate.

"The wage for what they do is meagre, she said. And because theres a lack of funding for the services, there is a lack of services for the children too, she explained.

Ive been a carer for 13 years, she said, and from what Ive witnessed, staff are underpaid and services are underfunded.

Kirsty recently raised over 3,000 for a calming fish tank to support the school and she said she is embarking on further fundraising drives as the school isnt able to meet the demands on its services.

"If these strikes had gone ahead it would have had a massive impact on the staff, and the people in respite centres. But these people wouldnt have needed to strike if the Government were taking care of them.

Some of the staff she has encountered, are constantly working and they dont get paid enough, she said.

Enable Ireland, said it is relieved that the industrial action has been suspended pending the outcome of an industrial ballot.

In a statement, it said it would have resulted in significant disruption to our essential services across the country including our respite and residential services, clinical and therapy services, adult day services, family support services and community living services.

A key issue for us as an employer is that the full cost of services provided is funded as part of any agreement including associated pension and employer PRSI costs for every post. Without agreement to fund the full cost of services provided by staff in these roles, pay equality for Section 39 staff will not be achieved.

In addition, while we welcome the commitment from Government to continue meaningful talks for re-aligning Section 39 staff pay rates with that of their HSE counterparts, we ask Government to provide further detail and solid assurances about a path to equal pay for Section 39 workers with their HSE and Section 38 colleagues.

We call on both the trade unions and Government to provide further clarity on these significant issues before a ballot is held with union members.

Cheshire Ireland is the largest supported accommodation provider in Ireland and provides a range of services to people with both physical, sensory and neurological conditions, who often have very complex and high support needs.

Louise Devlin is the Co-ordinator of Cheshire Greystones, where there are seven residents cared for 24/7 in individual semi-detached bungalows. She said that while she was happy that the industrial action has been averted, she was disappointed that it took so long and added the uncertainty for everybody, including the service users was in itself difficult enough to cope with.

Pay was the biggest impediment to staff retention, she said, as it was never in line with HSE pay.

"Were delighted that it has been diverted, for now, she said, even if it was three in the morning when the word came through and staff rosters had been rearranged. However, she added that details were still coming through and that it was as yet unclear as to whether there will be pay parity with Section 38 workers (HSE workers).

In a statement to the Bray People, Cheshire Ireland CEO Theresa Anderson said: We are delighted to hear that the strike was called off [this morning] as a result of the Government finally engaging in brokering a meaningful proposal that unions felt they could bring back to staff.

Cheshire Ireland staff are extremely dedicated to their work and to the people we support.

It remains to be seen how staff will vote on the deal, but we are hopeful that this matter will finally be resolved and that we will finally see Section 39 staff being valued and rewarded properly and equitably for the incredible work that they do.

Lynne OConnor, Co-Ordinator of the Greystones Family Resource Centre, said she was relieved there has finally been progress in the re- establishment of parity between workers in the community and voluntary sector organisations and our counterparts in statutory organisations, such as the HSE.

Wicklows Ivan Cooper, CEO of The Wheel, Irelands national association of charities, community groups and social enterprises, said that while it was good to see the planned strike action called off it took a lot of sacrifice to achieve the required focus on the pay and funding issue and he added that it should never have come to this.

In an open letter last week to An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, calling on him to intervene on the threat of indefinite strike action, Mr Cooper wrote: Health and social care professionals employed in our sector through section 39, 56, and 10 organisations and funded by state agencies such as HSE and Tusla, are paid very significantly less than equivalent workers employed directly.

"These systemic differentials in pay and resources for people doing the same work result from government cuts made after the economic crash of 2008. These cuts have been reversed in other sectors making them more attractive to staff. Consequently staff retention and recruitment in our sector is increasingly untenable.

Thousands of vulnerable families and individuals are already impacted by the pay and retention crisis that led to this dispute, resulting in delayed or curtailed service delivery and ever-lengthening waiting lists, he said.

Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore was also critical of how late this deal came through.

While the Government have now made an offer regarding increased funding and pay, they did leave it exceptionally late in the day, she said. In the weeks leading up to this action, staff, service users, and the families will have been under immense stress trying to make alternative arrangements for the days of industrial action.

Unions are due to re-engage with the Government at the WRC again in December. I hope the Government does not allow what happened this week, to occur again - leaving workers and patients in that situation when they could make an offer before the 11th hour."
As they embark on a celebration of 200 years of Jewish life in the Greater Buffalo Niagara Region, members of the local Jewish community on Tuesday gathered at the Jewish cemeteries on Pine Ridge Heritage Boulevard in Cheektowaga to announce a campaign to raise funds for the restoration of 10 historic Jewish cemeteries.

The Stones of Remembrance Campaign will ensure that the regions Jewish cemeteries will continue to serve as historic and sacred burial sites where local Jewish citizens have been laid to rest over the two centuries, according to Rob Goldberg, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Buffalo.

We are proud to honor the history of our ancestors who came to this great city as immigrants with dreams to establish their Jewish roots, build strong communities and prosper as new American citizens, Goldberg said.

Proceeds from the campaign will be invested in restoring historic monuments, replacing and repairing headstones, repaving paths, adding new walkways, enhancing handicap accessibility, fixing fencing, replacing gates, rebuilding walls and improving irrigation. at cemeteries like Beth Jacob Cemetery on Doat Street on Buffalos East Side, one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the region.

In the early 20th century, local synagogues flourished as the Jewish population increased. Back then, Goldberg said, the upkeep of individual cemeteries was supported by the congregations of each synagogue.

Over the last 50 years, many congregations dissolved or merged, which subsequently impacted how their Jewish cemeteries were cared for, he said.

Many Jewish cemeteries were abandoned, prompting the Jewish Cemetery Corp. and the Jewish Federation of Buffalo to take responsibility for acquiring and maintaining them.

Due to budgetary restraints, we have been able to work on cemetery restoration projects in stages. The Buffalo Ohel Project, where Rabbi Joseph Rabinowitz is buried at the entrance of the Jefferson Street Shul, and Bnai Israel cemeteries on Pine Ridge Heritage Boulevard is one of the projects that makes us especially proud, Goldberg said.

He and representatives of the Buffalo Jewish Federation and Jewish Federation Cemetery Corp. said the fact that the bicentennial anniversary of Jewish life in the region coincides with the announcement of the Stones of Remembrance Campaign is critical in the fundraising effort.

Jonathan Schechter, the newly elected president of the Federation Jewish Cemetery Corp.s board of directors, said 1,000 headstone markers in Jewish cemeteries along Pine Ridge Heritage Boulevard were repaired, restored and replaced this spring.

We are currently working on researching the living descendants of Jewish community members who no longer reside in Western New York, yet still have strong ties to their ancestors and loved ones who are buried in the Jewish cemeteries, Schechter said.

Goldberg said the Stones of Remembrance Campaign is working with Steven B. Chernoff, a Buffalo native who specializes in Jewish genealogy research.

Dr. Chernoff was able to travel to Buffalo to lead and teach workshops on Jewish genealogy research and to date, he has identified over 100 living descendants who no longer live in Buffalo ... who will be contacted to learn their ancestors burial sites are being watched over, cared for and maintained by the Jewish Cemetery Corporation, Goldberg said.

There are also plans to construct a new visitor center at one of the Jewish cemeteries on Pine Ridge Heritage Boulevard.
THE Vales Around Cloughlea Festival returns to Manor Kilbride next weekend featuring a flute and harpsichord concert and a presentation by the Glen Heste Pure Mile Group.

Sponsored by Wicklow Arts Office, the festival has grown from strength to strength since its inauguration in 2018. The festival celebrates the wonderful culture and heritage of the Manor Kilbride area, and alternates ever year between a whole weekend festival one year, followed by a mini festival the next year.

A flute and harpsicord concert takes place at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, at St Johns Church, Cloughlea, Manor Kilbride. The concert will feature a recital of baroque and early classical music by Linda Andonovska on flute and David Adams on harpsicord. For tickets phone aria on 087 9656259 or email oldkilbride@gmail.com.

The Glen Heste Pure Mile Group will make a presentation in Manor Kilbride Community Hall at 12 noon on Sunday, October 22. The presentation will also feature the launch of the Manor Kilbride leaflet which highlights cultural and heritage sites in the area and includes a map, text and photographs. There will also be live traditional Irish music performed by Rogaire Dubh.
A plan to house up to 950 Ukrainian refugees in the rural Wicklow hamlet of Annamoe this winter has been met with criticism over the lack of local consultation for a housing project of this scale.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has announced that it will manage the arrival of people into the Glendalough Estate from November 20, with a contract signed to use the venue for 32 weeks.

The site is best known as the venue for Beyond The Pale Festival, which takes place each June, and is situated between Annamoe and Lough Dan  where the Scout Centre has already been assisting in efforts to accommodate those fleeing the war in Ukraine

The residency at the Glendalough Estate will be entirely made up of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine, and these are expected to be mainly women and children.

Residents will stay at the accommodation for several weeks, with support services provided at the site to assist them in adjusting to life in Ireland and to aid better integration and independence.

These will include regular transportation to Wicklow town and Bray, medical and welfare services, food, cleaners and 24hr security cover.

However, as the news broke on Monday evening, local representatives were critical of the lack of consultation that took place beforehand, and they questioned the locations suitability, given its distance from basic facilities, like shops.

The hamlet of Annamoe has no services beyond homes, with the nearest shops and facilities being in the villages of Laragh and Roundwood, which are each around 6km away.

Senator Pat Casey said: I am shocked at the scale of the facility for such a small rural community where there are no services, and its frightening to think that the local population is going to increase six-fold, probably even more.

I have met and talked with community groups in Annamoe, Laragh, Roundwood and Glendalough and we are working with a view to organising some meetings between them and the Department next week.

We are being told that the facility will only cater for Ukrainians and they will stay for a maximum of two weeks, before being moved on to a more permanent solution.

The contract is for seven months, but we all know that could end up being extended.

Cllr Gail Dunne has also expressed his shock at the announcement, and again criticised officials for not consulting locally before making their plans.

Annamoe is a small, rural village with the guts of 100 people or so in it, he said.

To suddenly move in 950 people, without holding any talks with local representatives or the community, is just unbelievable. Its in my area and I knew absolutely nothing about it. Thats not good enough.

I know its considered something like a holding area, but the Government have lost control. I have huge sympathy for the people of Ukraine, but this facility doesnt suit or fit their needs.

The accommodation facility will be operated by Pastures New Limited. The management of the company has experience in large scale event development, the commercial hospitality sector and human welfare supports to asylum communities in direct provision settings.

The winter-ready accommodation will consist of own-door ensuite heated and insulated cabins, enclosed within large marquee-type structures that are also heated, containing all ancillary facilities. There will be various configurations to accommodate families, couples and single persons.

All cabins will be enclosed in a marquee-type solid sided structure complete with cassette floor system and rigid wall panelling throughout, complete with doors, glass panels and ramps.

It has been stated that the site will be appropriately secured and managed at all times by security.

Each resident will be issued with a lanyard displaying photo ID, which they will be required to show on entry and exit. Standard procedures, including a visitors log, will apply for guests visiting the site.

It has also been stressed that due to the accommodation being designed for short-term stays, any children living there will not need to avail of local school places.
Met Eireann has extended weather warnings to include the whole country today with spells of heavy rain and strong winds expected due to the arrival of Storm Babet.

A Status Orange rain warning is in place for Cork, Kerry and Waterford until 1pm on Wednesday.

Spells of heavy rain and blustery south to southeast winds are expected.

The three counties impacted by the Status Orange warning can expect localised flooding, poor visibility, difficult travelling conditions and a possibility of overtopping at high tide.

Weather Explainer : What are weather status warnings

Separately, there is a Status Yellow rain warning for all of Connacht, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Wexford, valid until 6pm on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a Status Yellow rain warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal has been issued and will remain in place until 8pm on Wednesday evening.

Counties affected by the Status Yellow warning will see heavy rain and blustery easterly winds at times with localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions.

Met Eireann senior forecaster Gerry Murphy told RTEs News At One there could be up to 70mm or 80mm of rainfall in counties Cork, Kerry and Waterford during the Orange warning.

Its just really going to be incessant rain on top of rain as we go through the next 24 hours. We have Yellow level rainfall warnings for the rest of the country, he said.

"Some of those are at the higher end of the yellow. Wicklow for example, Wexford, they can expect some very heavy falls of rain, especially during tomorrow afternoon.

"As well as that, some of the more mountainous parts of Connacht in Galway et cetera, they can expect some very heavy falls of rain as well.

Mr Murphy said it would be very wet everywhere and there is a possibility of counties on the higher end of the Yellow warning being upgraded to Status Orange.

"Depending on what information comes to us, forecasts over the coming hours, there is a possibility some of those could be upgraded, he said.

There is a little bit of respite in some places tonight but really for today and a good part of tomorrow, plenty of rain.

The UK Met Office has also issued a Status Yellow rain warning for counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry.

Elsewhere rain will spread across Munster this morning before spreading to the rest of the country into the afternoon.

Highest temperatures today will range from 10C to 14C.

Tonight will remain wet and breezy with rain turning heavy in the northwest, creating a possibility of more localised flooding. There will be a short break in the rain and lowest temperatures of 8C to 11c.

Wednesday will start off cloudy with widespread outbreaks of rain, some of which will be heavy. It will dry up in the southwest into the evening but rain will persist in the north and east. There will be a slight bump in highest temperatures to 13C to 16C.

Met Eireann predicts an unsettled week with rain and showers expected every day.
Severe floods in the south of the country today during Storm Babet

Millions of euro worth of damage has been left in the wake of Storm Babet as parts of Ireland suffered its worst rainfall-related flooding in over a decade.

Cork was worst-hit by the torrential downpours which dumped over a month's worth of rain in less than 24 hours - swamping drainage systems.

Parts of the south received over 100m of rainfall in less than 36 hours - with fields, streams and rivers already sodden from recent heavy rainfall unable to handle the deluge.

Flooding in Midleton Garda Station during Storm Babet

Met Eireann warned that further rainfall is likely over the coming days - with local authorities convening emergency meetings of Severe Weather Assessment teams to determine the threat over the coming days.

A Status Yellow heavy rain warning has been issued for Dublin on Wednesday evening, which expires at 5am, while a fresh rain warning for Kerry has been issued from 6pm on Thursday until 6pm on Friday. There is also a heavy rain warning for Northern Ireland overnight.

Flooding in parts of Cork was the worst witnessed in over a decade with dozens of roads left impassable, hundreds of cars left stranded in flood waters and hundreds of homes damaged.

It was the greatest level of flood-related property damage seen in Cork since 2009 when the River Lee broke its banks and caused over 100 million worth of damage including forcing the evacuation of a city hospital and closing one of the city's main water treatment centres.

Midleton was the hardest hit yesterday with over one metre of flood water gushing through parts of the town's Main Street with both businesses and residential properties damaged

Some homeowners were trapped by the flood waters - and several motorists had to be rescued as flood waters reached up to the windows of some cars.

Cork Co Council worked with emergency services including Defence Forces, Civil Defence, Gardai and Cork Fire Brigade to rescue those left stranded by the flood waters.

The council also established a rest centre in Midleton Community Centre for those who had to be evacuated from their homes and were left without shelter.

It is estimated that over 100 properties were flooded in Midleton alone.

In one case, a man risked chest high flood waters to save his pet dog.

Pavel Ciechomovicz rescues his labrador Nanij from flooding on Main St, Midelton, Co Cork after the Owenacurra River burst its banks. Photo: Provision

Cork city witnessed heavy flooding in low-lying parts of the city centre including South Terrace, North Quays and other areas.

Serious flooding was also witnessed in Glanmire, Riverstown, Whitegate, Rathcormac, Glandore, Ringaskiddy, Carrigaline, Rosscarbery, Clonakilty, Raffeen, Halfway and Castletownbere.

In the worst-hit areas, Defence Forces units equipped with high-axle vehicles were deployed from Collins Barracks to assist emergency services.

The misery was compounded by many areas losing electricity supplies and having roads left impassable.

Cork Co Mayor Councillor Frank O'Flynn said it was further proof of the challenges posed by climate change.

"I am especially conscious of the advanced preparations that were undertaken by Cork County Council in mitigating the effects of this event and how, despite every effort, homes, businesses and road users have been impacted."

"Areas where flood defence schemes have been completed fared far better than others in the face of this deluge. I know from speaking with Council staff that some of the issues they are dealing with are unprecedented, with roads which have never flooded now under water."

7 day weather forecast: 16th-22nd October

"The results of this weather event will be long felt as we move toward a clean up phase but can I please reiterate the importance of staying safe and together we will come through this weather event."

Cork Co Council stressed that it was assessing the evolving threat - and the scale of the repairs involved over the coming days.

Damage has been caused to walls, roads, properties, drains and even utilities.

"Midleton town is currently impassable with over 100 properties flooded. The council has established a Coordination Centre in Midleton Fire Station to coordinate arrangements. A rest centre in Midleton Community Centre has been established to facilitate persons who require evacuation. The Army and Civil Defence are currently on site in Midleton and are supporting evacuation measures," a council spokesperson said.

"The road network across the county has been impacted with rolling road closures."

"Considering the volume of rainfall in the last 24 hours together with ongoing forecasted conditions, saturated land, high river and stream levels and coastal overtopping, Cork County Council continues to ask all road users to exercise extreme caution and only travel if necessary."

"Unnecessary journeys should be avoided as the full extent of the damage is impossible to assess at this time. Motorists who must travel are asked to exercise extreme caution as driving conditions will be hazardous, with surface flash flooding and localised flooding."

"Please avoid driving through flowing or standing water, exercise extreme caution during heavy rain and be especially conscious of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians."

Council crews and contractors are now working round-the-clock to address the flood-related damage - but the public were warned that flood-related challenges may persist for several days.

"Cork County Council will continue to inspect and undertake emergency repair works on the roads most severely impacted across the region, having also commenced the considerable clean-up programme that lies ahead. Again, motorists are asked to be aware of the impact on the road network with damage expected as a result of standing water."

The defence forces were deployed to help people stranded in Midleton after Storm Babet caused major flooding in the town.

The local hospital was also evacuated while video footage shows people attempting to wade through the town as water levels continued to rise.

There were reports of people stuck in creches and schools, while there was widespread damage to homes and other buildings.

Flooding at Midleton Garda Station during Storm Babet

Met Eireann says Thursday will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain, some of it heavy, with highs of 14-17C in light to moderate winds.

Friday will again by wet and cloudy with scattered heavy showers.

There is better news for Saturday, when rain and cloud will clear to the west during the day, although it will be gold, with highs of 9-12C in a light breeze.

Sunday and into next week is likely to remain unsettled with more rain and showers, the forecaster said.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday cancelled a planned stop in Jordan following a visit to Israel in the aftermath of a blast at a Gaza hospital that killed about 500 Palestinians.

"After consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, President Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President Sisi of Egypt," a White House official said.
Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has given her full unequivocal support to the Scottish National Partys (SNP) new strategy for independence  after party members voted against the de facto referendum policy she had previously put forward.
Kevin Spacey was given a standing ovation by an audience at the University of Oxford last night, after he delivered a performance as part of a lecture about cancel culture.

It was the first time the House of Cards actor, 64, has performed on stage since the US star was acquitted of sexual assault against four men in a London trial that ended in July 2023.
Vladimir Putins troops fail to capture strategic city in east ahead of harsh winter

Local resident Grigory Samarin, 71, stands inside his house damaged by recent shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

A days-long attempt by Russian forces to storm a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine appears to be running out of steam, Kyiv officials said yesterday, as the war entered its 600th day.

Ukrainian forces repelled 15 Russian attacks from four directions on Avdiivka over the previous 24 hours, the Ukrainian General Staff said. That compared with up to 60 attacks a day in the middle of last week, according to Vitalii Barabash, head of the city administration.
Truckloads of aid idled at Egypts border with Gaza as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last weeks rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.
More than 300 people were killed in an air strike on a hospital in Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening, the Palestinian civil defence chief told Al-Jazeera TV.

A health ministry official in Gaza said at least 500 were killed and injured in the air strike. Reuters reported that the death toll could be as high as 500 with the overall number of dead and injured possibly as high as 800.

Doctors without Borders called hospital strike a massacre and have said they are horrified by the strike.

Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah said they were operating in the Al Ahli hospital when the explosion occurred, with the ceiling falling on the operating room.

The civil defence authority says it was an Israeli airstrike that hit the hospital complex while the Israeli military has denied responsibility for the attack, saying military intelligence suggested the hospital was hit by a failed rocket launch by the enclave's Palestinian Islamic Jihad military group.

The Israeli Embassy in Dublin issued a statement to the Irish Independent also saying: An IDF investigation shows the rocket attack on a hospital in Gaza was a failed rocket launched by Islamic jihad.

"An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit," a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.

"Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza."

A spokesperson for militant group in Gaza, Islamic Jihad, has denied Israeli accusations.

Daoud Shehab told Reuters: This is a lie and fabrication, it is completely incorrect. The occupation is trying to cover for the horrifying crime and massacre they committed against civilians.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar tonight repeated his insistence that "civilian infrastructure" must not be targeted in Gaza.

Speaking at Government Buildings after a remote meeting of European leaders, he said: "We don't have the full information yet, but I think it emphasises very much our view that civilian infrastructure should not be targeted.

Israel has carried out an intense bombing campaign in Gaza over the past 10 days, with thousands of strikes conducted on the blockaded region.

This latest strike is the largest in terms of death toll ever recorded in Gaza and has taken the number of people killed in Gaza in the first 10 days of the conflict to more than 3,000.

A further 1,300 people have been killed in Israel and the Israeli military has said that it killed 1,500 Hamas militants within its territory.

Some 12,500 Palestinians have also been wounded in the Gaza Strip since October 7.

Earlier Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told an emergency European Council meeting that Israel must immediately reverse its decision to cut off water, food, medical and fuel supplies to Gaza.

A Government read out from the meeting said the Taoiseach called for the European Union to take two urgent actions. The first is to make all efforts to avoid escalation of the conflict into other countries in the region which could put Irish peacekeeping forces at risk.

The section is for the EU to urgently do all it can along with the United Nations and other partners to deal with the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Israel must immediately reverse its decision to cut off water, food, medical and fuel supplies to Gaza, Mr Varadkar told the meeting.

There must be a humanitarian pause in hostilities to provide space in which the immediate humanitarian needs of all civilians in Gaza can be met.

Humanitarian corridors must immediately be created to allow access to vital supplies and to allow EU citizens who wish to leave Gaza to do so safely, he added.

The Taoiseach also sought assurances from the European Commission that its review of development aid to Palestine does not include UN agencies, especially UNRWA, and that no payments to them are delayed.

He said that in supporting Ukraine, we have rightly argued that there are basic universal principles that must apply in all circumstances, and that International Humanitarian Law must be upheld. He said the EU must continue to advocate for de-escalation, protection of civilians and avoidance of a humanitarian disaster.

The Taoiseach expressed also solidarity with Belgium, Sweden, France, and other colleagues who lost citizens in the Hamas attack and in subsequent events, and also with those whose citizens have been taken hostage.

The EU leaders agreed hostages are very much on their minds and hope for their early and safe return. The Taoiseach joined others in calling on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any preconditions.

The Council agreed Israel has a right to defend itself and its people and that this right must be exercised in line with international humanitarian law.

The leaders reiterated their strong condemnation of Hamas for its unspeakable attack. The dreadful attacks in Belgium last night and the school stabbing in Arras in France last week are a reminder that events in other parts of the world have consequences in Europe.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning following the strike, state media reported.

"What is taking place is genocide. We call on the international community to intervene immediately to stop this massacre. Silence is no longer acceptable," a statement issued by the Palestinian Liberation Organisation said in response to the attack.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said an Israeli strike on a hospital in Gaza was "horrific and absolutely unacceptable".

Trudeau told reporters that "it's not acceptable to hit a hospital".

The Palestinian death toll from Israel's bombardment of Gaza climbed to about 3,000 on Tuesday, health authorities said, and at least six people were killed in an Israeli air strike that hit a school run by the UN's Palestinian refugee agency.

The violence raged as Washington announced that US President Joe Biden would visit Israel on Wednesday to show support for its war on Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

Israel has vowed to annihilate the Islamist group after Hamas gunmen crossed the border and killed 1,300 people, mainly civilians, during a rampage through southern Israeli communities on October 7, the deadliest single day in Israel's 75-year history.

Since then Israel has flattened parts of densely urbanised Gaza with air strikes, driven around half of its 2.3 million population from their homes, and imposed a total blockade on the enclave, halting food, fuel and medical supplies.

An Israeli air strike killed senior Hamas military commander Ayman Nofal, who was in charge of central Gaza, according to Hamas' armed wing, the Izz el-Deen Al-Qassam Brigades.
Former US president Donald Trump is accused of illegally conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. The gag order could be the start of a fight over the limits of free speech in this situation. Photo: Getty
Image Courtesy: Pixabay

Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court expressed its dissatisfaction with the investigation of the 2006 Nithari killings on Monday, stating it was a "betrayal of public trust by responsible agencies," media reports said.

The court criticized the handling of crucial aspects like arrest, recovery, and confession, deeming it "disheartening," reported India Today.

In its ruling, the High Court acquitted the two main accused in the Nithari murders case.

Surinder Koli was declared innocent in 12 cases, while Moninder Singh Pandher was found innocent in two cases.

Consequently, the death sentences previously given to Koli and Pandher by the trial courts have been nullified.

"The failure of the investigation to probe the possible involvement of organ trade, despite specific recommendations made by the High Level Committee constituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India, in Nithari killings is nothing short of a betrayal of public trust by responsible agencies," the High Court order said in its concluding remark, said the India Today report.

The High Court further said the probe was "botched up" and the basic norms of collecting evidence had been "brazenly violated".

"It appears to us that the investigation opted for the easy course of implicating a poor servant of the house by demonizing him, without taking due care of probing more serious aspects of possible involvement of organized activity of organ trading," the High Court was further quoted as saying by India Today.

The Nithari serial killings pertaining to the kidnapping, sexual abuse, and brutal murder of children and young women.

Koli, who was the house-help of Pandher, the owner of the house where these crimes occurred, were the main accused.

It was alleged that Koli would bring the Pandhers house luring them with sweets and chocolates. He would then kill them, rape their corpses, cut the bodies into pieces, and cook and eat the body parts. He would discard the bones and other body parts into a drain or open backyard of the house.
Image: Unsplash

Meerut/UNI: Four people died and two injured in an explosion in an illegal firecracker factory in Lohia Nagar area of Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, a senior officer said.

Taking cognisance of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident.

He has directed the administration officials to ensure proper treatment of those injured in the incident.

District Magistrate (DM) Deepak Meena said an illegal firecracker factory was being run in a house in Lohia Nagar.

"On Tuesday the building caught fire after an explosion in which the upper portion of the building collapsed," he said.

He said while two workers were killed on the spot, two others succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

"The condition of one worker is stated to be serious. A JCB driver was also injured when a portion of debris fell on him during the relief and rescue operation. Efforts are being made to identify the deceased," he said.

Police sources said the explosion was so severe that even the glass windows of nearby houses and a school were shattered.
S Jaishankar meets Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo Courtesy: S Jaishankar X page

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh when he valued his guidance for further development of the bilateral relationship between two nations.

"Honoured to call on PM Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam today evening. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi,"Jaishankar tweeted.

"Valued his guidance for the further development of our bilateral relationship. A stronger India-Vietnam partnership contributes to a stable , secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific," he said.

S. Jaishankar is on an official visit to Vietnam from October 15-18, at the invitation of Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

EAM will co-chair the 18th Meeting of India-Vietnam Joint Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation with his counterpart.

During the visit, EAM will visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and is expected to hold talks with the Vietnamese leadership.

He will also meet members of the Indian community and unveil Mahatma Gandhis Bust in Ho Chi Minh City.

.

Meanwhile, he also inaugurated the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Tao Dan Park of Ho Chi Minh City.

"The unveiling of the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Tao Dan Park of Ho Chi Minh City is of great significance," he said. "Underlines the message of independence, self-reliance and human dignity that brings & together," Jaishankar wrote on X.

"Privileged to participate in the inauguration along with Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc," he said.
Representative image/ courtesy: Pixabay

Virudhunagar/IBNS/UNI: At least 14 workers were killed and two others injured in explosions at two fireworks factories in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.

Police said 13 workers, including some women were killed and two others grievously injured in a series of explosions triggered by catastrophic inferno at Kanishkar Fireworks Factory at Rengapalayam village near Srivilliputhur late in the afternoon.

A group of workers were engaged in testing the newly-made aerial and other fancy varieties of crackers when the tragedy occurred.

The deceased's identity was yet to be ascertained, as the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

In another incident, one worker was killed in an explosion in a private cracker factory at Kitchanaickenpatti village near Sivakasi.

Fire tenders rushed to the two factories and doused the blaze after a couple of hours of battle.

District Collector Dr. V.P. Jeyaseelan along with senior revenue and police officials visited the factories and supervised the rescue operations.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin expressed grief over the death of workers in the twin blasts and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs. one lakh to the grievously injured people.
Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/narendramodi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday set forth ambitious objectives for India's space program during a high-level meeting.

Expanding on the accomplishments of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 missions, the prime minister instructed officials to work towards establishing an Indian Space Station by 2035 and to dispatch the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

In order to achieve these ambitious targets, the Department of Space will chart a course for Moon exploration.

This roadmap will cover a series of Chandrayaan missions, the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), the construction of a new launch pad, and the establishment of human-centric laboratories and related technologies.

The meeting also reviewed the advancements in the Gaganyaan Mission, India's first endeavor to send astronauts into space.

The Department of Space provided a comprehensive outline of the mission, encompassing the development of various technologies, particularly those related to human-rated launch vehicles.

Approximately 20 significant tests are in the pipeline, including three uncrewed missions involving the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3). The first test flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle is slated for October 21, 2023, with the mission's launch anticipated in 2025.

A successful Gaganyaan Mission would establish India as the fourth nation, after the US, Russia, and China, to send a human into space. The spacecraft, a fully independent 5.3-ton module, is engineered to carry a crew of three to orbit and ensure their safe return to Earth after a mission lasting up to seven days.

Prime Minister Modi urged Indian scientists to focus on interplanetary ventures, such as a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander. He expressed faith in India's abilities and reiterated the country's dedication to pushing boundaries in space exploration.

In a groundbreaking achievement, India accomplished a successful landing near the Moon's south polar region through Chandrayaan-3 in August of this year. The spacecraft not only landed but also deployed a roverPragyanand conducted experiments on-site.

The Indian space agency also conducted a hop test with the Vikram lander before placing it in sleep mode at the Shiv Shakti Point.


Photo Courtesy: PIB

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu awarded legendary actress Waheeda Rehman the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, at the 69th National Film Awards ceremony held at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Draped in a beautiful cream saree, the teary-eyed actress received India's highest film accolade from President Droupadi Murmu. She expressed gratitude to the Bollywood industry for its significant role in her cinematic journey.

I extend my heartfelt wishes to Waheeda Rehman ji on being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.



Your career spanning over 5 glorious decades enriched the Indian Film industry, and portrayed classic roles which are now part of film history. The country is honoured to have pic.twitter.com/iCev9xSEBq  Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) October 17, 2023

In her thank you speech, the Pyasa actress said, "I feel honoured and very humbled. But today where I stand, it's all because of the lovely industry I have been a part of. Luckily, I got an opportunity to work with top directors, producers, filmmakers, technicians and music directors, who supported me and showered me with lots of love and respect."

Waheeda Rehman continued, "Lastly makeup artists, hair and costume designers also deserve a special mention. Hence I want to share this award with all departments of the film industry. One person cannot make an entire film, it's a collective effort."

Congratulations to @aliaa08 & @kritisanon for winning the best actress award for Gangubai Katiawad & Mimi respectively.



You both carried the movies on your shoulders with outstanding performances. May you continue to come out with such impressive movies.



#NationalFilmAwards pic.twitter.com/qw5ENM1C6L  Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) October 17, 2023

Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon were conferred with the Best Actress award for their role in Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi respectively.

The recipients of the 2021 National Awards, which were announced in August, also included Allu Arjun for Best Actor. Films like RRR, Sardar Udham, and The Kashmir Files received multiple awards. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect was honoured as the Best Feature Film.

Alia Bhatt collected her Best Actress award draped in her wedding saree designed by Sabyasachi and completed the look with flowers in her hair. She was accompanied by her husband actor Ranbir Kapoor.

Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/ianuragthakur

On the red carpet, Alia Bhatt described the National Award for her as a pinch me moment and the only word she could think today was gratitude, reported NDTV.

Much like Alia, Kriti Sanon appeared at the prestigious event clad in a cream-coloured saree and sported a hairdo adorned with flowers. Kriti, who jointly won the Best Actress award with Alia for her portrayal in the film Mimi, where she portrayed a surrogate mother, expressed feeling "blessed and fortunate" to take on such a multifaceted character. She noted that it resonated with her even before filming began.

Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/ianuragthakur

Allu Arjun, was honoured with the Best Actor accolade for his role in "Pushpa: The Rise," remarked on the red carpet that winning for a commercial film felt like a "double achievement," the NDTV report said.

Kudos to @alluarjun for becoming the first Telugu actor to win the Best Actor Award at the #69thNationalFilmAwards for his distinguished performance in the movie 'Pushpa: The Rise'.



An iconic role with an entralling performance!#NationalFilmAwards pic.twitter.com/p25dKSIO1A  Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) October 17, 2023

He is a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, essaying the lead role of a gangster in "Pushpa: The Rise." He is slated to reprise this character in the sequel, "Pushpa: The Rule."

R Madhavan, who directed "Rocketry: The Nambi Effect," received the award for Best Feature Film. On the red carpet, he exclaimed, "My goodness, all the effort has paid off!" according to the report.

Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/ianuragthakur

Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, Karan Johar, and Apoorva Mehta, winners of the National Awards, departed from Mumbai before the ceremony. Allu Arjun, SS Rajamouli, and MM Keeravaani were seen at Delhi airport on Monday.

Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/ianuragthakur

Here is the list of winners in the feature film category.

BEST FILM - Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

BEST DIRECTOR - Nikhil Mahajan (Godavari)

BEST ACTRESS

Alia Bhatt (Gangubai Kathiawadi)

Kriti Sanon (Mimi)

BEST ACTOR - Allu Arjun (Pushpa: The Rise)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Pallavi Joshi (The Kashmir Files)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Pankaj Tripathi (Mimi)

BEST POPULAR FILM - RRR

BEST CHILD ARTIST - Bhavin Rabari (Chhello Show)

INDIRA GANDHI AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT OF A DIRECTOR - Meppadiyan (Vishnu Mohan)

BEST CHILDREN'S FILM - Gandhi And Co

NARGIS DUTT AWARD FOR BEST FILM ON NATIONAL INTEGRATION - The Kashmir Files

BEST HINDI FILM - Sardar Udham

BEST GUJARATI FILM - Chhello Show

BEST ASSAMESE FILM - Anur

BEST BENGALI FILM - Kalkokkho

BEST TELUGU FILM - Uppena

BEST TAMIL FILM - Kadaisi Vivasayi

BEST MALAYALAM FILM - Home

BEST KANNADA FILM - 777 Charlie

BEST MAITHILI FILM - Samanantar

BEST MISHING FILM - Boomba Ride

BEST MARATHI FILM - Ekda Kaay Zala

BEST ODIA FILM - Pratiksha
WASHINGTON  The federal judge overseeing the 2020 election interference case against Donald Trump in Washington imposed a narrow gag order on him on Monday, barring the Republican former president from making statements targeting prosecutors, possible witnesses and court staff.

The order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan marks a milestone moment in the federal case that accuses Trump of illegally conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

It's the most serious restriction a court has placed on Trump's incendiary rhetoric, which has become a centerpiece of his grievance-filled campaign to return to the White House while fighting criminal charges in four cases.

The order could end a line of attack that Trump has made central to his campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. But it may be only the beginning of an unprecedented fight over what limits can be a placed on the speech of a defendant who is also campaigning for America's highest public office.

In a social media post shortly after the hearing in Washington's federal court, Trump vowed to appeal. During a campaign appearance in Iowa later Monday, Trump decried the order as unconstitutional and claimed it would only help him in the polls.

Speaking from the bench, Chutkan said Trump is entitled to criticize the Justice Department generally and assert his belief that the case is politically motivated but can't mount a "smear campaign" against prosecutors and court personnel.

"No other criminal defendant would be allowed to do so, and I'm not going to allow it in this case," Chutkan said.

Chutkan, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama, said she would impose "sanctions as may be necessary" if the gag order is violated, but she wasn't more specific. Judges can threaten gag order violators with fines or jail time, but jailing a presidential candidate could prompt serious political blowback and pose logistical hurdles.

Trump's campaign quickly seized on the gag order in a fundraising appeal email Monday afternoon, falsely claiming that it was requested by Biden.

At rallies and in social media posts, Trump repeatedly sought to vilify special counsel Jack Smith and other prosecutors, casting himself as the victim of a politicized justice system working to deny him another term.

Gag orders are not unheard of in high-profile cases, but there is little legal precedent for court orders limiting the speech of defendants running for public office and none addressing presidential candidates. Legal experts have said the issue may end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The ruling came as Trump was on his plane traveling to early-voting Iowa for a pair of campaign events.

Smith's team argued that Trump knows that his incendiary remarks  calling the justice system "rigged," Chutkan a "Trump-hating judge," and prosecutors a "team of thugs"  could inspire his supporters to threaten or harass his targets.

Prosecutors said it is part of Trump's effort to erode the public's faith in the judicial system just like they say he sought to undermine confidence in the 2020 election by spreading lies of fraud after he lost to Biden.

"What (Trumps lawyer John Lauro) is saying is the defendant is above the law and he is not subject to the rules of this court like any other defendant is," prosecutor Molly Gaston told the judge.

The judge repeatedly pushed back against claims from the defense that prosecutors sought to censor the Trump's political speech. Chutkan said Trump "does not have a right to say and do exactly as he pleases."

"You keep talking about censorship like the defendant has unfettered First Amendment rights. He doesn't," Chutkan told Lauro. "We're not talking about censorship here. We're talking restrictions to ensure there is a fair administration of justice on this case."

Lauro said Trump did not violate his pretrial conditions, and those were enough to keep him in check for the future. He told the judge, "What you have put in place is working." Chutkan burst out laughing.

"I'm going to have to take issue with that," the judge said.

Reading aloud a slew of statements from Trump, Chutkan repeatedly raised concerns that his remarks could inspire violence.

"If you call certain people thugs enough times doesn't that suggest, Mr. Lauro, that someone should get them off the streets?" she asked Trump's lawyer.

Prosecutors said Trump's litany of attacks was already having consequences. They noted that a top prosecutor on Smith's team received intimidating communications after being singled out by Trump, and a Texas woman was charged in August with making racist death threats against Chutkan, who is of Black and Asian descent, in a phone message left at her chambers.

It's the second gag order imposed on Trump in the last month. The judge overseeing Trump's civil fraud trial in New York this month issued a more limited gag order prohibiting personal attacks against court personnel following a social media post from Trump that maligned the judge's principal clerk.
Daniel Noboa was declared the winner of Ecuador's presidential poll | Image Courtesy: wikipedia.org

Quito: Daniel Noboa, a presidential candidate for Ecuador, consolidated his position as president-elect, the National Electoral Council (CNE) said, citing the preliminary official results of the presidential runoff held Sunday.

With 88.42 percent of the votes counted as of 7:40 p.m. local time (0040 GMT), Noboa, from the right-wing National Democratic Action alliance, had obtained 52.29 percent of the valid votes, compared to 47.71 percent for his rival, Luisa Gonzalez, from the Citizen Revolution movement led by ex-president Rafael Correa.

Later in the day, with 90.78 percent of the ballots counted, the CNE announced that Noboa had won the presidential elections in Ecuador. CNE President Diana Atamaint affirmed that the results were "irreversible," declaring Noboa to be president-elect of the South American country.

Gonzalez conceded her defeat to Noboa, 35, a five-time presidential candidate who is the son of a banana magnate.

Surrounded by supporters in a hotel from the capital Quito, she commented, "We have made history; it is the first time that a woman reaches the second round of the presidential elections and has the opportunity to become the president of the republic."

Gonzalez expressed the support of her political organization for the new president-elect to move forward in Ecuador.

(With UNI/ Xinhua inputs)
Photo Caption: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

The UN Security Council on Monday night in New York failed to adopt a resolution proposed by Russia that would have called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which has been ravaged by almost 10 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas militants.

The Russian-led draft resolution received five votes in favour (China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates) and four against (France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), with six abstentions (Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland).

Members were divided over the lack of specific condemnation of extremist group Hamas, which began the current escalation of violence, sending hundreds of fighters to carry out massacres in settlements near to the Gaza Strip on 7 October.

For the Council to adopt a resolution, the proposal must receive at least nine votes in favour, with none of its five permanent members opposing or casting a veto.

The draft text had called for a humanitarian ceasefire, release of all hostages, aid access, and safe evacuation of civilians.

Tweet URL

Selfish interest of the West

Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN expressed regret over the Security Councils failure to adopt the resolution, blaming the selfish intention of the western bloc.

He said that the Western countries delegations basically stomped on global hopes for the Council to put an end to violence.

Ambassador Nebenzia noted that the vote revealed countries in support of ending the violence and providing humanitarian aid, and those blocking a unified message for purely selfish and political interests.

We are extremely concerned by the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the very high risk of the conflict spreading, he said.

Resolution ignores Hamas terrorism

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the US, said that her country could not support the Russian draft resolution as it ignored Hamas terrorism and dishonoured victims.

By failing to condemn Hamas, Russia is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalizes innocent civilians. It is outrageous, hypocritical and indefensible, she said.

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield condemned Hamas for killing civilians, taking hostages, including American citizens, and slaughtering families, and that Hamas actions led to the dire humanitarian crisis facing the people of Gaza.

We cannot allow this Council to unfairly shift the blame to Israel and excuse Hamas for its decades of cruelty, she said.

Be guided by international law

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine to the UN, urged the Security Council to be guided by the principles of international law with no exception.

Do not send the signals that Palestinian lives do not matter. Do not dare say Israel is not responsible for the bombs it is dropping on their heads, he said.

Mr. Mansour noted that what is happening in Gaza is not a military operation, but a full scale assault against his people and a massacre against innocent civilians.

Nowhere is safe in Gaza, families embrace every night, not knowing if it is for the last time, he said.

Councils most pivotal moment

Gilad Erdan, Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN, said that the Security Council stood at one of the most pivotal moments in its history, a moment of truth, which will tell humanity if its very existence holds legitimacy.

He said that every Council member should understand that Hamas is driven by an ideology no different than the Nazis, made clear in their charter that called for obliterating Israel. Hamas is not a political organization, it is a terror organization, he said.

Ambassador Erdan called on the Council to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, and to hold it fully and solely accountable for the situation in Gaza.

He also called on the Council to fully support Israels right to defend itself, and to immediately and unconditionally demand the release of all hostages.
Photo Courtesy: UNI

Kabul: The handover ceremony for China's first batch of quake-relief materials for Afghanistan was held on Sunday in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

During the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Xing signed handover certificates of supplies from the Chinese government and the Red Cross Society of China respectively with Mohammad Abas Akhund, Acting Minister for Afghanistan's National Disaster Management Authority, and Abdul Latif Sabit, Deputy President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society.

Zhao said to help the people in the quake-stricken areas of Afghanistan tide over the difficulties, the Chinese government decided to provide aid materials.

This fully reflects the friendly sentiments of the Chinese people towards the Afghan people, he added.

With the joint efforts of the Afghan interim government and all sectors of society, the affected people will be able to overcome the difficulties and rebuild their homes, Zhao added.

Akhund said relevant Afghan authorities are carrying out emergency relief and reconstruction work in Herat Province, distributing relief materials to the affected people and building temporary shelters.

China's supply of humanitarian aid is very timely, and Afghanistan is deeply grateful for it and will always remember it, Akhund said.

Sabit introduced the situation in the western Herat Province since the quakes as well as the quake-relief efforts of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, and sincerely thanked the Chinese government, the Red Cross Society of China and the Chinese people for their selfless and valuable assistance during the most difficult period of Afghanistan.

On October 7, two 6.2-magnitude earthquakes shook west Afghanistan, followed by a series of aftershocks, killing more than 2,400 people and destroying thousands of houses.

Another 6.3-magnitude earthquake occurred in the region on October 11.

On Sunday, the first batch of quake-relief materials provided by the Chinese government arrived in Herat City, the capital of Herat Province, with the relief supplies from the Red Cross Society of China delivered at the same time.

(With UNI/XINHUA)


Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

The Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York City apprehended an international fugitive, who is a Pakistani national, wanted by Brazilian authorities for prosecution in Brazil for the crime of active corruption of a public official.

The 32-year-old citizen of Pakistan and permanent resident of Brazil was arrested without incident outside his residence in Queens, read a statement issued by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ERO New York City continues to protect communities by apprehending foreign fugitives who attempt to seek refuge in the United States after committing crimes in other countries, said ERO New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo. ERO remains committed to pursuing noncitizen criminals and repatriating them to their countries of citizenship or legal residence.

On Aug. 26, 2014, the Department of State post in Islamabad, Pakistan, refused to issue the noncitizen a nonimmigrant B1/B2 visa.

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested the noncitizen April 5, 2016, at or near Calexico, California, and served him with a notice and order of expedited removal charging him with removability as an immigrant without a valid, unexpired immigrant visa, reentry permit, border crossing card or other valid entry document required by the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Between 2016 and 2023, the noncitizen was out on bond as he proceeded through the immigration process.

On March 7, 2023, the assistant attache to Brazil provided ERO New York City with information pertaining to the noncitizens international fugitive status. Fugitive Operations officers from ERO New York City arrested the noncitizen on Oct. 11, 2023, and cancelled his bond.

He will remain in custody pending continuation of his removal proceedings.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

A group of protesters, mostly women, demonstrated in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Muzaffarabad city when they demanded their rights and blamed that the government was leaving in the dark.

Working as health workers under the Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) Programme these women are surviving on merely a monthly remuneration of 8,000 Pakistani Rupees, reports Indian news agency ANI.

They alleged they have not received salary on time.

A protester told ANI, I want to demand the Prime Minister, Chief Secretary and Chief Justice of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to fulfil all demands of our sisters and give them justice. If not, the PoK will face a tsunami similar to 2005. We will stop the supply of electricity and other essential resources to Pakistan.

As many as 1,218 employees were inducted into the MNCH programme in 2007 against the positions of managers, doctors, lady health visitors, community midwives, clerks and drivers.

Facing insecurity for the past several years, they are now demanding the government to fulfil its commitment to regularise their services and bring them on a normal budget, the Indian news agency reported.

A female protester told ANI, They have totally banned us. We are not able to attend to our duties. This is injustice. The government must awaken and we request them to issue a notification to regularize us. Those who are still on contract need to be given permanent letter.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The ex-chairman of the Bank of China has been arrested over suspicion of bribery and giving illegal loans, media reports said on Tuesday.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) ordered the arrest of Liu Liange on Monday.

Liu Liange served as the chairman of the Bank of China from 2019 to 2023.

He resigned in March.

The 62-year-old is one of the most senior bankers to be ensnared in President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption probe into China's $60 trillion (49 trillion) financial sector, reported BBC.

Liu was arrested just weeks after he was expelled from China's ruling Communist Party following accusations of wrongdoing by the country's top anti-graft watchdog China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash/Micha Brandli

Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council urged China not to forcibly repatriate people who have escaped from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), warning that some returnees could even be put to death.

The experts were alarmed that hundreds of escapees  the vast majority of whom are women - have been sent back, despite repeated appeals by multiple international human rights bodies. Hundreds more reportedly are in detention awaiting the same fate.

There are long-standing and credible reports that people returned to the DPRK, more commonly known as North Korea, would face serious human rights violations such as torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, they said in a statement on Tuesday.

Criminals and traitors

The DPRK authorities label citizens criminals if they commit illegal border-crossing, and traitors if any link is found suggesting an intention to escape to the Republic of Korea, the official name for South Korea.

Traitors receive harsh punishments, including imprisonment without due process, and they may be subjected to enforced disappearance and even execution, the experts warned.

No one should be returned to a country where they would face the risk of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and other irreparable harm, including the use of the death penalty, and enforced disappearance, they said.

Respect international law

The rights experts urged China to respect the principle of non-refoulement, which guarantees that no one should be returned to a country where they would face torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and other irreparable harm.

They stressed that the principle is guaranteed under international law and must be applied to all individuals at all times, regardless of their migratory status.

They recalled that it also forms an essential protection under international human rights, refugee, humanitarian and customary law, and is explicitly included in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment as well as the 1951 Convention on Refugees and its Protocol to which China is a party.

The UN experts wrote to Beijing raising concerns over the forcible returns and said they appreciated the official response from the authorities.

They called on China to abide by its international legal obligations and not forcibly repatriate remaining North Korean escapees.

We welcome the reopening of the border and urge the DPRK to allow UN agencies, other humanitarian organisations and diplomatic missions to return to the country as soon as possible and engage the relevant Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council to review its human rights, they said.

They also called on the DPRK to comply with its international legal obligations in respect to all citizens returning to the country, including the absolute prohibition on torture and enforced disappearance, the prohibition of arbitrary detention, and fair trial guarantees.

About UN experts

The 18 experts who issued the statement were appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, and include Elizabeth Salmon, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK.

They are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Council, which is the general name of its independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world.

These experts work on a voluntary basis, are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
Photo Courtesy: Joe Biden Instagram page

US President Joe Biden will visit war-hit Israel on Wednesday (October 18, 2023) to show support for the country amid ongoing conflict with the Hamas group.

"President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Israel on Wednesday, October 18, to demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamass brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps," read a statement issued by the White House.

On Wednesday, I'll travel to Israel to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamas's brutal terrorist attack.



I'll then travel to Jordan to address dire humanitarian needs, meet with leaders, and make clear that Hamas does not stand for Palestinians' right to self-determination.  President Biden (@POTUS) October 17, 2023

"President Biden will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with his Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas," the statement said.

"He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas refuted reports of a cease-fire in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid and stranded foreigners to leave through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt as the conflict entered its 10th day on Monday.

"There is currently no cease-fire and humanitarian aid in Gaza in return for removing foreigners," a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

Hamas official Izzat El Reshiq, as reported by Reuters, also dismissed claims of the Rafah border crossing opening or any temporary cease-fire.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7 conducted a surprise rocket attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in Israel's declaration of war and the launch of counter-attacks.

Meanwhile, the number of Palestinian deaths has crossed 2,700 with more than 9,600 injuries reported, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. More than 1,400 Israelis have died since the Hamas assault began. Israel said 289 of its soldiers have been killed.
Melanie Joly (Image credit: Joly's Facebook page)

Toronto/IBNS: Melanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuesday announced imposition of additional sanctions against Russian collaborators in Moldova under the Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations, a news release said.

Nine Moldovan individuals, associated with influential oligarchs, such as Vladimir Plahotniuc and Ilan Mironovich Shor, who have previously been sanctioned by Canada are included against whom these sanctions are being imposed.

Other individuals being sanctioned, said Joly, are connected to the Shor political party's continued efforts for over a decade to destabilize the democratically elected Moldovan government in favour of Russia.

In addition, 6 television stations which actively promote and disseminate Russian disinformation to justify Russias war of aggression against Ukraine are being sanctioned.

These 6 television stations had their operating licences revoked by Moldovas Commission for Exceptional Situations.

These sanctions against Russian collaborators in Moldova are being imposed by Canada in the context of the fourth meeting of the Moldova Support Platform, taking place October 17, 2023, in Chisinau, Moldova.

The first round of sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations was announced by Canada on June 1, 2023 during the visit of Moldovan President Maia Sandu to Canada in May 2023 to undermine Russias unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine through Moldova and to support the democratically elected Government of Moldova.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
After reading numerous accounts of universities refusing to address the recent slaughter of Jews in the Gaza Strip, I was heartened to find an email in my inbox from University at Buffalo's President Satish Tripathi condemning this violence in no uncertain terms. He correctly describes the actions of Hamas as one of terror. No justification for these acts can soften this assertion.
Airplane travel offers unparalleled convenience, but the journey can become an ordeal when fellow passengers act disruptively or when the plane is forced to make an emergency landing due to bizarre circumstances.



While we've long accepted that driving a car requires passing a series of tests, the skies seem to remain an open highway.

plane

But recent events are making us wonder, should air travelers also be subjected to a different test?



Not the kind for pilots, who already undergo rigorous evaluations, but a test for the passengers themselves. As incidents of disruptive behavior reach new levels of peculiarity, it begs the question: should we consider screening passengers before they board an airplane?

The era of unruly passengers has ushered in a wave of bizarre incidents. Read on!

1. Adult Diaper Mistaken for Bomb, Plane Makes Emergency Landing In US

Luego de una alerta por el @aacivilpty, de un objeto extrano en una aerolinea las unidades de Fuerzas Especiales activaron el protocolo de emergencia y al ser verificado resulto ser un panal desechable de adulto. #Prevencion pic.twitter.com/n3pBqQZki9  Policia Nacional (@ProtegeryServir) October 13, 2023

A Copa Airlines flight from Panama City was flying to Tampa, Florida when they got a tip about a suspicious object in the restroom. The plane returned to Panama, and everyone got off while a team checked for explosives. But after a thorough search, it turned out that the suspected bomb was just an adult diaper.

2. Delta flight was forced to turn around because of a diarrhea incident

"Diarrhea Plane " - Footage of the cabin from the Delta plane headed for Barcelona that had to be diverted to Atlanta due to a passenger having diarrhea all over the plane.#Biohazard #plane #aviation https://t.co/BoDemzjEBO pic.twitter.com/Takc9QPWSC  FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 5, 2023

A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Barcelona had to turn around due to a passenger's illness. With 336 passengers, the plane departed on time but returned over central Virginia. The pilot cited a "biohazard issue" caused by a passenger with diarrhea. The Airbus 350 landed back in Atlanta two hours after takeoff. The flight experienced an overall delay of around eight hours but eventually reached Barcelona without further problems on Saturday. Delta apologized to its customers for the inconvenience.

3. A Turkish Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing after a drunk passenger bit an attendant's finger.

Pesawat Turkish Airlines rute Istanbul-Jakarta harus dialihkan ke Medan gegara penumpang ngamuk dan serang kru. Pnp tsb akhirnya dihajar pnp lain dan kru sebelum diikat. Blm jelas akar permasalahannya apa sampai ybs menyerang kru pic.twitter.com/KrTrko6mTM  KabarPenumpang (@kabarpenumpang) October 12, 2022

A Turkish Airlines flight en route from Istanbul to Jakarta had to make an emergency landing when an intoxicated passenger bit a flight attendant's finger. The man, identified as Muhammad John Jaiz Boudewijn, was warned by the cabin crew to calm down, but this only aggravated the situation. A viral video captured the passenger throwing punches at a flight attendant and attempting to tackle another while fellow passengers watched in shock. Boudewijn, a pilot for Indonesian carrier Batik Air, caused a disruptive incident on the flight.

4. Passengers using overhead bins for pull-ups force flights to divert and make an emergency landing

An American Airlines flight was diverted from its scheduled route when an 'unruly' passenger engaged in disruptive behavior, including doing pull-ups on the overhead compartment. The flight, AA2763, originally departed from Phoenix en route to Boston. The disruptive, intoxicated passenger, carrying 147 passengers and six crew members, prompted the plane to divert to Kansas City.

The situation escalated when the passenger became abusive toward a flight attendant. Despite being removed from the flight, no charges were filed against the individual.

5. A Sudanese Plane Had to make an Emergency Landing After A Cat Hijacks Cockpit

In a bizarre incident, a Sudanese flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Khartoum International Airport when an agitated cat attacked the pilot in the cockpit. Shortly after takeoff from Khartoum International Airport, the feline intruder entered the cockpit and assaulted the pilots. All passengers safely disembarked after the landing. However, the cat's mode of entry into the aircraft remains unclear. Speculation suggests it might have entered the previous night while the plane was parked in a hangar at Khartoum airport.

6. Transavia plane makes emergency landing after passengers body odor caused others to vomit and faint

In May 2018, a flight to the Spanish holiday island of Gran Canaria made an unexpected detour after passengers allegedly became distressed by the stench of the "unwashed" man. He smelt so bad that other passengers started fainting and vomiting after the flight took off from Amsterdams Schiphol Airport, Belgian broadcaster VRT reports.

Staff on board the Transavia jet reportedly tried quarantining him in a toilet before the pilot diverted the flight. The Boeing 737 is said to have landed in Faro, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, so that the foul-smelling man could be removed from the flight.



7. In 2015, Sheep Farts Force Malaysian-Bound Flight Into Emergency Landing

A rather unusual event unfolded in 2015 when an airplane carrying 2,186 goats landed unexpectedly. The Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 freighter plane was en route from Adelaide, Australia, to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia when an urgent announcement led to its diversion to Bali Denpasar on October 26, 2015.

This extraordinary incident occurred due to flatulence from the goats in the cargo hold, which set off smoke alarms. Upon landing, emergency services investigated the situation but found no evidence of fire, heat, or smoke, leaving everyone somewhat bemused by the peculiar turn of events.

8. Pilot Makes Emergency Landing After Fight Breaks Out Over Passenger's Continued Flatulence

In 2018, a Transavia Airlines flight traveling from Dubai to Amsterdam Schiphol made an emergency landing due to a scuffle that erupted when two passengers requested a fellow traveler to cease their persistent flatulence, according to multiple reports. The two individuals claimed they were ignored after asking the passenger to stop. A dispute ensued when they sought assistance from the flight crew and did not receive the desired response. Despite the pilot's warnings, the situation persisted, ultimately leading to the decision to make an emergency landing at Vienna Airport, as the New York Post and the British newspaper Metro reported.



9. A hungry passenger creates a stir and climbs the food cart

A passenger's disruptive behavior compelled a plane to carry out an emergency landing. Reportedly, the individual in question climbed atop the food cart in the aisle. The passenger, seated beside his brother during the IndiGo flight from Dubai to Kozhikode, India, remained perched on the trolley until flight personnel intervened and requested he disembark.

This action further incited his agitation, leading to an altercation with his brother. An airline spokesperson disclosed that he leaped onto the cart and took shelter among the snacks and merchandise just before the aircraft's landing. The bizarre incident led the pilot to reroute the aircraft to Mumbai, where law enforcement officers escorted the individual off the plane.

10. Woman Singing Whitney Houston Songs Forces Emergency Landing of American Airlines Flight

In 2013, American Airlines Flight No. 4, en route from Los Angeles to New York's JFK Airport, unexpectedly landed in Kansas City due to a disruptive female passenger. She had persistently sung Whitney Houston songs, prompting the diversion. Local television station KCTV captured the moment when at least two uniformed officers escorted her off the plane, all while she continued belting "I Will Always Love You." As airport spokesman Joe McBride confirmed, the disruption resulted in her detention by a Federal Air Marshal.



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Szabolcs Fekete, a senior analyst who lost his job for filing an expense claim that included coffee and sandwiches for his partner along with false information, has lost the lawsuit against Citibank.

Szabolcs Fekete v/s Citibank: What was the case about?

Unsplash

Fekete had alleged unfair and wrongful dismissal following his removal concerning the expenses he claimed for a business trip to Amsterdam in 2022.

The East London employment tribunal dismissed his case last month, ruling in favor of Citibank.



Fekete, who had been with Citi since 2015, traveled to Amsterdam with his partner, who didn't work for the bank, as the tribunal pointed out.

He filed his expenses in late July, insisting that the costs were within the bank's daily limit of 100. Nonetheless, a senior manager informed him that the expenses would be declined, suspecting that the meals listed on the receipt were meant for two people.

As stated in the publicly released ruling on Friday, Fekete responded via email: I was on the business trip by myself and that I had 2 coffees as they were very small.

Delish

The senior manager expressed doubt about his response, remarking: The receipt appears to have two sandwiches, two coffees, and another drink . . . Are you advising that this was all consumed by you?



Fekete replied: Yes that is correct . . . On that day I skipped breakfast and only had 1 coffee in the morning. For lunch I had 1 sandwich with a drink and 1 coffee in the restaurant and took another coffee back to the office with me and had the second sandwich in the afternoon . . . Which also served as my dinner.

He added that the amounts were well within my 100 limit.

Following additional inquiries from the manager, the ruling indicated that Fekete responded: All my expenses are within the 100 daily allowance. Could you please outline what your concern is as I dont think I have to justify my eating habits to this extent.

The senior manager elevated the expense claim to Citi's ethics office in early August, triggering an internal investigation.

Fekete underwent questioning during a Zoom meeting in August, during which he was asked if he had dined with his partner and consumed "pasta pesto and a bolognese." Fekete denied this allegation.

Pesto

In August, Fekete admitted that some of the food expenses were indeed for his partner. Citi's investigation in October determined that he had violated the company's expense management policy and provided false information during the internal inquiry.



Why did Feteke's contract was terminated?

In November 2022, Citi terminated his employment due to gross misconduct.

During a disciplinary hearing, Fekete, a senior analyst in charge of Emea regulatory exam management and oversight, explained that he had been on medical leave and medication for several weeks following his trip to Amsterdam. He also mentioned the recent loss of a family member in his defense.

Judge Illing, presiding over the employment case, ruled that Citi had the authority to terminate Fekete's employment as he was employed in a position of trust in a global financial institution and said the case is not about the sums of money involved.

What did Judge state in his ruling?

In the written judgment, the judge stated: I have accepted that the expense report may have been submitted in error. However, I am satisfied that a dismissal in relation to the misrepresentation allegation alone would fall within the band of a reasonable response by a reasonable employer.

He added: I am satisfied that even if the expense claim had been filed under a misunderstanding, there was an obligation upon the claimant to own up and rectify the position at the first opportunity. I accept that the respondent requires a commitment to honesty from its employees.

How did Citi react to the verdict?

Citi said: We are pleased with the decision.

In the UK, financial institutions and regulators have taken strict actions against executives accused of personal misconduct, even for small sums of money. For instance 2020, Citi suspended a senior bond trader for allegedly stealing food from the office canteen.



Mizuho Bank in Japan fired a London banker in 2016 for stealing a chain wheel guard from a colleague's bike, which was valued at about 5.

In 2014, the Financial Conduct Authority banned Jonathan Burrows, a managing director at BlackRock Asset Management Investor Services, from holding senior roles in the UK financial sector. This was due to his repeated evasion of train fare payments during his commute to the City, which eventually resulted in him paying 43,000 to settle the case.

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The developments in the war in Israel and the situation in the Gaza Strip were the subject of the telephone conversation between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as officially announced by both sides.

Athens believes, according to government sources, that it could play

a role, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis noting to Recep Tayyip Erdogan the need to avoid a humanitarian crisis and not threaten regional stability.

At the same time, the Turkish president pointed out that Ankara has made every effort to end this conflict process, which can have extremely negative consequences on a regional and global scale, and will continue to do so.

While expressing the view that countries in the region must make efforts to stop conflicts and human rights violations, as well as maintain peace and give a message to the world in this direction, he stated that it would be right to measures should be taken as soon as possible to reduce tensions and not increase them.

The pursuit of Erdogan

Erdogan also did not follow the Wests footsteps in the Israel-Hamas war. The opposite. He chose his own path, seeking to put Turkey at the center as a mediator. Leaning clearly towards Hamas.

The US is sending an aircraft carrier. Mr. America What are you doing there? Where is America, where is Israel and Palestine? stated the Turkish president in a speech on October 12, while wondering where the West stands in the blockade of Gaza. In the same speech to his partys deputies, Erdogan accused Israel of massacre.

The Turkish president is also looking for a role for Ankara in this conflict. He strongly criticizes the USA and the West for their attitude, while at the same time he also turns his fire on Israel, showing that he does not count on the rapprochement for which he himself fought so hard.

On Monday, the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had a telephone conversation with the head of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, as reported by Turkish media, regarding developments in Palestine and the possibility of releasing civilian hostages.

On Tuesday Fidan is making an official visit to Lebanon with the subject of current regional and international developments.

It is recalled that the Turkish Foreign Minister was the head of the Turkish secret services and has been involved in negotiations in the past, especially behind the scenes.

Erdogan also in this case appears willing to become the protector of Muslims. To show that he has influence and can act as a catalyst in developments.

Some wonder if the new Erdogan-West conflict can also affect Greece-Turkey relations. To once again open the door to the rhetoric of tension and threats. However, the Mitsotakis-Erdogan communication on Monday did not show anything of the sort. Rather, he confirmed the open channels of communication with the Mitsotakis initiative showing a willingness to prevent even tensions that could arise as a result of other crises.

Erdogan will clearly not be left out of the Middle East diplomatic game. However, it is too early to talk about a rupture in US-Turkey relations.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has refuted allegations that he played a role in Senator Elisha Abbos removal from the Senate.

Information Nigeria had reported Abbo claimed that Akpabio was behind his removal from the Senate, asserting that he, along with four other senators, was targeted for removal because they worked against Akpabios emergence as Senate President.

Reacting to the claim, Eseme Eyiboh, media aide to Akpabio, said it is uncharitable for Abbo to pour his frustrations on the senate president.

His words: It is only a diseased and uninformed mind that will not believe that the outcome of any court proceeding is a function of the evaluation of facts and evidence within the province of the rule of law.

READ ALSO: Appeal Court Sacks Adamawa Senator, Elisha Abbo

Democracy is founded in the rule of law, so for anybody to accuse one of the strong agents of democracy and governance in the mold of Senator Godswill Akpabio, such an individual must be a monument of self-pity and his swansong a discordant escape from reality.

Eyiboh added that Akpabio does not harbour any ill will against any of the senators and he has since moved on from the election that brought him into office as Senate President.
The lawmaker representing Adamawa North, Senator Elisha Abbo has alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio plotted his removal by the Court of Appeal.

Abbo made this allegation at his residence in Abuja on Monday, hours after the Court nullified his election into the Senate.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Abbo the winner of the February 25, 2023 parliamentary election, but Amos Yohanna, of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rejected the result and headed for the court.

However, Tribunal, in its judgement, dismissed Yohannas petition for lacking in merit.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that PDPs candidate, through his counsel Johnson Usman (SAN), approached the Appeal Court.

The Court of Appeal, after hearing arguments from parties, agreed with Usman that based on Section 137 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the results tendered clearly showed that there was no compliance with the Electoral Act.

The court, thereafter, deducted the invalid votes from the parties and found that Yohanna and PDP won the election by a majority of lawful votes.

READ MORE: Appeal Court Sacks Adamawa Senator, Elisha Abbo

The three-member panel presided over by Justice C.E. Nwosu-Iheme, in a judgement, ordered INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Yohanna as validly elected lawmaker for the senatorial district.

Barely few hours after the judgement, Abbo in his reaction alleged that four other senators who worked against the emergence of Akpabio as Senate President had been targeted for removal from the Red Chamber through the court.

The lawmaker while addressing journalists, mentioned the Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu as the next target for removal from the Senate.

He said: I have it from a reliable source that myself and four other senators within the fold of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be removed from the Senate through rulings from the courts, all because of working against the emergence of Akpabio as President of the 10th Senate.

I wont mention the names of all the four other ones targeted but the next in line is Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

He wondered how with over 11,000 votes margin of victory he had above his closest river, Yohanna Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election, the Appeal Court upturned his victory.

Abbo added that: The court judgement is strange and the judiciary needs to please remain the last hope of the common man.
A mob, suspected to be Fulani Okada riders, on Sunday, reportedly killed a 45-year-old police inspector, identified as Festus Onori, in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to Punch, the deceased was killed in the presence of his wife and children on their way to church over the weekend.

The deceased elder brother, Austin Onori, said that Inspector Onori was on his way to church with his wife and three children when a commercial motorcyclist said to be of Fulani extraction hit his vehicle from behind in Okpanam.

READ MORE: Delta Police Nab Pastor For Kidnapping, Recover Arms

He said: My brother drove a distance of about one pole after the minor accident to park properly and came down to ensure that the Okada man and his passenger were unhurt only for more than 20 men to pursue him with sticks and clubs, prompting the deceased to run back into his car.

As my brother drove off for fear of being lynched, the Okada riders pursued him and as they continued to chase him, their numbers increased.

When he got to Marble Hill (Okpanam) he diverted through that road to express thinking that his chasers would be discouraged and retreat. Behold, they pursued him down to Ogwashi-Uku Community even facing Kwale when the fuel in his vehicle got exhausted on the Ogwashi-Uku-Kwale expressway.

At that time, his pursuers numbers increased. Then, they mobbed him to death in the presence of his wife and three children.

They also destroyed his vehicle. It was a passerby, who according to the wifes statement, that carried the Inspector Onori to Ogwashi-Uku police station before he was confirmed dead.

Austin said that the deceased, Onori, was an Inspector at Marine Police Station Cable Point Asaba.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja has sacked the Senator representing Adamawa North, Senator Elisha Abbo.

Delivering judgment on Monday, the three-member panel presided over by Justice C.E. Nwosu-Iheme, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Amos Yohanna as the duly elected lawmaker representing the area in the National Assembly.

The appellate vacated the tribunal judgment which had earlier affirmed Abbo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the senatorial election.

READ ALSO: Enrol Your Children In Schools Or Go To Jail  Senate Warns Parents

INEC had declared Abbo the winner of the February 25, 2023, parliamentary election.

But aggrieved by the electoral bodys decision, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amos Yohanna, went to the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election.

In its ruling, the tribunal dismissed Yohannas petition for lacking in merit.

Not comfortable with the judgment of the tribunal, the PDP candidate, through his counsel Johnson Usman (SAN), approached the Appeal Court.

The Court of Appeal, after hearing arguments from parties, agreed with Usman that based on Section 137 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the results tendered clearly showed that there was no compliance with the Electoral Act.

The court, thereafter, deducted the invalid votes from both parties and found that Yohanna and the PDP won the election by a majority of lawful votes.

In the wake of the judgment, Senator Abbo described it as a coup on democracy but told his supporters to be calm
The Coalition of Civil Society Networks on Monday asked the Police to arrest Adeyemi Adepoju, ex-Postmaster General of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), for refusing to leave office.

Information Nigeria reports that on Monday, there was a protest against the appointment of Tola Adeyemi as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Postmaster General of NIPOST.

Last Wednesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu relieved Adepoju of his role and appointed Odeyemi as the new CEO of NIPOST.

NIPOST had on Saturday announced that Adeyemi Adepoju has been reinstated the postmaster general of the agency due to his exceptional leadership and performance.

However, Adepoju was seen arriving in a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) into what looks like a NIPOST premises where he was acknowledging cheers from a jubilating crowd.

Note that the Presidency did not release an official statement confirming the reinstatement of Adepoju as the postmaster general of NIPOST.

Reacting to the development, Zakari Hashim, coordinator of the Civil Society Organisation (CSO), in a statement, said the leadership situation has caused unnecessary chaos and instability at NIPOST.

The Coalition of Civil Society Networks is gravely concerned about the ongoing security breach, trust deficit, and unrest within the premises of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) caused by the actions of the sacked Postmaster General, Mr. Adeyemi Adepoju Sunday.

Mr. Sunday, who has been removed from his position, is refusing to resign and continues to impersonate that he has been reinstalled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. This situation is causing unnecessary chaos and instability at NIPOST.

READ ALSO: Security Operatives Seal Off Ondo PDP Secretariat Over Planned Protest

We have observed with deep dismay that Mr. Adepoju Sunday has allegedly mobilized a group of individuals, posing as NIPOST staff, to protest and disrupt the functioning of the organization.

These actions not only undermine the trust and integrity of NIPOST but also pose a threat to the security and stability of the institution.

We would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for the newly appointed CEO/Postmaster General, Mrs. Tola Odeyemi, whose appointment is a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda.

This agenda aims to bring capable individuals to lead the nation towards economic development, growth, and prosperity.

Mrs. Tola Odeyemi, with her wealth of experience in the technology and postal space, is well-equipped to upgrade NIPOST services to meet global standards. We have full confidence in her ability to lead NIPOST to greater heights and urge her to justify the confidence placed in her by President Tinubu.

In light of the ongoing situation, we urgently call upon the Nigerian Police Force to investigate and take appropriate action against Mr. Adeyemi Adepoju Sunday.

It is essential to determine the reasons for his continued presence at NIPOST and to ensure that the security and operations of the organization are not compromised.

We believe in the rule of law and peaceful transitions of power in government agencies.

The actions of Mr. Sunday not only undermine this principle but also threaten the stability and credibility of NIPOST. It is imperative that this situation is resolved promptly and in accordance with the law, the statement read.
The Julius Abure-led Labour Party (LP) has condemned the claims of impropriety against the Partys 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi by the Lamidi Apapa faction.

Estranged Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi of the Apapa faction had claimed that Obi was impersonating his dead elder brother and was also after his life.

However, in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Spokesperson for the Obi-Datti Media, Yunusa Tanko, the LP described the allegation as a farce, a slapstick comedy from hell.

He stated that legal action is being explored against Arabambi and the other defendants, whom they both referred to as impostors.

Tanko said, I have called you this afternoon to bring to your notice some unbecoming and vexatious attitude in the public space that is, unfortunately dragging some media houses along.

Some political hirelings, buccaneers indulging in menial work of character assassination have lately been let loose dubiously ostensibly to soil the name of our Presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

At the forefront of these malicious hatchet jobbers, is Dr Abayomi Arambabi, who dubiously continues even to identify himself as a member and Publicity Secretary of Labour Party when he knows he is not a member of the party.

After a series of judgments from the Supreme Court of Nigeria concerning the Labour Party, everything about fictionalization and crisis in the party was laid to rest.

But to our greatest shock in the party, many media houses continued to link expelled non-members of the party as members trying unsuccessfully and needlessly to create a wrong impression about the party.

Chief Lamidi Apapa and Arambabi have been going about merchandising with the name of the party and endlessly castigating our flag bearer who we are proud to say is the most popular and loved Nigerian politician today.

He added that, Instead, they have even been more vociferous against Peter Obi than their sponsors yet they claim they are of the Labour Party.

Is it not time the media houses blacklist them for wearing the devils coat and speaking on the saints platform. None of them or their family members voted for Peter Obi. Is it not yet time they leave him alone and look for another thing to say?

Peter Obi in his capacity as the Labour Party standard bearer, had a press conference and innocuously advised the embattled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rest the certificate gate around him and save the country further embarrassment by reintroducing himself and putting records straight.

A simple patriotic advisory that was informed by belief in anything that is connected to National development, but their hirelings, freebooters, and lawless adventurers prefer to insult our candidate with his fabrications.

READ ALSO: We Need To Beg Aggrieved Members To Return PDP To Past Glory  Gov. Mbah

In one of his pieces of fiction, they claimed that Obi was impersonating his dead most senior brother, a farce, a slapstick comedy from hell. Obis most senior brother is alive, one of his senior brothers who died was in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN years ahead of Obi and read Computer Science while Obi read Philosophy.

Arambabi also claims as his shadow chases him that Obi is after his life. This is a laughable allegation because Obis harmless disposition to politics and his non-violent posture even in extreme provocation like the blatant stealing of his mandate in cohort with INEC is apparent to make the dismissal of such wild and unsubstantiated accusation baseless.

I can appreciate the frustration of somebody hired ostensibly to do a menial job against somebody and after sweeping around the whole place unable to find anything, he decides to indulge in concoctions to keep his pecuniary interest alive.

As Obi keeps charging people to go ahead and verify his past, a Peter Obi 45 years ago was impromptuly unveiled last weekend by no less a person than the Popes Ambassador (Papal Nuncio) to the Czech Republic, a Nigerian, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo.

Speaking off the cuff, the revered clergy testified to how the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has remained consistent in caring for society for many decades now, stating that it is in Peter Obis nature to help and care for those around him.

Archbishop Okolo shared the testimony at Nnewi, during his 40th priestly anniversary thanksgiving, and 15 years as a Nuncio. He stated that Peter Obi did not develop his caring nature recently, but has consistently shown that kindness and empathy are his lifestyle.

In the 1970s, he recalled while he was a school teacher at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha, before proceeding to Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu. During that period, he decided to visit his younger brother, Jerry Okolo, at Christ the King College, Onitsha.

The then Principal of the College, Rev Fr Nicholas Tagbo (of blessed memory) gave him some tins of milk and packets of biscuits to give to his brother.

When he handed the items to his brother, he said that he should not have bothered, that he has enough. His classmate, and friend Peter Obi, normally go to the supermarket, bring a carton of milk, and share with all of us.

Whilst showering admiration on Peter Obis character, life of caring, and empathy towards humanity, the Archbishop urged him to continue to do same in service to the nation.

This is the man they are struggling to dent his image but they have not found anything damaging against him but rather have resorted to cooking up lies and fabrication.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, is by my side here you all know him is Obiora Ifoh our Acting Publicity Secretary.

I am therefore by this press conference in our National Party Headquarters urging the public and particularly the media houses to treat this person as Labour Party impersonators which they are.
Director of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) in Imo State, Wilcox Idaminabo, says criminals are carrying out attacks on lives and properties in the South-East under the guise of Biafra agitation.

Idaminabo who spoke on Monday at a one-day stakeholders roundtable organised by the Center for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) ahead of the November 11 governorship election in the State, said killings and other criminal activities in the geo-political zone are wrapped around the ideology of Biafra and disguised as agitations for self-determination.

He said: They are hiding under this guise to perpetrate killings and turn our people slaves in their own homes.

When I led the operation to Orsu LGA, what we saw was rather gory; headless bodies littered in the bush, vehicles that had been abandoned. It was terrible.

Recall that until recently, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has continued to prevent the people in the region from going about their businesses as they enforce sit-at-home to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the group.

READ ALSO: EFCC, ICPC Chairmen Cant Come From One Zone  Falana Kicks

Prior to Nigerias 63rd independence anniversary, IPOB also warned residents in the south-east to shun the celebration.

The Nigerian Government and Nigerian citizens have time after time demonstrated that we are not part of them, and therefore, we must do everything possible to liberate ourselves from the bondage of Nigeria,  Emma Powerful, IPOBs spokesperson said on September 29.

Meanwhile, on March 15, the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) ranked IPOB as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world.

The GTI added that the group was responsible for 40 attacks and 57 deaths in 2022.

On September 27, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) destroyed multiple hideouts of the group in Imo and Anambra states.

A month later, troops of the Nigerian Army arrested two suspected fighters of the group after destroying their hideouts.
Xi Jinpings Third Belt and Road Initiative Forum  and the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) itself  launched on Tuesday, featuring a long guest list that includes Vladimir Putin and the Taliban.

In the decades since it was first proposed, the initiative and the world around it have changed profoundly. Optimism and ambition for the BRI have been replaced by broken promises, cracked dams, and wrecked state treasuries throughout the emerging economies and trading partners who took a chance on Xis signature infrastructure and investment program.

Introduced as a means to fund much-needed infrastructure and connectivity, the BRI has imposed a staggering bill on the countries that signed up for it.

Xi claimed at the First BRI Forum that the initiative would establish a stable and sustainable financial safeguard system that keeps risks under control. Instead, the opposite occurred.

Extreme public debt driving already poor nations into bankruptcy

Unlike Western lenders that often provide direct aid or subsidized loans, China lent $1 trillion (948 billion) to cash-strapped nations at commercial rates.

Much more secret debt might be hidden from view, as a 2021 study suggested that as much as half of BRI loans are off the books and omitted from official statistics.

Instead of seeing clearly what is owed, we see the impact on nations, as Zambia and Sri Lanka are driven into bankruptcy and default.

With commodity-backed loans and secret contract terms that prioritised its debts over all other loans, Beijing is making sure it gets paid.

Residents pass by the logo for the Belt and Road Forum outside the China National Convention Center in Beijing, October 2023 - AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

Argentina, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malaysia, Montenegro, Pakistan, and Tanzania are all dealing with extreme debt-to-GDP ratios that force crippling decisions in order to service the debt.

Since 2010, public debt has tripled in sub-Saharan Africa, driven largely by Chinese lending, and 60% of BRI countries are in debt distress  a 1,200% increase since 2010.

China may be losing some money too, as it has needed to fund $240 billion in bailouts in recent years  bailouts that extend that debt rather than forgiving it.

Story continues

Nonetheless, with commodity-backed loans and secret contract terms that prioritised its debts over all other loans, Beijing is making sure it gets paid.

Beijing-fuelled corruption

The unsustainable debt burden on countries is even more galling in light of reports of failing and wasteful infrastructure.

In Ecuador, a massive $2.6bn hydroelectric dam built at the foot of an active volcano has 17,000 cracks in its structure that force it to operate at limited power and risk failure or collapse. Dams in Uganda and Pakistan have structural cracks as well.

In Sri Lanka, elephants wander through a mostly empty international vanity airport built in the former Presidents home district.

In Zambia, the massive Mongu-Kalabo highway linking western Zambia to Angola sees mostly foot and bicycle traffic.

Performers dance as Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez arrives at Beijing's airport ahead of the Belt and Road Forum, October 2023 - Jade Gao/AFP via AP

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), China didnt build the bulk of the promised infrastructure at all  constructing less than $1bn of the agreed $3bn in infrastructure China offered in exchange for extracting critical minerals that have been valued at between $10bn and $17bn.

And through it all is Chinese-fuelled corruption. Chinese state-owned businesses paid bribes of $55m to President Joseph Kabila and his entourage in the DRC.

President Lenin Moreno and other officials in Ecuador received $76m in bribes related to the dam with thousands of cracks.

Chinese officials covered up and abetted the embezzlement of as much as $1bn by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

It's many things, but it's not 'win-win'

China has touted the BRI as the shining example of win-win cooperation based upon mutual understanding, mutual respect and mutual trust among different countries.

Xi explained Chinas approach under the BRI: We have no intention to interfere in other countries internal affairs, export our own social system and model of development, or impose our own will on others.

Xis conception of non-interference, however, clearly has some caveats, not to mention utility for Bejing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping receives Hungarian PM Viktor Orban in Beijing, October 2023 - Zoltan Fischer/MTI - Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund via AP

BRI has proven useful as an avenue for Beijings global pressure campaign to push countries to support the isolation of Taiwan and in the introduction of domestic, anti-democratic surveillance and intelligence-gathering in recipient foreign countries  to say nothing of using military intimidation to enforce controversial maritime borders in the South China Sea and leveraging nominally civilian overseas BRI assets to support Beijings military.

The BRI has aided and abetted global attempts to undermine democracy, attacks on human rights and freedoms, widespread use of Chinese propaganda and misinformation, and intimidation of press and media in foreign countries.

Moreover, BRI has contributed to the distortion of multilateral institutions, interference in the electoral process of foreign democracies, and attempts to drive division between global democracies.

The BRI may not deliver high-quality infrastructure as promised, but theres plenty of value for Beijing in disrupting democratic rules and norms.

There's no such thing as free lunch

As the celebrations for the BRI's 10th anniversary kick off, Xi is sure to announce new slogans and evolving rationale in support of another dangerous decade of BRI engagement, but attending countries would do well to ask whether their citizens have anything to gain from win-win cooperation with China.

At the Second Belt and Road Forum, Xi announced a new tagline for the BRI: Open, Green, and Clean.

Perhaps at this Third Belt and Road Forum, the most honest tagline would be: Recipients Beware  Serious Strings Attached.

Elaine Dezenski is Senior Director and Head of the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.

At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.
The Federal Government has proposed N26 trillion for the 2024 budget, which will be submitted to the National Assembly (NASS) before December 31.

Minister of Planning and Budget, Atiku Bagudu, announced the budget proposal at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Monday, at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Bagudu added that the council has approved the 2024-2025 medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) and fiscal strategy papers (FSP).

According to him, the Executive is required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act to present to NASS  ahead of budget presentation, a document which will provide the medium-term economic outlook for the economy.

He said FEC made assumptions about the reference price for crude oil which is at $73.96 per barrel as well as an exchange rate of N700.

Now, it was presented on the background of the commendable measures that have been taken since June in order to restore macroeconomic stability particularly the deregulation of petroleum prices, which we maintained that subsidies are gone and indeed the regulation of the foreign exchange market, the minister said.

READ ALSO: Dont Sell Donated Food Items  FG Appeals To IDPs

So Council deliberated, as well as the implication of this and all measures promised in the renewed hope agenda consumer credits, mortgages, reversed or dismissed institution as well as funding the newly aligned institutional changes particularly ministries with specific functions that are able to generate growth so that would be better for our country.

The council members acknowledge the medium-term expenditure framework, and it is agreed that we can go ahead to the next step of consultation and presentation to the National Assembly.

During the briefing of the state house correspondents, Dave Umahi, Minister of Works and Housing, said the Council approved the continuation of inherited road projects by the past administration which include bridges.

Also, the Federal Government said FEC meetings would only be held on Mondays going forward and the meetings may not be held weekly until there are pressing issues to discuss.
Big Brother Naija Pepper Dem winner, Mercy Eke, has disclosed her desire and readiness to get married and have children.

Mercy, who made this known in an interview with a media personality, Hero Daniels, stated that she does not want to be a Baby Mama just like some of her other celebrity colleagues.

When asked about how she is dealing with loneliness, Mercy said I dont want to be a baby mama. At this point, Im ready to settle down and have a family.

Im ready to have my own kids. If I wanted to be a baby mama, I would have been one but no disrespect to baby mamas but I would rather be married first because Im from a Christian home.

In as much as you want to be a boss lady, we just need that care, that somebody who just wakes up and checks on you. Someone who will be by your side and just do little things for you.

READ ALSO: BBNaija: Nigerians Didnt Support Me Because Ive Won Before  Mercy Eke Laments (Video)

Yeah, husband dey hungry me but I feel like Im much more ready to have a little one, she stated.

Eke, who disclosed that she is under pressure from her mother to get married, said she had contemplated having a baby through surrogacy in the past.

I had said that I was gonna buy a baby. Not like buying a baby. Just get someone, take my eggs, get someone to be a sperm donor, hire a surrogate, and have a beautiful baby.

That is what I was thinking because (of) my mum and her village people. Shes always going from one traditional wedding to another. You know, when you had gone to one thousand traditional weddings, they are now asking, When is your daughter doing her own? I said, Mummy, nobody should pressure me o!

So, I was like I could just have a baby. Happiness is happiness anywhere you find it. If you wanna give birth, you wanna get it elsewhere. Thats why I love Westerners. They just do what they like. Unlike where people would want you to be a certain way. But right now, I love that people, especially women, are doing what they like, however they deem fit.

Now, that marriage sef. Its like I go just carry belle, born, and rest. And, once I have a baby outside of marriage, I am not getting married again. Because the kind of love I will give to that baby, I will not love any man again. All my love, I will give it to my baby. So, Ive only one relationship left in me.
As part of efforts to maintain healthy road system, the Lagos State Government on Monday, issued a 7-day Vacation Order to motorists/commercial bus drivers operating on top of bridges across the State.

This was made known in a statement released by the Special Adviser to the States Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa.

Giwa disclosed that vehicles are causing serious obstructions around these bridges with great negative impacts on the integrity of the bridges and traffic.

READ MORE: Lagos Govt Shuts Mile 12, Owode Onirin Markets Over Environmental Pollution

The statement reads in part: Every motorist/commercial bus driver operating along Apongbon and Idumota (Cater) Bridges, Elegbata:, Ebute-Ero and Ejalonibu must as a matter of urgency vacate these areas as LASTMA would commence strict enforcement operation immediately after the expiration of this ultimatum until zero tolerance is achieved across the state.

Giwa, however, affirmed that after the expiration of the ultimatum, any vehicles that contravened would be immediately charged to the Lagos State Mobile Court for prosecution.
The Federal Government on Monday posited that journalists deserve better conditions, hence, need to be encouraged and paid their dues.

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, in ansaid journalists sometimes pay the supreme price like the armed forces and are working in the most difficult times.

Peculiarity allowance for journalists is a contentious issue. However, we all agree that journalists need to be encouraged and have their dues.

This is because, they are working under and during the most difficult times, and sometimes, they pay the supreme price just like members of our armed forces.

Many times, you see journalists have been embedded with members of the armed forces when they go to fight insurgents in the country and many of them come back with injuries.

READ ALSO: Insecurity: NANS Declares Zamfara No School Zone- Vows To Stage Protest Over Insecurity

You saw what happened recently in Zamfara, where a journalist lost his life because of the activities of bandits.

These are not desirable things and every minister of information would want to see that this comes to an end.

I advocate that journalists should live better. I am also conscious of the fact that they operate within the confines of our economic boundary.

It is, therefore necessary that we look, not in part, but in whole, that at the end of the day, we are also seen to be responsible citizens of the country, News Agency of Nigeria quoted Idris as saying.
The Ondo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to continue its street protest against the absence of the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, from the state.

Recall that the States PDP had earlier called out Akeredolu, who since his return from his medical trip to Germany has allegedly remained in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday stormed the Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State.

The security operatives positioned their vehicles outside the secretariat of the state opposition party.

Confirming the presence of security operatives, the Ondo PDP spokesperson, Kennedy Peretei, said that the security operatives were there to prevent a planned peaceful protest by youths of the party.

Peretei added that the protest was for the youths to demand the whereabouts of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu after being absent from the State since April 2023, adding that staff were not allowed into the secretariat.

The PDP youth, after being blocked by security operatives, vowed to continue their demonstration to push for Akeredolus resignation if he fails to return to his responsibilities.

Peretei said: It took frantic efforts of members of the PDP State Working Committee before the secretariat gate was opened amidst serious tension and confrontation.

Photo Journalists were threatened to stop recording anything, lest their cameras were smashed. But as the PDP youths forced themselves into the secretariat, proceeding on a street protest would amount to daring the trigger-happy police to do their worst.

READ MORE: Security Operatives Seal Off Ondo PDP Secretariat Over Planned Protest

As much as the officers tried to stop the protest, they failed because the youths displayed their banners and placards to Journalists who gained entrance into the secretariat.

We cannot be intimidated by security agents who are paid with taxpayers money. We have the right to demand the whereabouts of the governor if he is missing in action.

Another PDP Chieftain, Akintade Tayo, said the party members were embarrassed because security agencies were notified to avoid holding the party responsible for any breakdown of law and order.

And we were asking them what they were doing here, but they said they dont want us to enter. After some time, they allowed us access but some of our staff were asked to leave the office.

All the youth that were supposed to participate in the peaceful protest were outside. All weve asked for is very simple. Where is Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu? He was elected the Governor of Ondo State.

We can no longer continue like this. We are the voice of the people, we are the voice of the masses. We are saying, Mr Governor must resume back to duty, he can no longer govern us by proxy, and we can no longer be hearing that hes one thing or the other when weve not sighted him, he said.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be united and work to rebuild the party.

Mbah who spoke on Monday at the South-East zonal meeting of the party in Enugu, expressed optimism that the Party would bounce back from its travails.

According to him, many members of the Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were formerly members of PDP.

His words: But providence has placed a lot on us in the history of the PDP that we now have to steer the affairs of the party and (take) it back to its former glory  to that preeminent position we have always held in the historical and political developments of this country.

READ ALSO: Appeal Court Sacks Adamawa Senator, Elisha Abbo

And in doing that we have a couple of areas we have to look into such as financial, administrative, and operational strategies to bring us back to preeminence.

So, it is time for us to begin to craft a strategy on how we can get back to that pole position that we had always occupied.

It means we have to, first of all, consolidate our support base as a party and go on to now reach out to our brothers and sisters who may have felt aggrieved for one reason or the other and left the party to see how we can bring them back.

Adolphus Wabara, chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), who was at the meeting, said he was certain that members who left the party would return.

Nothing will happen to the PDP. Before you know it, all these people will come back because this is their home, he said.

Wabara asked members of the party not to be discouraged but to continue to have hope in the PDP.
Nico Swan, 23, is the director of a new documentary about Philly's DIY music scene, "Fly High DIY," supported by Red Bull and the Ghetto Film School. Read more

The phrase DIY, short for Do It Yourself, isnt just about going to the hardware store to pick out the right kind of nails and plywood for your weekend project.

DIY also describes the people and bands who put on small-scale music concerts in nontraditional venues, like basements and parks. Its about inventiveness, independence, rebelliousness, unwavering support, and community all wrapped up in music, making Philly a ripe spot for its own flourishing DIY scene.

Once Nico Swan, a 23-year-old filmmaker from Detroit and TikTok micro celebrity, learned about Phillys brand of DIY, he knew he had to come see it for himself.

We gotta film this. This is like magic. Nico Swan

Last month, Swan released a short documentary about it titled Fly High DIY as part of a program created by Red Bull and Ghetto Film School that supports up and coming filmmakers. The documentary is available to watch for free on Red Bulls website.

Swan spoke with The Inquirer about his film, what makes Philadelphias DIY community uniquely strong, and why he believes Spider-Man 2 (2004) is one of the greatest movies ever made.

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This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

How did you become a filmmaker?

When I was a youngster, I used to just watch the same two movies on repeat  Spider-Man 2 and Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. And looking back, I think I knew I was a filmmaker because I wouldnt reenact Spider-Man fighting. I would always reenact the character moments of him just being a regular person, eating hotdogs and stuff.

Spider-Man 2 is one of the greatest films of all time. Hes a hero, but he loses his powers. And hes just trying to figure out his life. I feel like Spider-Man as a whole can just relate to anybody because hes just a regular guy. Cant afford his rent, having girl troubles. A Black kid could really relate to being in the Spider-Man mask, I guess.

I got my first camera when I was 11 and have just been making stuff ever since.

At the beginning of the film, you mention how you didnt feel like you belonged anywhere until you picked up skateboarding and got connected with DIY through it. How would you describe that relationship and this community to people who arent familiar with it?

I feel like somethings wrong with me, but anytime music is playing, I cant help but dance.

And DIY is a community of people who put on their own [music] shows in the most obscure places. A lot of times it could be someones basement, abandoned garage, or even like a skate park.

And these are just people that are creating art in the community. Youre not asking permission from anybody or you dont need a sponsorship or anything from a big company. Its people doing it themselves, doing what they want to do and making art.

It has origins from punk, but now theres DIY shows where theres rap and theres R&B, its all types of music. Anything that you can make with some instruments, thats what its gonna sound like. Everyone is for each other and theyre there for the right reasons.

 READ MORE: Philly skaters hold a vigil for Tyre Nichols: Were here to represent someone who was just like us

Skateboarding is that same counterculture of free spirits doing what they love. Its kind of always been [hand in hand]. When youre just out in your city square skating on a rail or stairs, anything you could find outside, thats always been frowned upon.

Youre from Detroit, but picked Phillys DIY community for this documentary. What about it was so compelling to you?

Im so fricking blessed to even have discovered Philly. I dont think I could have made the film without discovering the Philly DIY scene at all. Its not even close, to be honest, how great the DIY scene is in Philly compared to everywhere else.

I would look at these Philly shows and I would see the same bands, playing the same shows, and they were all friends and they all had a film guy who would do stuff for them. It just screamed community when I saw it. And everyone seemed like they connected together. And it was more like a family.

 READ MORE: We asked seven Philly DJs  from North Philly to Manayunk  to compile a playlist filled with songs that reflect the city

I hope people will watch this and try to figure out where their local DIY community is, because every city has one. Every city might not be as cool as Phillys, but every city has a small or big DIY community.

The highlight of the documentary is this moment where youre at a DIY show in Cecil B. Moore Plaza, and between performances a concertgoer named Moo suddenly picks a microphone and starts rapping. The musicians and the crowd are really supportive and everyone gets into it. How did it feel watching that happen in real time?

I dont have a million dollars, but if I did, Id owe Moo like a million, trillion dollars because that moment really made the film and it was 100% unplanned.

There were the two bands, Friend and Dummy Pass, and it was a third band that was gonna play at the end called Glue.

And while theyre waiting for another member of their band to show up, Moo, the random guy who was at the DIY show, asked if he could just start rapping over anything. And before Moo even rapped, he offered his hoodie to help mend the drum set because Friend, theyre a little crazy, they actually broke it.

 READ MORE: A new mural in North Philly pays tribute to all elements of the citys hip-hop culture

I didnt even know he rapped, I just looked over and there he was, randomly looking like he was starting to perform. And I was like, everybody turn the camera back on. We gotta film this. This is like magic.

That really was the moment that highlighted what DIY was. People doing what they can to make art and do it for the right reasons.
Camden cannabis consumers can now legally grab a bag without even getting out of their cars.

Organic Farms, the citys newest recreational cannabis dispensary, opened with a soft launch on Monday. It comes with what owner Dominic Rivera says is a milestone for South Jersey marijuana  the areas first cannabis drive-thru window.

Theres going to be a couple more coming up in the future, said Rivera, a 51-year-old Camden native. But were the first around here.

The dispensary, Rivera added, is also Camdens first recreational micro dispensary, essentially on the opposite end of the spectrum from large multi-state operators that have dominated New Jerseys marijuana industry. Recreational cannabis sales began in New Jersey in April 2022, and the state is home to more than 50 adult-use cannabis retailers, according to state data.

For me, its a big deal because Im the little guy, Rivera said.

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To use the drive-thru, customers will need to make an order online via the Organic Farms website, and then head to the shop at 2895 Mt. Ephraim Ave. There, they will have their IDs verified, pay, and pickup their products, all without leaving the comfort of their vehicle. (Curbside delivery and in-store shopping are also available.)

That element of Organic Farms is a bit of kismet for Rivera, who came to the cannabis business nearly a decade ago after 20 years in the banking industry. As luck would have it, Organic Farms ended up opening shop in a former PNC Bank location, and retained the ex-banks drive-thru with municipal approval.

Aint that funny? Rivera said. We got blessed.

While Rivera has lifelong ties to Camden, he owned his first cannabis-focused business across the river in South Philly. In 2018, he and a group of friends opened the CBD-centric shop Hemperiffic, which still operates around the corner from the former Melrose Diner.

Rivera, however, ended up selling his shares in Hemperiffic amid the coronavirus pandemic, when a bout of COVID-19 caused him to have a heart attack that seriously impacted his life for nearly two years, leaving him unable to work.

I was out of commission, and I almost died, Rivera said. I couldnt walk. I couldnt talk. I had multiple heart attacks after that, and went back to the hospital multiple times.

Ultimately, a buy-out offer from his Hemperiffic partners was what he called a miracle, because it allowed him to focus on getting Organic Farms off the ground.

That opening doesnt come without a little swag. The shop serves as one of five Cookies Corners locations in New Jersey, thanks to a deal with popular rapper Berners Cookies cannabis and clothing brand. The shop, Rivera said, will carry exclusive Cookies products, and will likely see in-store visits from the rapper when hes in the area for performances.

As for Philadelphians: Just dont bring any product back over the bridge with you. The shop is located just a couple minutes drive from the Walt Whitman and Ben Franklin bridges but cant be carried across state lines.

We are the closest to Philly right now, Rivera said.
Danilo Cavalcante is escorted from the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Avondale, Pa. on Sept. 13. Read more

A corrections officer at Chester County Prison warned staff that Danilo Cavalcante was preparing to escape weeks before he broke out, according to county officials.

I am just sending this cause I dont want this to come back on us or [Officer Gerardo] Hernandez in any way. He noted back in July that this inmate was planning an escape, Sgt. Jerry Beavers wrote in an email to Capt. Harry Griswold hours after Cavalcante escaped on Aug. 31 by crab-walking up the prisons wall onto its roof. The email was first reported by ABC News.

 READ MORE: A step-by-step look at Danelo Cavalcantes escape, search, and capture

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Cavalcante  who had been sentenced to life in prison for stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death in front of her children  was moved to a maximum-security unit at the state correctional facility at Phoenix after evading police for two weeks. During the manhunt across Chester County, authorities say, he stole a van from a dairy; contacted former coworkers for help; broke into a house in West Chester and took peaches, apples and snap peas; and then stole a rifle from a home in South Coventry Township.

He was captured behind a tractor dealership in Pottstown on Sept. 13. The prison guard on watch when Cavalcante escaped was fired.

 READ MORE: Two weeks on edge: How law enforcement tracked down an escaped murderer in Chester County

That July warning from a corrections officer was not the first time Cavalcante was considered a flight risk.

A source at the Chester County prison, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the investigation, said Tuesday that Cavalcante was considered a risk of escape the entire time he was incarcerated at the facility. He was being held at the county prison while awaiting a transfer to a state prison.

During Cavalcantes trial, he was taken to the county courthouse in West Chester in a chase car, a vehicle that sheriff deputies use in pursuits, rather than the standard vehicle used for carrying prisoners. It was done, the source said, as an extra layer of precaution, because Cavalcante had tried to flee to Mexico after killing his ex.

Chester County spokesperson Rebecca Brain said Tuesday that Cavalcante was initially identified as an escape risk when he was admitted to the prison in 2021. In addition, county officials had received unsubstantiated information from an unknown source that Cavalcante planned to escape around the time of his trial, according to Brain.

Before Cavalcante escaped, Chester County Prison took security measures for inmates identified as an escape risk only when they were being taken off prison property, Brain said in a statement to The Inquirer. That policy, she said, was one reason the Prison Board put new leadership in place.

The prison has since made changes to the way it handles inmates at risk of escape under Acting Warden Howard Holland, whose first day on the job was the day Cavalcante ran away. The changes include assigning one or two corrections officers to monitor high-risk inmates when they are outside of their cells, Brain said.

The email from Beavers was forwarded to Holland after the escape so that the then-new warden knew that information about an escape was previously noted, according to Brain.

Cavalcante was not the first inmate to escape from Chester County Prison in 2023: Igor Bolte broke out of the facility in May by scaling the walls of the prison yard in the same manner.

After that, the prison began adding razor wire to gaps on the roof but hadnt yet completed the job when Cavalcante escaped, Holland told residents at a town-hall meeting in September.

 READ MORE: Chester County residents voice anger, concerns at town hall after Danilo Cavalcante prison escape: I couldnt sleep

Holland promised additional security measures at the facility, including more razor wire, 50 to 75 new security cameras, and a dedicated officer to monitor those cameras around the clock, as well as potential GPS monitoring for high-risk inmates.

I want you to honestly know, from the bottom of my heart, that I am embarrassed and angry for what happened, Holland said at the town-hall meeting. But Im here to tell you that I believe I can make things better.
Zahir Johnson and two other males attacked a man in 2022 outside of a gas station in Warrington Township. Read more

An East Germantown man was sentenced to 11 to 30 years in state prison Monday for a violent carjacking in Bucks County that went viral online after the attack was captured on video.

Zahir Johnson, 22, pleaded guilty in July to simple assault, robbery of a motor vehicle, criminal conspiracy, theft, and related offenses in the June 2022 carjacking outside a Lukoil gas station in Warrington, as well as an earlier, unsuccessful carjacking earlier that day.

Prosecutors, led by Deputy District Attorney Alan J. Garabedian, urged Bucks County Court Judge Wallace Bateman to hand down the lengthy sentence, given the nature of the carjacking and Johnsons criminal record. Court records show he has several felony convictions in Philadelphia on charges including aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy.

Bateman agreed, running the sentences for the two attacks consecutively.

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 READ MORE: Carjackings in Philly are on a record pace. Officials arent sure why.

Johnsons attorney, Niels Eriksen, said that while the sentence was long, he believed it was fair, given Johnsons criminal record.

This decision gives him the opportunity to be paroled at a relatively early age and build a better life, Eriksen said.

Johnson and two accomplices whom police did not identify publicly were walking along Easton Road in Warrington on June 13, 2022, according to the affidavit of probable cause for Johnsons arrest. The trio walked into a Shell station just before 7 p.m. and approached a man pumping gas in his car.

The group demanded that the man turn over his keys, the affidavit said. When he refused, they struggled with him, but he was able to break free and run inside the gas station to call police.

Johnson and the others fled and continued to walk along Easton Road, according to the affidavit. About an hour later, they repeated their scheme at the Lukoil station.

In that attack, which was recorded by the stations surveillance cameras, one of the males snuck up behind a man pumping his gas and placed him in a chokehold, the affidavit said. Another member of the group punched him and ordered him to hand over his keys. The victim threw the keys on the ground, and the men released him.

They drove off in the victims Nissan SUV, but the car was recovered by police nearby, crashed into a building. Johnson and his codefendants ran but were arrested not long after.
By Andrew Hay

(Reuters) -A New Mexico man was charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a demonstrator at a protest over plans to reinstall a statue of a Spanish conquistador in the north of the state, police said.

Twenty-three-year-old Ryan Martinez of Sandia Park was arrested on Thursday after he shot a 42-year-old man while attempting to disrupt a peaceful protest at a civic center in Espanola, state police said in a statement.

The return of the statue of 16th-century colonial ruler Juan de Onate to a pedestal outside the public offices had been planned for Thursday but postponed by officials due to security concerns. The bronze was taken down in 2020 during nationwide anti-racism protests to topple monuments to European colonizers and Confederate officials.

A public defender assigned to Martinez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The wounded man, identified by family as Native American climate activist Jacob Johns of Seattle, was in critical condition at University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque awaiting surgery, said Mateo Peixinho, an organizer for the protest rally.

"We strongly believe this fits the definition of a hate crime and domestic terrorism due to the fact that he was wearing a MAGA hat and displaying instigating behavior all morning," Peixinho said in a statement, referring to the "Make America Great Again" slogan used by former President Donald Trump.

Police said Martinez jumped a low wall and got into a scuffle with protesters before he pulled a handgun from his waistband, fired one shot and fled.

It was the latest violence around statues to Onate, the area's first colonial governor, erected in the 1990s to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Spaniards.

The monuments have long outraged Native Americans and others who trace Onate's brutal 1598 colonization to contemporary problems ranging from gender inequality to institutional racism.

Some ancestors of Spanish colonial settlers, known as Hispanos, say he should be celebrated as part of New Mexico's Hispanic heritage.

(Reporting By Andrew Hay; Editing by Chris Reese and William Mallard)
State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams is shown in this June file photo. Williams, a longtime charter supporter, called the Philadelphia school board "corrupt" at a Tuesday press conference in Harrisburg. He also spoke at a June rally for the African American Charter School Coalition, shown here. Read more

A coalition of Black charter school operators and their supporters came out swinging Tuesday, saying the Philadelphia school board was corrupt, calling for replacement of most of its members, and objecting in strong terms to its handling of an independent report on whether the board and its charter office are biased against them.

We need to look at President Reginald Streater and the school board and we need to say to them: You are wrong, Larry Jones, CEO of the Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School in Southwest Philadelphia and member of the African American Charter School Coalition, said during a news conference in Harrisburg Tuesday.

The AACSC said it represents 18 Black-led charter schools. Citywide, there are 83 charters.

Despite the reports findings of inherent conflicts of interest between the district and the charter schools it authorizes, unique challenges faced by Black-led charters, and lack of training for district staff on implicit bias and antiracism, Jones said that Streater and the school board decided to manipulate that and boil it down to one phrase  no overt racism.

Jones said he would not call Streater a racist, but if I find bias and racist policies and you go out of your way every day to defend that, youre the closest thing to it that I can ever think of.

He accused Streater of hiding information and called on Philadelphias next mayor  likely Cherelle Parker, the Democratic nominee  to nonrenew that school board right now. The mayor chooses the nine members of the school board; he or she is free to choose from among current members or pick new ones. All must then be confirmed by City Council.

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State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams used stronger language in castigating the board, saying it was downright funky stinkin rotten to the core. Corrupt.

Williams, a longtime charter advocate, called Streater out personally, saying Streater was acting like hes Mr. Black man of America, then harming Black children with his actions.

Streater, in a statement, said he would not address the attempts to slur my reputation and my Blackness by other Black folks, or the factual misrepresentations but said that my record in life, professionally and via service to my community, speaks for itself  adding that serving on the school board requires absorbing wrongheaded attacks on behalf of Black, and all other students in the city.

He said the report stands on its own, as do the reasons why some Black-led charters have closed.

Lets stop the name calling, lets be passionate and pragmatic, lets do it from a student-centered paradigm, and lets focus on the facts. Our children deserve it. Our city deserves it, Streater said.

Mayor Jim Kenney affirmed his support for Streater and the board through Sarah Peterson, a spokesperson.

The board faces many difficult questions and is tasked with the incredible responsibility of moving Philadelphia schools forward after generations of disinvestment, Peterson said in a statement. Our administration is grateful for their leadership and service. Mayor Kenney is confident in the boards judgment and commitment to the success of all students, and in President Streaters leadership.

A fight over facts and leadership

The report, released Oct. 6, was commissioned by the school board in December 2021 in response to complaints raised by the coalition about the disproportionate closure and rejection of minority-led charter schools. While charters operate independently, they are publicly funded and authorized by local school districts.

Between 2010 and 2021, eight of the 13 schools the district moved to not renew or revoke were Black-led, according to the report by the Ballard Spahr law firm, which called on the district to press for changes to the charter law to address the inherent conflicts of interest present in a system in which the same entity serves as the charter school authorizer/evaluator/funder, and a competitor to charter schools.

Among other recommendations, the report also suggested the board separate its charter schools office into two separate offices, one that handles charter-school authorizing and another that handles charter support.

The interim chief of the districts charter office, Peng Chao, was appointed permanent chief by the board on Oct. 12, following the reports release.

Both Williams and Jones also took issue with that promotion  with Jones calling it tantamount to appointing an abuser to monitor his victims.

Youre getting your butt out of there, Williams said to Chao, who was not at the news conference. Im not saying that as a threat, Im saying it as a promise.

In a statement earlier this month, Streater said Chaos promotion is the culmination of his continued commitment to leadership focused on steering the [charter office] to be the ever-evolving partner, resource and dependable professional office that it aspires to be under what has been a challenging environment, including, but not limited to, the pandemic.

The charter coalition has an ally in school board member Lisa Salley, who in a post on her personal Facebook page, encouraged public education supporters and charter families to demand new leadership and restructuring of the charter school office. We must ensure zero tolerance for racially motivated or unintentional biased actions.

Salley also apologized for the boards characterization of the report and the way it was released, on a Friday afternoon with little time for advocates and the public to absorb the nearly 200 pages of fact-finding. Salley also said after scrutinizing the report, she found it does not specifically rule racism in nor out.

Coalition leaders planned to meet with lawmakers at the conclusion of their news conference Tuesday.

The authorizing system is broken in Philadelphia, and we can no longer rely on the people who created the problems to fix them, said Dawn Chavous, a charter parent and spokesperson for the coalition.

Williams said he believes every Philadelphia legislator should be on fire with this report, and encouraged charter supporters to be forceful, as well.

When you all go in there, you need to light them up, Williams said. Why are you waiting to get involved in this conversation? I wanted chairs flying around, voices rising, I want to hear all that stuff.
Officials at Franklin Towne Charter High School, shown in this May file photo, have sued the Philadelphia School District to force a change in the hearing officer set to begin proceedings in a nonrenewal hearing. Charter school officials point to a recently-released report that says the while the district has not committed overt bias against Black-led charter schools, it should vary hearing officers to avoid the appearance of bias. Read more

Franklin Towne Charter High School  facing revocation of its charter over allegations it rigged its admissions lottery  has filed a lawsuit against the Philadelphia School District, asking a judge to force the school system to replace the hearing officer set to begin proceedings on Wednesday.

Citing a recently released report examining allegations of racial bias in Philadelphia charter authorization and closure, the charter schools lawyers said the hearing officer, Rudy Garcia, must go. Garcia is an independent hearing officer but has presided over most of the districts revocation and non-renewal proceedings, issuing findings and recommendations on whether the school board should vote to close a charter.

Although the report found that the district engaged in no overt bias, the report recommended that the school board stop using Garcia for most hearings as this practice has created the appearance of an improper bias toward the Board of Education and has resulted in a lack of trust in the system from the charter school sector.

Franklin Towne lawyers said the school asked Garcia to recuse himself voluntarily, and he refused. Then, they said, they asked the school board to remove Garcia, and after the board refused, they filed suit late Monday.

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A spokesperson for the school board declined to comment. A pre-hearing conference is scheduled for Wednesday, in what is only the first stage in the charter revocation process: Following hearings, the school board will have to vote on whether to revoke Franklin Townes charter. Even if it does, the school has the right to appeal.

Franklin Townes charter is in jeopardy following accusations that it manipulated its lottery to exclude students from certain zip codes. A whistleblower from the school asserted that its longtime former CEO, Joe Venditti, had ordered the exclusion of specific zip codes from Januarys lottery; an Inquirer analysis in May found astronomically small  1 in 1,296 trillion  odds that the results happened naturally.

Students in majority-Black zip codes were particularly disadvantaged by the lottery, which accepted students from 22 zip codes, but not 17 other city zip codes, The Inquirer found.

Venditti abruptly resigned in February, after the whistleblower, Patrick Field, alerted the districts charter schools office to the lottery issues.

The district had previously raised concern about the high-performing Northeast Philadelphia schools admission practices and demographics, which dont match the rest of the school systems. More than half of Franklin Townes student body  54%  is white, while 23% is Latino, 12% Black, 8% multiracial, and 2% Asian.

In moving to revoke the schools charter, the charter schools office in August found that Franklin Towne hadnt just appeared to have excluded students from Januarys lottery, but also from those in previous years  with no students accepted from five majority-Black zip codes in West and Southwest Philadelphia during at least three of the four years reviewed.

The extremely low probability of this distribution occurring by chance further underscores the potential presence of non-random factors influencing the acceptance process, the office said.

At the time of The Inquirers story in May, Franklin Towne called the allegations a serious matter and said it had hired an external agency to investigate.

But the school said in August that it was blindsided by the districts move to revoke its charter  and said that it was confident that we will overcome any manipulation of the facts portrayed either in the media or in public meetings by the charter schools office. It did not say which facts it believed were manipulated.
Penn students and supporters march down Locust Walk in support of Palestinians and in criticism over president Liz Magills comments on Sunday. Read more

Several hundred University of Pennsylvania faculty, students, and other supporters of Palestinians walked out of classes Monday morning and called on the university to do more for its Palestinian students.

They were particularly upset that president Liz Magills statement to the campus community on Sunday, denouncing antisemitism and calling out the Hamas attacks on Israel the week before, never mentioned Palestinians or the deaths of people in Gaza.

I just want to remind Liz Magill, Im your Palestinian student, Penn law student Jenan Abu Shtaya said to the crowd of about 300, drawing cheers.

 READ MORE: Penn president said university should have moved faster in opposing Palestine Writes speakers with a history of antisemitism

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The protest, which lasted all day, followed the statement Sunday by Magill that said the university should have moved faster last month in opposing speakers at the Palestine Writes literature festival who had a history of making antisemitic remarks. She also strongly condemned Hamas attack on Israel.

I want to leave no doubt about where I stand, Magill said. I, and this university, are horrified by and condemn Hamass terrorist assault on Israel and their violent atrocities against civilians. There is no justification  none  for these heinous attacks 

Her comments followed weeks of backlash from donors and board members who said the university had not been doing enough to condemn the speakers, and now, to address the situation in Israel. Major donor Jon Huntsman Jr., a former governor of Utah and former U.S. ambassador to Russia, China, and Singapore, said on Saturday in a letter to Magill that his familys foundation would halt donations to Penn. Another donor, Marc Rowan, who in 2018 gave $50 million to Wharton, said he also would stop giving to the school and called on Magill and board chair Scott L. Bok to resign. A member of the board of trustees, Vahan Gureghian, resigned in protest on Saturday.

While similar clashes are playing out on college campuses across the country following Hamas attacks and Israels counterassault, the stakes have been raised at Penn, where high-profile donors calls for action have only added to prior upheaval over the festival. The literature festival was billed as celebrating Palestinian culture and arts but also invited controversial speakers, including Roger Waters, cofounder of Pink Floyd, who the U.S. State Department said has a long track record of using antisemitic tropes.

 READ MORE: Penn donor who gave $50 million calls for university leaders to resign over embrace of antisemitism

The university did not respond to a request for comment about the protest.

This is our university, too

To the speakers at Mondays protest, none of the backlash Penn faced was justification for Magill not mentioning Palestinians in her campus communication Sunday.

You cannot write a statement that shows you have only been listening to some trustees and alums, Eve M. Troutt Powell, a professor of history who specializes in the modern Middle East, said during the protest, held outside Penns Van Pelt Library. You cannot write a statement and assume that theres no protection for all of us on this campus. This is the University of Pennsylvania. This is our university, too!

The group carried the Palestinian flag and waved signs: Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism. Condemn Hamas, Free Palestine.

 READ MORE: Charter-school magnate Vahan H. Gureghian resigns as Penn trustee, accusing leadership of embracing antisemitism

I am not doing anything but staying here and saying to this campus, to this world, no, no to genocide, said Ahmad Almallah, 41, a Palestinian poet and artist-in-residence in the English departments creative writing program.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health on Monday, more than 2,800 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed since Hamas attack, the New York Times reported. An additional 1,400 have died in Israel; the Israeli military said Monday that nearly 200 people had been taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack.

Ania Loomba, a professor of English and comparative literature, said the protest was held to show disappointment in the administrations lack of concern and compassion for the loss of lives in Gaza and how its affecting students and faculty. She also criticized what she called the insidious way the university administration linked the Palestine Writes festival to antisemitism.

Ive never done a walkout of class before, but Im doing it today, she said. I have Palestinian students in my class. They are feeling terrified.

Shtaya, the Penn law student, said Magills statements made her feel excluded, as if her experience didnt matter.

Recognize our existence, she said.

Her educational experience at Penn has been top notch, she said, but the leadership of the university hasnt practiced what she has learned.

It was here where I read texts about the history of colonial regimes and the importance of decolonization, she said. I was proud while doing this to be a Penn student and to be in classes with brilliant professors and students. I just want the university to try to do part of what it tries to teach us in the classrooms.

A 20-year-old student from Jordan who belongs to Penn Students Against the Occupation said her biggest frustration is wishing she could do more for those dying in Gaza. She missed two classes on Monday to show her support at the protest.

 READ MORE: Critics in an uproar over speakers at this weekends Palestine Writes literature festival held at Penn

The student asked not to be named because members of a student coalition at Harvard experienced harassment earlier this month when it released a statement that said it held the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. That erupted in controversy with calls for the university to condemn the letter.

At the event at Penn, public safety officers stood around the rim of the protest.

Parents and prospective students on campus tours looked on as the protesters marched up Locust Walk to the Wharton School, where they continued to chant: Free, free Palestine.

Outside the Annenberg School for Communication, a truck was parked with a sign plastered on its side, featuring a picture of Magill and reading: President Magill, Are you ashamed? Resign Today.

Chair: Magill leadership is the right group to take the university forward

But it looks like thats not going to happen.

Bok, the board chair, said in a statement that more than 50 current and emeritus trustees have met twice virtually over the last few days to allow Magill to update them on the situation and to talk through the impact this challenging moment is having on Penns campus.

The unanimous sense of those gathered was that President Magill and her existing university leadership team are the right group to take the university forward, he said.

Outside Penn Hillel, where Jewish students gather on campus, most students approached didnt want to discuss the protest or Magills Sunday email.

Josh Weissman, 19, a computer science major from Los Angeles, said it was frustrating to see the protest after so many innocent Israeli citizens were killed. He was at Penn Hillel the same day last month that a man entered and vandalized it, while shouting antisemitic remarks.

It was definitely a scary moment, he said.

Asked if he feels safe on Penns campus, he said: I dont feel like Im going to get attacked on a random day walking down Locust. But a month ago, it felt a lot safer.
When Baltimore restaurateur Alex Smith was scouting locations, he remembered a trip that he took to Philadelphia a decade ago to see Estia, the upscale Greek seafood restaurant across from the Academy of Music. It inspired his own restaurant, Ouzo Bay, which opened in 2012 in Baltimores Harbor East.

From there, operating as Atlas Restaurant Group, Smith embarked on a staggering run of openings in Maryland, Florida, Texas, and D.C. He has nearly three dozen now.

But none in Philadelphia.

Then he heard that developer Carl Dranoff was looking for a tenant for the ground floor of his Arthaus condo building across from the Kimmel Center. Smith realized that Philadelphia and Baltimore have certain similarities, Smith said: East Coast port cities with longtime seafood traditions and blue-collar ethos.

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Last weekend, Smith opened Loch Bar  the fourth, after locations in Baltimore, Boca Raton, Fla., and Houston.

Loch Bar, a classic seafood tavern with an open layout and 13-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, has an enormous raw bar that adjoins a 17-seat bar that serves 100-plus brown spirits, as well as beers and cocktails. There are 50 seats outdoors on both the Broad Street and Spruce Street sidewalks, as well as a rarity in restaurants today: live music nightly.

Smith said he decided on Loch Bar for Philadelphia based on the performance of the location in Baltimore, which is at the Four Seasons Hotel. We look at it as our all-day restaurant, he said. What we were really looking for was an amenity for the Avenue of the Arts and Arthaus, as well as a lot of the other high-end residential thats around that area.

Loch Bar fully lights the corner of Broad and Spruce, also occupied by the Kimmel Center (with Garces Trading Co. restaurant and Volver on the Spruce side), the Wilma Theater, and Steak 48 steak house. Smith said he enjoys a synergy with Steak 48, whose location in Houstons River Oaks district is next to Loch Bar.

To counter the out-of-town label, Smith has installed locals in charge. Chef Michael OHalloran, who worked at Fork and White Dog Cafe years ago, was chef-owner of Old Citys Bistro 7 for nearly 14 years before a brief stint in South Philadelphia with Bistro La Bete. Most recently, he was executive chef at Stella in New Hope. General manager Lynn Rinaldi was chef-owner of Paradiso in South Philadelphia for its run of nearly 15 years.

The menu focuses on Mid-Atlantic-inspired seafood, including towers, Dover sole, Maryland-style crab cakes, lobster, and king crab, but we do have people who come in and grab a burger or a lobster roll or a salad, Smith said. Lunch specials are offered, in addition to the all-day menu.

He estimated average dinner price tags of $75 to $85 per person including alcohol, putting it squarely in line with many Center City destination restaurants.

Loch Bar opens at 11 a.m. for lunch and spans happy hour, dinner, and late night. Weekend brunch is a few weeks away.

The live music  mainly solos or duos starting after dinnertime  plays into the Avenue of the Arts leitmotif. Arthaus is on the former site of Philadelphia International Records, where producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff created the sound of Philadelphia in the 1960s and 70s. The building was razed several years ago, making way for Arthaus.

Smith, 39, started in the food business while a student at the University of Delaware by opening a Haagen-Dazs ice cream shop next to a movie theater in a downtown Baltimore building that his grandfather, a baker turned developer, was opening. Then came a nearby deli, selling pizza and sandwiches. His next move was fine dining.

Loch Bars opening weekend in Philadelphia pleased Smith. The crowds been young, old, and diverse  people from all walks of life, he said.
Fox Chase Cancer Center is investing in a Minnesota-based start-up that develops drugs to diagnose and treat cancer by injecting patients with radioactive molecules that can target solid tumors with more precision than traditional methods.

The investment is part of a $56 million venture capital fundraising round reported Tuesday by Nucleus RadioPharma, a developer of radiopharmaceuticals, as this class of drugs is known.

Fox Chase leaders said the deal puts the Philadelphia cancer center at the forefront of what they see as one of the most promising areas of cancer research, bringing more clinical trial possibilities and potentially a new drug manufacturing hub to the Philadelphia region.

Leaders declined to disclose how much the institution contributed to the early stage fundraising round known as a series A.

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The global radiopharmaceutical industry was valued at $5.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $13.7 billion over the next 10 years, according to Allied Market Research, which assesses the market for investors.

Investing in Nucleus RadioPharma is not just about funding a company but about catalyzing an entire sector, Robert Uzzo, president and CEO of Fox Chase, said in a statement.

Nucleus RadioPharma was co-founded in 2022 by Mayo Clinic and Eclipse, a Silicon Valley venture firm. Eclipse and GE HealthCare were the lead investors; others included Mayo Clinic, Mercy Health, and University of Missouri.

Radiopharmaceutical therapy considered more precise, safer

Radiopharmaceuticals contain radioactive molecules that, when injected into a patient in very small doses, can find and light up a tumor, which makes tumors easier to see and enables doctors to make a more precise diagnosis, said Gary Cohen, chair of Fox Chases department of diagnostic imaging.

Higher doses of a radiopharmaceutical could be used to treat the tumor. The approach can more directly target a tumor with less risk of radiation spreading to nearby tissue, compared to traditional radiation therapy, which uses beams of radiation to zap tumors.

Its way more personalized, but also its less toxic because it goes to only where the tumor is, Cohen said.

Nucleus RadioPharma projects growth

A major limitation: Radioactive drugs lose their power quickly, which means that currently they can be used only among patients who are treated at a medical facility near a manufacturing site.

The new funding will enable Nucleus, which is based near Mayo Clinics Minnesota headquarters, to begin addressing these supply chain issues so that the treatments can be mass produced, company CEO Charles S. Conroy said in a news release.

By 2027, the company plans to open two regional factory hubs, one of which will be in the Philadelphia area, according to a news release from Fox Chase.

Cohen said he is eager for Fox Chase to be part of creating an East Coast powerhouse through a new manufacturing site. Through the partnership, Fox Chase will be able to participate in Nucleus clinical trials.

The investment is a first for Fox Chase and may not be its last.

In a statement, Uzzo said Fox Chase would continue to seek out partnership opportunities that are innovative, move science forward, and ultimately benefit patients with cancer.
Election Day is around the corner. On Nov. 7, Pennsylvanians will get to cast their votes in the 2023 municipal election.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and will remain open through 8 p.m. Anyone over 18, who has been a U.S. citizen and a PA resident for at least 30 days before Election Day, can vote  registration ends Oct. 23.

There are two ways to cast your vote, in-person or by mail. If you choose the latter, request a ballot by Oct. 31 and return it to the county election office, dropoff sites, or drop boxes before 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Planning to vote in person? Weve broken down the answers to some common problems in case you run into any trouble at the polls.

What should I do if I lose my ID before Election Day and cant replace it in time?

In Pennsylvania, only first-time voters and folks voting at a new polling place need to show an ID. If you lose your photo ID right before the elections, dont skip the polls. Instead, find a non-photo ID that shows your name and address, such as a current utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck. Government checks and non-photo IDs issued by the Commonwealth or the U.S. government can also work.

 READ MORE: Your guide to the Philly mayor's race and the Nov. 7 election

What should I do if I show up to my usual polling place and find out that it moved?

Check The Department of States Polling Place Search tool or call your local election office.

Polling places can change up to 20 days before Election Day. Counties are required to notify voters of any location shift. If you werent notified, and your regular polling place is closed, visit pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx and enter your address to find the new location.

If the system cant find your polling place, contact the local election office. Philly voters can call the County Board of Elections at 215-686-3469, or the Voter Registration Office at 215-686-1590.

What should I do if my name isnt in the poll book at my polling place?

Pennsylvanians can only vote in-person at their assigned polling place. Use The Department of States Polling Place Search tool to double check that youre at the polling location that matches your voter registration.

If you are at the right polling place, politely ask the poll worker to take another look and spell your name out for them. If your name still cant be found, you can vote using a provisional ballot.

Provisional ballots are used when county election officials need more time to determine a voters eligibility status. After voting on a provisional ballot, you will get a receipt. Make sure to keep it so you can check whether or not your vote was counted. It can take up to seven days after Election Day for the information to be displayed because the county board of elections needs to verify your information.

What if I signed up to vote by mail but now want to vote in person?

There are two ways to vote in person when you sign up to vote by mail: on a regular ballot or by provisional ballot.

Folks who havent filled in the ballot can surrender the entire mail ballot packet, including both envelopes, to their polling location. Once the ballot is voided, you can cast your vote on a machine.

If your mail ballot never arrived or you dont have it, your vote can be cast on a provisional ballot, and will be counted after the county board of elections verifies that you havent already voted by mail.

Theres a very long line at my polling place. What if the polls close before I reach the front door?

Statewide polling hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If the polls close while youre still in line, stay in line. You have the right to vote as long as you show up before 8 p.m.

Im feeling intimidated at the polls. What should I do?

In Pennsylvania, its illegal for anyone to intimidate or coerce you to vote for or against a particular candidate or political issue. If you feel intimidated or threatened at the polls, notify a poll worker immediately. Many have been trained in de-escalation tactics, and all poll workers serve to help you move through the polling process smoothly.

Intimidation at the polls can range from being questioned about your citizenship status, criminal record, or political beliefs to physical and verbal violence. Being prevented from accessing your polling place and experiencing discrimination at the polls also falls under this category.

If the situation feels life-threatening, dont hesitate to call 911. You should then call one of the following hotline numbers, which will be open for 24 hours on Election Day.

I need help voting. Can someone assist me at the polls?

If you cant read or write, arent able to read the names on the ballots, have difficulty understanding English, or are blind, disabled, or unable to operate the voting machine, you can bring someone to assist you in the voting process  as long as they arent an employer, union representative, or judge of elections. You will be asked to sign an Assistance Declaration at your polling location, unless the poll book already indicates assistance permitted.

Keep in mind that by law, Berk, Lehigh, and Philadelphia counties are required to provide voting materials and assistance in Spanish. Philadelphia is also required to offer resources in Chinese.

Do voting machines have accessibility features to allow me to vote by myself?

Yes, they should. All polling places in Pennsylvania should have accommodations for voters who need them, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you find that voting isnt accessible to you at your polling place, you can contact your local election board.

Voting machines also have accessibility features. Counties across Pennsylvania use different voting systems, so youll have to check what voting system your county uses at tinyurl.com/PAVotingSystems. There you can learn what accessibility features and devices are available to you while voting in person.

Voting machines in Philadelphia include:

Devices: Tactile keypad labeled in braille, headphone jack, and dual switch jack for rocker switches/panels and sip and puff devices. Features: Change the contrast of screen and background, increase font size, change speed or volume of audio when using headphones, and ability to make the screen blank for privacy when needed.

Ask for help from a poll worker to set up the assistive devices you want to use.

What should I do if I sign the poll book and the poll worker says my signature doesnt match?

In many states, including Pennsylvania, you must sign your name in the poll book at your polling location before casting a ballot. Poll workers verify that your signature matches the one on file with the board of elections. If a poll worker challenges your signature, you can still vote following an affidavit process to confirm your identity.

Ive an emergency or have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19. Can I still vote?

If you have an unexpected emergency, including testing positive for the coronavirus or needing to quarantine at home, you can fill out an Emergency Absentee Ballot at votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Mail-and-Absentee-Ballot.aspx. You must also fill out an authorization form that allows a designated person to drop off this ballot for you. Your Emergency Absentee Ballot must be submitted by 8 p.m. on Election Day to your county board of elections.

What should I do if I voted by mail but havent received confirmation that my mail ballot arrived?

If you included your email address in your mail-in ballot application, you should receive an email notification once your ballot is received. But anyone can track their ballot at pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/BallotTracking.aspx. The Ballot Received column tells you the date that your county received your ballot, and the Status column tells you if your vote was recorded.

If you have questions about the status of your ballot, call your local election office, but know that theyre likely receiving a high volume of calls and might not immediately answer. If you dropped off your ballot at a county election office or other official county drop-off location or dropbox, your ballot was received. But the states online ballot tracker doesnt always reflect ballot recordings in real time, said a spokesperson for the City of Philadelphia, and you might see delays.

If you submitted your ballot by mail and are concerned because its still not marked as received, you can show up at your local polling place and vote by provisional ballot. The county board of elections will verify if your mail ballot was processed and any duplicates will be voided.
Commuters waiting at bus stop along JFK Blvd at 15th Street in front of the Municipal Services Building in Center City on Monday, August 14, 2023. Read more

Black Philadelphians spend more time getting to and from work than their white counterparts, and the pandemic may have widened the gap, according to a new report from researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

Across the U.S., Black workers have longer commutes than white workers by a difference of 5%, the report said. But the difference is larger in the Philadelphia region: 11%.

Researchers said the difference is substantial.

It means less time with your family, less time doing the things you would rather be doing, said Nassir Holden, who co-authored the report. You cant get back time.

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Holden and co-author Christopher Severen noted that the difference between Black and white commutes has decreased in the past 40 years. Still, on average, Philadelphias Black workers spend 34 more minutes per week commuting than white workers, as of 2019.

The report uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau from 2012 to 2019. The researchers didnt use data from the past three years because the COVID-19 pandemic altered commuting patterns, and many workers are likely still adjusting to new hybrid and remote arrangements, the report said.

However, the data remains relevant, Severen said, because the same issues exist now and may be even worse. Many of the factors that were going on were exacerbated by the pandemic, he said.

Black workers and low-income workers were more likely to be taking transit  which saw service reductions because of the pandemic and isnt yet back to pre-pandemic service levels  and white workers are more likely to be able to work from home, Holden and Severen said.

The researchers found that where people live and how they get to work  driving, walking or transit  were important factors in determining commute differences by race. However, they noted, even when comparing riders of the same mode, commutes were longer for Black workers than white workers.

This trend is worrying because it could represent reduced equity in transit services, the report said.

Inequality that changes pretty slowly

While a workers method of getting to work plays a role in commute length, Severen emphasized that converting all commuters to car drivers wouldnt solve the problem.

Even among car users alone, Black drivers commutes were about 11% longer than white drivers. When looking at bus and subway alone, the difference between white and Black commute times has increased since 1980, the report said.

The researchers pointed to other factors that may have contributed to the difference in commute times over a period of decades, including where people live, where jobs are located and how people in power prioritize transportation investments.

Philly has long been a segregated city and that changes pretty slowly, Severen said.

At the same time, jobs have been moving to the suburbs.

In 1980, 35% of Greater Philadelphia workers had jobs in the city, but that had dropped to 24% by 2019. Moving jobs to the suburbs hurts Black employment prospects, the report said, because Black households are less likely to move to the suburbs.

That may mean reverse-commuting for those who choose to live in the city while working in the suburbs. While thats not bad in itself, Severen said, public transportation isnt built to serve reverse-commuters. Those commutes are more difficult without a car, making those jobs less accessible to low-income workers.

More transit, more riders

The researchers also pointed to transit investment in the region, saying it may itself perpetuate patterns of inequality.

For example, the report said, SEPTAs suburb-serving Regional Rail got 38% of the transportation authoritys capital outlays from 2007 to 2016, while supporting 11% of ridership. The subway got 21% of capital outlays during those years, while supporting 28% of ridership.

A policy itself may not be particularly racist, but if a marginalized group cant grasp the benefits of a policy, that just exacerbates what theyre already feeling, Holden said.

SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said SEPTA has made equity and accessibility core values in everything it does, from fare policy to improvement projects. He cited new fare policies enacted during the pandemic and capital improvements meant to improve accessibility for people with disabilities on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line.

The report noted that decreased ridership on public transportation has led to service cuts in large cities throughout the U.S. In the Philadelphia area, SEPTA still isnt back to 100% of pre-COVID service levels, and has been struggling with staffing shortages amid a gravely uncertain financial future.

To continue this progress, SEPTA needs help from its state and local funding partners, Busch said. We are hopeful that the state and region will make public transportation a priority so SEPTA can continue with efforts to build a more equitable and accessible system.

The researchers declined to make specific policy recommendations based on their findings. But, broadly, they said improving access to high-quality transportation is important for worker welfare everywhere, including robust schedules.

Transit frequency is a driver of demand, Severn said. Frequency begets ridership.
Benaya Yehuda kisses 21 month-old Yarid as they march from City Hall to Independence Hall with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Yehuda moved from Israel a year ago. The march ended with a rally to show solidarity with Israel, with songs, messages and prayers of unity. Read more

Erica Taxin did not approve of Israels decision to cut off water, electricity, and internet service to Gaza, and she has had issues with some of the Israeli governments policies toward Palestinians.

However, 10 days after the Hamas attacks on Israel, Taxin, 56, was in Center City to join a pro-Israel demonstration because, in her words, she could not support terrorists.

Taxin was among a crowd that police estimated at 1,000, but organizers said was larger. They gathered at Independence Mall after marching from City Hall along Market Street in a decidedly October late-afternoon chill. The rally participants also included a group of students who had just returned from a class trip they will never forget, and a 96-year-old concerned about the fate of civilians in a war that already has claimed at least 4,000 lives.

Mondays march and rally was the second in the last eight days organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. It was another in a sequence of pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protests in the last 10 days ignited by the violence that began Oct. 7 with the Hamas attacks.

The Jewish Federations rally came amid a week and a half of protests, big and small, from all sides, including a pro-Palestinian demonstration that shut down Market Street last week and a student and faculty walkout at the University of Pennsylvania on Monday.

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Mondays Center City rally and march proceeded without incident or counterdemonstrations. A man by the bus terminal near 10th Street carried a sign that read Free Palestine. The demonstrators didnt appear to notice.

At the mall, they sang Israels national anthem, Hatikvah, chanted Bring them home, and listened to speeches, the first by City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, who said that Jewish people and Black people have something in common in that they have confronted hatred. He drew cheers when he declared: I do stand with Israel.

 READ MORE: Philadelphia City Council is set to condemn the Hamas attack

In a note read by federation board chair Michael Markman, Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.), who apologized for being unable to attend, said: I unequivocally stand with Israel right now.

Mayor Jim Kenney planned to speak at the Monday rally, according to his public schedule shared Sunday, but by Monday afternoon, the event had been removed. A spokesperson said the mayors schedule was disrupted and provided no further details. Two years ago, Kenney had appeared at an International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People event in which he lauded Palestinian residents contributions to the city.

The war spawned by the surprise attacks has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Gaza Health Ministry said more than 2,800 Palestinians have died and 9,700 have been wounded. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, have been captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.

Israels leadership has vowed to eliminate Hamas, launching a full-scale bombardment of the Gaza Strip, an area about the size of Philadelphia and home to over 2 million Palestinians. More than a million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israeli invasion.

The fate of Palestinians elicited sympathy from some attendees.

Im sick for the people from Palestine, said Taxin, who lives in Wayne.

Gerry Schneeberg, 96, said she was concerned about all of these people in Gaza.  Civilians.  They havent been able to leave, some have tried. A lot of them are going to end up getting killed. She said people close to her have not heard from loved ones: A friend in Jerusalem: silence. A sister in Tel Aviv: not a word.

Several students from the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr who attended the rally said they had been on a class trip in Israel when the violence broke out. They recalled being shaken. The students, who returned to Philadelphia last week, recalled their response while they waited in a bomb shelter: They danced and sang.

Janie Klein, 27, of Philadelphia, said she came to the rally to show solidarity with Israel. She concurred with Taxin in that the issue, its not like a pro-Palestinian, pro-Israeli situation. Its about getting rid of the terrorist organization.

Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.
First grader Brielle Nichol, 7, browses the books at a book fair at a Philadelphia elementary school in March 2022. Read more

Update: Scholastic Book Fairs announced on Oct. 25 that it would reverse its decision to separate diversity-related books. The company has apologized and says it will discontinue the collection by January. Read more here.

Scholastic Book Fairs have served as a portal for young people looking for self-expression and creative outlets in the form of books and stationery for decades. But critics say a new policy from the publishing company is harming kids and undermining the fairs original purpose.

Scholastic announced on Friday that it was debuting a collection of books at its elementary school book fairs that celebrates diversity. Many titles in the 64-book Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice collection feature LGBTQ+ and BIPOC characters or spotlight real-life civil rights activists.

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But, to comply with a surge in legislation nationwide that regulates how race and gender are taught in the classroom, Scholastic is letting schools opt-out of the diversity collection.

We dont pretend this solution is perfect, the company said in a statement. But the other option would be to not offer these books at all  which is not something wed consider.

The opt-out only impacts elementary school-level book fairs. Middle school fair offerings remain unchanged, Scholastic said. While exact numbers were not available, a Scholastic spokesperson told the New York Times that some schools in all 50 states have opted to include titles from the diversity collection.

Still, Scholastics option to opt-out was met with sharp criticism. Parents described having grown up loving the book fairs and passing that love on to their own children.

For many, the Scholastic Book Fair is a beacon of nostalgia, transforming school cafeterias, gyms, and media centers into mini shopping malls with hundreds of book titles, Spy Kits, posters, pencils, novelty erasers, you name it.

Not to sound dramatic, but the Scholastic Book Fair in elementary school is the most pure and genuinely happy place Ive ever experienced in my life, a viral Tumblr post from 2016 said. Wait for the person who makes you feel like the way you felt during the Scholastic Book Fair in elementary school, said a tweet from the same year.

The fairs come with challenges. Critics have pointed out inequities  particularly for students whose families dont have extra money to spend on new books. Scholastic has worked to combat this over the years with free versions of the fair and other initiatives.

As noted by a Vox tribute to the book fairs and another from The Atlantic, the fairs  which launched in 1981  call back to a type of analog nostalgia. Annually, Scholastic hosts 120,000 book fairs across the country.

The format provides participating schools with the products, setup kits, and promotional materials. From there, the school receives a percentage of the profits. While several book companies have hosted similarly formatted fundraisers, by the late 1980s, Scholastic rose to prominence.

Besides serving as a fundraiser, the fairs also became a key tool for breakout authors, introducing readers to titles including Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Because of Winn-Dixie, and building appetites for reading.

Now, critics fear those appetites will be quelled as youth looking for books with relatable characters may struggle to find options.

Books in the diversity collection include a fantasy novel about a Lakota girl, a book celebrating the origins of a Latina girls name, a book about different family types (including adoptive families and families with same-sex parents), a story about the power to make change by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, and books about Black public figures, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, LeBron James, and the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis.

Critics say giving schools the option to opt-out of these books caves to hard-right anti-woke rhetoric. Or, as one librarian has described it, it hits the bigot button, according to Judd Legum of Popular Information.

Scholastic said the move was unavoidable, citing state laws and book bans nationwide.

Legislation varies by state and school district,. but most of the laws scrutinize books that address race, civil rights, gender identity and expression, LGBTQ+ themes, or topics centering around diversity and marginalized groups. Many state laws use intentionally vague language and put the onus on the educators, threatening teachers jobs if certain books are taught or found in classrooms.

In Georgia, a teacher was fired after reading a childrens book about gender identity to her students. In Florida, a permanent substitute teacher was fired after posting a video of his schools freshly emptied bookshelves. In northern Iowa, a school district turned to an AI chatbot to help review its book collection  which resulted in the temporary banning of Friday Night Lights.

In Pennsylvania, book bans are not as widespread as in other states. Still, the Central Bucks and Pleasant Valley School Districts have both placed books under review in the last year.

 READ MORE: An Iowa school district used ChatGPT to ban Buzz Bissingers Friday Night Lights. Hes not happy.

As noted by EdWeek, the laws led to at least 3,300 instances of book bans in U.S. public schools and libraries in the 2022-23 school year and the removal of more than 1,500 titles from students access, according to PEN America data.

Earlier this year, Scholastic signed an open letter from PEN America opposing the growing legislation.

These laws create an almost impossible dilemma: Back away from these titles or risk making teachers, librarians, and volunteers vulnerable to being fired, sued, or prosecuted, Scholastic said in its statement last week. We cannot make a decision for our school partners around what risks they are willing to take.

What book titles are in Scholastics Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice diversity collection?

Below are the 64 book titles that are part of the Scholastic Book Fairs Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice collection, according to EdWeek. Schools hosting a book fair can opt out of ordering books included in this collection. The list provided to EdWeek included a disclaimer that book availability may vary.

The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez

All Are Neighbors by Alexandra Penfold

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

Almas Way: Juniors Lost Tooth by Gabrielle Reyes

Battle Dragons: City of Speed by Alex London

Battle Dragons: City of Thieves by Alex London

Because of You, John Lewis by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Big Nate: Payback Time! by Lincoln Peirce

Blended by Sharon M. Draper

Booked (Graphic Novel) by Kwame Alexander

Change Sings by Amanda Gorman

City of Dragons: Rise of the Shadowfire by Jaimal Yogis

Dragon Prince Graphic Novel #2: Bloodmoon Huntress by Nicole Andelfinger

Dragon Prince Graphic Novel #3: Puzzle House by Peter Wartman

Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez

Freestyle by Gale Galligan

The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown

The Girl With Big, Big Questions by Britney Winn Lee

Her Own Two Feet by Meredith Davis

Our World in Pictures, the History Book by DK

Home for Meow: Kitten Around by Reese Eschmann

Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd

I Am My Ancestors Wildest Dreams by Tanisia Moore

I Am Ruby Bridges by Ruby Bridges

I Color Myself Different by Colin Kaepernick

Into the Heartlands: A Black Panther Graphic Novel by Roseanne A. Brown

JoJos Sweet Adventures: The Great Candy Caper by JoJo Siwa

Justice Ketanji by Denise Lewis Patrick

Karmas World: Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be by Halcyon Person

Karmas World: The Great Shine-a-Thon Showcase! by Halcyon Person

The Loud House: No Bus, No Fuss by Shannon Penney

The Loud House: Old Friends, New Friends by Daniel Mauleon

Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling

Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo

Mommys Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

More Than Peach (Bellen Woodard Original Picture Book) by Bellen Woodard

Nuestra America by Sabrina Vourvoulias (Vourvoulias is an editor at The Inquirer)

Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang

Pedro and the Shark by Fran Manushkin

Pets Rule: My Kingdom of Darkness by Susan Tan

Pets Rule: The Rise of the Goldfish by Susan Tan

Picture Day by Sarah Sax

Red: A Crayons Story by Michael Hall

Refugee by Alan Gratz

Reina Ramos Works It Out by Emma Otheguy

Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

The Secret Battle of Evan Pao by Wendy Wan-Long Shang

She Dared: Malala Yousafzai by Jenni L. Walsh

Speak Up! by Rebecca Burgess

Sports Heroes LeBron James by Hannah Dolan

The Storyteller by Brandon Hobson

That Girl Lay Lay: Its Time to #Slay by That Girl Lay Lay with Kwyn Bader

That Girl Lay Lay: Positive Vibes Only by Andrea Loney

Thunderous by M.L. Smoker

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat

We Shall Overcome by Bryan Collier

When Clouds Touch Us by Thanhha Lai

Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez

Who Was the Greatest? by Gabriel Soria

You Are Enough by Margaret OHair

You Are Loved by Margaret OHair
Last month, a group of experts from the U.N. Human Rights Committee published a report condemning systemic racism in the United States criminal justice system. After an official visit to the U.S., where experts visited five detention centers and heard testimonies from 133 affected people, the authors of the report noted that a racist criminal justice system erodes all efforts towards addressing systemic racism. They offered 30 recommendations for reforms, including eliminating death by incarceration, also known as life sentences.

At this moment in the U.S., more than 200,000 people are sentenced to die in prison. Pennsylvania has the second-largest population in the country of prisoners serving life sentences without parole. No matter how much these individuals have transformed over the decades theyve been behind bars, they will never see life beyond prison walls again.

The U.S. employs life sentences at an unparalleled rate. A global human rights analysis of 113 countries found the number of people serving life sentences in the U.S. is more than all of the rest of the countries combined. It is a cruel form of punishment that takes away the human capacity for redemption.

Furthermore, life sentences disproportionately impact people of color, our elders, and our children. According to the Sentencing Project, more than two-thirds of those sentenced to die in prison in the United States are people of color. While only 12.4% of the U.S. population is Black, 46% of all of those serving life sentences nationwide are Black. Half are over the age of 50. A life sentence disappears sources of wisdom from Black families and communities forever.

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One of us  Songster  suffered under the weight of this inhumane treatment for 30 years. After running away from his home in Brooklyn with a childhood friend at age 15, he spent the next four months caught up in the drug trade in Philadelphia. In a fight one evening, he and that friend stabbed a fellow runaway to death. Because the mandatory minimum for first- and second-degree murder in Pennsylvania is life without parole, Songster was sentenced to die in prison.

At the time, the U.S. had over 3,000 people serving life sentences for crimes committed when they were children. The rest of the world had zero. The U.S. Supreme Court intervened in the cases of our condemned children via Miller v. Alabama, ruling in 2012 that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for minors are unconstitutional. This ruling offered people like Songster a ray of hope. It required that everyone serving mandatory life without parole for an offense they committed under the age of 18 be resentenced. As a result, Songster was immediately eligible for parole.

After spending 30 years behind prison walls, he now serves as program manager of Healing Futures, Philadelphias first youth-focused restorative justice diversion program, at the Youth Art and Self-empowerment Project. The city refers young people in cases involving assault, robbery, and other felonies to the program, and over several weeks in a restorative community conference, those youth are prepared to come face-to-face with the people they have harmed to make amends.

The process ends after the young person has completed an extensive plan to make things right. This could include volunteering at an organization of the harmed persons choosing, therapy, mentorship, and community beautification.

One story of transformation is not an exception. A 2020 study out of Montclair State University found that among people who were sentenced in Philadelphia as juveniles to life without the possibility of parole and then subsequently released, the recidivism rate was only 1.14%.

Not only do formerly incarcerated people pose very little risk to public safety, they are also uniquely positioned to strengthen our communities. The New York Times recently profiled formerly incarcerated people who were sentenced to life as children, and many of them now serve as mentors in vulnerable communities, engaging in violence prevention and equipping young people with conflict resolution skills.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be part of a coalition of formerly incarcerated people, family members, and advocates going before the United Nations in Geneva to testify that the U.S. is violating the International Bill of Human Rights prohibition of torture and racial discrimination by sentencing people to death by incarceration.

We will implore the United Nations to call for the abolition of all life sentences in the U.S. We will share testimonies of incarcerated friends and family members who are organizing healing circles inside prisons to help their peers atone for crimes they committed and repair the harm they have caused. And we will bear witness to the human capacity for redemption.

Kempis Ghani Songster is the program manager of Healing Futures, Philadelphias first restorative justice diversion program for youth. Nikki Grant is the policy director and cofounder of the Amistad Law Project.
From food drives to blood drives, raking leaves to tying blankets, civic engagement is one of University of Wisconsin-Stouts enduring commitments to its surrounding neighbors and at the core of preparing students to lead in their chosen fields and in their communities.

Through their dedication to service and bettering the human condition, UW-Stout faculty, staff and students this fall are living up to their civic duties to help Dunn County by volunteering at and organizing several events and activities.

I have seen the large positive impact that service has on students as it gives them a deeper purpose, feels rewarding and roots them in the value of service that they will hopefully continue for the rest of their lives, said Kalie Dahl, a hotel, restaurant and tourism management senior from Cologne, Minnesota.

Partnering with the Menomonie Rotary Club's Rotary Feeds Program and local business partners, UW-Stout faculty, staff, students and community members recently volunteered at the annual Stout Gives Back: Meal Pack-a-Thon to Feed the Hungry event on Oct. 3.

A team 330 volunteers strong surpassed the goal of packing 50,000 meals, reaching 50,112 meals to support Stepping Stones of Dunn County, Feed My People Food Bank of northwestern Wisconsin and UW-Stouts Helping Hand Food Pantry.

Rotary Feeds member Sue Traxler, assistant chancellor for Learning and Information Technology and chief information officer at UW-Stout, said: Service is an important component of what we do, both as employees and students at UW-Stout. The Meal Pack-a-Thon is a service opportunity that impacts our local communities, and its an easy way to support those who are hungry in the region.

Last year, staff and students packed 25,000 meals of rice, soy, vegetables and protein. This year, the goal was doubled to help the Menomonie Rotary Club reach 100,000 meals packed in celebration of its 100th anniversary.

At Stout, we recognize the importance of our role in the region  both in preparing Wisconsins workforce and preparing students to lead in their communities, said UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank. Applied learning and research depends on partnerships. Its about connecting with and addressing the specific needs of society. Learning to solve big challenges starts when we do something simple and meaningful  like packing a meal, or 50,000.

Inspired to serve their community

Social responsibility is a fundamental component of the Stout Core curriculum, a series of foundational classes that enhance students applied learning while building the soft skills in high demand by employers.

Several student organizations go above and beyond in their volunteer activities and events outside of the classroom that support UW-Stout, Menomonie and area communities.

For the past two years, the Service Club at Stout volunteered at Night at the Mabel, the Mabel Tainter Theaters annual fundraiser. Last year, members made more than 50 dog and cat toys for the Dunn County Humane Society and 21 tie blankets for Minnesota Childrens Hospital, as well as hats for babies born prematurely. They helped pack more than 24,400 meals for Feed My Starving Children and donated more than 500 pounds of nonperishable food and other items during Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods, benefiting Stepping Stones.

The club will continue these activities this year and will soon send out flyers about the Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, so community members may prepare their donations.

As part of homecoming week, Oct. 9, through Saturday, Oct. 14, Blue Devil Productions hosted a Homecoming Food Drive Battle. The weeklong competition supported Helping Hand Food Pantry on campus.

The Stout Student Association Sustainability Council hosted its annual Campus Cleanup event in early October. On Friday, Nov. 3, students will make their way through Menomonie neighborhoods for the annual Fall Yard Cleanup to support citizens by raking leaves. The Involvement Center works with the Dunn County Aging and Disability Resource Center for the event, which began as a part of StoutReach in 2016, to connect students with the community.

The Service Club and Alpha Phi will also be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. Last year, they held four drives, and more than 190 donors potentially saved 523 lives.

Dahl founded the Service Club during the 2022-23 school year and serves as president. I am continuously inspired to serve, as every time I visibly see the impact that this club is making, I reflect on how so many helping hands made this happen and how there is always so much more that we can do, she said.

In its first year, club members gave 380 volunteer hours at multiple community events.

The Rotary Feeds Program has packed more than 1.6 million meals since 2011. Stepping Stones has pop-up pantries across Dunn County and had 12,200 visits in 2022, distributing 615,000 pounds of food. Feed My People serves more than 70,000 people in 14 west central Wisconsin counties, with 5.85 million meals distributed in 2022.

The pack-a-thons are facilitated through the Rotary Feeds program. UW-Stout partnered with the Rotary Clubs of Menomonie and nine local businesses to fund the universitys event: Johnson Motors, Mayo Clinic Health System, Dairy State Bank, Pember Companies Inc., Edward Jones, Conagra, WESTconsin Credit Union, Cedar Falls Building Systems and WMG.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is trending on Twitter (or whatever we call it now) as I write this column. Her antics, including wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with a scarlet A, got the South Carolina Republican what she wanted: fame.

The desire to achieve self-serving fame seems to be the primary motivation of a lot of people in government these days.

Any republic is going to attract some officeholders who are in it for themselves. Even now, though, those deeply self-interested actors are a minority  many people in both houses of Congress want to serve their country and make it a better place.

But the fringe cases, the nihilists, the would-be cable news stars  they take up all the air in the room. Lately, that has included the choice of eight Republicans  including Mace and led by Floridas Matt Gaetz  who joined with Democrats in bringing down House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the post to which he was elected just 10 months ago.

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 READ MORE: Pennsylvanias legislature is big  and thats beautiful | Kyle Sammin

Gaetz has been a bomb-thrower from day one, but Maces participation in that palace coup was especially inexplicable. She had voted for McCarthy steadfastly in the long process leading to his election as speaker in January, and McCarthys PAC had helped fund her reelection.

Yet the lure of fame proved shinier and more attractive than the steady work of learning the job, working her way up into leadership, and effecting positive change for the country. She isnt the only one, and its not the first time that a House member voted against her own partys nominee for speaker. In fact, every election for speaker since 2011 has featured rebellions by members of one or both parties.

Those defections were performative, and the margins were not close enough for it to matter. In this closely divided House, though, Gaetzs small, blow-it-up caucus held the deciding votes.

After getting some well-deserved pushback, Mace adopted the pose of a martyr and donned that T-shirt with the red A. (What does she think the A stands for in The Scarlet Letter?) The color scheme evoked the spectacle of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs Tax the Rich dress at the 2021 Met Gala. While the message was even more convoluted, the effect was the same, though: bombastic, extreme, and everyone was talking about it. The performance was the point.

Yuval Levin wrote in his 2020 book, A Time to Build, about the difference between institutions being formative and being performative. The former is a place that helps shape members characters and help them better themselves while striving toward a higher good. The latter is a place for people to be themselves and to display themselves before a wider world.

When institutions become purely performative, people lose trust in them. They arent really asking for our confidence, Levin writes, just for our attention.

Meanwhile, the world burns.

The past few years truly proved the point that the world is a dangerous, war-torn place that needs serious leadership from a serious America. After the recent terrorist massacres in Israel, the countrys legislature formed a unity government, bringing together all sides to work toward defeating a genocidal enemy.

America is not under such a dire threat, but it is profoundly telling that we cannot even bring the majority party together. Indeed, the new intifada only shows further cracks in our society as the Democratic Socialists of America  an institution that includes several members of Congress  took the occasion to rally in defense of the Palestinian resistance  a move mainstream New York Democrats like Gov. Kathy Hochul called abhorrent and morally repugnant.

It led Rep. Shri Thanedar, a Michigan Democrat, to renounce his Democratic Socialists of America membership. Four more members issued weak statements of condemnation, but remain affiliated with the group, so far without consequences.

 READ MORE: Between Bidens baggage and Trumps indictments, the country needs a fresh start | Kyle Sammin

There is a reason such extremism is rising, even in Congress. Politicians live in the same world we all do, one where they think everyone must know your status, hear your opinions, and give you the dopamine hit that comes from those precious likes. Instead of real life, with all its complexity and consequences, many of them act like theyre in a live-action role-play, a real-life video game where extremism and recalcitrance are just as virtuous as reasonableness and compromise  but they grab more attention.

Gaetz and his gang refuse to countenance any compromise with Democrats. Radical Democrats can barely bring themselves to condemn Hamas. Mainstream members  and mainstream voters  of both parties are left to watch as the institution of Congress descends into farce.

America is not going to form a unity government like Israel has now. But the continuing dysfunction in the House may leave no other possible option than for the sane members of both parties to elect a moderate member with cross-party support as speaker, and leave the extremists out of it. A House run by a sensible moderate  like Pennsylvanias Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County or Mary Peltola of Alaska  could at least function, and maybe even find some consensus on important issues.

This arrangement is unlikely to be permanent or to herald a great realignment of the parties. But it would place the House in the hands of serious members who came there to govern  not to perform for the cameras.

Oh, wait. Now Jim Jordan is trending.
Then-Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker speaks during a news conference in July 2022 after a shooting during July 4 events. She is joined by City Council President Darrell L. Clarke, who is leaving office in January. He did not seek reelection. Read more

House Republicans arent the only ones involved in a messy leadership battle.

Theres one thats been going on in Philly for months behind the scenes (though we admit its less dramatic than whatever is going on in Washington). And it appears close to resolved.

Last week, we reported that City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson appears to have won enough commitments from his colleagues to become the next Council president. So today, well talk about what that means for the citys 100th mayor, and why a mayors relationship with their Council president can make or break their agenda.

Well also discuss year-round school, reminisce about a 20-year old FBI bug, and have a little geography lesson.

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A quick note: We think Philly is better off when everyone has the facts needed to make an informed decision about this election. If someone forwarded you this newsletter, sign up for free here.

There are 21 days  until Election Day. Lets get into it.

 Anna Orso and Sean Collins Walsh

Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker has a close relationship with Council President Darrell Clarke, who is at right above. But Clarke didnt seek reelection, meaning the brand new mayor will have to work with a brand new Council president next year.

A mayor needs to have a working relationship with the head of the citys legislative branch, because he or she wields a ton of power over what policies the city adopts and how programs get funded. Weve seen what happens when the relationship sours: late in his tenure, former Mayor Michael Nutter (in)famously couldnt even get a signature piece of legislation introduced.

So lets discuss the future, with some caveats. The mayors race isnt over. Neither is the race for Council president. But Parker is the favorite to be Philadelphias 100th mayor  and Johnson is now the favorite for Council prez.

Can they forge an effective partnership? The two have plenty in common:

As district Council members, both exercised tight control over development in their districts. Both are on the moderate side of the ideological spectrum. Both have prioritized public safety. Parker ran on her community policing plan, and Johnson is a longtime antiviolence advocate.

But neither has been talkative about their preexisting relationship. Heres what we do know:

What Parker has said: Parker has said publicly that shes staying out of the race for Council president. Johnsons chief rival, Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., has been a key political ally for Parker. He stood alongside her when she unveiled her signature crime plan, and he endorsed her run for mayor.

Meanwhile, Johnson was one of the only establishment Dems who didnt endorse in the primary. And we think Parker noticed. During an August fundraiser for Jones, Parker made a joke  in front of Johnson  about how most of the people in the room backed her in the primary. She said of Jones: I wouldnt be here without you and added: Trust and loyalty mean a great deal to me. 

What Johnson has said: During a summer interview, Johnson said one of the reasons hed be a good pick for president is that he not only served with Parker in Council, but also worked alongside her in Harrisburg. Both were state representatives before being elected to Council and served together as members of the Philadelphia delegation.

He said he looks at the Rendell-Street era (former Mayor Ed Rendell and then-Council president John F. Street) as a model. The two had a notably good working relationship.

The bottom line: Wanting the same things isnt all it takes  the relationship between a mayor and a Council president requires trust. Well be watching to see how this partnership might play out.

This fall, were highlighting policy proposals that Parker campaigned on. This week, were looking at her plan to keep schools open year-round. Heres what to know:

Parker wants public schools to stay open year-round from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The current schedule, she says, means that kids miss out on extra curricular activities and does not work for working parents. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. appears to support the idea and proposed a pilot program for year-round schooling this year, but has since delayed implementation. Under Watlingtons proposal, the school year would be four stints of nine weeks, followed by a three-week vacation. Researchers believe that approach, which was piloted at one Philadelphia school 20 years ago, would reduce learning loss that students experience over summer break. Parker also wants schools to provide social services and become places where kids can learn fundamentals like cooking, balancing a checkbook, and entrepreneurship. But Parker, as mayor, wouldnt have direct power to implement the plan. The mayors primary influence over education is to make appointments to the school board, which hires the superintendent. Its good news for Parker that Watlington appears supportive. Parker would likely have to convince lawmakers on Council and in Harrisburg to vastly increase spending on the district while competing with other priorities, such as the billions needed to improve the districts crumbling school buildings. On the local level, that could involve increasing taxes or moving money from elsewhere in the budget.

 The key takeaway: Parker has laid out an ambitious plan. But as mayor, she would have little direct power to make it happen, and she hasnt spelled out what it would cost or how it would be funded.

Mayoral history moment: The bug that upended an election

It was around this time in 2003 when that years Philly mayoral election went haywire. It was already a close race between incumbent Mayor John F. Street and Republican Sam Katz, but then everything changed when an FBI bug was found in the ceiling of Streets City Hall office.

Our colleague Chris Brennan talked recently with some of the key players to offer a fresh look two decades later at how the political spin unfolded behind the scenes. Here are our three favorite quotes he got about the historic moment:

I honestly thought this would end the mayors political career. - Barbara Grant, then the communications director for the Street administration, was the one to tell colleagues that she heard a bug was in the mayors office. Who told her? She wont say  but we have a good guess. The entire idea was mine. - Frank Keel, the spokesperson for Streets 2003 campaign, said he came up with the idea to claim the Department of Justice under former President George W. Bush was involved in election interference. Street and I are pretty good friends. We talk about a lot of things. We dont talk about this much. - Katz, who says he and Street became pals after the election but dont really talk about the bug. Go figure.

There are a lot more tidbits, archival photos and video footage, and more in the fun deep dive. Dont miss it.

Data dive: Where the WFP performs best

 Were going to pass the mic to data reporter Aseem Shukla, whos got a breakdown this week about the upcoming Council race.

The 2019 at-large City Council race was defined by the Working Families Partys success dislodging Republicans from one of the two spots winnable by minority parties (in Philly, that always means people who arent Democrats).

Four years later, the WFP thinks they can take both seats.

To pull it off, theyll want to expand their 2019 base of support, which was strongest in South Philly, University City, parts of Fishtown and Kensington, and splotches of Germantown. They even managed to rank in the top five finishers in some precincts  meaning that a WFP candidate actually outperformed at least one Democrat.

These areas are home to the citys most progressive voters. But pockets where left-leaning Dems cluster are even bigger than the precincts where the WFP ranked highest in 2019. That means they have room to grow.

How do Republicans fight back?

The GOP has strongholds in the Northeast and parts of South Philly. But in national races, theyve shown strength elsewhere. In 2020, Donald Trump outperformed in majority-Latino precincts in North Philly (and parts of South Philly, too).

If citywide Republican candidates can harness more of those voters, they might have wind in their sails.

What else were reading

Lawmakers tried to move the 2024 presidential primary election to avoid conflicting with Passover. That effort appears to have failed. Trouble in paradise? Sounds like theres friction within the building trades coalition, and it centers on a Council race in the Northeast. Joe Biden cant stop coming to Philly. (Can you blame him?) This time, the prez was in town to talk about a big influx of federal cash the region will see as part of a push to build a hydrogen energy network.

Scenes from the campaign trail

Earlier this month, Parker joined members of 32BJ SEIU who were announcing that a new contract deal had averted a strike.

Thats all for us this week. Thank you so much for reading, especially now! October can be overwhelming for us all. Except Bryce Harper.

See you next week,

Anna and Sean
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Carolyn Carluccio (left), a Republican; and Superior Court Judge Dan McCaffery (right), a Democrat from Philadelphia, are running for the Pa. state Supreme Court. Read more

HARRISBURG  The race to fill a vacancy on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is dominating airwaves and mailboxes across the state this fall.

Thats because both parties see it as a high-stakes race  and an important test.

The race between Republican Carolyn Carluccio and Democrat Dan McCaffery is the top statewide race on the ballot this November, with the winner expected to become a tie-breaking vote on election cases ahead of the 2024 presidential race. The results will also serve as a pulse check for how each party could fare in the crucial battleground state next year.

And outside groups are spending millions of dollars to influence the outcome  and the makeup of the court.

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Its the biggest game in town, said Stephen Medvic, the director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College. In an off-year election, theres a lot of money out there to be spent. And its going to be spent where the groups think its going to be consequential.

The seven-seat court has been operating with a vacancy for the last year, after Chief Justice Max Baer died suddenly of a heart attack in October 2022. Since then, the 4-2 Democratic majority has deadlocked on a number of decisions, including mail ballot rulings  setting up the winner of the Nov. 7 general election to become a deciding vote in important cases.

The race between Carluccio, currently the president judge of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, and McCaffery, a state Superior Court judge, has centered on abortion, mail voting, and election laws  issues with stark partisan divides that are likely to go before the court in the coming year. The court has made important election-related decisions in recent years about Pennsylvanias mail voting laws, and abortion has become a key issue in state judicial races across the country since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

Running on their records

Both candidates are from Southeastern Pennsylvania, and both are hoping their judicial records and approaches will convince voters to elevate them to the states highest court.

McCaffery, 59, serves on the Superior Court, one of the states appellate courts, and said hes written more than 600 opinions since joining its bench in 2020. The U.S. Army veteran from Philadelphia supervises all wiretap cases in the state and serves on the states Court of Judicial Discipline to investigate judges accused of violating their oaths. He previously served as a judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, a civil lawyer, and a Philadelphia prosecutor.

Im running for the states highest appellate court, and Im the only person in this race who has been an appellate court judge, McCaffery said in an interview last week.

Carluccio, 63, the first female president judge in Montgomery County, was one of the last Republicans elected to the bench in 2014 before the county turned reliably blue. She was chosen among her peers to lead the court last year, and touts her work to cut the case backlog from COVID-19 pandemic closures much more quickly than other counties by implementing an innovative scheduling approach. Before that, she served in a number of roles in Montgomery County government, including as its deputy solicitor and public defender.

A lot of people get nervous about making changes, Carluccio said about her leadership on the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. As long as I know theyre legal and theyre going to do a good thing, Ill make that change.

In interviews, the major difference the two candidates expressed in their judicial ideologies was what a Supreme Court justice should do when the law is unclear, or when the General Assembly fails to clarify the law. Carluccio said the court should follow the law as written, and said it is not the courts role to fill in any gaps. McCaffery, meanwhile, said he believes it is the courts duty to interpret the laws and their intent.

For example, McCaffery said the court did its job in 2020 when it created drop boxes and a three-day window for mail ballots to arrive to counties, while the court was widely criticized by Republicans for creating policy that did not exist in the law.

Partisanship and outside spending

Pennsylvania is one of about seven states that has partisan judicial elections for its appellate courts, with a candidates political party appearing on the ballot. Elections are held to fill vacancies, and justices face retention votes every 10 years.

Both parties have focused on growing their majorities on the court, in anticipation of more high-profile election cases in 2024. Democrats hope to grow their majority before three Democratic justices are up for retention in 2025. Republicans have refocused their sights on growing their number of justices on the state Supreme Court in recent years to chip away at the Democratic majority.

Pennsylvanias partisan judicial elections make them ripe for spending from outside groups.

According to the latest campaign finance filings from mid-September, McCaffery has raised more than $2 million from Democrat-aligned groups, such as unions and Planned Parenthood. Carluccio has raised more than $3 million, much of which comes from the Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs various political action committees. One of their PAC funders is Jeffrey Yass, a Main Line billionaire and GOP mega-donor. Democrats have criticized Carluccio for receiving his support and potentially giving one man a leg up if an issue he cares about, such as school vouchers, comes before the court.

Carluccio said she has never spoken to Yass and is thankful for the Commonwealth Partners support.

Nobody has asked me to do anything other than to follow the law, she added.

Abortion  on the ballot?

Abortion-rights groups are pouring money into messaging that maintaining a Democratic majority on the court will protect abortion rights in Pennsylvania, where the procedure is legal through 24 weeks of pregnancy. The issue has been key in judicial races in other states, such as Wisconsin, where a liberal judge won earlier this year and flipped the balance of the states high court.

Democrats, including McCaffery himself, have attacked Carluccio for receiving the endorsement of two Pennsylvania anti-abortion associations, and removing her resume from her campaign website where she summarized herself as a defender of all life under the law.

My personal opinion has absolutely no place in this, Carluccio said. The law in Pennsylvania is very clear that a woman has a right to choose up to 24 weeks. I will follow that law.

Carluccio added that shes never shared her personal opinion on abortion publicly because it just doesnt belong.

Where have we heard that before? McCaffery asked, noting previous statements by U.S. Supreme Court justices who promised to follow the precedent set by Roe v. Wade, which they ultimately overturned.

They all said the same thing, McCaffery added. They would follow the law. And they follow the law, right up until the point they changed it.

Carluccio, in turn, criticized McCaffery for having a political agenda.

He has said in the public that he will never allow abortion to be lessened, Carluccio said. Thats a lofty goal. But frankly, you should be running for the legislature or governor, not for the Supreme Court.

McCaffery said that once he was elected judge, he checked his voter registration at the door.

But you dont check your values, McCaffery said, noting his upbringing as a child of union workers in Philadelphia. Its who I am. Its kind of what I am.

Attack ads and mailers

Groups on both sides are running ads and sending mailers to attack the opposing candidate.

Mailers in the race funded by the Commonwealth Leaders Fund, a PAC linked to the Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs, seek to link Dan McCaffery to his brother, who resigned from the state Supreme Court in 2014 amid states Porngate scandal. Former Justice Seamus McCaffery was the recipient or sender on more than 230 emails including inappropriate images sent around among the states top judicial officials.

One mailer cites a 2014 Inquirer article that reported Dan McCaffery received pornographic messages on his state government email from his brother, and responded telling him not to send that to his work email.

Dan McCaffery said he still loves his brother, whom he said paid for his mistakes with his career.

But I think voters understand that Im my own man, Dan McCaffery said. Voters are smart enough to understand that Ive created my own career, I have my own record to run on, and thats exactly what Im running on.

Carluccio, for her part, has been targeted by Planned Parenthoods political action arm with a seven-figure TV ad buy suggesting she cant be trusted to protect abortion rights.

Whats happening here is special interest groups have taken hold of this race, frankly, and they have an outcome that they want, Carluccio said. I would hope that we do not have a justice on our Supreme Court thats beholden to these special interest groups.
The Coalition for Safety and Equitable Growth is running negative advertising about City Council member Kendra Brooks, who voted against legislation that sought to effectively ban supervised drug consumption sites in most of the city. Read more

The closely watched race for two Philadelphia City Council seats took a decidedly negative turn Tuesday when a political group launched an ad campaign blasting progressive candidates as radical and describing a city in crisis.

The ads, which are running on cable television and online, decry incumbent Councilmember Kendra Brooks for recently voting against legislation that effectively banned supervised drug consumption sites across most of the city. A narrator in the ad says Brooks and her running mate, both of the progressive Working Families Party, also support defunding our police.

An independent expenditure committee called the Coalition for Safety and Equitable Growth  which legally cant coordinate with other candidates  paid for ads. The group, which is a super PAC that can raise unlimited sums of cash, in the spring funded attack ads against former Councilmember Helen Gym, a progressive who finished third in the Democratic primary for mayor.

During the primary, the coalition raised more than $1 million, most of which came from Main Line billionaire and conservative mega-donor Jeffrey Yass. Campaign finance records filed this month show that the group has raised about $100,000 since the spring, and that Yass was not among the contributors.

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Top donors include Richard Green, the former CEO of Firstrust Bank; Richard Vague, a tech venture capitalist; and Mo Rushdy, a real estate developer who is leading the effort. The first batch of commercials is running on Fox News.

 READ MORE: Your guide to the at-large City Council race

Rushdy said hes a Democrat who does not vote for Republicans, but believes in solutions and not rhetoric. He said Brooks and her running mate, Nicolas ORourke, would set the city back.

What were trying to do, he said, is bring people on Council that are serious about getting people out of poverty and tackling neighborhood issues in a pragmatic way.

Eric Rosso, a spokesperson for Brooks and ORourke, said in a statement that the ads are weak and desperate attempts to smear Kendra and Nicolas and said its no wonder theyre airing these ads on Fox News.

What the ads mean for Philly voters

The negative ad campaign marks the latest wrinkle in the competitive race for two seats on City Council that represent the city at-large. The seats are effectively reserved for non-Democrats, and were held by Republicans for decades until Brooks in 2019 won as a third-party candidate.

Now she is up for reelection and the Working Families Party is trying to take both seats by backing Brooks and ORourke. But Republicans say they learned from 2019 and are confident in their candidates, civic leader Drew Murray and small-business owner Jim Hasher.

Hasher, who is backed by the politically powerful Building Trades & Construction Council, is the only candidate currently running ads, which are considered one of the best ways to reach voters. His campaign commercials are largely biographical and say that he would prioritize public safety, the opioid crisis, and tax relief.

Whoever prevails in the Nov. 7 election could potentially tilt the ideological leaning of Council, which is dominated by Democrats and is responsible for setting tax rates, negotiating the city budget, and connecting constituents with city services.

Much of the campaign between the GOP and the Working Families Party has been about ideology, with both sides attempting to cast their opponents as extreme.

The ads funded by the Coalition for Safety and Equitable Growth first attack Brooks for being the only member of Council who voted last month against legislation that used zoning law to prohibit supervised drug consumption sites in most of the city. Brooks has been a proponent of the sites  where people can use drugs under the supervision of a health-care provider and be revived if they overdose  and she led a delegation of colleagues to tour one operating in New York City.

She said she voted against the bill because it offered no hope for the countless people who are praying for their loved ones to live long enough to make it to recovery.

 READ MORE: Philly mayoral candidates are distancing themselves from defund and say police staffing is a key priority

Kendra Brooks and Nicolas ORourke on defund the police

The ad also said Brooks and ORourke are in favor of defunding the police, an idea that gained popularity in 2020 following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Rosso said in a statement that Philadelphians reject the notion that public safety is measured by only one departments budget. He said that the safest communities have quality schools, clean streets, and youth services and voters agree.

Amid the nationwide racial justice movement, Brooks said she would be supportive of disbanding Philadelphias police department. She said that racism was ingrained in criminal justice system and that she doubted reform or training could eliminate it.

You cant professional-develop people out of being racist, she said at the time. About two weeks later, Brooks voted against a city budget proposal, saying that it did not sufficiently reduce the police departments budget allocation and that they have failed to historically make our communities safer.

The same year, ORourke was quoted in Grid Magazine saying that defunding the police was less about harming the police and more about investing in our community.

In the years after the 2020 protests, Brooks has voted in favor of several city budget proposals that added new funding to the police department. The city has increased the police force budget by more than $100 million since then, largely to cover contractually obligated pay raises and upgrades to the forensics lab.

Brooks and ORourkes public safety platforms are largely focused on increasing investment to improve communities hardest hit by gun violence. Both also support funding for more mobile crisis units, which are staffed by behavioral health providers and respond to some emergency calls instead of police.
Rep. Mike Kelly of Western Pennsylvania listens during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington in 2019. Read more

All but one member of Pennsylvanias Republican congressional delegation backed Rep. Jim Jordan for speaker of the House of Representatives in an initial vote Tuesday. Jordan fell short of the votes needed to fill the vacant speaker seat, but additional voting rounds could come as Republicans try to lock down a leader.

Rep. Mike Kelly of Butler County voted for Rep. Steve Scalise (R., La.) in the first round of voting. Kelly, 75, has been in Congress since 2011 and represents the northwesternmost part of the state. He shares similar politics with Jordan, who is an ally of former President Donald Trumps and was a leader in the election denialism of 2020. But Kelly had said from the get-go that he would not back Jordan, insisting that Scalise, who took himself out of contention for the speakership after losing in a vote last week, was the best choice.

In the first round of voting Tuesday, Jordan got 200 votes. He would need 217 to become speaker.

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Kelly introduced a resolution on Monday to allow for a vote to expand the powers of Rep. Patrick McHenry (R., N.C.) as temporary speaker and delay the much-awaited vote on a permanent leader of the chamber. The resolution would expand McHenrys powers until Nov. 17  the deadline for Congress to fund the government and avoid a shutdown  or until a new speaker is elected.

By electing Representative McHenry as speaker pro tempore of the House of Representatives, the House will be able to hold votes necessary to fund the government beyond the expiration of our current fiscal year, Kelly said in a statement. Most importantly, and more broadly, we will be able to continue the work that the American people sent us here to do while we continue searching for a speaker of the House.

No action was taken on the resolution Tuesday. Instead, all eyes were on the vote. Pennsylvanias seven other Republican representatives all voted for Jordan: Rep. Scott Perry, a leader in the Freedom Caucus that Jordan founded; Rep. Glenn Thompson of Centre County; Rep. Lloyd Smucker of Lancaster County; Rep. Dan Meuser of Columbia County; Rep. John Joyce of Blair County; Rep. Guy Reschenthaler of Washington County; and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County.

Fitzpatrick, a moderate Republican, supported Jordan

Fitzpatricks vote was perhaps the most surprising. He is a cochair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, the lone Republican representing Southeastern Pennsylvania, and the most moderate member of Pennsylvanias GOP delegation.

Fitzpatrick, who is also the only Republican representing a district that President Joe Biden won in 2020, faces a more conservative primary challenger next year.

In a statement shortly before the vote, he blasted eight Republican extremists who voted to oust McCarthy and called House Democrats aiders and abettors. He blamed those colleagues for putting his party in a position to choose between a functioning chamber and ongoing legislative paralysis two weeks into the speaker vacancy.

These 208 + 8 have made it abundantly clear that they will not tolerate, protect, nor vote for, any moderate speaker who demonstrates bipartisanship and puts two-party solutions on the floor, Fitzpatrick said. What a terrible message theyve sent to America. And they have now left the rest of us with no other option other than to immediately fill the speaker vacancy with the first member of the majority who can garner 218 votes.

Since the historic ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) as speaker earlier this month, the chamber has been sidelined, unable to move legislation, approve U.S. government funding, or grant aid to efforts such as military support for Israel amid the countrys war with Hamas.

Some Republicans pointed to Israel as a pressing reason to resume governing and lauded Jordans leadership. Jim Jordan will be the peoples speaker for such a time as this, Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.) said, calling him an America-first warrior.

But coming to a consensus on who should lead the narrowly Republican-controlled House has proved fractious. Kelly is one of a handful of Republicans to say he will not support the bid by Jordan. The question now is whether they can be persuaded in forthcoming votes.

For Jordan to advance with the 217 votes needed, he can lose only five GOP votes, assuming that all Democrats oppose him, as they did in the first vote Tuesday.

Jordan also came up short in a speaker vote last week, but his allies have mounted a pressure campaign to sway enough Republicans to their side after the failed bid to elect Scalise.

All eight Republican representatives in Pennsylvanias delegation voted against ousting McCarthy as speaker earlier this month.

The elevation of Jordan would mark a significant rise for one of Trumps longtime allies and a victory for the right wing of the party. It comes during a time when Republicans have struggled to unify in the chamber.

Jordan was a chief supporter of Trump and an outspoken advocate in trying to prevent Pennsylvanias electoral votes from being counted for President Joe Biden in 2020. He voted to reject Pennsylvanias electoral votes and spoke at a Stop the Steal rally in Harrisburg shortly after Election Day.

Democrats have cast Jordan as an extremist. The Democratic caucus chair, Rep. Peter Aguilar (D., Calif.), said on the floor Tuesday that elevating Jordan would show the world the very people who would seek to undermine democracy are rewarded with positions of immense power.

Rep. Susan Wild, a Democrat from Lehigh Valley, characterized her vote against Jordan as a vote to save our democracy before voting Tuesday.

She also criticized Jordan for pressuring other Republicans to support him.

The fact that Jim Jordan had to threaten every Republican member with a primary if they didnt vote for him to be speaker tells you everything you need to know about Jim Jordan, Wild posted on X on Monday.

Former Rep. Charlie Dent, a Lehigh Valley Republican, said Jordans rise would have been unthinkable when he was serving from 2005 to 2018, given that he was one of those really hard-edge guys, you know, a bomb thrower going up on the Hill with no compromise and no consensus.

Staff writer Chris Brennan contributed to this article.
Proud Boys member Zachary Rehl leads a crowd toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington, in support of President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. Read more

The U.S. Justice Department said Monday that it will seek more prison time for former Philadelphia Proud Boys president Zachary Rehl and three other leaders of the militant far-right organization convicted of seditious conspiracy charges tied to their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Prosecutors filed notice of their intent to appeal the 15-year sentence that a federal judge in Washington gave Rehl, 38, of Port Richmond, in August  one of the longest prison terms imposed so far against the hundreds of people who have been convicted of playing a role in the insurrection.

Still, that punishment was half of what government lawyers initially recommended and the minimum term called for under federal sentencing guidelines  a fact that U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly remarked upon as he announced Rehls fate at the end of that summer hearing.

I will probably never sentence someone 15 years below the guidelines in my entire career, said the judge, who granted similar breaks to the other Proud Boys leaders.

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Appeals from convicted defendants are routine. (In fact, Rehl appealed his conviction in the case in September.) It is much rarer for the government to challenge a judges sentencing decision in the appellate courts.

Federal prosecutors successfully appealed the 4-year sentence a judge in Philadelphia gave to former state Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, leading to a 2011 resentencing during which he was ordered to spend five years behind bars, instead.

Rehls lawyer Norman Pattis balked at the governments decision to appeal in his clients case, calling it ridiculous and referring to Attorney General Merrick Garland as unhinged in an email Tuesday.

Call him the Inspector Javert of the DOJ, Pattis said, referring to the single-mindedly obsessed detective from Victor Hugos classic novel Les Miserables. He should take up bungee jumping. This is no longer my government.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

But the move follows similar efforts from the office to seek more prison time in the Jan. 6-related case of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was sentenced to 18 years behind bars in May  seven years less than the punishment prosecutors had pursued.

In both cases, the defendants provoked an assault on the Capitol that threatened the peaceful transition of presidential power  a historic crime for which there exists little precedent and one that warrants a lengthy prison term, prosecutors argued at the time.

A jury found that Rehl and his codefendants  Proud Boys leaders Enrique Tarrio, Joseph Biggs, and Ethan Nordean  organized to rile up members of the crowd that had gathered in Washington on Jan. 6 to support then-president Donald Trump and together led a 200-member force in storming the Capitol building.

These defendants  knew the effect that they had on the people they referred to as the normies, Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Kenerson said at Rehls sentencing hearing. Theyre lucky that Jan. 6 did not turn into a mass casualty event.

Though Kelly determined that their crimes should all be classified as terrorism  a finding that dramatically increased the possible prison time they faced under sentencing guidelines  he said he ultimately did not believe that Rehl and the others intended the type of mass casualty event typically associated with terrorist acts.

He sentenced Tarrio, the former national chairman of the Proud Boys, to 22 years  the longest sentence in any Jan. 6-related case  and Biggs, of Florida, and Nordean, of Washington state, to 17 and 18 years, respectively.

All three of those prison terms were nine or more years less than the minimum sentenced called for by sentencing guidelines.

Prosecutors are also appealing the 10-year sentence Kelly handed down to Dominic Pezzola, a Proud Boys member from Rochester, N.Y., who stood trial with the others and was convicted of felony crimes, but whom the jury acquitted on the seditious conspiracy charge.

Since he was sentenced, Rehl, a Marine veteran and the son and grandson of Philadelphia police officers, has been transferred to the federal detention center in Center City. Hes launched a blog  titled Jailed 4 J6 and hosted by the website of the Patriot Action PAC, which raises commissary money for Jan. 6 defendants  on which he recounts his experiences since his 2021 arrest.

Though Rehl told Kelly at his sentencing that he was done peddling lies for other people who dont care about him, he described his prosecution and trial in a recent post as some of the most serious, unchecked misconduct in the criminal justice system and something that should outrage any constitutional-loving American to their core.
Combating food insecurity is a big job in small towns.

The staff and volunteers at Agnes Table in downtown Chippewa Falls put in long hours to ensure local residents have much-needed food and services. But the space that Agnes Table uses for its food pantry and the free meals served five times a week is quickly becoming too small to meet the communitys needs as demand for its services swells.

We've outgrown our space, said Angela Maloney, executive director of Agnes Table and the Legacy Community Center. So we need a new building. We need a new home. That's probably No. 1. It's something that we're working toward."

Agnes Table serves free breakfast on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and free dinner on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Patrons begin lining up early for meal services in hopes of getting a seat.

The organization also offers a food pantry Monday and Wednesday afternoons that makes available canned goods, cereal, snacks and bakery items, along with frozen and refrigerated foods.

Justin Searles, board president at Agnes Table and the Legacy Community Center, said its difficult to maintain a high level of service and care for patrons in the current facility.

We want to treat our patrons with utmost respect and dignity, he said. Its very difficult to maintain that when everybodys crammed in there.

Searles said the board and staff members talked about how to address the space issues and decided to launch a capital campaign.

Were in the beginning stages of that, Searles said. We're looking to expand and grow the facility that we're in now. So our goal in the next five years is to go through the capital campaign and build a new facility for our patrons.

Agnes Table started in 2003 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary in November. It was originally housed at Trinity United Methodist Church but moved to its current location at 24 W. Grand Ave. in 2016.

Maloney said Agnes Table serves more than just Chippewa Valley. It helps take care of anyone who walks through the door.

It doesn't matter if you live in Chippewa Falls or if you live in Menomonie, Maloney said. "I told a lady the other day that if you want to drive from Texas and get dinner, we'll feed you."

Agnes Table partners with the Cardinal Transition Academy, which provides job skills to 18- to 21-year-olds who have varying disabilities. Along with that, community members help with the food pantry and cooking and serving meals. Local organizations frequently come in with members to purchase food and prepare meals throughout the week.

We're a small organization, so we don't have enough in our budget to support a large staff. Our pantry alone takes about five people to set it up and about three people to run it, Maloney said.

Much of the organization runs on volunteers.

Rhonda Larson is a regular volunteer at Agnes Table. She said she started working there a few months ago.

I just wanted to help the community and had some extra time on my hands and just wanted to fill that time with something that was beneficial to the community and myself, Larson said. I wish I had started sooner. Its been such a great experience.

Searles said the organization needs more breakfast volunteers, and like most nonprofits, it needs additional donations.

We really are seeking financial support being that our numbers are increasing. We're serving all of Chippewa County, not just Chippewa Falls city itself, Searles said. Our numbers keep going up. We're serving those that we've never served before, and it's continued to rise every week.

Agnes Table is serving about 500 meals a week.

Last month, we served 2,000 meals, and the need has gone up significantly since I started last year, Maloney said.

Other needs for the outreach include more breakfast volunteers and a deli slicer for meats and cheeses, Maloney said.

Larson said she hopes that Agnes Table is always there for the community.

I hope it just continues to offer the resources for the community. The food pantry, the meals and just being there for the community. I hope it never goes away, Larson said. I plan to keep doing my part, and I hope others will, too.
While were encouraged by the progress weve made so far, we also realise that this is a journey, and we still have a long way to go, said Kelly, who also chairs his firms RAP committee. Mr Gordons experience, leadership and deep understanding of Indigenous communities will help us take our reconciliation efforts to the next level.
Our investment in CetoAI is the perfect example of the power of insurance to drive market innovation and the development of new products that address climate risk and resilience. With Howdens support, CetoAI can draw upon the best minds and expertise that the specialty insurance market has to offer as it solves some of the greatest challenges facing the maritime industry, Howden global head of marine Daniel Whiteside said.
If your home's cladding material, for instance, does not meet the building code requirements in your area, and in the unfortunate event of a bushfire causing damage to your home, necessitating a rebuild with cladding material compliant with the building code, you will incur higher costs. Your insurance company, in this situation, will typically not cover the higher cost, he said. It is the same if you renovate parts of your property to the new building codes. Your property is valued higher because it is more resilient to bushfires. Unless your insurance company is aware of this and reassesses your insurance premium based on your new building codes, you will be underinsured.
the percentage of claims accepted;

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As of June 30, 2023, the sum insured for death (individual advised) was $1,271,875 million  with Zurich ranking first at $304,767 million. It was followed by TAL at $244,628 million and AIAA at $186,952 million.
News of Trians stake in Allstate brought its stock price up 6% to $127.46 in Mondays trading in New York, according to Reuters. Its stock price was previously down 9% year-to-date, posting a stark contrast to the 4% rise in the S&P 500 Property & Casualty Insurance index.
AP Group is the latest in a string of acquisitions for Hub. Earlier this month, the global brokerage announced that it had finalized the acquisition of Oregon-based Great Basin Insurance. Hub also recently bolstered its private client practice with the appointment of Eric Showalter as senior vice president and head of service and client experience.
A state commission has called for numerous changes to how Virginia and its communities respond to mass shootings, from establishing a victims` fund to teaching people how to slow bleeding before paramedics arrive.

But the panel`s final report on a 2019 mass shooting at a Virginia Beach government building offered little information that was new or overtly critical of how the massacre was handled.

A city engineer had killed 12 people and wounded four others before police fatally shot him. The shooter, DeWayne Craddock, had legally purchased six guns in the three years before the rampage, including the two .45-caliber pistols that were used, authorities said.

The FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit found in 2021 the shooting was motivated by perceived workplace grievances. However, the agency cautioned that no person or group was in a position to see the confluence of behaviors that may have forewarned the attack.

Before its public release this week, family members of some victims saw the commission`s final report as their last chance at accountability. They have alleged a failure by supervisors in Craddock`s office to recognize warning signs in a toxic workplace.

Instead, the document mostly contained recommendations to state lawmakers on how to better prevent and respond to future violence, including in government workplaces.

For example, the commission said the state should require local governments to have emergency action plans, while first responders should have access to all parts of any government building. In 2019, Virginia Beach police could not confront the gunman at one point because they lacked second-floor key cards.

The report acknowledged the commission`s limitations as an investigative body. Obstacles included no subpoena power to interview city employees as well as a lack of adequate funding.

A commission that investigated the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech had a $460,000 budget and eight pro-bono lawyers, the report stated. The Virginia Beach commission had no pro-bono lawyers and a $38,500 budget.

The panel lacked the resources to bring in specialists for consultations in the fields of psychology, security, human resources, or lawyers who specialize in handling mass shootings, the report stated.

The commission initially had 21 members, which led to scheduling challenges and canceled meetings. Virginias Attorney General lambasted the commission in December, citing its overall dysfunction and the resignation of nearly half its members.

Ryant Washington, the commission`s chair, did not immediately respond to a LinkedIn message seeking comment.

David Cariens, a commission member who resigned before the final report`s release, said the panel failed.

The legislature said investigate, said Cariens, who left in part over the commission`s lack of investigatory powers. What was produced is not an investigation. It is a college term paper.

Unlike some reports that have followed other mass shootings, the Virginia Beach document does not consider the matter of gun restrictions, said James Alan Fox, a Northeastern University professor of criminology, law and public policy.

They didnt take up the sort of elephant in the room, which is the adequacy of Virginias gun laws, said Fox, who oversees a mass shootings database that`s compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University.

States that have bans on large capacity magazines tend to have significantly fewer casualties  when there is a mass shooting, Fox added, noting that Virginia lacks the restriction.

Much of the 16-page report focused on the need for more training and planning among police, paramedics and municipal workers.

For example, it asked the state to fund instruction for first responders on the emotional complexity of survivors of mass shootings.

Families and survivors of the Virginia Beach mass shooting reported mishandling in dealing with families and survivors, the report stated.

The commission said the state also should consider creating a mass violence fund that guarantees medical care for victims. Local governments also should boost knowledge in how to slow blood loss. The report cited the federal training program, You Are the Help Until Help Arrives.

Jason Nixon, whose wife Kate was killed in the shooting, said he hoped the commission would have held city officials in Virginia Beach accountable for what he said was a toxic workplace.

There are some good things in there that can help other families in the future,  he said. But the whole point of the investigation was to have accountability. 

Tiffany Russell, a Virginia Beach city spokesperson, said the city was still reviewing the report. But she said it will assess the recommendations and determine what actions can implemented.

Russell noted that the city`s human resources department implemented a centralized system in January 2021 for tracking incidents of potential workplace violence and complaint investigations. Such as a system was not in place when the shooting occurred on May 31, 2019.

Topics Law Enforcement Training Development Virginia
A lawyer for Donald Trump told a London judge Monday that the ex- president plans to prove that a discredited report by a former British spy that contained shocking and scandalous claims that he was compromised by Russians in his first bid for the presidency was wrong and harmed his reputation.

Trump has sued the company founded by Christopher Steele, who created a dossier in 2016 that contained rumors and uncorroborated allegations about Trump that erupted in a political storm just before he was inaugurated.

Trump is seeking damages from Orbis Business Intelligence for allegedly violating British data protection laws. Steeles company is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed during two days of hearings at London`s High Court.

The lawsuit comes as Trump is the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination while facing legal problems on the other side of the Atlantic.

Trump`s lawyers are currently fighting a civil fraud trial in New York alleging he and company executives deceived banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth to secure loans and make deals. He also faces four separate criminal cases for allegations including mishandling classified documents, trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and paying hush money to a porn actress to cover up an affair.

His attorney noted in court Monday that Trump is a controversial figure who expresses himself in strong language and has faced criticism from judges in the U.S. However, he said none of that is relevant in the current case.

Trump is claiming he suffered personal and reputational damage and distress because his data protection rights were violated.

Steele, who once ran the Russia desk for the Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, was paid by Democrats to compile research that included salacious allegations that Russians could potentially blackmail Trump for activity with prostitutes in a Moscow hotel. Trump said the dossier was fake news and a political witch hunt.

Tomlinson said it contained shocking and scandalous claims about the personal conduct of President Trump and included allegations he paid bribes to Russian officials to further his business interests. Trumps case is that this personal data is egregiously inaccurate, he said.

Tomlinson said Trump plans to vindicate himself in court by providing evidence that the report`s claims were false.

Orbis wants the lawsuit thrown out because it said the report was never meant to be made public and was published by BuzzFeed without the permission of Steele or Orbis.

In two previous High Court cases, a judge ruled Orbis and Steele were not legally liable for the consequences of the dossier`s publication.

Photograph: This file photo, dated July 24, 2020, shows former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele in London. (Aaron Chown/PA FILE via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Claims
Banks in Europe will need to adjust the risk assessments they conduct of their clients to reflect new ESG requirements enforced by their watchdog.

In a world first, the European Banking Authority is revising the framework that sets industrywide capital requirements for lenders  known as Pillar 1  to incorporate environmental and social risks. Some of the obligations will be enforced immediately, while others will be rolled out over time and will in some cases lead to new legislation, according to the EBA.

For banks, the regime means theyll have to review default and loss probabilities, as well as the risk weights that go into determining how much capital they set aside for each client account. The development may have major implications for high-emitting sectors such as oil, gas, cement, steel and mining.

Banks in EU Get Worlds First ESG-Related Rewrite of Capital Rules

Cracking down on such risks will be a key area for banks under the new framework, said Jacob Gyntelberg, director of economic and risk analysis at the EBA. Current rules already allow banks to take a forward-looking perspective, and this is one of the areas where we should be able to move a little bit faster, he said in an interview.

Global banking and financial stability organizations are all reviewing reporting and capital frameworks, though none has moved as fast as the EU in setting firm requirements. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision expects to publish a proposed framework for reporting climate-related financial risks before the end of the year that will help guide regulators across jurisdictions.

The EBA is aware that its the first authority publishing specific suggestions on how to practically incorporate E&S risk considerations into the prudential framework, Gyntelberg said.

The European Banking Federation, an umbrella organization for lender associations across the region, is worried theres inadequate data to justify imposing Pillar 1 ESG adjustments, rather than so-called Pillar 2 rules, which are specific to individual banks, said Denisa Avermaete, senior adviser at the EBF.

The EBFs key concern now is that the prudential framework remain evidence and risk based, she said. It is also crucial that once the EBA considers a more comprehensive revision of Pillar 1 or a macroprudential framework, this is done at a global level to ensure a level playing field for EU banks.

Gyntelberg says that for financial supervisors, the Pillar 1 capital process is more disciplined. Thats because banks tend to devote a lot more resources to complying with Pillar 1, which makes it easier to follow as a supervisor.

Banks With Sector Emission Targets

Meanwhile, the EBA rejected industry calls for lower capital requirements to encourage lending to companies that invest in technologies to address climate change, or penalties for exposures to heavy polluters.

There remains a possibility that EU lawmakers may be more inclined to heed such calls, according to Nicolas Charnay, senior director and sector lead for EU financial institutions at S&P Global Ratings.

If policymakers find the EBAs plan doesnt do enough to reward green activities, they may disregard the EBAs concerns and proceed with the introduction of green and/or brown supporting factors, as they have done for the SME and infrastructure exposures, he said by email.

In the short term, the EBAs plan is unlikely to have immediate ratings implications, Charnay said. We continue to assess banks preparedness to respond to evolving regulatory requirements and the broader quality of their management of E&S risks as part of our rating methodology and surveillance.

The EBA says ESG-related losses are set to become more correlated, which is changing the risk profile for the banking sector. The development is expected to become more pronounced over time and has implications for traditional categories of financial risks, such as credit, market and operational risks, according to the watchdog.

The EBAs report contains more than five pages of instructions to banks and national supervisors for short and longer-term changes. Banks and their national supervisors will be expected to reassess collateral values and incorporate environmental risks into trading book budgets. That includes internal trading limits and the creation of new products, the EBA said.

Banks and their supervisors will also need to ensure client credit assessments acknowledge that ESG factors are drivers of credit risk, the authority said. Internal risk models will need to be adapted, and default probabilities  as well as the likelihood of losses stemming from such events  will need to be adjusted, the EBA said.

Inevitably, such measures will require that the industry dedicate extra resources, and banks will no doubt be concerned about the cost implications related to data collection and development of models to better reflect the role of E&S factors, Gyntelberg said.

Some major banks are already trying to adapt.

BNP Paribas SA, the European Unions biggest bank and the target of a lawsuit by climate activists, has extended restrictions on fossil fuel lending to its capital markets business, meaning it will no longer help arrange deals if the issuer intends to use the proceeds to finance new exploration and production. And this month, the German unit of ING Groep NV said its rejecting clients that fail to provide credible emissions-reductions plans.

Such steps follow warnings from institutional investors who are losing patience with banks. They want the gatekeepers of capital to use their clout to impact greenhouse gas emissions by steering cash away from heavy emitters and toward green clients.

Meanwhile, litigation is becoming a growing threat for banks dragging their feet, according to the Network for Greening the Financial System, a group of more than 100 central bankers and regulators formulating recommendations to get through the climate crisis.

In a recent interview, Jean Boissinot, deputy director for financial stability at the French central bank and head of secretariat at NGFS, said what is clear is that if it stays in a blind spot, there will be a painful wake-up call for banks.

James Alexander, chief executive of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF), said in an interview last month that many institutional investors are frustrated at the pace of progress. And thats fed a real appetite for using litigation.

Lawyers advising the industry warn that a lawsuit doesnt need to prevail in order for defendants to be hit by the fallout.

Theres a very clear reputational impact and damage, Sonali Siriwardena, global head of ESG at Simmons & Simmons, said at a recent UKSIF event. They might not have success, but they do the damage.

The requirements unveiled by the EBA last week are just the first in an ongoing series of adjustments to bank rules that will increasingly bring ESG assessments into the industrys day-to-day operations.

When it comes to environment-related concentration risk, we have to carry on building metrics, said Stephane Boivin, acting head of the ESG risks unit at the EBA. But it will take time, because it has to be risk-based and rely on actual evidence and data.

Photograph: Pedestrians pass 30 Churchill Place, centre, which houses the European Medicines Agency, in the Canary Wharf financial, business and shopping district in London, U.K., on Monday, July 31, 2017. Photo credit: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Europe
Why has China achieved remarkable successes in promoting cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative?

14:15, October 17, 2023 By Guo Jiping ( People's Daily

China will host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing from Oct. 17 to 18. It is reported that representatives from over 140 countries and more than 30 international organizations have confirmed their attendance at the event.

Despite the turbulent international situation, China has rolled out the red carpet to welcome guests from all over the world, which demonstrates the country's unswerving commitment to promoting world peace and development.

Photo taken on Oct. 11, 2023 shows a decorative floral display for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. (People's Daily Online/Chen Xiaogen)

Over the past decade since Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), stories of win-win cooperation have continued to unfold along this public road of shared opportunities and common development.

So far, over 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations have signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with China; the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has grown from 57 founding members to 109 members, which account for 81 percent of the world's population and 65 percent of global GDP; and more than 80 routes have been launched for the China-Europe freight trains, reaching 217 cities in 25 European countries.

Experience over the past 10 years has fully proven that the BRI is an open and inclusive platform and a global public good jointly built by all partners.

International analysts have eagerly sought to understand what allowed China to conceive the grand initiative and accomplish significant achievements in furthering its development.

The BRI is the result of China's reflections on the future and destiny of humanity. In March 2013, in the face of the profound questions of "What is wrong with the world?" and "What should we do about it?", which concern the world, history and the times, Xi creatively proposed the concept of building a global community with a shared future.

By launching the BRI, China aims to put this concept into practice and build a practical platform and open up paths for creating an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

The BRI stemmed from China's unshakeable pursuit of world peace and development. China unswervingly follows the path of peaceful development. It safeguards world peace to ensure its own growth, and contributes to world peace through its own development.

Taking the path of peaceful development is China's response to international concerns about its development direction, and also a reflection of the confidence and consciousness of the Chinese people in achieving their development goals.

Photo shows the first phase of the headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a China-aided project, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (People's Daily/Yan Yunming)

By proposing the BRI, China strives not only to pursue its own development and enhance its capacity to safeguard world peace, but also to benefit the world by strengthening the forces for upholding world peace and development.

In pursuing Belt and Road cooperation, China will not resort to the outdated geopolitical maneuvering, but will create a new model of win-win cooperation. It will not form "a small group detrimental to stability", but will try to create "a big family of harmonious coexistence".

The success of the BRI represents the success of China's development path and experience. China has achieved the two miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, resolved its problem of absolute poverty once for all, and realized its first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The fundamental reason for these achievements is that China has found a successful development path that is suited to its national conditions and people's aspirations and supported by its people.

With nine percent of the world's arable land and six percent of the freshwater resources, China feeds nearly one-fifth of the world's population. In 2022, China's GDP expanded to 121 trillion yuan ($16.56 trillion), while its share of the global economy rose to 18 percent, demonstrating remarkable development achievements.

The success of China's development path has strengthened other developing countries' determination to pursue paths based on their own national realities, and China's great achievements in development have boosted other developing countries' confidence in realizing national prosperity, national rejuvenation and improving people's wellbeing. The BRI has provided valuable opportunities for other developing countries to draw on China's development experience.

Photo shows a distant view of the container terminal of the Piraeus Port in Greece. (Photo/Zhang Zhiming)

The success of the BRI is the success of China's commitment to open development. Only when a country is strong enough can it have the confidence to open its doors to the world, and opening up in turn enhances its prosperity. The BRI is a major initiative China has launched to expand opening up. It is not a solo endeavor by China, but a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders.

In the face of a rising tide of de-globalization, China remains firmly committed to high-level opening up, creating an even brighter future for cooperation under the BRI.

The BRI has continuously broken deadlocks, removed bottlenecks and spurred innovations, showing the world that only by building an open world economy can countries improve the wellbeing of their peoples.

As former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero pointed out, the BRI upholds an open and inclusive vision for development that transcends borders and zero-sum game mindset, which is precisely the development philosophy the world urgently needs today.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
NFP, a New York City-based property/casualty broker, announced its acquisition of The Cronin Insurance Consultancy Ltd., a commercial insurance broker based in the West Midlands, England.

This latest acquisition continues NFPs growth in the region and provides Cronin with access to integrated risk management solutions for its clients. Darren Cronin, owner and managing director, will join NFP along with the rest of the team at Cronin.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2018, Cronin is an independent insurance broker offering a mix of products across commercial and personal lines. By joining NFP, Cronin will benefit from a stronger infrastructure of support and offer a wider range of group benefits, risk, wealth and retirement solutions to their existing clients.

We are passionate about adding like-minded commercial insurance brokers to our roster, especially ones like Cronin who understand the industry and client needs, said John Paul Allcock, group managing director, NFP in Europe. With an experienced team and a dedicated, well-respected leader in Darren, Cronin will be a valuable member of the NFP family. We look forward to providing their clients with our integrated solutions, while expanding our commercial offerings throughout the UK.

Cronin described the acquisition as a win-win for all Cronin stakeholders, especially our clients, who will benefit from the wide array of NFPs solutions and services that can help them address ancillary needs around human capital, wealth and retirement.

Source: NFP

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions
DETROIT (AP)  The U.S. Labor Department said that investigators found 19 safety and health violations at a General Motors joint venture electric vehicle battery plant in Ohio during a two-week period this year.

The department`s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fining Ultium Cells LLC $270,091 for the alleged violations at a recently opened factory in Warren, Ohio.

The plant, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, started making battery cells in 2021.

The Labor Department said inspectors found that Ultium Cells didn`t comply with federal safety standards for use of personal protective equipment including respirators. They also found that the company didn`t install guards on machines or train workers in procedures to control hazardous energy, and it failed to provide eye wash stations, emergency showers and hand protection, among other violations.

Ultium Cells technology and advanced manufacturing facilities are part of a new and emerging field, but workplace safety standards  such as machine guarding, personal protective equipment and emergency response training  have been the law for decades, OSHA Cleveland Area Director Howard Eberts said in the statement.

The agency says Ultium Cells has 15 business days from the date it received the citations to comply, request an informal conference or contest the findings with an independent commission.

Ultium Cells said in a statement Thursday that it requested a hearing with OSHA. We look forward to a constructive dialogue with OSHA and hope to resolve these issues quickly and reinforce our commitment to fostering a safety-first mindset among all Ultium team members, the company said.

Authorities began investigating the plant after an explosion and fire in March. It did four inspections between April 24 and May 5, the statement said.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions USA Ohio
BMS Group Appoints Andras Bohm as Head of U.S. Capital Advisory

BMS Group announced the appointment of Andras Bohm as the head of its U.S. capital advisory business and the CEO of BMS Capital Advisory, Inc. (BMS Groups U.S. broker-dealer). Bohm will be responsible for leading the brokers investment banking and legacy solutions team in New York, working with his UK and Bermuda counterparts and will report to BMS Re CEO, Pete Chandler.

Bohm joins BMS from Swiss Re Capital Markets, where he led the teams structuring activities in the Americas. Over the past decade, he has supported clients in executing more than 70 transactions with a total amount of over $15 billion.

NIP Group Names Lindemann SVP and General Counsel

NIP Group, headquartered in Woodbridge, N.J., appointed Erik Lindemann as senior vice president and general counsel.

Lindemann has over 20 years of experience as outside counsel and, for the last 10 years, as in-house counsel to two insurers.

Ascot Names Stoik to Head of Marine

Ascot Group named Pat Stoik executive vice president, head of marine, Ascot U.S., effective October 24. He will be based in New York and will report directly to Matt Kramer, CEO, Ascot U.S.

Stoik brings more than 35 years of senior management, underwriting, and broker experience to Ascot. Most recently, he served as chief risk officer for Overhaul Group, Inc. Stoik has also spent time at major P/C insurance companies including Great American Insurance Group, where he oversaw four underwriting divisions  including ocean and inland marine, in the U.S. and Europe. He began his insurance career at Chubb, where he spent more than 25 years in roles of increasing responsibility.

Topics USA
The US is pushing a group of governments to publicly commit to not make ransom payments to hackers ahead of an annual meeting of more than 45 nations in Washington later this month.

Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser, told Bloomberg News that she is incredibly hopeful about enlisting support for such a statement but acknowledged its a hard policy decision. If members cant agree to the statement in advance of the meeting, then it will be included as a discussion point, she said.

Ransomware is a type of malicious code that encrypts a victims computer files, essentially rendering them useless. The hackers then demand a payment to provide a key to unlock them. Another popular type of extortion attack involves hackers stealing sensitive documents from a victim and demanding payment to not post them online.

Such ransom attacks have grown in popularity in recent years, in part because they are so profitable for hackers. Thats because victims often conclude that its easier to pay the ransom and restore operations than push back against the hackers demands.

The aim of the statement is to change that calculus, Neuberger said. Ransom payments are whats driving ransomware, she said. Thats the reason we think its so needed.

Youve got to go to the root cause, Neuberger said. The root cause is money. The statement is expected to apply to governments rather than companies that regularly fall victim to ransomware attacks. Neuberger indicated it would be a first step toward a broader effort to curb ransom payments to hackers.

The Biden administration established an annual international summit to address ransomware in 2021, a gathering of cybersecurity leaders from different nations that were brought together to collaborate on ways to curb the attacks. The first summit came months after a cyberattack against Colonial Pipeline Co. disrupted fuel supplies along the US East Coast and served as a broad wake-up call about the dangers of ransomware. Since the first meeting, the number of participants has expanded from 31 countries to more than 45.

But more than two years after the Colonial Pipeline hack, a string of disruptive ransomware attacks on hospitals, manufacturing and casinos in recent months shows more still needs to be done to curb the crime, Neuberger said. Were going to eradicate the ghost of Colonial Pipeline, she said, explaining the intention behind the Oct. 31 meeting.

Charles Carmakal, chief technology officer at Mandiant Consulting, is among those who argue that an outright ban is still far from feasible.

Theres so much more that needs to be done before you could outlaw extortion payments, he told Bloomberg in September. Law enforcement has to get more aggressive with threat actors and impose pain onto them.

But Neuberger argues that advances in cybersecurity standards, preparedness and stronger interventions from law enforcement mean its now more feasible not to pay ransoms. She said more companies are now making backups so they can restore their systems if they are hacked, and that insurance company policies are incentivizing higher cybersecurity standards.

The UK, which is co-leading the effort to counter illicit finance with Singapore under the counter ransomware initiative, didnt reply to a request for comment. The Record, a publication by the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future Inc., previously reported the US push for a statement from governments not to pay ransoms.

Neuberger, who is attending this weeks Singapore International Cyber Week, is also making a push for greater disclosures in cryptocurrency transactions to help curb money laundering. She wants to expand the number of countries that implement Know Your Customer rules for cryptocurrency firms, at least on a voluntary basis.

In addition, the US wants governments around the world to establish cybersecurity labeling standards so consumers can assess  before they make purchases  how secure are internet-connected devices such as baby monitors and home alarms, Neuberger said. The US announced a proposal for a voluntary cybersecurity labeling effort for internet-connected devices earlier this year.

She said the goal is to have labels on such Internet of Things devices in stores in time for Christmas 2024.

Photo: Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics USA
A Tulsa, Oklahoma manufacturing facility exposed employees to struck-by hazards and identified 36 violations, including 25 serious safety violations of U.S. Department of Labor regulations, three federal workplace safety and health investigations found.

Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an initial investigation into Accurate Manufacturing Inc. in response to a workplace fatality.

In its initial inspection, OSHA found an employee suffered fatal injuries during pressure testing of a heat exchanger. With pressure at 2,600 psi, one of the exchangers plugs blew off and struck the employee. OSHA determined the company violated the general duty clause for not keeping its employees safe. Further inspections at the facility identified 25 serious safety violations related to the following hazards:

Failing to keep exit routes free from obstruction.

Allowing a barrel of flammable chemical to not be grounded and bonded.

Failing to have an energy-control program or provide related training.

Allowing the use of powered industrial trucks, slings and lifting devices that were not in safe operating condition.

Failing to install required machine guards.

Not ensuring electrical equipment was maintained properly and in safe operating condition.

Failing to provide flame-proof shields or screens and protective eye wear to welders and their assistants.

In addition, OSHAs health investigation at Accurate Manufacturing Inc. found 10 violations. The agency cited the company for its failures to do the following:

Employ a continuing and effective hearing conservation program and maintain accurate records of employees exposure measurements.

Establish and maintain an audiometric testing program and valid baseline audiogram.

Make sure the facilitys paint spray booth met all OSHA requirements.

Keep the space around the spray booth clear and install sprinklers.

Provide comprehensive respiratory protection and written hazard communication programs.

The agency has proposed a combined total of $275,890 in penalties for the three inspections.

Founded in 2000, Tulsa-based Accurate Manufacturing Inc. and its sister company Professional Fabricators Inc., established in 1997, manufacture and build steel products for various industries, including oil and gas. The companies employ about 40 workers who specialize in steel fabrication and manufacturing.

Accurate Manufacturing Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHAs area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA

Topics Workers' Compensation Manufacturing
Global insurance broker NFP announced it has acquired Benefits & Co., the Florida benefits business of Clearscope, a benefits services and software firm with offices in New York and New Jersey.

Based in Sunrise, Florida, Benefits & Co. is an employee benefits broker serving employer groups and individuals across Florida. It offers medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, group life, and flex spending plans.

The acquisition closed on August 8.

Benefits & Co.s Jessica Gabe joins NFP and reports to Sarah Wollschleger, market leader for NFPs benefits business in south Florida.

Bill Austin, managing director at NFP in south Florida, said the move aligns with NFPs goal of expanding its business across Florida through organic growth and targeted acquisitions.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Florida Agencies
The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that an insurer misunderstood when a three-year statute of limitations begins in dismissing the insurers claims relating to a fire on an insureds property.

The high court affirmed that a statute of limitations begins when the cause of action accrues, in this case a fire that started July 12, 2018, and not later. Thus under the states three-year statute of limitations, any negligence claim had to be filed by July 12, 2021.

Western World Insurance Group filed its negligence and contract claims a day late, on July 13, 2021. It argued that the filing was still timely within the three year window because the fire was not extinguished and the cause and extent of the damage as well as any negligence were not known until July 13, 2018. But the states high court effectively said anything learned after the day the fire started is irrelevant to when the statute of limitations begins.

On July 12, 2018, Sunbelt Shavings requested that an employee from KC Welding come repair the door of a box containing wood chips. Sunbelt manufactures and sells wood shavings used as bedding for horses, livestock, and other outdoor pets. The shavings are stored in metal bins with doors at the bottom.

According to Western Worlds complaint, on the night of July 12, 2018, apparently as a result of smoldering wood shavings inside the bin, the storage bin ignited, creating a fire that subsequently spread through the Sunbelt Shavings property. The fire burned throughout the night of July 12, and it was finally extinguished in the early morning hours of July 13, 2018.

Three years later, on July 13, 2021, Western World, as the subrogee of Sunbelt, sued KC Welding for breach of contract and negligence related to the fire.

Western World alleged that Sunbelt employees discovered that KC Welding employees were welding on the storage bin that had not been emptied of the wood chips. Upon this discovery, Sunbelt employees asked the KC Welding employee to leave the premises immediately, and the Sunbelt employees attempted to soak the area where he had been working with water.

KC Welding moved to dismiss Western Worlds case as untimely. The company argued that under Mississippi case law, a claim accrues on the day all elements are present, which it said was July 12, 2018.

Western World maintained that its complaint should not be barred by the statute of limitations because the injury was not discovered until the fire was extinguished on July 13, 2018 and the elements of both causes of actions were not present until July 13, 2018.

On May 2, 2022, the trial court granted KC Weldings motion to dismiss due to the applicable statute of limitations. Western World appealed.

Mississippi code states that all actions for which no other period of limitation is prescribed shall be commenced within three years next after the cause of such action accrued, and not after. In its appeal, Western World maintained the trial court erred by determining the cause of action accrued on July 12, 2018, when the fire started, and not when the fire was extinguished on July 13, 2018.

The high court said the specific facts of this case indicate that the cause of action accrued on July 12, 2018, and not when the blaze was extinguished some five to six hours later on July 13, 2018. Therefore, Western World had until July 12, 2021, to bring a timely claim against KC Welding.

The law also provides for latent injuries and the discovery rule: In actions for which no other period of limitation is prescribed and which involve latent injury or disease, the cause of action does not accrue until the plaintiff has discovered, or by reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury.

Western World maintained the trial court erred by determining that the fire was not a latent injury. The insurer said that the discovery rule applied to toll the accrual of its action. Western World asserted that in situations where a fire destroys or causes damage to certain property and the cause is not immediately known, whether the property owner has suffered a legal injury . . . is not always apparent while the structure is still burning.

However, the high court rejected the notion that the inability to immediately know the cause of the fire created a latent injury. The high court noted that it has previously held that causes of action accrue upon discovery of the injury, not discovery of the injury and its cause. Knowledge of the cause of the injury is irrelevant to the analysis, the court said.

The fact that Western World did not know every precise detail about the fire on July 12, 2018, does not show a latent injury nor did it toll the statute of limitations, the court stated.

Therefore, the court ruled, the fire was not a latent injury that would require the statute of limitations to be tolled.

Topics Carriers Mississippi
MIAMI (AP)  A Florida executive whose family business once owned Playgirl magazine is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud for misleading investors in another of his companies  one that made high-interest loans to small businesses.

Carl R. Ruderman, 82, was chairman and chief executive officer of 1 Global Capital LLC, a commercial lending company that filed for bankruptcy in July 2018. Federal authorities said he took part in a $250 million scheme that affected more than 3,400 investors in 42 states.

Ruderman pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Miami. Court records show sentencing is set for Jan. 3, and he faces up to five years in prison and forfeiture of more than $250 million.

Ruderman admitted spending 1 Global investors money on credit card payments, vacation travel, drivers, nannies, housekeepers, tuition, mortgage payments, luxury car payments and insurance payments for his art collection and jewelry, the Justice Department said in a news release Friday

Ruderman also admitted diverting investors` money to businesses benefitting him and his family, without investors knowledge, the department said.

The company  based in Hallandale Beach, Florida  made loans to small businesses, called merchant cash advance loans. Prosecutors compared those to payday loans.

The Justice Department said Ruderman admitted he and others made false representations to investors and potential investors about the profitability of 1 Global. Investors were falsely told the company had been audited by a public accounting firm, that investors` money would be spent on the merchant cash advance loans, and that people could expect double-digit returns on investments.

The Securities and Exchange Commission said in a 2018 complaint against Ruderman and 1 Global that the company collected money from investors, many of whom used retirement savings, from February 2014 to July 2018.

The SEC said 1 Global was formed in 2013 and owned by the Ruderman Family Trust. The SEC said the trust also owned other businesses, including Digi South, which used to own Playgirl and other adult magazines. Digi South used the same address as 1 Global and received approximately $805,000 in investor funds from 1 Global for no consideration or legitimate services, the SEC said.

Four of Rudermans co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the 1 Global fraud, the Justice Department said.

Alan G. Heide, 65, of Lake Worth, Florida, the former 1 Global chief financial officer, pleaded guilty in 2019 to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. He was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay more than $57 million in restitution.

Andrew Dale Ledbetter, 81, a lawyer from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pleaded guilty in 2021 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud. He was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay more than $148 million in restitution.

Steven Allen Schwartz, 78, of Delray Beach, Florida, a director and consultant at 1 Global, pleaded guilty in 2020 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud. He was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay more than $36 million in restitution.

Jan Douglas Atlas, 78, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a lawyer, pleaded guilty in 2019 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud. He was sentenced to eight months in prison and ordered to pay more than $29 million in restitution.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida
A federal judge has trimmed nine months off former Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Becks prison sentence for embezzlement, not because of his good behavior in jail, but because he has no prior criminal history.

Both Defendant and the Government agree that Defendant meets the criteria for Zero-Point Offenders contained in Section 4C 1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines, and would therefore be entitled to decrease the offense level determined under Chapters Two and Three by 2 levels,' reads an Oct. 16 order from U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen.

Cohen had sentenced Beck in October 2021 to 87 months in prison plus $2.6 million in restitution to a homeowners underwriting association that he led before he was elected state insurance commissioner in 2018. But since then, the U.S. Sentencing Commission has amended its complex sentencing guidelines and made them retroactive. An federal appeals court remanded Becks case to the district judge for an adjustment.

A zero-point offender classification, for convicts with no prior criminal record, was considered a significant change in the sentencing guidelines, and could affect many federal inmates, according to reports from ZeroPointOffender.com and from news outlets and law firms.

Becks attorney also noted in a memorandum to the court that Beck has used his time wisely while behind bars. Impressively, Mr. Beck has completed 37 classes, all that he was eligible for while incarcerated, attorney Randy Chartash wrote. He also has completed the written portion of a commercial drivers license program, potentially making him eligible to drive trucks or buses after he is released from prison.

Beck and his wife also have paid $359,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service in back taxes, his lawyer noted.

All of that should have led to a reduced sentence of just 70 months in prison, Becks lawyers said. But the judge declined to go lower than 78 months. Cohen also noted that Beck is still responsible for paying $2.6 million  with interest  to the Georgia Underwriters Association, a corporation that provided property insurance for homeowners and others that could not find affordable coverage in the primary market.

Most of that restitution must go to Cincinnati Insurance Co., which paid the association for the losses due to Becks embezzlement.

Beck, now 62, was president of the association from about 2012 to 2018. Prosecutors said he stole the funds from the association by setting up front companies that were paid by the association. Some of the stolen money was used to fund Becks successful campaign for insurance commissioner in 2018, prosecutors have said.

Just weeks after he was elected, Beck was indicted and the Georgia governor removed him from office.

Topics Georgia
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Seventeen Florida sheriff`s deputies appeared in court on charges that they stole about half a million dollars in pandemic relief funds.

The Broward County deputies, who are charged separately, are accused of a range of crimes, according to court records. Most are charged with wire fraud, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, though one deputy is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which has a maximum sentence of five years.

The eight law enforcement deputies and nine detention deputies have been suspended, Sheriff Gregory Tony said during a news conference. He said his office is going through the legal process of firing them.

At the end of the day, they will be gone, Tony said.

The deputies collectively defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program out of about $500,000, said Markenzy Lapointe, the U.S. attorney for the southern district of Florida.

No matter the amount, we will not allow limited federal tax dollars, which were intended to provide a lifeline to small businesses as they struggled to stay afloat during the economically devastating pandemic lockdown, to be swindled by those who were employed in a position of trust and cast aside their duty to uphold and abide by the law, Lapointe said.

Tony said his office began investigating the agency`s 5,600 employees in late 2021 after learning that pandemic relief fraud was an emerging trend within public service agencies and receiving a tip that some of his employees might have participated in fraud. Broward Sheriff`s Office investigators found about 100 employees who had applied for COVID-19 relief loans and eventually turned the investigation over to the U.S. attorneys office and the Federal Reserve Board.

For five years, Ive maintained an organization committed to transparency and accountability, Tony said. I will continue to expect integrity and commitment to excellence from every BSO employee.

Lapointe said his office continues to investigate possible fraud.

The Paycheck Protection Program involves billions of dollars in forgivable small- business loans for Americans struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The money must be used to pay employees, mortgage interest, rent and utilities. It is part of the coronavirus relief package that became federal law in 2020. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is designed to provide economic relief to small businesses that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.

Photo: The sheriff and officials last week at a press conference about the charges. (Photo from Broward County Sheriffs Office)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida Fraud COVID-19
A smart water station. A work boot. A snow blower. Bacon.

These are some of the coolest things made in Wisconsin.

The four products are the finalists in the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest, going on its eighth year, said Nick Novak, vice president of communications and marketing for WMC.

Each year, WMC and Johnson Financial Group partner to put on the contest, Novak said. The competition aims to highlight the states manufacturing industry, as well as the career opportunities that are available in the manufacturing sphere.

The four finalists include:

Bevi Bottleless Water Dispenser: The smart water cooler lets you select which type of water you want and reduces plastic bottle use. From Plexus Corp. in Appleton.

Applewood smoked bacon: Slices come from hand-trimmed slabs smoked over applewood logs for up to 24 hours. From Nueskies Applewood Smoked Meats in Wittenberg.

American Heritage 6-inch safety toe work boot: Made with tobacco oil-tanned leather, theyre slip-resistant. From Thorogood in Merrill.

Limited-edition Sno-Thro snow blower: A 24-inch snow blower that throws snow up to 55 feet and has auto-turn steering and heated grips. From AriensCo in Brillion.

To vote for the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin, visit madeinwis.com/final-round and click on your favorite product. Voting ends at noon Thursday.

We are excited to see who the winner will be, Novak said. The four finalists are a great representation of the diverse manufacturing industry we have here in Wisconsin.
The mother-and-daughter owners of a California home day care were arrested after two children drowned in the backyard pool earlier this month, authorities said.

The two 1-year-olds died Oct. 2 while at Happy Happy Daycare in the Almaden neighborhood of San Jose, police said. A third child who was rescued from the pool on the same day suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to investigators.

The business owners, a 64-year-old woman and her 41-year-old daughter, surrendered to San Jose police on Friday after arrest warrants were issued, officials said. They could face charges including neglect of children resulting in death and neglect resulting in injuries.

Calls to a phone number listed for the day care went unanswered Sunday.

The Santa Clara County Coroners Office identified the two children who died as 1-year-old Payton Cobb of Hollister and 1-year-old Lillian Hanan of San Jose.

Happy Happy Daycare had been cited for staffing and monitoring violations by California licensing officials, who initially raised separate concerns about the potential for children to access the backyard pool, according to state records obtained by NBC Bay Area.

The defendants were scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 6.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
Fatigue and complacency led to a passenger and car ferry crashing into a terminal in Seattle last year, causing $10.3 million in damage to the ferry, according to the National Transportation Safety Boards final report.

The Cathlamet ferry departed Vashon Island on July 28, 2022 and crossed Puget Sound with 94 people on board. It was approaching its dock in West Seattle when it struck an offshore piling part of the dock called a dolphin, the NTSB said in the report. One minor injury was reported. The dolphin had $300,000 in damage, officials said.

The ferry captain did not take any action to correct the ferrys course, slow down or sound the alarm before the contact, according to the report. Investigators said the captain also didn`t recall what happened and seemed unaware of how the ferry wound up hitting the pilings. Those events are consistent with incapacitation from a microsleep, a period of sleep lasting a few seconds, because of fatigue, NTSB investigators said.

Mariners should understand the performance effects of sleep loss and recognize the dangers of fatigue, such as microsleeps, NTSB investigators said in the final report. Mariners should avoid being on duty when unable to safely carry out their responsibilities, investigators added.

Additionally, the ferry crew when docking didn`t comply with Washington State Ferries policies and neither did the quartermaster on board who should have been monitoring the captain as the ferry approached the dock, the report said. Had he done so, he could have taken over when the captain became incapacitated, according to investigators.

Washington State Ferries runs vehicle and passenger ferry service in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands and is the largest ferry system in the U.S. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the agency thanked the NTSB for their support and findings, which officials said essentially verified the results of an internal investigation released in March.

Safety is our top priority, Washington State Ferries tweeted.

A separate United States Coast Guard investigation is ongoing, the agency said.

The state ferry system has experienced staffing shortages for several years and mechanical issues with the vessels, which have led to delays and fewer boats in service at times.

Nicole McIntosh, Ferries` deputy assistant secretary, this week told the Legislature that hiring progress is being made, but a shortage remains, The Seattle Times reported.

The vessel involved in the crash, the Cathlamet, is 328 feet long and can carry up to 124 vehicles and 1,200 passengers.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Washington
October 17, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) A new study by crypto tax software CoinLedger reveals that the Retail & E-Commerce sector has the highest number of companies that offer the option to purchase through cryptocurrency.

The study compiled a list of more than 300 major companies which are known to accept cryptocurrency methods and categorized them into sectors, to discover which one contains the most companies offering crypto as a payment method.

Retail & E-commerce take first place with a total of 60 companies accepting crypto payments. The sector includes clothing and accessories stores like adidas, Yankee Candle and H&M, as well as online shopping platforms such as Etsy.

Second on the list is the Food & Dining sector with 54 companies. Examples are Chipotle, Chuck E Cheese's, Domino's and Hard Rock Cafe, and delivery services such as DoorDash and Uber Eats. Different services became available gradually in different countries: Burger King Venezuela has been accepting Bitcoin payments since 2020.

Luxury Retail comes in third with 35 companies offering the service, among which there are high fashion brands Gucci and Ralph Lauren, luxury watches retailer Hublot, as well as jewelers such as Jewelry Affairs and CRM Jewelers.

Further down on the list, Travel & Hospitality is fourth with 31 companies accepting crypto payments. These range from commercial airlines such as Norwegian Air and Vueling to private jet hire like Fast Private Jet, LunaJets and PrivateFly. Cruise companies Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises are also on the list, as well as trip-organizing help sites like GetYourGuide.

The top five closes with Internet & Online Services companies, as 28 accept crypto as a form of payment. These companies offer a service available to use online from our phones and laptops, such as Google Play and Spotify, and different VPN services like CyberGhostVPN, ExpressVPN and FrootVPN.

David Kemmerer, Co-Founder and CEO of CoinLedger commented on the findings: "The increasing number of companies accepting cryptocurrency payments reflects the growing acceptance and adoption of digital currencies in the mainstream economy. This trend not only aligns with the evolving preferences of tech-savvy consumers but also offers benefits such as reduced transaction fees and increased security. From major retailers to small businesses, the diversification of sectors embracing cryptocurrencies demonstrates the versatility and potential of blockchain technology. As this trend continues, it's likely to contribute to the broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate form of payment, paving the way for a more decentralized and accessible financial landscape."

Credit to: https://coinledger.io

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Vancouver, British Columbia - October 17, 2023 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Casa Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CASA) (OTC Pink: CASXF) (FSE: 0CM) (the "Company" or "Casa") is pleased to provide an update for its Congress Gold Mine project located near the town of Congress in the Martinez Mining District of Yavapai County, Arizona, and an update of planning. Casa is the owner of a 90% interest in the Congress Gold Mine property.

The historic Congress mine produced approximately 500,000 ounces gold from the Congress and Niagara veins. All production was from underground workings. Casa, in a news release dated 20-09-2022, announced completion of ten drill holes with lengths between 74.7 and 365.8 metres (245.1 feet and 1200.2 feet) and in a news release dated 30-01-2023, announced initial assay results in a tabulation of significant intercepts that included the following:

The Congress Gold mine operated at intervals from 1880 to 1992. Casa purchased the property in 2021 and conducted due diligence, data compilation and field surveys, followed in 2022 by diamond drilling 10 drill holes with a total length 2,081 metres (6,828 feet). The 2022 drill program was planned to confirm the accuracy and integrity of the gold and silver mineralization database. Additionally, the purpose of the drilling was to establish geological characteristics of mineralization and host rock formations and to confirm exploration potential in and near the former Congress Mine. Operations were conducted in accordance with Arizona mining regulations and the federal Mines Act of 1871 and OSHA. Site management and drill core processing were supervised by a Registered Professional Geologist registered in the State of Arizona.

Based on the available historic data, additional mineral rights adjoining the mine were acquired by staking and the property now comprises both patented and Lode Claims totaling 305.33 hectares (754.48 acres). Historic data collected from the MY zone (western extension of the Congress Gold Deposit) has demonstrated a major gold veining system that has yet to be drill tested. The geological and mineralization models have been developed and an exploration plan is being finalized that upon completion will be announced.

Farshad Shirvani, President and CEO stated, "Our exploration team has extensive experience in geological exploration and planning, with multiple mining exploration discoveries, advancing through to mine development. It is the geological knowledge and market awareness that builds the foundation of a successful company, and we are dedicated to investing in the exploration and potential development of the Congress Gold Mine Project."

2024 Exploration Program

Casa is currently planning a 2024 program of drilling and exploration work on the property to advance the Congress Gold Mine project. Work will be directed to follow-up drilling in the areas of gold-bearing quartz veins and auriferous sheared zones in and near the Congress and Niagara veins, and to potentially rehabilitate parts of the past producing mine.

About the Congress Mine

The Congress mine is a shear zone hosted gold-silver deposit: low sulphide gold quartz veins occupy complex structural zones in coarse-grained gneissic granodiorite and pegmatite of Precambrian age. Gold values occur in association with fine-grained pyrite and, frequently, other sulphide minerals.

Most historic production was from the Congress and Niagara veins that are exposed on surface over more than 1060 m (3,500 ft) and 365 m (1200 ft). Both veins trend northwesterly and dip moderately to the north and were variously mined to several hundred metres from surface. Several other gold-bearing veins are referred to in archival documents but have not been investigated.

Qualified Person:

Mr. Erik Ostensoe P.Geo., a director and chief geologist of the Company, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.

About Casa Minerals Inc.

The Company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in Canada and the USA. Casa owns ninety percent (90%) interest in the Congress gold mine (Arizona, USA). This historic high-grade gold producing mine has not been explored nor been in production since 1992. Additionally, the Company owns a one hundred percent (100%) interest in the polymetallic Pitman and Keaper properties (BC, Canada) and has an option to acquire a seventy-five percent (75%) interest in the Arsenault VMS Property (BC, Canada).

On Behalf of Board of Directors

Farshad Shirvani, M.Sc. Geology

President and CEO

For more information, please contact:

Casa Minerals Inc.

Farshad Shirvani, President & CEO

Phone: (604) 678-9587

Email: contact@casaminerals.com

https://www.casaminerals.com

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Dr Declan Townsend recently became the latest recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award at MTU Cork School of Music.

The award was established in 2015 to honour the achievements of notable CSM graduates, and previous recipients have included Cara O'Sullivan, Mary Hegarty, and Majella Cullagh.

Born in Tralee, Co Kerry, Dr Townsend began teaching at the Union Quay facility in Cork in 1974 before moving into a Head of Department role in 1981.

He was subsequently involved in many areas of the Cork music scene, composed numerous pieces and also reviewed classical and opera concerts for the Irish Examiner for many years.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Dr Ciara Glasheen-Artem, Head of MTU Cork School of Music, paid tribute to Dr Townsend.

Dr Townsend graduated with a Dip-CSM in 1958 and since then has inspired young people and amateurs with his energy and love of music. His thirst for knowledge and spirit of life-long learning has seeped into the foundations of the Cork School of Music.

An attempt to sum up the role of music in my life

by Declan Townsend

I attended the Christian Brothers school in Tralee and, following my fathers transfer to Cork, at Sullivans Quay.

My instrumental training was in the Cork School of Music. At UCC I did a BA in Gaeilge, Geography and Music, followed by a B. Mus postgraduate study which led to an M.A. (The Origins of the Irish Jig) and PhD (Choral Folksong).

The first PhD in Music awarded by the National University of Ireland was obtained by Ita Hogan from Ballintemple, Cork. I was the second PhD graduate.

My ambition was, I suppose, to "teach the world to sing", following the motto of the Elizabethan composer, William Byrd, who wrote Since Musick is so good a thing, I wish all men would learn to Sing.

Not only did I want to share my own obsession with music, I wanted every Irish child to be able to read music and make music either with an instrument or with others, singing in a choir.

I was, in 1960, the only man employed in a secondary school in Cork (CBC on Wellington Road) to teach music.

While there I taught class music, and choral music, as well as teaching and conducting one of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas every Christmas.

Outside of school I played in the Donal Ring Ceili band, and became musical director of the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of Nigel Hay productions.

Grainne Townsend and Eadaoin Morrish at the recent awards ceremony at MTU Cork School of Music. Picture: Darragh Kane

While in UCC I had conducted the Choral Society in The Beggars Opera, and The Conspirators, by Schubert.

In later years I was to conduct about 20 different operettas in Cork, Fermoy, Waterford, Clonmel, and Limerick but all the while I was becoming more and more obsessed with choral music and music in education.

Pilib O Laoghaire recruited me to conduct a male voice choir in Cobh, the Irish Steel Male Voice Choir and they taught me more than I taught them. They provided some of the most moving musical experiences that I've ever enjoyed.

I studied the Ward method of teaching music to children while I was teaching in Christians and then became head of music in 5t Colman's College, Fermoy.

While in St Colman's, I was involved in introducing the new curriculum for music in the Intermediate Certificate to teachers from all over Munster.

The president of St Colmans College, Fr Chris Twohig, was a highly cultured man, and we ended up with five teachers in the music department of the school.

My constant studying of Irish music began to take a back seat to my interest in how music was taught all over Europe, particularly in Hungary, where the composers Bartok and Kodaly were incorporating Hungarian folk music into their classical compositions.

Having spent eight years trying to track down the origins of Irish reels, hornpipes, and set dances, I changed course and undertook part-time study towards a PhD in ethnomusicology.

Simultaneously, I began to lecture at summer courses for primary teachers and to discover what was needed in the classrooms.

I was invited to return to Cork and join the staff of the School of Music. There, I developed a methodology for teaching sight singing, and eventually published a collection of songs, chosen by the teachers, to sing in harmony with ad-lib accompaniments for whatever instruments were available in the classrooms.

Bernard Casey and Declan Townsend at the MTU Cork School of Music for the awards. Picture: Darragh Kane

Although I never considered myself a composer, I had, right from the time I was in CBC, been writing music for all sorts of ensembles, instrumental and choral.

Over the years I have composed solo songs, songs with piano accompaniment, choral music for children and adults in 2, 3, and 4 parts, masses, hymns, music for violin and piano and numerous other instruments, as well as orchestral music for strings, concert band, and symphony orchestra.

And this does not even scratch the surface of what I have arranged for choirs and student ensembles.

If asked, 'What do you do as a musician?', my response is I've done almost everything except conduct a professional orchestra or opera company. l've even sung (as a Hebrew slave) in Verdi's opera, Aida.... and played in a ceili band in the Cricklewood Ballroom, London.

I came to a thorough appreciation of opera after marrying Grainne, who knew far more about it than me. But I knew more about oratorio than her, even though she had sung in Messiah in Galway, where the conductor and all of the soloists were internationally known celebrities. Music for Grainne and me has been a constant joy.

She tells me that, when she agreed to marry me, I told her, "Although you will be my wife, Music will always be my mistress:"

When I came to reviewing performances of concerts, recitals, operas, etc for the Irish Examiner, I regarded my role as an educational opportunity and sought to draw the attention of readers to the beauty of what was being performed.

Having reviewed over 600 such events I can honestly say that I've done my best to raise the level of appreciation of the Divine Art that has been my raison d'etre all my life.
The families of missing people will meet politicians at Leinster House on Wednesday to lobby for improvements in procedures, saying at present families feel frozen out.

The meeting is being organised by Claire Clarke Keane, the sister of missing woman Priscilla Clarke, and Senator John McGahon.

Priscilla Clarke disappeared without trace in 1988 while out horseriding with her employer, Lynda Kavanagh. Ms Kavanaghs body was recovered two days later but Ms Clarke has never been found.

Priscilla Clarke went missing while horseriding with her employer, Lynda Kavanagh, in Wicklow in 1988. Ms Kavanaghs body was recovered from the River Dargle two days later but Ms Clarke has never been found.

A cold case review of her disappearance was opened in 2008 but no progress has been made in finding her.

Her sister Claire will lead a delegation of families of missing people during meetings with TDs and senators on Wednesday.

She said: We want, when the election comes around, that every partys manifesto will include making improvements to the system and having a committee that involves family representatives. At the moment, families feel frozen out.

Claire Clarke-Keane, whose sister Priscilla Clarke went missing at the Dargle river close to Enniskerry, Co Wicklow in 1988, speaking during Missing Persons Day 2022 at Croke Park, Dublin. File picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

She said that the group will highlight shortcomings in the human remains database during meetings on Wednesday.

A spreadsheet of details of 44 unidentified remains across the State was published by the Department of Justice in May.

The details of the 44 human remains  including location and date of discovery, and any distinctive aspects such as clothing or tattoos  have been inputted into a database which can be accessed online.

However, the spreadsheet does not include any images, unlike its equivalent in the UK.

Claire Clarke Keane has raised concerns recently that the Irish spreadsheet does not go far enough.

Denis Walsh Snr's son, Denis, went missing in 1996. A month later, Denis Jnr's remains washed up on Inis Mor  but it was not until 2021 that this family discovered his fate. See below. Picture: Brian Arthur

She told the Irish Examiner: We are looking for the database as well  a proper one. And support for families who have people missing overseas and in Ireland.

Ms Clarke Keane first came up with the idea of a database of unidentified remains across Ireland almost 20 years ago, three years before the opening of a cold-case review of her sisters disappearance.

Priscilla Clarke is one of more than 800 people who remain missing in Ireland.

Ms Clarke Keane says the current database is a start but it needs to have visuals of distinguishing clothing, jewellery, or any other items found with or on unidentified remains.

In Limerick, the family of Denis Walsh is planning to sue the State after they discovered in February 2021 that their sons remains had been lying in a communal grave in Galway unknown to them.

He had disappeared 25 years earlier and his remains washed up on a beach on Inis Mor a month after his disappearance.

Although his body lay in a morgue in Galway for 18 years before being buried in a communal grave, efforts by his parents Denis Senior and Mary to find their son failed.
After just one year since he returned to his native Gaza from the UK, the realities of war have already set in for 13-year-old Omran Abu Assi.

Fleeing barrages of Israeli air strikes and missiles, the British passport holder and his family recently settled in Gazas southern Khan Younis city, along with hundreds of thousands of other evacuees.

The kids are playing in the park, with the bombs going off Its unsafe, its not fair. I feel bad for the kids. Its not the kids fault that this war happened. Its no ones fault it shouldnt be happening, Abu Assi told Reuters, in his native English, from a playground with his siblings and parents nearby.

Abu Assi said the move has been stressful for everyone, and hoped that the borders of the southern Gazan city of Rafa will open up, allowing him and his family to evacuate to Egypt safely.

Homes have been destroyed, theres people sleeping on the streets, you can see rubble nearly everywhere you go. Its really, its horrible. Theres fires, smoke, anywhere you look. Theres sand everywhere. Its like a war zone. It is a war zone, said a clearly tired 13-year-old Abu Assi, whose parents gave Reuters permission to speak to him as he is minor.

Israel has urged exhausted Gazans to evacuate south, which hundreds of thousands have already done in the besieged enclave that is home to more than 2 million people. Hamas, which runs Gaza, has told people to ignore Israel's message.

Inside Gaza's narrow and crowded streets, conditions are deteriorating as deaths from Israeli air strikes rise. Bodies are being stored in ice cream freezer trucks because moving them to hospitals is deemed too risky and cemeteries are full.

If Rafah doesnt open we could be in serious trouble. I dont know what to do. Ive been this war, I dont know, five, six days now. Ive lost track of the weeks. It really has been so stressful, he said.
The son of an Irishman who died in New Zealand after he received a martial arts style kick to the head has said he will never be able to hug his father or tell him he loves him again.

Anthony Kelly, 61, originally from Monasterevin, Co Kildare, was assaulted in Ballantynes at Christchurch Bus Exchange on October 18 last year.

He was in hospital for 10 days before he passed away.

His attacker, Mark Nagel, 19, was given a two-year sentence in prison by Justice Rachel Dunningham at the Christchurch High Court on Friday.

The teenager had pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Kellys son, Ryan, said at 21 he should have been enjoying his life but instead he had kept a bedside vigil beside his father hoping he would wake up.

He said he was suffering from flashbacks after watching his father pass away and that following his death, he would get home from work and sit in his car and cry.

He said, a part of me will be broken for the rest of my life.

He described how Nagels cowardly actions had ripped his father away from his family.

In my opinion, whatever you do with your life will never come close to the pain and suffering you caused, he said.

My father was a good man who loved life and had fun. I am proud to be his son.

Mr Kellys brother said he had waited a long time to face the killer.

His statement was read by the prosecutor, while he stared directly at the accused in the dock.

It read: What you did will be with you for the rest of your life. You will never escape it.

Mark Nagel in Christchurch High Court 17 Ocotber 2023 where he was sentenced to two years imprisonment for the death of Anthony Kelly Picture: New Zealand Herald

Followed by gang of youths

The court heard Mr Kelly was attacked by a group of youths who followed him after they believed he had taken pictures of them on his phone.

Mr Kelly hit out in self defence, but he was kicked in the shin before Nagel walked through the group and kicked him in the face using a martial arts style kick.

Mr Kelly fell to the ground and hit his head on a pavement before the group fled the scene.

The court heard Nagel high-fived his friend who had kicked Mr Kelly in the shin and they both left on different buses.

CPR was performed on the victim before he was rushed to hospital, however, Mr Kelly died 10 days later after the family made the heart-wrenching decision to turn off a life support machine.

A third victim impact statement, written by Mr Kellys former partner, said she was heartbroken as she would never have the opportunity to reconcile with him.

She said he died thinking she hated him when in reality she loved him.

Crown prosecutor Mitch McLenaghan said audio from the attack, which was filmed, was utterly chilling and Mr Kelly was significantly outnumbered.

Lawyer for the accused, Trudi Aickin, said her client wished to apologise to them for the harm he had caused and wanted to face them in a restorative justice meeting.

Nagel would have to live with what he did for the rest of his life and was focused on changing himself, she said.
The final report on the Governments major security conference has said that Irelands neutrality is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for Irelands standing as a force for good in international affairs.

Professor Dame Louise Richardson, who was the chair of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, said some people have a strong and emotive attachment to the concept of neutrality as part of our national identity.

However, in her final report on the security forum to Tanaiste Micheal Martin, she said this appears to be more to an abstraction than to a specific policy.

The forum was convened to discuss Irish foreign policy and the approach to defence and security in a changing geopolitical environment.

Protesters stand as Professor Dame Louise Richardson and Micheal Martin attend the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy at the University of Galway (Brian Lawless/PA)

It was held across four days in June in Cork, Galway and Dublin and was disrupted by several protests.

Critics said the forum was a deliberate attempt to erode Irelands position on neutrality, a claim rejected by the Government.

Senior ministers had said there were no predetermined outcomes from the security forum.

In her report, Prof Richardson said there was an absence of a popular mandate to drop the current policy of neutrality.

However, she said the link between Irelands global reputation and its policy of neutrality is probably more tenuous than is generally asserted and that the policy has changed throughout the history of the State.

The forum chair said it was difficult to argue persuasively that neutrality between an aggressor and a victim is righteous.

She said it was also evident there was no agreed definition of neutrality in Ireland and under international law.

Some of her key findings included:

There is currently no popular mandate in Ireland to abandon the policy of neutrality

There is no agreed definition in international law of neutrality - but that it would be "very difficult to argue" has ever conformed to the often-cited Hague Convention on neutrality.

There was a broad consensus that Ireland needs to invest more in its defence, across all three services, the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps.

A recent poll was cited that claimed that one-thirdof the population favoured neutrality, one-thirdopposed it, and one-thirdexpressed no opinion

It was pointed out that as more people move to Ireland from Eastern Europe ,where NATO is seen as a source of security, these numbers could change

Prof Richardson said Irish governments have recently drawn a distinction between military and political neutrality and between military nonalignment and political nonalignment.

However, she characterised Ireland as an outlier compared with other neutral countries in Europe.

Prof Richardson said: Austria, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland all invest heavily in their defence forces; they have conscription and very large reserves to supplement their significant standing forces.

Ireland is not, and never has been, in a position to defend its neutrality, unlike other neutral European countries.

Neutrality without the means to defend it necessarily entails relying on the goodwill or enlightened self-interest of others. This is not an optimal position for any sovereign state.

Throughout the forum discussions and in the subsequent submissions, there was widespread support for increased expenditure on defence.

It was not tested whether there was an appetite for the scale of expenditure that would be required to defend Irish neutrality, or even to deter an attack. This would require a radical change in government policy.

She said proposals for a constitutional amendment on neutrality were another contested issue, adding it could impair future governments ability to respond effectively to a crisis.

Prof Richardson added: Irelands conception of neutrality might more accurately be described as political alignment and military nonalignment. While Irelands practice of neutrality does not conform to international norms, it remains popular in Ireland.

Forum chair Professor Dame Louise Richardson speaking in Cork (Brian Lawless/PA)

She noted there was considerable disagreement on the extent to which Irelands international reputation as an honest broker and positive force was due to neutrality.

Prof Richardson said some argued that it was one factor among many and that other countries were not aware of the policy.

She added that some had contended that Irelands policy of allowing others to provide our security amounted to free-riding and undermined our global standing.

Prof Richardson concluded: It would seem, therefore, that Irelands policy of neutrality is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for Irelands global standing as a force for good in international affairs. The most that could be said is that it probably helps.

Throughout the forum, it was suggested that the Constitution should be amended to include a perpetual commitment to neutrality.

Reflecting on the divided debate on the suggestion, the forum chair wrote: In view of the rapidly changing nature of the security environment faced by the State, it would be reasonable to conclude that the imposition of rigid constraints, like a constitutional amendment, is likely to have a negative impact on the states ability to act effectively in the international arena.

The security forum was not designed to make policy prescriptions.

Prof Richardson said the forum found a number of areas of agreement, including pride in Irelands global reputation in international affairs and the need for greater public expenditure on all three branches of the Defence Forces.

However, she said there were other areas which were contested, including that Irelands triple lock policy, which requires Dail, government and UN Security Council approval for the deployment of more than 12 Defence Forces members on overseas peacekeeping operations, should be reconsidered.

On the triple lock mechanism, Prof Richardson wrote: While there was not a consensus on this point, the preponderance of views, especially among the experts and practitioners, is that it is time for a reconsideration of the triple lock as it is no longer fit for purpose.

Responding to criticism of the make-up and structure of the security forum more generally, she said: I believe that this was an admirably open and transparent process where unfettered debate was encouraged, and a wide range of views expressed.

Prof Richardson concludes that it will be important to continue this national conversation on Irelands role in the world.

Mr Martin said he wanted to commend Prof Richardson for her work.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA)

Appearing before an Oireachtas committee on foreign affairs, Mr Martin said: The question of the triple lock was also raised.

From reading the chairs report, it is clear that there is no one viewpoint on how best to manage the decision to deploy Irish troops abroad.

However, in my own view, we must consider the challenges facing the UN Security Council in agreeing or renewing UN peacekeeping mandates.

The implications of this for Ireland and our current policy is simply something we have to take seriously.

The Tanaiste is to consider the reports conclusions ahead of a Dail debate in the coming weeks.

Mr Martin is then to decide whether to bring recommendations to Government.
A motorist accused of endangering life, drink driving, and having a false passport from the Czech Republic during an alleged escapade of dangerous driving in Cork city appeared before Cork District Court.

Bartlomiej Wojtasiak, aged 38, of The Heron, Jacobs Island, Mahon, Cork, was charged by Detective Sergeant Christopher Cahill with a number of new charges arising out of the same incident on October 16.

He was previously charged with two counts of dangerous driving.

Most significantly  on Monday  he was charged with endangerment.

It relates to December 6, 2022, at Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, when it is alleged that he recklessly drove a 2018 registered car in a manner that created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

He was also charged with drink driving at the same time and place, having no insurance, no licence and having a false instrument, namely a driving licence purporting to be issued by the Czech Republic which was and which he knew to be a false instrument.

Bail in the case was previously set by the High Court where he was required to lodge 15,000 cash. An independent surety of 25,000 also had to be lodged.

He is required to reside at his address at Jacobs Island, and sign twice daily at Anglesea Garda Station between 9am and 1pm and between 3pm and 7pm.

He also has to surrender all identification documents and travel documents, provide a mobile number to gardai, have no contact with witnesses, and remain sober, be of good behaviour, and keep the peace.

Judge Joanne Carroll adjourned the case until November 13 to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

The accused was represented by solicitor Michael Quinlan.
Young Mallow man Tyler Jackson was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday for murdering a 24-year-old Galway man as the victims family said justice had been served but they would never wake from the nightmare of their loved ones murder.

Ms Justice Eileen Creedon imposed the mandatory life sentence on Tyler (Tiggy) Jackson of Ballydaheen West, Mallow, County Cork, who was convicted last week of murdering 24-year-old Conor Quinn at Bridge Street, Mallow, County Cork, on July 12, 2018.

The evidence was that he stabbed the victim once in the heart on the side of the street resulting in Mr Quinns death moments later. His last words were: Im after being stabbed, Im after being stabbed, am I going to die?

On Tuesday his family said, through the deceaseds aunt, Jennifer Quinn: Conor was a wonderful person with a great sense of humour. He was a very lovable son, brother, partner, nephew, grandchild, cousin, friend to many and soon-to-be father. Conor was full of childish fun and always made sure to put a smile on your facethe person who would light up any room he walked into.

"He was the dancer at the party, the storyteller in the room, the rascal who started the prank. He was the one who always made us laugh no matter what.

Conors death has left an endless void in our lives and in the lives of all who knew him.

The family continued in their victim impact statement:

Conor was ecstatic in anticipation to start his own family as a soon-to-be father. He was ready to embark on this new chapter in his life with so much enthusiasm, love and pure pride.

Conors mother, Teresa Quinn, said: It will ache me for eternity when my little grandson often asks me, Nanny, I wish my Daddy was here to play with me and give me a cuddle. Why did he have to go to heaven? What happened to my daddy? A question no one should have to answer, not the way we will one day. A grief that I never want my grandchildren to ever endure.

The fact that this act of violence occurred in broad daylight, in a public setting, compounds the pain and leaves a lasting scar on our collective consciousness. The complete disregard for human life leaving us with a harrowing sense of vulnerability.

On behalf of the family, Jennifer Quinn continued: The prolonged agony and uncertainty inflicted upon us was further compounded by the defendants decision to flee the scene. Taking nearly five years to get justice only deepened our pain and suffering. The defendants deliberate choice to flee the scene demonstrates a complete disregard for the consequences of his actions and a blatant disregard for the grief and suffering endured by Conors loved ones.

The relentless pursuit of justice during these years has been emotionally draining. This extended period prevented the possibility of any closure and the opportunities to begin the journey toward healing were denied.

It was also deeply distressing to witness the defendant laughing, sneering with his thumbs up to his acquaintances, displaying a complete neglect to the severity of the charges. The defendants action served as a painful reminder of the disregard he has shown for the life that was taken away.

Though justice has been served, the pain of his massive loss will always be a part of us. July 12, 2018, will forever feel like a bad nightmarea nightmare that we will just never awake from.

The Quinn family thanked the ambulance crew at the crime scene, staff at Cork University Hospital, the gardaiespecially their liaison officer Garda Marie McCarthythe court, the Department of Justice and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Conor Quinn was described by his family as "a very lovable son, brother, partner, nephew, grandchild, cousin, friend to many and soon-to-be father".

Inspector Hugh Twomey said that despite a full murder investigation immediately after the incident in July five years ago, the man who was suspected of the murder fled to England immediately afterwards.

Extensive enquiries were made to establish his whereabouts through the co-operation of police in the UK. Finally, in November 2021 Tyler Jackson was arrested in Cambridge. In February 2022, he was brought back on a European arrest warrant and charged with murder.

Defence senior counsel Brian McInerney said: Mr Jackson acknowledges the jury verdict. He disagrees with same. It is his intention to appeal.

The defence did not give evidence but suggested through senior counsel Brian McInerney that the deceased man had a knife in his hand and that the fatal injury resulted in a collision between the two men when the deceased ran across Bridge Street in Mallow at around 8pm that Thursday in July five years ago, and that this resulted in the deceased man effectively stabbing himself.

Dr Margaret Bolster, pathologist, replied: In my opinion that would be very unlikely It would be a very unusual place to stab yourself and it would require at least a moderate degree of force. The stab wound entered the left side of the late Mr Quinns chest, cutting into the middle of his body, fracturing his fourth rib and piercing his heart.

Cross-examining, Mr McInerney, defence senior counsel said one witness saw the deceased run across the road, colliding with the accused. He asked about that collisionand if the deceased had a knifeMight that amount to moderate force? Again the pathologist said it was unlikely. Mr McInerney continued: But not impossible. Dr Bolster replied: Nothing in the world is impossible but very unlikely.

As for the defence contention that the accused never had a knife, there was one prosecution witness who saw him leaving the scene after the fatal stabbing occurred and that he was carrying a kitchen knife.

The young witness Christina Kearney, whose statement to the gardai was read to the jury during the trial, was quoted as saying: I saw Tiggy sprinting against us. Another lady said, what was he in such a hurry for? When I saw Tiggy running I saw a knife in his handin his left hand. A kitchen knife, the statement said.

While it was clear from evidence referring to the deceased chasing the accused man earlier that evening in Mallow that he was angry with him, it was not clear in the case what gave rise to this.

Mr Boland for the prosecution said: Obviously, this case is a tragic case. One young man is dead. One young man is accused of his murder. Over what? We dont know. But I would comment it was young mens bravado and bullshit, if I can use that phrase.
A Dublin youth has received a six-month custodial sentence for endangering two female gardai in a patrol vehicle which was rammed by stolen cars in Ballyfermot last year.

The 16-year-old boy, who later used a high-powered electric motorbike on bail while "goading" gardai, had his case finalised at the Dublin Children's Court on Tuesday.

District Court president Judge Paul Kelly also placed the teenager, who is to be detained at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus, on supervised probation for 12 months. He cannot be identified because he is a minor.

At earlier stages in the proceedings, probation reports were sought on the boy who had already spent a 10-day stint in custody on remand for breach of bail. The court had heard that in August the teen recently followed detectives to get a chase and nearly ran over a child doing a "wheelie".

However, after spending a week-and-a-half in custody, he was released back on bail with a warning to obey the re-instated conditions, including a ban on using any motor vehicle.

The schoolboy, accompanied to court by family, had pleaded guilty to endangerment of the two officers' lives, a motor theft offence, criminal damage and dangerous driving in connection with the incident at Cherry Orchard Avenue in Ballyfermot, Dublin, on the evening of September 19, 2022. Clips of the scenes went viral on social media last year.

A stolen silver Toyota Aqua collided head-on twice with the patrol car, which was also "side-swiped" once by another Toyota Aqua, driven by the boy who maintained he had not intentionally connected with the garda vehicle.

Bail breach

The defence had organised psychological assessments. However, the court had heard that he had broken a 10pm to 8am court-imposed curfew and an order not to use any motor vehicle.

The court heard that on a date in July, the teenager was on an electric motorbike capable of up to 80km/h, which followed a garda vehicle for 10 to 15 minutes in south Dublin. A garda detective took a photo of the boy to "detract him from goading us to chase him".

On another date in August, the teenager was found in a house of extended family members several hours beyond his curfew. Another curfew breach happened when the teen was part of a crowd verbally abusing gardai, but he complied with a caution to leave the vicinity.

The court heard that in August, the teenager was spotted doing an estimated 6070km/h on the same electric motorbike in a crowded area. Detective Chris Jones had said the teen went on footpaths and almost collided with a young child while performing a wheelie.

Defence solicitor, Lorraine Stephens, had said her client, who has no prior convictions and had never been in custody before this case, accepted he broke the bail terms.
A Ukrainian refugee is set to appeal her bail refusal to the High Court in a case where she is accused of dangerous driving causing the death of a fellow Ukranian man with whom she had been socialising in Cork.

43-year-old Kseniia Vasylenko of Cork Airport Hotel appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison on the charge of dangerous driving a Hyundai Alantra at Cork Airport causing the death of Andrii Nesterov, who was aged about 50, after 2am on Sunday morning, October 8.

Detective Garda Gary Brennan alleged she was driving the Hyundai car owned by the deceased and that her driving was dangerous, resulting in his death.

Bail was refused last week at Cork District Court.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, explained to his client she would be obliged to turn up in Cork District Court in person if granted bail in the High Court.

On the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis, Judge Joanne Carroll adjourned the case until November 7.

Applying for bail last week, the accused said her husband was still in Ukraine working in IT and working with the resistance in this capacity. Describing her decision to leave her home she said her child was in Kindergarten and she was working with the local authority in central Ukraine. She now lives in Cork with her five-year-old son and her mother.

I did not want to leave my country. I love my country. I made the decision to come here to save my life and the life of my son. I came across Poland, Romania, Moldova, to Dublin City West to here. I have been in Cork since December 2022. I have been in the airport hotel in accommodation centre.

I can understand police are afraid I will flee because I am not a resident of Ireland. I can agree to everything to be home with my son. I promise I wont be leaving the country.

"I would do everything suggested to me to confirm I am not leaving the country. I have nowhere to go. I have no relatives who can accept us across Europe.

I love Ireland and Irish people. It is like Ukraine. They accept us like relatives. They love us, Ms Vasylenko testified.

She testified she would stay in Ireland to face the case, adding: I am not a criminal person. I want to be with my son if it is possible.

Detective Garda Brennan said the objection to bail was based on the seriousness of the case and the prosecution belief that the defendant was a flight risk.
Get into your car in the middle of Cork City and drive to Bandon. Once youre away from the traffic, its a beautiful drive, a wide sweeping road in parts, stretches along the River Bandon, characterful villages like Innishannon are on the way with gorgeous views on either side. It takes about half an hour.

And once you reach Bandon you have driven the entire length of the Gaza strip.

Imagine it. An entire country, no longer than the journey from Cork to Bandon, or Limerick to Ennis, or Dublin to Naas if you prefer. No more than seven miles wide. And in that tiny space more than two million people, the vast majority of them poorer than we can imagine. One in every three of the people who live in Gaza is under 14. There are very, very few people as old as me (and Im not that old).

Today that two million people is living in terror, bewildered and lost. By this time tomorrow a lot of them may well be deadand a lot of the dead will be children.

I have often hesitated to write about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I can claim no expertise, I have never visited the region, and I am emotionally torn. But there are situations that none of us can ignore, and this, surely, is one of them.

Perhaps I should address the emotionally torn bit first. The great loyalist David Ervine once told me that he totally respected my right to be Irish, but he couldnt understand why I would expect him to be less British so I could be more Irish. That statement affected the way I look at the world.

Everyone has the right to self-determination. That right doesnt extend to dictating how other people should live their lives and how they should govern themselves.

Emotionally, I have always believed in the right of the Israeli state to exist. There are no people in the world who have suffered a greater injustice and cruelty in their history than the Jewish people. No one has a greater right to self-determination, or to a homeland, than the people of Israel.

But the Palestinian people have an equal right to self-determination, an equal right to raise their children in a place they can call home. Thats an inviolable human and political right.

For reasons of geography and history, the only way now that these two rights can co-exist is by co-existence, by people agreeing to live side by side. What is called the two-state solution. That approach has long been advocated by people who wish both Israel and the Palestinian people well. Right now it looks like a hopelessly naive point of view. But its not.

The Gaza strip, the only home millions of Palestinians know, is ruled by Hamas. Hamas believes in terror. Although it has several times pretended to offer a show of support for two-state approaches, its fundamental aim is the destruction of Israel, and its preferred approach is atrocity.

When Hamas terrorists invaded Israel 10 days ago and carried out a series of merciless atrocities, they knew exactly what they were doing. They knew that couldnt overwhelm Israelthey couldnt kill everyone. And they knew exactly how Israel would react.

In fact, they knew there was a strong possibility that Israel would massively overreact. Israel can kill everyone. They have the power and resources to kill everyone they believe to be part of Hamas or a supporter of Hamas.

And right now, it looks as if thats exactly what they intend to do. And it seems they will have the support of the great majority of Israeli people as this vengeful operation starts.

The irony in all this is that a month or so ago, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was an increasingly despised figure among his own people. Now Hamas has succeeded in uniting Netanyahus country behind him.

As an outsider looking in, I find this impossible to figure out. And Im not alone. Theres an Israeli writer called Ori Hanan Weisberg, one of several I follow on social media. He too seems confusedin fact the only emotion he can express right now is anger. Anger, as he says, at Hamas, and the vicious slaughter and widespread trauma they inflicted, gleefully, on so many people.

But hes also angry at Hamas for undercutting the struggle for Palestinian rights and lending credence to the caricatures of Palestinians as bloodthirsty savages who just want to kill Jews, which is far from the truth. There is no doubt, surely, that Hamas has set back the cause of Palestine by a decade or more.

A lot of his anger is reserved for the failure of the massive Israeli defence and security architecture to predict and protect. But most of it is directed at Netanyahu.

I am angry, he says, at this absurd government led by a man who has time and again placed his own interests and power above duty to country, while posing as a superlative patriot  Im angry at his party for clinging to him despite his amorality (or immorality) because doing so has served their own interests.

Israel has suffered a vicious and merciless attack that has killed and maimed hundreds of innocent people. It has the absolute right to seek out those responsible and to try to bring them to justice. We would set out to do the same, within our resources, if it happened to us.

But Israel does not have the right to take revenge on an entire people. It does not have the right to deprive an entire people of water or to disable their hospitals. Given that a third of the people who live in the Gaza strip are under the age of 14, Israel knows now that the massive military operation it is about to launch will kill hundreds of children.

There can be no moral justification for waging war against children. Dozens have died already, and the World Health Organization has asserted that the forced evacuation of hospitals in Gaza is an effective sentence of death for hundreds more.

In the long post I read from Ori Hanan Weisberg, there was one simple sentence that struck home with great force.

He said:

There is no security and dignity for Israeli Jews, if there is no security and dignity for Palestinian Arabs.

Israel and Hamas are blind to that now, but the rest of the world cannot allow itself to be.

No democratic leader can give carte blanche to revenge. At times of the greatest difficulty in the Irish peace processafter the Shankill Road massacre, for instancedemocratic leaders asserted first principles over and over: the central value of consent, the repudiation of violence, the primacy of democracy.

Asserting first principles in this case means re-stating the two-state solution. The worlds democratic leaders need to come together around a total repudiation of violence and the strongest possible assertion of the right for justice, security, and self-determination for both Israel and Palestine equally. It might be dismissed as blowing into the wind but its not.

Constancy about values has never mattered more. Moral leadership has never mattered more.
Im delighted to hear that the English school curriculum in England is about to be shaken up by the arrival of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden into classrooms.

This is part of wider plans to turn pupils into educated citizens in modern society by including contemporary material alongside the more established canon, and its led by Oak National Academy, the British government-backed creator of curriculum resources. A spoonful of grunge helps the western classical tradition go down, as Mary Poppins almost said.

Hello, hello, how low, some might argue. No doubt the critics will see this as dumbing down, a defeatist attempt to pander to todays teen spirit. Oh well, whatever, never mind. Ive seen first-hand the beneficial effects of creating an invisible string between historical works and modern popular culture in my new course at Ghent University in Belgium.

Titled English literature (Taylors version), it offers in-depth perspectives on the works you might expect on an English literature syllabusfrom anonymous Old English poets to Geoffrey Chaucer, Charlotte Bronte and Sylvia Plathwith a special guest appearance from the 21st centurys new literary superstar, Taylor Swift.

Since the 2020 release of her albums Folklore and Evermore, increasing interest has been paid to Swift as a literary artist, whose works brim with references to everything from Alices Adventures in Wonderland to The Great Gatsby.

The esteemed Shakespeare professor Jonathan Bate recently argued that Swift was a literary giant, declaring that he would compare her (favourably) to the greats of poetry and prose. Her songwriting blends genres, subverts traditions and reflects playfully on its own production and reception in ways that are comparable to centuries-old literary texts. Placing Swift in dialogue with such authors can only broaden our understanding of both.

If bringing Kurt Cobain into the classroom gets us reflecting on what material is deemed fit for education and what isnt, it will spark important conversations about gatekeeping: which cultural outputs come to be recognised as highbrow or classic, who decides, and how those decisions expose deep-rooted sociopolitical and institutional hierarchies. Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

Who is William Shakespeare anyway? In an age that seems increasingly distant from the days of the Bard, it is vital that we keep relevance at the front of our minds when it comes to education. Students might be unlikely to pick up a copy of Sir Gawain and the Green Knightan anonymous 14th-century poem that begins in King Arthurs court in Camelot and is written in Middle Englishfor fun.

Frame such a poem as offering a hot take on the concept of chivalry, and raising the same kinds of questions that Swift does in her break-up ballad White Horse, and it hits different. You not only pique students interest but also make a strong case for the continuing applicability and the vibrant afterlives of historical literary texts.

In my classroom, we made fascinating connections between feminism, medievalism, ethics and even modern incel culture, and I watched a centuries-old text come to life again before my eyes. Classic literature should not be enshrined as a monument, left to stagnate by our misguided notions of sanctity and untouchability, but should be treated as a living thing: like any real love, it is ever changing.

I imagine that this mentality underpinned the decision to award Bob Dylan the Nobel prize in literature in 2016. What better way to emphasise this than through connection with Swift herself, who has re-invented herself countless times and always comes back stronger?

Ive faced a fair amount of snobbery and backlash. Ive heard that historical literature should remain strange and not be sullied through comparison with something as frivolous as pop music. Swift only writes about boys and break-ups, so how can she possibly be considered literary? (I hate to break it to you, dear reader, but most of the literary canon is about boys and break-ups.)

One Flemish journalist wrote scathingly: Its an auditorium, not a kindergarten. Amid all this critique, something that has been conspicuously absent is the question of what the students themselves might actually want. Ive received emails from students and teachers worldwide, whose interest in literature has been rekindled by its connections with Swift.

'Get lit with English lit'

My course has more than twice as many participants as I would usually expect, from diverse backgrounds. There are students who graduated decades ago, but have returned to the classroom for fun; students taking degrees in biophysics, veterinary sciences or archaeology who see the humanities as an important complement to their vocations; and students training to be teachers, hoping one day to make their own curriculums more relevant and accessible.

When I ran an anonymous poll in the first class, asking students why they signed up, there were recurring themes: innovative, out-of-the-box approach; to see how classic literature is interacted with today; and, my favourite, to get lit with English lit.

If bringing a little more kindergarten to the classroom means creating a space where students can be playful, experiment and ask questions, then perhaps we should all be doing so.

We surely learn best when the topic has some personal or contemporary relevance. For too long, our curriculum has been shaped by elitist notions of quality, timelessness and valueoverlooking the fact that all of these designations are highly subjective.

Read More US newspaper chain looking to hire Taylor Swift and Beyonce experts

If bringing Cobain into the classroom gets us reflecting on what material is deemed fit for education and what isnt, it will spark important conversations about gatekeeping: which cultural outputs come to be recognised as highbrow or classic, who decides, and how those decisions expose deep-rooted sociopolitical and institutional hierarchies.

Critical thinking is a vital skill in our age of fake news, political unrest and 24/7 media. Placing popular culture in dialogue with the historical encourages us to reflect on what we study and why, which can only prompt wider, very necessary conversations about culture, value and ideology.

Lets not allow our cultural heritage to ossify into static monuments, but keep it fresh and vibrant by bringing more modern, disruptive andheaven forbidfun voices into the classroom. Lets listen to our students. Here we are now, they are sayingentertain us.

Elly McCausland is a writer and academic based in Ghent, Belgium, where she works as assistant professor of English literature at Ghent University

Guardian
President Michael D Higgins has been repeatedly accused of "pushing the boundaries" of his office with controversial comments on everything from housing to the UN and Irish neutrality.

However, in this case, he is completely right to call out EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen over her "thoughtless and even reckless" actions on Israel.

President Higgins said Ms von der Leyen "wasn't speaking for Ireland" when she expressed unqualified support for Israel.

Ms von der Leyen was certainly not speaking for Ireland, but neither was she representing the EU view.

In his strong public condemnation, President Higgins was simply reflecting what many others had been articulating in private.

Even before Ms von der Leyen made the remarks, many in Brussels had been put out by the fact that she had made the one-day unscheduled trip.

It came just hours after Israel had given more than 1m citizens a 24-hour deadline to leave their homes in northern Gaza.

In advance of a ground attack, Palestinians have been given a hopeless ultimatum  risk their lives to move south amid continuous aerial bombing to an area that already is one of the most overcrowded on earth, or stay put and wait for a bloody Israeli invasion.

On this, President Higgins said that it was "one thing" to breach international law, "but to actually announce in advance that youre going to break international law, and that you announce it again and again, and that you do so on an innocent population" was something which reduces international law to "tatters".

Ms von der Leyen has shaken hands with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the right-wing conservative leader who had ordered the impossible evacuation.

This is the frontline of civilization and barbarism, he told her.

Pictured in a flak jacket, she visited the Kfar Aza kibbutz to see first-hand the devastation visited upon Israeli citizens when Hamas militants launched an unprecedented and brutal attack, killing 1,300 people and capturing almost 200 hostages.

She rightly condemned the war crime.

In the face of this unspeakable tragedy, theres only one possible response: Europe stands with Israel. And Israel has the right to defend itself, in fact, it has the duty to defend its people, she declared.

However, she stopped short of the position arrived at by European leaders, which called on Israel to respect international law.

Instead, she stressed the right of Israel to defend itself, adding: I know that how Israel responds will show that it is a democracy.

Given the historical complexities and varying viewpoints involved at EU level towards Israel, diplomats and politicians in Brussels have already been working to remain at one on the latest attack and counterattack.

"She simply said Israel has the right to defend itself, full stop, a diplomat told the Politico news site. That is not the line member states agreed.

Over the weekend, as tensions mounted in Brussels over her words and actions, she issued further statements that aligned closer to the bloc's stance, which was only agreed after considerable discussion and negotiation last week.

However, even before Ms von der Leyen arrived in Israel she had made her position clear. In the wake of the brutal Hamas attack on Israel, which rightly should be condemned, the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels was lit up in the blue and white of the Israeli flag.

This was in contrast to other institutions, including the European Council headquarters, which was instead bathed in white to represent both sides and the need for peace.

At the weekly meeting of EU commissioners last Wednesday, the Israeli ambassador was an invited guest.

A different approach was taken at a meeting of EU foreign ministers when both the Israeli foreign minister and his Palestinian counterpart were invited to attend, an invitation neither took up.

In the Dail

In the Dail on Wednesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said some of the statements made by Ms von der Leyen "lack balance" and he had made this clear to the Commission president.

Mr Vardakar was responding to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns who pleaded with him not to underestimate the power of his voice around the table with his EU counterparts.

"Will you please, please use your voice today to represent Ireland on this?" she asked.

The Taoiseach may take a more level-headed tone, but President Higgins was right to use his voice in the strongest manner.
The US hoped to break a deadlock over delivering aid to increasingly desperate civilians in besieged Gaza following a brutal attack by Hamas militants, as President Joe Biden was set to head to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday.

Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege, with hundreds of thousands of people seeking shelter, ever-decreasing water supplies and power running out at hospitals.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes, but by early Tuesday it was unclear who was keeping the crossing closed.

General Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for the country. Mr Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears that the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who had returned to Israel after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

Israel maintained punishing airstrikes across Gaza as a ground invasion loomed, while Hamas militants kept up a barrage of rocket attacks, and tensions mounted near the Israel-Lebanon border.

At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority of civilians massacred in Hamas Oct. 7 assault.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling supplies and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation. More than one million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14km long area south of the evacuation zone, according to the UN.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks in Tel Aviv (AP)

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. With taps dry, many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military says it is trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gazas north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Those fleeing northern Gaza still faced airstrikes in the south. Before dawn Monday, a strike in the town of Rafah collapsed a building sheltering three families who had evacuated from Gaza City. At least 12 people were killed and nine others remained buried under rubble, survivors said.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier.

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, addresses members of the UN Security Council on Monday (Craig Ruttle/AP)

Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahians threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. Ms Schem was taken from Kibbutz Reim, where she was attending a rave. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the UN agency for Palestinians. However, the agency said it has only one litre of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life, said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, calling for a lifting of the siege.

We need this now.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the UN said.

Yet doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators.

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave. Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south.
Israel on Tuesday bombed areas of southern Gaza where it had told Palestinians to flee to ahead of an expected invasion, killing dozens of people.

Meanwhile, mediators struggled to break a deadlock over delivering aid to millions of increasingly desperate civilians in the territory, which has been besieged and under assault by Israel since a brutal attack by Hamas militants.

Flaring violence along Israels border with Lebanon also led to concerns over a widening regional conflict that diplomats were working to prevent.

In Gaza, people wounded in the airstrikes were rushed to the hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported that 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

A Palestinian woman reacts after an Israeli airstrike on the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023 (Picture: SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, well take care of it. Well handle it, said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman.

Israel has sealed off and bombed Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel on October 7 which killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and left about 200 captive in Gaza.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of the dead were children, said Medhat Abbas, a Gaza Health Ministry official. The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to barrage Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing airstrikes.

On Monday Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defense in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 10 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, health authorities said.

A view of destroyed houses following Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, on Tuesday. Picture: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

Israel has massed troops at the border for an expected ground offensive, but Hecht said Tuesday no concrete decisions have been made.

These plans are being developed. They will be decided by, and presented to, our political leadership,' he said.

Airstrikes, dwindling supplies, and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip have thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and desperation.

More than one million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14km long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse as hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

Some departments in Gazas only specialized cancer hospital stopped working because of fuel shortages and the remaining wards will run out within two days, according to a statement from Sobhi Skik, director general of the Turkish Friendship Hospital.

Palestinians take shelter from the Israeli bombardment at a UN, school in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, on Monday. Picture: AP Photo/Mohammed Dahman)

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel. The aid would then be allowed into Gaza. A brief humanitarian cease-fire would take place and foreign nationals would be allowed to exit Gaza via Rafah, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media.

Both Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening.

The crossings are closed, and Im not aware of a truce or stop of hostilities, Hecht said.

Wael Abu Omar, Hamas spokesman for the Rafah crossing, said: Up until now, there is no agreement.

A Palestinian man fills a bucket with water at the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Picture: MOHAMMED ABED/ AFP via Getty Images)

The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza.

No one is giving up on the hope that this (crossing) would be open, said WFP official Abeer Etefa.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

The military said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. Video from a reconnaissance drone the army shared showed the militants near the border wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Whoever approaches the border with Lebanon will be killed, said Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Israel has warned Lebanon it will strongly retaliate against attacks from across the border.

Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israels continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.
The mother of a young Israeli woman held by Hamas has appealed for her release, calling the seizure of some 200 hostages by the Palestinian militant group a crime against humanity.

A day earlier, Hamass military wing released a video showing a dazed Mia Schem, 21, having her arm wrapped with bandages.

It was the first sign of life from any of the hostages since Gaza-based gunmen smashed through border fortifications on October 7 and killed more than 1,400 people in Israel.

I didnt know if shes dead or alive until yesterday, her mother, Keren Schem, said at a news conference.

Members of Mia Schems family and representatives of families of other people held by Hamas militants in Gaza hold a press conference (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

All I knew is that she might be kidnapped. Im begging the world to bring my baby back home. She only went to a party, to a festival party to have some fun. Now shes in Gaza.

Mia Schem was seized at a desert rave just over the border from Gaza that became the site of what is believed to be the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history.

At least 260 people were gunned down as heavily armed militants in trucks and on motorcycles barrelled through the vast field on Kibbutz Reim where thousands had gathered for a carefree night of electronic music.

Civilians and soldiers, young and old, Israelis and non-Israelis were among at least 199 people taken into captivity from Reim and other areas in southern Israel.

This is a crime against humanity and we should all gather and stop this terror and bring everybody back home, Keren Schem said.

To have taken hostages, both civilian and military, of all nationalities and to use blackmail at this time is absolutely odious and unacceptable

The plight of the hostages has dominated Israels media since the attack. The seizure of so many civilian hostages is unprecedented in Israels history, and interviews with relatives are broadcast throughout the day.

The Israeli military said Miss Schems family was told of her abduction last week, and officials dismissed the video as propaganda designed to make Hamas look humane. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain a siege on Gaza until the hostages are released.

Mia Schem has dual nationality with France and on Tuesday French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the hostage-taking.

To have taken hostages, both civilian and military, of all nationalities and to use blackmail at this time is absolutely odious and unacceptable, Mr Macron said at a news conference in Albania.

He said France was working with Israeli authorities and with Hamas through third parties to win the release of French and other hostages.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has held talks with Vladimir Putin in a rare in-person meeting for the Russian president with a leader of a European Union country.

The two leaders met in Beijing ahead of an international forum on one of Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature policies, the Belt and Road Initiative.

Their meeting focused on Hungarys access to Russian energy.

EU and other western leaders have largely eschewed contact with Mr Putin over Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer met Mr Putin in person in April 2022.

Hungary never wanted to confront Russia, Hungary always has been eager to expand contacts

Hungary never wanted to confront Russia, Hungary always has been eager to expand contacts, Mr Orban told Mr Putin, according to a Russian translation of his remarks broadcast on Russian state television.

Bilateral ties between the two countries have suffered because of EU sanctions against Moscow, he said.

Hungarys stance on the war has confounded its European partners and led to deadlocks in providing financial and military assistance to Kyiv.

Mr Orban has refused to supply Ukraine with weapons and not allowed their transfer across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. He has also threatened to veto EU sanctions against Moscow, though has always ultimately voted in favour of them.

Mr Orbans meeting with Mr Putin appeared to be a boon for the Russian president, who could point to it as a sign that unity within the EU on its support for Ukraine  and its condemnation of Russia for starting the war  was faltering.

Mr Putin said that while opportunities for maintaining ties with some countries are limited in the current geopolitical situation, it causes satisfaction that we have managed to preserve and develop relations with many European countries, including Hungary.

Vladimir Putin listens to Viktor Orban during their talks in Beijing (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP)

Budapest has blocked an EU military aid package to Kyiv worth 500 million euros since May, and said it would continue doing so until it receives concessions from Kyiv concerning its listing of a Hungarian bank as an international sponsor of the war.

Mr Orban, a right-wing populist leader who has repeatedly criticised western sanctions against Russia, said that his country has remained eager to maintain ties with Moscow, on which Hungary is highly dependent for natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel.

While most of Hungarys neighbours in Central and Eastern Europe have taken great strides to wean themselves off of Russian energy, Mr Orban has worked to maintain and even increase supplies of Russian gas and oil, arguing that they are essential for the functioning of Hungarys economy.

We are doing what we can and trying to save what we can in our bilateral contacts, he said, noting the planned expansion of Hungarys only nuclear power plant by Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom.

In a post on his Facebook page, Mr Orban reiterated his longstanding call for a ceasefire and immediate peace talks in Ukraine, though he has not indicated what such an arrangement would mean for Ukraines future security or territorial integrity.

In Europe today, one question is on everyones mind: will there be a ceasefire in Ukraine, Mr Orban wrote. For us Hungarians, too, the most important thing is that the flood of refugees, the sanctions and the fighting in our neighbouring country should end.

Viktor Orban has worked to maintain and even increase supplies of Russian gas and oil (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP)

Mr Putin, making a rare trip out of Russia, is holding a series of meetings with other leaders who have come to Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum, and will also hold talks with Mr Xi.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday that he had a short meeting with Mr Putin, one that is also likely to raise concerns in Europe.

Serbia under Mr Vucic has been increasingly drifting away from its proclaimed goal of joining the European Union and is moving closer to Russia and China economically and politically.

Serbia has refused to join EU sanctions against Moscow, although Mr Vucic says Serbia respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Both China and Russia are the main suppliers of weapons for the Serbian army at a time when growing tensions over its former province of Kosovo is one of the main western security concerns for regional stability.

China has provided Serbia with billions of dollars in loans for factories and roads that Chinese companies are building. A free trade agreement signed with China on Tuesday goes directly against EU economic policies and would have to be scrapped if Serbia was to join the EU.




What is PCI (News - Alert) DSS Compliance?

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance follows a set of policies and procedures designed to protect credit, debit and debit card transactions and prevent misuse of cardholder personal information. Any organizations processing or storing credit card information must comply with PCI DSS.

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) develops and administers PCI standards and related educational resources. PCI SSC is an open global forum run by the five founding credit card companies: American Express (News - Alert), Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa Inc.

Why is PCI Compliance Different in Containerized Environments?

As applications move to the cloud, three key characteristics of containerized environments make PCI container compliance difficult. Containers are constantly started and stopped, and IP addresses constantly change, making any kind of PCI audit very difficult.

Meeting PCI-DSS requirements can be complicated in a fast-paced container environment. If a compliance violation occurs, you'll want to know which processes were created, which connections were created, which files were modified, and so on. We also need to be able to relate this system activity to user activity in order to understand who accessed what. Access to this detailed data can provide an effective audit trail for third-party auditors.

Today's software is assembled, mainly from open source components, not built from scratch. Developers extract open-source base images and leverage third-party libraries to build and extend containerized applications. However, open source requires companies to update their open source dependencies as diligently as they update their own code.

If there are vulnerabilities inherited from base images or libraries (e.g. Java JARs, Python PIPs), the risk affects the entire organization. It is difficult to prevent bugs from reaching production when there are possibly thousands of containers supporting numerous microservices. Flagging vulnerabilities is not only a step in reducing risk, but also a step in passing PCI audits.

Another risk is container configuration errors such as exposed ports, embedded access keys, or unsecure tokens. All these can lead to PCI compliance violations.

PCI DSS Compliance in Containerized Environments

Restrict Cardholder Data Access on a Need-To-Know Basis

Within your organization, access to cardholder data should be limited to those who need it to do their job. PCI DSS compliance requires organizations to have access control systems in place to enforce these restrictions. To do this, enterprises should leverage enterprise application protocols such as LDAP and Active Directory (AD), integrated with role-based access control (RBAC) provided by container platforms like Kubernetes or OpenShift. Cardholder data should never be exposed to security and DevOps teams monitoring the environment.

Firewall Configuration

You can add a firewall to applications deployed on Kubernetes by using container network interface (CNI) providers that support Kubernetes network policies. Combined with a formal process for who and how can update rules, they provide adequate protection.

According to the PCI standard, payment card data must be behind a firewall, in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Enterprises can connect their internal networks with public networks, but make sure to establish a DMZ with strict rules regarding traffic flow. Container network policies can help as they can selectively expose services based on IP ranges.

Avoiding Default Passwords and Security Parameters

Kubernetes itself is completely unaware of which applications are being deployed. Therefore, it does not protect against configuration errors such as using default passwords or other security parameters. However, the Open Policy Agent (OPA) allows you to set a policy in the configuration file that does not accept the default password. If an administrator makes a mistake, OPA catches it before the resource is allowed into the Kubernetes platform.

PCI also requires that services with different security levels may not coexist on the same server. To ensure this, you need to annotate your Kubernetes worker nodes with security levels. All pod specifications must reference required security levels. OPAs are required to make sure these annotations are present on all pods, to prevent human error.

Protect All Systems Against Malware and Regularly Update Antivirus Solutions

According to PCI, antivirus solutions should be deployed on all systems, including PCs, servers, and mobile devices. These solutions must be properly maintained, kept active, and cannot be disabled or changed without administrative rights (and only in specific and limited cases). In containerized environments, organizations can run a container firewall designed to keep systems virtually patched and up-to-date, while detecting suspicious file system activity.

Modern cloud-native environments are moving towards a zero trust, declarative approach to security, where the behavior of each application is characterized in code. This can help ensure that every containerized application is deployed with some form of antivirus protection.

Track and Monitor All Access to Network Resources and Cardholder Data

PCI requires individual user access to all system components. There must be an audit trail that makes it possible to reconstruct accurate details of each event. Additionally, these audit trails must be protected from modification, and all logs and security events must be reviewed to identify unusual or suspicious activity. Organizations should implement a container security system that maintains event logs of all user activity and actions, tracks all communication between containers, and provides compatibility with SIEM systems.

Regularly Test Security Systems and Processes

PCI compliance requires network vulnerability scans to be performed, at least quarterly, and after major network changes. Network intrusion detection and prevention technologies should be used in conjunction with traffic monitoring at cardholder data environment (CDE) perimeters and critical points. There is also a need for change detection mechanisms to notify when important files have been tampered with.

From a container environment perspective, firewalls are used to actively scan running containers for vulnerabilities and threats in and out of the environment, automatically detecting and mitigating any suspicious behaviors and intrusions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, achieving and maintaining PCI DSS compliance in containerized environments presents unique challenges and complexities.

To address these challenges, organizations need to implement effective security controls and measures, such as encryption, access controls, and network segregation. It is also important to conduct regular security assessments and testing, and to have effective incident response procedures in place.

By following these best practices, organizations can ensure that their containerized environments are secure and compliant with the PCI DSS.

Author Bio: Gilad David Maayan

Gilad David Maayan is a technology writer who has worked with over 150 technology companies including SAP, Imperva, Samsung (News - Alert) 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/
A massive blast has rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said.

Hamas blamed an Israeli air strike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

The Health Ministry said at least 500 people had been killed.

Video that the Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospitals grounds strewn with bodies, many of them young children.

The carnage came as the US tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since the deadly rampage by Hamas in southern Israel.

Palestinians look for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

It also came a day before US President Joe Biden was due to visit the region to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading.

UNICEF said it "strongly condemns" the strike.

It said: "UNICEF strongly condemns the strike on the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza with hundreds of civilians reported killed and injured. We call for the protection of all civilians, including children, and the infrastructure they rely on. We need an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access.

ActionAid Ireland has condemned in the strongest terms todays bombing describing it as an egregious violation of international humanitarian law. ActionAid Ireland CEO, Karol Balfe, said tonight: Hospitals in Gaza are seen as a place of safety and refuge for many civilians seeking shelter during continuous bombardment.

"This compounds the already dire humanitarian situation facing so many Gazans  where can they go to be safe? It is imperative that the international community unites to hold those responsible accountable.

"We cannot be clearer; civilians must be protected under humanitarian law  they are not a target.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in the past few days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Hamas called Tuesdays hospital strike a horrific massacre, saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

The Israeli military blamed Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often co-operates with Hamas in their shared struggle against Israel.

The military said Islamic Jihad militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time and that intelligence from multiple sources indicated it was responsible for the failed rocket launch that hit the hospital.

Wounded Palestinian children arrive to al-Shifa hospital, following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Picture: AP Photo/Abed Khaled

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza Citys main hospital, al-Shifa, already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia.

We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room. We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need everything, Mr Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospitals generators will run out on Wednesday.

I think Gazas medical sector will collapse within hours.

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Nearly two thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

Palestinian families rush out of their homes after Israeli airstrikes targeting their neighbourhood in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)

The Hamas attack on October 7 in southern Israel killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 200 captive into Gaza.

Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

In protest over the purported air strike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his participation in a meeting with Mr Biden, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egypts president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan, to discuss the war. Mr Abbas Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Later, Jordans foreign minister told state-run television that his country had cancelled the summit, saying that the war between Israel and Hammas was pushing the region to the brink. He said the meeting would be postponed.

The comments emerged as Mr Biden boarded the plane for his Middle East trip. Reporters shouted questions at him about the Jordan summit, but Mr Biden did not answer.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades.

Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli embassy.

A Palestinian child wounded in Israeli bombardment is brought to a hospital in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Picture: AP Photo/Adel Hana

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt Col Richard Hecht said.

We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

Throughout the day on Tuesday, air strikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military had told Palestinians to evacuate to.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

Palestinians search for survivors in the rubble of a family house of Ayman Nofa, one of the top Hamas commanders, following Israeli airstrike at Bureij refugee camp City, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Picture: AP Photo/Doaa AlBaz

An air strike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighbouring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a UN school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency said. At least 24 UN installations have been hit in the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, levelling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said.

Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Palestinians search for survivors in the rubble of a family house of Ayman Nofa, one of the top Hamas commanders, following Israeli airstrike at Bureij refugee camp City, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Doaa AlBaz)

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including co-ordinating activities with other militant groups.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza.

Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli air strikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Mr Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since The brutal Hamas attack, US secretary of state Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Mr Netanyahu to discuss the creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. US officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Palestinians search for survivors in the rubble of a family house of Ayman Nofa, one of the top Hamas commanders, following Israeli airstrike at Bureij refugee camp City, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Doaa AlBaz)

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said on Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries.

Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested the entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating.

More than one million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60% are now in the approximately eight-mile long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

Palestinians gather around the body of Ayman Nofa, one of the key Hamas commanders, at al Aqsa hospital in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south with little food or water.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefited only 14% of Gazas population, the UN said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Programme said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza.

Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on.

A Palestinian medic, right, cries after learning about the death of a relative at the al-Shifa hospital, following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israels Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza.

He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the UN oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Mr Bidens visit in part aims to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared on Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Palestinians look for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israels continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, he said, according to state media.
Junta troops killed at least seven civilians and five fighters in three resistance strongholds of Sagaing RegionAyadaw, Khin-U and Yinmabin townshipsin the past several days, village residents and resistance fighters said.

The province has accounted for about 40 percent of the total civilians killed in Myanmars war so far this year, according to a report released last week by the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar.

The townships are located in the south of the provincein Monywa, Shwebo and Yinmabin districts, respectively.

On Monday, residents of Thea Kone village and resistance forces found at least six bodies with signs of blunt force trauma on their heads after junta infantry raided the village in Yinmabin Township on Sunday.

They died of severe head injuries. Their heads were struck by wooden clubs. We also found multiples knife wounds on their bodies, a resistance member who cremated their bodies said.

At least three of the dead were under the age of 18, resistance members said.

The junta is trying to create a humanitarian crisis in Sagaing Region by destroying property and killing everyone to weaken resistance to it, the UN report quotes a doctor treating victims of the juntas military in the province as saying.

The killings followed a fierce fighting near Yamar creek on Sunday where resistance fighters clashed with a junta infantry battalion and a pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia advancing towards Yinmabin from Pale Township.

Twelve junta troops were killed during the clash and they cremated the bodies of their troops inside two huts in Sin Te Village on Monday, a resistance fighter said.

The Irrawaddy was unable to verify his account.

On Sunday, one resistance member was decapitated after being captured by junta troops, members of a Peoples Defense Force (PDF) in Yinmabin said. They arrested three PDF members on Sunday. One was beheaded and the other two escaped, one member of the PDF explained.

Junta infantry killed at least four PDF members during a series of raids on at least five villages in Monywa Districts Ayadaw Township since October 13.

A resistance member, who was scouting the movement of junta infantry, was shot dead on Sunday by junta troops between War Yaung and War Tan villages.

At least seven people from War Yaung village were detained on Sunday. One of them was later released, resistance forces said.

Another three PDF members were also killed by junta troops near Aung Thar Kone Village in Ayadaw Township, sources said. They did not provide further details, but on Monday pro-junta Telegram channels reported that at least three PDF members were killed near the village when junta troops seized a resistance base in the township that day.

Junta troops from No. 10 Military Training School and pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia remained stationed at Se Gyi Taw village in Ayadaw Township on Tuesday.

Another junta infantry column raided villages in Khin-U Township, displacing more than 5,000 people on Sunday.

The body of one man was found near Nyaung Pin Gyi Village on Monday, residents said. He was shot dead by junta troops while returning to his village after he thought junta troops were gone, one resident said.

Five thousand residents from at least six villages in the township have been displaced since Sunday, residents and resistance forces say.
Myanmars junta has reportedly bombarded the same Kachin State village it attacked last year during a concert to mark the founding of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

On October 23 last year, three jets bombed an outdoor concert in ANang Pa village, Hpakant Township, marking 62 years since the KIO was founded, killing at least 75 people.

On Monday, two jets from the Myitkyina airbase bombed the village, which is near the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Armys (KIA) Brigade 9, according to Kachin media. The planes reportedly returned an hour later.

A KIA source told 74 Media there had been casualties.

A junta base at nearby Kansi village also shelled the ANang Pa area on Monday.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

Clashes between the KIA and regime forces have been reported in Bhamo, Waingmaw and Myitkyina townships since July as the junta aims to seize the KIA headquarters in Laiza near the Chinese border.

Last Monday the junta bombed a displacement camp at Mung Lai Hkyet village about 3km from Laiza, killing at least 29 people, including 13 children, and injuring 57.
The United Wa State Party (UWSP) has dismissed two senior officials accused of leading telecom fraud gangs in the autonomous region of northern Shan State, according to a statement released by the party yesterday.

Chinese police issued arrest warrants for Chen Yanban, the minister of construction of Wa Self-Administered Division, and Xiao Yanquan, mayor of Monglin District on October 11. The division is adjacent China.

As senior cadres of Wa State, these two persons have violated relevant Chinese laws and regulations. This incident has caused great harm to our states relationships with international and neighboring countries, the statement said.

The UWSP also said that the incident has damaged mutual political trust and friendly exchanges between Wa Self-Administered Division and neighboring countries.

It said that the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the UWSP had decided to revoke the membership of both party officials and remove them from their positions in its government in order to restore its reputation.

China this year pressured Myanmars junta to take action against cyber scams, which the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs says have seriously harmed Chinese interests.

In response, the regime handed over 24 people arrested for involvement in online scams to Chinese authorities in August and 377 Chinese allegedly involved in telecom fraud were transferred back to China in September.

The Chinese police described the two Wa officials as key leaders of telecom fraud gangs in Wa State, in a statement issued last week, adding that they have sufficient evidence to prosecute them.

Chinese Police are offering a reward of 100,000 to 500,000 renminbi (US$13,700 to $71,200) for information and cooperation leading to the arrest of the two officials.

According to their statement, Chenalso known as Bao Yanbanwas the former head of the United Wa State Army (UWSA)s Brigade 468. The UWSA, the armed wing of the USWP, is one of the most powerful ethnic armed organizations in Myanmar.

Chinese police said that online posts and videos have been appearing on WeChat and other Chinese social media applications for months claiming to expose Xiaos involvement in the operations of industrial-scale scam compounds in Myanmar. Xiao also goes by the name He Chuntian.

Both men hold Chinese national ID cards and have residency in China: Chen in Yunnan province and Xiao in Guangdong province.
The All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) has suspended three members, including its vice-chair, from official duties for attending a junta-led celebration of the 8th anniversary of the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in Naypyitaw on Sunday.

The ABSDF and two ethnic armed organizationsthe Chin National Front and Karen National Unionsaid in a joint statement last week that they would boycott the NCA ceremony and would not hold talks with the regime until it ended its campaign of violence against civilians. All three groups had signed the 2015 NCA.

ABSDF vice-chair Myo Win, central executive committee member Saw Maung Maung Oo, and member Min Zaw attended the NCA anniversary event in Naypyitaw despite their organizations boycott.

The three will not be allowed to participate in the groups military and political duties and have been warned not to oppose ABSDF policies, the group said in its statement on Monday.

Comrade Sonny, an official of the ABSDF, told The Irrawaddy that the three could still remain members of the group. The termination [from official duties] of the members opposing our groups policy is in accord with our groups procedures, and rules and regulations, he said.

The ABSDF was founded after the uprising in 1988, which saw a series of nationwide protests launched by university students opposing the government. Most of its members are current or former students.

The group has been fighting against the military regime alongside Peoples Defense Forces and ethnic armed organizations nationwide since the 2021 coup.
Myanmar juntas Union Election Commission (UEC) and 37 political parties that have registered for a proposed general election met in Naypyitaw on Monday to discuss the opening of party offices.

Under the juntas Political Parties Registration Law, parties running in a general election have 180 days to open offices in at least 50 percent of Myanmars townships after their registration is approved.

More than 60 parties have applied for UEC registration and only 37 have been approved.

Parties contesting in a single region or state are required to open at least five township offices.

The military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and National Unity Party will purportedly open offices across Myanmar soon and the Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party, New Democracy Party in Kachin State and Myanmar Peoples Democratic Party will reportedly set up regional and state offices.

The National Democratic Front led by U Khin Maung Swe, who is on the central advisory board of the regimes governing body, the State Administration Council, the Peoples Party led by 88 Generation student leader U Ko Ko Gyi and the Peoples Pioneer Party led by the juntas hotels and tourism minister Daw Thet Thet Khine are expected to run nationally and open party offices soon. The Arakan Front Party led by Dr Aye Maung is only due to run in Rakhine State.

The USDP is tipped to win any election that is held. The military-drafted 2008 Constitution also guarantees 25 percent of seats for military officers.

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has promised a general election after a census is completed next October.

A total of 63 parties have registered with the UEC. In the 2020 general election, 87 of 91 registered parties ran and 19 won parliamentary seats.

The National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the 2020 election, and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) have been dissolved after failing to re-register with the UEC. The SNLD came third after the NLD and USDP in 2020.

The regime has detained 1,769 NLD members, including party chair Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, at least 97 members have been killed and 373 have had their homes sealed off, the party said. NLD offices have reportedly endured 160 arson attacks, break-ins and explosions.

Any election held by the junta has already been universally dismissed as neither free nor fair.
BEIJINGRussian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Tuesday to meet his dear friend President Xi Jinping and bolster their relationship at a summit that will be overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war.

China this week welcomes representatives of 130 countries for a forum of Xis vast trade and infrastructure scheme, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

At the top of the guest list is Putin, who is on his first trip to a major global power since the Ukraine invasion threw his regime into international isolation.

He is due to hold talks with Xi on the sidelines of the forum on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, with the war raging between Israel and Palestinian militant organization Hamas looming large over the summit.

During the talks, special attention will be paid to international and regional issues, the Kremlin said in a statement, without elaborating.

Western countries led by the United States have rallied to Israels side since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched the deadliest attack in Israels history, shooting, stabbing and burning to death more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, in a shock offensive.

The United States has asked China to use its influence to help de-escalate the war, which has seen more than a million people in the blockaded Gaza Strip flee their homes under the relentless bombardment that Israel launched in retaliation for the attack.

China brokered an entente between key Hamas backer Iran and its regional foe Saudi Arabia earlier this year, and will send its Middle East envoy Zhai Jun to the volatile region this week.

No details have been given about where or when exactly Zhai would travel, though Chinas state broadcaster CCTV has said he will push for a ceasefire and peace talks.

Russia, which has traditionally maintained good relations with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, has called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict.

In Beijing, Putin is on a mission to strengthen the already strong bond with his communist neighbor, though experts say Moscow is increasingly the junior partner in the relationship.

China is Russias largest trading partner, with trade between the nations reaching a record US$190 billion last year, Beijing customs data shows.

Beijing has drawn criticism from Western countries for its stance on the Ukraine war, on which China insists it is neutral even as it refuses to criticize Moscow for launching its invasion.

While the BRI forum provides a fresh opportunity for Putin and Xi to showcase their alliance, experts do not expect any new major agreements to be announced.

Russia is aware that China doesnt want to sign any high publicity deals, Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told AFP.

China holds all of the cards, he said.

Friends reunited

Xi kicked off the summit Tuesday with talks with Chilean and Kazakhstan presidents Gabriel Boric and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chinese state media reported.

Ahead of the forum, China and Russias top diplomats were singing from the same song sheet when they met in Beijing on Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thanked China for inviting Putin as the summits chief guest, according to a readout from Moscow, which later said the top diplomat would head to North Korea after Beijing.

Putin and Xi will discuss the countries ties in their entirety when they meet this week, Lavrov told Wang.

Wang, in turn, said China appreciates Russias support for the BRI.

The two nations share a symbiotic alliance, with China appreciating Russias role as a bulwark against the West, and Moscow increasingly reliant on Beijings largesse in trade and geopolitical backing.

Since Moscow embarked on its all-out invasion of Ukraine, it has been put in a position where it is unprecedentedly dependent on China, Bjorn Alexander Duben of Chinas Jilin University told AFP.

At the heart of the deepening partnership is the relationship between Xi and Putin, who have described each other as dear friends.

President Xi Jinping calls me his friend, and I call him my friend, too, Putin told Chinese state broadcaster CGTN ahead of his visit, according to a Kremlin readout.
On Oct. 15, the Myanmar junta, which calls itself the State Administration Council (SAC), hosted a grand ceremony to mark the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in Naypyitaw. According to the junta mouthpiece, The Global New Light of Myanmar, it was attended by the SACs top leadership on one side and seven signatory ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) on the other. The glitzy ceremony was also attended by high-level representatives from three neighboring countries of MyanmarIndia, Thailand and Chinawho had served, among others, as international witnesses at the first signing ceremony in October 2015.

The Narendra Modi government In India sent its deputy National Security Advisor (NSA), Vikram Misri, to attend the ceremony. Before the ceremony, as per a report published in the junta mouthpiece, Misri personally met the junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, and even appeared for a smiling photo-op. The mouthpiece claimed that both sides frankly exchanged views on further plans of India to give a helping hand to the peace process of Myanmar and its firm belief in NCA. This indicates Indias desire to potentially play a mediators role in the peace process, although it is unclear to what extent.

That New Delhi sent a representative from its top security office to attend the NCA anniversary ceremony is far from surprising. Indias all-powerful NSA, Ajit Doval, attended the first NCA signing ceremony with eight EAOs in 2015 as an international witness. Then, in 2018, when two more EAOs joined the agreement, Doval sent his deputy, Rajinder Khanna, to attend the ceremony. Interestingly, this years attendee, Misri, once served as Indias ambassador to Myanmar (2016-19), following which he was appointed as New Delhis envoy in Beijing. This background makes him particularly relevant to Myanmar.

Since October 2015, when India officially witnessed the NCAs signing, it has consistently backed the ceasefire regime and the attendant peace process. Before the coup, this made some political and strategic sense. Despite the limited support that it received from Myanmars EAOs, its top-heavy bureaucracy, and lack of sincerity from the militarys end, the NCA-led peace process, which also entailed the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi governments flagship 21st Century Panglong Conference, was a decent start to ending the six decades-long civil war and initiating multi-stakeholder conversations towards building a genuine federal democratic union. From New Delhis vantage point, backing such a process was a logical way to ensure political stability in Myanmar while also balancing Chinas overbearing influence as a key conflict mediator in the country.

But things have changed after the militarys 2021 coup detat. Today, India is making a mistake by continuing to publicly back the NCA, which has become a caged bird under Min Aung Hlaings junta rule.

The NCAs collapse

When the military launched the putsch in February 2021 and began a brutal offensive against dissenting civilians, including its ethnic minority people, it completely shattered whatever trust the NCA had managed to foster amongst various stakeholders. No national ceasefire agreement can operate without a bare minimum degree of trust between the warring sides, not least in a multi-ethnic country like Myanmar where consensus is anyway hard to come by.

The EAOs that voluntarily signed the agreement in 2015 did so out of their bona fide belief that the military would respect their political aspirations, allow a civilian-led peace process to steer the negotiations, and refrain from using the gun to impose its remit. With his mindless coup, Min Aung Hlaing shattered those unwritten promises, taking down the NCA-led process with him.

It was hardly a surprise, therefore, that all 10 signatories expressed great alarm after the coup (although five among them changed their tune just months later). One of the NCAs most powerful signatories, the Chin National Front (CNF), walked out of the ceasefire agreement right after the coup and joined hands with the revolution. Months later, another major signatorythe Karen National Union (KNU)slammed the military for violating the NCA and eventually rejected all offers of negotiation extended by the SAC.

It quickly became clear the NCA had collapsed. But, instead of ditching it, the junta is now strategically using the ceasefire agreement to sow seeds of discord within the ethnic opposition and create an illusion of national reconciliation. This is despite the glaring fact that the very act of launching a military coup was a fundamental affront to the ceasefire agreement. In a recent joint statement published right before the SAC-organized anniversary ceremony of the agreement, the CNF, KNU and another signatory, the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), categorically affirmed that a military coup is a violation of the NCA and nullifies the commitments made under the NCA.

The militarys repeated serious attacks that targeted civilians by using the Army, Air Force, and Navy forces are a flagrant violation of International Humanitarian Law and the NCAs own provisions that are based on the same, the statement, dated Oct. 13, noted. These are strong words by three EAOs that were once signatories to the ceasefire agreement, and cannot be ignored.

Indias miscalculation

India, by continuing to back the NCA process after the coup, has failed to read the new reality on the ground. The NCA is no longer an inclusive ceasefire regime. It has been reduced to a lopsided political instrument that one sidethe juntais using to legitimize its authority and induce certain EAOs to join its disingenuous endeavour. More importantly, the SAC is using the NCA as a cover for its brutal war against the ethnic minority people of Myanmar; to give its violent, counter-democratic and anti-federal politics of national unification a veneer of peaceful reconciliation.

This is reflected in the jarring fact that less than a week before the NCA anniversary ceremony, during which Min Aung Hlaing waxed eloquent about genuine and sustainable peace, the military bombed an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in the northern part of Laiza in Kachin State, killing at least 30 people, including 11 children. An Amnesty International investigation revealed that the junta used one of its largest aerial-delivered unguided bombs in the deadly attack, which came nearly a year after it killed at least 75 people in another lethal airstrike on an outdoor concert in Kachin States Hpakant Township.

For a senior Indian representative to visit Naypyitaw at the juntas invitation and appear for a photo-op with the coup chief just days after this devastating attack on non-combatant civilians is just bad public diplomacy. But, more importantly, it indicates that India is willing to ignore the concerns of a majority of Myanmars ethnic groups, who have comprehensively rejected the NCA, simply to maintain warm relations with the junta (and access to Naypyitaws power corridors). This orthodox realpolitik approach is counterproductive to Indias own political and strategic interests in Myanmar, where the pro-democracy opposition and non-NCA EAOs enjoy far more popular support than the notorious junta and the NCA EAOs.

A key reason why India wants to remain involved in Myanmars peace process and potentially even insert itself in a limited mediating role is to balance the Chinese influence in the country. This is an understandable foreign policy goal. But, Indias strategy to achieve that goal is based on a serious miscalculation. China, unlike India, has longstanding relationships with a host of non-ceasefire EAOs in Myanmars north. These include the countrys largest EAO, the United Wa State Army. It is precisely this elaborate network of diverse connections across Myanmars complex ethnic battlespace that has allowed Beijing to exercise strong leverage over successive regimes in Naypyitaw and sometimes even unilaterally maneuver the peace process.

Even Thailand has maintained warm relationships with a broad set of EAOs based along Myanmars northeastern and eastern frontiers as part of its so-called buffer zone policy. This has given Bangkok wide wriggle-room in post-coup Myanmar. But India hasnt cultivated any such consistent, in-depth, trust-based linkages with Myanmars EAOs, including those that are directly relevant to its strategic intereststhe CNF and Arakan Army (AA). Both these EAOs continue to reject the NCA, and boycotted Sundays ceremony. New Delhi cant overlook this reality, given that the CNF and AA control large swathes of territory in Chin and Rakhine states through which the India-funded Kaladan Multi Modal Transit and Transport Project (KMMTTP) passes.

But, by publicly supporting a peace process that these groups have rejected, India risks losing whatever access and goodwill it enjoyed with not just them, but also other EAOs across Myanmar. This includes another EAO that India once had warm relations with and often relied on for intelligence on anti-India insurgent groups in the northeastthe Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Today, the KIA is one of the main anti-junta EAOs that continues to wholly reject the NCA, provide frontal support to the revolution, and routinely attack SAC positions in Kachin and northern Shan states. It is also among the EAOs that the junta continues to attack relentlessly.

If the idea is to play a constructive role in Myanmars peace process, then India needs to change its strategy. It needs to engage with all ethnic stakeholders on the ground, rather than throwing its weight behind a one-sided ceasefire regime that is led by a discredited coup regime and has few takers. Only by broadening and deepening its engagement can it build sufficient leverage to play a meaningful and effective third-party role in any future process of national reconciliation. Most importantly, it needs to realize that no peace process that is steered by the junta will find wide acceptance in todays Myanmar. The military is no longer a credible peace actor (if it ever was), and allying with it only discredits Indias own image in the country.

Angshuman Choudhury is an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi.
Chinas Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, Deng Xijun, expressed unwavering support for Myanmars peace process and said Beijing would not accept any act that could break up the country, in talks with junta boss Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday, according to junta media.

Deng met with the coup leader on the same day that he attended a Naypyitaw ceremony to mark the 8th anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

Min Aung Hlaing told Deng he attached great importance to stability and development on the border with China, and that he would not tolerate any border activity harmful to the interests of neighboring countries, junta media reported.

He added that ethnic armed organizations who had only made informal truces with the junta need to sign the NCA, which is formal, binding and definitive, for the sake of permanent peace in Myanmar.

He invited non-signatories of the NCA to engage in dialogue with the regime so that they could actively participate in building a Union based on democracy and federalism for national development and socio-economic development of the people, according to junta media.

The Karen National Union (KNU), Myanmars most powerful ethnic armed organization, has declared that the 2021 military coup rendered the NCA null and void.

Along with other EAOs including the Kachin Independence Army, Karenni Army, Chin National Front and All Burma Students Democratic Front, the KNU has rejected the juntas peace overtures and has been fighting alongside resistance forces controlled by the parallel National Unity Government.

As such, the NCA is now widely considered a failed peace push that is being used by the junta to ease international pressure over its indiscriminate military campaign against resistance forces and civilians.

Min Aung Hlaing and Deng also discussed cooperation in combating online gambling and cyber scams, as well as promotion of bilateral cooperation and repatriation of Rohingya from Bangladesh, said the reports.

Deng also held talks with Ye Win Oo, joint secretary of the juntas administrative body, the State Administration Council; Home Affairs Minister and chair of the National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee Lt-Gen Yar Pyae; and junta Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Than Swe.

Only three countries  neighboring China, India and Thailand  sent representatives to Sundays anniversary event. Previous NCA anniversary events since the coup have been marked solely by the same three nations.

Also present were Restoration Council of Shan State chair General Yawd Serk, former KNU chair Saw Mutu Say Poe, Pa-O National Liberation Organization patron Colonel Khun Okkar, Lahu Democratic Union chair Solomon, and All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) vice chair Myo Win. NCA signatory ABSDF, which has been fighting the regime since the coup, said Myo Win did not represent the group.

Seven NCA signatories attended the ceremony, namely the Karen National Liberation Army/Peace Council, Pa-O National Liberation Council, Arakan Liberation Party, Restoration Council of Shan State, Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, New Mon State Party, and Lahu Democratic Union. The same groups were the only EAOs to attend the 7th anniversary event held last year.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet for leaders from around the world attending the third Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum, which kicked off in Beijing on Tuesday, Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing could only follow events from afar, as he was not invited.

The Irrawaddy has learned that senior representatives of the junta and its governing State Administration Council lobbied Beijing for months to secure an invitation for Min Aung Hlaing. Badly in need of legitimacy abroad and respect at home, the regime saw the forum as a major public relations opportunity. But China evidently could not be persuaded.

Already barred from summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations since the 2021 coup, being left off the guest list for a high-level international event hosted by one of his regimes few allies no doubt comes as a blow to the coup leader.

The BRI Forum will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and leaders of many Asian and African countries are attending the event focusing on BRI cooperation.

In 2019, Xi invited the now ousted and jailed civilian leader of the National League for Democracy government, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, to the second BRI Forum. At the event, the then State Counselor held talks with Xi, then-Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and other high-ranking Chinese officials.

Junta Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Communications Minister General Mya Tun Oo has left for Beijing to attend the forum at the invitation of Chinas National Development and Reform Commission, according to junta media. He is accompanied on the trip by Minister of Union Government Office (2) Ko Ko Hlaing, who previously served as an advisor to former President Thein Sein.

In September, Mya Tun Oo attended the Global Sustainable Transport Forum in Beijing, where he discussed the development of rail links between Kyaukphyu Township in western Myanmars Rakhine State with Kunming in Chinas Yunnan Province.

Min Aung Hlaing has been pushing for acceleration of Chinese-backed investments in Myanmar in an attempt to win Beijings full recognition for his regime. But China has exercised caution in engaging with the coup leader, who is responsible for countless war crimes, and Min Aung Hlaing has yet to win the recognition from Beijing he craves.

China, while voicing support for the regime on the international stage, has turned down Min Aung Hlaings requests to visit its capital since the coup.

A local political analyst said China didnt invite Min Aung Hlaing to the BRI Forum because it doesnt want to be seen as officially recognizing the Myanmar regime.

Its in their own interest. In a global context, the Myanmar regime is nothing to them, he said.

But as Myanmar is part of the BRI, China invited the regime minister instead, he explained.

Attending an event to mark the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement on Sunday, Chinese Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun expressed unwavering support for the peace process in Myanmar and said China would not accept any act aimed at breaking up the country.

Observers said Dengs remarks were intended to provide a degree of solace for Min Aung Hlaing after he failed to receive an invitation to the BRI Forum.
Rocks can be found everywhere. Cool rocks can be found most anywhere. Cool rocks and the people who know about them, however, are found at the Loup Valley Gem and Mineral Society's annual gem, jewelry and artifact show.

The show started 45 years ago when the group, six years old at that point, decided to show off the stones they had cut through the year and maybe sell a few. Deb Gonsior, club treasurer, said that this year, John Drozd will be bringing metal detector finds  something new for the show  and may be doing demonstrations.

"The metal detector things are fantastic. He has a lot of stuff from the 1800s, coins, guns, a good variety of things the average person doesn't have. It's a hobby of his," Gonsior said.

The show will be held at the Methodist Outreach Center at 3602 16th St. on Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Typically the event is held the second weekend of October, Gonsior said, but they had to push it back this year. Admission is $5 for adults and free for those under 12.

Jack Hoppe will bring some of his artifact collection, Gonsior said, including Roman coins. Finding artifacts of any kind, whether just by searching or metal detecting, Gonsor said, takes a lot of time and doesn't always yield results.

"It's like fishing. You have to be patient. You might be lucky, you might not," Gonsior said.

There will also be a wire-wrapping demonstration, a raffle and activities for kids to get involved with. Collectors and vendors at the event donated the raffle items, such as a sphalerite obelisk and a piece of agatized coral from Outlaw Natural Wonders. Hot dogs and pulled pork will be available as well, Gonsior said.

Jesse Lykins, owner of Outlaw Natural Wonders in Columbus, has been displaying for four years. He got his start collecting rocks at rock shops across the country.

"Every time we went on vacation, one of my things was to stop at the rock shops. Most of them are in tourist towns and can get kind of pricey," Lykins said.

In 2018, he realized that he could always order rocks and sell them for a more reasonable price closer to home and did just that. That's when Outlaw opened up in his garage.

"I decided to look at what I could actually buy and resell," Lykins said. "Columbus didn't have any place; the closest was in Omaha, 81 miles way. I took a chance to see how it would work out and was surprised, a lot more people like rocks and crystals than I would have ever thought."

The show, Lykins said, brings a lot of different and interesting items to Columbus from the surrounding area for rock enthusiasts.

"You find a lot of unique items you don't see on a regular basis all in one spot. They're not only selling in one spot, they have their personal collections, you don't see them anywhere else, they don't let people into their home to see them, but they bring them to the gem and mineral show," Lykins said. "You meet interesting people and they like to educate people, too. They like to answer questions."
Tuesday, Oct 17th, 2023 (9:43 am) - Score 720

Scottish ISP Highland Broadband (HB), which is building a 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP / XGS-PON) network across rural parts of the Highlands, has started to bring their new network to the first of 2,200 premises across Tain  a royal burgh and parish in the County of Ross. But other areas are also in their plans.

The provider, which is actually a sub-brand of the East and Mid Lothian focused operator Lothian Broadband (LBN), started building in 2022 (here) and currently aims to provide access to gigabit-capable broadband to over 20,000 premises in the highlands by early 2024. Since 2022 theyve also completed builds in Alness, Invergordon, Evanton, and have now reached Tain.

NOTE: LBN is supported by an investment of 50m from a mix of shareholders, including the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), and aims to passing 100,000 premises by the end of 2024.

Both Tain and Invergordon appear to be fairly recent additions to HBs original Phase 1 locations, which only included Achandunie, Achnagarron, Alness, Ardross, Balnaguisich, Contullich, Cuillich, Dalmore, Dalnavie, Evanton, Millcraig, Rosskeen and Stittenham.

In fact a quick look at HBs website shows that theyve now also added the Searboard Villages (Balintore, Shandwick & Hilton), as well as Dornoch, Lairg, Fearn, Portmahomack, Bonar Bridge, Golspie, Invern, Brora and Ardgay to their plans.

Gavin Rogers, CEO of Highland Broadband, said (Ross-shire Journal): We are delighted to have completed the next phase of our network build, connecting the first premises in Tain. Ultrafast connectivity in the Highlands makes a massive difference to the communities who live here, and our network is already providing much-needed connectivity to the people and businesses in this part of Scotland. We are especially grateful for the support from Scottish Government, the Scottish National Investment Bank and Building Digital UK (BDUK) who have supported us in our plans to bring ultrafast connectivity to an area of Scotland where previously only 0.14 per cent of homes had access to a gigabit service.

Residential customers of the service can expect to pay from 34.99 per month for an unlimited 100Mbps (symmetric) service on a 12 or 24-month term, which rises up to 49.99 (reduced from 74.99) for a 900Mbps service or 64.99 (reduced from 89.99) for 2000Mbps! Various phone, pay TV and mesh WiFi solutions can also be added at an extra cost.

On top of that, new customers who use the WOW6MF promo code are being offered 6 months of free broadband and free calls for 24 months.
Tuesday, Oct 17th, 2023 (9:00 am) - Score 1,008

Network operator Neos Networks, which operates one of the fastest growing and highest capacity 34,000km long business fibre networks in the UK  spanning 550 exchanges and 676 Points of Presence (PoPs), has today expanded its data centre estate with two high profile sites added in London and Manchester.

The first site connected and now live is the Equinix MA5 data centre in Manchester and Neos is one of the first to offer services out of that location. The second site, Telehouse South (THS), located in London Docklands and now the largest facility offered by Telehouse, will come on-net in the coming months.

NOTE: MA5 joins 11 other Equinix data centres that Neos has on-net across its UK estate, as well as 9 other sites across Manchester.

Neos states that both data centres will be diversely connected with fibre and 100Gbps enabled, providing UK businesses with secure, reliable, high capacity connectivity services. The announcement makes no mention of 400Gbps connectivity, but we wouldnt be at all surprised to see that being introduced in the not too distant future (example).

Matt Rees, CTO of Neos Networks, said: We continue to invest in our data centre offering, expanding the reach of our network to bring critical, core connectivity to more UK businesses. And these two new locations will be highly significant in complementing the growth of the UKs two biggest cities. We see huge demand for high capacity services from the Telehouse sites that weve brought on-net to date, providing reliable, resilient and secure connectivity to help power the UKs financial services industry in Londons Canary Wharf. And with Manchester at the heart of the UKs digital tech scene, ensuring the availability of scalable, reliable connectivity is essential for digital services innovation and establishing the UKs technology leadership.

Neos is now fast approaching the milestone of 100 on-net commercial data centres (currently at 90+).
Tuesday, Oct 17th, 2023 (8:20 am) - Score 1,800

The Essex County Council (ECC) has announced that Openreach (BT) has officially completed their state aid supported Phase 4b contract under the Superfast Essex (SFE) project, which helped to extend gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband lines to another 3,559 premises in hard to reach rural areas.

The contract  supported by a grant of 5m from DEFRAs Rural Development Programme for England  was first announced back in August 2019 (here) and at the time it pledged to cover 3,700 premises  split down to an additional coverage of 1,000 rural businesses and 2,700 homes. Interestingly, the original contract aimed to be completed by March 2021, although that target was set before disruption caused by the pandemic.

Phase 4b consisted of three separate contracts, which were split across the following areas.

Phase 4b Contract Areas 4b.4 will include parts of Brentwood, Chelmsford, Harlow and Uttlesford.

4b.5 will include parts of Castle Point, Colchester, Maldon, Rochford and Tendring.

4b.6 will include parts of Thurrock.

Since 2012, more than 160,000 Essex addresses have been upgraded to superfast broadband (24  30Mbps+) speeds under the SFE project, albeit mostly via Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC / VDSL2) technology. The exact split for FTTP, including contracts with other operators like Gigaclear, remains unclear, but Openreachs own commercial investment has already helped to expand full fibre to 320,000 premises across Essex.

Kieran Wines, Openreachs Partnership Director for the East of England, said: Were really proud of what weve achieved in partnership with Superfast Essex and we welcomed the opportunity to give Ms Badenoch a step-by-step demonstration of our technology. Our engineers work hard every day to keep communities across Essex and the wider region connected, and it was great to be able to share the challenges and realities of delivering this technology. I encourage anyone wanting faster, more resilient broadband to check their address on our website.

Councillor Lee Scott said: The completion of the final Openreach contract is a huge milestone for Essex. Digital connectivity is key to achieving our Levelling Up aims in Essex. Homes and businesses in the hardest-to-reach locations in Essex will be able to unlock the benefits of this improved connectivity, fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for our residents.

At this point wed normally highlight how the focus in Essex has since switched from SFE to the Governments 5bn Project Gigabit programme, but theres a bit of a catch this time. Project Gigabit initially planned to tackle Essex under LOT 21 of the new project, but this has been paused after Building Digital UK (BDUK) found  via market engagement activity  that significant commercial activity was planned across the county, leaving only a limited number of premises eligible for subsidy to get gigabit-capable networks.

The market has typically shown limited interest in bidding for what would be smaller-sized procurements in these areas, and so BDUK are currently considering alternative interventions to tackle the remaining gap. Next year should bring more details on the future plans for Essex.
U.S. Congressman Mike Flood has announced he is taking applications for the spring internship program in his Washington, D.C. office.

Interns will have the opportunity to work alongside each team with the offices full-time congressional staff. The internship curriculum is meant to provide interns with an understanding of how a congressional office administers constituent services, communications, operations, legislative, and committee work. Interns are also encouraged to attend multiple congressional hearings, policy briefings, guest speakers, exhibits, and networking events on Capitol Hill.

The deadline to apply for the spring internship is Nov. 3, 2023. Applicants will be notified if they are selected on Nov. 10, and the internship will run from Jan. 22 through May 3.

Students and recent graduates with ties to Nebraskas first congressional district will receive first consideration. Applications for other seasons will be accepted on a rolling basis. Full details about the internship program can be found at https://flood.house.gov/services/internships.
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.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  Doctors in Gaza City faced with dwindling medical supplies performed surgery on hospital floors, often without anesthesia, in a desperate bid to save badly wounded victims of a massive blast that killed civilians sheltering in a nearby hospital amid Israeli bombings and a blockade of the territory.

The Hamas militant group blamed the blast on an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants. At least 500 people were killed, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said.

Rage at the hospital carnage spread through the Middle East as U.S. President Joe Biden landed in Israel in hopes of stopping a spread of the war, which started after Hamas militants attacked towns and cities across southern Israel Oct. 7.

Biden embraced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his arrival and later said the blast appeared not to be Israel's fault. "Based on what I've seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you," he told Netanyahu in remarks in front of the media.

During his visit, Biden planned to meet with first responders and with family members of those who were killed, wounded or taken hostage in the Hamas attack.

Shortly before Biden's arrival, Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel resumed after a 12-hour lull.

Israeli strikes on Gaza continued on Wednesday, including attacks on cities in south Gaza that Israel had described as "safe zones" for Palestinian civilians.

After the hospital blast, Jordan canceled a meeting between Biden, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Biden will now visit only Israel, a White House official said.

The war between Israel and Hamas was "pushing the region to the brink," Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told state-run television.

The Israeli military held a briefing Wednesday morning laying out its case for why it was not responsible for the explosion at the al-Ahli Hospital. It was not firing in the area, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

Instead, Hagari said, Israeli radar confirmed a rocket barrage fired by the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad from a nearby cemetery at that time of the blast, around 6:59 p.m. Independent video showed one of the rockets in the barrage falling out of the sky, he said.

The misfired rocket hit the parking lot outside the hospital. Were it an airstrike, there would have been a crater there; instead, the fiery blast came from the misfired rocket's warhead and its unspent propellant, he said.

The Israeli military also released a recording they said was between two Hamas militants discussing the blast, during which the speakers say it was believed to be an Islamic Jihad misfire and that the shrapnel appeared to be from IJ weapons, not Israel's.

Hagari said Israeli's intelligence would be shared with U.S. and British officials. He also questioned the death toll provided by Gaza's Hamas-led health ministry.

Since the war began, roughly 450 rockets fired at Israel by militant groups had landed in Gaza, the military said.

Hamas called Tuesday's hospital blast "a horrific massacre," saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

Islamic Jihad dismissed Israel's claims, accusing Israel of "trying hard to evade responsibility for the brutal massacre it committed."

The group pointed to Israel's order that Al-Ahli be evacuated and reports of a previous strike at the hospital as proof that the hospital was an Israeli target. It also said the scale of the explosion, the angle of the bomb's fall and the extent of the destruction all pointed to Israel.

The blast left gruesome scenes. Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Ghassan Abu Sitta, a plastic surgeon working at al-Alhi, said he heard a loud explosion and the ceiling of his operating room collapsed.

"The wounded started stumbling toward us," he wrote in an account posted to Facebook. He saw hundreds of dead and severely wounded people. "I put a tourniquet on the thigh of a man who had his leg blown off and then went to tend to a man with a penetrating neck injury," he said.

Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed the hospital grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children, as fire engulfed the building. The grass was strewn with blankets, school backpacks and other belongings. On Wednesday morning the blast scene was littered with charred cars and the ground was blackened by debris.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties to Gaza City's main hospital, al-Shifa, which was already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia.

Victims arrived with gruesome injuries, Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said. Some were decapitated, disemboweled, or missing limbs.

Doctors in the overwhelmed hospital resorted to performing surgery on floors and in the halls, mostly without anesthesia.

"We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anesthesia, we need everything," Abu Selmia said. He warned that fuel for the hospital's generators would run out within hours, forcing a complete shutdown, unless supplies enter the Gaza Strip.

The bloodshed unfolded as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas' deadly rampage last week. Hundreds of thousands of increasingly desperate people were searching for bread and water.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 3,200 people have been killed in Gaza and 11,000 wounded. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians who were slain in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. The assault also resulted in some 200 being taken captive into Gaza. Militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

Protests erupted across the Middle East. In Amman, a palace statement said Jordan's king condemned "the ugly massacre perpetrated by Israel against innocent civilians."

The king "warned that this war, which has entered a dangerous phase, will plunge the region into an unspeakable disaster," the statement said.

With troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza.

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military told fleeing Palestinians to go. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israel's retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. "Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, it's hiding behind civilians," he said.

With Israel barring entry of most water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas' brutal attack, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territory's 2.3 million people. But aid was not getting in as of Wednesday morning.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

The Israeli military again called on Palestinians to move out of Gaza City and head south, saying that if aid were to be delivered it would be near the city of Khan Younis in south Gaza.

At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid have been waiting to enter.

No humanitarian aid was passing through Rafah as of Wednesday morning, an Egyptian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media.
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said one death has been reported in association with rolling candy, whose ball can dislodge from the product and into a childs mouth.

KGR Distribution Corp. is recalling its Cocco Candy rolling candy because the rolling ball can dislodge and become trapped in a childs throat. The commission said it received a report of a 7-year-old girl who died in New York in April.

The recall involves the rolling candy sold in 2 fluid ounces in various flavors, including sour strawberry, sour Tutti Frutti and sour cola. For unit, display and carton barcodes, check out the commissions website at cpsc.gov.

The rolling candy was manufactured in Turkey and was sold at stores nationwide and online at KGRs website from May 2022 to March 2023.

Consumers can contact the company at 888-802-8823 or via email at recall@kgrdistribution.com to receive a $2.50 refund or the amount on the purchase receipt if higher, which will be issued through PayPal, Zelle or by check if requested.

A similar product is also being recalled over choking hazard, though no deaths or injuries have been reported.

Candy Dynamics is recalling its Slime Licker sour rolling liquid candy because the rolling ball can detach. The company has received two reports of the applicator ball detaching.

The candy was sold in 2-ounce and 3-ounce containers. For UPC codes and product names, check out the commissions website. They were sold at Walmart, Five Below and other stores nationwide, and online at Amazon, Candy Dynamics and other websites from July 2015 to July 2023.

Consumers should take the product away from children and contact the company at 877-546-0483 for a full refund of the product that is not empty of liquid. Consumers will be expected to ship their nonempty product back to the company.

Other childrens products were recalled over choking hazards in the last week. Little Sleepies is recalling its Sleepyhead Loveys and Bandana Bibs because the care instruction label can detach.

The company has received two reports of the instructions detaching, though no injuries have been reported.

The bibs were sold on the companys website and at boutique stores nationwide from February 2021 to September 2023. Consumers should take the bibs away from children and remove the label. Consumers can also return the product using a pre-paid shipping label from the company for a full refund. For more information, call the company at 866-330-3353 or email them at hello@littlesleepies.com.

The commission is warning parents about Forts childrens play tents because magnets are used to connect various pieces and can become dislodged from their pouches, posing choking and laceration hazards.

The commission said there have been 17 reports of loose or broken magnets, resulting in laceration injuries in two adults and a pinched finger to one child.

The tents, which consist of 12 cushions in various shapes, were sold in 12 colors online at Get the Fort and Zulily from July 2021 to November 2022.

The company is no longer in business, so there is no refund or remedy available to consumers, but the commission urges people to dispose of the tents and to not resell or donate them given the dangers.

More weighted blankets designed for children are being recalled over the risk of death by asphyxiation.

Though no incidents or injuries have been reported with this specific product, YourHealthToolkit is recalling its 5-pound weighted blankets because a child can become entrapped by unzipping and entering the blanket.

The blankets were sold exclusively on Amazon from January 2020 to March 2020. Consumers should stop using the blankets and contact Amazon to receive a full refund. The company, which can be reached at 800-866-0803, is reaching out to purchasers via Amazon with instructions on how to return the product.

Another Amazon-exclusive product was also recalled in the last week. Far Success Trading is recalling its Gevi household countertop nugget ice makers because the metal blades of the auger can break, resulting in small pieces of metal going into the ice basket, posing a laceration hazard.

The company has received 263 reports of the blades breaking off and going into the ice basket. No injuries have been reported.

The ice maker has model number GIMN-1102 and was sold on Amazon from January 2022 to July 2022.

Consumers should stop using the ice maker if it was manufactured before June 1, 2022, and contact the company at 855-992-2888 for a free replacement. The company will provide instructions on how to disable and dispose of the product.

The commission also reported that Curio Brands LLC is recalling its Capri Blue pet sprays and shampoos because the products contain bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. People with healthy immune systems are usually not affected by the bacteria, but those with weakened immune systems or external medical devices face risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment.

The company said it is aware of infections in 11 dogs and is investigating a connection to the recalled product.

The recall involves all of Capri Blue deodorizing pet bedding spray, waterless foaming shampoo, deodorizing fragrance spritz and detangling and conditioning spray. They were sold at specialty stores and online at Capri Blue from June to August.

Consumers should stop using the recalled products and visit CBPetCareRecall.com and complete the refund request form or call the company toll-free at 877-748-7141. Consumers will be asked to take a picture of the product with their initials and date written in marker and email it to the company.

Russound is recalling its MCA-88 multizone controller amplifiers because the internal circuit board components can overheat, posing a fire hazard. The company has received 16 reports of smoking, charring and burning, with damage contained to the unit only. No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves the amplifier that provides up to eight zones of distributed audio. They were sold to wholesalers, who then sold them to installation professionals and for consumers from January 2021 to July 2023.

Consumers should stop using the amplifiers and contact the company at 800-638-8055 to arrange for a free replacement unit to be installed at no cost by a certified professional installer.
Charlottesville police are seeking the publics help to find the person who fatally shot 48-year-old Daniel OBrien Hall near the Downtown Mall over the weekend.

There were numerous witnesses within feet of this incident, Lt. Joey Lewis said Monday at a media briefing. Please come forward with what you saw.

Lewis said the slaying took place in the roadway in the 200 block of East Market Street, a block fronted by the entrance to the Central Library of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, the rear of the Paramount Theater and several businesses.

Police said they were dispatched to the scene at 2:59 a.m. Saturday, and a man residing in the nearby Market Street Park homeless encampment said he was awake when he heard a verbal quarrel.

I could hear them arguing from my tent, the man, who agreed to be quoted only by his first name, Wenny, told The Daily Progress. They were really loud.

The man said the volume and the vehemence of the argument caught his attention, even as the details escaped him.

It was something about a female, said Wenny. And then one dude said, What you want to do? And the other guy said, I want to do whatever you want to do.

Wenny said the argument seemed to pause with one mans temporary exodus.

And next thing I knew he came back, said Wenny, and it was like eight or nine shots.

Police said that Hall was transported to University of Virginia Medical Center, where he died of his injuries Saturday. By Sunday, a makeshift memorial, including flowers and colorful mylar balloons, had been erected at the base of a streetlight at the corner of East Market Street and Third Street Northeast.

Lewis said that police have already obtained witness statements and video that convince them that there is no danger to the general public.

We do believe this was an isolated incident based on what we have, said Lewis.

He reiterated the departments initial request for businesses to check their surveillance cameras for useful footage. He said the sought-after areas include the 100-500 blocks of East Market, East Jefferson and East High streets, as well as the 200 blocks of Third and Fourth streets northeast.

Lewis urged anyone with information related to the incident to call the Charlottesville Police Department at (434) 970-3280 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at (434) 977-4000.

The killing has provoked widespread concern as well as some unfounded allegations about the unhoused population in Market Street Park.

Men and women moved into the park a little more than three weeks ago after the city lifted its curfew there in the wake of allegations the police had been mistreating the homeless who lingered in the area after dark. Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis called those allegations unfounded after an internal investigation, and the parks 11 p.m. curfew is set to be reinstated on Oct. 21, coinciding with the early opening of the wintertime overnight shelter provided by People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry, or PACEM.

Lewis said that the investigation has already refuted speculation the fatal shooting had anything to do with the people living in Market Street Park.

This was not related to anything going on in Market Street Park, said Lewis.
Sitting before a room of University of Virginia students not much younger than herself, Volya Vysotskaia told the story of how she became a terrorist.

The Belarusian dissident is in exile.

For the past three years she has been banished from her home, and many of her friends and colleagues have been imprisoned by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenkos authoritarian regime.

If she returns home she would likely share the same fate, a consequence of her work on The Black Book of Belarus, a Telegram channel that exposed Belarusian law enforcement and state officials for committing human rights violations.

Wanted by her own government, she fled to Russia, then Ukraine, then Lithuania, before making it to the U.S. in February. With stops in New York City and San Francisco, last week she was in Charlottesville where she was given resources to continue her work and taught students not just what it means to live under a dictatorship, but how to fight back.

Her visit was possible because of the Democratic Futures Project at UVas Karsh Institute of Democracy, a UVa-created program that brings together international advocates, academics and policymakers. It also allows for visitors to work directly with undergraduate students.

As Vysotskaia began to speak in a classroom at New Cabell Hall, describing the moment she realized that her countrys government was killing its own citizens, the projects co-founder Srjda Popovic commented on her remarkable story.

Imagine how inspirational this is for students, he whispered to The Daily Progress at the back of the classroom. They can relate to her.

Vysotskaias presence on UVa Grounds was part of an ongoing experiment.

For the first time we are trying to build something more than a course for students, Popovic said. The ultimate goal is interaction between UVa academics and frontline people, practitioners.

Popovic has been part of academia for years now, but he started on the frontlines himself. The Serbian activist was a founder of Otpor!, a nonviolent student resistant group that helped topple the dictatorship of Slobodan Milosevic, president of Serbia and then the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until he was overthrown in 2000.

In 2003, Popovic co-founded the Centre for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies, or CANVAS, another organization that advocates for nonviolent resistance and democracy. It has worked with pro-democracy advocates in 50 countries and was shortlisted for the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

He has since built what he calls a large network of dissidents and troublemakers, or activists that he lovingly referred to as crazy people  people crazy enough to risk their lives by speaking out against authoritarian governments.

Troublemakers such as Vysotskaia are being invited to UVa to be part of the Democratic Futures Project and Popovics experiment.

UVa is really good ground for this, he said, noting that hes also taught at Harvard University and the University of Essex.

UVa has an international student body, and at the same time there is an interest in the world, far more than some other places Ive been.

He called it a good combination: Dissidents are welcome at UVa and the university can gain a lot from their presence.

More specifically, students can learn not just how pro-democracy advocacy works on paper but on the streets.

Joining academia after his many years on the frontlines, Popovic found that in classrooms, the study of activism is often theoretical. The Democratic Futures Project is aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practice.

What I teach students is a very practical skill set on how to make change. And then, instead of just teaching them skill sets, you are bringing them practitioners, he said just before Vysotskaia began speaking to the class. And this is how it works. People get excited, people get interested, people get fired up.

Third-year student Chris Joseph is one of the students who will be working with Vysotskaia. So far his course, taught by professor Stephen Parks, chair of the Democratic Futures Project, has included lessons on justice reform movements and revolutionary change.

Im really excited to take what weve learned and apply it to a real world setting, especially a very challenging topic, Joseph told The Daily Progress after Vysotskaia finished speaking.

During her talk on Wednesday night, students such as Joseph learned just how real Vysotskaias work is.

The human rights activist was recently sentenced to 12 years in prison after the first trial in abstentia in the countrys history. Her family was interrogated and her home was searched. She was not permitted to view any court documents outlining her alleged crimes, which included exasperation of enmity and social disagreement. And while she was assigned a lawyer, he declined all of her calls.

Trial in absentia is a recent development in Belarus. It was made possible last year when the Lukashenko government changed the criminal law so people can be tried in absentia for anti-state activities. The process was also recently used to sentence Valery Tsepkalo  a Belarusian opposition leader who fled the country in 2020  to 17 years in prison.

It was impossible. I couldnt learn details of my case, Vysotskaia said. Thats how they bring their revenge about because they cant reach people with their hands.

The government also changed citizenship laws, allowing it to revoke citizenship from people such as Vysotskaia. If the country moves to do so, she would not be allowed back in the country for 30 years.

She took questions toward the end of the event, when one student asked her if she still had national pride despite her countrys authoritarian government. Vysotskaia responded that her pride wavered during Russias invasion of Ukraine, which was supported by the Lukashenko regime.

I felt ashamed that I am Belarusian, she said.

She began to think shed be better with no national identity than to be associated with her own government.

In that moment I realized that if Im ashamed of my own nationality then who will continue to be Belarusian? she said.

Vysotskaia could be among the first wave of dissidents to grace UVa Grounds. Popovic and Parks aim to bring dozens from Popovics network to Charlottesville in the spring for a multiday discussion on the state of global democracy and how activists can battle authoritarianism.

There are no tiny steps. Even spreading information is the beginning of a democratic campaign, she told the room. You can do this.
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( Al Shabaka )  In recent years, much has been written about the rise of white supremacist movements in the US, their support for alt-right politics, and former President Donald Trump as their political champion. Similarly, since 2016 much has been written about the overwhelming support Trump has received from white evangelical Christians, particularly Christian Zionists. Less examined is the relationship between white supremacy and Christian Zionism, namely their overlapping ideologies and political clout.

While the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is often cited as the preeminent Zionist lobby in the US, Christian Zionists comprise a considerably larger political bloc with unwavering support for Israel and its continued displacement of Palestinians through both the expansion of settlements and apartheid rule. Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a major US Christian Zionist organization, claims over 10 million members, and the actual number of evangelicals who espouse Christian Zionist beliefs is likely much larger. Among white evangelical Christians, who comprise 14% of the US population and who supported Trumps 2016 and 2020 elections by a wide margin, 80% believe that the establishment of the state of Israel and the regathering of millions of Jewish people to Israel are fulfilments of biblical prophecy.

Political organizing against white supremacy, Israeli apartheid, and antisemitism would do well to join forces and focus on the close relationship between white supremacy and Christian Zionism among evangelicals. In this policy brief, the authors explain the nature and history of these political bedfellows and recommend ways for civil society to counter their influence. Israels current far right-wing government provides a particularly opportune moment to inform both progressive as well as mainstream US evangelicals, as the government has emboldened Israels Jewish fundamentalists, whose anti-Palestinian agenda is both stridently anti-Muslim and anti-Christian.

Tenets of Christian Zionism

Christian Zionism can be defined by the unquestioning support for the Zionist colonial project, from the violent establishment of the Israeli regime in 1948 to continued Jewish settlement in Palestine, as part of ones faith as a Christian. The basis for this theology dates back to 16th-century Protestant Christian interpretations of Biblical eschatology, or signs and precursors of Jesus return at the end of time. Evangelical Christian Zionists believe that among precursors to Jesus return is Jewish settlement in and control of Palestine, treating modern Jews as the biblical nation of Israel whom Christians are commanded to bless to facilitate the Messiahs return. Thus, Christian Zionists see support for Israel as a way to take part in biblical prophecy. Adherents to the Prosperity Gospelnow 17% of US Christiansalso believe in personal financial gain and prosperity if one blesses Israel.

Christian Zionists support for Jewish settlement in Palestine is a precursor to their own (the Churchs) salvation, not that of Jewish people; they actively seek an end of times in which Jews and other non-Christians will be destroyed while they ascend to heaven. Their support for Jews and Israel is a superficial pretense for Christian salvation at the expense of Jews. Still, this ideological commitment aligns Christian Zionists with Israeli governments and their colonial and belligerent policies toward Palestinians, Iran, and other adversaries of the Israeli regime. Ironically, the right-wing ethnoreligious nationalists who support the present Netanyahu government have also increased their belligerence toward Christians, Palestinian and otherwise, making this alignment even more perplexing.

Moreover, Christian Zionist views of Jewish people are characteristically antisemitic. For example, they rely on belief in a singular, internationally-connected, and powerful population of Jews, and the modern Israeli regime as the embodiment of the biblical nation that represents Jews everywhere. Such beliefs mimic the conspiratorial elements of antisemitism in Europe and blend support for Jewish settlement in Palestine with antisemitic notions of international Jewry. In so doing, Christian Zionists cynically enmesh themselves with white supremacists, who fear being replaced by Jews or people of colorand who feel threatened by antisemitic notions of Jewish peoples power and influence.

Some forms of Christian Zionism, especially those that historically took root in Britain, were predicated on both Jewish conversion and Jewish settlement in and control of Palestine. These notions considered Jews in the diaspora as both a problematic and biblically crucial population to influence on the path toward the Churchs destiny of salvation. These ideas developed further in the 20th century among various denominations of Christian evangelicals, and Jewish conversion was seen as unnecessary. The Christian Zionist consensus that took hold in the US and elsewhere, especially after the 1967 war and in the 1980s, sees the modern-day Zionist colonial project as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, preceding the ascendance of Christians to heaven and the destruction of all others on earth. Even among those Christians who believe in these precursors to Armageddon but who gloss over the end-of-times scenario, the ultimate focus is on Christian salvation that requires Jewish settlement in Palestine.

Though many Jewish Zionist leaders acknowledge the cynical nature of an alliance with Christian Zionists, their support is ultimately welcomed as it advances the Israeli regimes political goals and shields it from critique. One of the ways Christian Zionists accomplish this is by contributing to narratives of the regimes vulnerability in the midst of hostile Arab and Muslim neighbors who are also depicted as characteristically inferior. These narratives invoke racist ideas of Palestinians and Muslims as backwards, violent, technologically underdeveloped, and expendablenarratives similar to those used among white supremacists. In fact, Christian evangelicals have been among the most virulent propagators of anti-Muslim racism in the US. Likewise, Christian Zionists shore up the mythology of Jewish colonization and development of Palestine in continuity with an ancient past, contributing to questionable archaeology that helps to stymie Palestinian self-determination, including Christian Palestinians access to cherished sites of religious significance.

Christian Zionism and US Policy Toward the Israeli Regime

Evangelical Christian Zionists fervently supported the Trump administrationwith some in top positions, such as Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeoimplementing what was essentially the Christian Zionist playbook during the administrations four-year term. Yet this was not the first US administration or other political leadership that took direction from the Armageddon Lobby.

Christian Zionisms political influence in the US became pronounced in the 1980s, when the annual Zionist conference of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem first began. Major figures included the late Jerry Falwell, a conservative Baptist pastor and televangelist, and the late Pat Robertson, also a religious broadcaster and Southern Baptist minister as well as one-time Republican presidential candidate and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Under President Ronald Reagan, Falwells and Robertsons influences were clear: Not only did Reagan advocate for military strength in the US to prepare for the battle of Armageddon, but both he and Attorney General Edwin Meese reportedly prayed for Armageddon to come.

Though many Jewish Zionist leaders acknowledge the cynical nature of an alliance with Christian Zionists, their support is ultimately welcomed as it advances the Israeli regimes political goals and shields it from critique Click To Tweet

Falwell established a group known as the Moral Majority in 1979, a political organizing body for evangelicalism that mobilized thousands of churches and millions of registered voters as the Christian Right. By 2003, the Moral Majority represented the largest voting bloc within the Republican Party and was a major social movement with direct ties to the Israeli government, Falwell having been honored by Menachem Begin himself in 1979.

An affiliate of the Moral Majority, the National Christian Leadership Conference for Israel (NCLCI), led a successful campaign to repeal UN Resolution 3379, which stated that Zionism was a form of racism while also declaring opposition to all forms of racism. Pro-Israel lobbies in the US, including the likes of the World Jewish Congress and AIPAC, pressed US officials to oppose the resolution immediately following its passage in 1975. However, it is arguably only when the Christian Zionist lobby began its concerted campaign from 1985 to 1990 that US elected officials responded. In 1990, the House of Representatives passed HR 457, calling on the UN to repeal the resolution; it was syndicated and passed thereafter in the Senate with unanimous support and signed by President George H. W. Bush. The UN overturned the resolution the following year in a rare redaction.

During the later George W. Bush administration, Christian Zionist figures like Falwell continued to hold sway on issues of US foreign policy in the Middle East, supporting Israeli settlement expansion and opposing overtures toward peace or Palestinian statehood. For example, in June 2003, Bush backpedaled on pressure to move forward with the Middle East Quartet-sponsored roadmap for peace that purportedly aimed to establish a Palestinian state. When the US was meant to act as a third-party mediator at a meeting between Israeli PM Ariel Sharon and newly-appointed Palestinian PM Mahmoud Abbas, a Christian Zionist organization known as the Apostolic Congress sent more than 50,000 postcards to the White House opposing the roadmap, and the administration subsequently delayed action until after the 2004 elections.

Today, the largest pro-Israel advocacy group in the US is CUFI. Other notable organizations that either represent or are financially supported by Christian Zionists include the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. University campus-based affiliates include Passages, a Christian Zionist tour group, and the Campus Maccabees or Maccabee Task Force, a multi-million dollar effort opposing the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement with direct financial support from CUFI and right-wing Zionists.

The culmination of decades of growing Christian Zionist political influence was a 2016 White House whose alignment with the far right among both Zionists and white supremacists was seamless. In addition to Pence and Pompeo, Trump appointed Steve Bannon as chief strategist. Bannon, who declared himself a Christian Zionist, also called his news site, Breitbart, the platform for the alt-right and was celebrated by white nationalists. David Friedman, US Ambassador to Israel under Trump and a known funder and supporter of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, also enjoyed ties to Christian Zionist leadership.

The result was an administration that opposed international consensus on illegal settlements in the West Bank; moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem, declaring it Israels eternal capital; made an unprecedented diplomatic visit to a settlement funded by Christian Zionists; reneged on the Iran nuclear deal in favor of a more aggressive and pro-Israel stance against Iran; signed enormous military arms deals with Saudi Arabia and advanced normalization between Israel and the Gulf; withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council citing anti-Israel bias; and did away with any regard for Palestinian demands and self-determination in the so-called Deal of the Century. Trump left office having solidified US support for right-wing religious ethnonationalism in Israel and for the illegal settlement enterprise; unsurprisingly, annexation of Palestinian land also increased during his term.

The administration also supported US federal agencies aggression toward Palestinian activism at home: The Department of Education under Betsy DeVos sought to punish Palestinian student activists for critique of Israel, and the State Department similarly accepted the IHRA definition of antisemitism, stifling criticism of Israel. The Biden administration has not reversed these actions, and this continued indifference or tacit endorsement of Trumps legacy dangerously ignores the links between the Christian Zionist agenda and white supremacy, flying in the face of what the administration declares to be its policy of anti-racism.

White Supremacy and Christian Zionism

The ties between Christian Zionism and white supremacy date back to the early European Christian Zionists. Though British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfours 1917 declaration that his government would support the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine might on the surface appear to have been benevolent toward Jews, it was, in fact, steeped in white supremacy and antisemitism. Indeed, Balfours support of Zionism originated in a desire to stem Jewish immigration to Britain. He wrote, for instance, in his 1919 introduction to Nahum Sokolows History of Zionism that the Zionist movement would mitigate the age-long miseries created for Western civilization by the presence in its midst of a Body which it too long regarded as alien and even hostile, but which it was equally unable to expel or to absorb.

It should therefore come as no surprise that while contemporary white supremacists declare a desire for Jews to leave white societies for Israel, they also proclaim admiration for Zionism and its manifestation in the Israeli state. Richard Spencer, a leader of the alt-right movement in the US, which espouses a white ethnostate, has called himself a white Zionist. Relatedly, those who display Confederate flags may pair them with Israeli flags, and Israeli flags are often on display at right-wing rallies, including on January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Washington, DC, capitol.

It should come as no surprise that while contemporary white supremacists declare a desire for Jews to leave white societies for Israel, they also proclaim admiration for Zionism and its manifestation in the Israeli state Click To Tweet

Though Spencer is not a religious person, his and other white supremacists desire for a white ethnostate is steeped in Christianity through a call for their fellow whites to be conscious not only of their white identity but also of their shared Christian heritagea heritage that itself has white supremacist roots. To be sure, analysts and activists such as Mae Elise Cannon and Graylan Hagler have pointed out that Christian nationalism, white supremacy, Zionism, and Christian Zionism make cozy bedfellows. This was as true in Balfours time as it is today. The scholar Robert O. Smith has found, for instance, through an analysis of US polling data since the mid-1980s that support for Israel is predicatedby a combination of religious traditionalism, belief in American exceptionalism, and whiteness.

It is perhaps the notion of exceptionalism that best articulates and links these dangerous ideologies. Cannon notes that Both Christian nationalism and Christian Zionists espouse an ideology of exceptionalismExceptionalists inhabit binary, exclusionary worlds, and Hagler writes in an essay on white supremacy and Christian Zionism that [a]ll forms of supremacy are exceptionalist. The idea that one group is superior to another and deserves certain rights at the expense of outsider groupswhether white and Christian versus Jewish, Black, Muslim, and otherwise in the case of the Richard Spencers in the US, or white and Jewish versus Palestinian in the case of Christian Zionism, Zionism, and Israelis one that begets violence and oppression.

Evangelical Opportunities

It is important to emphasize the diversity among evangelicals: Not all evangelicals are Christian Zionists. In fact, there are a number of individuals and institutions that work against the ideology in the interest of Palestinian rights, such as Cannon of the DC-based Churches for Middle East Peace, the Christ at the Checkpoint initiative at Bethlehem Bible College, and Sojourners magazine, which emerged from an evangelical divinity school in Illinois in the 1970s. Further, non-white evangelicals tend to be less biased in their views toward Israel and the Palestinian struggle. That said, as noted above, the majority of evangelicals express Christian Zionist beliefs.

However, recent polling suggests that support for Israel among younger evangelicals is decreasing. A 2021 survey reports that support among this group dropped from 75 percent to 34 percent between 2018 and 2021, in contrast to more steady support among older evangelicals. Professor Shibley Telhami of the University of Maryland has also conducted polling on this issue since 2015; his research demonstrates a similar trend and that the gap between the age groups had already widened appreciably by 2018.

Further, white evangelicalsparticularly young white evangelicalshave been turning away from evangelicalism, or are reluctant to be labeled as such. This is in part a rejection of Trumps policies and rhetoric so bolstered by the bloc. While this inclination has resulted in some young white people leaving organized religion more broadly, others are desirous of a different type of experience, one that fosters community and social transformation.

Gary Burge, Professor of New Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, recently spoke with author Kirk about this burgeoning group and the churches they are flocking to: Young people dont feel the church is addressing what is most heartfelt to them, which are issues like racial equality, poverty alleviation, and the environment.

The task for activists for Palestinian rights will be to educate and bring alienated social justice-oriented evangelicals together to work against Israeli settler colonialism, theocracy, and apartheid Click To Tweet

New churches that brand themselves as not your parents church are attracting these youth Burge describes one such establishment in Grand Rapids that was founded in 2017 and started with 30 or 40 people. Today, around 900 people are members. The minister has a PhD in sociology, a fantastic beard, a motorcycle with a sidecar, keen insight into how churches grow, and an infectious passion that shows up in every sermon, Burge says. And he has limited interest in evangelical culture. His audience is what he calls post-church. According to Burge, non-traditional churches like this one are expanding nationwide, and he sees evangelicalism reinventing itself in this mold in the coming century.

While support for Israel is not common in the new churches Burge describes, neither is support for Palestinians, as the parishioners are more concerned with domestic issues such as gun control and racism. In a recent interview Jonathan Brenneman, a Palestinian-American activist told Kirk that he agrees that former evangelicals or current evangelicals interested in social justice may not have Palestine at the top of their list, but notes they are willing to challenge Christian Zionist ideas. Such a position presents an important opportunity to counter Christian Zionist influence.

Policy Recommendations

With younger evangelicals moving away from robust support for Israel, there is an opportunity for both short and long-term change. This could take the form of diverse groups working together against the Israeli right, including in regard to Palestinian liberation. The task for activists for Palestinian rights will be to educate and bring alienated social justice-oriented evangelicals together to work against Israeli settler colonialism, theocracy, and apartheid.

Civil society organizations that support Palestinian rights should conduct outreach among young evangelicals and evangelicals of color to make connections between them and progressive groups, such as those advocating for Black Lives Matter, Indigenous rights, and police accountability. This outreach must necessarily stress the ties between Christian Zionism, white supremacy, ethnonationalism, and antisemitism, creating understanding and subsequent opportunity for these groups to work together for Palestinian rights as well as other progressive, anti-racist causes.

Once this larger network is in place, civil society groups should make contact with their national and local governmentssuch as the Biden administrations Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnershipsamong other outreach, to influence mainstream churches and organizations with messaging that calls attention to problematic ties between Christian Zionism and ethnonationalism.

Civil society organizations should educate progressive and mainstream Christians about the growing Israeli right-wing religious fascist animosity toward Christians and its relationship to ethnonationalism and apartheid more broadly.

Alternative pilgrimage and ethical tourism to Palestine for Christianssuch as Friends of Sabeel Witness Trips or Eyewitness Palestine delegations must be encouraged. They can play an important role in opposing Christian Zionist narratives and re-orienting young evangelicals who may identify with anti-racist movements and who wish to avoid complicity in Palestinian displacement.

Halah Ahmad Halah Ahmad is a policy researcher, writer, and policy communications expert. Most recently, she led legislative affairs as VP for Policy at the Jain Family Institute, an applied social science research institute based in New York City. Halah also served as the US Policy Fellow for Al-Shabaka, and has conducted strategic policy research for government agencies and NGOs in Greece, Albania, Germany, Palestine, and the US. Halah received her Masters in Public Policy from Cambridge University as a Harvard-Cambridge scholar. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Vox, The LA Times, The Hill, USA Today and other outlets.
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By Topher L. McDougal, University of San Diego | 

International aid groups are warning that they cannot deliver food and other basic services to people in the Gaza Strip and that a dire humanitarian crisis is set to worsen.

International aid groups provide food and other means of support to about 63% of people in Gaza.

Israel stopped allowing deliveries of food, fuel and other supplies to Gazas 2.3 million residents on Oct. 10, 2023, and is reportedly preparing for a ground invasion.

On Oct. 12, 2023, Israel warned 1.1 million Gaza residents in the northern section of the enclave to leave for the southern region, in advance of a potential ground invasion.

I am a scholar of peace and conflict economics and a former World Bank consultant, including during the 2014 war between Hamas and Israel.

International aid groups now face the same problem in Gaza that local businesses and residents have encountered for about 16 years: a blockade that prevents civilians and items, like medicine from easily moving into or out of the enclosed area, roughly 25 miles long. That 16-year blockade did not apply to the food and fuel that groups brought in to Gaza.

Now, it does.

Gazas blockade and economy

Gaza is about the size of Philadelphia and requires trade with different businesses and countries in order to maintain and grow its economy.

But Gaza is heavily dependent on foreign aid.

This is partially the result of Israel setting up permanent air, land and sea blockades around Gaza in 2007, one year after Hamas rose to political power. Egypt, which borders Gaza on its southern end, also oversees one checkpoint that specifically limits people coming and going.

While Israel has granted permits to about 17,000 Gaza residents to enter and work in Israel, the food, fuel and medical supplies that people in Gaza use all first pass through Israel.

Israel controls two physical checkpoints along Gaza, which monitor both the entry and exit of people and trucks. Israel limits the kind and quantity of materials that pass into Gaza. And the blockades generally prohibit Gazans who do not have work permits or special clearance  for medical purposes, for example  from entering Israel.

Israels restrictions through the blockade intensified since Hamas surprise attack on 20 Israeli towns and several military bases on Oct. 7, with Israel then announcing a broad blockade of imports into Gaza. This stopped all food, fuel and medical supplies from entering the region.

Gazas isolation

The Palestinian enclaves of West Bank and Gaza  which are generally lumped together in economic analyses  both have small economies that run a massive deficit of US$6.6 billion in losses each year, as the value of the imports they receive greatly outweighs the value of the items they produce and sell elsewhere.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Al Jazeera English: Displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza struggle for food and shelter

More than 53% of Gaza residents were considered below the poverty line in 2020, and about 77% of Gazan households receive some form of aid from the United Nations and other groups, mostly in the form of cash or food.

Gazas weak economy is caused by a number of complex factors, but the largest is the blockade and the economic and trade isolation it creates.

For the average Gazan, the blockade has several practical effects, including peoples ability to get food. About 64% of people in Gaza are considered food insecure, meaning they do not have reliable access to sufficient amounts of food.

Food as a percentage of Gazas total imports has skyrocketed by 50% since 2005, when Israel first imposed a temporary blockade. And the amount of food the West Bank and Gaza actually produce has tumbled by 30% since then.

It is hard for Gaza to produce food within its own borders. One factor is that Israeli airstrikes hit Gazas only power generation plant and main sewage treatment plant in 2008 and again in 2018. These attacks resulted in the spread of sewage waste on land and in the water, destroying farmlands and food crops and threatening fish stocks in the ocean as well.

The UNs big role in Gaza

Gazas weak economy and isolation because of the blockade mean that it relies heavily on international aid organizations to provide basic services to residents. The biggest of these aid groups in Gaza is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East  also known as UNRWA.

Today, UNRWA is the second-largest employer in Gaza, following Hamas. It provides the bulk of the education, food aid and health care services for people in Gaza, in addition to 3 million other people registered as Palestinian refugees who live in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and other places.

Over time, UNRWA has evolved into a kind of parallel government, alongside Hamas, which Israel, the United States and other countries designate as a terrorist organization.

UNRWA funds and runs a network of 284 schools in Gaza alone, employing over 9,000 local people as staff and educating over 294,000 children each year.

UNRWA runs 22 hospitals in Gaza that employ almost 1,000 health staff and has 3.3 million patient visits per year.

Its schools are converted into humanitarian shelters in times of crisis, such as the current war. People can go there to get clean water, food, mattresses and blankets, showers and more.

The number of people in Gaza who are displaced from their homes has quickly risen over the last few days, totaling over 330,000 on Oct. 12, 2023. Over two-thirds of these people are staying in UNRWA schools.

A complicated US relationship

The U.S. has historically been the single-largest funder of UNRWA, a U.N. agency that relies on governments to support its work. The U.S. gave more than $500 million to Palestinians from April 2021 through March 2022, including more than $417 million that went to UNRWA.

U.S. support to UNRWA has fluctuated throughout different presidential administrations.

Total U.S. aid to the West Bank and Gaza peaked at $1 billion in 2009  after Israel sealed off the territory. It reached $1 billion in annual contributions again in 2013, when former Secretary of State John Kerry helped restart peace talks between Israel and Hamas.

In 2018, the Trump Administration cut almost all of the money the U.S. typically gives to UNRWA, amounting to roughly 30% of the organizations total budget.

Defenders of the policy change cited UNRWA-published textbooks that allegedly glorified jihad. UNRWA, for its part, maintained that, as an outside organization, it can only use the educational materials the country it is working in wants.

The Biden administration then restored funding to UNRWA and other organizations helping Palestinians in 2021.

Some Republican politicians have said that UNRWA has cozied up to Hamas. And an internal UNRWA ethics committee has accused top staff at the agency of sexual misconduct, nepotism, retaliation  and other abuses of authority that created a toxic work environment.

Meanwhile, since the war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 8, more than 1,500 Gazans have been killed and more than 5,300 injured, while Hamas attacks have killed more than 1,300 people in Israel and injured about 3,200 others.

International aid groups and European Union officials have called for a humanitarian corridor to be set up in Gaza  meaning a protected path specifically for civilians, aid workers and necessary basic items to pass through safely back and forth from Gaza to Israel and Egypt. So far, there are no clear plans for such a protected pathway.

Topher L. McDougal, Professor of Economic Development & Peacebuilding, University of San Diego

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Special to Informed Comment)  The Hamas brazen, surprised incursion into Israel on Saturday, the 7th of October 2023, has already been condemned and praised by competing protagonists as one of the deadliest, most brutal, and surprising attacks in Israeli history. There is no doubt that Hamas tactics in indiscriminately targeting, killing, and kidnapping Israeli civilians are against international law and human decency. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) retaliation to avenge Hamas fighters deeds has hitherto led to massive and indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza and its infrastructure and must also be condemned. The plight of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from northern Gaza is a form collective punishment and it certainly can be construed as war crimes, crimes against humanity, or even genocide under international law.

Regardless of whether Hamas fighters or the Israeli leaders ever put on trial before international tribunals, all indications are that the IDF is poised to enter Gaza after its heavy bombardment and the destruction of its remaining buildings and infrastructure. The death of hundreds of innocent Palestinians, a number that will be in the thousands, should IDF proceed with its planned invasion.

The Lebanese Hezbollahs exchange of fire with Israeli forces along the border has raised the prospect of a wider regional war. Prospects for a Syrian entry into the war increase, should LH enter the war to protect Hamas and the Gazans from an Israeli onslaught. The United States has ordered two aircraft carrier fleets in the Eastern Mediterranean. The White House claims its beefed-up naval presence in the region is a deterrence to Iran and the LH to avert an expanded war, as Iran has warned of the possibility of such a wider regional warfare.

Subsequently, how the Iranian government will act in either instigating anti-Israeli operations by a host of trained militias in the region or directly injecting itself into the conflict remains a matter of speculation. In such a scenario, the United States forces in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere in the region can become a target of opportunity and the political life for Arab allies of the United States will become exceedingly difficult, with real threats of political instability in the conservative Arab monarchies.

A key to avoiding further escalation and the expansion of the conflict may rest in the hands of Saudi Arabia and OPEC+. Today, Saudi Arabia is the undisputed oil producer and exporter of OPEC and has already, in conjunction with Russia, cut back on oil production to boost global oil prices, collecting more revenues and effectively helping with Russias war efforts. As The Wall Street Journal reported, the OPEC+ (Saudi Arabia and Russia) raked in billions of dollars in extra oil revenues in recent months (October 2022-23), despite pumping fewer barrels, after their production cuts sent crude prices soaring. The 1973 October or Yom Kippur War witnessed the first such successful Arab states use of oil as a weapon to convince the United States and its European supporters of Israel to stop and give diplomacy a chance.

A combination of assertive Arab leaders, a tight global oil market, and limited but respectable military performance by the Arab armies led to the disengagement of Egyptian and Israeli armies, the exchange of prisoners, and, with the U.S. leadership, the Camp David Accord in 1979. However, in the following months and years, the Arab states failed to secure the creation of a Palestinian State and pursued a policy of cold peace with Israel. The United States also failed to implement UNSC resolution 338 which reiterated the 1967 UNSC resolution 242, calling for an exchange of occupied territories for peace. Subsequently, all efforts since the 1980s, including OSLO I, OSLO II, and the creation of a self-governing Palestinian entity in the occupied West Bank have led to no permanent peace.

The American-Israeli efforts in the past forty-three years have boiled down to nothing but efforts to manage and not resolve the conflict. Not only the creation of an independent Palestinian state has not been realized, but the Arab states have also not regained their lost territoriesthe West Bank, East Jerusalem, Golan Heights, and Gaza! A more assertive Arab states leadership can prove instrumental to avert an inevitable avenge killing of innocent Palestinian people if the United States allows the Israeli army to enter Gaza.

The United States need not repeat its mistakes in responding to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The avenge killing and unnecessary, baseless wars have not made the United States any stronger or legitimate in the international community. Conversely, popular opinion of the United States in the Middle East today remains critical and is seen as a culprit in the miseries inflicted upon peoples in the region. Thus, the 2022 Arab Public Opinion survey in 14 countries (Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Tunisia) based on 33,300 face-to-face interviews indicates that 84.3% of Arab population oppose the recognition of the state of Israel, and 59% considers Israel (38%) and the United States (21%) as the greatest threat to Arab countries. Similarly, people interviewed consider Israel (74%), and the US (62%) as international players whose policies threaten security and stability in the Middle East.

Muhammad Bin Salman has already made a cold peace with the Islamic Republic of Iran and tacitly expressed an interest in a deal to recognize Israel in return for a U.S. security guarantee and a close nuclear cooperation with the United States. Saudi Arabias recent closer cooperation and exchanges with China also shows its pragmatic foreign policy engagement that recognizes the rise of China and an increasingly multipolar world, with complex and overlapping policy issue areas. A stronger, balanced, and assertive Saudi foreign policy can best serve its people and regional political stability and prosperity.

The ill-fated intervention in Yemens internal war and years of hostility at containing the supposed Iranian threat has only led to more wasteful arms purchases and political conflict with its traditional allies (the United Arab Emirates and Qatar). The political competition among Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran only deprives these countries of great economic and investment opportunities in the service of development and regional cooperation.

The Saudi leadership can succeed in pressuring the United States and Israel to avert a Gaza onslaught, given the tight energy market, Russias prowess in the oil market and the ongoing war in Ukraine, Chinas inroads into the Middle East, the quiet down situation in Yemen, a rapprochement with Iran, and the opportunity to lift itself as a leading Arab country helping the Palestinian cause. Time is of the essence if the MBS wishes to turn the tragedy of war and human suffering into an opportunity. It can go far in rehabilitating his image and acceptability as a leader. Let us see if the region and the world can avoid another human calamity before it is too late.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Nickelex Resource Corporation (TSXV: NICK) ("Nickelex" or the "Company") reports that it has signed a definitive agreement with CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. ("CanAlaska") on October 13, 2023, to earn up to an 80% interest in four projects, consisting of the Strong, Strong Extension, Moak North and Wilson Mineral Exploration Licenses in the Thompson Nickel Belt ("TNB"), Manitoba (the "Projects"). (See Figure 1)

The definitive agreement provides that Nickelex may earn:

a 49% interest in the Projects by making a cash payment of $35,000, issuing 5,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Shares") and incurring exploration expenditures of $2,000,000 over the first 2 years;

an increased interest to 70% by making an additional cash payment of $50,000, issuing 7,500,000 additional Shares and incurring additional exploration expenditures of $3,500,000 by the end of the third year; and

an increased interest to 80% by making an additional cash payment of $65,000, issuing 25,000,000 additional Shares and incurring additional exploration expenditures of $3,500,000 by the end of the fifth year. In the event any Share issuance would cause CanAlaska to become a new "Control Person" (as such term is defined in TSXV policies), then Nickelex will be required to obtain shareholder approval to same before issuing such Shares in accordance with TSXV policies. If shareholder approval is not received, Nickelex may then pay the outstanding obligation in cash in lieu of Shares based on the fair market value of the Shares at the time of payment.

The Company will also pay CanAlaska $3,000,000 after completing a positive feasibility study on the Projects (such payment may be satisfied in Shares at Nickelex's sole discretion, subject to shareholder approval in the event such issuance would cause CanAlaska to become a new Control Person).

This arm's length transaction is considered a Fundamental Acquisition under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The definitive agreement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

During the 49% and 70% earn-in stages, CanAlaska will be the operator of the Projects and will be entitled to charge an operator fee. Nickelex will have deciding voting rights on annual exploration programs while sole funding at the various option stages and will have the right to assume operatorship after successfully earning a 70% interest in the Projects.

After the successful completion of the last of the 49%, 70% and 80% earn-in stages, the parties will enter into a joint venture agreement, under which the parties will either co-contribute on a simple pro-rata basis or dilute on a pre-defined straight-line dilution formula. Any party diluting to a 10% interest will automatically forfeit its interest in the Projects and in lieu thereof will be granted a 2% net smelter return royalty on the Projects, half of which may be purchased by the other party at its sole discretion for $2,000,000 at any time prior to the commencement of commercial production.

An area of mutual interest will extend two km from the outer boundary of the four properties comprising the Projects, excluding all properties within such area that are currently held by CanAlaska.

The Projects, located 35 km north of Thompson, Manitoba, consist of four Mineral Exploration Licenses ("MEL"), the Strong, Strong Extension, Moak North and Wilson MELs, and cover an area of 30,283 hectares. The Projects are at the north end of the TNB and cover rock lithologies similar to host rocks of other major nickel deposits in the TNB. The Company is planning a $2 million exploration program over two non-contingent stages of exploration, an initial phase of $500,000 to refine drill targets by detailed ground geophysics, with a second phase 3,500 metres of 10 - 12 diamond drill holes at an estimated cost of $1,500,000.

Exploration on the Projects was initiated in the late 1950s, and to date, 139 diamond drill holes have been completed on the properties, with 126 holes drilled prior to 1980, and an additional 13 holes drilled in the early 2000s. Historical drillholes predominantly targeted EM anomalies associated with magnetic anomalies, and several holes successfully intersected the favourable Opswagan Group and several intersected rocks of the Pipe Formation. Sulphides are abundant in many holes, however, nickel bearing intersections were limited to 1 - 3 metre widths of 0.1 - 0.2% nickel. The geophysics completed in 1998 (EM and magnetics) and 2007 (VTEM) on the Strong MEL and subsequent interpretation has resulted in the identification of 14 high priority targets that have had only limited drill testing. Preliminary ground geophysics is required on these targets to detail and prioritize the drill sites. It is estimated that ground geophysics will establish 10 - 12 targets for drilling.

In summary, Nickelex is well-structured with an experienced geologic team, management group, and Board of Directors, and with an exciting portfolio of projects in the critical metal EV sector.

The Company also reports that it has granted incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants to purchase an aggregate 3,650,000 common shares. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.05 per share for a period of five years and are subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Nickelex is focused on large Class 1 Nickel Deposit Discoveries in Canada and delivering the critical metals needed to power future EV demands and continued stainless steel growth.

John R. Kerr. P. Eng., is the President and director of Nickelex Resource Corporation and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He has read and approves the technical content of this release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"John Kerr"

John Kerr, President, Nickelex Resource Corporation

For further information, please visit Nickelex's website at www.nickelexresource.com or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the completion of the property transaction, the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions regarding general economic conditions, interest rates, commodity markets, regulatory and governmental approvals for Nickelex Resource Corporation's projects, and the availability of financing for Nickelex Resource Corporation's projects on reasonable terms. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Nickelex Resource Corporation does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Capella Minerals Ltd (TSXV: CMIL) (OTCQB: CMILF) (FRA: N7D2) ("Capella" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding asset sale agreement (the "Agreement") with NickelX AS ("Nickel X"), a private Norwegian mining company, through which it will divest its interests in the Hessjgruva, Kjli, and Lkken copper-zinc-cobalt projects located in Trndelag Province, central Norway (collectively the "Central Norway Copper Projects" or the "Assets")(the "Transaction").

NickelX currently holds 100% interests in 4 nickel exploration projects in northern Norway (namely Hamn, Palfjellet, Birgivi, and Envold), and is in the process of undertaking an Initial Public Offering ("IPO") with the combined Assets on Oslo's Euronext Growth Exchange with the objective of becoming Norway's leading independent battery metals company.

The total consideration of the Transaction to Capella, payable upon completion of the NickelX IPO, is CAD $7 million via a combination of cash and NickelX shares.

Eric Roth, President and Chief Executive Office of Capella said: "Capella is pleased to have reached this agreement with NickelX providing for the creation of a premier Norwegian battery metals company. Combining our Central Norway Copper Projects with NickelX's exploration properties and then listing on the Oslo Euronext Exchange will ensure that our projects are benefited through access to local capital and stakeholders rewarded through advancement of the project portfolio. The Transaction will also allow us to further focus on our organic operations in Finland while, through the contemplated distribution of NickelX shares, enabling our shareholders to retain direct exposure to the strong upside of those Assets. We are very confident that NickelX has the technical and financial capabilities, through its access to the Nordic capital markets, along with the depth of expertise and vision to advance further the exciting development phases of the Assets and to become the Norwegian critical minerals champion requires for the energy transition".

Main Terms of the Transaction

Capella has agreed to sell its 100% interests in the Assets to NickelX under the following main terms:

Capella will receive at closing of the Transaction C $5 million (the " Cash Consideration ") in cash; and

(the " ") in cash; and Capella will also receive new NickelX shares with a value of C $2 million (the "Share Consideration") to be issued and allotted to the Company at the IPO. Thereafter Capella intends to distribute the Share Consideration to its shareholders on a pro-rata basis. Further information about such distribution and return on capital to Capella's shareholders will be given in connection with the completion of the transaction. Completion of the Transaction is conditional upon, (i) the successful IPO of NickelX on Euronext Growth Exchange in Oslo , (ii) Capella shareholders' approval, (iii) receipt of the written consent of each counterparty to some existing royalty agreements and (iv) TSX Venture Exchange approval. Closing of the Transaction is expected to take a couple of months with a long-stop date agreed by the parties of April 7, 2024 , following which each party retains the option to terminate the Transaction.

Financing Update

To allow fair dissemination of the news of the Transaction, the Company has determined to cancel its previously announced private placement (June 13, updated August 31, 2023) to ensure that participants in the private placement can be fully informed of the Transaction.

Consequently, the Company wishes to announce a new non-brokered private placement, under the same terms as the previous financing of up to 33 million units at a price of C$0.03 per unit to raise gross proceeds of up to C$1,000,000 (the "Private Placement"). The Company had already secured an initial commitment of C$357,000 from an existing European-based shareholder with a focus on the metals required for the green energy transition.

Concomitantly, the Company is also pleased to report a C$500,000 lead order in the revised Private Placement by Mr. Julien Balkany, a founder and related-party to NickelX, through one of his personal investment vehicles. Mr. Balkany has agreed to the lead order subject to the same terms as conditions of the Private Placement, which is not tied to the closing of the Transaction. For clarity, Mr. Julien Balkany will not be become an Insider of Capella as he will not own more than 9.9% of the common shares of the Company.

Each unit of the Private Placement consisting of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of C$0.06 per share at any time within two years from the date of issuance. The warrants shall also be subject to an accelerated exercise clause in the event the Company's share price exceeds C$0.15 for 10 consecutive trading days.

Proceeds from the Private Placement, assuming total amount raised, are anticipated to be expended as to 50% on advancing the Company's northern Finland gold-copper assets and 50% for payment of accounts payable and for general working capital purposes.

The Company may pay finders fee's in either cash, shares, share purchase warrants or a combination thereof, as permitted by regulators, on a portion of the Private Placement and of the Transaction. All securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months from the date of issuance.

The Company intends to complete the Private Placement prior to the end of the month, upon receipt of conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Julien Balkany

Julien Balkany has extensive experience as a seasoned investor and board member in the natural resources industry. Julien is the Founder of Nanes Balkany Partners, a New York based investment fund. Julien Balkany is currently the position of Chairman of Panoro Energy ASA and Chairman of Pan African Diamonds Ltd. He is also a non-executive director of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. and has been a on the board of Sarmin Bauxite Ltd. Amromco Energy SRL (a subsidiary of Mercuria Energy Trading), Norwegian Energy Company ASA (Noreco), Gasfrac Energy Services Ltd and Toreador Resources Corp. Julien began his career as an oil & gas investment banker and studied at the Institute of Political Studies (Strasbourg) and at UC Berkeley.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Capella Minerals Ltd.

"Eric Roth"

___________________________

Eric Roth, Ph.D., FAusIMM

President & CEO

About Capella Minerals Ltd

Capella is engaged in the exploration and development of quality mineral resource properties in favourable jurisdictions with a focus on European base and battery metals projects.

In Finland, the Company holds a 70% interest in the Northern Finland Gold-Copper project (Central Lapland Greenstone Belt) through a Joint Venture with ASX-listed Cullen Resources Ltd. A total of five exploration permits have now been approved, including the high-priority Killero Cu-Au target which is currently scheduled for first-pass drilling in Q1, 2024. In central Finland, the Companys focus is on the discovery of lithium and REE deposits in the broader Keliber district through a JV with European Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FIN), together with the Company's Perho reservation.

In Norway, the Company's focus has been on: i) the advanced exploration-stage Hessjgruva copper-cobalt project and the adjacent Kongensgruve and Kjli projects in the northern Rros mining district, and ii) the discovery of satellite high-grade copper-cobalt deposits around the past-producing Lkken copper mine. The Company also holds an interest in the Vaddas-Birtavarre copper-cobalt project in northern Norway.

Capella also retains exposure to exploration success in precious metals projects through its Canadian Joint Ventures with Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) at Savant, Ontario, and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd (TSX/NYSE: AEM) at Domain, Manitoba. The Company also holds a 49% interest in the Sierra Blanca low sulfidation gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, which is currently being explored by Austral Gold Ltd (TSXV: AGLD; ASX: AGD). Strategic alternatives for all three precious metals projects are currently being evaluated.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of Capella, including the timing, completion of and results from the exploration and drill programs described in this release. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Capella in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Capella's most recently filed MD&A. Capella does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Independence Gold Corp. (TSXV: IGO) (OTCQB: IEGCF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of a diamond drilling program at its 100% owned 3Ts Project located approximately 185 kilometres ("km") southwest of Prince George, British Columbia and situated 16 km southwest of the Blackwater Mine, which is currently being developed by Artemis Gold Inc.

The fall drill program will consist of approximately 16 drill holes totaling 2,000 metres ("m") and will focus on the recently announced discoveries of the Johnny and Ian Veins (see news release dated August 10th and September 27th, 2023, respectively) as well as the Ootsa copper-silver target (see news release dated October 4th, 2023). In addition, drilling will also focus on the southern extension of the Ted-Mint Vein System in which targets have been selected based on the updated NI 43-101 inferred resource completed in 2022 by SGS Geological Services (report titled "Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the 3Ts Gold Project, Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada" authored by Rohan Millar and Allan Armitage with an effective date of August 18, 2022; see news release dated August 18, 2022). Drilling will also test significant gaps between the Tommy and Ted-Mint vein systems. The estimated budget for this drill program is $650,000.

Randy Turner, President and CEO of the Company, commented, "This program will test the extent of the newly discovered Johnny and Ian Veins as well as the Ootsa target. We hope to further expand on the current inferred resource with additional drill holes that will infill areas between the major vein systems."

The 3Ts Project is comprised of fifteen mineral claims covering approximately 5,200 hectares in the Nechako Plateau region of central British Columbia. The 3Ts Project covers a low-sulphidation epithermal quartz-carbonate vein district within which more than a dozen individual mineralized veins, ranging from 50 m to more than 1,100 m and true widths up to 25 m, have been identified.

About Independence

Independence Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company with holdings ranging from early-stage grassroots exploration to advanced-stage resource expansion in British Columbia and Yukon. The Company is positioned to add shareholder value through systematic project advancement, while management continues to evaluate additional gold and silver projects for possible acquisition. For additional information, visit the Company's website www.ingold.ca.

Andy Randell, P.Geo., the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical information in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF INDEPENDENCE GOLD CORP.

"Randy Turner"

Randy Turner, President and CEO

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.

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Independence within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company's planned drilling and exploration activities. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Independence's public filings under Independence Gold Corp.'s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Independence has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or 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. Independence disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

Suite 580  625 Howe, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2T6

Telephone: 604-687-3959

Facsimile: 604-687-1448

E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Montreal, Quebec  TheNewswire - October 17, 2023  Sama Resources Inc. (Sama or the Company) (TSXV:SME) (OTC:SAMMF) is pleased to announce an ongoing 3,800 metre (m) drilling program at the Yepleu prospect located 25 km south-west of the Samapleu-Grata deposits in western Cote dIvoire, West-Africa.

The current drilling program is following-up on near surface nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and platinum group of elements (PGE) mineralisation previously discovered by Sama. The investigated area represents a corridor of approximately three kilometres (km) oriented north-west to south-east by 500 m to 700 m wide (Figures 1 & 2) and overlays strong conductivity from our 2013 and 2018 airborne electromagnetic surveys. The drilling program started in mid-September 2023 and is expected to last until mid-November.

We are excited to initiate this substantial drilling program at the Yepleu prospect near the surface mineralised zone. Samas focus over the past five years has largely been on the deep potential at Yepleu, using Ivanhoe Electric proprietary Typhoon technology. This new corridor at Yepleu gives us the opportunity to unlock the near surface potential at Yepleu as well. said Dr. Marc-Antoine Audet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sama Resources. Dr. Audet added, The Yepleus 24km2 prospective area has consistently demonstrated its mineral-rich potential since we discovered the sector.

The objective of the current drilling program is to delineate near surface Ni-Cu-PGE mineralisation that has the potential to increase the global mineral resources of the entire project area. Eighteen holes totaling 1,200 m have been drilled to date, a total of 50 holes and 3,800 metres are planned. Drilling is being conducted using two Sama owned core drill rigs. Assays results are pending.

In June 2023, the Company announced a revised mineral resource estimate for the Samapleu-Grata deposits, a combined estimate of 101.9 million tonnes (Mt) averaging 0.25% Ni for 558.6 million pounds (Mlbs) of Ni metal, 0.23% Cu for 526.8 Mlbs of Cu metal, 0.01% Co for 33.4 Mlbs of cobalt (Co) metal, 0.29 g/t Pd for 939,400 ounces of palladium (Pd) and 0.1 g/t Pt for 311,400 ounces of platinum (Pt), and 14.99 Mt averaging 0.25% Ni for 81.6 Mlbs of Ni metal, 0.22% Cu for 72.9 Mlbs of Cu metal, 0.02% Co for 5.5 Mlbs of Co metal, 0.31 g/t Pd for 149,400 ounces of Pd and 0.1 g/t Pt for 49,500 ounces of Pt for the Inferred and Indicated categories respectively.

The Samapleu-Grata-Yepleu mineralization is signature of a layered, pipe-like intrusion or conduit-hosted nickel deposits. These rare types of intrusions host the worlds largest Ni-Cu deposits such as Jinchuan, Voiseys Bay, Kabanga, Eagle, Eagle Nest and Nkomati.

Sama discovered the Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization when it discovered the Yacouba layered complex of mafic and ultramafic rock. This layered complex was created approximately 2.1 billion years ago by the intrusion of magma through the Man Shield. The Yacouba complex can be traced over a strike length of more than 30 kilometers within Samas properties in Cote dIvoire.

Figure 1: Samas Samapleu project combined exploration permits showing all highly prospecting sectors that remains to be investigated.

Figure 2: Surface map at the Yepleu prospect showing 2023 drill hole locations.

Photo of core from drill hole S-342 showing massive sulphide lenses within a 26 m thick magmatic pyroxenite. Massive sulphide lenses typically carry elevated nickel, copper and PGE values, assays are pending.

NI 43-101 and QA/QC

Core logging and sampling was performed at Samas Samapleu and Yepleu field facilities. Sample preparations are conducted at the Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratory in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire. Sample pulps will be delivered to Activation Laboratories Ltd, Ancaster and Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, for assaying. All samples will be assayed for Ni, Cu, Co, Fe, S, Pt, Pd and Au using sodium peroxide fusion ICP for the first five elements and by Fire Assay ICPOES for the last three.

The technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Marc-Antoine Audet, Ph.D. Geology, P.Geo and President and CEO of Sama, a qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Sama has prepared an independent NI 43-101-compliant technical report for the Samapleu Project, which is available on the companys website and under the companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca titled Mineral Resource Estimate for the Samapleu and Grata Deposits Project with an effective date of 27 June 2023 prepared by Todd McCracken, P.Geo. of BBA International Inc. and Chris Martin, C. Eng. Independent Consultant.

The technical report includes relevant information regarding the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Samapleu Project cited in this news release, as well as further information regarding data verification, exploration procedures and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About Sama Resources Inc.

Sama is a Canadian-based, growth-oriented resource company focused on exploring the Samapleu nickel-copper project in Cote dIvoire, West Africa. The Company is managed by experienced industry professionals with a strong track record of discovery. Sama is committed to developing and exploiting the Samapleu Nickel-Copper and Platinum Group Element Resources.

Samas projects are located approximately 600 km northwest of Abidjan in Cote dIvoire and are flanked to the west by the Ivorian and Guinean borders. Samas projects are located adjacent to the large world-class nickel-cobalt laterite deposits of Sipilou and Foungouesso, forming a 125 km-long new Base Metal Camp in West Africa.

Sama owns 70% interest in the Samapleu nickel-copper project in Cote dIvoire with its joint venture partner Ivanhoe Electric owning 30%. Ivanhoe Electric has the option to purchase up to a 60% interest in the project.

For more information about Sama, please visit Samas website at www.samaresources.com.

About Ivanhoe Electric Inc.

Ivanhoe Electric (NYSE American: IE, TSX: IE is a U.S. company that combines advanced mineral exploration technologies with electric metals exploration projects predominantly located in the United States. For more information, visit www.ivanhoeelectric.com

Contact Information:

Dr. Marc-Antoine Audet, P. Geo, President and CEO

Tel: (514) 726-4158

Mr. Matt Johnston, Corporate Development Advisor

Tel: (604) 443-3835 or (877) 792-6688, Ext. 5

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein are "forward-looking statements" or forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information such as will, could, expect, estimate, evidence, potential, appears, seems, suggest, 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 or forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the ability of the company to convert resources in reserves, its ability to see through the next phase of development on the project, its ability to produce a pre-feasibility study or a feasibility study regarding the project, its ability to execute on its development plans in terms of metallurgy or exploration, the availability of financing for activities, risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, metal price fluctuations, environmental and regulatory requirements, availability of permits, escalating costs of remediation and mitigation, risk of title loss, the effects of accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration or development, the potential for delays in exploration or development activities, the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, expectations and beliefs of management and other risks and uncertainties.
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Orford Mining Corporation ("Orford") (TSXV: ORM) is pleased to announce that it has increased its Nunavik Lithium land package by 39 km2 or 8%, expanding properties that are confirmed to host Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum ("LCT") pegmatites (Figure 1). Orford's total lithium exploration land package in Nunavik is now 596 km2. Assay results from the recently completed exploration program on these properties (Figure 1) confirmed the occurrence of LCT bearing pegmatites, specifically on the Cathode, kWatt and Flare properties (see Orford's news release of October 4, 2023). These three properties were expanded as a result of these discoveries and will provide additional exploration and discovery potential for lithium bearing pegmatites in an area where LCT bearing pegmatites have already been confirmed. The 2024 exploration program will be focused on these highly prospective areas.

David Christie, President and CEO of Orford commented, "Orford has secured additional ground around what we believe are the pegmatites with the best chemistry for potential lithium deposits. This expanded ground will be a focus of future work on the Nunavik Lithium Properties. Orford will also continue to complete further exploration on the other properties in Nunavik."

The Nunavik Lithium Properties are 100% owned by Orford and have never been explored before for any economic minerals, including lithium. These properties are within 150 km of the Deception Bay deep seaport and as close as 10 km from the port, in the case of Cathode and Torque.

The 2023 Field Season Confirmed Greenfield Lithium Pegmatite Vectors:

Regional metamorphic grade: upper greenschist / lower amphibolite.

Occurrence of peraluminous granite and leucogranite on Orford's Nunavik Lithium Properties.

Nunavik Lithium Properties. Key minerals identified in pegmatite indicative of proximity to fertile parent granite: green muscovite (+/- garnet, tourmaline, fluorite).

Assays indicate pegmatites are enriched in lithium, beryllium, tantalum, cesium, and rubidium.

LCT-bearing pegmatites on at least three properties (Figure 1, Table 1) suggests high prospectivity for additional dykes.

Opportunity to generate additional targets and provide geochemical vector towards mineralization (more fractionated LCTs) using till assay data (results outstanding).

An additional 550 till (frost boil) samples have been collected on the Radiant, kWatt and Wire properties to possibly identify "blind" LCT pegmatite which are not exposed at surface. Till assays results are expected by the end of November and may identify additional targets for follow up. The till sampling was done in areas where there are strong lithium anomalies in lake bottom sediment sample surveys completed by the Quebec government survey previously.

About Orford Mining Corporation

Orford Mining is a gold and critical mineral explorer focused on highly prospective and underexplored areas of Northern Quebec. Orford's principal assets are the Qiqavik, West Raglan and lithium exploration projects comprising a land package totaling over 111,000 hectares in the Cape Smith Belt of Northern Quebec. The Qiqavik Project hosts several new high-grade gold discoveries along a mineralized trend in excess of 40 km. The West Raglan Project hosts a number of high-grade Raglan-style nickel/copper/platinum group metal discoveries along a 55 km mineralized trend. In early 2023 Orford acquired large claim blocks targeting lithium in the Nunavik Region. These lithium claim blocks have been carefully selected as having promising lithium potential after an exhaustive compilation of available data. Orford also has four property positions in the Joutel region of the Abitibi District of Northern Quebec, which hosts historical deposits such as the Eagle/Telbel, Joutel Copper, Poirier Copper, and Vezza deposits. Orford continually seeks new gold exploration opportunities in North America. Orford's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ORM. This information from neighbouring properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on Orford Mining's properties.

To view further details about Orford's exploration projects please visit Orford's website, www.orfordmining.com.

Qualified Person

The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Alger St-Jean, P.Geo., Chief Geoscientist of Orford, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. The technical information presented in this release that was obtained from historical work reports filed with the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has not been independently verified by a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

Orford's field sample shipments were sealed and shipped to AGAT Laboratories, Val-d'Or, Quebec. All assays reported for the grab samples were obtained by standard sodium peroxide fusion method with an ICP-OES/ICP-MS finish (methods 201-378) at AGAT Laboratories, Mississauga, Ontario. Standards and blanks were inserted at a minimum rate of 5% for grab samples for QA/QC purposes in addition to those inserted by the lab. A subset of samples has not yet been sent for a verification assay at another lab. AGAT Laboratories are accredited by the Standards Council of Canada and found to comply with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:201

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the liquidity and capital resources of Orford and potential of one or more of the Qiqavik, and West Raglan, properties.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Orford to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Orford's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Although Orford 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 made as of the date of this news release and Orford 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 applicable securities laws.

The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.
A glimpse into China Marine Equipment Expo 2023

People's Daily Online) 14:35, October 17, 2023

Photo shows an exterior view of the venue for the World Marine Equipment Conference 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Lin Ying)

A total of 715 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions showcased more than 6,500 products, advanced technologies, and solutions at the China Marine Equipment Expo 2023, which was held simultaneously with the World Marine Equipment Conference 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, from Oct. 12 to 15.

A wide array of marine products, including yachts, unmanned ships, underwater robots, intelligent port equipment, and smart marine systems, were exhibited at the expo, which took up an area of 100,000 square meters.

The exhibition areas featured 15 sections, which were dedicated to different product categories and fields in the marine industry, such as the supply chain of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, shipbuilding, digital and intelligent sci-tech equipment, green energy, and marine engineering equipment.

A number of famous domestic and foreign brands of yachts displayed their advanced products at the outdoor exhibition area of the expo, attracting many citizens and tourists.

Photo shows an exterior view of the venue of the World Marine Equipment Conference 2023 and the China Marine Equipment Expo 2023, which were held simultaneously in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Lin Ying)

Photo shows a ship display at the China Marine Equipment Expo 2023, which was held simultaneously with the World Marine Equipment Conference 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Lin Ying)

Photo shows an unmanned yacht on exhibit at the China Marine Equipment Expo 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Lin Ying)

Photo shows an intelligent mechanical arm on exhibit at the China Marine Equipment Expo 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Lin Ying)

Photo shows a model of the Haixun 08, China's first, largest and most advanced self-designed surveying ship, being exhibited at the China Marine Equipment Expo 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

Photo shows the yacht exhibition section of the China Marine Equipment Expo 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

Photo shows yachts on display at the dedicated exhibition section of the China Marine Equipment Expo 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

Photo shows a Ferretti yacht 670 on display at the China Marine Equipment Expo 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

Photo shows a model of the Yuan Rui Yang, the world's first LNG dual-fuel very large crude carrier (VLCC) with a capacity of 300,000 tonnes, at an exhibition of China's major achievements in the development of marine equipment over the past decade. This was an important part of the World Marine Equipment Conference 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

Photo shows a model of China's self-developed deepwater semi-submersible oil production and storage platform, Deep Sea No.1, at an exhibition of China's major achievements in the development of marine equipment over the past decade. The exhibition was an important part of the World Marine Equipment Conference 2023 in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Highlights:

Surface channel sampling has confirmed that the Banded Iron Formation (BIF) gold zone extends to surface, with thick mineralized intervals that include higher-grade gold;

Highest gold grades in the BIF Gold Zone are associated with shearing and folding, and may be concentrated along preferential structures;

Results confirm continuity of mineralized interval, with gold observed across the entire extent of the outcrop (approximately 21 metres), with intervals grading up to 4.44 g/t Au ;

; Fall drilling program on new gold targets just north of Wesdomes Eagle River Mine to commence this week.

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Angus Gold Inc. (TSX-V: GUS | OTC: ANGVF) (Angus or the Company) is pleased to announce assay results from a surface channel sampling program that was completed as part of the Summer 2023 exploration program on its 100%-owned Golden Sky Project in Wawa, Ontario. The entire 21 metres length of the channel sample contained gold mineralization with the highest-grade samples running 4.44 g/t Au over 1.0 metre, 2.45 g/t Au over 1.0 metre, 2.16 g/t Au over 1.0 metre and 2.04 g/t Au over 1.0 metre. These results confirm continuity of the BIF Gold Zone from surface to 250 metres vertical depth, where it has been intersected by Angus 2022 and 2023 drill programs. In addition, the results confirm that the highest grade gold mineralization is present within a newly interpreted shear zone in the banded iron formation.

Breanne Beh, Chief Executive Officer of Angus, states: We are very encouraged with the results from our surface channel sampling program and the progress we are making on the BIF gold zone. We have now confirmed that the gold zone is present on surface, and extends to drilled depths of over 250 metres. We are seeing significant gold grades on surface and, more importantly, we can better evaluate potential structural controls on this higher-grade gold, as we have observed both shearing and folding associated with them. This will assist us in developing a model for the higher-grade mineralization, help determine its orientation and assist us in targeting these features going forward. We are extremely excited to continue work on the BIF and continue building value in this extensively mineralized system.

The channel sample was cut in a north-south orientation, perpendicular to the strike direction of the BIF gold zone. The channel measured 21 metres in length and individual samples ranged in length from 0.5 to 1.0 metre. The highest-grade gold results were associated with an east-west oriented shear zone, along the northern end of the outcrop and with folding observed in the BIF (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Surface Map  BIF channel sample program, Golden Sky Project

Results from the 2023 BIF channel sampling program at the Golden Sky project are, as follows:

From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) 0 0.5 0.5 0.43 0.5 1 0.5 0.52 1 2 1 4.44 2 3 1 0.44 3 4 1 2.04 4 4.5 0.5 0.84 4.5 5 0.5 0.41 5 6 1 0.68 6 7 1 1.17 7 7.5 0.5 0.87 7.5 8 0.5 0.23 8 8.5 0.5 0.04 8.5 9.5 1 0.03 9.5 10 0.5 0.04 10 10.5 0.5 0.57 11.8 12.8 1 0.39 12.8 13.8 1 0.12 13.8 14.8 1 0.08 14.8 15.8 1 2.16 15.8 16.8 1 0.22 16.8 17.8 1 1.92 17.8 18.8 1 0.29 18.8 19.3 0.5 0.18 19.3 19.8 0.5 0.77 19.8 20.3 0.5 0.18 20.3 21 0.7 2.45

The Golden Sky Project

The 100%-owned Golden Sky Project is located within the Mishibishu Lake Greenstone Belt of Northern Ontario, which is host to the high-grade Eagle River and the Mishi open-pit gold mines of Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (Wesdome). The Companys 280-square-kilometre land package is located approximately 50 kilometres west of the town of Wawa and is situated immediately between the two Wesdome mines. The project is host to the near-surface Dorset Gold Zone, which contains a historic estimated resource (using a 0.50 g/t Au cut-off) consisting of an indicated resource of 40,000 ounces of gold (780,000 tonnes grading 1.4 g/t Au), and an inferred resource of 180,000 ounces of gold (4,760,000 tonnes grading 1.2 g/t Au). For greater details on the Golden Sky Project, please refer to the NI 43-101 technical report for the Golden Sky Project entitled, NI 43-101 Technical Report Wawa Property Ontario, Canada dated February 18, 2020, and available on the Companys SEDAR profile.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Breanne Beh, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and Chief Geologist for the Company.

About Angus Gold:

Angus Gold Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Companys flagship project is the Golden Sky Project in Wawa, Ontario. The Project is immediately adjacent to the Eagle River Mine of Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.

Directors and insiders currently approximately own 36.8%, Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc. 16.4% and New Gold Inc. 9.9%, each based on the current issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis.

On behalf of Angus Gold Inc.,

Breanne Beh

President and Chief Executive Officer

INQUIRIES:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 647-259-1790

Company Website: www.angusgold.com

TSXV: GUS | USOTC: ANGVF

Forward-Looking Statements

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. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: the ability to anticipate and counteract the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the business of the Company, including without limitation the effects of COVID-19 on the capital markets, commodity prices supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel, failure to receive requisite approvals in respect of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Companys public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2023) - Tincorp Metals Inc. (TSXV: TIN) (OTCQX: TINFF) ("Tincorp" or the "Company") today announced that the Company intends to undertake a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") to raise gross proceeds of up to approximately C$3,000,000 from the sale of up to 7,500,000 units ("Units") at a price of C$0.40 per Unit with each Unit consisting of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one non-transferable Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Share from the Company at a price of C$0.58 per Share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering.

The Warrants will be subject to an acceleration clause which entitles the Company to provide notice (an "Acceleration Notice") to holders that the Warrants will expire 10 days from the date the Company provides the Acceleration Notice. The Company can only provide the Acceleration Notice if the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on the TSXV is equal to or greater than C$0.58 for ten consecutive trading days. The Acceleration Notice can be provided at any time after the statutory hold period and before the expiry date of the warrants.

Silvercorp Metals Inc. ("Silvercorp"), Tincorp's largest shareholder (29.2%), and other insiders of the Company have confirmed their intention to participate in the Offering by purchasing an aggregate of up to 2,190,000 Units.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes.

The Offering is anticipated to close on or about November 16, 2023, or such other date as the Company may determine (the "Closing Date"). The closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions, including the approval of the TSXV and certain other conditions customary for a private placement of this nature. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory four-month and one-day hold period from the Closing Date.

The Company may pay a finder's fee in respect of those purchasers under the Offering introduced to the Company by certain eligible persons (each a "Finder"). Each Finder will receive a cash payment equal to 6% of the gross proceeds received by the Company from purchasers under the Offering who were introduced to the Company by such Finder.

As insiders of the Company (including Silvercorp) are expected to participate in the Offering, any such subscriptions will be considered to be related party transactions within the meaning of TSXV Policy 5.9 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, which incorporates Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such insider participation.

The securities described herein 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 United States state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Tincorp

Tincorp Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focusing on tin projects in Bolivia and a gold project near Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. The Company has signed agreements to acquire a 100% interest in the Porvenir Project and SF Tin Project, which are 70 km southeast of Oruro, Bolivia. The Company's 100% owned Skukum Gold Project is approximately 84 km south of Whitehorse by road. An independent mineral resource estimate update in respect of the Skukum Gold Project was completed in October 2022.

On Behalf of Tincorp Metals Inc.

signed "Gordon Neal"

Gordon Neal, CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations, Tincorp Metals Inc.

Phone: +1 (604)-336-5919

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.tincorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collective, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Offering, the expected use of proceeds, the payment of a finder's fee and the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange are forward-looking statements. Estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources are also forward-looking information because they incorporate estimates of future developments including future mineral prices, costs and expenses and the amount of minerals that will be encountered if a property is developed. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategies", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "budgets", "schedules", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. The opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to: whether the Company will acquire up to a 100% interest of the Porvenir Project; market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices; that there are no significant disruptions affecting operations, including labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, security disruptions, damage to or loss of equipment, whether due to flooding, political changes, title issues, intervention by local landowners, environmental concerns, pandemics (including COVID-19) or otherwise; that the Company will be able to obtain and maintain governmental approvals, permits and licenses in connection with its current and planned operations, development and exploration activities, including at the Skukum Gold Project; that the Company will be able to meet its current and future obligations; that the Company will be able to comply with environmental, health and safety laws; and the assumptions underlying mineral resource estimates and the realization of such estimates.

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 information. Such risks and other factors include, among others: the risk that the Company will not acquire up to a 100% interest of the Porvenir Project; social and economic impacts of COVID-19; actual exploration results; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; results of future Mineral Resource estimates; future metal prices; availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms; general economic, market or business conditions; uninsured risks; regulatory changes; defects in title; availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis; accidents or equipment breakdowns; delays in receiving government approvals; unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same; and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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 in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

Additional information in relation to the Company, including the Company's most recent annual information form, can be obtained under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.tincorp.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO US INVESTORS

The technical and scientific information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, which differs from the standards adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, the technical and scientific information contained herein, including any estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies subject to the disclosure requirements of the SEC.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that high-grade gold mineralization has been cut in four of the first eight holes ever drilled at the 5300 ha Los Pavitos Project in the well mineralized Alamos region of southern Sonora State, Mexico.

The holes targeted the Hedionda mine zone along the Santa Cruz structure (Figures 1 and 2) and were designed to determine the overall nature, geometry and lateral and vertical continuity of mineralization around this small historic working. Mineralization consisting of foliation-parallel sulphides surrounded by silicification was cut in several holes (Figure 3). The best hole, LP-SC-23-02, intersected 6.65 meters (core length) reporting 10.2 g/t gold and 47.0 g/t silver, within a wider interval of 11.93 meters (core length) averaging 5.77 g/t gold and 28.7 g/t silver. Drilling to date represents about 850 m out of a 2000-2500 m budget and drilling has already shifted to the parallel Santa Cruz Southeast structure roughly 300 m southeast. Assays are pending for the first holes there.

"We are very pleased to see such excellent high-grade results in the first holes ever into just one of several multi-kilometer structural trends we've identified cutting across the property. These structures have seen extensive prospecting and very small-scale mining, but the system has never been explored with a large-scale perspective and we are excited to see what the other structures reveal", Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO commented.

He continued "It's early days, but the style of mineralization we're encountering does not look like the epithermal veins typical of the region, but more resembles the "orogenic" or shear-hosted gold that supports some of Sonora's largest gold mines, possibly with an intrusion related sulfide-rich replacement component. We are eager to continue exploring this target style longoverlooked in this part of Sonora."

Table 1. Selected drill intercepts from the Los Pavitos project

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) True

Width (m) Au

g/t Ag

g/t Cu % Pb % Zn % LP-SC-23-01 20.30 27.70 7.40 5.2 2.34 14.7 0.08 0.18 0.74 includes 21.80 23.84 2.04 1.4 7.04 43.1 0.19 0.57 2.33 LP-SC-23-02 21.75 24.07 2.32 1.2 0.27 0.5 0.01 0.00 0.01 52.27 64.20 11.93 6.0 5.77 *28.7 0.15 0.16 0.38 includes 54.88 61.53 6.65 3.3 10.22 *47.0 0.17 0.29 0.65 LP-SC-23-03 No Values LP-SC-23-04 No Values LP-SC-23-05 62.24 66.74 4.50 3.6 0.50 2.1 0.01 0.00 0.01 LP-SC-23-06 No Values LP-SC-23-07 49.00 59.40 10.40 8.3 1.52 18.9 0.11 0.09 0.06 49.00 55.00 6.00 4.8 2.52 28.7 0.15 0.14 0.10 LP-SC-23-08 74.30 82.10 7.80 7.0 3.78 19.2 0.19 0.08 0.22 includes 77.15 82.10 4.95 4.5 5.33 27.5 0.27 0.13 0.33

Au by fire assay for holes 1, 2, 7, & 8 others by ICP. *One overlimit Ag assay >100g/t taken at 100 g/t for the calculation of the average.

Mapping and surface sampling over the last year have delineated several kilometer-long mineralized structures with initial drilling at the Santa Cruz Southeast target to be followed by drilling of the Las Auras, Oromuri and Espanola targets (Figs. 1 and 2). At Las Auras surface sampling has encountered high grade gold values in several areas, and the latter two targets have characteristics indicating that similar high-grade mineralization may exist beneath cover. The abundance of sulphides at very shallow depths in the initial high-grade holes has led to consideration of geophysical surveys to trace such structures through cover. Exploration work is also advancing to develop additional new areas for drilling in several areas identified during reconnaissance work.

Table of drill hole data for the Phase I program at the Los Pavitos project

Hole Target Easting Northing Elev Azim Incl Depth (m) LPSC-23-01 Hedionda mine 677,103 3,002,113 215 310 -45 27.70 LPSC-23-02 Hedionda mine 677,109 3,002,109 207 310 -55 87.00 LPSC-23-03 Hedionda mine 677,082 3,002,157 201 130 -45 60.00 LPSC-23-04 Hedionda mine 677,082 3,002,157 201 130 -60 75.00 LPSC-23-05 Hedionda mine 677,109 3,002,109 207 270 -45 75.00 LPSC-23-06 Hedionda mine 677,060 3,002,060 210 325 -45 72.00 LPSC-23-07 Hedionda mine 677,048 3,002,147 202 130 -45 81.00 LPSC-23-08 Hedionda mine 677,055 3,002,147 205 160 45 109.50

Coordinates in UTM WGS84 using handheld Garmin GPS.

Figure 1. Geologic maps of Los Pavitos Project area showing major recognized mineralized trends and surface sampling results for gold. Inset shows silver results clustered in the SE Santa Cruz area.

Figure 2. Drill hole map for the Santa Cruz drilling areas.

Figure 3. Photographs of sulphide-rich, high-grade core from hole LP-SC-02, including the 6.65 meter core run from 54.88 to 61.53m reported 10.2 g/t Gold and 47.0 g/t Silver.

About Los Pavitos

The Los Pavitos project consists of a 5,289-hectare property position located in southern Sonora State, Mexico (Figure 4). Pavitos lies 25 km west of the well-mineralized Alamos District, which encompasses several active exploration and mining projects, including the past producing Alamo Dorado mine of Pan American Silver, the Piedras Verdes copper mine of Cobre de Mayo and the Alamos and Aurifero vein projects being explored by Minaurum Gold Inc. Infrastructure is excellent with paved highway access, electricity and water. The project, which was generated by geologist and Prismo Metals Board Member Rafael Gallardo, is believed to have potential for both the typical epithermal veins of the Alamos district and "orogenic" or shear-hosted gold hosted in the highly metamorphosed basement rocks that crop out sparingly below the region's extensive blanket of mid-Tertiary volcanic rocks. Los Pavitos lies along the projection of the Caborca Orogenic Gold Belt (Fig. 4) and the fabric and style of metamorphic deformation of the basement rocks is similar to that elsewhere in the belt.

Pavitos was acquired from Minera Cascabel S.A. de C.V., a Mexican exploration and services company founded by Dr. Peter Megaw, an advisor to the Company (for terms see the Company's prospectus filed on SEDAR). The company completed a NI 43-101 Technical Report on the project in March 2021 available on SEDAR. Assays have been received for 1,384 surface rock samples taken by the company (excluding control samples); a further 347 samples were taken in 25 trenches cut across the main mineralized trends.

Figure 4. Location of the Los Pavitos project in southern Sonora State in relation to the Caborca Orogenic Gold Belt.

Mapping and surface sampling over the last year have delineated several kilometer-long mineralized structures with initial drilling at the Santa Cruz Southeast target to be followed by drilling of the Las Auras, Oromuri and Espanola targets. At Las Auras surface sampling has encountered high grade gold values in several areas, and the latter two targets have characteristics indicating that similar high-grade mineralization may exist beneath cover. The abundance of sulphides at very shallow depths in the initial high-grade holes has led to consideration of geophysical surveys to trace such structures through cover. Exploration work is also advancing to develop additional new areas for drilling in several areas identified during reconnaissance work.

The trenching program across the main mineralized trends on the Los Pavitos property consisted of a cumulative length of 698 meters in 25 trenches. The best assays for individual samples are 20.4 g/t Au and 207 g/t Ag over 2 meters at Las Auras and 16.7 g/t Au and 48,2 g/t Ag over 1 meter at Santa Cruz. The main objective of the trenching program was to define the orientation and full width of the mineralized structures prior to starting the drill campaign.

QA/QC

Rock samples taken by Prismo are analyzed by multielement ICP-AES and MS methods and by fire assay by ALS Group and Bureau Veritas, both internationally recognized analytical service providers. Gold is analyzed as part of an ICP package using a 15 or 25-gram aqua regia digestion, and is also analyzed by Fire Assay with an AA finish. Au overlimits >10 g/t are analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Ag over 100g/t and Cu, Pb and Zn over 1% re-analyzed by the by overrange ICP methods. Certified Reference Materials including standard pulps and coarse blank material were inserted in the sample stream at regular intervals.

Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations and President, CEO and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release.

About Prismo

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on two precious metal projects in Mexico (Palos Verdes and Los Pavitos) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia).

Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube

Prismo Metals Inc.

1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6

Contact:

Craig Gibson, President & Chief Executive Officer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains 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, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.
Key Highlights  Channel sampling at Reliquias  weighted averages

MTC vein (Level 520): 130m with average vein width of 0.73m @ 553 g/t Ag, 1.27% Pb, 1.37 % Zn, 0.23 % Cu and 0.83 g/t Au

PAS vein (Level 710): 84m with average vein width of 0.86m @ 214 g/t Ag, 0.78% Pb, 1.56% Zn, 0.06% Cu and 1.51 g/t Au

BEA vein (Level 470): 23m with average vein width of 0.37m @ 727 g/t Ag, 1.35% Pb, 1.21% Zn, 0.24% Cu and 0.33 g/t Au

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Silver Mountain Resources Inc. ("Silver Mountain" or "the Company") (TSXV: AGMR) (OTCQB: AGMRF) is pleased to announce that it has received results from underground channel sampling carried out between June and August 2023, part of its ongoing mine rehabilitation program at its 100% owned Reliquias mine, central Peru.

The Companys crews have continued to systematically sample the underground workings as part of the preparation work needed to restart operations at Reliquias in the future. A total of 3,499 samples were collected from the Sorpresa ("SOR"), Matacaballo ("MTC"), Perseguida ("PER"), Meteysaca ("MTS"), Pozo Rico ("PZR"), Beatita ("BEA"), Pasteur ("PAS") and Vulcano ("VUL") veins. All samples were collected perpendicular to the veins using portable rock saws.

Alvaro Espinoza, President and CEO of Silver Mountain, said, "Our crews have continued to work at full speed rehabilitating and sampling the workings at the Reliquias Mine. Having readily accessible tunnels and crosscuts will allow us not only to potentially restart mine production quickly, but also provide us with sufficient representative data points to increase the confidence in our resource."

Mr. Espinoza continued, "As Silver Mountain's current exploration phase nears conclusion, we consistenly see excellent silver grades in known and new veins. Results from the Beatita vein, in particular, are very encouraging, as they confirm that there are multiple parallel NW-SE vein systems with grades similar to those found at Perseguida. Reliquias continues to deliver, and we optimistically look forward to the culmination of the current highly successful exploration phase and the preparation of an updated mineral resource estimate and publishing a new technical report".

Channel Sampling Results

Silver Mountain geologists collected 3,499 channel samples from 1,046 channels between June and August 2023, as part of the Companys plan to systematically sample the veins exposed in the Reliquias mine workings. Table 1 and Table 2 show the distribution of samples between the veins and vein systems, and the compiled weighted results respectively and Figure 1 shows the channel sampling coverage to date.

Channel sampling along an 84.40 metre long segment of the easternmost part of the Pasteur ("PAS") vein, on level 710 and near the intersection with the Beatita vein ("BEA"), yielded a weighted average of 13.80 oz/t AgEq, with an average vein thickness of 0.86 metres. Furthermore, channel sampling 700 metres to the northwest along the BEA vein, on level 470, highlighted a 23 metre long segment with an average thickness of 0.37 metres grading 26.81 oz/t AgEq, indicating that high grade silver extends both laterally and at depth. The Beatita vein is a 2.3 km long northwest-southwest trending vein, parallel to the Perseguida ("PER") vein system, where some of the highest grades seen at Reliquias are hosted and it intersects the Pasteur vein system near the latters easternmost sxtension. The BEA vein is not included in the current mineral resource estimate. Figure 2 shows the results from the channel sampling in level 470 of the BEA vein. Figure 3 shows the results from level 710 of the PAS and BEA veins.

The Meteysaca ("MYS") vein system continues to show high grade silver and base metal grades. Results from a 130 metre long segment along level 520 from the central part of this NW-SE trending vein shows an average vein width of 0.73 metres with grades of 553 g/t Ag, 1.27% Pb, 1.37% Zn, 0.23% Cu and 0.85 g/t Au (22.51 oz/t AgEq). Figure 4 shows the sampling from level 520 of the MYS vein reported here.

Sampling elsewhere along a 30 metre segment of the Pasteur vein system ("PAS") on level 642 shows an average vein width of 0.78m with average grade of 10.69 oz/t AgEq. Figure 5 shows the location of this sampling interval.

Channel sampling of the Reliquias mine workings is part of the Companys strategy of expanding the current mineral resource estimate by incorporating continuous vein samples from multiple veins in parallel with the mine rehabilitation and underground diamond drilling programs. Earlier channel sampling results from samples collected in 2023 were announced on August 16th and May 9th (please visit Silver Mountains website www.agmr.com for more details).The 2023 drill program consists of two phases: an initial 3,500 metre phase using BQ diameter core (now completed); and a second 12,500 meter phase using NQ and HQ diameter core, currently under way and approaching its conclusion.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Silver Mountain Resources Inc.

Alvaro Espinoza, Chief Executive Officer

Qualified Person

Antonio Cruz Bermudez, , P. Geo. Registered Member MAIG is an independent consultant of the Company and the Qualified Person (within the meaning of NI 43-101) responsible for the MRE, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About Silver Mountain

Silver Mountain Resources Inc. is a silver explorer and mine developer planning to restart production at the Reliquias underground mine and undertake exploration activities at its prospective silver camps at the Castrovirreyna Project in Huancavelica, Peru.

For additional information in respect of the Castrovirreyna Project, please refer to the Company's technical report, titled NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate for the Reliquias Mine, Huancavelica- Peru, dated March 27, 2023, effective date March 18, 2023, available at https://sedar.com.

For further information about our drill program, including cross sections of the main veins with drill hole locations, please refer to our corporate presentation, available on our website at www.agmr.ca

Silver Mountain's subsidiary Sociedad Minera Reliquias S.A.C. owns 100% of its concessions and holds more than 60,000 hectares in the district of Castrovirreyna, Huancavelica, Peru.

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.

Sampling, QA/QC, and Analytical Procedures

Silver Mountain follows systematic and rigorous sampling and analytical protocols which meet industry standards. These protocols are summarized below.

All drill holes are diamond core holes with BQ, HQ or NQ core diameters. Drill core is collected at the underground drill site where recovery measurements are taken before the core is transported by truck to the core logging facility at the Caudalosa Grande mine camp, where it is photographed and geologically logged. The core is then cut in half with a diamond saw blade with half the sample retained in the core box for future reference and the other half placed into a pre-labelled plastic bag, sealed with a plastic zip tie, and identified with a unique sample number. The core is typically sampled over a 1 - 2 metre sample interval unless the geologist determines the presence of an important geological contact. The bagged samples are then stored in a secure area pending shipment to a certified laboratory sample preparation facility.

Rock channel samples were collected with an electric percussion hammer and do not exceed 1.0 m in length. Channels are broken at obvious geologic boundaries to correctly separate rock types and mineralization styles. The sample bags were sealed with a plastic zip tie and identified with a unique sample number, pending shipment to a certified laboratory sample preparation facility.

Samples are sent by batch to the ALS and Certimin laboratories in Lima for assay. Silver Mountain independently inserts certified control standards, fine and coarse blanks, and duplicates into the sample stream to monitor data quality. These standards are inserted "blindly" to the laboratory in the sample sequence prior to departure from the core storage facilities. At the laboratory, samples are dried, crushed, and pulverized and then analyzed using a fire assay-AA finish analysis for gold and a full multi-acid digestion with ICP-AES analysis for other elements. Samples with results that exceed maximum detection values for the main elements of interest (Ag, Zn, Pb, Cu) are re-analyzed using precise ore-grade ICP analytical techniques, while high gold values are re-analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to Silver Mountain's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Silver Mountain's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth under "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's final prospectus dated January 26, 2022, and other disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Silver Mountain undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Silver Mountain to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Kraken Energy Corp. (CSE: UUSA) (OTCQB: UUSAF) (the "Company" or "Kraken") is pleased to report that the ongoing radon survey conducted at its 100%-owned Apex Uranium Property ("Apex Property" or the "Property") in Central Nevada has successfully identified multiple additional priority drill targets located on Bureau of Land Management "BLM" ground west and along trend of the historic Apex Uranium Mine.

Interpretation of the recently flown VTEM and UAV magnetic surveys shows a geophysical signature associated with uranium mineralization at the Apex Mine that appears to be offset to the north where it continues trending northwest. This geophysical signature coincides with strong and consistent, recently identified radon anomalies.

Highlights:

Strong radon anomalies coincident with geophysical signatures outlining the mineralized contact at the historic Apex Uranium Mine

Over 2 km of high priority target potential has been identified on the newly staked BLM ground that follows the northwest mineralized trend from the Apex Mine

Newly defined and previously undrilled target area with projected target depths ranging from 50 m to 200 m (164 ft to 656 ft)

Notice of Intent (NOI) has been submitted to the BLM to drill up to 2,200 m (7217 ft) in 24 holes from 8 pads with an objective to commence drilling before the end of 2023

Matthew Schwab, CEO of Kraken, stated, "Our team's application of modern, detailed geophysical surveys and radon surveying at the Apex Property has identified an exceptional multi-layered and high priority drill target area located northwest and along trend from the historic Apex Uranium Mine. It's clear that past operators missed this potential 2.0 km long mineralized extension from the Apex Mine, which has been offset to the north as indicated by the geophysical data. The combination of geophysics and radon data is a powerful targeting tool as radon gas is a direct product from the radioactive decay of uranium.

"The fact that this new high priority drill target area is within BLM land is also very positive as the permitting timeline with the BLM should have us drilling before the end of 2023."

Figure 1: Radon Anomalies at Apex Uranium Property on BLM Ground

About the Apex Property

The Apex Uranium Mine was Nevada's largest past-producing uranium mine which produced ~106,000 pounds of U 3 O 8 in the 1950s at an average mining grade of ~0.25% U 3 O 8 . Historic drilling results include results of up to 3.1 m (10 ft) at 1.33% U 3 O 8 , 34.1 m (112 ft) at 0.37% U 3 O 8 and 15.2 m (50 ft) at 0.51% U 3 O 8 .

References

1 Uranium Deposits of the World USA and Latin America, by Franz J. Dahlkamp (1965, pg 291).

2 Nevada Bureau Mines File 60000269, Report on Mines of Apex Minerals Corporation 1957, by Harry H. Hughes, Mining Geologist.

3 EPRI Report EA-498 "Uranium Price Formation" (1977, pg 2-19).

4 Nevada Bureau Mines File 38900096, Transverse Section Through Drilled Orebody, Apex Minerals Corp 1959, by Harry Hughes, Mining Geologist.

5 Nevada Bureau Mines File 38900084, Plan map of underground workings, sampling, and drill holes at the Apex mine 1959, by Harry Hughes, Mining Geologist.

Technical Information

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared by or reviewed and approved by Matthew Schwab, P.Geo., President and CEO of the Company, and Garrett Ainsworth, P.Geo., Chairman of the Company. Each of Mr. Schwab and Mr. Ainsworth is a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The data disclosed in this news release is related to historical drilling results. Kraken has not undertaken any independent investigation of the sampling, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. Kraken considers these historical drill results relevant as the Company is using this data as a guide to plan exploration programs. The Company's current and future exploration work includes verification of the historical data through drilling.

About Kraken Energy Corp.

Kraken Energy Corp. is a new energy company advancing its portfolio of high-grade uranium properties in the Unites States. The Company is advancing its 100%-owned Apex Uranium Property, located 280 km (174 miles) east from Reno, Nevada which is recognized as Nevada's largest past-producing uranium mine. The Company has additionally entered into an option agreement to earn 100% of the Garfield Hills Uranium Property. The past-producing Garfield Hills Uranium Property covers 1,238 ha (3,060 acres) and is located 19 km (12 miles) east of Hawthorne in Mineral County, Nevada. Kraken Energy has also recently staked the Huber Hills Uranium Property, located 136 km (85 miles) north of Elko, Nevada which covers 1,044 ha (2,580 acres) and encompasses the historic Race Track open pit mine. The Company has recently entered into an option agreement to earn 75% of the Harts Point Uranium Property. The Harts Point Uranium Property covers 2,622 ha (6,480 acres) and is located 49 km (30 miles) northwest of Monticello in San Juan County, Utah.

For more information about the Company, please visit; www.krakenenergycorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Kraken Energy Corp.:

Matthew Schwab

President & Chief Executive Officer

Corporate Office:

Suite 907 - 1030 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6E 2Y3

T: (604) 628-2669

For investor relations inquiries, contact:

Kin Communications Inc.

T: (604) 684-6730

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This news release contains forward-looking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include our plans for exploration at the properties. These forward-looking 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 in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include changing costs for mining and processing; increased capital costs; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that with further test work may not be comparable; the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, conditions changing such that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine can be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) ("Talon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement of 80,350,000 common shares of the Company (the "Offered Shares") with an investor (the "Investor"). The Offered Shares were issued at a price of approximately C$0.27 per Offered Share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately C$21.7 million (the "Investment").

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Investment for further exploration, to progress its feasibility study in respect of the Tamarack Nickel Project and the Battery Minerals Processing Facility in North Dakota and to progress the environmental review process towards permitting for the Tamarack Nickel Project and the Battery Minerals Processing Facility in North Dakota, and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

In connection with the Investment, the Company entered into an investment agreement with the Investor pursuant to which the Company has granted the Investor a contractual participation right in respect of future equity financings by the Company to allow the Investor the ability to maintain its ownership interest in the Company.

The Offered Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. 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 Offered Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Investment remains subject to final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX").

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in central Minnesota. Talon's shares are also traded in the US over the OTC market under the symbol TLOFF. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with additional high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Nickel Project, and currently owns 51%. Talon is focused on (i) expanding and infilling its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 to shape a mine plan for submission to Minnesota regulators, and (ii) following up on additional high-grade nickel mineralization in the Tamarack Intrusive Complex. Talon has an agreement with Tesla Inc. to supply it with 75,000 metric tonnes (165 million lbs) of nickel in concentrate (and certain by-products, including cobalt and iron) from the Tamarack Nickel Project over an estimated six-year period once commercial production is achieved. Talon has a neutrality and workforce development agreement in place with the United Steelworkers union. Talon's Battery Mineral Processing Facility in Mercer County was selected by the US Department of Energy for US$114m funding grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Talon has well-qualified experienced exploration, mine development, external affairs and mine permitting teams.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com

Media Contact:

Todd Malan

1-(202)-714-8187

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Investor Contact:

Sean Werger

1-(416)-500-9891

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the expected use of proceeds of the Investment, the receipt of final TSX approval for the Investment, expanding mineralization and completing a mine plan, achieving commercial production and receipt of the grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Investors should refer the Company's annual information form and financial statements for a discussion in respect of these risks.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17th, 2023 / Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd. ("Blackwolf" or the "Company") (TSXV:BWCG),(OTC PINK:BWCGF) announces that it has closed its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement that was announced on October 6, 2023 (the "Offering") and upsized on October 10, 2023. Due to significant demand, the Offering was further upsized for gross total proceeds of $3,263,532 (all figures in the current release are in Canadian dollars).

The Offering consists of 13,598,050 units of the Company at a price of $0.24 per unit. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant (the "Units"). Each share purchase warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share at a price of $0.35 per common share until October 17, 2025 (the "Warrants").

Morgan Lekstrom, CEO of Blackwolf commented, "We are elated to see such strong support from our Strategic Shareholder, Mr. Frank Giustra and strong demand from new and existing shareholders. In a very short time, Blackwolf was able execute a drill program at Cantoo, acquire Optimum Ventures, drill the newly acquired Harry Project and find visible gold in our first program. I believe this is a strong indication as to how we want to strategically grow this Company. We are now planning near term work at Niblack and next phases of work at Harry and Cantoo. We look forward to the receipt of assay results from Cantoo and Harry."

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund exploration activities at the Company's three projects including Niblack, Cantoo and the Harry Project, as well general working capital purposes. Advancing Niblack will be the near-term goal while Blackwolf plans its further campaigns for Harry and Cantoo to begin in Spring 2024.

The Company further reports that pursuant to the Offering, Frank Giustra and his related entities directly and indirectly acquired ownership and control of 3,125,000 Units which are comprised of 3,125,000 common shares and 3,125,000 Warrants. Prior to the Offering, Mr. Giustra owned and controlled 12,836,285 common shares of the Company, representing 11.78% of the then outstanding common shares of the Company. After the Offering, Mr. Giustra now owns and/or controls directly and indirectly 15,961,285 common shares of the Company representing 13.02% of the outstanding common shares of the Company.

Mr. Giustra and his related entities acquired these securities for investment purposes effective October 17, 2023 and as disclosed in the Early Warning Report accompanying this news release, may in the future acquire or dispose of securities of the Company, through the market, privately or otherwise, as circumstances or market conditions warrant.

In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company paid $65,484.72 and issued 272,853 Finder's Warrants to PI Financial Corp., Haywood Securities Inc., Research Capital Corp., and Red Cloud Securities Inc. in consideration for introducing subscribers to the Offering. Finder Warrants entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (a "Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.35 per Finder's Warrant Share until October 17, 2025.

The Offering remains subject to final approval of the TSXV. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a standard four (4) month hold period expiring February 18, 2024. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and accordingly may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

The Company further announces the resignation of Ms. Sheryl Dhillon and the appointment of Mrs. Lindsey Le Ho as Corporate Secretary effective October 15, 2023. The Company would like to thank Ms. Dhillon for her services and wish her success in future endeavours.

About Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd.

Blackwolf's founding vision is to be an industry leader in transparency, inclusion and innovation. Guided by our Vision and through collaboration with local and Indigenous communities and stakeholders, Blackwolf builds shareholder value through our technical expertise in mineral exploration, engineering and permitting. The Company holds a 100% interest in the high-grade Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver VMS project, located adjacent to tidewater in southeast Alaska. In addition, the Company holds 100% interest in five Hyder Area gold-silver and base metal properties located in southeast Alaska and an option to acquire an 80% interest on the Harry gold-silver property located northwest British Columbia in the Golden Triangle. For more information on Blackwolf, please visit the Company's website at www.blackwolfcopperandgold.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd.

"Morgan Lekstrom"

CEO and Director

For more information, contact:

Morgan Lekstrom

250-574-7350 (Mobile)

604-343-2997 (Office)

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604-897-9952 (Mobile)

604-343-2997 (Office)

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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 Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include statements relating including the use of proceeds from the Offering and the Company's future objectives and plans. Forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, receipt of final regulatory approvals of the Offering, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; fluctuations in commodity prices and changes in the Company's business plans. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including without limitation, that regulatory approvals will be obtained, and the Company will continue with its stated business objectives. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company seeks safe harbor.

For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Four Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia after Moscow's invasion are to be reunited with relatives following Qatari mediation, officials said on Monday.

Moscow has been accused of bringing thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia from Moscow-occupied territories since it invaded Ukraine in February last year.

The children, aged between two and 17, have been staying at the Qatari embassy in Moscow while Doha mediated between Russian and Ukrainian authorities, a diplomat briefed on the process said.

They include one child whose mother has been detained in Russia, and another who lost contact with his mother as he was in a Russian hospital when the war broke out.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin and his children's rights commissioner Maria-Lvova Belova over the alleged illegal deportations.

"Both Ukrainian and Russian officials have been cooperative in ensuring the safety and security of the children and their departure to Ukraine," said the diplomat on condition of anonymity.

"The minors, during their period of separation from their families in Russia, were provided with the relevant care and treatment by the Russian government."

All four are travelling to Ukraine via third countries including Qatar, Estonia, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.

Kyiv welcomed the return of the children, calling it an "important day."

"We are bringing home four Ukrainian children who were previously illegally deported by Russia," the head of Ukraine's presidential office Andriy Yermak said on social media.

"(Ukrainian President) Volodymyr Zelensky has set a goal to return all our children. We are working on it," he added.

Qatar called the return of the children a "positive step and a gesture of goodwill between the Ukrainian and Russian governments".

"We understand that today's breakthrough is only a first step, but we are encouraged by the commitment and openness showed by both sides throughout the process," Lolwah Al Khater, minister of state for international cooperation, said in a statement.

She added that "we sincerely hope will lead to more initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions and building trust between the two parties".

- Moscow welcomes Qatar role -

Qatar, a gas-rich Gulf monarchy, has acted as a broker in several international disputes, including last month's Iran-US prisoner exchange.

At a press conference in Moscow on Monday, Russia's children's rights commissioner Lvova-Belova did not confirm the deal.

But she welcomed Qatar's "/mediatory" role in talks with Ukraine, including on the "process of reuniting children".

"They came out as a third party, they are trying to figure (things) out," she said.

"We hope for a continuation of cooperation."

Lvova-Belova again denied that children are being forcibly brought to Russia from Ukraine and refused to give a number of minors from occupied Ukrainian territories in Russia.

"We don't lead the statistics," she said, adding that government ministries will publish statistics of regional social institutions.

Ukraine has said that "thousands" of its children are currently held by Russia.

Lvova-Belova said Moscow currently has 17 requests from Ukrainian families to return children, and that authorities were "working on this".

The official said she has made nine trips to occupied Ukrainian territories and that her office had opened "five humanitarian headquarters" there, including in Mariupol -- which was flattened and then captured by Russia early in its invasion.

Lvova-Belova has presented Russia's taking of the children as protecting them from the conflict.
Diplomatic bids to free around 200 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza gathered pace Tuesday, with Turkey saying it was in talks with the Islamist group to secure their release.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke from Beirut as calls mounted from the captives' families for world leaders to intervene, after Hamas on Monday released the first video of a hostage purportedly speaking from captivity.

"So far, we have received requests from various countries for the release of their citizens. As a result, we started to discuss these issues, especially with the political wing of Hamas," Fidan told a news conference in Beirut alongside his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib.

Scores of people were taken hostage during Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, when the Islamist gunmen shot, stabbed or burned to death more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

The Israeli army has confirmed at least 199 hostages were taken to Gaza. Hamas had claimed that they hold around 250 captives.

"Our efforts continue, especially for the release of foreigners, civilians and children. We will continue our efforts to ensure lasting peace," Fidan said Tuesday, a day after he held a phone conversation with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh about the hostages.

Israeli forces have carried out localised raids across the border during which they have located the bodies of some of those abducted, with the latest such operation taking place on Tuesday, an army spokesman said.

- 'Beg the world' -

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday also said that intense talks were underway to secure the hostages' release.

"I want to be very cautious here... so as not to endanger the intense talks we are currently conducting," Macron told reporters in the Albanian capital Tirana. "But they are progressing and we are following these talks hour by hour."

France was "working with its partners to free French hostages held by Hamas", the Elysee presidential palace later quoted Macron as saying.

Macron spoke after the mother of French-Israeli hostage Mia Shem, urged world leaders to secure her daughter's release after the Islamists aired a video apparently showing the young woman in captivity.

Hamas aired the video on its official Telegram channel, showing a young woman speaking Hebrew.

In the video, the first released by Hamas of a hostage purportedly speaking from captivity, the woman says she is being held in Gaza, is being well treated and appeals for her release.

"I ask world leaders that my daughter be returned to us in the state that she is today, as well as the other hostages," Keren Shem told a press conference in Tel Aviv.

"I beg the world to return my baby to me," Shem added.

- 'Colossal' failure -

Shem said her daughter was at a rave party in the desert near the border when she was abducted to Gaza during the October 7 deadly attack.

"Now she is in Gaza. She is not the only one. There are many adults, children, babies and Holocaust survivors," she said of other Israelis and foreigners held by the militants.

"It is a crime against humanity. All together we need to stop this terror," she added.

The Israeli government has come under criticism for its response to the hostage situation.

Since the attack, dozens of Israelis have tirelessly held sit-ins in front of the defence ministry in Tel Aviv to demand the release of the hostages and the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"All these people (the hostages) must come home. This government has failed in a colossal way," said Mona Hanoch, 58.

Nearby, sitting on a plastic chair, Cindy Cohen, 65, held up a sign reading: "Prisoner exchange agreement now."

"We must release all the hostages in exchange for all the (Palestinian) prisoners held by Israel," she added.

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Several technology industry leaders have decided to boycott one of the sector's biggest annual events after the organiser criticised Israel's actions following the Hamas attacks.

Paddy Cosgrave, an Irish entrepreneur and co-founder of the Web Summit, wrote on social media platform X last week that he was "shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders & governments".

"War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are," Cosgrave wrote on October 13.

The Palestinian militant group killed, mutilated and burned more than 1,400 people in its raid in Israel from Gaza on October 7.

Israel has responded with withering air strikes that have killed more than 2,700 people while imposing a siege on Gaza and deploying tens of thousands of troops in preparation for a ground offensive.

The Web Summit is due to host some 2,300 startups and more than 70,000 people on November 13-16 in Lisbon.

But one summit headliner, Garry Tan, head of California's Y Combinator, said he would no longer go.

"I refuse to appear at Web Summit and am canceling my appearance," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I condemn Hamas and pray for peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people."

David Marcus, a former Paypal president and head of cryptocurrencies at Facebook, and Ori Goshen, co-CEO of Israeli artificial intelligence firm AI21 Labs, also withdrew from the conference.

"We at AI21 cannot be part of such indecency and moral bankruptcy," Goshen, who was supposed to give a keynote address, said on LinkedIn.

Dor Shapira, Israel's ambassador to Portugal, wrote on LinkedIn that he told the mayor of Lisbon that his country would not participate in the Web Summit "due to the outrageous statements made by the conference CEO Paddy Cosgrave."

"Dozens of companies have already canceled their participation in this conference, and we encourage more to do so," he added.

Cosgrave issued an apology on Tuesday.

"I understand that what I said, the timing of what I said, and the way it has been presented has caused profound hurt to many. To anyone who was hurt by my words, I apologise deeply," he said.

"What is needed at this time is compassion, and I did not convey that," the statement said.

Cosgrave said he "unreservedly" condemns Hamas' "evil, disgusting and monstrous" attack on Israel on October 7 and "unequivocally" supports Israel's "right to exist and to defend itself."

He also said that Israel should adhere to the Geneva Conventions, "ie, not commit war crimes."

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The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has invested six figures into Virginias House Democratic Caucus to boost legislative candidates.

While it is focused on the House of Delegates chamber in Virginias state legislature, the DLCC, which works to elect Democrats to state houses, also took a rhetorical swipe at Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives who have struggled to reach agreement on a new Speaker of the House.

After former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., worked with Democrats to pass a short-term funding bill and avoid a government shutdown, eight Republicans, including Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, joined the Democrats in removing him from his role. Now, Republicans, who have the majority in the U.S. House, have yet to agree on his replacement more than a week later.

Republican dysfunction has become a hallmark of national politics. Their refusal to do the basic requirements of government, including choosing a Speaker, shows us that this is all a game to them and they dont care about the people they were elected to represent, DLCC communications director Abhi Rahman said. If national Republicans continue to show they wont govern, why would Virginia Republicans be any different?

National Democrats have already committed $3 million to the Virginia Democrats efforts at the direction of President Joe Biden. Virginia chapters of state organizations like Planned Parenthood and the League of Conservation Voters have disbursed big checks as well.

Countering the Democrats state and national funding hauls is Gov. Glenn Youngkins political action committee, Spirit of Virginia. The PAC has raked in almost $20 million since its launch in 2021 and has spent over $4 million so far in state elections this year  with plenty of room to spend more.

We certainly have the lead or had the lead, rather, and built up a decent advantage in our totality  but the Democratic surge is here, said Zack Roday, Spirits coordinated campaign director. We expect to be outspent near the closing (days of the election). Thats kind of been our plan all along, and thats why weve been hard at it all year.

With all 140 seats up for election this year between Virginias House and state Senate, a handful of competitive seats offer both parties the chance of majority. During this years legislative session, Democrats had a four-seat edge in the Senate, and Republicans held a four-seat edge in the House.

For Democrats, preventing Republicans from controlling both chambers is crucial to preventing a Republican trifecta  where a single party controls both chambers and the governorship.

Democrats also say it is crucial to blocking the proposal to end most legal abortions after 15 weeks, which many GOP state candidates have supported, at a time where Virginia is currently the least restrictive state in the South when it comes to access.

For Republicans, gaining a trifecta would allow Youngkin to accomplish more of his agenda, such as further tax cuts and laws to give parents more input into public education curriculum and policies.

The governor has attracted out-of-state billionaire donors, one of whom said he hopes Youngkin can be talked into running for president next year. This week, a number of national donors will flock to Virginia Beach for a Red Vest Retreat, an event that Youngkin convened last year outside of Charlottesville. While some donors hope to entice Youngkin into making a late bid for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, he has stressed that hes laser focused on this years state legislature elections.

Both parties are pushing for voters to take advantage of early or mail-in voting  the Republicans with Secure Your Vote Virginia and the Democrats with The Majority Project.

Rahman said the latest funding boost from the DLCC can help ensure that Democrats are getting out the vote and holding Gov. Youngkin and the GOP accountable  neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block.
Israeli air strikes on a hospital compound in the Gaza Strip killed at least 200 people, officials in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory said on Tuesday, sparking widespread condemnation and fury.

But Israel's army blamed a rocket misfired by militants in Gaza.

Al Jazeera footage from the scene showed medics and civilians recovering bodies with white bags or blankets. Bloodstains and multiple torched cars were visible in the dark hospital courtyard.

The strike came just hours before US President Joe Biden was due in the Middle East, to balance US backing for Israel with stopping its war against Hamas from spiralling into wider regional conflict.

Thousands have been killed on both sides since Hamas's deadly October 7 strike on Israel, with retaliatory air strikes and a siege of Gaza having a devastating impact on ordinary Palestinians.

In an escalation in tensions, the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said between 200 and 300 people displaced by 10 days of heavy bombardment were killed in "occupation (Israeli) strikes" at the Ahli Arab hospital in central Gaza.

"Hundreds of victims are still under the rubble," a statement said, calling it a "war crime", and prompting condemnation from the World Health Organization.

Hospitals and their grounds have been seen as safe havens for Gazans made homeless or displaced by the bombing, as they have been relatively spared from strikes.

In the Jordanian capital Amman, dozens of protesters incensed by the strike in Gaza attempted to storm the Israeli embassy, an AFP correspondent said.

Jordan was among Arab and Muslim states condemning the hospital strike, as did Qatar.

Separately, the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees said six people were killed when one of its schools sheltering displaced families was hit, during Israeli air strikes.

- Hostages -

Biden's trip will come 12 days after the Palestinian militants of Hamas -- under cover of a rocket barrage -- burst through Israel's heavily fortified Gaza border, shooting, mutilating and burning more than 1,400 people.

Shell-shocked Israel has responded with withering air strikes against targets in Gaza, leaving about 3,000 Gazans dead, according to a toll from the health ministry in Gaza before the Ahli Arab strike.

Israel has also imposed a crippling siege on the impoverished territory and deployed tens of thousands of troops on the border with Gaza in preparation for a full-scale ground offensive.

It has vowed to destroy Hamas while also seeking to rescue the at least 199 hostages taken into Gaza by Hamas, which has released a video of one of the captives, French-Israeli woman Mia Shem.

Her mother, Keren Shem, made an emotional plea for her safe return. "I am begging the world to bring my baby back home," she told a new conference in Tel Aviv.

Diplomatic bids to free the hostages have gathered pace. Turkey said it was in talks with Hamas to secure their release.

But there were mixed views about how effective Biden could be, with some Palestinians blaming the United States for backing Israel, and even Israelis sceptical.

"We don't believe anymore in politicians," said Omer Nevo, 23. "I don't trust anyone anymore after what has happened here."

- Iran warning -

Israelis are still reeling from the worst attack in the country's 75-year history, which has sparked a mass mobilisation of reservists and the evacuation of residents from areas near Gaza and Lebanon.

In southern Israel, dozens of mourners gathered for the funeral of five members of the same family killed when militants attacked their kibbutz at Kfar Aza.

All five coffins were draped in Israeli flags.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, back in Israel after a whistlestop regional tour, said Biden's visit would be a statement of "solidarity with Israel" and an "ironclad commitment to its security".

Support also came from Germany, whose Chancellor Olaf Scholz was in Tel Aviv.

"The world must stand united behind Israel to defeat Hamas," Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, alongside Scholz.

Washington has already sent two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean "to deter hostile actions against Israel".

The Pentagon has put 2,000 troops on deployment alert to be able "to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East". US media said the troops would cover support roles such as medical assistance and handling explosives.

Israel's arch foe Iran, which backs both Hamas and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants, has repeatedly warned against a Gaza invasion and Monday raised the spectre of a possible "pre-emptive action" against Israel "by the resistance axis."

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that "no one can stop" forces opposed to Israel if it keeps up its bombardment of Gaza.

Deadly flare-ups have rocked Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

Israel's army said Tuesday it had killed four militants attempting to infiltrate from Lebanon.

Hezbollah later said five of its fighters were killed "performing jihad", taking the number of its fighters killed in the intensifying border skirmishes to 10.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby was asked on CNN whether US authorities had so far noticed Iran engaging in the conflict in new ways.

"Outside of the rhetoric..., no we haven't," he replied.

- 'Corpses in the street' -

Biden will also try to quietly steer Israeli's military response, as international alarm has grown about the devastating impact of the war on Palestinian civilians.

Entire neighbourhoods have been razed and survivors are left with dwindling supplies of food, water and fuel.

The health ministry in Gaza said hospitals were at breaking point, with more than 30,000 people taking shelter at the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City alone.

It said it was "extremely concerned" about disease outbreaks due to poor water supply and sanitation.

"There are corpses in the streets. Buildings are crashing down on their inhabitants," said Jamil Abdullah, a Palestinian-Swede, hoping to flee the blockaded enclave.

"The smell of the dead is everywhere."

UNRWA says more than one million Palestinians -- almost half of Gaza's population of 2.4 million -- have fled their homes.

An UNRWA flour storage near Gaza City was hit by an Israeli strike, an AFP photographer said. Even as the smoke was still rising from the rubble, desperate residents collected flour from the ground.

"We are dying of hunger," said Abu Hussni al-Hujein, 60.

Israel has ordered residents of north Gaza to leave for the south, hoping to clear the area of civilians in preparation for a ground assault that would involve gruelling urban combat.

- No escape -

Entire families, young children and the elderly have gathered belongings and fled to southern Gaza, bedding down in any available space, indoors and out.

Egypt kept closed Gaza's only border crossing not controlled by Israel, Rafah, meaning there is no escape.

Israel has repeatedly struck the area on the Palestinian side and denied reports of any temporary ceasefire deal to open it.

Rafah's closure has so far prevented the escape of thousands of Palestinian-Americans and others hoping to get out of Gaza, or the entry of relief goods now loaded on truck convoys waiting in Egypt.

For now Gazans remain trapped, with neighbouring Arab nations also fearful that if Palestinians leave the territory they could be permanently exiled.

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The African Union chief Moussa Faki Mahamat accused Israel of a "war crime" following the deadly strike on a hospital in the Gaza strip on Tuesday.

"There are no words to fully express our condemnation of Israel's bombing of a #Gaza hospital today, killing hundreds of people," Faki said on X, formerly Twitter, calling for the international community to act.

The health ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory said Israeli air strikes on the hospital compound sheltering displaced people had killed at least 200 people.

The Israeli army, however, said the rocket was misfired by Islamic Jihad Palestinian militants, an ally of Hamas.

"Targeting a hospital, considered a safe haven under International Humanitarian Law, is a war crime," Faki said.

Israel has been bombing targets in Gaza since Hamas militants from the territory attacked southern Israel on October 7, triggering a war which has left thousands of dead on both sides.

Around 3,000 people have since been killed in Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, the majority gunned down by Hamas militants who crossed from Gaza and attacked border communities.

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Bae Suzy took a trip down memory lane as she graced Cosmopolitan Korea's November 2023 issue.

Talking about her shift from music to acting, the 29-year-old beauty relates this to her upcoming K-drama "Doona."

Bae Suzy Talks About Her Miss A Days, Shift From Music to Acting

As Bae Suzy returns to the small screen, she is set to deliver an amazing yet intriguing character as she takes on the role of Lee Doona, the once popular lead vocalist of a K-pop group who decides to leave the spotlight amid her skyrocketing fame.

During her interview with Cosmopolitan Korea, Bae Suzy recalled her experience starting out as a K-pop member and eventually making a name for herself in the world of acting.

According to the actress, she mentioned that she has a special attachment to her character in Netflix's "Doona."

Although her experience is way different from Lee Doona, Bae Suzy said that she could relate and "was able to understand Doona better than anyone else.

READ MORE: Bae Suzy Celebrates Birthday With Surprise Party by Closest Celebrity Friends

Since both of them started their careers in music, the 29-year-old beauty said that she can still recall her days as an idol.

"It also brought back a lot of memories from when I was an idol," she shared. However, Bae Suzy honestly revealed the differences between her and Lee Doona.

"I was in my early twenties and didn't have the time to feel and express pain like Doona. I kept my emotions to myself. But Doona feels all of her emotions and goes through a hard time to her heart's content," she explained.

Describing her character as someone who has a "vicious side that speaks meanly on purpose," Bae Suzy said that, like everyone else, she wants to be loved.

In addition, the actress also hinted at the possible twists and turns of her character, hoping that viewers will get to see and understand Lee Doona.

Would Bae Suzy Do What Her Character Did in 'Doona'?

One of the pivotal decisions that Lee Doona made was to step away from the spotlight and live away from the public's eye. After leaving her group, she lives in a shared building where she meets her neighbor, college student Lee Won Joon, played by Yang Se Jong.

Their unlikely friendship becomes a safe space for Lee Doona, who sees this as her sanctuary.

When asked if there would be a possibility that she would have taken the same route as Lee Doona and lived her idol life, the actress expressed that she had fun during those times.

"I think I would have lived very well. I enjoyed it more than anyone else! She explained.

As for her shift from music to acting, Bae Suzy said that she "became more confident," especially after taking on the role in "Anna."

Viewers lauded her acting range for delivering amazing performances and taking on a dual role.

"Now, little by little, I feel like I need to trust myself a little more," she said, adding, "After that, I feel very satisfied that people don't just see me as a bright and pretty person."

Bae Suzy's new K-drama "Doona" is scheduled to air on October 20 exclusively on Netflix.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Doona' Drops Swoon-Worthy Snaps of Visual Couple Bae Suzy, Yang Se Jong

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

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Written by Geca Wills
Im Soo Hyang raised the tension for "Gangnam Beauty" fans as she shared an anecdote about her most memorable experience in filming with Cha Eun Woo.

The actress also talked about her friendship with the actor, her upcoming projects and more.

Im Soo Hyang Gets Candid About Kiss Scene With Cha Eun Woo

On October 16, Im Soo Hyang made a guest appearance in KBS2's variety program "Problem Child in House."

It's a talk show to test the guests and the audiences' knowledge to pass a certain set of numbers in order to escape from the rooftop room.

In one segment, Im Soo Hyang looked back on her career and shared some memorable anecdotes about her works like "Gangnam Beauty," "Woori the Virgin" and more.

The actress, who is known for her adorable kiss scenes, revealed that she had a kissing scene with Cha Eun Woo for over six hours during the filming of their hit drama "Gangnam Beauty."

Im Soo Hyang and Cha Eun Woo's fans and the people who supported the drama couldn't hide their excitement as it immediately became a hot topic in various online communities.

"It was our first kissing scene so we needed to film it beautifully. I was so embarrassed," Im Soo Hyang reasoned. "We filmed it from various angles to perfect the shot."

Im Soo Hyang sent everyone to laughter when she stated that both of their lips were swollen after filming for more than six hours over two days.

Moreover, the actress also shared that she experienced difficulties in perfecting her role as she was partnered with the "face genius" Cha Eun Woo.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Im Soo Hyang Boasts Friendship With BLACKPINK Jennie: 'We're really similar'

Thankfully, "Gangnam Beauty" was well-received by the public, and Im Soo Hyang and Cha Eun Woo have created a beautiful friendship even after the drama ended.

Im Soo Hyang To Return With New Romance Drama

Earlier this 2023, KBS2 announced Im Soo Hyang's return to the spotlight as she couples up with Ji Hyun Woo.

The two are set to decorate the forthcoming rom-com drama "Beauty and the Devoted," which tells the story of an actress who is now behind her time and a director who plans to make her a star once again.

Through their partnership, they don't only rediscover themselves but also learn how to love and more.

"Beauty and the Devoted" hasn't announced its filming details yet but it's believed to begin its production once the casting lineup is finalized. Stay tuned for more updates.





ALSO READ: Chae Jong Hyeop Is Park Eun Bin's Last Hope In New Drama 'Castaway Diva'





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Written by Elijah Mully.
Park Seo Joon is finally making his Hollywood debut with the new film "The Marvels" this fall. With the film's approaching debut, a teaser was released much to the fans' delight.

What makes it more interesting is Park Seo Joon's transformation into Prince Yan, creating quite a stir. Keep on reading to know more.

Park Seo Joon's 'The Marvels' Role Creates Massive Stir

On October 16, "The Marvels" dropped a new teaser of Park Seo Joon to raise the tension for its much anticipated premiere.

The film marks the Hallyu star's Hollywood debut, and it's the Phase Five of the MCU which is the sequel to the highest grossing film "Captain Marvel," starring Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson and more.

Interestingly, Park Seo Joon's transformation into Prince Yan caught everyone off guard. The presence of the actor created a massive stir in the domestic and international scenes.

This was due to the actor's drastic change in appearance where he bid goodbye to his typical "pretty boy" looks from K-dramas. Instead he rocked the long and rough hairstyle, and a sour facial expression.

Viewers are not impressed with his unusual style, even comparing his looks to an "uncle." Some even said that he looked "edited" in some way.

However, many Park Seo Joon fans come to the actor's defense, lauding him for his bold and fearless transformation even if it meant shocking the viewers with his new look.

READ MORE: 'The Marvels' First Look: Park Seo Joon Exudes Regalness In Hollywood Debut Teaser

On the other hand, Prince Yan is a ruler of a planet where inhabitants communicate through music. He later befriends Brie Larson's Captain Marvel when she lands in his realm.

With the undoubtedly huge change in the actor's looks, many congratulate the actor on his Hollywood debut which is a great feat in his career.

Don't miss "The Marvels" this fall. Catch its premiere in cinemas nationwide this November 10.

Park Seo Joon On His Hollywood Debut

In an interview with The Guardian, Park Seo Joon admitted being overwhelmed with the huge leap in his career.

According to him, debuting in Hollywood wasn't in his career plans and up until now, he still couldn't believe it. Thankfully, everyone he knows is genuinely happy for him.

"I'm very excited with my new journey. To be honest, I'm very careful with talking [about Marvel-related stuff] to avoid spoilers," Park Seo Joon said. "I'm very nervous."

On the other hand, Park Seo Joon is the third South Korean star to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following Claudia Kim in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and Ma Dong Seok in "Eternals."



ALSO READ: 'Midnight Runners' Cast Update: Park Seo Joon & Kang Ha Neul's High Scale Works To Watch For This 2023





KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
An octogenarian former Christian Brother who sexually abused 19 schoolboys when he was a teacher in a County Kilkenny school almost 50 years ago has been jailed for four and a half years.

Liam Coughlan (87) pleaded guilty to 19 counts of indecently assaulting 19 boys on dates between 1974 and 1978.

Coughlan, of Pine Grove, Tramore, Co Waterford, is currently serving a sentence of three years and two months after he was found guilty by a jury of 30 counts of indecently assaulting a further five boys at the same school in the 1970s following a trial in May this year.

He had been due to face two further trials in relation to the remaining 19 complainants, but instead entered guilty pleas in July. Coughlan left the Christian Brothers in the 1990s and got married, the court heard.

Sentencing Coughlan yesterday (Monday) at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Elma Sheahan said the abuse perpetrated by Coughlan not only instilled fear and embarrassment in the lives and minds of young boys attending school, but has served to torment the men these young boys have become.

Judge Sheahan said she wished to acknowledge the time it has taken for the abuse to come to light and she paid tribute to the determination of the complainants. The court heard three of the complainants came forward in 1998, but their allegations did not result in a prosecution.

The court is of the view that the gravity of the offending is high, Judge Sheahan said, noting the culpability of Coughlan and the harm done. She noted he was in a position of power and authority as a teacher and a Christian Brother.

She handed down a sentence of four and a half years for the offences, noting the maximum sentence for each offence of indecent assault during that time period is two years. She ordered that the sentence start on Monday, meaning it will run concurrent to the sentence he is currently serving.

The judge acknowledged that were it not for Coughlan's serious health issues, she would have reconsidered when the sentence date should start.

In a series of victim impact statements read out in court at a sentence hearing earlier this month, 10 of the man's 19 victims outlined the impact of the abuse, which continues to affect them to this day.

Many described how they have struggled with anxiety and have difficulty trusting others and maintaining relationships. Some struggled with alcohol. A number of them kept the abuse a secret for years.

Patrick McGrath SC, prosecuting, told the court that after the initial investigation did not result in prosecution, a second extensive investigation in recent years involving multiple complainants resulted in the former teacher being charged with the offences.

The court heard Coughlan worked in a number of schools around the country.

The court heard he regularly called his victims up to the top of the class, where he indecently assaulted them by touching them inappropriately. He kept boys back in class at lunch time or after school under the guise of helping them with their schoolwork before abusing them.

His victims, now men in their late 50s and early 60s, described how they were powerless as children and terrified of Coughlan, who was also physically violent.

One complainant, who read out his victim impact statement in court, said the fact that Coughlan was in a religious order added salt to the wound.

You feared you would not be believed - and worse  be in trouble for making up stories about a holy man, he told the court. He was protected not just by his profession, but by the habit he wore. We were powerless.

The complainant said everyone knew what had gone on and in later years Coughlan was remembered as dirty, but no-one wanted to admit they had been a victim.

He said the fact the man was finally being brought to justice was a relief and a weight off his shoulders. Forty-seven years was too long to wait, he said.

A second complainant who read out his statement in court said Coughlan had cast a dark shadow over his life. He ruined my life and my self-esteem and I hope he spends the rest of his life in jail, he said.

A further eight victim impact statements were read out in court by prosecuting counsel. Some described how they never told anyone except their partner. Others never told anyone at all until they received a phone call from investigating gardai.

Coughlan was described by the complainants as huge and scary. The court heard he threatened to kill one boy if he told anyone about the abuse, threw another boy against a door when he tried to escape and told a third boy he would have his relatives who also worked in the school sacked if he came forward about the abuse.

A number of the man's victims described how he ruined their education, with a number dropping out of school early and others describing how they never reached their full potential. They reported feelings of anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares. One complainant said he suffered severe mental health issues in the wake of the abuse, including PTSD.

One man described how he could never tell his parents because they were good Catholics. Another said he told his mother what had happened to him years later and believed she died broken-hearted as a result.

Another complainant said Coughlan sexually, physically and mentally assaulted me. You're a monster and I hope you rot in prison, he said in his statement.

In her plea of mitigation, Kathleen Leader SC, defending, said Coughlan has a number of serious health issues, including prostate cancer and secondary bone cancer. He is undergoing chemotherapy for these cancers, which are not curable, the court heard. He has heart disease and arthritis.

The court heard Coughlan entered the Christian Brothers when he was 16 years old. He was described by his neighbours as kind and considerate in testimonials handed into court. Ms Leader said he had no previous convictions until he was found guilty of the other indecent assaults earlier this year.

I would ask the court not to impose a lengthy sentence that my client will have no hope of ever being released from, due to his advanced years, defence counsel said.
The advertising of drink on Irish television has reached a level of immorality and irresponsibility that is little short of a national scandal.

That was the no punches pulled view of a senior psychiatrist at the monthly meeting of the South Eastern Health Board in Kilkenny when RTE was lashed for its advertising policy.

The meeting called on the Minster for Health to curtail drastically the television advertising of alcohol.

The psychiatrist, Dr PA Meehan, St Lukes Clonmel, said that the special hospitals committee were very concerned that the Board should do all it could in the field of treatment for alcoholism.

But they were even more concerned about what they should do in the field of prevention. Consequently, the advertising on RTE was most disturbing.

Commenting that 80% of road traffic accidents were either directly or indirectly due to alcohol, Mr GA McLean Lee, Wexford, said that RTE should be asked to curtail drink advertising in the same way as they curtailed advertisements for cigarettes.

However, Dr Hugh OBrien Moran felt that unless pressure came from the Government and RTE were promised compensation for loss of revenue, nothing would be done.

Board chairman was critical of the glamour that had been introduced into drink advertising.

There has been a marked change in the type of TV advertising, he said. Glamorous blondes are now being featured on the screen.

Chairman of the special hospitals committee, Mr M OSullivan, said that the committee considered alcoholism one the basic problems of the country.

It affected not alone the social life of the country but the economic life in the very broadest way. It therefore warranted the most serious attention.

Ald M McGuinness, Kilkenny, thought it was by example that the problem would be solved.

Glasgow Tribute

A tribute to the outstanding work of a Kilkenny priest in a Glasgow parish was made at a special presentation concert recently.

The priest, V Rev Thomas Murphy, originally from Kilmanagh, was a curate for 21 years at St Ninians Church in Glasgow.

He has recently been appointed parish priest at St Marys Abercromby Street, Glasgow.

The concert was given by the children of St Ninians primary school. Over 500 parishioners attended the farewell.
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The Government must either revise the budget allocation to the health service or own the catastrophic consequences of deliberately underfunding the sector, Sinn Fein has warned.

Party health spokesman David Cullinane was responding to public expenditure minister Paschal Donohoes insistence that the 22.5 billion euro envelope allocated to the Department of Health in Budget 2024 will not be revisited.

HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster has warned that the amount is not adequate to run the health service at the same levels as this year.

The Department of Health is already facing an overspend of around 1.5 billion euro this year  an overrun that will require a supplementary estimate allocation for 2023.

Mr Gloster told senior management on Friday that he was extending an existing recruitment pause beyond clerical and management grades to include patient and client care roles.

He also announced an immediate pause on around 7,000 posts, previously approved in principle, which can now not be funded.

Representatives of healthcare workers have sharply criticised the freeze, and opposition politicians have called on the budget for the Department of Health to be re-examined.

Defending the allocation, Mr Donohoe said Ireland spends more of its national income on health than most EU member states, highlighting that the department received an additional 1.1 billion euro for current expenditure.

However, Mr Cullinane claimed there had been an intentional decision by the three coalition leaders to chronically underfund the health service.

What were now seeing is a muddying of the waters and this narrative that this money can be saved through efficiencies, he told reporters outside Leinster House.

And its laughable coming from the Fine Gael party whove been in government for 13 years, who didnt deal with the runaway spend on agency spend, management consultancy, they didnt make the reforms in healthcare which were necessary to achieve savings.

And now at the 11th hour, because of this crisis, theyre now talking about more efficiencies in healthcare. They had their opportunities for 13 years, and they didnt take them.

Mr Cullinane said, at most, efficiencies could generate a further 400 million euro. He said that would still leave a big black hole in next years health budget.

The consequences of that will be felt very deeply, he said.

He added: So its a very real crisis for the Government, its an even bigger crisis for patients and those who work on the front line. We have a government that intentionally, deliberately, purposely underfunded the health service with the catastrophic consequences that will have for patient care.

So if they want to avoid a disaster or crisis in health care, then the only way to do that now is to properly fund the health service and to give the health service more money for next year. And that will have to be done.

If they dont do it, then they will have to own the consequences of that, which includes having an impact on patient safety, services right across healthcare from disabilities, mental health, in our hospitals and primary community care.

Labour health spokesman Duncan Smith claimed Mr Donohoe was calling the shots in the health service.

Reacting to Mr Donohoes comments that there was no proposal to revise the budget allocation, Mr Smith said: Its been an absolutely incredible week and not for the good.

We have the chief executive of the HSE (Bernard Gloster) saying he wont have enough money to run the health service. We have the Minister for Health (Stephen Donnelly) failing to deliver on a whole host of areas both within the health service and on the top line figure of overall funding.

Its an incredible situation.

He claimed Mr Donohoe was doubling down on a position of not reopening the budget.

I think its going to send further shockwaves of worry through our health service, he told reporters outside the Dail.

The fact that Paschal Donohoe has taken such a hard line would indicate to us that hes calling the shots in our health service going into 2024. And, quite frankly, thats just not good enough.

Commenting on the health allocation, Mr Donohoe said: The budget agreed last week by Government, set out an allocation of 22.5bn euro (current and capital) in 2024 for health. This is an increase of 1.1bn euro current expenditure on last years budget allocation.

As the Minister set out in his Budget Day speech, Ireland spends more of its national income on health than most EU member states, and this expenditure occurs with a younger population than many comparable member states.

The budget allocation also included a Health Resilience Fund, which will fund the post-pandemic escalation in demand and activity across our acute hospitals, and a programme of initiatives to improve financial oversight.

There is no proposal to reopen the Government-agreed budget allocations.

The details of supplementary estimates will be considered as more financial information is available towards the end of the year.
A 43-foot-tall Golden Spike sculpture memorializing the first transcontinental railroad made a whistle-stop on Tuesday in Golden on its way to Brigham City, Utah.

The sculpture will be installed at a new educational and memorial park just west of Interstate 15 and Forest Street at exit 363.

"We are really excited to share the legacy of the Transcontinental Railroad through the medium of public art," Renee Leta, vice president of impact and engagement for the Golden Spike Foundation, told The Denver Gazette. "We think it's a really approachable way to start thinking about the complexity of the Transcontinental Railroad story."

Leta said the park is expected to open in June of 2024.

The first transcontinental railroad was completed at Promontory Summit, Utah on May 10, 1869.

Builders of the eastbound Central Pacific and westbound Union Pacific railroads completed the project using a ceremonial golden spike.

In 2021, the Golden Spike Foundation commissioned sculptor Douwe Blumberg to create the Golden Spike Monument to celebrate the "power and diversity of those whose labor and sacrifices contributed to the creation of the transcontinental railroad."

"The 43-foot tall, gold-leafed spike hosts reliefs that depict scenes of various people from diverse backgrounds who worked to build the railroad, people impacted by the railroad, and many others whose vision and support were instrumental in bringing this historic feat of human engineering to fruition, the foundation said on its website.

On Tuesday, the group behind the monument held a viewing, artist presentations, a discussion about Native American perspectives on the railroad, childrens storytelling and craft activity, plus rides aboard the museums unique Galloping Goose motorized railcar No. 7.

The monument remained on view at the Colorado Railroad Museum at 17155 W. 44th Ave. in Golden from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The Golden Spike Monument is also scheduled to visit Cheyenne, Wyoming, on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cheyenne Depot.
A FIREFIGHTER who earlier this year was acquitted of drugs offences has resolved his High Court action aimed at preventing his employer from continuing internal disciplinary proceedings against him.

Mr. Justice Mark Sanfey was informed on Tuesday that the action brought by Michael Morgan, who last month obtained a temporary injunction restraining Tipperary County Council from holding a disciplinary meeting over allegations against him, had been settled.

No details of the settlement agreement were given in open court.

The matter was adjourned to allow for the implementation of the terms of the agreement and will return before the court in early November.

Last February a jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court acquitted Mr Morgan of Cluain Muillean, Nenagh of criminal charges arising from the discovery of 78,000 of cocaine, allegedly found in a lunchbox a locker at Nenagh Fire station in January 2018.

When the drugs were found, Mr Morgan was not in the fire station, his locker had been open, and a subsequent garda examination of the drugs did not find any forensic link to him.

He denied any wrongdoing and said the lunchbox had been in the locker for some time.

He was suspended by the council from his job on full pay following the incident.

Mr Morgan's friend John Walsh (aged 36 years) of Coille Bheithe, Nenagh was found guilty by the jury of possession of cocaine, as well as possession of cocaine for sale or supply.

Mr Walsh was acquitted of allegedly possessing cocaine worth 13,000 or more, contrary to section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Despite his acquittal Mr Morgan was informed by the council that it was maintaining the internal disciplinary proceedings against him.

Represented by Patrick O'Reilly SC, Emma Cassidy Bl and instructed by solicitor Setanta Landers Mr Morgan claimed that the disciplinary process was unfair and in breach of fair procedures.

He had argued that his employer had failed to disclose in proper detail the exact nature of the breaches of discipline against Mr Morgan, which he said it is required to do.

A disciplinary meeting was due to take place last September.

However, when seeking an injunction to halt that meeting Mr Morgan claimed that his employer had only informed him a few days before the hearing that it intended to raise unspecified matters that arose out of the criminal trial, in the disciplinary process.

This led to concerns that matters could be put to Mr Morgan at the meeting which he would not have a proper opportunity to fully respond to.

Mr Morgan, it was argued, was entitled to know in advance exactly what he is being accused of by his employer.

Arising out of his concerns about the proposed hearing Mr Morgan applied for and was granted a temporary injunction restraining the meeting from taking place.
TAP '>' OR NEXT TO SEE NEXT SCHOOL

Students from across Kilkenny benefited from a special training day this week aimed at making their voices heard so they can make meaningful contributions to decision-making for the benefit of their fellow students and their schools.

The one-day course was organised by Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) for students across its 13 schools in Kilkenny and Carlow to highlight the role and responsibilities of their individual Student Councils and to equip the students with the skills required to take an active part in their councils.

Ninety-six students from Colaiste Pobail Osrai, Kilkenny City Vocational School, Grennan College Thomastown, Colaiste Cois Siuire Mooncoin, Scoil Aireagail Ballyhale, Colaiste Mhuire Johnstown and Abbey Community College, Ferrybank attended the training day with their teachers whose role is to support student councils in schools.

The students learned from each other as they worked in groups with students from other schools in designated workshops. Training was provided by facilitator Denise Kelly in various Council roles such as chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary, treasurer and PRO and the students learned about working in partnership with school management, staff and parents for the benefit of the school and their fellow students.

The day was overseen by KCETB Director of Schools, Dr Pauline Egan. "All of our 13 KCETB secondary schools are very student-centred and our Student Councils provide excellent opportunities for students to make their voice heard," she said.

"Over the years, we have seen our Student Councils contribute to the development of school policy in a number of areas which have brought significant benefits, to the students and to the school itself.

"As well as demonstrating democracy in action, Student Councils are also a great way of allowing our students to develop their communication, planning and organisational skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives."
Councillors at a recent meeting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District have pledged their support to finding funding to restore Kennys Well.

A motion was before this months meeting by Councillor John Coonan calling for an up to date position on the refurbishment and restoration of Kennys Well.

Cllr Coonan described the landmark as a historic gem.

The wall at the end of the hill (at Kennys Well) fell into the River Breagagh in 2020. No action has been taken on the refurbishment works at Kennys Well, he said.

https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/584203/plan-to-refurbish-kennys-well-after-historic-kilkenny-wall-falls-down.html



Cllr Andrew McGuinness seconded the motion and described Kennys Well as a fantastic amenity for the people of the Kilkenny.

All we want is to bring it up to standard. We owe it to the local community to get funding to do this.

Cllr Eugene McGuinness pointed out to the meeting that no works can take place until a licence is obtained from the National Monuments Service and from Fisheries Ireland.

Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council, Tim Butler said that a meeting is due to take place this month between the Heritage Officer, Conservation Officer, a representative from National Parks and Wildlife and a landscape architect on how best to proceed and he added that he would report back to members with an update and how best to secure funding to carry out the restoration works at Kennys Well.
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(Kitco News) - U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said that the central bank is still evaluating the need for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the U.S. as there are a variety of risks to consider, while the efficiencies it offers could potentially be realized through other technologies.

Innovation in money and payments can take many forms, Bowman said Tuesday at a roundtable on CBDCs at the Harvard Law School Program on International Financial Systems. "The potential benefits of a U.S. CBDC remain unclear, and the introduction of a U.S. CBDC could pose significant risks and tradeoffs for the financial system.

For the purposes of her discussion, Bowman defined a CBDC as a new, digital form of central bank money widely available to the general public, also referred to as a general purpose or retail CBDC.

She sought to differentiate between a retail CBDC (rCBDC) and a wholesale CBDC (wCBDC), which is a term some use to refer to digital central bank money used to settle large-value transactions among banks.

When evaluating the need for a CBDC, Bowman said there are two threshold questions to consider. First: what problem is the policymaker trying to solve, and is there a more efficient way to solve it? Second: what features and considerations, including unintended consequences, should a policymaker think about before deciding to adopt a CBDC and in designing the operation of a CBDC? she said.

She noted that, in regard to the first question, there have been a variety of arguments put forward, including addressing frictions within the payment system, promoting financial inclusion, and providing the public with access to safe central bank money.

I have yet to see a compelling argument that a U.S. CBDC could solve any of these problems more effectively or efficiently than alternatives, or with fewer downside risks for consumers and for the economy, she said.

Bowman pointed to the FedNow Service, which is the Federal Reserve's new interbank system for instant payments launched in July of this year, as an example of a safe and efficient payment system capable of addressing the stated reasons for a CBDC.

Through FedNow, participating banks, businesses, and consumers can send and receive instant payments in real-time, around the clock, every day of the year, with immediately available funds, she said. Future innovations may further build upon these services to more effectively address payment systems frictions and financial inclusion. It is quite possible that other proposed solutions may address many or all of the problems that a CBDC would address, but in a more effective and efficient way.

While FedNow has already launched and has seen promising results, Bowman said, the potential benefits of a U.S. CBDC remain unclear, and the introduction of a U.S. CBDC could pose significant risks and tradeoffs for the financial system.

These risks and tradeoffs include potential unintended consequences for the U.S. banking system and considerable consumer privacy concerns, she said. The U.S. intermediated banking model helps to insulate consumer financial activities from unnecessary government overreach, and I believe this is an appropriate model for future financial innovation.

She warned that a poorly designed CBDC could disrupt the banking system and lead to disintermediation, potentially harming consumers and businesses and presenting broader financial stability risks.

As policymakers, we would need to carefully consider how an intermediated CBDC, with private-sector service providers, could be designed in a way that maintains financial institution involvement and minimizes, or ideally, eliminates related disruptions to the broader U.S. financial system, she said.

Bowman said that while it's important to continue researching the benefits, risks, and tradeoffs of a digital dollar and to follow international CBDC developments that could have implications for the United States, she reiterated that the existence of FedNow and a well-functioning banking system make the potential uses of a U.S. CBDC unclear, while such a payment vehicle could introduce significant risks and tradeoffs.

That said, recognizing the interconnected and global nature of the financial system, I see value in continuing to research and understand the underlying technology and associated policy implications as other jurisdictions continue to actively pursue CBDCs, she said. Doing so ensures we are aware of and can be responsive to any developments and can continue to support a safe and efficient financial system into the future.

Stablecoins

Bowman also highlighted stablecoins as another alternative to traditional forms of money, payments, and a digital dollar. This form of payment emerged primarily to support the trading of crypto-assets but increasingly has been proposed as an alternative to traditional payments and as a store of value, she said.

Digital assets used as an alternative form of money and payment, including stablecoins, could pose risks to consumers and the U.S. banking system, she said. Therefore, it is important to understand risks and tradeoffs associated with digital assets and new arrangements used for banking and payments. While I support responsible innovation that benefits consumers, I caution against solutions that could disrupt and disintermediate the banking system, potentially harming consumers and contributing to broader financial stability risks.

The need for comprehensive regulation

Based on the risks outlined above, Bowman said her vision for responsible innovation includes a clear and sensible regulatory framework, where we incorporate what works well today in the U.S. banking system, allowing for private sector innovations within established guardrails.

She said that its  imperative that the same activities that present the same risks are subject to the same regulations  regardless of what a product is called and by whom it is offered.

I think the desire for new often leads us to overlook existing success, both in terms of regulatory approach and financial services, she said. Rather than speculate about the composition of alternative regimes, we should ask how these new products and providers can be held to the same standards as banks, especially with respect to consumer protection.

She gave the example of stablecoin issuers, many of whom are currently licensed or chartered at the state level as money service businesses or trust companies.

While many of these issuers are subject to state supervision, they are not subject to the full complement of prudential regulation applicable to banks like capital requirements and prudential supervision, she said. They also do not benefit from the backstops and protections available to banks like deposit insurance coverage and access to central bank liquidity in times of stress. In order to protect consumers, it is imperative that activities that present the same risks are subject to the same regulations and offer the same protections.

Bowman also stressed the importance of updating policies to foster innovation.

While conversations on payment innovation often focus on the technological capabilities, policymakers must apply a critical lens to understand whether changes to regulations or policies would be necessary to address specific concerns, she said. Some potential technology solutions assume  or even require  policy change, such as issues related to operating hours and account access. In these cases, a new technology alone cannot solve the issue.

She said that many of the payment limitations that a decentralized infrastructure to support digital assets would improve actually stem from existing policies and laws, and not from problems with existing technology.

Some purported payment limitations or frictions exist for specific reasons related to managing key risks that policymakers may not want to change, and it is important to understand the tradeoffs of these policy decisions, she said. My vision for responsible innovation requires that we continue to distinguish which specific payment frictions can benefit from technological innovation itself and which are questions of policy and exist for good reasons, as well as the recognition that we should not compromise vital public policies in the name of innovation.

As for where the Federal Reserve is focusing its research efforts going forward, Bowman highlighted tokenization as a key area of interest.

Because new digital assets are currently focused on tokenization of certain traditional or even new types of money, tokenization is a research theme for the Federal Reserve and for central banks globally, she said. While this topic is relevant to CBDC research work, it will also inform other issue areas  including discussions about stablecoin regulation, novel banking activities supervision, and efforts to improve the current payment system.

They are also conducting experiments that test the technical capabilities and risks associated with digital assets, including CBDC, and the programmable platforms that could support payment infrastructure improvements, she said. These experiments give the researchers hands-on experience with new technologies and allow the Federal Reserve to examine the application of emerging technologies in retail, wholesale, and cross-border use cases.

For all of the Federal Reserve's involvement in this work, I support a responsible approach to innovation that recognizes the role of private sector innovations, benefits from the strengths of the U.S. banking system, and focuses policymakers on thinking about payment and financial system infrastructure and effective policy, she concluded. To achieve this, I support a clear regulatory framework that provides for responsible innovation while building upon what works well today and preventing disruption of the U.S. banking and payment system.
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(Kitco News) - The government of Malaysia is actively exploring the idea of using the gold dinar as a reserve currency, the countrys leader said today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat, Malaysias lower house of parliament, that the use of the gold-backed currency will be discussed during an upcoming meeting on Islamic economics and finance to be held in December.

We want to start it [the use of gold dinar], despite limited conditions, he said. If we can get between five and six per cent with Islamic countries [using dinar], it would be a positive start as it provides strength and reduces dependency on the U.S. dollar.

The gold dinar is a medieval Islamic gold coin first issued by Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan in 696697 CE. The weight of the traditional dinar is 1 mithqal, equal to 4.25 grams or 0.137 troy ounces. At current prices, this would peg the dinars value at $263.38.

Anwar made the comments during the Prime Minister's Question Period earlier on Tuesday. He was responding to a follow-up question from Member of Parliament Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail, who had asked about the possible use of the gold dinar, and whether it would encounter resistance from countries using the U.S. dollar.

As I have mentioned earlier, our trading with China using ringgit and renminbi is at 25 per cent, Anwar replied, referring to the national currencies of Malaysia and China, respectively. His comments signaled an acknowledgement that countries like Malaysia are already moving away from the U.S. dollar and toward other currencies and payment instruments.

Anwar added that the use of the gold dinar gives countries another alternative, which would strengthen the domestic economies of each country that adopts it.

Islamic countries are familiar with the dinar, he said. Furthermore, with growth exceeding $1 trillion in the halal industry, other countries are well-informed about the position of the dinar.
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(Kitco News) - Metals Acquisition (NYSE: MTAL) announced on Tuesday that it has entered into subscription agreements with certain existing and new accredited investors to raise approximately $20 million through a private placement financing.

The company said the net proceeds from the financing will be used to accelerate exploration drilling and mine development at the CSA copper mine, for working capital and general corporate purposes.

According to the company, the CSA mine at Cobar in New South Wales is one of Australias highest grade copper mines. At 1.9 kilometres deep, it is one of Australias deepest underground mines.

The annual production is approximately 40,000 tonnes of copper each year. This is mined and processed onsite, and railed 700 kilometres to the Port of Newcastle for export to smelters in Asia. The company acquired the CSA mine from Glencore in June 2023.

CEO Mick McMullen commented, We are accelerating the implementation of many of the opportunities we have identified during the first three months of ownership of the CSA copper mine. With additional capital we expect to bring forward some of the previously unrealized value that exists at CSA.

Our existing shareholders have strongly participated in the offer and we are very happy to have a shareholder base who continue to support us in our efforts to unlock value at the CSA mine.

Metals Acquisition said it is focused on operating and acquiring metals and mining businesses in high quality, stable jurisdictions that are critical in the electrification and decarbonization of the global economy.
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(Kitco News) - Cryptocurrency proponents were reminded of what it's like to experience a bull market on Monday after an erroneous tweet from Cointelegraph incorrectly stated that the spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF) application by BlackRock was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which caused BTC to spike to $30,000.

While the news ultimately proved to be false, resulting in Bitcoin retracing to support above $28,400, the sudden price surge brought on by the announcement and the resulting enthusiasm it sparked across the crypto ecosystem provided a glimpse of what could happen once a spot BTC ETF is eventually approved.

Analysts have debated whether or not a BTC ETF approval has already been factored into current market conditions as Bitcoins price rallied nearly 30% in June when BlackRocks application was first announced. But as Mondays reaction to the false story suggests, an eventual approval will be a market-moving event.

In an interview with Fox Business, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said the reaction showed that there was a strong demand for a spot Bitcoin ETF, and it's based on real economic factors and not just speculation.

This rally is way beyond rumor. The rally today is about a flight to quality with all these issues around the Israeli war, Fink said. More people are running to flight to quality whether thats on Treasuries, gold, or crypto.

Kitco crypto reached out to several analysts across the industry to get their take on Finks comments and whether or not the approval of a spot BTC ETF has been priced into the market.

According to Sebastian Heine, chief risk and compliance officer at Northstake, The news traveled far thanks to social media, despite being recognized as fake relatively quickly, as it was covered by several major outlets.

This development demonstrates the significance of Bitcoin and other digital asset news and their growing relevance amongst traditional finance and institutional players, Heine said. Another aspect to note is that current market liquidity remains low, and as such, the entry of an institutional giant like Blackrock would have significantly addressed this  lending context to the crypto communitys anticipation for the ETFs approval.

Heine said the market remains on edge awaiting final approval, and informed participants can now use the insights of the 'trial' run to position themselves.

This reflects the growing sentiment that digital assets like Bitcoin are not just speculative tools, but are increasingly seen as a hedge against economic uncertainties, much like gold has been in the past, he said.

David Waugh, lead analyst at Coinbits, noted that many people believe that the approval of Bitcoin ETFs is likely in the next few months due to the SEC's decision not to contest the Grayscale ruling and upcoming January deadlines for some spot applications. He said this anticipation has helped maintain Bitcoin's price while other risk assets have faltered, and likely contributed to Mondays fast pump by excited investors.

Still, it did not result in the God candle that some had predicted, which further supports the belief that the market has at least priced in some of what it perceives as an eventual approval, he said. That said, one could also argue that the market is still reacting to yesterday's event and the SEC's decision not to appeal, evidenced by Bitcoin's price trending towards yesterday's peak.

Waugh said that while Fink's flight to safety comments suggest that Bitcoin is a safe-haven asset, the market's behavior doesn't necessarily support this view.

Bitcoin is still moving in line with other risk-on assets rather than reflecting the performance of established safe-haven assets, such as U.S. Treasuries, he said. This indicates that Bitcoin's transition towards being a risk-off asset may be in the future, but it hasn't happened yet. As the market matures, correlations between Bitcoin and traditional risk-on/risk-off assets will evolve. Bitcoin may act as a safe-haven asset post-ETF approval as it gains acceptance in mainstream finance.

Bitcoin is a flight to safety but thats not why Bitcoin got bid up, said Terrence Yang, managing director at Swan Bitcoin. It could be why it stayed somewhat up - because Larry said it.

Shane Rodgers, founder and CEO of PDX Global, also pushed back against the statement by Fink, saying they might be an exaggeration.

A flight to safety? From what, and to what? What is the safety mechanism? Rodgers questioned.

He also asked how the erroneous story was allowed to be published, and highlighted a variety of new questions that the event has led to.

The media seem reluctant to ask the real question here: Precisely who originated or authorized the fake news story, and with what motivation? he asked.

There was very clearly zero justification for the story, given that the SEC said exactly nothing, either way, about any BTC ETF approvals, Rodgers said. So why was a story released with no supporting information or documentation from the SEC whatsoever? Who benefited from this? Who compensates the retail investors who relied on the accuracy of the story to go into the market and purchase BTC at elevated prices, and then immediately lose money?

Rodgers questioned if the story was a dry run to gauge likely market reaction to the real thing.

Was it a positioning or market reconnaissance exercise? he asked.Who has liability for investor losses? What is the regulatory and compliance stance on this? Should we assume that the SEC only protects investors when it suits them? Given that the SEC made no comments whatsoever that would have prompted the news release, why was it made at all?

The Blackrock ETF rumor never made sense, said Yang.

Heres why: The SEC has an open comment period on Blackrock ETF, the deadline for which is weeks away, he said. While the SEC can approve it at any time in theory, in practice, why would they do that? It would be highly unusual to have a comment period and not wait for all the comments to come in and take some time to analyze and digest the comments. Especially when this is a new product with physical custody issues (look at FTX).

Yang said he expects successful lawsuits (or ones that at least survive a motion to dismiss) against Cointelegraph from short sellers (who were e.g. short Bitcoin, long GBTC to arb the discount narrowing) who got liquidated and margin called from Cointelegraphs negligent actions.

Jesse Shrader, CEO of Amboss, also expressed concern that the event could negatively impact investors in the space.

"Expectations are setting up a dangerous cocktail for retail traders looking for short-term gains, especially for those that tempt fate by making leveraged bets, Shrader said. With the entrance of large asset managers comes the ability to sustain either inflated or suppressed prices for extended periods, followed by swift changes in direction to wipe out leveraged positions.

For asset managers like Blackrock holding a significant fraction of global wealth under management, BTC is still a tiny market with the potential for wild swings compared to their global money movements, he said. What sets BTC apart is its protocol rigidity that isn't subject to centralized or political whims."
The Government of Rwanda and SoftBank Corp have confirmed the successful testing of SoftBank's proprietary 5G communications payload in the stratosphere installed on a solar-powered High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype.

The demonstration was conducted on 24th September 2023 for HAPS research purposes in Rwandan airspace by SoftBank and the Government of Rwanda. The test marked the world's first publicly announced delivery of 5G connectivity from a HAPS UAV in the stratosphere, and follows on from a stratospheric flight test conducted in Rwanda in June 2023, during which the HAPS UAV prototype carried a mock-up of the payload with a similar weight and dimensions.

SoftBank's communications payload continuously delivered 5G connectivity for approximately 73 minutes in the stratosphere at a maximum altitude of 16.9km and performed as expected in demanding atmospheric conditions.

During the test, the payload enabled a 5G-based Zoom video call between a smartphone at the test site in Rwanda and SoftBank team members in Japan. Since the radio waves transmitted and received from the 5G communications payload installed on the HAPS UAV prototype in the stratosphere operated on the same frequencies as existing smartphones and devices, a regular 5G smartphone was used in the test.

In July 2020, SoftBank's subsidiary HAPSMobile signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda under which both parties pledged to conduct a Joint Research Project (JRP) that aimed to study the productive use of HAPS to provide mobile Internet connectivity in Rwanda and other solutions.

More recently, SoftBank and the Government of Rwanda's Ministry of Education signed a Partnership Agreement in June 2023 to provide educational technology (EdTech) services in Rwanda using Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions.

Building on the results of this successful stratospheric 5G connectivity demonstration, SoftBank and the Government of Rwanda will study potential HAPS use cases and commercial implementation in Rwanda, and other regions of Africa, in the JRP framework. Use cases under consideration include the digitalisation of schools and communities in rural regions without Internet connectivity.

Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation of the Republic of Rwanda, commented, The successful 5G delivery stratospheric test we conducted is promising. It represents a significant step towards narrowing the digital divide and enhancing digital inclusion with innovative solutions. Furthermore, it underscores our dedication to establish Rwanda as a premier global destination for pioneering and visionary individuals from across the globe, where they can harness our supportive policies and regulatory flexibility to explore cutting-edge innovations that address development challenges.
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(Kitco News) - Global mining group Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO) (ASX: RIO) announced today that its Pilbara operations produced 83.5 million tonnes (100% basis) of iron ore in Q3 2023, 1% lower than in Q3 2022.

The company said that its Q3 2023 iron ore shipments were 83.9 million tonnes (100% basis), 1% higher than the corresponding period of 2022, adding it continues to expect full year shipments in the upper half of the original 320 to 335 million tonne range.

Rio Tinto also reported that its Q3 2023 mined copper production of 169 thousand tonnes (on a consolidated basis) was 5% higher than the third quarter of 2022.

We benefited from the continued ramp-up of the high grade underground mine at Oyu Tolgoi and higher copper feed grades at Escondida. These benefits were partially offset by lower production at Kennecott, as the concentrator returned to full capacity during the period, recovering from the conveyor failure which occurred in March 2023, Rio Tinto said.

According to a press release, the companys Q3 2023 refined copper production of 34 thousand tonnes was 37% lower than the third quarter of 2022 as it completed the largest rebuild of the smelter and refinery in Kennecotts history during the quarter.

Rio Tintos bauxite production of 13.9 million tonnes in Q3 2023 was 2% higher than the third quarter of 2022 as the company achieved the initial benefits of stabilizing its operations, particularly at Weipa where equipment reliability and performance improved.

Rio Tintos Q3 2023 aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes was 9% higher than the third quarter of 2022 as the company returned to full capacity at its Kitimat smelter and completed cell recovery efforts at the Boyne smelter.

Titanium dioxide slag production of 247 thousand tonnes in Q3 2023 was 20% lower than the third quarter of 2022 as two furnaces at RTIT Quebec operations remain offline following process safety incidents in June and July.

Rio Tinto also reported that Iron Ore Company of Canadas production of iron ore pellets and concentrate of 2.4 million tonnes was 14% lower than the third quarter of 2022 as operations were impacted by extended plant downtime and conveyor belt failures, while we also recovered from wildfires which took place in Northern Quebec in the prior quarter. Given these challenges our full year production guidance has been reduced to 9.3 to 9.8 million tonnes (previously 10.0 to 11.0 million tonnes).

CEO Jakob Stausholm commented, We delivered another quarter of progress and maintained momentum at our Pilbara iron ore operations. We continued to make good headway ramping up our Oyu Tolgoi high-grade underground copper mine, our Kitimat aluminium smelter returned to full production, and we safely restarted the smelter and refinery at Kennecott after completing the largest rebuild in its history. We have more to do as we work towards sustainable performance improvements across our business.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

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A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 61F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

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Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 31F. Winds light and variable.
Philippines incumbent telco PLDT and wireless subsidiary Smart Communications have renewed their call for closer engagement with homeowners' associations (HOAs) to streamline telecoms network rollouts.

PLDT/Smart executives met with HOA representatives from Metro Manila and nearby regions, as well as various government representatives, at a forum earlier this month to discuss issues and concerns around cell sites, as well as the policies and permitting processes covering the rollout of telco facilities within residential communities.

PLDT/Smart and rival Globe Telecom have complained for years that the process of acquiring permits from local governments and HOAs to deploy any kind of telecoms infrastructure is complicated and cumbersome. It was only in July this year that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issued Executive Order No. 32, Streamlining the Permitting Process for the Construction of Telecommunications and Internet Infrastructure, to address the problem at the national level.

The October forum  organized by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) through the Homeowners Association and Community Development Bureau (HOACDB) in partnership with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA)  was the first such gathering under EO 32.

At the forum, Anthony Louen R. Fernandez, senior manager from Smart's Regulatory Affairs office, addressed concerns from HOAs over the safety of cell sites, and reiterated the point that the government can only achieve its ambitions of a Digital Philippines if operators can quickly build the underlying networks to support it.

We need connectivity in all aspects of our lives  inside our homes, at work and in school. We also turn to the internet to accomplish our chores and errands, as well as for rest and recreation, said Fernandez. To deliver these benefits, we must have enough number of cell sites in strategic locations to cover the entire country.

ARTA Director Marbida L. Marbida lauded the efforts of partner agencies to finalize and launch the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of EO 32 at the end of September.

She added that the level of cross-sector collaboration  which includes the Department of Health, the Food and Drugs Administration, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Interior and Local Government, as well as telcos and tower companies  was a good sign.

"The presence of our stakeholders from local government, private sector, and then telco industry is a signal that everyone is very eager to work with each other, she said. This is no longer just a whole-of-government effort. It's already a whole-of-society effort.
The sub-3GHz spectrum bands are rising in prominence as the whole industry advances in its 5G journey. Innovative upgrades to the network featuring multi-antennas MIMO, ultra-wideband and multi-RAT coordination will be the key to successful 5G evolution.

At the recent Huawei Analyst Summit 2022 held in Shenzhen, Huawei and industry members urged maximal use of ultra-broadband and multi-antenna technologies to accelerate the sub-3GHz to 5G and deliver on user experiences.

Huawei VP of Wireless Network Product Line, Cao Ming, opened the sub 3GHz analyst roundtable. Sub 3GHz is an important task from resources for 5G, by which more than 650,000 base stations have been deployed worldwide. Sub-3GHz products are commercially used in more than 100 countries. At MWC this year, Huawei was recognized for its creation of a mobile network last year in FDD which became an industry-leading example. It showed the industry recognition of Huawei's leading products and Huawei can't have achieved this without your recognition and support."

Multi-band, multi-RAT and multi-channel demands more power, however, it is not the right way to increase the power. We think we have to combine the radio capability of hardware, software and AI to get the best performance and energy efficiency. This is the strategic direction for future sub-3GHz evolution.

Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) president Joe Barrett started the forum, showcasing the pivotal role lower band spectrum is to operators for augmenting the high speed and low bandwidth we associate with 5G.

He highlighted mid and low band frequencies will account for 40% of 5G traffic which is why the industry needs to focus on freeing up spectrum in the lower bands, which will come to a head at the World Radio Communication Conference 2023 (WRC-23).

That's a key area that we need to focus on. The high bands also need to be producing traffic for the ultra-experiences. But the coverage and capacity layer in the mid-band is also very important, as is a low band for coverage, said Barrett.

According to GSA data, 92 operators have launched 5G in sub-3GHz bandwidths. Europe is currently the leader in tapping into sub-3GHz airwaves, as 17 operators rolled out on 2.1GHz, 15 in 700MHz, and five at 1.8GHz.

The sub-3GHz ecosystem is also expanding with a rapid increase in devices that support all 5G frequencies. Between 1990 and the present there have been 979 devices unveiled and commercialised. Currently, there are 852 devices supporting low bands from 121 vendors, most vitally, 5G devices are becoming more affordable as they dip into the sub $US200 range.

That really will start to drive the take up of 5G, its services, and the experiences that users are now coming to expect, said Barrett. We've got a lot of growth happening in the industry, through bringing devices and networks to market.

Spotlight is on Sub-3GHz

Huaweis 3GPP standard senior expert and vice-chair at 3GPP RAN1 David Mazzarese noted key technologies that tap into the use of sub-3GHz spectrum was being standardised in each 3GPP release since 15.

After release 15, we started approving individual projects and announcements, targeted at specific features in 3GPP, said Mazzarese, many of which were advocated by Huawei.

This showcases how the industry is starting to recognise the importance of sub-3GHz for 5G evolution, said Mazzarese.

In release 16, we saw technologies pushed such as MIMO (enhanced type 2 codebook), DSS Enhancement and spectrum evolution (RAN4). That continues in release 17 where there were more MIMO announcements for FDD bands, DSS/MR-DC and more spectrum evolution.

Looking ahead to release 18, MIMO will be advanced through multi-cell coherent joint transmission (MC-CJT), multi-carrier enhancements and specific announcements to enable 700 800 900MHz band combinations on smartphones as well as infrastructure gear.

Needed innovation

Huawei is one of the worlds key suppliers of infrastructure equipment which was illustrated at MWC earlier this year, when Huawei won the GLOMO award for best mobile network infrastructure for the second year running, with its New FDD Giga Band MIMO Modules that support low and mid-band Sub-3GHz frequencies in one radio box while implementing 4T4R, 8T8R, and Massive MIMO.

Great technology is supported by great technology and that is certainly the case in the infrastructure space, where when new resources such as spectrum become available, new challenges arise for operators.

This was pointed out by Huawei VP of 5G and LTE FDD Domain Qiu Zheng, who highlighted operators face the usual pressures of providing high download/upload speeds with sufficient coverage. But this is being compounded with much needed carbon neutrality target.

A way through for operators is to expand transceivers and antennas, but this adds weight and space challenges, as well as an increase in energy use which contradicts carbon neutrality targets.

For Sub-3GHz, the characteristic obviously is a lot of bands, rich bands, for both legacy bands and new bands, but they are fragmented, our ambition is to solve those challenges and problems. I think our whole industry should be together to find the best way to optimise that cost per gigabit.

The answer for those headaches, comes in two key parts; one is the use of ultra-wideband and the other is multiple antennas, said Qiu.

Ultra-wideband is a radio technology which uses low energy for short-range but high bandwidth communications over large sections of spectrum. Power can be shared in between different sub-bands through the use of this technology, noted Qiu.

The use of multiple antennas enables efficient use of spectrum which brings a host of advantages to operators.

Multiple antennae can significantly increase spectrum efficiency, it can produce good network performance for example multiplexing, suppress interferences and encourage transceiver diversity, said Qiu.

The starting point is 4T4R, especially in lower bands, which is the ubiquitous coverage layer. You then progress to 8T8R or massive MIMO in the mid-band, which is the universal capacity layer. Massive MIMO is the only viable option at higher bands as it combines capacity with great customer experience. We call it the extreme experience layer.

Success stories

Utilising the right innovative technologies can quickly overturn an operators standing which was the case for a Netherlands-based operator who tapped Huawei for solutions.

The unnamed operator possessed less infrastructure footprint and bandwidth compared to rivals, which was evident in testing from industry benchmarkers P3.

To improve on its disadvantage, the operator with Huawei then upgraded its 1T2R dual-band radio units to 4T4R triple-band for sub-1GHz and 2T2R to 8T8R in mid-band. Then through tower upgrades, the operator was able to tap into seven bands using its usual four boxes and coverage was also boosted.

As a result, the company received its best ever P3 network results, not only nationally but also ranked globally, improving from a score of 954 to 962. Its NPS scores also increased by 6% as a result.

Another example is an operator in Finland, which had a similar problem as its Netherlands-based counterpart.

This operator modernised its towers with more advanced boxes, which cut its use of three boxes to two, freeing up space for a massive MIMO to upgrade to 4G and 5G.

Even though there was an upgrade, there was no change to the operators energy consumption, Qiu pointed out, despite now tapping into seven bands instead of four.

The commercial feedback from the market was amazing for this operator because its performance and accountabilities significantly increased. From this upgrade, the operator gained the capability to increase prices and upsell. The average revenue per user then increased 10% year by year.

One of Germanys major operator players was also in a less fortunate position with fewer spectrum holdings, huge distances between base stations, and a lower budget.

This operator deployed 8T8R and Blade AAU with C-bands. From these upgrades, this operator saved 30% on the total cost of ownership on its mobile sites, boosted coverage by 40% and user throughput by 30% to 70%.

Overall, this operator bested rivals in customer data performance according to P3 network testing.

In closing the roundtable, Qiu again highlighted how vital it is for the industry to pay close attention to innovations within the sub3-GHz space. Operators who recognise this can take a true evolutionary step into the 5G NR era and push the full potential of their networks, which will, in turn, deliver ubiquitous coverage and high levels of performance.
Rep. Jim Jordan, the top contender in the race to be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, arrives inside the House Chamber prior to the first vote for a new Speaker of the House at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.
Shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:RYT  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $28.22 and last traded at $28.50, with a volume of 496563 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $28.13.

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF Trading Up 1.3 %

The stock has a market cap of $2.98 billion, a PE ratio of 17.16 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a fifty day moving average of $28.80 and a 200-day moving average of $165.18.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of RYT. Pittenger & Anderson Inc. acquired a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Larson Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. Advisors Preferred LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $43,000. Nvwm LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $55,000. Finally, Balentine LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $59,000.

About Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF

The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (RYT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in information technology equity. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of S&P 500 technology companies. RYT was launched on Nov 1, 2006 and is managed by Invesco.

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Principal Real Estate Income Fund (NYSE:PGZ  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 17,800 shares, an increase of 22.8% from the September 15th total of 14,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 19,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.9 days.

Insider Activity at Principal Real Estate Income Fund

In other news, insider Laton Spahr bought 10,000 shares of Principal Real Estate Income Fund stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $9.71 per share, with a total value of $97,100.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 25,627 shares in the company, valued at $248,838.17. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

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Institutional Trading of Principal Real Estate Income Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PGZ. Bulldog Investors LLP acquired a new stake in Principal Real Estate Income Fund during the second quarter worth approximately $1,339,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Principal Real Estate Income Fund by 117.3% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 128,854 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,219,000 after acquiring an additional 69,559 shares during the period. Saba Capital Management L.P. increased its holdings in shares of Principal Real Estate Income Fund by 17.2% in the 1st quarter. Saba Capital Management L.P. now owns 429,802 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,756,000 after acquiring an additional 63,082 shares during the period. Shaker Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Principal Real Estate Income Fund by 96.8% in the 1st quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 65,729 shares of the companys stock valued at $622,000 after acquiring an additional 32,323 shares during the period. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Principal Real Estate Income Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $244,000.

Principal Real Estate Income Fund Stock Up 1.8 %

Principal Real Estate Income Fund Announces Dividend

PGZ stock traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $8.98. 21,779 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 25,268. Principal Real Estate Income Fund has a 1-year low of $8.70 and a 1-year high of $11.90. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $9.30 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.43.

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.105 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 16th. This represents a $1.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 14.03%.

About Principal Real Estate Income Fund

(Get Free Report)

Principal Real Estate Income Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by ALPS Advisers, Inc It is co-managed by Principal Real Estate Investors, LLC. The fund invests in public equity and fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in commercial mortgage backed securities, real estate investment trusts and REIT-like entities.

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Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,520,000 shares, an increase of 22.6% from the September 15th total of 5,320,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,620,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.5 days. Currently, 1.1% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.4 %

Union Pacific stock traded up $2.95 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $210.70. 2,358,874 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,862,820. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $128.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.12. Union Pacific has a 52-week low of $183.69 and a 52-week high of $240.48. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $215.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $207.86.

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Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The railroad operator reported $2.57 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.75 by ($0.18). The company had revenue of $5.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.09 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.18% and a return on equity of 55.03%. The firms revenue was down 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.93 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Union Pacific will post 10.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 31st were paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 30th. Union Pacifics payout ratio is 47.45%.

In related news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.83, for a total value of $222,830.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 99,378 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,144,399.74. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Union Pacific news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 8,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.43, for a total transaction of $1,935,141.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 42,061 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,355,628.23. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $222.83, for a total transaction of $222,830.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 99,378 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,144,399.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Park Place Capital Corp lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 3,893 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $797,000 after buying an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP now owns 1,585 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $324,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 7,926 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,622,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Eley Financial Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Eley Financial Management Inc now owns 18,735 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $3,834,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 6.3% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 840 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $172,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. 77.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $233.00 to $232.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $265.00 to $257.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 25th. Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $230.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $232.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $235.00 to $262.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $233.62.

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About Union Pacific

(Get Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, and other agricultural users; petroleum, and liquid petroleum gases; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.

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Shares of Comet Industries Ltd. (CVE:CMU  Get Free Report) were down 5.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$4.25 and last traded at C$4.25. Approximately 1,000 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 41% from the average daily volume of 1,688 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$4.50.

Comet Industries Trading Down 5.6 %

The company has a quick ratio of 6.63, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 38.26. The firm has a market capitalization of C$19.85 million, a P/E ratio of -60.71 and a beta of -0.13. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$4.21 and a 200-day moving average of C$3.90.

About Comet Industries

(Get Free Report)

Comet Industries Ltd. holds and manages real estate properties in the British Columbia. It also acquires and develops mineral properties. The company holds a 40% working interest in the Iron Mask property located in southwest Kamloops, British Columbia. It also owns a 10% carried net profit interest in a contiguous block of mineral properties; and the surface land titles comprising the crown grants located in Kamloops, British Columbia.

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Crane (NYSE:CR  Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 893,200 shares, a decrease of 6.9% from the September 15th total of 958,900 shares. Currently, 1.6% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 215,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.1 days.

Institutional Trading of Crane

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in Crane by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 13,827 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,569,000 after buying an additional 372 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Crane during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,243,000. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Crane by 30.8% during the 1st quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 31,980 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,630,000 after buying an additional 7,524 shares in the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Crane by 122.8% during the 1st quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 56,083 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $6,365,000 after buying an additional 30,908 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its holdings in Crane by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 7,788 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $567,000 after buying an additional 3,894 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 85.91% of the companys stock.

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Crane Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE CR traded up $0.31 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $87.00. The company had a trading volume of 321,827 shares, compared to its average volume of 320,710. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $87.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $84.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.18. Crane has a 12 month low of $67.28 and a 12 month high of $95.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.49.

Crane Announces Dividend

Crane ( NYSE:CR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The conglomerate reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.19. Crane had a return on equity of 24.45% and a net margin of 13.10%. The firm had revenue of $509.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $524.65 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.90 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 31st were paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 30th. Cranes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.54%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CR has been the subject of a number of research reports. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Crane from $87.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Crane in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Bank of America decreased their price objective on Crane from $140.00 to $105.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. TD Securities reissued a hold rating on shares of Crane in a research note on Thursday, September 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Crane in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a buy rating and a $118.00 target price on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Crane has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $107.00.

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About Crane

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Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. The company has three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. The Aerospace & Electronics segment supplies critical components and systems, including original equipment and aftermarket parts, primarily for the commercial aerospace, and the military aerospace, defense, and space markets.

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLY  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 4.9% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $12.87 and last traded at $12.87. 129 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 1,262 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.27.

Great Wall Motor Stock Performance

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $12.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $11.90.

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Great Wall Motor (OTCMKTS:GWLLY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 30th. The company reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $5.84 billion for the quarter.

Great Wall Motor Company Profile

Great Wall Motor Company Limited researches and develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles, and automotive parts and components in China, Russia, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and internationally. The company offers SUVs, sedans, pick-up trucks, and energy vehicles primarily under the Haval, WEY, ORA, Tank, and Great Wall Pickup brand names.

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China Literature Limited (OTCMKTS:CHLLF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,173,500 shares, an increase of 15.2% from the September 15th total of 2,754,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 31,735.0 days.

China Literature Stock Performance

CHLLF stock remained flat at $3.32 during mid-day trading on Tuesday. China Literature has a twelve month low of $3.32 and a twelve month high of $5.43. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $3.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $4.61.

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China Literature Limited, an investment holding company, operates an online literature platform in the People's Republic of China. The company promotes intellectual properties primarily through its online literature platforms, such as QQ Reading and Qidian; and New Classics Media, a film and TV drama series production house.

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Two Russian ships made at least five round trips between North Korea and Russia, beginning mid-August, in what could be arms transfers, the Washington Post reported Monday, citing satellite imagery.

Based on analysis by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a London-based think tank, the ships have been travelling between the northeastern North Korean port of Najin and a port facility in Dunay in Russia's Far East between mid-August and Saturday.

The analysis came after the U.S. government revealed Friday that the North shipped more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia in recent weeks for use in Ukraine, highlighting burgeoning military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.

According to the news report, the apparent transfers began in mid-August  about three weeks after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang and met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

It was also about a month before Kim held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a Russian spaceport on Sept. 13.

The White House mentioned only one Russian-flagged vessel, MV Angara, involved in the transfers between Sept. 7 and Oct. 1. But according to the Washington Post, MV Maria was also spotted in the satellite imagery.

Although it is impossible to verify what the ships' cargo was, the satelite images showed that the ships are linked to the Russian military logistics network, which suggests they were carrying military equipment, RUSI analysts and U.S. officials were quoted by the news outlet as saying.

Shortly before the operation began, the two vessels turned off their automatic identification systems to hide their movements, the newspaper said, citing data from Marine Traffic, a ship-tracking site.

Seoul and Washington have said that any arms transfers between the North and Russia would be in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and a challenge to global peace. (Yonhap)
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In a recent turn of events, Mnet, the South Korean music television channel, finds itself embroiled in a contentious controversy stemming from alleged instances of racism during the filming of "M Countdown In France."

The incident has sparked outrage among fans and the K-Pop community, prompting widespread discussion and demands for accountability.

Allegations of Racial Discrimination Emerge

On October 17, Mnet issued a formal statement in response to the mounting allegations of racism. These accusations center around the conduct of security guards who were present during the event.

According to several eyewitness accounts and fan reports, the security personnel reportedly targeted and harassed individuals of Asian descent attending the performance.

The statement released by Mnet acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and conveyed their commitment to investigating the matter. They specifically mentioned that they were looking into whether security officials acted inappropriately while restraining attendees.

Mnet's statement also emphasized that the prohibition of professional cameras at the Paris La Defense Arena, where the event took place, was clearly communicated through their official platforms, and similar rules were in effect during the event.

"Professional cameras are not allowed at the Paris La Defense Arena. We disclosed this on our official platforms. The performance at the arenas had the same rules in place. We are investigating if security officials acted inappropriately while restraining."

READ ALSO: Mnet's 'I-LAND 2' to Collab With Teddy, THEBLACKLABEL + Releases Official Announcement

However, the swift reaction of Korean netizens reflects a simmering sense of discontent and anger towards Mnet and its handling of the situation. Many have accused the security guards of displaying discriminatory behavior rooted in racism.

Critics contend that the response from Mnet has fallen short of addressing the core issue at hand, which is the alleged racial profiling and harassment of Asian attendees. Some comments from Korean netizens on this matter have been scathing, calling into question Mnet's handling of the situation.

Netizens' comments:

"These incidents are prevalent in K-Pop concerts in general. It was like this 10 years ago, too, LOL."

"The controversy isn't regarding the forbidden items but racism, no? Are they idiots or trying to distract us from the real scandal?"

"Wow, I'm at a loss for words... They only harassed Asians."

"The homepage masters aren't terrorists. Mnet, chill out."

"They only held Asians, LOL."

"Why are they dragging them out like criminals? Is this right?"

"They act like this towards Asians during concerts in Europe and South America. This isn't the first time."

The reactions from the K-Pop community and its dedicated fanbase underscore the importance of addressing the allegations seriously and transparently.

READ ALSO: Mnet Under Fire For 'Evil Editing' Lee Chaeyeon in 'Queendom Puzzle' Trailer

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Cassidy Jones wrote this.
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American troops are not expected to take part in combat and will likely serve in support, advisory, and medical capacities.
On 16 October Mexicos Foreign Ministermet with Venezuelas Presidentin Venezuelas capital, Caracas.

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On 16 Octobercautioned about the dangers of populism in what appeared like a thinly veiled warning to Argentine compatriots about voting for the far-right populist presidential candidate,

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On 15 October a technical team from the Organization of American States (OAS) arrived in the Dominican Republics capital, Santo Domingo.

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On 16 October Brazils minister of justice & public security,, travelled to the south-eastern state of Rio de Janeiro to announce further federal support for state police operations against organised crime, including the deployment of the national guard (Forca Nacional).

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On 16 October Colombias government and the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) grouping of dissident units of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Farc) guerrilla group signed a ceasefire agreement.

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After continuing to attack judges and prosecutors after being warned not to, Donald Trump has been issued a gag order for his 2020 election case, and he is whining about it, calling it a "witch hunt."

After Judge Tanya Chutkan, whom he attacked multiple times on social media despite being warned against it, issued the order, Trump took to social media and wrote in all caps, "WILL APPEAL THE GAG ORDER RULING. WITCH HUNT!"

Trump decried the gag order as an attack on his First Amendment rights, something that he has been complaining about since being warned that he may get a gag order. "A TERRIBLE THING HAPPENED TO DEMOCRACY TODAY - GAG ORDER!" he added in his social media tirade, according to DEADLINE.

Lead defense attorney John Lauro echoed his client's sentiments and claimed that the court would be violating the former president's First Amendment rights should he be gagged as what he is saying is political speech as part of his presidential campaign.

However, the special counsel pointed out that Donald Trump has been using that very presidential campaign as a way to try the case in the court of public opinion. Prosecutors noted that his statements are designed to not just prejudice potential jurors but also intimidate witnesses.

Judge Tanya Chutkan Finally Puts Her Foot Down and Issues Donald Trump a Gag Order

After repeatedly warning Trump about his constant attacks and hiding behind political speech, Judge Tanya Chutkan finally issued the gag order, telling the former president, "This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses, this is about language that presents a danger to the administration of justice."

READ MORE: Donald Trump Fraud Trial: Trump Organization Exec Testifies "Presidential Premium" Floated To Inflate Assets' Values

According to CNN, Judge Chutkan warned the former president that violating the gag order could result in sanctions, adding, "His presidential candidacy does not give him carte blanche to vilify public servants who are simply doing their jobs,"

She then rebuked Trump by listing his various attacks over the 2020 elections case, including posts against potential witnesses and even his attacks against herself. She even noted that Trump attacked her as recently as Sunday evening, the day before the trial.

Special Counsel Warns Donald Trump Is Using Political Speech To Intimidate Witnesses

"The defendant's relentless public posts marshaling anger and mistrust in the justice system, the Court, and prosecutors have already influenced the public," argued prosecutors. "For instance, on August 5, 2023, an individual was arrested because she called the Court's chambers and made racist death threats to the Court that were tied to the Court's role in presiding over the defendant's case."

Chutkan agreed and pointed out a hypothetical, giving an example of what should be done if Trump declared one of the potential witnesses, his former Attorney General Bill Barr, "should be executed for his many treasonous acts."

According to the BBC, Special Counsel Jack Smith was the one who requested the gag order. His prosecutors noted, "The defendant can't be permitted to intentionally try this case in the court of public opinion."

READ MORE: Trump Organization Convicted of 17 Felonies, Gets Maximum Punishment

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH Judge issues gag order for Trump in Jan. 6 case - ABC News
Colombia President Gustavo Petro initiated a crucial step towards pacifying rural areas and bolstering his political standing ahead of regional elections at the end of October, AP reports.

On Monday, Colombia and the rebel group known as FARC-EMC signed a three-month ceasefire agreement and formally commenced peace talks.

The signing event took place in Tibu, a town near the Colombia-Venezuela border, where both parties agreed to halt attacks on civilians and establish a monitoring group that may include United Nations personnel to oversee the ceasefire.

Camilo Gonzalez, the government's lead negotiator, emphasized the significance of these peace talks in a world plagued by conflicts, saying, "Peace today seems to have been eclipsed when sirens, bombs, shouts of pain and desperation can be heard in places like the Middle East, Europe, or sub-Saharan Africa. These peace talks (in Colombia) are a bet on life and freedom."

FARC-EMC, currently Colombia's third-largest armed group with around 3,500 members, is led by left-wing guerrilla fighters who chose not to participate in the 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in which more than 12,000 rebels surrendered their weapons.

READ NEXT: Colombia: ELN Rebels Will Stop Attacking Military Amid Ceasefire Preparations

Colombia-FARC Ceasefire

The ceasefire with FARC-EMC, known as Estado Mayor Central (EMC), is effective from Tuesday until January 15 next year, according to Reuters.

Danilo Rueda, the government's high peace commissioner, acknowledged the urgency of the situation, stating, "We have three months to win the hearts of many skeptical Colombians who are questioning this process of building peace."

While the reason for the shorter ceasefire duration, compared to the initially suggested 10 months, was not disclosed, authorities expressed the hope of extending the ceasefire beyond the current deadline.

Gonzales highlighted the importance of proceeding with partial, immediate agreements that benefit local communities and pave the way for broader changes.

Andrey Avendano, an EMC delegate, ratified the agreement and called for social-economic and environmental safeguards, emphasizing the opportunity for "timely and viable solutions for all Colombian society."

President Gustavo Petro's administration is actively pursuing peace with various armed groups, including Segunda Marquetalia, another FARC dissident group. They are also in peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN), a different rebel organization that began a six-month ceasefire in August.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), once the largest guerrilla group in Colombia, engaged in almost a six-decade-long insurgency, financing their activities through activities like kidnapping, extortion, and participation in the drug trade. However, they agreed to end their conflict with the government in August 2016 as part of a peace process that started in 2012, InSight Crime noted.

Although the Colombian government, with significant U.S. assistance, attempted to combat the FARC, the group continued to operate in various regions.

Today, the FARC is estimated to have approximately 8,000 members, with their tactics evolving to adapt to changing circumstances. They have shifted from territorial control to guerrilla warfare, urban networks, and political engagement.

These peace talks with FARC-EMC represent a significant step toward furthering the peace process in Colombia.

READ MORE: Uruguay: Sherika De Armas Dies at 26

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Rare look inside Farc rebel camp - From BBC News
In its bid to hold freer elections in Venezuela and maybe slow down the exodus of migrants, the Biden administration struck a deal with the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro. If Venezuela holds more competitive elections, the US would ease sanctions on Venezuelan oil.

According to the Washington Post, both governments have reached an agreement, with Venezuela allowing a competitive, internationally monitored presidential election next year. This came after Maduro's victory in the 2018 elections was deemed fraudulent by the US and its allies, which still recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the rightful winner.

Venezuela had been under US sanctions for over 15 years and only tightened those sanctions in 2019 after declaring Maduro's 2018 victory illegitimate. These sanctions were imposed by Donald Trump, who not only targeted key government officials but also the central bank and the state oil company.

However, the Biden administration has been holding talks with the Maduro government since last year, just as Russia started its invasion of Ukraine. This was reportedly a bid to drive a wedge between Venezuela and its ally, Russia, while also addressing the rising gas prices brought about by the invasion.

"We're living in a different world," Caleb McCarry, the Bush administration's Cuba transition coordinator, told the Washington Post. "And this is exactly the kind of diplomacy that is needed to advance American interests abroad."

As a gesture to the Maduro administration, Biden eased restrictions on Chevron on dealing with Venezuela last year. The oil giant has assets in the country, and the easing of restrictions was a sign of goodwill for the Venezuelan government to begin talks with the opposition.

Venezuela Agreement First Concession by President Nicolas Maduro in Over a Decade

International policy experts are hailing the deal, with some even saying that this is the first major political concession by the government of Nicolas Maduro "in a decade."

READ MORE: Venezuelan Migrants Score Big Win as Joe Biden Grants Legal Status To 450,000 Asylum Seekers

The deal means the Venezuelan government would also lift bans on certain opposition candidates from running in 2024. However, it was noted that it remains unclear how and when these sanctions will be lifted.

It was noted that the US government is also likely to place a "time limit on any sanctions relief." This would be done so that the US could reverse their easing of sanctions should Maduro break his promise.

According to The Guardian, polls have shown that the favorite to topple Maduro so far is former Congresswoman Maria Corina Machado, a Maduro critic. She is poised to win the primaries on Sunday as Venezuela's fractured opposition tries to unite behind one candidate to go after Maduro.

Venezuela Government, Opposition, Agree on Election Conditions

Before the US and Venezuela agreed on freer elections in exchange for easing sanctions, the Venezuelan government held talks with the opposition. The two sides agreed on certain things regarding the upcoming electoral process in 2024.

According to the Associated Press, the government agreed to allow European Union observers to look at the elections, as well as create a process for lifting bans that have blocked his top opponents from running for president.

READ MORE: Mexico Files Diplomatic Complaint After Texas Breaks Boundaries Treaty With Floating Barriers

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WATCH: Venezuelan opposition seeks to unite against President Maduro - Al Jazeera English
Jury selection for two of Donald Trump's Georgia case co-defendants, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, is now underway as their defense attorneys and Georgia prosecutors argue on the questions that potential jurors would be asked.

The attorneys representing Powell and Chesebro have already met with prosecutors and the judge overseeing the case, and they do not seem to agree on which questions should be included in the questionnaire that would be given to the first group of 450 prospective jurors when they arrive on Friday.

As the Associated Press noted, Powell is accused of participating in a breach of election equipment in rural Coffee County, while Chesebro is accused of hashing out the fake elector scheme. They each exercised their right to demand a speedy trial, with Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee granting them their request to have their trial ahead of the other RICO defendants, including Donald Trump himself.

As a result of their asking for an earlier trial, Powell and Chesebro will be tried in front of a jury starting October 23. Because of this date, the juror questionnaire must be finished before the potential jurors arrive on Friday.

As the Monday hearing went on, Judge McAfee walked through parts of the draft juror questionnaire and focused on the changes each side made and where the disagreements lay. He admitted he still needed to think about some issues but noted that he would send both sides the final questionnaire this week.

Attorneys for the two former Trump-aligned attorneys asked for a favorability rating for the other defendants in the case rather than the usual question of whether they would be impartial. However, Judge McAfee expressed his concern regarding this line of questioning.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Alex Bernick objected, noting that the other defendants were not the ones on trial but their clients.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Decries Gag Order Amid 2020 Election Case

Donald Trump Georgia Case Could Have 900 Potential Jurors Over Sidney Powell/Kenneth Chesebro Trial

As the trial of the two Trump-aligned attorneys is about to start, CBS News reported that Judge Scott McAfee could be calling 900 prospective jurors to appear in court. A subpoena has now been issued for all 900 people.

The first batch of 450 is scheduled to appear on October 20, while the next batch of 450 potential jurors is scheduled to appear on October 27. This number of potential jurors is considered high by legal scholars but is notably understandable given the case.

Alex Jones and Ronna McDaniel Are Potential Witnesses During Sidney Powell/Kenneth Chesebro Trial

As both sides are arguing over the jury questions, two notable Donald Trump allies may be called in as witnesses for the Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro trial in Georgia. They are Republican Party Chair Ronna McDaniel and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

According to the Associated Press, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has already filed the necessary paperwork needed to compel these out-of-state witnesses to testify. Andrew Hitt, who was chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party in late 2020, is another potential witness.

Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn and former Trump attorney Lin Wood are also potential witnesses, with Willis filing similar paperwork for their testimonies last week.

READ MORE: Trump Organization Convicted of 17 Felonies, Gets Maximum Punishment

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Sidney Powell's Ridiculous Defense (She Lied the Whole Time?) - LegalEagle
In a chilling incident that shook the community, Joseph Czuba, a 71-year-old Illinois landlord, appeared in court after allegedly brutally stabbing to death a 6-year-old Muslim boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, and attacking the boy's mother, 32-year-old Hanan Shaheen.

Court documents have unveiled Czuba's paranoid beliefs, which tragically culminated in this heinous crime, per the NY Post.

During a 45-minute court hearing, prosecutors revealed that Czuba had been obsessively listening to conservative radio talk shows that covered the violence in Israel.

He became convinced that his Muslim tenants, including the young boy and his mother, were planning acts of terror as part of a "day of jihad" called for by Hamas leaders.

Czuba's wife informed investigators that he believed he was in danger and Shaheen was going to call Palestinian friends to harm them.

When the expected day of jihad passed without any terror attacks, Czuba became convinced that "the grid" would go down the following day and even withdrew $1,000 in cash from the bank while expressing his desire to evict their Muslim tenants.

READ NEXT: Illinois Man Fatally Stabs Palestinian American Boy

The Fatal Illinois Stabbing Incident

The fatal incident unfolded when Czuba knocked on Shaheen's door, and an argument ensued regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Shaheen suggested they should "pray for peace," but the argument escalated into a physical altercation, according to NBC Chicago.

Shaheen managed to escape by locking herself in the bathroom and calling 911, but she could not bring her son with her.

When the police arrived, they discovered Wadea with multiple stab wounds to his chest, while Shaheen had sustained more than a dozen stab wounds to her body but was expected to survive.

Tragically, Wadea later succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy revealed that the young Muslim boy had been stabbed 26 times with a 12-inch military knife.

During his court appearance, a Will County Judge denied the Illinois landlord's pretrial release due to the severity of the crimes and the broader threat to public safety.

He will be assigned a public defender and remain detained until the next court hearing scheduled for October 30 at 9 AM.

Joe Biden, Kamala Harris React to Illinois Stabbing that Kills Muslim Boy

The incident, currently being investigated as a federal hate crime by the Department of Justice, prompted a strong response from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, POLITICO reports.

President Biden expressed his shock and condemnation, emphasizing that such acts of hate have no place in America and calling for unity against Islamophobia and bigotry.

Vice President Harris echoed these sentiments, asserting that hate has no place in the United States and standing in solidarity with Muslim and Arab communities.

The tragic incident has heightened concerns about violence fueled by antisemitic or Islamophobic sentiments, with authorities acknowledging the fears within Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities.

Illinois lawmakers also conveyed their condolences and condemned the killing as an act of evil.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Outraised Election Opponents

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Illinois landlord arrested for fatally stabbing 6-year-old Muslim boy in alleged hate crime - From CBS Mornings
Charges against a man stemming from Eastons only 2016 homicide were refiled this week after the lone witness to the alleged murder resurfaced.

Jeffrey Raymond, 29, was charged with killing 35-year-old Michael Bond in May of 2016, police said, but charges were dismissed in May of 2019 after Tatiana Lockhart, who told police that she saw the murder take place, disappeared.

Northampton County Chief Deputy District Attorney William Blake confirmed that Lockhart has resurfaced and the county has been in contact with her, spurring the county to refile the criminal homicide charge.

The incident took place around 8 p.m. on May 9, 2016, in the 600 block of Church Street in Easton, according to police. After Raymond was involved in a nightclub fight, Bond came to talk to him, police said. Raymond approached Bonds car and Lockhart saw Raymond shoot Bond multiple times, police said. Bond died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek

Raymond was charged in September of 2016 but wasnt arrested until 2017 in New York after he spent almost a year on the lam.

In February of 2019, before his trial in Easton, Raymond was indicted in New York City for two more murders that allegedly took place in 2016. He is currently being held in a facility at Rikers Island, according to the New York Department of Correction.

When reached by phone, Raymonds attorney Herbert McDuffy Jr. said they had no comment on the refiled charges and will take appropriate action when the time comes.

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Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com.
Portlaoise hospital is a 'wonderful place' where staff are really nice always friendly and so helpful' patients told health services inspectors who found an 'effectively functioning' Emergency Department (ED/A&E) and a hospital that is 'better performing' than most when it comes to length of stay.

The findings are contained in a new Inspection Report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) the agency which previously found extensive issues across the hospital.

HIQA conducted an announced inspection of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRHP) on 4 and 5 April 2023. Inspectors visited the three clinical areas including the ED, Dunamaise ward and Slieve Bloom ward, as well as conducting a walk- through of the Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) and Acute Surgical Assessment Unit (ASAU).

It outlined its findings in summary.

"The hospital was found to be compliant in two national standards, substantially compliant in five national standards and partially compliant in four national standards.

"HIQA found the hospital had formalised corporate and clinical governance arrangements for assuring the quality and safety of healthcare. However, aspects of governance could be strengthened to further improve the effective oversight of the quality and safety of healthcare services provided at the hospital, for example, regular review of identified risks.

"The ED was functioning effectively at the time of inspection, and patient experience times and average length of stays for medical and surgical patients on the days of inspection were amongst the better-performing hospitals.

"While effective workforce arrangements were in place to support and promote the delivery of healthcare, improvements were required to advance existing staff vacancies in the service and improvement of the uptake of training," said an advance statement.

The report said Inspectors spoke with patients about the care they received in the hospital.

"It was evident that a culture of kindness, consideration and respect was actively promoted by all staff within the areas visited.

"Feedback was positive and patients reported that they were treated with kindness and respect and were happy with the level of care they received. When asked to describe their experience, patients commented that staff were really nice and always friendly, and so helpful.

"Patients told inspectors it is the most wonderful place. When asked if there was anything that could be improved about their experience, one patients family member commented that communication between medical specialties could be better so as to reduce waiting time for patients to be seen by other specialties they have been referred to," they said.

There was praise for staff.

Inspectors observed that staff actively engaged with patients in a respectful and kind manner and ensured patients needs were promptly responded to. This observation was validated by the patients spoken with. Patients commented that they dont want to leave. I am being waited on hand and foot. Patients explained that they did not have to wait long for anything that they requested from staff. Patients spoken with knew who to speak to if they wished to raise an issue and commented that they could speak with staff if they had a concern or complaint.

"Overall, there was consistency in what patients told inspectors about their experiences of the care they received and what inspectors observed in the clinical areas visited," said the report.

The reported also commented on the activity at the ED where patient numbers are on the rise. MRHP had 32,700 ED attendances to September 2022. ED attendances for the same period to September 2019 were 30,448. This was an increase of 2,252 attendances on 2019. In 2022, monthly ED attendances ranged from 2,850 in January to 3,631 in December.

The report indicated that hospital is coping.

"Overall, on the days of inspection, it was evident that the hospital had defined management arrangements in place to manage and oversee the delivery of care in the ED and AMAU/ASAU. There was evidence that the bed management and patient flow

structures in place were effective to ensure flow of patients from the ED to AMAU/ASAU and clinical areas within the hospital.

"Notwithstanding this, bed capacity in the hospital was a challenge and this was further demonstrated by the use of the AMAU/ASAU to board patients who were awaiting an inpatient bed," said the report.

HIQA was concerned with staffing.

"Staffing levels in the ED were maintained at levels to support the provision of 24/7 emergency care at the time of inspection, however, inspectors were concerned about the sustainability of medical cover in view of medical staffing shortages," it said.

"Where staffing deficits occurred, the hospital relied on agency staff to fill these posts, however, it was noted that the majority of shifts that required filling in the ED were filled by the hospitals own cohort of ED staff who took on extra shifts. Risk assessments had been completed to reflect challenges related to staffing deficits," it said.

Stroke care was a cause of concern.

"Concern was raised by hospital senior management and some staff whom inspectors met with during the inspection,

regarding the absence of a formal by-pass protocol with the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (DMHG) for MRHP patients that require timely treatment for stroke. Inspectors received a copy of a risk assessment undertaken in the ED in relation to this," it said.

HIQA said a high-risk letter was issued by HIQA to the DMHG following the inspection regarding the absence of a formal by-pass protocol with the DMHG for MRHP patients that require timely treatment for stroke. The reported added that the CEO of the DMHG outlined the interim arrangements in place for the timely treatment of patients presenting to MRHP with stroke.
A six-year driving disqualficiation and a fine was imposed on a Newbridge man for road traffic offences.

Daniel Kelly, with an address listed as 59 Cedarwood Park in Newbridge, was convicted for the offences in his absence at Naas District Court on Thursday, October 12 last, by Judge Desmond Zaidan.

Gardai informed Judge Zaidan that on February 21, 2021, the now 25-year-old was caught speeding at 92 kilometres in a 60 kilometre zone and driving without a driver's licence at Rathbride in Kildare.

It was also heard that on January 28, 2022, he was caught driving without valid insurance at Ballymany in Newbridge.

Gardai added that Mr Kelly has 13 previous convictions, which include convictions for road traffic and public order offences, in addition to one for driving with no insurance.

After consideration, Judge Zaidan ultimately decided to impose a six-year driving ban on Mr Kelly for the no insurance offence, as well as a 750 fine.

He gave Mr Kelly three months to pay this fine.

The judge also imposed a 350 fine for the speeding offence, and gave Mr Kelly three months to pay it.

For the driving without a licence offence, Judge Zaidan imposed a 500 fine and gave him three months to pay it.

He also imposed a four-year driving ban on Mr Kelly for this offence, which will run concurrently with the first disqualification.
Kildare County Council (KCC) was asked by two councillors to provide a full update on the progress made on the proposed Business Campus for Kilcock.

Fine Gael Cllr and Cathaoirleach of the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD), Tim Durkan, and Fianna Fail (FF) Cllr Paul Ward both put forward the motion at the latest MD meeting, which was held on Friday, October 6 last.

Their motion was seconded by Social Democrats Cllr Aidan Farrelly.

Jacqui McNabb, Head of Economic Development and Enterprise in the Local Enterprise Office at KCC, was present at the meeting.

She provided the following answer to their joint motion in a report, which was made available at the meeting to the councillors: "KCCs Enterprise and Economic Department commissioned Cunnane Stratton Reynolds Land Planning and Design Consultants to conduct a Business Campus Feasibility Study on lands in Kilcock currently in the ownership of the council, but not yet zoned industrial.

"The report has just been received by the Department."

KCC continued: "It must be noted that given the independence of the study, this land use proposal has yet to be reviewed through the lens of KCCs planning departmen,t and as a proposal, will still require all the necessary due diligence and evidence-based assessments, as normally required in the formation of all land-use plans prepared by and presented to the members of the council.

"The report will require circulation to the planning team and executive in the coming weeks for their review and guidance on the potential (or otherwise) to realise the the objective of utilizing this particular landbank for industrial and business use."

The report was welcomed by Cllr Durkan, who praised Ms McNabb for her work so far, and added: "The fruits of your labour are finally coming to fruition.

"Personally, I would like to see a public consultation on this project soon... if we can get a Part 8 process going, that would be ideal," he added.

Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney said that while she accepted the report and also thanked Ms McNabb for all of her work to date, she admitted that she was disappointed to find out that no childcare facilities are being proposed at the site.

"The report said that such facilities would be inappropriate, but could it be incorporated in some way? We have a childcare facilities crisis (in Ireland) right now," she said.

FF Cllr Naoise O Cearuil also commented on the matter, saying: "I think its very positive news, but is there a survey on demand? If we look at the business campus in Maynooth, for example, theres a lot of variety there.

"A lot of time and effort has gone into this; is the juice worth the squeeze, as they say?"

In response to Cllr Feeney, Ms McNabb said: "My knowledge when it comes to planning matters is limited, but one of the reasons that the childcare facilities werent permitted is that there is already zoned land there that is in private use.

"If we made it mixed use, it could complicate things," she added.

Ms McNabb also suggested that vacant buildings left over from businesses that have left Kilcock could be refurbished and made into childcare facilities.

She also said that the land survey will be released in about four to six weeks.

"We are assessing growth in the area to match demand," she said.

Green Party Cllr Peter Hamilton said that while Kilcock 'needs business supports,' he pointed to apparent access issues at Maynooth Business Campus, and added: "Some businesses will need the motorway."

In response, Ms McNabb said: "The main goal is to deliver the land. Unfortunately, I dont have a secondary solution for members at the moment."
Defibrillators should be installed in all community pitches throughout the country.

That's according to Labour Party Senator Mark Wall, who made the comments following the publication of a new report.

It showed that almost one-third of heart attack victims who received defibrillation from members of the public last year survived.

Explaining his stance on the matter, Senator Wall said: "Having a defibrillator present can be the difference between life and death.

"They are an expensive investment for clubs to make but they are hugely valuable.

"Labour are urging Government to ensure all community pitches have defibrillators installed."

Senator Mark Wall (Labour Party).

The Athy-based politician continued: "Theres not much point in having one if people dont know where they are; thats why we have consistently called for the development of an app or central register of all the available defibrillators around the country.

"We need to give people every chance.

"Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, regardless of their age or fitness level.

"I am calling on the government to provide funding for a programme to install defibrillators in all community pitches across the country.

"This would be a relatively inexpensive investment that could save lives."

He also said that his party had previously called for a programme to install defibrillators in all schools.

Senator Wall elaborated: "We think every school and community pitch should have access to a defibrillator.

"Every defibrillator that is installed in a community pitch is one more life that could be saved.

"We urge the government and all community groups to take action to make these life-saving devices more accessible," he concluded.
Naas man Aubrey McCarthy addressed the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use at Malahide Castle.

Mr McCarthy spoke on maintaining recovery and resilience and how the Tiglin model could be adopted nationwide.

The event chaired by Paul Reid with speakers Professor Eamonn Keenan, Professor Jo-Hanna Ivers and Professor Pat Dolan. It was televised and the Assembly will finalise its report and submit its recommendations to the Oireachtas by the end of this year.

This meeting heard from a wide range of contributors speaking about drugs prevention and education. Some discussions focussed on resilience and well-being, with presentations from academics and organisations working directly with people who use drugs, peer-led recovery, families, and young people.

The meeting also included a discussion on funding and governance for national drugs policies with contributions from current and retired senior civil servants.

Read more Kildare news

Speaking at the close of the meeting, independent chair, Paul Reid, said Assembly members had now heard a collective 180 hours of discussion about all aspects of drugs use in Ireland. He said this represented the most comprehensive assessment and consideration of drugs policy in Ireland

Mr McCarthy founded Tiglin, a centre providing long term residential rehabilitation for men and women:

Nine months of the programme are completed in the residential rehabs and the final 7 months are completed in after care/housing.

Once the programme is complete (total 16 months) transitional housing is offered. Tiglin is also an approved housing body and currently has 38 units for those exiting its programmes and provides services for an additional 12 in Naas Co. Kildare.
Apprentices from Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal attended the graduation ceremony last Friday, October 13, in Letterkenny.

Sixty-four apprentices from Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim were among eighty-eight craft apprentices from seventeen apprenticeship programmes. An additional 124 recently qualified apprentices could not attend the ceremony due to employment and other commitments.

Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) and Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) presented the graduates with their certificates at a graduation ceremony in Letterkenny.

The graduates qualified in the following apprenticeships: Agricultural Mechanics, Carpentry and Joinery, Construction Plant Fitting, Electrical, Electronic Security Systems, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, Instrumentation, Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting, Motor Mechanics, Metal Fabrication, Plastering, Pipefitting, Plumbing, Wood Manufacturing and Finishing, Toolmaking, Stonecutting and Stonemasonry, and Vehicle Body Repairs.

Presenting the awards, Donegal ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh stated, "We are incredibly proud of all of our Apprentices today as they celebrate this milestone moment with family and friends. They have been further supported by Apprenticeship staff within their ETBs and, of course, by their employers. All of our stakeholders play such a vital role during the apprenticeship journey, and today, we salute all those who work so hard to prepare our Apprentices for their vital role in our economy.

"Our Apprentices are extremely well prepared to work in Ireland where their skills are much in demand; they now have a qualification which can take them anywhere they want to go. We wish them all well as they embark on this next career phase."

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive of MSLETB, Tom Grady, said, "Apprenticeships play a pivotal role as they equip apprentices with the knowledge, skills, and expertise that industries demand, providing a pathway to rewarding careers.

"Our graduating apprentices should take great pride in their decision to pursue this journey. I extend my gratitude to the employers and mentors who supported these graduates throughout their apprenticeships. Your dedication and hard work are commendable to the apprentices, and you truly exemplify your employer, these apprenticeship programmes, and our ETBs."

Apprenticeships are delivered through a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training that allows them to earn while they learn and gain an internationally recognised qualification.

By the end of August this year, almost 9,000 employers have used apprenticeships to help support and grow their businesses nationally, with nearly 25,500 apprentices currently completing their training.
BSV Blockchain to Showcase Groundbreaking Innovations at GITEX Global 2023 in Dubai





ZUG, Switzerland, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BSV Blockchain is thrilled to announce its participation in GITEX Global 2023, the world's largest and most inclusive tech event. GITEX Global will return to Dubai for its 43rd edition, bringing together the world's most advanced companies and brightest minds to drive the power of innovation in business, economy, society, and culture. The event is scheduled to take place from October 16th- 20th 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE.

As GITEX is a flagship expo for tech enthusiasts and early adopters for transformative solutions, BSV Blockchain will be showcasing innovations from participating ecosystem companies including nChain, Silverline, SmartLedger, Unisot, Gate2Chain, Planetary, Vaionex, Elas, and Timechain Labs.

BSV Blockchain will discuss cutting-edge blockchain solutions for unbounded scaling such as Teranode, a groundbreaking innovation facilitation unlimited transaction volume and unbounded scaling, based on three key principles:

Distributed network of core nodes

Specialisation of components and their roles

Microtransactions combining information and value

Teranode provides crucial services at the very core of the BSV Blockchain. It combines the fundamental roles of a network node in a microservices architecture that scales and is cost-effective.

Martin Coxall, Marketing Director at BSV Blockchain said, "We believe that innovation is the driving force behind transformative change in today's world. GITEX Global 2023 is the perfect platform for us to showcase our cutting-edge blockchain solutions and collaborate with the brightest minds in the tech industry. We are excited to be part of this event, where we will demonstrate how blockchain technology can revolutionise industries and contribute to the growth of economies."

Michel Abboud, Partner at Silverline and BSV Ambassador added, "We're excited to be part of GITEX Global 2023, a gathering of tech enthusiasts and innovators from around the world. This event symbolizes the endless potential of technology and its impact on our lives. It exemplifies our commitment to revolutionizing the blockchain space and fostering partnerships that drive economic growth."

Christine Leong, Chief Innovation Officer at nChain commented, "GITEX Global provides the perfect stage for us to showcase our efforts in simplifying technology and driving positive change. Through our solutions, we aim to empower individuals and businesses to thrive in the digital age and are committed to making technology accessible and impactful for all."

GITEX Global has established itself as a global platform for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to explore the latest technological breakthroughs, network, and collaborate on ground-breaking projects. BSV Blockchain is excited to be part of this event, where it will showcase its cutting-edge solutions and initiatives that are revolutionising the blockchain space. The five days will feature live-action workshops, matched concierge networking and business partnerships as well as discovering the latest tech in use and unseen by the masses.

Join BSV Blockchain at GITEX Global 2023 to be part of a dynamic conversation about the future of technology and innovation and discover how blockchain is transforming the world. For registration and further information about GITEX Global 2023, please visit: GITEX

About BSV Blockchain:

One Blockchain for Everyone.

The BSV Association leads the BSV Blockchain for Enterprise and Government initiatives. This Switzerland-based global non-profit industry organisation supports the use of the BSV blockchain.

The BSV Blockchain oversees the creation of technical standards and educates enterprises, government agencies, start-up ventures, developers, and users on creating a global blockchain ecosystem. The original Bitcoin protocol and its scripting language provide powerful technical capabilities that BSV has restored.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

16 october 2023 at 10:57

News published onand distributed by:
JOINT POLICY STATEMENT ON DEVELOPING AND TRANSMITTING CLEAN, RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE POWER IN NOVA SCOTIA AND NEW BRUNSWICK





OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Building on a strong foundation of collaboration on clean electricity priorities in the region, today we, the federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the federal Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, the federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Premier of New Brunswick and the Premier of Nova Scotia met to discuss working together to support and help ensure an affordable, and reliable phase-out of coal and transition to net-zero electricity.

Decarbonizing Canada's electricity system is a foundational economic and environmental goal. Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, secure, and clean electricity is important both for households, businesses, and institutions across the region. The private sector is increasingly prioritizing access to clean electricity to underpin economic competitiveness and to seize future clean growth opportunities, including in the emerging and growing industries of hydrogen and critical minerals. The economy is also rapidly electrifying as consumers adopt electric heat pumps and purchase electric vehicles and as industry transitions from hydrocarbons to clean power on the path to net-zero.

Against this backdrop, the Governments of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia will advance two tracks of collaborative work to support the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 and to drive to net-zero electricity by 2035 and a net zero economy by 2050. This clean energy transition work will be based on provincial priorities and utility electricity system plans and build on the nation-leading track record of success in both provinces in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and expanding clean electricity supply over the past decade.

Under the first track of work, provincial and federal governments will identify the necessary investments to support the phase-out of coal-fired electricity by 2030, and the transition to clean energy. Based on provincial and utility planning, governments discussed priority projects required to meet this timeline, including: Small Modular Reactors; the conversion of the Belledune Generating Station; Mactaquac Life Achievement; installation of wind and solar; batteries and renewables integration; electrification and peak-load management; introduction of hydrogen-capable flex-fuel fast start generation; and building the Point Lepreau -Salisbury-Onslow Transmission Line connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Governments recognize the need to maintain an affordable and reliable electricity system.

In this context, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will work with the Federal Government on approaches to funding. A critical component of this first track is moving forward with the reliability inter-tie between the two provinces as the first phase of a modified Atlantic Loop, with a target in-service date of 2029. Subject to regulatory review and approval in both jurisdictions, and Indigenous consultation, these investments in transmission and generation will deliver early returns through a more reliable, resilient grid as both provinces phase out coal and advance the development of new energy sources and transmission capability for net zero electricity in 2035.

Under the second track of work, the parties agreed to confirm and advance areas of critical importance and cooperation on the path to net-zero electricity by 2035, including the continued advancement of Small Modular Reactors, which is specific in New Brunswick and offshore wind, which is specific in Nova Scotia. Both provinces will be working on batteries and renewables integration, solar, hydrogen-capable/flex fuel generators, and smart grid management tools, and determine federal instruments that can be used to support these initiatives such as financing through the Canadian Infrastructure Bank, federal tax credits including the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit, and grants and contributions programs, such as the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program and the Electricity Predevelopment Program.

This will also include further exploring regional transmission and energy exchange opportunities in partnership with neighboring utilities, in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

To advance these efforts, we will collaborate trilaterally where appropriate and bilaterally where appropriate, through the Canada-New Brunswick and Canada-Nova Scotia Regional Energy and Resources Tables.

We are mindful that this work will need to take into consideration the impact of the Clean Electricity Regulations, which are being refined drawing on inputs from Provinces, rightsholders and other stakeholders. The parties agree to collaborate on pathways to achieve an affordable reliable and clean electricity system within this context.

Our governments share a commitment to address the urgent challenges that we face from climate change and to seize the clean growth opportunities that can flourish from a net-zero grid.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

The Honourable Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick

The Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

16 october 2023 at 20:28

News published onand distributed by:
Swiss Re Finance (Luxembourg) S.A. Announces the Capped Tender Offers Early Results





NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SECURITIES.

LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Swiss Re Finance Luxembourg S.A. ("SRFL") announced today the early results of its previously announced tender offers for cash (together, the "Capped Tender Offers" and each a "Capped Tender Offer") of the USD denominated 6.050% Non-Step-Up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2056 issued by Argentum Netherlands B.V. (formerly known as Demeter Investments B.V.) (the "USD 6.050% Notes"), the Euro denominated 2.534% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2050 issued by SRFL and guaranteed by Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd ("SRZ") (the "EUR 2.534% Notes"), the USD denominated 5.524% Perpetual Fixed Spread Callable Notes issued by Argentum Netherlands B.V. (the "USD 5.524% Notes"), the USD denominated 5.000% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2049 issued by SRFL and guaranteed by SRZ (the "USD 5.000% Notes") and the USD denominated 5.750% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non Step-up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2050 issued by Argentum Netherlands B.V. (the "USD 5.750% Notes", together with the USD 6.050% Notes, the EUR 2.534% Notes, the USD 5.524% Notes and the USD 5.000% Notes, the "Capped Tender Offer Notes") in respect of tenders from registered holders of the Capped Tender Offer Notes ("Holders") who validly tendered their Capped Tender Offer Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 16, 2023 (the "Early Tender Date").

The Capped Tender Offers have been made upon and are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated October 2, 2023 (the "Offer to Purchase"). Capitalized terms used in this announcement but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase.

The table below summarizes certain information regarding the Capped Tender Offers, including the principal amount of each series of Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers as of the Early Tender Date. Valid tenders have been received in a principal amount exceeding the previously announced Capped Maximum Amount of $1,131,200,000. Accordingly, Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered as part of the Capped Tender Offers will be subject to the acceptance priority levels and proration in accordance with the terms of the Capped Tender Offers. Accordingly, tenders validly received at or prior to the Early Tender Date in respect of the USD 6.050% Notes, the EUR 2.534% Notes and the USD 5.524% Notes shall be accepted in full, without pro-ration, and the USD 5.000% Notes shall be accepted subject to a Scaling Factor of 68.42%. No tenders of the USD 5.750% Notes shall be accepted.

In addition, no further Capped Tender Offer Notes that are tendered after the Early Tender Date but prior to the Capped Tender Offers Expiration Date will be accepted for purchase by SRFL pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers.

Title of Security ISIN/Common Code/CUSIP Principal Amount Outstanding(1) Principal Amount Tendered(2) Principal Amount Accepted(3) Principal Amount Outstanding After Acceptance(4) Argentum Netherlands B.V. 6.050% Non-Step-Up Callable Notes due 2056 (the "USD 6.050% Notes") XS1389124774/138912477 U.S.$400,000,000 U.S.$376,994,000 U.S.$376,994,000 U.S.$23,006,000 Swiss Re Finance (Luxembourg) S.A. 2.534% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes due 2050 (the "EUR 2.534% Notes") XS1963116964/196311696 ?750,000,000 ?211,500,000 ?211,500,000 ?538,500,000 Argentum Netherlands B.V. 5.524% Perpetual Fixed Spread Callable Notes (the "USD 5.524% Notes") XS1640851983/164085198 U.S.$750,000,000 U.S.$295,785,000 U.S.$295,785,000 U.S.$454,215,000 Swiss Re Finance (Luxembourg) S.A. 5.000% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes due 2049 (the "USD 5.000% Notes") XS1973748707/197374870 (Reg S) US87089NAA81/197439041/87089N AA8 (144A) U.S.$1,000,000,000 U.S.$377,800,000 U.S.$234,200,000 U.S.$765,800,000 Argentum Netherlands B.V. 5.750% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non Step-up Callable Notes due 2050 (the "USD 5.750% Notes") XS1261170515/126117051 U.S.$700,000,000 U.S.475,242,000 U.S.$0 U.S.$700,000,000













Notes:

(1) As at the commencement date of the Capped Tender Offers. (2) Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered on or before the Early Tender Date, as reported by the Information and Tender Agent. (3) Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered as part of the Capped Tender Offers will be subject to the acceptance priority levels and proration in accordance with the terms of the Capped Tender Offers. (4) Subject to settlement on the Capped Tender Offers Early Settlement Date, which is expected to be October 18, 2023.

The applicable Reference Yield in respect of the EUR 2.534% Notes and the USD 5.000% Notes and Total Consideration in respect of each series of accepted Capped Tender Offer Notes will be announced as soon as practicable after the Capped Tender Offers Price Determination Date of 10:00 a.m., New York City time on October 17, 2023, unless extended by SRFL.

As previously announced, Holders who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw their Capped Tender Offer Notes at or prior to the Early Tender Date and whose Capped Tender Offer Notes are accepted for purchase and payment by SRFL, will receive the applicable Total Consideration (which includes an early tender payment (the "Early Tender Payment")) plus Accrued Interest (as defined below).

In accordance with the terms of the Capped Tender Offers, the withdrawal deadline was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 16, 2023. As a result, tendered Capped Tender Offer Notes may no longer be withdrawn, except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law (as determined by SRFL).

The settlement date for the Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase and payment by SRFL on or prior to the Early Tender Date is expected to be October 18, 2023, unless extended by SRFL (the "Capped Tender Offers Early Settlement Date").

Holders will also receive with respect to any Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase and payment by SRFL, accrued and unpaid interest on such Capped Tender Offer Notes from, and including, the last interest payment date applicable to such Capped Tender Offer Notes to, but not including, the Capped Tender Offers Early Settlement Date ("Accrued Interest").

SRFL's obligation to accept for purchase and pay for validly tendered Capped Tender Offer Notes is subject to, and conditioned upon, satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set out in the Offer to Purchase.

DEALER MANAGERS BofA Securities Europe SA

51 rue La Boetie

75008 Paris

France Attn: Liability Management Group

In Europe:

Tel No. +33 (0) 1 877 01057

In the United States:

Toll Free No.: +1 (888) 292-0070

Collect No.: +1 (980) 387-3907

Email: [email protected] HSBC Bank plc 8 Canada Square

London E14 5HQ

United Kingdom Attn: Liability Management, DCM Europe: +44 (0)20 7992 6237 U.S. Toll-Free: +1 (888) HSBC-4LM U.S.: +1 (212) 525-5552 Email: [email protected]

THE INFORMATION AND TENDER AGENT D.F. King In London: 65 Gresham Street London, EC2V 7NQ In London: +44 20 7920 9700 In New York: 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005 Banks and brokers call: (212) 269-5550 All others call toll free: (800) 848-2998 Email: [email protected] Website: https://sites.dfkingltd.com/swissre



The Offer to Purchase and any other relevant notice and documents with respect to the Capped Tender Offers is available at https://sites.dfkingltd.com/swissre, operated by the Information and Tender Agent for the purpose of the Capped Tender Offers.

OFFER RESTRICTIONS

General

This announcement is not an offer to purchase any Capped Tender Offer Notes or a solicitation of an offer to sell any Capped Tender Offer Notes. The Capped Tender Offers are being made solely by means of the Offer to Purchase. None of SRFL, SRZ, Swiss Re Ltd, Argentum Netherlands B.V., the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether Holders should tender any or all of their Capped Tender Offer Notes for payment pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers.

The distribution of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase is restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or the Offer to Purchase comes are required by SRFL, SRZ, Swiss Re Ltd, Argentum Netherlands B.V., the Dealer Managers and the Information and Tender Agent to inform themselves of and to observe any such restrictions.

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase constitutes, nor may they be used in connection with, an offer to buy Capped Tender Offer Notes or a solicitation to sell Capped Tender Offer Notes by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such an offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or a solicitation. None of SRFL, SRZ, Swiss Re Ltd, Argentum Netherlands B.V., the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent accepts any responsibility for any violation by any person of the restrictions applicable in any jurisdiction.

United Kingdom

The communication of this announcement by SRFL and the Offer to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers are not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA"), as amended. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order")), persons who are within Article 43(2) of the Order, persons who are qualified investors of the kind described in Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.), persons who otherwise fall within an exemption set forth in the Order such that section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply or any other persons to whom the Capped Tender Offers may otherwise lawfully be made under the Order and all other applicable securities laws.

Italy

None of the Capped Tender Offers, the Offer to Purchase or any other document or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedures of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to Italian laws and regulations. The Capped Tender Offers are being carried out in Italy as exempted offers pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended. Holders or beneficial owners of the Capped Tender Offer Notes that are located in Italy can tender Capped Tender Offer Notes for purchase in the Capped Tender Offers through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority.

Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Capped Tender Offer Notes and/or the Capped Tender Offers.

France

The Capped Tender Offers are not being made, directly or indirectly, to the public in the Republic of France ("France"). Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other document or material relating to the Capped Tender Offers has been or shall be distributed to the public in France and only (i) providers of investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers) and/or (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), acting for their own account, with the exception of individuals, within the meaning ascribed to them in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2 and D.411-1 of the French Code monetaire et financier, and applicable regulations thereunder, are eligible to participate in the Capped Tender Offers. This announcement, the Offer to Purchase and any other documents or offering materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers have not been and will not be submitted for clearance to nor approved by the Autorite des Marches Financiers.

Belgium

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers have been submitted to or will be submitted for approval or recognition to the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autoriteit voor financiele diensten en markten / Autorite des services et marches financiers) and, accordingly, the Capped Tender Offers may not be made in Belgium by way of a public offering, as defined in Articles 3 and 6 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids as amended or replaced from time to time. Accordingly, the Capped Tender Offers may not be advertised and the Capped Tender Offers will not be extended, and neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers (including any memorandum, information circular, brochure or any similar documents) have been or shall be distributed or made available, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than "qualified investors" in the sense of Article 10 of the Belgian Law of 16 June 2006 on the public offer of placement instruments and the admission to trading of placement instruments on regulated markets, acting on their own account. Insofar as Belgium is concerned, this announcement and the Offer to Purchase have been issued only for the personal use of the above qualified investors and exclusively for the purpose of the Capped Tender Offers. Accordingly, the information contained in this announcement and the Offer to Purchase may not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any other person in Belgium.

Switzerland

Neither this announcement, the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Capped Tender Offer Notes constitutes an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the Capped Tender Offer Notes described herein. The Capped Tender Offer Notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Offer to Purchase or this announcement or the Capped Tender Offer Notes constitutes a prospectus or a key information document within the meaning of articles 35 and 58 of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA"), and neither this announcement, nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Offer to Purchase or the Capped Tender Offer Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland. In particular, none of this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or any other document produced in connection with this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or the Capped Tender Offer Notes have been or will be approved by a Swiss review body (Prospektprufstelle) according to article 52 FinSA, or by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA under the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act.

Hong Kong

The contents of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. The Capped Tender Offers have not been made and will not be made in Hong Kong, by means of any document other than: (i) to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (the "SFO") and any rules made under that ordinance; or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that ordinance. Further, no person has issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, or will issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Capped Tender Offers, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Capped Tender Offers which are or are intended to be made only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that ordinance. This announcement, the Offer to Purchase and the information contained therein may not be used other than by the person to whom it is addressed and may not be reproduced in any form or transferred to any person in Hong Kong.

The Capped Tender Offers are not intended to be made to the public in Hong Kong and it is not the intention of the Company that the Capped Tender Offers be made to the public in Hong Kong.

Singapore

This announcement and the Offer to Purchase have not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The Capped Tender Offers do not constitute an offering of securities in Singapore pursuant to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time.

SOURCE Swiss Re Finance (Luxembourg) S.A.

17 october 2023 at 05:58

News published onand distributed by:
Elanco Confirms Date and Conference Call for Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results Announcement





Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) will announce its third quarter 2023 financial results on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Elanco will also conduct a conference call on that day with the investment community and media to further detail the company's performance.

The conference call will begin at 8:00 a.m. eastern time. Investors, media, and the general public can access a live webcast of the conference call through the link that will be posted on Elanco's website on our events and presentations page. A replay will also be available on the website shortly following the call.

ABOUT ELANCO

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose? all to advance the health of animals, people, the planet and our enterprise. Learn more at www.elanco.com

17 october 2023 at 08:05

News published onand distributed by:
AVANTI HELIUM PROVIDES UPDATE ON SWEETGRASS POOL PROJECT





CALGARY, AB, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Avanti Helium Corp. (TSXV: AVN) (OTC: ARGYF) ("Avanti" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update of the ongoing development of the Sweetgrass pool project in Greater Knappen Montana.

The Company is pleased to announce that ancillary construction related to the Helium Recovery Unit (HRU) site has been progressing well, both on time and on budget. Specifically, three miles of pipeline work to connect the WNG 11-22 and WNG 10-21 wells to the HRU site commenced on September 18th. 100% of the pipe has been welded, and 30% ditching has been completed. The remaining pipeline construction is expected to be completed by the end of October. The Company has also begun procuring and fabricating the well site skids and inlet separation facility. The project is on track and targeted to be completed and ready for helium production in late Q1 / early Q2 2024.

Avanti also advises that it has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) to enter into a helium purchase and sale agreement with a creditworthy party that it expects to lead to an offtake agreement for 80-100% of the production of its Sweetgrass helium production. The Company is working toward a finalized offtake agreement, at which point the Company can provide detailed cash flow projections from the Sweetgrass pool for 2024 & 2025.

"With cashflow coming into sight Avanti's team is steadily advancing toward first production in Greater Knappen" commented Chris Bakker, Avanti CEO. "The pieces are falling into place at a time when access to safe and secure helium supplies remains top of mind for many buyers. Avanti's jurisdictional and regional advantages make it stand out in a global industry facing tight supplies and rising geopolitical risk."

About Avanti Helium Corp

Avanti Helium is focused on the exploration, development, and production of helium across western Canada and the United States. Avanti's professional oil and gas exploration and production team is actively targeting helium trapped in structures to help meet the increasing global demand for an irreplaceable and scarce element critical to advanced technology, medical and space exploration industries. For more information, please go to the Company's website at www.avantihelium.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release, including statements relating to the completion of the financing transaction described herein, including satisfaction of the conditions to closing, statements relating to the expectation that the Company will enter into helium purchase agreement in accordance with the terms of the offtake LOI, the expected use of proceeds from the financing transaction, the expectation that the Company will be able to complete the transactions herein and begin receiving cashflow from the Sweetgrass project in Q2, 2024, and the expected impacts to the Company's business that are disclosed herein which relate to the completion of these transactions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: the Company's ability to satisfy the closing conditions for the financing transaction, the Company negotiating and entering into the helium purchase agreement, on terms favorable to the Company, or at all, and timely completion of the infrastructure work for the plant, risks associated with helium exploration, development, production, marketing and transportation, volatility in helium prices, risks relating to the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from production and external sources, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedarplus.ca for further information and risks applicable to the Company.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Avanti Helium Corp.

17 october 2023 at 08:13

News published onand distributed by:
Fotor's AI Magic Transforms Halloween Celebrations with its Innovative Features





LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As Halloween draws near, Fotor, the renowned online photo editing and design platform, is set to revolutionize the way we celebrate this spooky occasion. Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI), Fotor is dedicated to providing users with an extraordinary experience, unveiling a lineup of spine-tingling digital transformations that will take your Halloween creativity to new heights.

The Origin and Vision of Fotor

In certain countries like Germany and Spain, the word for photo is 'foto.' Fotor's CEO, who studied in the UK and possesses a deep passion for image processing technology, chose the name 'Fotor' for the business. The name encapsulates individuals skilled in image processing, with the ability to enhance the beauty of photos.

Under the CEO's guidance, Fotor's photo editing features have seamlessly integrated AI technology, including AI-generated image techniques, unlocking creativity, especially for crafting Halloween-themed digital transformations. Fotor's mission is to empower creators to visualize ideas into ideals, fostering inspiration and productivity.

Celebrate Halloween with Fotor's Powerful AI Features

Lacking a Halloween costume or makeup? Let Fotor AI handle it for everyone! Fotor proudly announces the Happy Halloween with Fotor AI event, featuring meticulously crafted image styles tailored for Halloween, along with customized AI editing tools designed specifically for the occasion. It's now effortless for everyone to participate in and savor the digital Halloween feast. Transform everyday selfies into extraordinary Halloween costumes and makeup styles. They can dive into the Halloween spirit with a twist! Here's how to get started:

Fotor AI Image Generator:

Open a photo in Fotor AI image generator and select a Halloween style.

With just one click, users can witness their appearance transform into a ghoulish masterpiece.

Embrace their Halloween persona with AI makeup, and prepare to be amazed by AI's surprising styles.

Fotor AI Face Swapper:

Fotor AI's face swap feature allows users to seamlessly adopt the appearance of iconic Halloween characters.

Open a photo in Fotor AI face swapper, whether they aspire to become a vampire, witch, zombie, or any other Halloween character, Fotor AI has them covered.

Users can transform themselves with a single click and step into the shoes of various characters, relishing the joy of costume play like never before.

Fotor AI Replacer:

Discover the marvels of Fotor AI Replacer and reinvent the hairstyle, costume, and every aspect with Halloween styles.

Open photo in Fotor AI replacer and use the brush to mark the clothes user would like to replace.

Describe the "witch costume" in the prompt box to generate a Halloween-themed image.

If users are new to this, they don't need to worry, all edits are simple and swift, and a free trial or free credits are offered for an enhanced Halloween creation experience.

This Halloween, they shouldn't settle for the ordinary. Whether they're planning a virtual costume party or simply looking to get into the spooky spirit, Fotor provides AI tools and features to make it a truly spooktacular experience.

About Fotor

Fotor is a trusted name in the realm of online photo editing and design services that use artificial intelligence to help users edit and create images and graphics in an easy and efficient way. With a user-friendly yet powerful platform bolstered by AI technology, Fotor has garnered a loyal global following. Whether you're a professional designer or an enthusiast seeking to infuse creativity into your photos, Fotor is the ultimate solution.

Fotor takes pride in its recognition by esteemed organizations like BBC, G2, and Techradar. With an impressive user base exceeding 600 million spanning over 190 countries, Fotor holds the position of #2 in the AI image editing industry, #3 in the AI image and video editing industry, and #16 in the broader AI field.

This Halloween, let Fotor be your partner in crafting an unforgettable celebration. Join the Happy Halloween with Fotor AI event and embrace the essence of Halloween like never before.

Contacts

Fotor

Coran Huang

[email protected]

www.fotor.com

SOURCE Fotor

17 october 2023 at 09:40

News published onand distributed by:
Historic Swearing-in of the first Otipemisiwak Metis Government





EDMONTON, AB, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Alberta Metis have made history with the swearing-in of the first Otipemisiwak Metis Government. President Andrea Sandmaier, members of the Citizens' Council, and District Captains took the oath of office before hundreds of Metis Citizens following the largest leadership vote in the Metis Nation of Alberta's (MNA) history, and according to MNA research, the largest leadership vote ever held for an Indigenous government in Canada.

"The swearing-in of the Otipemisiwak Metis Government is a monumental milestone in our continued journey to Metis self-government," said Andrea Sandmaier, President of the Otipemisiwak Metis Government. "My colleagues and I are committed to working hard for our fellow Citizens to advance the interests of Metis Nation Citizens within Alberta and push Metis self-governance across the finish line."

The following individuals were sworn in on October 15, 2023:

Provincial Office

Andrea Sandmaier, President of the Otipemisiwak Metis Government

Tai Amy Grauman, Women's Representative

Rebecca Rae Lavallee, Youth Representative

Citizen Representatives

Darryl Wesley Campbell, Citizens' Representative, Foothills Metis District 1

Catherine Schnell, Citizens' Representative, Medicine Hat Metis District 2

Joseph (Joe) Brad Chodzicki, Citizens' Representative, Red Deer Metis District 3

Lisa San Filippo, Citizens' Representative, Rocky View Metis District 4

Nelson Anthony Lussier, Citizens' Representative, Calgary Nose Hill Metis District 5

Jason Chernow, Citizens' Representative, Calgary Elbow Metis District 6

Kaila Mitchell, Citizens' Representative, Jasper House Metis District 7

Lisa Wolfe, Citizens' Representative, Lac Ste. Anne Metis District 8

Sarah Wolfe, Citizens' Representative, Fort Edmonton Metis District 9

Aurora (Aura) Leddy, Citizens' Representative, Edmonton Whitemud Metis District 10

Alfred L'Hirondelle, Citizens' Representative, St. Albert Metis District 11

Karen (KC) Collins, Citizens' Representative, St. Paul-Cold Lake Metis District 12

Shannon Dunfield, Citizens' Representative, Grande Prairie Metis District 13

Barry Allan Dibb, Citizens' Representative, Peace River Metis District 14

Bobbi Faye Paul-Alook, Citizens' Representative, Fort Vermilion Metis District 15

Judy Ann Cardinal, Citizens' Representative, Fort Chipewyan Metis District 16

Brooke Bramfield, Citizens' Representative, Fort McMurray Metis District 17

Valerie Anne Quintal, Citizens' Representative, Conklin Metis District 18

Charles Reinhart (Jason) Ekeberg, Citizens' Representative, Lac La Biche Metis District 19

Noel Joseph Tremblay, Citizens' Representative, Athabasca Landing Metis District 20

Nolan Grant Lacombe, Citizens' Representative, Lesser Slave Lake Metis District 21

Nancy Margaret Cardinal, Citizens' Representative, Wabasca-Desmarais Metis District 22

District Captains

Amber Boyd, District Captain, Rocky View Metis District 4

Carmen Lasante, District Captain, Calgary Elbow Metis District 6

Bernard (Bernie) Poitras, District Captain, St. Paul-Cold Lake Metis District 12

Brian Ladouceur, District Captain, Athabasca Landing Metis District 20

Regan Auger, District Captain, Wabasca-Desmarais Metis District 22

With the representatives of the Otipemisiwak Metis Government sworn in, the first meeting of the Citizens' Council was held on October 16. During the meeting, President Sandmaier announced the appointment of the first Otipemisiwak Metis Government Cabinet. Each Provincial Secretary is responsible for a specific portfolio and is united in the shared goal of advancing Metis rights recognition and self-government, preserving Metis culture, and securing a brighter future for future generations of Metis.

The following individuals will form the first Cabinet for the Otipemisiwak Metis Government:

Secretary of Records - Shannon Dunfield

Secretary of Treasury- Jason Ekeberg

Secretary of Advancement of Women & Girls- Tai Amy Grauman

Secretary of Citizenship & Registry- Joseph Chodzicki

Secretary of Harvesting & Culture - Grant Lacombe

Secretary of Housing & Infrastructure- Valerie Quintal

Secretary of Mental Health and Addictions- Kaila Mitchell

Secretary of Health & Seniors - Bobbi Paul-Alook

Secretary of Youth & Sport- Rebecca Lavallee

Secretary of Child & Family Services- Brooke Bramfield

Secretary of Education & Language- Lisa Wolfe

Secretary of Tourism & Economic Development- Lisa San Filippo

Secretary of Environment & Climate Change - Jason Chernow

Secretary of Metis Settlements & First Nation Relations- Karen (KC) Collins

"I am incredibly honoured to appoint the first Cabinet of the Otipemisiwak Metis Government," said Sandmaier. "Together, we will be a government that advocates for all Citizens of the Metis Nation within Alberta while reflecting our values and traditions, exercising our inherent and constitutionally protected Metis rights, supporting our Citizens and communities and preserving and enriching our language, culture, and way of life."

This swearing in, and appointment of Cabinet marks an important next step in the journey to Metis self-government. The Otipemisiwak Metis Government Constitution, which was ratified in the largest Indigenous vote in Canadian history on November 2022, came into force and effect following the election held in September 2023. Additionally, Bill C-53 ? the Recognition of Certain Metis Governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan and Metis Self-Government Act ? was introduced by the Government of Canada in the House of Commons on June 21, 2023. The MNA calls on parliamentarians to ensure its swift passage.

"It is imperative that Bill C-53, our Metis self-government legislation is passed," said Sandmaier. "As President, I will not rest until Bill C-53 is law."

Self-government for the Otipemisiwak Metis Government and the passing of Bill C-53 will open doors with both Canada and Alberta, including:

a new fiscal relationship with Canada to finally provide Metis-designed supports to Metis Citizens in health, housing, language, education, training, economic development, and justice; and,

to finally provide Metis-designed supports to Metis Citizens in health, housing, language, education, training, economic development, and justice; and, improving the services provided to Metis Citizens in Alberta such as support for those living with disabilities, delivering culturally-appropriate child and family services, mental health supports, and care for Metis elders.

Media Contact:

Nicole Sparrow,

Enterprise Canada

[email protected]

780-686-2134

SOURCE Metis Nation of Alberta

17 october 2023 at 15:19

News published onand distributed by:
Small Pharma Obtains Final Order Approving Arrangement





Small Pharma Inc. (TSXV: DMT) (OTCQB: DMTTF) ("Small Pharma"), a biotechnology company focused on short-duration psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental health conditions and Cybin Inc. (NYSE American:CYBN) (NEO:CYBN) ("Cybin"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to revolutionizing mental healthcare by developing new and innovative psychedelic-based treatment options, are pleased to announce that Small Pharma has obtained a final order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia approving the previously announced plan of arrangement (the "Plan of Arrangement") under Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Final Order").

Pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Arrangement, and in accordance with the terms of the arrangement agreement dated August 28, 2023 between Small Pharma and Cybin (the "Arrangement Agreement"), Cybin has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Small Pharma in an all-share transaction (the "Arrangement").

It is currently anticipated that the effective date of the Arrangement will occur on or about October 23, 2023 upon the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions as set forth in the Arrangement Agreement, which include, among other things, the receipt of final approval of the Arrangement from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

Upon completion of the Arrangement, it is expected that the common shares in the capital of Small Pharma (the "Small Pharma Shares") will be delisted from the TSXV and removed from the OTCQB Venture Market, and Small Pharma will cease to be a reporting issuer in each of the provinces and territories in Canada.

Further details with respect to the Arrangement are included in the management information circular of Small Pharma dated September 13, 2023, which can be found on Small Pharma's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and the management information circular of Cybin dated September 13, 2023, which can be found on Cybin's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

About Small Pharma

Small Pharma is a biotechnology company progressing a pipeline of short-duration psychedelic-assisted therapies for the treatment of mental health conditions. Small Pharma has a portfolio of clinical-stage N,N-Dimethyltryptamine ("DMT") based assets, SPL026 and SPL028. The Company was granted an Innovation Passport designation for SPL026 from the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (the "MHRA") and has a pipeline of proprietary preclinical assets.

About Cybin

Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions.

Cybin's goal of revolutionizing mental healthcare is supported by a network of world-class partners and internationally recognized scientists aimed at progressing proprietary drug discovery platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, and novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens. Cybin is currently developing CYB003, a proprietary deuterated psilocybin analog for the treatment of major depressive disorder and CYB004, a proprietary deuterated DMT molecule for generalized anxiety disorder and has a research pipeline of investigational psychedelic-based compounds.

Headquartered in Canada and founded in 2019, Cybin is operational in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland. For company updates and to learn more about Cybin, visit www.cybin.com or follow the team on X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding: the Arrangement; the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Arrangement will be completed, if at all; the anticipated timing for, and receipt of necessary regulatory approvals for the Arrangement; the completion of the Arrangement, including the satisfaction or waiver of all closing conditions, delisting of the Small Pharma Shares from the TSXV and removal from the OTCQB Venture Market, Small Pharma ceasing to be a reporting issuer, and the anticipated timing of such events. In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press release, Small Pharma and Cybin have made certain assumptions. Although Small Pharma and Cybin believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Such factors include, but are not limited to: the ability of Small Pharma and Cybin to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals or satisfy conditions to the completion of the Arrangement; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and other factors discussed in each of Small Pharma's and Cybin's public filings, which are available on their respective profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Small Pharma and Cybin disclaim any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

Small Pharma makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about its proposed products. The MHRA or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding DMT-assisted therapies and other next generation psychoactive compounds. The efficacy of such therapies has not been confirmed by MHRA-approved research. There is no assurance that such DMT-assisted therapies and other psychoactive compounds can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Vigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential therapies do not imply that Small Pharma verified such in clinical trials or that Small Pharma will complete such trials. If Small Pharma cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on Small Pharma's performance and operations.

Cybin makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about Cybin's proposed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, the European Medicines Agency, the MHRA, or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding psilocybin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by approved research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocybin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Rigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. Cybin has not conducted clinical trials for the use of its proposed products. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential products do not imply that Cybin verified such in clinical trials or that Cybin will complete such trials. If Cybin cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on the performance and operations of Cybin.

The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Neither the Cboe Canada, operating as the Neo Exchange Inc. nor the NYSE American LLC stock exchange have approved or disapproved the contents of this news release and are not responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the contents herein.

17 october 2023 at 17:40

News published onand distributed by:
The man who killed a French schoolteacher last week was expected to be charged with terror offenses on Tuesday, October 17, a prosecutor said, adding that he had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State extremist group in an audio recording before his attack.

Friday's attack, in combination with the surge in Middle East tensions after Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel and Israeli reprisals, has jangled nerves in France and put the country on high alert for further violence.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Who is Mohammed M., the man who killed a teacher at a school in Arras?

The suspected attacker, Mohammed Moguchkov, 20, a Russian citizen from the mainly Muslim northern Caucasus, was brought before an anti-terror judge who will decide whether to charge and remand him in custody ahead of trial.

Moguchkov had "sworn allegiance to the Islamic State" in a long audio recording, prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard told reporters in Paris, adding that further information had been gleaned from people close to him and a video recorded before the assault. A source familiar with the case said he had made a "very marginal" reference to the conflict concerning Gaza in a video following the attack on Israel by Hamas.

His 16-year-old brother also appeared before the judge, suspected of having "provided him with some support" before he stabbed Dominique Bernard, 57, at his former school in Arras, about 180 kilometers north of Paris, said Ricard. The teenager was charged and placed in pre-trial detention, his lawyer Ambroise Vienet-Legue told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Their 15-year-old cousin was also charged. He is suspected of having been "informed of the plan" without doing anything to prevent it, according to Ricard. He is subject to a provisional judicial educational intervention, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office said overnight Tuesday.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes French teacher killed in Arras reignites trauma left by 2020 murder

The killing of Bernard has shocked people in France. It comes almost three years to the day after the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty outside Paris on October 16, 2020. That murder was carried out by an Islamist radical from Russia's southern region of Chechnya, which borders the Ingushetia region where Moguchkov was born. France again raised its security level after Friday's attack, deploying 7,000 troops. Adding to the tension, the Arras high school was evacuated on Monday over a bomb threat, which proved to be a false alarm.

Following the shooting on Monday in the Belgian capital, Brussels, of two Swedes by a Tunisian man also claiming inspiration from Islamic State, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday: "All European states are vulnerable (...) There is a return of this Islamist terrorism. We all have a vulnerability. It's what comes with being a democracy, a rule-of-law state where there are individuals who can decide at a given moment to commit the worst acts," Macron told reporters in the Albanian capital, Tirana.

He nevertheless added that he had seen "no failures" by French security services ahead of the stabbing in Arras. Macron's government has brought forward to December the parliamentary debate on an already planned immigration bill, flagging it as a response to the dangers of terrorism. The French leader has told ministers to "embody a state that is ruthless toward all those who harbor hate and terrorist ideologies."

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Arras terror attack: France on highest alert as Islamist terrorism strikes schools again

'Sanctuary' schools

He wrote in a social media post on Monday that schools would remain a "bulwark" against extremism and "a sanctuary for our pupils and everyone who works there." Macron's office said he would attend schoolteacher Bernard's funeral on Thursday.

France, which has sizeable Muslim and Jewish populations, has been on the alert for violence since Hamas's attack on Israel. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Monday that 102 people had been arrested for anti-Semitic acts or expressing support for terrorism since the October 7 assault.

Moguchkov, who reportedly arrived in France at age 5, was already on a French national register as a potential security threat and under surveillance by France's domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI.

His father, who was also on the list, was deported in 2018. Macron has called on police to comb through their files of radicalized people who could be deported. Darmanin said 193 such cases would be re-examined. Macron has told Darmanin to focus especially on "young men between the ages of 16 and 25 from the Caucasus," his aide said.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Arras attack: How Caucasus-born jihad developed in France
Demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, October 15, 2023. MOSA'AB ELSHAMY / AP

A sight that had not been seen in the streets of Rabat for 20 years: A large public protest against Israeli military actions in Gaza and in solidarity with the Palestinians occurred on Sunday, October 15. The demonstration attracted "several hundred thousand people," according to the organizers, the Moroccan Front in Support of Palestine and Against Normalization (FMSPCN), which represents some 20 parties, unions and associations, and the National Action Group for Palestine, close to the Islamist Justice and Development Party. "There were more than 300,000 people in the streets," reported Abdullah Abaakil, elected to the Casablanca council under the Parti Socialiste Unifie, who noted a "much larger turnout than during the demonstrations against the war in Iraq, in 2003."

"The people want the criminalization of normalization," chanted the demonstrators, denouncing the Palestinian deaths  more than 2,770, according to the latest provisional toll on Monday evening  and the resumption of official relations between Morocco and Israel enacted in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords. "We demand the closure of the Israeli embassy and the cessation of all relations with Israel," said Sion Assidon, a member of the FMSPCN secretariat, which is planning further demonstrations in the coming days, "depending on the evolution of the situation in Gaza."

A reinforced police presence was visible this weekend in the vicinity of Casablanca's synagogues and Jewish schools and cultural establishments, where the vast majority of the 3,000 or so Moroccans of Jewish faith live. Against this backdrop, the US embassy in Morocco issued an alert on Friday, calling on its citizens to "exercise vigilance," "avoid demonstrations and crowds" and "stay alert in places frequented by tourists/Westerners."

'A breakdown does not seem conceivable'

As protests in Morocco gain ground, the Israeli army's response to the bloody Hamas attacks on several locations in the Jewish state, which left over 1,300 people dead on Saturday, October 7, is putting the relationship between Morocco and Israel to the test. Since the attacks, the kingdom has been extremely cautious, even distancing itself from Israel. While King Mohammed VI, who chairs the Al-Quds Committee, has not commented on the issue, the Moroccan foreign ministry gave an equivocal response in a press release issued on the day of the attacks, without mentioning Israel and referring to "military actions in the Gaza Strip," even though they took place on Israeli territory.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv, on October 17, 2023, after an overnight meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. JACQUELYN MARTIN / AFP

US President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and on to Jordan Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Biden's travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what US and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.

Biden is looking to send the strongest message yet that the US is behind Israel. His Democratic administration has pledged military support, sending U.S. carriers and aid to the region. Officials have said they would ask Congress for upward of $2 billion in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russia's invasion.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Biden reaffirms unwavering solidarity with Israel, condemns Hamas's 'bloodthirstiness'

Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday, October 17, after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials. "He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region and for the world," Blinken said. Blinken added that Biden will be briefed by Israeli officials on their war aims and strategy and would hear about how they intend to conduct operations "in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas."

Humanitarian aid

Shortly after in Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced that Biden would also go to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "We've been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza," Kirby said. "That has been a consistent call by President Biden and certainly by this entire administration."

Truckloads of aid idled Monday at Egypt's border with Gaza, barred from entry, as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last week's rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes 'If everything in Gaza is destroyed, what will emerge from the ashes, if not more fire?'

Biden had been scheduled to travel to Pueblo, Colorado, on Monday but decided to postpone the visit so he could consult with his aides and speak with fellow leaders about the unfolding situation in the Middle East.

The announcements came after Biden consulted with a trio of world leaders and his own national security team on Monday amid growing global concern about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip and fears that the Israel-Hamas war could metastasize into a broader regional conflict. Biden spoke by phone with Egypt's el-Sissi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the fallout from Hamas militants' surprise attacks on Israel that left 1,400 dead and retaliatory strikes that have killed at least 2,778 Palestinians.

'Collective punishment'

European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday as concern mounts that the war between Israel and Hamas could fuel tensions in Europe and bring more refugees in search of sanctuary.

Biden's call with the Egyptian leader came one day after el-Sissi met with Blinken in Cairo. Egypt's state-run media said el-Sissi told Blinken that Israel's Gaza operation has exceeded "the right of self-defense" and turned into "a collective punishment." Kirby declined to comment on el-Sissi's concerns about how Israel is conducting the war. "The humanitarian situation was high on the list of the discussion with President el-Sissi," Kirby said.

Blinken was in Israel on Monday for his second visit in less than a week for talks with Israeli leaders. He has been crisscrossing the Middle East with stops in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Blinken, in talks Monday with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, carried back some of the feedback he received from Arab leaders. He also "underlined his firm support for Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas' terrorism and reaffirmed US determination to provide the Israeli government with what it needs to protect its citizens," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Israel-Hamas war: Hezbollah fuels anger against Israel in Lebanon
A LIMERICK man who suffered severe head injuries following an unprovoked attack after he left a pub has brought a legal challenge over his exclusion from a state scheme that compensates victims of violent crime.

The action has been brought by Sean Ambrose who claims that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal has wrongly held that it could not assess his claim for compensation.

Last year, the Tribunal held that Mr Ambrose had failed to properly engage with it and had not provided it with the documentation it requires to process his claim.

His initial claim for compensation under the scheme was made in 2017. However, he was not in a position to furnish other documents, including details of his loss and injury until 2021.

The Tribunal also refused to allow him to appeal its findings in relation to his claim.

In judicial review proceedings against the Tribunal, Mr Ambrose claims the respondent has breached his rights to fair procedures, constitutional procedures and legitimate expectation.

He claims that he should have been given more time to make his compensation claim. He further claims that the Tribunal failed to take into account relevant factors including medical evidence that he has difficulties in processing his application due to his injuries.

The court heard that Mr Ambrose is a vulnerable person and that he required the assistance of others to provide the Tribunal with certain materials, as he had great difficulty in dealing with the paperwork.

It is also the plantiff's case that important correspondence regarding his appeal of the Tribunal's finding was sent by the Tribunal to Mr Ambrose's former address.

Mr Ambrose from Ballough, Newcastle West, sustained serious injuries, including brain trauma, following an attack in his hometown in August 2015.

His assailant was subsequently given an eight-year custodial sentence.

Represented by Conor Power SC, Cian Kelly Bl instructed by solicitor Eamon Dillon Mr Ambrose seeks various orders from the court including an order quashing the Tribunal's determination that the plaintiff had failed to engage with it, and that it was not possible for it to assess his claim.

He also seeks orders quashing the Tribunal's decision not to allow him appeal that finding.

He further seeks an order remitting his claim for compensation back to the Tribunal for a fresh consideration.

The matter came before Ms Justice Niamh Hyland, who on an ex-parte basis, granted the plaintiff permission to bring his challenge.

The case will return before the court in November.
A LOCAL councillor has urged developers behind a new multi-storey residential development in Limerick city to reduce its size by at least two-storeys.

Can2 Investments is awaiting a decision from Limerick City and County Council as to if it can begin construction on a towering new development beside the South Court Hotel in the city suburbs.

If granted in its current form, the development will see 104 apartments on the doorstep of the Raheen Business Park, where thousands of people work at various firms.

According to the plans, these will be split into 51 one-bedroom apartments, 49 two-bed apartments and four three-bed apartments.

But former Limerick mayor, Daniel Butler, is one of two parties to formally object to the plans so far.

I think it needs to be reduced by two floors - nine floors inclusive of the basement floors is unheard of in Limerick suburbs, he wrote in a statement.

He acknowledged it is great to see housing delivered locally, pointing to the increased employment in the area in places like Analog Eli Lilly and Regeneron.

I think this has the potential to be a positive addition to the area if it considered better the environment around it and the challenges we are facing locally, councillor Butler continued.

Among these challenges, he said, is the traffic.

Since September, its been a huge problem but particularly at this junction which supports access to one of the busiest shopping centres in Limerick, Courtfields Shopping Centre, the Courtfields Estate itself and the hotel.

The junction is already clearly beyond capacity coming onto a road which is dangerous to access with traffic coming down a steep hill at huge volumes, the Fine Gael member, who lives close to the development, stated.

Recent traffic counts, he pointed out, have seen around 15,000 vehicle movements a day.

According to the planning application, some 149 car parking spaces would be provided as part of the development.

On the height, he said: It is totally out of character with existing structures in the area.

It will have a huge impact on the residents of Blackthorn and Courtfields in particular who neighbour the site, removing privacy for many homes.

As well as the new build, the development will also see the partial demolition of part of the South Court Hotel.
ALMOST 4m has been claimed by two lucky Lotto syndicates, one winner scooping a scratch card jackpot.

3.8m was won by a Dublin syndicate on Wednesday, October 4 and they have now collected their winnings at Lotto HQ, almost two weeks later.

The Dublin winners said that while they believe whats for you wont pass you by, they still find the news surreal.

I was watching the draw as it happened and just knew they were our numbers that had come out. We checked our ticket immediately and it was a real mix of emotions from excitement to being utterly overwhelmed, they said.

Theres just nothing that can prepare you for that.

A syndicate from Laois also made the trip to Lotto HQ to collect their 100k top prize, which they won on a 5 Money Multiplier scratch card.

The syndicate admitted that they were quick to get on the phone to the National Lottery Prize claims team to confirm the win.

Within a half an hour of scratching the ticket, I was on the phone to the claims team to make sure I wasnt seeing things, the winner said.

Its just not something that you expect to see, so you almost convince yourself that its not real when it does happen.
Some of the European Commission presidents comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict have lacked balance, Irelands premier has said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he had told Ursula von der Leyen his views on remarks she made on her visit to Israel last Friday.

The Commission president has faced criticism for stating her support for Israel without any call for its actions in Gaza to comply with international law.

On Monday, Irish President Michael D Higgins criticised the EU Commission President, insisting she was not speaking for Ireland.

Mr Varadkar faced calls to condemn Ms von der Leyen as he faced questions in the Dail parliament on Tuesday. He appeared in the chamber ahead of participating in an emergency summit of EU leaders to discuss the crisis in the Middle East.

He said while he believed the Commission Presidents comments had lacked balance, he said her more recent statements on the war were more appropriate.

The position of the European Union is the one agreed in the statement by the European Council and that was agreed on Sunday, after a lot of conversations over the weekend, he said.

And I hope well be in a position to build on that position today at the extraordinary council of the European Union.

It is the case that each EU member state has its own foreign policy. We only have a common foreign policy when we agree to have one and we can agree join statements.

And while I think that President von der Leyen has done an extremely good job as President of the European Commission, whether its on issues such as climate issues, such as Covid issues, such as Ukraine, some of the statements that she made lacked balance, in my view. And I said that to her and I have no difficulty saying that.

I do think statements that shes made more recently were more balanced, specifically talking about the tripling of humanitarian aid for Gaza, and also the attempts that were making at the moment to organise a UN humanitarian airbridge from Gaza through Egypt.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald heavily criticised Ms von der Leyen during the exchanges at Leaders Questions.

EU Commission President von der Leyens unqualified support for Israels unmerciful military attack on the people of Gaza, her failure to assert the primacy of international law was reckless, inflammatory and dangerous, she said.

Ms von der Leyen does not speak for Ireland.

Ms McDonald repeated her condemnation of the Hamas attacks, but she insisted Israels actions were not defensive.

They are an offensive attack against a beleaguered, impoverished civilian population, she said.

It is the horrible crescendo of occupation, annexation and apartheid. This is not defence. These are crimes against human rights perpetrated in full view of the world. And if we dont call this what it is, if the international community doesnt stand unified against it, then history will record this as the defining failure of our generation and our children and our grandchildren will ask us how this was allowed to happen.

Peace and justice demands that Gaza not become the graveyard of international law.

Israels blockade must end, the bombardment of Gaza must stop and ceasefires called, hostages released and space created for a dialogue.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns had called on Mr Varadkar to condemn the Commission President.

This isnt a war, its a genocide and ethnic cleansing, and the response of the EU has not just been inadequate, it has been callous, indifferent and dangerous, she said.

This reached rock bottom on Friday when Ursula von der Leyen visited Israel. By then Israel had dropped 6,000 bombs and on an area half the size of Louth. Thousands were dead and injured. Food, water and electricity supplies had been cut off and the Israeli government had given 1.2 million people 24 hours-notice to leave northern Gaza.

What was the European Commission Presidents response to this litany of war crimes and breaches of international law? She stood with the Israeli prime minister and offered him the EUs unqualified and unconditional support.

She said Israel can count on the EU.

Taoiseach, last year when Russia targeted civilian infrastructure and cut off electricity supplies, Ursula von der Leyen called out their war crimes.

When Israel acts similarly, she not only fails to utter a single word of criticism, she goes to the region to offer support for their war crimes in our name.

The Commission Presidents failure to unequivocally condemn Israels collective punishment of the Palestinian people has undermined the EUs response to this crisis. Given von der Leyen has no authority to override member states foreign policy positions, her comments also amounted to a serious overreach of authority.

Mr Varadkar reiterated his view that Israel could not inflict collective punishment on the people of Gaza for the actions of Hamas.

I want to say once again that Ireland unreservedly condemns the brutal attack by Hamas and other militant groups on Israel and the devastating loss of life that it has caused, he said.

We also condemn the terrorist attacks that occurred in France last week and Belgium only yesterday.

We also demand the release of all hostages without any conditions immediately. Israel has the right to defend itself and to pursue Hamas terrorists who attacked its civilian population, and we accept that right.

However, Israels response must be exercised within the parameters of international humanitarian law. Even wars have rules. Collective punishment should not be inflicted on the population in Gaza. Citizens must be protected and Gaza must have access to humanitarian aid.

There must be the establishment of humanitarian corridors. Theres also a need to prevent the conflict from escalating and spreading to other parts of the region, which is an enormous concern at the moment.

He added: It is the case that Hamas hides itself among the civilian population, but theyre not to blame for that and there can be no excuse and no acceptance of civilians being targeted, or civilian infrastructure being targeted in this way.

Irelands deputy prime minister said the decision by the Israeli military to tell the entire civilian population in the north of the Gaza strip to move southward was unrealistic, unworkable and deeply dangerous.

Micheal Martin, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, added: We are now seeing the terrible humanitarian consequences. There is an urgent need for humanitarian corridors to be established, to deliver vital assistance to Palestinian civilians.

Appearing before an Irish parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, he said Ireland supported a humanitarian pause in hostilities to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

He said there was a lot of effort among the international community for humanitarian corridors and restraint more generally.

Mr Martin said Ireland was also engaging with UN, Israeli and Egyptian authorities to get Irish citizens out of Gaza through the Rafa crossing.

He called on the international community to increase financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The Government has given formal approval for drafting of new road traffic measures which will lead to higher penalty points for offending motorists over bank holiday weekends and lower speed limits.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, and Minister of State for Transport, Jack Chambers TD, have welcomed todays decision by the Government to approve for formal drafting of the General Scheme of the Road Traffic Measures Bill 2023.

The Bill aims to provide for penalty point reform, mandatory drug testing at the scene of collisions, and safer speed limits.

They say the Road Traffic Measures Bill will enable a robust response to the increasing trend in road fatalities. It is hoped that the above measures will support the delivery of the Governments Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 targets of reducing fatalities on our roads by 50% this decade and achieving Vision Zerono deaths or injuries on our roadsby 2050.

In the case of penalty points, an Act of the Oireachtas is currently required each time the penalties associated with certain offences are updated.

This is a barrier to updating penalties in a timely manner in response to emerging trends, and the Bill seeks to address this by empowering the Minister for Transport to vary penalty points in regulations. The Houses of the Oireachtas will still have a say in penalty points, however, with an approved motion required in both houses before any change could take effect.

As an extension of this change, the Bill also proposes that the Minister for Transport will be empowered to set higher penalties for driving offences during specified periods, such as bank holiday weekends. Evidence shows that more deaths, serious accidents, and other breaches of road traffic law occur on bank holiday weekends.

The final piece of penalty point reform concerns the treatment of multiple penalty point offences occurring on the same occasion. Currently when a person commits more than one penalty point offence on the same occasion, they will receive only one set of penalty points, which will be the highest or joint highest.

In contrast, someone who commits those offences on separate occasions will receive penalty points for each offence. This Bill will amend this legal anomaly, to ensure that penalty points are awarded for each breach of penalty point offences.

This new Bill will also introduce mandatory drug testing at the scene of road traffic collisions. At present, An Garda Siochana are required to take a breath specimen for the purpose of testing for the presence of alcohol. This is known as mandatory alcohol testing at the scene of road traffic accidents. Gardai are not required to conduct mandatory drug testing at the scene of a collision but have the option of doing so. This new Bill will require members of An Garda Siochana to test for drugs at the scene of collisions.

The recently published Speed Limit Review contains a number of recommendations for changes to the speed limit framework. This Bill will include amendments to existing speed limit legislation for the implementation of safer default speed limits on national secondary roads, local roads and urban roads, which includes built up areas as well as housing estates and town centres.

Speaking after the meeting of Government today, Minister Ryan said: "The trend we are seeing on our roads is hugely concerning. There has been an increase in the number of deaths in three out of the last four years and there is little sign, unfortunately, that this is changing. We need to implement robust measures to ensure that more families dont suffer the pain of losing a loved one on our roads. Government approval for the proposals on penalty points today will get rid of the anomalies that have meant that some people have been able to avoid the full impact of their dangerous actions on our roads and puts us on the path to fast-tracking this important legislation before Christmas".

Minister Chambers said: "We have witnessed a terrible increase in the number of fatalities on our roads this year. As Minister with responsibility for road safety, I am determined to do everything in my power to reduce road deaths. Progress is being made to increase enforcement and compliance on our roads but we are also responding with this new legislation, covering a range of issues and trends, that have been identified as being significant contributors to collisions on our roads in one single bill so the changes required can be made in a timely manner. A more robust penalty points system, mandatory drug testing and safer speed limits are an important part of our response to these trends and delivering on our 2030 and 2050 road safety targets".
New Delhi: The small car segment, which includes micro and mini cars, saw a record decrease in its share of passenger vehicle sales during the second quarter, pointing towards a notable shift in consumer preferences.

In the second quarter of the ongoing fiscal, small cars less than 3.6 meters in length declined to 35,000 units, a drastic 54.5% decline from 77,000 units sold in the same quarter last year. This, even as utility vehicles (consisting of both SUVs and MUVs (multi-utility vehicles) continued to witness an upswing, contributing to 60% of all passenger vehicle sales in the September quarter. This trend also points to an uneven income recovery at the bottom of the pyramid in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Compared to the 2018-19 peak, small cars in Q2FY24 were 75% lower, data released by apex automotive industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Monday showed. SIAM counts a factory-gate dispatch reported by automakers as a sale.

Sales of entry-level motorcycles in the 110cc and below segment also hit their lowest level at 1,414,000 units, a 39% drop from the second quarter of fiscal year 2018-19 when sales of these motorcycles peaked at 2,305,000 units.

The continuous downslide in these large automotive segments which represent a vast majority of the Indian consumer seeking upward social mobility shows that the pick-up in rural demand has failed to address the stress in the two-wheeler segment, sales of which, including entry motorcycles and scooters, also dropped by a marginal 1.6% in Q2FY24 at 4,598,000 units compared to the same quarter last year. The overall two-wheeler segment continued to languish at levels seen last in 2016-17, with sales in the first half of the year still being 25% lower than peak pre-pandemic sales volumes, the data showed.

However, all categories of automobiles, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers grew on a year-on-year basis in the first half of the year, with PVs being the only segment to have a positive compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% over the last five years, with all the other segments still below peak pre-pandemic levels.

Domestic sales of passenger vehicles crossed the 2 million mark for the first time in the first six months of the fiscal year, a growth of 6.8%. Two-wheeler sales rose 4%, three-wheeler sales 72.5% and commercial vehicle sales nearly 2% respectively during the first half of FY24, according to SIAM.

It is worth noting that the festive season this year is spread over three months with Diwali occurring in November, compared to last year when the festival was celebrated in the month of October itself. The spread of the festival season determines how automakers plan dispatches to dealers to maximize availability at a time of high demand.

"We expect rural demand to pick up during the upcoming festive season, primarily driven by demand for entry-level two wheelers from those consumers who have till recently been deferring their purchases," said Rajesh Menon, director general, SIAM told Mint.

Industry executives expect demand to pick up also on the back of new, aggressively-priced launches in the two-wheeler segment, particularly in the 125cc and segment below it.

The segment is also facing disruption as electric two-wheelers gain in popularity, with legacy original equipment makers (OEMs) expanding their distribution and start-ups scaling up manufacturing as demand re-emerges after the shock of lowered FAME-II subsidies. Normal rainfall and positive rural sentiment associated with it are expected to prop up two-wheeler volumes in October and November.
SecureMyScholarship, a pioneering Edtech startup based in Dubai, is on a mission to revolutionize access to higher education for millions of aspiring Indian students. The startup is dedicated to helping students connect with scholarship opportunities for their studies at foreign universities, making quality education more accessible to a wider demographic.

In a society where education is often a privilege limited to the wealthy, India faces significant challenges in providing affordable higher education opportunities to its youth. The high costs associated with studying abroad have deterred many aspiring students from pursuing their dreams of attending prestigious universities around the world.

In 2022 alone, over 500,000 Indian students pursued higher education abroad, a substantial number by any measure. However, this represents only a fraction of the 13 million students in India who reach the age of 18 each year. The overwhelming majority of these young individuals aspire to attend top-tier institutions in countries like the USA and the UK. Unfortunately, less than 5% of them can realize this dream, highlighting the need for a more effective system.

SecureMyScholarship aims to bridge this gap by connecting students with guaranteed scholarships and tuition waivers at its network of partner colleges and universities. At the heart of this endeavor is a cutting-edge scholarship finder search engine for scholarships for students, underpinned by robust technological infrastructure.

The platform ensures precise and comprehensive matching between students and potential scholarships. By leveraging sophisticated algorithms and a deep understanding of their target audience, SecureMyScholarship has created a transparent, user-friendly pathway to scholarships, fundamentally transforming the lives of thousands of young individuals from India and around the world.

Beyond its role in matching students with scholarships, SecureMyScholarship fosters collaborations between universities and students, creating a flourishing educational ecosystem. Through strategic partnerships with colleges and scholarship programs, the platform ensures that the funds reach its intended beneficiaries: intelligent and ambitious young minds, constrained only by their financial circumstances.

Founded by the father-and-son duo of Craig and Ian Fernandes, both NRIs residing in Dubai, SecureMyScholarship emerged in November 2021 with a vision of providing equal educational opportunities to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Since its inception, the startup has achieved remarkable growth, expanding its team to over 25 employees across the globe. Craig and Ian secured over $500,000 in funding from a network of reputable angel investors, a testament to the product's market fit and potential for further expansion.

SecureMyScholarship's website lists over 80,000 course options from more than 300 university partners, and connects students with scholarships in USA universities, UK universities, and Dubai universities. Each partner offers various scholarships accessible through the platform. Notable international partners include Arizona State University, Cleveland State University, the University of Sussex, Middlesex University, and the University of Birmingham in Dubai. The platform also boasts partnerships with almost all of Dubai's private universities, with its headquarters also located in the city.

To find the right university fit, students can visit SecureMyScholarship.com and utilize filters such as program, education level, budget, and location. Transparency is paramount, with all available scholarships listed next to each university. Once a student selects their preferred institution, they can submit both their scholarship and university applications directly through SecureMyScholarship's website. The platform's dedicated support staff will review the application data to ensure accuracy and completeness. Assuming all is in order, students can expect to receive their scholarship offer letter within 1 to 3 weeks of submission.

As of August 30th, 2023, SecureMyScholarship has awarded over $6.5 million in scholarships to deserving students from middle-class and working-class backgrounds, positively impacting thousands of lives.

Beyond individual stories and international borders, SecureMyScholarship's influence is global in scope. It serves as a catalyst for a ripple effect, empowering students with a pathway for upward mobility and, ultimately, elevating India as a whole. The journey ahead is long, but SecureMyScholarship remains committed to clearing the path for millions of students, ensuring that no one's educational aspirations are hindered by caste, creed, ethnicity, or financial constraints.

About SecureMyScholarship.com

SecureMyScholarship.com is a Dubai-based edtech startup dedicated to democratizing access to higher education for Indian students. Through its innovative scholarship finder search engine and strategic partnerships with universities, the platform connects students with scholarships, making quality education more affordable and accessible to all. Founded by Craig and Ian Fernandes in November 2021, SecureMyScholarship has awarded over $6.5 million in scholarships to date, positively impacting the lives of thousands of students. Visit SecureMyScholarship.com to learn more and find scholarships today.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.

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Cryptocurrency has grown from being an obscure experiment into a global financial phenomenon. As its popularity soars, the need for reliable cryptocurrency exchanges has become paramount. OKX is one such exchange that has risen to prominence in the digital asset space. This article delves into the world of OKX cryptocurrency exchange, exploring its history, features, security, and the role it plays in the evolving landscape of digital currencies.

OKX is a cryptocurrency exchange that was established in 2013 by Star Xu. It is headquartered in Malta and operates under the umbrella of OK Group, which is a conglomerate of blockchain technology-focused businesses. Over the years, OKX has gained recognition as a reputable and innovative platform for trading various cryptocurrencies.

To understand the significance of OKX, it is essential to trace its evolution. The exchange has experienced its fair share of highs and lows. In 2017, it emerged as one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges globally. However, in September 2017, the Chinese government implemented a ban on cryptocurrency trading, which prompted OKX to relocate its headquarters to Hong Kong. Despite these challenges, OKX remained resilient and expanded its services.

One of the notable milestones in OKX's history was the introduction of its native utility token, OKB. OKB plays a crucial role within the OKX ecosystem, offering benefits such as reduced trading fees, participation in token sales, and more.

OKX Features

OKX provides a comprehensive set of features and services that cater to the diverse needs of traders and investors:

Wide Range of Cryptocurrencies: OKX supports a vast array of cryptocurrencies, including popular assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP), as well as lesser-known altcoins.

Fiat-to-Crypto Trading: Users can trade cryptocurrencies with fiat currencies such as USD, EUR, and more, making it accessible for beginners and experienced traders alike.

Spot and Futures Trading: OKX offers both spot trading, where you can buy or sell assets for immediate delivery, and futures trading, allowing you to trade cryptocurrency contracts.

Margin Trading: Traders can utilize margin trading to borrow funds and amplify their potential profits, although it comes with increased risk.

Staking: OKX users can participate in staking programs to earn rewards by holding and locking specific cryptocurrencies on the platform.

OKX Pool: This service provides liquidity for OKB holders, allowing them to stake their tokens and earn rewards.

Crypto-to-Crypto Swaps: OKX's easy-to-use platform enables users to exchange one cryptocurrency for another with low fees.

Security Measures: OKX places a strong emphasis on security and employs various measures such as cold storage for digital assets, two-factor authentication (2FA), and frequent security audits.

User-Friendly Interface: The platform offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both newcomers and experienced traders.

OKX Academy: To educate its users, OKX offers an educational resource known as OKX Academy, which provides tutorials, webinars, and articles about cryptocurrencies and 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 contents of the article/advertisement and/or views expressed herein.

The reader is further advised that Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions.

Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the views, opinions, announcements, declarations, affirmations etc., stated/featured in same. The decision to read hereinafter is purely a matter of choice and shall be construed as an express undertaking/guarantee in favour of Hindustan Times of being absolved from any/ all potential legal action, or enforceable claims. The content may be for information and awareness purposes and does not constitute a financial advice.

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Q2 Results today: Three of the leading Indian information technology (IT) companies, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS), Infosys, and HCL Technologies Ltd, started reported their second quarter earnings for the fiscal year 2024 last week. The IT sector's performance to date has been subdued and mostly in consistent with street estimates. As we proceed to the second week of Q2FY23 earnings season, banks have started to report their Q2 numbers.

Approximately thirty-one companies will release their September quarter results today. Investors are focused on giants like Bajaj Finance, Tata Elxsi, and L&T Technology Services among the 31.

Here's the list of companies those will report their Q2FY24 numbers today - Artemis Electricals And Projects Ltd, Atharv Enterprises Ltd, Bajaj Finance Limited, Benares Hotels Ltd, Can Fin Homes Ltd, Cie Automotive India Ltd, Cosyn Ltd, Duncan Engineering Ltd,Eimco Elecon (India) Ltd, Happiest Minds Technologies Ltd, Hathway Bhawani Cabletel & Datacom Ltd, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, Huhtamaki India Ltd, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd, IIFL Securities Ltd,JK Agri Genetics Ltd, Lotus Chocolate Co.Ltd, L&T Technology Services Ltd, Newgen Software Technologies Ltd, PCBL Ltd, Syngene International Ltd, Tata Elxsi Ltd, Tata Metaliks Ltd, Tci Express Ltd, Techindia Nirman Limited Tiger Logistics (India) Ltd, Trimurthi Ltd, Vijay Textiles Ltd, Vikas Lifecare Ltd Vst Industries Ltd, and Zensar Technologies Ltd.

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Bajaj Finance

Based on the average estimate of five brokerages, Bajaj Finance is expected to see a 30% year-over-year increase in net profit to 3,626 crore in the July-September quarter, driven by steady asset quality and greater loan growth, as per moneycontrol's news report.

Bajaj Finance Ltd reported a consolidated net profit of 3,437 crore in the first quarter of FY24, registering a growth of 32% from 2,596.3 crore in the corresponding quarter of last year.

Also Read: Bajaj Finance Q2 Results LIVE Updates: Net profit may grow 34% to 3,725 crore; NII seen up 29% YoY

Net interest income (NII) of the non-banking finance company (NBFC), on a consolidated basis, in Q1FY24 increased by 26% to 8,398 crore from 6,640 crore, YoY.

Bajaj Finances assets under management (AUM) grew by 32% to 270,097 crore as of June 30, 2023, from 204,018 crore as of June 30, 2022.

Also Read: Bajaj Finance Q1 results: Net profit rises 32% YoY to 3,437 crore; asset quality improves

L&T Technology Services

Based on estimates, L&T Technology Services Ltd. is anticipated to record revenue of 2,387.6 crore and a net profit of 312 crore for the second quarter, as per bqprime news report.

L&T Technology Services posted a consolidated net profit of 311.1 crore for the quarter ended June. The net profit of the company jumped 13% from 275 crore during the same quarter in fiscal year 2022-23. The revenue of the company witnessed a 15% jump to 2,301 crore in Q1FY24 from 2,006 crore during Q1FY23.

In sequential terms, the net profit of L&T Technology Services declined by 8.5% quarter on quarter and the revenues declined by 2.9% quarter on quarter. The tech major has clocked an EBIT of 395.4 crore for the quarter with an EBIT margin of 17.2%.

Also Read: L&T Tech Q1 Results: Net profit jumps 13% to 311 crore; revenue rises 15%

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Stock market today: Shares of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) retraced from intraday high of 10,797.85 apiece on NSE druing morning deals and hit intraday low of 10,565.30 per share, logging around 1.30 per cent dip against its close price of 10,704.50 apiece on Tuesday.

On Monday, Maruti share price ascended to a new life-time high of 10,810.85 apiece on NSE after the company announced that board of directors of MSIL has approved the acquisition of 12,84,11,07,500 equity shares of INR 10/- each representing 100% paid-up equity share capital (Purchase Shares") of Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG"), owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan (SMC"), for a total purchase consideration of INR 12,841.1 Crores (Purchase Consideration").

Maruti Suzuki India is set to issue shares to Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) for its Gujarat unit acquisition at 10,421 per share.

Maruti Suzuki news

In an exchange filing with the exchanges, the company said its Board has in a meeting on October 17 approved the purchase of 100 percent of the Suzuki Motors Gujarat (SMG) shares owned by SMC.

The related party transaction will be done by way of issue and allotment of the MSIs equity shares to SMC on a preferential basis for consideration other than cash, equal to the net book value of SMG, it added.

MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA More Information

The consideration payable for purchase of 100 percent of the SMGs equity shares shall be discharged by way of issue and allotment of 1,23,22,514 equity shares having face value of 5 each, at a price of 10,420.85 per equity share, on a preferential basis," it stated.

As per the deal, material terms of the Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement (SPSA) executed Maruti with SMC and SMG would mean that MSI would own 100 percent of SMG, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.

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NEW DELHI : Low-cost airline IndiGo has almost doubled its share of Indias international flights in the first quarter of FY24 from the corresponding pre-pandemic period, expanding its lead in this lucrative segment.

Between April and June, IndiGo, the largest domestic airline, has achieved a 17.2% market share, among both Indian and foreign airlines operating on international routes, up significantly from 9.6% in the June quarter of 2019, according to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

In comparison, foreign aviation giant Emirates share of total international passengers dropped from 9.7% to 8.6% during the period under consideration. Etihads share also fell to 2.6%, from 4.6% earlier.

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

Domestic rival Air India also increased its market share from 11.6% to 12.5% during the period, but its subsidiary, Air India Express, witnessed a decline in its market share in the June quarter, from over 8% in the corresponding 2019 period to 7.8%.

The covid pandemic broke out in early 2020, grounding air traffic for an extended period, and 2019 was the last year when airlines operated under normal conditions.

During April-June 2023, the number of international passengers were at 15.6 million, an increase of 23,000 compared to April-June 2019.

According to industry insiders, the surge in air passenger traffic for IndiGo reflects a growing preference among Indians opting for overseas travel to be satisfied with no-frills services for short-to-medium haul destinations.

Its also noteworthy to compare the top three international players in the Indian market. In 2018-19, Jet Airways had a 12.1% share, followed by the then state-run Air India at 10.5%, and Emirates at 8.7%. However, in 2022-23, low-cost carrier IndiGo not only outperformed the traditional full-service carriers, but also claimed the top rank with a market share of 15.7%, followed by Air India at 12.4%, and Emirates at 9.8%.

Indigo, which commenced operations in 2006, flies to 32 international and 83 domestic destinations with 1,900-plus daily flights. It continued to expand aggressively in the international markets even in July with international passenger traffic at 991,209, up 35% from a year ago and around 82% from the corresponding period of 2019.

We are taking significant steps. We prefer to actually do the things rather than only talking about things. We will bring our share of international ASKs (available seat kilometers) by the end of this year to a range of 30% which is an increase from the low 20s where we were earlier," chief executive officer Pieter Elbers told analysts during the post-earnings conference call of IndiGo in August.

In 2023, the airline expanded its operations to Central Asia and Africa, while adding more destinations in Southeast Asia, including Jakarta, Nairobi, Almaty, Tashkent, Baku and Tbilisi.

Its focus on profitability and better yield performance on overseas routes has also been a driving force to fill the connectivity gaps within a five-six hour flying radius from India. Besides, the expected induction of A321neo XLR (extra long range) in 2025 will also allow it to expand to new destinations across Europe and Asia.

As we know, the Indian carriers have a somewhat lower share than international carriers when it comes to traffic to and from India. Its precisely why we believe theres such an opportunity to grow that share and making sure that we get a bigger share of that pie," Elbers had said.

However, a senior government official told Mint, requesting anonymity, that the Centre expects the balance to tilt towards Indian carriers within 2-3 years.

Share of Indian airlines in overseas traffic rose to 44% in FY23 from 40% in FY19, while foreign carriers have a 56% share.

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Zoom Video Communications was fined $1.18 million by a Russian court for operating without opening a local office, Reuters reported Tuesday citing RIA report.

The fine had been set at a 10th of Zoom's 2022 revenues in Russia, the RIA report said quoting judge Timur Vakhrameyev as saying.

Foreign technology companies are on the Russian government's radar over content, censorship, data and local representation and that intensified after Russia sent its armed forces into Ukraine in February 2022.

Last week, Zoom was fined 15 million roubles for repeated failure to store data that it held on Russian citizens on a server in Russia.

Other companies, such as Alphabet's Google and Apple, have been fined heavily in Russia in the last few years.

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Apple received a penalty of nearly $34,000 in July 2022 while Zoom and another company called Ookla were fined nearly $17,000 each.

The Russian regulator argued the three companies were non-compliant with demands that foreign companies provide documents confirming storage and processing of the citizens' personal data occurs domestically.

Soon after Russia started a "military operation" in Ukraine, it banned Facebook and Instagram saying Meta was found guilty of "extremist activity" in Russia, which the company denied, the report said.

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Chennai-based space startup Agnikul Cosmos on October 17 said it has secured additional $26.7 million in funding ahead of its inaugural rocket launch , Reuters reported. Agnikul, is named after the Hindi and Sanskrit term for fire.

CEO Srinath Ravichandran attributed increased credibility brought on by India's successful Chanrayaan-3 mission for positively impacting the start-up's funding outlook, it said. Earlier this year, India pipped Russia to become the first country to successfully soft land on the Moon's yet unexplored south pole.

While Ravichandran refrained from disclosing the company's valuation, he expressed Agnikul's commitment to cost-effective launches, aiming to significantly undercut competitors. Investors in the recent funding round include Celesta Capital, Rocketship.vc, Artha Venture Fund, Artha Select Fund, and Mayfield India, as per the report.

The firm intends to establish a launch platform with pricing independent of payload mass. Agnikul has initiated the integration of its Agnibaan, a two-stage customisable launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 300 kg to orbits approximately 700 km away, it added.

Founded in 2017, Agnikul operates India's first private launchpad and mission control center, distinguishing itself from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which manages other launchpads in the country.

The start-up plans to conduct a suborbital rocket launch from its private pad in the next two months, marking India's second private launch after Skyroot's Vikram-S. With a total funding of $40 million, the latest funds will be utilised to prepare for commercial launches.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched initiatives to privatise and attract foreign investment into the space sector, aiming to quintuple India's share in the global launch market within the next decade. The country at present holds a mere 2 percent share in the $400 billion global commercial space market, a proportion the government aims to elevate to $40 billion by 2040.

Agnibaan

Agnibaan is a highly customisable, 2-stage launch vehicle. On November 4 2022, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), the lead Centre of ISRO for the development of launch vehicles, facilitated the hot testing of a rocket engine developed by Agnikul Cosmos.

The VSSC successfully conducted the 15 seconds hot test of Agnilet Engine at its Vertical Test Facility, Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), Thiruvananthapuram.

The test was carried out as part of an MoU signed between ISRO and Agnikul Cosmos to provide opportunity for Indian space start-ups to use facilities of ISRO through IN-SPACe.

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Utkrishta Kumar, the Chief Experience Officer (CXO) for business at online shopping platform Meesho, is set to step down after more than five years with the company, Moneycontrol reported quoting sources. Kumar, who reports to co-founder and CEO Vidit Aatrey, is departing to establish his own fintech venture, it added.

Kumar's responsibilities at the SoftBank-backed company included expanding Meesho's revenue and introducing new product categories. As per his LinkedIn profile, at Meesho Kumar broadened its operations to include pet supplies, stationery, musical instruments, books, and other categories. The profile notes a significant increase in Meesho's orders, growing 13-fold since July 2021.

Upon Kumar's departure, expected around December 2023-January 2024, Megha Agarwal, currently serving as CXO for growth, will assume the role of CXO for business, as communicated by CEO Aatrey in an email to employees, the report said.

The email details that Agarwal's previous responsibilities as CXO for growth will be divided into three categories: user growth, product quality, and net merchandise value (NMV) retention. These responsibilities will be distributed among internal executives.

Nilesh Gupta, Senior Director for growth, will take on additional responsibilities as General Manager for user growth, while Sourabh Pandey, CXO for fulfillment and experience, will also oversee lead NMV retention. The product quality division will remain under Agarwal's purview. All threeGupta, Pandey, and Agarwalwill continue to report directly to Aatrey.

Meesho's spokesperson confirmed these organisational changes in a statement. "We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Utkrishta Kumar who has decided to move on to pursue his entrepreneurship dream after a successful five-year stint with Meesho We welcome Megha Agarwal as CXO, business, and Nilesh Gupta as general manager, user growth. With a strong leadership team, we will continue our mission of democratising internet commerce for everyone," the statement read.

This isn't Kumar's first foray into entrepreneurship. Between 2011-2012, he founded Mojocircles, an e-commerce startup focusing on handicrafts and connecting artisans across India.

While Kumar's move to the fintech space has been indicated, specific details about his venture were not immediately available. In an email, CEO Aatrey expressed support for Kumar's future endeavors, stating, "I'm going to root for his success, and I'm very sure he will create a 100x impact in whatever he chooses to do next. Thank you for all your efforts, UK (Utkrishta Kumar)."

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AMERICA MAKES no bones about wanting to stop China, its autocratic rival for geopolitical supremacy, from getting hold of advanced technology. Any day now the White House is expected to extend restrictions on sales to the country of advanced microchips used in training artificial-intelligence (AI) models. This is the latest set of export controls designed to prevent cutting-edge tech that America helped create, meaning most of it these days, from making its way to the Chinese mainland. It is also meant to close a loophole, which allowed Chinese firms foreign subsidiaries to procure chips that their parents were barred from purchasing.

The loophole is almost certainly not the last one that will need closing. Just this month America itself created room for a few more. Last year it imposed sweeping restrictions that cut off people and firms in China from many advanced technologies of American origin, including types of cutting-edge chips, software to design them and tools to manufacture them. On October 9th it granted two South Korean chipmakers, Samsung and SK Hynix, indefinite waivers to install chipmaking equipment that falls under these restrictions in their factories in China. Four days later TSMC, Taiwans chipmaking champion, also received a dispensation. The carve-outs were secured (and announced) by governments in Seoul and Taipei, which are keen to protect their domestic firms vast commercial interests in China. They also shine a light on the knotty nature of the American-led global export-control regime.

American sanctions global pretensions depend on the co-operation of allies. In principle, democratic governments in Asia and Europe are similarly wary of China, and devising their own export controls. In practice, their policies are not always aligned with Uncle Sams. The result could be a mesh of rules that, once in place, would impose costs on technology companies without doing much to bolster national security in the way that the regimes architects envisioned.

This is not the first time that the democratic world has attempted to stem the flow of technology to undemocratic adversaries. After the second world war 17 countries, led by America, established the Co-ordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls to limit exports of strategic resources and technologies to the Communist bloc. The body was disbanded in 1994, once the Soviet threat was no more.

Americas efforts to co-ordinate some of its anti-Chinese restrictions have so far been much more piecemeal. The closest President Joe Bidens administration has come to co-ordination is an opaque agreement sealed in January with Japan and the Netherlands. This was important to America because Dutch and Japanese firms such as ASML and Tokyo Electron, respectively, are the sole manufacturers of sophisticated chipmaking tools without which it is almost impossible to make the most advanced semiconductors. In July Japans government introduced rules limiting the exports of advanced chip technology. The Dutch followed suit in September.

Look closer, though, and the nuts and bolts of the three countries export controls vary considerably. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Americas export-control agency, publishes an entity list" of thousands of companies, including plenty of Chinese ones, that are barred from being sold certain types of technology. Japan has no such public entity list. Instead, it has announced a list of 23 specific types of product which require an export licence. The Japanese government has assiduously avoided mentioning China specifically, for fear of sparking the ire of a big trading partner. The Netherlands controls, too, are country-neutral" and applied to a handful of products.

Various national regimes diverge in other meaningful ways. American allies in Europe and Asia have not tried to copy the long, extraterritorial reach of American sanctions. As a result, Asian and European companies that wish to continue selling technology to Chinese customers can in theory establish subsidiaries in places without strict export controls (at least as long as the firms do not rely on American inputs).

The situation in Europe is complicated further by the division of responsibilities between national governments and the European Union. For now, individual EU members retain discretion over export controls related to their national security. But given the blocs single market in goods, which lets technology flow across borders unimpeded, Eurocrats in Brussels want a greater say. On October 3rd the European Commission presented a list of areas deemed critical to the blocs economic security. It would like the ability to impose EU-wide export controls in these areas, which include advanced chips, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. It is unclear how long it will take the 27 EU members to reach the consensus required to grant the commission such powersif it can be reached at all.

Things get blurrier still when it comes to enforcing the rules. In most countries the bureaucratic capacity to police export-control regimes is limited. Americas BIS, widely considered to be better endowed than similar agencies in other countries, has fewer than 600 employees and an annual budget of just over $200ma modest figure given the outfits global remit. Its Asian and European counterparts must make do with far less.

The relevant agencies often lack the expertise to assess exporters requests for a licence to sell products abroad. That requires an understanding of how a particular piece of equipment could be used. It is almost impossible to tell how such equipment will actually be used once it arrives in China. This year the BIS set aside a relatively piddling sum of $6m for inspections to be conducted abroadand little if any is likely to be spent in China, which does not exactly welcome American inspectors with open arms. Many of the BISs poorer cousins in other countries rely entirely on the exporting companies themselves to determine the actual end-use of their productssomething the firms cannot know for sure either.

The result is a mishmash of opaque rules and fitful enforcement actions. Manufacturers of sensitive technologies are left guessing about what business they can and cannot do with Chinese firms. Four Taiwanese firmsCica-Huntek Chemical Technology Taiwan, L&K Engineering, Topco Scientific and United Integrated Servicesrecently found themselves under investigation by Taiwans government after reports surfaced that they were involved in building a new network of chip factories in China. The four companies all deny that they have broken any sanctions.

Lack of co-ordination may also explain why the system is not keeping high tech out of China as intended. In South Korea, SK Hynix is looking into how some of its older memory chips ended up in the latest smartphone made by Huawei. SK Hynix denies doing business with the Chinese telecoms giant. The Huawei smartphone in question, the Mate 60 Pro, also sported advanced microprocessors furnished by SMIC, Chinas biggest chip-manufacturer. Both Huawei and SMIC feature on BISs entity list and were thought incapable of such chipmaking feats. Export comptrollers in America and its allies are still trying to work out how exactly the two companies pulled them off. This is unlikely to be the last China-related surprise they have to deal with.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Indias youthful population is often described as a key strength of the economy. India is among the youngest emerging market nations, and will remain so in the near futurea demographic dividend that makes it an attractive investment destination. According to the United Nations, a country is considered to be ageing" if the share of the population over the age of 65 is more than 7%, aged" when the share exceeds 14%, and super-aged" when it crosses 20%. India will not be super-aged until 2050, but most Brics members will attain this dubious distinction earlier.

Having grown used to the idea of a young, aspirational India, it is quite disconcerting to discover that a rising elderly population could pose significant social and economic challenges in the years ahead, as the recently released India Ageing Report 2023 by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) noted. The experience is not unique to India: the gradual ageing of a population over time is a natural demographic shift caused by falling fertility rates and higher longevity. Thus, it is not the ageing per se, but the pace of ageing that is a matter of concern. The population of India has been ageing at a faster rate since the early 2010s. It took 67 years from 1950 to 2017 for the 65-plus population to double from 3.1% to 6%, but the next doubling is projected to happen in just 25 years. By 2050, one in five Indians will be over 60 years of age, that is, effectively a senior citizen.

Old and poor

An ageing population dampens GDP in several ways: older people usually dont work, they pay less taxes and consume fewer items, all the while drawing down on pensions and social benefit schemes. Therefore, the economic cost of old age support increases with an ageing population. But Indias income is not likely to grow as rapidly as its elderly cohort. Worse, the working-age population (15 to 59 years) is expected to peak at 64.8% of the population by 2031, while the elderly population will keep rising. Even under the most optimistic growth assumptions, per capita GDP will remain lower than the $10,000 threshold until the 2040s. India runs the risk of growing old before it grows rich.

This will have two consequences: an older, potentially less productive workforce, and upward pressure on future fiscal deficits. Mitigating actions that India should seriously consider include bringing more women into the workforce, and harnessing the potential of the elderly.

Rethinking retirement

People retire when they reach the retirement age, have poor health, struggle to find work, or attain adequate pension or savings. Each factor can be looked at to find ways to enhance the elderlys productivity. Raising the official retirement age could postpone pension spending. Though unpopular in rich countriesFrance saw massive protests earlier this year after a similar moveopposition is less likely in India, where workers are often not well-prepared for retirement. The 2023 India Retirement Index Study shows that one in three urban workers worry about depleting their retirement corpus within five years.

Second, a government-backed active ageing programme to promote preventive health, incentivize upskilling, and discourage age-based discrimination is needed. Not all older workers can afford to or want to retire: surveys by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy show around 7% of 65-plus workers are working or looking for work. Thus, the mindset that older workers cannot contribute needs to be reversed.

Sustainable pensions

Pension coverage in India is quite inadequate. About 12% of the workforce has formal pensions; the restmainly informal sector workershave to depend on the public provident fund or post office savings schemes. Nevertheless, the shift from a defined benefit to a defined contribution system in 2004 was an important step towards sustainable pensions. Recent reversions (or promises to revert) by some states risks fiscal disaster.

An India-specific solution, such as the guaranteed pension scheme adopted by Andhra Pradesh, which combines aspects of the old and new systems while guaranteeing a minimum pension, offers an acceptable middle path. It may also be a good idea to market the new pension scheme or retirement-specific annuities betterafter all, the popularity of mutual funds owes much to its successful advertising campaign. A few far-sighted decisions can turn this impending old age crisis into an opportunity for reform.

The author is an independent writer on economics and finance.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor believes that the grand old party could nominate either former AICC president Rahul Gandhi or its chief Mallikarjun Kharge for Prime Minister of India position if the INDIA alliance comes to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls .

He said the result of the 2024 general elections could be surprising as there is an opposition coalition and there are chances of the INDIA bloc coming to power at the Centre by trouncing the BJP-led NDA government next year, PTI reported.

Speaking to professionals of a US-based and Silicon Valley-incubated D2C marketplace Way.com after inaugurating its office at Technopark here, Tharoor said, So we'll have to wait and see. I think that once the result comes out, then because it's a coalition and not one party, the leaders of those parties will have to get together and pick someone."

"But my guess is that from the Congress Party, it's going to be either Mr. Kharge, who then will be the first Dalit prime minister of India, or Rahul Gandhi since in very many ways it (Congress) is a family-run party."

The former union minister added that the Prime Minister is the first among equals, and he was confident in his ability to perform whatever responsibilities may be assigned to him, as per PTI reports.

Recently, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has played a major card by publishing the Bihar Caste Census on Gandhi Jayanti, also months ahead of the crucial assembly polls to be held in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh. Not to forget the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections!

Nitish Kumar's decision to publish the survey may have been the checkmate of the Opposition INDIA bloc towards NDA ahead of the 2024 polls.

The caste-based survey was ordered last year after the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.

Notably, the caste-based census was favored by both BJP and Congress when they were in opposition but rejected or never published when either came to power.

(With PTI inputs)

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Moving ahead with its plan to set up a semiconductor fab in Gujarat, Vedanta Group on Tuesday said that it is exploring tie-ups with Japanese technology companies.

Akarsh K. Hebbar, Vedanta's semiconductor and display business global managing director, during Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit roadshow in Japan said that it is a $80 billion opportunity for companies willing to come and invest in the electronics manufacturing hub in Gujarat.

There is a USD 80-billion opportunity for companies willing to come and invest in this electronics manufacturing hub, and Vedanta will be the anchor for Japanese companies interested in investing in India," Hebbar said.

He (Hebbar) outlined Vedanta's ambitious plans to establish semiconductor and display fabs in Dholera SIR, Gujarat, and invited Japanese companies to partner with Vedanta in helping build the country's first electronics manufacturing hub in the state," Vedanta said in a statement.

The electronics manufacturing hub has the potential to attract hundreds of SMEs and create more than one lakh jobs, added Hebbar.

Vedanta group firm AvanStrate Inc is headquartered in Japan.

In 2022, Vedanta signed pacts with 30 Japanese technology companies to foster the development of India's semiconductor and glass display manufacturing ecosystem.

With around 100 semiconductor manufacturing plants, Japan is among the top five countries to have a semiconductor ecosystem.

Earlier, Vedanta had formed a joint venture with Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn which announced plans to invest $19.5 billion in setting up a semiconductor wafer fabrication plant.

On October 12, Vedanta Ltd had said that it has incorporated a wholly-owned arm, Vedanta Iron and Steel Ltd, as part of its demerger drive.

The wholly-owned arm was incorporated on Tuesday, and has an authorised capital of one lakh equity shares of 1 each.

The move is in line with the company's plan, announced on September 29, to demerge its business.

(With inputs from PTI)

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CEAT, one of India's major tyre manufacturers, made significant strides during early trading on Tuesday, with its shares surging over 10% to reach an all-time high of 2,337 apiece. This remarkable upswing was attributed to the company's impressive performance in the September quarter, which exceeded market expectations.

The company released its Q2FY24 numbers after market hours on Monday, with its consolidated net profit growing by 3125% YoY to 207 crore in the second quarter as compared to a net profit of 6.4 crore in the corresponding quarter of the last fiscal year. This strong performance was attributed to lower raw material costs and healthy volume growth.

In the preceding June quarter (Q1FY24), the company recorded a consolidated net profit of 144 crore. Notably, the cost of raw materials consumed in Q2 FY24 came in lower at 1,729.8 crore compared to the previous year's figure of 1,953.3 crore for the same quarter.

Furthermore, the revenue from operations in Q2FY24 reached 3,053.3 crore, reflecting a 5.5% year-on-year increase from the previous fiscal's similar quarter, which had recorded 2,894.5 crore.

CEAT also reported an EBITDA of 461.8 crore in Q2, signifying a 126.6% increase from the 203.8 crore reported in Q2 FY23. The EBITDA margin for Q2FY24 stood at 15.1%, indicating an 808 basis points (bps) year-on-year increase and a 202 (bps) quarter-on-quarter growth.

In response to Q2FY24 performance, CEAT shares exhibited a strong start to Tuesday's session, opening with a 10.37% gap-up at 2,320 apiece compared to the previous closing price of 2,101.95. They continued to strengthen, reaching an all-time high of 2,337, marking a 10.76% increase.

In the current year so far, CEAT's shares have demonstrated an upward trajectory, rising from 1,644 apiece to their current market position of 2,249 apiece, resulting in a return of nearly 38%. Over the last two years, the shares have gained 65.72%, and in the last three and five-year periods, they rallied 126% and 97%, respectively.

Founded in 1958, CEAT is one of Indias leading tyre brands and the flagship company of the RPG Group. CEAT produces more than 41 million high-performance tyres, catering to various segments like 2-3 wheelers, passenger and utility vehicles, commercial vehicles, and off-highway vehicles, its website shows.

Disclaimer: We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

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The Nifty 50 index has grown significantly in 2023, from around 17,000 to over 20,000. It has shown remarkable resilience and growth and remains determined to reach the coveted 40,000 milestone in the long run.

This journey to 40,000 could unfold at a fast pace, and investors looking to partake can consider some of the top defence stocks from the index or that can be a part of the index in the future.

Defence stocks in India are growing in importance, driven by government emphasis on modernisation, increased spending, and the "Make in India" initiative. Defence exports have surged to around 160 bn in FY23, a tenfold increase since 2016-17.

However, today's largest blue-chip companies are not pre-destined to hoover up all the benefits. A new set of emerging blue-chip contenders could potentially join the Nifty 50 and contribute to its journey toward 40,000.

#1 Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

At the top of our list is the countrys engineering major, Larsen & Toubro.

L&T is committed to leading the defence revolution in India by playing a significant role in the sector.

It offers a wide range of products, including ships, submarines, land combat vehicles, radar systems and PSLV rockets.

Presently, L&Ts defence segment is a small part of the whole, bringing in around 2-3% of the total group revenues in the projects and manufacturing segment. However, the company stands out as a significant player in the Indian private defence industry.

What sets it apart is the company's extensive expertise in ship and submarine construction, given that the Indian defence segment plans to procure numerous modern ships and submarines for the Navy.

This segment is expected to grow on a strong footing amongst other expanding businesses of the company.

Between 2019-2023, the companys sales and net profit have grown at a 5-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% and 8%, respectively. The returns have been strong, with the Return on Equity (RoE) and Return on Capital Employed (RoCE) averaging over 12% and 13.3%.

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L&T has deleveraged its balance sheet in the past five years. The debt-to-equity ratio has fallen from 1.2x in the financial year 2019 to 0.7x in 2023.

The interest coverage ratio has also been rangebound at 2.8 times over the same period. These healthy financial parameters give L&T the financial flexibility to invest in new projects.

#2 Bharat Forge

Next on our list is Bharat Forge.

Bharat Forge is a global provider of high-performance, innovative, safety & critical components and solutions to various industrial sectors, including automotive, railways, power, defence, construction & mining, aerospace, marine, and oil & gas.

The company has been diversifying from its core operations, building a strong defence portfolio. It has consistently invested in cutting-edge facilities that house world-class products, capabilities and facilities.

Consequently, all of their defence products have been internally designed and developed, with full ownership of the intellectual property.

This independence from partnerships and joint ventures has been a catalyst for business expansion, with over 80% of its revenue coming from exports.

It has also made Bharat Forge a renowned aircraft compressor and turbine manufacturer and one of the best aircraft fan blade manufacturers in the country.

Presently, the company is expanding its global footprint further. It is in talks with at least ten to twelve countries, (including the US), for the export of artillery guns, armoured and protective vehicles, and components.

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Between 2019-2023, the sales have grown at a CAGR of 9%. The returns have been rangebound, with the RoCE and RoE averaging at over 9.9% and 10%, respectively.

In FY23, the debt-to-equity was at 1x with an interest coverage of 3.8x.

#3 Bharat Electronics

Third on the list is Bharat Electronics.

A government entity, Bharat Electronics is a primary provider of radar, communication and electronic warfare equipment to the Indian armed forces.

Their product portfolio is quite diverse, encompassing defence and non-defence products such as software and electronic manufacturing services.

In addition to serving the domestic market, the company also exports its goods to various nations, such as Botswana, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the United States, and South Africa.

Bharat Electronics has established multiple growth drivers by developing a robust infrastructure, fostering strong relationships with government entities and venturing into non-defence sectors to create new avenues for expansion.

The company reported a current order book of 687 bn, which is more than three times its order book for FY23.

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Between 2019-23, the companys sales and net profit grew at a 5-year CAGR of 10.7% and 15.8%, respectively.

The 5-year average RoCE and RoE stood at 28.7% and 20%, respectively. The consistent expansion in operating margin comes from an increasing level of indigenisation and a strong channel of local supply chains.

#4 Hindustan Aeronautics

Fourth on the list is Hindustan Aeronautics.

Hindustan Aeronautics is a play on the growing strength & modernisation of Indias air defence. Its significant presence is evident, with approximately 80% of the defence force's fleet being supplied or serviced by the company.

The company has been advancing its technologies, evidenced by the development of more sophisticated platforms. Whats even more exciting is that it has successfully transitioned from manufacturing products through licensed production to establishing a range of homegrown designs.

This places the aerospace giant in a sweet spot to capitalise on the long-term, sustainable demand created by the government's commitment to procuring indigenous defence aircraft.

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The defence PSU maintains a healthy order book and is reporting consistently higher profitability through scaling up operations and leveraging its capabilities.

At 822 bn, Hindustan Aeronautic's outstanding order book is three times its trailing twelve-month revenues.

The companys sales have been growing smoothly. Between 2019-23, the sales and net profit have grown at a 5-year CAGR of 8% and 24%, respectively. The returns have been admirable, reporting a 5-year average RoCE and RoE of 28% and 24%, respectively.

#5 Cochin Shipyard

Last on our list is Cochin Shipyard.

The company holds a prominent position in the construction and maintenance of a wide range of maritime vessels, encompassing tankers, product carriers, bulk carriers, passenger ships, and defence vessels.

It stands as the sole shipyard in India capable of constructing vessels with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of up to 110,000 and repairing vessels of up to 125,000 DWT.

In addition to its work in defence shipbuilding, the company has diversified its product line by venturing into inland and coastal shipping, the fishing industry as well as the cruise and ferry market.

Over the years, the company has built its expertise in defence vessels. Progressing from bulk carriers, the company is credited with building smaller, technologically advanced ships, including Platform Supply Vessels and Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels.

Recently, the company achieved a significant milestone by constructing India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, delivered in the previous financial year.

Going forward, the company enjoys strong revenue visibility as its order book currently stands at close to 210 billion (bn). This is an almost whopping 10x its FY23 revenues of around 23 bn.

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Between 2019-2023, the companys sales and net profit have been stable, with the net profit falling a little.

In the FY23, the company experienced a decline in revenue due to a weakened order book. This decline was primarily attributed to concerns stemming from the pandemic.

Orders began to flow in towards the end of FY22; however, due to the time required to fulfill these orders, the company couldn't recognize the corresponding revenue in FY23.

The 5-year average RoCE and RoE stood at 19.5% and 13.6%, respectively.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
Mirae Asset Mutual Fund announced the launch of the Mirae Asset Nifty IT ETF, an open-ended exchange-traded fund scheme replicating/tracking the Nifty IT index.

The scheme opened for public subscription on October 13, 2023, and will close on October 18, 2023. The scheme re-opens for continuous sale and repurchase within five business days from the date of allotment on NSE and BSE.

What kind of mutual fund scheme is this?

This is an open-ended exchange-traded fund scheme replicating/tracking the Nifty IT index.

What is the main objective of investing in this fund?

The investment objective of the scheme is to generate returns, before expenses, that are commensurate with the performance of the Nifty IT Total Return Index, subject to tracking error. There is no assurance or guarantee that the investment objective of the scheme will be achieved.

How may one invest in this scheme?

Investors can invest under the scheme with a minimum investment of 5000 per plan/option and in multiples of Re 1. There is no upper limit for investment.

Under normal circumstances, the asset allocation of the scheme will be as follows:

Instruments Indicative allocations (% of total assets) Risk Profile Minimum Maximum Equity and Equity Related Securities of companies constituting the Nifty IT Index, the Underlying Index 95% 100% Very High Cash and Cash Equivalents 0% 5% Low to Medium

The asset allocation component will also encompass subscription and redemption cash flows that might remain uninvested for various reasons, such as dividends from underlying securities, rebalancing, mutual funds set aside for the operational expenses of the scheme, or residual amounts resulting from rounding off during execution.

Are there similar mutual funds in the market?

To date, many asset management companies (AMCs) have launched such exchange-traded funds (ETFs), thus, allowing inclined investors to avail of returns corresponding to the total returns of the securities in this particular index. These include:

Mutual Fund House IT ETF Nippon India Mutual Fund Nippon India ETF Nifty IT ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund ICICI Prudential IT ETF Kotak Mutual Fund Kotak It ETF SBI Mutual Fund SBI ETF IT Axis Mutual Fund Axis Technology ETF HDFC Mutual Fund HDFC Nifty IT ETF Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund Aditya Birla Sun Life Nifty IT ETF Source: https://www.tickertape.in/indices/nifty-it-index-.NIFTYIT/etfs

How will the scheme benchmark its performance?

The Nifty IT index tracks the performance of Indian IT companies, consisting of 10 firms listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). This index is calculated using the free float market capitalisation method, with a reference date of January 1, 1996, and a base value of 1000. The index's level represents the total free float market value of all the stocks in the index compared to a specific base market capitalisation value.

Are there any entry or exit loads to this scheme?

This scheme involves no Entry Load", which means that investors do not have to pay anything to park their earnings in this scheme. The Exit Load" would be calculated as under:

For investors transacting directly with the AMC : No exit load will be levied on redemptions made by Market Maker / Large Investors directly with the AMC.

: No exit load will be levied on redemptions made by Market Maker / Large Investors directly with the AMC. For investors transacting on the exchange: Not Applicable

Who will manage this scheme?

Ekta Gala and Vishal Singh are the designated fund managers of this scheme.

Does the fund contain any inherent risk?

The scheme involves Very High Risk" as per the details mentioned in the Scheme Information Document and is best suited to investors willing to understand that their principal will be subject to very high risk. However, investors should consult their financial advisors if they doubt whether the product is suitable for them.

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Global influencer advertising spending is on an upward trajectory, defying consumers waning trust in influencers.

Brands and companies are pouring substantial investments into this marketing strategy, propelling the industry to unprecedented revenue levels.

Recent data from OnlyAccounts.io reveals that the worldwide expenditure on influencer advertising is set to exceed $30 billion by the end of the year, marking a 17% increase from 2022. Moreover, projections indicate that this figure is poised for significant expansion, with expectations of a 55% growth rate, ultimately reaching nearly $48 billion by 2027.

Averaging an Annual Increase of $4.2 Billion

In the last half-decade, influencers have emerged as a preferred choice for social media marketers, offering brands the opportunity to swiftly connect with millions of potential customers. Their meteoric rise in popularity has yielded substantial returns and heightened customer trust, prompting marketers to allocate more resources to influencer-based advertising.

This growth is evident in Statistas findings, which highlight the remarkable evolution of influencer advertising. In 2017, brands and companies collectively spent approximately $6 billion on influencer marketing. Over the subsequent six years, this figure surged by over 400%, reaching $30.8 billion in 2023.

Despite the decrease in consumer trust in influencers, the trend indicates that brands and marketers remain committed to amplifying their investments in influencer advertising. According to Statista, annual spending in the influencer marketing sector is expected to increase by an average of $4.2 billion in the next four years, culminating in a record-breaking $47.8 billion by 2027.

The Rising Dominance of the Chinese Market

Of this total, a substantial portion, nearly $26.5 billion, will emanate from China, the worlds largest influencer advertising market. The United States, the second-largest global market, is anticipated to account for a quarter of this figure, with approximately $7.5 billion in total ad spending projected for 2027. In contrast, the United Kingdom ranks as the third-largest influencer advertising market, with an estimated $1.5 billion in total ad spending that year.

Chinese Market Leading the Charge

The most striking growth is expected in the Chinese market. In 2023, Chinese brands are set to invest a substantial $16.7 billion in influencer advertising. This figure is forecasted to surge by an impressive 58% by 2027, nearly reaching $26.5 billion.

Meanwhile, the US influencer marketing industry is projected to grow by 52% during this period, with total ad spending increasing from $4.9 billion to $7.5 billion. Following closely, the United Kingdom is poised for a 47% growth in ad spending between 2023 and 2027.

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The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, celebrated annually on October 17, aims to promote understanding and dialogue between people living in poverty and the wider society.

Poverty is a denial of human rights for an individual. It not only leads to a life of deprivation, hunger and suffering, but also prevents the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms, which every individual should be able to enjoy without any hindrance. Ending poverty is not just helping the poor  it is giving every woman and man the chance to live with dignity.

According to the United Nations, 8.4% of the worlds population, or as many as 670 million people, were living in extreme poverty at the end of 2022. An estimated 7% of the global population  around 575 million people  could still find themselves trapped in extreme poverty by 2030.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023: When is the day celebrated?

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated on October 17 of every year.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023: What is the theme?

The theme of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023 is Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting dignity in practice for all"

This year's theme calls for universal access to decent work and social protection as a means to uphold human dignity for all people, and to emphasize that decent work must empower people, provide fair wages and safe working conditions, and fundamentally recognize the inherent value and humanity of all workers.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023: History

The observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to October 17, 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadero in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger.

The gathering proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year on October 17 to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor.

Through resolution 47/196 adopted on 22 December 1992, the UN General Assembly declared 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023: What is the message of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the day?

"In our world of plenty, poverty should have no home.

Yet, as we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, nearly 700 million people are barely scraping by, living on less than $2.15 per day.

Over a billion people are deprived of basic needs like food, water, health care and education. Billions more lack sanitation and access to energy, jobs, housing and social safety nets.

Meanwhile, conflicts, the climate crisis, discrimination and exclusion  particularly against women and girls  are deepening the distress.

This is compounded by an outdated, dysfunctional and unfair global financial system that hinders developing countries from investing in alleviating poverty and achieving the SDGs.

At current rates, almost 500 million people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030.

This is unacceptable.

At the SDG Summit in September, world leaders recognized the need to reform the international financial architecture and committed to a bold plan to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals and accelerate efforts to eradicate poverty everywhere.

This includes support for an SDG Stimulus of at least $500 billion per year in financing for investments to achieve this.

Leaders also agreed on targeted action aimed at alleviating poverty and suffering for all people  from transformed food and education systems, to decent jobs and expanded social protection, as this years theme highlights.

Ending poverty is the challenge of our time.

But it is a challenge we can win.

On this important day, lets renew our commitment to a world free of poverty."

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023: What is the significance of the Day?

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023 holds immense significance as it serves as a global reminder of the ongoing battle against poverty in all its dimensions.

The day provides a chance to stand in solidarity with people living in poverty, truly listen to their daily struggles, and renew commitments to create a just economy focused on protecting human and environmental wellbeing over maximizing financial gains. The ultimate goal is to eliminate poverty entirely by creating the conditions for everyone to live with dignity.

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AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes on Monday appreciated the Malaysian multinational low-cost airline for its culture which allows massage and management meetings together.

In a post on LinkedIn, Fernandes wrote, Was a stressful week and Veranita Yosephine suggested a massage. Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture that I Can have a massage and do a management meeting."

We are making big progress and I have now finalized Capital A structure. Exciting days ahead. Proud of what we have built and never have lost sight of the finish," he added.

Since being posted, Tony Fernandes' picture received mixed responses as some people appreciated the company's new culture, while others disliked it.

A user wrote, I applaud this brave man for being an agent of change in the body positivity movement. We should celebrate all body shapes and sizes! And as for the happy ending comments, how dare people belittle the brave people in the sex working industry; you dont know their truth and their lived experiences, nor should you shame people for prioritizing self-care and sexual well-being in these times of mental stress and anxiety."

Love this boss!" another user commented on the post shared by Tony Fernandes.

However, another person said, A grown man, who is the chief executive of a publicly listed company, conducts a management meeting with his shirt off as he gets a massage. Remove who is the chief executive of a publicly listed company" and it is still inappropriate."

I took my shirt during a management meeting and got fired," the third user mocked.

"My favourite post on LinkedIn. Looking forward to you posting more of your day to day office life, the fourth user added.

Another user said, "indeed has the most Employee friendly 'Work Culture". Cheers."

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India has offered its assistance to Central Asian states to tackle terrorism, drug trafficking and to build defences against cyber threats as part of measures to bolster cooperation and connectivity with the strategic region, Hindustan Times reported Tuesday.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval who is in Kazakhstan to participate in the second meeting of Indian and Central Asian security officials, made the offer.

Noting that India and Central Asia face common security challenges, the Indian NSA said malign actors from interconnected networks" threaten the shared neighbourhood.

Doval said the meeting is being held at a time when the world is facing great challenges and dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes. Diplomacy must be at the centre of all conflict resolution initiatives, he added.

Doval said terrorism, in all forms and manifestations, remains one of the most serious threats to international security and all such acts, regardless of motivation or cause, are unjustifiable. He described drug trafficking as a serious menace that is often leveraged by terror groups and organised criminal gangs and highlighted the need for close coordination to tackle this problem, the report said.

Doval offered fully funded capacity-building programmes in a range of areas to tackle both terrorism and drug trafficking.

India will work closely with Central Asian states to help them build defences against cyber threats and create a secure cyber ecosystem, Doval said. The NSA invited the heads of cyber security agencies of the Central Asian countries to India for a strategic cyber experience" since capacity building and sharing of experiences are cornerstones for strengthening cooperation in this area.

Doval offered to provide the United Payment Interface (UPI) technology free of cost to Central Asian states and to facilitate the setting up of sovereign digital real-time payment systems in line with the needs of these countries.

Doval also proposed the setting up of an India-Central Asia Rare Earths Forum to explore partnerships in strategic minerals.

In an apparent swipe at Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Doval said it is important to ensure that connectivity initiatives are consultative, transparent and participatory", and that they respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. Such initiatives should also adhere to environmental parameters, ensure financial viability and not become debt burdens, he said.

Doval said the absence of direct land access between Central Asia and India is an anomaly" and the result of a conscious policy of denial by a particular country". Though he didnt name any country, it was apparent that he was referring to Pakistan, which has never allowed the transit of Indian goods through its territory.

Nothing that India is a member of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Ashgabat Agreement, Doval invited the Central Asian states to use Irans Chabahar port, where an Indian company operates the Shaheed Bahesti terminal, for maritime trade. He also sought their support for including Chabahar port within the framework of INSTC.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are set to join the INSTC soon and with this, all five Central Asian states will be part of this trade corridor.

The participants agreed to meet again in Kyrgyzstan in 2024.

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The Supreme Court of India is likely to pronounce its verdict on the legal recognition of same-sex marriage today, October 17, Tuesday. The top court had reserved its judgment on May 11 on a batch of pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriage.

The five-judge Constitution bench that was hearing the pleas comprised Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices SK Kaul, SR Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha.

During the course of hearings, the petitioners said that India is a marriage-based culture" and that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) couples should be granted the same rights as any heterosexual couples have, like the status of spouse" in finance and insurance issues; medial, inheritance, and succession decisions, and even in adoption and surrogacy matters.

A gay couple from West Bengal's Kolkata expressed their hope for a verdict in favor of their community. "I hope that this verdict is passed in our favor. Once the law is passed people will be able to share about this easily without any hesitation," Abhishek Ray told ANI.

Netizens are eagerly waiting for the Supreme Court judgement on same-sex marriage, however, some still believe that the fight will still be long if it comes in their favor.

As Advocate Karuna Nundy says, even if #SupremeCourtofIndia rules in our favour in #MarriageEquality case, the fight is long from over. For instance, we need comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and effective deterrent against conversion therapy," a user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Another user said, Lets make this day historic. All eyes on the Supreme Court,as it will pass a judgment on whether same-sex marriages will be legalized in India or not..Marriage equality should not be a privilege for a few."

I think that same sex marriage provision is prerogative of Parliament. There is separation of power between the judiciary and legislative. However after Johar case SC may leave this issue to parliament to make a law on this subject because it has a far reaching effect," the third user commented.

One more said, Diversity of perspectives on #samesexrelationships found in ancient Indian law books reflects diversity of Indian culture and society. It is important to note that ancient Indian law books were not always followed strictly, and there is evidence that same sex relationships were practiced in India throughout history."

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NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex couples and said only Parliament and state legislatures can validate marital unions in a ruling that disappointed millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people in India.

By a 3-2 majority, the court also declined to grant constitutional protection to civil unions and adoption rights for queer couples, noting that mandating the state to grant recognition or legal status to some unions will violate the doctrine of separation of powers and could lead to unforeseeable consequences.

This court cannot make law; it can only interpret it and give effect to it. The court, in the exercise of the power of judicial review, must remain clear of matters, particularly those impinging on the policy which falls in the legislative domain," the verdict said.

The Constitution benchcomprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud and justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S. Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and P.S. Narasimhawas unanimous that the right to marry was not a fundamental right, and said it was beyond the remit of courts to issue a positive direction to the legislature to characterize same-sex marriages and queer relationships through a new instrument of law.

The directions or orders of this court cannot encroach upon the domain of the legislature," said the unanimous view of the bench, noting that Parliament and state assemblies have enacted laws creating and regulating the sociolegal institution of marriage under the Constitution.

But the two sides differed on two key aspectsrecognition of civil unions, considered the world over as the first step towards granting full marriage equality, and adoption rights.

The ruling crushed the hopes of some 20-odd petitioners who had approached the top court arguing that not recognizing their relationships denied them material entitlements that their heterosexual peers enjoyed, and this violated their constitutional rights.

We are deeply disappointed by the judgment today," said Supriyo Chakraborty, a petitioner.

The verdict in the landmark case began on a hopeful note for the petitioners as Chandrachud and Kaul read out concurring judgments decrying discrimination against queer couples, recognizing civil unions and affirming the rights of LGBTQ+ people to adopt.

But over 100 minutes into the pronouncement, it became clear that the two judges were in the minority when jBhat and Kohli concurred on their judgment and justice Narasimha read out his separate verdict.

It was a roller-coaster of emotions for us. I was on the phone with my family, and one moment we thought we had it, and the next it was despair," said Sameer Samudra, a petitioner.

The focus will now shift to a high-powered committeechaired by the Union cabinet secretarythat the government promised to set up during the hearings to examine an array of concerns affecting the rights of non-heterosexual couples and take corrective measures.

The minority judgement set out the terms of reference for the panelmedical, jail visitation and financial rights, as well as questions of succession, maintenance and pensionsand said the recommendations shall be implemented through administrative orders. However, the majority judgement confined itself to the formation of the panel.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who spearheaded the Centres opposition to legal recognition for same-sex couples, welcomed the verdict.

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The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum just got $20 million to build a high-tech classroom for visiting students. The source: weight-loss drug wealth.

Two nonprofit foundations are large shareholders of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, the companies selling the drugs Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro popularly used to reduce weight. Thanks to the drugs skyrocketing sales, the foundations stakes have surged in value, creating windfalls that are reshaping charitable giving.

The philanthropies are now among the biggest in the world, with the Novo Nordisk Foundation counting $114 billion in assets and Lilly Endowment quadrupling in value to $40 billion. The Lilly Endowment is the second largest U.S. foundation, behind the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundationand its $53 billion in assetsbut ahead of the Ford Foundation and the J. Paul Getty Trust, according to FoundationMark data provider.

With their newfound anti-obesity riches, the foundations have been expanding their ranks and increasing their donations by hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

That means plenty more money for the Lilly Endowments cherished Indiana causes, such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which this year received $20 million to build a science and technology classroom for visiting students.

We can achieve a lot more now," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, chief executive of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which is upping donations for scientific endeavors, such as $130 million earmarked in September to build a cell-therapy plant in Denmark. Size actually does matter."

The enrichment of the foundations is a product of the unusual ownership structures of the two drugmakers. Their large ownership stakes, which date back decades, have helped insulate the drugmakers from the daily whims of shareholders.

The Lilly Endowments 11% stake makes it Eli Lillys biggest shareholder. The Novo Nordisk Foundation owns more than one-fourth of Novo Nordisk shares and majority voting control of the drugmaker. The Lilly Endowment operates independently from Eli Lilly, while the Novo foundation is more intertwined with Novo Nordisk as its controlling shareholder.

Soaring sales of the drug Mounjaro have helped propel Lilly to the biggest stock-market capitalization of any pharmaceutical company in the world, more than $500 billion. Novo Nordisks market value has surpassed the gross domestic product of its home country of Denmark at times this year largely due to Ozempic and its sister drug, Wegovy.

The wealthier foundations have increased their giving in turn. The Lilly Endowment, which focuses on religion, education and community development projects, added 150 new grant recipients in 2022 alone, expanding to 645 entities.

The Lilly foundations donations more than doubled to $1.28 billion last year from 2018, reaching the highest amount in the endowments history, said CEO Clay Robbins. The amount is expected to increase to at least $1.42 billion this year, according to a foundation tax filing. U.S. law requires foundations to give away at least 5% of the value of their endowments each year.

The Lilly Endowments extra money also means bigger new grants for past recipients. Last year the endowment gave $38.8 million to the American Indian College Fund to help increase American Indian and Alaska Native student enrollment, retention and graduation rates at 25 tribal colleges and universities.

Cheryl Crazy Bull, president and chief executive of the college fund, called it a catalytic gift."

In September, the Lilly Endowment pledged $85 million to fund youth programs. In January, Indianapolis officials said they would receive $80 million from the Lilly Endowment funding to upgrade 42 city parks14 times the citys annual capital budget for parks and more than the endowment has given previously. New pickleball courts and the replacement of playground equipment are part of the upgrades.

The donation will improve our quality of life in Indianapolis for generations to come," said Phyllis Boyd, director of the citys parks and recreation department.

The Novo foundations annual grant awards nearly doubled between 2018 and 2022, to about $1.1 billion. The awards will soar even higher, because the stock dividends funding the nonprofit jumped to $5.4 billion last year, up from $857 million the year before.

If forecasts of booming sales of anti-obesity drugs are correct, thats a hell of a lot of money coming our way over the next decade and, hopefully, more as all the income we generate supports the work of the foundation," Kasim Kutay, CEO of Novo Holdings, the investment arm of the foundation, said in a recent meeting with journalists.

With its fatter wallet, the foundation plans to award more grants beyond its traditional focus on Denmark, said Thomsen, Novo Nordisks former research chief. Novo Holdings has opened offices outside of Denmark in recent years, including one in Shanghai last year. The foundation has been on a hiring spreeballooning to 204 employees from just 14 in 2013.

One of the foundations biggest recent grants was a $200 million effort to establish Denmarks first full-scale quantum computer, to be used for drug development and climate research, led by the Niels Bohr Institute of the University of Copenhagen.

Now researchers can aim high for a big advance, rather than incremental progress. We can actually take a deep breath and say, Where do we want to be in 10 or 12 years? " said Peter Krogstrup Jeppesen, a professor leading the project.

Write to Peter Loftus at Peter.Loftus@wsj.com
Iran on Monday warned of a possible pre-emptive action" against Israel in the coming hours as Israel readies for a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, indicating the real possibility of Hezbollah joining the war.

In a live broadcast on state TV, Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said, The possibility of pre-emptive action by the resistance axis is expected in the coming hours."

His remarks came while referring to his meeting with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday, according to a report published by AFP.

On Monday, Iran's top diplomat and president, Ebrahim Raisi had said time was running out to reach a political solution and warned against the expansion of the Israel-Hamas war to other fronts.

Amir-Abdollahian said Monday that "the resistance leaders" will not allow Israel "to do whatever it wants in Gaza".

"If we don't defend Gaza today, tomorrow we have to defend against these (phosphorus) bombs in the children's hospital of our own country," he added as quoted by AFP.

The Israel-Palestine conflict entered its eleventh day today. Residents and humanitarian groups pleaded on Monday for water, food, and fuel for dying generators as truckloads of aid were stuck at Egypts border with Gaza.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, the report further added. Many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water with taps dry, risking the spread of disease.

All eyes were on the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt after Israel cut off entry of any supplies. Mediators were trying to reach a ceasefire that would let in aid.

The situation is quite grim there, this has become the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. According to the United Nations (UN), hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours.

At least 2,778 have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority of civilians massacred in Hamas October 7 assault.

Amid fears that Israel's war with Hamas could spread to other countries, US President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday.

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In a recent development in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Israeli military has raised their estimate, stating that the Hamas militant group in Gaza is currently holding approximately 199 hostages. Initially, their estimate had been around 120 hostages. Here are the top ten updates.

1. US President Joe Biden is scheduled to embark on a trip to Israel and subsequently to Jordan on Wednesday. His aim is to engage with both Israeli and Arab leadership at a critical juncture when there are mounting concerns that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict might escalate into a broader regional crisis. Also Read: Israel-Hamas war LIVE updates: Joe Biden will head to Israel, Jordan amid mounting concerns 2. The announcement of President Biden's visit was made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It comes amidst a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and escalating tensions as Israel prepares for a potential ground offensive in the 141-square-mile territory. This operation is aimed at eradicating Hamas militants, whom US and Israeli officials contend were responsible for what they describe as the most severe attack against Jews since the Holocaust, AP reported. 3. After extensive discussions with Israeli officials lasting around nine hours, Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that the United States and Israel have reached an agreement to formulate a plan for delivering essential humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip while ensuring it doesn't end up in the hands of Hamas. Also Read: Israel-Hamas War: World leaders change tune on Palestine as death toll rises in Gaza 4. On the Israel-Hamas conflict, the UK Prime Minister in the Parliament said that the attacks in Israel last weekend shocked the world. Over 1,400 people were murdered, over 3,500 wounded, almost 200 taken hostage. The attacks in Israel last weekend shocked the world. Over 1,400 people were murdered, over 3,500 wounded, almost 200 taken hostage. The elderly, men, women, children, and babies in arms were murdered, mutilated and burned alive. It was a pogrom...We stand with Israel. The murdered and the missing come from over 30 countries, including the United Kingdom. At least six British citizens were killed and ten are missing," Sunak added.

5. Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. He provided Netanyahu with insights from his recent conversations with leaders from the region and the Palestinian authority. Putin emphasized the steps Russia is actively taking to prevent further escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip during their dialogue. President of Russia Vladimir #Putin spoke with Prime Minister of the State of Israel @netanyahu over the phone," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia posted on X.

Also Read: Palestine in focus? Putin to meet Xi Jinping in China amid Hamas-Israel conflict

6. Amid a growing diplomatic dispute, Israel has halted its security exports to Colombia, AP reported. This rift stemmed from online statements made by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, equating Israel's actions in Gaza with Nazi Germany. President Petro has reiterated his criticism of Israel and even raised the possibility of suspending diplomatic ties with Israel. Additionally, Colombia's foreign minister has proposed the expulsion of Israel's ambassador from the country.

7. The UN Security Council, in a session on Monday, dismissed a Russian resolution that aimed to condemn the escalating violence in the Middle East. Delegates opted not to support the motion as it failed to specifically pinpoint Hamas for its unexpected attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 individuals.

8. The Israeli military reported on Tuesday that approximately 500,000 Israelis have been evacuated and displaced over the past ten days. This displacement has been prompted by what is described as the bloodiest attack in the country's history, initiated by Hamas, AFP reported.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas war: Shocking video of Israelis urinating on dead Palestinians surfaces on internet

9. After engaging in extensive discussions with Israeli officials that lasted approximately nine hours, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan for delivering critically needed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip while ensuring it doesn't end up in the hands of Hamas, AP reported,

10. A prominent Hamas leader stated on Monday that the organization possesses the necessary leverage to secure the release of all Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons, Reuters reported. This suggests that Hamas might consider using the kidnapped Israelis as bargaining tools to negotiate the release of Palestinian prisoners.

(With inputs from agencies)

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President Joe Biden's upcoming visit to Jordan on Wednesday holds significant importance, particularly as it follows his recent trip to Israel, AP reported.

As reported by AP, according to a statement from White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Monday evening, President Biden's itinerary includes a visit to Jordan. During this visit, he is scheduled to hold meetings with key regional leaders, namely King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas war LIVE updates: Less than 24 hours of water, electricity left in Gaza; death toll- 2,808

Weve been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza. That has been a consistent call by President Biden and certainly by this entire administration," Kirby said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed President Biden's trip to Israel, emphasizing the urgency of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip. Concurrently, Israel is reportedly making preparations for a potential ground incursion into the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory.

This operation aims to eradicate Hamas militants, whom US and Israeli officials hold responsible for what they consider the most devastating attack on Jews since the Holocaust. President Biden's visit underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for diplomatic engagement, AP reported.

President Biden is actively seeking to convey a robust show of support for Israel, signifying the unwavering commitment of his Democratic administration to the nation.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas War: World leaders change tune on Palestine as death toll rises in Gaza

Furthermore, officials have indicated their intention to request over $2 billion in supplementary aid from Congress, intended for both Israel and Ukraine. The latter is currently engaged in combat against Russia's invasion.

Antony Blinken's recent visit to Israel on Monday marked his second trip to the country in less than a week, underscoring the significance of his diplomatic efforts in the region. He has been actively engaging in a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, with stops in various key nations.

These visits have included discussions with leaders in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Blinken's extensive travels highlight the United States' commitment to diplomacy and cooperation in the Middle East, addressing critical regional issues, AP reported.

Also Read: China criticises Israel's actions on Gaza in war with Hamas: Beyond scope of self-defense

Blinken, in talks Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, carried back some of the feedback he received from Arab leaders.

He also underlined his firm support for Israels right to defend itself from Hamas terrorism and reaffirmed US determination to provide the Israeli government with what it needs to protect its citizens," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

On Monday, Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, issued a warning that "preemptive action is possible" if Israel advances closer to launching a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. It's important to note that Iran plays a significant financial role as a sponsor for both Hamas militants in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Also Read: Explainer: Hezbollahs origin and role in Israel -Hamas war

Amirabdollahian's remarks are consistent with a broader trend of increasingly heated rhetoric coming from Iran, further heightening tensions in the region.

Leaders of the resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go after other resistance groups after its done with Gaza," he told state television. Therefore any preemptive action is possible in the coming hours."

According to White House officials, US intelligence indicates that Iran has had a general awareness of Hamas's preparations for a potential attack on Israel. However, the United States has not found concrete evidence of direct Iranian involvement in the October 7 attack. While there may be an awareness of Hamas's activities, there's no clear indication of direct Iranian participation in the incident.

(With inputs from AP)

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As the Israel-Palestine conflict enters its eleventh day today, residents and humanitarian groups pleaded on Monday for water, food, and fuel for dying generators as truckloads of aid were stuck at Egypts border with Gaza, news agency AP reported. In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, the report further added. Many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water with taps dry, risking the spread of disease.

All eyes were on the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt after Israel cut off entry of any supplies. Mediators were trying to reach a ceasefire that would let in aid.

The situation is quite grim there, this has become the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. According to the United Nations (UN), hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours.

In Pics | Israel-Hamas War: Gaza hospitals on breaking point as essential supplies, space running out

Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life," said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, calling for a lifting of the siege. We need this now."

At least 2,778 have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority of civilians massacred in Hamas October 7 assault.

Amid fears that Israel's war with Hamas could spread to other countries, US President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made this announcement after meeting for nearly eight hours at the defence ministry with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the top US diplomat's second visit since the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

"The president will reaffirm United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security," Blinken said early Tuesday in Tel Aviv.

"Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks," Blinken said.

-With agency inputs

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A significant AI adoption wave is sweeping across Australias business and consumer landscapes, with 42% of businesses actively leveraging AI to enhance their e-commerce strategies.

In the latest findings from the 2023 PayPal eCommerce Index, it is revealed that Australian businesses are actively incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their e-commerce strategies, with many SMEs employing AI to enhance their online operations. Furthermore, a substantial 43% of these businesses express a keen interest in implementing AI, reflecting a widespread appetite for these emerging technologies to drive efficiency and elevate the customer experience.

On the consumer front, the research underscores a growing openness to AI adoption in online shopping. A significant 43% of Australian consumers indicate a willingness to utilize AI to streamline their online shopping experiences, with this enthusiasm significantly higher among younger shoppers, where it reaches a remarkable 56%. Gen Z shoppers, aged 18-26, are particularly enthusiastic about the potential AI holds for online shopping assistance, with a striking 63% embracing the idea.

Within the business landscape, the top applications of AI in e-commerce are revealed to include content generation, personalized product recommendations, visual design element creation, and customer interaction management. These practical use cases demonstrate the versatility of AI in modern e-commerce.

However, alongside these optimistic developments, the research also uncovers concerns surrounding AI. Businesses and consumers alike recognize the need for responsible AI innovation. While businesses see the potential for enhanced efficiency, both businesses (29%) and consumers (42%) harbor concerns about the possibility of AI biases leading to inaccurate recommendations.

In addition, cybersecurity is a pressing issue, with 34% of businesses fearing that AI could pave the way for more sophisticated cybercrime. On the consumer side, theres a notable concern (47%) about the misuse of deepfakes for fraudulent activities.

To address these challenges, Andrew Toon, General Manager of PayPal Australia, underlines the importance of responsible AI innovation. He emphasizes the need for ethical principles in AI design and use, and PayPal has taken steps to ensure responsible AI through the establishment of a Responsible AI framework and Steering Committee.

Beyond e-commerce, the research shows that Australians are open to AIs application in their daily lives, including meal planning, document creation, workout plans, online tutoring, and even serving as conversation partners. The study also highlights AIs presence in broader business operations, encompassing activities like advertising design, bookkeeping, market analysis, and document drafting.

AI-powered cyberattacks are unfortunately not relegated to the realm of science fiction, but a current reality. Using artificial intelligence, hackers can create programs that mimic known human behaviours. Those hackers can then use these programs to trick people into giving up their personal or financial information and potentially bypass traditional, rule-based fraud checks that businesses might have in place. The best way businesses can hope to counter AI cybercrime is with an AI-enabled risk prevention solution, said Andrew Toon.

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The Wexner Foundation on Monday pulled support from Harvard University over its reaction to the Hamas rocket attack on Israel that has killed over 1,200 people and left many injured. The philanthropy, chaired by Leslie Wexner and Abigail Wexner, wrote a letter to the Harvard Board of Overseers.

In the letter, the philanthropic organization said it was ending its financial and programmatic relationship with the university. Currently, the Wexner Foundation is supporting up to 10 government and public service professionals from Israel each year to pursue a one-year degree from the Harvard Kennedy School. We are stunned and sickened at the dismal failure of Harvards leadership to take a clear and unequivocal stand against the barbaric murders of innocent Israeli civilians by terrorists last Saturday, the Sabbath and a festival day," the letter read. Harvard President Claudine Gay, who took office in July, has struggled to placate some critics, who initially included former university president Larry Summers, Bloomberg reported.

Summers said he was outraged by Harvards initial silence after more than 30 student groups issued a statement blaming the violence solely on Israel, and not Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union.

Harvard and the Kennedy School have made clear our rejection of the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas," a spokesperson for the public-policy institution said in an email, pointing to statements last week by Gay and Kennedy School Dean Doug Elmendorf.

The Kennedy School expressed gratitude to the Wexner Foundation for its very longstanding support of student scholarships."

It is pertinent to note that donors and alumni at some US colleges have been pulling support over the institutions' response to the Hamas attack on Israel. The latest break follows a move by Israeli businessman Idan Ofer, who with his wife quit board posts at the Kennedy School last week.

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Palestinian militant group Hamas uses a global financing network to funnel support from charities and friendly nations, passing cash through Gaza tunnels or using cryptocurrencies to bypass international sanctions, according to experts and officials.

However, Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, will face even more obstacles accessing funds after the rampage by the group's gunmen that killed hundreds of Israelis, mainly civilians. Israel has responded with the heaviest bombardment of Gaza in 75 years of conflict.

Earlier this week, Israeli police said they froze a Barclays bank account the authorities said was linked to Hamas fundraising and blocked cryptocurrency accounts used to gather donations, without specifying how many accounts or the value of the assets.

The move provided a glimpse of a complex financial web, some legitimate, much hidden, that underpins Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement, and its government in the Gaza Strip, which it has run since 2007.

Matthew Levitt, a former U.S. official specialised in counterterrorism, estimated the bulk of Hamas' budget of more than $300 million came from taxes on business, as well as from countries including Iran and Qatar or charities.

Last February, the State Department said that Hamas raises funds in other Gulf countries and gets donations from Palestinians, other expatriates and its own charities.

Reuters was unable to reach Hamas officials for comment for this story. In the past, Hamas has said financial restrictions placed on its donors were an attempt to neutralise legitimate resistance against Israel.

Hamas, sanctioned as a terrorist organization by the United States and countries such as Britain, had increasingly used cryptocurrencies, credit cards or contrived trade deals to avoid mounting international restrictions, Levitt said.

"Hamas has been one of the more successful users of crypto for the financing of terrorism," said Tom Robinson, co-founder of blockchain research firm Elliptic.

However, this year Hamas said it would back away from crypto, after a spate of losses. Cryptocurrency's ledger system can make such transactions traceable.

Blockchain researchers TRM Labs said this week in a research note that crypto fundraising has previously increased following rounds of violence involving Hamas. After fighting in May 2021, Hamas-controlled crypto addresses received more than $400,000, TRM Labs said.

However, since last weekend's violence, prominent Hamas-linked support groups had moved just a few thousands dollars through crypto, TRM noted.

"One likely reason for the low donation volume is that Israeli authorities are targeting them immediately," TRM said, adding that Israel had seized cryptocurrency worth "tens of millions of dollars" from Hamas-linked addresses in recent years.

Between Dec. 2021 and April this year, Israel seized almost 190 crypto accounts it said were linked to Hamas.

SHIPS AND SHELLS

Whether through crypto or other means, Hamas' allies have found ways to get money to Gaza. The U.S. State Department has said that Iran provides up to $100 million annually in support to Palestinian groups including Hamas, and has cited methods of moving the money through shell companies, shipping transactions and precious metals.

Iranian authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

By last year, Hamas had established a secret network of companies managing $500 million of investments in companies from Turkey to Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Treasury has said, announcing sanctions on the firms in May, 2022.

Israel has long accused Iran's clerical rulers of stoking violence by supplying arms to Hamas. Tehran, which does not recognise Israel, says it gives moral and financial support to the group.

Backing the Palestinian cause has been a pillar of the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution and a way for the country to fashion itself as a leader of the Muslim world.

Gas-rich Qatar too has paid hundreds of millions of dollars to Gaza since 2014, at one point spending $30 million per month to help operate the enclave's sole power plant and to support needy families and public servants in the Hamas-run government.

"Qatari aid provides 100 dollars to the poorest Palestinian families and extends the period of electricity during a day in Gaza," a Qatari official said in response to a request for government comment, adding that it had helped "maintain stability and quality of life for ... Palestinian families".

Qatar walks a foreign policy tightrope, hosting the region's largest U.S. military base, the Taliban and other groups, often allowing it to mediate.

CASH RULES

Qatar's funding for Gaza actually passes through Israel, a source familiar with the process said.

The funds are transferred electronically from Qatar to Israel. Israeli and U.N. officials hand-carry cash over the border to Gaza.

The cash is distributed directly to needy families and public servants in Gaza and each family or individual must sign next to their name that they've received the cash. One copy of that sheet goes to Israel, one goes to the UN and one goes to Qatar.

"Qatari aid to the Gaza Strip is fully coordinated with Israel, the UN and the U.S.," the Qatari government official said.

In recent years, Qatar bought fuel from Israel for Gaza's sole power station. It also sent Egyptian fuel that Hamas can resell, using the proceeds for salaries.

Stephen Reimer of the think tank, Royal United Services Institute, predicted fresh attempts to fully restrict the group's access to formal financial channels would have limited success. Their financing tactics have grown to circumvent these."

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Anti-Semitism has scored its flashiest victory since 1945. While many commentators have called the attack by Palestinian terrorists the Jewish 9/11 or Pearl Harbor, Israelis recognized a more disturbing precedent: the Holocaust.

Comparison of the Palestinian slaughter of Israelis in 2023 with the annihilation of European Jewry in the 1930s and 1940s doesnt hinge on the comparable helplessness of Jewish victims. Those gunned down and tortured by Hamas terrorists were equally innocent, yet the next days mobilization of 150% of Israel Defense Force reservists confirms a difference. Zionism won for the Jews the ability to inhabit and defend their homeland. There is little doubt that this time Israel will prevail.

The equation of the Hamas attacks to the Nazi murders lies rather in once-normal societies that turned monstrous while trying to annihilate the Jews. Anti-Semitism transformed Germans, among the most cultured people, into Nazis. Anti-Zionism has twisted Arabs and Muslims into something that in a way is even worse. Hamas advertises its butchery as a recruiting tool for followers (including in America).

But Hamas is merely the latest stage of an ideological movement that was launched when the Arab League organized against Israel in 1948. The Arab-Muslim refusal to coexist with Israel was never a war in any normal sense. Just as anti-Judaism once condemned the Jews for killing Christ, and anti-Semitism then accused Jews of polluting the nations where they lived, anti-Zionism was an ideology that defined the Jewish state as the illegitimate occupier of Arab land.

This anti-Zionist ideology is arguably the most potent coalition builder in the modern world. When Arab and Muslim countries emerged from colonial oversight after World War II, their leaders united nationalists, Islamists and other rivals with the common goal of destroying Israel. As they joined in successive wars, some of these constituencies competed over who could damage the Jewish state the most. Hamas has emerged victorious in that contest, proving that it can kill more Jews in a day than the combined Arab armies ever did and that it can torment Jews as brutally as the Nazis ever did.

This presents a problem for Middle Eastern leaders who want to normalize their relations with Western democracies, since they cant do it without repudiating the ideology that they previously embraced and generously nourished. The brutality of Hamas is the logical culmination of their aggression, and they fear it could be redirected against them.

Arab and Muslim leaders werent alone in promoting anti-Zionism. The Soviet bloc joined in passing the 1975 United Nations resolution that equated Zionism with racism, which forged the anti-Israel coalitions now prominent on every major American college campus. Soviet anti-Zionism, directed against Jewish religion and nationality, helped unite socialist internationalists with every other kind of anti-Semite. Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, shares the goals of Hamas even as he competes with it for governance, and he was educated in anti-Zionism at Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow. Palestinian West Bank celebrants of the Hamas massacre tell us what they would do given the chance.

This is how anti-Zionism has grown to exceed anti-Semitism in malevolence. To blame Israel for occupying Arab land, it was necessary to keep the Palestinian population permanently displaced. That is why the Arab League never accepted the partition of Palestine and why the Palestinians have never built their state in the West Bank or Gaza. Anti-Zionism demands the continuing sacrifice of the Palestinians. The destruction of Gaza is the real object of the Hamas attack on Israel. Butchering Jews to prove Arab bravery was the minor goal, but the main goal was to ensure that Jews are blamed for killing Palestinians.

Anti-Zionism misdirects attention from its carriers to its target, and even those of us who stand with Israel are inclined to follow their pointing finger. Will Israel overreact? How long can it expect American and Western support? How could Israel have allowed such a failure of intelligence? All such focus ought instead to be trained on the perpetratorswho will multiply unless they are contained.

Obvious questions reveal the corrupters of Arab societies. When Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, why didnt the Palestinians create the infrastructure for an independent state? Did Western funding for permanent refugees create terrorists in waiting? How could so many Palestinians, once among the most advanced Arabs in the Middle East, have turned into purveyors of what President Biden correctly called sheer evil"?

A second line of inquiry must open here. How did this depraved ideology penetrate Americas universities, its elites, and even the U.S. Congress to a degree that the German Bund in the 1930s never found possible? How did the idea of eliminating Israel galvanize the intersectional coalition of our disaffected minorities?

Middle Eastern studies and political scientists should have been investigating how this pathological behavior developed, and they must do so now. Late-stage anti-Zionism has reached a point of universal destruction. There is no time to lose.

Ms. Wisse is a professor emerita at Harvard and author of the memoir Free as a Jew."

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The horrors dont stop. The latest, as casualties continue to mount across Gaza, is the accumulating evidence that the killers from Hamas lacked even the humanity to grant their victims the mercy of a quick death. In far too many cases, the victims were tortured before they were killed.

But the horror is not limited to the Middle East. Decent people everywhere, including pious Muslims and fervent supporters of the Palestinian cause, recoiled from acts of barbarity that recall the darkest moments in human history. Basic decency, however, is not universal. There are Jew haters among us. Moved by bloodlust and orgiastic fantasies of revenge, they thronged the streets and squares of Europe and marched across American campuses.

There were those in the U.S. who justified violence against people with dangerous opinions in recent years by asserting that it was right and good to punch a Nazi. Today some of those same people have embraced the central cause of the Nazi movement. Jew hatred for them is a passion so pure, so justified, that those who torture Jewish children and slaughter helpless babies are heroes. The rest of us should take note and take care.

Meanwhile, not since the Russian invasion of Ukraine has the Biden administration exploded into political, diplomatic and military action as dramatically as in the aftermath of the massacres. President Biden has addressed the nation to share the pain and anger felt by Israelis and Americans at this horrendous and historic crime. Two carrier strike groups and other American military assets will patrol the theater with the aim of both preventing more Iranian proxies and Iran itself from joining their ally Hamas. And Secretary of State Antony Blinken has conducted a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, meeting with leaders from Israel to Qatar in hopes of containing the violence.

A crucial element is missing from this response. Even now, Team Biden does not seem to have internalized the reality that the American policy of conciliate to evacuate"to develop a U.S.-Iranian detente that would allow the U.S. to reduce its role in the regionremains, as it has since President Obama first began to implement it, a destabilizing force in the Middle East. It has discomfited our friends, disrupted our alliances, emboldened terrorists, and provided Irans mullahs with the resources to turn both Hezbollah and Hamas into formidably destructive forces.

The cynicism of Irans mullahs and their enablers is, in the end, the most shocking. Set aside the Israeli casualties and the blood of innocent Jewish children. Those who claim to rule Iran in Gods name do not care how many Palestinians die in the service of their ambitions. They despise the Sunni faith of the Muslim Brotherhood, to which Hamas belongs, and if they could, they would persecute tomorrow the terrorists they arm today.

Iran is unappeasable, but this truth is too inconvenient for the Biden administration to admit. Instead, administration spokesmen continue to minimize Tehrans involvement with and responsibility for the murders. Iran, which at this point seems to have little fear from an administration it believes it has cowed, is more open. It makes no bones about its support for the murders in Gaza. After the attack, when it was already clear how indiscriminate the killing had been, Irans foreign minister embraced the head of Hamas, a man who lives in luxury in Qatar, a country that Mr. Biden last year designated a major non-NATO ally of the U.S.

Hamas must be dealt with, and the direct perpetrators of these unspeakable acts must give themselves up for trial or be killed. But justice demands and prudence requires more. While the perpetrators of these horrors came from Gaza, those ultimately responsible do not live there. It is the leaders of Hamas living in luxury in Qatar and other havens far from the poverty of Gaza who provided the organizational leadership and gave the orders. And it is the mullahs and the agents of the Islamic Republic of Iran who provided the resources, training and encouragement without which the Hamas leadership would neither have dared nor been able to unleash this evil on the world.

The truth is simple. Iran is at war with Israel and with the U.S. It does not seek compromise or accommodation. It does not want its interests respected or its grievances redressed. It wants what it says it wants: a holocaust in Israel and the destruction of the U.S.

This does not mean that we need to send an expeditionary force or a fleet of bombers. There are many ways to skin a cat. We can and should learn from our errors after 9/11. But we must be honest with ourselves. We have a war on our hands with the worst kind of enemy. Wishful thinking wont make it go away.
An epic debate is unfolding among Republicans about our vision for the nation. While I support strengthening our governing philosophy by putting it through the crucible, Im concerned by what appears to be the jettisoning of the principles that made the GOP great. Chief among them is our commitment to free markets and competition.

While the Democratic Party has never met a problem it doesnt want to address with federal intervention, the GOP correctly sees governments role as limited. Its disconcerting then to see members of Ronald Reagans party join the lefts ranks, cheering as a more muscular Washington settles scores against U.S. businesses. This is doubtless a welcome shift for competitors looking to sic regulators on their rivals, but its bad news for the millions of Americans who are stuck with a diminished standard of living.

The consumers will is increasingly being trampled by steps such as the antitrust lawsuits the federal government and state attorneys general have brought against tech companies. Consider the Justice Departments suit against Google and the Federal Trade Commissions suit against Amazon. Both cases allege the companies have maintained unlawful monopoly power over their peers. Yet both cases are built on complaints from competitorsnot consumerswho lost fair and square and are now crying foul to government referees.

The government must protect consumers from harm, and no company should be immune from appropriate penalties and remedies. Most of the costly lawsuits targeting tech companies, however, arent being initiated for those purposes. They have been launched because various businesses and politicians think successful companies are too big."

Competition in products and services among these tech companies abounds. Whether customers are shopping for a cellphone, buying something online, or deciding which search engine to use, more choices exist than ever before. We arent living in the late 19th century, when antitrust laws were created to combat real monopolies like Standard Oil and U.S. Steel. If policy makers want to update these laws, Congress may do so through legislation, not by egging on activist regulators.

To see the consequences of government intervention in the market, look across the Atlantic Ocean. When was the last time anyone talked about the growing European tech industry? Europes heavy-handed approachparticularly in antitrust actions against businessesis stifling innovation. Companies there are becoming risk-averse and reluctant to offer new products or acquire new businesses for fear of burdensome regulation.

This same interventionist philosophy is gaining traction in the U.S., where antitrust activists who have crusaded against tech companies for years are spearheading government lawsuits. While Big Tech is under the microscope now, the telecommunications, retail, automotive and energy industries will be next if these zealots have their way.

It isnt the governments business to pick winners and losers and dictate consumer choices. And it certainly isnt the business of the Republican Party.

Mr. Bush served as Texas land commissioner, 2015-23.
On October 7 Hamas, the militant group that runs the Gaza Strip, attacked Israel , killing 1,300 people and taking dozens of hostages. Israel has responded with force: strikes on Gaza had killed around 1,400 Palestinians by October 12th. Residents of the strip, a 360-square-kilometre block of land wedged between Egypt, Israel and the Mediterranean, are no strangers to tragedy . Since 2007 they have suffered a stifling blockade and a series of wars. How has the history of Gaza shaped its people?

Palestine, which had been part of the Ottoman Empire for the better part of four centuries, was seized by the British in 1917, during the first world war. That year Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, pledging vague support for a Jewish homeland" in Palestine. After the war Palestine was administered by Britain, and Zionist immigration, which had begun in the late 19th century, increased. Tensions between Jewish and Arab residents rose and in 1936 the Arabs revolted. By 1939 their uprising had been suppressedbut Britain palmed off the problem to the United Nations, which voted to partition the land. Britain soon withdrew. In 1948 the state of Israel was created.

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Five Arab countries immediately invaded and Israel triumphed in the nine-month war that followed. About 750,000 Palestinian Arabs were uprooted. Many ended up in the two pockets of land retained by the Arabs: Gaza, controlled by Egypt, and the West Bank, administered by Jordan. Conditions in Gaza were dire: many people slept in barracks, schools and mosques. Refugees in the strip were not allowed to enter Egypt, nor to return to Israel. They were trapped and stateless.

In 1967, during a six-day war with Egypt, Jordan and Syria, Israel seized Gaza and the West Bank. Life in Gaza improved little under Israeli occupation. By the mid-1980s about 250,000 Palestinians, 10% of the population of the occupied territories, had been detained or interrogated, says Ian Black in Enemies and Neighbours: Arabs and Jews in Palestine and Israel, 1917-2017". Israel established Jewish settlements in Gaza, angering Arab residents. In 1987 Palestinians rose up, in what became known as the first intifada, or shaking off", a sustained movement of violent protests that lasted years.

In 1993 Israel and the Palestinians signed the Oslo peace accords, a five-year interim agreement that was meant to give the Palestinian people the right to self-determination. The Palestinian Authority (PA), a new entity, assumed limited control of Gaza and the West Bank, although the Israeli occupation continued. Negotiators could not agree on the thorniest of issues, such as settlement expansion and who would control Jerusalem, and Hamas, which had emerged during the intifada, embarked on a campaign of suicide-bombings to oppose the accords. The peace process ran aground. In 2000 Palestinians rose up again in the second intifada.

Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, in part because it was so costly to hold. A year later Hamas won a majority in a Palestinian election and formed a unity government with Fatah, its political rival. In June 2007, after a brief civil war, the militants assumed sole control of Gaza, leaving Fatah to run the PA in the West Bank. In response Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on the coastal strip, strangling its economy. Although the Israeli government has issued thousands of work permits in recent years, allowing Palestinians in Gaza to cross the border to earn money, conditions in the strip have improved little. In 2022 the unemployment rate was 47%, and 70% for the young; eight-hour blackouts are a daily occurrence.

As well as the blockade, people in Gaza have suffered the consequences of four wars, waged by Hamas and Israel. Between 2008 and 2023, these conflicts and various other outbursts of violence killed 5,360 Palestinians in Gaza and injured 63,000. The latest conflict promises yet more misery. Israel has imposed a full siege" on the strip, limiting access to fuel, electricity and food. A ground invasion appears imminent. Civilians in Gaza have already suffered much, but the worst may be yet to come.
As the Israel Defense Forces prepare to move into Gaza to destroy Hamas, one truth cuts through the fog: The greatest obstacle to peace in the Middle East is the Islamic Republic of Iran.

When I worked for President George W. Bush, he would remind us that al Qaeda was at war with America long before we were at war with them. The same holds for Iran. So far 30 Americans have died in this latest conflict with Hamas. But Iran has been killing Americans for decades.

Iran gets away with it because it relies on proxies to do the dirty work when it operates outside its borders. In December 2019, for example, Nawres Hamid, a U.S. citizen and military contractor, was killed in a rocket attack in Iraq launched by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shiite terror group.

The Pentagon has said that Iran was responsible for the deaths of 603 American soldiers during the war in Iraq. Iran also arms and supports those who have attacked U.S. troops in Syria dozens of times. And even when the Biden administration unfroze $6 billion in oil revenues in exchange for the release of five American hostages, Iran still didnt come clean with the full story on FBI agent Robert Levinson. He was 58 in 2007 when he was abducted in Iran while on assignment for the CIA. His body has never been recovered.

Notwithstanding American casualties and hostages taken in the Hamas assault, the sense is that this is an Israeli war in which the Americans are unlucky bystanders. But this conflict will quickly become an American war if Hamas executes any American hostages or uses them as human shields.

So while the immediate focus of both President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on Gaza, Iran remains the greater unresolved threat. Mr. Netanyahu understands that. But its less clear Mr. Biden does.

When Mr. Biden took office he did everything he could to entice the Iranians back into the horrible Obama-era deal that Donald Trump rightly pulled the U.S. out of in 2018. After promising a stronger deal, Mr. Biden was pathetically left seeking an informal understanding" full of unenforceable promises. As with his approach to the border with Mexico, Mr. Bidens policy toward Iran appears to be to do the opposite of whatever Mr. Trump did.

At least on Iran, the comparison between Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump isnt flattering to the former. After Hamid was killed on Mr. Trumps watch, he took out Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Mr. Biden, by contrast, ended the maximum pressure" campaign aimed at the Iranian economy and eased sanctions, freeing up billions more for Iran.

Today Mr. Biden rightly warns other nations not to take advantage of the conflict in Gaza. Unfortunately, his failed courtship of Iranon top of his humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan and his half-hearted commitment to Ukraines victory over Russiameans that restoring credibility requires hard actions and a clarity of purpose that he thus far hasnt mustered.

Sanctions arent going to deter Iran, though it would still be useful to starve Tehran of funds. But we will never have peace so long as Iran continues to escape repercussions for its murderous actions because it hides behind proxies. That has to change.

The good news is that much of the Arab world agrees. Though Arab populations can be easily whipped up for an anti-Israel rally, Arab leaders dont fear Israel the way they fear Iran. They are well aware of the Iranian proxies at work in Arab capitals from Beirut and Baghdad to Damascus and Sanaa. Probably for the same reason, no Arab nation has withdrawn from the Abraham Accords with Israel over Gaza.

On Israel, Mr. Biden has said all the right things. But he remains reluctant to speak of Iran, no doubt aware how bad his policies look in hindsight. He hints that his administration is quietly working on a robust response, perhaps including a military rescue of the hostages. This is hard to credit given the administrations strained efforts not to even mention Iran.

Scarcely two years ago, Iranian state television aired a video showing an Iranian missile striking the U.S. Capitol and consuming it in flames. The footage was accompanied by a song referring to the Capitol as a palace of oppression" that is destroyed by the IRGC. It ended with Iran liberating" Jerusalem.

Mr. Biden is right to worry about escalating this conflict. But the fear of escalation can make escalation a certainty if it is read as weakness. By now our experience in the Middle East ought to have taught us that when people say they want to kill you, believe them. Which invites the big, unanswered question of this conflict: Can the U.S. afford to let such a regime get its hands on a nuclear weapon?

Write to mcgurn@wsj.com.
Donald Trump is running a 2024 presidential campaign based on grievance, and on Monday he earned another talking point: Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed a tailored" gag order barring Mr. Trump from disparaging witnesses, prosecutors and court employees in the case against his efforts to undo the 2020 election in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

Mr. Trump can certainly claim hes being unfairly prosecuted," Judge Chutkan said during the hearing, according to the Journals report. But I cannot imagine any other criminal case in which a defendant is permitted to call the prosecutor deranged, or a thug, and I will not permit it here simply because the defendant is running a political campaign."

Shes right that no court would put up with Mr. Trumps broadsides if he were any old defendant. To protest the New York civil fraud case against him, Mr. Trump this month posted a picture of the judges clerk next to Sen. Chuck Schumer, while mocking her as Schumers girlfriend." That resulted in a gag order focused on court personnel. Personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable, inappropriate and I will not tolerate them under any circumstances," the judge said.

Yet there also has never been a criminal defendant like Mr. Trump, who remains, in spite of it all, the leading political opponent of the sitting President. Judge Chutkans written gag order hadnt arrived by our deadline, but during the hearing she appeared to be cutting it mighty fine.

Mr. Trump will be permitted to attack former Vice President Mike Pence, whos running against him, but he may not criticize Mr. Pence about the events in this case," she said, according to the Washington Post. Hang on: If Mr. Trump shows up to the next Republican primary debate, on Nov. 8, he has to say no comment" if Mr. Pence pushes him about Jan. 6?

That sounds like core political speech and different from insults toward court functionaries. The same goes for special counsel Jack Smith, whos a political figure in his own right, and who shouldnt be immune from criticism. If Judge Chutkan thinks its over the line for the defendant to call Mr. Smith a thug," what about saying hes politically motivated"? Mr. Trump pledged to appeal the gag order, and the First Amendment questions arent frivolous.

Also, how is Judge Chutkan prepared to punish infractions? She could fine or even jail Mr. Trump, though that would only feed Mr. Trumps persecution campaign narrative. The better part of wisdom might have been for Judge Chutkan simply to let Mr. Trump continue to yell into the internet to his hearts content, or at least until he started specifically targeting jurors or court staff.

Our guess is that Mr. Trump welcomes the gag order, notwithstanding his protests. It fuels his main campaign theme that Republicans should vote for him because he is a martyr for them. A Trump spokesman on Monday called Judge Chutkans order another partisan knife stuck in the heart of our Democracy by Crooked Joe Biden, who was granted the right to muzzle his political opponent."

What many of Mr. Trumps critics dont understand is that most Republicans dont like the former Presidents churlish behavior. What they like even less, however, is the idea that Mr. Trumps fulminations against Mr. Smith might be reason to jail him.

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Opposition leaders including Mani Shankar Aiyar, K C Tyagi, and Danish Ali, gathered on Monday to show their support for Palestinians.

Leaders held a meeting with Palestinian envoy Adnan Abu Al-Haija, who expressed hope that India, being a friend to both Israel and Palestine, would use its influence to urge Tel Aviv to end the "blockade" and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza population, as reported by PTI.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas war LIVE updates: Heavy Israeli airstrikes pound Southern Gaza

In a statement signed by 15 opposition leaders, some of whom met the envoy at the Embassy here, they strongly condemned the "indiscriminate bombing" of Palestinians in Gaza by Israel and said that it amounts to an attempt at "genocide".

We urge an immediate cessation of all hostilities to prevent further loss of innocent lives and the destruction of homes and infrastructure," the leaders said.

"We urge the international community to recognise the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders in accordance with the UN resolution," the opposition leaders said.

Also Read: Gold rate today under pressure on strong US dollar, easing Israel-Hamas war

Speaking with PTI after the meeting, the Palestinian envoy said that the Indian government would play a good role" to be a mediator with both sides.

"India is a friend of both sides. Hopefully, they will exert pressure on the Israeli government to stop the killing of the civilian Palestinian people, to break that siege and let humanitarian aid of water, food, fuel, medicine and electricity for 2.2 million people," Al-Haija said.

Tyagi stated that the meeting with the Palestinian envoy was a collective decision made by leaders who share similar views. By cutting off the water and power supply to the Gaza Strip, Israel is forcing them to death", he said.

In their statement, the opposition leaders said they strongly believe in the statement of Mahatma Gandhi that Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French.

Also Read: Who funds Hamas? A global network of crypto, cash and charities

The opposition leaders said they believe that violence is never a solution as it leads to a cycle of destruction and suffering.

Therefore, we emphasise the need for increased efforts by the international community in bringing about a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community must exert pressure on the state of Israel to abide by international laws and respect the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people," the statement said.

"We call for intensified diplomatic efforts and multilateral initiatives to ensure lasting peace in the region," the opposition leaders said.

The leaders expressed deep concern regarding the "ongoing crisis in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people". They also called for urgent and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas war news: From Turkey to Iran, here's list of nations rallying in support of Palestine, Gaza

The dire humanitarian situation demands immediate attention and action, the opposition leaders said, adding that all necessary measures must be taken to ensure that essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, reach the affected population without hindrance.

Besides BSP's Ali, Congress' Aiyar and JD(U)'s Tyagi, CPI (ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI D Raja, Samajwadi Party MP Javed Ali Khan, RLD's Shahid Siddiqui were also among those leaders who visited the embassy.

Meanwhile, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the country's support to Israel amidst the ongoing war in Gaza, an Israeli minister thanked the Indian leadership and citizens for supporting their fight against jihadist barbaric Islamist".

On October 7, Israel declared war against Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, in response to attacks carried out by Hamas fighters on various settlements and military posts in southern Israel.

The Hamas attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, including both soldiers and civilians. In retaliation, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched an offensive, resulting in an estimated 2,300 casualties, with over 1,400 of them being civilians, according to figures from the United Nations.

(With inputs from agencies)

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BEIJINGInside the Great Hall of the People here last week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) implored leader Xi Jinping to distance himself from Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that Putin, a pariah in the West, was holding back Chinas ambitions.

Instead of heeding that advice, China on Tuesday welcomed Putin to Beijing with open arms, in the Russian leaders first major visit abroad since the International Criminal Court accused him of committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Putin arrived in the Chinese capital by plane on Tuesday morning, with state-media footage showing him shaking hands warmly on the tarmac with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and receiving a red-carpet welcome from a military honor guard.

The split screen of a burst of diplomacy in Chinas capital over the last two weeks shows how the U.S. has failed to break the ties between Moscow and Beijing, nearly 20 months into the Ukraine war.

Russia and China trade links are surging, for instance, with Chinese companies selling Russia many of the technologies it struggles to source from elsewhere because of U.S. sanctions, including semiconductors and industrial machinery. China meanwhile imports huge volumes of Russian oil and gas, purchases that help fill Moscows financial coffers.

This week, Putin is in Beijing to lend his support to Xis signature Belt and Road Initiative, which for the past decade has used railroads, ports and other projects to expand Chinese economic influence abroad. US officials are skeptical of the Chinese initiative, in part due to the high levels of debt that Beijing has heaped on some participant countries.

Write to Brian Spegele at Brian.Spegele@wsj.com and James T. Areddy at James.Areddy@wsj.com

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Construction steel sales hit 958,500 tons in September, the highest in nine months, and posting positive growth for the first time this year.

Sales went up 9% from August and 4% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam Steel Association.

Industry leader Hoa Phat Group posted its biggest sales last month since the beginning of the year.

The company saw construction steel sales rising 15% from August to 352,000 tons.

Vnsteel saw sales rising 8% from August to 265,000 tons.

The increase in construction steel demand came thanks to major infrastructure projects being developed such as North-South highways and airport upgrades.

Steel prices have been steady throughout September and at the lowest level since 2020, which stimulated demand.

But overall, the steel industry is still seeing low demand, the VSA said. In the first nine months 7.7 million tons of construction steel were sold, down 20% year-on-year. Exports fell 13% in the same period.

Prices are set to remain at current levels until the end of the year, according to a KB Vietnam Securities forecast.

A hike in domestic demand is expected early next year as property projects see difficulties in acquiring permits will be resolved, it added.
WASHINGTONWith Israel on the brink of a ground invasion of Gaza, President Biden will visit the beleaguered nation with the aim of reinforcing American commitment to its security and addressing the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza brought on by the war with Hamas.

His decision to travel to Israel in the middle of its war with Hamas is fraught with diplomatic, political and security risks.

As concerns intensify that the conflict could spread through the region, the U.S. hopes Bidens trip will serve as a warning to any third partieswhether other nations or militant groups like Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollahthat the U.S. was prepared to act if they join the conflict. By traveling to the region, the president is putting his credibility on the line and appearing to step deeper into the conflict, even as Biden and top administration officials asserted that U.S. combat troops wouldnt be sent into another war.

Biden is also expected to push for the release of hostages held by Hamasa top priority. U.S. officials have been working through Qatar and other nations that speak to the Islamist militant group, which took power in the Gaza Strip in 2007. But some fear his visit and any appearance of support for Israels potential ground operation to root out Hamas could end up complicating those efforts.

While it is not uncommon for presidents to travel to war zones, the nature of the trip itself is unusual. The White House typically organizes trips to war zones under a strict information embargo, as was done with his trip this year to Ukraine. The terms of that embargo typically mean the news media agree to report on the visit only after the presidents arrival.

Bidens trip also poses a political challenge as he seeks a second term. Although support for Israel is popular among Americans overall in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks, especially among Republicans and independent voters, Biden risks losing support from his own party. Some Democrats are already criticizing Israels airstrikes that have killed Palestinians in Gaza and have expressed concerns about the presidents staunch support for Israel ahead of a ground offensive. The partys sympathies have been shifting toward Palestinians over the past two decades.

A group of progressive Democrats, including Reps. Cori Bush (D., Mo.), Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.), Andre Carson (D., Ind.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.), drafted a resolution Monday calling for a cease-fire and immediate humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Several progressives previously sent a letter to the administration expressing concerns about Israels plans for a complete siege" of the Gaza Strip  Israel has sealed its border with the territory and cut off electricity and some water supply.

Already the U.S. has deployed a significant military force to the region: The USS Gerald R. Ford and its heavily armed flotilla arrived in the Mediterranean near Israel last week, officials said, to deter Hezbollah and other actors from joining in. A second carrier group, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is expected to arrive in less than two weeks. The U.S. military has also selected roughly 2,000 troops to prepare for a potential deployment to support Israel, U.S. defense officials said Monday. A team of FBI hostage recovery experts were also deployed to assist the Israeli government.

Biden is scheduled to leave Washington late Tuesday. In addition to Israel, he will also travel to Amman, Jordan, to meet with regional leaders there, including Jordanian King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss humanitarian issues and other elements of the conflict. Bidens trip follows two separate visits from Secretary of State Antony Blinkenwho has been engaged in a frantic diplomatic effort in the regionand Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin late last week.

The visit to Israel had first been suggested by Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call with Biden this week. An administration official said that the U.S. only agreed to announce the call after Netanyahu committed to a humanitarian package for Gaza civilians. According to Blinken, who first announced the presidents trip from Tel Aviv at 3 a.m. local time Tuesday, the president will receive a briefing from Israeli officials about their plan to minimize civilian casualties and enable humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza.

It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible," Blinken said.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza grew dire in recent days as Israel continued to pound parts of the densely populated territory in retaliation for this months deadly onslaught by Hamas militants. Food, water and electricity have been scarce since the conflict began and Gaza residents have been unable to leave from the only two possible border crossingsone that leads into Israel, the other into neighboring Egypt.

Israel said it had turned back on the water supply to the territory, but that water was inaccessible due to the lack of electricity. Israeli power lines supply most of Gazas electricity, and Israels leadership has vowed to withhold power and block food, fuel and medical aid from entering Gaza until the hostages taken by Hamas are released.

Blinken visited Egypt on Sunday hoping to persuade Al Sisi to open the Rafah border crossing to allow at least any foreigners trapped in Gaza to leave. The U.S. estimates that 500 to 600 Americans could be trapped in Gaza, although it wasnt clear how many would try to leave.

The crossing has been damaged by Israeli shelling, making access difficult for civilians wishing to cross. Egypt has also accused Israel of blocking humanitarian aid through Rafah into Gaza.

William Mauldin contributed to this article.

Write to Vivian Salama at vivian.salama@wsj.com and Tarini Parti at tarini.parti@wsj.com
The cruise industry is stepping up efforts to appeal to the often-overlooked group. Some cruise lines have lowered prices for solo passengers who have traditionally paid more than those sharing cabins with friends or family.

Cruise lines are looking to tap in to a sizable pool of vacationers. A survey of more than 3,000 active leisure travelers conducted by tourism marketing agency MMGY Global in August found that 24% of people traveling at least once within the next six months planned to go on a solo trip.

Norwegian Cruise Line is making perhaps the biggest wave in courting solo travelers. The company announced in early October that it will introduce roughly 1,000 staterooms dedicated for single passengers across its fleet of 19 ships, doubling the capacity of solo accommodations. Starting with sailings in early January, solo passengers can choose between three categories of dedicated cabins: inside, oceanview and balcony. The rooms are priced from as little as $450 to more than $4,000, depending on the length of cruise, destination and type of cabin.

Guests who stay in these solo rooms will receive access to special lounges on certain ships. Norwegian also plans to offer activities aimed at single travelers. The studio staterooms Norwegian already offered to solo travelers proved to be very popular, says Norwegian President David Herrera.

We saw an opportunity to expand our solo offerings fleetwide and open up more of the world to these guests by making it easier and more affordable for them," he says.

Virgin Voyages has designed its ships to feature cabins meant for lone travelers. Each of the cruise lines three ships has 46 solo-occupant rooms, representing about 3% of the rooms on each ship. While pricing varies, these cabins cost less than comparable double-occupancy cabins, a Virgin spokeswoman says. On each sailing, Virgin hosts a meetup for solo passengers early on.

Around 10% of Virgin passengers take their trips alone, says John Diorio, vice president of North American sales for Virgin. Solo travelers on Virgin can opt to stay in double-occupancy rooms, which can cost more. For example, on one 2024 Virgin sailing, a solo traveler would pay $1,705 for a solo inside room, including taxes and fees, but $2,205 for a standard inside room.

Were building a brand here, so bringing that sailor on makes a lot of sense for us," Diorio says. The next time they come back, they may come with 10 other people."

Staterooms for singles

Solo travelers have historically paid a premium to sail. Cruise lines depend on selling out ships to maximize their revenue. Having fewer people in each room could make that harder. Most companies tend to levy supplemental charges for people staying in a stateroom alone. In many cases, solo travelers pay double the cruise fare for their stateroom, says Tanner Callais, founder of travel website Cruzely.com.

Norwegian and Virgin arent the only cruise lines working to better serve single passengers. Cunard Line has a handful of staterooms set aside for them on each of its three ships. At mealtimes, solo passengers share tables with one another. Cunard employs staff members and dance hosts to lead onboard soirees and social activities for singles on a ship.

Other cruise lines have caught on as well: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Atlas Ocean Voyages also offer solo staterooms and activities for singles.

Some cruise lines have toyed with eliminating supplemental charges to entice single travelers to book. This summer, Virgin ran a promotion where solo vacationers could book double-occupancy rooms on Mediterranean sailings out of Barcelona and Athens without paying extra. The company has offered similar promotions previously for its Caribbean sailings.

Lisa Roney, a study-abroad programs adviser in Williamsburg, Va., booked her first solo cruise with Virgin last year, taking advantage of one of these offers. The 37-year-old paid roughly $1,600 for a five-night cruise with a balcony cabin over Thanksgiving, including insurance and gratuities.

As luck would have it, she happened to reserve the same cruise as some friends. The group met up for the occasional drink or meal, but she says she stayed solo most of her time on the ship.

Roney was so enamored with cruising by herself that she decided to take another solo cruise with Royal Caribbean in August. While she did pay supplemental charges on that trip as a single traveler, she said the rate was competitive enough to still make it a bargain. The five-night cruise cost her nearly $1,300 for an inside stateroom, including insurance and gratuities.

She loves cruising alone because she can do exactly what she wants. On her Royal Caribbean cruise, she brought multiple books and did a shore excursion in the Bahamas that involved swimming with pigs. When the ship docked in Key West, Fla., she met other like-minded travelers at local bars.

It can be as action-packed or as relaxing as you want it to be," Roney says.

New wave of customers

Solo cruises arent just targeting young singles. Offering amenities geared toward solitary travelers can appeal particularly to newly single baby boomers, says Lauren Doyle, president of Raleigh, N.C.-based travel agency the Travel Mechanic.

No one wants to pay double the price or price-and-a-half just because theyre now traveling solo," Doyle says. She expects more cruise lines to adapt to fitting solo travelers needs in the future.

Shauna Greene, a 40-year-old barbershop owner in Greensboro, N.C., who runs a TikTok account with more than 500,000 followers, has taken several cruises over the years. She went on her first solo cruise last fall after going through a divorce. She has another solo cruise planned for next year.

Greene says she rarely felt alone on her maiden solo voyage. She says she sails exclusively with Carnival and enjoys that the atmosphere on the ships encourages socializing and meeting new people. She particularly loved grabbing a lounge chair on a pool deck and people-watching.

More people need to get out and try it," Greene says. Its OK to enjoy life by yourself."

Write to Jacob Passy at jacob.passy@wsj.com

View Full Image Cruise Lines Bet More Travelers Want to Set Sail Solo

View Full Image Cruise Lines Bet More Travelers Want to Set Sail Solo

View Full Image Cruise Lines Bet More Travelers Want to Set Sail Solo
Related, the well-known investor in office towers and apartment buildings, is wagering $1 billion on a niche real-estate sector often associated with frozen pizzas, steaks and yogurt.

An affiliate of the New York-based firm is launching a business called RealCold, a network of cold storage distribution facilities that aims to benefit from the rise in online grocery shopping and Americas evolving eating habits.

RealCold plans to break ground later this year on its first two cold storage locations, in Lockhart, Texas and Lakeland, Fla. The more than 300,000 square-foot warehouses will be able to stock food at temperatures ranging from minus 20 degrees to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, storing everything from ice cream to lettuce.

The cold storage sector has long been a specialized corner in the $20 trillion commercial real-estate industry. But it is gaining traction with big property investors like Related and others, who believe that changes in the supply chain and the growing number of consumers who want more local food and diverse brands will boost this business.

And while e-commerce and the rise of remote work have upended other commercial real estate businesses like office buildings and retail, Related executives contend that online activity wont create comparable cracks in demand for cold storage.

You cant store food on the internet," said Michael Winston, managing director of Related Fund Management, the affiliate of Related that will own the new cold storage business.

Still, cold storage is experiencing big changes, much of it driven by technology. For starters, more consumers are ordering groceries online, changing the role that physical stores play along the supply chain.

Consumer tastes are also diversifying. Americans are rejecting old established brands for new offerings such as Bremer Chicken Gyros Kits, Stranger Things Surfer Boy Pizza and Mrs. Smiths pies. Millennials in the U.S. are almost four times more likely than baby boomers to avoid buying products from big food companies and six times more likely to find newer brands better or more innovative, according to a 2018 McKinsey & Co. report.

Stores want to stock all these brands but not in such large quantities as staples like Dannon yogurt. That means cold storage facilities need to break down pallets into smaller sizes before shipping to stores.

Shipment sizes in the cold chain are reducing and frequency is increasing," said Keith Goldsmith, an industry veteran who was hired by Related as chief executive of RealCold.

During the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, labor shortages emptied grocery store shelves while reducing the time food spent in cold storage facilities. Warehouses also faced logistical headaches as shipments shifted away from restaurants to home deliveries and stores.

Cold storage inventory fell about 7% from peak to trough during the pandemic, said Harrison Klein, a senior analyst at Cohen & Steers, a big real-estate investor.

Lately, conditions and profitability have improved. The sectors development pipeline ramped up in 2021, thanks partly to online demand. Over the past 12 months, shares of Americold Realty Trust, one of the largest cold storage providers in the U.S., increased 26%, outperforming the equity real-estate investment trust, which increased only 3%, and the S&P 500 index, which rose 24%, according to Vince Tibone, managing director of real estate analytics firm Green Street.

Food production recovered faster than we thought," Tibone said.

The cold storage business requires a lot of upfront investment. Klein of Cohen & Steers says that cold storage warehouses cost two to four times more than regular warehouses to develop on a per-square-foot basis.

Americold and Lineage Logistics, the worlds largest cold storage provider with over 400 facilities, typically dont build new facilities unless they are preleased because of the high cost of creating numerous ranges of temperature-controlled environments.

RealCold is spending about $150 million on each of the first two warehouses and plans to expand the network to include over 10 facilities in six markets by the end of 2025. The firm said it has some commitments from food companies but not all the space is spoken for in the first two projects which are expected to be finished in two years. Related executives point out that the firm has a lot of experience in speculative investments.

Thats a risk weve taken as real-estate investors in the past," Winston said.

Write to Peter Grant at peter.grant@wsj.com
Days after a devastating earthquake killed over a thousand in Afghanistan, the beleaguered country experienced another seismic event of 6.3 magnitude. On top of current challenges such as food shortages, unemployment, and infrastructure deficiencies, this new disaster further complicates matters. Here's a dive into Afghanistan's troubles.

The sequence of events

Between 7 October and 15 October, Afghanistan and neighboring nations were rocked by a series of earthquakes. The aftermath: over 1.6 million affected, with fatalities surpassing 1,000. As per UN agencies, almost 144,000 Afghans now desperately require humanitarian aid.

How does this impact the country?

The nation, already embroiled in economic and humanitarian dilemmas, faces unemployment skyrocketing with half a million job losses in mere months post the Taliban's ascendancy in September 2021. Concurrently, the economy has shrunk, deepening the crisis.

Relief entities estimate that nearly two-thirds of the Afghan populace is in dire need of humanitarian aid.

The earthquakes have struck vulnerable communities  which are already grappling with decades of conflict and under-development  and left them with little resilience to cope with multiple, simultaneous shocks. They come at the start of Afghanistans lean season and immediately before winter, when households food resources are most constrained or depleted. Extensive damage to water and sanitation points has raised concerns of disease outbreaks, particularly acute watery diarrhea (AWD)," said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Complications thereof?

With the Taliban at the helm in Kabul, aid inflow to Afghanistan has become restrictive. Additionally, there are claims, as per some media outlets, of the Taliban redirecting UN's humanitarian aid to augment its own treasury. Furthermore, the stringent regulations imposed by the Taliban, especially those limiting women's rights, have compelled numerous organizations to cease their operations in Afghanistan.

Indias role and response

Though there hasn't been an official statement from Indian representatives, India has a track record of extending humanitarian support to Afghanistan. Previously, India has dispatched wheat consignments via Iran's Chabahar Port and has a dedicated team in Kabul overseeing its developmental initiatives.

When Afghanistan was rocked by a powerful earthquake in 2022, India was among the nations offering relief aid. Others like the EU, China, Pakistan, and Iran have also pledged assistance.
The Angkor Archaeological Park contains the ruins of various capitals of the Khmer Empire, dating from the ninth to 15th centuries. Photo by AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy

A billion-dollar Chinese-funded airport began operations in Cambodia Monday, with local officials hoping it will revive the vital tourism sector.

Cambodian ministers welcomed the first commercial flight from Bangkok at the 3,600-meter (11,800-foot) runway at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) on Monday.

The US$1.1 billion hub, built on 700 hectares of land, will handle up to 12 million passengers annually from 2040.

"This achievement will be a key factor in boosting the recovery of tourism in Cambodia," Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth said during a ceremony at the new facility.

Mao Havannall, head of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, touted it as "a historic milestone" for Cambodia -- as well as a tangible result of the two nations' increasingly close diplomatic relations.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and a top Chinese leader are expected to officially open the airport next month, officials said.

Hun Manet, who succeeded his father Hun Sen in August, met Chinese President Xi Jinping last month.

The Cambodian leader is currently in the Chinese capital for the upcoming Belt and Road Initiative forum.

SAI airport is located roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temples, the country's main tourist destination.

Tourism is hugely important to the country's economy, but visitors nosedived to below 200,000 in 2021 from roughly 6.6 million pre-pandemic.

Cambodia received 3.7 foreign tourists so far in 2023.
A picture of 16-year old Angel Rodinilson Vasquez-Vasquez who has apparently been missing since June of this year.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Slave descendants are suing to fight zoning changes they say threaten their island homes off Georgia

Black residents descended from slaves on a Georgia island have filed suit in hopes of stopping zoning changes that they fear will force them to sell their homes
At a recent event hosted by the United States, over 40 UN member states looked at a display of components and debris from lethal Iranian-made drones that were recovered from Ukraine and other locations.

These are the real thing, said U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield. These are the weapons of war that Iran has transferred to malign actors in violation of Resolution 2231 that are being used to decimate civilians and critical infrastructures.

As an example, the Ambassador pointed to the launch on October 6 of a murderous drone attack against Odessa that killed a civilian and damaged critical agricultural and port infrastructure.

There were 33 air weapons fired by the Russians, 25 of them were Iranian-made Shahed drones. The devastation of Iranian drones cannot be overstated, she said. This devastation has ripple effects that disproportionately impact the Global South. Because Irans proliferation of these drones affects the worlds markets and food supply.

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield pointed out that the Iranian regimes proliferation of drones is not limited to Ukraine. Iran has sent attack drones to non-state actors in the Middle East for years, causing deep destabilization in the region. Now the chaos they cause has spread beyond the Middle East.

Iranian officials have made no secret of their ambition to expand the sale of these attack drones, she said. Now they are in Russian hands, being used against civilians in Europe. Soon, they could spread further.

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield urged the UN member states to work together to hold Iran accountable for the murderous effects of its proliferation.

We need your voices, she declared. Irans transfer of these drones is a grave threat to international peace and security. And its going to take all of us, working together, to ensure the international community does the right thing and continues to hold Iran to account.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: October 17 2023

Take Meet & Greet & Photos with the worlds most famous Top Gun MAVERICK impersonator, Jerome Le Blanc.

Cockpit USA and the American Airpower Museum are hosting a Halloween Meet, Greet & Photos with Top Gun Fighter Pilot MAVERICK, at the American Airpower Museum. Known as @CaliforniaTomCruise on Instagram, Jerome Le Blanc is the Worlds most famous Top Gun MAVERICK Impersonator, who will be at AAM with his Co-Pilot, ICEMAN @ArizonaIceman, to take photos and welcome AAM attendees!

Attendees, please show up in your best Top Gun costumes! Attendees who arrive in costume are part of Cockpit USAs Movie Hero Jacket giveaway! The contestant with the best Top Gun costume will win a jacket from the Movie Hero Collection and be featured on Cockpitusa.com!

Cockpit USAs Iconic Movie Hero Collection will be available to purchase at the museum gift shop. The Movie Hero Collection includes the highly coveted Movie Hero Top Gun brown leather flight jacket and the CWU - 36/P sage green textile jacket, as seen in the 2022 film Top Gun: MAVERICK. Along with the Movie Hero Collection, new styles will be unveiled at the event. Special pricing and prizes are only available on site at the American Airpower Museum during this event!

Admission- Adults: $15; Seniors (65+) and Veterans: $12; Kids 5 to 12: $10 (under 5 free). Your contributions support AAMs mission to honor Veterans and U.S. aviation history, by preserving the aircraft and their legacy for future generations. Help Keep Em Flying!
Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: October 17 2023

Hauppauge Industrial Parks Jewish Business Network Hosts Ceremony Supporting Israeli Red Cross.

In an of solidarity with the Suffolk County Jewish community  who are grieving the loss of over 1,300 of their brethren in a deadly terrorist attack  local business leaders have pledged tens of thousands to support Israels first responders. Richard Cohen of Ashlind Properties spearheaded this fundraising campaign, and has raised over $180,000 in conjunction with the Chabad of Mid-Suffolk and the Hauppauge Jewish Business Network.

Jewish and non-Jewish business people alike are supporting the campaign, shared Cohen. People are standing in solidarity with Israel, and they know their donations are going to save lives, he said. So far, Cohen's campaign has received $90,000 in direct donations, which will be matched by former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose foundation is matching all donations to the Israeli Red Cross, also known as MaDA. Cohen hopes their efforts can supply the Israeli Red Cross with new equipment such as ambulances fit with traveling ICUs or ambulatory motorcycles.

Cohen, who bought and sold buildings in Hauppauges Industrial Park for over 30 years and is now retired, jumped to action when images of the horrific mass-slaughter streamed across his TV screen. The sheer brutality of the Hamas attack horrified me. I knew I couldnt sit by idly and do nothing, Cohen shared. Although Im 5,000 miles away, my heart is with Israel and the Jewish people.

Cohen began by reaching out to all his former business associates as well the Suffolk County Jewish Business Network, a group whose mission is to teach Jewish business ethics and values to business people in Suffolk County. Rabbi Mendel Teldon, who directs the network and the Chabad of Mid-Suffolk, shared that Our goal of $180,000 will not only save many lives, it is also symbolic, as the number 18 and multiples of it represent Chai, meaning life in Hebrew.

Cohen and the Jewish Business Network held a ceremony this Monday to honor and support the Israel Red Cross, and present them with the funds. Cohen Shared I want to build on this momentum, to raise more money to save as many lives as possible.

About the Jewish Business Network

Founded in 2023, the Jewish the Jewish Business Network, serves Hauppauge Industrial Park, is dedicated to connecting Long Islands Jewish business people, executives, leaders and entrepreneurs to each other and to their heritage. This community of like minded business leaders exchanges best practices, big ideas, bold visions, leadership skills, and solutions to pressing business and life challenges, all enhanced by ancient Jewish wisdom. For more information, please visit https://jbn.life

About the Chabad of Mid-Suffolk
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the arrests of two Internal Revenue Service employees, Tina White, 36, of Bellport, and Shawana Williams, 45, of Centereach, for unlawfully receiving thousands of dollars for allegedly filing separate, fraudulent Small Business Administration loan applications.

These individuals are alleged to have stolen government funds by abusing a program intended to help legitimate small business owners pay their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, said District Attorney Tierney. I want to thank the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration for working with my office to investigate and prosecute those who would steal taxpayer funds.

According to the investigation, on May 7, 2020, and July 6, 2020, respectively, White and Williams allegedly filed COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications with the Small Business Administration in which they each claimed to be the owners of businesses in need of financial assistance due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

White allegedly claimed to be the Chief Operating Officer of an agricultural business, and Williams allegedly claimed to be the Chief Operating Officer of a medical services business. However, neither business existed. White allegedly received $6,000 and Williams received $4,000 as initial cash advancements while their respective loan applications were being processed. Both loan applications were ultimately denied, but White and Williams never returned the illicit money they received.

White and Williams are each charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. Additionally, Williams is charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E felony, and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a Class E felony.

On October 12, 2023, White and Williams were arrested by investigators of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office and arraigned before Suffolk County District Court Judge, the Honorable Anna Acqafredda. Judge Acqafredda released both defendants on their own recognizance during the pendency of their cases. White is due back in court on October 23, 2023, and is being represented by Michael Brown, Esq. Williams is due back in court on October 26, 2023, and is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katharine DAquila of the Public Corruption Bureau, with investigative assistance by District Attorney Investigator Brian Wood of the Public Corruption Squad, as well as Special Agents Ellen Quackenbush and Kimberly Goldstein of the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: October 17 2023

New York Will Receive $575,000 from Settlement with ACI Worldwide.

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a multistate coalition of 48 state attorneys general, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico today secured $10 million from a payment processor company, ACI Worldwide, over a 2021 testing error that led to the unauthorized withdrawal of $2.3 billion from the accounts of mortgage holders, including nearly $172 million from nearly 27,000 New Yorkers. A multistate investigation determined that the unauthorized withdrawals were possible due to significant defects in ACIs privacy and data security procedures and technical infrastructure. New York will receive $575,000 in penalties from the settlement. The money that was wrongfully withdrawn from mortgage holders was refunded to homeowners in 2021.

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners nationwide and thousands of New Yorkers had money wrongfully withdrawn from their accounts because of ACIs failure, said Attorney General James. Companies must be more diligent when handling consumers data and payment information to not cause worry and panic among consumers. I thank my fellow attorneys general for their partnership to hold ACI accountable for the harm and stress it caused homeowners.

ACI Payments, a subsidiary of ACI Worldwide Corp., is a payment processor for a variety of third-party clients, including mortgage servicers. Nationstar Mortgage, known publicly as Mr. Cooper, offered ACIs Speedpay product to its customers so they could schedule and electronically pay their monthly mortgage payments through the Automated Clearing House system. On April 23, 2021, ACI was testing the Speedpay platform when it erroneously submitted live Mr. Cooper consumer data into the clearing house system. This resulted in ACI erroneously attempting to withdraw mortgage payments from hundreds of thousands of Mr. Cooper customers on a day that was not authorized or expected. In many cases, consumers were subjected to the attempted withdrawal of multiple mortgage payments from their personal bank accounts. While the vast majority of withdrawals did not ultimately go through or were reversed, 1.4 million transactions totaling $2.3 billion were processed, impacting 477,000 Mr. Cooper customers. While ACI took corrective steps to minimize the impact of the testing error, in some cases consumers were not able to access their money and were forced to incur overdraft or insufficient funds fees. Impacted consumers have received restitution from ACI and through other related settlements.

The investigation determined that the April 2021 incident was possible due to significant defects in ACIs privacy and data security procedures and technical infrastructure related to the Speedpay platform. In addition to paying penalties, todays settlement requires ACI to take steps to avoid any future incidents, including requiring ACI to use artificially created data rather than real consumer data when testing systems or software, and requiring ACI to segregate any testing or development work from its consumer payment systems.

This case was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Melvin Goldberg and Elizabeth M. Lynch of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau. The Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau is a part of the Division of Economic Justice and led by Bureau Chief Jane Azia and Deputy Bureau Chief Laura Levine. The Division of Economic Justice is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Chris DAngelo and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: October 17 2023

Households Enrolled in Public Assistance with a Child 17 or Younger will Receive One-Time Payments of $100.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $12 million in federal funding is being used to provide a one-time Family Economic Support payment to low-income families with children. Administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund will provide households with children aged 17 and under that receive Public Assistance, with approximately $100.

Due to our success in providing assistance from the federal Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund to some of our most vulnerable residents, New York has qualified for additional funding that went unused by other states, Governor Hochul said. This federal funding further helps households that suffered from the economic toll caused by the pandemic and gives these families a quick infusion of cash to assist with their expenses.

The payments will be issued beginning October 17 and eligible families will be notified by mail that they will be receiving a payment. About 120,000 families with children are eligible.

The Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund was created as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 with the intention to assist needy families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Per federal guidelines, the funding was required to be used for issuing non-recurring benefits to impacted households with children to deal with a specific short-term situation or need.

New York initially received $128 million in federal funds through the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund. States that spent their full initial allocation, like New York, could elect to receive additional funding from states that had unspent funds. NYS received an additional $12 million.

Public Assistance provides monthly grants to help low-income individuals and families meet basic needs, such as housing. This program helps more than 590,000 New Yorkers who may be temporarily unemployed or unable to work, as well as very low-wage workers, and children.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, These modest, one-time payments will help families receiving Public Assistance provide for their children during times when all households are facing increased costs associated with basic household needs. These payments will help these very low-income households better provide for their children and I am grateful to Governor Hochul for authorizing the issuance of these payments to support families throughout the state.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, These one-time payments will help ensure that low-income families can have some financial relief in covering their household expenses. I am proud to support Governor Hochuls efforts to support struggling families with children and share her commitment to ensuring all New York families facing economic hardships have access to basic household needs.

Representative Brian Higgins said, From childcare to school clothes, families face regular extra expenses that put a strain on household budgets. During the pandemic, we saw how advance payments of the Child Tax Credit worked to lift children out of poverty. Parents will tell you that every little bit extra helps. This allocation of federal pandemic funding by Governor Hochul represents an investment in New Yorks children.

Representative Adriano Espaillat said, The cost of living continues to increase, and I commend Governor Hochul on this latest initiative allocating $12 million in assistance to help over 120,000 New York households with children struggling financially to make ends meet. Families should not have to face this financial burden alone, and this one-time payment will help alleviate the load they face on a daily basis. Todays announcement reaffirms our support of the vulnerable families.

State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said, I thank Governor Hochul and OTDA for securing an additional $12 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to further support New York families and children in great need. These one-time Family Economic Support payments to some 120,000 households facing economic insecurity will help cover the rising costs of basic necessities.

Assemblymember Maritza Davila said, Governor Kathy Hochul's announcement of $12 million in federal funding to provide a one-time Family Economic Support payment to low-income families is a testament to our unwavering commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable among us. This investment not only bolsters economic resilience but symbolizes the enduring strength of our communities. By supporting those who rely on Public Assistance, we can make sure we leave no one behind in the journey to recovery.

The Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund has already helped hundreds of thousands of low-income New Yorkers with their essential needs. In February 2022, $19 million from the fund was provided to households enrolled in Public Assistance or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with $140 for each child aged 3 or under to defray the cost of diapers.

In April 2022, the fund provided $730 in food benefits to more than 28,000 multi-generational households. These one-time payments helped about 31,500 adults over the age of 55, providing more than $23 million to families throughout the state.

In May 2022, families on Public Assistance with a child 17 or younger in their household received a payment of $250 from the fund to help pay for housing expenses, bills, and other critical needs. Roughly 110,000 households received payments totaling nearly $28 million, which assisted more than 216,000 children.

In August 2022, more than $44 million was distributed to help families with children receiving Public Assistance to cover back-to-school and early life nutritional expenses. Payments totaling $39 million were made to the households of 184,000 school-aged children. Additionally, $5 million in payments were made to households with children ages 3 and under, benefitting about 34,000 toddlers.

In September 2022, nearly $3 million in payments were made to more than 2,700 older adults living in multigenerational households that receive Public Assistance.

OTDA also worked with the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to provide financial assistance through the fund to support low-income survivors of domestic violence. As a result of this effort, the agency was able to provide $12.7 million to help domestic violence survivors and their families.
Governor Kathy Hochul led a bipartisan coalition of 17 governors to stand in solidarity with Israel, issuing a joint letter to federal leaders to express the broad support for Israel and condemnation of terror attacks from Hamas. The governors also reaffirmed their commitment to work with the U.S. Department of State to ensure the safe return of Americans.

The bonds between America and Israel are unbreakable  now and forever," Governor Hochul said. "As the Governor of the largest Jewish population outside Israel, I recognize we have a unique and solemn responsibility to support Israel during this critical moment. I'm proud to stand with my fellow Governors to show our support for Israel, and grateful to my colleagues for their bold moral leadership."

Governor Hochul's bipartisan letter is the latest step she's taken to show solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of Hamas' terror attacks. In addition, the Governor plans to travel to Israel this week to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities who have been devastated by the horrific Hamas attacks.

Governor Hochul has led New York's response to the crisis in Israel, offering support to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and meeting with Israel's U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan. She has attended multiple vigils and rallies in support of the State of Israel, from Albany to New York City. The Governor has also lit state landmarks in blue and white, the colors of Israel's flag, raised the Israeli flag above the Governor's residence in Albany, and directed flags on State buildings to be flown at half-staff to commemorate the victims of the Hamas terror attacks.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Speaker McHenry, Leader Schumer, Leader Jeffries, and Leader McConnell:

As Governors representing more than 144,000,000 Americans, we stand with Israel and unequivocally condemn the despicable acts of war and terror perpetrated by Hamas on Saturday, October 7, 2023, which have already claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people in Israel. In the days since these initial attacks, we have joined with members of our communities to mourn and pray, and we have experienced first-hand the deep emotional toll this horrendous evil has taken on so many. We also know that there are several Americans that have already been confirmed killed as a result of this violence, and we know that number is likely to rise in the days ahead.

We stand united in support of Israel in its efforts to secure the safe return of hostages and ensure the ongoing safety of its people. We commend President Biden for his swift response in providing increased military assistance to Israel, and members of Congress from both parties for their firm statements of support for Israel. We urge immediate and continued U.S. aid to Israel in the weeks and months to come. We also urge the Senate to swiftly confirm nominees to key diplomatic roles in the region, including ambassador roles in Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, and Kuwait as well as move forward with consideration of all pending military nominations and promotions to ensure that our most experienced leaders are occupying the most important jobs for our national defense.

Each of us has taken action in our respective states to increase security in Jewish communities and at Jewish houses of worship. Given these concerns, and the rise of antisemitism across the country, Congress should ensure funding for states and local governments to support activities and programs to ensure resources to safeguard houses of worship and religious-affiliated groups are available to combat antisemitism at home. We will continue to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement to monitor for potential domestic threats and provide support to community leaders as needed.

We stand ready to provide additional support to Israel and to work with the United States Department of State to ensure the safe return of Americans in Israel. Our prayers remain with those who have been lost, their loved ones, the people of Israel, and the Jewish community worldwide.

Sincerely,

Governor Kathy Hochul, State of New York

Governor Gavin Newsom, State of California

Governor Jared Polis, State of Colorado

Governor Ned Lamont, State of Connecticut

Governor John Carney, State of Delaware

Governor JB Pritzker, State of Illinois

Governor Laura Kelly, State of Kansas

Governor Wes Moore, State of Maryland

Governor Maura Healey, State of Massachusetts

Governor Tim Walz, State of Minnesota

Governor Phil Murphy, State of New Jersey

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, State of New Mexico

Governor Roy Cooper, State of North Carolina

Governor Josh Shapiro, State of Pennsylvania

Governor Dan McKee, State of Rhode Island

Governor Spencer Cox, State of Utah

Governor Phil Scott, State of Vermont
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: October 17 2023

Officers transported the mother and child in stable condition to a local nearby hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

The Nassau County Police Department reports the details of a baby delivery that occurred in Uniondale on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 8:40 am.

According to police, First Precinct police responded to the vicinity of Front Street and Chester Street for a call of a women going in labor. Upon arrival, Officers located the pregnant women seated in the front seat of a passenger vehicle actively in labor.

First Precinct police assisted by two Nassau County Police medics were successful in delivering a healthy baby girl.
In the wake of the slaughter perpetrated by Hamas against Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the Middle East. He began his trip in Israel and then traveled to Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. We came with four objectives, he said:

To make clear that the United States stands with Israel; to prevent the conflict from spreading to other places; to work on securing the release of hostages, including American citizens; and to address the humanitarian crisis that exists in Gaza.

There are two very different visions for the future and what the Middle East can and should be, said Secretary Blinken:

Theres a vision that we very strongly espouse that has countries in the region normalizing their relations, integrating, working together in common purpose, and upholding and bringing forth the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Theres another vision that Hamas has demonstrated in the most horrific way, and thats a vision of death, of destruction, of nihilism, of terrorism, said Secretary Blinken:

Thats a vision that does nothing to advance aspirations for Palestinians, that does nothing to help create better futures for people in the region, and does everything to bring total darkness to everyone that its able to affect ... And I have no doubt what path the overwhelming majority of people in the region will choose and will prefer if given the opportunity.

Secretary Blinken said, Civilians should not have to suffer for Hamass atrocities. We are now very actively engaged with countries in the region, with the United Nations, with Israel, to make sure, to the best of our ability, that people can get out of harms way and that the assistance they need  the food, water, medicine  can get in. In order to do that, Rafah, the southernmost point of exit from Gaza into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, will be reopened, said Secretary Blinken.

This is a difficult and a challenging time, said Secretary Blinken, but theres a determination ... to get through it, and to do that together.
CPower Energy ("CPower"), the leading, national Distributed Energy Resource (DER) monetization and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) provider, today (Oct 16) announced its support of the Missouri Public Service Commission's ("the Commission") decision to spur the development of VPPs in Missouri. The Commission's Order allows commercial and industrial customers across all of Missouri's investor-owned utilities to work with VPP providers to participate in demand response programs available from the state's two regional grid operators, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and the Southwest Power Pool.

Last week's action follows two years of investigation into the benefits associated with allowing DERs to play a more active role in meeting Missouri's future energy needs with increasing adoption of electric vehicles, renewable energy and grid-interactive smart appliances. CPower actively participated in the proceeding that resulted in the recent Order, and looks forward to working with the Commission and Missouri utilities to continue bringing innovative solutions to customers.

The decision is a win for Missouri's energy users, businesses and utilities as well as the environment. By expanding access to wholesale demand response programs, Missouri will create new revenue streams for businesses while increasing energy reliability by diversifying the types of assets available to respond to the needs of the grid. This in turn will help lower carbon emissions and will help keep energy costs low by helping the state manage its growing energy demand, using customers' demand flexibility to reduce the need to build new energy infrastructure.

"We applaud the Missouri Public Service Commission for its leadership in being the first MISO state with a traditional regulatory model to allow VPP providers and customers to contribute to grid reliability. This is innovation in action as a direct result of advances in public policy," said Peter Dotson-Westphalen, Senior Director - Regulatory & Government Affairs, CPower. "We've worked with many of the utilities in Missouri and in other jurisdictions and look forward to helping them leverage this new tool to deliver enhanced value and energy reliability to Missouri customers."

States across the Midwest are working to develop regulatory frameworks for DERs, such as demand response, in response to potential energy capacity shortfalls in coming years and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 2222.

"We hope other Midwest states will take a look at what Missouri is doing to unlock the benefits of VPPs. By taking similar steps, the entire region can improve reliability and resiliency and foster a more sustainable and efficient grid across America's Heartland," said Ken Schisler, Senior Vice President - Regulatory & Government Affairs, CPower.

About CPower Energy

CPower Energy is the leading, national DER monetization and virtual power plant provider, creating the Customer-Powered Grid that will enable a flexible, clean and dependable energy future. With 6.3 GW of capacity at nearly 20,000 sites across the U.S., we unlock the full value of distributed energy resources to strengthen the grid when and where reliable, dispatchable resources are needed most. CPower is based in Baltimore, Maryland and is owned by LS Power, a development, investment, and operating company focused on the power and energy infrastructure sector. For more information, visit: www.cpowerenergy.com.
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Join Lycoming College Community Orchestra at the beautiful Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport for an evening of trick-or-treating and musical fun for the whole family! The Colleges Halloween Spectacular is slated for Saturday, Oct. 28, and is free and open to the public.

Attendees are encouraged to come in costume in a celebration of the beloved holiday. Trick-or-treating begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be led by multiple Lycoming College student organizations, including:

Latin American Student Organization

UNICEF

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Lycourier

Creative Arts Society

Spanish Club

Circle K

Sign Language

WRLC Radio Club

Disciple Makers

Multicultural Awareness Group

Gender and Sexuality Alliance

It's On Us

The Lycoming College Community Orchestra concert starts at 7 p.m., and will feature seasonally spooky music paired with visual media and some pieces that will inspire kids and parents alike to sing along, including "Tubby the Tuba," performed by soloists J.C. Sherman on tuba and Patrick Intallura as the narrator. Other musical selections include:

Goodnight Moon, performed by soloist Sarah Decker, soprano

Pink Panther

Selections from Frozen

This is Halloween

Danse Macabre

Funeral March of a Marionette

Raiders March

It is a true pleasure for us to be able to provide a family friendly classical musical concert, said William Ciabattari, associate professor of music and chair of the department at Lycoming College.
(REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 38, SECTION 1612)

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Carpet or rug" means a fabric marketed or intended for use as a floor covering. [PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]

B. "Currently unavoidable use" means a use of PFAS that the department has determined by rule under this section to be essential for health, safety or the functioning of society and for which alternatives are not reasonably available. [PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]

C. "Fabric treatment" means a substance applied to fabric to give the fabric one or more characteristics, including but not limited to stain resistance or water resistance. [PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]

D. "Intentionally added PFAS" means PFAS added to a product or one of its product components to provide a specific characteristic, appearance or quality or to perform a specific function. "Intentionally added PFAS" also includes any degradation by-products of PFAS. [PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]

E. "Manufacturer" means the person that manufactures a product or whose brand name is affixed to the product. In the case of a product imported into the United States, "manufacturer" includes the importer or first domestic distributor of the product if the person that manufactured or assembled the product or whose brand name is affixed to the product does not have a presence in the United States. [PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]

F. "Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or "PFAS" means substances that include any member of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. [PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]

G. "Product" means an item manufactured, assembled, packaged or otherwise prepared for sale to consumers, including its product components, sold or distributed for personal, residential, commercial or industrial use, including for use in making other products. [PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]

H. "Product component" means an identifiable component of a product, regardless of whether the manufacturer of the product is the manufacturer of the component. [PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]

I. "Publicly owned treatment works" has the same meaning as in section 361-A. [PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]

[PL 2021, c. 477, 1 (NEW); RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, 54 (RAL).]
Bogota, Colombia  Colombia on Monday demanded that Israels ambassador leave the South American country amid a worsening spat over President Gustavo Petros remarks on the war with Hamas.

Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva said the envoy, Gali Dagan, should at a minimum, apologize and leave after criticizing Petros comparison of Israeli attacks on Gaza with the Nazi persecution of the Jews.

Leyva lashed out on social media at the rudeness of Israels response to Petro, adding: Shame.

Petro, in one post on X, formerly Twitter, accused Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of using language about the people of Gaza similar to what the Nazis said of the Jews.

Israel declared war on Hamas after fighters with the militant group streamed across the Gaza-Israeli border in a surprise attack on October 7 and assaulted Israeli towns, settlements and army bases, killing more than 1,400 people.

Israel has responded with bombardment that has killed at least 2,750 people in the Gaza Strip, most of them ordinary Palestinians.

Colombias first leftist president asserted that democratic peoples cannot allow Nazism to reestablish itself in international politics.

On Sunday, Israel, one of the main providers of arms to Colombias military, said it was halting security exports to the South American country as the diplomatic feud escalated.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat said Colombias ambassador, Margarita Manjarrez, had been summoned over Petros hostile and anti-Semitic statements.

The presidents statements were received with astonishment, said the spokesman.

He accused Petro of expressing support for the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists, fuelling anti-Semitism, affecting the representatives of the State of Israel and threatening the peace of the Jewish community in Colombia.

Genocide

In response to Haiats statement, Petro said his country does not support genocide.

If we have to suspend foreign relations with Israel, we suspend them, he added.

Colombias armed forces, engaged in a decades-long conflict with leftist guerrillas, rightwing paramilitaries and drug cartels, uses Israeli-made weapons and aircraft.

The country has a history of strong diplomatic and military relations with Israel and the United States.

Petro has also engaged in an online war of words directly with the ambassador, Dagan, who had urged the president to condemn a terrorist attack against innocent civilians.

In his response, Petro said: terrorism is to kill innocent children, whether it be in Colombia or in Palestine.

Dagan then invited Petro to visit the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem and the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, which the president retorted he saw being copied in Gaza.

No democrat in the world can accept Gaza being turned into a concentration camp, Petro added.

Initially, Colombias foreign ministry had issued a statement to vehemently condemn the terrorism and attacks against civilians that have occurred in Israel and expressing solidarity with the victims of Hamas.

The link to that statement was later disabled, with a new one making no mention of terrorism.
The inaugural Dengue Forum titled Addressing the Mosquito in the Room held last Wednesday, 27 September, aimed to amplify the conversation on dengue as a public health concerni n the Philippines. The event was organized by RiseAboveNow Business Consulting Group (RAN-BCG) and was supported by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Department of Health (DOH).

Present in the health forum are representatives from local government units, healthcare associations, patient organization and Japanese healthcare companies including Hi-Eisai, Kao Corporation, Taisho and Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. (THPI).

We consider dengue [to be] an international concern, and we are one with the Philippines in your fight against dengue infections, said Nihei Daisuke, Minister for Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

I would also like to acknowledge Takeda [Healthcare Philippines], Inc. for actively promoting dengue awareness. I have seen the critical trials of the intervention that you developed, and its efficacy based on the results of your research [is] highly praised.

This dengue forum came at the right time to revitalize discussion on dengue and establish a robust platform formulti-stakeholder collaboration in addressing the dengue situation in the country. It delved deep into the state of dengue in the country, its far-reaching impact, and current and future prevention and control initiatives.

The burden of dengue in the Philippines

Angelica Garcia, Supervising Health Program Officer at the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, said that dengue is a disease endemic to the Philippines, with cases rising especially during the rainy season.

Notably, 70% of annual cases affect those aged 0 to19, and 56% of deaths occur among those aged 9 and below. Dengue with warning signs is the typical presentation, and Dengue 1, among 4 different strains of the virus, is the most common strain detected via PCR.

The financial impact of dengue on patients and their families is significant. Dr. Jose Rene de Grano, President of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, discussed hospitalization costs and complications.

He mentioned that PhilHealth provides approximately Php 10,000 for conditions like hemorrhaging, but patient bills can significantly soar to Php 50,000 or more, depending on required monitoring, blood transfusions, and complications.

The pillars of collaborative dengue response

The fight against dengue is guided by five essential pillars: surveillance and preparedness, accurate diagnosis and case management, vector management or mosquito control, health education and advocacy, and outbreak response and preventative interventions. These pillars work in harmony to combat the disease and ensure a healthier future free from the threat of dengue.

DOH is actively collaborating with the University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health to update their Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). We anticipate the final CPG to be released by the end of the year, noted Dr. Kim Tejano, Medical Officer IV, DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau.

Engaging the community was a recurring theme during the discussion. Representatives from the health offices of Quezon City, Pasig City, Caloocan City, and Baguio City shared their best practices.

They highlighted the enduring effectiveness of the DOH 5S strategy, particularly the search and destroy component. They underscored the significance of patient education involving the community to ensure dengue prevention and control.

Focusing on the private sectors role in preventing and controlling dengue, Kao Corporation has emphasized the importance of disease awareness and patient education.

We initiated a collaboration and partnership involving industry, academia, and the government sector in Thailand to promote and encourage individuals to take proactive measures for self-protection, shared Dr. Nakagawa Takao, Research Manager, Kao Corporation.

Cleo Nodado of Taisho Pharmaceuticals and Dr. Maria Fe Gualberto, pediatrician and medical consultant at Otsuka Solar Philippines, Inc., highlighted that management of dengue can be simple and cost-effective with timely and correct interventions. They emphasized the need to understand clinical issues across different phases of dengue fever for rational case management.

Dengue remains to be a major public health concern. The fight against global public health diseases is made significantly more achievable through collaborations. Takeda is exploring and forging partnerships with multi-stakeholders in its commitment towards making a difference in patients lives by addressing these public health needs, said Dr. Joy Althea Pabellon, Medical Head of THPI.

Promising innovations for dengue response

With advances in research, technology, and healthcare practices, clinical management innovations can greatly enhance the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat dengue more effectively.

For a comprehensive approach to dengue prevention and control, strategies should encompass both vector control and immunization to tackle the burden of dengue disease effectively. Building on concerns related to first-generation vaccines, second-generation dengue vaccines have enhanced design by utilizing the dengue virus as a backbone, said Dr. Rontgene Solante, Infectious Disease Specialist, San Lazaro Hospital.

The WHOs Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommends considering the use of TAK003, a live-attenuated tetravalent second-generation dengue vaccine, for introduction in areas with high dengue disease burden and transmission intensity, particularly for children aged 6 to 16, targeting the age-specific peak incidence of dengue-related hospitalizations, which should be 1-2 years earlier.

There exist other innovative strategies with the potential to prevent and treat dengue infections. Two monoclonal antibodies are currently undergoing testing in the pre-clinical stage: one has shown promising results in preventing bleeding and reducing viral load, while the other has demonstrated the capability to neutralize all four dengue serotypes, noted Dr. Anna Lisa Ong-Lim, Pediatric Infectious Disease Expert, at Philippine General Hospital.

Government bodies, private sector entities, and dedicated stakeholders have recognized the need for concerted efforts in the prevention, management, and control of dengue.

The ceremonial signing of the Collaborative Response Framework is a clear testament to the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders involved in combating this pressing health issue. You can take action and fight the mosquito in the room.
E.ON, Germany's largest distribution system operator, connects the millionth renewable energy plant to its distribution system and celebrates an energy transition anniversary. The commissioned wind turbine is located in the municipality of Biesenthal in Brandenburg and will in future feed 6.8 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity into the grid of E.ON subsidiary E.DIS. E.ON's Chief Network Officer Thomas Konig symbolically connected the wind turbine to the grid together with Klaus Muller, President of the Federal Network Agency, plant operator Jan Teut, and other participants from business and politics.

Konig commented: "One million renewable energy plants what a milestone for the energy transition! But the anniversary plant in Brandenburg is just the beginning. For the energy transition to succeed, we need to integrate millions more decentralized producers into the energy system by 2030. This mammoth task will require a joint effort from all stakeholders."

Connection requests increase significantly

The connected wind turbine is a symbol of the energy transition: Whereas in the past a few large power plants supplied households and companies, in the future millions of decentral PV and wind power plants will generate energy. At least 90 percent of these decentralized plants will be connected to the distribution grid. For distribution system operators like E.ON, this means both growth opportunities and challenges: In 2022, the number of requests to connect to E.ON's German grid will already more than double compared to the previous year. By 2030, this number could roughly quadruple to as many as 900,000 new installations to be connected per year. In line with the German government's climate policy goals, this would require connecting an additional six million new renewable energy systems and distributed consumers by 2030, including at least 2.9 million PV systems, 1.9 million new charging points for electric vehicles, one million heat pumps and 2,000 new wind farms. In total, this would amount to 85 new installations every hour.

No alternative to expanding distribution grids

The distribution grids are the backbone of the German energy system and the central infrastructure of the energy transition. To achieve the political goals of the energy transition, the expansion of the distribution grids for example, the construction of new lines, transformers, and substations must be synchronized with the expansion of renewables. This is the only way to avoid curtailing sustainable energy production on sunny and windy days and incurring high, so-called "redispatch" costs. "Redispatch" is the term used to describe the intervention of the grid operator in the planned energy generation of power plants to prevent a grid bottleneck and to ensure security of supply. Redispatching can be necessary, for example, when good weather conditions cause wind turbines to produce more energy than the grids can absorb at that time. These costs are a burden on society to the tune of billions of euros each year.

Energy transition power plant in Brandenburg

Power generation from wind turbines plays a major role in the success of the energy transition. Brandenburg is no exception, and it is where the network area of the E.ON subsidiary E.DIS is located. In 2022, the installed nominal capacity of wind turbines in the entire state was more than 8,000 MW, the second highest value in Germany after Lower Saxony. This is roughly equivalent to the output of eight large conventional power plants. Brandenburg's wind power output is expected to increase by another third by 2032 and to double by 2040. The company operating the millionth connected turbine is part of the Teut Group, which has been planning and operating wind turbines in the region since 1996. The newly inaugurated wind turbine is located on a site owned by Berliner Stadtguter GmbH, which owns and leases approximately 16,700 hectares in Brandenburg and thus contributes significantly to the development of the Berlin region.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by E.ON Group Management and other information currently available to E.ON. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. E.ON SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to align them to future events or developments.
The Wexner Foundation, a major donor to Harvards Kennedy School, has severed ties with the university after seeing what it called a dismal response to the war in Israel.

The foundation, which develops and inspires leaders in the North American Jewish community and the State of Israel, according to its website, condemned a statement signed by more than 30 student groups last week which showed support for Palestinians and blamed the violence in the region on the Israeli government, and expressed disappointment in the university administrations response.

We are stunned and sickened at the dismal failure of Harvards leadership to take a clear and unequivocal stand against the barbaric murders of innocent Israeli civilians by terrorists, the foundation wrote in a letter to Harvards board of overseers on Monday, which was shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, by Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan.

On Oct. 7, Hamas, the militant group which governs Gaza, launched surprise attacks in Israel, killing hundreds, including many civilians. Since then, Israel has retaliated, leading to thousands of deaths in the region and forced evacuations in Gaza.

The statement by Harvard students, released by the Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee, was seen by many as supporting Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.

We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence, the PSC wrote in the statement on Saturday, Oct 7. 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.

The backlash to the statement from alumni, advocacy groups, politicians and students and faculty on campus led some of the student groups that originally signed on to retract their support.

Harvard President Claudine Gay formally denounced the statement on Oct. 9, but stopped short of sanctioning the student groups involved in any way.

Let there be no doubt that I condemn the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas. Such inhumanity is abhorrent, whatever ones individual views of the origins of longstanding conflicts in the region, Gay wrote on the universitys website. While our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student groupnot even 30 student groupsspeaks for Harvard University or its leadership. We will all be well served in such a difficult moment by rhetoric that aims to illuminate and not inflame.

The Wexner Foundation has sponsored the Wexner Israel Fellowship, a leadership development program, at the Harvard Kennedy School since 1989. The program accepts up to 10 leaders in the public sector in Israel each year to work toward a masters degree in public administration at the university.

Read more: Blinken calls for civilian protection as Israel prepares for expected assault on Gaza

On Monday, the foundations leaders said that in recent years its fellows had felt increasingly marginalized, and that Harvard had not sufficiently remedied the situation. They went on to say that since the attacks by Hamas, Harvards leadership had been tiptoeing, equivocating around the conflict.

Since (Oct. 7), many of our Israel Fellows no longer feel marginalized at HKS. They feel abandoned, they wrote. Our core values and those of Harvard no longer align. HKS is no longer a place where Israeli leaders can go to develop the necessary skills to address the very real political and societal challenges they face.

The current class of fellows will be the last to complete the program, according to the letter.

In a statement to the Harvard Crimson, Kennedy School spokesperson Sofiya Cabalquinto said that both Gay and that its dean, Douglas Elmendorf, had clearly denounced the attacks by Hamas.

We are grateful to the Wexner Foundation for its very longstanding support of student scholarships, Cabalquinto told the student newspaper.

The Wexner Foundation gave $1.83 million to Harvard for leadership development and $600,000 for educational fellowships in 2021, according to the Boston Herald.
Two suspects have been charged with accessory to murder in connection with a fatal shooting of an infant in Holyoke earlier this month, according to the Hampden County District Attorneys Office.

Jose Galarza, 31, and Jay Marie Rosado-Rosario, 29, both of Holyoke were charged with accessory after the fact  murder, the district attorneys office said on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

The shooting took place at about 12:30 p.m. near 397 Maple St. on Oct. 4 after three men got into a fight. A stray bullet hit Selena Santana, who was eight months pregnant with her third child, she told MassLive.

Santana said she could see the men fighting and could see when they started shooting.

The light had turned green and the bus started turning, Santana said in a phone interview from Baystate Medical Center in Springfield on Monday, Oct. 9, adding that the gunshots, sounded like fireworks.

Santana was brought to the hospital in critical condition. Her baby was delivered but died, officials said. The killing of the baby brought the countys murder rate to 33, Hampden District Attorney spokesperson James Leydon said.

Rosado-Rosario was arraigned Monday in Holyoke District Court. Her bail was set at $5,000 and her next court date is scheduled for Nov. 17, officials said. Galarza will be arraigned in Holyoke District Court Tuesday.

Both suspects are the latest to be charged in connection with the fatal shooting. Two other suspects, Johnluis Sanchez and Alejandro Ramos, have charged with murder in connection with the shooting.

On Oct. 6, Sanchez, 30, of Holyoke, was arraigned by Zoom in Holyoke District Court for his 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.

Ramos, 22, also of Holyoke, was arraigned a day earlier 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.

Meanwhile, authorities are still looking for a third suspect, Kermith Alvarez. Alvarez is believed to have fled via an Uber after being treated for a gunshot wound on Oct. 4, officials said. The Massachusetts State Police also have placed Alvarez, also known as Kermith Vargas, on its Most Wanted list.

Anyone with information as to where Alvarez could be is 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 should be considered armed and dangerous, officials said.

This incident is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorneys Office and the Holyoke Police Department.
Several children were removed from a Holyoke apartment on Oct. 11 after officials said they were living in horrific living conditions.

The Holyoke Police Department said it was executing a search warrant at 149 Essex St. related to narcotics when they found the children and the living conditions.

Due to these conditions the board of health was summoned to the apartment which they immediately deemed uninhabitable, police said, adding that the Department of Children and Families were called and the children were removed.

Israel Jimenez was arrested and charged with possession of class B, parole warrant and three counts of reckless endangerment of a child.

Jeidy Cruz-Carrasquillo was arrested and charged with possession class B and three counts of reckless endangerment of a child.
In the years since the state installed license-plate-reading cameras along the states toll roads, some Massachusetts police departments  and private citizens  have been installing similar technology along smaller roads throughout the state.

As more departments are adopting the technology, advocates are voicing their concern with the cameras.
The first 100 people who walk into Burlingtons newest Massachusetts department store will get a chance to save even more on the brands plethora of products, just in time to get a head start on your holiday shopping.

Burlington will host a grand opening at its new Chelsea store on Friday, Oct. 20. The store marks the companys 20th location in Massachusetts.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the first 100 customers age 18 and older who visit the store Friday and Saturday will get a $10 bonus card.

Read More: First Massachusetts location of Duck Donuts opens

Customers who come Sunday will get a free Burlington umbrella, while supplies last, without having to buy anything.

Our goal is to continue to offer communities low prices on brand name merchandise for the entire family and home, said CEO of Burlington Stores Michael OSullivan.

Were continuing to expand our footprint across the country and are excited to be opening a new store in Chelsea, he continued. We look forward to giving local customers the chance to discover big savings on a wide range of products.

The company also has grand openings scheduled for two more stores in Braintree and Plymouth on Nov. 17.

Read More: East Heaven hot tubs and spa preps for Easthampton opening after 2021 Northampton fire

In addition to treating their customers to savings, Burlington will also donate $5,000 to Berkowitz Elementary School through their partnership with AdoptAClassroom.

The national non-profit organization grants essential school supplies to PreK-12 teachers and schools across the country. The donation will be presented during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 8:45 Friday morning.

The store is also looking to fill roughly 65 full-time and part-time positions. Those interested in applying can do so online.

The Chelsea location will be open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The address for the Chelsea Commons is 1100 Revere Beach Parkway.
You may have noticed this week that the Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to three scientists, Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots. According to the prize website: Independently of each other, Ekimov and Brus succeeded in creating quantum dots, and Bawendi revolutionized the chemical production (of the dots).

Because they are relatively easy to make and find application in so many fields, especially for light generation, quantum dots are quickly showing up in consumer products and you probably have some in your home and do not know it. For example, quantum dot technology now illuminates computer monitors and television screens and often adds nuance to the light of some household LED lamps, such as the sunlight types as opposed to the bright white versions. Also, biochemists and doctors sometimes use them to map biological tissue on patients in cancer treatments.

To understand what a quantum dot is and what it can be used for we have to go back to the beginning when electrons were first discoveredthat is, back to the late 1800s. You need to understand a few basic facts about how these electrons flow in metals and semiconductors before we can get to the quantum dot.

In 1879 the flow of electrical current in wires was starting to be put to good use when Thomas Edison perfected the carbon filament lamp, which replaced the kerosene lamp for home illumination. Within a short time, an entire industry was built dealing with electrical current, but nobody really knew what exactly was flowing through the wires.

It wasnt until 1891 that the chemist G. Johnstone Stoney coined the term electron to denote the unit of charge found in experiments that passed current through chemical baths, as in a typical plating operation. Several years later British scientist J.J. Thomson performed an experiment using a cathode ray tube, the predecessor of the black and white television picture tube, and showed that all atoms contain tiny negatively charged subatomic particles, and these are the things that are flowing in a wire. Thomson called the flowing entities corpuscles for want of a better name, somewhat implying the resemblance to blood flow through veins and arteries. It was Irish physicist George Fitzgerald who suggested in 1897 that the term electron be applied to Thomsons corpuscles.

So, by the beginning of the 20th century physicists knew that this electrical current, already running lighting, factory motors, and wireless radio, was due to flowing electrons.

It is often said that mankinds greatest invention, the one adding the most quality of life, was the harnessing of electricity.

But there were problems that could not be easily explained. For instance, why dont materials such as plastic or wood conduct electrons as well as metals such as copper? In addition, what about the semiconductors carbon, germanium, and silicon? Why were their conductivities in between insulators and metals?

This, nobody could answer until the development of quantum physics in the 1930s brought the notion that an electron in an atom or crystal can only have certain precise energy levels. Some energies were not allowed. In plastics, all of the levels are filled up right to the point where the non-allowed ones begin preventing electrons from gathering energy to flow along. For metals, all levels are filled about halfway, so there are openings for them to get moving and rise in energy if compelled by a battery. Semiconductors have energy levels filled but there is a small gap so that if enough potential is applied, they can jump and flow again.

You may ask, what has this got to do with quantum dots?

A quantum dot, when fabricated correctly, is a tiny sphere, usually made of a semiconducting material such as silicon, lead sulfide, or cadmium selenide, which when illuminated by ultraviolet light, can push electrons into higher energy states. In the case of a semiconducting quantum dot, this process corresponds to the transition of an electron from the valence band to the conductance band  jumping over the energy gap. But because the dot is so small, all the excited electron can do is move back and forth within the material until it releases its energy as a burst of light.

In quantum mechanics we say this confinement is similar to a three-dimensional particle in a box. In fact, if the dot is small enough it acts almost like an atom absorbing and emitting energy, often in the form of atomic spectra.

For these reasons, quantum dots are sometimes referred to as artificial atoms.

Because the quantum dots have properties intermediate between bulk semiconductors and discrete atoms or molecules, their optoelectronic properties changethat is, the color output changes as a function of both size and shape. Varying the quantum dot size is simple in terms of their fabrication and requires little more than extra growth time.

This means for materials like cadmium selenide (CdSe), a common material from which dots are made, a tiny 2 nanometer diameter will emit in the red, but after a slightly longer fabrication time, a five-nanometer dot of the same material will emit in the green. This is a big advantage over, say, phosphors, whose emission and stability are specific to material type. By varying the size of the dot, all colors of the rainbow are possible, almost by magic without changing the material composition.

What a production friendly concept!
In the wake of a fatal fire at a home on Springfields Grover Street on Oct. 16, a GoFundMe has been set up to help a family bury one of its family members killed in the fire.

This is probably one of the hardest things my family have had to do. My family is reaching out to relatives, friends and the community for your help, wrote Jailyne Rivera, who set up the fundraiser following her younger sister Janayrahs death on Monday.

Springfield firefighters arrived to battle the fire consuming 118 Grover St. at around 5:20 a.m. Within 15 minutes, firefighters had the blaze under control, said Springfield Fire Department Capt. Drew Piemonte told The Republican on Monday. The fire started on the porch of the Riveras grandmothers home, according to the GoFundMe.

Several people were injured and three dogs died. One person was flown to Boston for medical treatment, and another was taken to Baystate Medical Center, said Piemonte. The Baystate patient, according to Rivera, was her sister, nicknamed Nany.

Nany was stuck in her room, which was above the porch, Rivera wrote. When firefighters arrived, she was brought to Baystate Medical Center with serious burn injuries. Due to these injuries, Janayrah passed away at the hospital.

Read more: 2 more charged in connection with fatal shooting of infant in Holyoke

Nany, who just turned 18 years old in May, was a 2023 graduate of Putnam High School and was pursuing her career in Early Childhood as a Daycare teacher at New Horizon Daycare, Rivera wrote.

Nany was a funny, spontaneous, bright young lady and she loved her family and was ready for her future outside of high school, Rivera continued.

The family is hoping the GoFundMe will help them with the funeral, as times are tough right now and asking for money is something I wish we did not have to do. But we are asking for everyones prayers and help during this hard time, she said.

Set up on Monday after her death, the GoFundMe has blown past its $20,000 goal and has received $21,500 from 360 donors. The top donation was $2,000, followed by a $1,000 donation. Crossover Church donated $300, the Westfield Police Association donated $200 and 60 $100 donations.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Janayrah, Crossover Church wrote in its donation. Our hearts and prayers go out to your family during this difficult time. We know no words can express or ease your pain, but please know that you are not alone and, as the broader family of faith, we mourn and grieve with you.
A third suspect in the Holyoke shooting  which injured a pregnant bystander and left her baby dead  remains on the run from law enforcement, and a judge set a $25,000 bail on Tuesday for a Holyoke man accused by authorities of aiding the runaway suspect evade arrest and flee Massachusetts.

Jose Galarza, 31, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment at Holyoke District Court and Judge William Hadley set a higher bail than his girlfriend, Jay Marie Rosado-Rosario, 29, also of Holyoke, who was arraigned the day before on the same charge: accessory after the fact of murder. Rosado-Rosario was held on a $5,000 bail on Monday.

Two men were charged with murder in the days following the deadly shooting near the intersection of Sargeant and Maple streets on Oct. 4. Still, a third suspect has so far eluded arrest and Kermith D. Alvarez, 28, of Holyoke, is on the state polices Most Wanted List in connection with the shooting.

Massachusetts State Police described Alvarez as 56 tall, 230 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is armed and dangerous and goes by the alias Kermith Vargas.

Authorities previously described how three men got into a gunfight at about 1 p.m. near 397 Maple St. and a stray bullet hit Selena Santana, who was eight months pregnant with her third child, she told MassLive.

Santana was brought to the hospital in critical condition. Her baby was delivered but died, officials said. The killing of the baby brought the countys murder rate to 33, Hampden District Attorney spokesperson James Leydon said.

The memorial for the newborn at the intersection of Sargeant and Maple streets in Holyoke. A pregnant woman was among the injured victims in a shooting on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 4, and her baby died after being delivered. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)

At the arraignment for Galarza on Tuesday, new details emerged about how Alvarez remains on the run and managed to escape capture in Holyoke, stayed at a hotel in East Hartford for two days, and whose location appears to be unknown to authorities.

How Galarza allegedly helped Alvarez escape

Prosecutor Kerry Koehler said in court during the arraignment that Galarza and Rosado-Rosario aided and abetted Alvarez from fleeing law enforcement and that he remains on the run.

Investigators found that Alvarez left the scene of the shooting in the car of Rosado-Rosario with Galarza as a passenger and that the couple brought the suspected shooter to the hospital in Westfield and later stayed in contact with him to help him avoid detection by police in Holyoke when he was released from medical care, according to Koehler.

Koehler said that Galarza told police he admitted to bringing the suspected shooter to a hospital but told investigators he brought the suspect to Springfield instead of Westfield.

Under questions from the judge, Koehler further revealed that investigators found that Galarza and his girlfriend picked up Alvarez from the hospital and brought him back to Holyoke.

Investigators were able to get phone records that showed communications from Galarzas phone to Alvarez and that they had evidence that Alvarez evaded police on scooter and foot based on information fed by Galarza, according to Koehler.

The call records, we argue, support that he was receiving information about where any potential risks of being noticed were and that Galarza was the person communicating through the cell phone number law enforcement had associated with him to assist Mr. Alvarez to evade capture, Koehler said.

The couple also helped Alvarez leave Massachusetts by using their information to book a room at an Economy Inn in East Hartford, investigators found according to Koehler.

There was surveillance footage that identified Galarza and Rosado-Rosario at the Economy Inn and having a conversation with the desk staff. Alvarez appeared shortly after on the surveillance footage, Koehler said.

Investigators found that Alvarez left two days later. The room was booked on Oct. 5 and the person investigators identified as Alvarez left on Oct. 7.

That was the last law enforcement had laid eyes on him or known his whereabouts, Koehler said.

Why a judge set bail at $25,000

Defense attorney Donald Frank argued on behalf of Galarza and said that his lack of convictions meant that bail should be set at $2,500. Koehler brought up previous charges brought against Galarza that ended in a non-prosecution and a dismissal and had asked for a $5,000 bail.

After the arraignment, Frank said, He is presumed innocent and he is not charged with the shooting.

Frank said his client has no previous default appearances at court, spoke with police investigators twice after the shooting and that he did not have a gun nor was charged with any kind of violent offenses.

During the hearing, Frank argued that he and his girlfriend work at a fridge factory, and after Rosado-Rosarios arraignment and conditions of release on Monday, she would no longer be able to continue working there. He said Galarza would likely also lose his job and that a release with a curfew and GPS monitor would completely destroy and wreck their lives that they spent a long time making.

Galarza turned himself into police custody on Monday when he learned there was an arrest warrant out for him, Frank added.

Judge Hadley said that in light of the allegations of Galarzas role in helping a murder suspect evade police capture, he decided to set bail at $25,000.

The judges comments brought a dramatic conclusion to the hearing as family members of Galarza reacted with shock at the bail amount and led one woman to collapse and later be picked up by an ambulance, although she appeared conscious by the time she was brought out of the court.

Galarzas next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 8 although a grand jury is expected to hear evidence for an indictment, which would transfer the case to Hampden Superior Court.

Other shooting suspects

Two other suspects, Johnluis Sanchez and Alejandro Ramos, have charged with murder in connection with the shooting.

On Oct. 6, Sanchez, 30, of Holyoke, was arraigned by Zoom in Holyoke District Court for his 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.

Ramos, 22, also of Holyoke, was arraigned a day earlier 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.

Anyone with information as to where Alvarez could be is 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 should be considered armed and dangerous, officials said.
A 51-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Norwood Monday night, a spokesperson with the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office told MassLive Tuesday.

The crash happened on Upland Wood Road around 7 p.m. on Oct. 16, said David Traub, with the district attorneys office. The sole victim of the crash was identified as James Kulpan, who Traub said lived in the area.

Read More: 2 more charged in connection with fatal shooting of infant in Holyoke

An initial investigation suggests the car Kulpan was driving veered into oncoming traffic, went off the road and landed in a ditch on the other side. It is currently unclear how that happened, Traub said.

The chief medical examiner and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section responded to the crash, Traub said.

Authorities do not believe that any other cars were involved in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbells office has reached more than $2.5 million in settlements with two autism service providers who authorities say sent false claims to the commonwealths MassHealth insurance program.

The providers involved in the settlements not only failed to comply with the necessary standards for providing critical services to a vulnerable population with autism spectrum disorder, but also fraudulently exploited public funds, Campbell said in a Tuesday statement.

The first of the settlements involves Ubuntu Autism Consultants, LLC (Ubuntu), formerly of Worcester, Autism Behavioral Links, Inc., of Framingham, and Ian Gatheca, the owner of both companies.

Under the terms of the agreement, they will pay $1.7 million to resolve allegations they submitted false claims to MassHealths managed care entities, or MBEs, for services that were not provided by individuals with the appropriate credentials for the service in question, Campbells office said.

In the second instance, Autism Resources and Therapy Center (ARTC), of Westborough, and its owner Mary Wangari, will pay $825,000 to resolve allegations that they billed the managed care entities for services that were either not rendered and/or not properly documented, and for failing to provide adequate supervision of ARTCs paraprofessional staff, Campbells office said in its statement.

The settlements will ensure that these companies will pay back the money they owe MassHealth and bring themselves into compliance with required state laws and regulations, so our youth receive the high-quality ... services they deserve, Campbell said.

In addition to the financial settlements, the providers also have agreed to implement a three-year independent compliance monitoring program  at their own expense  which should result in updates to their policies and procedures, new trainings for employees, and periodic audits to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, Campbells office said.

The defendants in both settlements are whats known as applied behavioral analysis providers. Its a form of treatment for people living with autism spectrum disorder thats based on the science of learning and behavior, according to a summary by the advocacy group Autism Speaks.

The therapy can, among other things, increase language and communication skills, improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics, [and] decrease problem behaviors, according to Autism Speaks.

While many of those services are delivered by paraprofessional staff, MassHealth and its managed care entities require that licensed analysts provide both treatment planning training for families. MassHealth also requires the licensed analysts to periodically supervise those paraprofessionals, Campbells office said.

Campbells office said it began investigating both providers involved in the settlement after it received referrals from MassHealth.
A Medway familys situation in Gaza is growing more dire, according to a friend in Boston who has been zealously working to help them get out.

Abood Okal, Wafaa Abuzayda and their 1-year-old son Yousef Okal were visiting family in Gaza when Hamas attacked Israel, which responded by declaring war on Hamas.

The family, like hundreds of other American citizens, has been trapped in Gaza with no way to get out.

Read more: Continuously closed border keeps Medway family trapped in Gaza

Sammy Nabulsi, a friend of the family who lives in Boston, said he has been increasingly concerned with their situation, especially since Yousef has had a fever for the past 24 hours.

Abood Okal with son Yousef. (Image courtesy Sammy Nabulsi)

I am becoming increasingly worried about the health and well-being of this family, and of course the other estimated 500-600 Americans in Gaza, Nabulsi said Tuesday.

Nabulsi has been in touch daily with the family through WhatsApp, but has periods of time when he is unable to reach them. He heard from them when they twice tried to cross into Egypt at the Rafah crossing, which was announced to be open but in reality remained closed.

Theyve gone back home, Nabulsi said Monday following the familys second attempt to cross. The situation becomes very dangerous when it becomes evening because the bombarding continues.

MassLive has reached out to Okal and Abuzayda, but has not immediately heard back.

Nabulsi also said he heard from Okal that there were airstrikes in or near Rafah. He has been in contact with Secretary of State Anthony Blinkens office.

I know that Secretary Blinken is working on an agreement which does not to my knowledge include the safe passage of American citizens, Nabulsi said. Ive reached out to my contacts at the White House, State Department, and several elected officials asking that they influence this agreement to include some sort of protection area for Rafah, considering that is where presumably all of the American citizens who desire to leave are located or heading to.

Wafaa Abuzayda poses with 1-year-old son Yousef Okal. (Image courtesy Sammy Nabulsi)

More than a week has passed since a surprise Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent declaration of war by Israel on Hamas. The Wall Street Journal reports that there have been 1,400 Israeli deaths and 2,750 Palestinian deaths.

On Friday, Israel ordered hundreds of thousands of civilians living in Gaza City to evacuate, one day after ordering the evacuation of 1.1 million people from northern Gaza within 24 hours.

Border crossings between Gaza and Israel remain closed, and the crossing between Gaza and Egypt, where humanitarian aid is waiting to be allowed to go across, also remains closed.

Nabulsi said he heard on Sunday that the family had run out of drinking water and was low on fuel. He added that U.S. State Department information he was forwarded through the office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren indicated the family would need to find its own way to Cairo to be extracted, and Nabulsi feared the family would have to hitchhike or even walk from the Rafah crossing to Cairo, a five-hour drive.

While Nabulsi did not have an update how much water the family had, he did learn that they were able to borrow water from a neighbor.

He is particularly frustrated that getting out of Israel seems so much more straightforward than getting out of Gaza, where the Israeli government has ordered that more than 1 million Palestinians leave the region.

Wafaa Abuzayda holds 1-year-old Yousef Okal. Both remained in Gaza on Sunday, more than a week after the start of the Hamas-Israel conflict. (Image courtesy Sammy Nabulsi)

Im not blaming anyone; they very well might be working on this, he said. I honestly dont even need to hear from them. I just really hope they are all doing everything they can.

The State Department released information both on Saturday and Sunday that the Rafah crossing into Egypt would be open, but neither time were any refugees allowed to leave.

Nabulsi said he hopes that President Joe Bidens reported trip to Israel tomorrow will help change things.

If these Americans dont come home today, my request is that President Biden does not return to the United States until he secures the safe and immediate departure of every American citizen in Gaza first, Nabulsi said.
Flyers from an active neo-Nazi group were scattered across several neighborhoods in Westfield on Monday morning, Oct. 16, according to The Boston Globe.

The flyers from the Nationalist Social Club, or NSC-131, were found tucked into plastic sandwich bags weighed down with small gray rocks and left in peoples driveways, Westfield police Capt. Steve Dickinson told the outlet.

It was unclear how many flyers were distributed. The Westfield Police Department said in a Facebook post that it knows about the flyers and are asking the public to send them any information.

We are aware that flyers for a white supremacist organization were left in neighborhoods in the Western Ave. area. This organization has conducted similar activities all over New England, the department wrote. The flyers are in a small plastic bag weighted with small stones and were likely thrown from a vehicle. Anyone with a description or video of the vehicle involved is asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 413-572-6400.

One resident posted a photo of the flyer in the comments section of Westfield polices post. It reads, New Englanders! You are being replaced. Organize and resist, followed by a link to the organizations gab profile and email.

Westfield police emailed the organization saying they had unlawfully distributed the flyers and could pay fines of up to $300 per offense, the Globe reported. Dickinson said that department had not heard back from NSC-131 as of late Monday afternoon.

We probably wont, Dickinson told the outlet. If we get any information or leads, well certainly investigate that.

NSC-131 distributed similar flyers in Plymouth in late September and in New Bedford on Oct. 11, the Globe reported. The group most recently protested outside of Gov. Maura Healys Arlington home, according to a separate article from the Globe.

Along with the white supremacist organization Patriot Front, NSC-131 is one of the most active extremist groups in New England, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The NSC is short for National Socialist Club, while 131 is alphanumeric code for the letters A-C-A, standing for Anti-Communist Action.

The groups activity is often tied to the influx of migrants seeking shelter in Massachusetts, where a right-to-shelter law requires the state to house families with children and pregnant women who are homeless.

The group protested outside three Woburn hotels in August, delivering anti-immigration messages after city officials said that roughly 60 migrant families were living in hotels in the city.

The group has also protested outside events featuring drag queens and at the New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston. Earlier this year, two NSC-131 members were charged with civil rights violations in New Hampshire after the group hung a Keep New England White banner from a highway overpass.
A 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy who authorities allege was stabbed 26 times by his landlord in response to escalating right-wing rhetoric on the Israel-Hamas war was being remembered as a kind child while multiple authorities investigate the attack that has become a symbol of larger struggles with hate crime in the U.S.

Crowds of mourners in the heavily Palestinian Chicago suburb of Bridgeview, paid respects Monday as Wadea Al-Fayoume was buried. His mother, who was also critically injured in the attack that led to condemnation from local elected officials to the White House, remained hospitalized. A Tuesday evening vigil was planned at a community center in a nearby suburb.

During funeral services, family and friends remembered Wadea as an energetic boy who loved playing games. The child, who recently celebrated a birthday, was also seen as another innocent casualty in the escalating war.

Wadea is a child and he is not the only one under attack, said Mosque Foundation Imam Jamal Said during the janazah, or funeral service. He added children are being slaughtered literally in the Holy Land, unfortunately, which is very sad.

The boys body was carried in a small white casket  which was at times draped with a Palestinian flag  through packed crowds.

Family members of Wadea Al Fayoume bring out his casket from Mosque Foundation to the hearse in Bridgeview, Ill., Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. An Illinois landlord accused of fatally stabbing the 6-year-old Muslim boy and seriously wounding his mother was charged with a hate crime after police and relatives said he singled out the victims because of their faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP

Mahmoud Yousef, the boys uncle, remembered Wadea as active, playful and kind. Citing a text message from the boys mother, Yousef said she recalled the last words her son spoke to her after he was stabbed: Mom, Im fine.

You know what, he is fine, Yousef said. Hes in a better place.

Hours before the boy was buried, 71-year-old Joseph Czuba made his first court appearance on murder, attempted murder and hate crime charges.

The boys mother told investigators that she rented two rooms on the first floor of the Plainfield home while Czuba and his wife lived on the second floor, Assistant States Attorney Michael Fitzgerald said in a court filing.

He was angry at her for what was going on in Jerusalem, Fitzgerald said. She responded to him, Lets pray for peace. ... Czuba then attacked her with a knife.

This booking photo provided by the Will County Sheriffs Office, in Joliet, Ill., shows Joseph M. Czuba. Authorities say Czuba has been charged with a hate crime, accused of fatally stabbing a young boy and seriously wounded a woman because of their Islamic faith and the Israel-Hamas war. (Will County Sheriffs Office via AP)AP

The boys mother fought Czuba off and went into a bathroom where she stayed until police arrived. Wadea, meanwhile, was in his own room, Fitzgerald said.

The mother was identified by family members as Hanaan Shahin, 32, though authorities used a different spelling for her name as well as her sons name.

On the day of the attack, police found Czuba with a cut on his forehead, sitting on the ground outside the home.

Czubas wife, Mary, told police that her husband feared they would be attacked by people of Middle Eastern descent and had withdrawn $1,000 from a bank in case the U.S. grid went down, Fitzgerald said in the court document.

In Bridgeview, the boys father briefly spoke to reporters in Arabic, saying he was trying to make sense of what happened. He hoped it would be a bullet to solve the issue in his homeland.

Im here as the father of the boy, not as a politician or religious scholar. Im here as the father of a boy whose rights were violated, he said.

Community members chanted prayers in unison outside the mosque following the janazah as leaders transported the casket into a hearse. There is no God, but God, The martyr is beloved by God and God is greatest, they chanted  calls many Muslims recite in moments of grief, distress or remembrance.

The boys killing prompted fresh concerns in Muslim circles about Islamaphobia and being forgotten in war coverage.

At a news conference before the funeral, speakers called for politicians and media to be responsible with their comments and coverage of the war. Attendees gathered close to hear, phones recording and expressions somber.

In recent days, Jewish and Muslim groups have reported an increase of hateful rhetoric in the wake of the war. Several cities have stepped up police patrols.

The Justice Department said it opened a hate crime investigation into the attack.

This horrific act of hate has no place in America, and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are, President Joe Biden said.
BOSTON (AP)  A Massachusetts college town that established one of the nations first reparation funds for Black residents is considering spending the proceeds of the $2 million endowment on youth programs, affordable housing and grants for businesses.

The Amherst Town Council established the reparation fund two years ago, inspired by nationwide protests against the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, to atone for slavery, discrimination and past wrongs.

The council Monday night will consider a report from the towns African Heritage Reparation Assembly on how those funds should be spent.

The amount of funding would be equivalent to the annual tax revenue the town raises from cannabis sales, which is projected to be about $200,000 a year. The plan has been to grow the fund over a decade and then sustainably donate as much as $100,000 a year in the town, which is about 6% Black.

The assembly, which was appointed by the town manager, now wants the town to consider accelerating the timeline, perhaps by borrowing from reserves to allocate the money immediately, dedicating $100,000 from cannabis tax revenue to be spent on reparations annually, or aiming to reach the $2 million goal in four years, rather than 10.

The recommendations weve made will begin to make this space one that is more inviting, welcoming and hospitable for people of African descent, said Amilcar Shabazz, a professor in the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies, University of Massachusetts, who has written a book on reparations and is a member of the assembly.

Past Amherst, Mass., area residents Henry Jackson, center, Lt. Frazar Stearns, left, and Anna Reed Goodwin, right, are featured on the Amherst Community History Mural, as seen through the adjacent West Cemetery fence, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, in Amherst, Mass. Amherst is on a path toward providing reparations to Black residents for past injustices following the town council's adoption of a resolution calling for the community to become an anti-racist town.AP Photo/Charles Krupa

I believe this project that we have embarked upon will contribute to the national momentum toward Black reparations, the kind of reparations that will meaningfully change the status of African Americans in this country, Shabazz said.

The report lays out a case for reparations, including that Black residents were enslaved in the 17th and 18th centuries in Amherst, a city of 40,000 that is home to Amherst College and University of Massachusetts Amherst. The report cites a document from 1754-55 showing that 18 residents of Amherst and nearby Hadley were enslaved and that a doctor treated enslaved people.

Related: On Dec. 14, 2022, Boston City Councilors unanimously voted to create a reparations task force that would study how the city could provide reparations toward its African American residents

The 160-page report also found that Amherst College benefited from wealth generated through slavery and that Black residents into the 20th century were excluded from hotels, restaurants, barbershops and Amherst College fraternities. It cites restrictive housing policies preventing Black families from purchasing homes in desirable parts of town and other structural racism that shut them out of jobs and educational opportunities.

Amherst is among hundreds of American communities and organizations seeking to provide reparations to Black people, from the state of California to cities such as Providence, Rhode Island, religious denominations including the Episcopal Church and prominent colleges such as Georgetown University.

Amherst advocates have cited Evanston, Illinois, which became the first American city to pay reparations last month, as a model. That program uses marijuana tax revenues to give eligible Black residents $25,000 housing grants for downpayments, repairs or existing mortgages.

Earlier this year, a reparations task force in California handed lawmakers a report with more than 100 recommendations. That 1,100-page report details Californias role in perpetuating discrimination against Black residents. Ideas for repairing the harm range from formally apologizing to paying descendants of enslaved people for having suffered under discriminatory policing and housing policies.

Last year, Boston created a task force to study how it can provide reparations for and other forms of atonement to Black Bostonians for the citys role in slavery and its legacy of inequality.

Along with spending funds on programs, the Amherst report is calling for special state legislation that would allow the town to provide direct cash payments to eligible Black residents who have experienced racism. The report didnt say how many residents would be eligible or how large those payments would be.

Town councilor Michele Miller chairs the assembly, whose six other members identify as Black. She acknowledged that some residents have challenged the idea of giving city revenue directly to descendants, but said the members feel it should be explored. If not direct payments, another option might be providing eligible residents with downpayments for a home, she said.

There are cases, as weve indicated in our report, where direct cash benefits are necessary and where they will make a difference in terms of reparative justice, Miller said.
As he works deeper into his fourth decade on Beacon Hill, House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, confirmed Tuesday that he plans to run for reelection in 2024 and for another term as speaker in 2025, but declined to commit to serving out his next term, if reelected.

That remains to be seen, Mariano, of Quincy, told reporters when asked if he would serve out the full 2025-2026 term.

Mariano has served in the House since voters first chose him in a 1991 special election. He will turn 77 on Halloween.

Ever mindful of not risking being seen as lame ducks, legislative leaders over the years have often said they intend to stick around, but then suddenly departed. Mariano has witnessed a succession of quick leadership handoffs during his time in the House.

In October 2019, former House Speaker Robert DeLeo said he planned to run again, was reelected in 2020, but then resigned that December, before he was even sworn in for his new two-year term.

DeLeo left office to take a long-rumored job at Northeastern University and created the opportunity for Mariano, his deputy, to become speaker.

DeLeo was able to quickly grab the reins of the House in January 2009, when Salvatore DiMasi, only weeks into his new term, resigned from the House. In June 2011, after a six-week trial, a jury found DiMasi guilty on seven of nine counts in his public corruption case.

In September 2004, DiMasi took the speakers gavel from longtime Speaker Thomas Finneran, who resigned in the middle of his term to take a biotech industry job. In January 2007, Finneran pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, receiving a sentence of 18 months of unsupervised probation in connection with his testimony in a redistricting-related court case.

The Massachusetts House has never elected a woman to serve as its speaker.

Senate President Karen Spilka is the third woman to lead that branch, following Harriette Chandler and Therese Murray, the first woman Senate president.

The House and Senate have each discarded rules limiting the terms of their leaders. Murray opted against seeking reelection in 2014 when her term limit was nearing.

Then-state Sen. Stanley Rosenberg emerged from a group of candidates to win the Senate presidency in 2015. Rosenberg resigned following a months-long scandal in May 2018.

After meeting privately with House Democrats on Tuesday, reporters asked Mariano if he planned to seek reelection in 2024 and reelection as speaker in 2025.

Sure, Mariano replied to both questions. Two years ago, Mariano was asked the same questions and opened up about the reasons he was eager to stay in office.

After Marianos remarks to reporters outside of the caucus, his aides released a short statement.

The Speaker looks forward to the work ahead the remainder of this term. He intends to run for re-election for his seat and the speakership. Hes grateful to the membership for their collaboration and support, Marianos spokesperson, Ana Vivas, said.

On Sunday, during an appearance on WCVB-TVs On The Record program, co-host Sharman Sacchetti asked Mariano how long he planned to remain speaker.

Youve been talking to my wife, the speaker said.

Mariano went on to say there were a lot of things he would like to get done, mentioning health care in general as an area of interest and the ongoing reconfiguration of hospitals.

I feel like there are some things Id really like to sink my teeth into and put on what we hope to be the right track, Mariano said.
In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a sermon at the Riverside Church in Manhattan. America was engaged in active combat in Vietnam, with tens of thousands killed. Across the American political landscape, regardless of political party, people supported the war.

Dr. King felt the weight of history and the responsibility to speak out against the loss of human life and waging a war, he believed, that was rooted in the same unjust ethic of race-based domination as Jim Crow segregation. His closest allies urged him to remain silent, fearing that he would be labeled a communist, and that backlash would cost support for the civil rights movement.

Dr. King could not compromise his convictions. When he mounted the pulpit, he said, I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight, because my conscience leaves me no other choice. He noted, A time comes when silence is betrayal and added, that time has come for us in relation to Vietnam.

In that moment, he epitomized courage and his willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. He exemplified what it means to maintain integrity in times of conflict and crisis, and to place concerns of the community above personal interests. It was a moral stance that left him feeling alone when silence would have better served his interests.

The current conflict in Israel has many Christian leaders making excuses and rationalizations that keep them silent on one of the great moral challenges of our time.

The world has watched in horror the devastating and loss of life in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories over the last several days. As people of faith and part of the human family, we mourn with both Israelis and Palestinians that grieve the loss of life and live in trepidation regarding continued violence. We are prayerful for a day in the future where both Israelis and Palestinians will live side-by-side in peace.

Without hesitation, we condemn Hamas attacks on civilians and call for the release of hostages. We must also condemn the indiscriminate brutality and violent Israeli response that has already claimed thousands of civilian lives. Israels decision to shut off power, water, fuel and food is inhumane, and is having a deleterious effect on millions of innocent civilians in Gaza, including over a million children.

The human rights nightmare that has unfolded in the occupied territories require us to speak out passionately against the crisis in Gaza, despite the risks and complexities of the issue. Dr. King argued in his sermon on the Vietnam war, that even when the issues at hand seem as perplexing as they often do in the case of this dreadful conflict, we must not be mesmerized by uncertainty. We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak.

Therefore, in alignment with Dr. Kings message, we must unequivocally repudiate Israels system of apartheid, violations of international law, occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, displacement, movement restrictions, murder, brutalization, dehumanization, and restrictions on access to resources, food, water and medical supplies.

We must question Americas blind allegiance to Israel and its policies of repression and subjugation. We must challenge our nation on spending our tax dollars to support the violence and brutality that has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths in Gaza. We must question its pledge of $38 billion in military support and annual allocation of $3 billion per year to Israel.

We must speak boldly against legalized discrimination and codified racism that only gives Jewish Israelis the rights of self-determination. We must have an unequivocal opposition to violence, colonialism, racism and militarism.

We must understand that criticism of the policies and practices of the Israeli government is not antisemitic, and that we can simultaneously oppose antisemitism while demonstrating unwavering solidarity with Palestinians, who are being oppressed under Israels apartheid system.

As people of faith, we must speak with moral clarity that peace cannot exist when there is an absence of justice. The words of prophet Micah echo through the annals of time, He has shown thee, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). We must speak with courage and conviction about injustices at home and beyond our borders, especially those funded by the American taxpayer.

We must stand in solidarity with oppressed people across the world. In the words of the late Rev. Dr. James Cone, Any authentic theology must affirm that God is on the side of the oppressed.

Bishop Talbert Swan is the pastor of Spring of Hope Church of God in Christ; jurisdictional prelate of Vermont Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ; director of Social Justice Ministry, Church of God in Christ; president of the Greater Springfield NAACP; and international chaplain of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.
ELKO  A Spring Creek man was jailed on charges of sexual assault of a woman.

Troy D. Mogensen, 44, was charged with sexual assault, battery with intent to commit sexual assault, and violation of a temporary protective order.

According to court documents, Elko County Sheriffs deputies were called to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital on Oct. 11 for a woman reporting a sexual assault.

The woman said she had an active TPO against Mogensen but had met to discuss other legal arrangements.

She told police Mogensen was asking her to withdraw the TPO when he assaulted her as she repeatedly told him to stop.

An exam revealed bruises on multiple places on her body.

During the investigation, deputies discovered three reports of TPO violations, with one summons issued and two violations under review.

Mogensens bail was $753,140.
(*This story was updated at 1:52 p.m. on Tuesday, 10/17/2023 with additional reporting.)

The U.S. House began voting Tuesday on a new speaker, with U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, congressional Republicans leading pick to replace Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was ousted earlier this month.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks with reporters following a closed door meeting with House Republicans as he looks for decisive support to become speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. A floor vote that could turn into a showdown is set for midday Tuesday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Jordan, the founder of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, fended off challenges from within his own party, but *finished behind U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., 212-200, who had the backing of the chambers slender Democratic minority.

Heres what the members of Massachusetts all-Democrat House delegation had to say ahead of  and during  the vote:

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-1st District: I am on the House floor and ready to cast my vote for @RepJeffries, Neal, the dean of the Bay States delegation, wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter. At a time of crisis around the world, Congress needs a Speaker who will govern responsibly and deliver for the American people. Jim Jordans track record shows he has no interest in doing either.

I am on the House floor and ready to cast my vote for @RepJeffries. At a time of crisis around the world, Congress needs a Speaker who will govern responsibly and deliver for the American people. Jim Jordan's track record shows he has no interest in doing either.  Rep. Richard Neal (@RepRichardNeal) October 17, 2023

In a post to X, U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-2nd District, argued that handing the Speakers gavel to Jordan is to choose extremism over America.

Jim Jordan:



 Wants to ban abortion nationwide.

 Tried to overturn the 2020 election.

 Voted against health care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.

 Voted against funding for 9/11 victims  twice.



To hand him the gavel is to choose extremism over America.  Congressman Bill Foster (@RepBillFoster) October 17, 2023

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, D-3rd District, also a vote for Jeffries, said the New York lawmaker was the only candidate for the gavel who has offered a bipartisan path forward that sidelines the extremists who have hijacked our chamber so we can reopen the House and get back to work. Theres still time for moderate Republicans to join us.

Today, Ill vote for @RepJeffries for Speaker.



Hes the only candidate who has offered a bipartisan path forward that sidelines the extremists who have hijacked our chamber so we can reopen the House and get back to work.



There's still time for moderate Republicans to join us.  Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) October 17, 2023

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th District, the House Democrats whip, argued that Jordan believes that a 10-year-old rape victim should be forced to give birth. Thats who the @HouseGOP has nominated for Speaker. Extremism or bipartisanship  thats the choice on the Floor right now.

Jim Jordan believes that a 10-year-old rape victim should be forced to give birth. That's who the @HouseGOP has nominated for Speaker.



Extremism or bipartisanship  that's the choice on the Floor right now.  Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) October 17, 2023

Jordan shares the title of most ineffective legislator in the House. A vote for Jordan is a vote against bipartisanship & responsible governing., U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, observed in a post to X.

Jim Jordan shares the title of most ineffective legislator in the House. A vote for Jordan is a vote against bipartisanship & responsible governing.



What makes anyone believe that he will all of a sudden become a principled leader if he wins the gavel today?  Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) October 17, 2023

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District offered a similarly pointed assessment, saying Jordan was unfit for public office and his presence in Congress is a threat to our democracy.
The Israeli military says it had no involvement in an explosion that killed hundreds of people at a Gaza City hospital and that the blast was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says an Israeli airstrike caused the blast, and that it killed some 500 people, many of whom had sought shelter from an ongoing Israeli offensive.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP)  The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds of people. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

The health ministry said at least 500 people had been killed. Photos and video purportedly from al-Ahli Hospital on social media showed fire engulfing the building and the hospitals grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings. The images could not immediately be independently verified.

The strike came as the U.S. was trying to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas deadly rampage last week. President Joe Biden was due to visit the region Wednesday to show support for Israel and to try to prevent the war from spreading.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip. Hamas called Tuesdays hospital strike a horrific massacre.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: We will get the details and update the public. I dont know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike.

In protest at the reported strike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egypts president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan to discuss the war. Abbas Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades.

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military had told Palestinians to evacuate to.

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

Israel sealed off Gaza after Hamas stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 200 captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating whether Israel was demanding the release of all of the roughly 200 people Hamas abducted before allowing supplies in.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The U.N. agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the U.S., Israel and Egypt.

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israels Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the U.N. oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Bidens visit in part aims to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israels continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.
In two weeks, Massachusetts emergency shelter system will reach full capacity, which will soon leave hundreds of migrants entering the Bay State without a roof over their heads.

Officials estimate by the end of October, the number of people housed in the Commonwealths shelter system will reach 7,500 families or 24,000 people  the states limit. As of Tuesday, 7,002 families are housed in shelters.

Starting Nov. 1 families wishing to seek emergency shelter housing will be placed on a waitlist, prioritizing those with high needs, including health and safety risks, Gov. Maura Healey said.

With the states shelter system reaching its tipping point, here are three things to know.

Who will be managing the state shelter system now?

Healey has appointed Lt. Gen. Leon Scott Rice as the commonwealths new emergency assistance director.

Rice, the former director of the Air National Guard, will oversee the management of the states emergency shelter system. Rice is expected to coordinate with key officials and stakeholders to update the governor on the migrant situation.

It is important to me that our state succeeds in meeting this humanitarian challenge. Ill bring all my values and all Ive learned to bear on this crisis, Rice said at Mondays presser. Ive spent a career leading large-scale organizations. Ive learned that communication and partnerships are key to meeting a challenge like this.

Where do migrants waiting for shelter go after the end of October?

Healey didnt have much to say in terms of a game plan for migrants seeking shelter after Oct. 31.

On Monday, the governor said that shell be focusing on clearing up space for incoming migrants at the states shelter system. Healey unveiled two new work programs  one that aims to connect shelter residents with employers and another that will provide individuals waiting on work authorization with job skills and training.

If people are able to work, they will be more likely to exit the shelter system, Healey said on Monday to a pool of reporters.

The governor also is boosting efforts to assist shelter families seeking to transition to stable housing. Specifically, the state will expand support for rapid rehousing and rental assistance initiatives.

Will the Legislature pass a proposal for a $250M infusion to the states shelter system?

Healey filed a $2 billion supplemental budget bill in mid-September, $250 million of which would be allocated toward the states unhoused families.

But its been a month since the governor filed the bill and the states Legislature has still yet to touch the proposal. House Speaker Ron Marino, D-3rd Norfolk, told WCVB-TV on Sunday that the money may not even get us to the end of this month.

For now, Healey is still requesting money from the federal government to help the Bay State manage its shelter crisis. In August, Massachusetts and Boston received a $2 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expand shelter services and transportation for newly arrived families.

But, as the states migrant crisis worsens, Mariano has expressed skepticism on whether the federal government can provide more aid to help Massachusetts. The House Democratic leader, who met with officials from DHS last week, placed the blame on the lack of leadership within the U.S. House of Representatives.

Its a rudderless ship that controls the spigot for the help we need, he said. We need congregate housing facilities and we need money.

Material from prior coverage was used in this article.
SOUTHWICK  Over the past several months, there have been a rash of vehicle break-ins and thefts in the region and early Sunday two Southwick police officers on patrol may have thwarted the most recent attempt, when they spotted several youths appearing to break into a vehicle in an area of South Longyard Road.

We finally get to score one for the good guys, Southwick Police Sgt. Thomas Krutka said about the towns police working with Connecticuts Suffield Police Department to apprehend four youths suspected in the most recent vehicle burglaries.

Krutka said the patrolling officer spotted an Infiniti G37 sedan reported stolen out of the Plainfield, Connecticut, at about 1:15 a.m., that was parked in an area on South Longyard neighborhood and near a home with one of its garage doors open.

As the officers drove up, four individuals, later learned to be youths between 14 and 16 years of age, jumped into the sedan and took off, Krutka said.

The officers attempted to stop the sedan, but the driver continued to flee, he said.

At that point, Krutka said the officers radioed ahead and had another officer set up spike strips on South Longyard Road just north of the Connecticut line.

The sedan ran over the spike strip, which slowly deflated the tires on the drivers side, he said.

However, the sedan continued to flee south, crossing the state line on Warnertown Road until it stopped in the area of North Stone Street, according to a press release from Suffield Police.

Once stepped, four occupants took off in different directions, according to Suffield Police.

However, a 16-year-old girl was apprehended and taken into custody, Krutka said, adding that the Southwick K-9 unit was deployed in the area where the sedan stopped to assist in the search for the three suspects, who were found later and taken into custody.

He said Suffield is still trying to place the three teenagers in the sedan at the time of the break-ins in Southwick.

Krutka said the teenage girl was charged with breaking and entering a vehicle, and breaking and entering a dwelling, along with several other charges, Krutka said.

When asked about the breaking and entering of a dwelling charge, Krutka said it was because when the suspects were pilfering through the vehicle parked in the driveway, one of them opened the garage door using the remote opener inside the vehicle.

At least one of the youths had rummaged through the vehicle in the garage, he said.

Opening the garage door, he said, is one of the tricks the thieves have been using recently to increase their odds of finding what they are looking for, which are usually wallets and purses with credit cards and cash.

While the culprits are usually searching for cash and credit cards, once in a while they have stolen vehicles where the keys have been left in the ignition.

In July, two vehicles were stolen during the towns most recent break-in spree.

One was recovered in town only hours after being reported stolen. Another was found a few weeks later in Connecticut. Krutka thinks the perpetrators of these crimes are from Connecticut.

When they struck in July, security camera footage recorded a group of people filling up at a Southwick gas station using a stolen credit card. They were driving in vehicles stolen from Connecticut.

When Krutka was asked if he thought the apprehensions might lower the number of the vehicle break-in sprees, he was hopeful but wasnt betting on it.

He reminded all drivers to be vigilant about locking their vehicles, and with the thieves new garage door trick, be sure to remove keys from the ignition, even if inside a garage.

Suffield Police are asking anyone with information that might assist in the investigation to call 860-668-3870 and refer to case 2300017103.
WESTFIELD  After several lengthy discussions, the Community Preservation Committee voted Oct. 12 in favor of funding the elevator at the historical Central Baptist Church at 115 Elm St., and a community playground for the new school being built on Franklin Street. The committee also heard plans from Ann Lentini of Domus Inc. for the Old Town Hall, which she is working to turn into veterans housing.

Before getting into the applications, committee members elected Joe Muto as chair until the next scheduled elections in January. Muto has been serving as interim chair since Thomas Sharp stepped down in the spring.
Africa Finance Corporation , the continents leading infrastructure solutions provider, and the Export Credit Bank of Turkiye (Turk Eximbank), Turkiyes official export credit agency today signed an agreement to increase inter-regional cooperation, investment and trade between Turkiye and Africa. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the just concluded 4th Turkiye -Africa Business & Economic Forum in Istanbul.

Through this partnership, AFC and Turk Eximbank will jointly finance cross-border trade and infrastructure investments between Turkiye and Africa, through mechanisms including credit lines, risk participation, guarantees, co-financing, and tenor extension. The partnership will also be aimed at knowledge exchange through advisory services, staff exchange programs, and jointly hosted seminars and conferences on trade and infrastructure development.

This landmark collaboration stems from long-standing relations between Africa and Turkiye, spurred by their shared economic interests to accelerate South-South cooperation and promote inclusive and sustainable development. Today, Turkiye is considered one of the leading development and trading partners of Africa, with trade volumes reaching US$40.7 billion in 2022, up from US$5.4 billion in 2003. In addition, the total contract value of projects undertaken by Turkish companies across Africa topping US$85 billion in 2022. Turk Eximbank has played a leading role for the presence of many eminent Turkish constructors for the first time in the Continent by financing important infrastructure and superstructure projects in countries including but not limited to Ethiopia, Senegal, Cameroon. The Turkish contractors, who gained extensive experience in Africa through transactions financed by Turk Eximbank, have subsequently taken on additional projects that have contributed to the development of Africa without requiring the Banks financing.

AFC President & CEO, Samaila Zubairu commented, We are pleased to deepen our already strong relationship with Turk Eximbank, an institution that shares a similar vision to accelerate Africas path to a prosperous future. Our partnership framework will pave the way for increased bilateral trade and infrastructure investment between Turkiye and Africa with a focus on beneficiating Africas abundant natural resources to increase value capture, create local jobs and drive rapid industrialisation on the continent.

Mr. Ali Guney, the CEO of Turk Eximbank stated, As Turk Eximbank gives utmost importance to its operations on the African Continent, we are more than happy to sign this MoU with AFC, one of the most distinguished institutions regarding Africas sustainable development. I am confident that this MoU will be another step to strengthen our relationship with AFC based on a win-win partnership. Our collaboration on concrete projects will be mutually beneficial in terms of increasing trade volumes and contribution to the continents development. 

In recent years, AFC has been working closely with several renowned Turkish Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPCs) to finance and develop transformational infrastructure projects in Africa, including a 300 MW Combined Cycle Gas (CCG) plant in Senegal, and the development and construction of an 80MW peat fired Independent Power Project (IPP) in Rwanda. The Corporation also enjoys a good working relationship with the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) and Turkish Contractors Union, organising a joint infrastructure investment webinar for Turkish companies in 2021 and ongoing facilitation of Turkish investments into Africa.
HUNDREDS of people with disabilities will receive services after a planned strike by Mayo healthcare workers was called off in the early hours of this morning.

An agreement was reached after unions and Government representatives ended talks at the Workplace Relations Commission at shortly after 3am.

It has been proposed that Section 39 healthcare workers will Government an 8 percent increase in funding for pay.

As part of the agreement, a method will be established to deal with the question of restoring the link between workers in the community and voluntary sector with equivalent pay grades in the Health Service Executive.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions will be recommending the deal to its members, who have suspended industrial action pending the outcome of a ballot.

Section 39 workers  who had not had a pay rise since 2008 - have complained about being paid less than HSE counterparts in similar words.

Employees of Western Care, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Enable Ireland and family resource centres were among the organisations due to indefinitely withdraw their services today. Emergency cover was to be provided for those who do not have family to look after them.

Martina McAndrew, the mother of a young woman who attends the Irish Wheelchair Service, in Belmullet, described the planned strike as the height of cruelty.

Speaking to The Mayo News today, Ms McAndrew said she was so relieved that the strikes were called off.

Brian Langan, a Westport-based man living with a disability, expressed his support for the Section 39 workers, even though he risked having nobody to assist him this morning.

Mr Langan was subsequently able to secure care before the announcement that the strikes were to be cancelled.

Mayo Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway Walsh also welcomed the government's offer to Section 39 workers but said the situation should not have needed to be resolved at 3 o'clock in the morning.

"We cant have a situation where people are paid differently for doing the exact same job and we are wholly dependent on the workers who provide these essential services," Deputy Conway-Walsh told The Mayo News.

"They are not add-on services, they are essential services and we are wholly reliant on them to do that and I want to commend the workers for the great job that they do day in day out."
A BALLINA man made history at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court after he pleaded guilty to a public order offence via videolink while sitting in a car in the United States.

Michael Delaney of 7 St Patrick's Estate, Ballina appeared before Judge Eoin Garavan where he pleaded guilty to Section 6 of the Public Order Act for breach of the peace in St Patrick's Estate in Ballina on January 30, 2017.

Mr Delaney currently resides in the United States and the court and the prosecution agreed with a request to have him arraigned via a video link. Judge Garavan commented that it must be the first time that a man has been arraigned in a car.

Ms Aine Boyle, counsel for Mr Delaney, asked for her client 's case to be finalised in his absence and for sentencing to take place on October 25, alongside other accused persons in the case. She said that there may be difficulties with her client's work permit in the US if he was to come back home for the case.

Judge Eoin Garavan commented that it must be the first time that a man has been arraigned in a car.

However, Judge Garavan said that Mr Delaney has to be before the court for his sentencing and refused to finalise the matter on October 25 if he fails to appear. He agreed to adjourn the matter until October but said that it would be absurd to finalise it while Mr Delaney is not present.

Judge Garavan said he was there to administer justice and not to assist Mr Delaney and adjourned the case until October 25.
A former student from St Colman's College in Claremorris has been awarded a Naughton Foundation Scholarship worth 24,000 at a ceremony in the Trinity Business School in Dublin.

Evan Reilly was presented by founding patrons of the Naughton Foundation, Dr Martin Naughton, and his wife Carmel, who were joined by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny to present winning students with their awards and cheques.

Supporting academic and innovative excellence in Irish students, the Naughton Foundation Scholarship Awards are an investment in the future of Ireland's reputation as a country with outstanding graduates promoting the study of engineering, science, and technology at third level. The County Mayo winner, Evan Reilly, is a former student of St. Colmans College, and has now accepted a place studying Biomedical Science at University of Galway.

Since its establishment in 2008, scholarships worth over 6 million have been awarded to over 350 students. The scheme started in three counties and has continued to expand annually to become a nationwide scheme in 2016. There is one guaranteed scholarship (24,000) for each participating county, with some counties awarded more than one scholarship and each scholarship is worth 6,000 per annum for each year of a students three- or four-year undergraduate degree.

Evan joins 37 exceptional Irish students who were awarded third level scholarships towards their studies in the areas of engineering, science, technology, and maths. The prize winners former secondary school, St. Colmans College, was awarded a prize of 1,000 towards their schools science facilities, for their support of their winning student. More than 250 schools have also benefited from this prize to date with some schools receiving it on more than one occasion.

Speaking about the growth and development of the programme over the past fourteen years, Dr Martin Naughton has said: We are delighted to have been able to help and contribute in some small way to support undergraduate studies in the STEM fields in Ireland since 2008. We are very conscious of the pressures on students to finance their full times studies and with the increased costs they face and are therefore increasing our annual Scholarship awards to 6,000 per annum for all of our new and existing Naughton Scholars 24,000 for their four-year degree. When we meet these young engineers, researchers, and mathematicians I am very happy knowing that we have invested in Irelands wealth creators and leaders of the future.

Pictured above are, from left: Martin and Carmel Naughton; Roy Hession, Principal, St Colman's College; County Mayo scholar Evan Reilly from St Colmans College and former Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the 2023 Naughton Foundation Scholarship awards held at Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin. Pic: Kieran Harnett
Arsenal Medical, a medtech company based in Massachusetts, has developed Neocast, an embolic biomaterial designed for catheter-mediated embolization procedures. Conventional materials for embolization can have several limitations, including a lack of radiopacity, catheter clogging, catheter entrapment at the delivery site, solvent-mediated pain at the delivery site, and they can even cause sparking of electrocautery tools.

Neocast is solvent-free, avoiding delivery site pain, and functions with a unique shear-thinning action that allows deep vessel penetration. The material flows with the blood to embolize distal vessels first, providing more complete embolization. Neocast has also been created to be non-adhesive to catheters, reducing the chances of blockage, and can be delivered using standard microcatheters.

Medgadget had the opportunity to speak with Upma Sharma, President and CEO of Arsenal Medical, about the technology.

Conn Hastings, Medgadget: Please give us an overview of the application of embolic products, including how and when they are used.

Upma Sharma, Arsenal Medical: Embolization is a non-invasive procedure used to block blood flow of a target vessel. There are a wide range of clinical applications throughout the body for embolization including devascularizing tumors, stopping bleeding, treatment of aneurysms, and new applications are continually being explored. Typically, a catheter is inserted through either a puncture in the groin (femoral artery) or wrist (radial artery) and tracked to the target vessel where the embolic product is delivered or injected. The embolic product selected depends on the needs of the specific condition being treated and can be broadly segmented into two categories: proximal embolization which occludes flow close to the catheter tip (where products such as coils and plugs are used) and distal embolization where penetration deeper into the vascular bed is desired (where particles and liquid embolics are typically used).

Medgadget: What are the limitations with existing embolic solutions?

Upma Sharma: Particles and liquid embolics have traditionally been used to achieve penetration and occlusion of the microvasculature. Particles are not radiopaque making imaging during injection difficult and have been known to cause catheter clogging. Legacy liquid embolics have been on the market for over 20 years and have known limitations including inconsistent user experience, premature reflux, and catheter entrapment due to adhesion. The markets current leading liquid embolic contains a solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which can cause pain upon injection, necessitating the use of anesthesia and special compatible catheters. Other limitations include reduced visibility upon imaging due to artifacts, and the risk of sparking with electrocautery tools during surgical procedures. NeoCast was purpose-built to provide deep penetration, while addressing the limitations of existing products.

Medgadget: Please give us an overview of Neocast, and how it is intended to be used.

Upma Sharma: NeoCast is a solvent-free biomaterial that utilizes shear thinning science to enable deep penetration into target vessels in the brain while minimizing the risk of non-target embolization. Its unique material characteristics provide enhanced control during injection and consistent performance across users. NeoCast is radiopaque, MR-safe, non-adhesive, and compatible with many standard microcatheters. NeoCasts promising characteristics are expected to have utility across additional neurovascular applications where deep vessel penetration is desired, including the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) and hypervascular spinal tumors. The on-going clinical trial for NeoCast is focused on preoperative embolization of hypervascular brain tumors, such as meningiomas. Hypervascular brain tumors are at risk of excessive bleeding during surgical removal, which can lead to complications, obstruction of the surgical field, and may result in longer procedure times. Preoperative embolization occludes blood flow to the tumor bed and can result in reduced blood loss during surgery. Recent studies have also demonstrated a benefit in recurrence-free survival after pre-operative embolization.

Medgadget: How does Neocast differ from pre-existing embolic technologies? What are its advantages?

Upma Sharma: NeoCast is a purpose-built embolic biomaterial that is differentiated from current products on the market. Specifically, NeoCast utilizes shear-thinning science to achieve a material that travels with the blood flow to fill and casts the most distal vasculature first. This provides the user with enhanced control for a more complete occlusion and minimizes the risk of premature reflux. Additionally, NeoCast is solvent-free which eliminates concerns related to the use of a solvent requiring management of patient pain (such as general anesthesia) and catheter compatibility.

Medgadget: Does the material require a specialized delivery device? How is it delivered, and how do you prevent device blockage?

Upma Sharma: NeoCast has been engineered to be non-adhesive to catheters and can be delivered using standard microcatheters, without a specialized device.

Medgadget: What other biomaterial technologies have you developed and how do they work?

Upma Sharma: Arsenal was founded with the broad vision of transforming medical devices with materials. In addition to NeoCast, we are also currently developing ResQFoam, a foam designed to rapidly expand throughout the abdomen to achieve control of intra-abdominal hemorrhage (imagine a human fix-a-flat). It is a potentially life-saving intervention that can rapidly stabilize a patient and serve as a bridge to definitive surgery for patients. Designated by FDA as a Breakthrough Device, ResQFoam creates conformal contact and applies pressure to an actively bleeding site within the body. It consists of two liquids that, when combined and injected into the abdomen using the ResQFoam delivery system, fill the abdominal cavity to control bleeding and create a solidified foam cast that covers the abdominal organs. The safety, effectiveness, and benefit-risk profile of ResQFoam are currently being evaluated in an IDE-approved study.

Arsenal is currently focused on advancing NeoCast and ResQFoam towards commercialization, while we also are exploring opportunities in peripheral embolization and womens health.

Link: Arsenal Medical homepage
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, October 17, 2023

Google is asking a federal judge to dismiss a class-action complaint claiming the company engaged in mass theft of personal information in order to develop artificial intelligence products such as the chatbot Bard.

In a motion filed Monday, Google describes the complaint as an anti-AI polemic that's based on the false premise that training generative artificial intelligence on information shared online equates to theft.

Using publicly available information to learn is not stealing, Google writes in papers filed with U.S. District Court Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin in the Northern District of California. Nor is it an invasion of privacy, conversion, negligence, unfair competition, or copyright infringement.

The papers come in response to a lawsuit brought in July by eight individuals who claimed Google was secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet.

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The 90-page complaint didn't name the litigants, but described one as a best-selling author and journalist based in Texas, and another as a professor and actor from California.

The plaintiffs accused Google of harvesting all our personal and professional information, our creative and copywritten works, our photographs, and even our emails -- virtually the entirety of our digital footprint.

The suit includes claims that Google infringed copyright, and that it violated users' privacy.

Google says the complaint should be dismissed at an early stage for numerous reasons, including vagueness.

Next to nothing illuminates the core issues, such as what specific personal information of Plaintiffs was allegedly collected by Google, how (if at all) that personal information appears in the output of Googles generative AI services, and how (if at all) Plaintiffs have been harmed, the company writes. Without those basic details, it is impossible to assess whether Plaintiffs can state any claim and what potential defenses might apply.

The company adds that even though the complaint references theft of personal information, the web users don't identify what data was allegedly misused.

"Plaintiffs have done nothing more than generically allege that Google 'scraped' and exploited 'the entire internet,' including generic, broad categories of 'personal information," Google writes.

"Nowhere do plaintiffs identify the specific information at issue or explain why that information was private and sensitive," Google adds. "Nor do they explain how their privacy was violated; for example, they do not allege that Google accessed private servers or that Bard has ever shared a single piece of personal information about any of them."

Google adds that the complaint doesn't allege facts showing how any particular copyrighted work was infringed.

Many of the complaint's allegations draw on published reports, including an April 19 Washington Post article about the data used to train various chatbots. According to that article, the copyright symbol appeared more than 200 million times in one of the datasets.

The plaintiffs also noted that Google on July 1 updated its privacy policy to say the company uses publicly available data to train artificial intelligence products -- including Bard and Google Translate. The prior policy also allowed Google to use publicly available information to train language models, but didn't reference Bard by name.

Google general counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado stated when the lawsuit was filed that the company has been clear about its use of data from public sources to train artificial intelligence models.

"American law supports using public information to create new beneficial uses, and we look forward to refuting these baseless claims," Prado stated.

Google isn't the only company facing litigation over generative artificial intelligence. OpenAI is also facing several copyright infringement lawsuits -- including one brought in federal court in New York by the Authors Guild and novelists including George R.R. Martin, Jodi Picoult and Scott Turow.
by Colin Kirkland , October 17, 2023

Consumer intelligence firm NielsenIQ (NIQ) is now measuring sales across CPG categories on TikTok Shop, the social media platform's new ecommerce solution that allows brands to sell their goods through in-feed and live videos.

Data provided by NIQ will be available to the firm's clients on Rakuten and Omnisales platforms this month.

According to an NIQ spokesperson, the initiative aims to provide eligible brands and retailers with insights into their product performance on TikTok Shop, with metrics including sales volume, value and market share.

In addition, the firm feels that its new measurement of sales will help brands better understand consumer behavior on TikTok Shop, allowing them to enhance marketing campaigns and inform future product development.

After months of testing, TikTok Shop officially launched in the U.S. in September, with over 200,000 registered sellers and 100,000 content creators participating in an affiliate program that allows users who have 5,000 followers to create videos go straight to the platform's For You feed.

advertisement advertisement

TikTok Shop has proven to be helpful for CPG brands, especially in the health and beauty sectors.

During the TikTok Shop soft launch, 84% of sales were health and beauty care products, according to NIQ.

The top beauty and personal care categories were facial skin care, cologne and perfume, lip cosmetics, body lotions and treatments, and deodorant.

In-feed video and live-stream video are highly useful assets in creator-made makeup tutorials and health-care testimonials, providing users with straightforward visual uses and personal reviews for specific products./p>

TikTok Shop is a rapidly growing platform, and brands and retailers need to understand how their products are performing on it, says John Busardo, senior vice president and beauty & OTC vertical lead at NIQ.
The career

Sam wanted to become a doctor like his father, but when his father refused to send him to London for higher studies, he took the IMA exams in frustration and passed.
The hugely anticipated trailer of Tiger 3 starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Emraan Hashmi released recently and generated an all round positive response.

Besides the fans' excitement of seeing Salman Khan back as their favourite super spy and take on the menacing Emraan Hashmi, the one scene that has been much talked about is Katrina Kaifs towel fight.

 Yash Raj Films

In the trailer, we get a glimpse of Katrina fighting an assassin in nothing but a towel and it has generated maximum curiosity among fans.



Check out the scene below:

Interestingly, Katrinas co-star in that scene is Michelle Lee, a noted American actress, stunt woman and martial artist.

 Yash Raj Films

Before her Bollywood debut with Tiger 3, Michelle starred in popular Hollywood films like Marvel Studios Black Widow where she played Oksana.



Check out her scene in the film below:

Lee was also seen in Venom as one of the hosts of Riot, played an air hostess Isabelle in Gerard Butlers Plane (2023), a brief role in Brad Pitts Bullet Train (2022) and served as a stunt double for main lead Rosario Dawson in Star Wars series Ahsoka.

Talking about her experience of working in Tiger 3, Lee had told India Forums earlier this year, I shot for it long ago. I play an important role in one of the key scenes in the film. It was so much fun shooting for it. I shot for it in Mumbai and it was absolutely amazing. It totally felt like being at home but only with Indians (laughs). They built such a gorgeous set. The set design left me spell-bounded. It was surely on the level of a Pirates of the Caribbean.

On working with Katrina Kaif, she replied, I shot with Katrina and she is totally awesome, gorgeous and classy. What a fun scene we got to do, and it was really great to do the same. I cannot wait for it to come out and for everyone to see it.

Directed by Maneesh Sharma of FAN fame, Tiger 3 also features Revathy and Shah Rukh Khan as Pathaan in a cameo.

It releases this Diwali on November 12, 2023.
This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2023 shows a floral decoration for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) near China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China. The BRF will be held from Oct. 17 to 18 in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Since its debut, the BRI has been conceptualized as the "Green Belt and Road" as China is committed to sustainability, environmental protection, and international environmental standards.

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Over the last decade, large infrastructure projects across the land, water, and even deserts of the globe have been erected under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), remarkably facilitating transportation and economic development.

Amid appreciation and applause from the host countries, there are some discordant voices in the West alleging that those projects have posed negative impacts on the environment.

No doubt, such opinions were misguided and need to be critically examined.

PRESERVING BIO-DIVERSITY RATHER THAN DESTROYING

Before 2022, travelers from northern Croatia had to pass through a 9-km stretch of Bosnia and Herzegovina's coast to reach Ston, a small town located at Peljesac, a sun-drenched peninsula in southern Croatia.

The construction of the Peljesac bridge, a BRI project, shortened the distance, but also made local oyster farmers worry that it would affect the production of shellfish, which has been inscribed into the European Union (EU) Geographical Indications Register.

However, the Chinese companies that built the bridge "have always adhered to the highest environmental standards," and "the local farmers told me that the production and quality of oysters have not been affected at all, and the bridge has actually boosted their sales," said Qi Qianjin, Chinese ambassador to Croatia.

A zebra is seen next to a fence as a freight train runs on the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway track in Kenya, on July 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Actually, environmental conservation measures, such as water protection and management, noise control, and the construction of bridges to ensure the safe passage of wildlife, have been widely employed in BRI projects.

In Kenya, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) runs through some sensitive ecosystems such as national parks.

The project has designed several wildlife corridors, including seven bridges, several culverts, and embankments to funnel wildlife to the underpasses to reduce the risk of train-wildlife collision.

Noise absorbers are also installed along the wildlife corridors to reduce possible disturbance of the animals.

It is "one of the most important projects where BRI has made substantial efforts to lower impacts on ecologically vulnerable areas," said Cavince Adhere, a Kenyan international relations scholar.

BRINGING DEVELOPMENT WITH CLEAN, GREEN ENERGY

In many BRI host countries, traditional dependence on fossil fuels caused air pollution, harmed people's health, and created a dilemma between reducing carbon emissions and economic development.

Committed to open, green and clean cooperation towards inclusive and sustainable development, the BRI incorporates many projects designated to promote clean and renewable energy, such as wind farms, solar power plants, and eco-friendly transportation systems.

"Through BRI projects our government has taken different projects for the reduction of carbon emission and transition to green energy sources in our country," said Dilip Barua, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist-Leninist).

The former Bangladeshi industries minister said China had assisted his country in constructing several solar power plants, such as the Cox's Bazar wind power project, being environmentally friendly energy sources.

The recently inaugurated Cox's Bazar wind power project, a flagship initiative invested by Wuling Power Corp. and built by PowerChina Chengdu Engineering Corp., marked a major milestone in Bangladesh's quest for cleaner and more sustainable energy.

The wind power project is located in Bangladesh's southeastern Cox's Bazar district, some 400 km away from the capital Dhaka.

Upon operation, the project will provide Bangladesh with about 145 million kWh of clean electricity per year, reduce coal consumption by 44,600 metric tons and carbon dioxide emissions by 109,200 metric tons, as well as meet the electricity demand of 100,000 households.

"It's a major watershed in our nation's journey towards cleaner and more sustainable energy," said Md. Habibur Rahman, senior secretary of Power Division under Bangladesh's Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

"A number of projects implemented in Kenya under BRI have positively contributed to environment protection and conservation," said Cavince Adhere, a Kenyan international relations scholar.

The Nairobi Expressway, built in partnership with China Road and Bridge Corporation, has included the integration of plants along the pillars and walls of the road, to act as carbon sinks for the emissions produced on the expressway as well as the lower road.

The Nairobi Global Trade Centre has adopted green building technologies to ensure it cushions the environment from harmful emissions. The tower uses low-E glass to reflect heat while letting light in, and a breathable curtain wall instead of air conditioners. It also pledged to be a plastic straw-free zone.

Mostafa Kareem, a member of the faculty for irrigation and hydraulic engineering at Cairo University, spoke highly of BRI projects in Egypt such as the Central Business District (CBD) project in the new administrative capital and the Cairo light rail transit system.

"These initiatives are not only aimed at enhancing transportation and urban development but also at reducing emissions and supporting Egypt's goals for sustainable development," said Kareem.

This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows the construction site of Central Business District (CBD) project in the new administrative capital, east of Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

In partnership with China, Ethiopia is harnessing its massive solar energy potential by launching a research center to fast-track renewable energy development in the East African country.

In June this year, with financial support from the Ministry of Commerce of China, the United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia, the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, an affiliated entity of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and China Agricultural University, has implemented a project entitled "Biogas, Biomass and Solar Trilateral Cooperation -- Transitioning to Sustainable Energy Uses in the Agro-industry between China and Ethiopia."

The project primarily supports renewable energy technology dissemination and scale-up for Ethiopia's climate-resilient growth.

"Hence, the BRI is contributing reduction of carbon emission in Ethiopia," said Melaku Mulualem, senior international relations and diplomacy researcher at Ethiopia's Institute of Strategic Affairs.

As the green transition in China is rolled out, Beijing has emphasized South-South cooperation in renewable energy projects. Technology transfer from China to the BRI countries has been scaled up.

Throughout the 10 years of the existence of "the collaborative initiative," a significant amount of work has been done related to solar energy and hydraulic resources built in countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, said Eduardo Regalado, senior researcher at the International Policy Research Center of Cuba.

PRESERVING LAND &WATER RATHER THAN DEGRADING

Some claimed that the BRI would cause irreversible damage to land and water. However, experts and people involved in the actual projects in the host countries have drawn a different conclusion.

"Kenya is one of the African countries that are increasingly learning from the enviable experiences of China in terms of controlling desertification," said Adhere.

Kenyan scientists at the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre are working with counterparts from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography to help address the challenge of desertification not only in Kenya but also in northern African countries.

The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway in Uganda is another example, said Jonathan Tabalanga, an international relations expert and lecturer at Uganda's Cavendish University.

"If you look at the Nambigirwa Bridge, the longest in the country (1.5 km), it preserved the environment. They did not pour sand, or soil waste in the swamp, but they created a bridge so that the water levels remain the same," explained Tabalanga. "They always ensure that the issues of environment are taken care of."

This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2023 shows the Kingfisher oil field in Kikuube, Uganda. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

Another example mentioned by Tabalanga is the Kingfisher oil project built in partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in Uganda. Located in a complex ecological and residential environment, the company has been dedicated to employing technological means to minimize the project's impact on the surrounding environment.

In the Oromia region of Ethiopia, the China-built Genale-Dawa III Multipurpose Hydropower Project aided in combating desertification through the provision of electricity to the nearby communities that had been dependent on firewood for their power demand.

Several mini-projects were also conducted including the construction of bridges and ditches as part of an effort to prevent erosion and land degradation during the construction of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway project.

"The communities living in China-built wind farms in different parts of Ethiopia also no longer contribute to desertification in their quest for power," said Mulualem.

WELL-PREPARED ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Since its debut, the BRI has been conceptualized as the "Green Belt and Road" as the Chinese government is committed to sustainability, environmental protection, and international environmental standards.

In 2015, the Belt and Road Initiative Action Plan was released by the Chinese government, outlining the vision and framework of the BRI and emphasizing the importance of environmental protection and sustainability in BRI projects.

China and BRI participating countries have also established frameworks for conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidelines for BRI projects, which helped ensure that environmental concerns are addressed during project planning and implementation.

At the first BRI Forum in 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that "efforts should be made to strengthen cooperation in ecological and environmental protection and build a sound ecosystem to realize the goals set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

China has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Environment Programme on building a green Belt and Road for 2017-2022, reached environmental cooperation agreements with more than 30 countries and international organizations, launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development together with 31 countries, and formed the BRI International Green Development Coalition with more than 150 partners from 40-plus countries.

"Before any BRI project kicks off in Ethiopia, the government of Ethiopia and experts from China conduct biodiversity assessment, incorporate principles related to biodiversity conservation into the BRI green finance framework, strengthen science-based support, and promote the consistency of standards and norms related to biodiversity conservation," said Mulualem.

This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2022 shows main gate of an underwater tunnel in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The underwater tunnel in Bangladesh built by a Chinese company has marked the civil works completion of its south tube. (Xinhua)

"All these international projects, including the Chinese (ones), done by international companies all go through an environmental impact assessment before the projects take shape. So, I think for the West to come out and argue that most of these projects impact the environment negatively is just wrong," said Tabalanga.

"All the development projects which were implemented earlier here have shown" they have had a positive impact, especially in the environmental field in Bangladesh and "are not posing a threat to our environment," said Barua, citing projects like the Padma Bridge, Elevated Expressway, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, and the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant.

GREEN PROJECTS, GREEN FINANCE

Besides, China has promoted green finance, including green bonds and green investment practices, to fund environmentally friendly projects within the BRI framework.

Green finance channels funds into renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, and hydropower, which help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable energy mix.

Investments in green finance can also support infrastructure projects that focus on energy-efficient technologies and practices.

"This includes the construction of buildings with high energy efficiency standards and the implementation of smart infrastructure solutions. A case in point is the Global Trade Centre in Nairobi," said Adhere.

Furthermore, green finance encourages the incorporation of technologies and designs that minimize carbon footprints.

This photo taken on May 8, 2022 shows a section of the Nairobi Expressway built by China Road and Bridge Corporation in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

"This can include using low-carbon materials, improving transportation systems, and adopting sustainable construction practices. Examples implemented in Kenya under BRI include the SGR and the Nairobi Expressway," Adhere said.

(Xinhua reporters Li Hualing, Liu Wanli and Jin Zheng in Nairobi, Wang Ping in Addis Ababa, Sun Nan and Karim in Dhaka, Yao Bing in Cairo, Nie Zuguo in Kampala, Li Xuejun in Zagreb, Zhu Wanjun in Havana and Xuan Liqi in Mexico City contributed to the story.)

Editor: WXL
Russian buyers learn about vehicle components at the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

A buyer from Iraq visits a booth at the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 16, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Participants from Qatar visit the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 16, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows the booth of enterprise from Trkiye at the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Participants from Peru visit the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An exhibitor (R) from Thailand negotiates business with a visitor at the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 16, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Participants from Italy visit the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows the scene of the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

A buyer from the United Arab Emirates visits a booth at the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

A buyer from Pakistan visits a booth for window cleaning machines at the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

A buyer from Egypt visits a booth for kitchen wares at the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

Participants from Argentina visit the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

A Sudanese buyer negotiates business at a booth for smart speakers at the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Participants from Vietnam visit a booth for cleaning machines at the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2023. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows the scene of the 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. The 134th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has attracted exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. About 60 percent of the exhibitors attending the import exhibition are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and the number of buyers from BRI partner countries has witnessed an increase of 11.2 percent compared with last session of the Canton Fair. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Editor: JYZ
A Marine Corps expeditionary unit, which abruptly ended pre-scheduled training in Kuwait last week, is en route "to the waters off of Israel," a defense official familiar with planning told Military.com on Monday.

Its movement comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered additional military capabilities to the region. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, is capable of conducting amphibious operations and crisis response, among other missions, the official said.

It was unclear what operations the MEU could be tasked with as it was on its way to the area in response to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which erupted earlier this month. Pentagon officials signaled that other U.S. military capabilities could soon be moved into the region as well, following the deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups to offer aid to Israel and deter any other groups or nations from entering the war.

Read Next: Soldiers Are Getting Burned Out. Army Leadership Knows It's a Problem.

"The 26th MEU is currently headed to the waters off of Israel," the defense official told Military.com on Monday. "Should they be ordered, they could participate in some type of operation in support of Israel."

Another defense official told Military.com on Monday that Austin "has directed additional capabilities be prepared to deploy in support of U.S. forces deterrence operations in the Middle East" but wouldn't offer more specifics ahead of a formal announcement.

The MEU is spread out across three Navy ships -- the USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde and USS Carter Hall. Those three ships will join the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group -- itself made up of the aircraft carrier as well as four destroyers and a cruiser.

On Saturday, Austin announced that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with its own cruiser and two destroyers, will eventually join the Ford off the Israeli coast.

The move of the 26th MEU was the latest in a series of deployments and posture adjustments announced by the Pentagon over the last several days that have bolstered the U.S. presence in the Mediterranean to a level not seen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year.

In addition to the maritime forces, extra F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft arrived in the Middle East Friday and additional A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft arrived Thursday.

The Defense Department has been careful to avoid any suggestion that U.S. forces could engage in combat. When asked about the legal authority to do so, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Monday that it was a question for President Joe Biden and that the military's goal was "to strictly be in a position to deter."

To date, the U.S. response to the conflict has been focused on deterrence and the provision of arms and ammunition.

Last week, the 26th MEU stopped its training in Kuwait short "considering the recent events in Israel," a spokesperson told Military.com on Thursday. Military Times was first to report that the MEU had departed Kuwait due to "emerging events."

Capt. Joe Wright, a spokesperson for Marine Corps Forces Central Command, specified to Military.com that the exercise was ended as "a prudent measure to remain ready and alert," given the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The expeditionary unit deployed to the Middle East earlier this year to deter Iran from harassing commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, according to Wright. It is composed of more than 2,400 Marines and sailors, he said, though it is unclear how many are en route to the Mediterranean. It is also unclear when they might arrive.

The 26th MEU was redesignated as "special operations capable" in July following a nine-month pre-deployment training program, according to the unit's website; it was the first designation of a MEU as such in more than a decade.

The 26th MEU is not to be confused with Marine Forces Special Operations Command, or MARSOC, the service's unit within Special Operations Command.

In an interview with reporters prior to its deployment this summer, the 26th MEU's commander, Col. Dennis Sampson, explained that special operators from both Naval Special Warfare or MARSOC are able to integrate into the unit and operate as one.

"They can support us, we can support them, we can work together in support of a mission," Sampson said in April.

However, the Pentagon has remained tight-lipped about the possibility of any special operations forces going beyond the advisory and intelligence-gathering roles already being conducted by a pre-existing group of special operators attached to the U.S. Embassy in Israel.

Singh told reporters Monday that "any presence of military personnel [in Israel] will be to advise and consult on hostage recovery efforts," while White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday that "the Israelis have made it very clear that they don't want foreign troops on their soil."

Singh did note that U.S. special operations forces may play an intelligence-gathering role in a potential Israeli push into Gaza.

"If Israel were to launch a ground incursion ... they would be engaging in hostage recovery -- of course we're going to be providing intelligence for them to do so," Singh said.

-- 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: In Israel Conflict, US Military Warns Others to Stay Out, But No 'Boots on the Ground' for Now
BEIRUT  Clashes erupted Tuesday along the Lebanon-Israel border that left five Hezbollah fighters dead, marking the largest number of casualties for the militant group in a single day as tensions with Israel escalate.

Israeli forces and armed groups in Lebanon have engaged in a series of low-level skirmishes since the outbreak of the latest war in Gaza between the Israeli military and the Hamas militant group. Hezbollah has announced the death of 10 militants since skirmishes began.

Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi threatened that Israel would retaliate aggressively should Hezbollah escalate.

This is a war on the home, Halevi said after meeting with Israeli troops near the northern border with Lebanon. If Hezbollah makes a mistake, it will be annihilated.

The escalation comes amid fears that the war could spread into Lebanon, where Hezbollah has expressed strong support to the militant Palestinian group Hamas. Israel considers the heavily-armed group in Lebanon an even bigger threat than Hamas. So far, artillery exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel have been limited to several towns along the border.

Israel has threatened that if Hezbollah opens a new front, all of Lebanon will suffer the consequences.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a monthlong war in 2006 that ended in a draw. Since then, apart from limited clashes and escalated rhetoric, Hezbollah's military caliber has significantly increased, and became a key military actor in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere in the region.

The international community has scrambled to keep the war from extending into Lebanon, and possibly the rest of the region.

An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon landed in the town of Metula in northern Israel on Tuesday, wounding three people, according to the Ziv Medical Center in Safed.

Hours later, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. It wasn't clear if the injured were civilians or soldiers, but Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate the area near the border with Lebanon.

Israel responded by striking several areas along the border in southern Lebanon with artillery fire and white phosphorus, the state-run National News Agency in Lebanon reported. The Israeli military said its tanks fired back into Lebanon after an anti-tank missile was launched across the border.

Two more anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon at the Yiftah kibbutz in northern Israel without any casualties, the Israeli army said, adding that it had shelled Hezbollah positions in response.

Hezbollah identified the five killed fighters as Mahmoud Baez, Hussien Fasai, Hussein al-Tawil, Mahdi Atwi and Ibrahim al-Dubuq, but didn't provide further details about their deaths. Hamas said that the bodies of three of their militants in Lebanon had been captured by the Israeli military following a cross-border operation on Oct. 14.

An Israeli army spokesperson said that air defenses intercepted a drone approaching the border from Lebanon.

In separate violence earlier Tuesday, the Israeli military said it killed four militants who had attempted to plant explosive devices on a border wall between Israel and Lebanon. A video from an Israeli army reconnaissance drone showed the militants near the separation wall as they were targeted, causing an explosion.

Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for the attempted cross border attack, nor did any other armed group. However, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants based in Lebanon had done so on previous occasions over the past week.

The Lebanese Red Cross said in a statement that it was en route to collect four bodies killed in Israeli strikes over the southern border town of Alma al-Shaab. A spokesperson declined to provide more details.

Last week, militants from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in southern Lebanon crossed the border and clashed with Israeli troops, killing three and wounding several others. The militants were killed, and the Palestinian group held funerals for two of them.

Turkeys foreign minister, Hakkan Fidan, who arrived in Beirut on Tuesday, told reporters after meeting with his Lebanese counterpart that the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas might lead to greater wars.

We are doing all we can so that the war does not spread to other countries," he said.

___

Associated Press reporters Amy Teibel and Jon Gambrell in Jerusalem and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.
TEL AVIV, Israel  President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and on to Jordan Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Bidens travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what U.S. and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.

Biden is looking to send the strongest message yet that the U.S. is behind Israel. His Democratic administration has pledged military support, sending U.S. carriers and aid to the region. Officials have said they would ask Congress for upward of $2 billion in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russias invasion.

It's a chance for Biden to burnish his national security credentials to U.S. voters with the 2024 election just over a year away. It's also an opportunity to demonstrate that he's making good on his campaign promise of exercising American leadership after four years of former President Donald Trump's America First foreign policy.

But Bidens presence could be seen as a provocative move by Hamas chief sponsor, Iran, or potentially viewed as tone-deaf by Arab nations as civilian casualties mount in Gaza. Blinken has already been traveling around the Mideast this past week trying to prevent the war with Hamas from igniting a broader regional conflict.

Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials.

He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region and for the world, Blinken said.

Blinken added that Biden will be briefed by Israeli officials on their war aims and strategy and would hear about how they intend to conduct operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas.

Shortly after in Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced that Biden would also go to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Weve been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza," Kirby said. That has been a consistent call by President Biden and certainly by this entire administration.

Truckloads of aid idled Monday at Egypts border with Gaza, barred from entry, as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last weeks rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.

Biden had been scheduled to travel to Pueblo, Colorado, on Monday but decided to postpone the visit so he could consult with his aides and speak with fellow leaders about the unfolding situation in the Middle East.

The announcements came after Biden consulted with a trio of world leaders and his own national security team on Monday amid growing global concern about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip and fears that the Israel-Hamas war could metastasize into a broader regional conflict.

Biden spoke by phone with Egypt's el-Sissi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the fallout from Hamas militants surprise attacks on Israel that left 1,400 dead and retaliatory strikes that have killed at least 2,778 Palestinians.

European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday as concern mounts that the war between Israel and Hamas could fuel tensions in Europe and bring more refugees in search of sanctuary.

Bidens call with the Egyptian leader came one day after el-Sissi met with Blinken in Cairo. Egypts state-run media said el-Sissi told Blinken that Israels Gaza operation has exceeded the right of self-defense and turned into a collective punishment.

Kirby declined to comment on el-Sissi's concerns about how Israel is conducting the war.

The humanitarian situation was high on the list of the discussion with President el-Sissi, Kirby said.

Irans foreign minister warned Monday that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to its looming ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Iran is a chief financial sponsor of Hamas militants in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The comments by Hossein Amirabdollahian follow a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran.

Leaders of the resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go after other resistance groups after its done with Gaza, he told state television. Therefore any preemptive action is possible in the coming hours.

Kirby said the U.S. has not seen any signs that Iran might try to get directly involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

White House officials have said that U.S. intelligence shows that Iran has been broadly aware that Hamas had been preparing for a possible strike against Israel. But the U.S. says it has yet to uncover evidence of direct Iranian involvement in the Oct. 7 attack.

Israel is also preparing for the potential of a new front opening on its northern border with Lebanon, where it has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. The military ordered residents of 28 Israeli communities near the border to evacuate.

Air raid sirens interrupted Blinkens meetings with Israeli officials on three different occasions Monday, including twice as he huddled with Netanyahu and his war cabinet.

In Washington, Biden was briefed in the Oval Office by his national security team on the situation on the ground in Israel and Gaza. White House chief of staff Jeff Zients joined the briefing led by national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns, according to the White House.

Blinken was in Israel on Monday for his second visit in less than a week for talks with Israeli leaders. He has been crisscrossing the Middle East with stops in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Blinken, in talks Monday with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, carried back some of the feedback he received from Arab leaders. He also underlined his firm support for Israels right to defend itself from Hamas terrorism and reaffirmed U.S. determination to provide the Israeli government with what it needs to protect its citizens, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

White House officials said Biden's talks with Arab leaders in Amman will largely focus on humanitarian concerns for Gaza's 2.3 million people. He'll also make clear that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination.

Still, White House officials bristled about whether Biden would ask Netanyahu and Israel officials to show restraint or set any conditions on any new U.S. military aid that could be in the pipeline.

We are not putting conditions on the military assistance that we are providing to Israel," Kirby said. "They have a right to defend themselves. They have a right to go after this terrorist threat.



Long and Madhani reported from Washington. AP writers Jon Gambrell in Jerusalem and Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed.
The Nova Poshta group of companies intends to begin testing the parcel delivery service between the countries of the European Union in 2024 in order to fully launch this service in 2025, co-owner of Nova Poshta Viacheslav Klimov told Forbes Ukraine on Monday.

We have already started offering it (the service) in some countries where we have opened. I think next year will test this product, and in 2025 we will be able to launch it, Klimov noted.

He added that Nova Poshta branches would appear in almost all EU countries.

Next year our branches will appear in almost all European countries. There will be 30 countries by the end of 2025, Klimov said.

According to him, the companys budget for expansion into foreign markets during 2022-2025 reaches $10 million, while such a budget is much disciplined, and the companys goal is to achieve self-sufficiency as soon as possible.

We dont plan to spend more money on this, and we have nowhere to go, because we are investing only from our own resources, so we will try to meet even a smaller amount, Klimov noted.

At the same time, he predicts that as early as December 2023, Nova Poshta will return investments in the Polish market and break even.

The company's co-owner also denied rumors about plans for an IPO.

As for the IPO, these are only rumors. Until the end of the war, this is physically impossible. In addition, my partner and I have no such plans, no such need. We want to develop Nova Poshta while we have the strength, Klimov said.

He noted that the group invests its own funds in development, and cooperates with commercial banks, the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction and issues bonds.

For example, this year we issued bonds worth UAH 1.6 billion, Klimov added.

Last week at the Kyiv International Economic Forum, he announced that Nova Poshta would appear on the markets of Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, France and Austria by the end of 2023.
For the first time ever, a Space Force Guardian has graduated from the Army's arduous Ranger School, making history for the newest military service branch.

Capt. Daniel Reynolds, who is with the 4th Test and Evaluation Squadron out of Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, graduated from Ranger School at Fort Moore, Georgia, on Oct. 13. An image shared by the Ranger School on Facebook showed him posing in front of a Space Force flag alongside other Guardians.

Reynolds graduating from Ranger School -- a two-month course filled with grueling physical training and exercises designed to educate participants on elite squad and platoon tactics -- is not only a first for the service, it bucks criticisms and stereotypes that Guardians aren't as active as other military service branches.

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Reynolds has been challenging those norms throughout his career, and has broken several barriers as a Guardian.

Prior to graduating, and even before being accepted, Reynolds had to pass the Ranger Assessment Course, a 19-day evaluation course "designed to assess the physical and mental toughness of airmen and Guardians who are interested in attending Army Ranger School," the Air Force said in an August press release.

Reynolds was the sole Guardian alongside 15 airmen and 15 soldiers. Only 15 applicants met the standard to go on to Ranger School. He was one of them.

Last year, Reynolds became the first Guardian to graduate from the U.S. Army's Sapper Leader Course, a 28-day leadership program focused on educating combat engineers.

"Space is a warfighting domain, and Guardians are the leading edge of national defense across an increasingly complex front," Reynolds said in a press release last year. "To succeed, we have to be adaptive, enduring, and lethal. These are the fundamentals that the Sapper Leader Course emphasizes, and the skills that Guardians, as warfighters, bring to the joint fight every day."

In 2021, Reynolds made history when he became the first Space Force Guardian to graduate from the Army's Air Assault School.

"The best engineers in the world can be drawn from those who understand how to use the system operationally," Reynolds said in a Department of Defense press release last year. "Attending Air Assault School was a rare opportunity for a tester to study the intricacies of how a warfighter implements a military system."

Reynolds, whose hometown is in Germany, graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2017 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force with a bachelor of science in astronautical engineering degree, according to the Pentagon.

His first duty station was at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he served as a research fellow focused on NASA's next-generation lunar Space Station while working on his master's degree.

Less than two years after the Space Force became the newest military service, Reynolds transferred in the spring of 2021.

"When the Space Force was founded a few months after my graduation from MIT, my experiences there were at the forefront of my mind," Reynolds said in a release. "Having the opportunity to be a part of an incredible team working together to solve some of our nation's most complex problems spoke to my passion to serve."

The Air Force first began sending airmen to Ranger School in 1955; since then, around 350 have graduated from the course, according to the Air Force. Now, because of Reynolds, there is also one Guardian to join the list.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: Service Was a Second Chance for the Space Force's Enlisted Leader. He Tried to Give Others the Same Shot.
The Marine Corps announced that it will redesignate an Okinawa-based regiment into a Marine littoral regiment on Nov. 15, a move that comes as the service establishes a shore-ready presence in the Indo-Pacific in the face of China's persistent influence there.

The 12th Marine Regiment, an artillery unit, will convert into what the Marine Corps has deemed a "stand-in force" that can defend its allies in the region and respond to threats quickly. After November, the unit will be called the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, complete with a new mission and organization.

Earlier this year, Japan said it would agree to the unit remaining in Okinawa, a critical position in the country's southern island chain that is key to deterring Chinese influence in the region -- an influence that the Marines hope to respond to should tensions boil further.

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The unit appears ahead of schedule in its effort, according to a Marine Corps press release Tuesday announcing the redesignation date, which said that the establishment of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment was meant to be completed by 2025.

The redesignation is part of a greater push to have three Marine littoral regiments operating in the Indo-Pacific by 2030. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, which was the first effort to redesignate, is based in Hawaii. The 4th Marine Regiment is set to be converted as well, according to USNI News.

The Marine littoral regiment, or MLR, is meant to have a small footprint and be an easy-to-maintain unit that can quickly react to threats -- particularly Chinese military ones -- against U.S. forces and allies. It is divided into three subordinate elements: a littoral combat team, a littoral anti-air battalion, and a combat logistics battalion to sustain and maintain the greater unit.

The littoral combat team, or LCT, is based around the infantry battalion and is designed to deploy multiple "platoon-reinforced-size" elements for intelligence, surveillance and early warning, among other missions. Those units are then protected by air defense support.

In total, the MLR wil have roughly 2,000 Marines and sailors in what is intended to be a small and quick force. It is slightly smaller than the Marine expeditionary unit, of which the Corps has seven.

One major difference between the two is that while MEUs are meant to forward deploy to anywhere around the world, the MLRs are already based in the Indo-Pacific, where tensions with China are high.

The low profile was part of the agreement between Japan and the U.S., which was hammered out earlier this year. The Associated Press reported that any potential increase in troops stationed on the island would be a highly sensitive political issue for the Japanese government amid the negotiations; many on Okinawa have long pushed for a reduced U.S. military presence there.

In May, thousands of protesters near Kadena Air Base in Okinawa gathered to challenge the U.S. presence, which has remained since World War II and now includes nearly three-quarters of U.S. military facilities in the country, according to Axios.

"No new units will be added to Okinawa under the agreement," the Marine Corps said in the press release. "This is strictly a redesignation of an existing unit on Okinawa, in accordance with Marine Corps modernization efforts."

The 12th Marine Regiment is currently training in Japan through the end of the month, according to the press release. It plans to test out the MLR organization and deploy between Japan's southwest islands and Hokkaido to the north of the mainland.

During the exercise, the unit will "provide sensing capabilities in a simulated battlespace, and integrate joint-force firepower with our Japanese ally's capabilities," the press release said.

-- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on X @df_lawrence.

Related: US to Swap Out Marine Regiment Stationed on Okinawa
The Pentagon warned Tuesday that China has dramatically increased the number of harassing encounters with the U.S. military in the Pacific, with more than 180 incidents in just the past two years.

Officials unveiled declassified videos and images of 15 incidents the Pentagon deemed "coercive and risky" in a public briefing to reporters and said they provide evidence of a growing strategy by the Chinese military aimed at intimidating other countries and expanding influence over the region.

"We have seen more than 180 such incidents -- more in the past two years than in the decade before that," said Dr. Ely Ratner, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, who spoke to the press alongside Adm. John Aquilino, the head of Indo-Pacific Command.

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The released images show China's fighter jets performing reckless maneuvers, sometimes within just feet of U.S. aircraft. In the released photos, the jets are close enough for military photographers to make out the blue helmets of the Chinese crew members.

Ratner said the incidents depict the Chinese military's "sharp increase in coercive and risky operational behavior in the East and South China Seas," and that the Pentagon sees the incidents as efforts "to intimidate and coerce members of the international community into giving up their rights under international law."

The U.S. military has occasionally released videos and images of what it deems unsafe or unprofessional interactions with Chinese or Russian forces on a case-by-case basis.

However, Ratner and Aquilino said the declassification of the encounters with China's military Tuesday was aimed squarely at drawing attention to a trend that both U.S. and allied service members have encountered over the last several years.

Ratner said the number of encounters increases to nearly 300 when U.S. ally and partner aircraft are considered.

"The bottom line is that in many cases this type of operational behavior can cause accidents, and dangerous accidents can lead to inadvertent conflict," he said.

The news comes ahead of the Pentagon's submission of its annual and congressionally mandated "China Military Power Report" to Capitol Hill. Aquilino said that report will also call the incidents part of the strategy by the Chinese military.

In brief narratives of the 15 incidents that the Pentagon released, the military says that Chinese planes approached U.S. planes in the East and South China Seas -- sometimes as close as 10 or 15 feet -- and often conducted reckless maneuvers, such as flying in front of the plane's nose or in between two planes.

In one incident, a Chinese pilot responded to American aviators "using explicit language, including an expletive."

The incidents span from January 2022 to last month.

In an August incident, a Chinese pilot "conducted a barrel roll around and below the U.S. aircraft, causing the U.S. pilot to perform defensive procedures to prevent a collision," the press release said. In an earlier July incident, the Chinese plane harassed a U.S. plane "by deploying eight flares at a distance of 900 feet."

Aquilino told reporters that one of his chief concerns is the safety of U.S. service members.

"Intercepts happen every day around the world," the admiral said. "The vast majority are conducted safely and without incident, and there's no reason for the intercepts with the [Chinese military] in the Indo-Pacific region to be any different."

Both officials also noted that the unsafe incidents aren't just contained to the air and that unsafe interactions occur at sea and on land as well.

U.S. efforts to confront the behavior on the world stage have largely been rebuffed by China.

During an 18-nation East Asia summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, in August, Vice President Kamala Harris said that "freedom of navigation and overflight must be respected in the East China Sea and South China Sea."

In response, China's Foreign Ministry called the "accusations ... groundless and inconsistent with fact" in a September statement released by its embassy in the U.S.

It claimed that China and Southeast Asian countries "are making active efforts" to develop "a code of conduct in the South China Sea."

"Countries outside the region need to respect the efforts made by regional countries to develop rules and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea," the ministry said in the statement.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on X at @ktoropin.

Related: US Military Complains of Unsafe, Aggressive Move by Chinese Fighter Jet
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered around 2,000 troops to be on heightened alert to potentially deploy in response to the continuing conflict in Israel, a Pentagon statement released Tuesday morning announced.

Austin "placed approximately 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness through a prepare-to-deploy order," Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said in the emailed statement.

The order is just the latest in a series of deployments and posture adjustments, including the movement of two carrier strike groups and a Marine expeditionary unit to the region, that have been announced by the Pentagon in recent days to bolster support of Israel as it wages war against Hamas, a Palestinian group that rules the Gaza Strip and launched a terrorist attack earlier this month.

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The Pentagon did not say which specific units had received the order.

The prepare-to-deploy order could again raise the U.S. presence in the region, which has already grown to a level not seen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. The U.S. has said repeatedly that the aim of the buildup is to deter other groups and nations in the region, such as Hezbollah and Iran, from entering the war.

As part of the announcement Tuesday, Austin also extended the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford -- the Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier -- and the five other ships that make up its strike group after they were sent to the region on Oct. 8. The ships were nearing the end of their six-month deployment.

On Monday, a defense official also confirmed that the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, along with two of the Navy ships that it is embarked on, are en route "to the waters off of Israel." Two days prior, on Saturday, Austin also announced that the carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with its own cruiser and two destroyers, will eventually join the Ford off the Israeli coast.

In addition to the maritime forces, extra F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft arrived in the Middle East Friday and additional A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft arrived Thursday.

To date, however, defense and White House officials have been clear in saying that the U.S. military assets off the coast of Israel or in the nearby area are not conducting offensive operations against Hamas or the Gaza Strip.

The only U.S. military unit that appeared to be involved in the conflict on Tuesday was a small cell of special operations troops that was attached to the embassy in Israel far before the conflict began. Those troops were said to be providing advice and guidance on hostage recovery efforts.

When asked about the legal authority to fight Hamas, Singh told reporters Monday that it was a question for President Joe Biden and that the military's goal was "to strictly be in a position to deter." Officials have cited groups such as Hezbollah or Iran as their chief concerns.

Hamas launched a concerted attack across the Gaza border into Israel on Oct. 7, firing rockets and sending gunmen to slaughter civilians at a music festival and in nearby communities. The attack killed at least 1,200, and the group also took hostages that included Americans.

Israel declared war a day after the attack, launched retaliatory strikes and appeared to be gearing up for a ground offensive in Gaza.

A senior defense official told reporters Oct. 9 that the Ford strike group and her five accompanying ships not only have significant firepower but also offer military leaders the ability to conduct a "full spectrum of missions."

In addition to sending planes and ships, senior U.S. military leaders including Austin visited Israel over the past week.

Late Monday evening, U.S. Central Command said in a statement that its commander, Gen. Erik Kurilla, arrived in Tel Aviv "to conduct high-level meetings with Israel's military leadership ... to gain a clear understanding of Israel's defense requirements, outline U.S. support efforts to avoid expansion of the conflict, and reiterate the Department of Defense's ironclad support for Israel."

In the statement, Kurilla stressed that he is "particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict."

President Joe Biden announced that he will also visit the country on Wednesday.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on X at @ktoropin.

Related: Marine Corps Expeditionary Unit En Route to Waters Off Israel, Defense Official Says
The task force assigned to defuel the Red Hill depot in Hawaii that leaked thousands of gallons of jet fuel into the surrounding area in 2021 said Tuesday that it had drained 3.5 million gallons of fuel in the first day of work.

The progress update was released on a Joint Task Force-Red Hill app meant to inform the public on the defueling after pre-operation checks performed Monday. The task force has roughly 100 millions gallons left to remove.

The military fuel contaminated local drinking water when it spilled in 2021, forcing families from their homes, angering the local population, and sparking criticism of the Navy's initial response and communication with the public.

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The contamination affected roughly 93,000 service members and families at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and residents of Oahu where the bulk storage is located. The number of people who have claimed to be sickened by the contamination has increased by thousands since September.

"Our affected military family and civilian clients hope the defueling will proceed safely. This is the tremendous result of the advocacy of affected families united with local community leaders," Kristina Baehr, an Austin, Texas-based attorney representing more than 7,000 claimants, told Military.com on Monday, the day that the defueling was scheduled to commence.

"Our clients now wish that the government would commit this level of response to their Red Hill injuries and long-term health problems," she added.

She also cautioned residents from continuing to use Navy water lines, even now, two years after the initial spill.

After the spill, residents said that they've experienced rashes, headaches, seizures and thyroid issues. The lawsuit states that families fear there may be long-term health issues associated with contaminant ingestion, such as cancer and neurological issues.

Meanwhile, the military said it has worked for months to plan the defueling. Last week, it released safety measures that were considered for the defueling, such as identifying emergency evacuation routes, 24-hour emergency fire response, and around-the-clock monitoring of the defueling process.

Last month, the secretary of the Navy censured three retired admirals who were responsible for overseeing Red Hill's fuel storage when it spilled. Over the weekend, the joint task force held a blessing in advance of the ceremony.

"It's been a long road getting to this point, and there's still more work ahead, but after months of coordinated efforts by our teams and partners, we are ready to begin defueling," Vice Adm. John Wade, the Joint Task Force-Red Hill commander, said Saturday.

"As we begin the critical phase of relocating the fuel from Red Hill, it is our great honor to observe a Hawaiian tradition by receiving this blessing for the safe defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility," he said.

-- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on X @df_lawrence.

Related: 3 Retired Admirals Censured for Roles in the Red Hill Spill that Tainted Navy Community's Drinking Water
SUNLAND, N.M.  Texas National Guard members have been at work over the last week installing razor wire along the states border with New Mexico under orders from Gov. Greg Abbott, according to a post by Abbott on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The wire barrier  placed along the Rio Grande in layers near Sunland Park, N.M.  is an attempt to curb a dramatic increase in migrants crossing into Texas, according to Abbott.

Our barriers around El Paso forced the migrants crossing illegally to enter into New Mexico, Abbott posted on X Sunday. They then entered into El Paso from there. To end that, we are building a barrier on the New Mexico border.

When asked for comment, Abbotts office referred The Dallas Morning News to the Texas Military Department. The military department and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

At a roundtable last week, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., called for more dialogue between the two states, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

There needs to be better cooperation, Vasquez said when asked about the installation of razor wire between the two states. I dont think putting concertina wire in the Texas section of the Rio Grande and New Mexico is really going to solve anything. Vasquez did not respond to a request for comment.

Caroline Sweeney, a spokesperson for Lujan Grisham, told the New Mexican the state stands ready to assist to ensure individuals are treated with compassion and respect while maintaining public safety We encourage Gov. Abbott to turn his attention away from a never-ending stream of political stunts and toward working in earnest for the people of the state he was elected to represent.

In September, Abbott spoke of a possible border barrier with New Mexico. He was in New York City at an event hosted by the Manhattan Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank. The governor told the audience a majority of undocumented migrants enter Texas through the El Paso area.

They come through New Mexico and then go over to El Paso, Abbott said on Sept. 27, according to a video recording posted on the think tanks YouTube page. And so not only are we building border barriers between the border of Texas and Mexico. Were also having now to build border barriers between Texas and New Mexico.

Abbotts initiative drew criticism. Governor Abbott is desperate to stem the migrant tide, but his aggressive measures such as constructing barriers between El Paso and New Mexico not only harass and deter asylum-seekers but provoke divisions and generate tensions and animosities between and among American citizens, said Howard Campbell, a University of Texas at El Paso professor of cultural anthropology and a specialist in Latin American studies with a primary focus on Mexico.

In Santa Teresa, N.M., Jerry Pacheco, president of the Border Industrial Association, a nonprofit organization focused on economic development in New Mexico, said the domestic barrier cuts Texas off from its neighboring state.

This is costly, a bad-faith measure, some kind of political statement, an extreme tactic for the optics, said Pacheco, who has criticized Abbotts move to enhance security state inspections of trucks and says it has resulted in costly delays in trade. But this goes beyond politics. The governor is hurting his own state economically.

In Sunland Park, Natividad Pasillas, who came out of retirement to aid his sons growing lawn-mowing business, was shocked at news the Texas National Guard was installing razor wire along the New Mexico-Texas line.

This is crazy, Pasillas, 74, said. What happened to safe passage? We need to be able to move between states because we are the same country.

Last month at the Manhattan Institute, Abbott gave a nearly hour-long talk about immigration  a key campaign focus of his in recent years  and lashed out at President Joe Bidens administrations efforts at border security.

Abbott and the White House have been at odds regarding immigration. Adding to the strained relationship is an ongoing federal lawsuit the Justice Department filed against Abbott for buoys Texas installed along the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, a small town north of Laredo.

At an Oct. 5 hearing, judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit voiced skepticism at the state of Texas assertion that it needed no federal permission to install the 1,000-foot floating barrier, because the buoys are temporary.

Removing the barrier, including the 143 submerged concrete anchor blocks that weigh a combined 140 tons, would take several weeks and $300,000, said Judge Dana Douglas, a Biden appointee.

The case is still pending at the Fifth Circuit. The court handles cases from Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi and is among the nations most conservative appeals courts.

Texas spent $850,000 to install the buoys, according to a state contract awarded to a company called Cochrane USA, as part of Abbotts $10 billion Operation Lone Star, which includes deployments of National Guard troops and state police, and at least 60 miles of razor wire along the river.

The governor said his policies were necessary in the absence of federal immigration laws. Last month saw a rapid spike in migrants entering Texas  particularly through Eagle Pass. The sudden increase of tens of thousands of migrants crossing led to a chaotic response among local, state and federal officials.

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2023 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
More than 13,000 objects in Kyiv region that were damaged as a result of hostilities have been restored, in total, more than 28,000 objects have been destroyed and damaged, said head of the regional military administration Ruslan Kravchenko.

We are talking about the restoration of high-rise buildings, private houses, medical institutions, schools, kindergartens and the like, the press service reports.

During the briefing, Kravchenko recalled that control over all stages of restoration has been strengthened and he asked law enforcement agencies in the region to conduct a full and objective audit of tenders and purchases for restoration.

There are first results. Checks continue, the report says.

A supervisory council on reconstruction issues was also created, in which representatives of international institutions and public organizations and independent experts participate. Council members have compiled a restoration catalog for Kyiv region for 2022 and are working on a restoration catalog for 2023.

In addition, this week the Transparency and Accountability working group was created, consisting of representatives of law enforcement agencies, the NACP and other anti-corruption institutions. Work is underway to formulate a package of specific anti-corruption measures.

The administration also ordered work on 56 objects, which are being restored at the expense of the Fund for Elimination of the Consequences of Armed Aggression. A commission has been created whose task will be to inspect the work at the sites. It included representatives of the relevant departments of the regional administration, law enforcement agencies, technical supervision, the State Labor Service, the supervisory board, DTEK, etc.

It is noted that the local commission will record all problematic issues and promptly eliminate them. They have already checked the restoration of the kindergarten in Byshiv. Next in line are four apartment buildings in Bucha.

Next week we will continue work on tender procurement. The administration department of regional development plans to hold nine tenders. In particular, for the restoration of kindergartens, residential buildings, medical institutions, schools. We invite everyone to participate. I would also note: a unified technical specification will be used for all participants in the tender, which was recommended by UNDP specialists, Kravchenko emphasized.
A pepper that recently claimed the record for hottest in the world was made with the help of a pepper from Michigan.

Ed Currie, a South Carolina hot pepper expert who crossbred and grew the famed Carolina Reaper, is the man responsible for Pepper X, which was publicly named the hottest pepper in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records on Oct. 9.

According to Guinness, Pepper X rates at an average of 2.69 million Scoville Heat Units, three times hotter than the Reaper, which held the world record for a decade at 1.64 million units.

For comparison, pepper spray commonly holstered by police is around 1.6 million units.

Currie has been developing Pepper X for a decade. He told the Associated Press that the pepper, which provides immediate, brutal heat, is a crossbreed of a Carolina Reaper and a pepper that a friend of mine sent me from Michigan that was brutally hot.

I was feeling the heat for three-and-a-half hours. Then the cramps came, Currie told the Associated Press, noting only five people have eaten an entire Pepper X. Those cramps are horrible. I was laid out flat on a marble wall for approximately an hour in the rain, groaning in pain.

Pepper X is greenish-yellow and carries an earthy flavor once its heat is delivered, according to the Associated Press. But dont expect to see it readily available anytime soon.

Currie said no seeds will be released until he is sure his children and work family fully earn the rewards of his work. Something he learned the hard way after the release of the Reaper in 2013.

The Associated Press reported that Curries lawyers have counted more than 10,000 products that use the Carolina Reaper name, or its other intellectual property, without permission.

Everybody else made their money off the Reaper. Its time for us to reap the benefits of the hard work I do, Currie said.

He also hinted that work may be underway to come up with a pepper even hotter than Pepper X in the future.

Are you brave enough to try Pepper X?
DETROIT -- Employees at Hollywood Casino Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit and Motor City Casino went on strike Tuesday after their union was unable to secure a new contract. According to the Detroit Casino Council, the strike started at noon and consists of dealers, food and beverage workers, valets, cleaning staff, engineers and more who belong to the five unions that comprise the DCC.

Picket lines are expected outside all three Detroit casinos until a deal is struck. The DCC says it has been negotiating for months to secure a new contract that makes many improvements for workers, but the casinos have been unwilling to meet their demands. Workers are asking for increased wages, improved healthcare, better workloads for housekeepers, and more as part of a proposed deal.

Related story: Car dealerships see early effects of UAW strike on parts, inventory

The union argues those improved benefits are necessary as the gambling industry has seen revenues return to pre-pandemic levels thanks in large part to the growth of online gambling. However, the DCC claims employee wages in 2022 for Detroit employees were $34 million less than in 2019.

Data from the Michigan Gaming Control Board says revenues in the Detroit casinos have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, those numbers do not include online gambling revenues.

The DCC estimates that each day the workers are on strike, it will put $3.4 million in revenue at risk and cost the city and state about $738,000 in tax revenue.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI  The U.S. Coast Guard is taking special steps to honor the memory of a Michigan serviceman lost to history.

Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City to hold remembrance for Chief Machinist Mate Cecil S. Canfield at Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City on Thursday.

Canfield, who was born in Traverse City in October 1905, was stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Muskeget when it was sunk during World War II.

The Muskeget, a weather ship, set out from Boston on Aug. 24, 1942, for a weather patrol in the North Atlantic off the southern tip of Greenland, but it was sunk by a German U-Boat at 2:54 p.m. on Sept. 9 400 nautical miles east of Newfoundland.

With no sign of the Muskeget or crew, the U.S. Navy presumed the ship lost and crew of 121 men missing in action.

Canfields gravestone was laid in a family plot in Oakwood Cemetery, but a cleanup crew recently learned it was overgrown with bushes and that local records had no record of remembrance for Canfield.

So, it feels as if we have lost him twice, the USCG said in a statement.

Air Station Traverse City said the ceremony is a step to correct that.

As time moves on for all of us, we strive to remember the service and sacrifice of those that built this nation before us, a USCG statement said. Tragically, sometimes an individual can slip through those efforts.

We hold this remembrance to tie Air Station Traverse City to our history, to honor our fallen heroes, and to pledge that we will not forget or lose Chief Machinist Mate Canfield again.

Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City was established in 1945 and is a part of the Coast Guards operations in the Great Lakes. Situated on the southern end of Grand Traverse Bay, its area of operations includes all of Lake Michigan and a greater part of Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
The longtime attorney for the family of Natalee Holloway says a possible plea deal this week is contingent on Joran van der Sloot disclosing new details about Holloways 2005 death in Aruba.

Van der Sloot is set to appear in federal court in Birmingham on Wednesday for a plea and sentencing hearing. He previously pleaded not guilty to extorting Beth Holloway, Natalees mother.

It was conditioned upon Mr. van der Sloot revealing details of how Natalee died and how her body was disposed of, lawyer John Q. Kelly told Today.

Authorities have not confirmed Kellys statements to NBC. An order filed Friday in the case remains sealed.

Read full coverage of the case here

Although van der Sloot, now 35, has long been suspected in the disappearance and death of the Mountain Brook High School graduate Holloway, then 18, while she was visiting Aruba in 2005, he has never been charged in connection to her death.

The plea hearing comes days before what would be Holloways 37th birthday.

However, federal authorities in Alabama contend that in 2010 van der Sloot exploited the fear of Holloways mother, Beth, that she would never find her daughters body or know what happened to her unless she paid him $250,000.

A federal grand jury in Birmingham indicted van der Sloot on June 30, 2010, on charges of wire fraud and extortion.

Van der Sloot remains held in the Shelby County Jail.

Van der Sloot on June 8 was extradited from Peru, where he is serving 28 years for the 2010 murder of college student Stephany Flores, to Alabama.

The following day, he made his initial appearance in court and pleaded not guilty to the wire fraud and extortion charges.

The case is being prosecuted by Lloyd Peeples, chief of the U.S. Attorneys Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Crosby.

Prosecutors contend that van der Sloot told Holloway for an initial payment of $25,000, he would take the Holloways representative to the location of Natalees body.

The prime suspect in Natalee Holloways disappearance is set to face a judge in Alabama, accused of trying to extort the Holloway family. @SamBrockNBC reports more details about the plea deal under consideration. pic.twitter.com/Y2IKhCfk4D  TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 16, 2023

Once the body was recovered and confirmed to be Natalee, he said, he would then collect the remaining $225,000.

The affidavit said Natalee Holloway died after Joran van der Sloot threw her to the ground when she attempted to stop him from leaving her.

The affidavit also says that his late father, Paulus van der Sloot, then helped him dispose of her body.

Van der Sloot told a representative for Beth Holloway that his father buried her remains in the gravel under the foundation of the single-story house.

He later admitted to the representative that he lied about the location of Natalees remains.
CLINTON COUNTY, MI  A former police officer has been sentenced to probation and anger management classes related to an incident in which he twice pulled a gun on a newspaper delivery driver while off duty and out of jurisdiction, officials announced.

Chad Vorce, 46, of Dewitt Township, a former city of Dewitt Police officer, pleaded no contest in September to public officer  willful neglect of duty, and aggravated assault and was sentenced Monday, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. Both charges are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year incarceration.

RELATED: Former officer pleads no contest after twice pulling gun on newspaper delivery driver

Shortly after 7 a.m. on Jan. 14, 2021, Vorce twice drew his firearm on the driver of a van that he described as driving erratically through his neighborhood, prosecutors said. The driver was delivering newspapers for the Lansing State Journal.

Vorce followed the van out of the neighborhood and first drew his weapon in the area of Driftwood near Airport Road, prosecutors said. He drew it a second time in a gas station parking lot where the other driver stopped.

Law enforcement from both the DeWitt Police Department and Michigan State Police responded to the scene at the gas station, prosecutors said.

Vorce was sentenced to one year of probation and is required to attend anger management class, community service, no contact with the victim, and he cannot possess a weapon, badge or anything else identifying him as law enforcement, the release said. The sentence also includes 30 days of jail time if he does not successfully complete his probation.

As conditions of his plea agreement, Vorce resigned his position as a police officer and relinquished his certification from Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, a requisite for employment as a police officer in the state of Michigan, the release said.

The city and township of DeWitt are safer communities because of this plea, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. Todays sentencing ensures that Vorce will not wear another badge in another town without considerable scrutiny.
OTSEGO COUNTY, MI -- The Otsego County Animal Control is hoping to spread the message that THC gummies are not safe for animal consumption after a woman was viciously attacked recently by the family dog who was given a gummy.

According to 9&10 News, the dog has lived with the family for four years and is not a vicious breed, but the OCAC says THC is poisonous to dog and cats and can cause unexpected behavior. OCAC director Melissa FitzGerald described the attack as a very bad scene and said the dog had become aggressive after eating the gummy.

While CBD is safe for dogs to consume, FitzGerald says there is no way of knowing how dogs and other animals will respond to THC. FitzGerald plans on working with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the state veterinarian to have a warning label placed on THC products.
PONTIAC, MI -- A judge on Friday, Oct. 13, denied a request from the parents of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley to attend their sons sentencing hearing, records show.

Jennifer Crumbley, 45, and James Crumbley, 47, through their attorneys, filed the request Thursday. They are each jailed pending the posting of $500,000 bonds on four charges of involuntary manslaughter.

While they were denied in-person access, they may be allowed to view the hearing from a video feed to the jail, where theyve been lodged for nearly two years.

Prosecutors accused the parents of criminal negligence, including failing to seek mental health assistance for their son and allowing him access to a gun, that contributed to the Nov. 30, 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School.

Related: He wanted to kill the innocent

Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame L. Rowe on Sept. 28 ruled that the convicted Oxford High School shooter may receive a mandatory life sentence, despite being only 15 on when he murdered four classmates and injured seven others, including a teacher.

Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; and Justin Shilling, 17, died in the shooting.

The shooter, now 17, pleaded guilty to 24 felonies, including four counts of first-degree murder, a count of terrorism causing death, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of felony use of a firearm on Oct. 24, 2022. Hes set to be sentenced on Dec. 8.

The sentencing is expected to include impact statements from classmates, relatives and friends of the victims.

Jennifer and James Crumbley are held in the Oakland County Jail, where their son also resides awaiting sentencing. The parents appealed an Oakland County district courts decision to bind their charges over for a possible trial in June of 2022.

The state Court of Appeals on March 23 sided with the lower court, stating that the tragedy was reasonably foreseeable, based on the conduct of the parents. Another appeal to the state Supreme Court was denied on Oct. 3. The parents are set for trial on Jan. 23.

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It was crushing. Assistant principal recounts trying to save dying Michigan school shooting victim

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DETROIT  A 51-year-old woman was fatally shot by another woman at a baby shower over the weekend in Detroit, WDIV Local 4 reports.

After the shooting, the suspect drove to a police station to turn herself in and was run down by a vehicle driven by the victims son, police said. She was hospitalized for her injuries. The suspect shooter and the driver are in police custody awaiting charges.

RELATED: Woman fatally shoots woman at gathering, is hit by car outside police station

It began Sunday evening at a home in the 15600 block of Edmore Drive, police said. There was an argument between the two women who were reportedly friends, and the suspect pulled a gun. After the shooting, she fled to the Detroit Police Departments ninth precinct on Gratiot Avenue where she was struck by the vehicle.

The incidents are under investigation.
ANN ARBOR, MI  There was some laughter at the Ann Arbor City Council table Monday night as Mayor Christopher Taylor read the title of one resolution.

Resolution Against MDOTs Proposal to Build a Wall through Ann Arbor, it read.

In his 14-plus years on council, I dont think Ive seen one like that, Taylor remarked at the Oct. 16 meeting.

Minutes later, council voted unanimously to approve the resolution opposing the Michigan Department of Transportations proposal to construct tall security fences along two long stretches of the state-owned railroad tracks through the city.

Its accurate to call the miles of fencing  estimated to cost over $6 million  a wall, said Council Member Erica Briggs, D-5th Ward, lead sponsor of the resolution.

Railroad fence options on display at the Michigan Department of Transportation's forum at Washtenaw Community College on Oct. 3, 2023. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

This wall would not only restrict the movement of people, but also of wildlife, including those seeking water from the Huron River, she said, adding it also would create significant obstacles to advancing completion of the Border-to-Border-Trail.

Parks staff at both the city and county have shared their concerns and sought to partner toward better solutions, and to date MDOT has ignored them, she said.

An online petition against the project had over 4,600 signatures as of Monday night.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has plans for fencing along this stretch of railroad in Ann Arbor.MDOT

Its important that we signal to MDOT and our state legislators tonight that the city and our community are fully opposed to this plan and MDOTs heavy-handed approach, Briggs said. Erecting a wall through our community, rather than addressing the root cause of trespassing on train tracks, is an example of the worst inclinations of insular government agencies.

MDOT officials told residents at a heavily attended forum on Oct. 3 theyve made no final decisions and theyre taking the communitys feedback into consideration, though they emphasized they see a need to install fencing as a safety measure to prevent people from walking on the tracks.

If MDOT is determined to put up fencing, residents and officials have argued it at least should be done in tandem with creating safe crossings or underpasses so pedestrians and wildlife still can get through at the natural crossing points theyve been using for many years to access riverfront nature areas and trails. Thats outside of the project scope, MDOT officials have said.

A no-trespassing sign at a pedestrian path leading across the railroad tracks that cut between West Huron River Drive and the Huron River in the Ann Arbor area on Aug. 3, 2023. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

City Councils resolution calls on MDOT to engage with the city and other local partners to develop a coordinated and phased plan that would improve legal, safe options for nonmotorized access along the rail line, including through the construction of the Border-to-Border Trail and pedestrian underpasses.

At a cost of several million dollars, Ann Arbor already partnered with MDOT to create one pedestrian underpass under the tracks in recent years between Depot Street and Argo Pond. The city is now planning another in 2024 to formalize a Border-to-Border Trail link between the Barton Nature Area and Bandemer Park where people used to cross the tracks freely, though illegally, and in recent years have encountered MDOT barriers.

Its a similar situation where people used to freely, though illegally, cross the tracks between the University of Michigans Nichols Arboretum and the Border-to-Border Trail leading to both Gallup Park and Fuller Road. MDOT put up fencing several years ago that people have repeatedly cut through.

Plans for an underpass there, which would restore a once heavily used pedestrian link between UMs North and Central campus areas, are now included in UMs new long-range plans.

One of the points between Nichols Arboretum and the Border-to-Border Trail pathway to Gallup Park in Ann Arbor on Oct. 3, 2023. The Michigan Department of Transportation has been fighting a years-long battle with people determined to cross the railroad tracks there, with people cutting through chainlink fencing MDOT has put up and MDOT responding by boarding over holes. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Residents have created access points through all previous barricades, because fundamentally there is a great need and desire to cross the railroad to access our beautiful parks, the river and other destinations and theres a strong demand for a linear path along the Huron River, Briggs noted Monday night.

To date, MDOT has not genuinely engaged with stakeholders like the city and county in any meaningful way, said Council Member Lisa Disch, D-1st Ward.

Their environmental assessment began and ended with the question of whether endangered species would be affected, she added. And while I of course think that it is important not to affect endangered species, the issue here is an issue of the ecosystem ... and there has been no serious attention to that.

Council Member Dharma Akmon, D-4th Ward, agreed with Briggs argument that barriers like fencing dont work.

They dont get at the problem, which is that people need a way to cross and there isnt a safe and legal way to do so, she said. So, its just baffling that we keep creating bigger, bigger walls and its frustrating.

I dont think we can speak loudly enough on this, added Council Member Travis Radina, D-3rd Ward. Ive already had some conversations with state legislators who are upset about this and are going to be using their voices.

Design options for a new Border-to-Border Trail tunnel pathway between Bandemer Park and the Barton Nature Area in Ann Arbor, as shown in a November 2020 feasibility study by Bergmann and OHM Advisors.Bergmann and OHM Advisors

Council Member Linh Song, D-2nd Ward, said another concern is fencing could make it more difficult for first responders to respond to emergencies along the river.

Taylor said he and others have been trying to convince MDOT to construct a noise-abatement wall along M-14. Its ironic that finally when MDOT gets it in their heads to build a wall, this is what we should receive, he said of the railroad fencing.

This is a bad solution for a non-present problem, he said.

MDOT is taking a broad look at opportunities to add miles of fencing along the Amtrak line from Kalamazoo to Dearborn, with Ann Arbor being a high priority due to experiences with pedestrians on the tracks. Brandan Maurer, MDOTs chief rail engineer, cited seven pedestrian-train collisions in Ann Arbor since 2020, including four fatalities, and four near misses.

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.

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US will allocate $700 mln to modernize Ukrainian ports, railways and checkpoints - Kubrakov

The United States of America will allocate almost $700 million for the modernization of Ukrainian ports, railways and checkpoints, said Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction - Minister for Communities and Territories Development and Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov after a meeting with US Special Representative Penny Pritzker.

We must modernize Ukrainian checkpoints, ports and railways. This will improve logistics and increase export capacity. The United States plans to provide almost $700 million for this, he wrote on Facebook.

During the meeting with American officials, according to Kubrakov, the need for investment in the restoration of the energy network and municipal infrastructure damaged because of Russian shelling was also discussed.

In addition, the issues of mine clearance and development of the agricultural sector remain relevant.

All these areas must be ready for private initiative and capital, the minister emphasized.

He also noted that a general working group has already been created to develop a cooperation model for the transition to the implementation of specific projects.

I am ready to discuss every cent of American assistance and investment. I am confident that accountability and transparency of the processes will motivate the private sector to join large-scale recovery processes, Kubrakov concluded.
TECUMSEH, MI - A Tecumseh Public Schools bus struck and killed a pedestrian who was standing in the middle of the roadway Tuesday morning, according to the Lenawee County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies from the sheriffs office and Tecumseh Police Department responded at approximately 6:52 a.m. on Oct. 17 for a school bus that had struck the man on Allen Road between Macon Highway and Billmyer Highway.

According to sheriffs deputies, the bus was traveling east on Allen Road, east of Billmyer Highway.

The man, a 59-year-old from Clinton Township, was wearing all dark clothing and the area was dark at the time of the crash, the sheriffs office noted. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, the sheriffs office noted.

Tecumseh Public Schools noted students on the bus were transferred to another bus and taken to school. No students or the driver were injured in the crash.

The Lenawee County Accident Investigation Team was called to the scene and the crash is under further investigation, as well as the Sheriffs Office Victim Services Unit, which assisted the family of the deceased pedestrian. The sheriffs office was assisted at the scene by the Tecumseh Police Department, Tecumseh Fire Department and the Michigan State Police.

Tecumseh Public Schools officials said they are working with law enforcement and emergency responders to investigate.

Tecumseh Public Schools wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Clinton Township man who tragically lost his life in a pedestrian accident involving one of our school buses this morning on Allen Road, near Billmyer Highway, the district noted in a statement. We are grateful to report that all students on the bus and our dedicated bus driver emerged unharmed from this unfortunate incident. We appreciate our bus drivers exceptional professionalism and the remarkable composure and mutual support our students showed during this challenging time, highlighting their strength and character.

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.

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A wall through Ann Arbor. City Council takes stance against MDOT project
ANN ARBOR MI - Elected leaders in Ann Arbor Township, where many residents use the M-14 bridge over the Huron River to reach the city, are formally against a recommendation to shut down some highway ramps in the area that have long been haunted by safety concerns.

The township, through a resolution passed on Monday, Oct. 16, opposes closing the Barton Drive on- and off-ramps to eastbound M-14 as a short-term solution, as recommended by a Michigan Department of Transportation study released in late August.

Read more: Close some Ann Arbor M-14 ramps, build $41M double roundabout, MDOT study recommends

We just felt like its time to get something in there to stop this foolishness of a temporary solution, said township Trustee Rodney Smith during a Monday township board meeting, describing discussion of the issue by the township roads committee. Smith added that the dangerous interchange exists as it does today because of an alignment that was once considered temporary but has persisted for decades.

A permanent ramp closure should only be considered after a repeat safety analysis and in the context of making decisions about both directions of M-14 at the interchanges on either side of the bridge, the township resolution states.

MDOT should reconsider whether the stop sign at the Barton Drive ramp could be eliminated and also implement other short-term and easily constructed recommendations of a prior road safety audit for the area, then reevaluating safety after that is done, it states.

The statement to state transportation officials comes after Barton Hills Village, an community of about 140 homes within the township, urged township leaders to oppose MDOTs recommendations, after doing so themselves.

Barton Hills officials instead want MDOT to complete a slew of outstanding low-cost improvements recommended by a 2021 safety audit, including better signage, tree clearing and other changes. In a Sept. 18 letter, MDOT officials addressed which of the upgrades have been completed or planned, as well as which were deemed infeasible or inappropriate.

Larger changes are recommended by the MDOT study of the M-14/Barton Drive interchange, which looked at several options to reconfigure the area after Ann Arbor city officials asked the agency in 2021 to look at ways to boost safety and prevent truck crashes.

The study recommends shuttering the ramps in the short-term and then later pursuing a $41-million overhaul involving a dual roundabout system in a dog bone formation on either side of the highway, one of the options considered. The idea has sparked concern from some over the lack of a firm timeline or assembled funding for the larger reconfiguration project.

The MDOT planning and environmental linkages study recommendations to improve safety on the M-14/Barton Drive interchange in Ann Arbor, released on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, include closing the Barton Drive on- and off-ramps to eastbound M-14 in the short-term (left) and implementing a dual roundabout reconfiguration in the long-term (right).Michigan Department of Transportation

After releasing the findings for public input, the study is still being finalized and will be published online by the end of 2023, according to MDOT spokesperson Aaron Jenkins. The recommendations will remain the same, he said in an email.

Through the study process, MDOT has engaged the community; the community is speaking to MDOT, and MDOT is listening, he said. So far in our engagement, weve learned that it would be considered unacceptable to the community for MDOT to move forward with the short-term recommendation of closing the eastbound ramps without first committing to when the long-term recommendation of the interchange replacement would be in place and open to traffic.

Some Ann Arbor Township leaders said Monday they wanted to follow Barton Hills Villages lead in formally opposing the dual roundabout recommendation as an alternative to what exists today. A substantial and important part of the township has communicated that they want that option off the table, and township leaders should be mindful of what residents have told them, Trustee John Allison said Monday.

A motion to amend the township resolution including language rejecting the dual roundabout solution at this time, leaving future options open, failed. Only Allison and Trustee Michael Moran supported it. The original resolution passed 6-1, with Clerk Rena Basch as the only no vote.

So far, the city of Ann Arbors elected leaders havent taken a public stance on the MDOT recommendations for the ramps. Deputy City Administrator John Fournier said in an email that while city staff have reviewed the proposal, their position is officially neutral.

After the study is finalized, MDOT will consider its next steps for the interchange, Jenkins said. No decision has been made as to what those next steps will be, he added.

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.

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ANN ARBOR, MI - The University of Michigan expects to authorize $14 million for the purchase of about 60 acres in Ann Arbor, university documents show.

The Board of Regents will vote on two purchases during its Thursday, Oct. 19 meeting at the Flint campus, the meeting agenda states.

One purchase is $8 million for 51 acres on North Dixboro Road in the Ann Arbor Tech Park, while the other is $6.65 million for more than eight acres of land at 3520 Green Court, documents show.

The North Dixboro purchase is on vacant land, and will provide the university with greater flexibility to pursue strategic partnership opportunities with outside companies for future research and development, the document states.

The Green Court purchase is across from 1919 Green Road and the universitys Mcity facility that develops and tests connected and automated vehicles. The Green Court building is 114,200 square feet and located on 8.6 acres of land.

The College of Engineering will develop a space on the Green Court property, documents show, particularly the Michigan Mobility initiative and other collaborative research centers and administrative spaces, documents show.

Both purchases are expected to close by December, documents show. The North Dixboro purchase would come from university reserves, while the Green Court purchase would come from the College of Engineerings budget.

The Green Court property was taxed about $6.67 million in 2022, city tax records show. It is currently housed by Altarum Institute, a nonprofit that works with federal and state health agencies to improve health equity.

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.

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FLINT, MI - Rising tensions and reports of threats against officials prompted Flint City Council committee meetings to require residents to pass through a metal detector.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley told MLive-The Flint Journal on Monday, Oct. 16, that the detectors will be used as residents enter the council chambers inside City Hall.
FLINT, MI -- There was a time when union workers picked up curbside garbage in Flint, but the president of the citys largest employee union is joining in a push to keep waste collection privatized -- at least for the next several years.

Sam Muma, the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1600, joined Mayor Sheldon Neeley in a news conference last week to urge the City Council to adopt a new contract extension with Priority Waste.
SWARTZ CREEK, MI - A popular business in Swartz Creek was burned down on Monday, Oct. 16.

Lorenzos Dip-N-Dine, a pizza and ice cream spot located at 8541 Miller Road, caught fire at 3:15 a.m. Monday morning, Swartz Creek Area Fire Department Chief Dave Plumb said.

Plumb added there are no leads to what caused the fire and Michigan State police will conduct the investigation.

A family member of the business owners, Virgil and April Lockhart, posted the news on Facebook.

Lorenzos Dip N Dine did unfortunately burn down last night, wrote Brooke Hamilton on Facebook. We are so thankful to all the firefighters, ambulances and police that showed up EXTREMELY quickly and got the job done. They did an absolutely amazing job. While we are navigating this situation please keep in mind we all still live in this town and have to drive by the building everyday. This event has been so horrible and traumatic for everyone in my family. We are still investigating the situation at this time. Thank you!

MLive-The Flint Journal could not reach the business owners.

Plumb said he was on the scene at 3:20 a.m. and it took firefighters 40 minutes to put out the flames. They had mutual aid from Gaines Township, Flushing and Flint Township fire departments.

We had extensive overhaul because the entire roof came in, Plumb said. So we were out there for several hours doing that.

Lorenzos was originally a Dairy Queen and then became A-1 Treat Barn before the current owners purchased it last year and flipped it into a pizza and ice cream place.

Its devastating to the community, Plumb said. Anytime you lose a business at all in the community as small as ours, its devastating.

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Flint councilman asks police to investigate threats of violence

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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI - A Coopersville man was arrested and arraigned on arson charges in the Oct. 15 suspicious fire at a West Michigan home, police said.

Bryan Lee Moore, 59, was charged with second-degree arson and arraigned in the 58th District Court on Monday, Oct. 16, according to the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office.

Multiple fire departments responded shortly after midnight to a report of a house on fire Sunday, Oct. 15, in the 13000 block of 68th Avenue in Polkton Township 21 miles northwest of Grand Rapids, police said.

On scene, fire crews found an active fire inside the residence and began containment efforts. Police said the circumstances of the fire were suspicious in nature, though the full cause and origin are under further investigation.

No injuries were reported in the early Sunday morning blaze, police said. There was extensive fire, smoke and water damage to the home, which is believed to be a total loss, police said.

American Red Cross services were called to assist displaced family members, police said. There are three adults other than Moore, as well as one child, who were displaced, police said. No one other than Moore was at home at the time of the fire, police said.

Investigators believe Moore left the scene on foot shortly after the fire began, police said. He was located by deputies and apprehended on Oct. 15, police said.

A cash bond was set at $25,000, and Moore is lodged at the Ottawa County Jail, police said.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The Shops at CenterPoint strip mall has filed a case with the Michigan Tax Tribunal, arguing the city of Grand Rapids overestimated the malls assessed value  a calculation used to set property taxes  by $10.5 million.

The lawsuit was filed in May by attorney Huan Cassioppi Tran on behalf of G&I X Centerpoint LLC, the limited liability company that owns the mall. It alleges the value of nine properties at the 28th Street SE strip mall were incorrectly assessed by the city at $34.9 million.
JACKSON, MI  A man serving life without parole for fatally shooting a Jackson woman during a drunken home invasion broadcast live on Facebook will stay in prison.

The Michigan Court of Appeals on Oct. 5 declined for the second time to reverse the sentence of Anthony Gelia who was sent to prison for life in 2018.
KALAMAZOO, MI  Three days after securing an arrest warrant, police apprehended a suspect in the double shooting that occurred in broad daylight outside a Kalamazoo gas station.

The charges came with belief that the suspect is responsible for the fatal shooting of Tyrone Jerome Potts, 35, on Sept. 28. He is also suspected of shooting one other male victim who survived the double shooting.

Brendan James Smith, 31, was arrested Monday, Oct. 16, and later arraigned on four felony charges.

Related: 1 killed, 1 injured in Kalamazoo shooting; police searching for white Dodge Journey

Smith was arraigned by Kalamazoo County District Judge Tiffany Ankley Oct. 16, on charges of open murder, assault with intent to murder, carrying a concealed weapon and weapons felony firearm, according to court records.

Ankley denied bond, stating she believed Smith was a flight risk.

Officers had been searching for Smith for more than two weeks, as well as a white Dodge Journey that had been seen leaving the scene of the crime, according to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. The vehicle has been located and impounded, police said Monday.

Police responded to the shooting in the 900 block of W. Lovell Street shortly before 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28. Upon arrival, officers located Potts and another victim suffering from several gunshot wounds.

Potts was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead a short time later, police said. The other victim survived, police said.

Detectives at the scene investigated in and around a Jeep SUV in the parking lot of the Circle K gas station, at 943 W. Lovell St. Several officers and police vehicles were on scene along with the mobile crime lab. Officers were seen placing evidence markers in the area and a portion of West Lovell Street was briefly closed.

Police said they do not believe the shooting was random.

While Smith is in jail and facing charges, police said the case remains open. Detectives ask anyone with information about the incident or any other criminal activity to call KDPS Criminal Investigation Division at 269-337-8139 to speak with a detective.

Information can also be provided anonymously through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the P3Tips app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.

Smith is scheduled for a preliminary examination on Tuesday, Oct. 31, in Kalamazoo County District Court.

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter.

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The Latvian port Rigas Universalais Terminals (RUT) received and unloaded the first test train with 1,423 tonnes of Ukrainian rapeseed, which were loaded into 54 containers, the Latvian publication ldz.lv reported.

"This week, the company Rigas Universalais Terminals (Riga Universal Terminal - RUT) received and unloaded the first test train with Ukrainian cereal products, which was delivered to the Freeport of Riga by SIA LDZ CARGO, a subsidiary of the SJSC Latvijas dzelzcels. Some 1,423 tonnes of rapeseed from Ukraine were delivered in 54 containers. Containers from Ukraine arrived at the port of Riga via the Kaunas intermodal railway terminal, where they were loaded onto the platforms of SIA LDZ CARGO to be delivered to Riga. Currently, Ukrainian rapeseed has been unloaded and stored in RUT warehouses," the report says.

"I am pleased with the successful cooperation between Latvian railway, the Port of Riga and Rigas Universalais Terminals, providing for the delivery of the first Ukrainian grain cargo by rail and further transshipment at the port. Latvia will continue to be a critical ally of Ukraine in the future, promoting its integration into the European transport network, said Minister of Transport Kaspars Briskens.

Since the beginning of the war, the terminals of the port of Riga have been actively working to transport Ukrainian grain products, but until now they came to the port by road, which in terms of efficiency and volume cannot be compared to rail transportation. Several terminals in the port of Riga in terms of technology and infrastructure capacities would be fully ready to accept and efficiently process container trains with Ukrainian grain products. We hope that this first test will prove successful for the entire logistics chain, and in the future, we will receive trains with Ukrainian grain in the Port of Riga on a regular basis, emphasized Ansis Zeltins, the Freeport of Riga CEO.

"Receiving grain in containers is a new experience for the terminals of the Port of Riga," according to the document.

Edgars Rudzitis, Head of the bulk warehouse department of the company RUT, said that the terminal, being equipped and ready for the acceptance of grain container trains from Ukraine, is boasting the necessary technologies for container processing, as well as warehouses and suitable infrastructure for storage and loading of bulk cargo. Despite the new type of transshipment and relevant challenges, all the work was performed efficiently  the terminal's capabilities made it possible to fulfill the main requirement of the carrier  to quickly release the railway platforms so that they can be used for new transportation tasks.
KALAMAZOO, MI  A 20-year-old believed to be responsible for the fatal shooting of Marcell Savon Alguarelles-Bell this August is headed to trial.

Axel Armando Zuniga-Rivera, 20, was bound over to Kalamazoo County Circuit Court on Monday, Oct. 16, following a preliminary examination, according to court records.

He was bound over by Kalamazoo County District Judge Becket J. Jones on one charge of open murder and three felony weapons charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Zuniga-Rivera is being charged with fatally shooting Alguarelles-Bell, 24, at around 9:15 p.m. in the 1600 block of East Stockbridge Avenue. Alguarelles-Bell was taken to a nearby hospital by police, where he succumbed to his injuries later that night, police said previously.

Related: Man suspected in Kalamazoo shooting death identified, charged with murder

Zuniga-Rivera, 20, was arrested in Indianapolis on Sept. 7 with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

He was later extradited to Kalamazoo, where he was arraigned Sept. 15.

Zuniga-Rivera continues to be held without bond, according to court records.

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter.

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Suspect charged in fatal shooting of Kalamazoo man, 35, outside gas station

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Police identify man found dead in Portage ditch
LANSING, MI  In upholding a Saginaw County womans animal cruelty conviction, a Michigan Court of Appeals has set a precedent thatll govern similar cases going forward.

A one-day bench trial in April 2022 ended with Saginaw County Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello finding 80-year-old Patricia A. Parkinson guilty of cruelty to or abandonment of 25 animals, a seven-year felony. Two months later, Borrello sentenced Parkinson to five years probation and ordered her to pay $1,702 in restitution, of which $605 was to go a specific veterinarian and the remaining $1,097 was to go to Great Lakes Pet Emergencies, 1221 Tittabawassee Road.
SAGINAW, MI  A year after kidnapping his childs mother at gunpoint and biting her, an Inkster man is heading back to prison.

Saginaw County Circuit Judge Julie A. Gafkay on Tuesday, Oct. 10, sentenced 29-year-old Veneson G. Roby to two concurrent terms of two to 10 years in prison. She also imposed two flat two-year terms, which Roby is to serve consecutively to the other stints.
Ryan Kelley, a one-time gubernatorial candidate and real estate broker, was sentenced to 60 days in prison, a year of probation and a $5,000 fine for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol in federal court in Washington, DC Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.

Court filings had documented Kelley beckoning rioters up the Capitol steps toward the building an removing police barricades as the building was breached by insurrectionists. Videos and photos collected by investigators showed Kelley ripping the covering off the inaugural stage on the Capitols western steps. Kelley acknowledged to investigators before his arrest that was probably not the right choice for somebody to make, while declining to identify himself in the video.

Related: FBI began investigating Ryan Kelley just days after U.S. Capitol riot

Federal prosecutors had asked the judge to sentence Kelley to three months in prison, but pay a lower fine. Kelleys defense attorney, Gary Springstead, had requested he only receive probation, including a photo of Kelley with his wife and six children in a court filing.

U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper issued the sentence. The Detroit News reported Cooper said

Kelley was arrested at his home by the FBI in June 2022, less than two months before the Republican gubernatorial primary where he faced four other candidates.

I think theres a lot less people that actually really care about January 6 than we think there are, Kelley told MLive during his campaign last year. They know that the continued witch hunt of everything with January 6 is nothing but a bunch of nonsense.

He initially saw the arrest as a political boon  The FBI shows up in my house to arrest me; Im on every TV across America. Its a pretty good trade, Im gonna say, he joked at a candidate forum last year  but ultimately placed fourth out of five candidates in August 2022 primary, garnering roughly 166,000 votes, about 15%.

Kelley had pleaded not guilty after his arrest, but changed his plea to guilty in this past July.

His political star rose during the COVID-19 pandemic as he helped organized events protesting public health orders. In a 2021 MLive profile, Kelley had called the day definitely an energizing event. Federal and congressional investigators probing the attack on U.S. Capitol interviewed Kelley just weeks before he was arrested by the FBI.

In preparing for his sentencing and requesting jail time, federal prosecutors noted Kelleys personal website still contained a statement that The Federal government is still coming after me and many others for peacefully protesting our government on Jan. 6, 2021.

He was charged with: entering a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in violence against a person or property in a restricted building or grounds and depredation against U.S. property.
LANSING, MI  As artificial intelligence remains on the cutting edge of technology, state lawmakers want to put Michigan on the cutting edge of fighting misinformation.

House Bills 5141 through 5145, a bipartisan package heard for the first time Tuesday and later advanced to the full House, would regulate and punish the deceptive use of AI-generated material in political campaign advertisements.

The bills target things like deepfakes, which are videos or audio clips manipulated with AI to show someone saying something they didnt say by matching their appearance, voice or cadence.

As it continues to expand and a presidential election rapidly approaches, we have a duty to protect our elections and our democracy from misinformation and outright forgery, Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou, D-East Lansing, told the House Elections Committee.

Any AI images advertising a federal, state or local candidate in Michigan or a ballot question would need to be disclosed with text on the screen  similar to how political mailer ads require a paid for by statement.

AI-created videos and audio segments would need a three-second disclosure at the beginning or end. For example, Tsernoglou played a deepfake audio clip of President Joe Biden endorsing the bills. At the end, Bidens voice said: By the way, this statement was created using artificial intelligence.

A real-world example Tsernoglou mentioned was one from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign in June that used AI-generated images of former President Donald Trump hugging Dr. Anthony Fauci.

All five bills in the package passed the elections committee Tuesday with the six Democrats voting yes and the two Republicans passing.

Related: Ann Arbor police to use AI to review body camera footage

If a candidate feels theyve been hurt or are likely to be hurt by one of these AI-generated ads, they or the state attorney general could file in circuit court to have the ad taken down.

First violation would be up to 93 days in prison and/or a fine up to $1,000. Second violation raises the top fine to $1,500. Third violation is a felony of up to two years in prison and/or a fine up to $2,000. Each ad aired or distributed to the public would be a separate violation.

The bills do not apply to things like news broadcasts and satire.

The bills are a win for voters and a win for the integrity of our process, said Rep. Matthew Bierlein, R-Vassar. If we dont establish a clear framework now, were going to be playing catchup later.

Its a near certainty that deepfakes will become prevalent in U.S. political races barring legislative intervention like these Michigan bills, said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, a national consumer and democracy advocacy organization.

AI-generated content has already influenced some overseas elections, he said, and requiring disclosure takes away their deceptive power and helps inform voters.

If deepfakes become an unchecked part of our political culture, candidates and others will the idea of deepfakes to deny things that actually did happen, Weissman believes.

This means it will be almost impossible for voters to distinguish reality, he said, thus forcing them into the worst kind of tribalism as the only way to try to make sense of the world.

Only four states  California, Minnesota, Texas and Washington  currently regulate AI use in campaign ads, Weissman said, and a few more states other than Michigan have active bills.

The Federal Election Commission is also considering regulating deepfakes in political ads ahead of the 2024 election.
For the third straight school year, Michigan students average score on the Scholastic Assessment Test scores declined year-over-year, further illustrating the troubling outlook of the states education system post-pandemic.

At 959.9, the average score dropped 36.1 points below the previous year, and set the lowest mark in the state since the test was implemented statewide in the 2015-16 school year, according to information released Aug. 31 by MI School Data. The score was also 47.7 points lower than the all-time high average of 1007.6, set in 2016-17.

The ratings are based on students scores in the SAT in both the evidence-based reading and writing and math sections of the test. Students must get at least a 530 SAT subscore on math and a 480 subscore on the reading and writing section to meet the SATs college-ready benchmarks.

Students who meet the benchmarks have at least a 75% chance of earning at least a C in college freshman math, English, social studies and/or science classes, according to the SAT.

Among all students who took the test in Michigan, 28% met or exceeded the benchmark, a drop of more than 4 percentile points from last year. That is also the first time in the tests history in Michigan that fewer than 30% of students met the benchmark. The SAT replaced in 2016 the ACT college readiness test, implemented after the state did away with the Michigan Educational Assessment Program in 2007.

However, the trends are not all negative. While the percentage of students who met the benchmark in math held nearly steady at 29.9% - down only one-tenth of a percentile point from last years 30% - 52.2% of students met the benchmark in reading and writing. This was six-tenths of a percentile point higher than last year.

That still remains 10.1 percentile points lower than the high of 60.3%, set in 2016-17.

The Michigan college-readiness rates are based on students assessments in March of their junior year, when they still have a third of their high school career to go and have the opportunity to improve their scores by re-taking the test in their senior year.

Below is a map of school districts average SAT scores, as well as the percentage of students in that district that met benchmarks in the 2022-23 school year.

Below is a searchable database of the percentage of students who met the benchmarks in Math, Reading/Writing and all subjects, by school. Schools with fewer than 10 test-takers were not included in this database.

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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.

Carlee Russell, the Black nursing student who went missing in July after falsely reporting her own kidnapping, was sentenced to a year in jail and ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution, Alabama media outlets reported last week. Russell had been charged with two class A misdemeanors of falsely reporting to law enforcement officers and falsely reporting an incident.

The 26-year-olds initial disappearance captivated the nation, prompting federal and local law enforcement agencies to launch a sprawling search to ensure her safe recovery. But experts believe her case wont harm future cases of missing Black women.

Former Dallas Deputy Police Chief Craig Miller believes its unlikely that Russells disappearance makes any changes into how kidnappings are investigated in Alabama moving forward. He said law enforcement has to take every threat seriously.

Miller said he dealt with his fair share of false reports during his law enforcement career. In one instance, he recalled a time when authorities had to investigate a fake claim circulating social media about a shooting threat to a local high school.

The incident was initiated by a 17-year-old student. Miller said he didnt view Russells case any different to that incident.

There has to be a cause and effect, he said.

In July, Russell disappeared after she called 911 claiming to have spotted a lone toddler walking on the side of a highway. After ending the call with a 911 dispatcher, Russell called her sister-in-law, who said she heard Russell scream and did not hear from her again.

Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama raised $63,000 in the 48 hours Russell was missing. A spokesperson for the Hoover Police Department in Hoover, Ala. said that officials likely spent thousands of dollars searching for her.

Natalie Wilson, co-founder of the Black and Missing Foundation, said that Russells disappearance has only put a spotlight on the disproportionate number of people of color that have gone missing.

According to FBI data, Black people make up 37 percent of missing people, despite accounting for only 14 percent of the population.

Though her organization mobilized to help find Russell during the time she went missing, she said shes reflecting on her sentencing by focusing on the women of color who still have not been found.

Ultimately, our goal is to help amplify a case and help bring that loved one home or provide answers for families, she said, choosing not to comment on Russells case specifically, other than to say that her punishment should be determined by the judicial system.

She did note, however, that the media attention brought on by Russells case has shown her that the country can become galvanized to find a missing person of color when they go missing.

People are taking notice, she said.

Cases of people faking their own kidnappings are rare, but they do happen. In May, a 23-year-old woman in western Pennsylvania was charged with false alarm, false reports, obstruction and disorderly conduct after she lied about going missing.

In July, officials in Orlando, Fla. arrested an 11-year-old after she told police that her friend had been kidnapped as part of an online challenge. The child was handed a second-degree felony charge of making a false police report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner and a misdemeanor charge of misuse of 911.

She had told authorities that her friend was taken by an armed man driving a white van.
The Great Lakes are in their seasonal decline in water levels. Over the next few months, the lakes may come close to all being near normal on water levels.

The graphs below show each lakes water level over the past two years, along with the record high and low levels and the long-term average level.

If you step back and look at the graphs, most of the lakes are more in the middle of the long-term range. This means the water levels arent doing anything abnormal. This is different from the last 10 years when we went from almost record low water levels to record high water levels. The water levels have been easing back to near normal over the past two years.

Lake Superiors water level declined 4 inches in the past month, is 2 inches lower than this time last year and is only one inch above the long-term average. Water levels are expected to decline another 3 inches in the next month.

Water level on Lake Superior over last two years and forecast for next six months. Dashed blue line is long-term average. Dashed green line is most likely level in next six months. (source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Lake Michigan and Hurons water level also declined 4 inches in the past month and is 2 inches lower than this time last year. The two lakes are one water level and are 4 inches above the long-term average. Water levels are expected to decline another 3 inches in the next month.

Water level on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron over last two years and forecast for next six months. Dashed blue line is long-term average. Dashed green line is most likely level in next six months. (source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Lake Eries water level isnt running in tandem with the Upper Lakes of Superior, Michigan and Huron. Lake Eries water level declined 6 inches in the past month, but is still 3 inches higher than this time last year and is only 12 inches above the long-term average. Water levels are expected to decline 5 inches in the next month.

Water level on Lake Erie over last two years and forecast for next six months. Dashed blue line is long-term average. Dashed green line is most likely level in next six months. (source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Lake Ontarios water level often does its own thing due to the ability to regulate the water levels through the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Lake Ontarios water level declined 8inches in the past month, but is still 12 inches lower than this time last year and 4 inches above the long-term average. Water levels are expected to decline another 5 inches in the next month.

Water level on Lake Ontario over last two years and forecast for next six months. Dashed blue line is long-term average. Dashed green line is most likely level in next six months. (source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Look at the six month forecasts of the lakes, which are the red-hatched cones and the most likely level in the green dashed line. We notice that the lakes are all closer to normal levels than high or low levels.
Angela Gabridge and MiGen Program Director Kat Mehrer.

Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center

Corktown Health

Equality Michigan

Gender-identity Network Alliance

Great Lakes Bay Pride

Jim Toy Community Center

LGBT Detroit

OutCenter SW Michigan

Outfront Kalamazoo

Ruth Ellis Center

Salus Center

Stand with Trans

Dave Garcia.

Jeynce Poindexter.
Lordina The Soprano, the renowned choral soloist known for her angelic voice and impactful Christian music, has released her highly anticipated album, "Charis."

This soulful collection of songs is a heartfelt tribute to the boundless GRACE that has illuminated her life's journey. The Album not only preaches about GRACE but spreads the message of hope, righteousness and thanksgiving.

"Charis," a Greek word which translates "GRACE", is a testament to the profound influence of divine benevolence that has touched Lordina's life. Each track on the album encapsulates her experiences, emotions, and unwavering faith, making it a truly inspirational masterpiece.

Lordina's ethereal soprano vocals, coupled with powerful lyrics, create an immersive listening experience that transcends genres. The album is a cocktail fusion of contemporary gospel, classical, and soulful melodies that will resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.

Tracks on "CHARIS" include:

"The Sun will Shine": Recorded Live and Produced at the Angel One Studios of Abbey Road Studios in the UK, Live Orchestra by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This classical piece is a hopeful and inspirational song that emphasizes the promise of joy, restoration, and God's faithfulness, even in times of hardship and darkness. persevering through difficult times with the assurance that God's light and blessings will ultimately prevail. "The Sun Will Shine" conveys the message of hope, reminding listeners of the promise of better days to come, anchored in faith and trust in God's unwavering love and providence.

"I Know Youre There": Produced by Billy Selasie, this song is a poignant expression of faith and assurance in God's presence, even amid life's trials and challenges. It emphasizes God's omnipresence and promises of never leaving nor forsaking us- Hebrews 13:5. Just like The sun will shine, this song was composed by the Artiste.

"In Your Time": Produced by Reverb Studios and features the soulful vocalist, Luigi Maclean. This song, written by James Varrick Armaah (composer of the popular choral song Oye) based on Ecclesiastes 3:11 conveys a message of patience and trust in God's timing, especially during challenging or uncertain periods. It encourages patience, faith, and the belief that God's timing will ultimately bring about fulfillment and blessings, even amid challenges.

Onyonko Nokwafo: Produced by the legendary KODA and features the celebrated contemporary gospel minister Nii Okai. Its message underscores the unwavering faithfulness of God as a friend and companion throughout life's journey. Composition rearranged by Ohene Adu Nti.

His Grace: centers around the concept of God's unmerited favor, forgiveness, and salvation through His grace. It serves as a musical expression of gratitude and praise for the immeasurable grace that God bestows upon believers, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9. Also produced by KODA.

Adom (Only by Grace): A joyous celebration of God's grace with infectious rhythms and harmonious choruses. Written and produced by KODA

Gye Wo Nkoaa: Produced by Reverb studios and features the highly acclaimed Ghanaian gospel musician and worship leader Joe Mettle. "You alone" aligns with the biblical concept of monotheism, emphasizing that there is only one true God who deserves our worship and devotion. Composed by Newlove Annan, the renowned composer of the song Your grace and mercy.

Din pa: Translated Good name, this song produced by Billy Selasie, focuses on the importance of having a good reputation or moral character. This song encourages listeners to live virtuously, make righteous choices, and uphold their integrity in the eyes of God and others - Proverbs 22:1. Composed by the Artiste.

Ofata: Produced by Dr. David K. Kyei (Kaywa) and features the anointed songstress Efe Grace. "Ofata (He's Worthy)" is a worshipful declaration of God's worthiness to receive praise, honor, and adoration. It emphasizes God's attributes, faithfulness, and the redemptive work of Christ, highlighting His deserving nature for our worship. Written by Lordina based on Revelation 5:12

Hallelujah: Also produced by Kaywa and written by the Artiste. Hallelujah is a powerful expression of praise and worship to God, an exclamation of joy, gratitude, and adoration to God for victory, favour and salvation among other blessings. The repetitive use of "Hallelujah" in this song serves as a joyful declaration of God's worthiness and an invitation for others to join in worship.

Nyame Kokroko: Produced by Shadrach Yawson (SHAA), this song expresses a profound sense of gratitude and praise to God for His mighty deeds and blessings. The lyrics convey a commitment to continually worship and acknowledge God's goodness and faithfulness. Written by the Artiste based on Psalm 34:1, this song reflects heartfelt expression of devotion, underscoring the importance of perpetual praise and recognition of God's grace and actions in the lives of believers.

"Choral Highlife": This medley consists of 3 popular songs sung especially in the Adventist church. The lyrics of these songs encourage faith and gratitude, as well as kindness to one another. These are all requisite virtues of the Christian.

Lordina The Soprano's "CHARIS" is not only an album but a spiritual journey that invites listeners to reflect on their own encounters with grace. With this release, she hopes to inspire and uplift souls worldwide, fostering a sense of hope, gratitude, and spiritual connection.

The album "Charis" was released on Monday October 16, 2023 and is available on all major music platforms https://lordinathesoprano.fanlink.to/Charis . Lordina The Soprano also performed selected tracks from the album at a closed Album launch on Sunday October 15, 2023.
Russia's destruction of Kakhovka HPP dam causes almost $14 bln in damage to Ukraine  govt and UN report

The destruction of Kakhovka hydroelectric dam caused damage to Ukraine worth almost $14 billion, exacerbating the already catastrophic consequences of the full-scale Russian invasion, according to a comprehensive report by the Ukrainian government and the UN.

According to the report, which was presented in Kyiv on Monday, direct damage to infrastructure and assets amounted to $2.79 billion, and the amount of damage exceeds $11 billion. As noted, long-term impact on the environment is the biggest problem, and direct damage to infrastructure and assets were largest in the energy and residential sectors.

The initial estimate of total recovery needs is $5.04 billion, and this figure is expected to rise as more detailed estimates are made. It is indicated that in the short term for restoration activities in 2023 and 2024 some $1.82 billion needed.

The dam break at Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP) flooded 620 square kilometers of territory in four regions  Kherson, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia, which affected 100,000 inhabitants. In addition, energy supplies, drinking water supplies, irrigation of agricultural land and river transport in southern Ukraine were disrupted.

The post-disaster needs assessment will be refined as part of the next round of Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) conducted by the Ukrainian government, the UN, the World Bank and the European Union.

The report was prepared jointly by the United Nations and the Ukrainian government team led by the Ministry of Economy, with contributions from the World Bank Group and the European Union. The following UN agencies contributed to the report: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, UN Environment Programme, Office of the UN High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR), World Health Organization.
Ghanaian actor Prince David Osei has expressed concerns about the future of the country, citing rising corruption in both public and private sectors.

The famed filmmaker voiced out his dismay at the current state of affairs in the country where he said corruption and negligence seem to have taken over.

"The future of our beloved country appears uncertain, with corruption infiltrating every level of society, from the church to the government and beyond, he said in a tweet on Monday, October 16.

"Sadly, it seems that nobody cares anymore. Government properties are misused and abused simply because they belong to the state. This is a distressing situation to witness, he added.

David Osei highlighted several societal issues including lack of accountability among leaders, the plight of the disadvantaged, and the misguidedness of Ghana's youth.

He made the post after engaging in a discussion with some law enforcement officers who had questioned his silence on political matters.
The South African Government has announced a free-entry visa for Ghanaians to promote tourism, trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms Grace Jeanet Mason, said this when she called on the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, last Friday in Accra to strengthen diplomatic ties and advance economic relations between South Africa and Ghana.

She expressed enthusiasm about the visa exemption, simplifying travel for ordinary passport holders and stated that the initiative would not only enhance tourism but also foster deeper connections between the two countries, ensuring collaboration and support for each other at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

The Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, expressed joy over the long-standing and cordial ties between the two countries.

Welcoming the proposal, he emphasised the importance of forging stronger partnerships between the two countries and noted that it would not only boost the economies of the two countries but also promote people-to-people interactions, the bedrock for strong diplomatic relations.

Starting from November 1, 2023, Ghanaians with ordinary passports would be able to visit South Africa for up to 90 days each year without the need for a visa.

This agreement follows South Africas 2018 announcement to establish visa waiver agreements with various countries, including Ghana.
The Volta Regional Health Directorate (VRHD) has raised concerns over a possible outbreak of waterborne diseases as a result of the Akosombo dam spillage which has displaced many in the Volta Region.

The flood waters have entered several latrines and places of convenience exposing the displaced persons to serious health issues.

The Volta Regional Environmental Health Officer, Stella Kumedzro indicated that the flood victims are using the flood waters for cooking and other domestic activities which is dangerous to their health.

Most of the people I saw still use that surface water for cooking, bathing, and other household chores, so the implications for public health are that it will trigger water-related diseases, skin rashes, diarrhea, typhoid, and so on and so it is a very terrible situation at hand. I want to appeal to all well-meaning Ghanaians, our wonderful development partners, to come to the aid of residents of Mepe in the North Tongu district, Stella Kumedzro stated.

The North Tongu District Health Director, Michael Kofi Zigah noted that the flood situation is undermining their efforts to provide healthcare delivery in the affected communities.

Currently, a lot of communities have been displaced in the district. Once communities are displaced, they will not have access to the regular facilities they used to have access to. They will not have access to portable water, sanitary facilities, and routine health services.

Because it is more or less like a campout and that is affecting service delivery and the health of the people but the fortunate thing is that as a district, we managed to operationalize a mobile clinic here, he emphasised.
The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has commended and awarded the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, for his meritorious contribution to the development of medical laboratory practice in Ghana.

According to a statement issued by GAMLS and signed by Dr. Dennis Adu-Gyasi (FWAPCMLS) on Saturday, October 14, 2023, GAMLS acknowledges the contributions of the Minister of Health towards the verifiable expanded diagnostic capacity of medical laboratories in Ghana and also for the appointment of a director for Allied Health Services at the Ministry of Health needs commendation.

The association has been galvanizing a lot of support to making a case as to why certain investments must be made by government towards making their profession highly recognized and appreciated in the health sector.

It is towards achieving this vision by the GAMLS and recounting the contributions of the current Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, that the association notes that, though COVID-19 was an international health emergency, it has served as a blessing to the country.

According to the GAMLS statement, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in March 2020, there were only two facilities that had the capacity to do molecular testing and diagnosis of the disease.

"About a year into the pandemic, the country could now boast of not less than 56 facilities that could test to diagnose infected individuals. All these have been achieved under the able leadership of Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health, Ghana. The molecular testing capacity established in these facilities could be used to test for other pathogens of public health importance during surveillance to detect future outbreaks.

"Another commendable contribution made in the Ministry of Health under the leadership of the minister is the creation of an office for and appointment of Director (Chief Programme Officer) of Allied Health Professions to steer the affairs of issues that affect the Allied Health Professions, including Medical Laboratory Science. This good example has been emulated by the Ho Teaching Hospital, Volta Region and the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Northern Region," the statement noted.

The professional body encourages the Public Service Commission to take steps to ensure this legal representation is replicated across all strata of public service delivery in relation to Allied Health Profession practice.

GAMLS has taken cognizance of the efforts of the Minister of Health and in celebrating its 50th Anniversary with the Annual National Congress for 2023, held at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC), it took the opportunity to commend Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu for his sterling leadership, and all who helped in achieving these landmark victories with respect to health service delivery in Ghana.
17.10.2023 LISTEN

Atik Mohammed has voiced his dismay regarding the sentencing of William Ato Essien, the founder of the now-defunct Capital Bank, who was recently convicted of stealing GH90 million from the bank.

The Accra High Court handed Ato Essien a 15-year prison sentence with hard labour.

Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, presiding over the case, asserted that Ato Essien had taken advantage of Capital Bank for his personal gain and had recklessly depleted the bank's funds, disregarding the interests of its depositors.

"The convict demonstrated sheer greed in his desire to own another bank besides Capital Bank Ltd and leftno stone unturned through subterfuge and deceit with pure criminal intent to set up Sovereign Bank Ltd. Being in a position of trust, he was expected to have demonstrated a sense of responsibility and true fidelity. He had no cause, whatsoever, to steal such gargantuan sums of money," Justice Kyei Baffour remarked in his ruling.

The judge emphasised the consequences of Ato Essien's actions, stating, "I cannot fail to take into account the trail of pain and tears that had been occasioned by the criminal conduct of the convict (Essien). Countless innocent citizens lost their jobs and are still job hunting. The nation had to spend huge sums of money to bail out creditors and depositors."

The former acting General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), in the discussion regarding the case on Peace FMs Kokrokoo morning show, expressed his sadness about Ato Essien's sentence, particularly considering his young age.

He noted the importance of holding those responsible for bank mismanagement accountable.

Atik Mohammed quizzes, "What has been done to the other banks that went under due to mismanagement?"

According to him, board members of Ato Essien's bank should also be held liable.

He stated, "The Board is the highest decision-making body; I haven't seen any of the Board members standing trial.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

17.10.2023 LISTEN

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that peace will not be achieved in the Israel-Palestinian conflict until Palestinians gain their freedom.

In a statement on Monday, October 16, on the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza, Ramaphosa said Palestinians must be free in order to end the cycle of war.

"Peace will not be possible until Palestinians are free," Ramaphosa said directly.

He added: "Without justice, there can be no peace. The cycle of violence that has been unleashed is the tragic outcome of decades of unmet and unfulfilled possibilities to peacefully solve the problem between Israelis and Palestinians."

Ramaphosa condemned attacks on civilians and called for an immediate ceasefire.

But stressed the underlying issues around Palestinian aspirations must be addressed.

"The only way to bring about peace is the fulfilment of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to human rights, dignity and nationhood, said the President.

The president compared the pains of apartheid South Africa to the current events in the Middle East and urged leaders to support negotiations leading to a solution which "satisfies the human rights, dignity and aspirations of all the people on both sides of this conflict."
In the run-up to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer election, Kennedy Agyapong, a flagbearer hopeful, is upbeat about winning the 2024 general elections if elected the party's flagbearer.

During an interview on Skyy Power FM, Kennedy Agyapong made it clear that, in his view, no appointee of the current government would be able to secure victory for the NPP without using proof of contributions and achievements.

"So, delegates who are listening to me, because of the selfish interest of some leaders, they are pushing you to vote for a particular candidate, and that candidate also, if you vote for him, you can't break the eight," Mr Agyapong remarked.

He added, Read my lips, Ghanaians will deny anybody who has served under this government from breaking the eight, it is not possiblethey should tell Ghanaians what they have done to prove that they can break the eight."

He noted that Bawumia initially campaigned on economic issues but appeared to have shifted his focus away from the economy to digitalisation.

"Check his performance, the man came with the economy, but now he is not talking about the economy anymore," Agyapong observed.

Kennedy Agyapong outlined his commitment to addressing unemployment and creating job opportunities, particularly in resource-rich regions like the Western Region, should he be given the opportunity to serve as the President.

"I am not a myopic thinker, I think big, I dream big, and I do things big, that is the only way that we can reduce the unemployment rate," he declared.

Kennedy Agyapong will be competing for the NPP flagbearer position against three other contenders, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh.

The NPP has scheduled November 4, 2023 to select a flagbearer.
The Parliamentary Health Committee has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, demanding the immediate reopening of the renal unit to outpatients.

The closure of the renal unit, which has left critically ill patients unable to access vital dialysis treatment, has been met with widespread outcry.

Regrettably, it has resulted in the tragic loss of 14 lives, according to the Renal Patients Association.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, expressed his deep concern and frustration during a media briefing after an inspection of the Korle-Bu facility.

He called on the government to act swiftly and reduce the cost of dialysis treatment while strongly criticizing the delay in reopening the renal unit as a display of insensitivity.

"Regarding the dialysis issue at Korle-Bu, we believe that the government is being wicked, the government is being uncaring, and the government is being insensitive," Akandoh declared.

He emphasizes the urgency of the situation, noting that the renal unit had been closed to the Out-Patient Department (OPD) for the past four to five months.

Mr Akandoh stressed the need for immediate action and resource allocation, suggesting that available funding sources such as the COVID-19 levies and the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) should be chanelled into it.

For the past four to five months the renal unit has not been opened to the OPD and we think that as a matter of urgency, whatever it takes, wherever we can get the resources, we have covid levies, we have NHIL and this is a national emergency and government must put measures in place.

"We must not delay because people need these services day in and day outit is unthinkable and insensitive of the highest order," Akandoh said.

He added, "We must be clear that within the next 24 hours, the renal unit of Korle-Bu must be opened."
The chief of Kubease community in the Eastern Region, Nana Ottupre Kwagyan, was rescued by police today after being abducted from his home in the early hours of Monday.

According to police reports, six unknown men forcefully entered the chief's residence and kidnapped him, taking him to an unknown location.

However, a quick response by the police led to his rescue at Abene, a town near Kubease.

The police shared in a social media post: The Police have rescued one Nana Ottupre Kwagyan, the chief of Kubease, a suburb of Kwahu Abetifi in the Eastern Region who was allegedly kidnapped by some unknown men.

Preliminary Police report has indicated that the alleged victim, in the early morning of today Monday, 16th October 2023, was forcefully taken from his house by some six (6) persons to an unknown location.

The swift intervention of the Police following a report of the incident led to the rescue of the victim at Abene. The victim is currently in safe custody while the investigation continues to get the perpetrators arrested.

The motive for the abduction remains unclear but police say they are pursuing all leads.
World Food Day 2023 is centered on advocating for greater access to water supplies as key to ending global hunger, according to the UN food agency.

The annual October 16 global observance, coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlights pressing food-related issues around the world.

This year's theme, "Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind," underscores water's vital role in agricultural production and human sustenance.

Agriculture, per research, accounts for over 70% of global freshwater withdrawals.

But many farming communities now struggle with inadequate or uncertain water supplies.

Climate change is worsening water scarcity in some regions, while more frequent droughts and floods damage crops in other areas.

At the same time, growing water demand from other sectors like industry and households places additional strain on limited supplies.

Around two billion people currently live in countries experiencing high water stress. This number is projected to double by 2050, according to the agency.

This year's WFD theme aims to draw global attention to the close linkages between water and food production.

With coordinated efforts, FAO societies can ensure responsible water governance and universal access - goals that are essential to leaving no one behind in the fight against hunger.

The UN is calling on governments, businesses, civil groups and individuals to promote sustainable water management practices.

Only by prioritizing availability and equitable allocation of this vital resource can we achieve food security for all people now and in the future, the FAO asserts.
The Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development (Restoration Ministry) will cancel at least 30% of international bus passenger routes, Deputy Minister Serhiy Derkach said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"Some 280 routes have already been closed - this is to Poland and the Russian Federation. In November, at the mixed commission with Moldova, we will cancel all routes that did get together. We are working in a similar way with Romania, the Czech Republic and other countries. According to my estimates, at least 30% of all routes will be canceled," Derkach said.

According to him, according to legal requirements, a carrier must have a partner from another country to operate an international route.

"Without such a parity partner, he either travels on domestic routes within the country or does not travel at all. We have made relevant requests to neighboring countries (Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Moldova) and are finding out how many carriers who were issued permits did not contact them at all, that is, they do not have such a partner. Officially, we have the authority to close such routes," Derkach said.

He clarified that 140 routes with Poland, in particular, were closed. Verification of routes with Moldova is currently underway - there are questions about 40 routes.
France will begin cracking down on foreigners flagged for radicalisation following the stabbing death of a teacher by a young man from the Russian republic of Ingushetia, who was already under surveillance.

Security services are also be being asked how step up surveillance of young people from the North Caucasus, who have been under scrutiny for over twenty years.

In a circular published earlier on Monday, the Interior Ministry tasked prefects  state representatives in France's departments  to convene meetings of security and police forces as of Tuesday to scrutinise every person who has been flagged for radicalisation or association with potential terrorists, and move towards deporting those who are in France illegally.

The circular comes after President Emmanuel Macron called for security services to be intractable on deporting radicalised foreigners, following the stabbing death of teacher Dominique Bernard in Arras, by Mohammed Mogouchkov, a 20-year-old who arrived in France in 2008 with his family from the Muslim-majority Russian region of Ingushetia.

He is was one of the 20,120 people on France's FSPRT list of people flagged for radicalisation and terrorism, according to Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin, who gave figures following a security meeting with the President on Monday.

Of those on the list, 1,411 are foreigners, and only 489 are still in France, most of whom are in detention or under house arrest, according to Interior Ministry.

Of the 193 illegal immigrants left, we have decided to look at each one, case by case, to see who needs more effective surveillance in order to accelerate the procedures and move towards their deportation," said Darmanin.

Who can be legally deported?

But Mogouchkov, who has Russian citizenship, cannot be legally deported, as he arrived in France before the age of 13.

His father was deported in 2018 for radicalisation, and his older brother is serving a five-year prison term for advocating terrorism and having been involved in foiled attack on the Elysee palace in 2014.

Mogouchkov was under surveillance for the last few weeks and had been stopped by police the day before the murder, but there was no proof that he would commit a crime that would have allowed him to be arrested.

There was no failure of the intelligence services, Darmanin said on Saturday.

"You cannot arrest everyone because they are in a radicalised family, former anti-terrorism Judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere told RFI.

Intelligence services had a big dossier on Mogouchkov, but there was not enough to arrest him, so we cannot talk about breaches of security.

Radicalisation from Caucasus

Mogouchkov is the latest in a string of people involved in terrorist attacks in France since 2018 who come from the Muslim-majority parts of the Caucasus.

Bruguiere, who investigated Chechen jihadist groups in the mid 2000s, says the phenomenon is not new.

According to a 2020 security memo from France's DGSI intelligence agency that was seen by the Le Monde daily, since Chechen-born Khamzat Azimov stabbed to death a young man and injured several others in an attack in Paris in 2018 and Abdoullakh Anzorov's beheading of teacher Samuel Paty in 2020, six attacks and suspected attacks implicated actors of Chechen origin in jihadists projects on the national territory.

When presenting the circular on Monday, Darmanin called for prefects to consider ways to specifically track young men from the Caucuses, in the 16-25 year old age bracket.

History of war and jihad

People from the Muslim-majority parts of the Caucuses have been under scrutiny in France for nearly twenty years, since they started arriving during and after the two Chechen independence wars, in 1994-1996 and 1999-2009.

Between 20,000 to 40,000 people from the North Caucuses live in France, but the DGSI report says they represented a disproportionate number of those who left to join the Islamic State armed group in Syria starting in 2012.

This came out of the Chechen independence movement, which shifted from being an opposition to Russian power to a more universal dimension" of global jihad, the memo said.

Parts of the diaspora were radicalised following the declaration in 2007 by Dokka Oumarov of the Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus. The movement spilled over into neighbouring Dagestan, Ossetia and Ingushetia.

When Oumarov died in 2013, those who had been radicalised were drawn to the jihadist fight in Syria and Iraq.

Despite it's small demographic size in France, the North Caucasian community is overrepresented in the French jihadist contingent, the DGSI said, adding that those Chechens who stayed in France are often represented in violent projects.

What can France do?

Those who have staged or planned attacks in France tend to be young and have spent most of their lives in France, with a strong grasp of the French language, seemingly better integrated than their parents, said the memo.

The challenge for French authorities is how to address the radicalisation and the real and potential danger it poses, coming from people who have legal rights to live in France.

Darmanin said several people will have their residence permits removed, which will render them illegal and therefore able to be deported.

And the immigration bill the government will soon table for debate in the Senate will have provisions that could make it easier to strip citizenship rights from suspected and convicted terrorists.
A political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo has questioned authorities over the failure to slowly spill water from the overflowing Akosombo Dam to avert floods.

He wanted to know whether adequate monitoring and preparation were carried out by authorities prior to the floods.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Prof Gyampo wrote "when the water was getting too full, didn't we see? Couldn't we have spilled water from the Akosombo Dam bit by bit to avert the current havoc?"

He added that "someone may have slept on the job and there should be punishment for such dereliction".

Prof Gyampo's comments follow the devastating floods in Volta Region which submerged several homes.

Over 4,000 residents have been displaced from their homes according to official figures.

The flood has also destroyed farmlands and led to the disruption of essential services in affected areas.
Nairobi, Kenya, October 16, 2023The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes an October 11 court decision to dismiss the criminal case against Somali journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Osman Bulbul and calls on authorities to desist from arbitrarily detaining journalists.

Mohamed Ibrahim Osman Bulbul endured nearly two months of detention and faced punitive legal proceedings simply because he dared to report allegations of corruption, said Muthoki Mumo, CPJs sub-Saharan Africa representative. While it is a relief that the case against Mohamed is over, Somali authorities owe it to him to investigate the circumstances under which he was detained arbitrarily and ensure that no journalists suffer similar ordeals in the future.

Somali police detained Mohamed, an editor with the privately owned Kaab TV and the information and human rights secretary for the local press rights group Somali Journalists Syndicate, on August 17, a day after he published a report on allegations of corruption within the police force.

He was denied access to his lawyer and family and was charged in September with anti-national propaganda, bringing the Somali nation into contempt, causing false alarm, and publishing false news, according to the charge sheet reviewed by CPJ and a Somali Journalists Syndicate statement.

On September 25, a court in Mogadishu ruled that since Mohamed was a journalist, he could not be charged under the penal code and directed the prosecution to present new charges in conformity with the countrys media law, according to statements by the syndicate and a person familiar with the case who spoke to CPJ on condition of anonymity citing fear of professional retaliation.

When the prosecution failed to present new charges against Mohamed during an October 11 hearing, the court discontinued the case.
UN peacekeepers in Mali announced Monday their pullout has started from two camps in the tense Kidal region, opening a new phase in a forced withdrawal igniting fears fighting will intensify between troops and armed actors.

The UN stabilisation mission known as MINUSMA had expected to leave the camps in mid-October has brought the date forward as the region witnesses escalating violence for territorial control.

The Malian army, anticipating the UN disengagement, landed two aircraft at one of the camps at Tessalit, two airport officials said.

The planes flew in army troops and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group, the officials said.

The Tessalit camp is close to the airport and had been staffed largely by Chadian soldiers under the UN banner.

The Malian army posted on social media that a single plane came under fire but managed to land and leave without too much difficulty after enemy positions were "neutralised" by the air force.

"In a climate of high tension, (the mission) has begun the process of withdrawing from its camps in the Kidal region, starting with Tessalit and Aguelhok," MINUSMA said in a statement.

Mali. By (AFP)

The UN peacekeepers cited the shooting during the morning as illustrating "the rapid deterioration in security conditions for the lives of hundreds of soldiers for peace.

The withdrawal would be completed "as soon as possible, including if necessary by accelerating the withdrawal" from a third camp, at Kidal town itself, which had been planned for mid-November.

Mali's ruling junta, which seized power in 2020, had in June demanded that the mission -- which had been deployed since 2013 -- depart the country despite being in the grip of jihadism and a deep multidimensional crisis.

Exacerbated rivalries

That followed months of deteriorating relations.

Malian foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop said at the weekend the UN withdrawal from northern Mali would happen on time by December 31.

MINUSMA's departure from the camps has however exacerbated rivalries between armed actors present in the north.

The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) -- an alliance of predominantly Tuareg groups seeking autonomy or independence from the Malian state -- has carried out a series of attacks on army positions.

And the Al-Qaeda-linked Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) has also increased attacks against the military.

Since August, MINUSMA has transferred four camps to the Malian authorities.

But the evacuation of the camps in the Kidal region -- and especially that of Kidal, a bastion town of the separatists -- promises to be the riskiest.

The separatists do not want MINUSMA to hand the camps back to the Malian army in the belief that would contravene ceasefire and peace deals struck with Bamako in 2014 and 2015.

The army on October 2 dispatched a convoy of dozens of vehicles, some armoured, in the direction of Kidal.

The fact that Kidal is still controlled by the rebels remains a source of irritation for the junta.

The generals have made the recovery of national sovereignty and all territory a major part of its push to rule and insists on recovering the UN camps.
Dr. Clement Apaak, Member of Parliament for Builsa South, has raised concerns regarding President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's response to the flood situation in parts of the Volta region.

Dr Apaak was dismayed by the lack of urgency displayed by the president upon hearing the news of the floods.

During an interview on the Class Morning Show with Korku Lumor on Class91.3FM on Monday, October 16, 2023, the lawmaker expressed sympathy for the flood victims and called on state agencies to support them during this challenging time.

He criticised the government's apparent neglect and absence from the affected areas, deeming it unconscionable.

"The people of the Volta region are going through trying times, and the neglect of the government in visiting the affected areas and victims of the floods is unconscionable, to say the least," Dr Apaak stated.

He emphasised that regardless of the president's commitments abroad, he should have shown empathy for the citizens affected by the floods in the Volta region, who voted him into office.

No matter the presidential assignment President Nana Akufo-Addo was on in the diaspora, he could have had empathy for his people who voted him into office, for the tax paying citizens of the Volta region and halted his visit in Europe and returned with urgency to see that they have enough relief items and a place to lay their heads,'' he lamented.

Regarding Vice President Bawumia, Dr Apaak pointed out that Dr Bawumia was in Ghana and yet engaged in campaigning rather than prioritising the needs of the affected people. Dr Apaak criticised this as a failure of leadership.

Several communities in the Volta Region are currently submerged, displacing thousands of residents. The floods are a result of excess water spillage from the Akosombo dam by the Volta River Authority.

-Classfmonline
President Akufo-Addo has said his tour of the Volta Region to inspect the extent of destruction caused by the spillage of excess water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams must be seen in the light of the government trying to help suffering Ghanaians, irrespective of whether those people voted for him or not.

Apart from the Volta Region, the spillage has also flooded parts of the Eastern and Greater Accra regions and displaced thousands of residents as well as destroyed farms, house and other property.

Speaking to the chiefs and people of Mepe on Monday, 16 October 2023, Mr Akufo-Addo said: "The coordination is about the immediate, and the most important thing was to ensure the life of people and that is why nine centres were established for all the displaced people and all the people in these nine centres have been provided relief items by NADMO, and it is NADMOs intention to continue to provide relief items".

He said: "Apart from what NADMO is doing, we must also think about the future".

Mr Akufo-Addo said: "I am aware that you are a farming people and the people who are farming on the banks of the rivers and had their crops destroyed, one of the things the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance and the Office of the President are going to do is to work together with the district assemblies to decide the exact support we have to give to you when the water has gone away".

"And this is why I am saying that the committee is working in several phases: one being to provide immediate relief, and then to prevent such happening in the future and I want you to know the government is going to do everything in its powers to assist to ensure everything is all right."

Mr Akufo-Addo told the gathering that politics must not be dragged into the situation.

Let everybody know that politics does not come into the issue when things like this occur and government acts", he cautioned, pointing out: when I took the oath of office as President, I took the oath of office as President, I took the oath of office as president for every single individual in Ghana, for all the people in Ghana, all districts, whether they voted for me or not. Once I have taken the oath of office, I am President for all the people.

Togbe, I want the people here, beginning with you, and the elders to understand that when something like this happens and government acts, government is acting for Ghanaians, for all Ghanaians.

I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and are suffering, and it is my responsibility to try and help. Because if it is a question of counting who votes for me and who doesnt vote for me, then I wouldnt be here because you dont vote for me. But that is not my concern. And in any event, one day you will vote for me and my party, the president added.

On 15 September, the Volta River Authority started a controlled spillage of excess water from the two dams whose levels had risen close to the brink.

The spillage is to avert any disaster to the dams.

The people affected by the spillage are mostly in South Tongu, North Tongu and Central Tongu and Asuogyaman.

-Classfmonline
President Nana Akufo-Addo has pledged the government's commitment to providing necessary assistance to victims of flooding in parts of the Volta region resulting from the excess water spillage from the Kpong and Akosombo Dams.

During his visit to residents of Mepe and surrounding areas on Monday, 16 October 2023, to assess the extent of the devastation caused by the spillage, President Akufo-Addo assured the affected residents that all possible efforts would be made to deliver the required help.

The President stated that an inter-ministerial committee, which he had established, is working to address flooding-related issues.

The committee will determine immediate relief measures for the victims and implement strategies to prevent such significant disasters in the future.

He said The coordination is about the immediate and the most important thing was to ensure the life of people and that is why 9 centres were established for all the displaced people and all the people in these 9 centres have been provided relief items by NADMO, and it is NADMOs intention to continue to provide relief items. Apart from what NADMO is doing, we must also think about the future.

I am aware that you are a farming people and the people who are farming on the banks of the rivers and had their crops destroyed, one of the things the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance and the Office of the President are going to do is to work together with the district assemblies to decide the exact support we have to give to you when the water has gone away.

And this is why I am saying that the Committee is working in several phases, one being to provide immediate relief, and then to prevent such happening in the future and I want you to know the government is going to do everything in its powers to assist to ensure everything is all right.

Let everybody know that politics does not come into the issue when things like this occur and government acts. When I took the oath I took it on behalf of everyone in Ghana. And whether they voted for me or not, Im the president of the people.

Several communities in the Volta Region are currently submerged, displacing thousands of residents. The floods are a result of excess water spillage from the Akosombo dam by the Volta River Authority.

-Classfmonline
- Source:

16.10.2023 LISTEN

Israel's siege on the Gaza Strip  after a devastating Hamas attack on Israel  has caused alarm in Egypt. Egypt shares a 12km-long border with Gaza and controls the main exit point  the Rafah crossing  for the approximately 2 million people living there.

Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Lorenzo Navone who has done various research on the border between Gaza and Egypt for almost 10 years, to share insights into the border's significance.

How significant is the Rafah border crossing to both Egypt and the Gaza?

Egypt's eastern region, Sinai, borders both Israel and Gaza. This has historically given it an important role to play in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict because it controls one of the two main border crossings for civilians. The Rafah crossing is the only border Gaza has which isn't directly administered by Israel.

It's vital to the survival of Gazans. Since 2007, Israel has imposed a blockade (over land, sea and air) and an embargo on the Gaza Strip. This followed the withdrawal of Israelis from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and after Hamas won the 2006 elections.

Egypt has de facto supported Israel's blockade because the Rafah border is tightly controlled, only opening on an unpredictable and occasional basis.

Gaza depends entirely on international humanitarian aid, the labour of the few Palestinians allowed to work in Israel, and on tunnels dug under the Egyptian-Gaza Strip border. To both Egypt and Israel, the tunnels constitute a threat since they can be eventually used for arms smuggling and terrorist infiltration.

However, the blockade of the Gaza Strip has had a dramatic impact on the lives of more than two million Palestinians living in Gaza. They lack access to fundamental rights, including food, education, jobs and health.

For almost 20 years now, the Gaza Strip has effectively been an open-air prison. The Rafah border crossing therefore holds immense significance for Palestinians as it serves as one of the few access points for the movement of people, goods, and humanitarian aid into and out of Gaza. It allows Palestinians to maintain vital connections with the outside world and access essential resources. Its operation plays a pivotal role in easing the hardships faced by Gazans.

What does the new outbreak of war mean for the Gaza-Egyptian border?

The outbreak of the current war between Israel and Hamas, together with other Palestinian resistance factions, highlights three key issues:

the importance of the Rafah crossing for the stability of the region and for Palestinians in Gaza;

the potential expulsion of Palestinian refugees from Gaza; and

Egypt's ambiguity towards the Palestinian people.

First, although the Rafah crossing is the only way out of the Gaza Strip, it has been closed more often than it's been open for almost 20 years. Bear in mind that a border crossing should work 24/7.

The openings were sporadic and the conditions for a transit authorisation were unclear . It's also unclear who governs the crossing and who decides on its openings.

In recent years, Gaza's residents have depended on the functioning of the Rafah crossing and on the tunnels. This is even more true today: it represents an actual lifeline for Gaza's residents.

Second, a humanitarian opening of the crossing would probably mean the arrival of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Egypt. Egypt will not be willing to welcome them because it fears that they will stay permanently.

Finally, the issue of not easily accepting Palestinians refugees brings out Egypt's ambiguous position towards them. Among the Arab countries bordering Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territories, Egypt is the only one that hasn't allowed the establishment of Palestinian refugee camps on its land, unlike Syria which hosts over 500,000 refugees, Jordan which hosts 2 million , and Lebanon which hosts over 200,000 .

On one hand, in its rhetoric, Egypt opposes the deportation of Palestinians from Gaza and supports them in their struggle to obtain a sovereign state.

On the other hand, Egypt is currently an overpopulated country with a fragile economy and will not want a new mass of poor people entering its territory. Since 1948, it's estimated (though it's not truly known) that there are about 80,000 Palestinians living in Egypt. Most of them won't have citizen rights and live outside of any legal and humanitarian protection framework.

What should Egypt do given the complexity of the situation?

Right now, the situation is very volatile, but I believe that Egypt is not managing anything at all: in fact, it rather seems a passive spectator of ongoing events.

If we rule out an unlikely Egyptian military intervention to stop Israel's assault on Gaza (which could eventually lead to a larger regional war), Egypt only has two options.

First, to use all the diplomatic avenues at its disposal to negotiate a ceasefire. This will be an immense challenges as Israel perceives the Gaza Strip and all its inhabitants (including minors, women, and the elderly) as an existential threat, meaning that it has no intention of suspending the war nor of listening to anyone.

Or second, to provide humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced people in the Gaza Strip through safe corridors. Israel cut off Gaza's electricity, gas, internet and water supply before its assault. Thus, Gaza is currently experiencing a total blackout and starvation.

Right now the main risk, which Egypt must bear in mind when making this decision, is the immense loss of life facing Gazans.

Lorenzo Navone does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Lorenzo Navone, Lecturer, Universite de Strasbourg
- Source:

16.10.2023 LISTEN

As the Israeli-Hamas crisis continues, a great deal of focus is shifting to Egypt. Egypt shares a border with both Israel and Gaza  the narrow strip of Palestinian territory which is currently under blockade following the violent attack against Israel by Hamas, a radical Islamist organisation that has controlled Gaza since 2007 .

Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Ofir Winter, who studies Egyptian politics and the Arab-Israeli conflict, to provide insights into what the new war means for Egypt and the role it plays.

What's been the relationship between Egypt and Israel and Palestine in the past?

Egypt performs a balancing act in managing relations between Israel and Palestine.

Egypt openly expresses its commitment to the Palestinian cause. This is because Palestine's quest for self-determination is a central Arab and Islamic cause. Also, due to geographical proximity, any escalation in Gaza will have a direct impact on Egypt's national interests.

This position is reflected in its reaction to the outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas. Following the deadly killings and kidnappings of innocent Israeli civilians by Hamas earlier this month , Egyptian members of parliament and state-owned media , have portrayed Israel as the aggressor and Hamas as the victim.

In accordance with past actions , Egypt can be expected to take several steps to demonstrate its solidarity with the Palestinians. These include; the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, evacuation of some wounded to Egyptian hospitals, and increased role in mediation efforts for a ceasefire. These steps make Egypt a key actor in the conflict and would help strengthen its regional and international standing.

However, Egypt also doesn't want to alienate Israel. Ultimately, they have a mutual interest: they do not want to see the resurgence of political Islam in the region. This is linked to Egypt's own experience of Islamist organisations.

The current regime in Egypt ousted the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 and outlawed them. The Brotherhood is a transnational Islamist organisation, founded in Egypt in 1928. It's aims are to promote social and political change in Muslim-majority countries. After the Arab Spring in 2011, the Brotherhood held power in Egypt for one year before being ousted .

Hamas is an offspring of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is why Egypt perceives it as a threat.

But despite Egypt's suspicious approach to Hamas, since 2017 there's been an understanding between the two: Hamas' cooperation in fighting terrorism in Sinai would be met with an easing of the Egyptian blockade on Gaza.

Though the relations between Egypt and Israel are cooperative, they're not warm. Egypt signed a peace agreement with Israel in 1979 . And, over the past decade, Israel has positioned itself as a key political, security and economic partner to Egypt.

In recent years, Egypt has been a mediator between Israel and Hamas and in the reconstruction efforts of Gaza. This is because of its proximity to Gaza and the fact that it controls the Rafah crossing  the only border with the Gaza strip that's not under Israeli control.

But Egypt's involvement with Gaza has certain lines that won't be crossed.

There will be no Egyptian military involvement against Israel for the benefit of the Palestinians  a policy which primarily derives from Egypt's commitment to the 1979 peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.

There will also be no sanctioned mass entry of Gazans into Egypt, according to declarations by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other Egyptian officials.

How does the current crisis affect Egypt?

Egypt has so far rejected the idea of displaced Palestinians moving into Sinai. But there is the possibility that a large number of Gazans will seek entry. This is separate to the Gaza residents with foreign citizenship who are already waiting at the border to cross.

Egypt is against allow Gazans crossing the border in large numbers because it opposes any encroachment on its sovereignty in the Sinai Peninsula. Its major concern is that displaced Palestinians may establish a permanent residence in its territory, potentially undermining the already delicate security and economic situation.

The situation also poses a large security risk to Egypt.

First, border breaches by refugees from Gaza, some of whom may be armed individuals affiliated with Hamas or other radical groups, could export instability to Sinai. For Egypt, there is a danger that there could be more terrorist attacks and instability as there were in Sinai before the 2017 understanding with Hamas. Some of those attacks were carried out by well-armed and trained Gaza-based militant cells.

Second, a massive blow to Hamas may lead to a lack of governance, chaos, and instability in Gaza. This will cause instability and could give rise to the smuggling of weapons and fighters along Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip.

The other security threat is that terrorist acts could be launched from Sinai into Israel by Palestinian militant groups putting the delicate relationship between Israel and Egypt at risk.

How has Egypt reacted and what should it do next?

Since the outbreak of the war, Egypt has been working to de-escalate the situation in Gaza and has been conducting talks with Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, the US, Iran, and other regional and international players.

The Arab League has already convened in Cairo, and an international conference in Egypt is expected to take place this weekend. Egypt is also seeking to establish a humanitarian corridor for the delivery of food and medicine to the Gaza Strip.

At this stage, Egypt has more control than most other regional international players over the outcomes of the conflict, as well as plenty of interests.

The outcome of the conflict could deliver some benefits. For example, Egypt desires the return of the Palestinian Authority, who is more willing to engage in diplomacy and negotiations, as the governing authority in Gaza. A scenario where Hamas is significantly weakened could pave the way for new developments, possibly including the gradual return of the Palestinian Authority. In this case, Egypt and Israel could find a more pragmatic neighbour across their borders.

If Hamas loses power at the end of the war, Egypt will most probably be involved in the government transition phase. As in the past few years , Egypt is expected to be the conduit through which aid and funds from Arab countries and the international community will be transferred into Gaza, participate in its reconstruction process, and be a dominant influencing factor on shaping its future.

Ofir Winter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Ofir Winter, Senior Researcher, Institute for National Security Studies, Tel Aviv University
Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Professor Alex Dodoo

16.10.2023 LISTEN

The Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Professor Alex Dodoo, has urged Ghana and Zimbabwe to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the cooperation agreement between them and work towards more trade to create wealth to improve the livelihoods of their peoples.

He said that Ghana and Zimbabwe could utilise the General Cooperation Agreement (GCA) signed in June this year and tap into the favourable trading conditions created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) to improve the lot of both countries.

Prof. Dodoo, also a globally recognised expert in health and standardisation, was delivering a keynote speech at the 2023 World Standards Day Celebrations in Zimbabwe on October 13.

The theme for this year's World Standards Day was "Shared Vision for a Better World: Incorporating SDG3 - Good Health and Well-being."

The day is celebrated annually on October 14th to pay tribute to the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who develop voluntary technical agreements published as International Standards.

Agreement

On 19th June this year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, witnessed the signing of the GCA.

The agreement was signed by the Finance and Economic Development Minister of Zimbabwe, Prof. Mthuli Ncube, and a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong.

The GCA is expected to pave way for the establishment of Ghana-Zimbabwe Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (JPCC).

The areas of collaboration include Trade; Transport; Agriculture; Fisheries; Livestock Breeding; Industry; Mining; Culture; Education; Health; Environmental Protection; Water Engineering; Sports; ICT among others.

Deep ties

Prof. Dodoo highlighted the deep ties between Ghana and Zimbabwe and the need for closer cooperation between them to uplift the lives of their peoples.

Standards

Prof Dodoo also spoke about the importance of international standards in creating a safer and more sustainable world, with a special focus on SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being.

He emphasised that the right to health is a fundamental human right that must be upheld by all, including governments, the private sector, civil society, and individuals.

-graphiconline
Ukrainian citizens continue to be evacuated from Israel due to the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the press service of the Ukrainian Embassy reports.

Today, at 22:38 local time on October 16, the third evacuation flight took off from Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) to Bucharest (Romania) with 74 Ukrainian citizens, most of whom are women and children, the message says.

It is reported that the Embassy provided the necessary assistance and consular assistance to compatriots.
17.10.2023 LISTEN

Dr Donald Agumenu, a leadership and governance expert, has urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to take the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) mantra of breaking the eight lightly.

He said because they (NPP) had robust strategies aimed at achieving that goal.

Dr. Agumenu, a former aid to late former President Jerry John Rawlings, said the NDC must devise measures to halt the NPP's attempt to perpetrate itself in Power.

 In spite of the hash economic situation we face as a nation and the dark storms that have engulfed the NPP in its murky internal politicking, there is no need for complacency, he said.

Dr. Agumenu said winning power in the 2024 elections required hard work, vigilance and tremendous courage and charged the rank and file of the Party to prepare.

He said the 2024 election presented another golden opportunity for Ghana to show the maturity of her democracy by holding a free, fair and transparent polls and said it was the duty of political parties, the Electoral Commission, civil society, moral authorities and Ghanaians to join forces to accomplish that.

He said Ghana and the rest of West Africa were far behind time in the quest to achieve economic and financial freedom hence every effort must be put in place to sustain and entrench democratic principles to sustain the peace, security and economic development.

He said the lofty ideals in the framework of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area could only be achieved if peace and security were given foremost attention.

Dr. Agumenu called on ECOWAS to fast-track activities that would facilitate more integrated cross-border trade, saying it was the surest mechanism to create more jobs, improve incomes and prosperity.

The infrastructure network especially roads within the West African sub-region must receive special attention. Togo has done well with the construction of a four-lane road network leading to the ECOWAS border at Akanu near Ghana. Same expansion works should be done in Ghana and Liberia in the Trans West African Highway, he said.

GNA
Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has cautioned the two big political parties in Ghana to stop attacking journalists in their line of duty, which risks jeopardising the cordial media relations with the parties.

As the 2024 elections approach, we wish to caution politicians who have become experts at undermining and attacking journalists to cease doing so, as the GJA will make every effort to confront them, he said.

The GJA will go to every length under the law to deal with political actors who may attack journalists as we gear up for the 2024 elections.

The President gave the warning at the Third GJA Awards for the Northern Region and said that was one of the reasons that prompted the Association to choose its theme: Leveraging Media Freedom to Sustain the Democratic and Security Architecture: The Litmus Test of the 2024 Election, for the upcoming 27th GJA Awards.

The focus is to address such concerns and prepare journalists ahead of the 2024 elections.

Mr Dwumfour said: The media serve as a link between the Government and the governed and so we need to be accorded the needed protection and the room to operate to ensure national development and cohesion.

The media have become target objects by political parties in recent times, which some analysts say was part of a scheme to intimidate the media into silence, and to give room for the political tags to drive chaos and plunge the country to disarray.

The GJA President condemned in no uncertain terms the invasion of UTV and the assault on the Citi TV/FM reporter, by affiliates of the ruling party and the major opposition party, respectively, and reiterated the GJAs strong disapproval of those incidences.

This development is abhorrent. This barbaric behaviour cannot continue, and we also expect the police to act swiftly in response, he said.

Mr Dwumfour used the occasion to announce this years' National GJA Awards, which comes off on the 29th of October, 2023 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

All is set and done for the mega awards, he added.

He congratulated the award winners and assured them of the Association's continuous support, while encouraging journalists and media practitioners not to be intimidated by the recent attacks.

Rather, we must defy them and serve the public interest, he advised.

The Third GJA Awards for the Northern Region saw 12 categories being competed for.

Mr Mohammed Fugu of the Graphic Communications Group was adjudged the Northern Regional Journalist of the Year (2022). He also won the Environment, and Tourism and Culture awards.

Miss Rosemary Wayo and Mrs Comfort Sena Fetrie-Akagbor of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) took home the Best Mental Health Reporter and Best Road Safety Reporter, respectfully.

GNA
Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram, has expressed concerns about the alleged growing divorce rate in Ghana, attributing it to the influence of telenovelas and movies on married couples.

He believes that the portrayal of superficial ideals in these shows has contributed to unrealistic expectations and impatience within marriages, ultimately leading to divorce.

In a candid interview with Berla Mundi on The Day Show on TV3, Sam George highlighted how the fairy tale mindset cultivated by romantic shows can create high expectations in couples.

This can lead to frustration and impatience when real-life marriages fail to live up to the scripted scenarios found in movies and TV series.

The MP noted, Divorce rates are high because people are watching too much telenovela. Movies have taught us a certain culture of impatience. No two people can live together without issues. In most movies, the guy does something the lady doesnt like, then she calls her lawyer and sues him, and they end the marriage. They both go their separate ways. They move on and find someone better. Thats not real life. Movies are scripts. At a point, they tell you to cut and take it again. In life, there is no cut.

Sam George also mentioned the influence of movies in shaping societal perceptions and behaviors, drawing a parallel between the power of media and the changing perspectives on issues like LGBTQ+ rights.

He explained how movies can normalize concepts that were once considered taboo.

When discussing his personal life outside of politics, Sam George emphasized the importance of spending quality time with his wife, especially in light of their recent 11th wedding anniversary. He acknowledged that marriage is hard work but also a fulfilling endeavor, especially when shared with the right partner.

As for resolving conflicts in his own marriage, Sam George admitted to a change in his approach.

He has learned to remain silent rather than express his thoughts in the heat of the moment. This shift in behavior has helped him avoid saying hurtful things during disagreements and subsequent regrets.

While Sam George recognizes that marriage is a challenging journey, he firmly believes that walking away from marriage should be considered only in cases of emotional and physical abuse, underscoring the importance of addressing issues constructively and with empathy.
17.10.2023 LISTEN

Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has declared a former Senior Assistant Registrar of C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo wanted.

Michael Adusei Boadu, also known as Dr. Michael Adusei Boadu, was dismissed in May 2023 by the university for presenting fake certificates.

In addition to his dismissal, Boadu has been ordered to refund the salary and allowances he received during the one year he worked at the university.

The universitys decision was communicated to Boadu in a termination letter dated January 9, 2023. The letter also instructed Boadu to cease identifying himself as a staff member of the university.

Boadu is required to repay the fraudulent salaries and allowances he obtained from the university, amounting to Two hundred and Thirty-one thousand, One hundred and Eighty-two Ghana Cedis, Sixty-Four Pesewas (GHC231,182.64). The university has provided him with a deadline of January 15, 2023, to submit a payment plan covering the full amount to the Director of Finance.

The repayment should be made to the CKT-UTAS GCB Bank Account number: 9021130002211.

Investigations revealed that Dr. Michael Boadus Bachelor of Laws and Master of Public Administration certificates from the University of Ghana (UG) were found to be fake.

The EOCO is now actively searching for Boadu to face charges related to his possession and use of fake academic credentials. Members of the public are urged to provide any information that may lead to his arrest.

This case highlights the importance of thorough background checks and verification procedures in hiring employees, particularly in academic institutions.

Institutions must remain vigilant to prevent individuals with fraudulent qualifications from infiltrating their ranks.

The EOCO assures the public that it will continue to work diligently to uncover and prosecute individuals engaged in such fraudulent activities, protecting the integrity and reputation of educational institutions and the workforce.

-DGN online
17.10.2023 LISTEN

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has strongly criticized the decision by the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to keep its Renal Unit closed since May 2023.

They described the action as "unconscionable and sheer wickedness."

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minority's spokesperson on health and Member of Parliament for Juaboso expressed deep worry.

He made these remarks during an interview with Richard Dela Sky on Eyewitness News on Citi FM.

Mr. Akandoh noted that the Minister of Health had previously assured the Minority that the Renal Unit would be reopened when they paid a courtesy visit, but the promise was yet to be fulfilled.

He emphasized the Caucus's unwavering determination to ensure the unit is reopened to the public.

"It is unconscionable and sheer wickedness for any government in the world to close a sensitive unit like the renal unit in a health facility for more than four to five months to OPD, and you would agree with me how this thing started.

It started with an increase in the cost of dialysis, and we came in to tell them [Korle-Bu] that irrespective of the prevailing circumstances, you cannot sit in your office and increase prices; it must be subjected to the Fees and Charges Act of the country.

So we went to Korle-Bu to meet the management, and we all agreed it was not the right thing to do. So we then went to the Minister of Health and said whatever it takes to reopen the renal unit, we must do, and the Minister assured us that the unit will be reopened as soon as possible, and it is yet to reopen after one week.

"If as a country, we do not have the resources to take care of less than 300 renal patients at Korle-Bu, then we have no business in government.

That a government cannot look for resources to take care of renal patients is sheer wickedness. We must find money to reopen the unit, and until the unit is reopened, we will not rest, he said.

Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital faced public criticism when it raised the cost of renal dialysis from GHS380 to GHS765.42, resulting in widespread condemnation.

Patients affected by the increase revealed that the Renal Unit at the facility had remained closed since May 2023.
In a surprising mood, COP (rtd) Alex Mensah, has described the leaked tape scandal that exposed a plot to oust the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare as a blessing in disguise.

The scandal involved audio recordings of private conversations between COP Mensah, Superintendent George Asare and former NPP Northern Regional Chairman, Daniel Bugri Naabu that were made public, causing considerable embarrassment to the individuals.

Speaking in an interview on Joy News, COP Alex Mensah, who was at the centre of the controversy, said he was initially shocked when the tapes were made public but the tape has brought him more opportunities that he didnt envisage.

You see, God has His own way of blessing people. Had it not been for this tape, maybe we wouldn't have been here. My name and my picture wouldn't have been where it is circulating now. Now, if you go to my constituency, everybody knows me. Everybody is looking for me.

My friends who have not heard from me for years are calling me from the U.S., U.K., and Germany everywhere. God has His own way of bringing up somebody. Sometimes you will not understand, but at the end of the day, you will understand and say, I thought this was a problem, but that was the way the Lord is using to bring you up.

He went on to express his gratitude for the unwavering support he received from both colleagues and friends during the ordeal.

COP Alex Mensah emphasised that he had learned valuable lessons from the leaked tape scandal and was determined to move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility.

Asked directly if the leaked tape has been a blessing, the parliamentary hopeful for Bekwai responded, It has in so many ways. At least now, it has made the public aware that something is not going on well in the Ghana Police Service.

-Citi Newsroom
Western Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) through its Axim sector command has arrested 31 ECOWAS nationals including a syndicate suspected to be engaging in prostitution and human trafficking within and around a notorious brothel under the guise of BAFANA BAFANA Beach Resort, in the Ellembele district and Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.

The two-day intelligence lead operation which begun on 14-15 October 2023 begun with a swoop on the said brothel facility and some adjourning drinking bars and makeshift structures within the Essiama enclave, resulting in the arrest of the suspects aged between 22-37 yrs.

The operation which lasted several hours led to the arrest of 17 suspects/victims, including the owner and manager of the facility Mr Kofi Bekoe, 62 years.

Subsequently 12, in addition to two suspected human trafficking collaborators were picked up in two separate mop-up operations later on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning.

In all, 28 suspected prostitutes, including two nursing mothers, two suspected traffickers Mr Ndubueze Okereke and his wife Ifeoma Okereke all Nigerians with exception of Mr Kofi Bekoe who is a Ghanaian and the host among suspected trafficking syndicate were arrested.

The suspects are in custody of the Western Regional Command headquarters for further investigations, prosecution and subsequent repatriation to their country.

-Classfmonline.
A Chief State Attorney at the Office of the Attorney General, Evelyn Keelson, yesterday began addressing a seven-member jury hearing the case of 14 persons standing trial over the gruesome murder of Major Maxwell Mahama.

The prosecutor, in making a case for the prosecution, told the jury that none of the 14 persons have been able to put up defence against the extensive evidence led by the prosecution through its 14 witnesses.

She told the court and the jury that there was no doubt that the late solider is dead and his death was not as a result of a natural cause but through the brutal act of the accused persons.

Major Mahama is dead. He did not die a natural death. He was lynched and we have brought these 14 persons to answer for the murder, Mrs. Keelson told the court yesterday.

The prosecutor, in her address, replayed the video in which 13 of the accused persons were captured attacking the late soldier with all manner of weapons, including cement blocks, stones and clubs.

She told the jury that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that that the 14 accused persons were responsible for Major Mahama's unlawful death.

She took the jury through the evidence presented by each of the prosecution witnesses and how some of them identified some of the accused persons and the roles they played in the death of the soldier.

The court, presided over by Justice Mariam Owusu, a Justice of the Supreme Court sitting an additional High Court judge, adjourned the case to October 23, for the prosecution to conclude its oral address.

Meanwhile, the court has warned that it will not wait for any defence lawyer who fails to show up for their turn to address the jury.

Major Mahama was the captain of a 31-member military team sent to Denkyira-Obuasi, now New Obuasi, to guard the properties of C&G Mining Company as a result of illegal mining activities in the area.

He was lynched in May 2017 at New Obuasi, in the Central Region, after he was mistaken for an armed robber.

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 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.

The Office of the Attorney General on May 16, 2022, closed its case in the trial of the 14 accused persons.

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.

Although the accused persons were captured on video assaulting the deceased with all sorts of weapons, they either told the court that their weapons did not harm the late soldier or they were rather trying to rescue him from the angry mob, when they opened their defence.

Some chose not to open their defence at all.

-DGN online
Private Legal practitioner Maurice Ampaw has said Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia deserves to be the President of Ghana.

Maurice Ampaw contends that Ghana's economy needs serious attention from experts and not novices who will toil with the lives of poor Ghanaians.

The private legal practitioner argued that Vice President Dr. Bawumia's administration would benefit the country as the first person from the Islamic religion to ascend to the high office.

Speaking in an interview with Happy FM, Maurice Ampaw said foreign investments from Arab and other Islamic countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, will be drawn to the country.

If Bawumia wins, it is in line with what God has said. For the first time, we are going to get a Muslim President and Saudi Arabia and the Islamic community would be investing hugely in this country to support our economy. That is what we need now.

Im in for a Muslim becoming a President. Ghana is ready for this and Insha Allah, we will get it, Maurice Ampaw stated.

In a related interview, the private legal practitioner said Kennedy Agyapong, the member of parliament for Assin Central, is not fit for president.

Maurice Ampaw noted that there would be disaster in Ghana if Kennedy Agyapong is President.

According to him, he would fly out of the country as he was not ready to suffer under the leadership of Kennedy Agyapong.
17.10.2023 LISTEN

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, has said the countrys agricultural potential can change its narrative on food security if they are fully tapped.

Outlining these potentials, he said the country is blessed with arable land and abundant water for irrigation farming.

He said this makes the country a fertile ground for the cultivation of food and cash crops, which can result in job creation in the agriculture value chain amongst other benefits.

Dr Acheampong assured Ghanaians that the Ministry is capable of leading the country to achieve food security.

He gave the assurance when he addressed a presidential breakfast meeting on Agriculture and Agribusiness Financing with farmers and financial institutions in Accra on Monday.

He noted that the successful implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase 2.0 (PFJ 2.0) would make Ghana resilient in food security in the next five years.

He described the current phenomenon of importing tomatoes and onions from the Sahelian regions as embarrassing and promised to reverse it with the PFJ 2.0.

The Minister also expressed worries over the countrys inability to meet its poultry consumption demand, saying Ghana consumes 324,000 Metric Tons (MT) of poultry but only produces 15,000 MT.

He was, however, optimistic that through the PFJ 2.0, the country would increase its poultry production from the current five per cent to seven per cent by the end of 2023 and a further 13 per cent by 2024.

To make this happen, he said MoFA would, from October to December 2023, supply 4.5 million day-old chicks, vaccines and starter-pack feeds to anchor farmers and their out-growers.

This intervention will result in the production of an additional 13,200 MT of poultry meat by the end of this year, which will increase Ghanas self-sufficiency to 7%, he said.

He said in 2024, the Ministry would ramp up the poultry sector with support to 18 million day-old chicks, vaccines, and starter-pack feed, which will lead to the production of 42,600 MT of meat, increasing our self-sufficiency to 13%.

This trajectory, he said, would continue until the country reaches full self-sufficiency.

Plans are also advanced to revive the poultry industry this year through the rehabilitation of 300 outgrown poultry farms across the country over the next 12 months, he added.
Russia likely deploys elements of at least two brigades to reinforce offensive operations on Avdiyivka front  ISW

Russia likely deployed elements of at least two Central Military District (CMD) brigades to reinforce offensive operations by Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) forces on the Avdiyivka front, according to an October 16 report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Russian forces continued offensive operations in Avdiyivka direction on October 16 and recently made some gains, albeit at a relatively slower pace than in the initial attacks. Geolocated footage posted on October 16 shows that Russian forces have marginally advanced past the E50 road about 3km south of Avdiyivka  Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that Russian forces have improved their tactical positions in unspecified areas and that the Russian active defense along the front, including near Avdiyivka, is prohibiting Ukrainian advances, the message reads.

According to analysts, on Monday Russian troops carried out offensive operations on the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line in Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, in Bakhmut direction, in Avdiyivka area, southwest of the city of Donetsk, along the border of Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions, in the west of Zaporizhia region and progress has been made in some areas.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces repelled 22 Russian attacks in Avdiyivka direction during the day, which is significantly less than the 30 attacks recorded on October 15. Also, on October 16, Ukrainian troops continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in the west of Zaporizhia region.

Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces conducted assaults near Avdiyivka and on Verboves western and northwestern outskirts (10km east of Robotyne or 18km southwest of Orikhiv). Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces are within 200 to 300 meters of Russian positions west of Verbove, the ISW reported.
17.10.2023 LISTEN

Following the spillage of the Akosombo Dam, which has displaced people in the Volta and Oti Regions, the Volta River Authority (VRA) has been criticised by the public for failing to pre-sensitise the public before the exercise.

The Authority has, however, refuted this claim, insisting that it engaged the affected communities through extensive public education campaigns to advise them to move to higher grounds.

The VRA said its last sensitisation campaign on this exercise was done in May 2023.

The Deputy Chief Executive (CEO) of the VRA in charge of Engineering and Operations, Mr Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, made this disclosure in Accra on Monday on Citi FM.

He said the sensitisation exercise started as early as November 2022 when the Authority contacted all the agencies, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Fire Service and all the District Assemblies to inform them about the exercise.

"Mepe was even the centre of the exercise, the emergency operational centre was established in Mepe, and that was where we carried out that exercise, knowing the nature of the land in Mepe, because it is a low-lying area, he said.

Mr Obeng-Kenzo said the District Assemblies were involved in the sensitisation exercise and that they employed several means of communication, including radio stations.

He added that when the Authority realised the water levels of the Dam had risen in August, it issued letters to all interested agencies around September 13, indicating their decision to spill it.
President Akufo-Addo's controversial "you don't vote for me" comment during his visit to flood victims in Mepe, Volta Region, was a direct response to the opposition NDC's divisive tribal politics, according to Richard Ahiagbah, National Communications Director of the ruling NPP party.

During his visit to Mepe on Monday, President Akufo-Addo told local chiefs and residents: "Let everybody know that politics does not come into the issue when things like this occur and government acts.

He added, I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and are suffering, and it is my responsibility to try and help. Because if it is a question of counting who votes for me and who doesnt vote for me, then I wouldnt be here because you dont vote for me."

In a tweet on Tuesday, October 17, Mr. Ahiagbah stated that the President's comments on Monday were only meant to "decry the usual NDC politicization of issues occurring in the Volta Region, to further their false campaign that the NPP and its governments do not care about the good people of the Volta Region."

The ruling partys spokesperson stated that the President was "responding and drawing attention to the divisive NDC's tribal politics" regarding the suffering of flood victims in the Volta Region.

He accused the NDC of "weaponizing the pain of the people for political advantage."

The NPP Communications Director added: "It is needless to weaponize the pain of the people for political advantage, but the NDC cannot help itself because that's all they have got to sell. Sad!"

President Akufo-Addo has faced criticism from the NDC and others for the "you don't vote for me" remarks.

The opposition party and a vast section of the general public said the comments confirm the NPP government's long-standing discrimination against Voltarians.

The President's tour of the flood-affected areas followed the spillage of excess water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams, which has displaced thousands and destroyed property in Volta, Eastern and Greater Accra regions.
Private legal practitioner, Justice Abdulai has shared his view on the outcome of the case involving the hooligans who invaded the studios of United Television (UTV) and identified themselves as New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters.

On October 7, several people invaded the United Television (UTV) studios at Tesano in the Greater Accra Region and stalled the United Showbiz programme.

Following a report by the management of UTV and the Ministry of Information, the Police proceeded to arrest 16 of them on the premises of UTV.

They were subsequently charged for being on the premises for an unlawful purpose and arraigned before the court on Monday, October 16.

The accused persons pleaded guilty to the charge against them and were, therefore, convicted on their own pleas and sentenced to a fine of 200 penalty units each which amounts to Two Thousand Four Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH 2,400.00) in default 3 months imprisonment.

Speaking to TV3 on the ruling, Justice Abdulai said it is not deterrent enough. According to him, the ruling is a mockery.

I was completely taken aback when I saw the fines imposed on the accused persons that invaded the office while a live programme was airing. I keep asking myself and any other person who goes to shows at night, how it would feel. The kind of fear that you will entertain when you hear the sounds of mass of people threatening to cause mayhem while you are on the show, it is that scary.

What happened is such a mockery and I wonder whether it serves all the principles underlining punishments and indeed underlining the building of stronger democracy with the media being used as the forefront. This is why I am so saddened by the decision that was handed today, Justice Abdulai said on Monday night.

He argued that it would have been better to sentence the accused persons to tougher punishment to serve as a deterrent to others.
The recent spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam has sparked conversations about the responsible use of this water from nature, with Professor Joseph Osafo advocating for a more conservation-oriented approach to address the issue.

The spillage from Akosombo and Kpone Dams have affected communities with Mempe and Aaveyime hard hit in the Volta Region.

Reports indicate that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) rescued some 1800 persons, specifically in Mempe and Aaveyime, who were severely impacted by the floods.

Reacting to this on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Rev. Professor Joseph Osafo, the Director of the Centre for Ageing Studies at the University of Ghana has expressed worry.

He called upon the Volta River Authority and the government to take proactive measures to construct reservoirs to conserve the water spilled from the Akosombo and Kpone Dams.

Professor Osafo expressed surprise that, even after over 50 years since the dam's construction, no step had been taken to harness the water that periodically overflows when the dam reaches its capacity.

"When I look at how we can use water to grow crops and this water has gone free and destroyed things free, I mean 50 years and over, No! It's unacceptable.

We can't do this to our nation...You can't waste water. With the way the world is going, water, it cannot be wasted that way; not at all, he said.

According to him, constructing a reservoir was necessary to receive the excess water from the dams than always punish citizens in those areas every year with the spillage.

Spilling the water without conserving it is an immoral action to conservation," Professor Osafo asserted.

He continued, "If the soldiers rescued 1800 people, it means that we were close to a major disaster. We were very close. And how can we allow this?"

The government has established an inter-ministerial committee to address the significant flooding that resulted from the spillage of the Volta and Kpong Dams by the Volta River Authority (VRA).
Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayensuano constituency, Samuel Ayeh-Paye, has voiced his dismay over the continuous spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam, which has resulted in severe flooding in nearby communities.

As the Ghana Armed Forces go to the ground to rescue some 1800 flood victims, the destruction of properties and the environment has raised significant concerns.

During an interview on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Samuel Ayeh-Paye expressed his frustration at the inaction of the Volta River Authority (VRA) in addressing this recurring issue.

He finds it unacceptable that, despite over five decades since the construction of the dam, the excess water is still being released to destroy communities, properties and lives.

Ayeh-Paye suggested the construction of mini-dams along the stretch of the river to reserve water.

According to his proposal, the excess water that flows into the sea should be better managed to ensure that a significant portion is preserved and used for various purposes including irrigation.

"Let us build mini-dams along the stretch of the river to reserve water. The water that goes to join the sea is too much. It should have been that whenever we finish generating the power, less than 10 percent should enter the sea and the rest, we must be able to utilize it," Ayeh-Paye explained.

He called on the Volta River Authority to establish a fund for the construction of the mini-dams as an effective way to manage the water from the Akosombo Dam.

In reaction to the ongoing situation, the government has taken action by forming an inter-ministerial Committee.

A statement from the Ministry of Information confirmed that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has instructed the establishment of this team to coordinate the government's response to the unfortunate flooding experienced by various communities due to the spillage from the Volta Dam.

The committee, led by Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, comprises thirteen members tasked with addressing the challenges posed by the Akosombo Dam spillage and its impact on affected communities.
17.10.2023 LISTEN

Former Attorney General, Martin Amidu says he is shocked after hearing that Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has unfrozen five of the bank accounts of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

"On 16 October 2023, the Special Prosecutor revoked the freezing order in respect of the eliminated five (5) bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah. The freezing order is still in force and effect in respect of the other bank accounts and financial assets of Ms. Dapaah, a release from the Office of the Special Prosecutor said.

Martin Amidu argues that the proper procedure the Special Prosecutor should have followed was to apply to the court for an order.

According to the first Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng is conning the public by purporting to clear the bank accounts and assets of Cecilia Dapaah while the application is pending before the court.

The proper procedure for the Special Prosecutor to have followed to have the five (5) bank accounts de-frozen at this stage of the proceedings was to apply to the court to order the de-freezing of those five (5) bank accounts and to order the hearing on the remaining bank accounts to continue.

Kissi Agyebeng is running away with his tail between his legs from the adversarial process of the High Court even in matters which are sub judice. The proper forum for a competent and an experienced Special Prosecutor to state why the five (5) bank accounts should be defrozen when the matter is already in court, is before the High Court and not in the media to con the unsuspecting public, Martin Amidu said in his statement.

Read the full statement below:

THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR IS CONNING THE PUBLIC BY PURPORTING TO

DEFREEZE BANK ACCOUNTS AND ASSETS IN AN APPLICATION PENDING

BEFORE THE COURT: BY MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU

I could not believe my eyes when I read on Ghana Web the Special Prosecutors attempt to con the media and the public by assuming the power to de-freeze five (5) bank accounts out of a number of bank accounts contained in his own application pending in the High Court (Financial and Economic Crime Division 2) in the Special Prosecutor v Cecilia Abena Dapaah filed on 11 September 2023 for an order or orders confirming his administrative freezing of named bank accounts in addition to other reliefs. The Respondents filed their affidavit in opposition on 5 October 2023. I was, therefore, amazed to notice that the Special Prosecutor was continuing his trial of Cecilia Abena Dapaah in the court of public opinion by again publishing for media and public consumption and deception that:

"On 16 October 2023 the Special Prosecutor revoked the freezing order in respect of the eliminated five (5) bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah. The freezing order is still in force and effect in respect of the other bank accounts and financial assets of Ms. Dapaah."

The five (5) banks accounts from the media reportage were part of the bank accounts that the High Court in its ruling dated 31 August 2023 declined to grant an order or orders confirming the administrative freezing by the Special Prosecutor in July 2023. The five bank accounts are also still part of the bank accounts in the Special Prosecutors pending application filed on 11 September 2023 on which issues had been joined with the Respondents and which the High Court set down for hearing on 12 October 2023. The hearing on 12 October 2023 was deliberately aborted by the Special Prosecutors petition submitted to the Chief Justice on the same day objecting to the court and the judge hearing all the cases. The application filed on 11 September 2023 is accordingly sub judice.

The issue of whether the frozen bank accounts should or should not be de-frozen has also become sub judice before the High Court. The proper procedure for the Special Prosecutor to have followed to have the five (5) bank accounts de-frozen at this stage of the proceedings was to apply to the court to order the de-freezing of those five (5) bank accounts and to order the hearing on the remaining bank accounts to continue. The lawyers for Cecilia Abena

Dapaah in accordance with the due process of law are entitled to a hearing on the reasons contained in the application of the Special Prosecutor for the de-freezing of those five (5) bank accounts to ensure that there were valid grounds for the prior administrative freezing by the Special Prosecutor and to argue also whether the hearing on the remaining bank accounts ought to be ordered to continue. The motives of the Special Prosecutor for petitioning the Chief Justice that aborted the 12 October 2023 court hearing are now open to legitimate speculation by rational citizens in the light of the 16 October 2023 developments under discussion.

Kissi Agyebeng is running away with his tail between his legs from the adversarial process of the High Court even in matters which are sub judice. The proper forum for a competent and an experienced Special Prosecutor to state why the five (5) bank accounts should be defrozen when the matter is already in court, is before the High Court and not in the media to con the unsuspecting public. Cecilia Abena Dapaahs lawyers should pursue the abuse of the process of the court entailed in the Special Prosecutors conduct to hold him accountable in open court after the petition has been dealt with by the Chief Justices directives and the substantive case filed on 11September 2023 comes on for hearing.

Mr. Kissi Agyebeng needs to be reminded that the public office of Special Prosecutor is not akin to his former status as counsel for the anti-corruption entrepreneurial Tiger Eye PI where no law governs its operations.

Martin A. B. K. Amidu

16 October 2023
Ibom Air, the Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, has commenced scheduled commercial flight operations from Lagos, Nigeria to Accra, Ghana.

The airline's maiden flight touched down at Accra's Kotoka International Airport at 7:36am local time on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 to a water cannon salute. The airline offers travellers a new gateway to explore the vibrant West African region.

This strategic expansion aligns with Ibom Air's vision "to be a world-class African Regional Airline" by offering passengers an industry-leading travel experience that encompasses schedule reliability, on-time departures, and excellent service.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the new route, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi, said: "We are thrilled to commence our regional operations today, with the inaugural flight between Lagos and Accra. This is a significant step for Ibom Air as we expand our network out of Nigeria and into the African continent. This new route aims to enhance connectivity between Nigeria and Ghana, fostering tourism, trade, and tighter economic and cultural ties. Ibom Air remains committed to delivering exceptional services to our passengers, and we invite travellers between Nigeria and Ghana to choose Ibom Air and experience the best of our service offering."

In support of this remarkable development, the Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, Mrs. Pamela Djamson-Tettey, said: We are indeed delighted to welcome Ibom Air to Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana. We congratulate you on your decision to fly into Accra and are happy to have you on board. Your entry into Ghanas market will offer the travelling public more options for connectivity between Ghana and Nigeria. As Operators and Managers of Kotoka International Airport, we assure Ibom Air of our support in making their operations in Ghana a success. "

As Ibom Air expands its footprint across the region, travellers can expect a wide range of benefits, including promotional offers, exclusive fares, and special packages designed to make this route even more attractive. With Ibom Air's reputation for quality service and the support of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, travellers are set to enjoy an exceptional and efficient travel experience.

Ibom Air is a limited liability company wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, a sub-national in Nigeria. It aims to set the standard as an Airline of choice for passengers by focusing on schedule reliability, on-time departures, and excellent service. It has a fleet of seven Aircraft: five (5) Bombardier CRJ 900 and two (2) Airbus

A220-300, covering seven (7) destinations. Ibom Air made a firm order of ten (10) Airbus A220s in line with its expansion plan, with the first delivery set for November 2023.
COP (rtd) Alex Mensah has described the leaked tape scandal that exposed a plot to oust the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, as a blessing in disguise.

In an interview on Joy News, COP Alex Mensah, who was at the center of the controversy, shared his perspective on the matter.

He admitted that he was initially taken aback when their conversations were leaked to the public.

He however explained how the entire incident had unexpectedly opened up new opportunities for him.

You see, God has His own way of blessing people. Had it not been for this tape, maybe we wouldn't have been here. My name and my picture wouldn't have been where it is circulating now. Now, if you go to my constituency, everybody knows me. Everybody is looking for me, he said.

He continued, My friends who have not heard from me for years are calling me from the US, UK, and Germany everywhere. God has His own way of bringing up somebody.

Sometimes you will not understand, but at the end of the day, you will understand and say, I thought this was a problem, but that was the way the Lord is using to bring you up.

He stressed that the leaked tape scandal had taught him valuable lessons moving forward.

When asked directly if he considered the leaked tape to be a blessing, the parliamentary hopeful for Bekwai responded, It has in so so many ways. At least now, it has made the public aware that something is not going well in the Ghana Police Service.
Five persons in Nigeria have been sentenced to twelve (12) years in prison each after being found guilty of exhuming human skulls with the intent to use them for rituals to become rich overnight.

The men had planned to deliver the human skull to a traditional doctor who claimed it was necessary for rituals that would result in financial prosperity.

They pleaded guilty to the charges after being apprehended with the skull in their possession.

The prosecutor informed the court that the men had exhumed the skull from a body buried three years ago in a Muslim cemetery in the north-central Niger state.

According to reports from the privately owned Punch newspaper, the men had been directed to find a human skull by the herbalist who promised that they would share the wealth derived from this criminal act.

They said the herbalist informed and promised all of them that they would share the wealth from the said criminal activity and directed them to look for the human skull, the prosecutor was quoted by the Daily Punch newspaper.

Security officers arrested these young men, aged between 18 and 28, in early September while they were transporting the remains to a third party, following the instructions of the traditional doctor.

A court in Minna, the capital of Niger state, convicted the men on charges of criminal conspiracy, trespassing on burial grounds, and unlawfully possessing a human skull.

However, the traditional doctor who engaged the young men was not arrested or charged.

Belief in "juju," a form of magic or ritualistic practice, is relatively widespread in Nigeria, often practiced alongside Christianity or Islam.

A 2010 report by the Pew Research Centre noted the combination of such beliefs in Nigeria.

These beliefs have sometimes led to gruesome murders in Nigeria, as individuals are targeted, particularly those viewed as vulnerable, including children, single women, and people with disabilities.

Local authorities have also reported the sale and use of body parts in rituals in exchange for wealth.

The increasing desperation due to economic challenges in Nigeria, where a significant portion of the population lives in poverty according to World Bank data, has fueled money-making rituals and related criminal activities.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) organized the 3rd Meeting of the ECOWAS Sub-Committee of the Chiefs of Naval Staff, from October 15 to 16, 2023, in Lome, Togo. This highly anticipated event aimed to review and assess the operations and functionality of the ECOWAS Maritime Centers, with the objective of strengthening maritime operations and combating illicit maritime activities in the region.

The primary purpose of this meeting is to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Maritime Centres, which will provide valuable insights for improving maritime operations and effectively dealing with illicit maritime activities in the ECOWAS region. Participants in this significant gathering include representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Maritime Centres, Chiefs of Naval Staff from Member States, and their respective Heads of Operations.

During his opening speech, the Chief of Staff of the Togolese National Navy, Frigate Captain Atatoum Babate, expressed that by organizing this meeting in Lome, ECOWAS shows its commitment to effective maritime governance and its desire to ensure peace, security, and prosperity in the West African sub-region. He also emphasized that member states have strengthened their individual and collective efforts in addressing threats related to maritime security, and stressed the importance of remaining united in combating maritime insecurity.

In his opening address, the Permanent Representative of ECOWAS in Togo,His Excellency, Barros Bacar BANJAI, on behalf of Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musa,Phd, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, commended the Member States for their contributions towards equipping the maritime security centers. He highlighted that significant progress has been made in reducing maritime attacks, with a decline from 68 attacks in 2018 to 50 in 2019, and further decreasing to 18 in 2021 and 15 in 2022. He attributed this positive trend to the cooperation and coordination among Member States and the international community.

Minister of Maritime Economy, Fisheries, and Coastal Protection, Honorable Kokou Edem TENGUY, underscored the importance of maritime security due to the significant flow of goods and equipment passing through the sea. While this contributes to economic development, it also poses risks of illicit activities linked to maritime insecurity. He assured that Togo, as the host country, remains committed to participating in the ECOWAS maritime strategy and the fight against maritime piracy and illicit activities through the establishment of multinational maritime centers.

The Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres (MMCCs) play a crucial role in the ECOWAS maritime security architecture. These centres, along with the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in West Africa (CRESMAO) in Cote d'Ivoire, have significantly enhanced maritime security in the region and have led to a decrease in piracy and theft incidents at sea.

In parallel to the Chiefs of Naval Staff meeting, the 7th International Symposium of the Gulf of Guinea is scheduled to take place in Lome, Togo from October 18 to 19, 2023. This simultaneous gathering will provide a platform to discuss broader issues related to the Gulf of Guinea, including its challenges and potential solutions.

The ultimate goal of the Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Staff of the ECOWAS Navy meeting is to have a fruitful and productive session that will result in the preparation of a comprehensive report to be submitted to ECOWAS management.
Russia launches coordinated offensive in several directions in eastern Ukraine, but capture of Avdiyivka unlikely in near future - British intelligence

Russian occupiers have most likely launched a coordinated offensive in several directions in eastern Ukraine, including Avdiyivka in Donetsk region, according to a report from the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on the social network X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning.

Russian forces in Donetsk are conducting a combined arms offensive on the heavily defended town of Avdiyivka, which has been which has been on the frontline since 2014. The town is a major obstacle in preventing Russian forces from their wider objective of taking control of Donetsk region, the message reads.

According to the British intelligence, Russias attack is likely being carried out with multiple armored battalions, which are attempting to envelop the town, and its likely to be the most significant offensive operation undertaken by Russia since at least January 2023. At the same time, it is indicated that the Ukrainian forces are holding back the advance of the invaders, and the latter are suffering heavy losses in equipment and personnel.

Slow progress and high casualties have likely triggered a change in messaging from Russia, from an offensive to active-defence, as successfully clearing Avdiyivka looks increasingly unlikely in the short term, the message reads.
The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has jumped to the defense of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo amid criticism over comments made during a visit to the Volta Region.

Speaking to the chiefs and people of Mepe during his visit to the region on Monday, October 16, the President said if he was to look at the voting pattern of Voltarians then he wouldnt be with them to solidarise.

I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and suffering. It is my responsibility to try and help because if it is a question of counting who votes for me and who doesnt vote for me, I shouldnt be here because you dont vote for me, President Akufo-Addo said.

These comments have not gone down well with many people who have described it as unnecessary and not befitting of the President.

In a post to defend the president today, Richard Ahiagbah has argued that President Akufo-Addo did not mean any harm.

He explained that the Presidents remarks were meant to decry the usual NDC politicization of issues occurring in the Volta Region to gain campaign points.

President Akufo-Addo's remark at Mepe was meant to decry the usual NDC politicization of issues occurring in the Volta Region, to further their false campaign that the NPP and its governments do not care about the good people of the Volta Region. The President simply said that he was not there because the people voted or did not vote for him, but because he is the President for all Ghanaians including the good people of Mepe.

President Akufo-Addo's remark is not the problem. He was responding and drawing attention to the divisive NDC's tribal politics to do with the pain and suffering of the flood victims...It is needless to weaponize the pain of the people for political advantage, but the NDC cannot help itself because that's all they have got to sell. Sad, Richard Ahiagbah said.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has assured that government will provide the necessary support for all persons affected by the flooding from the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
Member of Parliament for Ketu South Abla Dzifa Gomashie has said President Nana Akufo-Addo insulted and disrespected the chiefs and people of the Volta Region when he said on Monday, 16 October 2023, during his tour of some flood-ravaged areas in that part of the country.

The president, during his tour of Mepe to assess the disaster caused by the planned spillage of excess water from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams, said he was there to commiserate with the thousands of displaced people of the Volta Region, whose homes, farms and property have been ravaged by floods.

President Nana Akufo-Addo told the traditional leaders and people of Mepe that: "My visit here, today, is a very simple one: It is to come and commiserate with you about the tragedy that has occurred."

The president explained that even though he was out of the country when the disaster struck, he set the government in motion to strategise to help the situation.

"When it happened, I was in America, on official business, when the Chief of Staff called me in America about what had happened, and we discussed what had to be done; so that is when we agreed to establish an Inter-Ministerial Committee to co-ordinate government's response to this tragedy", he noted, adding: "The co-ordination is about immediate, about tomorrow, and about tomorrow, tomorrow".

Mr Akufo-Addo said: "The most important thing was, first of all, to ensure the life of people".

"That is why nine centres were established here in Mepe for all the displaced people", he explained, indicating: "And all the people in these nine centres have been provided relief items by NADMO; and its NADMOs intention to continue the exercise of providing relief items".

"So, apart from what NADMO is doing, we have also to think about the future", he said.

The president said he was aware that the people of the area were predominantly farmers and acknowledged that the rivers that overflowed destroyed the many farms along their banks and announced that "one of the things that the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the President is going to be working [on] with the District Assembly, is to decide exactly the nature of the support we have to give to you when the water has gone away, so nobody could do the farm".

"This is why I am saying that the committee is working in several phases. One, immediate relief; and then tomorrow", he added.

The president then pointed out that he was a president for all Ghanaians, thus, his intervention irrespective of politics.

"But I want you to know that the government is going to do everything in its powers to assist, to make sure that things are all right. I think everybody here, and I hope you take the message all across, North Tongu, South Tongu, Central Tongu, that when these things happen and government acts, politics does not come into the matter at all".

"When I took the Oath of Office as President, I took the Oath of Office as President of every single individual in Ghana; of all peoples in Ghana, all districts, and whether they voted for me or not, once I have taken the oath, I am the President of all people. So Togbe, you and your elders, I want the people here, beginning with you and the elders to understand that when something like this happens and the government acts, government is acting for Ghanaians, all Ghanaians", the president asserted.

He stressed: "I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and are suffering, and it is my responsibility to try and help. Because, if it is a question of counting who votes for me and who doesn't vote for me, I shouldn't be here, because you don't vote for me, but that is not a concern, and in any event, one day you will vote for me and my party".

"So, Togbe, I came here this afternoon, to express my sympathies and to commiserate with all the people of Mepe, and the area".

Ms Gomashie, however, told Class News on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 that: "His Excellency, the president, should be ashamed of himself because if you go into your archives, you'll see that from 2021, the three MPs along the coast of the Volta Region -- my good self, the MP for Keta, Hon Kwame Dzudzoli Gakpey and the MP for Anlo, Hon Richard Kwami Sefe, called on the president many times to come to the aid of our people who were inundated with the tidal waves that had hit our communities".

"In my particular case, in one year, the tidal waves hit me three times", she revealed, complaining: "On none of those occasions did the president speak about it, tweet about it, or think about it".

"His ministers came here, made promises and left and till date, there's no record anywhere, where you'll find if either the president or his vice president or his ministers came back on that issue of what was happening to us", she bemoaned.

She said: "We're still in that same situation and he still has not spoken about it".

Zeroing in on the recent disaster, Ms Gomashie said: "After weeks of this disaster and planned spillage of excess water from the dam by the VRA, weeks after, the president now gathers courage and comes to us and the first thing he says to us, is not to apologise for the neglect, it's not to apologise for the ineffective way in which he has handled this disaster in the Volta Region, it was not to apologise to the chiefs and people and the ones who voted for him to get the 50 per cent plus one; he did not apologise to us. He comes and rubs it in our faces that if it was about voting, then he wouldn't have been here, but you came with your empty hands and you want to come and insult us".

"I am disgusted, I'm horrified that His Excellency can descend that low", she condemned.

-Classfmonline
Sammy Gyamfi, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communications Officer has urged the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to respond quickly to the victims of the Akosombo dam spillage.

Sammy Gyamfi indicates that the situation requires urgent attention to the affected communities who are displaced by the flood.

During a press conference at the party headquarters, Sammy Gyamfi said NDC will do everything in its power to ensure that victims of the flood are attended to.

He appealed to prominent individuals and companies to assist the flood victims with relief items.

We wish to reiterate the important call that has been made by our leader and flagbearer His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama for the government of Ghana acting through the Volta River Authority (VRA) and other relevant state urgencies to immediately provide the needed support for residents in the affected communities, Sammy Gyamfi stated.
- Source:

17.10.2023 LISTEN

Sexual harassment encompasses a wide range of inappropriate behaviour, from ogling, touching and commenting about body parts, to sexual proposition, coercion, assault and rape. In other words, it is any form of unsolicited and unwanted sexual attention.

Within the academic environment, there is another dimension too. It is any form of physical or verbal behaviour that may tie academic progress to sexual favours. Either staff or students could be victims . It violates the victim's dignity, especially in situations where it creates an environment of humiliation , degradation or hostility.

In Nigeria, sexual harassment is the bane of many students. While it is difficult to put a figure to it, a 2018 World Bank survey said 70% of female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions had been sexually harassed in school by their fellow students and lecturers. A Nigerian study found that 34.2% of the 160 students surveyed said that sexual violence was the most prevalent form of gender-based violence. There is even a bill which aims to prevent it  the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions Prohibition Bill  awaiting presidential assent, passed by the National Assembly.

The effects of sexual harassment may include loss of self confidence and self esteem, trouble studying or paying attention, and thinking about dropping a class or even leaving the institution.

I'm a scholar of gender, sexuality and communication. I conducted a study that looked at the perceptions embedded in the online opinion and attitudes of Nigerians towards female victims of sexual harassment.

I analysed comments uploaded on Nairaland.com , a Nigerian English-language internet forum with over 3 million registered users. These were comments about personal experiences of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary education institutions.

The analysis found that the comments contained stereotypical assumptions and negative attitudes towards victims. Victims of sexual harassment were presented as liars and willing accomplices. The comments suggested that women's behaviour instigated the harassment and that they were guilty.

My findings provide insights into the construction of masculinity and femininity in Nigerian cyberspaces. They also show how these spaces reproduce and reconstruct norms about gender and sexuality.

I recommend that education institutions should do more to prevent harassment and to support those who experience it. In addition, a law should be put in place to require institutions to do so.

Comments on Nairaland

The data for my study comprised 500 comments gathered from five selected stories on university sexual harassment downloaded from Nairaland. Nairaland is the largest Nigerian online forum ; people post comments there on many topics, ranging from politics to social issues.

Nairaland members cut across different ages, social classes, gender and professions. There are students and lecturers on the forum. Participants can post personal stories as well as stories and news reports from other online forums or news sites. Forum members then deliberate on them.

I chose five stories which generated a lot of comments. Two of the stories were discussions on sexual harassment cases. Three were personal stories of victims.

My analysis took a descriptive qualitative approach.

In the comments, female victims of sexual harassment were presented as liars who willingly took part in what had happened. The comments suggested their actions and what they were wearing had provoked the harassment. Some statements implied that women only claim harassment when they want attention or feel cheated by males. For example:

The girl is already an ashawo (prostitute)  she wants to form virgin mary when she is a prostitute already. rubbish  she is not a virgin so why refuse the lecturer sex. she is just trying to play the victim.

Some of the commentators said sexual victimisation would always occur because men are biologically wired to always want sex. Also, that some female students dressed provocatively, and some were too lazy to pass without favours from their lecturers. Female victims were blamed for putting themselves in a position that made them harassable  they were guilty by making themselves available to their harassers.

Negative portrayal of victims

My research also shows how Nigerian society portrays women. The negative and ideological portrayal of the victims stems from a broader perception of women in Nigerian society. It reflects the patriarchal structure of the society , which considers women unequal to men.

Social practices that uphold patriarchy blame females for sexual crimes committed against them by males. Women are seen as flawed and debased, objects of sexual gratification for men .

Read more: Video vixens and cash: how Nigerian hip hop music objectifies women

Men tend to hold powerful and authoritative positions in universities. Since 1960, there have been only 38 women among over 720 vice-chancellors in Nigeria.

The way forward

Sexual harassment can only be curbed if there are measures that encourage early reporting by victims within the university system. Their protection must be guaranteed as this will make them feel safe to report incidents of harassment. In an environment where they are blamed for their own harassment, they are less likely to report it and it is more likely to continue, with negative impacts on individuals' educational progress and health.

Read more: How feminist research and teaching gained a foothold in the Nigerian academy

Nigerian tertiary institutions should create a gender diversity office that protects the identity of students who report cases of sexual harassment. That way, victims do not have to suffer criticism or stigmatisation from society. The University of Ibadan has a Gender Mainstreaming Office which investigates sexual harassment issues, but it is difficult to gauge its effectiveness. Another, Godfrey Okoye University, has a similar office .

There should be a policy on sexual harassment in all institutions. Its contents must be widely shared and clear to reflect what constitutes harassment and what punishment perpetrators can expect to face.

Helen Ugah 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.

By Helen Ugah, Lecturer, Elizade University
Former President John Dramani Mahama has accused the Office of the President of spreading misinformation about comments he allegedly made regarding President Akufo-Addo's response to recent flooding caused by dam spillage.

A publication circulated on social media containing controversial quotes attributed to Mahama.

According to the report, Mahama asserted that "Akufo-Addo does not want to come to Volta Region to inspect the havoc of the spillage. If it was Ashanti Region he would have rushed there. Are Ewes not human beings too? Are Asantes more human beings than Ewes?".

However, Mr. Mahama denied making such ethnocentric remarks.

He accused the presidency of deliberately pushing the misinformation in an effort to cause public disaffection against him.

In a post on X Tuesday, October 17, the one-time President stated "This is false and they know it! Kindly ignore such acts of disinformation from the Office of the President of Ghana."

The NDC 2024 flagbearer urged Ghanaians to disregard the "false claims."
Scores of foreigners were killed, wounded or taken hostage after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

The worst attack in Israel's 75-year history killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, inside the country, according to Israeli officials.

Israel has responded with bombardments that have killed around 3,000 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.

According to an AFP count, over 160 foreigners have been confirmed dead by their national authorities, many of whom also held Israeli nationality.

Some 199 people have been confirmed to have been abducted, the Israeli military said on Monday.

Here is what we know so far:

United States: 30 dead, others abducted, missing

At least 30 US citizens have been killed since the Hamas attack last week, a State Department spokesperson said Sunday. Another 13 American nationals are unaccounted for, the spokesperson said.

An unspecified number of Americans are believed to have been abducted.

Thailand: 28 dead, 17 hostages

Twenty-eight Thais have been killed, the foreign ministry said Sunday, with the circumstances unclear in some cases.

The foreign ministry said 17 are thought to have been abducted, while the number of wounded remained unchanged at 16.

About 30,000 Thais work in Israel, most in the agricultural sector, according to government figures.

France: 21 dead, 11 missing

Twenty-one French nationals have been killed, while 11 others remain missing, many of whom are "very probably Hamas hostages", according to the latest update from the foreign ministry.

Russia: 16 dead, eight missing

At least 16 Russians have been killed and another eight are missing, the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv said in an update Saturday.

At least one Russian citizen who also holds Israeli citizenship is being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas, the embassy added.

Nepal: 10 dead

Ten Nepali citizens were killed in Kibbutz Alumim, the Himalayan republic's embassy in Tel Aviv said.

The kibbutz was hosting 17 students at the time of the attack.

Argentina: Seven dead, 15 missing

Argentina's foreign ministry confirmed that seven nationals had been killed and 15 others were missing.

Ukraine: Seven dead, nine missing

The foreign ministry said Thursday that the number of Ukrainians killed had risen to seven, with another nine missing and nine wounded.

Canada: Six dead, two missing

Six Canadians have died and two were missing, according to a government update on Tuesday.

UK: Six dead, 10 missing

Six Britons have been confirmed dead, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told British parliament on Monday.

Another 10 are missing, he said, some of whom are also feared to be dead.

China: Four dead, two missing

China's foreign ministry said Monday that four Chinese nationals were killed and two were missing.

Romania: Four dead, one missing

Romania announced on Saturday the death of four nationals, including an Israeli-Romanian soldier. One other Romanian is still missing.

Austria: Three dead, two missing

Three Israeli-Austrians were killed in the attacks, authorities said. Two others remain missing.

Belarus: Three dead, one missing

The Belarusian embassy in Tel Aviv said three of its citizens had died and another was missing.

Brazil: Three dead

The foreign ministry said Friday a Brazilian woman had been killed, bringing the total number of deaths to three.

Philippines: Three dead, three missing

The Philippines foreign ministry has said a 49-year-old woman was killed at the music festival.

Previously authorities said a 33-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man had been killed at a kibbutz.

Three nationals remained missing.

Peru: Two dead, five missing

Two Peruvians were killed and five missing, the authorities said.

South Africa: Two dead

The South African government announced that two of its nationals had been killed.

Australia: One dead

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday an Australian woman had been killed in the attacks.

Azerbaijan: One dead

The foreign ministry has said that one Azerbaijani national had been killed.

Cambodia: One dead

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet said one Cambodian student had been killed.

Chile: One dead, one missing

A Chilean woman has been killed, say the authorities.

A kibbutz resident has been reported missing, according to the foreign ministry.

Colombia: One dead, one missing

Bogota announced the death of one Colombian and said another was missing.

Honduras: One dead

Honduran authorities confirmed on Friday the death of one of its nationals.

Ireland: One dead

A 22-year-old Irish-Israeli woman died in the attacks, the Irish government confirmed on Wednesday.

Portugal: One dead, four missing

One Portuguese national was killed and four were missing, Foreign Minister Gomes Cravinho said Wednesday.

Spain: One dead, one missing

The foreign ministry said on Wednesday one Spanish citizen had been killed.

A Spaniard married to a Chilean was missing, according to Chilean authorities.

Switzerland: One dead

An Israeli-Swiss national was killed in the October 7 attack.

Turkey: One dead, one missing

Ankara confirmed Friday that a Turkish-Israeli citizen, who had moved to Israel with his family in 1972, had been killed.

Another was missing.

Germany: At least eight hostages

The German government reported Saturday "eight known cases" of hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas. The foreign ministry said later that each case could include several people, such as members of the same family.

Mexico: Two hostages

Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena wrote on social media that two Mexicans, a man and a woman, had been taken hostage.

Italy: Three missing

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday that three Israeli-Italians were missing.

Paraguay: Two missing

Two Paraguayan nationals who had been living in Israel are missing, the government said.

Sri Lanka: Two missing

Sri Lanka's ambassador to Israel said Tuesday that two nationals, a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman, were missing.

Tanzania: Two missing

Tanzania's ambassador to Israel told AFP two Tanzanian nationals were missing.

burs/yad/gw
MP for Adaklu, Kwame Agbodza

17.10.2023 LISTEN

The Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Agbodza has expressed displeasure about comments made by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo when he visited the Volta Region to commiserate with flood victims after the controlled spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams.

Speaking to Chiefs and the people of Mepe on Monday, October 16, the President said if it was about who voted and who did not vote for him then he wouldnt have visited the Volta Region because the people did not vote for him.

So Togbe, you and your elders, I want you to understand that when something like this happens and the government acts, government is acting for Ghanaians.

I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and suffering and it is my responsibility to try and help. If it is the question of counting who votes for me and who doesnt vote for me I shouldnt be here because you dont vote for me but that is not my concern, President Akufo-Addo said.

He continued, I came here this afternoon to express my sympathies and to commiserate with all the people in the Mepe area, I chose Mepe because this is the area that has been most affected.

Speaking to TV3 on the things said by President Akufo-Addo on his visit, Kwame Agbodza who is a Member of Parliament for Adaklu in the Volta Region argued that it is a mockery of the affected people in the Volta Region.

He said in the moment of catastrophe, the President should not have passed such comments.

We did not bring this catastrophe upon ourselves. Where is your sense of dignity in this time of tribulation of our people? President Akufo Addo only came to mock us and rub it in, Kwame Agbodza said.

Many others who have criticised the President have described his remarks on the voting pattern of the people in the Volta Region as one that is unnecessary and unpresidential.
A member of the legal team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe has lambasted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over comments passed when he visited Mepe in the Volta Region.

The president on Monday, October 16, visited the affected arrears in the Region to commiserate with the people and assure them of governments support after the flooding from the controlled spillage of the Akosombo dam.

Speaking to Chiefs and the people of Mepe, President Akufo-Addo said if it was about who voted and who did not vote for him then he wouldnt have visited the Volta Region because the people did not vote for him.

So Togbe, you and your elders, I want you to understand that when something like this happens and the government acts, government is acting for Ghanaians.

I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and suffering and it is my responsibility to try and help. If it is the question of counting who votes for me and who doesnt vote for me I shouldnt be here because you dont vote for me but that is not my concern, President Akufo-Addo said.

He continued, I came here this afternoon to express my sympathies and to commiserate with all the people in the Mepe area, I chose Mepe because this is the area that has been most affected.

Reacting to these comments during a discussion on Metro TV on Tuesday, Edudzi Tamakloe fumed and fired the President.

He said the comments from the President were not only reckless but insulting to the affected people of the Volta Region.

When the crisis happened you were outside in the US. Your vice president who was acting President never found it necessary to go out there. He never did. He was out there campaigning for votes. That is how he prioritized the issue. Now when you [President Akufo-Addo] came and decided to visit the people, in the midst of crisis that is when you decided to count votes. Its completely irresponsible, Edudzi Tamakloe argued.

He indicated that instead of the insulting comments, the President should have used a sober approach to solidarise with the affected people.
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) is hosting the Her CyberTracks West Africa Forum this week.

The Her Cyber Tracks West Africa Forum is being implemented by the GIZ Project Partnership for Strengthening Cybersecurity that is commissioned by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (UN) and the coordinating staff of KAIPTC.

Through capacity development and mentoring, the initiative aims to promote women's full, equal and meaningful representation in cybersecurity policy and diplomacy.

In its first year, participation is open to women from West Africa and select European countries.

The 3-day Forum commenced at the Centre on Tuesday, October 17, and will be climaxed on Thursday, October 19.

The forum represents a pivotal moment in the journey towards strengthening cybersecurity and advancing the vital cause of women's participation.

Delivering his remarks to open the Forum on Tuesday, the Commandant of KAIPTC, Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane said he is delighted that the KAIPTC has been chosen to host the Her CyberTracks Africa Forum.

Noting that the timing could not be more fitting, he indicated that not only does the programme align with the Centre's commitment to inspiring African women leaders in peace and security, but it also coincides with National Cyber Security Month in October.

He said this synergy provides KAIPTC with a unique opportunity to reinforce its dedication to Women, Peace, and Security while advancing its cybersecurity efforts.

In his address, Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane advocated for more women in cybersecurity, insisting that this lead to effective responses to gender-specific threats including online harassment and stalking.

Certain cyber threats, such as online harassment and stalking, disproportionately affect women. Having women in cybersecurity positions can lead to a better understanding of effective responses to these gender-specific threats. Hence, promoting women in cybersecurity contributes to the broader goals of gender equality and inclusivity in the tech industry. It helps break down barriers and promote equal opportunities for all, Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane said.

According to the KAIPTC Commandant, it is essential to create an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages women to pursue careers in the field, which will in turn provide opportunities for their growth and advancement in order to fully realize the importance of women in cybersecurity.

He said it is therefore imperative to put in measures such as mentorship programs, educational initiatives, and policies that promote diversity and equal representation in cybersecurity organizations.

Before concluding his welcome address, Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane encouraged participants of Her CyberTracks West Africa Forum to embrace the opportunity they have been presented at the forum with enthusiasm, dedication, active engagement, networking, and collaboration.

He also admonished participants of the forum to be bold, be innovative, and be the change-makers who will lead us toward a more inclusive and secure cyber landscape.

KAIPTC Commandant Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyan with Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

Gracing the opening ceremony of the forum, the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation for Ghana, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stressed that the importance of enabling womens active engagement in the cybersecurity domain cannot be overemphasised.

She said there is a need to take deliberate steps to encourage more women to enter the cybersecurity space, especially in a digital world where cybersecurity has become absolutely critical in day-to-day life.

Luckily for us, there is a critical skills shortage in this sector and I keep saying that technology is made for women. It is incumbent on us to embrace the opportunities that it affords us to work remotely, to work safely, to multitask and to use our natural inborn skills to also impact this sector. So whatever we need to do to encourage more women into this space we will do it, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful assured.

While extending her appreciation to GIZ, ITU, and KAPITC for putting together the forum, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful called for more comprehensive education programmes and scholarships for women to equip them with the expertise to work in the cybersecurity space.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences and I hope I have encouraged you to take whatever you are going to learn here seriously and to see that it may possibly open the door for you in other future engagements. The future is digital and the future is women, Ghanas Minister for Communication and Digitalisation said.

In attendance at the opening of the Forum were H.E Regine Grienberger, Cyber Ambassador of Germany, H.E Daniel Krull, Ambassador of Germany to Ghana, H.E. Mrs. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, and Ms. Anne-Rachel Inne, Director of the ITU Regional Office for Africa.

Her CyberTracks West Africa Forum is not just a one-off event but also a transformative experience that spans four months, encompassing online training, mentorship circles, and networking events.

Beyond the Her Cyber Tracks West Africa Forum which is rallying stakeholders towards strengthening cyber security and advancing the participation of women in the cyber security space, KAPITC has since October 1, been engaging its social media community by providing daily tips on cybersecurity with the hashtag #CyberMonthKAIPTC on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

The KAIPTC believes that promoting women in cyber security contributes significantly to the broader goals of gender equality and inclusivity in the technology industry.
Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,740,000 shares, a growth of 29.4% from the September 15th total of 2,890,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 487,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 7.7 days. Currently, 9.7% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atlas Energy Solutions

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in Atlas Energy Solutions by 526.7% during the second quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,206 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 1,854 shares during the period. Avondale Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions during the second quarter worth $52,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions during the second quarter worth $53,000. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions during the second quarter worth $59,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC acquired a new stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions during the first quarter worth $68,000. 17.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Atlas Energy Solutions Price Performance

AESI traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $20.21. 535,115 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 461,084. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.02 billion and a PE ratio of 6.26. Atlas Energy Solutions has a 1-year low of $15.06 and a 1-year high of $24.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 3.22 and a quick ratio of 3.10. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $22.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $19.26.

Atlas Energy Solutions Announces Dividend

Atlas Energy Solutions ( NYSE:AESI Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 31st. The company reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $161.79 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $144.51 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Atlas Energy Solutions will post 2.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 10th were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 9th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.96%. Atlas Energy Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on AESI shares. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 3rd. Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $25.00 price objective on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $23.00 price objective on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, August 1st. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $25.00.

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Atlas Energy Solutions Company Profile

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Atlas Energy Solutions Inc provides proppant and logistics services to the oil and natural gas industry within the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Austin, Texas.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reaffirms its strong condemnation of terrorist rocket attacks and attacks by Hamas armed groups against the population of Israel, which have already killed and injured several thousand people, including Ukrainian citizens, according to a statement by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on the situation in the Middle East, released in Tuesday.

We consider categorically unacceptable acts of violence intentionally directed by Hamas against the civilian population, including brutal murders and hostage-taking. Those responsible for these crimes must be brought to the strictest responsibility. We adamantly support Israel in its right to protection and efforts to counter terrorist acts," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

At the same time, the department called it critically important that the ongoing confrontation does not further lead to an increase in the number of civilian casualties on both sides of the conflict in both Israel and Palestine and declared further support for the two-state principle and the diplomatic path to resolving the conflict.

We believe that the Middle East peace process remains the basis of all efforts aimed at restoring regional stability and security. Ukraine consistently supports the implementation of the principle of two states, Israel and Palestine, who will live side by side in peace and security, and advocates resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through political and diplomatic means," the statement says.

We are confident that a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in the Middle East can be realized within the framework of the parties unconditional implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and other international agreements, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summarized.
Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:EQH  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 5,550,000 shares, a growth of 30.3% from the September 15th total of 4,260,000 shares. Approximately 1.6% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,150,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.6 days.

Equitable Price Performance

EQH traded up $0.66 on Monday, reaching $28.16. 1,274,635 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,789,661. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.78 billion, a PE ratio of 28.42 and a beta of 1.38. The companys 50-day moving average price is $28.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $26.80. Equitable has a fifty-two week low of $21.89 and a fifty-two week high of $33.24.

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Equitable (NYSE:EQH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The company reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.17. The company had revenue of $3.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.39 billion. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Equitable will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Equitable Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 7th were issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 4th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.13%. Equitables dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 88.89%.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on EQH shares. Barclays decreased their price target on Equitable from $33.00 to $32.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Equitable from $36.00 to $35.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 6th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Equitable from $38.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Equitable in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. They set a hold rating and a $31.00 price target for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Equitable from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, September 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $35.11.

Read Our Latest Report on Equitable

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Equitable

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Natixis acquired a new position in shares of Equitable in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its stake in shares of Equitable by 333.5% in the 2nd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 1,916 shares of the companys stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 1,474 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Equitable in the 2nd quarter valued at about $62,000. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Equitable in the 2nd quarter valued at about $71,000. Finally, CWM LLC increased its stake in shares of Equitable by 23.6% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,000 after purchasing an additional 506 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.70% of the companys stock.

Equitable Company Profile

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Equitable Holdings, Inc, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, operates as a diversified financial services company worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Individual Retirement, Group Retirement, Investment Management and Research, and Protection Solutions. The Individual Retirement segment offers a suite of variable annuity products primarily to affluent and high net worth individuals.

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Fabrinet (NYSE:FN  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 846,300 shares, an increase of 29.7% from the September 15th total of 652,600 shares. Currently, 2.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 363,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.3 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FN has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Fabrinet in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Northland Securities raised their price objective on Fabrinet from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. Needham & Company LLC raised their price objective on Fabrinet from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Lake Street Capital raised their price objective on Fabrinet from $130.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities began coverage on Fabrinet in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating and a $230.00 price objective on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Fabrinet has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $136.78.

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Fabrinet Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE FN traded up $2.49 during trading on Monday, reaching $175.67. The company had a trading volume of 197,471 shares, compared to its average volume of 325,263. The companys fifty day moving average price is $151.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $126.59. Fabrinet has a 12 month low of $90.19 and a 12 month high of $183.74. The stock has a market cap of $6.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.77 and a beta of 1.04.

Fabrinet (NYSE:FN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 21st. The technology company reported $1.86 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.06. Fabrinet had a return on equity of 18.23% and a net margin of 9.37%. The firm had revenue of $655.87 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $641.42 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.51 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Fabrinet will post 7.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Fabrinet news, CEO Seamus Grady sold 27,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $159.92, for a total transaction of $4,317,840.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 45,471 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,271,722.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Fabrinet news, CEO Seamus Grady sold 27,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $159.92, for a total transaction of $4,317,840.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 45,471 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,271,722.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Csaba Sverha sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.90, for a total value of $3,218,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 14,073 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,264,345.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 57,358 shares of company stock valued at $9,165,464. Insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fabrinet

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Fabrinet by 39.9% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 417 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Fabrinet by 6.2% during the 1st quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 2,142 shares of the technology companys stock worth $225,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Ellsworth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Fabrinet by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Ellsworth Advisors LLC now owns 3,308 shares of the technology companys stock worth $430,000 after buying an additional 126 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in Fabrinet by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 6,466 shares of the technology companys stock worth $617,000 after buying an additional 126 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in Fabrinet during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $520,000. Institutional investors own 97.38% of the companys stock.

About Fabrinet

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Fabrinet provides optical packaging and precision optical, electro-mechanical, and electronic manufacturing services in North America, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The company offers a range of advanced optical and electro-mechanical capabilities in the manufacturing process, including process design and engineering, supply chain management, manufacturing, printed circuit board assembly, advanced packaging, integration, final assembly, and testing.

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Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) CEO Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $302.04, for a total transaction of $1,887,750.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 161,622 shares in the company, valued at approximately $48,816,308.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Accenture Price Performance

Accenture stock traded up $3.44 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $305.27. The stock had a trading volume of 1,491,566 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,292,244. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $314.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $303.30. Accenture plc has a twelve month low of $242.80 and a twelve month high of $330.43. The firm has a market cap of $202.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.03, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.22.

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Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 28th. The information technology services provider reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.06. Accenture had a net margin of 10.72% and a return on equity of 29.74%. The firm had revenue of $15.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.07 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.60 EPS. The companys revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Accenture plc will post 12.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 12th will be issued a dividend of $1.29 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 11th. This represents a $5.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.69%. This is an increase from Accentures previous quarterly dividend of $1.12. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.91%.

Accenture declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, September 28th that allows the company to buyback $4.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the information technology services provider to repurchase up to 2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ACN has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Accenture from $332.00 to $322.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 29th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Accenture from $312.00 to $300.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $340.00 price objective on shares of Accenture in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and issued a $330.00 price target on shares of Accenture in a research note on Tuesday, September 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Accenture from $340.00 to $356.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $333.24.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Accenture

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Accenture

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Howard Capital Management Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Accenture by 0.3% in the third quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC now owns 107,563 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $33,034,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares in the last quarter. Ziegler Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Accenture by 42.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ziegler Capital Management LLC now owns 41,383 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $12,709,000 after buying an additional 12,302 shares in the last quarter. McBroom & Associates LLC lifted its holdings in Accenture by 5.8% during the 3rd quarter. McBroom & Associates LLC now owns 17,671 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $5,427,000 after buying an additional 973 shares in the last quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network grew its stake in shares of Accenture by 16.9% during the third quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 1,512 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $464,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the period. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC IL grew its holdings in Accenture by 26.1% during the third quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC IL now owns 986 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $303,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the period. 70.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Accenture

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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.

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Aecon Group (OTCMKTS:AEGXF  Get Free Report) is one of 147 publicly-traded companies in the Engineering & Construction industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Aecon Group to similar companies based on the strength of its dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares Aecon Group and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Aecon Group N/A N/A N/A Aecon Group Competitors 1.38% -1.98% 2.19%

Dividends

Aecon Group pays an annual dividend of $0.35 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.4%. Aecon Group pays out 95.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, Engineering & Construction companies pay a dividend yield of 3.8% and pay out 37.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Aecon Group 0 0 2 0 3.00 Aecon Group Competitors 223 1837 4092 93 2.65

This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Aecon Group and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Aecon Group currently has a consensus target price of $21.30, indicating a potential upside of 167.92%. As a group, Engineering & Construction companies have a potential upside of 25.43%. Given Aecon Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Aecon Group is more favorable than its peers.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Aecon Group and its peers revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Aecon Group N/A N/A 21.76 Aecon Group Competitors $5.29 billion $73.10 million 178.55

Aecon Groups peers have higher revenue and earnings than Aecon Group. Aecon Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

45.8% of Aecon Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.2% of shares of all Engineering & Construction companies are held by institutional investors. 28.0% of shares of all Engineering & Construction companies are held by company 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.

Summary

Aecon Group peers beat Aecon Group on 7 of the 13 factors compared.

About Aecon Group

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Aecon Group Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provide construction and infrastructure development services to private and public sector clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Construction and Concessions. The Construction segment focuses primarily on the civil infrastructure, urban transportation systems, nuclear power infrastructure, utility infrastructure, and conventional industrial infrastructure market sectors. The Concessions segment engages in the development, building, construction, financing, and operation of construction projects by way of public-private partnership contract structures. The company was formerly known as Prefac Concrete Co. Ltd. and changed its name to Aecon Group Inc. in June 2001. Aecon Group Inc. was founded in 1877 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report issued on Monday.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on American Eagle Outfitters from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 7th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, September 8th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $18.00 to $22.00 in a research report on Friday, September 1st. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group upped their target price on American Eagle Outfitters from $15.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, September 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Eagle Outfitters currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $16.41.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AEO

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Up 5.4 %

NYSE AEO traded up $0.90 during trading on Monday, hitting $17.72. 5,696,893 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,415,136. The company has a market capitalization of $3.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.50. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $16.05 and a 200-day simple moving average of $13.86. American Eagle Outfitters has a 12-month low of $9.85 and a 12-month high of $17.86.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, September 6th. The apparel retailer reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by $0.09. American Eagle Outfitters had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 14.92%. The business had revenue of $1.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.20 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.04 EPS. The businesss revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that American Eagle Outfitters will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Eagle Outfitters

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AEO. Everence Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter. Everence Capital Management Inc. now owns 24,760 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $411,000 after buying an additional 2,170 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Barclays PLC increased its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 1,990.1% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,321,911 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $39,201,000 after buying an additional 3,162,976 shares in the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System increased its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 224,345 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $2,647,000 after buying an additional 10,527 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 51,164 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $604,000 after buying an additional 2,767 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.10% of the companys stock.

About American Eagle Outfitters

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American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a specialty retailer that provides clothing, accessories, and personal care products under the American Eagle and Aerie brands in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections.

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Arch Resources, Inc. (NYSE:ARCH  Get Free Report) VP John A. Ziegler sold 189 shares of Arch Resources stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.21, for a total value of $29,334.69. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 27,720 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,302,421.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link.

Arch Resources Price Performance

NYSE ARCH traded up $0.48 on Monday, reaching $154.96. The companys stock had a trading volume of 511,617 shares, compared to its average volume of 421,952. Arch Resources, Inc. has a twelve month low of $102.42 and a twelve month high of $175.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a current ratio of 2.43. The firms 50 day moving average is $145.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $128.86. The stock has a market cap of $2.81 billion, a PE ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 0.59.

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Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The energy company reported $4.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.82 by ($1.78). Arch Resources had a return on equity of 68.14% and a net margin of 27.67%. The company had revenue of $757.29 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $670.17 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $19.30 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 33.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Arch Resources, Inc. will post 22.23 EPS for the current year.

Arch Resources Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The company also recently declared a None dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 31st were issued a dividend of $3.97 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.8%. This is a positive change from Arch Resourcess previous None dividend of $2.45. Arch Resourcess payout ratio is currently 2.18%.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ARCH. B. Riley cut their target price on shares of Arch Resources from $197.00 to $188.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and issued a $180.00 price objective on shares of Arch Resources in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of Arch Resources from $175.00 to $170.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Arch Resources in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock.

View Our Latest Report on Arch Resources

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Arch Resources

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Arch Resources during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in Arch Resources in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in Arch Resources by 113.8% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 295 shares of the energy companys stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Clear Street Markets LLC purchased a new position in Arch Resources during the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in shares of Arch Resources by 416.7% in the 2nd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 310 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.03% of the companys stock.

About Arch Resources

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Arch Resources, Inc produces and sells metallurgical products. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated seven active mines. It also owned or controlled primarily through long-term leases approximately 28,292 acres of coal land in Ohio; 952 acres of coal land in Maryland; 10,095 acres of coal land in Virginia; 306,263 acres of coal land in West Virginia; 81,450 acres of coal land in Wyoming; 234,087 acres of coal land in Illinois; 33,047 acres of coal land in Kentucky; 362 acres of coal land in Montana; 248 acres of coal land in Pennsylvania; and 19,018 acres of coal land in Colorado, as well as smaller parcels of property in Alabama, Indiana, Washington, Arkansas, California, Utah, and Texas.

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Hershey (NYSE:HSY  Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by analysts at Bank of America from $300.00 to $250.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the stock. Bank of Americas price target would suggest a potential upside of 31.25% from the stocks previous close.

HSY has been the topic of a number of other reports. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Hershey from $270.00 to $245.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Argus dropped their price objective on Hershey from $315.00 to $270.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 11th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on Hershey in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. They issued an outperform rating and a $250.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Hershey in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Hershey from $264.00 to $262.00 in a research note on Monday, July 17th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Hershey has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $256.43.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Hershey

Hershey Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of HSY traded down $1.36 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $190.47. The stock had a trading volume of 772,156 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,166,136. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $209.33 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $239.44. The company has a market cap of $38.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.94, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.31. Hershey has a 1-year low of $186.63 and a 1-year high of $276.88.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $2.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.12. Hershey had a return on equity of 55.74% and a net margin of 16.49%. The company had revenue of $2.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.80 EPS. Hersheys revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Hershey will post 9.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.00, for a total value of $310,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 35,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,413,912. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, Director Pamela M. Arway sold 182 shares of Hershey stock in a transaction on Monday, October 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $194.56, for a total value of $35,409.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 15,562 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,027,742.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.00, for a total value of $310,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 35,816 shares in the company, valued at $7,413,912. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 3,182 shares of company stock worth $667,450 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HSY. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of Hershey by 3.2% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 15,160,022 shares of the companys stock worth $3,785,458,000 after purchasing an additional 465,423 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Hershey by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,057,990 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,045,383,000 after buying an additional 216,715 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Hershey by 1.6% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,144,337 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,783,941,000 after acquiring an additional 111,357 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its position in shares of Hershey by 97,975.0% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 4,329,031 shares of the companys stock worth $1,080,959,000 after acquiring an additional 4,324,617 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Hershey by 9.1% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,489,322 shares of the companys stock worth $886,746,000 after acquiring an additional 290,920 shares in the last quarter. 56.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Hershey

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The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels.

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Basilea Pharmaceutica AG (OTCMKTS:BPMUF  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 288,300 shares, a growth of 7.5% from the September 15th total of 268,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Basilea Pharmaceutica Stock Performance

OTCMKTS BPMUF remained flat at $50.00 during trading on Tuesday. Basilea Pharmaceutica has a one year low of $50.00 and a one year high of $50.00. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $50.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $50.45.

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Basilea Pharmaceutica Company Profile

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Basilea Pharmaceutica AG, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of products that address the medical needs in the therapeutic areas of oncology and anti-infectives. It offers Cresemba, an intravenous and oral azole antifungal drug for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis in the United States, and the European Union, as well as in Phase III clinical trials for invasive fungal infections in Japan.

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BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGU  Get Free Report) shares shot up 4.6% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $170.80 and last traded at $169.46. 1,926,063 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 20% from the average session volume of 2,405,381 shares. The stock had previously closed at $161.96.

BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Leveraged ETN Trading Up 4.6 %

The stocks 50-day moving average price is $167.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $155.03.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Leveraged ETN stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new position in BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGU  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 11,397 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,134,000.

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Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) had its price target reduced by stock analysts at UBS Group from $80.00 to $72.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the financial services providers stock. UBS Groups target price would indicate a potential upside of 34.05% from the companys current price.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Charles Schwab from $71.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $75.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Wolfe Research lowered their price target on Charles Schwab from $62.00 to $60.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. Argus raised their price target on Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $81.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on Charles Schwab from $65.00 to $75.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Charles Schwab presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $69.53.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SCHW

Charles Schwab Stock Up 4.6 %

Shares of Charles Schwab stock traded up $2.38 on Monday, hitting $53.71. 20,505,598 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,050,530. The stock has a market cap of $95.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.66, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The firms 50-day moving average is $57.40 and its 200 day moving average is $56.01. Charles Schwab has a 52-week low of $45.00 and a 52-week high of $86.63.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $4.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.62 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.54% and a net margin of 33.15%. The businesss revenue was down 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.10 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Charles Schwab will post 3.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Charles Schwab

In other Charles Schwab news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 3,792 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.31, for a total transaction of $217,319.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 44,725 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,563,189.75. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 75,760 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.60, for a total transaction of $5,045,616.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 59,672,778 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,974,207,014.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 3,792 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.31, for a total value of $217,319.52. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 44,725 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,563,189.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 159,599 shares of company stock worth $10,542,469 in the last quarter. 6.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Charles Schwab

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in SCHW. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 93,993.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 965,692,348 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $54,735,442,000 after purchasing an additional 964,666,040 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,325,555,000. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 62.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,255,649 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,853,005,000 after acquiring an additional 8,563,389 shares in the last quarter. Flossbach Von Storch AG grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 48.7% in the 1st quarter. Flossbach Von Storch AG now owns 16,619,849 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $870,548,000 after buying an additional 5,445,011 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 91,051.8% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,365,193 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $446,706,000 after buying an additional 5,359,307 shares during the last quarter. 81.61% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Charles Schwab Company Profile

(Get 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.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked his partners for the supply of effective weapons.

Ive held a meeting of Staff Headquarters. Important reports from the commander were heard. Thanks to every soldier, every brigade of ours who are firmly holding their positions. Avdiyivka, Bakhmut direction, Maryinka, Shakhtarske direction, Kupyansk and Zaporizhia direction. Well done guys, I thank those who powerfully destroy the logistics and bases of the invaders on our land, he said in a video message on Tuesday.

There are results, I thank some of our partners. An effective weapon, as we agreed, Zelenskyy also said.

According to him, there are results in our progress, the result of the assault actions of our guys. Every day, every week, Ukraine just needs such results. Every day, every week you need to keep the initiative.

There was a report at Staff Headquarters meeting on protecting the shores of the Black Sea, the Danube region, protecting people, protecting ports, protecting our exports. I thank everyone who is working for this, Zelenskyy noted.
Eagle Point Credit (NYSE:ECC  Get Free Report) and BAE Systems (OTCMKTS:BAESY  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 analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership and dividends.

Volatility and Risk

Eagle Point Credit has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BAE Systems has a beta of 0.7, meaning that its stock price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Dividends

Eagle Point Credit pays an annual dividend of $1.54 per share and has a dividend yield of 15.9%. BAE Systems pays an annual dividend of $1.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Eagle Point Credit pays out 175.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Eagle Point Credit has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Eagle Point Credit is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Eagle Point Credit $53.50 million 9.94 -$101.81 million $0.88 10.98 BAE Systems $26.30 billion 1.54 $1.97 billion N/A N/A

This table compares Eagle Point Credit and BAE Systems top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

BAE Systems has higher revenue and earnings than Eagle Point Credit.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

26.4% of Eagle Point Credit shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.3% of BAE Systems shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Eagle Point Credit shares are held by company 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.

Profitability

This table compares Eagle Point Credit and BAE Systems net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Eagle Point Credit 35.65% 15.46% 10.16% BAE Systems N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings for Eagle Point Credit and BAE Systems, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Eagle Point Credit 0 1 1 0 2.50 BAE Systems 0 1 5 0 2.83

Eagle Point Credit currently has a consensus target price of $11.00, indicating a potential upside of 13.81%. BAE Systems has a consensus target price of $475.00, indicating a potential upside of 793.03%. Given BAE Systems stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe BAE Systems is more favorable than Eagle Point Credit.

Summary

Eagle Point Credit beats BAE Systems on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Eagle Point Credit

(Get Free Report)

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. is a closed ended fund launched and managed by Eagle Point Credit Management LLC. It invests in fixed income markets of the United States. The fund invests equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans. Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. was formed on March 24, 2014 and is domiciled in the United States.

About BAE Systems

(Get Free Report)

BAE Systems plc provides defense, aerospace, and security solutions worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Electronic Systems, Cyber & Intelligence, Platforms & Services (US), Air, and Maritime. The Electronic Systems segment offers electronic warfare systems, navigation systems, electro-optical sensors, military and commercial digital engine and flight controls, precision guidance and seeker solutions, military communication systems and data links, persistent surveillance systems, space electronics, and electric drive propulsion systems. The Cyber & Intelligence segment provides solutions to modernize, maintain, and test cyber-harden aircraft, radars, missile systems, and mission applications that detect and deter threats to national security; systems engineering, integration, and sustainment services for critical weapons systems, C5ISR, and cyber security; and solutions and services to intelligence and federal/civilian agencies. It also offers data intelligence solutions to defend against national-scale threats, protect their networks, and data against attacks; security and intelligence solutions to the United Kingdom government and allied international governments; anti-fraud and regulatory compliance solutions; and enterprise-level data and digital services. The Platforms & Services (US) segment manufactures combat vehicles, weapons, and munitions, as well as provides ship repair services and the management of government-owned munitions facilities. The Air segment develops, manufactures, upgrades, and supports combat and jet trainer aircraft. The Maritime segment designs, manufactures, and supports surface ships, submarines, torpedoes, radars, and command and combat systems; and supplies naval gun systems. It also supplies naval weapon systems, missile launchers, and precision munitions. The company was founded in 1970 and is based in Farnborough, the United Kingdom.

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Dakota Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 82.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 206,391 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 93,329 shares during the period. Dakota Wealth Managements holdings in Bank of America were worth $5,921,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of BAC. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Bank of America by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC now owns 39,526 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,309,000 after buying an additional 303 shares during the period. Horizon Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Bank of America by 1.1% in the second quarter. Horizon Wealth Management LLC now owns 28,347 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $813,000 after acquiring an additional 318 shares in the last quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Bank of America by 45.7% in the 2nd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 1,036 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 325 shares in the last quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 7.9% during the 2nd quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. now owns 4,508 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $129,000 after buying an additional 330 shares during the period. Finally, Fort Point Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 2.2% in the first quarter. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC now owns 15,918 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $656,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.06% of the companys stock.

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Bank of America Stock Performance

Shares of BAC traded up $0.82 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $27.81. 55,879,767 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 48,754,156. The firm has a market capitalization of $220.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.36. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $28.36 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $28.85. Bank of America Co. has a twelve month low of $25.47 and a twelve month high of $38.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.83.

Bank of America Increases Dividend

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $25.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.13 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 19.97% and a return on equity of 12.01%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.81 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.39 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st were paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.45%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the companys 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 353,971 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,143,007.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Bank of America news, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 20th. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,143,007.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed 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 on 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 sale, the insider now directly 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.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on BAC. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $49.00 to $48.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 26th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on Bank of America from $41.00 to $40.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. Piper Sandler cut their target price on Bank of America from $28.00 to $27.50 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 15th. HSBC began coverage on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. They set a buy rating and a $35.00 price target for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $35.00 price objective on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $35.32.

Get Our Latest Analysis on BAC

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.

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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).

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Deutsche Telekom AG (ETR:DTE  Get Free Report) traded down 0.4% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as 20.39 ($21.46) and last traded at 20.40 ($21.47). 4,929,421 shares changed hands during trading, The stock had previously closed at 20.47 ($21.55).

Deutsche Telekom Stock Down 0.4 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $101.36 billion, a PE ratio of 18.37, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.57. The firms fifty day moving average is 19.79 and its 200-day moving average is 20.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 161.00.

Deutsche Telekom Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Telekom AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated telecommunication services. The company operates through five segments: Germany, United States, Europe, Systems Solutions, and Group Development. It offers fixed-network services, including voice and data communication services based on fixed-network and broadband technology; and sells terminal equipment and other hardware products, as well as services to resellers.

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Experian (OTCMKTS:EXPGF  Get Free Report) and Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, risk and analyst recommendations.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

41.0% of Experian shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 90.3% of Booz Allen Hamilton shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of Booz Allen Hamilton shares are owned 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.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Experian and Booz Allen Hamilton, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Experian 0 0 0 0 N/A Booz Allen Hamilton 0 3 6 0 2.67

Profitability

Booz Allen Hamilton has a consensus target price of $124.44, suggesting a potential downside of 3.29%. Given Booz Allen Hamiltons higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Booz Allen Hamilton is more favorable than Experian.

This table compares Experian and Booz Allen Hamiltons net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Experian N/A N/A N/A Booz Allen Hamilton 3.05% 58.40% 10.01%

Dividends

Experian pays an annual dividend of $0.38 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Booz Allen Hamilton pays an annual dividend of $1.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Experian pays out 44.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Booz Allen Hamilton pays out 85.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Booz Allen Hamilton has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years. Booz Allen Hamilton is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Experian and Booz Allen Hamiltons gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Experian N/A N/A N/A $0.84 39.80 Booz Allen Hamilton $9.66 billion 1.74 $271.79 million $2.21 58.21

Booz Allen Hamilton has higher revenue and earnings than Experian. Experian is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Booz Allen Hamilton, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Booz Allen Hamilton beats Experian on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Experian

(Get Free Report)

Experian plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a technology company in North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Business-to-Business and Consumer Services. The company collects, sorts, aggregates, and transforms data from various sources to provide a range of data-driven services. It also owns, create, and develops analytics, predictive tools, sophisticated software, and platforms; credit risk, fraud prevention, identity management, customer service and engagement, account processing, and account management services; data analysis, and research and development services. In addition, the company provides credit education, free access to Experian credit reports and scores, and online educational tools. It serves its customers in financial service, direct-to-consumer, health, retail, automotive, software and professional services, telecoms and utility, insurance, media and technology, and other industries, as well as government and public sectors. The company was formerly known as Experian Group Limited and changed its name to Experian plc in July 2008. Experian plc was founded in 1826 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

(Get Free Report)

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation provides management and technology consulting, analytics, engineering, digital solutions, mission operations, and cyber services to governments, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations in the United States and internationally. It also focuses on artificial intelligence services comprising of machine learning, predictive modeling, automation and decision analytics, and quantum computing. The company offers artificial intelligence, machine learning , and computer network related operations. In addition, it provides data science, engineering, visualization, and analysis related capabilities. Further, the company engages in user experience, user interface, graphic and web design, design thinking, sketching, and digital product design capabilities. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

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WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Get Free Report) and Hexagon Composites ASA (OTCMKTS:HXGCF  Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares WestRock and Hexagon Composites ASAs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets WestRock -6.82% 8.75% 3.24% Hexagon Composites ASA N/A N/A N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

85.5% of WestRock shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 16.8% of Hexagon Composites ASA shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of WestRock shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio WestRock $20.72 billion 0.46 $944.60 million ($5.54) -6.68 Hexagon Composites ASA N/A N/A N/A $0.98 2.32

This table compares WestRock and Hexagon Composites ASAs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

WestRock has higher revenue and earnings than Hexagon Composites ASA. WestRock is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hexagon Composites ASA, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

WestRock pays an annual dividend of $1.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Hexagon Composites ASA pays an annual dividend of $0.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 10.9%. WestRock pays out -19.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Hexagon Composites ASA pays out 25.3% 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. WestRock has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for WestRock and Hexagon Composites ASA, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score WestRock 0 4 3 0 2.43 Hexagon Composites ASA 0 1 0 0 2.00

WestRock currently has a consensus price target of $37.57, indicating a potential upside of 1.46%. Given WestRocks stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe WestRock is more favorable than Hexagon Composites ASA.

Summary

WestRock beats Hexagon Composites ASA on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About WestRock

(Get Free Report)

WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates in four segments, Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers. It also provides structural and graphic design, engineering services and custom, and proprietary and standard automated packaging machines, as well as turn-key installation, automation, line integration, and packaging solutions; and pack temporary displays, as well as lithographic laminated packaging products. The Consumer Packaging segment manufactures and sells folding cartons that are used to package food, paper, beverages, dairy products, tobacco, confectionery, health and beauty, other household consumer products; and express mail packages for the overnight courier industry. It also offers inserts and labels, as well as rigid packaging and other printed packaging products, such as transaction cards, brochures, product literature, marketing materials, and grower tags, and plant stakes; and secondary packages and paperboard packaging for over-the-counter and prescription drugs. In addition, this segment manufactures and sells solid fiber and corrugated partitions, and die-cut paperboard components. The Global Paper segment manufactures containerboard, paperboard, and specialty grades primarily to corrugated packaging, folding carton, food service, liquid packaging, tobacco, and commercial print markets. The Distribution segment distributes corrugated packaging materials and other specialty packaging products, including stretch films, void fills, carton sealing tapes, and other specialty tapes; and provides contract packing services. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

About Hexagon Composites ASA

(Get Free Report)

Hexagon Composites ASA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of composite pressure cylinders and fuel systems in Norway, Europe, North America, South-East Asia, the Middle East, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Hexagon Agility, Hexagon Ragasco, Hexagon Digital Wave, and Hexagon Purus. The Hexagon Agility segment provides clean fuel solutions for commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, and gaseous energy transportation. The Hexagon Ragasco segment manufacturers composite liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders for leisure, household, and industrial applications. The Hexagon Digital Wave segment offers cylinder testing and monitoring technology solutions that reduce down-time and inspection costs while improving inspection accuracy. Hexagon Purus segment provides high pressure cylinders, vehicle systems, and battery backs for fuel cell and battery electric vehicles that enable the safe and effective use of hydrogen and electricity as transportation fuel in various applications, including buses, distribution, refueling, rail, maritime, aerospace, and ground storage, as well as light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles. Hexagon Composites ASA was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Alesund, Norway.

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Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 19,550,000 shares, a decrease of 6.5% from the September 15th total of 20,900,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 7,470,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.6 days.

Halliburton Price Performance

Halliburton stock traded up $0.69 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $43.05. 6,337,468 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,707,139. The company has a market capitalization of $38.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 2.13. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $40.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $35.72. Halliburton has a 1 year low of $27.84 and a 1 year high of $43.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 2.14.

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Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 19th. The oilfield services company reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $5.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.85 billion. Halliburton had a return on equity of 31.01% and a net margin of 10.98%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.49 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Halliburton will post 3.03 EPS for the current year.

Halliburton Announces Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 6th were given a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 5th. Halliburtons dividend payout ratio is presently 23.53%.

In related news, EVP Van H. Beckwith sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.84, for a total transaction of $214,200.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 181,334 shares in the company, valued at $7,768,348.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, EVP Van H. Beckwith sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.84, for a total value of $214,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 181,334 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,768,348.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey Allen Miller sold 99,355 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $3,974,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 719,818 shares of the companys stock, valued at $28,792,720. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 172,227 shares of company stock worth $7,021,655. Company insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Halliburton

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Capital World Investors grew its holdings in Halliburton by 47.1% in the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 114,407,642 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $3,774,308,000 after buying an additional 36,640,866 shares during the period. Boston Partners grew its holdings in Halliburton by 98.6% in the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 24,628,480 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $779,876,000 after buying an additional 12,228,234 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Halliburton in the 4th quarter valued at about $457,245,000. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main grew its holdings in Halliburton by 123.0% in the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 15,936,342 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $627,088,000 after buying an additional 8,791,319 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in Halliburton by 65.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 17,217,776 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $677,520,000 after buying an additional 6,815,373 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.09% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on HAL shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Halliburton from $50.00 to $45.00 in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on Halliburton from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. StockNews.com downgraded Halliburton from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Halliburton from $49.00 to $48.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and issued a $45.00 price objective on shares of Halliburton in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Halliburton has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $48.79.

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Halliburton Company Profile

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Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates in two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems; production solutions comprising coiled tubing, hydraulic workover units, downhole tools, and pumping and nitrogen services; and pipeline and process services, such as pre-commissioning, commissioning, maintenance, and decommissioning.

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Hargreaves Lansdown plc (OTCMKTS:HRGLF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,985,900 shares, a decline of 12.1% from the September 15th total of 2,258,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1,418.5 days.

Hargreaves Lansdown Trading Up 3.9 %

Shares of HRGLF traded up $0.35 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $9.28. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,585 shares, compared to its average volume of 592. Hargreaves Lansdown has a 52 week low of $7.96 and a 52 week high of $11.49. The companys fifty day moving average price is $9.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.73.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Hargreaves Lansdown from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, July 24th.

Hargreaves Lansdown Company Profile

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Hargreaves Lansdown plc provides investment services for individuals and corporates in the United Kingdom and Poland. The company offers stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs), fund and share accounts, and junior and lifetime ISAs. It also provides pension services, including self-invested personal pensions (SIPP), junior SIPPs, annuities, and drawdown; share dealing services; and fund dealing services.

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Huatai Securities Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HUATF  Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 129,800 shares, a decrease of 17.5% from the September 15th total of 157,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently  days.

Huatai Securities Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS HUATF remained flat at 1.25 during trading on Monday. Huatai Securities has a fifty-two week low of 1.12 and a fifty-two week high of 1.25. The business has a fifty day moving average of 1.25 and a 200 day moving average of 1.25.

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Huatai Securities Company Profile

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Huatai Securities Co, Ltd., a security company, provides financial services in Mainland China and internationally. The company buys and sells stocks, funds, bonds, futures, and options on behalf of clients; and provides various financial products and asset allocation, margin financing, securities lending, securities-backed lending, and margin securities lending services.

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Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 11,070,000 shares, a decline of 6.4% from the September 15th total of 11,830,000 shares. Currently, 2.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 3,990,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.8 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Invesco from $17.00 to $16.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 6th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of Invesco in a research report on Monday, July 10th. They issued a market perform rating and a $21.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Invesco in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Invesco from $19.00 to $15.75 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Invesco from $17.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $17.20.

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Invesco Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of Invesco stock traded up $0.10 on Tuesday, hitting $13.44. 3,734,443 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,561,146. 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 12-month low of $13.10 and a 12-month high of $20.56. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $14.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.91. The company has a market cap of $6.03 billion, a PE ratio of 9.50, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.40.

Invesco (NYSE:IVZ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The asset manager reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.40 by ($0.09). Invesco had a net margin of 15.29% and a return on equity of 7.54%. The business had revenue of $1.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.11 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.39 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Invesco will post 1.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Invesco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 5th. Investors of record on Friday, August 11th were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.95%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. Invescos payout ratio is presently 56.74%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, major shareholder Invesco Realty, Inc. bought 2,800,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $25.00 per share, with a total value of $70,000,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 853,400 shares in the company, valued at $21,335,000. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Invesco by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 30,437 shares of the asset managers stock worth $512,000 after acquiring an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its position in Invesco by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 20,529 shares of the asset managers stock worth $337,000 after acquiring an additional 624 shares during the last quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Invesco by 16.5% during the 1st quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,478 shares of the asset managers stock worth $73,000 after acquiring an additional 633 shares during the last quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Invesco by 19.4% during the 1st quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 4,002 shares of the asset managers stock worth $66,000 after acquiring an additional 649 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American International Group Inc. increased its holdings 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 worth $2,072,000 after purchasing an additional 655 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.27% of the companys stock.

About Invesco

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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.

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Orin Green Financial LLC lowered its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 2.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,154 shares of the companys stock after selling 153 shares during the period. Orin Green Financial LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $701,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of AGG. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management raised its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 145.5% in the 1st quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 6,590 shares of the companys stock valued at $705,000 after purchasing an additional 3,906 shares in the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 36.2% in the 1st quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 52,003 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,570,000 after purchasing an additional 13,829 shares in the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $44,000. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $241,000. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 14,640 shares of the companys stock worth $1,568,000 after acquiring an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.21% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA AGG traded down $0.64 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $92.48. 3,642,988 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,485,537. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $95.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $97.26. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $92.36 and a twelve month 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.

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The Lithuanian army, together with the German defense industry, will repair Leopard tanks in Lithuania that were damaged during the fighting in Ukraine, after which they will be returned to service, according to the website of the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense.

"Performing real-life tasks of this kind allows us to train, maintain the readiness of our personnel, ensure supply chain verification and ongoing support for Ukraine," the ministry said.

At the same time, the Ministry of Defense said Lithuania has already organized the repair and return to Ukraine of PzH2000 self-propelled howitzers that participated in the hostilities. "In the same year, the first group of 18 mechanics from the Ukrainian army, specialists from the Lithuanian army, was trained in the repair of howitzers, which lose their technical characteristics due to intensive use, and the ability to repair equipment in combat conditions is very necessary," the Lithuanian defense department said in a statement.
iShares MSCI GCC ex-Saudi Arabia (IGCC) (OTC:IGCC  Get Free Report)s share price were down 0.1% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $0.32 and last traded at $0.33. Approximately 73,094 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 93% from the average daily volume of 1,110,441 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.33.

iShares MSCI GCC ex-Saudi Arabia (IGCC) Trading Down 0.1 %

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $0.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $0.34.

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Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE:JEF  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report issued on Monday.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Jefferies Financial Group from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $27.00 to $36.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 12th. Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of Jefferies Financial Group from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Jefferies Financial Group from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Jefferies Financial Group from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Monday, July 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $39.00.

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View Our Latest Analysis on JEF

Jefferies Financial Group Trading Up 1.7 %

Shares of JEF traded up $0.58 on Monday, hitting $33.84. 1,501,258 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,376,722. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.52 and a beta of 1.40. The stocks 50 day moving average is $35.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $33.60. Jefferies Financial Group has a 1 year low of $28.34 and a 1 year high of $40.80.

Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE:JEF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, September 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.33 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $1.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.25 billion. Jefferies Financial Group had a net margin of 7.02% and a return on equity of 4.32%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 21.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.10 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Jefferies Financial Group will post 1.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Jefferies Financial Group

In other news, Chairman Joseph S. Steinberg sold 225,311 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.87, for a total value of $8,081,905.57. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 16,225,385 shares of the companys stock, valued at $582,004,559.95. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Chairman Joseph S. Steinberg sold 134,217 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.79, for a total transaction of $4,803,626.43. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 15,744,184 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $563,484,345.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Joseph S. Steinberg sold 225,311 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.87, for a total transaction of $8,081,905.57. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 16,225,385 shares of the companys stock, valued at $582,004,559.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 578,320 shares of company stock valued at $20,948,017 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 20.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in JEF. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Jefferies Financial Group by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 46,910 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,541,000 after acquiring an additional 3,383 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in Jefferies Financial Group by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 132,567 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,355,000 after acquiring an additional 6,890 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its stake in Jefferies Financial Group by 14.0% during the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 14,518 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $477,000 after acquiring an additional 1,785 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its stake in Jefferies Financial Group by 8.9% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 70,910 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,329,000 after acquiring an additional 5,778 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Jefferies Financial Group by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 18,482,896 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $607,163,000 after acquiring an additional 233,844 shares during the last quarter. 70.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Jefferies Financial Group

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Jefferies Financial Group Inc engages in the investment banking and capital markets, and asset management businesses in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates in two segments, Investment Banking and Capital Markets, and Asset Management. It provides investment banking, advisory services with respect to mergers or acquisitions, restructurings or recapitalizations and private capital advisory transactions; equity and debt underwriting; and corporate lending.

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NuScale Power Co. (NYSE:SMR  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 3.9% on Tuesday after an insider sold shares in the company. The company traded as low as $5.62 and last traded at $5.65. 592,486 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 44% from the average session volume of 1,062,401 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.88.

Specifically, Director Alan L. Boeckmann acquired 7,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 14th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $7.06 per share, with a total value of $49,420.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 35,627 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $251,526.62. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Alan L. Boeckmann acquired 7,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 14th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $7.06 per share, for a total transaction of $49,420.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 35,627 shares in the company, valued at approximately $251,526.62. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Shinji Fujino sold 5,249 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.97, for a total value of $31,336.53. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.06% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently commented on SMR shares. B. Riley began coverage on shares of NuScale Power in a report on Friday. They set a buy rating and a $12.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on NuScale Power from $9.00 to $7.50 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 9th.

NuScale Power Trading Down 4.8 %

The company has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a PE ratio of -8.39 and a beta of 0.95. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $5.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.21.

NuScale Power (NYSE:SMR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 9th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter. NuScale Power had a negative net margin of 654.97% and a negative return on equity of 43.96%. The company had revenue of $5.80 million for the quarter. As a group, analysts anticipate that NuScale Power Co. will post -0.22 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NuScale Power

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. increased its stake in shares of NuScale Power by 80.1% during the second quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 4,426 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 1,968 shares during the period. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. bought a new position in NuScale Power during the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Federated Hermes Inc. bought a new stake in shares of NuScale Power in the 3rd quarter valued at about $43,000. Fiduciary Alliance LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NuScale Power in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of NuScale Power during the second quarter valued at approximately $57,000. 10.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

NuScale Power Company Profile

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NuScale Power Corporation engages in the development and sale of modular light water reactor nuclear power plants to supply energy for electrical generation, district heating, desalination, hydrogen production, and other process heat applications. It offers NuScale Power Module (NPM), a water reactor that can generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe); and VOYGR power plant designs for three facility sizes that are capable of housing from one to four and six or twelve NPMs.

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Orion Oyj (OTCMKTS:ORINY  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $19.00 and last traded at $19.00, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $19.00.

Orion Oyj Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $5.36 billion, a PE ratio of 16.81 and a beta of 0.26. The firms fifty day moving average is $19.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $22.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 2.89 and a quick ratio of 1.39.

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Orion Oyj (OTCMKTS:ORINY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, July 17th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $315.26 million for the quarter. Orion Oyj had a net margin of 22.34% and a return on equity of 35.45%.

Orion Oyj Company Profile

Orion Oyj develops, manufactures, and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in Finland, Scandinavia, other European countries, North America, and internationally. It provides prescription drugs and self-care products, which includes Nubeqa for the treatment of prostate cancer; dexdor and Precedex for intensive care sedative; Stalevo and Comtess/Comtan for Parkinson's disease; Simdax for acute decompensated heart failure; and Precedex for intensive care sedative, as well as Fareston for breast cancer.

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Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 4,520,000 shares, a growth of 24.5% from the September 15th total of 3,630,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 969,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.7 days.

Insider Activity at Portland General Electric

In other news, VP Anne Frances Mersereau sold 1,071 shares of Portland General Electric stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.83, for a total value of $50,154.93. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 17,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at $841,160.46. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.51% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Portland General Electric

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Portland General Electric by 17.4% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 14,034 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $774,000 after purchasing an additional 2,083 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. boosted its position in Portland General Electric by 58.9% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 46,899 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,586,000 after buying an additional 17,386 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in Portland General Electric in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $239,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Portland General Electric in the first quarter worth $460,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Portland General Electric by 55.0% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 47,232 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,605,000 after acquiring an additional 16,750 shares during the period.

Portland General Electric Trading Up 0.2 %

POR traded up $0.07 on Monday, hitting $41.73. The company had a trading volume of 1,074,956 shares, compared to its average volume of 865,221. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. The firm has a market cap of $4.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.39, a PEG ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.57. The companys fifty day moving average price is $43.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.91. Portland General Electric has a 1 year low of $38.01 and a 1 year high of $51.58.

Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.05). Portland General Electric had a net margin of 7.82% and a return on equity of 8.03%. The company had revenue of $648.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $571.82 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.72 earnings per share. Portland General Electrics revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Portland General Electric will post 2.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Portland General Electric Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Investors of record on Monday, September 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.475 per share. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 22nd. Portland General Electrics payout ratio is 79.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on POR shares. Barclays started coverage on shares of Portland General Electric in a research note on Wednesday, August 23rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $43.00 price objective for the company. TheStreet cut Portland General Electric from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Portland General Electric from $46.00 to $43.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 9th. StockNews.com downgraded Portland General Electric from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Sunday, October 1st. Finally, Guggenheim lowered their price target on shares of Portland General Electric from $48.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Portland General Electric has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $48.13.

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About Portland General Electric

(Get Free Report)

Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2022, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,255 circuit miles, including 269 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 573 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 926 thousand retail customers in 51 cities.

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Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen (OTCMKTS:PZAKY  Get Free Report) is one of 41 public companies in the Insurance  Property & Casualty industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen to similar businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, risk and dividends.

Dividends

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen pays an annual dividend of C$1.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 15.1%. Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen pays out 33.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Insurance  Property & Casualty companies pay a dividend yield of 4.2% and pay out 110.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen is clearly a better dividend stock than its rivals, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Profitability

This table compares Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen N/A N/A N/A Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen Competitors 5.99% 7.41% 1.73%

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen N/A N/A 2.23 Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen Competitors $11.94 billion $551.25 million -54,508.48

This table compares Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczens rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen. Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

62.2% of shares of all Insurance  Property & Casualty companies are held by institutional investors. 11.2% of shares of all Insurance  Property & Casualty companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen 0 0 1 0 3.00 Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen Competitors 544 1712 1557 43 2.29

As a group, Insurance  Property & Casualty companies have a potential upside of 21.04%. Given Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczens rivals higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Summary

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen rivals beat Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

About Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen

(Get Free Report)

POWSZECHNY Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA provides life and non-life insurance products and services in Poland, the Baltic States, and Ukraine. It operates through Corporate Insurance, Mass Insurance, Group and Individually Continued Life Insurance, Individual Life Insurance, Investments, Pension Insurance, Banking, Baltic States, Ukraine, Investment Contracts, and Other segments. The company offers motor, property, casualty, agricultural, fire, and third-party liability insurance, as well as health, accident, and life insurance. It also provides banking, factoring, medical, hospital, physical therapy, asset management, assistance, leasing, IT, call center, brokerage, and spa services; manages pension and mutual funds; and offers financial and accounting services. In addition, the company is involved in buying, operating, renting, and selling real estate properties; investment activity; and consulting and training, and other monetary intermediation businesses. Further, it engages in the production and sale of radiators and sanitary fittings, bathroom accessories, and fittings; and auxiliary activity associated with insurance and pension funds. Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA was founded in 1803 and is headquartered in Warsaw, Poland.

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PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk (OTCMKTS:PIFFY  Get Free Report) is one of 183 publicly-traded companies in the Packaged Foods industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk to similar businesses based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, risk and institutional ownership.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk N/A N/A 0.00 PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk Competitors $3.40 billion $217.30 million 245.84

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbks peers have higher revenue and earnings than PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk. PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Profitability

0.1% of PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 37.0% of shares of all Packaged Foods companies are held by institutional investors. 23.1% of shares of all Packaged Foods companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk N/A N/A N/A PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk Competitors -34.68% -205.11% -11.19%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings for PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk 0 0 0 0 N/A PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk Competitors 741 3016 3397 77 2.39

As a group, Packaged Foods companies have a potential upside of 19.85%. Given PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbks peers higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Dividends

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk pays an annual dividend of $2,701.39 per share and has a dividend yield of 17,772.3%. PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk pays out 32.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Packaged Foods companies pay a dividend yield of 92.7% and pay out 27.6% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Summary

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk peers beat PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk on 6 of the 10 factors compared.

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells consumers products in Indonesia, rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. The company operating through six segments: Noodles Division, Dairy Division (dairy products), Food Seasonings Division, Snack Foods Division, Nutrition and Special Foods Division, and Beverages Division segments. It offers noodles, sauces, and instant seasonings; sweetened condensed milk, liquid milk, powdered milk, ice cream, and butter; chips and non-chips snacks, such as potato biscuits, cassavas, and wheat flour; and food seasonings, including powdered and liquid seasonings, condiments, and syrups. The company also offers nutrition and special foods, such as baby cereals, follow-on cereals, noodle soups, and baby biscuits, as well as fortified milk for expectant and lactating mothers; and beverages comprising ready-to-drink tea, packaged water, and fruit-flavored drinks. In addition, it manufactures packaging materials and non-alcoholic beverages; markets and distributes culinary products; processes oil and fats; manages restaurants; acts as investment and trade export agency; and provides management consulting and industrial estate services. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk is a subsidiary of PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk.

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Enfusion, Inc. (NYSE:ENFN  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,240,000 shares, an increase of 28.0% from the September 15th total of 1,750,000 shares. Currently, 5.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 373,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.0 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of Enfusion from $11.50 to $10.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Enfusion from $12.00 to $11.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.00.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Enfusion

Insider Activity

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Enfusion

In related news, CTO Dan Groman sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.07, for a total value of $45,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer now owns 143,828 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,304,519.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Over the last quarter, insiders sold 11,067 shares of company stock valued at $94,636. 39.18% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Brown Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Enfusion by 15.0% in the second quarter. Brown Capital Management LLC now owns 9,623,950 shares of the companys stock valued at $107,981,000 after purchasing an additional 1,254,693 shares in the last quarter. Ararat Capital Management LP raised its stake in Enfusion by 7.0% during the second quarter. Ararat Capital Management LP now owns 2,435,306 shares of the companys stock worth $27,324,000 after acquiring an additional 159,418 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Enfusion by 2.1% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,591,827 shares of the companys stock worth $17,860,000 after acquiring an additional 32,590 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Enfusion by 8.2% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,524,281 shares of the companys stock worth $18,809,000 after acquiring an additional 115,925 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its stake in shares of Enfusion by 78.8% in the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 1,210,171 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,707,000 after buying an additional 533,198 shares in the last quarter. 64.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Enfusion Trading Up 3.0 %

Enfusion stock traded up $0.26 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $8.97. 185,980 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 412,204. The firm has a market cap of $1.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 112.13, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.79. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $8.66 and a 200 day moving average of $9.18. Enfusion has a 12 month low of $7.37 and a 12 month high of $14.61.

Enfusion (NYSE:ENFN  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.02. Enfusion had a return on equity of 8.10% and a net margin of 3.61%. The firm had revenue of $42.72 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $44.58 million. As a group, research analysts forecast that Enfusion will post 0.1 EPS for the current year.

Enfusion Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Enfusion, Inc provides software-as-a-service solutions for investment management industry in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides portfolio management system, which generates a real-time investment book of record that consists of valuation and risk tools that allows users to analyze aggregated or decomposed portfolio data for chief investment officers (CIOs) and portfolio managers; and order and execution management system that enables portfolio managers, traders, compliance teams, and analysts to electronically communicate trade orders for a variety of asset classes, manage trade orders, and systemically enforce trading regulations and internal guidelines.

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Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. (NYSE:SHG  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 407,400 shares, a growth of 24.7% from the September 15th total of 326,700 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 119,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.4 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Shinhan Financial Group in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on SHG

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Shinhan Financial Group Price Performance

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in Shinhan Financial Group by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 11,791 shares of the banks stock worth $395,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares during the period. PDS Planning Inc boosted its position in shares of Shinhan Financial Group by 3.1% in the second quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 12,774 shares of the banks stock worth $333,000 after buying an additional 380 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Shinhan Financial Group by 5.0% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 9,660 shares of the banks stock valued at $260,000 after buying an additional 462 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its position in Shinhan Financial Group by 16.1% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,387 shares of the banks stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 470 shares during the period. Finally, Janiczek Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Shinhan Financial Group by 46.7% in the 3rd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,601 shares of the banks stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 510 shares in the last quarter. 2.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Shares of NYSE SHG traded up $0.37 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $26.44. The company had a trading volume of 82,328 shares, compared to its average volume of 131,363. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $26.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $26.67. The stock has a market cap of $13.63 billion, a PE ratio of 4.17, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33. Shinhan Financial Group has a 1-year low of $24.56 and a 1-year high of $36.64.

Shinhan Financial Group (NYSE:SHG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 14th. The bank reported $1.75 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $3.15 billion during the quarter. Shinhan Financial Group had a return on equity of 8.61% and a net margin of 15.90%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Shinhan Financial Group will post 6.77 earnings per share for the current year.

About Shinhan Financial Group

(Get Free Report)

Shinhan Financial Group Co, Ltd. provides financial products and services in South Korea and internationally. The company operates through six segments: Banking, Credit Card, Securities, Life Insurance, Credit, and Others. It offers retail banking services, including demand, savings, and fixed deposit-taking; checking accounts; mortgage and home equity, and retail lending; electronic banking and automatic teller machines (ATM); and bill paying, payroll and check-cashing, currency exchange, and wire fund transfer services.

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Sage Rhino Capital LLC decreased its stake in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 7.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,121 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 774 shares during the period. Sage Rhino Capital LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $517,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cloverfields Capital Group LP boosted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 11.5% in the first quarter. Cloverfields Capital Group LP now owns 50,785 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,660,000 after acquiring an additional 5,246 shares during the last quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 334.1% in the second quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 55,268 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,133,000 after buying an additional 42,535 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC boosted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 39.4% in the first quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 25,007 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,328,000 after purchasing an additional 7,073 shares during the last quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Charles Schwab by 2.0% in the second quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,729 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $665,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bard Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in Charles Schwab by 372.9% in the second quarter. Bard Financial Services Inc. now owns 24,475 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,387,000 after buying an additional 19,300 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.61% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

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 transaction of $476,880.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 8,014 shares of the companys stock, valued at $477,714.54. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 72,047 shares of the businesss 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 sale, the chairman now directly owns 59,748,538 shares in the company, valued at $3,982,837,543.08. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 8,014 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $477,714.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 159,599 shares of company stock valued at $10,542,469. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Charles Schwab Trading Up 0.2 %

SCHW traded up $0.11 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $53.83. The company had a trading volume of 8,721,067 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,009,933. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $57.40 and its 200 day simple moving average is $56.01. The company has a market cap of $95.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.72, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.39. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12-month low of $45.00 and a 12-month high of $86.63.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.02. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 33.15% and a return on equity of 27.54%. The business had revenue of $4.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.62 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.10 EPS. Charles Schwabs revenue was down 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 25th. Shareholders 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 yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 10th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is currently 29.15%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Charles Schwab in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Raymond James raised their price objective on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $71.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $69.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $65.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $69.91.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab Profile

(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.

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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).

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The Embassy of Ukraine in Israel evacuated 436 Ukrainian citizens from Israel as of the morning of October 17.

The embassy recalled in an interview with an Interfax-Ukraine reporter that an evacuation flight was carried out from Tel Aviv to Bucharest, Romania, on October 14 with 207 Ukrainians on board. On October 16, the second evacuation flight took 155 citizens of Ukraine to Cluj, Romania, in the morning, and the third flight transported 74 passengers was carried out to Bucharest on the same day in the evening.

Currently, citizens of various countries are evacuated from Israel by special charter flights and by commercial airlines.

A source close to diplomatic circles told Interfax-Ukraine that "disorganization and the lack of centralized approach of the Israeli side to foreign diplomatic institutions' requests for assistance in arranging evacuation flights are being observed."

"Based on the results of communication with representatives of embassies in Israel, each country independently addresses the issues of evacuation flights without real assistance from the Israeli side," the source said.

According to the source, "evacuation requires tremendous efforts from the diplomats and in most cases, it requires minimum costs from the citizens."

"Citizens of all countries pay for evacuation at cost from their own funds," the source said.
Shares of The European Smaller Companies Trust PLC (LON:TRG  Get Free Report) dropped 1.8% on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 175 ($2.14) and last traded at GBX 175 ($2.14). Approximately 107,418 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 51% from the average daily volume of 221,291 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 178.20 ($2.18).

The European Smaller Companies Trust Trading Down 1.8 %

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 175 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 175. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.60, a quick ratio of 0.01 and a current ratio of 0.04. The firm has a market cap of 701.52 million and a P/E ratio of 2.13.

The European Smaller Companies Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TR European Growth Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Henderson Investment Funds Limited. It is co-managed by Henderson Global Investors Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Europe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL  Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a sell rating in a note issued to investors on Monday.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $53.00 to $60.00 in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Western Alliance Bancorporation in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. They set a hold rating and a $41.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $55.00 to $58.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $61.00 to $66.00 in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Finally, Piper Sandler reissued an overweight rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation in a report on Friday, August 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Western Alliance Bancorporation has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $55.20.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation Stock Performance

Shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation stock traded up $2.08 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $46.29. 1,493,824 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,937,575. Western Alliance Bancorporation has a 1 year low of $7.46 and a 1 year high of $81.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94. The business has a 50-day moving average of $47.60 and a 200-day moving average of $41.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.42.

Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.97 by ($0.01). Western Alliance Bancorporation had a return on equity of 20.09% and a net margin of 24.19%. The company had revenue of $669.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $657.14 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.39 EPS. Western Alliance Bancorporations revenue for the quarter was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Western Alliance Bancorporation will post 8.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Western Alliance Bancorporation

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its position in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 400.7% during the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 696 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 557 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P purchased a new position in Western Alliance Bancorporation during the first quarter worth about $64,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Western Alliance Bancorporation during the second quarter worth about $28,000. State of Wyoming lifted its position in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 54.7% during the second quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 783 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 277 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its position in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 436.9% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 800 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $66,000 after buying an additional 651 shares during the period. 72.04% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Western Alliance Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for Western Alliance Bank that provides various banking products and related services primarily in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It operates through Commercial and Consumer Related segments. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as fixed-rate and fixed maturity certificates of deposit accounts; demand deposits; and treasury management and residential mortgage products and services.

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ZTO Express (Cayman) (NYSE:ZTO  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued on Monday.

ZTO has been the subject of several other reports. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from $39.00 to $34.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. TheStreet lowered shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from $36.50 to $30.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price target on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from $36.00 to $31.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $34.60.

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ZTO Express (Cayman) Trading Down 0.5 %

NYSE ZTO traded down $0.13 during trading on Monday, hitting $24.02. The company had a trading volume of 1,562,267 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,678,592. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. ZTO Express has a one year low of $16.27 and a one year high of $30.05. The company has a market cap of $14.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 0.07. The companys fifty day moving average is $24.64 and its 200-day moving average is $26.32.

ZTO Express (Cayman) (NYSE:ZTO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 29th. The transportation company reported $0.42 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.33 by $0.09. ZTO Express (Cayman) had a net margin of 22.08% and a return on equity of 15.21%. The business had revenue of $1.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.41 billion. On average, sell-side analysts predict that ZTO Express will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of ZTO Express (Cayman)

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its position in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 34.5% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 68,865 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,664,000 after purchasing an additional 17,683 shares during the last quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC grew its position in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 34.3% during the 3rd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,562 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 909 shares during the last quarter. DnB Asset Management AS boosted its holdings in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 21,035 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $508,000 after acquiring an additional 1,054 shares during the last quarter. Harbour Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) during the 3rd quarter valued at about $294,000. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 227.8% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,010,093 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $25,333,000 after acquiring an additional 701,969 shares during the last quarter. 41.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About ZTO Express (Cayman)

(Get Free Report)

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc provides express delivery and other value-added logistics services in the People's Republic of China. It offers freight forwarding services; and delivery services for e-commerce and traditional merchants, and other express service users. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.

Further Reading

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Sohil Sehran is a journalist with 10 years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital media. He covers politics and national affairs at Moneycontrol. He tweets @SohilSehran
Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.
The European Parliament has approved a mandate for tripartite negotiations  with the Council of the EU and the European Commission regarding the creation of a Fund for Ukraine in the amount of EUR 50 billion for the period from 2024 to 2027.

The corresponding decision was voted on Tuesday in Strasbourg during a plenary meeting of the European Parliament.

Next, three European institutions - the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council of the EU will hold negotiations on amendments initiated by the EP deputies to the previously published proposal of the European Commission.

Next, the draft resolution will be put to a vote in the European Parliament.
Abhishek Mukherjee is News Editor - Business at Moneycontrol. He writes on markets, economy and the fragility of human experience.
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More than 13,000 Invincibility Points have already been prepared in Ukraine, and additional 2,500 require additional equipment, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said.

"As for the Invincibility Points, more than 13,000 of them have been prepared. Most of them are in Dnipropetrovsk region, Kyiv City, and Kharkiv region. However, about 2,500 points need additional equipment. This is the task of local authorities. There should be a generator, fuel, and Starlink system everywhere, and heating equipment," he said at a government meeting on Tuesday.

The prime minister recalled that soon all citizens will be able to find the Invincibility Point closest to them through the interactive map in the Diia application.

As reported, on October 13, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the decision to mark Invincibility Points on a map in Diia.
The market closed higher for the first time in the last four consecutive sessions, though it remained in the range of 19,500-19,850 on October 17. The Nifty50 ended at the previous week's high and faced a hurdle at 19,850 on the higher side, hence if the index decisively closes above this mark, then it can march towards the 19,000-20,000 area, provided it takes immediate support at 19,750-19,700 levels, experts said.

The BSE Sensex jumped 261 points to 66,428, while the Nifty50 climbed 80 points to 19,812 and formed a bearish candlestick pattern with a minor lower shadow on the daily charts as the closing was lower than opening levels, making higher high, higher low formation after Inside Bar as well as Doji kind of candlestick pattern formation in the previous session.

"Smaller degree positive chart pattern like higher tops and higher bottoms is intact as per daily timeframe chart. Having formed a new higher bottom at 19,635 on October 13, there is a possibility of Nifty moving above 19,850 levels in the coming session to form another higher top of the sequence," Nagaraj Shetti, technical research analyst at HDFC Securities said.

He feels the short-term trend of Nifty continues to be positive with rangebound action. "Nifty is expected to face the patchy road ahead on the upside, as it could encounter multiple resistances like 19,850 (previous swing high), 19,950 (up trendline hurdle) and 20,115 (previous opening down gap) in the near term," he said, adding the immediate support is placed around 19,700 levels.

The broader markets continued their upward journey with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices rising 0.35 percent and 0.88 percent respectively on positive breadth.

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 19,784, followed by 19,767 and 19,738. On the higher side, 19,841 can be an immediate resistance, followed by 19,858 and 19,886.

Nifty Bank

On October 17, the Bank Nifty formed a bearish candlestick pattern with a minor lower shadow on the daily charts after indecisive patterns formation in previous sessions, and failed to hold 20-day EMA (44,500), but closed higher by 184 points at 44,410 and formed higher top, higher bottom formation after losing 180 points from day's high.

"Bank Nifty opened gap up, however, was unable to capitalize on the gains and it corrected intraday. However, the dip is likely to witness buying interest in the zone of 44,350  44,300 where support in the form of the key hourly moving averages are placed," Jatin Gedia, technical research analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas said.

He expects the pullback in Bank Nifty towards 45,000 from a short-term perspective. On the downside, 44,100  44,000 shall act as a crucial support, he feels.

As per the pivot point calculator, the banking index is expected to take support at 44,349, followed by 44,289 and 44,192. On the upside, the initial resistance is at 44,542, then at 44,602 and at 44,698.

Call options data

As per the weekly options data, the maximum Call open interest (OI) was at 20,000 strike with 97.05 lakh contracts, which can act as a key resistance for the Nifty. It was followed by the 19,900 strike, which had 74.94 lakh contracts, while 19,800 strike had 71.5 lakh contracts.

Meaningful Call writing was seen at 20,000 strike, which added 22.89 lakh contracts followed by 19,900 and 20,100 strikes, which added 17.26 lakh and 14.11 lakh contracts.

Maximum Call unwinding was seen at 19,700 strike, which shed 26.59 lakh contracts, followed by 19,800 and 20,200 strikes, which shed 11.83 lakh and 3.8 lakh contracts.

Put option data

On the Put side, the maximum open interest remained at 19,700 strike with 86.68 lakh contracts, which can act as immediate support for the Nifty50 in coming sessions.

It was followed by 19,600 strike, comprising 71.33 lakh contracts and 19,500 strike with 65.09 lakh contracts.

The meaningful Put writing was at 19,800 strike, which added 29.68 lakh contracts, followed by 19,500 strike and 19,600 strike, which added 18.74 lakh and 13.48 lakh contracts.

Put unwinding was at 19,100 strike, which shed 8.03 lakh contracts, followed by 19,000 strike and 18,900 strike, which shed 6.63 lakh and 3.33 lakh contracts.

Stocks with high delivery percentage

A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in the stock. Atul, Alkem Laboratories, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, ACC, and Biocon saw the highest delivery among the F&O stocks.

64 stocks see a long build-up

A long build-up was seen in 64 stocks including Apollo Tyres, Can Fin Homes, Exide Industries, MRF, and L&T Finance Holdings. An increase in open interest (OI) and price indicates a build-up of long positions.

21 stocks see long unwinding

Based on the OI percentage, a total of 21 stocks, including GNFC, MCX India, Dr Lal PathLabs, Sun TV Network, and Hindustan Unilever saw a long unwinding. A decline in OI and price indicates long unwinding.

30 stocks see a short build-up

A short build-up was seen in 50 stocks, including Havells India, L&T Technology Services, Mphasis, Dalmia Bharat, and Bandhan Bank. An increase in OI along with a fall in price points to a build-up of short positions.

70 stocks see short-covering

Based on the OI percentage, 70 stocks were on the short-covering list. These included HDFC Life Insurance Company, Oracle Financial, BHEL, Godrej Consumer Products, and Delta Corp. A decrease in OI along with a price increase is an indication of short-covering.

Bulk deals

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Results on October 18

Stocks in the news

Bajaj Finance: The non-banking finance company has registered a massive 28 percent on-year increase in profit after tax at Rs 3,551 crore for the quarter ended September FY24. Net interest income during the same period increased by 26 percent to Rs 8,845 crore, with the number of new loans booked rising 26 percent to 8.53 million, while assets under management (AUM) grew by 33 percent to Rs 2.9 lakh crore as of September 2023.

L&T Technology Services: The engineering services company has recorded a 1.4 percent sequential growth in net profit at Rs 315.4 crore for the quarter ended September FY24, with operating numbers coming in above analysts' estimates. Revenue for the quarter increased by 3.7 percent QoQ to Rs 2,386.5 crore, with dollar revenue rising 2.9 percent to $288.1 million and constant currency topline growth at 3.2 percent in the same period.

Zensar Technologies: The company has reported a net profit of Rs 173.9 crore for the quarter ended September FY24, growing 11.3 percent over the previous quarter, with EBIT rising 3.5 percent to Rs 194.4 crore and EBIT margin expanding 40 bps QoQ to 15.7 percent. Revenue from operations increased by 1.1 percent sequentially to Rs 1,240.8 crore for the quarter.

Tata Elxsi: The design-led technology services company has clocked 5.9 percent sequential growth in net profit at Rs 200 crore for the July-September period FY24, with revenue increasing 3.7 percent to Rs 881.7 crore during the same period.

VST Industries: The Hyderabad-based cigarettes manufacturer has reported a 17.6 percent year-on-year decline in net profit at Rs 75.95 crore, with tepid growth in topline, lower profit before tax and other income. Revenue from operations for the quarter increased by 2.86 percent on-year to Rs 452.3 crore.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders: The state-owned shipbuilding company has signed a contract with the acquisition wing of the Ministry of Defence for the construction and delivery of one training ship for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at a cost of Rs 310 crore.

Housing & Urban Development Corporation: The Government of India will be selling up to 7,00,66,500 equity shares of HUDCO, representing 3.50 percent of total paid-up equity on October 18-19, with an option to additionally sell up to 7,00,66,500 equity shares in case the oversubscription option is exercised. The floor price has been fixed at Rs 79 per share.

Fund Flow (Rs Crore)

FII and DII data

Foreign institutional investors (FII) bought shares worth Rs 263.68 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DII) purchased Rs 112.55 crore worth of stocks on October 17, provisional data from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) showed.

Stocks under F&O ban on NSE

The NSE has retained Balrampur Chini Mills, BHEL, Delta Corp, GNFC, Hindustan Copper, Indiabulls Housing Finance, India Cements, Manappuram Finance, MCX India, and SAIL to its F&O ban list for October 18. Punjab National Bank, and Sun TV Network were 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.
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Purvi Asher is Partner at Mansukhlal Hiralal & Co., Advocates & Solicitors

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Hiral Thanawala is a personal finance journalist with 9 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, he covers financial planning, banking and fintech segments from personal finance team for Moneycontrol.
Mehul R Thakkar is Special Correspondent, Moneycontrol, Indias leading financial news platform, based in Mumbai where he is focussed on covering the real estate sector.
All 31 American M1A1 Abrams tanks promised to Kyiv by the administration of U.S. President Joseph Biden have arrived in Ukraine, U.S. Army Europe and Africa Spokesman Martin O'Donnell told the Voice of America.

He said all Ukrainians who were trained on tanks as part of American forces in Germany also returned to their homeland along with ammunition and spare parts for tanks.

"We have lived up to our end of the bargain. From this point forward, it is up to them [Ukraine] to determine when and where they will deliver this capability," O'Donnell said.

Before sending the Abrams to the battlefield, it could take some time for Ukrainian troops to ensure they have the necessary support elements and determine when and where to use the tanks to best effect against Russian forces, military officials said.

"I think Ukraine will be deliberate in when and where they use it. The Abrams tank is one hell of an armored vehicle, but it's not a silver bullet. Ultimately, it's Ukraine's determination to break through that matters most," O'Donnell said.

It is noted that the Abrams will be added to other Western tanks already in service with Ukraine, which is fighting to return territories seized by Russia in the eastern and southern regions of the country.

The Abrams tanks arrival in Ukraine comes as the United States provided up to $200 million in additional military aid for Ukraine in a package last week. The Pentagon said the package included weapons for air defense such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, artillery munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), TOW anti-tank missiles, and 155mm and 105mm rounds.

The package marked the 48th time that the U.S. has used the presidential drawdown authority to provide Ukraines miliary with equipment from U.S. stockpiles, and it was the first since Congress excluded new aid for Ukraine in a stopgap spending bill passed last month to prevent a government shutdown.

Since Russia's large-scale invasion started in February 2022, the United States has provided approximately $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.

The Pentagon still has approximately $5 billion in congressionally authorized military aid to Ukraine.
Saurabh Sharma is a freelance journalist who writes on books and gender.
The First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska had a phone conversation with the First Lady of Israel Michal Herzog.

According to the press service of the Ukrainian head of state, during the conversation Zelenska expressed condolences to the First Lady of Israel to the victims of the terrorist attack by the Hamas group.

"We feel your pain, the pain of every family in Israel. Ukrainians in all corners of our state express support for the people of Israel, and let me convey this to you. Our servicemen recorded a video in support of the Israeli people. These and many other manifestations of solidarity confirm how our peoples are close both in joy and in sorrow," Zelenska said.

As of October 17, the death of 13 Ukrainian citizens has been confirmed; at the same time, the identification of bodies continues, so the data changes daily; in addition, as a result of a terrorist attack on Israel, a boy was injured, whose mother died at the hands of terrorists. The child is provided with the necessary medical and psychological assistance. It was possible to evacuate 436 Ukrainian citizens.

At the same time, Zelenska said "terrorism knows no borders."

"Therefore, it is even more important that the countries that oppose this act together. Ukraine consistently advocates peace in the Middle East for all peoples," the press service said.
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In this edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: Merging fintech with banks wont solve problems, challenges for investors during e...

Highlights Rising wave of demonstrations in favour of Gaza residents in the Islamic world The upcoming meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation would be crucial Muslim leaders are under tremendous pressure from their local population The US is worried about possible unity among Muslim nations that might cut into American influence in the Middle East The Arab world is in turmoil. There is an outpouring of sympathy for the 2.3 million Gazan residents suffering under Israels bombardment that followed the rocket attacks by...

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Anushka Saxena is a China Studies Research Analyst with the Takshashila Institution. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed the use of ATACMS missiles by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

"Today I am especially grateful to the United States. Our agreements with President [of the United States Joseph] Biden are being implemented. And they are being implemented very accurately  ATACMS have proven themselves," he said in a video address on Tuesday evening.

As reported, the Special Operations Forces (SOF) carried out a successful operation to attack Russian air bases in Berdiansk and Luhansk on the night of October 17.

According to the SOF, nine helicopters of various types, special equipment, an air defense launcher, and an ammunition depot were destroyed and runways were damaged.
YINCHUAN, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- The desert scenery of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region proved a hit with visitors over the eight-day long Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday break, reflecting the success of the region's investment into tourism and environmental protection. "This is my first time seeing a desert, and it is more splendid and interesting than I imagined," said a tourist surnamed Zhang, who made her maiden trip from east China's Zhejiang Province to Ningxia. Zhang and her son quenched their thirst for adventure with camel rides and sledding across the sand dunes in Yinchuan City, while the unique sight of water and sand blending at Shahu (Sand Lake) scenic area in Shizuishan City gave them food for thought. "I had heard the saying 'You haven't truly visited Ningxia until you've seen its deserts.' Although there were lots of tourists and long queues during the holiday, we enjoyed our tours a lot," said Zhang. The picturesque scenery and popular tourist attractions, however, were once unimaginable. Ningxia covers an area of just 66,400 square km yet its surrounding deserts, the Tengger, Mu Us, and Ulan Buh, meant it suffered from the most severe desertification in China. Over the years, with the help of the "straw checkerboard barrier" approach, successive generations have worked to stabilize the shifting sands, creating favorable conditions for the tourism development. Today, the region boasts a plethora of scenic spots, including the Shapotou National Reserve and the Shahu scenic area, both of which are designated as a 5A scenic sites, the top level. To welcome enthusiastic tourists during the long holiday, various desert tourist attractions in Ningxia launched diverse activities, allowing tourists from all over the country to truly experience the joy of desert tourism. The Shahu scenic area integrated cultural and recreational activities with the natural scenery, with offerings including an exotic circus, night market, and star-gazing camp. "We have also added many sunshades and other service facilities to provide tourists with a safe, convenient, and comfortable environment during the holiday," said Wang Xiaoting, deputy general manager of Ningxia Sand Lakes Tourism Co., Ltd. The Shapotou National Reserve offered free admission to special groups like those aged 60 and above, medical workers and military personnel or ex-servicemen, and waived parking fees. As night falls, the Tengger Desert sheds its daytime heat, and the starry sky transforms the desert scenery. In Zhongwei City, where Shapotou National Reserve is located, high-end vacation products, such as star-gazing hotels and lodges along the Yellow River, capitalize on this unique natural blessing. The booming desert travel rush has helped revive tourism in Ningxia. During the period, Ningxia received nearly 4.9 million domestic tourists, generating tourism revenue of 4.09 billion yuan (about 560 million U.S. dollars), an increase of 18.82 percent and 35.1 percent respectively, compared to the same period in 2019, according to the regional culture and tourism department.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has praised the adoption of the law on politically exposed persons by the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday which is important for the beginning of talks on EU membership.

"Today, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted the decision necessary to start negotiations with the European Union. The law on politically exposed persons has been adopted. I am waiting to sign the text of the law," he said in a video message on Tuesday evening.

According to the head of state, Ukraine's "task remains unchanged: to be ready to open negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU this year. We are doing the Ukrainian part of the job for this and we will complete it. We expect a political decision to start negotiations from the leaders of the EU countries."

Speaking about work with international financial institutions, Zelenskyy said that "their attention to Ukraine is important. And there is an important conclusion that many partners, different leaders and institutions have: global stability, global security, and the development of the global economy are directly linked to the fact that Russian aggression against Ukraine must end, end fairly  with the restoration of international order, with the full force of international law."
Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a conversation with former NATO Secretary General, founder of Rasmussen Global Anders Fogh Rasmussen, with whom they chair the international working group that developed the Kyiv Security Compact, a set of proposals for security guarantees for Ukraine.

"I thank him for promoting this important issue vitally important for both Ukraine and the whole Europe. Our common efforts culminated in the G7 Joint Declaration of support for Ukraine at the Vilnius NATO summit," Yermak said in the Telegram channel.

"We'll continue to work on important tasks in the interests of Ukraine," he said.
During the day, the enemy launched three missile and 34 air strikes, carried out six attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas, as a result of enemy attacks there was destruction and casualties among the civilian population, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

"At the beginning of the day, the Russian occupiers launched another missile and air strike on Ukraine, using a Kh-59 guided missile, S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles and six attack UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type. Air defense forces and means destroyed one guided missile: an X-59 aircraft missile and six suicide bombers," the General Staff said on Facebook on Tuesday evening.

Within 24 hours, the enemy carried out mortar and artillery attacks on more than 117 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions.
On Thursday, October 19, at 13.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference entitled "Ukrainian farmers are on the verge of bankruptcy," at which farmers will turn to the government with proposals to overcome the crisis, which poses a threat to the states economy, reducing foreign exchange earnings to the country, and national food security.

Participants include

head of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council (UAC) Andriy Dykun;

Director of the All-Ukrainian National Agrarian Forum Maria Didukh;

the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) Director General Oleh Khomenko;

Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council Dmytro Kokhan;

Director General of the TAK group of companies Ruslan Holub (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel.

Journalists registration and additional information by phone: (066) 754 4129.
With the general sponsorship of the Azerbaijans first bank, an engineering hackathon was hosted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The opening ceremony of this intellectual competition, which took place at the Azerbaijan-French University, saw enthusiastic participation from students and members of the public. The event was a collaborative effort between the New Azerbaijan Party and the Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Fariz Latifov, the functional leader for programming at Kapital Bank, emphasized the key role that intellectual competitions play in nurturing the innovative capabilities of the youth. Kapital Bank is at the forefront of technological innovation, actively crafting advanced solutions. The majority of our banking services can be accessed through the Birbank app, a testament to the skills and dedication of our engineers. This is why we prioritize the education and growth of our engineering talent. We understand that todays accomplished students are the future of our workforce; they will join us as colleagues, shaping the banks evolution and contributing significantly to our ongoing success, said Mr. Fariz Latifov.

After the inauguration, a hackathon kicked off, bringing together students from 21 higher educational institutions across the country. Thirty teams, participating in the competition, put their expertise to the test across three key areas: Ecology and Environment, Transport and Logistics, and Technology and Innovation. These teams showcased their creativity by proposing innovative solutions to challenges within these domains. Over the coming week, the teams results will be assessed based on the criteria established by the scientific committee. The winners will be unveiled at the event titled With Respect to the Past, With Faith in the Future: Modern Azerbaijani Youth, Followers of the Legacy of Heydar Aliyev scheduled for October 21. During this event, three victorious teams will be announced and each winning team is set to receive a cash prize of AZN 2500.

Kapital Bank, the country's first bank, is part of PASHA Holding. Kapital Bank has the largest service network in Azerbaijan with 117 branches and 31 departments all over the country. For more detailed information about the banks products and services, please refer to https://kapitalbank.az website, 196 Call Centre or the banks various social network pages. To apply for a consumer loan visit https://kbl.az/prgtk, for a Birbank installment card visit https://kbl.az/prcrc.
Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley W. Simina, right, and Philippine Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shake hands at the Malacanang Palace in Manila where they met on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov has held a meeting with Zhang Jianhua, Administrator of the National Energy Administration of China, on the sidelines of the "One Belt, One Road" forum in China, Trend reports.

Following the meeting, the sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on expanding energy cooperation between the two counties.

This document provides for the expansion of bilateral relations in the energy sector of both countries, cooperation in the application of new technologies, the renewal of energy infrastructure, the promotion of mutual investment and business activity, the exchange of experience in the field of renewable energy sources, as well as in the form of joint conferences, forums and trainings.

At the same time, the parties discussed SOCAR's supplies of crude oil, petroleum products, petrochemical products, as well as LNG to China. The participation of Chinese companies in oil production and refining projects in Azerbaijan, as well as in the electric power sector, were mentioned as examples of successful energy cooperation.
A delegation from the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam led by its commander, Capt. Nicholas Simmons, visited the Marshall Islands recently.
Legal challenge to dethrone South Africas Zulu king heads to court View Photo

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  The battle for the throne of South Africas ethnic Zulu nation has reached the courts as a faction of the royal family seeks to dethrone the king after less than a year.

The North Gauteng High Court in the capital Pretoria is hearing legal arguments this week in the royal succession battle between King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and his half-brother, Prince Simakade Zulu, who believes he is entitled to be king.

The Zulu nation is the largest ethnic group in South Africa with an estimated 12 million Zulu-speaking people, predominantly in the KwaZulu-Natal region.

They are acknowledged for resisting British colonialism in the early 1800s and the Zulu king is arguably the most influential traditional leader in South Africa.

Prince Simakade wants the court to overturn President Cyril Ramaphosas recognition of King Misuzulu as the rightful heir.

He is disputing the traditional and legal processes followed to appoint Misuzulu, and his lawyers have told the court that Ramaphosas decision to recognize Misuzulu and grant him the relevant certificate was rushed.

Previous attempts to stop the coronation of the king were unsuccessful last year.

Misuzulu ascended to the throne last year after the 2021 death of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini, who ruled for over 50 years, making him the longest reigning Zulu monarch.

He is the oldest son of King Zwelithini and Queen Mantfombi of the royal house of eSwatini. The late king had six wives and several sons. After the king died last year, Misuzulus mother served as the regent for just a month before she died, but in her will she named her son to be the next king.

Addressing the court on Tuesday, Ramaphosas lawyer, Marumo Moerane, argued that the presidents issuance of the certificate recognizing Misuzulu as the heir to the throne followed consultations with the Zulu royal family, which confirmed him as the king.

Ramaphosa also relied on previous court judgments which dismissed earlier legal challenges disputing Misuzulus ascension to the throne, he said.

The Zulu royal house is estimated to control about 30% of the land in KwaZulu Natal province through the Ingonyama Trust.

It also receives an annual budget of more than $4 million from the provincial government for the upkeep of the royal households and cultural activities.

According to the latest national census, isiZulu is the most spoken language in South Africa with 24.4% of households speaking it.

Court arguments are expected to continue on Wednesday.

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME

Associated Press
600 days into the war, Russias assault on a key eastern Ukraine city appears to be weakening

600 days into the war, Russias assault on a key eastern Ukraine city appears to be weakening View Photo

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  A dayslong attempt by Russian forces to storm a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine appears to be running out of steam, Kyiv officials said Monday, as the Kremlins war entered its 600th day.

Ukrainian forces repelled 15 Russian attacks from four directions on Avdiivka over the previous 24 hours, the Ukrainian General Staff said.

That compared with up to 60 attacks a day in the middle of last week, according to Vitalii Barabash, head of the city administration. The slackening suggests the Russian effort to capture Avdiivka has deflated, Barabash said.

A Washington-based think tank broadly concurred with that assessment. Russian forces continued offensive operations aimed at encircling Avdiivka  but have yet to make further gains amid a likely decreasing tempo of Russian operations in the area, the Institute for the Study of War said in analysis published late Sunday.

Russias ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, told a U.N. Security Council meeting last Friday that the ramped-up attacks in the east amounted to a new stage in Moscows campaign in Ukraine.

With the looming onset of wintry conditions that will limit military operations, both sides have been seeking battlefield breakthroughs that could invigorate their efforts and raise morale.

Ukraine launched its own counteroffensive about four months ago. It has made some headway but the limited success has underlined the daunting challenge of taking on the Kremlins more numerous forces.

Kyivs Western allies insist that their military and financial support for Ukraine will continue, even as the Israeli-Hamas war rages and competes for resources.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday the Biden administration will ask Congress for a combined aid package for Ukraine and Israel worth more than $2 billion.

Ukrainian officials have said their troops are holding out against fierce Russian efforts to wrest control of Avdiivka, a heavily fortified city.

Avdiivka lies in the northern suburbs of the city of Donetsk, in a region of the same name that Russian forces partially occupy. Avdiivkas location grants Ukrainian forces artillery advantages over the city and could serve as a springboard for them to liberate Donetsk.

It is not possible to verify battlefield claims by either side. Misinformation and disinformation have played a central role in the war.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, speaking during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed Ukrainian forces have failed to make any significant gains during their counteroffensive. Kyivs troops are trying to make headway without air cover and have encountered multi-layered Russian defenses.

Putin, in an interview with the China Media Group released Monday, claimed that Ukraines counteroffensive has achieved no results so far, only massive losses.

Moscow can expect more diplomatic pressure from the 57-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in coming months, according to the chief diplomat of North Macedonia, which currently holds that bodys rotating presidency.

The countrys foreign minister, Bujar Osmani, urged Russia to cease its attacks on Ukraine and withdraw its forces. He spoke at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday.

The OSCE was created during the Cold War to help to defuse tensions between East and West.

Meanwhile, Russian childrens rights ombudswoman Maria Lvova-Belova claimed Monday that her office has helped 35 Ukrainian children reunite with their relatives in Ukraine and other countries.

Lvova-Belova, who was indicted along with Putin by the International Criminal Court for war crimes connected to the deportation of children from Ukraine, claimed Russia never opposed reuniting children with their families.

Qatars foreign ministry issued a statement saying it had been involved in recent family reunifications through its embassy in Moscow but it provided no details.

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Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

By ILLIA NOVIKOV

Associated Press
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov has held a meeting with Zhang Jianhua, Administrator of the National Energy Administration of China, on the sidelines of the "One Belt, One Road" forum in China, Trend reports.

Talks revolved around the opportunities for SOCAR Trading to expand its operations in the Chinese market.

At the same time, the parties engaged in talks about SOCARs delivery of crude oil, petroleum products, petrochemical items, and LNG to China. The discussions also pointed to achievements in energy cooperation, including the participation of Chinese companies in oil production, refining projects in Azerbaijan, and the electric power sector.

Chinese energy companies and their long-standing partnerships in the energy sector have entered a new phase of growth, marked by collaborative endeavors in green energy and environmentally friendly technology projects. Notably, Dongfang's involvement in constructing the Garadagh solar power plant, boasting a capacity of 230 MW, and the cooperation with China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment on renewable energy initiatives totaling 2 GW in Azerbaijan have been highlighted.

Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and China's National Energy Administration was signed.

This document provides for the expansion of bilateral relations in the energy sector of both countries, cooperation in the application of new technologies, the renewal of energy infrastructure, the promotion of mutual investment and business activity, the exchange of experience in the field of renewable energy sources, as well as in the form of joint conferences, forums and trainings.

SOCAR Trading opened its offices in Singapore (2009) and London (2015) to expand its global activity. Now the company has its trading offices in Geneva, London, Singapore, Dubai and Houston with 200 staff members in total. In addition, the company also opened representative offices in Cairo, Istanbul, Lagos, Monaco and Moscow.
Ukraine claims a major strike on Russian airfields and thanks US for providing long-range missiles

Ukraine claims a major strike on Russian airfields and thanks US for providing long-range missiles View Photo

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukraine on Tuesday claimed to have carried out one of the most destructive attacks on Russian air assets since the beginning of the war, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying the assault used longer-range ballistic missiles donated by the United States.

Zelenskyys announcement came hours after a U.S. official revealed that the longer-range ballistic missiles sought for months by Kyiv and promised by President Joe Biden had been delivered quietly and are in battlefield use.

Ukraines Special Operations Forces claimed it destroyed nine Russian helicopters at two airfields in Russia-occupied regions in a nighttime attack on targets in eastern and southern Ukraine.

It also hit military equipment, an air-defense system, ammunition warehouses and runways, a statement said. Dozens of Russian military personnel were injured in the attack codenamed Operation Dragonfly, it said.

Several U.S. officials said that Washington provided Ukraine with a small number of the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, making good on a promise made by Biden last month.

Zelenskyy offered special thanks to the United States for sending the ATACMS. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented, Zelenskyy said in his usual evening address to the nation, saying the ATACMS have proven themselves.

The weapons development piles pressure on the Kremlin as both sides look for battlefield advantages ahead of winter and what is shaping up as a protracted war of attrition.

While some versions of the missiles can go as far as about 180 miles (about 300 kilometers), the ones sent to Ukraine have a shorter range and carry cluster munitions, which, when fired, open in the air, releasing hundreds of bomblets rather than a single warhead. According to a U.S. official, the ones delivered to Ukraine have a maximum range of a bit more than 100 miles (roughly 160 kilometers).

The Ukrainian statement didnt say how the targets were hit. Russian authorities didnt comment on the report. It wasnt immediately possible to verify the two sides battlefield claims.

The airfields, in the Luhansk and Berdyansk regions, are located behind the front line. The Russian military apparently thought that they were at a safe distance from Ukrainian attacks.

Meanwhile, Russia is throwing more units into its effort to take a key eastern Ukraine city, Western analysts say, after apparent setbacks that have slowed its dayslong onslaught.

The attempt to storm Avdiivka, a heavily defended city that stands in the way of Moscows ambition of securing control of the entire Donetsk region, is Moscows most significant offensive operation in Ukraine since the start of the year, the U.K. defense ministry said Tuesday.

The Kremlins push to claim Avdiivka comes after months of fending off Ukraines counteroffensive, which Kyiv launched some 16 months after Russias full-scale invasion.

The Russian forces deployed to Avdiivka are likely making slow progress and sustaining high casualties in what is proving a costly effort, the U.K. defense ministry said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The pace of Russias attack on the heavily fortified target has reportedly slowed in recent days since its launch last week, a Washington-based think tank said.

Russian officials made no immediate comment on developments around Avdiivka.

Citing the Ukrainian General Staff, the Institute for the Study of War said Ukrainian forces pushed back 22 Russian attacks on Monday, down from 30 reported assaults the previous day. Kyiv officials said Russia mounted up to 60 attacks per day in the middle of last week.

The Ukrainian defense ministry said Tuesday that Russia is nevertheless still attempting to encircle the city, with 10 attacks over the previous 24 hours.

The U.K. defense ministry said Russias effort to overrun Avdiivka looks increasingly unlikely in the short term.

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Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

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Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

By ILLIA NOVIKOV

Associated Press
A Mexican official on Monday confirmed a shocking video that emerged over the weekend of cartel gunmen forcing the drivers of about a dozen tanker trucks to dump their entire loads of gasoline into a field.

The official, who was not authorized to be quoted by name, said the incident occurred last week in the border city of Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas, and was under investigation.

The official said the gunmen had apparently forced the truck drivers to line their parked vehicles up on a dirt road to dump their cargo.

Asked about the videos, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador acknowledged there is resistance from criminals in the area, long known for cartel violence, adding that We continue to confront them.

In the video, a presumed member of the cartel can be heard mentioning the Gulf cartel faction known as The Scorpions, and saying all trucks carrying gasoline would suffer the same fate unless they get in line, or pay protection money to the gang.

In the video, open valves on the bottom of the tankers could be seen spewing gasoline like fire hoses, as armed men looked on.

This is going to happen to all the grasshoppers, a mans voice can be heard saying, an apparent reference to Mexican gang slang that compares those who jump through a cartels territory to the hoppy insects.

Criminals in the border state of Tamaulipas have long drilled into state-owned pipelines to steal fuel, but now an even more complex situation is taking place.

Because of cross-border price differentials, it is sometimes profitable to import gasoline from Texas and sell it in Mexican border cities in Tamaulipas. Lopez Obradors administration has long complained that many of the truckers mislabel their cargo to avoid import tariffs.

Others legally import U.S. gasoline, a practice the Mexican government dislikes because it reduces sales for the state-owned oil company.

We are there to protect the citizens of Tamaulipas, so they dont have to buy stolen or smuggled fuel, Lopez Obrador said Monday.

But the Gulf drug cartel apparently demands money from both legal importers and those who seek to avoid paying import duties.

One businessman who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals said the gang is demanding a payment of $500 per truck even to allow legally imported gasoline through the city of Matamoros, an important border crossing.

The businessman added that Tamaulipas authorities often provide escorts for tanker trucks precisely to prevent such attacks.

It was the latest instance of lawlessness in Matamoros, where in March four Americans were shot at and abducted by a drug gang. The Americans were found days later, two dead, one wounded and without physical injuries.

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Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

By ALFREDO PENA

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico
Sonora, CA Tuolumne County Planning Commissioners, Jerry Morrow and Jim Jordan, have assumed leadership roles within the California County Planning Commissioners Association (CCPCA). This announcement came during the CCPCAs 92nd annual leadership conference, which took place recently at Black Oak Casino Resort.

Jerry Morrow, a resident of Mi Wuk, has been elected as the CCPCA President for the third time, succeeding former Tuolumne County Planning Commissioner Charlotte Hague, who temporarily led the association during the COVID-19 pandemic and budget constraints. Morrow recently passed on the Tuolumne County Planning Commission chairmanship to Linda Emerson, concluding his 16-year tenure on the commission.

Jim Jordan, hailing from Twain Harte, will serve as the CCPCA President-Elect for the 2023-2024 term. He has been a Tuolumne County Planning Commissioner for over two years.

During the conference, attendees participated in informative sessions, including a boot camp led by Dave Ruby, Tuolumne County Planning Manager, which provided insights into the responsibilities of todays commissioners. Additionally, Melanie McCavour, a CCPCA member and lecturer at Cal Poly Humboldt, provided an update on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) changes. Trinity Abila, representing Habitat for Humanity Tuolumne, reported on successful partnerships with county officials to provide innovative housing solutions. Sherri Brennan, former Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor, discussed efforts to convert biomass into clean energy. The event also featured presentations on blue zones and good health by Kristi Conforti and Cathy Parker, as well as a report from Kim Silva of the Twain Harte Community Services District on the successful collaboration to capture stormwater for Twain Hartes Meadows Park. Carolyn Jhajj and Arthur Wylene, representing the Rural Counties Representatives of California (RCRC), reported on their statewide initiatives to recycle biomass into pellet fuel for use in countries that are transitioning away from coal. RCRC is a 40-member organization advocating for rural county policies.
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding support for Israel.

McConnell was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

Since the Senate last convened, terrorists have sent shockwaves through the civilized world with savage, cold-blooded violence.

On October 7, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad desecrated Israeli soil and tore apart Israeli families with utterly medieval brutality.

Like ISIS, terrorists from Gaza turned peaceful homes and neighborhoods in Israel into blood-soaked warzones.

It was the deadliest attack on Israelis  and on American citizens overseas  in decades.

By now, reports and images of these horrific scenes have spread widely.

Accounts of Israeli women tortured and raped, of elders kidnapped, of charred corpses and beheadings, and of children shot dead in their homes have shaken peaceful people to their cores.

In one kibbutz, a paramedic named Amit was working to save the lives of victims pouring into a local clinic when she documented what would be the last moments of her own life in messages to her sister.

Heres what she said, Theyre here. I dont think Ill get out of here alive. Be strong, if something happens to me.

A few minutes later, in a call from Amits phone, all her sister could hear were gunshots and screams. One in ten residents of her community were slaughtered by the terrorists.

Heres how one retired senior IDF commander put it after he ran to rejoin Israels defense efforts.

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.

Madam President, the people of Israel are grieving unimaginable horrors. And we have a responsibility not to look away.

Not least because the same news that has shaken the civilized world to its core has emboldened anti-Semites and terrorist sympathizers across the globe.

Weve seen thousands of demonstrators cheer on terrorist violence from the streets of Western cities.

In London, many Jewish children were kept home from school on Friday out of fears for their safety.

In Chicago, a bomb threat forced a local synagogue to evacuate.

In Sydney, Australia, a supposedly pro-Palestinian gathering devolved into a sickening flashback to the worst stain on the last century of human history as demonstrators chanted gas the Jews.

And on college campuses across America, leftist student groups cloaked vile anti-Semitism in a thin veneer of performative woke jargon.

So Madam President, friends of Israel simply cannot afford to be silent. And as Israels closest ally, the United States must lead by our example in supporting its efforts to defend itself for as long as it takes.

As I outlined over the state work period, this means loudly and clearly distinguishing between the aggressor and the victim in this war. No matter how many voices in the media attempt to both-sides a terrorist attack, there is simply no moral equivalence here.

Responsibility for the murder of Israelis lies with the terrorists who pulled the trigger and the regime that arms and trains them.

And responsibility for the suffering of the Palestinian people lies with the Hamas terrorists who consolidated power by flinging rival civilian officials off of rooftops, who use scarce building supplies to dig terror tunnels, who turn drinking water pipes into rocket launchers, and who use residents of Gaza as human shields.

Make no mistake: the surest way to stop violence against Israelis and oppression of Palestinians is to wipe terrorists like Hamas from the face of the Earth.

To that end, the United States must continue to provide maximum support to Israels counter-terrorist operation, as long as it takes. And just as importantly, we have to re-establish deterrence against the Iranian regime that not only directly threatens Americas interest in a peaceful and stable Middle East, but also bears the blood of hundreds of Americans and plots to kill even more.

Americas disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the desperate pursuit of a new nuclear deal, and the failure to respond decisively to attacks on U.S. forces in Syria have weakened our deterrence against the worlds largest state sponsor of terror.

Americas weakness has left our allies and partners with serious questions about the credibility of our commitments.

And if we fail to present clear and devastating consequences of further violence against America as well as our friends in Israel, we will make deterring an even bigger strategic adversary in Asia even more difficult.

Re-establishing effective deterrence means investing in American military strength. It means investing in an industrial base thats capable of equipping both U.S. forces and our allies and partners to meet authoritarian aggression  in Europe, in Asia, and in the Middle East. And it means responding to challenges with credible and unflinching resolve.

This is a fundamental responsibility of governing. Full stop.

Ill have more to say in the coming days. But for right now, this is not merely a terrorist war against Israel.

Its part of a clear and present danger to the United States and the entire civilized world.

This, Madam President, is a time for choosing.

As Israel works to eliminate the terrorists who threaten its existence, the United States must reaffirm our commitment to Israels security.

And we must continue to demonstrate by our leadership that no country should offer safe haven to those who aid and abet terror.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
New York judge rejects Indiana ex-U.S. Rep. Steve Buyers request to remain free pending appeal View Photo

NEW YORK (AP)  Former U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer cannot defer his surrender next month to serve a nearly two-year prison sentence resulting from his insider trading conviction because there was overwhelming evidence of his crimes, a federal judge said Monday.

Judge Richard M. Berman ruled there was no substantial question nor any close question of law to warrant letting the Indiana Republican remain free until his appeal is decided. He said prosecutors had presented compelling testimony and documentary evidence of Buyers crimes and devastating evidence of an attempted cover-up.

The judge noted that a jury capped a nine-day trial by returning its March verdict in less than four hours. Prosecutors say he made illegal stock trades based on insider information while working as a consultant after serving in the House from 1993 to 2011.

The lawyer and Persian Gulf War veteran once chaired the House Veterans Affairs committee and was a House prosecutor at ex-President Bill Clintons 1998 impeachment trial.

At sentencing last month, Berman said Buyers conviction by a jury was not a close call because the evidence against him screams guilty. The judge said Buyer lied when he testified at his trial about when he learned about mergers that he profited from.

The Noblesville, Indiana, resident is due to report to prison on Nov. 28.

A lawyer for Buyer said Bermans ruling will be appealed.
Ukraine uses US-provided long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian forces for the first time View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States has quietly delivered a small number of long-range ballistic missiles that Ukraine said it urgently needed and that President Joe Biden promised last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Tuesday, saying they were used on the battlefield against Russia and executed very accurately.

Today I express special gratitude to the United States, Zelenskyy said in his evening address, adding that the missiles have proven themselves.

The U.S. has refused to discuss the delivery publicly, but officials familiar with the move also confirmed it earlier in the day. Fewer than a dozen of the missiles got into Ukraine within the last few days, said officials. Their arrival at the warfront gives Ukraine a critical ability to strike Russian targets that are farther away, allowing Ukrainian forces to stay safely out of range. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter before an official announcement and spoke Tuesday on the condition of anonymity.

The delivery of the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, was shrouded in secrecy, with the expectation that the first public acknowledgment would come when the missiles were used on the battlefield. That intense secrecy is a marked change from previous U.S. weapons sent by the Biden administration. In nearly all other cases, the U.S. has publicly announced its decision prior to the weapons and equipment being shipped overseas.

Because of lingering U.S. concerns about escalating tensions with Russia, the ATACMS version that went to Ukraine will have a shorter range than the maximum distance the missiles can have. While some versions of the missiles can go as far as about 180 miles (about 300 kilometers), the ones sent to Ukraine have a shorter range and carry cluster munitions, which, when fired, open in the air, releasing hundreds of bomblets rather than a single warhead. According to a U.S. official, the ones delivered to Ukraine have a maximum range of a bit more than 100 miles (roughly 160 kilometers).

Ukraines Special Operations Forces claimed that a nighttime attack on targets in eastern and southern Ukraine destroyed nine Russian helicopters and other military equipment and personnel at two airfields in Russia-occupied regions.

The ATACMS would be key in Ukraines ability to hit the airfield in Berdyansk since it is just within striking distance of the shorter-range version of the missile, and the cluster munitions would be effective in hitting multiple targets. The closest Ukrainian troop positions on the western bank of the Dnieper River are just about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Berdyansk.

Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders had been pressing the U.S. to provide the missiles, which have a longer range than any others provided by the U.S. But the Biden administration balked for months, worried that Kyiv could use the weapons to hit deep into Russian territory, enraging Moscow and escalating the conflict.

Biden finally greenlighted the delivery last month and told Zelenskyy during a meeting at the White House that the U.S. would finally give Ukraine the ATACMS, according to officials at the time. The U.S., however, for weeks refused to provide any details on timing or how many missiles would be delivered, although officials suggested that the plan was to send a small number.

Ukrainian forces want to use the missiles to help fuel their counteroffensive as it heads into the muddy and colder winter months, enabling troops to strike behind Russian lines while staying out of firing range.

The small number of missiles underscores the U.S. reluctance to send the powerful weapons. Sending the cluster munition version will mark the second time the Democratic administration has moved to send that type of weapon.

In July, the U.S. agreed to send thousands of cluster bombs to Ukraine. When used, the bomblets are dispersed over a large area and are intended to wreak destruction on multiple targets at once. The weapons are banned by many NATO allies because they have a track record for causing many civilian casualties. Unexploded rounds, which often litter battlefields and populated civilian areas, can cause unintended deaths.

____

Associated Press writers Hanna Arhirova and Illia Novikov in Kyiv contributed to this report.

By LOLITA C. BALDOR

Associated Press
Ex-Michigan gubernatorial candidate sentenced to 2 months behind bars for Capitol riot role View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a former Republican candidate for Michigan governor to two months behind bars for joining a mobs Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, where he riled up other rioters and ripped a tarp outside the building.

Ryan Kelley, who finished fourth in a primary field of five Republican gubernatorial candidates last year, pleaded guilty in July to a misdemeanor for his role in the siege.

Several months before his guilty plea, Kelley posted on social media that the Capitol riot was an FBI set up. His campaign posted the words political prisoner on Facebook after his June 2022 arrest.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper told Kelley that he misused his platform as a candidate for public office by promoting lies about election fraud, including the baseless claim that Jan. 6 was somehow part of an FBI plot.

A lot of folks voted for you. A lot of folks followed you, Cooper said before sentencing Kelley to 60 days of imprisonment and ordering him to pay a $5,000 fine.

Kelley, 42, traveled from Allendale, Michigan, to Washington, D.C., to attend then-President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally near the White House on Jan. 6. Kelley told the judge that he wanted to see receipts supporting Trumps claims that Democrats stole the 2020 presidential election from him, the Republican incumbent.

Those receipts never came, he said. That is a betrayal, and I was misled into believing those things.

But he said he doesnt blame Trump for his conduct on Jan. 6.

He did invite us there, but my actions were my actions, Kelley said.

Kelley, a real estate broker, isnt accused of engaging in violence on Jan. 6. But federal prosecutors said he helped breach scaffolding, stirred up the mob with his shouts and gestured for other rioters to move closer to the Capitol and to police officers guarding the building.

Kelley pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, a charge punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of one year.

Prosecutors recommended sentencing Kelley to three months of incarceration.

Mr. Kelley engaged in not just a bad decision but a series of bad decisions that day, a prosecutor, Shanai Watson, said.

Kelleys arrest roiled what was already a complicated Republican primary for the governors race. Conservative commentator Tudor Dixon won the Republican primary but ultimately lost to incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, last November.

Kelley spoke at a Stop the Steal rally at the state Capitol in Lansing in November 2020, shortly after the presidential election. Kelley urged others at the rally to stand and fight, with the goal of preventing Democrats from stealing the election, the FBI said.

After attending Trumps rally on Jan. 6, he marched to the Capitol and joined a crowd that formed on the West Plaza, where flash bang grenades exploded near him.

Kelley and other rioters climbed through scaffolding covered by a white tarp. Surveillance video captured him tearing the tarp.

Even though his rip of the tarp was relatively modest, it extended an already existing hole in the tarp and widened the opening through which some rioters advanced on the Capitol Building, prosecutors wrote in a court filing.

Kelley remained on Capitol grounds for nearly two hours but isnt accused of entering the building that day.

Mr. Kelley understands and appreciates that he never should have participated in the protests that turned into a riot that day and that such violence has no place in our democracy, his defense lawyer wrote.

At a debate last year, Kelley said the riot was a First Amendment activity by a majority of those people, myself included.

We were there protesting the government because we dont like the results of the 2020 election, the process of how it happened. And we have that First Amendment right. And thats what 99% of the people were there for that day, he said.

In a court filing after the primary loss, Kelleys lawyers said was still actively involved in political issues throughout the state of Michigan, and is contemplating whether he will run for a different state or federal position.

Defense attorney Gary Springstead said on Tuesday that Kelley wants nothing to do with politics at this point. Kelley told the judge that he wants to focus on his business and his family.

More than 1,100 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. More than 800 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury or judge after contested trials. Nearly 700 of them have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving terms of imprisonment ranging from three days to 22 years.

Also on Tuesday, a woman who smashed a window at the Capitol and used a bullhorn to direct other rioters on Jan. 6 was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth also ordered Rachel Marie Powell to pay restitution and a fine totaling nearly $8,000.

In July, Lamberth heard testimony without a jury before he convicted Powell of all nine counts in her indictment. A prosecutor has said Powell, 41, of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, played a leading role during the riot.

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

Associated Press
Tim Scott praises restraint of Israels Netanyahu, says US should move more firepower to region

Tim Scott praises restraint of Israels Netanyahu, says US should move more firepower to region View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina on Monday praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for showing what he called restraint after Hamas attacked Israel over a week ago.

The Republican presidential candidate said Netanyahu waited and showed patience and humanity in response to the Oct. 7 attack.

Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza the day of the attack and Netanyahu declared war with Hamas, vowing to inflict an unprecedented price. The war has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead.

One of the first things that Israels done is they waited, Scott said about Israel as he spoke at an event focused on U.S. foreign policy and national security at Georgetown University in Washington.

Now how Prime Minister Netanyahu had the kind of restraint to refrain from immediate action, it just talks about the morality and the humanity that we see coming from Netanyahu into Gaza, the senator said.

Hamas militants surprise attacks on Israel have left 1,400 dead and retaliatory strikes have killed at least 2,778 Palestinians.

Scott also underscored the importance of Americas allyship with Israel and said America should stand shoulder-to-shoulder, back-to-back, with no daylight with Israel.

He said the U.S. should move more firepower into the region to be responsive and said that U.S. special forces should be prepared to help rescue American hostages in Gaza.

Scott also criticized front-runner Republican candidate Donald Trump for his criticism of Netanyahu days after the attack. He said the former presidents comments were terrible, not helpful and heading in the wrong direction.

We should be loyal to our allies while being lethal to our adversaries. Anything less than that jeopardizes life, he said.

The senator said he somewhat agreed with GOP rival candidate Ron DeSantis, who said the United States should not take in any Palestinian refugees if they flee the Gaza Strip. DeSantis, the Florida governor, said the U.S. should not accept any refugees if they can escape Gaza because they are all antisemitic.

Scott said not accepting refugees from Gaza is the right decision because the president cannot determine in the middle of the conflict who is safe to bring in, whos not safe to bring in.

I dont think that theyre all antisemitic. I just cant tell you whos who, he said.

Scott was asked about the killing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois who was stabbed to death in an alleged hate crime. Authorities said the boy and his mother were attacked by the familys landlord who was upset over the Israel-Hamas war.

Disgusting, Scott said quickly. It sounds like murder. Lock him up.

After he was asked to elaborate, the senator, who often takes on the mannerism of a preacher, then leaped up in to the aisles. Scott, who is Black, spoke about having grown up in the Deep South and said he understands racism and discrimination.

Thankful that our country has made tremendous progress in my lifetime, he said. But of the man accused of the Illinois attack, he said, I cant imagine that level of hate.

Scott was sitting for the conversation at an event co-hosted by The Associated Press and Georgetowns Institute of Politics and Public Service. The event marks the second in a series of talks the organizations are hosting on the topic with 2024 GOP candidates.

Former Vice President Mike Pence sat for the inaugural talk earlier this month.

Scotts sit-down comes as one of the super political action committees supporting his candidacy clawed back some of the advertising airtime it had purchased this fall, with its chair writing in a memo to backers that we arent going to waste our money when the electorate isnt focused or ready for an alternative to Trump. The memo said the group would wait until closer to Iowas leadoff caucuses to reconsider.

The South Carolina senator has not made foreign policy a mainstay of his campaign, instead seeking to focus on a positive message swathed in his Christian faith and an appeal for more individual responsibility in America.

Last week, he gave a speech on Israel at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington in which he decried Hamas militants attack on Israel as filling Americans with heartbreak, and frankly, righteous anger, but blamed the Biden administration for the violence.

While Hamas carried out these attacks, Joe Biden has blood on his hands, Scott said in the speech. His weakness invited the attack.

He also recently sought to merge his Senate duties with foreign policy strides that may help his 2024 GOP presidential campaign, calling for a Senate probe into funding sources that he and other Republicans allege may have been tied to Hamas militants attack on Israel.

Scott called for the Senate Banking Committee  on which he sits as ranking member  to hold a hearing with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to probe roughly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets recently released to an account in Qatar.

As he campaigns against rivals including a former vice president, a former United Nations ambassador and current and foreign governors, Scott has at times been asked how he would square his apparent lack of executive experience with his qualifications to lead the country.

He has held out as evidence his decade of service on Senate committees, including Banking, Finance, Armed Services and Foreign Relations.

In the memo from Trust in the Mission PAC, co-chair Rob Collins said the group would continue with door knocking and other efforts, with an eye toward potentially reallocating resources as actual votes draw nearer.

Until the experts recognize Tim is the only candidate that can capture the nomination and defeat President Joe Biden, there will be a very expensive and loud next few months  full of sound and fury and signifying nothing, Collins wrote in the memo, which was obtained by the AP and first reported on by Politico.

So, we are doing what would be obvious in the business world but will mystify politicos  we arent going to waste our money when the electorate isnt focused or ready for a Trump alternative. We have done the research. We have studied the focus groups. We have been following Tim on the trail. This electorate is locked up and money spent on mass media isnt going to change minds until we get a lot closer to voting.

___

Price reported from New York.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and MEG KINNARD

Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A federal court jury returned a $13.5 million verdict against the city of Los Angeles in a lawsuit over the death of a man after two police officers used their bodyweight on his back to restrain him, the plaintiffs attorneys said Monday.

Jacobo Juarez Cedillo, 50, died at a hospital five days after the April 2019 encounter with officers who found him sitting in a gas station driveway, stood him up and ultimately took him to the ground. The suit was filed by his daughter, Nicole Juarez Zelaya.

Fridays verdict included a finding that the city failed to train its police officers with respect to the risks of positional and restraint asphyxia, her lawyers said in a statement. Attorney Dale K. Galipo said he hoped such verdicts will cause police to take notice.

The Los Angeles City Attorneys Office had no comment on the verdict, said spokesperson Ivor Pine.

A medical examiner determined the death was due to cardiopulmonary arrest, along with a loss of blood flow to the brain and the effects of methamphetamine, the Los Angeles Times reported in 2020.

The examiner wrote, in part, that a component of asphyxia due to possible compression of the body may be contributory to the cardiopulmonary arrest, however there are no findings at autopsy that establish asphyxia.

A 2021 California law bars police from using certain face-down holds that create risk of positional asphyxia.
Israel suspends military exports to Colombia over its presidents criticism of Gaza siege View Photo

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  Israel has suspended security exports to Colombia in an escalating diplomatic spat over online messages by Colombias president comparing Israels siege of Gaza to the actions of Nazi Germany.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has doubled down on his criticism of Israel and suggested that his country may need to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel, while his foreign minister has suggested Israels ambassador should leave the country.

In a statement published Sunday, Israels foreign ministry said that Petros recent statements on X, previously known as Twitter, inflame antisemitism and threaten the safety of the Jewish community in Colombia. The Israeli government said it called Colombias ambassador to a meeting in which she was informed that defense cooperation between the countries would be suspended.

Colombia currently has diplomatic relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and over the past two decades it has been one of Israels closes partners in Latin America.

The South American nation uses Israeli-built war planes and machine guns to fight drug cartels and rebel groups and both countries also signed a free trade agreement in 2020.

But the two nations have been less aligned since Petro took office last year as Colombias first leftist president.

The war of words between Petro and Israels Ambassador Gali Dagan started a week ago when Petro refused to condemn the Hamas raid on Israel, in which militants killed hundreds of civilians in their homes.

When Dagan urged Petro to speak about the terrorist attack, Colombias president replied with a message that terrorism is killing innocent children in Palestine and followed up with messages in which he accused Israel of turning Gaza into a concentration camp.

The comments comparing Israels military to the Nazis sparked criticism from Colombias Jewish community and also triggered a response from the U.S. State Department, which said last Thursday through its Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Antisemitism that it was shocked to see Colombias president comparing the Israeli government to Hitlers genocidal regime.

Over the weekend Petro wrote on X that Hamas had been invented by Israels intelligence services in order to divide Palestinians and have an excuse to punish them. He provided no proof to back his claims.

Dagan mocked Petros message with a sarcastic reply in which he wrote that his nations intelligence services had also created Colombias largest paramilitary group and that Jews with big noses still rule over the group.

On Monday, Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva wrote on his X account that Dagan should leave the country and apologize for his messages. Later however he wrote that Israels ambassador had not been expelled and that relations between both countries would be maintained if Israel so desired. Respectful relations between states are always welcome Leyva wrote.

Petro doubled down on his critiques of Israel over the weekend, describing its military campaign in Gaza as genocide and threatening to break off relations with the Jewish state.

If we must suspend diplomatic relations with Israel, then that is what we will do he wrote on X on Sunday. You cannot insult the president of Colombia.

By MANUEL RUEDA
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline, Trend reports.

The erupted 44-day Second Karabakh War ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation.

Trend presents the chronicle of the 21th day of the Second Karabakh war:

- President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed to the nation and announced the liberation of the city of Fuzuli and several villages in the Fuzuli district.

- Azerbaijans First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva shared a post on her official Instagram account about the terror attack committed by Armenia on Ganja city. "Ganja is the heart of Azerbaijan. And, nobody will ever subdue staunch spirit of its residents!"" she wrote in her another post.

- Armenian armed forces fired missiles at Ganja and Mingachevir. The death toll in Ganja reached 13, and 52 people were injured. As a result of the Armenian shelling of Ganja, 20 houses were completely destroyed.

- Azerbaijani troops have managed to advance in different directions of the front. A colonel, chief of the Armenian armed forces engineering fortifications was liquidated.

- A large number of Armenian manpower was liquidated, military equipment and Su-25 aircraft belonging to Armenian armed forces were destroyed. A split began in the ranks of the Armenian armed forces, as the "volunteers" left their positions arbitrarily.

- President of the Republic of Azerbaijan awarded Hikmat Mirzayev [who participated in the liberation of the territories from Armenian occupation] the highest military rank of lieutenant general.

- Another armored vehicle, "Tor-M2KM" anti-aircraft missile systems, BM-21 "Grad" missile launcher, and "S-125" anti-aircraft missile system belonging to the Armenian armed forces were destroyed.
Putin begins visit in China underscoring ties amid Ukraine war and Israeli-Palestinian conflict View Photo

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a visit that underscores Chinas support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine as well as Russian backing for Chinas bid to expand its economic and diplomatic influence abroad.

The two countries have forged an informal alliance against the United States and other democratic nations that is now complicated by the Israel-Hamas war. China has sought to balance its ties with Israel against its relations with Iran and Syria, two countries that are strongly backed by Russia and with which China has forged ties for economic reasons as well as to challenge Washingtons influence in the Middle East.

Putins plane was met by an honor guard as the Russian leader began his visit that is also a show of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinpings signature Belt and Road initiative to build infrastructure and expand Chinas overseas influence.

In an interview to Chinese state media, Putin praised the massive but loosely linked BRI projects.

Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the Peoples Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise. We just see a desire for cooperation, he told state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin on Monday.

Putin will be among the highest-profile guests at a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Xis announcement of the BRI project, which has laden countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debt from contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports and other public works they could not otherwise afford. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised the Chinese policy as bringing development to neglected areas.

The gathering has also given Putin an opportunity to meet with other global leaders who have criticized the Western approach to Russias war against Ukraine.

Speaking at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country is a member of the European Union as well as NATO, Putin said the countries have maintained good ties despite recent tensions.

It causes satisfaction that we have managed to preserve and develop relations with many European countries, including Hungary, Putin said at the start of the talks with Orban.

Orban, who has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions against Russia, noted that his country has remained eager to maintain ties with Russia.

Hungary never wanted to confront Russia. Hungary always has been eager to expand contacts, Orban told Putin. Hungary has continued to pursue contacts with Russia in the nuclear power and gas energy fields despite EU sanctions.

Asked by reporters Friday about his visit, Putin said it would encompass talks on Belt and Road-related projects, which he said Moscow wants to link with efforts by an economic alliance of former Soviet Union nations mostly located in Central Asia to achieve common development goals.

He also downplayed the impact of Chinas economic influence in a region that Russia has long considered its backyard and where it has worked to maintain political and military clout.

We dont have any contradictions here, on the contrary, there is a certain synergy, Putin said.

Putin said he and Xi would also discuss growing economic ties between Moscow and Beijing in energy, high-tech and financial industries. China has also grown in importance as an export destination for Russia.

Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said that from Chinas view, Russia is a safe neighbor that is friendly, that is a source of cheap raw materials, thats a support for Chinese initiatives on the global stage and thats also a source of military technologies, some of those that China doesnt have.

For Russia, China is its lifeline, economic lifeline in its brutal repression against Ukraine, Gabuev told The Associated Press.

Its the major market for Russian commodities, its a country that provides its currency and payment system to settle Russias trade with the outside world  with China itself, but also with many other countries, and is also the major source of sophisticated technological imports, including dual-use goods that go into the Russian military machine.

Gabuev said that while Moscow and Beijing will be unlikely to forge a full-fledged military alliance, their defense cooperation will grow.

Both countries are self-sufficient in terms of security and they benefit from partnering, but neither really requires a security guarantee from the other. And they preach strategic autonomy, he said.

There will be no military alliance, but there will be closer military cooperation, more interoperability, more cooperation on projecting force together, including in places like the Arctic and more joint effort to develop a missile defense that makes the U.S. nuclear planning and planning of the U.S. and its allies in Asia and in Europe more complicated, he added.

The Chinese and Soviets were Cold War rivals for influence among left-leaning states, but China and Russia have since partnered in the economic, military and diplomatic spheres.

Just weeks before Russias invasion of Ukraine last February, Putin met with Xi in Beijing and the sides signed an agreement pledging a no-limits relationship. Beijings attempts to present itself as a neutral peace broker in Russias war on Ukraine have been widely dismissed by the international community.

Xi visited Moscow in March as part of a flurry of exchanges between the countries. China has condemned international sanctions imposed on Russia, but hasnt directly addressed an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court on charges of alleged involvement in the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine.

___

Associated Press writer Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

Associated Press
Sweden reports damage to an undersea cable to Estonia, after Finland cites damage to a gas pipeline

STOCKHOLM (AP)  Sweden on Tuesday reported partial damage to an undersea telecommunications cable in the Baltic Sea running to Estonia that authorities believe occurred at the same time as damage to an undersea gas pipeline and telecom cable from Finland to Estonia.

Finland launched an investigation into possible sabotage after reporting the damage to its gas pipeline to Estonia last week.

Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said Tuesday that the damage to the cable between Sweden and Estonia appeared to have happened at the same time, but that its unclear what caused it.

It is not a total cable break. There is a partial damage on this cable, Bohlin said. We cannot assess what caused the damage.

Estonias economy ministry said the disruption to the Swedish-owned cable was on Estonian territory, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) off the island of Hiiumaa in northern Estonia, the Baltic News Service reported. Service was restored within a few days, the agency said.

Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said that his countrys police, military and coast guard were in contact with their Estonian counterparts regarding the matter. He said there also was heightened vigilance in the Baltic Sea.

We see the issue of security for our critical infrastructure as a high priority, and take the current situation seriously, Pal Jonson said at a news conference. He didnt suggest who or what may have caused the damage.

Finnish and Estonian gas system operators on Oct. 8 said they noted an unusual drop in pressure in the Balticconnector pipeline after which they shut down the gas flow.

The Finnish government on Oct. 10 said there was damage both to the gas pipeline and to a telecommunications cable between the two NATO countries.

Later Tuesday, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that the exact reason for the failure of the cable between Sweden and Estonia still needs to be clarified.

The scale of this failure was quite small and, as the operators also said, the failure was corrected, Pevkur told Estonian media outlets, adding that there was no threat from a defense point of view. It needs to be clarified what exactly was the nature of the failure and whether it is also related to the Estonian-Finnish (telecommunications) cable and (gas) pipeline failure.

On Friday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson spoke of a spaghetti of cables, wires on the Baltic seabed which is absolutely fundamental for data traffic.

We live in a time where civilian infrastructure is also very threatened in this security environment, Kristersson said. It is also a very clear lesson from Ukraine, i.e., attacking infrastructure that is for energy supply, food supply, water supply.

The incidents come 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.

A total of four leaks were discovered on Nord Stream 1 and 2 on Sept. 26 and 27, respectively. Two of the leaks were in the Swedish economic zone northeast of the Danish island of Bornholm, and two in the Danish economic zone southeast of Bornholm, and were outside national waters. Both Swedish and Danish seismic measurements showed that explosions took place a few hours before the leaks were discovered.

The blasts were deemed an act of sabotage by Sweden and Denmark.
The government of Zimbabwe has issued a warning to the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), cautioning them against taking any actions that may incite upheaval under the guise of democracy. Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amon Murwira, conveyed this message during an address to African Union ambassadors in Harare.

While disassociating the government from the CCC recalls, Murwira indirectly accused CCC leader Nelson Chamisa of undemocratic behavior. He referred to Chamisas refusal to accept the results of the presidential election in August, where Chamisa declared that he would only recognize a victory in his favour. Murwira criticized such conduct, labelling it as an attack on democracy, constitutionalism, and the rule of law.

Murwira emphasized that Zimbabwean law requires the prompt action of the Speaker of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate in response to communications from political entities regarding recalls. He clarified that neither official can alter or impede such communications once they have been presented. Murwira stated that only the authors of such communications have the authority to initiate a reversal.

Regarding political prisoners, Murwira denied their existence, despite opposition claims to the contrary. Job Sikhala, a former legislator who has been in custody for over 400 days, has been cited by the opposition as an example of a political prisoner. However, Murwira dismissed these allegations.

Speaking tom NewsDay, political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya criticized Murwiras remarks about Chamisa and the recalls, describing them as baseless. Ngwenya argued that the Constitution mandates free and fair elections and that observers reported deficiencies in the electoral process. Ngwenya also emphasized the right to peaceful demonstrations and questioned the independence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

The Constitution says elections ought to be free and fair. Observers reported that elections were not free and fair, so end of story, he said.

Constitution allows us to demonstrate peacefully. Have we been afforded that opportunity? Zec (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) must be independent, right? When Msengezi tried to recall ED, what happened? So the Speaker is a cyborg that responds to any letter from the street?

Breaking News via Email
The Njelele shrine community is immersed in grief following the loss of Solifa Ncube, affectionately known as Khulu Thobela, who passed away on Saturday. Aged 91, the esteemed overseer of the shrine, originally from Matopo, Dewe, succumbed to heart failure at his residence in Magwegwe. His departure leaves behind a profound legacy as a war veteran, as well as a loving family comprising children, grandchildren, and his wife.

Gogo MaNkomo, Khulu Thobelas secretary, expressed the immense sorrow felt by everyone in the community. Her voice filled with grief as she shared, We have suffered a great loss by losing Khulu.

Khulu Thobela commanded great respect within the community, recognized for his unwavering dedication to the Njelele shrine and its timeless traditions. As the overseer, he played a pivotal role in guiding the communitys spiritual practices and safeguarding the shrines sanctity. Growing up in Matopo, Dewe, Khulu Thobela developed a profound reverence for his cultural heritage.

During his youth, he bravely joined the liberation struggle, fighting for Zimbabwes independence. Following the war, Khulu Thobela dedicated his life to the Njelele shrine, assuming the role of overseer and leading the community on their spiritual journey.

As the overseer, Khulu Thobela facilitated spiritual connections and upheld the shrines proper functioning, ensuring its significance remained intact.

Preparations for Khulu Thobelas funeral are currently underway, and the community eagerly anticipates further updates.

Gogo MaNkomo shared, Funeral arrangements are still underway, and we will update on any developments.

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At the risk of over-hoisting from an important piece of analysis, below are some of the key sections from Anusar Farooqui, who writes as Policy Tensor, on the extent of the death of despair catastrophe. His piece, Yes, High-School Graduates Are Dying of Despair, is important because he demonstrates that the rising death rates over time extend even into those with some college education.

Farooqu got in an argument with Matt Yglesias on Twitter over the body of work by Ann Case and Angus Deaton on so-called deaths of despair, in which they found what they called an AIDS-level surge of mortality among less-educated whites in middle age. Not only have Case and Deaton refined their analysis, but other studies have identified an increase in early deaths from suicide and addiction in other groups.

For background, from our first post in 2015 on Case-Deaton findings:

The authors found that from 1999 to 2013, the death rate among non-Hispanic whites aged 45 to 54 with a high school education or less rose, while it fell in other age and ethnic groups. This is an HIV-level silent epidemic: AIDS killed an estimated 650,000 from the mid-1980s to present, while an estimated close to half-million died in half that time period who would have lived had their mortality rates fallen in line with the rest of the population. It is hard to overstate the significance of these findings. From the New York Times: It is difficult to find modern settings with survival losses of this magnitude, wrote two Dartmouth economists, Ellen Meara and Jonathan S. Skinner, in a commentary to the Deaton-Case analysis that was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This cross-country comparison from the study shows how extreme an outlier these middle aged whites are: The big culprits are linked to despair, namely poisoning which is opioid abuse first and alcoholism second, and suicides. Case and Deaton dug into the underlying statistics, and found distressingly high levels of pain and impaired health in this age group, so pain and physical impairment may well be bigger culprits than economic distress: And the rise in death rates took place among men and women, in all of the four major regions of the country the authors examined, and obesity rates were not a driving factor.

These pathologies have been showing up in other demographics. For instance, the Wall Street Journal reported in May 2023 that death rates in the 1 to 19 year old age group had risen at an unprecedented rate from 2019 to 2021 due to guns, suicides, car accidents, and drugs.

Now to the immediate discussion. Farooqui took issue with a claim by Matt Yglesias, bolstered by Eric Levitz, that the Case-Deaton data was less significant that it might seem because it lumped together those with no high school degrees with high school diplomas. Yglesias and Levitz argued that the deaths of despair were only taking place among high school dropouts and so the white working class was not in as terrible shape as it might seem.

Farooqui pointed out that Case and Deanton had shown that death rates among the middle aged were rising, albeit relatively modestly, even among those with some college education. But then he turns to the crux of the disagreement:

However, they [Case and Deaton] do not distinguish between [less than] HS and HS, and therefore do not address the specific issue highlighted by Levitz:  it is actually an acute crisis of mortality of the bottom 10%. This is an empirical question. We attack this problem using CDC data collated by Wharton. They have age-specific mortality rates by educational attainment. The ordinal categories are In order to obtain a more representative graph, we use age-specific population weights to combine age-specific hazard ratios. The next graph displays the population-weighted average of hazard ratios for our age-specific cohorts. By construction, this weighted average of hazard ratios is not confounded by any increase in average age within discrete age brackets. And, as explained above, because were looking at hazard ratios, it is also not confounded by the common component. This is as kosher as it gets in this business. We can see that the upward trend in hazard ratios is not confined to high-school dropouts. It is true that the trend is most pronounced for them. But the upward trend is also significant for high-school graduates and those with some college under their belt. The all-cause hazard ratio has increased by 3.28 for high-school dropouts, 2.08 for high school graduates, and 1.27 for those with some college. The upshot is that, on the wrong side of the diploma divide, despair goes very far up indeed.

And then he drives the point home (Ive omitted the charts in this section, but Farooqui showed he has the goods):

All-cause mortality has a very strong signal. But the evidence for American working class despair is not confined to mortality. Prime-age labor force participation contains the same signal of despair: four out of every nine Americans with only a high-school diploma are not even looking for a job. Its not like high-school graduates can survive on one pay-check! These are obviously discouraged workers in despair. Take family reproductionperhaps the most important factor in human well-being. Following the Sixties revolution in behavioral norms, the rate of family reproduction stabilized for college graduates by the 1990s. But it has continued to fall for high school graduates. See my note from three years ago. And if youre interested a deeper dive, see Andrew Cherlins work. Or, take divorce rates. For college graduates, 29.7 percent of first marriages end in divorce by age 46. For high-school graduates, 48.2 percent of first marriages end in divorce. (The tables from here.) We can keep going. The truth is that American working-class despair is such a robust, large-scale pattern that one can recover the signal from practically anything we care to measuremortality, morbidity, BMI, labor force participation, marriage rates, child-out-of-wedlock rates, you name it. So, I stand by my challenge to Matthew Yglesias.

Well-off Americans are so removed from these cohorts, usually encountering them in various service, as in servile, positions where they have to put on a good face as a condition of getting paid, that they can pretend that the lesser orders arent suffering in financial and emotional terms. One proof is despite Cases and Deatons landmark work, theres no interest in what to do to alleviate this personal and collective disaster. Our version of Let them eat cake has gone from let them learn to code to Deprogram them all.
Opposition wins Polish election, according to exit poll Politico

Record wave of cancellations in residential construction Tagesschau (guurst, via machine translation, original here)

Gaza

Info in below reported several places, appears to have been broken at Israeli forces shot their own civilians, kibbutz survivor says Electronic Initifada

In a radio interview on This Morning Show hosted by Aryeh Golan, Yasmin Porat, an Israeli survivor from the recent attack on Kibbutz Beeri near the Gaza boundary, says Israeli forces killed their own civilians while combating Palestinian fighters pic.twitter.com/9kCGoIJlsO  Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) October 16, 2023

Israel has bombed the Rafah crossing again, preventing aid trucks from entering Gaza. The Egyptian minister of health was reportedly on the other side. pic.twitter.com/mWAm1oyrTj  Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) October 16, 2023

BREAKING: Journalist @fatenelwan reports Israeli airstrikes have destroyed UN warehouses in Gaza used to hold relief supplies for civilians. Israel already cut food and electricity to Gaza. Forced hunger must not be used as a weapon of war. pic.twitter.com/ooJmLYKKwN  Steven Donziger (@SDonziger) October 16, 2023

Operation Al-Aqsa Flood Day 9: Water is running out in Gaza, Israel continues to prevent humanitarian aid and This could be my last report from Gaza Mondoweiss (guurst)

Colombia is considering breaking relations with Israel. We dont support genocides says President Gustavo Petro. This strikes a nerve because, for decades, Israel played a central role in facilitating a genocide against the Colombian people. [Thread] https://t.co/cuai2meMWc  Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) October 15, 2023

The missing context for what's happening in Gaza is that Israel has been working night and day to ethnically cleanse the Palestinian people from their homeland since even before Israel become a state  when it was known as the Zionist movement. Israel didn't just cleanse  Jonathan Cook (@Jonathan_K_Cook) October 15, 2023

List of war crimes and crimes qualifying as genocide committed by Israel in Gaza since 7th October 2023 Yanis Varoufakis

Another Israeli war crime in Gaza It has been reported that Israel dropped bombed a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) depot today in Gaza, occupied Palestine. pic.twitter.com/VAfWZMZej0  MintPress News (@MintPressNews) October 16, 2023

Israels Incremental Genocide and Its Genocidal Moment: Finally Time for the World to Use the Genocide Convention? Sam Husseini

* * *

Gaza, beyond de-development to disposability and destruction Adam Tooze (UserFriendly)

Hamas destroyed their Zionist utopia. What would it take for Jews to return? Financial Times

* * *

Biden confirms Israel visit as Iran warns against Gaza offensive BBC

(UPDATE 9:33pm U.S. ET: Yes, hes [Bidens] going) Jacob Dreizin. Important military tidbits.

Kanaani: All possibilities open if Israeli aggression continues Almayadeen

US senator threatens to force Iran out of oil business RT

* * *

Egypts FM: Israel has not allowed Rafah crossing to open from Gaza Arab News

* * *

Why Did Noah Smith Post This? Matt Bruenig

"In Riyadh, the Saudi ruler kept Blinken waiting several hours for a meeting presumed to happen in the evening but which the crown prince only showed up for the next morning." https://t.co/a9WpyHW5HY  Gregg Carlstrom (@glcarlstrom) October 16, 2023

US Wont Draw Red Lines on Israels Use of White Phosphorus Munitions Antiwar.com (Kevin W)

Billionaires who have pumped $500m into Ivy League schools back out over failure to condemn the Hamas terror attack on Israel: Harvard and UPenn face losing hundreds of millions in future endowments Daily Mail (Li). These institutions are hedge funds with education affiliates.

US faces defeat in geopolitical war in Gaza Indian Punchline

Pulling the Roof Down on Todays Paradigm Alastair Crooke
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. A regular session of the court on the criminal case of Vagif Khachatryan, accused of committing genocide in the village of Meshali in Azerbaijans Khojaly district, committed by members of Armenian illegal armed groups, has started, Trend reports.

The session is presided over by Zeynal Agayev, chairman of the Baku Military Court.

The rapporteur in the criminal case is Judge Jamal Ramazanov.

Assistant Prosecutor General for Special Cases Mugaddas Sultanov is the state prosecutor in the case.

Armenian citizen Vagif Khachatryan, who is on the international wanted list in connection with the Meshali genocide, was detained at the Lachin border checkpoint in July this year.

In December 1991, the criminal group, of which he was a member, killed 25 Azerbaijanis, wounded 14 people, and expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their legal place of residence in Meshali village in Khojaly district.

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Vagif Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of the population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen against him.
A recent analysis released by the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute has shown a drop of over 30 percent in abortion rates in North Carolina after the implementation of a pro-life law, which bans abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

According to the report, an interactive chart enabling users to track monthly abortion statistics has found that North Carolina had 4,230 abortions in June. But the following month, the number dropped to 2,920.

Guttmacher Institute reported that North Carolina recorded 55 percent more abortions in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. This data was supported by research conducted by the Society of Family Planning, which revealed that North Carolina clinics performed approximately 1,000 more abortions per month than they had in 2022. Based on that data, the state has one of the largest surges in the country after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

But the implementation of the 12-week pro-life law and the mandatory 72-hour waiting period in July led to fewer abortions in the state.

Pro-lifers look forward to saving more unborn babies from abortion

The news about the decline in abortion rate in North Carolina gained mixed reactions from different groups.

For instance, Planned Parenthood of South Atlantic in North Carolina criticized the report and argued that it violated "basic human rights." Similarly, Occupy Democrats called the analysis "chilling" and labeled the 12-week abortion ban as a "far-right law," insisting it was a reflection of "Donald Trump's Republican-packed court." (Related: North Carolina Republicans OVERRIDE Dem Gov. Roy Coopers veto of bill restricting abortion after 12 weeks.)

Calla Hales, who manages A Preferred Women's Health Center with clinics in North Carolina and Georgia, shared how the restrictions have emotionally affected healthcare providers. "Having to turn away patients over and over again is truly just soul-crushing. We're having to try our best to help patients, but they're going through incredible financial and logistical difficulties to get here," said Hales.

However, conservative news outlets like Not the Bee hailed the news on X as "outstanding."

Tami Fitzgerald, the executive director of the North Carolina Values Coalition, also expressed optimism about the decline in abortion rates but stressed that there was still work to be done.

"After Dobbs, abortions in North Carolina were up 37 percent, so while 30 percent is an encouraging number, we still need to reduce abortions in North Carolina, as 90 percent of abortions are done before the twelfth week," Fitzgerald said. "North Carolina needs to continue saving the lives of even more unborn babies while supporting and caring for their mothers."

Under North Carolina's pro-life law, abortions after 12 weeks could only be performed in cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life is in danger. The law also requires that abortions must take place in hospitals for safety and accountability measures.

Check out Abortions.news for more stories related to the murder of the unborn.

Watch this clip from Newsmax as reporter Greta Van Susteren interviews former Vice President Mike Pence about how the federal government does not have the authority to approve the abortion pill.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt says anti-Zionism is genocide, every Jewish person is a Zionist

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said Sunday on MSNBC that being against Zionism is not only "anti-Semitic" but "genocide" because "every Jewish person is a Zionist."

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

"Anti-Zionism I've long said is anti-Semitism -- I was wrong, anti-Zionism is genocide," Greenblatt declared.

"Every Jewish person is a Zionist," he insisted, regardless of whether they're a religious Jew or an atheist.

BEING ANTI-ZIONIST IS GENOCIDE!?! ?@JGreenblattADL of the @ADL went on MSNBC and claimed that anyone who opposed Zionism is for "genocide." He then claimed that every Jew, even if athiest, is a Zionist ? What are your thoughts? ?#GazaGenocidepic.twitter.com/1xRgxsxIqs  Chief Trumpster (@ChiefTrumpster) October 15, 2023

Greenblatt defined anti-Zionism as anyone who is opposed to "the whole notion that Jewish people have a right to live in their ancestral homeland."

Greenblatt has said in the past that treating Jews as a monolith is anti-Semitic but now he's claiming it's anti-Semitic not to treat them as such.

In the full interview, Greenblatt went on to say it would be "wrong for me or anyone else to hold all Palestinian people responsible for Hamas" and "it is wrong to hold any people collectively responsible" but he has had nothing to say about Israel's top officials dehumanizing all Palestinians as "human animals" and declaring that their "entire nation" is collectively responsible for the actions of a fraction of Hamas militants.

"It's an entire nation out there that is responsible" Israeli President says there are no civilians in Gaza, where half of the population are children. The Israeli government continues to use the language of genocide.#GazaGenocidepic.twitter.com/wfPv7syCm6  Keith Woods (@KeithWoodsYT) October 14, 2023

These words from Israel's defense minister aren't the words of someone who wants to avoid civilian casualties; these are words of a genocidal maniac who wants raze an entire region, along with everyone who's in there. Remember: they are "human animals" to him.#GazaGenocidepic.twitter.com/XQMA1u9r77  Lucas Gage (@Lucas_Gage_) October 13, 2023

Israel's Defence Minister announces cutting food, water, electricity & fuel supplies to Gaza (Israel controls everything in/out of the enclave). Yoav Gallant calls Gazans "human animals". Collective punishment is a War Crime under int. law! Civilized world: ??? pic.twitter.com/VCRKQ2xoMD  Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) October 9, 2023

?? Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett loses it when asked about killing children in Gaza: "Are you seriously asking me about Palestinian civilians? What is wrong with you? We're fighting Nazis" Goes on to justify targeting the innocent by pointing to the firebombing of Dresden. pic.twitter.com/MfXQVgbJrz  Keith Woods (@KeithWoodsYT) October 12, 2023

The rhetoric coming out of Israel is incredibly extreme but rather than condemn it, Greenblatt is supporting the collective punishment of all Gazans and running cover for the Israeli government while they embark on a program of ethnic cleansing and genocide.

These animals can no longer live. Ezra Yachin, a 95-year-old Israeli army reservist, is seen inciting every Jew with a weapon to kill Palestinians and erase the memory of them pic.twitter.com/LUQs0XoR5U  Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) October 13, 2023

Greenblatt last week held all pro-Palestine protesters collectively responsible for the actions of Hamas, claiming that pro-Palestine protesters in NYC were "accomplices" in Hamas' attacks.

WATCH: ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt threatens pro-Palestine protesters in NYC, claims they're "accomplices" in Hamas' attacks. "These people will end where evil always does, on the ashes of history." pic.twitter.com/soSS2SyhRH  Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) October 10, 2023

He repeated a similar line during his MSNBC interview above, claiming that pro-Palestine protesters -- "these people" as he called them -- are "marching in support of a group that decapitated babies."

The claim that Hamas decapitated 40 babies is a debunked hoax put out by Netanyahu's office which even the White House ran away from but Greenblatt is still using it for atrocity propaganda to generate support for Israel's genocide of what he called Palestinian "barbarians."

Greenblatt is using all the "dehumanizing" tactics he claims to be against to support the Israeli government's ethnic cleansing of Gaza.

Greenblatt claims "dual loyalty" is an "anti-Semitic canard" but then says "every Jewish person is a Zionist."

Greenblatt condemns ethno-nationalism and "white supremacy" in America and Europe but then advocates for ethno-nationalism and Jewish supremacy in Israel.

If Greenblatt actually believed any of the claptrap he spews about fighting "hate" and "dehumanization" of groups, he would be screaming from the rooftops denouncing Israel's Jewish supremacist rhetoric and the ethnic cleansing of Gaza but instead he's running cover for Israel and using similar rhetoric himself to demonize all Palestinians and their supporters.

No wonder Ben Shapiro is now hailing Greenblatt as his hero!

Read more at: InformationLiberation.com
Theyre coming for your CHILDREN: California Governor Gavin Newsom signs anti-parent law

Children as young as 12 can now be relocated to government-funded "residential shelter services" in California for mental health treatment or counseling related to their gender identity without requiring parental consent or doctor notification.

California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted the controversial Assembly Bill 665, which critics labeled as "dangerous" and "illegal."

The bill outlines that 12-year-olds can provide consent for these services if they are deemed "sufficiently mature to engage intelligently in outpatient or residential shelter services" and if they are an "alleged victim" of incest or child abuse, posing risks to themselves or others. Importantly, the law does not necessitate proof of substantial harm.

Moreover, the legislation mandates medical professionals to consult with the minor to assess whether the involvement of the minor's parent or guardian would be inappropriate.

California lawmakers assert that this intrusion into parental authority is justified because children identifying as LGBT often encounter parental rejection, school-based harassment and wider societal stigma. Obtaining parental consent can be challenging due to parents' beliefs and stigma concerning mental health care.

The law faced opposition from California's GOP before its passage, with Senator Ochoa Bogh sending a letter to Newsom stating that "by eliminating the requirement for minors to experience extraordinary circumstances to consent to mental health services independently, we disregard parents' right to make informed decisions regarding their child's health." (Related: AOCs rant against parental rights shows the pro-LGBT left really is after your kids.)

California has seen a growing focus on LGBT-related issues under Newsom

Recently, the state introduced a law requiring all schools to have gender-neutral restrooms by 2026. Additionally, schools that fail to teach about historical figures like Harvey Milk, a prominent LGBT rights activist, risk facing fines of up to $1.5 million.

Newsom's anti-parent law faces numerous lawsuits.

The law raises concerns about parental rights by granting authority to therapists, interns and trainees at government-funded welfare agencies to remove children from their parents without due process.

Assembly Bill 665, introduced by Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, allows children aged 12 and above to be relocated to a residential shelter or engage in mental health treatment and counseling without the need for parental consent.

Critics, including Carl DeMaio, the chairman of Reform California, label this law as "dangerous" and "illegal." They argue that it could separate children from their parents if they do not align with certain ideological perspectives.

DeMaio also pointed out the absence of due process in removing children from their homes and the potential for numerous federal civil rights lawsuits. He said the bill "effectively takes children away from their parents if they aren't 'woke' enough."

"The worst part is that the bill permits even counselors and interns to make and facilitate decisions to allow the state to take these kids away from their parents," he added.

Supporters of the bill argue that it aims to protect children from abusive situations, which they define as those where parents or guardians do not support "gender-affirming" treatments. DeMaio, however, contested this notion, emphasizing that existing mechanisms and reporting resources already address abuse concerns.

In addition, the bill eliminates the current statutory requirement for a credible finding of abuse, neglect or danger of harm to authorize child removal.

DeMaio characterized the law as another step in the "anti-parent" agenda pursued by liberal Sacramento politicians, who have been criticized for eroding parental rights in various ways. He stressed that the bill is met with outrage across the political spectrum and is particularly concerning to Latino families, who value close-knit family bonds.

This presents an opportunity for Republican reformers to engage with Latino communities and potentially impact the electoral landscape in California's 2024 election.

Reform California is actively working to oppose AB 665 and target politicians who support the law, with plans to make it a campaign issue in the 2024 election. They will release a "Plain English" voter guide closer to the 2024 California Primary Election.

Read more news about California at Collapsifornia.com.

Watch how a California law could come for all kids across the nation.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Victory for parental rights: California school district agrees to pay family $100,000 settlement after teachers "transitioned" student to LGBT behind parents' back.

Millions of UK students are using BIOMETRICS for school-related activities without parental consent.

Utah becomes first state to require parental consent for children to use social media.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

CarlDeMaio.com

Catholicvote.org

Brighteon.com
Anti-war Code Pink group calls Israel an occupying force  U.S.-backed Israeli apartheid regime inflicts daily settler violence and terror on Palestinians

Code Pink, an anti-war group that was formed back in 2002 to oppose the United States invasion and "liberation" of Iraq, is stirring the pot on social media with condemnations not of Hamas but of Israel, which it calls an "apartheid regime."

Much to the chagrin of the pro-Israel lobby, Code Pink says that Israel "inflicts daily settler violence and terror on Palestinians," referring to those who live in the Gaza Strip.

"Israel is an occupying force," Code Pink further alleges. "Palestinians have every right to resist it."

As a little background, Code Pink co-founder Jodie Evans raised funds for Barack Hussein Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

In her own tweet, Evans retweeted the Code Pink message along with her own comment about "freeing Palestine." She also tweeted the following on Sunday:

"Tell President Biden: Occupation is Indefensible. Stop Supporting Israeli Apartheid! Stop fueling violence, oppression and war in the middle east."

Fellow Code Pink co-founder Susan "Medea" Benjamin joined in on the chorus by also tweeting that the Israeli government "can't keep two million trapped in an open air prison in Gaza and not expect resistance."

(Related: You know what else there is a war on? The truth.)

Democrat Socialists of America holds pro-Palestine rally in Times Square

To show their support for Hamas, the Democrat Socialists of America group promoted a rally that was held on Monday in Times Square, New York City.

"In solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to resist 75 years of occupation and apartheid," the group wrote. "FREE PALESTINE!"

The Party for Socialism and Liberalism also joined in by posting an entire statement in support of Hamas:

"Resistance to apartheid and fascist-type oppression is not a crime! It is the inevitable outcome for all people who demand self-determination rather than living with the boot-heel of the oppressors on their necks."

As for the atrocities we are being told Hamas committed against innocent Israelis, the Party for Socialism and Liberalism called it "a bold counter-offensive" that "does not constitute terrorism."

It turns out that there were dozens of pro-Hamas rallies held both on Sunday and Monday in cities including San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Austin and Minneapolis. A couple of them, we are told, will actually target Israeli consulates.

In Mississauga, Ontario, a group of Palestinians was seen showing their support for Hamas as part of a car caravan  watch below:

JUST NOW: Mississauga, Ontario after dark. A truck of young men cheering in support of the Hamas terror attack in Israel waving Palestinian flags. pic.twitter.com/QoHINKWpKV  Efrain Flores Monsanto ??? (@realmonsanto) October 8, 2023

Even some who are normally pro-Israel are asking questions about the "surprise attack," especially considering Israel is supposedly the most safe and secure state in the entire world.

"A surprise attack while Mossad and CIA's 'Team Epstein' were, what, sleeping?" one commenter at The Gateway Pundit asked in skepticism.

"It's almost as if Israel's Benny let it happen," suggested another, referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Israel has soldiers posted all along the wall surrounding Gaza stopping Palestinians for their papers, and they let thousands surge into the interior, and even bulldoze the fence? What the hell is going on?

To this, another suggested that the bomb-equipped drones Hamas sent over were entirely new, and something Israel was not expecting that outsmarted their guards and "Iron Dome."

"They've never used anything like this before," this person suggested, giving Israel's version of events the benefit of the doubt. "After they knocked out the lookout towers, they blew holes in the fence and let their guys [pour] through."

The latest news about the ongoing crisis in the Middle East can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

Twitter.com

TheGatewayPundit.com

Newstarget.com
Evidence suggests there was NEVER ANY DRUG TRIAL AT ALL for Pfizers COVID vaccine

Another bombshell has dropped about Pfizer's Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccine" to suggest that it wasbefore receiving emergency use authorization (EUA), then approval, from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A closer look at the sleight-of-hand that was used to pretend that Pfizer's COVID jabs were tested reveals that the company's BNT162b2 trial was performed using a different compound than was in the actual vials dispensed into people's arms.

"It was a small batch, high cost process that could not scale to make millions, much less hundreds of millions of doses," reported the Boriqua Gato Substack page, which added that an entirely different manufacturing process was used as well.

"And that is a VERY big deal because in this sort of biologic, the industry axiom has been consistent for 100 years: 'the process is the product.' Make it a different way, and you have no idea if it's the same thing. And the FDA knows this full well; it's been a cornerstone of their approval process since the beginning."

(Related: Did you know that the newest injections for COVID were admittedly never tested on humans, only on mice?)

COVID jabs continue producing pathogens inside people's bodies until they DIE

Boriqua Gato discovered this following the revelations put forth by Kevin McKernan who gene-sequenced Pfizer's COVID injections and discovered that they are "wildly impure, low integrity, and contained not only copious amounts of contaminants, but actual compounds like plasmids that were, quite literally spike protein factories."

McKernan found, much to his horror, that Pfizer's COVID jabs are loaded with all sorts of different compounds that were used in the fabrication of the drug, but that should not have made their way into the final product.

Not only were a consortium of deadly toxins discovered, but so were those awful plasmids, which Boriqua Gato describes as "actual factories making pathogens" inside people's bodies.

"The idea of a 'safe level' for such a thing seems fraught and they missed the alleged limits by an order of magnitude anyhow," he writes.

McKernan specifically pointed out that the "vaccine"  not that it even really deserves that title  contains instructions for pathogen creation and infestation long after a person has been injected.

In other words, just as we warned again and again, COVID injections are death injections designed to continue harming a person's body long after being dispensed.

"This is WAY past just negligence," McKernan explained.

"This is the sort of thing they should shut you down over. You are clearly unfit for the task and having you around and lulling people into the belief that some serious people must have done serious studies somewhere and assured that this was safe presents a far greater and present danger than not having you at all. At least people who know there was no testing would behave with circumspection."

While the FDA does allow some generic, small-molecule drugs to be cloned in a manner that relies on "bioequivalence" for safety, COVID jabs are anything but small-molecule generic drugs.

"The sort of change that Pfizer made to manufacturing was not minor, it was massive," Boriqua Gato explained about the difference in that Pfizer substituted a completely different drug for its trials than the drug that was ultimately dispensed to the world.

"And that means, in simple terms, that the vaccine they shipped was a different drug than the one they got approved by the FDA by pretty much any reasonable standard ... and that is fraud, pure and simple. It means that the drug they jabbed into a billion arms was never tested in any meaningful way."

The latest news about the COVID "vaccine" scam can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

BoriquaGato.substack.com

NaturalNews.com
Federal appeals court temporarily limits Idahos near-total abortion ban due to ongoing legal proceedings

A federal appeals court has temporarily limited Idaho's near-total abortion ban to weigh in on the ongoing legal proceedings of the Biden Administration.

In August 2022, the Biden administration sued Idaho for the conflict of its near-total abortion ban with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law that mandates hospitals to "stabilize" patients with emergency medical conditions.

After a thorough review of the argument, U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix issued an order in favor of the Biden administration. He ordered the prevention of the near-total abortion ban for cases necessary to prevent severe harm to the health or bodily functions of the patient.

But in September, a three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals contended there was no inherent conflict between the near-total abortion ban of Idaho and the EMTALA. The panel, who were all appointed by former President Donald Trump, argued that the EMTALA "does not set standards of care or specifically mandate that certain procedures, such as abortion, be offered." They also mentioned that any potential issues had been resolved. However, a new panel of randomly selected 11 judges is set to en banc the case.

"Upon the vote of a majority of non-recused active judges, it is ordered that this matter be reheard en banc," the order stated.

Idaho's near-total abortion ban implementation is long overdue

The controversial 2020 abortion law, known as Idaho Code 18-622, should have been in effect 30 days after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The legislation, co-sponsored by House Majority Caucus Chairperson Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, and Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa, is a law contingent on the Supreme Court ruling "that restores to the states their authority to prohibit abortions." (Related: Idaho bans trafficking minors across state lines for abortion without parental consent.)

According to the law, any attempt to perform an abortion would be labeled as "criminal abortion," punishable as a felony with a two to five-year prison sentence. Those involved in performing or assisting in abortions could have their professional licenses suspended for at least six months on a first offense and the possibility of permanent revocation on a second offense.

However, in cases when a pregnant woman's life is at risk or in cases of reported rape and incest, the law provides "affirmative defense." Additionally, the law states that women who get abortions themselves will not face criminal charges. Earlier in 2022, Idaho also changed its fetal heartbeat abortion ban 2021 bill. They added new rules allowing the mother's family to sue abortion providers. But the change is still on hold until the near-total abortion ban takes effect. In other words, the implementation of the Idaho "trigger" law has been long overdue, but the Biden administration is trying to delay it. Learn more about abortion post-Roe v. Wade in the U.S. at Abortion.news.

Watch this clip from "Judging Freedom" as Judge Andrew Napolitano discusses how legalizing abortion changed America.

This video is from the channel What Is Happening on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

PILL HOARDERS: Maryland officials buy $1.2M worth of abortion pills prior to impending nationwide ban.

Walgreens, CVS to sell ABORTION PILLS in states where abortion is still legal.

Washington state spends millions of taxpayer dollars buying three-year supply of abortion pills.

Susan Swift condemns woke narrative that abortion is "healthcare" and "necessary to save women."

Newsom refusing to renew $54 million Walgreens contract for California because pharmacy chain refuses to sell abortion pills in some states.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

News.Yahoo.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Vagif Khachatryan, accused of committing genocide in the village of Meshali in Azerbaijans Khojaly district, faced another victim of his torture in court today, Trend reports.

The footage taken by Trend correspondent from the courtroom shows that Ibrahim Nurmamadov, a resident of the village of Meshali, Khojaly district, who was tortured by Vagif Khachatryan during the first Karabakh war, approached the cell where the accused was kept with the words: "Do you remember...?"

Then, Nurmamadov, who participated as a victim in the trial, was removed by the prosecutor from the accused.

Armenian citizen Vagif Khachatryan, who is on the international wanted list in connection with the Meshali genocide, was detained at the Lachin border checkpoint in July this year.

In December 1991, the criminal group, of which he was a member, killed 25 Azerbaijanis, wounded 14 people, and expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their legal place of residence in Meshali village in Khojaly district.

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Vagif Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of the population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen against him.
Gasgrid Finland and Elering detect unusual leak in Finland-Estonia offshore pipeline in Baltic Sea

Gasgrid Finland and Elering, the Finnish and Estonian gas system operators, detected an "unusual" leak in the 77-kilometer (48-mile) pipeline between Finland and Estonia on October 8.

"Based on observations, it was suspected that the offshore pipeline between Finland and Estonia was leaking. The valves in the offshore pipeline are now closed and the leak is thus stopped," Gasgrid Finland and Elering said in a joint statement.

According to ERR News, the Estonian Navy and the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service are investigating the issue, focusing on the premise of sabotage.

The affected underwater pipeline has caused several damages. For instance, Finland now needs to rely completely on its floating LNG terminals for gas supply, while Estonia has to get gas through the Latvia pipeline.

Natural gas prices in the U.S. and European Union (EU) also increased after the alleged sabotage. However, the EU has more natural gas stored than usual for 2023. Additionally, the Energy Information Administration shows that the U.S. exported more liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the first half of the year than any other country, with a significant portion going to Europe.

Therefore, the U.S. energy and industry businesses, along with the US government in Washington, benefit the most from the suspected sabotage.

Nord Stream 2.0?

This recent Finland-Estonia undersea pipeline sabotage bears eerie similarities to last year's Nord Stream pipeline sabotage. Nord Stream refers to the network of offshore natural gas pipelines that run under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany to provide Western Europe with natural gas. (Related: Why Hersh's Nord Stream bombshell may become legal nightmare for team Biden & its Nordic allies.)

In early 2023, Hersh Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh, known for his decades of investigative reporting with publications like the New York Times and the New Yorker, published an expose on his Substack titled, "How America Took Out the Nord Stream Pipeline."

According to Hersh, the U.S. sabotaged the Nord Stream pipelines in a series of underwater attacks in 2022 under the guise of the BALTOPS 22 NATO exercise. A Norwegian Navy P8 surveillance plane dropped a sonar buoy to destroy three of the four Russia-to-Germany natural gas pipelines. Pools of methane gas left irreversible damage to the pipelines.

He cited unnamed national security sources and detailed discussions of the White House, CIA and Pentagon in December 2021. Additionally, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan formed a special task force under his supervision. But the final order to proceed with the sabotage came directly from the office of President Joe Biden.

Moreover, some sources claimed that the attack was due to the potential reliance of Germany on Russian gas, which may eventually result in geopolitical shifts.

In both cases, the sabotage could mess up the delivery of natural gas to European countries. Furthermore, the Western media could point their fingers again at Russia just like what happened last year.

Visit Pipelines.news for more stories about oil pipelines being sabotaged.

Watch the video below that talks about UN Security Council voting on an inquiry into Joe Biden's pipeline sabotage.

This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russian officials: Biden ordered Nord Stream pipeline bombing.

More Nord Stream bombshells to come  Seymour Hersh.

Retired general insinuates in leaked footage that US is behind Nord Stream pipeline BOMBING.

Im telling you, he did it: Seymour Hersh blames Biden for Nord Stream attack.

Ukraine, Russia, NATO and Nord Stream  Mike Adams interviews former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter.

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com 1

Zerohedge.com 2
Hamas may have used U.S. WEAPONS in deadly attacks

Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group, may have used American weapons in the brutal attacks on Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip border.

The possibility surfaced as Newsweek reported in June that some of the small arms from the United States seized in Afghanistan had already been identified in the possession of Palestinian groups active in the Gaza Strip.

Adding fuel to the fire are allegations that the Biden administration indirectly funded Hamas' attack on Israel by unfreezing $6 billion in assets held by Iran, which is a major supporter of Hamas.

While the Biden administration refuted these claims, asserting that the $6 billion unfrozen for Iran is still under the control of a Qatari bank, critics are not convinced. They argue that it could still contribute to Iran's financial resources, potentially enabling the government to allocate funds for various purposes, including supporting terrorist organizations like Hamas.

Republican presidential candidate Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) explained in an exclusive interview with Breitbart News that although the $6 billion has not been fully accessed by Iran, having such a substantial credit could lead to recalibrating budget allocations, allowing Iran to leverage these funds for its intended purposes, which may involve financing terrorism against American allies.

Moreover, the Israeli commander interviewed by Newsweek voiced concerns about U.S. and Western-supplied weapons to Ukraine possibly falling into the hands of Hamas. The commander, who requested to remain anonymous due to the topic's sensitivity, emphasized that the diversion of weapons was being monitored.

The Israeli commander pointed out that pro-Russian factions were driven by their close defense ties with Moscow and Tehran to transfer captured U.S.-supplied weapons, while pro-Ukrainian groups were primarily motivated by financial gains.

The primary route for this was via the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, raising significant apprehensions for Israel.

The Israeli commander's concerns revolved around two primary issues.

First, there was a worry that such weapons could enable Iran to study their capabilities and potentially reproduce them. Second, there was genuine concern that some of these capabilities might find their way into the hands of Hezbollah and Hamas. (Related: Weapons donated to Ukraine are being used by terrorists in Africa, Nigerian president warns.)

Notably, there were reports of a specific event on August 20 where a Russian Il-76 transport aircraft was alleged to have delivered cargo in Tehran valued at approximately $100 million, including Western weapons such as U.S.-made Javelin missiles and U.K.-made Next Generation Light Anti-armor weapons (NLAWs).

The U.S. Department of State indicated that it was acutely aware of the risks associated with potential illicit diversion and was actively taking measures to mitigate this risk in close cooperation with the Ukrainian government.

Their stance was clear: They were providing weapons to support Ukraine's defense in an ongoing conflict, and they acknowledged the inherent risk that these weapons could be captured if territorial control changed during the conflict, as is common in war.

Israeli ground attack imminent

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled from the territorys north to the south, heeding the Israeli militarys warnings to evacuate before an anticipated ground invasion.

Israeli forces have gathered at the border preparing to expand their aerial attack with "an integrated and coordinated attack from the air, sea and land."

At least 1,300, including 258 soldiers, were killed in Israel and more than 3,300 were injured during the Hamas attack.

In Gaza, over 1,900 people were killed and more than 7,600 were injured. Gaza's largest hospital has turned into a mass shelter, with 35,000 seeking refuge inside.

Since the attack, clean water, fuel and medical supplies have all but run out in Gaza. Electricity has been unavailable for days.

Watch this news about Israel demanding revenge against Hamas.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden regime continues shipping weapons to Ukraine, draining American stockpiles that cant be quickly replaced.

At most, only 30% of NATO weapons are making it into Ukraine  WATCH the documentary.

Mexican drug cartel caught with military-grade ROCKET LAUNCHERS  the same weapons being sent to Ukraine.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Brighteon.com
Rep. Ilhan Omar retweets false photo of Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has long been a leading voice among Democrats calling for censorship and speech controls in the name of combatting disinformation. She is now accused of precisely the same conduct after posting a picture purportedly showing children killed by Israeli forces. In reality, it was a picture of victims of a 2013 sarin gas attack in Ghouta, Syria. The incident should, but is unlikely to, prompt Omar and fellow Democrats to reconsider their push for censorship and other anti-free speech measures. Such false imagery was quickly and effectively addressed in this incident without the need for bans and speech regulation.

(Article by Jonathan Turley republished from JonathanTurley.org)

Omar has denounced social media companies for their failure to take information down and discontinuing the accounts of people who practice disinformation.

The Squad member retweeted a photo of dead children with the caption CHILD GENOCIDE IN PALESTINE. The photo showed seven dead children wrapping in white clothes with the caption 614 Palestinian children murdered by the Israeli [IDF] forces.

The false image was quickly identified and challenged, including in a community note from X, formerly known as Twitter. There are obviously children who have been and will be killed in Gaza. However, many will knowingly spread false images or claims as part of that debate. Whoever posted this picture had to have known that it was not showing children from Gaza.

Omar herself has been the victim of false photos, including photos widely reposted by political opponents like former president Donald Trump.

Conversely, she has had to apologize for anti-Semitic tweets.

The incident shows that free speech allows for its own disinfectant. Bad speech is countered by better speech as the public judges what is true and what is false.

Ironically, fellow Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., triggered her own controversy after warning others about the incredibly high amount of misinformation on social media about the war and urged her followers not to be chumps in accepting manufactured or false images:

If you see a claim, photo, or video that triggers a strong emotional reaction, take a moment to pause and check for veracity/confirmation from multiple sources.

Meghan McCain then delivered a haymaker by posting AOCs own picture of herself crying outside a chain fence during a protest over kids in cages during the Trump Administration. It was later denounced as a staged photo outside of a parking lot.

Such controversies will continue. The point is only that those advocates of censorship today could well be the targets tomorrow. Rather than silence those who are accused of such false images or claims, the solution is to protect the right of everyone to speak for themselves and to challenge others in these important national debates.

We also recently discussed how figures like Leon Panetta and even the Washington Post continue to voice or embrace debunked claims.

I would oppose efforts to censor Reps. Omar and Ocasio-Cortez despite my disagreement with their views. It is possible that we can, as Americans, unite behind our common article of faith in free speech and oppose the calls for censorship that have been mindlessly echoed by many, including Rep. Omar.

Read more at: JonathanTurley.org
Israel Home Front Commands advice leads to surge in PANIC BUYING of food and other supplies

Israelis rushed to supermarkets following an Israel Home Front Command's initial advice to store 72 hours' worth of food and water at their homes.

The unexpected surge in panic buying left some supermarket shelves bare and led to long queues of anxious shoppers trying to secure essential supplies

The situation further escalated as the public anxiously responded to the initial announcement. Images of the long lines of shoppers navigating through the grocery store aisles and spilling out into the parking lots were broadcast on Hebrew-language news channels within an hour of the announcement, creating even more unease.

While the Home Front Command later clarified that this recommendation was not related to any anticipated shortages resulting from the ongoing war, the damage was already done.

Shoppers were alarmed, and the rush to gather provisions had already impacted the supply chain. (Related: Israel facing food shortages as Jewish Passover holiday approaches.)

Yossi, a resident of Israel's Sharon coastal plain region, went to his local supermarket to buy groceries. To his surprise, he found that some shelves in the store had not been restocked since the previous day's rush. Many items were completely sold out, including water, toilet paper and prepackaged snacks like chips.

"All the water and toilet paper were totally gone," Yossi recounted. "All the snacks, too."

Canned food items such as beans, corn and tuna were also significantly depleted, with just about half of the stock remaining. The urgency of the situation had caused many stores to run out of these essential items, forcing them to implement rationing measures in branches with limited remaining supplies.

Supermarket chain head acknowledges the issues

Ori Watermann, the CEO of Shufersal, one of Israel's largest supermarket chains, acknowledged the extraordinary circumstances.

In a media statement the following morning, he announced restrictions on the purchase of basic food products due to high demand, supply difficulties and partial shortages in branches.

"Our responsibility toward all customers and due to heavy demand, supply difficulties and a partial shortage of products in branches, we have decided to limit the purchase of basic food products such as water, eggs, bread and milk," said Watermann.

The limits included three liters of milk, one carton of eggs, two loaves of bread and two six-packs of large water bottles per shopper, aiming to ensure the fair distribution of essential goods among customers.

The surge in panic buying ensued amid the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, exacerbated by a deluge of misinformation and propaganda circulating on social media. This rampant disinformation makes it increasingly challenging for individuals to access reliable updates about the ongoing conflict.

Additionally, growing tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border are fueling concerns of a potential second front opening, further contributing to the prevailing sense of unease.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Israel, with foreign governments actively working to avert a broader war.

While the nation prepares for potential attacks and its populace rushes to secure essential goods, the repercussions are reverberating throughout its economy and society.

As the country's largest supermarket chain enforces rationing measures and supply chain disruptions persist, Israel may encounter lasting economic consequences. This current scenario underscores how geopolitical tensions have the capacity to disrupt daily life and leave a significant impact on the economy.

Visit Chaos.news to read more stories about the chaos in Israel.

Watch this video about panic buying.

This video is from the World Alternative Media channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israeli top official warns Iran's uranium enough to build up to 5 NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

Turkish president calls for Muslim world to UNITE against Israel.

Panic buying results in rows of empty store shelves in Hong Kong as residents become "preppers" ahead of coronavirus spread.

Sources include:

TimesOfIsrael.com

WorldIsraelNews.com

Brighteon.com
L.A. Times retracts claims Hamas is raping Israelis while numerous reports insist women are being sexually assaulted

The Los Angeles Times recently retracted a claim made by writer Jonah Goldberg that Hamas terrorists had been raping women as part of their horrific attacks, noting: "An earlier version of this column mentioned rape in the attacks [committed by Hamas], but such reports have not been substantiated."

While the columnist may not have had any concrete proof, there are plenty of other reports that women are being sexually assaulted, and it is important to recognize the difficulties in proving this right now.

Although sexual assault often takes place in violent conflicts and it is not a stretch to imagine that people who murder thousands of women, children, babies and elderly people might resort to this type of violence, responsible journalism dictates that these allegations should be presented as reports rather than fact until concrete proof is presented to avoid escalating tensions.

That does not mean these claims are false, and some are taking care to distinguish between false claims and those that simply have not yet been verified. In many cases, witnesses who are reporting women being raped say they were executed afterward, which means that no one can ask the victims what happened. In addition, many sexual assault victims are not willing to talk about it or too traumatized to recall details. Moreover, with hospitals overwhelmed right now trying to treat injured people, its hard to imagine they are taking the time to perform rape kits on the bodies of the deceased.

For now, we only know that multiple reports from people who witnessed attacks are claiming that sexual assaults took place.

Multiple eyewitness reports of sexual assaults have emerged, mainly at music festival massacre

One eyewitness told Tablet that women have been raped at the Supernova music festival in the Negev desert in Southern Israel, where at least 260 people were brutally slaughtered. Similar reports regarding sexual assault at the festival have made their way to the highest ranks, with a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering a similar account and saying, women were raped next to the bodies of fellow festivalgoers.

A survivor told the outlet: "Women have been raped at the area of the rave next to their friends' bodies, dead bodies. They reported that some of the rape victims were later executed, and photos released online show some women being paraded through the streets with blood gushing from between their legs.

One survivor of the desert party attack, Shani Hadar, told Ynet News: I know they kidnapped girls. That they raped women even after killing them. Describing footage of the attacks, she said that the terrorists called one kidnapped womans parents and told them: Your daughter is alive. Were going to rape her.

Another festival survivor, Raz Cohen, told PBS News Hour: The terrorists, people from Gaza, raped girls. And after they raped them, they killed them, murdered them with knives, or the opposite, killed  and after they raped, they  they did that.

Some of those who went into hiding during the festival massacre reported hearing women being raped and begging for their lives from their hiding spots.

Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported having seen two videos that show evidence of sexual assaults against women, including one in which a woman is bleeding into her shorts.

An Israeli woman told The Hindustan Times that a friend was raped on the streets of Gaza while onlookers cheered. The rapists then sent a video of the brutal crime to the womans family using her personal phone.

Unverified videos circulating on social media claim to show Hamas fighters talking about sexually assaulting women. One man said: The girls we have brought are sexy and blonde. Weve murdered the ugly ones. Another replied: They will love me. Theyll fight with each other to be with me.

While it is important to reiterate that many of these stories are unverified, it is worth noting that many of the accounts seem to share similar details and they come from a range of sources, which lends credibility to them. Nevertheless, some experts warn that presenting accounts of rape as fact before they have been proven is irresponsible as it could provoke further violence.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

TabletMag.com

Forward.com

PBS.org
Local residents of the 18th arrondissement near the Jardins dEole fear that a new wave of illegal immigrants in Lampedusa, Italy would eventually reach Paris.

"We don't feel safe," one resident told CNews. He related that some newcomers had engaged in civil disorder and organized criminal activities like drug trafficking. Another resident confessed to feeling intimidated and scared due to the presence of groups of adult males loitering in the neighborhood.

Lampedusa has seen a substantial influx of illegal migrants arriving in small boats from the African mainland. Many of these migrants subsequently move on to the north of Italy while some cross into France and Germany. (Related: France in shock: 4 Algerian migrants arrested for brutal rape and murder of 12-year-old Paris girl found stuffed in a suitcase with throat slashed.)

Even local politicians voiced their concerns regarding the visible degradation on Parisian streets. Most of the new arrivals in the French capital have resorted to sleeping rough and establishing makeshift settlements due to the saturation of social services.

"You regularly have clashes, cases of alcoholism and drug addiction on the public roads of these neighborhoods, and unfortunately, networks of crack traffickers who take advantage of the presence of these people," said Pierre Liscia, a regional councilor for Ile-de-France.

In response to the issue, some elected officials advocate for the relocation of immigrants from the streets into more secure accommodations. Parisian councilor Pierre-Yves Bournazel called for an "emergency plan for the northeast of Paris," to help immigrants and resolve the problems of local residents.

"I am calling for a major emergency plan for the northeast of Paris, to get migrants out of the street is the dignity that we owe them, and thus resolve the problem of local residents who are on the frontline of nuisances and inconveniences," said Bournazel.
DC Judge Tim Kelly rejects Owen Shroyers appeal  Infowars host must enter prison on Oct. 24 for speech crimes

(Article by Jim Hoft republished from TheGatewayPundit.com)

Owen stood outside the Capitol on January 6th and warned Trump supporters not to go inside the building.

Owen also frequently spoke out against the stolen 2020 election.

DOJ prosecutors sought prison time against Owen for his speech crimes and of course the DC Judge agreed.!

After nearly two years of fighting charges related to his presence outside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Owen made the decision to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

Shroyer allowed the government to review his social media accounts  likely looking for any scrap of incriminating wrong-think they could find.

Owen stood outside the US Capitol. Owen and Alex Jones warned people about going inside the Capitol. They knew it was a setup.

Instead of being awarded medals for their actions that day, the regime arrested Owen months later on bogus charges. After all, he IS a Trump supporter.

On Friday, October 13, DC Judge Tim Kelly denied Owen Shroyers appeal.

Owen will be required to turn himself in on October 24th  in 8 days!

Another Jan 6 defendant sought to delay reporting to prison. INFOWARS host Jon Shroyer wanted to remain free pending appeal for his role in Capitol breach Judge rejected Shroyer's request: https://t.co/ziWmOhXYPAhttps://t.co/rAB3nPJ6Nm  Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 16, 2023

Here is Owens previous reply to the DOJ tyranny.

Read more at: TheGatewayPundit.com
Study: Nearly 70% of active-duty Army servicemembers are overweight or obese

A new report revealed that nearly 70 percent, or more than two-thirds, of active-duty soldiers in the United States are within the overweight or obese ranges of the body mass index (BMI)

This is according to Courtney Manning, a national security research fellow at the American Security Project (ASP) think tank, which released a report on the health of the U.S. Army on Thursday, Oct. 12. (Related: TOO FAT TO FIGHT: 10,000 U.S. Army soldiers are now too obese to serve and a quarter of young men can't even qualify for recruitment.)

Each year, the U.S. military has to enlist about 175,000 people from the population to maintain their current numbers. Aside from dwindling interest among qualified individuals in joining the Armed Forces, military recruiters across the country grapple with an increase in applicants failing to meet the physical requirements for enlistment.

ASP's 2018 report, "Obesity: An Epidemic that Impacts our National Security," highlighted the detrimental effect of obesity on the recruiting crisis and the importance of military health and fitness on personnel readiness after finding that 44 percent of Americans aged 18 to 25 were too overweight to serve in the armed forces.

ASP's follow-up report in 2022, "Obesity's Increasing Threat to Military Readiness," explored the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic  with recommendations to "adjust requirements for specialized positions and expand pilot programs to increase enlistment of otherwise qualified applicants."

The latest October 2023 ASP report titled "Combating Military Obesity: Stigma's Persistent Impact on Operational Readiness," indicated that "assumptions that overweight people are unmotivated, incompetent or weak-willed cause individuals and services to conceal, obscure and downplay military obesity."

The new report added that social stigma on military obesity has historically "resulted in policies that emphasize individual responsibility and self-discipline over evidence-based research on weight management."

The report continued that "while much of this behavior is well-intentioned, treating obesity as a "deviant behavior" and not as a "chronic disease" increases comorbid medical conditions, injury, permanent separation from military service and all-cause mortality across the services"  the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

"At a time when we are struggling to recruit an adequate labor force for the military, the growing rates of obesity are especially alarming. No person defending our country should find themselves unsupported and unequipped to fight a personal battle against obesity," said ASP Chief Operating Officer Matthew Wallin.

Categorizing obesity as a chronic disease can help in fight for healthier armed forces

The ASP's white paper recommends that the Armed Forces consider obesity a chronic disease across all branches to enforce the proper treatment of it, including referring obese or overweight servicemembers to credentialed obesity physicians.

The military should also promote awareness of the harmful effects of obesity, especially for servicemembers engaged in combat missions.

Furthermore, the report recommends reviewing body composition standards, as the ASP claims the BMI tends to underestimate obesity compared to more high-tech body fat measurement devices.

The BMI is based on a 200-year-old calculation that sought to define what a "normal man's" body composition should be. It has been criticized in recent years for its "historical harms" and its exclusion of non-White body types.

Watch the following video about Army soldiers becoming obese during the pandemic.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

CDC data reveals SURGE in OBESITY rates in the U.S., with some states reaching alarming levels.

LGBTOBESE: Army exempts fat trannies from physical fitness standards, making U.S. military the laughing stock of the world.

Instead of diet and exercise, the establishment wants obese children to take drugs and undergo invasive surgeries.

Woke U.S. military failing to recruit because nobody wants to defend American degeneracy.

Americans are refusing to join the military despite generous enlistment incentives.

Sources include:

MilitaryTimes.com

AmericanSecurityProject.org [PDF]

TheDefensePost.com

Brighteon.com
Biden government funnels more than $4.1B into grants for transgender initiatives despite backlash in polls

An independent website investigation recently revealed that a hefty amount of $4.1 billion from taxpayers' pockets has been directed by President Joe Biden's administration into LGBT initiatives, including child mutilations and grooming measures in the education system, over the past three fiscal years. The Epoch Times (ET) conducted an in-depth probe of federal spending between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30 2021 and found that the U.S. government has already issued more than 1,100 grants to fund LGBT -promoting projects around the world.

The scope of projects varies widely. Here are some of the most expensive government-sponsored "woke projects" that the news outlet found:

In 2022, Biden gave the LGBT Life Center in Norfolk, Virginia $1.8 million to create a "safe space for LGBT youth and adults to seek support and resources."

The U.S. government awarded Serbian activist group Grupa Izadji a grant of $500,000 to implement a proposal for encouraging "diversity, equity and inclusion in the country's workplaces and business communities by promoting the economic empowerment of and opportunity for LGBTQI+ people."

Armenian activist group Pink Human Rights Defender received $1 million from the United States "to empower the LGBT community" in Armenia, a tiny country next to Turkey.

There is also an ongoing grant paid to Emory University for a study that started in 2019 on "the rectal mucosal effects of cross-sex hormone therapy among U.S. and Thai transgender women, ET also found. The project, which has an end date of July 2024, is worth almost $3.5 million and is categorized under "allergy and infectious diseases research." Its claimed purpose was to "assist public and private nonprofit institutions and individuals to establish, expand and improve biomedical research and research training in infectious diseases and related areas."

Another one was a grant that would examine the impact of alcohol on intimate partner violence in transgender and non-gender-conforming adults. Moreover, a 2023 $350,000 project by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) translated the Homosaurus, a thesaurus of LGBT terms, into Spanish. Its website included definitions for sexual terms "anonymous sex," "aromantic porn films," "pederasts," "children's sexuality," and "gay children." It also reclassified the words "gerontophilia," "ephebophilia" and "hebephilia," Greek words that mean sexual attraction to the elderly, people 15-19, and children 11-14, respectively, as "fetishes." LGBT national cultural projects also received funding including more than $333,000 for an LGBT radio and television "digitization and access project" and $324,000 to map historical LGBT spaces through gay travel guides.

As per the website that listed federal expenditures, a list of payouts filtered by using the keyword "LGBT" included 1,181 grants, 31 loans and nine direct payments during the past three fiscal years. Overall, during the past fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the government issued 454,821 grants. ET further reported that the individual payouts for the "LBGT" grants of at least $1 million totaled more than $3.7 billion combined. Many additional smaller grants were also awarded to "gay mafia" initiatives but were not reviewed. Meanwhile, when the list was filtered for grants including the word "transgender," 574 were listed, where grants that paid out at least $1 million totaled nearly $478 million. Seven direct payments and nine loans with the keyword "transgender" also were issued by the Biden regime.

"If you search for grants from the Department of Education [DOE] with the word 'equity' in them, it'll blow your mind how much money is being spent just on equity-aligned initiatives," an independent researcher, who asked not to be named and has been tracking how the federal government spends money on grants related to gender ideology, said. He figures he's uncovered about $240 million in "grants going toward equity initiatives."

Woke government grooms children via public education system

The Biden administration, which has been very open in supporting LGBT communities and all that comes with it, such as gender mutilations and alteration interventions, has also been infusing schools with gender ideology and sexual orientation topics via grants. (Related: NEW STUDY: Transgender (mutilation) surgery rates have tripled across all age groups from 2016 to 2019.)

"The federal government is using the grant process to change the culture and climate in America's public schools," non-profit Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice told ET. She has seen government-funded activist groups lead the ideological capture of schools in her experience as a local school board member. "The grants go to 'community partners,' and 'community partners' then go in, and they work to change the procedure in the schools" to favor and teach LGBT activist worldviews, she added, pointing out that the federal government pursues this policy of "cultural revolution" against the will of Americans. She even cited that according to a recent survey by her group, more than 70 percent of Americans want schools to teach basic educational skills and do not want gender ideology or sexual orientation instruction in classrooms.

But the left cult is prevailing as the government continues to funnel whopping amounts of money into these projects. In fact, DOE gave $1.2 million to "LGBTQIA+ pride centers" in the San Diego Community College District. Another DOE grant of almost $1.6 million was awarded for North Dakota's "indigenous, LGBTQIA+, rural and underserved school-based mental health needs." Boston College also won a grant amounting to $1.4 million for a study that would look into "mechanisms of health promotion in diverse youth through gay-straight alliances."

"The federal government thumbs their nose at the American people and continues to push this ideology into our schools," Justice said. "They're doing it all over the world."

Transhumanism.news contains more about this topic, including stories on violent sex change procedures.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

USASpending.gov

TheEpochTimes.com

Homosaurus.org
Bidens $6 billion ransom payment to Iran motivates Hamas to take more American hostages

Iran-backed Hamas has been all too eager to take Jewish people hostage in Israel as part of its brutal attacks on the country, but they have 6 billion reasons to take American hostages in particular after Iran got a huge payout as part of a prisoner exchange deal reached with the Biden administration last month.

Under the deal, $6 billion worth of Irans assets that had been frozen in South Korea were unfrozen and transferred to bank accounts in Qatar in exchange for the release of five detained Americans. While the Biden administration insists that the money may only be used for humanitarian efforts, it means that a considerable amount of money has been freed up and Iran is now in a better position financially to support the terrorists.

In addition to freeing up billions of dollars, this deal taught Iran that taking Americans is a profitable endeavor, and its something that their proxies in Hamas likely have in mind as they kidnap innocent men, women and children from Israel. We know that at least 11 Americans have been killed in the attacks, and President Biden has admitted it is likely that American citizens are among those taken hostage by Gaza terrorists.

In a statement, Biden announced: "While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas. I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis."

The parents of one American who was kidnapped, 19-year-old Itay Chen, have been pleading with Biden to bring him home safely. Chen is a dual American-Israeli citizen born and raised in New York City who has been serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). His family, who now live in Israel, say they were notified by the IDF that he is considered as Missing In Action, which means he has not been identified by any officer in the last 36 hours, nor has he been identified as deceased or found in a hospital, making it highly likely he is a prisoner of war.

Numerous videos have emerged showing Hamas militants killing Israeli soldiers and civilians, with other footage showing them taking people hostage and bringing them into Gaza, where they are being held in hideouts. The terrorists have said that they intend to start murdering the hostages if Israel targets civilians without warning in Gaza.

Experts fear $6 billion ransom will drive more kidnappings of Americans

Former National Security Adviser to President Trump, Robert C. OBrien, was afraid of this exact scenario when the Biden administration paid Iran the $6 billion ransom, which he believes encourages further hostage taking. OBrien served as a special presidential envoy for hostage affairs and helped to secure the release of Americans kidnapped abroad during his tenure.

Posting on X, he lamented: While welcoming our Iran hostages home, I said at the time  paying ransom (e.g. unfreezing $6 billion) is problematic because it incentivizes new hostage taking & gives terrorists money for new operations. I didnt think we would see these points illustrated so vividly, so quickly.

A group of senators led by Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) is asking Biden to freeze the $6 million that was recently unfrozen, noting in a letter: "To stand by and allow Iran access to these funds as Hamas infiltrates Israel and murders, rapes and mutilates countless Israelis is unconscionable."

They added: "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."

While the fate of so many Americans remains unknown and Hamas continues its savage attack on Israel, the Biden White House held a barbecue for staff featuring a live band in a callous display of where their priorities are right now.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

USAToday.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day, Trend reports.

The head of state addressed the event.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

President Ilham Aliyev: Salaam alaikum.

Residents: You are welcome! We are very glad to see you.

Sister of a martyr: Hello, you are welcome.

Male resident: Congratulations, Mr. President. Allah bless you. Thank Allah, we are meeting in Fuzuli.

President Ilham Aliyev: Of course. Thank you.

Female resident: Thank you, we are glad to see you.

President Ilham Aliyev: Hello. You are also welcome.

Residents: We are grateful to you for everything. We are proud of you.

Male resident: Hello, Mr. President, and you are welcome.

President Ilham Aliyev: What a beautiful day. You are saying Welcome! to me. During the occupation, I repeatedly said in meetings with natives of Fuzuli and former IDPs from other districts that the day would come when you will say Welcome! to me, and this day has come. Today is a holiday in Fuzuli, a city day, and at the same time, it is the third anniversary of the liberation of Fuzuli from occupation. On this occasion, I heartily congratulate you and wish you all good health.

Residents: Thank you very much, Mr. President, thank you. Thank you.

President Ilham Aliyev: I hope you live comfortably in Fuzuli, in your native land, live in prosperity and well-being.

I am glad that the young generation, the young people of Fuzuli decided to come to their native land. This is a truly big event, because children, teenagers, the young generation as a whole did not see these lands before. They kept these lands in their hearts only because of what you told them. This shows the greatness of our people. It shows that we are a people attached to our homeland.

During the occupation, some people, especially certain circles abroad, believed that the Azerbaijani people would forget their land over the years and that the young generation would be raised in a completely different way. Many assumptions were made about the globalizing world. However, those analysts and, at the same time, those at the political level could not understand one thing: how much love the Azerbaijani people have of their native land and how much we are attached to it.

I remember that in my numerous meetings with natives of Fuzuli and former IDPs from other districts, especially at the opening ceremonies of new settlements, I said that those were temporary places of residence for them. We are trying and will continue trying to improve your standard of living and make your life easier to some extent, but this is a temporary place of residence. After the lands are freed, even more beautiful houses will be built and better conditions will be created in Fuzuli, Aghdam, Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin, Kalbajar, Jabrayil, Shusha. The day has come, it is real now, it is a reality. The new appearance of Fuzuli pleases the eye.

I must also state that today, the ongoing projects implemented both in Fuzuli and in all our other cities and villages establish new rules of urban planning on a global scale, and this is noted not only by me, but also by many international experts. In particular, as you know, the National Urban Development Forum has been held in Azerbaijan twice  in Aghdam and Zangilan, and all our projects were presented there. International organizations highly appreciate them, because the best living conditions have been created here  in terms of the interior of buildings, the interior design of apartments, the principle of floors, the distance between buildings  everything is followed. So there is entire infrastructure and are conditions available for a comfortable life. All our cities will be like Fuzuli. Because we are implementing the first urban development project in Fuzuli. It is true that the people of Lachin returned to their homeland a little earlier than the people of Fuzuli. But because the Armenians had settled illegally in the city of Lachin, some of the buildings were left there, so we simply restored those houses and created the most beautiful conditions. Therefore, the previous urban planning landscape of Lachin is in place. Here though, the city is being completely rebuilt.

In the example of Fuzuli, the whole world and even those who are reluctant to see it, are seeing and must see what Armenian savagery is. For many years, when we tried to bring the facts of our Karabakh problem to the attention of the world community, some did not believe. There were those who did not want to believe. We didn't have much evidence. We knew that everything was destroyed, razed to the ground, but we could not even imagine that it was to this extent. Because the occupying state did not allow anyone to enter this region at the time. It was forbidden. Why? Because every person coming here would see what Armenian savagery is. Its manifestations are visible everywhere.

I have said this many times and many people know it now. However, I want to say it again  when Fuzuli was liberated, we could not find a single sound building to raise our flag, except fora military unit. We raised our flag on a pole in its courtyard, but when he came here for the first time, just like every Azerbaijani, our heart ached, we were completely stunned and horrified. What is the source of such enmity? After all, what did we do to the Armenians? We lived side by side with them. They ate our bread, cities and villages were built for them, infrastructure was created at our expense. During the Soviet period, all this work was done at the expense of Azerbaijan. Oppressing people, torturing them, carrying out ethnic cleansing against the Azerbaijani people  apparently, there were black spots in their hearts. We didn't know it then. We were somewhat naive. This is why I say that we must never forget the occupation and suffering. The younger generation should also know this. Children going to this school today should also know this. They should know that our people have come out of difficult trials, they didnt bend or break down, they believed in themselves and their army  believing that this day would come, that we would stand here and celebrate this holiday with you.

Fuzuli is being completely rebuilt now. While we were here yesterday, we laid the foundation stones of several important facilities. The foundation stones of two villages, a kindergarten, a sports center, new residential quarters, and an office center were laid. So the number of people living here will naturally increase over time. I was informed yesterday that over 800 people have already been accommodated. About 2,000 people will live here by the end of the year. At the end of the first stage of our Great Return Program, at the end of 2026, a total of 22,000 people will live in Fuzuli district, 140,000 people will live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur as a whole. In other words, this is the minimum, so to speak. I am sure that a larger number of people will be resettled, because firstly, we have power, we have determination, the Great Return Program has been adopted and is being successfully implemented. It is being exceeded, and the main factor is that our former IDPs are looking forward to these days. For example, I asked the kids both Zangilan and Lachin during our conversation. In other words, how does a child or teenager who was born and raised in Baku and who is used to the atmosphere of a big city come and live in a city or village that is located some distance away? They sincerely said that this is a great happiness. This is the way they were raised, including by your generation. Because they have seen this at home and in school. This is why school and family are important factors in our return here. Because we did not let the youth forget anything. We did not allow the Karabakh topic to be erased. There were many countries and forces that wanted to instill this in us, i.e. we need to come to terms with the situation, we need to start cooperating with Armenia. Many reiterated that there was no military solution to the conflict. We have shown that there is, and we have shown it again recently. This topic is now closed! The subject of the Karabakh conflict is closed once and for all! The book of separatists is closed once and for all! This is great happiness.

Now it remains for people to live here comfortably. I should also say that we are attaching great importance to employment issues while implementing all these projects. Relevant state institutions are taking serious steps regarding this issue so that those living here have employment opportunities. The city has unique employment opportunities. Of course, people living in the villages now and in the future will engage in traditional occupations, the state will help them from its side  with equipment, cattle, and all the necessary means. A self-employment program will be implemented so that life can flourish here. I am sure that after a certain period of time, Karabakh will become a driving force in Azerbaijans economy. Because the development of our economy here will make a great contribution to our overall development.

Today, while celebrating this holiday, of course, we all once again express our deep respect for the memory of our dear martyrs. Two days ago, when I addressed the people from the central square of Khankendi, I said that we were indebted to them for this day. And it is true. No matter how much power and how many weapons the state has and how carefully military operations are planned, it is the soldiers and officers who achieve Victory. They go, put their chest forward, face death, and then they raise the Flag. Their heroism must and will never be erased from our memory. Today, their souls are happy because we are here, you are here, and no matter how bitter it is, there is a consolation for their loved ones and relatives. The fact is that they sacrificed their lives and won the historic Victory. We had about 15,000 martyrs in the First Karabakh War, but the lands were also lost. Of course, every life is irreplaceable. However, the operations of the Second Karabakh War were planned so that we could minimize our losses, and we achieved that.

I want to say again that we should always be indebted to them. The younger generation should always be educated in this spirit. Their heroism is unforgettable. Winning this historic Victory in such a difficult geographical terrain is truly unmatched. The enemy had taken all the heights. If you go in any direction from here, you will see that almost every hill had their post, battle station, several lines of defense, barbed wire and mines. It took our soldiers a great deal of courage to break through and advance under fire. This is something that probably never happened in the worlds military history. If it did, let them tell us where. It didn't happen before, the people of Azerbaijan did that. During the occupation, we raised such a young generation that they were ready to die for the Motherland, and they were facing death.

Dear sisters, brothers and friends, I congratulate you again. It is both a happy and sad day today. Of course, our little girls tears will never stop. We must remember this, whether it is 10 or 20 years later. We have all shed tears.

Congratulations, I wish you all good health. Take good care of the children, raise them, let them be patriotic, be loyal to the Motherland, be like our heroes. Let them raise our glory to the sky. Thank you.

x x x

The head of state then had a conversation with the event participants, and posed together for a group photo.

x x x

Male resident: Thank you very much. Allah bless you, Mr. President.

Female resident: May Allah protect you, may Allah bless you.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. We will go to all the villages. The foundation stones of five to six villages of Fuzuli district have already been laid.

Residents: Thank you very much.

Male resident: Mr. President, the most important thing is that you made us experience the joy of Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, Aghdara.

President Ilham Aliyev: Yes.

Resident: The biggest thing we are proud of is that our President is known all over the world, the world reckons with him, the world listens to him.

President Ilham Aliyev: You know, the world is such that some are accepted, others

Resident: Are not.

President Ilham Aliyev: No. But the main thing is that we do what we want. Because we are on the right path. We dont set our sights on other countries land.

Female resident: The road ahead of us is to Zangezur now.

President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, we will return to Zangezur, but in a peaceful way. I said this, and some people tried to accuse me. I said that we would return there not in tanks, but in cars.

Residents: Inshallah.

President Ilham Aliyev: How else can it be? It is a place we built for centuries. But today

Male resident: May his soul rest in peace, the Great Leader used to say, I am proud to be an Azerbaijani. Now every Azerbaijani is proud that we are Azerbaijanis in the true sense of the word.

President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, indeed.

Resident: We are proud to have a President like you, Mr. President.

President Ilham Aliyev: The Great Leader was absolutely right when he said that. However, as you know, it was the period of occupation at that time, and some believed that Azerbaijanis would come to terms with this occupation. Certain people were making this ugly propaganda, especially in foreign circles, claiming that we have already forgotten it, that we have come to terms with the situation. But he never came to terms with this situation, and the path he set for us, as they say, was the path of freedom, the path of salvation. Therefore, after we won this historic Victory, the whole world saw how right he was at that time, in that difficult period.

Resident: He was farsighted, and he was right.

President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, he knew, as they say, what people were feeling, he knew the emotions in their hearts and, of course, we are both happy and saddened that he and hundreds of thousands of people like him left this world and did not see this day.

Residents: Their souls are rejoicing.

President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, their souls are happy. I believe in this and it is necessary to believe in this, the souls of hundreds of thousands of formerly displaced persons who have passed away and did not see this day, our martyrs, are happy.

Resident: Dear Mr. President, we, the natives of Fuzuli, are very proud that the liberation of Karabakh began 30 years ago during the presidency of the Great Leader, in 1994, with the Horadiz operation.

President Ilham Aliyev: Yes.

Resident: We are immensely proud that the first step towards the Great Return was thanks to the transformation of Horadiz settlement into a city and the construction of prosperous settlements in Harami and Zobujug during your presidency.

President Ilham Aliyev: That is correct.

Resident: Two years ago, when we participated in a groundbreaking ceremony here in Fuzuli, there was nothing here. Indeed, everything side was in complete ruins. Now, thank you very much, it has become a big and prosperous city. We are proud. Not only Fuzuli, but the entire Karabakh is a construction site. Roads are under construction everywhere, cities are built, foundation stones of villages are laid, infrastructure projects are being implemented.

President Ilham Aliyev: Indeed.

Resident: Mr. President, in our fairy tales, Karabakh is called Heavenly Karabakh. Thanks to you, it is transforming into a real paradise. May Allah bless you and your work. We wish you success in this great work.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much. All our cities are either under construction or preparing for construction now. I am sure that city day will be celebrated in Jabrayil next year. This year it was not celebrated because people have not settled there yet. But by October of next year  because the first liberated city was Jabrayil, on October 4  city day will be celebrated there and everywhere else. In Shusha, the first residential quarter will probably be ready in five to six months. The first group of former IDPs will return then. Aghdam also resembles a big construction site. While visiting Zangilan, Gubadli and Kalbajar recently, I was informed that former IDPs would be settled in the city by the end of next year. In total, eight cities, 92 villages and settlements have been included in the First Return Plan. Most of them will be completed by the end of 2026. So after three years, at least 140,000 people will live in liberated lands  this is our estimate.

Resident: It is a very impressive indicator.

Female resident: Three years. The Armenians hadn't driven a single nail in over thirty years. They knew it was not theirs.

Resident: They were destroying.

President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, not only did they destroy these places, nothing was done in the residential areas where they used to live. They remained the way during the Soviet era. I have seen everything many times. When you look at the plight of those villages, you ask yourself, well, they raised hundreds of millions of dollars each year, conducted TV marathons in Los Angeles, France, but what did they do with that money? They should be asked.

Resident: It is in Serjik Sargsyan's pocket, Robert Kocharyan spent it.

President Ilham Aliyev: Not a single stone was left standing there. People will probably go there and see how destroyed it is, in very bad condition.

Female teacher: Mr. President, today, on October 17, on Fuzuli holiday, on Fuzuli City Day, we, the natives of Fuzuli, are happy and proud. Today, the reconstruction of our Fuzuli, our beautiful Fuzuli, which was under occupation for 30 years, was subjected to Armenian vandalism, is really a happy moment for us. We are already residents of Fuzuli, we live here permanently, and we welcome you on behalf of the team of school No. 1 named after Mirzo Ulugbek.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you.

Female teacher: Today I returned to Fuzuli I left as a schoolgirl of 13-14 years of age thirty years ago  as a teacher. Therefore, of course, we are grateful to you, to the entire Azerbaijan Army led by our Commander-in-Chief. We bow our heads to the souls of our martyrs. It is at the cost of their blood and life  as you yourself said beautifully  at the cost of the bravery of our veterans that we are in our native lands today. Therefore, we once again wish you good health, a long and healthy life. May Allah protect you and our Army!

Residents: Amen.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much.

Resident: Mr. President, today you started your speech with a festive mood. Because 2023 is a year of holidays in Azerbaijan. First, the declaration of Year of Heydar Aliyev, the events being held in all regions of our country republic, the study of Heydar Aliyev's legacy and teachings. Secondly, it is the reporting day of the 20-year policy you have conducted with the support of the people of Azerbaijan. Everything is visible from this report, everything is known. The culminating point of your policy is breaking the back of Armenian separatism. You have shown an iron fist to the Armenians of the whole world. Remember that your backs will be broken again if you dare to do something to Azerbaijan. Colleagues have already said today that when we met with you here two years ago, when the foundation stone of the building was being laid, we thought to ourselves that a building would be built here in 10 years perhaps. However, these buildings are here today. It is a matter of great pride for us. Reconstruction and construction work has already started in Fuzuli. We have been talking to each other for a long time, saying that this construction work is going at a cosmic speed. May Allah keep our people out of harms way and grant you good health.

Residents: Amen.

Resident: We are very closely united around you. We support your policy. On the occasion of today's holiday in Fuzuli, Fuzuli City Day, we congratulate you on behalf of the Fuzuli public and wish you success in your policy. Allah bless you!

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much. Today, the work going on in Fuzuli, other regions of Karabakh and the cities located in Eastern Zangezur is truly large-scale. The source of this is Azerbaijan, i.e. we have not asked anyone for a single manat of help. Thank you, our Uzbek brothers, for building a beautiful school, and our Kazakh brothers for building the Creativity Center. Apart from that, not a single nail was given to us as a gift.

Over these years, we built the economy and amassed resources. Why? We knew that this day would come, that we would need these funds, and where were we spending them? On the army. The first is the military expenditure, the second is the expenditure on education. We always had these two main priorities in our budget. Now we have to allocate funds for military expenses. Because the fist must always be in place. However, at the same time, much of the funds is channeled into the reconstruction of Karabakh.

This is why we do not depend on anyone, we do not want anything from anyone. This is why some large countries are dissatisfied with us. Because they are used to others coming and bowing to them and asking for their permission. Some said that we did not ask anyone when we were conducting the anti-terrorist operation. But who should we ask? What should we ask? Some are saying now that we misguided the international community. It is also strange that a group of countries considers itself international community. After all, when we say international community, there are more than 200 countries, and 20-30 countries cannot be considered international community. They are so used to this, they don't consider anyone but themselves as public, and an accusation is being made that we deceived the international community, we deceived them by conducting the anti-terrorist operation. This is very harmful logic. We have rightfully restored sovereignty in our native land, in accordance with all norms and principles, principles established at the international level. No-one has the right to accuse us of anything now. It is true that there have been and will be attempts, as you are probably watching.

Resident: They are exposing themselves.

President Ilham Aliyev: They are exposing themselves, of course. They are embarrassing themselves. Therefore, we will continue on our own way. Let me say again that we will rebuild all our native lands. Looking at those mountains from here, there is such a beautiful view, there are very good opportunities for agriculture. Probably, by the end of the year, Kondalanchay reservoirs will be put into use. Two days ago, I was at the Sarsang reservoir. My father had it built at that time.

Residents: May Allah rest his soul in peace.

President Ilham Aliyev: May Allah have mercy on all the deceased. It was built to provide water to one hundred thousand hectares of land, six districts  the districts populated by Azerbaijanis. But what did the Armenians do? They cut off our water. They opened it in winter to flood the whole place and cut it off in summer. See, these are true Armenian colors. Let those sitting next to them today see this, let them see what they have done. We have now built one canal, and the second canal will be built as well, probably within a year and a half at the latest. We will provide water to 100,000 hectares of land. Now we have our water. 25 percent of our water resources are generated in Karabakh and the Kalbajar-Lachin zone. Now Kondalanchay has returned, Sarsang and Sugovushan have returned, Khachinchay has returned, the Hakari water, the Zabukhchay reservoir is being built, it will be ready in a year.

Residents: Inshallah.

President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, other projects related to irrigation are being implemented. The soil here is fertile anyway.

Resident: Very much so.

President Ilham Aliyev: It is fertile, especially the soil of Fuzuli. But after there is water, this place will turn into a heaven. It will be a paradise.

Residents: Inshallah. Allah bless you. We wish you a long life and good health.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you.

Resident: Mr. President, I raised three sons for the country. My eldest son Nijat Zalov was injured in the battles for the Fuzuli district. My younger son, Fagan Zalov, was wounded but fought for 44 days, and heroically died in the battles for Khojavand hours before the end of the war.

President Ilham Aliyev: May Allah rest his soul in peace.

Resident: Mr. President, I express my deep gratitude to you for appreciating the bravery and heroism of my sons. Also, Mr. President, thank you very much for your attention and care to the families of the martyrs, I am grateful. Thank you, Mr. President.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. Stay well.

Residents: Thank you.
Prather Point: Latest FBI script smears Trump, MAGA movement as the BAD GUYS  Brighteon.TV

Former intelligence officer Jeffrey Prather pointed out that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) "script" has turned former President Donald Trump and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement into the bad guys

He made this assertion during the Oct. 6 episode of "The Prather Point" on Brighteon.TV, citing an article by the Newsweek. The news magazine broke a story about its access to classified FBI documents that revealed how the law enforcement agency had targeted several supporters of the former president. According to Prather, obtaining classified FBI documents is a felony  but the Newsweek reporters won't have a day in court, as they serve as mouthpieces for the Deep State's fake news information influence operation.

"They are building a script because reality doesn't fit their script. So just like [Operation] Fast and Furious, reality didn't fit the scrip. The script must then be made to action to make reality fit the script," said Prather.

"What is happening right now is Donald Trump is the bad guy and his followers, which is most of America, are bad guys as well. That's the real story here."

Prather cited the remarks of an unnamed senior intelligence official, who told Newsweek that "Trump's army constitutes the greatest threat of violence domestically [and] politically. The "Prather Point" host also noted that both the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mention an increase in threats from domestic violent extremists between 2019 and 2021, based on the two agencies' "assessments." But according to him, this increase was brought about by manipulating the metrics.

Prather: FBI script a pathway to election manipulation

According to the Newsweek report, domestic violence extremists had been emboldened in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot  something Americans now know is a false-flag event planned by the FBI. "We've seen all the evidence, but again they are running a script  just like they ran the [Operation] Fast and Furious script," commented Prather.

Prather said the new term to designate MAGA supporters is anti-government, anti-authority violent extremism (AGAAVE). But in reality, the real "extremists" are running the government and the "criminals" are accusing the citizens of being criminals  which is where Americans are at present. But even though Trump and the MAGA movement are never mentioned in the official description of AGAAVE, government insiders admit it applies to political violence.

Based on the FBI data obtained by Newsweek, 31 percent of its investigations now relate to AGAAVEs, and 60 percent include cases categorized as AGAAVE and "civil unrest"  meaning the FBI is focused on 60 percent of American patriots.

Prather pointed out this is clearly the FBI doing what they want to do to enforce and control even more additional election manipulation to guarantee that there is no election integrity and revenge tour. He also recounted the remarks of his earlier guest Garrett O'Boyle, who said the FBI is not a law enforcement organization, but an intelligence organization with law enforcement capabilities. (Related: Prather Point: FBI is a corrupt intel organization with law enforcement function  Brighteon.TV.)

The Brighteon.TV host said these FBI assessments are the closest thing to domestic spying that exists in America, and they don't want to talk about it although that is what they are doing. He took note that law enforcement capabilities are used as a counter-insurgency to crush the resistance movement of the American people.

Follow FBICorruption.news for more news about the FBI.

Watch the Oct. 6 episode of "The Prather Point" below. "The Prather Point" with Jeffrey Prather airs every Friday at 10-11 a.m. and every Saturday at 7-8 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Prather Point: Jeffrey Prather claims FBI, CIA shaping the narrative via information influence, psychological ops  Brighteon.TV.

Whistleblower says FBI plotting to CRIMINALIZE Christianity.

BOMBSHELL REPORT: FBI performs audit just to remember how many paid undercover informants it deployed at J6 Capitol rally.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Newsweek.com
Two Republican lawmakers propose bill BANNING Palestinian REFUGEES in the United States

Two Republican lawmakers have introduced a measure prohibiting President Joe Biden from importing refugees from Palestine and resettling them in American communities.

Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany and Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles have introduced the Guaranteeing Aggressors Zero Admission (GAZA) Act, a copy of which they shared with Breitbart News ahead of its introduction on the House of Representatives. If passed, the bill would prohibit the Biden administration from issuing visas to those with Palestinian Authority passports. It would also prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under Biden from funneling Palestinians into the U.S. through the agency's parole pipeline.

"Following the horrific attack by Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists on innocent Israeli civilians, the last thing America ought to do is trust identity documents issued by the radicals that oversee these territories," Tiffany said in a statement. "We need to put our security at home first and that starts by closing the door to bad actors who might be seeking to enter our country."

The congressman from Wisconsin also pointed out that they can't let Biden abuse parole and visa rules to bring unvetted Palestinians into American communities, in the same manner as he did with thousands of unvetted Afghans. Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Biden used his administration's parole pipeline to resettle nearly 100,000 Afghans across American communities  many of whom were not interviewed in person beforehand and were found to be linked to terrorism. (Related: Project Veritas: Records show several people Biden let into US from Afghanistan are national security threats.)

Ogles, meanwhile, said: "At a time when the threat of terrorism is not only grotesquely on display but being encouraged and justified, it is critical that we do our best to ensure the security of our nation."

Biden got away with unvetted Afghans in 2021; not this time

The two GOP congressmen said they are introducing the GAZA Act with the hope that the president's action of resettling 100,000 Afghan refugees in 2020 won't happen again. The text of the measure would block the DHS from allowing Palestinians to use the department's so-called parole pipeline.

The GAZA act followed a separate bill to be filed by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, another Republican, that would force the Biden administration to cancel visas for nationals who "endorse or espouse terrorist activity."

"America is the most generous nation on Earth, but we cannot allow foreign nationals who support terrorist groups like Hamas and march in our streets calling for 'intifada' to enter or stay in our country," Rubio said in a press release.

"The Biden administration has the authority and an obligation under existing law to immediately identify, cancel the visas of, and remove foreign nationals already here in America who have demonstrated support for terrorist groups, and in many cases, even celebrated the slaughter of Israeli babies and the rape of Jewish girls."

Breitbart News earlier reported that in fiscal year 2022 alone, the DHS under Biden issued green cards to about 63,000 legal immigrants  enabling them to permanently resettle in the United States. The recipients of these green cards came from countries previously included in a national travel ban list due to their involvement with terrorism.

Meanwhile, some Democrats have called for the U.S. to accept Gaza refugees  a prospect that could further compromise the country's national security.

"The international community, as well as the U.S., should be prepared to welcome refugees from Palestine while being very careful to vet and not allow members of Hamas," Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) told the New York Post.

Visit NationalSecurity.news for more stories like this.

Watch Paul Dragu of the New American magazine discussing Democrats wanting to see Gaza refugees in America.

This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com.

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Israel DELAYS Gaza ground offensive as it orders 1.1 million Palestinians in northern Strip to EVACUATE.

Breitbart editor Joel Pollak: Israel should wipe out Gaza and the U.S. should take the refugees.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Israel calls Palestinians human animals before cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to Gaza, an open air prison enslaving millions

In retaliation for the string of terror attacks that occurred over the weekend, Israel is cutting off all resources to Gaza , including fuel, electricity, food and even water.

In an announcement  watch below  Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Channel 12 that starving the roughly two million people who live in the Gaza Strip is necessary to ensure Israel's "existence in the region."

"It will take many weeks," Gallant said about the deprivation operation. "There will be steps here that have never been seen before."

"There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel," he further added. "We are fighting human animals and we will act accordingly."

?BREAKING: Israeli Defense Minister: No food, No electricity, No fuel, No water. Were fighting human animals and we act accordingly." pic.twitter.com/SZ1uk1AZ5q  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 9, 2023

(Related: Christianity could soon be outlawed in Israel if the far-right Knesset, which is part of Benjamin Netanyahu's government coalition, gets its way.)

Israel aggressively bombing Gaza  dozens of casualties reported

As for the water portion, Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Israel Ketz announced the immediate halt of all water flow to the Gaza Strip.

Without food, water, electricity and fuel, Gaza's two million residents will be unable to live for very long, which appears to be Israel's next "shock and awe" plan for that much-desired strip of land.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military is going to town with continuous and heavy airstrikes on Gaza. Already, there have been dozens of reported deaths from these attacks  watch below:

??Scenes from the Jabalia massacre in the northern Gaza Strip after a regime airstrike Graphic: +18 pic.twitter.com/SbFE5M09QB  War Monitor (@WarMonitors) October 9, 2023

The United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Palestine issued a statement about this retaliation calling for it to end, especially since there are millions of innocent people being targeted alongside the terrorists.

"We are horrified by what is happening and we call for a truce," the body said.

? JUST IN: The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Palestine: "We are horrified by what is happening and we call for a truce." Source: Al Jazeera Video: Gaza under intense bombing. pic.twitter.com/Xaj4Wwires  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 9, 2023

An ambulance director who works in the Gaza Strip further told the media that the situation there is catastrophic. He called it the worst catastrophic humanitarian situation that has occurred there in the past 20 years.

"I have released all the restraints," Gallant further added in a statement about Israel's "full offense" against the Gaza Strip.

"We have (regained) control of the area and we are moving to a full offense," he said at a meeting with Israeli military and defense fighters near the Gaza border.

"You fought with great courage," he commended the Israeli side. "You have seen what we are fighting: human animals."

"You can change the reality here. You have seen the prices (paid) and will see the change. Hamas wanted change in Gaza; it would change 180 degrees from what they thought. They will regret this moment: Gaza will never be what it was."

Gallant would go on to basically state that as long as Hamas "continues to exist," Israeli children will be "murdered in the countryside" This imagery is meant to provoke more hatred and more willingness by Israeli soldiers to commit atrocities against the country's enemies.

According to reports, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have already killed about 830 people, many of them civilians. The Israeli army further claims that some 1,500 Hamas militiamen were killed during the attacks.

The latest news about the situation on the ground in the Middle East can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

Twitter.com

Newstarget.com

EFE.com
Israelis prepare ground invasion as Palestinians scramble to evacuate while IDF bombs continue to fall

Israel has yet to launch a much-anticipated ground offensive amid international pressure, including calls for more time to evacuate Palestinian civilians in the northern half of the Gaza Strip.

While Palestinians largely heeded the Israeli warning to evacuate, officials and staff of the Al Awda Hospital refused to leave and remained determined to stay and provide health care to patients. Ahmed, Muhanna, the hospital's chief of medicine, said some patients have been evacuated, but some could not be transferred due to their serious conditions. Five patients are inside the intensive medical care unit.

Hamas and Palestinian media alleged that Israeli forces have killed around 70 men, women and children trying to escape to safety. However, there has been no official response from the Israeli government concerning these allegations.

After the Israelis dropped thousands of leaflets on the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, Oct. 13, warning its residents to evacuate to the southern half, residents poured into the Rafah border crossing in the hope of escaping into Egypt. (Related: Israel DELAYS Gaza ground offensive as it orders 1.1 million Palestinians in northern Strip to EVACUATE.)

The border, however, remained close.

The United Nations (UN) and many regional governments have condemned the Israeli order and called on Israel to adhere to international law requiring military forces to avoid civilian casualties. Israel has gathered its troops at the border but has yet to make its move.

Israelis want conditions to be perfect before launching their attack

The weather might be playing a factor, according to CBS News foreign correspondent Imitaz Tyab reporting from Jerusalem. "The weather has turned, it's been a bit rainy, and I think the Israeli military is taking no chances and wants to ensure they have the perfect conditions before they launch that air, land and sea invasion of the Gaza Strip," Tyab reported.

Diplomatic activity is also delaying the inevitable as efforts intensify to reduce civilian casualties and avert a large-scale humanitarian crisis.

The UN has been unable to deliver assistance to the strip since October 7.

"No supplies have come into Gaza since the 7th of October, nothing, no fuel, no food, no water, no other types of assistance," said Juliette Touma, spokesperson for the UN's Palestinian refugee agency.

Oil tankers, bearing UN flags, have departed the Gaza Strip. They were led near the Rafah border crossing with Egypt by a UN escort vehicle. Reuters reported that the convoy appeared headed toward the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel.

Hospitals in Gaza are expected to run out of generator fuel soon, putting in danger the lives of thousands of patients, according to the UN.

On Monday, Oct. 16, the Hamas-run administration in the Gaza Strip said the death toll from Israeli airstrikes has reached 2,808 following the latest deaths of 254 Palestinians over the preceding 24 hours. The government said 562 more were wounded, bringing the total number to 10,850. It claimed that 60 percent of those killed were women and children.

Meanwhile, more than 40 U.S. lawmakers in the House have sent an urgent letter to President Joe Biden, urging the administration to push Israel to comply with international law and establish a humanitarian corridor. They expressed deep concern about the potential humanitarian consequences of evacuating over a million civilians from northern Gaza.

Amid these calls for a halt to the military offensive, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that "localized raids" have begun, including limited incursions into Gaza to prepare for a broader offensive and to locate hostages.

Fighting along the border with Lebanon continues to intensify, with Israel shelling locations in southern Lebanon. This resulted in casualties among journalists. An IDF unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

The Pentagon has confirmed the departure of the first evacuation flights of U.S. citizens from Israel. There is no specific intelligence indicating a threat to the U.S. stemming from the Hamas attack.

Watch the destruction of the Gaza Strip following relentless Israeli airstrikes.

This video is from the Reverend Christine on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Heavy bombing by Israeli forces threatens to turn Gaza Strip into a TENT CITY.

Western world leaders condemn acts of TERRORISM committed by Hamas, support Israel's right to DEFEND ITSELF.

Israeli INVASION of Gaza has begun with "localized raids," plus strikes against Hezbollah to the North.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com
Kidnapped by his own car: Man unable to stop Chinese-made electric vehicle that wildly malfunctioned

A 53-year-old man claims to have been "kidnapped" by his own Chinese-made electric vehicle (EV) after a malfunction left him unable to control the car.

Brian Morrison of Glasgow, Scotland claimed his 30,000 pound ($36,700) Chinese-made MG ZS suddenly accelerated to 30 miles per hour when he was heading back home from work on the night of Oct. 1. He found himself unable to use the brakes or regain control of the vehicle. So, he was forced to navigate through traffic, red lights and roundabouts without slowing down.

"I realized something was wrong when I was coming up to a roundabout and went to slow down but it failed to do so. Then I heard a loud grinding noise that sounded like brake pads. Because it was such a new car I knew it couldn't be a problem with them," Morrison said. (Related: Self-driving cars are causing traffic incidents all over San Francisco.)

With no other options, Morrison dialed emergency services and police were dispatched to assist him. As the EV continued to speed along, officers positioned their vehicles in front and behind Morrison's car. The situation became increasingly desperate and Morrison feared for his life as he helplessly drove down the road.

Describing the ordeal, Morrison said: "It might not sound like it is very fast, but when you have no control over the speed and you're completely stuck inside, it's terrifying." He even called his wife in a panic to alert her and ask for help in warning other drivers.

Eventually, the police had to resort to having Morrison deliberately drive into the back of their van to bring the vehicle to a stop. The car's dashboard displayed multiple faults before showing a message advising Morrison to "drive safely, stop driving immediately."

"We have been urgently trying to make contact with Mr. Morrison so that his vehicle can be fully inspected by our engineering team. We take this matter very seriously, and now that contact has been made, we will be making every effort to resolve matters quickly and comprehensively for him," stated MG Motor UK, the manufacturer of the EV.

Series of EV incidents spark safety concerns

The incident involving Morrison and his MG ZS EV is just one of many safety concerns popping up as the use of electric vehicles continues to spread. In recent months, reports have emerged of EVs catching fire due to issues with lithium-ion batteries, including one incident in Australia where a detached battery from MG ZS EV was identified as the cause of a fire. In September, a family's electric car in Merseyside, England reportedly exploded while parked in their driveway, setting their home on fire. Although the official cause is yet to be confirmed, reports suggest it may be due to the malfunctioning electric car battery. Moreover, the surge in EV adoption has led to a shortage of charging infrastructure, with reports of "charge rage" incidents at motorway service stations. EV drivers become increasingly frustrated due to long wait times for available public charging stations. Charging time for EVs varies widely due to battery size, efficiency, onboard charging speed and power source. Some EVs may take minutes to charge, while others require several hours or even days. As per range, EVs can be suitable for local commuting and short trips, but their small range can be an issue for long-distance travel. So, charging to 100 percent capacity can also lead to battery degradation over time. Furthermore, the number of EV charging stations may not be sufficient to support the anticipated growth in EV adoption by 2030. In short, the country needs to significantly increase the installation rate of charging stations. The cost of EV adoption is still another issue. As the U.K. government pushes for a greener future with an accelerated transition to EVs, these incidents prove that the current administration and the EV manufacturers still have a long way to go in addressing the ongoing issues.

Learn more about self-driving cars at RoboCars.news.

Watch this clip of electric vehicle entrepreneur Jason Wilde discussing how he found it challenging to go on a long road trip through Montana due to the lack of charging stations in the state.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

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Young protesters use traffic cones to paralyze self-driving cars in San Francisco.

Over 90% of reported crashes involving self-driving cars were caused by Tesla vehicles  some led to DEATHS.

Award-winning study: Self-driving cars more likely to cause traffic incidents and pose hazards due to their limited understanding of human behavior.

Sources include:

Dailymail.com

BusinessInsider.com
Paul Thacker: Center for Countering Digital Hate employs GHOSTWRITERS for its reports

The U.K.-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) has gained prominence through mainstream media reporting and government funding. But for investigative journalist Paul Thacker, the pro-censorship organization is one bad actor that deserves to be exposed.

According to him, CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed is a political operative with links to British intelligence. The group's head has been connected to the Center for American Progress (CAP), a think tank and lobby group with links to corporate Democrats through its board member Simon Clark.

Thacker noted that Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has sued CCDH due to a report Ahmed and his group published in July. The said report made up accusations about hate increasing on X. Musk also cited how Facebook took down a 2021 report by the group, saying that it was making up numbers about vaccine disinformation. (Related: Twitter filing LAWSUIT against pro-censorship operatives including Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH).)

The investigative journalist also noticed that after taking a hard look at the CCDH's latest report, he found it odd that the group doesn't name its researchers. Thacker said most of CCDH's reports were written by ghostwriters or anonymous writers, who the mainstream media then cites as expert "researchers" in news articles. Moreover, none of CCDH's "research" gets published in actual journals and they never acknowledge any experts for peer reviewing or advising them on their work.

"They just throw up these sparkly documents with graphics and confident findings on their own website," Thacker said. "Further, neither Ahmed nor anyone I can find associated with CCDH has an academic or research background."

Most CCDH staffers are political operatives, advocates

Thacker added that most CCDH employees are either political operatives who have worked for the British Labor Party, or individuals with backgrounds in advocacy work for nonprofits. He cited Callum Hood, CCDH's "head of research," as one example. Hood does not have a job history, and CCDH lists no other employment for him outside the organization.

"I'm not saying this means you can't believe anything CCDH writes, but political operatives and advocates aren't the people you really want to rely on as trustworthy sources of credible, unbiased research conclusions," said Thacker. "And journalists who regurgitate this nonsense should not be trusted."

The investigative journalist also mentioned that CCDH's latest report is heavy on graphics. This, he explained, seeks to give a visual effect that people are reading credible pieces of research akin to papers from a government agency. He noted that one of the first pages readers of CCDH reports encounter is a table of contents, including an appendix with a methodology and list of references for supposed credibility. Despite having the two sections, the CCDH reports do not have a list of the actual scholars who wrote the paper.

"Apparently, ghosts wrote the report," Thacker noted. "The only person named in the document is Ahmed, who allegedly wrote the introduction."

Thacker found an ally in the person of sociologist Joshua Guetzkow of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "Many think tanks like RAND [Corporation] or the Urban Institute, as well as other nonprofits, almost always credit their authors," Guetzkow remarked. "The CCDH does not even do that, so it is impossible to know who was involved in the writing and obviously a significant amount of research involved in that report."

Follow DeepState.news for more news about the CCDH.

Watch political commentator Nick Fuentes speaking about the recent ban wave caused by CCDH reports below.

This video is from the Liberum Arbitrium channel on Brighteon.com.

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Twitter parent company X Corp sues Center for Countering Digital Hate over scare campaign that drove away advertisers.

'Center for Countering Digital Hate' publishes digital hit list including GreenMedInfo founder.

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Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

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Brighteon.com
Putin preparing Russians for World War III with nationwide NUCLEAR WAR DRILLS

On Oct. 4, sirens sounded all across Russia and children were forced to put on wartime-era gas masks as part of nationwide drills simulating what to do in case of a nuclear attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin put the nation through these emergency drills to simulate the experience of what would happen during a nuclear war. Sirens and loudspeakers rang in all regions across Russia's 11 time zones in drills that lasted two days. This was Russia's first nationwide "civil defense exercise."

As part of the drills, television stations all over the country broadcast a notice saying: "Attention everyone! The readiness of the public warning system is being tested! Please remain calm!" These messages were also broadcast from loudspeakers nationwide.

Emergency services conducted simulations. One group in hazmat suits was observed in one Russian city running from a building with a dummy body on a stretcher accompanied by a pack of dogs.

One group of firefighters was seen hurrying to put out simulated fires as ambulances and other teams worked around them.

Footage spread all over Russian news and social media outlets showed schoolchildren participating in similar drills, including being taught how to correctly put on gas masks.

In certain cities, simulations were conducted in underground bunkers. In Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, two shelters participated in the drill, with one shelter notable for being able to accommodate up to 36,000 people.

"The main goal of the drills is to check our readiness for specific actions," said Minister of Emergency Situations Alexander Kurenkov, who supervised the drills. He noted that the drills assume that martial law had been introduced and that all of Russian society had been mobilized either for war or for evacuation.

Emergency alert tests happened after 31 Ukrainian drones were shot down in Russia

The emergency drills and alert tests were notably conducted just hours after at least 31 Ukrainian drones were shot down within Russian territory, noted the Russian Defense Ministry.

"Attempts by the Kyiv regime to carry out terrorist attacks on targets on the territory of the Russian Federation were stopped," the defense ministry said in a statement on Telegram.

Nevertheless, Irina Tsukerman, a national security lawyer and geopolitical analyst, said that "Putin is not seriously concerned about [the] possibility of a nuclear or other major scale attack by NATO."

"The practice of martial law is particularly useful as Putin continues to crack down and isolate Russia from external influence. In reality, Russia is not preparing for a nuclear attack; it's preparing for a long-term imposition of internal restrictions, such as martial law," Tsukerman added.

The U.S. also implemented a large-scale check of its public warning systems Wednesday using mobile phones, including television and radio channels. (Related: Is the federal government preparing Americans for a nuclear attack?)

It is designed to permit the president to speak to the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency through various outlets.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency stated that the purpose of the test was to ensure that the systems "continue to be effective in alerting the public to emergencies, particularly at the national level."

Follow WWWIII.news for more news about the possibility of a nuclear war between America and Russia.

Watch the video below to learn more about the nuclear war drills in Russia and emergency alert in America.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

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Ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warns that the world is on the verge of a NUCLEAR WORLD WAR III.

Right Now with Ann Vandersteel: Brannon Howse says America isnt preparing the people for WAR - Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

The Sun.com

AP News.com

Brighteon.com
Major retailers cite RETAIL THEFT as justification for using AI-powered surveillance in stores

Major retailers are citing retail theft as justification for the use of surveillance systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI) in some of their stores.

CVS, Kroger, Lowes, Macy's, Target, Walmart and other major big-box retailers have joined forces with technology firms and invested in the development and deployment of AI-powered surveillance systems. They consulted with loss-prevention experts and noted that their main goals are to prevent theft from taking place, make committing the crimes less appealing and turn criminals away before they even reach the store entrances  not so much in catching the perpetrators in the act.

Cheryl Friedman, vice president for Lowe's Innovation Labs, said such technologies aim to "outpace potential wrongdoers while ensuring an excellent shopping experience for customers."

"The first thing we look at is, can we detect these people and identify them before there are victims," said Dr. Read Hayes, director of the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC). "We're trying to get the offender or crew to say, 'Not here, not now, this doesn't feel right.'"

A large part of this theft detection includes "the deployment of a new generation of smart cameras and Edge appliances containing cost-effective AI processors that can be coupled with computer vision to more closely  and intelligently  examine checkout transactions, as well as in-store behavior that may be deemed suspect."

Other technologies to deter shoplifters outlined in a CNBC report include autonomous security robots, facial-recognition cameras, license plate and vehicle readers, predictive analytic software, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, smart case locks and video surveillance.

While these types of security technology have been in place for years, theyre now being powered by the latest AI tools and technologies, the report added. (Related: Retail analyst: Theft is growing at a faster rate than sales.)

Retailers need to proceed with caution

Some of the impacts of the retail theft epidemic include:

Financial losses  Big-box retailers faced a dramatic jump in financial losses  $112.1 billion in 2022, which is up from $93.9 billion in losses in 2021 and $90.8 billion in 2020, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Operational disruptions

Safety concerns for both store employees and shoppers

Lower sales translated to profit loss, which led to the reduction of staff and wages

Store closures translated to job losses

Some of the cities and retailers that have been hit the hardest by retail crime are:

Chicago: CVS, Jewel-Osco, Target, Walgreens and Walmart

Los Angeles: Home Depot, Rite Aid, Target, Walgreens and Walmart

New York City: Bloomingdales, CVS, Duane Reade, Macys and Walgreens

San Francisco: CVS, Safeway, Target, Walgreens and Whole Foods

Christian Becker, vice president of retail technology and cybersecurity for the Washington, D.C.-based trade association National Federation of Retailers, told CNBC: "Were seeing a lot of tech vendors layering AI onto existing technologies."

"Retailers have to be aware of the controversial issues that have been raised over the past year. Retailers need to use AI in a way that has appropriate guardrails, given the uncertainties of predictive outcomes of some AI tool," he added. "If youre using them to support loss-prevention activities, do it in a way that keeps humans in the loop before making any decisions that might have consequences for customers or employees."

Visit Surveillance.news for more stories about the use of AI-powered surveillance systems against retail theft.

Watch the following video about how shoplifting is on the rise across the entire country.

This video is from the Dr. William Mount channel on Brighteon.com.

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Grocery stores hiring armed security teams to ward off rising thefts.

Group of organized retail crime (ORC) thieves targeting luxury retail stores in California.

Retail analyst: Theft is growing at a faster rate than sales.

HANDS OFF: Walgreens unveils new anti-theft kiosk at resigned Chicago store to combat organized retail crime.

Retailers lost $112B in 2022 because of "unprecedented levels" of THEFT, causing stores to take drastic measures.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

TechTimes.com

SecurityMagazine.com

CNBC.com

FoxBusiness.com

LinkedIn.com

Brighteon.com
The United Nations is concerned that millions of Palestinians have restricted access to safe drinking water, as Israel imposed a total blockade on the territory following deadly Hamas attacks.

According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), over two million people are now at risk as water runs out.

Matter of Life and Death

According to the agency, no humanitarian supplies have been permitted into Gaza for a week now.

The Gaza Strip is running out of clean water after its water plant and public water networks went offline.

Palestinians are now compelled to drink contaminated well water, raising the danger of waterborne diseases.

"It has become a matter of life and death. It is a must; fuel needs to be delivered now into Gaza to make water available for 2 million people," said Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General.

Israel has also imposed an electricity blackout in Gaza since Wednesday, affecting water delivery.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people have fled northern Gaza after Israel ordered them to do so amid airstrikes, which the UN described as "impossible."

Since last week, about one million people have been displaced.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Israeli authorities had told him that water had been restored in southern Gaza.

However, Adir Dahan, a spokeswoman for Israel's energy and water ministry, stated that it was only running at one site in southern Gaza.

Aid workers in Gaza claimed they had yet to see evidence that the water was flowing again, and a Gaza government official said it was not.

Read Also: Iraq Water Crisis Destroyed Crops and Killed Animals, UN Warns of Regional Impact

Food and Fuel Blockage

As food shortages loomed, Gazans queued for hours outside bakeries to purchase bread. Umm Abdullah Abu Rizq arrived around 7:00 a.m. hoping to buy food to feed her family and the others sheltering in her home.

"Is this enough for seven families and their children?" she asked, holding a small plastic bag with bread. She was not able to buy more.

Relief organizations urged the establishment of an emergency corridor for the flow of humanitarian aid in order to safeguard the nearly 2 million civilians in Gaza.

According to Ahmed al-Mandhari, the World Health Organization's regional director, there is no indication that such a corridor will be established anytime soon.

The agency has supplies on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border but no permission from either Egypt or Israel to distribute them.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Israel "has not taken a position" on allowing access.

UNRWA appealed for the siege on humanitarian assistance to be lifted now.

"We need to truck fuel into Gaza now. Fuel is the only way for people to have safe drinking water. If not, people will start dying of severe dehydration, among them young children, the elderly and women," Lazzarini said.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 have been injured in the ongoing conflict.

Over 1,400 Israelis have been slain, the vast majority of them were civilians.

Related Article: 5 Billion People May Suffer From Water Shortage by 2050, Warns United Nations

Related Video:
Seagulls raided the Venice Marco Polo Airport in Venice, Italy, causing the diversion and grounding of flights, according to reports on Monday, October 16. Being the fifth busiest airport in Italy, the Venice airport underwent mayhem when it closed for an hour after some gulls occupied one of its runways. This caused disruption at the said international airport, affecting more than a dozen flights.

Venice Airport Seagulls

The incident occurred on the morning of Friday, October 13, when a flock of seagulls gathered at the end of the Venice Marco Polo Airport runway. The unauthorized entry of the seabirds resulted in the grounding of flights between 9:54 and 10:45 a.m. local time, with 20 flights diverted to other Italian airports in the north, including Milan.

Earlier this year, the group Venice Hoteliers Association (AVA) had enough of recurring seagull attacks and decided that water pistols could be a novel solution to the problem. The AVA also discussed other strategies to keep tourists in Venice safe from the aggressive birds.

Also Read: Mysterious Deaths of Dozens of Seagulls on Beaches

Are Seagulls Aggressive?

Gulls (Larinae), also colloquially called seagulls, are not a species but rather a group of birds that often live near the sea, specifically along beaches and coastlines. It is for this reason that many people refer to them as a seagull. The appearance of gulls is often described of having short legs but long wings, as well white and grey feathers.

Despite their appearance just like other birds in general, seagulls have been recorded before attacking humans, especially when we get too close to their nests. In the northern hemisphere, the seagull breeding season spans from late March until September, a period where the seabirds can get more aggressive than usual.

Seagull Attacks

Seagulls, as mentioned earlier, can become violent or capable of responding in an aggressive manner when provoked, including disturbing their nests. With this, seagull attacks on humans in the past had resulted in bruises, cuts, injuries, and even broken bones due to the winged animals' collection of armaments like their bills, claws, and wings. Such aggressive behavior has been recorded before.

In August 2023, a woman in the United Kingdom was reported to be covered in blood pouring from her head after she was attacked by a seagull outside her house. Based on local sources, the victim initially thought that she was struck by a falling brick or tile only to find that her wounds were caused by a bird.

In April this year, another gull attack occurred in Italy when a territorial seagull struck a worker several times while he was on a high b-lift in Liguria, Italy. In recent years, seagulls have also been reported attacking locals and tourists in Venice.

In 2019, an increase in seagull attacks along the New Jersey shore prompted the local police to issue warnings after the 'winged criminals' attempted to snatch the food of people in the area.

Related Article: New Study Reveals Seagulls Use Human Cues To Find Food
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (Parliament) will send a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of October 18, the Day of Restoration of Azerbaijan's State Independence, Trend reports.

The proposal was made by Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova at the parliamentary session held today.

Deputies welcomed the proposal with applause.
The latest weather forecast showed that high-elevation wet snow could unload in Montana and Idaho as the fall weather already begins in the US. As chances of snow unfold, colder weather is on the way.

The early beginning of October brought significant below-temperatures in parts of the US, including the Northeast and Midwest. The rainy outlook in the region eased the dry and drought concerns.

In the latest forecast, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported that dry conditions could continue in the continental US this week. Meanwhile, a wet outlook could unfold in the Upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

High-Elevation Wet Snow: What Can Residents Expect?

In October, people are excited about the arrival of snow. A significant temperature cooldown was expected in the Fall Weather, especially in the Pacific Northwest. The shift to a chilly outlook brought relief from the challenging heat during the summer season.

This week, the potential weather dangers are slippery road conditions and reduced road visibility due to snow. Campers should check for the latest forecasts for severe weather in high-elevation or mountainous areas.

In the latest advisory from the Weather Prediction Center, residents can expect an upper trough. On Tuesday, the wet snow can likely unload in high-elevation areas in Montana and Idaho.

In addition, the Alberta Clipper could help bring light rain conditions to the Northern Plains. Northern and Southern Montana can expect challenging winds, as High Wind Warnings are present in the region.

On the other hand, freezing conditions were also issued in parts of Southern Nebraska, Kansas City and Colorado. Meanwhile, a shift to high temperatures could return to Kansas City in the midweek.

Snow conditions were also reported in parts of Wyoming, including the Sierra Madre Range and Snow Range Counties. Freeze warnings were also present in TX/OK Panhandles areas with rain chances.

Also Read: Rainy Outlook to Unload in Pacific Northwest; Warmer Weather Likely in West US

Western US Weather: Dry and Warm Conditions

In October's first week, residents experienced dry and warm conditions. In the Western US, the weather could anticipate a warm outlook.

Meanwhile, Northwestern California and the Pacific Northwest can receive wind and more rain this week.

In addition, the rain will also help with the dry areas in the Pacific Northwest and California. On Tuesday or early Wednesday, the rain can spread over parts of Oregon and the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.

In the Northern HighPlains, the maximum wind gusts could reach up to 70 mph in the midweek. The Desert Southwest could unleash high temperatures this week.

On the other hand, the high pressure over the Great Plains can help with the autumn air mass that can affect portions of Florida and the Gulf Coast. Residents can also anticipate scattered showers in Southern Appalachians, Ohio Valley, New England and the Great Lakes.

Related Article: Rounds of Rain To Hit Northeast, Midwest This Week

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Snakes are among the most diverse and fascinating animals on the planet, with over 3,000 species that exhibit a wide range of colors, patterns, sizes, and behaviors.

But how do snakes cope with changing environmental conditions and threats? How do they maintain their genetic health and diversity in small and isolated populations?

A new study by researchers from Ohio State University and other institutions sheds some light on these questions by using genomic analysis to explore the link between neutral and functional genetic diversity in snakes.

Neutral vs functional genetic diversity

Genetic diversity is the variation in DNA sequences among individuals of a species or a population. It is important for the survival and evolution of species, as it allows them to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.

However, not all DNA sequences are equally important for adaptation. Some DNA regions are involved in protein-coding genes, which determine the traits and functions of an organism.

These are called functional genetic diversity.

Other DNA regions are not related to protein-coding genes and have no apparent effect on the phenotype or fitness of an organism. These are called neutral genetic diversity.

Traditionally, genetic diversity has been estimated by measuring the variation in neutral DNA regions, which are easier and cheaper to obtain than functional DNA regions.

The assumption is that a higher level of neutral genetic diversity reflects a higher level of functional genetic diversity, and thus a higher potential for adaptation.

However, this assumption has been challenged by the genomic revolution, which allows scientists to sequence entire genomes and compare them across individuals and populations.

By doing so, scientists can directly assess the variation in functional DNA regions, and test whether they correlate with the variation in neutral DNA regions

Also Read: Rare Copperbelly Water Snake Extinct in 20 Years as Only 40 Remains, Scientists Warn

A case study of Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes

The researchers, including senior author and professor of evolution, ecology and organismal biology at The Ohio State University, H. Lisle Gibbs, conducted such a genomic analysis on 90 Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, a threatened species that lives in wetlands across North America.

The Eastern massasauga rattlesnake was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2016 because of loss and fragmentation of its habitat.

Gibbs' lab was the first to sequence the genome of this species.

The researchers compared the variation in both neutral and functional DNA regions across the 90 individuals, representing 11 populations from different geographic locations.

They found that the functional genetic diversity they detected by analyzing gene variations in fully sequenced genomes correlated nicely with the neutral genetic diversity seen across broad sections of those same genomes containing no protein-coding genes.

This means that measuring neutral genetic diversity can give a good indication of the genetic health and adaptive potential of this species.

The researchers also found that some populations had lower levels of both neutral and functional genetic diversity than others, suggesting that they are more vulnerable to inbreeding and genetic drift.

These populations may require more conservation efforts to prevent further loss of genetic variation and increase their chances of survival.

Implications for Snake Conservation

The study suggests that making a transition from "old school" genetics to "new school" genomics for species conservation purposes probably isn't necessary in all cases.

For small and isolated species like the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, neutral genetic diversity measured using traditional techniques can provide important information about their genetic health.

However, for larger and more complex species, such as humans or elephants, genomic analysis may be more informative and accurate.

The study also highlights the importance of preserving snake biodiversity, as snakes play vital roles in ecosystems as predators and prey.

Snakes are also valuable sources of biomedical research, as their venom contains molecules that can be used to develop drugs for various diseases.

By understanding how snakes adapt to their environment through their genes, scientists can better protect them from threats and appreciate their beauty and diversity.

Related article: Heroic Snake That Saved Critters from Queensland Flash Floods Goes Viral on Tiktok
Asian water monitor lizards, thought to be nearly extinct in China, were spotted again for the first time after more than a decade.

Local sources over the weekend said that one of the endangered lizards was caught on video in South China, making the unprecedented event seemingly a historic comeback for one of the world's giant reptiles in modern times.

Although Asian water monitors are native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, their "re-discovery" in China is significant in the wildlife conservation field.

While not officially extinct in China, the Asian water monitor population in the country is still threatened by several factors, such as habitat loss and habitat fragmentation, which are mainly caused by human activities, including deforestation.

Nearly Extinct Lizard Found Again

The endangered, nearly extinct lizard was captured on footage by infrared cameras which reportedly recorded an unspecified number of Asian water monitor lizards in the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park in Hainan Province, China.

Local reporting has confirmed this is the first time that the species was seen over 10 years ago.

The giant lizard species is designated as "critically endangered" by the Chinese government under its China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals and it is also one of the species of priority protection.

Aside from its wide distribution in South and Southeast Asia, the local population of the lizards is distributed in the provinces of Hainan, Guangdong, and Yunnan.

They can also be found in China's autonomous region of Guangxi Zhuang and special administrative region of Hong Kong.

Also Read: Yarrow's Spiny Lizard on the Brink of Extinction Due to Climate Change

Asian Water Monitor Lizard

The Asian water monitor species (Varanus salvator) is one of the most common monitor lizards in Asia.

They can be found across the continent, including northeast India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in South Asia. These wild animals also have a presence in mainland Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and South China, as mentioned earlier.

Despite the widespread distribution of water monitor lizards, they are one of the world's most heavily exploited reptiles, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology in 2020.

This threat is ongoing as humans hunt Asian water monitors for their hard, durable skin, which is used to make leather-based clothing items like bags, belts, and shoes.

Regardless of the rampant hunting of these reptiles, Asian water monitors are still listed as "least concern" on the IUCN Red List. This means that the species' population in Asia is not on the brink of extinction.

Outside Asia, the reptiles also made their way to other parts of the world, including the United States.

Asian water monitors are also bought as pets in some countries. However, experts warned that although the said lizards' venoms are not life-threatening, their bites can cause extreme pain.

In 2018, a family in South Florida surprisingly found an Asian water monitor lizard roaming in their backyard. Reports said the unwanted visitor belonged to one of the nearby residents in the neighborhood.

Related Article: Ancient Giant Sea Lizard Named 'Thalassotitan Atrox' Discovered in Morocco
Antarctic fur seals, once hunted to extinction, have achieved a remarkable recovery in their population.

However, new research conducted by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has revealed an impending threat due to a drop in their principal food source.

Threatened Population of Antarctic Seals

According to new research published in the peer-reviewed climate science journal Global Change Biology, the modern-day fur seal population peaked at around 3.5 million in 2009.

Fur seals were historically hunted for their pelts in the 1700s and 1800s. By the early twentieth century, their numbers had plummeted to the point where commercial hunting was no longer profitable.

The fur seal population grew faster than other hunted species in the region, thanks to tight conservation efforts, abundant food, and quick reproduction rates.

South Georgia was projected to have 4.5 to 6.2 million fur seals by 2000. Nonetheless, a closer examination of the data reveals that these statistics were most likely overstated.

However, a more precise survey of animals on Bird Island indicated that the seals were now having difficulty catching enough krill to eat.

Numbers peaked in 2009 and have fallen by 7% each year thereafter. This reduces the island's present population to levels not seen since the 1970s, when it was still recovering.

Dr. Jaume Forcada, the study's lead author, when the seal hunting in the twentieth century was banned, the population of the fur seal recovered impressively however, the decline of krill population is now threating the species.

"That matters because the fur seal population size is used to judge the overall health of the species and the wider Antarctic ecosystems. And it turns out that neither were as robust as people thought," he added.

Antarctica's whale and penguin populations rely heavily on krill for food. The tiny shrimplike crustaceans represent the backbone of the region's food chain, but earlier studies have found that numbers have fallen by as much as 70 or 80% in some locations, with climate change thought to be a major factor.

Scientist discovered that krill require sea ice to form at a specific period in order to survive their first winter - something the BAS has already observed changing, with disastrous consequences for Antarctica's wildlife.

Read Also: Reduced Krill Supplies Cause Fewer Humpback Whale Pregnancies

Krill Availability

Scientists sought for evidence of krill fishing pressure on fur seal population dynamics, but none were discovered.

However, preliminary climate data analysis suggests that fast rising water temperatures in the region correspond with seal population decline, pointing to krill loss as the most likely culprit.

Fur seals' sensitivity to krill availability, along with the availability of longer-term population data, makes them a significant known indicator for the ecosystems surrounding Bird Island.

More research is needed to determine why krill around Bird Island is becoming scarce and how widespread the impact may be across the remainder of the Southern Ocean.

"If the pressure on the fur seals at Bird Island also applies to the greater South Georgia population there could be an ongoing decline there as well. So even though there were three and a half million of them there, the fast decline at Bird Island tells us they could be in trouble," Forcada said.

Related Article: Scientists Observe Solitary Habits of Leopard Seals Amid Climate Change

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A new study suggests that some regions in Miami-Dade County in Florida will become uninhabitable due to sea-level rise (SLR) and floods, while rising demand for housing in safer areas may result in displacement due to economic pressures.

The study was just published in the journal Environmental Research Letters and examines both the physical and socioeconomic effects of sea-level rise.

Population Classified Into Groups

To estimate how residents will be affected, the study combines building-by-building projections of floods caused by direct sea-level rise, rainfall, or storm surge with fine-grained demographic data.

In addition to flood maps, the researchers used US Data from the Census Bureau was used to chart economic and social aspects that might make people more or less vulnerable, such as age, race, level of education, income and work status, and whether they owned or rented their homes, among other things.

They then classified the population into four groups.

They claim that a one-meter sea-level rise-a middle-of-the-road scenario for the end of the century-could force 56% of the population, largely on higher ground, to evacuate.

These people are referred to as "displaced" by the researchers.

The second largest group was termed "trapped," with roughly 19% of the people living in regularly flooded terrain but unable to flee to safer neighboring ground.

According to the researchers, another 19% would be "stable," living in places not prone to flooding and able to stay there.

Only 7% of the population-basically the wealthiest, whom the researchers categorized as "migrating"-would be immediately vulnerable to floods in shoreline or low-lying regions, but would be able to relocate to safer areas within the metro area.

The study predicts that if sea levels rise by more than a meter, direct flooding, rather than economic constraints, will become the major driver influencing communities.At two meters-quite high in the present range of projections, but not impossible-approximately 55% of the population will be directly swamped by a combination of rising sea level and, to a lesser extent, rainfall. In this scenario, 49% of the people would be trapped and 25% would be displaced.

Only 8% would be considered stable.

Read Also: Storm System Causes Urban Flooding due to Heavy Rain in Some Parts of South Florida and the Florida Keys

Climate Gentrification

The research makes no mention of how many individuals are now affected by flooding, either directly or indirectly.

However, floods have already become a common occurrence, as monthly tidal maxima percolate up into sewers during so-called sunny day flooding and rain with nowhere to drain pools in streets.

According to Seeteram, the kind of flash flooding that made headlines in New York City after a heavy storm at the end of September would be considered simply another day in sections of Miami throughout the May-October wet season.

Over three-quarters of Miami residents have been personally affected by flooding caused by rainfall in some way.

There are also some signs that climate gentrification-the displacement of lower-income people from higher-elevation places predicted by the study-is already occurring.

For example, in recent years, the Little Haiti area, which is at a relatively high elevation of 10 feet above sea level, has experienced a rapid surge in development and property values, raising concerns among the predominantly black residents that they may not be able to stay.

Study co-author Katharine Mach of the University of Miami said there is "a great, raging debate" about whether climate gentrification is underway. "I suspect it is already happening," she said.

Related Article: Hundreds of Houses in Florida Expected to Remain Submerged in Floodwaters Until Thanksgiving in November

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A recent study confirmed that the Gulf Stream is indeed weakening.

Warm water flow over the Florida Straits has reduced by 4% in the last four decades, with serious consequences for global climate.

Stream Slowed Down

The ocean current begins in Florida and runs through a belt of warm water along the United States. The East Coast and Canada are visited before crossing the Atlantic to Europe.

Its ability to transmit heat is critical for sustaining temperate conditions and managing sea levels.

However, this stream has slowed down, according to the researchers in a report published on September 25 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

"This is the strongest, most definitive evidence we have of the weakening of this climatically-relevant ocean current," lead-author Christopher Piecuch, a physical oceanographer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts,

The Gulf Stream is merely a minor component of the thermohaline circulation, which is a global conveyor belt of ocean currents that transports carbon, heat, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the world while also influencing storm activity and sea levels.

It begins in the Caribbean and flows into the Atlantic via the Florida Straits, transporting warmer southerly waters (which are saltier and denser) northward for cooling and sinking in the North Atlantic.

After it sinks deep into the ocean and releases its heat into the atmosphere, the water slowly flows southward, where it heats up again and the cycle begins again.

This technique is critical for maintaining sea levels and temperatures around the US East Coast, where the current's sweeping action kept the water 5 feet (1.5 meters) lower than the water further offshore.

According to scientists, as the Earth's temperature warms, a tremendous influx of cold, fresh water from melting ice sheets is spilling into oceans, potentially slowing or even collapsing the Gulf Stream. However, due to the system's size and complexity, this is difficult to establish.

Read Also: The Gulf Stream is Slowly Approaching a 'Tipping Point,' and It May Eventually Vanish

Slow Start

To uncover convincing proof that the stream is slowing, scientists reviewed data from three independent sources spanning 40 years-undersea cables, satellite altimetry, and on-site observations-to observe the motions of the current around the Florida Straits.

A 4% shift may appear to be little at first glance, but scientists said that this might be a slow start.

"It's like those early days of COVID. People were like: 'Oh, there's only 60 cases. We don't care about this,'" says Helen Czerski, an oceanographer at University College London (UCL). "There's only 60 cases, yeah, but yesterday there were 30 and the day before that there were 15. If you just think a week ahead, we've got a problem."

To find definitive proof that climate change is to blame, scientists will need to distinguish between natural variability in ocean systems and the impact of global warming-a difficult task given the relatively short time that humans have been directly measuring ocean flows in detail.

Related Article: Gulf Stream Transport Of Water Slows Down Indicating Weakening Due To Climate Change, Study Says

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Desert locust swarms have wreaked havoc across Ethiopia, while termite swarms have been reported in other regions of the East Asian country, according to local authorities over the weekend. The Ethiopian locust swarm has damaged farmers' livelihoods and decreased crop yields in the affected regions. Furthermore, the country's termite infestations have spread to more than 300,000 hectares of land.

In recent years, locusts have descended into Ethiopia and threatened the nation's agricultural sector, aggravating existing food security in some regions marred by conflict and poverty. While these winged insects have also swarmed other parts of the world, including countries in Asia, the Middle East, and the Horn of Africa, they are all triggered by uncommon weather patterns like heavy rain and other factors.

Ethiopia Desert Locust Swarms

Desert locust swarms have been detected in five Ethiopian regions and one city administration, authorities confirmed on Sunday, October 15. These swarms are new occurrences, separated from the billions of locusts that overwhelmed Ethiopia and other African countries such as Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, and Somalia back in January 2020.

During a recent press conference, Selamawit Kassa, the state minister for the Ethiopian government communication service, stated the locust swarms have been observed in the regions of Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, and Tigray in northern Ethiopia. Kassa adds the swarm was also detected in the city administration of Dire Dawa, located in the eastern part of the nation.

Also Read: Locusts and Swarming: Mathematical Model Explains Behavior [VIDEO]

Ethiopia Termite Swarms

Aside from the locust infestations nationwide, Ethiopia is also dealing with widespread termite swarms, which were detected in 317,000 hectares of land across 15 zones in Afar, Oromia, and Tigray, the Ethiopian official adds. The magnitude of the damage is still unclear at this time. However, related termite swarms in the past have damaged homes and other wooden structures.

In response to the destructive swarms, traditional and modern anti-pest control measures are reportedly being implemented in the affected regions of Ethiopia, including aerial and vehicular spraying.

During a press release in January 2021, the United Nations warned East African countries to prepare for desert locust threat amid the surge of unprecedented desert locust infestations in the Horn of Africa in 2020. Although anti-pest initiatives have protected some crops and livelihoods in the region, funds are still needed not only in Ethiopia but also for Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan, according to the UN.

Do Locusts Attack Humans?

Unlike notorious insects like ticks and mosquitoes, locusts are not known for biting humans since these grasshoppers eat plants, as evident in their track record of destroying field crops, including wheat, sugar cane, and hay.

Although locusts do not actively seek and hunt humans, health experts still do not rule out the possibility of experiencing pain after interaction with a locust. This can happen if a person gets stabbed with the insect's strong legs or sharp spurs, as found in some locust species.

Related Article: The Horror of Locusts: Farmers in India Face Crop Losses and Food Insecurity
Climate change is pushing non-native species from lower altitudes towards higher elevations, putting the fragile environment of Venezuela and the wildlife that thrives there, like Tepui frogs, at risk.

Isolated Ecosystems of Venezuela

Venezuela's tabletop mountains are remarkable, sheltered ecosystems, towering up to 3,000 meters high, isolated by steep cliffs. This sandstone world boasts unique flora and fauna found nowhere else. Ecologist Margarita Lampo from IVIC likens visiting a tepui to stepping onto another planet, with surreal black rocks and distinctive vegetation.

Venezuela hosts over 50 tepuis, named "house of the gods" by the Indigenous Pemon. Tepuis harbor some of Earth's rarest creatures, from ball-rolling toads to frogs in carnivorous plants, seen by only a fortunate few.

Risks Caused by Climate Change

High in the sky, the isolation of these ecosystems has safeguarded them from human interference and critical threats like illegal mining in Venezuela's rainforests and a deadly fungus decimating amphibians across Latin America. Yet, this very isolation may now jeopardize their existence.

Climate change compels species worldwide to ascend to cooler altitudes. However, for tepui frogs, there's no higher ground to escape to. Amphibians, the most endangered vertebrates globally, face an escalating risk of extinction, primarily due to climate disruption. Nearly 41% of the world's frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts teeter on the edge.

Habitat protection alone won't suffice, warns Jennifer Swandby, a Re:wild species partnerships manager. Sandby is also a contributor to the IUCN Global Amphibian Assessment, which includes nearly 6000 species of amphibians.

Amphibians' cold-blooded nature renders them exceptionally sensitive to temperature changes, while their permeable skin leaves them susceptible to pollution and fluctuations in temperature and humidity, setting them apart as the most vulnerable among vertebrates, according to a recent study.

Tepui Frogs and Other Vulnerable Amphibians of Venezuela

Amphibians on Venezuela's tepuis face dire threats from rising global temperatures. Among the 49 Venezuelan amphibians most at risk from climate change, 44 inhabit these isolated tabletop mountains, also known as mesas. These harsh environments have shaped peculiar survival strategies, such as the pebble toad's rolling escape from predators and Oreophrynella macconnelli's tree canopy escape.

These species often exist solely on one tepui, resulting in tiny geographic ranges. While these conditions highlight their uniqueness, they also leave them acutely vulnerable to extinction as the climate crisis escalates.

Also Read: 300 Endangered Northern Leopard Frogs Released in Columbia National Wildlife Refuge

Tepuis: Otherworldly Venezuelan Ecosystems

Tepuis are desert-like, rocky landscapes, where many carnivorous plants rely on insects for nutrients. Some frogs inhabit these plants, depending on their moisture and prey. With an expected temperature rise of 2-4C by 2100, up to a third of tepui plant species could vanish, threatening dependent animals. Isolation alone can't safeguard these ecosystems, as illegal gold mining infiltrates the Venezuelan Amazon, endangering these unique habitats.

Losing to Climate Change

Amphibians are more at risk of extinction than birds and mammals, yet they receive less protection. Tepui amphibians face uncertain futures, hindered by limited knowledge and infrequent research trips. Potential solutions include relocation and breeding, but consensus is lacking. Vital to freeze frog samples for future revival, as their uniqueness is akin to burning unread, irreplaceable books.

Related Article: New Species of Frog Found Under a Rock in Venezuela has Copper Eyes
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan expressed condolences over the deaths of people of Azerbaijani origin in the Hamas war against Israel, Trend reports.

We express our sincere condolences to the brave Israelis, originally from Azerbaijan, who sacrificed their lives to defend their homeland, the embassy wrote on its page on X.

Previously, the Spokesperson for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizade said that as a result of Hamas attacks in Israel, eight people of Azerbaijani origin were killed.

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 1,400 and injured over 3,300 people.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The names of Azerbaijani policemen and servicemen killed by Armenians for helping to free civilians from encirclement in Meshali village of Azerbaijan's Khojaly district have been announced, Trend reports.

This is stated in the indictment on the criminal case of Vagif Khachatryan.

Junior sergeants from Aghdam district police department (former police) - Rustamov Hidayat (born in 1970) and Aghayev Faig (born in 1969) were sent to Meshali police department on December 23, 1991, to help civilians who were surrounded, as well as servicemen of military unit No. 701 (former 18110) of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Lieutenant Eyyubov Kamil (born in 1964), Private Gonagov Musal (born in 1961), and Azimov Tahir (born in 1961), who were later killed by Vagif Khachatryan and other members of Armenian military formations.

Armenian citizen Vagif Khachatryan, who is on the international wanted list in connection with the Meshali genocide, was detained at the Lachin border checkpoint in July this year.

In December 1991, the criminal group, of which he was a member, killed 25 Azerbaijanis, wounded 14 people, and expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their legal place of residence in Meshali village in Khojaly district.

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Vagif Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of the population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen against him.
By Online Desk

The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

The health ministry, which is run by Hamas, said at least 500 people had been killed. Photos purportedly from al-Ahli Hospital shared widely on social video showed fire engulfing the building, widespread damage and bodies scattered in the wreckage. The photos could not be independently verified.

Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

About one million people from northern Gaza have moved to Khan Yunis and other southern districts to avoid the looming Israeli ground offensive.

However, Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza, on Tuesday, after it ordered Palestinians to seek refuge in the region, killing dozens of people in attacks it says are targeted at Hamas militants that rule the besieged territory.

Similarly, hundreds of families flocked to Gaza's overwhelmed hospitals on Tuesday seeking refuge from the seemingly endless Israeli army shelling. Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege that followed a Hamas attack on Israel.

Palestinians in the besieged coastal strip are desperate after Israel cut off the flow of food, medicine, water and electricity to Gaza until Hamas released Israeli hostages, while the UN has warned Israel against the "forcible transfer of civilians" in the Gaza Strip, which could be in breach of international law.

Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which has the territorys only border crossing to Egypt. Mediators are pressing for an agreement to let aid in and refugees with foreign passports out as the US is hoping to break a deadlock with President Joe Biden set to visit Israel on October 18.

The war that began October 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead.

Around 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and 12,500 wounded in Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.

The immediate trigger for the latest war was Hamas firing thousands of rockets and sending fighters --- through land, air and sea --- into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip during a major Jewish holiday (Simchat Torah) on October 7 in a deadly, surprise offensive branded "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood".

Here are highlights:

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008. The health ministry, which is run by Hamas, said at least 500 people had been killed. Photos purportedly from al-Ahli Hospital shared widely on social video showed fire engulfing the building, widespread damage and bodies scattered in the wreckage. The photos could not be independently verified. Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); About one million people from northern Gaza have moved to Khan Yunis and other southern districts to avoid the looming Israeli ground offensive. However, Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza, on Tuesday, after it ordered Palestinians to seek refuge in the region, killing dozens of people in attacks it says are targeted at Hamas militants that rule the besieged territory. Similarly, hundreds of families flocked to Gaza's overwhelmed hospitals on Tuesday seeking refuge from the seemingly endless Israeli army shelling. Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege that followed a Hamas attack on Israel. Palestinians in the besieged coastal strip are desperate after Israel cut off the flow of food, medicine, water and electricity to Gaza until Hamas released Israeli hostages, while the UN has warned Israel against the "forcible transfer of civilians" in the Gaza Strip, which could be in breach of international law. Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which has the territorys only border crossing to Egypt. Mediators are pressing for an agreement to let aid in and refugees with foreign passports out as the US is hoping to break a deadlock with President Joe Biden set to visit Israel on October 18. The war that began October 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead. Around 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and 12,500 wounded in Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel. The immediate trigger for the latest war was Hamas firing thousands of rockets and sending fighters --- through land, air and sea --- into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip during a major Jewish holiday (Simchat Torah) on October 7 in a deadly, surprise offensive branded "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood". Here are highlights: Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The apex leadership of the Indian Army gathered in Delhi on Monday to deliberate on all aspects of existing security scenarios, the situation along the borders and in the hinterland besides challenges for national security.

The five-day Army Commanders Conference began on October 16 in New Delhi. The Ministry of Defence said, The apex leadership will brainstorm the current/emerging security scenarios besides reviewing the operational preparedness of the Indian Army. They will also delve into pivotal subjects including a review of the ongoing transformation process, training matters, HR management aspects and issues impacting the serving personnel and veterans.

The Army Commanders Conference, with its broad scope, ensures the Indian Army remains progressive, forward-looking, adaptive, and future-ready, said the MoD. It is a high-level biannual event, an institutional platform for deliberations at the conceptual level, facilitating important policy decisions for the Indian Army.

The Army leadership is going to deliberate on international developments, including the Hamas surprise attack on Israel, the protracted standoff along eastern Ladakh and also the Ukraine-Russia conflict, said a source.

The technology roadmap is another area which is under the focused deliberation of the leadership, the source added. In continuation with the new format adopted this year, the upcoming Army Commanders Conference is also being conducted in a hybrid format wherein the commanders and other senior functionaries will meet virtually on the first day followed by remaining deliberations being conducted in a physical format.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: The apex leadership of the Indian Army gathered in Delhi on Monday to deliberate on all aspects of existing security scenarios, the situation along the borders and in the hinterland besides challenges for national security. The five-day Army Commanders Conference began on October 16 in New Delhi. The Ministry of Defence said, The apex leadership will brainstorm the current/emerging security scenarios besides reviewing the operational preparedness of the Indian Army. They will also delve into pivotal subjects including a review of the ongoing transformation process, training matters, HR management aspects and issues impacting the serving personnel and veterans. The Army Commanders Conference, with its broad scope, ensures the Indian Army remains progressive, forward-looking, adaptive, and future-ready, said the MoD. It is a high-level biannual event, an institutional platform for deliberations at the conceptual level, facilitating important policy decisions for the Indian Army.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Army leadership is going to deliberate on international developments, including the Hamas surprise attack on Israel, the protracted standoff along eastern Ladakh and also the Ukraine-Russia conflict, said a source. The technology roadmap is another area which is under the focused deliberation of the leadership, the source added. In continuation with the new format adopted this year, the upcoming Army Commanders Conference is also being conducted in a hybrid format wherein the commanders and other senior functionaries will meet virtually on the first day followed by remaining deliberations being conducted in a physical format. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Buoyed by the success of the Chandrayaan mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday set ambitious goals for ISRO, asking them to set up an Indian Space Station by 2035 and send the first Indian to the moon by 2040.

Modi's directions came during a briefing by ISRO Chairman S Somanath on the progress of the Gaganyaan mission, which is to have its first demonstration flight of the crew escape system on October 21, and other initiatives.

India's first human space flight is now expected to take off in 2025, a PMO statement said after the meeting.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister outlined the future of India's space exploration endeavours and urged scientists to work towards interplanetary missions, including a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander and also explore the moon in greater detail.

"Building on the success of Indian space initiatives, including the recent Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 missions, the Prime Minister directed that India should now aim for new and ambitious goals, including setting up the 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' (Indian space station) by 2035 and sending first Indian to the Moon by 2040," the statement said.

To realise this vision, the Department of Space will develop a roadmap for Moon exploration, it said.

ISRO's moon exploration plans will comprise a series of Chandrayaan missions, developing a new rocket the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), building a new launchpad and setting up human-centric Laboratories and associated technologies.

The Department of Space presented a comprehensive overview of the Gaganyaan Mission, including various technologies developed so far such as human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification.

It was noted that around 20 major tests, including three uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) are planned.

Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in India's capabilities and affirmed the nation's commitment to scaling new heights in space exploration.

The Gaganyaan mission, which entails sending two astronauts to low earth orbit, was originally planned for launch in 2022.

However, the Covid pandemic and the complexity of the mission led to delays and the first human space flight was expected to take place in the second half of 2024.

From Tuesday's meeting, it has emerged that the Gaganyaan launch will now take place in 2025.

Besides Somanath, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra and other officials were present during the meeting.

The meeting chaired by the Prime Minister came after India's successful soft landing near the unexplored south pole of the moon on August 23.

Within 10 days of the lunar landing on September 2, India launched a spacecraft to study the Sun from a place called the Lagrange Point (L1), situated about 1.5 million kilometers from the Earth.

The Aditya L-1 mission will study the solar atmosphere, solar magnetic storms, and their impact on the environment around the Earth.

ALSO READ | After Chandrayaan-3, US experts wanted India to share space technology: ISRO Chief

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NEW DELHI: Buoyed by the success of the Chandrayaan mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday set ambitious goals for ISRO, asking them to set up an Indian Space Station by 2035 and send the first Indian to the moon by 2040. Modi's directions came during a briefing by ISRO Chairman S Somanath on the progress of the Gaganyaan mission, which is to have its first demonstration flight of the crew escape system on October 21, and other initiatives. India's first human space flight is now expected to take off in 2025, a PMO statement said after the meeting.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); During the meeting, the Prime Minister outlined the future of India's space exploration endeavours and urged scientists to work towards interplanetary missions, including a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander and also explore the moon in greater detail. "Building on the success of Indian space initiatives, including the recent Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 missions, the Prime Minister directed that India should now aim for new and ambitious goals, including setting up the 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' (Indian space station) by 2035 and sending first Indian to the Moon by 2040," the statement said. To realise this vision, the Department of Space will develop a roadmap for Moon exploration, it said. ISRO's moon exploration plans will comprise a series of Chandrayaan missions, developing a new rocket the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), building a new launchpad and setting up human-centric Laboratories and associated technologies. The Department of Space presented a comprehensive overview of the Gaganyaan Mission, including various technologies developed so far such as human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification. It was noted that around 20 major tests, including three uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) are planned. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in India's capabilities and affirmed the nation's commitment to scaling new heights in space exploration. The Gaganyaan mission, which entails sending two astronauts to low earth orbit, was originally planned for launch in 2022. However, the Covid pandemic and the complexity of the mission led to delays and the first human space flight was expected to take place in the second half of 2024. From Tuesday's meeting, it has emerged that the Gaganyaan launch will now take place in 2025. Besides Somanath, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra and other officials were present during the meeting. The meeting chaired by the Prime Minister came after India's successful soft landing near the unexplored south pole of the moon on August 23. Within 10 days of the lunar landing on September 2, India launched a spacecraft to study the Sun from a place called the Lagrange Point (L1), situated about 1.5 million kilometers from the Earth. The Aditya L-1 mission will study the solar atmosphere, solar magnetic storms, and their impact on the environment around the Earth. ALSO READ | After Chandrayaan-3, US experts wanted India to share space technology: ISRO Chief Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: In a major turnaround, the prime accused in the Nithari serial killing case, Surinder Koli, and his employer Moninder Singh Pandher, both facing capital punishment, were acquitted by the Allahabad High Court on Monday. A Ghaziabad trial court had sentenced Koli to death in 12 cases related to serial killings, which had come to light in Noida in 2005-2006. Pandher was awarded death sentence in two cases.

But the high court exonerated Koli in all 12 cases and acquitted Pandher in both the cases. As such, all death sentences stand cancelled. Kolis capital punishment in a different case was earlier commuted to life, and so he will continue to serve the term. As for Pandher, he can walk free.

The HC bench observed that the investigation into the case was botched up and basic norms of collecting evidence were brazenly violated. It appears to us that the investigation opted for the easy course of implicating a poor servant of the house by demonizing him, without taking due care of probing more serious aspects of possible involvement of organized activity of organ trading, said the judges.

The case involving a series of kidnappings, murders, alleged rapes, cannibalism and destruction of evidence had left the nation stunned in 2006. The CBI filed chargesheets in 16 of them. In three FIRs, chargesheets werent filed because the offence couldnt be ascertained, said sources.

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LUCKNOW: In a major turnaround, the prime accused in the Nithari serial killing case, Surinder Koli, and his employer Moninder Singh Pandher, both facing capital punishment, were acquitted by the Allahabad High Court on Monday. A Ghaziabad trial court had sentenced Koli to death in 12 cases related to serial killings, which had come to light in Noida in 2005-2006. Pandher was awarded death sentence in two cases. But the high court exonerated Koli in all 12 cases and acquitted Pandher in both the cases. As such, all death sentences stand cancelled. Kolis capital punishment in a different case was earlier commuted to life, and so he will continue to serve the term. As for Pandher, he can walk free. The HC bench observed that the investigation into the case was botched up and basic norms of collecting evidence were brazenly violated. It appears to us that the investigation opted for the easy course of implicating a poor servant of the house by demonizing him, without taking due care of probing more serious aspects of possible involvement of organized activity of organ trading, said the judges.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The case involving a series of kidnappings, murders, alleged rapes, cannibalism and destruction of evidence had left the nation stunned in 2006. The CBI filed chargesheets in 16 of them. In three FIRs, chargesheets werent filed because the offence couldnt be ascertained, said sources. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has reached out to his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) issue, making an offer of a dialogue to resolve any hurdle or obstacles hindering the canal construction. The offer by Haryana comes notwithstanding Punjab governments stand that it will not share a single drop of additional water with any other state at any cost.

The chief minister has communicated with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann through a letter and made it clear that he is ready for dialogue to resolve any hurdle or obstacles hindering the construction of the SYL canal. Khattar said that the Supreme Court issued a comprehensive order on October 4, explicitly stating that the execution is not related to the allocation of water.

Khattar said that every other resident of the state of Haryana is anxiously anticipating the prompt construction of SYL canal within Punjab, as per the decree outlined in Original Case no. 6 of 1996. Apart from this, he write, he remains committed to taking any necessary action to bring this long-awaited aspiration of his people and the dry land of southern Haryana.

He conveyed his optimism that the Punjab government will collaborate and contribute to the resolution of this matter.The Punjab Chief Minister had written a letter to Khattar on October 3, a day before the Supreme Courts decision on October 4, requesting a bilateral meeting on this issue. Prior to this, the last meeting between the two was held on October 14, 2022.

Subsequently, the Union jal shakti minister conducted a second round of discussions on January 4, 2023, during which the chief ministers of both states were present. It is noteworthy that all meetings concerning the SYL canal remained inconclusive, primarily due to the Punjab governments stance on the matter. The Supreme Court had on October 4 asked the Central government to survey the portion of land in Punjab which was allocated for the construction of part of the SYL canal in the state and make an estimate of the extent of construction carried out there. All political parties within Punjab has asserted that the state does not have a single drop of additional water to share with any other state, though political outfits in Haryana welcomed the apex court directions.

Anxiously anticipate prompt construction

Khattar said that every resident of Haryana is anxiously anticipating the prompt construction of SYL canal within Punjab, as per the decree outlined in Original Case no. 6 of 1996. He said that SC issued a order on

October 4

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CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has reached out to his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) issue, making an offer of a dialogue to resolve any hurdle or obstacles hindering the canal construction. The offer by Haryana comes notwithstanding Punjab governments stand that it will not share a single drop of additional water with any other state at any cost. The chief minister has communicated with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann through a letter and made it clear that he is ready for dialogue to resolve any hurdle or obstacles hindering the construction of the SYL canal. Khattar said that the Supreme Court issued a comprehensive order on October 4, explicitly stating that the execution is not related to the allocation of water. Khattar said that every other resident of the state of Haryana is anxiously anticipating the prompt construction of SYL canal within Punjab, as per the decree outlined in Original Case no. 6 of 1996. Apart from this, he write, he remains committed to taking any necessary action to bring this long-awaited aspiration of his people and the dry land of southern Haryana.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He conveyed his optimism that the Punjab government will collaborate and contribute to the resolution of this matter.The Punjab Chief Minister had written a letter to Khattar on October 3, a day before the Supreme Courts decision on October 4, requesting a bilateral meeting on this issue. Prior to this, the last meeting between the two was held on October 14, 2022. Subsequently, the Union jal shakti minister conducted a second round of discussions on January 4, 2023, during which the chief ministers of both states were present. It is noteworthy that all meetings concerning the SYL canal remained inconclusive, primarily due to the Punjab governments stance on the matter. The Supreme Court had on October 4 asked the Central government to survey the portion of land in Punjab which was allocated for the construction of part of the SYL canal in the state and make an estimate of the extent of construction carried out there. All political parties within Punjab has asserted that the state does not have a single drop of additional water to share with any other state, though political outfits in Haryana welcomed the apex court directions. Anxiously anticipate prompt construction Khattar said that every resident of Haryana is anxiously anticipating the prompt construction of SYL canal within Punjab, as per the decree outlined in Original Case no. 6 of 1996. He said that SC issued a order on October 4 Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting ethnic violence-hit Manipur, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the former is more interested in Israel than the northeastern state.

Some months ago, I went to Manipur and I could not believe what I sawPeople have been murdered, women molested, babies killed but the PM does not find it important to travel there. It amazes me that the PM and the government of India are interested in what is happening in Israel but not Manipur, Gandhi told a gathering in Mizoram capital Aizawl after taking part in a padayatra.

The landlocked state, which has 40 Assembly seats, is going to election on November 7. I simply cannot understand why the PM has not visited Manipur. It is something to be ashamed of that the leader of our Union has not travelled to Manipur after what happened there, Gandhi said.

Over 12,000 Kukis from Manipur have been taking shelter in Mizoram since fleeing the ethnic violence. Mizo, Kuki, Zomi, Hmar, Chin (Myanmar) and Kuki-Chin (Bangladesh) tribals are ethnic cousins, belonging to Zo community, and they share the same ancestry, culture and tradition.

The Manipur violence is an emotive issue for the Zo tribals and therefore, Gandhis attack of Modi on the Manipur issue assumes significance in poll-bound Mizoram. Alleging that the BJP is carrying out oppression on the people of India, he said the violence in Manipur was just a symptom of the problem. He said the same could be seen in smaller form in many parts of the country where minority communities, tribals and Dalits were feeling uncomfortable.

What happened in Manipur is not just an attack on people, it is an attack on the idea of India in Manipur. It is the duty of every Indian to protect every culture, religion and tradition of this country. That is what the Bharat Jodo Yatra was about, the leader said. He slammed the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) for its alliance with BJP, stating that while it attacks your culture, religion and tradition, the MNF supports them in Delhi.

List of 39 candidates

The Congress on Monday declared the names of 39 candidates for the November 7 Mizoram election. The state has 40 seats. The announcement of names of candidates, includes two women

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GUWAHATI: Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting ethnic violence-hit Manipur, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the former is more interested in Israel than the northeastern state. Some months ago, I went to Manipur and I could not believe what I sawPeople have been murdered, women molested, babies killed but the PM does not find it important to travel there. It amazes me that the PM and the government of India are interested in what is happening in Israel but not Manipur, Gandhi told a gathering in Mizoram capital Aizawl after taking part in a padayatra. The landlocked state, which has 40 Assembly seats, is going to election on November 7. I simply cannot understand why the PM has not visited Manipur. It is something to be ashamed of that the leader of our Union has not travelled to Manipur after what happened there, Gandhi said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Over 12,000 Kukis from Manipur have been taking shelter in Mizoram since fleeing the ethnic violence. Mizo, Kuki, Zomi, Hmar, Chin (Myanmar) and Kuki-Chin (Bangladesh) tribals are ethnic cousins, belonging to Zo community, and they share the same ancestry, culture and tradition. The Manipur violence is an emotive issue for the Zo tribals and therefore, Gandhis attack of Modi on the Manipur issue assumes significance in poll-bound Mizoram. Alleging that the BJP is carrying out oppression on the people of India, he said the violence in Manipur was just a symptom of the problem. He said the same could be seen in smaller form in many parts of the country where minority communities, tribals and Dalits were feeling uncomfortable. What happened in Manipur is not just an attack on people, it is an attack on the idea of India in Manipur. It is the duty of every Indian to protect every culture, religion and tradition of this country. That is what the Bharat Jodo Yatra was about, the leader said. He slammed the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) for its alliance with BJP, stating that while it attacks your culture, religion and tradition, the MNF supports them in Delhi. List of 39 candidates The Congress on Monday declared the names of 39 candidates for the November 7 Mizoram election. The state has 40 seats. The announcement of names of candidates, includes two women Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

AIZWAL/LUNGLEI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday claimed that the opposition INDIA alliance represents 60 per cent of the country, more than the BJP does.

He also asserted that the Congress will win the upcoming assembly elections in five states - Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.

Gandhi, who was on a two-day visit to Mizoram from Monday to campaign for party candidates, alleged that both the major parties in the northeastern state the ruling MNF and opposition ZPM are "instruments for the BJP and the RSS to gain a foothold" in the Christian-majority state.

He promised an old age pension of Rs 2,000 per month, gas cylinders at Rs 750 and support for entrepreneurs if the Congress comes to power in Mizoram, which is going to assembly polls on November 7.

Addressing reporters in Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, Gandhi said the opposition INDIA alliance will defend the "idea of India" by protecting its values, constitutional framework and freedom of people irrespective of religion or culture to express themselves and live in harmony.

"It is important to realise we (INDIA bloc) represent 60 per cent of the country, more people than the BJP does," he said, while referring to non-BJP ruled states.

Lashing out at the BJP and its ideological parent RSS, Gandhi said, "Their vision for our nation is different from ours. We believe in decentralisation whereas the BJP believes that all decisions should be taken in Delhi."

Claiming that the Congress is going to win in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Mizoram assembly polls, he said the party has always worked for the people.

"Rajasthan has the finest healthcare policy, Karnataka provides an incomparable social security net, while Chhattisgarh supports entrepreneurs with robust policies," Gandhi later said on X, while referring to the three states ruled by the Congress.

"We will decimate the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. We had wiped them out in Chhattisgarh and will defeat them again. We had trounced the BJP in Rajasthan in previous polls and will repeat it this time as well. We will do the same in the Northeast. Nobody should underestimate the idea of Congress," Gandhi added.

Asserting that the Congress helped lay the foundation of the country and that the grand old party has a record of defending that foundation, he accused the BJP of attempting to capture the entire institutional framework of the nation.

"Different states in the Northeast are facing attacks from the BJP and RSS, threatening the foundations of your religious beliefs and languages. The RSS believes that India should be governed by a single ideology and organisation, which is what we are precisely opposing.

"We want the people of Mizoram to take decisions for their future. We want them to be comfortable in expressing themselves, their religious and social practices. We do not believe Mizoram should be ruled directly from Delhi. We believe in devolving power to the people of the state," he said.

Alleging that the BJP was using MNF and ZPM as a platform to gain a foothold in Mizoram, he said that the upcoming assembly polls are a fight to defend the idea of Mizoram and protect its residents' freedom, tradition and religion.

"While the Mizo National Front (MNF) is directly allied with the BJP, it is very clear that the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) is not fighting the saffron party either," he said.

"The Congress will form the next government in Mizoram. People of the state understand what is happening... The real question of the election is whether the RSS is going to control Mizoram or not. It can do so through the MNF or ZPM," he added.

Gandhi said unemployment is among the major reasons behind the drug problem in Mizoram and the Congress will focus on providing jobs to the youths if it comes to power in the state.

He said if the Congress comes to power at the Centre after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, it would implement across the nation schemes that are running successfully in states ruled by the party.

"The Congress believes in testing an idea and if it works, we will scale it up and take it to the rest of the country. When we come to power at Delhi, we will take ideas from healthcare policies of Rajasthan, social security programme of Karnataka and entrepreneurship support scheme of Chhattisgarh and implement countrywide policies," he said.

Gandhi said more focus will be laid on the MSME sector as it generates the maximum number of jobs.

On the Manipur ethnic violence, he said the "hatred spread by the BJP" has to be removed and bridges have to be built between the two communities.

Later, speaking at a rally in Lunglei, he took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' programme and said, "I am less interested in telling you my 'mann ki baat' and more interested in listening to your 'mann ki baat'. So anytime you need my help with anything, I am available for you. Consider me your partner and your soldier in Delhi."

Hitting out at the ruling MNF government in the state, he said it has failed to crack down on drugs, provide jobs or build or maintain infrastructure.

Recalling works done by previous Congress governments in Mizoram, he said, "We had built Lengpui airport, Rajiv Gandhi stadium, Mizoram State Cancer Institute, Zoram Medical College, and implemented new land use policy.We have a vision for Mizoram."

Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are scheduled to be held on November 7.

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AIZWAL/LUNGLEI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday claimed that the opposition INDIA alliance represents 60 per cent of the country, more than the BJP does. He also asserted that the Congress will win the upcoming assembly elections in five states - Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana. Gandhi, who was on a two-day visit to Mizoram from Monday to campaign for party candidates, alleged that both the major parties in the northeastern state the ruling MNF and opposition ZPM are "instruments for the BJP and the RSS to gain a foothold" in the Christian-majority state.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He promised an old age pension of Rs 2,000 per month, gas cylinders at Rs 750 and support for entrepreneurs if the Congress comes to power in Mizoram, which is going to assembly polls on November 7. Addressing reporters in Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, Gandhi said the opposition INDIA alliance will defend the "idea of India" by protecting its values, constitutional framework and freedom of people irrespective of religion or culture to express themselves and live in harmony. "It is important to realise we (INDIA bloc) represent 60 per cent of the country, more people than the BJP does," he said, while referring to non-BJP ruled states. Lashing out at the BJP and its ideological parent RSS, Gandhi said, "Their vision for our nation is different from ours. We believe in decentralisation whereas the BJP believes that all decisions should be taken in Delhi." Claiming that the Congress is going to win in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Mizoram assembly polls, he said the party has always worked for the people. "Rajasthan has the finest healthcare policy, Karnataka provides an incomparable social security net, while Chhattisgarh supports entrepreneurs with robust policies," Gandhi later said on X, while referring to the three states ruled by the Congress. "We will decimate the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. We had wiped them out in Chhattisgarh and will defeat them again. We had trounced the BJP in Rajasthan in previous polls and will repeat it this time as well. We will do the same in the Northeast. Nobody should underestimate the idea of Congress," Gandhi added. Asserting that the Congress helped lay the foundation of the country and that the grand old party has a record of defending that foundation, he accused the BJP of attempting to capture the entire institutional framework of the nation. "Different states in the Northeast are facing attacks from the BJP and RSS, threatening the foundations of your religious beliefs and languages. The RSS believes that India should be governed by a single ideology and organisation, which is what we are precisely opposing. "We want the people of Mizoram to take decisions for their future. We want them to be comfortable in expressing themselves, their religious and social practices. We do not believe Mizoram should be ruled directly from Delhi. We believe in devolving power to the people of the state," he said. Alleging that the BJP was using MNF and ZPM as a platform to gain a foothold in Mizoram, he said that the upcoming assembly polls are a fight to defend the idea of Mizoram and protect its residents' freedom, tradition and religion. "While the Mizo National Front (MNF) is directly allied with the BJP, it is very clear that the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) is not fighting the saffron party either," he said. "The Congress will form the next government in Mizoram. People of the state understand what is happening... The real question of the election is whether the RSS is going to control Mizoram or not. It can do so through the MNF or ZPM," he added. Gandhi said unemployment is among the major reasons behind the drug problem in Mizoram and the Congress will focus on providing jobs to the youths if it comes to power in the state. He said if the Congress comes to power at the Centre after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, it would implement across the nation schemes that are running successfully in states ruled by the party. "The Congress believes in testing an idea and if it works, we will scale it up and take it to the rest of the country. When we come to power at Delhi, we will take ideas from healthcare policies of Rajasthan, social security programme of Karnataka and entrepreneurship support scheme of Chhattisgarh and implement countrywide policies," he said. Gandhi said more focus will be laid on the MSME sector as it generates the maximum number of jobs. On the Manipur ethnic violence, he said the "hatred spread by the BJP" has to be removed and bridges have to be built between the two communities. Later, speaking at a rally in Lunglei, he took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' programme and said, "I am less interested in telling you my 'mann ki baat' and more interested in listening to your 'mann ki baat'. So anytime you need my help with anything, I am available for you. Consider me your partner and your soldier in Delhi." Hitting out at the ruling MNF government in the state, he said it has failed to crack down on drugs, provide jobs or build or maintain infrastructure. Recalling works done by previous Congress governments in Mizoram, he said, "We had built Lengpui airport, Rajiv Gandhi stadium, Mizoram State Cancer Institute, Zoram Medical College, and implemented new land use policy.We have a vision for Mizoram." Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are scheduled to be held on November 7. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India proposed the setting up of facilities for sovereign digital real time payment systems in accordance with the need and requirement of different countries in Central Asia during the second India-Central Asia National Security Advisors meeting in Kazakhstan.

NSA Ajit Doval attended the meeting on behalf of India.

"Such a system will greatly enhance commercial linkages and benefit people who may have to travel to India for medical treatment. It will also help businessmen and Indian students who are studying in Central Asian countries," said a source.

Meanwhile, there was a discussion on the threat of terrorism. Central Asia and India face common security challenges and threats. Malign actors from interconnected networks threatened their shared neighbourhood.

"Terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, continues to constitute one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation or cause, is unjustifiable. We offered fully funded capacity building programmes in a wide range of areas," said the source.

The first India-Central Asia Meeting of National Security Advisers/Secretaries of Security Councils was held on December 6, 2022 in New Delhi. The meetings flow from the agreement reached during the first India-Central Asia Summit (27 January 2022) on holding regular meetings of Secretaries of the Security Council to discuss issues of regional security. The member countries include Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and India.

Relations between India and the Central Asian countries including in the political, trade, economy, security and defence fields have transformed into multifaceted and mutually beneficial ties based on mutual trust, understanding and friendship.

Emphasis was given on cConnectivity and economic integration with the Central Asian countries as a key priority for India.

"However, while promoting connectivity, it is important to ensure that connectivity initiatives are consultative, transparent and participatory. They should respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. They should also adhere to environmental parameters, ensure financial viability and not become debt burdens," the source added.

India is a member of both the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Ashgabat Agreement. Central Asian countries have been invited to utilize the Chabahar port as well as its Shaheed Bahesti terminal operated by an Indian company for maritime trade. Both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will be joining the INSTC soon. With this, all the five Central Asian countries will be a member of the INSTC.

There was a proposal to set up an India-Central Asia Rare Earths Forum to explore possible partnerships in the domain of rare earth and strategic minerals. This will also facilitate the participation of Indian private companies in this region for investments and joint economic development.

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NEW DELHI: India proposed the setting up of facilities for sovereign digital real time payment systems in accordance with the need and requirement of different countries in Central Asia during the second India-Central Asia National Security Advisors meeting in Kazakhstan. NSA Ajit Doval attended the meeting on behalf of India. "Such a system will greatly enhance commercial linkages and benefit people who may have to travel to India for medical treatment. It will also help businessmen and Indian students who are studying in Central Asian countries," said a source.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Meanwhile, there was a discussion on the threat of terrorism. Central Asia and India face common security challenges and threats. Malign actors from interconnected networks threatened their shared neighbourhood. "Terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, continues to constitute one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation or cause, is unjustifiable. We offered fully funded capacity building programmes in a wide range of areas," said the source. The first India-Central Asia Meeting of National Security Advisers/Secretaries of Security Councils was held on December 6, 2022 in New Delhi. The meetings flow from the agreement reached during the first India-Central Asia Summit (27 January 2022) on holding regular meetings of Secretaries of the Security Council to discuss issues of regional security. The member countries include Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and India. Relations between India and the Central Asian countries including in the political, trade, economy, security and defence fields have transformed into multifaceted and mutually beneficial ties based on mutual trust, understanding and friendship. Emphasis was given on cConnectivity and economic integration with the Central Asian countries as a key priority for India. "However, while promoting connectivity, it is important to ensure that connectivity initiatives are consultative, transparent and participatory. They should respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. They should also adhere to environmental parameters, ensure financial viability and not become debt burdens," the source added. India is a member of both the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Ashgabat Agreement. Central Asian countries have been invited to utilize the Chabahar port as well as its Shaheed Bahesti terminal operated by an Indian company for maritime trade. Both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will be joining the INSTC soon. With this, all the five Central Asian countries will be a member of the INSTC. There was a proposal to set up an India-Central Asia Rare Earths Forum to explore possible partnerships in the domain of rare earth and strategic minerals. This will also facilitate the participation of Indian private companies in this region for investments and joint economic development. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army plans to strengthen its off coast operational capability along the Sir Creek area in Gujarat and Brahmaputra river basin including the Sundarbans.

Sources said there are plans to procure eight Landing Craft Assaults (LCA) and six Fast Patrol Boats (FPB). As per the two separate Requests for Information (RFI) issued by the Indian Army on Monday, "The LCA are to be deployed for transportation of vehicle, material, random Boat Patrol and limited Search and Rescue in Sir Creek area, Brahmaputra river, Sunderban Delta of West Bengal and at extreme temperatures."

On the Fast Patrol Boat, the RFI says these "are to be deployed for surveillance, patrolling and interception at sea and over water bodies, including as akin to the Sir Creek area." The maximum speed is expected to be more than 20 knots.

In an exclusive report in February, TNIE had written about tension between the Pakistan Marines and Border Security Force (BSF) in the strategically important Sir Creek area in Gujarat following the former's aggressive posturing. In response, the BSF has deployed resources in commensurate strength.

The creek is a 98 km long narrow strip of water between the two countries in the marshy areas of Rann of Kutch and opens up into the Arabian Sea. The area has inhospitable weather and terrain, while the marshes are home to poisonous snakes and scorpions.

ALSO READ | Army top brass gathers in Delhi to discuss national security and operational preparedness

The characteristics needed of LCA includes being "designed to drive in/out of water bodies without the need for any jetty. It should be operable in water at minimal draughts, in unknown/ varying terrain conditions and also at high speeds."

"It should be rugged and versatile, so as to facilitate seamless execution of operations such as patrolling, fast attack/ interception, etc across a varying matrix of terrain and operating conditions. The LCA should be designed to ensure safety of the operator, reduction of operator fatigue whilst achieving the standards for rugged military use," the RFI says.

It needs to have a carriage capacity of 35 personnel including crew along with personnel weapon and equipment (total payload 5255 kg).

"The Fast Patrol Boat being procured for rugged military use shall be designed to drive in/ out of water bodies without the need for any jetty. It should be operable in water at minimal draughts, in unknown/ varying terrain conditions and also at high speeds. It should be rugged and versatile, so as to facilitate seamless execution of small team insertion, surveillance, reconnaissance and patrolling such as the operational role of small team task force or MOTF (Mission Orienting Task Force) etc across a varying matrix of terrain and operating conditions," adds the RFI.

The Army has also put a RFI for procurement of 118 Integrated Surveillance and Targeting Systems (ISAT-S) with a minimum of 60 percent indigenous content. The surveillance drone and loitering munitions should be capable of being launched from altitudes up to 4500 metres (14500 feet) mean sea level. It should be capable of functioning using major navigation systems and even in a denied environment.

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NEW DELHI: The Indian Army plans to strengthen its off coast operational capability along the Sir Creek area in Gujarat and Brahmaputra river basin including the Sundarbans. Sources said there are plans to procure eight Landing Craft Assaults (LCA) and six Fast Patrol Boats (FPB). As per the two separate Requests for Information (RFI) issued by the Indian Army on Monday, "The LCA are to be deployed for transportation of vehicle, material, random Boat Patrol and limited Search and Rescue in Sir Creek area, Brahmaputra river, Sunderban Delta of West Bengal and at extreme temperatures." On the Fast Patrol Boat, the RFI says these "are to be deployed for surveillance, patrolling and interception at sea and over water bodies, including as akin to the Sir Creek area." The maximum speed is expected to be more than 20 knots. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In an exclusive report in February, TNIE had written about tension between the Pakistan Marines and Border Security Force (BSF) in the strategically important Sir Creek area in Gujarat following the former's aggressive posturing. In response, the BSF has deployed resources in commensurate strength. The creek is a 98 km long narrow strip of water between the two countries in the marshy areas of Rann of Kutch and opens up into the Arabian Sea. The area has inhospitable weather and terrain, while the marshes are home to poisonous snakes and scorpions. ALSO READ | Army top brass gathers in Delhi to discuss national security and operational preparedness The characteristics needed of LCA includes being "designed to drive in/out of water bodies without the need for any jetty. It should be operable in water at minimal draughts, in unknown/ varying terrain conditions and also at high speeds." "It should be rugged and versatile, so as to facilitate seamless execution of operations such as patrolling, fast attack/ interception, etc across a varying matrix of terrain and operating conditions. The LCA should be designed to ensure safety of the operator, reduction of operator fatigue whilst achieving the standards for rugged military use," the RFI says. It needs to have a carriage capacity of 35 personnel including crew along with personnel weapon and equipment (total payload 5255 kg). "The Fast Patrol Boat being procured for rugged military use shall be designed to drive in/ out of water bodies without the need for any jetty. It should be operable in water at minimal draughts, in unknown/ varying terrain conditions and also at high speeds. It should be rugged and versatile, so as to facilitate seamless execution of small team insertion, surveillance, reconnaissance and patrolling such as the operational role of small team task force or MOTF (Mission Orienting Task Force) etc across a varying matrix of terrain and operating conditions," adds the RFI. The Army has also put a RFI for procurement of 118 Integrated Surveillance and Targeting Systems (ISAT-S) with a minimum of 60 percent indigenous content. The surveillance drone and loitering munitions should be capable of being launched from altitudes up to 4500 metres (14500 feet) mean sea level. It should be capable of functioning using major navigation systems and even in a denied environment. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

Ahead of its planned ground invasion into the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces on Monday stepped up air strikes to destroy possible Hamas targets. A number of buildings were flattened, killing and seriously injuring those present there. The Israeli Air Force claimed an airstrike in Khan Younis area killed Hamas intelligence chief.

The delay in ground assault is partly attributed to inclement weather, while reports say Israel is under pressure to avoid civilian casualties. US President Joe Biden has warned that any move to occupy Gaza would be a big mistake.

The total casualties in the conflict that broke out on October 7 have gone past 4,000, while the number of injured is well over 13,000. According to Israel, Hamas is keeping 199 people as hostages, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

UN officials say over one million people have been displaced after Israel ordered evacuation of northern Gaza. As the conflict entered the 10th day, the ground situation in Gaza remained extremely grim with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning of a real catastrophe if aid doesnt reach the bombarded, besieged enclave in 24 hours. According to reports, residents in Gaza are going through untold misery. With taps running dry, even everyday functions such as going to the toilet, showering, and washing clothes have become impossible for the locals.

As food, water and medicine supplies have stopped, all eyes are on the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, where trucks carrying basic aid are waiting. Egypt has agreed to open up the border but Israel is reportedly unrelenting.

Hospitals in the enclave are on the verge of collapse. Some 20 hospitals in northern Gaza are treating 2,000 patients, some of them on ventilators, AFP reported quoting WHO regional director Ahmed al-Mandhari. If assistance does not arrive, doctors will have to prepare death certificates for their patients, he said.

Knesset session disrupted

Israels Parliament session was disrupted on Monday after Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, sending lawmakers to bomb shelters

Total toll goes past 4,000

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and over 300 have been injured in the conflict so far

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Ahead of its planned ground invasion into the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces on Monday stepped up air strikes to destroy possible Hamas targets. A number of buildings were flattened, killing and seriously injuring those present there. The Israeli Air Force claimed an airstrike in Khan Younis area killed Hamas intelligence chief. The delay in ground assault is partly attributed to inclement weather, while reports say Israel is under pressure to avoid civilian casualties. US President Joe Biden has warned that any move to occupy Gaza would be a big mistake. The total casualties in the conflict that broke out on October 7 have gone past 4,000, while the number of injured is well over 13,000. According to Israel, Hamas is keeping 199 people as hostages, whose whereabouts remain unknown.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); UN officials say over one million people have been displaced after Israel ordered evacuation of northern Gaza. As the conflict entered the 10th day, the ground situation in Gaza remained extremely grim with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning of a real catastrophe if aid doesnt reach the bombarded, besieged enclave in 24 hours. According to reports, residents in Gaza are going through untold misery. With taps running dry, even everyday functions such as going to the toilet, showering, and washing clothes have become impossible for the locals. As food, water and medicine supplies have stopped, all eyes are on the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, where trucks carrying basic aid are waiting. Egypt has agreed to open up the border but Israel is reportedly unrelenting. Hospitals in the enclave are on the verge of collapse. Some 20 hospitals in northern Gaza are treating 2,000 patients, some of them on ventilators, AFP reported quoting WHO regional director Ahmed al-Mandhari. If assistance does not arrive, doctors will have to prepare death certificates for their patients, he said. Knesset session disrupted Israels Parliament session was disrupted on Monday after Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, sending lawmakers to bomb shelters Total toll goes past 4,000 According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and over 300 have been injured in the conflict so far Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The merciless torture inflicted by Armenian war criminal Vagif Khachatryan on Azerbaijanis has been disclosed, Trend reports.

This is stated in the indictment on the criminal case of Vagif Khachatryan.

The indictment states that Vagif Khachatryan arrived in Azerbaijan's Khankendi in late November 1988 to take exams in connection with the graduation from driving school and was placed in Khankendi City Police Department at the time. Together with 5 other unknown members of illegal armed military formations, he entered the room where residents of Meshali village of Khojaly district, Mammad Kazimov and Zakir Novruzov were detained and insulted them in Armenian, saying that it was necessary to eradicate Azerbaijanis.

Khachatryan started to punch and kick them in the face, and other parts of the body, since they didn't answer his question - "Whom Karabakh belongs to". Khachatryan then took out a knife and stabbed Kazimov in the groin, and when the latter fell on the floor, he continued to stab him with the knife.

Vagif Khachatryan, who is on the international wanted list in connection with the Meshali genocide, was detained at the Lachin border checkpoint in July this year.

In December 1991, the criminal group, of which he was a member, killed 25 Azerbaijanis, wounded 14 people, and expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their legal place of residence in Meshali village in Khojaly district.

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Vagif Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of the population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen against him.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: Five Muslim men who were publicly flogged, in Gujarats Kheda fistrict in October last year, have refused to accept the compensation from the four accused police officers, they told the Gujarat High Court on Monday.

The five victims were beaten up by police officers from Khedas Matar police station for allegedly throwing stones at a crowd during a Navratri celebration, in Undhela village. Videos of the incident had gone viral across online platforms.

Senior counsel Prakash Jani, who represents the accused cops, told the high court verbally on Monday that despite a constructive discussion between the parties, the victims opted not to Settle the matter after consulting their family and community members.

In his statement to the HC bench, senior attorney Prakash Jani said, We had a very productive and rigorous meeting with senior counsel I H Syed who is representing the victims. In fact, some of the petitioners were present. However, despite the best efforts, Ive received word that the victims have refused to accept any compromise and compensation after speaking with their family or community members.

The court noted that the parties have failed in settlement, and the complainants have stated that they will not compromise. The verdict will be delivered on October 19 by a division bench led by Justices A S Supehia and Gita Gopi.

The victims, Jahirmiya Malek, 62, Maksudabanu Malek, 45, Sahadmiya Malek, 23, Sakilmiya Malek, 24, and Shahidraja Malek, 25, petitioned the High Court last year against 13 police officers from Kheda.

In addition to seeking compensation, they argued that the 15 officers, including the Ahmedabad Range IG and Kheda SP, should be punished for contempt and non-compliance with the rules laid out by the Supreme Court in the case of D K Basu versus West Bengal.

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AHMEDABAD: Five Muslim men who were publicly flogged, in Gujarats Kheda fistrict in October last year, have refused to accept the compensation from the four accused police officers, they told the Gujarat High Court on Monday. The five victims were beaten up by police officers from Khedas Matar police station for allegedly throwing stones at a crowd during a Navratri celebration, in Undhela village. Videos of the incident had gone viral across online platforms. Senior counsel Prakash Jani, who represents the accused cops, told the high court verbally on Monday that despite a constructive discussion between the parties, the victims opted not to Settle the matter after consulting their family and community members.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In his statement to the HC bench, senior attorney Prakash Jani said, We had a very productive and rigorous meeting with senior counsel I H Syed who is representing the victims. In fact, some of the petitioners were present. However, despite the best efforts, Ive received word that the victims have refused to accept any compromise and compensation after speaking with their family or community members. The court noted that the parties have failed in settlement, and the complainants have stated that they will not compromise. The verdict will be delivered on October 19 by a division bench led by Justices A S Supehia and Gita Gopi. The victims, Jahirmiya Malek, 62, Maksudabanu Malek, 45, Sahadmiya Malek, 23, Sakilmiya Malek, 24, and Shahidraja Malek, 25, petitioned the High Court last year against 13 police officers from Kheda. In addition to seeking compensation, they argued that the 15 officers, including the Ahmedabad Range IG and Kheda SP, should be punished for contempt and non-compliance with the rules laid out by the Supreme Court in the case of D K Basu versus West Bengal. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Five persons were killed and over half a dozen others injured when a building housing an illegal soap manufacturing factory being operated from a rented accommodation in Lohia Nagar in Meerut collapsed after two explosions early on Tuesday morning. The first explosion was followed by a second one after 30 minutes.

As per local sources, the explosions were so powerful that nearby houses got damaged and the windowpanes of a school also got shattered. Meanwhile, the owner of the building is absconding.

The police and rescue teams of the district administration and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to the spot to pull out those trapped under the debris. A team of the Meerut wing of the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad also reached the spot to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

Taking cognizance of the incident, UP CM Yogi Adityanath expressed grief and issued directives for immediate medical attention to the injured. He also directed officials to send him a report on the incident soon.

Following the CM's directives, Meerut district magistrate Deepak Meena set up a six-member team under ADM City to probe into the incident and prepare a report at the earliest.

The Meerut DM said that around 10 persons were trapped in the debris of whom five were dead, while the injured were admitted to a local hospital. According to Meena, the blast might have occurred due to some fault in chemical mixing and forensic experts were ascertaining the reason for it. The deceased might be labourers as they were yet to be identified.

The property in which the factory was being run on the ground floor for over five years belonged to Sanjay Gupta, while it was hired by Gaurav Tyagi. The DM ordered a probe into the incident.

Equipment used in soap manufacturing was found at the spot, which indicated that either soap was manufactured in the unit or its packaging was being done here, said Meena.

As per Meerut SSP Rohit Singh Sajwan, though initially they were informed that explosives meant to make firecrackers had exploded at the spot, a preliminary inquiry indicated that this was not the case. An inquiry into the incident will determine the exact reason for the blast and also fix the responsibility, said the SSP.

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LUCKNOW: Five persons were killed and over half a dozen others injured when a building housing an illegal soap manufacturing factory being operated from a rented accommodation in Lohia Nagar in Meerut collapsed after two explosions early on Tuesday morning. The first explosion was followed by a second one after 30 minutes. As per local sources, the explosions were so powerful that nearby houses got damaged and the windowpanes of a school also got shattered. Meanwhile, the owner of the building is absconding. The police and rescue teams of the district administration and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to the spot to pull out those trapped under the debris. A team of the Meerut wing of the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad also reached the spot to conduct an inquiry into the incident.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Taking cognizance of the incident, UP CM Yogi Adityanath expressed grief and issued directives for immediate medical attention to the injured. He also directed officials to send him a report on the incident soon. Following the CM's directives, Meerut district magistrate Deepak Meena set up a six-member team under ADM City to probe into the incident and prepare a report at the earliest. The Meerut DM said that around 10 persons were trapped in the debris of whom five were dead, while the injured were admitted to a local hospital. According to Meena, the blast might have occurred due to some fault in chemical mixing and forensic experts were ascertaining the reason for it. The deceased might be labourers as they were yet to be identified. The property in which the factory was being run on the ground floor for over five years belonged to Sanjay Gupta, while it was hired by Gaurav Tyagi. The DM ordered a probe into the incident. Equipment used in soap manufacturing was found at the spot, which indicated that either soap was manufactured in the unit or its packaging was being done here, said Meena. As per Meerut SSP Rohit Singh Sajwan, though initially they were informed that explosives meant to make firecrackers had exploded at the spot, a preliminary inquiry indicated that this was not the case. An inquiry into the incident will determine the exact reason for the blast and also fix the responsibility, said the SSP. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's refusal to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages and said the court's decision to not give "homosexuals" the right to adopt a child is also a "good step".

The Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP) reaction came after a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages earlier in the day.

READ HERE | SC refuses to legalise same-sex marriage; CJI says right to enter union includes right to choose partner, its recognition

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, who was heading the bench, while pronouncing its verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages, said the court cannot make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

"The Vishva Hindu Parishad has welcomed the Supreme Court's decision not to give legal recognition to gay marriage and adoption," the RSS affiliate said in a statement.

"We are satisfied that the Supreme Court, after listening to all the parties concerned, including Hindu, Muslim and Christian followers, has given the decision that the relationship between two homosexuals in the form of marriage is not eligible for registration. This is not even their fundamental right," the VHP's national working president Alok Kumar said.

"Not giving homosexuals the right to adopt a child is also a good step," he added.

RSS welcomes verdict

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage, saying Parliament can hold a discussion on its various aspects and take "appropriate" decisions.

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages earlier in the day.

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, who was heading the bench pronouncing its verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages, said the court can't make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

"The Supreme Court's decision on same sex marriage is worth welcoming.

Our democratic parliamentary system can seriously discuss all the issues related to this and take appropriate decisions," Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, said in a post on X.

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NEW DELHI: The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's refusal to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages and said the court's decision to not give "homosexuals" the right to adopt a child is also a "good step". The Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP) reaction came after a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages earlier in the day. READ HERE | SC refuses to legalise same-sex marriage; CJI says right to enter union includes right to choose partner, its recognitiongoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, who was heading the bench, while pronouncing its verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages, said the court cannot make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act. "The Vishva Hindu Parishad has welcomed the Supreme Court's decision not to give legal recognition to gay marriage and adoption," the RSS affiliate said in a statement. "We are satisfied that the Supreme Court, after listening to all the parties concerned, including Hindu, Muslim and Christian followers, has given the decision that the relationship between two homosexuals in the form of marriage is not eligible for registration. This is not even their fundamental right," the VHP's national working president Alok Kumar said. "Not giving homosexuals the right to adopt a child is also a good step," he added. RSS welcomes verdict The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage, saying Parliament can hold a discussion on its various aspects and take "appropriate" decisions. A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages earlier in the day. Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, who was heading the bench pronouncing its verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages, said the court can't make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act. "The Supreme Court's decision on same sex marriage is worth welcoming. Our democratic parliamentary system can seriously discuss all the issues related to this and take appropriate decisions," Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, said in a post on X. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Associated Press

KHAN YOUNIS: Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza where it had told Palestinians to flee ahead of an expected ground invasion, killing dozens of people on Tuesday in attacks it says are targeted at Hamas militants that rule the besieged territory.

With no water, fuel or food being delivered to Gaza since Hamas' brutal attack on Israel last week, mediators struggled to break a deadlock over-delivering supplies to increasingly desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals.

US President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region as he and other world leaders tried to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israel's border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported that 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR HERE

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children.

Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

"When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, we'll take care of it," Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, said.

A strike in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed a top Hamas commander, Ayman Nofal, the group's military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

ALSO READ | 'Gaza is strangled': Why Israels evacuation order violates international law

Nofal was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip and was associated with the creation of the group's "joint operations" room that coordinated between Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other militants in the territory.

The UN human rights office decried "appalling reports" that civilians who were trying to flee to southern Gaza were killed by a military strike.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani urged Israeli forces to avoid "aerial bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks" and to "take precautions to avoid  and in any case, to minimize  loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects."

Israel sealed off Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel Oct 7 killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 200 taken captive in Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing airstrikes.

ALSO READ | 2,000 US troops put on deployment alert amid Middle East crisis

On Monday Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defense in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 16 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, Gaza officials said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that his country's retaliation against Hamas aims to eradicate the group's political and military rule over Gaza. ''We are not fighting just our war. We're fighting the war of all civilized countries and all civilized peoples," he said.

Israel has massed troops at the border for an expected ground offensive, but Hecht said Tuesday no concrete decisions have been made despite Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was a near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 litre of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 per cent of Gaza's population, the UN said.

ALSO READ | Palestinian medics in Gaza struggle to save lives under Israeli siege

At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza.

Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out. "We come to the border crossing hoping that it will open, but so far there is no information," said Jameel Abdullah, a Swedish citizen.

An agreement to open the border appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be a precondition. On Tuesday morning, the gates were still closed.

An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel.

The aid would then be allowed into Gaza. A brief humanitarian cease-fire would take place and foreign nationals would be allowed to exit Gaza via Rafah, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media. Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include "the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way."

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel. Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could spread in the region.

ALSO READ | 'No one can stop' resistance if Israel keeps bombing Gaza: Iran's Ayatollah

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants. Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning.

Video from a reconnaissance drone the army shared showed the militants near the border wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

"Whoever approaches the border with Lebanon will be killed," said Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Israel has warned Lebanon it will strongly retaliate against attacks from across the border.

Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region. "Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry," Khamenei said, according to state media.

Hamas' military wing released a hostage video on Monday showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background.

The plight of the hostages  Hamas claims it has more than 200 of them  has dominated the Israeli media since the attack. Interviews with relatives of hostages are shown over and over on television. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

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KHAN YOUNIS: Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza where it had told Palestinians to flee ahead of an expected ground invasion, killing dozens of people on Tuesday in attacks it says are targeted at Hamas militants that rule the besieged territory. With no water, fuel or food being delivered to Gaza since Hamas' brutal attack on Israel last week, mediators struggled to break a deadlock over-delivering supplies to increasingly desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals. US President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region as he and other world leaders tried to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israel's border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported that 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis. FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR HERE An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood. An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres. "When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, we'll take care of it," Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, said. A strike in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed a top Hamas commander, Ayman Nofal, the group's military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war. ALSO READ | 'Gaza is strangled': Why Israels evacuation order violates international law Nofal was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip and was associated with the creation of the group's "joint operations" room that coordinated between Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other militants in the territory. The UN human rights office decried "appalling reports" that civilians who were trying to flee to southern Gaza were killed by a military strike. Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani urged Israeli forces to avoid "aerial bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks" and to "take precautions to avoid  and in any case, to minimize  loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects." Israel sealed off Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel Oct 7 killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 200 taken captive in Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel. Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing airstrikes. ALSO READ | 2,000 US troops put on deployment alert amid Middle East crisis On Monday Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defense in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 16 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, Gaza officials said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that his country's retaliation against Hamas aims to eradicate the group's political and military rule over Gaza. ''We are not fighting just our war. We're fighting the war of all civilized countries and all civilized peoples," he said. Israel has massed troops at the border for an expected ground offensive, but Hecht said Tuesday no concrete decisions have been made despite Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said. Aid workers warned that the territory was a near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water. The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 litre of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory. Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 per cent of Gaza's population, the UN said. ALSO READ | Palestinian medics in Gaza struggle to save lives under Israeli siege At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out. "We come to the border crossing hoping that it will open, but so far there is no information," said Jameel Abdullah, a Swedish citizen. An agreement to open the border appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be a precondition. On Tuesday morning, the gates were still closed. An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel. The aid would then be allowed into Gaza. A brief humanitarian cease-fire would take place and foreign nationals would be allowed to exit Gaza via Rafah, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media. Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include "the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way." Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel. Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could spread in the region. ALSO READ | 'No one can stop' resistance if Israel keeps bombing Gaza: Iran's Ayatollah Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants. Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. Video from a reconnaissance drone the army shared showed the militants near the border wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion. No group immediately claimed responsibility. "Whoever approaches the border with Lebanon will be killed," said Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. Israel has warned Lebanon it will strongly retaliate against attacks from across the border. Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region. "Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry," Khamenei said, according to state media. Hamas' military wing released a hostage video on Monday showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. The plight of the hostages  Hamas claims it has more than 200 of them  has dominated the Israeli media since the attack. Interviews with relatives of hostages are shown over and over on television. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Jaison Wilson By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday referred a batch of pleas challenging the controversial electoral bonds scheme for political funding of parties to a larger Constitution Bench which will hear the case on October 30.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra decided to refer the matter to the Constitution Bench of at least five judges. In view of the importance of the issue raised, and with regard to Article 145(4) of the Constitution of India, the matter be placed before a bench of at least five judges.

The matter will be retained on October 30, 2023, the CJI-led bench said. The bench in its previous hearing on October 10 had listed the matter for consideration on October 31. However, considering the the legal issue involved relating to the passage of laws as money bill and upon the petitioners request, the court agreed to pass the matter for a larger bench.

The pleas have been pending for six years for now. Through the electoral bonds which were introduced in the Finance Act, 2017, registered political parties that have secured not less than 1 per cent of the votes polled in the last Lok Sabha or legislative assembly elections are eligible to receive funding.

According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the petitioner, anonymous funding through electoral bonds promotes corruption and violates the citizens right to have a corruption-free nation. It was contended that the identity of the donors could never be known to the public and referred to reservations raised by the Reserve Bank of India and Election Commission to the Scheme.

During the previous hearing, Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners said: This 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. In another hearing in March, senior advocate Dushyant Dave had said that the same is an issue that goes to the core of our democratic existence and is serious. According to one of the petitioners, so far Rs 12,000 crore has been paid to political parties through electoral bonds and the two-third of the amount has gone to one major political party.

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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday referred a batch of pleas challenging the controversial electoral bonds scheme for political funding of parties to a larger Constitution Bench which will hear the case on October 30. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra decided to refer the matter to the Constitution Bench of at least five judges. In view of the importance of the issue raised, and with regard to Article 145(4) of the Constitution of India, the matter be placed before a bench of at least five judges. The matter will be retained on October 30, 2023, the CJI-led bench said. The bench in its previous hearing on October 10 had listed the matter for consideration on October 31. However, considering the the legal issue involved relating to the passage of laws as money bill and upon the petitioners request, the court agreed to pass the matter for a larger bench.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The pleas have been pending for six years for now. Through the electoral bonds which were introduced in the Finance Act, 2017, registered political parties that have secured not less than 1 per cent of the votes polled in the last Lok Sabha or legislative assembly elections are eligible to receive funding. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the petitioner, anonymous funding through electoral bonds promotes corruption and violates the citizens right to have a corruption-free nation. It was contended that the identity of the donors could never be known to the public and referred to reservations raised by the Reserve Bank of India and Election Commission to the Scheme. During the previous hearing, Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners said: This 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. In another hearing in March, senior advocate Dushyant Dave had said that the same is an issue that goes to the core of our democratic existence and is serious. According to one of the petitioners, so far Rs 12,000 crore has been paid to political parties through electoral bonds and the two-third of the amount has gone to one major political party. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: The Congress in Rajasthan has launched a campaign against the Modi government on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) issue. The ERCP was intended to provide drinking and irrigation water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modiis promise during the last Lok Sabha election, the BJP has failed to grant it national status. Latching on to the issue, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused Modi of reneging on his commitments.

Modi has broken all their promises on ERCP, and what matters to them is fighting elections, not fulfilling promises, Kharge said. He also pointed out that despite the BJP winning all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan, none of the MPs had taken significant action to advance the ERCP or assist the states residents.

CM Ashok Gehlot accused the BJP of obstructing the ERCP project due to their dissatisfaction with Vasundhara Raje who had initially announced the project. He questioned why the public should suffer because of BJP leaders resentment toward Vasundhara Raje.

Gehlots administration has consistently criticised the Centre for its lack of cooperation. Now, it is making the ERCP a major poll issue in 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan where the party performed well in 2018.

Gehlot has pledged to complete the ERCP using state government funds. After the initial allocation of ` 9,000 crore in the budget, an additional `5,000 crore has been earmarked for the project.

The Congress party is also organising a yatra on ERCP to put the BJP on the defensive during the state assembly elections. The extent to which Congress will benefit from the ERCP issue will become evident from voting patterns. As part of the assembly election campaign, Congress is implementing a strategy to confront the Central government and the BJP head on.

In another development, Kharge, in response to media queries in Baran, announced that the list of Congress candidates for Rajasthan would be unveiled on October 18. Rajasthans state in-charge, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, said a central election committee (CEC) meeting is scheduled for October 18. During this meeting, they intend to announce the list of candidates for most of the constituencies in the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly elections.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

JAIPUR: The Congress in Rajasthan has launched a campaign against the Modi government on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) issue. The ERCP was intended to provide drinking and irrigation water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modiis promise during the last Lok Sabha election, the BJP has failed to grant it national status. Latching on to the issue, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused Modi of reneging on his commitments. Modi has broken all their promises on ERCP, and what matters to them is fighting elections, not fulfilling promises, Kharge said. He also pointed out that despite the BJP winning all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan, none of the MPs had taken significant action to advance the ERCP or assist the states residents. CM Ashok Gehlot accused the BJP of obstructing the ERCP project due to their dissatisfaction with Vasundhara Raje who had initially announced the project. He questioned why the public should suffer because of BJP leaders resentment toward Vasundhara Raje. Gehlots administration has consistently criticised the Centre for its lack of cooperation. Now, it is making the ERCP a major poll issue in 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan where the party performed well in 2018. Gehlot has pledged to complete the ERCP using state government funds. After the initial allocation of ` 9,000 crore in the budget, an additional `5,000 crore has been earmarked for the project.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Congress party is also organising a yatra on ERCP to put the BJP on the defensive during the state assembly elections. The extent to which Congress will benefit from the ERCP issue will become evident from voting patterns. As part of the assembly election campaign, Congress is implementing a strategy to confront the Central government and the BJP head on. In another development, Kharge, in response to media queries in Baran, announced that the list of Congress candidates for Rajasthan would be unveiled on October 18. Rajasthans state in-charge, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, said a central election committee (CEC) meeting is scheduled for October 18. During this meeting, they intend to announce the list of candidates for most of the constituencies in the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly elections. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

A five-judge Supreme Court bench on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages after it differed on certain aspects, especially on the applicability of adoption rules for queer couples.

Refusing to strike down the Special Marriage Act (SMA) and Foreign Marriage Act for not recognizing queer marriages, the Chief Justice said that the court can't make law but only interpret it and that it was for the Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and P S Narasimha, had had a 10-day-long hearing on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages.

CJI Chandrachud stated: "The right to enter into a Union includes the right to choose one's partner and the right to recognition of that union," adding that failure to recognise it would be discriminatory. ""All persons, including those queer, have right to judge moral quality of their lives," he said.

"Failure of State to recognize the bouquet of rights flowing from a queer relationship amounts to discrimination," the CJI noted.

The CJI said that this court has recognised that equality demands that queer persons are not discriminated against. He went on to add that it would also be discriminatory if the law assumed that only heterosexual couples can be good parents.

On the topic of adoption by queer couples, the CJI said that, "The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, does not preclude unmarried couples from adopting. The Union of India has not proved that precluding unmarried couples from adopting is in the best interest of the child. So, the Central Adoption Resource Authority has exceeded its authority in barring unmarried couples."

"There is no material on record to prove that only a married heterosexual couple can provide stability to a child," he said.

A 3:2 SC judgement

At the outset, Justice Chandrachud said there are four judgments -- by himself, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha -- in the matter. Justice Hima Kohli is also a part of the five-judge bench.

While Justice S K Kaul agreed with the CJI on grant of certain rights to queer couples, Justice S Ravindra Bhat said that he both agreed and disagreed with the views of CJI Chandrachud on certain points.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that legal recognition of non-heterosexual unions was a step towards marriage equality.

Justice PS Narasimha said it would not be constitutionally permissible to recognise a right to civil union mirroring a marriage. He said the constitutional challenge to the Special Marriage Act and Foreign Marriage Act must fail.

Justice Bhat, who read out the operative portion of his verdict, said he agrees and differs with views of the CJI on certain points.

#SameSexMarriage | Legal recognition of non-heterosexual unions is step towards marriage equality: Justice SK Kaul. pic.twitter.com/nJkUuwawbd  The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) October 17, 2023

CJI asserts queerness not an elitist concept; issues directions to end discrimination of queer people

Asserting that homosexuality or queerness was "not an urban concept or restricted to upper class of society", CJI Chandrachud said, "To imagine queer as existing only in urban spaces would be like erasing them, queerness can be regardless of one's caste or class."

CJI Chandrachud also said, "Withdrawal of the State from the domestic space leaves the vulnerable party unprotected. Thus all intimate activities within private space cannot be said to be beyond State's scrutiny."

The Chief Justice also directed the police to conduct a preliminary enquiry before registering FIR against queer couple over their relationship, adding that the Centre, States and Union Territories must ensure that the queer community was not discriminated against.

Other directions of the CJI to end discrimination against queer people include 1. No discrimination in access to goods and services, 2. A hotline for the queer community, 3. Safe houses for queer couple, 4. ensure inter-sex children are not forced to undergo operations, 5. No person shall be forced to undergo any hormonal therapy, 6. Police should not force queer persons to return to their natal family.

Meanwhile, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta said that the Centre would form a panel to decide the rights, and entitlements of persons in queer unions.

#SameSexMarriage | CARA circular not giving adoption rights to queer couples is violative of Article 15 of the Constitution: CJI Chandrachud. pic.twitter.com/xYNqh52m5g  The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) October 17, 2023

Here are highlights from the CJI's remarks:

On sex-change operation: States, Union Territories to ensure that inter-sex children are not allowed sex-change operation at an age when they cannot fully comprehend its consequences, the CJI said

States, Union Territories to ensure that inter-sex children are not allowed sex-change operation at an age when they cannot fully comprehend its consequences, the CJI said On hetereosexual unions of trans people: CJI Chandrachud said that the marriage between a trans man and a trans woman can be registered under the Special Marriage Act as they are in a heterosexual relationship

CJI Chandrachud said that the marriage between a trans man and a trans woman can be registered under the Special Marriage Act as they are in a heterosexual relationship On whether the SMA needs a change: The top judge remarked that only the Parliament can decide whethere there was a need for change in the regime of the Special Marriage Act. "If Special Marriage Act is struck down, it will take the country to pre-Indpendence era. If the Court takes the second approach and reads words into the SMA, it will be taking up the role of legislature."

The top judge remarked that only the Parliament can decide whethere there was a need for change in the regime of the Special Marriage Act. "If Special Marriage Act is struck down, it will take the country to pre-Indpendence era. If the Court takes the second approach and reads words into the SMA, it will be taking up the role of legislature." The CJI added that the top court was not equipped to undertake such an exercise of reading meaning into the statute and that they must be careful to not enter into legislative domain

No harassment of queer people by cops: "There shall be no harassment to queer community by summoning them to police station solely to enquire about their sexual identity. Police should not force queer persons to return to their natal family," the CJI said.

"There shall be no harassment to queer community by summoning them to police station solely to enquire about their sexual identity. Police should not force queer persons to return to their natal family," the CJI said. On marriage being a static concept: The CJI said it would be incorrect to state that marriage is a "static and unchanging institution". He said the ability to choose a life partner goes to the roots of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

While hearing the matter on May 11, the top court bench had observed it cannot give a declaration on same-sex unions on the anticipation as to how Parliament is likely to respond to it.

Following is the chronology of events leading up to the Supreme Court's verdict on Tuesday in which it refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages:

Sep 6, 2018: Constitution bench unanimously decriminalises part of Section 377 of the IPC which criminalises consensual unnatural sex, saying it violated the right to equality

Nov 25, 2022: Two gay couples move SC seeking recognition of same-sex marriage under Special Marriage Act; SC issues notice to Centre

Jan 6, 2023: SC directs transfer of all petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriages pending before different high courts to the apex court. There were 21 petitions on the issue.

Mar 12: Centre opposes recognition of same-sex marriage in SC

Mar 13: SC refers case to Constitution bench

Apr 15: SC notifies composition of five-judge bench

Apr 18: SC commences hearing arguments

May 11: SC reserves verdict

Oct 17: SC refuses to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages

(With PTI inputs)

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A five-judge Supreme Court bench on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages after it differed on certain aspects, especially on the applicability of adoption rules for queer couples. Refusing to strike down the Special Marriage Act (SMA) and Foreign Marriage Act for not recognizing queer marriages, the Chief Justice said that the court can't make law but only interpret it and that it was for the Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act. The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and P S Narasimha, had had a 10-day-long hearing on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); CJI Chandrachud stated: "The right to enter into a Union includes the right to choose one's partner and the right to recognition of that union," adding that failure to recognise it would be discriminatory. ""All persons, including those queer, have right to judge moral quality of their lives," he said. "Failure of State to recognize the bouquet of rights flowing from a queer relationship amounts to discrimination," the CJI noted. The CJI said that this court has recognised that equality demands that queer persons are not discriminated against. He went on to add that it would also be discriminatory if the law assumed that only heterosexual couples can be good parents. On the topic of adoption by queer couples, the CJI said that, "The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, does not preclude unmarried couples from adopting. The Union of India has not proved that precluding unmarried couples from adopting is in the best interest of the child. So, the Central Adoption Resource Authority has exceeded its authority in barring unmarried couples." "There is no material on record to prove that only a married heterosexual couple can provide stability to a child," he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The New Indian Express (@newindianexpress) A 3:2 SC judgement At the outset, Justice Chandrachud said there are four judgments -- by himself, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha -- in the matter. Justice Hima Kohli is also a part of the five-judge bench. While Justice S K Kaul agreed with the CJI on grant of certain rights to queer couples, Justice S Ravindra Bhat said that he both agreed and disagreed with the views of CJI Chandrachud on certain points. Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that legal recognition of non-heterosexual unions was a step towards marriage equality. Justice PS Narasimha said it would not be constitutionally permissible to recognise a right to civil union mirroring a marriage. He said the constitutional challenge to the Special Marriage Act and Foreign Marriage Act must fail. Justice Bhat, who read out the operative portion of his verdict, said he agrees and differs with views of the CJI on certain points. #SameSexMarriage | Legal recognition of non-heterosexual unions is step towards marriage equality: Justice SK Kaul. pic.twitter.com/nJkUuwawbd  The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) October 17, 2023 CJI asserts queerness not an elitist concept; issues directions to end discrimination of queer people Asserting that homosexuality or queerness was "not an urban concept or restricted to upper class of society", CJI Chandrachud said, "To imagine queer as existing only in urban spaces would be like erasing them, queerness can be regardless of one's caste or class." CJI Chandrachud also said, "Withdrawal of the State from the domestic space leaves the vulnerable party unprotected. Thus all intimate activities within private space cannot be said to be beyond State's scrutiny." The Chief Justice also directed the police to conduct a preliminary enquiry before registering FIR against queer couple over their relationship, adding that the Centre, States and Union Territories must ensure that the queer community was not discriminated against. Other directions of the CJI to end discrimination against queer people include 1. No discrimination in access to goods and services, 2. A hotline for the queer community, 3. Safe houses for queer couple, 4. ensure inter-sex children are not forced to undergo operations, 5. No person shall be forced to undergo any hormonal therapy, 6. Police should not force queer persons to return to their natal family. Meanwhile, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta said that the Centre would form a panel to decide the rights, and entitlements of persons in queer unions. #SameSexMarriage | CARA circular not giving adoption rights to queer couples is violative of Article 15 of the Constitution: CJI Chandrachud. pic.twitter.com/xYNqh52m5g  The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) October 17, 2023 Here are highlights from the CJI's remarks: On sex-change operation: States, Union Territories to ensure that inter-sex children are not allowed sex-change operation at an age when they cannot fully comprehend its consequences, the CJI said On hetereosexual unions of trans people: CJI Chandrachud said that the marriage between a trans man and a trans woman can be registered under the Special Marriage Act as they are in a heterosexual relationship On whether the SMA needs a change: The top judge remarked that only the Parliament can decide whethere there was a need for change in the regime of the Special Marriage Act. "If Special Marriage Act is struck down, it will take the country to pre-Indpendence era. If the Court takes the second approach and reads words into the SMA, it will be taking up the role of legislature." The CJI added that the top court was not equipped to undertake such an exercise of reading meaning into the statute and that they must be careful to not enter into legislative domain No harassment of queer people by cops: "There shall be no harassment to queer community by summoning them to police station solely to enquire about their sexual identity. Police should not force queer persons to return to their natal family," the CJI said. On marriage being a static concept: The CJI said it would be incorrect to state that marriage is a "static and unchanging institution". He said the ability to choose a life partner goes to the roots of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. While hearing the matter on May 11, the top court bench had observed it cannot give a declaration on same-sex unions on the anticipation as to how Parliament is likely to respond to it. Following is the chronology of events leading up to the Supreme Court's verdict on Tuesday in which it refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages: Sep 6, 2018: Constitution bench unanimously decriminalises part of Section 377 of the IPC which criminalises consensual unnatural sex, saying it violated the right to equality Nov 25, 2022: Two gay couples move SC seeking recognition of same-sex marriage under Special Marriage Act; SC issues notice to Centre Jan 6, 2023: SC directs transfer of all petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriages pending before different high courts to the apex court. There were 21 petitions on the issue. Mar 12: Centre opposes recognition of same-sex marriage in SC Mar 13: SC refers case to Constitution bench Apr 15: SC notifies composition of five-judge bench Apr 18: SC commences hearing arguments May 11: SC reserves verdict Oct 17: SC refuses to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages (With PTI inputs) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Jaison Wilson By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will deliver on Tuesday its judgement on pleas seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages in India.

On May 11, after an extensive 10-day-long hearing, a Constitution bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha had reserved their verdict.

The top court's judgement will decide as to whether the words 'man' and 'woman' can be replaced with the word person and the words 'husband' and 'wife' can be replaced with the word 'spouse' in the Special Marriage Act (SMA).

The bench had also said that the very notion of a man and a woman, as referred to in the Special Marriage Act, is not "an absolute based on genitals".

Some of the petitioners had urged the apex court to use its plenary power, "prestige and moral authority" to push the society to acknowledge such a union which would ensure LGBTQIA++ people to lead a "dignified" life like heterosexuals. LGBTQIA++ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, and ally persons.

Notably on the first day of the hearing, the bench had defined the contours of the pleas and had said that it would not go into personal laws governing marriage and instead will look into the issue of registration of same-sex marriages under the Special Marriage Act.

Another significant development which took place during the hearing was willingness to consider if certain rights could be conferred upon same-sex couples short of legal recognition as marriage.

While hearing the matter on May 11, the bench had observed it cannot give a declaration on same-sex unions on the anticipation as to how Parliament is likely to respond to it.

OPINION | The jurisprudence of same-sex marriage

Meanwhile, the petitioners in their rejoinder submission on Thursday last week submitted that they were not seeking the interpretation of every gendered word in the SMA in a gender-neutral way. They said they were only assailing those parts of the SMA that require a Constitution-compliant reading on grounds of discrimination.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the state by excluding same-sex couples from civil marriage was declaring that it is legitimate to differentiate between their commitments and the commitments of heterosexual couples.

When it comes to the use of gendered terms to specifically address gendered imbalances of power and therefore achieve substantive equality, limiting such terms to their gendered, heterosexual context is what is consistent with the laws underlying thrust. Civil union is not a solution, not an equal alternative. Civil unions do not address the constitutional anomaly presented by exclusion of non-heterosexual couples from the institution of marriage, Singhvi said.

Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran said that lack of recognition leads to the denial of equal protection under the law.

Meanwhile, while underlining the real question before the top court, which is who would take a call on what constitutes a valid marriage and between whom, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said that the Parliament was aware of the concept of gays and lesbians even while the Special Marriage Act was promulgated in 1954 but there has been a conscious omission to not recognise same-sex marriages.

Arguments were also made by Senior advocates KV Vishwanathan, Anand Grover, Geeta Luthra, Maneka Guruswamy, and advocates Karuna Nundy, and Vrinda Grover.

ALSO READ | SCs social rights nudge for same-sex couples, like opening joint bank a/cs

During the arguments, the Centre had told the apex court that any constitutional declaration made by it on the petitions seeking legal validation for same-sex marriage may not be a "correct course of action" as the court will not be able to foresee, envisage, comprehend and deal with its fallout.

The Centre's stand has been that the issue of legal recognition of same-sex marriages through the SMA should be left for the Parliament to decide since it is the appropriate forum to conceive several situations which would arise from recognising the same legally.

The Centre had also told the top court that the governments of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Assam had opposed the petitioners' contention seeking legal endorsement for such wedlock.

Stressing on the fact that all the civil as well as criminal laws define man and woman in conventional sense, the Centre had submitted that the right to marry does not include the right to compel the state to create a new definition of 'marriage'.

On May 3, the Centre had told the court it will constitute a committee headed by the cabinet secretary to examine the administrative steps that could be taken for addressing "genuine humane concerns" of same-sex couples without going into the issue of legalising their marriage.

The Centre's submission was pursuant to the apex court asking it on April 27 whether social welfare benefits like opening joint bank accounts, nominating life partner in provident funds, gratuity and pension schemes can be extended to same-sex couples without going into the issue of legal sanction to their marriage.

(With additional inputs from PTI)

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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will deliver on Tuesday its judgement on pleas seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages in India. On May 11, after an extensive 10-day-long hearing, a Constitution bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha had reserved their verdict. The top court's judgement will decide as to whether the words 'man' and 'woman' can be replaced with the word person and the words 'husband' and 'wife' can be replaced with the word 'spouse' in the Special Marriage Act (SMA).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The bench had also said that the very notion of a man and a woman, as referred to in the Special Marriage Act, is not "an absolute based on genitals". Some of the petitioners had urged the apex court to use its plenary power, "prestige and moral authority" to push the society to acknowledge such a union which would ensure LGBTQIA++ people to lead a "dignified" life like heterosexuals. LGBTQIA++ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, and ally persons. Notably on the first day of the hearing, the bench had defined the contours of the pleas and had said that it would not go into personal laws governing marriage and instead will look into the issue of registration of same-sex marriages under the Special Marriage Act. Another significant development which took place during the hearing was willingness to consider if certain rights could be conferred upon same-sex couples short of legal recognition as marriage. While hearing the matter on May 11, the bench had observed it cannot give a declaration on same-sex unions on the anticipation as to how Parliament is likely to respond to it. OPINION | The jurisprudence of same-sex marriage Meanwhile, the petitioners in their rejoinder submission on Thursday last week submitted that they were not seeking the interpretation of every gendered word in the SMA in a gender-neutral way. They said they were only assailing those parts of the SMA that require a Constitution-compliant reading on grounds of discrimination. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the state by excluding same-sex couples from civil marriage was declaring that it is legitimate to differentiate between their commitments and the commitments of heterosexual couples. When it comes to the use of gendered terms to specifically address gendered imbalances of power and therefore achieve substantive equality, limiting such terms to their gendered, heterosexual context is what is consistent with the laws underlying thrust. Civil union is not a solution, not an equal alternative. Civil unions do not address the constitutional anomaly presented by exclusion of non-heterosexual couples from the institution of marriage, Singhvi said. Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran said that lack of recognition leads to the denial of equal protection under the law. Meanwhile, while underlining the real question before the top court, which is who would take a call on what constitutes a valid marriage and between whom, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said that the Parliament was aware of the concept of gays and lesbians even while the Special Marriage Act was promulgated in 1954 but there has been a conscious omission to not recognise same-sex marriages. Arguments were also made by Senior advocates KV Vishwanathan, Anand Grover, Geeta Luthra, Maneka Guruswamy, and advocates Karuna Nundy, and Vrinda Grover. ALSO READ | SCs social rights nudge for same-sex couples, like opening joint bank a/cs During the arguments, the Centre had told the apex court that any constitutional declaration made by it on the petitions seeking legal validation for same-sex marriage may not be a "correct course of action" as the court will not be able to foresee, envisage, comprehend and deal with its fallout. The Centre's stand has been that the issue of legal recognition of same-sex marriages through the SMA should be left for the Parliament to decide since it is the appropriate forum to conceive several situations which would arise from recognising the same legally. The Centre had also told the top court that the governments of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Assam had opposed the petitioners' contention seeking legal endorsement for such wedlock. Stressing on the fact that all the civil as well as criminal laws define man and woman in conventional sense, the Centre had submitted that the right to marry does not include the right to compel the state to create a new definition of 'marriage'. On May 3, the Centre had told the court it will constitute a committee headed by the cabinet secretary to examine the administrative steps that could be taken for addressing "genuine humane concerns" of same-sex couples without going into the issue of legalising their marriage. The Centre's submission was pursuant to the apex court asking it on April 27 whether social welfare benefits like opening joint bank accounts, nominating life partner in provident funds, gratuity and pension schemes can be extended to same-sex couples without going into the issue of legal sanction to their marriage. (With additional inputs from PTI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday lashed out at the Bhupesh Baghel government over alleged corruption and scams and exhorted people to vote for a bright future of Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shah was addressing a public rally in Rajnandgaon, about 70 km from the state capital Raipur. The polls are meant not to just elect MLAs or form a government. The elections are meant to build a golden Chhattisgarh. Every vote should count aimed in the direction of supporting PM Modi.

He asked the people if they were willing to bring back the Bhupesh Baghel government that plays vote-bank and appeasement politics. Owing to the vote-bank politics of Congress, Bhuvneshwar Sahu was lynched in the state. Do you want Chhattisgarh to turn again as a centre of communal riots? We will bring the murderer of Bhuvneshwar to justice, said Shah.

The BJP has nominated Ishwar Sahu, father of Bhuvneshwar (who was killed in a communal clash in April), to contest from Saja constituency against senior Congress leader and minister Ravindra Choubey.

The Union ministers first visit to Chhattisgarh after the announcement of the poll dates was intended as a show of strength on the occasion of the filing of papers by former CM Raman Singh and three other BJP candidates in Rajnandgaon.

The Union minister introduced six BJP candidates from the constituencies in and around Rajnandgaon district. Shah said the Raman Singh government during its 15-year rule had fulfilled the dream of Atal Bihari Vajpayee who created Chhattisgarh, the state that eventually became a hub for education, power, cement, steel and healthcare under the BJP rule.

Chhattisgarh was tagged as a Bimaru state. It turned progressive under the BJP rule that carried out holistic development and the best public distribution system in the country. It recognised Chhattisgarhi as state language and secured the rights of the dalits, tribals and OBCs, said Shah.

BJPs show of strength

Amit Shahs first visit to state after the announcement of the poll dates was intended as a show of strength on the occasion of filing of nomination papers by former chief minister Raman Singh

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RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday lashed out at the Bhupesh Baghel government over alleged corruption and scams and exhorted people to vote for a bright future of Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shah was addressing a public rally in Rajnandgaon, about 70 km from the state capital Raipur. The polls are meant not to just elect MLAs or form a government. The elections are meant to build a golden Chhattisgarh. Every vote should count aimed in the direction of supporting PM Modi. He asked the people if they were willing to bring back the Bhupesh Baghel government that plays vote-bank and appeasement politics. Owing to the vote-bank politics of Congress, Bhuvneshwar Sahu was lynched in the state. Do you want Chhattisgarh to turn again as a centre of communal riots? We will bring the murderer of Bhuvneshwar to justice, said Shah.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The BJP has nominated Ishwar Sahu, father of Bhuvneshwar (who was killed in a communal clash in April), to contest from Saja constituency against senior Congress leader and minister Ravindra Choubey. The Union ministers first visit to Chhattisgarh after the announcement of the poll dates was intended as a show of strength on the occasion of the filing of papers by former CM Raman Singh and three other BJP candidates in Rajnandgaon. The Union minister introduced six BJP candidates from the constituencies in and around Rajnandgaon district. Shah said the Raman Singh government during its 15-year rule had fulfilled the dream of Atal Bihari Vajpayee who created Chhattisgarh, the state that eventually became a hub for education, power, cement, steel and healthcare under the BJP rule. Chhattisgarh was tagged as a Bimaru state. It turned progressive under the BJP rule that carried out holistic development and the best public distribution system in the country. It recognised Chhattisgarhi as state language and secured the rights of the dalits, tribals and OBCs, said Shah. BJPs show of strength Amit Shahs first visit to state after the announcement of the poll dates was intended as a show of strength on the occasion of filing of nomination papers by former chief minister Raman Singh Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court judgement refusing to accord legal recognition to same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act and leaving the issue for Parliament to decide.

The solicitor general, the key lawyer for the Centre who urged the top court to let Parliament take a call on the matter since it fell within the ambit of the legislature, said, "I wholeheartedly welcome the judgment. I am happy that my stand has been accepted."

"All four judgements have taken the jurisprudence of our nation and the intellectual exercise which went into writing the judgments to a next level. There are very few courts in the world where one can expect this level of intellectual and scholarly judicial exercise. This judgement would be read across jurisdictions," he said in a statement.

Hailing the verdicts, the top law officer said they balance the interests of individuals with that of a civilised society.

"It is an important step in jurisprudential development on the question of separation of powers and provides vivid and eloquent insights into the working of the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary which function complementing each other strictly as per the Constitution," he said.

READ HERE | SC refuses to legalise same-sex marriage; CJI says right to enter union includes right to choose partner, its recognition

Arguing for the Centre, the law officer had highlighted the enormousness of the statutory exercise if same sex marriages were validated and suggested that the Centre can set up a high-powered panel to look at the issues in entirety.

The right to choose a partner does not necessarily imply the right to marry such person over and above the procedure established by law, he had told the Supreme Court.

Mehta had said there cannot be a presumption that the State is obliged to recognise all human relationships, rather the presumption has to be that the State has no business to recognise any personal relationship unless it has a legitimate interest in regulating the same.

A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court Tuesday unanimously refused to accord legal recognition to same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act, ruling that it is within Parliament's ambit to change the law for validating such union.

The top court, however, recognised equal rights for queer people and their protection, while calling for sensitisation of the general public so they don't face discrimination.

The bench, by a majority of 3:2, upheld one of the adoption regulations prohibiting unmarried and queer couples from adopting children.

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NEW DELHI: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court judgement refusing to accord legal recognition to same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act and leaving the issue for Parliament to decide. The solicitor general, the key lawyer for the Centre who urged the top court to let Parliament take a call on the matter since it fell within the ambit of the legislature, said, "I wholeheartedly welcome the judgment. I am happy that my stand has been accepted." "All four judgements have taken the jurisprudence of our nation and the intellectual exercise which went into writing the judgments to a next level. There are very few courts in the world where one can expect this level of intellectual and scholarly judicial exercise. This judgement would be read across jurisdictions," he said in a statement.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Hailing the verdicts, the top law officer said they balance the interests of individuals with that of a civilised society. "It is an important step in jurisprudential development on the question of separation of powers and provides vivid and eloquent insights into the working of the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary which function complementing each other strictly as per the Constitution," he said. READ HERE | SC refuses to legalise same-sex marriage; CJI says right to enter union includes right to choose partner, its recognition Arguing for the Centre, the law officer had highlighted the enormousness of the statutory exercise if same sex marriages were validated and suggested that the Centre can set up a high-powered panel to look at the issues in entirety. The right to choose a partner does not necessarily imply the right to marry such person over and above the procedure established by law, he had told the Supreme Court. Mehta had said there cannot be a presumption that the State is obliged to recognise all human relationships, rather the presumption has to be that the State has no business to recognise any personal relationship unless it has a legitimate interest in regulating the same. A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court Tuesday unanimously refused to accord legal recognition to same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act, ruling that it is within Parliament's ambit to change the law for validating such union. The top court, however, recognised equal rights for queer people and their protection, while calling for sensitisation of the general public so they don't face discrimination. The bench, by a majority of 3:2, upheld one of the adoption regulations prohibiting unmarried and queer couples from adopting children. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. I am glad that the young generation, the young people of Fuzuli decided to come to their native land. This is a truly big event, because children, teenagers, the young generation as a whole did not see these lands before, said President Ilham Aliyev as he met with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day.

This shows the greatness of our people. It shows that we are a people attached to our homeland, the head of state noted.
By Online Desk

"The Times They Are a-Changin." For the LGBTQ community in India, Bob Dylan's song holds little hope following the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (October 17, 2023) refusing to give legal sanctity to the concept of same-sex marriage.

The LGBTQ community's fight for equal rights is an ongoing process. The road ahead looks bumpy and hard in India following the jolt received in the form of the apex court verdict.

But author and "constitutional law scholar" Gautam Bhatia had this to say in a message he posted on platform X: "Solidarity to everyone on a very difficult day. No legal setback is forever. We'll all need to study the judgment(s) very carefully, and find spaces in the interstices to rebuild, going forward."

Or "And you better start swimmin'/Or you'll sink like a stone/For the times they are a-changin" as Dylan sang.

Even as the LGBTQ community has received a setback in India, a look at the progress that has been made and the global scenario of marriage equality is indeed encouraging.

Early Days

In the 1970s, LGBTQ activists began staging protests and raising awareness about the need for equal rights and marriage equality.

The 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights marked a key moment, bringing national attention to these issues. Activists demanded an end to discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, including in areas like employment, housing and healthcare.

Many early activists saw marriage equality as an important part of securing full civil rights protections for lesbian and gay couples. Partners faced difficulties around hospital visitation rights, inheritance, child adoption, and a lack of spousal benefits. Without marriage rights, same-sex couples face significant legal and financial obstacles.

Progress emerged slowly at first. In the 1990s, several countries including Norway, Sweden and Iceland passed registered partnership laws to provide some spousal rights to same-sex couples. But most denied full marriage equality.

Court Battles

A major breakthrough came in 2001 in the Netherlands, which became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. Over the next two years, Belgium, Ontario and British Columbia followed.

In the landmark 2003 Goodridge v. Department of Public Health ruling, Massachusetts became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage after their highest court ruled that barring same-sex couples from marriage violated the state constitution.

This ignited a wave of court battles across the US as other states' bans were challenged. The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban in 2008, representing a huge victory for same-sex marriage activists.

But opposition also mounted. In the 2008 election cycle, California, Arizona and Florida all passed ballot measures to ban same-sex marriage in their state constitutions. This revealed the persisting deep social divides around the issue.

The Tide Turns

Despite the state-level bans, momentum was shifting. Younger generations overwhelmingly supported marriage equality and acceptance of LGBTQ rights was growing.

Several other nations including Portugal, Argentina and Denmark legalized same-sex marriage between 2008-2010. Political leaders such as Barack Obama began voicing support.

In 2011 New York passed legislation making it the largest U.S. state at the time to allow same-sex marriage. In 2012 Washington, Maine and Maryland all passed ballot initiatives in favor of legalization.

US Supreme Court

On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court issued their historic ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide in a 5-4 decision. The Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment required states to license marriages between same-sex partners and recognize such marriages performed out-of-state.

Justice Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion: "The Constitution promises liberty to all within its reach, a liberty that includes certain specific rights...Without the recognition, stability and predictability marriage offers children suffer the stigma of knowing their families are somehow lesser."

With this landmark decision, same-sex marriage was legalized across all 50 states. The ruling cemented marriage equality as a fundamental civil right in the U.S. The White House showed its support by illuminating the building in rainbow colors.

In the years since, same-sex marriage rights have continued expanding to more regions globally:

- Australia legalized it after a postal vote in 2017

- Taiwan's legislature passed Asia's first same-sex marriage law in 2019

- Ecuador legalized it in 2019 after a ruling by their Constitutional Court

- Northern Ireland legalized it in 2020

- Costa Rica legalized it in 2020 after a Supreme Court ruling

- Chile passed a law allowing it in 2021 after years of activism

Meanwhile, same-sex marriage remains banned in most of Africa, parts of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia. But public opinion in many countries remains divided, signalling that the legal battles around same-sex marriage are likely to persist.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

"The Times They Are a-Changin." For the LGBTQ community in India, Bob Dylan's song holds little hope following the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (October 17, 2023) refusing to give legal sanctity to the concept of same-sex marriage. The LGBTQ community's fight for equal rights is an ongoing process. The road ahead looks bumpy and hard in India following the jolt received in the form of the apex court verdict. But author and "constitutional law scholar" Gautam Bhatia had this to say in a message he posted on platform X: "Solidarity to everyone on a very difficult day. No legal setback is forever. We'll all need to study the judgment(s) very carefully, and find spaces in the interstices to rebuild, going forward."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Or "And you better start swimmin'/Or you'll sink like a stone/For the times they are a-changin" as Dylan sang. Even as the LGBTQ community has received a setback in India, a look at the progress that has been made and the global scenario of marriage equality is indeed encouraging. Early Days In the 1970s, LGBTQ activists began staging protests and raising awareness about the need for equal rights and marriage equality. The 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights marked a key moment, bringing national attention to these issues. Activists demanded an end to discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, including in areas like employment, housing and healthcare. Many early activists saw marriage equality as an important part of securing full civil rights protections for lesbian and gay couples. Partners faced difficulties around hospital visitation rights, inheritance, child adoption, and a lack of spousal benefits. Without marriage rights, same-sex couples face significant legal and financial obstacles. Progress emerged slowly at first. In the 1990s, several countries including Norway, Sweden and Iceland passed registered partnership laws to provide some spousal rights to same-sex couples. But most denied full marriage equality. Court Battles A major breakthrough came in 2001 in the Netherlands, which became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. Over the next two years, Belgium, Ontario and British Columbia followed. In the landmark 2003 Goodridge v. Department of Public Health ruling, Massachusetts became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage after their highest court ruled that barring same-sex couples from marriage violated the state constitution. This ignited a wave of court battles across the US as other states' bans were challenged. The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban in 2008, representing a huge victory for same-sex marriage activists. But opposition also mounted. In the 2008 election cycle, California, Arizona and Florida all passed ballot measures to ban same-sex marriage in their state constitutions. This revealed the persisting deep social divides around the issue. The Tide Turns Despite the state-level bans, momentum was shifting. Younger generations overwhelmingly supported marriage equality and acceptance of LGBTQ rights was growing. Several other nations including Portugal, Argentina and Denmark legalized same-sex marriage between 2008-2010. Political leaders such as Barack Obama began voicing support. In 2011 New York passed legislation making it the largest U.S. state at the time to allow same-sex marriage. In 2012 Washington, Maine and Maryland all passed ballot initiatives in favor of legalization. US Supreme Court On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court issued their historic ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide in a 5-4 decision. The Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment required states to license marriages between same-sex partners and recognize such marriages performed out-of-state. Justice Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion: "The Constitution promises liberty to all within its reach, a liberty that includes certain specific rights...Without the recognition, stability and predictability marriage offers children suffer the stigma of knowing their families are somehow lesser." With this landmark decision, same-sex marriage was legalized across all 50 states. The ruling cemented marriage equality as a fundamental civil right in the U.S. The White House showed its support by illuminating the building in rainbow colors. In the years since, same-sex marriage rights have continued expanding to more regions globally: - Australia legalized it after a postal vote in 2017 - Taiwan's legislature passed Asia's first same-sex marriage law in 2019 - Ecuador legalized it in 2019 after a ruling by their Constitutional Court - Northern Ireland legalized it in 2020 - Costa Rica legalized it in 2020 after a Supreme Court ruling - Chile passed a law allowing it in 2021 after years of activism Meanwhile, same-sex marriage remains banned in most of Africa, parts of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia. But public opinion in many countries remains divided, signalling that the legal battles around same-sex marriage are likely to persist. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: In yet another suspected hooch tragedy, three persons died and two others were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor in dry Bihar, police said on Tuesday.

Taking a serious note of the incident, police swung into action and arrested a liquor supplier Dinesh Das and recovered two litres of country liquor from his house.

The incident took place at Maksudpur village under Hayaghat police station in Darbhanga district. Altogether five persons- Dasrath Sahni, Santosh Kumar Das, Laltun Sahni, Arjun Das and an unidentified person had bought liquor from Dinesh Das on Sunday evening and consumed it.

Two of the victims Dashrath Sahni alias Bhukhla Sahni (56) and Santosh Kumar Das (26) complained of vomiting, stomach pain and loss of vision. They died late on Monday. Another victim Laltun Sahni (56) died during treatment at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital.

Two others including Arjun Das (55) we undergoing treatment at an undisclosed location. The police have launched a search for them.

Darbhanga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Avakash Kumar said that the post-mortem on the body of Laltun Sahni, who died on Tuesday morning, was being conducted at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

He said the post-mortem of two other deceased could not be conducted as their family members had cremated bodies on their own.

SSP Kumar said that statements of the victim's family members were being recorded by the police. The family members alleged that the victims died after consuming spurious liquor.

The SSP confirmed the arrest of one suspected liquor supplier in connection with the incident. He is being interrogated by the police officers, he said.

The state was declared dry in April 2016. Under the new Excise and Prohibition policy, manufacture, sale, consumption and storage of alcohol is completely banned.

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PATNA: In yet another suspected hooch tragedy, three persons died and two others were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor in dry Bihar, police said on Tuesday. Taking a serious note of the incident, police swung into action and arrested a liquor supplier Dinesh Das and recovered two litres of country liquor from his house. The incident took place at Maksudpur village under Hayaghat police station in Darbhanga district. Altogether five persons- Dasrath Sahni, Santosh Kumar Das, Laltun Sahni, Arjun Das and an unidentified person had bought liquor from Dinesh Das on Sunday evening and consumed it.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Two of the victims Dashrath Sahni alias Bhukhla Sahni (56) and Santosh Kumar Das (26) complained of vomiting, stomach pain and loss of vision. They died late on Monday. Another victim Laltun Sahni (56) died during treatment at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital. Two others including Arjun Das (55) we undergoing treatment at an undisclosed location. The police have launched a search for them. Darbhanga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Avakash Kumar said that the post-mortem on the body of Laltun Sahni, who died on Tuesday morning, was being conducted at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). He said the post-mortem of two other deceased could not be conducted as their family members had cremated bodies on their own. SSP Kumar said that statements of the victim's family members were being recorded by the police. The family members alleged that the victims died after consuming spurious liquor. The SSP confirmed the arrest of one suspected liquor supplier in connection with the incident. He is being interrogated by the police officers, he said. The state was declared dry in April 2016. Under the new Excise and Prohibition policy, manufacture, sale, consumption and storage of alcohol is completely banned. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched a web portal Apna Chandrayaan having activity-based support material, including colouring books, online quizzes, and jigsaw puzzles for school students on Mission Chandrayaan-3.

Developed by NCERT under the aegis of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), the Ministry of Education, Pradhan also released 10 special modules on Chandrayaan-3.

Launch of Apna Chandrayaan web portal and special modules on #Chandrayaan3. https://t.co/zSKeCtiSPa October 17, 2023

This offers a comprehensive overview of its various facets, including scientific, technological, and social aspects, as well as the emotional journey and team spirit of the scientists involved.

On the lines of the Mission Chandrayaan-3 module, the ministry plans to come up with more such modules on 14 different topics, including women empowerment, COVID-19 vaccination, Indias G20 Presidency, etc.

Success of Chandrayaan 3 is one of the most significant achievements of the 21st century that has inspired the children of the country the most, he said.

He suggested the development of the app of the web portal to make it more accessible in facilitating self-learning among students.

Chandrayaan 3 has ignited confidence among students and inspired them to understand technology, which will help in developing scientific temperament among them, Pradhan said.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has requested Dr. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, Chairman, of ISRO, and Secretary of the Department of Space, to take Chandrayaan 3 stories to the children of the country.

#Chandrayaan3s success is a symbol of resilience, rootedness, self-reliance and a triumph of Indian innovation. The journey of Chandrayaan-3 will keep inspiring our current and future generations in myriad ways. @ncert has been expanding our knowledge base and shaping our pic.twitter.com/9ttz8Ge6sc  Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) October 17, 2023

He also urged him to make science fun for the students.

India will be the Viswa Guru sharing knowledge for the global good, he said.

He suggested to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to bring out social stories that will make education accessible, affordable, and qualitative, and help in bringing gender parity.

At the occasion, Dr Somanath said India completed the Chandrayaan 3 Mission by using indigenous technologies and requested students to watch the launch of Gaganyaan on October 21.

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NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched a web portal Apna Chandrayaan having activity-based support material, including colouring books, online quizzes, and jigsaw puzzles for school students on Mission Chandrayaan-3. Developed by NCERT under the aegis of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), the Ministry of Education, Pradhan also released 10 special modules on Chandrayaan-3. Launch of Apna Chandrayaan web portal and special modules on #Chandrayaan3. https://t.co/zSKeCtiSPagoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });  Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) October 17, 2023 This offers a comprehensive overview of its various facets, including scientific, technological, and social aspects, as well as the emotional journey and team spirit of the scientists involved. On the lines of the Mission Chandrayaan-3 module, the ministry plans to come up with more such modules on 14 different topics, including women empowerment, COVID-19 vaccination, Indias G20 Presidency, etc. Success of Chandrayaan 3 is one of the most significant achievements of the 21st century that has inspired the children of the country the most, he said. He suggested the development of the app of the web portal to make it more accessible in facilitating self-learning among students. Chandrayaan 3 has ignited confidence among students and inspired them to understand technology, which will help in developing scientific temperament among them, Pradhan said. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has requested Dr. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, Chairman, of ISRO, and Secretary of the Department of Space, to take Chandrayaan 3 stories to the children of the country. #Chandrayaan3s success is a symbol of resilience, rootedness, self-reliance and a triumph of Indian innovation. The journey of Chandrayaan-3 will keep inspiring our current and future generations in myriad ways. @ncert has been expanding our knowledge base and shaping our pic.twitter.com/9ttz8Ge6sc  Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) October 17, 2023 He also urged him to make science fun for the students. India will be the Viswa Guru sharing knowledge for the global good, he said. He suggested to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to bring out social stories that will make education accessible, affordable, and qualitative, and help in bringing gender parity. At the occasion, Dr Somanath said India completed the Chandrayaan 3 Mission by using indigenous technologies and requested students to watch the launch of Gaganyaan on October 21. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Associated Press

RAFAH: Truckloads of aid idled at Egypts border with Gaza as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded Monday for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last weeks rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.

U.S. President Joe Biden planned to travel to Israel on Wednesday to signal White House support for the country and to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the trip early Tuesday in Tel Aviv during his second visit to Israel in less than a week amid fears that the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. Israel maintained punishing airstrikes across Gaza as a ground invasion loomed, while Hamas militants kept up a barrage of rocket attacks, and tensions mounted near the Israel-Lebanon border.

More than a week after Israel cut off entry of any supplies, all eyes were on the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt. Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire that would let in aid and let out trapped foreigners. Israeli airstrikes forced the crossing to shut down last week, but it remained unclear Monday which of the regional actors was keeping the crossing closed.

Blinken, who returned to Israel after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

We share Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, Blinken said.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier, referring to Israels 2006 war with Hezbollah, which operates out of Lebanon.

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted U.S. and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahian's threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

This has become the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority civilians massacred in Hamas Oct. 7 assault.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages, including foreigners whom it said it would free when it was feasible.

Also Monday, Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself in the video as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. In her statement, Schem said she was taken from Sderot, a small Israeli city near the Gaza border where she had attended a party. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation.

READ LIVE UPDATES ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

The Israeli military said Schem's family was told of her abduction last week, and officials dismissed the video as propaganda.

The plight of the hostage s has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews of their relatives playing almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

The head of Israels Shin Bet security service, in charge of monitoring militant groups, took responsibility for failing to avert Hamas' surprise attack. As agency head, the responsibility for that is on me, Ronen Bar said.

There will be time for investigation  now is a time for war, he wrote in a letter to Shin Bet workers and their families.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling supplies and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and increasing desperation. More than 1 million have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, according to the U.N.

The Israeli military says it is trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gaza's north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Those fleeing northern Gaza still faced airstrikes in the south. Before dawn Monday, a strike in the town of Rafah collapsed a building sheltering three families who had evacuated from Gaza City. At least 12 people were killed and nine others remained buried under rubble, survivors said. The strike reduced the house to a vast crater blanketed with wreckage.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the U.N. said.

People grew increasingly desperate in their search for food and water. With taps dry, many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

More than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians, UNRWA. But the agency can't provide them supplies. UNRWA said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life, said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, calling for a lifting of the siege. We need this now.

The few operating bakeries had long snaking lines of people. Ahmad Salah in the city of Deir al-Balah said he waited 10 hours to get a kilo (2 pounds) of bread to feed 20-30 family members.

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave.

UNRWA said 170,000 people were sheltering at its schools in the north when the order to leave came. But it couldn't evacuate them and doesnt know if they remained. More than 40,000 have crowded in and around Gaza Citys al-Shifa Hospital, hoping it will be safe from bombardment.

Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south.

Doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators. The aid group Doctors Without Borders said many of its personnel decided to stay to treat wounded. They ran out of painkillers, and staff reported wounded screaming in pain," it said.

On the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, crowds of Palestinians with dual citizenship waited anxiously, sitting on suitcases or crouched on the floor, some comforting crying infants.

ALSO READ | Residents of heavily Palestinian Chicago suburb remember Muslim child killed in hate crime

They are supposed to be a developed country, talking about human rights all the time, Shurouq Alkhazendar, whose two children are American citizens, said of the United States. You should protect your citizens first, not leave them all alone suffering.

After increasing cross-border exchanges with Hezbollah in the north, the Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate 28 communities within 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of the Lebanese border.

Israel is ready to operate on two fronts, and even more, said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman.

Hezbollah released video showing snipers shooting out cameras on several Israeli army posts along the border, apparently to prevent Israel from monitoring movements on the Lebanese side.

The U.S. government began evacuating some 2,500 American citizens by ship from the Israeli port city of Haifa to Cyprus. Commercial airlines have largely stopped flying into Israels Ben-Gurion International Airport.

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RAFAH: Truckloads of aid idled at Egypts border with Gaza as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded Monday for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last weeks rampage by Hamas was near total collapse. U.S. President Joe Biden planned to travel to Israel on Wednesday to signal White House support for the country and to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the trip early Tuesday in Tel Aviv during his second visit to Israel in less than a week amid fears that the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict. In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. Israel maintained punishing airstrikes across Gaza as a ground invasion loomed, while Hamas militants kept up a barrage of rocket attacks, and tensions mounted near the Israel-Lebanon border.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); More than a week after Israel cut off entry of any supplies, all eyes were on the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt. Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire that would let in aid and let out trapped foreigners. Israeli airstrikes forced the crossing to shut down last week, but it remained unclear Monday which of the regional actors was keeping the crossing closed. Blinken, who returned to Israel after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way. We share Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, Blinken said. Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier, referring to Israels 2006 war with Hezbollah, which operates out of Lebanon. Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted U.S. and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said. Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahian's threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah. This has become the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority civilians massacred in Hamas Oct. 7 assault. The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages, including foreigners whom it said it would free when it was feasible. Also Monday, Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself in the video as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. In her statement, Schem said she was taken from Sderot, a small Israeli city near the Gaza border where she had attended a party. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation. READ LIVE UPDATES ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR The Israeli military said Schem's family was told of her abduction last week, and officials dismissed the video as propaganda. The plight of the hostage s has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews of their relatives playing almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released. The head of Israels Shin Bet security service, in charge of monitoring militant groups, took responsibility for failing to avert Hamas' surprise attack. As agency head, the responsibility for that is on me, Ronen Bar said. There will be time for investigation  now is a time for war, he wrote in a letter to Shin Bet workers and their families. The combination of airstrikes, dwindling supplies and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and increasing desperation. More than 1 million have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, according to the U.N. The Israeli military says it is trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gaza's north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas. Those fleeing northern Gaza still faced airstrikes in the south. Before dawn Monday, a strike in the town of Rafah collapsed a building sheltering three families who had evacuated from Gaza City. At least 12 people were killed and nine others remained buried under rubble, survivors said. The strike reduced the house to a vast crater blanketed with wreckage. Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the U.N. said. People grew increasingly desperate in their search for food and water. With taps dry, many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease. More than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians, UNRWA. But the agency can't provide them supplies. UNRWA said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory. Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life, said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, calling for a lifting of the siege. We need this now. The few operating bakeries had long snaking lines of people. Ahmad Salah in the city of Deir al-Balah said he waited 10 hours to get a kilo (2 pounds) of bread to feed 20-30 family members. In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave. UNRWA said 170,000 people were sheltering at its schools in the north when the order to leave came. But it couldn't evacuate them and doesnt know if they remained. More than 40,000 have crowded in and around Gaza Citys al-Shifa Hospital, hoping it will be safe from bombardment. Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south. Doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators. The aid group Doctors Without Borders said many of its personnel decided to stay to treat wounded. They ran out of painkillers, and staff reported wounded screaming in pain," it said. On the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, crowds of Palestinians with dual citizenship waited anxiously, sitting on suitcases or crouched on the floor, some comforting crying infants. ALSO READ | Residents of heavily Palestinian Chicago suburb remember Muslim child killed in hate crime They are supposed to be a developed country, talking about human rights all the time, Shurouq Alkhazendar, whose two children are American citizens, said of the United States. You should protect your citizens first, not leave them all alone suffering. After increasing cross-border exchanges with Hezbollah in the north, the Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate 28 communities within 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of the Lebanese border. Israel is ready to operate on two fronts, and even more, said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman. Hezbollah released video showing snipers shooting out cameras on several Israeli army posts along the border, apparently to prevent Israel from monitoring movements on the Lebanese side. The U.S. government began evacuating some 2,500 American citizens by ship from the Israeli port city of Haifa to Cyprus. Commercial airlines have largely stopped flying into Israels Ben-Gurion International Airport. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

Heartbreaking images continue to emerge out of Gaza. The videos and photographs flooding social media show, among others, injured children looking helpless and crying, a bleeding infant undergoing treatment at a hospital, and people reacting to the massacre of their families -- all in Israeli bombardments. The humanitarian aid is yet to reach the people in Gaza.

"Are we going to die?" These are the messages being received from "our colleagues and friends," said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees.

"We have so far lost at least 15 colleagues from in Gaza and this is a very heavy toll for us, the agency said.

It described the situation in the Gaza Strip as "unbearable."

The United Nations Human Rights office on Tuesday said that with a staggering 4,200 people killed, over one million people displaced in just 10 days, and large areas in the Gaza Strip reduced to rubble, there is a grave fear about the toll on civilians in the coming days.

According to the World Health Organization, there have been 2,800 deaths in Gaza, with 11,000 wounded, since 7 October, when Israel began retaliatory strikes for the attack Hamas launched on southern Israel.

The majority of Gazas population are descendants of refugees who were displaced or forced to flee their homes during the 1947-49 conflict in which more than 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their towns and villages  a conflict referred to by Palestinians as the Nakba, Amnesty International said.

Describing their plight, Munir Radwan, a university professor told Amnesty, Our parents were expelled from their homes in 1948 during the Nakba. We lost our house which was destroyed in the August 2022 offensive; our rebuilt house was destroyed againall our lives we have known nothing but a series of displacements.

Amnesty International on Tuesday called upon Israel to lift the siege of Gaza, restore the electricity and water supply and allow humanitarian access. Its forces must abide by international humanitarian law and take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and refrain from indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks

Meanwhile, the mainstream media has drawn flak for the coverage of Gaza. After CNN's Sara Sidner was forced to apologize for defending Israeli claims that Hamas beheaded babies, the BBC apologized for reporting that pro-Palestine demonstrators were backing Hamas.

In the UK, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and several of his ministers have criticized BBC for not calling Hamas a "terrorist organization."

According to reports, around 250 protesters gathered outside the BBC's main headquarters in London on Monday over the British broadcaster's "continued refusal to call Hamas terrorists".

The BBC however said in a statement that it had given "careful consideration" to its coverage of the conflict.

"Careful consideration has been given to all aspects of our coverage to ensure that we report on developments accurately and with due impartiality in line with the BBC editorial guidelines, which are publicly available.

"The BBC, along with many other UK and global news organisations, does use the word 'terrorist', but attributes it. We have made clear to our audiences that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK and other governments," it added.

Pro-Palestinian groups have also targeted the BBC, covering Broadcasting House headquarters in red paint last week and accusing it of having "blood on its hands".

An anthropologist and author Sami Hermez in a message posted on platform X said that, "The media for this war will be studied for decades for the way it manufactured consent for brutal crimes and how the Israel lobby mastered the media narrative and created a total blackout."

ALSO READ | Palestinian medics in Gaza struggle to save lives under Israeli siege and bombardment

American freelance journalist and writer Ben Ehrenreich made an appeal to "Editors of good conscience" to make a greater than usual effort to publish actual Palestinians. "Friends in Ramallah are telling me they can't place pieces in US outlets," he said on Platform X.

While the massacre of Palestinians continues in Gaza, the arrests of people and activists voicing their support for Palestinians have also been reported from several countries.

Amnesty International said the decision of the French government to ban all demonstrations in support of Palestinians rights constitutes a serious and disproportionate attack on the right to demonstrate. "Under international law a ban on demonstrations must be considered as a last resort," it said.

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Heartbreaking images continue to emerge out of Gaza. The videos and photographs flooding social media show, among others, injured children looking helpless and crying, a bleeding infant undergoing treatment at a hospital, and people reacting to the massacre of their families -- all in Israeli bombardments. The humanitarian aid is yet to reach the people in Gaza. "Are we going to die?" These are the messages being received from "our colleagues and friends," said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees. "We have so far lost at least 15 colleagues from in Gaza and this is a very heavy toll for us, the agency said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It described the situation in the Gaza Strip as "unbearable." The United Nations Human Rights office on Tuesday said that with a staggering 4,200 people killed, over one million people displaced in just 10 days, and large areas in the Gaza Strip reduced to rubble, there is a grave fear about the toll on civilians in the coming days. According to the World Health Organization, there have been 2,800 deaths in Gaza, with 11,000 wounded, since 7 October, when Israel began retaliatory strikes for the attack Hamas launched on southern Israel. The majority of Gazas population are descendants of refugees who were displaced or forced to flee their homes during the 1947-49 conflict in which more than 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their towns and villages  a conflict referred to by Palestinians as the Nakba, Amnesty International said. Describing their plight, Munir Radwan, a university professor told Amnesty, Our parents were expelled from their homes in 1948 during the Nakba. We lost our house which was destroyed in the August 2022 offensive; our rebuilt house was destroyed againall our lives we have known nothing but a series of displacements. Amnesty International on Tuesday called upon Israel to lift the siege of Gaza, restore the electricity and water supply and allow humanitarian access. Its forces must abide by international humanitarian law and take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and refrain from indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks Meanwhile, the mainstream media has drawn flak for the coverage of Gaza. After CNN's Sara Sidner was forced to apologize for defending Israeli claims that Hamas beheaded babies, the BBC apologized for reporting that pro-Palestine demonstrators were backing Hamas. In the UK, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and several of his ministers have criticized BBC for not calling Hamas a "terrorist organization." According to reports, around 250 protesters gathered outside the BBC's main headquarters in London on Monday over the British broadcaster's "continued refusal to call Hamas terrorists". The BBC however said in a statement that it had given "careful consideration" to its coverage of the conflict. "Careful consideration has been given to all aspects of our coverage to ensure that we report on developments accurately and with due impartiality in line with the BBC editorial guidelines, which are publicly available. "The BBC, along with many other UK and global news organisations, does use the word 'terrorist', but attributes it. We have made clear to our audiences that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK and other governments," it added. Pro-Palestinian groups have also targeted the BBC, covering Broadcasting House headquarters in red paint last week and accusing it of having "blood on its hands". An anthropologist and author Sami Hermez in a message posted on platform X said that, "The media for this war will be studied for decades for the way it manufactured consent for brutal crimes and how the Israel lobby mastered the media narrative and created a total blackout." ALSO READ | Palestinian medics in Gaza struggle to save lives under Israeli siege and bombardment American freelance journalist and writer Ben Ehrenreich made an appeal to "Editors of good conscience" to make a greater than usual effort to publish actual Palestinians. "Friends in Ramallah are telling me they can't place pieces in US outlets," he said on Platform X. While the massacre of Palestinians continues in Gaza, the arrests of people and activists voicing their support for Palestinians have also been reported from several countries. Amnesty International said the decision of the French government to ban all demonstrations in support of Palestinians rights constitutes a serious and disproportionate attack on the right to demonstrate. "Under international law a ban on demonstrations must be considered as a last resort," it said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Associated Press

LONDON: Hamas and Israel have both been accused of breaking international law during their latest conflict, and the United Nations says it is collecting evidence of war crimes by all sides.

Enforcing the law amid the fog of war is difficult. Holding perpetrators to account once conflicts are over has often proved elusive.

Here is a look at some of the issues.

WHAT ARE THE RULES OF WAR?

The rules of armed conflict are governed by a set of internationally recognized laws and resolutions, including the United Nations charter, which prohibits aggressive wars but allows countries the right to self-defense.

Battlefield behavior has international humanitarian laws including the Geneva Conventions, drawn up after World War II and agreed on by almost every nation.

The four conventions agreed upon in 1949 set out that civilians, the wounded and prisoners must be treated humanely in wartime. They ban murder, torture, hostage-taking and humiliating and degrading treatment and require fighters to treat the other sides sick and wounded.

The rules apply both to wars between nations and conflicts, like that between Israel and Hamas, in which one of the parties is not a state.

Another key document in the law of war is the founding Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, which defines as war crimes acts including intentional attacks on civilians, civilian settlements or humanitarian workers, destroying property where not militarily necessary, sexual violence and unlawful deportation.

Other agreements ban certain types of weapons, such as chemical or biological munitions. Most but not all countries have signed up to these.

HAS HAMAS COMMITTED WAR CRIMES?

Hamas has fired thousands of rockets at Israeli towns and cities, and on Oct. 7 sent hundreds of gunmen across the border from Gaza. They attacked and killed civilians  including children and elderly people -- in their homes and neighborhoods and kidnapped scores of others. Israel says at least 1,400 people died and 199 others were abducted.

Haim Abraham, a lecturer in law at University College London, said the evidence of crimes is clear.

They massacred civilians at their homes. They kidnaped civilians, taking them hostage. All of these things are clearly war crimes, he said.

Jeanne Sulzer, a lawyer with the Commission for International Justice of Amnesty International France, said the Geneva Conventions state that civilians should never be taken hostage. If they are, that may be characterized as a war crime.

HAS ISRAELS RESPONSE BEEN LEGAL?

The Israeli military has pounded Hamas-ruled Gaza with airstrikes, blocked deliveries of food, water, fuel and electricity and told people to leave the northern half of the strip ahead of a possible ground invasion. Gaza authorities say 2,800 people have died and 11,000 have been injured during days of bombardment.

Critics accuse Israel of collectively punishing Gazas 2 million residents.

The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross has said the instruction for hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes, coupled with the complete siege explicitly denying them food, water, and electricity, are not compatible with international humanitarian law.

The Israeli army says it follows international law and strikes only legitimate military targets as it seeks to root out militants who embed themselves among the civilian population.

Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using munitions containing white phosphorus. The incendiary substance is not banned, but its use in densely populated areas has been widely condemned. The Israeli Defense Force has denied using white phosphorus as a weapon in Gaza.

CAN LAWBREAKERS BE HELD TO ACCOUNT?

A United Nations Commission of Inquiry says it is collecting and preserving evidence of war crimes committed by all sides in the current conflict. That evidence could be added to an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court into the situation in the Palestinian territories.

The Netherlands-based ICC has the power to prosecute nations officials for violations and order compensation for victims. But some countries  including the United States, Russia and Israel -- do not recognize the courts jurisdiction, and the ICC does not have a police force to execute arrest warrants.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER ROUTES?

While the ICC is the only permanent international tribunal set up to prosecute war crimes, other international courts including the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights can hear cases related to alleged violations. So can domestic courts in Israel or elsewhere, Under U.S. law, American victims could try to bring claims for compensation against Hamas in U.S. courts.

ALSO READ | US presses Israel to allow aid into Gaza as strikes kill civilians seeking refuge

As with Russias invasion of Ukraine, the prospect of prosecuting war crimes in the current conflict seems remote. But Amnesty Internationals Sulzer said legal initiatives are already a reality. She said French national and dual citizen victims of the Hamas attacks have already filed complaints in French courts.

Breaches of international law can also trigger sanctions  such as those imposed on Russia by the United States, the European Union and others over the invasion of Ukraine  and in rare cases draw U.N.-authorized military intervention.

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LONDON: Hamas and Israel have both been accused of breaking international law during their latest conflict, and the United Nations says it is collecting evidence of war crimes by all sides. Enforcing the law amid the fog of war is difficult. Holding perpetrators to account once conflicts are over has often proved elusive. Here is a look at some of the issues.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); WHAT ARE THE RULES OF WAR? The rules of armed conflict are governed by a set of internationally recognized laws and resolutions, including the United Nations charter, which prohibits aggressive wars but allows countries the right to self-defense. Battlefield behavior has international humanitarian laws including the Geneva Conventions, drawn up after World War II and agreed on by almost every nation. The four conventions agreed upon in 1949 set out that civilians, the wounded and prisoners must be treated humanely in wartime. They ban murder, torture, hostage-taking and humiliating and degrading treatment and require fighters to treat the other sides sick and wounded. The rules apply both to wars between nations and conflicts, like that between Israel and Hamas, in which one of the parties is not a state. Another key document in the law of war is the founding Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, which defines as war crimes acts including intentional attacks on civilians, civilian settlements or humanitarian workers, destroying property where not militarily necessary, sexual violence and unlawful deportation. Other agreements ban certain types of weapons, such as chemical or biological munitions. Most but not all countries have signed up to these. HAS HAMAS COMMITTED WAR CRIMES? Hamas has fired thousands of rockets at Israeli towns and cities, and on Oct. 7 sent hundreds of gunmen across the border from Gaza. They attacked and killed civilians  including children and elderly people -- in their homes and neighborhoods and kidnapped scores of others. Israel says at least 1,400 people died and 199 others were abducted. Haim Abraham, a lecturer in law at University College London, said the evidence of crimes is clear. They massacred civilians at their homes. They kidnaped civilians, taking them hostage. All of these things are clearly war crimes, he said. Jeanne Sulzer, a lawyer with the Commission for International Justice of Amnesty International France, said the Geneva Conventions state that civilians should never be taken hostage. If they are, that may be characterized as a war crime. HAS ISRAELS RESPONSE BEEN LEGAL? The Israeli military has pounded Hamas-ruled Gaza with airstrikes, blocked deliveries of food, water, fuel and electricity and told people to leave the northern half of the strip ahead of a possible ground invasion. Gaza authorities say 2,800 people have died and 11,000 have been injured during days of bombardment. Critics accuse Israel of collectively punishing Gazas 2 million residents. The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross has said the instruction for hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes, coupled with the complete siege explicitly denying them food, water, and electricity, are not compatible with international humanitarian law. The Israeli army says it follows international law and strikes only legitimate military targets as it seeks to root out militants who embed themselves among the civilian population. Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using munitions containing white phosphorus. The incendiary substance is not banned, but its use in densely populated areas has been widely condemned. The Israeli Defense Force has denied using white phosphorus as a weapon in Gaza. CAN LAWBREAKERS BE HELD TO ACCOUNT? A United Nations Commission of Inquiry says it is collecting and preserving evidence of war crimes committed by all sides in the current conflict. That evidence could be added to an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court into the situation in the Palestinian territories. The Netherlands-based ICC has the power to prosecute nations officials for violations and order compensation for victims. But some countries  including the United States, Russia and Israel -- do not recognize the courts jurisdiction, and the ICC does not have a police force to execute arrest warrants. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ROUTES? While the ICC is the only permanent international tribunal set up to prosecute war crimes, other international courts including the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights can hear cases related to alleged violations. So can domestic courts in Israel or elsewhere, Under U.S. law, American victims could try to bring claims for compensation against Hamas in U.S. courts. ALSO READ | US presses Israel to allow aid into Gaza as strikes kill civilians seeking refuge As with Russias invasion of Ukraine, the prospect of prosecuting war crimes in the current conflict seems remote. But Amnesty Internationals Sulzer said legal initiatives are already a reality. She said French national and dual citizen victims of the Hamas attacks have already filed complaints in French courts. Breaches of international law can also trigger sanctions  such as those imposed on Russia by the United States, the European Union and others over the invasion of Ukraine  and in rare cases draw U.N.-authorized military intervention. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

WASHINGTON: The US military on Tuesday ordered 2,000 personnel to prepare for deployment to the Middle East as a show of force amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the deployment would allow the United States "to respond more quickly" to the crisis, while the White House stressed it did not intend to put US combat forces on the ground.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said preparing the troops for deployment "is really about sending a signal of deterrence."

FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR HERE

"We don't want to see this conflict escalate and widen," Kirby said on CNN.

"There are no plans or intentions to put US boots on the ground in combat in Israel."

The move comes as President Joe Biden heads to Israel on Wednesday to underscore Washington's support for its close ally. But Biden also hopes to prevent the escalating war in Gaza from spilling over into a wider Middle East conflict.

ALSO READ | 'No one can stop' resistance if Israel keeps bombing Gaza: Iran's Ayatollah

So far, the White House has seen no signs of a deepening engagement by Iran in the conflict, according to Kirby. "Outside of the rhetoric..., no we haven't," Kirby said.

Israel declared war on Hamas after the Islamist group's fighters broke through the heavily fortified Gaza border on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, and taking at least 199 people hostage.

ALSO READ | Gaza's health system is in abject crisis after Israel's 'total siege'

Israel has responded with air strikes that have killed more than 2,700 people, also mainly civilians, as well as imposing a crippling siege on Gaza and deploying tens of thousands of troops to the border in preparation for a ground offensive.

The United States has already deployed two aircraft carriers to the region "to deter hostile actions against Israel," Austin said last week.

US media reported the troops being readied for deployment would cover support roles, such as medical assistance and handling explosives.

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WASHINGTON: The US military on Tuesday ordered 2,000 personnel to prepare for deployment to the Middle East as a show of force amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the deployment would allow the United States "to respond more quickly" to the crisis, while the White House stressed it did not intend to put US combat forces on the ground. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said preparing the troops for deployment "is really about sending a signal of deterrence."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR HERE "We don't want to see this conflict escalate and widen," Kirby said on CNN. "There are no plans or intentions to put US boots on the ground in combat in Israel." The move comes as President Joe Biden heads to Israel on Wednesday to underscore Washington's support for its close ally. But Biden also hopes to prevent the escalating war in Gaza from spilling over into a wider Middle East conflict. ALSO READ | 'No one can stop' resistance if Israel keeps bombing Gaza: Iran's Ayatollah So far, the White House has seen no signs of a deepening engagement by Iran in the conflict, according to Kirby. "Outside of the rhetoric..., no we haven't," Kirby said. Israel declared war on Hamas after the Islamist group's fighters broke through the heavily fortified Gaza border on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, and taking at least 199 people hostage. ALSO READ | Gaza's health system is in abject crisis after Israel's 'total siege' Israel has responded with air strikes that have killed more than 2,700 people, also mainly civilians, as well as imposing a crippling siege on Gaza and deploying tens of thousands of troops to the border in preparation for a ground offensive. The United States has already deployed two aircraft carriers to the region "to deter hostile actions against Israel," Austin said last week. US media reported the troops being readied for deployment would cover support roles, such as medical assistance and handling explosives. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

The United Nations Human Rights office has flagged daily violations of the laws of war and international human rights law in Gaza. It said on Tuesday that Israels siege of Gaza and its evacuation order there could amount to the international crime of the forcible transfer of civilians.

With a staggering 4,200 people killed, over one million people displaced in just 10 days, and large areas in the Gaza Strip reduced to rubble, there is a grave fears about the toll on civilians in the coming days, said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The death toll includes a large number of women and children, as well as at least 11 Palestinian journalists, 28 medical staff and 14 UN colleagues. It remains unclear how many more bodies may be buried in the rubble  with many families missing loved ones, terrified about their uncertain fate, a statement issued by Ravina Shamdasani said.

Military operations show no signs of abating, the continued siege on Gaza is affecting water supply, food, medicine and other basic needs, with numerous health facilities hit by bombardment and others beyond breaking point, there are serious concerns about the accessibility of medical care for the many thousands injured  and for the estimated 50,000 pregnant women, as well as people with chronic physical and mental health issues. The current hostilities are compounding already limited enjoyment of the right to health resulting from the ongoing blockade of Gaza. Attacks against medical facilities, medical personnel and the wounded and sick are prohibited under international humanitarian law, the UN said.

Appalling reports that civilians attempting to relocate to southern Gaza were struck and killed by an explosive weapon must be independently and thoroughly investigated, as must all allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law.

"We urge the Israeli forces to avoid targeting civilians and civilian objects or conducting area bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, and to take precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimize, loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects," the UN added.

Those who managed to comply with the Israeli authorities order to evacuate are now trapped in the south of the Gaza Strip, with scant shelter, fast-depleting food supplies, little or no access to clean water, sanitation, medicine and other basic needs.

So far, around 400,000 IDPs are sheltered in various locations, several in UNRWA buildings. International law requires that any lawful temporary evacuation by Israel, as the occupying power, of an area on the basis of the security of the population or imperative military reasons must be accompanied by the provision of proper accommodation for all evacuees, undertaken under satisfactory conditions of hygiene, health, safety and nutrition. There appears to have been no attempt by Israel to ensure this for the 1.1 million civilians ordered to move. We are concerned that this order combined with the imposition of a complete siege on Gaza may not be considered as lawful temporary evacuation and would therefore amount to a forcible transfer of civilians  in breach of international law, Ravina Shamdasani noted.

"We echo the UN call for a humanitarian pause to enable aid delivery and to prevent further suffering and deaths of the already much beleaguered civilian population of Gaza. Urgent immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access needs to be ensured," the UN organization said.

ALSO READ | 'Gaza is being strangled': Why Israels evacuation order violates international law

The latest reports indicate that around 199 Israeli are held hostages by Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. And once again, we urge Palestinian armed groups to immediately and unconditionally release all civilian hostages, and to halt the use of inherently indiscriminate projectiles against Israel.

"We are also concerned at increased violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Since 7 October, 52 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces, and five more have been killed by settlers. We urge Israeli authorities to ensure that Israeli security forces refrain from the use of live ammunition except as a last resort to address an imminent threat to life or serious injury and we urge them to take immediate steps to end settler violence against Palestinians and to ensure the protection of the Palestinian population," the statement added.

Every effort must be made to ensure the strict compliance by all parties to the laws of war in the conduct of hostilities and the treatment of civilians and persons hors de combat, and to ensure that life-saving humanitarian assistance is able to reach civilians in the Gaza Strip to prevent further unnecessary loss of life.

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The United Nations Human Rights office has flagged daily violations of the laws of war and international human rights law in Gaza. It said on Tuesday that Israels siege of Gaza and its evacuation order there could amount to the international crime of the forcible transfer of civilians. With a staggering 4,200 people killed, over one million people displaced in just 10 days, and large areas in the Gaza Strip reduced to rubble, there is a grave fears about the toll on civilians in the coming days, said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The death toll includes a large number of women and children, as well as at least 11 Palestinian journalists, 28 medical staff and 14 UN colleagues. It remains unclear how many more bodies may be buried in the rubble  with many families missing loved ones, terrified about their uncertain fate, a statement issued by Ravina Shamdasani said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Military operations show no signs of abating, the continued siege on Gaza is affecting water supply, food, medicine and other basic needs, with numerous health facilities hit by bombardment and others beyond breaking point, there are serious concerns about the accessibility of medical care for the many thousands injured  and for the estimated 50,000 pregnant women, as well as people with chronic physical and mental health issues. The current hostilities are compounding already limited enjoyment of the right to health resulting from the ongoing blockade of Gaza. Attacks against medical facilities, medical personnel and the wounded and sick are prohibited under international humanitarian law, the UN said. Appalling reports that civilians attempting to relocate to southern Gaza were struck and killed by an explosive weapon must be independently and thoroughly investigated, as must all allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law. "We urge the Israeli forces to avoid targeting civilians and civilian objects or conducting area bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, and to take precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimize, loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects," the UN added. Those who managed to comply with the Israeli authorities order to evacuate are now trapped in the south of the Gaza Strip, with scant shelter, fast-depleting food supplies, little or no access to clean water, sanitation, medicine and other basic needs. So far, around 400,000 IDPs are sheltered in various locations, several in UNRWA buildings. International law requires that any lawful temporary evacuation by Israel, as the occupying power, of an area on the basis of the security of the population or imperative military reasons must be accompanied by the provision of proper accommodation for all evacuees, undertaken under satisfactory conditions of hygiene, health, safety and nutrition. There appears to have been no attempt by Israel to ensure this for the 1.1 million civilians ordered to move. We are concerned that this order combined with the imposition of a complete siege on Gaza may not be considered as lawful temporary evacuation and would therefore amount to a forcible transfer of civilians  in breach of international law, Ravina Shamdasani noted. "We echo the UN call for a humanitarian pause to enable aid delivery and to prevent further suffering and deaths of the already much beleaguered civilian population of Gaza. Urgent immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access needs to be ensured," the UN organization said. ALSO READ | 'Gaza is being strangled': Why Israels evacuation order violates international law The latest reports indicate that around 199 Israeli are held hostages by Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. And once again, we urge Palestinian armed groups to immediately and unconditionally release all civilian hostages, and to halt the use of inherently indiscriminate projectiles against Israel. "We are also concerned at increased violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Since 7 October, 52 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces, and five more have been killed by settlers. We urge Israeli authorities to ensure that Israeli security forces refrain from the use of live ammunition except as a last resort to address an imminent threat to life or serious injury and we urge them to take immediate steps to end settler violence against Palestinians and to ensure the protection of the Palestinian population," the statement added. Every effort must be made to ensure the strict compliance by all parties to the laws of war in the conduct of hostilities and the treatment of civilians and persons hors de combat, and to ensure that life-saving humanitarian assistance is able to reach civilians in the Gaza Strip to prevent further unnecessary loss of life. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

TEHRAN: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Tuesday that "no one can stop" forces opposed to Israel if it keeps up its bombardment of Gaza in response to the surprise attack by Hamas.

The Islamic Republic has maintained close contacts with its allies across the region since Hamas militants stormed across the Gaza border with Israel and killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR HERE

Israel has responded to the attack with a devastating air and artillery bombardment of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip that has killed at least 2,750 Palestinians, also mostly civilians.

"If the crimes of the Zionist (Israeli) regime continue, Muslims and resistance forces will become impatient, and no one can stop them," Khamenei said.

"No one should expect" that certain parties like Iran can "prevent the resistance forces" from taking action, said the supreme leader, who has the final say in major state policies in Iran. "No matter what the Zionist regime does, it cannot make up for the scandalous failure it suffered," Khamenei said.

ALSO READ | 'Gaza is strangled': Why Israels evacuation order violates international law

"Regarding the situation in Gaza, we all have a responsibility to react; we must react," Khamenei said, without detailing what a reaction may entail.

Officials in Iran often use the term "axis of resistance" to refer to the Islamic Republic and its allied forces across the Middle East, including Lebanon's Hezbollah and other Shiite forces in Iraq and Syria.

'Resistance front'

Israel has deployed tens of thousands of troops on its border with Gaza in preparation for a full-scale ground offensive on the Palestinian territory.

It has told some 1.1 million Gazans -- nearly half the territory's population of 2.4 million -- to leave the north of the densely populated enclave, in anticipation of the operation.

ALSO READ | Iran warns 'no one can guarantee' control of situation if Israel invades Gaza

Iran has repeatedly warned a ground invasion of Gaza will be met with a response on other fronts -- prompting fears of a wider conflict that could draw in other countries. Its foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, spoke on Monday of possible "pre-emptive action" against Israel by the "resistance front" while President Ebrahim Raisi said time was running out to reach a political solution.

Amir-Abdollahian spoke by telephone on Tuesday about the situation with the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell, according to a statement from his ministry. He described "the US encouragement of the Zionist regime to carry out more attacks against civilians in Gaza" as an important factor in the continuation and expansion of the war.

ALSO READ | Gaza's health system is in abject crisis after Israel's 'total siege'

Tehran, which financially and militarily backs Hamas militants, celebrated the Hamas assault but insisted it was not involved.

Iran's supreme leader criticised "officials of certain countries" for supporting Israel after the Hamas attacks. He rejected as "untrue" that most of the Israelis killed were civilians, arguing that "those people in the settlements are all armed."

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has made support for the Palestinian cause one of the pillars of its foreign policy.

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TEHRAN: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Tuesday that "no one can stop" forces opposed to Israel if it keeps up its bombardment of Gaza in response to the surprise attack by Hamas. The Islamic Republic has maintained close contacts with its allies across the region since Hamas militants stormed across the Gaza border with Israel and killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians. FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR HEREgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Israel has responded to the attack with a devastating air and artillery bombardment of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip that has killed at least 2,750 Palestinians, also mostly civilians. "If the crimes of the Zionist (Israeli) regime continue, Muslims and resistance forces will become impatient, and no one can stop them," Khamenei said. "No one should expect" that certain parties like Iran can "prevent the resistance forces" from taking action, said the supreme leader, who has the final say in major state policies in Iran. "No matter what the Zionist regime does, it cannot make up for the scandalous failure it suffered," Khamenei said. ALSO READ | 'Gaza is strangled': Why Israels evacuation order violates international law "Regarding the situation in Gaza, we all have a responsibility to react; we must react," Khamenei said, without detailing what a reaction may entail. Officials in Iran often use the term "axis of resistance" to refer to the Islamic Republic and its allied forces across the Middle East, including Lebanon's Hezbollah and other Shiite forces in Iraq and Syria. 'Resistance front' Israel has deployed tens of thousands of troops on its border with Gaza in preparation for a full-scale ground offensive on the Palestinian territory. It has told some 1.1 million Gazans -- nearly half the territory's population of 2.4 million -- to leave the north of the densely populated enclave, in anticipation of the operation. ALSO READ | Iran warns 'no one can guarantee' control of situation if Israel invades Gaza Iran has repeatedly warned a ground invasion of Gaza will be met with a response on other fronts -- prompting fears of a wider conflict that could draw in other countries. Its foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, spoke on Monday of possible "pre-emptive action" against Israel by the "resistance front" while President Ebrahim Raisi said time was running out to reach a political solution. Amir-Abdollahian spoke by telephone on Tuesday about the situation with the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell, according to a statement from his ministry. He described "the US encouragement of the Zionist regime to carry out more attacks against civilians in Gaza" as an important factor in the continuation and expansion of the war. ALSO READ | Gaza's health system is in abject crisis after Israel's 'total siege' Tehran, which financially and militarily backs Hamas militants, celebrated the Hamas assault but insisted it was not involved. Iran's supreme leader criticised "officials of certain countries" for supporting Israel after the Hamas attacks. He rejected as "untrue" that most of the Israelis killed were civilians, arguing that "those people in the settlements are all armed." Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has made support for the Palestinian cause one of the pillars of its foreign policy. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

RAFAH: Relief convoys which have been waiting for days in Egypt were Tuesday headed towards the Rafah border crossing with the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza, aid officials said.

The blockaded territory has been under sustained Israeli bombardment since Gaza's ruling militant group Hamas launched its bloody onslaught against Israel on October 7.

So far Egypt has kept the Rafah crossing closed, to aid going in or foreign nationals trying to flee, as Israel has repeatedly struck the Palestinian side of the crossing.

"We have arrived at the terminal and are now waiting for the next step," said Heba Rashed, who runs the aid group Mersal.

Hundreds more lorries were headed along the coast road for the 40 kilometre (25 mile) journey from the Egyptian city of El Arish to Rafah, other aid officials said.

A Red Crescent official confirmed that aid convoys were being assembled on the Egyptian side of the divided border city of Rafah.

"We've not been told what time we're going to cross but we were asked to head for Rafah," the Egyptian Red Crescent official said, asking not to be identified.

"You could say we're nearing a deal on the entry of aid and the exit of foreigners," said the official, who was himself headed to Rafah.

READ LIVE UPDATES OF ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR HERE

The Israeli military launched its devastating bombardment after Hamas militants broke through the heavily fortified border, shooting, stabbing and burning to death more than 1,400 people.

The reprisals have killed at least 2,750 people in Gaza, according to health officials in the territory. The casualties on both sides have mostly been civilians.

Aid deliveries from multiple agencies and donor governments have been piling up in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula for the past few days amid mounting appeals to Israel to establish a safe corridor into the Gaza Strip.

The European Union has called for an aid bridge to be established for the 2.4 million people in Gaza, many of whom have been driven from their homes.

During 10 days of artillery bombardments and air strikes, the Israeli military has hit the Rafah crossing four times, prompting authorities to keep it largely closed.

Israel's top ally the United States has been pressing Egypt to reopen the border to allow Palestinian Americans in Gaza to leave.

UN humanitarian affairs chief Martin Griffiths was due in Cairo on Tuesday to help the efforts for an agreement.

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RAFAH: Relief convoys which have been waiting for days in Egypt were Tuesday headed towards the Rafah border crossing with the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza, aid officials said. The blockaded territory has been under sustained Israeli bombardment since Gaza's ruling militant group Hamas launched its bloody onslaught against Israel on October 7. So far Egypt has kept the Rafah crossing closed, to aid going in or foreign nationals trying to flee, as Israel has repeatedly struck the Palestinian side of the crossing.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "We have arrived at the terminal and are now waiting for the next step," said Heba Rashed, who runs the aid group Mersal. Hundreds more lorries were headed along the coast road for the 40 kilometre (25 mile) journey from the Egyptian city of El Arish to Rafah, other aid officials said. A Red Crescent official confirmed that aid convoys were being assembled on the Egyptian side of the divided border city of Rafah. "We've not been told what time we're going to cross but we were asked to head for Rafah," the Egyptian Red Crescent official said, asking not to be identified. "You could say we're nearing a deal on the entry of aid and the exit of foreigners," said the official, who was himself headed to Rafah. READ LIVE UPDATES OF ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR HERE The Israeli military launched its devastating bombardment after Hamas militants broke through the heavily fortified border, shooting, stabbing and burning to death more than 1,400 people. The reprisals have killed at least 2,750 people in Gaza, according to health officials in the territory. The casualties on both sides have mostly been civilians. Aid deliveries from multiple agencies and donor governments have been piling up in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula for the past few days amid mounting appeals to Israel to establish a safe corridor into the Gaza Strip. The European Union has called for an aid bridge to be established for the 2.4 million people in Gaza, many of whom have been driven from their homes. During 10 days of artillery bombardments and air strikes, the Israeli military has hit the Rafah crossing four times, prompting authorities to keep it largely closed. Israel's top ally the United States has been pressing Egypt to reopen the border to allow Palestinian Americans in Gaza to leave. UN humanitarian affairs chief Martin Griffiths was due in Cairo on Tuesday to help the efforts for an agreement. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provided Azerbaijan with available data on burial sites in May 2022, Trend reports.

This issue was highlighted at an event of the ICRC held for media representatives.

In total, more than 400 possible burial sites were identified, of which 23 were classified as places with high burial accuracy, 64 with medium accuracy and 320 with low accuracy.

During the event, it was noted that the ICRC had taken 10,800 biological reference materials from the families of missing persons by the end of 2022.

The ICRC holds an information session for media representatives.
By AFP

BANGKOK: Dwindling humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees threatens to exacerbate one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, the UN's refugee chief said on Tuesday

Bangladesh is home to around a million members of the stateless minority, most of whom fled a Myanmar military crackdown in 2017 now subject to a genocide probe at the International Criminal Court.

Frustration is widespread over the lack of progress in a repatriation deal, rampant lawlessness in the refugee settlements and cuts to international humanitarian aid.

Humanitarian assistance "is declining" amid crises in Ethiopia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Israel, Filippo Grandi told reporters on the sidelines of a regional meeting.

"This is a crisis that should not be forgotten... If contributions decline, we are in trouble."

The Rohingya crisis had only 42 per cent of the $875.9 million funding needed this year, he said.

Budget cuts have forced the UN World Food Programme to steeply reduce humanitarian aid to the Rohingya camps this year, with rations now $8 per refugee, per month.

Malnutrition in the sprawling camps is already rampant rights groups say.

Grandi said repatriation to Myanmar was still "Plan A," even as he acknowledged many Rohingya were still afraid to return to the country where they are widely viewed as interlopers from Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and Myanmar are working on a pilot programme to begin repatriating a limited number of Rohingya, despite concerns from rights groups who say conditions are not safe for their return.

Rohingya in Myanmar are denied citizenship and access to healthcare and require permission to travel outside of their townships.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing -- who was head of the army during the crackdown -- has dismissed the term Rohingya as "imaginary".

"Plan B is the status quo, people continue to be in host countries... but this is not sustainable in the long term," Grandi said.

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BANGKOK: Dwindling humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees threatens to exacerbate one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, the UN's refugee chief said on Tuesday Bangladesh is home to around a million members of the stateless minority, most of whom fled a Myanmar military crackdown in 2017 now subject to a genocide probe at the International Criminal Court. Frustration is widespread over the lack of progress in a repatriation deal, rampant lawlessness in the refugee settlements and cuts to international humanitarian aid.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Humanitarian assistance "is declining" amid crises in Ethiopia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Israel, Filippo Grandi told reporters on the sidelines of a regional meeting. "This is a crisis that should not be forgotten... If contributions decline, we are in trouble." The Rohingya crisis had only 42 per cent of the $875.9 million funding needed this year, he said. Budget cuts have forced the UN World Food Programme to steeply reduce humanitarian aid to the Rohingya camps this year, with rations now $8 per refugee, per month. Malnutrition in the sprawling camps is already rampant rights groups say. Grandi said repatriation to Myanmar was still "Plan A," even as he acknowledged many Rohingya were still afraid to return to the country where they are widely viewed as interlopers from Bangladesh. Bangladesh and Myanmar are working on a pilot programme to begin repatriating a limited number of Rohingya, despite concerns from rights groups who say conditions are not safe for their return. Rohingya in Myanmar are denied citizenship and access to healthcare and require permission to travel outside of their townships. Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing -- who was head of the army during the crackdown -- has dismissed the term Rohingya as "imaginary". "Plan B is the status quo, people continue to be in host countries... but this is not sustainable in the long term," Grandi said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Associated Press

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip: Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza where Palestinians sought safety, killing dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure Tuesday in attacks it says are targeted at militants. US officials worked to convince Israel to allow delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals after days of failed hopes for an opening in the siege.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. US officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating whether Israel was demanding the release of all of the roughly 200 people Hamas abducted before allowing supplies in.

US President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region as he and other world leaders tried to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a UN school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 UN installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

Israel sealed off Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 200 taken captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the UN said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza.

Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

We come to the border crossing hoping that it will open, but so far there is no information, said Jameel Abdullah, a Swedish citizen.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the US, Israel and Egypt.

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israels Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the UN oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Blinken arrived in Israel last Thursday with a full-throated message of unequivocal U.S. support for Israel in its campaign to destroy Hamas. But in meetings with seven Arab leaders over the next three days, Blinkens tone shifted subtly, talking more prominently about the need for humanitarian aid.

U.S. officials said it had become clear by then that already limited Arab tolerance of Israels military operations would evaporate entirely if conditions in Gaza worsened. They said that outright condemnation of Israel by Arab leaders would be a boon to Hamas and could encourage Iran, according to four officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration thinking. That prompted Blinken to press Netanyahu on an aid deal.

ALSO READ | As Biden heads to Israel and Jordan, aid is held up for a Gaza on the verge of total collapse

Bidens visit to Israel Wednesday will signal the White Houses support for a key ally. He will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could spread in the region.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israels continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.



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KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip: Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza where Palestinians sought safety, killing dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure Tuesday in attacks it says are targeted at militants. US officials worked to convince Israel to allow delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals after days of failed hopes for an opening in the siege. With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. US officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward. Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating whether Israel was demanding the release of all of the roughly 200 people Hamas abducted before allowing supplies in. US President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region as he and other world leaders tried to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate. With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain. We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different. In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood. An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike. Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a UN school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 UN installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers. A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war. Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups. Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said. In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed. Israel sealed off Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 200 taken captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel. Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water. The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory. Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the UN said. At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out. We come to the border crossing hoping that it will open, but so far there is no information, said Jameel Abdullah, a Swedish citizen. Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the US, Israel and Egypt. A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israels Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the UN oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks. Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement. Blinken arrived in Israel last Thursday with a full-throated message of unequivocal U.S. support for Israel in its campaign to destroy Hamas. But in meetings with seven Arab leaders over the next three days, Blinkens tone shifted subtly, talking more prominently about the need for humanitarian aid. U.S. officials said it had become clear by then that already limited Arab tolerance of Israels military operations would evaporate entirely if conditions in Gaza worsened. They said that outright condemnation of Israel by Arab leaders would be a boon to Hamas and could encourage Iran, according to four officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration thinking. That prompted Blinken to press Netanyahu on an aid deal. ALSO READ | As Biden heads to Israel and Jordan, aid is held up for a Gaza on the verge of total collapse Bidens visit to Israel Wednesday will signal the White Houses support for a key ally. He will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could spread in the region. Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants. Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israels continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region. Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Associated Press

KHAN YOUNIS (Gaza Strip): The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

The health ministry, which is run by Hamas, said at least 500 people had been killed. Photos purportedly from al-Ahli Hospital shared widely on social video showed fire engulfing the building, widespread damage and bodies scattered in the wreckage. The photos could not be independently verified.

Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Hamas, which sparked the latest war with an attack last week that killed more than 1,400 Israelis, called Tuesday's hospital strike a horrific massacre. It said in a statement that most of the casualties were displaced families, patients, children and women.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: We will get the details and update the public. I dont know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike.

In the south, Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure Tuesday as U.S. officials worked to convince Israel to allow delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals after days of failed hopes for an opening in the siege.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territory's 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating whether Israel was demanding the release of all of the roughly 200 people Hamas abducted before allowing supplies in.

U.S. President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region as he and other world leaders tried to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

Palestinians evacuate a child after an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 | AP

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agency's staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the group's military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas' armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israel's retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

Israel sealed off Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 200 taken captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

Palestinians evacuate wounded in Israeli bombardment of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 | AP

The U.N. agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza.

Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

We come to the border crossing hoping that it will open, but so far there is no information, said Jameel Abdullah, a Swedish citizen.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the U.S., Israel and Egypt.

Palestinian child wounded in Israeli bombardment is treated in a hospital in Deir al-Balah, south of the Gaza Strip | AP

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israel's Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the U.N. oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

ALSO READ | Six killed in UN-run Gaza school during Israeli strikes

Blinken arrived in Israel last Thursday with a full-throated message of unequivocal U.S. support for Israel in its campaign to destroy Hamas. But in meetings with seven Arab leaders over the next three days, Blinken's tone shifted subtly, talking more prominently about the need for humanitarian aid.

U.S. officials said it had become clear by then that already limited Arab tolerance of Israels military operations would evaporate entirely if conditions in Gaza worsened. They said that outright condemnation of Israel by Arab leaders would be a boon to Hamas and could encourage Iran, according to four officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration thinking. That prompted Blinken to press Netanyahu on an aid deal.

Biden's visit to Israel Wednesday will signal the White House's support for a key ally. He will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could spread in the region.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

A Palestinian child wounded in Israeli bombardment is treated in a hospital in Deir al-Balah, southern Gaza Strip | AP

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.

Meanwhile, reports quoting a senior Palestinian official said that President Mahmoud Abbas canceled his planned meeting Wednesday with President Biden.



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KHAN YOUNIS (Gaza Strip): The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008. The health ministry, which is run by Hamas, said at least 500 people had been killed. Photos purportedly from al-Ahli Hospital shared widely on social video showed fire engulfing the building, widespread damage and bodies scattered in the wreckage. The photos could not be independently verified. Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Hamas, which sparked the latest war with an attack last week that killed more than 1,400 Israelis, called Tuesday's hospital strike a horrific massacre. It said in a statement that most of the casualties were displaced families, patients, children and women. Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: We will get the details and update the public. I dont know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike. In the south, Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure Tuesday as U.S. officials worked to convince Israel to allow delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals after days of failed hopes for an opening in the siege. With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territory's 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward. Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas. The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating whether Israel was demanding the release of all of the roughly 200 people Hamas abducted before allowing supplies in. U.S. President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region as he and other world leaders tried to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate. With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain. Palestinians evacuate a child after an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 | AP We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different. In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood. An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike. Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agency's staff. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers. A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the group's military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war. Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas' armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups. Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israel's retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said. In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed. Israel sealed off Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 200 taken captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel. Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water. Palestinians evacuate wounded in Israeli bombardment of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 | AP The U.N. agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory. Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said. At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out. We come to the border crossing hoping that it will open, but so far there is no information, said Jameel Abdullah, a Swedish citizen. Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the U.S., Israel and Egypt. Palestinian child wounded in Israeli bombardment is treated in a hospital in Deir al-Balah, south of the Gaza Strip | AP A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israel's Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the U.N. oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks. Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement. ALSO READ | Six killed in UN-run Gaza school during Israeli strikes Blinken arrived in Israel last Thursday with a full-throated message of unequivocal U.S. support for Israel in its campaign to destroy Hamas. But in meetings with seven Arab leaders over the next three days, Blinken's tone shifted subtly, talking more prominently about the need for humanitarian aid. U.S. officials said it had become clear by then that already limited Arab tolerance of Israels military operations would evaporate entirely if conditions in Gaza worsened. They said that outright condemnation of Israel by Arab leaders would be a boon to Hamas and could encourage Iran, according to four officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration thinking. That prompted Blinken to press Netanyahu on an aid deal. Biden's visit to Israel Wednesday will signal the White House's support for a key ally. He will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could spread in the region. Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants. A Palestinian child wounded in Israeli bombardment is treated in a hospital in Deir al-Balah, southern Gaza Strip | AP Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region. Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media. Meanwhile, reports quoting a senior Palestinian official said that President Mahmoud Abbas canceled his planned meeting Wednesday with President Biden. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Janhvi Kapoor takes hotness to another level, steals attention in black at Lakme Fashion Week 2023

New Delhi, October 14

A ctor Janhvi Kapoor on Friday night left jaws dropping with her breathtaking look at Lakme Fashion Week 2023.

The 'Dhadak' star turned showstopper for ace designer Amit Aggarwal. Wearing a structured bustier with a body-grazing skirt, Janhvi walked down the ramp like a diva. A swirl of paneled silver was wrapped over the bustier with a metallic finish.

Her kohl-rimmed eyes, wavy locks and dewy glam definitely elevated her glamorous look.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyWYMN_SLaa/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

On her outfit, Janhvi said, "I love its simplicity and it is impactful just like Amit's entire collection. Also, it is sustainable."

Take a look at pictures and videos of Janhvi's from her hot ramp walk.

Meanwhile, on the film front, Janhvi will be seen headlining 'Ulajh', which is directed by National Award winner Sudhanshu Saria. The thriller film also stars Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew in the lead roles.

Excited to be a part of 'Ulajh', Janhvi earlier said, "When I was approached with the script of 'Ulajh', it instantly attracted me because as an actor, I am constantly looking for scripts that make me break out of my comfort zone and portraying a character based in the celebrated world of the Indian Foreign Services was just that. Just as the name of the film suggests, my character and the story have so many layers, emotions, and parameters, which is challenging and exciting at the same time. I am thrilled for the audience to see me in this new role envisioned by Sudhanshu, who has such a fresh approach towards dealing with this genre. I am also looking forward to working with such talented co-actors and a development studio like Junglee Pictures for the first time."

Janhvi will also be seen in the film 'Mr and Mrs Mahi' opposite RajKummar Rao.

Janhvi Kapoor takes hotness to another level, steals attention in black at Lakme Fashion Week 2023

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New Delhi, October 14

T he launch of passenger ferry service between Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam and Sri Lanka's Kankesanthurai is "truly a big step" for people-to-people contacts between India and Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

Jaishankar virtually joined the launch of the ferry services that was flagged off today by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal at Nagapattinam.

In his virtual address, the external affairs minister said the ferry service between the two countries is also an affirmation of the people-centric policies of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

Vessel Cheriyapani travelled with 50 passengers on its inaugural journey to Sri Lanka and will return to India this evening with passengers from Sri Lanka, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Jaishankar said, "We are gathered here this morning to witness the launch of the passenger ferry from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai. This is truly a big step for people-to-people contacts between India and Sri Lanka and it was so recognized by Prime Minister Modi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe."

"But the occasion is more than just a ferry launch. It is an affirmation of the people-centric policies of the Modi government that have helped both those in Tamil Nadu and those in Sri Lanka's northern province," he added.

Jaishankar termed India's 'Neighbourhood first policy" a generous and far-sighted approach to approximate nations with a focus on connectivity, cooperation and contacts. He said that India's approach is visible in the Chennai-Jaffna flights that have been sanctioned by PM Modi.

The external affairs minister also recalled that PM Modi was the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Jaffna.

"Let us look at how different policies have come together to make a difference. To start with, we have Neighborhood First policy, a generous and far-sighted approach to approximate nations with the focus on connectivity, cooperation and contacts and that is exactly what we are seeking to do through this ferry," he said.

"This is already visible in the Chennai-Jaffna flights that Prime Minister Modi has sanctioned. Such steps are a natural decision of a Prime Minister who has Tamil Nadu close to his heart and who has taken so much interest in the welfare of all in Sri Lanka. After all, who can forget that Prime Minister Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister ever to visit Jaffna," he added.

Jaishankar noted that the Indian government's commitment is also visible in support for housing projects, cultural centres and hospitals in Sri Lanka. He said that India in future is looking at grid connection, pipeline and economic corridors and support for all in Sri Lanka to live in equal dignity and equal rights.

Highlighting the SAGAR policy, Jaishankar said, "We have again been active in ensuring maritime security and safety as also in disaster response and environment security. This ferry is an important people-to-people connect through the maritime domain. It also underlines the assistance we have provided for the smooth functioning of the Kankesanthurai harbour."

He said that the PM Modi government's third policy is ease of living or how to make life easier for common citizens. He said that the ferry would directly facilitate cargo services and noted that its benefits would reach those who might have been left behind.

"The ferry will directly facilitate cargo services as you all heard and particularly help small businesses. Its benefits will reach those who otherwise may be left behind. Only yesterday evening, I was discussing with Prime Minister Modi my Sri Lanka visit from which I had returned on Thursday," Jaishankar said.

He further said, "His interest is evident in the message that you will hear from him. This is a Prime Minister who thinks big but always thinks practical. His concern for the interests of Tamil Nadu is well known. We saw that last year in Kashi Tamil Sangamam. We now see it in this Tamil Nadu-Sri Lanka ferry as well."

The ferry service between Nagappatinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna is a high-speed ferry operated by the Shipping Corporation of India and has a capacity of 150 passengers, according to the the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The distance of about 60 nm (110 Km) between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai will be covered in approximately 3.5 hours depending on sea conditions, according to MEA. In order to start the ferry service, the Indian government supported the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board in upgrading facilities at the Nagapattinam port. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has created the necessary infrastructure at the port of KKS.

In the press release, MEA stated, "The Government of India's efforts to start the ferry service are in line with the Government's priority to enhance connectivity with neighbours and in the wider Indian Ocean Region.

"A direct passenger ferry between Sri Lanka and India will provide an efficient and cost-effective means of travel for the people of the two countries, boost tourism and trade links and strengthen people-to-people ties. The ferry will also enhance economic activity around the two ports and invigorate local economies," it added.

The direct air connectivity between Chennai and Jaffna which was suspended during the COVID pandemic resumed in December 2022, according to MEA. Enhancing direct connectivity with Sri Lanka's northern province complements the Indian government's other ongoing development initiatives in the region.

MEA release stated, "The Governments of India and Sri Lanka will continue to work towards the commencement of ferry services between other ports, including the traditional route between Rameswaram- Talaimannar."

Ferry service launch marks big step for India-Sri Lanka people-to-people contacts: Jaishankar

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New Delhi, October 14

A ctor Rana Daggubati walking the ramp is something that does not happen often. However, Delhiites got lucky as they witnessed the 'Baahubali' star in a completely different fashionable avatar on Friday night.

Rana attended Lakme Fashion Week in the national capital last night as a showstopper for designers Shivan and Narresh.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyWUPM6yKWf/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

He along with Athiya Shetty showcased the designers' resort-wear collection, which draws its inspiration from the Suomi Series which finds its roots in the designers' recent visit to Finland.

Rana looked uber cool in a printed jumper, blue zip-up shirt and black baggy pants. He elevated his look with a pair of shades. On the other hand, Athiya was dressed in a black bralette top and high-waisted skirt in shades of mauve and lavender ombre. They both walked the ramp in slip-ons.

During the post-show conference, Rana said, "This is a chill outfit, perfect for a South Indian."

Meanwhile, on the acting front, Rana recently joined the cast of superstar Rajinikanth's 'Thalaivar 170'. Lyca Productions, the film's production house, made the announcement on October 3.

"Welcoming the dapper & supercool talent Mr. Rana Daggubati on board for #Thalaivar170. #Thalaivar170Team has gotten even more charismatic with the addition of the dashing @RanaDaggubati," the production banner posted on X.

Anirudh Ravichander, who worked with Rajinikanth in Jailer, with Vijay in Leo, and most recently with Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan, has also joined the team as the film's music director.

TJ Gnanavel has come on board to direct the film.

Rana Daggubati unleashes his cool fashionable avatar at Lakme Fashion Week 2023

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Today, the projects implemented both in Fuzuli and in all our other cities and villages establish new rules of urban planning on a global scale, and this is noted not only by me, but also by many international experts, said President Ilham Aliyev as he met with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day.

The National Urban Development Forum has been held in Azerbaijan twice  in Agdam and Zangilan, and all our projects were presented there. International organizations highly appreciate them, because the best living conditions have been created here  in terms of the interior of buildings, the interior design of apartments, the principle of floors, the distance between buildings  everything is followed. So there is entire infrastructure and are conditions available for a comfortable life, the head of state emphasized.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. In the example of Fuzuli, at the same time, the whole world and even those who are reluctant to see it, are seeing and must see what Armenian savagery is, said President Ilham Aliyev as he met with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day.

The head of state noted: For many years, when we tried to bring the facts of our Karabakh problem to the attention of the world community, some did not believe. There were those who did not want to believe. We didn't have much evidence. We knew that everything was destroyed, razed to the ground, but we could not even imagine that it was to this extent. Because the occupying state did not allow anyone to enter this region at the time. It was forbidden. Why? Because every person coming here would see what Armenian savagery is. Its manifestations are visible everywhere.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The negotiations with the relevant structures on holding a meeting with Armenians detained after local anti-terrorist measures are underway, the Head of the Public Relations Department of the ICRC Baku Office Ilaha Huseynova said, Trend reports.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

After the anti-terrorist measures, the leader of the "Dashnaktsutyun" nationalist party in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, the former so-called "chairman of parliament" of the separatists David Ishkhanyan, the former so-called "president" of the separatists Arayik Harutyunyan, the former "state minister" Ruben Vardanyan, so-called "first deputy commander of the defense army" and "served" in the rank of "major general" of the separatist regime Davit Manukyan , the former so-called "foreign minister" of the separatist regime David Babayan, former so-called "presidents" of the separatists Bako Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan, and former "defense minister" of the separatists Levon Mnatsakanyan were detained by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan and delivered to Baku.

Currently, the persons are held in the pre-trial detention center in Baku.
Bats have acquired remarkable traits throughout their evolution. They're the only mammals that can fly, and they live much longer than other animals their size. But perhaps most impressive is their robust immune system. It protects bats from viruses that wreak havoc in humans, like COVID-19 or Ebola. It also keeps bats relatively cancer-free. How?

According to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) scientists, it's all in the genes.

Using samples collected in Belize with Nancy Simmons from the American Museum of Natural History, CSHL Professors W. Richard McCombie and Adam Siepel and postdoc Armin Scheben sequenced the genomes of the Jamaican fruit bat and Mesoamerican mustached bat. When they compared these sequences to other mammals, the team found that rapid evolution has streamlined bat genomes to defend against infection and cancer. McCombie explains:

We didn't know immune system genes were so positively selected in bat genomes. Bats have a number of very unusual things about them. They don't respond to infections the way we do. In retrospect, it's not surprising this difference in the immune system may be involved in both the aging and cancer response." Armin Scheben, Postdoc

The Jamaican fruit bat and Mesoamerican mustached bat belong to the world's most ecologically diverse superfamily of mammals. McCombie, Siepel, and Scheben created complete genomes for both bats using new Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology. They then compared these sequences to 15 other bat and mammal genomes, including humans. This revealed an unknown shift in levels of two inflammatory protein-coding genes called interferon-alpha and -omega.

"Bats have dialed down the immune system's alarm by shedding genes that produce interferon-alpha," Scheben explains. "This may be responsible for their high viral tolerance. It prevents overactive immune responses that harm healthy tissue-;one of the reasons infections are so damaging to humans."

They also found that compared to other mammals, bat genomes contain more changes in cancer-related genes, including six that repair DNA and 46 that suppress tumors.

"Our work highlights how immunity and cancer response are deeply interconnected," Scheben says. "The same immune genes and proteins play important roles in cancer resistance."

McCombie, Siepel, and Scheben are now exploring how bats' immune genes are regulated and how they might be expressed in different parts of the body. They hope their work will provide new insights into the links between immunity, aging, and cancer. It may also one day lead to improved treatments.

"There's still a lot of unknowns," Siepel says. "Ultimately, we'll take the work as far as we can and hand off the baton to experts in disease to work toward developing drugs or other therapeutics."
Patients with long COVID  the long-term symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, or memory loss in the months or years following COVID-19  can exhibit a reduction in circulating levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, according to new research published today in Cell. The study, led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, sheds new light on the mechanisms of how persistent inflammation after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause long-term neurological symptoms.

According to the CDC, nearly one in five American adults who had COVID-19 experience symptoms of long COVID. Most patients complain of brain fog, the inability to focus on tasks, memory problems, general fatigue, and headaches. The mechanisms that cause long COVID have not been studied in depth, and treatments that are widely effective in reducing these long-term symptoms have not yet been developed.

Many aspects of the basic biology underlying long COVID have remained unclear. As a result, we are lacking effective tools for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Our findings may not only help to untangle some of the mechanisms that contribute to long COVID, but also provide us with biomarkers that can help clinicians diagnose patients and objectively measure their response to individual treatments." Maayan Levy, PhD, senior author, assistant professor of Microbiology at Penn Medicine

The pathway from acute COVID-19 infection to long COVID

In a collaboration between Penn's departments of Microbiology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitations' Post COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic, researchers evaluated the effects of long COVID in blood and stool samples from various clinical studies and in small animal models.

The researchers determined that a subset of patients with long COVID had traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in their stool samples even months after acute COVID-19 infection, which suggests that components of the virus remain in the gut of some patients long after infection. They found that this remaining virus, called a viral reservoir, triggers the immune system to release proteins that fight the virus, called interferons. These interferons cause inflammation that reduces the absorption of the amino acid tryptophan in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Tryptophan is a building block for several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, which is primarily produced in the GI tract and carries messages between nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body. It plays a key role in regulating memory, sleep, digestion, wound healing, and other functions that maintain homeostasis within the body. Serotonin is also an important regulator of the vagus nerve, a system of neurons that mediate the communication between the body and the brain.

The researchers found that when tryptophan absorption is reduced by persistent viral inflammation, serotonin is depleted, leading to disrupted vagus nerve signaling, which in turn can cause several of the symptoms associated with long COVID, such as memory loss.

Revealing possible targets for long COVID treatments

Clinicians treating patients with long COVID have been relying on personal reports from those patients to determine if their symptoms are improving. Now, our research shows that there are biomarkers we may be able to use to match patients to treatments or clinical trials that address the specific causes of their long COVID symptoms, and more effectively assess their progress." Sara Cherry, PhD, co-senior author, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The authors took this insight one step further, to identify if replenishing tryptophan or serotonin in patients who exhibit deficiencies could treat long COVID symptoms. They demonstrated that serotonin levels could be restored, and memory impairment reversed, in small animal models through treatment with serotonin precursors or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

"There has been some evidence to suggest that SSRIs could be effective in preventing long COVID, and our research now presents an opportunity for future studies to select specific patients for a trial who exhibit depleted serotonin, and to be able to measure response to treatment," said co-senior author, Benjamin Abramoff, MD, MS, director of the Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic, and an assistant professor of Clinical Physical Medicine.

Furthermore, uncovering how viral infection impacts the absorption of tryptophan presents more opportunities for additional research into the other processes that tryptophan influences. While this study focused on serotonin, tryptophan is a building block for many other important metabolites, like niacin, which helps the body turn food into energy, and melatonin, a hormone which regulates circadian rhythms and sleep.

"Long COVID varies from patient to patient, and we don't fully understand what causes the differences in symptoms," said co-senior author, Christoph Thaiss, PhD, an assistant professor of Microbiology. "Our study provides a unique opportunity for further research to determine how many individuals with long COVID are affected by the pathway linking viral persistence, serotonin deficiency, and dysfunction of the vagus nerve and to uncover additional targets for treatments across the different symptoms patients experience."

For more information about the Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic and Long COVID research, visit: https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-health-care-professionals/for-physicians/covid-information/post-covid19-assessment-and-recovery-clinic-at-penn, or call 215-893-2668.

The study was in part funded by the PolyBio Research Foundation, the Penn Center for Research on Coronavirus and Other Emerging Pathogens, the Pew Biomedical Scholar program, the Searle Scholars program, and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
Depression and anxiety among college students is a growing public health problem. And new research from the University of Georgia suggests the problem may be worse for students who aren't the same race as most of their peers.

The new study found that students who were not the majority race at a predominantly white college reported significantly higher rates of depression than their white peers.

At the mostly white university, more than half of the students who self-identified as races other than white reported feelings of mild depression. An additional 17% said they were experiencing moderate to severe depression.

Students at the predominantly white institution all reported similar levels of anxiety, regardless of race, with more than three in every five students saying they experience mild to severe levels of anxiety.

At the historically Black college, students who weren't Black experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression as well.

Our study adds to the evidence of how important the work around inclusivity and mental health is in the college environment. It's important to be mindful that not all students come with the same background, and we need to support them more." Janani Rajbhandari-Thapa, Associate Professor, UGA's College of Public Health

First-generation students more likely to suffer depression

More than 3,100 students participated in the study during the COVID-19 pandemic, answering questions about feelings of hopelessness, sleep issues and lack of energy, among other topics.

The researchers found that first-generation students were also significantly more likely to experience depression compared to students who weren't the first to attend college in their families.

All first-generation students surveyed expressed that they had some level of depression, regardless of the institution. Most reported mild symptoms, but more than half at the predominantly white university said they had moderate to severe levels of depression.

"I was an international student myself and can relate to the stresses of settling in during the first semester in the U.S. a little bit" Rajbhandari-Thapa said. "Being a first-generation student and experiencing college for the first time in your family comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities, and it is important that university faculty and staff work towards addressing the challenges.

"There are trainings and workshops in the workplace, but we need to do more to help new college students feel at home."

Socializing, sense of belonging helps safeguard against mental illness

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life for most Americans. College students were particularly hard hit.

Where they would normally be socializing and engaging in group activities, many were masked up and socially distanced, preventing some of that integral interaction that strengthens social bonds. The additional stressors likely led to increases in stress and anxiety, but the researchers suggest that not all groups were affected equally.

Female students, for example, were harder hit with depression and anxiety than their male counterparts, which reflects the larger social pattern of mental health problems hitting women more intensely.

But the researchers say investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion resources can help students feel more at home on campus, regardless of their race or first-generation status.

"Belonging is so important," Rajbhandari-Thapa said. "I don't think there is ever enough support for first-generation and minority students. Universities are starting to do this already, but it's important that we provide as much support as possible."

Published by the Journal of American College Health, the study was co-authored by Kathryn Chiang, Mitchell Chen Lee, Arial Treankler and Heather Padilla, of the University of Georgia. Additional co-authors include Drs. Emily Anne Vall at Resilient Georgia and Marion Ross Fedrick at the Albany State University.
Nearly every day, Halley Crissman and her physician colleagues in Michigan must tell patients seeking abortions they're very sorry that they can't proceed with their scheduled appointments.

"Patients tell me, 'Doctor, why are you stopping me from getting the care that I need?'" said Crissman, an OB-GYN who provides abortions as part of her practice and is also an assistant professor at the University of Michigan. "The answer is that Prop 3 made access to abortion care a right in Michigan. But these [other] laws remain on the books."

Ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion patients have traveled to Michigan in record numbers for care. Voters passed what's known as Proposal 3 last November, enshrining abortion rights in the state's constitution. But it can still be difficult to get abortion care in Michigan, and even patients who have secured appointments are regularly turned away, doctors say.

That's because of remaining legal restrictions, including an informed consent form that must be printed and signed 24 hours before an appointment begins.

This fall, Democrats in Michigan pledged to change those older state laws. They introduced the Reproductive Health Act, which would repeal the state's 24-hour mandatory waiting period, get rid of the informed consent form, allow Medicaid to cover abortions for low-income patients, and make it easier for private insurance to cover abortions. The legislation would also lift regulations on abortion clinics that advocates say are unnecessary and burdensome.

The time is ripe, Democrats say. Since the 2022 election, the party controls both chambers of the legislature and the governorship, positioning them to pass what they consider a landmark victory for reproductive health.

But now that legislation is stalled  not because of opposition from the Republican minority, but because of dissension within the Democrats' ranks. Michigan is one of the few remaining Midwestern states where abortion remains legal, so Democrats' efforts to make the procedure more accessible in the state will have wide-ranging consequences.

Pre-visit paperwork requires Internet access, a printer, and exact timing

Crissman has a request for anyone who thinks Michigan's 24-hour mandatory waiting period and informed consent form laws are reasonable: See if you can figure them out.

"Try to figure out what you're supposed to print. See if you get it right," said Crissman, "because every day I see patients who've driven five hours for abortion care. And they haven't gotten it right."

A pamphlet distributed to patients relies heavily on a Q&A format that appears focused on helping them navigate potential difficulties during a pregnancy. One question reads: "How am I supposed to eat healthy food when it costs so much?" The answer: Try food stamps. Q: "What if my house or apartment is in an unsafe neighborhood?" A: Have a "safety plan in mind" and "lock your doors."

The pamphlet features pictures of smiling pregnant women cradling their bellies and beaming parents holding sleeping newborns. At a statehouse hearing last month, Sarah Wallett, chief medical operating officer of Planned Parenthood of Michigan, said state law mandates these materials be provided to all patients, regardless of their circumstances. One patient was ending a much-wanted pregnancy because of a fetal "anomaly incompatible with life," Wallett said. "She asked me with tears in her eyes why I had forced her to look at information that wasnt relevant to her, that only made this harder for her and her family going through this heartbreak. I could only reply, 'Because Michigan law requires me to.'"

Once patients have reviewed the required materials, they need to click "finish." That automatically generates a signature form, with a date and time stamp of the exact moment they clicked "finish." That time stamp must be at least 24 hours, but no more than two weeks, before their appointment. Otherwise, under Michigan law, the appointment must be canceled.

Patients must then print and bring a copy of that signed, time-stamped page to the appointment.

Cancellations over paperwork can lead to increased risks

Planned Parenthood of Michigan reports turning away at least 150 patients a month because of mistakes with that form: The patient didn't sign it in the proper time window, or printed the wrong page, or didn't have a printer.

That delay in care can be medically risky, said OB-GYN Charita Roque, who testified at the hearing for the Reproductive Health Act. Roque explained that a patient had developed peripartum cardiomyopathy, a potentially life-threatening heart problem that can occur during pregnancy.

"Not wanting to risk her life, or leave the young child she already had without a mother, she decided to get an abortion," said Roque, who is also an assistant professor at Western Michigan University's medical school. "But by the time she finally got to me, she was 13 weeks pregnant, and the clock was ticking due to her high-risk health status."

The patient didn't have a printer, so when she arrived at her appointment, she hadn't brought a hard copy of the required form. Her appointment was postponed.

"During that time, her cardiac status became even higher risk, and it was evident that she would need a higher level of care in a hospital setting," Roque said. "This meant that the cost would be much, much higher: over $10,000. And since her insurance was legally prohibited from covering abortion care, she anticipated she would have to incur significant medical debt. In the end, she suffered a five-week delay from the first day I saw her [to] when her procedure was finally completed. The delay was entirely unnecessary."

A Democrat breaks with her party

Republicans and abortion opponents have called the Reproductive Health Act a political overreach, pointing out that the bills go far beyond Proposal 3's promise, which was to "#RestoreRoe."

"The so-called Reproductive Health Act, with its dangerous and unpopular changes, goes far beyond what Michigan voters approved in Proposal 3 of 2022," Republican state Rep. Ken Borton said in a statement. "While claiming to promote reproductive health, this plan ultimately risks hurting Michigan residents by undermining patients and decriminalizing the worst parts of abortion practices.

Still, until a few weeks ago, Democrats appeared poised to pass the Reproductive Health Act through their majorities in the House and Senate. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vowed to sign it.

Then, on Sept. 20, state Rep. Karen Whitsett stunned her party: She cast the lone Democratic "no" vote in the House of Representatives health policy committee. The bills still passed out of committee, but the Democrats' majority in the House is so slim, they can't afford to lose a single vote.

Whitsett said that she's not alone in her concerns, and that other Democrats in the state legislature have privately voiced similar doubts about the legislation.

At first, Whitsett said, she thought her discussions with Democratic leadership were productive, "that we were actually getting somewhere. But it was pushed through. And I was asked to either not come to work, or to pass on my vote. Im not doing either of those."

It's not that Whitsett doesn't support abortion rights, she said. "Ive been raped. Ive gone through the process of trying to make the hard decision. I did the 24-hour pause. I did all these things that everyone else is currently going through."

And because she's had an abortion, she said, she is proof the current restrictions aren't so unreasonable. If the current online forms are confusing, she said, "let's bring this into 2023: How about you DocuSign? But I still do not think that 24 hours of a pause, to make sure youre making the right decision, is too much to ask."

Most of all, Whitsett said, her constituents in Detroit and Dearborn do not want Medicaid  and, therefore, their tax dollars  funding elective abortions. Medicaid is jointly funded by state and federal dollars, and the long-standing federal "Hyde Amendment" prohibits federal funds from paying for abortions except in the case of rape or incest, or to save the life of the patient. But states have the option to use their own funding to cover abortion care for Medicaid recipients.

In Michigan, voters approved a ban in 1988 on state funding for abortion, but the new legislation would overturn that. The change would increase state Medicaid costs by an estimated $2 million-$6 million, according to a Michigan House Fiscal Agency analysis.

"People are saying, 'I agree to reproductive health. But I never agreed to pay for it,'" Whitsett said. "And I think thats very fair.  I just do not think that thats something that should be asked of anyone as a taxpayer."

As legislative clock ticks, political pressures ramp up

Whitsett is now the target of a public pressure campaign by advocacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and Planned Parenthood of Michigan. A virtual event targeted Detroit voters in Whitsett's district. Paula Thornton-Greer, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan, issued a public statement claiming Whitsett would be "solely responsible for the continued enforcement of dozens of anti-abortion restrictions that disproportionately harm women of color and people who are struggling to make ends meet."

Crissman, the OB-GYN, said she's tired of not being able to give her patients the care they seek.

"I wish Rep. Whitsett could sit with me and tell a patient to their face: 'No, we cant provide your abortion care today, because you printed the wrong page on this 24-hour consent,'" Crissman said. "Or 'No, mother of five trying to make ends meet and feed your kids, you cant use your Medicaid to pay for abortion care.' Because I don't want to tell patients that anymore."

But abortion opponents say they're not surprised the legislation has stalled.

"These hastily crafted bills present a real danger to women and our broader communities," said Genevieve Marnon, legislative director of Right to Life of Michigan, in an email. "I have no doubt many people of good conscience are finding cause for hesitation, for a whole host of reasons.

On Monday, Gov. Whitmer told reporters she still expects "the whole package" of legislation in the Reproductive Health Act to pass.

"Any and every bill of the RHA that hits my desk, I'm going to sign. I'd like to see them come as a package. It's important, and I think that the voters expect that. It was a result of an overwhelming effort to enshrine these rights into our constitution. But also with an expectation that additional barriers are going to be leveled. So I'm not going to pick and choose. I'm not going to say that I can live with this and not that. I want to see the whole package hit my desk."

This article is from a partnership that includes Michigan Radio, NPR, and KFF Health News.
Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS) are characterized by persistent bodily symptoms and functional impairment that lack an explanation through known medical condition or pathology.

It is estimated that up to 40% of all consultations in primary care in Norway involve patients presenting with MUPS and make up a considerable proportion of people on long-term sick leave and on disability.

Former studies have shown that the general practitioner (GP) often struggle to treat these patients without a defined diagnosis.

This often leads to frustration for both patients and physicians, with patients experiencing dissatisfaction with their medical treatment, feelings of stigmatization, and a sense of not being taken seriously.

GP Cathrine Abrahamsen has through her PhD work at the Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, developed and tested the communication tool in question. The approach, grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles but specifically tailored to the primary care context, helps patients to emphasize possibilities rather than limitations.

"As far as we are aware, this is the first primary care intervention with a structured communication tool with a work-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy approach, to show such significant results. Although CBT has demonstrated effectiveness in specialized settings, its efficiency in primary care has been relatively limited," Abrahamsen says.

Sick leave reduced by 27%

103 GPs from across the country were recruited for the study. Half of the GPs were trained in using the newly developed approach "ICIT" - Individual Challenge Inventory Tool.

The GPs recruited a total of 541 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 238 of these were treated with ICIT, while the remaining 303 made up the control group and received usual care.

"What makes this study unique is that it is specifically tailored to assist GPs in efficiently managing patients with MUPS. It is the GP who treats, and patients are selected based on those who have booked an appointment with the doctor. No patients were invited to see the GP for the purpose of the study," Abrahamsen explains.

The results of the study are significant. 76 % of the people in the intervention group reported an improvement in quality of life, compared to 38 % in the usual care group. After 11 weeks the patients in the intervention group had a 27 % reduction in sick leave, compared to 4 % in the usual care group.

The foremost aim of the study is to empower patients, helping them enhance their coping skills in both their daily lives and work settings. Patients with MUPS frequently experience psychological distress, social isolation, and a decline in their overall quality of life, resulting in high healthcare utilization and costs associated with sick leave." GP Cathrine Abrahamsen
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. President Ilham Aliyev once again paid respect to the martyrs at the meeting with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day.

Today, while celebrating this holiday, of course, we all once again express our deep respect for the memory of our dear martyrs. Two days ago, when I addressed the people from the central square of Khankendi, I said that we were indebted to them for this day. And it is true, the Azerbaijani leader added.
A recent Npj Vaccines study discussed the success and challenges of developing different tuberculosis (TB) vaccine types.

Study: Key advances in vaccine development for tuberculosissuccess and challenges. Image Credit: Creativa Images/Shutterstock.com

Effectiveness of BCG vaccine against TB

In 1982, Robert Koch first identified the TB-causing bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

TB treatment is costly and lengthy and could require 6-9 months of antibiotic therapy. The emergence of a multidrug-resistant strain of M. tuberculosis has increased the urgency to develop a TB eradication program. Vaccination could be the most effective tool to protect the global population from TB manifestations.

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the most common and only licensed TB vaccine. This vaccine is safe for all age groups and communities except for immunocompromised people or those who have contracted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

BCG vaccination protects against meningeal TB when administered soon after birth. This protection sustains for up to ten years.

The efficacy of the BCG vaccine against pulmonary TB varies significantly in adults and adolescents. This reduced efficacy could be attributed to a decline in immune protection with age. Another reason linked to the variable efficacy of BCG in tropical regions is the prevalence and exposure to environmental non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).

The genetic inconsistencies due to mutations in BCG stains used and differential culture preparation are other factors that contribute to the variable efficacy of this vaccine. Host genetics and environmental exposures are other important factors that influence vaccine effectiveness.

Effectiveness of different types of TB vaccines

Twenty-one vaccine candidates are at various stages of clinical and preclinical development.

Different types of vaccines are developed following differential approaches, such as live whole-cell vaccines, inactivated whole-cell vaccines, subunit vaccines, viral-vectored vaccines, and mRNA vaccines.

BCG is a live whole-cell vaccine, i.e., an attenuated form of Mycobacterium bovis. A key advantage of this type of vaccine is that it is genetically related to M. tuberculosis, and offers antigenic conservation. BCG vaccination induces CD4 and CD8 T cell responses and triggers antibody production.

The advancements in gene engineering or modification tools have enabled the manipulation of the BCG genome, ensuring improved efficacy against TB disease.

A newly developed VPM1002 vaccine, based on modified BCG, has demonstrated significant efficacy in Phase 3 clinical trials. The new vaccine contains a gene encoding listeriolysin O (LLO) from Listeria monocytogenes and the removal of the BCG urease C gene.

The DAR-901 vaccine is the inactivated vaccine type that was designed using inactivated M. obuense. This vaccine has been developed to be used in a heterologous vaccination approach, i.e., adolescents who received BCG as infants were provided with DAR-91 as a booster dose to enhance immune protection.

It must be noted that in a phase 2b clinical trial, the DAR-91 vaccine failed to protect BCG-vaccinated adolescents in Tanzania from TB occurrence.

Other inactivated whole-cell vaccines are RUTU (completed phase 2 trial successfully) and oral V7 vaccine (completed a phase III clinical trial). Both these vaccines exhibited tolerance and safety in clinical trials.

Subunit TB vaccines typically target specific proteins from M. tuberculosis and induce immune response. TB subunit vaccines, namely, H56:IC31, H4:IC31, and M72/AS01, have completed phase 2 clinical trials and demonstrated effective immunogenicity and safety in human volunteers.

Viral-vectored vaccines are designed using both whole-cell vaccines and subunit vaccine approaches. AdHu85A and AdHu35 are two viral-vectored TB vaccines that have completed Phase I clinical trials. The MVA85A has recently completed a large-scale phase II trial in South Africa.

Developing an mRNA-based TB vaccine is difficult because selecting an appropriate vaccine target is extremely difficult, mainly due to the lack of sufficient genomic data. Recently, ID91 fusion protein has demonstrated promise for its use in developing mRNA TB vaccines.

Animal models helped overcome challenges in the development of new TB vaccines

Scientists worldwide have encountered multiple hurdles to developing universally effective TB vaccines. Insufficient research funds and investments have significantly attributed to this failure.

Ineffective mouse, guinea pigs, cattle, rabbit, and non-human primates (NHP) TB models that failed to replicate the pathological features observed in humans precisely limited preclinical studies. However, it must be noted that all these models have provided important insights into TB pathogenesis and treatment development.

NHP models most closely resemble human TB. However, these models are extremely resource-intensive and are highly expensive. Although mouse models are not resource-intensive, cost-effective, and easy to handle, they are not as efficient as NHP models.

Addressing the lack of genetic diversity in mouse models, the mouse genetics community created two distinct mouse resources: Diversity Outbred (DO) mice and Collaborative Cross (CC) mice.

Furthermore, low and ultra-low-dose M. tuberculosis infection mouse TB models have exhibited increased infection diversity and formation of well-defined granulomatous structures.

Conclusions

Recently, two different TB vaccine clinical trials, M72/AS01 and BCG revaccination, have demonstrated a significant reduction in M. tuberculosis disease in high-risk populations.

These vaccines have effectively protected this population from contracting the disease. Both the vaccine candidates performed exceptionally well in achieving sterilizing immunity in NHP models of TB.
Thought Leaders Laura Kuett Ph.D. Student University of Zurich

In this interview conducted at SLAS EU 2023 in Brussels, Belgium, we spoke to Laura Kuett, a Ph.D. student in Systems Biology, about the promise of 3D Imaging Mass Cytometry.

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us what inspired your career in breast cancer research?

My name is Laura Kuett, and I recently graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Zurich. My research was in breast cancer, specifically studying the tumor microenvironment. What drew me to this research was the method used; imaging mass cytometry.

This method is very computationally challenging; therefore, it was great to find out how it is used in breast cancer  one of the most common cancer types among women. I was excited to work in a field that affects so many women.

What is 3D Imaging Mass Cytometry, and what insights can it provide on human disease? What are the benefits of using this technique when analyzing tissues compared to other techniques available?

3D imaging mass cytometry is an extension of imaging mass cytometry, a method analogous to immunofluorescence. Similarly to immunofluorescence, this method uses antibodies to target proteins. While immunofluorescence uses a handful of targets, imaging mass cytometry can use up to 40 targets, and this is all thanks to metal tag antibodies.

In imaging mass cytometry, the tissue is stained with those metal tag antibodies, and then the tissue is ablated by laser to capture the counts of those metals in each tissue spot. These intensities are then translated into an image.

3D imaging mass cytometry is a workflow that I used during my Ph.D. It extends the imaging to the third dimension by carrying out a series of 2D images from tissue sections and then computationally reconstructing it into a 3D model.

Thanks to its multiplexity in having up to 40 different targets, this method really enables users to capture the different cell types in a tissue. For instance, it can capture different immune cell types but also different states of tumor cells, such as whether the cells are dividing fast, dying, or in different metabolic states.

Image Credit: Rost9/Shutterstock.com

The important thing is that we can get the information of the different cell types together with the spatial information so that we can really study how biology happens in the tissues.

What are the benefits of using this technique when analyzing tissues compared to the other techniques that are available at the moment?

The main benefits of imaging mass cytometry are the high multiplexity, the ability to target 40 proteins simultaneously, and the spatial information we can get. This can provide great insights into tissue biology.

As a speaker at SLAS EU 2023, you gave a talk on the Analysis of tissues at single-cell level with 3D Imaging Mass Cytometry. Please can you give an overview of what you discussed in this talk?

In my talk, I gave an overview of the 3D imaging mass cytometric workflow. My main aim was to shine a light on the benefits of 3D imaging versus 2D imaging. 2D imaging is done very commonly across different fields, but I try to illustrate the benefits of 3D imaging, specifically multiplex single cell level 3D imaging, using breast cancer as an example.

I then used examples to show that 3D imaging enables us to intuitively and quickly capture the patterns that different cell types have in a tissue. 3D imaging can also capture phenomena that tend to go unnoticed with 2D imaging, such as potentially invasive tumor cells. With 3D imaging, we can see that those individual single cells are not attached to the bulk of the tumor.

One of the tracks of SLAS EU 2023 is Shaping the Future of Therapeutics. How do you believe 3D Imaging Mass Cytometry is shaping the future of therapeutics?

At the moment, I think 3D imaging mass cytometry is beneficial to basic research because it can give very detailed information about tissue biology and enable users to see and learn about tissues in more detail than ever before. I hope that translates into new hypotheses, eventually leading to new therapeutic targets.

Another SLAS EU track for this year is Biology Unveiled. How does the subsequent analysis of mass cytometry images unveil relevant biological information?

We live in a 3D world, and biology happens in 3D. Tissues are inherently 3D structures. Seeing the tissues visually in 3D and interacting with those 3D models would facilitate a greater understanding of tissue biology. I hope researchers can use these methods to learn more about tissue biology in health and disease.

Shaping the Future of Therapeutics with 3D Imaging Mass Cytometry Play

SLAS is an international professional society aiming to transform research by promoting collaboration at the intersection of science and technology. What recent technological advances that influenced the study of the tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level?

One of the biggest advances in recent times has been microfluidics. This has enabled us to separate individual single cells in a high-level manner and then carry out genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. This allows us to obtain a massive amount of information about the cells.

There have also been recent advances that have attempted to combine this with protein-level imaging methods. Combining multiplex imaging methods with single-cell data from the genome and transcriptome and building up this huge amount of information regarding tissues could enable us to learn more about biology in real depth.

I think conferences like SLAS, which have a very strong industry component, are great for researchers to see and learn what is needed to bring their research into action.

As a Ph.D. student in the field of oncology, how hopeful are you about the future of cancer research?

I am very hopeful about the future of cancer research, coming from the field of breast cancer. Breast cancer is a very well-studied cancer type because of the huge amount of funding that has gone into breast cancer research.

Image Credit: Lightspring/Shutterstock.com

I think this illustrates what can be achieved if a disease type is funded at such a high level. There have been incredible advancements in personalized therapies, disease prevention, and screening methods. I hope that other tumor types will have this level of funding and will have similar success in treatments in the future.

What is next for you and your work? Are you involved in any exciting upcoming projects?

I had a great Ph.D. experience. I worked with fantastic people, and I had an exciting project. Thanks to my Ph.D., I had a chance to work in a big scientific consortium that enabled collaboration with great scientists across the world.

But it was not only scientists but also game designers and animators because the whole big consortium project involved developing a virtual reality software for analyzing single-cell data. Game designers and animators helped to bring this to life.

This experience really showed me what is possible and where I could use my technical, scientific, communication, and teamwork skills. I have now transitioned into industry, and I work in a digital health startup in the field of chronic cough.

This startup combines technology, software development, and machine learning to improve people's lives with chronic coughs. I am really excited about this work.

About Laura Kuett

Laura completed her Ph.D. degree in computational cancer biology in 2022 from the University of Zurich. Her research at Bernd Bodenmiller's group focused on high-dimensional single-cell spatial tissue analysis with a specific interest in 3D imaging and metastatic processes in breast cancer. Before starting the Ph.D. degree, Laura studied molecular microbiology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and undertook a one-year-long placement at the Luxembourg Centre of Systems Biomedicine, working on metabolic modeling of the gut microbiome. Since finishing her Ph.D., Laura works in a health technology start-up in Switzerland, focusing on regulatory processes and project management.
The Bihar School Education Board (BSEB) will close the registration process for the intermediate annual examination, 2025 today, October 17. Students studying in Class 11 can submit their registration forms for class 12 board exams 2025 by today. The respective school heads and principals will be responsible for the registrations through the official website seniorsecondary.biharboardonline.com. Earlier, the last date to submit the Bihar board inter exams 2025 registration forms was October 11 but it was later extended to October 17.

As per the guidelines released by BSEB, students will first have to download the application form, fill in the required details, and submit it to the school heads. Students will also have to submit an application fee for further process and selection of subjects Thereafter, it will be verified by the school heads who will send the forms to BSEB.

BSEB Inter Board Exam 2025: How to Apply

School administrators can register the eligible studnets for the Bihar Board 12th Examination 2025 by following the detailed steps provided below:

Step 1: Go to the official website of BSEB at seniorsecondary.biharboardonline.com

Step 2: On the homepage, look for and click on the link that reads  Click Here For Intermediate Annual Examination, 2025

Step 3: As a new page opens, enter your User Name and Password in the given space.

Step 4: Soon after logging in, fill out all the details of the candidates and submit the application form.

Step 5: Check and download the confirmation page.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Board Chairman Anand Kishore has announced that from 2025, a total of 75 per cent attendance is required for students to appear in classes 10 and 12 board exams. Those whose attendance is less than 75 per cent will not be allowed to fill the matriculation and intermediate board examination forms. For the board examination 2024, BSEB has made 75 pet cent attendance mandatory from classes 9 to 12.
Former IAS officer Vijoy Kumar Singh and several other retired Jharkhand government officials joined the Bharatiya Janata Party at the state BJP headquarters here. Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi and other senior party leaders, who were present on the occasion, welcomed the new members on Monday.

Singh said, I joined BJP as I wanted to utilise my experience and ability in serving the nation after retirement. Modi jis leadership, partys policies and programmes influenced me to join.

Besides the former IAS, others who joined the party were retired state fire officer Sudhir Kumar Verma, former deputy superintendent of police Lalan Thakur, retired district judge GK Dubey, besides several JMM and AJSU Party workers, the party claimed. Congratulating the new members, Marandi said, The party will benefit from the ability and efficiency of such experienced people. Their areas of service have changed but their responsibilities have increased. He said that peoples engagement with the party is continuously increasing.

Marandi said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, villages, poor, farmers, labourers, women, youth, tribals, dalits and backward people are all developing without discrimination. The village poor are joining the mainstream of development. The digital revolution has brought about widespread changes in the country, he said.
She is smart, young, royal, and a Rajput  all the ingredients needed to be the proverbial face of any political outfit in poll-bound Rajasthan. Diya Kumari, the princess of the Jaipur royal family, is not just a sitting MP from Rajsamand, but is also BJP candidate from Jaipurs Vidhyadhar Nagar seat in upcoming Assembly elections.

Since the early stages of the countdown to elections, she was touted to be Vasundhara Raje Scindias replacement  a speculation that is being discussed heatedly on the streets of Jaipur.

Though Raje continues to remain the most influential BJP leader in the desert state, her one-upmanship in the Rajasthan unit often led to a collision course with the partys top leadership. Differences between then Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and then BJP president Amit Shah had even delayed the appointment of a new state unit president in 2018.

It is widely perceived that the BJP wants to groom Diya Kumari as the next Raje. The royal had, so far, maintained silence. But for the first time, the London graduate politician broke her silence on the speculation while speaking to News18. In an exclusive interview, Diya Kumari called Vasundhara Raje her mentor, stressing at the same time that she is open to any duties the BJP entrusts her with.

Edited excerpts:

How does it feel to be back in state politics? Are you excited?

Serving the people of my home city Jaipur is a great opportunity. I have been in both state politics as well as at the Centre. I go by the directions given to me by the BJP leadership. I am feeling motivated by the new assignment that has been given to me in the Vidhyadhar Nagar constituency of Jaipur. I stand committed to giving my best output for the same, as I had done earlier in Sawai Madhopur as MLA and in Rajsamand as a Member of Parliament.

Vidhyadhar Nagar falls within Jaipur and you hail from the Jaipur royal family. Will this make a difference?

Serving my home city is both exciting and challenging as expectations would be very high. Diligence is the only way to deal with it as I have done in the last 10 years. My last two elections were in Sawai Madhopur and Rajsamand. My commitment to serving the people of this city stands paramount. Having said that, I do have a lineage; both my father as well as my grandfather and grandmother have made a difference for the city of Jaipur. I intend to do my bit too.

What do you think is the biggest electoral issue in this election?

The biggest electoral issue is the all-round failure of the Congress government in Rajasthan. They have totally failed on all fronts, be it crimes against women, rising prices, deteriorating law and order, leak of question papers, or widespread corruption. I could go on and on.

The fact that the BJP hasnt announced a CM face for Rajasthan this time has made Ashok Gehlot claim that the saffron party has accepted defeat. How would you respond to this?

Who says the BJP does not have a CM face? It is the kamal (lotus) which is the CM face. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated in the public rally that the CM face is the symbol of lotus.

We have seen your presence in a protest by Hindu organisations recently. The BJP has time and again accused the Congress government of indulging in minority appeasement  be it modernisation of Muslim seminaries in 2021 or the horrific Udaipur killing last year. If the BJP comes to power, will all that change?

The killing of Kanhaiyalal ji in Udaipur was a horrific incident. The culprits were caught in my Lok Sabha constituency area. The Congress has been doing selective appeasement for a particular community. This is not fair. We believe in the motto of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.

There has been a series of crimes against women in Rajasthan in the last few years. As a woman, what can you promise the womens electorate?

Rajasthan, I am sorry to state, is No.1 in rapes in the country. Women in Rajasthan are not safe in their homes, offices, agriculture fields, roads, and public places. The numerous horrific crimes against women in the state in the last five years make everyones head hang in shame. Even women Congress MLAs are saying that they feel insecure and unsafe. If the BJP comes to power, which it will, women can be rest assured that they will be safe.

Your seat was previously held by Narpat Singh Rajvi, who is also perceived as a Vasundhara Raje loyalist. Did you have a word with him after the BJP announced your name from the seat?

Yes, I spoke with him. Bhairon Singh Ji Shekhawat was like a father figure to me. We have a long-standing family relationship. I am convinced of his support. We all follow the decisions taken by the BJP leadership. I am sure that I will get full support and blessings from him.

The buzz across Rajasthan is that the BJP wants to replace Vasundhara Raje Scindia with you  both Rajputs and royal. You have on many occasions smiled at this question and left it answered. Are you ready for that responsibility?

Well, I am going to smile and leave it hanging again. This is mere speculation. I have high regard for Vasundhara ji, who has been my mentor in politics. We are all soldiers of our party and abide by whatever the party decides. Right now, my focus is Vidhyadhar Nagar.

Given a chance by the BJP leadership after the results, will you be ready to accept the Chief Ministers post?

Currently, I am focusing on winning my seat in Vidhyadhar Nagar. I am a true soldier of the party and will abide by whatever the party decides.

Finally, how many seats do you see the BJP winning in the 200-member Assembly?

We are going to win with a thumping majority because the people of Rajasthan are absolutely sick of the corrupt and inefficient government. Just wait and see, Congress will be completely wiped out from Rajasthan. Victory will be overwhelmingly ours.
Adnan Khan and Aditi Dev Sharmas popular show Katha Ankahee has impressed viewers with its captivating storyline. The show recently embarked on a brief 8-month leap, during which Viaan (Played by Adnan Khan) served time in jail while Katha (Played by Aditi Sharma) started her own event management company. During an interview with Etimes TV, Adnan opens up on the shows 8-month leap and how his character will evolve in the forthcoming episodes.

Adnan shared, Of course, the whole perspective of Viaan Raghuvanshi is going to change as the character itself is very layered since the beginning. No human can ever react the same way he/she used to react sometime back, so similar is the case. With a whole new chapter, the relationship will surely evolve and Katha and Viaans perspective towards each other will also undergo a lot of changes.

Speaking about the new chapter in the show, Adnan said, We are super pumped up for the new chapter. I, as an actor look forward to these types of changes which are kind of challenging. More than a leap it is a new challenge for all of us, and I am really looking forward to it.

Previously, the shows lead actress Aditi Dev Sharma revealed that the leap was necessary to add more drama to the series. She shared it was going to be a fresh story, and they were eager to see how the audience connected with it. Fans can expect Katha and Viaan to meet again, she added.

In the shows latest track, Viaan has come out of jail and is eager to meet Katha, but she hasnt reached out to him. Aarav, in the meantime, is struggling and becoming violent due to the separation. Katha, while getting help for Aarav, decides to get engaged to the doctor whos looking after her son. This marks the end of her intentions to marry Viaan, as she hastily chooses to marry the new man in her life.

Katha Ankahee revolves around the life of Katha Singh, a single mother, and Viaan Raghuvanshi, a renowned architect. The show is inspired by the Turkish serial One Thousand And One Nights.

Adnan Khan started his television journey as Mawlawi Kabeer Ahmed in Zee TVs Ishq Subhan Allah. The actor will be next seen in director Anuj Sharmas upcoming thriller film, The Rage: Over Injustice, alongside Roshni Kapoor and Aditya Khurana.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages and said it is for the Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act (SMA). The apex court, while presiding over a hearing on the legalisation of same-sex marriage, also noted that if the Special Marriage Act is struck down, it will take the country to the pre-independence era.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who presided the bench pronouncing the verdict on 21 pleas, said the court cant make or redraft the law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

The bench had made it clear during the arguments of the case that it will not go into personal laws governing marriages. The Supreme Court judges had varied observation on whether the Special Marriage Act was passed solely to allow heterosexual marriages.

How are Marriages Registered in India

The issues of personal law like marriage, divorce and adoption are governed by religious laws. The marriages in India are registered under the respective personal laws like Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Muslim Marriage Act, 1954 or under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

However, these acts work only in cases where the couple belongs to the same religion or require either spouse to convert to the religion of the other before marriage.

The Special Marriage Act, 1954, on the other hand enables marriage between inter-faith or inter-caste couples without giving up their religious identity or convert.

What is the Special Marriage Act 2023?

A marriage under the Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954 allows people from two different religious backgrounds to come together in the bond of marriage. The act of Parliament has the provision for civil marriage for people of India and all Indian nationals in foreign countries, irrespective of religion or faith followed by either party.

The Special Marriage Act, 1954, passed by the Parliament in October 1954, originated from a piece of legislation proposed during the late 19th century. It extends to the whole of India and applies to all the citizens.

It lays down the procedure for both solemnization and registration of marriage, where either of the husband or wife or both are not Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, or Sikhs. Under the act, the state sanctions the marriage rather than the religion.

Why is it Special?

Once married as per the SMA, any member of an undivided family who professes the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jain religion shall be deemed to affect their severance from the family. The act also affects rights, including the right to inheritance, of the persons choosing to marry.

The Section 4 of the Special Marriage Act also require that during the marriage neither party has a spouse living or is incapable of giving a valid consent to it in consequence of unsoundness of mind.

The parties to the marriage are also required to give a written notice to a Marriage Officer of the district in which at least one of the parties has resided for at least 30 days immediately preceding the notice.
China has kicked off a summit marking the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious project to boost connectivity, build infrastructure and trade across the world.

Representatives from 130 countries gather for a summit in Beijing to mark a decade of the project, in which Beijing has poured hundreds of billions of dollars to power the construction of bridges, ports, highways, power plants and telecoms projects.

However, the project is also marred in controversy as the project after a decade has left big debts and raised environmental concerns. The initiative has built power plants, roads, railroads and ports around the world and deepened Chinas relations with Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Mideast. It is a major part of Chinese President Xi Jinpings push for China to play a larger role in global affairs.

WHAT IS THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE?

Called One Belt, One Road in Chinese, the Belt and Road Initiative started as a program for Chinese companies to build transportation, energy and other infrastructure overseas funded by Chinese development bank loans.

The stated goal was to grow trade and the economy by improving Chinas connections with the rest of the world in a 21st-century version of the Silk Road trading routes from China to the Middle East and onto Europe.

Xi unveiled the concept in broad terms on visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia in 2013 and it took shape in the ensuing years, driving the construction of major projects from railroads in Kenya and Laos to power plants in Pakistan and Indonesia.

HOW BIG IS IT?

A total of 152 countries have signed a BRI agreement with China, though Italy, the only western European country to do so, is expected to drop out when it comes time to renew in March of next year. Italy suffered a loss as the trade deficit with China more than doubled since Italy joined in 2019.

China became a major financer of development projects under BRI, on par with the World Bank. The Chinese government says the initiative has launched more than 3,000 projects and galvanized nearly $1 trillion in investment.

China filled a gap left as other lenders shifted to areas such as health and education and away from infrastructure after coming under criticism for the impact major building projects can have on the environment and local communities, said Kevin Gallagher, the director of the Boston University Global Development Policy Center.

KEY CONCERNS

The Chinese-financed projects have faced similar criticism, from displacing populations to adding tons of climate-changing greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Chinese development banks provided money for the BRI projects as loans, and some governments have been unable to pay them back. China said this month that BRI participants owe more than $300 billion to the Export-Import Bank of China.

That has led to allegations by Western countries that China was engaging in debt trap diplomacy where they knew that the borrowing company would default on loans and in turn allowing Chinese interests to take control of the assets. A pertinent example in this case is Sri Lankan port that the government ended up leasing to a Chinese company for 99 years.

Others say that China did not make the bad loans intentionally and now China development banks are pulling back. Chinese development loans have already plummeted in recent years as the banks have become more cautious about lending.

Chinese loans have been a major contributor to the huge debt burdens that are weighing on economies in countries such as Zambia and Pakistan. Sri Lanka said last week that it had reached an agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China on key terms and principles for restructuring its debt as it tries to emerge from an economic crisis that toppled the government last year.

WHATS NEXT FOR BRI?

Future BRI projects are likely not only to be smaller and greener but also rely more on investment by Chinese companies than on development loans to governments.

Christoph Nedopil, director of the Asia Institute at Griffith University in Australia, believes that China will still undertake some large projects, including high-visibility ones such as railways and others, including oil and gas pipelines, that have a revenue stream to pay back the investment.

A recent example is the launch of a Chinese high-speed railway in Indonesia with much fanfare in both countries.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

The initiative has also drawn scrutiny for its massive carbon footprint and the environmental degradation caused by massive infrastructure projects.

The development of mega ports, pipelines, railways and highways could render the Paris climate goals unreachable, researchers from China, the United States and the United Kingdom warned in 2019.

Meanwhile, a report by experts at Boston Universitys Global Development Policy warned that Chinese-led hard infrastructure projects carry higher risks to indigenous lands and ecosystems due to the countrys relative newcomer status in global development finance and its early stages of developing environmental and social risk management due diligence policies and procedures.

China has sought to allay environmental fears, promising in 2021 not to build new coal power plants abroad, though many previously agreed projects are still in progress.

These range from wind and solar farms to factories for electric vehicle batteries, such as a huge lithium-ion battery plant that has stirred environmental concerns in BRI-partner Hungary.

(With inputs from AP)
The conflict between Israel and the Hamas has intensified in the last few days as the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) launched multiple bomb campaigns in Gaza to attack the Palestinian armed group.

The fighting, which has been going on for the last ten days, has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead.

While the Indian government is concerned about the violence and loss of lives in the Israel-Hamas war, there is another reason why India can get caught in the crossfire. Indian troops have been deployed to the southern border of Lebanon where tensions have escalated due to firing between Iran-backed Hezbollah and the Israel army.

Why Indian Troops are Deployed at Israel-Lebanon border

There are around 900 Indian soldiers who have been deployed at the Israel-Lebanon border as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The Indian troops in the UNIFIL are stationed at the 110-km-long Blue Line, which has witnessed fierce confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah forces in the past.

Apart from the Israel-Lebanon border, there are also another 200 Indian soldiers deployed as part of the UN Disengagement Force (UNDOF) at Golan Heights between Israel and Syria.

The UNIFIL peacekeepers have been stationed at the Lebanon border ever since the 1978 Israeli invasion. The 900 soldiers have been stationed at the UNIFIL line since 1978 and have been deployed at the Blue Line, a region which has seen an increased number of confrontations between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The objective of the Indian soldiers is to maintain peace between the two conflicted countries. Currently, there are around 10,500 peacekeepers deployed at the border from 48 nations.

Earlier, the UN peacekeeping mission announced on Sunday that a rocket shell had fallen on its site in southern Lebanon, with no reported casualties. The Israels military also fired artillery towards Lebanon. As per reports, there were explosions detected near Al-Boustan in Southwest Lebanon on Monday.

Tension at Israel-Lebanon border

The tension at the Israel-Lebanon border has escalated in the past weeks as Lebanese Hezbollah fighters launched attacks on Israeli army posts facing retaliation from Israel. The sporadic firing between the two countries has raised concerns that the conflict could spread into the subcontinent.

Hezbollah attacked on Shtula, a farming community near the border, killing one person and wounding three others in the worst border-violence since a month-long war in 2006 entered its second week. The Israeli military conducted retaliatory strikes in Lebanon and declared a zone within 4 km of the Lebanese border off-limits to public access, Reuters reported.

Israels defence minister said Israel has no interest in waging war on its northern front and that if Hezbollah restrains itself then Israel will keep the situation along the border as it is.

Hezbollah has said it is ready to fight Israel and that it would not be swayed by calls from Arab states and foreign powers for it to stay on the sidelines.

Indias contribution to Peacekeeping

India has contributed to the UN peacekeeping mission since 1948 where it contributed thousands of troops to maintain the peace across countries. During these missions, the Indian troops have also been caught in the middle of several wars and remained on the frontlines of other countries.

India currently has 5,934 soldiers deployed in different UN peacekeeping operations around the world, according to a report in The Times of India.

Since, the Indian troops are on the frontlines of the conflict between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, it is likely that there could be heavy shelling on the UNIFIL line leading to casualties.

In 2022, the UN peacekeeping forces witnessed a death toll of 4,207 fatalities, with Indian casualties being the highest at 175, followed by Pakistan (166) and Bangladesh (160). In total, India has lost 159 soldiers in UN operations over the decades, including six in UNIFIL and two in UNDOF.
In a disturbing incident, a 20-year-old girl has alleged being harassed by an off-duty pilot during her flight from Bengaluru to Pune earlier this month. The incident happened on October 1, when the college student was returning home on Akasa Air flight Q after finishing a three-month internship in Bengaluru.

The off-duty pilot of the airline forced her to switch seats and move close to him and offered her the alcoholic drink he was consuming, the girl said, according to a report by Times of India.

As per the youngsters account, her attempts at seeking assistance from both a flight attendant and the airline failed to elicit any action.

Meanwhile, Akasa Air claimed that the airline conducted a detailed investigation into the incident but could not reach a conclusion as it encountered difficulties in reaching the complainant after the alleged event.

However, in a recent update to TOI, the girl claimed that the airline did respond to her social media post after which she narrated the incident again, but no one from Akasa Air reached out to her later.

Passengers Account

Recounting her experience, the girl said an off-duty pilot, wearing his airline ID card, initiated a conversation with her, initially offering to assist with her luggage.

Later, she said, the pilot communicated through a flight attendant, requesting her to come to the backside of the plane where the crew was stationed.

Initially, I thought there was some problem with my check-in luggage. I went there and asked if there was an issue. He started laughing and offered me something in a bottle, claiming it was an alcoholic beverage he was drinking. I refused and returned to my seat with difficulty as he was constantly trying to strike a conversation with me and making me extremely uncomfortable, the girl said according to the TOI report.

The girl further claimed that the pilot forced her to move to a seat near the 16th row where he was seated and had her luggage relocated. Feeling increasingly uneasy, she approached the crew for assistance, who just giggled as if they approved their co-workers advances towards me.

The pilots unruly behavior continued even after the flight landed in Pune, where he asked the girl to accompany him during his stay in the city and forced her to share her mobile number.

I lodged a complaint with Akasa Air by narrating the incident on its feedback form and also shared my plight on social media, which didnt get a favourable response. It has been 15 days since my uncomfortable experience but nothing has happened, the girl said.

Akasa Airs Statament

As per the report, an Akasa Air spokesperson said that the airlines social media team tried to reach out to the passenger but her calls went unanswered.

As soon as we received notification of the post, our social media team attempted to send the passenger a DM (direct message), but her X account is private. Hence, the team decided to respond via a comment. Committed to address the feedback on priority, our head of customer experience then attempted to call the passenger twice. When the call was unanswered, as per protocol the matter was passed on to the head of our compliance team, the airline said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. At the end of the first stage of our Great Return Program, at the end of 2026, a total of 22,000 people will live in Fuzuli district, 140,000 people will live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur as a whole, said President Ilham Aliyev as he met with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day.

I am sure that a larger number of people will be resettled, because firstly, we have power, we have determination, the Great Return Program has been adopted and is being successfully implemented. It is being exceeded, and the main factor is that our former IDPs are looking forward to these days, the Azerbaijani leader pointed out.
In one of the biggest drug seizures in Maharashtra, mephedrone worth over Rs 100 crores have been caught in Solapur district after the police raided a manufacturing unit.

The unit located at Chincholi MIDC was running allegedly by two brothers Rahul Kisan Gawali and his brother Atul who were arrested from Mumbais western suburb of Khar with 5.09 kg of mephedrone worth Rs 10.17 crore.

Mephedrone, also known as meow meow or MD, is a synthetic stimulant (a psychotropic substance) banned under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

As part of the investigation, the police found out that the due had set up three laboratories in Chincholi MIDC in Solapur district, an official said.

The police seized high-quality mephedrone worth Rs 16 crore, while the unprocessed drug is worth more than Rs 100 crore, he said, adding that a diary containing formulas used to make the contraband was also recovered from the premises.

The Gawali brothers, who had both failed Class 10, had worked in a chemical factory for a few years. Later, they rented a space to set up laboratories on a 21,000 sq ft area and have been operating the unit for the past seven months.

The official said the accused had come to Mumbai to distribute mephedrone a month ago and supplied it to local drug peddlers. A probe is underway to identify their aides, he said.

Incidentally, the police from Thane city had raided another factory in the area in 2016 and recovered drugs worth Rs 2,000 crore.

In September, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 200 kgs of Mephedrone from two locations in Pune.

In the last one year, Mephedrone worth crores of rupees have been seized from different parts of Maharashtra.

In one of Mumbais biggest drug hauls, more than 700 kilograms of mephedrone worth Rs 1,400 crore was seized by city police following a raid at a drug manufacturing unit at Nalasopara in Palghar district in August 2022.

(With PTI inputs)
At least seven school children and the driver of the van in which they were travelling were injured after a school bus rammed into it in southwest Delhi on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

The injured were taken to a hospital, where the children were discharged after treatment for minor bruises. The van driver is recuperating in the hospital, police said.

The accident took place at Basantara Line near Kendriya Vidyalaya. The school bus belonged to St Thomas School in Dwarka and the Eeco van was carrying the children from Kendriya Vidyalaya Number 1. All children were below seven years of their age.

Both the vehicles had a head-on collision. It is suspected that the bus was moving on the wrong side due to which the accident took place. A case under the relevant section of the IPC has been registered and an investigation is underway, a police officer said.

Naveen Kumar, the 25-year-old school bus driver who had fled from the spot, was later arrested. Parents of students later took them to other hospitals for medical examination, said police.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will soon be able to address the shortage of IPS officers, thanks to the Union Home Ministrys latest tenure policy for central deputation.

According to the policy updated last week, officers with a minimum of five years service will be eligible for induction in R&AW, IB, NIA and the CBI. Earlier, officers with a minimum of five years service were eligible for induction in R&AW, IB and NIA, but were excluded from the CBI.

According to senior MHA officials, the police has been updated to address the issue of massive vacancies in the CBI that are affecting speedy investigations. According to the latest MHA data, till October 10, at the SP level, the CBI had a vacancy of 42 IPS officers against 73 sanctioned posts. The vacancy is highest among all 17 organisations, followed by 32 in IB.

The importance of an SP-level officer in any investigation is utmost as they supervise and directly investigate the cases. Since the CBI deals only with high-profile cases, the vacancy of IPS officers at SP level has been hampering the structure and the working of the anti-corruption agency for a long time.

Similarly, in the IB, ranks of IG, ADG and DG have been added to fulfil hardcore strength which was earlier restricted to SP and DIG. The strength of hardcore officers in the IB must not exceed 50% of the posts in the rank of SP, DIG, IG, ADG, Special DG and DG taken together to be filled by IPS officers.

In case a hardcore officer moves out of the IB and joins R&AW on lateral shift basis, they will be treated as Permanently Seconded officer of R&AW for the period spent by them in the agency.

Further, for the purpose of counting the minimum period required for promotion, deployment etc, the combined period spent by such an officer in IB and R&AW will be taken into account.

The updated policy also reflects changes in empanelment of senior IPS officers.

The MHA has said that every state cadre of the IPS provides for a central deputation quota, which in turn, requires additional recruitment to be made to the service to provide for trained and experienced members to serve on posts in the central government.

Accordingly, utilisation of the central deputation quota of different state cadres is an important factor governing the scale at which officers are borrowed from the various state cadres of the service.

However, no post so filled by a member of IPS on deputation can be deemed to be a cadre post of the parent state. Similarly, no individual member of the IPS can claim any right to appointment to a post under the Government of India, the MHA said.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) foiled smuggling bids at Mumbai international airport and seized 7 kg cocaine worth Rs 70 crore by arresting four carriers, including two foreign nationals, in separate incidents, an official said on Tuesday.

The Mumbai zonal unit of DRI also recovered a gun with five bullets from one of the accused who couldnt produce legal documents, he said. The weapon has been handed over to the local police. All four incidents were reported in the last two days.

A DRI team apprehended two persons who were trying to smuggle in cocaine by concealing it in false cavities of their trolley bags, he said.

Separately, it was found that four carriers had swallowed (cocaine) drug capsules. They were admitted to state-run JJ Hospital and capsules were extracted, he said. In a follow-up action, DRI officials seized narcotic drugs (cocaine) from the residence of a man in Virar in neighbouring Palghar district, the official said, adding that it was smuggled from Nairobi through the Delhi airport.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. A Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud pronounced its verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages and said the court cant make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

The case was seen as a milestone event for LGBTQ rights in India, following a historic 2018 judgement by the Supreme Court that scrapped a colonial-era ban on gay sex. Only Taiwan and Nepal allow same-sex unions in Asia, where largely conservative values still dominate politics and society.

The five-judge bench heard arguments in the case between April and May and reserved its order on May 11. The other members of the bench are Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha.

TIMELINE

Heres a look at how the issue and the case have evolved so far:

Pre-Independence India

During British rule in 1860, homosexual intercourse was considered unnatural and was declared a criminal offence under Chapter 16, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 377 was introduced by the British, modelled on the Buggery Act of 1533. This section of the Buggery Act was drafted by Thomas Macaulay in 1838 and was brought into effect in 1860. It defined buggery as an unnatural sexual act against the will of God and man, thus, criminalising anal penetration, bestiality and homosexuality, in a broader sense.

Section 377 dealt with unnatural offences and held whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. The law allowed the judiciary to punish LGBT individuals with up to 10 years in jail as well as a fine.

Independent India

On November 26, 1949, the right to equality was enshrined under Article 14, but homosexuality remained a criminal offence. In the decades that followed, members of the LGBT community faced persecution and ostracism in many forms.

Decades later, on August 11, 1992,, the first known protest for gay rights in India was held. In 1999, Kolkata hosted Indias first Gay Pride Parade. The parade, with only 15 attendees, was named Calcutta Rainbow Pride.

Pride Movement In India

In 2009, the Delhi High Court, in Naz Foundation vs Govt of NCT of Delhi, ruled that Section 377, which criminalised same-sex relationships, was unconstitutional, and struck the law down, decriminalising homosexuality in India for the first time. It stated that treating consensual homosexual sex between adults as a crime is a violation of fundamental rights protected by Indias Constitution.

The verdict, which was hailed as a victory for LGBT rights, was challenged by several anti-gay rights groups on religious, political, and social grounds, who claimed that the right to privacy did not include the right to commit an offence and that decriminalising homosexuality would affect the institution of marriage.

In 2013, in the Suresh Kumar Koushal and Another v. NAZ Foundation and Others case, the Supreme Court overturned the Delhi High Court ruling and reinstated Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. The SC reversed the Delhi HCs decision to decriminalise homosexuality, stating that it was up to the Centre to legislate on the issue.

In 2015, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor introduced a bill to decriminalise homosexuality, but it was rejected by the Lok Sabha.

In 2017, the Supreme Court upheld right to privacy as a fundamental right under the Constitution in the landmark Puttuswamy judgment. This gave renewed hope to LGBT activists.

On September 6, 2018, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Section 377 was unconstitutional in so far as it criminalises consensual sexual conduct between adults of the same sex. A five-judge SC bench, which included then CJI Dipak Misra, passed a historic order. The verdict came on a petition by choreographer Navtej Singh Johar and 11 others challenging the constitutional validity of Section 377.

In his verdict, then CJI Misra wrote: Social exclusion, identity seclusion and isolation from the social mainstream are still the stark realities faced by individuals today and it is only when each and every individual is liberated from the shackles of such bondage and is able to work towards the full development of his/her personality that we can call ourselves a truly free society.

In April-May 2023, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India heard arguments in the case between April and May and reserved its order on May 11.

On October 17, 2023, the bench refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, saying its for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

CENTREs POSITION

During the arguments, the Centre had told the apex court that any constitutional declaration made by it on the petitions seeking legal validation for same-sex marriage may not be a correct course of action as the court will not be able to foresee, envisage, comprehend and deal with its fallout.

The Centre had also told the court it had received responses from seven states on the issue of same-sex marriage and the governments of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Assam had opposed the petitioners contention seeking legal endorsement for such wedlock.

The apex court had commenced hearing arguments in the matter on April 18. While hearing the matter on May 11, the bench had observed it cannot give a declaration on same-sex unions on the anticipation as to how Parliament is likely to respond to it.

The bench made the observation after one of the advocates appearing for the petitioners referred to judicial verdicts, including in the instant triple talaq case, and said once the top court gave a declaration to pass a law penalising the practice, it was a matter for fairly easy legislative consensus.
Indias Gaganyaan mission will be launched in 2025 while the Indian Space Station to be set up by 2035, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) informed on Tuesday. As part of the Gaganyaan mission, the first demonstration flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle is scheduled for October 21.

These conclusions came after a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assess the progress of Indias Gaganyaan mission.

VIDEO | PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting to assess progress of Indias Gaganyaan Mission and to outline the future of Indias space exploration endeavours earlier today.The Department of Space presented a comprehensive overview of the Gaganyaan Mission, including various pic.twitter.com/Q2fBqPvoS2  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 17, 2023

The Department of Space presented a comprehensive overview of the Gaganyaan Mission, including various technologies developed so far such as human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification. It was noted that around 20 major tests, including 3 uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) are planned. First demonstration flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle is scheduled on 21 October. The meeting evaluated the missions readiness, affirming its launch in 2025. PMO said.

The PMO statement said that the Prime Minister has directed that India should now aim for new and ambitious goals, including setting up Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.

To realize this vision, the Department of Space will develop a roadmap for Moon exploration, PMO said, adding that this will encompass a series of Chandrayaan missions, the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), construction of a new launch pad, setting up human-centric Laboratories and associated technologies.

Further, the PMO statement said that PM Modi has also called upon Indian scientists to work towards interplanetary missions that would include a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander.

On Gaganyaans first test flight, ISRO also said in an X post that the test is scheduled for October 21, at 8 am from the First launchpad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.

TV-D1 Flight Test:The test is scheduled for October 21, 2023, at 0800 Hrs. IST from the First launchpad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. It will be a short-duration mission and the visibility from the Launch View Gallery (LVG) will be limited. Students and the Public can witness pic.twitter.com/MROzlmPjRa  ISRO (@isro) October 17, 2023

It will be a short-duration mission and the visibility from the Launch View Gallery (LVG) will be limited, ISRO said, adding that registration for students and public to witness the launch from Sriharikota will commence from 6 pm today.
Security forces have recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition during multiple operations in Imphal East, Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, a statement by Manipur police said on Tuesday. The recovered weapons from Imphal East district included eight firearms, 62 ammunition, 18 explosives, a country-made local bomb launcher, a smoke grenade, two wireless sets and five bullet-proof jackets.

From Old Dampi village in Churachandpur district, security forces recovered two firearms including a 9mm pistol, rocket-propelled grenade, a country-made improvised bomb and 21 rounds of heavy caliber machine guns. On Sunday, the self-styled commander-in-chief of militant outfit United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA), Lamtinsei Singson, was arrested along with 124 grams of brown sugar from Phaitol village in Tamenglong district, police said. The 50-year-old militant leader has been handed over to Jiribam police station for further legal action.

In another development, police rescued a person abducted by unknown men on Monday from Ithai in Bishnupur district. During operations in the district to rescue the man, several arms including one SLR, 10 ammunition, a tear gas gun and seven munition shells were also recovered.
On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed the request of a married woman to terminate her pregnancy which had progressed beyond 26 weeks.

Ruling in favour of pro-life, the bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud passed the order based on medical reports submitted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS, New Delhi) indicating that there are no threats to the mothers life and the absence of any foetal abnormalities.

On the preceding Friday, the court requested a report from the AIIMS medical board to determine if the 26-week-old foetus of a married woman, who is seeking approval for a pregnancy termination, exhibits any abnormalities. The hospitals report was filed on October 13.

Although majority of medical experts supported the apex courts position, underscoring that terminating a pregnancy at 26 weeks is inadvisable due to the advanced development of the foetus, some argued that the importance of preserving the life of a woman grappling with a severe psychiatric illness should not be eclipsed by the sanctity of foetal life.

However, not many doctors chose to come on record while sharing their perspective which was against SCs decision.

While three top hospital chains refused to comment on the judgement, multiple gynaecologists agreed to share their opinions on condition of anonymity.

Killing a Pre-Term Baby or Pushing a Psychosis Patient to Carry a Child

According to medical experts, there are two differing perspectives.

We call babies  who are born around 26 weeks  pre-term babies. Hence, its incorrect to call it an abortion. Its called pre-term delivery or termination of pregnancy, Rinku Sengupta, obstetrician and gynaecologist at Rainbow Childrens Hospital, told News18.

To illustrate the typical implications of a 26-week pregnancy, she explained that in emergency situations, women can often have a successful childbirth, and most babies will thrive, sometimes necessitating a few days of intensive care.

When someone opts for termination, fetotoxic drugs are given to terminate the heartbeat and later, the foetus is taken out generally by inducing labour. C-Section is avoided.

For instance, she said citing examples from other countries, such drugs are injected but only in cases where the foetus has a proven anomaly such as Down Syndrome or the mothers life is at critical risk.

While Sengupta appreciated the SCs decision, she also expressed concern for the would-be mother. How bad is her health is my concern. The severity of post-partum depression varies and medicines will help her get better.

Opinions differ and there are numerous other physicians who hold the view that the mothers choice should be paramount.

I personally, to the best of my ability, do not condone this judgment. A patient of psychosis should not be forced to carry a pregnancy she doesnt want, an obstetrician and gynaecologist told News18, requesting anonymity.

Psychosis is a major mental illness, she said, adding that forcing such a patient to carry a pregnancy to term against her will is neglecting the well-being of a fully grown adult woman, for the sake of saving the life of a 26-week foetus who has yet to experience any life and would have 90 per cent mortality if born at this gestational age.

She highlighted that the court should take into view the provision in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act that if the pregnancy were to cause serious psychological harm to the mother, it can be made to undergo a medical termination.

Every case is unique, and the sanctity of foetal life at 26 weeks should not overpower the sanctity of life of a woman suffering through a major psychiatric illness.

Experts Backing SC Decision

According to Dr Ruby Sehra, senior consultant, gynaecology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, the courts decision to reject the plea is worth applauding. Sehra said that its crucial to understand that the health and well-being of a woman should always be the top priority.

Late-term abortions carry significant risks, and the complications a woman could face are extensive, including haemorrhage, infection, and injury to the uterus or surrounding organs. Furthermore, the lifelong implications of such a decision cannot be underestimated, she said.

Both physical and emotional well-being can be severely impacted. Post-abortion, women experience guilt, depression, and long-lasting emotional trauma which is mostly hard to overcome.

She said that physically, there could be potential fertility issues, scarring, or other complications.

In such cases, the best approach is to provide comprehensive medical care and support to the woman. Its a challenging decision, but, it is the one that safeguards the womans overall health, she advised.

Dr Sumit Ray, medical director at Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi, said, My viewpoint is always in support of the mothers health, both physical and psychological, and it is for women to decide what is right for their health and they should be the ones to have control over their bodies.

What Does the AIIMS Report Say?

According to the latest report submitted by a panel headed by K Aparna Sharma, the foetus does not have any structural anomaly at the present time

The SCs decision is based on this report accessed by News18.

The continuation of pregnancy to full term while the woman is on the revised medications (as advised by the psychiatrist on the board) is not likely to significantly increase the risk of adverse outcomes for the mother and foetus as compared to other pregnant woman.

On a psychiatric assessment, the board said: She has a past history of postpartum psychosis, currently controlled on medications. Her medications have been reviewed and revised for optimal management.

The board concluded that with proper care and treatment under appropriate medical supervision, the mother and baby can be managed well during pregnancy and postpartum as has been previously evidenced by her response to medications.

In case of worsening of symptoms, she may be admitted and treated.
Two Border Security Force (BSF) jawans were injured after Pakistan Rangers resorted to firing at an Indian border post in Jammu and Kashmirs RS Pura Sector.

The Pakistani sniper fired at the jawans when they were fixing a light on an electricity pole near the Indo-Pakistan border in the region.

The injured BSF personnel were admitted to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital and their condition was stated to be stable.

Though the BSF remained tight-lipped about the incident, official sources said a preliminary investigation suggested that the gunfire came from across the border.

The firing was reported from the Iqbal and Khannor posts of Pakistan Rangers The troops on the International Border in the Jammu Sector have been put on alert.

Further details of the incident are awaited, the sources said.

(With PTI inputs)
SHARDIYA NAVRATRI 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers to Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of Goddess Durga, on the third day of Navratri, today on Tuesday, October 17. He also shared on X, formerly Twitter, a video of Goddess Chandraghanta stuti. In his post in Hindi, PM Modi wished that with the blessings of the Goddess, the fame and glory of the countrymen should continuously increase.

         !             ,    pic.twitter.com/FPxldYkgM9 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 17, 2023

The stuti begins with a description of Maa Chandraghantas beauty and power. It then goes on to praise her for her courage, strength, and compassion. The stuti also invokes the goddesss blessings for peace, prosperity, and happiness for all.

ALSO READ: Navratri Day 3 Maa Chandraghanta Wishes, Greetings, Messages, and Quotes

NAVRATRI AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

Navratri, one of the most vibrant and revered festivals in India, spans nine nights and ten days. It celebrates the divine feminine energy, embodied by Goddess Durga, who is worshipped in her various forms during this period.

Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different manifestation of the Goddess, and the third day is when devotees pay homage to Maa Chandraghanta. The celebrations started on October 15, and will continue till October 23.

ALSO READ: Navratri 2023 Day 3: Date, Maa Chandraghanta Puja, Colour, Timings, Mantra, and Bhog

GODDESS CHANDRAGHANTA: THE THIRD AVATAR OF DURGA

Goddess Chandraghanta is the third manifestation of Maa Durga, and her name, Chandra (moon) and Ghanta (bell), signifies her unique appearance with a crescent moon adorning her forehead. The crescent moon is not only a symbol of beauty but also represents the constant evolution and transformation of life.

Maa Chandraghanta is depicted with ten hands, each holding different weapons and symbols, radiating strength, courage, and protection. Her complexion is said to be golden, signifying grace and prosperity.

On the third day of Navratri, devotees seek the blessings of Maa Chandraghanta for inner peace, bravery, and protection from negativity. Her grace empowers individuals to overcome obstacles and face lifes challenges with fortitude.

ALSO READ: Happy Navratri 2023! Wishes, Messages, Images, and Quotes to Share

PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODIS SPIRITUAL CONNECT

PM Modi, known for his deep spiritual and cultural roots, has consistently demonstrated his devotion to Hindu deities and rituals. His visit to the Kedarnath Temple, the Badrinath Temple, and his participation in various religious ceremonies underline his commitment to Indias rich heritage.

If someone were to ask me- if there is one place you must visit in Uttarakhand which place would it be, I would say you must visit Parvati Kund and Jageshwar Temples in the Kumaon region of the state. The natural beauty and divinity will leave you spellbound.Of course, pic.twitter.com/9FoOsiPtDQ  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 14, 2023

Modis gesture of offering prayers to Maa Chandraghanta and sharing the stuti video, is a testament to the significance of this festival and the importance of faith and spirituality in the lives of millions of Indians.

As Navratri continues to unfold, devotees across the nation look forward to celebrating the other manifestations of Goddess Durga, seeking her blessings for a life filled with strength, peace, and prosperity.

The Prime Ministers actions serve as an inspiration and a reminder of the values that this festival represents  a celebration of the divine feminine energy and an expression of devotion, faith, and inner strength.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. No matter how much power and how many weapons the state has and how carefully military operations are planned, it is the soldiers and officers who achieve Victory, said President Ilham Aliyev as he met with residents who moved to the city of Fuzuli and members of the general public of the district on the Fuzuli City Day.

They (soldiers, officers  ed.) go, put their chest forward, face death, and then they raise the Flag. Their heroism must and will never be erased from our memory, the head of state emphasized.
In a horrifying accident, three-year-old twin sisters were killed and their parents were injured when a petrol tanker crashed into their scooter in Punes Vishrantiwadi Chowk on Monday evening.

Police said that the 40-year-old Satish Kumar Jha was riding his two wheeler with his wife and three-year-old twin daughters when he stopped at the Chowks traffic signal, an NDTV report said.

A petrol tanker  as soon as the light turned green  came from behind and crashed into the scooter and in the movement, the twins and their mother fell onto the ground and came under its wheels. Reportedly, the twin sisters were killed on the spot, while both the parents were injured due to the crash.

This shocking accident was caught on CCTV cameras installed the area. Video clips of the incident show that people present at the scene immediately rushed to help the family before emergency services arrived at the spot and took the family to a hospital.

The mother, who suffered critical injuries, is currently being treated at Sassoon Hospital, while the father suffered some minor injuries.

The petrol tank driver has been arrested. The tanker hit the motorcycle immediately after the signal turned green at the chowk, police said, adding that the driver of the tanker was arrested under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Motor Vehicles Act.

4 ROAD ACCIDENTS IN LAST TWO DAYS

Yesterday, two students  on the way to school  were killed in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr when the motorcycle they were riding in was hit by a speeding truck from behind, police said.

The father of one of the deceased children was riding the bike, they added.

According to the police, Aarzoo and Gaurav, both residents of Nayabans village under Syana police station, died in the accident.

The accident took place at 7:30 am, said Bhaskar Kumar, Circle Office of Syana.

The injured children were taken to the hospital, where they were declared dead by the doctors, the CO said. He added that the bodies of the deceased have been sent for

post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, the driver of the truck was still on the run.

On October 15, a total of 18 People were killed in three separate accidents in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

In an accident at Ananthur bypass road near Tamil Nadus Tiruvannamalai, eight people including four men, two women and two children were killed when their car met with a head on collision with a truck.

The dead include the driver of the car and seven people of a family. The local police at Tiruvannamalai registered a case.

The driver of the truck that hit the car fled from the scene of the accident.

In the other accident in Madhya Pradeshs Morena district, Three labourers were killed and two persons injured when a car rammed into a tractor-trolley on Sunday.

The incident occurred in the afternoon on National Highway no. 44 under Noorabad police station area, some 15 km from the district headquarters, an official said Police inspector RB Yadav said three labourers, aged between 38 years and 42 years, were on board a tractor-trolley when a car crashed into it from behind.

The third accident, which took place in Rajasthans Dungarpur district, killed seven people and left eight others injured.

The accident  collision between a truck and a cruiser jeep  took place near the Ratanpur border, local Bicchiwada police station SHO Madanlal said.

He said all seven died on the spot and three people with severe injuries were referred to Dungarpur. Madanlal said senior police and administration officials, including District Collector Laxmi Narayan Mantri and Superintendent of Police Kundan Kanwaria, reached the spot and took the injured to a hospital.

Police said 21 people were travelling in the vehicle that was headed to Ahmedabad from Dungarpur while one of the occupants claimed that some people were even sitting on the roof.

Some of the passengers were sitting on the roof of the MUV when the accident occurred. The driver of the vehicle was also killed, he said.
The Supreme Court came down heavily on the National Medical Commission (NMC) on Monday after taking note of submissions that around 70 per cent medical colleges in the country are not paying the mandatory stipend to MBBS interns.

What is the National Medical Commission doing? These young doctors are putting 16-20 hours a day. This is like bonded labour, a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said.

The bench said private medical colleges, which take heavy donations or capitation fees while admitting students, are not paying the mandatory stipend to the MBBS interns and asked as to what the NMC is doing as the regulator.

The observations came when a lawyer reiterated the allegation that 70 per cent of the medical colleges in the country are not paying the mandatory stipend to the MBBS interns.

The counsel for the NMC sought some time to collate the information and get back to the bench, which granted the same.

The top court, meanwhile, issued a notice to the Delhi government after taking note of the submissions of the citys Army College of Medical Sciences (ACMS) that a fee regulatory authority has not been set up in the national capital to deal with such issues.

On September 15, the bench had asked the NMC, the apex governing body for medical education in the country, to look into the allegation that 70 per cent medical colleges are not paying the mandatory stipend to the MBBS interns.

The court had also directed the ACMS to pay a monthly stipend of Rs 25,000 to its MBBS interns from October 1.

Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, appearing for students seeking a stipend had said that according to a recent NMC report, 70 per cent of the medical colleges in the country are not paying stipends to their interns.

The bench had directed the NMCs counsel, Gaurav Sharma, to respond to the claim and file an affidavit giving a tabulated chart of the colleges that are paying the stipend to the interns and the ones that are not.

It had said the NMCs mandate cannot be breached and that interns, who come from different backgrounds, are required to be paid a stipend for the period of their internship.

The top court was hearing a plea of five MBBS students studying at the ACMS, established by the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) and affiliated to the Guru Govind Singh Indraprashtha University, seeking a stipend for the period of their internship.

The CJI said even the Supreme Court pays Rs 80,000 as stipend to its law clerks and wondered why the college cannot pay Rs 1 lakh to the MBBS interns.

Senior advocate R Balasubramanium, appearing for the ACMS, had said the college has nothing to do with the Army. It does not receive any aid from the defence ministry and is run by the AWES on a no-profit basis with the intention of serving the children of armed forces personnel.

After comparing the different amounts of stipend paid by other medical colleges, the bench directed the ACMS to start paying Rs 25,000 per month to its interns from October 1.

Taking into account the fact that the college is run by a welfare society for the children of Army personnel, the bench granted the institution the liberty to approach the fee regulatory committee in Delhi with a representation on the likely financial impact of the courts directions.

It said the fee regulatory committee shall determine whether increasing the students fees is necessary for the college to meet the additional expenditure on account of paying the stipend to the MBBS interns.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that same-sex marriages can not get recognition in the country and said it is within Parliaments ambit to change the law for validating such unions.

A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court, however, recognised equal rights for queer people and their protection, while calling for sensitisation of the general public so they dont face discrimination.

The apex court, while passing four separate verdicts, was unanimous in holding that there is no unqualified right to marriage, and same-sex couples cant claim it as a fundamental right under the Constitution.

Earlier, the Government of India opposed the legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the country. In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the Centre said same-sex relationships and heterosexual relationships are a distinctive class of relationships and cannot be treated identically.

Citing the concept of Indian families, the Centre, in its affidavit, said, Notion of marriage necessarily and inevitably presupposes union bet 2 persons of the opposite sex. This definition is socially, culturally & legally ingrained into the very idea and the concept of marriage & ought not to be disturbed or diluted by judicial interpretation.

While the SC ruling means that same-sex couples cannot get married in India officially, there are at least 35 countries around the world that either recognize same-sex marriage or give legal recognition to them.

The US, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and Uruguay are among countries where same-sex marriage is legal.

United States

In the oldest democracies in the world, the US Supreme Court recognized gay marriage in 2015, pointing out that limiting marriage solely to heterosexual couples violated the 14th Amendment guarantee of equal protection under the law. Before the SC ruling, 36 States had already legalized same-sex marriage and the Supreme Court finally guaranteed the right at the federal level in 2015.

In 2003, Massachusetts became the first US state to legalise same-sex marriage, following a ruling by the states Supreme Court.

New Zealand

New Zealand decriminalized gay sex in 1986 and has been recognizing civil unions between same-sex couples since 2005. In 2013, New Zealand became the first nation in the Asia-Pacific region to legalize same-sex marriage.

Taiwan

Considered a hotspot for LGBTQ life, Taiwan legalized gay marriage in 2019. The annual pride parade in Taiwan attracts people from all over Asia. However, the law says both partners must be from a place where same-sex marriages are considered legal.

Germany

In 2017, Germany passed legislation for same-sex marriage.

Austria

Same-sex marriage became legal on January 1, 2019. Though gay and lesbian couples in Austria could form civil partnerships since 2010, however, a court ruled in 2017 that civil partnerships were discriminatory.

Malta

Malta became the first country in Europe to legalize same-sex marriage in 2017. It also granted couples adoption rights after bringing amendments to the countrys Marriage Act.

Finland

After widespread public support for same-sex marriage, Finlands Parliament approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in 2014. However, the law came into effect in 2017.

Ireland

Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage through a popular vote in 2015.

Colombia

In 2016, a court in Colombia legalized same-sex marriage, stating that it does violate the constitution.

Greenland

Greenlands parliament voted unanimously to legalize same-sex marriage and granted adoption rights in 2015.

Luxembourg

Luxembourgs Chamber of Deputies approved a bill allowing same-sex marriage and giving couples the right to adopt children in 2014.

Scotland

Despite protests by the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church, the Scottish Parliament gave its approval to legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in February 2014. However, the law did not force churches to conduct marriages of gay couples. Later, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church of Scotland decided to conduct the marriages as well.

Uruguay

Civil unions of gay and lesbian couples were legal in Uruguay since 2008 and they got adoption rights in 2009. Later in 2013, Uruguay legalized same-sex marriage when the president signed a bill into law.

England and Wales

The British Parliament witnessed fiery debates over several months on same-sex marriage. In July 2013, the Parliament gave its approval to a same-sex marriage bill and the law took effect on March 29, 2014.

France

Frances highest court threw its weight behind a bill allowing same-sex marriage and adoptions by same-sex couples in May 2013.

Brazil

In Brazil, same-sex civil unions were recognized in 2011 and they had the same rights as heterosexual married couples, including adoption and inheritance. In 2013, the country recognized same-sex marriage as legal nationwide.

Denmark

Denmark was the first country in the world to allow same-sex couples the right to register as domestic partners in 1989. The country also allowed registered same-sex couples to adopt children in 2010. Later in 2012, Denmark brought a law legalizing same-sex marriage.

Argentina

In 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to grant same-sex couples the right to marry and adopt children.

Iceland

In 2010, Icelands Parliament unanimously voted to legalize same-sex marriage. Soon after the bill was passed, then Prime Minister, Social Democrat Johanna Sigurdardottir, who was the first openly gay head of state in the world, married her long-time partner in one of the first same-sex marriages in the country.

Portugal

The Portuguese Parliament passed a bill law allowing same-sex marriage in 2010. The law came into effect in June 2010. However, same-sex couples were granted adoption rights in 2015.

Sweden

Same-sex couples got adoption rights in 2003. In April 2009, the Swedish Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage in both religious and civil ceremonies.

Norway

In 2009, the law allowing same-sex couples to marry, adopt children, and undergo state-funded artificial insemination came into effect. The Lutheran Church of Norway also allowed its pastors to conduct same-sex marriages in 2017.

Canada

The Canadian Parliament legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2005. Even before this, the countrys federal government extended common law marriage rights to same-sex couples in 1999.

Australia

In 2017, Australias Parliament passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Before the bill was passed, a nationwide referendum was held and 62% of Australians supported marriage equality.

South Africa

In 2006, South Africas Parliament voted to allow same-sex marriage. This came after South Africas highest court asked the government to the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

Spain

The Spanish Parliament legalized same-sex marriage and granted same-sex couples inheritance, adoption, and divorce rights in 2005.

Belgium

Though same-sex couples in Belgium were granted recognition through registered partnerships in 1998, the Parliament legalized same-sex marriage in 2003. Three years later, same-sex couples got the right to adopt children.

Netherlands

In 1998, the Netherlands extended marriage-related privileges to same-sex couples. Two years later in 2000, the parliament passed a bill that expanded the definition of marriage to include people of the same sex and also grant them adoption rights.

Ecuador

Ecuadors Constitutional Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2019, saying that the ban was unconstitutional. Marriage equality took effect in Ecuador on July 8, 2019.

Costa Rica

Marriage equality became a reality in Costa Rica in 2020 after the National Assembly failed to enact a law legalizing same-sex marriage as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

Chile

In 2021, Chiles president signed into law a marriage equality bill. However, same-sex civil unions have been legal in the country since 2015.

Slovenia

On July 8, 2022, the constitutional court of Slovenia ruled that the ban on same-sex marriages violated the constitution.

Switzerland

On December 16, 2020, the Swiss Parliament passed a bill extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Andorra

Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2014.

Estonia

Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2016.
As the Supreme Court refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, the Congress on Tuesday said as a party of inclusion, it believes in non-discriminatory processes in the judicial, social, and political realms.

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages.

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, who was heading the bench pronouncing its verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages, said the court cant make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, On the same-sex marriage and related issues we are studying the different and differing judgments delivered in the Supreme Court today and will have a detailed response subsequently.

Indian National Congress has always stood with all our citizens to protect their freedoms, choices, liberties and rights. We, as a party of inclusion, firmly believe in non-discriminatory processes judicial, social, and political, Ramesh said.

At the outset, Justice Chandrachud said there are four judgments  by himself, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha  in the matter. Justice Hima Kohli is also a part of the five-judge bench.

Directing the Centre, states, and Union Territories to ensure the queer community is not discriminated against, the CJI said queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages and is neither urban nor elitist.

Justice Kaul said he agrees with the CJI on grant of certain rights to queer couples. Justice Bhat, who read out the operative portion of his verdict, said he agrees and differs with the views of the CJI on certain points.

Delivering his verdict on the critical issue, the CJI said it is for Parliament to decide whether there is a need for a change in the regime of the Special Marriage Act.
The court cant make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud said on Tuesday while pronouncing his verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages.

At the outset, Justice Chandrachud said there are four judgments  by himself, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha  in the matter. Justice Hima Kohli is also a part of the five-judge bench.

Directing the Centre, states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that the queer community is not discriminated against, the CJI, who is heading the constitution bench, said queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages and is neither urban nor elitist.
The two-decade-long legal fight of the LGBTQ community seeking greater recognition of civil rights has reached an important turning point, with the Supreme Court set to pronounce verdict on the legal validity of same-sex marriages.

The decriminalisation of homosexuality had already set the stage for this day. The LGBTQ community has sought dignity and equality of marriage before the Supreme Court.

As the bench assembles on Tuesday morning to pronounce the crucial verdict, here are some options before the Supreme Court:

DECLARE RIGHT TO MARRIAGE AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT

ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT: Petitioners have argued that the right to marriage should be declared as a fundamental right. It is argued that all civil rights emanate from the institution of marriage. The right to raise a child as a couple, joint financial bank accounts, right to inherit each others property or even the right to sign a basic medical consent form are all rights allied to the institution of marriage. Hence, this institution serves as a sine qua non (essential action) for complete exercise of civil rights as a couple. The denial of legal recognition to same-sex partnership is discriminatory and hence must be outlawed.

COUNTER VIEW: If marriage were to be recognised as a fundamental right, it will open a Pandoras Box where personal laws shall be in direct conflict. This paves the way for dozens of petitions lining up before the Supreme Court. It shall also throw up challenges for various tribal and indigenous customs that are protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. No religious, tribal, or customary law recognises same-sex partnership or gay marriages.

Recognition of same-sex marriage as a fundamental right shall set the stage for a complete overhaul of the definition of marriage. The question is not on the morality or the righteousness of the issue but rather on whether we are legally, constitutionally, and socially prepared for this overhaul. The jury is still out on that.

KEEP ASIDE PERSONAL LAWS, ALLOW SAME SEX MARRIAGE UNDER SPECIAL MARRIAGE ACT

ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT: During the hearings, there was another suggestion that was debated upon  should the ambit of personal laws be completely put aside and only the domain of the secular laws like the Special Marriages Act, 1954, be changed or altered?

The suggestion was that the definition under the Special Marriage Act should be made gender-neutral. Petitioners argued that same-sex couples can be allowed to be registered under this law and this shall pave the way for greater civil rights for the community. It was further argued that any statute of Parliament like the Special Marriages Act cannot make discrimination based on sexual orientation. Hence, the definition of marriage must be made gender neutral to accommodate same-sex couples.

COUNTER VIEW: But even this path is a treacherous one. India, unlike most democratic countries, does not have a uniform civil code. Even if the troublesome aspect of personal laws is put aside for a moment and the Special Marriages Act, 1954 abandons the gendered definition of marriage, the problem is far from over.

The limited rationalisation under the Special Marriage Act shall only augment the complexities under the present system. The so-called civil or secular law is not so secular in nature. A lot of tentacles of the secular or civil statute are entwined in the religious customs and definitions, especially pertaining to inheritance.

Marriage as an institution is not completely civil or secular in India under any circumstances due to the absence of a uniform civil code and the patchy framework of personal laws in India. Even the limited rationalisation of laws shall require legislative intervention. Allied statutes and laws on inheritance, divorce, maintenance, adoption shall need a complete overhaul.

SET UP A SPECIAL COMMITTEE, LEAVE THE ISSUE TO PARLIAMENT

The Supreme Court also orally suggested that the petitioners should consider the idea of sitting with the government in a special committee and formulating a solution or a middle path. At one point during the hearing, the court seemed to be conscious of the fact that the changes require legislative expertise and effort.

While the judiciary can decide on constitutionality of the issues and suggest stop-gap arrangements or mechanisms, it cannot create or amend statutes. The suggestion that every state should be heard in this matter came from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The idea of a committee shall entirely shift the ball to the court of the government and Parliament to legislate on this matter. Its open to the Supreme Court to set out broad guidelines and principles while the committee decides on the matter, if at all that route or path is taken.

The task before the Supreme Court is indeed a very difficult one. The question is not a straight-jacketed one seeking a positive or negative response. In fact, the proposition requires serious judicial and legislative attention. If marriage equality were to be a reality in India, then various laws pertaining to divorce, maintenance, inheritance, and adoption need to be streamlined.

Laws against violence within marriage presume the institution between a man and a woman. All these laws would require reconsideration. If court recognises same sex marriages, then laws pertaining to divorce shall automatically seek rationalisation. It is beyond the ambit of the judiciary to deal with this mammoth task.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY 2023: Each year, on October 17, we observe the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, aiming to enhance dialogue and empathy between the impoverished and the wider community. The days objective is to acknowledge the challenges of those living in poverty, empower their voices, and seek solutions to alleviate and ultimately eliminate poverty.

Poverty yields distressing consequences, including homelessness, hunger, the absence of essential amenities, and instances of violence. The United Nations calls upon people to unite and play their role in contributing to the eradication of poverty.

International Day For The Eradication Of Poverty 2023 Theme

The theme for International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023 is Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity In Practice For All. The objective behind this years theme is based on first-hand accounts that demonstrate how people, who are stuck in severe poverty, frequently put in long, hard hours in hazardous, unregulated jobs yet are still unable to make enough money to sustain their families and themselves.

This years theme underscores the importance of upholding the human dignity of all individuals. Decent work should empower people, provide equitable compensation, ensure safe working conditions, and fundamentally recognise the value and humanity of every worker. It also calls for universal access to social protection and decent work.

History And Significance

In 1987, the Human Rights and Liberties Plaza at the Trocadero in Paris, France, hosted the inaugural commemoration of the event in memory of those who had died from hunger, violence, poverty, and terror. The International Movement ATD Fourth World founder Joseph Wresinski unveiled the memorial stone. Later, October 17 was formally declared as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty by the United Nations (UN) in 1992.

The day aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by families or individuals living in poverty and to strive for the global eradication of poverty. People in poverty often lack fundamental necessities and endure perilous living and working conditions, experience unequal access to the legal system, and have limited access to healthcare.

International Day For The Eradication Of Poverty 2023 Quotes

Extreme poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere.  Kofi Annan.

Nothing that you have not given away will ever really be yours.  C.S. Lewis.

History is written by the rich, and so the poor get blamed for everything.  Jeffrey D. Sachs.

Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growththese are the same fight.  Ban Ki-moon.

Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.  Aristotle.
The ceremony for the 69th National Film Awards was held at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, today. In keeping with tradition, this year President of India, Droupadi Murmu presented prestigious awards to prominent actors and actresses for their brilliance. This splendid event was attended by awardees who had travelled from different cities, including Mumbai, to receive their accolades. Among the attendees were R Madhavan, Alia Bhatt and her husband Ranbir Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Allu Arjun and his wife Sneha Reddy, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and many more. Pictures and videos capturing the celebrities at this grand event have been circulating online.

R Madhavan and producer Varghese Moolan, who collaborated on Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, secured the Best Feature Film award at the National Film Awards ceremony. A photo capturing R Madhavan at the event has been making rounds online. In the image, R Madhavan is seen seated next to S.S. Rajamouli, the director of RRR, presenting a refined appearance.

ALSO READ: Alia Bhatt Looks Ethereal As She Re-Wears Her Wedding Saree For The 69th National Film Awards Ceremony, Watch Video

As for his outfit, R Madhavan opted for a formal and refined appearance. He wore a black, high-collared suit, which added a touch of sophistication to his look. Underneath the suit, he paired it with a crisp white shirt, which provided a classic and timeless contrast. To complete his ensemble, R Madhavan kept his overall look well-groomed. He also styled his wavy hair by slicking it back, therefore enhancing his polished appearance for the event.

Take a look at the post here:

Directed, written, and produced by R Madhavan, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is a biographical drama film based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, played by Madhavan himself. The story revolves around the life of the scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation, (ISRO), who was later accused in the ISRO espionage case and was soon exonerated. The movie has hit the theatres on July 1, last year.

Meanwhile, R Madhavan has reportedly signed two new Tamil films. One of these projects is titled Test while the other, directed by Mithran Jawahar, is still in the process of being named. Furthermore, the actor has purportedly signed on for another Tamil film, teaming up with director Manthira Murthy, where he will share the screen with Kangana Ranaut.

ALSO READ: National Awards 2023: Allu Arjun Opts For Ivory White Suit, Pushpa Star Wins Internet With His Look

This collaboration marks a reunion for Madhavan and Kangana, who previously worked together in the films Tanu Weds Manu and Tanu Weds Manu Returns in 2015.
Kriti Sanon and Allu Arjun were among the winners of National Film Awards 2023. Kriti won Best Actress Award for her performance in Mimi whereas Allu Arjun was honoured with Best Actor Award for Pushpa. The actors were seated together at the prestigious event and were often seen interacting with each other. Now, a new photo has emerged from the ceremony showing the duo recreating the iconic Pushpa pose.

In the photo, Allu Arjun and Kriti Sanon were seen seated at their seats while the Pushpa actor took a selfie with her. Both the stars were dressed in ivory outfits for the National Film Awards ceremony. Besides Allu Arjun and Kriti Sanon, photos of Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, R Madhavan and Pankaj Tripathi also surfaced online. Check out the photos below:

Kriti shared the Best Actress award with Alia Bhatt. Speaking with News18 a few weeks ago, Kriti said, Im too excited, almost emotional. I cannot believe that this has happened. Its still sinking in and I am pinching myself. It is a big moment for me and my entire family. Mimi has been a very special film and to get the most prestigious National award for it, I just cannot thank the jury enough for actually believing that my performance deserved this award.

Speaking about sharing the award with Alia, Kriti said, Ive always admired Alia as an actor and she was phenomenal in Gangubai Kathiawadi. Weve both played the title role in our respective films and its a proud moment to be sharing this prestigious award with her! I called her up and both of us were just too excited.

Pankaj Tripathi, who played a pivotal role in Mimi, also won the National Award in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance in the film.
Vivek Agnihotri appeared to roll his eyes at Karan Johar when the filmmaker walked on stage to receive the National Award at the ceremony held on Tuesday, October 17. Karans produced film Shershaah was awarded the Special Jury Award while Viveks directorial film The Kashmir Files won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration. In a video shared by DD National, Karan was seen walking up on stage to receive the medal and certificate and Vivek seemingly rolled his eyes.

Read More: Vivek Agnihotri Rolls His Eyes As Karan Johar Accepts National Film Award? Video Shows His Reaction

As Alia Bhatt accepted the Best Actress award at the National Film Award 2023 ceremony, her husband and actor Ranbir Kapoor was brimming with pride. Alia won the Best Actress award for Gangubai Kathiawadi, sharing the honour with Kriti Sanon for Mimi. As she walked up on stage to receive her medal and certificate, Ranbir was seen proudly filming Alias memorable moment.

Read More: Ranbir Kapoor Proudly Films Alia Bhatt As She Accepts National Film Award 2023; Video Goes Viral

Kriti Sanon and Allu Arjun were among the winners of the National Film Awards this year. Kriti won the Best Actress Award for her performance in Mimi whereas Allu Arjun was honoured with the Best Actor Award for Pushpa. The actors were seated together at the prestigious event and were often seen interacting with each other. Now, a new photo has emerged from the ceremony showing the duo recreating the iconic Pushpa pose.

Read More: Allu Arjun and Kriti Sanon Recreate Iconic Pushpa Pose at National Film Awards Ceremony, See Photo

Hrithik Roshan is touted by many fans as one of the most good-looking actors in Bollywood. He often stuns everyone on screen with his chiselled abs and Greek God looks. However, it is not easy to maintain the kind of body that Hrithik has to have in his films. The actor on Tuesday, October 17, took to Instagram to share his epic weight loss transformation and what helped him achieve his goal.

Read More: Hrithik Roshan Shares Epic Weight Loss Transformation, Says Had To Say No To School PTMs; See Pics

Bollywoods OG Dream Girl Hema Malini celebrated her 75th birthday on Monday, October 16 and needless to say, it was a star-studded affair. Several celebrities including Rani Mukerji, Madhuri Dixit, Shilpa Shetty and Jackie Shroff among others attended the birthday bash but it was Rekha who stole the show. Besides Rekha, Jaya Bachchan also attended Hema Malinis birthday bash. However, she was seen scolding the paparazzi once again.

Read More: Rekha Steals the Show at Hema Malinis Birthday Bash; Jaya Bachchan Schools Paps, Itna Direction
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Azerbaijan will host joint Azerbaijani-Turkish tactical exercises, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

"A group of military personnel and aviation equipment of the Turkish Armed Forces to be involved in joint tactical exercises, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkiye arrived in Azerbaijan," the ministry said.

It should be noted that the joint tactical exercises are planned to be conducted on October 23 through October 25 in several directions, including Baku, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the country's liberated territories.
Dream Girl Hema Malini celebrated her 75th birthday with a star-studded get-together, attended by some of the most renowned Bollywood stars. Her husband, Dharmendra, organized a lavish birthday party along with his daughters, Esha Deol and Ahaana Deol. Among the notable guests at the event was Anupam Kher. The actor has now shared a set of photos and videos, providing fans with a delightful glimpse into the celebration of the iconic Dream Girl, Hema Malini. Along with these visual highlights, Anupam has penned a sweet message for the beloved actress.

The video showcased the actress grooving to the popular song Tune O Rangeele from her film Kudrat. Her beautiful expressions reflected the grace and charm of a young Hema. One video even captured her seated beside her husband and legendary actor, Dharmendra. Additionally, there was a picture featuring Hema Malini alongside Anupam Kher, where she looked stunning in a heavily embroidered saree and matching jewellery. Her subtle makeup and open hair accentuated her gorgeous and elegant appearance.

In the caption, Anupam wrote, Hema Malini ji is undoubtedly the most graceful and dignified lady in the Indian film Industry. I was in college when I first saw her shooting for the Kudrat film. I was 14 then. After getting into films I was lucky to have worked with her in some movies. Yesterday was her 75th birthday. She hosted a party. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings. Full of music, fun, and nostalgia. And even after so many years, Hema Ji has the same grace, dignity, magic, and inner beauty! May God give her a long, happy, and healthy life. Hema ji ki jai ho!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher)

The actress fans wasted no time and flooded the comment section with an outpouring of love and heartfelt birthday wishes. One user wrote, I find her more beautiful as shes gotten older, while another user commented, Happiest birthday Dream girl. A fan comment read, Really Hema malini ji is the most graceful lady on the earth. Happy Birthday.

Hema Malinis daughter and actress Esha Deol also shared heartwarming pictures and wished the actress on her birthday. The pictures capture a beautiful moment of Esha hugging her mother and planting a sweet kiss on her cheeks. Both mother and daughter are dressed in elegant ethnic outfits, radiating their beauty and the warmth of their relationship.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESHA DEOL (@imeshadeol)

The lavish get-together party saw the presence of various stars including Jackie Shroff, Shatrughan Sinha, Salman Khan, and more.

Workwise, Hema Malini is all set to grace the screen in an upcoming TV series Women of India  Amrapali. On the other hand, Anupam Kher will be next seen in director U.R.Jameels upcoming action thriller film Miss Match India alongside Pooja Kumar and Chitrangda Singh.
In a recent discussion about their plans for the remainder of 2023, BTSs V and Jimin dropped hints about their upcoming military enlistment. During Vs solo fan meeting, titled (V)ICNIC, at Kyunghee Universitys Peace Amphitheater on October 14, fans noticed a statement made by V that sparked speculation about his military service date. The event included close-up photos, live performances, and fan interactions. V also extended an invitation to his close friend and fellow BTS member, Jimin, to join him on stage. In the midst of warm conversations with the host and fans, V shared his intention to make an appearance on the popular variety show, Running Man, alongside Jimin.

While discussing their appearance on Running Man, V mentioned their plans to do so before they have to go this year. ARMY has been considering this as a subtle hint at their impending military enlistment, as discussions about the remaining BTS members, including V, Jimin, RM, and Jungkook, serving in the military remain unconfirmed.

Watch it here:

https://twitter.com/jen_tae_/status/1713187071161205127

V and Jimin are often affectionately referred to as Vmin and share a strong bond. They were born in 1995, attended the same high school, trained together for their debut, and subsequently debuted as BTS members. In 2020, they even released a song titled Friends, celebrating their friendship as part of the Map of the Soul: 7 album by BTS.

https://twitter.com/bts_bighit/status/1713149780774490411

At the (V)ICNIC fan meeting, V and Jimin reportedly delighted fans with a live performance of Friends and engaged in light-hearted discussions.

Fans reactions to this revelation were mixed, with some members of the ARMY taking it with a pinch of salt and pointing out that there are only two months left in the year, making it seem too soon for the duo to enlist. Others wondered if V might celebrate his birthday on December 31 while in the military.

Jimin is like ??? We are going ? When did we plan this? But this is exactly like my bestfriend planning stuffs and telling other frnz that we have decided to go there next week and Im like we are??? wrote a fan. Another user commented, Is this real or is it bcuz hes talking to Se Chan?? BUT I TRUST U TAEHYUNG OMG I DO HOPE YOURE NOT KIDDING.

Look at some more fan reactions below:

https://twitter.com/glossblueside/status/1713184280937968017

https://twitter.com/Luxisjimined/status/1713459329884405900

Why is everyone talking about going this year https://t.co/C3K8hQSCfU kaya #freepalestine (@not7_no) October 14, 2023

vmin on running man would be so much fun but wdym theyre BOTH leaving?? theyre not going anywhere. https://t.co/auV0JXvV3P mari (@uhhhbangtan) October 14, 2023

As of now, BTSs official music label, BIGHIT MUSIC has not officially confirmed anything regarding this issue. Currently, three BTS members are fulfilling their military duties: Jin (since December 13, 2022), J-hope (since April 18, 2023), and SUGA (since September 22, 2023).
K-drama star Choi Hyun-Wook, well-known for his role in Twenty-five Twenty-one, has reportedly decided not to accept the opportunity to star in an upcoming drama helmed by director Lee Eung Bok. This decision is primarily attributed to scheduling conflicts. According to a statement from Choi Hyun-Wooks agency, GOLDMEDALIST, they confirmed that he had been presented with the opportunity to play a leading role in the upcoming drama My Relationship That I Also Oppose (working title). However, they regretfully had to decline the offer due to a scheduling clash, as reported by Soompi.

Previously, there were discussions about both Choi Hyun-Wook and actress Go Min Si, known for her role in Youth Of May, potentially joining the cast of this drama series.

My Relationship That I Also Oppose is said to revolve around the theme of reconnecting with former partners and delves into the question of whether this represents the continuation of a familiar relationship or the inception of an entirely new one. The drama intends to captivate viewers by delving into the intricacies of reigniting past connections, according to reports from Soompi.

Choi Hyun-Wook was reportedly offered the role of Kim Tae Kyung, while Go Min Si was approached for the character of Hong Jae Bi.

Apart from his work, Choi Hyun-Wook was recently involved in a controversy related to the improper disposal of a cigarette butt. The former incident garnered more attention due to South Koreas stringent anti-smoking laws and the need for proper disposal of cigarette waste. An online video reportedly captured him smoking while he was holding a womans hand and eventually discarding a cigarette butt on the ground in a designated no-smoking area.

In response, both Choi Hyun-Wook and his agency issued a formal apology statement. The actor was also fined for violating the Waste Management Act. After this, Choi Hyun-Wooks agency issued an official statement saying, After confirming the video footage, we looked up the fine procedures and have completed the fine payment. We apologise once again for causing concerns, reports Soompi.

On the work front, Choi Hyun-Wook has captivated audiences with his performances in dramas like Taxi Driver, Racket Boys, Twenty-Five, Twenty-One, Weak Hero Class 1, and D.P. Season 2. Currently, he is the lead actor in TVNs Monday-Tuesday drama Twinkling Watermelon.

Director Lee Eung Bok is renowned for directing hit dramas such as Descendants of the Sun, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Mr. Sunshine, Sweet Home, and Jirisan.
Actor Sunny Deol is often associated with the Angry Young Man persona due to his roles in films, leading people to believe that he is just as temperamental off-screen. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali received warnings about Sunnys temperament before their initial meeting for the narration of Imtiazs debut film, Socha Na Tha. However, Imtiazs perception changed after meeting Sunny. Today, he deeply respects the actor, as Sunny was the one who entrusted him with his first film opportunity.

In a recent interview, Imtiaz, renowned for directing films such as Jab We Met, Rockstar, Tamasha, and Love Aaj Kal, revealed the story behind his directorial debut, Socha Na Tha, starring Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia as the main characters. The opportunity came to him when Sunny Deol learned about his cousin Abhays intention to work with Imtiaz on a film project.

Sunny Deol must have heard from somewhere that Abhay is planning to do a film. So, he summoned me and told me, Ye kya ho raha hai? Pehle main approve karunga fir ye film banegi. I will produce it. (What is happening? This film will be made only after my approval), Imtiaz told Lallantop.

Before Imtiaz had the chance to meet Sunny Deol, others tried to intimidate him, warning that Sunny is an action hero, an angry man, and he is approaching him with a story where the hero gets slapped. He is physically strong too. What will you do if he would slap you in anger? people told him. Despite these warnings, Imtiaz, who had never met a star before, was determined to make the film. He went to Simla to present the script of Socha Na Tha to the Gadar star.

Post the narration, Imtiazs perception of Sunny Deol changed. He said, He (Sunny) is a very shy man, very sensitive. That day, the stereotype around him broke for me. He didnt ask me where I was from or what is my experience. He has a very important position in my life because he gave me my first film.
Around 156 young people in Mumbai lost a total of Rs 5.14 lakh when they tried to buy tickets for an upcoming garba night hosted by Falguni Pathak. The scam unfolded when an individual, posing as an authorized event ticket seller, failed to provide the promised discounted tickets. Consequently, the victims decided to report the incident to the Mumbai police.

Falguni Pathaks Garba Night took place in the Borivali region of Mumbai, and a single pass was originally priced at Rs 4,500. Nevertheless, the accused enticed these young individuals by offering discounted passes and deceived them.

A 20-year-old entrepreneur in the painting business, along with two friends, seized an appealing opportunity to secure passes. This generated interest from 153 more people in their network. They gathered the necessary funds and informed Shah of their plan to purchase 156 passes on Thursday.

A young resident of Kandivali, Mumbai, discovered that an individual named Vishal Shah, who purported to be the authorized seller of Falguni Pathaks event in Borivali (West), was selling passes at a reduced price. The complainant found out that Shah was selling the passes for Rs 3,300, which was lower than the official rate of Rs 4,500 for the event.

The person who fell victim to the scam, along with their friends, decided to purchase the passes. They also reached out to a total of 156 individuals, including the complainant, agreeing to buy the passes. To facilitate this, the complainant and two of their friends collected money from everyone involved.

Shah directed the three of them to meet a person on New Link Road, Borivali (West), who would collect the money and give them the passes. They followed Shahs instructions, met the designated person, and exchanged the money for passes. Later, Shah provided them with an address in Yogi Nagar and instructed them to pick up the passes from there. But when the three friends reached Yogi Nagar, they couldnt find the building, getting suspicious that they had been deceived.

Subsequently, the young individuals lodged a formal complaint at the MHB Colony police station. With the case officially registered, law enforcement authorities initiated efforts to track down and apprehend the alleged perpetrator.
Kangana Ranaut is currently in Gujrat and on this trip, she took the time from her busy schedule to pay a visit to the Statue Of Unity located near Kevadia. The Tejas actress shared on social media that former Indian Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel instilled the spirit of nationalism in her and the team of her upcoming film Tejas. She also dropped a selfie with the statue.

Taking to her handle on the microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), Kangana shared a picture of herself looking at the Statue of Unity. She wrote, Visiting the statue of unity was deeply enthralling experience, the first chosen Prime Minister of Bharat Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who wasnt allowed to take his well deserved chair because he wasnt very good in English even though he held the nation in his arms like Shiv held disintegrated body of Sati, he is the reason behind the integrity of Bharat as we know it today. Such a well-deserved ode to this unsung national hero evoked the spirit of pride and nationalism in me and my entire team of upcoming film Tejas.

Visiting the statue of unity was deeply enthralling experience, the first chosen Prime Minister of Bharat Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who wasnt allowed to take his well deserved chair because he wasnt very good in English even though he held the nation in his arms like Shiv held pic.twitter.com/Zl2kxyPewB Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) October 17, 2023

Kangana is currently gearing up for the release of her film Tejas. After dropping the films much-awaited trailer recently, the films first song, Jaan Da, was unveiled on Sunday, October 15. Beautifully sung in the soulful voices of Arijit Singh and Shashwat Sachdev, the immensely patriotic and inspirational lyrics of Jaan Da are written by Kumaar. Shashwat Sachdev has made an apt composition for the film that perfectly carries the sentiments of national pride and patriotism.

Kangana Ranaut reportedly dedicated four months to rigorous training to master the specialised combat techniques employed by the Indian forces, for her film. Produced by RSVP, the film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Anshul Chauhan, Varun Mitra, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Vishak Nair in pivotal roles. The movie is directed by Sarvesh Mewara and produced by Ronnie Screwvala. Tejas is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 27 this year.
Kareena Kapoor Khans The Buckingham Murders will be the Opening Night film at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. It will receive its International Premiere on Friday, October 27 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), following a successful World Premiere at the 67th BFI London Film Festival. The Buckingham Murders is directed by Hansal Mehta, produced by Ektaa R Kapoor and co-produced by Kareena Kapoor Khan, who will all attend the films red carpet event.

Director Hansal Mehtas moody procedural is an exploration of grief and our longing for closure. The story follows cop and single mother Jasmeet Bhamra (Kareena Kapoor Khan), who recently lost her child in a shooting spree, as she transfers to a market town north of London and is assigned the case of a missing child.

Commenting on her film opening at Jio MAMI, Kareena Kapoor Khan said, Its an honour for me as an actor and first-time co-producer that my film will open the Jio MAMI Mumbai film festival. Its a place where movies are celebrated and all creative art forms are honoured. Cant be happier to have our film grace the stage at Jio MAMI. The Buckingham Murders is very special for me since its my maiden voyage as a co-producer. Working with Hansal and Ektaa is a deeply satisfying and immersive process. We are only hoping our film will reach wider audiences and break barriers globally.

Director Hansal Mehta expressed, The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival has been home to me ever since my rebirth as a filmmaker with Shahid. Coming back here with The Buckingham Murders as the opening film is indeed a proud moment for me personally. Its the story of South Asian communities settled outside India, and it is heartening to see the world take notice of the kind of cinema we are now capable of producing in India. This movie is our labour of love. Its a thriller, but at the heart of it is a human story about people we may know. Our biggest superpower is our inherent storytelling abilities, and those combined with stellar performances from our extremely talented actors and cutting-edge technology make the South Asian film industry a force to be reckoned with.

Ektaa Kapoor added, I couldnt be more thrilled and honoured that The Buckingham Murders graced the prestigious stage of the London Film Festival, and has now gone on to become the Opening Film at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival! Its a truly exhilarating moment for our film and for everyone who poured their heart and soul into making it a reality. These platforms represent a confluence of the best in cinema from around the world, and its immensely gratifying to see our work recognized on this global stage. My collaboration with Hansal and Kareena is special, and seeing our work recognized and appreciated at such prestigious festivals is not only a validation of our creative efforts but also a testament to the power of storytelling in bridging cultures and connecting people.

Hansal Mehta and Ektaa Kapoor have redefined storytelling across formats. In The Buckingham Murders, they join hands with another formidable artist  Kareena. We are delighted to announce The Buckingham Murders as the opening film at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, said Anupama Chopra, Festival Director at Jio MAMI.
Actor Kriti Sanon was honoured with the Best Actress Award at the 69th National Film Awards in New Delhi on Tuesday for her performance in the film Mimi. President Droupadi Murmu presented her with the award during the ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan.

Kriti, dressed in a pastel saree that beautifully reflected Indian culture, shared the Best Actress accolade with Alia Bhatt, who was recognised for her outstanding performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Gangubai Kathiawadi in the Best Actress category.

Following the event, Kriti proudly posed with her parents. She sat on their laps, showing off the medal and certificate. In another photo, her father lovingly kissed her cheeks, and they smiled warmly for the cameras.

Sharing the photo, Kriti wrote, one of the most memorable days of my life!  Missed you @nupursanon

In another post, Kriti shared a photo of her felicitation and also a video and captioned it, The BIG Moment!! In the photo, she can be seen receiving the award from the Honourable President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

Speaking to the media on the red carpet, Kriti said, The journey has taken me about I think 9 years today to be getting this prestigious award but of course, to win a national award within a decade, is, I understand, a very big thing. I am very blessed and fortunate that I got an opportunity like Mimi. Kabhi kabhi itni intensity wali filmein, itna layered character milta nahin hai itna easily and I am really blessed and fortunate that my producer and my director felt I could do it. I am just feeling very elated today. I knew that it is going to be a special film because just the story you know everything about it I was very passionate about it about this one.
Thalapathy Vijays upcoming movie Leo has been creating an immense buzz ever since its announcement. While the film is scheduled to release in theatres in October, a recent report has claimed that Vijay has already watched the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial. Leo is an action thriller which also features Trisha Krishnan and Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt in key roles.

Ahead of the release, director of the film, Lokesh Kanagaraj offered prayers at Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram today. Check out the video here:

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | Film director Lokesh Kanagaraj offered prayers at Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram today, ahead of the release of his film 'Leo'. pic.twitter.com/zlSB7TkzXR ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2023

Thalapathy Vijay reportedly attended a special screening of Leo in Chennai recently, as reported by a Tamil YouTube channel Valai Pechu, as quoted by Pinkvilla. Even though the 1films post-production and re-recording works are still in progress, Vijay expressed his eagerness to watch the film after completing the dubbing for his scenes, according to the report.

The report said that Vijay was highly impressed with how the film has turned out to be. It is anticipated that he will watch the movie once again, this time with his family, once the final version is prepared. However, the official confirmation from the makers of Leo is still pending.

Earlier today, Leos cinematographer expressed his gratitude towards the director and appreciated Thalapathy Vijays performance and hard work in a long post on Twitter.

Leos cinematographer, Manoj Paramahamsa, has penned a long note about his experience on the sets of the film and has appreciated the members associated with it. Manoj has thanked Thalapathy Vijay for giving him another opportunity to be a part of this highly anticipated film. Apart from that, he also appreciated the whole crew and technicians. He wrote, @actorvijay sir thanks for trusting me one more time! Sir the way you performed in #leo is remarkable! @Dir_Lokesh you are a genius and a gem of person any DOP will love to work with! @anirudhofficial your music is trailblazer Anbuariv masters you are the best Sathish art director you are the most dedicated technician in the entire team @philoedit smartest editor Thanks @7screenstudio @Jagadishbliss.
Thalapathy Vijays Leo is one of the most anticipated films of the year. As the film is about to release on October 19, makers have failed to secure early morning shows in Tamil Nadu. As such, K Ramachandran, Authorised Signatory of Seven Screen Studios, moved the Madras High Court so that the film could secure 4 am shows in the state. However, as per the latest reports, the High Court has denied granting this request.

The makers of Leo had on October 16 requested for 4 am shows in the state for the first six days of the films release, taking the daily show count to six. However, Tamil Nadus government only granted them five shows, with the earliest beginning at 9 am. The honourable Madras High Court judge Anita Sumanth, who presided over the case on Tuesday, October 17, has left the matter in the hands of the Tamil Nadu government, in case they would like to reconsider the earliest show timing to be 7 am. Makers of the film and members of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Association will appear before the court later on Tuesday to further discuss the issue.

Earlier, The Indian Express had quoted K Ramachandrans petition in their report. The petition read, I submit that adhering to the regulation I had submitted a representation letter dated 15 Sep 2023 to the Principal Secretary to Government, the Honble Minister, and the Honble Chief Minister requesting permission to screen 6 shows on the opening day and 5 shows from 20th October to 24th October 2023. On the opening day ie., 19.10.2023 the 1st show has been planned to be screened at 4 am to cater for the insatiable desire of the hard-core fans and from 7 am onwards from 20.10.2023.

To cater for the unusual demand of viewership the states of Kerala and Karnataka have permitted an early morning timing extension from 4o clock. In line with the neighbouring states, I had requested the same special show timings from 4 a.m. for the theatres in Tamil Nadu to manage overcrowding and fanfare on 19.10.2023, the petition further read.

Leo is an action thriller which also stars Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Menon, Mysskin and Priya Anand in pivotal roles. The film also features Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt. Rathna Kumar and Deeraj Vaidy co-wrote the script with Lokesh Kanagaraj. The music for the film is composed by Anirudh Ravichander and its cinematography and editing have been handled by Manoj Paramahamsa and Philomin Raj, respectively.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Armenia is ready to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan by the end of the year, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the European Parliament, Trend reports.

"The signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia by the end of this year has become realistic," he said.

Meanwhile, President of the European Council Charles Michel invited the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to take part in a trilateral meeting in Brussels scheduled for October-end.
Thalapathy Vijays Leo is one of the most awaited movies. While fans are eagerly waiting for it, it was recently reported that the film will not have early morning shows. To seek permission for the same, K Ramachandran, Authorised Signatory of Seven Screen Studios, has now moved the Madras High Court. As reported by Indian Express, the producer has filed a plea stating early morning shows of Leo are crucial to fans insatiable desire.

I submit that adhering to the regulation I had submitted a representation letter dated 15 Sep 2023 to the Principal Secretary to Government, the Honble Minister, and the Honble Chief Minister requesting permission to screen 6 shows on the opening day and 5 shows from 20th October to 24th October 2023. On the opening day ie., 19.10.2023 the 1st show has been planned to be screened at 4 am to cater for the insatiable desire of the hard-core fans and from 7 am onwards from 20.10.2023, read the petition as quoted by the news portal.

K Ramachandran further cited Kerala-Karnataka and added, To cater for the unusual demand of viewership the states of Kerala and Karnataka have permitted an early morning timing extension from 4o clock. In line with the neighbouring states, I had requested the same special show timings from 4 a.m. for the theatres in Tamil Nadu to manage overcrowding and fanfare on 19.10.2023.

For the unversed, the plea comes days after the Tamil Nadu government issued an order imposing certain conditions for the screening of Leo in theatres. As per this order, Vijays movie will not have an early morning show. While the first show will begin at 9 am, it can go on till 1:30 am.

Leo is an action thriller which also stars Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Menon, Mysskin and Priya Anand in pivotal roles. The film also features Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt. Rathna Kumar and Deeraj Vaidy co-wrote the script with Lokesh Kanagaraj. The music for the film is composed by Anirudh Ravichander and its cinematography and editing have been handled by Manoj Paramahamsa and Philomin Raj, respectively.

Leo will hit theatres in India on October 19.
South Korean actor Nam Joo-hyuks fans are desperately waiting for the release of his upcoming show Vigilante. One of the major reasons behind it is that the Twenty-Five Twenty-One fame is currently serving his mandatory military service in the army. Nam Joo-hyuk wrapped up the shooting of his Disney+ Hotstar series before enlisting. Although fans wont be able to watch him promote Vigilante, theyre eagerly waiting to watch the actor on screen. Now, the makers of the show have released a brand new poster of Nam Joo-hyuks lead protagonist Kim Ji Yong, an anti-hero who rises from the dark to serve justice in his own twisted way.

The Start-Up stars character has two different shades, one of an obedient police university student and another of a dark hero. The duality of his role is aptly captured in the new poster which is split in two. A frame showcasing his bloodied avatar covered in a masked hoodie is placed adjacent to that of a clean-shaven police officer. Just like the post hints, he upholds the law in the day before turning into a maniac to seek justice in the night.

The contrasting duality steals the limelight along with the catchy tagline that reportedly reads, From now on, I will judge again, as per Soompi. The poster appears to give fans a heads-up about the unconventional tactics he is set to unleash on criminals who manage to escape the law. Catch a glimpse of the poster here:

This comes alongside an exciting trailer of the show that begins with Nam Joo-hyuks hoodied Vigilante beating up a goon. Start blaming the law for letting you go. Because Im going to show you what real hell is, says his darker character shade. An investigative team arrives at the crime site with Korean Money Heists Professor Yoo Ji-taes vehement entry. The authorities are fighting tooth and nail to gather any piece of information against the mysterious Vigilante on the run. Meanwhile, Nam Joo-hyuk continues to follow his usual routine as a student during the day. He vows to close all the loopholes in the law himself as high-octane action scenes play in the background. Society failed him. Now, hes teaching it a lesson, wrote Disney+ Hotstar while sharing the trailer.

Society failed him. Now, hes teaching it a lesson.Nam Joohyuk is the #Vigilante. Coming on 8 November. pic.twitter.com/2uxKM7iIzr  Disney+ Hotstar (@DisneyPlusHS) October 16, 2023

The show will premiere on the streaming site on November 8.

Meanwhile, Nam Joo-hyuk is expected to complete his mandatory military service by September 2024.
After bagging multiple awards, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani starrer Shershaah has now won big at the National Film Awards. The film, which is based on the life of late Captain Vikram Batra, has been honoured with the Special Jury Award in the Features Film category.

At the National Awards ceremony today in New Delhi, Karan Johar said its overwhelming for him to come back to the National Awards 25 years since his debut. He said, Its been an exciting journey. Our film Shershaah released in 2021 is the real life story of Captain Vikram Batra. We are forever grateful to the family for allowing us to tell the brave, brave story to the entire world. It was depicted so beautifully by actors Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani and directed by Vishnuvardhan. We are very proud directors and producers at Dharma Productions and Shabbir Boxwala. Apoorva Mehta and myself are both very honoured, humbled and privileged to be here.

Speaking of what an exciting year it has been for him, the filmmaker said, Well, personally its a very exciting year. Only yesterday, I completed 25 years industry. In 1998, my first film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai released, which also had won the National Award for wholesome and popular entertainer of the year. 25 years later, Im back here at the national award! What more can I ask for, for a journey, for a relationship with the audience and most of all the love that we have amassed over these years? I just feel very humbled and overwhelmed.

Speaking to News18 Showsha earlier, Shabbir Boxwala had said, I was speechless. We were somewhat expecting that we stand a chance. But then, they had combined all the films that released in 2021 and even 2022. There was RRR and so many other good films and so, there was a lot of competition. It was a very tense moment, he recalls.
While the winners of the 69th National Film Awards were announced earlier this year, the ceremony was held on Tuesday, October 17, at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Winners including Allu Arjun, Alia Bhatt, and Kriti Sanon were honoured by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. Among them was also Karan Johar, who accepted the award on behalf of the film Shershaah, which won the Special Jury Award.

Talking to his Instagram after the ceremony, Karan wrote, A momentous day for us all. Firstly, my biggest admiration for @apoorva1972, always the strongest pillar of strength in any situation. Thank you @sidmalhotra, who brought this special story to us at @dharmamovies. And continued to play the role of Captain Vikram Batra like no one could! You are the heart of the film @kiaraaliaadvani, truly one of the most special artists we have in the industry todayyou brought in the pain, the pathos and the pride with Dimples character. Vishnu Varadhan, the man who made each frame possible. Your vision is what steered this ship to victory. @isandeepshrivastava, a film is only as great as the script on paper & you gave us nothing less than gold.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar)

Karan then went on to thank all the cast and crew involved with the film. Along with this caption, Karan also posted a video of himself and director Vishnu Varadhan walking on stage to accept their medals and certificates. Meanwhile, Sidharth Malhotra, who was absent from the ceremony, took to his X handle to express his joy.

Special Jury Award at the 69th National Film Awards for #Shershaah!The award received today is a tribute to hardwork, determination, and patriotism. Its significance will remain etched in my heart forever. Deep gratitude and respect to my entire team, and above all, to you pic.twitter.com/6vsQFXwaD8 Sidharth Malhotra (@SidMalhotra) October 17, 2023

He wrote, Special Jury Award at the 69th National Film Awards for #Shershaah! The award received today is a tribute to hard work, determination, and patriotism. Its significance will remain etched in my heart forever. Deep gratitude and respect to my entire team, and above all, to you for your constant support. 

Shershaah was released on August 21, 2021. The film also featured Kiara Advani in a prominent role.
Alia Bhatt clinched the prestigious National Award for the Best Actress (that she shared with Kriti Sanon for Mimi) for her outstanding performance Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Gangubai Kathiawadi. The grand National Award ceremony in Delhi and the actress was accompanied by her husband, actor Ranbir Kapoor.

During the event, veteran Bollywood actress Waheeda Rehman was been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcastings Directorate of Film Festivals. This prestigious award is given in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the advancement and enrichment of Indian cinema. The actress was seated right in front of Ranbir and Alia.

Waheeda Rehman, aged 85, was seated when photographers swarmed around her, nearly pushing her desk. Ranbir, putting up his gentlemanly demeanour, requested the media to be cautious, considering the possibility that the veteran actress could be potentially injured. The video is now going viral on the internet. Check it out here:

The veteran actress, as she got up on stage to receive the prestigious award, was visibly emotional. She was honoured with a standing ovation. She dedicated the award to the entire film industry, saying that an actor is nothing without the support of all the departments of filmmaking including directors, makeup artists, music composers and others.

Meanwhile, post the event, Ranbir hugged Kriti and congratulated her on the big win. He was also seen greeting Allu Arjun. The video capturing the moment, is now going viral on the internet. Fans are of the opinion that such interactions are rare and truly heartwarming. Many went on to say that it shows the warmth and camaraderie within the film industry. Ranbir was also photographed recording Alia Bhatts felicitation on stage.
Kriti Sanon and Alia Bhatt both clinched the prestigious National Award for the Best Actress for their outstanding performances in Mimi and Gangubai Kathiawadi, respectively. The grand National Award ceremony in Delhi saw the presence of both these talented actresses, with Alia being accompanied by her husband, actor Ranbir Kapoor.

During the event, Kriti was seated beside Allu Arjun, who was honoured with the Best Actor Award for his remarkable performance in Pushpa: The Rise. The camaraderie among these stars was evident as they exchanged warm greetings.

As they bid farewell, Alia and Kriti exchanged heartfelt congratulations. Ranbir Kapoor hugged Kriti warmly and congratulated her on the big win. Alia smiled at them and walked ahead, later posing with Kriti for the photojournalists. Ranbir was also seen greeting Allu Arjun. The video capturing the moment, is now going viral on the internet. Fans are of the opinion that such interactions are rare and truly heartwarming. Many went on to say that it shows the warmth and camaraderie within the film industry. Check out the video right here:

As Alia Bhatt graced the events red carpet at the 69th National Film Awards Ceremony, fans couldnt help but admire the outfit she had selected for the day. For this big occasion, she chose to wear the same elegant ivory saree that she had worn during her wedding back in 2022. Kriti looked stunning in a white saree too. Allu Arjun, too, opted for off-white. He looked charming in a bandhgala. Ranbir, there to support wife Alia, chose a black bandhgala.

As Alia walked up on stage, hubby dearest Ranbir was seen proudly filming her memorable moment. Seated in the audience behind Waheeda Rahman, Ranbir was seen holding up his phone and recording as she made her up to the stage to accept the medal and a certificate from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
As Hema Malini rang in her 75th birthday, several Bollywood celebrities including her actor-husband Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Rekha, Salman Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff among others joined her for her a star-studded bash held in Mumbai. The party was reportedly hosted by Hemas daughters Ahana and Esha Deol.

However, what grabbed netizens attention was Sunny Deol and Bobby Deols absence from the party, especially after the duos reunion with Esha and Ahana at Gadar 2 screening in August. Celebrating the tremendous response to Gadar 2, Esha had organised a special screening of the film for her close friends and family members in August. Sunny and Bobby had even posed with Esha at the screening. This was reportedly the first time that Dharmendras four children Esha and Ahana from Hema Malini, and Sunny and Bobby from Prakash Kaur made a public appearance together.

Later that month, Hema Malini, in an exclusive conversation with News18 Showsha, got candid about her daughters reunion with Sunny and Bobby and the current dynamics between the two families. I am feeling very happy, I do not feel it is something new because it is very normal. Many times they keep coming home and all but we do not publish it anywhere, we are not the type to take pictures and immediately put it up on Instagram. We are not that kind of a family, Hema told us.

We are all very much together, always together. Any problem we are always together with each other. So, the press got it and it is nice, they are happy about it, and I am also happy, she added.
Veteran Bollywood actress Waheeda Rehman, aged 85, has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2021 by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcastings Directorate of Film Festivals. This prestigious award is given in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the advancement and enrichment of Indian cinema.

Born on February 3, 1938, Rehman has been a part of the Indian film industry since 1955, marking her debut as a dancer in the Telugu social drama Rojulu Marayi. According to Nasreen Munni Kabirs biography Conversations with Waheeda Rehman, the films song Eruvako sagaro ranno chinnanna became immensely popular, propelling Rehman to the same level of fame as the movies main stars, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR) and Sowcar Janaki.

While announcing Rehmans selection on microblogging site X, I&B Minister Anurag Thakur had linked her big win with the recently passed womens reservation Bill in the Parliament, saying, Waheeda ji has exemplified dedication, commitment and the strength of a Bharatiya Nari  Her being awarded with this lifetime achievement award is a fitting tribute to one of the leading ladies of Indian Cinema and one who has dedicated her life after films to philanthropy and the greater good of society.

The actress, as she got up on stage to receive the prestigious award, was visibly emotional. She was honoured with a standing ovation. She dedicated the award to the entire film industry, saying that an actor is nothing without the support of all the departments of filmmaking including directors, makeup artists, music composers and others. Taking to the stage, she said, I feel very honoured, very humbled. Magar aj jis mukaam pe main khadi hu, yeh saara meri pyari industry ki wajah se. Mujhe luckily, bahut achhe, top producers, directors, filmmakers, technicians, dialogue writers, music directors aur sangeetkaar  sabka sahara mila. Sabne izzat di, pyar diya. Aur akhiri mein, makeup artists, hair aur costume banane waalon ka bhi bahut haath hota hai. Isiliye, yeh main award, apne priya film industry ke saare departments ke saath share karna chahti hu. Koi bhi ek insaan ek poori picture nehi bana sakta, un sab ko hum sabki zarurat hoti hai (But the position I stand at today is all because of my beloved industry. Luckily, I received immense support from excellent producers, directors, filmmakers, technicians, dialogue writers, music directors and composers  everyone stood by me. They gave me respect and love. And finally, the contribution of makeup artists, hairstylists and costume designers cannot be ignored. Thats why I want to share this award with all the departments of my dear film industry. No single person can make an entire film; we all need each other).

The packed auditorium reverberated with applause as the actress received the award from the Honourable President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
In practice, the Hindu is certainly not tolerant and is more narrow-minded than almost any other person in any other country except the Jew. Jawaharlal Nehru wrote this in a letter to KN Katju on November 17, 1953. We are not surprised by Nehrus outburst against Hindus. But why the dislike for Jews? The Jewish minority in India is too tiny to cause such strong feelings. They must have been imported from somewhere. Nehrus close associates like VK Krishna Menon were even more vicious. In a speech in Cairo in 1965, Menon told the Arabs not to throw the Jews into the sea. Because throwing the Jews into the sea would make it polluted.

From where did they learn this intense hatred? We are still watching the reactions to the recent terrorist attacks by Hamas in southern Israel. See the crowds bursting crackers in Toronto, New York and Sydney. These are dressed up as Free Palestine rallies. But their obvious aim is to celebrate the death of thousands of Israelis. Outside the opera house in Sydney, the crowd raised chants of Gas the Jews. How is that a slogan for a free Palestine?

Here is a basic question. Are the Jews occupying anyones land? Why are the Jews even in Israel? Because they were oppressed and forced out of everywhere else. Quite literally so. In 1938, the countries of the world got together and had a meeting on the shores of Lake Evian in France. Everyone refused to take the Jews. America made a couple of concessions but did little. Canada said no. All the countries of Europe and South America said no. Australia said they were a white country and did not want to import a racial problem. The Communist USSR did not participate in the meeting, but refused to take in any Jews either. The Jews were on their own, left to die at the hands of Adolf Hitler.

The biggest religion in the world is Christianity, with nearly 2.4 billion followers. Next comes Islam, with roughly 2 billion. Another 1.5 billion people live in Communist states. These three forces do not agree with each other a whole lot. Except that each one of them has spent several centuries persecuting and trying to wipe out the Jews. Mind you that the number of Jews has never been more than 15 million. But there are 1.2 billion Hindus. One might ask how the struggles of the Hindus could be similar to those of the Jews. To understand this, we must look into the history of anti-Semitism. Here is an explainer.

Anti-Semitism in the Christian world

When talking about anti-Semitism, the first name that comes to mind is Adolf Hitler. But where did the Nazis get the idea of packing the Jews into ghettos? For over 300 years, the Popes had ordered the Jews to be kept in a ghetto in the heart of Rome. The Jews would be locked in each night. Even water was scarce. The Popes also ordered the Jews to wear yellow hats, so that the Christian population would know not to mix with them. This is where the Nazis got the idea of making the Jews wear the infamous yellow star.

After the Italian state took over Rome in 1870, the Jewish ghetto was gradually abolished. But some fifty years later, the Italian state was seized by Mussolinis fascists. The fascists secured the support of the church by giving back control of Vatican City to the Pope, and bringing strict anti-Jewish laws. The 1930s and 1940s saw a wave of anti-Semitism across Europe. After the Catholic Party voted for Hitler to become dictator of Germany in 1933, the Vatican quickly signed an accord with the Nazi regime. A network of fascist states came up on the continent, with close ties to the Catholic Church and the Nazi regime: Petain in France, Franco in Spain, Salazar in Portugal and Tiso in Slovakia. Many of these regimes survived the Second World War, and lasted well into the 1960s and 1970s, such as in Spain and Portugal.

Did the Church know everything about Nazi atrocities against the Jews? The Vatican archives on this were opened only in 2020, and the answer is a clear yes. But this had always been obvious. In one particularly infamous incident, the Nazi government rounded up some 1200 Jews in Rome in 1943 and held them in a building next to the Vatican. After two days, they were sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. Only 16 of them survived.

It should be noted that the Nazis and the Church had their differences. The Nazis were obsessed with the racial origin of the Jews. The Church focused on their religious conversion. But the end result of both was the same  more oppression of the Jews. During the holocaust, many Jewish parents had left their babies with Christian neighbours and local churches, in a desperate effort to save their lives. After the war, the Church decided that these Jewish babies were converts to Christianity, and refused to give them back to their families. In fact, it was not until 1993 that the Vatican finally recognised the State of Israel.

Anti-Semitism in the Islamic world

You might wonder. If the Jews were persecuted in Europe, does it give them the right to take Arab land? On the internet, you must have seen that animated map of Israel since 1948. It seems to show Israel grabbing more and more land, leaving nothing for the Palestinians. That animated map is simply everywhere. Because that map is propaganda. It does not tell you that the Arab countries forced their Jewish populations to escape to Israel.

Once upon a time, Egypt had 80,000 Jews. At last count in 2022, there were just 3 Jews left in the country. Where were all the others supposed to go? Similarly, Iraq used to have 150,000 Jews. Today they have less than 5. Algeria used to have 150,000 Jews, today they have less than 200. Morocco used to have 300,000 Jews, today they have only 5000. Libya used to have 20,000 Jews, today they have none.

In fact, after the Second World War, the Arab world became a safe haven for Nazi officials escaping punishment in Germany. The Muslim Brotherhood organization in Egypt had secretly cooperated with the Germans during the war. After the war, Egypt also became the base for Haj Amin Al-Husseini, the mufti of Jerusalem who had recruited Bosnian Muslims to fight for Hitler. In the 1950s, Nasser became president of Egypt and ruled for nearly 15 years.

Nasser was a holocaust denier. His successor Anwar Sadat had been imprisoned by the British for being a Nazi collaborator during the war. Worse, people like Nasser had much prestige in the 1950s and 1960s as leaders of the developing world. Nasser also enjoyed close ties with India. This is where the Nehruvians might have picked up some of their anti-Semitism.

Anti-Semitism in the Communist world

In September 1970, the world watched in horror as terrorists blew up three planes side by side at Dawsons Field airport in Jordan. The hijackers were from a terrorist group called the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Unlike what one might guess at first, the PFLP was not a radical Islamist group. It was a Marxist-Leninist group, led by a man from a Christian background. His name was George Habash. In fact, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) pays tributes to this individual even today.

The relationship between Communism and Jews has always been full of ironies. In the Christian world, they often worried that Communism was a Jewish plot. But the Communists also worried that there was a global Jewish plot against them! They used to call it Jewish cosmopolitanism. In the 1950s, the Communists held show trials in Czechoslovakia against supposed cosmopolitans and executed all of them. On his part, Stalin had got rid of his Jewish ministers in 1939, because he was courting Hitler at the time for a military alliance. But the alliance between Nazism and Communism broke in June 1941, when Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. Stalin then allowed the setting up of a Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee (JAC). But as soon as the war ended, his anti-Semitic impulses returned. Stalin dismantled the JAC and began a full scale crackdown on the Jews. In fact, Soviet spies used a public appearance by the new Israeli ambassador Golda Meir in Moscow to track down supposed cosmopolitans within the crowds. By 1953, the Communist leadership was in a state of panic, believing that Jewish doctors were out to poison them all. The terms cosmopolitanist and globalist are often used as dog whistles for anti-Semitism even today.

Interestingly, the anti-Semitism of Communists has roots in Marxist theory itself. Technically, the Marxists reject all religions. But Marx himself believed in the stereotype of the Jew as greedy and self-interested. Money is the jealous God of Israel, he wrote in a viciously anti-Semitic essay that he called On the Jewish question. And Marx believed that his ideas would create a world free of greed  and the power of the Jews.

What can Hindus learn?

Karl Marx was from a Jewish background. But he held anti-Semitic views. This would not surprise Indian Hindus. Much of Indias intellectual class is from a Hindu background, but still rabidly anti-Hindu. But the similarities between Hinduphobia and anti-Semitism do not end there. The world does not like to talk about what happened (and is happening) to Hindus in say Pakistan or Bangladesh. Just like they do not talk about the Jews who have been forced out of everywhere else in the Middle East. Generations of persecution led many prominent Jewish intellectuals to reject their identity and agree with stereotypes forced on them. Hindus must be careful not to fall into a similar trap.

Much of Hindu intelligentsia balk at public displays of Hindu identity. It is not uncommon for any outward displays of Hinduism such as a Tika or Mouli to be seen as distrustful or even mocked. It is no surprise that most research on Hinduism coming from major international institutions is on regressive acts such as Sati. Or that the Harappan language has not received enough interest and funding to be decoded. The popular cultural perception is that Hindus are regressive and superstitious. This propaganda has been very effective in making Hindus reject their own identity rather than see it for the attack that it is.

Because Hindus have been so cut off from their identity, it becomes difficult to highlight injustices against them. Hindus have been persecuted in Pakistan, Bangladesh and even Indonesia. However, the larger Hindu population in India has never taken a strong stance against these crimes. One could say that this is because of internalized Hinduphobia. Similar to what Marx may have experienced, making him want to hate his own heritage.

Over centuries of oppression, the Jews have learned that to have long lasting change, there must be swift and collective action against any form of anti-Semitism. They are vocal against anti-Semitic tropes online. In real life, they act by means of organisations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in the United States. A recent example of this collective action was when Free Palestine rallies at Harvard turned into anti-Semitic marches.

Organizers of such activities were publicly shamed. Students who participated lost job offers and scholarships.

Such collective action stops injustices from going unnoticed. Hindus must learn from this. But this cannot happen until Hindus acknowledge and accept their own identity. Much like Israel, India is often the target of genocidal hatred. Much like the Jews, the Hindus are faced with prejudice and damaging stereotypes. We must learn to recognise them when we see them. And to act against them every single time.

Abhishek Banerjee is an author and columnist. Vijita Singh Aggarwal is a professor of international business at Indraprastha University. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Over the past three weeks, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has raised one question twice to bureaucrats and journalists  how many OBCs are there in the group? His undivided focus on the Other Backward Class (OBC) and his partys attempt to implement caste survey across the states where they are in power indicate that OBC is the new electoral plank for political parties.

But as the Congress wants more OBCs in bureaucracy and media, is it really looking for more candidates from the community in the upcoming state elections? Are they going to get any electoral dividend out of it? Can they trump BJP and break its monopoly over Hindu votes?

Political analysts say the Congress is trying to challenge the Hindutva narrative to bring social justice.

For context, Rahul Gandhi, while delivering his speech in Parliament on September 20, said only three among 90 joint secretaries serving at the Central are OBCs. Last week, while addressing a press conference, he asked the same question to journalists, and a couple of hands were raised.

Rahul Gandhi, who has been of late a proponent of conducting a caste census in India, said Jitni Abadi Utna Haq, hailing the report of Bihar governments caste census. Later, two Congress-ruled states  Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh  said the survey would be conducted in both states if the Congress is voted to power.

What Do Candidate Lists Reflect?

Congress had announced its first list of 30 candidates for Chhattisgarh on October 15. According to Deepak Baij, Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee chief, the list has around five to six OBC candidates. At least half of these 30 seats are reserved for STs. In Madhya Pradesh, the Congress has released a list of 144 candidates, in which 39 are OBCs, said a senior member of All India Congress Committee (AICC).

Baij told News18, Chhattisgarh is primarily a tribal dominated state. We are analysing the constituencies and accordingly fielding candidates. About the first list, I can say that most constituencies are reserved for STs, and we have fielded five to six OBC candidates as of now. According to a government survey, Chattishgarh has around 43% OBCs.

In the upcoming lists, we will have more OBC candidates, but it also depends on the political merit. The senior AICC member said the first list for Madhya Pradesh has around 27% of OBC candidates, there will be more in the next one.

Even though there is no current central data about the caste percentages across states, the BJP and Congress claim that Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have over 35% to 40% of OBC population, while Rajasthan has nearly 30%.

Other than Bihar, no state has definitive official data about the caste groups. The state government and the central government extrapolate the 80-year-old caste date for reservation and other purposes, while the parties use their own calculations and projections.

During the 1990s and post-Mandal Commission reports, all states and Centre formed the OBC committees and came up with their own OBC lists, but that often did not match with each other.

What is the Social Justice Narrative?

Caste, caste-based discriminations and backwardness have been the foundation of Indias elaborate system of quotas and reservations in education, government jobs, welfare schemes and even in Parliamentary politics.

Caste has been the flavour of this election season. Not only Rahul Gandhi, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat  all have been speaking about castes.

PM Modi said, for him, the economically backward people and the poor are the biggest population of the country. He also said the Congress is trying to divide the Hindus through its caste narratives.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat admitted that caste discrimination happened in ancient India and corrective measures are being taken now. A few days ago, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said everybody should be allowed inside temples irrespective of their castes.

With senior politicians and functionaries making such statements, it is clear that the caste narrative is going to play a dominant role this election season.

The Opposition is trying to build an alternative narrative of social justice. The BJP has been arguing that their form of social justice  Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas  covered all social groups including forward castes, Tribal, Dalit, OBC and Scheduled Castes. BJP critics, however, argue that all these groups were part of an umbrella- Hindutva. So, all caste alignments were happening under a specific religion  de facto Hindutva, said Sandeep Shastri, a senior political analyst and national coordinator, Lokniti Network, which is an autonomous social science research institute.

Thus, the Opposition has come up with the perspective of social justice, which means reaching out to the socially marginalised population. Shastri explained that India never had a meaningful and genuine caste census. The governments are providing reservation by extrapolating 80-year-old data. And the argument of the Opposition is to get an authenticated caste census to understand genuine marginalised groups. So, there are two narratives, and I sense that this is going to be a campaign issue for both BJP and Congress.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited two Azerbaijani citizens detained in Armenia in September this year, Ilaha Huseynova, head of the public relations department of the ICRC Baku office said, Trend reports.

"We regularly visit these people. Conditions are created for them to communicate with their families," Ilaha Huseynova added.

Due to limited visibility in unfavorable weather conditions, two servicemen of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Agshin Babirov (born in 2004) and Huseyn Akhundov (born in 2003), went missing in April this year on the border of Shahbuz district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with Armenia.

Later it became known that they were captured in Armenia, where a fictitious trial was held over them, and a "decision" was made against Agshin Babirov, according to which he was sentenced to 11.6 years of imprisonment.
It was the Congresss 40% corruption campaign ahead of the elections that led to the defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and brought the former to power. The same anti-corruption campaign  at 60% under the Congress regime, according to the BJP  has put the CM Siddaramaiah-led government in a spot.

ALSO READ | Corruption Embedded in Congs DNA: BJP After IT Sleuths Seize Rs 42 Crore from Karnataka Contractor

The recent income-tax (IT) raids in the state provided the Karnataka BJP the necessary ammunition to target the government. The Congress, while proposing an audit of infrastructure projects in Bengaluru completed during the BJPs tenure before approving payments to contractors, has denied the corruption allegations. Deputy CM Shivakumar dramatically stated that he would quit politics" if someone could prove that he had asked for commissions from contractors and that he would not fall prey to such blackmail".

The BJP has launched a two-day protest across Karnataka to campaign on the alleged corrupt practices by the Congress government in the state as well as seeking the resignation of the CM and deputy CM, under whom they allege 60% commission is being sought.

250-300% COMMISSION: BJP LAUNCHES TWO-DAY PROTEST

Speaking to News18, senior BJP leader CT Ravi said, Today, the liquor merchants association has written a letter to the government alleging that to procure a CL7 licence, for which the fee is Rs 25 lakh, the commission or (lancha) being sought by officials is Rs 75 lakh."

If you calculate, it is 300% commission. To shift a bar, the commission being sought is Rs 25 lakh, when the fees is just Rs 10 lakh. Isnt that 250% commission? The Congress is collecting all this money and sending it to their Delhi high command to save their chair," he told News18.

We have launched a two-day protest as there is evidence to show their activities. As of now, they think they have numbers on their side, but we are also making people aware of the reality and will wait for the results," he added.

BJPs National President JP Nadda also made a statement that the Congress has mastered the art of making promises and now this party has gone a step ahead and has started giving guarantees in return for promises". He was referring to the recent series of IT raids where nearly Rs 42 crore was found at a residence linked to a contractor, R. Ambikapathy, in Bengaluru who the BJP allege has link to the Congress. He also said cash worth more than Rs 100 crore has been found in the houses of some contractors in Karnataka and called it an extremely shameful and a disgusting joke on the voters".

Rs 42 CRORE AT CONTRACTORS PROPERTY: IT RAIDS, CONTRACTORS CLAIMS

The IT department released a statement, mentioning that they conducted a search and seizure operation involving government contractors, real estate developers and their associates on October 12. They covered about 55 premises during the search action in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and New Delhi. The statement noted that a significant amount of incriminating evidence, including loose sheets, hard copies of documents and digital data, were found and seized.

Three days after the seizure of Rs 42 crore at a contractors property, Ravi claimed that the confiscated funds are a portion of the illegal funding collected by the Congress for the upcoming elections. He also called the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a comprehensive investigation, believing that the truth would emerge.

The Karnataka Contractors Association, which initially accused the previous BJP government of accepting a 40% commission, has also written to Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot during this regime. In their letter, they mentioned that Bengaluru in-charge Shivakumar has not been clearing their bills. Shivakumar has categorically rubbished these allegations.

The contractors also sought assistance from former Chief Ministers B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai from the BJP, as many of their bills have remained unpaid for over two years.

ALSO READ | Corruption Has Become Almost Institutionalised, Says Karnataka Governor

The accusations against the Congress government were first made by former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy in August this year. He stated that the governments intention behind the plan to review past contracts using 26 specific criteria was an attempt to accumulate commissions.

He mentioned, They are insisting on a 10% cut for contracts from 2019-20 and a 15% cut for contracts from 2020-21 as a condition for releasing payments to contractors."
Expressing his disappointment over the growth of the Kannada language, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said everyone who resides in the state should learn to speak Kannada.

Speaking during the launch of the Karnataka Suvarna Sambhrama logo, the CM called for the participation of Kannadigas in the initiative, saying we too have a responsibility to create an environment and a necessity for Kannada.

Noting that Karnataka is home to people who speak different languages, Siddaramaiah said there are people who speak their languages at home but they do not know Kannada at all. Everyone who resides here should learn to speak Kannada. We too have a responsibility to create an environment and a necessity for Kannada, an effort we did not make, the chief minister lamented.

Anyone Can Survive in Karnataka Without Knowing Kannadigas: CM

The CM said Kannadigas are way too generous and this shortcoming was hindering the growth of the Kannada language, its culture and traditions.

What we do is, we dont teach our language to others, but we learn their language. We must teach others our language. We talk in Urdu with those who speak Urdu, speak in Hindi with those speaking Hindi and Tamil with Tamil people. I would say that this is not a good development for the growth of language, culture and tradition of the state, he said.

Anyone can survive here without even knowing Kannada. Can we survive by speaking only in Kannada in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala or Uttar Pradesh? However, in Karnataka, one can survive without knowing Kannada. That is the difference we have compared to the neighbouring states. We Kannadigas are very generous, Siddaramaiah pointed out.

He said he would not ask people not to learn or speak other languages, but they should realise that there is a need to create an environment and a necessity to speak Kannada in Karnataka. 68 years have passed since the unification of the state happened. If we are still saying that we can not create an environment for Kannada, then we must have some shortcomings. We are way too generous, the chief minister opined.

According to him, Kannadigas do not teach others Kannada. Instead, they learn others language. The chief minister, however, asked people not to hate others language and religion, but they should not forget their own.

I wont say that people dont have love and pride for Kannada or they have zero pride for Kannada, but one should not be too generous.

Karnatakas Golden Jubilee Celebrations From November 1

The chief minister announced that the state will celebrate the golden jubilee of embracing the name Karnataka for the state from November 1, 2023, for the next one year. As part of Karnataka Sambhrama (Karnataka Celebration), various cultural and traditional programmes will be organised in various parts of the state to create awareness among the masses about Kannada, he explained.

Dwelling on the history behind the name Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said in 1973, the erstwhile Mysuru state got the name of Karnataka based on Alur Venkatarayas book called Karnataka Gatavaibhava, who had called the entire region as Karnataka.

On November 1, 1973, the state got its name Karnataka and the state had completed 50 years with that name, he noted. According to him, Karnataka should have celebrated the golden jubilee last year itself, which the previous BJP government failed to do.

In this years budget, I had mentioned November 1 as an important day because the state got a new name. It will be a fault on our part if we dont celebrate the name given to our state, the chief minister noted. The Karnataka Suvarna Sambhrama will be an echo of the famous slogan Hesarayitu Karnataka, Usirayitu Kannada (Karnataka is the name and Kannada is the breath), he told the gathering.

(with PTI inputs)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Dhangar community face of the party Gopichand Padalkar has accused Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar of breaking up the Republican Party of India, which was formed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Pawar is responsible for not allowing any movement take place in the state. He broke the Republican Party of India, a political party formed by none other than Dr B.R. Ambedkar. He then targeted the Dhangar agitation, which was gaining good momentum in the past. Even today, the Dhangar community is struggling for reservation. Thats why we all should come together and fight this mindset. That is the aim of this Dhangar Jagar Yatra, said Padalkar in Vizori village of Solapur.

Padalkar is conducting rallies across Maharashtra for reservation for the Dhangar community. In each of his speeches at these rallies, Padalkar has been targeting the Pawar family.

Everyone knows who is that wolf due to whom the Dhangar community got the status of Nomadic Tribe (NT), instead of Schedule Tribe (ST), said Padalkar.

Further, he also asked the community people to rebel against the STD  is Saheb, Tai and Dada who are suppressing you. NCP party workers call Sharad Pawar as saheb, Supriya Sule as tai (sister) and Ajit Pawar as dada (brother).

Padalkar also compared the Pawar family with the British and asked the Dhangar community not to get pressured by one family. If you want reservation for your community, you need to unite and challenge these established politicians who are against our community. Ask them questions, said Padalkar.

The issue of reservation for the Dhangar community is in the Bombay high court. Recently, after Padalkar gave an ultimatum to his own government, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called a meeting and assured the community that their issues would be resolved as early as possible. Despite this assurance from the state government, Padalkar has taken out rallies across Maharashtra to gather more support and galvanised the Dhangar youth who are not aware of this issue.
In another bold move against illegal activities, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government on Monday demolished a multistoried hotel of gangster-turned-BSP politician Anupam Dubey in Farrukhabad. The value of the hotel, reportedly built on illegally occupied land, was reported to be Rs 20 crore.

The hotel owned by the jailed BSP leader was built allegedly on a graveyard and pond in the Thandi Sarak locality of the district, according to the revenue department.

The demolition was initiated on Monday night in the presence of heavy police security and bulldozers. Four circle officers and 400 policemen manned the roads, while Nagar Palika teams took out items from the hotel and transported them to the district authority building.

The Farrukhabad administration also made elaborate security arrangements and the entire area was cordoned off with vehicular movement stopped completely.

Dubey is currently lodged in an Agra jail and has over 60 criminal cases against him. He is associated with Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party and has contested assembly elections twice.

District magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh told HT that the demolition was in line with the UP governments model against mafias.

On the other hand, Dubeys family called the action against them unjustified and claimed that the demolition was being carried out despite a stay order from the court.

This is not the Yogi governments first bulldozer action against illegal construction activities by politicians.

Earlier in March, the authorities demolished jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansaris two-storey house in Jahangirabad. The house was under the name of Mukhtar Ansaris sons, Abbas Ansari and Umar Ansari.

The action was initiated after it was alleged that Abbas and Umar Ansari did not get the necessary approval for building a two-storey house and neither did they get its map passed.
A priest from Bengalurus Malleshwaram was arrested by the police after he fraudulently collected Rs 5 lakh by misusing Infosys foundation chairperson Sudha Murtys name. The 34-year-old priest has been identified as Arun Kumar. He falsely assured the presence of Murty as a chief guest at an event of Kannada Koota in California. It was only after an investigation was registered into a cybercrime case by the Jayanagar police, Kumar was arrested. This is in connection with a scam where two women were booked in connection to two separate cases where Murtys name was misused. After investigation, it turned out that Kumar was the mastermind behind both the scams.

Also Read: Bengaluru Woman Harassed by Transgender in Public, Reddit Post Leaves People Shocked

Kumar duped a group from the Kannada Koota of Northern California of Rs 5 lakh as he assured the participation of Murty as a chief guest at their 50th anniversary event. However, the author had previously declined the invitation from the group in April itself. A woman, who was posing as a member of the philanthropists staff, assured her presence.

The incident came to light after pictures and videos pointing out Murty as the chief guest surfaced.

Kumar has confessed to scamming organisers and collecting Rs 5 lakh as an advance.

Earlier in the scam, two women were booked in Bengaluru for allegedly duping people by using the name and photograph of Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty. They were booked after Murtys executive assistant Mamata Sanjay filed a complaint. The accused were identified as Lavanya and Shruti.

Also Read: Mumbai Local Turns Dance Show As Video of Woman Performing Lavani Makes Internet Cringe

Murty is a renowned author of over 150 books, a philanthropist, and social worker. She is married to Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy. Despite holding all of these powerful positions in society, she is known for her humility. Her simplicity shines through her daily gestures.
In a daring rescue mission in Tennessee, US, firefighters risked their lives to save a dog trapped in a cave, along with an unexpected 200-pound bear. The incident came to light when the Waldens Creek Fire Department (WCFD) received a call about a dog stuck in a 40-foot-deep cave. Upon reaching the scene, a firefighter descended into the narrow cave on a rope and was shocked to discover a sleeping bear just a few feet away from the trapped dog. Fearing for their safety, the team immediately left the cave and set up cameras to monitor the bears movements. They returned the following day after noticing the bear wasnt there and successfully reunited the dog, Charlie with its owner. Despite spending three days in the cave, without food and water, the animal was in good condition.

The local fire department shared videos and pictures from the heroic mission on Facebook and recounted a similar rescue from the previous year when they saved a hunting dog named Storm from a deep cave on English Mountain. This time, it was Storms cousin, Charlie, who found himself in a similar situation. Firefighter Tori Downing and Captain Jon Lanier were responsible for saving the stranded dog. However, their mission took an unexpected twist when found a bear just five feet below the trapped dog.

Sharing details about the day when firefighters finally saved the dog, WCFD added, Firefighter Christian Ellard (Waldens Creek), Firefighter Andrew Wojturski (Sevier County Fire & Rescue) and Captain Jon Lanier (Waldens Creek) entered the cave on a rope system and descended down and located the trapped Charlie. They fashioned a harness for the dog and affected the rescue. Charlie was quickly reunited with his happy owner. Charlie was trapped in the cave for three days and for some of that time, shared it (unwillingly) with an approximately 2 year old, 200 pound bear. He was dehydrated and hungry, but in otherwise good condition."

Since the post was shared on October 12, it has garnered over 1,000 likes and numerous comments from people appreciating the brave teams successful mission.

A user wrote, So amazing. Thank you all for rescuing that pup. Volunteer firefighters are one of a kind but adding pup rescuers just makes you all supermen/women."

Another stated, Wonderful reading happy news in these times."

One more wrote, Great job and so happy Charlie was found and rescued."

Giving an update about the bears situation, the firefighters shared that the bear was unharmed. When they entered the cave, they discovered the animal peacefully sleeping and were not bothered by the presence of the cave mate.
The European Space Agencys (ESA) Mars Express continues to help in expanding the exobiology experiments, geochemistry research, and mineralogical mapping of the planet. It contributes significantly toward the study of Mars atmospheric composition and recently the agency has shared mind-boggling footage of Noctis Labyrinthus also known as the Labyrinth of Night. So, what exactly is this Noctis Labyrinthus? ESA explains it is a vast system of deep and steep valleys on Mars that lies between the Grand Canyon, Valles Marineris, and the volcanic region of Tharsis. Notably, it is roughly about 1190 km which is similar to the length of Italy on Earth.

The unique visualization footage appears to look like a deserted barren land with multiple high and low constructions of mountain-like structures. Fly across Marss labyrinth of night with us and Mars Express, said the ESA while sharing the video of X. They added, Nestled between the colossal Martian Grand Canyon and the tallest volcanoes in the Solar System lies Noctis Labyrinthus  a vast system of deep and steep valleys that stretches out for roughly 1190 km, the length of Italy here on Earth.

Take a look at it here:

Fly across Marss labyrinth of night with us and Mars Express. Nestled between the colossal martian Grand Canyon and the tallest volcanoes in the Solar System lies Noctis Labyrinthus  a vast system of deep and steep valleys that stretches out for roughly 1190 km, the pic.twitter.com/SdS4gu174E  ESA (@esa) October 11, 2023

How was the Noctis Labyrinthus formed?

In the visualization clip, ESA confirmed the deep fissures in Noctis Labyrinthus are about 30 km wide and 6 km deep. It was apparently caused by volcanism, the eruption of molten rock on the surface of the planet. It formed when volcanism caused the surface to stretch upwards, thinning the planets crust and forming cracks. As a result, land Dell away to create rift valleys, a process we also see happening on Earth, said the ESA.

How was the video visualized?

The agency also explained the point of view of the footage that is flying over the beautiful rift valley system present on the planet. The 3D landscape was created by combining the observations of Mars Express along with its topographic information. The video is based on observation by the printers High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). HRSC has revealed much about the Red Planet, exploring many phenomena from its subsurface to its atmosphere. Its high-resolution eye has shown us many intriguing landscapes and features including Noctis Labyrinthus  the Labyrinth of Night, the ESA concluded.

The beguiling allure of Noctis Labyrinthus has worked its magic on numerous social media users. After watching the clip, a user commented, Observable universe. Mars seems like an intriguing planet.

Observable universeMars seems an intriguing planet Chris_ (@correachris_) October 11, 2023

Another curious space lover asked, So the Grand Canyon is a toy piece compared to this, huh?

So the Grand Canyon is a "toy piece" compared to this, huh? Antonio Jose (@Antonio75476652) October 12, 2023

The visualization video has amassed over fifty-five thousand views on X.
This Persian leopard moms intimate moments with her young cubs have touched numerous hearts on social media. Captured on a trap camera, the rare footage was shared on X by Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan. It so happened that the leopard family made home right in front of a camera set by Naryn T Rosen, a conservationist in Turkmenistan. The viral footage shows the leopard mom snuggling with her three babies. From giving her cubs licks to the frolicking of the tiny one, the clip covers it all. At one point, the leopardess yawns facing the camera, while one of her cubs seemingly discovers the placement of the foreign gadget inside the cave-like structure.

When a Persian Leopard family decided to make a home in front of a trap camera. The best thing you will watch. Credits to Naryn T Rosen for raising awareness about them, wrote the IFS officer while sharing the video. Take a look at it here:

When a Persian Leopard family decided to make home in front of a trap camera. The best thing you will watch. Credits to @NarynTR for raising awareness about them. pic.twitter.com/5hp8R4Whh1 Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) October 14, 2023

In a subsequent post, Parveen Kaswan also aimed to raise awareness about the endangered species explaining, Panthera pardus tulliana also known as Persian Leopards are endangered species currently. There are less than a thousand adults on the planet. In addition to this, the IFS officer also emphasised how technological boon and such trap cameras help in understanding & monitoring species in a better way.

He claimed, We have dozens of such documentaries from our own reserve. For example below, an Indian leopard was radio-collared. This is being tracked for movement etc.

Panthera pardus tulliana also known as Persian Leopards are endangered species currently. There are less than a thousand adults on the planet. Such camera trap documentations help in understanding & monitoring species in a better way. We have dozens of such documentations from pic.twitter.com/Fs4HbWPLC2  Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) October 14, 2023

Meanwhile, the conservationist who managed to record the Persian leopard family identified the mother as Umeda. He revealed they stayed in front of the camera for four days. This is Umeda. She was last pregnant in 2021 and this time she decided to park her small family of 3 in front of the camera trap for 4 days. What followed are 190 videos capturing the most tender and intimate moments between her and the cubs, he said.

This is Umeda. She was last pregnant in 2021 and this time she decided to park her small family of 3 infront of the cameratrap for 4 days. What followed are 190 videos capturing the most tender and intimate moments between her and the cubs. #Badhyz #TeamBarsTurkmenistan pic.twitter.com/JbPcrsYAeA Naryn T Rosen (@NarynTR) September 25, 2023

As soon as the clip surfaced online, it left animal lovers utterly rejoiced. While some called it genuinely life-affirming, others hailed the footage to be wonderful and amazing. A user commented, Interactions between felines with their young always make me touched.

Interactions between feline with their youngs always make me touched.. Mojack (@MojackThePoet) September 26, 2023

Another wrote, The master of stealth, the queen of survival, the most remarkable of killers, at her tender best.

The master of stealth the queen of Survival the most remarkable of killers at her tender best ninadsheth (@ninadsheth) September 26, 2023

One more thanked the conservationist for raising awareness, The Persian Leopard family making a home in front of a trap camera is a heartwarming sight, and its great to see efforts by Naryn T Rosen to raise awareness about these magnificent creatures.

The Persian Leopard family making a home in front of a trap camera is a heartwarming sight, and it's great to see efforts by @NarynTR to raise awareness about these magnificent creatures. Diverse Daily (@DailyDiverse) October 14, 2023

Then there were also a few curious users who wanted to learn more about Persian leopards and any significant differences that were visible in the recorded footage. The video has garnered over three lakh views on X.
The Hamas terrorist group said that there are currently 200-250 hostages in the Gaza Strip and they are holding 200 hostages in Gaza. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida in a video released on Monday said that the terrorist group is holding about 200 hostages while other terrorist groups are holding about 50 hostages.

Obeida said there is no definitive count of hostages in Gaza due to security and practical difficulties.

Upon verification of their identities, however, it turned out that they belong to other nationalities. Therefore, these internationals are not prisoners but are guests in Gaza to be released immediately whenever it is safe for them to do so, Abu Obeida said, according to Palestine Chronicle.

We reject Zionist propaganda that we are mistreating the prisoners, whether those currently with us or during the Al-Aqsa Flood operation. They eat what we eat. They drink what we drink. And they live like the rest of us. The Al-Qassam Brigades holds an estimated 200 Israeli prisoners, he further added.

The Times of Israel in its report said that Obeida said in the video that the threat of the ground operation in Gaza doesnt scare us and we are ready for it. He then said that an Israeli hostage was allegedly killed in an Israeli bombing in the last few hours.

Former Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in a separate report said that there are 6,000 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons and boasted that Hamas holds enough hostages  including high-ranking officials of the IDFs Gaza Division  and can use it as a leverage against Israel and the IDF.

Hamas also released a video of Mia Schem, a Franco-Israeli citizen. This is the first hostage video Hamas has released. The terrorist group released another video earlier where Hamas gunmen were seen with kidnapped Israeli toddlers and infants.

In the video, Schem can be seen receiving treatment. Im being cared for, Im getting medications. Im only asking to be returned home as soon as possible, to my family, to my parents, to my siblings. Please get me out of here as soon as possible, Mia Schem says in the video. Her family said they were happy to see her alive.

The IDF said the hostage video is a propaganda tool used by Hamas to show that they are a humanitarian group despite launching terror attacks against Israel.
India and the UK held the inaugural India-UK 2+2 foreign and defence dialogue on Monday and the talks focused on ways to boost cooperation in a range of key areas such as trade and investment, defence, critical technologies, civil aviation, health and energy, news agency PTI said in a report.

The 2+2 dialogue is a mechanism to discuss and review all aspects of India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership and is held at a senior official level. It was also revealed that India and UK officials are exploring the possibility of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks visit to India later this month.

The two sides also discussed international developments including in the Indo-Pacific region and considered the possibility of enhancing anti-terror collaboration at the senior-official level dialogue. International developments including those in the Indo-Pacific region were also discussed.

Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) at the MEA and Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) at the defence ministry, co-chaired the Indian delegation. Ben Mellor, India Director at the Indian Ocean Directorate in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Lt General Rob Magowan, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Finance and Military Capability at the British Ministry of Defence co-chaired the UK delegation.

India and the UK also considered the possibility of enhancing anti-terror collaboration, the external affairs ministry said.

(The two sides discussed) possibilities for further collaboration particularly in areas of trade and investment, defence, critical and emerging technologies, civil aviation, health, energy, culture and strengthening peoples connect, the external affairs ministry (MEA) said in a press release.

The officials had an opportunity to exchange assessments about recent international developments including in the Indo-Pacific region, given their shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity and for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, the statement further added.

The MEA said New Delhi and London considered the possibility of enhancing collaboration in areas of counterterrorism, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) and maritime security.

Both delegations expressed satisfaction at the regular high-level political exchanges and interactions which have provided guidance and momentum to India-UK multifaceted ties, the MEA said in its statement.

The India-UK relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during former UK PM Boris Johnsons tenure. The relationship was elevated during the India-UK virtual summit in May 2021 during Johnsons summit with PM Modi.

India and the UK have adopted a 10-year roadmap to expand ties in the key areas of trade and economy, defence and security, climate change and people-to-people connections, among others.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. We are ready to restore the Meghri railroad connecting the southwestern regions of Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the European Parliament, Trend reports.

He emphasized that the establishment of transport and energy communication is one of the main agendas of the peace agreement. This road will allow not only Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also Georgia and Iran, to gain access to Western markets.

Pashinyan also noted that Armenia is ready to sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan by the end of the year.
West leaders continued to throw their weight behind Israel as it continued to target Hamas terror camps in the Gaza Strip on the tenth day of war after the Palestine-based terror group burst through Israels heavily fortified Gaza border, shooting, mutilating and burning more than 1,400 people.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 500 people were killed in an explosion at a hospital that it says was caused by an Israeli airstrike.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz landed in Israel on Tuesday and said that Germany stands firmly by Israels side. Other leaders including France President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will also be heading to the war-hit country as the West rallies behind Israel.

But all eyes will be on US President Joe Biden who is expected to reach Israel on Wednesday after multiple talks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu over the telephone after the surprise attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7, the worst in Israels history. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who landed in Israel on October 12, is already here.

Bidens visit, seen as potentially the riskiest of his presidency, is expected to see him reaffirm US backing for Israel and try to stop the escalating war against Hamas from spiralling into wider conflict.

Thousands of people have been killed since the October 7 attack, with most of the dead on both sides civilians.

Latest Updates on Israel-Hamas War:

US President Joe Biden will Israel on Wednesday.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 500 people were killed in an explosion at a hospital that it says was caused by an Israeli airstrike.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that he will visit Israel following the deadly attacks by the Hamas group on October 7.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that Israel is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. It said there will be no ceasefire for now and the Rafah crossing into Gaza from Egypt will remain closed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Tuesday for broad international support in the countrys war against Gaza-based militants Hamas, which carried out the deadliest attack in Israels 75-year history. The world must stand united behind Israel to defeat Hamas, Netanyahu said alongside visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. They both recognised the devastating consequences of wider conflict in the Middle East.

The Pentagon has put 2,000 troops on deployment alert to be able to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East.

Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said that Gaza will no longer be a threat to Israel or anyone else. He said, We will not agree that the Hamas will have any power in Gaza or in any other place. No human can comprehend the barbarity of torturing babies murdering women, and even taking out the baby before they are born

Four fighters of Lebanons Hezbollah movement were killed in south Lebanonon, bringing the number of the Iran-backed groups members killed in intensifying border skirmishes with Israel to nine.

Around 3,000 people were killed in the Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory said on Tuesday.

The Al-Qassam Brigades announced that Ayman Nofal Abu Ahmed, the commander of the Central Brigade of Hamass Al-Qassam Brigades was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday said that if the atrocities against Gaza persisted then Muslims and resistance forces could lose patience and nobody would be able to prevent their actions, as per CNN.

(with inputs from agencies)
Israel-Palestine Conflict Updates: United States President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday, where he will reaffirm the States solidarity with the war-torn nation. The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 500 people were killed in an explosion at a hospital that it says was caused by an Israeli airstrike.

Hamas hostage negotiator and the head of its Shura Council in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the chief of the United States Central Command Gen. Michael Kurilla reached Israel to meet with Israel Defence Forces chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and other defence officials.
The horrific Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, are being touted as Israels 9/11. Expectedly, Israel has been pounding Gaza ever since and getting ready for a full-on ground invasion. Nobody knows for sure how long the Israel-Hamas war will last and what the outcome will be, both in the short and long term.

Its unclear why Hamas carried out the barbaric attack on Israel. Was the attack meant to kill the proposed Saudi Arabia-Israel deal that sought to normalize relations? Or was it because of growing frustration at Israels current rulers, that have zero interest in carving out a separate Palestine state? Did Hamas not consider the consequences of its actions and that there could be a hefty price to pay? But what is clear from various news reports is that Israels fabled intelligence agency failed to anticipate the magnitude of the Hamas attacks.

BIBIS BUNGLE: HARDLINE STANCE, JUDICIAL OVERHAUL

Theres already a considerable clamour for Prime Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu to resign for his governments colossal failure to prevent the Hamas attack. Most leading foreign affairs experts have been extremely critical of Bibis far-right cabinet and divisive policies. His misadventure in overhauling the judiciary has come in for severe criticism. As per the plan, the reforms would strip the powers of Israels Supreme Court, which cannot revoke laws passed in Parliament. The governments highly questionable plan has stirred the hornets nest and triggered nationwide protests. President Biden openly criticized Bibis judicial overhaul plans even though it was Israels internal matter.

This was a clear enough sign that the Netanyahu government doesnt believe in rapprochement, and the fact that most members of Bibis cabinet do not even recognize the need for a Palestine state has dealt a big blow to the Palestinian cause. Now, critics of Netanyahu are asking if his arrogance and hardline stance made Hamas restive.

PALESTINE STATEHOOD: TWO MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

Post the 1993 Oslo Accords, no Israeli prime minister made any serious attempt towards creating a separate Palestine state. Peace talks were derailed after the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. However, two Israeli prime ministers came close to offering Palestinians a homeland where they could freely exercise their political rights. Both times, the Palestinian leaders rejected the offers. First, Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) chairman Yasser Arafat in 2000 and his successor Mahmoud Abbas in 2008.

BARAKS GENEROUS OFFER, ARAFATS NO

In 1999, the Labor Party leader, Ehud Barak, defeated Benjamin Netanyahu in the race for prime minister. The left-wing PM was a risk-taker and willing to walk the extra mile, more than his predecessors had. President Bill Clinton sensed an opportunity to broker a peace deal. He invited Barak and Arafat to Camp David in July 2000. The summit lasted 13 days and broke down on July 25, 2000. There is no accurate account of why the talks failed.

The New York Times reported, the Camp David talks failed over the question of sovereignty over the holy sites in Jerusalem, home to major places of worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims. It was at the heart of the problem. Clinton failed to convince the Palestinians to agree to a deal on Jerusalem though Barak had made considerable concessions in relinquishing control to the Palestinians in the outer and inner suburbs of East Jerusalem. The report said  according to Israeli reports, proposals were put forward by the Americans on concepts of shared sovereignty in East Jerusalem. Mr. Barak was considering these ideas, which represented a radical departure from established Israeli policy that Jerusalem was the united, undivided capital of Israel.  But when Mr. Clinton spoke with Mr. Arafat, the Palestinian leader was unwilling to budge from his position that East Jerusalem must be the capital of the new Palestinian state.

According to newly declassified documents released in June 2023, Israel agreed in-principle to give up its sovereignty in parts of Jerusalems Old City, including part of the Temple Mount. As per a Times of Israel report, the documents showed that Barak demanded eight percent of the West Bank  home to 80% of Israeli settlers and some Palestinians  without any land swap in that territory, while a land swap in the Gaza Strip  which at that point included some 20 Israeli settlements, home to some 7,000 Israelis  would be no more than 2%.

Baraks offer may not have been the best, but it was seen as a generous offer. However, Arafat could not rise to the occasion. A May 2002 Guardian report headline read, Arafat didnt negotiate  he just kept saying no. It said, Enraged, Clinton banged on the table and said: You are leading your people and the region to a catastrophe.

OLMERTS UNPRECEDENTED OFFER, ABBASS MAP THEORY

If Yasser Arafat missed the opportunity in 2000, his successor, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, backed out from the second offer made to him by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in 2008. Olmert was Israels prime minister from 2006 to 2009. From 2006 until the end of 2008, Olmert and Abbas held 36 rounds of talks and Olmert presented a comprehensive plan on September 16, 2008.

Olmert had offered a near-total withdrawal from the West Bank. He proposed Israel would give away almost the entire West Bank (94%) to create a Palestinian state and retain only 6.3% to keep control of Jewish settlements. He offered to compensate the Palestinians with Israeli land equivalent to 5.8% of the West Bank and a link to the Gaza Strip meant to be part of Palestine. Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem would be under Jewish sovereignty, and Arab neighborhoods would be under Palestinian sovereignty so that they could be the capital of a Palestinian state.

The AP reported, Olmert offered to withdraw from Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem and place the Old City, home to holy sites, under international control. Olmert described the offer to give up Israeli control of the Old City as the hardest day of his life.

But Abbas rejected the deal. In an interview with Israels Channel 10 TV in 2015, Abbas gave his reason. He said Olmert only showed him the proposed map and never gave him the map to study before signing. He showed me a map. He didnt give me a map, Abbas said. He told me, This is the map, and took it away. I respected his point of view, but how can I sign on something I didnt receive?

In the Washington Post on July 17, 2009, Olmert wrote: To this day, I cannot understand why the Palestinian leadership did not accept the far-reaching and unprecedented proposal I offered them. My proposal included solving all outstanding issues: territorial compromise, security arrangements, Jerusalem, and refugees. It would be worth exploring why the Palestinians rejected my offer and preferred to drag their feet, avoiding real decisions. My proposal would have helped realize the two-state solution under the principles of the U.S. administration, the Israeli government I led, and the criteria the Palestinian leadership has followed throughout the years.

Later, in a separate interview with Channel 10 TV, Olmert said, I told him (Mahmoud Abbas), Remember my words, it will be 50 years before there will be another Israeli prime minister that will offer you what I am offering you now. Dont miss this opportunity.

Its another matter that by the time Abbas had moved away from the peace deal, Olmert got involved in a corruption scandal and had offered to resign.

Olmert believed Israels control of the Palestinians was a recipe for disaster.

The big question is, should Netanyahu have picked up the pieces and followed up on his predecessors Ehud Barak and Olmerts peace plans? Yasser Arafat died in 2004 but Abbas continues to rule Ramallah without holding an election since he last won in 2005. Beyond the map theory, Abbas has yet to explain why he dragged his feet. Two missed opportunities on the part of the Palestine leadership cost Palestinians the homeland that they have long dreamed of.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday said that Muslims around the world and resistance forces will become unstoppable if Israel continues its crimes in Gaza. Iran refers to armed groups it uses as proxies around the Middle East as being part of the Resistance Axis.

No one can confront Muslims and the resistance forces if the Zionist regimes crimes against Palestinians continue  the bombardment of Gaza must stop immediately, Khamenei was quoted as saying by Iranian news agencies.

The Zionist regimes officials should be tried for their crimes against Palestinians in Gaza, he said.

Khameneis comments come a day after Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that Iran could take preemptive action against Israel within hours if it does not halt its actions in Gaza.

All possible options and scenarios are there for Hezbollah. Everything has been considered correctly in their calculations and resistance leaders will not allow [Israel] to take any action in the region. Any preemptive measure is possible in the coming hours, Amirabdollahian said.

The foreign minister highlighted that a chance will be given to find a political solution to the conflict but reiterated that any action is possible in case Israel continued with its actions in Gaza, which Iran termed as war crimes.

The resistance front has the capability of long-term wars with the enemy and that the expansion of the ongoing conflict will change the map of Israel, Amirabdollahian further added.

Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas after the groups gunmen killed 1,300 people, mainly civilians, during a rampage through southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7, the deadliest single day in Israels 75-year history.

This has led to bombarding of Gaza City with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) telling residents in North Gaza to leave for the southern part of the city as it ramps up bombings and prepares for a ground invasion.

The strikes have killed more than 2,800 Palestinians, a quarter of them children, and have ousted around half of the 2.3 million Gazans from their homes. Israel has imposed a total blockade on the enclave, blocking food, fuel and medical supplies, which are rapidly running out.

(with inputs from Reuters)
After Harvard University, student groups at Oxford University issued a joint statement saying Israeli-settler-colonial occupation and apartheid is the root cause of the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestinian territories, the Times of India said in a report. At least 33 student groups issued a joint statement blaming Israel for the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas.

Some of the groups from the Oxford University who signed the statement were: Oxford Palestine Society, Oxford South Asian Society, and the Oxford South Asian Ambedkar Forum. This continuous harm is rooted in the tragedies of illegal occupation, human rights abuses and apartheid that have existed since the onset of the Nakba in 1948. We call for an immediate end to Israels genocidal assault on Gaza. The events of the past several days did not take place in a vacuum: rather they are the result of Palestinians long-brewing and well-founded anger in response to Israel forcing them to live in an open-air prison for decades. Every nation that has declared support for Israel is complicit in its genocidal campaign, the coalition of the 14 student groups said, according to the Times of India report.

The spokesperson of the University of Oxford said that its primary focus is the health and well-being of staff and students impacted by the terrible events in Israel and Gaza, and it has written directly to those affected to offer welfare and other types of support.

The Times of India report pointed out that student societies must be registered with the Proctors Office to use the name Oxford University but many student groups did not comply with the

Student societies must be registered with the Proctors Office to use the name Oxford University. Not all the societies which have signed this statement have done so, the newspaper said in its report.

Earlier in the day, the Harvard Universitys student group said that the Israeli government is entirely responsible for all the unfolding violence. Student groups from both universities did not criticise Hamas. Several business leaders, according to the newspaper, said they wanted to see the names of the Harvard students who signed the petition, forcing Harvard University president Claudine Gay to issue a statement distancing herself from the petition.
US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday morning in a show of solidarity following the Hamas attacks, news agencies reported citing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The president will reaffirm United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security. Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks. The President will hear from Israel what it needs to defend his people as we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs, Blinken was quoted as saying early Tuesday (local time) after overnight talks in Tel Aviv with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report by news agency AFP.

US President Joe Biden later confirmed the development via a post on social media site X. The official account of the President of the US (POTUS) posted: On Wednesday, Ill travel to Israel to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamass brutal terrorist attack. Ill then travel to Jordan to address dire humanitarian needs, meet with leaders, and make clear that Hamas does not stand for Palestinians right to self-determination.

On Wednesday, I'll travel to Israel to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamas's brutal terrorist attack.I'll then travel to Jordan to address dire humanitarian needs, meet with leaders, and make clear that Hamas does not stand for Palestinians' right to self-determination.  President Biden (@POTUS) October 17, 2023

The US President will also meet Mahmud Abbas, President of Palestine, who leads the Fatah faction, which is the governing authority in the West Bank. He will also meet Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egyptian President and Jordan king Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein.

He will discuss with them issues related to humanitarian aid after meeting officials in Israel. Blinken said the US and Israel agreed to find measures to allow international assistance to come into the blockaded Gaza Strip.

At our request, the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organisations to reach civilians in Gaza, Blinken said.

The US secretary of state said that his boss hopes that Israelis will tell him how it will conduct its operations and if they will conduct it in a manner that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza while ensuring that it does not benefit the Hamas terrorist group.

He further added that the two sides were discussing measures like creating zone to help keep the civilians out of harms way.

Netanyahu and Blinken spoke for more than eight hours after they met in Tel Aviv.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. An international seminar has started in Baku as part of cooperation between the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry and NATOs Bureau for International Language Coordination (BILC), Trend reports via Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

Rector of the National Defense University, Professor Lieutenant General Heydar Piriyev spoke at the seminar and welcomed the participants. He noted the importance of work done in the field of military education, the importance of mutual exchange of experience between foreign and local experts at meetings, seminars and courses.

The purpose of the seminar, which is being held with the participation of more than 27 representatives from 50 countries, is to exchange views on the standardization of assessment criteria (STANAG 6001) for NATOs and partner countries language center specialists and the application of innovations in teaching English in the field of military education.

The seminar will last until October 19.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. A telephone conversation took place today between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs James Cleverly, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

Issues on the agenda of cooperation between the two countries, as well as the current situation in the region and the current state of the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, were discussed during the telephone conversation.

In addition, Bayramov, after informing in detail about the situation in the region, noted that, as a result of local anti-terrorist measures carried out in the Karabakh region, Azerbaijan put an end to the presence of Armenian separatist troops there, which threatened stability and peacebuilding in the region.

As a result of the disarmament of the Armenian separatist troops in the Azerbaijani territories, obstacles to the process of reintegrating local Armenian residents into Azerbaijani society were removed.

Moreover, Bayramov noted that the Azerbaijani government is in contact with representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region in order to meet their social and humanitarian needs. Azerbaijan's views and plans in this direction were presented, and it was noted that appropriate measures are being taken to implement these plans.

British Secretary of State James Cleverly stressed the importance of continuing efforts to build peace and trust in the region, in particular the continuation of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the normalization of relations and the peace agenda.

An exchange of views also took place on other issues of mutual interest during the telephone conversation.
UPDATE

Oct 17, 2023 4:27 PM CDT

Jurors on Tuesday delivered split verdicts in a case that stemmed from the search for a 3-year-old boy who went missing from Georgia and was found dead hundreds of miles away at a squalid compound in northern New Mexico. Four members of the family were on trial. Three were found guilty on federal kidnapping charges. Two were convicted on related terrorism charges. The boy's father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, was one of the two people found guilty of terrorism-related charges, the AP reports. His brother-in-law, Lucas Morton, was found guilty of the same charges, as well as conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death and kidnapping resulting in death. The defendants, who are Muslim, argued that federal authorities targeted them because of their religion.

Aug 14, 2018 10:50 AM CDT

A 3-year-old boy whose remains were found at a New Mexico compound where children were allegedly trained to conduct school shootings died during an exorcism-like ritual, prosecutors say. Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, allegedly taken from his Georgia home late last year, suffered from seizures, and his father believed he was possessed by the devil, per court papers cited by the BBC. Some of the 11 hungry children found at the squalid compound during an early August raid described a days-long ritual "intended to cast out demonic spirits," which involved Siraj Wahhaj putting his hand on his son's head as he recited Koran verses, per the BBC and CNN. Per the FBI, Wahhaj's partner, Jany Leveille, was believed by the family to be able to communicate with God, and the family thought the boy would return "as Jesus" and ID targets for violent attacks, including law enforcement, per Reuters.
A lawyer for Donald Trump told a London judge Monday that the ex-president plans to prove that a discredited report by a former British spy that contained "shocking and scandalous claims" that he was compromised by Russians in his first bid for the presidency was wrong and harmed his reputation. Trump has sued the company founded by Christopher Steele, who created a dossier in 2016 that contained rumors and uncorroborated allegations about Trump that erupted in a political storm just before he was inaugurated, the AP reports. Trump is seeking damages from Orbis Business Intelligence for allegedly violating British data protection laws. Steele's company is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed during two days of hearings at London's High Court.

The lawsuit comes as Trump is the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination while facing legal problems on the other side of the Atlantic. His attorney, Hugh Tomlinson, noted in court Monday that Trump is a "controversial figure" who "expresses himself in strong language" and has faced criticism from judges in the US. However, he said none of that is relevant in the current case. Trump is claiming he "suffered personal and reputational damage and distress" because his data protection rights were violated.

Steele, who once ran the Russia desk for the Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, was paid by Democrats to compile research that included salacious allegations that Russians could potentially blackmail Trump for activity with prostitutes in a Moscow hotel. Trump said the dossier was fake news and a political witch hunt. Tomlinson said it "contained shocking and scandalous claims about the personal conduct of President Trump" and included allegations he paid bribes to Russian officials to further his business interests. Trump's case "is that this personal data is egregiously inaccurate," he said. Tomlinson said Trump plans to vindicate himself in court by providing evidence that the report's claims were false.

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Orbis attorney Antony White said Trump has a "deep and intense animus against" Steele and the firm and "a long history of repeatedly bringing frivolous, meritless and vexatious claims for the purpose of vexing and harassing perceived enemies and others against whom he bears a grudge." In two previous High Court cases, a judge ruled Orbis and Steele were not legally liable for the consequences of the dossier's publication. (Read more Christopher Steele stories.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has an unstable political line. He talks about peace, then he again makes territorial claims to Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan recently made statements in the European Parliament. According to him, Armenia is ready to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan by the end of the year.

Azerbaijan took the initiative for peace after the second Karabakh war. The main reason for the non-signing of the peace treaty is the political authorities of Armenia. The Armenian authorities, who make contradictory statements almost every day, are trying to delay the process as much as possible. Pashinyan is now again trying to show the European public that he is interested in signing a peace treaty.

In reality, Armenia is far from peace. Pashinyan declares that he recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and then he says the opposite. In the period after the Trilateral Statement signed in 2020 on November 10, the Armenian side did not fulfill its obligations. Pashinyan today said that Armenia is ready to restore the railway connecting the south-western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

History shows that Pashinyan's so-called "positive statements", in fact, are just words. Afterward, he makes statements that contradict the previous ones and deals a serious blow to the efforts aimed at the implementation of the peace agenda. It is hard to imagine that the subsequent course of events this time will be different.

It is obvious that Pashinyan's statements made today in the European Parliament is another attempt to gain time and are aimed at misleading public opinion.
Authorities in Hong Kong say an airline passenger's wheelchair was packed with enough suspected cocaine to get him a potential life sentence. The South China Morning Post reports that the 51-year-old passenger, who has mobility issues, flew with the motorized wheelchair as one of his items of checked baggage. After it was X-rayed, customs officials spotted that its cushions had been restitched and found 24 pounds of suspected cocaine stuffed into its cushions and backrest, the BBC reports.
Eighteen years after 18-year-old Natalee Holloway was presumed killed during a high school graduation trip to Aruba, her family may finally get answers. A lawyer for the Holloway family tells media outlets including CNN and the New York Times that the man suspected of the teen's murder, Joran van der Sloot, has accepted a plea deal in the federal extortion and fraud case against him, and in an interview on NBC News , the attorney says that deal will require van der Sloot to reveal details of Holloway's death. Van der Sloot's public defender has not commented, nor has the federal prosecutor in the case.

The plea deal, the lawyer explains, "was conditioned upon Mr. van der Sloot revealing details of how Natalee died and how her body was disposed of." The attorney did express concern that van der Sloot could offer up false information. He is not charged with murdering Holloway, whose body was never found, but with extorting her family, demanding $250,000 in exchange for information about her disappearanceand he did allegedly give them false information after they paid a portion of that amount. The 36-year-old Dutch national was extradited from Peru, where he was serving a life sentence for another young woman's murder, to face those charges, and had initially pleaded not guilty. It's not clear to which specific charge or charges he'll plead guilty, but the hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. (Read more Natalee Holloway stories.)
Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian American who was stabbed to death Saturday, was buried Monday after a funeral that drew emotional mourners and speakers to an Illinois mosque. The service took place the same day the man charged with murder and hate crimes in the boy's death appeared in court for the first time, the AP reports. "Wadea is a child, and he is not the only one under attack," Mosque Foundation Imam Jamal Said told the mourners. The boy's father told reporters that he hoped his son's death would be the impetus "to solve the issue" in his homeland. "I'm here as the father of the boy, not as a politician or religious scholar," Odey Al-Fayoume said in Arabic. "I'm here as the father of a boy whose rights were violated."

Joseph Czuba made his first court appearance on Monday and was denied release pending his trial, per NBC News. The judge granted him a court-appointed attorney. Czuba was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and two hate crime counts; he answered "Yes, sir" when asked if he understood the charges against him. He was returned to jail in Joliet. Czuba's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 30, per WMAQ.

Outside the Mosque Foundation near Chicago, a large crowd gathered, and people chanted prayers in unison. Speakers urged politicians and the news media to be responsible with their rhetoric and coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. Police officers from the region were assigned to the area around the mosque for the funeral, per the New York Times. Wadea's coffin was draped in a Palestinian flag. (Read more hate crime stories.)
President Biden has decided to go to Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced. Blinken made the disclosure early Tuesday after meeting for 7 hours with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had invited the president but apparently hadn't received an answer, and his war Cabinet at a military base in Tel Aviv, the New York Times reports. "He's coming here at a critical moment for Israel," Blinken said, adding that "the president will reaffirm the United States solidarity with Israel." After that stop, Biden will go to Jordan.

John Kirby, White House National Security Council spokesman, said Monday night that Biden will meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas while in Jordan. Biden has expressed concerns that the war will widen to other nations in the region and about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "We've been crystal clear about the need for humanitarian aid to be able to continue to flow into Gaza," Kirby said. The president also cautioned Israel in an interview aired Sunday that occupying Gaza would be "a big mistake."

In Israel, Biden will be given a full briefing on the government's military goals and strategy for wiping out Hamas in response to its broad-scale terrorist attack on Oct. 7, per the Washington Post. Not only is the trip a political and diplomatic gambletying the US to Israel more tightly while much of the world decries conditions in Gaza, per the Timesbut traveling to a country at war will bring major logistical and security issues. (Read more President Biden stories.)
A man who spent more than 16 years in prison in Florida on a wrongful conviction was shot and killed Monday by a sheriff's deputy in Georgia during a traffic stop, authorities and representatives said. Leonard Allen Cure, 53, was identified by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is reviewing the shooting, the AP reports. His death was confirmed to the South Florida Sun Sentinel by Seth Miller, executive director of the Innocence Project of Florida, who worked with Cure on his wrongful conviction case. "We're devastated by the news of his tragic death, and we don't have any further comment at this time," Miller told the newspaper.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a Camden County deputy pulled over a driver along Interstate 95 near the Georgia-Florida line and the driver got out of the car at the deputy's request. He cooperated at first but became violent after he was told he was being arrested, a GBI news release said. The agency said preliminary information shows the deputy shocked the driver with a stun gun when he failed to obey commands, and the driver then began assaulting the deputy. The GBI said the deputy again tried using the stun gun and a baton to subdue him, then drew his gun and shot the driver when he continued to resist. The agency didn't say what prompted the deputy to pull over Cure's vehicle.

Cure was convicted of the 2003 armed robbery of a drug store in Florida's Dania Beach and sentenced to life in prison because he had previous convictions for robbery and other crimes. But the case had issues from the start and his conviction came from a second jury after the first one deadlocked. In 2020, the Broward State Attorney's Office new Conviction Review Unit asked a judge to release Cure from prison. Broward's conviction review team said it found "troubling" revelations that Cure had solid alibis that were previously disregarded and no physical evidence or solid witnesses to put him at the scene. An independent review panel of five local lawyers concurred with the findings. Cure was released that April after his sentenced was modified. That December, a judge vacated his conviction and sentence.

(Read more Georgia stories.)
The Justice Department is appealing the length of prison sentences for four Proud Boys leaders convicted of seditious conspiracy in the US Capitol attack and one convicted of lesser charges, challenging punishments that were significantly shorter than what prosecutors had recommended, the AP reports, citing court filings. US District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio and three lieutenants to prison terms ranging from 15 to 22 years after a jury convicted them in May of plotting to stop the peaceful transfer of presidential power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden. Tarrio's 22-year sentence is the longest so far among hundreds of criminal cases stemming from the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but prosecutors had sought 33 years behind bars for the Miami man.

Attorney Nayib Hassan said in an email that the defense team will review prosecutors' reasoning for appealing the sentencing but is preparing its own appeal and believes it will "prevail on multiple grounds." Prosecutors also had recommended sentences of 33 years for former Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs; 30 years for Proud Boys chapter leader Zachary Rehl; and 27 years in prison for chapter leader Ethan Nordean. Kelly sentenced Nordean to 18 years, Biggs to 17 years and Rehl to 15 years. Defense attorney Norm Pattis, who represents Biggs and Rehl, said the government's appeals are "ridiculous." Nicholas Smith, Nordean's attorney, said his client "is encouraged by the government's agreement that errors led to the judgment and sentence in his case."

Prosecutors also are appealing the 10-year sentence for Proud Boys member Dominic Pezzola. Prosecutors sought 20 years in prison for Pezzola, who was tried alongside the four group leaders. Jurors acquitted Pezzola of seditious conspiracy but convicted him of other serious charges. The Justice Department already is appealing the 18-year prison sentence for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy in a separate Jan. 6 case, as well as the sentences of other members of his anti-government militia group. Prosecutors had requested 25 years in prison for Rhodes. William Chrestman, 49, another Proud Boys member who joined others in attacking the Capitol, pleaded guilty to obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress on Monday. (Read more Justice Department stories.)
While one UK theater recently snubbed Kevin Spacey, canceling the world premiere of his latest film, another audience across the pond just gave the actor a standing ovation. Spacey, acquitted this summer by a London jury of sexual assault, delivered a lecture on Monday at the University of Oxford, in "what is thought to be his first stage appearance" since his acquittal, per Deadline . Conservative free-speech proponent Douglas Murray introduced Spacey by advising how the works of Shakespeare can inform us about the phenomenon of "cancel culture" specifically via the bard's play Timon of Athens, which Murray told the Times of London was about what "happens when a society drops a person for no reason," per the Guardian .

"Timon has the whole world before him," Murray said. "He's surrounded by friends and admirers. He's been generous to all. Yet he falls on hard times ... and when he does absolutely everyone deserts him." That's when Spacey took the stage and delivered a five-minute scene from Shakespeare's 17th-century satire, about "a rich citizen of the Greek city who lavishes all his wealth on parasitic writers and artists," per the Independent. "When he loses his wealth, his former friends abandon him." The paper notes that the short snippet, which the 64-year-old actor read off of cue cards, was "seemingly performed by Spacey as a way to discuss his own exile from Hollywood."

Whatever Spacey's motives, the audience responded enthusiastically with applause that lasted for upward of 40 seconds, per Deadline. One spectator deemed Spacey's delivery a "phenomenal performance." The Oxford lecture was given in memory of Sir Roger Scruton, a deceased conservative philosopher who was fired in 2019 from his role as a UK housing adviser after being accused of making racist remarks in the New Statesman. He was reappointed a few months later after the magazine said Scruton's views had been misrepresented. (Read more Kevin Spacey stories.)
Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza, where it had told Palestinians to flee to, ahead of an expected ground invasion, killing dozens of people on Tuesday in attacks it says are targeted at Hamas militants that rule the besieged territory, reports the AP . With no water, fuel, or food being delivered to Gaza since Hamas' brutal attack on Israel last week, mediators struggled to break a deadlock over delivering supplies to increasingly desperate civilians, aid groups, and hospitals. In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

An AP reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood. An airstrike in Deir al-Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighboring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure, and command centers. "When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, we'll take care of it," said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman.

A strike in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed a top Hamas commander, Ayman Nofal, the group's military wing saidthe most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war. Nofal was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip and was associated with the creation of the group's "joint operations" room that coordinated between Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other militants in the territory. The UN human rights office decried "appalling reports" that civilians who were trying to flee to southern Gaza were killed by a military strike. Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani urged Israeli forces to avoid "aerial bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks" and to "take precautions to avoidand in any case, to minimizeloss of civilian life, injury to civilians, and damage to civilian objects."

story continues below

Israel sealed off Gaza since the attack on Israel on Oct. 7 killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 200 taken captive in Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel. Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead. Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel, and exposed to unceasing airstrikes. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that his country's retaliation against Hamas aims to eradicate the group's rule over Gaza. "We are not fighting just our war. We're fighting the war of all ... civilized peoples," he said. Much more here.

(Read more Israel-Hamas war stories.)
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The Azerbaijani Embassy in Israel appealed to compatriots, Trend reports.

"Israir Airlines has announced the sale of tickets for Tel Aviv - Baku flights on October 20, 23, 25, 27, 30. Tickets are available on the israir.co.il website", the embassy said on X (Twitter).

The statement was made amid the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas militant group.

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 1,400 and injured over 3,300 people.
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Agencies | Rome

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa stressed the need to urgently open humanitarian corridors for the entry of medical and relief aid, food, water and the provision of electricity to Gaza.

HM the King reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrains full support for the coordination of all efforts aimed at achieving just peace, stability and security for all the peoples of the region.

His Majesty was speaking as he met yesterday with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Presidential Palace in Rome, on the occasion of his visit to Italy. Upon the arrival of HM King Hamad, President Mattarella welcomed him and his visit, which provides strong impetus for the development of Bahraini-Italian relations.

During the meeting, they reviewed all aspects of their close bilateral relations and ways to develop and strengthen them to achieve common goals, as well as the latest regional and international developments, and the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Agencies | Rome

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, met yesterday with His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, at His Holiness office in the papal headquarters, on the occasion of His Majestys visit to the Vatican City.

His Majesty and His Holiness discussed the close bilateral relations between Bahrain and the Vatican, joint cooperation, and efforts to promote tolerance, coexistence, brotherhood, dialogue, and cooperation among peoples.

They also discussed Middle East events. HM the King praised Pope Francis support for stability, peace, and protection of civilians, rejecting violence and targeting innocent people, while adhering to international laws and conventions.

HM the King underscored the significance of ensuring regional security and stability to attain the development and prosperity goals of its countries and peoples.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Fergus Auld shared a post on social networks about the restoration and construction works being carried out in Fuzuli, Trend reports.

"This is my third trip to Azerbaijan's Fuzuli. The last time I was here seven months ago, and I see that large-scale restoration work has been carried out during this time. I look forward to seeing even more progress and how residents will integrate into their new lives," the ambassador said.

Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan visited the city of Fuzuli today on the occasion of "Fuzuli City Day".

The visit was attended by about 70 representatives of the diplomatic corps, including about 30 ambassadors. They took part in the events dedicated to "Fuzuli City Day".
Bahrain stands firm in support of just solution for Palestine and calls for end to conflict

Bahrain stands firm in support of just solution for Palestine and calls for end to conflict

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrains full support for all efforts towards achieving a just solution on the Palestinian issue to ensure regional security and stability.

It highlighted the Kingdoms support for a two-state solution in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, noting that peace and adherence to the Initiative are the only way to ensure the Palestinian peoples rights to an independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Deputy Prime Minister, HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, yesterday chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace. The Cabinet commended His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas directives to provide urgent humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as part of the Kingdoms commitment to supporting those in need and helping to relieve the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people.

It highlighted the importance of de-escalation, providing humanitarian relief, food, water, electricity, and medical aid into the Gaza Strip. The Cabinet also emphasised the need to uphold international humanitarian law by protecting civilians and releasing any civilian hostages.

Procedures

The Cabinet followed up on the procedures taken by ministries and government agencies regarding HM the Kings Royal Order to preserve the historical and cultural identity of Bahrains buildings and cities, the Isa Al Kabeer Palace, and Muharraq during their renovation and development plans.

In this regard, the Deputy King, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, visited Muharraq and directed the immediate implementation of the Muharraq Development Plans procedures to accelerate the completion of the Pearling Path project.

Digital transformation

The Cabinet highlighted the digital transformation of public services, which facilitates their use, and commended the vital role of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology, headed by the Interior Minister.

The Cabinet congratulated the winners of the eGovernment Excellence Award during the 10th Bahrain International eGovernment Forum, which received wide participation from the Kingdoms ministries, government agencies, and private sector.
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, October 17th, is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It has been observed on this day every year since 1987, to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty across the globe. Poverty has many dimensions and looks different for all Canadians, but its causes include unemployment, social exclusion, and any situation or phenomena which prevents individuals from being productive. This year's theme calls for universal access to decent work, which is why NPower Canada is taking this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to supporting all individuals who face systemic barriers to sustainable employment.

Since 2014, NPower Canada has enrolled over 7,000 job-seekers from across Canada into their workforce development program Post this Hear from Joshua Moore, NPower Canada graduate, on how the program uplifted him from poverty.

Since 2014, NPower Canada has enrolled over 7,000 job-seekers from across Canada into their workforce development program, which provides underserved youth and adults with digital skills training, professional development, job search support, and access to wraparound supports to help job-seekers in all aspects of their lives and careers.

"NPower Canada supports underserved job-seekers with opportunities to upskill and gain meaningful employment, and at the same time, we help employers find skilled talent to combat the digital skills gap in Canada," said Julia Blackburn, Chief Executive Officer, NPower Canada. "We believe that everyone deserves fair and equitable opportunities to thrive and contribute to their communities, and access to employment is key in making that happen."

In providing ambitious yet underserved job-seekers with free, in-demand digital skills and professional development training, NPower Canada is connecting vulnerable populations in six provinces across the country to meaningful and sustainable employment. In many cases, NPower Canada graduates are doubling their annual household incomes after completing the program and gaining employment. Eighty percent of program graduates are placed in employment within 6 months of program completion.

In the almost 10 years since the inception of NPower Canada, staff have regularly witnessed the challenges and injustices that marginalized people face in our society. They have also seen the resilience, potential, and success of individuals who are given the opportunity to overcome these barriers and transform their lives, like NPower Canada graduates Dustin Woods Turner and Joshua Moore.

"Being queer, neurodiverse, isolated, unemployed, homeless, and with no family during the pandemic was a scary experience for me. I was searching for somewhere I could go to learn in a safe and supportive environment, and after being recommended to NPower Canada by three different sources, I knew I had to give them a shot, and I'm so happy I did," says Dustin Woods Turner, 2022 NPower Canada graduate of the Junior Security and Quality Assurance program.

"I unfortunately left home at a young age, at 17, and spent a year with unstable housing and homelessness There is a lot of stigma around being a homeless youth and dropping out of high school that makes a lot of conventional routes of education and career difficult. Without any sort of proper guidance or figures to follow, it was hard to navigate my way around, and that's where NPower Canada came in and helped me to develop my career," says Joshua Moore, 2017 NPower Canada graduate of the Junior IT Analyst program.

On International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, NPower Canada recognizes the plights of so many Canadians in situations of homelessness, unemployment and other dimensions of poverty and we reaffirm our commitment to helping create pathways to economic prosperity for Canada's underserved communities, by way of a diverse technology workforce, where people from any cultural ethnicity, gender or socio-economic background can succeed in Canada's digital economy.

To learn more, visit https://npowercanada.ca/apply

SOURCE NPower Canada

For further information: Emilie Jones, Manager of Communications & Engagement, NPower Canada, [email protected], 647-689-5850 ext 230
There will be heavy price for ultimate peace.

Hamas is Gaza has fired 6000 out of 20,000 or more rockets, so Iran has supplied and Hamas has made a lot of weapons. There explosives, mortars, missiles and drones.

There are 30,000 to 200,000 equipped soldiers. They do not have tanks but they are an equipped army. In the US army divisions are made up of three or four brigades and include 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers. I would estimate 3-10 divisions and 10 divisions of reservists. There are also more soldiers in Hezbollah and Lebanon.

This army has the Hamas Charter. Hamas was voted in with 44% of the populace. Those who do not want to fight are used as human shields. Hamas puts its bases in or behind schools, Mosques and hospitals.

Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the US has 111,000 combat casualties. Japan had about 2 million military deaths and 2 million civilian deaths but inflicted about 25 million deaths with atrocities and war crimes in China, Manila and other places. This included the rape of Nanjing. The Hamas attack on Israel last week was like a smaller scale rape of Nanjing.

Japan surrendered after two nuclear bombs and the fear the Soviets joining the invasion. The US was preparing to invade in operations larger than D-Day. This operation was called Operation Downfall. Imperial Japan was going to defend with Operation Ketsugo. The intent of Operation Downfall was to invade, occupy, and bring about the unconditional surrender of Japan within 18 months of the defeat of Germany. It would require 1,700,000 U.S. troops, according to the plan. By late 1944, U.S. Army casualties had skyrocketed to 65,000 per month. The bloody battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa were a real shock. Casualties on Saipan had been bad enough, and initial planning for Downfall was based on the Saipan ratio of about one U.S. casualty for every seven Japanese defenders. By Okinawa, it was closer to one U.S. casualty for every one or two Japanese defenders.

Ketsugo was a Japanese military strategy during World War II that involved training civilians to resist an American invasion. The plan included:

Training children to fight with improvised weapons

Organizing millions of civilians into paramilitary units

Arming civilians with bamboo spears and other primitive weapons

Training all able-bodied civilians to attack Americans in guerrilla operations

Using tens of thousands of suicide bombers

Using mini-suicide submarines

Imperial Japan was tougher but breaking a widespread culture of the eagerness and willingness to commit atrocities is the heavy price of ultimate peace.

Continued images of the weapons left behind by al Qassam and friends in S. #Israel: Chinese Type 80/Iranian PKM-T80, three Chinese Type 56-1, pic.twitter.com/qCTeaQDAHs  C Os (@CalibreObscura) October 10, 2023
There is fighting along a second front with Israel. The main activity has been in the South with Israel, Gaza and Hamas.

Hezbollah has announced the Death of 4 of their Terrorists as a result of Clashes with the IDF along the Border with Lebanon throughout today.

Hezbollah has about three to six times the rockets and troops as Hamas.

Heavy Clashes have been ongoing along the Border with Lebanon and Northern Israel all morning with Israeli Artillery reported to currently be Shelling a number of Militant Positions.

The live combat map for Israel, Gaza and Lebanon is here.

Hezbollah has announced the Death of 4 of their Terrorists as a result of Clashes with the IDF along the Border with Lebanon throughout today. pic.twitter.com/UqiXX6OEmj  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 17, 2023

Heavy Clashes have been ongoing along the Border with Lebanon and Northern Israel all morning with Israeli Artillery reported to currently be Shelling a number of Militant Positions.  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 17, 2023

Urgent | Hezbollah: We targeted with direct weapons the Israeli army positions in Zarit, Al-Sadh, Jal Al-Deir, Al-Malikiyah, and Birkat Risha.

 |  :                   (@AJABreaking) October 17, 2023

Hezbollah: We targeted a gathering of soldiers in the Baranit barracks and caused a number of casualties, including one dead and one wounded.

Hezbollah statement: Today we targeted an Israeli tank in the Ramim barracks and caused casualties

A US Navy carrier strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is maneuvering southwest of Cyprus. One of the likely threats to the aircraft carrier and escort ships is Hezbollahs anti-ship missiles. As far as is known from open sources, pic.twitter.com/1zifbsZBSf  Sprinter (@Sprinter99800) October 15, 2023

President Biden and Janet Yellen Have Said the USA Can Handle and Afford Two Wars

There are two to three US aircraft carrier groups in the area.

About 2,000 U.S. troops have been told to get ready to deploy in anticipation of the ground offensive. The American soldiers would not be sent to Israel but could be assigned to other countries in the region for support roles such as medical assistance or providing security at gate crossings.

U.S. Defense Officials have reportedly convinced the Israeli Government not to launch a Preemptive Strike on Hezbollah Forces in Lebanon, with them promising that U.S. Naval Assets in the Eastern Mediterranean including the USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier (CVN-78) will pic.twitter.com/1CPN8XCbrz  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 16, 2023
Lockheed Martin has a US Army contract to develop and deliver up to four 300 kW-class laser weapon systems to the 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.

Lockheed Martin will deliver two 300 kW-class IFPC-HEL prototypes with an option for two additional 300 kW-class units.

The Evolution of IFPC-HEL

Since 2019, Lockheed Martin was 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. On October 17, 2023, the statement by the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan during the session at the European Parliament on another occasion has demonstrated that Armenia is determined to further undermine the prospects of peace agreement, while continuing aggressive rhetoric and allegations against Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

It is derogatory to hear such allegations from Armenia, which claims to be as a peace-loving democratic country respecting international law, when itself not giving up its claims against territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Accusations against Azerbaijan by Armenia, a country that for almost 30 years has violated the fundamental rights of up to one million Azerbaijanis, committed acts of genocide, and mass killings against Azerbaijanis, on ethnic cleansing of local Armenians voluntarily relocated to Armenia is unfounded and is in clear contradiction with the reports and statements of the UN agencies both visited the region and active in Armenia. This also demonstrates how Prime Minister of Armenia is inconsistent with his statements, when he himself declared on September 21st during his address to the Armenian population that the Armenians in Garabagh region do not face threats. At the same time, it is not surprising to hear such contradictory statements by the Prime Minister of Armenia bearing in mind a reputation of this country in blunt falsification of history and facts.

While referring to the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, non-use of force and non-threat of force in the document at the Granada meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan forgets that it was Azerbaijan who presented 5 basic principles to Armenia immediately after the 44-day war, despite Armenia has violated these principles for more than 30 years, including 5 years of his term.

With regard to claims by the Prime Minister about so-called extraterritoriality of the Lachin road, it should be recalled that Armenia by all means misused this road in contrary to the Trilateral Statement co-signed by Prime Minister, unlike Azerbaijan which fulfilled its obligations in guaranteeing the security of movement that further were ensured when Azerbaijan has established a border checkpoint to prevent malign acts by Armenia. It should be noted that Azerbaijan has a sovereignty over all the roads in its territory and efforts to prove otherwise are groundless.

While Armenia itself has committed an aggression and occupied Azerbaijans territories for almost 30 years, call on by Armenian Prime Minister about measuring respect for territorial integrity and delimitation by square kilometer is not serious. Unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan has never had claims over territories of other countries.

Armenias accusations of Azerbaijan and Turkiye in blockade has nothing to do with reality. Armenias self-isolation from regional projects due to military aggression and territorial claims is well-known. Moreover, seems that Armenia is not willing to avert this even following Azerbaijans liberation of its territories. Armenia is well-aware that it has an obligation for organizing unhindered movement of citizens, vehicles and cargo in both directions, while guaranteeing security in this direction. Armenia has also an obligation to ensure the construction of new transport communications connecting the western regions of Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Unfortunately, on another occasion this country is missing the opportunity. The agreement on the construction of a road and railway, which will connect Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, once again shows that, unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan is constantly making a positive contribution to the development of transport corridors in the region using alternative routes.

While historical opportunities emerged for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the transformation of the South Caucasus region into a place of peace and cooperation following Azerbaijan has eliminated the threat emanating from Armenian puppet regime and illegal armed forces in Garabagh region, continuing aggressive rhetoric by the Prime Minister of Armenia undermines the peace prospects, the statement reads.
Marc Lowell Andreessen is the co-author of Mosaic, the first widely used web browser with a graphical user interface, co-founder of Netscape, co-founder and general partner of Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. He co-founded and later sold the software company Opsware to Hewlett-Packard. Andreessen is also a co-founder of Ning, a company that provides a platform for social networking websites and an inductee in the World Wide Web Hall of Fame. Andreessens net-worth is estimated at $1.7 billion. Andreessen Horowitz and invested in many successful companies including, Facebook, Foursquare, GitHub, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Twitter. Andreesen Horowitz manages over $35 billion.

In his Techno-optimist manifesto he explains why technology is good and absolutely necessary. Civiliation is like a shark in that it must keep moving forward, growing or it will die.

Lies

We are being lied to.

We are told that technology takes our jobs, reduces our wages, increases inequality, threatens our health, ruins the environment, degrades our society, corrupts our children, impairs our humanity, threatens our future, and is ever on the verge of ruining everything.

We are told to be angry, bitter, and resentful about technology.

We are told to be pessimistic.

The myth of Prometheus  in various updated forms like Frankenstein, Oppenheimer, and Terminator  haunts our nightmares.

We are told to denounce our birthright  our intelligence, our control over nature, our ability to build a better world.

We are told to be miserable about the future.

Truths

Our civilization was built on technology.

Our civilization is built on technology.

Technology is the glory of human ambition and achievement, the spearhead of progress, and the realization of our potential.

For hundreds of years, we properly glorified this  until recently.

I [Andreesen] am here to bring the good news.

We can advance to a far superior way of living, and of being.

We have the tools, the systems, the ideas.

We have the will.

It is time, once again, to raise the technology flag.

It is time to be Techno-Optimists.

Technology

Techno-Optimists believe that societies, like sharks, grow or die.

We believe growth is progress  leading to vitality, expansion of life, increasing knowledge, higher well being.

We agree with Paul Collier when he says, Economic growth is not a cure-all, but lack of growth is a kill-all.

We believe everything good is downstream of growth.

We believe not growing is stagnation, which leads to zero-sum thinking, internal fighting, degradation, collapse, and ultimately death.

There are only three sources of growth: population growth, natural resource utilization, and technology.

Developed societies are depopulating all over the world, across cultures  the total human population may already be shrinking.

Natural resource utilization has sharp limits, both real and political.

And so the only perpetual source of growth is technology.

In fact, technology  new knowledge, new tools, what the Greeks called techne  has always been the main source of growth, and perhaps the only cause of growth, as technology made both population growth and natural resource utilization possible.

We believe technology is a lever on the world  the way to make more with less.

Economists measure technological progress as productivity growth: How much more we can produce each year with fewer inputs, fewer raw materials. Productivity growth, powered by technology, is the main driver of economic growth, wage growth, and the creation of new industries and new jobs, as people and capital are continuously freed to do more important, valuable things than in the past. Productivity growth causes prices to fall, supply to rise, and demand to expand, improving the material well being of the entire population.

We believe this is the story of the material development of our civilization; this is why we are not still living in mud huts, eking out a meager survival and waiting for nature to kill us.

We believe this is why our descendents will live in the stars.

We believe that there is no material problem  whether created by nature or by technology  that cannot be solved with more technology.

We had a problem of starvation, so we invented the Green Revolution.

We had a problem of darkness, so we invented electric lighting.

We had a problem of cold, so we invented indoor heating.

We had a problem of heat, so we invented air conditioning.

We had a problem of isolation, so we invented the Internet.

We had a problem of pandemics, so we invented vaccines.

We have a problem of poverty, so we invent technology to create abundance.

Give us a real world problem, and we can invent technology that will solve it.

Nextbigfuture Summary of Andreessen Sections on Markets- Techno Capital Machine, Energy, Intelligence, Abundance, Utopia

* markets lift people out of poverty

* markets do not require people to be perfect, or even well intentioned  which is good, because, have you met people? [NBF- Self-interests get aligned]

* The economist William Nordhaus has shown that creators of technology are only able to capture about 2% of the economic value created by that technology. The other 98% flows through to society in the form of what economists call social surplus. Technological innovation in a market system is inherently philanthropic, by a 50:1 ratio

*Combine technology and markets and you get what Nick Land has termed the techno-capital machine, the engine of perpetual material creation, growth, and abundance.

*the techno-capital machine of markets and innovation never ends, but instead spirals continuously upward.

* The techno-capital machine works for us. All the machines work for us.

* intelligence is the ultimate engine of progress. Intelligence makes everything better. Smart people and smart societies outperform less smart ones on virtually every metric we can measure.

* Artificial Intelligence is our alchemy, our Philosophers Stone  we are literally making sand think.

* Artificial Intelligence is best thought of as a universal problem solver. And we have a lot of problems to solve.

* Intelligent machines augment intelligent humans, driving a geometric expansion of what humans can do.

* a technologically stagnant society has limited energy at the cost of environmental ruin; a technologically advanced society has unlimited clean energy for everyone.

* Everyone can have 1000X the energy of the current American and it can all be clean energy

* Abundant clean fission and fusion can solve clean energy

Making Things Better With Thousands of Years of Evidence and Data is Not Utopian

* Not Utopians. We are adherents to what Thomas Sowell calls the Constrained Vision.

* Constrained Vision  contra the Unconstrained Vision of Utopia, Communism, and Expertise  means taking people as they are, testing ideas empirically, and liberating people to make their own choices.

* We believe in not Utopia, but also not Apocalypse.

Becoming Technological Supermen

* We believe that advancing technology is one of the most virtuous things that we can do.

* We believe in deliberately and systematically transforming ourselves into the kind of people who can advance technology.

* Believe in nature, greatness, adventure and humanity

Technological Values [complete Section]

We believe in ambition, aggression, persistence, relentlessness  strength.

We believe in merit and achievement.

We believe in bravery, in courage.

We believe in pride, confidence, and self respect  when earned.

We believe in free thought, free speech, and free inquiry.

We believe in the actual Scientific Method and enlightenment values of free discourse and challenging the authority of experts.

We believe, as Richard Feynman said, Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.

And, I would rather have questions that cant be answered than answers that cant be questioned.

We believe in local knowledge, the people with actual information making decisions, not in playing God.

We believe in embracing variance, in increasing interestingness.

We believe in risk, in leaps into the unknown.

We believe in agency, in individualism.

We believe in radical competence.

We believe in an absolute rejection of resentment. As Carrie Fisher said, Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. We take responsibility and we overcome.

We believe in competition, because we believe in evolution.

We believe in evolution, because we believe in life.

We believe in the truth.

We believe rich is better than poor, cheap is better than expensive, and abundant is better than scarce.

We believe in making everyone rich, everything cheap, and everything abundant.

We believe extrinsic motivations  wealth, fame, revenge  are fine as far as they go. But we believe intrinsic motivations  the satisfaction of building something new, the camaraderie of being on a team, the achievement of becoming a better version of oneself  are more fulfilling and more lasting.

We believe in what the Greeks called eudaimonia through arete  flourishing through excellence.

We believe technology is universalist. Technology doesnt care about your ethnicity, race, religion, national origin, gender, sexuality, political views, height, weight, hair or lack thereof. Technology is built by a virtual United Nations of talent from all over the world. Anyone with a positive attitude and a cheap laptop can contribute. Technology is the ultimate open society.

We believe in the Silicon Valley code of pay it forward, trust via aligned incentives, generosity of spirit to help one another learn and grow.

We believe America and her allies should be strong and not weak. We believe national strength of liberal democracies flows from economic strength (financial power), cultural strength (soft power), and military strength (hard power). Economic, cultural, and military strength flow from technological strength. A technologically strong America is a force for good in a dangerous world. Technologically strong liberal democracies safeguard liberty and peace. Technologically weak liberal democracies lose to their autocratic rivals, making everyone worse off.

We believe technology makes greatness more possible and more likely.

We believe in fulfilling our potential, becoming fully human  for ourselves, our communities, and our society.

The Meaning of Life

Techno-Optimism is a material philosophy, not a political philosophy.

We are not necessarily left wing, although some of us are.

We are not necessarily right wing, although some of us are.

We are materially focused, for a reason  to open the aperture on how we may choose to live amid material abundance.

A common critique of technology is that it removes choice from our lives as machines make decisions for us. This is undoubtedly true, yet more than offset by the freedom to create our lives that flows from the material abundance created by our use of machines.

Material abundance from markets and technology opens the space for religion, for politics, and for choices of how to live, socially and individually.

We believe technology is liberatory. Liberatory of human potential. Liberatory of the human soul, the human spirit. Expanding what it can mean to be free, to be fulfilled, to be alive.

We believe technology opens the space of what it can mean to be human.

The Enemy [Full Section]

We have enemies.

Our enemies are not bad people  but rather bad ideas.

Our present society has been subjected to a mass demoralization campaign for six decades  against technology and against life  under varying names like existential risk, sustainability, ESG, Sustainable Development Goals, social responsibility, stakeholder capitalism, Precautionary Principle, trust and safety, tech ethics, risk management, de-growth, the limits of growth.

This demoralization campaign is based on bad ideas of the past  zombie ideas, many derived from Communism, disastrous then and now  that have refused to die.

Our enemy is stagnation.

Our enemy is anti-merit, anti-ambition, anti-striving, anti-achievement, anti-greatness.

Our enemy is statism, authoritarianism, collectivism, central planning, socialism.

Our enemy is bureaucracy, vetocracy, gerontocracy, blind deference to tradition.

Our enemy is corruption, regulatory capture, monopolies, cartels.

Our enemy is institutions that in their youth were vital and energetic and truth-seeking, but are now compromised and corroded and collapsing  blocking progress in increasingly desperate bids for continued relevance, frantically trying to justify their ongoing funding despite spiraling dysfunction and escalating ineptness.

Our enemy is the ivory tower, the know-it-all credentialed expert worldview, indulging in abstract theories, luxury beliefs, social engineering, disconnected from the real world, delusional, unelected, and unaccountable  playing God with everyone elses lives, with total insulation from the consequences.

Our enemy is speech control and thought control  the increasing use, in plain sight, of George Orwells 1984 as an instruction manual.

Our enemy is Thomas Sowells Unconstrained Vision, Alexander Kojeves Universal and Homogeneous State, Thomas Mores Utopia.

Our enemy is the Precautionary Principle, which would have prevented virtually all progress since man first harnessed fire. The Precautionary Principle was invented to prevent the large-scale deployment of civilian nuclear power, perhaps the most catastrophic mistake in Western society in my lifetime. The Precautionary Principle continues to inflict enormous unnecessary suffering on our world today. It is deeply immoral, and we must jettison it with extreme prejudice.

Our enemy is deceleration, de-growth, depopulation  the nihilistic wish, so trendy among our elites, for fewer people, less energy, and more suffering and death.

Our enemy is Friedrich Nietzsches Last Man:

I tell you: one must still have chaos in oneself, to give birth to a dancing star. I tell you: you have still chaos in yourselves.

Alas! There comes the time when man will no longer give birth to any star. Alas! There comes the time of the most despicable man, who can no longer despise himself

What is love? What is creation? What is longing? What is a star?  so asks the Last Man, and blinks.

The earth has become small, and on it hops the Last Man, who makes everything small. His species is ineradicable as the flea; the Last Man lives longest

One still works, for work is a pastime. But one is careful lest the pastime should hurt one.

One no longer becomes poor or rich; both are too burdensome

No shepherd, and one herd! Everyone wants the same; everyone is the same: he who feels differently goes voluntarily into the madhouse.

Formerly all the world was insane,  say the subtlest of them, and they blink.

They are clever and know all that has happened: so there is no end to their derision

We have discovered happiness,  say the Last Men, and they blink.

Our enemy is that.

We aspire to be not that.

We will explain to people captured by these zombie ideas that their fears are unwarranted and the future is bright.

We believe these captured people are suffering from ressentiment  a witches brew of resentment, bitterness, and rage that is causing them to hold mistaken values, values that are damaging to both themselves and the people they care about.

We believe we must help them find their way out of their self-imposed labyrinth of pain.

We invite everyone to join us in Techno-Optimism.

The water is warm.

Become our allies in the pursuit of technology, abundance, and life.

The Future [Full Section]

Where did we come from?

Our civilization was built on a spirit of discovery, of exploration, of industrialization.

Where are we going?

What world are we building for our children and their children, and their children?

A world of fear, guilt, and resentment?

Or a world of ambition, abundance, and adventure?

We believe in the words of David Deutsch: We have a duty to be optimistic. Because the future is open, not predetermined and therefore cannot just be accepted: we are all responsible for what it holds. Thus it is our duty to fight for a better world.

We owe the past, and the future.

Its time to be a Techno-Optimist.

Its time to build.
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Postal Code
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The newly appointed Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Iraq Nasir Mammadov presented copies of his credentials to Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister of Iraq Fuad Hussein, Trend reports.

During the conversation that followed, the continuation of positive cooperation between the two countries in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as prospects for the development of relations in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres were discussed.

An extensive exchange of views took place on issues of mutual interest at the meeting.
Wilcox Idaminabo, director of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) in Imo, says criminals are carrying out attacks on lives and properties in the south-east under the guise of Biafra agitation.

Idaminabo spoke on Monday at a one-day stakeholders roundtable organised by the Center for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) ahead of the November 11 governorship election in the state.

He said killings and other criminal activities in the geo-political zone are wrapped around the ideology of Biafra and disguised as agitations for self-determination.

They are hiding under this guise to perpetrate killings and turn our people slaves in their own homes, he said.

When I led the operation to Orsu LGA, what we saw was rather gory; headless bodies littered in the bush, vehicles that had been abandoned. It was terrible.

Until recently, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has continued to prevent the people in the region from going about their businesses as they enforce sit-at-home to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the group.

Prior to Nigerias 63rd independence anniversary, IPOB warned residents in the south-east to shun the celebration.

The Nigerian Government and Nigerian citizens have time after time demonstrated that we are not part of them, and therefore, we must do everything possible to liberate ourselves from the bondage of Nigeria,  Emma Powerful, IPOBs spokesperson said on September 29.

Meanwhile, on March 15, the global terrorism index (GTI) ranked IPOB as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world.

The GTI added that the group was responsible for 40 attacks and 57 deaths in 2022.

On September 27, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) destroyed multiple hideouts of the group in Imo and Anambra states.

A month later, troops of the Nigerian Army arrested two suspected fighters of the group after destroying their hideouts.
A mild drama erupted in the Senate on Tuesday when the President of the Red Chamber, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume clashed over a motion on the need to reopen the Nigeria-Benin Republic border.

The clash, which almost turned into a rowdy session, forced the Senate President to call for a closed-door executive session that lasted for hours.

The motion on the border, moved under a matter of urgent national importance of the Senate Standing Rules by Senator Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South), for debate by Senators, allegedly had no specific title and Senator Ndume raised a Point of Order to correct the error.

Attempt by the former Senate Leader to request correction for the alleged error, happened barely 10 minutes after commencement of the plenary, but the Senate President refused the correction.

Specifically, Senator Ndume who rose through Order 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, requested the Senate President to allow for correction of any error made or observed in plenary.

He said: This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guided by laws, rules and procedures. If in the course of proceedings at any session, errors are observed, they must be corrected before forging ahead with such proceedings.

But the Senate President quickly intercepted him by saying having ruled on issues raised, it cannot be revisited and consequently ruled Senator Ndume out of order.

Efforts by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC Kogi West) to sustain Ndumes line of argument through another Point of Order was also swiftly ruled out of order by the Senate President.

In an effort to restore harmony, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau quickly rose to read Order 16 which requires a substantive motion to be moved by any Senator for correction or review of earlier decisions taken.

Sustenance of Baraus Point of Order by Akpabio infuriated Ndume, who raised another Order (54) to seek for correction of the perceived error.

The Senate President ruled him out of order again without being allowed to make full presentation of his argument.

Angered by Akpabios decision, Ndume packed his documents and furiously stormed out of the chamber.

Apparently perplexed by the scenario, Senators hurriedly went into a closed-door session which lasted for hours and affected the items on the Order Paper for the day.




The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Michael Anan Onimisi before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna for developing a software code-named: Bee-Leaf and Real-Eve to defraud First City Monument Bank Plc, the sum of N17,785,010.75.





Onimisi was accused of developing the software to hack into the security measures of the bank to defraud it. He was arraigned on six-count charges bordering on internet fraud and money laundering.





One of the counts reads that you, Michael Anan Onimisi, sometime in June 2023, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly retained the total sum of N17, 785,010.75 (Seventeen Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand, Ten Naira and Seventy-Five Kobo only), from First City Monument Bank Plc, which funds you knew forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d)of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.





The suspect pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges when they were read to him.





Prosecution counsel, N. Salele, asked for a trial date and further prayed the court to remand the defendant at a Correctional Centre before the commencement of trial.





Meanwhile, defence counsel, Rabiu Mohammed informed the court of an application for bail before the court. Salele objected, pleading for more time to study and respond to it





After listening to the arguments of both counsels, Justice Aikawa thereafter adjourned the matter till October 19, 2023, for hearing on the bail application and December 6, 2023, for commencement of trial.





He also ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna State.
The former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has raised concerns over how the new Central Bank Governor and his deputies were brought into office.

He alleged a gross violation of the CBN Act in the appointment by President Bola Tinubus administration.

He said, The growing lawlessness and Gestapo tactics the government was deploying to achieve its objectives would deepen the damage the immediate past administration did to the country.

Chidokas statement was in an open letter to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

He advised the Minister to take a second look at removing from office persons who ought to enjoy independence and require Senate approval before removal from office.

He wondered why the President appointed four Deputy Governors in one go, asking if the previous Deputy Governors resigned like Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor.

According to him, the CBN Act prioritized experience and the need for continuity, noting that the Senate went beyond their powers by granting all four Deputy Governors a five-year term, if actually it did.

He claimed that the development had become a bad precedent and an indication of the high disregard for rules that were becoming the administrations hallmark.

Chidoka said the CBN Act provides that the Governor and Deputy Governors shall be appointed in the first instance for a term of five years and shall each be eligible for reappointment for another term not exceeding five years.

He further suggested that the AGF seek out the past Deputy Governors and get them to resign quietly before they enforce their rights.

He was also of the view that the minister should ask the Senate to amend their clearance to reflect the provisions of S. 11 (4) so that the new CBN management would conclude the tenure of their predecessors.

According to him, by doing so, the government would also have complied with the need for the Deputy Governors to exit the bank in a staggered manner to maintain continuity and experience.

Part of the letter read: Todays crux of my letter is the gross violation of the CBN Act in appointing the new Central Bank Governor and the Deputies. First, the CBN Act provides in S. 8 (2) That the Governor and Deputy Governors shall be appointed in the first instance for a term of five years and shall each be eligible for reappointment for another term not exceeding five years. It added an important proviso, Provided that, of the first four Deputy Governors to be so appointed, one shall in the first instance be appointed for three years and two shall in the first instance be appointed for four years. The CBN Act prioritised experience and the need for continuity. The Senate (if they did) granting all four Deputy Governors a five-year term went beyond their powers. But the more critical issue is why the President appointed four Deputy Governors in one go. Did the previous Deputy Governors resign, too, like the Governor?

As a senior legal practitioner and learned silk, my dear AG, I believe you will not lend your imprimatur to this creeping lawlessness. My suggestions: You can seek out the past Deputy Governors and get them to resign quietly before they seek to enforce their rights. Also, ask the Senate to amend their clearance to reflect the provisions of S. 11 (4) so that the new CBN management would conclude the tenure of their predecessors. That way, the government would also comply with the need for the Deputy Governors to exit the bank in a staggered manner to maintain continuity and experience.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has distanced himself from the sack of Adamawa North Senator, Elisha Abbo by the Court of Appeal.

Akpabio said contrary to Abbos claim, he has no reason to witch-hunt the sacked lawmaker.

Following his sack by the Appeal Court, Abbo had accused Akpabio of being responsible for his removal.

Abbo said four other senators who worked against the emergence of Akpabio as Senate President had been penciled down to be sacked.

He alleged that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was Akpabios next target.

Reacting, Akpabio accused Abbo of looking for a scapegoat.

He disclosed this while speaking through his Media Aide, Eseme Eyiboh.

Addressing newsmen, Eyiboh said, It is unfortunate if he actually said that Akpabio was responsible for his removal. Thats the swan song of a man looking for scapegoats.

The Court of Appeal across the country decides cases based on the provisions of the Electoral Act and evidence advanced by petitioners. The Senate President has no reason to witch-hunt any of his colleagues.

Abbo was among the Senators that campaigned for Senator Yari during the struggle to elect Senate President.




Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the upcoming governorship election in Kogi State, has accused the state governor, Yahaya Bello of seeking a third term.





Melaye alleged that Bello was seeking a third term hiding under the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Ahmed Ododo.





Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Melaye said Bello was using Ododo to achieve his term because he cant be on the ballot.





He insisted that Ododo would be a figurehead if elected because the outgoing governor will still be calling the shots.





Dont be deceived that Yahaya Bello is not on the ballot. Ododo is physically on the ballot but Yahaya Bello is the one seeking a third term through a proxy.





I will not want this debate to be about Yahaya Bello, rather I would like to market my political party and market what we have for Kogi State, Melaye said.




The Labour Party (LP) has described as dubious the allegations by its estranged Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, about Peter Obi, the partys presidential candidate during the 2023 general elections.





Arabambi belongs to the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the party.





According to the party, Arabambi had claimed that Obi was impersonating his dead elder brother and was also after his life.





However, in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Spokesperson for the Obi-Datti Media, Yunusa Tanko, the LP described the allegation as a farce, a slapstick comedy from hell.





Tanko claimed that Arabambi was at the forefront of malicious hatchet jobbers recruited as political hirelings and buccaneers indulging in menial work of character assassination to soil the name of its presidential candidate.





The spokesman said Arabambi had dubiously continued to identify himself as a member and publicity secretary of LP when he knew he was not a member of the party.





While dismissing the allegations against Obi, Tanko stated that Obis most senior brother is still alive, noting that one of his senior brothers who died was at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, years ahead of him and read computer science while Obi read philosophy.





On Arabambis claim that Obi was after his life, Tanko described the claim as laughable, insisting that Obis harmless disposition to politics and non-violent posture even in extreme provocation were apparent enough to make the dismissal of such a wild and unsubstantiated accusation baseless.





He, therefore, urged the public and, particularly, the media to treat Apapa and Arabambi as impersonators who go about using the name of the party to say negative things about Peter Obi.





Part of the statement read: Some political hirelings, buccaneers indulging in menial work of character assassination, have lately been let loose dubiously ostensibly to soil the name of our Presidential candidate, Peter Obi. At the forefront of these malicious hatchet jobbers, is Abayomi Arambabi, who dubiously continues even to identify himself as a member and Publicity Secretary of Labour Party when he knows he is not a member of the party.





After a series of judgments from the Supreme Court of Nigeria concerning the Labour Party, everything about fictionalisation and crisis in the party was laid to rest.





But to our greatest shock in the party, many media houses continued to link expelled non-members of the party as members, trying unsuccessfully and needlessly to create a wrong impression about the party.





Chief Lamidi Apapa and Arambabi have been going about merchandising with the name of the party and endlessly castigating our flag bearer, who we are proud to say is the most popular and loved Nigerian politician today.





In one of his pieces of fiction, they claimed that Obi was impersonating his dead most senior brothera farce, a slapstick comedy from hell. Obis most senior brother is alive; one of his senior brothers who died was at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN years ahead of Obi and read computer science while Obi read philosophy.





Arambabi also claims, as his shadow chases him, that Obi is after his life. This is a laughable allegation because OBIs harmless disposition to politics and his non-violent posture, even in extreme provocation like the blatant stealing of his mandate in cohort with INEC is apparent to make the dismissal of such wild and unsubstantiated accusation baseless.





As Obi keeps charging people to go ahead and verify his past, a Peter Obi 45 years ago was impromptuly unveiled last weekend by no less a person than the Popes Ambassador (Papal Nuncio) to the Czech Republic, a Nigerian, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo. Speaking off the cuff, the revered clergy testified to how the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has remained consistent in caring for society for many decades now, stating that it is in Peter Obis nature to help and care for those around him.





This is the man; they are struggling to dent his image but they have not found anything damaging against him but rather have resorted to cooking up lies and fabrication. The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, is by my side here you all know him is Obiora Ifoh our Acting Publicity Secretary.





I am, therefore, by this press conference in our national party headquarters urging the public and particularly the media houses to treat this person as Labour Party impersonators which they are.
ISTANBUL, Turkiye, October 17. The presentation of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and influential Turkish news agency Demiroren (DHA), was held at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul, Trend reports.

The news stream in Azerbaijani is one of the portal's distinctive features. Azerbaijani news will be presented in Azerbaijani language for the first time in the Turkish media industry.

The www.dhapress.com project is implemented within the framework of the initiative to create a Joint Azerbaijani-Turkish Media Platform put forward by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The new information portal is anticipated to grow to be Turkiye's leading news source. The DHA team's professionalism and creative ability will quickly elevate the portal to the position of one of Turkiye's most well-known portals.

DHA website's foundation has been created using a distinctive digital platform created by Trend that incorporates the most recent advancements in content management and information access. The news stream in Azerbaijani is one of the portal's distinctive features. Azerbaijani news will be presented in Azerbaijani language for the first time in the Turkish media industry.

The presentation ceremony was attended by Narmina Mustafayeva, Consul General of Azerbaijan in Istanbul; Jalal Korkut, Director General of Demiroren News Agency; Ilgar Huseynov, Director General of Trend News Agency; Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of Azerbaijan Media Development Agency; Ismet Sattarov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Audiovisual Council; Sevil Mikayilova, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament; Rashad Majid, Head of the Azerbaijan Press Council; Alexandru Giboi, Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA); officials and public figures of Turkiye and Azerbaijan; representatives of business circles of the two countries; and leading local and foreign media accredited in Turkiye.

The officials who spoke at the ceremony emphasized the importance of the joint Azerbaijani-Turkish media platform. They highlighted that dynamic connections and collaboration are rapidly developing between the two fraternal countries in all areas. The extraordinary significance of media cooperation in a globalizing world was emphasized. It was also mentioned that in recent years, the media in Azerbaijan has been developing rapidly and has already reached the level of Western media outlets. The project received extensive coverage in the media of Azerbaijan and fraternal Turkiye.

The presentation of the project in Azerbaijan took place on July 22 within the framework of the Shusha Global Media Forum, causing a wide resonance in Turkiye.

A video recap of the event is available for your viewing:




The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has expressed concern over the welfare of corps members.





Ahmed spoke on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address during the 2023 Corps Employers Workshop held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Ede, Osun State.





The NYSC Director General, who was resented by the Deputy Director, Corps Development, South West, Ella Williams, said, Majority of those who made requests for corps members to be posted to their establishment did not provide accommodation for them and where such was provided, it was always in deplorable conditions unfit for human habitation.





Some employers of corpers connive with them to commit truancy which often put their lives at risk.





Many employers connive with those posted to them, allowing them to travel at will. Infact we have evidence that some of the employers shared part of the allowance the Federal Government pays these children to permit them to leave their place of primary assignment.





Unfortunately we have lost some of them to this truancy. Last week one had accident in Kogi State while traveling without authorization, while two others died in an accident during illegal journey.





In his welcome address, the state coordinator of the NYSC, Ndoma Agbor Obim, said the workshop with the theme Optimizing the productivity of corp members through enhanced welfare and security during the service year was organised in line with the plan to connect talented corp members with employers who share the NYSC vision of fostering personal and professional growth.





Earlier, the Osun state Commissioner for Youth, Moshood Olagunju, urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to understand their obligations in the welfare of the corp members.
Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says Olanipekun Olukoyede is qualified to head the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Last Thursday, President Bola Tinubu appointed Olukoyede as the chairman of the EFCC pending confirmation by the senate.

A group under the aegis of the Alliance for Good Governance and Due Process had faulted his nomination by the president.

The group argued that his appointment would infringe on a section of the EFCC act that defines who could be appointed as the agencys chairman.

Daniel Bwawa, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also said the president violated the law by appointing Olukoyede as the new EFCC chairman.

Bwawa argued that the Olukoyede does not have the requisite qualifications for the office.

But speaking when he was featured on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Falana said there is no issue with Olukoyedes appointment.

No, there is no issue. The only issue that has been raised, which for me has to be considered by the government, is that we have in this country the Federal Character Commission act, and also by virtue of section 14 of the constitution, appointments must reflect the federal character, Falana said.

If you are going to have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads cannot come from the same zone. If there are two positions in this country, in public-serving, one must go to the north, one must go to the south.

If there are four, two must go to the north, two must come to the south. If there are six, one must go to each geopolitical zone. That is the law in Nigeria today.

I am not comfortable with the fact as of today. The heads of the EFCC and the ICPC are from the same zone. Apart from that, Mr Olukoyede is eminently qualified to head the EFCC.

HE HAS ACQUIRED ENOUGH EXPERIENCE

He said his colleagues who have criticised the appointment have not perused the relevant law that backs his appointment.

He added that Olukoyede has served in different capacities in the agency which makes him qualified for the role.

My colleagues who have criticised the appointment have not looked at the law, the relevant provision of the EFCC which is section 2 which provides that the chairman must be at least an assistant commissioner of police or its equivalent in the security service, or in a law enforcement agency, Falana said.

When Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa was appointed, there were people saying no, this position is for police officer. No. If you have served in a law enforcement agency and you have acquired enough experience, you are qualified to head the EFCC.

In the case of Mr Olukoyede, he has been the chief of staff to the chairman of the EFCC, he has also been the secretary of that body and of course, a board member by virtue of his position as a secretary of the commission.





Now, people are saying no, he hasnt acquired cognate experience. The law does not say a cognate experience must be in that agency.

So, if you have a gentleman who is said to be a regulatory compliance consultant and who has also worked in the detection of crime or fraud, accomplished expert in those areas, you cannot say he hasnt acquired a cognate experience.

Cognate experience actually means your acquisition of the skills in the area we are talking about. It doesnt mean it shall be in the EFCC.

He reiterated that the only area the government has to go back to the drawing board is to ensure that the anti-graft agencies in the country are not headed by people from one region.




Publicity Secretary of the Benue State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Bemgba Iortyom has been reportedly arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS, in Makurdi.





We gathered that Iortyom was arrested on Monday when he went to keep an appointment with the state security agency.





Sources privy to the development revealed that the party spokesman must have been arrested on the strength of a petition written against him by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.





Confirming the arrest, the media consultant to the Benue PDP, Mr Cornelius Hwande, who accompanied Mr Iortyom to the DSS office, said, as soon as we arrived, at about 2:11 pm, two gentlemen walked up to us, claiming to be from the office of the Director and took Bemgba Iortyom away.





One thing is however certain; it is not common for the DSS to invite anyone without a reason, let alone, the Publicity Secretary of an opposition party, and someone in the quality of Bemgba Iortyom who fearlessly bares his mind as an opposition spokesperson and remains one of the most vocal voices against the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC in Benue State.





And with the recent remarks by the incumbent Governor Hyacinth Alia, it is difficult not to link him with this sudden invitation of Mr Iortyom by the DSS and his imminent detention, he stated.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State has given Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu a three-day ultimatum to either resume at the Governors Office in Akure, or resign.

The youth wing of the party issued the ultimatum on Monday at the partys secretariat in Akure, Ondo State capital, while protesting the continued absence of the governor.

Earlier, a team of security operatives comprising men of the Police, Department of State Services, DSS, and National Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, had cordoned off the PDP secretariat to prevent the protest from holding.

Akeredolu has not been seen in the state since his return from medical leave in Germany over four weeks ago.

According to one of the PDP youth leaders, Tayo Oluyi, the state can no longer bear what he described as leadership vacuum.

Oluyi said, We are saying Mr Governor must resume back to duty. He can no longer govern us by proxy, we can no longer be hearing that hes one thing or the other when weve not sighted him.

We know the governor we have, if hes truly fit, we would have sighted him in the streets of Akure.

The youth wing of the party is giving Mr Governor the next 24 hours to address the people of Ondo State and we are giving him three days ultimatum to resume back to the state.

We are giving him three days ultimatum to address us and if he fails, we as the opposition party will occupy the streets of Akure and we will continue to demand that he either resume or resign.
The crisis in the Nations red chamber worsened on Tuesday, with the Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume angrily staging a walkout.

To save the situation from escalating, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, suddenly called for an emergency closed session.

Ndume had raised a point of order, citing order 54 of the Senate Rule Book to draw the attention of the Senate President to his handling of affairs in the chambers which were against the rules.

He said: Mr. President there are some things we do in this chamber that are against the rules. Sir, nobody is too big to learn.

Akpabio had hardly allowed Ndume to end his speech, when he ruled him out of order.

Visibly enraged, Ndume then stormed out of the chamber and went straight to his office.

The Chief Whip shortly after, received a call from a colleague to return to the chamber for an executive session.

The executive session was ongoing as of the time of filing this report.
President Bola Tinubus ex-spokesman in the south east and former gubernatorial candidate in Enugu state, Dr. Josef Onoh has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of certificate forgery and impersonation, citing inconsistencies in Atikus primary, secondary and tertiary certificates.

Onoh particularly disclosed that the change of name Affidavit which Atiku brandishes was manufactured on a Saturday, contrary to working days which Nigerian courts use to issue such relevant documents.

He therefore branded Atiku as the Harry Houdini of impersonation, adding that the former Vice President is also a Cam Gerian parading a fake affidavit.

Onoh said that Cam Gerians was a name given to Nigerian migrants to south west Cameroon who constituted the largest number of migrants after the 1961 plebiscite, where they were denied Cameroonian nationality and citizenship in spite of their long stay in Cameroon and enormous contributions to the development towards their host communities and country, contrary to Atikus case in Nigeria where he was allowed to exercise his political liberties and eventually became the Vice president.

Revealing Atikus alleged Cameroonian origin, Onoh said that the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the PDP originally paraded as Atiku Kojoli on his primary school certificate and as Siddiq Abubakar in his 1965 West African School Certificate and General Certificate of Examination (WASSCE).

Onoh went further to disclose that Atikus change of name affidavit indicated a date of 18th August 1973 when legally regularized his name from Siddiq Abubakar to Atiku Abubakar, yet there is no clear explanation for the other name, Atiku Kojoli.

Marvelously, the said 18th day off August fell on a Saturday and not a working day; Atikus signature on the said affidavit didnt fade after 50yrs to blend with the faded ink characters of the affidavit. Meanwhile, only Nigerian citizens can change their names in their country. Foreigners in Nigeria must first gain Nigerian citizenship before being eligible for a name change, Onoh detected.

He challenged Atiku to furnish Nigerians a legal and compelling reason for opting for his assorted change of names and to produce the Deed poll executed to change his name in 1965.

I challenge Atiku to produce any valid document showing he was a Nigerian citizen as at 1965 and prior to the time he changed his name twice. I challenge Atiku to produce evidence that the affidavit he parades was allegedly signed, knowing that it is compulsory for the public to know that he now bears new names, Siddiq, and Atiku, which were supposed to have been published in any legacy newspaper in Nigeria of 1965 and 1973.

I challenge Atiku to produce, after publication, the copy of his new names, Siddiq in 1965 and Atiku in 1973, which was printed in Nigerias official gazette indicating he altered his names.

Therefore, Atiku is parading a fake unauthenticated document and I challenge him to show proof of the aforementioned documents required for a change of name he complied with in 1965 and 1973. He should also show Nigerians a signed court affidavit confirming his name change which should not be older than one year in 1965 and 1973 and also a newspaper clipping that reflected his announcement of his name change.

This should also be less than a year from the date of the advertisement in 1965 and 1973. Atiku must submit the declaration/advertisement he typed with two passport-sized pictures of his then most recent appearance in 1965 and 1973, a letter of attestation from a credible source, an official announcement of the adjustment, a copy of the Official Gazette, which includes his name.

It is therefore clear from the foregoing that the Chief magistrates court registry in Apapa Lagos was able to open for Atiku to execute his Affidavit on a Saturday because he, Atiku, is definitely the Harry Houdini of fraud and impersonation, Onoh alleged.




The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diris performance in the last three and half years as very impressive boasting that based on achievements, the party would win the November 11 governorship election.





The partys National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Dan Orbih,stated this when he led the zonal working committee on a solidarity visit to Governor, yesterday.





A statement by the governors spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Orbih as saying that the party was impressed that Diri had been inaugurating projects while campaigning for re-election.





According to him, the national and zonal leadership of the PDP were not only proud of his achievements but were also comfortable with him as the partys flag-bearer in the November 11 election.





He said: We, members of the PDP South-South Working Committee, came to show our solidarity with the performing governor of Bayelsa State.





We have watched with great admiration your campaigns. Some governors campaign for their second tenure telling the people what they want to do. But your campaign is laced with commissioning of projects and flagging off new ones. It is very uncommon and we want to congratulate you.





For us in the South-South, we are very proud of you and your achievements. You are indeed a miracle governor. God has again shown His hand that with His support, you can even go into the election without an opponent.





The PDP zonal leader stressed that with Diris performance in office and considering the fact that the South-South is the stronghold of the party, victory was assured for the governor.





Responding, Governor Diri said the PDP was sure of victory as there was no basis for comparison between his first term and that of one of his opponents, Chief Timipre Sylva, who had also governed the state for five years.





Diri also stated that his developmental imprints were visible in the community of the APC candidate where in sharp contrast, his opponent had nothing to campaign with even in his hometown.





He said even if the APC candidate was not contending with the constitutional issue of tenure, he was sure the election would still be won by the PDP.





Diri said: The commitment of our people and what they stand for as far as this election is concerned is very clear. So we are home and dry even if they go into the election with the law against them.





We went to his hometown and inaugurated a road. So I do not know when he gets to his village, what he will inaugurate there. The paradox is such that there is no way to compare his five years to our just about four years even when we lost one year to COVID-19 during the lockdown in 2020.





The governor thanked the zonal working committee for the visit, urging them to close ranks in order to have a formidable house going into the election.
One of the states best gelato shops is replacing a beloved New Jersey ice cream parlor.

Guerriero Gelato recently announced plans to take over the space that housed Bischoffs Ice Cream for almost 90 years in Teaneck.

The spot is located at 468 Cedar Ln.

Homemade Ice Cream is here to stay in Teaneck! Much love to @bischoffsconfectionery for giving us a window into this historic business and 90 years of memories. We hope to make you proud, the Instagram post read.

Guerriero Gelato is aiming to open by January 2024, according to owner Mike Guerriero, although an exact date has yet to be announced.

Teanecks soon-to-open gelateria offers a variety of gelato, ice cream and Italian ice. Some of its popular gelato flavors include cherry vanilla, cannoli cream, blueberry basil and chocolate raspberry.

Its menu also features ice cream sandwiches, cakes and sorbet.

Owner Mike Guerrieros gelato journey started at Gelotti in Paterson, where he began working as a teenager back in 2005.

Guerriero was given the opportunity to run Gelottis Caldwell store in 2014 and did so until rebranding the shop as Guerriero Gelato in 2019. He then went on to open locations in Montclair, Morristown and West Orange.

Guerriero recently purchased Marcs Cheesecakes in Glen Rock, as well. Marcs Cheesecakes is set to join Guerriero Gelato during the revamp of the old Bischoffs space.

When Bischoffs existed, Guerriero told NorthJersey.com, it had two sides; the ice cream on the left and the candy shop on the right. Were still going to keep that model, of having two independent concepts in the same building, with Guerriero on the left and Marcs Cheesecake on the right.

The gelateria claimed No. 3 spot on NJ.coms latest ranking of New Jerseys 15 best gelato shops in 2022.

Bischoffs Ice Cream, revered as one of the states favorite ice creameries for many decades, originally closed its doors at the end of 2022. The parlor then reopened for a short summer stint earlier this year before closing again in September.

Bischoffs had been a staple in Teaneck since its opening in 1934.

It also ranked No. 39 on NJ.coms list of New Jerseys 65 greatest ice cream shops in 2023.

Guerriero Gelato is opening in the space that housed Bischoff's Ice Cream in Teaneck for almost 90 years. (Photo Courtesy, Guerriero Gelato)

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The bees are coming back to their hive in Journal Square after a months-long labor dispute to get their jobs back.

A group of workers who alleged they were illegally fired from Jollibee, a popular Filipino fast-food chain, for organizing are being reinstated by the company, a decision described by the workers campaign as a huge victory.
Federal authorities have launched a civil rights investigation of the Trenton Police Department that will review serious and credible complaints that officers have conducted a pattern of excessive force or unlawful stops and searches.

Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division in Washington, made the announcement in a virtual press conference Tuesday with U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger.

Federal authorities consider this a pattern-or-practice investigation, and Clarke said it comes after officials reviewed a host of information - from media reports to court records to body-worn camera footage and statistical data about police interactions.

They found problematic examples of force used against people suspected of minor traffic offenses, onlookers who were recording or questioning police activity, and confrontations that were unnecessarily escalated, including when dealing with people in mental health crisis, Clarke and Sellinger said.

They also found evidence of police routinely stopping people on foot or in vehicles and conducting warrantless searches that violate the Constitution.

Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson and Mayor Reed Gusciora were informed of the investigation Tuesday morning and have pledged their cooperation, Sellinger said.

Clarke and Sellinger said no single incident or criminal case led to the investigation, nor does it target a specific police unit.

However, Sellinger said he attended a town hall meeting at a Trenton church in September and, one community member after another voiced concerns about how officers of the Trenton Police Department treat the people of Trenton, he said.

They had stories of stops and searches done, for no good reason and expressed a that lack of trust in police can create fear, he said.

One person wrote a note to authorities that said: We[re] scared of the law because they dont like us.

Trenton Councilwoman Jennifer Williams posted after the meeting  sponsored by the Trenton NAACP and Salvation Social Justice - that it lasted three hours and was moving and informative.

United States Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger at a February 2023 press event. Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Both Gusciora and the Trenton police PBA union, while pledging support after the announcement, also highlighted that Trenton police officers perform tremendous work combating violent crime while often stretched thin.

For example, they said officers have recovered 214 firearms in the past few months, and responded to 41 shooting incidents in the past 30 days - while homicide rates are down over the past two years.

The union said the department has not fully recovered from the layoffs of 105 officers in 2012.

However, the challenges persist, the local and state PBA union said in a joint statement.

We understand and respect the purpose of the Department of Justices investigation. However, we hope that this inquiry will also shed light on the pressing need for additional resources and support for our officers. It is essential that we work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our community and its dedicated public servants, the unions statement said.

The mayor issued a statement supporting the police departments efforts.

My administration knows all-too-well the difficulty and danger police officers face on a daily basis, Gusciora said. We thank and support the overwhelming majority of officers at the city, county, and state level who do the right things every day to keep Trentonians safe.

But we also recognize that the communitys trust in our police force is critical. If any members of law enforcement violate the public trust or act in contravention of our state and federal laws, they should and must be held accountable, the mayor said.

The mayor said he instructed all levels of city government to cooperate with federal authorities.

Clarke said the investigation is not tied to any alleged practice of racial discrimination.

Sellinger said investigators found, numerous reports that Trenton Police Department officers routinely conduct stops and searches without any justifiable reason. No warrant or probable causejust a stop and search. Oftentimes of minority residents.

Sellinger reiterated that no one incident or arrest triggered the investigation, saying it was the totality of a number of concerns.

Clarke said Trenton becomes the 11th city as the subject of a Civil Rights a pattern-or-practice investigation since 2021.

The division has had successes with them in Baltimore and Seattle, where the police department reduced the use of serious force by 60%.

The investigation, which Clarke said will take about a year, will be granular at times  including federal investigators observing police officers on their work shifts, and will include listening to residents concerns, as well as digging into past incidents.

We will follow the facts and the law wherever they lead, Clarke said.

Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division, speaks during a press conference in Massachusetts in April 2022 file photo.

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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
ISTANBUL, Turkiye, October 17. From now on news feed in Azerbaijani is placed on the giant media portal of Turkiye, and this is the first step in the practice of domestic media, executive director of the Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan Ahmad Ismayilov said, Trend reports.

He spoke at the presentation ceremony of the www.dhapress.com portal, which is a joint project of Trend News Agency and influential Turkish news agency Demiroren (DHA), at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul.

According to Ismayilov, this meeting, which is a striking illustration of the brotherhood between Turkiye and Azerbaijan, is strategically significant due to its high national and moral value, practical significance, and messages about the future. He also emphasized the indisputable contribution of reputable journalists and the media to moulding positive public opinion in the two nations, thwarting attempts to spread false information about Azerbaijan and Turkiye, and spreading the truth around the world.

"It is wonderful that the collaborative initiative of Trend News Agency and Demiroren News Agency (DHA), a famous media outlet in Turkiye, was unveiled for the first time in Shusha, the center of Turkic culture, Ismayilov said.

He noted that this project aroused the interest of Shusha Global Media Forum participants. Now the Azerbaijani news feed is placed on the giant media portal of Turkiye, and this is the first step in Azerbaijani media's practice.

"Naturally, the presented media platform contains not only news about the two countries, but also information from all spheres, from business news, culture and art to health, education and sports, which shows the importance of this platform for a wide audience," Ismayilov added.

Ismayilov pointed out that Trend News Agency, which has been operating since 1995, not only gives readers news from the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, but also creates analytical reports and articles on the major political, economic, energy, and financial issues that affect these regions. It has also grown to be the most cited news organization from Azerbaijan in the international community.

Trend News Agency, has successful partnerships with prestigious news agencies in many countries of the world, and this project, created jointly with brotherly Demiroren news agency, will also be successful.

As you know, thanks to the determination and selflessness of the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, the valor of the heroic Azerbaijani Army, our victory in the second Karabakh war, as well as in all spheres, made a fundamental turn in the work of the media community. The main theme of Azerbaijani journalism is to cover the life history of every person who showed selflessness in achieving victory both at the front and in the rear, his contribution to our Great Victory, he said.

Ismayilov also emphasized the Turkish media, who together with Azerbaijan passed the 44-day ordeal of the second Karabakh war! Representatives of media, reporters of Turkiye were preparing reports from the battlefields non-stop, bringing Azerbaijans right-wing voice to the whole world.

Today, there is a joint media platform of Azerbaijan and Turkiye. Our parliament approved the Memorandum of Understanding on strategic cooperation in the media sphere between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkiye on February 1, 2021, he noted.

Ismayilov noted that the goal of the joint media platform is to fortify bilateral ties and collaboration between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in the area of media and communications in order to establish a strategic media partnership. He claims that the Organization of Turkic States' most cordial members have already signed memorandums of agreement with the Media Development Agency, which was founded on President Ilham Aliyev's directive.

Within the framework of this cooperation it is envisaged to carry out activities in the direction of joint promotion and protection of national interests in the media space, expansion of experience exchange. In addition, during the period of its activity, the media agency has managed to implement various projects, within the framework of which it managed to build reliable cooperation relations with such authoritative international structures as "Anadolu Ajans", "Demiroren", "Al Jazeera Media Group", "Haber Global", Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

To tell the truth about our country to a global audience, we undoubtedly need the cooperation, unity of thought, and action of our journalist colleagues. If our media carry out their legitimate tasks, we think that our voice will be heard. We need to be more diligent and professional if we are to cover the reality of the entire Turkic, Azerbaijani, and Turkish worlds and give the rest of the world accurate information. We wish each of you success on your journey!" Ismayilov noted.

The presentation of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and influential Turkish news agency Demiroren (DHA), was held at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul.

The news stream in Azerbaijani is one of the portal's distinctive features. Azerbaijani news will be presented in Azerbaijani language for the first time in the Turkish media industry.

The www.dhapress.com project is implemented within the framework of the initiative to create a Joint Azerbaijani-Turkish Media Platform put forward by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
A man who had more than 1,000 child sexual abuse materials stored on his electronic devices has been sentenced to eight years in prison, Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Julia Alonso said.

Jose Gabe Veras, 35, of Keansburg, was sentenced last week in Monmouth County Superior Court. He was convicted by a jury on an endangering the welfare of a child charge in January of this year.

A tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children led investigators to search Veras home, where they found the materials on various electronic devices, officials said.

As part of his sentence, he will have to register as a sex offender and is subject to parole supervision for life upon his release.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
UPDATE: Jersey Shore town says beach erosion is too dire for N.J. to prolong $33M legal fight

The years long back-and-forth involving North Wildwood, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, millions of cubic yards of sand and an ever-eroding beach may one day come to a close.

But that day is not today.

On the heels of construction finishing on the Jersey Shore towns newly-built  and state-authorized  $400,000 emergency steel bulkhead, NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said the department is looking toward more permanent solutions in the never-ceasing exchange.

But the latest letter regarding how to move forward was not absent of state officials prodding the city for repeated emergency bulkhead authorization requests and for carrying out beach fixtures it says likely caused a recent dune breach.

Ultimately, the citys inaction contributed to the conditions warranting the emergent bulkhead installation at 15th Avenue that the department authorized in the Sept. 26 (emergency authorization), LaTourette wrote in the letter dated Oct. 12 and provided Monday. Had the city collaborated with DEP in review and potential redesign discussions on its long-pending CAFRA individual permit, city-led shore protection measures could have been approved and built in the year that has passed since the citys first EA denial in October 2022.

These measures, the commissioner added, would have protected the city against the erosion that ultimately resulted in the dune breach at 15th Avenue.

The CAFRA, or Coastal Area Facility Review Act, regulates development in coastal zones like North Wildwood. A copy of the citys permit was not immediately available.

Patrick Rosenello, the mayor of North Wildwood, said Monday afternoon that the citys CAFRA application for beach work between 13th and 16th Avenues  including a bulkhead  has been batted back several times since first submitted to the NJDEP in 2020.

They continue to send it back for technical changes, claiming that its incomplete, Rosenello, a Republican, said Monday. We have offered repeatedly to the state, you come down, you send your engineers, you design a project, you manage the project, and we will cost-share it with you. But they dont want to do that.

Jersey Shore towns, like other coastal communities nationwide, continue to see climate change making for stronger and more frequent storms. One aspect of that costly equation  for places like North Wildwood  has been beach erosion consistently eating away at the shoreline and putting properties and people at risk.

The latest chapter of the saga for the Cape May County city includes waiting for a federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project thats not expected to start construction until 2025 or later while current storms are chewing away at the coast.

Steve Rochette, a spokesman for the Army Corps Philadelphia District, said Monday the Five Mile Island Project  which would replenish North Wildwoods slice of beach  still needs additional real estate easements before construction can move forward.

That process could take 18 to 24 months to complete, he said.

A steel bulkhead was built around North Wildwood's beach patrol headquarters following the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia.Photo by John W. Harkins Sr.

Cars drive by the 3rd Avenue bulkhead in North Wildwood, Wednesday, Jan. 04, 2023. New Jersey DEP is suing the city of North Wildwood over plans to build a bulkhead, from 13th to16th Avenues, to reinforce the sand dunes. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A history of erosion and an ongoing lawsuit

North Wildwood, which hasnt seen a beach nourishment project in a decade, is still embroiled in a $21 million legal battle with the state after it took matters into its own hands by building a different section of steel bulkhead near 3rd Avenue.

A $12.8 million fine the state later levied against North Wildwood  for past unauthorized beach replenishment work and pier renovations  has since been folded into the counter lawsuit for what the city argues has been retaliation, the citys attorney said earlier this year.

Rosenello, whose city experienced major erosion impacts following the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia, claims emergency steel walls have been needed to keep the shore at bay as high tides and intense rainfall threaten residents, shore homes, government property and nearby power lines.

Tensions between the NJDEP and his city became heated when the mayor posted signs at beach access points asking beachgoers to voice their concerns with state officials.

And, he admitted earlier this month, emergency state approval for a bulkhead around the beach patrol headquarters was a welcome sign.

But the NJDEP highlighted that hard structures in other parts of the citys shore may have exacerbated erosion in some areas and recently-applied for bulkheads were shown to possibly pose harm to nearby wetlands and critical habitats.

In past years, North Wildwood has trucked in sand from sister city Wildwoods wide-spanning beaches (also paying for that work with taxpayer money). But this year, the mayor said, beaches were too narrow for the heavy off-road vehicles to get by.

LaTourette notes in his letter that the DEP has evaluated the citys contention and found that, with some minor modifications to past techniques, back passing could be accomplished.

And yet, Rosenello  while deferring specifics to the state  said Monday that he hasnt been presented with more details on back passing techniques that would be affordable to his city.

The mayor explained that Thursdays letter was in response to the city telling state department officials that it was impractical to follow instructions to replenish sand on parts of the beach prior to the federal Army Corps project, which runs from Hereford Inlet to Cape May.

Rosenello said the suggestion meant wasting taxpayer funds without any corresponding benefit.

But LaTourette countered, While DEP recognizes the citys position that tidal action may erode newly placed sand, the citys inaction is not acceptable insofar as the required sand mitigation will nonetheless afford interim shore protection benefits.

He also said the NJDEP shares in local frustrations about delays in the Five Mile Island Project coming to fruition.

However, what felt like relations improving between the state and the Jersey Shore town only appear to be once again growing contentious.

They are more concerned about following their rulebook, Rosenello said Monday regarding the commissioner and Gov. Phil Murphy, than dealing with the very real challenges that climate change is presenting at the Jersey Shore.

A spokesman in the Democratic governors office deferred comment Monday afternoon to the NJDEP.

Officials with the NJDEP could not immediately be reached for additional comment.

To read the NJDEPs Oct. 12 letter, click here.

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Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @stevenrodasnj.
Phil Stafford and his wife Renay know what its like to give  and to receive.

The husband-and-wife team from Wallington operate New Jersey Food & Clothing Rescue, a non-profit Phil started eight years ago that collects food donations from restaurants and supermarkets, including hard-to-find items like frozen meat and fresh produce.

Seven days a week, Phil drives a battered van to restaurants and supermarkets in and around Bergen County, where he picks up donations of fresh meat, produce and canned goods, and hauls them to a warehouse in Little Ferry. Renay takes care of the paperwork, keeping track of all the donations, writing thank you letters and applying for grants to keep the operation going.

Nobody gets paid, and every Saturday, with the help of volunteers, New Jersey Food & Clothing Rescue distributes that weeks haul of food to the needy people who show up in the parking lot of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C. Church in Wallington. One recent Saturday, 50 people stood in line in the pouring rain as volunteers set up crates of apples, potatoes, peppers, oranges and frozen meats.

It makes me feel good, and it makes other people feel good, and it helps people, said Phil, who quit his job as a house painter eight years ago to start New Jersey Food & Clothing Rescue. Weve built a network with donors and volunteers and the calls for pickups come in day and night. Were like the ambulance squad or the fire department. We have to respond in a moments notice.

Phil Stafford of Wallington, right, executive director of the NJ Food and Clothing Rescue, helps distribute fresh produce to a client during a Saturday food distribution. Mary Iuvone / For NJ Advance Media

This really helps a lot, " said Barbara Hogan, who came from Prospect Park in Passaic County to pick up turkey, salad, cheese, peppers and onions. Im trying to survive, just keep a roof over my head, she said, adding that she has one son who lives with her and is going to college.

Last week, they had prime rib hamburgers, said Linda Giaquinta, who is from East Rutherford. Where else are you going to get that.

What makes New Jersey Food & Clothing Rescue different from most pantries is that it goes out and collects donations from big chains, among them Wawa, Walmart, Pizza Hut and Lidl. All the items are scanned, logged in as in-kind donations, and then taken to a warehouse in Little Ferry owned by a local businessman who lets the non-profit use the space for free. To receive food, clients must first contact New Jersey Food & Rescue through its website.

Stafford said the owner, who is in the meal preparation business, recently lost a big contract and is now struggling. That prompted New Jersey Food & Clothing Rescue to begin looking for a new warehouse and is offering a $2,000 cash reward to anyone who offers a suitable replacement.

Stafford said the non-profit has refrigerators, freezers, shelves and hand trucks. All it needs is a suitable space, preferably one that is at least 4,000-square-feet with ground-level access so food donations can be rolled in and our easily. We also need a bathroom, Stafford said.

The states largest pantry, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, estimates that 725,000 face hunger every day. About 175,000 of them are children.

The Staffords know what its like to live on the edge. Back in 1999, the couple lost everything when Hurricane Floyd struck and flooded their ground-floor apartment in Wallington.

Phil says he lost about $250,000 worth of classic toys, movie posters and comic book art that he kept in the apartment, a collection that he was building as the couples retirement fund.

We went to sleep (on the night before the hurricane hit) and everything was OK, Renay recalled. We woke up and water was coming into our apartment and we couldnt stop it.

Phil recalls picking through the waterlogged collection and turning to his wife and saying, there goes my retirement. I guess Ill have to work for the rest of my life.

The saving grace was that my mother lived in the apartment upstairs, Renay said. So we moved upstairs with our two boys and stayed there for six months.

They cleaned up the mess, Phil went back to work painting houses, and life returned to a new normal, but Phil said he never covered emotionally from the loss, and by 2009, he was on the edge of despair.

I had to start over at 40 years old, which is not the easiest thing in the world, he said. One day, a friend came by and asked for a ride to the local food pantry because her car had broken down. When he got there, most of the shelves were bare.

I asked the guy who ran the pantry, wheres the food? he recalled. He decided to do something about it.

Phil volunteered and began collecting food on his own, building a network of donors. In 2015, he went all-in, quit his job and set up New Jersey Food & Clothing & Rescue. Now, he puts in about 70 hours each week collecting donations and delivering emergency care packages when those in need call. Renay holds down a full-time job as a home health aide coordinator and devotes the rest of her time to running the non-profit, screening clients, keeping records of food donations, and writing grant applications.

Im already on my third van, he said. The non-profit received $231,536 in donations in 2022, almost all of it food, according to its most recent 1099 filing with the IRS. He said cash donations fluctuate from year to year. This year, the non-profit anticipates receiving $10,000 in cash, and that money will go toward gas, insurance and maintenance of the van, he said.

Stafford said with a bigger space, we could help three times as many people as were helping now.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com.
A man is facing charges after the 70-year-old he assaulted died from his injuries, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Anthony Collins, 40, of Seaside Heights, surrendered himself to police on Sunday, 11 days after a warrant charging him with manslaughter and endangering an injured victim was issued for his arrest, officials said.

Collins is accused of assaulting Robert May and causing him to fall off his bicycle, authorities said.

Police responded to the intersection of Central and Sumner avenues in Seaside Heights about 4 p.m. on Sept. 18 for a report of a fall victim.

May was lying next to his bicycle and bleeding from a cut to his head, prosecutors said. He was treated on the scene, but refused additional medical attention and returned home, according to police.

Police determined that someone had assaulted May, causing him to fall off his bike and hit his head on the pavement.

About an hour later, May began acting erratically and was taken to Community Medical Center by ambulance. Mays condition continued to worsen and he was transferred to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he died Oct. 1, officials said.

An autopsy found the manner of death to be homicide, caused by blunt force trauma. Authorities issued the warrant for Collins and entered his name in the National Crime Information Center database after he was identified as the suspect.

Officials did not disclose additional details about the nature of the alleged assault or a motive. Attorney information for Collins was not immediately available.

He is being held in Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
A 27-year-old Delaware man accused of kidnapping after an 11-year-old girl who went missing last month in New Jersey had chatted with the girl through the online game Roblox before she disappeared, according to police.

The Passaic County girl, who disappeared twice this year after communicating with the same Roblox user, told police she willingly left New Jersey with the man on Sept. 10 due to her problematic home life, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The first time the girl disappeared was in June, but she returned safely to her mother a short time later, police said in court documents obtained by NJ Advance Media on Tuesday.

Darius Matylewich, of Bear, Delaware, is charged with first-degree kidnapping and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Online records do not list an attorney for Matylewich.

Police in Wayne received a report about 6:45 a.m. on Sept. 10 that the girl was missing from a hotel in the area of Route 46 and Old Turnpike Road in Wayne, where she lives with her mother.

A subsequent investigation revealed that (the girl) was active on the gaming social media platform, Roblox, and had recent conversations online with another username, police said in court documents. It was the same username linked to her disappearance in June, police said.

Wayne police linked the Roblox username to Matylewich, authorities said.

Authorities called Matylewich on his cellphone and he acknowledged communicating with the girl, police said. He also told police he traveled to New Jersey to pick her up from the hotel and drove her to Delaware, police said.

Both Matylewich and the girl were found together on Sept. 10, the affidavit states.

Police said when they found the girl she appeared in good health and was immediately taken into protective custody.

The girl told officers Matylewich was fully aware that she was 11 years old and (that) she was aware that he was 27 years old, police said.

Matylewich was extradited to New Jersey last week. He is being held in the Passaic County Jail.

A spokesperson for Roblox told NJ Advance Media on Monday that the gaming company had not been contacted by police investigating the alleged kidnapping.

Based on our internal investigation, the suspect and the victim did not meet on Roblox, the spokesperson said in a statement.

We have not been contacted by law enforcement but we take the safety of our users, particularly our youngest users, incredibly seriously, the statement said.

We have reached out to law enforcement and are offering our help, the statement said, noting that Roblox offers users and parents information about safety features on its website.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A man has been sentenced to seven years in state prison for the sexual assault of a teenager in his care, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said.

Wilfredo Guardia, 65, of Clifton, pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child in the case on June 7.

Prosecutors had accused him of engaging in sexual conduct with the 17-year-old on multiple occasions at a residence in Clifton.

He was sentenced by the Honorable Marilyn C. Clark in Passaic County Superior Court on Tuesday. As part of his sentencing, he is subject to parole supervision for life and is required to register as a sex offender.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
A 25-year-old New Jersey man who authorities say stabbed a woman to death early Saturday in Sussex County has been arrested and charged with murder and weapons offenses.

Karen Novato-Selimi, 59, was found stabbed in her home on Rachel Lane in Green Township shortly before 9 a.m., State Police said. Novato-Selimi died of her injuries at an area hospital the following day, according to Trooper Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman.

Louis Selina, also of Green Township, is being held at the Morris County jail ahead of a detention hearing after being taken into custody.

The relationship between the two wasnt immediately clear. Attorney information for Selina wasnt immediately available.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Authorities are attempting to locate an endangered person from New Jersey who drove to New Mexico two weeks ago.

Brandon Gomes, 24, is believed to have used a family members car to travel from his home in Summit to Sandoval County, New Mexico, according to a news release from the Summit Police Department. Police said he is at a risk of harming himself.

*** :   *** The Summit Police Department Detective Bureau is currently investigating a... Posted by Summit Police Department on Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Gomes is described as 5-feet, 8-inches and medium built, with long brown hair.

He was last seen by his family at his home in Summit on Oct. 1 and his cell phone last pinged near San Ysidro, New Mexico on Oct. 6, officials said.

The family vehicle he is believed to have left in is a gray 2006 Honda Civic.

The Summit Police Department is working with the Sandoval County Sheriffs Office in New Mexico to locate Gomes.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
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ISTANBUL, Turkiye, October 17. New formats of cooperation are crucial for solving the problems facing the media, Alexandru Giboi, Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), said at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul, Trend reports.

He spoke at the presentation ceremony of the www.dhapress.com portal, which is a joint project of Trend News Agency and the Turkish authoritative Demiroren News Agency (DHA).

"The world is changing so fast that not everyone always has answers to what is happening. Therefore, partnerships and cooperation are necessary to find solutions. Due to the current moment of uncertainty in the media industry, which is brought on by a number of causes, it is even more crucial. Working together, the media can find a solution to this issue," Giboi said.

The presentation of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and influential Turkish news agency Demiroren (DHA), was held at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul.

The news stream in Azerbaijani is one of the portal's distinctive features. Azerbaijani news will be presented in Azerbaijani language for the first time in the Turkish media industry.

The www.dhapress.com project is implemented within the framework of the initiative to create a Joint Azerbaijani-Turkish Media Platform put forward by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. High near 55F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low 46F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
ISTANBUL, Turkiye, October 17. The chairman of the Press Council of Azerbaijan, Rashad Majid believes that the new joint project of Trend News Agency and DHA will become an example for the entire Turkic world, Trend reports.

He made a comment during a speech at the presentation ceremony of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and the prestigious Turkish Demiroren News Agency (DHA) at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul.

"Congratulations to everyone on this project. I express my gratitude to the entire Turkish people and the state. We felt great support from Turkiye during the second Karabakh war. All this deserves a lot of respect. We see our flags flying together in the city of Shusha today, said Majid.

Trend News Agency is one of the most influential agencies in Azerbaijan. It retains its reliability for many years. I wish that a large website covering all Turkish countries will be opened on the basis of this in the future," Majid said.

The presentation of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and influential Turkish news agency Demiroren (DHA), was held at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul.

The news stream in Azerbaijani is one of the portal's distinctive features. Azerbaijani news will be presented in Azerbaijani language for the first time in the Turkish media industry.

The www.dhapress.com project is implemented within the framework of the initiative to create a Joint Azerbaijani-Turkish Media Platform put forward by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Relatives of Leroy Nelson, Bernell Juluke, and Kunta Gable smile outside Orleans Parish Criminal District Court after the three men, convicted of a 1994 murder in which they were identified by corrupt police officer Len Davis, were ordered freed from prison on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. The relatives said they were going straight from the courthouse to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola for the men's release. Nelson has since changed his name to Sidney Hill.
Janell Young, student body president at McDonogh 35 Senior High School, claps her hands as students gather in the schools auditorium to sign and recite a pledge vowing to work to end youth violence and crime in the city on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. (Photo by Brett Duke, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
ISTANBUL, Turkiye, October 17. Media in Azerbaijan has already attained a standard on par with that of Western media, Azerbaijan's Consul General in Istanbul Narmina Mustafayeva said at the presentation ceremony of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and the prestigious Turkish Demiroren (DHA) news agency at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul, Trend reports.

Mustafayeva stated that it is important to pay close attention to how the media influences society. The extent of the Azerbaijani media's recent development must be emphasized. There has been a great deal of struggle and effort put into this triumph.

"The creation of the www.dhapress.com website is also a successful result of great efforts, research, and many years of experience. Azerbaijan and Turkiye currently cooperate with one another in the media, as they do in all other areas. Additionally, effective collaboration led to the development of this website. We will see new media-related projects and collaborations, as we do in many fields, I'm confident," Mustafayeva added.

The presentation of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and influential Turkish news agency Demiroren (DHA), was held at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul.

The news stream in Azerbaijani is one of the portal's distinctive features. Azerbaijani news will be presented in Azerbaijani language for the first time in the Turkish media industry.

The www.dhapress.com project is implemented within the framework of the initiative to create a Joint Azerbaijani-Turkish Media Platform put forward by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
ISTANBUL, Turkiye, October 17. The synergy between Azerbaijani and Turkish media became visible during the second Karabakh war, Chairman of Azerbaijan's Audiovisual Council Ismat Sattarov said at the head office of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul, Trend reports.

He made the remark at the presentation ceremony of the www.dhapress.com portal, which is a joint project of Trend News Agency and Turkish Demiroren News Agency (DHA).

"We were in this hall three years ago, meeting with a number of representatives of Turkish media. Two months after that meeting, the second Karabakh war began. At that time, many connections were established, and it became visible during the second Karabakh war," Sattarov said.

"Our connections were expanding every day. This unity is growing not only in Azerbaijani and Turkish media but also across all Turkic states. I'm confident that by joining our efforts, we will become more promising global media outlets in the world," he added.

The presentation of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and influential Turkish news agency Demiroren (DHA), was held at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul.

The news stream in Azerbaijani is one of the portal's distinctive features. Azerbaijani news will be presented in Azerbaijani language for the first time in the Turkish media industry.

The www.dhapress.com project is implemented within the framework of the initiative to create a Joint Azerbaijani-Turkish Media Platform put forward by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Local artist Merlyn Chesterman RE will be exhibiting six unique and original Walk of Life slab prints for the very first time at the Affordable Art Fair at Battersea Park, from Thursday (October 19) until Sunday, as part of the New Atlantic Wave from the Art Upstairs gallery in Bideford.

They represent her next major works after the sell out of A Sapphire Sea at the Royal Academy of Arts earlier in 2023.

The Walk of Life prints capture the climbing of Dyers Lookout, a rock face near Hartland on the North Devon coast by UK traditional climber and local artist Tom Randall, who has established many first ascents all over the world and the American climber Anna Hazelnutt.

Merlyn said: My son messaged me one day and said Mother, I have invited these climbers to stay with you I was so lucky to get to know them and their community of adventurous and brave colleagues, and about the climbs on my doorstep - one of which is the Dyers Lookout. I saw Anna make the first female ascent and then watched Tom succeed on a later occasion, by which time I was beginning to understand how technical it is, with tiny footholds, and few cracks suitable to hold the safety gear - psychologically difficult, and slow progress.

I wanted to capture that ascent and all its intricacies - these collaged woodcuts came out of sitting on the cliffs overlooking the climb, with the sea below, stomach knotted, following every minute of the 60 metre pitch. I hope the scale of the climb is evident in this series of six original and unique prints.

Tom Randall, also an artist local to North Devon worked alongside Merlyn in her studio on his rest days. He came and looked at the series and painstakingly placed the pegs on the slabs one by one. The climber is camouflaged against the rock and two ropes are held in place below.

The six slab prints form part of the New Atlantic Waves first presence at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea and reflect Merlyns an ongoing relationship between the Art Upstairs gallery, Bideford, Devon, and ArtMakers. Merlyn has run masterclasses for ArtMakers and exhibited in all their New Atlantic Wave exhibitions in North Devon.
ISTANBUL, Turkiye, October 17. We celebrate one of the most important steps taken by Azerbaijan in the field of media, Sevil Mikayilova, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, said at the presentation ceremony of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and Turkish Demiroren News Agency (DHA), Trend reports.

"We are very proud that we adopted a document ("on strategic cooperation in the field of media between Azerbaijan and Turkiye"), which was submitted to the Parliament by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in 2021. Very little time has passed. We can already see representatives of Turkish and Azerbaijani media coming forward with real projects on realization of this law and joint media platform," Mikayilova said.

Trend News Agency, first of all, stepped up with a new technological project, she said.

"Some believed that only specific countries could make progress in this area, and yet Azerbaijan is showcasing what it can do today," Mikayilova said.

"This accomplishment will serve to highlight the achievements of both countries in the sectors of science and information technology. This entails a lot of accountability. To advance this initiative, both parties will provide their resources and expertise. Our cooperation in this area needs to be increased. We anticipate overcoming all risks and dangers in the news community as well," Mikayilova added.

The presentation of the www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and influential Turkish news agency Demiroren (DHA), was held at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul. The joint project is implemented within the framework of the initiative to create a joint Azerbaijani-Turkish media platform put forward by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The news stream in Azerbaijani is one of the portal's distinctive features. Azerbaijani news will be presented in Azerbaijani language for the first time in the Turkish media industry.

The www.dhapress.com project is implemented within the framework of the initiative to create a Joint Azerbaijani-Turkish Media Platform put forward by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
You are clearly a super-user of NUVO.net. Thats a good thing. It means you depend on independent and local news sources to keep you informed. You are a smart person.



Coincidentally, independent and local news sources depend on you too. Youve read 25 articles this month and now, wed like you to be join our mission and become a NUVO Supporter. For as little as $4 a month, you can keep us alive and fighting -- and can have unlimited access to the independent news that cant be found anywhere else.
Mayor Pete Land has said some of the increase comes from the inclusion of an $800,000 SAFER grant. Awarded to the city last October, the FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant will cover the salaries and benefits of seven additional firefighters for three years. The city's financial consultant, Financial Solutions Group, prepared a sustainability report that confirmed the city will be able to maintain the new positions when the grant money runs out.

The budget includes the return of a part-time police department position and a police officer position. The city's American Rescue Plan Act and opioid settlement funding was also included in the budget. The city still has $4,916,366 in ARPA funding.
GARY  A Minnesota man was fatally shot on Gary's east side Sunday evening, according to police.

Gary police responded to reports of a gunshot victim in the the 2000 block of Vermont Street at about 9:46 p.m., Sunday. Witnesses told police that the victim and another man began to argue inside a home. The men began shooting at each other inside the home and then moved outside and continued to shoot at each other. According to police, the 33-year-old victim was shot and killed and the suspect fled the scene in an unknown vehicle.

The Lake County Prosecutor's Homicide Team is asking anyone with information about the homicide to call 219-755-3855.

The Sunday night homicide was Gary's second shooting in less than 24 hours. At about 2:25 a.m., police responded to reports of two gunshot victims in the hospital. According to police, a 25-year-old Hobart woman and a 29-year-old Griffith man were shot at outside a Gary nightclub.

At about 11:56 p.m. on Sunday, a 24-year-old Hobart man was killed after a fight in Gary's Black Oak neighborhood.

PHOTOS: Gary names new police chief Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD
GARY  Two people were struck by gunfire outside a Gary nightclub early Sunday morning, according to police.

A 25-year-old Hobart woman and a 29-year-old Griffith man were taken to Southlake Methodist Hospital after being shot at, according the a Gary PD news release. Police received reports of two gunshot victims at the hospital around 2:25 a.m. Sunday.

The two victims were leaving a nightclub in the 4700 block of Broadway in Gary when someone began shooting at them in the parking lot. The victims were struck by the gunfire before they took refuge in their car. After the shooting stopped, a companion drove them to the hospital, according to Gary Police.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call the Gary Police Department Violent Crimes Unit at 219-881-1210.

PHOTOS: Gary names new police chief Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD Indiana State Police press conference regarding their partnership with Gary PD
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. A regular court session on the criminal case of Vagif Khachatryan, accused of committing genocide in the village of Meshali in Azerbaijans Khojaly district, committed by members of Armenian illegal armed groups, will be held today, Trend reports.

Zeynal Agayev, the chairman of the Baku Military Court, will preside over today's court session.

The rapporteur on the criminal case is Judge Jamal Ramazanov.

The criminal case will be considered in the administrative building of Yasamal District Court.

It is expected that the court investigation will be declared open and the prosecutor will announce the indictment.

Armenian citizen Vagif Khachatryan, who is on the international wanted list in connection with the Meshali genocide, was detained at the Lachin border checkpoint in July this year.

In December 1991, the criminal group, of which he was a member, killed 25 Azerbaijanis, wounded 14 people, and expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their legal place of residence in Meshali village in Khojaly district.

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Vagif Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of the population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen against him.
CROWN POINT  The various ordinances that together comprise Lake County's 2024 budget hadn't even been signed following their approval by county council members Tuesday when requests to alter the annual spending plan began rolling in.

The budget itself is balanced, provides a 4% pay raise to most county employees, and does not increase the tax rates of Lake County property owners or wage earners.

"I think over the last few years we've been very fiscally responsible. I think we're underestimating on revenue, and I think we're financially more sound and cash flush than this county has ever been, and ever will be," said Councilman Ted Bilski, D-Hobart.

That message appeared to resonate with about a dozen county police officers attending the council session at the Lake County Government Center while holding identical, professionally printed signs reading, "Pay the County Police."

Negotiations on a new contract are ongoing between sheriff's department officers and county officials, and the county budget likely will need to be adjusted in January depending on the pay and benefits agreement eventually reached between the two parties.

At the same time, there's somewhat less wiggle room in the budget compared to prior years due to $6 million in higher county employee health care costs and the $4 million needed to cover employee pay raises next year.

Though the 4% pay raise also means most employees won't notice any change in their biweekly paycheck, even though a calendar quirk that occurs every decade or so means their annual salaries will be distributed over 27 pay periods next year instead of 26.

In response, Bilski proposed county employees receive their full salaries over 26 pay periods, an extra check for the 27th, plus the 4% pay raise.

The council rejected that plan by a 5-1 margin with most members citing its estimated $4 million price tag.

"I agree with you, Councilman Bilski, that we're in a good financial position," said Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake. "(But) I don't want to see measures of austerity in the future because we made bad decisions today."

"If the state, let's say, comes back next year with a 3% levy increase  which is definitely possible  we're going to be getting to where we're right in the red ink within a few years."

Niemeyer is open, however, to a request made Tuesday by Coroner David Pastrick to bring the salaries of his deputy coroners more in line with the wages paid to deputies in similar-sized Indiana counties.

The councilman said he hopes the deputy coroner salary increases, on top of the 4% pay hike for all county employees, can be covered using funds already allocated to the coroner's office, or through a small, additional appropriation approved by the council next year.

"It's just the matter of how we get there," Niemeyer said. "It's a good topic for debate and discussion, and working with (CFO) Scott (Schmal) to make sure that we get there with a balanced approach that we can sustain."

The county budget still must be approved by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance prior to taking effect.

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
VALPARAISO  The city of Valparaiso has named Bob Thompson Deputy Engineer.

Thompson most recently served as the director of development and stormwater management for Porter County. According to a city news release, Thompson has more than 33 years of experience with the county and was responsible for creating Porter County's unified development ordinance and the award-winning land use and thoroughfare plan.

Thompson received a master's in city and regional planning from the Illinois Institute of Technology School of Architecture, a bachelor's degree in construction technology from Purdue University and an associate degree in civil engineering technology from Purdue University Northwest.

"Were so pleased to have someone with Bobs extensive experience and expertise on our engineering team. His diverse background will be an excellent complement to our planning, engineering and redevelopment endeavors, including helping to update the Citys ADA transition plan, pathways master plan and engineering standards, Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy said in the city news release.

Max Rehlander took over as director of the city's Engineering Department in July after former Engineering Director Michael Jabo retired. Rehlander joined the city of Valparaiso in 2021 as deputy city engineer. He was formerly with Abonmarche Consulting and American Structurepoint Inc. where he worked on projects ranging from storm sewer design to roads, trails and utilities. He received a degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Indiana.

Photos: Valparaiso High School graduation 2023
Two of the Hoosier State's leading universities have been selected to monitor and evaluate the impact of an unprecedented $500 million investment focused on improving quality-of-place metrics in communities across Indiana.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) announced Monday it has contracted with the Purdue University Center for Regional Development and the Indiana University Public Policy Institute for a multiyear project examining the economic and community output of the state's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grants.

The IEDC awarded READI grants ranging from $5 million to $50 million to 17 Indiana regions in December 2021 using federal funds allocated to Indiana amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

That money, along with additional public, private and nonprofit dollars totaling $12.2 billion, is earmarked for 361 unique, shovel-ready projects and programs across the state that seek to accelerate community, workforce and economic growth.

"When we announced the READI grant program, we knew it had the potential to have a generational impact across every region and further accelerate population and economic growth throughout Indiana," said David Rosenberg, Indiana secretary of commerce.

"This partnership with Purdue and IU will put additional data behind these investments in quality of place, quality of life and quality of opportunity, highlighting the significance of each project and program and the states unprecedented investment as a whole."

Specifically, the $1.69 million university studies will assess READI from its inception through Dec. 31, 2026, on key performance indicators, such as population growth, per capita income and economic impact analyses.

"Our work, in partnership with the Purdue Center for Regional Development, will give state leaders and local communities detailed insights for the next several years on how these investments have worked to improve the quality of life and economic future for Hoosiers everywhere," said Tom Guevara, director of the IU Public Policy Institute.

The Northwest Indiana region, which includes in this case Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski and Starke counties, received the highest possible award of $50 million to implement the "Ignite the Region" development plan for building economic growth and prosperity in the Region.

That plan includes technology initiatives aimed at turning the area between Chicago and South Bend into a quantum computing hub for the nation, three new business and industrial parks, a medical research park, training a new generation of workers for high technology jobs in those developments, upskilling current workers changing to technology careers, and supporting young, minority and rural entrepreneurs to innovate and lead in tech and other industries.

In addition, READI is providing money to finish the Marquette Greenway trail spanning the length of Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline, developing transit-oriented neighborhoods adjacent to the South Shore Line expansion projects, and promoting local farm and food distribution initiatives.

A second, $500 million round of READI grants using state tax dollars authorized by the 2023 General Assembly is scheduled to be awarded in April 2024 by the IEDC.

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
The emergency shelter system in Massachusetts has been stretched to its breaking point, Gov. Maura Healey said on Monday, and the state will no longer guarantee shelter placements for new arrivals beginning next month, despite a law that says eligible families must be offered temporary housing.

The announcement comes after months of escalating pressure on state leaders as an unprecedented influx of migrants, mostly from Haiti, has collided with a long-running housing crisis. Statewide, nearly 7,000 families  twice as many as there were a year ago  are staying in emergency housing, a mix of traditional shelters, hotel rooms and co-opted college dorms. About half the families are new arrivals from other countries.

The number of families in shelters is expected to swell to 7,500 by the end of October, and cannot safely expand beyond that, Ms. Healey, a Democrat, said in a statement stacked with references to what she and other elected officials around the country have described as a lackluster federal response to migration. Starting in November, she said, no new shelter beds will be added in Massachusetts, and priority will be given to incoming families with health or safety risks. Others will be placed on waiting lists.

This level of demand is not sustainable, she said in a news conference at the Statehouse, in Boston.
The number of murders in the United States dropped just over 6 percent in 2022 compared with 2021, the F.B.I. said on Monday. Experts say preliminary data for 2023 indicates that the decline has accelerated this year.

The decline in homicides is an encouraging sign after the increase in killings nationwide in 2020, but the number of murders is still higher than it was in the years before the coronavirus pandemic. There were 25 percent more homicides in 2022 than in 2019.

And the F.B.I.s annual crime report, released on Monday, underscores how pervasive gun violence has become and how it is costing more young lives.

Overall, violent crime was down slightly in 2022 over 2021, the report said. But firearms were used in almost half a million violent crimes across the country, about the same number as in 2021, the report said. The profile of the victims has shifted significantly. In 2020, gun violence became the leading cause of death for American children, and in 2022 things became even worse: The number of children killed in shootings increased by almost 12 percent, and those wounded increased by almost 11 percent.
Four men, including one accused of killing a woman who was found strangled, escaped from a jail in central Georgia early on Monday, prompting law enforcement officials to warn the public and begin a search that involved several agencies.

The inmates were considered dangerous, officials said.

Sheriff David Davis of Bibb County said at a news conference on Monday that the authorities believed the four men escaped from the Bibb County Detention Center in Macon, Ga., by climbing out of a second-floor window in a day room and then slipping through a break in a fence. Macon is about 80 miles southeast of Atlanta.

The four inmates were identified as Joey Fournier, Marc Kerry Anderson, Johnifer Dernard Barnwell and Chavis Demaryo Stokes.

Video footage shows a blue Dodge Challenger arriving outside the jail around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, Sheriff Davis said, adding that in the video someone appears to be tampering with the fence. That person can be seen leaving items inside the fence; the authorities believe the items were used by the inmates in their escape, he said.
Officials with President Bidens re-election campaign have long pledged to meet voters where they are. On Monday the campaign began a project to meet former President Donald J. Trumps voters where they are  on his social media platform.

Lets see how this goes, the campaigns account wrote on Monday in its first post on Truth Social. Converts welcome!

The Biden campaign painted its debut on Mr. Trumps outlet as a cheeky opportunity to troll the presidents likely general election opponent. Mr. Trump launched Truth Social in April 2022 in response to being blocked from mainstream social media platforms a day after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Their actions came after he published inaccurate and inflammatory messages during that day of violence.

Theres very little truth happening on Truth Social, but at least now itll be a little fun, Kevin Munoz, a Biden campaign spokesman, said.
Former President Donald J. Trump, in remarks that invoked the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel to stoke fears of terrorism at home, said on Monday that he would expand a freeze on refugees that he enacted during his presidency to cover people from the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

In an extension of the anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiments he channeled during his 2016 presidential run and made a cornerstone of his administration, Mr. Trump offered a litany of proposals that in many ways adapted his previous policies to reflect current events. He promised again to bar people from certain parts of the world, particularly where Islam is most commonly practiced, while curbing immigration and the overall number of refugees the United States would take in.

We arent bringing in anyone from Gaza, Mr. Trump said at a rally in Clive, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines.

Referring to recent demonstrations protesting Israels retaliatory bombardment of Gaza and supporting civilians in the region caught up in conflict, Mr. Trump promised to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to what he called pro-jihadist rallies. He also proposed that immigrants be denied entry to the United States if they adhered to a laundry list of ideologies.
When President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia meets with Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping, during a visit to Beijing this week, both men will likely seek to demonstrate the strength of their no limits partnership in challenging the Western-dominated global order.

The visit comes at a time of turmoil in the Middle East after Hamass attack on Israel this month, which has led to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and expectations of a ground invasion. Both Russia and China have refrained from following the lead of Western countries by condemning Hamas directly.

Instead, the two countries have called for an end to the violence and a revival of talks about a Palestinian state. Chinas foreign minister this weekend accused Israel of going too far in its reprisals in Gaza, echoing an earlier denunciation by Egypt. And Mr. Putin urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, during a phone call on Monday, to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

The Chinese and Russian alignment over the Israel-Hamas conflict reflects their geopolitical ambitions. Both countries have tried to cast themselves as leaders of the developing world, partly to bolster their standing with the oil-rich Arab world. They have also reinforced their own relationship over a common interest in eroding American global power.
Irans foreign minister warned on Monday that a regional network of militias known in parts of the Middle East as the axis of resistance would open multiple fronts against Israel if its attacks continued to kill civilians in Gaza.

Time is running out very fast, the official, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, said during a live televised interview with Iranian state television on Monday night. If the war crimes against the Palestinians are not immediately stopped, other multiple fronts will open and this is inevitable.

Mr. Amir Abdollahian spoke after returning to Tehran from a tour of capitals aligned or close to Iran. He met the top political official of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in Doha, Qatar; the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut; and President Bashar al-Assad of Syria in Damascus.

In the interview, he said that in those meetings, the leaders of what is regionally called the resistance told him that their hands are on the trigger and said that pre-emptive action was possible in the coming few hours because those leaders would naturally not allow the Zionist regime to do whatever it wants in Gaza and then turn its attention to them.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The number of people of Azerbaijani origin killed in Israel as a result of Hamas attacks has been announced, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aykhan Hajizada told Trend.

He emphasized that the number of dead people of Azerbaijani origin reached eight.

A combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7, 2023. 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 1,400 and injured nearly 3,300 Israelis. More than 1,300 buildings were destroyed in the area.
Thousands of Palestinian supporters say their posts have been suppressed or removed from Facebook and Instagram, even if the messages do not break the platforms rules.

Meta, which owns the two social networks, said that some of those posts were hidden from view because of an accidental bug in the companys systems. In particular, messages of support for Palestinian civilians, many of whom have been displaced, injured or killed by Israeli airstrikes, were being hidden from the platforms, users said. Some people have also reported that Facebook suppressed accounts that called for peaceful protests in cities around the United States, including planned sit-ins in the San Francisco Bay Area over the weekend.

Aya Omar, an artificial intelligence engineer, told The New York Times that she was unable to see Palestinian media accounts she regularly reads because Meta and Instagram were blocking those accounts. She said that people were seeing a sanitized version of the events occurring in Gaza.

Instagram and Facebook are actively blocking posts about the factual history of Israel/Palestine, sometimes cloaking it as technical difficulty, the Hampton Institute, a think tank, said Sunday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Mr. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger. Instead, he told investigators, he pulled back the hammer on the gun  and when he let go, the gun went off.

But the forensic gun expert the prosecutors hired to conduct a more detailed analysis found that the actor would have had to put pressure on the trigger for the gun to have gone off, providing the basis for Tuesdays announcement.

The report by the forensic analyst, Lucien C. Haag, did not directly address whether the gun, a Pietta replica of a 1873 revolver, had been modified. But it said that it required about two pounds of pressure on the trigger to discharge  a small amount when compared to typical modern weapons but not unusual for a single-action revolver of that kind, experts said.

Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver, Mr. Haag wrote in the report, which was released through a public records request. He also included photos of Mr. Baldwin handling a revolver on set earlier in filming, highlighting the actors finger on or near the trigger as he was cocking the gun.

Before Mr. Haag tested the gun, it had been examined by the F.B.I., which broke parts of it during testing, a complication that is certain to be raised by Mr. Baldwins defense. In order to test the gun, Mr. Haag replaced the damaged parts with new ones from the same type of gun.

In making their case before the grand jury, the prosecutors will have to contend with the fact that there was not supposed to be any live ammunition on the film set, and that both the films armorer and first assistant director had checked the gun before handing it to Mr. Baldwin. Ms. Morrissey said that her team believes a grand jury should make the decision about the level of culpability of the person holding the gun in their hand.
Stop, said Christian Spuck. The music died, and the dancers of the Staatsballett Berlin paused mid-swirl, still holding one another around the waist. Ladies, gentlemen, very nice, Spuck said in modulated tones. Lets try it another way.

Spuck, 54, is the brand-new artistic director of the Staatsballett, Germanys largest  and currently most beleaguered  ballet company, and the dancers were rehearsing a scene from his full-length ballet Bovary, based on the Flaubert novel. On Friday, the works premiere will mark the opening of Spucks first season.

Its a pressurized, full-steam-ahead debut. But Spuck, a former director of the Zurich Ballet, retained his trademark calm and courtesy in the rehearsal two weeks ago, as he kept an eagle eye on the dancers and gave directions to rehearsal assistants, stage technicians and musicians.

He will need that preternatural calm in Berlin. The Staatsballett has struggled to find its footing since it was founded in 2004 as a money-saving amalgamation of the reunited Berlins three ballet troupes. Until 2014, the Staatsballett kept a conservative classical approach under the direction of the Russian star, Vladimir Malakhov. Then came the Spanish contemporary choreographer Nacho Duato, whose four-year tenure brought critical disapproval and dancer strikes over pay.
Is Paris ready for a dose of Miamis vibe?

Ready or not, Design Miami kicks off its first-ever Paris edition with a public opening on Wednesday in a venue quite unlike the sun-kissed shores of South Beach, its home turf: a stately 18th-century hotel particulier, or grand townhouse, with ornate walls with gold moldings, nestled in the Seventh Arrondissement, neighboring government ministries and ambassadors residences.

We bring a different energy and a lot of freedom in the American sense, Jennifer Roberts, chief executive of Design Miami, said in an interview in Miamis Design District in September.

The Miami in Design Miami suggests something over the top, or a license to transgress, Ms. Roberts said. Every fair takes on the character of its location, but we plan to push the boundaries in Paris a little.

The fairs first edition was originally scheduled to open last year, coinciding with the arrival of Paris+ by Art Basel, its sister fair devoted to contemporary art that replaced the longstanding Foire Internationale dArt Contemporain, which is known as FIAC.
The popular Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, whose Infinity Mirror Rooms have brought lines around the block for one blockbuster exhibition after another, has apologized for racist comments in her 2002 autobiography that drew renewed attention as her new show opened at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

I deeply regret using hurtful and offensive language in my book, Kusama, who is 94, said in a statement to The San Francisco Chronicle last week. My message has always been one of love, hope, compassion and respect for all people. My lifelong intention has been to lift up humanity through my art. I apologize for the pain I have caused.

Kusamas apology, which came the day before her show, Yayoi Kusama: Infinite Love, opened at the museum, referred to passages from her 2002 autobiography, Infinity Net, in which she described Black people as primitive, hyper-sexualized beings.

The website Hyperallergic most recently surfaced those comments in June. Last week a Chronicle critic denounced the museums decision to proceed with the show.
Roberto Gil de Montes is not sure how, in his early 70s, he became the art worlds next big thing. He has made the same work for half a century, he insists, painting seven days a week, producing surreal, stylized portraits of ordinary people that he encounters in his daily life.

But an email arrived, not quite three years ago, at his home in the small fishing town of La Penita de Jaltemba on Mexicos Pacific coast, where he has lived for more than two decades. It was from a friend who had a friend who worked at a gallery in Mexico City called Kurimanzutto. Would Mr. Gil de Montes be interested in a chat about showing some work there? The artist had never heard of Kurimanzutto.

He did a quick call with one of its sales directors, Malik Al-Mahrouky, and then an interview with a co-founder, Jose Kuri. An invitation to hang some paintings at the gallery followed.

It would be a small showing, just a handful of works in a walled-off section of the space, and the audience would be limited because of pandemic-related restrictions. There was not going to be an opening, Mr. Gil de Montes said, explaining why he kept his expectations low. The gallery would be by appointment only.
The protagonists explore such topics as the exploitation of resources and environmental destruction, and how art can address such questions. The videos are also a tribute to Mr. Pasolini and his detailed descriptions of how Italy was transformed by economic, industrial and capitalist imperatives, Ms. Reynaud-Dewar explained.

Improvisation was part of the creative process. When Covid restrictions ruined plans to shoot in Rome, she brought her students to Grenoble and explored local developments that shared parallels to some of the issues raised in Petrolio. Footage was also shot in Bergen and in Houston, where the artist chose to have her residency as part of the Marcel Duchamp Prize. She described the process as collective writing and sometimes not knowing where we are going.

Its a kind of video book, she concluded, which also allows for debates about the meaning of art.

The exhibit will further include eight videos of Ms. Reynaud-Dewar dancing nude throughout the Palais de Tokyo (a signature of her museum shows for over a decade). More of a novelty for followers of the artists work will be the reprinting of excerpts from her personal journal. Passages written over the course of two years as she prepared the exhibit will be presented in an oversize format that she compared to billboards, and yet the print will not always be large enough to read.

The pages tell the story of the life of an artist  going out with my friends, the moments in which I am depressed, the books I read, Ms. Reynaud-Dewar said. Sometimes it is very uninteresting. What interests me is the relationship to artistic production.
From the local parks, with their carefully plotted plantings and neatly clipped trees, to the turrets and spires and bridges along the Seine, Paris certainly can be inspiring.

Its therefore no surprise that the French capital has proved to be a fertile source of inspiration for artists, from Renoir and van Gogh to Picasso, Man Ray and Modigliani.

When they werent wandering the city or holed up in their studios, these artists  as well as countless writers, designers and other creative types  took to Pariss cafes, bars and brasseries to think, drink and draw.
Paris itself is a work of art, and the number of museums and galleries it contains is legendary. Paris+ by Art Basel helps bring the usual busy hum of exhibitions and events to a fever pitch. For fairgoers or anyone else, these five new fall exhibitions outside the fair itself are worth a stop.

Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit

Mr. Kelley (1954-2012) has been gone more than a decade, but he retains a powerful hold among viewers, especially his fellow artists. The Michigan native became a key part of the Los Angeles art scene in the late 1970s and made his name with deeply personal works that dealt with memory, trauma and childhood.

Before everyone was a multimedia artist, he made elaborate works in many forms. In the 1980s, his creepy-funny, stuffed-animal-studded works helped make his name, including More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid (1987), featured in this show at the Bourse de Commerce, home of the Pinault Collection.

Featuring 110 works, the show was organized by the Tate Modern in London with the Pinault Collection; the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Dusseldorf, Germany; and the Moderna Museet in Stockholm. Among the most prominent, and perhaps the most accessible, of the works is Kandors Full Set (2005-09), a set of gleaming sculptures that will occupy the Bourses rotunda.
The buildings curved form takes its cues from the Grand Palaiss barreled ceilings and crossed nave (not to mention the curved roofline of the Ecole Militaire, and the latticed supporting arches of the Eiffel Tower), while being a resolutely modern reinterpretation  stripped down to pure structure and cladding.

Fitting gently into the Champs de Mars, a revered location for France, its crossed naves measure about 490- and 460-feet long. The vaulted roof reaches 65 feet, preserving views of the taller Ecole Militaire. The building even incorporates the sites famed statue of Marshal Joseph Joffre, a commander in chief of the French Army during World War I, who stands just inside the glass fronted south facade.

The buildings silhouette may be simple, but its architect, Jean-Michel Wilmotte, and his team at Wilmotte & Associates had to tackle endless challenges, not the least of which was an intimidatingly tight design and construction timeline of nine months. The Palaiss wood frame segments were prefabricated in a factory, allowing its skeleton to be assembled on site in just three months.

To navigate a high water table under the edifice without disturbing the site, workers had to drive thin piles for extra support. And to keep the structure from feeling like a drafty, echo-filled circus tent, they layered several materials into the inner skin, including mineral fiber insulation, plasterboard, and fabric. A system of warm and cool air vents is controlled by a remote technical room next to the building. And sustainability is enhanced via (among other solutions) sustainably harvested wood, embedded solar panels, and mineral-based plastics.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. It is not known whether there are Azerbaijanis among the hostages captured by Hamas, Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizada told Trend.

"Those who want to leave the country can use regular flights," Hajizada said.

A combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7, 2023. 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 1,400 and injured nearly 3,300 Israelis.

Among the killed are eight persons of Azerbaijani origin.
The Russian artist Pyotr Pavlensky was convicted on privacy invasion and consent laws in France after publishing intimate texts and videos of a politician for an art performance that he titled Pornopolitics.

A French court issued the decision last week, ending a three-year legal battle that halted the political ambitions of Benjamin Griveaux, an ally of President Emmanuel Macron and a Paris mayoral candidate in 2020. Mr. Griveaux ended his race shortly after Mr. Pavlensky published the explicit images.

The court said Mr. Pavlensky violated the private life of a politician by publishing images of the strictest privacy that were obtained clandestinely, adding that Mr. Pavlensky did so under the guise of an artistic project.

Mr. Pavlensky received a six-month prison sentence and will most likely serve that time under house arrest. Alexandra de Taddeo, a former lover of Mr. Griveauxs who received the sexual messages from the politician and is now dating Mr. Pavlensky, was also convicted of privacy violations and received a suspended six-month prison penalty. The defendants have each been ordered to pay 15,000 euros, or $15,750 in damages, and 5,000 in legal fees.
Carla Bley, an irrepressibly original composer, arranger and pianist responsible for more than 60 years of wily provocations in and around jazz, died on Tuesday at her home in Willow, a hamlet that is part of the town of Woodstock, N.Y. She was 87.

Her longtime partner in life and music, the bassist Steve Swallow, said the cause was complications of brain cancer.

Ms. Bleys influential body of work included delicate chamber miniatures and rugged, blaring fanfares, with a lot of varied terrain in between. She was branded an avant-gardist early in her career, but that term applied more to her slyly subversive attitude than to the formal character of her music, which always maintained a place for tonal harmony and standard rhythm.

Within that given frame, Ms. Bley found plenty of room to confound expectations and harbor contradictions. In the 2011 biography Carla Bley, Amy C. Beal described her music as vernacular yet sophisticated, appealing yet cryptic, joyous and mournful, silly and serious at the same time.
Stamoss read was excellent, Stern said. He didnt overplay it, he didnt underplay it  he played it perfectly. And the anecdotes were compelling and even self-effacing. Stamos didnt really put down anyone, even when discussing his alcoholism and divorce.

It did show us a real sign of intelligence, so I think the books a home run, Stern added in the message. You definitely had a story to tell.

Its also the first time Stamos has revealed some of it publicly.

In a month, whoever decides to read it, theyre going to know a lot, he said. I saw a lot of deep, dark stuff. And I thought, If Im not 100 percent honest, then why am I doing this? But Ive never been 100 percent honest before in my life. It wasnt the way I was raised. My dad was like, Dont talk about politics. Dont talk about religion. Keep it light. Keep it surface-y. Be Dean Martin.

And here I was for many years not seeing a clear picture because I was drinking and stuff, trying to fulfill someone elses idea living vicariously through me, he added. I felt it was my duty to be that guy.

Dark isnt what typically springs to mind when you think of Stamos. His mother liked to say that he decided to be an actor sometime between being born and arriving home from the hospital. An Orange County kid obsessed with Disneyland, he was intent on being famous. It never occurred to him that he wouldnt be.
An explosion killed hundreds of people today at a hospital in Gaza that was packed with civilians sheltering there, Palestinian officials said. Palestinians and Israelis blamed each other for the blast, and the tragedy could reshape the conflict just as President Biden is expected to arrive in Israel tomorrow.

The Gazan health authorities said that the explosion, which occurred at Ahli Arab Hospital, had been caused by an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli military said it was caused by a rocket fired by a Palestinian armed group that malfunctioned after launching.

The explosion immediately raised the stakes for Bidens trip to Israel and Jordan, where he was expected to try to de-escalate the crisis. Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, called off a trip to Jordan, where he had been scheduled to meet with Biden.

The hospital explosion compounded the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Even before the blast, rescuers were struggling to free more than a thousand people trapped under rubble, and fights were breaking out over loaves of bread.
Davis Polk, one of the countrys most prestigious law firms, recently rescinded employment offers made to three students who the firm believed led organizations at Harvard and Columbia that issued statements blaming Israel for the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that left more than 1,400 Israelis dead.



On Tuesday, the firm said it was reconsidering that decision for two of the three students, who fought their dismissals and said they had not authorized the letters, which did not have any individual signatories. The potential reversal highlights the complexities  for both employers and employees  of navigating what has quickly become one of the most emotionally divisive issues in recent decades.

The New York law firm said that two of the students held leadership roles in groups that signed a letter at Columbia and that one was affiliated with the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups, which jointly wrote a letter that held the Israeli regime responsible for the deadly violence.

The firm did not identify the students or which two offers it was reconsidering.

The views expressed in certain of the statements signed by law school student organizations in recent days are in direct contravention of our firms value system, Davis Polk said in a statement. To ensure that we continue to maintain a supportive and inclusive work environment, the firm added, the student leaders responsible for signing on to these statements are no longer welcome in our firm.

The chair and managing partner of Davis Polk, Neil Barr, said in an interview on Tuesday that the firm did not want employees who endorsed the atrocities of the Hamas attack working for it.
The Biden administration on Tuesday announced additional limits on sales of advanced semiconductors by American firms, shoring up restrictions issued last October to limit Chinas progress on supercomputing and artificial intelligence.

The rules appear likely to halt most shipments of advanced semiconductors from the United States to Chinese data centers, which use them to produce models capable of artificial intelligence. More U.S. companies seeking to sell China advanced chips, or the machinery used to make them, will be required to notify the government of their plans, or obtain a special license.

To prevent the risk that advanced U.S. chips travel to China through third countries, the United States will also require chip makers to obtain licenses to ship to dozens of other countries that are subject to U.S. arms embargoes.

The Biden administration argues that Chinas access to such advanced technology is dangerous because it could aid the countrys military in tasks like guiding hypersonic missiles, setting up advanced surveillance systems or cracking top-secret U.S. codes. Leading A.I. experts have warned that the technology, if not properly managed, could pose existential threats to humanity.
Likely made worse by global warming and deforestation, the drought has fueled large wildfires that have made the air hazardous for millions of people, including Indigenous communities, while also drying out major rivers at a record pace.

One major river reached its lowest level ever documented on Monday, while others are nearing records, suffocating endangered pink dolphins, shutting down a major hydropower plant and isolating tens of thousands living in remote communities who can only travel by boat.
Even as clean energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles spread rapidly across the globe, most countries are falling perilously behind in building the power lines and electric grids needed to support them, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday in an extensive analysis.

The report estimated that nations around the world will need to build or upgrade roughly 50 million miles of power lines by 2040 if they want to meet the goals they have set for adding vast amounts of renewable power, switching from gasoline-powered cars to plug-in vehicles and replacing gas furnaces with electric heat pumps.

Thats a staggering task, equivalent to nearly doubling the size of the worlds existing electric grids in just two decades. Countries would need to double their investment in transmission lines and other infrastructure, to $600 billion per year by 2030, the report said. Yet with the notable exception of China, investments in grids have been declining in many countries.

Electric grids are really a blind spot for clean electricity everywhere, Fatih Birol, director of the International Energy Agency, said in an interview earlier this year. Policymakers are all thinking about building new renewable power plants but they havent paid the same attention to building grids. Its like being focused on building the fastest, most beautiful car you possibly can, but then you forget to build the roads for it.
In the compulsively watchable The Insurrectionist Next Door, Alexandra Pelosi visits rank-and-file people arrested because of their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. And then, instead of condemning, she asks them about themselves. Her brisk emotional portraits of Americans are disarming, unpredictable, funny, sad, and, yes, at times enraging.

Palming her own camera, Pelosi fires away whys and whats-your-deals to her polite subjects: a genial former wrestler; a military man who shares a love of wine with his husband; a family guy with a Proud Boy forehead tattoo and a rabble-rousing hit rap song; and a practitioner of parkour who apparently learned about some kind of war in 1776 from a Trump speech.
Emmanuel Thingue laughed as he nimbly scampered up the jungle gym to have his photograph taken.

At 61, he was the oldest person on the playground equipment at Lincoln Terrace Park in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. Around him, children whooped and romped.

But Mr. Thingue, a landscape architect who recently retired from the New York City Parks Department after 30 years, had a special connection to the space: He designed it.

Over his career, Mr. Thingue designed more than 30 New York City parks and won awards and accolades for his work. Many of the citys most delightful spaces, beloved by local children and their caretakers, owe their particular charm  their sensibility and unique flow  to him.

Spend an afternoon with Mr. Thingue, and he will tell you how parks improved his life when he was a boy. He will persuade you that parks  especially urban parks that give city children room to play, or to just be with their thoughts in a secluded spot  can have a transformative effect, not just on individuals, but on the world.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Azerbaijan's court announced the indictment of Vagif Khachatryan, accused of committing genocide in Meshali village of Azerbaijan's Khojaly district on December 22, 1991, as a member of Armenian illegal armed groups, Trend reports.

The indictment was announced by state prosecutors - Senior Assistant of Prosecutor General, State Counselor of Justice, 3rd rank, Mugaddas Sultanov, and Counselor of Justice, Jovdat Mehraliyev.

Armenian citizen Vagif Khachatryan, who is on the international wanted list in connection with the Meshali genocide, was detained at the Lachin border checkpoint in July this year.

In December 1991, the criminal group, of which he was a member, killed 25 Azerbaijanis, wounded 14 people, and expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their legal place of residence in Meshali village in Khojaly district.

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of the population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen against him.
Klingspor said he had no real-life experience with his subject. Alligators, Ive only seen in the zoo, he said, though he added that he had once gone swimming with a crocodile in Mexico.

And because the sewer alligator began as a pandemic project, Klingspor had to rely on what he called online references. He could not fly to New York from Sweden, climb down into a sewer and hunt hopefully for an alligator that would be a model. There may or may not be alligators down there, but he doubted that it was safe to descend to find out.
The United States Justice Department began a civil rights investigation on Tuesday into the city of Trenton, N.J., and its police department after getting serious and credible reports of officers using improper levels of force and illegally stopping and searching pedestrians and drivers.

The inquiry into New Jerseys capital city and its police force is expected to take a year and could lead to federal oversight of the department through a consent decree.

The review will include on-the-job observation of police officers, interviews with residents and an analysis of police records, including footage from body-worn cameras and internal affairs investigations, officials said.

Since 2021, the Justice Department has opened similar inquiries into 10 other police agencies across the country, said Kristen Clarke, an assistant attorney general with the departments civil rights division.
Roland Griffiths, a professor of behavioral science and psychiatry whose pioneering work in the study of psychedelics helped usher in a new era of research into those once banned substances  and reintroduced the mystical into scientific discourse about them  died on Monday at his home in Baltimore. He was 77.

The cause was colon cancer, said Claudia Turnbull, a longtime friend.

Dr. Griffiths, a distinguished psychopharmacologist and professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, spent decades studying the mechanisms of dependence on mood-altering drugs. He published scores of papers on opiates and cocaine, on sedatives and alcohol, on nicotine and caffeine.

His work on caffeine, which he noted was the most commonly used drug in the world, was groundbreaking, showing that, yes, it was addictive, that withdrawal could be painful and that caffeine dependence was a clinically meaningful disorder.

But in August 2006 he published a paper that wasnt just groundbreaking; it was mind-blowing.

The paper had an unusual title: Psilocybin Can Occasion Mystical-Type Experiences Having Substantial and Sustained Personal Meaning and Spiritual Significance. And when it appeared in the magazine Psychopharmacology, it caused a media ruckus.
President Bidens age is on the minds of American voters as they think about the 2024 election. Its no wonder: In a poll I did last year, there was broad support (63 percent of Democrats, 55 percent of Republicans and 61 percent of independents) for establishing an upper age limit of 70 for any person to be sworn in as president. This past July, a Pew Research Center survey found that about half of respondents believed the best age range for a U.S. president was in the 50s  well below Mr. Bidens 80 and Donald Trumps 77.

As a pollster and strategist who has been involved in four Democratic presidential campaigns, including Barack Obamas re-election campaign in 2012, I dont believe that age will determine this election. But it is a formidable reality that Mr. Biden and his team must deal with and transcend, just as Ronald Reagan did at age 73 in his 1984 re-election race. Mr. Reagan passed that test, removing age as a distraction for his campaign and voters and making the contest about morning in America, our economic turnaround and our leadership in the world. The 2024 election is going to hinge similarly on core issues and a vision that speaks directly to the lives and hopes of voters.

Getting past the age question wont be easy. It will involve persuading voters in memorable ways and will require a deft touch. But this is a winnable race for the president, even if it sometimes seems his team is shielding him from the public. The fact is, hes old. A failure to confront the issue risks reinforcing that impression rather than overcoming it. Americans will be watching him closely in big moments, like his trip to Israel this week to deal with one of the most significant crises of his presidency. The Biden team needs to get the president out in front of the public more, finding opportunities for him to talk about age with a directness and confidence that convinces people it isnt the core issue. Talk about it now so you arent talking about it next summer, then use the fall debates in 2024 to deliver a Reaganesque line that puts the topic to bed.

If Mr. Trump becomes Mr. Bidens opponent, this task is simpler. Theyre both old, so I think the question of age will become moot for a lot of voters. Winning presidential candidates learn quickly not to launch attacks that can come back and bite them. Take Mitt Romneys debate-stage effort in 2012 to cast Mr. Obama as unfit to be commander in chief over his handling of a deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. Mr. Obamas stinging response won the president headlines praising his smackdown performance: While we were still dealing with our diplomats being threatened, Governor Romney put out a press release, trying to make political points, and thats not how a commander in chief operates, Mr. Obama said.
Rage is not a strategy.

Israel has a right  and indeed a responsibility  to protect its people, recover its hostages and seek justice in the wake of the heinous attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. Overwhelming grief and blind fury are understandable reactions. Yet the desire for mighty vengeance, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel put it, is no substitute for sound strategic thinking.

I fear that Israeli officials  in their attempt to assuage a furious public  are making a terrible mistake at this critical moment for their people, their Arab neighbors, their American allies and the world.

Ground troops have been readying an invasion that aims to, in the words of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, wipe Hamas off the face of the Earth. But there hasnt been enough public communication in Israel about what that means. Does Israel aim to simply destroy Hamas gunmen and munitions stockpiles? It wants to topple Hamass leadership, but if that succeeds, who will rule Gaza in its place? Will Israel reoccupy Gaza and if so, for how long? What will be done to give Palestinians hope for a future in which they can finally live with dignity and freedom so that they dont keep Hamass ideology of resistance alive?

I dont know how this war will end, but I do know that by the time its over, Hamas will have lost not only their capability but their will to carry out such evil acts against us again, Itay Milner, spokesman for the Israeli consulate in New York, told me. He noted that the 2006 response to a hostage-taking by Hezbollah in Lebanon  which destroyed an entire section of Beirut  was so significant that it made them seriously regret ever underestimating our power and resolve.
As a bioethicist, I support requiring students to take ethics classes. Some universities  mainly Catholic institutions, including Georgetown  still do. Having a two-course ethics requirement  one about general ethics and one about some specific area, such as military ethics, environmental and bioethics, ethics of technology, ethics of the market or political ethics  would be invaluable.

But ethics classes alone are insufficient to help students develop a clear moral compass so that they can rise above ideological catchphrases and wrestle intelligently with moral dilemmas.

Instead, colleges and universities need to be more self-critical and rethink what it means for students to be educated. For the past 50 years, with a few exceptions, higher education has been reducing requirements. At the same time, academia has become more hesitant: We often avoid challenging our students, avoid putting hard questions to them, avoid forcing them to articulate and justify their opinions. All opinions are equally valid, we argue. We are fearful of offending them.

This flies in the face of what a liberal education should be. Liberal education should be built around honing critical thinking skills and moral and logical reasoning so students can emerge as engaged citizens. The American Association of Colleges and Universities has described a liberal education as one that empowers individuals with core knowledge and transferable skills and cultivates social responsibility and a strong sense of ethics and values. This certainly is not the full vision, but even with this definition, it is very hard to recognize that what we are now offering as a college education meets even this standard.

There are many ways to construct a curriculum so we can certify graduates as educated. Starting in 1947, as a new era dawned after what it identified as social upheaval and the disasters of war, M.I.T. undertook a review of its curriculum, re-examined the almost 90-year-old principles that had guided its approach and imposed changes that emphasized the importance of the humanities and social sciences. The review committee saw among M.I.T.s missions the preparation of each student for the moral and ethical burden relating not only to his own acts but to the acts of which he is a part and the cultivation of the spirit of free inquiry and rejection of interdiction and prejudice.
To the Editor:

Re The Work of Moral Rebuilding Must Begin Now, by Peter Beinart (Opinion guest essay, Oct. 15):

Mr. Beinart expresses outrage at the savagery of Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. At the same time, he outrageously proposes that what set the stage for the horrific displays of Hamas savagery was the failure of the international community over the years to support Palestinian nonviolent resistance, such as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

This conveniently whitewashes the fact that many supporters of B.D.S. and other forms of Palestinian resistance reject Israels very legitimacy and recognition of the Jewish right to nationhood. These activists see resistance as a means toward Israels complete elimination, and call for a refusal to engage with Israel  all of which provide the backdrop to the bloody massacre of more than 1,400 Israelis, most of them civilians, on Oct. 7.

What is needed now is a true commitment to nonviolence, one that speaks to viable peace, a recognition of Israels right to exist and ultimately two peoples living side by side with security.

Jonathan A. Greenblatt

New York

The writer is C.E.O. and national director of the Anti-Defamation League.
Some two million Palestinian people are trapped inside Gaza, nearly half of them under the age of 18. Most of them are hungry. Bombs have already turned their cities into rubble. More than a million people have been asked to leave their homes.

In the Mishneh Torah, Maimonides teaches, When a siege is placed around a city to conquer it, it should not be surrounded on all four sides, only on three. A place should be left for the inhabitants to flee, to escape with their lives. Egypt and the international community, with cooperation from Hamas and Israel, must open the southern Gaza border now. Not just for internationals but also for Palestinians. We must insist that this happens.

We are all temporary dwellers wherever we live. The Torah teaches that land doesnt belong to people; it belongs to God or to the earth or both, depending on your perspective. The land needs to be shared. That has not changed. Both peoples have a legitimate claim and a real history in the land. Both peoples deserve safety, freedom, self-determination and peace. That has not changed. Any agenda that promotes a future or present where one people rules over the other is inhumane and immoral. Any agenda that promotes a future for just one people on the land, either Palestinian or Israeli, is inhumane and immoral.

Right now the left is using an outdated, ill-fitting model of colonialism to explain whats happening in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. It borrows from antisemitic tropes, leading to a cruel and dehumanizing view of Israelis and Jews. Colonizers do not have thousands of years of history in the land they colonize, as Jews do in Israel, and colonizers do have a home country they can be decolonized to. For those who callously called Oct. 7 a step toward decolonization, I ask that they consider: Where are the Jews who fled from Iraq supposed to go? And those who fled from Iran? And those from Yemen? And those from Russia? And those from Ethiopia? And how about the Jews who came from Europe after surviving the Holocaust? They were dispossessed of their land, their homes, their belongings, just as their ancestors were dispossessed by the Romans in the first two centuries of the common era and by the Babylonians before them.

This does not in any way justify the dispossession of Palestinians from their land and homes and belongings, but it is a fact. Here we are, two peoples, stuck together. There is no way forward without recognition of that reality.
No problem in the American system at this moment is as acute and disruptive as the one posed by the Republican Party.

Yes, of course, there are any number of structural problems facing American politics.

Our system of elections  first-past-the-post voting, the Electoral College, single-member districts and partisan gerrymandering  feeds into and amplifies our partisan and ideological polarization. Our system of federalism and dual sovereignty between state and national government allows for laboratories of autocracy as much as testing grounds for democracy. Our counter-majoritarian institutions and supermajority rules stymie democratic majorities and turn stability into stasis, putting terrible stress on our entire political system.

But its hard to deal with any of those, or even just live with them, when one of our two major parties is on a downward spiral of dysfunction, with each version of itself more chaotic and deviant than the last.

For years, it has been evident that the Republican Party cant govern. When Donald Trump was in office, it was revealing to see the extent to which Republican majorities in Congress struggled to write and pass any legislation of consequence. To wit, after an unsuccessful herculean lift trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act and a successful effort to cut taxes (the lowest hanging fruit on the conservative menu), congressional Republicans essentially stopped legislating until they were dislodged from control of the House in the 2018 midterms.
When institutions offered statements that expressed sorrow for the loss of both Israeli and Palestinian lives, some constituents and customers demanded a revision that explicitly condemned their preferred villain. If these institutional voices stayed silent, it was considered newsworthy. Six days after Hamass horrific terror attacks on Israel, a reporter at Womens Wear Daily wrote last Thursday, many major players in the beauty  and overall fashion  industry have remained largely silent in support of the victims on both sides of the conflict. Did we really need or want to hear from LOreal or LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton?

The impulse toward loud, reductive declarations reflects genuine fear about horrors that lie beyond words. Simple binaries imply simple solutions. And its much more pleasant to tell yourself you stand on the side of good, against evil, than to question whether the lines of demarcation were drawn correctly.

Sitting with uncertainty is hard, especially when social media has primed us to expect perfect real-time information during traumatic events and to want instantaneous answers and resolution. Moral certainty is an anchor we cling to when factual certainty is not possible. And the faster we express it, the more certain we appear. The most righteous among us post  and do it immediately.

Knee-jerk social media posts are not what bother me most, though. Instead, its the idea that not posting is wrong somehow  that everyone needs to speak, all the time. It discourages shutting up and listening and letting the voices that matter the most be heard over the din. It implies its not OK to have any uncertainty about whats going on or any kind of moral analysis that does not lend itself to presentation in a social media post. It does not leave time or space for people to process traumatic events in the sanctuary of their own minds or to gather more information before pronouncing a judgment. It pressures people who dont have an opinion yet or are working out what they think to manufacture one and present it to a jury of total strangers on the internet who will render an instant verdict on its propriety.

I do have opinions, of course, but they dont fit in a tweet (and would be extremely awkward on TikTok). I think Hamas is a terrorist group and Israel has a right to defend itself. I lived in Manhattan on Sept. 11, and even so, I cant imagine the grief and terror Jewish people feel right now in the face of continued attacks and rising antisemitism globally. I also think that the Israeli state should not be allowed to conflate Hamas with Gaza or to cut off electricity and access to food and medical supplies to civilians who are trapped in Gaza or to justify those acts by claiming that Palestinians who live there  about half of whom are children  can just leave when they plainly cant. If the destruction of Gaza is not the goal, it is a very real possibility, and that should be equally unacceptable.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. A member of the Azerbaijani Bar Association, lawyer Natig Beybalayev, has refused to defend Vagif Khachatryan, accused of committing genocide in the village of Meshali in Azerbaijans Khojaly district, Trend reports.

This was announced at today's hearing of Vagif Khachatryan's criminal case in Yasamal District Court.

During the process, Natig Beybalayev addressed the court. The lawyer stated that he refuses to defend due to health reasons.

The objection was accepted, and Vagif Khachatryan was provided with another defense counsel.

Radmila Abilova, a member of the Azerbaijani Bar Association, was appointed as Vagif Khachatryan's defense counsel.

Armenian citizen Vagif Khachatryan, who is on the international wanted list in connection with the Meshali genocide, was detained at the Lachin border checkpoint in July this year.

In December 1991, the criminal group, of which he was a member, killed 25 Azerbaijanis, wounded 14 people, and expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their legal place of residence in Meshali village in Khojaly district.

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Vagif Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of the population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen against him.
NATIONAL

An article on Sunday about Republican candidates appeal to donors to build up a viable alternative to former president Donald Trump misstated Senator Tim Scotts cash on hand going into October. It was $11.6 million, not $12.6 million.

An article on Sunday about llamas at an agricultural fair in Massachusetts misstated the location of Catskill Game Farm. It is west of West Springfield, Mass., not east of it.

An article on Monday about reactions at U.S. synagogues to the war in Israel misquoted a portion of Rabbi Sam Levines prepared remarks. He cautioned against succumbing to a thirst for revenge against Palestinians, not Hamas.

ARTS

A picture caption with an article on Monday about the National Museum of Women in the Arts misidentified the artist and title of a work by Faith Ringgold. It is American Collection #4: Jo Bakers Bananas, not Bananas by Jo Baker and Faith Ringgold.
The green carpet is gone. Dark wood shelves are no longer in favor.

At many Barnes & Noble stores, the green-striped wallpaper and hunter-green walls have been scraped away and painted over in sandy shades of white and pink as the nations biggest brick-and-mortar bookseller pursues, in fits and starts, a back-to-basics, books-first strategy.

Other stores will have a different look. The design of a new location in Brooklyn reveals the polished concrete floors from its past life as a Barneys New York. A Barnes & Noble recently opened in California with cerulean walls, and an experiment in robins egg blue is in the works for some East Coast locations.

Any design agency would have a heart attack if they could see what were doing, James Daunt, the Barnes & Noble chief executive, said. We dont have any architect doing our design at any stage. Theres no interior designer.

And certainly the identity people would have a complete crisis, Mr. Daunt continued, referring to branding consultants. Its breaking all the rules.
Shortly after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, friends and relatives of Gali Shlezinger Idan, who lived in a kibbutz near the Gaza border, received frantic messages to check her Facebook page.

What they found shocked them. Hamas members were using Ms. Idans Facebook account to livestream themselves holding her and her family hostage. During the 43-minute broadcast, gunmen forced Ms. Idan and her family to crouch on a tile floor as missiles and gunfire blasted their building.

I couldnt believe what I was seeing, said Keren de Via, a friend of the Idan family who watched Ms. Idans children hug their parents and cry during the livestream. How could we watch them terrorize the family like this? How could I watch this on Facebook?

In a new war tactic, Hamas has seized the social media accounts of kidnapped Israelis and used them to broadcast violent messages and wage psychological warfare, according to interviews with 13 Israeli families and their friends, as well as social media experts who have studied extremist groups.
The events of the world trail us into the theater always. There is no separating a live performance from the moment in which we experience it, not even if the words an actor speaks were written hundreds of years ago.

What a powerful time, then, to encounter Shakespeares Shylock in Patrick Pages solo-show investigation of evil, All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain.

Because Shylock, the Jewish moneylender who infamously demands a pound of flesh in The Merchant of Venice, is, if a villain, a complicated one: persecuted, spit upon and scorned by Christians for being a Jew. But even in his bitterness, he recognizes that he and they are similar in almost every respect, because they are all human.

And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? he says. If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that.
Were lucky in California to have 280 state parks, the nations largest state park system. Together, these protected lands encompass more than a million acres.

Today, I have some recommendations for the best parks to visit this fall, as the weather gets cooler and cozier. The park system recently started a digital passport program to encourage people to try to visit every single one. (You can use a mobile app to track your visits and earn badges.) You can also check out vehicle passes for most California state parks from your local public library.

Jorge Moreno, a spokesman for the state parks department, advised travelers to check the weather and check the status of a park before leaving home. And please dont disturb wildlife or take plants.

Stay safe, and happy traveling.

Take in the fall colors in the Sierra Nevada

Hiking trails through Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park  in the Sierra Nevada foothills, roughly a two-hour drive northeast of Sacramento  offer spectacular views of orange and yellow autumn leaves. During the gold rush, the park was the site of Californias largest hydraulic gold mine, which created a man-made canyon where visitors can now see stunning exposed rock strata tinged with rose, ocher and sandy white. Theres also a ghost town in the park with a museum, and several buildings have been restored as a historical exhibit.
[Update: Videos show fatal encounter.]

A man who was wrongfully convicted and spent more than 16 years in prison before being released in 2020 was fatally shot on Monday by a sheriffs deputy in Georgia during a traffic stop, the authorities said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is conducting an independent investigation of the shooting in Camden County, identified the man, who was Black, as Leonard Allan Cure, 53.

Mr. Cure was the first person exonerated by the Broward State Attorneys Office Conviction Review Unit. His case was also represented by the Innocence Project of Florida.

The bureau said in a news release that a Camden County deputy, whose name was not released, initiated a traffic stop early Monday on Interstate 95, not far from the Florida state line. A spokesman for the Camden County sheriffs office said on Tuesday that Mr. Cure was pulled over for speeding. He was driving at least 90 miles per hour in an area where the speed limit was 70, the sheriffs office said.
Mr. Vega, 51, moved to the United States from Mexico as a teenager, and said he was immediately drawn to lowriders for the way they stood out. Anybody can drive a Bentley; not anybody with money can drive a 59 convertible, he said. Its in our blood.

By most accounts, lowriding began in California among young Mexican Americans, who took a middle-class American symbol  the automobile  and turned it on its head. They began restyling older, more affordable cars with elegant upholstery, chrome and gold detailing, powerful sound systems and, in some cases, hydraulic suspension systems that could raise the car off the ground. These flashy creations, made to be paraded low and slow, also became symbols of defiance that later spread to other marginalized communities across the United States and eventually as far as Japan.

In the postwar economic boom of the 1950s, the movement continued to grow with a surplus of older, more affordable cars, said John Ulloa, an expert in lowrider culture and history lecturer at San Francisco State University. Necessity is the mother of all invention, he said, describing the ingenuity of those who created something beautiful out of something that was somebody elses trash.

Over the years, however, lowriding became a target of politicians who linked it to urban crime, and in 1988, state lawmakers passed a bill allowing local governments in California to enforce bans on cruising. Assemblyman David Alvarez, the San Diego Democrat who introduced the bill to end the bans, said they unfairly targeted a marginalized community and gave the police another tool to intervene, to stop and to question individuals.

Lori Maldonado, who identifies as a second-generation Chicana, said that for as long as she can remember, her lowrider community has been playing a cat-and-mouse game with the authorities, moving from one parking lot to another to avoid law enforcement.
The story of how that happened, as described by several administration officials, is more complex than a caricature circulating in Washington that Mr. Biden is cautious to a fault, and says no until the pressure is insurmountable.

In this case, there was plenty of pressure. Some came from members of Congress, including Representative Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat and former Army Ranger, who wrote to the White House that Ukraine needed weapons to target deep supply lines and Russian command and control centers. Mr. Crow added that while systems already provided to Ukraine were being used to devastating effect, the Russians have adapted to ensure key assets are outside their range.

A push also came from Mr. Zelensky at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, when the Ukrainian leader made no secret of his anger that Mr. Biden and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany had blocked any clear statement that Ukraine was on a path to NATO membership.

With a touch of bitterness, he told reporters there is no decision from Mr. Biden on the issue of ATACMS, and he added: It is better not to raise the issue because there are expectations of the people, the military, everyone. It would be better, he said, to do it first, and then share information on how it happened.

But officials in the White House insist that it runs a vigorous review process to make sure that weapons meet needs. In July, Mr. Bidens aides said, they came to see what one called a clear use case for ATACMS. It was the one Mr. Crow had identified, using the ATACMS to target supply lines and air bases that Ukraine could not reach. At a July 14 meeting in the office of Jake Sullivan, the presidents national security adviser, he and Jon Finer, his primary deputy, talked with a small group of officials about developing options.
Just three years ago, Mississippi had an election law on its books from an 1890 constitutional convention that was designed to uphold white supremacy in the state. The law created a system for electing statewide officials that was similar to the Electoral College  and that drastically reduced the political power of Black voters.

Voters overturned the Jim Crow-era law in 2020. This summer, a federal court threw out another law, also from 1890, that had permanently stripped voting rights from people convicted of a range of felonies. (The case is currently tied up on appeal, with no future date set by a federal court, leaving the ultimate status of former felons voting rights uncertain.)

Now Mississippi is holding its first election for governor since those developments, the contest is improbably competitive in this deep-red state, and Black voters are poised to play a critical role.

Black leaders and civil rights groups in Mississippi see the Nov. 7 election as a chance for a more level playing field and an opportunity for Black voters to exercise their sway: Roughly 40 percent of voters are Black, a greater share than in any other state.
Mr. Trumps legal team swiftly gave notice on Tuesday that he was appealing the order. Within hours of Judge Chutkans announcement at a hearing on Monday in Federal District Court in Washington that she would be imposing the order, Mr. Trump had already attacked it as an assault on his First Amendment rights.

She doesnt like me too much  her whole life is not liking me, he said that night at a campaign event in Iowa.

He then misrepresented the contents of Judge Chutkans ruling.

You know what a gag order is? Mr. Trump, the current front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, asked the crowd. You cant speak badly about your opponent.

In fact, Judge Chutkans order leaves Mr. Trump free to criticize President Biden, along with his administration and the Justice Department. It also allows him to attack the campaign platforms or policies of Mike Pence, who served as his vice president, is likely to be a witness in the case and is also a rival to Mr. Trump in the 2024 primary.

Judge Chutkans order leaves Mr. Trump free to attack her, too. It also says that he can proclaim that he is innocent and continue to assert, as he has done repeatedly, that his prosecution on charges of trying to stay in power against the will of the voters is politically motivated.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. An indictment was announced in Azerbaijan's court against Vagif Khachatryan, accused of committing genocide in the village of Meshali in Azerbaijans Khojaly district on December 22, 1991, as a member of Armenian illegal armed groups, Trend reports.

Vagif Khachatryan stated in court that he did not plead guilty.

Armenian citizen Vagif Khachatryan, who is on the international wanted list in connection with the Meshali genocide, was detained at the Lachin border checkpoint in July this year.

In December 1991, the criminal group, of which he was a member, killed 25 Azerbaijanis, wounded 14 people, and expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their legal place of residence in Meshali village in Khojaly district.

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Vagif Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of the population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen against him.
After years of drought, water finally came to one parched region of the Atlas Mountains in northern Morocco last month, freed from the ground by the earthquake that killed thousands and devastated whole villages.

In the days following the disaster, it bubbled up through cracks in the earth and flowed down arid stream beds to long-desiccated fields.

In the mountain village of Douar Tighitcht, the appearance of the water was seen as something of a miracle. Villagers hurried to their fields, plowing the damp earth and planting crops  peppers, eggplants, potatoes and carrots  that they hoped would help improve the dire food situation in the quake-hit region.

Mohamed Tamim, a college professor based in the capital city of Rabat who is a native of the village, had mixed feelings about the water rising in Tighitchts reservoir, mindful that the hard earth and sudden flow could result in unwanted flooding.
Indias Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea to legalize same-sex marriage, a stinging setback for gay people seeking equal rights in this socially conservative country of 1.4 billion people.

A five-member bench of judges ruled unanimously against the petitioners, with the chief justice saying it was up to Parliament to create any laws recognizing same-sex unions.

The judgment is extremely disappointing, said Anjali Gopalan, a petitioner in the case and the head of the Naz Foundation, a nonprofit group in New Delhi that works on sexual health issues.

Still, it offered a few glimmers of hope to same-sex marriage proponents, if largely rhetorical in some cases. The judges ruled that transgender people can marry other transgender people, and expanded the definition of discrimination. Among the four opinions they issued in the ruling, some were pointedly sympathetic to the petitioners.
When the Salvor, a U.S. Navy rescue and salvage ship, pulled into a port in Indias southeast this summer, the job at hand was patching up the aging vessel. But there was a bigger mission, too: opening another door for a U.S. military trying to stretch out across the Indo-Pacific and counter Chinese power.

The Navy ship was the third in a year to arrive at Kattupalli, an industrial hamlet north of Chennai with a state-of-the-art shipyard. And this time, the visit marked the start of a five-year ship repair agreement  a tangible step toward defense cooperation for two nations pushed together by geopolitics and Washingtons desire to court and strengthen a rising Asian giant.

Were well equipped to do this, said Arun Ramchandani, the head of the defense unit of L&T, the Mumbai-based conglomerate that built the shipyard. And I think that this is just the beginning.

The deal, which includes another defense contractor in Mumbai, is part of a strategy the Pentagon calls places not bases  pursuing access to more sites where the United States has no military installations of its own. In the vast Indo-Pacific, such connections could prove important for deterring China and, in the event of a conflict, sustaining a U.S. mobilization.
The terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel and the retaliatory strikes in Gaza had already put the French authorities on edge, pushing them to jack up security at Jewish sites and ban pro-Palestinian protests.

Then, last Friday, just three days before the country was set to mark the somber anniversary of a teachers gruesome beheading by an Islamist extremist, an eerily similar attack hit at home as a man used a knife to kill a teacher and injure three other people at a school in northern France in what officials called an Islamist terrorist attack.

Since then, the mood in France has gone from worried to alarmed. The authorities raised the terrorist threat alert to its highest level, pouring even more police officers and soldiers onto the streets. Bomb scares emptied out major sites over the weekend, including the Louvre and, twice in less than a week, Versailles Palace.

Officers in flak jackets with machine guns, their fingers resting on the triggers, stood sentinel on Saturday outside the school where a former student went on a stabbing spree the day before, killing Dominique Bernard, 57, a French literature teacher.
It boiled down to a choice between two different visions of the future: one dominated by nationalism, traditional Catholic norms and the defense of Polish sovereignty; the other by promises to bring Poland back to Europe and the liberal democratic values espoused by the European Union.

In the end, after a long, vicious election campaign in a highly polarized country, opponents of the nationalist governing party, Law and Justice, won a clear majority of seats in a pivotal general election held on Sunday, according to final official results Tuesday.

That victory opened the way for a potentially drastic shift away from Polands deeply conservative policies at home and its role abroad as a beacon for right-wing groups and politicians opposed to liberal values.

The European Union has long clashed with Polands government over the rule of law, the protection of minority rights and other issues. Now a new government in Warsaw offers an opportunity for a reset with the most populous and, in terms of economic and military power, most important of the formerly communist states admitted after the end of the Cold War.
Russia has dispatched thousands of soldiers backed by heavy armor and artillery to try to drive Ukrainians from deeply entrenched positions in eastern Ukraine, in what military analysts said is the Kremlins largest offensive push since its failed campaign last winter.

The willingness to throw its reserves into costly operations around the eastern cities of Avdiivka and Kupiansk suggests that the Kremlin is confident in its hold on southern positions still under Ukrainian assault, according to military analysts.

It is unclear how effective the new Russian assaults have been. The British military defense intelligence agency said Moscows troops had suffered heavy losses and it appeared that entrenched Ukrainian forces have so far likely held back the Russian advance.

Still, the agency called the efforts to advance the most significant offensive operation undertaken by Russia since January 2023 and analysts said the assaults posed an ongoing threat to Ukrainian forces across the east.
Ukraines forces used newly supplied American long-range missiles against Russia for the first time on Tuesday after President Biden overcame his longstanding reluctance to providing the weapons, permitting the Pentagon to deliver them covertly in the last few days, American officials said.

The decision to send the missiles represented a shift by the Biden administration at a time when the Ukrainian military is struggling in a counteroffensive in the countrys south and east. Mr. Biden had worried that sending the more powerful weapons could escalate the conflict with Russia.

Ukraine used the missiles, called ATACMS, to strike two air bases in Russian-occupied territory on Tuesday, according to an American official familiar with the assault. Ukraines special operations forces said the attack damaged runways and destroyed nine helicopters, an ammunition depot, an antiaircraft missile launcher and military equipment. Those claims could not be independently verified.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine confirmed the use of the missiles. Today I am especially grateful to the United States, he said in his nightly address to the nation. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. And they are being implemented very accurately  ATACMS have proven themselves.
President Bidens trip to Israel on Wednesday has landed him in a region where grief and fury are mounting, not only toward Israel, but also toward the United States, which has declared unyielding support for its chief Middle East ally.

On Tuesday, widespread condemnation of Israel rippled across the Arab and Muslim world after a huge blast at a hospital in the Gaza Strip killed hundreds of Palestinians who had been seeking treatment or refuge. Palestinian authorities accused Israel of striking the hospital, while Israel blamed a Palestinian group, Islamic Jihad, for an errant rocket launch.

Regardless of whatever evidence emerges, few people in the wider Middle East are likely to believe Israel's version, as protesters took to the streets in Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen and Oman to condemn the country.

Even before Tuesdays disaster, many people across the region had come to see Israels war with Hamas  the Palestinian armed group that carried out a shocking attack on southern Israel last week, slaughtering roughly 1,400 people  as an American-backed massacre of Palestinian civilians in the blockaded territory of Gaza.

Israel has cut off water, medicine and electricity in the enclave and targeted Gaza with airstrikes, killing more than 3,500 Palestinians, according to Gazan authorities.

Many Arabs say the American government is not only indifferent to the agony of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, but also complicit in it. American pledges of ironclad support for Israel  and no-strings-attached security assistance  have stoked those feelings as all signs point to Israel preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza.

There is tremendous anger in the Arab world, even by those who do not support Hamas, said Nabil Fahmy, a former foreign minister of Egypt. They are giving Israel a green light, he said of Western powers, and as this gets increasingly bloody, the West will have blood on its hands.

So intense is the anger that a refrain, Death to America, has found renewed resonance in the region, including during a protest on Friday in Bahrain, a close American ally.

America has to do something and stop these heinous crimes against Palestinians, said Ahmed al-Asmi, 36, an Omani who participated in a demonstration in the countrys capital, Muscat, on Wednesday.

Many Palestinians and other Arabs said in interviews that the rhetoric coming from senior Israeli and American officials has been dehumanizing and warmongering.
One motivation for the Biden administrations bringing the aircraft carriers closer to Israel is to try to convince Hezbollah to stay out of the fighting to avoid any possible intervention by the United States.

Changes in the Middle East in recent years have made it more likely that violence in one place could ignite violence elsewhere. Thats because Iran has worked to knit anti-Israel forces in different countries into an increasingly tight web.

Armed groups in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen that once largely fought separately now see themselves as being on the same team. Many of their commanders have received similar training from Iran or Hezbollah and their members share knowledge on how to increase the firepower of rockets and to surveil their enemies with drones.

Iran may lead the network, but Hezbollah, which was formed in Lebanon by the Islamic Republic more than three decades ago, is the primary enforcer. Its members played a key role in helping Syria turn the tide against anti-government rebels during the countrys civil war, which began in 2011. And its operatives have increased the fighting abilities of pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Israel, the United States and other countries have designated Hezbollah and some of its regional partners, including Hamas in Gaza, as terrorist organizations.

Israel has viewed Hezbollah as its most formidable foe since they fought to a standstill in a monthlong war in 2006 that killed more than 1,000 Lebanese and 165 Israelis. Hezbollahs members are highly trained, have an arsenal of tens of thousands of rockets and possess precision-guided missiles that can pummel targets deep in Israeli territory.
To be sure, Mr. Netanyahu has not hesitated to target Hamas when its rockets have rained on Israeli towns and villages. In 2014, he ordered a more limited ground operation into the Gaza Strip, which enhanced his reputation domestically as a protector, even as it subjected Israel to international criticism for an operation that, for all its limited nature, still killed an estimated 2,251 Palestinians in 50 days of fighting.

Mr. Netanyahus reluctance to go even further, these observers said, is rooted in both his risk aversion  a trait that has also influenced his go-slow approach to peace talks with the Palestinians  and his military training. Like most young Israelis, Mr. Netanyahu enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces after high school. He served in a special forces unit that carried out cross-border raids.

In a tragedy that looms large in the Netanyahu family lore, his older brother, Yonatan, was the only Israeli soldier killed in the Entebbe raid, a much-celebrated counterterrorism operation to rescue hostages on an Air France jet that had been hijacked by Palestinian militants and diverted to Libya, and later Uganda, in 1976.

Those experiences, analysts said, imbued Mr. Netanyahu with a bias for tactical strikes over large-scale army operations. That has translated into a calculation that, with periodic bombardments of Gaza  a strategy some have called mowing the grass  Israel could keep a lid on Hamass destructive capacity, as well as Palestinian tensions, without having to find a lasting political solution.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced from the very beginning it was ready to use any route, the safety of which was ensured, the Head of the Public Relations Department of the Baku Office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Ilaha Huseynova said, Trend reports.

"The ICRC also stated that it is ready to use the routes accepted by the relevant authorities. It is not a matter of obtaining permission from any country. If the Lachin road was used, then this was agreed upon. The relevant authorities and the receiving and delivering parties reached an agreement, and on September 18, the cargo was delivered through Aghdam, Huseynova added.

The ICRC is holding an information session for journalists.
When Amal al-Akam fled her home in northern Gaza, she had time only to grab her children and throw on a prayer shawl.

But some in her family could not get out in time.

The Israelis bombed the house over the heads of my father-in-law and his wife and their children, said the 48-year-old homeopathic clinician. My husband and his brothers couldnt get them out.

As Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel that killed more than 1,400 people, the territorys rescue crews are struggling to save the wounded and recover the bodies. Their work is both difficult and dangerous.
In the dense warrens of Gaza, Hamas is believed to hold at least 199 people hostage, guarded by gunmen and booby traps, likely scattered and hidden from any would-be rescuers as Israel readies a ground invasion.

Israeli and U.S. commandos have pulled off extraordinary hostage rescues before. But the chaotic environment of Gaza, which is descending into a humanitarian crisis and the base where Hamas launched devastating attacks on Israel this month, has made such a mission unlikely because of the dangers to hostages and soldiers alike.

That has left desperate, complex diplomacy  led by the United States and Qatar, a tiny nation with extensive ties to militant groups  as the best option to save hostages in the eyes of many current and former officials.

In the talks so far, Qatar is acting as a mediator between Hamas and officials from the United States, which like Israel and the European Union considers Hamas a terrorist group. Adding even more complexity to the talks, people from more than 40 countries are among the hostages.
1790 1850 1890 1950

An American Puzzle: Fitting Race in a Box Census categories for race and ethnicity have shaped how the nation sees itself. Heres how they have changed over the last 230 years.

Since 1790, the decennial census has played a crucial role in creating and reshaping the ever-changing views of racial and ethnic identity in the United States.

Over the centuries, the census has evolved from one that specified broad categories  primarily free white people and slaves  to one that attempts to encapsulate the countrys increasingly complex demographics. The latest adaptation proposed by the Biden administration in January seeks to allow even more race and ethnicity options for people to describe themselves than the 2020 census did.

If approved, the proposed overhaul would most likely be adopted across all surveys in the country about health, education and the economy. Heres what the next census could look like.

The country has grown more multiracial, and federal officials now want to capture that complexity. One of the biggest changes would be to combine race and ethnicity into a single question. Sample of the proposed census form, with What is your race and ethnicity? circled in red to highlight it. Hispanic or Latino would be one of seven race and/or ethnicity options, rather than in a separate origin question, as it is now. Sample of the proposed census form, with the new Hispanic or Latino option circled in red. The change would also add a check box for Middle Eastern or North African, and remove people of this heritage from the white definition. Sample of the proposed census form, with the new Middle Eastern or North African option circled in red.

In some ways, the government is attempting to catch up with modern views of racial and ethnic identities.

There are complicated politics at work too, and the proposed changes have provoked criticism among some scholars and activists.

Many Hispanic or Latino U.S. residents mark some other race, typically because they dont see themselves as Black or white. Supporters of the proposal say the changes reflect that Latinos have long been treated as a distinct racial group in the United States. But Afro-Latino scholars argue that the new method would mask important racial differences among Latinos.

Community leaders have been advocating for a Middle Eastern or North African category for years, pointing to the need for better data for this growing population, especially around health care, education and political representation. If the proposal is approved, this would be the first time since the 1970s that a completely new racial or ethnic category is added to the census.

A precise, universally accepted distinction between race and ethnicity does not exist. Instead, theres a murky history of law, politics and culture around racial identity in America.

There is no such thing as a perfect question, said Roberto Ramirez, a population statistics expert at the U.S. Census Bureau. The bureau has conducted numerous tests in recent decades to improve the census so that people can more accurately identify themselves, he said.

If approved, the new race and ethnicity formulation will have wide-ranging impacts. Any organization receiving federal funding  down to local schools  would have to adhere to it. Race data informs how resources are distributed; whether equal employment policies and anti-discrimination laws can be enforced; and how congressional districts are drawn.

Ever since the census began measuring the U.S. population, race has been central to the counting. The census is more than a bureaucratic exercise; it embodies the countrys continued efforts to neatly categorize inherently nuanced and layered identities. Terms that are now widely viewed as outdated or even offensive had their place on the official forms for decades.

Heres a copy of the first census in 1790. Two pages from the first census in 1790. Handwritten names and numbers are shown in a table format. It separated free white people from other free people and enslaved people. Closer look at one of the pages from the 1790 census, with the race categories circled in red. In 1850, the term color was used for race, and mulatto was introduced to track people with any trace of African blood. Section of the 1850 census form, with printed type and some parts filled in by hand. Race categories are circled in red. In 1870, the census added a Chinese category as anxieties over immigration from China rose. Copy of the 1870 census, with the race categories circled in red. In 1890, the census identified African Americans by the fraction of their African ancestry: Black, mulatto, quadroon and octoroon. Copy of the 1890 census, with the race categories circled in red. Mexican was listed as its own race in 1930, only to be removed the next decade. Copy of the 1930 census, with the race categories circled in red. It was in the year 1970 that people were first allowed to choose their race, rather than having a census taker do so. This made the census a marker of self-identification instead of an outsiders perception. Copy of a page from the 1970 census, which now takes the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire. That same year, a new question was added to assess the size of the Hispanic population. Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban advocates had pressed for the addition for years, arguing that a full accounting of the population was needed to ensure civil rights protections. Close-up of a page from the 1970 census, with the question Is this persons origin or descent   circled in red. In 1997, the U.S. government set race and ethnicity standards, which were applied to the 2000 census and have largely remained in place. Section of the 2000 census, which asks that people answer both of two questions: Is this person Spanish/Hispanic/Latino? and What is this persons race? Mark X one or more races.

The reality of categorizing people with distinct labels has never been simple.

People with identical lineage may choose different boxes, and the same person may choose different boxes in different years. Former President Barack Obama, the son of a white woman from Kansas and a Black man from Kenya, for example, marked himself as Black, even when checking more than one race was an option.

Historically, some edits to census race boxes reflected changes in policy or public sentiment. As the nations laws on slavery shifted, the census began phasing out the counting of enslaved people and instead introduced new terms to define the Black population.

Other changes were from a push and pull between how the government saw individuals and how they wanted to self-identify. Despite being banished from common use, the term Negro, for example, was used in nine decennial censuses until 2010. The term was dropped by the next census.

With 24 decennial censuses so far, race options have changed more than a dozen times, as new groups have been added and others deleted.

Its like the census is adjusting the dials on your camera and you get different pictures accordingly, said Naomi Mezey, a law professor at Georgetown University and the author of Erasure and Recognition: The Census, Race and the National Imagination. It has huge and profound cultural consequences.

Most recently, the census forms have become the most reliable path to becoming visible  a way to have respondents identity, or at least something close to it, documented.

How the Counting Started

Charting the changes in the census over the last two centuries shows the countrys continued struggles over racism, nativism and xenophobia. The census performs dual, and, at times, conflicting purposes: keeping close count of those who deviate from the majority and also recognizing the way people perceive their own racial and ethnic identities.

The 1790 census did not explicitly specify the race of Black people or even acknowledge Native Americans.

1790 census All other free persons Free white males Free white females Slaves All other free persons Free white females Free white males Slaves All other free persons Free white males Free white females Slaves Source: 1790 United States Federal Census: New York

The census counted each enslaved worker as three-fifths of a person, reflecting a compromise that granted enslavers more political representation.

But that very first count, with its emphasis on separating enslaved people from free people, paved the way for the census to rely on race as a way to define groups of U.S. residents.

From slavery to racial segregation policies, and through the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s to now, the Black population has been identified by 10 distinct terms.

Mulatto, introduced in 1850, was the first term to define a multiracial person. It was removed in 1930 when the census began simply classifying anyone with even one Black ancestor as Negro. Black or African American eventually replaced Negro.

Native Americans were not officially represented in the earliest censuses because most lived under separate sovereignty according to treaties. Beginning in 1860, census takers were instructed to include Indians, but only those who renounced tribal affiliation.

1860 census instructions Source: U.S. Census Bureau

It wasnt until 1890 that the Census Bureau began to count all Native Americans, even those who lived on reservations.

After Alaska was admitted into the United States in 1959, census categories also included Aleut and Eskimo, which many now consider a slur and was later changed to Alaska Native.

Tracking of Immigrants

Anxiety over immigration heightened in the middle of the 19th century, when immigrants from China came as railroad workers. In 1870, the census added a Chinese category.

1870 census Source: 1870 United States Federal Census: Massachusetts

The Chinese Exclusion Act, passed in 1882, suspended immigration from China. The Immigration Act of 1924 limited the number of immigrants allowed into the United States through a quota based on national origins. The quota was set based on numbers from the 1890 census.

As more immigrants arrived from countries including Japan and Korea, the census grouped them all together, creating a broad Asian American identity.

The census helped make a race out of what had previously been thought of mainly as a nationality, Ms. Mezey wrote in her paper, referring to people with roots in countries throughout Asia.

Other Asian groups were introduced, removed and then reinstated over the decades, as their populations ebbed and flowed.

After Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959, various categories for Pacific Islanders were added to the census. In 1990, they were put together under a broad group  Asian or Pacific Islander.

Similarly, the census also eventually helped popularize the idea of a panethnic Hispanic or Latino identity, which included both recent immigrants and native-born citizens who traced their roots to countries from Mexico to Panama to Chile.

Mexicans were the first group of Hispanics to be enumerated. To capture the increase in immigrants after the Mexican Revolution, which ended in 1920, the census had a distinct category for Mexicans in 1930 for the first and only time. But many Mexican Americans fought for the categorys removal in the next census because they sought to be counted as white to gain citizenship.

During the civil rights movement in the late 1960s, Mexicans in the Southwest, Puerto Ricans in the Northeast and Cubans in Florida banded together to urge the federal administration to count the fast-growing Hispanic population. Federal officials said it would be too difficult to add a new category to the short form that enumerated race. So in 1970, they instead created a separate question asking the persons origin or descent on the longer version of the forms.

But the categories created have struggled to fully capture or accurately describe how people really identify. For example, Latino was added in 2000 to the category in part because many people with roots in Latin America did not identify with the term Hispanic.

Confusion also persisted about the distinction between race and ethnicity, with a steadily increasing number of people who identified with being of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin choosing the other category in the race question. In 2020, some other race was the second largest race group measured by the census, with Latinos making up a vast majority of those who did not see themselves in any other race option, including Black, white or Asian.

People who chose some other race on the decennial census 15 million 30 million 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Non-Hispanic Hispanic Source: National Historical Geographic Information System

There are significant numbers of people now who dont perceive themselves as fitting into the existing categories, said Jeffrey S. Passel, a senior demographer with Pew Research Center. The Census Bureau, ever since they added the Hispanic origin question to the census, has been grappling with how to get Hispanics to tick one of the conventional race categories.

In the latest proposal, Hispanic or Latino would be included in a more broadly defined racial and ethnic category, and people would have the option to choose one or more additional categories as well. Proponents believe the change will drastically decrease the number of people who identify only as some other race. But some opponents say there have not been enough tests to assure that the changes will not lead to an undercount of Black Latinos. They worry, for example, that a Black Dominican would mark only Hispanic and not Black.

Seeking New Recognition

The Biden administrations proposal also seeks to add a box for people with Middle Eastern and North African, or MENA, roots. It is the governments latest attempt to count a group that has long been invisible on the census. A 2015 study by the Census Bureau showed that when given a Middle Eastern and North African option, people of that heritage overwhelmingly chose that over white.

Historically, the United States has often counted the group in the white category because of a decades-old federal directive that defined it that way. In the early 1900s, Arab immigrants had pushed to be classified as white to circumvent rules that allowed only white immigrants to become U.S. citizens.

But as that population has increased in the United States, more have pressed for recognition. The number of Middle Eastern and North African residents in the United States has grown to nearly four million in the last decade, as shown in the chart below.

Change in MENA population in the U.S. 2 million 4 million 2010 2015 2020 Source: American Community Survey Note: MENA population includes those with Afghan, Algerian, Arab, Armenian, Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac, Egyptian, Georgian, Iranian, Iraqi, Israeli, Jordanian, Kurdish, Kuwaiti, Lebanese, Libyan, Middle Eastern, Moroccan, North African, Palestinian, Saudi Arabian, Somali, Sudanese, Syrian, Turkish or Yemeni ancestry.

The Biden administrations Office of Management and Budget has solicited feedback on its proposal, which it could implement and add to all federal forms as early as next summer, and then be used for the 2030 census. With the change, the number of people counted simply as white is likely to decline, because of the high numbers of MENA and Hispanic residents who have been marked as white.

Even as the current proposal is still being debated, there are more potential changes already being discussed. Some are pushing for the government to expand gender beyond male and female options. Other activists are asking to create a Black subcategory called American Descendent of Slavery, as part of a push for reparations.

There is so much conversation now around descendants of slavery and the need to really deal with the legacy of slavery head on, said Evan Shepard, a spokesman for the American Descendants of Slavery Advocacy Foundation. This is a small step in that direction.

No matter what the solution is for 2030, the forms are almost certain to change again.
Japanese men who carry mobile shrines known as mikoshi every year as part of important Shinto festivals are left with giant callouses on their shoulders that they display as badges of honor.

Carrying mikoshi shrines is considered a great honor among Japanese Shintoists, and while some may do it just once in their lives, the most dedicated of them actually help carry the mikoshi every year, for decades. Because these mobile shrines and the large wooden beams that support them can weigh over a ton, the pressure on the bearers shoulders is significant, and after years of service, the shoulders start to develop large callouses known as mikoshi dako. They are not the prettiest things in the world to look at, but mikoshi bearers wear them as badges of honor.

Photo: Tong Su/Unsplash

In Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan, one of the core beliefs is that there are 8 million gods, which explains that every single place in the Asian country has its own deities. Another belief is that these gods live in their dedicated shrines and that the only way to move them is in mikoshi, which are essentially mobile versions of these shrines.

The elaborately sculpted, painted, and decorated structures are supported by two or more sturdy wooden beams that the bearers have to carry on their shoulders. Being a mikoshi bearer is a great honor in Japan, and despite knowing the effect of carrying the heavy shrined will have on their bodies, men of all ages will gladly take part in this time-honored tradition every year.

The task of carrying the mikoshi shrines comes with a number of important rules, from wearing proper attire  modern clothes are not allowed  to the swaying style, and even a requirement to drink sake. It is apparently not unusual for mikoshi bearers to consume rice wine as early as 6 in the morning, which makes the task harder, but also numbs the pain of the pressure on the body.

Over time the callouses that develop on experienced mikoshi bearers shoulders get so big that they cushion the pressure of the wooden shrines and reduce the pain of carrying the portable shrines. Rather than conceal these physical deformities, the bearers display them proudly, because they are considered symbols of dedication to the deity they carry on their shoulders.

The shoulder callouses of mikoshi bearers are actually very similar to those developed by the Cullatori of Nola, in Italy. Every year, the men of Nola carry heavy wooden obelisks on their shoulders through the streets, which in time cause them to develop large callouses.
A wooden chair perched on the edge of an exposed attic in Dennis Township, New Jersey, has become an obsession for thousands of people and even spawned its own dedicated social media groups.

A dilapidated house with a collapsed roof located on Route 47 in the unincorporated Dennisville community of Dennis Township has become somewhat of a tourist attraction thanks to a small wooden chair perched right at the edge of its exposed attic. Many of those driving past the house on their way to and from work have become fascinated with this chair that doesnt really move but is destined to fall at some point. Some want to know how it wound up on the edge, others whether it is nailed to the floor to keep it from falling, and a few are interested in the homes history and why it is in its current condition. But most are just interested in watching the chair until the day it inevitably falls to the ground.

Photo: Chair Watch/Facebook

One day it will come down but until then we all must drive by and look at the chair in all its mesmerizing glory, the description of the Chair Watch Facebook group reads. Why is it still there? How long can it last? Will it blow off before the entire house falls down? Is it nailed to the floor? Things we all want to know and dont want to know at the same time because it will ruin the fun. Watch the chair with us.

Photo: Chair Watch/Facebook

The Facebook group currently has over 10,000 members who regularly share photos of the chair, memes, and theories about its origin and purpose. Chair Watch was created just 12 weeks ago, but it quickly grew to an impressive number of members and started capturing the attention of major media outlets. Some of the groups members claim to have been watching the mysterious chair for years.



Some members of Chair Watch have started betting on when the chair will finally slide down from the dilapidated attic, but the groups founders urge anyone who drives down to see the now-famous chair not to interfere in any way, adding that it would be a shame for its fate to be influenced by outside intervention.
There was deep sadness in Tullamore at the passing of a highly respected pillar of the community on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

A popular milkman and a very active person in the community in Tullamore for over 50 years, Denis Donoghue was in his 79th year when he passed away after a brave battle with cancer.

Originally from old Knockmay, Portlaoise, Denis started his working life as a bar man in Egan's in Portlaoise and by 18 he was a skilled and trained bar man.

He moved to Dublin getting a job in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoighaire.

It was while he was based in Dun Laoighaire that he met his future wife Sheila McHugh originally from Carrigspringan, Moynalty, Co. Meath.

After a time living in London, Denis moved back to Ireland and they married in 1969 and subsequently moved to Tullamore where Denis got a job in the Murals Pub in Tullamore which was owned by DE Williams.

He started work as a fruit and veg delivery man in the early 1970s and was proud of the fact that he was the first Fyffes banana man in Offaly.

In 1975 he started a new career that would continue successfully for well over 32 years making him an instantly recognisable figure in Tullamore.

Originally working for Drogheda and Dundalk Dairies, which later changed to Avonmore, Denis had countless loyal customers over the years and made many liflong friends in homes and shops around the town.

Denis made life long friends over the years in his employees and customers and these friends helped him greatly in his illness of late.

Starting at 4am every day, the business continued to grow and employed many young people in Tullamore throughout the years with his greatest support coming from his wife and his three daughters. Denis was devoted to his wife Sheila who played a huge role in their milk business, handling all the money and doing the accounts and banking while raising their family. In sickness and in health Denis devoted himself to minding Sheila throughout her many illnesses over the years.

As well as being a successful and well respected business man, Denis was also a man of great faith and a lot of his life was spent in the Church of the Assumption in Tullamore. He was on the Tullamore Parish Council and he was a steward at 11:30am Mass. He also made the Pacal Fires each Easter and when the church burned down in 1983, he ran hundreds of raffles in pubs and shops to help with the rebuilding.

Denis was an integral member of the Knights of St Columbanus for well over 25 years, an organisation that aims to promote Christianity, Fraternity, Charity, Faith and Social Justice. Denis rose up the ranks in the Knights and had a two year term as Grand Knight in Tullamore and also served at provincial level for North Leinster and served one term as provincial Grand Knight. He was awarded a 20-year medal in 2019.

Denis was also instrumental in many committees over the years including the Chernobyl Children's project, Tullamore Gymnastics Club, St Phileomenas NS and Ballydaly Residents Association of which the sitting room in Ballydaly acted as a community hall. Denis travelled widely and he also went to Belarus twice with a dental team from Tullamore to help out the children in the orphanages in the 90s.

Above all Denis and Sheila's hospitality is legendary. In Ballydaly the key was always in the door and there was a warm welcome for every friend, waif and stray that entered. Sheila's apple tarts and Denis's Irish Coffees and his love of 'Katie' made many a good night even better.

Denis definitely had a wonderful gift in his wicked sense of humour and it extended to many practical jokes including a famous one in the 80s around the time of the moving statues. Denis had saved statues from St. Phileomenas and the old Kilbeggan Church and he hid behind an armless statue at 4am. When the late Mick Gannon turned on the lights in the truck one morning, an apparition took place as the hands of the statue moved from resting to prayer position giving his friend a tremendous fright.

Denis was a proud man but most of all he was proud of his family and loved Sheila his girls, his sons in law and had such a strong bond with his seven grandchildren.

Denis will be sadly missed by his loving wife Sheila and daughters Marguerite (Cahill, The Island), Denise (Keoghan, Rahan Road) and Aoife (Shihab, Horsham, UK), sons in law Jonathan, Michael and Oliver, his adored grandchildren Micheal, Stephen, Emily, Donncha, Alister, Oisin and Bradan, brother Dan (Athy), (deceased brothers John and Michael, Portlaoise), sisters Patty (Clondalkin) and Claire (Arklow), brother in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews and a wide circle of relatives, neighbours and friends.
Offaly County Council has responded to complaints about works on a junction in Rhode which seemingly left trucks and buses unable to turn safely.

Fears have been raised that lorries and buses can no longer turn in Rhode village after footpaths were widened there last week.

Several people have shown footage on social media of lorries and buses having difficulty making turns in the village centre, at the crossroads, with many questioning the planning of the new footpaths, and their width in particular.

Road diversions are currently in place in the village as the works are carried out this week.

A spokesperson for Offaly County Council responded to queries from the Offaly Express and said that the construction work is ongoing but once completed the crossroads in Rhode will be a raised table junction, i.e. no kerbs.

"The steep ramps currently in place are only a temporary measure. All our Active Travel Works are undertaken in line with appropriate industry guidelines," the spokesperson said.

"They added that the works will provide a safer environment for pedestrians and vulnerable road users within Rhode village.

"The completed works will also slow vehicles down with the village and traffic passing through Rhode village, the spokesperson outlined.

"The improvements will also remove unregulated unsafe parking entirely from the crossroads and near pedestrian crossings to improve sight lines."

The spokesperson said the HGVs will have to wait until junctions are clear to continue, crossing the centreline is allowed but only when the path is clear.

The work is actually continuing this week with the Council warning of a another temporary road closure in the village on Tuesday and Wednesday "to allow for the installation of road surface across the junction."

However, concerns remain locally about the works undertaken in the village.

One person commented on social media: "Its an accident waiting to happen and needs an urgent review. The workers told the engineer that the road wouldnt be wide enough and they were told to carry on! Absolutely ridiculous! It needs sorting now".

Local resident Tierna Hannon contacted the Offaly Express and said: "All residents are very angry with the latest 'road improvements'. It's actually quite comical due to the crazy scenes being witnessed on a daily basis and beggars belief as to how it was allowed.

"The county council are missing the point completely in our complaints and insist they are following road width guidelines and the plans etc. The issue is not that road works are causing disruption, it's that the works are a disaster, dangerous and now we literally have nowhere to park in Rhode village.

"It's a four way junction that lorry and bus driver are having nothing but hardship turning on now. Even cars are struggling to turn when another car is at the top of the junction as there is barely enough room for two cars to swing past each other after navigating around the wide path. Roads have been made extremely narrow by massive footpaths with bollards so the majority of our street parking is gone.

"Lorries and buses are finding it extremely difficult to turn and are mounting the paths and have already hit some of the bollards, they are holding up traffic as they need cars to reverse so that they can reverse up and attempt to turn numerous times. Traffic lights won't even fix this problem. One of our main concerns is what happens if someone is standing on the corner here - it's an accident waiting to happen. Local business have lost their parking spaces and are losing business. Our only options are to park in the two pubs private carparks which is not fair on them. Rhode is not accessible anymore," Ms Hannon said.

Footage of the difficulties being encountered by lorries at the crossroads in the village was posted by Adele Kierans.

Another comment on social media said: "Honest to God, you wouldn't see it in a Killinaskuly sketch!"
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) informs the relevant state bodies in advance about any vehicle that will pass through any territory, as well as about the people and cargo it carries, Ilaha Huseynova, head of the public relations department of the ICRC Baku office, said, Trend reports.

She noted that no action can be taken without approval.

"The relevant authorities also have the right to check these vehicles or cargoes and remove what is illegal. Because our committee has no technical ability to check these vehicles or cargoes. Therefore, the letter sent to the relevant authorities notes that there are rights to inspect such cargoes. Our main mission is to deliver humanitarian cargoes to the field. If among these cargoes there is something contrary to the laws of the state, it can be extracted," Huseynova added.
25 Lakhs To 9 ISRO Scientists From Tamil Nadu, A Pat On The Shoulder To Govt School Students

Chennai

oi-Oneindia English Desk

Tamil Nadu has witnessed an unseen event recently. CM Stalin invited scientists for their works of excellence in ISRO and organised a function (Radiant Tamil Nadu - Radiating Tamil people) to honour them. In the function CM Stalin said, "Standing on this stage today, I am extremely proud to be born as a Tamilian more than I am of being the CM of Tamil Nadu."

As encouragement, CM Stalin announced 25 lakh rupees each to all the 9 scientists on the stage, another motivational factor for the next generation is the fact that 6 out of 9 scientists came from government school backgrounds.

Another stimulating announcement from CM Stalin is, the provision of incentives in the name of "Achieving scientists" to 9 students who studied in government school and completed under-graduation in engineering under 7.5% government given reservation and wish to continue masters' degree in engineering. The intention behind the decision is to pave the way for government school students to become scientists in future.

The coming generation has a lot of schemes and incentives to benefit them but the 9 scientists did not have any facilities and owe their success only to their own efforts. The 9 renowned scientists are K. Sivan, Mayilsamy Annadurai, V. Narayanan, A. Rajarajan, M. Sankaran, J. Asir Packiaraj, M. Vanitha, P. Veeramuthuvel, Nigar Shaji.

Chandrayaan-2 Project Director:

Vanitha, the Project Director of Chandrayaan-2 said, "Career improvement in our field depends on hard work and eligibility. The most eligible hardworking person will be appointed as directors of different projects. Going by this convention, after Mayilsamy Annadurai, I was promoted as the Director of Chandrayaan-2 project. Our success can be attributed to the utilisation of opportunities presented before us and willingness to work hard for it."

She clarified, "It is difficult to attribute our success to either Tamil background or being in the right position at the right time, many North Indian talents are also present in ISRO. The reality is that more Tamil people worked on this particular project."

Adithya L1 Project Director:

Nigar Shaji, the Director of Adithya L1 project is from Tenkasi, studied in Tamil in a government school and secured state first in 10th standard, school first in 12th standard. She was the first woman to pursue engineering in her town.

As a scientist of ISRO, Nigar Shaji is involved more in the Sun related studies. She said, "Many projects done by ISRO do not make the news, only the important ones and coincidentally the ones which we worked on made the news, resulting in our popularity. Incidentally, before scientist Vanitha, T.K. Anuradha from Karnataka became the first female Director and many more North Indians also have become Directors of many projects."

Nigar also said, "As far as ISRO is concerned, background holds no significance, only eligibility and hard work matters. The most qualified person becomes the Director and with the post the person has to prove their competency."

The clarifications given by the scientists showed their modesty and solidarity. Being aware of the fact that n number of people achieved in the space sector, we also clarified that there is only a sense of pride in the spirit of being Tamil people and no divisive mentality.

Former Chairman of ISRO:

Scientist K. Sivan said, "The honorary function organised by the Tamil Nadu government broke the stereotype about the competency of government school students. Most of us studied in government schools which stands testimony to the fact that government school students are no less than the private school students. The success of the program lies in the motivation and self-confidence it creates for the government school students."

K. Sivan, the former Chairman of ISRO completed his primary education in a far-off village named Sarakkalvilai and progressed to the point of studying aeronautical engineering. In 2018, he became the Chief of ISRO, a post held by renowned scientists such as Vikram Sarabhai, M.G.K Menon, Satish Dhawan, U.R. Rao etc. The proud factor for Tamil people is that he contributed to many missile launches in the last 33 years.

Director of URSC (U.R. Rao Satellite Centre):

M. Sankaran, the Director of URSC is also from Tamil Nadu like Sivan. This physics hero worked on projects related to both the sun and the moon. Born in 1971, he did Bachelor's in Physics from IIT, Chennai and later got his Masters in Physics. He designed solar panels and communication systems for Chandrayaan-1 and 2.

Director of SDSC (Satish Dhawan Space Centre):

Historically, Rajarajan from the Chola family ruled over Tamil Nadu in the past. In the present times, ISRO scientist Rajarajan from Tamil Nadu is ruling over space. As the Director of SDSC, Rajarajan is attracting the attention of the world with some excellent works of his. His role in India's first private rocket project and in the success of Chandrayaan-3 as the Chairman of the lab are incredible.

Director of Chandrayaan-3 mission:

Veeramuthuvel, the Director of Chandrayaan-3 mission said, "Tamil Nadu government has made some commendable changes especially in school education and higher education. Even in the function conducted for us, CM Stalin's speech showed his attention to details. Inviting and awarding scientists like us will inspire the coming generations to enter the field of science and become scientists."

Perceived as an average student then, Veeramuthuvel has now been perceived as an achiever in the field of space. What superpowers like Russia, America couldn't achieve in 11 and 3 times respectively, Veeramuthuvel achieved it in his first time itself.

Other scientists:

V. Narayanan like other scientists came from a humble background, as a space scientist he became the face of the success of Chandrayaan-3. Starting from his first assignment in Vikram Sarabhai Space Research Centre, he has been exploring the field of space with all his might and brought many successes to India.

Mayilsamy Annadurai said, "Award from CM Stalin is significant because it was given in front of government school students. The uniqueness of the award lies in the fact that it will act as a stimulus for the students to compete in the science field. Since the award was given in front of the young force, the world of science will be elevated by them in the future."

If a government job is prestigious, then government school is even more prestigious.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 14:33 [IST]
Three Persons Arrested for Motorbike Theft Cases in Pune and Mumbai

Three persons hailing from Rajasthan were arrested from Pune and Mumbai in motorbike theft cases. One of them was a wanted accused in a drug case filed in the western state.

India

-Krishna Kripa

In a recent development, three men from Rajasthan were apprehended in Pune and Mumbai for their involvement in motorbike theft cases. The arrest shed light on the fact that one of them was also a wanted suspect in a drug-related case filed in Rajasthan, as confirmed by the police on Tuesday.

The two accused were arrested from Kothrud, Pune where they had gone to commit robbery. Meanwhile, the third accomplice was caught from suburban Andheri in Mumbai on Monday. An official from the Andheri police station identified the arrested individuals as Ramesh Radhyshyam Menariya (31), Himmat Bherwal Gujjar (32) and Heeralal Kishanlal Ahir (24). All three hail from Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan.

Past Criminal Records

All three individuals have a criminal past with records showing their involvement in various illegal activities. The police managed to recover two high-end motorbikes which they had stolen from Andheri and Marine Drive areas of Mumbai, according to an official statement.

Investigation Leads To Arrest

In August this year, an individual approached the Andheri police reporting his expensive motorbike missing. As investigations progressed, it came to light that two men planning to commit robbery were heading towards Pune and one among them could potentially be involved with the bike theft cases reported in Mumbai. Acting swiftly on this information, the Andheri Police set up a trap leading to their capture followed by arresting their third accomplice based out of Mumbai.

Link With Drug Case Unveiled

As per further investigation into these arrests, it was discovered that Gujjar was previously listed as a wanted accused in a case related to the seizure of 100 kg opium in Rajasthan. He had been evading the law for two years, added the official.

Charges Against The Trio

The three accused have now been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including section 379 which pertains to punishment for theft. Further investigation into their activities is currently underway.

In conclusion, this incident underscores how persistent and thorough police work can lead to significant breakthroughs in seemingly unrelated cases. The arrest not only solved multiple bike theft cases but also led to the capture of a wanted drug offender who was on the run for several years. This serves as a reminder that no crime goes unnoticed and justice will always find its way.
BJP's Divide and Rule Plan Will Not Work in Chhattisgarh: CM Baghel

India

-Krishna Kripa

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday said the BJP's plan of divide and rule will not work in Chhattisgarh and hit out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his statement accusing the Congress of doing appeasement politics for votes in the poll-bound state.

'BJP spreading hatred'

Talking to reporters at the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur in the evening, he said the opposition BJP was left with no issues to raise in the state, where assembly polls will be held in two phases next month. Speaking at an election rally earlier in the day in Rajnandgaon, Shah attacked the Baghel government over communal violence in Biranpur village of Bemetara district in April and said the ruling party will continue doing appeasement politics for votes if it returns to power in Chhattisgarh after the polls.

Asked about Shah's statement, the Congress CM said, "Action was taken in the Biranpur incident and the accused were arrested. Police have also submitted a chargesheet in the court and compensation has been announced for the victim by the government. They BJP are left with no issues to raise. They will speak on only those things in which they have PhD." State Congress president Deepak Baij accused the saffron party of trying to spread hatred in view of the upcoming elections.

'BJP trying to disrupt welfare schemes'

"They always spit venom. For the last five years, they BJP-led central government tried to disrupt welfare schemes in the state and now during elections , they are spreading lies and venom. But it will have no impact. The Congress will register a historic win in the polls," he said. If Shah wants to punish the corrupt, he should first take action against former chief minister Raman Singh and his then-cabinet colleagues who were allegedly involved in graft during 2003-2018 BJP regime in the state, Baij said.

Polls in two phases

Polling to the 90-member assembly will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17. The Congress has declared candidates for 30 seats so far. Baghel and Baij later left for New Delhi to attend a party meeting slated on Tuesday. "A meeting will be held for finalising candidates for some of the remaining seats. Then we will request the party high command to release all the names of remaining nominees as soon as possible. The list may be declared a day or two after tomorrow's meeting," Baij said.

The BJP is trying to divide people on communal lines and spread hatred in Chhattisgarh, but the people of the state will not fall for their divisive politics. The Congress government has worked for the welfare of all sections of society and will continue to do so. The BJP's false propaganda will not have any impact on the people of Chhattisgarh, and the Congress will register a historic victory in the upcoming assembly elections.
Naresh Goyal And Family In Deep Trouble As ED Attaches Assets Of Rs. 538 Crores In Jet Airways Probe

CJI Refuses Legal Sanction On Same Sex Marriages But Favours Adoption Rights

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A Supreme Court bench on Tuesday rejected the pleas seeking the legalisation of same-sex marriages in India, a blow for the queer community that denies tens of millions of LGBT+ couples the right to marry their partners.

Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, while delivering the verdict, announced that there are a total of four judgments: one authored by him, and the remaining three by Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, and PS Narasimha. He further noted, "There exists a certain level of consensus, but there are also areas of dissent among the judgments."

In a groundbreaking statement, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud shattered prevalent stereotypes by affirming that homosexuality and queerness are not restricted to urban settings or the upper echelons of society. He emphasised, "It applies not only to English-speaking white-collar professionals but is equally relevant to a woman engaged in agricultural work in a village."

Same-sex Marriage In India: What To Know About The Supreme Court Case

CJI DY Chandrachud remarked that characterising marriage as a static and unchanging institution would be inaccurate. He pointed out that legislative Acts have historically introduced reforms in the institution of marriage.

He further noted, "Nullifying the Special Marriage Act would regress the country to a pre-Independence era. Conversely, if the Court chooses the second approach and interprets the SMA, it would encroach upon legislative territory."

Chief Justice Chandrachud underlined, "The Court lacks the tools necessary to ascribe meaning to the statute."

What Did Petitioners Say In Their Supreme Court Appeal For Same-Sex Marriage?

He reiterated, "The matter of altering the framework of the Special Marriage Act is within the purview of Parliament."

CJI DY Chandrachud emphasized, "Parliament is responsible for deciding if changes to the Special Marriage Act are necessary, and our Court must exercise prudence to avoid intruding into the legislative domain."

CJI also stressed, "The right to form a union includes the right to choose one's life partner and the entitlement to have that union officially recognized."

He continued by stating, "The failure to recognise such partnerships would lead to discrimination against LGBTQ+ couples. The Solicitor General informed the court that the Union plans to establish a committee to explore the rights that can be granted to such couples."

CJI Chandrachud underscored, "To fully enjoy these relationships, these unions must receive recognition, and the denial of essential goods and services cannot be tolerated. When recognition is withheld, the state indirectly infringes on personal freedoms."

He further pointed out, "The right to enter into a union is also firmly rooted in Article 19(1)(e)."

CJI Chandrachud highlighted, "Selecting a life partner is an integral aspect of shaping one's life. For many, this decision is considered one of the most significant in their lives, and this right is intrinsic to the fundamental right to life and liberty, as enshrined in Article 21."

CJI underscored, "Every individual, including those within the LGBTQ+ community, possesses the inherent right to determine the moral quality of their own lives. True liberty means having the freedom to be one's authentic self."

The Chief Justice clarified, "It's essential to recognize that a person's gender is distinct from their sexual orientation."

He further stated, "If a transgender individual is in a heterosexual relationship, the law recognizes such a marriage. Denying similar recognition to same-sex couples would infringe upon their fundamental rights." CJI then turned the focus towards the issue of adoption rights.

CJI made it clear, "The Juvenile Justice Act does not prohibit unmarried couples from adopting. The Union of India has not substantiated that excluding unmarried couples from adoption serves the child's best interests. Therefore, CARA has overstepped its authority by prohibiting unmarried couples from adoption."

Further, the CJI pointed out, "The distinction between married and unmarried couples lacks a reasonable connection to CARA's main goal, which is ensuring the child's best interests."

He emphasised, "It's not reasonable to assume that unmarried couples are less committed to their relationships."

CJI DY Chandrachud added, "There's no evidence on record to support the claim that only a married heterosexual couple can provide stability to a child."

He continued, "CARA Regulation 5(3) indirectly discriminates against non-traditional unions. It restricts queer individuals to adopt only as individuals, reinforcing discrimination against the queer community."

CJI DY Chandrachud asserted, "The law cannot presuppose that only heterosexual couples are capable of being good parents. Such an assumption would constitute discrimination. Consequently, the adoption regulations are in violation of the constitution for discriminating against queer couples."

Furthermore, CJI DY Chandrachud noted that he differs in opinion with Justice Ravindra Bhat's judgment.

He clarified, "In contrast to Justice Bhat's judgment, the directives in my judgment do not establish a new institution; rather, they uphold the fundamental rights enshrined in Part 3 of the Constitution."
Amala Paul Kisses Her Boyfriend And Says 'Yes' To His Marriage Proposal [Video]

Countries Where Same-Sex Marriage Is Officially Legal

India

oi-Deepika S

The Government of India has opposed in the Supreme Court a batch of pleas seeking legal validation of same sex marriage, saying it would cause a complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws and in accepted societal values.

It is submitted that despite the decriminalisation of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the petitioners cannot claim a fundamental right for same-sex marriage to be recognised under the laws of the country, it said.

In its affidavit, filed before the Supreme Court which is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday, the Centre said the institution of marriage between two individuals of the same gender is neither recognised nor accepted in any uncodified personal laws or any codified statutory laws.

The government said that at the outset the notion of marriage itself necessarily and inevitably presupposes a union between two persons of the opposite sex and this definition is socially, culturally and legally ingrained into the very idea and concept of marriage and ought not to be disturbed or diluted by judicial interpretation.

'Amongst Hindus, it is a sacrament, a holy union for performance of reciprocal duties between a man and a woman. In Muslims, it is a contract but again is envisaged only between a biological man and a biological woman. It will, therefore, not be permissible to pray for a writ of this court to change the entire legislative policy of the country deeply embedded in religious and societal norms,' the government said in its affidavit.

However, there are more than 32 countries around the globe that recognise same-sex marriage, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a US-based LGBTQ advocacy group.

What is same-sex marriage?

Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same legal sex. The first same-sex couple to be married legally in modern times were Michael McConnell and Jack Baker in 1971 in the United States; they were married in the county of Hennepin County, Minnesota.

The first law providing for marriage equality between same-sex and opposite-sex couples was passed in the continental Netherlands in 2000 and took effect on 1 April 2001.

Countries where same-sex is legal

The US, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and Uruguay are among countries where same-sex marriage is legal.

10 countries where same-sex is legal

US: The US Supreme Court recognised gay marriage in 2015.

Belgium: Same-sex marriage in Belgium has been legal since 1 June 2003. A bill for the legalization of same-sex marriages was passed by the Senate on 28 November 2002, and by the Chamber of Representatives on 30 January 2003. It entered into force on 1 June, after King Albert II gave his royal assent.

Quebec: Same-sex marriage in Quebec has been legal since March 19, 2004 in accordance with a ruling from the Quebec Court of Appeal that the heterosexual definition of marriage violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

New Brunswick: Same-sex marriage in New Brunswick has been legal since June 23, 2005 in accordance with a ruling from the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick.

South Africa: Same-sex marriage in South Africa has been legal since the Civil Union Act, 2006 came into force on 30 November 2006.

California: California became the first state in the U.S. to legalise domestic partnerships between same-sex couples in 1999. Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2008 for five months until voters approved a ban in November of the same year.

Norway: Norway became one of the first countries in the world to enact an anti-discrimination law explicitly including sexual orientation. Same-sex marriage, adoption, and assisted insemination treatments for lesbian couples have been legal since 2009.

New York: New York's Marriage Equality Act was signed into law by Governor Cuomo on June 24, 2011, allowing same-sex couples to marry legally in New York for the first time.

Australia: Same-sex marriage became legal on January 1, 2019.

Taiwan: Considered a hotspot for LGBTQ life, Taiwan legalised gay marriage in 2019.
Delhi wants to become sister city with Brisbane, says Mayor Shelly Oberoi

India

-Krishna Kripa

New Delhi: Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi expressed her desire for Delhi to become a sister city with Brisbane, Australia. She conveyed this wish to her counterpart in Brisbane during the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors Forum held recently. Impressed by Brisbane's sanitation, cleanliness management, and preservation of built heritage, Oberoi believes that this partnership could bring valuable opportunities for both cities.

Oberoi's Visit to Brisbane

Oberoi, representing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), attended the urban summit in Brisbane from October 11 to 13. Over 1,000 delegates, including more than 100 mayors and deputy mayors, participated in the event. During the summit, Oberoi had the chance to interact with several city leaders, including Brisbane's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Brisbane's Sister City Program

The Brisbane City Council has an established sister city program aimed at fostering mutually beneficial exchanges in various areas such as commerce, culture, and sports. Brisbane currently has nine sister cities: Abu Dhabi (UAE), Auckland (New Zealand), Chongqing (China), Daejeon (South Korea), Hyderabad (India), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Kobe (Japan), Semarang (Indonesia), and Shenzhen (China).

Delhi's Interest in Sister City Partnership

Oberoi expressed Delhi's keen interest in becoming Brisbane's sister city. She stated that the formalities for such a partnership would be discussed with the Brisbane City Council. The mayor also mentioned receiving support from the Indian mission in Australia and an advisor to the mayor of Brisbane in pursuing this initiative.

Potential Benefits of the Partnership

Oberoi sees the sister city partnership as an opportunity to showcase Delhi's best practices and models on an international platform. She believes that such collaboration can enhance commercial, cultural, and sporting exchanges between the two cities. Oberoi highlighted the work done by the MCD in areas like waste management and the creation of waste-to-wealth parks, which garnered interest from the Brisbane delegation.

Promoting Sustainability and Cultural Exchange

The Brisbane summit focused on the theme of "Shaping Cities for our Future," with sub-themes emphasizing connectivity, sustainability, and legacy. Oberoi delivered a presentation on the MCD's efforts towards sustainability, particularly in managing legacy waste and transforming landfill sites. She shared the success stories of three municipal parks built on the concept of waste-to-wealth, showcasing Delhi's commitment to environmental stewardship and creative reuse of materials.

Delhi's aspiration to become a sister city with Brisbane reflects its commitment to fostering international partnerships and promoting sustainable urban development. The exchange of ideas, best practices, and cultural experiences between the two cities can lead to innovative solutions and enhance the quality of life for their residents. As the process moves forward, it will be exciting to witness the potential outcomes of this collaboration and its impact on both cities.
Who Is Sanjay Mishra, The ED Chief Known For Sending 15 Big Politicians To Jail?

ED attaches fresh assets worth Rs 6 crore in HP scholarship scam case

The Enforcement Directorate has attached fresh assets worth more than Rs 6 crore in connection with an alleged scholarship scam in the Himachal Pradesh higher education department.

India

-Krishna Kripa

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday said it has attached fresh assets worth more than Rs 6 crore as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged scholarship scam in the Himachal Pradesh higher education department.

Modus Operandi

The federal agency said in a statement that a provisional order was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach five immovable properties located in Mohali, Punjab and Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, in the form of residential plots and flats and deposits kept in 14 bank accounts. The properties, worth a total of Rs 6.25 crore, belong to Rajdeep Singh and Krishan Kumar, partners in the ASAMS education group of the state.

Last year, the agency had attached assets worth about Rs 4.42 crore in this case. The two accused, through the ASAMS Education Group and Skill Development Society, claimed scholarship under the post-matric scheme for SC/ST/OBC students by presenting false, forged and fabricated documents, the ED alleged. Such claims were verified by Arvind Rajta, who was posted at the directorate of higher education of the Himachal Pradesh state government.

Arrests

These three apart from Hitesh Gandhi, vice chairman of the KC group of institutions located at Pandoga, were arrested by the agency in August and they are currently in judicial custody.

The ED said the latest attachment of assets has taken the total value of properties seized in this case to Rs 10.67 crore.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) took part in the return of almost 700 prisoners from 1990 to 2020 to both sides, the Head of the Public Relations Department of the ICRC Baku Office, Ilaha Huseynova said, Trend reports.

She pointed out that the responsibility for the detainee lies with the party that apprehended them.

"The ICRC cannot bear any responsibility in this matter. No letters written in the 1990s have been handed over to the family members today. It's impossible for any letter written at that time to reach the family members today. The families themselves are now transmitting the letters to the media," Huseynova added.

The ICRC is holding an information session for journalists.
GIMS Greater Noida Cancels Direct Recruitment to 255 Staff Nurse Posts

India

-Krishna Kripa

The Government Institute of Medical Science (GIMS) in Greater Noida has canceled the direct recruitment to 255 staff nurse posts. The cancellation comes after a protest by some staff at the hospital which impacted treatment services at the state-run facility.

Cancellation Notice

GIMS Director Brig. Retired Dr. Rakesh Gupta said in a notice that the advertisement published on October 8 for direct recruitment to 255 staff nurse posts by the Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, has been canceled due to unavoidable reasons.

Reason for Cancellation

He said after the publication of the advertisement, there was anger among the staff nurses working in the institute regarding recruitment and they demanded their recruitment on regular posts. On Monday, a protest was held in the hospital premises and all the treatment services of the hospital were disrupted due to which patients are facing a lot of problems.

Fresh Recruitment Proposal

Gupta said that a proposal for fresh recruitment is being sent to the government and further process would be completed after its approval.

The cancellation of the direct recruitment to 255 staff nurse posts at GIMS Noida has caused inconvenience to patients and disrupted treatment services at the hospital. The hospital administration has taken this step to address the concerns of the existing staff nurses and to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process.
Top Key Takeaways From Supreme Court's Verdict On Same-Sex Marriage

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In a historic ruling, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court ruled that there cannot be legal recognition for same-sex marriages, doing so by a 3-2 majority. The verdict was pronounced with 3:2 judgements (Justices S Ravindra Bhat, PS Narasimha and Hima Kohli : CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice SK Kaul).

As many as four judgments were delivered and a slew of observations made by the apex court.

While the court did not grant immediate validation to same-sex marriages, it provided a roadmap for queer rights and highlighted several crucial aspects that need attention.

Recognising Queer Rights and Equality

Chief Justice Chandrachud, who headed the bench, began by emphasising that the court's role is not to create laws but to interpret and enforce existing legislation. He stressed that it is the responsibility of Parliament to consider changes to the Special Marriage Act, which currently does not permit same-sex marriages.

Supreme Court Rejects Same-Sex Marriage Legalisation In 3:2 Verdict

One of the important points highlighted during the proceedings was the need to address discrimination against the queer community. The Chief Justice, while heading the constitution bench, said queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages and is neither urban nor elitist.

Sensitising the Public About Queer Rights

The Supreme Court emphasized that governments must take decisive measures to eradicate discrimination when accessing goods and services.

Creating Safe Spaces: The Importance of Hotlines and Safe Houses

"Sensitising the public about queer rights is essential," stated the Chief Justice, adding, "It's imperative to create a hotline for the queer community and establish safe houses for queer couples."

The Intersex Children's Right to Choose

The bench, which includes Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha, also issued a crucial order regarding intersex children. It stipulated that no person should be coerced into undergoing hormonal therapy, ensuring a fundamental right to personal choice.

Ensuring Privacy and Dignity

Furthermore, the Supreme Court provided strong directives to the police to protect the rights and dignity of the queer community. They are prohibited from summoning individuals solely to inquire about their sexual identity.

"The police should not compel queer individuals to return to their natal family," the bench emphasized, adding that "a preliminary inquiry should be conducted before registering an FIR against a queer couple related to their relationship."

Protecting Children's Rights and Ensuring Stable Homes

Justice Ravindra Bhat, who read out his dissenting judgment, agreed with the Chief Justice on the right of transgender persons to marry, but disagreed on the adoption aspect. He argued that the objective of Section 57 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, which deals with adoption, is to ensure that all children in need of stable homes receive all benefits. He further stated that when a couple separates, a de facto family often plays out, and that the state as a parens patriae has to explore all areas to ensure that all children receive the best possible care.

While the Supreme Court did not grant immediate legal recognition to same-sex marriages, its verdict set the stage for meaningful progress in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Same-sex Marriage In India: What To Know About The Supreme Court Case

No legal status to same-sex marriage: Who said what?

Senior advocate Geeta Luthara, representing some petitioners in the marriage equality case, said,"Even if the right to marriage has not been given, CJI has said that the same bundle of rights which every married couple has should be available to same-sex couples."

#WATCH | Senior advocate Geeta Luthra who appeared for some of the petitioners in the marriage equality case says, "Even if the right to marriage has not been given, CJI has said that the same bundle of rights which every married couple has should be available to same-sex pic.twitter.com/vWbJVUcYn3  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2023

LGBTQIA+ rights activist Harish Iyer, a petitioner in the case, expressed mixed sentiments, stating, "Although the final verdict did not align with our hopes, numerous observations by the Supreme Court favored our cause. By placing the onus on the Central government, we are urged to engage with our elected representatives and assert our unique identities. The battle for societal equality is ongoing, and we are determined to achieve it."

Anjali Gopalan, another petitioner and activist, said, "Our fight has been long, and we remain steadfast. While the Chief Justice's remarks on adoption were commendable, it is disappointing that other justices did not concur. In a democracy, we cannot deny fundamental rights to our own citizens."

Supreme Court Bar Association president Adish Aggarwala welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, said, "I applaud the Supreme Court's stance in disallowing same-sex marriage."
INDIA Bloc Represents 60 PC Of Nation, Says Rahul Gandhi

India

oi-PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday claimed that the opposition INDIA alliance represents 60 per cent of the country, more than the BJP does.

Gandhi alleged that both major parties of Mizoram - MNF and opposition ZPM - are being used by the BJP to gain a foothold in the Christian-majority state.

He promised old age pension of Rs 2,000 per month, gas cylinders at Rs 750 and support for entrepreneurs if the Congress comes to power in Mizoram, which is going to assembly polls on November 7.

Addressing reporters in Aizawl, where he is visiting to campaign for party candidates, Gandhi said the opposition alliance will defend the ''idea of India'' by protecting its values, constitutional framework and freedom of people irrespective of religion or culture to express themselves and live in harmony.

Mizoram Congress Candidate List 2023: List Of 39 INC Candidates Released

Lashing out at the BJP and its ideological parent RSS, Gandhi said, ''Their vision for our nation is different from ours. We believe in decentralisation whereas the BJP believes that all decisions should be taken in Delhi.'' He asserted that the Congress will win all the upcoming assembly elections in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.

''We will decimate the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. We had wiped them out in Chhattisgarh and will defeat them again. We trounced the BJP in Rajasthan in previous polls and will repeat it this time. We will do the same in Northeast. Nobody should underestimate the idea of Congress,'' Gandhi added. Asserting that the Congress helped lay the foundation of the country and that the grand old party has a record of defending that foundation, he accused the BJP of attempting to capture the entire institutional framework of the nation.

''Different states in the Northeast are facing attacks from the BJP and RSS, threatening the foundations of your religious beliefs and languages. RSS believes that India should be governed by a single ideology and organisation, which we are precisely opposing. ''We want the people of Mizoram to take decisions for their future. We want them to be comfortable in expressing themselves, their religious or social practices. We do not believe Mizoram should be ruled directly from Delhi. We believe in devolving power to the people of the state,'' he said.

Alleging that the BJP was using MNF and ZPM as a platform to gain a foothold in Mizoram, he said that the upcoming assembly polls is a fight to defend the idea of Mizoram and protecting its residents' freedom, tradition and religion.

Mizoram Assembly Speaker Resigns, To Join BJP

''While the Mizo National Front (MNF) is directly allied with the BJP, it is very clear that the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) is not fighting the saffron party,'' he said.

''The Congress will form the government in Mizoram. People of the state understand what is happening... The real question of the election is whether the RSS is going to control Mizoram or not. It can do so through the MNF or ZPM,'' he added.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 14:44 [IST]
JP Nadda Meets Rajasthan BJP Leaders, Stresses Organisational Strength

India

-Krishna Kripa

Amid protests over ticket distribution for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly polls, BJP national president JP Nadda visited Udaipur and Jodhpur on Monday to hold meetings with senior party leaders and office bearers. In Udaipur, Nadda emphasized the importance of organizational strength for winning elections and stressed the need for thorough booth-level planning. He also highlighted the significance of mobilizing voters and working diligently.

Ticket Distribution Protests

The BJP has been facing protests in several constituencies over the distribution of tickets for the Rajasthan Assembly polls. The first list of 41 candidates, released last week, sparked protests in constituencies such as Sanchore, Jhotwara, Nagar, Kotputli, and Deoli-Uniara. The supporters of leaders who were denied a ticket protested in the constituencies as well as the party office, prompting the state unit to set up a panel of senior leaders to talk to the disgruntled aspirants.

Rajasthan Polls: Vasundhara Raje Meets Gulabchand Kataria In Udaipur

Nadda's Meetings

In Udaipur, Nadda held separate meetings with division-level party officer bearers from Udaipur city, Udaipur rural, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, and Rajsamand. In Jodhpur, he met with office bearers from Jalore, Sirohi, Barmer, Balotra, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur city, Jodhpur rural north, Jodhpur rural south, and Pali.

During the meetings, Nadda asked the office bearers to highlight the achievements of the Narendra Modi government and the failures of the Congress government in Rajasthan. He also urged them to work with a focused approach to form the government in the state.

Shekhawat's Comments

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who was present during Nadda's visit to Jodhpur, told reporters that the party president has asked the office bearers to work with a focused approach to form the government in the state. He said the party organization has been working to strengthen the base at the ground level for five years.

When asked about the resentment among some leaders after the announcement of the first list of candidates, Shekhawat said some reactions have come and Nadda would perhaps discuss the matter with the senior leaders during his visit. He expressed confidence that the BJP would form the government in Rajasthan and also win all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections.

Why EC Changed The Polling Date Of Rajasthan?

Assembly Elections

All 200 Assembly constituencies in Rajasthan will go to polls on November 25, while the counting of votes will take place on December 3. The results of the elections will be crucial for both the BJP and the Congress, as they will set the tone for the 2024 general elections.

JP Nadda's visit to Rajasthan comes at a crucial time for the BJP, as the party faces challenges in the run-up to the Assembly elections. The protests over ticket distribution have put the party on the back foot, and Nadda's meetings with party leaders and office bearers are aimed at addressing these concerns and ensuring a united front in the elections.
How Soon Can Rahul Gandhi Regain His Membership In Parliament? Can He Attend No-Confidence Motion Debate?

Mahua Moitra Files Defamation Case Against BJP's Dubey Over 'Cash For Queries' Allegations

India

oi-Prakash KL

TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Tuesday filed defamation case in Delhi High Court against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, former personal friend and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai along with several media organisations in connection with 'cash for queries' allegations, according to Bar and Bench.

The matter will come up for hearing on Friday and Justice Sachin Datta will hear the case. Earlier, the TMC MP had sent legal notices to Dubey and Dehadrai.

In a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Dubey, on Sunday, accused Moitra of taking "bribes" from a businessman to ask questions in Parliament and urged Birla to constitute an "inquiry committee" to look into the charges against her.

The BJP MP wrote to Birla under the subject "Re-emergence of nasty 'Cash for Query' in Parliament, Direct involvement of Smt. Mahua Moitra, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for serious 'Breach of Privilege', 'Contempt of the House' and a 'Criminal Offence' under Section 120-A of IPC".

Citing a letter he has received from an advocate, Dubey said the lawyer has shared "irrefutable" evidence of bribes exchanged between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and a businessman.

In his letter to the speaker, Dubey said 50 of 61 questions she asked in Lok Sabha till recently were focused on the Adani Group, the business conglomerate which the TMC MP has often accused of malpractices, more so after it was at the receiving end of a critical report of short-selling from Hindenburg.

The Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha is chaired by BJP member Vinod Kumar Sonkar.

Moitra has hit back, saying she "welcomes any move against her after the Lok Sabha Speaker is finished dealing with pending charges against him (Dubey)".

Meanwhile, Adani Group referred to Dubey's complaint without referring to him by name but said a Dehadrai has "filed a complaint with the CBI in the form of a sworn affidavit bringing on record the 'commission of an elaborate criminal conspiracy by Mahua Moitra and Darshan Hiranandani, CEO of Hiranandani Group for specifically targeting Gautam Adani and his group of companies through parliamentary questions."

"He has further stated that, as a quid pro quo, Ms. Moitra received bribes and undue favours from Hiranandani," the statement from Adani Group said.
Will Go All Alone In Assembly, 2024 Lok Sabha Polls: Mayawati

Madhya Pradesh Polls: Will Maywati's Power Play For Dalit Votes Be Make Or Break?

India

oi-Prakash KL

Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) plans to contest 178 seats in the forthcoming Madhya Pradesh polls, scheduled to be held on November 17.

So far, the BSP has released the names of 74 candidates for the assembly elections to the 230-member house.

In the fourth list released on Sunday, the BSP has named candidates for the assembly seats under Chhatarpur, Shivpuri, Sagar, Rewa, Singrauli, Katni, Jabalpur, Narmadapuram, Khandwa, Rajgarh, Raisen, Khargone, Dhar, Alirajpur, Dewas, Indore, Jhabua, Neemuch, Ratlam, Ujjain and Shajapur districts.

Madhya Pradesh Election Prediction: Will Cong End BJP's Rule? Check Lok Poll Survey Report

Can BSP Leave Any Impact In MP Polls?

In the 2018 assembly polls, the BSP had won two seats in Madhya Pradesh. However, one of its MLAs later joined the ruling BJP. The lone BSP MLA, Rambai Singh Parihar, is contesting election again from the same seat - Patharia in Damoh district.

However, the BSP, which has been contesting in Madhya Pradesh since 1993, had its best performance in 2008 when it had won 7 seats. Five years later, it was reduced to 2 seats.

While the BSP has not won many seats in the Madhya Pradesh polls, it has garnered a decent vote share that could potentially influence the outcome by dividing votes in the elections.

In 2008, it had secured 8.97 per cent vote share. In the next two polls, it had garnered 6.29 per cent and 5.01 per cent share, respectively.

In 2023, the BSP has formed an alliance with the Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP). As per the agreement, Mayawati's party plans to contest in 178 seats while the GGP will field candidates in 52 seats.

"A government of this alliance will be formed in Madhya Pradesh to end the atrocities on Dalits, tribals, and women. This will also end the dictatorial and capitalist rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress and the poor will get justice," the two parties said in a statement.

The GGP, which was formed about three decades ago as a tribal outfit in the then undivided Madhya Pradesh, had won a single seat in the assembly in 1998. In 2003, it won three assembly seats, its best performance to date. The party failed to register any victory after that.

Ahead Of Polls, Madhya Pradesh Announces 35% Reservation For Women In Government Jobs

The Number Game

In Madhya Pradesh, the Dalit population constitutes approximately 16 percent of the total population, according to a report in Indian Express. Notably, 35 out of 230 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs). Last polls, the BJP had bagged 18 of these reserved seats, while the Congress emerged victorious in 17.

On the other hand, Tribals make up more than 21 percent of the population, with 47 Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs). In the 2018 elections, the BJP managed to secure victory in 16 of these ST seats, while the Congress emerged victorious in 30.

While Mayawati's party enjoys good support in regions bordering Uttar Pradesh, such as the Bundelkhand and the Gwalior-Chambal belt, the GGP's has support in the Mahakaushal region, in the districts of Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, Seoni, Chhindwara, and Betul, where there is a significant Gondi population.

It has to be seen whether the BSP and GGP alliance can make a real impact in the crucial Madhya Pradesh polls, considering that SC and ST have traditionally voted for the BJP and Congress.
MP Polls: Rau Constituency To See Rerun Of 2018 Contest, BJP Looks To Dent Congress Stronghold

India

oi-PTI

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress have repeated their 2018 poll candidates in Rau constituency of Indore district for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections.

The Congress has fielded its sitting MLA and former cabinet minister Jitu Patwari (49) for the fourth time, while the BJP has reposed faith for the second time in its leader Madhu Verma (71), who lost to Patwari in the 2018 poll by a thin margin of 5,703 votes.

The Rau Assembly segment, spread over urban and rural parts of Indore, has 3.56 lakh voters, including a sizeable number of farmers. Many of the cultivators have been unhappy with the BJP government's process of acquisition of agricultural land for a proposed economic corridor project. In 2008, Patwari lost this assembly segment to BJP's Jitu Jirati. But in 2013, Patwari won the seat and continued the winning streak in 2018. BJP candidate Verma told PTI that despite being a cabinet minister in the previous Kamal Nath-led Congress government, Patwari failed to keep his promise of setting up a big government hospital in Rau. The development in Rau happened due to the BJP government's efforts, said Verma, the former chairman of Indore Development Authority.

Madhya Pradesh Election Prediction: Will Cong End BJP's Rule? Check Lok Poll Survey Report

However, Patwari claimed that Rau assembly segment has been ''more developed'' than state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's traditional Budhni constituency. ''Verma is a good man and like a father figure to me. In the Indian tradition, is it clear that after some time the son has to take over the responsibility and the father shows the way. I am going to take the blessings of Verma for the win,'' Patwari said referring to the septuagenarian rival. Verma hit back at Patwari saying, "Age does not matter in delivering public services. Despite being younger to me, Patwari did not care for the people of Rau. And that is why I, like a father figure, had to enter the election arena.'' Rau has a large chunk of farmers, who have been protesting against the state government's process of acquisition of fertile agricultural land for the proposed Indore-Pithampur Economic Corridor project spread over 3,200 acres. This area is also famous for potato cultivation.

Farmer Atul Kushwaha, has been cultivating potato at his field in Sindoda village, said, ''The state government wants to acquire our fertile land in the name of Indore-Pithampur Economic Corridor Project at a very cheap price compared to the current market rate, for the sake of big industrialists. We oppose this injustice.'' Kushwaha said in the run-up to the polls, Patwari and Verma have been assuring they are with the farmers and that the land of cultivators will not be allowed to be taken over without their consent. ''But after the formation of government, no one listens to us and political parties get down to their business,'' said the farmer.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 10:04 [IST]
NC, Congress announce formation of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council

National Conference and Congress Tuesday announced the formation of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council LAHDC-Kargil, for which elections were held recently, with the power-sharing arrangement for two-and-a-half years each.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Srinagar, Oct 17: National Conference and Congress Tuesday announced the formation of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil, for which elections were held recently, with the power-sharing arrangement for two-and-a-half years each.

Power-sharing arrangement

For the first term, the NC will have its Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), after which a Congress councilor will take over for the next two-and-a-half years. The arrangement was announced at a joint press conference by the leaders of both parties in Kargil. The parties also announced an agenda of alliance for the fifth LAHDC.

50-50 sharing basis

"The council will be formed on a 50-50 sharing basis. The five years of the chairman of the council will be divided into two for both the parties, Congress leader Nasir Munshi told reporters. He said the first term will be granted to NC which will commence on October 18 and would conclude on April 18, 2026. Two executive councilors would be appointed by each party, ensuring equal representation, Munshi said.

Allocation of positions

"One of the executive councilor positions, as per LAHDC ACT, reserved for principal religious minorities, will be granted to NC in the first term, and the second will automatically be allocated to the Congress party, he said. He said the departments assigned to the chairman and executive councilors would be equally shared between both parties. Both parties are committed to providing an effective and sustainable council that works for the betterment, development, and welfare of the people of Kargil, Munshi said.

Jaffar Akhoon nominated as CEC

The NC has nominated an elected councilor from Thasgam Thuvina constituency, Jaffar Akhoon, as the Chief Executive Councilor (CEC). The decision was announced at the press conference by senior NC leader Qamar Ali Akhoon. Earlier, the newly-elected councilors of the fifth General LAHDC took oath at the Syed Mehdi Auditorium Hall, Kargil. The oath of office to the 26 elected councilors was administered by the Principal and sessions judge, Kargil, Iqbal Ahmad Masoodi. The NC and Congress alliance swept the polls, which were held on October 4, by winning 12 and 10 seats, respectively. The BJP and independents secured two seats each.

The formation of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, with a power-sharing arrangement between the National Conference and Congress, marks a new chapter in the governance of the region. The equal representation and shared responsibilities between the two parties aim to ensure effective and sustainable development, focusing on the betterment and welfare of the people of Kargil. With the newly elected councilors taking oath and the nomination of the Chief Executive Councilor, the stage is set for the implementation of the alliance's agenda and the fulfillment of the aspirations of the people of Kargil.
Pune Accident: Four Charred To Death, Two Injured After Truck Catches Fire

India

-Krishna Kripa

Four people, including a minor, were burned to death and two others were injured after a truck caught fire following a multi-vehicle accident on Monday near Navale bridge on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune. The incident took place near Swaminarayan Temple at around 9 pm, resulting in four deaths and injuries to two others, Sinhgad Road police station senior inspector Abhay Mahajan said.

The Accident

A truck carrying corn stover remnants after corn harvest was going from Sangli to Gujarat. When the truck came to Swaminarayan Temple Chowk, the driver lost control and the vehicle hit another truck, which toppled. The vehicle carrying corn stover then rear-ended a container truck. The impact was so powerful that the truck carrying corn stover caught fire, and the driver's cabin was mangled.

Of the six occupants in the cabin, four were charred to death after getting trapped inside, while two were injured and have been hospitalized.

Firefighting Efforts

Pune Municipal Corporation chief fire officer Devendra Potphode said the incident took place around 9 pm, and the blaze was doused after multiple fire tenders and water tankers were deployed.

Traffic Diversion

The police and fire brigade personnel are in the process of clearing the road, and traffic has been diverted to alternate routes, Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone III Suhail Sharma said.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained. Further investigation into the accident is underway.
Rajasthan BJP leader Rajendra Rathore targets Cong's ERCP awareness campaign

India

-Krishna Kripa

Jaipur: Rajasthan BJP leader Rajendra Rathore on Monday targeted the Congress awareness campaign on the ERCP, saying Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath were responsible for stalling the canal project.

Rathore slams Gehlot

Interacting with reporters at the BJP headquarters here, Rathore, who is the Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly, said when Nath was the chief minister of neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, he had refused to give a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Rajasthan for the project.

Attacking Gehlot, Rathore said the state government is claiming to complete the project by 2051 and has announced to spend Rs 37,000 crores on it. However, no work has been done till now, Rathore said, adding that Gehlot was not a chief minister but a minister of announcements.

Gehlot made announcements but no work done

He said the CM had talked about creating an ERCP Corporation and giving Rs 13,000 crore to it but not even a single penny has been spent on the project so far. The then chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, was the first to object to giving an NOC to Rajasthan for the ERCP, after which Gehlot announced to build the project at the state's expense, Rathore said.

The ERCP is an ambitious project that was first proposed by the previous BJP government in Rajasthan to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of 13 districts -- Jaipur, Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Dausa, Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur, and Dholpur.

Congress kickstarts ERCP campaign

The Congress plans to emphasise its demand for national status to the East Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) as it kicked off its election campaign in eastern Rajasthan on Monday, with an aim to secure a substantial number of the 83 Assembly seats in the region. A rally was held in Baran to launch the public awareness campaign on the ERCP and it was addressed by Gehlot and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will go to polls on November 25 and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 3.

Rathore alleges bad law and order situation

Rathore also alleged that the law and order situation in the state was bad and in the last six months, charge sheets in only 25 per cent of the cases have been filed in courts. Due to the policies of the Congress government, Rajasthan is in a state of economic emergency, he said and accused the state government of cheating the common people in the name of schemes.

BJP leader claims disputes resolved

In response to a question on protests within the state BJP over ticket distribution, Rathore said most of the disputes have been resolved. He said there was massive factionalism within the Congress party due to which it could not release the first list of candidates in September as announced earlier.

The ERCP is a major issue in Rajasthan and both the Congress and the BJP are trying to woo voters by promising to complete the project. However, it remains to be seen whether either party will be able to deliver on their promises.
ISTANBUL, Turkiye, October 17. After Shusha Declaration was signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ilham Aliyev, relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye received an impetus to develop further, in a number of directions, Jalal Korkut, Director General of Demiroren News Agency (DHA), said, Trend reports.

He spoke at the presentation ceremony of www.dhapress.com portal, a joint project of Azerbaijani Trend News Agency and Turkish Demiroren News Agency (DHA) at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul.

He noted that one of the points reflected in the Shusha Declaration was the creation of a joint media platform.

"We, as Demiroren News Agency, started to work on contributing to a common platform and our path crossed with Trend News Agency. Thanks to Trend News Agency's esteemed director, Ilgar Huseynov, our relationship began to develop, and today we are achieving successful results," he said.

According to him, as a result of this joint cooperation, the www.dhapress.com project was created.

"The first presentation of the project took place in Shusha. It is one of the first in a series of joint media projects between Turkiye and Azerbaijan, and we want to further expand our cooperation," Jalal Korkut added.

The presentation of the portal, a joint project of Trend News Agency and Turkish news agency Demiroren (DHA), was held at the headquarters of Demiroren Holding in Istanbul.

The news stream in Azerbaijani is one of the portal's distinctive features. Azerbaijani news will be presented in Azerbaijani language for the first time in the Turkish media industry.

The www.dhapress.com project was implemented within the framework of the initiative to create a Joint Azerbaijani-Turkish Media Platform put forward by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Sikkim Announces Housing Schemes for Flood Victims

India

-Krishna Kripa

Gangtok, Oct 16: Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang on Monday announced two housing schemes for those who lost their homes in the flash flood that ravaged the northern part of the Himalayan state. The state government will also provide Rs 10,000 each to students who lost their school materials and Rs 5,000 more if they live on rent far from home, Tamang said.

Rehabilitation Housing Scheme

Under the Rehabilitation Housing Scheme, the state government will allot land and build houses for the beneficiaries. However, if anyone owns a plot and wishes for a house to be built on it, the government will build it. The chief minister said 2011 houses will be built under the scheme and the state government is looking for suitable land for the implementation of the programme.

People who used to stay in rented accommodation which was washed away in the flood will be given Rs 5000 each for the next 3 months under the same scheme.

Janta Housing Colony Scheme

Tamang said that under the Janta Housing Colony scheme, the government will construct a Housing Colony for those who do not have their own homes. For the affected persons to live in the Janta Housing Colony, they will not have to pay any rent to the government for the next three years. Apart from monetary relief, the people whose houses have been washed away will be provided with kitchen appliances along with bathroom and bedroom essentials.

Other Relief Measures

The chief minister directed the officials to provide people with documents that were lost in the flood free of cost. Tamang said that he has directed the chief secretary, who is also the chairman of the State Level Bankers Committee, to give a 12-month extension and relaxation for the repayment of all loans.

He said those who lost their businesses because of the flood will be given loans up to Rs 10 Lakh which will be interest-free for 24 months. For any existing business loans, EMIs will be restructured at 0 per cent interest.

Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang has announced a slew of relief measures for those affected by the recent flash floods in the state. These include two housing schemes, financial assistance for students, and loans for businesses. The state government is also working to provide free documents to those who lost them in the floods. These measures will go a long way in helping the people of Sikkim rebuild their lives after this devastating disaster.
Son of Satyaprakash Dubey Refuses to Meet Akhilesh Yadav Over Land Dispute

India

-Krishna Kripa

In a recent incident that has stirred political unrest in Deoria, Gorakhpur and Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh (UP), the son of Satyaprakash Dubey, who was brutally murdered along with four other family members over a land dispute, declined to meet Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday. The horrific killings were reportedly an act of retaliation by supporters of former district panchayat member Premchand Yadav. On October 2nd, Premchand Yadav was allegedly killed by his rival Satyaprakash Dubey and his family when he visited their home.

The tragic event unfolded as Premchand Yadavs supporters attacked the house of Satyaprakash Dubey on the same day and violently killed him along with four others from his family including children. In light of these events, Akhilesh Yadav visited Fatehpur village in Deoria to console the grieving families but was refused audience by Devesh Dubey, elder son of deceased Satyaprakash Dubey. He alleged that during Yadavs regime, his mentally challenged uncle was forced into signing a property deal favouring the Premchand Yadavs family without receiving any money.

A Plea For Justice

The SP president requested government intervention to help both families receive justice for their losses. Devesh also wrote a letter to the district magistrate and superintendent of police expressing his refusal to meet Akhilesh Yadav while accusing him for coercing his uncle into signing away property rights during his tenure as chief minister in 2014. He claimed that they were prevented from constructing a house on their land at gunpoint and feared being targeted due to boosted morale among people belonging to Yadav's caste following his visit.

Aftermath And Legal Proceedings

The Allahabad High Court stayed the Deoria district administration's order for demolition of Premchand Yadavs house on Monday. The tehsildar of Deoria had ordered the demolition on October 11, against which Premchand Yadavs father Ram Bhawan Yadav appealed to the high court.

Akhilesh Yadavs Response

When asked about his refusal by Satyaprakash Dubeys' son, Akhilesh stated that he respects their feelings and suggested that some leaders might have influenced him not to meet. He assured financial aid to both families if needed and criticized Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for alleged discrimination in justice delivery. He also warned against taking political advantage from such incidents and blamed current government for lack of justice since day one.

Allegations Against State Government

Akhilesh accused state government of hiding facts regarding how events unfolded on October 2nd. He questioned why it was concealed that Premchand Yadav was invited to Dubey's house before being killed. Referring to a recent murder case in Sultanpur, he criticized Adityanath government's approach towards victims of such crimes.

In conclusion, this tragic incident has become a hotbed for political unrest with allegations flying thick and fast between parties involved. Amidst all this chaos, it is crucial that justice is served promptly without any bias or influence while ensuring safety and support for grieving families who lost their loved ones in these unfortunate events.
Supreme Court Rejects Same-Sex Marriage Legalisation In 3:2 Verdict

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In a split 3:2 verdict, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed petitions advocating for the legalisation of same-sex marriage, a blow for the queer community that denies tens of millions of LGBT+ couples the right to marry their partners.

This verdict was delivered by a five-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.

All five judges concurred that there was no inherent right for non-heterosexual couples to wed, with the prevailing opinion being that the responsibility of deciding on same-sex marriage should rest with the legislative branch. The Constitution Bench additionally comprised Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, P S Narasimha, and Hima Kohli.

In a lengthy judgement, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has called upon the government to establish legal recognition for same-sex couples, emphasizing the need to prevent discrimination against them. However, the Court refrained from integrating such couples into the existing legal framework of marriage.

D.Y. Chandrachud said that whether marriage equality is a legalised is something parliament must decide on, and it is not within the court's remit to create new laws.

CJI Refuses Legal Sanction On Same Sex Marriages But Favours Adoption Rights

"It is imperative to view non-heterosexual and heterosexual unions as two sides of the same coin," he remarked, underscoring that legally acknowledging non-heterosexual unions is a step toward achieving marriage equality.

Justice Bhat, while delivering the operative part of his judgment, expressed both agreement and divergence from the Chief Justice's views on certain matters. Addressing the pivotal issue, the Chief Justice stated that the decision regarding the need for changes in the Special Marriage Act's framework should be left to Parliament. "The court's role is not to enact legislation; rather, it is to interpret and enforce it," he said.

Justice Chandrachud noted that the court had documented Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's statement regarding the formation of a committee by the government to determine the rights and entitlements of individuals in queer unions. During the delivery of his judgment, he directed the Central government, states, and union territories to take measures to raise public awareness about queer rights and ensure that intersex children are not subjected to sex-change procedures at an age when they cannot fully comprehend the consequences.

The Chief Justice instructed the police to conduct a preliminary inquiry before registering a First Information Report (FIR) against a queer couple based on their relationship.

He contended that homosexuality or queerness is not exclusive to urban environments or confined to the upper class. To limit queerness to urban spaces would amount to erasure, and Justice Chandrachud stressed that queerness transcends caste or class boundaries.

He refuted the notion that marriage is an unchanging and static institution, asserting that the ability to select a life partner is fundamental to the right to life and liberty as per Article 21 of the Constitution.

The right to form a union encompasses the right to choose a partner and have that association recognized, the Chief Justice asserted, emphasizing that the failure to recognize such unions would constitute discrimination.

"All individuals, including those who are queer, have the right to evaluate the moral quality of their lives," he declared.

The Chief Justice emphasised that the court has recognized that equality necessitates protection against discrimination for queer individuals.

He also pointed out that the law cannot presuppose that only heterosexual couples can be good parents, as such an assumption would be tantamount to discrimination against queer couples.

This case was brought forth by 21 separate petitions from members of the LGBT+ community, who contended that the denial of the right to marry infringed upon their constitutional rights, effectively relegating them to the status of "second-class citizens."

The government, in response, contested these petitions. Their argument, made just five years after the decriminalisation of gay sex in India, asserted that marriage is a sacred institution reserved exclusively for unions between a man and a woman. They further contended that those advocating for marriage equality represented an "urban elitist view seeking social acceptance."

The case was presided over by the most senior judge, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, alongside four other Supreme Court justices. The proceedings continued until May 11 of this year, with the Court deliberating its verdict for more than five months thereafter.

While the judgment underscores the importance of granting legal recognition to same-sex couples, it falls short of amending the existing marriage laws to include them. This verdict signifies both a call to action and a recognition of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in India.

Last year, the issue was brought before the highest court in the land, as 18 same-sex couples filed petitions requesting the recognition of same-sex marriages under the Special Marriage Act, the Foreign Marriage Act, and the Hindu Marriage Act.

Earlier, during the hearing, the top court orally suggested that the petitioners should consider the idea of sitting with the government in a special committee and formulating a solution or a middle path. The Union government has also agreed to set up a committee to be headed by the Cabinet Secretary to examine the administrative steps it could take to address some of the concerns in connection with basic social benefits for same-sex couples.
Telangana Elections: How BJP Is Trying To Trump BRS, Congress Through OBC Card?

Can The BJP Replicate The UP Model In Telangana? Heres The Math

Ahead Of Elections, SBI Sells Rs 1,148 Crore In Bonds; Most Sold In Hyderabad

Telangana Congress Chief Revanth Reddy Put In Preventive Custody Over Gathering Challenging BRS Chief

India

oi-PTI

Telangana Congress president A Revanth Reddy was on Tuesday taken into preventive custody near Gun Park here after he reached there along with party cadres without obtaining prior permission from authorities.

Revanth Reddy had recently challenged Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to come to the Martyrs Memorial in Gun Park and swear that his party would seek votes without inducements such as offering money and liquor to voters during the November 30 Assembly polls, reached Gun Park today.

As Revanth Reddy did not obtain any permission from the authorities concerned and moreover the model code of conduct is in force, he was taken into preventive custody citing possible law and order issues.

Telangana Congress Manifesto Likely To Promise 10 gms Gold To Brides, Free Internet To Students

''He (Revanth) was taken into preventive custody and subsequently shifted to Gandhi Bhavan,'' a senior police official told PTI.

Protesting the police action against their state unit chief, Congress workers raised the slogan, ''Police julm bandh karo'', as police took Revanth Reddy into preventive custody.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 16:05 [IST]
Top 5 Reasons Why You Must Visit Kolkata During Durga Puja

India

oi-Shrutee Sarkar

Maa Durga, the Goddess of Shakti comes home to Prithvi Lok from Kailash during this time of the year with her four children and Bengalis around the world celebrate Maa's home coming. The Kash phool (Saccharum spontaneum ) and Aasshiner akash (Bengali month) creates nostalgia even for people who are outside Bengal. And Kolkata - the cultural capital of the world celebrates Durga Puja with devotion and expectation that Maa Durga will bless us all during her visit.

The festival celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasur. It is also believed that Lord Rama had worshipped Goddess Durga to get divine blessings just before the battle against Ravana.

During this time of the year, Kolkata - popularly known as the City of Joy is transformed in to a city of celebration, devotion and more importantly it elevates the rich culture of Bengal. This year, Puja starts on Friday, 20 October, panchami and ends on Tuesday, 24 October, dashami.

Amit Shah To Visit Bengal Today To Inaugurate Durga Puja Pandal

Why visit Kolkata during Durga Puja?

1. Because It's Pujo And The Celebration Is Unique

Maa Durga is symbol or shakti. The aura on her face, the decorations and the pandals with vibrant themes including Ram Mandir, Chandrayaan 3, Disneyland among many others will leave you mesmerised. These pandals look so real that it would leave you spell bound. Some of them also try to send a message to the society so their themes are based on atrocities on women, extortion etc. Overall you may feel different vibes in different pandals but the essence remains same, the rise of good and the fall of evil forces.

2. Food: From Sweet to Spicy, Everything is Special

While Rosogolla (Rasgulla) is known to be the special dessert, customised Sandesh is equally famous in Bengal. Good food is something bengalis cannot resist and during Pujo days it is all about good food starting from luchi to alur dom (Poori and Potato Sabji) in breakfast to mutton kasha and pulav on nobomi. Apart from that, Kolkata, just like Delhi and Mumbai is famous for its street food and during Pujo, the varieties are next level.

3. Saree And Dhoti: The Traditional Wear

Well, Pujo is incomplete with these traditional clothes. While women prefer Jamdani, taanth and tasar sarees, Pujo is incomplete with women, specially the married ones wearing the lal paar shada saree (white saree with red border). Similarly, men wear dhoti with kurta. Historically, the clothing industry of bengal thrives during Durga Puja. Famous movies like Vidya Balan starred Kahani were shot with Durga Puja as a plot.

4. It Is Family Time

While that is true for most major festivals in India, it is quite visible during Puja. Everyone returns home. This is the time of the year where families meet each other and spend some quality time. There are many families who celebrate Puja at home and some have been celebrating since 1600s.

Durga Puja Bonanza For MLAs: Mamata Banerjee Announces Salary Hike Of Rs 40,000

Nabakrishna Dev started Durga Puja at Shobhabazar Rajbari in 1757 and the tradition continues till now.

5. Pandal Hopping

One of the best part. The pandals are the most spectacular things in Kolkata. It starts 3-4 months prior to Puja, and pandal hoping with friends from as early as Mahalaya is a tradition that is being followed from many years. There are long queues but at the end of it, the satisfaction of meeting Maa is eternal. Also, a must mention is dhunichi naach which is performed in every pandal at a designated time.

Durga Puja ends on Dashami, and Maa Durga returns to Kailash. There is a famous tradition of bodhon (Aarti) usually performed by women before the idol immersion. The famous saying on this day goes by "aashche bochor abaar hobe" which roughly translates to we are looking forward to next year's Puja!
UP: Explosion In Meerut's Lohia Nagar Claims Two Lives

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In a tragic event that unfolded in Lohia Nagar, Meerut, two individuals lost their lives, and three others suffered serious injuries as a result of an explosion on a Tuesday morning. The explosion took place near Satyapal International School, in the area covered by the Lohianagar police station.

According to initial reports, the affected site was home to a soap factory primarily involved in the wrapping and packaging of soap products, and it is owned by an individual named Gaurav Gupta.

District Magistrate Deepak Meena has confirmed an ongoing search operation aimed at ensuring no individuals are trapped beneath the debris resulting from the explosion. Meena stated, "Five people sustained injuries during the incident and have been promptly transported to the medical college for essential medical care. The current search operation is focused on a meticulous examination of the area to verify that no one is still trapped under the debris. While it is established that soap wrapping and packaging activities took place at the premises, the precise cause of the explosion remains unknown at this point."

Loud Explosion in Punjab Province: Sonic Boom or Bombing Incident?

The injured individuals have been swiftly admitted to the emergency section for immediate medical attention, and fire brigade personnel are actively engaged in providing relief and conducting rescue operations at the accident site.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: 5 injured after an explosion took place at a house in Meerut's Lohia Nagar. pic.twitter.com/97VgvY2Aux  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 17, 2023

This tragic incident has deeply affected the local community and underscores the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols within industrial facilities. The exact cause of the explosion is under investigation, and authorities are committed to determining the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.

During this distressing time, the community extends its thoughts and condolences to the families of the victims, and authorities are dedicated to conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 10:35 [IST]
500 Killed In Israeli Airstrike On Gaza Hospital Complex: Hamas Ministry

International

oi-PTI

The Gaza Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

Photos from al-Ahli Hospital showed fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass and body parts scattered across the area. The ministry said at least 500 people had been killed.

Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: "We will get the details and update the public. I don't know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike."

In the south, continued strikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure Tuesday in attacks it says are targeted at militants.

US officials worked to convince Israel to allow delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals after days of failed hopes for an opening in the siege.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing airstrikes.

On Monday Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defense in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 16 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, Gaza officials said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that his country's retaliation against Hamas aims to eradicate the group's political and military rule over Gaza. ''We are not fighting just our war. We're fighting the war of all civilized countries and all civilized peoples," he said.

Israel has massed troops at the border for an expected ground offensive, but Hecht said Tuesday no concrete decisions have been made despite Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes - roughly half of Gaza's population - and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory. Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gaza's population, the UN said. At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship - many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities - also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

"We come to the border crossing hoping that it will open, but so far there is no information," said Jameel Abdullah, a Swedish citizen. An agreement to open the border appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be a precondition. On Tuesday morning, gates were still closed. An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel. The aid would then be allowed into Gaza. A brief humanitarian cease-fire would take place and foreign nationals would be allowed to exit Gaza via Rafah, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include "the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way."

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel. Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could spread in the region. Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. Video from a reconnaissance drone the army shared showed the militants near the border wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion. No group immediately claimed responsibility. "Whoever approaches the border with Lebanon will be killed," said Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Israel has warned Lebanon it will strongly retaliate against attacks from across the border. Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region. "Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry," Khamenei said, according to state media.

Hamas' military wing released a hostage video on Monday showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. The plight of the hostages - Hamas claims it has more than 200 of them - has dominated the Israeli media since the attack. Interviews with relatives of hostages are shown over and over on television. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released. (AP) RUP
Putin's Health In Question As Unverified Reports Claim He Was Found Lying On Floor After Cardiac Arrest

'Absurd Hoax', Says Kremlin On Reports Of Putin Being Unwell, Using Body Doubles

Amid Hamas-Israel War, Putin To Meet Xi Jinping: What To Expect

International

oi-Prakash KL

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit to China to participate in the third 'Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).

The Russian President will attend the official meeting ceremony with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, heads of delegations participating in the 'Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).'

The main events of the forum will take place on October 18 where the leaders from 130 countries will take part. However, the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is expected to overshadow the meeting's theme along with Russia's war against Ukraine.

Russia shares a good relationship with Israel and Palestine and has urged for for an "immediate ceasefire" in the war.

Putin's First Major Visit Since March

China will be one of the first countries that the Russian President is travelling since the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued an arrest warrant against him in March. The ICC accused the Russian leader of unlawfully deporting children from Ukraine.

It has to be noted that China is not a member of the ICC. Hence, it is not obliged to transfer the Russian president to The Hague.

"During the talks, special attention will be paid to international and regional issues," the Kremlin said ahead of his visit.

Even since the West isolated Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Beijing has put its weight behind Moscow and strongly stated that it has the right to collaborate with whichever country it chooses. Trade between China and its neighboring country Russia has witnessed a significant surge following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Beijing has increased its import of Russian oil, especially after several nations imposed sanctions on Russian imports. As per China's customs data, the trade between the nations reached a record $190 billion in 2022 although the West has criticised China for partnering with Russia.

Speaking to Chinese state broadcaster CGTN ahead of his visit this week, the Russian President said "multipolar world is taking shape, and the concepts and initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping are highly relevant and significant".

Can Big Announcement Be Expected From Putin's Meeting With Xi Jinping?

Experts have told AFP that there are not expecting any new major agreements between the two countries. "Russia is aware that China doesn't want to sign any high publicity deals," Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told AFP.

"China holds all of the cards," he added.

The two countries have a mutually beneficial alliance, where China values Russia's position as a bulwark against Western influences, and Moscow is increasingly dependent on Beijing's support in trade and geopolitics.

"Since Moscow embarked on its all-out invasion of Ukraine, it has been put in a position where it is unprecedentedly dependent on China," the news agency quoted Bjorn Alexander Duben of China's Jilin University as saying.

Notably, the two leaders consider each other as "dear friends". "President Xi Jinping calls me his friend, and I call him my friend, too," the Chinese state broadcaster CGTN quoted the Russian President as saying in the interview.

Russian President's advisor Yuri Ushakov has said that the two leaders will discuss "current problems of bilateral practical cooperation and the international agenda, including issues of forming a more equitable polar multipolar world order."

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 18:40 [IST]
US President Joe Biden's Administration's Strategy Against Islamophobia; Why And What Happened?

As Biden Heads To Israel And Jordan, Aid Is Held Up For Gaza On The Verge Of Total Collapse

International

oi-PTI

The US worked Tuesday to break a deadlock over delivering aid to millions of increasingly desperate civilians in the Gaza Strip, which has been besieged and under assault by Israel since a brutal attack by Hamas militants, as US President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region.

Meanwhile, flaring violence along Israel's border with Lebanon led to concerns over a widening regional conflict that diplomats were working to prevent.

Unrelenting Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of people Tuesday in south Gaza, where Israel told civilians from the north to seek shelter ahead of an expected ground offensive.

Wounded people were rushed to the hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, Gaza residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

UNSC Rejects Russian-Drafted Resolution On Israel-Hamas War

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis since early Tuesday. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home. The dead included one man and 11 women and children. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

"When we see a target, when we see something moving that is Hamas, we'll take care of it. We'll handle it, said Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman.

Israel has sealed off and bombed Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel last week killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and left about 200 captive in Gaza.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of the dead were children, said Medhat Abbas, a Gaza Health Ministry official. The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to barrage Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing airstrikes. On Monday Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defence in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 10 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, health authorities said.

Israel has massed troops at the border for an expected ground offensive, but Hecht said Tuesday no concrete decisions have been made.

''These plans are being developed. They will be decided by, and presented to, our political leadership,'' he said.

Airstrikes, dwindling supplies, and Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territory's 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

Israel Suspends Security Exports To Colombia Over Diplomatic Spat

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 14-kilometre-long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse as hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians with foreign citizenship - many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities - were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel. The aid would then be allowed into Gaza. A brief humanitarian ceasefire would take place and foreign nationals would be allowed to exit Gaza via Rafah, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media.

Both Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening.

''The crossings are closed, and I'm not aware of a truce or stop of hostilities,'' Hecht said.

Wael Abu Omar, Hamas' spokesman for the Rafah crossing, said: "Up until now, there is no agreement." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include "the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way." Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel. Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

The military said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. Video from a reconnaissance drone the army shared showed the militants near the border wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

"Whoever approaches the border with Lebanon will be killed," said Israeli military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Israel has warned Lebanon it will strongly retaliate against attacks from across the border.

Israel fought a vicious monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Israel-Hamas War: Gaza Stores Dead Bodies In Ice Cream Trucks

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza would cause a violent reaction across the region.

"Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry," Khamenei said, according to state media.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, "Don't test us in the north. Don't make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier.'' Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

The Israeli military said Monday at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas' military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the UN agency for Palestinians. The agency said it has only 1 litre of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gaza's population, the UN said.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 15:55 [IST]
Colombia Government and FARC-EMC Sign Ceasefire, Begin Peace Talks

International

-Sathish Raman

The Colombian government and the rebel group known as FARC-EMC signed a three-month ceasefire on Monday, October 17, and formally began peace talks. The peace talks aim to pacify rural areas ahead of regional elections scheduled for the end of October. The event took place in the township of Tibu, near Colombia's border with Venezuela, where both sides agreed to cease attacks on civilians and establish a group to monitor the cease-fire, potentially including United Nations personnel.

Importance of Peace Talks

Camilo Gonzalez, the government's lead negotiator, emphasized the significance of peace in a world marked by conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa. He stated, "Peace today seems to have been eclipsed when sirens, bombs, shouts of pain, and desperation can be heard in places like the Middle East, Europe, or sub-Saharan Africa. These peace talks in Colombia are a bet on life and freedom."

FARC-EMC: Colombia's Third Largest Armed Group

FARC-EMC is currently Colombia's third largest armed group, with approximately 3,500 members. The group consists of left-wing guerrilla fighters who refused to join the 2016 peace deal between Colombia's government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which resulted in the disarmament of over 12,000 rebels.

Part of President Petro's Total Peace Strategy

The talks with FARC-EMC are part of President Gustavo Petro's "total peace" strategy, which involves negotiating with various armed groups. In June, the Colombian government signed a six-month cease-fire with the National Liberation Army, the country's largest remaining guerrilla group. However, discussions with the Gulf Clan, the nation's second largest armed group, collapsed earlier this year due to military crackdowns on illegal mining in regions controlled by the organization.

FARC-EMC's Gesture of Goodwill

In September, FARC-EMC announced that they would not interfere in the municipal and provincial elections scheduled for October 29. Their leaders expressed a desire to show goodwill to the government as both parties worked towards a cease-fire. Last year, on December 31, President Petro ordered his troops to cease attacks on FARC-EMC. However, the cease-fire collapsed in May after the rebels killed three teenagers from an Indigenous community who had been forcibly recruited and were attempting to escape from one of the group's camps.

Challenges in Implementing the Ceasefire

According to Jorge Restrepo, a Colombian security analyst, the implementation of the current cease-fire could face challenges due to FARC-EMC's structure as a coalition of different rebel units with varying interests. Restrepo noted, "There are disputes between the different groups that make up the EMC. So that could limit the effect of the cease-fire on rural communities."

Despite the obstacles, the peace talks between the Colombian government and FARC-EMC represent a significant step towards pacifying rural areas and fostering stability in the country. The commitment to a cease-fire and the initiation of formal peace negotiations offer hope for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict in Colombia.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The criminal gang led by Vagif Khachatryan killed Azerbaijanis, victim Ilham Kazimov said at the trial of Khachatryan, Trend reports.

"They shot my aunt in the leg. When we arrived, she told us that Vagif's group was killing Azerbaijanis. Because the Armenian militants were unable to totally block the road leading from the settlement, the path to Lachin remained open. If the Armenians had used that way as well, they would have slaughtered all of us. They assassinated my father first. I was hurt personally," Kazimov reminded.

"My wife and children struggled to get out of there in the snow. Frostbite rendered my wife immobile. After some time, they tracked us down and flew us to Aghdam via helicopter. This Vagif was the leader of the group that carried out a slaughter at Meshali. He gets sentenced to life in prison. We demand that," the victim added.

Khachatryan, as a member of Armenian armed formations, organized the massacre of Azerbaijanis in Meshali village of Khojaly district on December 22, 1991.

Citizen of Azerbaijan Khachatryan who was born in 1955 and lived in Badara village of Khojaly district, worked as a driver in the automobile transport enterprise of Khankendi city together with other persons of Armenian nationality with the purpose of complete destruction of Azerbaijanis living in Meshali village as a single national group, using various types of weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, committed an armed attack on this village, killed 25 persons of Azerbaijani nationality, inflicted bodily injuries of various degrees on 14 persons, expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their places of legal residence without grounds provided for by international legal norms and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In addition, Khachatryan, continuing joint criminal actions with persons by prior conspiracy, destroyed and damaged property belonging to the state and villagers, causing material damage in the total amount of 5.49 million manat ($3.2 million).

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of population) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

Due to the fact that his whereabouts were not known to the investigation, he was put on an international wanted list, and on November 12, 2013, by a court ruling, a measure of restraint in the form of arrest was chosen against him.

As a result of search measures, Khachatryan was detained by the servicemen of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the Lachin border checkpoint of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border on July 29, 2023, while trying to travel to the Republic of Armenia for medical treatment through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Head Of Israel's Internal Security Agency Takes Responsibility For Failing To Prevent Brutal Hamas Attack

International

-Sathish Raman

In the wake of the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 people, the head of Israel's Internal Security Agency (ISA), Ronen Bar, has taken responsibility for the intelligence failure that allowed the attack to take place. However, Bar vowed to continue fighting until a decisive victory is achieved in the ongoing war.

Bar's First Comments Following the Attack

In his first comments since the attack, Bar acknowledged that the ISA failed to generate a sufficient advance warning to prevent the attack. Despite a series of actions carried out by the agency, they were unable to thwart the brutal assault. Bar took full responsibility for this failure, stating that as the head of the organization, the responsibility for this is mine.

Israel-Hamas War: Gaza Stores Dead Bodies In Ice Cream Trucks

No Time for Investigations Now

Despite the need for investigations into the failure, Bar emphasized that the focus must be on fighting the ongoing war. He noted that the ISA, in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has set up a special system to locate, identify, and concentrate efforts to recover kidnapped and missing persons. Dedicated teams have also been formed to address the specific needs of the fighting.

Bravery and Sacrifice of ISA Personnel

Bar praised the bravery, courage, and fighting spirit of his personnel during the attack. He highlighted the relentless efforts of the forces deployed in the south, who faced dozens of terrorists in battle. Tragically, ten ISA personnel lost their lives, many were wounded, and some servicemen lost their relatives. Despite these losses, countless stories of heroism have emerged, with ISA personnel striving to engage the enemy without hesitation.

All ISA Personnel Mobilized

Bar emphasized that all ISA employees arrived at their units, task forces were created, and dedicated teams were established. Everyone who carried a weapon went down to fight, leaving no one on the sidelines. The ISA chief specifically mentioned the contributions of Task Force Tequila operators, investigators who provided intelligence from captured terrorists, and coordinators in the field who collected vital information.

Intelligence Triangle Producing Results

Bar expressed confidence in the purpose and effectiveness of the intelligence triangle, which comprises the ISA, the IDF, and the Mossad. He emphasized that Israel is engaged in a full-scale war, not just another round of conflict. Unlike a round, which can be won with an image of victory and in silence, a war requires a decisive decision and a change in the situation. Bar asserted that there are no borders or time limits in this war, and the ISA will continue to fight until the end.

Trump Vows To Ban Refugees From Gaza And Expand Muslim Travel Ban

Devastating Failure for Israel's Intelligence Network

The massive failure of Israel's vaunted intelligence agencies, known worldwide for their effectiveness, has left the country devastated. The IDF Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, has also taken responsibility for failing to stop the attack. The magnitude of this failure raises serious questions about the future of Israel's intelligence apparatus and its ability to protect the nation from future threats.

As the war continues, the ISA and other Israeli intelligence agencies face the daunting task of rebuilding their credibility and ensuring that such a devastating failure never occurs again.
Israel Suspends Security Exports To Colombia Over Diplomatic Spat

International

-Sathish Raman

Israel has suspended security exports to Colombia in an escalating diplomatic spat over online messages by Colombia's president comparing Israel's siege of Gaza to the actions of Nazi Germany.

Petro's Criticism of Israel

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has doubled down on his criticism of Israel and suggested that his country may need to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel, while his foreign minister has suggested Israel's ambassador should leave the country.

Israel-Hamas War: Gaza Stores Dead Bodies In Ice Cream Trucks

Israel's Response

In a statement published Sunday, Israel's foreign ministry said that Petro's recent statements on Twitter, "inflame antisemitism and threaten the safety of the Jewish community in Colombia." The Israeli government said it called Colombia's ambassador to a meeting in which she was informed that defense cooperation between the countries would be suspended.

Colombia's Response

Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva wrote on his Twitter account that Dagan should "leave" the country and apologize for his messages. Later however he wrote that Israel's ambassador had not been expelled and that relations between both countries would be maintained if Israel so desired.

Release Hostages, Allow Humanitarian Aid In Gaza: UN Chief's Appeals To Hamas, Israel

Petro's Continued Criticism

Petro doubled down on his critiques of Israel over the weekend, describing its military campaign in Gaza as "genocide" and threatening to break off relations with the Jewish state. "If we must suspend diplomatic relations with Israel, then that is what we will do" he wrote on Twitter on Sunday. "You cannot insult the president of Colombia."

The diplomatic spat between Colombia and Israel shows no signs of abating, with both sides doubling down on their positions. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether the two countries will be able to resolve their differences.
Trump Vows To Ban Refugees From Gaza And Expand Muslim Travel Ban

International

-Sathish Raman

Former President Donald Trump, addressing supporters in Iowa, has pledged to implement stricter immigration policies if he wins a second term. Trump's proposals include barring refugees from Gaza and immediately expanding his first-term Muslim travel ban in response to the deadly attack on Israel last week.

Ideological Screening for Immigrants

Trump stated that upon returning to the Oval Office, he would initiate "ideological screening" for all immigrants, specifically targeting those who sympathize with Hamas and Muslim extremists. He emphasized that individuals who empathize with radical Islamic terrorists and extremists or support Hamas or ideologies associated with them would be disqualified from obtaining residency in the United States.

Israel-Hamas War: Gaza Stores Dead Bodies In Ice Cream Trucks

Deportations and Monitoring

The former president also vowed to aggressively deport resident aliens with "jihadist sympathies" and deploy immigration agents to "pro-jihadist demonstrations" to identify violators. He criticized the open support for terrorists among foreign nationals on college campuses, accusing them of teaching hatred to American children. Trump promised to revoke the student visas of radical anti-American and anti-Semitic foreigners and send them back to their home countries.

Barring Refugees from Gaza

In line with his previous efforts to restrict immigration from Muslim-majority countries during his first term, Trump pledged to bar the entry of refugees from Gaza fleeing Israel's retaliatory strikes. The recent war sparked by the October 7 attack has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

Campaigning in Iowa

Trump, the current GOP front-runner, has intensified his campaigning efforts in Iowa, aiming to secure support and avoid a repeat of his second-place finish in the state during the 2016 GOP primary. He continues to portray himself as a martyr for his loyal supporters and rails against the four indictments he faces, including a narrow gag order imposed by a federal judge overseeing the 2020 election interference case against him.

Caucus Organization

Trump's advisers are focused on achieving a landslide victory in Iowa's January 15 caucuses, which will kickstart the 2024 nominating cycle. They aim to discourage any potential second-place finisher from consolidating support and challenging Trump directly. The campaign is employing a more sophisticated organization compared to Trump's 2016 campaign, collecting signed pledge cards from attendees at his events and promptly entering them into a database to ensure effective follow-up and mobilization of supporters.

Release Hostages, Allow Humanitarian Aid In Gaza: UN Chief's Appeals To Hamas, Israel

Growing Dallas County

Trump's campaign events in Iowa have attracted large crowds, with over 10,000 people attending his events in the state within a month. While crowd size does not guarantee support in the caucuses, Trump's campaign aims to capitalize on these events and emphasizes the importance of participation in the caucuses to his supporters.

Remaining Questions

Despite Trump's current advantage, there are still uncertainties regarding the outcome of the Iowa caucuses. The true level of support for Trump and the margin between him and the second-place finisher remain unknown. Other GOP presidential hopefuls, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, are also vying for support in Iowa and could potentially narrow Trump's potential margin.
UNSC Rejects Russian-Drafted Resolution On Israel-Hamas War

International

oi-PTI

The UN Security Council has rejected a draft resolution proposed by Russia that called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza but made no mention of Hamas' attack on Israel, while a vote on a rival Brazilian text will be held on Tuesday.

The 15-nation Council met on Monday evening to vote on the Russian-led draft resolution, the first such text that was considered by the powerful UN body, amid an escalating war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The one-page draft resolution failed to garner enough votes and was not adopted by the Council, which is expected to meet again on Tuesday to vote on a rival draft resolution circulated by Brazil, the Council President for the month of October.

The draft text that called for an "immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire'', the release of all hostages, aid access and safe evacuation of civilians received five votes in favour from China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the UAE.

France, Japan, the UK, and the US voted against it, while Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland abstained from voting.

For a resolution to be adopted in the Council, it must receive at least 9 votes in favour, with none of its five permanent members opposing or casting a veto.

The resolution strongly condemned all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism but made no mention of Hamas, which carried out an unprecedented assault in Isreal on October 7 that killed 1,300 people and injured over 4,000.

Retaliatory strikes from Israel have left about 2,778 Palestinians dead and injured over 9,000 in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, home to about 2.3 million people.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, in her explanation of the vote, said that Russia's resolution was put forward without any consultations and makes no mention of Hamas.

"None", she said, adding that "by failing to condemn Hamas, Russia is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalises innocent civilians. It is outrageous, it is hypocritical, and it is indefensible." She said that Washington could not support Moscow's resolution, which, in ignoring Hamas' terrorism, dishonours victims.

Thomas-Greenfield described Hamas' audacious attack on Israel as the ''worst massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust." Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said before the vote that the draft resolution was a "purely humanitarian text''.

''We shall not have any understanding if someone decides to not support it for political or egoistic geopolitical reasons,'' Nebenzia said.

Following the draft's failure to get adopted, the Russian envoy said it was regrettable that the Council was once again ''taken hostage by the egoistic ambitions of the Western bloc." "Today, the entire world waited with bated breath for the Security Council to take steps in order to put an end to the bloodletting, but the delegations of the Western countries have basically stomped on those expectations," he said.

"We believe that today's vote in the Security Council is very demonstrative, it clearly shows who is in favour of a truce to stop the indiscriminate bombing and provision of humanitarian assistance and who is still in favour of blocking a single common message from the Security Council for purely selfish interests and political interests," the Russian envoy said.

UK's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Barbara Woodward, said her country cannot support a resolution which fails to condemn Hamas' terror attacks. She said it was "unconscionable" for the Council to ignore the largest terror attack in Israel's history.

"We remain clear too that all possible measures on the ground must be taken to ensure civilian casualties are minimised and to facilitate humanitarian aid," Woodward said.

She said that the Russian draft, and its process to be tabled in the UNSC, was not a serious attempt to find a Council consensus.

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour told the Council that it should not send a signal that Palestinian lives do not matter.

"Don't dare say Israel is not responsible for the bombs it is dropping over their heads. Don't justify the killings. Don't blame the victim. What is happening in Gaza is not a military operation. It is a full-scale assault against our people. it is a massacre against innocent civilians," he said.

Mansour said the humanitarian and health system in Gaza has collapsed and over one million people have been displaced.

He listed three urgent actions that must be taken, asserting that anything else would be "legally, morally and politically unacceptable.'' He called for stopping the assault on the Palestinian people immediately, allowing immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout the Gaza Strip and stopping the forced transfer of Palestinian people.

"Our conflict is a political one, not a religious one. That is what makes it solvable but it has an impact, given its significance regionally and internationally," he said.

"If you do not want a regional spillover, an international spillover, stop the massacres. Start there, start now," he added.

Israel's Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said that the Security Council now stands at one of its most pivotal crossroads.

The first step that the Council must take before any calls for aid, calm or restraint is to designate Hamas as the "murderous terror organisation'' just as it did with ISIS and al-Qaeda, Erdan said.

The Security Council must also support Israel's right to defend itself but supporting this right does not mean echoing empty words, he said.

"It means standing in solidarity with Israel in our rescue mission to obliterate Hamas' terror capabilities. If Hamas is not obliterated, such atrocities will be repeated," he added.

Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas after it carried out a wave of attacks inside Israel on October 7.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 10:11 [IST]
Court Imposes Costs On Woman In Shifting Rape Complaint To Consensual Relationship Claim

Mumbai

oi-Prakash KL

By Pti

The Bombay High Court has imposed a cost of Rs 25,000 on a woman who six years ago accused a man of raping her and forcing her to terminate the pregnancy twice, only to state later that it was a consensual relationship and there was no coercion.

A division bench of Justices Anuja Prabhudessai and N R Borkar in its order of September 20, which became available on Tuesday, noted that the woman even stated before the high court that she had terminated her pregnancies of her own will.

The accused in the case had moved the high court seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) in the case. "The complainant has filed her affidavit stating that the relationship with petitioner (the accused) was consensual and that she had taken a conscious decision to abort the pregnancies since she was not legally married.

She claims that she is already married to another person and has a child and is living a peaceful family life. She has accorded her consent to quash the FIR and all consequent proceedings," the court noted in the order.

The judges directed that the FIR be quashed accordingly, but also asked the woman to pay Rs 25,000, by way of cost, to the Tata Memorial hospital here within two weeks. The woman had complained in 2017 that the petitioner raped her and his family members compelled her to terminate the pregnancy twice.

Even if the allegations in the FIR were accepted in their entirety, the physical relationship between the parties was consensual, the court observed.
My Career Has Been My Film Set, I Created It On Hustle: Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Mumbai Airport Runways Closed For 6 Hours: Check Details

Mumbai

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Mumbai International Airport, also recognised as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), will undergo a temporary suspension of flight operations on Tuesday for the purpose of post-monsoon maintenance work on its two runways. The CSMIA has announced that flight operations will cease for a six-hour window, spanning from 11 am to 5 pm.

This scheduled temporary closure is part of CSMIA's annual post-monsoon preventive maintenance plan, aimed at ensuring the highest standards of airport infrastructure. Both runways, RWY 09/27 and RWY 14/32, will be non-operational on October 17 as part of this maintenance plan. CSMIA took the proactive step of issuing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) six months in advance to inform all relevant parties about this closure.

The decision to temporarily suspend flight operations is driven by the need to carry out necessary repair and maintenance activities, crucial for maintaining the airport's infrastructure at top-notch quality. This annual practice of post-monsoon runway maintenance is part of a series of meticulously planned activities that prioritize operational continuity and passenger safety, aligning with CSMIA's core commitment to putting passengers first.

CSMIA has collaborated with key stakeholders to effectively schedule flights, ensuring a smooth execution of the maintenance process. The airport authorities look forward to passengers' cooperation and support during this maintenance period.

It's worth noting that the Mumbai airport has experienced substantial growth in passenger traffic, with a 33 percent increase to 1.27 crore passengers in the September quarter. Compared to the pre-pandemic period in Q3CY2019, this growth represents a remarkable 109 percent increase in traffic, as reported by CSMIA. In the last quarter, the airport handled 60,861 domestic air traffic movements (ATMs) and 20,438 international ATMs.

In the year-ago period, the airport recorded a total passenger volume of 96 lakh.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 8:42 [IST]
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President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday, amid fears about the war with Hamas expanding into a larger conflict.
The German chancellor has said his visit will be a clear sign of German solidarity with Israel. Meanwhile, the US has said it agreed to "develop a plan" with Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Follow DW for more
The mother of a young woman held hostage by Hamas in Gaza has appealed for help to "bring my baby back home".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. An association of supreme courts of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member countries will be established, Mehmet Akarca, President of the Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals, said during an official visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"A conference will be held in Shusha on October 19 in connection with the establishment of the Association of Supreme Courts of the OTS member countries. At this conference, on the occasion of Heydar Aliyev's 100th anniversary, we will sign the first declaration in connection with the establishment of the association. Work will be done on the preparation of the statute of this structure. Along with the economic, political, historical, and cultural development of Turkic states, we seek to accelerate development in the field of law through mutual exchange of experience," he said.

During his visit, Mehmet Akarca met with the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan, Farhad Abdullayev.
Egypt is unwilling to open its border crossing to Gaza despite the escalating situation. In the run-up to elections, fears over permanent resettlement outweigh global pressure and humanitarian concerns.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning after an airstrike on a Gaza hospital killed hundreds of people, according to local officials. Meanwhile, Olaf Scholz is in Tel Aviv. DW has more.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn says U.S. aid to Gaza should be cut off, echoing sentiment from other GOP figures against accepting refugees from the region.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is asking sheriffs across the state to donate surplus police gear for shipment to the IDF as it fights Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Israel launched a new barrage of airstrikes Monday on Gaza as it vowed to wipe out Hamas militant control of the narrow strip of Palestinian territory along the Mediterranean Sea.



With 300,000 Israeli troops stationed on the Gaza border and poised for a ground invasion, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told visiting U.S....
The World Health Organization has warned that a lack of water is putting lives in peril as hospitals across the Gaza Strip struggle to care for thousands of patients.
From Charles Eisenstein's current piece on Substack:

My friend Jodie Evans pointed out to me a misleading statement in my last essay. I want to rectify it. I said, "The policies of two generations of Palestinian and Israeli leadership have both brought the very opposite of what they intended to achieve." Then I went on to mention, as examples of the policies of the Palestinian leadership, "violence, terrorism, and rocket attacks."

There are two problems with this statement. First is what it omits. Yes, the Palestinian resistance has committed acts of terror going back to the days of Yassir Arafat. However, Palestinians have also launched many nonviolent peace movements, such as the March of Return in 2018 where thousands of youth walked to the border fence demanding its removal and the removal of the blockade on Gaza. All they achieved was hundreds of deaths and many thousands deliberately maimed by sniper bullets to the kneecaps and ankles.

By not including this and many, many other nonviolent peace actions in my description of the policies of the Palestinian leadership, I created a false impression that they have only attempted violence. I was not unaware of this history, in fact, I have friends who are Palestinian peace activists. What I wish I had said was something like, "Some of the policies of the Palestinian leadersship namely, terrorism and violence have brought about the opposite of what they intend."
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

Imperial powers and so empires have always been with us. They've been part and parcel of history forever and a day. However, in this country, though it should be difficult to deny that the United States is just such a power, most Americans remain remarkably oblivious not just to the phenomenon, but to the very idea of it. No matter that, in this century, their country invaded and occupied two lands, Afghanistan and Iraq, thousands of miles distant (and more than a thousand miles apart). No matter that its annual military budget, now heading for the trillion-dollar mark, has for the last 20-plus years been spent in significant fashion fighting a disastrous Global War on Terror (that could indeed hardly have been more "global"), or that its military maintains a veritable empire of 750 bases scattered across the planet.

Us, imperialists? Huh?

No matter that, to this day, the U.S. continues to fight that very war on terror in Africa (something Nick Turse reports on regularly and vividly at The Intercept). No matter that, more than two months after a military coup in Niger overthrew its democratic government, the Biden administration is still keeping U.S. troops and drones in that country. Yes, Washington officials have finally admitted that a military coup did indeed occur there and has cut off financial aid to that country. But cut the military? Of course not!

Mind you, we are anything but the only imperialists on this planet. Today, TomDispatch regular Alfred McCoy, author of that classic tale of empires, To Govern the Globe: World Orders and Catastrophic Change, and now at work on a history of the Cold War and what he calls imperial "men on the spot," focuses on the modern history of Africa. There, once upon a time, France had an empire covering one-quarter of the second largest continent on this planet and there, in our moment, a Russian agent distinctly a man on the spot Yevgeny Prigozhin helped dismantle the modern version of imperial French Africa before he himself was, it seems, dismantled by one Vladimir Putin. But let McCoy tell you this distinctly imperial tale. Tom

Moscow's Man on the Spot in Africa

A Powerful Player in the Dirty Business of Empire

By Alfred McCoy

One of modern history's major empires is falling apart right now, right before our eyes. Yet precious few in the media have reported on this extraordinary event, much less offered any analysis of its implications for the fast-changing shape of global power.

Over the past 60 years, France has used every possible diplomatic device, overt and covert, fair and foul, to incorporate some 14 African nations into a neocolonial imperium called "Francafrique" a vast region covering a quarter of Africa and stretching for nearly 3,000 miles from Senegal on the Atlantic coast to Chad in the continent's center.

While the rest of that continent frequently suffered from wars, coups, and chronic instability, Francafrique long enjoyed comparative peace. By dispatching paratroopers from its many African bases (or secret agents for the occasional assassination), Paris provided a rough version of stability even if at the price of endemic corruption, entrenched autocratic rule, and deep economic exploitation. Recently, however, a rising nationalist consciousness in many of those relatively new countries has begun chafing against that European land's repeated transgressions of their sovereignty. As French colonial and post-colonial dominance over this vast region moved ever deeper into its second century, unease bordering on open hostility against that country's presence began to build.

In less than a year, in fact, the sudden withdrawal of French troops from individual African nations has turned into a full-blown retreat from much of the region. As terrorists affiliated with ISIS first became active in 2014, France deployed some 5,000 elite troops for Operation Barkhane in collaboration with six nations of Africa's arid Sahel region, the strip of territory extending across the continent, largely south of the Sahara Desert.

Yet just last December, French troops left the Central African Republic after Paris decided that the local government there was "complicit in an anti-French campaign allegedly steered by Russia." In February, Burkino Faso's new military government simply expelled French forces and hailed its new "strategic partnership" with Russia. And in August, following back-to-back coups in Mali, that country's ruling junta grew resentful of the 2,400 French troops stationed there and forced them to withdraw into neighboring Niger, which became the new main base for their operations in the Sahel region. Then, last month, French President Emmanuel Macron was forced to announce that he was pulling his troops and his ambassador out of Niger as well. After seizing power in July, that country's new military junta had demanded just such a French departure and, to drive the point home, closed its airspace to France. "Imperialist and neocolonialist forces are no longer welcome on our national territory," the junta announced.

Amid such geopolitical upheaval, a most unlikely man from Moscow appeared on the spot in 2017. His name now all too well known was Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder and commander of a notorious mercenary army, the Wagner Group. As the French retreated slowly and exceedingly reluctantly from their post-colonial imperium, Wagner began moving in, becoming Moscow's surrogate in an ongoing great-power contest for influence and control in Africa.

By the time in late 2022 that France's failing nine-year effort to secure the Sahel was drawing down, Wagner's forces were already operating secret gold mines in Sudan, running the largest gold mine in the Central African Republic with projected revenues of $100 million annually, and had earned $200 million since 2021 providing security for Mali, a land roiled by Islamist rebels. In March, Washington warned Chad's president that Wagner mercenaries were plotting to assassinate him and were also preparing Chadian rebels to attack from their bases in the Central African Republic. After the July coup in Niger, cheering crowds were seen waving (as well as wearing) Russian flags. And as 1,500 French troops and that country's ambassador were being withdrawn, Niger's new military leaders promptly contacted Wagner for support, expanding Russia's sphere of influence in the French imperium it was fast supplanting.

The strategic implications of this shift, should it continue, are potentially profound. As the NATO alliance moved ever closer to Russia's sensitive western border in the 1990s, Moscow reacted early in this century (prior to the invasion of 2022) with repeated interventions in Ukraine, launched special operations to secure its allies in Central Asia, and, above all, engaged in a little understood geopolitical flanking maneuver across two continents.

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Biggibilla Doongalla,

How Universities Can Use the Palestine-Israeli Tragedies to Decolonize Themselves

and Create Life Worlds Instead of Death Worlds

Wahinkpe Topa

Fielding Graduate University







I open this short paper by noting the possibility that it will be quickly hidden or rejected by those who do not wish to consider all sides in authentic dialogue on behalf of transformative peace-making. Indigenous activist, Winona LaDuke explains why in in her 2012 Facebook posting.





"euro-americans in the United States can't talk about Gaza, because we can't talk about Israel. Because we can't talk about the fact that the world is not suffering from a Israeli/Palestinian conflict, but that the world is suffering from the fact that Europe has never been able to deal with it's 'Jewish Question' without some sort of intense barbarity and horror from the Inquisition to the Holocaust. And that Europe, in particular 'Great' Britain, the masters of divide an conquer 'solved' the problem by supporting the radical, terrorist, extremist Zionists and their mad plan to resettle the 'homeland.' We can't talk about Israel because we can't talk about Wounded Knee. Because we can't talk about Sand Creek or Carlisle 'Boarding School.' Because we can't talk about forced sterilization or small pox blankets or Kit Carson and his scorched earth policy in the Southwest. Because we have Andrew Jackson on our twenty dollar bill. Because we are one huge settlement on stolen land. We can't talk about Israel because we are Israel.





This said, there is no way to rationalize the Hamas attack that killed innocent people, including women and children. Nor can we rationalize the Israel attack on Gaza. Of course, such rationalization has a long history, such as that relating to support for dropping atomic bombs Hiroshima and Nagasaki. and many other violent interventions in war. Post-colonial warfare has always rationalized away the killing of innocents. However, pre-colonial warfare seldom, if ever targeted children, elders, trees, rivers and wildlife as a initial or retaliatory practice. Whether discussing just or unjust violence in higher education, it is past time for reflection on pre and post colonial moral precepts.





This paper is about bringing such dialogue into higher education as relates to pre and post colonialism. When I think of such educational goals, my first consideration relates to spiritual interconnectedness with all and how it guided most of humanity before the onset of colonization. My second goal is critical research and counter-hegemonic dialogue that emphasizes both this pre-colonial way of being in the world and the process decolonizing hegemonic thinking. It is colonial hegemony that is bringing us to the edge of extinction, with hegemony being defined as to how the ruling elite manage to present their worldview in ways that cause the rest of us to accept it as common sense and how any groups who present an alternative view are therefore marginalized.





While most institutions of higher education are are far from being immune from hegemony and its suppression, a number are at least occupied by a few brave professors using their more liberal academic freedom for critical discussions relating to decolonization. This article aspires to encourage more professors to take the opportunity to use the current Palestine-Israel situation for understanding the great risks for survival on planet Earth that stem from colonization.





With spiritual interconnectedness in mind, we cannot rationalize any intentional effort to murder innocent people, especially children, whether perpetrated by Hamas or Israel. The ultimate goal cannot be revenge but should be to bringing opposing parties back into community. Such a non-duality approach reflects the moral precepts of the pre-colonial worldview. By actively engaging in seeing parallels between colonized Indigenous and Palestinian people, universities might be able to dismantle status quo settler colonialism and its legitimacy in dominant cultures and re-embrace the concept of oneness. Once colonial structures, policies and assumptions are identified, then the process of accountability and reconciliation brings back the interconnectedness principle of complementary duality.





With the aforementioned in mind one can see the importance of considering the parallels between colonized Palestinians and colonized American Indians. I first realized this when I lived and worked as Director of Education at Oglala Lakota College on the Oglala Lakota Reservation at Pine Ridge in South Dakota. Having written about the Indigenous worldview, the University of Tel Aviv invited me to keynote its "Militarism in Education" conference to talk about Indigenous worldview and peace-keeping. I was ignorant about the truths surrounding the Israel occupation of Palestine and managed to get into Ramallah to see first hand what was happening. It did not take long to see the parallels with Pine Ridge. Simply put, both places were trying to stand defiant against settler colonialism. Both have histories of forced relocation. Both continue to suffer ongoing colonization and its abuse. Both have experienced genocide and ethnic cleansing. Both have witnessed destruction of their place-based ecological systems with outside intrusions relating to resource extraction or oil pipelines. Hegemonic media and governance continues unfathomable disrespect. Conquest masquerades as law.





Nick Tilsen, president of the NDN Collective and a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation, also emphasizes the parallels between the Lakota and Palestine. "We have seen what colonization looks like on this end of things," he told Jewish Currents. "When I see Palestinians struggle, I feel it, the same way that I do when I see my own people suffer." In fact, during my four "tours of duty" at Standing Rock, I saw a number of Palestinian Americans in solidarity with us. Indeed, there are many who recognize the bonds between Indigenous, African American and Palestinian groups, although few may know that after colonizing Indigenous peoples of the Americas, it was in Christopher Columbus's master plan to colonize Palestine.

Engaging in discussions about similarities between Palestine and Indigenous oppression must include the role of the United States and its anti-Indian hegemony. American colonial beliefs and policies strongly support Israel colonizing of Palestine. It is no coincidence that the Zionist settlers who came to Palestine in the 1920s referred to Palestinians as "Red Indians" who were just animals to be removed so as to create the Zionist state. Nor is a coincidence that the U.S. military referred to Osama Bin Ladin as Geronimo.





The Zionist project thus replicated the continuing European attitudes toward domination. Although too many individuals and groups are in ignorance and anger practicing the same antisemitism that led historically to Zionism, American hegemony has propagandized it in ways that censor anyone critical of the colonial occupation that has turned Palestine into a prison camp. In the recent text, Confronting Antisemitism on Campus (Equity in Higher Education Theory, Policy and Praxis (2003), of the numerous chapters I have the only one about the many false allegations of antisemitism on campuses that stifle authentic concern about the apartheid situation and US support for it.





This comparison of the Palestinian struggle to that of the Indigenous peoples on the North American continent) allows an understanding of the structures of power and domination that settler states share. Until we can realize that settler colonialism "destroys to replace" and that such destruction of cultures and the ecological systems the original inhabitants preserved, all of life on earth is doomed. If higher education fails the decolonial/Indigenizing movement that seek a healthy balance between the worldview precepts behind colonialism and those that guided us for 99% of human history, perhaps leaders will emerge to rebuild in ways that do not look like most of the post-apocalyptic movies I've watched that tend to start where we left off.





Looking at the Palestine-Israel situation as I suggest doing in higher education will not be easy. Israel will not forget the brual attack by Hamas on October 7th, 2003. Nor will 50 years of equally brutal treatment of Palestinian people can easily reconcile, not to mention the disproportionate bombing of Gaza in the past days. However, the goal of traditional pre-colonial ways of being in a nature-based kinship worldview was bringing everyone back into community as the laws of nature have always intended. Despite our outrage, fears, hatreds and tragic loss of friends and relatives, we must bury the hatchet on behalf of future generations.






BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) held another currency auction with the participation of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) on October 17, 2023, Trend reports.

The CBA data show that the demand at the auction amounted to $6.9 million (a decrease of 83.17 percent or $34.1 million compared to the previous auction) and was fully met.

The demand amounted to $41 million at the previous currency auction.

The average weighted exchange rate of the Azerbaijani manat to the US dollar amounted to 1.7 AZN/1 USD based on the auction results.

In general, $2.7 billion has been purchased at currency auctions since the beginning of the year. The maximum demand for the currency was recorded at the auction held on March 28, 2023, for $96.3 million.

In addition, the average demand at currency auctions organized by the CBA in 2022 was $52.4 million, while the supply was $70 million.

The CBA started conducting currency auctions by unilaterally selling currency under competitive conditions in mid-January 2017.
"I and the public know/ What all schoolchildren learn/ Those to whom evil is done/ do evil in return." W. H. Auden

There were elements in Ireland whose anger against Britain overwhelmed any other sentiment. Three hundred years of settler colonialism, dispossession and denigration of language, culture, and religion, left a legacy of deep-seated resentment. I was born in Donegal, part of the province of Ulster, and often heard my father's smoldering resentment at the historical traumas still raw in Ulster up to the 1998 Peace Accord when the Easter Friday agreement allowed indigenous Irish Nationalists to experience the same civil rights as British Loyalists.

I had rebelled at my father's one-sided view of history, which considered one nation as the source of all evil as it pertained to Ireland. But after reading and reflecting on 17th-century Irish history that involved three invasions from England resulting in a 40% reduction of the native population and then a million Irish starving to death in the Great Hunger of the mid-19th century in a famine that could have been averted if not for the English policy of "laissez-faire". I then read insightful books by Caroline Elkin on Britain's colonialism in Kenya and Thomas Dalrymple on Britain in India and gradually came to a better understanding of my father's perspective.

It was not until the late 19th century that Prime Minister Gladstone helped to enact legislation to free the indigenous Irish from the onerous and exacting rents that had supported a landlord system that had seen the majority of the wealth of the country siphoned into British and Anglo-Irish hands.

It was during the WWI postwar period that Britain enacted the Balfour Declaration, which gave tacit approval to Zionism, thus allowing an influx of Jewish immigrants into Israel. In the Declaration only a couple of phrases were given over to acknowledging that the indigenous Palestinians needed to be treated fairly.

By 1930 the Jewish population was one-third of the population of Israel but only owned 7% of the land. By 1935 Haifa had a majority Jewish population. In the early 1930s PM Ramsey McDonald admitted that Jewish settlements in Palestine was the purpose of the League of Nations Mandate.

David Ben-Gurion in 1934 stated: "The Palestinian Arabs will not be sacrificed so that Zionism might be realized. According to our conception of Zionism, we are neither desirous nor capable of building our future in Palestine at the expense of Arabs."

With the onslaught of WWII and the tragedy of the holocaust, funds from Europe and an annual subsidy of $3 billion worth of weapons from the U.S., Israel population substantially increased. But this was not the case with the Palestinians. Their land continued to contract as dispossession became normalized. The result was a further marginalization of the indigenous Palestinians and their desperation as the Jewish leadership, in league with the Israeli settlers in the West Bank, found even more ways to expropriate Palestinian land.

As was the case in Ireland and the Americas in the 17th and 18th centuries, the victims of land expropriation were blamed for resisting or fighting back. In Israel's case any criticism concerning the dispossession of Palestinian land was seen as anti-Israel or anti-Semitic. Peace groups, such as Gush Shalom, founded in 1993 by Uri Avnery, have decried the illegal taking of land by settlers in the West Bank. Gush Shalom does not believe in the "so-called national consensus" that it considers to be based on misinformation. It wishes "to establish an independent and sovereign State of Palestine".

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"I refuse to believe that taking rooms, resources or supports from an already historically disenfranchised student population is ever warranted."



- BD1 Candidate Kahllid Al-Alim



Kahllid Al-Alim

(Image by Kahllid Al-Alim) Details DMCA



Kahllid Al-Alim is running for the seat currently occupied by the retiring George McKenna in LAUSD's Board District 1. As part of my ongoing Candidate Forum series, Al-Alim was asked five questions about PROP-39 co-locations. For the introduction to this subject along with answers from other candidates, please see the article LAUSD Candidate Forum: PROP-39 Co-Locations.

The following are the candidate's responses, printed exactly how he provided them with the exception of some minor formatting edits:

Question 1: Do you support the "Creating a Charter Schools Co-Location Policy to Mitigate Impacts Caused by Proposition 39" authored by Board President Jackie Goldberg and Dr. Rocio Rivas? Yes

I join with students, parents, community members, labor and coalitions throughout the District who want to Community Schools, BSAP and other programs to thrive. This resolution is the right way forward for our children and families.

Question 2: Under The way that PROP-39 is currently implemented, rooms used to provide Special Education Services are considered to be "empty" and must be turned over to a charter school to satisfy its demand for space. As a Board member would you work to end this discriminatory practice? Yes

Additional thoughts: I refuse to believe that taking rooms, resources or supports from an already historically disenfranchised student population is ever warranted. Rooms that provide Special Education services, mental health services, wraparound services for our children and families must be protected. My daughter is a Special Education Teacher. I am so proud of what she does every day for her students. As a Board Member I will work to make sure our most marginalized populations are protected.

Question 3: The text of PROP-39 specifies that charter schools that base their space requests on inflated enrollment must pay an over-allocation fee. Currently, charter schools have a past-due balance of $3,708,006. As a Board Member would you revoke the charter of any school that refused to pay these fees when a bill is presented? YES

As a community member in Board District 1, I have spent 20 years fighting to bring necessary resources to our schools. I have been part of coalitions that have won Community School Funding, Black Student Achievement Plan, smaller class sizes, increased mental health supports for our children, support for our unhoused youth and families and immigrant families. These are critical victories that we have fought for and won. As a Board Member, I will work day and night to protect and expand these programs. Charter schools that owe money to LAUSD should be required to pay up. There is no reason other programs should be cut if charter schools owe LAUSD money and are refusing to pay. Let's get this right.

Question 4: In April of last year $7,678,022 of over-allocation debt was suddenly wiped off of the balance sheet without any explanation to the public. As a Board Member would you demand an investigation to determine whether this write-off was legal and proper? Yes

The LA Times recently reported on the District's Overtime Payment scandal. We have to get to the bottom of this. Our children are being robbed funds they deserve. As a Board Member I will investigate what happened with this money that was wiped clean off the balance sheet AND I will hold those in charge accountable to the spending of any money that isn't going to our kids.

Question 5: The North Valley Military Institute (NVMI) was co-located on the campus of Sun Valley High School / Valley Oaks Center For Enriched Studies (VOCES) when one of its administrators was accused of "abhorrent child sex abuse" against a student. It does not appear that parents of students on the public school campus were ever notified about these accusations. As a Board Member would you terminate the PROP-39 lease agreement for any charter school that put LAUSD students at a district campus in danger? Yes

Do you have any other thoughts that you would like to express about this subject?

Public schools must be public, not run by private corporations or pseudo-corporations which are masquerading as non-profits. I have been part of successful efforts to halt privatization in LA. I have worked with schools and community organizations to stop charter expansion and co-locations over the last 20 years across all of BD1 and LAUSD. As a Board Member, I will hit the ground running on these matters in order to protect our kids.

Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, who serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him "a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles." For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own.
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

On October 12, additional US Air Force aircraft arrived in Europe and in the Middle East, at a time of open warfare between US ally Israel and the Gaza strip, where 3 million unarmed civilians are being targeted by Israel because of the unprecedented attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas.

The US Central Command has announced the deployment of 354th Fighter Squadron and their A-10C Thunderbolt IIs to support the increased US presence in response to the events in Israel and the Gaza strip.

The 354th FS joins the A-10s from the 75th Fighter Squadron already in the region, which were deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, at the end of March 2023.

Also on October 12, two B-1B Lancer bombers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, have been deployed to RAF Fairford, UK as part of a new Bomber Task Force.

The US aircraft carrier and supporting destroyer fleet is already in place off the coast of Gaza.

Israel has promised to destroy Hamas, and their plan is to enter into Gaza and eliminate all Hamas fighters and their infrastructure. Many experts believe this goal is impossible to achieve, and the question is: will this conflict get wider, and develop into a regional war, drawing in Lebanon and Syria, and possibly Iran.

Steven Sahiiounie, of MidEastDiscourse, interviewed Dr. Jamal Wakim in order to ask some burning questions concerning this conflict.

Dr. Jamal Wakim has a PhD in International Relations and Modern Arab History, is a professor at the Lebanese University, and author of "The Struggle of Major Powers Over Syria".

1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): Israel and Hamas at are war. That conflict has a big effect on Lebanon. In your opinion, will we see a regional war?

Jamal Wakim (JW): I believe we might witness a regional war, in case Israel starts a land attack on Gaza. In this way, I believe that Hezbollah will not stand still, and that it will participate in the ongoing conflict, by activating the northern front. If this occurs, I don't believe that it will be confined to Hezbollah, but many groups; resistance groups from Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere, will join forces and come to the Lebanese front to fight the Israelis.

2. SS: A Palestinian resistance group operating in Lebanon claimed responsibility for an attack on Israel. However, Israel responded by attacking Hezbollah positions. In your opinion. Is it Israel's strategy to pull Hezbollah into this conflict?

JW: I believe that Israel is so confused, and that is the reason they targeted outposts for Hezbollah. Especially, because some hardliners in the Israeli government are trying to involve Hezbollah in the attack, or let's say the conflict with Hamas, because they want to say it is not Hamas they are targeting, but it is actually Iran. Israel wants to involve the US in the conflict, and that is why they tried to instigate tension with Lebanon.

3. SS: The United States always protects Israel. President Biden ordered a US aircraft carrier to the sea near "Israel". In your opinion, will the US use its military capabilities to widen this conflict, or to strike Iran?

JW: I believe that this might be a possibility, especially because this US aircraft carrier has started to coordinate its actions and information with the Israeli side, and at the same time we heard about the US sending A-10 bombers to the UAE, and these are destined to be used against Iran. I believe this is a possibility in case the conflict widens, but so far things are being contained.

4. SS: Lebanon has not recovered from their political and financial collapse. There are great political divisions among the Lebanese. In your opinion, do the majority of the Lebanese people support the resistance and the end of the occupation of Palestine?

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douzo inc. has announced the successful completion of its crowdfunding campaign for the Kurenai knife brand on Kickstarter. Having launched on August 23, this Kickstarter campaign surpassed its target funding goal by 387%, securing approximately 5.8 million Japanese Yen. Following the conclusion of this Kickstarter campaign on October 7, shipments to early backers will begin in February 2024. Those who want to transform their cooking with this Japanese kitchen knife 
In an ongoing legal battle with the Biden administration over a Nevada lithium mine near the Oregon border, environmentalists are poised to return to court with a new approach accusing U.S. wildlife officials of dragging their feet on a year-old petition seeking endangered species status for a tiny snail that lives nearby.

The Western Watersheds Project said in its formal notice of intent to sue that the governments failure to list the Kings River pyrg as a threatened or endangered species could push it to the brink of extinction.

It says the only place the snail is known to exist is in 13 shallow springs near where Lithium Americas is building its Thacker Pass Mine near the Oregon line.

FILE - A billboard displays "Protect Thacker Pass" near the Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Indian Reservation on April 25, 2023, near McDermitt, Nev. Environmentalists, ranchers and others have fought for years against lithium mining ventures in Nevada. Yet opposition to mining one particular desert tract for the silvery white metal used in electric car batteries is coming from unusual quarters: space. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)AP

President Joe Biden has made ramped-up domestic production of lithium a key part of his blueprint for a greener future. Worldwide demand for the critical element in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries is projected to increase six-fold by 2030 compared with 2020.

Past lawsuits filed by conservationists and tribes have taken aim  largely unsuccessfully  at the Interior Departments Bureau of Land Management, which they accused of cutting regulatory corners to expedite approval of the mine itself in 2021.

The new approach targets the departments Fish and Wildlife Service, charged with ensuring protection of fish and wildlife habitat surrounding the mine site 200 miles northeast of Reno.

Western Watersheds Project says groundwater pumping associated with the mines 370-foot-deep open pit will reduce or eliminate flows to the springs that support the snails.

In the formal 90-day notice of intent to sue sent to Interior Secretary Deborah Haaland last month, they say her agencys failure to make a 12-month finding on the listing petition filed in September 2022 is a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

The Fish and Wildlife Service isnt supposed to sit on its hands while species are in imminent danger of extinction, but the fact that it hasnt met the deadlines on the pyrg raises questions about why they might be delaying, Adam Bronstein, the projects Nevada director, said in a statement.

It would be absolutely unacceptable if the Biden Administration is waiting until its too late to save the species so as not to interrupt the construction of a lithium mine, he said.

Interior Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz said in an email the department had no comment on the groups intent to sue.

Western Watersheds Project said time is of the essence because the snails were imperiled even before any new mining was contemplated due to livestock grazing, round-building and, increasingly, the anticipated impacts of climate change.

The species has no regulatory protection whatsoever ... because it is not an endangered species, or even a Bureau of Land Management-listed Sensitive species, and has no state law protections, the notice said.

Conservationists and tribal lawyers claimed a partial victory last year when U.S. District Judge Miranda Du concluded the bureau failed to fully comply with new interpretations of the 1872 Mining Law. But she stopped short of blocking the project, allowing construction to begin as the bureau shored up plans for disposal of waste rock.

The opponents appealed, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Dus ruling in July.

The tiny snails shell is less than 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) tall. By comparison, a U.S. nickel coin is 1.95 millimeters thick.Theyve managed to survive in isolated springs, which are remnants of extensive waterways that have covered what is now dry land only to recede many times over the last 2 million years, the listing petition said.

The project says three of the springs are within a 1-mile buffer zone, the bureau established in its review of potential impacts of a 10-foot drawdown of the groundwater table, and the rest are less than 4 miles = away.

As drought frequency increases with climate change, the Kings River pyrg will be at high risk of extinction, the letter to Haaland said. It notes that the Nevada Department of Wildlife considers the pyrg extremely vulnerable to climate change.

Lithium Americas had no comment on the notice of intent to sue the Fish and Wildlife Service, spokesman Tim Crowley said. The company said when the listing petition was filed last year that its done extensive work to design a project that avoids impacts to the springs.

The Bureau of Land Management said earlier its environmental review of the project that it didnt detect any of the snails within the direct footprint of the project or any area likely to be adversely affected by the project.

-- The Associated Press
More than 1,300 employees at Vancouvers largest hospital will lose their health insurance as of Nov. 1 if they go through with a threatened strike next week, hospital administrators warned Tuesday.

The 1,300 work at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and are members of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals. Barring a last-minute settlement, the workers intend to strike Oct. 23 in Vancouver and at other PeaceHealth sites in Southwest Washington.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The powers of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) are expanding, Trend reports.

This was reflected in the proposed amendment to the law "On the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan", which was discussed at a meeting of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) today.

According to the draft, the CBA will license, regulate and control the activities of payment organizations, electronic money organizations, payment system operators, as well as other financial market participants in order to ensure the stability and sustainability of the functioning of financial markets.

The draft was put to the vote and adopted in the first reading.
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - As part of the preparations towards a successful 2023 TotalEnergies AFCON in Cote dIvoire, CAF, in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee (COCAN), will conduct a five-day inspection mission in a number of cities that will host the competition in January
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Sugovushan reservoir plays an important role in irrigation and is of great economic importance, Sarvan Agayev, chief consultant of the Azerbaijan Land Reclamation and Water Management Company told Trend.

"Before the first Karabakh war, irrigation of 96,000 hectares of fertile lands covering several districts was carried out through Sarsang and Sugovushan reservoirs built on Terterchay, as well as right-bank and left-bank main canals," Agayev said.

He noted that after the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenians, there were difficulties in supplying irrigation water to crops in Aghdam, Aghjabadi, Terter, Barda, Yevlakh, and Goranboy districts. After liberation from occupation in 2020, repair work was carried out on the left-bank main canal. The right bank canal in the direction of Aghdam came back under Azerbaijan's control after anti-terrorist activities in September. The right-bank canal will provide irrigation for lands in Aghdam and Aghjabadi districts.

Sugovushan reservoir and main canals were put into operation in 1976. The total water volume of the reservoir is 5.86 million cubic meters. The dam is 630 meters long, 28 meters high, and 10 meters wide.
New York, US (PANA) - UN peacekeepers from the Mali mission MINUSMA announced on Monday that they have begun withdrawing from the northern camps in the Kidal region, as security conditions worsen
N'djamena, Chad (PANA) - The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Chad, Violette Kakyomya, warned on Monday that the country is facing multiples humanitarian crises, issuing an urgent call for support
Photo: (Photo : Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

Popular actress Jana Kramer, who is presently in her third trimester and seven months pregnant, recently went through an unsettling health situation. This unexpected turn of events saw her admitted to a hospital due to a worrisome bacterial infection that had adversely affected her kidneys.

Many people adore Jana, who has been a consistent presence on screen, and she shared her experience on Instagram. In her heartfelt post, she described how the much-anticipated vacation, or "babymoon", with her fiance Allan Russell, which was meant to be a calm period before the arrival of their baby, took an unforeseen and distressing turn.

Dismissed Symptoms: A Cautionary Tale

While narrating her story, the 39-year-old actress candidly admitted to her followers that she had been neglecting persistent back pain for several weeks, assuming it was just another symptom of her advanced pregnancy stage. Through this revelation, she touched upon a common tendency, especially among mothers, to inadvertently prioritize other concerns over their own well-being.

She shared, "So many times, especially moms, we tend to brush off discomfort or pain, often putting ourselves last in the queue of care."

Despite her discomfort, Kramer initially disregarded an unsolicited piece of advice she received. An individual had sent her a direct message suggesting that her pain might be indicative of a potential kidney issue. Nevertheless, choosing optimism over concern, she proceeded with her travel plans to Florida with Russell.

However, things took a turn for the worse after landing. As Kramer described, "The pain intensified to an unbearable level, and coupled with feeling incredibly sick, we had no choice but to rush to the hospital."

The subsequent diagnosis of a serious bacterial infection in her kidneys necessitated a two-day hospital stay and a rigorous course of antibiotics.

In the intimate images shared on her social media, Kramer is seen undergoing treatment in her hospital room with an IV line attached. Alongside these images, she also shared moments with her supportive fiance, Allan Russell, painting a picture of a couple navigating a challenging situation together.

In her candid post, she emphasized a crucial takeaway from this experience: the importance of heeding one's body's signals and promptly seeking medical counsel when something feels amiss.

Read Also: Georgia Woman Receives 30-Year Sentence for Death of 4-Month-Old in Child Care Incident

A Glimpse into Kramer's Pregnancy Journey

She went on to express heartfelt appreciation for Russell, emphasizing his steadfast support. In her words, "Find someone who doesn't just stand by you in good times but remains unwavering when times get tough." She also didn't miss out on thanking the compassionate nursing team at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm for their diligent care.

Subsequent to her hospital stay, Kramer uploaded photos capturing snippets from her brief vacation in Florida. Despite the health scare, the couple managed to find solace in the serene beauty of West Palm Beach.

Recently, in a conversation with Fox News Digital regarding her pregnancy journey, Kramer opened up about her initial apprehensions stemming from her previous experiences with pregnancy losses.

She revealed, "This pregnancy has certainly had its highs and lows. I had my concerns, especially because of the unfortunate losses I've experienced in the past." Despite these past trials, including two chemical pregnancies and three miscarriages, Kramer's spirit remains undeterred, embracing optimism and gratitude throughout this pregnancy.

Already a mother to two children, Jolie, aged 7, and Jace, aged 4, from her earlier marriage to Mike Caussin, Jana Kramer continues to be transparent about her personal journey, fostering a community that encourages proactive health awareness.

Related Article: Taking Antibiotics During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?
Photo: (Photo : Screenshot Image From @Independent on X)

In a somber event that has shaken Michigan communities, the untimely departure of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay serves as a somber touchpoint on the lurking dangers of the digital age. This tragic loss catapulted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into the spotlight as they uncovered a vast online sextortion ring.

Nigerian brothers charged in Jordan DeMays sextortion plead not guilty https://t.co/npIKFDwjE6 pic.twitter.com/b7rTbtUEvy  The Independent (@Independent) August 18, 2023

Unraveling the Investigation 17-Year-Old's Death

Jordan DeMay, a spirited 17-year-old hailing from Michigan, unexpectedly found himself ensnared in a perilous online trap.

On a familiar social platform, he believed he was communicating with someone in his age group. Tragically, a seemingly innocuous conversation took a sinister turn. The experiences of this Michigan teen echo the fears and anxieties of countless families, reflecting the new-age challenges young individuals face in today's hyper-connected era.

Delving deeper, investigators unraveled a sinister operation steered by two individuals from Lagos, Nigeria. These culprits meticulously orchestrated their tactics, using online research to collect intimate details about their targets.

Their main focus was on the close-knit circle of family and friends of their prey. The revelations concerning this Michigan teen were staggering.

It became abundantly clear that Jordan DeMay was not a solitary case. The depth of this deception was vast, with attempts to ensnare many other individuals with similar sinister motives.

International Dimensions of the Sextortion Ring

The gravity of the incident galvanized the FBI to partner with local law enforcement in Michigan, propelling a comprehensive sextortion ring investigation.

The trail led to Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, two Nigerian brothers, who were subsequently detained and extradited to the U.S. to face the weight of their actions.

Against the backdrop of these serious charges, their plea was one of innocence. Legal teams for both brothers have tread cautiously, but the breadth and implications of the case are staggering, shedding light on the darker corners of the internet.

Director Christopher Wray of the FBI emphasized the evolving and complex nature of digital threats that are becoming increasingly international.

The narrative of this Michigan teen is a testament to the scale of challenges that the digital realm presents. It underscores the indispensability of collaboration spanning across geographical boundaries.

Disturbingly, data from the FBI paints a bleak picture. From 2021, there's been an alarming surge in incidents echoing the tragedy of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay. The primary victims have been aged between 14 to 17, reinforcing the need for heightened vigilance.

Read Also: Morgan State University Shooting: 17-Year-Old Suspect Arrested, Search Intensifies for Jovan Williams

Community Resilience Amidst Tragedy

The DeMay family's response to the loss of their cherished 17-year-old has been one of strength and advocacy.

Jennifer Buta, Jordan's grieving mother, has taken on the mantle of awareness and education. She passionately urges families to engage in open dialogues about online interactions, emphasizing the need to discern and navigate the potential pitfalls of online platforms.

Recounting memories of Jordan, Jennifer paints a picture of a vibrant high schooler, entrenched in school activities, surrounded by friends, and cherished by a loving family. Her message to families is unequivocal: awareness and open dialogue are paramount in this digital age. The safety of our children on online platforms is not a luxury but a necessity.

The poignant story of this Michigan teen has resonated far and wide, underscoring the urgency of evolving with the times.

Personal safety practices, combined with robust legal mechanisms, are now more critical than ever to ensure the well-being of the younger generation.

Related Article: Bracing for a Potential 'Tripledemic': Flu, RSV, COVID-19 Cases on the Rise
Photo: (Photo : Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Months following the catastrophic Maui wildfire in Lahaina that led to the unfortunate demise of 98 souls, the town's tenacity shines through the ashes.

The phase of Lahaina schools reopening comes with its own unique challenges, chiefly defined by displaced students, improvised classrooms, and mounting parental concerns in this historic Hawaiian town.

Navigating Lahaina's Transformed Educational Terrain

The aftermath of the Maui wildfire has reshaped Lahaina's educational scene dramatically. The unexpected absence of traditional learning environments prompted swift community responses. One of the primary responders was the Sacred Hearts School.

Despite a considerable part of it succumbing to the wildfire's wrath, the school's determined administration swiftly set up operations at the Sacred Hearts Mission Church, a sanctuary located 10 miles from the original premises.

This adaptive spirit wasn't exclusive to Sacred Hearts. Various private institutions across Maui exhibited remarkable solidarity. They not only accommodated students left adrift by the Maui Wildfire but also generously waived tuition fees for an entire year.

The provisional premises of Sacred Hearts symbolize this transition, optimizing available spaces even under challenging conditions, including Lahaina's relentless sun.

Lahaina Schools Reopen: A Mix of Anticipation and Anxiety

The decision to have Lahaina schools reopen was met with a cocktail of emotions. For some, it signaled a step towards regaining normalcy; for others, it was a source of pronounced anxiety, primarily stemming from potential health concerns.

The remnants of ash in close proximity to school grounds have been a significant cause for these parental concerns.

Assurances from educational authorities about the safety of these schools have done little to allay the growing trepidations among several parents.

The ongoing situation is eerily reminiscent of the uncertainty and fear that dominated the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents like Debbie Tau echo these sentiments. Faced with the task of making potentially consequential decisions about her children's health, she's confronted with the daunting reality of potential toxins in the school's vicinity.

The parallels between these two crises are striking, both demanding tough decisions from parents.

Read Also: Morgan State University Shooting: 17-Year-Old Suspect Arrested, Search Intensifies for Jovan Williams

A New Chapter for Lahaina's Educators

In the wake of the Maui wildfire, educators have emerged as unsung heroes, providing not just academic guidance but also much-needed emotional support. Their resilience and adaptability have been a lighthouse for many students navigating the stormy aftermath of the disaster.

The story of Gabby Suzik from Maui Preparatory Academy stands out in this regard. Having personally suffered the loss of her home to the wildfire, Suzik has displayed commendable strength and commitment.

Her unwavering dedication to Lahaina's students, offering academic guidance coupled with emotional counseling, has been a beacon of hope for many. But it's not just about academic pursuits. The educators have also tried to embed a sense of normalcy and cultural connection during these trying times.

This includes lessons on Hawaiian culture, attempting to create a link between the students and their rich heritage, ensuring that the tragedy doesn't sever their ties to their roots.

The Path Forward: Challenges and Opportunities

The journey post the Maui wildfire for Lahaina's educational institutions is fraught with challenges. The process of rebuilding isn't just physical but also emotional. There's the tangible task of restoring infrastructure and procuring essential educational resources.

On the emotional front, the trauma experienced by students, educators, and parents necessitates therapeutic interventions. Yet, amidst these challenges lie opportunities. The wildfire has showcased the town's unity and the potential for collaboration between public and private educational institutions.

The scenario has also highlighted the essential role of educators beyond just academic pursuits, reinforcing their significance in students' lives.

In conclusion, as Lahaina schools reopen, the town stands at a pivotal juncture. The road ahead is long and winding, but with the collective spirit of the community, there's hope for a brighter and more resilient future for Lahaina's next generation.

Related Article: Bracing for a Potential 'Tripledemic': Flu, RSV, COVID-19 Cases on the Rise
Photo: (Photo : Stanley Dai on Unsplash)

When Aditi Anand and Susan Dias first met at a Mumbai book club, they hardly expected to fall in love. Recollecting their initial antagonistic interactions, Anand recalls a chance meeting at a phone shop, which led to the exchange of numbers.

Over a decade later, the duo has built a thriving life together-founding businesses, raising a child, and sharing a household. However, one significant milestone remains unachieved: marriage.

Legal Hurdles: India's Non-Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages

India, a country renowned as the world's largest democracy, continues to withhold legal recognition for same-sex marriages. This omission denies millions of LGBTQ+ individuals key legal benefits such as adoption rights, inheritance, and insurance-related claims. Presently, Dias and Anand face a legal challenge where only one can be recognized as their son's official parent.

Yet, the winds of change may be blowing. A pivotal case, which has been under consideration by India's Supreme Court since April and has been live-streamed to a massive audience, witnesses activists rallying against this law. Representing 18 petitioners, these advocates fervently argue that LGBTQ+ citizens deserve equal rights under the Indian Constitution.

However, the path to victory remains uncertain. The current BJP-led government staunchly believes same-sex marriage to be a "Western" notion, alien to the Indian constitution. It has further termed this an "urban" and "elitist" concept, suggesting it is out of place in India.

Despite these challenges, the court's impending decision might transform the traditionally conservative societal fabric of the country.

India's intricate relationship with LGBTQ+ rights is rooted in its history. While ancient Hindu mythology and scriptures showcase gender fluidity and third-gender characters, the British colonial regime introduced laws in 1860 criminalizing homosexual acts and limiting marriage rights to heterosexuals. Remarkably, these laws persisted post-independence, maintaining their force for over 70 years.

Recent years, however, signal a shift. The 2018 Supreme Court verdict decriminalized homosexuality, although same-sex marriage remained unrecognized. Coupled with increasing acceptance in mainstream Bollywood and urban centers, there's newfound hope for change even in the face of governmental resistance.

Read Also: Religious School Allegedly Forces Out Kindergarten Student Due to Her Same-Sex Parents

Personal Narratives: Vivek and Vishwa's Discreet Wedding Amidst Criminalization

Vivek, who wed Vishwa in 2017, when homosexuality was still criminalized in India, recalls their swift and discreet marriage ceremony. His journey underscores the complex challenges many face. Yet he remains optimistic, saying, "Even if it's not a win now, any positive statement by the Supreme Court will be a stepping stone for our future fights."

Today, the stakes are astronomical. A favorable verdict could drastically transform the lives of millions, lending legitimacy to LGBTQ+ relationships and providing them with the same rights enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts. This is particularly significant for rural areas where prejudice and discrimination are rampant.

Highlighting the widespread impact of this legal battle, Suvir Saran, a renowned chef and LGBTQ activist, points out the dire circumstances for those in marginalized regions. He believes that marriage equality is crucial for the vast queer population in India, which continues to love amidst adversity.

Dias, one of the petitioners, shares that this fight has grown larger than their personal journey. She emphasizes that it has transformed into a collective movement for those without the means to raise their voice.

Echoing her sentiments, Anand states that this has evolved from a mere personal quest to a larger, unified demand for equality within India's LGBTQ+ community. The overarching question remains: can India's LGBTQ+ community ever truly be seen as equal?

Related Article: Ireland's Same Sex Marriage Referendum Encourages More LGBT People To Come Out
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We were up very early this morning to fly from Kayseri to Izmir. Izmir is the ancient Smyrna, the traditional birthplace of the enormously important Greek poet Homer. Kayseri is only one of several towns named Caesarea in the ancient world  think, for example, of Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean coast of Israel and of Caesarea Philippi in the northern Galilee; everybody in antiquity wanted to flatter the emperor  and, in the Middle Ages, was once the capital of the early Turkish Seljuq Sultanate of Rum.

At one point during our travels today, I spoke to the group about the curious fact that much of Greek civilization actually had its origin outside of Greece proper, in what is today Turkiye. Besides Homer, who was famously the teacher of Greece and whose Iliad and Odyssey served, in a sense, as the classical Greek Bible, there is the other great early Greek poet, Hesiod. And several of the pre-Socratic philosophers (e.g., Thales, Anaximander, Xenophanes, and Melissus) were from Ionia (that is, western Anatolia), as well. Anaxagoras was born near Smyrna. Sappho, the famous poetess, lived just off the coast of Anatolia on the island of Lesbos. The great Heraclitus came from Ephesus, which seems apt given the eight-kilometer distance that now separates its onetime harbor from the sea, the changing course of its river, and its transformation from a populous and wealthy city to a famous set of ruins. Panta rhei ( ), everything flows or everything is in flux or everything changes, is probably the most familiar of Heraclitus sayings, although he may not actually have said those particular words. (The exact phrase wasnt ascribed to Heraclitus until the sixth century, by Simplicius, although a similar saying that expresses the same idea  panta chorei ( ), or everything moves  is definitely Heraclitean.)

First, we visited the ruins of the Church of St. John, a traditional burial place of the apostle Johna tradition that Latter-day Saints tend to doubtwho is said to have lived for a time in Ephesus (and perhaps to have written his gospel there) and, having been commissioned by Jesus from the cross to care for Mary, to have brought her here, as well.

We next dropped by the ruins of the Artemisium, the great temple of Artemis or Diana that was completed around 550 BC. Its a powerful commentary on the transience of human greatness to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World reduced to one standing columnstanding only because restorers put it back uprightwith a storks nest on its top. (For the first time that Ive been here, the ruins were dry, rather than immersed in a swamp, and the storks had abandoned their nest for their annual migration.)

Then we went for a really fine outdoor lunch and some carpet shopping. (Ill have to get the name of the place; I highly recommend it for both the food and the carpets.)

On the whole, I am not an acquisitive person. But oriental carpets and kilims are very definitely one of my weaknesses. I cant go into a carpet store or a carpet factory without falling in love with at least one carpet. Weve bought carpets during previous visits here in the Ephesus area and in Egypt. And one of my favorites is a Tabrizi that I bought in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The trouble is that we dont have room for any more of them. Theyre on our floor, and other weavings (one even made by a relative in Norway) hang on our walls. In fact, we have more than we can display at any one time. So many carpets, so little space. And so little money. So we bought another.

Next, we went to Ephesus itself. Some have called it the second most important city of the Roman Empire. I personally might argue that, say, Alexandria held second rank, but Ephesus was certainly an important city. For one thing, it was the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor and, because of the confluence of a navigable river connecting to the sea and a trade route all the way to Mesopotamia, it was a major trading center and port. Paul lived in Ephesus for well over two years and, as I mentioned above, many believe that the Gospel of John was written in the city. It had a population of roughly a quarter of a million people, which was a very large number for the ancient world.

But its meandering river, the Kucukmenderes or Little Meander, let it down. It silted up the citys harbor. Incidentally, the term to meander derives from the name of that winding river, the Menderes, which was sometimes known to the ancient Greeks as  (Maiandros, or Latin Maeander), which was characterised by a very convoluted path along its lower reach. As a result, even in classical Greece the name of the river seems to have become a common noun denoting anything that was convoluted and winding, including speeches. Strabo said of the river that its course is so exceedingly winding that everything winding is called meandering.

The ruins of Ephesus are extensive and relatively well preserved. Its possible, walking down the main street, to get a real sense of an ancient Greco-Roman city. Notable along the way are Hadrians temple, the luxurious terrace houses of the economic elite, the magnificent Library of Celsus, and the impressive Roman theater, which could accommodate more than 25,000 spectators. Along with the temple of Diana or Artemis, the theater figures prominently in the interesting account given at Acts 19 (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/acts/19?lang=eng). I read that account to our group and commented on it as we sat on benches in the theater, perhaps in the very places where some of those sat who cried out, for two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians! Great is Diana of the Ephesians!

Were spending the night in the Charisma Hotel, overlooking the Aegean Sea, in the beautiful resort town of Kusadas. It is a popular stopping point for cruise ships  which are currently making their way to Turkiye in somewhat heightened numbers because they cannot dock in Israel.

Posted from Kusadas, Aydn Province, Turkiye
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From the Society of Biblical Literature:

The following statement has been approved by majority vote of the Society of Biblical Literatures Council. The Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) vigorously condemns the terrorist attacks in Israel initiated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The slaughter of innocents, taking of hostages, wanton destruction, and the ongoing atrocities against civilian non-combatants are horrific and opposed to the values we espouse as human beings and as a professional society dedicated to the advancement of scholarship on the Bible. We are concerned by the subsequent upsurge in anti-Semitic violence in the United States and globally, and encourage each one of you, our scholarly community, to stand firm against such actions in your own academic institutions. As a professional organization, we stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and wish to support all impacted by these tragic events, especially our members and their families. SBL resolves to develop appropriate educational media, publications, and conferences challenging the use of biblical and other authoritative texts to justify hatred and intolerance in any form. As SBLs governing board, we pledge our support and send strength to members of our organization in Israel whose family members are missing or held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, and we mourn with our colleagues impacted by these tragic events and all other innocent victims of the conflict.

It is my understanding that before sending this the organization of which I am a member ineptly sent something to Israeli members saying they would not be able to get refunds for the upcoming conference. My sharing and commenting on the official statement in no way says anything about any other email they sent which I did not receive and have not seen. What I do want to say is that, when they issued this official statement, they found a great way of putting things that is quite balanced. I say that having been struggling for words in recent days, and preferring to remain silent than say something that could be taken the wrong way or hurt even when the intention is to help. In volatile situations even words of support can miss their mark. Ive recirculated things others have written, but even then it has often been with some hesitation. Why? Because I dont want anyone to think that my unqualified denunciation of Hamas and their recent atrocities means that I am opposed to justice for Palestinians. I dont want anything I say that indicates my concern for Palestinian civilians and the people as whole to be twisted to imply that I do not condemn the atrocities committed by Hamas.

I have struggled with how to speak about this even in the past when we were not in the midst of violence and in the aftermath of atrocities. When Ive taken student groups to the Holy Land, among them have been Palestinian-Americans who accompanied me on their first-ever visit to the land their parents were forced to flee. I also took them to the Holocaust Museum where they were confronted with a perspective they hadnt encountered previously. I also had the privilege of taking a Jewish student who had been to Israel before on her first visit to the West Bank. Ive never been to Gaza, and it is fascinating to look at ancient maps that label much that same stretch of land as Philistia. That has absolutely no bearing on the contemporary situation, since neither the Arab population there now nor Israelis are the heirs of the ancient Philistines who were of European extraction and invaded from the Mediterranean islands. No one today is where they were two thousand years ago, yet both Arabs and Israelis in the region genetically show their connection to the ancient Canaanite inhabitants of the land (as well as the links of the Canaanites with Anatolia). We cannot settle matters by asking who was here first? We can only stand against atrocities, and stand for justice.

Hence my appreciation for the SBL statement. Like SBL I stand unequivocally with the people of Israel. I stand with the people. In the broad sense, being of Jewish descent on my maternal line I am part of that people, but I am not a citizen of the modern nation state, and siding with the people does not stand with a party in power or a national policy any more than my being a U. S. citizen means I align with a political party, a president, or a policy. I stand with victims of violence whose only desire is to live freely and in peace with justice for themselves and others. I stand with those who have had their lives cheapened by the ideologies and politics of others. I stand thus with people wherever they are found, and in my home country as well.

I am under no illusion that the SBL statement is perfect, or that my own words are adequate or appropriate. Statements are like justice. The work of human beings is never perfect. But we must never allow our inability to be perfect to keep us from trying our best to do and to say what is right.
Microsoft Research, the R&D arm of the Redmond software giant, is testing the storage of huge amounts of data on glass plates in a futuristic initiative dubbed Project Silica. If successful, it could be used to store information for thousands of years without degradation.

The Microsoft researchers store the data in the glass using three-dimensional pixels called voxels. In contrast to classical storage methods such as magnetic spinning disks, the saucer-sized glass plates of Project Silica will store data for thousands of years and create sustainable storage for the world, as Microsoft describes it.

Magnetic storage, while widely used, is problematic, according to Microsoft. Because of their limited lifespan, they need to be recopied frequently, which increases energy consumption and operating costs over time: A hard disk drive might last five years. A tape, well, if youre brave, it might last ten years, explains Ant Rowstron, Distinguished Engineer, Project Silica.

According to Microsoft, storing data on glass is a concept that dates back to the 19th century. Back then, people stored individual photographic negatives on glass plates. Today, however, Microsoft sees the potential for a small glass disc to store several terabytes of data: around 1.75 million songs (roughly 13 years of music) should fit on a small glass disc. The goal of the Silica project is to write data into a glass and store it on a shelf until it is needed. Once written, the data inside the glass cannot be changed.

Microsoft describes the process as follows:

Data is stored in glass via a four-step process: writing with an ultrafast femtosecond laser, reading through a computer-controlled microscope, decoding, and finally, storing in a library. The library is passive, with no electricity in any of the storage units. The complexity is within the robots that charge as they idle inside the lab, awakening when data is needed. They climb the shelves, fetch the glass, and then zip back to the reader. Microsoft Research

Microsoft continues:

Initially, the laser writing process was inefficient, but after years of refinement, the team can now store several TB in a single glass plate that could last 10,000 years. For a sense of scale, each plate could store around 3,500 movies. Or enough non-stop movies to play for over half a year without repeating.

Glass storage is still in its early stages, according to Microsoft, and experts believe it will need 3 to 4 more stages of development before it can be used commercially, But the advantages are obvious: it is durable, sustainable and cost-effective. The main costs are incurred in the initial stages when the data is embedded in these heavy-duty glass plates, but ongoing maintenance costs are minimal once stored.

Application example

The Elire Group is working with Microsoft Researchs Project Silica team to harness this technology for its Global Music Vault in Svalbard, Norway. Using silica-based glass plates, the company aims to create a permanent archive that not only withstands electromagnetic pulses and extreme temperatures, but is also environmentally friendly. This vault will complement repositories such as the Global Seed Vault and the Arctic World Archive and provide a comprehensive repository for musical heritage  from classical operas to modern hits and indigenous compositions.

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has kicked against the decision by the Ghana Tertiary Commission (GTEC) to suspend the accreditation of new academic programmes for public universities in Ghana.



To UTAG, the decision by the Commission would not serve the interest of tertiary education in Ghana as the world was evolving so rapidly that academic programming must continuously evolve to keep pace.



The National President of UTAG, Prof. Mamudu A. Akudugu, who said this noted that for a regulator to decide that it will stop accrediting new academic programmes is more or less the case of putting rods in the spokes of success.



He, therefore, called for a complete overhaul of the accreditation regime in Ghana, adding that this must start with a review or amendment of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020, Act 1023.



He was speaking at the 21st biennial congress of UTAG held at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale.



The event was on the theme: Labour Unionism and Socioeconomic Transformation in Ghana; can UTAG be the pacesetter?



The event brought together UTAG executives from all the public universities in the country to discuss welfare of members as well as to swear-in new members.



Suspension



Last week, the GTEC announced the suspension of the processing of new accreditation applications for academic programmes from all public universities, including the technical universities, with immediate effect until January 1, 2024.



The suspension, however, does not cover the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya in the Eastern Region.



According to the Commission, the decision is informed by the need to sanitise the accreditation space as a result of the persistent non-compliance by some institutions with the accreditation requirements of the country.



Transformational changes

Addressing the congress, Prof Akudugu intimated that it was about time the country moved away from the rigid public regulatory regime to a more efficient accreditation framework for accreditation of our academic programmes.



He expressed the UTAGs commitment to partner with GTEC and other stakeholders to initiate and push for transformative changes needed in higher education in the 21st century.



We demand our Employer/Government to, as a matter of urgency, work with us and all other stakeholders to review the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) or in the meantime expand the levels and notches to accommodate our members or take us out of the Spine altogether he said.



New universities



For his part, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum in a speech read for him by the Director of Tertiary Education at the ministry, Prof Yayra Dzakadzie, announced plans by the government to establish five new universities across the country.



When completed, he said, the universities would increase the intake of students in fields that would drive industrialization in the country.



The Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Yaw Baah, urged UTAG to support efforts to review the constitution of Ghana to limit the powers of the executive, ensure good governance, safeguard democracy and return power to citizens.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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A Private legal practitioner wonders why some so-called powerful individuals escape equal punishment like the ordinary Ghanaian when found guilty of a crime.



According to Lawyer Kwame Adofo, indemnity given to those individuals is unfair and discriminatory.



We are in a country if you are rich, powerful and connected you will not be prosecuted when you misbehave, he said in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show, 'Ghana Montie'.



Lawyer Adofo was discussing jailed defunct Capital Bank founder, William Ato Essien.



Mr Ato Essien has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Accra High Court for embezzeling over GH90 million of the banks money.



But Lawyer Adofo questioned why he was going to jail alone without some powerful members of the now-collapsed bank.



Listen to the interview below





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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As of March 2023, the total membership of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Scheme was estimated at 1.8 million, Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the Minister of Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, has disclosed.



This, he said means that about 8.1 million of the estimated Ghanas working population of 9.9 million might not have any form of social security cover, which shows that leveraging digitalisation to extend social security coverage was long overdue.



The overwhelming importance of digitalisation today is there for everybody to see. I call on social security institutions within West Africa to take advantage of the emergence of digital technologies to bridge the wide coverage gap, Mr Baffour Awuah stated at the SSNIT  International Social Security Association (ISSA) Technical Seminar in Accra.



The two-day meeting on the theme Digitalisation to Leverage Extension of Social Security Coverage in West Africa is being attended by participants from the West Africa sub-region.



The Minister said in Ghana, social security coverage had overly focused on the formal sector, which constitutes 27.3 per cent of the estimated working population of 9.9 million.



He said about 600,000 self-employed persons now had some form of social security cover.



He said over the last couple of years, the Employment, Labour and Pensions sector had benefited from the Governments digitalisation agenda in the delivery of services to the public.



He said currently, the Government was piloting the Ghana Labour Market Information System (GLMIS), a web-based repository of all Labour Market data/information.



The GLMIS creates a platform for employers and jobseekers to interact on job vacancies, skills in demand, skills in supply and related matters.



Mr Baffour Awuah said a unique feature of the system was that it would provide policymakers with real-time labour market information which would feed into evidence-based national development planning including the establishment of robust and sound social protection programmes for the country.



He noted that the Government was leveraging on digital technology to introduce a new software for the pensions regulator, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA).



He said the new software would be seeking to automate the regulatory processes of the NPRA and ensure real-time monitoring to safeguard pension funds and investments.



Mr Baffour Awuah said with this software, beneficiaries and service providers would be able to interface with the NPRA remotely and at their convenience without having to travel long distances to access their services.



Adding that this would not only save time but also money which could be used to purchase various pension and social security products available on the market and secure a better future in retirement.



Mr Baffour Awuah said the Government through the NPRA and SSNIT had also streamlined the pension processes and that from 2021, the process of enrolling onto the SSNIT Scheme had been simplified through the Ghana Card.



He said one does not need many documentations to enroll on a Pension Scheme but just the Ghana Card.



Subsequently, this has led to a marked improvement in social security administration with enrolment increasing steadily.



He said the Government would continue to leverage on technology to ensure SSNIT brings its services closer to the people.



Mr Baffour Awuah said in Africa, countries had introduced innovation into social protection programmes to improve coverage.



He said despite these interventions, coverage of social protection remains low in Africa.



According to ISSAs 2023 Report on Social Security Developments and Trends in Africa, only 27.1 per cent of older persons in Africa receive old-age benefits, compared to a global average of 77.5 percent.



Similarly, the Report revealed that only 17.4 per cent of the population in Africa is covered by at least one social protection benefit, compared to a global figure of 46.9 percent.







Source: GNA









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Standard Chartered has hosted a Girls Summit to mark International Day of the Girl Child. Selected girls between the ages of 14 and 18 from five schools were taken through insightful discussions on career selection and building, entrepreneurship, mastering ones act and craft, leveraging available opportunities to add value to oneself as well as building resilience to break the glass ceiling and to progress in any given field.



Girls from Accra High School and Methodist Girls High School opened the summit with a robotic exhibition.

Addressing the participants, Asiedua Addae, Head, Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC, encouraged the girls to remain steadfast, focused, recognise their potential and take their studies serious to position them for a better future.



Every one of us is unique and has huge potential. Life can be challenging but should not stop you from dreaming and pursuing your goals. . Keep your focus and do not get distracted, she advised.



She stated that the summit was in line with the Banks community engagement initiative Futuremakers, which seeks to tackle inequality and promote greater economic inclusion for young people in our communities by empowering the next generation to learn, earn and grow.



As an organisation championing diversity, we want to encourage young girls to be able to take up professions in any field. So, we keep encouraging young girls to look out for their potential and talents as we inspire and empower them to be the best version of themselves she added.



Speakers at the summit were accomplished young women from diverse sectors namely a Petroleum Geologist, Martha Ama Ofoli; Country Manager of Denk Pharma, Naa Okailey Adamafio-Manteau; Digital Marketer, Alice Mensah and Squadron Leader (Ghana Airforce), Ama Serwah. They inspired the girls by sharing their career journeys and encouraged them to strive hard, study and realise their full potential.



Female entrepreneurs from the Banks Women in Technology programme, Autism Ambassador, Alice Mamaga; founder of Virtutor Online, Laura Pepera and Natalie Fordwor of WonderSpaced also took their turn to share their entrepreneurial journey and encourage the girls to venture into that sector as well.



The summit was wrapped up with a speed mentoring session to address individual questions from the girls.

International Day of the Girl Child which is an international observance day declared by the United Nations (UN), highlights the needs and challenges girls face while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo returned to the country on October 15 after a four-day official visit to the United States.



The president was in the US on the invitation of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) to deliver a lecture on global security and leadership within the context of West Africa's growing insecurity.



Presidential spokesman announced that the president's immediate engagement upon his return will be visiting flooded areas in the Volta Region as a result of spillage of the Akosombo Dam.



"The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will on Monday, 16th October 2023, visit the districts severely hit by the floods occasioned by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.



"The President will be joined on this tour by members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, which has been set up to coordinate Government's response to the flooding and to help bring relief to those affected.



"The President arrives from his 4-day official visit to the United States this evening," his statement of October 15 posted on Facebook concluded.



Chief of Staff, 12 ministers form inter-ministerial committee on floods



Government has constituted an inter-ministerial committee to address recent floods triggered by spillage of the Volta and Kpong Dams by the Volta River Authority (VRA).



The spillage has occasioned massive flooding in communities close to the river especially in Mepe and Aveyime.



An October 13 statement from the Ministry of Information said, president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had ordered the setting-up of the team to coordinate governments response to the unfortunate flooding of some communities following spilling from the Volta Dam.



The thirteen-member committee will be headed by Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.



The other members of the committee include the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah; Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery; Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul; Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh; Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and the Minister of Local Government, Daniel Kwaku Botwe.



Other members are Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye; Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Minister for Environment, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie; Minister for Sanitation, Freda Prempeh; Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor and the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

















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Kennedy Agyapong, New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, has posited that no appointee under the current administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would be given the chance to secure a third term for the NPP.



Speaking in an interview on Skyy Power FM on October 13, 2023, he argued that Ghanaians would not be inclined to grant such individuals the mandate without substantial proof of their contributions and achievements.



So, delegates who are listening to me, because of the selfish interest of some leaders, they are pushing you to vote for a particular candidate, and that candidate also, if you vote for him, you can't break the eight.



read my lips, Ghanaians will deny anybody who has served under this government from breaking the eight, it is not possiblethey should tell Ghanaians what they have done to prove that they can break the eight.



In an apparent jab at the Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who is also an aspirant in the flagbearership race, Agyapong submitted: " check his performance, the man came with the economy, but now he is not talking about the economy anymore.



He added that he is committed to tackling unemployment issues and creating jobs, particularly in resource-rich regions like the Western Region when given the opportunity as president.



I am not a myopic thinker, I think big, I dream big, and I do things big, that is the only way that we can reduce the unemployment rate, he added.



Kennedy will contest for the NPP flagbearership slot along with three other contenders including Vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Francis Addai-Nimoh.



The NPP has slated November 4, 2023, to elect a successor to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as leader of the party.





Source: ghanaweb.com









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Police are investigating a possible connection between two sexual assault cases that occurred at gunpoint in Philadelphia, according to reports.

The first attack took place around 3 a.m. on Oct. 14 along the 1600 block of South 55th Street. A woman reported that while she was inside her vehicle and waiting at the traffic light, the assailant approached her vehicle with a black handgun and demanded money.

The woman gave the suspect $20. He then ordered her to unlock her car doors and entered the vehicle. He ordered her to drive to 49th and St. Bernard Street where he sexually assaulted her. After the attack, the suspect drove the victim to an ATM, ordered her to withdraw money and ran off after the victim gave him the money, Fox29 reported.

He was last seen wearing dark gray sweatpants, a gray hoody and a blue mask, 6ABC reported.

The second attack took place the next day around 5 p.m. Sunday where another woman reported an assault. While she was walking near the 5100 block of Springfield Avenue, an unknown man approached her on the 1100 block of South Paxon Street and brandished a silver handgun.

He demanded money while he held her at gunpoint.

Complying, she gave the assailant $25, along with prescription medication. He then forced the woman into a nearby alleyway on Paxon Street and sexually assaulted her. After, he took off in an unknown direction.

The suspect was last seen wearing a blue mask, dark pants, and a blue hoody with a red Phillies hat. Authorities seemingly believe both incidents could be linked, 6ABC reported.

Right now, no arrests have been made, both news outlets reported.

Anyone with more information are asked to contact the Special Victims Unit, Special Investigations Unit at 215-685-3264 or 911.
By Holly Ramer, The Associated Press

A fatal stabbing in Illinois, a gun pointed at protesters in Pennsylvania, vandalism at synagogues and harassment of staff at a Palestinian restaurant all are raising fears that the war between Israel and Hamas is sparking violence in the United States.

The tensions follow a familiar pattern of crimes against Jewish and Muslim communities rising when conflict erupts in the Middle East and Americans have been killed or taken hostage.

We have a two-pronged threat to American faith communities, said Brian Levin, founding director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernadino.

While its too soon to say with certainty whether anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish crimes have increased during the war, hate crimes overall increased in the U.S. last year. In its annual report released Monday, the FBI estimated that hate crimes increased by 7% to 11,634 cases in 2022 compared to the previous year. With 1,124 incidents, anti-Jewish attacks were the second most reported hate crime, after anti-Black cases. There were 158 reported incidents of anti-Muslim attacks, and 92 reports of anti-Arab cases, according to the report.

Civil rights organizations, however, believe that even before the Hamas attacks in Israel, crime data didnt reflect reality due to a lack of participation by local police departments and internalized fear among the Muslim population, said Robert McCaw, director of governmental affairs for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. In 2021, the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, released a study in which 85% of those who were subjected to Islamophobia said they did not report it to authorities.

The true number remains to be seen, McCaw said.

In one of the most troubling recent incidents, a landlord in Plainfield, Illinois, is accused of attacking a Palestinian American tenant and her son with a knife on Saturday, purportedly because of their Muslim faith, stabbing the 6-year-old boy to death and injuring the mother. The sheriff, prosecutors and family all said the boy and his mother were targeted for being Muslim. More specifically, prosecutors said the landlord was angry ... for what was going on in Jerusalem and his wife told police her husband feared they would be attacked by people of Middle Eastern descent.

In Pennsylvania, a man was charged with felony ethnic intimidation after police said he pointed a gun and yelled slurs at attendees of a pro-Palestinian rally near the state Capitol on Friday. In Boston, the word Nazis was spray-painted across the sign for the Palestinian Cultural Center for Peace.

Theres a lot of fear. Theres a lot of anxiety and uncertainty in everything thats happening, said Abed Ayoub, national executive director for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. He said the group has received more than 100 reports including verbal harassment, threats, intimidation and physical attacks.

Muslim community members mourn the death of Wadea Al Fayoume at Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Ill., Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. An Illinois landlord accused of fatally stabbing the 6-year-old Muslim boy and seriously wounding his mother was charged with a hate crime after police and relatives said he singled out the victims because of their faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP

Its very reminiscent of the early days of post-9/11, where people didnt want to go outside, they didnt want to send their kids to school, he said. Theyre just worried about being in public and being approached.

In Dearborn, Michigan, which has the nations highest Muslim population per capita, community and faith leaders met outside the citys police department Monday. The city has seen multiple threats of violence in recent days, including from a man accused of asking on social media if anyone in metro Detroit wanted to go to Dearborn & hunt Palestinians.

We have to understand that these issues that are overseas are not just overseas, they are very much also issues here, said Imran Salha, the imam of the Islamic Center of Detroit.

Historically, anti-Jewish hate crimes have increased during violent Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, said Levin, a professor emeritus at California State.

In March 1994, there was a spike in anti-Jewish hate crimes from 79 incidents to 147 a month after an American Israeli extremist opened fire on Palestinian Muslims in a mosque, he said, citing FBI statistics. In October 2000, anti-Jewish hate crimes in the U.S. surged from 81 to 204 compared to the month before after a series of violent protests in Arab villages in northern Israel. Levin observed a similar trend in May 2021, particularly in cities with significant Jewish populations such as New York and Los Angeles.

In California last week, flyers spreading anti-Jewish rhetoric were left in neighborhoods and on vehicles in the city of Orange. And in Fresno, police said a man suspected of breaking windows and leaving an anti-Jewish note at a bakery also is a person of interest in the vandalism of a local synagogue.

Julie Platt, chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, said synagogues and Jewish community centers around the country have been strengthening their security programs, but that she does not want to see members of her community duck for cover.

I think the whole point of this is to terrorize us psychologically, she said. As long as I hear of no credible threats, I believe we should live our Jewish lives.

Several Palestinian Americans interviewed Friday in a Brooklyn neighborhood with a large Arab population said the atmosphere has been tense in the last week.

Jumana Alkaram said she has not been personally threatened but that: I know if I was to demonstrate my heritage or the Palestinian flag there would be some type of threat. Because the majority has the support of Israel and dont have the full legit story about whats happening in Gaza.

Family members of Wadea Al Fayoume bring his casket into Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Ill., Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. An Illinois landlord accused of fatally stabbing the 6-year-old Muslim boy and seriously wounding his mother was charged with a hate crime after police and relatives said he singled out the victims because of their faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP

In New York City, a Palestinian restaurant, Ayat, was forced to disconnect its phone after receiving nonstop threatening voicemails, according to co-owner, Abdul Elenani. The storefront features a mural of a crying Palestinian and its menu includes calls to end the occupation. On Friday, a man entered the dining room shouting terrorist at the people behind the counter, Elenani said.

Still, the hostile reception was overshadowed by the support he has received from his neighbors, many of whom are Jewish and share his views about minimizing civilian deaths, he said.

In New York, we all live together, we work together, we grow together, Elenani said. And we all want this violence to stop.

Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Associated Press writers Joey Cappelletti in Dearborn, Michigan; Deepa Bharath in Los Angeles; Jake Offenhartz, Noreen Nasir and Ayesha Mir and in New York; Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Jim Salter in St. Louis, contributed to this report.

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Chick-fil-A has reached a $4.4 million settlement over its delivery fees, an agreement that could mean some customers could be in line for a payment.

The settlement is related to a class action lawsuit filed in Georgia that claimed the restaurant chain advertised free or low-cost delivery but then raised the food prices only on delivery orders, TopClassActions.com reported.

Chick-fil-A secretly marks up food prices for delivery orders by a hefty 25-30%, the complaint alleged, per TheTakeOut.com. In other words, the identical order of a 30-count chicken nuggets costs approximately $5-6 more when ordered for delivery than when ordered via the same mobile app for pickup, or when ordered in-store.

The suit also claimed Chick-fil-A failed to inform customers of the markup.

While not admitting fault, Chick-fil-A has reached an agreement that will set aside $1.45 million in cash and $2.95 million in gift cards. The chain has also agreed to add disclosure notices on its app and website stating that product prices may be higher for delivery orders.

Customers who are potentially eligible for a refund will be notified by email through the settlement administrator with class members expected to receive a $29.95 payment or a $29.95 gift card. Those amounts could be lowered, however, depending on the final number included in the settlement.

There will also be a notice on Chick-fil-As website for potential class members that will require a name, email address, phone number and certification the person is eligible to participate.

The form is not yet live but you can check back here for more information.
A Pennsylvania state House member plans to introduce a bill to allow nurse practitioners to practice independently, a move supporters say would replace an outdated law and prevent loss of nurse practitioners to states that grant more freedom.

With a shortage of physicians and in the midst of a mental health crisis, we need to support legislation that would make more health care providers available for quality treatment, said Rep. Nancy Guenst, D-Montgomery County.

She said her bill is similar to a Senate bill introduced previously and which has bipartisan support. An identical bill must pass both the House and the Senate before it moves on to the governor, who can veto it or sign it into law.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced training which qualifies them to perform many tasks routinely done by doctors, such as diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering tests, writing prescriptions and referring patients to specialists.

Although they commonly do those tasks in Pennsylvania, they must maintain a signed collaborative agreement with two physicians, which sometimes requires the nurse practitioner to pay a fee.

About half the other states and Washington, D.C. allow nurse practitioners to operate independently.

Many doctors and groups including the Pennsylvania Medical Society oppose granting so-called full practice authority, saying the collaborative agreement with physicians ensures patients have fast access to a physician should they have a condition thats beyond the expertise of the nurse practitioner.

Nurse practitioners contend they only want to be able to use the full range of their skills, and when they encounter a condition thats outside their expertise, they refer patients to the appropriate physician or specialist, just as physicians do.

Pennsylvania has about 12,000 nurse practitioners, with many specializing in a specific area such as family medicine or mental health care. As it stands, they typically work within medical practices and hospitals.

Guenst was joined at an event Tuesday by state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, a western Pennsylvania Republican and a sponsor of the Senate bill.

Under SB 25, nurse practitioners would have to work under a physician for 3,600 hours before becoming independent.

Supporters say the change is needed to help offset a growing shortage of physicians thats expected to worsen due to factors including aging baby boomers needing more medical care. Otherwise, Pennsylvania will be at a disadvantage in attracting and retaining a valuable category of health care worker.

They stress that the bordering states of Maryland, New York and Delaware give full practice authority to nurse practitioners, making them more attractive places for nurse practitioners to live and work.

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Those in one area of central Pennsylvania have been alerted to conserve their water.

The alert was sent out from Pennsylvania American Water, and has been issued as of 10 a.m. (ET) Tuesday.

According to a press release sent out by the company, this conservation order applies to about 42,000 customer connections in the Mechanicsburg water system.

This additionally includes locations such as Silver Spring Township, Hampden Township, Lower Allen Township, Lemoyne Borough, Worleysburg Borough, East Pennsboro Township, New Cumberland Borough, Fairview Township, and others.

The mandatory conservation order follows an unexpected incident affecting the companys Silver Spring Water Treatment Plant water sources, reads the release. Pennsylvania American Water is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Additionally, the company has increased production at its West Shore Water Treatment Plant, which also serves the Mechanicsburg water system, and opened an emergency interconnection with a neighboring water system.

The nature of this incident is still unclear as of the publishing of this report. Customers in the area are urged to visit pennsylvaniaamwater.com for more information.
By Najib Jobain, Samya Kullab, Ravi Nessman and Matthew Lee, The Associated Press

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

The health ministry said at least 500 people had been killed. Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospitals grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings.

The carnage came as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas deadly rampage in southern Israel last week. It also came a day before President Joe Biden was due to visit the region to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Hamas called Tuesdays hospital strike a horrific massacre, saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time. Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch, it said.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza Citys main hospital, al-Shifa, already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia. The wounded were laid onto bloody floors, screaming in pain.

We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room. We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anesthesia, we need everything, Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospitals generators will run out Wednesday. I think Gazas medical sector will collapse within hours.

Wounded Palestinians lay on the floor at al-Shifa hospital, following Israeli airstrikes, in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)AP

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

Hamas Oct. 7, attack in southern Israel killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 200 captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

In protest over the purported airstrike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egypts president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan to discuss the war. Abbas Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades. Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli Embassy.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

Bodies of Palestinians killed by an Israeli airstrike that hit the Ahli Arab hospital are seen gathered at the front yard of the al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)AP

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military had told Palestinians to evacuate to. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

Wounded Palestinians wait for treatment, at the al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)AP

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The U.N. agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south with little food or water.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the U.S., Israel and Egypt.

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israels Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the U.N. oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Bidens visit in part aims to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Palestinians look for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)AP

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israels continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.

Kullab reported from Baghdad. Nessman reported from Jerusalem. Lee reported from Amman. Associated Press journalists Amy Teibel in Jerusalem; Abby Sewell in Beirut; Samy Magdy and Jack Jeffrey in Cairo; and Ashraf Sweilam in el-Arish, Egypt contributed to this report.

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Not long after arriving at the open-air music festival venue in southern Israel days after 260 people were massacred last week by Hamas terrorists, journalist Trey Yingst had to run for cover.

He, along with other journalists touring the aftermath of the deadly incursion, came under fire from a Hamas terrorist. Under the safety of cover Yingst watched as Israeli forces returned fire and eventually apprehended the attacker.
By Najib Jobain, Samya Kullab and Joseph Krauss, The Associated Press

RAFAH, Gaza Strip  Truckloads of aid idled at Egypts border with Gaza as residents and humanitarian groups pleaded Monday for water, food and fuel for dying generators, saying the tiny Palestinian territory sealed off by Israel after last weeks rampage by Hamas was near total collapse.

U.S. President Joe Biden planned to travel to Israel on Wednesday to signal White House support for the country and to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the trip early Tuesday in Tel Aviv during his second visit to Israel in less than a week amid fears that the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. Israel maintained punishing airstrikes across Gaza as a ground invasion loomed, while Hamas militants kept up a barrage of rocket attacks, and tensions mounted near the Israel-Lebanon border.

More than a week after Israel cut off entry of any supplies, all eyes were on the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt. Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire that would let in aid and let out trapped foreigners. Israeli airstrikes forced the crossing to shut down last week, but it remained unclear Monday which of the regional actors was keeping the crossing closed.

Blinken, who returned to Israel after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way.

We share Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, Blinken said.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Dont test us in the north. Dont make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier, referring to Israels 2006 war with Hezbollah, which operates out of Lebanon.

A Palestinian boy sits on the rubble of his building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)AP

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted U.S. and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahians threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

This has become the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides. At least 2,778 people have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority being civilians massacred in Hamas Oct. 7 assault.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages, including foreigners whom it said it would free when it was feasible.

Also Monday, Hamas military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself in the video as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. In her statement, Schem said she was taken from Sderot, a small Israeli city near the Gaza border where she had attended a party. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation.

An injured Palestinian man is carried on a stretcher into the al-Shifa Hospital, following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)AP

The Israeli military said Schems family was told of her abduction last week, and officials dismissed the video as propaganda.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews of their relatives playing almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

The head of Israels Shin Bet security service, in charge of monitoring militant groups, took responsibility for failing to avert Hamas surprise attack. As agency head, the responsibility for that is on me, Ronen Bar said.

There will be time for investigation  now is a time for war, he wrote in a letter to Shin Bet workers and their families.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling supplies and Israels mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territorys 2.3 million people into upheaval and increasing desperation. More than 1 million have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, according to the U.N.

The Israeli military says it is trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gazas north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Those fleeing northern Gaza still faced airstrikes in the south. Before dawn Monday, a strike in the town of Rafah collapsed a building sheltering three families who had evacuated from Gaza City. At least 12 people were killed and nine others remained buried under rubble, survivors said. The strike reduced the house to a vast crater blanketed with wreckage.

Palestinians stand by the building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)AP

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel in the next 24 hours, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the U.N. said.

People grew increasingly desperate in their search for food and water. With taps dry, many have resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

More than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinians, UNRWA. But the agency cant provide them supplies. UNRWA said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life, said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, calling for a lifting of the siege. We need this now.

The few operating bakeries had long snaking lines of people. Ahmad Salah in the city of Deir al-Balah said he waited 10 hours to get a kilo (2 pounds) of bread to feed 20-30 family members.

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave.

UNRWA said 170,000 people were sheltering at its schools in the north when the order to leave came. But it couldnt evacuate them and doesnt know if they remained. More than 40,000 have crowded in and around Gaza Citys al-Shifa Hospital, hoping it will be safe from bombardment.

Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south.

Doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators. The aid group Doctors Without Borders said many of its personnel decided to stay to treat wounded. They ran out of painkillers, and staff reported wounded screaming in pain, it said.

On the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, crowds of Palestinians with dual citizenship waited anxiously, sitting on suitcases or crouched on the floor, some comforting crying infants.

They are supposed to be a developed country, talking about human rights all the time, Shurouq Alkhazendar, whose two children are American citizens, said of the United States. You should protect your citizens first, not leave them all alone suffering.

After increasing cross-border exchanges with Hezbollah in the north, the Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate 28 communities within 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of the Lebanese border.

Israel is ready to operate on two fronts, and even more, said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman.

Hezbollah released video showing snipers shooting out cameras on several Israeli army posts along the border, apparently to prevent Israel from monitoring movements on the Lebanese side.

The U.S. government began evacuating some 2,500 American citizens by ship from the Israeli port city of Haifa to Cyprus. Commercial airlines have largely stopped flying into Israels Ben-Gurion International Airport.

Kullab reported from Baghdad. Krauss reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Julia Frankel and Amy Teibel in Jerusalem, Abby Sewell in Beirut and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.
The Cumberland Valley School Board of Directors unanimously voted at their meeting Monday evening to extend an offer to Dr. Mark Blanchard as the new superintendent of Cumberland Valley School District.

Blanchard has an extensive background in educational administration and an eight-year tenure in the district, a press release said.

He will take over as district superintendent effective Dec. 4, succeeding Dr. David Christopher, who announced last month that he is leaving to assume a similar role with the West Chester Area School District in suburban Philadelphia.

Boasting degrees that range from a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education/English to a doctorate from George Washington University, Blanchards educational journey has seen him evolve from an English teacher to his most recent role as the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education at Cumberland Valley.

Under his leadership, the 9th Grade Academy at the former Good Hope Middle School was created, and according to the press release reshaped the educational experience for students and has positively impacted the student experience and academic success across grades 9-12 at CV.

Heather Dunn, president of the Cumberland Valley School Board of Directors, highlighted the advantages of the boards decision. Promoting from within not only showcases our trust in the exceptional talent weve nurtured over the years but also translates to considerable cost savings for the district, she said. Dr. Blanchards deep-rooted understanding of CVs mission and operations, and his established local relationships, merged with his vast educational insights, make this decision both fiscally prudent and strategically sound.

Said Blanchard: Its a privilege to step into this role. The students, staff, and community here in CV fuel my passion to cultivate an environment of innovation and unwavering excellence. I look forward to furthering the work we have already begun to elevate the student experience and outcomes in our schools.

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No Labels on Tuesday refuted recent warnings from a bipartisan group that its third-party presidential ticket would hurt President Joe Biden in Pennsylvania and other swing states in 2024.

There is a narrative taking root that it is a cosmic law of the universe that an independent in the race could only help former President Trump and we just dont think thats true, said Ryan Clancy, the chief strategist for the centrist No Labels group.

Clancy referenced polling by No Labels in swing states that showed 58% of voters in December 2022 saying they could support a moderate, independent ticket, and that figure has now climbed to 63%.

There really is an unprecedented appetite for this, he said.

No Labels polling in Pennsylvania in August found that 59% of voters said they would consider a moderate independent candidate if Biden and Trump are the major-party candidates.

Biden was leading Trump by 5 points in Pennsylvania in the August poll, but that lead jumps to 7 points with a Republican at the top of an independent ticket. If a Democrat were at the top of the ticket in Pennsylvania, Trump led by 3 points.

A Republican at the top of an independent ticket hurt Trump in seven of eight swing states with North Carolina being the only exception, according to the poll. A Democrat at the top of an independent ticket flipped every swing state to Trump, except for Nevada where it was a toss-up.

Last week, several current and former elected officials, including former Gov. Ed Rendell and former U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt, both Democrats, held an online event for their Citizens to Save Our Republic (CSOR) group warning that a No Labels campaign could deliver the White House back to former President Donald Trump.

CSOR officials said a second Trump presidency could mean the end of democracy in America and the group would be launching an effort to educate voters in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin about the danger they say a No Labels presidential bid would represent.

A No Labels candidate in Pennsylvania would be a disaster for Biden, said former U.S. Rep. Jim Greenwood, a Bucks County Republican, because independents and moderate Republicans in the state went for Biden in 2020.

Clancy and former Lehigh Valley GOP U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent said Tuesday, though, that CSOR is off base.

I am very concerned about the state of democracy just as they are  but I dont think the answer to saving democracy is saying we need less democracy, Dent said.

Dent said the members of CSOR are good people making a bad argument. I just fundamentally disagree with this whole notion that an independent No Labels candidacy is somehow going to bring about the end of our republic, he said.

No Labels, Dent said, should be given more respect because they are providing voters with options. Whos afraid of competition and choice? he asked. Lets just let events unfold a little bit here.

Clancy said that No Labels would likely make an announcement in early November about their candidate selection process. Potential presidential candidates linked to No Labels include West Virginia U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat, and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican.
Is this what Hamas did? Did they go in there and show them this?

Thats what Richard Blandy, 56, said as he pulled a black Ruger LCP handgun from his right pocket at the end of what had been a peaceful pro-Palestine rally at the state Capitol Friday, according to court documents.

A woman attending the rally said Blandy repeated Did they do this? before straightening his arm and pointing the gun at her face.

But Blandy, a 20-year military veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, said he is not racist, is a peaceful person, is disinterested in politics and that the situation is just a misunderstanding, according to emails he sent.

Blandy, from Lebanon County, is charged with ethnic intimidation, making terroristic threats, simple assault and summary traffic violations in connection with the incident.

It happened about 6:30 p.m. Friday, as pro-Palestine demonstrators were wrapping up rally on the Capitol steps when Blandy approached in his white Toyota sedan, according to police.

Capitol police said they heard people shouting He has a gun! before Blandy drove his Toyota north on Third Street, before stopping at a red light at North Street. When police followed him on foot, Blandy drove around the car in front of him past the red light and left the area. He was arrested around an hour later at his South Lebanon Township home, police said.

The woman, who police say he pointed his gun at, spoke with PennLive on the condition of anonymity, saying she fears retaliation.

She said when Blandy pulled up to the curb, he asked several questions such as Do you hate Jews? and So you agree with Hamas beheading babies? Every time she answered, he would pause for several seconds before asking another question.

The woman said she does not hate Jewish people, and believes Muslims and Jews can live together in peace and harmony. Toward the end of the exchange, a man walked up to Blandys car and asked the woman if she was being harassed.

Thats when Blandy pulled his gun out and pointed it at her, the woman said. Her eleven-year-old son ran away as she backed away from the car, trying to get out of his line of sight.

Its sad for me because my son was there. He witnessed it, hes traumatized, he doesnt want to go to school, she said. When I drop him off to leave, he looks at me and is scared.

Blandy remained there for 10 to 15 seconds before he pulled away, the woman said. Police said they heard people shouting, He has a gun! and a protester and police gave chase on foot to get a glimpse at his license plate, police said.

Blandy said in an email he had just bought sushi on Second Street and was on his way home when he passed the Capitol. He said he had no clue what was occurring.

Thought something was wrong. Lady was yelling at me and man circling in front of my car scared me. I tried to get away from them and just wanted to get home, Blandy said.

Blandy said he has PTSD and felt threatened by the situation.

Police originally said Blandy shouted slurs at the protesters, but he denied this. The woman he pulled a gun on said she did not hear him say any slurs, but said he expressed bigotry.

Police wrote that he also said: [Expletive] you Muslims go home.

Ethnic intimidation is a charge that gets added to a case when someone commits a crime with malicious intent toward actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disabilities, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Police used the vehicles license plate number to identify Blandy. The South Lebanon Township Police Department arrested Blandy around an hour later and recovered the firearm he brought with him, police said.

District Judge Gregory Johnson arraigned Blandy Saturday morning, and released him on $50,000 bail. Blandy is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge James Lenker October 30.

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A Pennsylvania family is desperate for answers about what happened to an 84-year-old Israeli relative, saying they believe she was kidnapped from her home and is being held captive by Hamas terrorists, according to reports.

This is an unimaginable situation, the womans stepson, Amichai Shdaimah, of Ardmore, told Fox29. He said his stepmother, Ditza Heiman, lives in a small home just outside Gaza.

She is the core of the family, the rock of the family, he added to 6ABC.

Shdaimah told Fox29 that the family is assuming that when the alert about the Hamas attack sounded early Saturday that she went to a bomb shelter attached to her home.

Shdaimah told the news outlet that his family in Israel was able to reach her by phone, explaining that she was in a safe room, and she was okay. Unfortunately, around 10 a.m., they lost contact.

The family continued calling her home, hoping Heiman would answer. But the unexpected happened.

At one point, somebody answered in Arabic saying Hamas, Hamas and they got disconnected. Shdaimah told to Fox29. We heard from a neighbor that he heard her call for help and he got out of his safe home, trying to help, but he saw she was surrounded by terrorists.

Two days later, Heiman was seen in a Hamas propaganda clip, alive and being taken from her home, Shdaimah told 6ABC.

We try not to imagine what shes going through, which is probably awful, Shdaimah said to the news outlet.

Her family in the U.S. is reeling, and praying they can learn her location and that shes alive.

Hope is very important. We try to stay hopeful that she is still alive, Shdaimah told Fox29.
A Pittsburgh political consulting firm that works with national and Pennsylvania Republicans, including U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, is being sued by a woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by an executive and the company retaliated against her for reporting it.

The woman, whom PennLive is not naming because she says she is a sexual assault victim, filed the federal lawsuit against ColdSpark Media in Philadelphia in August. It was first reported by Politico.

The womans attorneys said in the lawsuit that her civil rights were violated based on her sex and gender and that she suffered discrimination, a hostile work environment and retaliation.

In December 2021, the woman was an account manager for ColdSpark and attended a two-day company retreat and holiday party in Pittsburgh.

At a dinner with company executives, she claims that she was groped and sexually assaulted under a table by former ColdSpark vice president Ryan Reynolds as the two sat with others.

The woman asserts in her lawsuit that she told company official Tyler Hargrave about the assault the next day, but that ColdSpark leaders  co-founders Mark Harris and Mike DeVanney  did not take any remedial action against Reynolds.

Instead, the woman claims that she was subjected to abusive and hostile working conditions that forced her to resign in January 2022. The lawsuit describes the woman as extremely humiliated, degraded, victimized, embarrassed and emotionally distressed.

Harris is not named in the suit.

A spokesman for ColdSpark told Politico that the company denied the allegations. ColdSpark Media and the other defendants believe that the court or a jury will find in their favor, Jeremy Neuhart told Politico.

Reynolds told Politico that the allegations were frivolous and have zero merit.

ColdSpark has worked with many Pennsylvania Republicans over the years, including former U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, former state Sen. Jake Corman when he ran for governor, U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity.

McCormick is using ColdSpark for his 2024 Senate campaign and company employees were working at his campaign kick-off event in Pittsburgh last month. Politico reported that McCormicks failed 2022 Senate campaign paid ColdSpark $115,000.

A spokesperson for the McCormick campaign did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Politico also reported that GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haleys Stand for America leadership PAC and affiliated committee Team Stand for America has paid ColdSpark more than $500,000 since March 2021 and that her presidential campaign has paid the company more than $30,000.

According to Politico, Nachama Soloveichik, a ColdSpark partner, is Haleys campaign communications director.
A western Pennsylvania woman who police say abandoned her dog at an airport to catch a flight to a Mexican resort is headed to trial.

According to online court documents, Allison Lyn Gaiser, a 44-year-old Armstrong County resident, waived her preliminary hearing on Monday in Allegheny County Court. She faces two counts each of neglect of animals and cruelty to animals and one count of abandoning a dog.

Gaiser, who is representing herself, has a Dec. 1 arraignment scheduled.

Allegheny County police previously said that Gaiser left her dog in a stroller near Pittsburgh International Airports short-term parking lot after an airline employee told her she could not bring the dog on the plane as an emotional support animal and it was not in a traveling kennel.

Gaisers dog, a male French bulldog, was found in the stroller around 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 4.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that the dog was not restrained and there was a bag of dog food under the stroller but no water. Surveillance video showed Gaiser pushing the dog in the stroller, the Trib said.

After returning to Pittsburgh on Aug. 10, Gaiser told police that she had arranged for her mother to pick up the dog.

However, the Trib reported that police said text messages did not show that, and Gaisers mother said she only learned about the situation the next day when her daughters former husband sent her a news story about the dog.

The dog was initially placed in a local animal shelter then in a foster home, and the Trib reported that no update was available.
A corrections officer warned staff at the Chester County Prison that convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante was planning an escape several weeks before Cavalcante successfully did so, according to a news report.

ABC News reports that according to an internal document from the prison, an email was sent by Prison Sergeant Jerry Beavers to Captain Harry Griswold several hours after the escape on Aug. 31.

I am just sending this cause I dont want this to come back on us or [Officer] Hernandez in anyway, the email said, according to ABC News. He noted back in July that this inmate was planning an escape.

The email, obtained under Pennsylvanias right-to-know law, was forwarded by Griswold to the prisons acting warden, Howard Holland, a few hours later.

This was sent to me this afternoon and I have not forwarded it to anyone else, Griswold wrote to Holland, according to ABC. I am not sure how you want to move forward with this information internally.

Cavalcante had been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, whom he stabbed 38 times in front of her two children, and led authorities on a two-week manhunt across Chester County after escaping from the prison.

Chester County spokesperson Becky Brain ABC News that Cavalcante was initially identified as an escape risk when captured in Virginia and committed to Chester County Prison in 2021, and that during the time surrounding his trial, there was unsubstantiated information from an unknown source that again suggested he was an escape risk.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a source at the Chester County prison said that Cavalcante was considered an escape risk during the entire time he was incarcerated there.

Despite this, Cavalcante was allowed to be in the prison yard with other detainees during a recreation period, and was not directly supervised by a correctional officer. The prisons escape risk protocols that require that direct supervision only apply to detainees who are not on prison grounds.

While in the prison yard, Cavalcante escaped by crab-walking up the walls in the same method that another inmate used in May. The prison had begun to add razor wire to gaps on the roof following the first incident, but the job had yet to be completed when Cavalcante escaped.
Sensing that GOP U.S. Rep. Scott Perry could be vulnerable in next years election, a group called Republicans Against Perry is launching an opposition movement for the 2024 10th Congressional District race.

He is a square peg that doesnt fit in the round hole of that district, and I think this is the year coming up when that gets proven, said Craig Snyder, a longtime Republican operative from Pennsylvania who will lead the anti-Perry group after successfully guiding Republicans For Shapiro last year.

Snyder, a former chief of staff to the late moderate Republican-turned-Democratic U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, told PennLive that WelcomePAC, a national, centrist Democratic political-action committee, is backing Republicans Against Perry.

Perry, Snyder said, is counting on the idea that theres enough of a Republican lean to the district that (GOP voters) will stay with him just based on wearing the team jersey and I think its a mistake.

Craig Snyder, the former chief of staff for the late moderate Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, will lead Republicans Against Perry after doing the same last year in the governor's race with Republicans For Shapiro. Tom Gralish, Philadelphia InquirerTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer

There are already six Democrats in the primary race to challenge Perry, a York County resident, and Snyder said that indicates a feeling in the district to go in a different direction.

Snyder also said that the chaos in the Republican-controlled U.S. House over the Speaker role shows that Perry, chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, is not there to represent the people of the district in a normal governing fashion.

Past House members from the region were reasonable, moderate legislators willing to work in a bipartisan fashion on issues, but Snyder said Perry does not fit that bill.

Hes just about something different, Snyder said. Hes about this chaos caucus in the House that is performative rather than interested in governing and getting stuff done.

Perry supported former President Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, but he has not been indicted as Trump and others have been. Perry has said he did nothing wrong and was seeking answers to constituents concerns about the integrity of the election.

Perry has been involved in a lengthy court battle with federal investigators over access to his cell phone. A federal appeals court last month ruled that constitutional protections should limit the access investigators have to information on Perrys phone.

Perry won re-election in 2022 with 54% of the vote against Democrat Shamaine Daniels, but Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro beat far-right Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano 55% to 43% in the governors race within the district.

Those results give Republicans Against Perry hope that an intensive outreach campaign can sway voters.

Theres some line of what I would call extremism beyond which a majority of the districts voters, which include Democrats, independents and Republicans, wont go, Snyder said.

In a statement, WelcomePAC co-founder Liam Kerr said they scoured the country to find the Republican voters most repulsed by their own extreme congressman and pinpointed the 10th District as one of them.

PA-10 voters overwhelmingly supported Josh Shapiro last year, but research shows they are not yet aware of Perrys extremism, Kerr said. In 2022, national Democrats gave Scott Perry a free pass and we must ensure that voters are informed, especially patriotic Republicans, who share our disgust with the chaos in D.C.

Republicans Against Perry has already targeted tens of thousands of voters in the district for a widespread digital campaign, said Snyder. The group has not courted any possible primary challengers to Perry but would entertain supporting one, said Snyder.

There might be someone that emerges from this process who wants to get in a primary against the congressman, even if everybody would know that that would be a long-shot effort, for sure, but there might be somebody who wants to do that, said Snyder.

As for possibly backing a specific Democrat in the race, Snyder said Republicans Against Perry is talking to the candidates, but we havent made that decision yet.
Bianca van Heydoorn on Tuesday reflected on her youth, growing up as a Black child in New York City in the 1980s.

That was not an easy thing. I was not supposed to make it to college, said van Heydoorn, now executive director of the Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project, which works to reform the juvenile criminal justice system in Pennsylvania.

I was not supposed to make it out, whatever that means, alive. Its a privilege to me to be able to lead an organization that is intentionally anti-racist. Intentionally multiracial. That intentionally cares and loves on young people in the city of Philadelphia like all our safety depends on it because it does.

The Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project on Tuesday was one of three honorees recognized in the 2023 Peace & Justice in PA Awards, sponsored by The PA Media Group.

The third annual event also honored the work of Mission Central and Ann Van Dyke, who has worked for years to promote tolerance across the region and to curb gun violence. Mission Central is dedicated to working in disaster response, outreach to those in need, and community education.

In a forum held at Harrisburg University and moderated by Joyce M. Davis, PennLives Outreach & Opinion Editor, the PA Media Group recognized recipients of this years awards.

The event was framed within a discussion of racial justice  past and present  delivered in a powerful presentation by author, photographer, and cultural documentarian, Candacy Taylor, whose book Overground Railroad is the basis of an exhibition by the Smithsonian Institute.

The keynote speaker, Taylor transfixed her audience with a scholarly powerpoint presentation on the history of racial mobility in this country against the backdrop of the Jim Crow era and beyond.

Taylor, whose work Overground Railroad uses the historic Green Book to explore how Black Americans lived and traveled throughout the country amid the constraints of racial segregation, offered a presentation on so-called sundown towns - focusing on the 40 such towns across Pennsylvania that once existed.

Taylor shared her own experience of building her work around the lived experience of her stepfather  a Black man from the South who negotiated all the restrictions imposed on his race at one time in this country. She noted the fluidity of racial justice.

It swings both ways, she said, noting that at one time, half of the counties along the famed Route 66 were so-called sundown towns  all-white towns and communities that practiced racial segregation by excluding non-whites via discriminatory local laws, intimidation or violence.

Taylor presented a digital map with the 42 Pennsylvania communities that, at one time, were designated sundown towns. They included Camp Hill, Hanover, Mechanicsburg, York County, Hershey and Elizabethtown.

Taylor said that in her research she came face to face with the unimaginable devastation that government and economic policies have had on some communities across the country - communities such as Detroit and Baltimore, which were at one time thriving communities.

Once I got into the field research I realized I had to reframe this entire project, Taylor said. I could not talk about The Green Book as a historic time capsule. As something that happened in our past or some guide that we needed. The problems of race and social mobility exist today just as devastating and deadly as they were 80 years ago.

Chad Dion Lassiter, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, reflected on the human brokenness not only in the world but within the hearts of each of each participant and audience member. He asked all to rise for a moment of silence to recognize human brokeness..

Quoting the lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lassiter implored everyone to do something within their communities to promote peace and justice  noting that 1,200 hate groups and anti-government groups were active and on the rise in the U.S. in 2022.

Where are the moms for justice? he said. Where are the dads for justice? Where are the people for justice? They are here in Pennsylvania. They are just not well financed.

The third-annual Peace & Justice in PA Awards were presented by PA Media Group, parent company of PennLive and The Patriot-News, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The event was co-sponsored by Giant Food, the Hershey Company and The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

Ann Van Dyke was honored for her community work to foster understanding and end gun violence. A former investigator and trainer with the PA Human Relations Commission for 33 years, Van Dyke was distinguished as being as instrumental in her community work in retirement as she was while actively employed, spearheading such groups as Heeding Gods Call to End Gun Violence, a faith-based and inter-faith based group.

Though specific people and organizations have been thanked today, we all know that the most important thing is the work, Van Dyke said. It is the work of peace and justice that will sustain human kind.

Van Dyke noted that since 2009 the Harrisburg region has lost 217 young lives  most of them brown, Black and male  to gun violence.

And we keep on keeping on, she said.

The Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project was honored for its dedicated work to change and transform the juvenile criminal system and the lives of young people in the system.

The organization works to ensure fair and thoughtful resentencing and reentry for youth considered juvenile lifers.

I have the ability to lead an organization and model for the young people that our lives are not a forgone conclusion, van Heydoorn said. And that my ability and the way I lead and the way team leads the work is not not because we made it out, but because we gathered all of those experiences and were determined to live the life that we want to live and that we want to create spaces for the young people who get written off... who get called super predators, who get treated like less than a human being. That there are spaces where they can be human beings and they have the responsibility to do that for the next person.

Mission Central was honored for its work in the community. In 2022, Mission Central served more than 6 million people, distributing an estimate $2.3 million in medical supplies and equipment, $700,000 in disaster relief and almost $790,000 in aid to families.

Joyce Davis closed out the event with a powerful message:

I cant emphasize to you the important role each one of us can play in defusing the tensions that are rolling around the world. They are also roiling here in central Pennsylvania. Each one us has the responsibility to speak softly, to turn away wrath, to lower the decibel, to be a peacemaker even as we dont lose sight of justice. But there is a way to do everything. As we remember the words of Martin Luther King... they came after you. You return love. Thats hard to do, but that is what we are called to do as peacemakers. Now is the time. We need peacemakers.

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Pennsylvania State Police released the name of the man who died after a Tuesday morning crash on I-83 south in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County.

Police say Sean Laudenslager, 41, of Dalmatia, Pennsylvania, was driving in the left lane of the highway when he hit a tractor-trailer from behind around 9:04 a.m. The tractor-trailer was stopped in the lane near mile marker 49 because of another crash, according to a police report.

Laudenslager was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to a police report.

Both Laudenslager and the driver of the tractor-trailer were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash, police say. The driver of the tractor-trailer, of Tyrone, Pennsylvania, was not injured.

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A judge is expected to decide whether a Winnipeg man should be deemed not criminally responsible for his role in the killings of his parents and stabbing a colleague. People enter the Law Courts in Winnipeg, Monday, Feb. 5, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is committed to offering trade development interventions in Azerbaijan, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, Chief Executive Officer of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (members of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group), said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

"These interventions will focus on providing trade-related technical assistance initiatives and capacity-building interventions. The goal is to enhance knowledge and understanding of Islamic trade finance, further equipping businesses and institutions in Azerbaijan with the tools they need to thrive in the global marketplace. One of our flagship programs, Trade Connect Central Asia+ (TCCA+), holds a pivotal role in our future collaborations in Azerbaijan. TCCA+ aims to connect Azerbaijan and Central Asian member countries to other Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) markets," he said.

Hani Salem Sonbol pointed out that first and foremost, with a strong emphasis on private sector support, ITFC will continue to forge strategic partnerships with local banks and financial institutions in Azerbaijan.

"These collaborations will serve as the cornerstone of our efforts to expand our network of partner banks within the country. Through these partnerships, ITFC aims to extend its Islamic trade finance solutions, catering to the diverse financing needs of private sector clients, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By creating alternative sources of trade financing, we seek to empower businesses and catalyze economic growth," he added.
B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth has introduced legislation that will specifically require the City of Surrey to provide policing through a municipal force. Farnworth looks on at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, October 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner speaks to the media at a news conference in Calgary, Thursday, June 29, 2023. A spokesperson for Horner says the proposal to have a future Alberta pension plan mirror the controversial Quebec investment model remains on the table for consideration  four days after Horner announced it was off the table. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 17. Kazakhstan plans to double its GDP, including through the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR or Middle Corridor), said the Minister of National Economy, World Bank Governor from Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov at the meeting of the founders of the Swiss subgroup of the World Bank in Marrakecs (Morocco), Trend reports.

Kuantyrov noted the effectiveness of the partnership between the WB and Kazakhstan, including through the Partnership Framework Strategy until 2025.

In addition, the minister spoke about the economic plans of Kazakhstan.

"We plan to maintain economic growth at 5 percent this year and double GDP by 2030. This will be achieved through the development of infrastructure, small and medium-sized businesses, a significant reduction in the shadow economy and the development of the Trans-Caspian international transport route. Local authorities will be given greater budget and revenue powers," he added.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
A division focused on opportunities to partner, innovate, and solve problems by connecting the resources of Pittsburg State University with the region has a simple goal: to transform Southeast Kansas into a place in which students want to live and work after graduating, growing our communities and our economy.

Called Economic Development and Community Engagement, or EDCE, the division itself is complex  it includes everything from international scientists doing top-secret research in a lab, to business advisors guiding small businesses to success, to reading specialists helping children overcome reading disabilities.

Team members work in multiple locations on campus and in the community.

And it takes them awhile, when asked, to explain all that they do.

But Vice President Shawn Naccarato knows how to boil it all down.

Were listening to partners, finding out where they need help, then were connecting resources to provide that help," he said.

Until this summer, the division was known as University Strategic Initiatives, a division that collaborated with the City of Pittsburg and the Vecino Group to develop its flagship project, Block22, in the heart of downtown Pittsburg.

The project renovated four of Pittsburgs most historic buildings that had fallen into disrepair, turning them into a thriving hub at Fourth and Broadway that includes an entrepreneurial center, the Small Business Development Center, three restaurants, a coffeeshop, and urban lofts for students.

Not long after it was finished in 2019, a ripple effect began downtown: several small locally owned businesses opened within a few blocks.

A boutique marketing firm expanded exponentially, hiring many Pitt State students as interns and then, as they graduated, as full-time employees. That demand led to new degree options.

The division also helped develop the Kansas Polymer Research Center, now known as the National Institute for Materials Advancement, on the campus at Pitt State.

Today, NIMA offers state-of-the-art research and testing capabilities that can lead to the commercialization of products in a variety of industries, including aerospace, home furnishings, agriculture, and more.

Now, the division is taking it to the next level.

The recent expansion and its new direction were the result of extensive meetings and brainstorming last year by the Transition Advisory Council, comprised of stakeholders from across campus and the community.

Stakeholders saw that the university could help lead innovation in a way that would make a profound impact on the workforce, our students, the economic prosperity of the region, and the lives of those who call this region home," he said.

Focus areas

The EDCE will focus on three areas:

 Economic Development

 Research/Creative Activity

 Community Engagement

Each one of these things inform and help each other, Naccarato said. We are connecting the deep scientific knowledge and expertise of our faculty and researchers to the needs of the community, and were informing the creation of new degree programs, workforce development, and certificates.

Economic Development

A mix of personnel will work to take several existing programs to the next level, including but not limited to:

 Small Business Development Center

 Entrepreneurship

 Regional Economic Development

 Micropolitan Regional Economist

 Community Development and Civic Engagement

 LPF Homes

 Testing Center

Team members also are working closely with Point Forward, a non-profit Community Development Corporation focused on identifying and executing projects that promote economic development, combat blight, and improve the overall quality of life. The current focus is saving and renovating Washington School and transforming it into a child care center.

And, theyre working closely with the city, the university, and local leaders on Gorilla Rising, a bold new initiative in downtown Pittsburg that will expand PSU's educational footprint in the Block22 neighborhoodstrengthening the local business district and providing students with new and unique learning experiences.

Research/Creative Activity

Ram Gupta, a professor and researcher at NIMA who last year was named to a list of the worlds top scientists, will oversee the creation of support structures to advance research funded by state and federal dollars.

Among his many projects: leading the creation of a Center for Commercialization to commercialize what scientists develop at NIMA; developing a prove-out facility at which those products could be tested and manufactured; creating an Institute for Emerging Technologies and an Institute for STREAM; and elevating the existing Center for READing so that it is more visible and accessible.

Grant support will be a key focus area, including writing grants and actively searching for additional grant funding.

Community Engagement

EDCE leaders are working with the community and its organizations to make a positive impact, build strong relationships, and share resources and knowledge. The division also represents the campus with local, state, and federal government officials on policy, advocacy, and funding.

Learn more:

Contact Marissa Poppe, Assistant Director of Partnership Development/Industry Engagement.
The Five Biggest Poker Scores of King's Resort Owner Leon Tsoukernik

October 17, 2023 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor

Leon Tsoukernik is a man of many talents. To some, he is an astute businessman who built Europe's largest cardroom at King's Resort, Rozvadov. To others, Tsoukernik is an art dealer with an unrivaled eye for detail. But under his many layers, Tsoukernik is a poker player with a penchant for high-stakes cash games and tournaments.

The fact Tsoukernik has more than $5.3 million in recorded live cashes, placing him third in the Czech Republic's all-time money list (according to The Hendon Mob) is a testament to his ability at the poker table. The King's Resort supremo trails only Martin Staszko, who banked more than $5.4 million for his runner-up finish in the 2011 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, and the polarizing Martin Kabrhel, who has almost seven-times as many in the money finishes as Tsoukernik. Not bad for a poker-playing businessman.

$1,800,000 from the 2017 Super High Roller Bowl

Two of Tsoukernik's 21 recorded cashes tip the scales at seven figures, with the $1,800,000 he collected for a fourth-place finish in the 2017 Super High Roller Bowl being his largest score of all.

That year, 56 players ponied up a staggering $300,000 for the Super High Roller Bowl buy-in, resulting in a $16,860,000 prize pool that the players at the eight-handed final table shared.

As you would expect, the eight finalists read like a who's who of the poker world, with Jason Koon, Justin Bonomo, Pratyush Buddiga, and Byron Kaverman seeing a return on their investment.

Tsoukernik bowed out in a respectable fourth place, and collected $1,800,000 for his efforts. Only Stefan Schillhabel ($2,400,000), Jake Schindler ($3,600,000), and Christoph Vogelsang ($6,000,000) managed to outlast the Czech star.

King's Resort Boss Leon Tsoukernik Wins 740K in Crazy Nosebleed PLO Game Read all about it

1,102,000 ($1,231,519) from the 2019 King's Super High Roller

As the 2019 WSOP Europe festival was winding down at Tsoukernik's King's Resort, a 100,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em Short Deck Super High Roller took place. The bankroll-damaging buy-in combined with the Short Deck format resulted in a compact but stellar field of 29 entries and a 2,755,000 prize pool.

Only four players got their hands on a slice of the pot, including Cary Katz and Paul Phua. Tsoukernik found himself in the unenvious position of being heads-up with one of poker's greatest ever players, the one and only Phil Ivey. Although you would be hard-pressed to find anyone not backing Ivey to win, it was Tsoukernik that came out on top, and who received 1,102,000 ($1,231,519).

741,100 ($782,453) from the 2016 EPT Prague Super High Roller

Prior to his massive score from the 2017 Super High Roller Bowl, Tsoukernik banked 741,100 ($782,453) during the 2016 European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague festival. Tsoukernik was one of 49 entrants in the 50,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em Super High Roller, and was ultimately the last player standing.

Anthony Zinno, Julian Thomas, Paul Newey, Viacheslav Buldygin, and Finnish star Juha Helppi all navigated their way to the final table but could not get the job done. Tsoukernik locked horns with the British phenom Charlie Carrel and put his vast experience to good use, leaving the young Brit in his wake, and helping himself to a then-career-best haul.

370,000 ($432,819) from the 2018 Poker EM Super High Roller

In July 2018, The Casinos Austria in Velden hosted the Poker EM festival. Although most of the scheduled events featured buy-ins of 275 to 550, there was also a 25,750 Super High Roller towards the series' conclusion.

Twenty-seven unique entrants purchased 14 re-entries between them, resulting in a 1,025,000 prize pool. Tsoukernik found himself at yet another final table. The legendary Antanas "Tony G" Guoga was present and correct, although he busted in fourth. Tsoukernik then made light work of Germany's Manig Loeser to reel in another 370,000 ($432,819) in prize money.

$400,000 from the 2022 Coin Rivet Invitational

Tsoukernik's most recent cash, worth $400,000, came from the Triton Poker High Roller Series Cyprus in September 2022. The $200,000 Coin Rivet Invitational saw a mixture of professional poker players and wealthy business types do battle at the Merit Royal Hotel & Casino. Some 115 massive buy-ins were processed, leaving $23 million in the pot.

Unfortunately for Tsoukernik, he fell during the first couple of payouts, finishing in 14th place for a $400,000 score. Team PokerStars' Sam Grafton was crowned the tournament's champion, with the popular British star padding his bankroll with $5.5 million.

Will Tsoukernik Add to His Winnings During the 2023 WSOP Europe?

The 2023 WSOP Europe is less than a fortnight away, with the opening event schedule to shuffle up and deal at Tsoukernik's King's Resort on October 25. While it is highly unlikely Tsoukernik will buy into that 350 event, there are a handful of tournaments that could tempt the casino owner .

Event #8 is the 25,000 No-Limit Hold'em GGMillion$, while Event #12 is the 50,000 No-Limit Hold'em Diamond High Roller. Then there is Event #13, the 10,350 Main Event.

In addition to those high-stakes bracelet-awarding events, King's Resort is running a 5,000 and a 10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event, Tsoukernik's favored game. Rounding out the high-stakes action are a 50,000 and 100,000 buy-in No-Limit Super High Roller. It would be surprising not to see Tsoukernik grace those events with his presence, and even more surprising if he was not still in the mix as they reach the business end.

Sharelines Art dealer? Casino owner? Or seasoned poker player. The biggest live MTT results of Leon Tsoukernik.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 17. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

Tokayev said this during a meeting with the Chairman of the People's Republic of China in Beijing.

"I would like to take this opportunity to invite you, dear Chairman Xi Jinping, to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan next year," he said.

In addition, during the negotiations, the parties discussed issues of developing comprehensive cooperation in the trade and economic, oil and gas, petrochemical, energy, financial, transport, and transit sectors, as well as in the nuclear industry, mechanical engineering and tourism, e-commerce, and high technology.

There was also an exchange of views on current issues on the international and regional agenda.
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At least two House Republicans are voting against Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House because he refuses to say that the 2020 election was not stolen and Biden won.

Arthur Delaney of HuffPost tweeted:

Ken Buck tells me wont vote for Jim Jordan. Cites his refusal to disavow false statements about election fraud and his involvement in or knowledge of what would happen on Jan 6  Arthur Delaney  (@ArthurDelaneyHP) October 17, 2023

Jim Jordan has not been answering reporter questions this morning about the 2020 election. Two Republicans have been trying in party meetings to get Jordan to disavow Donald Trumps lies. He wont.  Arthur Delaney  (@ArthurDelaneyHP) October 17, 2023

There have not been pre-victory celebrations for Jordan and his supporters, because they still dont know if he will have the votes to be elected speaker.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) has been a steadfast no on Jim Jordan because Jordan will not disavow his lies that the 2020 election was stolen.

The fact that Jordan refuses to answer questions from his own conference members about the 2020 election should tell all of them what they need to know about how he would run the House as speaker. If Jordan is already ignoring questions from his own party before he has even got the job, any promise or commitment that he makes now should be viewed as worthless.

There are at least a couple of principled Republicans who are willing to put the country first and not elevate an insurrectionist election denier to second in line for the presidency.

Lets see how many more are willing to put country first.
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The leader of the Republican Party mocks US military and no one in that party can find the courage to meaningfully object. The same people act like theyd stand up to terrorists; but they cant even stand up to their own leader.

Moments after the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, the U.S. was overrun by Republicans fighting their way to the top of the heap by attacking the U.S. President.

They lied about money being sent to Iran funding the attack, they called Biden weak, they suggested only they could stand up to terrorists and scare them into not being terrorists. This was admittedly an odd statement for a party run by someone who incited an act of domestic terrorism against the U.S., but facts dont much matter these days to the Republican Party. They shook their strongman rattles on Fox, Newsmax and Twitter/X.

On Monday, their party leader former president Donald Trump attacked the U.S. military, again, while speaking to supporters in Iowa in a livestock building in front of bales of hay. And once again, not a one of these courageous strongman types found the spine to say that Trump is a coward who should not lead their party, does not speak for them, and should not speak for them or run for president.

Here he is in all of his glory, attacking U.S. military leadership as some of the dumbest people hes ever met:

After praising Hezbollah, Putin, and Xi, Trump just mocked the US military leadership: Some of the dumbest people Ive ever met in my life A true patriot will never support traitor Trump. pic.twitter.com/nB7eCx5pGF  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 16, 2023

There are actually logistical reasons why the military will leave equipment behind, including that it can be cheaper, its been demilitarized, and perhaps the cynical among us might think it could be beneficial to private contractors, but since Trump leads the party that acts as if only the private sector is capable of efficiency, this wouldnt be acknowledged anyway.

After Trump followed the attack on Israel by praising Hezbollah, self-imagined strongman Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who makes a name for himself by picking fights with Mickey Mouse, wrote on X, It is absurd that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose now to attack our friend and ally, Israel, much less praise Hezbollah.

That is the strongest attack DeSantis could muster after Trump had done things like suggesting outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley deserved to be executed.

In late September, Trump wrote that Milley deserved to have been executed due to news reports that he had spoken with Chinese counterparts to assure them that the U.S. was not under threat after Trump incited the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

After this outburst, Fox News tried to claim that there was a major outcry from his Republican rivals. Like Mike Pence saying there is no call for that kind of language, sounding like a nursery school teacher chastising a child who cursed, rather than a man who was threatened with being hanged by Trumps supporters and had to flee said attack. This historical fact means Pence is fully aware of the impact of Trumps language.

Asa Hutchinson found the massive courage to use words like inexcusable and dangerous, while Chris Christie called Trump an absolute child. Wow. Do you feel the strongman power that will scare terrorists into not being terrorists?

No? Maybe youre focused on what they didnt say. No one said that Trump should not be their party leader, that he should not be holding rallies or even booked on TV to dispense such rhetoric in their name. No one said he should be in jail for 1/6 or for allegedly stealing classified documents and leaving boxes of them scattered around his bathrooms and ballrooms at his club.

No one.

This lack of courage from the party that claims it is the party of power and sells itself as strongman types is hardly new.

Trumps former Chief of Staff Kelly confirmed that Trump insulted vets in private, the Federal Times wrote. Kelly  a former Marine Corps general who also served as Trumps Homeland Security secretary  expressed disgust for the former commander-in-chiefs past actions and recent comments attacking outgoing Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley.

Kelly also said that Trump did not want to be photographed in public with military amputees, with the former president reportedly saying, it doesnt look good for me.'

Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are Losers and Suckers, The Atlantic wrote in 2020. The president has repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members, and asked that wounded veterans be kept out of military parades, multiple sources tell The Atlantic.

More from Trumps time as president when he refused to visit an American cemetery near Paris because it was raining and he felt his hair wouldnt survive the weather and called the 1,800 marines who lost their lives suckers for being killed in war:



Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers. In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as suckers for getting killed.

Not new. Not at all. The same man who mocked a Gold Star family has been doing this his entire, gold-plated and cushioned life.

Trump Has Mocked the U.S. Military His Whole Life, Foreign Policy wrote in 2020. Egged on by his father, the U.S. president began expressing contempt for Americans who fight in wars as far back as high school, his classmates say.

More, stemming from the times Trump called American war heroes losers and suckers:

Perhaps no one was less surprised last week when it was reported that U.S. President Donald Trump had called American war dead losers and suckers than his former high school classmate George M. White.

The 74-year-old retired Army veteran was Trumps superiorthe first captain, or highest-ranking cadetin Trumps 1964 graduating class at the New York Military Academy. White said he witnessed up close Trumps contempt for military service, discipline, and tradition, as well his ungoverned sense of entitlement, all helped along by his father Fred Trumps generous donations to the school.

No, those remarks absolutely didnt surprise me. In my dealings with him he was a heartless, obnoxious son of a bitch, White told me in an interview over the weekend.

General Milley displayed the actual courage we would expect from people who portray themselves as The Only Ones who can stand up to terrorists (even as President Biden actually walks the talk, is on his way to Israel today and has visited the war zone in Ukraine), saying, We dont take an oath to a king, or a queen, or to a tyrant or dictator, and we dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator. We dont take an oath to an individual. 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 people who cant stand up to soft, privileged, protected by bully lawyers Don Trump are supposed to adhere to the same spirit of an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, yet they act as if they have all taken an oath to Trump over the United States.

They are all complicit, as they are all operating under the umbrella of this man  long after they knew who he was. They all stand for his attacks on the military, his calls for executions, the 1/6 attack he incited and his alleged theft and sharing of stolen national secrets. They own all of these deeds.

Every single Republican rushing to use an attack on Israel to divide the U.S. even further by claiming theyd stand up to terrorists more than Biden is a lily-livered liar.

They cant even stand up to Donald Trump.
BEAUFORT  A 25-year-old Hilton Head Island man who used social media to lure and sexually assault two underage girls was sentenced to prison.

Timothy Mikell Schultheis pleaded guilty Oct. 16 in Beaufort County General Sessions Court to two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. He also pleaded guilty to one charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for an offense that occurred in Aiken County, according to the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office.

On Sept. 17, 2020, while investigating a report of a missing 12-year-old girl from Aiken County, deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office arrived at Schultheis' home on Hilton Head Island, where they found him hiding the juvenile victim, according to an incident report.

Further investigation led deputies to learn that Schultheis had met the victim through Facebook and brought her to Hilton Head Island.

Schultheis was charged the following morning and was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center. Jail records showed he was released later that day.

While out on bond following his arrest in connection with the Aiken victim, Schultheis went to Arizona to pick up a second 12-year-old. He brought her to Beaufort County and had sex with her, as well, authorities said.

Schultheis received the 20-year maximum sentence for each of the criminal sexual conduct charges and three years for the delinquency charge. The sentences are to be served concurrently, meaning at the same time rather than consecutively. He also received permanent restraining orders that bar him from contact with any of the three victims in these cases.
Generating public interest in water management and planning is a challenge, one that's made even more difficult when there's a broad perception that the state's supply is all but limitless.

"Getting stakeholders to think critically about water constraints can be difficult," said Scott Harder, who leads the Hydrology Section at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. "Most of the time we have plenty of water and it's not on their mind."

But for four years, 1998 to 2002, below-average rainfall plunged the state into serious drought conditions. In August 2002, all 46 South Carolina counties were designated as experiencing extreme drought.

The effects of the 2002 drought are still reverberating more than 20 years later. The state's first water plan was published in 1998, and it was updated in 2004 with lessons learned in the drought's immediate aftermath.

As officials work on a major update to the State Water Plan, the 2002 drought continues to inform water policy.

DNR is at the helm of the effort, and Harder said the emphasis of the new plan will be ensuring water availability and drought management.

"This is principally a water resources plan," said Dean Moss, chair of the Port Royal Sound Foundation Board of Trustees. "It is not designed as a water quality plan."

River basin plans

DNR published the South Carolina Water Planning Framework in 2019, establishing a methodology to develop a revised State Water Plan. An advisory committee was formed to help guide the effort.
North Augustas No. 2 administrator is leaving for the town of Lexington  and the top job there.

Lexington Town Council appointed Rachelle Moody to the position of town administrator during a special called session Oct. 16.

Moody has been assistant city administrator in North Augusta since 2019 and will start in Lexington next month, on Nov. 20.

Were excited to welcome her back home to Lexington, Lexington Mayor Pro Tempore Hazel Livingston said. Moody lived in Lexington prior to her role in North Augusta, when she served as assistant to the city manager in Cayce.

Moody said shes both humbled and excited for the move to Lexington town government and that its a privilege to join a community that has such rich history and so much to already be proud of.

Our loss, their gain, North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams said Monday night.

Livingston said Moodys leadership, breadth of knowledge, and fresh perspective placed her at the top of what has been a nationwide search since June of this year, when former Lexington town administrator Britt Poole left after 13 years as Lexingtons chief administrative officer. Poole had resigned to take the position of executive director for the Central Midlands Council of Governments.

An executive search firm was enlisted to help fill the role, and town officials said this search brought in more than 75 applicants, of whom 13 made it through the initial vetting and eight received first-round interviews.

Lexington town officials said Moody will be the first woman to hold the job and will be the first external applicant to get it in more than 50 years. Like North Augusta, the Town of Lexington has a population in the mid-20,000s and is an area of South Carolina that has been experiencing recent growth.
Plans for a Dollar General at U.S. Highway 25/Edgefield Road and Trailside Drive were approved by a quorum of the Edgefield County Planning Commission on Oct. 12.

The project has raised some eyebrows in the adjacent Edgefield County neighborhood.

It's a rough intersection there already, a couple residents said. Moreover, there's already a Dollar General on the Edgefield Road, at Market Place Drive, and a Dollar Tree even closer, at Walnut Lane.

I understand that our area is growing, that theres a lot of development coming through on Exit 5, but we already have two dollar stores down the street  I understand theyre not in Edgefield County, theyre in Aiken County  but we have two that are less than 3 miles away, said Evelyn Chanti.

Planning commissioners didnt have much of an option but to approve the project, which commissioners acknowledged met the zoning requirements of the property.

An oversaturation of dollar stores wasn't the only complaint, though.

Plans show that access to the future Dollar General wont be off the highway; it will be off Trailside Drive, a residential street whose only connection is onto Edgefield Road.

Its an intersection that neighborhood residents like Chanti said is already dangerous due to the amount of traffic and because of its odd configuration.

Edgefield Road is a divided highway at that point, and the street opposite Trailside, Short Cut Road, isnt directly opposite but offset just enough that to cross the highway requires some maneuvering.

The intersection is also the main turn-off to Fox Creek High School.

"We need something done in that intersection before something starts up, said John Youngblood, another resident of the Trailside neighborhood. A red light has to happen  I feel sure its coming  but then yall want to pile a Dollar General on top of it, and Im just not seeing it.

Youngblood said that until the neighborhood has another access point, a Dollar General there would be a risk factor all the way around.
Last weeks horrific shooting in Maine that left 18 dead and 13 others wounded has already raised the questions that have become familiar after mass casualty events. What motivated the suspect, 40-year-old Robert Card, to go on his rampage in a Lewiston bowling alley and bar? Why was the U.S Read moreGuest editorial: Can Maine shooting and public support for red flag laws finally spur action?
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
The Port of Charleston and the two inland cargo hubs that link it to the rest of South Carolina generate $86.7 billion in annual economic activity, according to a new analysis.

The impact includes the value of exported cargo and the wages for 260,020 jobs that are in some way tied to the maritime industry, such as truckers and workers at manufacturers that import or export goods.

The report, conducted by the University of South Carolina for the S.C. State Ports Authority, estimated that one out of every 9 jobs statewide touches the port in some way, up from one out of 10 jobs four years ago. Those positions pay an average of $67,836 a year, or nearly 23 percent more than all others.

The updated impact figures are based on the SPA's unprecedented cargo boom in recent years, when the pandemic had homebound consumers buying imported goods at a record clip.

They are a striking improvement over the agency's previous study in 2019. At that time, the port's annual impact was pegged at $63.4 billion, or about 37 percent less than current totals.

"This economic impact can be felt in our communities as people buy homes, spend at local stores and build lives for their families," said Barbara Melvin, the SPA's chief executive officer, who announced the highlights during her state-of-the-port speech on Oct. 16 in Charleston.

The SPA paid for the study, which was conducted by USC Moore School of Business research economist Joey Von Nessen.

Von Nessen said the port's impact is bolstered by South Carolina's population growth  tops in the nation percentage-wise between 2019 and 2022  and strong manufacturing base, which includes vehicle, tire and appliance makers. He said record activity spurred by the pandemic also played a role in the oversized economic impact numbers.
Built in 1845, the William Ravenel House has been in the same family for nearly six decades. Read moreHistoric Charleston mansion on East Battery sells, just shy of the peninsula's record
LEXINGTON  Four months after employees who hadn't received pay in nearly two weeks walked off the job at Alodia's Cucina Italiana in Lexington, the South Carolina Labor Department fined the restaurant's owners.

The S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation fined the restaurant $2,100 for failing to pay 18 employees on time in June, according to documents obtained by The Post and Courier. The late payments amounted to $4,213.24 in wages for those employees, the investigation found.

"I'm happy that they found something and that hopefully people will know that none of it was a lie and that we were all being truthful. There was no reason for us to lie about not getting paid," said Zoe Spires, a former waitress at the restaurant whose viral Facebook post called attention to the payment delays.

The letter announcing the conclusion of the investigation is dated Oct. 2. The restaurant's owners have 30 days to file a protest if they disagree with the decision. From there, they have 30 days to pay the fine, according to a Labor Department spokesperson. As of Oct. 17, it has not yet been paid.

When workers walked out at the restaurant's Lexington location, the eatery temporarily closed before reopening with staff from its Irmo location in mid-July. Alodia's in Irmo remained closed until reopening Oct. 17.

The owner of the Italian eatery, Adam Huneau, faced swift backlash on Facebook when Spires called out the delay in pay in a viral post that has since been deleted. At the time, Huneau declined to comment to The Post and Courier, but he responded in a Facebook comment under the post.

Zoe (Spires) is correct, there has been a cash flow issue for sure, Huneaus comment read. We are actively pursuing measures to correct it and it will be rectified ... we will reopen and continue to serve the great community there.
COLUMBIA  The window has closed for the general public to voice concerns over the $2 billion Scout Motors electric vehicle plant's impact on wetlands in Richland County. But environmental groups say they continue to work directly with state and county officials on the proposal.

In hopes of winning approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue development of the site in the small town of Blythewood, some 20 miles northeast of downtown Columbia, officials last month added 18 miles of stream restoration in Sumter National Forest to an environmental package meant to offset the wetlands that will be lost when the Volkswagen subsidiary builds.

The company, through a permit filed by the state Commerce Department and Richland County on its behalf, had previously said it would protect 4,902 acres of wetlands near Congaree National Park and another 155 acres on the Broad River, known as Shelton Island. The group has since added the Sumter National Forest stream project to its environmental proposal, along with more improvements to land along the Congaree River.

But the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of the Congaree Riverkeeper, continues to suggest that improvements along Crane Creek would be more appropriate because it is the water source most directly impacted by the development.

Riverkeeper Bill Stangler said his organization is not lobbying for a particular plan involving the creek, but at least one previously drafted proposal for improvements along the urban stream exists.

The factory, which could potentially double in size at a later date, is expected to impact more than 100 acres of wetlands and 7 miles of streams on the 1,100-acre property.

Stangler said his organization, since logging its initial comments, has communicated directly with state and county officials as they seek an action plan that would be beneficial to all involved. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and at least one other organization also have been granted extensions to review and comment on the latest proposal, a Corps spokeswoman said, drawing out the input period until at least Oct. 20.
COLUMBIA  An onsite project manager of the doomed expansion of the V.C. Summer nuclear plant in Fairfield County was sentenced to one year of probation, which includes six months of home detention, for lying to federal investigators.

Carl Churchman, a former executive at Westinghouse, pleaded guilty back in June 2021 as part of a plea deal, agreeing to cooperate with federal investigators and testify before grand juries.

In the Columbia federal courthouse on Oct. 17, District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Churchman to one year of probation with six months of home detention and GPS monitoring. He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

In the late 2000s, now-defunct electric provider SCANA and the state-owned utility Santee Cooper attempted to complete the first reactors built in the United States in decades. Eyes were on South Carolina as the endeavor by two of the state's largest utilities and Westinghouse Electric promised to usher in a new age of nuclear power.

They failed to complete the pair of reactors and abandoned the $9 billion project in 2017, leaving ratepayers on the hook to pay for the cost of the power plant.

During an interview with an FBI agent in May 2019, Churchman was asked a series of questions about the completion dates for the two reactors.

He claimed he did not know the dates before they were reported and that he did not know who made the decision to report the dates to the owners, according to federal prosecutors.

Federal investigators later obtained emails and documents related to the failed nuclear project which showed that Churchman had received and discussed the dates in early 2017.

Churchman's attorney, Lauren E. Williams of the Charleston-based Williams and Walsh law firm, pushed for a noncustodial sentence for the felony charge, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
GREENVILLE  The success of VisitGreenvilleSCs #yeahTHATGreenville campaign is the very reason it has become obsolete.

After reviewing market research that showed leisure travelers could now easily distinguish between Greenville, South Carolina, and other cities of the same name sprinkled throughout America, the city-funded tourism bureau announced recently it would be retiring the phrase it started to address the other Greenvilles in the room.

It comes at a time when VisitGreenvilleSC faces another transition: leadership.

When you say Greenville today, people largely understand you're talking about Greenville, South Carolina, new CEO Heath Dillard told The Post and Courier in a recent interview shortly after filling the role.

Dillard took the reins last year after previous CEO Sheryl Lang left not long after stepping into the position in June 2021. Lang had taken on the role following the retirement of longtime leader Chris Stone, who retired in 2020 after leading the organization for nearly a quarter-century.

VisitGreenvilleSC is a not-for-profit destination marketing organization that receives public funding. The city allocated VisitGreenvilleSC $1.4 million in its current-year budget. A spokesperson for VisitGreenvilleSC said the organization-wide budget for fiscal year 2023 is $11.2 million.

Dillard, who comes to VisitGreenvilleSC from the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, has been at the helm as the organization undergoes its first major rebrand.

Dillard said the organization will focus its marketing campaigns on telling the world what Greenville is about instead of which one it is.

Greenville, he said, is less about tangible offerings and more about emotions and experiences that can be had here, because people are looking for that connection.

He added that visitors arent looking for a list of stuff to do. They're looking for the way you make them feel.

Greenvilles brand is multifaceted, he said. Its a place to unplug in nature and be entertained by a Broadway show. Its also the welcoming hospitality industry that makes up the backbone of Greenvilles tourism economy  and accounts for 51,000 jobs in the region, according to Dillard.
GREENVILLE  An internal investigation found no evidence of fraud at the Greenville Housing Authority months after the former CEO was indicted on charges related to her previous job with a public housing agency in Georgia.

Shawn Williams left the Greenville Housing Authority on Aug. 15, according to documents obtained by The Post and Courier through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Attorney Greg Clement, who represents Williams, did not provide a comment.

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Williams previously worked at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the state agency that provides community development and affordable housing funding. She was hired by the Greenville Housing Authority in 2020.

In July, Williams was placed on paid leave in Greenville after an indictment in DeKalb County Superior Court alleged Williams and three other defendants conspired to defraud the state of Georgia of $184,000 through contract schemes.

But a Connecticut-based accounting firm, Maletta and Company, found no known instances of fraud at GHA from 2019-22, according to a memo obtained through the FOIA request.

We wanted to make sure everything was in order from 2020 onwards, Pete Byford, board chair of the Greenville Housing Authority, said in a statement. We take our responsibility as a board seriously and we need to review our internal procedures.

During the investigation, auditors reviewed employee relationships and transactions tied to payroll, landlord payments and vendor payments. They searched payments for vendors, employees and contractors, and tried to determine the legitimacy of vendors for IT, office cleaning and personal protective equipment purchases, according to the memo.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Nurse Nickey Teghtmeyer was going to volunteer at the Pink Promenade, an annual breast cancer awareness event sponsored by her employer, Roper St. Francis Healthcare. Instead, she became one of the featured survivors after her annual mammogram turned up a 1.4-centimeter lump in her right breast.

While a prominent federal advisory group is moving its recommendation to begin screening women at age 40, it still tells women to get them every other year, which even its own research shows could be a costly mistake.

And though it conflicts with recommendations for an annual mammogram from other groups, including the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology, it is still the standard built into many of the guidelines primary care physicians get when they tap into electronic health records to review with patients.

Teghtmeyer has been religious about getting her annual mammogram since she turned 40, but almost blew it off last year because it would have been on the Friday before she left for vacation. Still, she followed through.

"Im a routine mammogram kind of girl," Teghtmeyer said.

Before she could leave the office she was told they needed to do an ultrasound to look closer. And they found the lump in her right breast. She had no pain, no symptoms, no clue it would be there.

Right away, her primary care doctor wanted to get her in to see specialists. Teghtmeyer, who works in the cardiac outpatient unit at Roper Hospital, had her doubts the health system would move that quickly. But it did  she had oncology and a breast surgeon on her schedule the next week and started chemotherapy a couple of weeks early.

The cancer was caught promptly, before it had spread to nearby lymph nodes, but genetic testing also showed she had the HER2 mutation, which meant her cancer was likely to be more aggressive.

Though it was originally confined to her right breast, Teghtmeyer opted for a double mastectomy with reconstruction, which has meant a series of surgeries.
Jalen Newell received the call from Valerie Frazier 91 (M.P.A. 94) inviting him to be a member of the inaugural class of 1967 Legacy Scholars the same day he was scheduled to tour the University of South Carolina campus. As a South Carolina native, he was planning on applying to Clemson, U Read moreScholar answers the call
Attorneys for the Charleston County School District and its embattled Superintendent Eric Gallien will continue to discuss a resolution to his continued suspension and a lawsuit he filed against the district, Pamela McKinney, the school board chairwoman, said following a closed-door meeting Oct. 17.

The board did not vote on whether to end its contract with Gallien during the special-called meeting before adjourning. Their discussions about a proposed settlement Gallien offered, and then said was off the table, were held outside of the public eye.

At the beginning of the meeting in open session, board members had a tense debate about whether they should even go into executive session to talk about the settlement agreement if it was already rescinded.

The board's parliamentarian, after making it clear he wasn't providing a legal recommendation, said the board could still potentially enforce the settlement agreement regardless.

Board member Darlene Roberson said going into executive session would violate the Freedom of Information Act. She also said that she didn't understand why they were meeting about a settlement agreement when the outside investigation into Gallien following an employee complaint wasn't finished.

"What are we going to talk about?" she asked. "We cannot make an informed decision."

Audience members called the board a disgrace and reminded them that they were supposed to represent Charleston County residents. The board voted 5-4 to go into a closed-door meeting. After an hour, they came out and adjourned the meeting.

The meeting took place a day after Gallien asked his attorney in a letter to "immediately withdraw our proposal for a separation with CCSD as its superintendent."

The original proposal came after consulting with his family and medical advisors, Gallien said. But after further consideration and attending a community luncheon with his mother, Gallien said he had a change of heart. He said his mother cried after seeing the "overwhelming expression of love, support, hope and encouragement we received."
Roughly 40% of households in our tri-county area live on the verge of financial instability, struggling to cover their basic needs as the cost of living continues to outpace earnings. That's almost 128,000 households. Read moreCommentary: SC households work hard but never get ahead. We aim to change that.
Were delighted that the Charleston County School Board acknowledged, at least implicitly, that it violated the states open meetings law when it placed Superintendent Eric Gallien on suspension last month. It would have been better to reverse the suspension, but just retaking the vote in compliance with the S.C. Freedom of Information Act was more than most governments do without a court order.

This wasnt the typical example of a board violating the open meetings law; usually we hear about violations when boards illegally discuss matters in closed-door executive sessions. Boards are in fact allowed to have private discussions about whether to take action against an employee  although they dont have to meet in private and in most cases shouldnt. But they always have to tell us in advance what they're going to discuss.

Before its Sept. 25 meeting, the school board told us merely that it was discussing a personnel matter  which an attorney generals opinion described as a mere catchphrase  under a section of the law that allows secret discussions of employment, appointment, compensation, promotion, demotion, discipline, or release of an employee, a student, or a person regulated by a public body or the appointment of a person to a public body.

The ironic thing about this particular violation of the law was that everybody in Charleston County seemed to know who the subject of the personnel matter on the agenda was well in advance of the meeting.

But people learned who was being discussed because Dr. Galliens supporters had gotten the word out  not because the board included it on its agenda, which by law must tell us the specific purpose of its discussions at least 24 hours before a meeting.
FLORENCE  Michael Mullen, 3, was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis when he was just two months old.

The rare genetic condition causes tumors on nerves and growths in other parts of the body. Mullen has dealt with a laundry list of health issues caused by his condition, his mother Alicia Mullen said, and hospitals have become the familys second home.

Cooks for Christ will help fill around 6,000 bellies with chicken bog, green beans, slaw and sweets as part of a fundraiser for the Mullen family on Oct. 19.

The volunteer organization has been helping for decades to raise money for seriously ill or injured locals through benefits. The organization hopes to help ease financial burdens on families and keep focus on loved ones  not bills, said Beverly McKee, a volunteer of more than 20 years.

Nobody with an ill child or loved one needs to be hounded by debt collectors, McKee said.

The fundraiser will help ease some of the Mullen familys financial stress, Mullens mother said.

Mullen receives therapy three times each week and the family makes regular trips to North Carolina for specialized care. The family goes to the hospital in North Carolina or Charleston at least once per month, his mother said, but it usually runs up to two or three visits.

He used to have blood work done three times per week. He had chemotherapy to treat brain tumors. Now, Mullen gets an MRI each month to track the growth of a new tumor on his brain stem, his mother said.

But Mullen is a happy kid, his mother said.

Even when he was doing chemotherapy, she said. The next day he'd be walking around smiling, acting like hed never even just did that yesterday.

The familys Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld made Mullen even happier, his mother said. He and his three siblings hopped on rides and met Disney characters. Mullen even portrayed the Beast alongside Disney Worlds Belle in a mini stage performance of Beauty and the Beast.
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.
Not having watched ABC News in a generation or two, Im unclear who the anchor is in the video below. Is it ABC News Live Primes Linsey Davis? Assuming it is she, Davis questions IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus in this brief segment that Conricus has posted on his X/Twitter feed.

Davis begins with two or three questions about Israels threatened ground invasion of Gaza and the hostages held by Hamas. When Davis turns to the evacuation of civilians from northern Gaza, Conricus responds with almost laughable ease. How quickly Davis and her journalistic colleagues have moved on from the unspeakable massacre of innocent Israelis and the continuing Hamas war to eliminate Israel. Quotable quote (Conricus): Weve given more than 72 hours to evacuate a distance that is less than seven miles.

Hamas is an organization of liars and cowards, and I wouldn't trust a single word they say, unless proven true by someone else. This and more on @ABC pic.twitter.com/vgx9MzukEU  Jonathan Conricus (@jconricus) October 17, 2023

Sky News correspondent Mark Austin takes us over the edge of this line of queries in his interview with IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner in the video below. (Austin did somewhat better in his interview of Hamass Basem Naim.)
The moral nihilism and leftist willfulness of American higher education have finally been exposed by the harsh light of the Hamas barbarism, and for a change there are consequences. When a squishy, status-conscious centrist like Jon Huntsman tells the University of Pennsylvania that his checkbook is closed to further donations (Huntsmans family has given tens of millions to Penn over the years) because Penn is deeply adrift in ways that make it almost unrecognizable, mired in moral relativism and a failed leadership that fueled the universitys race to the bottom.

At Harvard, the Wexner Foundation has terminated its long-term relationship with the Kennedy School of Government:

So after years of seeing universities issue official statements on ever major event like George Floyd, Trumps election, Ukraine, etc, uniformly from a leftist perspective, suddenly the Chronicle of Higher Education saysmaybe university leaders should stop making statements about every controversial news event, and embrace neutrality instead.. (File under: Barn door, meet horse.)

[C]ollege leaders are expected to issue statements on behalf of the institution on a variety of current political issues, for instance those related to sex and gender, racism, abortion, global warming and its remedies, regional conflicts, and so on. Such statements clearly please many people on campus. But  often less visibly  they disturb others, especially those who hold legitimate alternative views and object to assertions of a single institutional position on the issue in question. . .

The author, former Harvard medical school dean Jeffrey Flier, repeats himself with an important additional qualification noted in bold:

Institutional leaders are increasingly expected to issue statements on behalf of the university on an array of issues. They do so because they think this is the right thing to do, because they are pressured to do so by a subset of the community that favors the position being articulated, or some combination of these. In such environments, leaders will be  and should be  evaluated in part on which issues they choose to respond to, and how they state their views.

In other words, cowardly administrators give in to the braying left. Every time.

The University of Chicago embraced the stance of not making statements way back in 1967, as the Flier notes:

The sentiments expressed in the 1967 Kalven Committee report of the University of Chicago, which argues for a heavy presumption against the university taking collective action or expressing opinions on the political or social issues of the day  not from a lack of courage nor out of indifference and insensitivity  but out of respect for free inquiry and the obligation to cherish a diversity of viewpoints. Exceptions should be made only for situations that threaten the very mission of the university and its values of free inquiry

Harvard and the rest of the leftist rabble are slow learners, to be sure, but fifty years? They all deserve every bit of heat and donor defections they are currently receiving. Sadly it will probably change very little. Most college presidents are likely just waiting out the storm, and will return to anti-Semitic business-as-usual by the spring.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 17:01:40

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Founder and President of Glidewell receives honor for his company's role in the expansion of quality implant dental care around the nation.NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Each year, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) presents the Isiah Lew Memorial Research Award to an individual who has made essential contributions to the field of implant dentistry. This year, the AAID recognizes Jim Glidewell, CDT, founder and president of Glidewell, the pioneering company that has spearheaded numerous innovations in CAD/CAM implant restorations and implant manufacturing.Jim Glidewell Widely known for introducing the restorative material known as BruxZir Zirconia to the industry, Glidewell has also contributed to numerous advancements that have helped make implant dentistry a standard part of modern dental practices today. These advancements encompass various implant solutions ranging from dental implant systems, to digital treatment planning and surgical guides, to the CAD/CAM fabrication of the full range of implant restorations.Driven by the company's mission to expand patient access to premium dental care, Glidewell has made many contributions to implant dentistry. Starting with the development of their Inclusive line of products in 2011, Glidewell sought to offer ISO-certified implant components compatible with leading systems, enabling the company's implant lab to offer flat-rate lab fees that lower the cost of restoring implants for dentists.In the area of technology, Glidewell has been a pioneer in bringing digital innovations to the forefront of restorative implant dentistry. Armed with data from more than two million implant restorations, Glidewell's Digital Treatment Planning team helps doctors achieve optimal prosthetic outcomes by creating treatment plans and surgical guides that ensure implant placement that is safe, predictable, and reliable to use for implant doctors of all skill levels. Glidewell has also led efforts to implement CAD/CAM process in the fabrication of implant restorations - including custom abutments, screw-retained crowns and full-arch implant prostheses - that can affordably meet the demands of a growing industry while ensuring more consistent, esthetic outcomes for patients.In 2015, Jim Glidewell partnered with Dr. Jack Hahn to develop the Hahn Tapered Implant System. "A big reason why Dr. Hahn and I teamed up was our shared philosophy of making high-quality implant treatment available to more patients," said Jim Glidewell. "Combining his vast clinical experience with the capabilities of our lab has allowed us to create a product that not only simplifies the surgical and restorative aspects of treatment, but makes it easier for patients to accept treatment thanks to the implant's affordability." Hahn implants and instrumentation have also been praised for their predictability and ease-of-use, making them ideal tools for newer implant doctors looking to embrace this form of treatment.And in service of those clinicians who want to make implant dentistry a bigger part of their practice, Glidewell has also strived to be a leading provider of continuing education (CE) in dental implant treatment. Since its inception in 2011, Glidewell Clinical Education has been providing clinicians with learning opportunities to acquire contemporary skills and techniques for success in dentistry. Glidewell has also partnered with Dr. Randolph Resnik and the Resnik Implant Institute, providing the models and implant accessories used in their hands-on workshops and establishing the Hahn implant as the official implant system used by their students. This relationship allows aspiring implant doctors to learn with the tools they will use later in their practice so they can start applying the techniques and protocols they learn at the institute toward predictable and efficient implant placement. Those who would like to learn more about the Resnik Implant Institute can do so by visiting https://resnikimplantinstitute.com 2023 also marks the beginning of Glidewell's support of the AAID MaxiCourse program Southern California, which will provide comprehensive implant education and over 300 hours of CE to doctors in the region. This course will be held at the Glidewell Clinical Education Center, located on the Glidewell campus in Orange County, CA. "Glidewell is proud to be associated with this comprehensive, high-quality implant educational program," says Dr. Neil Park, vice president of clinical affairs at Glidewell. "Not only will this program prepare doctors for clinical success, it also lets them experience hands-on training and in-person lectures in our state-of-the-art facilities." To learn more about this program, dentists can visit maxicourseca.com , or reach out directly by calling 866-791-9539.For more information about Glidewell, visit glidewell.com for a full look at the company's history, services and product offerings. To view the company's comprehensive assortment of surgical and restorative implant solutions, visit glidewell.com/implant-solutions To learn more about each of the AAID Foundation's awards and the history of past winners, visit aaid.com/awards Contact InformationEldon Thompson Sr. Director of Marketing mail@ glidewelldental.com SOURCE: Glidewell
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In Celebration of its 25th Anniversary, The Organization Partnered with Motorola Solutions Foundation, Sundt Construction and the Phoenix Police Department to Complete the RenovationPHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / On Oct. 12, Arizona Helping Hands renovated its foster resource shopping center. Three organizations joined forces with Arizona Helping Hands to provide complementary essential resources to children on a foster care journey and to make the experience warm, comforting and provide a relaxed environment. Thanks to funding from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, volunteers from Motorola Solutions and the Phoenix Police Department and the support of Sundt Construction, the organization's office space was transformed into a newly designed service boutique."This exciting new project celebrates our focus to support the foster community and our commitment to be the organization this community needs us to be," said Bethany Eggleston, Arizona Helping Hands' vice president of marketing and development. "We want to do everything we can to make sure that foster children thrive during every step of their journey. Our goal with this renovation project was to provide a compassionate place of hope and sanctuary." By moving the foster resource center into the reimagined office space, Arizona Helping Hands is able to organize the offerings as well as create a more enjoyable boutique experience. Each room will house items for different age groups, which will also make it easier for foster parents and advocates to shop for the children in their care."Together we thrive as a community through partnerships with valued organizations like Arizona Helping Hands," said Executive Assistant Chief Sean Connolly of the Phoenix Police Department. "Our goals align with the best interests of the most vulnerable of our community at heart. We look forward to where this partnership takes us." At the Phoenix facility, foster families can come and pick out brand-new items including shoes, clothes, back-to-school supplies, toys, footlockers, beds and more. These items are generously donated by the community and made available completely free of charge to people caring for children in foster care."Arizona Helping Hands is making a difference in the lives of children and foster care families every day," said Karem Perez, executive director of Motorola Solutions Foundation. "We are grateful for the opportunity to volunteer alongside local community, corporate and first responder partners to help Arizona Helping Hands continue to deliver on their incredible mission." This renovation is a continuation of Arizona Helping Hands' efforts to make getting essential items easy for foster families. Earlier this year, the organization replaced its appointment system with walk-in accommodation, tripling the number of families served. In 2022, the organization served 3,000 foster kids; to date, 6,000 kids have been served in 2023."Sundt Construction is happy to lend our support to Arizona Helping Hands. It's a fulfilling experience to use our skills and give our time to make a difference for Arizona foster families," said Emily Dwosh, Sundt Construction community relations manager and Sundt Foundation executive director. "Opportunities to lift up others and give back to our community is part of Sundt's purpose and values, and we hope Arizona Helping Hands enjoys its new space." Arizona Helping Hands is dedicated to ensuring that foster children thrive on every step of their foster care journey. To learn more about their work, visit azhelpinghands.org About Arizona Helping Hands Founded in 1998, the mission of Arizona Helping Hands is to support the foster care community, by providing essentials to benefit children in foster care. As Arizona's largest provider of essential resources, we offer foster care families beds, cribs, clothing, diapers, and personal care items. Arizona Helping Hands also provides backpacks with school supplies to help children succeed in school and fulfills birthday dreams to help raise self-esteem by showing children they are special and loved. Additionally, we provide state-required home safety items to help families become licensed providers by ensuring they can offer a safe home environment. To learn more, visit www.azhelpinghands.org About Motorola Solutions Foundation As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the globe to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company lives out its purpose of helping people be their best in the moments that matter. For more information on Motorola Solutions corporate and foundation giving, visit our website: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation About Sundt Construction Sundt Construction, Inc. ( https://www.sundt.com/) is one of the country's largest and most respected general contractors. The 133-year-old firm specializes in transportation, industrial, building, concrete and renewable power work and is owned entirely by its approximately 2,000-plus employees. Sundt is distinguished by its diverse capabilities and experience, unique employee-ownership culture and depth of self-perform expertise in nine major trades. Much of Sundt's workforce is comprised of skilled craft professionals who, together with the company's administrative employees, enable Sundt to fulfill its mission to be the most skilled builder in America. Sundt has 13 offices throughout California, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Washington and Utah and is currently ranked the country's 62nd largest construction company by ENR, the industry's principal trade magazine.About Phoenix Police Department The Phoenix Police Department is committed to providing the citizens of Phoenix with quality and professional law enforcement services. Our vision is to make Phoenix the safest major city in the nation. The Department is dedicated to PRIDE: protection, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Motorola Solutions on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Motorola SolutionsWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/motorola-solutionsEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Motorola Solutions
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 18:45:41

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / The Ashlee Morgan Scholarship, a brand-new initiative designed to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals from healthcare professional Ashlee Morgan, is thrilled to announce the launch of its inaugural scholarship. This scholarship program is geared towards providing substantial financial assistance to a deserving student pursuing a career in healthcare-related fields. The recipient of this prestigious award will receive a generous sum of $1,000 to help further their educational journey in the healthcare domain.The Ashlee Morgan Scholarship extends its invitation to a wide range of individuals, including current undergraduate and graduate students already engaged in healthcare-related degree programs. Additionally, high school students with aspirations of pursuing a healthcare degree at the university level are also encouraged to apply. The primary criteria for eligibility encompass a strong academic record, a genuine passion for healthcare, and a dedicated commitment to personal and professional development.In an effort to ensure that applicants not only meet academic criteria but also possess a deep understanding of contemporary healthcare challenges and innovative thinking, the Ashlee Morgan Scholarship requires candidates to submit a well-crafted essay. This essay should be under 1000 words in length and must respond to one of two thought-provoking prompts:Elaborate on a significant challenge currently confronting the healthcare industry and propose a groundbreaking solution that effectively addresses the issue.Identify a specific industry globally that you believe is in dire need of transformation and elucidate how a fresh, innovative business concept has the potential to revolutionize and enhance that industry for the better.The Ashlee Morgan Scholarship is the brainchild of its namesake, Ashlee Morgan, an esteemed certified tissue banking specialist with over a decade of invaluable experience in the field. Ms. Morgan is deeply passionate about the realm of stem cell and birth tissue research, recognizing their potential to make substantial improvements to healthcare practices and the lives of countless individuals.Speaking about the scholarship, Ashlee Morgan conveyed her excitement, saying, "I am thrilled to introduce the Ashlee Morgan Scholarship, which is designed to nurture and bolster the next wave of healthcare leaders. I wholeheartedly believe that education and innovation are the cornerstones for enhancing the quality of care provided to patients worldwide. This scholarship is my way of investing in the promising future of healthcare." As of today, applications for the Ashlee Morgan Scholarship are officially open for aspiring healthcare professionals. The deadline for submissions is set for April 15, 2024, and the chosen recipient of this prestigious award will be publicly announced on May 15, 2024.To delve deeper into the Ashlee Morgan Scholarship and to commence the application process, please visit the official website at https://ashleemorganscholarship.com/ashlee-morgan-scholarship Contact Info:Spokesperson: Ashlee MorganOrganization: Ashlee Morgan ScholarshipWebsite: https://ashleemorganscholarship.comEmail: apply@ ashleemorganscholarship.com SOURCE: Ashlee Morgan Scholarship
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POMPANO BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / BioStem Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK:BSEM), a leading regenerative medicine company focused on the development, manufacture, and commercialization of placental-derived biologics for advanced wound care, today announced that it will highlight the advantages of its Vendaje and AmnioWrap2TM portfolios to help patients with difficult to heal chronic wounds at the 2023 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Fall Conference held November 3rd - 5th in Las Vegas, Nevada."We are thrilled to attend the 2023 SAWC Fall Conference this year. This is the first year that we are exhibiting, and it is a great opportunity for us to spotlight our portfolio and scientifically demonstrate how using our BioREtain process makes a differentiated product that not only better retains key factors such as extracellular matrix, growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines, but is effective to help stalled wounds such as Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) and Venous Leg Ulcers (VLUs), to heal," said Jason Matuszewski, CEO of BioStem Technologies, Inc.Attendees should visit the BioStem exhibit hall booth (#645) to learn more about the Vendaje and AmnioWrap2 product portfolios. BioStem representatives will be available to discuss product applications and benefits to fit the needs of hospitals, clinics and private practices.The booth will be open during the following hours:Friday, November 3 - 4:45-6:45 p.m.Saturday, November 4 - 12:30-3:00 p.m.Sunday, November 5 - 12:30-2:00 p.m. For more information, sign up @ www.biostemtechnologies.com/biostem-form About Vendaje and AmnioWrap2TMVendaje and AmnioWrap2 are placental-derived, minimally manipulated dehydrated tissue allografts that serve as a protective covering for soft tissue wounds. The product is comprised of extracellular matrix scaffolding which provides mechanical protection and functional support for cell migration, growth factors that help modulate proliferation and angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory cytokines that inhibit inflammatory effects, all critical to aiding the body's natural healing cascade.About BioStem Technologies, Inc. (OTC: BSEM):BioStem Technologies is a leading innovator focused on harnessing the natural properties of perinatal tissue in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of allografts for regenerative therapies. The Company is focused on manufacturing products that change lives, leveraging its proprietary BioREtain processing method. BioREtain has been developed by applying the latest research in regenerative medicine, focused on maintaining growth factors and preserving tissue structure. BioStem Technologies' quality management system and standard operating procedures have been reviewed and accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks ("AATB"). These systems and procedures are established per current Good Tissue Practices ("cGTP") and current Good Manufacturing Processes ("cGMP"). Our portfolio of quality brands includes AmnioWrap2, VENDAJE, VENDAJE AC, and VENDAJE OPTIC. Each BioStem Technologies placental allograft is processed at the Company's FDA registered and AATB accredited site in Pompano Beach, Florida. For more information visit biostemtechnologies.com and follow us on Twitter and Linkedin.Forward-Looking Statements:Except for statements of historical fact, this release also contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements may be identified using words such as "forecast," "intend," "seek," "target," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate", "plan," "outlook," and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements with respect to the operations of the Company, strategies, prospects and other aspects of the business of the Company are based on current expectations that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from expectations expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the impact of any changes to the reimbursement levels for the Company's products; (2) the Company faces significant and continuing competition, which could adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition; (3) rapid technological change could cause the Company's products to become obsolete and if the Company does not enhance its product offerings through its research and development efforts, it may be unable to effectively compete;(4) to be commercially successful, the Company must convince physicians that its products are safe and effective alternatives to existing treatments and that its products should be used in their procedures; (5) the Company's ability to raise funds to expand its business; (6) the Company has incurred significant losses since inception and may incur losses in the future; (7) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (8) the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (9) the Company's ability to maintain production of its products in sufficient quantities to meet demand; and (10) the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact, if any, on the Company's fiscal condition and results of operations; You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Although it may voluntarily do so from time to time, the Company undertakes no commitment to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.BioStem Technologies, Inc.Phone: 954-380-8342Website: http://www.biostemtechnologies.comE-Mail: info@ biostemtech.comTwitter: @BSEM_TechFacebook: BioStemTechnologiesJason Matuszewkijason@ biostemtech.com(414) 339-4768SOURCE: BioStem Technologies, Inc.via PRISM Mediawire, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 17:11:41

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Grant will also support job fairs to connect individuals trained at Civic Hall to jobs in the tech sectorNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / The Fedcap Group announced it has received $250,000 from Bread Financial to make the Single Stop benefits screening platform available when Civic Hall at Union Square opens this fall. The grant will also support the launch of a financial literacy program at Civic Hall as well as job fairs to connect individuals to jobs in the tech sector.The Single Stop platform provides easy, seamless access for individuals to check their eligibility and begin the application process for dozens of essential government benefit programs. The generous financial support by Bread Financial will ensure Single Stop is accessible to every individual who walks into Civic Hall, including those in educational partner programs, community meetings, and other public events, including job fairs.Civic Hall at Union Square will provide a comprehensive offering of digital skills and tech training programs to meet the New York City tech sector's growing workforce needs and serve as a hub for tech innovation and entrepreneurs. In collaboration with training providers that include LaGuardia Community College and the Data School New York, the facility will primarily train individuals from underserved communities to place them in well-paying, sustainable tech jobs, to provide financial stability and well-being."We are grateful for the support from Bread Financial to help us achieve our mission to have Civic Hall serve as New York City's leading tech training, innovation, and entrepreneurial hub," stated Christine McMahon, president and CEO of The Fedcap Group. "We believe supporting our students and the Union Square community extends beyond the classroom and want to ensure that anyone who walks through our doors gets the support they need to grow and live their dreams. Having Single Stop as part of our suite of wraparound services has always been a core part of our plan for Civic Hall, and we are looking forward to launching this fall." "Bread Financial is proud to partner with The Fedcap Group to create pathways to economic equity for underserved populations of New Yorkers," said Dana Beckman, vice president and chief sustainability officer at Bread Financial. "This groundbreaking new facility will provide community members with valuable support that further ensures the likelihood of completing job training programs and securing employment. From job fairs to childcare, these programs will help individuals gain access to higher wages, and build a more competitive, inclusive workforce. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these programs make in the community." Bread Financial is proud to partner with The Fedcap Group to create pathways to economic equity for underserved populations of New Yorkers. This groundbreaking new facility will provide community members with valuable support that further ensures the likelihood of completing job training programs and securing employment." Dana Beckman - Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Bread Financial"Civic Hall will be the driver of NYC tech ecosystem serving as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurism, and high-quality tech training especially for communities too often left behind," said Seema Shah, Civic Hall Executive Director. "By pairing our training with Single Stop's comprehensive benefits screener and job fairs we will help our students persist through to completing their training-the first step in building long-term financial stability. We are honored to receive this grant from Bread Financial to help make that happen." "Single Stop is honored to be part of this transformative initiative at Civic Hall. We believe that access to essential government benefits and community supports can be a lifeline for individuals striving for economic stability," said Martin Hanna, President & CEO of Single Stop. "Thanks to the generous support from Bread Financial, we are excited to make Single Stop services readily available to everyone who walks through Civic Hall's doors. Together, we're not only building a competitive tech workforce but also ensuring that no one is left behind on their journey to financial well-being." In 2022, Single Stop connected 87,500 individuals to $374 million in eligible benefits. Below are the grants on the Single Stop platform:Federal 1. Pell Grant 2. Lifetime Learning Credit 3. Free Tax Preparation 4. Affordable Connectivity Program (Broadband) 5. Child Tax Credit 6. Earned Income Tax Credit 7. School Lunch ProgramState/City 1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 2. Earned Income Tax Credit3. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 4. Women, Infants & Children (WIC)5. Free Essential Plan II6. Low-Cost Essential Plan I 7. Emergency Medicaid 8. Medicaid 9. Free Child Health Plus 10. Subsidized Qualified Health Plan 11. NYC Earned Income Tax Credit 12. Low-Cost Child Health Plus 13. Medicaid for Aged, Blind & DisabledAbout The Fedcap Group For 87 years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society's most pressing needs. Serving 340,000 people this past fiscal year, The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services-all targeted to helping people achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change-working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.About Civic HallCivic Hall is a member of The Fedcap Group. Civic Hall's mission is to support and enable best-in-class programs that help close the digital skills divide and plan for the needs of tomorrow's workforce. Located in the heart of the NYC tech community at Union Square, Civic Hall will be a new, 85,000-square-foot learning and training center at the new state-of-the-art Zero Irving building. Civic Hall will facilitate groundbreaking partnerships among high-impact tenants and workforce training partners to work collectively to meet the needs of all New Yorkers, especially those from communities too often left behind.About Bread FinancialBread Financial (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company providing simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions. The company creates opportunities for its customers and partners through digitally enabled choices that offer ease, empowerment, financial flexibility and exceptional customer experiences. Driven by a digital-first approach, data insights and white-
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 23:51:14

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Summary: Chew Wei Xiang, the renowned professional forex trader from Singapore, is taking a significant step by raising an additional $20 million in funds to venture in technology and innovation business markets.SINGAPORE CITY, SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / To address the latest approach, Chew Wei Xiang expands the investment horizon and raises 20 million USD for startups and business growth. His vision extends across a wide spectrum of industries, encompassing technology, innovation, infrastructure, and lifestyle. He emphasizes a deep commitment to emerging markets in developing countries, acknowledging that being a part of any country's development.Speaking about his vision for the future, Wei Xiang states, "I am looking to invest in a diverse range of businesses spanning technology, innovation, infrastructure, and lifestyle industries. Additionally, I'm deeply committed to making a positive impact in emerging markets from developing countries. Being a part of any country's development is an accomplishment, and I'm deeply honored to be a part of it, even if it's a small one." The significant step to raise $20 million into startups and businesses is a testament to Wei Xiang's unwavering faith in the entrepreneurial spirit. This groundbreaking initiative aligns with his mission to be at the forefront of shaping the financial landscape through trading as well as by catalyzing innovation and business growth. It's a venture aimed at fostering economic development, job creation, and technological progress.In addition, the $20 million investment fund is earmarked for businesses and startups with high-growth potential. PrinceFroggyFX, founded by Wei Xiang, will closely collaborate with entrepreneurs to provide the capital they require and also valuable insights and support in their journey toward success. The focus will be on innovation and sustainable growth as well.Including more, this strategic move also serves as an opportunity for Wei Xiang to diversify his portfolio while contributing to the economy's vitality. He is committed to paying it forward, sharing his knowledge, and making a meaningful impact on the financial landscape.Furthermore, Chew Wei Xiang continues his impressive journey in the world of finance and also takes a giant leap toward becoming a key player in shaping the future of the global economy. His unique approach to investment, paired with his relentless commitment to making a positive impact.About Chew Wei Xiang:Chew Wei Xiang, the renowned professional forex trader, astoundingly managed over $50 million by the young age of 25, is diversifying his investment portfolio. Wei Xiang started his trading journey at the age of 20 with just $1,000 in 2018 and is widely recognized for his remarkable success.At the age of 21, he founded PrinceFroggyFX, a forex trading platform dedicated to guiding aspiring traders through the complex world of financial markets. Additionally, Wei Xiang has emerged as an educational and motivational speaker at numerous prestigious events.In 2020, Wei Xiang expanded the scope of PrinceFroggyFX by venturing into private fund management, specifically for very-high-net-worth individuals (VHNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), all at the tender age of 22. With initial investments of $700,000, he started a journey that helped transform his career as well as the financial landscape. Within just three years, he grew the fund's size to over $50 million, achieving an average annual return of an astonishing 86%. His vision is to contribute to global economic development and progress.Contact Person Name: Chew Wei XiangWebsite: https://www.princefroggyfx.com/ Email: Princefroggyfx@ gmail.com SOURCE: PrinceFroggyFX
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 18:20:57

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CMiC's Philanthropic Efforts and Hiring Practices Make them a Strong Ambassador of InclusivityTORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / CMiC, a leading Next Generation Construction ERP provider, is showing their support for Construction Inclusion Week as both a sponsor and advocate of this great initiative. With their strong leadership team dedicated to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), CMiC strives to be an organization which not only provides cutting-edge construction software, but also plays a large role in "giving back." According to Pat Shah, Chief Operating Officer - CMiC, "We have a strong resolve to expand and further strengthen our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts as it closely aligns with the values of our organization, which is espoused by the next generation of our employees." From Vision to Reality: Construction Inclusion Week's Leaders' Mission to Advance Inclusion in the Construction IndustryWith the goal of promoting and strengthening DEI within the construction industry, leaders from DPR, Gilbane, Turner Construction, Mortenson, McCarthy, and Clark Construction Group created an organization called "Time for Change" in 2020. One of their first accomplishments was the establishment of Construction Inclusion Week (CIW), which launched in 2021.The defined goals of Construction Inclusion Week are:To "champion inclusion empowering us to reach our full potential, fuel innovation, and enhance connections with our employees, clients, and the communities we serve."To "harness and leverage the capabilities and global reach of the construction industry and its affiliates to cultivate and perpetuate a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion."At the highest level, the main purpose of CIW is to spark conversations within firms and industry partners, spearhead DEI-focused initiatives at the organizational level, and enhance our collective commitment to inclusion across the industry.True to form, this year's 5 key themes include:Commitment & AccountabilityBelongingSupplier DiversityWorkplace CultureCommunity EngagementNow in its third year, CIW continues to increase its number of partners, sponsors and the number of projects they participate in. With this upward trajectory, it shows no sign of slowing down.Increased Engagement: CMiC's Continued Efforts to Promote and Support Construction Inclusion WeekCMiC continues their active involvement in Construction Inclusion Week 2023, not only by serving as an ambassador level sponsor, but also by promoting their themes and initiatives through various Marketing, PR and Social Media initiatives. In fact, they will be conducting an educational session for their employees to help spread awareness and invite them to participate in the cause.Under the CMiC umbrella, key participants include: Gord Rawlins, President & CEO, Shirin Ali - Head of Marketing, Farhana Ahmad - Senior Content Marketing Manager, as well Vicki Morisson, the chair of Ready, Set, Build!, their CSR committee.According to Morisson, "We're very excited to take part in the efforts brought to the forefront by the Construction Inclusion leaders." She adds, "It's both an honor and a privilege to be in the company of organizations that share our corporate values, primarily creating a culture of inclusivity and philanthropy." Gaining Momentum: CMiC's Charity-Focused Initiatives and Hiring PracticesAt the organizational level, CMiC continues to uphold their strong commitment to philanthropic and DEI efforts. While they fundraise for various causes and initiatives, their partnership with the ACE Mentor Program remains at the top position. In fact, CMiC has donated $2.5M to date to this program through the CMiC-Allen Berg Memorial Scholarship. This is a testament to their commitment to driving technological advancement and innovation in the construction industry.On top of that, CMiC continues to donate to various local charities and projects. Their Ready, Set, Build! committee has successfully increased fundraising dollars by over 300% in the past 4 years. In addition, they have partnered with key charities and partners, namely Raising the Roof and Building Up.Of course, their great work didn't go unnoticed. In fact, they have received the following awards, which commemorate the contributions they have made to date:Deloitte's Best Managed Award: CMiC became a 6-time winner in 2022 (the second year as a Gold Standard recipient). The contributions and efforts made towards philanthropic and charitable initiatives are a key part of the selection process.Trust Radius Tech Cares Award: They were recognized as a winner in 2021, 2022 and 2023.Tech in Motion's Timmy Awards: CMiC was recognized as a Community Favorite' winner for the category of Best Tech Workplace for Diversity in 2019.CMiC also puts a strong focus on inclusive hiring practices to promote diversity within their organization. One statistic that stands out is that 69% of their employee base falls under the visible minority category."Workforce diversity at CMiC represents a broad array of dimensions and initiatives, from talent sourcing and development - as well as religious, cultural, and gender inclusion - to active participation in community enhancement programs," says Gord Rawlins, President & CEO at CMiC.To learn more about Construction Inclusion Week, please click here.About Construction Inclusion Week:Construction Inclusion Week is the first effort to harness the collective power of general contractors, specialty contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Initially launched in 2021 as an industry-wide awareness initiative, the entity is now an established 501(c)(6) organization. Construction Inclusion Week aims to build awareness of the need to improve diversity and inclusion in the construction industry by providing content and resources.About CMiCAs an industry pioneer, CMiC delivers complete and unified Financials and Project Management software solutions for construction and capital projects firms. CMiC's powerful software transforms how firms optimize productivity, minimize risk and drive growth by planning and managing all financials, projects, resources, and content assets-from a Single Database Platform. With customers throughout North America and overseas, CMiC serves one-quarter of ENR's Top 400 Contractors and hundreds of small and mid-sized construction firms, from general and specialty contractors to heavy/highway and project owners. Over $100 billion in construction revenue is handled by CMiC annually.For more information, about CMiC please click here.Media Inquiries (CMiC):Shirin AliHead of Marketingshirin.ali@cmicglobal.com
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 14:46:05

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Comerica Incorporated ("Comerica " or the "Company") (NYSE:CMA) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Comerica securities between February 9, 2021 and May 29, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/cma Case Details:The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) Comerica failed to provide meaningful oversight over the vendors to whom it contracted out day-to-day operations of the Direct Express program, a system through which it is contracted to provide federal benefits to millions of Americans without bank accounts; (2) as a result of violations in the day-to-day operations of Direct Express, including handling fraud disputes and allowing sensitive data to be handled out of a vendor's office in Pakistan, Comerica was not in compliance with the Federal Contract, and knew it was not in compliance; (3) Comerica knew and failed to disclose that it was in potential violation of Regulation E due to inadequate fraud prevention in the Direct Express program and responses to instance of fraud; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/cma or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Comerica you have until October 20, 2023, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz and Grossman, LLC
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 17. Representatives from around 40 Chinese companies are set to visit Kyrgyzstan with the goal of establishing connections with local enterprises in early 2024, Trend reports.

According to Kyrgyzstan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this agreement was reached after a meeting between Kyrgyz Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative Takmina Omuralieva and Lin Wei, the Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), which took place in Chinas Hangzhou.

During the meeting, Lin Wei expressed strong interest in expanding Kyrgyzstan's ties with China. As a result of their discussions, both parties decided to arrange a delegation visit led by CCPIT's Vice President after the Chinese New Year (February 10).

Notably, China emerged as Kyrgyzstan's primary trading partner during the period from January through August 2023, with a total trade turnover of $3.176 billion.

Data from the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan indicates that this figure increased by 21.4 percent year-on-year. Chinese trade contributed to 33.9 percent of Kyrgyzstan's overall trade turnover.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 21:11:14

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: Feb. 21, 2019 - Aug. 14, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Oct. 31, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/DFS Contact An Attorney Now: DFS@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) Securities Fraud Class Action:The complaint alleges that Defendants made false and misleading statements and failed to disclose that: (1) DFS maintained deficient risk management and compliance procedures; (2) as a result of these deficiencies, DFS had, among other things, failed to comply with applicable student loan servicing standards, misclassified certain credit card accounts, overcharged customers, and failed to stem its ballooning credit card delinquency rate; and (3) these issues, when they became known, would subject DFS to significant financial exposure, regulatory scrutiny, and reputational harm.The truth began to emerge on July 20, 2022, when DFS announced that it was suspending its share repurchase program "because of an internal investigation into its student loan servicing practices and related compliance matters." Then, on July 19, 2023, DFS disclosed that it had misclassified certain credit card products over an approximate 15-year period as a result of an acknowledged compliance failure. DFS stated that correction of the misclassifications negatively impacted its retained earnings and certain previous interim period net income.DFS also revealed that it received a proposed consent order from the FDIC in connection with an unrelated regulatory matter.Finally, on Aug. 14, 2023, DFS announced that Roger C. Hochschild resigned from his position as CEO and President and as a member of the company's board. The same day, DFS reported a significant increase in its credit card delinquency rate."We're focused on investors' losses and are investigating whether DFS may have concealed problems with its compliance and risk management practices," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in Discover Financial Services and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses nowIf you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Discover Financial Services case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Discover Financial Services should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email DFS@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.Contact: Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 15:45:25

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New Ads Urge Support for Senate Candidates to Help Governor Glenn Youngkin Repeal the Commonwealth's Ban on Gas-Powered CarALEXANDRIA, VA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Today, Driving Force Action (DFA), a grassroots organization advocating for sensible regulations and consumer and business-friendly policies, announced the launch of new political ads in Virginia. The campaign supports state senate candidates who prioritize the needs of Virginians and advocate for pro-consumer policies in the state.The new ad campaign is spearheaded by John Hotchkis, a business owner who relocated from California to North Carolina in 2019 due to the escalating regulatory challenges faced by California citizens and businesses. Hotchkis, who is the founder and President of Hotchkis Sport Suspension, counts several Virginia specialty automotive companies as his key customers.The new ads shine a spotlight on the Commonwealth's ban on gas-powered cars and trucks. In 2021, Virginia voted to adopt California rules that would ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles starting in 2035. Governor Youngkin, who has pledged to roll back Virginia's ban on gas-powered cars and trucks, needs lawmakers' support in the State Senate to fulfill this promise. DFA is endorsing candidates who will stand with Governor Youngkin and work to protect the rights of Virginians, preserve individual freedom, and promote a business-friendly environment in the state. The ads will run in support of DFA's endorsed candidates, which include:Emily Brewer (District 17)Danny Diggs (District 24)Tara Durant (District 27)Juan Pablo Segura (District 31)In recent weeks, the Commonwealth's ban on gas-powered cars and trucks has taken center stage nationally and in the upcoming November election in Virginia. In late September, The Daily Caller reported that California regulators were seeking information about the locations of classic cars in advance of new rules that would potentially establish "zero-emission zones" in the state.The same month, the Washington Examiner reported that Governor Youngkin had doubled down on his commitment to repeal the internal combustion engine (ICE) ban if his party does well in November. In early October, The Daily Caller reported that the EV mandate was shaping up to be a key election issue in Virginia, with more than 64 percent of Virginians polled opposing the 2021 law.For more information about the Driving Force Action campaign and its efforts to roll back the ICE ban in Virginia, please visit www.drivingforceaction.org or contact DFA spokesperson Riley Ploch at press@ drivingforceaction.org Driving Force Action is a project of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a trade association that represents the $52.8 billion specialty automotive aftermarket industry. The specialty automotive aftermarket creates over 24,000 jobs in the Commonwealth and contributes $373 million in state taxes. Founded in 1963, SEMA has a diverse membership of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, publishing companies, auto restorers, street rod builders, restylers, car clubs, race teams, and more.Contact InformationRiley Ploch press@ drivingforceaction.org SOURCE: Driving Force Action
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 18:16:18

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Enbridge partnership on green dust-control solution bolsters safety during Swan Lake First Nation's 25th anniversary powwowNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Enbridge / The storytelling begins with the drummers, each of their beats bringing those present into balance with the pulse of the earth.Vocalists join the thunderous rhythm, their tones merging music with spirit as the sound fills the peak of the towering tent.The Ojibwe people's traditional clothing, too, recounts the narrative, shows the history of craftsmanship in the careful bead and feather work.The story of this performance is one of celebration. It's the 25th anniversary powwow of the Swan Lake First Nation (SLFN), held this past Canada Day long weekend in south-central Manitoba.Every year, the powwow attracts more than the SLFN's 1,500 members; it also calls to visitors from near and far who attend to experience the culture, heritage and stories of the Nation.The event is held on the Nation's powwow grounds, on Treaty 1 lands in the Pembina Valley, on the bank of SLFN's namesake-Swan Lake-so termed for its shape like the long neck and head of a swan. In the Nation's Saulteaux language, the lake is called Gaubiskiigamaux, meaning "the lake that is curved." The site is surrounded by rich, agricultural land; eight kilometers of unpaved roads crisscross farm plots and animal pastures leading to the grounds. As is typical with unpaved roads, dust from vehicles can cause serious safety issues. Airborne dust poses health risks when inhaled, and it damages crops and vegetation. Dust clouds also cause dangerous visibility issues for drivers.Safety being the foundation of everything we do at Enbridge, we saw an opportunity to support SLFN's 25th anniversary powwow by proactively making the roadways safe for attendees. We awarded SLFN a $50,000 Fueling Futures grant to help cover costs of controlling dust on the unpaved roads, and we partnered with two Canadian companies to make it happen.Cypher Environmental donated a portion of its environmentally friendly, non-toxic dust-control solution for the project, and Subcan Inc., a heavy construction service provider, provided in-kind machinery and labour to apply the product to the roads.The three-way partnership is a prime example of community pooling resources to make a positive impact in the community."You recognize that there's a very big component that corporations should be playing in promoting better environments, better health," says John Palson, director of engineering at Cypher. "You have to contribute back." Adding to the safety of the powwow was a key driver of the partnership."The most important part of our partnership with Swan Lake First Nation is care of the environment and safety," explains Charissa Dobson, co-owner of Subcan.The approach to dust suppression helped keep powwow participants and visitors safe, so attendees could focus on the story-celebrating the Nation's arts, culture and heritage.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: EnbridgeWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/enbridge Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Enbridge
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 12:15:15

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BALTIMORE, MD / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / WellCheck, a technology firm specializing in the development of enterprise digital health and safety software, in collaboration with the St. Mary's County Health Department (SMCHD), proudly unveils the St. Mary's Health & Wellness Portal for community services. This digital platform seamlessly connects community members to local services addressing health, wellness, and the myriad of social factors influencing one's journey toward improved health. Cloud-based and HIPAA-compliant, the WellCheck portal is accessible from any digital device and does not require downloading applications.WellCheck and St. Mary's County Health Department From left to right: Tammy Loewe, LCSW-C, Behavioral Health Division Director; Chris Nickerson, CEO, WellCheck; Harold Williams, CEO PSL Consulting & Security Services LLC; Lance Cassell, CTO WellCheck; Meenakshi G. Brewster, MD, MPH, FAAFP Chris Nickerson, CEO of WellCheck, expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "We are privileged to join hands with the St. Mary's County Health Department in their unwavering dedication to fostering the health and well-being of our community. In St. Mary's County, various localized programs and wellness services are available; however, navigating them has presented a challenge for our community and healthcare providers. Our comprehensive health and wellness portal offers the community a secure and user-friendly gateway, simultaneously boosting engagement with the impactful localized programs and services at their disposal." The St. Mary's Health & Wellness Portal boasts a directory of free or reduced-cost local services provided by the health department and other community service entities. These services encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from health care and personal finance to conflict mediation, mental health support, and substance use recovery. The portal seamlessly interconnects these services, streamlining the referral process for healthcare providers and offering community members direct access for self-referral.Registered community service providers can efficiently manage incoming referrals, appointments, and check-ins, receiving real-time notifications upon completing referrals to other services."This is an incredible resource for our community members, healthcare workers, and community service organizations," said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary's County Health Officer. "Finally, we have an efficient and user-friendly solution to link our community with local services that bolster their health and overall well-being." As the community service landscape evolves, the directory of local programs and services will expand to encompass more offerings. Community service providers interested in enrolling in the WellCheck digital referral system and featuring their eligible services may find additional information here.To access the St. Mary's Health & Wellness Portal and get connected to local community services, visit here. For more information on WellCheck's software, visit https://www.wellcheck.us/ About WellCheckWellCheck is an award-winning innovation partner that revolutionizes the impact of health and safety in our communities. Initially designed for real-time emergency accountability within schools, the company's HIPAA-compliant software suite allowed for expansion into public and school-based health (SBHCs) during the pandemic of 2020-2022. WellCheck has since collaborated with over 100 schools nationwide and dozens of city and county health departments. To learn more, visit https://www.wellcheck.us/ Contact InformationCaitlin Wolf PR Consultant caitlinrwolf@ gmail.com 4109352363SOURCE: WellCheck
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 21:07:14

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / The Fordham Real Estate Institute (REI) is pleased to announce that Scott J. Avram, senior vice president of development at Lightstone, and Caren Maio, president of Moved, have been named to its Executive Advisory Council (EAC).Avram and Maio join a prestigious group of real estate and business leaders at the EAC, which focuses on adding value to the student experience, increasing awareness of new program offerings, and growing enrollment on REI's campuses at Lincoln Center in Manhattan and West Harrison, N.Y. The council includes professionals from UBS, JLL, Brown Harris Stevens, Douglaston Cos., the Real Estate Board of New York, Simone Management Group, Bental Green Oak, and Related Cos."We're so pleased to have Caren and Scott join our Executive Advisory Council," said Ryan O'Connor, chair of the EAC and CEO of Clinton Management. "Caren's entrepreneurial skills and proptech expertise, and Scott's vast experience in real estate sectors throughout the United States will serve our council well as we develop new programs relative to the evolving real estate industry." "I am deeply honored to join REI's Executive Advisory Council," said Maio. "It's incredibly exciting to be able to work with industry leaders and have a voice in shaping the support we offer to the next generation." "I'm honored to join this prestigious council of industry leaders," said Avram. "This is an opportunity to leverage my real estate experience to help shape educational programs to prepare the next generation of real estate professionals." Avram has more than 20 years of real estate development experience, overseeing over $5 billion in new residential and hospitality development. As the senior vice president of Development at Lightstone, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of operational oversight of Lightstone's development platform. Lightstone, one of the largest and most diversified privately held real estate companies in the U.S., develops, manages, and invests in all sectors of the real estate market, including residential, hospitality, commercial and retail. Active in 28 states, with more than 178 properties nationwide, Lightstone's $7.5 billion portfolio includes some 11.3 million square feet of office, retail and industrial commercial properties, 25,000 residential units and 5,350 hotel keys. Headquartered in New York City, Lightstone continues to grow its new development portfolio with over $3.5 billion of new development in the residential and hospitality sectors spread across New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami.Before joining Lightstone, Avram was responsible for the operational oversight of Toll Brothers' City Living Division, and also managed high-rise urban development in Hoboken and Jersey City, N.J., as well as large scale suburban single-family developments in New Jersey. Avram graduated with honors from both the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business Honors Program and New York University with a Master's of Science in real estate.Maio is the president of Moved, an automated onboarding platform for multifamily real estate. Moved provides software to automate the resident-onboarding process for operators and residents.Maio also served as the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Camber Creek, a venture capital firm supporting technology companies focused on real estate. She is the co-founder and former CEO of Funnel Leasing (formerly Nestio). A proptech thought-leader, Maio was named one of the 15 Women to Watch in Tech by Inc.com and Mentor of the Year by the MetaProp accelerator program, and she won the Leading Entrepreneur award with Women in PropTech. Maio earned a Bachelor's Degree in publishing and branding from New York University."We welcome Caren and Scott to our Executive Advisory Council," said Dr. Anthony R. Davidson, dean, Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies. "This is a very exciting time for our Real Estate Institute, as we continue to expand our council's expertise to collaborate on enhancing our curriculum and offering timely, real-world experience." For information about REI and the Executive Advisory Council, click here.ABOUT THE FORDHAM REAL ESTATE INSTITUTEThe Fordham Real Estate Institute offers a Master of Science in Real Estate, a Master of Science in Real Estate Development, Master of Science in Construction Management, advanced graduate certificates in real estate finance, development, management and construction management, a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate, and a comprehensive array of professional certificates in real estate and construction at its campuses in Manhattan and West Harrison, N.Y. The programs are developed and taught by leading industry practitioners and are centered on imparting real-world professional skill sets. Flexibility and convenience are program hallmarks as classes can be taken in-person, online, and at various paces. REI is a part of Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies, which has campuses at Lincoln Center, Rose Hill in the Bronx and West Harrison. For more information, visit www.fordham.edu/realestate Scott J. Avram has been named to Fordham Real Estate Institute's Executive Advisory Council.Caren Maio has been named to Fordham Real Estate Institute's Executive Advisory Council. Media Contact:Caryn McBrideCo-Communications Inc.cmcbride@cocommunications.com SOURCE: Fordham Real Estate Institute
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 20:45:39

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges UiPath Inc. (NYSE:PATH) investors who suffered $250k or more in losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: Apr. 21, 2021 - Mar. 30, 2022Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Nov. 6, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/PATH Contact An Attorney Now: PATH@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895UiPath Inc. (PATH) Securities Fraud Class Action:The complaint alleges that UiPath made false and misleading statements and failed to disclose that it: (1) had enacted a widespread discounting program before its April 21, 2021 IPO, temporarily boosting its revenue and annualized recurring revenue ("ARR") metrics, cannibalizing future sales, eroding margins, and increasing the risk of client churn; (2) overstated its actual total addressable market ("TAM") because many companies included in UiPath's market survey did not need the type of high-cost, high-functionality automation products offered by UiPath; (3) was losing customers to Microsoft, ServiceNow, SAP, Salesforce, IBM and other established software vendors that were building automation into their own platforms; and (4) was suffering from a loss of channel sales due to strained relationships with its partners as a result of increased competition between UiPath and its partners.The truth emerged over a series of disclosures beginning on Sept. 7, 2021, when UiPath revealed an unexpected slowdown in revenues and ARR metrics and its discounting of products before the IPO. Then, on Dec. 8, 2021, UiPath revealed its growth further stalled and disclosed its third consecutive ARR decline. Finally, on Mar. 30, 2022, UiPath revealed deeply disappointing ARR and revenue guidance that indicated declining growth trends were expected to continue.In response to each of these events, the price of UiPath shares significantly declined."We're focused on investors' losses and are investigating whether UiPath may have misled investors about known trends that would adversely affect the company's growth prospects," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in UiPath and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the UiPath case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding UiPath should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email PATH@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.Contact: Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 04:49:01

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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind 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 Company's 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.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Hawaiian Electric and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-he/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by October 23, 2023.About the LawsuitHawaiian 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 Company's 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 Company's inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires; and (iii) as a result, the Company's 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 Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ CONTACT:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 19:36:10

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RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric") (NYSE:HE). The action charges Hawaiian Electric with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Hawaiian Electric's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Hawaiian Electric's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/hawaiian-electric-industries-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=he&mktm=r CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERELEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: OCTOBER 23, 2023CLASS PERIOD: FEBRUARY 28, 2019 THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.HAWAIIAN ELECTRICS'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCTThe Class Period begins on February 28, 2019 when Hawaiian Electric filed its Annual Report which stated, among other things, that the company had "appropriately responded to environmental conditions." In early August 2023, a series of severe wildfires broke out in Hawaii, predominantly on the island of Maui. The most destructive fire began in West Maui near the town of Lahaina on the morning of August 8, 2023. By that afternoon, intense winds had knocked down approximately 30 utility poles throughout Maui, resulting in at least 15 separate outages impacting more than 12,400 customers. Moreover, videos captured by local residents showed that downed power lines belonging to Hawaiian Electric appeared to have ignited at least several of the fires. Ultimately, the wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage, and have killed at least 114 people, with some 850 others still missing in Lahaina.On August 12, 2023, news outlets began reporting that Hawaiian Electric lacked the proper policies and procedures to mitigate the impact of the wildfires. Specifically, it was revealed that, at the time the wildfires began, the company did not maintain a public power shutoff plan-i.e., a plan in which electricity is intentionally cut off to areas where strong wind events could cause the fires to spread. On this news, Hawaiian Electric's stock price fell $10.94 per share, or 33.76%, to close at $21.46 per share on August 14, 2023.Then, on August 16, 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that Hawaiian Electric is meeting with firms that specialize in restructuring advisory work and exploring options for the various financial and legal challenges that the company faces as a consequence from the Maui wildfires.Finally, on August 17, 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that Hawaiian Electric had for years been aware of the threat posed by wildfire but waited years to act. Specifically, the report stated that between 2019 and 2022, Hawaiian Electric spent less than $245,000 on wildfire-specific projects on Maui and did not seek state approval to raise utility rates to pay for broad wildfire safety improvements until 2022. Following this news, Hawaiian Electric's stock price fell $2.54 per share, or 17.43%, to close at $12.03 per share on August 17, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?Hawaiian Electric investors may, no later than October 23, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPor other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Hawaiian investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against Hawaiian Electric, Bhangal v. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., et al., Case No. 23-cv-04332, is filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 15:16:39

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ROCHESTER, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023/ KeyBank is investing $200,000 to help Young Women's Christian Association of Rochester and Monroe County (YWCA) expand efforts to help homeless women and families find appropriate housing and improve financial stability. YWCA has been providing safe, quality housing to women in the Rochester community for 140 years and is the only agency within Monroe County that provides a full continuum of housing options targeting women, from emergency shelter services to permanent housing.Rochester has very few shelters that can accommodate families in Monroe County as licensing requirements prohibit cohabitating singles with families. Funding from KeyBank will help YWCA as it renovates a facility on Ardmore Street in Rochester that will house a licensed homeless shelter allowing homeless women and their families to stay together while seeking a more permanent housing solution."Our investment and support of YWCA is symbolic of KeyBank's purpose to help Rochester and all of the communities we serve thrive," said Phil Muscato, KeyBank Rochester Market President. "The work YWCA will do at this new facility will provide women and families with a safe place to live together. It will also provide them a path to permanent housing and financial stability." "We are grateful for KeyBank and their unwavering support of our community," said Dr. Myra Henry, YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County. "This expansion of our Emergency Housing services will enable YWCA to open twelve additional units of supportive services and shelter for unhoused families here in the 19th Ward." Each year, more than 1,000 women and children take the first and subsequent steps to getting their lives back on track as part of YWCA's Housing programs.Since 2017, KeyBank has made more than $727 million in investments in the Rochester market, supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities, and transformative philanthropy.ABOUT KEYBANKKeyBank's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $195 billion at June 30, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/ . KeyBank is Member FDIC.ABOUT YWCA ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTYThe YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County is a powerful resource in our community. We help women and girls who are faced with personal crises including homelessness and teen pregnancy. We also work hard to dispel stereotypes and promote racial justice. Our goal is to empower women to regain control of their lives and get on the path to a healthy, successful future.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: KeyBankWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybankEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 14:16:06

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, our Latin American Network for Diversity (LAND) employee resource group in North America hosted a keynote session featuring a panel of Latino leaders at Kimberly-Clark.During the session, the leaders shared why bringing your authentic self to work matters and how Hispanic culture plays a role in supporting their teams and business objectives. The leaders also engaged and inspired the audience to recognize their capacity to dream big, be adaptable and resilient, learn how to recognize the benefits of cultural competency and tap into their innate optimism, all while approaching their professional lives.A big thank you to these talented leaders for their support of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations!About Kimberly-Clark CorporationKimberly-Clark and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's most essential needs, Kimberly-Clark is committed to its purpose of Better Care for a Better World. The company's portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, holds No. 1 or No. 2 share position in approximately 80 countries. Kimberly-Clark use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and ensure its business thrives for decades to come.To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company's 150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com or follow Kimberly-Clark on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Kimberly-Clark Corporation on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Kimberly-Clark CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/kimberly-clark-corporationEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 12:01:20

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The collaboration includes conducting the first carbon emissions measurement study for retail mediaCINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Kroger Precision Marketing, the retail media business of Kroger (KR) powered by 84.51, announces an agreement to become the first retail media network to measure carbon emissions through Scope3. On a mission to decarbonize media and advertising, Scope3 leads the industry in the measurement and reduction of digital supply chain emissions. The plan calls for Scope3 to measure carbon performance associated with offsite media campaigns placed through Kroger Precision Marketing."Media companies need to take action," said Cara Pratt, Senior Vice President of Kroger Precision Marketing. "The digital economy is energy-intensive - but we can reduce the impact today by eliminating wasted ad impressions. Scope3 is at the center of industry efforts to measure and verify the carbon output of the digital supply chain. This commitment paves the way for retail media to make publishers and ad tech more energy-efficient through precision audiences." The announcement comes at a time when advertisers are faced with signal loss and concerns about the efficiency of programmatic media."Running tens-of-millions of digital ad impressions only to reach thousands of relevant consumers is not sustainable for business or the environment," said Brenda Tuohig, Chief Commercial Officer of Scope3. "Kroger Precision Marketing uses in-store purchase signals to cut advertising waste, while Scope3 does this by helping advertisers identify and avoid high emissions inventory. Combining the two will improve marketer outcomes while reinforcing that what's good for business is also good for the planet." The agreement will use Scope3's open-source methodology and emissions model to measure the carbon impact by applying Kroger's audience data to offsite media campaigns. The resulting benchmarks will eventually allow advertisers and agencies to compare the environmental impact of Kroger Precision Marketing relative to other solutions."In order for the media industry to effectively reduce energy waste, we must do so through trusted verification," said Susan Schiekofer, Chief Digital Investment Officer, Group M North America. "Partnering with Scope3 and Kroger allows us to provide our advertisers with informed and transparent media buys that lead to greater accountability across advertising." Earlier this year, Ad Net Zero announced Kroger Precision Marketing as the first retail media network to support its sustainability efforts in the advertising industry."We're committed to using our precision data science to make a lasting change," continued Pratt. "We're proud to be associated with organizations leading the industry in education, measurement, and standards which will reduce carbon emissions from advertising operations." About Kroger Precision MarketingKroger Precision Marketing (KPM) is the retail media business of Kroger. Powered by 84.51 data science, and Kroger's popular loyalty card program, KPM connects customers to brands through engaging moments that inspire purchasing online or in-store. KPM has been recognized as a top-rated retail media network. A survey of brand managers conducted by The Path to Purchase Institute (P2PI) ranked Kroger Precision Marketing as the #1 retail media network for audience, measurement, and traffic-driving capabilities. Survey results appeared in the P2PI 2023 annual trends report. Learn more at KrogerPrecisionMarketing.com Media Contacts:Jamie Scalici / John O'HaraMower212-980-9194 / 315-413-4212jscalici@ mower.com / johara@ mower.com SOURCE: Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM) powered by 84.51
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 18:01:02

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Independent Research Data Shows MassageLuXe Franchise Owners Are Highly Satisfied With Company's Innovation and CreativityCHESTERFIELD, MO / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / MassageLuXe, the fast-growing massage and spa franchise delivering the highest standard of services in the membership-based massage, facial, and waxing industry, is thrilled to announce it has earned a coveted position on Franchise Business Review's (FBR) list for the Top 100 Most Innovative franchise brands. This highly sought-after industry honor is based on the opinions of those who know the winning franchisors best - the brand's franchise owners."We are excited to be named an award-winning franchise in this new FBR report and especially thrilled to know our franchisees are satisfied with the critical areas of our systems that ensure they are able to grow and sustain growth as business owners," explains Mark Otter, President and CEO of MassageLuXe.To identify the companies on the list of this year's Most Innovative Franchises, FBR analyzed 18 months' worth of data from nearly 38,000 franchisees representing more than 385 brands. Franchise owners were asked about their brand's innovation and creativity as well as their trust in the franchisor, overall satisfaction with the brand, and likelihood to recommend it to others.MassageLuXe franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of the MassageLuXe franchise system, including leadership, training and support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.MassageLuXe has doubled down on innovation over the past several years with expanding service offerings and product lines alongside a state-of-the-art custom point of sales software. Their implementation of several AI capabilities within the software designed to scale spa ownership for their franchisees has garnered widespread industry recognition. Most recently, MassageLuXe won first place in two different innovation awards at the Franchise Consumer Experience Conference held by Franchise Update Media and the International Franchise Association."For prospective franchisees, understanding which brands are the most innovative can help you make a confident and smart investment," said Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review. "Each of the companies on our list of the Most Innovative Franchises has developed and implemented products, processes, or services that enable and sustain growth and long-term relevancy. We are proud to recognize the franchises that prioritize and value innovation to support their franchisees' success and the long-term resiliency of the brand." MEDIA CONTACT:Nancy Bostrom, nbostrom@919 marketing.com , 919.459.8163About MassageLuXeFounded in 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri, MassageLuXe is a fast-growing franchise-based spa company with a mission to provide an unparalleled experience that supports and encourages health, well-being, and quality of life. MassageLuXe delivers the highest quality massage, facial, and waxing services in a comfortable, relaxing, and luxurious environment.Massage is a service that improves health, promotes relaxation and overall well-being for the consumer, and has been practiced throughout the world for thousands of years. MassageLuXe currently has more than 80 locations across 22 states and will surpass 100 locations open in early 2024.About Franchise Business ReviewFranchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures the satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and franchise employees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,200 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com . To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/digital-guides/ SOURCE: MassageLuXe
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 17:31:29

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / McFarlane Lake Mining Limited (NEO:MLM)(OTCQB:MLMLF) ("McFarlane Lake" or the "Company"), a Canadian gold exploration and development company, today announced that it intends to offer for sale, on a non-brokered private placement basis: (i) up to 50,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.05 per Unit; and (ii) up to 33,333,333 flow-through shares of the Company (the "FT Shares", and together with the Units, the "Securities") at a price of C$0.06 per FT Share, to raise collective aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$4,500,000 (together, the "Offering"). The FT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act").Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable by the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of C$0.07 per Common Share for a period of 18 months from the closing of the Offering, which is expected to occur on or about October 30, 2023. The Offering may be closed in multiple tranches at the sole discretion of the Company.The Company expects to enter into a definitive subscription agreement with Rob McEwen, a lead investor who has agreed in principle to subscribe for $1,000,000 worth of Securities.Mr. McEwen is Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc., which has three producing mines in Nevada, Ontario, and Argentina and holds 68% interest in the large Los Azules copper project in Argentina. Mr. McEwen has been associated with the gold industry all his career, his first 18 years in the investment industry and since 1990 as CEO of several gold mining companies. Mr. McEwen was awarded the Order of Canada in 2007, the Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee Award in 2013, was inducted into the Mining Hall of Fame in 2017 and has Honorary Doctor of Law Degrees from York University and Western University."We are delighted that Rob McEwen is participating in the Offering and look forward to working with him as we continue to build out our gold resources at High Lake and develop our Canadian gold properties", says Mark Trevisiol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McFarlane Lake.Rob McEwen stated, "I was attracted to McFarlane Lake because of its terrific high-grade intercepts and the fact that it is in Canada and located close to where Goldcorp Inc. enjoyed such phenomenal exploration success and profitability. As Canadians, we need our governments to move with greater urgency to develop our natural resources. Mining provides high-paying jobs, employs a wide range of skills and has a large multiplier effect on the economy!"McFarlane Lake will utilize the net proceeds from the Offering to further explore the Company's High Lake property, as well as for general working capital purposes. The gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the FT Shares will be used to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Tax Act (the "Qualifying Expenditures"). All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the FT Shares effective December 31, 2023.There can be no assurances that the Offering will be completed on the terms set out herein, or at all, or that the proceeds of the Offering will be sufficient for the purposes of the Company set out herein. In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay finders' fees equal to: (i) 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering payable in cash; (ii) 3.0% of the aggregate Securities sold payable in Units; or (iii) any combination of cash and Units calculated in the manner set forth in (i) or (ii), as applicable.The Offering is subject to acceptance by the Neo Exchange Inc. (operating as Cboe Canada) ("Cboe") and all regulatory approvals, and all of the securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to applicable statutory holding periods or any other re-sale restrictions imposed under applicable securities legislation. If required in the context of the Offering, the Company will obtain written security holder approval for the Offering from at least 50% of the holders entitled vote thereon in accordance with the policies of Cboe.About McFarlane Lake MiningMcFarlane Lake is a mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of the High Lake mineral property located immediately east of the Ontario-Manitoba border and the West Hawk Lake mineral property located immediately west of the Ontario-Manitoba border. In addition, McFarlane holds the McMillan and Mongowin mineral property located 70 km west of Sudbury and owns the Michaud/Munro mineral properties 115 km east of Timmins. McFarlane is a "reporting issuer" under applicable securities legislation in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.To learn more, visit: https://mcfarlanelakemining.com/ Additional information on McFarlane Lake can be found by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, including but not limited to the investment of or participation by certain individuals in the Offering, the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering and the anticipated closing date of the Offering. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of McFarlane Lake to be material
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 20:57:10

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LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Moloney Family Funeral Homes, a cornerstone in the Central Islip community and a beacon of compassionate service, is proud to announce its 90th anniversary. Founded in 1933 by James P. Moloney, an Irish immigrant, the family-owned and operated business has been a stalwart presence, offering comfort and care to families during their most challenging times.A Legacy of Family and CommunityJames P. Moloney, married to Mary, opened the doors of Moloney Funeral Homes in Central Islip, NY, with a vision to provide heartfelt and dignified funeral services. After James' passing in the late 1950s, his son John "Jack" Moloney took the reins and continued to serve the community until 1986, when he sold the business to his brother, Dan.Expanding the Family BusinessDan Moloney, starting with $0 in his pocket, opened Moloney Family Funeral Homes in Lake Ronkonkoma in 1961. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the opening of Moloney's Holbrook Funeral Home on Main St. in 1978, alongside his then-wife MaryLu. The 1990s saw further expansion with the opening of Moloney's in Bohemia and Moloney's in Hauppauge in 1992 and 1993, respectively. In 1994, Dan built Nassau Suffolk Crematory, further diversifying the services offered.Innovations and AcquisitionsIn 1998, Dan replaced the red barn at the back of the Lake funeral home with what is now known as the Tribute Center, a space dedicated to celebrating the lives of the departed. After Dan's passing in 2001, his sons took over the business, continuing the family legacy. In 2008, Moloney's launched Affordable Cremation Services, an online discount cremation company serving families across Long Island and the five boroughs. The same year, Moloney's acquired Casmirs funeral home in Port Jeff Station, rebranded as Moloney's Port Jefferson Funeral Home. In 2017, Moloney's purchased Sinnickson's funeral home in Center Moriches, now known as Moloney Sinnicksons FH.Celebrating 90 YearsAs Moloney Family Funeral Homes celebrates its 90th anniversary, the company reflects on its long-standing commitment to providing compassionate, personalized services. "We are incredibly grateful to the community for entrusting us with their loved ones for 90 years," said Dan Moloney, President of Moloney Family Funeral homes. "We look forward to many more years of serving our community with the same level of care and dignity that has defined us for nearly a century." For more information, please visit Moloney Family Funeral Homes Website.Contact:Danielle Moloney - Hassett(631) 588-1515Moloney Funeral Homes132 Ronkonkoma Ave.Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 https://moloneyfh.com SOURCE: Moloney Family Funeral Homes, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 18:10:34

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LEWISVILLE, TX / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Prototype IT, a leading managed IT service provider, today announced the appointment of Thaddeus Siwinski as its new Chief Executive Officer. Siwinski officially stepped into the role on September 11, 2023, alongside Chief Operating Officer, Richard Crooks, and other executive team members.Thaddeus SiwinskiPrior to joining Prototype IT, Siwinski served as a Strategy and Operations Executive at Credera, building teams and empowering clients to achieve their missions by modernizing their information technology programs. Siwinski's previous roles also include experience in Technical Program Management with Intuit, and proudly serving in the US Navy as a Navy SEAL. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Government and Politics, and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Maryland, College Park."It's a great time to join Prototype IT," said Siwinski. "Prototype IT is well-established and has earned its strong reputation as a top IT managed service provider in Dallas Fort Worth through fast, friendly support, and providing clients with peace of mind by improving their cybersecurity posture. I'm excited for the opportunity to build on this foundation and help drive increased value for our clients. Given my background and experience, I have a strong appreciation for what it takes to lift a company to the next level. I look forward to collaborating with the entire team to plan and achieve Prototype IT's next chapter of growth and success." About Prototype ITPrototype IT is one of largest Managed Service Providers in the Dallas Fort Worth area, providing best-in-class IT support services and solutions to businesses in the DFW metroplex and across North America. Headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, Prototype IT provides comprehensive technology support including 24x7 help desk, cloud solutions and services, professional project services, and IT consulting.CONTACT:Deanna Fielderdfielder@ prototypeit.net Contact Information:Deanna Fielder Marketing Coordinator dfielder@ prototypeit.net 214-270-0850Mark Wendorf Vice President, Sales & Marketing mwendorf@ prototypeit.net 214-270-0850SOURCE: Prototype IT
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 01:55:20

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BIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2023 / Kristie Carolina of South Carolina has been a finalist for Agent of the Year from Lake Homes Realty for multiple years and came home with the top prize - the Splash Award. The Splash Award is given to the company's overall top-performing agent/agent of the year. Anderson is a lake real estate specialist who was born and raised on Lake Marion, South Carolina, where she specializes in lake real estate. She also sells properties on Lake Moultrie, as well."We have wonderful lake real estate agents across the country, and I am still in awe of the honor," said Anderson. "I'm honored, surprised, and thankful for winning this year's Splash Award because it recognizes my relationships I have with my clients," she says. "My philosophy is to help guide clients through the process of selling or buy a lake property and offer them local lake expertise," she says. "Life is a little sweeter waking up at the lake and I want to help clients find or sell wonderful lake homes. Living in the right lake home helps clients live a more relaxed and laidback lifestyle while enhancing their overall quality of life," she added.Anderson joined Lake Homes Realty as an agent in 2015 with the encouragement of her husband Russell. "Once I realized the expertise and national reach the company offered, I said yes, and this award shows the process, hard work, and great clients lead to success." Russell, her husband, has joined Lake Homes Realty as an agent, as well. The couple have two children.In addition to winning Agent of the Year, Anderson also received a "Big Wave Award" which is given to Lake Homes Realty agents selling between $10 million and $25 million in the past year. Lake Homes Realty offers lake real estate services in 34 states across the country. The Agent Summit took place from Oct. 10 to 12, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama, where the company is headquartered. The awards were presented on Thursday, October 12 at 11 a.m.To determine the 2023 Splash Award winner, Lake Homes Realty agents were each ranked for performance in six key areas over a 12-month period, starting September 1, 2023, and ending August 31, 2023. Performance areas included the number of transaction sides closed, total transaction volume, net by side commission percentage of closed transactions, list side commission percentage of closed transactions, and percentage increase of year-over-year transaction volume."There was a minimum $3.5 million in transaction volume in order to be eligible for consideration for the Splash Award and Kristie far exceeded that amount," Phillips explained, adding that the total volume represented the final sale price of a property, independent of agent splits or applicable commissions. "Our agents are the special forces' of the lake real estate niche. Their expertise and talents continue to impress us year after year, and this year's Summit was the best yet because of all that they do." Kristie Anderson serves secretary on the Sumter MLS Board of REALTORS and will move into Vice President roll in 2024. Anderson has been attending the South Carolina REALTORS Leadership Academy in 2023 and will graduate on October 19. She acquired her real estate brokers license in 2022.About Lake Homes RealtyLake Homes Realty is the nation's largest lake-focused real estate company. Lake Homes Realty provides full-service, multi-state real estate brokerage services in 34 states and growing. LakeHomes.com has lake homes and lots listed on more than 6,500 lakes across the country. Inc. Magazine has ranked Lake Homes Realty as one of the fastest-growing companies for the past seven years. In addition to having Lake Homes Realty, the company launched Beach Homes Realty in May and has agents and beach properties across 14 states at www.beach-homes.com . For more on Kristie Anderson and Lake Homes Realty, visit www.lakehomes.com ###Media Contact: Bill Lang, Lake Homes Realty, 205.218.3561, blang@ lakehomes.com . Interviews available.Photo: Kristie Anderson of Lake Marion, South Carolina, was named agent of the year for Lake Homes Realty, the country's largest lake-focused real estate company. Lake Homes Realty CEO Glenn Phillips recognized Anderson with the national real estate honor. Photo with Anderson and Phillips with award also attached.SOURCE: Lake Homes Realty
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 13:31:06

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REYKJAVIK, ICELAND / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / GreenBank Capital (CSE:GBC)(OTC PINK:GRNBF)(FRA:2TL) ("GreenBank" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received its strategy report from JV Capital and has signed an agreement to acquire the Suni Iron Ore Project in Ontario Canada.New strategy update.On the 5th October 2023 the board of directors received from JV Capital the first iteration of the strategy report it engaged them to provide, and the decision has been taken to adopt the main suggestion set out in the report. That is that Greenbank should in the future seek to mainly invest in companies in which it can take an active role and control management. This "hands-on" or "active management" approach will entail acquiring a majority stake in the investee companies, allowing Greenbank to have significant control over their operations and decision-making processes. By acquiring direct control over the companies, it invests in, Greenbank expects to use its influence to better align their direction and management with its own investment objectives and overall business strategy. It will also allow GreenBank to leverage its expertise and resources to help implement operational improvements, streamline processes, and enhance efficiency in its investee companies, and thereby better manage risk exposure, and drive value creation.The Company intends to adopt this strategy alongside investing in situations that are liquid (such as publicly traded companies) or have a near term clear exit strategy (such as pre-IPO situations).Suni iron ore acquisition.The Company is pleased to announce that on 9th October 2023 it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the issued shares ("the Purchased Shares") in 1500597402 Ontario Inc., which holds the Suni Iron Ore project in Ontario Canada. This acquisition is in line with the new company strategy which is to take projects and nurture them towards exit.Purchase PriceThe aggregate purchase price (the "Purchase Price") for the Purchased Shares is ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND Canadian Dollars (Cdn$150,000,) payable to the sellers, as follows.by the issuance of a total of 3 million Common Shares in the capital of the Purchaser to the two sellers, Ankcorn and Isles each being issued ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (1.5) million shares as follows:(a) 1,500,000 Common Shares on closing; and(b) 1,500,000 Common Shares on the earlier of the date on which the Purchaser obtains an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report and 9th October 2024The agreement is expected to close on or before 23rd October 2023.About the Suni iron projectThe Suni Iron Property is in the Onaman Iron Range of Ontario, Canada approximately 160km north of Lake Superior and 50km east of Lake Nipigon. The Property consists of an area of approximately 11.5km or 1,155 hectares, comprised of 6 block claims totalling 71 mining claim units.The Onaman Iron Ranges have had a long history of exploration and drilling starting in the early 1900s. They were first located and examined in 1904, when survey crews of the National Transcontinental Railway started the survey for a railway line. In 1906 and 1907, iron prospects were discovered and staked. Discovery of the iron prospects led to a rush by prospectors into the area. In 1951, following completion of an airborne magnetometer survey by Kennco Limited, several companies acquired ground and obtained patents or leases covering most of the known Onaman Iron Range deposits of the northern and southern range by staking and/or by option. Between 1958 and 1961 Can-Fer Mines Limited (Can-Fer) drilled a total of 47 diamond drillholes on the Suni Iron property.The Company is in possession of historic data and valuation report dated 26th October 2022 by Evans & Evans, Inc., and a NI 43-101 technical report by Tetra Tech dated March 2011 that has been executed in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mines (CIM) guidelines provided in NI 43-101, standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, dated December 23, 2005. The Company expects to issue a separate technical detailed press release in due course.Vilhjalmur Thor Vilhjalmsson, the CEO and Chairman of Greenbank , had this to say: "With our updated approach, we are optimistic about both our existing investments and the avenues for future growth. It's crucial for us to maintain greater oversight of our investment portfolio. In line with this, we'll continually assess our current holdings while also exploring new opportunities. I've recently engaged in dialogues with the leadership of our investee companies, and I am enthusiastic about our upcoming initiatives and the health of our investments." Results of the company's Annual General Meeting.The company's AGM took place Wednesday 11th October 2023. All resolutions were duly passed at the meeting. Shareholder Hector Early put forward to the meeting four new nomination to the board of directors.The voting went as follows.Nominated directorTotal votesRichard Beresford54,889,010Peter Wanner53,615,822Steve O'Carroll54,888,835Sir Robert Neill53,615,843Vilhjalmur Thor Vilhjalmsson54,890,835Mark Edwards5,867,821Hector Earley5,867,821Emma Taylor Moore5,867,821Adam Boudemate5,867,821The Board remains unchanged with the following directors.Vilhjalmur Thor Vilhjalmsson Chairman and CEORichard BeresfordPeter WannerSir Robert NeillSteve O'Carroll COOConcerned shareholder Hector EarleyGreenbank acknowledges the recent press release issued by Mr. Hector Earley, a shareholder of the Company, filed on Sedar+.We wish to state that we strongly disagree with all claims made by Mr. Earley in his press release. After a thorough review, we have found that his allegations lack substance and are not supported by factual evidence.Greenbank remains committed to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. We will continue to focus on delivering value to all our shareholders and stakeholders.About GreenBankGreenBank is a business-transformation firm, which aims to nurture early stage and growth companies to their full potential. Through modern approaches to the provisions of consultancy services, GreenBank takes a stake in companies it hopes to nurture and gives the opportunity to the founders and executives of those companies to benefit from the years of collective experience of the GreenBank management team.The team are based in London, Reykjavik and Toronto and work diligently across borders to ensure that businesses in the GreenBank portfolio reach their core objectives. The businesses the Company typically works with are start-ups or early-stage and include mining and mineral exploration companies. From this em
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 22:00:39

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / The Watchlist by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with RDARS, Visionstate, ARway.ai , Blackrock Silver, and Arizona Sonoran discussing their latest news.The Watchlist by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.RDARS Achieves Monumental Milestone by Receiving the FAA's BVLOS Waiver Certificate for Its Eagle Watch Platform at LTC, Homestead, FloridaRDARS Inc. (CSE:RDRS)(OTCQB:RDRSF), an autonomous robotics and drone technology company developing advanced systems and artificial intelligence AI for alarm system augmentation and surveillance, has announced that it has received the grant of its first Beyond Visual Line of Sight waiver by the Federal Aviation Administration for its cutting-edge Eagle Watch Platform at LTC, Homestead, FL.For the full interview with CEO Charles Zwebner and to learn more about RDARS news, click here.Visionstate Corp. Announces Three-Year Contract with Bunzl Canada for Exclusive Distribution of WandaNEXTVisionstate Corp.(TSXV:VIS) has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Visionstate IoT Inc., has entered into a new three-year contract with Bunzl Canada Inc. for the exclusive distribution of the Company's proprietary WandaNEXT product.For the full interview with President Shannon Moore and to learn more about Visionstate's news, click here. ARway.ai Launches Augmented Reality Games ARway.ai (CNSX:ARWY)(OTCQB:ARWYF)(FSE:E65) has announced the availability of stock or custom augmented reality games as spatial experiences in the ARway studio. This strategic expansion is set to further solidify ARway's position as a leading innovator in AR technology as well as indoor spatial mapping.For the full interview with Chief Product Officer Shadnam Khan and to learn more about ARway.ai's news, click here.Blackrock Announces Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Tonopah West ProjectBlackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV:BRC)(OTCQX:BKRRF) has reported the results for its updated mineral resource estimate for its 100% controlled Tonopah West project located in the Walker Lane trend of Western Nevada.For the full interview with CEO Andrew Pollard and to learn more about Blackrock's news, click here.Arizona Sonoran Announces Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Cactus ProjectArizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU) released its Mineral Resource Update for the combined Cactus, Stockpile and Parks/Salyer deposits, together the "Cactus Project", located 45 miles south of Phoenix, Arizona.For the full interview with CEO George Ogilvie and to learn more about Arizona Sonoran's news, click here.Interviews for The Watchlist by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Watchlist or to explore our other interviews visit The Watchlist by The Market Herald.About The Market HeraldThe Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca . Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website ( themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.CONTACT:The Market Heraldmarketing@ themarketherald.cathemarketherald.ca SOURCE: The Market Herald
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 18:00:42

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The Lockhart Texas expansion will support production capacities, commerce & area economyLOCKHART, TX / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / The Ziegenfelder Company, America's largest producer of Twin Pops, honored their manufacturing expansion with an official groundbreaking ceremony at the soon-to-be Lockhart, Texas location. Ziegenfelder Company executives joined by the Office of Governor Abbott, Lockhart City Officials and the RFW Construction Group celebrated the $46 million capital investment that will generate more than 100 jobs, increase production capacity and generate economic benefit for the region.President of The Ziegenfelder Company, Kevin Heller, stated "Here at the Ziegenfelder Company, we strive to maintain our consumers' expectations of a high-quality product at an affordable price. Expanding to Lockhart enables us to continue living that vision." Ziegenfelder President, Kevin Heller continued, "The facility is an investment in our future growth & our consumer. This Lockhart location will allow us to more efficiently serve our southwestern customers and consumers".The Ziegenfelder Company announced in September 2022 that the Texas Enterprise Fund grant had been extended by the State of Texas based on the capital investment and jobs to be created at this new facility, solidifying the company's production growth in the State of Texas."Texas' world-renowned business climate continues to attract company relocations and expansion projects, and I am proud The Ziegenfelder Company is breaking ground on their new manufacturing facility in Lockhart," said Governor Greg Abbott. "As an industry leader producing affordable, high-quality frozen treats, this new manufacturing facility will help spur the local economies in Central Texas and further boost the mighty Texas economy. With Texas' business-friendly policies, our young, skilled, and growing workforce, and predictable regulations, we will ensure that partnerships with companies like these continue to flourish. I look forward to working with The Ziegenfelder Company as they expand their operation in our great state and become a key component for the economy of the Texas of tomorrow." "I am thrilled to welcome the Ziegenfelder Company to our community. It's a refreshing addition to Lockhart's growing economic landscape," said Lockhart Mayor, Lew White. "In a time of rapid growth in our area, the Ziegenfelder Company's presence will contribute to the economic vitality of our city, providing more employment opportunities for our residents as well as those looking to call Lockhart home." The Ziegenfelder Company is expected to begin hiring for its 100+ employee need in March of 2024, with expansion completion expected in December 2024.Company President, Kevin Heller, stated in closing "We appreciate the new partnership we are forming with the state of Texas and the City of Lockhart, a relationship that is foundational in our future success".The Ziegenfelder Company is the largest producer of Twin Pops in the United States. Founded in 1861 as a candy and ice cream maker, the company evolved into making the "Rainbow Array" of frozen ice novelties. The Armstrong Group Company has production facilities in Wheeling, WV, Chino, CA and Denver, CO, The Ziegenfelder Company remains committed to community programs, fundraising and creating smiles.###Contact:Chrissy MucheckBrand Strategist304.280.9972CMucheck@twinpops.com SOURCE: Ziegenfelder
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-17 15:32:26

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 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: 2023-10-17 16:22:38

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A New Era in AI-Driven Travel and HospitalityLONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Belgian tech startup Wetime has entered into a transformative partnership with industry giants VodafoneZiggo and Packet Ship. This alliance aims to bring Wetime's cutting-edge AI technology to hotel rooms, starting with a pilot project at the Teaching Hotel in Maastricht.Revolutionizing Personalized Travel Through AI"Wetime's integration into Packet Ship's Guide platform marks a significant leap in personalized travel experiences," says Jan-Pieter Gerritsen, a representative from Packet Ship. Unlike conventional AI platforms that offer one-size-fits-all solutions, Wetime's AI technology tailors travel experiences to individual tastes and preferences, setting a new standard in a competitive market.Turning Hotel Rooms into Revenue EnginesWetime is not just an added amenity; it's a revenue accelerator for hotels. By incorporating Wetime into their in-room services, hotels can present guests with a curated selection of 150,000 activities, 250,000 hotel options, and 45,000 restaurants worldwide. This not only enriches the guest experience but has also been proven to boost in-room service revenue by up to 15%.Academic Endorsement and Industry Accolades"We consider it essential to be at the cutting edge of AI technology, a field that is becoming increasingly important in the hotel industry," states Eelco Holwerda from the Teaching Hotel. Wetime's credibility is further enhanced by its selection for the upcoming Web Summit's Growth Summit, an elite gathering of the world's most innovative companies. "Being chosen for the Growth Summit is not just an honor; it's a validation of Wetime's groundbreaking potential," adds Sietse Schelpe, co-founder of Wetime.Global Ambitions: Starting with the NetherlandsWetime, in line with its ambitious growth strategy, is actively seeking its first round of investors to fuel its expansion into new markets. The company is capitalizing on the platform provided by Web Summit's prestigious Growth Summit to connect with potential strategic partners. Their objective is to secure the initial investments that will propel them from being self-funded into Belgium and across the European continent in the coming years. This represents a unique and compelling opportunity for investors to participate in a pioneering AI-driven travel and hospitality venture poised for global disruption.About WetimeCo-founded by Sietse Schelpe and Marloes Decraemer, Wetime is on a mission to redefine how people plan city trips. The platform employs AI to create customized travel itineraries, factoring in variables such as budget, group dynamics, and personal preferences.Contact:WetimeSietse Schelpe0032493881164sietse@ wetime.euhttps://www.wetime.eu SOURCE: Wetime
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said the federal government incurred a subsidy obligation of N135.23 billion on electricity in the second quarter of the year.

The NERC disclosed this in its quarterly report released on Monday.

The report said in the absence of cost-reflective tariffs, the government undertakes to cover the resultant gap (between the cost-reflective and allowed tariff) in the form of tariff shortfall funding.

It explained that this funding is applied to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) invoices that are to be paid by DisCos, adding that the amount to be covered by the DisCos is based on the allowed tariff determined by the commission and set out as their Minimum Remittance Obligation (MRO) in the periodic Tariff Orders issued by the Commission.

It is important to note that due to the absence of cost-reflective tariffs across all DisCos, the government incurred a subsidy obligation of N135.23 billion in 2023/Q2, which is an increase of N99.21 billion (+275 per cent) compared to the N36.02 billion incurred in 2023/Q1, the commission said.

It noted that this increase is largely attributable to the governments policy to harmonise rates.

On average, the report said the subsidy obligation incurred by the government per month was N45.08 billion in Q2 2023.

For ease of administration of the subsidy, the MRO is limited to NBET only with the MO being allowed to recover 100 per cent of its revenue requirement from the DisCos, it said.

The report noted that in 2023/Q2, the MRO-adjusted invoice from NBET to the DisCos was N154.04 billion while the total remittance made was N152.48 billion, which translates to a 98.99 per cent remittance performance.

It added that the remittance performance of DisCos to NBET in 2023/Q2 (98.99 per cent) is a 31.37pp increase compared to the 67.62 per cent remittance performance recorded in 2023/Q1.

The significant improvement in remittance performance by DisCos is because a large portion of the NBET invoice is to be covered by the government in the form of subsidies.

The sharp rise in the governments subsidy obligation meant that in 2023/Q2, DisCos were only expected to cover 53.25 per cent of the total invoice received from NBET, the report said.

ALSO READ: NERC launches power outage reporting app to check disruption

In 2023/Q2, the report said seven DisCos recorded >100 per cent remittance performance to NBET.

These DisCos include Ikeja (115.21 per cent), Ibadan (112.86 per cent), Benin (111.32 per cent), Eko (111.20 per ), Enugu (108.52 per cent), Jos (108.48 per cent) and Yola (102.44 per cent).

All the DisCos had improved remittance to NBET when compared to 2023/Q1 which can be explained based on the exchange-rate harmonisation induced increase in government subsidy, it said.

To sustain power sector operations, the commission said it recognises the significance of enhancing market remittances and is providing DisCos with revenue-boosting initiatives.

The introduction of the SBT and opportunities for DisCos to improve customer service through better energy supply quality is a clear path to increased revenue without broad-based tariff increases.

The ongoing DisCos investments in infrastructure and metering initiatives will result in a greater volume of reliable energy supplied to customers, improved revenue assurance, collections, and market remittances, it said.

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There is no doubt that before now, only a few Nigerian actors would readily accept a gay role in a movie, perhaps because of the fear of the aftermath from society, despite it being a make-believe.

With the exception of Wura, a 2022 original Showmax series, only a few Nollywood productions have explored the reality and intricacies of a gay character in recent times.

Nollywoods foray into queer narratives has been modest, with films like Hell or High Water (2016), directed by Asurf Oluseyi. This short film tells the story of a young pastor who grapples with his feelings for a fellow male pastor.

Then, there is Dapper (2017), directed by Chike Nwoffiah, another short film that explores the life of a Nigerian lesbian who returns to Nigeria to make amends with her estranged mother.

Also, No Hiding Place (2021), directed by Teco Benson, is another short Nollywood drama that explores the challenges faced by a closeted gay man living in Nigeria.

However, these previous queer-themed movie attempts remained short and fell short of fully immersing viewers in the daily lives and emotions of their queer characters.

Enter Iremide Adeoye

Wura, on the other hand, carved its path by delving deep into the life of Lolu Adeleke, portrayed by Iremide Adeoye, a queer character grappling with the complexities of love and family expectations.

His romantic journey intertwined with characters like Femi and Adebayo paints a vivid picture of the multifaceted nature of same-sex relationships.

What sets Wura apart is its commitment to offering a more genuine, positive, and realistic portrayal of queer love, diverging from the stereotypical and often negative depictions that have plagued Nollywood in the past.

Notably, the series consciously avoided physical displays of affection, such as kissing or touching, while still managing to convey the depth of emotions shared by its characters.

In an exclusive interview with Premium Times, Adeoye, a 26-year-old actor and digital content creator, expressed his surprise at the overwhelming reception of his character in Wura, Lolu Adeleke.

Many would think that acting a gay role in Nigeria would ostracise him from society, but on the contrary, he said playing a Lolu Adeleke has become a significant peak in his career.

He shared, When the audience can relate with the character, thats great news for me.

Although Iremide has been featured in Nollywood movies like The Order of Things and Tiger Tail, these flicks were not enough to give him the breakthrough his career has seen since the wake of playing Lolu Adeleke, a queer character in the movie, Wura.

Queer role

The fashion enthusiast and actor said his role in the series and the reception have been fantastic.

He said, People have come to resonate more with the character, way more than I expected, and that is the joy for me as an actor when the audience can relate with the surface; thats great news for me.

Acting as a queer character in Nollywood as Lolu Adeleke. It has been the biggest queer representation in Nollywood on that scale, and it feels great to be one of the performers of something like that. I was expecting some backlash, of course, because acting a queer character in a homophobic country, you dont know what to expect.

Still, you know what to expect, but so far, so good; despite the bad and negative sides I have seen, I feel like the love has overshadowed the bad side. For me, I dont want to focus on the negativity that comes from playing that character; the love and the people that do appreciate the work that I do is what I pay my attention to.

Beyond his acting career, he has actively engaged with his audience through platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, where he shares insights into filmmaking, fashion, and beauty.

READ ALSO: AGN announces withdrawal from federation of Nollywood guilds

He also embraces fashion as a self-expression, advocating for individuality and unique styles.

While Wura is a significant milestone in his career, he has more projects in the pipeline, including the eagerly awaited biopic, Fumilayo Femi Kuti, set for release on Amazon Prime.

Looking ahead, he aspires to tackle roles that shed light on mental health or disability, demonstrating his commitment to exploring diverse and impactful narratives on screen.

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By Tokunbo Aderemi Ayoola, Anchor University

Nigerias railway network serves only a small portion of the country. The country is 923,770km, with a railway network of 3,505km colonial narrow gauge and 669km modern standard gauge. Egypt, not that much larger than Nigeria, has a network of 6,700km.

There are signs that the government in Abuja has decided to address the inadequacy of the railway network. A number of projects are under way aimed at revamping and extending it. Over the last few years these have included the new rail corridor between Ibadan and Apapa port as well as the Abuja-Kaduna line (2016), the Abuja light rail network (2018) and the Itakpe-Warri line (2020).

In 2023 the Muhammadu Buhari administration introduced a new law that enabled states to build railway lines. This was previously the preserve of the national government.

As a Nigerian railway historian, I welcome renewed efforts to revitalise the rail network.

The return of rail transport is important. Railways brought many social, economic and cultural benefits. This is especially true of the colonial period and in the postcolonial era up to the late 1960s.

But efforts to revive the network wont succeed unless four things happen. The government invests in existing lines and new ones, the railway corporation begins manufacturing some of its equipment and tools locally, the laws governing road transport are enforced to ensure theres healthy competition in the sector, and foreign investors are encouraged to come in.

The history

In 1896 the British colonial government in Nigeria started the construction and development of the local railway network. This was part of European railway imperialism in Africa, starting from the late 19th century. The key purpose was exploitation of the colonys agricultural and mineral resources.

The first phase of the system, the Lagos Railway, began in 1898. Construction started from Iddo in Lagos. The line then extended to Abeokuta and got to Ibadan in 1901, a distance of about 190km.

READ ALSO: FEC approves N495m for installation of railway scanners

Over time, rail transport became the backbone of the countrys import and export economy.

Railway routes were laid before modern roads. In 1916 a line was constructed between Port Harcourt and Enugu in eastern Nigeria to assist in transporting coal to other parts of the country. On completion of the Markudi Bridge across River Benue, the eastern line was extended northwards and reached Kaduna in 1932.

Rail led to a host of villages and towns becoming large commercial cities  like Lagos, Ibadan, Kano and Enugu.

There were also social benefits. By the early 1960s, the Nigeria railway carried on average 12 million passengers annually. The population was 45.26 million according to the 1962 census. From Iddo, Lagos in 1898 to Abeokuta and Ibadan in 1901, south-west Nigeria, to Jebba and Minna, the rail lines linked many cities and towns and facilitated movement of people from the rural areas to urban centres.

The transformation of the rail company itself had an impact on Nigerian society. From the late 19th century until 1955, Nigerian Railways was owned and managed by the colonial British government. It was transferred to a public corporation in 1955 when it became known as the Nigerian Railway Corporation. Nigerians assumed responsibility for managing the corporation in 1960. The railway workshops and stations became centres of multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-racial communities: oases of trading and socialising.

Declining fortunes

In 1964 the railway corporation achieved its best financial performance in the postcolonial era: revenue of about 16.30 million (US$19.90 million) and a working surplus of about 2 million (US$2.4 million). After that, the fortunes of rail transport in Nigeria began to decline rapidly and they have not fully recovered. This has been due to a number of factors, including ageing infrastructure, general neglect and mismanagement.

These days the railway and its facilities have lost their pride of place in the countrys social, economic and cultural life. Their value and importance are now limited to a few parts of the country.

The volume of freight transport by rail is increasing. But it is minuscule compared with the huge volume being carried by road and air transport.

There have been numerous efforts to reorganise and modernise the railway infrastructure.

In 1978, under the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime, the Railway of India Technical and Engineering Services was contracted to reorganise the corporation and rehabilitate its infrastructure.

In 1995, the Sani Abacha military junta unveiled a three-year, US$528 million agreement with the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company. The agreement was, again, to rehabilitate old assets. No new lines were constructed.

Then between 1999 and 2007, 124 billion naira (about US$158 million) was allocated to the project. But by 1999, when the civilian government of Obasanjo came to power, there was virtually nothing to show for it, or the almost US$600 million the Abacha government had spent on rail between 1995 and 1998.

In 1999, the administration appointed international consultants to develop a 25-year strategic vision for the Nigerian railway. This resulted in a report which was approved in 2002. The aim was to change the existing rail routes to higher-capacity standard-gauge tracks across the country.

A budget of US$60 billion was prepared for the work. This didnt start until 2007, Obasanjos last year in office. In 2006, the government had signed an US$8 billion agreement with China to design, construct and manage more than 1,315km of new and standard gauge railway from Lagos to Kano within four years. The capital for the project would come from foreign exchange from the sale of petroleum and a US$500 million concessionary loan from the Chinese government.

In 2007, the government paid a US$250 million mobilisation fee to start the project.

It ran into serious political headwinds after Obasanjo left office in 2007. His successor, Musa Yar Adua, suspended the contract, claiming that proper procedures hadnt been followed. The government decided, once again, to rehabilitate the existing narrow gauge network. But, in a sudden about turn, it decided to resurrect the abandoned 25-year modernisation project.

On 18 July 2012, the Goodluck Jonathan government approved US$1.49 billion for the Lagos-Ibadan double track railway line modernisation project. Scheduled for completion in the second half of 2015, it was completed in June 2021.

These improvements led to an increased number of passengers, from 1.28 million a year to about 5 million in 2014/2015. In 2021, 2.71 million passengers used the trains and 3.21 million did in 2022.

State lines

As to whether allowing states to build railway lines will revolutionise rail transport in Nigeria, I believe it wont, for three reasons.

First, it will be difficult for many of the 36 state governments to finance and manage railway development. Second, unless states develop regional railways together, individual urban and light railway services will run at a loss. Third, foreign investors would only be interested if they could make profits. And the most profitable aspect is freight railway.

Going forward

The central government should vote more money for capital and recurrent expenditures for railway operations.

The railway corporation should endeavour to manufacture some of its equipment and tools locally.

Abuja needs to enforce existing laws governing road transport in Nigeria, for healthy competition and efficient service.

Finally, foreign investors should be encouraged to invest in rail development, to help develop the Nigerian economy.

Tokunbo Aderemi Ayoola, Reader in History and International Studies, Anchor University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has said there is an urgent need to produce strategic and accurate data if Nigeria is to improve its health outcomes.

Mr Pate said this in Abuja, Nigeria Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday at a strategic retreat of the National Assembly Health Committees for the development of the legislative health agenda of the 10th National Assembly.

The minister, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the ministry, Chris Isokpunwu, said data is critical to know how to accurately and strategically budget for the population in the country.

He said there are plans to strengthen governance, improve population health outcomes, and focus on improving the economic value chain for health, as well as public health security.

He, however, said all of these are galvanised by data, because whatever decision you want to take, if you have the right kind of information and data, coming out from a quality source, then you are likely to get it right.

The point is that the Ministry of Health is the authentic and authoritative source for health data in the country. So if you want to quote health data, quote data from the ministry, he said.

For example, if you know that 18 per cent of children have not received vaccination, your data would also point to where these children are, so you know how to budget, how to allocate resources and how to target interventions.

Retreat

The two-day retreat is organised by the Legislative Network for Universal Health Coverage in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), the World Health Organisation, and other development partners.

READ ALSO:

The retreat is themed Setting a Legislative Health Agenda Towards Strengthening Nigerias Primary Health Care System and Health Institutions for UHC and Resilience.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Projects, dRPC, Stanley Ukpai, said the retreat is an opportunity for the legislators, especially in the health committees to become well acquainted with issues in the health sector.

Mr Ukpai noted that the gathering is also a form of continuity in the transition process where knowledge is being transferred from the leadership of the last assembly to the present assembly.

It is a good opportunity to get familiar with some of the issues in the healthcare sector. It is a buildup on the last administration, he said.

This is a good example of what continuity should be, and as a launchpad for consolidating on the gains that the previous administration has achieved and begin to reduce the indices of things like maternal mortality, neonatal mortality and the rest, he said.

Objectives

In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Ipalibo Banigo, said the core objectives of the retreat are to enlighten the principal officers of the National Assembly of the critical challenges in the health sector and the efforts towards improving health outcomes and attaining UHC.

Ms Banigo said the legislature plays a crucial role in ensuring national development, and implementing policies.

She noted that the activities of the legislative network for the UHC will strengthen the interface between the legislature, the executives, the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, health institutions, donor agencies, and development partners who have health agenda as priority.

It will aid the legislature in the health committee to bridge knowledge gaps, improve communication and interagency collaboration in our legislative functions, she said.

Ms Banigo, the immediate deputy governor of Rivers State, said the retreat will set a collective legislative health agenda for the health sector for the next four years.

She said it will also identify roles of the various health committees and other actors, establish collaboration and partnerships among the health committees and members of the executives, as well as other stakeholders to achieve the health reform objectives of the country.

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Musa Aliyu, a lawyer and Attorney-General of Jigawa State, as the new chairperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He also appointed Clifford Oparaodu as the secretary to the commission, a statement by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said on Tuesday.

The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

The appointment, according to the statement, is sequel to the request of the outgoing chairman of the commission, Bolaji Owasanoye, whose statutory tenure still remains over three months, to proceed on pre-end of tenure leave beginning on 4 November 2023.

Mr Owasanoyes tenure is statutorily due to expire on 3 February 2024.

The presidential statement on Tuesday said the appointment of Mr Aliyu as the ICPC chairman and Mr Oparaodu as the secretary of the commission is part of Mr Tinubus agenda to reform key institutions and invigorate Nigerias war on corruption.

The announcement comes on the heels of the presidents controversial appointment of Olanipekun Olukoyede as the chairperson of the sister anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The announcement came days after this newspaper exclusively reported that the president was planning to name Mr Olukoyede as the commissions substantive chairperson.

This newspaper also reported that Mr Tinubu was considering appointing a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Abdu Aboki, as the new ICPC chair. But it was learnt that there was a last-minute decision to drop Mr Aboki, who hails from Kano, North-west Nigeria. Many had shared their concerns about appointing 71-year-old Mr Aboki to head the crucial anti-corruption agency in an era of fast-changing dynamics of corruption in public office, which he will have to confront.

The presidency said the newly named ICPC chair, Mr Aliyu has embarked upon many far-reaching reforms as the Attorney General of Jigawa State since September 2019 and holds Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Law.

He was also named as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria-designate in October 2023, the statement added.

The secretary, Mr Oparaodu, the statement said, is also a lawyer with over 30 years of experience.

According to the presidency, Mr Oparaodu has served meritoriously in the public service as a Member of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.

READ THE FULL STATE HOUSE STATEMENT ANNOUNCING THE ICPC APPOINTMENTS

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NEW ICPC MANAGEMENT TEAM; APPROVES 90-DAY PRE-END OF TENURE LEAVE FOR OUTGOING ICPC CHAIRMAN

In exercise of powers conferred on the President as established in Section 3(6) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and in furtherance of the Renewed Hope mandate to reform key institutions and invigorate Nigerias war on corruption, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new management team for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), pending Senate confirmation:

Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu  Chairman / Chief Executive Officer, ICPC

Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu  Secretary to the Commission, ICPC

The new Chairman of the ICPC is nominated for confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, following the Presidents approval of the outgoing Chairmans request to proceed on pre-end of tenure leave beginning on November 4, 2023, ahead of the expiration of his tenure on February 3, 2024.

The position of Secretary to the Commission does not require Senate confirmation and, therefore, by the directive of the President, the appointment of Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu as Secretary of the Commission takes immediate effect.

Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu has embarked upon many far-reaching reforms as the Attorney General of Jigawa State since September 2019 and holds Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Law. He was also named as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria-designate in October 2023.

Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu is a lawyer with over 30 years of experience and has served meritoriously in the public service as a Member of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.

The President implores the new management team of the ICPC to always be above board as they discharge their duties without fear or favour concerning all matters before them.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 17, 2023

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The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting on Monday approved the application for financing from the World Banks International Development Association (IDA).

Mr Edun disclosed this to State House Correspondents after the meeting in Abuja.

He said the country was able to access $1.5 billion from the IDA, which is the virtually free or zero-interest lending arm or financing arm of the World Bank.

Nigeria has been able to make the kind of macro-economic moves to take the tough decisions to restore balance in the economy in the governments finances that have warranted support.

This had engendered support from the multilateral development banks.

It is on this basis that the World Bank is willing to consider and to process on our behalf $1.5 billion of concessional financing, relatively cheap financing and financing that will be dispersed relatively quickly, he said.

Mr Edun said that another $80 million in financing from the African Development Bank was approved by the FEC for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project aimed at empowering the youth in the sector of Knowledge Economy through technology and communications generally.

READ ALSO:

He said, This is basically to support young people and their quest to take on technology to use it to be employed to be trained and to benefit from being part of the knowledge economy.

This is being part of the technological wave that is present very much in Nigeria, which is becoming a bigger and bigger share of the economy.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the meeting took up the issues of the economy and the agreement reached between the government and the labour unions early this month to avert an industrial action.

He said the issues were significant to the current realities and expectations of Nigerians on the Tinubu-led administration, adding that it was also hinged on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The issues raised at the meeting include economy, road infrastructure around the country, a memo about the agreement reached between the government and the labour unions, as well as the export processing zone revitalisation, he said.

Mr Idris also disclosed that the meeting approved Mondays for the holding of the weekly FEC meeting instead of the Wednesdays adopted by the previous administrations.

This does not, however, mean that it will hold every week. If there is any need to postpone it, that will be done and pending matters will be forwarded to the next Monday, he said.

Also speaking the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, said that FEC gave approval for the agreement between labour and the government during the 2 October meeting.

Presidential approval was given after analysing the agreement to provide for industrial harmony. Similarly, the 30-day implementation timeline agreed on was also approved by FEC, he said.

(NAN)

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Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, on Tuesday, complained that the legislative proceedings in the upper chamber since the commencement of the 10th Senate, are not in conformity with its rules and regulations

Mr Ndume, who represents Borno South on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the complaint via a point of order at the plenary.

Invoking order 54 of the Senate Standing Rules, the lawmaker called the attention of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to the alleged unconstitutional manner he had been handling the affairs of the upper chamber since he assumed office.

Mr Akpabio was elected senate president on 13 June.

Mr. President, there are some things we do in this chamber that are against the rules. Sir, nobody is too big to learn.

Mr. President, the way we do things, this is the Senate and we should not shy away from learning, Mr Ndume stated.

The senate president immediately interjected and ruled the chief whip out of order.

As you are coming under Order 54, this is what is written there, I am sorry leader we rule you out of order, Mr Akpabio said.

Mr Akpabios response made Mr Ndume to angrily leave the Senate chamber for his office.

After the chief whip stepped out of the chamber, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, raised a point of order for the senators to go into closed door session.

Mr Akpabio subsequently directed that the Senate should go into closed door session.

Last week, Mr Ndume and Mohammed Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa), complained during plenary that the senate president was ambushing the upper chamber to hastily passed bills without following due process.

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The police in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria, have arrested six fake vigilante operatives at Ugwuafor, Akpugo, a community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson of the police in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Monday night, said the suspects were arrested by police operatives serving at the Anti-Cultism Squad at about 1.44 p.m. on Sunday.

Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, gave the names of the suspects as David Onyekachukwu, Timothy Ezeali, Somadina Ebe, and Nwosa Anele  all males and aged 22 years old each.

Others were Kasim Rafiu, 28, and Godwin Udoh, 24  also males.

The police spokesperson said the arrest followed a complaint by residents of the area that the suspects had been involved in street fights, criminal trespassing, and assaults on them.

Four pump action guns with 11 live cartridges, four motorcycles, a dagger, two face-caps and T-shirts branded Enugu Vigilante Group, and objects suspected to be charms were recovered from the suspects, according to the police.

READ ALSO:

A preliminary investigation has shown that the suspects, who claim to be employers of a private security company, were in unlawful possession of the recovered firearms and ammunition. And contrary to their claims, they were not hired and equipped by the leadership of the mentioned community to provide security for them, Mr Ndukwe said.

Furthermore, Timothy, David, and Godwin have all confessed to being members of the Vikings, Black Axe and De-Gbam Secret Cult Groups, respectively, while further discreet investigation is ongoing, he added.

More arrest

Mr Ndukwe said, in a separate incident, police operatives serving in Awkunanaw Police Division arrested two crime suspects at about 11: 35 a.m. on 8 October.

The police spokesperson said the two suspects  Nzube Eze, 20, and Nnamdi Igwe, 22  allegedly stole a Toyota Hiace bus, reportedly belonging to a transport company, Enugu State Transport Company (ENTRACO).

Their arrest led to the recovery of a reported stolen ENTRACO-branded Toyota Hiace bus, he said.

He said the suspects have confessed to being members of a syndicate that steals vehicles, and that they and their cohorts now at large, stole the bus in the early hours of 7 October.

The police quoted the suspects as saying that they scaled the fence into a compound in Awkunanaw Enugu, used raw acid to force the gates key open, and stole the vehicle from where it was parked.

They, however, abandoned the vehicle and escaped after they were intercepted by Vehicle Inspection Officers on their way to Okigwe, Imo State to sell it before they were arrested by the operatives on getting back to Enugu, Mr Ndukwe stated.

Further discreet investigations are ongoing. All the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded, he added.

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The Management of Realnews Magazine and Publications Limited, publishers of Realnews Magazine Online, has announced that Edwin W. Harris Jr, Director General of the ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Senegal will deliver the Realnews 11th Anniversary Lecture.

The lecture on Threats of Illict Funds Flow to the African Economy will hold at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, on Tuesday, 7 November.

The director generals acceptance to deliver the lecture was communicated to Realnews in a letter dated 25 September, that he personally signed.

With the immense interest I have generated in illicit financial flow from Africa and its negative impact on the governance, economies and other social facets of the African people, I am pleased to confirm my participation and graciously accept your invitation, Mr Harris Jr. wrote.

Mr Harris Jr. has over 16 years of progressive experience in the public sector and in non-profit structures with in-depth knowledge and skills in governance, transparency and financial crimes.

He has relevant skills on issues relating to governance, in the fight against money laundering, in the formulation of policies and the implementation of anti-corruption strategies. From November 2019 to July 2022, he was director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Liberia. Under his tenure and to his credit, he, among other things, successfully coordinated the validation and publication of Liberias National Risk Assessment (NRA) report. Until his assumption of duty at GIABA, Harris Jr. was a Lecturer at the University of Liberia.

The lecture will be chaired by Mohammed Bello-Koko, managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA), who will also moderate the panel session.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

It has expertise in reporting the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. It aims to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they are facing in their day-to-day activities.

It does this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, its objective is to use investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors it focuses on and produce an unbiased report which will actually influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.

Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: For God and Humanity.

Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in our society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development.

The 10th Anniversary lecture in 2022 on Drug Abuse among Youths in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections was delivered by Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA; 9th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective; 2020 Eighth Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on Managing COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: The Nigeria Experience.

Former President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana gave the 2019 Lecture on Beyond Politics: An Economic Narrative for West Africa while Mahmood Yakubu spoke on Political Transitions and Africas Economic Development: Preparations for Nigerias 2019 General Elections at the 2018 Lecture.

The 2017 Fifth Anniversary Lecture on African Leadership in a Turbulent Era was delivered by Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of Education and former World Bank Vice President. The 2016 Fourth Anniversary Lecture on Security and National Development in Plural Democratic Society was delivered by Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Secretary Generals Special Representative to West Africa and Sahel; the 2015 Realnews Third Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Chukwuma Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on November 19, 2015, under the theme: Its The Nigerian Economy, Stupid?

The Second Realnews Anniversary Lecture on Nigerian Democracy: Getting it Right in 2014 was delivered by Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Signed:

Maureen Chigbo

Publisher/Editor

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Several hundred thousand Palestinians are still in the northern half of the Gaza Strip, according to Israels military, with Israeli troops massing the border ahead of a possible ground offensive.

Just over 600,000 people were estimated to have moved to the south of the sealed-off coastal strip by Monday night, army spokesperson Jonathan Conricus said on Tuesday.

There are still a few hundred thousand who should leave, he added.

A senior UN official on Monday gave a different figure, saying we have seen about a million people move from the north to the south.

Israel is apparently preparing for a huge ground offensive in the coming days, with the stated aim of destroying the Islamist Hamas movement and killing its members.

READ ALSO: Biden to visit Israel as Gaza war deepens humanitarian crisis

Israel has repeatedly called for civilians living in the north of Gaza to evacuate further south.

Hamas gunmen carried out massacres in Israeli communities 10 days ago, killing more than 1,400 people, shocking the country and taking the intelligence services by surprise.

Retaliatory Israeli bombardments on the Gaza Strip since then have killed at least 2,800 people, according to Palestinian authorities.

The mass movement of Gazans and dire humanitarian conditions inside the densely-populated territory has led to growing calls for the border between Gaza and Egypt to be opened.

(dpa/NAN)

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U.S. Ambassador Johnnie Carson has held talks with President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, over the challenges that exist in Africa.

President Akufo-Addo, during the talks in Washington D.C, called on leaders of the global community to put into full effect the provisions of Chapters Seven and Eight of the UN Charter and provide proportionate support to Africas fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He is expected to meet with other U.S. officials while in Washington, D.C. He arrived there last Thursday. His visit was on the invitation of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP).

Ghana has been lauded as one of the most enduring democratic U.S. partners in West Africa, a regional leader, and as a critical member of ECOWAS.

As West Africa and the Sahel face a wave of extra-constitutional movements and growing political instability, the United States and its partners are seeking ways to best support Ghana and other longstanding democracies in the region to promote and sustain democracy as a governance model, a press officer at the USIP stated.

President Akufo-Addo said terrorists should not only be a source of great concern to the continent of Africa, [but] they should also be of concern to the rest of Europe.

Even more concerning is the fact that these terrorist groups are evolving by the day, a scramble to control more territories and natural resources, especially in peripheral communities where the lack of effective state presence and control creates conditions for medication and ultimately, radicalisation. Africa has become the centre of attraction for terrorist groups which are multiplied in the region, President Akufo Addo said.

Mr Akufo-Addo stressed that the presence of terrorists should not only trouble the African continent but also raise alarm bells throughout Europe.

In describing the present situation in West Africa, he continued by stating, What is even more disquieting is the constant evolution of these terrorist organisations, as they compete to dominate additional regions and exploit natural resources, particularly in outlying communities where the absence of a robust state presence and governance fosters an environment conducive to insurgency and ultimately, radicalisation. Africa has now become a magnet for terrorist groups that are proliferating across the region.

Why America, Europe should be interested in Africa

Mr Carson posed several questions to the Ghanaian leader during the conversation.

He asked him: How do you respond to Americans or European officials who say why should they be concerned? Why should they be concerned about the matters of West Africa, the coups and the challenges that exist in that part of the world? Whats your response to those who say weve done enough some responsibility of the leaders of the region to handle these problems. Why should there be global concern about the challenges.

In his response, Mr Akufo-Addo said: Comparisons, as the saying goes, are invidious, but some cannot be disregarded. The Russian conflict with Ukraine has, according to my information, triggered approximately US$73.6 billion in American assistance to Ukraine, US$138.8 billion from the European Union and its affiliated institutions, and US$14.5 billion from the United Kingdom.

President Akufo Addo went on to say, Conversely, the collective security aid provided by the U.S., the EU, and the UK to ECOWAS has, during the same period, totaled US$29.6 million.

He elaborated saying that with the appropriate backing and support for ECOWAS, it was entirely feasible to expel the terrorists from West Africa and the Sahel without requiring foreign military intervention. He emphasised that West African forces were fully capable of performing this task, highlighting the Accra Initiative as a notable example of self-reliant, locally driven endeavors.

President Akufo-Addo delivered these remarks, followed by a conversation moderated by Ambassador Carson, focused on Democracy and Security in West Africa. The Ghanaian leaders had arrived early that morning, at the invitation of the USIP and delivered his historic address on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the Washington D.C. Foggy Bottom, packed auditorium.

In addressing the rise of terrorists in West Africa, the President observed that the terrorists, as we all know, were ousted from the Middle East and Afghanistan before seeking refuge in Muammar Gaddafis Libya, from which they migrated across the Sahara to establish a haven in northern Mali after Gaddafis demise.

Since then, he conveyed, they have disseminated their harmful influence eastward and southward, with the coastal states of West Africa being their ultimate objective.

Displacement of people

Pointing to the escalating displacement of populations in various Sahel regions due to the insecurity brought about by armed groups, President Akufo-Addo, who has served as ECOWAS Chairman for two terms, remarked, Africa has become the epicentre for the proliferation of terrorist factions in the region, following their setbacks in other parts of the world.

He acknowledged that the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on developing nations have, regrettably, plunged many countries and regional organizations, particularly in the Sahel, into extremely dire economic circumstances. This has compounded the challenges we face in mobilizing resources to combat terrorists in our immediate vicinity.

Battle for democracy

The emphasis on this issue and the battle for democracy across the region, the President appended, is because we have practically exhausted the time to collaborate in the spirit of multilateralism. He further stated that unless we renew our commitments to construct, preserve, and solidify peace and democracy across the globe, we must prepare ourselves to inhabit a new and more perilous world today and, in the times, ahead.

As part of his delegation, the Ghanaian leader is accompanied by his Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, and officials from the office of the President of Ghana, and the countrys foreign ministry.

At the 78th UN General Assembly earlier in September, President Akufo Addo told world leaders that the UN can only function effectively and deliver on expectations, when its fundamental pillars are reformed, anything short of that will continue to undermine its credibility.

Previously, Ambassador Carson was stationed in Kenya (1999-2003), Zimbabwe (1995-1997), and Uganda (1991-1994), Botswana (1986-1990), Mozambique (1975-1978), and in Nigeria (1969-1971).

Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based White House Correspondent, and media commentator with expertise on U.S. foreign policy, and international security. You may follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe

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President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to screen and confirm Ola Olukoyede as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He also requested the confirmation of Muhammad Hammajod as secretary of the anti-graft agency.

Mr Tinubus request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at the plenary on Tuesday.

The president appointed Messrs Olukoyede and Hammajod as Chairman and Secretary of the EFCC last week pending their confirmation by the Senate.

The appointment of Mr Olukoyede as EFCC chairman stirred controversy as many Nigerians questioned his qualification for the position.

They were of the view that the new appointee, a lawyer, was not qualified for the position under the Act establishing the anti-corruption agency.

PREMIUM TIMES also reported excludively that Mr Olukoyede did not meet the requirements set by the Act.

According to section 2(3) of the EFCC Act, the chairman of the commission must be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent; and possess not less than 15 years experience.

Mr Olukoyede had no experience in any security or law enforcement.

But the Presidency insisted he was qualified.

It said Mr Olukoyede satisfied every legal detail to be appointed as Chairman.

He was a member of a law enforcement organisation as Secretary, in this case the EFCC, as stipulated in the EFCC Act, and as such satisfied every legal detail to be appointed as Chairman, the presidency said.

If cleared by the Senate, Mr Olukoyede will be the sixth substantive chairman of the EFCC. He will also be the first southerner to occupy the position. He hails from Ekiti State.

Ibrahim Magu acted as chairman as his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari was not confirmed by the upper legislative chamber until he was removed from the position.

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President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to screen and confirm the appointment of Delu Yakubu as the National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA).

President Tinubus request was contained in a letter read by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, at the plenary on Tuesday.

The president appointed Mrs Yakubu as the national coordinator of NSIPA in September pending confirmation of the senate.

The presidents request for confirmation is coming barely seven days after the bill seeking to transfer the control and supervision of programmes under the NSIP from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the Presidency passed a second reading.

Programmes under the NSIP are the N-Power, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) and the Conditional Cash Transfer.

The bill titled A bill for an act to amend the Social Investment Programme Agency Act 2023 and for other matters connected therewith, 2023 (SB.163) was sponsored by Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement announcing the appointment of Mrs Yakubu, said the nominee is a Masters degree holder from the State University of Bio-Technology in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with over 15 years of working experience in Social Investment Programme management.

Last week, Mr Tinubu also appointed Ms Yakubu as his senior special assistant on humanitarian affairs and poverty Alleviation.

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Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has given out N2 million each to 500 people from the state who were into street hawking in different parts of Nigeria.

Mr Nwifuru gave the money to the beneficiaries at the flagging off of the first batch of the state skills acquisition and empowerment programme on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the state capital.

The governor said his administration was ready to empower residents across the 13 local government areas of the state as a means to tackle unemployment.

He called for an urgent need for skills acquisition, adding that the state Centre for Skills Development was open to the people.

It is very necessary to help our youths to grow. We have created the skill acquisition development centre for our youths to learn in order to be able to put food on their tables.

Offia Nwali, the state commissioner for Commerce and Industry, said the beneficiaries, who were undergoing training in different skills had been hawking goods in different parts of the country.

The programme targeted 1,500 Ebonyi indigenes, but we are starting today with 500 for the first batch. So, we are doing it batch by batch.

The beneficiaries have started receiving their money and the governor has asked anybody that did not get the alert to call him on the phone, beginning from today, Tuesday.

(NAN)

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The federal government says only the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs has the mandate to certify payments of Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs) and Constituency Projects (CP) executed by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, (MDAs).

Now in place is a multi-layered procedure that appears to strengthen the role of the special duties ministry, a government circular shows.

The circular, titled: Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP) and Constituency Projects (CP), was endorsed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

A spokesperson of the Ministry of Special Duties said the circular has been dispatched to all ministers and several other senior officials, including the head of the service, the presidents chief of staff, military chiefs, the Central Bank of Nigeria governor, and permanent secretaries, among others.

Ministries had in the past arbitrarily certified payments of Zonal Intervention or Constituency projects without the approval of the ministry of special duties.

Federal lawmakers have always allocated N100 billion yearly for Zonal Intervention Projects. The lawmakers are also spending billions of naira on constituency projects aside from ZIPs.

Those familiar with the arrangement said nothing differentiates ZIPs from constituency projects.

Lawmakers devised the semantics to evade scrutiny from citizens and advocacy groups who have long identified constituency projects as one of the multiple layers of corrupt enrichment by lawmakers.

Henceforth, Mr Akume said, No payment shall be made to any contractor for ZIP/CP by MDAs without verification of the execution of such projects/programmes and certification by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Mr Akume said it had become imperative to reissue the guideline following flagrant disregard by implementing MDAs.

The new guidelines stated that implementing MDAs shall invite the ministry of special duties to verify all (ZIP/CP) as contained in both ZIP Appropriation and Capital Appropriation.

On the issue of funding for the verification exercise, the circular stated: Funds for the purpose of this verification exercise shall be sourced from the Project Administration Funds of the ZIP/CP under the purview of the various MDAs.

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A cleric, Victor Okon, has alleged that Christians were being harassed and intimidated by some traditionalists in the Adim community, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Mr Okon, the senior pastor of Christ Divine Liberation International, made the allegation while addressing reporters in Calabar on Tuesday.

He said the traditionalists have gone as far as destroying church buildings in the community.

The pastor, who is also the coordinator of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and vice chairperson of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Biase Local Government Area, said the persecution of Christians in the Adim community had become life-threatening.

He appealed for intervention by relevant government authorities.

Cause of conflict

Mr Okon said the conflict between Christians and the traditionalists centres on the yearly new yam festival in the community.

He said the traditionalists usually want churches in the area shut for two days that the festival is celebrated.

Their claim is that we (church) desecrate their holy days as we have no right to worship during the new yam festival, he stated.

Mr Okon alleged that the latest crisis began when some Christians were attacked while they were sharing flyers for an upcoming church programme in the area.

We were not only attacked, they went as far as destroying the sound system and vehicle used for evangelism.

This issue started in 2019 when they started confiscating megaphones, Bibles, and torches of Christians who go out for morning prayers.

This usually occurs between July and August. They come out with the proviso that the two months shouldnt be used to preach anything about Christ anywhere near the community.

To resolve this issue amicably, I have met with the clan head of the community to ensure peace reigns.

Mr Okon said for this years new yam festival, his church and others were destroyed.

We dont interfere with their procedures, processions and any activities before, during or after their festival, but they keep attacking us.

We have reported this matter to the police but at the moment we are not satisfied with their handling of the matter.

That is why we are calling on Governor Bassey Out and the inspector general of police to come to our aid, we can no longer bear this kind of threat.

As I speak, I am in hiding, I cant enter my community freely, even where I went for safety they have also traced me there to harm me, he said.

Police react

The Clan head of Adim, Etim Owai, declined comment on the matter when a NAN correspondent contacted him.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Zone 6 Police Command, Calabar, Nelson Okpebi, said the matter was being investigated.

The matter is before us. A pastor wrote a petition to the command from Adim, we are investigating the matter. X squad is the unit handling it. That is all I can tell you for now, he stated.

(NAN)

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Troops of the Nigerian Army have recovered two locally made Artillery Projectile Launchers from the camp of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network, in Anambra State.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Nwachukwu, a brigadier-general, said the combined troops of 302 Artillery and 14 Field Engineer Regiments recovered the equipment while conducting operations against terrorists on Monday.

He said the artillery weapons, armed with projectiles, were seized alongside other items, when troops swooped on the dissident fighters, who fled in disarray, deserting their camp on sighting the troops advancement.

He said the troops arrested one combatant of the dissident group and recovered from the fleeing terrorists several items, including 48 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, four mobile phones, one handheld communication radio and a substance suspected to be cannabis.

The army spokesperson said the troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, in a separate operation on the same day, conducted an offensive operation against oil thieves in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

He said the troops recovered several items from the camp, including one crude oil cooking oven, three reservoirs and several connecting hoses and pipes.

Other items recovered were three mobile phones, one power-generating set, three pumping machines, one CCTV camera mounted on a tree top, a substance suspected to be cannabis and some fetish objects.

Illegal refining site

Mr Nwachukwu said the troops, in a similar operation, uncovered and destroyed an illegal refining site, operating with several drums and crude oil ovens, laden with stolen crude oil, a dug-out pit containing about 50,000 litres of crude oil and 57 sacks of illegally refined automation gas oil.

Mr Nwachukwu said the sacks of illegally refined products were surreptitiously concealed in a community health centre at Egbema Shell and Egbema West, respectively, in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Taoreed Lagbaja, reiterates the Nigerian armys commitment to maintaining peace and security in the country.

He has charged the troops to be resolute and uncompromising in the fight against terrorists, economic saboteurs and other criminal groups in the country.

He enjoins members of the public to provide credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing operational efforts to improve security across the country, he said.

(NAN)

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Adamawa North senator, Elisha Abbo, who was sacked by the Court of Appeal on Monday, says the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was behind his sack.

He also alleged that four other senators, who opposed the senate presidency bid of Mr Akpabio, would be sacked from the upper chamber through court judgements.

Mr Abbo made the allegations at a press briefing held at his Abuja residence on Monday, a few hours after the appeal court sitting in Abuja nullified his victory at the 25 February poll.

A three-member panel of the court presided over by C.E. Nwosu-Iheme had on Monday declared Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the validly elected lawmaker for Adamawa North senatorial district and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to the PDP candidate.

Mr Abbo, while briefing journalists after the judgement, listed Orji Kalu, the senator representing Abia North, as one of the five senators whose victory will also be nullified by the court.

He was, however, silent on the remaining three senators that will be removed from the Senate because of the alleged opposition to Mr Akpabios senate presidency ambition.

READ ALSO:

I have it from a reliable source that myself and four other senators within the fold of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be removed from the Senate through rulings from the courts, all because of working against the emergence of Akpabio as President of the 10th Senate.

I wont mention the names of all the four other ones targeted but the next in line is Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, he said.

Mr Abbo described the judgement sacking him from office as a coup on democracy.

He insisted that he won the senatorial election with a margin of 11,000 votes.

He, however, called on his supporters and members of his constituency to be calm.

PREMIUM TIMES could not reach Mr Akpabios spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, for comments on Monday evening as his mobile telephone had been switched off.

Flashback

Four members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) started the contest for the race for the presidency of the 10th senate.

They were Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, former Abia governor, Orji Kalu, and returnee senator, Osita Izunaso, from Imo.

Of the four contenders, only two, namely Messrs Akpabio and Yari, were considered serious.

However, Mr Akpabio was publicly endorsed by President Bola Tinubu and all the national organs of the APC.

But Mr Kalu later joined the campaign train of Mr Yari and opted for the position of deputy senate president.

Another senator, Sani Musa, from Niger State, dropped out of the race and also opted for the position of deputy senate president.

On the day of the election, only Messrs Akpabio and Yari were nominated for the senate presidency seat.

Mr Akpabio was nominated by Ali Ndume (Borno South) and seconded by Adeola Olamilekan (Ogun West).

Mr Yari was nominated by Mr Abbo and seconded by Jimoh Ibrahim, the senator representing Ondo South.

After the election, Mr Akpabio was declared the senate president having polled 63 votes to defeat Mr Yari who scored 46 votes.

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a 30-day implementation plan for the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the federal government and organised labour unions.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, made this known Monday in Abuja while speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had in September said they would embark on an indefinite strike from 3 October over the prevailing hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.

However, on 2 October, the two major Nigerian labour unions and a coalition of various workers unions suspended the nationwide strike they were to commence on 3 October.

The labour unions announced their decision to suspend their strike in a MoU signed by the representatives of the labour unions and the federal government.

According to the MoU, the unions will now suspend their strike by 30 days, with parties to the agreement committing to henceforth abide by the dictates of Social dialogue in all our future engagements.

The MoU also stipulated that the document shall be filed in relevant court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) week as consent judgment by the Federal Government.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Lalong said the MoU was presented to the council on the implementation of the agreement with labour.

He said: We presented a memo from the Federal Ministry for Labour and Employment, precisely on the arrangement of the agreements between government and Labour.

You are already aware of all about 15 or 14 items as part of the agreements. But we went beyond mere agreements to tell them that something different this time was happening because one part of the agreement was to file it in a court of law, which we had set the process already and the other one was the presidential approval.

READ ALSO:

He explained that there cannot be any presidential approval other than the federal executive council.

So presented them to the Federal Executive Council, we analyzed every aspect of the agreement to show the genuineness and also provide for a harmonious and good industrial relationship. And that was why it was presented and it was approved for implementation.

Initially, Yes, it was agreed that within 30 days, there must be evidence of implementation. I think that was the basis of presenting to the Federal Executive Council. And the federal executive council also approved that within these 30 days, well go on with the implementation of the agreement between the labour and the government, he said.

Responding to a question on item six of the agreement that borders on the alleged government interference in the activities of the leadership of the NURTW, Mr Lalong said a meeting with the leadership of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has been concluded.

He said: Well, the sixth item was about interference, specifically with issues that were about Road Transport Workers and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). Immediately the next day, we embark on meetings between the two organizations.

As of today, they have already reached out. And we have concluded that RTEAN and today theyre making a report to the ministry about the agreement. Because they went into agreement too and were also going to get back to their parent association. And then the next one was NURTW.

Last week we were with them. Of course, if some of you were there, you knew why we postponed. I reminded them that we have to because were keeping to the dates of the agreement. But they said no, we cannot strictly keep to the date because its very important to them that we realize the end.

He explained that all of the disagreements between the unions and the government would be resolved in the coming days.

So we shifted the meeting to tomorrow. And today were also going to get a report and by tomorrow, well fix a meeting. The reason why we presented all these items to the Federal Executive Council is for them to note and approve that after these things, we will not want to tolerate interference in union activities, but those that are pending within the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

So many of them are there, our role is to dispense with these conflicts. And were going to continue to do what these two items that I mentioned, were particular things they hammered on when were doing the agreement. But by Gods grace in the next few days. Those ones are going to be over, he said.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 17. German business is interested in bringing the partnership with Turkmenistan to a strategic level, Trend reports.

This was stated by the chairman of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy Cathrina Claas-Muehlhaeuser in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

According to her, German business circles are very interested in strategic partnerships with Turkmenistan in the context of the focus on diversification of economic relations.

Furthermore, Cathrina Claas-Muehlhaeuser expressed hope for fruitful business cooperation and noted that she expects the next Turkmen-German business forum to be held in Berlin.

Meanwhile, cooperation between Turkmenistan and German companies includes a wide range of industries, such as energy, oil and gas industry, transport, infrastructure, technology, and agriculture, contributing to the development of economic ties, the exchange of knowledge and technology, as well as creating conditions for mutual prosperity and growth.
U.S. President Joe Biden has promised to make a high-stakes visit to Israel on Wednesday to show support for its war on Hamas.

This came after Washington said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to let humanitarian aid reach besieged Gazans.

The U.S. national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said after visiting Israel, Mr Biden would travel to Jordan to meet King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Trucks carrying vital supplies for Gaza reached the Rafah crossing in Egypt, the only access point to the enclave outside of Israels control.

A witness told Reuters some 160 trucks had left the nearby Egyptian town of Al-Arish, where they had been backed up while diplomats tried for days to open the route.

Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement that controls Gaza after Hamas gunmen killed 1,300 people, mainly civilians, during a rampage through southern Israeli towns on October 7, the deadliest single day in Israels 75-year history.

Israel has bombarded Hamas-ruled Gaza enclave with air strikes that have killed more than 2,800 Palestinians and driven around half of the 2.3 million Gazans from their homes.

It has imposed a total blockade on the Gaza Strip, so far blocking all aid including food, fuel and medical supplies.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken who announced Mr Bidens planned visit, said at the end of hours of talks with Mr Netanyahu.

He said Netanyahu had agreed to develop a plan to get humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians.

The president will hear from Israel what it needs to defend its people as we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs, Blinken said.

Mr Biden would also hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas.

Washington is also trying to rally Arab states to help head off a wider regional war, after Iran pledged preemptive action from the resistance front of its allies which include the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

The Israeli military said it had struck Hamas and Islamic Jihad military targets overnight, including Hamas headquarters and a bank used by the group.

At least 49 Palestinians were killed in an overnight Israeli strike that hit homes in Khan Younis and Rafah, Gazas interior ministry said.

Israel says Hamas fighters captured 199 hostages during their rampage.

Hamas said foreigners among the captives were its guests and would be released when circumstances allow, while making clear it aims to swap Israeli captives for thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails.

It released a video on Monday in which a French-Israeli woman captive was shown having an injured arm treated by a medic worker.

She identified herself as 21-year-old Mia Scheme and asked to be returned to her family as quickly as possible.

(Reuters/NAN)

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-east zone has lamented how its fortunes have dwindled in the region over the years as a result of the defection of its key members.

Today, when you look at other parties, whether it is Labour Party, All Progressives Congress or the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and so on, you are actually talking about PDP members, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who is the leader of the PDP in the region, said on Monday.

Mr Mbah said this at the partys zonal meeting in Enugu, the Enugu State capital. The event was attended by the partys bigwigs in the zone, including former top political office holders in the region.

Although Mr Mbah did not mention names of PDP members whose defections have hurt the partys fortune in the region, the Labour Partys presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, are among the top political figures who abandoned the party before the last general election.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and later the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 election, last year defected to the Labour Party to contest the February 2023 presidential election. He ended up coming third in the election.

On his part, Mr Umahi, after winning his second term in office as Ebonyi State governor on the platform of the PDP in 2019, defected to the APC in 2020. He contested and won the Ebonyi South senatorial seat in the February 2023 election on the platform of the APC. But shortly after his swearing-in as a senator, he was appointed by the APC administration of President Bola Tinubu as Minister of Works.

Mr Mbah and other speakers on Monday said there was a need to begin the process of reconciling its aggrieved members who defected to other political parties.

He urged party leaders and faithful in the region to rise to the task of recovering its lost ground and rebuilding the party to its pre-eminent position in the years past.

Mr Mbah said there was a need to rejig the partys financial, administrative and operational strategies.

He expressed a strong conviction that the party would rise again in the zone.

As the National Vice Chairman South-East rightly observed, we have shed a lot of weight, the governor said, pointing out the exodus of PDP members in the zone to the Labour Party, All Progressives Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

He added: But providence has placed a lot on us in the history of the party that we now have to steer the affairs of the party and pull it back to its former glory, to that pre-eminent position we have always held in the historical and political development of this country.

And in doing that, we have a couple of areas we have to look into, such as financial, administrative, and operational strategies to bring us back to pre-eminence.

The governor further said that it was time for the party to begin to craft a strategy on how it could get back to that pole position that it had always occupied.

It means we have to first of all consolidate our support base as a party, and now reach out to our brothers and sisters, who may have felt aggrieved for one reason or the other and left the party to see how we can bring them back, he said.

From five to two governors

Earlier in an address of welcome, the South-East National Vice Chairman of the Party, Ali Odefa, also called on party faithful and leaders in the region to brace for the challenge that would engender the resurgence of the party in the zone and beyond.

I would implore all of us to know that the fortunes of the party in the last year have dwindled so badly and the onus is on all of us to see whatever efforts we can put in to make sure that we redeem the past glory of the party, he said.

He opined that it was only through the collective efforts of members that the party could return to the enviable height it used to be in the zone.

Mr Odefa, who recalled how PDP used to have five governors in the zone some years back, said It reduced to four, then three, and one ran away.

It remained only two and after the last election, we only have one seated with us here  Governor Mbah.

But by the grace of God, some of our candidates in other states are in court.

So, it is our prayers that the one we already have will be retained and the ones that are pursuing their cases in court will win.

We must do everything to get our party back on track, Mr Odefa further said.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, assured that the party would bounce back in the region, given Mbahs leadership quality.

According to Mr Wabara, nothing will happen to PDP, adding All these people will come back because this is their home.

So, I do not want us to be discouraged. Let us continue to have hope and belief in PDP, he said.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, former governors of Imo, Chief Achike Udenwa and Chief Emeka Ihedioha; former governor of Ebonyi State, Sam Egwu, and Zonal Woman Leader, Ifeyinwa Morah, as well as state party chairmen, including Augustine Nnamani of Enugu State.

(NAN)

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced tracking 111 constituency projects in Lagos.

The Anti-corruption Commission Coordinator in Lagos, Kabir Elelu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that the monitoring team commenced the exercise on Monday.

According to him, the team will visit all the local government offices in Lagos State for the exercise.

Mr Elelu said that the tracking would focus on constituency projects, executive projects and captive funds.

NAN reports that the commission says it will commence tracking of 1,932 constituency projects, valued at N500 billion in 26 states.

Its spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

She said the objectives of the exercise included improved service delivery to the people by investigating fraudulent procurement practices in the award of public contracts.

Others are to ensure full execution of all public funded projects; execution to specification of all projects funded by government and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.

It is also to ensure that government gets value for monies spent on projects, she said.

The exercise is being carried out under the ICPCs Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTi).

PREMIUM TIMES had obtained a copy of the interim report of the second phase of the tracking exercise which focused on a total of 722 funded constituency and executive projects selected from the 2015 to 2020 appropriations in 16 states.

Each of the 490 projects, officially categorised as Zonal Intervention Projects, tracked, according to ICPC, cost N100 million and above.

ICPC said while an estimated N2 trillion has been budgeted for ZIPs since 2000, citizens continue to lament shoddy completion, non-completion or outright non-existence of these projects in their locale.

(NAN)

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Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, has penned an open letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, concerning what he described as violation of the countrys laws by President Bola Tinubus regime.

Mr Chidoka referenced the manner of recent removal of the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the EFCC, Nigerias anti-corruption agency.

He wondered if Mr Tinubu seeks the Attorney-Generals opinion in exercising his presidential powers.

The growing lawlessness and Gestapo tactics the government is deploying to achieve its objectives would deepen the damage the immediate-past administration did to the country, Mr Chido said.

In June, Mr Tinubu suspended then governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, and EFCCs chair Abdulrasheed Bawa, over corruption allegations.

The pair have remained in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) for over four months.

While criminal charges are pending against Mr Emefiele, Mr Bawa has remained in detention without trial.

Announcing their replacements recently, the presidency said Messrs Emefiele and Bawa resigned their appointments to pave way for their successors  Olayemi Cardoso and Olanipekun Olukoyede.

Nigeria like communist China

Pointing at the controversial circumstances of Messrs Emefiele and Bawas resignation and prolonged incarceration without trial, Mr Chidoka argued that the President Tinubu-led administration shares all the authoritarian features of the Chinese Communist Party.

The arrest, detention, and purported resignation of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, exhibit all the trappings of the style of the Communist Party.

Mr Chidoka who is stalwart of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he was constrained to the Justice Minister with a view to stirring national conversation over the issues.

Citing Kenya, US, Brazil and India, Mr Chidoka said independence of the Attorney-Generals office guarantees the discharge of his statutory duties as the chief law enforcement officer of the country.

There is a need for the National Assembly to enact a law codifying the role and functions of the Attorney-General and clothing the office with the necessary independence that would statutorily arm the office in the effort to curb executive lawlessness, he suggested.

He further explained that the basis of his letter to the AGF was the gross violation of the CBN Act in appointing the new Central Bank Governor and the Deputies.

First, the CBN Act provides in Section 8 (2) That the Governor and Deputy Governors shall be appointed in the first instance for a term of five years and shall each be eligible for reappointment for another term not exceeding five years.

It added an important proviso, Provided that, of the first four Deputy Governors to be so appointed, one shall in the first instance be appointed for three years and two shall in the first instance be appointed for four years.

The CBN Act prioritised experience and the need for continuity. The Senate (if they did) granting all four Deputy Governors a five-year term went beyond their powers. But the more critical issue is why the President appointed four Deputy Governors in one go. Did the previous Deputy Governors resign, too, like the Governor?

If the four Deputy Governors resigned, and there is no evidence to that effect, did they serve the mandatory three months notice? If they did not resign, how were they removed from office?, Mr Chidoka queried in his letter dated 16 October.

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Residents of Saka Jiki, a community in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Tuesday barricaded the Gusau-Kaura Namoda highway in protest against incessant terrorists attacks in the area and call for governments intervention.

The Gusau-Kaura Namoda highway, a major route in the state, links about four local government areas in Zamfara State and others in Katsina State as well the eastern part of Sokoto State.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered from local sources that the protest started at about 10 a.m.

It dispersed at about 12 p.m., following an intervention of some community leaders, who pleaded with the protesters to open up the highway to enable stranded commuters proceed with their journeys, our reporter learnt.

A resident of the community who only gave his name as Musa, said the protest was to register the security concerns of the people of the area with the government.

The protest came on the the heels of another terrorist attacks on Sunday and on Monday, the latest in a series the community has seen recently as the security situation worsens.

We believe the federal government is not being honest with the way its handling the security situation in our state, Mr Musa said in a phone interview with PREMIUM TIMES. They (terrorists) came on Sunday in the night, they also came yesterday. Throughout the attack yesterday (Monday), there was no security agent to repel them.

New wave of attacks

This newspaper gathered that in Sundays attack, a riot police officer was killed while a Hilux van belonging to the police and stationed at the community was taken away by the terrorists.

Three people were shot and are still receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda, a resident, Abdulmajid Ahmad, said.

They burnt down a shop and a tea vendor stall. They also attacked a phone charging shop, took away phones as well domestic animals, Mr Ahmad said.

On Monday night, local sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the terrorists attacked the community around 9:00 p.m and operated untill around 2:00 am Tuesday.

Were not sure how many people have been killed in the latest attack but weve seen dead bodies while several people have been abducted. Well wait for some time to see if some of our people will return; may be they got scared and ran into the bush, a community leader, who asked for anonymity, told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone.

The police spokesperson in the state, Yazid Abubakar, didnt respond to a text message sent to his phone line asking for his comments on the attacks and protest. But he has yet to respond our reporters enquiry as of the time of filing this report as his phone line was unreachable.

Over the years, the North-west has been battling attacks by terrorists leading to the death and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in the region especially in Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna states.

Worsening attacks

In recent weeks, the sub-region has come under heavy terrorists attacks including the abduction of 24 students of Federal University Gusau in September

Four female students of Federal University Dutsin Ma, Katsina State were similarly abducted in October.

Terrorists also attacked and abducted four more students of Federal University Gusau but were rescued by security agents.

In between those attacks, there were other terrorists attacks in Binji Local Government Area of Sokoto and another one leading to the death of over 10 motorists on Magami-Gusau highway.

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The House of Representatives has asked the federal government to reopen the Nigerian borders with Niger Republic which were closed after the military coup in that country.

The House specifically asked the government to reopen the Maigatari, MaiAdua, Kongwalam and Illela borders.

This followed a motion moved by the Deputy Minority Whip, Aliyu Madaki (NNPP, Kano) during plenary on Tuesday.

The lawmakers, however, rejected another prayer of the motion seeking to open the borders in the southern part of Nigeria.

Sanction on Niger Republic

ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the Niger Republic as part of measures to restore constitutional democracy after Abdourahamane Tchiani, the commander of Nigers presidential guards, ousted the countrys constitutionally-elected government on 26 July.

The sanctions include the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger; the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.

The sanctions were meant to mount pressure on the junta to return power to civilian rule.

The Senate had in August rejected the request by Mr Tinubu, who is also the chairman of ECOWAS, to deploy Nigerian troops in Niger Republic as part of an ECOWAS force to reinstate the democratically elected president of the country.

Also, several northern lawmakers openly spoke against military action against Niger.

Open the borders

Moving the motion, Mr Madaki said the closure of borders is causing hardship to the people of Maigatari in Jigawa State, Kongwalam in Katsina State and Illela in Sokoto and Kano states.

The legislator said the border posts are known for their large markets where large-scale international trades take place between Nigerians and people from Niger, Mali, Chad, Cameroon and other neighbouring countries.

The lawmaker disclosed that Kano State has been hard hit by the border closure in compliance with the sanction by the ECOWAS.

Speaking against the motion, Bello Kojoe, said the call for the opening of the borders is akin to supporting the action of the military junta in Niger.

He moved an amendment to postpone the opening till after the ECOWAS sanction is lifted. However, the amendment was rejected by the members.

Southern borders

Mudashir Alani (PDP, Osun) also proposed an amendment for the opening of the land borders in the south, which were closed by the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The then president had in 2019 ordered the closure of land borders to curb the influx of smuggled goods from neighbouring countries such as Benin, Niger and Cameroon.

The government justified the partial border closure as part of measures to curb armed banditry, human trafficking, irregular migration, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, and other trans-border crimes.

However, in December 2020, the government partially opened four borders, including Seme in the South-west part of the country, Ilela in the North-west part, Maitagari in the North-west part and Mfun in the South-south

The amendment moved by Mr Alani was rejected when the Spaeaker, Abbas Tajudeen, put it to vote.

Lawmakers back main motion

However the main motion asking the government to open the borders with Niger Republic was adopted by the House, which then mandated its Committee on Customs and Excise to ensure implementation.

The House also urged customs to stop harassing businessmen who are operating at the borders.

Meanwhile, complying with the motion could threaten the ECOWAS sanction on the military junta in Niger Republic.

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, rescheduled the trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, a Chinese construction giant, CCECC, and others, on N5 billion fraud charges, a case with a history of protracted delays.

The trial judge, Inyang Ekwo, adjourned the case, which was on number three on the case list, due to the absence of the defendants.

Although counsel for the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Offem Uket, was in court, the defendants, including Ms Oduah, were not in court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Mr Ekwo had, on 21 July, ordered the EFCC to produce persons behind breaching his privacy through text messages on his phone and another group who petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria regarding the ongoing case.

The judge, who had adjourned the matter until today, directed that the anti-corruption agency must produce those persons in court.

I will give a date for trial and make a consequential order because you have allowed this matter to degenerate this way.

Do you think you can shield any of these persons who have interfered in these proceedings? he asked rhetorically.

NAN reports that Ms Oduah, a former senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District at the 9th National Assembly, and others were arraigned on 21 July on 25 counts of money laundering involving his activities as Nigerias aviation minister in

She was arraigned alongside CCECC Nigeria Ltd, the Nigerian subsidiary of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) established by the Chinese government to execute international contracts and economic cooperation.

Also joined in the charge are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere.

Others include Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd and Sobora International Ltd.

They all pleaded not guilty to the counts and were admitted to bail in terms of the administrative bail earlier granted them by the anti-graft agency.

Delays

The case has suffered protracted delays since it was filed in 2020.

Arraignment of defendants was postponed up to 15 times for various reasons before it finally took place in July.

Part of the reasons for adjournments included difficulties in serving some of the defendants and, at another time, the prying of the Attorney-General of the Federations office into the case.

Long adjournments in between hearing dates and an anonymous petition written against the trial judge, Mr Ekwo, had also contributed to the delays the case has suffered.

Charges

This newspaper reported how the EFCC, on 17 December 2020, filed 25 counts accusing the defendants of laundering various sums of money totalling about N5,052,415,984 between February and June 2014.

The EFCC accused the defendants of conspiracy to commit money laundering, transferring, taking control and taking possession of proceeds of fraud, aiding and abetting money laundering and opening anonymous bank accounts.

Specifically, the prosecution alleged in two of the 25 counts that Ms Oduah and Ms Odita opened anonymous Private Banking Nominee dollar and naira accounts with First Bank, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 11(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 11(4) (a) of the same Act.

PREMIUM TIMES review of the charges showed that CCECC Nigeria Limited allegedly transferred over N2.5 billion into the naira account of a Private Banking Nominee between March 31 and June 6, 2014.

In seven of the counts where CCECC is indicted singly and along with Ms Oduah and Ms Oditah, the company was accused of conspiring with the women to commit money laundering, and directly transferring to Private Banking Nominee account various sums of money totalling N2,583,385,246 which it reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: fraud

The prosecution alleged, for instance, in Count 17, that CCECC Nigeria, on various dates between March 5, 2014, and May 30, 2014 in Abuja, directly transferred the sum of N868409,349.00 from your account with Zenith Bank Place to Private Banking Nominee Account 2024414450 domiciled with First Bank Plc, which money you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: fraud

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The Senate on Tuesday expressed worries over the high rate of hard drugs and narcotics consumption in the country.

The upper chamber consequently resolved to approach the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the high rate of drug abuse in the country.

The Senate also directed its committee on National Agency for Administration Control (NAFDAC), Drugs and Narcotics to liaise with relevant government agencies to organise a national summit on the state of drugs and narcotics abuse in the country.

The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North-west) at the plenary.

Mr Hussaini, while presenting the motion said the increasing number of deaths caused by excessive intake of hard drugs and narcotics was disturbing.

He identified some of the deadly substances such as Kurkura commonly used by people in the North and Umkpromiri common in the South.

He also called for the inclusion of drug education as a compulsory subject in Nigeria basic education.

Mr Hussain expressed worry that the war against drug abuse carried out by the NDLEA and other relevant institutions of both state and federal governments is not providing the required result, hence the need to include special drug education as a compulsory subject in the Nigerian basic education.

He argued that, if the government failed to find a lasting solution to the menace, the consequence will continue to affect the development of the country.

He said the consequences of drug abuse would continue to endanger our national development, public safety and family system if urgent action is not taken to strengthen existing legal, policy and institutional frameworks to face the challenges with all sense of responsibility.

Debate

In his contribution to the motion, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, expressed worries over the increase of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.

Mr Akpabio said some drill holes on soakaway pits and sniff the vapour to get high.

He therefore called on Nigerian parents to always check their soakways to ensure that there are no holes.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who also contributed to the motion, complained that celebrities and politicians who ought to be role models for youths are also into drug abuse

This scourge is everywhere, even celebrities who are supposed to be role models, be exemplary and show the way for others to follow are also into it. Politicians alike and indeed, all spheres of our life.

The NDLEA is doing very well but the motion is a wake-up call for all those that have the responsibility for making sure that we deal with this matter to wake up and make sure that they do the needful in getting this matter dealt with properly, he said.

Mr Jibrin said there is a need to include the issue of drug abuse in the nations school curriculum as a way of curtailing the menace.

He said We must include this phenomenon in our school curriculum to begin to teach our children from the primary school level, the negative effects of drug abuse. Elsewhere, like in the United States, there are courses even in the universities that deal with abuse. We need to put that on the front burner in our higher institutions so that people will be aware of the harmful effects of drug abuse.

It is a sad commentary on the way things are done in this country. Human capital is what drives a good economy and we have an abundance of population but we are allowing it to get destroyed through the intake of illicit drugs. We must all join hands and work together to make sure we deal with the menace of drug abuse.

The senators voted in support of the motion when it was put to vote by the senate president.

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The Nigerian government has secured over six million doses of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine to protect teenage girls against cervical cancer and other related diseases.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, made this known at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Shuaib said a single dose of the Gardasil HPV vaccine has been approved for rollout to prevent infection and reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

He said the agency in close collaboration with other partners has diligently executed a comprehensive plan to introduce the HPV vaccine.

We have bolstered the capabilities of our frontline healthcare workers, ensuring they are adept in administering the vaccine, he said.

Alongside our partners and donors, we have secured over six million doses of the HPV vaccine and essential supplies.

Awareness creation

Mr Shuaib said the agency has conducted numerous forums to raise awareness among stakeholders, including parents and caregivers regarding the pivotal importance of HPV vaccination.

To address any concerns or misconceptions, he said the agency has engaged with communities and established a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to measure the impact and progress of the vaccination campaign.

He noted that while vaccination is the most potent prevention measure against HPV, women are encouraged to undergo regular screening tests for early detection and treatment.

Vaccine rollout

Mr Shuaib said the vital vaccine introduction would occur in two phases.

He said in each phase, the agency will initiate a five-day campaign encompassing schools, communities, markets, government-owned health facilities, and other public places, targeting girls aged nine to 14.

Subsequently, we will continue routine vaccination within health facilities for the same age group. By 2025, we anticipate transitioning to full routine immunisation with the HPV vaccine, focusing on girls aged nine, he said.

He said the first phase will encompass 16 states, including Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The second phase is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 and will encompass the remaining states: Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara, he said.

Speaking at the briefing, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, noted that the agency is committed to ensuring the safety, quality and efficacy of the Gardasil vaccine in the country.

Mrs Adeyeye said Gardasil is a vaccine that protects against HPV and it is recommended for girls and boys aged 11 to 12 years, but it can be given as early as nine years or as late as 26 years.

She noted that the decision to deploy the vaccine as a single-dose schedule is based on the scientific evidence that shows that a single dose can provide solid protection against the virus.

HPV, cervical cancer

Cervical cancer, a type of cancer that develops in a womans cervix, is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. Experts said in 2018 alone, it caused an estimated 311,000 deaths worldwide.

Research by The Lancet also reveals that more than 44 million women globally stand to develop cervical cancer between 2020 and 2069.

It also warned that deaths from cervical cancer will increase a further 50 per cent by 2040 and that many women, their families, and communities will be impacted.

Although the causes of cancer are unknown, 14 out of the 100 types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) strains have been identified to cause at least 99 per cent of cervical cancer cases.

According to WHO, HPV types 16 and 18 cause at least 70 per cent of cervical cancers and pre-cancerous cervical lesions.

There is also evidence linking HPV with cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis, and oropharynx.

WHO estimates that cervical cancer could be the first cancer to be eliminated if 90 per cent of girls are vaccinated against HPV, 70 per cent of women are screened, and 90 per cent of women with the disease receive treatment.

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The Nigerian Government has set clear deliverables and introduced a Key Performance Index (KPI) to monitor the performance of all ministers and their ministries.

The Ministers, 48 of them, have also been mandated to plan their budgets in alignment with the defined deliverables of their ministries.

The presidents Senior Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Usman, disclosed this when she was featured on Television Continentals (TVC) breakfast show on Tuesday.

The government is proposing a N26 trillion 2024 budget to the National Assembly, the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday.

The Deliverables

Ms Usman said the central coordination and delivery unit at the Office of the Secretary to the government of the federation has defined deliverables for each ministry.

This, she said, was to ensure that the activities of all ministries aligned with the policy direction of Bola Tinubus renewed hope manifesto.

She said: You have the sectoral deliverables for a sector in health and everything that is contained within the value chain or the ecosystem within that sector will be contained within the deliverables.

Those deliverables are translated into key performance indicators for the respective ministries. Once you have performance indicators, youre able to clearly understand what your deliverables are over the four years of the administration.

She said the unit has had bilateral meetings with each of the ministries to make sure they take ownership of their respective deliverables which were synthesised with the presidential advisory council report the national development plan document and the presidents manifesto.

We came up with our clear deliverables for each ministry, we defined the key performance indicators, and we have a sit-down with the ministries on the details of exactly what is expected of them, she said.

Ms Usman added that the government had made sure that budgetary provisions for the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government were in coherence with the defined deliverables.

So, each ministry has been mandated to ensure that their deliverables are aligned with their budgetary provisions which will be forwarded by the president to the National Assembly.

ALSO READ: Tinubu swears in three new ministers

What is important is the understanding that theres a policy position that has been so defined in your sector, there is a deliverable that is tied to the policy and the key performance indicators that have been detailed for the respective deliverable that you are required to do. And all of those have budgetary provisions that will be provided for them, she stated.

Monitoring Mechanisms

The presidents adviser said the government has also put in place mechanisms to monitor the performance of each deliverable in all of the ministries.

She said the monitoring would begin in January 2024 and the details would be provided to Nigerians to join in monitoring the ministers and ministries.

She added that the government is keen on making sure the ministries take complete ownership of their deliverables.

Theyll be unveiled to Nigerians so Nigerians will work with this administration and work with President Tinubu to ensure that ministries deliver on their mandate.

So our tracking mechanism is a tracking mechanism that involves not just the coordination and delivery but also the larger space of Nigerians where you would be conscious of what is a deliverable expected of Minister A.

And that ministry would be able to engage with citizens, for citizens to be able to track their performance and measure exactly how theyre able to deliver on their respective KPIs.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 17. Uzbekistan has produced over 520,300 tons of oil from January through August, 2023, Trend reports.

As per data by Uzbekistans State Statistics Committee, the volume of production increased by 0.2 percent compared to the corresponding period of 2022.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has expressed its readiness to increase oil supplies to Uzbekistan. As per Kazakhstans Vice Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov, currently, 87,000 tons of Kazakh oil are transported to the Republic of Uzbekistan.

"If we manage to agree on improving supply conditions, then the volume will increase accordingly," he noted.

In accordance with the Agreement on the transit of 300,000 tons of Russian oil through the territory of Kazakhstan, 79,000 tons have been delivered since the beginning of the year.

Oil supply in the direction of the Republic of Uzbekistan is carried out from the Shagyr oil loading station (Shymkent) and the Kasymov oil pumping station (Atyrau) of Kazakhstan.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken Babachir Lawal, a former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), to the cleaners over his comments that President Bola Tinubu was not the winner of the 25 February election.

The party in a statement on Tuesday signed by its spokesperson, Felix Morka, said Mr Lawal had not learnt anything from his recent political misadventure.

The former SGF had claimed in his comment that it was Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party, who won the election and not Mr Tinubu, who was declared as the winner by Nigerias electoral commission, INEC.

The statement noted that Mr Obis loss in the election has done incalculable damage to Mr Lawals psyche and his capacity for rational thought as evident in his analysis based entirely on the figment of his warped imagination.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, who came third in the election, has now appealed to the Supreme Court after the election tribunal upheld the victory of Mr Tinubu in a unanimous judgement.

The former SGF, sacked by former President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations of corruption, was Mr Tinubus political associate until the latter chose a Muslim, Kashim Shettima, as his running candidate in the election.

Mr Lawal, a Christian from Adamawa State, condemned the Muslim-Muslim ticket and later ditched the APC for the LP where he eventually threw his weight behind the candidacy of Mr Obi.

The candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, came second in the election.

Like Mr Obi, Atikus case at the tribunal was struck out but has now appealed to the Supreme Court, the final arbiter, to plead his case.

The APC advised Mr Lawal to concentrate on managing his farm and stop constituting himself into a needless distraction unbefitting his age and status.

Read the full statement below:

BABACHIR LAWAL IS A BURDEN UNTO HIMSELF AND IN NEED OF COUNSELING

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, emerged from his hibernation slinging incoherent aspersions on the person of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the exalted office he occupies.

After a long hiatus leaking his wounds from the monumental electoral loss of his candidate in the last presidential election, Mr Lawal unabashedly is out again, peddling gibberish, rather than learning from his political misadventure with equanimity.

Clearly, the defeat of his principal, Peter Obi, at the poll has done incalculable damage to Mr. Lawals psyche and his capacity for rational thought as evident in his analysis based entirely on the figment of his warped imagination rather than on hard facts and figures. A clear sign of his disconnect from reality was his reference to the election held in May 2023, rather than February.

We challenge Babachir Lawal to give a detailed breakdown of his so-called aggregated facts sourced from independent sources, which he claimed proved that Obi won the election or forever keep mute. That he did not provide these facts to help Obi prove his case before the Presidential Elections Petitions Court is a massive disservice if not a betrayal of his political principles.

Babachir Lawal ought to have known that running a jaundiced commentary on a matter before the Supreme Court is the height of irresponsibility. But he is still nursing bitterness and vindictiveness over his failed dream of running on a joint ticket with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Indeed, Babachir Lawal is in dire need of professional counselling and deserves our collective pity. It is obvious he may never get over the pain of being tossed into the dustbin of political ignominy by President Bola Tinubu who, against all odds, defeated Mr Peter Obi who exploited our religious and ethnic fault lines in his campaign for the nations highest office.

Thankfully, Nigerians across all ethnic and religious divides saw through Babachir Lawals and Peter Obis shenanigans and voted for the best candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Furthermore, it is very uncharitable for Mr. Babachir Lawal to call into question the professional competence of President Tinubus appointees, some of whom he cannot hold a candle to their political and professional accomplishments.

Babachir Lawal is one lightweight politician who thinks of himself a heavyweight. He failed spectacularly as a politician in his State of Adamawa where in three election circles he could not deliver his ward and local government in his Hong Local Government.

Despite his legendary failure as a politician, former President Muhammadu Buhari in deference to diversity appointed him to the high office of SGF where he was unceremoniously sacked on account of very poor performance and dishonourable conduct. A man like Babachir Lawal is in no position to offer an opinion on the competence of President Tinubus appointees.

We are convinced that these appointees would justify the confidence reposed in them by the President by delivering on the promises of the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.

And while they are it, we would admonish Babachir Lawal to concentrate on managing his farm and stop constituting himself into a needless distraction unbefitting of his age and status.

Signed:

*Felix Morka, Esq.*

National Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress (APC)

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Workers of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) in Abuja, on Tuesday, protested the sacking of 12 of their colleagues and called for their immediate reinstatement.

The workers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) shut offices and grounded operations at the commissions headquarters on Tuesday.

They started the protest with a meeting in a space at about 11.30a.m. on Tuesday.

They chanted solidarity songs, and later, the acting chairperson of ASCSN, Samira Mohammed, expressed the concerns of the protesting unions.

Mrs Mohammed, who doubles as the spokesperson for the joint unions, said the dismissal of the 12 workers, who were between Levels 8 and 9 of the commission, was illegal. She said the process of their dismissal was unknown to the civil service rules, adding that the action and inaction of the board members who sacked the workers were illegal.

This is not our first protest. We had gone out for a particular one, but this is an in-house protest. The staff members are protesting because of the sacking of 12 staff members of the commission. They were sacked illegally, as far as I am concerned. The reason for the sacking is not what we really think is right or the right way to go, she said.

She accused members of the board of the commission of perpetrating different kinds of irregularities, citing as an example a fact-finding committee headed by a member of the board, Larry Collins. She said the committee was unknown to the regulations governing the commission.

Alleged dissolution

They also pointed out an alleged refusal of the board to comply with a presidential order dissolving the board.

Mrs Mohammed said they had submitted letters to the Ministry of Justice, the commissions parent ministry, asking for clarification on the status of the board. She said they did not get an answer from the ministry.

The unions have asked them to provide reasons why they are still here. We demanded to see letters given to them for a covering or they should obey the instruction of Mr President, he said.

Other workers of the unions who spoke during the protest agreed with Mrs Mohammed.

Yasir Aminu, while faulting the sacking of the 12 workers, also lamented the poor welfare of the commission.

The welfare of staff in this place is zero, he said.

Commissions chairperson speaks

But the chairperson of the commission, Jummai Audi, on Tuesday, defended the decision of the board sacking the 12 workers.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES just before the workers protest started on Tuesday, Mrs Audi said the 12 workers were sacked because their employment breached the recruitment waiver given to the commission.

She said the sacked workers were employed senior staff as against the waiver given to the commission to recruit only junior staff.

The office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation gave a waiver to the commission to recruit 50 junior staff.

Initially, that number was not complete. In the process of completing it, they made a mistake by recruiting 12 senior staff members from the office of Human Resources Management.

When this was discovered, and it became an issue, we held a meeting on how to solve this problem. The only ideal thing we could come up with was to relieve them of their jobs, and that has been done.

She, however, said thr commission would reabsorb the sacked workers if an approval for their recruitment is obtained.

We will take them back if we have an approval. I am not happy sending them into the labour market, but Id not rely on humanitarianism against the law, she argued.

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Gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence, remains a pervasive global issue, with survivors often facing significant challenges seeking justice and support. The recent case of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, a respected figure at the University of Calabar in Nigeria, has sparked a heated debate that exemplifies the complexity of addressing sexual assault allegations in a society deeply influenced by social norms the shared standards of acceptable behaviours prevalent among any group of people.

Prof. Cyril Ndifon, a renowned academic and the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, was recently accused of sexual assault by multiple individuals. As many as 15 students came forward with allegations, agreeing to testify against the professor in court. The high-profile nature of the case and the student protests against the department helped bring the case to the forefront of public attention, yet again igniting conversations about womens safety on Nigerias campuses and the state of gender-based violence in the nation.

Despite the extensive awareness from the BBCs Sex for Grades documentary, sexual exploitation of students has not decreased. The documentary exposed the pervasive state of sexual harassment in our institutions of learning, yet several instances of sexual harassment have been reported since the documentary aired.

Social Norms & Responses to GBV

Social norms are the deeply ingrained beliefs and behaviors that guide societal expectations and interactions. These norms shape our perceptions of right and wrong, influencing our responses to various situations and, in this case, allegations of sexual assault. Rather, unfortunately, the culture of silence around instances of violence against women, including sexual assault, is also a norm which has influenced the underreporting of such cases in Nigeria, and even when reported, the conviction rates are abyssmal, which further encourages the silence of survivors.

With the case of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, we are witnessing how social norms shape public opinion and responses to the allegations of sexual assault where multiple victims have spoken out against an alleged perpetrator. This is particularly the case where the power asymmetry between the alleged perpetrator and victim is evident. Survivors of abuse, sexual and otherwise, are often subjected to skepticism, disbelief, and blame. A phenomenon that inadvertently discourages other survivors from coming forward, fearing judgment and backlash. In the Ndifon case, we are witnessing the dismissal of the allegations as attempts to tarnish a respected figures reputation or promote a political agenda, reflecting a societal bias favoring and protecting the accused over believing survivors.

It is important to hold all individuals, including government officials, accountable for perpetuating a culture of victim-blaming. The Minister of Womens Affairs, Uju Kennedy, has faced scrutiny for her alleged intimidation of survivors who came forward with sexual assault allegations against Prof. Ndifon. While her actions may have been intended to ensure a thorough investigation, some have expressed concerns about the approach taken and its implications for survivors who wish to come forward in the future.

Perhaps this is also a reflection of the patriarchal norms that often contribute to the protection of perpetrators of GBV, especially when the accused holds positions of power or authority. Prof. Ndifons prominence in academia could potentially have shielded him from accountability, and we see that it would almost have happened in this case, especially as prominent voices, such as that of the Honorable Minister of Womens Affairs, have attempted to intimidate survivors, deliberately or not, into silence.

This tendency to prioritize the reputation and status of the accused over the well-being and rights of survivors continues to scare survivors into hiding while abusers, especially those in positions of authority, continue to terrorize their victims. The fear of retaliation, doubt, or the threat of social isolation if they come forward perpetuates the norm of silence around cases of violence against women. The other side of this dangerous norm is that it further sustains a culture where perpetrators operate with impunity, believing they will not face the consequences of their actions.

This norm of encouraging the silence of survivors while fueling perpetrators of violence has inadvertently led to the division we are currently witnessing in the public discourse regarding the allegations against Prof. Ndifon. On one side are those who believe survivors and advocate for justice, while on the other are those who question the credibility of the accusations and argue that the accused is innocent or framed.

A Survivor-Centered Approach

Worldwide, advocates for survivors of GBV emphasize the importance of believing victims when they come forward with allegations of assault because it is understood that the stigma, shame, and fear of not being believed could easily, and in many cases, have stopped many survivors from reporting these crimes. On the other hand, opponents of the allegations against Prof. Cyril Ndifon argue that it is essential to uphold the principle of innocent until proven guilty, contending that making assumptions without concrete evidence can lead to false accusations and unjust damage to a persons reputation. The assertion is that false accusations are sometimes used as weapons to destroy the reputation and careers of individuals, especially those in positions of authority.

Both sides of the argument are valid.

However, because of the sensitivity of the nature of abuse, it is imperative to prioritize a survivor-centred approach that focuses on survivors safety and well-being. Living through sexual assault can be a horrific and traumatic experience which scars many survivors, leaving them unravelling and reliving the experiences even years after it is over. Many survivors of abuse have gone on to experience post-traumatic symptoms that negatively affect the quality of their lives. Therefore, prioritizing the safety and well-being of survivors provides a foundation for healing, justice, and prevention while also aiding the shift in norms from a culture of silence and impunity to one that centers truth, healing, and justice, thus sending a clear message that sexual assault is unacceptable, a crucial step toward creating a society where all individuals are safe, respected, and supported.

It is also necessary to approach GBV cases with sensitivity and a desire for fairness both for the accused and the survivors. Even accused individuals reserve a right to a fair hearing. Thus, a thorough and impartial investigation that is unbiased and respectful of the rights of both the survivor and the accused is essential for establishing truth and attaining justice. To effectively address sexual assault cases like the one involving Prof. Ndifon, a nuanced approach that acknowledges the influence of social norms while upholding justice and supporting survivors is imperative.

Bridging the divide in public discourse around GBV cases requires thorough, impartial investigations with the highest ethical standards where the rights and well-being of survivors are acknowledged, respected and prioritized, and at the same time, ensuring that investigations of the accused individuals are conducted fairly and transparently until sufficient evidence are presented against them. Doing so will help build trust in the justice system and reduce the potential for false accusations while encouraging survivors to speak out.

Only when we consistently show, through our actions, dialogues and sensitivity to such cases, that survivors lives and experiences matter would we effectively combat victim-blaming and stigmatization. Furthermore, by taking cases of violence against women seriously and launching investigations that are sensitive, fair, and unbiased by social and patriarchal norms, we inadvertently show a commitment to protecting women. Convicting abusers when found guilty also contributes to changing societal norms because it implies that survivors matter and, over time, would help to reduce the general tolerance of abuse within society. These must happen consistently over time for any change in societal norms, especially concerning GBV, to matter.

Ultimately, addressing sexual violence requires a multifaceted approach that respects the presumption of innocence while prioritizing the well-being of survivors and the pursuit of justice.

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Excerpt of the lecture delivered at the Annual Faculty of Arts Lecture, Lagos State University, October 16, 2023

Nigerians are seeking a messiah. Cries are loud to beg for one. If one listens to the routine conversation everywhere, one may conclude that the country is on the verge of transforming, resounding with the symphonic harmonies of tradition and modernity, entwined in a delicate yet powerful dance of progress. A resonating anthem of renewal echoes inside the bounds of this burgeoning nation, manifesting via the currents of revolutionary leadership. This voyage, which we take together through the words and ideas of a profound intellectual adventure, sheds light on the potential avenues hidden inside Nigerias intricate socio-cultural fabric.

Nigeria is at a critical juncture, marked by a dynamic metamorphosis in which traditional hierarchies clash furiously with contemporary progressive values. The country represents a diversified and rich landscape in which elements of the past and present intertwine to create a musical melody of progress. The vivid rhythms of a society eager to embrace the subtle harmonies of caring, inclusive, and creative leadership herald a watershed moment. As we dive into the complexities of this change, detractors raise thoughtful concerns that embracing reformative leadership may veer too far into idealism, potentially losing touch with the hard-edged realities of economic and market dynamics. They warn that pursuing empathy and tolerance may reduce competitive edge, a critical cornerstone in the fiercely competitive global marketplace. Furthermore, the cooperative qualities that are frequently lauded as the cornerstone of reformative leadership may occasionally generate a landscape conducive to uncertainty, a criticism that has echoes in numerous areas of the business realm.

However, navigating this dense maze of criticisms and potential negatives necessitates a wise and innovative approach. Leaders of this revolutionary wave must build frameworks with a global vision while remaining deeply rooted in Nigerias lively local contexts. It demands recognizing the nations distinct attributes of fortitude, communalism, and vivacity. This transforming voyage imagines a world in which conversations transcend traditional boardrooms, finding resonance in the busy markets of Lagos, the intellectual hubs of Abuja, and the tranquil vistas of Calabar.

Developing proactive rather than reactive tactics is vital to imagining an inclusive and sustainable landscape at this critical juncture. A dynamic method capable of including measurements evaluating economic gains and societal well-being, enabling a collaborative effort aligned with prosperity and harmony. To navigate these turbulent yet potential seas, a type of leadership that goes beyond mere idealism is required, emphasising a deep awareness of the current situation while cultivating resilience and agility to align with the ever-changing global dynamics.

This investigation provides a panoramic vision, rich in untapped promise yet afflicted by significant problems. Transformative leadership emerges as a symphonic masterpiece, infiltrating every area of societys growth and harmonizing multiple cadences of compassion, inclusivity, and forward-thinking beliefs. This tune, a lovely synthesis of ancient wisdom and modern philosophies, vividly portrays a culture in transition, excitedly embracing transformations with deep respect and visionary expectation.

We are starting a new period in which revolutionary governance rhetoric takes root in Nigerias commercial hubs and serene views, engaging in a complex interplay with customary practices and contemporary belief systems. Transformative leaders, both emerging and established, are thus charged with the colossal responsibility of steering the country into a future resounding with the harmonies of innovation, inclusivity, and a vigorous sense of competitiveness.

The complexities of this transformative journey reverberate with a deep regard for the communal ethos, producing a reverberation effect that transcends organizational boundaries and into the very core of society. As we progress through this analytical journey, the story expands to encompass the critical role of values and ethics in developing leadership tales that ring with vibrancy and depth. It calls for a leadership paradigm rooted in notions of duty, liability, and automatic respect for the rich and complex communal dynamics that define Nigerias societal fabric.

A project of this magnitude necessitates a delicate and artistic fusion of traditional values and forward-thinking ideas, a harmonious symphony that pays homage to historical roots while excitedly reaching for the chances of tomorrow. A multidimensional tapestry unfolds, carefully weaving the specific Nigerian characteristics of perseverance, communal spirit, and vivacity into a rich, diversified narrative heralding a promising future brimming with innovation, prosperity, and unity.

As we progress, leaders will find themselves traversing a landscape dotted with obstacles and rewards, exhibiting a dynamic range that mimics the harmonic symphony of a nation ready to embark on a tremendous adventure. This undertaking, defined by inclusivity and a bold vision for the future, reflects Nigerias dynamic and culturally rich fabric. A nation eager to carve out a narrative that goes beyond mere transformation, reinvigorating and renewing institutions and structures to foster a society in sync with the dynamic energies that define the Nigerian character.

In this context, leadership transcends its practical function, becoming a beacon of hope and guiding light within the complicated constellation of societal progress. A leadership style that embodies the potential to generate narratives that transform, revitalize, and breathe new life into institutions and structures that have ruled the societal fabric. This transformation promises a society resonating with the bright and dynamic energy that characterizes Nigerias diverse and passionate inhabitants.

The narrative unfolds with a keen eye pointed to the horizon to imagine a new Nigeria, a nation that is a tribute to the transformational power of moral leadership propelled by a visionary dedication to reform and growth. Nigeria stands out as a light of significant development, embodying a promise of comprehensive and long-term prosperity as we approach the commencement of this hopeful epoch.

They effectively navigate the currents of transformation, guided by principles of equality, sustainability, and holistic growth, and are anchored by leaders gifted with a repertory of both lasting and modern resources. Their unwavering and true compass guides them on their quest, cultivating a landscape that values innovation while honouring traditional conventions and promoting diversity while maintaining a strong sense of competitiveness. As we near the end of this story, we see a reborn Nigeria, awakening to its vast potential and moving forth as a strong force on the international scene. A nation renowned for its groundbreaking achievements, rich cultural legacy, and unwavering pursuit of all-encompassing progress. In this new light, Nigeria stands as a pillar of inspiration and a testament to the profound impact of cultivating leadership that harmoniously blends forward-thinking dynamics with deep-rooted traditions, revealing a panorama of dynamic and reverential landscapes.

At this point, it is clear that transformative governance is a tangible reality, painting a bright canvas that reflects the depth and complexities of Nigerias diverse fabric. Leadership takes on a new form here, marked by an astute capacity to shape a future that resonates with the lively and intricate intricacies of Nigerias social and cultural identity, a nation pulsing with hopes, prospects, and unrivalled opportunities. As the sun rises on this potential new era, Nigeria finds itself at a vital juncture, ready to embrace its role as a beacon of change and inspiration, set to lead by example in exhibiting the profound implications of equity-based leadership. Leaders emerge as navigators on this revolutionary journey, armed with a compass pointing towards innovation, inclusion, and sustainability, steering them through unfamiliar waters with tenacity and visionary anticipation.

Dialogues that transcend the boundaries of conventional settings echo in the bustling markets of Lagos, the intellectually stimulating corridors of educational institutions in Abuja, and the tranquil landscapes of Calabar, igniting a spark that promises to illuminate the path to a brighter future. Enterprises and organizations are on the verge of a paradigm shift, championing tactics encompassing financial success and societal well-being, fostering a communal endeavour that vibrates with wealth and peace.

This visionary path provides a redesigned type of leadership that goes beyond mere idealism to embrace a thorough awareness of the current condition of affairs, developing durable yet adaptable strategies that connect perfectly with the ever-changing dynamics of the modern world. Leaders emerge as change agents in this vivid story, embodying dynamic, respectful, modern, and timeless governance.

As the story progresses, it morphs into a tremendous symphony, resonating with the crescendo of a revitalized and revived civilization, ready to stamp its imprint as a powerful entity in the international arena. It represents a fresh beginning, a promising age marked by a revolutionary government that promises to construct a future reflective of Nigerias vibrant and intricate fabric. This evolving story depicts a Nigeria that embraces harmony, progress, and resonance with the dynamic energy that energizes the Nigerian soul. It heralds the beginning of a new era in which Nigeria serves as a symbol of aspiration not only for the African continent but for the entire world, demonstrating the significant effects of cultivating a leadership style that is both progressive and genuinely respectful of its roots.

To summarize, we are on the verge of a potential new chapter in which Nigeria is viewed as a canvas of profound transformation, enlightened by the principles of moral leadership and driven by a visionary commitment to reform. A nation that promises a prosperous future for all, reflecting the harmonious melody of a society renewed, dynamic, and set to establish itself as a key player in the global arena. A ray of optimism, a luminary directing the intricate constellation of societal progress, and a dynamic witness to the transformational currents that promise to build a future rich with vibrancy and unparalleled possibilities. In this reflective moment, we envision a Nigeria poised on the verge of a promising era, ready to embrace the vibrant and multifaceted energies that characterize its diverse and dynamic essence, beckoning a future brimming with limitless aspirations, opportunities, and unparalleled potential.

When will this Messiah arrive?

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Financial experts have advised Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) owners and operators on essential tips that will help them create and manage their wealth successfully especially in the tough economy and business climate.

Speaking during the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Business Series hybrid event at the banks head office in Lagos on Thursday, the financial experts and entrepreneurs noted that discipline, consistency and diversification are key requirements for wealth management.

The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Editor, Frontier Africa Reports and eminent television host, Boason Omofaye; Managing Director/CEO, United Capital Asset Management Plc, Odiri Oginni and Recording Artist and CEO/Founder of Mover Networks, Akitoye Ajebutter22 Balogun, were panellists at the event who spoke on the topic: Personal Finance: Wealth Management in Todays Economy.

As business owners, we need to see money as a tool rather than a goal. Money is a moving target, and we need to ensure discipline in our spending habits. Savings is a culture that should be imbibed, as your little savings today could help to do something big tomorrow, Omofaye stated, as he also emphasised the need for diversification in making financial decisions.

On her part, Oginni advised customers and business owners at the event to ensure financial independence, as she explained that building personal wealth means investing in the future. The best way to master discipline is just start. Do not wait till you have all the funds you need because that time may never come. Just start small, and be consistent in doing this, she said.

Akitoye, advised business owners on the need to set goals, and ensure that they stick to the goals as much as possible. Even if you do not have adequate funding for your business, make sure you have a plan, having a good business plan could very well attract investors into your business, he noted.

Together, all the speakers at the event noted that keeping abreast with current and correct information is vital for small business owners, as they pointed out that the knowledge could help business owners to guard against financial recklessness which can be a huge problem for the SMEs if not avoided.

Earlier, while welcoming the panellists and participants to the event, Head, Transaction Banking, Osilama Idokogi, explained that the UBA Business Series is a regular capacity building initiative organised by the bank where business leaders and entrepreneurs gather to share insights on best business practices and how entrepreneurs can build a sustainable business empire especially in Africas challenging business environment.

He added that in line with its promise of putting Customers First, the bank has consistently supported businesses with essential tips to re-examine their models and strategies as well as ensure they stay afloat and remain thriving.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 35 million customers globally. Operating in 20 African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology

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The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Public Account to investigate the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention funds.

The directive followed a motion moved by Nyampa Zakari (PDP, Adamawa) on Tuesday during plenary.

In his motion, Mr Zakari said several ministries and agencies mismanaged the COVID-19 intervention funds during the pandemic.

The legislator said over N183.9 billion was allocated to the intervention funds through the federal budget. He also that other international donors allocated money to the funds.

The disruption of economic activities necessitated the introduction of various programs, policies, and interventions to alleviate and boost the economies of families, small businesses, and public corporations.

The Federal Government of Nigeria initiated several measures including budgetary provisions as well as funding from International donor agencies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens;

A sum of N83.9 billion was appropriated for the COVID-19 response in the 2020 Appropriation Act as well as another sum of over N100 Billion as intervention funds through the supplementary budget and international donor agencies, he said.

Mr Zakari said the alleged mismanagement was captured in one of the reports of the Auditor General.

He stated that the mismanagement could deter donor agencies from donating money to Nigeria in the future.

Auditor-Generals report and other sources reveal that significant funds for COVID-19 palliatives and international donations were diverted and unaccounted for by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government.

Lack of proper accountability of funds allocated for COVID-19 intervention by the federal government and global donor agencies could potentially lead to negative economic ratings and loss of opportunities for Nigeria, he said.

Speaking on the motion, Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno), said the investigation is imperative because the House was once accused of benefitting from the COVID-19 intervention fund.

If N500 million is allocated to each constituency, imagine the number of schools that they would have built, Mr Jaha said.

Consequently, the House directed the committee to investigate the disbursed COVID-19 intervention to ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government from 2020 to 2022 and report within four weeks for further legislative action.

The motion was taken unanimously by the House after the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen put it to vote.

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A set of conjoined twins delivered by medical experts at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) have died, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Adetokunbo Fabamwo, a professor, made this known in an interview with NAN on Monday in Lagos.

The hospitals management had announced that the twins were delivered on 5 October at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LASUTH, at an estimated gestational age of 33 weeks and six days.

According to Mr Fabamwo, although the set of twins died, their mother is doing well.

The medical director said; The nature of their joining was so complex. They are joined from up to down, which is so complex. Moreover, they must have reached a certain age before they are separated.

The first twin had congenital heart issues that werent compatible with life. When you have abnormalities like that, there are usually other abnormalities in the body.

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She was the first that died on 15 October. When it happened, we quickly moved to separate them by assembling a team of multispecialty experts from LASUTH and other hospitals.

However, before we could intervene, the second twin died today (16 October).

Pioneer separated twins

Mr Fabamwo noted that the successful delivery of the twins was celebrated by the hospital being the first of such at the facility.

NAN recalled that the hospital on 5 October announced the successful delivery of the conjoined twins, fused at the lower chest and abdomen (thoraco omphalopagus).

The hospital said that they were delivered by a multidisciplinary team.

It said that the conjoined female babies were delivered at 8:26 a.m. with good Apgar scores and a combined birth weight of 3.8kg.

About conjoined babies

Conjoined twins, popularly referred to as Siamese Twins, are two babies who are born physically connected.

They develop when an early embryo only partially separates to form two individuals.

Although two babies develop from this embryo, they remain physically connected; most often at the chest, abdomen, or pelvis.

Conjoined twins may also share one or more internal body organs.

According to a 2017 report in the Journal of Clinical Anatomy, conjoined twins are extremely rare, with an incidence of one in 50,000 births, and about 70 per cent of them are female.

However, because around 60 per cent of those cases are stillborn, the actual incidence rate is closer to one in 200,000 births, according to the study.

In Nigeria, there have been stories of conjoined twins who survived and were successfully separated.

Among them are Goodness and Mercy Martins, born on 13 August 2018, at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nassarawa State, and separated at the hospital on 14 November 2019.

Another set of conjoined twins- Hassanah and Hasina, born on 12 January 2022 at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, were successfully separated on 19 May 2023, in Saudi Arabia.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Uzbekistan is an important and valued partner of the EU, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our cooperation as we prepare to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and Uzbekistan in 2024, European Commissions Lead Spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy Peter Stano told Trend.

"Our relations are currently governed by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) that was concluded in 1999, however we have completed the negotiation of an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) which will significantly broaden and deepen the scope of our relations, extending it into new areas," Stano said.

The representative also noted that the EPCA was initiated in July 2022 and is currently being prepared for signature and entry into force.

"In addition to EPCA, Uzbekistan benefits from the EUs GSP+ (the Generalised System of Preferences Plus), granting access to reduced tariffs on many products in recognition of progress achieved in ratifying and implementing various international accords in the field of human rights and environmental governance," Stano stressed.

Further speaking, the Commissions spokesperson mentioned that the EU is a major cooperation partner for Uzbekistan, with a Multiannual Indicative Programme of 76 million euros for the period from 2021 through 2027.

"The EUs priority areas for Uzbekistan in this period are effective governance and digital transformation, inclusive, digital and green growth, as well as the development of effective eco-friendly agriculture and food sector," Stano noted.

The trade exchange between Uzbekistan and EU member states reached a total of more than 2.95 billion euros in the first 7 months of 2023, which is 25.75 percent more in contrast to the initial 7 months of the year prior (2.35 billion euros).

Furthermore, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the EU countries reached 4.61 billion euros last year, which is 41 percent more than in 2021, when it amounted to 2.77 billion euros.
PUNE, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinium Global Research, a renowned name in market research, has recently released an insightful report on the Global Augmented Reality (AR) in Agriculture Market. This comprehensive report offers an in-depth analysis of segments and sub-segments within the global and regional AR in agriculture markets. It also highlights the impact of drivers, restraints, and macroeconomic indicators on both short-term and long-term market dynamics. The report provides valuable insights into trends, forecasts, and the financial outlook of the global AR in the agriculture market. Notably, the AR in the agriculture market, which generated revenue of USD 1.32 billion in 2022, is expected to reach USD 14.97 billion by 2030, demonstrating a remarkable CAGR of 30.95% through 2030.

To Know More Request a Sample of this Report: https://www.infiniumglobalresearch.com/market-reports/sample-request/934

Key Market Drivers:

AR in agriculture involves the application of AR technology to enhance various facets of agriculture, including crop management, livestock monitoring, and field operations. This technology offers a multitude of benefits, including enhanced accuracy, increased efficiency, and improved decision-making capabilities. One of the primary applications of AR in agriculture is crop management, where it can be used to monitor crop growth, detect diseases, and optimize fertilizer and water usage.

With AR, farmers can visualize crop growth patterns, track individual plant progress, and access real-time data on soil moisture, temperature, and other environmental factors. This empowers farmers to make more informed decisions about crop management, leading to improved yields and reduced waste. AR is also valuable in livestock monitoring, enabling farmers to remotely monitor the health and behavior of their animals, detect early signs of illness, and identify potential health issues. This proactive approach allows for timely interventions and enhanced livestock welfare.

The AR in the agriculture market is witnessing rapid growth, driven by increasing food demand, rising labor costs, and government support. AR finds applications in crop scouting, pest identification, irrigation management, precision farming, and training. It helps farmers improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and make informed decisions about their crops. However, the high cost of AR technology poses a potential restraint to market growth. As AR technology becomes more affordable and continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative applications emerge in the agriculture market.

Regional Insights:

North America : North America is expected to hold a significant share of the AR in the agriculture market. Agriculture is a major contributor to the economies of countries like the USA and Mexico in North America . The region's extensive agriculture practices and historical leadership in agricultural technologies position it as a pioneer in adopting AR technologies in agriculture. Companies such as Visual Logic, LLC, Trimble Inc., EON Reality Corporate Group, Augmenta, and others are based in North America and actively developing AR agriculture applications.

Segmentation:

The report provides a detailed analysis of the AR in agriculture market, categorized into key segments, including:

Application : Outdoor farming and indoor farming.

: Outdoor farming and indoor farming. Solution: Software, hardware, and service.

Key Players:

The report profiles leading companies in the AR in agriculture market, including:

Visual Logic, LLC

Trimble Inc.

Rams Creative Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

EON Reality

Augmenta Agriculture Technologies P.C.

Visartech Inc.

QUEPPELIN

Nedap N.V.

Vuzix

Think Digital

Enquire Here Get Customization & Check the Discount for the Report @ https://www.infiniumglobalresearch.com/market-reports/customization/934

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Preface

1.1. Report Description

1.2. Research Methods

1.3. Research Approaches

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. AR in Agriculture Market Highlights

2.2. AR in Agriculture Market Projection

2.3. AR in Agriculture Market Regional Highlights

Chapter 3. Global AR in Agriculture Market Overview

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Market Dynamics

3.2.1. Drivers

3.2.2. Restraints

3.2.3. Opportunities

3.3. Porter`s Five Forces Analysis

3.4. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis

3.4.1. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis by Application

3.4.2. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis by Solution

3.4.3. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis by Region

3.5. Value Chain Analysis of AR in Agriculture Market

Chapter 4. AR in Agriculture Market Macro Indicator Analysis

Chapter 5. Company Profiles and Competitive Landscape

5.1. Competitive Landscape in the Global AR in Agriculture Market

5.2. Companies Profiles

5.2.1. Visual Logic, LLC

5.2.2. Trimble Inc.

5.2.3. Rams Creative Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

5.2.4. EON Reality

5.2.5. Augmenta Agriculture Technologies P.C.

5.2.6. Visartech Inc.

5.2.7. QUEPPELIN

5.2.8. Nedap N.V.

5.2.9. Vuzix

5.2.10. Think Digital

Chapter 6. Global AR in Agriculture Market by Application

6.1. Outdoor Farming

6.2. Indoor Farming

Chapter 7. Global AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

7.1. Software

7.2. Hardware

7.3. Service

Chapter 8. Global AR in Agriculture Market by Region 2023-2030

8.1. North America

8.1.1. North America AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.1.2. North America AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.1.3. North America AR in Agriculture Market by Country

8.1.3.1. The U.S. AR in Agriculture Market

8.1.3.1.1. The U.S. AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.1.3.1.2. The U.S. AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.1.3.2. Canada AR in Agriculture Market

8.1.3.2.1. Canada AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.1.3.2.2. Canada AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.1.3.3. Mexico AR in Agriculture Market

8.1.3.3.1. Mexico AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.1.3.3.2. Mexico AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.2. Europe

8.2.1. Europe AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.2.2. Europe AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.2.3. Europe AR in Agriculture Market by Country

8.2.3.1. Germany AR in Agriculture Market

8.2.3.1.1. Germany AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.2.3.1.2. Germany AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.2.3.2. United Kingdom AR in Agriculture Market

8.2.3.2.1. United Kingdom AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.2.3.2.2. United Kingdom AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.2.3.3. France AR in Agriculture Market

8.2.3.3.1. France AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.2.3.3.2. France AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.2.3.4. Italy AR in Agriculture Market

8.2.3.4.1. Italy AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.2.3.4.2. Italy AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.2.3.5. Rest of Europe AR in Agriculture Market

8.2.3.5.1. Rest of Europe AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.2.3.5.2. Rest of Europe AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.3. Asia Pacific

8.3.1. Asia Pacific AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.3.2. Asia Pacific AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.3.3. Asia Pacific AR in Agriculture Market by Country

8.3.3.1. China AR in Agriculture Market

8.3.3.1.1. China AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.3.3.1.2. China AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.3.3.2. Japan AR in Agriculture Market

8.3.3.2.1. Japan AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.3.3.2.2. Japan AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.3.3.3. India AR in Agriculture Market

8.3.3.3.1. India AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.3.3.3.2. India AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.3.3.4. South Korea AR in Agriculture Market

8.3.3.4.1. South Korea AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.3.3.4.2. South Korea AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.3.3.5. Australia AR in Agriculture Market

8.3.3.5.1. Australia AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.3.3.5.2. Australia AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.3.3.6. Rest of Asia-Pacific AR in Agriculture Market

8.3.3.6.1. Rest of Asia-Pacific AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.3.3.6.2. Rest of Asia-Pacific AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.4. RoW

8.4.1. RoW AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.4.2. RoW AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.4.3. RoW AR in Agriculture Market by Sub-region

8.4.3.1. Latin America AR in Agriculture Market

8.4.3.1.1. Latin America AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.4.3.1.2. Latin America AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.4.3.2. Middle East AR in Agriculture Market

8.4.3.2.1. Middle East AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.4.3.2.2. Middle East AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

8.4.3.3. Africa AR in Agriculture Market

8.4.3.3.1. Africa AR in Agriculture Market by Application

8.4.3.3.2. Africa AR in Agriculture Market by Solution

Browse Complete Report @ https://www.infiniumglobalresearch.com/market-reports/global-ar-in-agriculture-market

Reasons to Buy this Report:

=> Comprehensive analysis of global as well as regional markets of AR in agriculture.

=> Complete coverage of all the product types and application segments to analyze the trends, developments, and forecast of market size up to 2030.

=> Comprehensive analysis of the companies operating in this market. The company profile includes an analysis of the product portfolio, revenue, SWOT analysis, and the latest developments of the company.

=> Infinium Global Research- Growth Matrix presents an analysis of the product segments and geographies that market players should focus on to invest, consolidate, expand, and/or diversify.

About Infinium Global Research:

Infinium Global Research is a business consulting and market research firm; a group of experts that caters to fulfilling business and market research needs of leading companies in various industry verticals and business segments. The company also serves government bodies, institutes, and non-profit/non-government organizations to meet their knowledge and information needs.

Through our information services and solutions, we assist our clients to improve their performance and assess the market conditions to achieve their organizational goals. Our team of experts and analysts are engaged in continuously monitoring and assessing the market conditions to provide knowledge support to our clients. To help our clients and to stay updated with the advances and inventions in technology, business processes, regulations, and the environment, Infinium often conducts regular meets with industry experts and opinion leaders. Our key opinion leaders are involved in monitoring and assessing the progress in the business environment, so as to offer the best opinion to our clients.

Contact:



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Email: Info@infiniumglobalresearch.com

Website: www.infiniumglobalresearch.com

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SOURCE Infinium Global Research
RIGA, Latvia, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mintos , the largest platform in Europe for investing in loans, is pleased to announce the launch of high-yield Fractional Bonds. This offering opens up the world of fixed-income securities to retail investors in Europe, making it accessible and easy for anyone to diversify their portfolio with bonds.

Historically bonds, and especially high-yield bonds, have predominantly been within reach of institutional investors or individuals wielding substantial capital, making them notably less accessible to retail investors. Starting today, Mintos enables individuals to invest in high-yield bonds with as little as 50 and zero commissions, transforming the way people approach investing in debt instruments.

Initially, Mintos will offer investments in high-yield corporate bonds issued by the lending companies present on the Mintos platform. Meanwhile, the company is already working on expanding its offering to encompass bonds of firms in various industries, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and more.

To access high-yield bonds on Mintos, investors invest in Fractional Bonds, asset-backed securities issued by Mintos special purpose entity that fully reflect the economic gains and capital repayments tied to specific underlying bonds. Therefore, through Fractional Bonds, investors enjoy regular, fixed returns from the underlying bond. Each Fractional Bond is associated with a unique International Securities Identification Number (ISIN), ensuring transparency and traceability.

"Mintos is committed to empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures by providing access to a diverse range of investment opportunities. The launch of high-yield Fractional Bonds is a significant step towards achieving this goal, ensuring that all investors, regardless of their financial means, can benefit from the stability of returns and low volatility that bonds offer." comments Martins Sulte, CEO and Co-Founder of Mintos.

For more information about Mintos and the Fractional Bonds, please visit Mintos bonds .

About Mintos

Mintos is a leading financial technology company headquartered in Riga, Latvia. Established in 2015, Mintos has evolved into Europe's largest platform for investing in loans, managing over 600 million in assets under administration and serving a diverse community of more than 500,000 registered users. Designed for investors seeking simplicity, Mintos offers an easy-to-use platform with automated portfolios, enabling users to grow their wealth starting with as little as 50. Mintos is an authorized investment firm under MiFID, adhering to all investor protection requirements.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244368/mintos_logo.jpg
Ultra-premium, additive free sipping tequila launches with Anejo expression

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the launch of 1953 Tequila , an ultra-premium, additive free Anejo Tequila founded, farmed, distilled, and led by women. It was on this day seventy years ago that women in Mexico secured their right to vote and 1953 Tequila honors the courage, tenacity, and boldness of those who advanced equality then, and celebrates those who continue to pursue equality for women around the world today.

1953 Tequila is an ultra-premium, additive free Anejo Tequila founded, farmed, distilled, and led by women.

"Three years ago, we set out to make one of the world's finest tequilas in a way that fundamentally changes the industry," said Lindsey Davis Stover, founder and president of 1953 Tequila. "The story of this tequila isn't traditional, but paths for women rarely are. Today we couldn't be more excited to introduce that story and this tequila to everyone who wants to purchase with purpose," added Shivam Mallick Shah, founder and CEO of 1953 Tequila.

The Story of 1953 Tequila

Founders and friends Shivam Mallick Shah, Lindsey Davis Stover and Alison Kiehl Friedman came together in search of a consciously crafted, ultra-premium tequila. Together, they sought partners in Mexico who applied the finest craftsmanship utilizing the region's traditional methods to make a luxurious tequila without additives, and who shared in their commitment to providing opportunities for other women in the male-dominated tequila industry. Moving forward with an acclaimed, family-owned distillery, the 1953 Tequila team developed a smooth sipping tequila perfect for gathering friends to share old stories and celebrating life's many milestones. Proud to shine a spotlight on a time-honored spirit, 1953 Tequila works with a highly experienced and talented team, including:

Four sisters who, with the founding of 1953 Tequila, stepped up to run an agave farm previously passed down from father to son for generations;

Rocio Rodriguez , a master distiller who uses her degree in chemical engineering to meld science and tradition to craft a wholly authentic, natural spirit to savor; and

, a master distiller who uses her degree in chemical engineering to meld science and tradition to craft a wholly authentic, natural spirit to savor; and Adriana Lopez , who carries on her family's tradition of making fine tequila and owns the unionized distillery that produces 1953 Tequila.

"1953 Tequila is dedicated to the trailblazers challenging traditional industry norms and impacting the world in ways large and small," added Alison Kiehl Friedman, founder and president of 1953 Tequila.

Production and Tasting Notes

The exquisite tequila is derived from 100% pure Blue Weber agave responsibly harvested from the mineral-rich red soil of the Jalisco highlands, to create an ultra-premium, additive free sipping tequila with a smooth and refined finish. It is slow roasted and aged to perfection for 15 months in vintage American Oak barrels previously used for bourbon, resulting in a sipping tequila with luxurious notes of caramel and vanilla accented with notes of citrus and chocolate. 1953 Tequila has a collective commitment to take no shortcutsutilizing natural spring water, proprietary yeast, foregoing additives, and taking the time required to let these complex flavors evolve naturally.

1953 Tequila's bespoke custom bottle was designed to embody both luxury and strength, and can be reused long past its final pour.

A Social Justice Spirit

1953 Tequila is committed to doing business that creates value  for women, workers, and the world  and demonstrates that business can be a force of positive change in communities. This commitment includes prioritizing female leadership throughout its supply chain, supporting unionized labor, working to advance environmental standards, and supporting organizations that elevate the stories of women.

Purchase

1953 Tequila Anejo retails for $205 (750mL) and is available for purchase exclusively on ReserveBar.com . To learn more, visit 1953Tequila.com .

About 1953 Tequila

Founded in 2020, 1953 Tequila is a social justice spirit with superior taste and a distinct commitment to empowering women. Honoring the courage, tenacity and boldness of the women who fought for equality then and those who continue to pursue equality for women and girls around the world today, 1953 Tequila is consciously cultivated and proud to be an additive free, ultra-premium tequila founded, farmed, distilled, distributed, and led by women. To learn more about 1953 Tequila, visit 1953Tequila.com and follow the brand on Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

Media Contact:

Danny Finlay,

dfinlay@currentglobal.com

SOURCE 1953 Tequila
2023 LA AUTO SHOW PRESENTS THE ELECTRIC AVENUE TEST TRACK ALLOWING ATTENDEES TO DRIVE AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF VEHICLES AS EV ENTHUSIASM SURGES

Visitors can compare electric and gas vehicles side-by-side, spotlighting the annual event's leading role in California's changing new car landscape

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark your calendars for November 17-26 as the Los Angeles Auto Show introduces an unprecedented experience for attendees. For the first time, a diverse roster of automotive brands will empower visitors to directly compare electric vehicle performance, comfort and features by getting behind the wheel. Set against the expansive backdrop of the show's 1M sqft venue, visitors can experience top-tier models from leading automakers through both street drives and specialized indoor tracks. The 116th LA Auto Show ensures a unique, pressure-free environment for attendees to gain firsthand insights and make well-informed vehicle choices.

LA Auto Show outdoor track at the LA Convention Center. Test drive area at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Experience the future of automotive on the streets of Los Angeles! This year, the Los Angeles Auto Show propels attendees into the driver's seat with an electrifying array of ride-and-drive experiences. Attendees will navigate the show's Electric Avenue, a sweeping, zero-emission vehicle test track that seamlessly circles the entire South Hall at the LA Convention Center, measuring almost one mile. In a premiere initiative, sponsored by LADWP and Volta, both seasoned EV enthusiasts and curious first-timer shoppers are invited to pilot a range of vehicles from a dozen cutting-edge EV options. The EV fleet will be kept in peak performance thanks to dedicated Volta charging stations.

Discover the electric diversity of Electric Avenue! Each automaker will showcase its unique flair with test drives running daily from 9AM to 5:30PM. Dive into a lineup featuring powerhouses like Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Lucid, Polestar, Porsche, and Volvo. And for those looking to shift gears, the LA Auto Show introduces an electrifying twist: Verge Motorcycles debuts its two-wheeled electric sensation, ready for eligible enthusiasts to take for a spin down Electric Avenue.

"With California leading the world as the most influential market for gas and electric vehicle ownership, it's essential that the Los Angeles Auto Show gives visitors the opportunity to experience the newest products and latest technology," said Los Angeles Auto Show President Terri Toennies. "The show will allow consumers to discover the power, handling and comfort of these innovative vehicles, as well as the new electric motorcycle offering for licensed visitors to experience alternative mobility solutions."

Eligible riders will be able to throw a leg over the newest electric machine from Verge. Boasting almost 900 ft-lb of torque, a range of more than 230 miles, and the world's first hubless electric rear wheel motor among its many highlights, the revolutionary Verge TS models will showcase advances in the latest two-wheeled electric options.

Vehicle manufacturers keen to create a one-stop shop for discovery and experience have placed indoor ride-along tracks directly within their main hall exhibitions. This includes Camp Jeep, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, and Volkswagen. In another first for the LA Auto Show, Ford's Adventure Track will begin inside their exhibit space and head outside, creating a multisensory experience.

ELECTRIFICATION EDUCATION TAKES CENTER STAGE

In response to surging consumer interest and marking yet another groundbreaking feature at the LA Auto Show, the Electrification Discovery Center has emerged. In collaboration with the Hispanic Motor Press Guild, bilingual EV ambassadors fluent in both Spanish and English, will guide visitors through the electrification journey. The Center is not just an exhibit but an educational hub, aiming to demystify the nuance of EV ownership. Attendees will gain insight into driving characteristics, charging options, enticing purchase incentives, and an extensive array of EV products and vehicles on display, spanning both pure EVs and hybrid models.

Adding to the Center's offerings, renowned author and automotive journalist Matt DeLorenzo will host weekend sessions centered around "How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car." Drawing from the wealth of knowledge in his latest book, How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership, DeLorenzo will share valuable insights for potential EV owners."

"Our research has shown that many consumers are unaware of what electric vehicles can offer and sometime confused by the purchasing programs, charging options, and more. We decided to create the Electrification Discovery Center and provide bilingual staff to allow visitors to ask any questions they have, so they can really understand the new opportunities available to them," said Toennies.

The Electrification Discovery Center at the LA Auto Show will be open daily from November 17-26 at the following times:

11/17-19: 10AM-7PM

11/20-22: 11AM-7PM

11/23: 10AM-3PM (Thanksgiving)

11/24-25: 10AM-7PM

11/26: 10AM-5PM

AMPED ELECTRIFICATION AT THE FOREFRONT

Spanning the expanse of the LA Convention Center, the LA Auto Show is set to unveil a captivating array of EV displays that reflect the dynamic shifts in the electrified sector. Whether it's innovative charging solutions, adept conversion specialists, or groundbreaking outdoor RV innovations, attendees will be treated to advances that bridge the gap between familiar highways and rugged off-road experiences. As the pinnacle event on the annual automotive calendar, the LA Auto Show highlights how electrification isn't just a trend  it's revolutionizing and enriching daily driving experiences.

TICKETS

The 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show will be cashless. All tickets can be purchased online at laautoshow.com/tickets with a credit card or bank card. Tickets purchased for attendance on November 18-19 will include complimentary admission to the USA Street Food Awards.

For additional show information visit laautoshow.com.

MEDIA REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for the Media and Industry preview day on Thursday November 16. The LA Auto Show's press and B2B gathering is an opportunity for the global community and key decision makers to gather in Southern California for the latest debuts, product announcements, networking opportunities and more.

Registration is accessible at laautoshow.com/media-and-industry-day.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW (LA AUTO SHOW)

Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show is widely recognized as one of the most influential shows globally. Reflective of its location, the show celebrates the love affair Angelenos have with their cars and offers a global platform to industry technology and innovation, synonymous with California.

The show runs for 10 full days over the Thanksgiving period and is a must-attend destination for many industry influencers, car enthusiasts and families wanting to enjoy a day out over the holiday season. Held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the LA Auto Show contributes several hundred million dollars to the local economy, stimulates the local job market, and is the number one revenue generator for the LA Convention Center.

For media inquiries, please email [email protected]

SOURCE LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From October 13 to 16, 2023, the activities of the overseas branch exhibition of the 2023 Tianfu Book Fair, hosted by Sichuan Xinhua Publishing and Distribution Group and organized by China International Book Trading Corporation, is held simultaneously in eight countries including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.

2023 Tianfu Book Fair Overseas Branch Exhibition Was Held in San Francisco

The branch exhibition located in San Francisco, exhibited hundreds of Sichuan themed books and related cultural and creative products, attracting a large number of local citizens to come to the exhibition. Meanwhile, the sponsor publicized the event on the social media, attracting considerable online attention from thousands of people.

SOURCE China International Book Trading Corporation
MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 22nd Century Technologies, Inc. (TSCTI) has acquired Queues Enforth Development, Inc. (QED), a distinguished provider of public safety software like Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management Systems (RMS). This acquisition, coming on the heels of a digital transformation initiative backed by Secretary Janet Yellen, bolsters TSCTI's offerings across State, Local, and Federal government sectors and intensifies its push to merge innovative products with its established services.

"This acquisition is a strategic pivot towards building and growing a product-centric organization that complements our existing services," said Anil Sharma, CEO of TSCTI. "With QED serving 340 public safety agencies, this acquisition enhances our newly-established product division. Our vision is to infuse cutting-edge technologies including generative AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to revolutionize and enhance public safety software for our widespread governmental network, leading the path towards a safer and more secure future."

Dave Varney, President of QED, highlighted the benefits of becoming part of TSCTI's expansive network. "Joining TSCTI offers immediate opportunities for scaling and increased impact, capitalizing on their established relationships across the United States at both state and federal levels."

Recent projections from Fact.MR forecast the U.S. CAD/RMS market to reach a valuation of $5.95 billion by 2032, underscoring the strategic importance of this acquisition. "This alliance signifies more than mere growth; it represents a paradigm shift in technological innovation for the public safety sector," commented Varney.

In closing, Sharma underscored the company's commitment to transformation: "We're dedicated to crafting a modular platform tailored to the diverse needs of governments across the US. Harnessing our cutting-edge technologies and our esteemed engineering team, we will swiftly elevate QED, positioning it as an integral component of our enhanced public safety offerings."

About 22nd Century Technologies, Inc.

22nd Century Technologies, Inc. (TSCTI) is one of the fastest-growing public sector-focused companies headquartered in McLean, VA. With 6000+ employees nationwide and 400+ contracts, TSCTI is currently supporting many of the nation's mission-critical programs in Digital Transformation, Cloud Migration, Application Modernization, IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Workforce Solutions. TSCTI's product suite consists of IDPBot, ERPKick, CAD/RMS and biometric solutions.

About QED

Based in Woburn, MA, QED specializes in public safety software, providing services to 340 public safety agencies over a span exceeding 35 years.

SOURCE 22nd Century Technologies, Inc,
PUNE, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent publication from Infinium Global Research, a detailed examination of the AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market is presented, encompassing both global and regional perspectives. This report delves into the analysis of various segments and sub-segments while shedding light on how drivers, constraints, and macro indicators impact the AI-enabled imaging solutions market in both the short and long terms. Within this comprehensive report, you'll find a thorough exploration of trends, forecasts, and the monetary values associated with the global AI-enabled imaging solutions market. Notably, the revenue generated by the AI-enabled imaging solutions market reached USD 1,906.95 million in 2022, and it is anticipated to reach USD 10,912.78 million by 2030, with a notable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.25% during the forecast period of 2022-2030.

To Know More Request a Sample of this Report: https://www.infiniumglobalresearch.com/market-reports/sample-request/919

Revolutionizing Medical Imaging Through AI

AI-enabled Medical Imaging Solutions represent an innovative healthcare technology that incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms and machine learning techniques to revolutionize the acquisition, analysis, interpretation, and management of medical images. These cutting-edge solutions provide invaluable assistance to healthcare professionals, especially radiologists and clinicians, across various aspects of medical imaging, diagnosis, and patient care.

Leveraging the capabilities of AI and machine learning, these solutions enhance image quality, eliminate distortions, amplify intricate details, and rectify flawscritical in medical imaging, where accurate diagnosis hinges on precise and high-quality images. AI's power lies in its ability to facilitate early detection and diagnosis of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders, by analyzing medical images like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. AI can discern subtle patterns and anomalies that may elude human radiologists. The scope of AI-enabled medical imaging solutions continues to expand, offering transformative potential to various facets of healthcare and medical imaging.

Driving Forces of AI-Enabled Imaging Solutions

Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) form the bedrock of market growth. Continuous progress in AI and ML algorithms has ushered in more precise image analysis, interpretation, and automation, underpinning the development of AI-enabled imaging solutions. The rising demand for automation and enhanced efficiency further drives market growth. Industries across sectors are increasingly seeking ways to automate tasks that involve visual data, optimizing efficiency, reducing errors, and minimizing operational costs. The proliferation of vast amounts of image and video data, often termed "big data," serves as fertile ground for training and enhancing AI models. This data originates from diverse sources, including medical imaging, surveillance cameras, drones, and satellites.

However, maintaining data privacy and security remains a critical concern, particularly in medical imaging, which frequently involves sensitive patient information. AI-enabled medical imaging solutions are poised to offer myriad opportunities, from improving healthcare outcomes and efficiency to fostering innovation. By assisting radiologists and clinicians in identifying subtle abnormalities in medical images, these solutions can lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, ultimately resulting in enhanced patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs through timely interventions.

North America Leads, Asia-Pacific Rises

North America is expected to maintain dominance in the AI-enabled imaging solutions market, propelled by factors such as its advanced healthcare infrastructure, substantial investments, robust research, and innovation ecosystem. Specifically, the United States and Canada boast highly developed healthcare systems replete with hospitals, medical centers, and diagnostic facilities ideally suited for AI-powered medical imaging solutions implementation. The region has witnessed significant investments in healthcare technology and artificial intelligence, with support from venture capital firms and government agencies, particularly in the context of medical imaging. Furthermore, North America is home to numerous prestigious research institutions, universities, and technology giants actively driving medical imaging research and pioneering AI algorithms and solutions designed to enhance diagnoses and patient care.

Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in the AI-enabled medical imaging solutions market. With a significant portion of the world's population residing here, this region presents an extensive and diverse patient pool ripe for the implementation of AI-enabled solutions to enhance healthcare access and efficiency. Moreover, the region grapples with a rising burden of diseases, including chronic conditions and cancer. AI-enabled medical imaging can play a pivotal role in addressing these healthcare challenges by providing faster and more accurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations.

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Segmentation Overview

The global AI-enabled imaging solutions market encompasses various key segments:

Offering :

: Software Tools/Platform



Services

Image Acquisition Technology :

: X-ray



Computed Tomography



Magnetic Resonance Imaging



Ultrasound Imaging



Molecular Imaging

End User :

: Hospitals



Clinics



Research Laboratories & Diagnostic Centers



Cybersecurity

Technology :

: Machine Learning



Natural Language Processing



Context-Aware Computing



Computer Vision

Competitive Landscape:

The report provides profiles of the companies in the market such as Arterys, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Koninklijke Philips N.V., GE HealthCare, IBM Watson Health (is now Merative), IMAGEN, Lunit Inc., Quibim, Aidoc, and EnvoyAI (acquired by TeraRecon).

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Table of Content

Chapter 1. Preface

1.1. Report Description

1.2. Research Methods

1.3. Research Approaches

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market Highlights

2.2. AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market Projection

2.3. AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market Regional Highlights

Chapter 3. Global AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market Overview

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Market Dynamics

3.2.1. Drivers

3.2.2. Restraints

3.2.3. Opportunities

3.3. Porter`s Five Forces Analysis

3.4. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis

3.4.1. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis by Offering

3.4.2. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis by Image Acquisition Technology

3.4.3. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis by End User

3.4.4. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis by Technology

3.4.5. IGR-Growth Matrix Analysis by Region

3.5. Value Chain Analysis of AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

Chapter 4. AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market Macro Indicator Analysis

Chapter 5. Company Profiles and Competitive Landscape

5.1. Competitive Landscape in the Global AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

5.2. Companies Profiles

5.2.1. Arterys

5.2.2. Siemens Healthcare GmbH

5.2.3. Koninklijke Philips N.V.

5.2.4. GE HealthCare

5.2.5. IBM Watson Health (is now Merative)

5.2.6. IMAGEN

5.2.7. Lunit Inc.

5.2.8. Quibim

5.2.9. Aidoc

5.2.10. EnvoyAI (acquired by TeraRecon)

Chapter 6. Global AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

6.1. Software Tools/Platform

6.2. Services

Chapter 7. Global AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

7.1. X-ray

7.2. Computed Tomography

7.3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging

7.4. Ultrasound Imaging

7.5. Molecular Imaging

Chapter 8. Global AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

8.1. Hospitals

8.2. Clinics

8.3. Research Laboratories & Diagnostic Centers

8.4. Cybersecurity

Chapter 9. Global AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

9.1. Machine Learning

9.2. Natural Language Processing

9.3. Context-aware Computing

9.4. Computer Vision

Chapter 10. Global AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Region 2023-2030

10.1. North America

10.1.1. North America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.1.2. North America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.1.3. North America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.1.4. North America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.1.5. North America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Country

10.1.5.1. The U.S. AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.1.5.1.1. The U.S. AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.1.5.1.2. The U.S. AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.1.5.1.3. The U.S. AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.1.5.1.4. The U.S. AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.1.5.2. Canada AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.1.5.2.1. Canada AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.1.5.2.2. Canada AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.1.5.2.3. Canada AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.1.5.2.4. Canada AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.1.5.3. Mexico AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.1.5.3.1. Mexico AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.1.5.3.2. Mexico AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.1.5.3.3. Mexico AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.1.5.3.4. Mexico AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.2. Europe

10.2.1. Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.2.2. Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.2.3. Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.2.4. Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.2.5. Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Country

10.2.5.1. Germany AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.2.5.1.1. Germany AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.2.5.1.2. Germany AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.2.5.1.3. Germany AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.2.5.1.4. Germany AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.2.5.2. United Kingdom AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.2.5.2.1. United Kingdom AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.2.5.2.2. United Kingdom AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.2.5.2.3. United Kingdom AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.2.5.2.4. United Kingdom AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.2.5.3. France AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.2.5.3.1. France AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.2.5.3.2. France AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.2.5.3.3. France AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.2.5.3.4. France AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.2.5.4. Italy AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.2.5.4.1. Italy AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.2.5.4.2. Italy AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.2.5.4.3. Italy AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.2.5.4.4. Italy AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.2.5.5. Rest of Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.2.5.5.1. Rest of Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.2.5.5.2. Rest of Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.2.5.5.3. Rest of Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.2.5.5.4. Rest of Europe AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.3. Asia Pacific

10.3.1. Asia Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.3.2. Asia Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.3.3. Asia Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.3.4. Asia Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.3.5. Asia Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Country

10.3.5.1. China AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.3.5.1.1. China AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.3.5.1.2. China AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.3.5.1.3. China AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.3.5.1.4. China AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.3.5.2. Japan AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.3.5.2.1. Japan AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.3.5.2.2. Japan AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.3.5.2.3. Japan AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.3.5.2.4. Japan AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.3.5.3. India AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.3.5.3.1. India AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.3.5.3.2. India AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.3.5.3.3. India AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.3.5.3.4. India AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.3.5.4. South Korea AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.3.5.4.1. South Korea AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.3.5.4.2. South Korea AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.3.5.4.3. South Korea AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.3.5.4.4. South Korea AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.3.5.5. Australia AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.3.5.5.1. Australia AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.3.5.5.2. Australia AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.3.5.5.3. Australia AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.3.5.5.4. Australia AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.3.5.6. Rest of Asia-Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.3.5.6.1. Rest of Asia-Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.3.5.6.2. Rest of Asia-Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.3.5.6.3. Rest of Asia-Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.3.5.6.4. Rest of Asia-Pacific AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.4. RoW

10.4.1. RoW AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.4.2. RoW AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.4.3. RoW AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.4.4. RoW AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.4.5. RoW AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Sub-region

10.4.5.1. Latin America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.4.5.1.1. Latin America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.4.5.1.2. Latin America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.4.5.1.3. Latin America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.4.5.1.4. Latin America AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.4.5.2. Middle East AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.4.5.2.1. Middle East AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.4.5.2.2. Middle East AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.4.5.2.3. Middle East AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.4.5.2.4. Middle East AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

10.4.5.3. Africa AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market

10.4.5.3.1. Africa AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Offering

10.4.5.3.2. Africa AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Image Acquisition Technology

10.4.5.3.3. Africa AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by End User

10.4.5.3.4. Africa AI-enabled Imaging Solutions Market by Technology

As AI continues to redefine the landscape of medical imaging, providing unparalleled insights, enhancing efficiency, and fostering innovation, its transformative potential within healthcare is set to revolutionize the global industry. For a comprehensive analysis of specific segments, emerging market trends, competitive dynamics, and growth prospects, please refer to the full research report.

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Reasons to Buy this Report:

=> Comprehensive analysis of global as well as regional markets of AI-enabled imaging solutions.

=> Complete coverage of all the product types and application segments to analyze the trends, developments, and forecast of market size up to 2030.

=> Comprehensive analysis of the companies operating in this market. The company profile includes an analysis of the product portfolio, revenue, SWOT analysis, and the latest developments of the company.

=> Infinium Global Research- Growth Matrix presents an analysis of the product segments and geographies that market players should focus on to invest, consolidate, expand, and/or diversify.

About Infinium Global Research:

Infinium Global Research is a business consulting and market research firm; a group of experts that caters to fulfilling business and market research needs of leading companies in various industry verticals and business segments. The company also serves government bodies, institutes, and non-profit/non-government organizations to meet their knowledge and information needs.

Through our information services and solutions, we assist our clients to improve their performance and assess the market conditions to achieve their organizational goals. Our team of experts and analysts are engaged in continuously monitoring and assessing the market conditions to provide knowledge support to our clients. To help our clients and to stay updated with the advances and inventions in technology, business processes, regulations, and the environment, Infinium often conducts regular meets with industry experts and opinion leaders. Our key opinion leaders are involved in monitoring and assessing the progress in the business environment, so as to offer the best opinion to our clients.

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The cross-industry companies are united by a shared commitment to protecting access to trustworthy reviews worldwide, ensuring consumers can make informed purchase decisions

NEEDHAM, Mass., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Amazon, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Glassdoor, Tripadvisor, and Trustpilot announced they have teamed up to launch the global Coalition for Trusted Reviews, a cross-industry collaboration committed to protecting access to trustworthy consumer reviews worldwide. Together, members will define best practices for hosting online reviews and sharing methods of fake review detection, aiming to stop fake reviews at the source.

Companies met in October 2022 in San Francisco at the first ever Fake Reviews Conference, organized by Tripadvisor. Attendees heard from experts in government, academia and the industry at large on common challenges and potential mitigation approaches related to the issue of fake reviews. This resulted in the establishment of a formal coalition to collaborate on public education and ongoing information sharing between members, in an effort to decrease review fraud.

The group has agreed to engage in several key areas to protect consumers and partners from fake reviews, working to help ensure the public is not misled by fraudulent content, including:

Industry Alignment. Developing common standards and definitions for use throughout the industry around what constitutes a fake review and other content moderation nomenclature and measurement.

Best Practice Sharing. Defining best practices for hosting online reviews and sharing information on updated content moderation process and methods of fake review detection.

Information Sharing. Sharing information relating to how fraudulent actors operate, such as companies selling fake reviews to businesses seeking to unfairly and improperly improve their reputations.

Advocacy. Engaging with academics and public policy leaders to promote the benefits to consumers of review content and support industry efforts to combat fake reviews from being published.

The coalition is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. Through collaborative initiatives, they aim to set new standards for maintaining the authenticity of reviews, instilling confidence in consumers worldwide.

Coalition members will next meet in Brussels on December 5th and 6th the second conference, organized by Amazon.

Amazon

"Customer reviews are an important part of the shopping experience, and the goal of this coalition is to ensure every review reflects customers' actual experiences," said Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon's vice president of Worldwide Selling Partner Services. "Amazon is aggressively fighting fake review brokers to protect our customers and selling partners, but these fraudsters are a global problem, impacting multiple industry sectors. Through greater collaboration and sharing across industries, including information on fraudsters' tactics and how they operate, we can more effectively shut down fraudulent review activity, deter other bad actors from attempting to game our systems, and protect more consumers."

Booking.com

"With more than 300 million verified reviews from real guests on our platform, we are actively invested in ensuring the ongoing credibility of our program, both for travelers and our partners," said Spencer Mott, Chief Security Officer at Booking.com. "From machine learning fraud detection models to custom-made tooling for our teams of experienced moderators, we are continuously enhancing our efforts, including through collaborating with this coalition of like-minded platforms. Together we can explore best practices and learn from each other, thereby increasing awareness across the industry to the benefit of an even wider array of consumers and businesses."

Expedia Group

"Authentic reviews are crucial for travelers when booking accommodations, destinations, and experiences, said CJ Allen, Vice President, Marketplace Experience & Trust, Expedia Group. We use technology not only to detect fraudulent postings but also to implement a human touch, further validating the honesty and transparency of reviews. Expedia Group takes pride in participating in this coalition to combat these fake actors, who pose a direct threat to our industry's most valuable asset: trust."

Glassdoor

"Job seekers rely on the integrity and authenticity of anonymous reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to confidently make decisions about jobs and companies to work for," said Cara Barry, Glassdoor Director of Content and Community. "Glassdoor's moderation team is constantly evolving our multi-tier technological and human review processes to prevent fake reviews on our platform, but we recognize that we must continue to innovate with new approaches. We look forward to closer collaboration with our industry partners to create new frameworks to mitigate fake reviews and maintain trust in content on Glassdoor and elsewhere online."

Tripadvisor

"The trust that consumers and partners have in our platforms and businesses is a top priority for the members of this coalition, all of whom agreed to join together to fight fake review content on the Internet. To further maintain the credibility and authenticity of reviews on our platforms, we aim to make it increasingly difficult for fraudulent actors who try to deceive our customers to operate online," said Becky Foley, Vice President, Trust & Safety, Tripadvisor. "Combating these operators, particularly those attempting to sell fake reviews to companies looking to improve their online reputations, will be an immediate area of focus. These actors often operate outside of jurisdictions with a legal framework to shut down fraudulent activity, making robust cooperation even more important."

Trustpilot

"Trust is at the heart of every decision consumers make to buy products and services, especially online. Reviews help to fuel confidence, which makes it imperative that consumers can rely on the reviews they read, and know that they are genuine and authentic, said Carolyn Jameson, Chief Trust and Consumer Officer at Trustpilot. "At Trustpilot we're always innovating, searching for different avenues to take on fake review sellers and businesses who try to manipulate feedback written about them. Greater collaboration and sharing of ideas across the reviews industry, through the Coalition for Trusted Reviews will undoubtedly be a major boost in the global fight against fraud and deception as we work to combat those who seek to undermine trust online."

About the Coalition for Trusted Reviews

The Coalition for Trusted Reviews is a group of industry leaders in hospitality, retail, consumer services, and travel that offer trustworthy reviews to help their customers make informed purchase decisions. Member companies are focused on reducing fraudulent customer reviews. The group currently includes Amazon, Booking.com, Expedia, Glassdoor, Tripadvisor, and Trustpilot.

SOURCE Tripadvisor
ZURICH, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor plc (NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC) will announce its First Quarter 2024 results for the three months ended 30 September 2023 after the US market closes on Tuesday 31 October 2023.

A conference call and webcast to discuss the results will be held at 5.30pm US Eastern Daylight Time on Tuesday 31 October 2023 / 8.30am Australian Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday 1 November 2023. For those wishing to participate in the call please use the following dial-in numbers:

US and Canada:

888 440 4149 (toll-free)



646 960 0661 (local) Australia:

1800 519 630 (toll-free)



02 9133 7103 (local) United Kingdom:

0800 358 0970 (toll-free)



020 3433 3846 (local) Hong Kong:

+852 3002 3410 (local) Singapore:

+65 3159 5133 (local) All other countries:

+1 646 960 0661 (this is not a toll-free number)





Conference ID

8080870

Access to the webcast and supporting materials will be available via the Investors section of Amcor's website (www.amcor.com/investors). A webcast replay will be available at the conclusion of the call.

About Amcor

Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and other products. Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect their products, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures, and services. The company is focused on making packaging that is increasingly light-weighted, recyclable and reusable, and made using an increasing amount of recycled content. In fiscal year 2023, around 41,000 Amcor people generated US$14.7 billion in annual sales from operations that span 218 locations in 41 countries. NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC

www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I Facebook I Twitter I YouTube

SOURCE Amcor
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Anju, a leading provider of clinical intelligence solutions, proudly announces the expansion of its TA Scan platform through the integration of European diversity data from the UK and demographics data from France and Spain. This strategic enhancement, implemented in September 2023, builds upon Anju's commitment to supporting global clinical research diversity and site selection.

Implementing diversity strategies in clinical trials is not only a regulatory requirement as policies increasingly mandate diversity criteria, but it's also a moral obligation to make trials more inclusive and accessible to all patients. The absence of diversity plans in trials could lead to costly amendments and approval delays. Anju's dedication to delivering comprehensive, global diversity data empowers clinical research professionals to meet these emerging requirements efficiently, while maintaining the highest standards of data security and privacy.

"TA Scan's expansion into European diversity data underscores our commitment to helping clinical research professionals meet their global study diversification goals," said Barbara Argibay, VP of Development, Data Division at Anju. "Empowering users to optimize recruitment strategies, site/investigator/KOL selection, and diversity initiatives with ease, while maintaining the highest standards of data security and privacy."

TA Scan enables users to visualize essential data, such as ethnicity, socio-economic information, and site/investigator experience, all on a single map. This innovative feature streamlines site selection and recruitment strategies, significantly reducing the time and manual effort required for clinical research professionals. Users can conveniently filter and visualize this data within the TA Scan application, export it for analysis, or access it via the API Services. Anju's Data-as-a-Service offering also provides sponsors and CROs with the necessary insights to support their feasibility, site/investigator/KOL identification, and diversity strategies.

For information about Anju's TA Scan please visit Anju's website.

Anju is a customer-first organization delivering adaptable life science solutions for clinical research, medical affairs, and data science. TrialMaster, IRMS MAX, and TA Scan, the company's flagship products, lead the way in reducing complexities in the drug and device discovery and commercialization process. With a team of industry experts and a diverse suite of versatile products, Anju empowers clients to drive innovation, efficiency, and compliance. Anju is a portfolio company of Abry Partners serving the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotech and contract research Life Sciences markets.

Media Contact

John F. Kouten

JFK Communications, Inc.

+1 609.241.7352

[email protected]

SOURCE Anju Software
SECAUCUS, N.J., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Artistic Tile is proud to announce its commitment to peace as a founding member of Design Industry for Peace. The design community is strong, creative, and resilient, and we're inspired to see an industry-wide movement using the tools of our trade to actively support peace.

The need for supplies for front line workers is severe. Artistic Tile has committed to charitable giving of 2% of sales (excluding taxes & shipping) until the end of 2023. To initiate this program, the company is pre-funding $100,000 to help serve the immediate need.

Design Industry for Peace

Our contributions will be channeled to the following Design Industry for Peace vetted organizations, depending on where the need is greatest. Each of these charities plays a vital role in providing assistance, support, and relief to the affected communities:

United Hatzalah

United Jewish Federation: Israel Emergency Fund

Emergency Fund Friends of the IDF

American Friends of Magen David Adom

StandWithUs: Israel Emergency Fund

Artistic Tile believes deeply in philanthropy. The company gave its largest donation of the year as soon as banks opened after the terrorist attacks in Israel. Design Industry for Peace has inspired us to contribute again.

"We urge others in the design space, and in other industries, to join in this important cause. Hamas constitutes a threat to Americans, to Israelis, and to all of the innocent people whose safety they intentionally compromise and exploit. Our work to support front line workers and those pursuing peace will save innocent lives. In the words of my beloved mother-in-law, if you haven't given until it affects your lifestyle, you haven't given enough." said Nancy Epstein, Founder and Chair of Artistic Tile.

About Artistic Tile: Since its inception in 1987, Artistic Tile has been a market leader, producing designs that define the direction of the tile industry. Under the leadership of founder Nancy Epstein, the company has grown to include nine retail locations, a diverse network of partner showrooms, a rapidly growing ecommerce website, a finely curated slab gallery, and a 125,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art headquarters.

About Design Industry for Peace: Design Industry for Peace is a collective of design professionals, companies, and organizations united in the pursuit of peace and support for Israeli communities affected by terrorism.

For more information about Design Industry for Peace, visit designindustryforpeace.com .

Contact:

Name: Maya Ahluwalia

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (201) 864-7000

SOURCE Artistic Tile
Ascent Recognized for Investing in Company Culture, Employee Development and Wellbeing

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascent, a leader in outcomes-based lending and student success, announced today that it has received recognition as a Best Places to Work for in 2023 from American Banker, the San Diego Business Journal and Best Companies Group.

"We are incredibly honored to receive three Best Places to Work awards this year," said Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Ken Ruggiero. "These awards reflect our commitment to fostering an environment where culture, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose thrive. I am proud of the dedicated individuals who make our company an exceptional place to work every day."

American Banker ranked Ascent #2 out of 50 companies on its Best Places to Work in FinTech list for a second year in a row. American Banker's annual survey identifies, recognizes, and honors the best employers in the financial technology industry. The two-part assessment process included an employer questionnaire on benefits and policies as well as an employee survey on engagement and satisfaction with questions focused on eight core areas including leadership and planning, training, and work environment.

Moving up 11 spots from last year, Ascent received the #7 ranking out of 46 from the San Diego Business Journal for the 2023 Best Places to Work award. This award recognizes outstanding companies whose benefits, policies, and practices are among the best in the region. The outlet reported that the 46 winners averaged an 87% score for employee satisfaction with benefits offered; Ascent received a 93% score. Additionally, the outlet reported that 99% of Ascent employees responding to the survey said, "This organization treats me with dignity, not just as a number."

"One of the reasons I love working at Ascent is the great benefits they offer, like a paid sabbatical when you celebrate your three-year anniversary," said Project Manager of Ascent Casey Stenger, who completed the San Diego Business Journal survey. "Our HR team works with IT to shut off access to our company channels, like email and internal chats. It's a really great way to unplug and reset with zero distractions from work. I had the opportunity to travel with my husband to the Outer Banks to celebrate my three-year anniversary and babymoon at the same time."

In addition, Ascent has been named one of the Best Places to Work in SoCal by Best Companies Group. Ascent has been recognized as #4 out of 35 companies vying for the top ranking in the medium employer category. Highlights from the employee survey include:

98% of employees said, "The leaders of this organization care about their employees' well-being."

96% of employees said, "I feel I am valued in this organization."

100% of employees said, "My supervisor handles my personal issues satisfactory."

96% of employees said, "I am proud to work for this organization."

For information about Ascent, its workplace culture, and available career opportunities, visit AscentFunding.com .

About Ascent

Ascent is the leading provider of innovative financial products and student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success. We are obsessed with driving positive student outcomes. Everything Ascent offers is designed with the best-in-class teams and technology to increase every student's ability to plan, pay, and succeed. For more information, visit www.ascentfunding.com.

SOURCE Ascent Funding
ASUCLA Restaurants' newest location SAMBAZON opened on Sept. 16th in Ackerman Union, providing an option for acai bowls and other superfood-blends.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A delicious, quick-service acai bowl shop is now open in Ackerman Union; SAMBAZON, the world's largest brand of organic and Fair Trade certified acai products, is now serving refreshing bowls topped with fruits, berries, and other superfoods.

SAMBAZON Acai Bowls location at UCLA

"We are excited to partner with ASUCLA to open our doors on UCLA's campus and serve delicious food with purpose to the students and faculty," said Ryan Black, SAMBAZON cofounder and CEO. "What's unique about SAMBAZON is that in addition to sharing our signature acai bowls, we have an opportunity to share our brand's mission and values, which include a proactive solution to sustainable management of the Amazon Rainforest."

Adding to the diverse repertoire of the Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) Restaurant locations on campus, SAMBAZON, which stands for Sustainable Management of the Brazilian Amazon, is housed in Ackerman Union, A-Level, across from Lollicup Fresh.

On the menu, Bruins can order from a number of SAMBAZON original assorted acai bowls including Coconut Mango, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry Sunrise and more. All SAMBAZON bowls are made with certified organic and Fair Trade acai, and the menu features vegan, halal and kosher options.

"We're thrilled to bring SAMBAZON to Ackerman Union," said ASUCLA Food Operations Assistant Director Thomas Beres. "Come take a break in your day with a delicious, organic, vegan acai bowl and see for yourself what all the excitement is about."

SAMBAZON is open Monday-Thursday between the hours of 9 a.m.  7 p.m., Fridays between 9 a.m.  5 p.m., and 9 a.m.  4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information about ASUCLA Restaurants hours, visit the website here .

About SAMBAZON

Founded in 2000, SAMBAZON, an acronym for Sustainable Management of the Brazilian Amazon, was the first company to introduce "certified Acai" to the world, supplying organic and Fair Trade certified Acai products such as Smoothie Packs, Ready to Eat Acai Bowls, Juices, Energy drinks and Acai Bites from a proprietary supply chain to ensure transparency from the "palm of the tree to the palm of your hand." SAMBAZON's Fair Trade certification has helped to protect the Amazon Rainforest and its rich biodiversity and has helped to positively impact thousands of local growers by donating over $1 million to build or renovate healthcare centers, community centers and schools. To learn more about SAMBAZON, follow @sambazon on Instagram.

About ASUCLA:

Founded in 1919, Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) is a nonprofit association that drives vitally essential student services and activities throughout the UCLA campus. ASUCLA boasts the largest college store in the U.S., an extensive food program, UCLA brand licensing programming through UCLA Trademarks & Licensing, and other services and programs that include student government and student media, which significantly enhances the quality of UCLA's campus life. For more information and to stay connected, follow @asucla on Instagram or visit asucla.ucla.edu.

SOURCE SAMBAZON
BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Banco BBVA Argentina S.A (NYSE; BYMA; MAE: BBAR; LATIBEX: XBBAR) announced today the approval of dividend payment

The Shareholders of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. are hereby notified that in accordance with the resolutions of the General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting held on April 28, 2023, the authorization of the Argentine Financial and Exchange Institutions Authority of the Argentine Central Bank obtained on May 31, 2023 and the Board of Directors' meeting held on June 7, 2023, the shares of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A., the Bank will proceed to make available and pay to its existing shareholders on the Bank's share register, as of October 27, 2023 ("Cut-Off Date") of Installment 6, as of November 1, 2023 ("Payment Date"), a dividend, by means of the delivery of:

(i) Payment in Kind: Up to 8,254,072,169 par value of the National Treasury Bill in Pesos Adjusted by CER at a discount due November 23, 2023 (ISIN ARARGE520DT9) Ticker X23N3 (CV code 9197) at a ratio of par value 13.4714156856 of the above mentioned security for each Company share of Ps. 1 par value, which represents 1370.99 % of the capital stock of Ps. 612,710,079. Fractions of less than 1 will be settled in Pesos; or

(ii) Cash option: Up to Ps. 8,400,169,246.50 at a ratio of Ps. 13.7098597435 for each Company share of Ps. 1 par value.

Payments will be made in kind, except for those shareholders who expressly elect to receive their dividend in cash in Argentine pesos. The final amounts of the nominal values or pesos detailed in items (i) and (ii) above will depend on the exercise of the option of payment in pesos.

General terms and conditions of dividend payment

Payment date: November 1

Cut-off date: October 27

Those shareholders who hold their shares in the Shareholders Registry kept by Caja de Valores S.A. on behalf of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. should contact such entity at the e-mail address [email protected] to obtain information on the procedure applicable for the purpose of disposing of the securities as dividends in kind.

It is expressly stated that the Shareholders holdings recorded as of the Cut-Off Date for each installment will be the only ones taken into account for purposes of the payment of the declared dividend. Notices given by those who are not holders of shares of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. as of the Cut-Off Date shall be deemed not to have been submitted and shall be null and void.

Cash payment option

Those shareholders who wish to receive their dividend in Argentine pesos must send a written notice, signed by the holder of the shares, from October 17 through October 27, 2023, inclusive, on business days within said period, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. at the following e-mail address: [email protected], or to Reconquista 199 EP, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, C/O Ezequiel Serra. The option will be valid exclusively for this installment. Those shareholders who hold their shares in a Caja de Valores depositary must send such notice through their custodian agent, detailing ownership and account number. The resulting funds will be wired to the bank account informed by their agent.

Such option may not be partially exercised, and will apply to the total of the shareholder's position as of the cut-off date.

The dividend will be made available through Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Av. Cordoba 111, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.

Payment in Kind

The dividend will be made available as from the date indicated above, through Caja de Valores S.A., located at 25 de Mayo 362, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, on business days from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., where the required formalities must be complied with and settlements will be made in accordance with the regulatory deadlines.

American Depositary Shares (ADSs)

Holders of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) will receive payment through the depository bank, Bank of New York Mellon, as of the date resulting from the application of the rules in force in the jurisdiction where Banco BBVA Argentina S.A.'s ADSs are listed. In this regard, the cut-off and/or payment dates may differ from those reported herein.

Tax withholdings

From the distribution of dividends, the amounts duly paid by Banco BBVA Argentina S.A., in its capacity as Substitute Obligor for the Personal Property Tax corresponding to the periods 2021 and 2022 of Shareholders who have been subject to such tax, shall be deducted, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of the last paragraph of section incorporated by Law No. 26,452 after section 25 of Law No. 23,966.

It is also informed that such payment is subject to the 7% withholding established in article 97 of the Income Tax Law, text as amended in 2019 (provided that the beneficiaries of the dividends are individuals and undivided estates resident in the country and beneficiaries abroad) but will not be subject to the 35% withholding established in article 74 of the Income Tax Law, text as amended in 2019". For those shareholders included in the law, a ratio of nominal value 12,5284165876 of the mentioned security will be taken for each Company share of Ps. 1 par value, and in case of option in Argentine pesos to a ratio of value Ps. 12,7501695614.- for each Company share of $ 1 par value.

Investor Relations contact

investorelations-arg@bbva.com

SOURCE BBVA ARGENTINA
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America reported its third-quarter 2023 financial results today. The news release, supplemental filing and investor presentation can be accessed at Bank of America's Investor Relations website at https://investor.bankofamerica.com/quarterly-earnings.

Investor Conference Call information:

Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan and Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick will discuss the financial results in a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today. For a listen-only connection to the conference call, dial 1.877.200.4456 (U.S.) or 1.785.424.1732 (international), and the conference ID is 79795. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Investors can also listen to live audio of the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting the Events and Presentations section of the company's Investor Relations website.

Replay information for Investor Conference Call:

Investors can access replays of the conference call by visiting the Investor Relations website or by calling 1.800.934.4850 (U.S.) or 1.402.220.1178 (international) from noon on October 17 through 11:59 p.m. ET on October 27.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

www.bankofamerica.com

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.388.6780

[email protected]

Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)

Phone: 1.212.449.3112

[email protected]

Reporters May Contact:

Bill Halldin, Bank of America

Phone: 1.916.724.0093

[email protected]

Christopher P. Feeney, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.386.6794

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
BEIJING, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The world is moving ever closer toward greater multipolarity, economic globalization and cultural diversity, becoming increasingly information-orientated in the process. Countries today are more frequently connected and closely interdependent than at any point in history. Humanity is, without a doubt, a community with a shared futurea future in which everyone's interests are inseparably entwined.

A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions goes a long way

However, a growing deficit in peace, development, security and governance, together with intertwining conventional and non-conventional security issues, such as regional conflicts, arms races, food insecurity, terrorism, cyber-attacks, climate change, energy crises and artificial intelligence snags, poses a grave threat to the beautiful planet we all live on.

In the face of emerging global difficulties and challenges, human society needs new ideas, new concepts and a more just, equitable, balanced, resilient and effective global governance system. What kind of world to build and how to create a brighter future are questions on the minds of all countries and individuals. We must respond to the challenges presented by the times and make the right choices.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) via video in Beijing on July 4 and expressed his expectations for the future of the nine-member international organization, he said, "A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions goes a long way."

The sentence derives from remarks found in The Analects of Confucius and the Dao De Jing, works that outline the thoughts of the two great ancient Chinese thinkers Confucius and Laozi, respectively. It underlines the importance of advancing together on the right path to achieve greater development through solidarity, cooperation and perseverance.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity. As the world is changing in ways rarely seen before, the SCO, founded by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in Shanghai in 2001, has upheld this concept of a shared future and embarked on a new path where countries build partnerships instead of forming exclusive blocs and work together toward common benefits instead of working against one another by engaging in confrontation. This devotedness has made the SCO a cornerstone for world peace and stability, exemplifying the time-honored adage that "a just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions goes a long way."

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an initiative consisting of a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. Over the past decade, the initiative, aimed at boosting connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes, has gathered three fourths of the world's countries and 32 international organizations and carried out 3,000 projects with nearly $1 trillion in investment.

Flagship projects include China-Europe freight trains, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The initiative's participating economies have strengthened their interconnectivity, leading to burgeoning cross-border trade and investment.

The BRI supports genuine multilateralism through consultation and cooperation in global governance. It advocates dialogue rather than confrontation, tearing down walls rather than erecting new ones, integration rather than decoupling, and inclusion rather than exclusion. This new paradigm for state-to-state relations shapes the international order toward greater justice and equity.

To contribute to the future wellbeing of humanity, China has proposed several undertakings to lift global governance. For example, the country's ideas on development, security, civilizations and ecological progress are considered global public goods because they inspire the international community to seek cooperation while setting aside differences, and because their benefits are continuously and equally available to all nations.

China calls for building international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, as well as win-win cooperation. It works with its partners to promote regional cooperation while pursuing global common development. "A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions goes a long way." China's efforts in this area reflect the continued relevance of ancient Chinese knowhow in contemporary times.

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Website: https://www.bjreview.com/Multimedia/Video/Ancient_Wisdom_Upgraded_Interpretation/202310/t20231012_800344760.html

SOURCE Beijing Review
Legislation lifting archaic restrictions and modernizing Pennsylvania's outdated nursing law attracts bipartisan support

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Legislators and nurse practitioners gathered in the Capitol today, as Representative Nancy Guenst (D-Montgomery County) announced that she is introducing legislation in the House of Representatives to grant full practice authority to nurse practitioners (NPs), increasing access to care for the people of Pennsylvania.

With a focus on increasing access to care for Pennsylvanians, bipartisan legislators and nurse practitioners gathered today in the Capitol, as Rep. Nancy Guenst announced that she is introducing legislation in the House of Representatives to grant full practice authority to nurse practitioners.

"Right now, there are not enough primary care physicians to care for people in Pennsylvania," explained Cheryl Schlamb, president of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. "As the shortage of providers grows, nurse practitioners have stepped in, allowing people to get high-quality care and prevent health problems that come from delays. Yet despite the need, an outdated regulatory burden is holding Pennsylvania back by limiting nurse practitioners from providing care. Now is the time to lift that burden and make it easier for patients to access the care they need."

Earlier this session, SB 25 was introduced in the Senate to grant full practice authority to NPs. Representative Guenst's bill will serve as parallel legislation in the House.

"This is common sense legislation," said Representative Guenst. "Twenty-seven states have already implemented the advancement of full practice authority for nurse practitioners and it works. Pennsylvanians deserve access to quality healthcare. With a shortage of physicians and in the midst of a mental health crisis, we need to support legislation that would make more health care providers available for quality treatment."

A recent report by Mercer found that by 2026, an estimated 23,000 primary care physicians will retire, making this challenge even more acute than it is today.

Today, a nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania cannot practice without a signed collaborative agreement with two doctors. Depending on the setting, a nurse practitioner may be asked to pay a monthly or annual fee to a physician to act as a collaborator. If one of the two collaborating physicians retires or leaves, the nurse practitioner must stop seeing patients until another collaborator is identified and the paperwork is completed, adding new costs to the nurse practitioner.

By eliminating that regulation, full practice authority allows nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of their licensure and education  maximizing their contributions to our struggling healthcare systems  without binding them to an arbitrary agreement with two doctors that does not impact the care a nurse practitioner provides. Full practice authority does not change the current scope of practice of a nurse practitioner, nor does it eliminate the need to collaborate across professions  it simply eliminates a costly, cumbersome agreement between physicians and nurse practitioners.

"Contrary to what some believe, paid collaborating physicians aren't checking the nurse practitioners' charts or necessarily seeing their patients," explained Dr. Marc Watkins, Board President of the Convenient Care Association. "In fact, there are cases where the nurse practitioner only sees or talks with their collaborating physician once a year. By removing a costly regulatory burden, full practice authority empowers NPs to practice at the top of their licensure and education, maximizing their contributions to primary care."

Beyond Pennsylvania, 27 states  including bordering states like Maryland, New York, and Delaware  currently grant nurse practitioners full practice authority, making them more attractive places for nurse practitioners to live and work.

In addition to Guenst, Schlamb, and Watkins, speakers at the event included Representative Tarik Khan, who is a nurse practitioner himself; SB 25 sponsors Senators Camera Bartolotta and Lisa Boscola; Bill Johnston-Walsh, State Director of AARP; Ashley Klingensmith, State Director of Americans for Prosperity; and PCNP President-Elect Amanda Laskoskie, along with nurse practitioners from across the state.

About the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners

PCNP is the state organization that promotes and protects the practice of almost 18,000 Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) in Pennsylvania. With 17 regional groups across the Commonwealth, the organization advocates for affordable, accessible quality health care, provides continuing education programs for Nurse Practitioners, and promotes the practice of CRNPs through legislative and regulatory processes. Learn more by visiting PACNP.org .

Kelley Denny, 412-352-9240

media@dennycivicsolutions.com

SOURCE Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
SAN DIEGO and SHANGHAI, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio4t2 received regulatory approvals to repeatedly administer patients with T cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting BT-001, an antigen on solid tumors identified using the PrismCore platform. The CAR-T, termed B4t2-001, are predicted to engraft without preparative chemotherapy (lymphodepletion) based on the Bio-Engine technology enabling multiple infusions for each recipient to further improve the therapeutic effect.

Clinical trial repeatedly infuses CAR-T without lymphodepletion to treat solid tumors. Post this Bio4t2, global clinical stage biopharmaceutical company combines PrismCore and Bio-Engine technologies to advance cutting-edge CAR-T therapy in phase 1 clinical trial.

The PrismCore platform generates CAR-T that recognizes overexpressed self-antigens on solid tumors. Bio-Engine adapts the CAR-T to transiently recognize a subset of circulating blood cells to boost the numbers of infused genetically modified T cells without the need for preparative chemotherapy. Bio4t2 harnesses these technologies to unlock the commercial potential of CAR-T in patients with invasive cancers.

A prior pilot investigator-initiated trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT05621486) demonstrated that B4t2-001 can engraft to the range of 40 to 50% of circulating lymphocytes, even when lymphodepletion was omitted, and resulted in anti-tumor effects.

"This new phase 1 trial builds off our pilot clinical study which concluded a few weeks ago," said Dr. Laurence Cooper MD-PhD, Executive Chairman of the board. "Treating solid tumors depends on identifying targets that are uniformly expressed across cancer cells and engrafting CAR-T without immunological exhaustion. We combine our PrismCore and Bio-Engine technologies to achieve both goals and advance our cutting-edge CAR-T for the many patients with solid tumors," added Dr. Cooper.

"PrismCore identifies targets on invasive cancers and Bio-Engine harnesses normal blood cells to create a niche for CAR-T engraftment without the use of preparative chemotherapy," said Farzad Haerizadeh, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, and co-founder. "Based on the success of our pilot clinical study, Bio4t2's CAR-T is predicted to attack the tumor again and again without the cost, complexity, and toxicities, associated with lymphodepletion," said Haerizadeh.

About the clinical trial

The phase 1 investigator-initiated study (clinicals.gov NCT06072989) evaluates intra-patient repeat administration and inter-patient ascending doses of B4t2-001 targeting BT-001 without lymphodepletion in adult patients with solid tumors at Shanghai East and Shanghai Artemed hospitals in the People's Republic of China. Furthermore, this trial assesses the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and preliminary efficacy of autologous CAR-T.

About Bio4t2

Bio4t2 is a global clinical stage privately held biopharmaceutical company generating CAR-T that recognizes solid tumors using exclusive technologies. The proprietary PrismCore platform combines algorithmic learning with supervised and iterative designs of CARs to rapidly generate genetically modified T cells that recognize overexpressed self-antigens. The unique Bio-Engine technology enhances engraftment without preparative chemotherapy (lymphodepletion) facilitating repeat dosing of CAR-T. With operations in People's Republic of China and USA, Bio4t2 swiftly translates CAR-T into clinical trials to understand their therapeutic potential. Bio4t2 is a Bridgewest Group portfolio company.

Media Contact:

Jenny Bourbiel

[email protected]

General Contact:

Farzad Haerizadeh

[email protected]

SOURCE Bio4t2
D2L and BlackBerry select Actua, with specialized STEM programming for K-12 students and Indigenous youth, for first investment

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) ("BlackBerry") a global IoT and cybersecurity software company and D2L Inc. (TSX: DTOL) ("D2L") a global learning technology company, today announced their partnership to support STEM education for K-12 students in North America, with BlackBerry naming D2L its Sustainability Partner.

As partners in technology-enabled missions, BlackBerry and D2L have chosen Actua, a national STEM outreach organization, for the first investment. BlackBerry believes a sustainable world is one that is increasingly connected and has security and privacy built in. The company leverages its expertise and innovations to help achieve a sustainable world. D2L is committed to reducing cybersecurity burdens through innovative learning and education solutions has partnered with BlackBerry to identify Actua to help advance its sustainability agenda.

Actua Canada's leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach organization, is a leader amongst its peers in impact measurement, depth and breadth of programming, and in its extensive delivery and partner networks across Canada. Of its many programs, Actua's investments in Indigenous-led participation in STEM skill development, with land-based InSTEM programming and in-classroom workshops, including in the North, reaches over 35,000 Indigenous students across Canada annually.

"Like BlackBerry, D2L leads with purpose and innovation and we are thrilled to partner with them to enable the next-generation of innovators. Together we will support Actua's mission to foster technology talent and prepare the workforce of tomorrow," said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry. "At BlackBerry we believe that the IoT and cybersecurity are key pillars of a sustainable future and industry leaders have a responsibility to eliminate barriers to STEM education for global progress in an increasingly technology-driven world."

"We are delighted to be named BlackBerry's Sustainability Partner in their mission to help build a more sustainable world, and thrilled that together we can support Actua Canada's largest STEM outreach organization, in their ongoing work to dismantle inequalities so that all youth can participate in STEM," says John Baker, CEO of D2L. "At D2L, we believe that the role of education is the foundation for human progress, perhaps now more than ever. Technology-enabled learning has a critical role to play in improving learning experiences, in promoting lifelong learning opportunities, and in making quality learning more accessible for all."

"We are grateful for BlackBerry and D2L's support in advancing STEM skill development and learning," said Jennifer Flanagan, Actua's Co-founder and CEO. "Actua's Indigenous Youth In STEM program focuses on culturally inclusive learning experiences and removing barriers that prevent Indigenous youth from engaging in STEM. With BlackBerry and D2L's partnership, we will continue providing opportunities for Indigenous youth to thrive in STEM, nurturing their confidence and skills in these critical fields."

BlackBerry has been committed to innovations in connectivity and cybersecurity technologies for forty years. The company believes that advancing how the world connects is key for today and future generations to thrive, and that connectivity must have security and privacy embedded to be sustainable. BlackBerry is trusted by customers and partners around the world in the fields of embedded software, endpoint management, AI cybersecurity, and more.

D2L is driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality education, regardless of age, ability or location. For more than two decades, D2L has been focused on creating unique, accessible learning experiences to make learning more engaging and meaningful. D2L platforms enhance the learning experience for millions of people across the globe at every stage of life, from the earliest days of school to the working world.

For more information on the partnership between BlackBerry and D2L watch BlackBerry Summit live today.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 235M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety, and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security, endpoint management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust.

About D2L

D2L is transforming the way the world learnshelping learners of all ages achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with clients all over the world, D2L is supporting millions of people learning online and in person. Our growing global workforce is dedicated to making the best learning products to leave the world better than they found it. Learn more about D2L for K-12, higher education and businesses at www.D2L.com.

Media Contacts:

BlackBerry Media Relations

+1 (519) 597-7273

[email protected]

D2L Media Contact

Tory Waldron

Director, PR, D2L Corporation

[email protected]

SOURCE BlackBerry Limited
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 17. Presidents of Uzbekistan and China agreed to bring the trade turnover to $20 billion in the next five years, Trend reports.

The remark was made during the meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of China Xi Jinping on October 17 in Beijing.

During the talks, the parties discussed issues of further strengthening of Uzbek-Chinese relations and comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as expressed interest in expanding the portfolio of high-tech projects by jointly organizing the production of innovative products with high added value.

The presidents noted that the volume of Chinese investments has increased fivefold and the number of companies has tripled in recent years. Since the beginning of 2023, the volume of mutual trade has increased by 36 percent and is expected to exceed the $10 billion mark by the end of the year.

President of Uzbekistan is currently on a working visit to China for the participation in the events of the Third One Belt, One Road International Forum from October 17 through October 18 in Chinas Beijing.

The agenda of the event includes discussion of issues of further development of trade and economic cooperation, strengthening of transport and communication interconnectedness, promotion of green development programs, digitalization, etc.

China has been implementing a vast number of investment projects in Uzbekistan, including a recent $50 million technopark project in Uzbekistans Syrdarya region, as well as the supply of 2,000 electric buses to the country by a Chinese BYD automobile company.
New study reveals 77% of Americans believe recipes are vital to preserving family heritage; millennials most likely to cook family favorites

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For 75 years, Bob Evans Farms has brought people together with the highest-quality breakfast sausage made with premium cuts of pork and a signature seasoning recipe created by Bob Evans himself. To celebrate, Bob Evans is helping people turn their favorite family recipes into treasured keepsakes and even giving away a year's supply of sausage to one lucky sausage lover.

Bob Evans is celebrating 75 years of its breakfast sausage by helping people turn their favorite family recipes into treasured keepsakes.

"Bob Evans sausage is a family recipe born from time-honored principles and carries the legacy of our brand," said Ciare James, vice president of brand marketing, Bob Evans Farms. "Just like our 75-year-old sausage recipe, we believe family recipes and culinary traditions are meant to be passed down and cherished."

Savoring family recipes

New research commissioned by Bob Evans found there is a strong sense of connection to the past that recipes tend to bring  feelings of joy, love, nostalgia and satisfaction are wrapped in the smells and tastes that trigger familial memories.

The taste of time. Seventy-one percent of people have a family recipe that was handed down to them by their parents (54%), grandparents (40%) or great-grandparents (24%).



Seventy-one percent of people have a family recipe that was handed down to them by their parents (54%), grandparents (40%) or great-grandparents (24%). Drool-worthy dishes. Two in three Americans have family recipes so good they believe they're worthy of bestselling cookbooks.



Two in three Americans have family recipes so good they believe they're worthy of bestselling cookbooks. Print versus digital. Even in the digital age, many still prefer to store their family recipes on physical note cards (46%), in a physical recipe book (40%) or purely by memory (25%) compared to digital scanning (13%).



Even in the digital age, many still prefer to store their family recipes on physical note cards (46%), in a physical recipe book (40%) or purely by memory (25%) compared to digital scanning (13%). Generation gap. Millennials are especially keen to continue their family's heritage through cooking (80%), compared to Gen Z (67%), Gen X (75%) and baby boomers (76%). Gen X was found to be the most likely holder of family recipes (77%), followed by baby boomers (76%), millennials (68%) and Gen Z (53%).



Millennials are especially keen to continue their family's heritage through cooking (80%), compared to Gen Z (67%), Gen X (75%) and baby boomers (76%). Gen X was found to be the most likely holder of family recipes (77%), followed by baby boomers (76%), millennials (68%) and Gen Z (53%). Passed dishes and traditions. A third (37%) believe passing down family recipes will be more important for the next generation.



A third (37%) believe passing down family recipes will be more important for the next generation. Making new memories. More than one in four (27%) have created their own recipes with the intention of starting their own family tradition of passing them down.

As part of their 75th anniversary celebration, Bob Evans is partnering with culinary historian and bestselling author Sarah Lohman to explore the history of sausage in American cuisine and the importance of preserving culinary traditions handed down through family recipes.

"Sausage-making traditions from around the world were carried by migrants to the United States. The recipes relied on memory and feeling, instructions from an elder or a handwritten note, and were then adapted to the ingredients available in the new country," said Lohman. "For most of human history, family recipes like Bob Evans sausage recipe were passed down and prepared together  the recipes learned through observation and repetition."

Favorite family recipes sweepstakes

From now until Oct. 31, sausage lovers are invited to visit https://bit.ly/BobEvans75thAnniversary and upload a favorite family recipe that includes sausage as an ingredient for the chance to be one of 75 people to win a $50 Etsy gift card to have a recipe turned into a keepsake that can be treasured for years to come. Plus, one grand prizewinner will also receive a year's supply of Bob Evans sausage, and the first 100 entrants will receive a 75-cent-off Bob Evans sausage coupon.

A sausage legacy

In 1948, Bob Evans legacy in the sausage business began when Bob Evans himself started delivery services for his signature recipe sausage in Ohio. The business grew and Bob opened his own "Sausage Shop" in Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1962, expanding delivery beyond Ohio just two years after. Now, 75 years later, Bob Evans Farms serves up a full sausage portfolio of fresh links, patties and rolls using the same family recipe.

Bob Evans sausage is available at select grocery retailers in the Great Lakes, Southeast and Northeast regions of the United States, including Walmart, Kroger, Meijer, Albertsons and Ahold Delhaize. To learn more and to explore a collection of sausage recipes, visit BobEvansGrocery.com.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

For 75 years, Bob Evans Farms has delivered delicious, quick-to-table, farm-inspired food that makes mealtime a little bit easier and a lot more delicious. We're proud to be the No. 1-selling refrigerated dinner sides*, including many varieties of wholesome, feel-good favorites such as mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, sold in grocery stores across the country. We're also a leading producer and distributor of sausage and bacon products and egg products including liquid eggs. In addition to our flagship Bob Evans brand, our product portfolio includes Simply Potatoes, Egg Beaters and Owens Sausage. Bob Evans Farms is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is owned by Post Holdings, Inc., a consumer-packaged goods holding company. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevansgrocery.com .

*Source: Circana Total US MULO Latest 52 W/E 09/24/23

Editor's note regarding methodology: Data was collected from a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Bob Evans from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2, 2023, with a panel of 2,000 general population Americans.

Media Contact

Lauren Fontaine

612-375-8524

[email protected]

SOURCE Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Borr Drilling Limited (the "Company") (OSE: BORR) and (NYSE: BORR) today announced that Mr. Jeffery Currie and Mr. Patrick Schorn have been appointed as Directors of the Company by the Board with effect from 16 October 2023.

Jeffrey Currie recently retired from Goldman Sachs after a decorated 27-year career. For the last 15 years, he was a Partner and the Global Head of Commodities Research where he was responsible for conducting research on commodity market dynamics in the context of corporate risk management programs, short and long-term commodity investment strategies, and asset allocation. He also held roles as the European Co-Head of Economics, Commodities and Strategy Research between 2010 and 2012. Since his retirement, Jeff has joined the board of Abaxx Technologies and The University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute where he serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Board.

Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. Currie taught undergraduate and graduate level courses in microeconomics and econometrics at The University of Chicago and served as the associate editor of Resource and Energy Economics. Jeff also worked as a consulting economist, specializing in energy and other microeconomic issues, and has advised many government agencies. Jeff earned a PhD in Economics from The University of Chicago in 1996.

In relation to his appointment, Mr. Currie commented: "After decades of analysing the trends that shape global commodity markets, I am now focused on the themes that are key to energy transition. One such theme is developing clean fast cycle production in the Middle East. Borr Drilling, a company I have known for years, can do this at scale with low costs. It owns the most modern fleet in the industry and focuses on quick payback and efficient shallow water wells in the world's most prolific reservoirs in an environmentally responsible manner."

In addition, the Board has appointed the Company's CEO Mr. Patrick Schorn as a new Director. Mr. Schorn became CEO of Borr Drilling in September 2020, after serving as a Director of the Board since January 2018.

Following these appointments, the Board of Directors consists of seven members.

17 October 2023

Hamilton, Bermuda

CONTACT:

Questions should be directed to: Magnus Vaaler, CFO, +44 1224 289208

SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited
The trusted manufacturer and event sponsor affirms its commitment to plumbing, heating and cooling professionals with support of top industry event, scheduled for Oct. 25-27 in Cleveland

AMBLER, Pa., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bradford White Corporation , an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, will showcase a range of innovative high-performance and high-efficiency products while serving as a major sponsor of PHCCCONNECT2023, the premier annual conference for plumbing, heating and cooling professionals.

PHCCCONNECT2023, scheduled for Oct. 25-27 in Cleveland, is hosted by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling ContractorsNational Association (PHCC), the top national organization representing professionals in residential, commercial, new construction, industrial and service and repair segments of the plumbing and HVAC industry.

"Bradford White remains committed to supporting PHCC and the industry overall as it continues to grow and evolve," said Neal Heyman, director of marketing for Bradford White. "We're looking forward to the shared solutions and strategies that emerge from this important event and the opportunity to continue meeting the needs of the hard-working professionals who drive this industry."

PHCCCONNECT2023 offers top-tier education sessions, a product and technology showcase featuring the latest technological advances, and face-to-face networking opportunities with business owners and other professionals.

Representatives from Bradford White will be at Booth #400 during the event to meet with attendees and discuss the following Bradford White Water Heaters products:

Bradford White Water Heaters AeroTherm Heat Pump Water Heater with Bradford White Connect and Microban: With 50-, 65- and 80-gallon capacity units available, the Bradford White Water Heaters ENERGY STAR-certified AeroTherm Series offers value, efficiency and versatility.

With 50-, 65- and 80-gallon capacity units available, the Bradford White Water Heaters ENERGY STAR-certified AeroTherm Series offers value, efficiency and versatility. Bradford White Water Heaters Infiniti GR Tankless Water Heater: The Infiniti GR's wide array of features, including cascading and common venting, variable heat control, bottom water connections and an integrated recirculation pump with dedicated connection, are designed to increase efficiency and make service and maintenance more convenient.

The Infiniti GR's wide array of features, including cascading and common venting, variable heat control, bottom water connections and an integrated recirculation pump with dedicated connection, are designed to increase efficiency and make service and maintenance more convenient. Bradford White Water Heaters ElectriFLEX MD: The ElectriFLEX MD medium-duty commercial tank-type electric water heaters are available in 50-, 80- and 119-gallon capacities to fit a variety of applications, with available advanced features such as rugged Incoloy low-watt density elements, field conversion kits to fit demanding application needs, and a Hydrojet sediment reduction system.

PHCC provides legislative advocacy, education and training to approximately 3,300 plumbing and HVACR open shop and union businesses and 65,000 technicians. Approximately 125 state and local association affiliates are part of PHCC's chapter network.

For more information about Bradford White Corporation, visit https://www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

About Bradford White Corporation

Bradford White Corp. is a full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage products. The company maintains headquarters in Ambler, Pennsylvania, and has manufacturing facilities in Middleville, Michigan; Niles, Michigan; and Rochester, New Hampshire; and distribution and training centers in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

BRADFORD WHITE CONTACT:

Rebecca Owens

Senior Communications Manager

Bradford White Corporation

(215) 641-9400

[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Bradford White Corporation
New franchise provides community with end-to-end window treatment services.

DENVER, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gotcha Covered, a leading provider of custom window treatments in the U.S. and Canada, welcomes business partners Divo Catozzo and Mike Windemuller to the franchise family. The duo owns and operates Gotcha Covered Denver West, the newest location in Colorado.

Business partners Divo Catozzo, left, and Mike Windemuller are the owners and operators of Gotcha Covered Denver West.

Serving the western suburbs of the Denver metro area, Gotcha Covered Denver West offers a variety of blinds, shades, shutters, draperies, outdoor awnings, and more for both residential and commercial projects throughout Greenwood Village, Littleton, Ken Caryl, Morrison, Lakewood, Golden, Evergreen, Genesee, Westminster, Arvada and Wheatridge. The business prides itself on client satisfaction, from initial consultation to final installation, and both owners are actively involved in all aspects of sales and service.

As a team, Catozzo and Windemuller have an extensive background in business development and growth, bringing a combined 50-plus years of experience in product development, manufacturing, sales and international distribution. While Catozzo has previous expertise in marketing strategy and distribution management in the consumer electronics industry, Windemuller's career has focused primarily on home building products.

After relocating to Colorado in 2015, Catozzo joined long-time resident Windemuller to purchase a struggling manufacturing company. In three short years, the team grew the business exponentially and sold it. It was their previous success and great working relationship that influenced Catozzo and Windemuller to go back into business together.

"Mike and I enjoy working together, and this franchise opportunity with Gotcha Covered seemed like a good fit," said Catozzo. "We enjoy working with people, and we've always had an interest in the home improvement industry. This allows us to do both."

Windemuller said it was his experience in the window and door industry, as well as the flexibility, that helped make Gotcha Covered the perfect business venture for the team.

"Window treatments are a natural fit with our backgrounds and interests," Windemuller said. "Plus, the Gotcha Covered model affords us the valuable time to spend with our families, while also building a business."

Adding 40 new franchise locations in 2022, Gotcha Covered currently has over 155 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

"The Denver community always holds a special place in our hearts because that is where our headquarters are located," said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. "We want to provide the best services to our customers in the area, and we know Divo (Catozzo) and Mike (Windemuller) will do just that. They have a proven track record of building successful businesses. We are excited to have them join our franchise family."

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered Denver West, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/denver-west/.

About Gotcha Covered

Gotcha Covered is a leader in custom soft and hard window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada. Flying under their Gotcha Covered flag since 2009, they offer custom window treatments including blinds, draperies, shutters and much more. They offer end-to-end consultation with the customer's specific needs and goals in mind. The company currently has over 155 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

SOURCE Gotcha Covered
ISTANBUL, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerebrum Tech, a pioneering technology company, celebrated for its recent innovations such as Cere and Cere Insight in the field of generative artificial intelligence, has successfully secured a substantial investment of $1.8 million, valuing the company at $15 million. This achievement was made possible through the collective support of individual and institutional investors, under the leadership of Bogazici Ventures, one of Turkiye's foremost Venture Capital companies. This investment not only signifies a substantial vote of confidence in Cerebrum Tech's endeavors but also positions the company for further growth and innovation in the dynamic realm of generative artificial intelligence.

Bogazici Ventures VC Logo

Cerebrum Tech, a visionary venture studio recognized for its outstanding products and solutions across diverse sectors, including artificial intelligence, finance, industry, e-commerce, and Web3, has successfully secured a noteworthy investment of $1.8 million. This investment was led by Bogazici Ventures, a leading name in Turkiye's technology-focused venture capital landscape. The valuation of this achievement stands at an impressive $15 million.

The investment process was realized with the enthusiastic participation of both individual and institutional investors, marking an important milestone for Cerebrum Tech. This strategic collaboration will see Cerebrum Tech become an integral part of the BV Growth Venture Capital Investment Fund's portfolio, which boasts participation from a range of forward-thinking investors, both individual and institutional alike.

In March, Cerebrum Tech unveiled Cere, a groundbreaking artificial intelligence application. Available in both personal and corporate versions, Cere is one of the first AI applications to leverage 3D avatars, offering a dynamic and immersive experience. Following this remarkable launch, September witnessed the introduction of Cere Insight, an innovative addition to the realm of artificial intelligence. Cere Insight stands out with its unique capabilities, allowing users to efficiently summarize extensive documents with multi-file support, and extract valuable insights from large datasets. Notably, it accomplishes this without necessitating coding expertise, thanks to its advanced LLM technology. Moreover, it empowers users to effortlessly create customizable chatbots with seamless web integration, delivering a transformative experience.

Cerebrum Tech has consistently championed pioneering initiatives across various sectors. From artificial intelligence and internet of things to finance and the dynamic Web3 sphere, Cerebrum Tech continues to make indelible contributions to the evolving technology landscape.

"Our aspiration is to fortify our presence in the global market through the international investments we've garnered from day one"

"Our aspiration is to fortify our presence in the global market through the international investments we've garnered from day one," affirmed Dr. Erdem Erkul, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Cerebrum Tech, an esteemed leader in Turkiye's artificial intelligence landscape. He elaborated on the company's journey, stating, "When Cerebrum Tech set its course in 2021, we committed to fostering the growth of the technology entrepreneurship ecosystem in our homeland and establishing ourselves as a distinguished new-generation technology firm on the global stage. The partnership with Bogazici Ventures, I believe, is a pivotal step towards achieving our ambitious goals. We will persistently innovate and scale our existing products to cater to the evolving landscape of new-generation technologies, including artificial intelligence, which is already shaping the future, for the global audience."

In addition to Bogazici Ventures, a prominent investment company in Turkiye, and a group of international investors, Cerebrum Tech has garnered support from Inveo Ventures Coinvestment Venture Capital Investment Fund. This forward-thinking fund specializes in investing in future technologies, aligning seamlessly with Cerebrum Tech's commitment to innovation.

Furthermore, Cerebrum Tech remains bolstered by individual investors, notably including Faruk Eczacbas, one of the company's early backers. His continued involvement in this investment round underscores the unwavering commitment to Cerebrum Tech's growth and success among individual investors.

"Cerebrum Tech is set to assume a pivotal role within our portfolio"

"Cerebrum Tech is set to assume a pivotal role within our portfolio," declared Bars Ozistek, Managing Partner of Bogazici Ventures. Bogazici Ventures, renowned for its unwavering focus on innovative technologies and disruptive innovation, has added Cerebrum Tech to its roster of investments. Cerebrum Tech, one of Turkiye's standout success stories in the fields of artificial intelligence and Web 3.0, has exhibited remarkable growth and potential in recent years.

"In 2023, Bogazici Ventures maintains its steadfast commitment to investing in visionary projects driven by technology. This approach, rooted in constructive disruption, is instrumental in shaping the future. Cerebrum Tech, now a proud member of our BV Growth Venture Capital Investment Fund, has rapidly ascended to become one of the flagship projects within our expansive portfolio."

"An Investment Paving the Way for a Bright Future"

Bogazici Ventures, a trailblazing name in Turkiye's alternative asset management sector, is on a mission to invest in the future by emphasizing projects that bring intrinsic value, distinct from the conventional investment management approach. Bogazici Ventures wholeheartedly believes in the potential of technology and technology entrepreneurs in our homeland. In each of our investments, we go beyond mere financial contributions, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our portfolio companies throughout their journey as a dedicated team. We bolster them with our wealth of knowledge, experience, and an extensive network of resources.

As we embark on the shared journey of fostering Cerebrum Tech's growth, we take immense pride in the opportunity to co-author a new chapter of success within the vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem of our nation. This investment embodies our unwavering commitment to catalyze innovation and pave the way for a brighter future."

About Cerebrum Tech:

Established in 2021, Cerebrum Tech is a forward-thinking venture studio dedicated to pioneering solutions in key sectors like Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, finance, e-commerce, and Web3. Fueled by a team of experts, Cerebrum Tech excels in driving digital transformation, developing innovative, globally recognized applications in artificial intelligence, Web3, data security, consultancy, as well as smart cities and sustainability. At the heart of Cerebrum Tech's mission is a vision to be a trusted leader in next-generation technology operating from strategic locations, including Silicon Valley, Istanbul, Seoul, Ankara, the Netherlands, Malta, and London, It's a venture studio firmly rooted in its belief in harnessing the potential of young talent.

About Bogazici Ventures:

Bogazici Ventures stands as a preeminent alternative investment firm, specializing in the conception and management of funds dedicated to technology companies across various sectors and global territories. Their commitment lies in generating substantial added value for the companies they invest in.

With a distinguished history of investment decisions that have impacted over 100 technology companies, Bogazici Ventures takes an active role in nurturing technology startups. The firm's partners and team actively engage with entrepreneurs, providing guidance, mentorship, and invaluable knowledge transfer to steer them toward international success.

Bogazici Ventures encompasses a group of companies that establish and oversee specialized funds tailored to the unique requirements of investors. Additionally, the firm offers secure custody services for digital currencies, catering to the evolving needs of the digital economy.

A subsidiary of Bogazici Ventures, BV Asset Management, plays a pivotal role in assisting both individual and institutional investors in establishing and managing mutual funds, in accordance with the regulations of the Capital Markets Law.

Distinguished by its innovative approach, BV Asset Management establishes and oversees funds that are intricately tied to technology, providing opportunities to invest in publicly traded technology companies.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249538/Cerebrum_Tech_Logo.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249537/Bogazici_Ventures_VC_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Cerebrum Tech
CORONA, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bestselling author Chad Willardson is set to release his new book, "Fit for Wealth: 7 Breakthrough Strategies for Elite Health and Abundant Wealth," on October 17th, available on Amazon . Building on the success of his previous works, including "Smart, Not Spoiled," "Stress-Free Money," and "Beyond the Money," Willardson discusses the relationship between personal finance and physical health, presenting an all-encompassing that promises to reshape readers' perspectives on wealth and well-being.

"Fit For Wealth: 7 Breakthrough Strategies for Elite Health and Abundant Wealth" by Chad Willardson

In "Fit for Wealth," Willardson integrates the principles of financial security with the principles of physical health. Drawing from personal experiences, in-depth research, and interviews with a diverse group of experts, the book offers actionable strategies to help individuals cultivate both their financial and physical wellness.

Willardson's remarkable journey, characterized by both unique challenges and triumphs, is a major inspiration behind "Fit For Wealth." The book stands as a testament to resilience and a guide for those navigating the complexities of maintaining balance while striving for excellence in finance while also prioritizing their physical health.

Outlined in the book are seven key strategies that serve as the foundation for monumental success. These strategies are a culmination of Willardson's extensive experience and insights, emphasizing the importance of setting audacious goals, avoiding distractions, expert collaboration, technological leverage, consistent effort, cutting excuses, and finally, fortifying your legacy.

Beyond "Fit For Wealth," Willardson, the author of bestsellers like "Smart, Not Spoiled," "Stress-Free Money," and "Beyond the Money," extends his passion for financial literacy through his co-founding of GravyStack, a financial education app targeting young users.

"Fit for Wealth: 7 Breakthrough Strategies for Elite Health and Abundant Wealth" is available now on Amazon.

About Chad Willardson:

Chad Willardson is the founder and president of Pacific Capital, a wealth management firm catering exclusively to ultra-high-net-worth individuals who have over $10MM ready to invest. Before founding Pacific Capital, Chad dedicated nine years to Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he not only climbed the ranks to Senior Vice President but also found himself recognized in the top 2% nationally. His expertise is further validated by his role as an elected City Treasurer for the City of Corona, CA, where he significantly grew a portfolio's value and exhibited immense civic responsibility by donating to local charitable causes. With a solid educational foundation from institutions like Harvard Business School of Executive Education and Brigham Young University, combined with accolades like 'Entrepreneur of the Year' and 'Elite Wealth Management Team of the Year,' Chad has led several successful business ventures including Pacific Capital, Gravy Stack, three best selling books and his podcast Smart Money Parenting.

CONTACT: Cassey Kalba, [email protected]

SOURCE Pacific Capital
MORGANTOWN, W.Va., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

MEDIA REQUESTS: To schedule an interview with Blake Gober or counsel in this matter, please contact Joe Carey at [email protected].

Until this morning, with the release of a bombshell CBS News report (view here), the world did not know that Marine Corps Veteran Blake Gober was wrongly arrested, imprisoned, and prosecuted for the alleged theft of a Hertz rental car back in 2019. On October 16, 2023, the felony charges against Mr. Gober were dismissed with prejudice.

The wrongful arrest and prosecution of Mr. Gober is yet another occasion where Hertz perpetrated great harm upon an innocent professional who simply rented one of its vehicles. As set forth in the Dismissal Motion: "the State has lost confidence in the reliability of the information provided by [Hertz] that forms the basis of these felony charges."

Travis Prince and Brian Glasser of the law firm of Bailey & Glasser, LLP and Wes Prince of the law firm of Shaffer Madia Law, PLLC represent Mr. Gober. "We are glad that the charges have finally been dropped against our client, but they never should have been filed in the first place. What Hertz put him through should not be suffered by anyone," said Travis Prince.

Mr. Gober added: "I was a Hertz Gold customer who returned a car three years ago which I rented for my move from West Virginia to Northern Virginia. For Hertz to issue a warrant for my arrest and to put me and my family through this is unconscionable. I am dedicated to making sure this never happens to anyone else."

Mr. Gober was unjustly apprehended and incarcerated during a routine traffic stop in 2022, the result of a false police report filed by Hertz in January 2020. On November 19, 2019, Gober rented a car from Hertz in Morgantown, West Virginia. Gober then returned it to Hertz at Reagan National Airport. On January 13, 2020, Hertz filed a false police report alleging Mr. Gober stole its car and on February 28, 2020 (seven weeks later), the car mysteriously reappeared at an Alexandria, Virginia apartment building, having amassed a whopping 7,492 miles on it. Meanwhile, Mr. Gober was working around Washington, D.C., knowing nothing about the missing car or warrant.

Gober's ordeal mirrors that of countless others who have been falsely accused by Hertz of car theft. Indeed, in December 2022, Hertz paid $168 million to settle hundreds of cases where it wrongfully accused people of stealing rental cars which resulted in false arrests and imprisonment. Stephen Scherr himself pocketed a colossal $182 million in 2022 as CEO of Hertz, making him the third highest-paid executive in the United States last year.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact: Joe Carey, Carey Strategic Communications, [email protected]

SOURCE BAILEY & GLASSER, LLP
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Security Orchestration Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global security orchestration market, which reached a size of US$ 2.8 billion in 2022, is set to experience substantial growth in the coming years. Analysts project the market to reach US$ 7.0 billion by 2028, with a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1% during the period from 2023 to 2028.

Security orchestration involves the integration of various cybersecurity tools and processes within a security operation center (SOC) to automate tasks, enhancing the efficiency of security operations. It encompasses a range of cybersecurity tools aimed at preventing, detecting, and remediating threats.

Security orchestration enables security teams to quickly contextualize data by gathering information from multiple sources, enriching alerts, and facilitating incident response activities such as alert triage, analytics, security incident investigation, and threat intelligence.

This strategic approach finds extensive applications across various sectors, including energy and utilities, government, healthcare, retail, information and technology (IT), telecommunications, and banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI).

Key Market Trends Driving Growth

Rise in Security Breaches : The proliferation of bring your own device (BYOD) policies in medium and small businesses has led to an increase in security breaches across various industry verticals. This, coupled with frequent changes in network infrastructures, is a significant driver of market growth.

: The proliferation of bring your own device (BYOD) policies in medium and small businesses has led to an increase in security breaches across various industry verticals. This, coupled with frequent changes in network infrastructures, is a significant driver of market growth. Cloud-Based Solutions : The availability of cost-effective cloud-based security orchestration solutions globally is contributing to market expansion.

: The availability of cost-effective cloud-based security orchestration solutions globally is contributing to market expansion. Telecommunication Sector : Security orchestration is increasingly utilized in the telecommunications sector to provide advanced security for critical business applications.

: Security orchestration is increasingly utilized in the telecommunications sector to provide advanced security for critical business applications. Government Investments : Governments worldwide are investing extensively in network infrastructures and research and development (R&D) activities, positively impacting market growth.

: Governments worldwide are investing extensively in network infrastructures and research and development (R&D) activities, positively impacting market growth. Demand for Cutting-Edge Security Technology : The growing demand for state-of-the-art security technology is providing lucrative growth opportunities for key market players.

: The growing demand for state-of-the-art security technology is providing lucrative growth opportunities for key market players. Enhancing Security Operations: The adoption of security orchestration to elevate the security operations capabilities of enterprises is driving market growth.

However, the market faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a decline in travel and tourism activities and the suspension of airline services. It is expected to recover as lockdown restrictions ease.

Market Segmentation

The global security orchestration market is segmented based on type, deployment mode, organization size, application, end-use industry, and region:

Type:

Software

Services

Deployment Mode:

Cloud-based

On-premises

Organization Size:

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Large Enterprises

Application:

Compliance Management

Threat Intelligence

Ticketing Solutions

Network Forensics

Others

End-Use Industry:

BFSI

IT and Telecommunication

Government and Defense

E-Commerce

Others

Regions:

North America United States Canada

Asia-Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Indonesia Others

Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Russia Others

Latin America Brazil Mexico Others

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape, featuring key market players such as Acalvio Technologies Inc., Accenture plc, Amazon Web Services Inc. (Amazon.com Inc.), Cisco Systems Inc., Cyberbit (Elbit Systems), Exabeam Inc., Forescout Technologies Inc., International Business Machines Corporation, Optiv Security Inc., Palo Alto Networks Inc., Swimlane Inc., and Tufin.

Key Questions Addressed in the Report

What was the size of the global security orchestration market in 2022? What is the expected growth rate of the global security orchestration market during 2023-2028? What are the key factors driving the global security orchestration market? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global security orchestration market? What is the market share based on type, deployment mode, organization size, application, and end-use industry? What factors are driving and challenging the industry's growth? Who are the major players in the global security orchestration market, and what is their competitive positioning? How intense is the competition in the industry?

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3z4n60

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



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Research and Markets

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The year 2023 marks the midway to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and with it the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, despite much progress being made towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, education remains in a situation of crisis.

Six out of 10 children cannot read and understand a simple story at age 10 while 244 million children and youth are still out of school.

Numerous disparities in access to learning persist. Children from the poorest households are up to four times more likely to be out of school than those of the richest households and disparities between rural and urban areas remain high. Girls are also disproportionately affected by lack of access to education with 118.5 million girls currently out of school. This not only threatens decades of progress toward gender equality, but also puts girls around the world at risk of adolescent pregnancy, early and forced marriage, and violence.

Fulfilling the right to education requires bold action. Doing so will accelerate progress toward all the SDGs and help address some of the most pressing global challenges including the climate crisis. This is exactly what UNESCO aims to facilitate as the United Nations specialized agency tasked with leading and coordinating the achievement of the Education 2030 Agenda. In steering progress for the achievement of SDG4 and the transformation of education, UNESCO is fostering bold collaborations, new methods of knowledge sharing, and the use of innovative mechanisms that can support countries in their transformation.

To meet the educational needs of students during the COVID-19 pandemic, UNESCO initiated the Global Education Coalition. This unique and proactive multistakeholder coalition was born to address the educational needs generated by the global health crisis and driven by the goal of leaving no learner behind during this crisis. As a broad network of organizations, including private sector, multilateral, non-profit, civil society, networks and associations, and media partners, the Coalition has proven itself to be a transformational force in the global education landscape. Moving into its fourth year, it now has over 200 institutional partners deploying cross-country missions, conducting large-scale projects, and building the advocacy capacity of 112 countries to advance SDG 4.

This year, the Coalition has pioneered the Digital Transformation Collaborative (DTC) that leverages the expertise and resources of all sectors of society to promote the transformation of education at local, national, regional, and global levels. In response to the call of the Global Education Coalition, Huawei has joined hands with UNESCO to promote digital education through ICTs. Together, they aim to narrow the education divide and achieve education equity.

Global Skills Academy Facilitates Talent Development

COVID-19 has also put a spotlight on the employment and skills divide, with recovery patterns that vary significantly across regions, countries, and sectors. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the repercussions have been grave in particular for the youth. In many countries is a cause for concern, with a significant prevalence of informality and vulnerable employment among employed youth worldwide. Additionally, when young individuals are not engaged in employment, they encounter challenges in accessing the labour market. Not only that, but entering and staying in the workforce in such a competitive market is extremely difficult, resulting in high rates of youth unemployment and NEET (not in employment, education, or training). This difficulty in transitioning from school to work has prompted the international community to address the issue within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. SDG8, and target 8.6 specifically, commits to increasing youth employment opportunities and substantially reducing the proportion of youth who are not in education, employment, or training (ILO, n.d.; United Nations, 2015).

Under the umbrella of the UNESCO Global Education Coalition, the Global Skills Academy (GSA) is tasked with mobilizing the resources and programmes offered by the Coalition Members to help learners increase their employability. By leveraging the UNESCO-UNEVOC network of institutions, the GSA supports learners with an extensive range of free high-quality training programs. Its resources are designed to create toward more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economies in a rapidly evolving and demanding labour market. In line with the UNESCO 2022-2029 Strategy for TVET, the mission has scaled up in order to support 10 million learners by 2029 and is currently working with 25 partners.

As a member of the Coalition, Huawei has been a committed partner of the Global Skills Academy mission since 2020. The "Huawei ICT Academy programme" aims to help learners and educators worldwide develop their ICT and employability skills as well as bolster their success in the ICT industry by giving access to online certified training at no cost. Through these trainings, available in nine languages, and the annual ICT Competition, Huawei has been helping to build an innovative education talent ecosystem. With the support of UNESCO, local ministries, and other higher education institutions, the initiative has already reached more than 500,000 learners since it was established, with 1,000 teachers enrolled in 2022 alone and 16 Huawei ICT Academy centres established that same year. The GSA was delighted to participate in the online closing ceremony of the Huawei ICT Competition, which highlighted the triumphs of this initiative.

Shifting to Focus on the Digital Transformation of Education

Increasingly, digital technology has become a necessity in ensuring access to education as a basic human right, especially in the context of more frequent crises and conflicts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, it was those countries without sufficient ICT infrastructure and well-resourced digital learning systems suffered the greatest education disruptions and learning losses, and it became clear that a more sustainable change is necessary for a definitive transformation of education.

Digital technologies have the potential to speed up progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) by offering new modes of access to learning opportunities and advancing inclusion, enhancing the relevance and quality of learning content, building ICT-enhanced lifelong learning pathways, strengthening education and learning management systems, and monitoring learning processes.

As the Coalition has pivoted from emergency response to the wider transformation of education - a journey that has been hampered in many countries by the disruptions of the pandemic on learning systems  Huawei has shifted its support to align with this agenda.

Thanks to a US$ 3 million commitment, the "Technology-enabled Open Schools for All" project is assisting the Ministries of Education and other partners of Ethiopia, Egypt and Ghana to design, pilot test, and scale up Technology-enabled Open School Systems. This three-year project, to be completed in July 2023, aims to enhance national platforms and connectivity in schools and learning centres to train teachers and students on digital skills through improved digital content and pedagogical resources.

Key to the success of this project is its adaptability to different contexts. In Ethiopia, for example, the project is supporting the new national major initiative on Digital Textbooks, which aims to create a vast digital library for secondary school students from which 12,000 students and 250 educators will benefit, in addition to enhancing access to educational national platforms and to digital content for all secondary students and educators in the country. Meanwhile, in Ghana, the project is empowering learning outcomes and the acquisition of 21st Century skills through integrating technology with new pedagogies to educate 1,000 teachers and 3,000 students.

With partnerships being a key pillar of the Global Education Coalition, I am delighted that Huawei has also been able to support numerous other initiatives under this umbrella, including the multi-partner ImaginEcole project which has been rolled out by UNESCO, Spacecom and the government of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire. As part of this collaboration, last year Huawei purchased and supplied devices to participating schools, providing access to educational materials to 6,000 students and staff.

Growing Collaborations and Commitments

High quality online content marks a key aspect of digital transformation and for this change to be sustainable, local stakeholders must be empowered in education ecosystems to create and share their own learning content.

While local Ministries and professionals must take the lead on this, it is important that we continue to support them in providing learners with access to reliable, public, and effective learning platforms that are populated with quality digital education content.

Since November 2022 and in collaboration with UNESCO, Huawei's support has extended to the Latin America region through a signed roadmap with the Regional Bureau of Education for Latin America and the Caribbean. The "Teacher training in digital competencies" regional roadmap will be piloted in Chile to identify through self-assessment the specific areas that teachers need to strengthen. The identified skills gaps will then be addressed through the creation of courses to equip teachers with the tools they need to er utilize digital technologies both in the classroom and for distance learning, and evaluations will be carried out to certify the learning outcomes.

In the first quarter of 2023, Huawei has also joined UNESCO's Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) as an associate member. GAL is made up of 30 countries strongly committed to improving youth and adult literacy. Worldwide an estimated 763 million still lack basic literacy and numeracy skills  two-thirds of whom are women. Southern Asia is home to almost one-half of this global youth and adult population with no basic literacy and numeracy, while 27 per cent live in sub-Saharan Africa.

But beyond its conventional concept as a set of reading, writing, and counting skills, literacy is now understood as a means of identification, understanding, interpretation, creation, and communication in an increasingly digital, text-mediated, information-rich and fast-changing world. As an associate member, Huawei is committed to promoting literacy in the target countries with a focus on digital skills and the use of technology and it will do this by supporting initiatives such as the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Leaning and Moodle project, which aims to build the capacities of youth and adult literacy educators through training modules and by designing digital skills monitoring and assessment tools.

As the partnership between UNESCO and Huawei continues to flourish, we will see more new content, trainings and initiatives empowering teachers and pupils in different regions. In facilitating the creation of quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities, Huawei demonstrates the important role that the private sector can play in accelerating progress towards the critically important Sustainable Development Goal 4.

This article is selected from the Smart Education Issue of the ICT Insights magazine. Welcome to visit Huawei's official website to learn more:

https://e.huawei.com/en/ict-insights/global/ict_insights/ict34-intelligent-education

Contact

[email protected]

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The Social Impact Center brings cannabis to first-ever LGBTQ+ histories festival October 22, 2023, in LA

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Social Impact Center announced "Coming Out Green" in Los Angeles, part of the first-ever Circa queer histories festival.

The multimedia activation and celebration features 20 LGBTQ+ California leaders who have shaped the past, present, and future of cannabis.

Featured leaders include Drug Policy Alliance Director, Cat Packer ; Veteran, CEO and Oakland social equity leader, Amber Senter ; Trans Latina Coalition founder, Bamby Salcedo and national labor leader, Rigo Valdez . The installation includes footage from Castro Castle - home of late medical cannabis activist Dennis Peron and birthplace of the Compassionate Use movement - on public display for the first time.

The event takes place Sunday, October 22, 2023, from 3-7 PM at beTRUE in Los Angeles, 7225 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Activation includes:

A thought-provoking documentary photo installation charting queer and trans activists and leaders from 1980s to today who redefined cannabis and LGBTQ+ movements.

charting queer and trans activists and leaders from 1980s to today who redefined cannabis and LGBTQ+ movements. "Canna Conversations Couch," an on-site activation where participants take a portrait and record their story with Social Impact Center young leaders.

where participants take a portrait and record their story with Social Impact Center young leaders. A celebration space embracing the spirit of cannabis and queer and trans cultures of healing.

Host Felicia Carbajal has served as a LGBTQ+ change-maker and innovator in cannabis for decades. Involvement in battling the HIV/AIDS epidemic and in the medical cannabis movement in San Francisco in the 1990s set the stage for a lifetime of social justice activism.

Felicia Carbajal says, "The LGBTQ+ community led the fight for medical access and legalization in California and is fundamentally shaping its future. Much still has to be done in our fight for equity and justice - for cannabis and queer and trans communities alike - but we invite everyone to join us to celebrate these unique leaders and how far we have come."

The event is part of Circa, the first and only LGBTQ+ histories festival in the US, happening across Los Angeles October 2023 thanks to the 70-year strong ONE Institute.

About The Social Impact Center:

The Social Impact Center , led by Executive Director Felicia Carbajal, is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit empowering marginalized BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities through stigma-free organizing, mutual aid, education, storytelling, intergenerational healing, and cultural expression.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ida Bo Frazier

[email protected]

SOURCE The Social Impact Center
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. The European Council has announced that it will maintain the sanctions on Iran, despite the expiration of the Transition Day under the 2015 nuclear deal, Trend reports.



The Council said that Iran has failed to comply with its obligations under the agreement, and that the sanctions are necessary to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.



The Transition Day, which was set for 18 October 2023, was supposed to mark the end of the UN Security Councils involvement in the nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.



However, the EU Council decided to maintain the restrictive measures under its own non-proliferation regime on Iran, following the reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran has breached several key provisions of the JCPOA since 2019. The Council also cited the letter from the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the UK, who invoked the dispute resolution mechanism of the JCPOA in January 2020, and expressed their readiness to reverse their decision if Iran returns to full compliance.

On January 16, 2016, Iran's nuclear program triggered the creation of the JCPOA between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany). However, on May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany) and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018.

The sanctions that will remain in place include the designations of individuals and entities linked to Irans nuclear or missile programs or to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as the embargoes on arms and missiles. The Council stressed that these measures do not constitute new sanctions, and that all other sanctions that were lifted under the JCPOA will stay lifted.



The Council reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the JCPOA, and called on Iran to cooperate with the IAEA and restore confidence in its peaceful nuclear intentions. The Council also reiterated its support for diplomatic efforts to preserve and strengthen the JCPOA, and urged all parties to refrain from actions that could undermine its viability.

Iran has been seeking various ways to restart talks with the other parties on its nuclear issue and revive the JCPOA. The main goals of Iran are to end the sanctions imposed by the US and Western countries, access its funds frozen abroad, and resume its crude oil exports.

Iran claims that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has increased its highly enriched uranium by 27 percent in the last three months, and currently has 4,745 kilograms of enriched uranium. This is 15 times more than the amount allowed for Iran in the JCPOA.
Expanded data capabilities empower connectivity service planning and customer prospecting in broader areas in Europe

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Connectbase , The Industry Cloud for Connectivity, has expanded planning and prospecting capabilities for network operators looking to grow in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Building out this data capability in The Connected World platform extends even more value to users with detailed tenancy data correlated to in-depth location information.

Detailed tenant data in the platform enables network operators to identify, prioritize and manage new opportunities and prospects in the UK and Ireland with:

Insights into buildings along network routes

Detailed information on tenants in those buildings, such as company name, employee numbers, connection status, and competitive score

Ability to query by company name or enterprise type within a region

Data layer views including shareable routes, towers, and data centres

"We are excited to bring this additional data-driven capability to our users who want to expand in the UK and Ireland. The insights available through this enhancement will help our users be more competitive and efficient," said Edison Smith, VP of Sales - Global at Connectbase. "This is a very competitive market with a lot of regional players, so this data will give users of The Connected World a leg up in their prospecting."

Examples of specific use cases for this enhanced capability include being able to help direct sales teams to identify new targets that are well-served by their network footprint, or determine where a customer's business location intersects with a service provider's network connectivity offering or identifying where network operators can prioritize and build new infrastructure based on business and tenant density. Overall, this reduces the need to consult multiple data sources and searches to identify and qualify business opportunities and can improve win rates for sales teams.

This data enhancement is available to both Buyer and Seller Cloud subscribers of The Connected World platform, to learn more visit connectbase.com/prospectingupdate .

About Connectbase

Connectbase is The Industry Cloud for Connectivity. Connectbase is a partner to the industry, enabling next generation buying and selling of connectivity, including automated quoting, and providing deep, trusted insights. Connectbase's industry-leading platform, The Connected World, serves almost 300 providers globally, managing 2.6 billion locations across more than 150 countries. Visit Connectbase at connectbase.com

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NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dental Fittings Market size is expected to grow by USD 1.68 billion, accelerating at a CAGR of 5.69% during the forecast period, according to Technavio's market analysis. The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market companies, including 3M Co., Adin Dental Implant Systems Ltd., Align Technology Inc., Amann Girrbach AG, Argen Corp., Avinent Implant System S.L.U., Coltene Whaledent AG, Dentsply Sirona Inc., Envista Holdings Corp., Glidewell, Henry Schein Inc., Institut Straumann AG, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Osstem Implant Co. Ltd., pritidenta GmbH, Shofu Inc., Southern Implants, Yamahachi Dental Mfg Co., Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. To gain access to more vendor profiles available with Technavio, buy the report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Dental Fittings Market 2023-2027

Dental Fittings Market 2023  2027: Company Profile:

3M Co. - The company offers dental fittings such as 3M RelyX Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post, and OrthoForm Arch Form Selection.

This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Read Free PDF Sample Report

Dental Fittings Market 2023  2027: Segmentation Analysis

The market is segmented by End-user (Hospitals, Dental clinics, and Others), Material (Ceramics, Alloy, and Composite material), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)).

The hospitals segment is expected to experience substantial market share growth during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to hospitals that offer dental services, serving as key end-users, thereby driving market expansion through the utilization of dental consumables in a wide range of dental procedures. These procedures encompass oral surgeries, maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and restorative dentistry.

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View Free PDF Sample Report

Dental Fittings Market 2023  2027: Geographical Analysis

North America will make a substantial 33% contribution to the global dental fittings market's growth during the forecast period. The growth is driven by factors including the rising demand for cosmetic dentistry, increased awareness of oral health, and the growing prevalence of malocclusion. It's worth noting that this market is highly competitive, with numerous companies offering a range of products and services, including metal braces, ceramic braces, and invisible aligners.

Dental Fittings Market 2023  2027: Driver & Trend:

Driver:

Digital technologies and 3D teeth mapping for cosmetic purposes boost dental practices.

Social media awareness of cosmetic dentistry contributes to market growth.

Rising oral disease prevalence fuels demand for dental care devices.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures like teeth whitening and alignment correction are in high demand, driving market growth.

Trend

The growing need for dental treatment due to the rising prevalence of oral health conditions is an emerging trend shaping the market growth.

Identify key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market. Download the sample report to gain access to this information

Related Reports:

Dental Braces Market: The dental braces market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.23% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 2.17 billion.

Dental Implants Market: The dental implants market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 1,803.87 million.

What are the key data covered in the dental fittings market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the dental fittings market between 2022 and 2027.

Precise estimation of the dental fittings market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of dental fittings market vendors.

TOC:

Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Sizes Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by End-User Market Segmentation by Material Market Segmentation by Geography Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, & Trends Company Landscape Company Analysis Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The dental surgical equipment market size is expected to grow by USD 2.10 billion from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 7.53% during the forecast period, according to Technavio's Research. The market is segmented by Product (Dental systems and equipment and Dental lasers), End-user (Clinics and Hospitals), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)). North America will contribute 36% to the growth of the global market over the forecast period. Factors like the growing number of product approvals, the strong presence of established vendors, and the rising prevalence of dental diseases and related risk factors are driving the growth of the regional market. This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Read a Free PDF Sample Report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Dental Surgical Equipment Market 2023-2027

Company Profile:

3M Co., 3Shape AS, A dec Inc, Alliage SA, AMD Lasers Inc, BIOLASE Inc., Carestream Dental LLC, COLTENE Holding AG, DENTAURUM GmbH and Co KG, Dentsply Sirona Inc., Envista Holdings Corp., Henry Schein Inc., Institut Straumann AG, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Midmark Corp., Patterson Companies Inc., Planmeca Oy, Septodont Holding, Ultradent Products Inc., Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

3M Co. - The company offers dental equipment such as 3M RelyX Fiber Post Drill, 3M Soflex Mandrels Refill, 3M RotoMix Capsule Mixing Unit, and more. This segment focuses on consumer bandages, braces, supports and consumer respirators, and cleaning products for the home.

To gain access to more vendor profiles available with Technavio, buy the report!

Dental Surgical Equipment Market: Segmentation Analysis

The dental systems and equipment segment will be significant during the forecast period. This segment of the market includes a wide range of Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) dental equipment, dental chairs, and other dental devices such as dental delivery devices and dental instruments. Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View Free PDF Sample Report

"Besides analyzing the current market scenario, our report examines historic data from 2017 to 2021"- Technavio

Dental Surgical Equipment Market: Driver & Trend:

Driver

Increasing prevalence of dental diseases and related risk factors

Increase in the number of dentists and dental practices

Favorable reimbursements and tax benefits

Favorable reimbursements and tax benefits drive the dental surgical equipment market. Various countries' governments offer free or subsidized dental services. Such countries include Austria, Mexico, Poland, Spain, and Turkey. For instance, in Denmark, children up to 18 years receive free dental care through schools, while adults receive a 20% subsidy for private dental care. Italy's NHS covers comprehensive dental care, excluding dental implants, and in Greece, they provide free dental care to children, whereas social security organizations subsidize most dental care for others. Hence, such government initiatives drive the growth of the dental surgical equipment market during the forecast period.

Technological advances and new product launches are emerging dental surgical equipment market trends during the forecast period. Identify key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market. Download a free sample report to gain access to this information.

Related Reports:

The global dental loupe market size is estimated to grow by USD 125.58 million at a CAGR of 7% between 2022 and 2027. Technavio has segmented the market into Application, Type, and Geography segments. The rise in the prevalence of periodontal diseases is driving the market growth.

The dental imaging market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.39% between 2022 and 2027. The dental imaging market size is forecast to increase by USD 1,281.75 million. This dental imaging market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (dental clinics and laboratories, hospitals and diagnostic centers, dental research institutes, and others), application (diagnostic, cosmetic, and forensic), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)). An increase in dental-related problems among the edentulous and geriatric population is notably driving the dental imaging market growth.

What are the key data covered in this dental surgical equipment market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the dental surgical equipment market between 2022 and 2027.

Precise estimation of the dental surgical equipment market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the dental surgical equipment market across North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW

A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of dental surgical equipment market vendors.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Product

Market Segmentation by End-user

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
The trial is being conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) under noted psychedelic researcher Dr. Peter Hendricks

(UAB) under noted psychedelic researcher Dr. This exploratory study is the first investigation of the influence of low-dose psilocybin on human subjects suffering from demoralization

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Diamond Therapeutics Inc. ("Diamond"), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on non-hallucinogenic, psychedelic-based therapies for use in the treatment of mental health, today announced the enrollment of the first patient in an FDA-approved clinical trial conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The principal investigator is Dr. Peter S. Hendricks, a clinical psychologist and professor at UAB's Health Behavior Department in the School of Public Health. This study is referred to as the UAB-Diamond Trial.

Dr. Hendricks has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts with 3,504 citations. His work has been recognized in media outlets, including National Geographic, The Economist, Business Insider, New York Times, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Scientific American, Vogue, and Michael Pollan's bestseller, "How to Change Your Mind." Dr. Hendricks was recently named the first editor-in-chief of the journal Psychedelic Medicine, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. He has provided keynote addresses on the topic of psychedelics nationally and internationally, including at the FDA and several other leading institutions.

The UAB-Diamond Trial will enroll 60 patients to evaluate the treatment of low doses of psilocybin in demoralization, which involves feelings of hopelessness and meaninglessness. The trial will assess initial signals of efficacy, feasibility, and potential mechanisms of action. Psilocybin will be administered across a series of low doses that are not expected to produce hallucinogenic or other subjective effects, which may limit broad use.

Demoralization is believed to be pervasive in the wake of COVID-19, resulting in a widely experienced unmet need for treatment. "This study is significant because it is the first to test low doses of psilocybin in the treatment of demoralization and is also among the first to test the effectiveness of low doses of psilocybin in a clinical rather than a healthy sample group," notes Dr. Hendricks.

Dr. William J. Tyler serves as a scientific advisor and Chief Technical Officer to Diamond, as well as professor at UAB's School of Engineering-Biomedical Engineering and head of the UAB's Alabama BRAIN Lab, although he is not actively involved in the UAB-Diamond study. Dr. Tyler says, "Diamond has achieved many notable milestones, including cellular studies, animal studies, and studies with healthy humans. Commencing the UAB-Diamond Trial is a landmark moment for Diamond and for the future of psychedelic medicine. The research community is keen to understand low-dose psilocybin's impact on a clinical population. It is our sincere hope that these efforts will help provide solutions to the mental health crises facing our nation."

Diamond Therapeutics

Diamond Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug development company founded to develop new and better therapies for mental health conditions by unlocking the promise of psychedelic compounds. Diamond is focused on sub-perceptual, non-hallucinogenic take-at-home prescription treatments that hold potential for use across a broad patient cohort maximizing the positive impact better drugs can have on global mental health. To learn more about Diamond, visit www.diamondthera.com

About UAB

Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a part of the University of Alabama System, is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center with over $700 million in research awards annually, as well as Alabama's largest single employer, with some 28,000 employees, and has an annual economic impact exceeding $12.1 billion on the state. The pillars of UAB's mission include education, research, innovation and economic development, community engagement, and patient care. Learn more at www.uab.edu.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes statements other than statements of historical fact that can be identified by phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "aims", "plans" and "believes", and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the potential effects of low dose psilocybin and other psychedelic treatments, the potential use in treating mental health conditions and the timing and completion of Diamond's clinical programs and trials. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive applicable regulatory approvals; that factors may occur which impede Diamond's future business plans; the results of continued development, marketing and sales; and other factors beyond the control of Diamond. 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 information. Diamond disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Diamond Therapeutics Inc.
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Maritime Information Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global maritime information market has experienced substantial growth, reaching a size of US$ 1.8 billion in 2022. The market is poised for significant expansion, with a projected reach of US$ 3.2 billion by 2028, demonstrating an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19% during the period 2023-2028.

Maritime navigation, a practice dating back centuries for trade, travel, and security, has undergone a digital transformation. This transformation has ushered in the era of maritime information solutions, enabling users to gather crucial data about port and water body activities.

These solutions aid vessels in adapting to dynamic sea conditions by monitoring various parameters, empowering users and organizations to make informed operational and strategic decisions. They enhance overall productivity, safety, and efficiency in marine operations. Consequently, they are employed to acquire data on naval vessel ownership, movements, specifications, and commercial activities.

Maritime information solutions play a pivotal role in ensuring the security of nations, making them widely used by governing authorities worldwide. These solutions help countries mitigate maritime threats, including human trafficking, terrorist attacks, environmental damage, and illegal seaborne immigration. The liberalization of global trade has led to a significant increase in the number of ships traversing the oceans, further bolstering the demand for these solutions. Additionally, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has implemented strict regulations, mandating the deployment of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) on all vessels to monitor maritime traffic and prevent collisions. Manufacturers are investing in research and development to achieve accurate signal detection from naval vessels.

The publisher's latest report offers an in-depth insight into the global maritime information market, covering macro and micro aspects, recent trends, key drivers, challenges, SWOT analysis, Porter's five forces analysis, value chain analysis, and more. This report is essential reading for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and anyone with an interest or stake in the maritime information market.

Key Market Segmentation:

The report provides an analysis of key trends in each sub-segment of the global maritime information market, along with forecasts at the global and regional levels from 2023-2028. The market is categorized based on application and end-user.

Applications:

Maritime Information Analytics

Maritime Information Provision

Vessel Tracking

AIS (Automatic Identification System)

End-Users:

Government

Defense

Intelligence and Security

Search and Rescue

Government Agency

Others

Commercial

Port Management

Business Intelligence

Commercial Fishing

Commercial Shipping

Hydrographic and Charting

Commercial Offshore

Others

Regions:

Europe

North America

Asia Pacific

Middle East and Africa

and Latin America

Competitive Landscape:

The report analyzes the competitive landscape of the market, featuring key players such as Inmarsat, L3 Technologies, ORBCOMM, Raytheon Company, Thales Group, exactEarth, Iridium Communications, among others.

Key Questions Answered:

What was the size of the global maritime information market in 2022?

What is the expected growth rate of the global maritime information market during 2023-2028?

How has COVID-19 impacted the global maritime information market?

What are the key drivers of the global maritime information market?

What is the market breakup based on application and end-user?

What are the key regions in the global maritime information market?

Who are the key players in the global maritime information market?

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/82re5r

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DeSouza Law Brings Attention to Attorney Discipline Reporting when Licensed in Multiple States

DALLAS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- If an attorney has been disbarred in one state and is licensed to practice law in another, generally there is an ethical and often legal obligation to report disbarment to the state(s) where that attorney is licensed to practice. Failing to report disbarment in another jurisdiction can have serious consequences, including potential disciplinary action in the other state(s). In Texas, an attorney may be disciplined for conduct occurring in another jurisdiction or resulting in lawyer discipline in another jurisdiction, if it is professional misconduct under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.

The case of Robert Bartholomew Evans III, who was licensed to practice in both Louisiana and Texas for two decades, illustrates the issues that can arise in this context. Evans became engaged in a legal battle with his former business partner in Louisiana. That dispute ultimately ended with Evans being deemed a threat of harm to the public after he falsely represented to a court that he had the consent of opposing counsel to withdraw disputed funds from the court registry, leading to the release of more than $207,000. Evans later deposited that large sum of money into his personal bank account.

On September 28, 2018, the Supreme Court of Louisiana disbarred Mr. Evans finding him in violation of multiple Rules of Professional Conduct, including making false statements to the tribunal, engaging in dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

In May 2022, a subsequent Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Hearing was held regarding Evan's prior conduct and whether re-instatement or permanent disbarment should be imposed. Evans was subject to being permanently disbarred if the tribunal made the following findings: (1) the lawyer's misconduct is so egregious as to demonstrate a convincing lack of ethical and moral fitness to practice law; and (2) there is no reasonable expectation of significant rehabilitation in the lawyer's character in the future."

On January 27, 2023, Evan's misconduct was found to have satisfied the two permanent disbarment guidelines, found in Appendix D of Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX: intentional corruption of the judicial process and, following notice, he had engaged in the unauthorized practice of law during a period of suspension. The Texas State Bar has now been made aware of this disbarment, and Evans' suitability to practice law in Texas is currently under review.

Unfortunately, no one in Texas, including the State Bar, was made aware of his discipline by Evans himself. He failed to report the discipline although required because an attorney licensed in Texas is answerable for his conduct in another state when that conduct involves a "serious crime1" or "dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation." Tex. R. Disc. P. 8.04 (a)(2) and (3).

This failure begs the question whether state legislators and state supreme courts should prioritize strengthening governance around attorney disciplinary actions, especially when attorneys practice in multiple states, to ensure consistent and robust oversight of legal professionals.

While it is true that states have different laws, it is equally true that no state allows its attorneys to engage in dishonesty, fraud, or theft. For that reason, each state could easily adopt procedures whereby discipline in one state is applied to all states in which the same attorney is licensed, subject to some form of peer review. At a minimum, states should establish a uniform procedure whereby discipline in one state is reported to any other state where that attorney holds a license to practice law.

The good news, according to the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility, an organization that collects, analyzes, and compiles statistics about lawyer regulatory systems on a national basis, is that as of 2019, "the percentage of lawyers disbarred is generally trending downwardbetween 0.05% and 0.06%." This low percentage means that there is only a 1 in 2000 chance that the attorney you hire is, or ever will be, disbarred. That is impressive and it speaks well of the practice of law given that there are at least 1.4 million attorneys in the United States.

While the odds of finding a legacy of unreported disciplinary action is minimal, here are a few steps to take to remove doubt when hiring a professional attorney:

Verify Licensing: Check the attorney's licensing status by contacting the relevant state bar association where they are licensed to practice law. You can often do this online by searching for the attorney's name on the state bar's website or by calling the bar association's office. Online Reviews: Search for online reviews and ratings of the attorney on websites like Avvo, Martindale -Hubbell, or Google. These platforms may provide insights into the attorney's reputation and client experiences. Referrals and Recommendations: Seek referrals and recommendations from trusted sources, such as friends, family members, colleagues, or other attorneys. Personal recommendations can be valuable in assessing an attorney's qualifications and professionalism. Interview the Attorney: Schedule a consultation with the attorney to discuss your case or legal needs. During the consultation, ask questions about their experience, past cases, and approach to handling your specific legal matter. Pay attention to their communication skills, responsiveness, and professionalism. Background Check Services: Consider using online background check services that may provide information about an attorney's education, professional history, and any legal actions against them. Keep in mind that the accuracy and completeness of such reports can vary.

1 "serious crime" includes "any misdemeanor involving theft, embezzlement, or fraudulent or reckless misappropriation of money or other property." Tex. R. Disc. P. 8.04 (b).

SOURCE DeSouza Law, P.C.
CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Edcetera, the Eden Capital-backed provider of career education programs, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Denise Henderson as chief revenue officer (CRO). Bringing more than three decades of experience as a successful sales and operations leader across EdTech, FinTech, IT services and CPG, the Chicago-based executive joins Edcetera's leadership team to accelerate institutional and business-to-business (B2B) growth across the company's portfolio of educational solutions, which spans more than 20 highly regulated industries including health care, engineering, home inspection and many other professions and skilled trades.

Edcetera appoints Chief Revenue Officer, Denise Henderson, who brings years of sales and operational leadership to bear. Post this Edcetera Names Denise Henderson Chief Revenue Officer. Denise will Lead Business-to-Business and Partnership Revenue Expansion for the Eden Capital-Backed Career Education Portfolio Company.

In her new role as CRO, Denise will be responsible for leading Edcetera's sales, operations and customer success teams, building upon her prior successes significantly growing revenue streams, building high-performing teams and fostering lasting client relationships.

"Denise is a dynamic and visionary leader who has already proven herself as a catalyst for rapid revenue growth within the EdTech space," said Nader Qaimari, CEO of Edcetera. "She understands how to penetrate new channels and leverage partnerships to source and scale new and recurring B2B revenue across verticals. We believe her appointment will strengthen our position as a leader in career success and lifelong learning, and we look forward to her contributions."

Most recently, Denise led higher education, international and enterprise sales at Infobase, a global provider of educational resources, digital tools and technology for K-12, higher education, enterprise and public libraries. There, she played a pivotal role in the company's transformative journey to enhance revenue and sales effectiveness, resulting in double-digit growth. She previously led sales and customer success at Securities Training Corporation, a division of Colibri. She earned her B.A. from The University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

Denise's appointment as CRO is effective immediately. Her addition to the Edcetera leadership team underscores the company's commitment to driving growth and providing innovative solutions in the continuing education, pre-licensure and test prep sectors.

About Edcetera: Edcetera is on a mission to unlock opportunity by harnessing the power of credentialing and professional licensure. We help people at all stages of their careers through pre-licensing, test preparation and continuing education resources. Our significant regulatory experience, extensive breadth of subject matter expertise and agile delivery methods allow us to adapt rapidly to new and evolving regulatory and professional requirements and trends. Edcetera is a portfolio company of Eden Capital.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Lisa Hobart, Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE Edcetera
Epionce skincare increases distribution capabilities to service

Professional partners across 35 states in the central and eastern U.S.

BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Carl Thornfeldt, board certified dermatologist and creator of Epionce skincare, is pleased to announce the opening of a new distribution center for Episciences, Inc., the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Epionce, outside of Houston, Texas. As the Epionce skincare brand has experienced tremendous growth in the central and eastern portions of the U.S., the new distribution center has been opened to support this expansion, and is a huge milestone for the company.

Epionce Physician Strength Skincare to Launch New Houston Distribution Center Post this Episciences, Inc. Distribution Center Team

"We are excited to reveal this new strategic distribution center expansion which allows us to more than double our current processing capacity," says Dr. Carl Thornfeldt, CEO of Episciences, Inc. and inventor of the Epionce skincare line. "Over the last 20 years, the Epionce brand has grown from grassroot beginnings. Because we are based in Boise, Idaho, our efforts have been more focused on regions surrounding us. However, as the Epionce brand continues to grow its presence nationwide, changes were necessary to facilitate continuing to provide great customer service."

Dr. Thornfeldt and his senior leadership team were excited to visit the new facility on Wednesday, October 11th, for a meet-and-greet with the employees and an official walk-through of the space. During their visit, finishing touches on new processes and procedures were put into place. The new distribution center has been nearly a year in the making as Epionce strives to best support the community and customers' needs, as well as offering world-class service. As the Houston metro area is known as a great hub for shipping distribution centers, the strategic decision to open a new Episciences, Inc. facility there will more than double the current processing capacity and expedite faster shipping to customers.

"This facility will not only enable us to enhance our operational capabilities but also, due to its excellent location, will ensure timely and efficient delivery of our products to our valued customers in the central and eastern states. By freeing up capacity in our original Boise distribution center, our customers in the western states will also benefit from improved processing times. This is a true win for our customers everywhere," said Chad Thayer, Episciences, Inc. Chief Operating Officer. "We are extremely grateful to all our employees and collaborators who worked tirelessly to bring this new facility to life in support of our expansion goals."

Epionce skincare is available in the U.S. through thousands of medical skin professionals as well as Epionce.com, Amazon.com/Epionce, Dermstore.com, Lovelyskin.com, skinstore.com and select physician partner websites.

About Epionce

Epionce is a physician-strength skincare line created in 2002 by Dr. Carl Thornfeldt, a board certified clinical dermatologist and pioneer in skin barrier research. Dr. Thornfeldt created Epionce to help him do better for his patients by putting the skin barrier first with skincare products that would change their lives. Truly a pioneer, Dr. Thornfeldt was awarded the first ever patent on skin barrier health in 1997.

After years of original research on the skin barrier, Dr. Thornfeldt looked to botanicals for a solution, and in 2002, the flagship Epionce Renewal Facial Cream was launched. Advanced clinical testing confirmed that Epionce Renewal Facial Cream, when used with Epionce Lytic Tx, provides better visible anti-aging results than leading retinoids. Epionce barrier nurturing products are backed by patient safety studies and proven clinical results that address skin issues and skin aging. The comprehensive Epionce skincare range is designed to be customized by a medical professional for a patient's skin type and concern.

A multiple beauty award winner in leading industry publications, all Epionce products are researched, designed, formulated and tested for superior product performance, safety, freshness, and efficacy in its own U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected laboratory and manufacturing facility in Boise, Idaho. The Epionce brand is manufactured and distributed by Episciences, Inc. Epionce products can be found in the United States and internationally. For more information visit epionce.com.

SOURCE Epionce Skincare
DENVER, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A seminal new book on the groundbreaking power of an "ownership mindset" was released today from EY Entrepreneur of the Year Kerry Siggins and Amplify Publishing Group. The Ownership Mindset: A Handbook for Transforming Your Life and Leadership offers practical advice for empowering employees with a shift in mentality that yields impressive and durable growth within companies and employees. It is available now via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Amplify Publishing, and more.

"The Ownership Mindset: A Handbook for Transforming Your Life and Leadership" by EY Entrepreneur of the Year and award-winning CEO Kerry Siggins is available now.

Owners act and think differently than employees. To an owner, a business is more than a source of income, it's part of their identity. It's the conscious development of this mindsetlearning to "think like an owner"that makes the difference between paycheck players and top performers. In her new book, Siggins lays out the groundbreaking blueprint for empowering yourself and others to reach their full potential through the implementation of an Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) that encourages employees to value the business as if it were their own.

After leveraging an ownership mindset to pull herself from the depths of substance abuse and a dead-end lifestyle to become the head of StoneAge, one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial cleaning equipment and most respected employee-owned companies in the US, Siggins knows firsthand the power this mentality has to change lives. She has since been named EY's Entrepreneur of the Year, one of Industry Era magazine's Top 10 Most Influential CEOs, and was a finalist for Colorado's CEO of the Year.

"If you are looking for a great book that shows exactly what impact creating a culture of empowering employees to be owners can have on an organization, The Ownership Mindset is it," writes Kara Goldin, founder of Hint Water and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Undaunted. "Kerry Siggins is an inspiring leader we all can learn from."

Packed with compelling research and unforgettable stories for everyone from a first-time manager to a seasoned CEO, this book is a must-read blueprint for empowering yourself and others to reach their full potential.

The Ownership Mindset is on sale now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Amplify Publishing. To learn more, visit www.kerrysiggins.com.

SOURCE Amplify Publishing Group
Head of R&D and Chief Physicist Dr. Marina Poliak to deliver an opening talk on breaking down AR barriers using VRD & eye-tracking technology

EyeJets secures its second patent for its virtual keyboard. The revolutionary concept doubles both as a display screen and input device, allowing users to effortlessly connect with their eyewear

TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EyeJets, the startup Israeli smartglasses technology company, is thrilled to announce its debut demonstration of their patented retinal eye-tracking feature (RET) combined with Virtual Retinal Display (VRD) technology on October 24-25, at AWE Vienna.

The innovative smartglasses technology developed by EyeJets represents a revolutionary leap in the world of AR. By combining VRD and eye-tracking, EyeJets has created an exceptionally compact, lightweight eyewear solution that's comfortable and safe for all-day use. Using EyeJets smartglasses technology, users can seamlessly transition between the physical and digital realms like never before.

Attendees of AWE Vienna can experience this game-changing technology firsthand at EyeJets' booth #258, located in AWE's main expo hall. Additionally, EyeJets' VP of R&D, Dr. Marina Poliak, will deliver the opening talk on October 24, "Virtual Retinal Display Combined with Retinal Eye-Tracking - Overcoming Challenges & Breaking AR Barriers." Dr. Poliak will discuss the immense potential of VRD and RET to overcome the traditional challenges facing the Augmented Reality (AR) industry.

In a significant milestone for the company, EyeJets also secured its second patent (No. 11,800,084) for their virtual keyboard, which allows users to interact with their smart eyewear by inputting data commands on a virtual keyboard while simultaneously seeing the real world. The patent, filed by Joshua Dr. Gur, builds upon EyeJets' commitment to innovation and further establishes the company's position as a frontrunner in the smart eyewear industry.

Edu Strul, CEO of EyeJets and Co-founder, explained, "At EyeJets, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of smart eyewear technology. Our VRD and eye-tracking feature, along with our recent patents, are testament to our commitment to innovation and making AR a seamless part of everyday life."

For media inquiries or to schedule a demo at AWE Vienna, please contact: Atara Braun Levi, [email protected] or Edward Strul, [email protected]

About EyeJets:

EyeJets is an Israeli smartglasses technology startup founded in 2017 and backed by the Israeli Authority of Innovation. The company was founded by Edward (Edu) Strul, CEO, Dr. Joshua Gur, CTO, and Dr. Isaac Lipshitz, CMO. EyeJet specializes in developing cutting-edge smart eyewear solutions, including its patented virtual retinal display and eye-tracking technology, aimed at enhancing users' smartglasses experience and expanding the possibilities of Augmented Reality. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE EyeJets
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Russia of trying to overthrow the government in Yerevan, Trend reports.

"Our security allies have publicly called for the overthrow of the democratic government in Armenia," he said during his speech in the European Parliament.

He noted that "the Armenians left Karabakh because of the inaction of the Russian peacekeepers."

Prime Minister Pashinyan said earlier that he was not going to let Russian peacekeepers into his country.

Thus, he stated that if the Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh leave the region, they should return to Russia, and not relocate to Armenia.

Also, Pashinyan refused to take part in the CIS summit in Bishkek, which took place on October 13. In a telephone conversation with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, he said that he would not be able to take part in the event.
GREENVILLE, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, October 2, Palmer Trucks, a third-generation, family-owned Kenworth truck dealer network based in Indianapolis, celebrated the opening of an all-makes TRP parts store and commercial truck service shop in Greenville, Ohio. TRP of Greenville will serve the local transportation industry by providing a full line of aftermarket parts for trucks, trailers and buses in addition to truck diagnostics and repair for customers across Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana.

A robust line of aftermarket parts for commercial trucks, trailers and buses awaits customers for in-store pickup or delivery.

General Manager Bill Evans comments, "We are excited to expand our regional footprint as a trusted source for commercial truck parts and repairs. Having parts on hand and ready maximizes uptime for local ag customers, work trucks and municipal fleets who frequent this area."

TRP of Greenville is located at 5378 Sebring Warner Road, Greenville, OH 45331, and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Local truck drivers, technicians and business owners are welcome to join Palmer Trucks for a grand opening event on Wednesday, December 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A free lunch, giveaways and door prizes will be included.

Palmer Trucks Regional Director Fred Dufour adds, "Palmer Trucks is excited to add distribution footprint in Darke County and the surrounding area to make quality parts and repair services more accessible. Until recently, customers spent more than one hour driving each way to reach our Dayton location."

"We're excited to bring local access to a quality aftermarket product line, complete with local delivery and a mobile repair service with skilled technicians," adds Evans.

TRP of Greenville will also house a PacLease franchise of Palmer Leasing Group to serve the commercial truck rental and leasing market. A lineup of day cabs for agricultural applications and Ohio-market-ready dump trucks with five, six and seven-axle configurations will be available in addition to other medium and heavy-duty offerings.

About Palmer Trucks

Palmer Trucks, Inc. is the regional leader in the sale, lease, rental, fabrication, repair and finance of Kenworth  -The World's Best  medium and heavy-duty trucks. Founded in Indianapolis in July of 1965 by Eldon Palmer, the company has since expanded as a third-generation company throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio with more than 700 team members and a network of 12 dealerships and four TRP parts stores. The company is an A-rated and accredited member of the Better Business Bureau. Additional information can be found at palmertrucks.com.

Media Contact:

Cameron Nichols

Director of Marketing

(317) 620 8421

SOURCE Palmer Trucks
Nationally Acclaimed Founder & CEO of Rock the Street, Wall Street Coming to Fort Mill, SC for Field Trip October 25

FORT MILL, S.C., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Resources Group Investment Services is pleased to announce the opportunity to sponsor "Rock the Street, Wall Street" (RTSWS) at Fort Mill High School.

Designed to spark the interest of high school girls into financial literacy and careers in finance, RTSWS was founded 11 years ago and now has programs in 33 cities in the US and recently expanded to offer a program in Canada. Fort Mill High School is the first cohort in South Carolina.

Financial Resources Group started the series of 5 classroom sessions at Fort Mill High School in late September and the final classroom session will be held November 1.

As part of the educational experience, the 17 Fort Mill High School students will be going on a field trip at the corporate office of LPL Financial in Fort Mill, South Carolina on Wednesday, October 25, from 9:00 am  12:30 pm EST.

Students will have the opportunity to tour the brokerage firm and learn from leaders in the finance industry through a panel interview of finance executives and professionals. Nationally acclaimed RTSWS Founder & CEO Maura Cunningham will be among the panelists and joining students for the tour.

"Rock the Street, Wall Street has been of interest to Fort Mill High School for several years, so we're pleased and proud to partner with both the school and organization to offer this fantastic classroom curriculum," said Financial Resources Group's Cindy Nagel, Director of Business Development. "These high school girls have opted to stay after school to take part in these sessions because they want to be there  and are curious about the world of finance. My team of fellow volunteering women associates and I have been honored to create an environment where the girls are comfortable asking questions and gaining a better understanding of finance careers by showcasing real-world female role models in money management."

Cindy, as well as Sims Reeves, Business Education Teacher and school champion who teaches personal finance and business law, were instrumental in advocating for Rock the Street, Wall Street after learning about the organization through its website at, www.rockthestreetwallstreet.com. View video of Cindy Nagel interviewing Sims Reeves as well as participating students, here.

RTSWS was founded with the intention of improving these statistics:

Millennial women are more than 3x as likely as male peers to not have completely understood financing options when applying to college.

Today, women own 2/3 of the total outstanding federal student load debt currently standing at $1.71 TRILLION .

. Women represent only 6% of the leaders in the financial services professions.

8 out of 10 women have said they have refrained from having financial conversations.

For interview requests concerning RTSWS and the upcoming field trip tour October 25, see information below.

About Financial Resources Group

Financial Resources Group is based in Fort Mill, SC and provides customized services to financial advisors to help them grow their programs and practices that include, but are not limited to business development, onboarding, marketing support, and technology. Representatives are registered through LPL Financial as their broker-dealer.

About Rock the Street, Wall Street

Founded in 2012 by Maura Cunningham, Rock the Street, Wall Street is a financial and investment literacy program designed to bring both gender and racial equity to the financial markets and spark the interest of a diverse population of high school girls into careers of finance.

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial is a leader in the retail financial advice market and the nation's largest independent broker-dealer*. They serve independent financial advisors, professionals, and institutions, providing them with the technology, research, clearing and compliance services, and practice management programs they need to create and grow thriving practices. LPL Financial enables them to provide objective guidance to millions of American families seeking wealth management, retirement planning, financial planning and asset management solutions.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Resources Group Investment Services, member FINRA/SIPC, is a separate entity.

Contact Information:

Financial Resources Group

Jennifer Hallmark

Senior Marketing Account Manager

Financial Resource Group Investment Services

704-816-8019

SOURCE Financial Resources Group Investment Services
RADNOR, Pa., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Shift4 Payments, Inc. ("Shift4") (NYSE: FOUR). The action charges Shift4 with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Shift4's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Shift4's investors have suffered significant losses.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR SHIFT4 LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/shift4-payments-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=four&mktm=r

LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: OCTOBER 19, 2023

CLASS PERIOD: JUNE 5, 2020 THROUGH APRIL 18, 2023

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:

Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at [email protected]

Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.

SHIFT4'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCT

The Class Period begins on June 5, 2020, when Shift4's Class A common stock began publicly trading on the NYSE pursuant to its registration statement. The registration statement contained purported historical financial results of Shift4, recording, among other things, $18.7 million of customer acquisition costs as well as $26.7 million in net cash provided by operating activities, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Then, on October 21, 2022, Shift4 disclosed in an SEC filing that certain of its financial statements should no longer be relied upon and would need to be restated because of a material weakness in the company's financial controls, which had caused it to incorrectly treat "customer acquisition costs" as cash used in investing activities rather than cash used in operating activities in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As a result, Shift4 was forced to negatively revise its net cash provided by operating activities in certain past financial statements. On this news, Shift4's stock price fell $1.21 per share, or 2.67%, to close at $44.16 per share on October 24, 2022.

About one month later, on November 8, 2022, Shift4 filed restated financial statements with the SEC to properly account for its historical customer acquisition costs. As a result of the restatements, Shift4 negatively revised its net cash provided by operating activities to $8 million (down from its originally reported $26.7 million), $4 million (down from its originally reported $23.4 million), and $3 million (down from its originally reported $29.2 million) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Additionally, Shift4 negatively revised its net cash used in operating activities to $7.1 million (up from its originally reported $1.7 million) and net cash provided by operating activities to $30.8 million (down from its originally reported $37.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Moreover, Shift4 negatively revised its originally reported $5 million of net cash provided by operating activities to $7.7 million of net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as well as negatively revised net cash provided by operating activities to $70.8 million (down from its originally reported $85 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and negatively revised its net cash provided by operating activities to $6.3 million (down from its originally reported $25.6 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Then, on April 19, 2023, market analyst Blue Orca Capital published a report alleging that Shift4 "engaged in a string of highly questionable and hyperaggressive accounting maneuvers seemingly designed to keep the stock afloat," including "cash flow manipulation" and "inexplicable distributor acquisitions that enabled it to capitalize a major component of COGS." The report also indicated that Shift4 engaged in unreported related-party transactions and that the company's questionable accounting maneuvers "inflated 2022 gross profit by 13%, Adj. EBITDA by 34%, and operating income by close to 3x."

Following this news, Shift4's stock price fell $5.95 per share, or 8.68%, to close at $62.59 per share on April 19, 2023.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Shift4 investors may, no later than October 19, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Shift4 investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The first-filed class action complaint against Shift4, O'Meara v. Shift4 Payments, Inc., et al., Case No. 23-cv-03206, is filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before the Honorable Joseph F. Leeson Jr.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE

WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?

A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

Jonathan Naji, Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(484) 270-1453

[email protected]

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Air Purifier Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global air purifier market is expected to reach a value of $26.72 billion by 2028 from $13 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 12.76% from 2022 to 2028

The global air purifier market is currently experiencing robust growth, gaining widespread popularity and achieving significant penetration in several countries, including China, India, and the United States.

These regions boast a higher number of market players, resulting in increased fragmentation and intensified competition within the industry. Notably, major players from the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, and North America collectively account for a substantial share of over 60% in the overall market.

Conversely, countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia lack significant players in the air purifier market, presenting significant opportunities for vendors to expand their operations, particularly in densely populated areas with elevated pollution levels. Moreover, certain European nations remain under-penetrated, offering substantial growth potential that can be harnessed.

Within the APAC region, there is a pronounced dominance, with APAC leading the global air purifier market and exhibiting a noteworthy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.96% throughout the forecast period. Key countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, and India, contribute significantly to the growth of air purifiers within APAC. The rapid proliferation and heightened demand for air purifiers in these countries can be primarily attributed to the escalating pollution levels.

Nevertheless, a knowledge gap persists among consumers and manufacturers, presenting challenges for swift market penetration. However, with the growing consumer awareness concerning various air purifier types capable of eliminating harmful gases from the environment, it is anticipated that demand for these products will witness substantial growth.

Notably, the commercial and industrial sectors, particularly within settings such as hospitals, hotels, offices, and various healthcare facilities, are expected to experience higher rates of air purifier adoption.

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Government and Non-Governmental Efforts for Environmental Protection

In 1990, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) introduced the Clean Air Act Amendments, which outlined a collaborative approach involving federal, state, local, and tribal governments to curtail pollution.

The U.S. government has been proactive in implementing air quality programs aimed at ensuring the safety of both residential and industrial environments. Additionally, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has taken measures to establish California Ambient Air Quality Standards, providing protection against the adverse impacts of air pollution on the public.

These programs and initiatives serve a dual purpose by not only raising public awareness but also drawing the attention of international bodies to the current and future air pollution challenges facing the world. Various governmental and non-governmental organizations are actively engaged in spotlighting the detrimental effects of air pollution on both human health and the environment, seeking to garner support from national and global communities.

Rising Urbanization

Urbanization denotes the increasing proportion of the population residing in urban areas, with over 50% of the global population now dwelling in cities. The rapid expansion of urbanization and industrialization, driven by economic development, has amplified concerns about environmental pollution.

The burgeoning urban population exerts a significant influence on air quality, with the proliferation of vehicles emitting pollutants contributing to the deterioration of air conditions. Consequently, this surge in urbanization, coupled with heightened consumer awareness, is anticipated to drive the growth of the global air purifier market.

INSIGHTS BY APPLICATION TYPE



The global air purifier market by the application can be segmented into residential, office spaces, hospitals, hospitality, airports, educational institutes, shopping malls, gyms & fitness centers, government centers, and others.

The residential application segment dominated the global air purifier market in 2022. With the increase in home pollutants, there is a high demand for residential air purifiers. These pollutants generally occur by smoke, cooking fuels, personal product such as deodorants, mosquito coils, and other products at home.

Indoor air pollution is considered one of the top five environmental health risks. Therefore, the demand for residential air purifiers is expected to increase in regions with particularly high pollution.



INSIGHTS BY TECHNOLOGY TYPE



The global air purifier market by HEPA technology held the largest technology segmental share. HEPA and activated carbon purifiers are filter-based air purifiers, and ionic technology is the filter-less technology used in air purifiers.

The demand for HEPA filters is increasing as they effectively remove small particles and pollutants. However, these filters require high maintenance and replacement every three to four months. The applications of HEPA filters consist of commercial spaces and various industrial and residential spaces.

INSIGHTS BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL



The online distribution held most of the global air purifier market share in 2022. The segment is booming as e-commerce channels are witnessing increased sales. The demand for air purifiers has increased with rising air pollution in various cities worldwide.

Increased sales of these air purifiers have been witnessed in almost all countries, including China, the U.S. India, Canada, and others. Companies have witnessed high growth in online sales since the pandemic, and online sales of air purifiers are expected to grow during the forecast period.

Further, offline stores also act as a major platform for air purifier sales. However, sales by online channels are expected to see an increase in the future.

INSIGHTS BY CADR



The global air purifier market by distribution CADR can be broadly classified as medium, low, and high. The CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) indicates the air volume filtered by an air purifier.

CADR ratings compare the amount of clean air from the air purifiers; the higher the CADR ratings, the more efficient is the air purifier. The medium CAGR accounts for the largest segmental share. CADR is measured in CFM or cubic feet per minute. In Asian and European countries, the CADR is measured in cubic meters per hour.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

How big is the air purifier market?

What is the growth rate of the global air purifier market?

What are the growing trends in the air purifier industry?

Which region holds the most significant global air purifier market share?

Who are the key players in the global air purifier market?

Overview

Advances In Air Purifier Technology

Green Emission Effects

Industry Outlook

New Development In The Market

Working Mechanism

Major Affecting Factors

Russia - Ukraine Conflict: Global Impact

- Ukraine Conflict: Global Impact Rising Preference For Smart Air Purifier Systems

Demand Insights

Iot And Market Penetration Strategies

Shift In Market Dynamics Of The Air Purifier Market

Demand From Commercial Places

Increasing Demand For Smart Air Purifiers In Co-Working Spaces

Rising Key Highlights Of The Global Residential Construction Sector

Market Opportunities & Trends

Wearable Air Purifiers

Government And Non-Government Initiatives For Environmental Protection

Technological Advances

Demand For Energy-Efficient Air Purifiers

Market Growth Enablers

Increase In Urbanization

Immense Demand For Air Purifiers From Hospitality Sector

Increasing Health Problems Associated With Air Pollution

Market Restraints

Inbuilt Filters In Air Conditioning Systems

Increase In Operational Cost

Slow Application Of Air Pollution Control Reforms Worldwide

Emission Of Ozone And Other Pollutants From Smart Air Purifiers

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Key Company Profiles

Blue Star

Philips

Whirlpool

Midea Group

Daikin

Siemens AG

Dyson

Other Prominent Vendors

Aldes

Rabbit Air

Bosch

CIAT

Sharp

Systemair

A.O. Smith

Johnson Controls

Panasonic

Unilever

Swegon

Hitachi

Vent-Axia

Lennox

Coway

Honeywell

Oransi

Trox

IQAir

Samsung

LG

Eureka Forbes

Camfil

3M

Aerus

Airpura

Pro Breeze

HoMedics

Boneco

Lasko

Winix

Levoit

Pure Enrichment

AllerAir

GreenTech

Novaerus

Bionaire

Vesync

Molekule

Kent RO

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/en81l

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BEIJING, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a whistle, the "Whoosh" of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway (HSR) roared past Grace Jessica, a 20-something Indonesian, at a speed of 350 kilometers an hour, swirling up a breeze that gently fanned her cheek.

"The beautiful day for a speedy ride arrived," Jessica told the Global Times, as she stood under a glass dome at the Tegalluar station in Bandung, where the sunlight brightened her smile.

Jessica's voice was full of excitement and pride, and what thrilled her was the realization of Indonesia's decade-long high-speed railway dream, which has finally morphed into reality with the implementation of the landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project, at the 10th anniversary of the initiative.

With Indonesian President Joko Widodo pressing the HSR's opening button at Halim Station on October 2, the "Whoosh," whose name was inspired by the sound of the train, has earned Indonesia the title of becoming the first Southeast Asian country operating HSR at a speed of 350 kilometers an hour.

The inauguration of the BRI project marks an epoch-making moment to the applause and celebration of all Indonesians, as well as Southeast Asia, a region mostly composed of developing countries which are in dire need to fill the infrastructure gap. The red-white bullet train, passing through the economic hinterland of Indonesia also offers a fresh glimpse into the fruitful BRI global cooperation in the past ten years, which has turned the aspiration of people in countries participating in the initiative for a better life into reality.

Back to 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed that China and ASEAN countries build a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and foster a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future at a key speech delivered at the Indonesian parliament during his visit to the Southeast Asian country. The initiative, together with the "Silk Road Economic Belt" proposed by Xi in Kazakhstan in 2013, marked the start of a groundbreaking vision that has ushered the world into a path to global well-being.

"Ten years ago, I proposed the BRI, and on its tenth anniversary, China will hold the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation We should work together to broaden the Belt and Road as a 'path of happiness' benefiting the whole world," according to an address by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization via video in July.

The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is being held in Beijing from October 17 to 18. Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the forum and deliver a keynote speech. The monumental gathering is being convened at a historical junction that is deemed as both a milestone and a new start of BRI cooperation.

Over the past decade, no other proposal in the modern history has attracted the participation of such large number of countries in such a short time and generated widespread international influence that can be compared to the BRI.

As the world faces geopolitical and economic roadblocks, the BRI's extraordinary role in promoting all-rounded connectivity has proven it to be a visionary platform that led the world to navigate through the mist into a voyage to "peace, prosperity, opening-up, innovation and connecting different civilizations," all of which compose the dynamic encompassing meanings behind Xi's call for a "path of happiness."

The ten years of international joint effort in building the BRI, developing hand in hand with Xi's vision on "building a community with a shared future for mankind," has also paved the way for a revolutionary global axis under which developing countries are encouraged to strive for a better future.

Standing at the BRI's 10th anniversary, the initiative is set to continue to gain global endorsement as a revolutionary and effective framework, they noted.

A road to common development

"If we look at the map of transportation communication before BRI's creation and ten years after, there's a huge difference," Bolat Nurgaliyev, former secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), told the Global Times, referring to an overarching transportation network being built as part of the BRI which has delivered enormous benefits to Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries.

In Horgos, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region which borders Kazakhstan, it now only takes less than six hours for freshly-picked fruit to be delivered to the Kazakh market via a China-Europe freight train and sold to the local consumers. Before the BRI transportation network was established, the shipping time was two or three days.

Gulnar Shaimergenova, Director of China Studies Center, Kazakhstan who participated in the event when President Xi first proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt, told the Global Times that the implementation of the BRI is "strategically and economically beneficial for Kazakhstan," as up to 80 percent of the China-Europe rail routes pass through Kazakhstan, through which the inland country is connected with 200 cities in 25 European countries as well as more than 100 cities in 11 Asian countries and regions.

Looking southward, more than 80 percent of Kazakhstan's major trade commodities such as mineral products and grains are exported via Lianyungang port in East China's Jiangsu Province, from where those goods are assembled and shipped to over 200 international markets. The transportation arrangement is under a logistics cooperation link between China and Kazakhstan launched in 2014, also the first entity project under the BRI.

The BRI has transformed landlocked countries like Kazakhstan not only to being "land-linked," but also "maritime connected," further opening their doors to global markets.

There is no shortage of similar stories showcasing the profound changes the "global project of the century" has been unfolding and how it meets people's longing for a brighter future.

In Europe, BRI investment reinvigorated the Port of Piraeus and modernized the Budapest-Belgrade railway; In Africa, BRI cooperation put the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway into operation, marking the very first electrified railway in the continent. Likewise, the BRI has so far established more than 3,000 cooperation projects, galvanized nearly $1 trillion of investment and created 420,000 jobs for local communities.

"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 prospect for the creation of a fundamentally new transport configuration across the vast expense of our planet," Saidmukhtar Saidkasimov, former Uzbek deputy prime minister and former minister of Foreign Affairs, told the Global Times.

According to a BRI white paper released last week, the BRI has become the world's largest platform for international cooperation with the broadest coverage in the past 10 years. More than three quarters of all countries in the world and over 30 international organizations have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China.

"If the world looks for balanced globalization, the key issue is to shore up the growth of developing countries. If developing countries want to fast track development, they need to be integrated into the global logistics and supply chain network. They need to enhance economic self-reliance, rather than relying on foreign assistance," Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times.

That's how the China-proposed initiative fueled common development, helped the Global South to realize their potential, and thereby enhanced the sense of fulfillment and happiness for people of participating countries, industry insiders said.

The BRI for the first time gave the Global South a very concrete perspective to overcome poverty and underdevelopment "on their feet," Helga Zepp-La Rouche, founder of Germany-based political and economic think tank the Schiller Institute, told the Global Times.

A spokesperson from the China Railway No.4 Engineering Group Co, a main contractor behind a number of flagship BRI projects including the Jakarta-Bandung HSR, told the Global Times that BRI cooperation aligns with the development needs and strategies of partner countries, while leveraging each other's advantage to a full play, which is why the initiative is dubbed as "a road to joint prosperity."

According to a report by the World Bank, the construction of the BRI has increased trade among participants by 4.1 percent and raised the GDP of low-income countries by 3.4 percent. Benefiting from the BRI, the GDP share of emerging and developing economies was increased by 3.6 percentage points from 2012 to 2021.

Fostering a global spirit of openness

In an address to the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in 2015, President Xi highlighted several underpinning principles of BRI, including openness and inclusiveness. "They [BRI] will be a real chorus compromising all countries along the routes, not a solo for China itself," Xi noted.

From the date of its creation, the BRI carries forward the century-long "Silk Road spirit," with advanced concepts responding to the calls of the time for peace, development and win-win cooperation and dynamic adaption to "great changes unseen in a century."

"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 on BRI.

Many observers have called BRI as a new globalization tide shepherded by China that lives up to the global dream for a better future of humanity.

"BRI goes beyond just facilitating connectivity, promoting trade and investment. It has fostered a global perspective of openness," He Weiwen, a senior fellow and executive council member of China Association of International Trade, told the Global Times.

The initiative has not only helped maintain global peace and stability but also serves as catalyst for inching more cooperation between participating countries, with some being inked even without China's presence, the analyst said.

He noted that the creation of African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the largest free trade area in the world measured by the number of participating countries signed in 2019, is a vivid display of the indigenous spirit of openness and inclusiveness championed by BRI.

The World Bank estimates that by 2030, the construction of the BRI will generate annual benefits of $1.6 trillion for the world, accounting for 1.3 percent of global GDP, which would offer a timely shot in the arm to bolster economic globalization. The bank has estimated that by 2030, BRI-related investment could lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty.

Xi emphasized in his keynote delivered on the opening ceremony of the second BRF that "the Belt and Road cooperation embraces the historic trend of economic globalization, responds to the call for improving the global governance system, and addresses people's desire for a better life."

Where will this journey head them to? The answer could lie in the upcoming BRF. But maybe as the white paper illustrated, to "an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity," and "a bright future for human development" as well.

SOURCE Global Times
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Gold Royalty Corp. ("Gold Royalty" or the "Company") (NYSE American: GROY) will release its quarterly financial and operating results for the quarter ending September 30, 2023 on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, after market close.

An investor webcast will be held on Wednesday, November 15th, 2023 starting at 11:00 am ET (8:00 am PT) to discuss these results. Management will be providing an update to interested stakeholders on the Company's quarterly results including key recent catalysts that have been announced on the assets underlying the Company's royalties. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session where participants will be able to ask any questions they may have of management.

To register for the investor webcast, please click the link below: https://www.bigmarker.com/vid-conferences/GROY-Q3-Results

About Gold Royalty Corp.

Gold Royalty Corp. is a gold-focused royalty company offering creative financing solutions to the metals and mining industry. Its mission is to invest in high-quality, sustainable, and responsible mining operations to build a diversified portfolio of precious metals royalty and streaming interests that generate superior long-term returns for our shareholders. Gold Royalty's diversified portfolio currently consists primarily of net smelter return royalties on gold properties located in the Americas.

SOURCE Gold Royalty Corp.
BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Goulston & Storrs, an Am Law 200 firm, is pleased to announce that it has earned Diversity Lab's 2022-2023 Mansfield Certification, marking the fifth consecutive year the firm has attained this important distinction. The Mansfield Rule is a structured certification process designed to ensure all talent at participating law firms has a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership. Mansfield is focused on broadening the talent pool for consideration, including those historically underrepresented in the legal profession, to facilitate transparent pathways to leadership. The firm is one of 240 law firms to become Mansfield certified this past year.

(PRNewsfoto/Goulston & Storrs PC)

Achieving Mansfield Certification requires firms to consider a broad slate of qualified talent for leadership roles that includes at least 30% historically underrepresented lawyers  such as women lawyers, underrepresented racial and ethnic lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities. The Certification process also evaluates transparency related to leadership roles, advancement processes, and compensation policies.

"As we begin our sixth year of the rigorous Mansfield Certification process, we are proud of the work we have done, and continue to do, every day to make sure that our lawyers and staff feel a true sense of value, inclusion, and belonging. While it is hard work, we are committed to continuous improvement. Mansfield keeps us accountable and focused on our own lofty goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion no matter what is happening in the world around us," said Kerry Spindler, a Director at Goulston & Storrs and Co-Chair of the firm's Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Mansfield's methodology is rooted in changes to systems and processes, not exclusivity or discrimination. It ensures that opportunities for advancement are inclusive by broadening talent pools instead of instilling quotas, set-asides, or requirements unrelated to an individual's qualifications.

"We remain dedicated to expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups at our firm," added Bill Dillon, Co-Managing Director at Goulston & Storrs. "Beyond our well-known collaborative and collegial culture, embracing and celebrating our differences is part of our firm's core values. Mansfield gives us a measurable baseline to meet and exceed, and we plan to continue this critical work for many years to come."

Goulston & Storrs is currently participating in the next Mansfield Certification year-long process for 2023-2024.

About Diversity Lab

Diversity Lab is an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law. Experimental ideas are created through Hackathons and piloted in collaboration with more than 300 top law firms and legal departments across the country. Diversity Lab leverages data, behavioral science, design thinking, and technology to further develop and test the ideas, measure the results, and share the lessons learned.

About Goulston & Storrs

Collaboration is not just a pillar of our strategy; it is the key to our competitive advantage and approach to clients, community, and each other. At Goulston & Storrs, we practice law with excellence and integrity. We are a place where mutual respect and collaboration drive open discussion, transparency, creativity and optimal results for our clients. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where sophisticated business is conducted with genuine camaraderie. To learn more about us, visit www.goulstonstorrs.com.

Contact: Leigh Herzog

Goulston & Storrs PC

(617) 574-2259

[email protected]















Amy Blumenthal

Blumenthal & Associates PR

(617) 879-1511

[email protected]

SOURCE Goulston & Storrs PC
BENGALURU, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Happiest Minds Technologies Limited (NSE: HAPPSTMNDS), a 'Born Digital. Born Agile', Mindful IT Company, today announced that it has been honored with the IBM THINK Partner Excellence Award (TOP PARTNER AWARD), TRAILBLAZERS OF 2023, at the IBM Partner Plus event held in Mumbai.

IBM presents the Partner Excellence Award to its business partners who have showcased excellence in driving business growth and delivering exceptional client services. Happiest Minds has been recognized as Top Partner in Cloud Business 1H'23 for the cutting-edge cloud solutions that have helped businesses thrive in the current digital age.

Rajiv Shah, President & CEO of Digital Business Services, Happiest Minds said, "This incredible milestone underscores our consistent efforts to innovate, collaborate and exceed expectations. Our focus is on providing business-focused solutions, driving growth and delivering measurable value to our partners. We consider this award a recognition of our outcome-based approach in consistently delivering customer value."

Praveen R P, Senior Vice President of Digital Business Services, Happiest Minds said, "We are honored to be recognized with the Partner Excellence award. This win is a testimony to our early investments in the IBM stack including the decision to build some of our IP on this stack. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved so far, the outstanding partnerships we have cultivated and we look forward to the opportunities this recognition will bring."

Shiva Vittal, Program Director of Digital Business Services, Happiest Minds said, "This award reaffirms our commitment to delivering exceptional results and nurturing long-lasting partnerships. As we look into the future, proud of what we have accomplished, we feel more determined than ever to move forward in the path of continuous improvement, innovation and shared success."

India South Asia, IBM Cloud Platform Team, as part of the communication under the leadership of Sandip Patel, MD, IBM India said, "We are truly glad to have partnered with Happiest Minds for ten years. Through the years, Happiest Minds has demonstrated its commitment to providing the best possible solutions and has gone beyond the mark to come up with fresh and innovative ideas."

This is not the first time IBM has recognized Happiest Minds for its phenomenal work. Previously, Happiest Minds received the 2021 IBM Geography Excellence Award for APAC Best in Class  Build on IBM Cloud Partner. Through the years, Happiest Minds has received multiple awards for excellence, some of which are the Golden Peacock Business Excellence Award 2021, ICAI Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting 2021-22, McAfee Partner Award for Excellence and Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance 2022.

About Happiest Minds Technologies:

Happiest Minds Technologies Limited (NSE: HAPPSTMNDS), a Mindful IT Company, enables digital transformation for enterprises and technology providers by delivering seamless customer experiences, business efficiency and actionable insights. We do this by leveraging a spectrum of disruptive technologies such as: artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud, digital process automation, internet of things, robotics/drones, security, virtual/augmented reality, etc. Positioned as 'Born Digital. Born Agile', our capabilities span digital solutions, infrastructure, product engineering and security. We deliver these services across industry sectors such as automotive, BFSI, consumer packaged goods, e-commerce, EduTech, engineering R&D, healthcare, hi-tech, manufacturing, retail, and travel/transportation/hospitality. The company has been recognized for its excellence in Corporate Governance practices by Golden Peacock and ICSI.A Great Place to Work-Certified company, Happiest Minds is headquartered in Bangalore, India with operations in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and Middle East.

Media Contact: [email protected]

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SOURCE Happiest Minds Technologies Limited
Insights from Peppercomm's CEO Steve Cody and Chief Comedy Officer Clayton Fletcher empower organizations to embrace humor and unlock growth potential.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HarperCollins Leadership today announced the release of The ROI of LOL: How Laughter Breaks Down Walls, Drives Compelling Storytelling, and Creates a Healthy Workplace. The book, which is available at retailers and online nationwide, is co-authored by Peppercomm founder and CEO Steve Cody and professional comedian Clayton Fletcher, who have helped countless organizations embrace the tenets of humor to break down barriers, enhance collaboration, and improve performance.

Courtesy of HarperCollins Leadership, an imprint of HarperCollins Focus

The myriad of challenges businesses face today are nothing to laugh at. Yet Cody and Fletcher have proven how humor can be a powerful tool for organizations to survive and thrive in turbulent times. In fact, organizations where humor is part of the culture showed increased shareholder returns of 19%, according to a Hewitt & Associates study.

"The pandemic ushered in a whole host of challenges for organizations already in need of a culture reset  from widespread reports of employees expressing fear, anxiety, and isolation to the endless stream of negative news that's become our new normal," says Cody. "There's no question: laughter and humor in the workplace are now mission critical to engaging with not only employees, but all external stakeholders, as well."

The ROI of LOL explains the neuroscientific benefits of laughter (it triggers "feel good" chemicals in the brain) and lays out the value of creating a workplace culture in which laughter is not only allowed but encouraged. Readers will discover new and unexpected ways to connect with stakeholders and drive business growth by harnessing their own unique brand of humor, as well as:

Learn the role laughter plays in the five critical elements of a strong corporate culture: Trust, Openness, Authenticity, Storytelling, and Teamwork.

Understand how the skills learned by stand-up comics  like reading a room, being vulnerable or self-deprecating, listening, and overcoming objections  are critical to leaders in today's business climate.

See how improv fosters teamwork and can be a unifying force in any organization.

Gain insights into how other kinds of comedy, such as sketch comedy and creative collaboration, can be applied in a business setting to build critical skill sets.

Discover how to apply humor to stimulate alpha brainwaves to unlock creativity and change old ways of thinking, behaving, and innovating.

The book features a foreword authored by Linda Rutherford, CAO and CCO of Southwest Airlines, and a special afterword on the role of comedy in DEI strategy by Dr. Malcolm Frierson, author and award-winning professor at Loyola Marymount University. A range of top executives also provided insightful observations on the power of laughter in business.

Steve Cody is the founder and CEO of Peppercomm, an award-winning, fully integrated communications and marketing agency based in New York City. It was through the discovery of his own personal passion for stand-up comedy that he first met co-author and professional comedian Clayton Fletcher. Together, Cody and Fletcher (who now bears the title of Chief Comedy Officer at Peppercomm) recognized an opportunity to apply principles of comedy and humor in a corporate setting. For more than 15 years the two have collaborated to develop, test, embed, and prove the value of humor-based programs to unlock creativity, transform culture, and boost business results.

"We've seen so many organizations where trust is low between leaders and employees, which absolutely stifles innovation and collaboration. We wrote The ROI of LOL to help leaders apply what we've learned about embracing humor to change that 'Yes, but...' mindset into a 'Yes, and...' mindset," says Cody. "Embracing humor also means embracing vulnerability, demonstrating and earning the trust of your employees and outside stakeholders by daring to be self-deprecating and letting your walls down."

"There are things that we comedians know that businesspeople should learn. Developing personal charisma, reading a room, and active listening all come naturally to me as a result of the decades I've spent performing comedy," reveals Fletcher. "Now more than ever, business leaders need to be dynamic, authentic, and compelling. This book is designed to help you learn how comedic performing artists achieve results so that you can apply the same skills at work. Oh, and also, we're funny."

To purchase The ROI of LOL or learn more about applying humor in business, please visit ROILOL.com or connect with Steve and Clayton on LinkedIn.

About HarperCollins Leadership:

HarperCollins Leadership publishes content from leaders who redefine or expand what a reader previously thought possible. Authors provide unique inspiration and experiences to those who seek to learn, make a difference, and find their own version of success. For additional information, please visit harpercollinsleadership.com.

Contact: Kevin Smith, Publicity Director

[email protected]

Phone: 615-902-1738

SOURCE HarperCollins Leadership
Expand North Star hosted an unfiltered panel discussion to challenge the conventional narratives surrounding unicorn companies

Asian founders explored how increasing public-private partnerships are driving the growth of next-generation startups

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The rapidly evolving AI industry poses a challenge for regulators as they seek to foster public trust and confidence in AI while promoting innovation and competitiveness for local industry. A session titled 'Leaders of Change Through the AI Lens' underscored the potential impact of AI and the need for its regulation, on Day 3 of Expand North Star, hosted by the Dubai Chambers of Digital Commerce and organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre.

H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama Highlighted AI Governance and Regulations in the UAE

His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, revealed that the UAE Government has launched a program in partnership with Oxford University, to educate public officials on how to govern artificial intelligence, how to audit AI systems, and help explore use cases.

H.E. Al Olama said regulations must be adapted to specific countries, noting that the challenges facing the USA vary from those in the UAE, Japan, China or England. To prevent technology from harming the public, the world must agree on a regulatory baseline, where legislation is possible, and how it can be implemented.

Other panelists included Mohamed Gouled, Vice President of Industries, International Finance Corporation, US, and Emad Mostaque, Co-Founder and CEO, Stability AI, UK. Conscious of AI's immense power, the panelists stressed the need for AI regulation. However, the speakers also acknowledged the technology's vast potential to change and uplift the world, highlighting how various AI use cases can elevate small businesses and developing countries.

Exploring the Entrepreneurial Journey with Founders

Startup success stories are a business and tech media staple. But behind the glowing media reports is the hard work required to get there. Entrepreneurs need grit, patience, and perseverance to overcome obstacles and failures. Startups are for those who dare to challenge the status quo and create something new.

Expand North Star hosted an unfiltered panel discussion to challenge the conventional narratives surrounding unicorn companies. The panel featured prominent speakers from across the globe, including Rohit Chennamaneni, Founder at Darwinbox; Ramakant Sharma, Founder of LivSpace; Sebastien Borget, Co-founder & COO of The Sandbox; Dr. Milkayel Vardanyan, Co-Founder & CPO, Picsart; Dan Westgarth, Co-founder & COO, Deel; and Melvyn Lubega, Founder & Director, Go1, and was moderated by Nic Watson, CEO, Udrive.

During the discussion, the panelists shed light on the triumphs and challenges of building and scaling a business. They highlighted the importance of properly valuing startups, influenced by customer activities and external market factors. Various obstacles were addressed, including long hours and constant toil that negatively affect the founders' and employees' well-being. The speakers told of corporate and personal upheaval as their businesses scaled, requiring continuous reinvention to maintain growth.

Asian Startup Scene: A Success Story

With its large population, history of entrepreneurship and public and private sector support for entrepreneurs, the Asian tech scene has never been this vibrant. Expand North Star had a Spotlight Asia focus on Day 3, hosting an engaging panel discussion titled 'Exploring Ecosystems in Emerging Markets'. The panelists discussed the measures needed to propel future growth in the region's startup landscape and an analysis of how increasing public-private partnerships are driving growth for next-generation startups.

Among the panelists were Ashok Kurian, Business Development & Startup Lifecycle Programs, Kerala Startup Mission; Ehantha Sirisena, CEO of KBSL, Sri Lanka; Naeem Zamindar, Founder, Neem, Pakistan; and Rezwanul Haque Jami, Head of Commercial Strategy, Ministry of ICT, Bangladesh.

The speakers noted that the challenges facing Asian countries present tremendous opportunities. Education, infrastructure, healthcare and more are all rich targets for transformation. Government bodies in the continent are adopting new disruptive technologies, including from startups. The speakers commended organizers for putting together prominent events, such as Expand North Star, essential to exploring international markets.

Hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Expand North Star marks its largest-ever edition this year, from October 15-18, 2023, at its new Dubai Harbour venue. GITEX GLOBAL 2023 and Expand North Star bring together 1,800 startups from 100-plus countries at the Middle East's biggest iconic superyacht hub. More than 1,000 investors with a combined total of over US$ 1 trillion under management are in Dubai, rapidly emerging as the heart of the world's digital economy. This mega gathering of next-gen companies also features three themed sub-events targeting specific sectors: Fintech Surge, the Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.

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About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC):

A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to region's leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region's growth story with an estimated total economic output of AED 200 Billion, attracting over 30 million business visitors to Dubai over the past four decades.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249759/AI_Governance_Regulations_UAE.jpg

SOURCE Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Egypt is still negotiating with Israel to allow humanitarian aid and fuel convoys into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, said a senior Egyptian official, Trend reports.

According to the information, Israel insists on verification of all aid deliveries and wants assurances that this aid will not benefit Hamas.

The parties are reportedly discussing the possibility of allowing holders of foreign passports in the Gaza Strip to travel to Egypt from the enclave.

The Egyptian side proposes that the departure process be controlled by the security services of Egypt and the UN, but Israel has not yet given an answer.

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 "Global Healthcare Integration Market Size By Product Type, By Technology, By Geographic Scope And Forecast" report has been published by Verified Market Research. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the global Healthcare Integration Market, including its growth prospects, market trends, and market challenges.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Healthcare Integration Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 2.95 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 5.92 Billion by the end of the forecast period.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample?rid=4889

Browse in-depth TOC on "Healthcare Integration Market"

202 - Pages

126  Tables

37  Figures

Revolutionizing Healthcare: Global Healthcare Integration Market Poised for Remarkable Growth

In a world where collaboration and seamless communication are paramount, the spotlight falls on the Global Healthcare Integration Market, heralding a new era in patient care. Interprofessional healthcare, also known as integrated healthcare, is transforming the industry by emphasizing teamwork and comprehensive treatment plans that cater to patients' medical, psychological, and social needs.

Market Dynamics:

The Global Healthcare Integration Market is on the cusp of substantial growth, driven by a wave of technological innovation. The proliferation of telemedicine, coupled with the soaring demand for real-time health monitoring, has created a fertile ground for the integration of electronic health records. A burgeoning geriatric population, along with government funding and a need to enhance patient safety, are pivotal factors propelling this growth.

Challenges and Solutions:

While challenges like stringent regulations and cyber threats abound, the Healthcare Integration Market continues to evolve. Advancements in information technology have paved the way for groundbreaking solutions, from enhanced broadband networks to high-definition video conferencing and Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The integration of these technologies has opened avenues for healthcare IT solution vendors, enabling remote patient monitoring through IoT healthcare networks.

Regional Dominance:

North America and Europe emerge as powerhouses in the Healthcare Integration Market, driven by the widespread adoption of wearable devices. Smartwatches, augmented reality glasses, and fitness bands have seamlessly integrated into healthcare sectors, making North America and Europe the epicenter of innovation and progress.

Key Players:

The "Global Healthcare Integration Market" report sheds light on major industry players, including Oracle, Orchestrate Health, Interfaceware, AVI-SPL, IBM, InterSystems, AGL Hospital Consulting, Siemens Healthcare, Burwood Group, Boston Software Systems, and Open Text. These entities are at the forefront, shaping the future of integrated healthcare.

As we stand on the brink of a healthcare revolution, this report offers a roadmap for businesses operating in the healthcare integration sector. While challenges persist, collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals and technological advancements are set to propel the industry to unprecedented heights. Together, we are shaping a future where healthcare is not just integrated but also accessible, efficient, and patient-centric.

To get market data, market insights, financial statements and a comprehensive analysis of the Global Healthcare Integration Market, please Contact Verified Market Research.

Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Healthcare Integration Market into Product Type, Technology, And Geography.

Healthcare Integration Market, by Product Type Services Products

Healthcare Integration Market, by Technology Hospital Integration Medical Device Integration Lab Integration Clinics Integration Radiology Integration Others

Healthcare Integration Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America



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5 Leading Healthcare Interoperability Solutions: Lower medical costs and improved care

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WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Heffernan Foundation, the charitable giving program for Heffernan Insurance Brokers, held a charity event Saturday, September 16, 2023, in San Francisco, Calif., which raised $2.5 million. All proceeds benefit Heffernan Foundation and the following five nonprofit beneficiaries: The Affordability Project, Alameda County Community Food Bank, Cristo Rey De La Salle, ICA Cristo Rey Academy, and 10,000 degrees. Celebrating the 35thanniversary of the founding of Heffernan Insurance Brokers in 1988, the 'One Night in Old Havana' themed evening included cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, casino games, a live auction and raffle, as well as music from Lucky Devils Band.

Sponsorship funds were raised in advance of the event from over 100 vendors, clients, and business partners, including several international and national brokers and insurance carriers. Heffernan Group was the largest sponsor of the event, contributing $600,000. In addition, other sponsors who generously donated to this cause include Lenore Heffernan, who contributed $250,000 in honor of her late husband, Frank Heffernan, CRC Group and RT Specialty, who each donated $75,000, as well as Amwins Group, Inc., Patra Corp, SkyKnight Capital, Socius, The Hartford, and Travelers, who all made significant contributions of $50,000. Together, their support has immensely contributed to the success of this event.

"On behalf of Heffernan Insurance Brokers and Heffernan Foundation, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, vendor partners, colleagues, family, and friends for making a difference in the lives of the nonprofits we support," said Michelle Lonaker, Executive Director of Heffernan Foundation. "We deeply appreciate your generosity and look forward to continuing this journey of positive impact in the years to come."

"We value the relationships we have built during our 35-year journey and appreciate the generosity of everyone who gives back to our communities," said F. Michael Heffernan, President, and CEO of Heffernan Insurance Brokers. "The support and dedication of our sponsors, employees, clients, partners, friends, and family is humbling and plays a crucial role in our accomplishments and growth. We are deeply committed to making a difference and are grateful for the ongoing support that allows us to fulfill our mission."

For a full list of sponsors, please visit onecau.se/35th. For more information, or to donate to the Foundation, visit heffernanfoundation.org.

About Heffernan Foundation

Heffernan Foundation's mission is to change futures through access to education, reduce homelessness and food deficiency through relevant nonprofit collaboration; and promote community and employee engagement.

Heffernan Foundation is the charitable giving program of Heffernan Insurance Brokers, headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif. Employee-owned, the company has been among the Top Greater Bay Area Philanthropists since 2003.

For more information, visit www.heffernanfoundation.org or call 925.295.2575. FEIN 71-1010693

About Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Heffernan Insurance Brokers, founded in 1988, is one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the United States providing comprehensive business insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits and financial services solutions to a wide range of businesses and individuals. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., Heffernan has a nationwide presence specializing in customized solutions to serve its clients' different needs in virtually every industry.

Heffernan has been named on the insurance industry's 'Best Agency to Work For' list, and consistently named a 'Top Corporate Philanthropist'.

For more information, visit www.heffins.com. License #0564249

SOURCE Heffernan Insurance Brokers
Hyundai's Brandon Ramirez recognized by Northgate Gonzalez Market and UC Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, was recognized with multiple awards for his community leadership. He received the 2023 Northgate Gonzalez Market JUNTOS Award for his contributions to serving the southern California community and the 2023 Paul Merage Community Engagement Award from UC Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business for his influence on the Latino student community.

(left to right) Oscar Gonzalez, co-CEO, Northgate Gonzalez Market, LaShanda Maze, chief development officer, Community Action Partnership of Orange County, Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor America, Miguel Gonzalez Reynoso, co-president and CEO, Northgate Gonzalez Market in Anaheim, Calif. on Oct. 11, 2023. (Photo/Hyundai) Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, Hyundai Motor America receives the Paul Merage Community Engagement Award in Irvine, Calif. on Oct. 14, 2023. (Photo/Hyundai)

"I'm grateful for these two honors from Northgate Market and UCI's Paul Merage School of Business as these two organizations are dedicated to supporting our neighbors in southern California and the next generation of young leaders," said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, Hyundai Motor America. "I'm proud to support the Latino community and local communities at large both inside and outside the walls of Hyundai."

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Northgate Gonzalez Market, California's premier Mexican-themed grocery store, recognizes leaders who give back and are committed to Latino communities in the area. During the grocer's JUNTOS Awards Ceremony, Northgate Market announced the allocation of $24,000 in grants to local nonprofits, selected by the honorees themselves, as beneficiaries of these funds. Community Action Partnership of Orange County, a long-time partner of Hyundai Motor America, received a $2,000 grant on behalf of Ramirez and Hyundai.

The Paul Merage Community Engagement Award is awarded to individuals who have enriched Latino students' lives and are leaders in community service. Ramirez was recognized by the Merage School at its annual Latinx Initiative (LXi) 2023 Conference, which celebrates individuals who have significantly impacted the Latino student community at UCI and the broader community.

Ramirez leads Hyundai Motor America's corporate social responsibility initiatives, which includes overseeing its Hyundai Hope initiative, which seeks to uplift children and families by means of fostering positive growth in communities. He is the executive sponsor of Hyundai's "Amigos Unidos" employee resource group, which is tasked with community engagement and raising cultural awareness at Hyundai.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
Day one brought together investors, business, government, policy and cultural leaders to discuss key investment themes and future large-scale possibilities

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister, Ministry of Economy, UAE today delivered the opening address at the much-anticipated inaugural edition of the SuperBridge Summit, at Dubai's iconic Museum of the Future. The first-of-its kind summit that highlighted the world's fastest growing economies and the collaborative opportunities that exist, offered a glimpse into the future of business and discussed the potential of AI to stimulate private investment and propel growth forward at a pace unimaginable just a decade ago.

His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister, Ministry of Economy, UAE

In his keynote address, H.E. Minister Al Marri underscored why Dubai was the perfect location for the first SuperBridge Summit, commenting: "The global economy is going through immense change and new markets are reshaping the economic landscape with unprecedented growth. The UAE is deeply committed to fostering international cooperation with a knowledge-based and innovation-driven society to benefit this transformation. The UAE stands ready to play a pivotal role by creating an investment environment for economies to grow and expand through collaboration, building bridges for an inclusive and sustainable future."

His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, Member of the Executive Council, UAE also spoke at the opening session of the Summit, adding: "We live in a region with tremendous opportunities, and bringing people together from all parts of the world is important given the challenges we face. The SuperBridge Summit bridges the gaps and cements economic prosperity to better the world."

Day one of the summit provided a unique platform, converging more than 500 investors, business, government, policy and cultural leaders from 20 countries to accelerate investment and co-creation opportunities in hitherto untapped and under-explored markets.

In a panel titled 'The Importance of Public Private Partnerships in Boosting Economic Growth in the Fastest Growing Economies', visionaries discussed the levers propelling the world's fastest growing economies. Speakers Shane Tedjarati, Chairman of VS Partners & Co-founder of the Superbridge Council; Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder and President of Center for China and Globalization; and H.E. Umar Saif, Federal Minister for Science and Technology and Minister of IT of Pakistan, outlined the transformation driving economic development and the business ecosystem needed to drive growth.

The day was packed with impactful and engaging sessions, featuring a diverse line-up of influential speakers covering a range of topics. During a panel session titled 'Cross-Border Capital Allocation: Unlocking Multifaceted Investment Value', forward-thinking industry leaders from Africa and Asia, including Vanessa Xu, Co-founder, SuperBridge Council and Executive Chairman & CIO, VS Partners, and Takashi Maruyama, Chief Investment Officer, Asset Management One, discussed investment opportunities driving long-term growth. With the region undergoing an unprecedented economic transformation, panelists outlined compelling reasons to invest in underappreciated markets. Invaluable insights from experts in the private and public sectors ensured a compelling and lively discussion of the key drivers of investment opportunities into untapped markets across the world.

Meanwhile, in a panel session titled 'Envisioning the Future of Sustainable Tourism and Mobility in the Post-Covid Era', Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com, and Mudassir Sheikha, Co-Founder and CEO of Careem, discussed how technologies can address environmental challenges in tourism. Panelists outlined the cause for the resurgence of the tourism sector post pandemic and the effect it will have on global mobility.

Visitors had the opportunity to experience live performances by the likes of HS Liu, Pulitzer Prize Winner and Distinguished Adjunct Professor at Shanghai Tech University in Hong Kong, who led an interactive virtual showcase titled 'The World is Not What it Looks Like'. The Pulitzer Prize winner presented an engaging journey through modern history with attendees compelled to think deeply about the bridge to the future.

A pioneering initiative by KAOUN International, a subsidiary of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), and SuperBridge Council, the SuperBridge Summit Dubai is being held in partnership with the 43rd edition of GITEX Global, the world's largest and most influential tech event hosted in Dubai, attracting 180,000 tech executives and investors from 180 countries.

More information is available at www.superbridgedubai.com

Website:

http://superbridgedubai.com/

Press Registration:

http://event.superbridgedubai.com/MediaRegistration

On social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/superbridgesummit/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superbridgesummit/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/superbridgedxb

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/superbridgesummit/about/

Hashtag:

#SuperBridgeDubai

About KAOUN International

KAOUN International is the independent events company and wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) established to organize and manage events internationally. Derived from the Arabic word 'universe', KAOUN International's mission is to 'Create Limitless Connections' for the industries and markets in which it operates. Created to leverage the 40-year legacy of DWTC's events management business and drive future MICE sector opportunity in the MENASA region. KAOUN International delivers game-changing live experiences that build robust business connections, create opportunity, and stimulate economic growth, building on DWTC's extensive portfolio of business and consumer events spanning multiple sectors, including technology, food and hospitality, sustainability, broadcast and satellite, automotive, talent development and leisure marine.

About the SuperBridge Council

The SuperBridge Council was established to synergize and bring together a new non-political platform for global leaders from fast-growing economies. It bridges the old and the young, tradition and modernity, the north and the south, the east and the west, to inspire new strategies and forge sustainable solutions for the next generations to thrive. The inaugural edition of the show will take place from 16-17 October 2023, at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, UAE. More information: http://superbridgedubai.com/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2248432/Ministry_of_Economy_UAE.jpg

SOURCE KAOUN International and SuperBridge Council
Over the next three years, more than 15 states will be able to provide more educational and upskilling opportunities to their workers to support professional development

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- InnovateUS , an online learning initiative that delivers at-your-own pace and live skills training to public sector professionals in areas such as data, digital, and community engagement, announced today that it has secured $2 million in funding from Google.org and access to Google Career Certificates to support its mission to upskill and educate public sector professionals free-of-charge over the next three years. This initiative will offer online courses and workshops for workers to gain a wide range of data, digital, and artificial intelligence skills.

InnovateUS will use the funding to offer training to 50,000 state workers across more than 15 states over three years. Google.org will provide a pro-bono support team of Google employees to help InnovateUS with the user experience and design of the learning platform.

"As technology is increasingly incorporated into citizen services and governance, we must invest in public sector professionals, helping them to learn how to use the latest tools to serve residents better," said Beth Simone Noveck, Director of the Burnes Center for Social Change and the GovLab , which supports InnovateUS. "We created InnovateUS because it is critical that such learning be free and easily accessible to the public sector. Expanding these resources with this support from Google.org will help expedite the responsible use of AI and other technologies to improve people's lives."

Managed by public sector leaders and delivering learning opportunities, including weekly workshops and online courses at no cost to public sector professionals, InnovateUS encourages ongoing career and professional development for public workers, and empowers the nation's largest workforce with learning designed to improve trust in governance. Current and upcoming courses include Innovation Skills and Public Problem Solving, Human-Centered Design, Fast Field Scanning: Finding What Works, and Responsible AI for Public Professionals.

"We are proud of the work Google.org does with the public sector, especially its support for InnovateUS in its efforts to equip public sector professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to drive innovation in government," said Karen Dahut, CEO of Google Public Sector. "We believe that by investing in the training of our public workers, we are investing in the future of our country."

As part of this initiative, InnovateUS plans to award 2,000 Google Career Certificates at no cost across these states. The Google Career Certificates equip people with job-ready skills in the fields of cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, and morewith no experience or degree required. Certificate graduates are connected to the program's employer consortium of more than 150 companiesincluding Googlethat are committed to considering public servants for relevant roles. To date, more than 200,000 people have completed the program in the U.S., and 75% of them report a positive career impact, such as a new job, promotion, or raise within six months of completion. In addition, InnovateUS will also provide access to weekly live workshops for 5,000 public workers and asynchronous training to another 1,500 workers.

About InnovateUS

A project of the GovLab and the Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University, InnovateUS is run by public servants for public servants. InnovateUS offers free at-your-own pace courses as well as weekly workshops on innovation skills for the public sector, with an emphasis on evidence-based and equitable approaches. Please visit https://innovate-us.org/ for more information.

About Google.org

Google.org, Google's philanthropy, brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanity's biggest challenges combining funding, product donations and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone. We engage nonprofits, social enterprises and civic entities who make a significant impact on the communities they serve, and whose work has the potential to produce scalable, meaningful change.

SOURCE Google Cloud
BEIJING, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In October 2023, on the occasion of its third anniversary as an active participator of UNGC, JA Solar formally joined the initiative of 2023 Climate Action Accelerator (CAA) program. Mr. Yang Aiqing, the Rotating President of JA Solar, serving as the ambassador for the CAA initiative, will regularly receive progress reports from UNGC on key milestones.

JA Solar Joins the 2023 UNGC Climate Ambition Accelerator (CAA)

In September 2020, Mr. Jin Baofang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of JA Solar, formally submitted an application letter to the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, and committed to support for the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). The commitment involved integrating the ten principles into the JA Solar's strategy and operations, regularly reporting progress in the field of sustainable development to the public through a transparent mechanism. In October of the same year, JA Solar officially became a participator of the UNGC.

The Climate Ambition Accelerator (CAA) is a six-month accelerator program for companies participating in the United Nations Global Compact who are looking to make progress towards setting science-based emissions targets and create a clear path to address their organization's transition to net-zero. The Climate Ambition Accelerator will equip the participator with the knowledge and skills they need to accelerate progress towards setting science-based emissions targets aligned with the 1.5C pathway.

For JA Solar, sustainability is not just a commitment, but action. In the 2023 Climate Ambition Accelerator (CAA) program, with the slogan of 'Climate Ambition, JA Solar on Action!' , JA Solar headquarters is engaging all JA Solar's PV manufacturing bases and JA Solar Smart Renergy section in this six-month (September 2023 to March 2024) sustainability initiative. Through this initiative, JA Solar aims to raise the awareness of climate change and carbon reduction to all staffs and integrate the concept of environmental sustainability into its core business and production operation.

SOURCE JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd.
GAINESVILLE, Fla., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- King Insurance Partners ("King"), one of the fastest growing full-service insurance brokerage firms in the nation, announced today that Thetford Insurance Services, Inc. ("Thetford") has joined the King Insurance Partners team.

Thetford Insurance Services, Inc. is a boutique insurance firm based in Nashville, TN. Founded in 1992 by John Thetford Sr. and John Thetford Jr., Thetford is licensed in Tennessee and Kentucky. "Joining forces with King Insurance Partners is a pivotal moment for us. After evaluating a variety of avenues, it became clear that King's objectives matched our own. We're excited about the collaborative journey ahead", said John Thetford.

Malcom Chad King, CEO of King Insurance Partners, added, "Thetford Insurance Services brings a level of expertise and customer commitment that meshes seamlessly with King. We're thrilled with the benefits of this partnership."

About King:

Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, King is a full-service insurance brokerage firm which provides a broad array of property & casualty and employee benefits solutions. Additional information can be found at www.king-insurance.com.

For further information contact:

King Insurance Partners

[email protected]

SOURCE King Insurance Partners
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Latin America Data Center Colocation Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Latin America data center colocation market is expected to reach a value of $1.51 billion by 2028 from $950 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 8.10% from 2022 to 2028

The Latin America (LATAM) data center colocation market is experiencing a surge in growth, driven by the increasing adoption of 5G technology and significant investments in submarine cables. The deployment of vital cables like the Caribbean Express (CX cable) and Firmina cable, set to go live in the next two to three years, promises to enhance connectivity between the region and the rest of the world.

Governments across the LATAM region are actively promoting data center investments through various incentives and schemes. For instance, Colombia has established a free trade zone to attract data center investments. Furthermore, Patagonia is emerging as a data center hub in Chile, thanks to government-backed tax incentives aimed at bolstering the Latin America data center colocation market.

In Latin America, countries like Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay are taking significant strides towards green data center development. Data center operators and governments in these nations are focusing on the adoption of renewable energy sources and other sustainability measures.

Industry leaders including HostDime, KIO Networks, and Scala Data Centers are leading the charge in constructing data centers in the Latin America data center colocation market with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of less than 1.5. Their efforts include harnessing renewable energy, implementing free cooling techniques, and optimizing IT infrastructure for efficiency.

Brazil, with colocation providers like Ascenty, Scala Data Centers, and ODATA, is a hotspot for data center investments. Leading telecom providers such as GlobeNet Telecom, Ava Telecom, and Embratel are also expanding their presence in the country, further boosting the growth of the Latin America data center colocation market.

Submarine cable projects are another significant area of investment in the Latin America data center colocation market, facilitating enhanced connectivity with other regions and countries. Mexico City has emerged as a prominent data center location within the country, boasting eight third-party data centers. Additionally, Cancun has become a key location with around six submarine cable landing stations.

Colombia is currently in the trial phase of deploying 5G network connectivity, with investments from operators like Nokia and AngloGold Ashanti Colombia.

Santiago, a major Chilean city, is experiencing robust data center development due to its strategic location and status as the economic and social capital. Leading operators in Chile, including ODATA, Ascenty, and EdgeConneX, are operating state-of-the-art facilities in Santiago.

Key vendors in the Latin America data center colocation market include Ascenty (Digital Realty), ODATA, Equinix, HostDime, CloudHQ, and Scala Data Centers. The market also witnesses frequent mergers and acquisitions among colocation vendors, such as Equinix's acquisition of Mexico-based data center operator Axtel and CyrusOne's purchase of stakes in ODATA.

Competitiveness among vendors is expected to intensify due to the high costs associated with acquiring modern security systems. Furthermore, Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) and Building Management System (BMS) solutions will continue to play a competitive role by reducing operational expenses for data center facilities.

MARKET TRENDS & OPPORTUNITIES



Procurement of Renewable Energy in Latin America



Many renewable energy sources are available in different countries across Latin America, which can help to bring energy efficiency to industries such as data centers.

The rise in average industrial electricity pricing, in combination with the push toward sustainability across the region, has prompted operators to focus on renewable energy procurement via Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Over the last two years, several operators in Latin America have either procured or signed power purchase agreements to power their facilities in the region.



5G Deployments Fuelling EDGE Data Center Deployments



In Latin America, 5G network deployments have fueled digital transformation, IoT, smart cities, and the industrial revolution. Latin American countries are working toward adopting digital transformation to attract foreign investments. The 5G network deployment fuels digital transformation, IoT, smart cities, and the fourth industrial revolution. The rapid investment in 5G technology has increased the demand for high-bandwidth internet in Tier II and Tier III cities and contributed to generating substantial data.

These factors have accelerated data center development to process the information on par with major cities and simultaneously support the growth of Latin America data center colocation. The deployment of 5G services has impacted ICT, government, manufacturing, services, agriculture, and retail industries. 5G network services play a key role in supporting enterprise digitalization and will drive the adoption of IoT applications.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

How big is the Latin America data center colocation market?

data center colocation market? What is the growth rate of the Latin America data center colocation market?

data center colocation market? What is the estimated market size in terms of area in the Latin America data center colocation market by 2028?

data center colocation market by 2028? What are the key trends in the Latin America data center colocation market?

data center colocation market? How many MW of power capacity is expected to reach the Latin America data center colocation market by 2028?

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market Opportunities & Trends

Emergence Of Generative Ai Tools Propelling Data Center Demand

Modern It Equipment Often Requires Upgrades In Data Centers

Modular Data Center Deployment Boosts Colocation Demand

Enhanced Connectivity Leads To Edge Data Center Expansion

Market Growth Enablers

Emerging Innovations In High-Density Cooling

Focus Of Governments On Sustainable Data Centers And Renewable Energy

Increase In Submarine Cable Deployments

Digital Transformation In Latin America

Market Restraints

Growth Barriers Due To Supply Chain Disruptions

Concerns Over Carbon Emissions From Data Centers

High Maintenance Costs For Infrastructure Components

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Prominent Data Center Investors

Ascenty

AVA Telecom

Equinix

Edgeconnex

GlobeNet Telecom

OneX

Scala Data Centers

Claro

Nabiax

Gtd Peru

Lumen Technologies

ODATA

Air Link Communications

Belize Network Information Centre

Blue NAP Americas

Brac Informatics Centre (BIC)

Digicel

Epic.io

Telecom Italia Sparkle

KIO Networks

Oxygen

Millicom

InterNexa

Lumen Technologies

Entel

SONDA

HostDime

CloudHQ

IPXON Networks

SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

Segmentation by Colocation Service

Retail Colocation

Wholesale Colocation

Segmentation by Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure

Ups Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgear

Power Distribution Units

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Segmentation by Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Segmentation by General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Fire Detection & Suppression

Physical Security

DCIM/BMS Solutions

Segmentation by Tier Standard

Tier I & II

Tier III

Tier IV

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nqml61

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MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) (TSX: LEV) ("Lion" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, today announced that it will release its third quarter 2023 results on November 7, 2023, before markets open. A conference call and webcast will be held on the same day, at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the results.

To participate in the conference call, please dial (404) 975-4839 or (833) 470 1428 (toll free) using the Access Code 592776. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available at www.thelionelectric.com under the "Events and Presentation" page of the "Investors" section. An archive of the event will be available shortly after the conference call.

ABOUT LION ELECTRIC

Lion Electric is an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. The company creates, designs and manufactures all-electric class 5 to class 8 commercial urban trucks and all-electric buses and minibuses for the school, paratransit and mass transit segments. Lion is a North American leader in electric transportation and designs, builds and assembles many of its vehicles' components, including chassis, battery packs, truck cabins and bus bodies.

Always actively seeking new and reliable technologies, Lion vehicles have unique features that are specifically adapted to its users and their everyday needs. Lion believes that transitioning to all-electric vehicles will lead to major improvements in our society, environment and overall quality of life. Lion shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LEV.

SOURCE The Lion Electric Co.
Central Oklahoma's, Prism Bank, announces the appointment of Founder and CEO of a nationally recognized, woman-owned small business to its Board of Directors.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prism Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary Myrick, a distinguished executive with over 40 years of experience, to the Bank's Board of Directors. This strategic appointment will further strengthen the Bank's commitment to achieving excellence and positively impacting the communities it serves.

Prism Bank hires Mary Myrick to Board of Directors.

Mary Myrick is recognized for her visionary leadership, strategic communication, and innovative thinking. She is the Founder and CEO of Public Strategies, a nationally respected, woman-owned small business. Under her stewardship, the company has grown substantially over 33 years, boasting a real estate footprint of over 100,000 square feet, and a staff of nearly 300 people across eight states.

"Having known Mary, and watched her visionary entrepreneurial leadership for nearly three decades, I'm very excited to have her join our board as we guide our bank through an unprecedented period of growth," said Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tony Caldwell. "I know our customers will benefit from her expertise and wisdom as we continue to build innovative ways to help accelerate their growth in a period of profound opportunity."

Myrick's accomplishments extend beyond her business success. She has a proven track record as a state government contractor and has demonstrated leadership in various domains, including strategic communication, performance management, and process improvement. Her strategic plans have positively impacted public investment in states, communities, and families.

In addition, Myrick is an alumna of Oklahoma State University and holds professional accreditation in the public relations field. Her exemplary leadership has resulted in Public Strategies being named a Best Place to Work in Oklahoma for 13 years.

"I'm honored to be asked to serve on the board of Prism Bank, at a time when it's assuming an updated identity in our community. Our company, Public Strategies, would not have achieved the success it's realized without a vital, working relationship with our bank," stated Myrick. "I'm looking forward to helping other Oklahoma businesses form quality, lasting relationships with a financial institution that wants to be a partner in their success. Because I saw Prism Bank as ready and well positioned to be that banking partner, I was eager to join the team."

For more information about Prism Bank, visit prism.bank.

Prism Bank is a community bank serving customers across central Oklahoma. For more than a century, Prism's passionate team and entrepreneurial culture has addressed the diverse needs of its communities. Prism Bank fuels success for every facet of your life and business. To learn more about the organization and its services, visit prism.bank .

SOURCE Prism Bank
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. 800 people were killed in an airstrike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip, Trend reports.

The Gaza Strip's health ministry earlier said more than 500 people were killed in the hospital strike.

23:07 (GMT+4) At least 500 people were killed in an airstrike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip, Trend reports.

The Israeli military is checking information about the incident. As Israeli army Spokesman Daniel Hagari said, if information about the strike is received, the public will be informed.

The head of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, declared three days of mourning, following the attack.
Revolutionizing Homebuying: HUNT Real Estate ERA Harnesses Local Logic's Granular Insights for Enhanced Consumer Experience

MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Local Logic, a neighborhood insights provider that quantifies location at scale to help the real estate industry make better-informed investment decisions, today announced its partnership with HUNT Real Estate, the most successful family-owned and operated real estate firm in New York State. Through this collaboration, visitors to HUNTrealestate.com will have unparalleled access to Local Logic's comprehensive neighborhood insights.

With this integration, HUNT Real Estate aims to give its consumers an edge by ensuring they have the most relevant and current information surrounding any listing. "At HUNT, our vision is 'Always There for You,' which means providing the most complete information to our consumers to help them make informed decisions. Integrating Local Logic's state-of-the-art insights is a significant step towards fulfilling that promise," said Dan Mirsky, CMO of HUNT Real Estate.

In the coming months, consumers browsing listings on HUNT Real Estate will gain unprecedented insights into various neighborhood features. From local amenities, school quality, and public transportation options, this robust set of information plays a pivotal role in making informed decisions about property valuation and the home-buying process.

Vincent-Charles Hodder, co-founder and CEO of Local Logic, spoke about the expanding influence of their platform, "Our location intelligence is already assisting over 15 million monthly users in the US and Canada. We're thrilled to join forces with an esteemed entity like HUNT Real Estate to ensure more consumers benefit from our comprehensive data insights."

This partnership reaffirms HUNT Real Estate's commitment to being at the forefront of innovation and serving its community with end-to-end services that have defined its legacy since 1911. Both companies are eager to see the positive impact of this collaboration on New York homebuyers and the larger real estate market.

About Local Logic:

Local Logic is a location intelligence platform that digitizes the built world for consumers, investors, developers, and governments  delivering unrivaled clarity and actionable insights capable of creating more sustainable, equitable cities. With more than 85 billion unique data points  the largest unique location data set in the U.S. and Canada  the platform creates a digital twin of cities, quantifying the built world and offering predictive, precise analytics to inform the present and future of over 250 million individual addresses.

About HUNT Real Estate ERA

HUNT Real Estate Corporation is the parent company of HUNT Real Estate ERA which operates 60 residential branch offices throughout New York State, Massachusetts, and Arizona. Founded in 1911, HUNT is the oldest and most successful continuously operating family-owned and operated real estate and homeownership services organization in New York, and is ranked 34th in the nation for closed transactions by REAL Trends. HUNT also operates a commercial brokerage, mortgage banking firm, insurance agency, and title agency. HUNT's vision, "Always there for you." and its mission, "Successful Professionals. Growing Profitably. Providing Superior Service." drive the entire organization. For more information about HUNT Real Estate, visit www.huntrealestate.com.

SOURCE Local Logic
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The long-term care market size is expected to grow by USD 398.4 billion from 2022 to 2027, according to Technavio. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will be progressing at a CAGR of over 3.33% during the forecast period. The growing demand for long-term care from the aging population is notably driving the long-term care market. However, factors such as a lack of skilled nursing staff for long-term care may impede market growth. The market is segmented by application (nursing care and assisted living facilities, home healthcare, and hospice), type (government, public and private players, out of the pocket, and private insurance), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Technavio provides a comprehensive report summary describing the market size and forecast along with research methodology. The FREE sample report is available in PDF format

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Long-Term Care Market 2023-2027

Key Segment Analysis

The market share growth by the nursing home and assisted living facilities segment will be significant for the market growth during the forecast period. Nursing homes provide institutional care to patients who need significant help with their daily activities like bathing, using the restroom, and transferring. Thus, nursing homes have a high occupancy rate and benefit from their early market penetration, representing the second largest market segment for LTC globally. Most assisted living facilities provide staff members and licensed medical professionals on duty for 24 hours, whereas assisted living facilities frequently have living quarters that resemble apartments. However, these apartments might not permit residents to have kitchens in their residences due to safety concerns. To know additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in coming years, View the FREE PDF Sample Report.

Geographical Market Analysis

North America is estimated to contribute 35% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The aging population, increasing utilization of long-term care services, and rising public awareness are the key factors driving the growth of the North American long-term care (LTC) market. In addition, this region has high disposable income and high public awareness, so the utilization rate of various nursing care services is high. Developed countries in North America, such as the US and Canada, have experienced advances in healthcare infrastructure in recent years. Additionally, the increasing number of hospitals and availability of qualified medical professionals are accelerating the market growth in the region. Thus, such factors will propel the market growth during the forecast period.

Company Insights

The long-term care market is fragmented, and the companies are deploying organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market companies, including:

Sunrise Senior Living LLC, Wickshire Senior Living, Extendicare Canada Inc., Sonida Senior Living Corp., Diversicare Healthcare Services Inc., Kindred Health Holdings LLC, Genesis Healthcare Inc., Life Care Centers of America Inc., Honor Technology Inc., Amedisys Inc., FCP Live In, CareOne Management LLC, Illumifin Corp., Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Abri Health Care Services LLC, SeniorLiving.org, and Revera Inc.

View FREE PDF Sample Report to find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by companies and their product offerings.

Related Reports:

The burn care market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.27% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 843.34 million.

The dementia and movement disorder treatment market size is expected to be valued at USD 7.14 billion by 2026 with a progressing CAGR of 6.95%.

ToC:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation by Application

7 Market Segmentation by Type

8 Customer Landscape

9 Geographic Landscape

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

11 Company Landscape

12 Company Analysis

13 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
STOCKHOLM, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Loomis AB will publish the Interim report January-September 2023 on Thursday October 26, at 8:00 a.m. (CEST).

Agenda

8.00 a.m. (CEST) - Report release

The report will be sent as a press release from Cision (www.cision.se) and will automatically be published on www.loomis.com when released.

8:30 a.m. (CEST) - Presentation slides available

For presentation slides, go to www.loomis.com and choose "Financial presentation".

9.00 a.m. (CEST)  Telephone conference and audio cast

Analysts and media are invited to participate in a telephone conference at 9:00 a.m. CEST where Loomis President & CEO Aritz Larrea, CFO Johan Wilsby and Head of Sustainability and IR Jenny Bostrom will present the report and answer questions.



To follow the conference call via telephone and participate in Q&A session please call (local call);

United Kingdom: +44 (0)161 250 8206

USA: +1 (0)561 771 1427

Sweden: +46 (0)8 505 100 39

International: +39 (0) 023 0464 867

The telephone conference will also be audio casted live via Loomis' website.

To follow the audio cast, please follow this link.The link is also available at our website, www.loomis.com (follow "Financial presentation").

Recorded version

A recorded version of the audio cast will be available at www.loomis.com (follow "Financial presentation") after the telephone conference.

Subscribe to press releases and financial information

To receive press releases and financial reports from Loomis, please register your email address at http://www.loomis.com/investors/subscribe.

This press release is also available on the company's website, www.loomis.com.

October 17, 2023

CONTACT:

Jenny Bostrom

Head of Sustainability and IR

Mobile: +46 79 006 45 92

Email: [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/51/3854959/2363045.pdf Loomis AB to publish Interim report on October 26, 2023

SOURCE Loomis AB
Malaise and Fatigue and Soft-Tissue-Related Diagnoses Were Generally More Common in Lyme Disease Patients Than All Patients, according to FAIR Health Study

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the period 2018-2022, more Lyme disease claim lines were filed for individuals in the 51-60 age group than any other group, according to an infographic based on private insurance claims and released today by FAIR Health.1 Individuals aged 51 to 60 accounted for 23.5 percent of Lyme disease claim lines, compared to 18.8 percent in the next largest age group, 41-50. The remaining age groups studied, with their percentages of Lyme disease claim lines, were 31-40 (14.1 percent), 19-30 (14.0 percent), 61-70 (13.9 percent), 0-18 (11.3 percent) and over 70 (4.3 percent).

Lyme Disease: An Ongoing Concern, A FAIR Health Infographic, October 2023

These and other findings on this tick-borne, bacterial illness were drawn from the national, independent nonprofit organization FAIR Health's database of over 42 billion privately billed healthcare claim records, the largest such repository in the nation. Among the other key findings:

To identify later diagnoses associated with Lyme disease, FAIR Health examined a statistically significant cohort of individuals from 2018 to 2022, comparing the prevalence of certain diagnoses among Lyme patients to all patients in the cohort. The analysis found that, across all age groups except those over 80, malaise and fatigue and soft-tissue-related diagnoses were more common among Lyme patients than among the total patient population.

disease, FAIR Health examined a statistically significant cohort of individuals from 2018 to 2022, comparing the prevalence of certain diagnoses among patients to all patients in the cohort. The analysis found that, across all age groups except those over 80, malaise and fatigue and soft-tissue-related diagnoses were more common among patients than among the total patient population. The prevalence of Lyme disease varies by time of year when comparing rural and urban areas. From 2018 to 2022, claim lines with Lyme disease diagnoses peaked nationally in June and July of each year. During these summer months, rural areas, on average, had a greater share of claim lines associated with Lyme disease diagnoses than urban areas. From November to April, however, claim lines with Lyme disease diagnoses occurred more often in urban than rural areas.

disease varies by time of year when comparing rural and urban areas. From 2018 to 2022, claim lines with disease diagnoses peaked nationally in June and July of each year. During these summer months, rural areas, on average, had a greater share of claim lines associated with disease diagnoses than urban areas. From November to April, however, claim lines with disease diagnoses occurred more often in urban than rural areas. In 2018, the states with the greatest proportion of claim lines with Lyme disease diagnoses as a percentage of all diagnoses in the state, from highest to lowest, were New Jersey , North Carolina , Rhode Island , Connecticut and Massachusetts .

disease diagnoses as a percentage of all diagnoses in the state, from highest to lowest, were , , , and . By contrast, in 2022, the top Lyme disease states, from highest to lowest, were New Jersey , Vermont , Connecticut , Pennsylvania and Rhode Island . North Carolina and Massachusetts dropped off the list, and Vermont and Pennsylvania joined the list. Connecticut rose from fourth to third place, and Rhode Island fell from third to fifth place.

FAIR Health President Robin Gelburd stated, "Lyme disease remains a pressing public health concern. FAIR Health will continue to use its repository of claims data to provide actionable and relevant insights to healthcare stakeholders seeking to better understand this disease."

To view the infographic, click here.

Follow us on Twitter @FAIRHealth

About FAIR Health

FAIR Health is a national, independent nonprofit organization that qualifies as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. It is dedicated to bringing transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support. FAIR Health possesses the nation's largest collection of private healthcare claims data, which includes over 42 billion claim records and is growing at a rate of over 2 billion claim records a year. FAIR Health licenses its privately billed data and data productsincluding benchmark modules, data visualizations, custom analytics and market indicesto commercial insurers and self-insurers, employers, providers, hospitals and healthcare systems, government agencies, researchers and others. Certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a national Qualified Entity, FAIR Health also receives data representing the experience of all individuals enrolled in traditional Medicare Parts A, B and D; FAIR Health includes among the private claims data in its database, data on Medicare Advantage enrollees. FAIR Health can produce insightful analytic reports and data products based on combined Medicare and commercial claims data for government, providers, payors and other authorized users. FAIR Health's systems for processing and storing protected health information have earned HITRUST CSF certification and achieved AICPA SOC 2 Type 2 compliance by meeting the rigorous data security requirements of these standards. As a testament to the reliability and objectivity of FAIR Health data, the data have been incorporated in statutes and regulations around the country and designated as the official, neutral data source for a variety of state health programs, including workers' compensation and personal injury protection (PIP) programs. FAIR Health data serve as an official reference point in support of certain state balance billing laws that protect consumers against bills for surprise out-of-network and emergency services. FAIR Health also uses its database to power a free consumer website available in English and Spanish, which enables consumers to estimate and plan for their healthcare expenditures and offers a rich educational platform on health insurance. An English/Spanish mobile app offers the same educational platform in a concise format and links to the cost estimation tools. The website has been honored by the White House Summit on Smart Disclosure, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), URAC, the eHealthcare Leadership Awards, appPicker, Employee Benefit News and Kiplinger's Personal Finance. FAIR Health also is named a top resource for patients in Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal's book An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back. For more information on FAIR Health, visit fairhealth.org.

Contact:

Rachel Kent

Senior Director of Communications and Marketing

FAIR Health

646-396-0795

[email protected]

1 A claim line is an individual service or procedure listed on an insurance claim.

SOURCE FAIR Health
Plus Power LLC announced completion of $1.8 billion in new financing for standalone battery storage. Post this

The company, which leads the sector for developing, owning, and operating standalone energy storage wherever on the grid it is most needed, will use the capital to fund the construction and operations of five projects. Plus Power has a rapidly growing portfolio of large-scale lithium-ion battery systems in more than 25 states and Canada, and the company is executing on 10 gigawatts of interconnection capacity now in transmission interconnection queues.

Today's announcement includes Plus Power's $707 million financing for the 250 megawatt Sierra Estrella Energy Storage facility in Avondale, Arizona, west of Phoenix. It will be the largest to date for a standalone energy storage project. The 11-acre footprint of the Sierra Estrella project allows the project to be sited without attached generation, closer to load.

The announced transactions are also supporting construction of 700 megawatts of batteries on the ERCOT grid in Texas. Three new Plus Power battery plants will begin operation by next summer to handle increased demand amid increasingly extreme temperatures and numerous days of scarce operating reserves on the power grid.

For example, as this year's summer heat waves triggered record demand for electricity, Plus Power's existing 100-megawatt Gambit Energy Storage facility in Angleton, Texas, repeatedly provided energy and ancillary grid services (such as regulation up and down, contingency reserve, and frequency response) to help grid operators stabilize the power system and avert a blackout.

The financing commitments announced today cover five projects totaling 1,040 megawatts of capacity (or 2,760 megawatt-hours). The transactions will support both construction and operations of the portfolio and include construction financing, term financing, letters of credit, and tax equity investments, in partnership with 11 leading industry lenders and investors.

The size and breadth of the financings by leading institutions  and the projects' geographic and revenue structure diversity  highlights the variety of services and value that well-sited standalone energy storage can offer power markets.

"Over the last year, Plus Power has raised an unparalleled amount of capital for standalone storage projects from a wide range of leading energy project finance banks and investors," said Josh Goldstein, chief financial officer of Plus Power. "This capital will support the ongoing buildout of the largest and most diverse portfolio of standalone storage projects in the U.S. The scale highlights our first-mover advantage in bringing high-quality projects to market as well as the tremendous work by our fantastic team."

Goldstein added, "We deeply value our financing partners who support the construction and operation of our wide portfolio across the U.S., enabling decarbonization and the transition to a more efficient grid."

Among the completed transactions were construction, term, and tax equity financings totaling $884 million on three new standalone storage facilities in Texas. They bring Plus Power's current ERCOT portfolio to 800 MW, or 1,575 MWh. Deutsche Bank and First Citizens Bank were the coordinating lead arrangers, with First Citizens Bank as the administrative agent and Siemens Financial Services, Inc. acting as the joint lead arranger. They include:

$212.2 million of tax equity financing from Foss & Company, as well as $276 million of construction and term financing, for the 300 MW / 600 MWh Rodeo Ranch Energy Storage facility in Pecos .



of tax equity financing from Foss & Company, as well as of construction and term financing, for the 300 MW / 600 MWh Rodeo Ranch Energy Storage facility in . $196 million of construction and term financing for the 200 MW / 400 MWh Ebony Energy Storage facility in Comal County , northeast of San Antonio .



of construction and term financing for the 200 MW / 400 MWh Ebony Energy Storage facility in , northeast of . $200 million of construction and term financing for the 200 MW / 400 MWh Anemoi Energy Storage facility in Hidalgo County , on the Mexican border northwest of Matamoros .

While the Ebony and Anemoi projects are expected to operate as merchant resources in the ERCOT wholesale market, Plus Power executed an innovative hedge for Goldman Sachs' commodities group for a portion of the Rodeo Ranch Energy Storage facility.

The Sierra Estrella project was one of two Plus Power landmark project financings in Arizona that totaled $903 million and 340 MW / 1,360 MWh. Both projects have 20-year energy storage services agreements with Salt River Project and are under construction, aiming to be online by the second quarter of 2024 in time for another summer of anticipated record peak demand. Norddeutsche Landesbank and Societe Generale acted as coordinating lead arrangers while Mizuho, U.S. Bank, Bank of America, CoBank, and Siemens Financial Services, Inc. were joint lead arrangers. The financings include:

$202 million of tax equity for the 250 MW / 1,000 MWh Sierra Estrella Energy Storage facility in Avondale from Bank of America, coupled with a $505 million construction, term loan, and letter of credit facility.



of tax equity for the 250 MW / 1,000 MWh Sierra Estrella Energy Storage facility in from Bank of America, coupled with a construction, term loan, and letter of credit facility. $196 million construction, term loan and letter of credit facility for the 90 MW / 360 MWh Superstition Energy Storage project in Gilbert , southeast of Phoenix .

Capital partners praised the work as essential to maintaining a reliable grid while decarbonizing energy sources to combat climate change:

"As part of Bank of America's $1.5 trillion sustainable finance commitment by 2030, we are scaling capital deployment for innovative decarbonization technologies like grid storage," said Omer Farooq, Head of Sustainable Asset Finance within the Global Sustainable Finance Group at Bank of America. "We're proud to be supporting Plus Power on this breakthrough transaction by delivering financing solutions that this industry needs to continue growing."

"Plus Power is a market leader in the battery energy storage sector and we are honored to have collaborated with them on these breakthrough financings," said Jeremy Eisman, Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure & Energy Financing at Deutsche Bank. "We acknowledge the important role that battery storage plays in ensuring a clean and reliable electric grid and look forward to continuing to support the Plus Power team's continued growth in this sector."

"As a leader in battery energy storage financing, First Citizens Bank was pleased to support Plus Power in arranging financing for these three significant projects," said Mike Lorusso, managing director of First Citizens Bank's Energy group. "Energy storage continues to prove its value as a source of grid stability and flexibility as renewable power takes an ever-greater role in meeting the nation's energy needs. Plus Power is a leading developer in this field and we look forward to working closely with them on future projects."

"This project exemplifies Foss & Company's unwavering commitment to pioneering sustainable energy solutions by collaborating with innovators such as Plus Power," said Bryen Alperin, partner & managing director, Foss & Company. "This landmark venture not only signifies a significant step towards a more resilient and sustainable energy grid but also underscores our dedication to expanding the tax credit industry into new technologies, as we have done many times over our 40-year history. We believe this project will serve as a beacon, illuminating the path towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future."

Ed Emerson, Head of Global Commodities at Goldman Sachs said: "The Goldman Sachs commodities team is actively engaged in providing innovative solutions for Battery Energy Storage Systems and is happy to facilitate the growth of the next generation of utility-scale energy solutions that help enhance grid reliability. It was a pleasure partnering with the Plus Power Team on this unique hedging opportunity and we look forward to working with Plus as they continue to grow in the BESS space."

"Nord/LB is honored to have supported industry leader, Plus Power, as CLA for the landmark stand-alone battery storage transactions, Sierra Estrella and Superstition Energy Storage. These financings demonstrate Nord/LB's commitment to the battery energy storage sector as the bank continues to play a prominent role financing strategic assets to support the energy transition as part of the broader mission to achieve a net neutral, carbon free grid," said Sondra Martinez, Managing Director. "We look forward to continuing the strong relationship with Plus Power to support both our company's goals of decarbonizing the energy grid with high-quality projects."

"Siemens Financial Services, Inc. (SFS) was pleased to support Plus Power and serve as a Joint Lead Arranger in all five of these critical battery energy storage projects," said Anthony Casciano, President and CEO, SFS, Inc. "Working with Plus Power on the systematic decarbonization of the electricity grid directly aligns with our commitment to sustainability and was an obvious decision for SFS. We are excited to witness their impact on the clean energy transition and look forward to supporting Plus Power on future opportunities."

"Societe Generale is pleased to have supported Plus Power  a leader in the renewables & energy storage market  in this landmark Battery Energy Storage financing," said Eric Kim, the Head of Societe Generale's Energy+ Group. "Battery/Energy Storage plays a pivotal role in the country's net zero ambitions by providing grid stability and on-demand availability. Societe Generale is looking forward to our continued collaboration with Plus Power."

About Plus Power

The Plus Power team, led by seasoned executives from the renewables and energy storage industry, is accelerating the deployment of transmission-connected battery energy storage throughout the United States. Plus Power develops, owns, and operates standalone battery energy storage systems that foster grid flexibility by providing capacity, energy and ancillary services that enable rapid integration of renewable generation resources. Standalone energy storage, guided by Plus Power's data-driven algorithms, is optimally sited to address grid congestion and wholesale market volatility. Headquartered in Houston, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami, Plus Power operates at the nexus of energy, technology and finance. For more information, visit www.pluspower.com.

SOURCE Plus Power
MILAN, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, InSilicoTrials warmly welcomes Dr. Mark Lovern in his new role as Chief Platform Officer, a move marking the company's continued commitment to leading the frontier of AI-driven innovation and simulation in life sciences.

Mark Lovern, Chief Platform Officer at InSilicoTrials

With the digital transformation revolution reshaping various industries, the role of Chief Platform Officer becomes even more pivotal. Dr. Lovern will combine his scientific knowledge with cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and simulation technologies, along with an in-depth understanding of regulatory science, to drive the development of the InSilicoTrials.com platform and position it as a catalyst for hyper-accelerating life science R&D.

"Mark's extensive experience and mastery in model-informed drug development align seamlessly with our vision of revolutionizing the life sciences industry," commented Luca Emili, CEO at InSilicoTrials. "His prior achievements, combined with our groundbreaking AI and simulations platform, will surely take our capabilities to unprecedented heights," he added.

In his strategic role, Dr. Mark Lovern will employ data integration and AI to enhance predictive accuracy for compound safety and efficacy. Drawing on his extensive background and expertise in modeling tools, Dr. Lovern will contribute further to the already innovative culture at InSilicoTrials, enhancing the company's operational and innovative approaches.

Dr. Mark Lovern brings in a rich history, having 25+ years of experience in the application of model-informed drug development (MIDD). In addition to modeling pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data across a wide variety of compounds and therapeutic areas, Mark has also taught over 50 technical training workshops on modeling tools and methodology. His most recent therapeutic area experience has been with therapies for infectious disease, metabolic, and autoimmune disorders. Before joining InSilicoTrials as Chief Platform Officer, he had gathered extensive experience in both consultancy (Certara) and biopharma companies (GSK and UCB), contributing significantly to the field of quantitative pharmacology.

About InSilicoTrials

InSilicoTrials specializes in leveraging AI and simulations to enhance drug and medical device development. Using in silico techniques, the company analyzes data to predict safety and efficacy of potential compounds, aiding Pharma, MedTech companies, and researchers in efficient, cost-effective advancement by minimizing extensive clinical trials. Its cloud-based platform offers advanced tools for in silico trials analyses, facilitating the integration of AI and simulation technology into development workflows.

The press release can be downloaded in PDF format on our website.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249581/Mark_Lovern_InSilicoTrials.jpg

SOURCE InSilicoTrials
CLEVELAND, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation has appointed Dr. Renee T. Willis as the Foundation's new Executive Director. Dr. Willis will begin her tenure on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. "Dr. Willis is a transformational leader," said Anne Juster, MHJF's Board Chair. "Her intelligence, judgment and vision will significantly improve the quality of K-12 education throughout the state. She is a skilled communicator who will excel as the face and spokesperson of the Foundation."

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation has appointed Dr. Renee T. Willis as the Foundation's new executive director.

When accepting the position, Dr. Willis remarked, "I am humbled to have been chosen to lead the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. As an Ohio public school product, teacher, and administrator, I look forward to continuing the vision that Martha Holden Jennings had for supporting Ohio's PK-12 public school students and educators."

A Cleveland native and a graduate of Cleveland Public Schools, Dr. Willis earned a doctorate in urban education from Cleveland State University, a master's in educational leadership from Baldwin Wallace University, and B.S. in mathematics from Spelman College. She served as the superintendent of Richmond Heights Local Schools for the past 10 years. Her career in public education began over 30 years ago as a teacher, and later, as a principal in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District. Prior to her work in Richmond Heights, Dr. Willis served in a few senior leadership roles with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, with the last position being chief strategic implementation officer.

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation was established in 1959 to support exceptional teachers and learners in public K-12 schools throughout the state of Ohio. Since its inception, the Jennings Foundation has awarded more than $170 million in grants to support projects and initiatives that foster deep learning and excellent teaching.

SOURCE Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
Key barriers to hiring include too few candidates, lack of qualified applicants

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eighty-six percent of U.S. K-12 public schools reported challenges hiring teachers for the 2023-24 school year, with 83 percent reporting trouble hiring for non-teacher positions, such as classroom aides, transportation staff, and mental health professionals, according to data released today by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the statistical center of the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

The new data show improving sentiment among public schools about their staffing levels, with 45 percent reporting that they feel their school is understaffed, down from 53 percent feeling understaffed entering the prior academic year (2022-23).

"Although we see a somewhat smaller share of public schools starting the new academic year feeling understaffed, the data indicate the majority of public schools are experiencing staffing challenges at the same levels they did last school year," said NCES Commissioner Peggy G. Carr. "Understanding hiring difficulties is part of NCES's mandate to monitor educational recovery in our nation's schools."

NCES's School Pulse Panel (SPP) also asked about the prevalence of vacancies across subject areas. The most frequently cited teaching positions with vacancies that needed to be filled were general elementary (cited by 71 percent of public schools) and special education teachers (70 percent). For non-teaching positions, the most frequently cited were classroom aides (75 percent) and custodial staff (49 percent).

The biggest barriers to hiring teachers were too few candidates applying for open positions (cited by 70 percent of public schools) and a lack of qualified applicants applying for open positions (cited by 66 percent). These were also the top two barriers identified in hiring for non-teacher positions, with roughly the same rates reported by public schools.

The most difficult teaching positions to fill entering this school year were special education, physical science (e.g., chemistry, physics), and foreign language positions  for those schools that had such positions. The most difficult non-teaching staff positions to fill were for transportation and custodial staff. (See "Key Findings" section below for details.)

"This new data, collected in August, focuses on high-priority education-related topics to better understand what's happening in public schools, and to serve as a guidepost to inform the work of education leaders and policymakers looking to support them," said Chris Chapman, NCES Associate Commissioner, Sample Surveys Division. "Without the collaboration of these public schools, this data would not be possible."

Beyond staffing issues, the latest SPP data also address digital learning and technology, as well as "wrap-around" services for schools and surrounding communities, such as mental health supports, dental care, nutrition services, and social work.

The findings released today are part of an experimental data product from the School Pulse Panel and were collected between August 8 and August 23 of this year. These data were collected from 1,319 participating public K-12 schools from every state and the District of Columbia.

Additional data collected from 92 public K-12 schools in the U.S. Outlying Areas  American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands  are also available. Results from this collection include the finding that 73 percent of public schools in the Outlying Areas feel understaffed entering the 2023-24 school year.

Experimental data products are innovative statistical tools created using new data sources or methodologies. Experimental data may not meet all NCES quality standards but are of sufficient benefit to data users in the absence of other relevant products to justify release. NCES clearly identifies experimental data products upon their release.

All data released today can be found on the School Pulse Panel dashboard at https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/spp/results.asp.

Key Findings

Staffing for 2023-24 School Year

Forty-five percent of U.S. public schools report feeling that they are understaffed entering the 2023-24 school year, a decrease from the 53 percent of schools who felt understaffed entering last school year (2022-23). For public schools that report feeling understaffed, 67 percent of schools that have classroom aides report feeling understaffed in this area. Sixty-three percent that offer special education services report feeling understaffed in this area. Outside of the classroom, public schools report feeling understaffed with their transportation staff (61 percent) and mental health professionals (49 percent).

Among public schools employing these positions, the top two most prevalent teaching positions that needed to be filled entering the 2023-24 were general elementary teachers (71 percent) and special education teachers (70 percent). Based on public schools' reports of positions being "somewhat" or "very difficult" to fill, some of the most difficult positions to fill entering this school year were special education (77 percent), physical science (77 percent), and foreign language teaching positions (76 percent).

The top two most prevalent non-teaching staff vacancies that needed to be filled entering the 2023-24 school year were classroom aides (75 percent) and custodial staff (49 percent). Based on public schools' reports of positions being "somewhat" or "very difficult" to fill, some of the most difficult non-teaching positions to fill entering this school year were transportation (92 percent) and custodial (78 percent) staff.

For both teaching and non-teaching vacancies, public schools reported too few candidates applying (70 and 61 percent, respectively) and an overall lack of qualified candidates (66 and 52 percent, respectively) as the top two hiring challenges entering the 2023-24 school year.

Eighty-six percent of public schools reported challenges hiring teachers entering the 2023-24 school year and 83 percent reported hiring challenges for non-teaching staff.

Technology and Digital Literacy

Entering the 2023-24 school year, 44 percent of U.S. public schools reported providing internet access to students who need it at their homes. This is approximately the same percentage of schools that did so entering the 2022-23 school year (45 percent) but is a decrease from the percentage of schools that did so entering the 2021-22 school year (70 percent).

Ninety-five percent of public schools provided digital devices (laptops, tablets, etc.) to students who need them for the 2023-24 school year.

Seventy-five percent of public schools provided digital literacy training to their students, while 27 percent offered this to students' families.

Community Collaboration

Sixty percent of U.S. public schools utilized a "community school" or "wraparound services" model, in which a school partners with other government agencies and/or local nonprofits to support and engage with the local community (e.g., providing mental and physical health care, nutrition, housing assistance, etc.). This is an increase from the 45 percent of schools that utilized these models during the 2022-23 school year.

Among all public schools, the most prevalent community services provided through school partnerships are mental health care (66 percent), nutrition/food assistance (55 percent), and volunteering opportunities (43 percent).

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, is the statistical center of the U.S. Department of Education and the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. NCES fulfills a congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report complete statistics on the condition and progress of American education; conduct and publish reports; and review and report on education activities internationally.

Follow NCES on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube and subscribe to the NCES Newsflash to receive email notifications when new data are released.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is the independent and nonpartisan statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Its mission is to provide scientific evidence on which to ground education practice and policy and to share this information in formats that are useful and accessible to educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and the public.

Contact:

Josh De La Rosa, National Center for Education Statistics, [email protected]

Erik Robelen, Hager Sharp, [email protected]

SOURCE National Center for Education Statistics
CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the home elevators market is growing at a CAGR of 7.62% during 2022-2028.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3972

Home Elevators Market Research Report by Arizton

Browse in-depth TOC on "Home Elevator Market"

134  Tables

114  Figures

272  Pages

Home Elevators Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) $10.91 Billion Market Size (2022) $7.02 Billion CAGR (2022-2028) 7.62 % Market Size - Shipments (2028) 322.97 thousand units Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Type, Application, Door Systems, and Geography Geographic Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Market Dynamics Rising Ageing Population

The Increasing Adoption of Smart Homes

Rising Building Permits and Renovations



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The home elevator market has a varied structure since each geography has its competitive dynamics and intensity of competition. The APAC can be termed as the most competitive due to its high product reach, increasing market demand, and several players competing on a price basis. China is the most lucrative market in APAC, with its growing adoption of home elevators due to a steady rise in the construction industry. It is also a leader in adopting smart home elevators due to strengthening safety norms. With highly productive domestic manufacturers and growing exports, it is expected to accelerate the growth of the home elevator market in APAC during the next few years.

The home elevator market in MEA has experienced a slight decline in new installations due to a slump in oil prices. The UAE and South Africa play a critical role in the growth of the market in MEA. The increasing number of skyscrapers, established installed base, and growing disposable income among the population are expected to spur growth in this region over the next few years. We expect the global home elevator market to witness healthy growth during the forecast period due to the higher adoption of home elevators globally.

Influence of Green Transition on Industry

A growing number of aging elevators are operating, the energy performance of which can be significantly improved through partial or complete modernization. The European Union's study called Energy-Efficient Elevators and Escalators (E4) concluded that by using the best available technology of today, energy savings of up to 63% can be achieved by modernizing elevators installed in 1985 or prior. On a European level, this translates to 11.6 TWh of saved energy.

The $220.3 million loan will support KONE's research and development for more energy-efficient elevators, escalators, auto walks, automatic doors, intelligent technologies, and solutions for people flow. The project will increase the European Union industry's technology leadership and competitiveness. The $220.3 million loan signed between the EIB and Finland-based KONE Corporation will support research and development in innovation. This will improve the safety and functional performance of KONE's product range while at the same time reducing the carbon footprint of KONE's solutions by improving the energy efficiency of the products and services and, consequently, of the buildings where they will be used.

Developers and homeowners have become environmentally conscious and aim for green certifications, such as LEED. Environmentally responsible elevators have enhanced the market growth.

Leading Elevator Manufacturers Revolutionize Energy Efficiency with Next-Gen MRL Traction Elevators

Elevator manufacturers develop superior elevators for buildings that are highly energy efficient. These traction elevators have enhanced hardware, controls, and other energy-efficient systems, are more compact, and generate electricity.

The machine-roomless (MRL) traction elevators are the most energy-efficient type of elevator. Manufacturers restructured the motors and all the other equipment generally held in a machine room above conventional elevators to be well-equipped into the hoistway. These space-saving developments eradicate the need to form and supply energy to a machine room, consuming considerably less energy than the more prominent forms formerly used. Moreover, they generate less heat.

Otis, one of the leading elevator manufacturers, provides further energy savings in its state-of-the-art Gen2 MRL elevator. Moreover, they compacted the controller and located it in the hoistway, eradicating the requirement for a separate control room. Manufacturers pay more attention to improving energy use in other systems, such as fans, cab lighting, brakes, doors, and elevator controls. They use efficient LED lights in overhead, cab panels, and in-floor indicators. They comprise door drive motors that can efficiently retrieve from the ejection of power when not in use or enter a standby mode. Moreover, these motors help in supporting variable door-close and -open times, and their energy consumption is incorporated into the overall control strategy.

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Home Elevator Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rising Ageing Population

Increasing Adoption of Smart Homes

Rising Building Permits and Renovations

Restraints

High Maintenance and Installation Costs

Volatility on Raw Material Prices

Skilled Labor Shortage

Opportunities

Rising Demand for Smart Elevators

Increasing Demand for Energy-Efficient Elevators

Key Company Profiles

Otis

Schindler

KONE

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Toshiba Corporation

TK Elevator

Savaria

Hyundai Elevator

Fujitec

Hitachi Elevator

Stiltz Home Elevators

Inclinator Company of America

Eltec

Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators (PVE)

AmeriGlide

Garaventa Lift

Sigma Elevators

Johnson Lifts

Japan Fuji International

IFE Elevators

Cambridge Elevating

Hidral

Cibes Lift

Market Segmentation

Type

Traction

Hydraulic

Pneumatic

Others

Application

Passengers

Freight

Door Systems

Automatic

Manual

Geography

APAC

China



India



South Korea



Japan



Australia

Europe

Germany



Turkey



The UK



France



Spain



Italy

North America

The US



Canada

Middle East & Africa

Egypt



UAE



Saudi Arabia

Latin America

Brazil



Argentina



Mexico

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

How big is the global home elevator market?

What is the growth rate of the global home elevators market?

Which region dominates the global home elevators market share?

What are the significant trends in the home elevator industry?

Who are the key players in the global home elevator market?

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SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
SAN RAMON, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 11th, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new national coverage decision (NCD) for stenting of the carotid arteries. As the entity that made the formal request for this consideration, the Multi-Specialty Carotid Alliance (MSCA) applauds this Decision, which will ensure that Medicare patients will have access to the full range of therapies that are available, including carotid endarterectomy (CEA), transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TF-CAS), transradial carotid artery stenting (TR-CAS), and transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR). The MSCA also wishes to emphasize that optimal medical therapy (OMT) remains the foundation for treatment, and CAS, CEA, or TCAR should be offered only to those who are deemed appropriate for revascularization on top of OMT.

The MSCA appreciates the careful and thoughtful consideration of this decision on the part of leadership of CMS and the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ), and especially the Coverage and Analysis Group (CAG), whose dedicated members expended an extraordinary amount of time and energy to arrive at their decision. We believe that their thorough analysis and the challenging deliberations that they undertook ultimately led to a decision that is in the best interest of Medicare beneficiaries and the American public.

The MSCA now urges all stakeholders to join forces to ensure safe and proper implementation of this decision, so that patients receive the highest quality and most appropriate care. The MSCA looks forward to working with CMS, medical societies and other professional medical organizations, industry partners, and patient representatives to achieve this goal.

Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability. Collectively as a medical community, we must increase patient and provider awareness, support education and training, and promote research and innovation to reduce the incidence and impact of this disease. The MSCA is committed to bring together the medical community for that purpose.

The Multispecialty Carotid Alliance (MSCA)

Thomas Brott , MD, Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

, MD, Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Daniel G. Clair , MD, Vascular Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

, MD, Vascular Surgery, Medical Center, William Gray , MD, Interventional Cardiology, Lankenau Heart, Main Line Health, Wynnewood, PA

, MD, Interventional Cardiology, Lankenau Heart, Main Line Health, Donald Heck , MD, Interventional Neuroradiology, Triad Radiology Associations, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC

, MD, Interventional Neuroradiology, Triad Radiology Associations, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Tudor Jovin, MD, Interventional Neurology, Cooper University Healthcare, Camden, NJ

Sean Lyden , MD, Vascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

, MD, Vascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Chris Metzger , MD, Interventional Cardiology, Ballad Health CVA Heart & Vascular, Kingsport, TN

, MD, Interventional Cardiology, Ballad Health CVA Heart & Vascular, Kenneth Rosenfield , MD, Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

, MD, Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, General Hospital, Gary Roubin , MD, Interventional Cardiology, Chair of CREST2 Interventional Management Committee

, MD, Interventional Cardiology, Chair of CREST2 Interventional Management Committee Ravish Sachar, MD, Interventional Cardiology, UNC-Rex Healthcare, Raleigh, NC

Adnan Siddiqui , MD, Neurosurgery, Jacobs Institute, SUNY at Buffalo & Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY

, MD, Neurosurgery, Jacobs Institute, & Kaleida Health, Christopher White , MD, Interventional Cardiology, Ochsner Clinical School, University of Queensland , Australia and Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA

Media Contact:

Kenneth Rosenfield MD, MHCDS

[email protected]

SOURCE Multi-Specialty Carotid Alliance (MSCA)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Gulf Cooperation Council member countries will allocate funds for humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the organization's Secretary General Jassim Mohammed al-Budaiwi said, Trend reports.

It is noted that the organization's Council of Ministers confirmed its determination to strengthen the operation to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

According to him, a decision has been made to provide emergency humanitarian assistance in the amount of $100 million.

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, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. The Israeli Army's operation against Hamas goes by the codename "Swords of Iron".
Providing advanced monitoring for websites impersonating NCU-ISAO members

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To address escalating online fraud targeting credit unions, the National Credit Union Information Sharing and Analysis Organization ( NCU-ISAO ) today announced a strategic partnership with Allure Security  the fastest, most accurate online brand protection -as-a-service provider. At the heart of the partnership, NCU-ISAO members benefit from complimentary AI-powered monitoring to detect websites impersonating their institutions.

"Allure Security's automated monitoring of the deluge of both legitimate and malicious websites published each day gives our members an advantage in the fight against fraud," said NCU-ISAO VP Member Services & Operations Brian Hinze. "This collaboration supports our mission of enabling and sustaining credit unions' cyber resilience through real-time, proactive threat intelligence."

Brand impersonation attacks targeting credit unions tripled in 2023, according to Allure Security's " SPOOF23: Trends in Online Brand Impersonations for Credit Unions ". The study also found that defenses focused on domain permutations (e.g., typosquatting) missed 94 percent of fake websites.

"With fraud schemes increasing in sophistication and the mounting difficulty of discerning authenticity online  credit unions need the right tools and allies to protect their members," said Allure Security CEO Josh Shaul. "We're proud to join NCU-ISAO in the fight, equipping credit unions with technology to safeguard their members in the digital realm."

NCU-ISAO members can enroll in free brand impersonation monitoring at https://alluresecurity.com/ncuisao/

Download a copy of the credit union impersonations report at https://alluresecurity.com/spoof-23-credit-unions/

About the NCU-ISAO

The NCU-ISAO was formed as a collaborative idea of credit unions, CUSOs, and Leagues to help the industry navigate threat intelligence and alerts, and focus on credit union-specific issues around operations, risk, compliance through information sharing and collaboration. The mission of the NCU-ISAO is to enable and sustain Credit Union critical infrastructure cyber resilience and preserve the public trust by advancing trusted security coordination and collaboration to identify, protect, detect, respond and recover from threats and vulnerabilities.

About Allure Security

Allure Security protects brands by finding and stopping online brand impersonation attacks before people fall victim. Our patented, artificial intelligence-powered engine finds more spoofed websites, social media accounts, and mobile apps more quickly and with greater accuracy than legacy approaches. Our unique, multi-pronged approach to managed response  blocklisting, decoy data, and takedown  significantly reduces the lifespan of a scam and related damage.

Contact

877-669-8883

info@alluresecurity.com

SOURCE Allure Security
MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During a plenary lecture at the 26th World Congress of Neurology , Dr. Anthony Lang, professor of neurology and Jack Clark Chair for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Toronto, revealed a groundbreaking new model for identifying and studying Parkinson's disease. This new approach will help researchers investigate biological aspects of the disease that may be detectable many years before symptoms begin to show.

The new model outlines three criteria for identifying Parkinson's disease based on distinct, measurable biological factors. Lang explained that this new biological model will allow doctors and researchers to understand Parkinson's in deeper and more complex ways than current clinical models, which are limited to observing symptoms in individual patients.

"We believe this is a radically different way of looking at Parkinson's disease," said Lang. "We've reached a point where, in the era of novel biomarkers  our research needs to be driven by biological determinants of the disease rather than simply limited to a clinical description of the signs and symptoms."

Novel Parkinson's Classification Model Offers New Criteria for Defining Disease

Parkinson's is typically diagnosed by doctors identifying symptoms in a clinical setting. In recent decades, researchers have uncovered biological causes for the disease  including genetic factors and the presence of the synuclein protein in the brain  but until recently, methods to test for these biomarkers in living patients have been largely unavailable. Lang hopes this major step toward a biological model will drive research to investigate these biomarkers and give scientists a more complex understanding of the disease. This in turn may drive development of new diagnosis and treatment methods.

Lang and his colleagues call this new model "SynNeurGe" (pronounced "synergy"), based on the three key biological aspects used to identify the disease and their important interactions:

Syn  The presence of the alpha-synuclein protein  often referred to as the "Parkinson's protein"  which can currently be measured in bodily fluids like spinal fluid as well as in the skin and, hopefully in the near future, in the blood.

 The presence of the alpha-synuclein protein  often referred to as the "Parkinson's protein"  which can currently be measured in bodily fluids like spinal fluid as well as in the skin and, hopefully in the near future, in the blood. Neur  The presence of neurodegeneration that occurs as Parkinson's progresses.

 The presence of neurodegeneration that occurs as Parkinson's progresses. Ge  The presence of genetic factors known to cause the disease.

This new three-part classification aims to account for the many different ways Parkinson's disease presents in patients. For example, based on current, limited testing methods, some patients with genetic forms of Parkinson's disease do not show signs of the synuclein protein in the brain after death. Lang hopes future research will ultimately enable doctors to classify patients based on different categories and types of Parkinson's.

"We can't limit ourselves just to saying Parkinson's is a synuclein disease," said Lang. "If we're ever going to change the research and advance our understanding of all aspects of the disease  understanding the underlying biology and the various mechanisms whereby cells die, understanding the epidemiology of the disease, developing new biomarkers and eventually moving to precision medicine and successful disease modification  we really need a different classification. Our classification is a much broader, all-encompassing way of looking at Parkinson's."

New Model Drives Research in Parkinson's and Other Disease Areas

Additionally, this model will drive research to better distinguish Parkinson's from other diseases that cause deterioration in the brain, enabling scientists to develop more effective ways to diagnose and treat these conditions. For example, the synuclein protein is also involved in conditions like multiple system atrophy (MSA). Lang hopes this new approach will give researchers clearer goals for understanding how synuclein is related to brain deterioration and genetic factors in Parkinson's compared to its role in other, similar diseases. In the future, this may help researchers more accurately distinguish between the early stages of each disease.

Importantly, Lang emphasized that this new biological classification is for research purposes only and is not intended to be applied in clinical care. There are a number of important research questions that need to be answered before this model could be used in routine patient care. For example, researchers need to conduct large prospective studies to better understand the biological factors involved when a patient has a synuclein-positive laboratory result without any clinical symptoms of Parkinson's.

"Parkinson's is the most rapidly increasing neurodegenerative disease. It causes tremendous impact on health care and quality of life. We need treatments that will slow the progression and change the natural course of these neurodegenerative diseases," said Lang. "We have to expand our considerations if we're ever going to see a change in brain health as it [is impacted by] neurodegenerative diseases, and we really believe this is the first step toward getting there."

Visit wcn-neurology.com to learn more about Dr. Lang and all the featured research at this year's WCN.

About the World Congress of Neurology

The World Federation of Neurology's World Congress of Neurology brings together leading neuroscientists and public health experts to turn research into action and emphasize the importance of brain health across the globe. The 26th biennial conference was held in Montreal from October 15 to 19, 2023, and was co-hosted by the Canadian Neurological Society (CNS).

About the World Federation of Neurology

With support from its 123 national Member Societies, the World Federation of Neurology fosters quality neurology and brain health worldwide by promoting neurological education and training, emphasizing under-resourced areas of the world. As a non-state actor in official relations, WFN supports the World Health Organization (WHO) efforts to give everyone an equal chance to live a healthy life. With Member Societies around the globe, WFN unites the world's neurologists to ensure quality neurology and advocate for people to have better brain health. Learn more about the World Federation of Neurology at wfneurology.org .

Media Contact

Ryan Pollock, Yakkety Yak

[email protected]

SOURCE World Federation of Neurology
"Shimmer, don't Shake" by Nadim Sadek is released by Forbes Books

This release is posted on behalf of Forbes Books (operated by Advantage Media Group under license).

NEW YORK , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Forbes Books, the exclusive business book publishing imprint of Forbes, announced today the October release of Shimmer, don't Shake: How Publishing Can Embrace AI by Nadim Sadek. It is available on Amazon now.

Shimmer, dont Shake by Nadim Sadek, released by Forbes Books

Nadim Sadek is founder and CEO of Shimmr AI, which focuses on publishing, making under-monetized book titles more productive, improving publishers' profitability, and giving authors greater reach. In Shimmer, don't Shake, he explores how the book publishing industry can put artificial intelligence to work in ways that will improve efficiency and expand a book's audience.

"As digital capabilities grow more sophisticated, publishers continue adapting to new technologies while staying grounded in their essential role  amplifying authors' voices and ideas that enrich our world," Sadek shared. "Artificial intelligence promises to be the next major innovation reshaping publishing. As AI capabilities advance, industry practitioners have legitimate concerns but also much opportunity."

With Shimmer, don't Shake, Sadek makes the argument that readers, authors, and publishers all can benefit as AI is used to create high-quality book descriptions, advertise titles, and make better matches between the right books and the right audiences.

"The story of publishing has always been one of adapting to meet changing times while preserving the vital spark of creativity," Sadek said. "AI is the next chapter, promising renewal if embraced judiciously rather than resisted. With care, wisdom, and responsibility on all sides, artificial intelligence can bring out the best in natural imagination."

About Nadim Sadek

Nadim Sadek, author of Shimmer, don't Shake: How Publishing Can Embrace AI, is founder and CEO of Shimmr AI . His company focuses on publishing, making under-monetized titles more productive, improving publishers' profitability, and giving authors greater reach. Previously, Sadek was founder and CEO of ProQuo AI, an AI-driven brand management platform. He was also founder and CEO of Inish Turk Beg, a whiskey, food, and music business he built on an island he acquired off the West coast of Ireland. Sadek, who is half-Irish and half-Egyptian, was raised in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe, and now lives in London.

About Forbes Books

Forbes Books is the exclusive book publisher of Forbes. Forbes Books identifies and selects authors who are game changers and thought leaders in their fields. They are people who recognize how publishing a book can elevate their message and inspire audiences to better themselves and the world around them. Since its launch in 2016, Forbes Books has grown into the premier independent business book publisher.

Contact:

Miguel Casellas-Gil

mcasellas-gil@forbesbooks.com

SOURCE Forbes Books
Pony.ai, a global robotaxi unicorn, weighs global expansion as the world embraces autonomous mobility

His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, addresses the inaugural CTO World Congress

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As the UAE hosts the world's largest tech and startup show, Dubai unleashed a new era of global AI dominance at GITEX GLOBAL 2023. The event, currently underway at Dubai World Trade Centre until October 20, brings together the world's brightest minds, forward-thinking governments, and the most advanced companies to redefine the boundaries of the AI economy and shape the future of technological revolution on the planet.

GITEX GLOBAL Explores the Future of Mobility

New Era of AI Grips World's Imagination as GITEX GLOBAL 2023 Enters 2nd Day

As driverless car trials continue throughout the world, including the UAE, the impact of driverless mobility on society is starting to be felt. Pony.ai, a $8.5 billion Toyota-backed robotaxi unicorn, designs autonomous vehicles with active deployments in Silicon Valley, Beijing, and Guangzhou.

Speaking at GITEX GLOBAL, Pony.ai co-founder and CFO Dr. Leo Wang said he sees a viable path toward Middle East expansion. The region's traditionally friendly business environment and readiness to adopt advanced AI technology provide an excellent incentive for innovative businesses. "With its extensive exhibitor list of global tech leaders, GITEX GLOBAL represents the vast breadth of technology available for robocar brands to help forge broad industrial ecosystems," he said.

Competition is ramping up in the emergent autonomous driving space. Dr. Wang welcomes the rivalry. He further added "Competition is always welcome because the technology and the market potential are progressing much faster. So, you don't want to be the only player in the field; you want a diverse field so we can all progress together."

CTOs Confront the Generative AI Era

Generative AI is reshaping the CTO's playbook, as it requires a new mindset and skill set for leading and managing software development teams. CTOs are under pressure to embrace generative AI as a strategic asset and a competitive advantage to foster innovation and collaboration among developers while addressing the potential challenges and risks of generative AI, such as data privacy violations and AI ethics.

On day two of GITEX GLOBAL, His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, attended the inaugural GITEX CTO World Congress, the year's largest gathering of tech architects and disruptors. Delivering a keynote on the occasion, H.E. lauded the efforts of GITEX and the CTO World Congress, calling it a platform that brings together the best and brightest, fostering cross-fertilization among startups, individuals, and scientists from around the world to shape the future of technology.

Smart Cities: The Future is Now

More than 50% of smart cities have embraced AI with 5G technology, enabling faster and more reliable communication for connected devices. But this grand vision faces numerous challenges  cybersecurity risks lurking in the shadows, data privacy concerns threatening our every move, while interoperability issues muddy the waters of progress.

In a high-level discussion on the future of smart cities, Chris Wan, Associate Director of Sustainability & CSR, Masdar City, was joined by Jordi Vaquer, Secretary General, World Association of Major Metropolises, Spain; Dr Nasser Saidi, Founder and Chair, Clean Energy Business Council MENA and Thomas Debass, MD & Chief Partnerships Officer, US Department of State discussed 'Making the Zero Dream a Reality: Decarbonising Cities by 2050'.

The conversation delved into the critical motives for achieving net zero goals as early as possible, citing factors like population growth. The speakers emphasized the daunting task of investing in sustainable urban development and explored potential solutions, including phasing out fossil fuel subsidies to redirect resources toward net zero objectives, implementing a carbon tax and attracting private sector funding in energy transition projects.

The 43rd edition of GITEX GLOBAL takes place from 16-20 October 2023, the blockbuster tech showpiece once again reaching full capacity at the Dubai World Trade Centre as it prepares to host more than 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech executives from 180 countries. GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star comprise a combined 41 halls spanning 2.7 million sq. ft of exhibition space, a 40% growth year-on-year with 1,800 startups across both. The events converge the best minds and most visionary companies to scrutinise, challenge, define, and empower the digital agendas of the world.

More information is available at www.gitex.com and www.expandnorthstar.com

On social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube

Hashtag:

#GITEXGLOBAL #Expandnorthstar

Media Contact:



Gareth Wright  PR Director

Tel.: + 971 50 273 3832

[email protected]

Tayce Marchesi  PR Executive

Tel.: + 971 58 552 3994

[email protected]

PR Agency, ASDA'A BCW

Tel.: + 971 55 648 7197

[email protected]

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC):

A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to region's leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region's growth story with an estimated total economic output of AED 200 Billion, attracting over 30 Million business visitors to Dubai over the past four decades.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249594/GITEX_GLOBAL_2023_Enters_2nd_Day.jpg

SOURCE Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
New addition to its access service increases security, reduces IT's workload, and lowers infrastructure costs

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nile, the leader in next-generation enterprise networks, today launched Nile Guest Service, a new solution that allows enterprises to provide guest internet access that ensures that corporate resources are secured and isolated from guests. Nile Guest Service isolates visitor traffic from internal network resources by automatically tunneling it to a local point of presence (PoP), from where it is forwarded directly to the internet. It eliminates the need for IT to spend valuable resources on protecting its corporate resources from guest devices. This new capability represents the first of its kind in the enterprise networking industry and does not require any up-front capital expense. Nile Guest Service is an extension of the zero trust networking principles that are at the core of the company's award-winning Nile Access Service and is offered as an optional add-on.

"Today's IT departments are focused on moving their business forward and do not want to expose their corporate resources while providing guest access. They also don't want to spend all of their time protecting their infrastructure from every smartphone or tablet that seeks to connect," said Suresh Katukam, Nile's Chief Product Officer and co-founder. "Nile Guest Service automatically applies cloud native, zero trust principles to guest access and takes one more worry off of IT's plate without taking a big bite of their budget."

Visitors arrive daily in enterprise environments with a diverse array of unknown devices. Short-term contractors, vendors, partners, and other guest users expect easy and high-performance connectivity to be productive during their short time while on site.

Traditionally, enabling guest Wi-Fi access meant administrative overhead for IT teams, requiring them to update wireless LAN configuration, VLAN / IP subnet provisioning, firewall zone updates for traffic and device isolation, and usually manage an anchor controller and DHCP server in their DMZ. This additional cost and administrative overhead is matched with an increased risk profile for IT infrastructure due to potential human error in defining and managing these security rules exposing sensitive corporate data externally.

Nile Guest Service eliminates this burden on IT networking and security teams. It eliminates the entire workflow with a single click via captive portal, every guest device isolation, and IP address management, along with secure transport of the visitor traffic flows from the Nile network installed within an enterprise building to the closest Nile point of presence (PoP).

With Nile Guest Service, guest traffic is logged as coming from a Nile IP address rather than a customer IP address. IT teams no longer need to serve as the front line in responding to inquiries from authorities that may result from improper use of guest access. Instead, those requests will come to Nile's support team.

"Nile Guest Service allows us to provide internet access for visitors while isolating them from internal network resources," said Albert Jong, senior IT engineer at Carta, a leading equity management platform. "It decreases the possibility of a data breach and accelerates network troubleshooting. I highly recommend Nile Guest to organizations using the Nile Access Service."

About Nile Access Service

Nile Access Service is powered by a brand-new approach to enterprise networking. This visionary model combines cloud native software delivery, zero trust networking principles, and custom-built wired, wireless, and sensor network infrastructure in an "as-a-Service" offering. Unlike legacy, product-centric Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offerings, Nile Access Service was built from the ground up with modern networking, security, and operations requirements in mind. It offers a standardized system design, a single data store, and an integrated software stack to deliver guaranteed performance, coverage, capacity, and availability for wired and wireless LAN connectivity. With per-user and per-SQFT consumption options available, all capabilities of the service are delivered with all hardware included, zero upfront expense, and 24/7 support.

Nile Guest Service is available today. To learn more and get started with Nile Guest Service, visit https://www.nilesecure.com/guest .

About Nile:

Nile is disrupting the enterprise network market by modernizing IT operations with a new architecture, one built from the ground up to be delivered entirely as a service. Designed to deliver a high-performance experience that's more reliable and secure, Nile enables organizations to recover critical IT resources while users gain superior connectivity. Nile is not just delivering a network as a service, but a network that is truly at your service. For more information, visit nilesecure.com.

Media Contact:

Nichols Communications for Nile

Jay Nichols

+1 408 772 1551

jay@nicholscomm.com

SOURCE Nile
Bundtlet Full O' REESE'S PIECES available beginning Oct. 23 for a limited time

DALLAS, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for spooky season, Nothing Bundt Cakes, the nation's largest specialty cake company, is joining forces with iconic candy brand REESE'S PIECES to launch a limited-time pop-up flavor: Bundtlet Full O' REESE'S PIECES. The candy-filled, personal-sized Bundt Cake will be available nationwide from Oct. 23 through Nov. 5 while supplies last.

Bundtlet Full O'REESE'S PIECES

Bundtlet Full O' REESE'S PIECES is Nothing Bundt Cakes' fan-favorite Chocolate Chocolate Chip cake topped with mini REESE'S PIECES and filled with even more candies, creating the perfect Halloween season indulgence.

"We created this sweet partnership to delight our guests by combining two favorite treats in one this Halloween season," said Claire Jessen, senior director of culinary innovation at Nothing Bundt Cakes. "Our Bundtlet Full O' REESE'S PIECES combines the irresistible taste of our Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake with America's favorite Halloween candy."

Bundtlet Full O' REESE'S PIECES is only available in Bundtlet size. This exclusive flavor marks the brand's third pop-up, following the launch of Churro Dulce de Leche in September and an OREO Cookies & Cream pop-up in August.

"Our new pop-up flavors are bringing so much joy to Nothing Bundt Cakes guests by offering a fun twist on our signature cakes," said Angie Eckelkamp, chief marketing officer at Nothing Bundt Cakes. "From special celebrations to simply indulging in a 'just because' moment, Nothing Bundt Cakes is always seeking ways to bring more joy to any occasion."

To find the nearest Cakery and order online for pickup or delivery, visit www.nothingbundtcakes.com.

About Nothing Bundt Cakes

Founded in 1997, Dallas-based Nothing Bundt Cakes is the nation's largest specialty cake company, with more than 525 franchised and corporate cakeries in 40-plus states and Canada and growing. Cakeries Bring the Joy by offering handcrafted Bundt Cakes for pickup or delivery in a variety of flavors and sizes, such as Bundtinis, the brand's cupcake-sized Bundt Cakes, personal-sized Bundtlets and 8- and 10-inch Bundt Cakes, plus decorations and gift options for life's "just because" moments and special celebrations. Recently named Yelp's 2023 No. 2 Most Loved Brand, Nothing Bundt Cakes has also earned industry recognition that includes Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 List and Franchise Business Review's Franchise Hall of Fame. For more information about Nothing Bundt Cakes, visit https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com. To learn more about franchising opportunities, visit https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/franchise-opportunities/.

Media Contact:

Danielle Bramley

[email protected]

817-329-3257

SOURCE Nothing Bundt Cakes
Launches New Community Led Security Program Improving IT Device Security Posture

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Open Compute Project Foundation (OCP), the nonprofit organization bringing hyperscale innovations to all, announced a new program, OCP Security Appraisal Framework and Enablement (S.A.F.E.) designed to improve the trustworthiness of devices across all data center IT infrastructure. The OCP S.A.F.E. program is expected to reduce cost overhead and redundancy of device security audits with an OCP Community developed per device security checklist, and advance the security posture of device hardware and firmware components across the supply chain.

The S.A.F.E. program adds a new dimension to the services offered by the OCP Foundation. It all starts with the OCP Community developing a standardized device specific audit checklist and criteria for selecting 3rd party device security review auditors. Both the device audit checklist and auditor selection criteria will be open sourced and available to all. Device auditors will do a self-assessment and those that qualify will be designated as OCP Security Review Providers (SRP). Device vendors will commission an OCP recognized SRP to conduct a device specific security review based on the appropriate OCP Community provided checklist.

"The OCP S.A.F.E. Program is designed to be a catalyst for upleveling the effort on security across the OCP Community and the industry. The OCP S.A.F.E. program is an OCP Community led effort to bring standardizations to device firmware security validation to help data center operators maintain a consistent security posture with reduced costs through removing duplication of efforts which can be replicated by other market segments. Security is the underlying foundation which makes OCP core tenets of efficiency, openness, scale, impact and sustainability possible," said Steve Helvie, VP Emerging Markets at the Open Compute Project Foundation.

"Creating a standardized approach for provenance, code quality and software supply chain for firmware releases and firmware patches that run on data center IT devices benefits the broader community; from democratizing the review process to streamlining efforts. Google is pleased to be a founding member of the OCP S.A.F.E. program and together, with the community, we will accomplish our mutual goal of increased security assurance for the industry," said Phil Venables, CISO, Google Cloud.

Independent third-party audits present significant challenges. These results are often available only to a certain set of customers, limiting their market impact. Also, these reviews are often commissioned by device consumers at the time of purchase, with device reviews are only performed once and subsequent security issues introduced by firmware upgrades and patches go undetected. The OCP driving a standardized approach, across all data center operators, will effectively and efficiently address these issues.

"We have partnered with OCP to create SAFE, a framework that promotes systematic security evaluations across the hardware ecosystem. This initiative provides enhanced levels of quality and security assurance to all hardware consumers," said Mark Russinovich, Azure CTO.

The OCP S.A.F.E. Program is designed to reduce cost overhead and redundancy of device security audits, (1) provide security conformance assurance to device consumers (2) increase the number of devices whose firmware and associated updates are reviewed on a continuous basis, rather than only once when the device is 1st manufactured. (3) advance the security posture of device hardware and firmware components, through iterative refinement of review areas, testing scopes and reporting requirements.

The program has received strong support from both 3rd party auditors, device and silicon vendors. Currently Atredis Partners, IO Active, and NCC Group are enrolled as OCP Security Review Providers, with participating device vendors AMD and SK Hynix, and silicon vendor Intel.

"The OCP S.A.F.E. program with the increased level of security assurance it can provide should bring a new level of confidence to the market for data center IT device consumers and ultimately end users of cloud provider provided services. The efficiencies it drives at the same time as improving security is refreshing for the industry. This is just one example of how open collaboration within a community such as the OCP can benefit everyone," said Ashish Nadkarni, Group Vice President and General Manager, Worldwide Infrastructure at IDC.

About the Open Compute Project Foundation

The Open Compute Project (OCP) is a collaborative Community of hyperscale data center operators, telecom, colocation providers and enterprise IT users, working with the product and solution vendor ecosystem to develop open innovations deployable from the cloud to the edge. The OCP Foundation is responsible for fostering and serving the OCP Community to meet the market and shape the future, taking hyperscale-led innovations to everyone. Meeting the market is accomplished through addressing challenging market obstacles with open specifications, designs and emerging market programs that showcase OCP-recognized IT equipment and data center facility best practices. Shaping the future includes investing in strategic initiatives and programs that prepare the IT ecosystem for major technology changes, such as AI & ML, optics, advanced cooling techniques, composable memory and silicon. OCP Community-developed open innovations strive to benefit all, optimized through the lens of impact, efficiency, scale and sustainability. Learn more at www.opencompute.org .

Media Contact

Dirk Van Slyke

Open Compute Project Foundation

Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

Mobile: +1 303-999-7398

(Central Time Zone/CST/Houston, TX)

SOURCE Open Compute Project Foundation
CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cook County property owners who don't want to wait until their property tax bills arrive in the mail may now view, download and pay their Second Installment bill for the 2022 Tax Year online at cookcountytreasurer.com, Treasurer Maria Pappas announced today.

Property owners who wish to view, download and pay their bills online should visit cookcountytreasurer.com, select the blue box labeled "Pay Online for Free" and enter their address or Property Index Number (PIN).

Cook County property owners can now view, download and pay their tax bills online at cookcountytreasurer.com. Post this

The Treasurer's Office plans to mail 1.8 million bills to property owners on or around Nov. 1. Second Installment taxes are due Dec. 1.

"I encourage people to pay online, which is the quickest and most convenient way to pay," Pappas said. "If property owners are unable to pay the full amount at once, they can make a partial payment, or several, until they have paid in full."

Partial payments on unpaid property taxes can ease the financial strain of paying late.

"Making partial payments lowers the amount of interest charged on overdue taxes," Pappas said.

The Treasurer's Office sends two tax bill installments each year. The First Installment typically is due in March. In past years the Second Installment has been due in August but bills were delayed this year and last year.

There is no fee to pay online from bank accounts. There is a 2.1% processing fee for those who pay with a credit card. Property owners may also print their bill and bring it to any Chase Bank branch location, including those outside Cook County. Taxpayers can also pay their bills at more than 100 community bank locations where they have an account or at the Treasurer's Office, 118 N. Clark St., Chicago.

Property owners may also use the website to find out if the County owes them a refund for past overpayments or missed exemptions. Website visitors can also read any of the Pappas Studies, a series of research projects that detail inequities and complexities of the property tax system.

SOURCE Cook County Treasurer's Office
DALLAS, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Native Americans have a long history of being misrepresented. Decades of systemic oppression and violence continue to impact the tribes and fuel food and water insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and education barriers. Yet, few people realize this, and less than one percent of all charitable giving supports Native causes. It is this misrepresentation and lack of resources that drives Partnership with Native Americans (PWNA) to raise awareness around realities on the reservations and influences its recent sponsorship of the PBS series Native America.

Partnership With Native Americans (PRNewsfoto/Partnership With Native Americans)

Starting October 24 through November 14, Native America will return to PBS with four new, hour-long episodes that are Native-directed and feature the beauty, power, and traditions prevalent in today's Tribal communities. This program is a part of PBS's unmatched slate of programming honoring Indigenous culture, history, and contributions in commemoration of Native American Heritage Month.

"The key to change is raising awareness. At PWNA, whether we have the chance to talk to one person or one thousand people about being NativeAware, we will take every opportunity to make sure Native voices are being heard," said Joshua Arce, President and CEO of PWNA. "A lot of the media we consume is filled with inaccuracies and misconceptions about Native Americans, so when a movie or a show airs, like PBS's Native America, that tells our real stories, we do what we can to ensure it gets in front of as many people as possible."

Season two of the series follows brilliant engineers, bold politicians, and cutting-edge artists, musicians, and educators, giving Native people a platform to tell their own story and share thousands of years of knowledge to build a brighter future. The new season of Native America airs October 24, 9:00 p.m. on PBS (check local listings), PBS.org and the PBS App.

About Partnership With Native Americans

Partnership With Native Americans is a national, Native-led nonprofit championing hope for a brighter future for those living on remote, geographically isolated reservations. Established in 1990, PWNA collaborates with tribal programs to address immediate relief and long-term solutions such as education, emergency preparedness, food security, and more, improving the lives of 250,000 tribal citizens annually. Follow PWNA on Facebook , Instagram , X/Twitter and LinkedIn , or visit NativePartnership.org .

About PBS

PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 42 million adults on linear primetime television, more than 15 million users on PBS-owned streaming platforms, and 56 million people view PBS content on social media, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS's broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS LearningMedia for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. As the number one educational media brand, PBS KIDS helps children 2-8 build critical skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality content on TV  including a PBS KIDS channel  and streaming free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app, games on the PBS KIDS Games app, and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, Facebook, Instagram, or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on Twitter.

Contact:

Helen Oliff

(540) 825-5950 x205

[email protected]

SOURCE Partnership With Native Americans
The "Global Population Health Management Market Size By Mode Of Delivery, By End User, By Geographic Scope And Forecast" report has been published by Verified Market Research. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the global Population Health Management Market, including its growth prospects, market trends, and market challenges.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Population Health Management Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.23% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 23.45 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 64.12 Billion by the end of the forecast period.



Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample?rid=2071

Browse in-depth TOC on "Population Health Management Market"

202 - Pages

126  Tables

37  Figures

Verified Market Research Report: Population Health Management Market Overview

Population Health Management (PHM) is the systematic approach to improving healthcare within a defined population. It involves gathering and analyzing health data on specific groups, or "patient data," to segment individuals based on their diseases. The evaluation of these data is facilitated through advanced technological tools, leading to effective treatment strategies. PHM not only enhances healthcare outcomes but also contributes significantly to reducing clinical and treatment costs, saving time through automated evaluations. This report delves into key factors influencing the Population Health Management Market, encompassing technological advancements, social and economic determinants, government mandates, and market players' landscape.

Industry Definition:

Population Health Management is the comprehensive analysis and management of health outcomes, health determinants patterns, policies, and interventions within a specific population. It encompasses leveraging advanced technology to assess patient data, enabling targeted interventions for improved health outcomes.

Market Dynamics:

The Population Health Management Market is driven by government support, healthcare IT solutions, and the integration of big data analytics. Emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, South Korea, and China contribute to market expansion. Additionally, personalized medicines and the shift toward value-based healthcare present growth opportunities. Challenges include data breaches, lack of skilled analysts, and interoperability issues.

Technological Advancements:

Recent innovations in the Population Health Management Market include 3D Printing for replicating human organs, Robotic Surgery for safer and minimally invasive procedures, and Healthcare Digital Assistants for improved patient care. These technologies enhance the precision and efficacy of healthcare services, leading to better patient outcomes.

Impact of COVID-19:

The global Population Health Management Market experienced a surge in demand due to the pandemic, emphasizing the need for robust health management systems. Despite initial disruptions caused by lockdowns, governments' supportive measures and industry resilience have stabilized the market, ensuring substantial growth in the forecasted period.

Regional Insights:

North America, particularly the USA and Canada, leads the Population Health Management Market due to high-quality medical services. While the USA offers expensive healthcare, it stands as a significant contributor to the industry's growth. The United Kingdom is also recognized for its exemplary healthcare system, as per a 2020 report.

Key Players:

Prominent players in the global PHM market include MCKESSON CORPORATION, Verisk Analytics, Inc., Forward Health Group, Inc., Health Catalyst, Athenahealth, Inc., Cerner Corporation, Medecision, Xerox Corporation, Allscripts Healthcare, LLC, Fonemed, General Electric, HealthBI, NXGN Management, LLC, Optum Inc., Conifer Health Solutions, LLC, IBM, Koninklijke Philips N.V., and Siemens Healthcare GmbH.

The Population Health Management Market growth is underpinned by technological advancements, government initiatives, and the focus on personalized, value-based healthcare. Despite challenges, the market remains robust, providing immense potential for innovation and development. As the industry continues to evolve, strategic collaborations and advancements in healthcare technology will be pivotal for sustained growth and improved healthcare outcomes on a global scale.

To get market data, market insights, financial statements and a comprehensive analysis of the Global Population Health Management Market, please Contact Verified Market Research.

Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Population Health Management Market into Mode of Delivery, End User, And Geography.

Population Health Management Market, by Mode of Delivery Web-Based On-Premise Cloud-Based

Population Health Management Market, by End User Healthcare Providers Healthcare Payers Employer Groups Government Bodies

Population Health Management Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America



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Healthcare Provider Population Health Management Software Market By Component (Software, Services), By Mode of Delivery (On-premise Mode Of Delivery, Cloud-based Mode Of Delivery), By Geography, And Forecast

Patient Registry Software Market By Product (Disease Registry, Product Registry), By Software Type (Standalone, Integrated), By Deployment Model (On-premise, Web/Cloud-based), By Database Type (Commercial, Public), By Functionality (Population Health Management, Health Information Exchange), By End Use (Government & third party, Private payers), By Geography, And Forecast

Home Diagnostics Market By Test Type (Glucose Monitoring Devices, Pregnancy Test, Ovulation Predictor Test, Kits HIV Test Kits), By Form (Cassettes, Midstream, Instruments, Strips), By Geography, And Forecast

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Top 5 Population Health Management Solution Companies challenging medical complexities effortlessly

Visualize Population Health Management Market using Verified Market Intelligence -:

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. Residents of Jordan went out to protest, Trend reports.

Protesters are currently attacking the Israeli embassy in Amman, the capital of Jordan.

The building is on fire, security forces are using special means to disperse the rioters.
Scott Westover appointed Chief Network Solutions Officer, a newly created, expanded role, assuming responsibility for the Network Performance Team

Subhash Seelam joins as SVP, Applied Network Analytics from Optum

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Analytics, the leader in provider network management solutions and services, today announced the appointment of Scott Westover as Chief Network Solutions Officer, Quest Analytics, continuing his leadership in the regulatory arena while adding oversight of the Network Performance team. In addition, the company announced that Subhash Seelam has joined as Senior Vice President, Applied Network Analytics, reporting to Scott and supporting the Network Performance team.

Scott Westover previously served as Quest Analytics' SVP of Network and Regulatory Strategy, where he worked directly with state and federal regulators to navigate rapidly changing market and policy needs. Prior to joining Quest Analytics, Scott served as market president for AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire, a leading Medicaid Care Management Organization. His prior experience also includes working at Anthem, Inc. as a vice president of provider joint ventures and national accounts, senior roles within leading healthcare providers, and driving national health strategy for multiple Fortune 50 corporations.

Subhash Seelam, a seasoned leader in healthcare analytics, brings a deep understanding of data applications, analytical experience, and the development of analytic intellectual property that will greatly enhance the Network Performance team. He joins Quest Analytics most recently from Optum, where he served as Head of Advanced Analytics and Clinical Insights, leading the team that provided analytic support to Optum's growth agenda.

"Working across the industry with regulators, payers and providers in network measurement is critical to understanding how we can better meet members' needs, build value and increase satisfaction," said Steve Levin, CEO, Quest Analytics. "The new role for Scott and the addition of Subhash will greatly enhance this work and provide incredible performance-driven analytical and data support for our clients' network teams across the country."

About Quest Analytics

Quest Analytics' software platform and services are trusted by more than 400 clients, including all eight of the nation's largest health plans, regulators, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and multiple state regulatory agencies, and many of the nation's leading health systems and provider groups to manage, measure and monitor health plan network performance. Its mission: to elevate the health of communities across the nation through superior provider networks. The company helps 90% of all healthcare networks deliver differentiated member experiences, thereby impacting 90% of Americans' ability to access quality healthcare. For more information, please visit Quest Analytics.

SOURCE Quest Analytics, L.L.C.
NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The rainwater harvesting systems market is expected to grow by USD 826.16 million from 2022 to 2027, according to Technavio. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 9.45% during the forecast period. To find a preview of the market overviews, market drivers, opportunities, and potentials request Free sample report

Rainwater Harvesting Systems Market 2023-2027: Company Analysis

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Rainwater Harvesting Systems Market 2023-2027

The rainwater harvesting systems market is fragmented due to the presence of many global and regional players. The market comprises category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified companies. The global off-grid rainwater harvesting systems market is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period due to the increase in water consumption worldwide. Barr Plastics Inc., DandD Ecotech Services, Ecozi Ltd., HarvestH2o, Heritage Water Tanks, Innovative Water Solutions LLC, Kingspan Group Plc, Metroll, Molloy Precast Products Ltd., Oasis Water Harvesting, Osmosis Autopump India Pvt. Ltd., Otto Graf GmbH Kunststofferzeugnisse, RainHarvest Systems LLC, Rainwater Connection, Stormsaver Ltd., Vareo Blu Ltd, Water Field Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Water Harvesting Solutions Inc., Watts Water Technologies Inc., and WISY AG

Major Companies and Key Offerings:

Barr Plastics Inc. - The company offers rainwater harvesting which includes a Graf Belowground rainwater harvesting system that controls stormwater runoff.

The company offers rainwater harvesting which includes a Graf Belowground rainwater harvesting system that controls stormwater runoff. DandD Ecotech Services - The company offers rooftop rainwater harvesting which can be stored and used for all non-potable uses.

Rainwater Harvesting Systems Market 2023-2027: Segmentation Analysis

By End-user

The non-residential segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. This can be attributed to a growing trend of rainwater harvesting systems in sectors other than housing, such as business and industry. Governments around the world have taken steps for their country to become a global tourist hub, as well as introducing various initiatives in support of tourism and hospitality. There will be an increased demand for water as the global tourism and hospitality industry grows.

By Geography

North America is estimated to contribute 36% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The main drivers of the growth of the stormwater harvesting systems market in North America have been an increase in people's discretionary incomes. They have already adopted rainwater harvesting systems at their homes due to the high purchasing power of consumers, particularly in the US. Mandatory rainwater harvesting regulations exist in many North American countries and their territories, particularly those where inadequate rainfall or water shortages are a major concern.

To know additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in coming years, Get a Free Sample Report.

Imperative Insights on the following aspects:

What was the size of the global rainwater harvesting systems market by value?

What will be the size of the global rainwater harvesting systems market in 2027?

How has the industry performed over the last 5 years?

What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the global rainwater harvesting systems market?

What main segments make up the global rainwater harvesting systems market?

Related Reports:

The fracking water treatment market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.18% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 1,208.4 million.

The water recycle and reuse market share is expected to increase to USD 13.58 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 13.65%.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by End-user

Market Segmentation by Application

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
As part of Sam Nazarian's plan for company's expansion and continued growth, Justin Fowler formerly with Starr Restaurants and Anthony Meidenbauer formerly with Tao Group Hospitality join sbe and subsidiary company, Disruptive Restaurant Group.

MIAMI, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- sbe , the leading international lifestyle hospitality group that develops, manages and operates award-winning venues, announces the expansion of its executive team with the addition of two highly experienced industry veterans, Justin Fowler and Anthony Meidenbauer. With significant growth planned over the next years, sbe is excited to welcome the hospitality maestros to the leadership team to spearhead new growth initiatives.

Sam Nazarian, Founder & CEO of sbe states: "We are excited to welcome Justin Fowler and Anthony Meidenbauer to the sbe family. Their deep industry knowledge and proven track records reinforce my continued confidence in this leadership team, and will be instrumental in driving sbe's growth and success in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape. I look forward to seeing the great work we will do together."

Justin Fowler, COO of Disruptive Restaurant Group states: "I am thrilled to join sbe and lead the operations for Disruptive Restaurant Group. sbe's reputation for innovation and excellence in the hospitality industry is unparalleled, and I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of the company."

Anthony Meidenbauer, VP of Development states: "I am honored to join the sbe team and take on the role of VP of Development at this time in sbe's trajectory. sbe's commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences aligns with my career values and experience, and I am excited to help drive the company's growth and development initiatives."

Justin Fowler joins sbe as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Disruptive Restaurant Group, bringing with him a remarkable 30-year track record of excellence in all areas of hospitality operations. With strengths in sales, marketing, public relations, communications, and business administration, Justin's career has been marked by significant accomplishments. He most recently served as Vice President of Operational Finance for the award-winning Starr Restaurants, overseeing 36 owned or managed properties with annual revenues exceeding $300 million. Justin's journey with Starr Restaurants began in 2006 as the Director of Restaurants and culminated in his promotion to VP of Operational Finance in 2012. Prior to his tenure at Starr, he held the position of Vice President of Operations for Jean Georges Management. Justin Fowler's extensive history of success and excellence makes him a valuable addition to the sbe team, where he will lead operations across the Disruptive Group.

Anthony Meidenbauer assumes the role of Vice President of Development at sbe, bringing over 25 years of hospitality expertise to the team. His journey in the industry spans from his early days in Upstate New York to his recent work in Las Vegas, Nevada. Most recently, Anthony served as Vice President of Food and Beverage Development for Tao Group Hospitality, where he was responsible for new venue development and ongoing strategy to optimize operational efficiencies and the growth of existing venues. Based in Las Vegas, Anthony collaborated and coordinated with stakeholders worldwide to execute brand standards and create world-class guest experiences in food, beverage, and design. Anthony Meidenbauer's extensive background in hospitality business, operations, and culinary training uniquely positions him to lead Business Development and Growth across the sbe Ecosystem.

With the addition of Justin Fowler and Anthony Meidenbauer to its leadership team, sbe continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in lifestyle hospitality, poised for continued innovation and success.

For further information or imagery:

CARVINGBLOCK

Max Block, [email protected] | Nina Kempner, [email protected] | [email protected]

About sbe

Established in 2002 by Founder and CEO Sam Nazarian, sbe is a privately-held, leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates world-class restaurants, lounges and nightclubs. Through exclusive partnerships with cultural visionaries, sbe is devoted to creating extraordinary experiences throughout its proprietary brands with a commitment to authenticity, sophistication, mastery and innovation. Over the last decade, sbe has mastered the art of creating desirable destinations; the lifestyle platform included over 100 hotels and 150 restaurants and lounges. In 2020, Sam Nazarian shifted his focus to the culinary and nightlife world by launching Disruptive Restaurant Group (DRG.) DRG incubates and operates globally renowned culinary brands including critically-acclaimed restaurants, lounges and nightclubs. By partnering with an impressive roster of internationally renowned culinary talent, DRG concepts are committed to innovation and setting new industry standards. Restaurants and lounges include: Casa Dani, by three Michelin-starred Chef Dani Garcia; Citizens; Katsuya, by Chef Katsuya Uechi; Kumi; Doheny Room; HYDE; LiFE; and S Bar. Sam Nazarian has consistently demonstrated his ability to anticipate and shape the future of hospitality and gastronomy. With his unwavering passion, entrepreneurial prowess, and a portfolio of iconic brands, Sam has cemented his position as a trailblazer in both the hospitality and culinary world for generations to come. To learn more, visit sbe.com .

SOURCE sbe
TeachAI released an AI Guidance for Schools toolkit to support the urgent need for guidance on the safe, effective, and responsible use of AI in schools

SEATTLE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, TeachAI, an initiative led by Code.org, ETS, the International Society of Technology in Education, Khan Academy, and the World Economic Forum, launched an AI Guidance for Schools toolkit to help education systems globally address gaps in AI guidance and policy. This resource was co-authored by Code.org, CoSN, Digital Promise, European EdTech Alliance, and PACE with input and review from policymakers, school leaders, teachers and leading tech organizations.

A recent global survey by UNESCO found that only seven percent of schools worldwide provided guidance on the proper use of AI in classrooms. The toolkit provides a framework for incorporating AI in education, real-world policy examples, sample guidance language, and resources aimed at staff, parents, and students.

"We offer the AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit in a spirit of humility and with the desire to help education leaders meet the urgent call for practical guidance on the safe, effective, and responsible use of AI," said Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer at Code.org and lead of the TeachAI initiative. "By providing real-world examples and sample language, we hope education systems now have a place to start their discussions."

"Harnessing the potential of AI for Los Angeles Unified schools is a journey, and the AI Guidance for Schools toolkit is a valuable resource," said Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. "It is equipping us to create an educational future that's not just innovative, but also equitable and thoughtful."

The AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit recommends seven principles for crafting AI guidance:

Purpose: Use AI to help all students achieve educational goals. Compliance: Reaffirm adherence to existing policies. Knowledge: Promote AI Literacy. Balance: Realize the benefits of AI and address the risks. Integrity: Advance academic integrity. Agency: Maintain human decision-making when using AI. Evaluation: Regularly assess the impacts of AI.

"As we build tools and programs to support schools for an AI future, the AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit is a valuable resource," said Khan Academy chief learning officer Kristen DiCerbo. "It offers principles and practical examples for schools to integrate AI in a forward-thinking way."

"In Ceibal, we believe AI can transform many aspects of education, but this requires engagement from communities. The AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit equips students and educators for AI challenges, fostering digital self-determination," Leandro Folgar, President of Ceibal, Government of Uruguay. "It empowers future generations to learn, collaborate, and thrive alongside AI, emphasizing AI literacy as a vital skill for the future."

"State school leaders can't shy away from change or the technologies that bring it about. That's not an option for the students we serve whose future success depends on their ability to thrive in an ever-changing, technology-rich world. As we shape North Dakota's educational strategy around AI, the AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit gives us a clear, practical guide to inform our approach," said Kirsten Baesler, State Superintendent, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

Visit www.teachai.org/toolkit to learn more about the AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit.

About TeachAI

TeachAI brings together education leaders and technology experts to assist governments and education authorities in teaching with and about AI. The initiative is led by Code.org, ETS, the International Society for Technology in Education, Khan Academy, and the World Economic Forum, and advised by a diverse group of 60+ organizations, governments and individuals. TeachAI's goals include guiding policy, building community and capacity, and increasing awareness. To learn more about TeachAI please visit www.teachai.org/about

SOURCE TeachAI
The growth of the global secure logistics market is driven by increase in the demand for outsourcing branch and ATM service and increase in the demand for product integrity

NEW CASTLE, Del., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Secure logistics Market by Application (Cash management, Diamonds, Jewelry & Precious Metal, Manufacturing, Others), by Type (Static, Mobile), by mode of transport (Roadways, Railways, and Airways), by Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global secure logistics market was valued at $87.1 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $191.9 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 8.4% from 2023 to 2032.

Download Sample of Research Report - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/15170

Logistics has an essential role to play in every industry as it helps in the distribution of packaged goods to their final destination. Secure logistics are used for the distribution of products having high value such as cash logistics, diamonds & gemstones, advanced, and sophisticated technology.

Leading Market Players in Secure Logistics Industry: -

Allied Universal

Brink's incorporated

CargoGuard

CMS Info Systems

PlanITROI, Inc.

GardaWorld

Lemuir Group

Prosegur

Securitas AB

Secure Logistics LLC.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global secure logistics 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.

Procure Complete Research Report Now - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/secure-logistics-market/purchase-options

Prime determinants of growth

Increase in the demand for outsourcing branch and ATM service and increase in the demand for product integrity drive the growth of the global secure logistics market. However, increase in the usage of electronic payment and high cost involved in services, restricts the market growth. Moreover, securing last mile delivery across developed and developing economies presents new opportunities in the coming years.

Secure Logistics Industry Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $87.1 billion Market Size in 2032 $191.9 billion CAGR 8.4 % No. of Pages in Report 252 Segments covered Application, Type, Mode of Transport, and Region. Drivers Increase in the demand for outsourcing branch and ATM service Increase in the demand for product integrity Opportunities Securing last mile delivery Integration of cyber security in secure logistics Restraints Increase in the usage of electronic payment High cost involved in service

The cash management segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on application, the cash management segment held the largest market share in 2022. However, jewelry & precious metal segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.8% from 2023 to 2032, owing to the rise of safety standards and equipment adopted by the secure logistics firms. Thus, creating confidence in the client and assures the safety of the gemstones and jewelry.

The static segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on type, the static segment held the largest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global secure logistics market revenue. However, mobile is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.8% from 2023 to 2032, owing to secure mobility offered by the segment. The normal vehicles are not utilized, instead armored vehicles with advanced security systems are used for transportation. Similarly, air cargo services are also offered in the mobile logistics solutions where the precious cargo is shipped with the help of an aircraft. The goods are transported to the longer distances in less time and movement to international locations is also viable.

The roadways segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on mode of transport, the roadways segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to nearly half of the global secure logistics market revenue. However, railways are projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.4% from 2023 to 2032, owing to dedicated and controlled tracks of the railways that can be easily tracked with the integration of GPS tracking and monitoring system. The bulk movement of the cargo or package reduces the overall cost of movement and in many cases can be more cost effective than the road transport of the package. Such capability of the railways is expected to boost the growth of the market.

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North America to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, North America held the largest market share in terms of revenue in 2022. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 10.5% from 2023 to 2032, owing to heavy investment on the rail network or freight corridor for the movement of goods and packages in the Asia- Pacific region. For instance, in June 2022 the Indian government invested $245 million to improve the railways infrastructure. Similarly, China is also developing rail network across middle-east and to the Europe, and signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding between Kazakhstan's authorized economic operators, China, and the EU. These developments are expected to drive the growth of secure logistics market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Similar Reports We Have on Logistics Industry:

Logistics Market Research Report 2024-2032

Food Logistics Market Research Report 2024-2032

Green Logistics Market Research Report 2024-2035

Space Logistics Market Research Report 2024-2032

Contract Logistics Market Research Report 2024-2032

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric" or the "Company") (NYSE: HE) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and docketed under 23-cv-04332, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Hawaiian Electric securities between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Hawaiian Electric securities during the Class Period, you have until October 23, 2023 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Hawaiian Electric, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electric utility, banking, and non-regulated renewable/sustainable infrastructure investment businesses in the state of Hawaii. The Company provides service to 95% of Hawaiian residents and operates in three segments, including the Electric Utility segment, which engages in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai.

Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Hawaiian Electric's 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 Company's inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires; and (iii) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

In early August 2023, a series of severe wildfires broke out in Hawaii, predominantly on the island of Maui. The most destructive fire began in West Maui near the town of Lahaina on the morning of August 8, 2023. By that afternoon, intense winds had knocked down approximately 30 utility poles throughout Maui, resulting in at least 15 separate outages impacting more than 12,400 customers. Moreover, videos captured by local residents showed that downed power lines belonging to Hawaiian Electric appeared to have ignited at least several of the fires. Ultimately, the wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage, and have killed at least 114 people, with some 850 others still missing in Lahaina.

On August 12, 2023, news outlets began reporting that Hawaiian Electric lacked the proper policies and procedures to mitigate the impact of the wildfires. Specifically, it was revealed that, at the time the wildfires began, the Company did not maintain a public power shutoff plani.e., a plan in which electricity is intentionally cut off to areas where strong wind events could cause the fires to spread.

On this news, Hawaiian Electric's stock price fell $10.94 per share, or 33.76%, to close at $21.46 per share on August 14, 2023.

Then, on August 16, 2023, the Wall Street Journal ("WSJ") reported that Hawaiian Electric is meeting with firms that specialize in restructuring advisory work, exploring options for the various financial and legal challenges that the Company faces as a consequence from the Maui wildfires.

Finally, on August 17, 2023, the WSJ reported that Hawaiian Electric had for years been aware of the threat posed by wildfire but waited years to act. Indeed, the WSJ stated that between 2019 and 2022 the Company spent less than $245,000 on wildfire-specific projects on Maui and did not seek state approval to raise utility rates to pay for broad wildfire safety improvements until 2022.

Following the publication of the WSJ articles, Hawaiian Electric's stock price fell $2.54 per share, or 17.43%, to close at $12.03 per share on August 17, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Shift4 Payments, Inc. ("Shift4" or the "Company") (NYSE: FOUR) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and docketed under 23-cv-03969, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Shift4 securities between June 5, 2020 and April 18, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Shift4 securities during the Class Period, you have until October 19, 2023 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Shift4 provides software and payment processing solutions in the United States. The Company provides, among other products and services, integrated and mobile point-of-sale ("POS") solutions. Shift4 conducted its initial public offering and began operating as a publicly traded company on or about June 5, 2020.

In Shift4's third quarter ("Q3") of 2022, the Company completed its so-called "mass strategic buyout program" as part of a purported strategic initiative to insource its sales distribution network.

According to Shift4, because the Company is not a "member bank" as defined in certain payment network rules, the Company is not eligible for primary membership in certain payment networks and is therefore unable to directly access them. Accordingly, Shift4's payment networks require the Company to be sponsored by a member bank as a service provider, which the Company has accomplished through a sponsorship agreement with its sponsor bank. To cover overdraft obligations at the sponsor bank, prior to December 2022, Shift4 had funds deposited in a sponsor bank merchant settlement account to facilitate gross card transaction deposits for those customers the Company bills on a monthly, as opposed to a daily, basis.

The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Shift4 had inadequate disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (ii) as a result, Shift4 failed to properly account for customer acquisition costs, thereby artificially inflating its net cash provided by operating activities; (iii) accordingly, Shift4 would likely be forced to restate one or more of its previously issued financial statements; (iv) Shift4 employed accounting maneuvers in connection with, among other things, its mass strategic buyout program and sponsor bank merchant settlement account, that were designed to present an inaccurate picture of, inter alia, the Company's performance, its underlying business quality, and its earnings power; (v) all the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to negatively impact Shift4's reputation and business; and (vi) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On October 21, 2022, Shift4 disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") that the Company's Q3 2021, full year ("FY") 2021, first quarter ("Q1") 2022, and second quarter ("Q2") 2022 financial statements should no longer be relied upon and would need to be restated because of a material weakness in the Company's financial controls, which had caused it to incorrectly treat "customer acquisition costs" as cash used in investing activities rather than cash used in operating activities in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

On this news, Shift4's stock price fell $1.21 per share, or 2.67%, to close at $44.16 per share on October 24, 2022.

On November 8, 2022, Shift4 filed restated financial statements with the SEC to properly account for its historical customer acquisition costs. As a result of the restatements, Shift4 negatively revised its net cash provided by operating activities to $8 million (down from its originally reported $26.7 million), $4 million (down from its originally reported $23.4 million), and $3 million (down from its originally reported $29.2 million) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively; negatively revised its net cash used in operating activities to $7.1 million (up from its originally reported $1.7 million) and net cash provided by operating activities to $30.8 million (down from its originally reported $37.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively; negatively revised its originally reported $5 million of net cash provided by operating activities to $7.7 million of net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as well as negatively revised net cash provided by operating activities to $70.8 million (down from its originally reported $85 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022; and negatively revised its net cash provided by operating activities to $6.3 million (down from its originally reported $25.6 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

On April 19, 2023, Blue Orca Capital published a report addressing Shift4 (the "Blue Orca Report"). The Blue Orca Report alleged, among other things, that "Shift4 [is], in reality, a roll-up of low-tech POS systems and payment processors which is substantially less profitable, generates far less cash, and is materially more levered than investors are led to believe." The Blue Orca Report further alleged that in 2022, "Shift4 engaged in a string of highly questionable and hyper-aggressive accounting maneuvers seemingly designed to keep the stock afloat, from cash flow manipulation to inexplicable distributor acquisitions that enabled it to capitalize a major component of COGS [cost of goods sold]." For example, the Blue Orca Report alleged, inter alia, that Shift4's "buyout of 50% of its independent distributors"i.e., in connection with its mass strategic buyout program"and Q4 2022 cash account withdrawal" from its sponsor bank merchant settlement account "together inflated operating cash flow by 61%."

On this news, Shift4's stock price fell $5.95 per share, or 8.68%, to close at $62.59 per share on April 19, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

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CONTACT:

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Pomerantz LLP

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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
ADRIAN, Mich., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Siena Heights University (SHU) is proud to announce a partnership with Henry Ford Health designed to address the critical worker shortage in Michigan's healthcare sector. Under this collaboration, Henry Ford Health full-time employees can use a $1,000 tuition benefit to enroll in any one of 20 online healthcare certificate programs offered at SHU. Additionally, full-time employees can apply a $3,000 benefit toward undergraduate or graduate degrees through SHU's online educational platform, SHU Global. Part-time employees are eligible for tuition benefits as well.

Siena Heights University Workforce Development

In Michigan, the healthcare industry continues to grapple with a staggering 27,000 job vacancies within its hospitals. Since 2020, staffing has remained the top concern for hospital CEOs across the state. Nurses, technicians, and medical assistants are the top categories. Notably, SHU's Workforce Development program offers seven technician certificates as well as a Medical Assistant program, and SHU Global offers a RN to BSN 16-month accelerated program.

In 2022, The American College of Healthcare Executives emphasized the importance of "longer-term creative solutions" that healthcare systems can adopt to attract and retain their workforce. Offering employees opportunities for career growth is one strategy they identified to help address the national worker shortage.

Employee upskilling not only enhances career mobility for hospital workers, but also addresses critical gaps in the healthcare system where qualified workers are in high demand.

"We're very excited to partner with Henry Ford Health," said Siena Heights University President Doug Palmer, Ph.D. "Our goal from the beginning with launching the Workforce Development program was to help shape the future of healthcare workforce. This partnership absolutely helps us work towards that mission."

Henry Ford Health employs over 33,000 individuals and has more than 250 locations across the state. Hospitals collectively employ 208,000 people in Michigan, making them one of the state's largest employers.

This initiative underscores Siena Heights University's latest effort to equip students with job-ready skills through its impactful Workforce Development program, which launched at the beginning of 2023.

More information about SHU's Workforce Development program can be found here.

About Siena Heights University

Siena Heights University is a Catholic university founded in 1919 and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. The University is headquartered in Adrian, Mich., with degree completion centers in Dearborn, Benton Harbor, Monroe, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Jackson and online.

SOURCE Siena Heights University
SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigmoid , a leading data engineering and AI consulting firm, today announced the appointment of Shankar Viswanathan as their Chief Commercial Officer. Shankar will help Sigmoid's clients to leverage the power of data to win sustainably and transform businesses leveraging digitalization, analytics, and AI strategy.

Prior to this, Shankar was at Procter & Gamble for over three decades, where he held various key and strategic leadership roles across categories and brands. He has a proven track record of successfully leading end-to-end enterprise transformations, resulting in strong and sustained financial performance in diverse, developed, and emerging markets. He is one of the leaders who have leveraged the power of data and technology to deliver exceptional results.

"Shankar's invaluable experience in driving transformative go-to-market strategies and innovative data solutions aligns with Sigmoid's outlook," said Lokesh Anand , CEO and Co-Founder of Sigmoid. "As we continue to strengthen our vertical offerings and develop specialized accelerators, we look forward to his leadership in capability enhancement and client value delivery."

Expressing his excitement, Shankar Viswanathan shared "Sigmoid's rapid growth in data engineering and analytics is truly inspiring! With the AI and analytics market set to reach $100 billion by 2026, Sigmoid is currently at an inflection point of growth. I look forward to contributing to our clients' success and ongoing tech innovation across the end-to-end data analytics spectrum, empowering global businesses with data engineering, AI and consulting services."

Sigmoid, marking its 10-year anniversary this year, has featured in the Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list of fastest-growing companies in North America for three consecutive years now. The strategic hires of advisors, deep domain experts and industry veterans have strengthened its position as a leading provider of data engineering and AI services . Based in Singapore, Shankar, with his vast experience of transforming businesses and delivering sustainable winning results, is poised to steer Sigmoid to the next level of growth.

About Sigmoid

Sigmoid combines data engineering and AI consulting to help enterprises gain competitive advantage through effective data-driven decision making. Some of the world's largest data producers are engaging with Sigmoid to solve complex business problems. Sigmoid's data professionals provide deep expertise in data engineering, cloud data modernization, predictive analytics, generative AI and DataOps. Learn more at https://www.sigmoid.com .

Media Contact

Raghavendra Singh

raghavendra@sigmoid.com

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SOURCE Sigmoid
CAMPBELL, Wis., Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Singleton Schreiber, with its co-counsel from Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, filed two class action lawsuits in Wisconsin Federal Court against corporations they allege manufactured firefighting foam or its components. The Complaints claim that the manufacturers' foam contaminated hundreds of private wells on residential property in the Town of Campbell. The firms also filed two class action complaints against the City of La Crosse, which used AFFF firefighting foam at the La Crosse Airport located on French Island on which the Town of Campbell is located.

In the property damage complaints, plaintiffs and class members are residential property owners with private wells seeking compensation for loss in value to property and annoyance, discomfort and inconvenience, among other damages. In the medical monitoring complaints, plaintiffs and class members are current and former residents of the Town of Campbell, Wisconsin seeking compensation to establish an early detection program for illness and disease related to the chemical components of the firefighting foam, including "Forever Chemicals" known as PFAS, including PFOS and PFOA.

The manufacturing companies allegedly distributed AFFF with knowledge, and with inadequate warnings, of the toxic effects of AFFF and/or its toxic PFAS components if released into the environment, reaching groundwater accessed by private wells, and then consumed by humans. AFFF manufacturers continued this conduct without regard to the residents of the Town of Campbell whose property would be impacted and who would foreseeably be exposed to these chemicals once they infiltrated the environment, including groundwater and private wells.

For over five decades, the defendant companies provided AFFF and its toxic PFAS components to the City of La Crosse and the La Crosse Regional Airport ("LSE") The complaints further state that releases of AFFF containing toxic PFAS components from LSE migrated into groundwater and private household wells in the Town. Without knowledge of the presence of PFAS, private properties were contaminated, and residents were exposed to and ingested toxic PFAS components from AFFF, released at LSE.

"These events, spanning several decades, harmed many innocent residents of the Town of Campbell, who never expected their drinking water to be a source of toxic chemicals," said Kevin Hannon, a leading PFAS litigation attorney at Singleton Schreiber. "They had no idea that their household water had been contaminated by toxic PFAS chemicals and were given no warning by the corporations supplying and creating the hazardous chemicals and substances."

When PFAS from AFFF are ingested and absorbed into a person's bloodstream and tissue, they bioaccumulate, biomagnify, and remain in the body for years. As a result, consumption of toxic PFAS components from AFFF are known to alter the structure of a person's body and cause an increased risk of illness, disease, and disease processes, including but not limited to thyroid disease, testicular cancer, and kidney cancer.

The plaintiffs are represented by Kevin S. Hannon, Paul Starita, and Joseph A. Welsh from Singleton Schreiber, as well as co-counsel Timothy S. Jacobson from Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC.

The federal court case is Stuart Hyttinen, Tamara Hyttinen, Richard Luick, and Joye Luick individually and on behalf of all similarly situated individuals v. THE 3M COMPANY ; TYCO FIRE PRODUCTS, L.P.; JOHNSON CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, PLC; CHEMGUARD, INC.; BUCKEYE FIRE EQUIPMENT COMPANY; E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY; THE CHEMOURS COMPANY; THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC; CORTEVA, INC.; DUPONT DE NEMOURS INC., f/k/a/ DOWDUPONT, INC.; ARKEMA INC.; AGC CHEMICALS AMERICAS INC.; DYNAXCORPORATION; CLARIANT CORPORATION; BASF CORPORATION; CHEMDESIGN PRODUCTS, INC.; AMEREX CORPORATION; ARCHROMA MANAGEMENT LLC; DEEPWATER CHEMICALS, INC.; NATION FORD CHEMICAL COMPANY; and CHEMICALS, INC. Case No. 23-cv-00706 (W.D. Wis.).

About Singleton Schreiber

With roughly 230 employees and offices throughout the western United States and Hawaii, Gerald Singleton and his team have represented more than 13,000 victims of utility fires and has recovered approximately $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for its clients. Singleton Schreiber is the "go to" law firm for any municipality involved in high stakes litigation. The firm's attorneys have practiced public law in California for more than two decades in complex, high-profile matters, often obtaining notable results in the process. The firm has deep experience in representing public entities in times of crisis, whether it be massive and destructive wildfires, water contamination (including PFAS issues), and/or the pharmaceutical opioid crisis.

Contact :

Attorney Kevin Hannon - Singleton Schreiber, LLP

(720) 704-6028

[email protected]

SOURCE Singleton Schreiber
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 17. US President Joe Biden is expected in Israel on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed, Trend reports.

"Hes coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world," Blinken wrote on his page on X.

Earlier, it was reported that Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden for a solidarity visit to Israel.

A combined attack was carried out on Israel on the morning of October 7, 2023. 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 1,300 and injured nearly 3,300 Israelis. More than 1,300 buildings were destroyed in the area.
Sips , Barcelona is The World's Best Bar - the second bar from Barcelona to take the top spot in consecutive years

, is The World's Best Bar - the second bar from to take the top spot in consecutive years The 2023 list features bars from 28 cities with 11 new entries

with Renato 'Tato' Giovannoni is voted Roku Industry Icon

is voted Roku Industry Icon Lima's Lady Bee is Campari One To Watch

is Campari One To Watch The American Bar at Gleneagles (Auchterarder, Scotland ) is awarded Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu

(Auchterarder, ) is awarded Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu The Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award goes to Roda Huset , Stockholm

, Seoul's Zest is Disaronno Highest New Entry at No.18

is Disaronno Highest New Entry at No.18 Himkok ( Oslo ) secures the Nikka Highest Climber Award, moving up 33 places to No.10

( ) secures the Nikka Highest Climber Award, moving up 33 places to No.10 Athens' The Clumsies is Remy Martin Legend of The List

is Remy Martin Legend of The List Line ( Athens ) is London Essence Best New Opening

( ) is London Essence Best New Opening Apoorva Kohli (Sidecar, New Delhi ) is the recipient of the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship

(Sidecar, ) is the recipient of the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship The inaugural Bareksten Best Bar Design Award winner is Singapore's Night Hawk

SINGAPORE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The World's 50 Best Bars 2023, sponsored by Perrier, were unveiled in Singapore on Tuesday, 17 October. Held for the first time in Asia, the awards celebrate the excellence of the international drinks sector.

Barcelonas Sips is crowned No.1 in The Worlds 50 Best Bars 2023, sponsored by Perrier, at a live awards ceremony in Singapore (PRNewsfoto/50Best) View PDF Barcelonas Sips is crowned No.1 in The Worlds 50 Best Bars 2023

Located in the heart of Barcelona, new No.1 Sips combines elegant design with cutting-edge technique to create a playful 'drinkery house' from Simone Caporale and Marc Alvarez. Drawing on the lessons of their illustrious careers  Caporale was one half of the creative duo that led London's Artesian to The World's Best Bar title a record four times, whilst Alvarez spent almost a decade at Ferran and Albert Adria's revolutionary elBarri restaurant group  the duo's disruptive approach to creative mixology shines through in innovative haute couture serves at pret-a-porter prices.

Other bars in the top five are New York's Double Chicken Please (No.2), Mexico City's Handshake Speakeasy (No.3), Barcelona's Paradiso (No.4) and Connaught Bar (No.5) in London. The full list can be viewed here.

William Drew, Director of Content, 50 Best, says: "Seamlessly translating contemporary innovation and technical precision into a playful cocktail programme, accompanied by the warmest hospitality, Sips is a worthy winner of The World's Best Bar title. We extend our congratulations to each bar on this illustrious ranking. We have once again seen the number of cities represented increase, and hope this ignites the spark of wanderlust for cocktail-lovers around the world."

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SOURCE 50 Best
Collaboration expands Skyservice operations to South Florida; elevates renowned Fontainebleau luxury brand within the private aviation sector

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Leading aviation company Skyservice Business Aviation ("Skyservice") today announced an agreement to purchase interests in the Fontainebleau Aviation fixed-based operator (FBO) at Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport ("OPF") and a new FBO at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport ("FLL") currently under development by Fontainebleau Aviation. This investment, which remains subject to customary approvals for transactions of this type, expands Skyservice's operations in South Florida and elevates the storied Fontainebleau luxury brand within the rapidly growing private and business aviation sectors.

Fontainebleau Aviation (CNW Group/Skyservice Business Aviation Inc. - Mississauga, ON)

"This is an exciting milestone for Skyservice as we extend our footprint and renowned capabilities to Florida, which has always been a top destination for our customers," says Skyservice President and Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Murray. "Fontainebleau is an iconic brand that aligns perfectly with our values of service excellence, safety and exceptional amenities. We are differentiated by our world-class service offering across all business lines and our proven ability to deliver bespoke solutions to a highly discerning customer base as demand for private aviation travel in North America continues to grow. We are delighted to partner with Fontainebleau Aviation, which shares our commitment to continuously innovating and elevating our clients' experience above and beyond in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and potentially new premier locations together in the future."

Skyservice is one of the largest business aviation platforms in North America. With the addition of Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport ("OPF") and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport ("FLL"), the company encompasses 12 airports across the continent, including Bend Municipal Airport (BDN) and Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) in Oregon, Helena Regional Airport (HLN) in Montana, King County-Boeing Field International Airport (BFI) in Seattle, and Napa County Airport (APC) in California. In Canada specifically, Skyservice operates at Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Toronto, Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) in Montreal, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) in Ottawa, Calgary International Airport (YYC) in Calgary, and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Vancouver. Additionally, the company maintains two specialized facilities for heavy maintenance and avionics in Muskoka, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec.

The partnership also allows Skyservice and Fontainebleau Aviation to seize an expanded share of the growing business and private jet market. Established more than 30 years ago, Fontainebleau Aviation has consistently redefined luxury and service standards for travelers and operators, positioning itself as an industry leader in an era of rapid growth and innovation.

"We are excited to establish a partnership with Skyservice, starting with our marquee locations at two of the busiest airports for private aviation in the United States," says Fontainebleau Development Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Soffer. "Skyservice has a distinguished pedigree and reputation for excellence in the aviation industry and is the ideal steward and partner for the next phase of growth at OPF, FLL, and other locations in the United States as we focus on growing our portfolio of premier destinations and unique luxury experiences."

Both OPF and FLL represent two of the top 20 business aviation markets in the United States. The Fontainebleau Aviation FBO at OPF, the eighth-busiest U.S. airport near downtown Miami, provides premier services for business aviation travelers with approximately 350,000 square feet of hangar space, an executive terminal and office facilities. Fontainebleau Aviation's second location at FLL, the seventeenth-busiest U.S. airport, has commenced construction of 80,000 square feet of private hangars and approximately 35,000 square feet of world-class private terminal and executive office space.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Skyservice was provided with legal advice by McCarthy Tetrault LLP and DLA Piper LLP. Fontainebleau Development was represented by Cooley LLP and advised by William Blair & Company.

About Skyservice

Skyservice is a North American leader in business aviation dedicated to innovation, responsible operations, safety, and service excellence. Celebrating over 36 years of distinction, Skyservice is at the forefront of the business aviation industry, with best-in-class facilities across North America. Our skilled maintenance teams, award-winning fixed base operation facilities, first-class aircraft management, private jet charter services, aircraft sales, and acquisitions teams combine to deliver an exceptional experience to our valued customers. At Skyservice, we aim higher and reach further to best serve our clients. To learn more, visit http://www.skyservice.com/.

About Fontainebleau Development

Fontainebleau Development , founded by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Soffer and led by his partner Brett Mufson, is one of the country's premier real estate development and hospitality groups, with a diverse portfolio that includes properties in the hospitality, gaming, residential, retail, commercial, and luxury services sectors. The company builds, owns, markets, and operates their properties, providing expertise in each stage of a project's life cycle with a relentless focus on delivering the best quality in everything they do. Fontainebleau Development has established a diverse portfolio of premier assets such as Big Easy Casino, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa, Hilton Downtown Nashville, and numerous residential landmarks such as Turnberry Ocean Club, Turnberry Ocean Colony, Porto Vita, the Tresor and Sorrento towers at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The company has also built nine residential towers in Las Vegas, including Turnberry Towers and Signature (in partnership with MGM Resorts International), and will open the 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas luxury resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in December 2023. Its luxury services division includes Fontainebleau Aviation, Turnberry Yacht Club & Marina, Turnberry Isle Country Club, and some of the highest grossing and well-known nightlife, dining and health and wellness destinations in the world. Over a 70-year history, Fontainebleau has been involved in over 100 projects representing in excess of $38 billion in total transaction value.

SOURCE Skyservice Business Aviation Inc. - Mississauga, ON
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Smart Plug Market size is expected to grow by USD 7.48 billion, accelerating at a CAGR of 29.7% during the forecast period, according to Technavio's market analysis. The use of connectivity as a differentiating feature by manufacturers is notably driving the smart plug market. However, factors such as lack of technological awareness hindering mass adoption of smart plugs may impede market growth. We provide a detailed analysis of 20 companies operating in the smart plug market including BroadLink, ConnectSense, D Link Corp., EDIMAX Technology Co. Ltd., Halonix Technologies Pvt Ltd., Havells India Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., Indiegogo Inc., Insteon Technologies LLC, ITEAD Intelligent Systems Co. Ltd., Lenovo Group Ltd., Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc., Panasonic Holdings Corp., Revogi Innovation Co. Ltd., Satechi LLC, Syska Led Lights Pvt. Ltd., TP Link Corp. Ltd., Vesync Co. Ltd., Wipro Ltd., and Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd. Buy the report now for detailed company information

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Smart Plug Market 2023-2027

Smart Plug Market 2023-2027: Company Analysis

BroadLink: The company offers smart plug such as BroadLink SP4D smart plug socket that supports both 2.4G and 5G dual band WiFi.

This report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and latest developments. The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the market, and to know the exact growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate, Request FREE Sample Report

Smart Plug Market 2023-2027: Segmentation

End-user

Residential

Commercial

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

Bluetooth

Geography

North America

Europe

APAC

Middle East and Africa

and South America

The residential segment is anticipated to experience substantial growth during the forecast period. A prominent driver behind this expansion is the rising demand for smart appliances. The middle-class population is increasingly embracing smart plugs as a more affordable alternative to integrated smart appliances, which tend to be expensive. This shift towards smart plugs is a cost-effective choice for many consumers.

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View FREE PDF Sample Report

Smart Plug Market 2023-2027: Geographical Analysis

North America is expected to play a substantial role, accounting for 31% of the global market's growth during the forecast period. A factor driving the expansion of the global smart plug market in North America is the increasing embrace of smart homes in the region. The United States, in particular, stands out as the primary North American country with the highest adoption of smart plugs.

Smart Plug Market 2023-2027: Key Highlights

Historic Market Size 2017-2021

CAGR of the market during 2023-2027

Detailed information on factors that will assist smart plug market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the smart plug market size and its contribution to the parent market

Forecasts on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the smart plug market

Analysis of the competitive landscape and detailed information on companies

Comprehensive details of factors that will impede the growth of smart plug market companies

Related Reports:

Automotive Aftermarket for Spark Plugs Market: The automotive aftermarket for spark plugs market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 1.85% between 2023 and 2028. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 136.57 million.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) Market: The solid oxide fuel cells market size is forecast to increase by 191.34 MW and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 19.46% between 2023 and 2027.

TOC:

Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Sizes Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by End-User Market Segmentation by Connectivity Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, & Trends Company Landscape Company Analysis Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Partnership to improve access to high-quality medical device that's essential for safe surgery and currently absent outside of wealthy countries

NAIROBI, Kenya and NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of World Anesthesia Day, the world's largest cleft organization, Smile Train , and safer surgery nonprofit, Lifebox , come together to highlight and address a 30-year access gap that puts the lives of people undergoing surgery in low-resource settings at significant risk.

Dr. Julianna Nanimambi from CoRSU Hospital Uganda (second left, standing) engages anesthesia professionals from hospitals across East Africa during a Capnography training at the Hospital. Smile Train and Lifebox have partnered to bridge a critical gap in safe anesthesia by providing Capnography to patients undergoing surgery in low-resource settings.

Capnography - a monitoring tool that shows if a patient is getting adequate air supply during anesthesia - has been a staple in operating rooms (ORs) in high-income countries for more than three decades. Its introduction in the United States in 1991 led to a dramatic decline in anesthesia-related complications and deaths. Yet, capnography remains largely unavailable across most low-resource setting operating rooms with research showing there is often a 100% gap between the need for capnography and its availability in low-income countries.

A capnograph is the best tool to detect a leading cause of anesthesia-related complications and deaths in low-resource settings: the misplacement of the breathing tube supplying oxygen to the patient. Without an oxygen supply, a patient will suffer catastrophic harm in a matter of minutes, including brain damage and death. The risk of a misplaced breathing tube is greater in children. Increasing available capnography will significantly bridge the gap in anesthesia safety for peopleincluding childrenundergoing surgery in low-resource settings.

"Putting a person under anesthesia without a capnograph is like flying blind - you lack the basic information required to keep them safe," said Dr. Zipporah Gathuya, pediatric anesthesiologist at The Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, and member of the Smile Train Global Medical Advisory Board. "As healthcare providers, we are concerned that our surgical patients are not monitored with this essential device, even though it's a standard practice in wealthy countries. Capnography shouldn't be a privilege; it's a demand for patient safety everywhere, and it's needed now."

Working with industry partner Zug Medical Systems, Smile Train and Lifebox are making available the first high-quality, user-friendly, affordable capnograph with sturdy construction and long battery life. The Smile Train-Lifebox Capnograph meets robust specifications for both the monitoring of pediatric patients and use in low-resource settings and underwent rigorous laboratory and field testing.

Concerted efforts are now needed by the World Health Organization to update global guidelines1 for safe anesthesia to come into line with high-income practice. Change in global guidelines and national practices would eventually drive market demand for more affordable, durable capnographs suitable for use in resource-limited settings.

"Capnography has safeguarded surgical patients in the United States for over 30 years and yet, until now, this lifesaving monitoring tool has unfortunately remained inaccessible for most operating rooms in Africa," said anesthesiologist Dr. Elizabeth Igaga, Director of Programs Safety at Smile Train. "The availability of the affordable Smile Train-Lifebox Capnograph is the first significant step to bridge this gap. We hope the WHO takes urgent steps to amend the guidelines for capnography use in safe anesthesia, enabling its rapid adoption by low- and middle-income countries. Let's close this gap and ensure that every surgical patient, regardless of their location, receives the care they deserve."

This year 350 low-resource operating rooms will be equipped with the new Smile Train-Lifebox Capnograph - alongside training in its use for anesthesia staff - including in Benin, Ethiopia, Philippines, and Uganda. This work is part of the Smile Train-Lifebox Safe Surgery and Anesthesia Initiative to strengthen the safety of pediatric anesthesia and surgical care in low-and middle-income countries.

"For more than a decade Smile Train has worked with Lifebox to equip hospitals across the globe with essential monitoring tools for children undergoing surgery," said Smile Train President & CEO Susannah Schaefer. "The launch of the Smile Train-Lifebox Capnograph will have a transformative impact on the safety of every child with cleft undergoing surgery - strengthening surgical safety for all surgical patients as a result."

1 The World Health Organization-World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WHO-WFSA) must upgrade their capnography recommendations in the International Standards for a Safe Practice of Anesthesia from "recommended for patients undergoing general anesthesia and deep sedation" to the highest category, "highly recommended"the equivalent of a mandatory standard. Furthermore, the WHO's Surgical Safety Checklist must include a capnographin addition to a pulse oximeteras anesthesia monitoring equipment required for safe surgery.

About the Smile Train-Lifebox Safe Surgery and Anesthesia Initiative:

The Smile Train-Lifebox Safe Surgery and Anesthesia Initiative is a multi-year strategic partnership elevating the quality and safety of cleft and pediatric surgery. Through innovations and training the Initiative is strengthening surgical systems worldwide. More information here .

About Smile Train:

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children's lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach has both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org .

About Lifebox:

Lifebox is a global nonprofit that saves lives through safer surgery and anesthesia. Through tools, training, and partnerships, Lifebox addresses the critical gaps in surgical systems to make surgery and anesthesia safer worldwide. Lifebox's work focuses on three core areas: anesthesia safety, surgical teamwork, and reducing surgical infection.

Co-founded by Dr. Atul Gawande in 2011, Lifebox has worked in 116 countries and trained more than 12,000 healthcare providers to make 181 million surgeries safer. To learn more about Lifebox, visit www.lifebox.org .

Media Contacts:



Lourdes Walusala

Lifebox

[email protected]

+254720972893

Nicole Bell

Smile Train

[email protected]

Tel: +1 646 829 0996

SOURCE Smile Train
PRESCOTT, Ariz., Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit 4x4, a leading local 4x4 customization shop, hosted its exhilarating "Trails 4 Tatas" event on October 14th. The event saw an impressive participation of over 60 off-road vehicles hitting the trails in a remarkable display of camaraderie, adventure, and community spirit. More importantly, this years event in addition to event sponsorships successfully raised over $55,000 in donations. Every dollar of the proceeds will be channeled to the Baskin Breast Care Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC), ensuring vital support and care for those undergoing treatments for breast cancer.

While the off-road trails provided some heart-pounding excitement for participants and spectators alike, the true heart of this event is its noble cause. Summit 4x4 has always been committed to community service, and its events like this that exemplify that spirit. With over $200,000 raised in just 5 years, this event underscores the community's collective resolve to battle breast cancer and stand in solidarity with those affected.

"We're deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we received from participants, sponsors, and the entire community," said Jesse Wasil, Owner of Summit 4x4. "It's not just about the thrill of hitting an off-road trail, but also the journey to make a real difference in our local community. We're proud to contribute to the Baskin Breast Care Center at YRMC and their continued efforts in supporting breast cancer patients."

Local television news stations are invited to feature this heartwarming story, showcasing the incredible feats of the off-road community and the difference they're making in the lives of many. Footage from the event, interviews with participants, and the handover of the funds to YRMC can be provided upon request.

For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact:

Zachary Sharpe, 207-607-2108, [email protected]

About Summit 4x4:

Summit 4x4 Company is a full-service custom off-road shop located in Prescott and Prescott Valley Arizona. Established in 2017 by Jesse Wasil and his brother Colton, Summit 4x4 has become a local leader for everything off-road. Proficient in custom builds of all kinds, the crew at Summit is dedicated to providing its customers with the best service, parts, and installs while delivering a unique and individual experience. Summit 4x4's devotion to community was the inspiration behind their 2 off-road clubs, the Summit 4x4 Club and Summit 4x4 Girl's Tribe.

These free clubs go on monthly runs, participate in quarterly How-To clinics, and are at the heart of fundraising programs like Trails 4 Tatas, an annual breast cancer awareness off-road event created to support the Baskin Breast Care Center at YRMC. An event that has been able to raise over $200,000 for the foundation since its inception in 2018.

SOURCE Summit 4x4 Company
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SECURITIES.

LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Swiss Re Finance Luxembourg S.A. ("SRFL") announced today the early results of its previously announced tender offers for cash (together, the "Capped Tender Offers" and each a "Capped Tender Offer") of the USD denominated 6.050% Non-Step-Up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2056 issued by Argentum Netherlands B.V. (formerly known as Demeter Investments B.V.) (the "USD 6.050% Notes"), the Euro denominated 2.534% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2050 issued by SRFL and guaranteed by Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd ("SRZ") (the "EUR 2.534% Notes"), the USD denominated 5.524% Perpetual Fixed Spread Callable Notes issued by Argentum Netherlands B.V. (the "USD 5.524% Notes"), the USD denominated 5.000% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2049 issued by SRFL and guaranteed by SRZ (the "USD 5.000% Notes") and the USD denominated 5.750% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non Step-up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2050 issued by Argentum Netherlands B.V. (the "USD 5.750% Notes", together with the USD 6.050% Notes, the EUR 2.534% Notes, the USD 5.524% Notes and the USD 5.000% Notes, the "Capped Tender Offer Notes") in respect of tenders from registered holders of the Capped Tender Offer Notes ("Holders") who validly tendered their Capped Tender Offer Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 16, 2023 (the "Early Tender Date").

The Capped Tender Offers have been made upon and are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated October 2, 2023 (the "Offer to Purchase"). Capitalized terms used in this announcement but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase.

The table below summarizes certain information regarding the Capped Tender Offers, including the principal amount of each series of Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers as of the Early Tender Date. Valid tenders have been received in a principal amount exceeding the previously announced Capped Maximum Amount of $1,131,200,000. Accordingly, Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered as part of the Capped Tender Offers will be subject to the acceptance priority levels and proration in accordance with the terms of the Capped Tender Offers. Accordingly, tenders validly received at or prior to the Early Tender Date in respect of the USD 6.050% Notes, the EUR 2.534% Notes and the USD 5.524% Notes shall be accepted in full, without pro-ration, and the USD 5.000% Notes shall be accepted subject to a Scaling Factor of 68.42%. No tenders of the USD 5.750% Notes shall be accepted.

In addition, no further Capped Tender Offer Notes that are tendered after the Early Tender Date but prior to the Capped Tender Offers Expiration Date will be accepted for purchase by SRFL pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers.

Title of Security ISIN/Common Code/CUSIP Principal Amount Outstanding(1) Principal Amount Tendered(2) Principal Amount Accepted(3) Principal Amount Outstanding After Acceptance(4) Argentum Netherlands B.V. 6.050% Non-Step-Up Callable Notes due 2056 (the "USD 6.050% Notes") XS1389124774/138912477 U.S.$400,000,000 U.S.$376,994,000 U.S.$376,994,000 U.S.$23,006,000 Swiss Re Finance (Luxembourg) S.A. 2.534% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes due 2050 (the "EUR 2.534% Notes") XS1963116964/196311696 750,000,000 211,500,000 211,500,000 538,500,000 Argentum Netherlands B.V. 5.524% Perpetual Fixed Spread Callable Notes (the "USD 5.524% Notes") XS1640851983/164085198 U.S.$750,000,000 U.S.$295,785,000 U.S.$295,785,000 U.S.$454,215,000 Swiss Re Finance (Luxembourg) S.A. 5.000% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes due 2049 (the "USD 5.000% Notes") XS1973748707/197374870 (Reg S) US87089NAA81/197439041/87089N AA8 (144A) U.S.$1,000,000,000 U.S.$377,800,000 U.S.$234,200,000 U.S.$765,800,000 Argentum Netherlands B.V. 5.750% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non Step-up Callable Notes due 2050 (the "USD 5.750% Notes") XS1261170515/126117051 U.S.$700,000,000 U.S.475,242,000 U.S.$0 U.S.$700,000,000













Notes:

(1) As at the commencement date of the Capped Tender Offers. (2) Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered on or before the Early Tender Date, as reported by the Information and Tender Agent. (3) Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered as part of the Capped Tender Offers will be subject to the acceptance priority levels and proration in accordance with the terms of the Capped Tender Offers. (4) Subject to settlement on the Capped Tender Offers Early Settlement Date, which is expected to be October 18, 2023.

The applicable Reference Yield in respect of the EUR 2.534% Notes and the USD 5.000% Notes and Total Consideration in respect of each series of accepted Capped Tender Offer Notes will be announced as soon as practicable after the Capped Tender Offers Price Determination Date of 10:00 a.m., New York City time on October 17, 2023, unless extended by SRFL.

As previously announced, Holders who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw their Capped Tender Offer Notes at or prior to the Early Tender Date and whose Capped Tender Offer Notes are accepted for purchase and payment by SRFL, will receive the applicable Total Consideration (which includes an early tender payment (the "Early Tender Payment")) plus Accrued Interest (as defined below).

In accordance with the terms of the Capped Tender Offers, the withdrawal deadline was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 16, 2023. As a result, tendered Capped Tender Offer Notes may no longer be withdrawn, except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law (as determined by SRFL).

The settlement date for the Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase and payment by SRFL on or prior to the Early Tender Date is expected to be October 18, 2023, unless extended by SRFL (the "Capped Tender Offers Early Settlement Date").

Holders will also receive with respect to any Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase and payment by SRFL, accrued and unpaid interest on such Capped Tender Offer Notes from, and including, the last interest payment date applicable to such Capped Tender Offer Notes to, but not including, the Capped Tender Offers Early Settlement Date ("Accrued Interest").

SRFL's obligation to accept for purchase and pay for validly tendered Capped Tender Offer Notes is subject to, and conditioned upon, satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set out in the Offer to Purchase.

DEALER MANAGERS BofA Securities Europe SA

51 rue La Boetie

75008 Paris

France Attn: Liability Management Group

In Europe:

Tel No. +33 (0) 1 877 01057

In the United States:

Toll Free No.: +1 (888) 292-0070

Collect No.: +1 (980) 387-3907

Email: [email protected] HSBC Bank plc 8 Canada Square

London E14 5HQ

United Kingdom Attn: Liability Management, DCM Europe: +44 (0)20 7992 6237 U.S. Toll-Free: +1 (888) HSBC-4LM U.S.: +1 (212) 525-5552 Email: [email protected]

THE INFORMATION AND TENDER AGENT D.F. King In London: 65 Gresham Street London, EC2V 7NQ In London: +44 20 7920 9700 In New York: 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005 Banks and brokers call: (212) 269-5550 All others call toll free: (800) 848-2998 Email: [email protected] Website: https://sites.dfkingltd.com/swissre



The Offer to Purchase and any other relevant notice and documents with respect to the Capped Tender Offers is available at https://sites.dfkingltd.com/swissre, operated by the Information and Tender Agent for the purpose of the Capped Tender Offers.

OFFER RESTRICTIONS

General

This announcement is not an offer to purchase any Capped Tender Offer Notes or a solicitation of an offer to sell any Capped Tender Offer Notes. The Capped Tender Offers are being made solely by means of the Offer to Purchase. None of SRFL, SRZ, Swiss Re Ltd, Argentum Netherlands B.V., the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether Holders should tender any or all of their Capped Tender Offer Notes for payment pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers.

The distribution of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase is restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or the Offer to Purchase comes are required by SRFL, SRZ, Swiss Re Ltd, Argentum Netherlands B.V., the Dealer Managers and the Information and Tender Agent to inform themselves of and to observe any such restrictions.

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase constitutes, nor may they be used in connection with, an offer to buy Capped Tender Offer Notes or a solicitation to sell Capped Tender Offer Notes by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such an offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or a solicitation. None of SRFL, SRZ, Swiss Re Ltd, Argentum Netherlands B.V., the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent accepts any responsibility for any violation by any person of the restrictions applicable in any jurisdiction.

United Kingdom

The communication of this announcement by SRFL and the Offer to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers are not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA"), as amended. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order")), persons who are within Article 43(2) of the Order, persons who are qualified investors of the kind described in Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.), persons who otherwise fall within an exemption set forth in the Order such that section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply or any other persons to whom the Capped Tender Offers may otherwise lawfully be made under the Order and all other applicable securities laws.

Italy

None of the Capped Tender Offers, the Offer to Purchase or any other document or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedures of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to Italian laws and regulations. The Capped Tender Offers are being carried out in Italy as exempted offers pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended. Holders or beneficial owners of the Capped Tender Offer Notes that are located in Italy can tender Capped Tender Offer Notes for purchase in the Capped Tender Offers through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority.

Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Capped Tender Offer Notes and/or the Capped Tender Offers.

France

The Capped Tender Offers are not being made, directly or indirectly, to the public in the Republic of France ("France"). Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other document or material relating to the Capped Tender Offers has been or shall be distributed to the public in France and only (i) providers of investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers) and/or (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), acting for their own account, with the exception of individuals, within the meaning ascribed to them in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2 and D.411-1 of the French Code monetaire et financier, and applicable regulations thereunder, are eligible to participate in the Capped Tender Offers. This announcement, the Offer to Purchase and any other documents or offering materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers have not been and will not be submitted for clearance to nor approved by the Autorite des Marches Financiers.

Belgium

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers have been submitted to or will be submitted for approval or recognition to the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autoriteit voor financiele diensten en markten / Autorite des services et marches financiers) and, accordingly, the Capped Tender Offers may not be made in Belgium by way of a public offering, as defined in Articles 3 and 6 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids as amended or replaced from time to time. Accordingly, the Capped Tender Offers may not be advertised and the Capped Tender Offers will not be extended, and neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers (including any memorandum, information circular, brochure or any similar documents) have been or shall be distributed or made available, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than "qualified investors" in the sense of Article 10 of the Belgian Law of 16 June 2006 on the public offer of placement instruments and the admission to trading of placement instruments on regulated markets, acting on their own account. Insofar as Belgium is concerned, this announcement and the Offer to Purchase have been issued only for the personal use of the above qualified investors and exclusively for the purpose of the Capped Tender Offers. Accordingly, the information contained in this announcement and the Offer to Purchase may not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any other person in Belgium.

Switzerland

Neither this announcement, the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Capped Tender Offer Notes constitutes an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the Capped Tender Offer Notes described herein. The Capped Tender Offer Notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Offer to Purchase or this announcement or the Capped Tender Offer Notes constitutes a prospectus or a key information document within the meaning of articles 35 and 58 of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA"), and neither this announcement, nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Offer to Purchase or the Capped Tender Offer Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland. In particular, none of this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or any other document produced in connection with this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or the Capped Tender Offer Notes have been or will be approved by a Swiss review body (Prospektprufstelle) according to article 52 FinSA, or by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA under the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act.

Hong Kong

The contents of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. The Capped Tender Offers have not been made and will not be made in Hong Kong, by means of any document other than: (i) to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (the "SFO") and any rules made under that ordinance; or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that ordinance. Further, no person has issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, or will issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Capped Tender Offers, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Capped Tender Offers which are or are intended to be made only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that ordinance. This announcement, the Offer to Purchase and the information contained therein may not be used other than by the person to whom it is addressed and may not be reproduced in any form or transferred to any person in Hong Kong.

The Capped Tender Offers are not intended to be made to the public in Hong Kong and it is not the intention of the Company that the Capped Tender Offers be made to the public in Hong Kong.

Singapore

This announcement and the Offer to Purchase have not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The Capped Tender Offers do not constitute an offering of securities in Singapore pursuant to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time.

SOURCE Swiss Re Finance (Luxembourg) S.A.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SECURITIES.

LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Swiss Re Finance Luxembourg S.A. ("SRFL") announced today the pricing of its previously announced tender offers for cash (together, the "Capped Tender Offers" and each a "Capped Tender Offer") of the USD denominated 6.050% Non-Step-Up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2056 issued by Argentum Netherlands B.V. (formerly known as Demeter Investments B.V.) (the "USD 6.050% Notes"), the Euro denominated 2.534% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2050 issued by SRFL and guaranteed by Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd ("SRZ") (the "EUR 2.534% Notes"), the USD denominated 5.524% Perpetual Fixed Spread Callable Notes issued by Argentum Netherlands B.V. (the "USD 5.524% Notes"), the USD denominated 5.000% Guaranteed Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Step-up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2049 issued by SRFL and guaranteed by SRZ (the "USD 5.000% Notes") and the USD denominated 5.750% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non Step-up Callable Notes with a scheduled maturity in 2050 issued by Argentum Netherlands B.V. (the "USD 5.750% Notes", together with the USD 6.050% Notes, the EUR 2.534% Notes, the USD 5.524% Notes and the USD 5.000% Notes, the "Capped Tender Offer Notes") in respect of tenders from registered holders of the Capped Tender Offer Notes ("Holders") who validly tendered their Capped Tender Offer Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 16, 2023 (the "Early Tender Date").

The Capped Tender Offers have been made upon and are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated October 2, 2023 (the "Offer to Purchase"). Capitalized terms used in this announcement but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase.

The "Total Consideration" for each series of Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the applicable Capped Tender Offer was determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase and is set out in the table below. For the EUR 2.534% Notes and the USD 5.000% Notes, the "Total Consideration" was determined by reference to the applicable fixed spread specified in the Offer to Purchase over the applicable Reference Yield, which was determined as specified in the Offer to Purchase at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on October 17, 2023 (the "Capped Tender Offers Price Determination Date").

The following table summarizes certain pricing information regarding the Capped Tender Offers as of the Early Tender Date:

Title of

Security ISIN/Common

Code/CUSIP Principal Amount

Outstanding(1) Reference

Security Reference

Yield Fixed

Purchase

Price /

Fixed

Purchase

Spread Total

Consideration(2) Principal

Amount

Tendered(3) Principal

Amount

Accepted(4) Principal

Amount

Outstanding

After

Acceptance(5) Argentum

Netherlands

B.V. 6.050%

Non-Step-Up

Callable Notes

due 2056 (the

"USD 6.050%

Notes") XS1389124774/1389

12477 U.S.$400,000,000 N/A N/A Fixed

Price:

U.S.$930

per

U.S.$1,000

principal

amount of

USD 6.050%

Notes U.S. $930 per

U.S.$1,000

principal

amount of

USD 6.050%

Notes U.S.$376,994,000 U.S.$376,994,000 U.S.$23,006,000 Swiss Re

Finance

(Luxembourg)

S.A. 2.534%

Guaranteed

Subordinated

Fixed Rate

Reset Step-up

Callable Notes

due 2050 (the

"EUR 2.534%

Notes") XS1963116964/1963

11696 750,000,000 Interpolated

Mid-Swap

Rate 3.411 % Fixed

Spread:

145 bps 872.22 per 1,000

principal amount of

EUR 2.534% Notes 211,500,000 211,500,000 538,500,000 Argentum

Netherlands

B.V. 5.524%

Perpetual Fixed

Spread Callable

Notes (the

"USD 5.524%

Notes") XS1640851983/1640

85198 U.S.$750,000,000 N/A N/A Fixed

Price:

U.S.$930

per

U.S.$1,000

principal

amount of

USD 5.524%

Notes U.S.$930 per

U.S.$1,000 principal

amount of USD

5.524% Notes U.S.$295,785,000 U.S.$295,785,000 U.S.$454,215,000 Swiss Re

Finance

(Luxembourg)

S.A. 5.000%

Guaranteed

Subordinated

Fixed Rate

Reset Step-up

Callable Notes

due 2049 (the

"USD 5.000%

Notes") XS1973748707/1973

74870 (Reg S)

US87089NAA81/197

439041/87089N AA8

(144A) U.S.$1,000,000,000 4.375%

U.S.T. due

August 31,

2028 4.840 % Fixed

Spread:

115 bps U.S.$954.47 per

U.S.$1,000 principal

amount of USD

5.000% Notes U.S.$377,800,000 U.S.$234,200,000 U.S.$765,800,000













Notes:

(1) As at the commencement date of the Capped Tender Offers. (2) For Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered on or before the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers, including the Early Tender Payment. Does not include Accrued Interest (as defined below). (3) Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered on or before the Early Tender Date, as reported by the Information and Tender Agent. (4) Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered as part of the Capped Tender Offers will be subject to the acceptance priority levels and proration in accordance with the terms of the Capped Tender Offers. (5) Subject to settlement on the Capped Tender Offers Early Settlement Date, which is expected to be October 18, 2023.

As previously announced, valid tenders have been received in a principal amount exceeding the previously announced Capped Maximum Amount of $1,131,200,000. Accordingly, Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered as part of the Capped Tender Offers will be subject to the acceptance priority levels and proration in accordance with the terms of the Offer to Purchase. Accordingly, tenders validly received at or prior to the Early Tender Date in respect of the USD 6.050% Notes, the EUR 2.534% Notes and the USD 5.524% Notes shall be accepted in full, without pro-ration, and the USD 5.000% Notes shall be accepted subject to a Scaling Factor of 68.42%. No tenders of the USD 5.750% Notes shall be accepted. In addition, no further Capped Tender Offer Notes will be accepted for purchase by SRFL pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers.

Holders who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw their Capped Tender Offer Notes at or prior to the Early Tender Date and whose Capped Tender Offer Notes are accepted for purchase and payment by SRFL, will receive the applicable Total Consideration (which includes an early tender payment (the "Early Tender Payment")) plus Accrued Interest (as defined below).

In accordance with the terms of the Capped Tender Offers, the withdrawal deadline was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 16, 2023. As a result, tendered Capped Tender Offer Notes may no longer be withdrawn, except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law (as determined by SRFL).

The settlement date for the Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase and payment by SRFL on or prior to the Early Tender Date is expected to be October 18, 2023, unless extended by SRFL (the "Capped Tender Offers Early Settlement Date").

In accordance with the terms of the Offer to Purchase, the Capped Tender Offers will remain open until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 31, 2023 (the "Capped Tender Offers Expiration Date"), unless otherwise extended by SRFL. However, given that the previously announced Capped Maximum Amount has been reached, no further Capped Tender Offer Notes will be accepted for purchase by SRFL pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers.

Holders will also receive with respect to any Capped Tender Offer Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase and payment by SRFL, accrued and unpaid interest on such Capped Tender Offer Notes from, and including, the last interest payment date applicable to such Capped Tender Offer Notes to, but not including, the Capped Tender Offers Early Settlement Date ("Accrued Interest").

SRFL's obligation to accept for purchase and pay for validly tendered Capped Tender Offer Notes is subject to, and conditioned upon, satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set out in the Offer to Purchase.

DEALER MANAGERS

BofA Securities Europe SA

51 rue La Boetie

75008 Paris

France Attn: Liability Management Group

In Europe:

Tel No. +33 (0) 1 877 01057

In the United States:

Toll Free No.: +1 (888) 292-0070

Collect No.: +1 (980) 387-3907

Email: [email protected] HSBC Bank plc 8 Canada Square

London E14 5HQ

United Kingdom Attn: Liability Management, DCM Europe: +44 (0)20 7992 6237 U.S. Toll-Free: +1 (888) HSBC-4LM U.S.: +1 (212) 525-5552 Email: [email protected]

THE INFORMATION AND TENDER AGENT D.F. King

In London: 65 Gresham Street London, EC2V 7NQ In London: +44 20 7920 9700 In New York: 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005 Banks and brokers call: (212) 269-5550 All others call toll free: (800) 848-2998 Email: [email protected] Website: https://sites.dfkingltd.com/swissre

The Offer to Purchase and any other relevant notice and documents with respect to the Capped Tender Offers is available at https://sites.dfkingltd.com/swissre, operated by the Information and Tender Agent for the purpose of the Capped Tender Offers.

OFFER RESTRICTIONS

General

This announcement is not an offer to purchase any Capped Tender Offer Notes or a solicitation of an offer to sell any Capped Tender Offer Notes. The Capped Tender Offers are being made solely by means of the Offer to Purchase. None of SRFL, SRZ, Swiss Re Ltd, Argentum Netherlands B.V., the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether Holders should tender any or all of their Capped Tender Offer Notes for payment pursuant to the Capped Tender Offers.

The distribution of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase is restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or the Offer to Purchase comes are required by SRFL, SRZ, Swiss Re Ltd, Argentum Netherlands B.V., the Dealer Managers and the Information and Tender Agent to inform themselves of and to observe any such restrictions.

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase constitutes, nor may they be used in connection with, an offer to buy Capped Tender Offer Notes or a solicitation to sell Capped Tender Offer Notes by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such an offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or a solicitation. None of SRFL, SRZ, Swiss Re Ltd, Argentum Netherlands B.V., the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent accepts any responsibility for any violation by any person of the restrictions applicable in any jurisdiction.

United Kingdom

The communication of this announcement by SRFL and the Offer to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers are not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA"), as amended. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order")), persons who are within Article 43(2) of the Order, persons who are qualified investors of the kind described in Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.), persons who otherwise fall within an exemption set forth in the Order such that section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply or any other persons to whom the Capped Tender Offers may otherwise lawfully be made under the Order and all other applicable securities laws.

Italy

None of the Capped Tender Offers, the Offer to Purchase or any other document or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedures of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to Italian laws and regulations. The Capped Tender Offers are being carried out in Italy as exempted offers pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended. Holders or beneficial owners of the Capped Tender Offer Notes that are located in Italy can tender Capped Tender Offer Notes for purchase in the Capped Tender Offers through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority.

Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Capped Tender Offer Notes and/or the Capped Tender Offers.

France

The Capped Tender Offers are not being made, directly or indirectly, to the public in the Republic of France ("France"). Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other document or material relating to the Capped Tender Offers has been or shall be distributed to the public in France and only (i) providers of investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers) and/or (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), acting for their own account, with the exception of individuals, within the meaning ascribed to them in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2 and D.411-1 of the French Code monetaire et financier, and applicable regulations thereunder, are eligible to participate in the Capped Tender Offers. This announcement, the Offer to Purchase and any other documents or offering materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers have not been and will not be submitted for clearance to nor approved by the Autorite des Marches Financiers.

Belgium

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers have been submitted to or will be submitted for approval or recognition to the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autoriteit voor financiele diensten en markten / Autorite des services et marches financiers) and, accordingly, the Capped Tender Offers may not be made in Belgium by way of a public offering, as defined in Articles 3 and 6 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids as amended or replaced from time to time. Accordingly, the Capped Tender Offers may not be advertised and the Capped Tender Offers will not be extended, and neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Capped Tender Offers (including any memorandum, information circular, brochure or any similar documents) have been or shall be distributed or made available, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than "qualified investors" in the sense of Article 10 of the Belgian Law of 16 June 2006 on the public offer of placement instruments and the admission to trading of placement instruments on regulated markets, acting on their own account. Insofar as Belgium is concerned, this announcement and the Offer to Purchase have been issued only for the personal use of the above qualified investors and exclusively for the purpose of the Capped Tender Offers. Accordingly, the information contained in this announcement and the Offer to Purchase may not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any other person in Belgium.

Switzerland

Neither this announcement, the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Capped Tender Offer Notes constitutes an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the Capped Tender Offer Notes described herein. The Capped Tender Offer Notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Offer to Purchase or this announcement or the Capped Tender Offer Notes constitutes a prospectus or a key information document within the meaning of articles 35 and 58 of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA"), and neither this announcement, nor the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Offer to Purchase or the Capped Tender Offer Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland. In particular, none of this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or any other document produced in connection with this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or the Capped Tender Offer Notes have been or will be approved by a Swiss review body (Prospektprufstelle) according to article 52 FinSA, or by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA under the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act.

Hong Kong

The contents of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. The Capped Tender Offers have not been made and will not be made in Hong Kong, by means of any document other than: (i) to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (the "SFO") and any rules made under that ordinance; or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that ordinance. Further, no person has issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, or will issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Capped Tender Offers, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Capped Tender Offers which are or are intended to be made only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that ordinance. This announcement, the Offer to Purchase and the information contained therein may not be used other than by the person to whom it is addressed and may not be reproduced in any form or transferred to any person in Hong Kong.

The Capped Tender Offers are not intended to be made to the public in Hong Kong and it is not the intention of the Company that the Capped Tender Offers be made to the public in Hong Kong.

Singapore

This announcement and the Offer to Purchase have not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The Capped Tender Offers do not constitute an offering of securities in Singapore pursuant to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time.

SOURCE Swiss Re Finance (Luxembourg) S.A.
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Today, Symetryx Corporation ("Symetryx") announces that it has sent a demand letter on September 29, 2023 in its capacity as a shareholder of more than 5% to CHECK-CAP Ltd. ("Check-Cap" or the "Company") in order to have shareholders of the Company approve a resolution to change the board.

Symetryx is of the view that the Company's existing board of directors is making irrational and unreasonable business decisions and fails to oversee the Company's management. This is demonstrated, inter alia, by the following:

As set forth in the Company's 6-K filing of August 14, 2023 , on August 16, 2023 , the Company entered into a business combination agreement (the "BCA") with Keystone Dental Holdings, Inc. ("Keystone"), and affiliated entities.

, on , the Company entered into a business combination agreement (the "BCA") with Keystone Dental Holdings, Inc. ("Keystone"), and affiliated entities. The BCA is lacking any rational synergies. Keystone is a traditional manufacturing company, which is fundamentally misaligned with the needs and expectations of the Company's shareholders, who believed and invested in the Company's innovative high-growth technology.

While providing very little information and guidance as to the prospective operations and benefits of the merged business (including, without limitation, Keystone's Compounded Annual Growth Rate) the BCA provides Keystone with a $225,000,000 valuation, which we view as inflated and unrealistic due to Keystone's revenues for 2022 and given the pessimistic prospective growth. We have significant concerns that the Company and its management are not fulfilling their obligations to protect shareholder value in a transaction which will be excessively dilutive with no real long - term provided synergy.

valuation, which we view as inflated and unrealistic due to Keystone's revenues for 2022 and given the pessimistic prospective growth. We have significant concerns that the Company and its management are not fulfilling their obligations to protect shareholder value in a transaction which will be excessively dilutive with no real long - term provided synergy. The BCA and the press release provided in connection therewith provide no clarity as to the future of the Company's intellectual property, which we view as very concerning.

The Company's cash burn rate, which is expected to be over $15,000,000 from June 2023 through the BCA consummation date while the Company is effectively not conducting any business, is in our view highly excessive and raises major concerns.

We believe that our proposed highly experienced directors will be able to cut down on the Company's excessive burn rate, substantially reduce it and help the Company to navigate through these uncertain times.

Symetryx has proposed the following directors, each to serve until the Company's next general annual meeting of shareholders: Jordan Lipton, Avital Shafran, Idan Ben Shitrit, William Vozzolo and Lilian Malczewski.

Mr. Jordan Lipton

Mr. Jordan Lipton currently serves as the chairman of Noveto ltd. since August 2022. Mr. Lipton also serves as a board member of Avalon Bridge Capital Inc. since May 2021, and as a CO-Founder, Chief Investment Officer of ACA Enterprise Holdings since February 2019. Between August 2019 and July 2023, he served as a Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at Justice Cannabis Co. From September 2018 to October 2021, Mr. Lipton served as a board member in Alerio Gold Corporation. From April 2019 to September 2019, he served as a managing director in Antera Inc. From August 2016 to April 2019, Mr. Lipton served as a managing director of Gravitas Financial Inc. Between 2014 and 2017 he also served as a partner in Silverbear Capital Inc. Mr. Lipton served from 2014 to 2016 he served as a managing director in AM Capital Receivables Management Limited. Between 2014 to 2015 he served as a consultant in First Global Data Corp. Between 2011 to 2014 he served as a VP Corporate Finance and Business Development in Fordham Hillsworth Financial Service Inc. Mr. Lipton has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the City University of London, and a Master of Business Administration from the Korea University.

Ms. Avital Shafran

Ms. Avital Shafran has a Bachelor of Sciences in Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as a Master of Sciences in Computer Science, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is currently studying towards a PhD in Computer Science researching AI. Since 2017, Ms. Shafran is employed as a teacher assistant at the Hebrew University. From 2016 until 2017 Ms. Shafran served as a Full stack developer at Intel.

Mr. Idan Ben Shitrit

Mr. Idan Ben Shitrit serves, since 2018, at a Hedge Fund management, as a board member at multiple private companies, and as a financial and wealth advisor. From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Ben Shitrit worked in investment banking. From 2009 to 2016, he served as a portfolio and securities manager in Expert Nostro Co., Meitav Nostro, and Altris Nostro. Between 2007 to 2008 , Mr. Ben Shitrit served as an investment manager in Africa Israel Investment Ltd. In 2005 to 2007, he served as a Department Senior Manager in Michale Davis Group. Before 2005, Mr. Ben Shitrit served as a trader in Harel Investment Company and before that as a personal security unit manager. Mr. Ben Shitrit has a Bachelor of arts' degree in Mathematics and Economics, from the Tel-Aviv University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Herzliya Reichman University.

Mr. William Vozzolo

Mr. William Vozzolo is serving as Global Treasurer, Head of Operations and CCO at OC Investment Management LP, a medium-sized Fixed Income hedge fund in Miami, Florida. As Global Treasurer, his role entails managing the funding, cash management / yield enhancement strategy, and margin usage, along with investor relationship management. As Head of Operations, William manages a team of analysts, programmers and developers to ensure all post-execution is streamlined and at a low to zero risk to the firm. William is also titled CCO, ensuring the firm is compliant with all related regulatory bodies and responsible for establishing standards and implementing procedures to ensure that the compliance programs throughout the organization are effective and efficient in identifying, preventing, detecting, and correcting noncompliance.

William is highly accomplished with a career spanning over two decades in finance. He commenced his journey at JPM in 2000, on the Fixed Income Repo Desk before joining Highland Financial, where he was an MBS repo trader and assumed responsibilities in operations management. In 2007, he transitioned to Highbridge Capital, where he played a pivotal role in establishing and elevating their repo desk and treasury management capabilities in the fixed income sector. William then spent three years at Barclays as a Product Manager. In 2013, he joined Field Street Capital Management, leading Operations and non-USD funding while simultaneously overseeing the business operations of the EU entity. In 2021, he joined OC Investment Management.

Dr. Liliane Malczewski

Dr. Malczewski is currently serving as president and as a board member at the Order of Dentists of Quebec, as well as president and chief executive manager of the Healy Dental Clinics, and also as the Chief of Dentistry at the Montreal Integrated Health, Social Services and University Centre (Ciusss Odim). Between 2018 to 2021, she served as Local Chief of Dentistry at the Lakeshore General Hospital. From 2012 to 2018, she served as President of the Cornwall & District Dental Society - Division of The Ontario Dental Association. Dr. Malczewski also served as a Clinical Dentist in various clinics between 2011 and 2019. She has an Executive master's degree in business administration from the University of Fredericton, a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Montreal, and a D.E.C. Health Sciences from the college of Jean-De-Brebeuf.

Moreover, Section 8.1(g) of the BCA required financial statements of Keystone to be delivered within 45 days of August 16, 2023. We are now at 64 days and the Company has not provided such financial statements. This is wholly unacceptable as shareholders are unable to assess the fundamentals of the BCA.

Symetryx is open to discussing alternatives with management and other shareholders of Check-Cap.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT :

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS OUR CURRENT VIEWS ON THE VALUE OF SECURITIES OF CHECK-CAP AND CERTAIN ACTIONS THAT ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIGHT TAKE TO ENHANCE THE VALUE OF ITS COMMON STOCK. OUR VIEWS ARE BASED ON OUR OWN ANALYSES OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND ASSUMPTIONS WE BELIEVE TO BE REASONABLE. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE INFORMATION WE CONSIDERED AND ANALYZED IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. SIMILARLY, THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT OUR ASSUMPTIONS ARE CORRECT. THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS OF CHECK-CAP MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM OUR ASSUMPTIONS AND ANALYSES.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ALSO REFERENCES THE SIZE OF SYMETRYX'S CURRENT HOLDINGS OF CHECK-CAP. SYMETRYX'S VIEWS AND OUR HOLDINGS COULD CHANGE AT ANY TIME. WE MAY TAKE ANY OF THESE OR OTHER ACTIONS REGARDING CHECK-CAP WITHOUT UPDATING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR PROVIDING ANY NOTICE WHATSOEVER OF ANY SUCH CHANGES (EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW). WE MAY SELL SOME OR ALL OF OUR CHECK-CAP SHARES AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS :

Certain statements contained in this announcement are forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements that are predications of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Due to such risks and uncertainties, actual events or results or actual performance may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the future tense or other forward-looking words such as "believe," "might, "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "should," "could," "may," "will," "objective," "projection," "forecast," "continue," "strategy," "position" or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or by any comparable terminology.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations set forth in this announcement include, among other things, the factors identified in the public filings of Check-Cap and other information generally available in the market. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed considering such factors, and Symetryx is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Symetryx Corp
Teamsters Leaflet Consumers Ahead of Smart & Final Negotiations

BURBANK, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters are taking part in a National Day of Action today in support of nearly 700 Chedraui/Smart & Final workers in Southern California. More than 50 Teamsters locals are leafleting customers at Chedraui-owned stores throughout the country to demand the Mexican grocery giant negotiate a fair contract for the newly organized members of Teamsters Local 630.

"Teamsters are standing together today to call on Chedraui to protect American jobs. We are demanding the company negotiate a first contract in good faith that grants our members the wages, benefits, respect, and security they deserve at Smart & Final," said Lou Villalvazo, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 630 in Los Angeles. "Chedraui must acknowledge these workers' union rights."

The leafleting action is taking place ahead of negotiations scheduled for tomorrow. In addition to bargaining for a fair first contract, Teamsters are also fighting plans by Chedraui to close two recently unionized Smart & Final warehouses in Commerce and Riverside, Calif., and force longtime workers to reapply for employment at a new warehouse in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Workers have not been guaranteed positions at the new facility, regardless of their experience or tenure with the company.

"Today, the company will witness the overwhelming support for our fight, not just here in California but all across the U.S.," said Daniel Delgado, a 20-year veteran from the Riverside warehouse facility. "Our union brothers and sisters are standing with us. The public is on our side. In communities all over the country, people are waking up to the injustice we are facing at this company."

Grupo Comercial Chedraui, which is publicly traded on the Mexican stock exchange, owns three store banners in the U.S. with approximately 375 total locations, including Smart & Final, El Super, and Fiesta Mart.

Teamsters Local 630 members rallied in August and September to demand fair treatment from Chedraui, emphasizing the protection of American jobs, living standards, and the negotiation of a fair contract.

To date, the Teamsters have filed seven unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against Chedraui/Smart & Final, alleging violations of federal labor law. These allegations include anti-union retaliation regarding facility relocations and employee terminations, interference with workers' right to organize, and bad-faith surface bargaining.

For more than 80 years, Teamsters Local 630 has represented California workers in warehousing, food services, liquor, food processing, dairy, and more industries. Find out more at teamsters630.org.

Contact:

Oscar Ruiz, (213) 590-7119

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 630
The Tecpetrol Offer of C$1.48 in cash per share is the only offer to purchase all of the outstanding Common Shares that is currently open for acceptance by shareholders. No other binding offers have been received by Alpha.

The Alpha Special Committee and the Board of Directors have unanimously recommended that Alpha shareholders accept the revised and enhanced Offer from Tecpetrol and tender their shares.

PI Financial has confirmed that the increased Offer is fair to shareholders from a financial point of view.

Shareholders that have already tendered do not need to take any further action.

Questions or Need Assistance? Contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group at 1-877-452-7184 or email: [email protected] or visit https://www.tecpetrol.com/en/investors/alpha-lithium-offer for more information.

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tecpetrol Investments S.L. ("Tecpetrol") today issued a reminder to shareholders of Alpha Lithium Corporation (NEO: ALLI) (OTC: APHLF) (German WKN: A3CUW1) ("Alpha") to tender their shares in advance of the Offer deadline of 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on October 20, 2023 . Shareholders using a broker may have an earlier cut-off time and are urged to tender their shares immediately.

On September 28, 2023, the Board of Directors of Alpha, based on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee and after receiving a positive independent fairness opinion from PI Financial Corp., publicly announced its unanimous recommendation that shareholders tender their shares to the enhanced Tecpetrol Offer of C$1.48 in cash per share. Since then, a significant number of shares have been tendered to the Offer. As previously disclosed, the Offer represents Tecpetrol's best and final offer to Alpha shareholders. No further extensions are contemplated .

It is a non-waivable condition of the Offer that there be validly deposited under the Offer more than 50% of the outstanding Alpha shares, excluding Alpha shares owned by Tecpetrol and its joint actors. If this legally required minimum tender condition is not satisfied by the expiry time of 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on October 20, 2023, no Alpha shares will be acquired by Tecpetrol and Alpha shareholders will not be able to participate in the Offer and will not receive the Offer price of C$1.48 in cash per share.

Alpha shareholders who do not tender to the Offer will not receive the cash consideration of C$1.48 under the Offer. Shareholders should be aware that if the Offer is not successful or if they do not tender, they will face significant risks as Alpha shareholders, as described in Tecpetrol's Second Notice Extension dated October 3, 2023. Since the announcement of the Offer, comparable lithium developer peers have traded down 41%1, while Alpha is up 24% as of October 13, 2023. Tecpetrol believes that Alpha's share price may suffer significant downward pressure if the Offer is not completed.

________________________ 1 Lithium developer peers include Argosy Minerals, Galan Lithium, Lake Resources, Lithium Chile, Lithium South, Standard Lithium and Vulcan Energy.

How to Tender Q&A

Q: How do I tender my Alpha shares?

A: Shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of an investment advisor, stock broker, bank, trust company or other intermediary should immediately contact that intermediary for assistance if they wish to accept the Offer so that the necessary steps can be taken to enable the deposit of such shares under the Offer. Intermediaries likely have established tendering cut-off times that are prior to the expiry time. Shareholders must instruct their intermediaries promptly if they wish to tender.

Registered shareholders who own Alpha Lithium share certificates or DRS statements representing their shares and wish to accept the Offer must properly complete and execute the Letter of Transmittal that accompanied the original take-over bid circular dated June 8, 2023 (printed on YELLOW paper) and deposit it, at or prior to the Expiry Time, together with certificate(s) or DRS Statements representing their Alpha shares and all other required documents, with Laurel Hill Advisory Group, the Depositary and Information Agent, at its office in Toronto, Ontario specified in the Letter of Transmittal in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Letter of Transmittal. These materials are also available at https://www.tecpetrol.com/en/investors/alpha-lithium-offer and on SEDAR+ under Alpha's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Q: Who can I call if I have questions or require assistance in tendering my shares?

A: Shareholders who have questions or require assistance in tendering their Alpha shares may contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group, the Depositary and Information Agent for the Offer, by telephone toll-free inside North America at 1-877-452-7184, or outside North America at 1-416-304-0211, or by email at [email protected]. Additional information can also be found on Tecpetrol's website at https://www.tecpetrol.com/en/investors/alpha-lithium-offer.

Q: What is the deadline for me to instruct my broker to tender my Alpha shares?

A: The Offer is open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on October 20, 2023. Shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of an investment advisor, stock broker, bank, trust company or other intermediary should immediately contact that intermediary for assistance if they wish to accept the Offer so that the necessary steps can be taken to enable the deposit of such shares under the Offer. Intermediaries likely have established tendering cut-off times that are prior to the expiry time. Shareholders must instruct their intermediaries promptly if they wish to tender.

Additional Offer Details

Tecpetrol has filed a Second Notice of Extension in respect of the recent extension of the expiry time to 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on October 20, 2023 that is available on SEDAR+ under Alpha's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and has been mailed to Alpha shareholders in accordance with applicable law. Tecpetrol encourages shareholders to read the full details of the Offer and other important information, including information on how to tender to the Offer, set forth in Tecpetrol's Second Notice of Extension and related offer documents.

About the Tecpetrol Energy Transition Unit

Tecpetrol's Energy Transition Unit is Techint Group's dedicated business unit responsible for advancing its position in the global energy transition through investments in decarbonized energy sources, carriers and technologies, with the objective of contributing to a significant reduction in the carbon footprint. As part of this initiative through its subsidiary Techenergy Lithium S.A., Tecpetrol has built a lithium processing pilot plant in northern Argentina engineered for scale, which supports a production flowsheet involving direct lithium extraction. For additional information on Tecpetrol, please visit its website at https://www.tecpetrol.com/en.

The Techint Group is a global conglomerate with diversified business lines in steelmaking, complex infrastructure construction, design and construction of industrial plans and machinery, technologies for the metals and mining industries, oil and gas exploration and production and research-oriented health facilities. Through our six main companies  Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and EXM Italy: TEN), Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX), Techint Engineering & Construction, Tenova, Tecpetrol and Humanitas  the Techint Group operates on six continents, employs 79,300 employees and generates over US$33 billion in annual revenue. We have an extensive track record of completing large transactions in industrial and extractive sectors around the globe, including in Canada, and in navigating complex regulatory frameworks. For additional information on the Techint Group, please visit its website at https://www.techintgroup.com/en.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward looking information". Forward-looking information is not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and is therefore subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects", "intends" or variations of such words, and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to expectations relating to the Offer; the ability of Tecpetrol to complete the transactions contemplated by the Offer; the results, effects, mechanics, timing and completion of the Offer; the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to consummate the Offer (including the statutory minimum condition); the likelihood that the price of the Alpha shares will decline back to pre-Offer levels if the Offer is not successful; and intentions to not further extend the expiry time of the Offer.

Although Tecpetrol believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and have been based on information and assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking information and such factors and assumptions are based on information currently available to Tecpetrol, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tecpetrol or the completion of the Offer to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information include, without limitation: that the conditions of the Offer may not be satisfied or waived by Tecpetrol at the expiry of the Offer period; the ability of Tecpetrol to acquire a majority of the outstanding Alpha shares, excluding those shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by Tecpetrol or any of its joint actors; the decision by Tecpetrol to further extend or not extend the expiry time of the Offer; and the pendency or completion of the Offer or any subsequent transaction. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the beliefs and opinions of Tecpetrol at the time the information is given, and there should be no expectation that this forward-looking information will be updated or supplemented as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, and Tecpetrol expressly disclaims any obligation to do so except as required by applicable law.

Disclaimers

This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any securities. The Offer has been made solely by, and subject to the terms and conditions set out in, the formal Offer and Circular (as amended), letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery. The Offer has not be made to, nor will deposits be accepted from or on behalf of, shareholders in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. No securities regulatory authority has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

The Offer has been made for the securities of a Canadian company that does not have securities registered under section 12 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"). Accordingly, the Offer is not subject to section 14(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act or Regulation 14D or Rule 14e-1 of Regulation 14E. The Offer has been made in the United States with respect to securities of a "foreign private issuer", as such term is defined in Rule 3b-4 under the U.S. Exchange Act, in accordance with Canadian corporate and securities law requirements. Shareholders in the United States should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States applicable to tender offers under the U.S. Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

The Offer and all contracts resulting from acceptance thereof are and will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Accordingly, the provisions of the German Takeover Code (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz) do not apply to the Offer.

None of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, any United States state securities commission or the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority has approved or disapproved (or will approve or disapprove) the Offer or passed (or will pass) any comment upon the fairness or the merits of the Offer or upon the adequacy or completeness of the information contained in this news release or in any other document relating to the Offer. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.

Media Contact: Alexandre Meterissian, Email: [email protected]; Investor Relations: Jorge Dimopulos, Email: [email protected]; Shareholder Questions / Tendering Assistance: Laurel Hill Advisory Group, Toll-Free: 1-877-452-7184, Outside North America: 1-416-304-0211, Email: assistance@laurelhill.com

SOURCE Tecpetrol
Leading wine and spirits importer and producer leverages the power of the full suite to accelerate financial processes, improve business visibility, increase productivity, and drive growth

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SUITEWORLD 2023 -- Terlato Wine Group (Terlato), a multi-generational family business that markets and distributes fine wines and artisanal spirits, is working with Oracle NetSuite to help it deliver premium beverages from world-class producers to customers across the United States. With NetSuite, NetSuite Planning and Budgeting, and NetSuite Analytics Warehouse, Terlato has been able to take advantage of an integrated business suite to increase the speed and accuracy of its financial processes, improve business visibility, and enhance decision-making.

Founded as a single Chicago retail store in 1938, Terlato has significantly expanded its operations through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. Today, Terlato imports and distributes more than 85 brands of wine and spirits from over a dozen countries and operates three wineries in the United States. As it expanded its operations to serve restaurants, event venues, supermarkets, and liquor stores, as well as consumers through online sales channels, Terlato's existing business systems struggled to keep up. They required manual updates and integrations in Excel sheets that created more work, added extra costs, and limited real-time insight into business performance. After careful evaluation, Terlato selected NetSuite to address these challenges and establish a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

"In the past, our leadership team needed to wait for Excel spreadsheets from each winery and then manually combine them with corporate data to get a full picture of our financials. As our product portfolio continued to expand, we knew manual processes like this were not sustainable," said Kevin O'Toole, chief technology officer, Terlato Wine Group. "With NetSuite, we have been able to increase productivity and operational visibility by integrating our business processes and automating thousands of records. By providing a complete business suite that is always up to date, NetSuite has been a game changer and is now providing the strategic insights and new features we need to stay nimble as we grow."

With NetSuite, Terlato has been able to integrate and automate workflows to save time, reduce errors, and improve visibility across its operations. For example, more than 85 percent of Terlato's sales are now automatically recorded in NetSuite, which has enabled Terlato to save a significant amount of time. In addition, NetSuite Planning and Budgeting has helped Terlato streamline financial and demand planning across its 30 subsidiaries, while NetSuite Analytics Warehouse consolidates all of Terlato's data and provides daily automated reports to help Terlato better understand sales trends and ensure resources are allocated to key growth areas. Terlato worked with NetSuite Alliance Partner Accenture to implement NetSuite.

"As a wine and spirits producer and distributor, Terlato has a complex business model that relies on its sales, production, supply chain, and logistics all being tightly integrated," said Evan Goldberg, founder and EVP, Oracle NetSuite. "With NetSuite, Terlato has been able to bring all of those areas together on one suite, so it can get a unified view of its business and access real-time insights. This is helping Terlato increase efficiencies, make faster and more informed business decisions, and continually adapt its operations to meet changing customer tastes and beverage preferences."

Get all the latest updates from SuiteWorld by registering for SuiteWorld On Air: netsuitesuiteworld.com/onair. By registering, attendees will have access to keynotes, sessions, demos, and NetSuite's two-day live broadcast, NetSuite TV. Learn more about how organizations are leveraging the power of NetSuite to improve productivity and drive growth.

Oracle NetSuite

For more than 25 years, Oracle NetSuite has helped organizations grow, scale, and adapt to change. NetSuite provides an integrated system that includes financials / Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), inventory management, HR, professional services automation and omnichannel commerce, used by more than 37,000 customers in 219 countries and dependent territories.

Trademarks

Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud companyushering in the new era of cloud computing.

SOURCE Oracle NetSuite
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kennedy Forum submitted public comments on the Department of Health and Human Services, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service's (the "Departments") new proposed rules to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (the Federal Parity Act). These comments were endorsed by the Mental Health Liaison Group, a Washington-DC based coalition of more than 100 leading national mental health organizations. This action comes 15 years after former President George W. Bush signed into law the Federal Parity Act with The Kennedy Forum's Founder Patrick J. Kennedy at his side. Then-Representative Kennedy was the lead co-author of this bill and has worked since its passage to ensure implementation and enforcement of the act to ensure more Americans can access the mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) care they need.

"15 years ago, when we passed the Federal Parity Act our country was in the midst of the Great Recession and collective despair. Today, we find our world in the midst of new tragedies from the children's mental health crisis, to the COVID-19 pandemic, to the war in Ukraine, the unprecedented barbaric acts of terrorism against Israel, to the political polarization here at home. To meet the tragedies of our day, I urge the Biden Administration to finalize strong parity rules that contain no exceptions with the same urgency we passed the original 2008 law," said former US Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI). "It is with deep gratitude to the Biden Administration that The Kennedy Forum submits comments to the proposed rules to the Federal Parity Act, which, if finalized, would put us closer to achieving the full promise of parity."

The Kennedy Forum and Mental Health Liaison Group's comments declared strong support for key sections of the proposed rules including the Departments' proposed:

Focus on ensuring equitable access to MH/SUD services as a core purpose of the Federal Parity Act;

Requirements ensuring that health plans cover meaningful MH/SUD benefits;

Data collection requirements to prevent discriminatory non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs); and

Stronger rules on inadequate reimbursement rates that result in inadequate networks.

The Group also offered feedback to further strengthen the proposed rules. Most importantly, The Kennedy Forum and the Mental Health Liaison Group strongly urge the Biden Administration to reject harmful exceptions to the stronger proposed rules that, if they remain, are likely to be exploited by many health plans. These exceptions threaten to undermine key parts of the otherwise-strong proposed rules, limiting their ability to increase access to needed care.

"The Kennedy Forum is proud to be joined by our Mental Health Liaison Group colleagues in offering strong support and additional feedback to the Department's proposed rules to the Federal Parity Act. The mental health and addiction advocacy community is united in our mission to finalize these rules on behalf of families across the country who are demanding better access to care," said The Kennedy Forum's President and CEO Rebecca O. Bagley.

October 17 marks the final day to submit public comments on the rules just as The Kennedy Forum's Alignment for Progress October 3 and 4th conference has concluded. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Lisa Gomez of the Employee Benefits Security Administration spoke at the conference alongside other mental health leaders to discuss what comes next for parity after the rulemaking process.

For updates from The Kennedy Forum throughout the rulemaking process, follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn , and Facebook .

About The Kennedy Forum

Founded in 2013 by former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), The Kennedy Forum leads a national dialogue on transforming the health care system by uniting mental health advocates, business leaders, and policymakers around a common set of principles, including full implementation of the Federal Parity Law. Launched in celebration of the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's signing of the landmark Community Mental Health Act, the nonprofit aims to achieve health equity by advancing evidence-based practices, policies, and programming for the treatment of mental health and addiction. The Kennedy Forum's "Don't Deny Me" campaign educates consumers and providers about patient rights under the Federal Parity Law and connects them with essential appeals guidance and resources. To learn more about The Kennedy Forum and donate, please visit www.thekennedyforum.org .

SOURCE The Kennedy Forum
AUSTIN, Minn., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The maker of the iconic HERB-OX bouillon brand is proud to announce the long-awaited launch of its newest product innovation: the HERB-OX Cold Water Dissolve Chicken Bouillon and HERB-OX Cold Water Dissolve Beef Bouillon. These groundbreaking products are the only cold-water dissolvable options on the market and revolutionize the way we cook soups, stews, gravies, and more, offering unparalleled convenience and flavor.

The maker of the iconic HERB-OX bouillon brand is proud to announce the long-awaited launch of its newest product innovation: the HERB-OX Cold Water Dissolve Chicken Bouillon and HERB-OX Cold Water Dissolve Beef Bouillon. These groundbreaking products are the only cold-water dissolvable options on the market and revolutionize the way we cook soups, stews, gravies, and more, offering unparalleled convenience and flavor. The Makers of HERB-OX Bouillon Unveil a Decade's Worth of Innovation: Introducing Cold Water Dissolve Chicken Bouillon and Beef Bouillon, the First of their Kind on the Market

For decades, bouillon has been an essential ingredient in kitchens worldwide, adding flavor depth and richness to a wide variety of dishes. Just like homemade stocks and broths, HERB-OX bouillon products are made of real meat and real dried herbs. However, unlike stock and broths, bouillon offers the advantages of a long shelf life, easy storage, no waste and the ability to manage concentration of flavor.

The makers of the HERB-OX brand have gone a step further to make their newest products even more convenient. Forget the need to boil water; the new Cold Water Dissolve Chicken Bouillon and Beef Bouillon can be used in place of traditional bouillon options. Click HERE to learn more about this revolutionary product.

"We have always been dedicated to delighting our customers with superior taste and convenience," said Meghan Baumann, HERB-OX brand manager. "With our Cold Water Dissolve Chicken Bouillon and Beef Bouillon, we are proud to offer a one-of-a-kind product that addresses the most sought-after feature from consumers. Our revolutionary bouillon eliminates the need to boil water, saving valuable time while ensuring that home cooks have maximum control over flavor."

HERB-OX Cold Water Dissolve Chicken Bouillon and HERB-OX Cold Water Dissolve Beef Bouillon are now available at retailers nationwide for an MSPR of $3.75 per 3.5-ounce jar. Visit hormel.com/brands/hormel-herb-ox for recipe inspiration to elevate your culinary creations with the help of HERB-OX Bouillon.

About Hormel Foods  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters, Skippy, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

Contact:

Media Relations

Hormel Foods

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation
Live-Virtual "Meet The Nora Project" Presentation on Curricula and Professional Learning

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nora Project (TNP) invites educators and school administrators seeking to build more inclusive classrooms to learn more about how to make their disability inclusion goals a reality.

Registration is open for "Meet The Nora Project"  a free live-virtual 30-minute event at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Attendees will learn about TNP, a non-profit that promotes disability inclusion by empowering educators with training and engaging students with curricula.

TNP is a leading provider of PreK-12 disability inclusion-informed social-emotional learning curricula Post this A person sits cross legged on a couch with a yellow blanket and a laptop on their lap. The laptop shows a presentation slide that reads 'The Nora Project: We are on a mission to promote disability inclusion by empowering educators and engaging students and communities.' To the right of the text is an image of two young students writing on a whiteboard.

The "Meet The Nora Project" presentation and Q&A session will be led by Amie Richards, TNP's Community Outreach Manager. Richards will provide an overview of the organization and its programming and answer attendees' questions, so they can learn more about TNP's curricula and professional development courses. Richards will be joined by Kim Smith, a fourth grade dual language teacher at Congress Park School in Brookfield, Ill., and member of TNP's Educator Advisory Board. Smith has been a TNP partner for five years and will share about the impact that its programs have had in her school.

TNP is a leading provider of PreK-12 disability inclusion-informed social-emotional learning curricula, which pairs well with other SEL curricula and fills gaps in DEIA education for schools across the country and beyond.

"Our curricula and professional development support school teams in ensuring that disabled and nondisabled students find themselves reflected in the curriculum and school environment," Richards said. "We are eager to connect with new audiences through "Meet The Nora Project" and answer questions that can help educators begin building inclusive school communities."

Registration for the free event can be completed on TNP's event page here . CART will be provided. If TNP can support engagement in the session through ASL interpretation, please email [email protected].

SOURCE The Nora Project
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The True Life Companies (TTLC) , a real estate investment firm focused on repurposing underutilized property to create new attainable housing options in high-need U.S. markets, announced that Chad Scherer has been promoted to senior vice president, finance & accounting. Additionally, he has been appointed as the CFO and treasurer for The True Life Companies Elite Fund III, LLC (the "Fund"), a fund offering units to accredited investors pursuant to Regulation D, Rule 506(c) under the Securities Act of 1933.

"We are pleased to recognize Chad's efforts," said Scott Clark, CEO of The True Life Companies. "His strategic insights and commitment to financial excellence help ensure that we maintain the highest standards in these crucial areas."

Scherer's experience spans more than 25 years, including working for both Deloitte & Touche and First Data Corporation. While he was with the latter, he was responsible for SEC reporting functions, quarterly financial reports and presentations, investor relations presentations, and fielding analyst and investor inquiries. More recently, Scherer served as vice president, chief accounting officer and corporate controller with MWH Global Inc., an engineering and construction services firm where he managed a team of over 220 finance and accounting professionals across 10 countries.

About The True Life Capital Group

The True Life Capital Group is a division of TTLC. Securities are offered through Orchard Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The True Life Capital Group's internal wholesale team are licensed representatives through Orchard Securities. Orchard Securities and The True Life Companies are not affiliated companies.

About The True Life Companies

The True Life Companies is composed of a team of successful residential real estate professionals who work together with property owners, municipalities and local stakeholders to address the need for critically-needed attainable housing solutions in our metro regions. TTLC seeks to establish suburban and urban housing options that are the result of insightful research, innovative planning, and creative collaboration. TTLC is headquartered in Denver with offices in San Ramon, Folsom and Newport Beach, California; Austin, Texas; Raleigh, South Carolina; and Bethesda, Maryland serving the Mid-Atlantic Region. For more information on The True Life Companies visit their website at thetruelifecompanies.com .

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. An offer to sell the Units of the Fund may be made only pursuant to the Amended and Restated Private Placement Memorandum dated October 15, 2022, as supplemented (the "Memorandum"). The information contained herein is qualified in its entirety by the Memorandum. The offering of Units (the "Offering") is being made by means of the Memorandum only to accredited investors who meet minimum accreditation requirements. The Offering will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and are being offered and sold in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of such laws. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other federal or state agency has passed upon the merits of or given their approval to the Units, the Offering or the Memorandum.

Contact: Jennifer Franklin

Spotlight Marketing Communications

(949) 427-1385

jennifer@spotlightmarcom.com

SOURCE The True Life Companies
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ubie , Inc. (Headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Co-Representative Directors: Yoshinori Abe & Kota Kubo, referred to as 'Ubie') released a new feature utilizing generative AI (LLM: Large Language Model) for doctors to generate AI-based summarizes from patient visits. This feature uses the LLM to summarize patients' symptoms and free-response answers in the 'Ubie Medical Navi,' product. It was developed based on the needs of doctors who want to spend more time on face-to-face communication. Allowing doctors to grasp the patient's condition quickly and spend less time on preparing notes for EHR systems.

User Experience for doctors using Ubie Medical Navi product (Currently only released in Japan).

About Ubie Medical Navi

Ubie Medical Navi is an AI-based summarization service designed to enhance the operational efficiency of doctors offices, clinics and hospitals. One of its distinguishing features is using smartphones or tablets instead of traditional paper medical questionnaires. Enabling detailed preliminary interviews tailored to each patient's symptoms also significantly reduces the administrative tasks associated with electronic medical record documentation. Doctors can focus on patient examinations and other duties exclusive to their expertise as detailed preliminary interviews tailored to individual symptoms become possible, drastically reducing administrative work linked with electronic medical record entries. As awareness towards workstyle reforms grows in Japan, from acute-care hospitals nationwide to local clinics, as of October 2023, it has been adopted in 47 prefectures in Japan and over 1,500 medical institutions.

About the 'Medical Interview Summary Function' Utilizing LLM (Large Language Model)

As the use of Ubie Medical Navi expands across doctors offices nationwide, doctors can gather more detailed information through preliminary interviews. Leading to an increase in the amount of information provided. We've often heard from doctors who wish to quickly and succinctly grasp the symptoms and concerns of their patients. Allow for more time spent on direct communication vs. upfront paperwork and documentation. We developed this feature to address this need by leveraging the summarization strengths stemming from the latest developments provided by LLM.

The new feature for clinics, 'Medical Interview Summary Function,' summarizes the 20-30 questions related to symptoms and lifestyle habits that patients answer on Ubie Medical Navi and the free-text consultation content they provide for doctors. The LLM presents this summary on the doctor's PC screen. With this function, doctors can succinctly understand 'what symptoms the patient has and what concerns or queries they might present,' thereby improving the quality of medical consultations.

This feature was co-developed with practicing doctors and 'Ubie Lab,' a research organization established in July of this year, aiming for both innovation and safety in generative AI in the medical and healthcare sectors. While leveraging the strengths of LLM, we've taken care to ensure safety and reliability. From a perspective of preventing oversight in summaries, the original text before summarization is used by default, and even during summarization, a safety net structure allows for continuous reference to the original text.

During Pilot Tests, 90% of Doctors Indicated Intent to Continue Using the Feature



During development and validation tests, out of the ten clinics that adopted the feature, nine showed an improvement in doctor satisfaction by using the Medical Interview Summary Function, indicating an intent to continue its use. Feedback included sentiments such as, 'I can now approach a consultation having quickly and effortlessly obtained the necessary information' and 'Copying to electronic medical records has also become easier.' These results highlight that the feature contributed to enhanced patient communication and improved operational efficiency.

Developer's Voice: Product Manager & Doctor, Shohei Harase

We arrived at the development of this function, contemplating how we could effectively utilize LLMwhich is rapidly gaining adoption in various industriesin the medical field while taking ethical considerations and safety to the utmost account. Collecting daily feedback from daily usage in clinical settings, we developed the feature by balancing doctor needs with safe and secure technology usage with support from the development team and members of Ubie Lab.

Ubie remains committed to ensuring that generative AI is safely, securely, and effectively used in healthcare. We will continue to pour our efforts into improving and developing services that cater to the medical community's and patients' needs.

About Ubie

Ubie is a NY-based health-tech startup founded by a medical doctor and an engineer in 2017. At the heart of Ubie's platform is its AI Symptom Checker , available at ubiehealth.com. This groundbreaking tool leverages an advanced AI questionnaire engine to predict diseases for over 7 million patients each month and guide them to appropriate care. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Ubie aims to close care gaps and empower healthcare access for all with its cutting-edge solutions.

SOURCE Ubie, Inc.
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking move, the UK Ministry of Defense announced a robust military support package for Ukraine, valued at over 100m ($122 million). Among the military aid to be sent to Ukraine, as confirmed at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Brussels, will be around 100 uncrewed aerial systems. This decision underscores the increasing significance and deployment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in modern military strategy. For those in the business world keen to understand the expanding market landscape of UAS, a timely research report titled "2023 World Military Unmanned Aerial Systems Market Profile & Forecast" added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's portfolio, offers in-depth insights.

In recent years, the UAS market has demonstrated consistent growth on a global scale. The unmanned aircraft systems segment continues to expand, albeit with a moderated annual growth compared to the previous decade. By 2032, a projected increase of approximately 41% will surge the current annual spending on Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) and procurement from $13.2 billion in FY23 to roughly $18.7 billion.

The adoption and integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) worldwide is driving this market expansion. Specifically, recent conflicts and military strategies in regions like Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine have illustrated the integral role of UAVs in modern warfare. The emergence of specially designed unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) promises further growth in the upcoming decade.

In the face of rapidly shifting international defence paradigms, understanding the intricacies of the military UAS market becomes paramount. This report provides:

10-Year Market Forecasts: Detailed outlooks on R&D and procurement for the overall market, inclusive of country and program-specific breakouts.

Detailed outlooks on R&D and procurement for the overall market, inclusive of country and program-specific breakouts. Expert Analysis: An insightful outlook on the potential hotspots in the UAS domain over the next decade.

An insightful outlook on the potential hotspots in the UAS domain over the next decade. Air Vehicles: Comprehensive data on development histories, specifications, functionalities, manufacturers, funding, and evaluations.

Comprehensive data on development histories, specifications, functionalities, manufacturers, funding, and evaluations. Sensors: A detailed overview of the diverse sensor types, including electro-optic, infrared, and synthetic aperture radar, among others.

A detailed overview of the diverse sensor types, including electro-optic, infrared, and synthetic aperture radar, among others. Requirements: An exhaustive examination of the anticipated needs of every significant player in the UAS market.

An exhaustive examination of the anticipated needs of every significant player in the UAS market. Competitors: An overview of around 60 major companies, discussing product offerings, investment strategies, acquisitions, and other key developments.

As global powers like the UK underscore the importance of UAS through military decisions, it becomes increasingly crucial for businesses to stay informed. "2022/2023 World Military Unmanned Aerial Systems Market Profile & Forecast" equips decision-makers with the tools, insights, and intelligence needed to navigate this evolving landscape and identify lucrative opportunities.

For more information on the report and to understand how it can benefit your business strategy, visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lgvsl0

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]

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "US Bispecific Antibodies Market & Clinical Pipeline Insight 2028" drug pipelines has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The US bispecific antibodies market has witnessed the approval of several groundbreaking therapies that have extended survival rates, improved response rates, and provided new treatment options for patients with refractory or relapsed cancers.

The US bispecific antibody market has also shown promise in addressing infectious diseases. Bispecific antibodies can be engineered to simultaneously neutralize pathogens and stimulate the immune system, boosting the body's ability to fight infections effectively.

US is also paving the way for innovative therapies in neurological disorders. Bispecific antibodies are being explored to target misfolded proteins implicated in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. By specifically targeting these pathological proteins and facilitating their clearance, bispecific antibodies offer a potential disease-modifying approach.

The clinical impact of these therapies could potentially slow disease progression and improve the quality of life for patients living with these devastating neurological disorders. In the realm of biopharmaceuticals, bispecific antibodies have emerged as a revolutionary class of therapies, opening new frontiers in precision medicine. These innovative molecules are designed to simultaneously target two distinct antigens, unlocking the potential for transformative treatment approaches across various diseases.

From oncology to autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases to neurodegenerative conditions, bispecific antibodies offer a clinical perspective that is reshaping patient care and inspiring new possibilities for precision therapies. In respect to this, the US market has emerged as frontrunner in commercializing this transformative therapeutic modality, and is now leading the development of bispecific antibodies, with several US based drugs makers having innovative bispecific antibodies candidates under development.

One of the key clinical perspectives of bispecific antibodies is their precision targeting capabilities. By engaging two specific antigens simultaneously, bispecific antibodies can be tailored to address unique molecular signatures of diseases. This precision targeting allows for more effective therapeutic interventions, minimizing off target effects on healthy tissues and reducing adverse events commonly associated with traditional treatments.

Researchers in the US were the first to hypothesize the use of bispecific antibodies in cancer treatment, and pursuant research and clinical studies demonstrated bispecific antibodies to revolutionize the approach to cancer treatment. By precisely engaging immune cells to target cancer cells, these therapies unleash potent immune responses against tumors while sparing healthy tissues, leading to improved tumor control and better patient outcomes.

From a clinical perspective, bispecific antibodies also hold promise in addressing treatment challenges posed by traditional therapies. For instance, drug resistance is a major obstacle in cancer treatment. Bispecific antibodies, with their dual-targeting capabilities, can circumvent resistance mechanisms and offer new avenues for patients who have exhausted conventional therapies.

Additionally, the ability of bispecific antibodies to penetrate specific tissues or cross the blood-brain barrier allows for more effective delivery of therapies to disease sites that were previously difficult to target. This opens up possibilities for addressing neurological disorders and other conditions with limited treatment options.

The US has been at the forefront of biopharmaceutical innovation, consistently driving advancements in the field of medicine. In recent years, the country's clinical development of bispecific antibodies has not only transformed patient care within its borders but has also had a profound impact on the global market.

As the first country to approve several bispecific antibodies therapies, the US has set standard for global regulatory agencies. International regulators often align their evaluation processes with the FDA's standards, benefiting patients worldwide by expediting approvals and facilitating access to transformative treatments.

The influx of global investment further bolsters RandD efforts, creating a virtuous cycle of progress. This infusion of funds enables companies to expand clinical trials, explore new therapeutic applications, and develop a more diverse pipeline of bispecific antibodies with broad-reaching clinical implications.

The US leadership in the clinical development of bispecific antibodies has sparked numerous collaborations and partnerships on an international scale. Research institutions, companies, and clinicians from around the world seek to collaborate with US based organizations to access expertise, technologies, and resources.

These collaborations foster knowledge-sharing and resource pooling, contributing to a collective effort in advancing the global understanding of bispecific antibodies. Such partnerships have resulted in joint clinical trials and the exploration of diverse therapeutic applications across different countries.

As the US continues to lead in research, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals, the global market for bispecific antibodies expands, providing new hope for patients facing complex diseases worldwide. Through pioneering efforts, collaborations, and investments, the US has positioned itself as a driving force in the evolving landscape of precision medicine. The impacts of its clinical developments have the potential to revolutionize patient care on a global scale.

Report Highlights

US Bispecific Antibodies Market Opportunity: > USD 15 Billion By 2028

By 2028 FDA Approved Bispecific Antibodies: 11 Antibodies

Approved Bispecific Antibodies Dosage, Price and Sales Insight

Bispecific Antibodies Reimbursement Medicare, Medicaid and Drug Specific Policy

Comprehensive Clinical Insight On Bispecific Antibodies In Pipeline: > 300 Antibodies

US Bispecific Antibodies Clinical Pipeline Insight By Company, Indication and Phase

Comprehensive Clinical Insight On Approved Bispecific Antibodies

Key Topics Covered:

1. US Bispecific Antibodies Market Outlook

1.1 US Commercially Approved Bispecific Antibodies

1.2 US Bispecific Antibodies Market Current Scenario

1.3 US Bispecific Antibodies Clinical Development & Commercial Collaborative Perspective

1.4 US Bispecific Antibodies Market Future Outlook

2. US Bispecific Antibodies Market Trends by Indication

2.1 Cancer

2.2 Ophthalmology

2.3 Autoimmune & Inflammatory Diseases

2.4 Blood Disorders

3. US Bispecific Antibodies Reimbursement Scenario

3.1 Medicare

3.2 Medicaid

3.3 Private Insurers

3.4 Pharmaceutical Companies

3.5 Approved Bispecific Antibodies Reimbursement Policies

4. Blincyto: 1st Approved Bispecific Antibody

4.1 Overview & Patent Insight

4.2 Pricing & Dosage Analysis

4.3 Sales Analysis

5. Hemlibra: 2nd Approved Bispecific Antibody

5.1 Overview

5.2 Dosage & Price Analysis

5.3 Sales Analysis

6. Rybrevant: 3rd Approved Bispecific Antibody

6.1 Overview

6.2 Dosage & Price Analysis

6.3 Sales Analysis

7. Kimmtrak: 4th Approved Bispecific Antibody

7.1 Overview

7.2 Pricing & Dosage Insight

7.3 Sales Analysis

8. Vabysmo: 5th Approved Bispecific Antibody

8.1 Overview

8.2 Dosage & Price Analysis

8.3 Sales Analysis

9. Lunsumio: 6th Approved Bispecific Antibody

9.1 Overview & Patent Insight

9.2 Dosage & Price Analysis

9.3 Sales Analysis

10. Tecvayli: 7th Approved Bispecific Antibody

10.1 Overview & Patent Insight

10.2 Pricing & Dosage Insight

11. Columvi: 8th Approved Bispecific Antibody

11.1 Overview & Patent Insight

11.2 Pricing & Dosage Insight

12. Epkinly: 9th Approved Bispecific Antibody

12.1 Overview & Patent Insight

12.2 Pricing & Dosage Insight

13. Talvey: 10th Approved Bispecific Antibody

13.1 Overview

13.2 Pricing & Dosage Insight

14. Elrexfio: 11th Approved Bispecific Antibody

14.1 Overview

14.2 Pricing & Dosage Insight

15. US Bispecific Antibodies Clinical Pipeline Overview

15.1 By Phase

15.2 By Biomarker

15.3 By Company

15.4 By Indication

15.5 Patient Segment

16. US Bispecific Antibodies Clinical Pipeline By Company, Indication & Phase

16.1 Research

16.2 Preclinical

16.3 Phase-I

16.4 Phase-I/II

16.5 Phase-II

16.6 Phase-II/III

16.7 Phase-III

17. US Marketed Bispecific Antibodies Clinical Insight By Company & Indication

18. Competitive Landscape

18.1 AbbVie

18.2 ABL Bio

18.3 Abpro Therapeutics

18.4 Abzyme Therapeutics

18.5 Affimed Therapeutics

18.6 Agenus

18.7 Amberstone Biosciences

18.8 Amgen

18.9 Antibody Therapeutics

18.10 Aptevo Therapeutics

18.11 Astellas Pharma

18.12 AstraZeneca

18.13 BioAtla

18.14 Boehringer Ingelheim

18.15 Bristol-Myers Squibb

18.16 Chugai Pharmaceutical

18.17 CytomX Therapeutics

18.18 Cytovia Therapeutics

18.19 Dren Bio

18.20 Elpis Biopharmaceuticals

18.21 EpimAb Biotherapeutics

18.22 Genentech

18.23 Genmab

18.24 GO Therapeutics

18.25 Harbour BioMed

18.26 IGM Biosciences

18.27 ImmunoPrecise Antibodies

18.28 Innovent Biologics

18.29 Integral Molecular

18.30 Invenra

18.31 Janssen Biotech

18.32 Kenjockety Biotechnology

18.33 L and L Biopharma

18.34 MacroGenics

18.35 Marengo Therapeutics

18.36 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

18.37 Merus

18.38 NovaRock Biotherapeutics

18.39 Pfizer

18.40 Phanes Therapeutics

18.41 QLSF Biotherapeutics

18.42 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

18.43 Revitope

18.44 Roche

18.45 Surrozen

18.46 Talem Therapeutics

18.47 Virtuoso Therapeutics

18.48 Xencor

18.49 Zhejiang Shimai Pharmaceutical

18.50 Zymeworks

For more information about this drug pipelines report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dsrmgu

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Thanks to a $20.6 million investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, the program will have a new permanent home at UMD's A. James Clark School of Engineering

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Maryland today announced that its A. James Clark School of Engineering will become the permanent home of a multi-university program that provides holistic support to exceptionally talented students with financial need, thanks to a generous $20.6 million investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation.

Currently active at 11 of the nation's top engineering institutions including UMD, the A. James Clark Scholars Program provides scholarships to outstanding students who share the foundation's commitments to leadership, innovation and community service in engineering and other disciplines. Re-introduced as the Clark Scholars Program Network, it will encourage collaboration and innovation across participating institutions and with alums, and continue the program's previous success.

"Jim Clark would often say, 'This is our home; we should build it.' And build it he did. He believed that if you gave a person a chance, they would create greatness. The Clark Scholars Program has given hundreds of students a chance, and the greatness they are creating will shape the world for decades to come. We are excited and honored to carry forward Mr. Clark's legacy of impact," said UMD President Darryll J. Pines.

"We are proud to introduce the Clark Scholars Program Network, the first-of-its-kind program to outlive the sunsetting foundation that created it. The sense of community between program staff across all 11 university partners is part of what makes this program so unique. The Network will forge an even closer-knit community of collaboration among program leaders along with their universities, Clark Scholars Programs, students and alumni," said Joe Del Guercio, president and CEO of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation.

Launched in 2016, the Clark Scholars Program combines engineering, business, leadership and community service. To date, the program has provided support to 591 Clark Scholars across its partner institutions, consistently exceeding national averages for female representation, underrepresented minorities in STEM, and Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled in undergraduate engineering degree programs. An impressive 50 percent of Clark Scholars are women, compared to the national engineering student average of 25 percent, and 46 percent are underrepresented minorities, compared to 26 percent nationally. During the 202223 academic year, 71 percent of Clark Scholars were able to pursue their education without taking on private student loans, thanks to the program's support.

The new Network will facilitate forums for sharing best practices and novel ideas; establish a robust alumni network; and host an annual Clark Scholars Summit at partner institutions, including Duke University, The George Washington University, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, Penn State, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, and Virginia Tech.

"By translating innovative science into technology solutions, engineering is poised to address critical societal challenges facing humanity. We are proud to educate the next generation of engineers; the Clark Scholars Program is indispensable in this endeavor," said Samuel Graham, Jr., dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering. "Mr. Clark was a visionary who built a successful business but never lost his connection to his local community. We are proud to carry forward Mr. Clark's legacy, opening the doors of opportunity for aspiring engineers and continuing his commitment to community service."

UMD's Clark Scholars Program was established as part of Building Together, the Foundation's $219.5 million investment in the University of Maryland, announced in October 2017. Including this newly announced investment, the Clark Foundation and the Clark family have invested over $300 million to build new infrastructure and support students, faculty, staff, and research at UMD alone.

About the University of Maryland

The University of Maryland (UMD) is the state's flagship university and a leading public research institution, propelled by a $1.3 billion joint research enterprise. Located four miles from Washington, D.C., the university is dedicated to addressing the grand challenges of our time and is the nation's first Do Good campus. It is driven by a diverse and proudly inclusive community of more than 50,000 fearless Terrapins. UMD is a top producer of Fulbright scholars and offers an unparalleled student experience with more than 300 academic programs, 25 living-learning programs and 400 study abroad programs. Spurred by a culture of innovation and creativity, UMD faculty are global leaders in their field and include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and members of the national academies. For more information about the University of Maryland, visit umd.edu.

About the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation

The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation partners with organizations to strengthen their ability to meet the needs of the individuals, families, and communities they serve. The Foundation focuses its philanthropy in three strategic areas: educating future engineering leaders, improving the lives of veterans and their families, and providing members of the DC community the best opportunity to thrive. To learn more, visit: clarkfoundationdc.org.

SOURCE University of Maryland
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vecto, a vendor-neutral platform that offers alternatives to traditional replacement vehicles, has been selected as one of ten companies to present on stage at ITC Vegas 2023, the world's largest gathering of insurance innovation. Their founder and CEO, Brian Aumueller, will be delivering the presentation on October 31st to a global group of tech entrepreneurs, investors, and founders.

"We are thrilled to be chosen," said Bryan Kocol, Co-Founder & CTO of Vecto. "This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our innovative solution. We see Vecto as the future of rental replacement, where every insurer can give their customers the ability to choose whatever transportation option that best fits their needs. Our platform can do this while simultaneously lowering costs for insurers, and we look forward to sharing our progress at ITC."

ITC Vegas is the world's largest gathering of insurance innovation, combining unbeatable networking with what's new and next, ensuring your time will be spent meeting more people, sourcing more solutions, and creating valuable partnerships.

Vecto is currently onboarding insurers who have an interest in broadening their rental replacement options in the traditional rental sense, as well as those who would like to add alternative transportation options like ridesharing and any other transportation models that prove themselves in the market moving forward. Their vendor-neutral platform has a simple workflow that limits the administrative burden on adjusters offering these types of services to insureds and claimants.

SOURCE Vecto
MB&F establishes its new headquarters in a century-old house in Geneva

The search for a new home

The universe of MB&F is growing! In the autumn of 2022, while opening the worlds first MB&F LAB in Singapore and preparing for a second LAB in Paris, the MB&F team was also busying itself with a matter slightly closer to home  the new M.A.D.House in Geneva.

For years, the MB&F offices had been split over two locations. There was the M.A.D.Gallery on Rue Verdaine in the heart of Genevas old town. Then, there was the main workshop address on Boulevard Helvetique, a few minutes away from the M.A.D.Gallery on foot. But both the M.A.D.Gallery and the Boulevard Helvetique offices were getting fuller and fuller. And it was time to bring everyone together under one roof.

At the end of 2019, the search began for a bigger office, one that could accommodate all the different departments of the company and allow them to interact seamlessly, fluidly, as one creative organisation. That was the logistical side of things. On a more philosophical note, this new location would also have to reflect what MB&F stood for, and what its people were working towards. The quest was on to find the MB&F team its new home.

The search went on hiatus for much of 2020 and picked up again towards the end of the year, but even after months of property visits, nothing felt exactly right. Some places were big and new, but overwhelmingly cold and corporate. And, because this is Geneva, some beautiful spaces were searingly expensive and therefore out of reach. Whilst visiting yet another office block, this one in Carouge village just beyond the southern limits of the city of Geneva, a large old house on an adjoining piece of land caught Maximilian Bussers eye.

M.A.D. HOUSE  MB&F

A jewel from Geneva's historical architecture

Built between 1907 and 1908, the houses exterior exuded history and character, though at the time it was in dire need of repairs and was occupied by a local business that had divided its three-storey interior into strictly functional workspaces, crammed with filing cabinets, twisted telephone extension cords and paper-piled desks. But there was potential in those three storeys (four, if you included the basement), enough to justify a second visit. Together with MB&Fs directors of production (Serge Kriknoff), marketing (Charris Yadigaroglou) and sales (Thibault Verdonckt), Max started to imagine how the space could be transformed.

And the M.A.D.House began to take shape, moving out of dreams and into this world.

One and a half years of repairs and renovation followed, including a full restoration of the roof and extensive interior refurbishment. The property that became the M.A.D.House was originally a joint project by the well-known architect Edmond Fatio (18711959) of Geneva and Charles Meysson (18691947) of Lyon; it was conceived as the private home of a wealthy family of industrial entrepreneurs and won an architectural prize in the year of its completion. Its construction, in the style known as Heimatstil, is characterised by a romanticised interpretation of historical architecture, a prescient nod towards its future occupants, who rework and re-dream traditional horology for the modern age. Its half-timbered exterior with rusticated stone walls recalls the castles and buildings seen in illustrated books of folklore  a fitting abode for a company whose creations were first inspired by the mythologies of science fiction and fantasy. Currently gazetted as a protected building by the Swiss Heritage Society (Patrimoine Suisse), the house came under the full stewardship of MB&F in 2022 when they entered the premises and inaugurated the M.A.D.House as their new home.

M.A.D. HOUSE  MB&F

A hive buzzing with creativity

It takes a certain kind of vision  some might say madness  to straddle past, present and future all at once. Like the watches of MB&F, the M.A.D.House contains elements of all three. Framed by historical architecture, filled with objects that tell the story of contemporary horological art, and inhabited by a team resolutely oriented towards the things yet to come.

Most days, the house can barely contain the flurry of activity generated within its walls. Its the kind of activity youd expect from having over 40 people together focused on the singular task of building and growing a company like MB&F. Multiple exterior doors lead towards a central staircase and atrium, creating a convergence of motion, an arterial confluence that hums and buzzes with comings and goings. Theres even a concealed passageway behind the stairs, a quaint artefact of the houses original design, built for those in a hurry with too much to do and not quite enough time to do it all in. (Plunging down this hidden path, you almost expect to encounter a white rabbit, gravely consulting his pocket watch.)

On the ground floor, watchmakers assemble movements at custom-built workbenches in rooms flooded by natural light, surrounded by wood panelling and hand-painted ceramic tiles from the time the house was first built. Also on the ground floor, a reception area echoes the aesthetic concept of the M.A.D.Gallery and leads onto the central stairwell, with wood newels that retain their original engravings from 1908. The upper floors are home to departmental offices, with the product creation team on the top floor, creating an organic flow of movement throughout the multi-storey space.

M.A.D. HOUSE Watchmaking  MB&F

Not a dull wall in sight

Light and space are precious commodities in any office environment, and the M.A.D.House is replete with both, thanks to its unobstructed location in three hectares of parkland. Objects and artefacts from the MB&F universe are scattered around the house, from the Jean Kazes clock on the central stairway to the photography prints by Marc Ninghetto, Ulysse Frechelin and other artists on the walls and shelves.

The central stairwell has become an installation of sorts, featuring a rotation of artists who will take it in turns to apply their vision to the white walls. The first artist to put his mark on the M.A.D.House in this way is Maxime Schertenleib, a Swiss illustrator and comic strip artist known for his highly detailed urban landscapes filled with human activity. Stepping out of the house, youre greeted by an outdoor wind sculpture, the work of American kinetic sculptor Anthony Howe. His creations play with geometry and fluid dynamics, moving and swirling in the wind to produce hypnotic metallic waves, providing visitors to the M.A.D. House with a little foretaste of the mesmerising creations coming to life indoors.

MB&F moved into the M.A.D.House in late 2022, filling the century-old house with activity, creativity and just the right dose of insanity. Six months later in 2023, the brand officially opens its doors to welcome visitors, friends of MB&F and other mad pilgrims.
IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VESICA HEALTH, INC., a multi-omics, liquid biopsy company transforming the management of hematuria patients and improving the early detection of bladder cancer, today announced the appointment of three accomplished industry veterans with proven executive leadership, strategic and commercial experience to its Board of Directors.

"It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Dr. Jan Groen, Mark McDonough, and Joe Sollee to our Board of Directors. Their extensive experience in genomics and molecular pathology spans across research and development, operations, finance, human resources, reimbursement, and corporate governance," commented Christopher Thibodeau, Chief Executive Officer of Vesica Health. "We are confident that the Board's collective strategic, operational, and commercial expertise will provide valuable insights and contributions to the organization, supporting management's efforts to maximize value for both patients and shareholders alike."

Vesica is poised to immediately reap the benefits of its extensive clinical validation studies Post this

"With a well-differentiated, scalable solution addressing a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity, I am thrilled to support Vesica's management team on its commercialization strategy," stated Mark McDonough. "Based on my experience, Vesica has a singular opportunity to not only take market share but drive widespread clinical adoption of its AssureDx test."

"Vesica is uniquely positioned with an impressive portfolio of intellectual property issued both domestically and internationally," commented Joe Sollee. "The AssureDx test is equally well-suited to Vesica's laboratory services model, as well as IVD kits, thereby enabling the company to address its total available market directly and in combination with key strategic partners."

"Vesica is poised to immediately reap the benefits of its extensive clinical validation studies and take market share with its AssureDx test, which promises to significantly enhance the quality of life for patients with hematuria and bladder cancer," stated Dr. Jan Groen. "Speaking on behalf of my fellow Board members, we are excited to be joining Vesica's Board at this important time for the company. We are eager to work alongside the management team to ensure that Vesica is well-positioned for successful commercialization."

The Board of Directors will advise the company's management team on strategic, operational, and commercial objectives. Provided below are brief summaries of the Board's credentials:

Dr. Jan Groen, Chair of the Board

Dr. Groen is the Chairman & CEO of Intravacc (The Netherlands) a contract development & manufacturing organization for the development of innovative human vaccines. His career spans many years in biotechnology, formerly as CEO at MDxHealth (MDXH), where he established the company as a market-leading molecular diagnostic uro-oncology company in the U.S. and EU. Earlier, as the President and COO of Agendia, responsible for the diagnostic operations in the U.S. and EU, he led the introduction of the first FDA-cleared breast cancer recurrence assay in the U.S. He served as VP of Research & Development at Focus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics in California, and co-founded ViroClinics B.V. and DxOrange B.V. He has held numerous scientific leadership positions at the Erasmus Medical Center, RIVM (National Institute of Public Health, NL) and Akzo-Nobel. Previously, Dr, Groen served on the Board of IBL-International (DE) and MyCartis (BE), presently serves as Chairman of the Board at Cergentis (NL), and currently as Independent Director at Novigenix (CH), and Chairman of the Board member Angle Plc. (UK).

Mark McDonough, Independent Director

Mr. McDonough is the CEO and Board member of ChromaCode, Inc, a genomics multiplexing company that leverages their High-Definition PCR (HDPCR) platform to enable comprehensive, fast, less expensive testing solutions. Previously, he served as CEO of PierianDx where he raised ~$48M to fund the company's growth initiatives and successfully completed an exit to Summa Equity which resulted in the formation of Velsera. Mr. McDonough served as President, CEO, and Board member for Immunis.AI, a privately held pre-commercial liquid biopsy platform company, and at CombiMatrix, a publicly traded company and leader in high-complexity reproductive health testing. At CombiMatrix, he successfully led the company's turnaround growth and ultimately orchestrated its sale in November 2017. Earlier, he served in various leadership roles at high-growth diagnostic companies including US LABS (acquired by LabCorp) and Ventana Medical Systems (acquired by Roche). Mr. McDonough is a proud former Naval Officer having served as a Navigator and Communications Officer on the USS FLETCHER (DD 992).

Joe Sollee, Independent Director

Mr. Sollee is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and General Counsel at MDxHealth and has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, including senior management roles in both private and publicly listed pharmaceuticals, health information technology, and molecular diagnostics companies. He has served as chief legal counsel to MDxHealth since its inception in 2003. Prior to MDxHealth, he led the Life Sciences Practice Group at the law firm of Kennedy Covington (now K&L Gates) and held senior legal and management positions at TherapyEdge and Triangle Pharmaceuticals. In addition, he has practiced as a corporate attorney in the Washington D.C. legal firm Swidler & Berlin and as an investment banker at Smith Barney in New York. Mr. Sollee received a Juris Doctorate in Law and a master's degree in international law from Duke University, a BA degree from Harvard University, and has been awarded New York, Washington D.C. and North Carolina legal bar certifications.

About AssureDx

Vesica Health's patented, noninvasive, urine-based AssureDx test helps physicians accurately triage hematuria patients, distinguishing those at increased risk for bladder cancer, who may benefit from immediate referral to urology and clinical evaluation, from those at very low risk for bladder cancer, who may safely avoid invasive procedures and secondary cancer risk from harmful CT scans. AssureDx biomarkers and technology have been extensively reported in 20 peer-reviewed and published studies on over 5,878 patients, including three sequential, prospective clinical validation studies, delivering robust clinical performance with a 0.96 AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve), 99% Negative Predictive Value (NPV), 96% Sensitivity and 83% Specificity for the detection of bladder cancer in hematuria patients. AssureDx also provides urologists with a noninvasive method to monitor bladder cancer patients at increased risk of recurrence after initial treatment, thereby improving patient management and outcomes.

About Vesica Health, Inc.

Vesica Health's mission is to transform the management of hematuria patients and improve the early detection of bladder cancer. Each year it is estimated that upwards of 17M (1-in-5) adults will present with hematuria, the primary symptom of bladder cancer, yet despite guideline recommendations only ~12% of patients are referred to urology for clinical evaluation. As a consequence, ~20% of bladder cancers are missed each year, leading to later-stage disease at diagnosis and higher mortality. Vesica has translated 20 years of advanced multi-omics research in bladder cancer into a well-validated, commercial-ready precision diagnostic test to improve the evaluation of hematuria, early detection of disease, and recurrence monitoring. For more information, please visit www.vesicahealth.com.

For more information:

Vesica Health Corporate Communications

[email protected]

This company announcement contains forward-looking statements and estimates with respect to the anticipated future performance of Vesica Health and the market in which it operates. Such statements and estimates are based on assumptions and assessments of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which were deemed reasonable but may not prove to be correct. Actual events are difficult to predict, may depend upon factors that are beyond the company's control, and may turn out to be materially different. Vesica Health expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this announcement to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based unless required by law or regulation. This company announcement does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities or assets of Vesica Health in any jurisdiction. No securities of Vesica Health may be offered or sold within the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in compliance with an exemption therefrom, and in accordance with any applicable U.S. securities laws.

NOTE: The Vesica Health wordmarks and logos, including Vesica Health, and AssureDx are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vesica Health, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Vesica Health
Offering Includes Morning Blend, Donut Shop Blend, 100% Colombian, and French Roast in Single Serve Pods

LITTLE CHUTE, Wis., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trilliant Food & Nutrition, a leading, vertically integrated coffee manufacturer in the U.S., announced today an expansion of new distribution of its Victor Allen's Coffee Brand at a leading east coast grocery retailer, Food Lion.

Victor Allen's Coffee is about providing consumers a great cup of coffee without having to comprise quality for price. Post this Victor Allens Coffee Expands Single Serve Coffee Pod Distribution with Food Lion Partnership

Available today, shoppers at more than 1,100 Food Lion stores on the east coast can find Victor Allen's single serve coffee pods in 36 count cartons in the following flavor profiles: Morning Blend, Donut Shop Blend, 100% Colombian and French Roast. New packaging graphics are also being launched on-shelf showcasing the NEW Victor Allen's Coffee Brand logo along with a refreshed design focusing on our core brand attributes that are important to both the brand and consumers.

"The Victor Allen's Coffee Brand is all about providing consumers with access to a great cup of coffee without having to comprise quality for price," said Tom Lehocky, Vice President of Sales for Trilliant Food & Nutrition. "By expanding our distribution through a Food Lion partnership, consumers on the east coast will now have access to high quality coffee at a price that won't break the bank. We are proud to partner with Food Lion and bring their shoppers this offering."

To find a Food Lion near you, visit the Food Lion store finder. For more information about the Victor Allen's Coffee Brand, visit the Victor Allen's website and follow Victor Allen's Coffee on Facebook and Instagram.

About Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC

Founded in 1979, Trilliant Food & Nutrition is a leading, vertically integrated coffee manufacturer in the U.S. providing coffee sourcing, roasting, extraction, packaging of dry and liquid formats, product development, supply chain management, and sales and marketing services to the world's leading retailers, foodservice operators, and brands. For more information on Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC, visit www.trilliantfood.com.

SOURCE Trilliant Food & Nutrition
BEIJING, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: China will host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing from Oct. 17 to 18. It is reported that representatives from over 140 countries and more than 30 international organizations have confirmed their attendance at the event.

Despite the turbulent international situation, China has rolled out the red carpet to welcome guests from all over the world, which demonstrates the country's unswerving commitment to promoting world peace and development.

Photo shows the first phase of the headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a China-aided project, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Photo by Yan Yunming/People's Daily)

Over the past decade since Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), stories of win-win cooperation have continued to unfold along this public road of shared opportunities and common development.

So far, over 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations have signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with China; the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has grown from 57 founding members to 109 members, which account for 81 percent of the world's population and 65 percent of global GDP; and more than 80 routes have been launched for the China-Europe freight trains, reaching 217 cities in 25 European countries.

Experience over the past 10 years has fully proven that the BRI is an open and inclusive platform and a global public good jointly built by all partners.

International analysts have eagerly sought to understand what allowed China to conceive the grand initiative and accomplish significant achievements in furthering its development.

The BRI is the result of China's reflections on the future and destiny of humanity. In March 2013, in the face of the profound questions of "What is wrong with the world?" and "What should we do about it?", which concern the world, history and the times, Xi creatively proposed the concept of building a global community with a shared future for mankind.

By launching the BRI, China aims to put this concept into practice and build a practical platform and open up paths for creating an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

The BRI stemmed from China's unshakeable pursuit of world peace and development. China unswervingly follows the path of peaceful development. It safeguards world peace to ensure its own growth, and contributes to world peace through its own development.

Taking the path of peaceful development is China's response to international concerns about its development direction, and also a reflection of the confidence and consciousness of the Chinese people in achieving their development goals.

By proposing the BRI, China strives not only to pursue its own development and enhance its capacity to safeguard world peace, but also to benefit the world by strengthening the forces for upholding world peace and development.

In pursuing Belt and Road cooperation, China will not resort to the outdated geopolitical maneuvering, but will create a new model of win-win cooperation. It will not form "a small group detrimental to stability", but will try to create "a big family of harmonious coexistence".

The success of the BRI represents the success of China's development path and experience. China has achieved the two miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, resolved its problem of absolute poverty once for all, and realized its first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The fundamental reason for these achievements is that China has found a successful development path that is suited to its national conditions and people's aspirations and supported by its people.

With nine percent of the world's arable land and six percent of the freshwater resources, China feeds nearly one-fifth of the world's population. In 2022, China's GDP expanded to 121 trillion yuan ($16.56 trillion), while its share of the global economy rose to 18 percent, demonstrating remarkable development achievements.

The success of China's development path has strengthened other developing countries' determination to pursue paths based on their own national realities, and China's great achievements in development have boosted other developing countries' confidence in realizing national prosperity, national rejuvenation and improving people's wellbeing. The BRI has provided valuable opportunities for other developing countries to draw on China's development experience.

The success of the BRI is the success of China's commitment to open development. Only when a country is strong enough can it have the confidence to open its doors to the world, and opening up in turn enhances its prosperity. The BRI is a major initiative China has launched to expand opening up. It is not a solo endeavor by China, but a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders.

In the face of a rising tide of de-globalization, China remains firmly committed to high-level opening up, creating an even brighter future for cooperation under the BRI.

The BRI has continuously broken deadlocks, removed bottlenecks and spurred innovations, showing the world that only by building an open world economy can countries improve the wellbeing of their peoples.

As former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero pointed out, the BRI upholds an open and inclusive vision for development that transcends borders and zero-sum game mindset, which is precisely the development philosophy the world urgently needs today.

SOURCE People's Daily
In all, the tech-enabled consumer products company has raised $230 Million since inception, the most recently closed $11 million equity raise led by Memphis, Tennessee-based Gullane Capital

CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Society Brands , a tech-enabled consumer products company built for and by founders, today announced it has raised an additional $25 million of equity, most recently having secured $11 million in a funding round led by Gullane Capital, LLC, an investment firm focused on managing and advising pooled investment vehicles consisting of qualified individuals.

Since its initial raise of $205 million, Society Brands has raised an additional $25 million in equity funding bringing the total capital commitment since inception to $230 million. Additional lead investors include Callais Capital, an institutional VC firm in Louisiana, and North Coast Ventures, a Cleveland-based capital partner who invests primarily in early and growth stage companies. The recent equity fundraise will allow Society Brands to continue acquiring e-commerce native brands in a targeted and strategic manner, further the build out of their operating team and infrastructure and provide even more financial strength to the company's balance sheet.

"Despite recent headwinds in the e-commerce space, Society Brands is stronger than ever. We've had strong execution from both an organic and inorganic growth perspective and this equity raise is a testament to that," said Michael Sirpilla, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Society Brands. "This recent $11 million raise, which now totals $25 million since our last capital raise announcement, demonstrates the confidence that our investors have in our business plan and our future success. Moving forward, Society Brands is positioned to become a premier tech-enabled consumer products company as we continue to acquire great brands and partner with incredible founders."

Society Brands has a differentiated business model and deal structure that creates alignment with founders while truly enabling them to take their brand to new heights by sharing best practices and resources.

"We believe Society Brands' business model to develop lasting and meaningful relationships with the sellers to grow their business and, as a result Society Brands' overall portfolio, is a formula for success," said Trip Miller, founder of Gullane Capital. "We are equally impressed with the high integrity founder-run culture amongst Society's leadership that aligns with our investment partner's values. Given that, we are optimistic that Society will be among the strongest players in the marketplace."

Society Brands not only acquires brands that sell on Amazon, but also companies with a strong and loyal direct-to-consumer audience on platforms like Shopify. They encourage founders to stay on board to be part of the team and offer rolled equity as part of the deal consideration to create alignment. It's their desire to build a community and ecosystem of like-minded entrepreneurs that have the skill and energy to grow with their brand. Not only will founders elevate to the next level professionally, but they will also develop relationships that will last a lifetime.

"Society Brands' strong financial position will allow it to further capitalize on additional acquisitions that can be integrated with the company's exceptional management team and proven processes for growing businesses that we believe will yield solid results for all stakeholders," said Court Coursey, Managing Partner of TomorrowVentures, and Society Brands advisor and early-stage investor.

In recent months, Society Brands has fostered genuine organic growth by cultivating powerful relationships between brands. This not only strengthens the shared mission but also enhances the combined value, saving millions annually. Society Brands' commitment isn't just about efficient operations; it's about nurturing each brand under one umbrella, allowing them to thrive and flourish. Society Brands successfully owns and operates seven distinct brands including Capsule Supplies, Barnesmith, Power Theory, and Wolf Tactical, to name a few. Additional brands are currently in the acquisition pipeline and will be announced soon.

About Society Brands

Society Brands is a tech-enabled consumer products company that acquires e-commerce native brands that primarily sell on their own DTC sites and platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and others. Society Brands was built by founders, for founders, providing entrepreneurs meaningful liquidity while at the same time affording them an opportunity to stay on board, build their brand and roll equity into Society Brands' platform. For more information, please visit www.societybrands.com .

SOURCE Society Brands
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Woodruff Sawyer, one of the largest independent insurance brokerages in the US, announced today the release of the 2024 Private Equity and M&A Looking Ahead Guide. With over 25 years of experience, Woodruff Sawyer is a trusted advisor to the private equity, venture capital, and M&A community, and provides counsel on 150+ transactions per year, ranging from middle market growth equity deals to strategic acquisitions, traditional private equity buyouts, and SPAC/de-SPAC transactions.

Download the Guide

Attend our webinar

Woodruff Sawyer's Luke Parsons and Brian O'Regan discuss Value Creation at the Portfolio Company Level

As we predicted in last year's Looking Ahead Guide, 2023 has been a tough year for dealmakers. Since peaking in Q4 2021, quarterly volumes are now down 24% by deal count and 49.5% by deal value. Exit activity has fallen 75% from 2021's peak to trough on a quarterly basis, showing no signs of improving over the next several quarters.

However, even in this challenging market, private equity funds are still managing to put capital to work by keeping deal sizes small or finding alternative sources of capital to finance transactions. Looking forward to Q4 2023 and into 2024, Woodruff Sawyer anticipates while the deal landscape may continue to evolve and new structures develop, deal flow will increase compared to Q1 2023.

How has this new deal environment impacted the insurance side of the equation? Simply put, insurance due diligence will continue to gain steam as deal teams seek ways to improve and maximize EBITDA efficiencies and mitigate risk to their investment assets. At the same time, the M&A insurance market is adjusting to reduced deal flow and smaller deal sizes with fierce competition from carriers. The result? Much lower reps and warranties premiums, especially for deals underwriters have been more cautious about in the past.

Luke Parsons, Partner & Senior Vice President of the Private Equity Practice at Woodruff Sawyer notes, "Transactional risk and insurance due diligence advisory work is intrinsic to our DNA, and we have infused that into our 2024 Looking Ahead Guide. We are grappling with the lowest deal flow in 10 years and to get the job done, investors are moving quickly. Insurance due diligence often takes a back seat to operational, legal, financial, or accounting diligence. But, if poorly executed, acquirers and investors alike may leave themselves exposed to increased risks that could negatively impact EBITDA in the short term and diminish the long-term value of the asset. Having an expert team of insurance advisors will help deal teams act with more speed and certainty regarding the key protector and mitigator of EBITDA risk for companies: insurance."

For deeper insights, advice, and our predictions for the mergers and acquisitions and private equity landscape in 2024, read the full Guide.

About Woodruff Sawyer

As one of the largest independent insurance brokerages and consulting firms in the US, Woodruff Sawyer protects the people and assets of more than 4,000 companies. We provide expert counsel and fierce advocacy to protect clients against their most critical risks in property and casualty, management liability, cyber liability, employee benefits, and personal wealth management. An active partner of Assurex Global and International Benefits Network, we provide expertise and customized solutions where clients need it, with headquarters in San Francisco, offices throughout the US, and global reach on six continents. For more information, call 844.972.6326, or visit woodruffsawyer.com.

Media contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Woodruff Sawyer
BEIJING, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chinese Opera Gala (Kunshan) 2023 kicked off recently in Kunshan City, east China's Jiangsu Province to showcase the enduring cultural charm of classic Chinese opera.

Famous troupes, masters and Chinese opera performers from all over the country presented performances of 6 grand dramas and 20 renowned excerpts during the event which will last until Oct. 31.

Photo shows that Peking Opera "The Ruse of the Empty City" was performed at the opening ceremony of the Chinese Opera Gala (Kunshan) 2023.

The opening ceremony was graced by eight artists from the opera industry including Cui Guangli, Xi Zhonglu, Peng Qinglian, etc., who brought classic performances of Peking Opera, Sichuan Opera, Chu Opera and others.

The Kunshan Chinese Opera Museum was unveiled at the opening ceremony of the opera gala. The museum has an extensive collection of items related to the 348 Chinese operas, which are to be exhibited to showcase the history and characteristics of Chinese operas.

This year, the event built a platform for young opera talents to host training classes for 121 opera troupes nationwide, and organized nationwide opera performance to nominate leading talents of Chinese Opera.

This year's opera gala is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, and undertaken by the Art Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Suzhou Municipal People's Government.

See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/336474.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
LIAOCHENG, China, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from the Shandong Office of Hong Kong Business Daily. "I have visited multiple cities in China, including bustling Beijing, beautiful Qingdao, and the tranquil Weihai. Every time I experience it, I can feel the charm and uniqueness of China. China has a long history and culture, with many breathtaking tourist attractions, and many delicious foods renowned worldwide. "Li Bingrun, majoring in Economics and Management at Central University, warmly said.

In order to further strengthen cultural exchanges between China and South Korea, promote China's excellent traditional culture, and let more Korean friends know about China's beautiful hometown, on October 15th, Wei Linlin, a foreign student from Yanggu, Shandong, held a unique promotional event at Guangming Cave Park in South Korea.

In recent years, Yanggu County has seized the two major opportunities of the major national strategy of the Yellow River and the construction of the Grand Canal National Cultural Park. With the Yellow River and the Grand Canal water bodies as the link and the integration of cultural and tourism development as the main line, it has deeply explored the historical and cultural resources of the Yellow River and the Canal, done a good job in inheriting, promoting, protecting, and utilizing articles, and made every effort to create the cultural and tourism brand of "Two Rivers Pearl  Heroic Yanggu".

At the event site, Wei Linlin vividly introduced the historical origins, cultural locations, and new urban features of Yanggu through a combination of pictures and text. He showcased the rich connotations and unique charm of Yanggu to the Korean college students present around the Yellow River culture, Water Margin culture, Canal culture, and Dongyi culture. He also warmly invited the Korean college students present to visit Yanggu and personally experience the cultural atmosphere of the city.

This is my first time learning about the city of Yanggu, and I never expected it to have such a long history. I really hope to have the opportunity to visit Yanggu and experience the unique cultural atmosphere of this city. "Quan Enqing, a student majoring in Administration at Qingxi University, said eagerly.

SOURCE Shandong Office of Hong Kong Business Daily
Twin sides! Two dials, two faces, two identities... Hovering between life and death, with a touch of naughty humour, just like the joyous and colourful Mexican Dia de Muertos celebration!

For Mexico, De Bethune is once again having fun in celebrating the Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos). Denis Flageollet makes no secret of the fact that since the release of the Kind-of-Two in 2020, he has revelled in surprising people with the multiple possibilities afforded by such a double-sided watch and is looking forward to receiving collectors requests for one-of-a-kind timepieces in order to play with these countless options!

To kick off this future festival of made-to-order Kind-of-Two watches, what more fun could Denis Flageollet have than getting down to work with his long-time accomplice  Swiss Art engraver Michele Rothen  in order to demonstrate the watch's full potential. Midway between engraving and microsculpture, Michele's engraving surpasses all existing standards. Her infinitely accurate work is backed by Swiss artistic talent recognised as among the very best.

Cempasuchil II  De Bethune

A joyful and naughty depiction of death

For the "Cempasuchil II" reflecting a hint of mischief (and a touch of naughtiness!), they have jointly revived the characters featured in the DW5 Cempasuchil (presented in Mexico in 2020), this time by choosing the double-sided Kind-of-Two watch.

Its first dial is transformed into a dance floor for two Calaveras, indicating the hours and minutes. On the otherside of the watch, a dedicated decor (usually hidden behind a secret cover) features a naughty depiction of our two Calaveras 'in action'. Beneath a show of laughing ossuaries worthy of La Catrina, an array of cams, levers and are set into motion and bring the two characters to life as a surprising and fun treat for amused observers. Animated on demand by a highly complex mechanism (like a small automaton) by means of a button at 12 o'clock, the merry scene conveys a sense of gaiety and mischief... An even closer look reveals a little humorous touch from the two designers as its the "girl" taking the lead in this traditional Kamasutra position.

Cempasuchil II  De Bethune

The entire engraving work on both dial sides is a nod to the brilliant Mexican engraver Jose Guadalupe Posada, an artist who made the dead dance in the late 19th century and already inspired Denis Flageollet and Michele Rothen in 2020 when designing the DW5 Cempasuchil. With this new creation, they have once again picked the aesthetic codes and details of the work down by Posada, who has gained lasting renown for his genius in turning macabre art on its head and aligning it with the singular way Mexicans joyfully celebrate their dear departed. The titanium casing has been flame-blued and engraved with subtle gold inlays to bring light and a discreetly precious touch.

This one-of-a-kind creation thus perfectly demonstrates the versatile nature of the Kind-of-Two, which offers clients the possibility of ordering bespoke versions with their very own automaton mechanism, giving free rein to their imagination. This provides scope for all kinds of animations, including non-erotic ones, as well as different movement configurations. The beauty of this double-sided artwork thus reflects both mechanical and aesthetic perfection.
On the occasion of the 18th birthday of the future King of Denmark, Prince Christian, his portraits with and without his parents were released. Currently, the young man is second in line to the throne, second only to his father, Crown Prince Frederik.

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Despite his young age, he already knows how to behave in public, communicate with other European royal families, and is rumored to have introduced his grandmother, the Queen, to a girl. OBOZ.UA decided to show how Christian's coming-of-age celebration went (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the photos).

New portraits have appeared on the royal family's Instagram. In the photo, the 18-year-old poses with his parents and younger relatives in festive outfits.

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The prince celebrated his birthday with a gala reception for friends from other royal families. Their parents were also invited. Hundreds of people gathered at the Christianshavn Palace in Copenhagen. It is believed to be the most anticipated celebration of the year.

Princess Elisabeth, 21, of Belgium, Ingrid Alexandra, 19, of Norway, with her parents, Estelle, 11, of Sweden, with her family, Princess Katharina-Amalia, Princess of the Netherlands, and others were present.

The event had an official dress code. Guests were asked to wear ball gowns, uniforms, suits, ties, and not to neglect royal attributes. For example, they were encouraged to complement the look with a tiara.

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At the age of 18, Christian not only proudly bears the title of the future king, but also arranges his personal life. The media claim that the prince is romantically involved with Sicilian Princess Maria Chiara de Bourbon, Duchess of Capri. However, the "lovers" have not confirmed these rumors.

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Suspicion arose when Christian introduced his girlfriend to his grandmother, the Queen. Some people thought that this gesture could be interpreted as a request for the royal blessing. By the way, the ruler also joined the festive ball, which was held in a warm atmosphere.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about 5 amazing stories that celebrities told about British Princess Diana. During her lifetime, she was called the queen of human hearts, because Lady Dee was different from other titled persons.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The IRS13 star cluster near the central black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) in our Milky Way galaxy is surprisingly young and challenges current theories of star formation. This discovery was made possible by decades of data and the James Webb Space Telescope.

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This is stated in the study, the results of which were published in the scientific journal The Astrophysical Journal. An international team of researchers led by Dr. Florian Peisker from the Institute of Astrophysics at the University of Cologne (Germany) studied the IRS13 star cluster in detail and found that it is much younger than expected.

The cluster itself was discovered more than 12 years ago, but its members have been identified only now by combining data sets from several telescopes that have been collected over several decades.

It turned out that the stars in the cluster are extremely young and are "only" a few hundred thousand years old. This is a very young age for stars, especially when compared to our Sun, which is 5 billion years old.

At the same time, scientists know that so many young stars cannot exist near a supermassive black hole, as this is prevented by high-energy radiation and the tidal forces of the galaxy. So the scientists tried to find out how they were formed there.

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The study showed that IRS13 had a complex formation history. According to scientists, it could have been attracted to a supermassive black hole under the influence of various factors.

When the gravity of the black hole "captured" the cluster, a bow shock wave was formed at its leading edge, reminiscent of the bow of a ship cutting through water. As a result, there was a jump in dust density, which could have caused further star formation. This process, according to scientists, can explain why the youngest stars in the cluster are located mainly at its top or front.

Peisker explained that the IRS13 analysis and interpretation of the cluster is "the first attempt to solve the decades-old mystery of unexpectedly young stars in the Galactic Center."

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He also said that even closer to the black hole is another cluster, the so-called S-cluster, which also consists of young stars that are "much younger than would be expected according to accepted theories."

The second author of the study and a scientist at Masaryk University in Brno (Czech Republic), Dr. Michal Zajacek, explained that the IRS13 star cluster is the first time "we have been able to detect stellar populations of different ages - hot main-sequence stars and young forming stars - in a cluster located so close to the center of the Milky Way."

Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that the black hole in the center of our galaxy probably has a mysterious satellite.

Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL's Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Prayagraj, Oct 17 : The Allahabad High Court has stayed the order of a revenue official of Uttar Pradesh's Deoria district for the demolition of a house belonging to the father of Prem Chand Yadav, who was among the six persons killed over a land dispute in Deoria's Fatehpur village on October 2.

Prem Chand's father Ram Bhawan Yadav is an accused in the murder of five members of a family committed on October 2.

On October 11, the tehsildar concerned had issued the demolition order on the ground that the house had been constructed on the gram sabha land recorded as 'khalihan'.

The petitioner had moved the court challenging the order of the tehsildar. Counsel for the petitioner submitted that authorities are adamant about demolishing the house as the petitioner has filed a petition immediately without availing remedy of appeal under Section 67 (5) of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006.

He further submitted that even on merit, the impugned order cannot be maintained, but without affording a proper opportunity of hearing as well as without making proper survey and demarcation, the order for ejectment and damages had been passed against the petitioner.

The petition filed in the case was opposed by the state counsel as well as on behalf of the land management committee of village by saying that impugned order is appealable under Section 67 (5) of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006, as such writ petition is liable to be dismissed on the ground of alternative remedy.

However, after going through the arguments as well as law laid down by the court in such a situation, the court directed the petitioner to file an appeal before the concerned collector against the order passed by the tehsildar within two weeks.

"If the appeal is filed within the aforesaid period, the same shall be registered and disposed of in accordance with ratio of law," the court directed.

The court also directed that the order dated October 11 passed by Tehsildar for demolition and damages will not be given affect till the disposal of petitioner's appeal.
Ballia : , Oct 17 (IANS) In a tragic incident, a class 12 student died by committing suicide in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district because her mother had scolded her for watching television.

The 18-year-old girl hanged herself with her dupatta, the police said.

The family discovered the death on Monday when the girl did not come out of the room till around noon.

Station House Officer, M.K. Srivastava, said that the family then raised an alarm.

The police have sent the body for post-mortem. The police have also recovered a suicide note from the room where the girl hanged herself. In the suicide note, she has written that she was taking the extreme step after being scolded by her mother.

Family members said that Manisha was watching TV late at night on Sunday and her mother got angry about it and had scolded her.
Canberra, Oct 17 : The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has joined the effort to repatriate Australian citizens stranded in Israel.

Richard Marles, the Minister for Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, Penny Wong, Foreign Affairs Minister, and Bill Shorten, the Minister for Government Services, on Monday evening announced that two RAAF aircraft joined a government-supported charter to fly 255 Australian citizens from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport to Dubai on Monday.

The two heavy transports, a KC-30At and C-17A Globemaster III, were the first aircraft deployed by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to join the operation to repatriate Australian citizens in Israel who wish to leave the area, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, more than 1,200 Australians who registered their desire to depart from the area have left, more than 400 of whom were on board government-supported flights.

"The safety of Australians impacted by this conflict is paramount for the Australian Government," Marles said in a joint statement with Wong and Shorten.

"The activation of two Defence aircraft provides critical options for Australia as the conflict in Israel continues to evolve."

As of Monday, the government was considering whether further assisted-departure flights were required, urging citizens who still want to leave the area to do so at the earliest opportunity.
Gaza, Oct 17 : At least 11 Palestinian journalists were killed and 20 more others injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said.

In a press statement, the syndicate added on Monday that 50 local, regional, and international media organisations were targetted in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which have continued for 10 days.

Moreover, two journalists have gone missing as they were covering the escalation between Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel, the syndicate said.

It also noted that the continued power outage and internet problem in Gaza limited the ability of journalists to continue their coverage, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Many journalists were subjected to direct threats and incitements from Israel on social media platforms," the syndicate said, calling on the international community to intervene to protect journalists.

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip a week ago, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza.
Lucknow, Oct 17 : With the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be addressing 12 meetings in as many districts to woo women and Dalits.

These rallies will be held from October 17 to November 3.

After launching Mission Shakti phase-4 on Saturday -- a UP government initiative to empower women -- Yogi Adityanath is going full throttle to promote the scheme among women and reach out to a half of the population.

An intensive schedule has been drawn up this time not just to teach women self-defence, link them with government schemes, educate them about laws pertaining to women and also to publicise the various pro-government schemes of the Centre and state.

The chief minister will be addressing six meetings in the coming 18 days on women empowerment. Sources in the government said that the aim of these meetings is to reach out to women and speak to them about all the initiatives taken by the government for them and the efforts being made, through schemes like Mission Shakti, to make them financially self-reliant.

To bolster these claims, the government will take recourse to data like the one released by the Periodic Labour Force Survey which has shown that the state's female labour force participation rate has gone up from 14.2 per cent in 2017-18 to 32.1 per cent in 2022-23.

On the days that he will address rallies on women empowerment, the chief minister will travel to another district to address meetings on Dalits.

"BJP is focussing strongly on drawing Dalits into its fold. The chief minister is leaving nothing to chance and in this phase of campaigning, will be addressing six rallies on Dalits. This is currently the initial phase and more such meetings are to follow after a brief break during Diwali," said a senior BJP functionary.
Lucknow, Oct 17 : A 90-year-old woman, who was found dead at her home in Lucknow's Triveni Nagar three days ago, was murdered by her 22-year-old grandson, who has been arrested.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) Qasim Abidi, said: "The victim's grandson, Manas Sashwat, killed his 90-year-old grandmother after she refused to pay him money for the purchase of an intoxicant to which he was addicted."

The DCP said that a murder case (302) had been filed at the Aliganj police station.

"The grandson was arrested on Monday and police also recovered two gold jewellery and Rs 1,850 in cash from the accused," he said.

After the arrest, the IPC sections 394 (robbery), 411 (dishonesty), and the Under Arms Act were added to the FIR.

Shail Kumari was found dead in her Triveni Nagar home where she lived alone, while her son lived in Jankipuram.

She was found lying in a pool of blood after being struck by an object.

Her son, who visited her mother late at night, informed the police by dialling 112.

The police claim that the accused grandson, who works for a private company, was arrested and rigorously questioned with the help of CCTV footage and surveillance.

He confessed to the crime during the police interrogation and claimed that he had been staying with her grandmother for the past two days.

He had been facing a paucity of funds to cover his personal expenses and addiction.

In response, she refused to give him any money or her gold bangles, he told the police.

Angry at her refusal, he forcibly removed the bangles and any cash she had on her.

According to the accused, after she began to protest, he became enraged and killed her with an iron object before fleeing the scene and disposing of the weapon.
New Delhi: AAP MP Sanjay Singh being taken to the Rouse Avenue Court by the Enforcement Directorate officials. Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow, Oct 17 : The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Aam Aadmi Party will soon distribute pamphlets containing a message by MP Sanjay Singh, currently in jail under ED custody on charges of money laundering in the Delhi Liquor Policy case.

The party said it will be organising a massive protest in Uttar Pradesh on October 21 and another one in Delhi on October 27.

AAP's Lucknow district president Shekhar Dikshit said that in his message, Singh will tell the people of UP why he was arrested by the Modi government.

"My crime is only this that I raised the voice of people, revealed details about the Modi-Adani corruption. I have raised the voice of farmers, youth, employees, Dalits, destitute from the road to Parliament, without fear," the pamphlet says.

Calling Singh's arrest unconstitutional, Dikshit said that he was arrested without even a summon.

"Enforcement Directorate is working under the pressure of BJP. It has been BJP's habit to get ED to arrest Opposition leaders where it knows it will not be getting any votes. Singh had been highlighting the corruption of Modi and Adani for several months and had even given the ED proof of the corruption but no action was taken against them," he said.
Paris, Oct 17 : Hundreds of Members of the European Parliament (MEP) and staffers who were on their way from Brussels to the French city of Strasbourg, accidentally ended up in Disneyland Paris after the train in which they were travelling in suffered a track signalling error, the media reported on Tuesday.

The special train is chartered once a month to get the MEPs between parliament's seats in Brussels and Strasbourg, the BBC said in its report.

Following the faux pas on Monday, one MEP tweeted: "We are NOT a Mickey Mouse parliament."

While some made light of the goof-up, othershighlighted the need to stay in Belgium to do business rather than travelling to the north-eastern French city.

"Could a new Disneyland be a suitable use for the Strasbourg buildings?" asked Pelle Geertsen, press aide to a Danish MEP, on the issue of whether the European Parliament could permanently settle in Brussels.

The stopover was not long enough for the MEPs and their aides to sample the rides as the delay lasted just 45 minutes, reports the BBC.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
A tourist from Russia was not allowed to leave the airport in Helsinki, Finland, while she was waiting for a bus to St. Petersburg. Finnish border guards ordered her to wait in a neutral zone.

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This was reported by a Russian media outlet. This is not the first time the Finns have shown hostility to their neighbors.

A Russian woman said she had flown in from London. At passport control, she was asked what time the bus to St. Petersburg was arriving. The flight was scheduled for two and a half hours later, so she said she "didn't even think there would be any problems." However, the Finnish border guards said that the tourist was not allowed to stay in Finland for that long, so she had to wait in the terminal. "We'll let you out before the bus," the workers added.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about how a Russian tourist was insulted by a taxi driver in Turkey: he called Russians "terrible non-humans" and threatened the police.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Washington, Oct 17 : A US State Department spokesperson has said that nearly 1,000 American citizens and their family members have left Israel on government-chartered transport.

Speaking to CNN on Monday, the spokesperson said that since October 13, the government had offered "more than 4,000 seats on US government-chartered transport by air and sea to US citizens and their immediate family members".

"The departure options we have offered have generally departed at half capacity or less."

US government-facilitated flights are expected to continue on a rolling basis from Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport at least until Thursday, the spokesperson said.

"We will continue to monitor demand from US citizens for assistance in departing Israel on a real-time basis. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and US citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance," the spokesperson told CNN.

"We urge those US citizens wishing to leave to take advantage of this departure assistance while it is available."

More than 3,000 additional US citizens have said "they successfully departed Israel and the West Bank using commercial air, via the land border, or other means", according to the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Americans in Gaza told CNN they have had no luck getting into Egypt through the Rafah crossing, despite indications from Ameican officials that it may be opening.

The US Embassy Cairo is tracking 253 US citizens, with 153 "associated family members", requesting help to depart Gaza via the Rafah Crossing, CNN reuoted an internal government memo as saying.

"US citizens in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank in need of assistance should complete the crisis intake form on travel.state.gov," the spokesperson told CNN.

"We will continue to provide updates to US citizens, including departure assistance, as information becomes available."
Srinagar, Oct 17 : For the first time after 1947, Navratri Puja was held at the Sharda Devi Temple near the Line of Control (LoC) in Teetwal village of J&K's Kupwara district.

Puja washeld on Monday,the first day of Sharad Navratri and this historic event drew a significant number of pilgrims from across the country.

Swami Govindananda Saraswati of Hampi reached Teetwal village with his followers on a Rath Yatra from Kishkinda, the birthplace of Lord Hanuman in Karnataka.

Some Kashmiri Pandit pilgrims were also present during the Puja, including A.K. Raina, a known theatre personality, who has acted in aKashmir Filesa movie.

The temple and Gurudwara in Teetwalvillage were burnt down by tribal raiders in 1947 and a new temple and gurudwara has come up on the same piece of land on the same pattern, that was inaugurated by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah on March 23, 2023.

Hailing the Navratri Puja at the historic temple after 75 years, Amit Shah said, "It is a matter of profound spiritual significance that for the first time since 1947, the Navratri pujas have been held in the historic Sharda Temple in Kashmir this year.

"Earlier in the year, the Chaitra Navratri Puja was observed and now the mantras of the Shardiya Navratri puja resound in the shrine. I was fortunate to reopen the temple on 23rd March 2023 after restoration. This not only signifies the return of peace in the valley, but also marks the rekindling of our nation's spiritual and cultural flame under the leadership of Prime Minister Narinder Modi ji."

The ancient temple of Sharda is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas and lies in ruins in the Neelam Valley of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The temple is devoted to the Hindu Goddess Maa Sharda, often considered an incarnation of Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom.

According to legend, the temple was originally built by the Pandavas during their period of exile. It is also believed that King Lalitaditya Muktapida, who governed the region during the 8th century, later undertook the renovation of the temple.

Maa Sharda Devi Temple holds significant religious importance for Hindus, particularly within the Kashmiri Pandit community. Devotees from various parts of India visit the temple to seek blessings and offer prayers to the Goddess. It is believed that it represents the spiritual location of Goddess Satias fallen right hand.
Number of humanitarian staff killed while on duty in Gaza rises to 31: UN. Image Source: IANS News

Gaza, Oct 17 : The UN has said that the number of humanitarian staff killed while on duty in Gaza has increased to 31 after seven Civil Defence officials died in an Israeli airtsrike in the last 24 hours.

On Monday, "seven Civil Defence members were killed during an airstrike, bringing the total number of humanitarian staff killed while on duty to 31", the Office for the Coordination of Humantitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its latest situation update.

The UN body said that the Hamas-controlled enclave has been "under full electricity blackout for the sixth consecutive day".

"Hospitals are on the brink of collapse as their fuel reserves used to operate backup generators have been almost totally depleted, endangering the lives of thousands of patients," the update said

On Sunday, the Israeli authorities resumed partial water supply to the eastern Khan Younis area, providing less than 4 per cent of the water consumed in the Gaza Strip before the latest conflict erupted on October 7.

Meanwhile, the Unicef-led WASH Cluster stated that the population ais at imminent risk of death or infectious disease outbreak if water and fuel are are not immediately allowed to enter the Strip".

The OCHA also warned that the overall number of internally displaced people (IDPs) since the beginning of the ongoing conflict might have reached 1 million, including nearly 333,000 IDPs staying in UN Relief Works Agency designated emergency shelters in central and southern Gaza alone.

Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza as of Tuesday morning stood at 2,778, with 9,938 injured persons.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that 47 entire families have been killed, amounting to about 500 people.

According to official Israeli sources, at least 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in the Jewish nation, while 4,121 others were injured, the vast majority on October 7 when Hamas launched its massive surprise assault.

The fatality toll is over three-fold the cumulative number of Israelis killed since OCHA began recording casualties in 2005 (nearly 400).
San Francisco, Oct 17 : Indian-origin Nishad Singh, former director of engineering at collapsed crypto exchange FTX, has testified that he was "blindsided, horrified and felt really betrayed", when asked about how he felt about discovering the hole in the balance sheet of the beleaguered company run by Sam Bankman-Fried.

Singh, who came to know about the massive fraud at FTX in September 2022, said he has "always been intimidated by Sam" who was a "formidable character, brilliant".

Singh, who has already pleaded guilty, testified as the third week of Bankman-Fried's criminal trial began in the US on Monday.

As Singh testified, "Barbara Fried, the defendant's mother, appeared incredulous" in the courtroom, reports The Verge.

"As Singh told the story of the conversation, Fried appeared agitated, occasionally glancing in the direction of her son," the report mentioned.

"I was blindsided and horrified. I felt really betrayed," said Singh who has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy counts.

Singh had briefly been a paper billionaire and he owned "6 or 7" per cent of FTX. He received a salary of $200,000, and equity in FTX in lieu of bonuses from 2020 on.

"He was also a long-time friend of Bankman-Fried's younger brother, Gabe, and had known the defendant since high school," the report said.

Singh said his co-conspirators in committing these crimes were FTX executives Ryan Salame and Gary Wong, Bankman-Fried, and Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison.

All of them have pleaded guilty, except Bankman-Fried.

Singh also testified that he signed blank checks from another bank account, at Gabe Bankman-Fried's request. That account was used by Gabe to make donations for "Guarding Against Pandemics", his advocacy group.

When November came, and the FTX collapse began, Singh said he was "suicidal".

At one point, he asked Bankman-Fried to clarify that the FTX CEO had orchestrated the entire thing.

That didn't happen. "I had a lot of admiration and respect for him, but over time that eroded", Singh told the court.
Bengaluru, Oct 17 : Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy sought to downplay the turmoil within the JD(S) after the party's Karnataka chief C.M. Ibrahim publicly opposed the decision by the regional outfit's supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda to form an alliance with the BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters at his residence here on Tuesday, Kumaraswamy stated, "For you (media) the development seems to be a big one. Whatever is to be done to fix this development will be done."

Reacting to the claim of Ibrahim that he heads the original JD(S) party, Kumaraswamy said, "Let him (Ibrahim) put up the original sign board."

When asked about the proposal to sack him and his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, he said, 'Let Ibrahim do whatever he wants, it is left to him. Please do not seek clarification for these silly issues. We will ensure that what needs to be done in this regard will be done."

"Media have come here giving the development a serious thought. He is free and gets his reactions. Why do you (the media) have to worry? The seniors of the party will make decisions," he stated.

In a big setback to the BJP and JD(S) alliance in Karnataka, JD(S) State President C.M. Ibrahim has declared support for the ruling Congress party. He also claimed that the JD(S) party is not the property of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's family.Speaking at theChintana-Manthanaprogramme that Ibrahim called to discuss the future steps in the backdrop of the decision taken on the JD(S) and BJP alliance without keeping him in the loop, he proclaimed that he is the president of the party. "I can't be sacked. The JD(S) is not a family's property," he maintained.

"I request Deve Gowda not to give the wrong message. You went on to become the Prime Minister because of secular ideology," he had stated.

The JD(S) party has a secular ideology. BJP's ideology is different. The NDA should be defeated in the Lok Sabha elections. "We will support the Congress. The original JD(S) party belongs to us. You can't snatch the post of party president from me. How did former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy win from the Channapatna seat? After Kumaraswamy became MLA, he was called by Union Home Minister Amit Shah," he charged.

Ibrahim further stated, "If Muslims had not voted for him, he was supposed to sit at home as he would have been defeated. I won't target Kumaraswamy personally. There is still time. We are not going with the BJP. We will form a core committee. I will contact all JD(S) MLAs. The party does not belong to a family. I will discuss the matter with all the representatives. The opinion of all party workers is important."

He maintained that there is no personal enmity for him against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. The ideologies are different and he is opposed to this background. "I will take a call on how to go about in future. You have been betrayed by your own people. We are in our house. What will happen in the future will be shown on the silver screen. I am not scared and I will also not issue threats," Ibrahim stated. He was indirectly referring to the shifting of Vokkaliga community votes to Congress. Deve Gowda's family hails from the Vokkaliga community.
Sikh teen in US punched for wearing turban, told 'we don't wear that in this country'. Image Source: IANS News

New York, Oct 17 : in a racially-motivated attack, a man punched a 19-year-old Sikh teen multiple times and attempted to remove his turban onboard a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus in New York City.

Police said both men were riding on a shuttle bus on Sunday morning near 118th Street and Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill when the suspect approached the victim, ABC7 news channel reported.

"We don't wear that in this country," the suspect told the victim pointing at his turban, following which he punched the young Sikh several times and tried to remove it.

He then got off the bus and remains at large, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) said, urging the public to help in nabbing the suspect.

Releasing a picture, the NYPD described the suspect as "a male, 25-35 years of age, dark complexion, slim build, approximately 5'9 tall, with brown eyes and black hair".

The victim, who suffered a minor cut and pain, refused medical attention at the scene, police said.

Slamming the incident, the US-based Sikh Coalition said on X that it is "deeply disturbed by an apparent hate-motivated attack on a Sikh teen".

"We are in contact with the survivor and working with him to provide support as needed; he has requested anonymity for the time being. Our current understanding is that (the) NYPD is, appropriately, investigating this incident as a hate crime," the Coalition said.

"Right now, the victim is very traumatised," community activist Japneet Singh told ABC7. "The family is very scared for him."

Japneet said the victim was injured badly enough that he won't be able to work for the next few days.

The NYPD Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the bus attack.

Releasing its annual report of hate crimes statistics in 2022 on Monday, the FBI recorded 198 cases of anti-Sikh hate crime victimisations.

Stating that religiously-motivated hate crime victimisations were at their highest with a 17 per cent increase since 2021, the FBI said that Sikhs still remain the second-most targeted group in the nation.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : At least four people, including a 11-year-old child, sustained injuries when a structure carrying lights in a park collapsed during a Ramlila event in north Delhi, an official said on Tuesday.

According to police, on Monday, at 10:40 p.m. during rainfall, a structure holding lights at the Ramlila event organised by the Nav Shri Dharmik Ramlila Committee at 15 August Park, Red Fort, collapsed.

An 11-year-old child sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital in an ambulance stationed at the ground. "The child is in stable condition, out of danger, but remains under observation. Others suffered minor injuries and left the scene on their own," said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) Manoj Kumar Meena.

"A First Information Report has been lodged at the Kotwali police station, and an investigation is currently underway," the DCP added.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : There is a risk-on mood in the market triggered by the hope that the raging Israel-Hamas conflict will not spread, says V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

US President Joe Bidenas upcoming trip to Israel and Jordan and the two American aircraft carriers sent to the Eastern Mediterranean is a clear message to Iran and Hezbollah not to intervene in the war, he said, adding that the market hopes the war will remain localised, and this is the reason why the market remains hopeful.

The HDFC Bank results, particularly the bullish guidance and commentary, are positive and the bank, which has the highest weightage in the Nifty, can support the market. Results from the other leading banking names too will be good. Capital goods and autos continue to be on strong wicket, he said.

Vaishali Parekh, Vice President - Technical Research, Prabhudas Lilladher, said Nifty overall witnessed a rangebound session with flat closing near 19,750 levels with the broader markets performing well and volatility is anticipated with the result season going on.

As mentioned earlier, the index needs to maintain the near-term support zone of 19,600 levels while on the upside 19,850 zone is acting as a resistance barrier which needs to be breached decisively.

The support for the day is seen at 19,600 levels while the resistance is seen at 19,900 levels.

BSE Sensex is up 334 points at 66,501 points on Tuesday. Powergrid and ITC are up more than 1 per cent.
Rome, Oct 17 : Italy's Council of Ministers has adopted the country's 24-billion-euro ($25 billion) budget for 2024, which includes funding for a new bridge connecting the mainland to Sicily.

The budget bill also streamline the Italy's tax code by reducing the number of tax brackets; provide free daycare for families with more than one child; and raise the workers' salary in the state health care system, reports Xinhua news agency.

The next step is for the bill to be submitted to the European Union watchdogs for approval and for it to clear both houses of Parliament.

By law, all these must happen by the end of the year.

Funding for the Messina Bridge project had been in doubt up until the final negotiations and the initiative is yet to win a thumbs-up from European regulators or from Parliament.

But its inclusion in the budget is a significant step forward for the project.

If ultimately constructed, the bridge connecting the Sicilian city of Messina with Reggio Calabria near the toe of Italy's boot-shaped peninsula would be the longest suspension bridge in the world, measuring 3,666 meters.

The case in favour of the bridge includes promoting economic development of both sides of the bridge by reducing transport costs and times.

But critics of the project worry about cost overruns, vulnerability to earthquakes and adverse environmental impacts.

The project is reportedly to cost around 12 billion euros spread over 15 years.

The budget also reduces the number of income tax brackets to three from the current four, combining the lowest two income categories into one and increasing the cap for tax-free income by nearly 4 per cent.

In addition to providing free childcare for families with at least two children, the budget would also allow mothers of at least two children to stop paying social security contributions on their income starting next year. The measures are part of a wider plan to help slow the decline in Italy's population.

"We want to dismantle the narrative that says having children is a disincentive to work," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told a press conference following the bill's approval on Monday.

The budget earmarks over 2 billion euros for salary increases for state health care workers.

If passed, it would be a major blanket salary hike for the sector since 2020.
Gaza, Oct 17 : Al-Qassam Brigades, armed wing of the Hamas militant group, said there were 200 to 250 Israeli hostages in Gaza who were captured after the October 7 attack In a televised address on Monday, Abu Obaida, spokesperson of the Al-Qassam Brigades, said the Hamas is holding 200 prisoners, while "the rest are captured by other resistance factions in the Gaza Strip", reports Xinhua news agency.

The spokesman added that they cannot determine the exact number of hostages in the besieged enclave due to constant Israeli bombardment.

Obaida added that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 22 Israelis, including Guy Olives, a Tel Aviv-based artist.

He noted that foreigners were not prisoners in Gaza, and they will be released when "the opportunity arises on the ground".

The spokesman asserted that the Al-Qassam is "committed" to protecting them. but warned that any foreign national serving with the Israeli military will be considered a "direct enemy".

Meanwhile, former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal claims that the militant group has "enough hostages", including high ranking officers from the Gaza division of the Israeli Defense Forces, to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

"One of this battle's goals was to take Israeli soldiers and officers hostage to clear Zionist prisons from our own people," CNN quoted Meshaal as saying to Alaraby TV in a live interview on Monday

He added that Hamas will be dealing with civilians and foreign nationals differently.

"Military hostages have their own calculations, civilians and foreign nationals have others. Hamas leadership will deal with hostages in accordance with international and humanitarian law."
As Israel is a popular vacation destination and business travel center, many travelers wonder if it is safe to travel to the country. Tel Aviv International Airport is still open, but many airlines have canceled or rerouted flights.

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This was reported by EuroNews. Israel's war with the fundamentalist Hamas group continues to escalate after the militants recently launched a surprise attack on the country from Gaza.

Is it safe to travel to Israel?

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advisory to the region, advising against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

This means that resort companies with clients should return them as soon as possible and suspend all future travel until the threat is over.

Specifically, the FCDO now recommends avoiding all travel to: Gaza City, Shebaa Farms and Ghajar, within 500 meters of the Lebanese border, and in areas near the Gaza border.

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The FCDO also warns that incidents have occurred in Tel Aviv, Beersheba, Hadera, Jerusalem and the Old City, Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, the Jordan Valley, at Israeli checkpoints, near settlement outposts and around Palestinian refugee camps. You should exercise extreme caution when visiting these areas and travel only when necessary.

The Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland (DFA) also advises travelers to avoid all non-essential travel to Israel as "attacks pose a significant security risk".

The U.S. Department of State has tightened its travel advisory for Israel. "Terrorists and violent extremists may attack without warning, targeting tourist destinations, transportation hubs, markets/malls, and local government facilities," the State Department said in a statement.

Are there any flights to and from Israel?

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Tel Aviv International Airport, the country's main tourist hub, is still open, but many airlines have canceled or rerouted their flights. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines have suspended flights, while European carriers, including Lufthansa, AirFrance, and Finnish Finnair, have also announced suspensions.

British Airways confirmed on Wednesday that it was canceling all scheduled flights to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport after diverting a flight back to London for security reasons.

EasyJet canceled flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday and Monday and said it would adjust service times over the next few days. "Any customers affected by the cancellation are eligible for a refund, voucher or free transfer to a new flight," a spokesperson for the airline said.

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Wizz Air flights bound for Israel when the offensive began were diverted to Larnaca, the main airport on the island of Cyprus. Flights to and from Tel Aviv were canceled until further notice.

Portuguese airline TAP has suspended flights and is offering refunds or rescheduling at no additional cost. Dubai-based Emirates has announced that it will suspend all flights to Ben Gurion until October 20.

Israeli airline El Al says it is working in accordance with the instructions of the security forces and that flights are operating "as scheduled."

What if you booked a vacation to Israel?

It is extremely important that you familiarize yourself with your government's travel advisories for Israel before you travel. For example, if the official advisory warns against visiting, you will not be covered by standard travel insurance policies.

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If you have booked a package vacation to Israel, you may be able to cancel it and receive a full refund due to the travel ban warning.

How does the situation affect cruises?

Many major cruise lines have had to make last-minute changes ahead of scheduled stops in Israel, CNN reports.

The Norwegian ship Jade has canceled its stops on October 11 and 12 in Ashdod and Haifa, respectively, and will instead head to Turkey before ending its journey in Athens.

Royal Caribbean also announced the cancellation of two flights departing from Haifa on its Rhapsody of the Seas ship. "We have been closely monitoring the geopolitical situation in Israel. With your safety and well-being in mind, and in cooperation with our Global Security Department, we have decided to cancel our Rhapsody of the Seas voyages on October 9, 2023 and October 13, 2023," the company said in a statement. It is added that customers on these flights will be entitled to a full refund.

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Meanwhile, Celestial Cruises is suspending all ports of call in Israel until the end of November. "On the advice of our internal teams and the relevant authorities, we have decided to temporarily remove Israel from our Three Continents itinerary until the end of November this year," Celestyal CEO Chris Theofilides said in a statement to CruiseCritic.com. "We wish safety to all those affected and a speedy return of peace to the country," he wrote.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the EU wants to introduce unified rules for the transportation of hand luggage: what and when will change for tourists.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Panaji, Oct 17 : Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Tuesday attacked the state BJP government for failing to pay 8,000 MGNREGA workers, which includes 45 per cent Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes for the last five months, and said the government has money for events but not for the poor.

He said the administrative and financial bankruptcy of the BJP government once again stands exposed with almost 8,000 workers earning Rs 322 per day underthe Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act have been not paid their rightful dues for the last five months.

"This is 'Ant(end)of Antyodaya'by the BJP Government," he alleged.

Congress leader said that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should immediately intervene to release all pending dues."Government has no right to keep payments pending of hardworking workers who meet their needs with daily earnings," Yuri Alemao said.

"It is shocking that poor workers put in their sweat and blood to earn daily wages but the insensitive BJP government is just not bothered to pay their daily wages in time. The BJP government spends crores on events without any financial approvals but fails to pay poor workers," he said.

"There are almost 8,000 active card holder workers in the state. Almost 42.45 per cent workers are from Scheduled Tribes while 2.48 per cent belong to Scheduled Caste. Is this the part of BJP government's strategy to harass ST and SC Community," he questioned.

"It is mandatory for the government to provide minimum 100 days work to the registered MGNREGA workers. Unfortunately, many workers are not getting 100 days towork due to the failure of the BJP government to give timely approvals to various projects and works," Alemao stated.

He said that the BJP government has a lot of money to spend on events but their treasury gets empty when it comes to helping the needy and poor.
Hyderabad, Oct 17 : A man murdered his wife and then committed suicide by jumping from a building in Hyderabad, police said.

The shocking incident occurred on Tuesday in Sai Nagar under the limits of Nagole Police Station.

According to police, one Raju stabbed his wife Santoshi (35) to death at their house. Later, he went to the Saroornagar area where he jumped from the fourth floor of a building to end his life.

Raju (40) was a truck driver. Police suspect that domestic problem led to the murder and suicide.

Police shifted both the bodies for autopsy and launched an investigation.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : Actor Emraan Hashmi, who will be seen as a cold-blooded nemesis of Salman Khan in 'Tiger 3', describes his character as "cerebral, his mind is his greatest weapon and he also wields immense power over authorities across countries".

Emraan also reveals the name of his character in 'Tiger 3'.

The actor said: "I had an amazing time creating Aatish -- a man who is fuelled by rage and will go to any length to finish Tiger. I play a very distinctively different villain that is rare in Hindi cinema. He is cerebral, his mind is his greatest weapon and he also wields immense power over authorities across countries to bring his devious plans into motion."

Emraan added: "He single-mindedly wants to destroy Tiger, his family and by doing that, he wants to take out the biggest super agent of India. He knows Tiger will always be the last man standing for India and he wants him removed at any cost."

The actors' villainous turn has been lauded since the trailer of 'Tiger 3' dropped online.

Emraan said he relished being the anti-hero of this spy universe offering.

The actor shared:"The anti-heroes of the YRF Spy Universe have been the trump cards. They hit you hard by surprise and Aditya Chopra was clear that he wanted my character to also catch people by surprise. So, an elaborate plan was made to keep me under wraps."

Emraan added: "I was dying to tell people about 'Tiger 3' but couldn't, knowing very well that the pay off would be immense when my character is unveiled to the people. The decision was clear to bring the anti-hero to spotlight with the trailer of 'Tiger 3' and I'm happy that people are loving my menacing turn!"

Emraan has always felt that villains make for really memorable roles that people fondly remember for a long, long time!

The actor said: "Anti-heroes are always fun to play because you get to essay someone who doesn't care a damn about rules. Instead, they create their own rules. So, I jumped at the opportunity because I knew that I will have the freedom to create a villain that people will hopefully remember for a long, long time."

He added: "I'm thankful to Maneesh Sharma for being a guide to bring Aatish to life. It was his vision for the character that I was sold on. He helped me craft a character that I'm immensely proud of."

'Tiger 3' starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif is set to release on Diwali, November 12.
Berlin, Oct 17 : Germany has notified the European Commission of temporary controls at its borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, set up to fight illegal migration, the Interior Ministry said.

"The business of traffickers is becoming increasingly brutal and unscrupulous," Xinhua news agency quoted Interior Minister Nancy Faeser as saying on Monday.

She added that the deaths of seven people in a van, which crashed last week while fleeing police, have "shaken us deeply."

By the beginning of this month, Germany had already detected 98,000 unauthorised entries, 6,000 more than in the whole of last year.

Police estimated that around one in four third-country nationals from outside the European Union (EU) who enter the country without permission are trafficked.

In order to reopen borders within the EU as quickly as possible, stepping up the protection of the bloc's external borders is necessary, Faeser said.

"We need to finalise EU legislation on this now."

EU member states recently agreed to tighten asylum laws with a reform, which would allow for the extension of detention-like conditions at times of particularly high migration.

The reform still has to be approved by the European Parliament.

Far-right ideologies have gained an increasing foothold in Germany since record numbers of migrants began arriving in the country in 2022.

A recent survey conducted by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), a German political foundation, indicates a significant rise in the proportion of Germans with a "clear right-wing extremist orientation", which now stands at 8 per cent.

Meanwhile, 16 per cent have a negative attitude toward foreigners, FES said.

These results are "not only frightening, but also demand consistent action -- from politicians, but also from society itself", stressed FES Chairman Martin Schulz.
Chennai, Oct 17 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who is also the president of DMK, will meet the booth level agents and local functionaries of the party on October 22.

He will be addressing the party local leaders of the 13 Northern districts of the state at the Melapampati Panchayath in Tiruvannamalai district.

This is a political meeting of the party local leaders with the Chief Minister and is envisaged for boosting the morale of the grassroots level party leaders in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

General secretary of the DMK and state Water Resources minister S. Duraimurugan directed the party district secretaries of these Northern Districts to ensure that the interaction of the Chief Minister is a huge success.

The DMK has been organising such programmes since July 26th and Stalin has interacted with booth level leases of the party in Western , southern and Delta districts of the state.

-- IANS

aal/shb
Mumbai, Oct 17 : Actress Aneri Vajani, who is best known for her roles in shows like 'Nisha Aur Uske Cousins', 'Beyhadh', has opened up on Navratri celebrations, and said she will go for pandal hopping, and try new attires for garba.

Aneri likes to keep a balance between her personal and professional life, and she loves celebrating festivals to rejuvenate herself in the best possible manner.

Talking about the same, Aneri said: '"Well, this is that time of the year which we all look forward to. The festive season has begun and right now, it's going to be very special. Although I am very busy shooting almost everyday, I am still going to take out some time to spend with my family."

The actress shared: "I believe nothing in this world is possible without Mata's blessings and henceforth, I will definitely be going out to pandals to seek Mata's blessings. To add to that, I absolutely love garba. I am looking forward to trying out some new special clothes for the same, and having a blast with friends and family."

She further said that she still has to figure out how to balance between work and all this.

Meanwhile, Aneri was last seen as the contestant in the stunt reality show aFear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 12a.

The actress next has show aBaghina.
Jerusalem, Oct 17 : About half a million Israelis have been evacuated since Hamas launched its brutal attack on the country on October 7, the military said on Tuesday.

"All the communities around the Gaza Strip have been evacuated as per government directives. We don't want civilians near the combat zone," CNN quoted Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus as saying in an online briefing.

The 500,000 displaced Israelis also include communities around the country's northern border with Lebanon, as tensions with another militant group, Hezbollah, rise.

Meanwhile, more than one million people have been displaced inside Gaza.

"We are talking about a significant humanitarian situation in Israel," Conricus said, while also acknowledging that "the situation in Gaza is worse, and wouldn't want to swap tables for even a second".

He also informed that 600,000 Palestinians have made "the smart and self-preservatory" decision to move south, after a warning by Israel to do so ahead of its expected ground offensive, reports the BBC.

There are still "100,000 that need to - and should - go", the spokesman added.

Conricus claims Hamas, which told people to stay put, had a "delaying effect" on people leaving the region, but he is confident that the more time goes on, the more the militant group will stop using "its own civilians as human shields".

The official went on to say that Israel saying "operations continue in the south" and is "targeting Hamas leaders and their infrastructure".

The IDF is continuing to "actively search for where Hamas leaders are hiding", Conricus noted.

Regarding US President Joe Biden's visit to Israel on Wednesday, Conricus told CNN that the high-stakes trip will not complicate or delay potential Gaza ground incursion.

The spokesman said he believes that Biden supports Israel's campaign to defeat Hamas.

"I think the President also said that 'Hamas needs to be destroyed,' and that is exactly our military aim," he added.
New York, Oct 17 : Patients with long Covid can exhibit a reduction in circulating levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, according to new research.

The study, led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and published in journal Cell, sheds new light on the mechanisms of how persistent inflammation after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause long-term neurological symptoms.

Long Covid has symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, or memory loss in the months or years following the infection. The mechanisms that cause long COVID have not been studied in depth.

"Our findings may not only help to untangle some of the mechanisms that contribute to long Covid, but also provide us with biomarkers that can help clinicians diagnose patients and objectively measure their response to individual treatments," said senior author, Maayan Levy, assistant professor of Microbiology at Penn Medicine.

The researchers determined that a subset of patients with long Covid had traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in their stool samples even months after acute Covid-19 infection, which suggests that components of the virus remain in the gut of some patients long after infection.

They found that this remaining virus, called a viral reservoir, triggers the immune system to release proteins that fight the virus, called interferons.

These interferons cause inflammation that reduces the absorption of the amino acid tryptophan in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Tryptophan is a building block for several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, which is primarily produced in the GI tract and carries messages between nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body.

It plays a key role in regulating memory, sleep, digestion, wound healing, and other functions that maintain homeostasis within the body.

Serotonin is also an important regulator of the vagus nerve, a system of neurons that mediate the communication between the body and the brain.

The researchers found that when tryptophan absorption is reduced by persistent viral inflammation, serotonin is depleted, leading to disrupted vagus nerve signalling, which in turn can cause several of the symptoms associated with long Covid, such as memory loss.

"Our research shows that there are biomarkers we may be able to use to match patients to treatments or clinical trials that address the specific causes of their long Covid symptoms, and more effectively assess their progress," said co-senior author Sara Cherry.

The team demonstrated that serotonin levels could be restored, and memory impairment reversed, in small animal models through treatment with serotonin precursors.

"Long Covid varies from patient to patient, and we don't fully understand what causes the differences in symptoms," said co-senior author, Christoph Thaiss.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Setting aside a trial court's order, the Delhi High Court has expressed its disapproval over a judge's suggestion of a polygraph test for a complainant woman and the subsequent discharge of the accused in a rape case based on the test results.

The high court noted that such actions were against the mandate of the law.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma expressed "dismay" at the additional sessions judge's suggestion that the complainant woman undergo a polygraph test while considering anticipatory bail for the accused.

This suggestion was made even before the charge sheet had been filed, and the high court found it to be unwarranted and contrary to legal principles set by the Supreme Court regarding the use of polygraph tests at the bail application stage.

Justice Sharma was hearing a plea filed by the woman challenging the trial court's decision to discharge the accused.

It set aside the trial court's order to discharge one of the accused for the alleged rape offence and two others for offences of voluntarily causing hurt and common intention under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The high court said that if courts routinely rely on polygraph tests as admissible and reliable during the framing of charges, they would neglect the proper procedure for criminal trials, which involves considering various factors, testimonies, and evidence.

The court stated that criminal trials must adhere to the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the Indian Evidence Act, and legal precedents, rather than being concluded based solely on polygraph test results.
New Delhi, October 17 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Centre, state governments and union territory administrations to ensure that queer community is not discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation.

A Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, also directed that LGBTQIA+ individuals were not discriminated against in accessing any goods or services.

It said that the government will sensitize the public about queer rights and create houses in districts for queer couples.

The apex court directed that a hotline will be set up by the government for providing assistance to the queer community.

It laid down that no individual will be forced to undergo hormonal therapy or intersex children be subjected to forceful medical operations.

Issuing directions to all the police forces, the Constitution Bench said that queer couples will not be harassed by summoning them to police stations or visiting their places of residence to solely interrogate them about their gender identity or sexual orientation.

The apex court said that the state machinery will not force queer persons to return to their native families against their will.

It further said that the police will ensure that freedom of queer individuals is not curtailed and due protection is given to them if any complaint apprehending violence from the family is lodged.

The Supreme Court said that before registering any FIR against a queer couple or one of the parties in a queer relationship, police will conduct a preliminary enquiry to ensure that the complaint in relation to their relationship discloses a cognisable offence.
The Russian command has deployed units of at least two brigades of the Central Military District near Avdiivka. One of them has been defending the Svatove-Kreminna line in recent months. The day before, on October 16, the occupiers made minor progress in the Avdiivka sector, with the number of attacks slightly decreasing.

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Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their offensive in the Melitopol sector and near Bakhmut in Donetsk region. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) published an analysis of the situation at the front

"Russia is likely to have deployed elements of at least two brigades of the Central Military District to reinforce the offensive operations of the 'Donetsk People's Republic' forces on the Avdiivka front," ISW notes.

According to journalist Yuriy Butusov, in recent days Avdiivka has been stormed by the 114th, 15th, 21st motorized rifle brigades reinforced by special forces of the 1st Army Corps of the Russian Armed Forces (the so-called "DPR").

"The 30th motorized rifle brigade is concentrated in the reserve. They are supported by artillery and aviation with a large amount of ammunition. The enemy is attacking Avdiivka simultaneously from the south and north. In this direction, the enemy has created a 3-4 times advantage in the number of personnel, as well as an advantage in armor, artillery and aviation," Butusov wrote.

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ISW analysts noted that elements of the Central Military District, primarily the 2nd Army, were recently involved in fighting on the Svatove-Kreminna line. There, they were apparently replaced by units of the recently created 25th Army.

Since Russian troops were mostly on the defensive on the Svatove-Kreminna line in recent months, experts believe that the 2nd Army units had more time to rest and recover before being deployed to a more difficult section of the front. This is also how they explain the intensification of the occupiers' offensive near Avdiivka.

However, the pace of the offensive is slowing down every day, ISW writes. Thus, in recent days, the Russians have managed to achieve some success, but it is happening more slowly than during the first attacks.

Thus, ISW analysts, based on geo-referenced footage published on October 16, managed to confirm a slight advance of the occupiers along the E50 road three kilometers south of Avdiivka.

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The number of attacks is also decreasing. While on October 15, the Russians attacked the area about 30 times, the next day, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 22 Russian attacks were repelled.

At the same time, Russian sources also confirm the increased intensity of air and artillery strikes on the settlement: the occupiers are trying to compensate for slow ground maneuvers, which are complicated by serious Ukrainian fortifications around Avdiivka.

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, during a meeting on the course of Russia's war against Ukraine on October 16, boasted of improving tactical positions, without specifying what exactly it was. Shoigu also said that the "active defense" of the occupation forces at the front, in particular near Avdiivka, was preventing Ukraine's offensive.

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While Shoigu is talking about how the occupiers are impeding the offensive of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, the latter continue their offensive near Bakhmut and in the western part of Zaporizhzhia region in the Melitopol direction. This was stated by the General Staff.

Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian soldiers struck near Avdiivka, as well as on the western and northwestern outskirts of Verbove (10 km east of Robotyn or 18 km southwest of Orikhiv). They also wrote that the Ukrainian Defense Forces were 200-300 meters from Russian positions west of Verbove.

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Earlier, BILD called Avdiivka the "second Bakhmut". According to the German publication, Russian troops lost more than 60 tanks and armored personnel carriers near Avdiivka, but did not abandon their plans to capture the city in Donetsk region.

According to Vitaliy Barabash, the head of the Avdiivka Military Administration, Russia has set a new deadline for the capture of Donetsk region. Moscow demands that the occupiers reach the administrative border of Donetsk region by December 31.

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At the moment, the invaders are trying to encircle Avdiivka and are focusing on attacks from the northern and southern flanks, additional forces are being deployed there.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Malayalam superstar Mammootty's new crime-thriller film 'Kannur Squad' has released the music video for its latest track 'Mrudhu Bhaave Dhruda Kruthye', a very pleasing and soothing track which is just pure joy to listen to.

aMrudhu Bhaave Dhruda Kruthyea employs a very soulful aesthetic, with the delightful singing of Sushin Shyam being pleasant and yet having a somewhat somber tone.

The music video in itself does not give away much of what the film is about, except that Mammootty and his crew, all of whom are from Kerala police, are headed off in a police van on a long road trip.

This trip leads from Kerala to Mumbai, before they finally reach the city of Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh. Throughout the video, we just see them on a road trip where they later get a call from a Mumbai police constable who says that they have a gift for him.

The gift turns out to be a criminal, who they have beaten black and blue, which sends the superstar into a small fit of laughter. Later they make several stops to roadside food tracks, drink some tea, eat some food and then head off once again.

All the while the police squad from Kannur is on their road trip, there is a gentle acoustic soundtrack playing behind them with some heavy hitting notes from synthesisers to give a more ethereal feel to the song.

The track is a beautifully composed mixture of classical Malayalam music combined with some electronic, pop, small hints of rock, synth-pop and even glimpses of symphonic music.

Sushin Shyam, who is also the composer of the song, has gone for a more experimental production.

The soundtrack is pleasing and so is the production, nothing is overdone or underdone in the sound design indicating a very careful mix and mastering from the producers.

aKannur Squada hit the theatres on September 28 and has currently garnered critical acclaim.
Chennai, Oct 17 : Tamil music composer D. Imman has said he will never again work with actor Sivakarthikeyan.

Imman has been a long time collaborator with the 'Doctor' actor and has composed several songs from Sivakarthikeyan's movies such as 'Seema Raaja' , 'Rajini Murugan' and 'Namma Vettu Pillali'.

Recently in an interview on a YouTube channel, the composer was asked about any upcoming collaboration with the actor though Imman shot down the question.

Being rather cryptic and not really revealing anything substantial, the 'Koodamela Koodavechi' hitmaker only said that Sivakarthikeyan had betrayed him in some way, and he won't ever work with him again. As to what happened between them, the composer refused to elaborate any further.

Speaking in Tamil, the composer said: "What Siva did really just turned my life around, and not for the better. He betrayed me and I can't just let it go, so no, I won't work with him again. Perhaps in another life where he is the composer and I the actor, then perhaps. But as of now, I don't see anything happening."

The composersaid: "Some things affect you greatly, and those things you just can't forget like that. You can't just let them go and what he did in his betrayal for me is something I cannot just push aside. So no, I won't be working with him in the foreseeable future."

Beyond that though, Imman refused to comment any further and didn't even highlight what exactly happened between them. However, when he was being asked this question, the composer was visibly a bit hesitant to answer even feeling slightly uncomfortable.

Most recently, Imman composed music for the political-drama film 'Kazhuvethi Moorkkan'. After that he is scheduled to work on films such as 'Valli Mayil', 'Malai', and 'Public'.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Seven people were injured after two families clashed over a water pipeline connection in outer north Delhi, police said on Tuesday, adding that two cross FIRs have been registered and two men have been arrested.

According to the police, a PCR call was received at the Shahbad Dairy police station regarding a quarrel. "Upon investigation, it was determined that two families were involved in a dispute over a water pipeline," said a senior police officer.

One family, consisting of Tulsiram, Ajay, Manik, and Deepika, wanted to connect two homes adjacent to each other that they own with a water pipeline. However, the neighbouring family, which included Gaurav, Upender, and Babita, objected to this, leading to a quarrel.

"During the altercation, members of both the families were injured. The injured have been identified as Gaurav, Upender, Babita, Tulsiram, Manik, Ajay and Deepika," said the officer.

"As a result, cross FIRs under relevant Sections of the IPC have been registered, and Gaurav, Ashok, Manik, and Tulsiram have been arrested," the officer added.
Aizawl, Oct 17 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the Congress-led INDIA block will adopt Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh models of governance after it comes to power at the Centre.

The Congress leader was interacting with the media in Aizawl.

He said while Rajasthan's Rs 25 lakh health insurance cover is best in the world, the five social security schemes in Karnataka and farmers' and small and medium schemes in Chhattisgarh are the best in the country.

"Our governments and leaders in these states work with a different vision," he stated.

The Congress wants decentralisation of power, while the BJP and RSS aim for its centralisation to control the states.

"They want one religion, language and culture. We want all cultures, all religions and all languages to be protected. BJP has been trying to capture all institutions of the country. RSS believes in one ideology, we do not accept this," the Congress leader said.

Rahul Gandhi claimed that the INDIA block represents 60 per cent of India. "Since Mahatma Gandhias period we have been protecting all religions, cultures and languages. We have been fighting against the RSS since it was founded in 1920."

He said that the GST, demonetisation, and farm laws are designed to help Adani and big businessmen and to destroy the small and medium industries, which are the backbone of the Indian economy.

The Lok Sabha member from Keralaas Wayanad said that the BJP destroyed the banking system in India and gave huge benefits to Adani and big businessmen depriving the small and medium industries and enterprises.

On the dynasty politics in BJP, the Congress leader said that many of the BJP leaders' children, including that of Union Minister Anurag Thakur are in politics.

"There is a general tendency to project the Congress as a marginalised party but we smashed the BJP in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and several other states. We would win in every single state -- Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram, where election processes are going on," he claimed.

He said that the BJP controls the media like other constitutional bodies and institutions of India.

"Congress party laid the foundation of the country and has a track record of protecting the ethos of the country. Our resolution on Palestine-Israel is very clear - we are against violence, anybody who kills innocent is a crime," he pointed out.

Rahul Gandhi arrived in poll-bound Mizoram on a two-day visit on Monday and participated in a two km long padyatra from the state capital's Chanmari town area to the Raj Bhawan. In the evening, he interacted with students at the Lal Thanhawla auditorium in Aizawl.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Congress leader before returning to Delhi via Tripura capital Agartala would address an election rally in Lunglei.
Man held for killing woman, pouring acid on face to hide identity in Delhi. Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow, Oct 17 : A Lucknow court has ordered the confiscation of property worth Rs 21.2 crore belonging to one Paresh Rastogi, who is an accused in a staggering 82 cases registered against him since 2017 at various police stations here.

The order was given on Monday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Aparna Rajat Kaushik revealed that this latest seizure brings the total worth of assets confiscated from Rastogi to an astonishing Rs 137.43 crore.

The court's decision to confiscate the properties was based on a preliminary order under Section 14 (1) of the Uttar Pradesh Gangster and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act 1986.

This order was issued against the properties identified as acquired through ill-gotten gains from criminal activities.

The cases against Paresh Rastogi were filed at police stations in Hazratganj, Gautam Palli, Chinhat, Vibhuti Khand, and Gosainganj.

According to the DCP, Rastogi ventured into a life of crime in 2007 and subsequently engaged in the buying and selling of land and buildings.

In an attempt to conceal the proceeds of his criminal endeavours, Rastogi established a company known as Rohtas Project Ltd. Through this entity, he acquired properties in the name of the company and for the benefit of his family members using benami transactions.

Additionally, he created properties illegally by utilizing the funds obtained through his criminal activities.

DCP (Central) Aparna Rajat Kaushik stated, "The accused, Paresh Rastogi first defrauded ordinary citizens of crores of rupees, promising the construction of residential and commercial buildings but failing to deliver. When people sought to withdraw their investments, he continued to offer false reassurances, manipulating them for an extended period and suppressing their grievances through his dominance."

This significant seizure of property underscores the ongoing efforts to combat organised crime and ill-gotten wealth in the region, as authorities work to bring justice to victims and ensure that criminals do not profit from their actions.
Gulshan Devaiah on Duranga 2: 'Its going to be a treat to viewers'. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Oct 17 : Versatile actor Gulshan Devaiah, who is all set for the release of the second season of the crime thriller 'Duranga', said he is grateful to the makers for giving him exciting roles to portray.

Following the success of his portrayal as '4 Cut Atmaram' in the series 'Guns and Gulaabs', Gulshan is excited to step back into the shoes of his character, Abhishek Banne, a.k.a Sammit Patel, and deliver another riveting performance in 'Duranga 2'.

In the first season, Gulshan's portrayal of Abhishek captivated viewers, leaving them eager for more.

The actor, known for his penchant for experimenting with diverse roles, has consistently surprised and delighted audiences with his exceptional acting prowess.

Reflecting on the same, Gulshan said: "After the overwhelming response to '4 Cut Aatmaram' in 'Guns and Gulaabs', I hope the audience showers the same love for Abhishek Banne, a.k.a Sammit Patel, my character in 'Duranga'."

The actor said: "In season one, the stakes were high, and I hope I live up to their expectations. The new season takes an exciting turn and picks from where we left off, so it's going to be a treat to the viewers for sure."

Gulshan added: "I'm grateful makers are giving me such exiting roles, they're all so varied from each other. It's exciting for me as an actor."

'Duranga' is an official adaptation of the Korean show, 'Flower of Evil'.

The second season of the show will see the return of Gulshan Devaiah, Drashti Dhami, Amit Sadh, Barkha Sen Gupta, Rajesh Khattar reprising their respective roles.

It will soon premiere on Zee5.
Gaza, Oct 17 : The Palestinian Interior Ministry on Tuesday claimed that at least 49 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in south Gaza.

While 21 people were killed in an airstrike on Monday night in Khan Younis, the remaining 28 died when a house was hit in the Rafah area, near the border crossing with Egypt, the BBC quoted the Ministry as saying.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said women and children were among the 28 killed at the "family house" in Rafah.

Regarding the strikes, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CNN on Tuesday morning that he was "not aware of any strikes specifically in those areas but they could have happened".

"The combat operations continue. We continue to hunt Hamas operatives to attempt to degrade their military capabilities," Conricus said.

He said the hunt for Hamas targets is part of "the war that has been forced upon us" and Israel will continue military operations "according to the law of armed conflict and of course to minimise civilian casualties".

Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza since the raging conflict erupted on October 7 stood at 2,778, with 9,938 injured persons.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that 47 entire families have been killed, amounting to about 500 people.

According to official Israeli sources, at least 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in the Jewish nation, while 4,121 others were injured.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned pleas filed by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and several charitable trusts against the transfer of their tax assessment from faceless assessment to the central circle.

The bench comprising Justices Khanna and S.N.V. Bhatti adjourned the hearing till November 7.

Earlier on October 3, while referring to pleas filed by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra against the transfers, the apex court said that the central assessments may be required if there were cross-transactions between individuals.

Senior Advocate Arvind Datar, who was appearing for the Gandhi family and trusts associated with them, said that because of a search in fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari's case, the I-T authorities have tagged all these as supplementary cases because of Robert Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi's husband.

The Gandhis have said that they had nothing to do with Bhandari groupas cases and there has been no instance of search or seizure in their cases.

Bhandari is wanted in India on charges of corruption and money laundering. He has been allegedly linked to Robert Vadra over a London-based flat. Robert Vadra has, however, denied any business dealings with Bhandari.

Justice Khanna also questioned Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for the AAP as to why there was a five-month delay in filing of the writ petitions.

The court also observed that there must be some justification for removing faceless assessment, and the bench was only concerned with the legal issue and not the politics.

Earlier on May 26, the Delhi High Court had dismissed petitions by AAP, the Gandhi family, and the five trusts challenging the orders of the I-T Department to transfer their tax assessment from the faceless assessment to the central circle.

The High Court bench ruled that there was no fundamental legal right to be assessed under the faceless assessment scheme.

The faceless assessment scheme removes physical contact between the taxpayer and the taxman by using artificial intelligence and machine learning to randomly select tax cases.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Tuesday refused to grant any legal sanction to same-sex marriage.

The Constitution Bench, also comprising Justices S.K. Kaul, S.R. Bhat, Hima Kohli, and P.S. Narasimha, held that queer couples do not have an unqualified right to marriage.

It asked the Union government to set up a high-powered committee to be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary to take steps to decide the rights and social entitlements of same-sex couples.

The Supreme Court said that courts cannot make law and can only interpret it. It refused to accept the petitionersa contention that in the Special Marriage Act (SMA), wherever 'husband' and 'wife' is used, it can be made gender neutral by using 'spouse', and 'man' and 'woman' should be substituted by 'person'.

The Constitution Bench was hearing a batch of petitions that challenged certain provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, Foreign Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act and other marriage laws as unconstitutional on the ground that they deny same-sex couples the right to marry, or alternatively, to read these provisions broadly so as to include same-sex marriage.
Mehreen Pirzada on how Milan Luthria pushed her to bring out her best in 'Sultan of Delhi'. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Oct 17 : Actress Mehreen Pirzada, who previously left her mark in 'Phillauri', is now set to dazzle as 'Sanjana' in the recently released 'Sultan Of Delhi' mini-series.

'Sultan Of Delhi' is a captivating period crime thriller inspired by the novel 'Sultan of Delhi: Ascension'.

In this compelling series, Mehreen portrays a tender-hearted Sanjana, who plunges into the depths of love, only to grapple with the anguish of betrayal, and suffer the torment of abuse.

The show is masterfully crafted under the skilled direction of Milan Luthria.

Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions and intrigue in this thrilling tale!

Mehreen said it was exciting to do the series because "Milan Sir shoots like it's a film".

The actress added: "It was a 70mm experience. There was no effort to cut corners. I loved working with Milan. He was brilliant to shoot with. I didn't know what he would give me to do. But there is so much freedom."

"He tells you what he expects of you but how you reach that character and its soul, is up to you. He is fast and can do scenes in no time. The environment on set was a blast. His jokes are relentless. Even shooting in 40 degrees felt easy!"
On Tuesday night, October 17, Ukrainian air defenders destroyed six Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones. A Russian Kh-59 guided missile was also shot down.

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This is stated in the morning report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Later, the Air Force said that enemy targets were neutralized in the south.

It is noted that the occupiers sent S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, one Kh-59 and six Shaheds to strike Ukrainian cities and villages.

Air defense forces and means destroyed all six attack UAVs and a guided missile.

The Ukrainian Air Force clarified that the occupiers launched Shaheds at Ukraine from the area of Cape Chuada (Crimea), while the Kh-59 missile was launched from a Su-34 aircraft in the airspace of the occupied part of Kherson region.

"All seven targets were destroyed by the air defense of the Air Force and air defense of other components of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the southern direction," the military said.

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At the same time, they added that the enemy also used two S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles in the eastern direction at night.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, last night, on October 16, Russian troops launched six missiles and 12 kamikaze drones at Ukraine. The defenders of the sky shot down 11 Shaheds and two Kh-59 missiles.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Hyderabad, Oct 17 : Allotment of tickets for next month's Assembly elections in Telangana to those who recently switched loyalties to the Congress from other parties, has led to heartburn among seniors and loyalists in the undivided Mahbubnagar district.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Secretary Ajay Kumar, who was denied a ticket from Gadwal, has raised a banner of revolt, former minister N Janardhan Reddy, who was expecting a ticket from Nagarkurnool constituency, has slammed the state leadership while Chintapalli Jagadeeshwar Rao, who was denied a ticket from Kollapur, has hinted that he will enter the fray as a rebel.

Out of 14 seats in undivided Mahbubnagar district, the Congress party has announced candidates for eight seats.

In four constituencies, it has fielded leaders who had joined the party recently after defecting from other parties.

In Kollapur constituency, the Congress has fielded former minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who had joined the party recently after resigning from the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

This has angered constituency incharge Chintapalli Jagadeeshwar Rao. He held a meeting with supporters and declared that he will contest the election. It is not clear if he will enter the fray as an independent or contest on the ticket of some other party.

Janardhan Reddy, who was expecting a ticket from Nagarkurnool constituency, has lashed out at Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President A Revanth Reddy and the party's decision to give tickets to turncoats while ignoring those who have been serving the party for years.

The former minister said he would decide the future course of action after consulting his followers. He also declared his support to J Reddy to defeat Krishna Rao. Janardhan Reddy called Krishna Rao and former Khammam MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy as opportunists.

"I want to ask them if they would have joined the Congress party if the party had been defeated in Karnataka elections," he said.

The party has fielded K. Rajesh Reddy from Nagarkurnool. Rajesh, son of BRS MLC Damodar Reddy, had joined the Congress party in August along with Krishna Rao. Janardhan Reddy, six-time MLA from Nagarkurnool, alleged that the Congress party was being destroyed in the state by state leaders misleading the central leadership of the party.

Nagam Janardhan Reddy had quit the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to join the Congress before the 2018 elections. The former, who was elected from Nagarkurnool for five consecutive terms, lost the 2018 election to BRS candidate Marri Janardhan Reddy.

TPCC Secretary K. Ajay Kumar raised a banner of revolt after he was denied a ticket from Gadwal. The party has fielded Sarita Thirupathaiah, a former chairperson of Gadwal Zilla Parishad, who quit the BRS to join Congress in July.

Ajay Kumar launched a scathing attack on Revanth Reddy, alleging that he sold the party tickets. He and his supporters staged a protest at Telangana Martyrs' Memorial in Hyderabad, alleging that Revanth Reddy sold the Gadwal ticket for Rs.10 crore and 5 acres of land.

Taking serious note of his action, the TPCC Disciplinary Committee suspended him from the party. In Kalwakurthy, the Congress party had fielded Kasireddy Narayan Reddy. The MLC had resigned from BRS to join the Congress party early this month. He switched loyalties after BRS leadership ignored his demand to retain sitting MLA G. Jaipal Yadav.

Former Congress MLA Vamshi Chand Reddy was the ticket aspirant from Kalwakurthy. However, Vamshi Chand Reddy had already announced that they will work together for the party's victory irrespective of who gets the ticket. Vamshi Chand was elected on Congress ticket from this constituency in 2014. He, however, failed to retain the seat in 2018.
Tehran, Oct 17 : Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has warned of a "pre-emptive action" in the coming hours if Israel's "war crimes against Palestinians" in Gaza did not stop.

In recent days, Iran has repeatedly talked about the risk of an escalation in the Israel-Hamas war, but the Minister's remarks were the strongest warning yet that the fighting might spread, making it into a regional conflict, the BBC reported.

Amir-Abdollahian said the "resistance front" could carry out the "pre-emptive action" in the coming hours".

The "resistance front" is an alliance of forces in the region that includes Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese group backed by Iran.

In the past week, Hezbollah and the Israeli military have exchanged fire along the Lebanese-Israeli border,raising fears that this could become another front in the war.

Hezbollah has a vast arsenal of weapons, with missiles capable of striking deep into Israeli territory, as well as tens of thousands of well-trained, battle-hardened fighters.

The "resistance front" also includes groups Iran supports in Syria and Iraq, the BBC reported.

Western countries have warned Tehran against escalating the situation and, so far, the cross-border violence has been contained.

But some believe this could change if Israel goes ahead with a ground offensive into Gaza, and militants here decide they must respond.
Seven in custody for stealing SIM cards, cables from BSNL's Sabarimala office. Image Source: IANS News

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 17 : The Kerala Police have taken seven people into custody for breaking into the BSNL office at the famed Sabarimala temple premises.

Even as the two-month long annual temple festival begins in November, the temple opens every month during the first few days of every Malayalam month. It was a plumber who first noticed some people running away from the BSNL office at Sharamkuthy.

Later it was found out that SIM cards and cables were stolen from the office.

Incidentally, this BSNL office functions only when the temple located at a hillockopens for its monthly 'pujas', when pilgrims arrive.

The loss of properties was reported by the BSNL officials and the police quickly acted . Seven people have been taken into custody and the questioning was on.
San Francisco, Oct 17 : Bat genes could hold the key to unlocking new ways to battle cancer and Covid-19, a new study has found.

The study published in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution looked at the rapid evolution of bats' abilities to host and survive infections like Covid-19 and cancer.

The scientists at the US-based Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) sequenced the genomes of the 'Jamaican fruit bat' and 'Mesoamerican mustached bat', compared these sequences to other mammals and found that rapid evolution has streamlined bat genomes to defend against infection and cancer.

"We didn't know immune system genes were so positively selected in bat genomes. Bats have a number of very unusual things about them. They don't respond to infections the way we do. In retrospect, it's not surprising this difference in the immune system may be involved in both the ageing and cancer response," said CSHL Professor W. Richard McCombie.

The Jamaican fruit bat and Mesoamerican mustached bat belong to the world's most ecologically diverse superfamily of mammals.

The researchers compared these sequences to 15 other bat and mammal genomes, including humans, which revealed an unknown shift in levels of two inflammatory protein-coding genes called -- interferon-alpha and -- omega, the study noted.

"Bats have dialled down the immune system's alarm by shedding genes that produce interferon-alpha. This may be responsible for their high viral tolerance. It prevents overactive immune responses that harm healthy tissue -- one of the reasons infections are so damaging to humans," explained Armin Scheben, Postdoctoral Fellow at CSHL.

The researchers also found that compared to other mammals, bat genomes contain more changes in cancer-related genes, including six that repair DNA and 46 that suppress tumours.

"Our work highlights how immunity and cancer response are deeply interconnected. The same immune genes and proteins play important roles in cancer resistance," Scheben said.
India's initiatives for climate resilient marine fisheries to be presented at int'l conclave. Image Source: IANS News

Mamallapuram : , Oct 17 (IANS) Union Minister for Fisheries Parshottam Rupala on Tuesday said the government has stepped up its investment for the fisheries sector since 2015 and the fish production has increased manifold.

Inaugurating the International Conclave on Mainstreaming Climate Change into International Fisheries Governance and Strengthening of Fisheries Management Measures in the Indo-Pacific Region here, Rupala said climate change will impact agriculture, fisheries and food security.

Organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, and the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), the conclave seeks to develop guidelines for climate resilient fisheries management and formulate strategies for the integration of climate change into international fisheries governance.

He said since 2015, the central government has substantially stepped-up public investments in the fisheries sector to the tune of Rs 38,572 crore.

With India being the second largest aquaculture producer and third largest fish producer in the world, he said seafood exports have more than doubled in the last nine years with record exports of Rs 63,969 crore ($8.09 billion) last fiscal.

He also said the shrimp exports more than doubled in the last nine years with exports of Rs 43,135 crore ($5.48 billion) during 2022-23.

Indiaas fish production increased from mere 0.75 million tons in 1950-51 to a record 17.4 million tons (provisional) in 2022-23, a 23-fold increase. The success of inland aquaculture is spectacular. Fish production from inland aquaculture increased from 0.21 million tons in 1950-51 to 13.13 million tons in 2022-23, Rupala said.

According to him, during the last nine years, an estimated 61.9 lakh employment and livelihood opportunities have been generated under various schemes.

Approximately six lakh fisher families annually are provided with livelihood and nutritional support during fishing ban/lean period.

Thirty three lakh fishermen have been insured under Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) in FY 2022-23 and one lakh transponders are being installed for monitoring, controlling and surveillance of marine fishing vessels/boats in sea, Rupala said.

He said to offer livelihood opportunities in the seaweed sector, the government has initiated action for a Multipurpose seaweed park (integrated aquapark) in Tamil Nadu worth Rs.1.27 billion.

He also invited the delegates and the participants to the upcoming first edition of Global Fisheries Conference 2023 (GFC- 2023) from 21st - 22nd November in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on the occasion of World Fisheries Day.

Delegates from 18 countries, including the US, Japan, Italy, China, France, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh are attending the conference.

Earlier speaking at the conclave, the FAO representative to India, Takayuki Hagiwara said FAO and India have been working together to achieve the goals.

He said that aquatic foods serve a great deal in containing malnutrition and maintaining holistic health.

According to Dr. Piero Mannini, Senior Liaison Officer, FAO, Romeet many marine species have been displaced due to global warming phenomenon and the rise in sea level has affected coasts around the world.

Mannini said aquatic food contributes to a major extent to achieve food security and it is important to manage them effectively.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : This Arab militant leader's struggles during his life may not have achieved much, but the ongoing crisis in Israel brought his name back into the spotlight as Hamas' military wing, which carried out the attacks, is named after him, as are the short-range missiles it keeps on firing into Israeli territory.

Hamas' Izz ad-Din Al Qassam Brigades - and the Qassam missiles - are named after Syrian cleric and militant Izz ad-Din Al Qassam (1881/82-1935), and the name was appropriate. Al Qassam spent most of his fairly short life planning and fighting at least three colonial powers from Libya to Syria, before beginning his operations in Palestine, proving the seamless continuum of the Arab world and its politics.

Born in what was then Ottoman Syria, Al Qassam studied at the renowned Al Azhar University in Cairo in the first decade of the 20th century, and along with the religious training, acquired a political outlook. His aim was basically to revitalise his religion from its current stagnation, focus on development and uplift of the middle and lower classes, and reliance on armed struggle against European colonists, rather than the Arab elite's practice of cutting deals for mutual benefit.

Returning home to Syria to begin his religious work, he came out strongly against the Italian invasion of Libya in 1911 and sought to collect funds for the Libyan tribesmen resisting it - even crossing swords with a local Ottoman official who had his eye on the money. Al Qassam also gathered a band to go and fight in Libya and had reached Alexandria, but were not allowed to go further.

After the First World War, Al Qassam came out against the French control over Syria, and led a group of rebels fighting against French troops in northern Syria in 1919-20. However, the revolt was soon crushed, and he moved to Palestine, where he became a waqf official.

Infuriated at the plight of Palestinian Arab peasants and the growing influx of Jewish immigrants, Al Qassam, in the 1930s, formed bands of local fighters and launched attacks against British and Jewish targets.

He was eventually killed in a shootout by the British security forces in 1935, following his alleged role in the killing of a policeman.

Though Al Qassam's guerrilla operations had limited impact during his lifetime, his actions and his death were one factor in the outbreak of the 1936a"1939 Arab revolt in Palestine - one of the biggest headaches for the British mandatory authorities and leading to the realisation that their rule - amid resurgent Jews and increasingly aggrieved Arabs - would not be very tenable.

He could have renamed a footnote in the fractious history of the Middle East, but his legacy would endure.

As displaced Palestinians sought to organise themselves in the 1950s following the debacle of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, the fedayeen who emerged in the 1960s held Al Qassam to be their inspiration.

The founders of Fatah, which, under Yasser Arafat, became the main constituent of the PLO, had initially considered naming their group the "Qassamiyun", as Al Qassam's followers had styled themselves in the 1930s.

Palestinian militant and place hijacker Leila Khaled, who became the face of the resistance after her iconic photo cradling a gun circulated, had noted her Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was continuing in Al Qassam's footsteps as his generation started the revolution, and her generation intended to complete it.

However, it was left to Hamas to revive Al Qassam's name.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
Mumbai, Oct 17 : 'BTS: Yet to Come', the concert movie of K-pop idols BTS, will be available globally on an OTT platform starting from November 9. The idea behind the OTT release is to celebrate the glitz and glamour of K-pop.

The 'BTS: Yet to Come' concert was performed by the seven-member boy band in Busan in October last year in support of the Korean port city's bid to host the 2030 World Expo. It was held at the Asiad Main Stadium with approximately 50,000 people in attendance.

The concert was also live-streamed on Weverse, the fan platform operated by Hybe. The film sees BTS perform 19 of their hit tracks, including 'Dynamite', 'Butter', 'Run', 'MIC Drop' and the title track, 'Yet To Come'. It was released on the big screen across the world, including India, earlier this year on February 1.

The boy band is on a break from their group activities as its members Suga, Jin and J-Hope complete their mandatory military duties.

Once all of the band's members complete their military duties (RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook are yet to enlist), they will release the 10-year anniversary album of their third LP 'The Most Beautiful Moment In Life.

It was this LP that ended up making BTS the global sensation it has become.

In addition, BTS will also release a new album in 2025, but before that, on November 3, Jungkook will come out with his debut solo album 'Golden'.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Tony Fernandez, the CEO of Air Asia, has been criticised by scores of people for posting a shirtless photo while getting a massage on the business and employment-focused social media platform LinkedIn.

"Was a stressful week and Veranita Yosephine suggested a massage. Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture, that I can have a massage and do a management meeting! We are making big progress and I have now finalised Capital A structure. Exciting days ahead. Proud of what we have built and never have lost sight of the finish," he wrote in a post on LinkedIn.

The Malaysian entrepreneur's LinkedIn post with a picture, shared on Monday, shows him receiving a desk-side massage during a virtual meeting.

This post has garnered hundreds of reactions. Some individuals have alleged that the Malaysian millionaire deleted unfavourable comments on the post.

"A grown man, who is the chief executive of a publicly listed company, conducts a management meeting with his shirt off as he gets a massage. Remove "who is the chief executive of a publicly listed company" and it is still inappropriate," commented Nathalie D Ramirez.

"I see my comment got deleted, which must have been a mistake, so I'll add it again. I don't think the women in your company would feel comfortable or safe in this context, and given you're the boss, they likely won't challenge you or say anything. Please for their sake, listen to the comments you've deleted on this post. You are clearly a smart leader that cares about culture but this isn't the way to create a supportive, safe one," comments another LinkedIn user, Rebecca Nadilo.

"Work at AirAsia, where meetings are as gross as our passenger experience. You have managed to capture everything from inappropriate entitlement to exemplary C Suite tone deafness in a single image. Bravo," commented Anton Reyniers.
Patna, Oct 17 : Bihar police constable Amita Bachchan, who was shot dead while chasing criminals in Vaishali, was cremated at his native village Bhadaura on Tuesday.

His last rites were performed at the Sultanpur Ghat on the bank of the Ganga.

A large number of people from across the area, assembled at the ghat raised slogans of 'Shahid Jawan Amar Rahe, Amita Bachchan Amar Rahe'.

Munger Superintendent of Police Jaggu Reddy Jala Reddy and other senior officers also paid their last respect to him.

Amita Bachchan, a constable of Vaishali district, was checking the vehicles near UCO bank at Sarai Bazar Chowk on Monday when the incident occurred.

When the police team, including Bachchan, tried to stop three bike-born men, they left the bike and fled.

Some of the policemen started chasing the criminals when one of them opened fire on the police team hitting Bachchan on his chest.

The other cops immediately rushed him to Sadar hospital where doctors referred him to a private hospital.

Kumar succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

Bachchan is survived by Komal Bachchan -- his wife of six years --, a son and a daughter.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : Best known for his roles in shows like 'Sasural Simar Ka', 'Begusarai', among others, actor Vishal Aditya Singh is set to portray Dev in the upcoming fairytale romance drama 'Chand Jalne Laga', and said viewers will relate to the kind of love, pain and separation that has been captured in this show.

With the newest television pair, Vishal and Kanika Mann as Dev and Tara respectively, whose story outlines the extraordinary journey of two childhood sweethearts, who once were each other's sanctuary, but the cruel hand of fate pulls them apart.

As the age-old wisdom goes, 'Love is the fire that kindles the heart,' 'Chand Jalne Laga' is that blazing fire, promising to be the most passionate love story of the year.

Talking about the same, Vishal said: "I've had the privilege of working with Colors and Swastik Productions earlier, and I'm excited to be working with them once again for 'Chand Jalne Laga'."

"After 'Bigg Boss 13', I was waiting to spearhead a love story. I think the patience paid off and I'm grateful for it. The viewers have showered an immense amount of love on all the characters I've essayed so far," he shared.

Vishal added: "I'm sure that they will appreciate Dev and relate to the kind of love, pain and separation captured in this show."

In the backdrop of a scenic vineyard, the love story begins with Dev and Tara, who are inseparable as kids. Dev has the unique gift of understanding horses and works as a stable boy for a wealthy zamindar family, and Tara is its caged princess, who fears nearly everything.

Both find solace in each other's presence. As grown-ups, their paths cross after being separated by a huge misunderstanding, both having undergone a massive transformation. Dev, who was once optimistic and sensitive,makes a fortune and turns into a man with angst and a steely resolve.

On the other hand, the fearful and dependent Tara becomes a confident and fearless lady after her family loses its riches. With the passage of time, a lot has changed in their lives except for a few things. Will those be enough to rekindle the passionate love they once shared.

Produced by Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Swastik Productions, 'Chand Jalne Laga' will premiere from October 23 on Colors.
Russian occupants continue their attempts to surround Avdiivka in Donetsk region. They are trying to storm the city with large groups of infantry, mostly the enemy throws into the battle those mobilized in the temporarily occupied territories and prisoners from Storm-Z units.

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The enemy is suffering significant losses, and the statements of Russian propagandists about the capture of the Avdiivka Coke Plant spoil heap, which they have been spreading for several days in a row, are not true. Colonel Oleksandr Stupun, spokesman for the joint press center of the Tauride Defense Forces, spoke about the situation in the Avdiivka area during a telethon.

According to him, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 10 enemy attacks in the Avdiivka area over the last day. The powerful response of the Defense Forces does not allow the occupants to break through, although they throw large groups of infantry into the battle.

"They are sending infantry forward in very large groups, or rather, they are no longer walking, they are crawling, because we do not allow them to raise their heads. Mostly motorized riflemen mobilized from the occupied territories and Storm-Z units are attacking," said Stupun.

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At the same time, he noted, the invaders are using much less armored vehicles than they did in the first wave of attacks on October 10.

He refuted the statements of Russian propagandists who have been claiming for several days in a row that the occupiers had allegedly seized the spoil heap of the Avdiivka Coke Plant on the northern flank.

"The spoil heap is important because it is a dominant height, it is under our control," the spokesman emphasized.

Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War said that Russia had deployed two brigades to strengthen its offensive on the Avdiivka front. However, the invaders can currently boast of extremely modest success, especially against the backdrop of significant losses. Because of them, BILD called Avdiivka "the second Bakhmut". According to the German publication, Russian troops lost more than 60 tanks and armored personnel carriers near Avdiivka, but did not abandon their plans to capture the city in Donetsk region.

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According to Vitaliy Barabash, head of the Avdiivka Civil-Military Administration, Russia has now set a new deadline for the capture of Donetsk region. Moscow demands that the occupiers reach the administrative border of Donetsk region by December 31.

At the moment, the invaders are trying to encircle Avdiivka and are focusing on attacks from the northern and southern flanks, additional forces are being deployed there.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to assess progress of India's Gaganyaan mission and to outline the future of the country's space exploration endeavours.

The department of space presented a comprehensive overview of the Gaganyaan mission, including various technologies developed so far such as human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification.

It was noted that around 20 major tests, including three uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), are planned.

First demonstration flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle is scheduled on October 2.

The meeting evaluated the missionas readiness, affirming its launch in 2025.

Building on the success of the Indian space initiatives, including the recent Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 Missions, Modi directed that India should now aim for new and ambitious goals, including setting up 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.

To realise this vision, the department of space will develop a roadmap for Moon exploration, official sources said. This will encompass a series of Chandrayaan missions, the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), construction of a new launch pad, setting up human-centric laboratories and associated technologies.

PM Modi also called upon Indian scientists to work towards interplanetary missions that would include a Venus orbiter mission and a Mars Lander. He expressed confidence in the countryas capabilities and affirmed its commitment to scaling new heights in space exploration.
Jaipur, Oct 17 : Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, Maharana Pratap's descendant, and Bhavani Singh Kalvi, the grandson of former Union Minister Kalyan Singh Kalvi from Marwar, joined the BJP on Tuesday.

Both joined the party at the BJP national headquarters in Delhi in the presence of state President C.P. Joshi, and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

Speaking on the occasion, Meghwal said that the party aims at boosting the stateas economy, and the Mewar scion and Kalvi will help in realising this dream.

It needs to be mentioned here that the partyas core committee meeting is scheduled in Delhi on Tuesday where the veteran leaders will brainstorm on pending tickets for 159 seats.

A total of 41 tickets have already been announced in the state by the party following which the number of rebels is growing. Also, BJP national president J.P. Nadda was in Udaipur and Jodhpur on Monday where he addressed back-to-back meetings.

Sources said that the aim of the meeting was to build consensus on the names so that there is no chaos as has been witnessed in the state after the release of the first list.

The elections to the 200-seat Rajasthan Assembly will be held on November 25.
Rafah crossing may be open for only 'limited time', warns US Embassy in Israel. Image Source: IANS News

Cairo, Oct 17 : Hundreds of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, medical supplies, food and blankets lined up on Tuesday at the Rafah crossing, waiting for access to Gaza from the Egyptian side.

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt is the only remaining outlet for supplies, but it has been closed for much of the past week, with neither Gazans, foreign nationals or humanitarian aid being able to cross amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

"Trucks moved from Arish city in north Sinai in the early hours of Tuesday to the Rafah crossing," Shihata Saber, a truck driver told Xinhua.

"I'm proud to be part of the covey. We are ready to enter aid to our brothers in Palestine," said Saber, who had waited for nearly four days after loading the aid in Arish.

After crossing Rafah, the trucks will head to the Kerem Shalom border crossing to be inspected by the Israeli side before moving to Gaza, an Egyptian security official told Xinhua.

Shipments of aid from Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates had arrived at the Arish airport, 50 km west of Rafah, together with medical supplies provided by the World Health Organization.

"Since the beginning of the conflict, Egypt attempted to keep the Rafah crossing bordering with Gaza open to deliver aid in coordination with the United Nations," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday.

"(However) The Israeli government has not taken any measure from the side of Gaza to allow access," he said.
Will implement women's reservation bill, extend it to OBC too if voted to power in 2024: Kharge. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Oct 17 : The main Opposition party Congress on Tuesday came down heavily against the Centre's decision to ask the Indian military to set up 822 selfie points in nine cities for promoting the BJP Government's welfare schemes, accusing it of misusing the Defence forces' popularity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's publicity.

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that Modi is indulging in self-publicity by using the popularity of soldiers.

"By using the Defence forces for political gains, the Modi government has done something which has never happened in the last 75 years. By asking the armed forces and even DRDO as well as the Border Road Organisation to set up selfie points which will have the prime minister's picture and publicity of his schemes, rather than displaying the tales of valour of our soldiers, is something which has never happened earlier," Kharge posted on X.

"By doing so, the BJP has hurt the dignity of the armed forces," he added.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Global engineering giant Rolls-Royce has announced plans to sack as many as 2,500 jobs globally as part of a drastic cost-cutting exercise.

Tufan Erginbilgic, a former BP executive, took over as CEO of Rolls-Royce in January when he rocked the company's employees by describing the iconic aircraft engine-maker as a "burning platform" whose operations were "unsustainable".

The company employs 42,000 people worldwide with about half of the workforce based in the UK.

Rolls-Royce's financial performance had plunged during the pandemic when airlines were grounded, but has improved over the past year, with global air travel bouncing back.

However, the company's focus on long-haul travel has meant it has lagged behind rivals who make engines for short-haul planes, its share price has more than doubled since the start of 2023 -- albeit remaining short of its pre-pandemic level in 2019, according to a report in The Guardian.

Rolls-Royce did not divulge any details about the job cuts, but said it needed to engage with unions before making further announcements.

The company said the planned changes would "remove duplication and deliver cost efficiencies".

"We are building a Rolls-Royce that is fit for the futureThat means a more streamlined and efficient organisation that will deliver for our customers, partners and shareholders," Erginbilgic said.

Rolls-Royce plans to merge its engineering technology and safety teams, with its chief technology officer stepping down. It also hopes to improve its procurement and supply chain management processes to cut costs. Besides, its finance, legal and human resources teams will be brought together across the group.
Kuala Lumpur, Oct 17 : Malaysia's total fertility rate (TFR) for 2022 declined to the lowest in five decades, raising concerns on shrinking population and ageing population in the country.

The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said in a statement on Tuesday that the TFR in 2022 declined to 1.6 children for every woman aged from 15 to 49 years as compared to 1.7 children in 2021, reports Xinhua news agency.

This fertility rate was the lowest in five decades with 4.9 children per woman in 1970.

From 1970 up to 2012, the national TFR was still above the replacement level of 2.1 children, which indicates that the average number of children born per woman throughout her reproductive life has been sufficient to replace herself and her partner.

However, the TFR started to decline below the replacement level from 2013 onwards.

This declining trend in fertility rate is signaling the potential for a demographic crisis such as population growth shrinking, ageing population and economic and social implications.

It is noted that the number of live births in Malaysia was 423,124 births in 2022, a decrease of 3.8 per cent as compared to 439,744 births in 2021.

More male newborns were recorded than females, 218,345 and 204,779, respectively.

The decline in the number of live births has contributed to the decline in the crude birth rate from 13.5 births in 2021 to 12.9 births per thousand population in 2022.

It is also noted that the number of deaths in 2022 was 206,525 deaths, down 8 perc ent as compared to 224,569 deaths in 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The crude death rate also recorded a decrease from 6.9 deaths per thousand population in 2021 to 6.3 in 2022.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : In a bizarre development, a medico from Malvani in Malad west has been booked in an alleged third rape case in three weeks, a police official said here on Tuesday.

The accused in the 'serial rapes' is Dr Yogesh Bhanushali, who was arrested after two cases were lodged against him for the offence on September 27 and October 3, and the third case lodged on October 15.

Malvani Police Station Senior Inspector of Police Chimaji Adhav said that the accused is currently in judicial custody in the earlier two cases which will end on Wednesday (October 18), and he will be arrested in the third case now, said the official.

The medico followed a modus operandi of luring women into relationship with marriage promises through social media, and then inviting them to his home to meet the other family members who lived a lavish lifestyle.

Later, he would allegedly take the woman to his private room upstairs and then convince her to change hairstyle and clothes to go to a pub, force himself on her, and even cajole her into getting tattoos on private parts.

He would continue the relationship for sometime, extract money and jewellery from her under threats of making her intimate pictures viral, dump and go after the next victim.

When one of the victims lodged a police complaint, her family came to his rescue and threatened her to withdraw the cases, and he has reportedly extorted over Rs 5-lakhs from one victim so far.

Among his victims are a nurse, a call centre employee who were lured, sexually assaulted and cheated of money on various occasions.

The accused was also booked by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Nagar Police Station, Govandi (north-east Mumbai), under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2020, when he had misbehaved in a Covid-19 centre with a patient.

With four cases already registered, the Mumbai Police believe that there could be many more victims who would gradually come out openly against him.

Meanwhile, the victims' lawyers are clamouring for a probe into his medical degrees and other details of his family and their possible complicity into his alleged criminal activities.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred hearing on pleas filed by CBI seeking cancellation of bail granted to RJD President Lalu Prasad in connection with multi-crore fodder scam.

A bench of Justices A.S. Bopanna and M.M. Sundresh decided to take up the plea for hearing on a non-miscellaneous day in the last week of January 2024.

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the central probe agency, urged that the question of law involved in the case requires determination by the apex court.

In the special leave petition filed before the Supreme Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has contended that the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court on an erroneous assumption of law.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, defending Lalu Prasad, said that CBI wants to put the RJD leader back in jail in view of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He raised questions on CBI for delay in filing the appeal before the Supreme Court.

In August this year, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud had directed urgent listing of the matter after the central probe agency sought an early hearing on plea seeking cancellation of Lalu Prasadas bail.

Notably, days other than Monday and Friday are classified as non-miscellaneous days in the Supreme Court, when regular hearing is undertaken by different benches.

In April last year, the Jharkhand High Court granted bail to Lalu Prasad in connection with a fifth fodder scam case relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 139.5 crore from the Doranda treasury.

Notably, the Supreme Court had already issued notice on the CBIas plea challenging the bail orders issued on April 17, 2021 and October 9, 2020, where the Jharkhand High Court had granted bail to the former Bihar Chief Minister in the case relating to fraudulent withdrawal of funds from Dumka Treasury and Chaibasa Treasury.

The multi million fodder scam took place in the Animal Husbandry Department in undivided Bihar when Lalu Prasad was the Chief Minister. The scam surfaced in 1996, and at the Patna High Court's directive, the case was handed over to the CBI.

Lalu Prasad was convicted in four fodder scam cases in connection with fraudulent withdrawal of money from Deoghar, Dumka, and Chaibasa treasuries in Jharkhand. In the Doranda case, the special CBI court had awarded him a five-year jail term and imposed Rs 60 lakh fine.
Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati addresses during a party office-bearers and leaders meeting in Lucknow on March 3, 2019. . Image Source: IANS News

Hyderabad, Oct 17 : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has promised free smartphones and washing machines for women workers and farmers in Telangana.

The party, which released its manifesto for next monthas assembly elections on Tuesday, also promised free driving training for women workers. It has also assured 10 lakh jobs for youth in next five years. Fifty per cent of these jobs will be provided to women.

The party promises one acre of land for every landless family. The land title will be issued in the name of women.

The houseless will be allotted 550 square yards house sites. The government will also provide Rs 6 lakh for construction of houses.

BSP state president R.S. Praveen Kumar, who released the manifesto titled aBahujan Bharosaa, promised 33 per cent reservation for women in the state Cabinet. The party also promised student leaders as shadow ministers.

Before releasing the manifesto, the BSP leader garlanded the photo of Pravalika, who died by suicide last week reportedly over postponement of job recruitment exams.

The BSP also assured Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops and subsidy for farmers affected by natural calamities. It also promised to scrap Dharani portal, the land record management system introduced by the KCR government.

If voted to power, BSP will establish one international school in every mandal. Every year, 100 students from each mandal will be provided overseas education.

Praveen Kumar said workers in both rural and urban areas will be provided assured employment for 150 days every year with minimum daily wages of Rs 350. They will also be provided free transport and health insurance.

The BSP also promises Rs 15 lakh health insurance for every family. Every year Rs 25,000 crore will be spent on nutrition and health budget.

The party, if voted to power, will also set up a board for the welfare of Gulf migrant workers with Rs 5,000 crore.

It assured that the services of ASHA and Anganwadi workers will be regularised.

BSP has already announced that it will contest the next monthas assembly elections on its own. It released its first list of 20 candidates early this month.

Praveen Kumar, a retired IPS officer, will be contesting from Sirpur constituency.
Jerusalem, Oct 17 : The Israeli military on Tuesday confirmed that there was no ceasefire in the Gaza Strip yet and the Rafah Crossing Point between the Hamas-controlled enclave and Egypt remains closed.

Addressing a regular briefing, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said that although Israel is concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, but the military bombing was "intelligence-led", reports CNN.

As of Tuesday, nearly 3,000 people have been killed in the Israeli airstrikes launched in retaliation to the October 7 Hamas attack.

Hecht also condemned the release of a video showing one of the hostages held by Hamas as "psychological warfare", adding that "this is ISIS' playbook".

The IDF official accused Hamas of stealing fuel and food from the UN relief agency in Gaza.

On tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, Hecht said there had been further incoming fire on Tuesday across the border from the neighbouring country, CNN reported.

An anti-tank missile had been fired, causing some injuries, and Israeli forces were returning fire.

"Our rules of engagement on the border are very clear right now: Anyone who comes near the fence will be shot," Hecht said of the northern border.

He warned that Lebanon needed to ask itself: "Do they want to risk their future for Hamas? People in Lebanon have to be asking themselves that."

Asked if Israel was able to wage war on two fronts, Hecht said: "Of course we can. But the level of violence would be very, very bad. But of course we can."
On the night of October 17, Ukraine used American long-range ATACMS missiles for the first time to hit enemy targets. They were used to strike extremely effective targets at two airfields in the temporarily occupied Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Luhansk, which were used by the occupiers to concentrate combat aircraft.

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According to American journalists, these missiles, which have been discussed in Washington for a long time, were recently secretly delivered to Ukraine "in small quantities". The Wall Street Journal and Politico reported this, citing sources, while Ukraine has not officially made any statements on the matter.

"Ukraine fired ATACMS missiles at Russian forces on Tuesday, the first time the U.S.-supplied weapon has been used in the conflict in Ukraine. A small number of missiles have been secretly shipped to Ukraine in recent days, and will bolster Kyiv's ability to launch long-range strikes against Russian forces during a crucial phase of its counteroffensive, according to sources familiar with the matter," the WSJ said.

A similar report, albeit in a shorter version, was made by Politico.

According to the WSJ, the ATACMS that Ukraine has allegedly already received have a range of about 160 km.

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At the same time, Ukraine has not officially confirmed either the receipt or use of ATACMS. However, American journalists see some confirmation in the statement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who, after a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, thanked "those who are destroying the logistics and bases of the occupiers of our land on a large scale."

"We have results. I thank some of our partners: effective weapons, as we agreed," Zelenskyy said.

On the morning of October 17, it became known that the Defense Forces had struck at night at airfields in Berdiansk and Luhansk: the occupiers used them to deploy ammunition and front-line aircraft. In particular, in Berdiansk, they set up their main base from which helicopters and airplanes took off to attack Ukrainian soldiers on the front line.

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In a few hours, the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the preliminary results of the attack: the enemy lost 9 helicopters, a combat center, special equipment and air defense systems. They also managed to disable the runways. The invaders' losses in killed and wounded run into dozens.

In addition to the direct "demilitarization" and "denazification" of the invaders, this defeat has another important consequence. Thus, according to the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yurii Ihnat, the invaders' aircraft attacked Ukrainian soldiers in the south and east from a distance beyond the reach of Ukrainian air defense.

If Ukraine were to acquire longer-range weapons, it would force the enemy to keep its helicopters away from the front line. Therefore, even if shells were launched at the positions, the defenders would have more time to track and respond to enemy fire.

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New Delhi, Oct 17 : Google Drive will no longer require third-party cookies to be enabled to download files from January 2, 2024,, the search giant has announced.

Google Chrome and other browsers have begun phasing out third-party cookies in order to better protect user privacy.

"Starting January 2, 2024, Drive will start serving downloads without requiring third-party cookies," the company said in an update.

If you have specific workflows in place that rely on Drive's download URLs or use an app which relies on Drive's download URLs, you'll need to switch to the Drive and Docs publishing flows by January 2.

The change comes as Google prepares to disable third-party cookies by default in its Chrome browser, following similar action by Mozilla and Apple to enhance privacy.

"Serving downloads without requiring third-party cookies will work to improve usability, security, and privacy for Drive users," said Google.

"For Workspace files (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms file types) use the Google Docs publishing URL of the file," the company added.

The change impacts all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts.

In June, the company announced to end support for "Drive for desktop" on Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and all 32-bit versions of Windows.

The company further said that users of a 32-bit version of Windows can still access Google Drive through a browser.

Meanwhile, the company had introduced a "search chips" feature for Drive, which allows users to filter by criteria like file type, owner and last modified date anywhere in the web app.
Singapore, Oct 17 : A 39-year-old Indian priest at Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, who received more than SG$2.3 million by pawning gold jewellery of temple deities, failed in his appeal for a lighter jail term on Tuesday.

Kandasamy Senapathi, former chief priest of Sri Mariamman Temple in South Bridge Road, was sentenced to six years' jail by a district judge in May this year, The Straits Times reported.

An Indian national, Kandasamy had pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and two charges of removing the benefits of his criminal activities from jurisdiction.

Six similar charges were taken into consideration during the Indian national's sentencing.

Kandasamy was employed by the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) in December 2013 and was promoted to chief priest at the temple in July 2018. In 2014, he was entrusted with the keys and number code to the safe in the temple's holy sanctum, which contained about 255 pieces of gold jewellery valued at about SG$1.1 million.

Kandasamy's lawyer, Divanan Narkunan, argued before the High Court on Tuesday that the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive.

Divanan said the district judge had erred by focusing on the misappropriated sum stated in the charges without considering that the money actually obtained by Kandasamy were merely a fraction of the total pawn proceeds.

The lawyer pointed to the "unique fact pattern" in Kandasamy's scheme between 2016 and 2020, which involved him "rolling" the pieces of jewellery, The Straits Times reported.

Kandasamy would pawn a piece of jewellery for cash and then return on another day to redeem the first piece of jewellery using a second piece of jewellery.

The lawyer argued that although Kandasamy received a total of SG$2.3 million, he had obtained only SG$141,054.90 as benefits as most of the pawn proceeds were used to redeem the jewellery and pay off the interest owed to the pawnshops.

Disagreeing, Justice Vincent Hoong pointed out that when Kandasamy pawned the pieces of jewellery, he received the proceeds as reflected in the charges.

The amount represented the value of the items misappropriated.

"How the appellant chose to use the pawn proceeds subsequently is irrelevant to determining the sum misappropriated in each of the CBT charges," Hoong said, noting that that sums owed to the pawnshops were a result of Kandasamy's unlawful acts.

"The appellant cannot now point to his use of a portion of the pawn proceeds to continue his offending conduct and avoid detection to argue that the sums misappropriated were lower. This is simply a disingenuous argument."

From 2016 to 2020, Kandasamy pawned 66 pieces of the jewellery over 172 occasions and received a total amount of SG$2,328,760.

He deposited a portion of the money into his personal bank account and remitted SG$141,054.90 to India.

His activities went undetected as he was able to borrow sufficient money to redeem the pawned jewellery whenever he knew an audit was being scheduled, The Straits Times reported.

Once the audit was completed, he would pawn the temple's jewellery again to return the money borrowed.

The offences came to light in July 2020, when a routine audit, which had been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was scheduled.

He initially tried to evade detection by telling a member of the temple's finance team that he did not have the key to the safe as he had left it in India.

However, when he was told that the safe may have to be broken open for its contents to be audited, he confessed to pawning the temple's jewellery.

All the pieces of jewellery he pawned have since been returned to the temple, except the sum of SG$141,054.90 which was remitted to India.

--IANS

mi/ksk
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on Tuesday said it has empowered over one million marginalised sellers, weavers and food processors, thus creating equal opportunities across 60 cities.

The ONDC Network has transformed the lives of more than 300 social sector sellers across 18 states and in over 60 cities.

"Our driving force is to ensure that the benefits of the network reach those who have been missing from the digital commerce revolution. In an era where technology has the potential to reshape industries and empower marginalized communities, we stand as a beacon of change," said T Koshy, MD and CEO at ONDC.

Since the beginning of this year, ONDC has processed over 5,000 orders in the social sector domain.

Currently, the Network showcases approximately 7,000 unique products and has successfully introduced over 265 sellers to digital commerce by onboarding them onto the Network.

ONDC Network's buyer app, Mystore, has played a pivotal role in empowering these unique sellers.

"Amazing India", a dedicated section within Mystore, serves as a one-stop-shop celebrating India's cultural diversity. This section hosts more than 300 stores offering a wide range of products, including fashion and gourmet items.

"As a dedicated tech-enabler Network Participant of ONDC, Mystore has designed an ONDC Protocol-compatible, tech-enabled, feature-rich, and user-friendly platform for sellers across various categories," said Kriti Aggarwal, Co-founder of Mystore.

Similarly, Paytm has introduced 'My India Store' dedicated to showcasing products from social sector sellers.

Incorporated on December 31, 2021, ONDC is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Man held for killing woman, pouring acid on face to hide identity in Delhi. Image Source: IANS News

Chennai, Oct 17 : Tamil Nadu Police on Tuesday arrested a woman, who was part of an infant sale racket, in Namakkal district.

The woman has been identified as Balamani. The police had on October 15 busted the racket and had arrested A. Anuradha, a doctor at the Government hospital in Thiruchengodu. An associate of the doctor, T. Logambal was also arrested.

Police said that Logambal was forcing couples to sell their children to childless couples. And, so far seven infants had been sold.

The Thiruchenogdu police have registered a case under Sections 120(b) 370(4) of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 81 and 87 of the Juvenile Justice(Care and Protection of Children) Act.

The police officials told media persons that Logambal acted as a tout while selling infants.

Logambal during the interrogation had told police about Balamani's role in the racket after which she was also apprehended.
Kolkata, Oct 17 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested another person in connection with the agency's ongoing investigation into the multi-crore cash-for-school job case in West Bengal.

The arrested person has been identified as Kaushik Maji, a director of M. Basu Roy & Company, the entity that supplied optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets for the written examinations for the school jobs.

On Monday only, the CBI officials arrested Partha Sen, another top employee of the same company.

Majhi has been questioned several times by the CBI sleuths in the connection.

The central agency officials too have conducted raid and search operations at his residence and offices and seized several paper and electronic documents in the matter.

The CBI had already informed a special court that Partha Sen was directly responsible for tapering of the OMR sheets to make room for ineligible candidates to score higher marks in the written examinations.

In the court, CBI also informed that a list of 752 candidates for the 2017 entrance examinations for school jobs in the state was prepared at the office of the said corporate entity.

Of the 752 named in the list, 300 secured school jobs at a later stage, as per CBIas submission at the court.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Setting aside a trial court's order, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted relief to AAP MP Raghav Chadha in the government bungalow allocation case.

The High Court went against the trial courtas order ruling that Raghav Chadha did not possess a vested right to continue occupying a government bungalow after the allotment was cancelled and the privilege withdrawn.

On October 5, Additional District Judge Sudhanshu Kaushik of Patiala House Courts vacated his interim order, which had directed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to refrain from evicting the MP from the bungalow without following due legal process.

The official residence in question is a government Type-7 bungalow in Pandara Road, which falls under Lutyens' Delhi. These bungalows are allocated to lawmakers who have served as Ministers, Chief Ministers, or Governors.

On Tuesday, Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani said that the April 18 order of the trial court, which had directed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat not to evict Chadha, stands revived.

The trial court's order had come in Chadha's suit against the Rajya Sabha Secretariat's decision to cancel the bungalow's allotment to him. The Secretariat had then filed a review application seeking the recall of the interim order by the judge, which now stands vacated.

The court had stated: "Plaintiff (Raghav Chadha) cannot claim that he has an absolute right to continue to occupy the accommodation during his entire tenure as a Member of Rajya Sabha. The allotment of Government accommodation is only a privilege given to the plaintiff, and he has no vested right to continue to occupy the same even after the cancellation of allotment."

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).

According to the Secretariat, a hearing should have been conducted for both sides before granting such relief under the provision. In vacating the interim order, the court had rejected Chadha's argument that once accommodation is allocated to a MP, it cannot be cancelled under any circumstances during their entire tenure.

The court had noted that for the purpose of determining whether an application should be granted under Section 80(2) of the CPC, the court is supposed to give a hearing to both sides, consider the nature of the suit, and assess the urgency of the matter before making a final decision. It 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.

The court had concluded that since no urgent or immediate relief was required in the suit, the plaintiff should re-file the case after complying with the requirements of Section 80(1) of CPC.

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. The judge had stated that he would not comment on the argument put forth by the plaintiff regarding the non-cancellation of an allotment made by the Secretariat during an MP's entire tenure, but acknowledged the plaintiff's claim that a person cannot be dispossessed without following the due process of law.

The judge had noted that Chadha was occupying public premises and that the Secretariat was obligated to follow the due process of law. Chadha's submission that the Secretariat was acting hastily and there was a strong likelihood of him being dispossessed without following the due process of law was also taken into consideration. The judge had concluded that a prima facie case was established for issuing directions to prevent Chadha from being dispossessed from the bungalow without due process of law.
Amaravati, Oct 17 : The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday adjourned, to October 19, the hearing on the bail petition of TDP supremo and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the Skill Development Corporation scam case.

The Vijayawada ACB court had dismissed his bail petition on October 9.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo has challenged the order in the High Court.

The CI) had arrested Naidu on September 9 in the Skill Development scam which allegedly took place when he was the Chief Minister. He remained in judicial custody and is currently lodged in Rajahmundry Central Jail.

Meanwhile, the Vijayawada ACB court took up hearing on a petition seeking details of Naiduas health condition. It directed the CID to file counter to the petition filed by Naiduas lawyer.

Expressing concern over Naiduas health, his family members told the court that they had not received the comprehensive health report. They said the authorities have not submitted the report to the court and to them.

Naiduas family demanded copies of a report prepared by the jail authorities and also the report by the team of doctors which checked his health on October 12. They told the court that the jail authorities were refusing to give pertinent information about Naiduas health condition. The court was also told that the jail authorities kept under wraps the advice of the doctors to provide cooler environs for Naidu inside the jail.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : Actress Amandeep Sidhu, who is currently seen in the show 'Saubhagyavati Bhava - Niyam aur Shartien Laagu', shared her plans for Navratri festival, and said how she finds similarity between Goddess Durga's personality and herself.

Navratri is a nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the Goddess Durga, celebrating her various forms and attributes.

The festival involves traditional dances like garba and dandiya, where people dress in colourful attire, offer prayers, and come together to celebrate the spirit of unity and devotion.

Talking about the same, Amandeep said: "Navratri, a celebration of Goddess Durga's triumph over the demon king Mahishasura, holds a special significance for me. I find a similarity between Durga's personality and my own - caring and loving yet capable of assertive action when needed."

"I eagerly anticipate the joy of playing dandiya and relishing the traditional Navratri prasad, such as puri, chole, and more. The vibrant festivities bring back cherished memories. Although Iam busy shooting for 'Saubhagyavati Bhava' I might still be joining the garba dance this year with friends and family if I get time," she said.

Amandeep added: "As Navratri is a time for revelry and spiritual reflection, blending tradition and merriment in a wonderful way I would like to wish everyone Happy Navratri."

The actress is seen portraying Siya in 'Saubhagyavati Bhava', while Dheeraj Dhoopar plays the lead role of Raghav.

'Saubhagyavati Bhava' airs on Star Bharat.
Chandigarh, Oct 17 : Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit in a letter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday accused the state government of diverting capital receipts for undisclosed purposes.

Raising questions on AAP government's fiscal prudence and transparency, Purohit in the letter sought an explanation on "additional borrowing by the government over and above approved by the state Assembly in the Budget".

"Borrowings should ideally be leveraged for the creation of capital assets and not for rolling out populist measures," the Governor said.

"I am asking this question for the sake of transparency. I assure you that once such a comprehensive picture is available, we can approach the government of India for appropriate assistance as the Prime Minister has always expressed his commitment for Punjab, as the welfare of its magnificent people is close to his heart," he added.

Purohit advised the Chief Minister that all public borrowings should be carefully calibrated so that the youth of Punjab are not imperilled by unsustainable debt.

The letter noted that the state is expected to follow prudent fiscal policies to manage its scarce financial resources.

Earlier, the Governor had written a letter asking the government to explain how they have raised debt of Rs 50,000 crore in the past 18 months.

In his latest letter, Purohit said: "As per the information available, the state government is not managing its fiscal resources in an effective and efficient manner. For instance, in 2022-23, the state government has borrowed Rs 33,886 crore, as against the approved amount of Rs 23,835 crore, which is over Rs 10,000 crore above the amount approved originally by the state Assembly in the Budget. This additional borrowing needs to be explained as, apparently, it has not been utilised for creation of capital assets. This is evident from the fact that the effective capital expenditure dropped by over Rs 1,500 crore -- from a projected Rs 11,375.59 crore to Rs 9,691.53 crore."

"Further, the additional borrowing was not even used to discharge legacy interest obligations, as per the figures projected in the revised estimates in this regard. These, in fact, demonstrate that the total payments defrayed on this account during the year finally stood at Rs 19,905 crore, as against a projection of Rs 20,100 crore in the budgetary estimates for 2022-23," he added.

Quoting the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the Governor said "it indicates that there is substantial variation in the figures furnished by the Chief Minister and the report submitted by the CAG".
London, Oct 17 : Israel is on the cusp of an armed military incursion into the Gaza Strip to battle Hamas militants who recently launched a series of surprise attacks against it, killing hundreds of civilians, a media report said.

But although Israel's Defence Forces are well-trained, well-equipped and outnumber their Hamas foes considerably, the hellish battlefield that awaits them in Gaza could cause huge casualties, Daily Mail reported.

The Palestinian Islamist fighters operate in a complex network of reinforced tunnels, some of which are buried up to 40ft underground and all of which could conceal an ambush, be booby-trapped - or worse - filled with explosives and primed to cave in, the report said.

This means Israel can bomb Gaza all it likes and launch bunker-busting munitions to clear out some tunnels - but the IDF would still need to deploy hundreds of thousands of troops to sweep through the 'Gaza Metro' and neutralise every last Hamas fighter if it is to wipe the organisation out completely.

Hamas in 2011 said they had constructed more than 300 miles of tunnel systems and although analysts suspected that figure was inflated, the group is sure to have dramatically expanded the network since then.

Now, military experts and analysts have shared their concern at the huge losses Israel's forces could incur if they're forced to take the fight to Hamas in the Islamists' own backyard, the media outlet reported.

Leading military and defence analyst and RUSI Associate Fellow Sam Cranny Evans said Israeli forces are in for a particularly bloody fight, likening the potential conflict to scenes from the most bitter urban fighting amid the Iraq war.

He warned the Hamas fighters would likely mine the tunnels and deploy improvised explosive devices IEDs to cripple IDF troops tasked with clearing out the rat run, the report added.

He also said the above-ground battles would be just as bloody, with Hamas able to hide throughout civilian buildings to force Israeli army units into bitter close-quarter urban conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces continue to eliminate the leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization. As a result of a precision strike in the Gaza Strip, terrorist Osama Mazini was killed.

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The militant leader was responsible for the prisoners. This was reported by the IDF press service.

The Defense Forces, together with the Israeli Space Agency, conducted an operation to eliminate a terrorist in Gaza.

IDF soldiers killed Osama Mazini, head of the Shura Council of the Hamas terrorist organization. The Defense Forces noted that he was responsible for Hamas prisoners and led terrorist activities against Israel.

It is also known that on the night of October 17, Israeli aircraft bombed the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.

As a reminder, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said during a meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that the IDF's war with Palestinian militants Hamas is a long war.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian threatened "consequences" for Israel, which continued to strike Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. Tehran said that the resistance front may take "preventive action" in the near future.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, the United States allegedly ordered about 2,000 U.S. troops to be ready to support the Israeli army in the war against Hamas terrorists. The Pentagon sent the relevant orders.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi, Oct 17 : KIOCL shares jumped by 20 per cent on Tuesday for the second session in a row after its Mangaluru pellet manufacturing unit commenced operations on October 14, Vaibhav Vidwani, Research Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio, said.

Due to a shortage of iron ore fines and necessary repair, the activities were temporarily halted. Shares of KIOCL were locked in at the upper circuit price of Rs 476.40, he said.

Suzuki Motor will receive Rs 12,841 crore ($1.54 billion) in shares from Maruti Suzuki India in order to purchase a local manufacturing unit in Gujarat.

This is the first time Maruti has published a price for the facility, which has a capacity of 7,50,000 vehicles per year.

Suzuki anticipates that complete ownership of the factory would offer it greater control over output, including electric vehicles, and will allow it to better adjust production to fluctuations in demand, he said.

Rupak De, Senior Technical analyst at LKP Securities said the market started to gap up following strong global sentiment and has so far remained in strength.

The short-term trend remains strong as the index sustains above critical moving averages on the daily timeframe.

A "buy on dips" strategy is favored as long as it remains above 19,550. On the higher end, it might move towards 20,000-20,200.
Chennai, Oct 17 : At least 10 people were killed and many other injured in explosions at two separate firecracker manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu's Sivakasi on Tuesday, police said.

Police said that six of the deceased are women.

With Diwali nearing, the firecracker units at Sivakasi are busy and recording brisk sales.

Police said that the identities of the deceased are not known and said that they are in the process of identifying the deceased.

A week before, seven people have lost their lives in a firecracker unit explosion at Sivakasi and in the past 15 days, 30 people have lost their lives in five separate incidents of firecracker explosions.

Sivakasi is known is the firecracker capital of India with an annual turnover of around Rs 6,000 crore.
We had nothing to do with video of woman biking helmet-less: Zomato CEO. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Oct 17 : Responding to a post showing a video of a woman riding a motorcycle without a helmet dressed as a delivery partner of the online food delivery firm in Indore, Zomato Founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal on Tuesday clarified that the company had "absolutely nothing to do with this".

A user posted the video on 'X' on Monday, saying: "Indore #Zomato marketing head had this idea. He hired a model to drive around with an empty zomato bag for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. @zomato is on a roll."

Tagging the user's post, Goyal responded, saying: "We had absolutely nothing to do with this. We donat endorse helmet-less biking. Also, we don't have a Indore Marketing Head."

"This seems to be someone just 'free-riding' on our brand. Having said that, there's nothing wrong with women delivering food - we have hundreds of women who deliver food everyday to earn a livelihood for their families, and we are proud of their work ethic," he added.

The video had gone viral with over 1.8 million views.

Several users expressed their opinions on this development.

"Nice to you Mr Deepinder that you clarify! Using someone's name and do whatever without a permission is offence, if I am not wrong," a user wrote.

"Haha glad you clarified immediately else you will be reached by many creators PAN India level," another user said.

Last month, in a highly irresponsible move, Zomato was slammed on social media for tagging Gurugram Police in a "banana chips" post on 'X'.

However, the company later apologised and deleted the post when a user on 'X' brought the matter to light.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested three men, including a bank employee, and claimed to have busted a gang of fraudsters, who after creating ghost companies on fictitious documents used to dupe wholesalers by generating leads on IndiaMart.

Police have also recovered 51 cheque-books, 27 fake identity proofs, 28 debit/credit cards, PoS machine, QR codes from the possession of the accused identified as Noor Mohammad (33), Manish Samson (25) and Dharamvir Chaddha akaRimple Chaddha (44).

According to the police, this case was initiated based on a complaint from a wholesaler residing in the Burari area of Delhi. The complainant alleged that they received a query for laptop tables and stools in bulk quantities through IndiaMART. After supplying goods worth Rs 3,00,640, the accused individuals provided fake Paytm payment receipts.

During the investigation, an extensive technical analysis was conducted. "A detailed analysis of call detail records (CDR) for the available mobile numbers was done, but it was discovered that these numbers were issued under fictitious identities," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (north), Manoj Kumar Meena.

Furthermore, the accused only made calls to potential victims and not to anyone else. Subsequently, an in-depth IMEI search of suspect mobile numbers was conducted, which could only establish the location of one accused, Noor Mohammad, in the Nihal Vihar area.

"Local intelligence in the area provided a clue about the accused in D-Block, Nihal Vihar, Delhi. However, it was found that the accused had vacated the premises a few months ago and moved elsewhere in the locality," said the DCP.

The police team then gathered more information and pinpointed the location of the accused in A-Block, Nihal Vihar. "Woman head constable Sonika disguised herself as a courier delivery agent to identify the suspect, and this effort led to the arrest of the accused Noor Mohammad," said the DCP.

During the arrest, the complainant identified Noor Mohammad as the individual who received the goods at the Sadar Bazar office. "Subsequently, at the instance of Noor Mohammad, Manish and Dharamvir were also arrested," said the DCP.

During the interrogation, Noor disclosed that he and his co-accused had formed a gang to defraud wholesalers.

"He revealed that he had previously worked as an electricity bill distributor for BSES from 2013 to 2019 but was dissatisfied with his salary. He left the job and came into contact with co-accused Manish Samson, Rimple Chaddha, Aman Kapoor, and Rajiender Arora, among others. They hatched a conspiracy to cheat wholesalers," said the DCP.

Manish, who was working as a manager (Sales) in a private bank, assisted the gang in providing fake identity proofs to create ghost companies and open bank accounts.

"The gang used these fake documents to obtain SIM cards for contacting victims," said the officer.

Rimple Chaddha and Noor Mohammad would search offices at prominent marketplaces to avoid suspicion. Aman Kapoor would pose as the manager of the company, utilising his good communication skills to gain the trust of complainants.

Another accused, Rajender Arora, was responsible for disposing of the fraudulently obtained goods.

"Further investigation into the account details of three companies has revealed transactions totaling Rs 1,63,17,725. The account details of other companies are under analysis," said the officer, adding that efforts are being made to locate the absconding accused individuals involved in this racket.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 17 : Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan on Tuesday took pot shots at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his statement that his visit to Netherlands soon after the 2018 floods here, was to study the Dutch model of preventing floods and would be implemented in Kerala.

Satheesan addressed the media after visiting flooded areas in the state capital where hundreds of people living in low-lying areas have moved to camps after heavy rains hit the capital city on Sunday. "Is this the Dutch model that Vijayan was speaking about, when just one day of rain left many areas of the capital city flooded and rendered thousands homeless after water rushed into their homes," said Satheesan.

"What is even more intriguing is that when rain water was gushing into the homes of the people, CPI-M State Secretary MV Govindan was talking about the need for a K-Rail (that has been put on hold by the Centre due to a few factors). In Kerala, development should only take place after keeping climate change into account," added Satheesan.

He said that the Vijayan government has to take seriously the need for relying on weather predictions based on the expertise of the Cochin University of Science and Technology.

"Today there are technologies which will precisely tell if there is rain, where floods can be expected, but Vijayan is least interested in providing succor to the people and that's pathetic to say the least," added Satheesan.
Ranchi, Oct 17 : Six children drowned near Lotwa dam in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district on Tuesday.

They were all Class11-12 students of Hazaribagh's Mount Egmont School and had come for a walk on the dam side. The students were identified as Rajneesh Pandey, Sumit Kumar, Mayank Singh, Praveen Gop, Ishan Singh and Shivsagar. Bodies of all six have been recovered and were sent for autopsy.

Officials said that seven students had gone to the dam site and they decided to go down to take a bath. It is being said that one of them went into the deep water and while trying to save him, others drowned. One student somehow managed to swam out.

Jharkhand Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Hemant Soren have expressed deep grief over the incident.

"Heart is saddened by the sad news of drowning of six children in Lotwa Dam of Hazaribagh district. Relief and rescue work is being done by the district administration. May God grant peace to the souls of the children who died in the accident and give strength to the bereaved families to bear this difficult time of grief," Soren posted on X, formerly Twitter.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : X CEO Linda Yaccarino has said that the platform is "coordinating with industry peers to respond to terrorist content being distributed online" and "taking action to remove content and bad actors that violate our policies".

This comes after the European Commission formally opened an investigation into X owner Elon Musk over an alleged spreading of illegal content and disinformation, in particular, the spreading of terrorist and violent content and hate speech in the wake of an ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The Commission last week said that it has sent a formal request for information to X under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

X needs to provide the requested information to the Commission services by Wednesday for questions related to the activation and functioning of the platform's crisis response protocol, and by October 31 on the rest.

In her post on X, Yaccarino shared handles that users can follow to stay informed.

"Please follow @Safety for real-time updates on our enforcement, how to report content or accounts, and how to control your settings to make X the experience you want," she wrote.

The CEO said 'CommunityNotes' is a unique and unifying way the community comes together to combat "misinformation".

"In one week we've added 10,000 new authors and simultaneously rolled out new enhancements to help people see more notes, faster," she mentioned.

She further stated that the company is actively working with partners, governments, regulators and policymakers to combat misinformation.

Last week, EU commissioner Thierry Breton warned Musk, saying that his X platform "is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU" after the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.

The EU Commissioner told Musk to send back a "prompt, accurate, and complete response" to his request in the next 24 hours.

Responding to the EU's request, Yaccarino said that the microblogging platform has removed hundreds of "Hamas-linked accounts" and "taken action to remove or label tens of thousands of pieces of content" since the attack on Israel.
PM has no time to visit Manipur, govt too keen on Israel, says Rahul in Mizoram. Image Source: IANS News

Aizawl, Oct 17 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that the BJP, guided by the RSS, has a long-term plan to destroy Indian culture, language and tradition and urged the people of Mizoram to reject the saffron party in the November 7 Assembly elections.

Addressing a poll rally in Lunglei, the Congress leader said that the BJP also knows that if they come to Mizoram directly, the people of the state would reject them and that's why they are trying to enter the state through the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF).

The Opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) is also helping the BJP to enter the state, Rahul Gandhi said on the second day of his two-day campaign in the northeastern state.

He told the gathering, "I am less interested in telling my 'Mann-Ki-Baat' but I am keen to listen to your 'Mann-Ki-Baat.' Your religion, culture and language are real assets of India. Diversity of religion and culture are India's traditions which the BJP is trying to destroy."

"The Central government is controlled by the RSS. Modi, Amit Shah and the Central government have been trying to control all the states, all institutions and people of India. We defeated the BJP in Karnataka. We will defeat the BJP in Telangana. We will decimate the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. We will defeat the BJP in the Chhattisgarh election. We defeated the BJP in Rajasthan last time, and this time, we will defeat them again. We plan to do the same in the northeast," Rahul Gandhi stated.

Promising an economic empowerment scheme for entrepreneurs, the Congress leader said that direct banking support would be provided under the scheme to small and medium-scale entrepreneurs.

He said that rampant unemployment had caused the drug menace to go out of control, leading to the deaths of 250 people in recent years, and due to the flawed GST and demonetisation policy, it was difficult for the economy of Mizoram to progress.

The Lok Sabha member from Kerala's Wayanad constituency promised cooking gas at Rs 750 per cylinder against the existing Rs 1,000 and old age pension of Rs 2,000 per month for the elderly.

The Congress leader highlighted Rajasthan's Rs 25 lakh health insurance cover, five social security schemes in Karnataka and pro-farmers' and small and medium entrepreneurs' schemes in Chhattisgarh. "It's always a pleasure to come to Mizoram. It brings back old memories of when I first came here in 1986 at the age of 16. At that time, Mizoram was transitioning from violence to peace. You achieved statehood in 1987. So it's been quite a long journey. Any progress is built on peace and harmony," he said.

Rahul Gandhi said that young generations do not have any experience of violence in Mizoram while the elderly know the cost of strife.

Claiming that infrastructure of Mizoram is very poor, the Lok Sabha member said that during the Congress governments at the Centre and the state, the Lengpui airport was constructed, the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Zoram Medical College were set up and new land use policies for the benefit of the farmers were initiated.

"The Congress has a vision for every single state in the country and a similar vision would be formulated for the state of Mizoram," Rahul Gandhi stated.

Referring to the ethnic violence in neighbouring Manipur, he said that hundreds of people, including women and children were killed, countless number of women were raped and the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) remained silent and avoided visiting the state even through it has been burning for over five months.

"The Prime Minister's attitude is as if Manipur is not a part of India and he (PM) has no time to visit the crisis-ridden state," Rahul Gandhi said.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : An ex-Navy employee, who was wanted in the 2004 Delhi murder case and had even faked his death in Jodhpur the same year, was arrested after 19 years by the Crime Branch, an officer said on Tuesday.

The accused, identified as Balesh Kumar (63), a permanent resident of district Panipat, Haryana, was also wanted in a night burglary case registered at Tilak Marg police station.

Police said that Kumar had joined the Indian Navy in 1981 as a Steward and served till 1996. After retirement, he started residing at Santosh Park, Uttam Nagar with his family.

According to police, specific input was received that wanted criminal Balesh is currently residing in Najafgarh area after changing his identity to Aman Singh.

"The team laid a trap and successfully apprehended Balesh," said Special Commissioner of Police (crime), Ravindra Singh Yadav.

During investigation, Balesh Kumar was interrogated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death/killing, the beneficiaries involved, and his associates.

"His pension form details from the concerned authorities were obtained, which revealed that Balesh Kumar's wife was receiving his pension benefits," said the Special CP.

Investigation further revealed that on May 1, 2004, Balesh himself set fire to his truck in Jodhpur (Rajasthan), resulting into death of two individuals, out of which one was identified as Balesh, whereas, the identity of the second remained unidentified.

"In the light of the fact that accused Balesh is still alive, a report in this regard was shared with the Station House Officer, Dandiyawar police station in Jodhpur, requesting to re-open the matter and proceed with further appropriate legal action," said the officer.

In 2004, Dandiyawar police station had only carried out inquest proceedings under section 174 Cr.P.C. and no criminal case was registered.

Interrogation of Balesh revealed that the two men killed in the truck were labourers, that he had hired from Transport Centre, Samaypur Badli, Delhi.

"These two labourers were Manoj and Mukesh (both residents of Bihar), though he could not reveal anything further about their addresses or families," said the official.

Investigation transpired that on some minor issues, under the influence of alcohol, Balesh along with his brother Sunder Lal, had murdered one Rajesh aka Khushiram at Samaypur Badli and disposed of dead body in Bawana area.

During the investigation, his brother Sunder Lal was arrested whereas in furtherance of the conspiracy, a death certificate was filed in relation to the death of accused Balesh.

"After declaring himself dead in the fire incident of Jodhpur, Balesh further fabricated his new identity as Aman Singh and got prepared identity documents like Aadhaar Card, Pan Card and Driving Licence issued from various authorities. With the help of these documents, he opened a bank account," the officer added.
Patna, Oct 17 : Former JD-U MLA Lalan Paswan has claimed that the Nitish-Tejashwi government wants to turn Bihar into Pakistan.

Paswan, who recently left the JD-U, said that the decision of the Nitish-Tejashwi government to ban DJs and bhajan-kirtan during Navratri was taken to please one community.

"Nitish Kumar wants to please one community and hence he has decided to ban DJs and bhajan-kirtan during Navratri. He is doing this for one community but he will fail in his efforts," Paswan said.

"The JD-U is doing anti-Sanatan politics and promoting a policy of appeasement. Nitish Kumar wants to turn Bihar into Pakistan. But I want to say that this is Bihar and not Pakistan and the people here would not allow it. His government is cancelling leave during Hindu festivals, training teachers during Navratri, and now they have banned DJs and bhajan-kirtan. What is happening here," he said.

"The situation in Bihar is such that people of the Hindu community are hesitant to celebrate festivals in common places," he said.

Lalan Paswan is a native of Sasaram where riots took place during Ram Navami this year.
Israeli counter-intelligence chief Ronen Bar took responsibility for the lack of warning of danger and the unexpected invasion of the south of the country by Hamas on October 7. However, he noted that the struggle is ongoing, so the investigation will be conducted later.

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This was reported by the Israeli English-language online newspaper The Times of Israel. Ronen Bar addressed the Shin Bet (Israel's counterintelligence service - Ed.).

"Despite the series of actions we took, on Saturday, October 7, unfortunately, we were unable to create a sufficient warning that would have prevented the attack," said Ronen Bar.

He said that as the head of the intelligence service, he takes responsibility for this. However, the investigation into the situation will be carried out later, as the fighting is still ongoing.

"As the head of the organization, the responsibility for this lies with me. There will be time for the investigation. Now we are fighting," said Ronen Bar.

The newspaper notes that a few hours before the Hamas attack on October 7, the Defense Ministry detected unusual movement in the Gaza Strip. A nighttime phone call between senior officials took place, but the signs were largely ignored.

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Nevertheless, according to Israeli media reports, Bar went to the counterintelligence headquarters and ordered a small group to deploy to the Gaza border, anticipating a minor attack.

According to Shin Bet, at least 10 intelligence officers were killed in the October 7 attacks.

"We are fighting a war, not a round. You win a round with a picture of victory and silence. The war ends with a decisive victory and a change in the situation. There is no limit, no time limit. Until the very end," Bar added.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced preparations for a "long" war. The IDF understands that the price of this confrontation will be extremely high, but Jerusalem will celebrate victory, Gallant said during a meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Chandigarh, Oct 17 : Punjab Police have averted possible target killings with the arrest of four operatives of a terror module backed by Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and operated by the US-based gangster Harpreet Singh a.k.a. Happy Passia, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Vikramjit Singh, Bawa Singh, Gurkirpal Singh and Amanat Gill.

The police have also recovered one .32 bore pistol along with 10 cartridges from their possession.

Yadav said following intelligence inputs about Rinda and Happy Passia planning to target some prominent persons in the state by"hiring two shooters to accomplish this task", police teams from SAS Nagar launched a special operation and nabbed two accused -- Vikramjit and Bawa Singh.

Preliminary investigations revealed that gangster Happy Passia had a deal with accused Vikramjit to pay Rs 15 lakh to carry out target killing, he said, adding Vikramjit had also conducted the recce of the target in the last week of September.

The DGP said follow-up investigations suggested the pistol and cartridges for Vikramjit were arranged by Passia through his local associates -- Gurkirpal Singh and Amanat Gill.

"Following the disclosures of the accused, police have also nabbed Gurkirpal Singh and Amanat Gill, while Hari Singh managed to flee to abroad," he added.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : Under fire for past couple of days, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that he had nothing to do with the allegations made by retired IPS officer and former Pune Commissioner of Police, Meeran Chadha-Borwankar regarding a government plot of land in the Yerawada Police Station (Pune), here on Tuesday.

While admitting that as the Guardian Minister, he had met the then Pune CP, Meeran Chadha-Borwankar, Ajit Pawar said he was in no way concerned with the 'decision making process' pertaining to the 3-acres property around the Yerawada Police Station premises.

"I was not involved with the decision-making process, I did not evaluate it, nor did I attend any meetings pertaining to it I have nothing to do with it," said Ajit Pawar emphatically.

On demands by the Opposition Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT) and others, Ajit Pawar said that the land is still there, so let there be any kind of probe.

"The land has not gone anywhere, has it? Its still there So, conduct an inquiry or do anything you want I had absolutely no role to play in it," declared Ajit Pawar.

Dismissing contentions by various parties, he said that he would "never do anything that is illegal or cause a loss to the government" and politicians are 'custodians' of public lands like the one in Pune.

To Chadha-Borwankar's claims that he had spoken roughly with her at their meeting in 2010, Ajit Pawar said that he had been a minister and Deputy CM for over 32 years, interacted with many officers and never had he faced such an allegation.

"I have handled all the major departments, you can ask any officer from any department Though I may have a stern nature, I speak to them very cordially and respectfully," said Ajit Pawar.

He smiled and wondered, that although the retired IPS has written on so many other issues in her book, 'Madam Commissioner: The Extraordinary Life of an Indian Police Chief', "why is the focus solely on me?"

To prove his points, Ajit Pawar brought along and read out various old government records of meetings on the Yerawada plot, the names of those who attended it, the sequence of events and how the deal was finally cancelled owing to various objections.

In her book, Chadha-Borwankar recounted that 2010 'encounter' with Ajit Pawar in the office of the Pune Divisional Commissioner, and also how the then home minister, (the late) R.R. Patil had later advised her to 'keep off' that land deal matter.

She categorically said that she resisted pressures by Ajit Pawar and 'saved' the Pune police's prime 3-acres of land that was to be handed over to a Mumbai based builder, Chairman of DB Realty, Shahid Usman Balwa, who was later arrested in the 2G Spectrum scam.

Chadha-Borwankar elaborated on that meeting with Ajit Pawar, who had a huge paper map of the Yerawada Police Station's plot area, he informed her that the auction on the land was completed and she should proceed to hand over the plot to the top bidder.

Not complying, Chadha-Borwankar told him that it was police land which was required for future expansion, offices/residential quarters for the police personnel and they could never get such a good property in future, plus it would be contrary to the police department's interests.

Ajit Pawar had overruled her and asked her to complete the (land handover) process, but she declined, and even pointed out flaws in the auction process and countered why her predecessor had not done it if the land was already auctioned.

After this, Ajit Pawar purportedly had lost his cool, flung the map on the glass table, and also made certain unsavoury references to R.R. Patil, revered as 'Aaba' in political circles, which are not spelt out by her, and following that cold encounter, Chadha-Borwankar saluted the Minister and quietly left the venue.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : The RBI on Tuesday imposed a penalty of Rs 12.19 crore on ICICI Bank Ltd and slapped a fine of Rs 3.95 crore on Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd for the violation of official norms.

"The penalty on ICICI Bank was imposedfor contravention of sub-section (1) of Section 20 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (the BR Act) read with directions issued by RBI on 'Loans and Advances-Statutory and Other restrictions', sub-section (2) of Section 6 and Section 8 of the BR Act read with directions issued by the RBI on aFinancial Services provided by the Banksa, and non-compliance with the RBI directions on aFrauds classification and reporting by commercial banks and select Fls," the RBI said.

For Kotak Mahindra Bank, the penalty has been imposed for non-compliance with official directions on "Managing Risks and Code of Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial Services by banks", "Recovery Agents engaged by Banks", "Customer Service in Banks', and "Loans and Advances - Statutory and Other Restrictions".

The action is based on the deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the two banks with their customers, the RBI said.
New Delhi: LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, intersex and queer/questioning) supporters celebrate after the Supreme Court in a landmark decision decriminalised homosexuality by declaring Section 377, the penal provision which c. Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, Oct 17 : The Supreme Court of India's refusal to legalise same-sex marriages and instead leave it to the Parliament to form a legislation on this count, has left the LGBTQ rights activists in Kolkata disappointed. For them, the war might be over but the battle is still on.

According to LGBTQ rights activists, they will now take up the matter with the Union government entrusted with the task of forming a panel to decide the rights and entitlements of the community in India.

They want to ensure that the proposed panel is not biased against same-sex marriages and has people who are sympathetic to the cause of the LGBTQ community too.

According to senior counsel of Calcutta High Court, Kaushik Gupta, the apex court's refusal to legalise same-sex marriages and the decision to deny the LGBTQ community the right to adopt children is heart-breaking for the community.

"While those are undoubtedly demoralizing parts of the judgment, the observations by the apex court in protecting the dignity and basic rights of same-sex partners is extremely significant. Often, law enforcement agencies forcefully separate adult same-sex partners and send them to their parents, which is totally in violation of their basic rights.

"After Tuesday's verdict, probably such law enforcement agencies will hesitate to adopt such illegal steps," Gupta said.

Kolkata's leading LGBTQ rights activist and founder of queer rights pressure group Varta Trust, Pawan Dhall said that the apex court's verdict makes him sad and happy at the same time. "The five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court has rightly stressed on the continuing discrimination that the members of the community are continuing to face even after partial striking down of Section 377 that criminalised same-sex relationships.

"Now it should be a priority for activists to go back to the drawing board and chart out the ways to end this social discrimination completely. Of course, we will have to keep a close watch on who would be the constituents of the panel as suggested by the apex court," Dhall said.

Documentary filmmaker Dr Tirthankar Guha Thakurta, who also teaches medicine, said that the apex court has used extremely sensitive words about the rights of the Queer community.

"One of the important areas that the people from the community continue to face is the right to proper treatment unless the sufferer in this case has strong financial backing. So I am sure that Tuesday's verdict will compel the authorities concerned and the society in general to look at the matter sensitively."

Sonali Roy, another leading face of Kolkata's same-sex rights movement, said that the urgent task now is to hit the streets and attempt to influence the Union government so that the panel suggested by the apex court does not get crowded with mono-polar mindsets. "Remember reading down Section 377 was not an easy task and the journey to achieve that too was quite long. Again, we have to show them our numbers. We need more petitions, more visibility and more importantly more votes. To summarize for us the war is over but the battle is on," said Roy who lives with her same-sex partner Athena, a nail- artist by profession.

The city's reputed fashion designer and Queer rights activist Nonoil Das, too, feels that the positive part of Tuesday's judgment is the apex court's observations on ending administrative and social discriminations against same-sex partners.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : The upcoming episode of the controversial reality show 'Bigg Boss' Season 17 will witness the Bigg Boss deciding to rattle the cage with favouritism, compelling contestants to be on their toes.

The Bigg Boss has announced that the residents of each makaan must nominate one occupant, who doesnat deserve to be in their chosen space for eviction.

Most of the inhabitants of the 'Dil' makaan nominated contestant Mannara Chopra, and this didnat go down well with the nominee, who alleges that she has been betrayed. This led to her breaking down in tears. Bigg Boss announced the first nomination of the house and asked the housemates to name one contestant they think should be evicted.

Aishwarya Sharma,Vicky Jain, Isha Malviya and several others took Mannara's name and sent her to the 'unsafe zone'.

Mannara revealed that the people who nominated her have been nice to her on the face.

Amidst the first nomination drill, a massive fight broke out between contestants Arun Srikanth and Abhishek Pandey.

It all started with Abhishek blabbering the details of a private conversation between Arun and Sunny Arya, who are now pally with each other. An embarrassed Arun affirms that Abhishek should not have divulged the details of his aguy talka with Sunny, leading to a verbal spat. It will be interesting to see if this fight makes it to megastar Salman Khanas aWeekend Ka Vaara.

The current contestants of 'Bigg Boss 17' are Jigna Vora, Sana Raees Khan, Anurag Dobhal, Munawar Faruqui, Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain, Navid Sole, Neil Bhatt, Aishwarya Sharma, Abhishek Kumar, Isha Malviya, Rinku Dhawan, Arun Mashettey, Sunny Arya, Firoza Khan, Soniya Bansal, and Mannara Chopra. The show airs on Colors, and JioCinema.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that a marriage entered into by a transgender person is in the nature of a heterosexual relationship and must be recognised by the law.

"Since a transgender person can be in a heterosexual relationship like a cis-male or cis-female, a union between a transwoman and a transman, or a transwoman and a cisman, or a transman and a ciswoman can be registered under Marriage laws," said a constitution Bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud.

It said that a transgender man has the right to marry a cisgender woman under the laws governing marriage in the country, including personal laws.

"Similarly, a transgender woman has the right to marry a cisgender man. A transgender man and a transgender woman can also marry," it added.

The Supreme Court said that intersex persons who identify as a man or a woman and seek to enter into a heterosexual marriage would also have a right to marry.

During the hearing, the Centre government asserted that marriage must only be between 'biological' men and 'biological' women. However, the written submissions of the Attorney General, the highest officer of the Centre, stated that: "The issues relating to transgender persons arising out of The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 stand on a different footing and can be addressed without reference to the Special Marriage Act."

In 2019, Madras High Court had ordered registration of marriage between a man and a woman - who happened to be transgender. The High Court had said that the term "bride" in the Hindu Marriage Act cannot have a static and immutable meaning and that statutes must be interpreted in light of the legal system in its present form.
Hyderabad, Oct 17 : Telangana Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy has stepped up his efforts to lure more leaders from other parties to Congress in the run-up to next month's assembly election.

After successfully inviting a couple of legislators, some former ministers and former MPs of the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to the Congress fold during the last four months, he is trying to woo more leaders from BRS and BJP.

With some of those who defected to Congress finding a place in the first list of candidates announced on Sunday, more leaders from the ruling party as well as BJP appear keen to switch loyalties.

After making some key leaders in undivided Khammam and Mahabubnagar districts join the Congress, Revanth Reddy is now focusing on districts like Nizamabad, Adilabad and Karimnagar.

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief on Tuesday met sitting MLA of BRS from Boath constituency, Rathod Bapu Rao, who resigned from the party after he was denied re-nomination.

Bapu Rao quit BRS last month after the leadership decided to give the ticket to Anil Jadhav. Revanth Reddy invited the MLA to join the Congress party and he is likely to join soon.

Revanth Reddy also welcomed BRS floor leader in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) andMadhapur corporator, Jagadishwar Goud and other leaders into the party on Tuesday.

Both Bapu Rao and Jagadishwar Reddy are likely to be given party tickets from Boath and Serilingampally constituencies.

Confident of wresting power from BRS, the state Congress chief has been meeting some key leaders of both the BRS and BJP to invite them to join the party.

He met former ministers Mandava Venkateswara Rao andRevuri Prakash Reddy of BRS and BJP respectively and invited them to join the Congress party. Both the leaders were also reportedly offered party tickets.

In another development, AICC incharge Manikra Thakare along with TPCC campaign committee chairman Madhu Yaskhi Goud met former MLA Narayan Rao Patel and invited him to join Congress. Patel is also likely to be allottedticket from Mudhole constituency in Nirmal district.

Former MLC Akula Lalita, who quit BRS on Monday, is also likely to join the Congress party. Chairpersons of Huzurnagar and Bodhan municipalities also joined the Congress party on Monday.

Following the victory of Congress party in Karnataka elections, several leaders from BRS have defected to Congress. They included former minister Jupally Krishna Rao and former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. While Jupally has been given the ticket by Congress, Srinivas Reddy is likely to figure in the second list.

The Congress on Sunday announced candidates for 55 out of 119 assembly seats. It is likely to accommodate more defectors from BRS and BJP in the second list.

After the BRS announced candidates for 115 seats in August, the sitting legislators and aspirants who were denied tickets had started looking at Congress. A sitting MLA Mynampalli Hanumantha Rao, who was renominated by BRS from Malkajgiri constituency in Greater Hyderabad, quit BRS as the party had denied ticket to his son Rohith from Medak. The father-son duo joined Congress and both have been included in the first list of candidates.

Another key leader who quit BRS and joined Congress is former minister Tummala Nageswara Rao. He too is likely to get a Congress ticket.

MLC Kasireddy Narayan Reddy was also rewarded with ticket from Kalwakurthy barely a month after he resigned from BRS to join Congress party. He switched loyalties after BRS leadership had ignored his demand for the ticket and decided to retain sitting MLA G. Jaipal Yadav.

Another defector who managed to get a Congress ticket is Sarita Thirupathaiah. A former chairperson of Gadwal Zilla Parishad, she had quit BRS to join Congress party recently.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested a sharpshooter of the Neeraj Bawana gang and a fraudster in two separate operations, said an officer.

The two were carrying a collective reward of Rs. 75,000 on information leading to their arrest.

The accused were identified as Dinesh a.k.a Tappa (29), a resident of Jind and Gopal Tyagi alias Amit Sharma (39), a resident of Bhind, Madhya Pradesh.

According to police, on October 11, specific input was received that one Dinesh, a sharpshooter of the Neeraj Bawana gang, who has many cases registered against him in Delhi and is also wanted in a murder case in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, would come to the Crown Plaza Hotel in Delhi with illegal weapons.

"Accordingly, a trap was laid, and Dinesh was apprehended. One pistol and five live cartridges were recovered from him," said Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal.

Further, acting on a tip-off, another absconding criminal, Gopal, was apprehended on October 15, from Madhya Pradesh.

The Special CP said that Dinesh has been involved in more than 10 criminal cases of murder, attempt to murder, carjacking, dacoity, Arms Act, etc. under the direction of his gang heads, namely Neeraj Bawana, Naveen Bhanja, and Sunil Rathi.

"The accused was involved in the gruesome murder of rival gangsters Paras and Bhola Durmut in a jail van in August 2015. In July 2019, he was released on parole to look after his ill mother. However, he did not surrender after the end of his parole period and was again involved in gang activity," said the officer. In June 2020, he, along with other gang members, committed the sensational murder of Parambir Tugana at Chhaprauli, Bagpat. "He was also declared a proclaimed offender in three criminal cases in Delhi," said the officer.

Meanwhile, Gopal Tyagi had been evading arrest for the last six years and 10 months in a case of cheating. "In this case, he and his associates cheated a woman of Rs. 2,45,000 on the pretext of delivering a parcel received from the United Kingdom. He made a fake Pan card, voter card, and driving licence with the name of Amit Sharma and opened bank accounts to cheat innocent people," the official added.
Spl Indian Coast Guard Training Ship to be built at a cost of Rs 310cr. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Oct 17 : A special training ship will be constructed for the Indian Coast Guard at a cost of more than Rs 300 crore, an official said on Tuesday.

The Defence Ministry said that it will be a dedicated platform with helicopter landing capabilities, adding the training ship will be an advanced one with modern high-tech surveillance.

Its monitoring systems will provide profound insight and expertise to the ICG cadets on the challenges at sea while ensuring the security of coastline and offshore assets.

For this initiative, the Ministry of Defence has signed a contract for the construction of a training ship for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

This contract was signed with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) at a cost of Rs 310 crore under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category in Delhi on October 17.

According to the Ministry, this is the first dedicated training platform with integral helicopter capabilities that will provide basic sea training to 70 Coast Guard and other international under-trainee officers to prepare the budding mariners for the multi-dimensional maritime aspects of Coast Guard life.

The Defence Ministry said that the majority of equipment and systems for this construction work will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, including MSMEs.

The project envisages generating significant employment over a period of three years.

While meeting the objectives of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', the contract would also boost the indigenous shipbuilding capability and help in bolstering maritime economic capabilities, the official added.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has moved the Delhi High Court against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, and several media organisations, following what she alleges are false and defamatory accusations against her.

The defamation suit, which comes after Moitra issued a legal notice to Dubey, Dehadrai, and several media outlets, vehemently denying any wrongdoing.

Dubey had lodged a complaint with the Lok Sabha Speaker, claiming that Moitra had accepted bribes in exchange for raising questions in Parliament. According to Dubey, the allegations stemmed from a letter addressed to him by Dehadrai.

"By way of background, it is stated that Defendant No. 2 (Dehadrai) was a close friend of the Plaintiff and recently, the cessation of this friendship soon took an acrimonious turn. Defendant No. 2 resorted to sending vile, threatening, vulgar messages to the Plaintiff and also trespassed into Plaintiffas official residence and stole some personal possessions of the Plaintiff," Moitra's plea reads.

Moitra had then allegedly filed two police complaints dated March 24 and September 23 against Dehadrai and the same were later withdrawn by her on account of settlement talks.

"Despite the aforesaid, Defendant No. 2 went ahead and decided to tarnish and malign the reputation of the Plaintiff by approaching credible journalist to run damaging stories against the Plaintiff, however, none of such journalists agreed to participate in his malicious and vindictive designs," the plea states.

Moitra's defamation suit has been listed for hearing on Friday.

Her legal notice said that Dubey, for immediate political gains, regurgitated the false and defamatory allegations contained in the letter sent to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. It further claimed that both Dubey and Dehadrai are directly responsible for tarnishing Moitra's reputation for their own personal and political motives.

The notice went on to clarify that Moitra has never accepted any form of remuneration or gifts related to her duties as an MP, including the questions she raises in Parliament. Regarding the alleged links between the questions raised by Moitra and private individuals, the legal notice dismissed these claims as "laughable" and lacking any specificity or concrete evidence.
On the morning of October 17, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin arrived in China to participate in an economic forum and met with the country's leader Xi Jinping. This is the second foreign visit for the terrorist head of state after he was declared wanted by the International Criminal Court.

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Experts believe that it only emphasizes Beijing's economic and diplomatic support for Moscow amid its war against Ukraine. Read more about this in the OBOZ.UA article (to see photos and videos, scroll down to the end).

What will Putin do in China?

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of war crimes. According to the warrant, he can be arrested and handed over to the ICC in any of the 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute. However, three days ago, the leader of the aggressor country quietly traveled to Kyrgyzstan, and now he has arrived in China. The latter is known to be friendly to Russia and its dictatorial leader, and the media repeatedly report evidence of Beijing's assistance to the Kremlin in its war against Ukraine.

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Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, accompanied by security guards, and his plane was met at the airport by Chinese diplomats and an honor guard. It is noted that his visit is a demonstration of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinping's One Belt, One Road initiative, aimed at building infrastructure and expanding the country's foreign influence.

A little later, the Kremlin released a video of the Russian and Chinese leaders shaking hands. Putin arrived at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where a reception was organized for the heads of the delegations participating in the forum.

Russian media boasted that their leader was "invited to the forum as the main guest" and would speak at the opening after Xi Jinping.

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In an interview with Chinese state media ahead of his visit, Putin praised these large-scale but loosely connected projects.

"Yes, some people think this is China's attempt to put someone under its control, but we see the opposite - just a desire for cooperation," he said.

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Thus, on October 18, Putin will attend the international forum "One Belt, One Road" in Beijing, dedicated to the global economic project of the Chinese capital. Xi Jinping has invited leaders from 130 countries to this event.

"The Russian leader will be one of the highest-ranking guests at a meeting marking the 10th anniversary of Xi Jinping's announcement of the One Belt, One Road policy, which has burdened countries like Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debts after they signed contracts with Chinese companies to build roads and airports and other public works they otherwise could not afford," AP writes.

The Kremlin's press service said that the dictator is going to hold talks with the presidents of Mongolia, Laos and Vietnam, as well as the prime ministers of Thailand and Pakistan on the sidelines of the forum.

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What is behind the China-Russia alliance?

Answering journalists' questions about his visit to China, Putin said that it would include talks on projects related to the forum's theme. According to him, Moscow wants to "achieve common development goals," and the parties will discuss the growing economic and financial ties between the two countries.

At the same time, analysts point out that China and Russia have formed an informal alliance against the United States and other democratic countries, which is now complicated by the war between Israel and Hamas. Beijing has sought to balance its ties with Tel Aviv with economic relations with Iran and Syria, which are strongly supported by the Kremlin.

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In addition, Beijing and Moscow have financial ties in the energy, high-tech, and financial sectors. The importance of China as an export destination for Russia has also increased recently.

Alexander Gabuev, director of the Russian Carnegie Eurasia Center, said that, from China's perspective, "Russia is a safe and friendly neighbor, a source of cheap raw materials, support for Chinese initiatives on the world stage, and a source of military technology, some of which is not available in China." He called China Russia's "economic lifeline" in the face of harsh sanctions imposed on it for its war against Ukraine.

"It is the main market for Russian goods, it is a country that provides its currency and payment system to settle Russia's trade with the outside world-with China itself, but also with many other countries. And it is also the main source of sophisticated technological imports, including dual-use goods that go to the Russian military machine," the expert added.

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In his opinion, although the Kremlin and Beijing are unlikely to create a full-fledged military alliance, their defense cooperation will grow. Since both countries are "self-sufficient in terms of security" and benefit from the partnership, neither really needs security guarantees from the other. They also "preach strategic autonomy".

The two are expected to have closer military cooperation, greater interoperability, cooperation in joint force projection, particularly in places like the Arctic, and more joint efforts to develop missile defense, "making nuclear planning more difficult for the United States and its allies in Asia and Europe."

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The analysts reminded that China and the former Soviet Union were rivals during the Cold War for influence among leftist states, but have since become partners in the economic, military, and diplomatic spheres.

A few weeks before Russia's large-scale armed invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin met with Xi Jinping in Beijing, and they signed an agreement promising "unlimited" relations. However, Beijing's attempts to present itself as a neutral peace mediator in Russia's war with Ukraine were rejected by the international community.

Xi Jinping visited Moscow in March 2023 as part of a tumultuous exchange of views between the two countries. China condemns the international sanctions imposed on Russia, but it has not directly addressed the arrest warrant for Putin issued by the International Criminal Court on charges of involvement in the abduction of thousands of children from Ukraine.

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At the same time, observers remind that the Chinese leader, while hosting Putin today, still has to balance close personal relations with him and the reality of dependence on many levels between the economies of the United States and China.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Russian Federation recently publicly admitted that it receives drones from China. In particular, the Minister of Finance of the aggressor country Anton Siluanov said that almost all of the imported drones they have were provided by Beijing.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Dubai, Oct 17 : A senior Iranian military commander said on Tuesday that Tehran-backed militant groups will not stop targeting Israel until the country ceases to exist, Al Arabiya reported.

Ali Fadavi, the second-in-command of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), likened Israel to a "cancerous tumor", saying: "The resistance forces' shocks against (Israel) will continue until this cancerous tumor disappears from the world map."

Iran commonly uses terms like "resistance forces", "resistance groups", "resistance front", and "resistance axis" to refer to a network of regional militant groups that it supports.

This network includes organizations like the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbollah, as well as various militias in Iraq and Syria, and the Houthi militia in Yemen, Al Arabiya reported.

Fadavi also warned that more attacks against Israel could occur if the Israeli attacks on Gaza persist.

"If the crimes continue in Gaza, the Muslim people of other countries may join the conflict against the Zionists and another shock may be on the way," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted him as saying, Al Arabiya reported.

Fadavi said that Israel has not fully recovered from what he described as a "huge defeat" suffered at the hands of Hamas during a surprise attack on October 7.

On that day, Hamas fighters breached Gaza's heavily fortified border with Israel and killed at least 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

Israel has responded with relentless air and artillery strikes on Gaza that have killed more than 2,800 people, mostly civilians.

Tehran, a key source of financial and military support for Hamas, has praised the October 7 Hamas attack while denying any involvement in its planning or execution.

Fadavi contended that Israel is targeting Palestinian civilians in Gaza because it "failed to harm the resistance front", Al Arabiya reported.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Even as Sikkim was devastated by flooding of a glacial lake owing to a cloudburst earlier this month leading to several casualties, the Centre in a recent report accepted that it has failed to provide any data related to avalanches, landslides and even cloudbursts to the state in the last 10 years. In fact not even any advisory was issued to the Himalayan states (including Sikkim), in anticipation of floods.

Another astounding fact is that while there are 694 glacial lakes in Sikkim, the number of flood forecasting stations there, are only eight.

Arunachal Pradesh has 1,602 glacial lakes while it has only three flood forecasting stations. Similarly, Himachal Pradesh has only one station to monitor 513 glacial lakes, while Uttarakhand has six flood forecasting stations to monitor 347 lakes.

This was informed by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry to a Lok Sabha Parliamentary panel on water resources in a report titled "Glacier management in the country -Monitoring of glaciers and lakes including glacial lake outbursts leading to flash floods in the Himalayan region".

Incidentally, the report was presented in Parliament in March this year during the budget session.

"When asked whether any data has been made available to state governments or local authorities in respect of avalanches, cloudbursts and landslides in Himalayan region during the last decade and advisories, if any, issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC) in anticipation of the floods, the department replied in negative," the report stated.

To a query on whether India has any data sharing policy with the Himalayan-Karakoram countries so that large-scale modelling of future glacier and runoff evolution can be done with improved accuracy, the ministry informed the committee that "so far as data sharing policy with the Himalayan-Karakoram countries is concerned, no specific information is available in respect of data sharing policy so that large-scale modelling of future glacier and runoff evolution can be done with improved accuracy".

When asked to furnish details of those glacial lakes which are increasing not only in numbers but also in size in the Himalayan region because of retreating glaciers, the ministry in its written submission stated that no such study on temporal changes in glacial lake number and their extent has been carried out by ISRO and Geological Survey of India (GSI).

On October 4, heavy rains caused the glacial South Lhonak lake in Sikkim to breach its banks, causing a glacial lake outburst flood. The flood reached the Teesta III Dam at Chungthang at midnight, before its gates could be opened, destroying the dam in minutes. Several people died in the flash floods, while several hundreds are missing, even as rescue operations are on.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Amid the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, which was triggered by the former's attack from the Gaza Strip, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Tuesday underlined that terrorism is among the most serious threats to world peace.

Addressing a conclave of NSAs of India and central Asian nations in Kazakhstan, he said that irrespective of its cause, terrorism is unjustifiable.

Referring to the key issue of connectivity and economic integration with central Asian nations, Doval said that it is an area of priority for India. At the same time though, he added that it is important to ensure that connectivity initiatives are consultative, transparent, and participatory.

The NSA further said that such initiatives should respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and adhere to environmental parameters, while ensuring financial viability, rather than becoming debt burdens, in an oblique reference to Chinaas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

In this context, the absence of direct land access between Central Asia and India is an anomaly, he observed. This absence of direct connectivity is the result of a conscious policy of denial by a particular country, Doval said in an indirect reference to Pakistan.

Doval said this situation is not only self-defeating for that country but it also reduces the collective well-being of the entire region. He also underlined the advantages of including the Chabahar port in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Meanwhile touching upon other issues, the NSA further added that India is willing to provide technological support to central Asian countries related to unified payment interface (UPI) without any cost for their independent use. An association based on sovereign digital systems between India and central Asian nations will boost commercial relations and also benefit people who travel to India for medical tourism, Doval added.

--IANS

ans/vd
New Delhi, Oct 10 : Israel appears ready for a ground offensive in Gaza to dismantle Hamas operations in the enclave amid concerns about the safety of hostages.

Some 199 people, including foreigners, were abducted from Israel during the October 7 attack by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip.

"Everything is being prepared for what we think will be a ground entry," a senior diplomat at the Israeli embassy in Delhi told IANS on Tuesday but did not indicate by when the Israeli Defence Forces would move into Gaza.

"Israel is focussed on the hostages taken by Hamas, to uproot Hamas from Gaza, and to make sure that Hamas can no longer do such things ever again, whether to Israelis or anybody else.

"The IDF is focussed on the hostages and trying to understand their situation and to make sure that they are safe, and to understand how we can save them."

It is unclear how many of the hostages are unharmed and in Gaza.

"We are still burying our dead," the diplomat said, adding that 300 more bodies of Israelis have yet to be identified, as of Monday.

Other than Hamas rocket strikes, more than 30 kibbutz(agriculture-based communities) in Israel were attacked on Oct 7.

The diplomat said "about 1,000 terrorists of Hamas infiltrated into Israeli territory" and went on a rampage of the communities.

Many analysts have called Israel's retaliatory strikes as a "collective punishment", as not all Gazans have links with Hamas or their brutal attack on Israel that killed at least 1,400 people.

"Only Hamas is being held accountable," the diplomat said.

"Hamas is trying to use civilians in Gaza, while hiding in hospitals or education centres or closing the roads for them to move from the north to the south (of the enclave)."

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has said "we are on the verge of the abyss in the Middle East" and asked Hamas to release the hostages immediately and unconditionally.

He also asked Israel to grant rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid in Gaza for the "sake of the civilians".

"The IDF is collaborating with aid organisations in Gaza, they have shelters for civilians who are moving following IDF warnings about bombings or other strikes," the diplomat said.

The Jerusalem Post earlier reported that the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group is waiting for the IDF to move into Gaza with full force, which might make Israelas border with Lebanon vulnerable to Hezbollah attacks.

But the diplomat said Israel is currently not engaged in a two-front war, even if some fire came from the Lebanese side since the Hamas attack.

Iran has warned Israel that it would not be able to act in Gaza without consequences, according to the BBC, which put the latest Palestinian death toll at 2,850, citing a Palestinian diplomat.

"Iran has been assisting Hamas for years with finance, training and ammunition," the diplomat said.

"I don't know if Iran was behind the plan for this attack, but we cannot say they had no part in it (history of association)."

US President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Gaza on Wednesday.

Many Israelis, according to Haaretz, are angry with their government for having failed to stop the Hamas attack.

"Apparently, we were all caught by surprise," said the diplomat when asked if the Israeli government had done the assessment of why the October 7 attack happened.
Bengaluru, Oct 17 : Even as the rebellion by the state JD(S) President CM Ibrahim is being downplayed by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's family, both, the JD(S) and the BJP are treading cautiously and taking the development seriously as it could prove to be a serious setback for them.

According to BJP and JD(S) sources, Ibrahim is allegedly playing up on the instructions of the Congress party to inflict greater damage to the alliance.

The Congress high command is keenly watching the developments in the state and it does not want to give room for consolidation of power against it.

Considering the fact that the BJP-JD(S) alliance has the potential to disturb the Congress' apple cart in Karnataka ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Ibrahim has been asked to challenge the Deve Gowda family and talk about the sacking of Deve Gowda's son former CM HD Kumaraswamy and grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy, sources stated.

Deve Gowda angrily reacted to the development and asked the media persons to go away. "Everything will be out in the open in another three days," he stated.

JD(S) MLA and Core Committee Member GT Deve Gowda made a direct allegation that the Congress was behind Ibrahim's rebellion.

"Mr. Ibrahim do not listen to Congress leaders and burn your hands. The JD(S) top leadership is with you," he stated.

Asked if the JD(S) would split in Karnataka, GT Deve Gowda stated it was not possible.

"The JD(S) is a regional party and it will become stronger. We will hold talks with Ibrahim. Deve Gowda had given him the state President's position out of respect for the sentiments of the minorities. Ibrahim is angry over not being taken to New Delhi for alliance talks but Deve Gowda will speak to him. Deve Gowda had told us not to worry and it will all be sorted out," he said.

HD Revanna maintained that Deve Gowda would take a call on the issue. "If Ibrahim wants to join the Congress, let him. We do not have any objections. Let us see who gets sacked by Deve Gowda," he stated.

"The JD(S) won't split. There are 19 MLAs. People know what Kumaraswamy (his brother) and Deve Gowda have done for them. Why do you (media) want to bother about his statements?" Revanna quipped.

However, the party leadership is worried over Ibrahim's claim that the party belongs to all and one family can't own it. He is state President and he can't be sacked.

Sources said that they suspect that the matter would be dragged to court in case Ibrahim is sacked.

In a big setback to the BJP and JD(S) alliance in Karnataka, JD(S) State President C.M. Ibrahim has declared support for the ruling Congress party. He also claimed that the JD(S) party is not the property of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's family. Speaking at the Chitana-Manthana programme called to discuss future steps in the backdrop of the decision taken on the JD(S) and BJP alliance without keeping him in the loop, Ibrahim proclaimed that he is the president of the party. "I can't be sacked. The JD(S) is not a family's property," he maintained. "I request Deve Gowda not to give the wrong message. You went on to become the Prime Minister because of secular ideology," he had stated.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Israel appears ready for a ground offensive in Gaza to dismantle Hamas operations in the enclave amid concerns about the safety of hostages.

Some 199 people, including foreigners, were abducted from Israel during the October 7 attack by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip.

"Everything is being prepared for what we think will be a ground entry," a senior diplomat at the Israeli embassy in Delhi told IANS on Tuesday but did not indicate by when the Israeli Defence Forces would move into Gaza.

"Israel is focussed on the hostages taken by Hamas, to uproot Hamas from Gaza, and to make sure that Hamas can no longer do such things ever again, whether to Israelis or anybody else.

"The IDF is focussed on the hostages and trying to understand their situation and to make sure that they are safe, and to understand how we can save them."

It is unclear how many of the hostages are unharmed and in Gaza.

"We are still burying our dead," the diplomat said, adding that 300 more bodies of Israelis have yet to be identified, as of Monday.

Other than Hamas rocket strikes, more than 30 kibbutz(agriculture-based communities) in Israel were attacked on Oct 7.

The diplomat said "about 1,000 terrorists of Hamas infiltrated into Israeli territory" and went on a rampage of the communities.

Many analysts have called Israel's retaliatory strikes as a "collective punishment", as not all Gazans have links with Hamas or their brutal attack on Israel that killed at least 1,400 Israelis.

"Only Hamas is being held accountable," the diplomat said.

"Hamas is trying to use civilians in Gaza, while hiding in hospitals or education centres or closing the roads for them to move from the north to the south (of the enclave)."

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has said "we are on the verge of the abyss in the Middle East" and asked Hamas to release the hostages immediately and unconditionally.

He also asked Israel to grant rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid in Gaza for the "sake of the civilians".

"The IDF is collaborating with aid organisations in Gaza, they have shelters for civilians who are moving following IDF warnings about bombings or other strikes," the diplomat said.

The Jerusalem Post earlier reported that the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group is waiting for the IDF to move into Gaza with full force, which might make Israelas border with Lebanon vulnerable to Hezbollah attacks.

But the diplomat said Israel is currently not engaged in a two-front war, even if some fire came from the Lebanese side since the Hamas attack.

Iran has warned Israel that it would not be able to act in Gaza without consequences, according to the BBC, which put the latest Palestinian death toll at 2,850, citing a Palestinian diplomat.

"Iran has been assisting Hamas for years with finance, training and ammunition," the diplomat said.

"I don't know if Iran was behind the plan for this attack, but we cannot say they had no part in it (history of association)."

US President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday.

Many Israelis, according to Haaretz, are angry with their government for having failed to stop the Hamas attack.

"Apparently, we were all caught by surprise," said the diplomat when asked if the Israeli government had done the assessment of why the October 7 attack happened.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G), VK Saxena, has given the green light for the registration of a case under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PoC) Act, 1988, against an Assistant Engineer and a Junior Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD).

This approval was granted despite the fact that the PWD's administrative department had not recommended an inquiry against the accused engineers.

In the case of an accused Executive Engineer involved in the same matter, a decision will be made by the National Capital Territory Civil Services Authority (NCCSA) due to their Group 'A' status.

The LG's decision to approve the case registration was based on the findings of the Anti-Corruption Branch, GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi), and a recommendation from the Directorate of Vigilance.

Saxena has also directed action against the PWD officers who allegedly attempted to shield the accused Engineers, even though the Anti-Corruption Branch had found a prima facie case against them.

The LG's approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, pertains to the case against JS Chauhan, Assistant Engineer, and Devi Singh, Junior Engineer.

The allegations revolve around the release of payment to a contractor without proper verification of work done in a road construction project in South Delhi.

The LG's decision is rooted in his assessment that, after examining the facts and records of the case, it is in the interest of justice to investigate the allegations by registering a case.

The allegations originally stem from a complaint filed on May 19, 2017, by Rahul Sharma, the founder of the NGO aRoads Anti-Corruption Organization.a The complaint alleged that payments were disbursed despite no work being carried out at the site designated for the "strengthening of road and improvement of footpath, drainage system, central verge of EPDP Road (Malik Ram Issar Marg, New Delhi)" in the Kalkaji area.

This alleged malpractice resulted in a loss to the Government exchequer. The Anti-Corruption Branch after conducting a preliminary inquiry, filed a complaint related to the work against three PWD Engineers, including Executive Engineer RS Garg, Assistant Engineer JS Chauhan, and Junior Engineer Devi Singh.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday said that Mahatma Gandhi's relevance "is all the more significant in today's conflict-ridden world, as he not only serves as an inspiration, but also as a motivator of diplomacy".

Addressing an audience in Ho Chinh City while unveiling a bust of Father of the Nation (India), Jaishankar said that he was without doubt, one of the most iconic figures of our contemporary world.

"His contributions to truth, non-violence, to freedom and independence of people have been recognised by the UN by proclaiming his birthday as the International Day of Non-Violence," he said.

Jaishankar, who is currently on a four-day official visit to Vietnam, said Gandhi not only unified India but also inspired other nations, continents and peoples in a similar quest.

"The relevance of Mahatma Gandhi is very great in a world that we see today beset by conflict and violence. So, as we strive to harmonise contradictions, to bridge divides, Mahatma Gandhi serves not just a political inspiration, but even as a motivator of diplomacy," he said.

Later in the day, while interacting with the Indian community, the External Affairs Minister said: "The sum total of my visit to Hanoi was about how do we, the two governments, two countries, two societies, broaden out our relationship, look for ways to accelerate our cooperation. There is no question today that in many ways our relationship is a good fit, there is a lot that we can do, but at the end of the day, when we speak about cooperation, it is done by people, and you are the people."

He further added: "When Indians started going out of India, they either went East and came to Southeast Asia or they went to north and mostly through the silk route they went to central Asia, or they went West with the monsoon and went to the Gulf. But the strongest and the most visible presence of Indians is in Southeast Asia."

During a question and answer session with expatriates, Jaishankar in response to a question said: "You asked me what's the future? You know one part of it is tradition, and one part of it is technology. It takes a society like India to be able to fuse tradition and technology and be equally comfortable with both. That's really what will actually give us our standing in the world."
Panaji, Oct 17 : As the timeline to notify the Mhadei Tiger Reserve ends on October 24, Goa government is likely to seek extension of time from the High Court.

Advocate General Devidas Pangam, speaking to IANS, said that the timeline ends on October 24 and there is a need to seek extension. "I have given my opinion to the state government to make an application before the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court seeking extension," he said.

On July 24, the Bombay High Court at Goa had directed the state government to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve within three months.

The Court was hearing a petition filed by Goa Foundation (a local NGO). It had sought direction from the court to notify a tiger reserve in the state.

The government of Goa then approached the Supreme Court to nullify the order of the High Court, but the Apex Court has refused a stay.

"It depends on what the Supreme Court decides about the matter. It has issued notices," Pangam said.

Sources informed that next hearing in the Supreme Court will take place in the second week of November, hence the Goa government will have to seek extension of time in the High Court in regard to notification of the tiger reserve.

A couple of days back, former Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said that the Goa government has no option but to notify Mhadei Tiger Reserve by October 24, 2023, as the Supreme Court has refused to stay the order of the High Court.

"On July 24, 2023, the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court, in response to some petitions, directed the Goa government to declare Mhadei as Tiger Reserve. It gave the Goa government three months to do so. The government of Goa then approached the Supreme Court to nullify the order of the High Court. But on September 25, 2023 the Supreme Court refused a stay,"Jairam Ramesh said on X.

"So now the Goa govt has no option but to notify the Mhadei Tiger Reserve by October 24, 2023. Of course, like in the case of the cheetah project, the PM will claim credit. But let that be. There is continuity in governance which he never acknowledges,' he said.

Goa government had rejected the proposal to set up a tiger reserve in the state, by claiming that Goa's small wildlife sanctuaries did not fit the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) criteria for setting up one.
Aizawl, Oct 17 : The Mizoram unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused the Congress of indulging in vote-bank politics in the state, while urging the party members to work for the welfare of the people.

Party spokesperson Lalremsangi Fanai while interacting with the media said that the BJP has always been committed to work for the welfare of the people of Mizoram.

Accusing the Congress of misleading the people by playing religious card ahead of the elections, she said that there was no threat to Mizo's religious belief and faith in the state. Highlighting the achievements of the NDA government, Fanai said that India has one of the most robust healthcare systems in the world.

"The BJP has transformed the country taking the nation to the path of development," Fanai said, while urging the people to not pay any heed to the comments of the Congress leaders.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while addressing an election rally rally in Lunglei on Tuesday said that the BJP -- guided by the RSS -- has a long-term plan to destroy Indian culture, language and tradition and urged the people of Mizoram to reject the saffron party in the November 7 Assembly elections. The Congress leader said that the BJP also knows that if they come to Mizoram directly, the people of the state would reject them and that's why, they were trying to enter the state through their ally ruling Mizo National Front (MNF).

The opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) is also helping the BJP to enter the state, Rahul Gandhi said on the second day of his two-day campaign in the northeastern state.

Mizoram will go to polls on November 7 to elect 40 members of the state Legislative Assembly.
Chandigarh, Oct 17 : Veteran Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda on Tuesday reiterated the demand for removal of restrictions imposed on the export of paddy, saying rice exporters have stopped purchasing paddy in seven states, including Haryana, due to the curbs imposed by the Centre.

This, he said, had pushed farmers into losses.

"The restrictions have caused distress and losses to farmers who are suffering. Basmati prices have fallen from Rs 3,500-3,600 per quintal to Rs 2,500. Farmers are incurring a loss of at least Rs 1,000 per quintal, which means they are facing a loss of more than Rs 20,000 per acre. Farmers fear that if the exportersa strike too continues, this rate may fall further," he said in a statement here.

aRice exporters say the Central government has kept the minimum export price of Basmati rice at $1200 per ton, which is very high. Countries like Pakistan are taking advantage of the restrictions imposed by the Indian government and are exporting rice. The farmers of Haryana are suffering the most due to this restriction.

"India exports around 45 lakh tonnes of rice every year and about 25 lakh tonnes of this come from Haryana alone. Due to the strike by exporters, the sale of varieties like 1121, 1509, 1781, and Sarbati have stopped in the state," he said.

Hooda said the BJP-JJP government in Haryana "remains a silent spectator as farmers have been pushed in acute distress".

"The Chief Minister should immediately talk to the Prime Minister and present the farmers' case before the Centre," he demanded.

"Earlier, when there was a ban on exports during the Congress government and as the Chief Minister them I had appealed to then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and got the ban removed. Farmers got full benefit from it and farmers got a rate of Rs 5,000 to Rs 55,000 per quintal. But during the present government, farmers are neither the MSP (minimum support price) of coarse paddy nor international market rate for Basmati rice," Hooda added.
Jaipur, Oct 17 : As Rajya Sabha MP Kirori Lal Meena alleged that lockers of Jaipur's Ganpati Plaza had black money to the tune of around Rs 500 crore in cash and 50 kg gold stacked in it, Income Tax officials have started thorough investigation.

Sources said that the officials have examined about 740 lockers while there are over 300 lockers which have not been opened yet.

They further said that the names and addresses of owners of these 300 are not available.

According to the Income Tax Department, there are a total of 1100 lockers at Ganpati Plaza. Out of these, 540 lockers are not active. Also, there are still over 300 lockers which have not been opened as information about these locker holders is being collected.

Income Tax officials say that the investigation will continue until all the locker owners come and open their lockers.

Meanwhile, Kirori Lal Meena said: "I had claimed that black money and gold worth crores were kept in the lockers of Ganpati Plaza. Today, they are spewing out crores of rupees worth of cash and gold..."

"I demand from the government that all the benami lockers of Ganpati Plaza should be thoroughly investigated. If this is done then crores of black money collected through corruption will be recovered and those who have looted Rajasthan will be exposed," he added.
Washington, Oct 17 : US President Joe Biden is scheduled to travel to Israel on Wednesday to demonstrate his steadfast support for the US ally as he is highly concerned that the Israel-Hamas war should not expand into a greater theatre of war in the Middle East as that would have serious repercussions for global trade and supply chains.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently in Tel Aviv, announced Biden's visit following an overnight meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"He's coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region and for the world," Blinken was quoted by the USA Today as saying.

Biden's trip will come almost 11 days after Hamas' ambushing Israel militarily, leading to retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza.

The death toll on both sides of the war has surpassed 4,000 -- about 2,800 in Gaza -- and more than 10,000 are wounded. Blinken said at least 30 Americans were killed in Israel.

Biden "will again make clear, as he's done unequivocally", that Israel "has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people" following the Hamas attack.

Biden will travel to Tel Aviv, where he will hold a bilateral meeting with Netanyahu and meet with other Israeli officials, media reports said.

Biden will once again caution Netanyahu he observe all the norms of international warfare not harming civilians as Israel lines up military tanks in a plan to launch a major ground invasion on the Gaza strip.

Biden will hear from Israeli leaders on their needs from the U.S. to defend itself.

The White House is seeking approval from Congress to provide military aid to Israel, reports said.

Israel has advised Palestinians in northern Gaza to head south ahead of a ground offensive, prompting concerns that other Middle East adversaries could join the conflict, USA Today reported.

"President Biden will underscore our crystal-clear message to any actor, state, or non-state trying to take advantage of this crisis to attack Israel. Don't," Blinken said.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : The Income Tax (I-T) Department has moved to the Bombay High Court to challenge an appellate tribunal order in favour of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) in two major tax dispute cases involving a cumulative amount of Rs 4,993 crore.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal had ruled in favour of LIC in both the cases pertaining to the assessment year 2013-14. While one of them involves an amount of Rs 1,838.8 crore, the disputed sum in the second case is Rs 3,153.9 crore.

"The Income Tax Department has filed an appeal before Honourable Bombay High Court against the decision of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. The communication in this regard was received on October 17, 2023," LIC stated in a regulatory filing on Tuesday.

"These litigations will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's financial position and result of operations," the LIC filing further said.

The development comes close on the heels of LIC getting notices from the Income Tax Department for paying a penalty of Rs 84 crore. The notices, pertaining to three assessment years were issued on September 29.

Last month, LIC had also received a GST notice of Rs 290 crore from the Bihar state Tax Department. The government-owned insurer had informed the exchanges that it would file an appeal before the GST Appellate Tribunal against the order.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : In a stern rebuke, a Delhi court has criticised the city police for carrying out "further investigation" in a 2020 communal riots case after initially filing the charge sheet in a manner that the court deemed "half-hearted".

The court has summoned the officer responsible for this action to provide a written explanation.

Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala presided over the hearing on charges against three accused individuals in the northeast Delhi riots case, where the FIR was filed by the Gokalpuri police station.

The court observed that while initially, 25 complaints were consolidated into the case, it had directed in April last year that only 17 of these complaints should be considered in the current case.

Despite this, the Investigating Officer (IO) filed a new supplementary charge sheet on May 17 for prosecuting 22 complaints.

The IO's decision was based on newly recorded statements from some complainants, which aimed to demonstrate that they had originally provided incorrect dates and times for the alleged rioting incidents at their locations.

The court found this investigative approach deeply concerning, noting that the IO recorded statements at a subsequent point in time without seeking court permission, defying the legal provisions outlined in Section 173(8) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which pertains to further investigation in a case.

The court highlighted the inconsistency and lack of seriousness on the part of the prosecution since the beginning of the case. Even with the new statements, the complainants did not claim to be eyewitnesses, and the modifications to the date and time of the alleged incidents referred to "some neighbours."

The court criticised the investigation for not identifying these neighbours due to its "half-hearted nature". The case is now listed for next hearing on November 20.
Jerusalem, Oct 17 : Reports from Gaza Strip indicated that 14 people have been killed in a strike on a home belonging to the family of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, including his brother and nephew. Haniyeh lives in Qatar, the Israeli media reported.

An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday killed the head of Hamas' Central Gaza Brigade, a senior commander in the terror organisation, the military and Hamas said, as Israel's defence minister warned members of the terror group needed to choose between surrender and death, and rockets from the Strip continued to target Israeli communities, the Times of Israel reported.

The slain Hamas commander, Ayman Nofal, was also a member of the organisation's General Military Council. He was killed in a strike in the Bureij refugee camp. The IDF said the airstrike was carried out following intelligence efforts by the Shin Bet security agency and Military Intelligence Directorate.

According to the IDF, Nofal, as part of his role, carried out numerous attacks against Israel and security forces.

The IDF said Nofal was also previously involved in the production and development of weapons and had been involved in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilat Shalit in 2006, the Times of Israel reported.

The military added that Nofal was "one of the most dominant senior officials in the organization, and was close to Muhammad Deif", Hamas' military leader.
Kolkata, Oct 17 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday told the Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh that it would like to go for a symbolic confiscation of a 100-year school in whose accounts the proceeds of the alleged school jobs scam case in West Bengal was transferred under the camouflage of donations.

The ED counsel on Tuesday told the court that the school was named after the father of Trinamool Congress legislator and the former chairman of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education Manik Bhattacharya, who is currently in judicial custody because of his alleged involvement in the school job case.

The ED counsel also told the court that the renaming of the school was done in 2018 after huge funds were transferred from the accounts of the school through cheques of consecutive denominations of an account held by Bhattacharya's son Souvik Bhattacharya, who is also in judicial custody in the same matter.

Informing that the ED sleuths had started the process of confiscation of the school, the central agency counsel assured that it would be just a symbolic confiscation and that it would not be tantamount to closure of the school.

Although Souvik Bhattacharya claimed that he had just donated a lakh of rupees to the school, the ED counsel claimed the figure to be much higher.

The central agency counsel also claimed that Manik Bhattacharya politically benefitted through the renaming of the school in the name of his father.

The counsel also told the court that the investigation officials have also sourced information about a local club in whose accounts money was transferred from the same bank account.
Hyderabad, Oct 17 : The Congress campaign for next month's Assembly elections in Telangana is set to get a boost with party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi participating in the bus yatra from Wednesday.

Both the leaders will arrive in Telangana in the evening and will visit Ramappa temple in Mulugu constituency.

They will participate in aVijay Bheri Yatraa from the temple to Ramanujapuram, where they will address the public meeting.

Rahul Gandhi will participate in the bus yatra from Mulugu town to Bhupalapally, covering a distance of 35 km.

He will subsequently participate in the padyatra in Bhupalpally. The Congress leader will walk with unemployed youth to know their problems.

Congress leaders said while Priyanka Gandhi will participate in the bus yatra only on the first day, Rahul Gandhi will continue his visit till October 20.

The bus yatra will be held in three phases.

In the first phase till October 20, Rahul Gandhi will cover a distance of about 190 km covering five Assembly constituencies in Mulugu, Warangal, Karimnagar, and Nizamabad districts.

State Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy said Rahul Gandhi will address public meetings, undertake padyatra and also interact with various sections of people.

This will be the first visit by the partyas central leaders to Telangana after the announcement of election schedule last week.

The Congress party on October 15 announced candidates for 55 out of 119 Assembly seats in the state. The second list is likely to be released after October 20. The party leaders hope that Rahul Gandhias visit will give impetus to the party campaign for November 30 elections.

The Congress camp is already upbeat after last monthas massive public meeting in Hyderabad where the party announced six guarantees. The entire top leadership of Congress had attended the public meeting held on September 17 at the end of two-day meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

After the meeting, the party leaders visited all the Assembly constituencies in the state to go door-to-door to explain the six guarantees. The party is confident that six guarantees will help it repeat its Karnataka performance and storm to power after missing it twice despite claiming credit for carving out Telangana state.

As per the schedule of the bus yatra, Rahul Gandhi will visit Ramagundam constituency on October 19. He will interact with leaders of workersa unions of Singareni, NTPC and RFCL and also contract workers. He will then participate in the bus yatra from Ramagundam to Peddapalli, covering a distance of 30 km.

He will also address a public meeting and interact with the Rice Millers Association and farmers. Rahul Gandhi will then travel in the bus from Peddapalli to Karimnagar, a distance of 35 km. He will participate in the padyatra in Karimnagar for one hour in the evening.

On October 20, Rahul Gandhi will cover Bodhan, Armur and Nizamabad district. In Bodhan constituency, he will interact with Beedi rollers and families of Gulf migrant workers. The MP will also visit Nizam Sugar Factory. He will then participate in the bus yatra from Bodhan to Armur, a distance of 50 km.

At Armur, he will address a public meeting and also interact with turmeric and sugarcane farmers. This will be followed by bus yatra from Armur to Nizamabad, a distance of 25 km. He will conclude a three-day visit with padyatra at Nizamabad.

--IANS

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An executive prerogative: Where the Supreme Court stands on UCC. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Oct 17 : Here is a list of some important cases which Supreme Court heard on Tuesday: SC refuses to grant any legal sanction to same-sex marriage

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Tuesday refused to grant any legal sanction to same-sex marriage.

The Supreme Court gave decision with a 3:2 majority, holding that a civil union cannot be recognised under the Constitution.

SC reserves verdict on Chandrababu Naidu plea against arrest in Skill Development Corporation scam case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a plea filed by Telugu Desam Party supremo and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu against criminal proceedings initiated against him in connection with the alleged Skill Development Corporation scam case.

SC defers hearing on CBIas pleas seeking cancellation of RJD president Lalu Prasad's bail till Jan 2024

The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred hearing on pleas filed by CBI seeking cancellation of bail granted to RJD president Lalu Prasad in connection with multi-crore fodder scam.

Ensure that queer community is not discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Centre and all states governments and Union Territory administrations to ensure that queer community is not discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation.

Delhi excise policy case: SC reserves verdict in Manish Sisodia's bail plea

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved judgment on the regular bail petitions filed by the former deputy chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in connection with corruption and money laundering cases arising out of the alleged scam in Delhi excise policy.

Explained: What does SC's verdict on same-sex marriage say on adoption rights, CARA

The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered 4 verdicts in the same-sex marriage case. The five-judge bench delivered a 3:2 judgment on adoption rights for queer couples.

Here's what it means: The four judgments were written by CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice SK Kaul, Justice Ravindra Bhat, and Justice PS Narasimha respectively. Out of the five judges on the constitutional bench, the majority judgments delivered by three judges Justices Ravindra Bhat, Justice Hima Kohli, and Justice PS Narasimha held that civil unions between same-sex couples are not recognised under law and they cannot claim the right to adopt children either.

SC adjourns plea by Gandhis, AAP for faceless tax assessment; next hearing on Nov 7

The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned pleas filed by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and several charitable trusts against the transfer of their tax assessment from faceless assessment to the central circle.

SC recognises Licence and entry fees by Telcos as capital expenditure

In a major setback to telecom operators in India, the Supreme Court on Monday passed an order recognising the payment of entry fee as well as variable annual licence fee under New Telecom Policy of 1999 as capital expenditure.

It ruled that these fees should be amortised in accordance with Section 35ABB of the Income Tax Act.

SC gives Maha Speaker 'final opportunity' for schedule on defection pleas

The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly a final opportunity to provide a realistic schedule for deciding the pending defection petitions filed by the two rival factions of the Shivsena led by Uddhav Thackrey and CM Eknath Shinde against each other.
Washington, Oct 17 : The US government has cracked down on China's access to advanced chips for use in Artificial Intelligence (AI) with its new additional limits over an October order to restrict the communist country's progress on supercomputing and AI which is the global frontline research in all countries. The US fears China may divert the chips of AI into military applications.

The Joe Biden administration on Tuesday announced additional limits on sales ofadvanced semiconductors by American firms, over restrictions issued last October to limit China's progress on supercomputing and artificial intelligence, The New York Times reported.

The new additionl rules will deter US companies from exporting or selling advanced semiconductors from the US to Chinese data centres, which reportedly use them to produce models capable of artificial intelligence. It's now mandatory for US companies to obtain either a special license or inform the government in advance while seeking to sell China advanced chips, or the machinery used to make them.

In order to check third country exports of such advanced semiconductors from the US companies. The US government under President Joe Biden has sought to eliminate the risk by making it mandatory for chip makers to obtain additional licenses to ship to dozens of other countries that are subject to US arms embargoes, the NYT said .

The Biden administration's restriction orders stems from fears that China's access to such advanced technology is dangerous because it could enable the country's military arsenal in building up guided hypersonic missiles, setting up advanced surveillance systems or cracking top-secret US codes.

Leading AI experts have warned that the technology, if not properly managed, could pose existential threats to humanity.

But AI also has valuable commercial applications, and the tougher restrictions may affect Chinese companies that have been trying to develop AI Chatbots like ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, or the Internet giant Baidu, industry analysts said.

In the long run, the limits could also weaken China's economy, given that AI is transforming industries ranging from retail to health care, the Times said.

Nvidia, one of the leading chipmakers in the US, could see its sales affected drastically by the new US government order.

AMD and Intel are other leading chip makers who could see their sales drop in the export market and revenues dwindling affecting their stock value as China is a major export base for them.

Some chip makers earn as much as a third of their revenue from Chinese buyers and spent recent months lobbying against tighter restrictions.

The Global Race for Computer Chips: Pushing Back: Ahead of a renewed crackdown on the sale of semiconductor technology to China by the Biden administration, three of the world's largest chip makers campaigned vigorously to protect their businesses.

South Korea, a critical US ally with a semiconductor sector that depends on China, is wedged between Beijing and Washington in their trade war over technology.

SoftBank is hoping that Arm, the British chip designer it bought in 2016, will reap the fruits of the AI revolution. Arm's initial public offering is the largest this year.

India, seizing on the world's desire to reduce reliance on China, wants to build a semiconductor manufacturing industry from the ground up, an ambition as unlikely as it is bold, US semiconductor makers opined.

US officials however clarified that the new restrictions would exclude chips made purely for commercial applications, like smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles and gaming systems. Most of the rules will take effect in 30 days, though some will be effective sooner, reports said.

In a statement, the Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents major chip makers, said it was evaluating the impact of the updated rules.

"We recognize the need to protect national security and believe maintaining a healthy US semiconductor industry is an essential component to achieving that goal," the group said.

The Biden administration has been trying to counter China's growing mastery of any cutting-edge technologies by pumping money into new chip factories in the US.

It has simultaneously set new tough guidelines but narrow restrictions on exports of technology to China that could have military uses, while allowing other trade to flow freely.

US officials describe the strategy as protecting American technology with "a small yard and high fence".
Panaji, Oct 18 : Goa Opposition leader Yuri Alemao has lashed out at state cabinet Ministers alleging that it to be the 'worst cabinet' in the history after statehood as it had failed in all aspects of governance.

Addressing a press conference in South Goa on Tuesday, Alemao also held the BJP government responsible for communal tensions, which took place a few days ago.

"This 'Bhrasht Jumla Party' is dividing people over religion and other issues. The Pramod Sawant government is responsible for dividing people and disturbing communal harmony. As there is Lok Sabha election in near future, BJP is trying to polarise, which they always do," he said.

"We, Opposition MLAs, raise various questions related to the state. But the cabinet has no collective agenda. Every minister is Chief Minister of their own portfolio. They are working in their own style. The Chief Minister has lost control. It is a chaotic situation. Though they have a majority with 33 MLAs, this seems to be the worst cabinet in the history after statehood," Alemao alleged, adding the BJP government has failed to provide employment and fulfill other promises.

"People should realise that the agenda of this government is to divide," he said.

He also added that the BJP government has failed to pay 8,000 MGNREGA workers, which includes 45 per cent Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes for the last five months, and said the government has money for events but not for the poor.

Alemao said the administrative and financial bankruptcy of the BJP government once again stands exposed with nearly 8,000 workers earning Rs 322 per day under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act have been not paid their rightful dues for the last five months.

"This is 'Ant (end) of Antyodaya' by the BJP government," he alleged.

"There are almost 8,000 active card holder workers in the state. Around 42.45 per cent workers are from Scheduled Tribes while 2.48 per cent belong to Scheduled Castes. Is this the part of BJP government's strategy to harass STs and SCs," he asked.

He alleged that the 'tall claims' of the BJP government on employment generation have fallen flat, with Goa ranking second in the unemployment report in the country.
Bengaluru, Oct 18 : Karnataka Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Madhu Bangarappa on Tuesday said he has set a target of bringing the quality of government schools in the state at par with private and aided schools.

He said this while speaking after participating in the DIDAC India 2023, the 13th edition of Asia's largest and India's only Exhibition and Conference for Education and Skilling Resources organised by the India Didactics Association (IDA), kicked off at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC).

Bangarappa said there should not be any distinction between private, aided and government schools.

"There should be the same atmosphere in all schools. The children should love to come to government schools. We have set a target to create this and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar are giving thrust to education. Imparting education among children is our duty. It is not for the children to ask for equality of education, it should be ensured from our end," he stated.

"We have a goal of ensuring education accessibility to all and there should be equality in education. The school is not all about studying. A child has to be developed as an asset not like making commercial assets. The educational foundation helps economic growth. This programme helps in the exchange of ideas of various countries and it helps to bring equality in education," he stated.

Bangarappa further said: "There are hundreds of problems. The time is needed to solve them. All problems have accumulated for years. Everything will be sorted out. I have set a target that in two to three years I must bring equality in education."

Aditya Gupta, CEO, of the India Didactics Association, said: "DIDAC India 2023 brings together visionaries, educators, policymakers, and industry leaders under one roof to explore and discuss the latest trends, breakthroughs, and advancements in education and skill developments. As the largest in Asia and the only one in India, this event is a testament to our commitment to advancing education and skilling on a global scale."
New Delhi, Oct 18 : The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, has recommended the appointment of two advocates as judges of the Gauhati High Court.

The recommendation for appointment of advocates N Unni Krishnan Nair and Kaushik Goswami as judges was made on May 29 this year by the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues.

"We have duly taken note of the views received from the constitutional authorities (Chief Minister and Governor) of the States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland," said SC Collegium.

"For the purpose of assessing the merit and suitability of the above 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 complaints received against some of the candidates," it added.

The SC Collegium said that it has consulted "colleagues" conversant with the affairs of the Gauhati High Court to ascertain the fitness and suitability of these advocates for elevation. In relation to advocate Krishnan Nair, all the four consultee-judges gave a positive opinion unanimously and noted that the candidate has extensive practice which is reflected in his substantially high professional income and a large number of reported judgments delivered in cases in which he appeared or argued.

Further, the Collegium brushed aside an adverse observation made by the Department of Justice in the file saying that the same should not come in the way of the recommendation of a candidate, particularly when the government in its assessment has fairly put on record a report that nothing adverse has come to notice against his integrity.

All the four consultee-Judges have unanimously given positive opinion on suitability of advocate Goswami and noted that inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that his professional competence is viewed to be good and nothing adverse has come to notice against his integrity.

"The Collegium resolves to recommend that S/Shri (i) N Unni Krishnan Nair, and (ii) Kaushik Goswami, Advocates, be appointed as Judges of the Gauhati High Court. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice," read the statement uploaded on the website of the apex court late on Tuesday.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted search operations at five different locations in Bengaluru in connection with a bank fraud case involving Opto Circuits India Ltd and associated individuals.

These actions were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

According to officials, the ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by the CBI under various sections of IPC, against Opto Circuits India Ltd and its promoters/directors for misappropriation and diversion of loan from a consortium of eight banks which has outstanding liabilities to the tune of Rs. 883.03 crore.

The investigation conducted by the financial probe agency revealed that the promoters and directors of Opto Circuits India Ltd engaged in the forgery and manipulation of the company's financial records to secure loans from banks.

"Subsequently, these loan funds were redirected into investments within India and abroad through subsidiary companies," the ED said in a statement on Tuesday.

Furthermore, the directors and promoters of Opto Circuits India Ltd manipulated the company's financial statements by inflating the balance sheet with substantial trade receivables, which lacked the necessary creditworthiness of the buyers to support them. "This scheme enabled Opto Circuits India Ltd to siphon and divert bank loan facilities, resulting in significant financial losses for the banks," it said.

"In the course of the search operations, incriminating documents related to the acquisition of both movable and immovable assets, fund diversions to foreign-based subsidiaries, as well as records and foreign currency/financial instruments were discovered and confiscated," it added.
New Delhi, Oct 18 : The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, has recommended the appointment of five advocates as judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The recommendation for appointment of advocates Harmeet Singh Grewal, Deepinder Singh Nalwa, Sumeet Goel, Sudeepti Sharma, and Kirti Singh as judges was made on April 21 this year by the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues.

"The Chief Ministers and the Governors for the States of Punjab and Haryana have concurred with the recommendation," said SC Collegium.

"For the purpose of assessing the merit and suitability of the above candidates for elevation to the High Court, we have scrutinised and evaluated the material placed on record. We have also perused the observations made by the Department of Justice in the file as well as the complaints received against the candidates," it added.

The SC Collegium said that it has consulted colleagues conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana to ascertain the fitness and suitability of these advocates for elevation. Two of the three consultee-Judges have unanimously given a positive opinion on the suitability of advocates Grewal and Goel while other consultee-Judge did not offer any opinion.

The Collegium brushed aside inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file that financial integrity of advocate Nalwa is not considered above board. "These inputs are vague and the Government in this regard has fairly stated that there is nothing on record to substantiate these adverse inputs. The candidate has extensive practice which is reflected in a substantial number of reported judgments delivered in the cases in which he appeared/argued," read the statement uploaded on the website of the apex court late on Tuesday.

In relation to advocates Sharma and Kirti Singh, the Collegium noted that inputs provided by the Department of Justice in their file indicate that they enjoys a good personal image and nothing adverse as to their integrity has come to notice.

The statement said: aThe Collegium resolves to recommend that S/Shri (i) Harmeet Singh Grewal, (ii) Deepinder Singh Nalwa, (iii) Sumeet Goel, (iv) Ms Sudeepti Sharma, and (v) Ms Kirti Singh, Advocates, be appointed as Judges of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice."
New Delhi, Oct 18 : The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, has recommended the appointment of two advocates as judges of the Uttarakhand High Court.

The recommendation for appointment of advocates Siddhartha Sah and Alok Mahra as judges was made on July 12 this year by the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues.

"We have considered the views of the Chief Minister and the Governor for the State of Uttarakhand on the above recommendation," said SC Collegium.

"For the purpose of assessing the merit and suitability of the above 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," it added.

The SC Collegium said that it has consulted colleagues conversant with the affairs of the Uttarakhand High Court to ascertain the fitness and suitability of these advocates for elevation.

It noted that sole consultee-colleague opined that advocate Sah has a wide range of work and good practice at the Bar and enjoys good standing inside as well as outside the Bar. "The observation made by the Government should not come in the way of the recommendation particularly when the inputs placed in the file indicate that nothing adverse has come to notice against his integrity," it added.

The inputs placed by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that advocate Alok Mahra enjoys a good personal and professional image and that nothing adverse has come to notice against his integrity and he has extensive practice at the Bar which is reflected in his professional income and the large number of cases in which he appeared or argued.

"The Collegium resolves to recommend that S/Shri (i) Siddhartha Sah, and (ii) Alok Mahra, Advocates, be appointed as Judges of the High Court of Uttarakhand. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice," read the statement uploaded on the website of the apex court late on Tuesday.
Chennai, Oct 18 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder, S. Ramadoss, has demanded a financial compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased in the two separate firecracker accidents at Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu.

The PMK leader in a statement said, "The reason for these incidents is the lack of full implementation of safety rules. The Tamil Nadu government must provide a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased."

The Tamil Maanila Congress leader and former Union Minister, G.K. Vasan in a statementdemanded the state government to provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased.

He added in a statement that 15 persons from Krishnagiri district, four from Ariyalur district and 11 from Keezhapur died in firecracker accidents in the past one month.

Vasan in the statement said, "Fireworks factories must ensure that all safety rules and regulations are followed. The workers should be trained and experienced in that environment. The government must do an audit of registered and non-registered fireworks factories to regulate and monitor them by appointing officials in every district. A minimum of Rs 10 lakh should be given as compensation to the families of the deceased."

Tamil Nadu Congress Legislature party leader, Selvaperunthagai, called upon the district administration to do a safety audit of all the fireworks factories and storage facilities immediately as Diwali was fast approaching.

He urged the state government to take steps to prevent such incidents and to provide the best medical treatment to those injured.
Bengaluru : Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and other leaders participate in an event organised to mark the International Day of Democracy. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Oct 18 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that everyone living in the state should also learn to speak Kannada.

He made the remark while speaking after unveiling the emblem of 'Karnataka Sambhrama-50' to mark the golden jubilee of renaming the Mysore State as Karnataka at the Vidhana Soudha's banquet hall here.

"We are all Kannadigas, people speaking different languages have settled in Kannada land, since the unification of Karnataka. Everyone living in Karnataka should also learn to speak Kannada. In the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, it is impossible to exist without learning the local language. But you can live in Karnataka even if you don't speak Kannada. That is the difference between our state and other neighbouring states," he said.

"Even after 68 years of Karnataka's unification, it is not appropriate that the Kannada atmosphere could not be created in the state. Instead of Kannadigas teaching our language to others, we are learning their language first," said the Chief Minister, adding that this attitude of Kannadigas is "not good from the point of view of language development and the development of the state, language and culture".

"In some parts of the state, the diaspora does not speak Kannada at all. Kannadigas are not without self-respect. But this is happening because of their generosity," he said.

"The craze for English has also increased amongst us. Many of my ministers and especially officers write notes in English only. English can be used while writing to the Central government and other states, but otherwise, it should be done in Kannada. Although Kannada has been the official language for many years, negligence may have been the main reason behind the non-implementation of Kannada in administration," Siddaramaiah noted.

Beginning from November 1, 2023, 'Karnataka Sambrama' will be celebrated for one year and this will help in creating awareness of Kannada language among the people, he said.

"Renaming Karnataka completes its 50th year on November 1, 2023. Actually, it should have been celebrated last year itself. But the previous government did not celebrate. As it was an important event in the history of Karnataka, we decided to include and celebrate the event," Siddaramaiah added.

Appreciating the design of the emblem, the Chief Minister congratulated Raviraj G. Hulaguru who designed it.
K'taka BJP chief warns DKS to 'get ready to go to Tihar jail again'. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Oct 18 : Karnataka unit BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel has warned Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to get ready to go to the Tihar Jail for the second time, claiming the Congress leader was involved in corrupt acts.

Responding to this, the Congress has asked the BJP and JD-S to get Shivakumar killed instead of torturing him.

On Tuesday, in Mangaluru, Kateel said: "The Treasury money of the government had reached Deputy CM Shivakumar and CM Siddaramaiah's houses. This loot government which emptied the government treasury should go. Shivakumar, you went to the Tihar jail once. Get ready to go to Tihar Jail for the second time!"

"The Congress-led government is completely engaged in corruption and bribery. The media was stating that the money seized during the I-T raids in Karnataka belongs to Shivakumar. Karnataka state had become ATM for assembly elections of five states. The money is pumped to the Congress high command from the state," Kateel charged.

He further said: "Just as rates are fixed for meals in hotels, similarly, rates are fixed in government offices. The Siddaramaiah government is practising 80 per cent commission."

The BJP conducted a state-wide protest condemning the seizure of money during the IT raids and alleging that the money is being collected to be sent to the assembly elections in five states.

The BJP workers raised the slogans of "Siddaramaiah, the loot man" and "Shivakumar, the corrupt Deputy CM".

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters here, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson M. Laxman maintained that the family of Shivakumar and his brother -- Congress MP D.K. Suresh, is tortured every day.

"Instead of this mental torture, let them get him shot and killed," Laxman stated pointing fingers at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S).
Bhubaneswar, Oct 18 : Two brothers drowned to death on Tuesday in a river while in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district, the police said.

The deceased have been identified as Subha Ranjan Pal, 32, and Swadesh Pal, 22 -- residents of Baredia village.

"The deceased cousin brothers had gone to the river bank along with other relatives to attend the 10th day post-death ritual of their cousin sibling, Sarat Chandra Pal, a Border Security Force jawan who had died in a tragic road mishap at Niali in Cuttack a few days ago.

"The younger cousin Swadesh got stuck in quicksand after jumping into the water. Meanwhile, Subha Ranjan also drowned when trying to save Swadesh," a police source said.

The police along with fire service personnel later reached the spot and fished out both the victims. They were rushed to a hospital at Adaspur area in Cuttack district where the doctors declared them 'brought dead'.
London, Oct 18 : Hundreds of people were killed in an Israeli strike at a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday, reports said.

The number of people killed has reached 500, following the alleged air strike on the Al Ahli Arab hospital, according to the Gaza Health Ministry spokesman, the BBC reported.

It quoted an Israeli Army spokesperson saying the cause of the incident is not known and the army is looking into the details.

The hospital is funded by the Anglican Church, and Richard Sewell, Dean of St Georgeas College a" one of the church's top figures in Jerusalem a" said that it took "a direct hit from an Israeli missile", the BBC said.

Sewell, in a post on X, said early reports suggest hundreds of women and children have been killed, and calls the act the "deliberate killing of vulnerable civilians".

"The bombs must stop now. There can be no possible justification for this."

British-Palestinian surgeon Professor Ghassan Abu Sittah, who was working there when the strike occurred, told the BBC that parts of the hospital were on fire.

"I donat know whether that is the emergency department. But it's certainly the operating suite, part of the roof has fallen. There is glass everywhere," he said, adding that there were lots of people taking refuge at the hospital.

The BBC also quoted an unnamed doctor at the hospital that there was total devastation at the scene of the attack - where some 4,000 displaced persons were seeking refuge.

He added that 80 per cent of the hospital was out of service, and that hundreds of people were killed or injured in the blast.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared three days of mourning following the air strike on Gaza's Al Ahli hospital, Palestinian state media reported.

He has also reportedly cancelled his meeting with US President Joe Biden in Jordan on Wednesday.

Protests have broken out in Ramallah in the West Bank.

World Health Organisation Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he "strongly condemns" the attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital, adding early reports indicate hundreds of deaths and injuries.

"We call for the immediate protection of civilians and health care, and for the evacuation orders to be reversed. #NotATarget," he posted on X.

Earlier, the UN said a school in central Gaza where 4,000 people are sheltering was also hit, killing at least six people
Suabi Airport, Suabi, Papua New Guinea [ SBE / ]

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Suabi Airport IATA Code: SBE Suabi Airport ICAO Code: Latitude : -6.08333 Longitude : 142.3 City : Suabi Country : Papua New Guinea World Area Code : 804 Airport Type : Small Timezone : Pacific/Port_Moresby Suabi Airport Timezone : GMT +10:00 hours Current time and date at Suabi Airport is 01:15:42 AM (+10) on Saturday, Nov 4, 2023

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Suabi Airport Map - Location of Suabi Airport Load Map Papua New Guinea - General Information Country Formal Name Independent State of Papua New Guinea Country Code PG Capital Port Moresby Currency Kina (PGK)

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Dhonielle Clayton is the author of The Belles series and Shattered Midnight, and the co-author of Blackout, The Rumor Game, and the Tiny Pretty Things duology, a Netflix original series; she is also COO of We Need Diverse Books. The Conjureverse series is her middle-grade fantasy debut, set in a magical boarding school.

Wands. Witches. Wizards. Platform 9 and . Diagon Alley. Dumbledore and Voldemort. We know this world well. In late September, even the Empire State building lit up in Ravenclaw blue, Gryffindor red, Hufflepuff yellow, and Slytherin green to celebrate 25 years of Harry Potter in the U.S. The shadow of Hogwarts looms like the eye of Sauron, eclipsing (and burning) anyone who came before and after Harry. J.K. Rowling and her world have become the ultimate measuring stick for fantasy writers in the middle grade spaceand even beyond. Reviews are often littered with comparisons. Readers make conclusions and connections between your work and hers (even *gasp* when they arent there). The media loves to anoint new, debut authors as the next J.K. Rowling to position their work in the market and try to siphon some of her publicity magic. Shorthands develop to sell the book using hers as the benchmarkif you like Harry Potter, then youll love this bookoften reinforcing the parallels.

Ive tried hard to not mention her books and her world. I want to be able to speak about The Marvellers and The Memory Thieves, the first two books in my new series about a global magic school in the sky, the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors, without having to be interrogated about her work at every turn. I want to discuss all that my magical universe has to offerthe future of magic school where every kid gets an invitation. But Harry, Hogwarts, and Rowling always seem to find me no matter what I do or dont do. Every time I talk about my own books and the Conjureverse, nice, well-meaning people ask me if I wrote this series to be in conversation with her or as some sort of Potterhead nod to her work or as some sort of love letter. The not-so-nice people believe Im ripping her off or trying to make a woke Hogwarts or worse... that Im challenging her legacy and stealing her ideas. It is difficult to make peace with my work being swallowed by the black hole of Hogwarts. All of these challenges would be enough to grapple with, but the authors recent commitment to transphobia and harm adds a new dimension.

Nothing is original, however, J.K. Rowlings fandom believes that the series is the first of its kind. The Hogwarts delusion is so strong many have forgotten several Hogwarts predecessors like Jill Murphys Worst Witch from 1974, set at Miss Cackles Academy for Witches; Jane Yolens Wizards Hall from 1991; Eva Ibbotsons The Secret of Platform Thirteen from 1994; and more. These are the magic school books I encountered as a young reader. These are the magic schools that lived in my imagination. These are the worlds I was searching for myself in and not finding what I was looking for.

I was in the ninth grade when Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone hit the shelves. Too mired in the high school shenanigans, college prep assignments, and heavy reading lists from my Catholic school teachers, I went from a middle schooler reading four to five books a week to a high school student barely able to read for pleasure (another article for another time). I didnt encounter the Harry Potter series until I was in the midst of my masters in childrens literature program at Hollins University. I studied school stories and their significance as a perennial evergreen in the canon of childrens books. I loved her world as an addition to this burgeoning sub-genre of magic school stories. I, too, as a product of colonization and Anglophilia, fell in love with the cozy Britishness of Rowlings magical universe. Id been primed to love it having gone through the American school system and its obsession with British history, literature, and culture. However, during my deep dive into the canon as a scholar, I identified how there were so many children missing from the pages of beloved classicsand within the Harry Potter universeand found an opportunity to set a new table for readers, to invite more into the wonderful genre of fantasy.

I started building the world of the Conjureverse in 2016 (when J.K. Rowling was still very much an uncontroversial creator) while sitting in my school library in East Harlem, New York. One of my fifth-grade students asked me a tough and heartbreaking question: Would a magic school invitation find me in New York City or when I visit my grandparents in Accra? As a librarian, Id scoured publishing catalogs for childrens books that starred BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ kids as main characters and in worlds where their families and communities would be centered, but Id found slim options in the fantasy space, especially ones written by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors. The industry was in the midst of a slow upheaval with the rallying cry of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books. Wed yet to see publishing lists reflect a diversity of characters and worlds, and the fantasy genre lagged behind contemporary and realist fiction.

I told a few editor and librarian friends that I was writing a magic school series and hoping to sell it. I was met with discouragement, skepticism, and concern for me. I was told not to write this story. I was told writing a magic school book would put me in the Potterhead crosshairs. I was told publishers would find it too challenging to publish a magic school book successfully in the Wizarding World era. The not-so-subtle subtext: Everyone wants an invitation to Hogwarts so its a fools errand and too expensive to try to create a new magic school and get people to read it.

But I was too stubborn to listen. Despite warnings that readers didnt want a new magic school, I built the Conjureverse series in order to establish the future of magic school and introduce a cast of characters for a new generation. It went out on submission to 21 editors. All rejected but two (big shouts to Stephanie Stein and Tiffany Liao), with many of the others citing the inability to position a new magic school series in the era of Harry Potter.

Some of the skeptics were correct. It has been hard. Ive had to work double time to differentiate from bad faith comparisons and backlash from the fandom to navigating an onslaught of social media comments. The swarming of my photos to nasty direct messages to rude letters to my P.O. Box, all claiming I can never be J.K. Rowling or have a fraction of her success. As a Black American woman, my entire life is defined as an interaction with whiteness, and this is no different.

Like our hero, Ella Durand, an 11-year-old deeply rooted in her Black American culture and New Orleans community, drawing magic and strength from those wells, shes thrust into a new environment. Her identity (and mettle) are tested by a space that doesnt want her there. Shes a Conjuror with big dreams to represent her community at the Arcanum Training Institute. However, in the novel, those two supernatural communities have been at odds for years. Marvellers believe Conjurors have otherworldly talents that are just too strange and too different to be full members of their community and live in their flying cities or attend their prestigious institute.

The universe of The Marvellers and The Memory Thieves is built from various communities and our hero, Ella Durand, is a bridge between worlds and is meant to be a disruption of the status quomuch like the series is meant to be in the all-white world of childrens fantasy. I want this series to talk about what the future of magic could look like when all kids are accounted for, and theres a place for them to be centered and feel included. What does a global magic school look like where all of the kids of the world come? How does it help all readers reinvent their idea of a hero? How can inclusive worlds create more readers?

As the childrens publishing community grapples with how to talk about the Harry Potter world and its creatorif at allthe shift feels slow and difficult. For 25 years, the mention of the boy in the cupboard used to be met with bubbling excitement and nostalgia for a series that undoubtedly changed the landscape of childrens books. Harry has had a gargantuan cultural impact and Rowling has built the imaginations of so many children who have grown up fondly loving the world she created. And now, at times when her work or elements of her world surface, its now met with squirms by some, many tiptoeing around Rowlings virulent transphobia and the discomfort in determining how to engage with a juggernaut franchise that is now known to be helmed by a bigot. Yet her place in the market continues to be fiercely protected by her brand partnerships, and her fandom ensures that the boy wizard never loses steam in part by harassing anyone else in its shadow.

I didnt set out to write the next Harry Potter. No one can. The series exists because of its place in time and the history of imperial, colonial Britain. Theres no way to compete with the extraordinary circumstances that created this phenomenon and continue to feed its domination in the childrens book marketplace. Instead, I wanted to rectify a pattern: one where magic school invitations to BIPOC, BAME, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, disabled kids, etc., seemed to get lost in the mail; those children left perpetually waiting in the margins, ready for adventure, but sidelined. For a long time, no one cared. Authors writing manuscripts about them got buried in the slush and the rejection pile, but now the industry has an opportunity to highlight, center, and lift new heroes and new worlds. But do they have the courage to sunset Harry and introduce the next generation of readers into new magic schools?

Hogwarts will always be readily available to readers because of its enduring influence and dominance in popular culture, but I hope that we can endeavor to disrupt the shadow and help the next generation of readers also be on the lookout for an invite to the Peerless Academy or earn a nomination to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs or spend Saturdays at Park Row Magical Academy or find themselves in Ravenskill during the Black Moon Ceremony or end up at the Academy of the Sun or on Conjure Island and learn to charm at Les Belles Demoiselles and keep their eyes on the clouds for a hopeful sighting of the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors and beyond.
Scholastic has responded to accusations of censorship at its book fairs stemming from the creation of a new diverse stories offering, called "Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice," which librarians and school officials hosting fairs must decide whether to offer or not.

In a statement late last week, Scholastic said that it created the collection for U.S. elementary school book fairs as a way to continue providing diverse books, as a number of states and localities pursue legislation or other policies around content selection that could put librarians and school officials in jeopardy.

There is now enacted or pending legislation in more than 30 U.S. states prohibiting certain kinds of books from being in schoolsmostly LGBTQIA+ titles and books that engage with the presence of racism in our country," the company said late last week. "Because Scholastic Book Fairs are invited into schools, where books can be purchased by kids on their own, these laws create an almost impossible dilemma: back away from these titles or risk making teachers, librarians, and volunteers vulnerable to being fired, sued, or prosecuted.

Critics, however, have pointed out that many of the books in the Share Every Story collection are not controversial. Furthermore, it is unclear what, if any penalties, librarians or school officials might face for marketing titles with diverse representation in a book fair setting.

Scholastic Book Fairs reach 35 million children annually in all 50 states and internationally. The complete Share Every Story list is not visible to unregistered website visitors, but it is available in Scholastics showcase listing, distributed to elementary fair planners.

Caution or Censorship?

The controversy first erupted on social media in September, when educators began raising concerns that the company was requiring school fairs to opt into or out of the Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice case, which focuses on diverse content, characters, and creators. The option to include or exclude the offering gives local fair organizers the option to effectively eliminate a wide swath of titles foregrounding the representation of BIPOC, LGBTQ, disabled, and other identities.

At media site the Mary Sue, Rachel Ulatowski reported that several librarianswere explicitly asked if they wanted a case with diverse books and that Scholastic does not list the titles in book fair catalogs sent to parents, even when the school requests the case. Independent journalist Judd Legum dubbed the option Scholastics bigot button  in a blog post about the situation, and news outlets including the New York Times and CBS News have since picked up the story.

Among the 64 books in the Share Every Story case are the picture books Change Sings by poet Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loren Long, Red: A Crayons Story by Michael Hall, and disability-positive titles You Are Enough and You Are Loved, by Margaret OHair and Sonia Sanchez, illustrated by Sofia Cardoso. Graphic novels in the set include Booked by Kwame Alexander, Freestyle by Gale Galligan, The Tryout by Christine Soontornvat, and Parachute Kids by Betty Tang.

The collection also includes the memoir I Am Ruby Bridges by civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith; the biographies Justice Ketanji by Denise Lewis Patrick, illustrated by Kim Holt, and Because of You, John Lewis by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown; and Vietnamese American author Thanhha Lais novel in verse When Clouds Touch Us. Colin Kaepernicks I Color Myself Different is in the case, alongside Susan Tans Pets Rule! series books and Brandon Hobsons middle grade novel about a Cherokee boy, The Storyteller.

Scholastic officials say it is a misconception" that the company was "putting all diverse titles" into one "optional" case. "This is not true, in any school, in any location we serve," the company said, insisting that there is "a wide range of diverse titles throughout every book fair, for every age level.

Anne Sparkman, Scholastic senior v-p of corporate communications, confirmed that "this collection and approach began for this school year, telling PW in an email that the company created the Share Every Story collection with titles "we support even as they are the most likely to be restricted.

Sparkman noted that "LGBTQIA+ and racism" are the "most legislated themes in the states with enacted or pending laws aiming to restrict childrens access to reading material. She argued that the Share Every Story case could in fact increase the diversity available at a fair, carving out additional space at a fair for even more diverse titles, including books that may not be targeted by new laws and policies. She added that Scholastic has also reintroduced" diverse backlist titles to extend the typical length of time a title is available at a fair, potentially extending a books reach.

Among those backlist titles are Mommys Khimar, a 2018 picture book about a Muslim girl by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Ebony Glenn, and Nuestra America by Sabrina Vourvoulias, a 2020 anthology from the Smithsonian Latino Center that profiles 30 influential Latinx people.

Critics, however, contend that Scholastic is making discoverability more difficult for young people and enabling censorship.

On X (formerly Twitter), Brown Girl Dreaming author Jacqueline Woodson opened a thread:

So @Scholastic has a No Diversity Option and Librarians have to Opt In to get diverse books now. Talk to me, folks. Other Options for Book Fairs? Happy to retweet.  Jacqueline Woodson (@JackieWoodson) October 13, 2023

Maureen Johnson, YA author of Nine Liars, posted:

When you start removing content that book banners want removed so you don't have legal trouble, you are quite literally doing their work for them. You are holding the door open and inviting them in. https://t.co/n8XIm4iL3f  Maureen Johnson (@maureenjohnson) October 15, 2023

Meanwhile, in a statement, PEN America urged Scholastic to explore "other solutions" to help local librarians and school officials cope with the pressures of "nefarious" new laws and local pressures.

"To be clear, it is essential to lay blame on the legislators and activists who are putting Scholastic and other publishers in an impossible bind when it comes to the distribution of a diverse range of books," the PEN statement reads, noting that the "climate of fear" taking hold in schools and libraries. But "sequestering books on these topics risks depriving students and families of books that speak to them. It will deny the opportunity for all students to encounter diverse stories that increase empathy, understanding, and reflect the range of human experiences and identities which are essential underpinnings of a pluralistic, democratic society. "
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Tattered Cover Book Store, one of the countrys largest and best-known independent bookstores, filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 Subchapter V in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado yesterday. According to the Denver Post, documents filed in the bankruptcy court show Tattered Cover was more than $660,000 in the red between January and September. The business owes more than $1 million to publishers, as well as more than $375,000 to Colorado's Office of the State Auditor for abandoned gift cards.

The Subchapter V portion of Chapter 11 was enacted by Congress in 2020 to provide a streamlined process for small companies to reorganize. If the financing is approved, Tattered Cover will have access of up to $1 million in debtor-in-possession financing, provided by a new company formed by current company board members and investors that include Leslie Rainbolt and Margie Gart. The new funding, the announcement said, will be used to obtain much-needed additional inventory in time for the critical 2023 holiday consumer buying season, fulfill customer orders, upgrade technology, and to maintain operations and staff compensation during the restructuring process.

Various companies that supply books to Tattered Cover said that they will need to time to get a better understanding of the store's new financing before deciding on how to continue to work with the store in the future. The store has been on credit hold with a number of publishers.

The current owners, Bended Page LLC, acquired Tattered Cover in 2020 and, after an initial period of expansion, found business slowing, due in part to the pandemic. The bookstore also endured some management changes when Kwame Spearman, one of the lead investors who was named CEO, stepped down from that position in April after deciding to run for mayor of Denver. He subsequently withdrew from that race, and is now running for the Denver school board.

In July, Brad Dempsey, a lawyer specializing in finance and business restructuring, was named interim CEO. Our objective is to put Tattered Cover on a smaller, more modern and financially sustainable platform that will ensure our ability to serve Colorado readers for many more decades, Dempsey said in a statement. Restructuring for long-term viability requires managers to make very difficult business decisions that affect people and business partners, and we intend to do what we can to minimize these impacts.

Dempsey was referring to a host of changes that are in the process of being implemented. Among them are closing three of its seven stores: the locations in Denvers McGregor Square, Westminster, and Colorado Springs. Those stores are expected to be closed by early November, at which time inventory and technology from the three will be transferred to the stores four other locations.

The store closures will result in cutting at least 27 staff positions out of Tattered Covers current 103 positions, though the company said that some employees may fill temporary seasonal positions at the remaining stores during the holiday season. Tattered Covers Denver International Airport locations will continue operating, as part of a licensing agreement with Hudson Bookstores.

In addition to Dempsey, the companys restructuring will be led by its senior management team: CFO Margie Keenan, newly named COO Jeremy Patlen (formerly v-p of buying), and Alexis Miles, v-p of human resources.

The company said that all customer gift cards will be honored, and orders will continue to be fulfilled, while all loyalty programs will also continue as usual. Events currently scheduled for this October and November at closing locations will be rescheduled, if possible, to take place at the stores remaining locations, with all event changes to be posted on the bookseller's website.

The original Tattered Cover was opened in 1971 by Stephen Cogil and purchased by Joyce Meskis in 1974. Meskis sold it to Len Vlahos and Kristen Gilligan in 2015, who sold it to the current owners. The store is considered among the leading independent bookstores in the country, and has a long history of being at the forefront in the fight for free speech and First Amendment rights.
The Frankfurt Book Fair held its opening press conference this morning under the shadow of a controversy that has seen numerous Arab publishing associations pull out of the fair in protest of its decision to postpone the 2023 LiBeraturpreis award ceremony honoring Berlin-based Palestinian author Adania Shibli.

Since the weekend, both Indonesia and Malaysia have also pulled out of the fair, as have several Arab, Egyptian, and Muslim speakers and authors. More than 1,100 authors and publishing personalities have now signed an open letter of protest published on Arablit.org.

At the press conference, Frankfurt Book Fair director Juergen Boos and the fairs PR team fielded several questions from the audience over the controversy, noting time and again that the situation has been misconstrued and that the fair is a forum for freedom of speech. Boos remarked that he will miss those who decided not to come and looks forward to welcoming them back at future shows.

But it was Karin Schmidt-Friderichs, chairwoman of the Borsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German Publishers & Booksellers Association), who took the lead on addressing the issue at the conference. "We are deeply shocked by the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. We vehemently condemn this violence," she said in her opening remarks. "Our sympathy goes to all the victims of the violence in Israel and Palestine. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, violating international law, has been raging on the edge of Europe now for a year and a half. Looking at Germany, we are concerned by the increase in popularity of extreme positions in society and the political party landscape. Debates are heating up; words are triggering waves of agitation. All around us, populism and nationalism are gaining ground at an alarming rate.

Still, the fair would like to remind the world that the controversy over its decision to stand with complete solidarity on the side of Israel is not the only thing happening in Frankfurt this week. Frankfurt hopes to put the focus back on its 75th anniversary, which is happening under the motto And the story goes on. Schmidt-Friederichs noted that the reopening of the fair in 1949 was a sign of return to normalcy after World War II and the end of the Nazi regime. At that time, the fair quickly transformed from a local event to a hub of the international book business, with 20% of the attendees and vendors coming from outside Germany in only its second year.

Reflecting on the book business today, Schmidt-Friederichs rang a note of caution. "While revenue from book sales is up 4% for the first nine months of the year [in Germany], the overall volume of books sold is down 1.1%, and down as much as 7% from pre-pandemic levels." She emphasized that the entire book ecosystem, including writers, publishers, booksellers, and distributors, is vulnerable. The pandemic years of store closures and canceled trade fairs, as well as the explosion in raw material and energy costs, are threatening the economic existence of small, independent publishing houses in particular, she said. These publishers play a decisive role in shaping the diversity of the book market by offering titles outside the mainstream and discovering new titles and writers.

Both Schmidt-Friderichs and Boos also warned that new AI technologies threaten the integrity of copyrightsomething that makes the rights trade at Frankfurt, which reinforces and emphasizes respect for copyright, all the more important. They also touched on how publishing is, inevitably, a political, not merely a cultural or commercial act.

Reading is the basis of a resilient democracy, Schmidt-Friderichs said, adding that those who dont read have a weakened immune system when exposed to populist pathogens. Boos noted that books are a slow medium, with numerous quality checks, arguing that this makes them an antidote to fake news.

In an effort to help create the next generation of book consumers, Germany has recently implemented a cultural voucher program awarding all 18-year-olds with 200 to spend on cultural content or products, including books and tickets to the Frankfurt Book Fair. More than 50% of the vouchers have been spent on books, Schmidt-Friderichs said.

The keynote talk at the opening press conference was given by U.K. environmentalist and author Gaia Vince, author of Nomad Century (Flatiron), who discussed how climate change will become a catalyst for further nomadic immigration among populations. She noted that many people will be forced to move from untenable environments in the south to cooler climates in the north. Migration can feel like an anomaly, but it is not, Vince said.

Furthermore, she added, it is an opportunity, as migration is the means through which culture and knowledge travel. She cited the book fair as an example of how complete strangers come together to create something special and unique. Frankfurt is a great fusion of human brilliance, she said, and a true global community.

This years guest of honor nation is Slovenia, which opened its pavilion just after todays press conference. The theme for their program is Honeycomb of Words.

This dovetails with Vinces talk insofar as it describes both a self-contained society that is fed by ideas picked up on ones travelsmuch in the same way a bee flies a long distance to ultimately return home to the hive with pollen or nectar. The pavilion is decorated with clouds made of lace, seating areas made of recyclable foam, bookshelves designed to reflect the Slovenian woodlands, and several presentation areas, where there is a heavy emphasis on discussion of AI and translation, in addition to Slovenian literary history.

Tonights opening ceremony will feature two writers from Slovenia: poet Miljana Cunta and philosopher Slavoj Zizek.


People running illegal streaming services at many UK addresses have been personally handed cease-and-desist notices, with the threat of prosecution if these are ignored. The clamp down was led by Sky and FACT, with support from regional police services. People running illegal streaming services at many UK addresses have been personally handed cease-and-desist notices, with the threat of prosecution if these are ignored. The clamp down was led by Sky and FACT, with support from regional police services.



In total, 47 legal notices were issued over a three-week period, leading to the majority of the illegal services being taken down, and advertising removed.



FACT is a leading UK intellectual property protection organisation protecting brands and businesses against fraud and IP crime and helping consumers to stay safe online. The stop notices instruct those running the services to immediately end their illegal streaming activity. Some addresses were visited in person, with others receiving the notice by post and email.



FACT and Sky identified several operators who have been providing illegal access to premium TV and movies including from Sky. This action follows several recent initiatives designed to tackle illegal streaming, including the granting of a new blocking order to Sky and significant enforcement action across Ireland.



The use of cease-and-desist measures has proven to be a highly effective means of disruption, FACT and Sky have observed.



Kieron Sharp, CEO at FACT comments: Illegal IPTV service providers are breaking the law and putting consumers at real risk of malware, data compromise and identity theft. Consumers who pay for pirate services should also know that they are often funding serious organised crime groups".



Matt Hibbert, Director of Anti-Piracy UK and ROI, at Sky said, We understand the power of working with our partners to tackle the issue of illegal streaming, and were grateful to FACT and law enforcement for their support.

A new consumer campaign, BeStreamWise.com has also launched across the UK and Ireland. The campaign was formed in partnership with key bodies across the sports, film and TV industry and is designed to help viewers understand the personal risks of streaming illegally and to identify safer options to enjoy content.


Eight broadcasters have launched the largest ever co-production and distribution collaboration in Europe covering premium drama, with ZDF, NPO, VRT, SVT, DR, YLE, NRK and RUV onboard. Called New8, the group will create eight TV series a year, starting now. Eight broadcasters have launched the largest ever co-production and distribution collaboration in Europe covering premium drama, with ZDF, NPO, VRT, SVT, DR, YLE, NRK and RUV onboard. Called New8, the group will create eight TV series a year, starting now.



New8 is a unique achievement for European public service broadcasters and their audiences, declared Hans-Jrgen Osnes, Head of International Financing Drama at NRK when the initiative was announced last week (at MIA  Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo 2023). Elly Vervloet, International Drama Expert at VRT, said: By exchanging content that is built on the partners public service ambitions, we can strengthen our offer to our local audiences and create a bigger impact in the international media sector.



Frederieke Leeflang, Chair of the Board at NPO, says: At a time when there is increasing competition for the eyes and ears of European viewers, this is a logical step as public broadcasters, especially when it comes to efficient use of public money. We are convinced the quality of European fiction will benefit from the exchange of knowledge and experience between all these partners.



The eight broadcasters have entered into an agreement that will initially last for three years. The first series will be greenlit this year, ready for distribution in 2024. The content will be made available across multiple European territories, largely reflecting the home markets of the broadcasters involved.



The broadcasters and territories covered, in more detail, are: ZDF (Germany), NPO (The Netherlands), VRT (Belgium), SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RUV (Iceland), and NRK (Norway). The content will also appear in Austria and Switzerland.



Simone Emmelius, SVP International Fiction at ZDF, declares: New8 will strengthen the public service broadcasters throughout Europe and give their audiences a unique access to bold, modern and innovative high-end drama from all the partners. With ZDF on board, New8 gains one of the most experienced international co-production partners for its network. Hopefully New8 will also unite the audience and strengthen bonds between Europeans.



New8 is based on an existing trust-based Nordic collaboration. For years, the Nordic public service broadcasters have exchanged their best dramas. Each broadcaster decides which of their series is the best and therefore which should be distributed by their Nordic neighbours, a spokesperson for the group explained. Examples given from the Nordic collaboration include Exit and The Thin Blue Line  both of which have achieved large audiences outside that region.



The Nordic public-service companies have a long history of successful collaborations and in these turbulent times we want to take this way of working to the next level, explains Anna Croneman, Head of Drama at SVT. We are incredibly happy to join forces with such powerful partners as ZDF, VRT and NPO to be able to offer our audience even more high-end drama.



Henriette Marienlund, Head of fiction at DR, adds: We wish to strengthen the Nordic and European collaboration on creating, distributing and financing quality series. We have succeeded in creating a local position in a market dominated by international streaming services.



Photos: The launch of New8 during MIA in Rome with Hans-Jrgen Osnes (NRK), Elly Vervloet (VRT), Dr. Simone Emmelius (ZDF), Anna Cronemann (SVT), and host Jon Ola Sand. Photo courtesy of MIA.
Its been five years since American Whiskey was slapped with a 25% retaliatory tariff from the EU, making it collateral damage in an unrelated Trump-era trade dispute. This caused a sudden and dramatic decline in U.S. Whiskey exports to Europe, which had been powering the industrys remarkable growth over the preceding yearsnot just in Tennessee and Kentucky, but in 28 states across the country.

Distillers breathed a sigh of relief two years ago when the Biden Administration negotiated a temporary suspension of the tariffs. But that suspension is now set to lapse if negotiators dont reach another agreement by the end of October. Worse, if a deal is not reached, the tariffs wont just come back at 25%theyll double to 50%.

This would be a devastating blow to craft whiskey exporters like Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, founder of Koval Distillery in Chicago. She invested years into nurturing relationships at international trade shows and hosting frequent meetings with foreign distributors to earn highly competitive space on European shelves. The original tariffs were a costly setback, but she carefully, painstakingly rebounded over the last two years thanks to the suspension.

Now, its 2018 all over againonly worse. A 50% tariff would entirely eliminate Dr. Harts profits on European sales, requiring her to make an impossible decision: either she raises prices and loses her competitive edge in Europe, or she eats the costs herself to maintain market share in hopes that eventually the tariffs will be removed. Either way, the decline in profit will force belt-tightening at home, including potentially scaling back investments and jobs.

Throughout the temporary suspension of the past two years, distillers like Dr. Hart have proven how much potential there is for growth in Europe. American whiskey exports to the EU were up 118% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

These numbers would have been far higher if the uncertainty of the tariffs wasnt holding so many other distillers back.

One of them is Tom Lix, founder and CEO of Cleveland Whiskey. Prior to the tariffs, exports to Europe accounted for 15% of Toms business. After the tariffs, that dropped almost to zero. When the Biden administration negotiated the suspension two years ago, Tom was thankful but also acutely aware that it was only a temporary reprieve. Until there is some certainty related to the tariffs, he does not plan to go back to the EU market.

Imagine if distillers like Tom had never been forced onto the sidelines in the EU, the top export market for U.S. spirits. Think how much their revenue would have grown by now.

These gains are still there for the taking, but that might not be true forever. These tariffs could eventually do irreparable damage to the success of Bourbon and other American Whiskeys abroad. European consumers taste for our whiskeys can only be expected to withstand so many price shocks and supply setbacks before it begins to redirect toward Scotch, Japanese Whiskey, or spirits from other regions. And as Europe goes, so go other export markets.

If American distillers lose out in this critical market, well feel it at home. The number of distilleries in the U.S. has gone from 35 two decades ago to 2600 today, making the spirits industry one of the shining economic success stories of recent times. But that growth would almost certainly wither without access to global markets. So, too, would the supply chain benefits.

Americas craft distillers purchase grain from local farmers, are major customers of bottling and manufacturing companies, and their tasting rooms have helped revitalize Main Streets by boosting tourism, jobs, and culture. This is a time to double down on growth industries, not saddle them with unnecessary tariffs.

U.S. distillers are urging the Biden administration to secure the permanent removal of these tariffs. The clock is ticking. Trade representatives from the U.S. and EU are set to meet during a summit in Europe on October 20th to discuss the matter, but there is no guarantee a deal will be struck in time.

In order to truly flower to its fullest potential, American Whiskey needs certainty and stability. It needs these tariffs to be removed so the industry can do what it was always meant to dospread cheer throughout the world.

Chris Swonger is President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

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INVESTMENT PROPERTYLUNA COUNTY, NEW MEXICOI own a nice 1/2 acre lot in Deming, Luna County, New Mexico with close access to Interstate 10. This land is in an excellent location near Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX. Tucson, Arizona is a 3-hour drive west on I-10. This area is right near Hatch, NM. The Hatch Chili Pepper is a staple of New Mexican cuisine. Red or green - you know if you know.TERMSI am selling the lot for $2,350. The bid amount will be added to this figure. There is no minimum, whic...

Price: $ 5 Seller State of Residence: Illinois Type: Homesite, Lot Zip/Postal Code: 88030 Zoning: Residential City: Sun Valley State/Province: New Mexico Location: 880**, Deming, New Mexico

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VACANT LOT IN TRAVARES, FLORIDALAKE COUNTY High bid wins! Cash sale! ABOUT THE PROPERTY:Parcel Number: 29-19-26-0700-000-01100 - Lot 11Lot 11, N Sinclair Ave, Travares, FL 32778 Lake County, FLSize: 50 x 138 = 6900 sq feetUtilities - Not to lotTaxes: Approx $50/yearHOA: NoneDocument Fee $299 Payment/Terms: Payment accepted via Zelle, Venmo, cashiers check, or wire transfer. We do not take Paypal, as they will no longer allow real estate transaction payments thru them. Payment must be made by ...

Price: $ 3,900 Seller State of Residence: California City: Travares State/Province: Florida Location: 305**, Cleveland, Georgia

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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 10/16/2023



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Victoria Fuller apparently got overwhelmed with emotion when celebrating her 30th birthday with boyfriend Greg Grippo Victoria recently took to Instagram to express how she was feeling about turning 30-years-old.The Bachelor alum posted a slideshow of photos featuring Greg late last week, and they included wine tasting, horses, and fireworks."I turned 30 this week & had a couple of meltdowns. But then I thought why? I truly am so grateful for everyone and everything I have in my life," Victoria captioned the images."And life happens so fast that sometimes we don't stop to see all that we have accomplished or how far we have come. Here's a reminder to do so."Victoria proceeded to thank her boyfriend, Greg, for making this past year of her life "the best year yet."The alum then gave a shout-out to her followers and continued, "Thank you guys for taking this journey with me. I can't wait to see what this next era holds!!!"Victoria added the following hashtag to her post, "Thirty, flirty, and thriving!!!!"Victoria subsequently shared her hashtag via Instagram Stories and added, "Or crying, either one."Greg, meanwhile, also uploaded photos from his special trip with Victoria to Virginia."The happiest of birthdays to the one that makes sure to crack me up every single day while simultaneously keeping me on my toes," Greg gushed of his girlfriend. "30 has never looked prettier."Victoria received a lot of support from Bachelor Nation in the comments section of her post."Babes if you're what 30 looks like, we ALL want to be 30," Genevieve Parisi wrote. Kate Gallivan commented, "30s are powerful and you're only getting hotter!"And Jill Chin admitted, "I want to be Victoria Fuller when I grow up (in 2 years)."Back in July, Victoria shot down speculation that she and Greg had split up. Fans were curious about the pair's relationship when they hadn't posted photos of each other on social media for about a month in June."Weekend Diary," Victoria captioned photos with Greg on July 31 when they were in Nashville together.A week earlier, the @deuxmoi Instagram account had posted a blind with the subject "G and V," seemingly standing for Greg and Victoria.The person anonymously wrote, "Not all roses for this reality couple. Jealousy and heated arguments were a major factor. Not sure why they're waiting so long to announce, but it's done."The gossip was then re-reported by a TikTok user, spreading the breakup rumors online.Back in June, Victoria explained in a Q&A session on Instagram Stories why she and Greg aren't engaged yet."LMFAOOOOOOO. [Questioning about our engagement] is nuts!! You guys, if you don't remember, one year ago I was engaged [to Johnny DePhillipo ]. When it happens, it will not be rushed or for anyone but us. But y'all will be the first to know, trust," Victoria said.Earlier this summer, Victoria and Greg began house hunting together in Nashville after Greg promised to leave New York to be with his girlfriend.After all, Greg revealed in April that he could see himself marrying Victoria and welcoming children together within the next five years.And Victoria, who most recently appeared on 's eighth season last year, seems smitten with her man, who initially competed on Katie Thurston 's season of The Bachelorette.Greg and Victoria first met at Governors Ball Music Festival in Summer 2021 and remained friends for nearly a year.The couple told Nick Viall in December on "The Viall Files" podcast that they had mutual interest in each other but never acted on those feelings, especially since Victoria wanted to appear on in June 2022 and Greg was in a relationship with a woman overseas at that point.Victoria therefore looked for love on Paradise, and she fell hard and fast for Johnny, who initially competed for Gabby Windey 's heart on The Bachelorette's nineteenth season.Victoria and Johnny got engaged on 's eighth season, but the couple split shortly after filming the finale.Victoria alleged Johnny had called her terrible names -- including a "f-cking c-nt" and "homewrecker," which Johnny denied and called "low blows" -- and Johnny claimed Victoria was jealous and "heartbroken" over his The Bachelorette stint, which was airing on television while they were secretly engaged.Johnny also said Victoria demanded a lifestyle he wasn't ready for yet and their differences were glaring.According to Victoria, she and Johnny ended their engagement three weeks after Johnny's marriage proposal because their dynamic was "toxic." But Johnny believes his relationship with Victoria didn't officially end until mid-September considering they were allegedly still speaking and going to therapy before Victoria enjoyed a surprising European getaway with Greg in late October.Fans first spotted Victoria and Greg, and suspected a romance, when they were spotted in Italy together.Because of how quickly Victoria moved on from Johnny, the brunette beauty was accused of cheating on her then-fiance with Greg.Victoria and Greg also flirted on social media as reports swirled about Victoria and Johnny's split.Victoria said that Greg officially asked her to be his girlfriend on Halloween, and then Victoria went public with her new relationship on November 4, when the reunion special taped.'s reunion aired in late November, and fans were shocked to see Victoria and Greg so affectionate and carefree about their relationship. Victoria claimed she didn't care what anyone thought of her because she was so happy with Greg."I'm completely in love with her, like, head over heels in love with her," Greg said on Nick's podcast.Nick therefore playfully asked Greg if he was ready to propose marriage to Victoria."Stay tuned!" Victoria teased."I mean, we both want that in life," Greg interjected, "she's my person."Victoria agreed that Greg is her "person" as well, and then Greg added, "I haven't felt -- I don't want to say 'content,' that's not the right word because it sounds boring. But I think there's a certain beauty with being content with someone."Greg said he could just sit in a room with Victoria for days on end and they wouldn't get sick of each other."We're growing day by day, and I see it going that route," Greg gushed. "I want that and I know that that's important to her, and I want to be able to take that step with her."Victoria was clearly getting choked up and she said, "I'm going to cry."Prior to appearing on Paradise, Victoria competed for Peter Weber on The Bachelor's 24th season and finished in third place after Fantasy Suites.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Google is celebrating what would be Raoul A. Cortez's 118th birthday with a Doodle.

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Cortez, a Mexican-American media pioneer, broadcaster and activist was born on this day in 1905 in Veracruz, Mexico. His family moved to San Antonio, Texas, when he was a kid and as Cortez got older, he became a reporter for local paper La Prensa.

In the 1930s and 1940s, he ran a theatrical agency where he introduced American audiences to with performers from Mexico and other Latin American countries. In 1940, bought airtime at KMAC Radio so more people could experience the performers' song and sketches.

The success compelled him to buy his own radio station, KCOR-AM, and this became the first Spanish-language radio station in the United States in 1946. Cortez continued building his media empire by starting the first Latino-run U.S. TV station in Spanish-- KCOR-TV Channel 41-- in 1955.

In addition to his media trailblazing, Cortez was an activist -- he was involved in a case that ended the segregation of Mexican Americans in Texas public schools, he was president of the League of United Latin American Citizens and he met with the U.S. and Mexican presidents to discuss immigration reform.

He died in 1971.

Cortez's work and activism has been celebrated through the years. He was awarded the media excellence award from The National Association of Broadcasters, Radio Ink created an award in his honor and San Antonio celebrated him by naming a Raoul A. Cortez Branch Library in 1981. In 2015, his media programs were included in the American Enterprise exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 10/17/2023



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.
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Hospitals in Gaza faced collapse Monday as water, power and medicine neared depletion, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians searched for dwindling food supplies while Israel maintained punishing airstrikes in retaliation for last weeks deadly rampage by Hamas
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his Cypriot counterpart, Nikos Christodoulides, warned of repercussions of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip on regional stability.

In a phone call, El-Sisi and Christodoulides highlighted the danger posed by the intense humanitarian implications on civilians, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said in a statement on Tuesday.

El-Sisi briefed Christodoulides on Egypt's unwavering efforts to achieve calm in Gaza as well as delivering humanitarian aid to residents of the strip.

Gaza has been under heavy, unrelenting Israeli airstrikes over the past 10 days, killing more than 2,700 Palestinian people in the deadliest war in the enclave's history. A resolution proposed by Russia calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza was rejected by the UN Security Council on Monday night.

The Gaza strikes came after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel by land, air and sea, killing more than 1,300 in Israel and taking dozens more hostage.

Conflict expansion

Hamas said on Monday that it holds 200-250 or more Israeli hostages and noted that it captured some foreign nationals unintentionally during the operation, who are treated as "guests" and will be released "when field circumstances allow."

In parallel, Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been exchanging fire along the border and the Israeli military said it has targeted infrastructure connected to the armed group.

Israel vows a devastating response if Hezbollah gets involved in the Gaza conflict, while Hezbollah legislator Hassan Fadlallah said on Sunday that the group's next step is tied to what is going on in Gaza.

Furthermore, Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas, has warned Israel of consequences if it continued to target Gaza, state TV reported on Monday.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tehran expects a "preemptive action" by the resistance front "in the coming hours."

Forced displacement

Israel has displaced most of the 1.1 million Palestinians residing in northern Gaza toward southern Gaza, which borders Egypt, in preparation for Israeli ground operations against the enclave.

While Egypt has received tons of humanitarian aid from many countries in North Sinai's El-Arish, Israel has not allowed the entry of the aid through the Rafah border crossing which connects Gaza with Sinai.

Egypt has called for urgent humanitarian aid access to Gaza, warning that the displacement of Palestinians toward the south is further worsening the enclave's dire humanitarian situation and exposing civilians to the risk of homelessness.

Cairo has also warned against Israeli schemes to relocate Gazans to Sinai, affirming that this will bring the curtain down on the Palestinian cause.

On Sunday, the National Security Council, chaired by President El-Sisi, announced that he deplores the policy of displacement and all attempts to neutralize the Palestinian cause at the expense of neighbouring countries.

Last week, El-Sisi stated that the Palestinian people of Gaza must "stay steadfast and remain on their land."

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Trump, campaigning in Iowa, vows to ban Gaza refugees from US if he wins a second term

Former President Donald Trump is vowing to bar refugees from Gaza and expand his first-term travel ban following the deadly attack on Israel last week
Her first years in the United States came with a debilitating amount of Islamophobia. My family's last name, "Mohamed," became a red flag and a target for discrimination. "Go back to your country" became a familiar phrase upon entering grocery stores, going to parks, being anywhere really. Most surprising was that these hateful sentiments were not by conservatives or ultra-right nationalists but by average Americans, hurt and overtaken by a hunger for vengeance.
With another quarter of steady growth in demand, cement companies are expected to report strong year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in earnings, according to analysts.

Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters

The September quarter (Q2FY24) also witnessed a resumption of price hikes in certain markets.

UltraTech Cement, Indias largest cement producer, reported a 15 per cent Y-o-Y increase in cement sales in the country for the quarter under review.

Analysts believe that major players like UltraTech may have expanded their market share in the past quarter.

We expect cement industry demand growth at 12-14 per cent Y-o-Y in Q2FY24.

"We estimate 15 per cent Y-o-Y volume growth for our coverage universe, factoring a gain in market share by larger players, wrote analysts in a Kotak Securities note.

The second quarter of a financial year is typically a weak period for cement companies due to the monsoon season slowing down construction activity in various parts of India.

However, Q2FY24 witnessed steady growth and stable prices.

Demand growth in Q2FY24 was accompanied by costs remaining flat sequentially and falling compared to the high cost base of the previous year.

Kotak Securities expects cement Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and ammortisation)/tonne to see a marginal sequential increase and a 60.5 per cent Y-o-Y rise to Rs 966/tonne, driven by stable costs and prices during the quarter.

Analysts at Axis Securities expect Ebitda/tonne of the companies under their coverage to improve by 64 per cent to Rs 870, from Rs 530 in Q2FY23.

They said: Owing to lower operating costs over last year,  since last year was negatively impacted on the back of higher energy prices as many companies reported quarterly loss.

Revenue growth, the broking firm said, is expected to come in at 12 per cent Y-o-Y, and profit after tax growth would likely be 166 per cent YoY.

CRISIL noted in its half-yearly rating round-up on the sector that power and fuel costs, which account for 30-35 per cent of production cost, declined 10 per cent during the first quarter of FY24 and they may have declined further as high-priced inventory would have been replaced with cheaper inventory, following the softening of coal/petcoke prices.

This will improve the per-tonne profitability of cement makers to Rs 950-975, as against a multi-year low of Rs 770, the rating agency said.

Analysts with Motilal Oswal expect the sector to report 72 per cent Y-o-Y earnings growth on a low base of earnings reported last year.

Q2FY24 also saw cement companies attempt price hikes in certain markets, including east India.

Historically, Q2 usually sees a price correction relative to Q1, which was not the case this time due to robust demand and producer pricing discipline, noted analysts with Axis Securities.

Analysts with Antique Stock Broking noted that average prices are likely up 1-2 per cent sequentially in the northern, eastern, and central regions; prices in south and west India have likely declined 3 per cent and 1 per cent sequentially, respectively.

Dealers indicate that companies may announce price hikes of Rs 40-50/bag in the south and Maharashtra markets and Rs 5-20/bag across most other regions during October, the analysts noted.
The stock of Dixon Technologies (India), the countrys largest listed electronic manufacturing services (EMS) player, was up 6 per cent in 10 trading sessions, boosting the gains over the last three months to 21 per cent.

The gains came following reports that Dixon will produce laptops in India in partnership with US and Chinese firms under the production-linked investment (PLI) scheme.

It recently signed an agreement to make smartphones for Xiaomi India.

Dixon has a diversified portfolio of televisions (TV), smartphones, lighting, washing machines, refrigerators, information technology (IT) hardware and wearables.

New customers are expected to give it earnings visibility.

Dixon has a 35 per cent share of the LED TV market, 30 per cent in washing machines, 15 per cent in mobile phones, half of the lighting market and a quarter in surveillance systems.

While the company improved its revenue by 32 per cent and operating profit by 37 per cent in the last decade (FY13-23), the street will monitor its ability to maintain growth on the back of new initiatives.

Axis Capital believes Dixon will be able to achieve a revenue growth of 36 per cent over FY 23-26, led by a 59 per cent growth in mobile phones and a 20 per cent growth in home appliances.

The brokerage believes Dixon will be a direct beneficiary of the governments Make in India manufacturing campaign and the countrys evolution as an electronics export hub.

The company has maintained its relationship with marquee customers (Samsung, Phillips, Xiaomi, Panasonic and others), added new global clients, developed product capabilities and scaled up verticals.

The brokerage has a target price of Rs 6,200 per share for Dixon.

Government efforts to encourage domestic production of laptops and its restriction on import licences have created positive sentiment for domestic EMS majors such as Dixon.

Kotak Institutional Equities, however, said that manufacturing laptops/tablets is complicated in terms of higher levels of software and hardware testing and requirements to customise products.

Aditya Mongia and Sai Siddhardha Pasupuleti, analysts with the brokerage, said the difference between manufacturing laptops/tablets and mobile phones would limit Dixons pace of scale-up in the laptops/tablets business.

There is a weak case for brands to outsource or move manufacturing to India, they said.

The brokerage has reiterated its sell rating with a target price of Rs 4,000 per share.

Morgan Stanley Research, too, has an underweight rating on the company.

The brokerage believes that Dixon has a heavier exposure to business-to-consumer segments and hence it is vulnerable to competition.

Its growth is reliant on PLI schemes continuing.

The brokerage has a target price of Rs 4,033 a share as valuations do not factor in risks from potential competitive intensity and lack of intensity in research and development.

At the current price, the stock is trading at 54 times its FY25 earnings estimates.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients.

Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.
Photograph: Kind courtesy Parineeti Chopra/Instagram

Parineeti Chopra shared a glimpse of a 'girl's trip' to the Maldives and clarified, 'NOT on a honeymoon! Photo taken by sister-in-law #GirlsTrip.'

Parineeti, who got married on September 24, can be seen enjoying her time in an infinity pool. And she's still wearing her pink chooda (bangles).

Photograph: Kind courtesy LFW x FDCI/Instagram

Parineeti walked the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week last week, and told ANI: "I am very happy as this is my first appearance after marriage and I am in my home city, Delhi, so it is a very special feeling. Karishma is always one of my favourites and I have been wearing her design for so long that I wanted one of my wedding outfits designed by her."
'If Israel had stuck to the peace accords, Hamas would have had no one to fight.'

IMAGE: Palestinian kidney patients lie on hospital beds as health officials say they are running out of fuel to operate dialysis devices. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters

"Israel is not interested in controlling the lives of two million people in Gaza. From the Oslo Accord days they do not want to take responsibility for Palestinians, they would rather let Egyptians take control over Gaza," Palestinian political observer Dr Maher Awawedh, who is based in Ramallah in the West Bank, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com in the concluding part of an informative interview.

What will happen to Gaza? What is the fear of the people living in Gaza?

People of Gaza now say, 'Never Again!'

Whatever happened in 1948, when Israelis kicked Palestinians out of historical Palestine land by making them refugees in Gaza, they will not leave Gaza now.

75 percent residents of Gaza owned land in mainland Israel and have been made to live like refugees for the last 75 years.

Palestinians are not going to Egypt. They want their own land as recognised by the United Nations.

Do Palestinians regret that they left their house during the nakba ('catastrophe' in Arabic, referring to the 1948 creation of Israel)?

It was not their decision to leave their own land. Israel massacred thousands of Palestinians in 1948. They became refugees in their own country and were pushed to a corner of their own land.

We should have fought harder in 1948, but the British were supporting Israelis and didn't treat us well.

Jews never had their own country. Don't you think Israel has the right to exist?

In 1993 Palestine recognised the State of Israel but Israel never recognised Palestine. We recognised them though they have 72 percent of Palestine land and we have a little more than 24 percent land with us now.

Israel promised to withdraw from our territory but they never withdrew from our lands.

Ask any Israeli where is Israel's border? And they will never be able to tell you where is Israel's border, as it does not exist.

They want to expand their country more and more.

Israel believes wherever an Israeli soldier is standing, the Israeli border exists there.

What is life like in the West Bank vis a vis Gaza?

Let me first talk about Gaza because the situation is very grim over there.

There is power outage and hospitals are not functioning. The banks were also bombed, so ATM machines do not have cash.

There is no water to drink in Gaza now.

In the West Bank, the Israeli army blocks the movement of Palestinian people every now and then.

My daughter is a doctor in a nearby village but cannot access her hospital as Israel controls every movement in the West Bank.

Israel controls everything that you can see with your naked eye in Palestine.

The situation is very difficult.

The only exit point for us is the border to Jordan, that is the only international connection for Palestinians living in the West Bank. Here, too, Israel does not allow us to use that.

Previously, we had an airport in Gaza, but Israel bombed it. We had an airport in Jerusalem too before 1948, but Israel took over so Palestinians cannot go out of the country by road or air because Israel does not give us permission to do so.

There is a belief that Saudi Arabia was going to give Israel recognition as a State and establish diplomatic relations, and therefore this attack took place. How far is this assumption true?

Once the Non-Aligned Movement went, including India's effort, to its lowest, things became very poor.

The deal was Israel should accept Arab peace initiatives and Israel will normalise with all Arab States. Now, unfortunately, I do not expect much from the Arab League though Egypt made a strong statement against Israel as they bombed their truck which was sending aid to Palestine in Gaza. The trucks then had to turn back and therefore we do not expect much from the Arab League.

We hope an emerging superpower like India would change their views when they see on the ground, rather than through Israeli propaganda.

IMAGE: A journalist's car burns at the site where an explosion killed Reuters visual journalist Issam Abdallah and injured colleagues from Reuters and other media in Alma Al-Shaab near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, October 13, 2023. Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters

Israel has always stood by India when it comes to India's war with Pakistan unlike the Arab League, so why will not India stand by Israel?

Palestinians have always taken a balanced position when it comes to India. For example, on the issue of Kashmir, you will never hear Palestinians making a statement which is pro-India or pro-Pakistan. We want the support of both the countries (for our cause).

It is complicated when it comes to India's internal politics.

When will Israel stop attacking Gaza?

Israel, after its humiliating defeat, will try to make a ground attack on Gaza. They will make a buffer zone which they did in the West Bank, Lebanon and even in Gaza previously.

Hopefully, democratic countries will pressurise Israel not to do that because Palestinians have become sitting ducks that Israel is targeting.

Will Israel move tanks and soldiers into Gaza to capture it permanently?

I don't think they are interested in controlling the lives of two million people in Gaza. They are not interested.

From the Oslo Accord days they do not want to take responsibility for Palestinians, they would rather let Egyptians take control over Gaza.

They will try to re-establish their dominant image over Gaza by proving to the world that their technology is superior so other countries, including India, believe in them and buy their war machinery like the Iron Dome.

But, I don't think they will succeed in doing that by proving to the world they are superior militarily after the October 7 attacks.

Can we say Israel is against Hamas, but not Palestinians?

No, this statement is not true. If a Palestinian businessman wants to buy, say, 80 tonnes of milk powder they cannot do so because Israel controls Palestinian lives to such a great extent.

Palestinian businessmen are not allowed to import more than 60 tonnes of milk by Israel.

If I want to build a good hospital in Palestine I will not be allowed to do that by Israel as they will not allow me to import hospital equipment.

If our businessman in West Bank wants to import from India we will have to pay a tax to Israel at the border. This is because Palestinians do not control their own border.

According to the Oslo Peace Accord, Israel will collect our tax and pay back to Palestinians by deducting only 10 percent administrative money.

Instead what Israel does is that it gives excuses that the Palestinian businessman is blacklisted so they will charge him extra taxes. This makes our budget run into deficit.

IMAGE: Rockets are fired from Gaza towards Israel, October 13, 2023. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters

Why then is every major democracy in favour of Israel? Be it the USA, France or Great Britain, they all have come out strongly against Hamas.

I am not mentioning Hamas, but Palestinians.

Hamas would have not existed if Israel had gone ahead with the Oslo Peace Accord by ending their occupation.

Things have not moved on the ground for peace because there is no will from Israel's side and since Israel's closest ally is the USA which every other country follows.

Do you mean if the Oslo Peace Accord was enforced on the ground, Hamas would not have existed today?

Yes, (not) as a military force in resistance to Israel.

Palestinians themselves are divided between Hamas and other leaders on the West Bank, and therefore all these problems.

We are not united because Hamas and the Palestine Authority were calling for elections and they wanted to hold the elections in Jerusalem.

We Palestinians hold Jerusalem as a very sacred place and Israel used to allow us to hold elections over there even when they were occupying it. We held our elections in 1996 and now we want to hold elections to elect a new president and new parliament.

Israel told us we can hold elections but outside Jerusalem, which is not acceptable to us.

This is the reason elections in Palestine are on hold.

Now, to answer why there is a division over Palestinian politicians. There are two schools of thought: One is, pursue non-violence; and second is, going for violence in resisting the occupation of Israel.

Now, if you are fighting for freedom then you are allowed to go for violent means or non-violent means. Palestinians went for non-violence by going with the Palestinian Authority to end Israeli occupation.

We had signed numerous peace accords to end Israeli occupation, but unfortunately, in the last 25 years, nothing happened on the ground.

And then came Hamas who said the Palestinian Authority did not achieve anything with non-violence, therefore they are taking the route of violence. Therefore, Palestinians got divided.

If Israel had stuck to those peace accords, Hamas would have had no one to fight and the Palestinian Authority too would have no one to fight.
'This government has done positive things, we got the Transgender Persons (protection of rights) Act under this government. Dheere-dheere hota hai.'

IMAGE: United Hindu Front members stage a protest against same-sex marriage at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Maya Sharma was one of the 21 petitioners in the Supreme Court seeking legal sanction for same-sex marriages.

An LGBTQ activist staying in Vadodara, she strongly believes the community should be given a chance to choose their families on their own terms and be given the right to marry.

However, the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, turned down the plea, saying it was Parliament's remit to make laws, not the court's.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com spoke to Maya Sharma soon after the verdict to gauge her reaction.

Your first reaction to the Supreme Court judgment?

I am not very happy with the judgment as there have been no rights given to same sex people who want to get married.

It is a very sad day.

Although I must add, the discussion of the judges was of a very high quality while giving out the verdict.

We got nothing out of the judgment. We are back to square one.

What were you expecting?

We were expecting our rights to be given. It is again left to Parliament and formation of committees, which is not right in this day and age.

There should have been clear-cut guidelines and we were excited about getting a positive judgment but unfortunately that did not happen.

You have been fighting for this issue for very long. Almost 30 years, right?

Yes, we were one of the petitioners.

Don't you think since courts cannot make laws and it is only the government that can do so, the Supreme Court did right in avoiding judicial overreach?

The courts and Parliament are putting the ball in each other's court.

But we have high hopes that something positive will come out as people are supporting us (in huge numbers).

Could a clause have been added in the secular Special Marriages Act making marriage gender-neutral, that way no religious orthodoxy would have felt offended?

We were expecting a clear-cut judgment on this issue.

There are a large number of people who want this law for them. We are very sad.

Do you anything good to have come out of this legal process?

As I said, the discussion was of high quality and we were hopeful when the judgment dictation started.

Since the court has thrown the ball back in the government's court, are you hopeful?

Yes, this government has done positive things like, we got the Transgender Persons (protection of rights) Act under this government. Dheere-dheere hota hai (things move slowly).

I am hopeful something good will come out.

Is the collective conscience not ready in our society for same-sex marriage?

I don't think so because many people do accept same sex relations and this is true especially among youngsters.

They are open for discussion and families too have opened up to discuss.

If a gay partner is hospitalised, then the partner cannot sign as a guarantor. Were you hoping to get at least such rights?

We can only hope and cannot do more.

The judgment stated that same sex marriage is not an urban and elite phenomenon, that itself was a big step, isn't it?

This was a small part of the judgment, as we were hoping we will get something bigger than such statements.

These things have always existed in our society and people always knew it.

We were hoping to get the same sex marriage judgment in a clear-cut manner.

It took very long for your fight to decriminalise Section 377 (homosexuality), I think more than half a century, so how many years do you expect this fight to continue?

Not very long, and we will keep fighting.

You will see same sex marriage (law) in the very near future.

Quest for law is one thing and societal change is another. The law has not given you the right, but what about society?

Lots of changes in society have taken place, for sure.

Families discuss these things openly now. Youngsters are coming in big way to support us and this change has been happening in the last 5-7 years.

This was missing earlier and I am happy to say families talk about same sex relations and want to know more about our issues.

The corporate world has seen a lot of inclusivity, which is another big positive sign. These are positive changes in society.

What would have changed if same sex marriage had been legalised?

Lot of changes would have happened.

Why do people marry? People marry because they get rights within the legal frame work of Indian law and the Indian Constitution.

All rights are bonding to marriage. Now, we (same-sex couples) don't have insurance rights or renting home rights too.

Marriage comes with a package of rights, and that has been denied to us today.
Even as the Supreme Court's five-judge Constitution bench on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, there are 34 countries where marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognised with the most recent country being Andorra.

IMAGE: Members of LGBTQIA+ community during the hearing of Supreme Court on same-sex marriage on their smartphones, at the courtyard of India's apex court, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo

Same sex marriage will become legal in the 35th country, Estonia, from the next year.

Among the 34 countries where same-sex marriage is legal at present are:

Argentina: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2010.

Australia: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2017.

Germany: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2017.

Mexico: Same-sex marriage was legalised in Federal District (Mexico City) in 2010, while the legalisation dates vary in different other states.

United Kingdom: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2014.

Scotland: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2014.

Northern Ireland: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2020.

Since July 9, 2015, married same-sex couples throughout the United States have had equal access to all the federal benefits that married opposite-sex couples have.

There are 35 countries with legal recognition other than marriage (eg, civil unions or registered partnerships).

A civil union (also known as a civil partnership) is a legally recognised arrangement similar to marriage, created primarily as a means to provide legal recognition for same-sex couples. Civil unions grant some or all of the rights of marriage.

Some of the countries with legal recognition are:

Denmark: It was the first country to legalise civil unions for same-sex couples in 1989.

Brazil: Civil unions were first created for opposite-sex couples in 2002.

Andorra: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2014.

Chile: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2015.

Estonia: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2016.

Japan: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in some municipalities before 2021.

Slovenia: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2017.
President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday in a high-stakes visit to demonstrate his "steadfast support" for the Jewish state following Hamas' attack, as the US intensified diplomatic efforts to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip.

IMAGE: An injured person is taken into a hospital after Israeli air strike hit a hospital, according to Hamas health ministry in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, in this screen grab obtained from video, October 17, 2023. Photograph: Reuters TV/Reuters

"On Wednesday, I'll travel to Israel to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamas's brutal terrorist attack. I'll then travel to Jordan to address dire humanitarian needs, meet with leaders, and make clear that Hamas does not stand for Palestinians' right to self-determination," Biden said in a post on X.

Ahead of Biden's arrival in the region, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that the US and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organisations to reach civilians in Gaza, including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement on Monday night that President Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to "demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamas's brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps."

Biden will then travel to Amman where he will meet with King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

"He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza, Jean-Pierre said.

On Monday, the US president spoke over the phone with his Egyptian counterpart El-Sisi and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani of Iraq during which they talked about the situation in the region.

In the call, Biden and El-Sisi discussed ongoing efforts to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, in coordination with the United Nations (UN), Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and other regional partners, and the need to preserve stability in the Middle East more broadly.

"Biden condemned Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel and reiterated that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination. The two leaders agreed to continue their close coordination to prevent the conflict from widening and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches those in need, said a readout of the call.

In Biden's call with Prime Minister Al-Sudani of Iraq, they discussed ongoing efforts to prevent an expansion of the conflict in Gaza in the wake of Hamas' abhorrent attack in Israel.

"The two leaders discussed the importance of addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, in coordination with the UN and regional partners, said a readout of the call.

Biden and Al-Sudani also affirmed the importance of the bilateral partnership between Iraq and the US as outlined in the Strategic Framework Agreement between our two countries. They finally committed to regular coordination between their teams to advance shared objectives and preserve regional stability over the coming weeks, the readout said.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to continue discussions on Israel's operations to restore security following the Hamas attack.

The Secretary reiterated the US' commitment to continue expediting security assistance and preventing conflict escalation, a media release said.

Austin emphasised civilian safety and thanked the Gallant for efforts to restore safe drinking water access in Gaza, it said.

In the morning, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed by their national security team on the latest updates in the wake of Hamas' abhorrent attack in Israel and the resulting conflict in Gaza.

Chief of Staff Jeff Zients joined the briefing led by national security advisor Jake Sullivan, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Bill Burns, the White House said.

Late last week, Israel issued an ultimatum that the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza, approximately 1.1 million people, should relocate to southern Gaza within 24 hours.

The situation is rapidly deteriorating with each passing hour as Gaza runs out of food, water, fuel and essential supplies.

Gaza has been under full electricity blackout for the sixth consecutive day.

"Hospitals are on the brink of collapse as their fuel reserves used to operate backup generators have been almost totally depleted, endangering the lives of thousands of patients, According to an update from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Since the start of hostilities, as many as 2,778 Palestinians have been killed and 9,938 have been injured.

According to official Israeli sources, at least 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in Israel, and at least 4,121 have been injured, the vast majority on October 7.
The Supreme Court told the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday if the bribe that was allegedly paid for tweaking the Delhi excise policy is not part of a predicate offence, then it will be difficult for the federal probe agency to prove the charge of money laundering against former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

IMAGE: AAP leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia being brought to Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, in New Delhi, on Friday, March 10, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, which reserved its verdict on two separate regular bail pleas of Sisodia in the corruption and money laundering cases, told the ED it cannot go by the assumption of bribe having been paid, and whatever protection an accused enjoys under law needs to be granted.

The remark by the bench came after senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, said there was no allegation of bribe being part of the predicate offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act case against the Aam Aadmi Party leader.

"If there is no predicate offence, the ED cannot be there. Without a predicate offence of bribery forming part of the chargesheet (against Sisodia), the ED cannot be there," he said.

Predicate offences or underlying offences serve as the foundation for money laundering activities. These offences encompass a broad range of illegal activities that generate funds from unlawful sources.

Money laundering serves as the mechanism through which the proceeds of predicate offences are concealed, transformed, and integrated into the legitimate financial system.

The bench told additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED and the Central Bureau of Inestigation, "If bribe paid is not part of the predicate offence, you may be in difficulty in proving the case under the PMLA You cannot create a predicate offence in your PMLA case. We cannot go on an assumption. Whatever protection is given in the law will be fully extended. If protection is not there, it's not there."

During the hearing, Singhvi argued there is nothing directly linking Sisodia to the proceeds of crime and that he was not a flight risk and hence he deserved to be out on bail.

"You can't keep me (Sisodia) behind bars indefinitely when the trial is yet to start. There are 500 witnesses and 50,000 documents to be examined in the case and there is no evidence linking me," Singhvi submitted.

He added the liquor policy was a result of institutional, multi-layered decision making process spread over a year and no material has been found directly linking Sisodia to the allegations.

"As far as allegations of tampering of evidence is concerned with regard to destruction of mobile phones, those phones were my official phones which I can't give to anyone else. So they were discarded, that too, two months prior to registration of FIR in the case," the senior lawyer submitted.

Raju told the court that the trial in the corruption and money laundering cases can be finished in 9 to 12 months and opposed any move to grant bail to Sisodia.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged role in the 'scam'. He has been in custody since then.

The ED had arrested Sisodia in the money laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9 after questioning him in Tihar Jail.

Sisodia resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28.

The high court had denied him bail in the CBI case on May 30, saying having been the deputy chief minister and excise minister, he is a "high-profile" person who has the potential to influence the witnesses.

On July 3, the high court had declined him bail in the money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the city government's excise policy, holding that the charges against him are "very serious in nature".

The Delhi government implemented the policy on November 17, 2021 but scrapped it at the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption.

Under the new policy, according to the investigating agencies, the profit margin of wholesalers was increased from 5 per cent to 12 per cent for monetary considerations.

The probe agencies have alleged that the new policy resulted in cartelisation and those ineligible for liquor licences were favoured for monetary benefits. However, the Delhi government and Sisodia have denied any wrongdoing and said the new policy would have led to an increase in the state's excise revenue.
Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday said he might have asked then Pune police commissioner Meeran Borwankar about the "status" of a deal regarding a piece of land belonging to the police department in Pune, but denied the allegation that he asked her to hand it over to a builder.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar (right) on his arrival in Mumbai to inaugurate the 141st International Olympic Committee session, October 14, 2023. Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais (left) is also seen. Photograph: ANI Photo

Borwankar, a former Indian Police Service officer, alleged in her book Madam Commissioner that then 'district minister' -- an apparent reference to Pawar who was then Pune guardian minister -- insisted in 2010 that she complete the process of handing over an auctioned plot belonging to the police department to the winning bidder who was later cited as an accused in the 2G scam.

She opposed this move, she wrote.

I admit that I may have asked her about the status of the land deal, and she may have expressed her opposition to the transfer of land. Except that, I did not try to push the deal. The reason I asked her about the deal was a committee had taken the decision to hand over the land to a private builder, but that decision was not being implemented, Pawar told reporters in Mumbai.

The Nationalist Congress Party leader did not name Borwankar, but said some allegations had been levelled against him by "a retired IPS officer who had served in Pune as commissioner of police."

He also said that the officer could have made the claims in her book for sensationalism.

During her media interaction yesterday (Monday), she did say there were other things in her book too, but I wonder why only this issue was being highlighted, said Pawar.

During the press meet in Delhi on Monday, Borwankar identified the builder as Shahid Balwa. The land in question is located near the Yerawada central prison in Pune.

Pawar, meanwhile, also told reporters here that he did not attend any meeting where decision about the land was taken, nor did he direct then home minister RR Patil to do this or do that.

Borwankar, who did not name Ajit Pawar in her book, said at the Delhi press meet that she wanted "to underline the tremendous builder-politician-bureaucrat-police nexus relating to sale of public land", and "citizens should be alert".

According to her book, Borwankar refused to hand over the Yerawada land to the builder, stating that it would be useful for building new offices and residential quarters for the police department.

Congress and Rohit Pawar of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party faction have demanded a judicial probe into the matter.
A video of Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath where he is asking party men to tear clothes of his colleague Digvijaya Singh over denial of ticket to a leader from Shivpuri fuelled talks of a rift in the party over selection of nominees even as the two former CMs sought to make light of the episode and on Tuesday put up a united face ahead of the assembly polls.

IMAGE: Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath (right) with party leader Digvijaya Singh (second from right) pays tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary, in Bhopal, October 2, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

In the viral video, Nath is heard telling a group of people, said to be supporters of party leader Virendra Raghuvanshi, that he had left the issue of (selection of Raghuvanshi's seat) to Digvijaya Singh and his MLA-son Jaivardhan Singh which might have caused some confusion.

The state Congress president is then heard telling the group to tear clothes of Digvijaya Singh (over the ticket denial issue).

Raghuvanshi, a former Bharatiya Janata Party legislator, joined the Congress earlier this month.

He had sought a Congress ticket from the Shivpuri assembly seat, but the party fielded KP Singh, a six-time MLA from Pichhore, from there.

After Raghuvanshi was denied the ticket, his supporters gathered at Nath's residence in Bhopal on Monday.

In the video, Nath was talking to Raghuvanshi's supporters when he made the remarks about former CM Digvijaya Singh and his son.

As the clip surfaced on social media platforms and fuelled speculation about a rift in the opposition party over ticket distribution, Digvijaya Singh put out a tweet on his official X account, calling for patient solution.

On Tuesday, both Nath and former CM Singh were seen together at the release of the Congress manifesto in the state capital for the November 17 polls and they talked about the video's content in a lighter vein.

Latching on the video, the ruling BJP and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan targeted the Congress and said the entire episode has exposed the "real face" of the opposition party.

Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh sought to downplay the controversy.

The Rajya Sabha MP, while tagging X handles of Nath, the BJP and the Congress, said, When a family grows large, there is both collective happiness and collective conflict. Wisdom says that elders should patiently find a solution. God also supports those who have a combination of heart (mann) and hard work."

Speaking at the manifesto release programme, Nath said he first wanted to address media queries about his tear clothes of Digvijaya Singh remarks.

The former Union minister said his bond with Digvijaya Singh goes beyond politics.

"The relations between Digvijaya Singh and me are not political. It is of love I have given the power of attorney long back to him, that was for listening abuses for Kamal Nath. This power of attorney is still valid, Nath said in a lighter vein.

Digvijaya Singh intervened and said it should also be known who is making "mistakes". He then light-heartedly added the PCC chief (in this case Nath) is the signing authority on election forms and asked, So, whose clothes should be torn?

Nath, referring to long family relations with former CM Singh, replied, Whether there is a mistake or not, you (Digvijaya Singh) have faced abuses.

The conversation ended with Digvijaya Singh's remarks that it is "Lord Shankar's (Shiva) duty to drink the poison" so he will do this.

Meanwhile, in a video statement, Congress leader Raghuvanshi urged his supporters to stay calm.

I have been trapped in a vicious circle. I hope the top leadership pays attention The leadership will give us a chance to serve after due consideration," he said.

Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Chouhan said, This is the real face of the Congress one ex-CM is saying tear clothes of another ex-CM and his son.

Chouhan wondered who is the final authority in the Congress on selecting candidates for the Madhya Pradesh polls.

"Kamal Nath is saying his son Nakul Nath (Lok Sabha MP) will declare party tickets in Chhindwara (their home turf) and then the same will be declared from Delhi," the CM said.

Is Sonia Gandhi's Congress different from that of Kamal Nath and Nakul Nath? How many Congresses are there? The people want to know this, Chouhan said.

Sharing Nath's video on X, state BJP president VD Sharma said, One ex-Chief Minister is instigating party workers to tear the clothes of another former CM, this is possible only in the Congress. The fight between 'Corruptionnath' (as BJP calls Nath) and 'Bantadhar' (a term used by saffron party for Digvijaya Singh) has come out on the streets.

On Tuesday afternoon, Digvijaya Singh posted a tweet saying his family ties with Kamal Nath goes back to 1980.

There have been differences of opinion between us on many issues. It is natural for two friends to have differences of opinion but there is no discord between us, he said while sharing the video of the conversation between them on the stage earlier in the day.

In a series of tweets, Digvijaya Singh said it has been a tough job to select candidates for the polls as more than 4,000 ticket aspirants applied for 230 assembly seats.

The Rajya Sabha MP clarified his stand on ticket distribution and explained the multi-level process of selecting candidates in the party.

"It is natural to have discontent as every candidate thinks he/she can win election," he said.

The former CM said those who have failed to get poll tickets should write to relevant functionaries in the central leadership.

The Congress has announced a list of 144 candidates for the polls. Following the announcement, several Congress leaders expressed displeasure over ticket distribution and many of them resigned from the party.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Mahua Moitra on Tuesday approached the Delhi high court seeking to restrain Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey, an advocate and several social media platforms and media houses from posting, circulating or publishing any alleged fake and defamatory content against her.

IMAGE: TMC MP Mahua Moitra. Photograph: PTI Photo

Justice Sachin Datta is likely to hear the matter later this week.

Moitra, a member of Lok Sabha representing Krishnanagar in West Bengal, sought permanent injunction and damages against Dubey, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, social media platform X, search engine Google, YouTube and 15 media houses and to restrain them from making, publishing, circulating per se defamatory, ex facie false and malicious statements against her.

Dubey had urged Speaker Om Birla to constitute an 'inquiry committee' to look into the charges against her, citing a letter he has received from the advocate.

In her plea in the high court, Moitra denied the allegations and claimed that they were designed to damage her reputation in relation to the false allegations made by Dubey and Dehadrai against her.

She has sought a direction to the defendants to remove or take down all the alleged defamatory and scurrilous content, including posts, tweets, re-tweets, caption, posted at their respective platforms against her.

Moitra further sought a decree and an order directing 'defendant no. 1 (Dubey) and 2 (Dehadrai) to publish a retraction and an apology to the plaintiff in three English newspapers, three Hindi newspapers and three Bengali newspapers for the false and defamatory statements / allegations' made by them against her.

She has also provisionally valued the damages at Rs 2 crore and said the defendants be directed to pay her damages that shall be quantified at a later stage on account of the defamatory, derogatory and baseless statements made by Dubey and Dehadrai and published by X, Google and several media houses on their respective platforms.

Moitra said the lawyer was her close friend and recently, the cessation of this friendship soon took an acrimonious turn and he 'resorted to sending vile, threatening, vulgar messages to the plaintiff and also trespassed into plaintiff's official residence and stole some personal possessions of the plaintiff including her pet dog- Henry (the same was returned later). Against such actions, the plaintiff had filed two police complaints... and the same were later withdrawn by the plaintiff on account of settlement talks'.

She said in the plea that various news reports, tweets and videos are being run or carried by the social media platform and media houses on their respective platforms and channels, in which 'wild, unfounded, false, baseless and defamatory allegations leaked by Defendant Nos. 1 and 2 are being further propagated and thereby cause further prejudice, damage and injury to plaintiff's reputation and goodwill'.

She claimed that her morphed private pictures were leaked which has been causing tremendous harm to her reputation and mental well-being and she is being harassed by the social media users.

Moitra added that she has sent a legal notice to all the defendants and claimed that during an exchange of WhatsApp messages on October 16, Dehadrai has admitted and accepted that all actions that he took were out of personal vendetta and on account of their lacking meritocracy, now wanted to withdraw 'everything'.
Barely a few kilometres from Nuh, which witnessed communal clashes on July-end, a group of people belonging to different communities is busy preparing for Durga Puja.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

At least 40 families living in different parts of Sohna in Haryana have formed the Aravali Bengali Cultural Society and their first event is the Durga Puja.

The Central Park Flower Valley, a residential society in Sohna, has agreed to provide space for the pandal.

From 'dhunuchi nach' to 'bhangra', the pandal will reverberate with dance performances on all days of Durga Puja and culminate with a 'dandiya night'.

Heena Nisat, a native of Kashmir who now lives in Sohna, is excited about making the arrangements for the pandal.

"The whole idea is to send out a message of communal harmony. What happened in Nuh shouldn't happen again. People from different communities are equally accepting of each other's cultures. That is why we have formed this society and in future whatever festivals will be celebrated will be based on this concept only," she told PTI.

Afsana, who runs a boutique in Sohna, has not only generously donated for the Durga Puja but has also decided to participate in the dance performances.

She is especially excited about 'dhunuchi nach', a traditional dance performed during Durga Puja, and has been attending rehearsals for it daily.

"Usually, residential societies organise some events on festivals but those are not open to outsiders. So the idea here was to just use the venue but make it a non-society event. It is open for all," she said.

A group from the Ramakrishna Mission led by Swami Shatamananda will also visit the pandal for a discourse on spiritual life.

Another member Anudeep Kaur is participating in Rabindranath Tagore's dance drama 'Shyama'.

She is also excited about 'sindur khela' where women smear each other with sindur on the last day of Durga Puja.

"I have many Bengali friends and I know what craze it is for them. But I have never participated in it. I am very excited about the 'sindur khela' of which I have only seen pictures so far. I am also participating in a dance drama titled 'Shyama'," she said.

Anindyo Sengupta, who lives in Sohna, said, "All festivals should be celebrated in such a way. When the violence in Nuh happened, we were very scared to step out considering how the situation was unfolding. But barring certain people, the situation on the ground was very peaceful. Hence, this is our attempt to show and encourage communal harmony."

Six people, including two home guards and a cleric, died in the clashes that erupted in Nuh and later spread to parts of Gurugram after a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession was attacked by mobs on July 31.

The attack left dozens injured, including policemen, and led to the Haryana government imposing prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in Nuh and Gurugram, but the violence spread to neighbouring Sohna and eventually, to Gurugram.
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Centre, the Manipur government and the state's police chief and sought further reports, asking them to "clearly spell out" the steps being taken for bringing peace in the restive state, officials said on Tuesday.

IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard during a protest over the killing of nine civilians at Konung Mamang in Imphal, June 15, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The National Human Rights Commission has received action taken reports from the government of Manipur in response to its previous notices in various cases relating to incidents of violence, they said.

"It has stated that many steps have been taken relating to the incidents of violence in the state, including reinforcements in law and order machinery and security, setting up of relief camps and a peace committee, relaxing curfew, reinstating internet and banking services in a measured manner, ex-gratia for the families of the dead, compensation packages for the injured, and rebuilding of damaged houses," the NHRC said in a statement on Tuesday.

It has also been informed that the Centre has constituted a commission of inquiry to arrive at the causes of the conflict and that six FIRs have been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for probing independently. It has also been noted that a large number of relief camps are operational in the affected areas, the rights panel said.

"Considering various aspects, the commission has issued notices to the secretary, Union ministry of home affairs, the chief secretary and the director general of police, government of Manipur, calling for ATRs," the statement said.

The ATRs have been sought on a range of matters within four weeks, the officials said.

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May 3 between the majority Meitei community, concentrated in the Imphal valley, and the Kukis, occupying the hills.

"Peace-building measures for rival communities should be organised," the NHRC statement said.

The state government may expeditiously furnish details of the compensation provided in the case of death to the next of kin of the victim as well as to the injured persons; number of compassionate appointments provided, and "steps taken for bringing the peace be clearly spelt out", the statement said.

"Considering the various aspects and the large number of relief camps in operation, the state government is directed to see that there is proper facility for sanitation and waste disposal, proper water for drinking, cooking and washing is provided; adequate food having proper nutritional values be provided as prescribed by the National Disaster Management Authority," it said.

Health and mental health services be properly maintained; primary healthcare be provided in the camps by arranging visits by health workers and it should be ensured that there is no shortage of medicines, the rights panel said.

The state government should make adequate arrangements for schooling and educational services in the affected areas for the benefit of the children in the camps; employment may be provided for the livelihood of the inmates/incumbents living in the camps; and helping hands be provided as early as possible for rebuilding the houses which have been damaged, the statement said.

The commission said it had registered 18 cases in connection with the incidents of violence in Manipur related to human rights violations in the last few months.

"After issuing initial notices calling for reports in all these matters, the Commission on further consideration held that since the nature of the matters was identical, therefore, a common questionnaire was prepared on which the reports were sought from the concerned authority on vide its proceeding dated 30th August 2023 and 12th September, 2023. Out of these, the responses have been received in all except in eight cases. The reminder notices have also been issued for reports in the remaining cases," it said.
The Delhi high court on Tuesday allowed Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha to stay on in his government bungalow, setting aside a trial court order evicting him from the accommodation in a prime location in the city allotted to him.

IMAGE: Newlywed Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra pose for a photograph as they arrive at the IGI Airport, in New Delhi, September 25, 2023. Photograph: Ayush Sharma/ANI Photo

The trial court's decision had cleared the decks for Chadha's eviction.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, while pronouncing the order allowing the Aam Aadmi Party leader's appeal, said the April 18 order of the trial court which had directed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat not to evict Chadha, stands revived and shall remain in force till the time the trial court decides his application for interim relief.

The detailed order is awaited.

Chadha had challenged the trial court's October 5 order which vacated the April order.

The court had said in its latest order that Chadha cannot claim an absolute right to occupy the government bungalow during his entire tenure as a Rajya Sabha member even after cancellation of allotment.

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat had opposed his petition against the trial court's decision.

Chadha's counsel had submitted before the high court that the MP has been served with a notice and eviction proceedings are going on.

He had contended before the high court that he was a victim of "selective targeting" as he was a vocal opposition member of Parliament.

Chadha said he was the only sitting lawmaker in Rajya Sabha ever to have sought to be evicted from the bungalow allotted to him.

He had said the allotment of accommodation is an exercise of guided discretion and is made after taking into account the circumstances peculiar to the MP concerned, and in exercise of this discretion, out of 245 sitting MPs in Rajya Sabha, 115 have been granted accommodation above their 'default' entitlement.

His counsel had told the high court that the MP has been provided Z+ security in view of threats, and a large contingent of security personnel was required to be deployed at his residence.

The personnel cannot be accommodated in the bungalow earlier allotted to him at Pandara Park.

The AAP government in Punjab has accorded Z+ security to Chadha, who is a Rajya Sabha member from there.

Chadha was on July 6 last year allotted a 'Type 6' bungalow at Pandara Park but he made a representation to the Rajya Sabha chairman on August 29 requesting for a 'Type 7' accommodation.

He was then allotted another bungalow on Pandara Road from the Rajya Sabha pool.

However, in March this year, the allotment was cancelled.

As a first-time MP, Chadha is entitled to a Type-5 accommodation in the normal course, according to the Rajya Sabha Members Handbook released in April 2022.

The handbook says MPs who are former Union Cabinet ministers, former governors or former chief ministers, and former Lok Sabha Speakers, are entitled to Type-7 bungalows, the second largest category available to Rajya Sabha members.
The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday confirmed that its fighter jets have killed Iman Nofal, a senior Hamas member who was a former leader of Hamas' military intelligence.

IMAGE: People walk amid destruction at Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp, following Israeli strikes on the enclave, October 14, 2023. Photograph: Reuters

The Israel Air Force fighter jets under joint intelligence guidance with the Shin Bet, killed one of the senior members of the Hamas terrorist organisation, Iman Nofal, according to Israel Air Force.

The military added that Nofal was "one of the most dominant senior officials in the organisation, and was close to Muhammad Deif," the terror group's military leader.

Reportedly, he has directed many terrorist attacks against Israel and the security forces and has also directed the targets of Hamas' rocket fire, specifically targeting areas populated by uninvolved civilians.

He was also involved in the production and development of weapons and was a partner in several terrorist attacks.

Moreover, he was also involved in planning the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit, according to the Israel Air Force.

The Israel Defence Force said, "We won't stop until we eliminate Hamas."

Earlier, a senior Hamas commander Billal al-Qedra, who led multiple murderous attacks was killed during the Israeli airstrike on Sunday.

He was the commander of the so-called Nukhba unit's southern Khan Younis battalion and was killed in an airstrike following intelligence efforts by the Shin Bet security agency and Military Intelligence Directorate.

He had led the murderous attacks on the southern communities of Nirim and Nir Oz last weekend, Times of Israel reported.

"He was responsible for the murderous raid in Kibbutz Nirim and Nir Oz," the IDF said.

Notably, two commanders of Hamas terrorist group were also killed on October 14 as the 'Op Iron Swords' intensified.

Israeli forces have extensively attacked the Gaza Strip and military infrastructure as part of their high-scale retaliation.

The IAF also struck over one hundred military targets located in Zaytun, Khan Yunis, and west Jabaliya.

Earlier today, the IDF identified the organisational hierarchy of the terror group and vowed to destroy and dismantle Hamas by targeting its top brass, who were "responsible" for the attacks against Israeli civilians.

The IDF posted on X, the entire hierarchy of Hamas and among them were the group's leader Ismail Haniyeh, Yehya Sinwar whom the Israeli military calls the hard-line leader of Hamas in Gaza and El Deif, the alleged mastermind of the October 7 attack.

The Israeli military calls Yehya Sinwar, the hard-line leader of Hamas in Gaza, the "face of evil."

Senior officers say he is the top target for the tens of thousands of Israeli troops poised to invade the coastal enclave and destroy its leadership.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, around 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and 12,500 wounded in the Gaza Strip since October 7.

In a previous statement, the ministry said over 750 children were among the people killed in the Israeli attacks.

Dozens of operational headquarters and mortar bomb launching positions in the Gaza Strip belonging to Hamas have been destroyed in air strikes, the Israel Defense Forces announced.

Among the sites destroyed were the military headquarters of Ali Kachi, a commander of the terror organization's Najaba Force. Several terrorists inside the compound were also killed.

Earlier on Tuesday, IDF Lt Colonel Richard Hecht said, "We are preparing for the next stages of war. We haven't said what they will be. Everybody's talking about the ground offensive. It might be something different."

In the latest development, Lebanon's Hezbollah movement said that four of its members have been killed in south Lebanon, bringing to nine the number of the Iran-backed terrorist group's members killed in intensifying border skirmishes with Israel, The Times of Israel reported.

Hezbollah in his statement said that four of its operatives had been killed "performing jihad," just hours after Israel said it killed four terrorists who attempted to infiltrate the border from Lebanon.
Caution: Graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.

IMAGE: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men carry their belongings before boarding a ship in Haifa for US nationals and their immediate family members as they leave Israel headed for Cyprus. Photograph: Shir Torem/Reuters

IMAGE: US nationals and their immediate family members wait before leaving Israel on a ship headed for Cyprus. Photograph: Shir Torem/Reuters

IMAGE: A stack of US passports. Photograph: Shir Torem/Reuters

IMAGE: Volunteers pack boxes of donated humanitarian supplies at a logistical centre of the 'Brothers in Arms' reservist protest group in Tel Aviv to support those impacted by the Hamas attack. Photograph: Janis Laizans/Reuters

IMAGE: Mourners arrive at Parkholm Cemetery in LaGrange, Illinois, US, to attend the burial of Wadea Al-Fayoume, 6, a Muslim boy who was stabbed to death in an attack that targeted him and his mother for their religion. Photograph: Jim Vondruska/Reuters

IMAGE: A woman, wounded in Israeli strikes, arrives at a hospital. Photograph: Ahmed Zakot/Reuters

IMAGE: A wounded woman is brought to a hospital. Photograph: Ahmed Zakot/Reuters

IMAGE: Members of a Palestinian civil emergency team get emotional at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City after one of their colleagues is killed in Israeli strikes. Photograph: Mohammed al-Masri/Reuters

IMAGE: Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by an owner of electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing conflict. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

IMAGE: Palestinians, who fled their houses after Israeli air strikes, take shelter at a United Nations-run school after Israel's call for more than 1 million civilians in northern Gaza to move south. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

IMAGE: Palestinians search for casualties under the rubble of a house destroyed in Israeli strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

IMAGE: People walk amid destruction at Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp. Photograph: Reuters

IMAGE: Ambulances and crew wait at a collection point near the Rafah crossing in Rafah, Egypt, as aid groups wait to enter the besieged Gaza Strip. Photograph: Reuters

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The United Nations Security Council has rejected a draft resolution proposed by Russia that called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza but made no mention of Hamas' attack on Israel, while a vote on a rival Brazilian text will be held on Tuesday.

IMAGE: People walk amid destruction at Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp, following Israeli strikes on the enclave. Photograph: Reuters

The 15-nation Council met on Monday evening to vote on the Russian-led draft resolution, the first such text that was considered by the powerful UN body, amid an escalating war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The one-page draft resolution failed to garner enough votes and was not adopted by the Council, which is expected to meet again on Tuesday to vote on a rival draft resolution circulated by Brazil, the Council President for the month of October.

The draft text that called for an immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire", the release of all hostages, aid access and safe evacuation of civilians received five votes in favour from China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the UAE.

France, Japan, the UK, and the US voted against it, while Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland abstained from voting.

For a resolution to be adopted in the Council, it must receive at least 9 votes in favour, with none of its five permanent members opposing or casting a veto.

The resolution strongly condemned all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism but made no mention of Hamas, which carried out an unprecedented assault in Isreal on October 7 that killed 1,300 people and injured over 4,000.

Retaliatory strikes from Israel have left about 2,778 Palestinians dead and injured over 9,000 in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, home to about 2.3 million people.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, in her explanation of the vote, said that Russia's resolution was put forward without any consultations and makes no mention of Hamas.

None, she said, adding that by failing to condemn Hamas, Russia is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalises innocent civilians. It is outrageous, it is hypocritical, and it is indefensible.

She said that Washington could not support Moscow's resolution, which, in ignoring Hamas' terrorism, dishonours victims.

Thomas-Greenfield described Hamas' audacious attack on Israel as the "worst massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said before the vote that the draft resolution was a purely humanitarian text".

"We shall not have any understanding if someone decides to not support it for political or egoistic geopolitical reasons," Nebenzia said.

Following the draft's failure to get adopted, the Russian envoy said it was regrettable that the Council was once again "taken hostage by the egoistic ambitions of the Western bloc.

Today, the entire world waited with bated breath for the Security Council to take steps in order to put an end to the bloodletting, but the delegations of the Western countries have basically stomped on those expectations, he said.

We believe that today's vote in the Security Council is very demonstrative, it clearly shows who is in favour of a truce to stop the indiscriminate bombing and provision of humanitarian assistance and who is still in favour of blocking a single common message from the Security Council for purely selfish interests and political interests, the Russian envoy said.

UK's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Barbara Woodward, said her country cannot support a resolution which fails to condemn Hamas' terror attacks. She said it was unconscionable for the Council to ignore the largest terror attack in Israel's history.

We remain clear too that all possible measures on the ground must be taken to ensure civilian casualties are minimised and to facilitate humanitarian aid, Woodward said.

She said that the Russian draft, and its process to be tabled in the UNSC, was not a serious attempt to find a Council consensus.

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour told the Council that it should not send a signal that Palestinian lives do not matter.

Don't dare say Israel is not responsible for the bombs it is dropping over their heads. Don't justify the killings. Don't blame the victim. What is happening in Gaza is not a military operation. It is a full-scale assault against our people. it is a massacre against innocent civilians, he said.

Mansour said the humanitarian and health system in Gaza has collapsed and over one million people have been displaced.

He listed three urgent actions that must be taken, asserting that anything else would be legally, morally and politically unacceptable."

He called for stopping the assault on the Palestinian people immediately, allowing immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout the Gaza Strip and stopping the forced transfer of Palestinian people.

Our conflict is a political one, not a religious one. That is what makes it solvable but it has an impact, given its significance regionally and internationally, he said.

If you do not want a regional spillover, an international spillover, stop the massacres. Start there, start now, he added.

Israel's Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said that the Security Council now stands at one of its most pivotal crossroads.

The first step that the Council must take before any calls for aid, calm or restraint is to designate Hamas as the murderous terror organisation" just as it did with ISIS and al-Qaeda, Erdan said.

The Security Council must also support Israel's right to defend itself but supporting this right does not mean echoing empty words, he said.

It means standing in solidarity with Israel in our rescue mission to obliterate Hamas' terror capabilities. If Hamas is not obliterated, such atrocities will be repeated, he added.

Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas after it carried out a wave of attacks inside Israel on October 7.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

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The state is assisting communities and developers interested in renovating or building "missing middle" housing for residents who don't qualify for assisted housing but can't afford to rent or buy a single family home.
Hunters who harvest a deer during Vermonts Oct. 21 and 22 youth and novice deer hunting weekend are encouraged to bring their deer to one of 19 biological reporting stations.
Our story is purely political, said one of three activists who cant leave Cambodia to accept an award.

Members of the Mother Nature Movement, a Cambodian environmental activist group, march with chained hands and feet to protest a travel ban, in Phnom Penh on Oct. 6, 2023.

Cambodian environmental activists who petitioned the Ministry of Justice to be allowed to travel to Sweden to receive an award have yet to hear if top government officials will intervene in their case.

Phuong Keoraksmey, Thun Ratha and Long Kunthea of Mother Nature Cambodia must ask for permission to leave the country because they are currently serving suspended prison sentences after being found guilty of incitement for their role in protests against forest and water development projects.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Prosecutor Chreung Khmao on Oct. 2 decided not to allow the three activists to travel abroad to receive the prestigious Right Livelihood Award next month, saying that it was unnecessary.

The three activists filed a petition on Oct. 6 asking the Ministry of Justice to step in and permit them to go to Sweden. They also draped themselves in chains and marched on the streets of Phnom Penh with several other Mother Nature activists to protest the courts decision.

Mother Nature Movement activists protest a travel ban, in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Oct. 6, 2023. Credit: Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP





Phuong Keoraksmey told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday that the ministry has not responded to the petition.

Obviously in Cambodia, our story is purely political, she said, adding that is why theyve sought help from higher ranking officials. So, if we are allowed to go, it would be a good sign that shows the intention [of the government] to promote the respect for human rights.

RFA attempted to reach Minister of Justice Keut Rith for comment on Tuesday but he wasnt immediately available.

The Right Livelihood Award has been described as an alternative to the more famous Nobel Prize. The selection committee named the three activists as award recipients in recognition for their environmental activism on Sept. 29.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Stockholm on Nov. 29.

Am Sam Ath of human rights group Licadho said the refusal to let the activists travel reflects the governments continued restrictions on civil society and social work activists.

As a civil society organization working to promote human rights, we still urge the Royal Government or the court to allow Mother Nature to leave and receive the award, he said.

The award is a promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as encouraging young people to participate in social work, work to protect the environment and natural resources.

Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Matt Reed.
Zeng Yuxuan, a former doctoral student from mainland China, has been incommunicado since her repatriation.

Zeng Yuxuan (R), a doctoral student from mainland China, takes part in a March 2023 commemoration of the death of Leung Kin-fai, who committed suicide after nonfatally stabbing a Hong Kong police officer on July 1, 2021.

Concerns are growing for the safety of Zeng Yuxuan, a doctoral student from mainland China found in possession of posters depicting the "Pillar of Shame" sculpture commemorating the Tiananmen massacre, who was forcibly repatriated by the Hong Kong authorities after serving six months in jail under colonial-era sedition laws.

Zeng was sentenced to six months' imprisonment on Sept. 12 after being convicted of conspiring with U.S.-based democracy activist Zhou Fengsuo to "commit acts with seditious intent" ahead of the June 4 massacre anniversary, sending shock waves through the growing community of mainland Chinese who have made Hong Kong their home.

She had already served nearly all of that time in pretrial detention, and was due to be released on Oct. 12, according to a friend who gave only the pseudonym Chen Mei.

But when a group of her friends went to the prison gates at 9 a.m. that day to meet her, she never emerged, Chen said.

The Hong Kong government told local reporters at around 6 p.m. that Zeng has been sent back to China.

Zeng Yuxuans last Instagram posts include a photo of jailed Hong Kong rights lawyer and Tiananmen vigil organizer Chow Hang-tung, as well as satirical remarks about Xi Jinping's indefinite third term in office. Credit: RFA screenshot

Another friend received a text message from Zeng on Oct. 12 saying she was in Shenzhen, but she has been incommunicado since then, Chen said.

"I'm really worried about where she may be," Chen said. "She should be at liberty, now that she has served her sentence in accordance with the law of Hong Kong."

"There's no information about her at all  we have no news," she said. "We don't know what kind of inhumane treatment she will encounter."

Chen said part of the concerns rest on the kind of content that Zeng had posted on Instagram shortly before her arrest, which could mean she will face a second prosecution when she gets back to China.

Her last Instagram posts included a photo of jailed Hong Kong rights lawyer and Tiananmen vigil organizer Chow Hang-tung, emblazoned with the words "Love is Faith," as well as satirical remarks about ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's indefinite third term in office.

A sensitive person

Current affairs commentator Johnny Lau said the mainland Chinese authorities are likely to regard Zeng as a "sensitive" person, and said it is unlikely she will be at liberty on her return.

"Such things aren't handled rationally," Lau said. "They talk about rule of law, but the law is there to serve [the government], and things are handled based on its requirements."

"They want to scare others away from doing similar things in future," he said.

Zeng was the first mainland Chinese person to be convicted of sedition under an ongoing crackdown on public dissent that has seen senior journalists, pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai and 47 former lawmakers and democracy activists charged with offenses from "collusion with a foreign power" to "subversion."

Before her arrest, she had taken part in the "white paper" protests against the stringent restrictions of the zero-COVID policy in November 2022.

But the action that prompted her prosecution by the Hong Kong authorities was her public commemoration of the death of Leung Kin-fai, who committed suicide after nonfatally stabbing a police officer outside the Sogo Department Store on July 1, 2021, in an attack described as "terrorism" by police at the time.

A police officer takes photos at the site where Leung Kin-fai stabbed a police officer in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, July 1, 2021. Credit: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

Zeng isn't the only person to be prosecuted for supporting Leung in public.

On Sept. 11, four former University of Hong Kong students pleaded guilty to "incitement to wound with intent" after they publicly praised Leung's action, according to Hong Kong court reporting service The Witness. They had earlier been accused of "glorifying terrorism," but the terrorism-related charges were dropped.

Kinson Cheung, Charles Kwok, Chris Todorovski and Anthony Yung, who are aged between 21 and 22, were arrested in 2021 after they took part in a student union meeting that passed a motion of sympathy for Leung, a move that was denounced in the pro-China press and by then leader Carrie Lam.

Since the 2019 protest movement, police have made more than 1,000 arrests under a draconian national security law, with thousands of protest movement supporters also targeted under colonial-era public order and sedition laws.

Participating in protests

Like many defendants keen to avoid months or even years of pretrial detention with no bail, Zeng pleaded guilty to "attempting to commit or preparing to commit one or more acts with seditious intent."

In an interview recorded before her second arrest, Zeng told Radio Free Asia that she was inspired by her first glimpse of the 2019 protests, which came when her law lecturer at a mainland Chinese university used a virtual private network, or VPN, to circumvent the Great Firewall of government censorship and show the class live footage of protesters occupying Hong Kong's Legislative Council chamber on July 1, 2019.

She later applied to study in Hong Kong, and started keeping up with political developments there, as well as doing some in-depth reading on overseas websites about the 1989 Tiananmen massacre that ended weeks of student-led democracy protests in Beijing and other major cities.

She arrived in Hong Kong as Peng Lifa was staging his explosive banner protest on Beijing's Sitong Bridge, ahead of the party congress, and eagerly embraced the "white paper" movement that followed.

By New Year's Day 2023, Zeng had been arrested for taking part in a public commemoration of Leung Kin-fai, and the police in China were already in touch with her parents.

Zeng appeared fearless at her trial, wearing a sweatshirt with a Winnie-the-Pooh motif, in an apparent sideswipe at ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, who is said to resemble the fictional bear.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on October 17, 2023.

Chinas third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) kicked off Tuesday in Beijing, with China claiming that representatives from some 130 countries were in attendance, including a representative of the Taliban and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin, whom President Xi Jinping refers to as his dear friend, last visited China for the Beijing Winter Olympics in Feb. 2022, declaring a no limits friendship days before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Trade has burgeoned between the two countries since  Russia exports around 2 million barrels of oil per day to China  and Xi and Putin are expected to discuss trade, including Moscows aim to build a second natural gas pipeline to China.

They are also expected to further cement their shared enmity toward the liberal West.

The only senior European Union representative in Beijing is Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, given broad western European skepticism of Chinas ambitions and a reluctance to share a platform with Putin, who is wanted for alleged war crimes.

Notable regional attendees include Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who arrived late Monday for his official visit, where he will focus on strengthening trade and investment ties.

Srettha will pay a courtesy call on Xi and hold bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, as part of his four-day visit, the Thai foreign ministry said in a statement.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (L) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on October 16, 2023. Credit: Pool/AFP

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Indonesian President Joko Widodo also arrived in Beijing on Monday, as did Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the prime minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape.

The conference marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, a vision spelt out by Xi in 2013 on visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia. Today it has 152 members and has been the driving force behind power plants and railways, as well as causing controversy over so-called debt diplomacy.

Non-attendees

Regional non-attendees include Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's prime minister, though Malaysia has sent a delegation led by Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook.

A notably absent country is India, which has never attended a forum.

Even before the  emergence of the Indo-Pacific construct, India staunchly opposed the BRI and, along with Japan, sought to present an alternative to the initiative, Sana Hashmi, fellow at Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, told RFA.

While some countries initially attended the [earlier] BRI forum[s] and later decided to distance themselves from it, India consistently recognised the potential detrimental impact of the BRI on its national interests and the regional landscape.

Indias concerns about the BRI  expanding Chinas sphere of influence, increasing regional dependency on China, trapping countries in debt, and violating countries sovereignty  have been shared by several major powers and like-minded countries over the course of a decade, said Hashmi.

A view shows signage at China National Convention Center ahead of the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China October 16, 2023. Credit: Reuters

Ilshat Hassan Kokbore, vice president of the Executive Committee at the World Uyghur Congress, said First, China wants to expand its influence in Afghanistan and neutralize any potential threat to its sovereignty. Second, China wants to develop close relations with the Taliban and turn them against the U.S.

Third, he added, China wants to use Afghanistan to further cement its relations with other countries on the One Belt One Road [the initial name of the BRI], such as Iran and Middle Eastern countries.

Christoph Nedopil Wang, the director of the Griffith Asia Institute, told The Guardian that inviting Putin was essentially a snub to western governments, highlighting the alignment of Chinese and Russian political priorities.

Shared future

Ahead of the forum, China last week published a white paper that claimed the ultimate goal of the BRI is to help build a global community of shared future, in what can be seen as emblematic of Chinas aim of achieving solidarity with the Global South as a counter to a U.S. dominated world.

Among a dizzying array of claimed accomplishments and future goals that include air, maritime and road economic corridors, the paper also emphasized people-to-people ties  [and a] spirit of friendly cooperation of the ancient Silk Road.

The opening ceremony for launching Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway at Padalarang station in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Indonesian President Joko Widodo launched Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway, a key project under China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Credit: AP

State nationalist tabloid Global Times reported on the forum's decorations and atmosphere in Beijing. Some foreign guests expressed optimism about peace and global cooperation.

It's been four years since the last BRF in 2019, and China is eager to showcase the BRI's decade-long achievements.

Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.
Ottawas defense minister says military jet came within 5 meters of Canadian surveillance plane on UN mission.

Updated Oct. 17, 2023, 04:50 a.m. ET.

Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair has accused China of conducting a dangerous and reckless interception of a Canadian surveillance aircraft.

Blair responded to a report by Canadas Global News that Chinese fighter jets intercepted a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) military airplane in an aggressive manner while the latter was flying over international waters off the coast of China on Monday.

The news outlet said a missile-carrying Chinese jet came as close as five meters from the Canadian aircraft  a distance deemed by military analysts to be leaving very little margin for error.

Reporters from Radio Canada and Global News were on board the CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft which was on a U.N. mission to monitor sanctions against North Korea.

I am very concerned about the unprofessional way in which this was done, Blair told reporters in Ottawa.

It was quite frankly dangerous and reckless. And those types of behaviors are not ever acceptable and we will express that to the Peoples Republic of China in the most appropriate way, he said.

Beijing responded by lodging a protest with the Canadian government saying the CP-140 illegally intruded into airspace claimed by China, violating its sovereignty and threatening national security.

"The truth of the matter is that a Canadian military aircraft traveled thousands of miles to China's doorstep to provoke trouble, and China dealt with it in accordance with the law and regulations," Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news conference, accusing Canada of spreading fake news.

Global News quoted the commander of RCAFs 1st Air Division Maj. Gen. Iain Huddleston, who was also on board, as saying that the Chinese jets also launched multiple flares near the front of the Aurora.

They became very aggressive and to a degree we would deem it unsafe and unprofessional, Huddleston told the broadcaster.

The Canadian surveillance aircraft was taking part in U.N. Operation NEON to monitor shipping lanes in the East China Sea for signs of vessels that may be violating the oil embargo against North Korea.

The Aurora is Canadas primary airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, according to the Canadian government website. The RCAF has a fleet of 14 CP-140 Aurora planes.

Risk of collision

According to Global News, Chinese jets intercepted the Canadian plane consistently for multiple hours during the more than eight-hour-long mission.

One of the Chinese aircraft was aggressively flying back and forth in close proximity while appearing to put the Canadian plane in its blind spot, it said.

Such close air encounters were common, said Collin Koh, a regional military analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

Those that happened but were unreported were not counted. But 5m is awfully close and for aircraft, thats very little margin for error, Koh told Radio Free Asia.

A variety of aerodynamic factors can lead to collision, thats why a safe separation is required, the analyst said. Unless the PLA aviator is doing scripted aerobatic stunts to wow the crowd, this kind of operational behavior is uncalled for.

This is not the first time Canada has accused the Chinese air force of conducting dangerous maneuvers against its military aircraft. In June 2022, it said Chinese jets were buzzing, or flying extremely close and fast, a RCAFs airplane multiple times.

A spokesperson for the Canadian Department of National Defence said at that time that the incidents were of concern and of increasing frequency, with around 60 such interceptions reported in a six-month period from December 2021 to June 2022.

There have been many close encounters between Chinese and foreign military airplanes in recent years.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in December that a Chinese J-11 fighter pilot performed an unsafe maneuver during an intercept of a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft, forcing the RC-135 to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision.

In March 2022, U.S. F-35 fighters reportedly had at least one close contact with Chinas J-20 stealth fighters over the East China Sea.

The worst incident occurred in April 2001 when a Chinese F-8 fighter jet collided with a U.S. Navy EP-3 Aries II surveillance plane over the South China Sea, killing the Chinese pilot. The U.S. airplane had to make an emergency landing on Chinas Hainan island and its 24 crew members were detained for 11 days before being released.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

Updated to include Chinese foreign ministry response.
The ruling Chinese Communist Party is stepping up its monitoring of citizens across the board, from door-to-door monitoring of residential neighborhoods to new rules requiring online celebrities to use their real names.

Local governments across the country have been recruiting thousands of people in recent months as "grid workers" supplying information about residents to the local authorities, according to official websites.

The grid management system is so named because it carves up neighborhoods into a grid pattern with 15-20 households per square, and gives each grid a dedicated monitor who reports back on residents' affairs to neighborhood committees, the lowest rung in the government hierarchy.

Neighborhood committees in China have long been tasked with monitoring the activities of ordinary people in a certain area, but the grid system will allow officials to do so even more closely, as well as giving indicators of possible dissent at an early stage.

Grid workers are "information collectors, policy propagandists, liaison [officers] for social situations and public opinion, conflict and dispute mediators," among other things, according to a recruitment ad posted to the website of the Heshan city government in the southern province of Guangdong.

Multiple job recruitment postings for grid workers are seen on a Shandong civil service website in Aug. 2023. Credit: RFA screenshot

In the eastern province of Shandong, authorities in the provincial capital Jinan posted ads for 1,880 grid worker positions in August, with ads also visible on government websites in northeastern Jilin, southeastern Fujian, the southwestern megacity of Chongqing, and Shandong's Laizhou city.

Such workers "visit regularly to comprehensively collect basic information on people, events, places, objects, emotions, etc, within their grid," according to the Heshan recruitment material.

Most ads want to recruit people who live in the district they'll be monitoring, and only those who "support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party."

Anyone who has "failed to cooperate" with the government or implement the party line" in the past isn't eligible, even if they were merely engaging in passive resistance, according to a recruitment ad posted by authorities in Jilin's Tonghua city.

Door to door

A photo of a notice posted to social media showed a warning to local residents by the Huanglianqiao Neighborhood Committee in Sichuan's Deyang city that grid management in the residential district would be starting soon, with grid workers going door to door to "collect personal information from residents."

"We hope that community residents will actively cooperate," the Oct. 9 notice said.

Local resident Li Hong said he had received a similar warning from his neighborhood committee, adding that the grid workers are telling people to "be cautious in word and deed."

"They check the internet and tell adults and children not to go on WhatsApp, not to go on Twitter or Facebook, not to go on Telegram, and not to discuss the war between Hamas and Israel," Li told Radio Free Asia on Monday. "[Basically] not to speak, and not to comment."

Calls to the Huanglianqiao Neighborhood Committee rang answered during office hours on Monday.

A member of a neighborhood committee knocks on the door to register locals and ask about their travel history in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Feb. 2, 2020. Credit: Thomas Peter/Reuters

A staff member who answered the phone at the nearby Tianyuan Subdistrict Office of the local government said grid workers were also tasked with getting people to download an "anti-fraud" app issued by the government.

"They're asking everyone to download the anti-fraud app," the staff member said. "Im not sure about other tasks."

Social media footage has emerged in recent weeks of police stopping people at railway stations and streets in Daqing city and in Inner Mongolia and forcing them to download the app, with students at Jiangxi Normal University reporting similar orders.

Online comments have warned that the app continues to work in the background even if it's deleted by the user, while residents have also told Radio Free Asia that the app contains spyware that tracks all of a phone user's actions.

'Hidden risks'

While Radio Free Asia has been unable to verify those technical claims, Professor Yang Haiying of Japan's Shizuoka University said in an interview on Sept. 27 that the app also prevents overseas contacts from calling people back home in China, citing his own attempts to call relatives in Inner Mongolia since they installed it.

Sichuan's provincial party politics and law committee described grid work in a March Weibo post as "discovering and reporting hidden risks, reactionary propaganda, cult-related activities, illegal preaching and other political and security risks.

Grid workers are also tasked with reporting social issues, damage to public facilities, clues to illegal and criminal activities such as violent debt collection, illegal pyramid schemes, pornography, gambling, drug trafficking, theft, robbery, and the illegal mining of sand and gravel."

They also play a role in "possible or ongoing cases of individual extremism and mass incidents [protests and demonstrations] ... reporting social conditions and public opinion [and] propaganda and mobilization, as well as participating in emergency response activities, policing and stability maintenance," the article said.

"Grid management is gradually spreading, until it controls the whole of society," Hunan-based current affairs commentator Yuan Xiaohua told Radio Free Asia. "They are pushing the Fengqiao Experience  grid management is the Fengqiao Experience in a different form."

Community workers wearing armbands sit by a street as the Third Belt and Road Forum is held in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Credit: Tingshu Wang/Reuters

Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping mentioned the "Fengqiao Experience" during a visit to Zhejiang ahead of the Asian Games in Hangzhou last month, in a reference to the grassroots mobilization of the early 1960s, when then supreme leader Mao Zedong called on the masses to mobilize to wage class struggle across the country. Commentators have interpreted this to mean that similar moves are afoot in todays China.

As well as the granular monitoring of people's daily lives and thoughts, government censors are also cracking down on online influencers, bloggers and celebrities, insisting that they use their real names on social media, instead of a pen-name.

The social media platform Sina Weibo recently warned users with followings of more than a million followers that they must display their real names on their accounts by the end of October, while users with more than 500,000 followers must comply by the end of the year.

Real-name registration has long been a requirement for social media users in China, but accounts weren't required to display a person's real name openly, although they did have to supply it to the service provider.

"Surveillance in China, including censorship of speech, is comprehensive," current affairs commentator Bi Xin said. "There are no blind spots."



Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie.
The new rule targets A.I.-capable chips made especially to fall below the power threshold of a previous U.S. ban.

NVIDIA is the leading manufacturer of A.I.-capable chips in the United States.

The U.S. semiconductor industry has said new prohibitions on microchip exports to China may be overly broad and harmful, after the Commerce Department on Tuesday expanded its rules to cover chips developed especially to skirt the existing export ban.

The rules were issued on Tuesday and both expand the number of high-end A.I.-capable chips subject to licensing requirements for export and force chipmakers to notify authorities before exporting any gray zone chips that fall just below the power threshold for bans.

NVIDIA, the leading manufacturer of A.I.-capable chips in the United States, had after last years initial ban on the export of advanced chips developed new chips that fell just beneath the export threshold.

But those chips  the A800 and H800, which are modified versions of the more powerful A100 and H100 chips made especially for the Chinese market  will now also be banned from sale to China.

NVIDIAs H100 chip already has been banned for export to China. (NVIDIA/Handout via Reuters file photo)

NVIDIAs share price, which is up 268% since a year ago, fell 4.9% in morning trading after the new export restrictions were unveiled.

However, NVIDIA said in a statement it was not worried about the ban, which American officials say is needed to slow Chinas attempts to modernize its military to further its expansionist territorial goals.

We comply with all applicable regulations while working to provide products that support thousands of applications across many different industries, it said. Given the demand worldwide for our products, we dont expect a near-term meaningful impact on our financial results.

Military purposes

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters the vast majority of chips exported to China would remain unaffected by the new rules. Most chips used for consumer goods and electronics continue to flow to China, she said, just not those with clear military purposes.

These export controls are intended to protect technologies that have clear national security or human rights implications, Raimondo said, noting China would continue to import billions of dollars of chips.

Gregory Allen, an expert on A.I. chips at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the new rules would have a significant effect on Chinas tech sector by cutting off even NVIDIAs less-powerful chips, which were still more powerful than any current alternatives.

The updated controls will specifically prohibit exports of the AI chips that U.S. companies modified in order to comply with earlier controls, Allen told Radio Free Asia. The updated controls will significantly restrict China's access to advanced AI chips.

China will continue to import billions of dollars of chips, says Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP file photo)

Still there remains concerns about creating a market void.

The Semiconductor Industry Association, which claims to represent 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue, said in a statement the group was evaluating the new prohibitions but was worried China will turn to other countries for similar chips.

U.S. officials have closely courted both Japan and the Netherlands  two of the only other countries in the world with industries capable of making the finely-etched chips needed for A.I. chips  to follow suit and ban their companies from exporting military-grade chips to China.

The association said it recognized the national security concerns but that little would be achieved if there was not global cooperation.

Overly broad, unilateral controls risk harming the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem without advancing national security as they encourage overseas customers to look elsewhere, it said, calling for coordination with allies to ensure a level playing field for all companies.

Chip war

The rules are only the latest in the ongoing battle over global trade in chips, which has also seen Beijing ban U.S. chipmaker Micron from selling in its market and the Biden administration lay down $52.7 billion in subsidies to coax manufacturers back to the United States.

The ban, though, failed to stem Chinese chipmaker SMIC from developing an advanced 7-nanometer chip used in a new flagship phone from Huawei that was released in China last month, with U.S. lawmakers calling for an investigation into how SMIC developed the capability.

Beijing has repeatedly slammed U.S. export bans and subsidies for its chipmakers as protectionist moves and part of a Cold War mentality, and said that the restrictions are creating havoc in world markets.

We have made our position clear on U.S. restrictions of chip exports to China, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, responding to a question about rumors of the impending new ban. The U.S. needs to stop politicizing and weaponizing trade and tech issues and stop destabilizing global industrial and supply chains.
China raised the stakes by deploying one of its navy ships in the ongoing dispute, according to analysts.

The Philippine military chief accused Chinas navy of dangerously shadowing a Philippine ship during a rare standoff between the navies from the two countries on Oct. 13 amid heightened tensions over contested waters.

Analysts said Beijing was raising the stakes to goad Manila in their bilateral dispute over the Spratly Islands by bringing in one of its naval ships during the encounter near Thitu island in the South China Sea.

These dangerous offensive maneuvers by Chinas [Peoples Liberation Army Navy] not only risk collision but also directly endanger the lives of maritime personnel from both sides, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, chief of the Philippine armed forces, said in a statement on Sunday.

The [Armed Forces of the Philippines] remains committed to ensuring the safety of its personnel during missions and asserts that it will continue to adhere to the rules-based international order.

The standoff occurred on Friday near Manila-occupied Thitu, an island in the Spratlys, said Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, public affairs chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), adding that the Chinese ship came as close as 80 yards (73.1 meters) to the Filipino ship.

The standoff was believed to be the first one between a Chinese and a Philippine navy ship in recent years. In recent months, there have been many more tense encounters between coast guard ships of the two claimant countries.

The Philippine ship was en route to Commodore Reef, located within Manilas exclusive economic zone, as part of a resupply mission when the standoff took place, according to the Philippine military.

The Chinese warship appeared to be a Type 056 corvette of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy, designed mainly for patrol and escort missions.

Zhongye Dao is Chinas territory. The Philippines has illegally occupied Zhongye Dao, which seriously violates Chinas sovereignty. The Chinese warships navigation and patrol in waters of Zhongye Dao is lawful and legitimate, Mao Ning, a spokeswoman at Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during a regular press conference on Monday, referring to Thitu by its Chinese name.

xxx

Apart from China and the Philippines, other countries with overlapping claims in the South China Sea are Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia. Taiwan is also a claimant.

In 2016, a U.N. arbitration court ruled in favor of the Philippines, saying that Chinas historical claims to the sea region as delineated then in Chinese maps by a nine-dash line (now a 10-dash line) were invalid. But Beijing rejected the ruling and has since insisted that it has jurisdiction over all areas within that boundary.

Manila had brought Beijing to the court in 2012 after accusing its naval ships of blocking the Philippines access to Scarborough Shoal, which has remained under Chinas administrative control ever since.

Thitu Island, near which the alleged shadowing took place, has been under the Philippines occupation since the 1970s, but China, Vietnam, and Taiwan have also placed their claims over the 37-acre island.

Upping the ante

The deployment of a military ship means Beijing is raising the stakes in the territorial dispute, Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore, told BenarNews.

In the current context of rising tensions over the past several months, putting the navy on the front together with the coast guard and maritime militia would represent Beijing trying to up the ante, he said.

A Chinese coast guard ship (left) sails past the grounded Philippine navy ship where marines are stationed to assert Manilas territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea, Aug. 22, 2023. Credit: Ted Aljibe / AFP

The heightened tension also comes at a time when Manila continues to broaden and deepen its security ties with the U.S. and other Western allies.

Beijing sees such developments as critical for its narrowly driven regional ambitions, Don Mclain Gill, a Manila-based geopolitical analyst who teaches at De La Salle University, told BenarNews. The ramping up of Chinese provocations is a sign of this anxiety in Beijing.

Last week, 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.

China is now trying to navigate how far it can go to provoke the Philippines and alter the security dynamics of the region without triggering a shooting war, Gill added.

BenarNews is an RFA affiliated online news organization.
Hamas appears to have used North Korean weapons and tactics in attacks on Israel.

Palestinian militants carrying what appears to be a North Korean F-7 rocket propelled grenade launcher [with red band] drive back to the Gaza Strip, Oct. 7, 2023.

North Korea appears to have a military connection to Hamas, and weapons and tactics used in the Palestinian militant groups attacks this month on Israel are likely North Korean in origin, the South Korean military said Tuesday.

Hamas is believed to be directly or indirectly linked to North Korea in various areas, such as the weapons trade, tactical guidance and training, a senior member of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, who did not want to be named, told reporters at a special press briefing in Seoul.

The official further suggested that North Korea could use similar tactics to Hamas in an attack on the South.

There is a possibility that North Korea could use Hamas' attack methods [in the event of] a surprise invasion of South Korea," he said.

Radio Free Asia reported last week that a video shared on social media showed a Hamas fighter holding what appeared to be a North Korean F-7 rocket propelled grenade launcher or RPG.

The military official confirmed that the F-7 is another name for the North Korean RPG-7 high-explosive fragmentation rocket, but did not elaborate on whether the weapon reached Hamas in direct trade with North Korea or via a third party.

The official said that spent 122-millimeter artillery shells discovered near Gazas border with Israel are likely North Korean exports, because they were marked in Korean letters Bang-122, and shells with this marking have been used in North Korean artillery attacks of the South.

North Korean state media last week denied that Hamas was using North Korean weapons, calling the idea a groundless and false rumor spread by reptile press bodies and quasi-experts in the United States.

Invasion tactics

Hamas attack on Israel used paragliders and drones, a tactic that has been employed by North Korea, leading to speculation that Pyongyang could have given tactical information to Hamas, he said.

In 2020, North Korea practiced an attack on a replica of the Blue House, South Koreas former presidential office and residence. Commandos rode paragliders to a landing point near the replica and staged an assault.

Israeli soldiers and journalists gather around a damaged powered paraglider allegedly used by Palestinian militants in Kfar Aza, south of Israel bordering Gaza Strip, on Oct. 10, 2023. Credit: Thomas Coex/AFP

Speaking at a different press briefing on Tuesday, Lee Sung Joon, the spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was not the official who spoke at the special press briefing, said that the military was analyzing and evaluating weapons and tactics used by Hamas.

In addition, we are closely monitoring North Korea using joint ROK-US surveillance and reconnaissance assets and are maintaining a thorough readiness posture for North Korean provocations, he said.

No surprise

A military connection between North Korea and Hamas is very likely, Bruce Bennett, a Senior Fellow at the U.S.-based RAND Corporation think tank, told RFA Korean.

For many years, North Korea has sent its military personnel overseas to help train foreign military personnel in many countries, so it should be no surprise to find North Korean military trainers in Gaza supporting Hamas, said Bennett.

North Korea almost always denies its involvement in other countries, so North Korean denial of its weapons being used by Hamas is exactly what we would expect, he said.

Bennett said that North Korean trainers would be most comfortable with North Korean weapons.

So why would anyone be surprised that North Korea has provided Hamas with some of the weapons that Hamas used to attack Israel, including everything from small arms to artillery munitions? he said, adding that the weapons could have first been sold to parties in Iran and then transferred into Gaza through tunnels from Egypt.

Cooperation with North Korea by buying weapons or military training is a violation of U.S. and U.N. sanctions, Anthony Ruggiero of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told RFA.

The Biden administration should increase its enforcement of North Korea sanctions to reduce Pyongyangs revenue generation, he said.

Additional reporting by Kim Soyoung for RFA Korean. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
The new homegrown fighter jet KF-21 brings S Korea closer to its goal for 5% of global arms exports.

Members of South Korea's Black Eagle aerobatics team perform a display at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in Seongnam, south of Seoul on Oct. 16, 2023

With Kim Jong Un escalating nuclear threats from the North, South Korea has found a cost-effective solution: its homegrown fighter jets.

The country unveiled its first domestically-produced supersonic fighter jet, the KF-21, also known as the Boramae, to the public at the Seoul Airbase on Tuesday, joining an elite group of nations to demonstrate such technology. The KF-21 could boost the allies deterrence capability against the likes of North Korea.

The aircraft, introduced at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023, was developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, and set for mass production in 2026. The homegrown project is a part of a broader plan to strengthen South Koreas resilience in the face of increasingly intrusive neighbors that include North Korea and China.

We define the defense industry as a national strategic industry, crucial for both security and the economy, South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol said in a speech at the Seoul Airbase.

We are committed to cultivating an environment that fosters the continued growth of the defense industry, bolstering its global standing, he said, adding that the United States ally will aim to establish a collaborative defense and security framework among the like-minded nations.

The KF-21 offers a cheaper option to Lockheed Martin Corp.s F-35 Lightning II, serving both South Koreas own military needs and the international market. As one of the U.S.s key security allies, Seoul has already purchased F-35s.

Indonesia has agreed to pay 20% of the US$6.7 billion project cost for the KF-21. The two countries agreed in 2014 to work together to make the next generation jet, even though at one point after that, Jakarta threatened to exit from the project.

South Koreas unveiling of the KF-21  with comparable features to the F-35  may enhance the military preparedness of the U.S. and its allies in Asia, broadening the spectrum of defense capabilities at a lower cost.

South Korea has been actively modernizing its military capabilities: it has achieved milestones like successfully launching its first ballistic missile from a submarine and propelling its inaugural rocket to advance its domestic space program.

Its arms exports last year soared to an unprecedented US$17.3 billion, according to a statement from the Presidential Office on Tuesday. This surge was attributed to substantial contracts, encompassing the supply of K2 tanks, K-9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and the Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, South Korea is the ninth biggest global arms exporter from 2018 to 2022. Its growth rate of 74% over the previous five years was one of the swiftest in the world.

Seoul has set an ambitious target to take a five percent share of the global arms export market by 2027, aiming to elevate its status to the worlds fourth-largest defense exporter.

Edited by Elaine Chan and Taejun Kang.
It is important to send a strong message of international unity to prevent the Chinese authorities from forcibly repatriating [them], says Thae Yong-ho, who is now a member of the South Korean parliament. He is seen here during an interview at Radio free Asia.

North Koreans who have escaped to China need help to avoid being sent back against their will, and pressure on Beijing from South Korea alone is not enough, a former North Korean diplomat told Radio Free Asia.

It is important to send a strong message of international unity to prevent the Chinese authorities from forcibly repatriating [them], said Thae Yong-ho, who is now a member of the South Korean National Assembly. It is difficult to stop it with only the demands of the South Korean government.

The remarks come a week after Beijing secretly repatriated more than 500 North Koreans on Oct. 9, the day after the conclusion of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Thae, who in 2016 defected with his family to the South while serving as Pyongyangs deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom, is visiting Washington, D.C. to inspect the South Korean Embassy in his role as a lawmaker representing Seouls wealthy Gangnam district.

He is scheduled to meet with U.S. State Department officials and members of Congress to discuss the forced repatriation issue.

A bus carrying escapees from North Korea crosses the bridge to North Koreas Sinuiju from Chinas Dandong on Aug. 29, 2023. Credit: Kim Ji Eun/RFA

Thae said that Seoul had been repeatedly trying to raise the issue with Beijing.

Foreign Minister Park Jin and Unification Minister Kim Young-ho have both publicly requested that China stop repatriating North Koreans,  said Thae. Also, during the Hangzhou Asian Games, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited China and met with President Xi Jinping, demanding that North Koreans not be repatriated.

Even with the public requests and off-the-record pleas, China continues to justify forced repatriation by claiming that North Korean escapees in China are illegal displaced persons rather than refugees.

More than words

The distinction is not simply an issue of semantics. If escapees are not refugees, then China argues it is not bound to protect them under the U.N. Refugee Convention and as illegal immigrants, the principle of non-refoulement does not apply to them.

Beijing maintains that it must repatriate North Koreans who fled the country because it is bound by two agreements it has with Pyongyang, the 1960 PRC-DPRK Escaped Criminals Reciprocal Extradition Treaty and the 1986 Mutual Cooperation Protocol for the Work of Maintaining National Security and Social Order and the Border Areas.

If they are made to return to North Korea, many escapees will face a grim fate, Thae said.

Some of them will be sent to concentration camps for [at least] several months of detention and forced labor, and if they are found to have tried to escape North Korea and go to South Korea, they may be executed, Thae said.

Thae recalled his own fears of forced repatriation at the time when he decided to defect.

At the time, I was also very worried that some unexpected variable might arise in the process of defecting from North Korea, he said. People still detained in detention facilities in China are probably very anxious and worried that they will be forcibly repatriated to North Korea.

During his U.S. trip, Thae has plans to meet with American officials to request that they join their voices in opposition against forced repatriation of North Koreans in China.

We plan to deliver a letter to President Biden appealing to the U.S. government to speak up [on this issue], said Thae. We plan to deliver it to the lawmakers [Monday]. There should be a campaign nationwide and globally calling for an end to forced repatriations."

Thae attended an event hosted by human rights groups in front of the White House on Monday afternoon to raise awareness about the issue.

New US Envoy

On Friday, Washington swore in Julie Turner as its special envoy for North Korea Human Rights, ending a six-year vacancy for the position.

She arrived in Seoul on Monday for a three-day visit. After meeting with Foreign Minister Park, the two sides promised to work together to improve North Korean human rights.

Addressing a forum of rights activists and North Korean escapees in South Korea, Turner acknowledged that the United States often brings up the issue of forced repatriations in discussions with Beijing.

So I again hope that the PRC will not [repatriate North Koreans] and we will continue to remind them of their international obligations, but I can't say that I believe that they will not," she said.

Julie Turner, the United States new special envoy for North Korea Human Rights, arrived in Seoul on Monday for a three-day visit. Credit: U.S. Department of State

Thae said that he was regretful that he and Turner missed each other as his trip to the U.S. coincided with her trip to Korea.

We plan to meet at an early date and discuss specific ways to help the U.S. speak out more for North Korean human rights issues in the international community and what strategies can be used to solve North Korean human rights issues and stop forced repatriation," he said.

Translated by Eugene Whong. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
The groups have joined in clashes with anti-junta forces since mid-September.

Since Sept. 17, Myanmars junta has been sending ethnic militias to fight around Lai Zar, including the Warazup militia, seen here on July 8, 2023, says Col. Naw Bu, a spokesman for the KIA.

Myanmars junta is beefing up its proxy forces in Kachin state, pitting ethnic minority fighters against one another to counter staunch resistance in the northern region, according to military experts.

The use of ethnic fighters, in addition to other militias such as the Pyu Saw Htee, is the latest gambit by the junta to solidify power in Myanmar, where the military has become embroiled in a multifront conflict with armed groups following its February 2021 coup detat.

Fierce fighting between junta troops and a joint force of the Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, and Peoples Defense Force, or PDF, paramilitary groups began moving in July towards the KIAs headquarters in Lai Zar, a remote town in Kachin state on the border with China.

Since then, the junta has been attacking townships on the ground and from the air near Lai Zar and areas along the Myitkyina-Bhamo road, as part of a bid to gain control of the major Kachin cities of Hpakant, Bhamo and Myitkyina.

But the KIA and PDF  loosely organized units of civilians across the country who have taken up arms against the junta  have proved worthy adversaries.

Col. Naw Bu, a spokesman for the KIA, recently told RFA Burmese that more than 80 battles were fought the vicinity of Bhamo, Hpakant, Tanai, Shwegu, Momauk, Waingmaw and at the KIA's Lai Zar headquarters between July 23 and Sept. 11, during which 51 junta soldiers were killed and 106 injured.

The number of casualties among anti-junta forces was not immediately available and the junta has provided little information on the fighting.

On Monday, Naw Bu said that amid the resistance, the junta has begun enlisting ethnic militias in Kachin and neighboring Shan state to reinforce its Bhamo-based troops in attacking the KIA in Lai Zar.

These militias are sent to the front line after receiving only brief amounts of military training, he said. They would never arm those militias unless they were being used on the front line  So, we ethnic groups have to fight one another and they are happy to let ethnic troops die.

Naw Bu said that the junta had been sending ethnic militias to fight around Lai Zar since Sept. 17.

Kachin Independence Army troops, seen in this undated photo, have been fighting junta forces near the KIAs headquarters in Lai Zar, a town in Kachin state on the border with China. Credit: KIA





Among them are the Lisu militia, led by Shwe Min, and the Warazup militia, led by Min Zay Thant, he said. The two militias clashed with the KIA several times since last year, and the Warazup group claimed that its troops raided and destroyed a post manned by KIA Battalion 14 on Oct. 2.

Reports of the juntas use of ethnic militias follow a Sept. 10 visit by junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to northern Shan state, during which he met with several militia leaders and urged them to cooperate in military and security initiatives.

Reserve force for dwindling military

Warazup leader Min Zay Thant told RFA that his militia, based in Hpakant township, has fought the KIA as a matter of self-defense against repeated attacks.

If they attack us, we will respond as much as we can, in accordance with our plan for security of the area and the safety of our people, he said. If they dont want these problems, the KIA shouldnt attack us.

Min Zay Thant said that the militia was enforcing the security of Warazup village and not involved in junta troop offensives.

Attempts to contact junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the militarys use of ethnic militias in Kachin state went unanswered Monday.

But Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the pro-military Thayninga Institute of Strategic Studies, made up of former generals, told RFA that the military has a long tradition of using militias to counter armed groups in Myanmar.

Beginning with the communist insurgency that started after our [1948] independence, and later, when armed violence took place across the country, it was the militias that kept the regions stable, he said. This is the method that was used in the past, and now it is being used again. Its nothing special.

Other observers say the juntas push to enlist ethnic militias in its fight against the KIA shows that its ground forces are increasingly stretched thin.

[Militia groups] can be used as a kind of reserve force, said political commentator Than Soe Naing. When the military is dwindling, as it is these days, they are mobilized to join in the war.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Residents of Yinmarbin township, Sagaing region fled during junta raids on their villages on April 1, 2023. Other villagers returned home this week to find the bodies of six locals, killed by troops.

Villagers found six bodies after an attack in Sagaing regions Yinmarbin township, residents told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday.

More than 80 troops raided Thea Kone village on Saturday, causing residents to flee. But when locals returned to check the area the following day, six people were arrested. They had returned to feed livestock and were captured by soldiers who were hiding in the village.

By Monday, some had been beaten to death, while others were shot, residents said. The victims included Thant Zin Oo, Khant Nay Naing and Than Htike Aung, who were all 17 years old. Maung Lin, Zaw Maung and Zaw Thu were in their 30s.

Zaw Maung was beheaded by the soldiers, according to one resident, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.

When the group left on Oct. 15, locals returned to their village because they thought that the area was clear. But half of the junta forces remained hiding in the village, he told RFA.

They arrested [the six] and they were killed before the troops left the village on Oct. 16.

The corpses were found with bruises and bullet holes from the shooting.

The bodies were found in a pile at the entrance of Thea Kone village on Monday evening. Residents said they also found a blood-stained wooden stick at the site.

One woman said she was afraid to return home after the killings and was still hiding in the area.

Ive been fleeing ahead of the troops since Oct. 14, and it has been four days today. I still havent returned home, she told RFA, asking to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.

I am afraid that the column will come back. Those arrested were killed while feeding the cattle they left at home. They were not members of peoples defense forces. They were local civilians.

Locals said they did not know the reason for the attack. Thea Kone is an agricultural village with just over 600 residents. Calls to Saing Naing Naing Kyaw, Sagaing regions junta spokesperson, went unanswered.

In July, 14 people were killed in Yinmarbin township in another village raid. The township has been the site of multiple airstrikes and arson attacks by junta forces this year.

More than 4,000 civilians have been killed across the country since the military coup in Feb. 2021. according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Residents stage a protest against the Myanmar junta in the town of Letpadaung in Salingyi township, northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, Oct. 14, 2023.

Anti-junta protesters have returned to the streets of Myanmars Sagaing region, despite intense crackdowns and raids by military forces, organizers of the demonstrations said.

Residents in the northwestern region are not only leading armed resistance efforts, but also holding nonviolent protests again as they did in the months following the February 2021 military coup that seized power from the countrys elected government, local activists said.

The takeover triggered a wave of resistance across the country, prompting the military to respond with violence and mass arrests. Despite the crackdowns, citizens took up arms in self-defense, forming groups known as Peoples Defense Forces, while the coup also stoked conflicts that had been on the decline in ethnic borderland areas.

Sagaing emerged early on as a hotbed of armed dissent and remains so more than two and a half years after the coup with armed conflicts occurring nearly every day between resistance forces and junta troops.

Hundreds of residents of Kani, Mingin, Salingyi, Yinmarbin, Kalay, Khin-U, Ye-U and Chaung-U townships are participating in peaceful public protests that resumed in early October, activists leading the protests said.

They are demanding that people cut off the flow of money to the juntas coffers, boycotting military-owned products and rejecting military-sponsored elections, the sources said.

Protest groups



To resurrect the popular movement, protest groups in different townships formed a regional committee on Oct. 1 to better coordinate public marches, Khant Wai Phyo, a member of the Monywa Peoples Strike Committee, told Radio Free Asia.

The number of people who can be armed is limited, [but] on the other hand, there is a large majority of people who do not accept the military dictatorship at all, he said. Therefore, the public has joined in activities that the majority of the public can do  demonstrating that they do not accept the military.

Nearly 40 protest groups are now active at the township and village levels, he said.

Farmers from Khin-U township stage an outlawed plowing protest against the Myanmar junta in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, Aug. 29, 2023. Credit: Khin-U township True News Information

As they did in the period following the coup when people took to the streets to voice their displeasure with the regime, residents are taking huge risks by participating in the anti-regime protests because junta soldiers violently crack down on them, said an official from the Kani Strike Committee.

Because of such continuous movements, we support [the anti-regime protesters] and strengthen the movement, he said.

The movement in Sagaing is strong, [and] people take risks to join the activities, he said.

The people of Sagaing region are not acting out of desperation amid ongoing crackdowns by the junta, but rather are fighting back with a strong will, said Nay Zin Latt, a lawmaker for Sagaing regions Kanbalu township under the former democratically elected government toppled by the military.

The junta is attempting to instill fear in the population, though the public is actively participating in public activities in various forms without backing down, he said. Even after more than two or three years of the revolution, it still hasnt weakened.

Boycotts

Protesters are urging others in the region not to buy or sell military-owned products, Nay Zin Latt said, to prevent the cash-strapped ruling junta, subjected to international sanctions, from benefiting financially.

An official from Kanbalu township Peoples Defense Force said locals can easily conduct protests there because the resistance fighters control about 70% of the township.

Junta soldiers can only stay on their bases with arms, he said. As soon as they leave their posts, they will be in enemy territory.

Sagaing region is leading the countrys ongoing resistance movement with a combination of brains and brawn to oppose the military dictatorship, said Tay Zar San, an anti-regime protest leader.

During the peoples Spring Revolution, they resisted with brawn by conducting an armed struggle, but on the other hand, they are also [using] their brains to stage popular movements, he said, referring to the nationwide revolutionary struggle to permanently remove the military from Myanmars politics.

The intention of the popular movement is to underline to the international community that despite long military rule, the people continue to oppose the junta.

Though popular protests are going strong again, more than 813,000 civilians in Sagaing region have been displaced by armed conflict, according to the latest figure from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
The Marshall Islands, an archipelago in the militarily strategic western Pacific, on Monday signed a new economic assistance agreement with the United States that underwrites close ties at a time of increased U.S.-China competition in the region.

The Marshall Islands along with Micronesia and Palau, under agreements known as compacts of free association, give the United States military access to their vast ocean territories in exchange for funding and the right for their citizens to live and work in the U.S.

Palau and Micronesia renewed the funding component of their compacts earlier this year but negotiations between the Marshall Islands and the U.S. were more challenging because of the legacy of U.S. nuclear testing in the 1940s and 1950s at Bikini and Enewetak atolls.

The agreements are critical to all of our countries and to a continued free and open Pacific based on shared values, said Congressman Ed Case, who attended the signing ceremony in Honolulu. I was honored to join, Marshall Islands and U.S. officials, for the signing of our renewed Compact of Free Association between the U.S. and the RMI, he said.

Photos that Case posted on his Facebook account showed that Marshall Islands President David Kabua was present at the ceremony along with Foreign Minister Jack Ading and the U.S. chief compact negotiator Joseph Yun.

All signed, Yun said, according to a Reuters report. I hope they [the agreements] will be enacted soon by Congress, he told the news agency.

The U.S. State Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kabua told the United Nations General Assembly in September that an agreement for a renewed compact with the U.S. was achievable, but only if Marshallese believed the long-term legacy of nuclear testing was addressed.

As a functioning democracy, we cannot ignore the wishes of our people and as the worlds foremost and pre-eminent democracy, the United States needs to understand this reality, he said in his speech.

Analysts had said the outcome of the negotiations with the compact states would be an important signal of Washingtons commitment to the Pacific region as China presses for greater influence with Pacific Island states.

Over 20 years, the three countries will receive a combined US$7.1 billion, a substantial increase from their previous agreements, subject to Congressional approval, according to the U.S. government.

Home to about 200,000 people, the three countries comprising dozens of islands are spread across a vast area of ocean between the Philippines and Hawaii and are part of the U.S. militarys capacity to project power in the Pacific and East Asia.

BenarNews is an RFA affiliated online news organization.
They havent been able to see him since his appeal 7 weeks ago.

Bui Tuan Lam, the Vietnamese activist known as Onion Bae, has not been allowed to see his family since his unsuccessful appeal on Aug. 30, his wife told Radio Free Asia.

Police at the detention center in Da Nang have given the family no reason for the decision despite their requests.

Lam, 39, was arrested in Sept. 2022 on charges of conducting anti-state propaganda under the controversial Article 117 of the criminal code.

He is an active human rights defender who took part in the movement protesting Chinas territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea.

He was arrested shortly after posting a video mocking the expensive dining habits of the countrys public security minister.

In the first instance trial in May, Lam was sentenced to five years and six months in prison and four years of probation.

The Higher Peoples Court in Da Nang upheld the verdict in the appeal session. Lams wife Le Thanh Lam told RFA Vietnamese on Monday, she has been unable to meet him since then.

My husband was disciplined in September so he was not allowed a visit, she said.

I sent in a request on Oct. 2. Up to now, the camp still has not given permission for us to see him.

Last month Lams wife went to the detention center to meet her husband but was refused on the grounds that he was being disciplined. The camp did not say what the disciplinary action was or why it was being taken.

Ms. Lam said she is worried about her husband because she had not heard anything from him since their last meeting at the end of August, a few days before the appeal hearing.

I didnt know if my husband had any problems or not, but they were preventing that visit because they may have been afraid that my husband would reveal some information, so they behaved in such an illegal way.

She did not rule out the possibility that her husband had been transferred to prison to serve his sentence without the police notifying his family.

RFA called Da Nang City Police and Hoa Son Detention Center to ask for information about Lam and verify the information provided by his wife, but no one answered the phone.

According to Article 9 of the Law on Enforcement of Custody and Temporary Detention, people have the right to receive letters and gifts, as well as meet relatives and advocates.

During her husbands trial, Lam and her family members were not allowed to enter the courtroom. His two younger brothers were beaten and detained by the police while his wife was taken to the police station and only allowed to return home in the evening.

After the trial Lam was put in leg shackles but the police gave no reason for the disciplinary action.

Before the appeal, lawyer Le Dinh Viet was not allowed to meet his client to prepare for his defense. During the appeal hearing, Lam and his lawyer were prevented from communicating, even by eye contact, according to Viet.

Lam is one of dozens of activists who have been imprisoned on charges of anti-state propaganda in recent years. Not many of the prisoners have been disciplined and denied family visits.

Before Lams trial and appeal, Human Rights Watch called on Vietnam to drop the charges and release him, saying it was legal to criticize the government in a peaceful manner.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
The outspokenly pro-Russian director of Serbia's state security agency, Aleksandar Vulin, announced his "irrevocable" resignation from atop the Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) on November 3, saying he doesn't want Western sanctions targeting him personally to adversely affect his country.

A former interior minister and longtime ally of President Aleksandar Vucic, Vulin has been under U.S. sanctions since July for alleged corruption, involvement in drug trafficking, and ties to Russia.

"The USA and the EU are after my head as a precondition for not imposing sanctions on Serbia," Vulin said.

"I am not the cause of blackmail and pressure on Serbia and the Serbian world, but I will not allow myself to be the cause of blackmail and pressure on Serbia and the Serbian world. That is why I submit my irrevocable resignation from the post of BIA director."

The term "Serbian world" is an echo of a Russian equivalent term historically invoked to justify intervention in neighboring countries, and Vulin's frequent invocation of the catchphrase has occasionally sent shudders through the postwar Balkans.

Vulin's move comes days after Vucic dissolved Serbia's parliament and officially set national elections for December 17, in tandem with local elections.

The Serbian opposition has demanded changes, including clamping down on violence following two shock mass shootings in May that triggered street protests, and the main pro-European parties have agreed to run together under the banner Serbia Against Violence.

In his resignation message, Vulin complained that Vucic and Serbia were being strong-armed over recognition of former province Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, as well as over perceived interference in Bosnia's Serbian entity and Belgrade's refusal to impose EU sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

He predicted that "the next demand will be expulsion of Chinese investments," greater dependance on Western technologies and trade, and a "continuation of the political and territorial disintegration of Serbia and the acceptance of Western values in which there is no place for the traditional family and nation, and ultimately neither for social justice."

The European Union and United States have heaped pressure on Belgrade and Pristina to normalize relations to reduce the potential for conflict and allow both Serbia and Kosovo to more fully participate in international bodies.

Vulin is the highest-ranking Serbian official to be placed on a U.S. sanctions list since the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) came to power in 2012.

Vulin is a former member of the SNS who founded the right-wing, pro-Russian Movement of Socialists party in 2008 but left its leadership when he became head of the BIA.
North Korea appears to have begun secretly shipping large amounts of munitions to Russia, according to a new report, using ships and trains to move the weaponry and bolster Moscows war against Ukraine.

The report, published on October 16 by the London-based Royal United Services Institute, is based on high-quality satellite imagery surveying ports and train shipments. It adds further evidence to accusations made by the United States and other Western countries that Pyongyang has been helping Russia rebuild its weapons stocks.

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.

More than 18 months into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has already ramped up its military industrial infrastructure, retooling factories and supply lines to bolster production of weapons, ammunition, and other equipment for the war effort in Ukraine.



But Russian forces are believed to have struggled to keep up with the furious rate of fire of some important weaponry, such as artillery shells. This summer, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to North Korea in what Western officials said was likely a negotiation to acquire armaments from Pyongyang.



Weeks later, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare trip abroad, traveling by train to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin and to tour Russias Vostochny Cosmodrome, where satellites and other Russian rocketry are launched.



According to the London institute, known as RUSI, dozens of satellite images taken in recent months appear to show two Russian-flagged cargo ships moving between Rajin, a port on North Koreas eastern coast and an obscure port in Russias Primorye region known as Dunai.



According to RUSIs account, the ships transported hundreds of containers that, the institute said, likely contained North Korean armaments. One of the cargo ships is alleged to have ties to the Russian Defense Ministry, and it, along with a Russian maritime leasing company, were sanctioned by the United States last year.



RUSI said the images also show dozens of shipping containers of the same color and same size arriving weeks later in Tikhoretsk, in Russias Krasnodar region, nearly 10,000 kilometers to the west of Primorye. An ammunition depot at Tikhoretsk has been expanded noticeably since August, according to the imagery.



North Koreas supplying of significant quantities of munitions to Moscow will have profound consequences for the war in Ukraine, the reports authors wrote.



For the Russians, a major North Korean supply line will alleviate shortages of munitions, they said. Ukraine and its supporters will also have to contend with this new reality, potentially escalating their support by providing additional quantities of weapons and munitions to Ukraine's defenders.

Last month, White House national-security adviser Jake Sullivan said that U.S. intelligence had been tracking the possibility of North Korea supplying Russia with weapons for quite some time.



And the reason whythere is such an intense effort on the part of Moscow to generate this kind of support from North Korea is that we have continued to squeezeRussias defense industrial base, and they are now going about looking to whatever source they can find for things like artillery ammunition, Sullivan said in September.



Other researchers have also documented evidence pointing to increased rail traffic between North Korea and Russia following Kims visit to Russia.



The level of rail traffic is far greater than what [has been] observed at the facility during the past five years, even compared to pre-Covid-19 levels, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a report released earlier this month.



Given that Kim and Putin discussed some military exchanges and cooperation at their recent summit, the dramatic increase in rail traffic likely indicates North Koreas supply of arms and munitions to Russia.
TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan -- Locals in Turkmenistans western Balkan region on the Caspian Sea are used to a temporary abundance of food during the summer vacation season, which usually lasts from June to late September.



Its the time when the state orders its workers and other officials from around the country to spend their vacation in the Awaza (aka Avaza) resort, a pet project of Turkmenistans authoritarian government.



During the summer season, state stores in the resort regions get plenty of subsidized food that caters both to holidaymakers and the locals in the backdrop of a longstanding food crisis in the isolated Central Asian nation. It also forces private food stores and bazaars to drop their prices.



But the cheap food all but disappears as soon as the vacation season ends, residents in the regional capital, Turkmenbashi, told RFE/RL.

Staples like rice, cooking oil, meat, eggs, potatoes, and onions are now seldom found in government stores, they complain.



The choice of foodstuffs in state stores has noticeably decreased. Most shops are only offering candy and cookies, but people rarely buy them, RFE/RL correspondents reported from Balkan.



The low supply of food in the state stores leads private merchants to raise prices within days of the vacationers leaving town.



In late September, a box of 30 eggs cost about $13 in privately owned supermarkets, but the price has risen to nearly $16 in just a few days, Turkmenbashi residents said.

They reported similar hikes in the prices of cooking oil, flour, rice, potatoes, onions, and carrots.



Government officials didnt respond to RFE/RLs request for comment.

'No Supplies Left'



But a specialist working for the Turkmenbashi city government said the reason behind the return of food shortages is that the region simply disappears from the central governments radar as soon as the holiday season is over.



Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, the official told RFE/RL that the warehouses are entirely empty.



There are no supplies left in the Bereket grain product facility. We were expecting the delivery of 300 tons of flourthis week but that was postponed until next week, the official said without giving the reason for the delay.

We are also expecting the delivery of cooking oil from Lebap Province and other foodstuffs from the Mary and Ahal regions. We will distribute them to government stores once they arrive, he added. Though he admitted he doesnt know when the food will be in Balkan stores.



State grocery stores across Turkmenistan sell discounted staples, a lifeline for many Turkmen as the nation grapples with deepening food shortages, grinding poverty, skyrocketing unemployment, and a general economic decline for at least the past six years.



The amount and selection of subsidized food has been in a steady decline in Turkmenistan in recent years, leading to notorious lines with people waiting for flour and meat for several hours.

In some areas, government stores are delivering goods to the homes of eligible customers to prevent people from forming long lines for food at the stores.



Most visitors -- including high-ranking government officials -- began arriving in the otherwise empty hotels of Awaza in June, according to locals.

The last time Balkan residents enjoyed plentiful amounts of affordable food in the region were the days leading to the Independence Day celebrations on September 27, when authorities launched food fares with discounted price tags at the citys Kenar bazaar. Turkmenistan traditionally marks important holidays with lavish parades, concerts, food exhibits, and other celebratory events.



But all of those events vanished as soon as the last tourists left and the celebrations ended, leaving locals hungrily waiting for the 2024 summer vacation season.

Written by Farangis Najibullah in Prague based on reporting by RFE/RL Turkmen Service correspondents.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed on October 17 that Ukraine used U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in overnight attacks that the Ukrainian military said destroyed nine Russian military helicopters, an ammunition depot, and an air-defense launching system.

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.

The missile strikes on October 17 hit airfields in Berdyansk, in the southern Zaporizhzhya region, and Luhansk, in the east -- areas that are currently under Russian occupation.



The information about the operation, dubbed Dragonfly, was published on the Telegram channel of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SSO). Zelenskiy used his own Telegram channel to thank "those who destroyed the logistics and bases of the occupiers on our land" without giving the precise location or the type of military equipment damaged.



The Ukrainian president said later on Telegram that his agreements with U.S. President Joe Biden "are being implemented" and "executed very accurately," adding that ATACMS "have proved themselves."



Biden promised Zelenskiy nearly a month ago to send ATACMS missiles, which have a maximum range of some 300 kilometers.

The White House confirmed in a statement that the United States supplied Ukraine with ATACMS.



"We believe these ATACMS will provide a significant boost to Ukraine's battlefield capabilities without risking our (U.S.) military readiness," National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in the statement.



Watson said the version of the ATACMS sent to Ukraine had a range of 165 kilometers.

Washington had previously not officially acknowledged delivering the long-range ballistic missiles repeatedly requested by Kyiv.

The SSO said the strikes caused dozens of casualties among Russian troops, and that explosions at the Berdyansk depot that had allegedly been struck continued in the early morning hours.



Russia has not officially commented on the reports, and the Ukrainian claim could not be independently verified.

But Vladimir Rogov, a Russia-installed official in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhya, denied that the Ukrainian strike was successful, saying on Telegram that the missiles were shot down.



Sergei Aksyonov, the Moscow-installed governor of occupied Crimea, meanwhile said Russian air defenses shot down eight Ukrainian drones that had attacked the peninsula overnight.

Ukraine has not commented on Aksyonov's statement, which could not be immediately verified.

In Donetsk, Russian shelling killed at least two civilians in Pervomaysk and wounded a third one over the past day, the region's governor, Ihor Moroz, said on October 17.

Russian forces also launched several drones and missiles on Ukraine overnight, the General Staff said.

"One Kh-59 guided air missile and six Shahed-136/131 drones were destroyed by air-defense forces," the military said in a statement, adding that the consequences of the Russian attack were still being assessed.

On the battlefield, intense fighting continued around the eastern city of Avdiyivka, just north of Donetsk, where Russian forces have been attempting a breakthrough for the past several days.

Ukrainian forces in Avdiyivka repelled more than 10 assaults by the Russian troops, who have been trying to surround the city, the military said.

Ukrainian forces also repelled Russian attacks in the Bakhmut, Kupyansk, Maryinka, and Shakhtar directions, it said, adding that Kyiv's counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhya continues with "partial success" in the direction of Melitopol. The claim could not be independently verified.

The General Staff said that in total, 72 close-quarter battles were fought by Ukrainian troops -- an indication of an uptick in fighting along the whole front line.

On October 16, the 600th day of Russia's all-out invasion, Ukrainian forces fought 53 battles in total, it said.

With reporting by Reuters and AP
LGBTQ

Historic Hearing Underway on the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in the World's Largest Democracy

NEW-DELHI: India, the world's most populous democracy, grapples with a critical societal issue as the legal standing of same-sex marriage remains unrecognized in the country. Millions of LGBTQ couples face legal barriers, impacting essential matters such as child adoption, insurance, and inheritance. Currently, Indian law designates only one parent as the legal guardian of a child in LGBTQ partnerships, underscoring the urgency for change. An influential hearing on this matter is set to transpire today.

India stands as a beacon of democracy; however, its stance on same-sex marriage diverges from the ethos of equality and acceptance. In a pivotal legal battle, India's Supreme Court has been actively engaged in hearing arguments presented by activists challenging the existing law since April. This landmark case has captivated the nation, with the proceedings broadcasted live for public viewing. Advocates representing the 18 petitioners argue that it is imperative for India to recognize LGBTQ individuals as equal citizens within the constitutional framework.

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However, advocates for LGBTQ rights face a formidable adversary in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The government contends that same-sex marriage is a "Western" concept devoid of constitutional support. Recently, the BJP expressed the view that such unions are perceived as "urban" and "elitist," and thus, unwelcome in the country. The outcome of this significant legal challenge is anticipated imminently. A favorable ruling for activists could potentially redefine the social fabric of India. Nonetheless, India's perspective on LGBTQ issues is multifaceted and deeply ingrained within its cultural and societal dynamics.
The Supreme Court of India

Constitution Bench Emphasizes Need for Legal Recognition, Cites Parliament's Role in Special Marriage Act

NEW-DELHI: In a significant ruling, a five-judge Supreme Court Constitution bench has declared that LGBTQIA+ couples do not possess an absolute right to marriage. The bench maintained that conferring legal status to civil unions must be through enacted law and cannot be unqualified.

The Bench, featuring Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha, delivered this majority verdict, a culmination of hearings that began on April 18. The order was reserved on May 11 after extensive arguments from all sides.

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In this landmark judgment, the court clarified that LGBTQIA+ individuals still retain the right to form relationships despite the absence of an unqualified right to marriage. The judgment particularly focused on the need for legal recognition, underlining the essential role of enacted laws.

Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized the importance of preventing discrimination against the Queer community and the need to sensitize the public about queer rights. He advocated for establishing hotlines and safe houses for queer couples, underscoring the requirement for the government to ensure the protection of intersex children and the prevention of any forced hormonal therapy.

However, Justice Ravindra Bhat and Justice Narasimha disagreed with the CJI on several aspects of the judgment. Justice Bhat noted that while LGBTQIA+ individuals possess the right to a relationship, there is no unqualified right to marry. He argued that legal recognition of unions should be legislated, and the court cannot unilaterally create a legal framework for queer couples. The court directed the Union Government to form a committee to assess the rights and entitlements of individuals in queer unions.

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This Ruling carries immense implications for the LGBTQIA+ community in India, emphasizing the importance of legal recognition while signaling the necessity of laws to protect their rights and relationships. The ball is now in the court of the legislature to address this vital issue.
Kulbir Singh Zira

Ferozepur Police Detains Ex-Congress MLA After Accusations of Disrupting Govt Work & Inappropriate Conduct

ZIRA: Former Punjab Congress MLA, Kulbir Singh Zira, was arrested by Ferozepur police at 5 am under allegations of misbehavior and obstructing government work at the BDPO office. The Arrest took place at his residence in the early hours while he was still asleep. An FIR has been filed against Zira in connection with his protest at the BDPO office.

The FIR was lodged against MLA Zira four days ago in Ferozepur. According to the complaint, the BDPO of Zira reported to the police that between October 11 to 12, Kulbir Singh Zira staged a sit-in protest outside his office. During the demonstration, he and his associates forcibly entered the BDPO's office room.

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In addition to disrupting government operations, the Congress leader was accused of behaving inappropriately with government employees. Following the complaint from the BDPO, a case has been registered against Zira under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Responding to the FIR, Kulbir Zira took to social media and posted a video, explaining that he had participated in the ongoing sit-in at the BDPO office to advocate for the rights of local sarpanches in his area. He emphasized that the case was filed against him and his associates due to this reason.

Zira expressed his approval for the decision made by the present Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Punjab, claiming to bring about change. He announced plans to hold a press conference on October 17 at noon, where he intended to disclose evidence against the MLAs and officials of the 18-month-old 'AAP' government in Punjab and call for their arrest. However, prior to the scheduled press conference, he was apprehended from his residence in the morning.


Raid

Paramilitary Forces Ensure Security; Raids Across Branches in the Country

LUDHIANA: The Income Tax Department has initiated raids on Trident and Cremica Group, spanning various branches across the country. Teams from the IT department have arrived in Ludhiana and Barnala, Punjab, for the investigation. During the ongoing operation, strict security measures are in place, with no entry or exit allowed, and employees' phones have been temporarily confiscated. A total of 35 teams from the Income Tax Department are actively conducting these raids.

Trident Group, a conglomerate with diverse operations in yarn, home textile, paper, stationery, chemicals, and adaptive power sectors, is a primary target of this raid. The investigation aims to uncover any potential irregularities or discrepancies in financial matters related to these businesses.
Photo

US President to Engage with Israeli Officials, Expresses Concern as Conflict Enters 11th Day

WASHINGTON: In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, President Joe Biden revealed plans for an imminent visit to Israel on October 18. This announcement followed extensive talks held with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officials, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. As the conflict escalates, President Biden aims to engage with Israeli authorities to assess the dire situation and extend support.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, during a special session in Israel's Parliament (Knesset), issued a strong warning not only to Hamas but also to Hezbollah and Iran. He framed the current conflict as a battle between light and darkness, underscoring Israel's determination to protect its territory. The Israeli army has completed preparations for a ground operation, awaiting government authorization, potentially influenced by the upcoming visit of President Biden.

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Israel's response to attacks from Gaza, which began on October 7, has included sustained air raids and a decision to enter Gaza to target Hamas commanders. The toll of the conflict continues to rise, with the Gaza government reporting 254 casualties between Sunday and Monday, bringing the total to 2,808 deaths and 10,850 injuries. Alarmingly, a significant proportion of the casualties are women and children, emphasizing the human cost of the conflict.
Garhshankar

Grieving family is seeking the repatriation of her body to India or access to visit Canada

GARHSHANKAR: In a distressing incident that has left the community in shock, a Garhshankar native, Kulwant Kaur (46), residing in Canada, met a tragic end as she was allegedly murdered by her husband, Balveer Singh, in New Westminster (Vancouver).

Kulwant Kaur, daughter of Gurbaksh Kaur and Onkar Singh, had tied the knot with Balveer Singh, son of Pritam Singh from Dhaliwal village in Kapurthala, a decade ago. The couple had moved to Canada four years ago along with their nine-year-old son.

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The devastating news reached the deceased's family in Garhshankar when they received a heart-wrenching call from the New Westminster police informing them of Kulwant Kaur's untimely demise. The family, devastated by the news, expressed disbelief and sorrow, not expecting such a tragic turn in their daughter's life.

The Grieving family is currently in close communication with the Canadian authorities, seeking updates on the investigation into the alleged murder. While the initial investigation suggests a quarrel between the couple as a possible motive, the true reason behind this appalling act will only be known once the investigation concludes.

In their grief-stricken state, the family is urging for Kulwant Kaur's body to be repatriated to India, or alternatively, for expedited issuance of a visa to Canada, allowing them to bid their final farewell and bring her back home for a dignified last rites ceremony. The community stands in solidarity with the grieving family during this distressing time, hoping for a swift and just resolution to the investigation.
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK) reported Tuesday that net income applicable to common shareholders for the third quarter soared to $956 million or $1.22 per share from $319 million or $0.39 per share in the prior-year quarter.

Excluding items, adjusted earnings for the quarter were $1.27 per share, compared to $1.21 per share in the year-ago quarter.

Total revenue for the quarter increased 2 percent to $4.37 billion from $4.28 billion in the same quarter last year.

On average, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $1.15 per share on revenue of $4.33 billion for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude certain special items.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
All of these most affordable automatic SUV / crossovers under Rs. 10 lakh get an AMT gearbox option and not a proper automatic

With blurred lines between regular cars and SUVs today, there is a new breed of crossover vehicles in sub 4m segment. Even though they dont necessarily meet attributes of a textbook SUV, they do have niceties like body cladding to control rusting and slightly raised ground clearance, because who doesnt like ground clearance in India?

So, if youre in the market to buy one of these vehicles, you might be eyeing for an automatic transmission option as well. In that case, here are some of the best SUV / crossovers under Rs. 10 lakh budget (ex-sh) with an automatic transmission option in India. We have listed out most affordable turbo petrol vehicles in a previous post.

1. Nissan Magnite  From Rs. 6.5 Lakh (ex-sh)

This is the most recent development and is by far the most VFM in this list. Nissan offered CVT automatic gearbox with turbo-petrol engine option and recently added AMT option with a non-turbo petrol combo. This AMT-equipped Magnite starts from as low as Rs. 6.5 lakh (ex-sh), coupled with base XE trim. This is a 5-speed AMT coupled with a 1.0L 3-cyl NA petrol mill generating 71 bhp and 90 Nm.

2. Maruti Suzuki Ignis  From Rs. 6.93 Lakh (ex-sh)

Even though not a real competition to the rest of SUV / crossovers on this list, Maruti Suzuki Ignis does have qualifying attributes to make it on this list. This is a 5-speed AMT unit too, mated to a 1.2L 4-cyl NA petrol engine generating 82 bhp and 113 Nm. Maruti offers this AMT from Delta trim onwards that costs Rs. 6.93 lakh (ex-sh).

3. Tata Punch  From Rs. 7.5 Lakh (ex-sh)

Punch has been a runaway success for Tata Motors and is easily the safest product on this list too. Just like Magnite and Ignis, Punch offers a 5-speed AMT transmission too, mated to a 1.2L 3-cyl NA petrol developing 87 bhp and 115 Nm. Punchs most affordable automatic variant is Adventure AMT which costs Rs. 7.5 lakh (ex-sh).

4. Hyundai Exter  From Rs. 8.1 Lakh (ex-sh)

Exter is the newest car on this list and the most affordable automatic variant is S AMT, which costs Rs. 8.1 lakh (ex-sh). As the name suggests, this is an AMT too with 5 cogs to shift. The engine is a 1.2L 4-cyl NA petrol option that develops 82 bhp and 114 Nm. Quirky styling, lifestyle appeal are some of the highlights for Hyundai Exter.

5. Renault Triber  From Rs. 8.13 Lakh (ex-sh)

If 3-row seating and automatic gearbox are priorities within sub 4m segment, the search ends with Renault Triber. Good thing is that the most affordable Triber automatic variant is RXT AMT, which is one below top-spec. It costs Rs. 8.13 lakh (ex-sh). This is the same powertrain combo as Nissan Magnite AMT with a 5-speed AMT mated to a 1.0L 3-cyl NA petrol with 71 bhp and 90 Nm.

6. Renault Kiger  From Rs. 8.55 Lakh (ex-sh)

This is Renaults counterpart of Nissan Magnite and shares similar attributes. But variant positioning has allowed Magnite to offer an automatic variant with base XE trim. Hence the attractive price point. Powertrain with Renault Kiger RXT (O) AMT is the same as Magnite and Triber and all three boast 4 star crash rating as well.

7. Maruti Suzuki Fronx  From Rs. 8.88 Lakh (ex-sh)

Fronx is gaining traction quickly and is one of the best-looking products Maruti ever launched. It is basically a Baleno with added crossover bits and slightly raised ground clearance. Most affordable Fronx automatic variant is Delta AGS and it costs Rs. 8.88 lakh (ex-sh). This too, is a 5-speed AMT and is mated to a 1.2L 4-cyl NA petrol that generates 82 bhp and 113 Nm.

8. Kia Sonet  From Rs. 9.95 Lakh (ex-sh)

This is a bonus vehicle in this list as it is the only diesel engine automatic SUV / crossover in India under Rs. 10 lakh. Kia Sonet 1.5 Diesel iMT is a fitting choice for people who clock of km on the odometer. The 1.5L 4-cyl turbo diesel engine makes 114 bhp and 250 Nm and is mated to a 6-speed iMT (fancy word for AMT). At Rs. 9.95 lakh (ex-sh), Kia Sonets most affordable automatic variant is based on base HTE trim. Sonet facelift images have leaked online and launch is likely around the corner.
Press Release

October 17, 2023 Bong Go urges swift action to protect Filipinos following DFA Advisory Level 4 on Gaza Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has voiced his concerns on the dangers faced by the Filipino community in Gaza and Israel due to the continuing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Go underscored the indiscriminate nature of the crisis stating, "Bullets know no color nor creed. The urgent need of the hour is to support de-escalation and peace." Being a Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, he voiced specific apprehensions regarding the dangerous situation of Filipinos caught in the crossfire, and stressed the immediate necessity to facilitate safe exit pathways for those desiring to leave Gaza, or to establish recognized sanctuaries as mandated by international humanitarian law. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Advisory Level 4 is issued in severe situations where there is either a "large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack" in a particular region or country. Upon the announcement of Alert Level 4, a phase of evacuation or mandatory repatriation is initiated to ensure the safety and security of individuals, especially Filipinos abroad, by moving them out of harm's way. Go firmly said that the advisory should be accompanied by prompt actions from the government to safeguard the Filipino community. "The latest DFA advisory is a stark reminder of the harsh realities on the ground. It's imperative that we, as a government, act with speed and deliberation to keep our fellow countrymen out of harm's way," said Go. Acknowledging his role as a legislator, Go pledged to work alongside his Senate colleagues in supporting any and all endeavors aimed at ensuring the safety and security of Filipinos in the troubled regions. "I, alongside my esteemed colleagues in the Senate, am fully committed to supporting any initiatives aimed at securing the well-being of our fellow Filipinos in these affected areas," affirmed the senator. In response to the escalating violence, 131 Filipinos have already been evacuated from the war-torn region of Gaza, with the Philippine government actively working to repatriate them amidst the ongoing conflict. According to DFA, 78 of these individuals are now situated near the Rafah border crossing near Egypt, while the remaining 53 have moved away from northern Gaza or Gaza City, which is anticipated to be the focal point of hostilities. Go also took a moment to reflect on the broader implications of the crisis, extending his prayers and wishes for stability in this crucial region, which holds significant religious and historical importance to people around the globe. "I continue to pray and wish for stability in this most important area for all of the world's faithful," he said. The senator has been a staunch supporter of the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), and was one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11641 that led to the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). "The DMW Act was designed to protect our OFWs. Now, more than ever, it's time to put this law into action to protect our kababayans," Go emphasized. Go also filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2414, known as the "OFW Ward Act." If passed into law, every hospital under the Department of Health (DOH) across the country will have a specialized ward for OFWs and their family members who require hospitalization. Go has also filed SBN 2297, which seeks to institutionalize the OFW Hospital and ensure its continuous operation. The bill aims to improve healthcare services for OFWs and their families by strengthening the existing facility and allocating necessary funds for its maintenance and operation.
The new Nissan Hyper Tourer concept vehicle signifies bonding between the occupants while embarking on a journey together

Concept vehicles are key for OEMs to showcase their vision to the masses and draw feedback. Some of these concepts that receive good reception, make it to production in a watered-down manner. Nissan Hyper Tourer concept is the latest one from the brand and the third in the series of advanced EV concept vehicles.

Nissan Hyper Tourer Concept

The Nissan Hyper Tourer concept vehicle will be on display at Japan Mobility Show in physical form. Japan Mobility Show is set to commence on 25th of this month. For starters, Nissan Hyper Tourer concept is an all-electric mini-van concept that the brand is touting as the future of mobility.

Primary focus here is to nurture bonds between occupants as they go along. This signifies appreciating company of friends and associates in occasions like road trips or even business outings. People who enjoy finer things in life should feel at home in this vehicle.

Nissan intends to offer the essence of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) with Hyper Tourer concept. It is jam-packed with advanced technologies, including autonomous driving tech, V2X (Vehicle To Everything) and more. With V2X, onboard high-capacity battery can supply electricity to homes, stores and other applications.

On the inside, Hyper Tourer concept has spacious packaging owing to Nissan EV Technology Vision. This includes high-density solid state batteries for optimum interior packaging and extremely low center of gravity.

Nissan is implementing kumiko and koushi patterns with overhead lighting elements. There is a flat LED panel on the floor too, that shows images of riverbed and sky. Interiors feature a harmony between digital and nature, creating a relaxing space. Front seats can swivel, allowing front passengers to have face-to-face conversations with rear seat occupants.

Powertrains and exterior styling

Nissans e-4ORCE all-wheel control system ensures respectable acceleration and performance. The new solid state batteries have enough juice to ensure optimum performance. Autonomous driving is part of the package too and allows driver to also indulge in conversations with their companions.

Rear occupants can control navigation and audio in the front center screen with the help of wearable displays. Nissan says that this creates a sense of unity among present occupants. The company is also implementing AI systems to monitor biometric signs like brain waves, perspiration and breathing and change music and lighting to fit the mood.

The exteriors have typical mini-van proportions and Nissan is not shying away from it. There are smooth body panels, complemented by sharp character lines and profiling that embody Japanese traditional beauty. Aerodynamics have been given equal importance too. The central white line flows all around the vehicle and houses headlights and signature lamps too.
In this Sept. 2, 2011 photo, Ryan McGrath, 26, poses in his home in Michigan City, Ind. McGrath has been working part time designing web sites for small businesses but wants steadier full-time work. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)

The dismal U.S. job market, which has intensified fears of another recession, may be even worse than the unemployment numbers suggest.

The shockwaves from the Labor Department report on Friday that employers stopped hiring in August have rippled around the world, sparking a steep retreat in Asian stock markets. The lack of hiring in the U.S. last month surprised investors - economists were expecting 93,000 jobs to be added. Previously reported hiring figures for June and July were revised lower.

The jobs picture may even be worse than the 9.1 percent unemployment rate suggests, because Americas 14 million unemployed must also compete with 8.8 million other people not counted as unemployed - part-timers who want full-time work.

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When consumer demand picks up, companies will likely boost the hours of their part-timers before they add jobs, economists say. It means they have room to expand without hiring.

Fears that the U.S. economy may be stuck in neutral, or worse, slammed Asian and European stocks.

While Wall Street was closed for Labor day holiday, Japans benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell 2 percent. Hong Kongs Hang Seng dropped 2.2 percent lower and South Koreas Kospi Composite Index tumbled 4 percent.

In Europe, Germanys DAX slumped 2.9 percent, Frances CAC-40 shed 3.3 percent and Britains FTSE 100 2.0 percent.

The problem is that there simply hasnt been any meaningful jobs growth, which is precisely why markets are so worried about slipping back into recession, said Ben Potter of IG Markets in Melbourne, Australia.

The authorities have thrown a lot of stimulus at the problem and to date, its basically done nothing, Potter said. Markets are realizing that there probably isnt a lot more authorities can do.

The unemployed will face another source of competition once the economy improves: Roughly 2.6 million people who arent counted as unemployed because theyve stopped looking for work. Once they start looking again, theyll be classified as unemployed. And the unemployment rate could rise.

Intensified competition for jobs means unemployment could exceed its historic norm of 5 percent to 6 percent for several more years. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office expects the rate to exceed 8 percent until 2014. The White House predicts it will average 9 percent next year, when President Barack Obama runs for re-election.

The jobs crisis has led Obama to schedule a major speech Thursday night to propose steps to stimulate hiring. Republican presidential candidates will likely confront the issue in a debate the night before.

The back-to-back events will come days after the government said employers added zero net jobs in August. The monthly jobs report, arriving three days before Labor Day, was the weakest since September 2010. Reaction from U.S. markets wont be evident until Tuesday, when trading resumes after the holiday.

Combined, the 14 million officially unemployed; the underemployed part-timers who want full-time work; and discouraged people who have stopped looking make up 16.2 percent of working-age Americans.

The Labor Department compiles the figure to assess how many people want full-time work and cant find it - a number the unemployment rate alone doesnt capture.

In a healthy economy, this broader measure of unemployment stays below 10 percent. Since the Great Recession officially ended more than two years ago, the rate has been 15 percent or more.

The proportion of the work force made up of the frustrated part-timers has risen faster than unemployment has since the recession began in December 2007.

Thats because many companies slashed workers hours after the recession hit. If they restored all those lost hours to their existing staff, theyd add enough hours to equal about 950,000 full-time jobs, according to calculations by Heidi Shierholz, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute.

Thats without having to hire a single employee.

No one expects every company to delay hiring until every part-timer is working full time. But economists expect job growth to stay weak for two or three more years in part because of how many frustrated part-timers want to work full time.

And because employers are still reluctant to increase hours for part-timers, hiring is really a long way off, says Christine Riordan, a policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project. In August, employees of private companies worked fewer hours than in July.

Some groups are disproportionately represented among the broader category of unemployment that includes underemployed and discouraged workers. More than 26 percent of African Americans, for example, and nearly 22 percent of Hispanics are in this category. The figure for whites is less than 15 percent. Women are more likely than men to be in this group.

Among the Americans frustrated with part-time work is Ryan McGrath, 26. In October, he returned from managing a hotel project in Uruguay. Hes been unable to find full-time work. So hes been freelancing as a website designer for small businesses in the Chicago area.

Some weeks hes busy and making money. Other times he struggles. Hes living at home, and sometimes he has to borrow $50 from his father to pay bills. Hes applied for a million jobs.

You go to all these interviews for entry-level positions, and you lose out every time, he says.

Nationally, 4.5 unemployed people, on average, are competing for each job opening. In a healthy economy, the average is about two per opening.

If work-force dropouts had been counted as unemployed, Augusts unemployment rate would have been 10.6 percent instead of 9.1 percent.

The Labor Departments report relies on data collected from surveys of households and businesses in the second week of August. Thats right after Standard & Poors removed the countrys AAA credit rating and fears mounted that Europes banking crisis could spread to the U.S. Television screens were filled with images of riots in London.

Im not surprised that businesses werent doing too much hiring in that environment, Jeff Kleintop, chief market strategist at LPL Financial.

---

AP Business Writers Pamela Sampson in Bangkok and Carlo Piovano in London contributed to this report.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday called Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since the Hamas attack, and briefed him on several talks with leaders from the region and the Palestinian Authority.

"The Israeli side was in particular informed of the essential points of telephone correspondences that took place today with the leaders of Palestine, Egypt, Iran, and Syria," the Kremlin said in a statement.

According to Moscow, the discussion focused on "the crisis situation resulting from the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict".

Putin expressed "his sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased Israelis," the Kremlin said.

He also told the Israeli prime minister of the steps Russia has taken to "promote the normalization of the situation, prevent a further escalation of violence, and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip."

Putin also told Netanyahu that Russia had a "fundamental desire to continue its targeted action aimed at ending" the war and finding "a peaceful settlement through political and diplomatic means," according to the government's statement.

Moscow has traditionally maintained good relations with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, as well as several regional players such as Syria, Egypt, and Iran.

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Karen Goike, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, explains Lean processes to NCCMH Gaylord staff.

Joseph Balberde, chief information officer of North Country Community Mental Health

Lean A3 problem solving lists the problem, the analysis, possible corrective actions, and an action plan on a single sheet of large paper.

A concept that Toyota first applied to automobile manufacturing in the 1940s, Lean had become a buzzword in the manufacturing world by the 80s. In short, Lean works  and not just on the production line. In fact, a Michigan community mental health agency applies Lean processes throughout its operations with the result of improving care for its patients.One of the things I always like to tell everybody when we talk about Lean is there's a little bit of stigma around it thats really not true, says Joseph Balberde, chief information officer of North Country Community Mental Health (NCCMH). "Lean is not about doing more with less. Its about making sure everything you do has value. Our guiding principle is Does everything we're doing bring value to the client.Balberde leads the Lean training efforts at NCCMH, the community mental health agency serving Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Kalkaska, and Otsego counties. He describes Lean as a framework for improving the many processes involved in delivering mental health care to the counties NCCMH serves. One area where NCCMH applied Lean first was the help desk.We were looking at why people weren't using the help desk when they should, Balberde says. "We got a group together that included several end users. And we went through what's called a Lean A3 Problem Solving.A3 problem solving lists the problem, the analysis, possible corrective actions, and an action plan on a single sheet of large paper. This piece of paper is a roadmap to improving the management process based on dialogue about the problem.Lean is really, really great because anybody in the organization can propose a change. It doesn't matter what position you're in, frontline all the way up to in the executive team, Balberde says. Then there's this formal process that we call Lean process improvement. Once an idea comes to us that we realize is big enough, if we have the capacity at the time, we put together a formal team with a project leader and a sponsor who is a member of the executive team. Their role is to make sure that the team gets access to all the information they need and all the resources they need.Balberde says that when problems are identified and lean processes are put into action, solutions are usually up and running within six months to a year.We've done this training in one of the offices that came to us," Balberde says. "They said, You know, clients are very confused when they come in. It's a very difficult building with lots of hallways and everything looks the same. So they decided to work on a project that made sure that similar jobs were in the same areas and labeled the medical area, the psychiatric area, the therapies area, and case management.Lean processes also help NCCMH deal with regulatory tasks that can eat up a lot of staff hours.Lean helps us become efficient at doing the bare minimum we need to meet those so that we can take our resources and really put them into the client. That's a really big thing for us, Balberde says. The other thing that's really powerful about this is it's change from the middle instead of change from the top. Anybody can propose an idea. And we are going to seriously look at it.Balberde notes that staff feel empowered when their voices are heard. In addition, he says that there's no way for the administration to know every single thing that's happening on the front line within a six-county organization. Being able to propose problems for Lean processing puts a magnifying glass on issues that otherwise might never have been brought to the administrations attention. In addition, with workforce shortages impacting mental health agencies across the state, Lean processes leverage existing staff more efficiently so that clients needs can be better met.Balberde concludes, Ultimately, what it does is, during everything our clinicians do, they're thinking about, Does this bring value to the client? If we're going to suggest a particular referral, what is the reason? Is it really bringing value to the client? We think those things through, and I think that's where Lean seeps into our everyday decisions.The MI Mental Health series highlights the opportunities that Michigan's children, teens and adults of all ages have to find the mental health help they need, when and where they need it. It is made possible with funding from the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan Summit Pointe , and Washtenaw County CMH
Financial markets' focus on Tuesday will no doubt continue to be on the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.

Against that backdrop, at 0700 BST the Office for National Statistics will publish its employment report for the month of August.

Later in the day, investors' attention will shift to the U.S., where at 1330 BST the Department of Commerce is scheduled to release retail sales figures for September.

Worth noting, the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, and Fed governor Michele Bowman are both due to deliver remarks.

Over the course of the week at least ten different top Fed officials are scheduled to speak.

In the single currency bloc, at 1000 BST the ZEW institute will publish its economic confidence index for Germany covering the month of October.

On the corporate side of things, Goldman Sachs will report third quarter earnings.

The lender is expected to post earnings per share of $6.35, including a 19 cent per share charge linked to the sale of its private equity group.

Tuesday 17 October

FINALS

Bellway, Seraphim Space Investment Trust, Nanoco Group

Abingdon Health, Revolution Bars Group

INTERIMS

Smartspace Software

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

IntegraFin Holding, Rio Tinto, Jupiter Fund Management

AGMs

Diverse Income Trust (The)

Gateley (Holdings)

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

EPWIN GROUP

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

DWF Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCENENTS

Claimant Count Rate (07:00)

Unemployment Rate (07:00)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Price Index (GER) (07:00)

ZEW Survey (GER) - Current Situation (10:00)

ZEW Survey (EU) - Economic Sentiment (10:00)

ZEW Survey (GER) - Economic Sentiment (10:00)

Retail Sales Less Autos (US) (13:30)

Capacity Utilisation (US) (14:15)

Industrial Production (US) (14:15)

Business Inventories (US) (15:00)
The government has no room for unfunded pre-election tax cuts despite having pushed through a colossal 52bn a year stealth raid on household incomes on Rishi Sunaks watch, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned. Britains foremost economics thinktank said the dire state of the public finances meant that attention-grabbing tax cuts risked stoking inflation, leading to higher Bank of England interest rates and a lengthy recession.  Guardian

Microsofts LinkedIn said on Monday it would lay off 668 employees across its engineering, talent and finance teams in the second round of job cuts this year for the social media network for professionals amid slowing revenue growth. The cuts, which affect more than 3% of the 20,000-strong staff, add to the tens of thousands of job losses this year in the technology sector in the face of an uncertain economic outlook.  Guardian

An Isle of Man bank owned by Brexit backer Jim Mellon has won a City licence that will allow it to accept deposits in the UK. Conister Bank, a subsidiary of Mr Mellons Manx Financial Group, has been granted permission by the Bank of Englands Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to accept deposits in a bid to boost its balance sheet.  Telegraph

The government dropped its pursuit of five former Carillion non-executive directors late last week, hours before a High Court test case was due to begin. The Insolvency Service had been seeking disqualification orders that would have prevented five former board members of the construction group, including Philip Green, the long-serving chairman, from acting as directors, but it dropped the civil action on Friday afternoon. A 13-week trial had been due to begin yesterday.  The Times

Power cables long enough to reach from the Earth to the Moon 200 times over will need to be built globally by 2040 to hit countries climate goals, according to a new analysis. The International Energy Agency warned that a failure to deliver the approximately 50 million miles of new and replacement electricity grids that will be needed in the next two decades could jeopardise the transition to clean energy.  The Times
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Authorities allege that a 30-year-old man was part of a group that pushed its way into a home in Stapleton and beat and robbed the victim at gunpoint.

Aaron Lawrence of Cary Avenue in West Brighton was arrested on Oct. 5 in connection with the home-invasion robbery of an acquaintance on Sept. 26 at about 5:15 p.m. in the vicinity of Osgood and Vanderbilt avenues, according to the criminal complaint and police.

A 24-year-old man alleged that Lawrence and other suspects who remain at large pushed their way into his home. One of the individuals used a black firearm to hit the victim in the head, the complaint alleges.

The individuals allegedly knocked the victim to the floor, held him down and punched him in the head and neck.

They stole money, sneakers, a PlayStation console and a debit card, the complaint alleges.

Lawrence has been charged with robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

The suspect, who stands about 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs about 220 pounds, pleaded not guilty to all charges and is free on bond set at $200,000/$100,000 cash, according to public records.

An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

__

RELATED COVERAGE: Crime on Staten Island

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is asking for the publics help to identify an individual sought for questioning in connection with a reported burglary at a mosque in Rossville.

The incident occurred on Friday at about 4:15 a.m. when an unidentified individual allegedly entered through a rear door of the Islamic Center of Staten Island at 2546 Arthur Kill Road, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The individual allegedly removed a total of six donation boxes that contained about $2,000, according to the police statement. He then fled in a dark, older-model sedan that traveled on Arthur Kill Road toward Rossville Avenue.

No injuries were reported in connection with the burglary, according to the police statement.

The NYPD released images of the man sought, captured from surveillance cameras at the location where the burglary occurred.

Police described him as being about 55 to 65 years old with a light complexion, medium build and salt-and-pepper hair. He was seen wearing a light-colored long-sleeve shirt and dark pants.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Police released an image of a vehicle whose occupant is sought in connection with the investigation of a burglary on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at about 4:15 a.m. at the Islamic Center of Staten Island at 2546 Arthur Kill Road in Rossville. (Courtesy of NYPD)

Police released images of a man who is sought for questioning in connection with a burglary on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at about 4:15 a.m. at the Islamic Center of Staten Island at 2546 Arthur Kill Road in Rossville. (Courtesy of NYPD)

Police released images of a man who is sought for questioning in connection with a burglary on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at about 4:15 a.m. at the Islamic Center of Staten Island at 2546 Arthur Kill Road in Rossville. (Courtesy of NYPD)

Police released images of a man who is sought for questioning in connection with a burglary on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at about 4:15 a.m. at the Islamic Center of Staten Island at 2546 Arthur Kill Road in Rossville. (Courtesy of NYPD)

RELATED COVERAGE: Crime on Staten Island

>> NYPD: Man arrested in Staten Island home invasion; PlayStation, cash, sneakers stolen

>> NYPD: Man armed with taser robbed 2 Lowes stores on Staten Island

>> Man charged with making graffiti at Staten Island bus stop long plagued by anti-LGBTQ+ postings

>> NYPD: Found with 10-inch knife, Staten Island man accused of series of attacks

>> NYPD: Pre-dawn raid on Staten Island nets heroin, crack cocaine, oxycodone
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A father and son who police say were found with a small arsenal of illegal firearms and a 3D printer in the basement of their Staten Island home were arraigned last week in state Supreme Court, St. George, on scores of felony counts.

Charged in the Sept. 7 raid carried out around 6:30 a.m. on a well-groomed block in Huguenot were Michael Herz, 33, and his father, Andrew, 62.

A 104-count indictment lists ghost gun parts which are untraceable and capable of being printed at home, AR-15s, standard rifles, shotguns, 58 high-capacity magazines, multiple scopes, four bullet-proof vests and several other items of note.

There are no charges listed in the indictment for the sale of firearms.

Bail previously was set for Michael Herz, the son, in Criminal Court at $550,000 cash or $1.05 million bond.

For his father, bail was set in Criminal Court at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond.

The family, which according to court proceedings includes retired members of the NYPD, put their house up as collateral to keep the father out of Rikers Island, while the son remains held. Bail for both defendants was continued Wednesday by Justice Lisa Grey in state Supreme Court, records show.

Generally speaking, there have been growing concerns here and across the country about ghost gun parts manufactured with 3D printers and sold on the black market for profit.

The defendants, who are due back in court Nov. 17, also were found with devices capable of making semi-automatic weapons fully automatic, prosecutors alleged.

LAWYER POINTS TO SON; D.A. SKEPTICAL

Michael Herz attorney, Lou Gelormino, said following a prior hearing he planned to look into whether the 3D printer was actually operable.

At the fathers arraignment in Criminal Court, Manhattan-based attorney John Arlia argued that the unregistered guns belonged to his clients son.

This man has never been in trouble before, said Arlia in an impassioned argument to lower bail. He told the court his client admitted to keeping a few registered guns inside a locked safe in the basement but that was it.

Andrew Herz, his lawyer continued, works for a commercial real estate company, comes from an NYPD family and has lived in the same house since he was 9 years old. The defendants wife, he said, was present in the courtroom.

Prosecutors said not so fast, citing what they alleged to be a ghost gun inside the safe and unregistered firearms and a 3D printer they say were located feet away from the registered ones.



MORE STATEN ISLAND NEWS:

>> NYPD identifies 13-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed on Staten Island; 14-year-old boy arrested

>> Gas station worker details stabbing on Staten Island: Kids were crying; 13-year-old boy was lying on floor of MTA bus

>> Sources detail burglary at popular restaurant on Staten Island: Window broken, $3,700 and register stolen

>> NYPD: Found with 10-inch knife, Staten Island man accused of series of attacks

>> NYPD: Pre-dawn raid on Staten Island nets heroin, crack cocaine, oxycodone
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Scores of people gathered in Arrochar Monday night for a victory rally following the days announcement that migrants housed at the former St. John Villa Academy were leaving the location after the FDNY shut it down over faulty sprinkler and alarm systems.

Hugs and handshakes were shared and a festive atmosphere prevailed along Landis Avenue  the site of several previous and raucous demonstrations at which protestors called for the city to abandon its plan to house migrants at the location.

American flags flew high and country music blared while several people in tents handed out complimentary water and slices of pizza.

Meanwhile, many in the crowd expressed similar sentiments that they werent anti-migrant, but were against the way the Adams administration has handled the migrant situation in the borough.

Im happy it finally happened, said Mike Trollo, of Westerleigh. Nothing against the people who were in there, our fight was against the people who put them there.

One man using a megaphone told those gathered that the night should be considered a victory that was accomplished peacefully because thats what Staten Island does.

I was thrilled, Debbie Lobaito, of Richmond, said upon hearing todays news. (Staten Island) is the heartbeat of America. I feel sorry (the migrants) are being used as pawns and its just a shame they were invited here with no resources.

Steven, from South beach, declared the announcement of the shelters closing fantastic, before saying that its difficult to blame the migrants for wanting a better life, but that Adams is at fault for allowing the situation to continue with little end in sight.

While former mayoral candidate and Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa spoke with and took photos with many attendees, the early portion of the evening was absent Staten Island elected officials.

Former mayoral candidate and Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa speaks with a reporter at Monday's victory rally following the closing of the migrant housing facility at the former St. John's Villa Academy in Arrochar. (Staten Island Advance/Scott R. Axelrod)

On Staten Island, emergency shelters were set up at several hotels and inside the former Richard H. Hungerford School on Tompkins Avenue in Clifton, before that location was recently closed over asbestos concerns.

Since Spring 2022, more than 110,000 people from around the globe have made their way to the five boroughs. Over 64,000 people still in the citys care have prompted the Adams administration to set up more than 210 emergency shelters around the city.

Other migrant housing locations, such as Shore Acres, a former assisted living facility in Midland Beach, have been the site of outcry and protests from locals and elected officials.

One of Mondays rally organizers said earlier in the day that those who consistently protested are responsible for the St. John Villa shelter closing and should pat themselves on the back.

Back at the evenings rally, Tony Danzo, of Dongan Hills, said: These are regular neighborhood people. Theres no agitators here. This is Staten Island, where people worry about and take care of each other.
IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Staten Island Chinese School recently returned to in-person classes for the first time since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shuttered school buildings.

Winnie Brophy, a board member for the school, said the courses  held on Saturdays at Staten Island Technical High School in New Dorp  had been fully remote for the last two years.

It was great to see all the returning students and new parents joining us ..., said Brophy, referring to the resumption of in-person learning last month.

Mandarin and Cantonese classes run from 9:30 a.m. through noon, with a 15-minute break. Classes are offered for people ages 4 and over.

Brophy also thanked new volunteers  students from Tottenville High School, Port Richmond High School and Staten Island Technical High School. Volunteers help with arrival and dismissal of students, monitor hallways according to safety procedures, and assist students, teachers and staff as needed.

The school was established in 1971. For more information, visit https://www.sichineseschool.org/, call 718-938-1489, or email info@sichineseschool.org.

STUDENT RECOGNIZED FOR ACADEMIC PROMISE

A Staten Island Academy student was recently recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

Charles Sciarrino, a senior in the Class of 2024, has been named a Commended Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. Dr. Eileen F. Corigliano, head of school at Staten Island Academy, made the announcement last month.

Charles Sciarrino, a senior in the Class of 2024, has been named a Commended Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. (Courtesy/Staten Island Academy)

A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented by Corigliano to this scholastically talented senior.

About 34,000 commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. While they wont continue in the 2024 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, commended students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success, said a spokesperson for NMSC. These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuits of academic success.

SEND US YOUR STORIES

Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com.

ADDITIONAL IN-CLASS COLUMNS

Notre Dame Academy marks 120 years with street co-naming ceremony | In Class column

Staten Island teens make an impact in their community this summer | In Class column

Staten Island student earns top division spot in NYC youth tennis tournament | In Class column

Staten Island 5th-graders become published authors | In Class column
Foreigners who live in Italy will be able to use the national health service after paying a $2,109 annual fee, the government said Monday.

The charge, part of the 2024 budget adopted by the cabinet, will apply only to citizens from outside the EU, the economy ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said there would be an unspecified discount for those with legal residency papers, as well as for foreign students and au pairs. It was not immediately clear how far the reform would change the current system, which already foresees payments for some categories of foreigners.

Giordana Pallone of the Cgil trade union told the Adnkronos news agency the reform risked falling foul of the Italian constitution, which guarantees free medical care for the poor. "We'll now have to wait to see how the law is written, because as it is reported today, it has no value or basis compared to the system and regulations that we have," she said.
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Until six months ago, being a non-executive director of Qantas was way more than just a resume stuffer, it was membership of an elite group  a trophy board. These days, it carries reputational damage sufficient to even be a career crusher.

This notion was put to the test on Tuesday when Qantas non-executive director Maxine Brenner received a 17 per cent protest vote against her candidacy for the Telstra board at its annual general meeting.

Some 17 per cent of votes cast were against Maxine Brenners election to the Telstra board at its annual general meeting.

This wasnt based on her performance as a Telstra director but she, along with other Qantas directors, has been infected by her place on the airlines board whose now well-documented governance failings are legendary.

If Telstra is the warm-up for the big Qantas AGM event next month, chairman Richard Goyder will be bracing for impact.
Press Release

October 17, 2023 Villar lauds the significant role of farmers and fisherman on food security during the World Food Day celebration Food security is one of our country's big challenges that should be immediately addressed, said Sen. Cynthia A. Villar. "A food-secured country has sufficient food at all times and its people are capable to obtain this to lead an active and healthy life," said Villar during the World Bread Day, World Food Day and the World Pandesal Day celebration held at Kamuning Cafe in Manila. Since our population keeps on growing, she noted that our needs are faced with other challenges like climate change, lack of competitiveness in production, poor technology and lack of skills, financial access and mechanization. "These should all be placed in order-rice production, fishing, and production of livestock and poultry, vegetables and fruits which are needed to cope up with the challenges," the senator further stated. "We need to uplift our farmers and fishermen from poverty by means of enough earnings from their job," said the chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee. According to Villar, farmers and fishermen are our heroes so they should be given support through important policies and laws. Stressing they should be prioritized, Villar extolled passing several laws which have been helping them so they will continue farming and fishing. This 19th Congress, she pushed for the passage of Anti Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, and Salt Industry Development Act, Livestock Poultry and Dairy Development Law, and Yellow Corn industry Development Act that would benefit the country's agricultural sector. In this regard, she called for collaborative efforts to help our farmers and fishermen continue to provide foods for us. Villar, pinuri ang mahalagang papel ng magsasaka at mangingisda sa food security sa pagdiriwang ng World Food Day ISA sa malaking hamon ng bansa ang seguridad sa pagkain na dapat na agarang tinutugunan, ayon kay Sen. Cynthia A. Villar. "A food-secured country has sufficient food at all times and its people are capable to obtain this to lead an active and healthy life," ani Villar sa World Bread Day, World Food Day at World Pandesal Day celebration na idinaos sa Kamuning Cafe sa Manila. Sa patuloy na paglago ng ating populasyon, iginiit ni Villar na ang ating mga pangangailangan ay nahaharap din sa iba pang hamon gaya ng climate change, kakulangan ng kompetisyon sa produksyon, mahinang teknolohiya, at kakulangan sa kakayahan, financial access at mechanization. "These should all be placed in order-rice production, fishing, and production of livestock and poultry, vegetables and fruits which are needed to cope up with the challenges," sabi pa ng senador. "We need to uplift our farmers and fishermen from poverty by means of enough earnings from their job," pahayag pa rin ng chairperson ng Senate agriculture and food committee. Ayon kay Villar, bayani ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda kaya kailangang suportahan sila sa pamamagitan ng mahahalgang polisiya at batas. Sa pagigiit na kailangan silang bigyan prayoridad, inihayag ni Villar na marami siya naipasang batas na patuloy na nakatutulong sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Sa 19th Congress, kanyang isinulong ang pagsasabatas ng Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, Salt Industry Development Act, Livestock Poultry and Dairy Development Law at Yellow Corn industry Development Act na magiging kapaki-pakinabang sa agrikultura ng bansa. Kaugnay nito, nanawagan siya sa pinagsama-samang pagpupursige upang tulungan ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda para patuloy na mabigyan tayo ng pagkain.
Israel launched a new barrage of airstrikes Monday on Gaza as it vowed to wipe out Hamas militant control of the narrow strip of Palestinian territory along the Mediterranean Sea.

With 300,000 Israeli troops stationed on the Gaza border and poised for a ground invasion, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, "This will be a long war. The price will be high, but we are going to win for Israel, for the Jewish people and for the values that both countries believe in."

The top U.S. diplomat assured Gallant of continued American support. "You know our deep commitment to Israel's right, indeed its obligation, to defend itself and to defend its people," Blinken said.

But as an estimated 500,000 Palestinians have adhered to Israeli orders to flee northern Gaza for the southern half of the Gaza Strip, a humanitarian crisis is fast enveloping the territory, with Israel shutting off delivery of food and new fuel supplies, even as it reopened a water pipe in the south.

Trucks full of humanitarian goods are blocked at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, with the United Nations warning of a dire situation. Palestinians said they are fast running out of food, with hourslong lines at bakeries.

"I have been waiting for 10 hours to get bread... and of course, this amount is not enough," said Ahmad Salah in Deir al-Balah, where he said he had to feed 20 to 30 family members. "This is a painful suffering for us."

Oil tankers bearing United Nations flags have crossed into Egypt from Gaza to pick up fuel supplies for the besieged enclave.

Blinken, who returned to Israel on Monday after visits to several Arab countries in the region, said the United States was working with Egypt, Israel and the United Nations to ensure aid can enter Gaza and reach those in need.

"Over the past few days, I've traveled to Israel, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt," Blinken said Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter. "What I've heard from every partner is a shared view to prevent the conflict from spreading, to safeguard innocent lives, and to get assistance to those in Gaza who need it."
A foreign owner-occupier has purchased a 126 square metre strata office on the corner of Queen and Flinders streets in Melbourne for $1.22 million.

It was sold unconditionally through an expression of interest campaign conducted by Cushman & Wakefield for just under $10,000 a sq m  the highest building rate at 2 Queen Street in five years.

A strata office at 2 Queen Street sold for $1.22 million.

The two adjoining suites have views overlooking Southbank and the Yarra River, and feature a reception area, boardroom, open-plan workspace, kitchen and private offices.

The property is located in the heart of the CBD financial precinct and surrounded by corporate headquarters, including Commonwealth Bank, La Trobe Financial and Optus.
Telstra has faced questions at its annual meeting about its appointment of Maxine Brenner as director, following corporate governance issues at Qantas where she is also a director, as well as questions about its recent support for the Yes campaign in the Voice to parliament referendum.

Brenner, a former lawyer and investment banker, was appointed by the telco in mid-February.

Board member Maxine Brenner (second from right). Credit: Arsineh Houspian

One proxy advisory firm, Institutional Shareholder Services, had opposed her election, citing failures at Qantas and Woolworths during her tenure as director. These include illegal firings and deceptive conduct at the former, and allegations of underpayments at the latter.

Brenner has also held seats at boards in the mining, finance and education industries. She is stepping down from her position at Qantas next year.
I chose the basic policy because my main requirement was cover for unlimited medical expenses if a major health incident occurred. The cost was $933. It was interesting that once you get to 80 you cannot buy 12 months cover, you have to pay a premium for each trip.

There were some challenges, though. The first was travel insurance  once you turn 80, the options shrink. But I duly did my research and opted for Medibank. The process involved a simple phone call and I surprisingly did not get the usual message about receiving an unusually high volume of calls.

Our original plan for the trip started with a Qantas return flight from Brisbane to Los Angeles to visit the grandkids, but the travel agent pointed out it would be no dearer to continue to London from Los Angeles and then fly home with Emirates. Too good to resist!

The next challenge is always travel finance. Experience has taught me to carry more than one card in case one gets stolen or stopped, which happened to us on our last trip to the US. I opted for a combination of the Latitude credit card and the ING Orange Everyday Visa debit card, plus an American Express card for backup. The debit card is useful if you need to go to an ATM for cash, but I havent needed to use cash in the past five years  everything now is touch and swipe.

Its recommended you advise the credit card issuer if youre travelling overseas. This was easy with ING: its app has a button that lets you advise your dates of travel and your destination. But it was a chore with Latitude because its website says to use their app, but theres no place on their app to do it.

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I contacted Latitude via social media and was told you must no longer say youre going overseas: Latitude will know the moment you start making overseas transactions and will get in touch if it seems suspicious.

I like both these cards because there is no annual fee and their exchange rates are the best in the business (at least, so they claim  its a complex thing to verify). The debit card is good because you cant overspend, and the credit card is also useful because youve got the extra money via your credit card limit if you get an unexpected expense.
More than 200 Australians fleeing Israel have landed safely in Sydney, the first of two government-supported repatriation flights to arrive over the next two days.

Qatar Airlines flight QR7424 arrived at Sydney International Airport from Dubai about 6pm on Tuesday night, with 222 onboard. Most left Tel Aviv on a Qantas flight out of the war zone on Sunday.

Daniel Rabinowiz hugs brother Yuval as he arrives at Sydney Airport. Credit: Wolter Peeters

The travellers, most of whom had been living in Israel for several years, were greeted by dozens of friends and family awaiting their return.

Yuval Rabinowiz did not make it 30 seconds out of the arrivals gate at Sydney International Airport before his brother, Daniel Rabinowiz, leapt on his back and hugged him.
On the western edge of Leichhardt, in the midst of industrial Parramatta Road, Taverners Hill light rail station is close to being a white elephant. With just 4960 Opal trips last month  165 a day  it was the second least-patronised station on the network, after nearby Waratah Mills.

By now, the station was supposed to service a renewed urban precinct with more than 450 units  part of a bigger transformation of the Parramatta Road corridor between Annandale and Croydon signed off by the state government in 2016.

The under-utilised Taverners Hill light rail station was supposed to service a renewed residential precinct. Credit: Wolter Peeters

But a group of residents is now mounting a last-ditch campaign to stop a rezoning which has the capacity to deliver 1500 units across three inner west precincts and begin rejuvenating one of Sydneys most hated and run-down roads.

At Saturdays Voice referendum, they distributed a flyer outside polling places titled, The plan to destroy our neighbourhood, which claimed 60 homes in the Taverners Hill precinct would be demolished in coming years to make way for higher density.
The brutal bludgeoning and stabbing of a man in Sydneys inner west is back in the spotlight more than a decade after the murder after the DNA of the alleged killers son was found in a database, a court has been told.

Naji Fakhreddine, 68, is on trial in NSW Supreme Court accused of killing Bernd Lehmann, 66, by repeatedly hitting him in the head with a 2.7-kilogram statue and stabbing him in the neck. He has pleaded not guilty.

Naji Fakhreddine leaves court on Tuesday. Credit: AAP/Bianca de Marchi

Lehmann had planned to travel to Germany on February 12, 2008, to care for his elderly mother, but he never made his scheduled flight at 4.55pm. His last known phone call was at 11.12am that day to a local travel agent.

Crown prosecutor Sally Traynor told a jury on Tuesday that Lehmann was found lying face down in his Ashfield unit after his brother contacted friends in Australia when he did not arrive in Germany.
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 Peter Hartcher has made a reasoned case on Gaza and its humanitarian predicament, following the Hamas incursion (Israels power, to show restraint, October 17). Israel is exercising lawful hot pursuit, and is engaging two front-line enemies; both proxies of Iran: Hamas and Hezbollah. A stateless Palestine, sovereign Israel and Lebanon, can all agree on one fact, innocent civilians will suffer in what soon will be remorseless combat, between implacable foes, if history guides us. The US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, warned that now is not the time to equivocate on atrocities. Decoded, he signalled a green light for an Israeli military assault on Gaza on several fronts. Cicero said that in the midst of war, the laws are silent. Mike Fogarty, Weston (ACT) I read Ben Sauls analysis (A war crime remains a war crime, October 17) with great interest. I agree that violence cannot resolve this dispute, even though the violence goes back a long way - think of young David slaying Goliath. Perhaps they could take a look at what occurred in Northern Ireland when short-term retaliatory violence was shunned in favour of long-term peace. Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga A convoy of trucks carrying aid are on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, while Palestinians wait on the Gaza side to get out. Credit: Getty/AP Peter Hartcher writes Hamas deserves no sympathy from anyone and no Israeli restraint. But no Palestinian civilian deserves to die for the crimes of Hamas. Israel has a duty to act with military effectiveness. In what fantasy world is this not a practical contradiction? Ted Kroiter, Cremorne Point Your correspondent is incorrect in stating that the British treated the original inhabitants of Palestine as non-people without rights (Letters, October 17). In his 1917 letter to Lord Rothschild, Arthur Balfour, British Foreign Secretary, specifically stated that the British government supported a national home for Jewish people, provided that nothing be done that may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine. Furthermore, after WWII Britain made every effort to restrict Jewish migration to Palestine having experienced violence between the Arabs and Jews in the 1930s. If anyone is to blame for the more than 70 years of violence in Israel it is the United Nations which approved its establishment over the objections of the Arab nations. A classic example of Western colonialism.

Rodney Crute, Hunters Hill In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred just over a week ago, numerous governments and a multitude of media outlets have exhibited a degree of leniency towards Israels chosen approach in dealing with the Hamas threat. While the attention of cameras gradually shifts away from the ongoing rocket assaults on Israel and focuses more on the dire situation faced by civilians in Gaza, its not surprising that calls for restraint are becoming increasingly common. These pleas for moderation are expected to grow as commentators such as Peter Hartcher intensify their coverage of the impending ground offensive and the potential human shield tactics employed by Hamas, which could result in civilian casualties. John Kempler, Rose Bay

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Constitution itself makes change almost impossible Anne Twomey outlines with her usual clarity the impossibility of changing our Constitution in a post-truth world without bipartisan support (Imagined risks make Constitution unchangeable, October 17). The double majority requirement of a majority in four of the six states also adds to the difficulty of change. It partially disenfranchises residents of the two territories, and it means (for the states majority) a vote in Tasmania carries 15 times the value of a vote in NSW. While states rights may have made sense in the 1890s, it makes little sense now in a world of instant communication. Anyone up for Constitutional change? Anyone? Kevin Fell, Cooks Hill Sydney University law professor Anne Twomey The referendums voting patterns demonstrate that there is now a clear social demarcation between the more affluent inner-city enclaves and the outer suburbs. For a host of reasons, new migrants and established communities away from the niche coffee shop strips decided not to amend our nations colourblind rule book. It was a vote for universal equality under the law, regardless of your heritage or background. Also, the mainstream demonstrated that it cannot be bullied or bought by the moralising corporate elites, self-righteous big businesses or the preachy sporting bodies who felt that they had the right to tell the wider populace what to think and do. Instead, Australia rightly held the line in nationally declaring that what ultimately matters in changing ones fortunes is not yet more administration, but agency and aspiration. Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn (Vic.) Dutton rejected the Voice because he claimed it would be a Canberra-centred elite with no grassroots input. He now he states that all of the Coalition policy on Indigenous affairs would be subject to review by Nampijinpa Price and ... Kerrynne Liddle (No answer on truth and treaty as Albanese defers to Indigenous leaders, October 17). So a two-person, even more Canberra-centred elite, appointed by and answerable to Dutton is somehow going to be more effective than a representative body? Anne Croker, Woonona Professor Anne Twomey is no doubt right in suggesting Constitutional change is necessary from time to time, but referendums will rarely succeed if there is not bipartisan support and the change will clearly benefit all Australians, not target one specific group. This latest referendum proposal did not pass the pub test and it was doomed to fail. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach

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A tale of two politicians. One, who made an election promise and kept it, one who made a promise and couldnt wait even a week to back out of it. Coral Button, North Epping The mainstream medias failure to call out Peter Dutton for sabotaging the referendum without offering an alternative is difficult to swallow. Duttons victory is actually a massive own goal. The Teal seats, all of which voted Yes, now seem lost forever. Dutton cannot win an election without them. Rob Mills, Riverview Duttons call for a royal commission into Aboriginal child sexual abuse and an audit of government spending to Aborigines is a giant dog whistle to his bigoted supporters. He is pushing the trope that we are giving too much money to Aboriginals and that theyre all child abusers anyway. This is his idea of bringing the country back together after this lacerating referendum? Its playing out of the Trump playbook! Judith Dunn, Balmain Dont think the world is not watching. Next time when Australia criticises the human rights records of other countries on the international stage, we will surely be reminded again to look into the mirror first, and be questioned on how we treat the First Nations people of our land. Vincent Wong, Killara No quick fix Australia isnt the only first world country to discover it has an ADHD epidemic (ADHD diagnoses double in five years, October 17). The link with anxiety is clear, together with previous under diagnosis. Worried parents are more likely to seek help and one way or another, it is expensive. Long-term medication is the most common strategy and that has big implications for both the PBS and the NDIS. These drugs are effective but not for everyone, and there are sometimes side effects, including dependency. There are even bigger questions. Is our whole society somehow contributing to ADHD becoming more prevalent? Can we (both as individuals and as communities) learn to live with and accept as normal some prevalence of ADHD (and other behaviours) without labelling and resorting to drugs? We need to examine closely what problems we are trying to fix by medications and what different support we can offer. Margaret Johnston, Paddington Leah Heele with her nine-year-old daughter Emily, who is diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Credit: Eamon Gallagher

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The SMH editorial on ADHD (Spike in ADHD further threatens NDIS budget, October 17) misses the point. Before the budget is threatened, a diagnosis of ADHD has to be made. There is no biological test for ADHD. The test is the subjective opinion of one or more persons, usually a medically trained person and/or a family member. There is simply no objective measure(s) to determine an ADHD diagnosis. An objective measure that seems to be professionally used is give them the amphetamine-based drug and if the concentration improves and is maintained and the behaviour diminishes, there is ADHD. The same behavioural changes occur for everyone who takes those drugs, from truck drivers to party ragers! Do we all have ADHD? ADHD is a social construction, being provided a medical solution, leading to a budgetary black hole. Paul Gannon, Coopers Shoot Hands off kids Invasive strip searches take more than clothing from the isolated, interrogated child (Invasive searches for girls aged 12, October 17). It strips them of their dignity, undermines the rationalisation of basic entitlements of decency and puts to question the role and rights of adults presiding over their life. It can be such infringements on a developing mind that set in train physiological damage that manifests in a later self-harming mindset. In the eyes of the affected youth, their peers and their kin, the position of the police may also be seen to have been stripped of a degree of decency befitting their uniform. We have a world-leading police force. Lets not degrade their standing in the community too. Steve Dillon, Thirroul Wont fly Commenting on Qantas loyalty boss Olivia Wirths hitting the eject button and parachuting out of the crisis-ridden airline, chief executive Vanessa Hudson said, During COVID, Loyalty was one of the few parts of the business that was able to carry on (Wirth resigns from Qantas to pursue other opportunities, October 17). Tell that to the 1700 Qantas ground staff who were illegally sacked during a pandemic. John Payne, Kelso Just the facts It is difficult for an academic institution like the University of Exeter to justify offering courses on ancient witchcraft and the occult (Once hanged, witches now centre of uni course, October 17). Universities are supposed to provide truth in learning. They should not promote and pander to populist superstitions. Is Exeter University so starved of funds that it is obliged to offer such courses?

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Most universities no longer have a theology faculty. Theology is left to the special institutions of individual churches. My local U3A college ditched a course on numerology because it was based on superstition and not truth. Whats next? Astronomy schools in science faculties that offer courses in astrology? Spare me. Geoff Black, Caves Beach Albos next move Anthony Albaneses time as prime minister has been marked by major policy blunders  the $370 billion AUKUS nuclear submarines deal, the commitment to stage three tax cuts for high-income earners, costing $313 billion over 10 years, and the Voice referendum debacle. Two of these policies were initiated by Liberal federal governments. If the Australian people had wanted Liberal Party policies then Scott Morrison would still be prime minister. If Albanese is wondering what his next steps should be, he could start acting like a Labor PM and scrap the AUKUS deal and the stage three tax cuts. Peter Martina, Warrnambool Nature responds My first letter published in the Herald 12 years ago was about jacarandas flowering in late October (Letters, October 17). If they are early this year, why? Not just content to enjoy natures spectacles, we should learn to read the signs. Meredith Williams, Northmead Jacarandas Credit: Cathy Sies Jacarandas are not the only plants responding to climate change. Sydneys suburban mango trees seem to be coming into flower three to four weeks earlier than normal. Seppo Ranki, Glenhaven

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A University of Sydney union secretary has quit, claiming members have become alienated due to an increasingly politicised leadership, criticising branch leaders with known Palestinian sympathies for their refusal to publicly condemn war crimes.

Former Sydney University NTEU branch secretary Fiona Gill. Credit: University of Sydney

In a resignation letter sent to all members on Monday, National Tertiary Education Union branch secretary Fiona Gill said she quit because the group was increasingly split between members focused on industrial goals and a union leadership advocating minority political positions.

Gills walkout follows the unions university branch president Nick Riemer, a linguistics academic, being active on X, formerly known as Twitter, in his support for Palestine, and having attended pro-Palestine rallies.

Riemer, however, defended the unions track record on standing up for members rights, pointing to the unions sector leading enterprise agreement reached this year. He said he was horrified by the current war between Israel and Hamas and the violence it has caused.
After years of fractious negotiations, Qantas will move its main Perth operations to Airport Central where it will construct a new WA headquarters, according to sources.

Currently, all international flights except Qantas leave from Terminal 1 on the east side of the runway that, together with Terminal 2, forms Airport Central.

In March 2018, a Qantas flight from Perth to London was the first direct air link between Australia and Europe. Credit: Brent Winstone

Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar have remained at the original site near Great Eastern Highway, now called Terminals 3 and 4, requiring a 15-minute drive for connecting passengers.

Passengers making the trek have included those transferring between Qantas and its code-share partners.
Russia on Monday followed its ally China in suspending all Japanese seafood imports over Tokyo's release of wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

Japan has been sharply critical of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while Tokyo's relations with Beijing -- which has deepened ties with Moscow -- have worsened.

Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia's body responsible for regulating agriculture products, said it was "joining China's provisional restrictive measures on the import of fish and seafood products from Japan as of October 16, 2023" as a "precautionary measure."

It said the restrictions would remain in place "until the necessary exhaustive information to confirm the safety of seafood produce... is forthcoming."

The Japanese government, which has called China's ban political and unscientific, has yet to comment on Russia's move. In 2011, three reactors at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear facility in northeastern Japan went into meltdown following a massive earthquake and tsunami that killed around 18,000 people. Twelve years on, in August Japan began discharging treated contaminated water from the stricken plant into the Pacific Ocean.

China in response banned all Japanese seafood imports over the "selfish" and "irresponsible" release, accusing Japan of treating the sea like a "sewer."
Western Australias environment regulator is investigating environmental failures of Chevrons Gorgon gas project on the Barrow Island nature reserve off the Pilbara coast, to determine if the US giant has broken the law.

Beach erosion where turtles nest, contamination of soil and water with toxic forever chemical PFAS from firefighting foam, and breaches of strict quarantine intended to preserve the islands ecosystem are all in the sights of the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

Chevron started constructing the Gorgon gas project in 2009.

In 2003, the WA government gave Chevron permission to build an $88 billion gas export plant on the island it described as one of the oldest and most valuable biodiversity conservation reserves in the world despite the objections of its own Conservation Commission.

Barrow Island has been a nature reserve for 113 years and is home to more than 100 species of birds, 13 mammal species, 44 different reptiles and almost 4000 different plants.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told colleagues there wont be a formal review of Labors role in the failed Yes case, as he signalled a mooted crackdown on false and misleading political advertising could look at the Voice campaign.

Indigenous leaders decision to observe a week of silence to absorb Saturdays referendum defeat has left the federal government unable to advance its alternative plans for reconciliation and to tackle disadvantage because of a desire to first consult them.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised consultation with leaders before outlining the governments next steps to close the disadvantage gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Three days after 61 per cent of voters rejected a Voice to parliament enshrined in the Constitution, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton focused his attack on treaty and truth-telling, which he argued could cost tens of billions of dollars.

Dutton sharply criticised the prospect of a national treaty with Indigenous Australians as something that goes on for between 20 and 30 years and in question time demanded the prime minister inform the house whether or not he remains committed to a treaty and truth-telling?
The NSW Liberals election post-mortem has blamed former prime minister Scott Morrison, the dysfunction of the partys state executive, and an Its time factor for its loss at the March poll.

Seven months after the Liberals lost their last mainland stronghold when former premier Dominic Perrottets government was defeated by Labors Chris Minns, a review of the campaign has highlighted the Morrison government for damaging the partys brand before the poll.

A review of the NSW Liberal Partys election loss has blamed the Morrison government for damaging the partys brand in the lead-up to the poll. Credit: James Brickwood

Led by former NSW premier Nick Greiner and former NSW MP Peta Seaton, the review also placed significant blame on the dysfunction of the partys state executive, which was crippled by factional infighting.

Greiner and Seaton briefed MPs on their findings on Tuesday, telling the Liberal party room that the No.1 reason for the partys loss was the Its time factor after 12 years in power.
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, worked with the now defunct Office of Police Integrity. She does not have judicial experience. Integrity and legal experts have regularly attacked the state government for its approach to integrity matters. Outgoing IBAC head Robert Redlich became increasingly vocal about the hurdles he faced trying to investigate corruption within the government. His co-investigator on Operation Watts, outgoing Ombudsman Deborah Glass, also used one of her last official reports to criticise the government for hampering her work. We still do not have a broad ability to release information in the public interest, our investigations can be hampered by our inability to obtain cabinet-in-confidence documents, our oversight regime is inefficient and ineffective, and while there have been welcome moves towards budget independence, reform does not go far enough, she said on Thursday.

In September, the public service watchdogs raised concerns about a lack of consultation on the integrity changes. The changes were recommended following a July 2022 report triggered by a joint investigation by The Age and 60 Minutes, which exposed a branch-stacking operation by former Labor minister Adem Somyurek that prompted the premier to sack him from the parliamentary party. Then premier Daniel Andrews apologised for the shameful and absolutely disgraceful behaviour of some former ministers. Andrews said he accepted all 21 recommendations of Operation Watts, which called for reforms to stop the use of taxpayer staff for party political activities and anti-corruption measures such as a parliamentary integrity commissioner. Former minister Adem Somyurek and former premier Daniel Andrews. Credit: Under the proposed model, the Allan government would consult on the design of the parliamentary integrity commission but has suggested it would be able to receive public interest disclosures about MPs and ministers and investigate some complaints. But the three commissioners would be excluded from probing policy matters or complaints about matters that occurred before its establishment. The commissioners would be appointed on the advice of the responsible minister for a maximum five-year term. Appointments would be subject to consideration by Victorian parliaments integrity and oversight committee, which would have a veto power over proposed appointees.

Complaints that predate the commission being implemented (planned for June next year) will not fall under its scope. Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said she was motivated to make parliament a safe workplace with a better culture. Loading One of the advantages of having a system where you can make complaints easily is that you dont have to wait for a serious complaint to raise an issue, Symes said. It is not necessarily to deal with the worst of the worst situations. And when issues arise, people have the confidence that there is a framework that will support their complaint in a supportive way, but in a comprehensive way where that can be dealt with, without fear of politicisation or media interest and the like. Following an investigation, the commissions reports would be publicly tabled in parliament.

The changes outlined on Tuesday do not address the recommendations that further restrictions be placed on parliamentary staff performing party-specific activities, or the creation of a specific offence for MPs who direct or allow their staff to carry out party-specific activities. This was raised after the red shirts scandal in 2014, in which Labor MPs used taxpayer-funded electorate office staff to conduct political campaigning in other electorates. Loading The government has not acted on the recommendation that the presiding officers and bureaucrats have a greater say in recruiting and selecting electorate office staff to encourage a more merit-based process. It said the recommendations regarding MP staff arrangements were being addressed in a separate ongoing piece of work. During last years state election, the Coalition called for an integrity crackdown, promising to introduce anti-corruption training for all senior public servants.

Shadow attorney-general Michael OBrien said on Tuesday that the commission should have retrospective powers and that appointments needed to be bipartisan rather than selected by cabinet. This government does not want to tackle integrity, OBrien said. So we will look at the governments proposals, but forgive us for being a little bit cynical. Liberal MP Michael OBrien says Labor is not serious about integrity. Credit: Joe Armao Former Victorian Court of Appeal judge Stephen Charles, KC, who was one of IBACs founders, said the government had taken too long to act. This government is not in the least enthusiastic about integrity and transparency, he said on Tuesday. Charles said the government was seeking to make important improvements but was critical that Labor was proposing to block retrospective complaints.
But she did confirm that she broke the embargo on the government document only by a few minutes. The comments are the first time Cheng has revealed the reasons for her detention in August 2020. Nielsen, a former colleague of Cheng at Chinese state TV network CGTN, and Chengs partner Nick Coyle have campaigned publicly for her release for the past three years. The arrest sent shockwaves through the media and business communities in Beijing and came at the height of tensions between Australia and China over COVID-19, human rights and economic disputes between the two trading partners. Fellow Australian, Yang Hengjun, a pro-democracy writer, was detained a year earlier and remains in jail in Beijing on unspecified national security charges.

Cheng said on the day that Chinese authorities first took her into detention, a senior executive at CGTN told her to urgently come into the office in Beijing to discuss a new series she was working on. So I get to this big meeting room and 20 people are there and then someone stands up and shows his badge and says you are wanted, she said. Immediately they take my belongings away, and then Im escorted to my apartment. Hinting that she may be going away for a while, the state security officials told her she should turn off her power and water and have something to eat. Cheng made herself a cheese and avocado toasted sandwich. It was the last thing she would eat outside jail for the next three years.

Loading The first six months under Chinas program of Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location [RSDL] were the hardest of her years in jail. The RSDL system allows Chinese authorities to interrogate detainees without a lawyer for six months in an attempt to extract a confession. Its to make you feel isolated, and bored and pained and desperate, she said. The final month was just 12 hours a day of pure sitting and very little chance to get up and just pace around a very little room. Cheng said she was told she would be given 15 minutes of fresh air a day, but that just meant a guard would open a small window at the top of the room with the curtains still drawn. The lights were on 24 hours a day. Every dream was a nightmare because if it was a good dream, waking up was worse, she said.

Cheng says memories of kindness helped sustain her during her detention. I had recurring dreams about my children who were still little and there was no car seat, and I couldnt help them when there was an accident, she said. I had dreams about trying to reach Nick on the phone and the phone would be taken away. The first time she thought the nightmare might end was when she was told she would be sentenced last week. My exact words were about bloody time, she said. [My feet] were shackled into the court van. [I was] led down the corridor to go to a normal toilet. And that was the first time I had sat on a toilet in over three years. I come out and theres a mirror. Again, it was the first time in over three years...[I was] looking really pale and frail.

Australian journalist Cheng Lei and her partner, Nick Coyle. Credit: The Age/ Getty Images Loading On Wednesday, Cheng was reunited with her children, her mother and her partner in Melbourne. [I see] my kids running at me and my mum who has aged a lot in three years, she said. We just all screamed and my mum wept. I just held on to them. The past week has been challenging for her to re-adjust to life outside a Beijing jail cell.

Sometimes I feel like an invalid, like a newborn and very fragile. And other times I feel like I could fly and I want to embrace everything, she said. Because of this whole ordeal, I keep expecting people to drop out of the sky and arrest me. Or something will happen to my children. I have to make up for you know, absent mummy for the next few years. Cheng Lei has returned to Australia In jail, Cheng would pretend she was listening to FM radio making love song dedications to pass the time. When she got back in the car in Melbourne, one of the first songs she heard was The Boys of Summer.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Prison Officers' Day was celebrated with great jollification and reverence at the prisons conference hall in Point Blanche on Monday, October 16, 2023. An award ceremony and luncheon were executed to recognize the sacrifice of the unsung heroes behind the prison walls that provide safety and rehabilitation.

Noteworthy, was the presentation of awards to three (3) remarkable prison officers who have devoted more than three (3)decades of their lives to the Prison of Sint Maarten. Miss. Omaira S Gario, Mr. Norwin S Reenis, and Mr. Ronald F Lake were honored for their impressive track record of maintaining safety and justice within society. These exemplary individuals received tokens of appreciation from the Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson, and the Acting Director of the Prison, Henrietta Doran-York. It's also worth noting that Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York herself was one of the pioneering female prison officers in Sint Maarten, the first female prison officer of Sint Maarten, and the first female prison supervisor of the Netherlands Antilles.

In addition to the awards, the celebration featured exciting raffle giveaways for its staff, adding an extra layer of festivity to the joyous occasion.

Henrietta Doran-York, in her dedication speech, lauded the prison officers and emphasized the daily challenges they face and the personal sacrifices they make to fulfill their duties. Doran-York added that while their hard work may sometimes seem to go unnoticed, it's all in the pursuit of justice and the betterment of Sint Maarten; a mission shared by the entire team.

Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson, took the opportunity to stress the importance of recognizing and appreciating staff through "love languages" in the workplace. She noted that these expressions of recognition can differ for each employee and emphasized the need to conduct research to better understand each employee's unique preferences. Surveys will be carried out across the entire Justice Ministry to ensure that recognition is tailored to individual needs. The Justice Minister commended Henrietta Doran-York for consistently and thoughtfully recognizing the Prison Officers throughout the years.

The event also provided a moment to reflect on the prison's history. Henrietta Doran-York shared some historical facts, including that the first prison was opened on October 16, 1990. It was Ms. Eulalie Meyers who laid the first stone at the prison.

Prison Officers' Day, is originally celebrated annually on the second Saturday of October but was graciously postponed to enable prison officers to participate in the Police Week activities held around that time.

The celebration of Prison Officers Day was a heartfelt tribute to the dedication, sacrifice, and invaluable contributions of the prison officers who continue to safeguard Sint Maarten's society. It was a day to honor the past, recognize the present, and inspire the future of prison services in the region.
Gold Terra Intersects High-Grade Gold Bearing Campbell Shear Target at Downhole Depth of 2,080 Metres on Con Mine Option Property, NWT

Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V: YGT; Frankfurt: TX0; OTCQX: YGTFF) (aGold Terraa or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/gold-terra-resource-corp/ ) is pleased to announce that drill hole GTCM23-055 has intersected the upper portion of the high-grade gold-bearing Campbell Shear at a downhole depth of 2,080 metres from surface to test for gold mineralization below the Con Mine underground workings, on the Con Mine Option (CMO) Property.A Drilling continues through the Campbell Shear which is typically 150 metres in width with mineralized zones generally 3-20 metres wide within the shear. The CMO Property is under option from subsidiaries of Newmont Corporation and is acquirable by the Company upon fulfillment of certain conditions set out in the CMO Property agreement, as reported in the Company\-s news release datedA November 22, 2021 .A

Chairman and CEO, Gerald Panneton, commented, \A long awaited moment for all Gold Terra shareholders to intersect the beginning of the prolific Campbell Shear below the former Con Mine underground workings and approximately 250 metres away from existing infrastructure and the Robertson shaft.A A The presence of alteration and veining in the core at the start of the Campbell Shear intersection in hole GTCM23-055 confirms the potential to delineate additional ounces beneath the former Con Mine.A Once this hole is completed some 50-100 metres past the Campbell shear, additional wedge holes will allow us to further evaluate the Campbell Shear structure.a

Hole GTCM23-055 hole, shown in Figure 1, is targeted to intersect the down plunge extension of the prolific Campbell Shear zone at depth below the Con Mine deposit (1938-2003), where 5.1 million ounces of gold was produced at an average grade of 16 g/t.A Drill core from hole GTCM23-055 shows classic narrow calcite-dominant veining within chloritic alteration and the introduction of quartz-ankerite veining which usually marks the beginning of the structure in core. Figure 2 shows the veining in a core photo.

Future Updates

To hear about drilling updates and the Companya?s future drilling plans, please join us on Tuesday, November 7 @ 11:20 AM at the Red Cloud Fall Mining Showcase, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5H 2M9.

The focus of the 2023 drilling program is to expand the September 2022 initial Mineral Resource Estimate (aMREa) (see September 7, 2022, press release) of 109,000 Indicated ounces of contained gold and 432,000 Inferred ounces of contained gold between surface and to a depth of 400 metres below surface along a 2-kilometre corridor of the Campbell Shear. Refer to the A October 21, 2022 technical report, titled \Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the CMO Property, Yellowknife City Gold Project, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada\ with an effective date of September 2, 2022, by Qualified Person, Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo., SGS Geological Services, which can be found on the Company\-s website atA https://www.goldterracorp.comA and on SEDAR atA www.sedar.com.

Qualified Persons

Joe Campbell, P. Geo., Senior Technical Advisor for Gold Terra is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

A About Gold Terra

The Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 918 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where 14 Moz of gold has been produced, and most recently on the Con Mine Option (CMO) property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003).

The YP and CMO properties lie on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company\-s exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company\-s objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of aMeasured Mineral Resources,a aIndicated Mineral Resources,a or aInferred Mineral Resourcesa will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

The Company prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to Mineral Resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended (\CIM Standards\). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the \SEC\) has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the \SEC Modernization Rules\) to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of \Measured Mineral Resources\, \Indicated Mineral Resources\ and \Inferred Mineral Resources\, which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of \Proven Mineral Reserves\ and \Probable Mineral Reserves\ to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards.

U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are \substantially similar\ to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any Mineral Resources that the Company may report as \Measured Mineral Resources\, \Indicated Mineral Resources\ and \Inferred Mineral Resources\ under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the Mineral Resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of \Inferred Mineral Resources\ cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances where permitted under NI 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute \forward-looking information\ within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (\forward-looking information\). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as \plans\, \expects\ or \does not expect\, \is expected\, \budget\, \scheduled\, \estimates\, \forecasts\, \intends\, \anticipates\ or \does not anticipate\, or \believes\, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results \will\, \may\, \could\, \would\, \might\ or \will be taken\, \occur\ or \be achieved\ or the negative connotations thereof.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear, potentially adding ounces to the Companya?s current YCG mineral resource, and the Company\-s objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company\-s actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the \Risk Factors\ section in the Company\-s most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company\-s profile at www.sedar.com.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would 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. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. 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. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.
Automakers reach for lithium

The boom in electromobility will change the world of transportation forever.

Large charging stations and private wallboxes are being built all over the country and the world. But in order to meet the demand for electric vehicles, raw materials are needed, especially in the batteries. Lithium is one of the most sought-after materials. Car manufacturers have already recognized that they must also provide the raw material themselves. Otherwise, they could be left high and dry in terms of lithium supplies. Recently, the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, the Chinese BYD Group, announced that it would also push ahead with the purchase of lithium projects itself. \To secure the supply of the raw mineral for processing in an electric vehicle factory currently under construction in the country,\ is the rationale. \We prefer to buy any available and affordable resource, but it has to be competitive,\ Stella Li, global vice president of BYD told Bloomberg news agency. After all, BYD laid the groundwork for car production in Brazil on Oct. 9.

The European car companies are also making efforts to obtain the raw material. After all, they are building battery factories around the world. The latest example is Stellantis, parent company of the Fiat, Chrysler and Ram brands among others, which is building a battery factory in the US state of Indiana together with Samsung SDI. It is scheduled to open in 2027. By then, the supply of lithium must be regulated. So, the demand for lithium will increase worldwide, that\-s a given. As a result, the price is also likely to remain high. That in turn is good for the companies with the lithium projects. Be it that they become more economical as the price of lithium rises, or that they are bought up by carmakers like BYD. Interesting companies with lithium projects include, for example, Lithium ION Energy and Century Lithium.

In mining-friendly Mongolia, Lithium ION Energy  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/ion-energy-ltd/  owns two prospective lithium projects.

In Nevada, Century Lithium\-s  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/century-lithium-corp/  Clayton Valley Lithium Project is already delivering top-quality battery-grade lithium carbonate at a pilot plant.

Current corporate information and press releases from Century Lithium (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/century-lithium-corp/ -).

In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998  312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/
Korea's southern port city of Busan has released a song to support its bid to host the World Expo in 2030.

K-pop star Chuu, a former member of girl group Loona, sings "Keep Going" along with a group of university students supporting the Busan Expo bid. The song can be heard on Busan's official bid website and YouTube channel.

The host city of the World Expo will be chosen by the Bureau International des Expositions member states at its General Assembly on Nov. 28.

Busan is up against Rome, Italy and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. is sending a B-52 Stratofortress bomber to South Korea for the first time this week that is capable of carrying nuclear bombs.

The B-52's arrival comes only a week after the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan docked in Busan in visible U.S. efforts to deter North Korean provocations.

It will fly in formation with South Korean and U.S. Air Force fighter jets over the Korean Peninsula and will also practice precision bombing at key North Korean facilities in a drill over Gangwon Province.

"It's confidential whether the B-52 will be armed or not," a military source said. "The main purpose of this week's drill is to send a clear message that the North Korea regime will face its own end if it uses nuclear weapons."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visits North Korea on Wednesday and Thursday, according to North Korea's state media on Monday.

Lavrov's visit to Pyongyang comes after the U.S. government disclosed that the North delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia for its ongoing war in Ukraine.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said last week that the U.S. believes that North Korea is seeking Russian weapons technologies in return.

The South Korean government is watching closely whether North Korea and Russia will step up military cooperation. Earlier, the North announced that it would attempt another satellite launch this month.

In a press briefing Monday, Unification Ministry spokesman Koo Byoung-sam said, "Any illicit weapons trade in violation of UN Security Council resolutions should be halted, and Russia must fulfill its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council."
The unions have accused the publicly-owned firm of acting like a rogue employer after combining an annual pay offer with a restructuring of salaries and grades, which, they say, will limit the wages of many lower-paid workers in the years ahead.
As a former newspaper editor, I like to think I would have let the Bell cartoon through, that I would put freedom of expression first, that I would regard this as a slippery slope and soon, I would be cancelling everything. But would I? Unlike Viner, I am not in the cauldron.
But bites fade. It was the psychological toll which lingered. After I had boiled all my clothes and sprayed my rucksack with whatever repellent I could get my hands on, the bedbugs seemed to retreat. Yet each night I spent an obsessive amount of time bedbug hunting with a headtorch. In the morning I would see them splattered in the sheets mixed with my blood, which theyd been feasting on, and something else  which I later learned, to my horror, was bedbug faeces. For weeks, I couldnt sleep, imagining  or not  that the bed was crawling. I had phantom itching, nightmares and my mood plummeted. I took up as little space in the bed as possible, sleeping in the foetal position, which began to give me back problems.
A ground operation is extremely difficult in a crowded and chaotic space like Gaza. Netanyahus predecessors Ehud Barak and Benny Gantz, both former PMs and Defence Force chiefs, have warned it would need to go slowly and be taken in stages. The rubble left by Israeli bombing is now providing defences for Hamas. There are still 100,000 civilians in Gaza City, hard to ignore and harder to protect. The network of underground tunnels and bunkers present a huge conundrum. They cant all be mapped from the air. If Israel employs thermobaric weapons, used by the Russians in Ukraine and the Chechen wars, they could be a threat to friendly as well as enemy forces. They work by sucking oxygen from the air and then exploding like a giant fuel bomb.
This all changed when I left Manchester and moved to Cardiff, aged nine. I had gone from a very mixed community to one where my faith and culture were for some reason taken to mean that I could no longer be friends with people who were Jewish or supported Israel. I thought this was stupid because even though I had no concept of antisemitism, which is what I was being fed though I was barely even 10 years old, I just knew it was wrong to hate people because of where they came from.
Threatening, abusing or attacking British Jews, let alone children, for events taking place thousands of miles away is about as far from supporting the Palestinian cause as it is possible to get. Indeed, events of the last week have demonstrated anti-Jewish hatred is far more prevalent in this country than we have been prepared to admit.
The problem with Bodies is that the level of detail required to weave this narrative together requires a lot of explanation. The plot is front and centre, and that is often to the detriment of the characterisation. With the exception of the more three dimensional Hasan, there is not enough time given to develop the personalities of the many characters, an aspect which is often a highlight of a crime series. There is no time for a witty exchange or to curate an unforgettable interrogation scene. Dialogue is often underdeveloped or, perhaps to save time, can come across as a cliche of the genre with some familiar tropes and character types being slotted in.
At 14 years old, he left Jamaica for the UK to live with his mother, first settling on the Patmore Estate in Battersea. Mostly he remembers the freezing cold, but also how his expectations of life in the UK were quickly subverted. It was crazy, right because my thoughts and what I envisioned of London was nothing compared to what I met when I got here. I used to think that my mum really had it good and that you know, like it was pretty easy going over here, but when I came and saw my mum struggling, three, four or five cleaning jobs, thats when reality hit me. Though he had enrolled at Brixton College to study Business, Computing and Accounting, he felt that taking up work as a barber could be a better path to helping retire his mother from her cleaning jobs and secure his familys future prosperity. Still, barbering as a profession wasnt something he had been encouraged into, despite it being a family industry, my family never envisioned me to be a barber, they wanted me to go to school, college, university. Growing up in my community in Jamaica, you know, theres a certain stigma around not going to college and university, that people think thats the way of life you know, thats the direction you need to go.
After Bradley Cooper recently got it in the neck for piling on a prosthetic nose to play Leonard Bernstein in Maestro, no doubt there will be some unhappy with Helen Mirrens humungous mounds of extra flesh in her portrayal of Israeli prime minister Golda Meir. Its a knotty debate, but the result here does seem to make Dame Helen look barely recognisable as herself and a fair bit like the actual Golda Meir. She led the nation for five years, but Israeli director Guy Nattiv focuses on a brief but monumental three weeks in Meirs premiership when in 1973 an Arab coalition launched a surprise attack on Israel, leading to the Yom Kippur War. Its anxious and jittery war room stuff as Meir (a notoriously heavy smoker) stubs cigarette after cigarette into ashtrays while discussing battle tactics with her generals. Outside of the theatre of war, we see Meirs private fretting as she lies awake in bed and her failing health as she is taken back and forth for hospital examinations (which she chainsmokes through). However, despite Mirrens unarguably brilliant talents, we never quite get a real glimpse through that mountain of make-up to the soul of Golda Meir. Out 6 October
That was probably the last time Madonna attempted to be respectable. Yeah, she could have aged gracefully and become a grand dame, the expensive blonde, JK Rowling-alike of the pop world. But no, as she moved into her 50s and 60s she returned to her early attitude of trying very hard to provoke. You cant really do that through sexy clothes these days, (although that doesnt stop her trying), but shes certainly done it with her face and body, fighting the natural signs of ageing by amping up the cosmetic procedures, creating a kind of Snap Chat filtered version of Madonna.
Actress Ko Hyun-jung appeared at a promotional event for a perfume brand in Seoul on Monday.

Ko recently appeared in Netflix's seven-episode series "Mask Girl," which tells the story of a woman who feels inferior about her looks.

But unlike her latest starring role, she looked glamorous in a black cocktail dress.
At 70, artist Cooper is anything but a newbie, though the enduring charm of her whimsical, figurative work still quietly dominates Londons art scene. Formerly the first-ever woman Keeper at the RA, whose job it was to ensure equality among entries and members, she changed the culture of the art institution for good and year after year, her fan base grows thanks to her unfaltering and captivating presence in the RA Summer Exhibition. Now no longer part of the RA schools, keep an eye out for her work in the upcoming Tate Britain exhibition, Women in Revolt!
Next, Keith got me to reverse with the combos nearside adjacent to the bay, a harder task as visibility is restricted. The key is to pick a mark on the caravan (a sticker or window edge will do) and - with a helper for your first go - time its arrival at a certain point in the cars rear quarter window with the precise moment that the caravans inside wheel freezes and stops rotating. Thereafter, this mysterious alignment is your cue to stop, engage opposite lock - and impress your fellow campers by swooping into the bay in one deft manoeuvre. Or snaking in with a few extra steering corrections, like me
Naturally, you should leave the more challenging summits for the experts but that doesnt mean you cant experience the magic of the mountains and the great outdoors all year round. Whether thats a family walk through woodland marvelling at the rich palette of autumnal hues, or a more challenging hike on a frosty morning in the shadow of the mountains, the UK has plenty of trails to enjoy as the nights start drawing in.
Jess, 44, grew up near the Lake District, and had outdoors-mad parents with the philosophy of do more, spend less, she says. We would travel and climb on a budget. Wed go on a ski trip but camp in the snow by the side of the road. I wanted those values for my kids. You get a sense of self, and gain confidence, from doing things. I loved having that connection with nature and the mountains. Its always there, no matter what is going on in your life. Its an escape from the humdrum. And kids have a lot of pressure at school now. This is an escape from that.
She said briars and thorns at the scene by the canal will emerge as significant later on because Puska would later be found with cuts on his hands consistent with leaving via a route that avoided people on the canal.
If you have any information about this tragedy you can speak up and tell our charity what you know. Lots of people mistakenly think we are part of the police. We are completely independent and will never judge or ask for any of your personal details.
Director Robin Wells previously said: The main purpose of protesting this forum is to make it clear that the industry is not welcome to come to our city, is not welcome to schmooze our politicians, is not welcome to profit at the expense of the collective survival and the health of the one home that we all share.
The dispute is ongoing, with no clear resolution in sight. Weve been tied up for a whole year, a year without rent and a year when we couldnt do anything with the restaurant. We probably could have paid off the arrears in that time, says Duggan.
He went on: I dont know if thats technical language, but the fact of the matter is, this is a minister, the longest serving minister, I think in any department, in any government for so many years, and under his watch, we have seen the demoralisation of the education centre of our country in his office and good people leaving.
I have attended your synagogues, your churches and your mosques. You are communities I have grown up with, danced with, laughed with, and in this last week, that I have shed many tears with.
The Korean government has sent Oceans and Fisheries Minister Cho Seung-hwan to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure development project by Chinese President Xi Jinping to broaden Beijing's economic and military influence around the world.

Korea is sending Cho to the forum marking the 10th anniversary of the project in the hope of restoring cooperative ties with China.

"We decided it is necessary to send a related minister to the leaders forum and assess the global trend of this project," a spokesman for the presidential office here said.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, around 4,000 representatives from 140 countries and 30 international organizations are attending the forum. Cho will take part in a maritime cooperation forum on Wednesday and meet with Chinese government officials.

"The two countries face each other across the West Sea, and this will be an opportunity to look for areas of cooperation in maritime laws and policies, fisheries-related issues, safety and technology."

But President Yoon Suk-yeol is also interested in improving relations with China, which has shown displeasure about his government's focus on the U.S. in its diplomacy since he took office.

The decision to send the oceans minister appears to be part of efforts to bring about a three-way summit with Japan in Seoul this year, for the first time since 2019, when the leaders met in Chengdu, China.
To seize those opportunities, we must bring together insights from business and academia to encourage the safe and responsible development of AI. That is why we are welcoming the partnership which Google and the University of Cambridge have announced today.
That was what he always wanted to do. Thats what he was here for. But he ultimately came to live here and raise a family and have a life, he said.
This year the Orionid meteor shower is active in the skies from October 2 to November 7 and will take place at a variety of times. However, experts predict the show will peak on the night of 21 and 22 October between midnight and dawn - with the best time said to be between midnight and 1am. Star spotters should be able to see the shower either side of this date.
That must change and is why, alongside strengthening neighbourhood policing and record investment in supporting the police to go after the worst offenders, the Commissioner and I are now working closely with mobile phone industry to develop innovative and technological solutions that make a stolen phone far less desirable and usable by thieves.
Speaking to MailOnline they said: We are in a very difficult place. We are going from funeral to funeral. Still, I am praying for my family. We want to come together as a family to celebrate life and we want them to come back with joy and happiness as soon as possible.
Video the Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital's grounds strewn with bodies, many of them young children. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has pulled out of a meeting with Joe Biden following the incident, which has been condemned by the international community.
She added that the territorys last working seawater desalination plant shut down yesterday and disclosed that only 14 per cent of people in Gaza had received water when a supply line opened briefly for three hours in the southern city of Khan Younis yesterday.
The Indian government had opposed the case, calling the arguments for equality urban elitist views and stating that marriages were not comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children. It had argued that the matter should be decided in parliament not the courts.
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Former CIA director general David Petraeus, who led US and international forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, warned of the devastation and death toll from trying to annihilate Hamas and its network of underground tunnels, which would inevitably see basic services, infrastructure and homes destroyed in Gaza which would need to be rebuilt.
In April 1994, Angeles Torrejon made her way through the Chiapas jungle in Mexico driving an old truck to the stronghold of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN). The Zapatista-led conflict in the countrys southernmost state had calmed down and was no longer front-page news. Torrejon was working for the Imagen Latina photo agency and told her editor she wanted to go to Chiapas to photograph the EZLN. Everythings over  why do you want to go now? was her editors response. However, Torrejon wanted to focus on a specific subject: women. She found it fascinating how women from different backgrounds and traditions left everything behind to join the Zapatista Army in an Indigenous struggle that profoundly affected Mexico in the 1990s. Etched in her memory from that trip is an image she couldnt photograph: five armed women with masked faces stopped her truck and asked her what she was doing there. After passing this first test, EZLN leader Subcomandante Marcos welcomed her into the community. Torrejon earned their trust on that visit and was welcomed back many times.

Young Zapatista girls in Chiapas, Mexico. Angeles Torrejon

A long walk in the dark

In 1995, Torrejon was awakened late in the night by a womans screams. The women and children at La Realidad  the Zapatista base where she was staying  were ordered to evacuate immediately. They walked through the jungle all night without knowing why. Torrejon vividly remembers the long line of women and children snaking through the darkness. She couldnt take any photos, since using a flash in the darkness would give them away. Torrejon says she didnt know what was happening, but could tell that something was wrong  the exodus felt like an escape. The next morning, she took her first photos of the fleeing Zapatista women as the sun came up over the Chiapas highlands. When they returned to La Realidad and found nothing but destruction, they learned why they had to escape. The Mexican government had discovered Subcomandante Marcos real name and sent the army after him. Torrejon immediately returned to Mexico City and developed the photos that would be published the next day in La Jornada newspaper and the weekly Proceso magazine.

Angeles Torrejons Correspondencias photo exhibit opens on October 18 at the Image Center in Mexico City. The exhibition presents the photographers captivating images from three decades ago, providing a voice to the women of that era and spotlighting social injustices that persist today.

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He hoped it would be a bullet to solve the issue in his homeland. Im here as the father of the boy, not as a politician or religious scholar. Im here as the father of a boy whose rights were violated, he said.
Russia's attack is likely being carried out with multiple armoured battalions, which are attempting to envelop the town. It is likely to be the most significant offensive operation undertaken by Russia since at least January 2023."
Advice warns: Terrorist groups operating in Syria, including Daesh- and Al-Qaeda-linked groups, routinely use kidnapping as a tactic. Theyre present in the Syrian border areas. Be particularly vigilant in these locations. Daesh and other terrorist groups may target humanitarian aid workers and journalists. If youre kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to serve as protection or secure your safe release.
The warrant means the courts 123 member states have to arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory but China is not a member and neither is Kyrgyzstan  the only other country Putin has visited this year.
This fragrance type seems incredibly apt when you think of it in the context of the cost-of-living crisis. First and foremost, they are more affordable than their eau de parfum counterparts, while still providing a welcoming waft of aroma. They're travel-friendly too, housed in plastic rather than glass bottles. But more than anything, their reappearance in the zeitgeist has been driven by the popularity of one particular brand: Sol de Janeiro.The TikTok viral label signalled the klaxon by unveiling an extensive selection of mists where the scents take inspiration from the beloved body products. The instantly recognisable aroma of pistachio, vanilla and salted caramel that comes hand in hand with the brand's cult Bum Bum Cream has been bottled in the Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist, a fragrance that may be otherwise overpowering if not for the lighter, more refreshing composition. So popular is the product that it became the number one best-selling fragrance on LOOKFANTASTIC.
Sir Roger was a philosopher and was sacked as a government adviser after a New Statesman journalist tweeted a quote from an interview he gave, in which he said Chinese people are a kind of replica of the next one
He explained: Because I came from a very undiverse school and bunch of university friends, I think that Ive hung on, on the diversity issue, to the feeling that I wouldnt know how to write those parts. I think I was just sort of stupid and wrong about that.
Its out of my control. If you cant control it, dont get into it I started to look at my life and realised how immensely grateful I am for so much of it ... Im in a very uncertain world at the moment.
However they said that despite the potential benefits of using AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, further research is needed to refine AI recommendations for severe cases and to consider potential risks and ethical issues.
Lucus Asturum (modern-day Lugo de Llanera in Asturias, northern Spain) was a Roman settlement that served as an administrative center and communications hub in the north of the Iberian Peninsula between the first and fourth centuries A.D., and which, given its importance, the Greek astronomer, mathematician, and geographer Ptolemy reported in his famous work Geography. As such, Lucus Asturum contained many important public and private buildings. In 2021, a team led by archaeologist Esperanza Martin located a large house with a central courtyard and a well. This summer, excavations at the site were resumed and the archaeologists decided to descend, using a system of pulleys to avoid damaging the remains, to the bottom of the well.

Inside, among many other Roman pieces, they found a sandal lost by a man who tried to clean the well 2,000 years ago. Despite the humbleness of the object, it is a unicum  an archaeological object without equal  because it is decorated with circles, ovals and falciform figures. There are no more than 20 Roman sandals preserved in Hispania and this is the only one that is decorated. It is in a good state of preservation, as the silt at the bottom of the well generated an anaerobic system that prevented the reproduction of microorganisms.

Archeologist Esperanza Martin descends into the well discovered in Lugo de Llanera. Angel Villa

The existence of Lucus Asturum has been known since ancient times, but trace of the settlement was lost centuries ago until the Provincial Commission of Monuments carried out the first excavations in the 1930s. However, all the archaeological material found, as well as the related documentation, has since been lost or destroyed. In 1989, Carmen Fernandez Ochoas team located a votive altar on the site dedicated to the lares viales (household divinities), a medieval necropolis, and Alto-Imperial remains from the 1st century A.D. In 2018, promoted and financed by the Llanera City Council, excavations were reinitiated.

On this occasion, the archaeologists used non-invasive techniques such as the Lidar laser detection system, geophysical surveys, satellite imagery, and thermography. Thus, they found that under the grass of the meadows there was an archaeological substrate that included some large and extensively plundered baths, as well as a well-preserved canal. But the Covid-19 pandemic brought a halt to the work. When it was resumed, in 2021, the team detected a garbage dump used between the first and fourth centuries, several buildings separated by a road and a large residential nucleus with the aforementioned well, which retains the stonework marks of those who opened it up two millennia ago.

A house uncovered during excavations at Lucus Asturum. Esperanza Martin

The remains we found, due to the anoxia generated by the high water table in the area, are in an exceptional state, says Martin. The silts have created an anaerobic environment thanks to the plasticity of the clays that compose them, so the organic materials have been perfectly preserved. At a depth of about three meters, the specialists extracted part of the wooden cover of the well, a tiled floor for the decantation of silts, several jars, seeds, chestnuts, pine nuts, mollusks, the remains of domestic and wild fauna, an acetre, or bronze, cauldron, a small metal ring and the sandal, among other objects. It is almost complete and retains the cutting notches to hold it in the upper leg area. It is more than likely that it was lost by someone who came in to clean [the well] when it got caught in the silt. It is a unique object as it is decorated.

The footwear is currently refrigerated to avoid degradation until it can be restored and exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Asturias. The sandal will thus tell visitors the story of how 2,000 years ago, a rather well-dressed individual descended into a well in Lucus Asturum to extract the mud that was spoiling the water supply to his home.

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Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford called on autoworkers to come together to end a monthlong strike that he says could cost the company the ability to invest in the future. In a rare speech during contract talks in the companys hometown of Dearborn, Michigan, Ford said high labor costs could limit spending to develop new vehicles and invest in factories. Its the absolute lifeblood of our company. And if we lose it, we will lose to the competition. America loses. Many jobs will be lost, said the great grandson of company founder Henry Ford.

The company, he said, builds more vehicles in America and has more United Auto Workers employees than any company, which has increased its costs in a highly competitive industry. Ford has 57,000 UAW workers compared with 46,000 at GM and 43,000 at Stellantis. Many of our competitors moved jobs to Mexico as we added jobs here in the U.S., Ford said.

The company is near an impasse with the United Auto Workers union, which walked out in targeted strikes at all three Detroit automakers on Sept. 15. Last week 8,700 union members walked out at the largest and most profitable Ford plant in the world, the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.

Ford said the strike at the Kentucky plant is harming tens of thousands of Americans who work for parts suppliers and Ford dealers. The strike also could cause a fragile parts supply base to collapse, he said. If it continues, it will have a major impact on the American economy and devastate local communities, he said. There was no immediate response from the UAW early Monday.

Ford, only the fourth family member to lead the 120-year-old company, said he has watched other companies lose their auto industries, then all of their manufacturing base. He said strong American manufacturing is essential for national security. We need to come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks, Ford said. I still believe in a bright future  one that we can build together. I still believe the automobile industry is a major force for good in our country. We will continue to be there when America needs us most.

Last week, after the Kentucky strike began, a top Ford executive said on a conference call with reporters that Ford had reached the limit in how much it was willing to spend to end the strike. The speech from Ford arrives with the entire auto industry making a historic and expensive shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles.

UAW President Shawn Fain has said Ford and crosstown rivals General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis are making billions in profits, and that workers should get a share. He says the workers should be repaid for sacrificing general pay raises, cost of living adjustments and agreeing to lower wage tiers to keep the companies afloat during the Great Recession.

The union began striking at targeted factories after its contracts with the companies expired. It started picketing one assembly plant from each company, but that has since spread to 38 parts warehouses at GM and Jeep maker Stellantis. The UAW later added another assembly plant at both GM and Ford.Last Wednesday Fain made the surprise announcement that the union would walk out at the Kentucky plant, which makes Super Duty pickups and large Ford and Lincoln SUVs.

About 34,000 of the unions 146,000 employees at all three automakers are now on strike. Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, the companys internal combustion engine business, told reporters Thursday that Ford stretched to get to the offer it now has on the table. The apparently widening labor rift suggests Ford and the union may be in for a lengthy strike that could cost the company and workers billions of dollars.

Fain said on Wednesday that Ford told UAW bargainers for nearly two weeks that it would make another counteroffer on economic issues. But at a meeting called by the union, the company didnt increase its previous offer, Fain said. Ford hasnt gotten the message to bargain for a fair contract, Fain said in announcing the walkout by 8,700 workers at the companys Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.

Weve been very patient working with the company on this, he said in a video. They have not met expectations, theyre not even coming to the table on it. Galhotra called Fords offer incredibly positive and said Ford never indicated to the union that it would be increased.

We have been very clear we are at the limit, he said on a conference call with reporters. We risk the ability to invest in the business and profitably grow. And profitable growth is in the best interest of everybody at Ford. The company has a set amount of money, but is willing to move dollars around in a way that might fit the unions needs, he said, adding that he still thinks its possible to reach a deal. The union has said Fords general wage offer is up to 23% over four years and that it has reinstated cost of living raises. GM and Stellantis were at 20%. But Fain said none was high enough.

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Labour Minister: Ukrainian refugees, further supported by Romanian state

Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity Simona Bucura-Oprescu on Tuesday discussed the situation of refugees in Ukraine with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Romania Pablo Zapata.

According to a press release posted on the Labour and Social Solidarity Ministry's (MMSS) Facebook page, a review of the relevant legal provisions and measures already implemented by Romania was made, the UNHCR representative appreciating the good practices implemented in this regard at the level of the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity.

"The refugees in Ukraine have benefited from the care and support of the Romanian state. We will continue in this direction. Following today's meeting, we have made two important decisions to increase the chances of labour market integration of Ukrainian refugees and to protect vulnerable individuals and groups. Thus, through the National Agency for Employment, Romanian language courses will be initiated for refugees from Ukraine, in order to increase their accessibility to the labour market. On the other hand, we will make an analysis of the specific standards of assessment and disability classification in the two countries in order to make the protection systems for vulnerable people compatible," said Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu.

According to National Agency for Employment (ANOFM) data, since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine and so far nine Job Exchange Markets for Ukrainians have been organised. 19,000 refugees from Ukraine are registered as job seekers, and 7,000 labour agreements have been signed for them.

AGERPRES
By Veronica Ludaka



Veronica Ludaka in a greenhouse in Gansu Province during a visit in July (COURTESY PHOTO)

In late July this year, I participated in a field trip organized by the China Agricultural University (CAU) for both African and Chinese students. I was fortunate to be one of the 11 African students selected for this enlightening experience.

The first day of our field visit left an indelible mark on me. We had the privilege of visiting the Shiyanghe Experimental Station, nestled in the tranquil landscapes of Wuwei City, Gansu Province in northwest China. This station, operated by CAU, served as a National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture. It is a shining example of innovative agricultural water-saving technology, paving the way for sustainable farming practices. Its establishment was crucial for addressing the water and ecological challenges faced by the Shiyang River Basin. Situated at an altitude of 1,580 meters, the station is surrounded by the Tengger Desert to the east, the Badain Jaran Desert to the north, and the Qilian Mountains to the south.

Pioneering water-saving agriculture, the station endeavors to achieve a harmonious equilibrium between contemporary irrigation methods and environmental preservation. Over the course of two decades, 66 scientists and 236 postgraduate students have engaged in research and collaborative endeavors. Through the combined efforts of professors and students from CAU, innovative techniques such as canal lining, enhanced surface irrigation, water-saving irrigation scheduling, intercropping, and drip irrigation under mulch have been developed, revolutionizing the field.

The students have worked to identify the most suitable seed varieties for optimal crop growth, determine precise water requirements for different plant types, and effectively manage water levels to conserve this valuable resource. Their system of drip irrigation and mulching utilizes two types of plastic sheeting as mulchblack and transparent, which are used during summer and winter to regulate temperature. Different crops have specific mulching strategies. For example, maize is mulched throughout its growth period from late April to late September, while mulch is removed from around potato plants once the potatoes start to grow.

The students' utilization of technology was closely observed, with one student employing an underground pipeline robot system to monitor soil water content and root growth. Equipped with a camera, the robot captures images of the roots in different soil layers, transmitting the data to a computer via WiFi. Additionally, the students utilize drone technology to assess crop growth status, particularly in detecting water and nutrient deficiencies. Another innovative method is fertilizer irrigation, which combines water and fertilizer application to reduce labor and optimize resource usage. This method, widely adopted by local farmers, was a novel approach for me.

Additionally, the students implemented intercropping, an agricultural method where different crops are grown together in the same field simultaneously. This technique involves planting crops in a mixed pattern, such as in alternating rows or intermingling plants within the same row. The purpose of intercropping is to optimize the use of resources like sunlight, water and nutrients, thereby enhancing crop production.

These young innovators are dedicated to cultivating a brighter future that prioritizes environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability. Collaborating closely with farmers, they provide training in technology use, mulching, greenhouse practices, carbon control and water use efficiency. After consolidating their research, they formulate a comprehensive conclusion that is utilized by the local agricultural technology extension department for implementation in demonstration farms. The impact of the students from Shiyanghe Experimental Station extends well beyond their campus. They actively engage with local communities, sharing knowledge and collaborating with farmers to promote sustainable practices on a broader scale.

The power of knowledge unites academia, research, and socioeconomic development, enabling nations to overcome agricultural challenges and adopt sustainable practices. The students from CAU Shiyanghe Experimental Station exemplify this transformative impact on agriculture.

The author is a Malawian student at China Agricultural University in Beijing

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

Beijing Review Sep. 13th, 2023




People with Egyptian flags cheer next to a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians by Egyptian NGOs.

Water has run out at U.N. shelters across Gaza as thousands packed into the courtyard of the besieged territorys largest hospital as a refuge of last resort from a looming Israeli ground offensive and overwhelmed doctors struggled to care for patients they fear will die once generators run out of fuel.

Palestinian civilians across Gaza, already battered by years of conflict, were struggling for survival Sunday in the face of an unprecedented Israeli operation against the territory following a Hamas militant attack on October 7 that killed 1,300 Israelis, most of them civilians.

Israel has cut off the flow of food, medicine, water and electricity to Gaza, pounded neighborhoods with airstrikes and told the estimated 1 million residents of the north to flee south ahead of Israels planned attack. The Gaza Health Ministry said more than 2,300 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting erupted last weekend.

Relief groups called for the protection of the over 2 million civilians in Gaza urging an emergency corridor be established for the transfer of humanitarian aid.

The difference with this escalation is we dont have medical aid coming in from outside, the border is closed, electricity is off and this constitutes a high danger for our patients, said Dr. Mohammed Qandeel, who works at Nasser Hospital in the southern Khan Younis area.

Doctors in the evacuation zone said they couldnt relocate their patients safely, so they decided to stay as well to care for them.

We shall not evacuate the hospital even if it costs us our lives, said Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the head of pediatrics at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia.

If they left, the seven newborns in the intensive care unit would die, he said. And even if they could move them, there is nowhere for them to go in the 40-kilometer-long (25-mile-long) coastal territory. Hospitals are full, Abu Safiya said. The wounded stream in every day with severed limbs and life-threatening injuries, he said.

Other doctors feared for the lives of patients dependent on ventilators and those suffering from complex blast wounds needing around-the-clock care. Doctors worried entire hospital facilities would be shut down and many would die as the last of fuel stocks powering their generators came close to running out. United Nations humanitarian monitors estimated this could happen by Monday.

At Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the heart of the evacuation zone, medical officials estimated at least 35,000 men, women and children crammed into the large open grounds, in the lobby and in the hallways, hoping the location would give them protection from the fighting. Their situation is very difficult, said hospital director Mohammed Abu Selmia.

Hundreds of wounded continue to come to the hospital every day, he said.

About half a million Gaza residents have taken refuge in U.N. shelters across the territory and are running out of water, said Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the U.N.s Palestinian refugee agency, known by the acronym UNRWA. Gaza is running dry, she said, adding that U.N. teams have also begun to ration water.

Touma said a quarter of a million people in Gaza moved to shelters over the past 24 hours, the majority of which are U.N. schools where clean water has actually run out, said Inas Hamdan, another UNRWA spokeswoman.

Across Gaza, families rationed dwindling water supplies, with many forced to drink dirty or brackish water.

I am very happy that I was able to brush my teeth today, can you imagine what lengths we have reached? said Shaima al-Farra, in Khan Younis.

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PM Ciolacu: Romanian community in Israel can count on the support of the Government in Bucharest

The Romanian community in Israel can count on the support of the Government in Bucharest, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said.

The Prime Minister met on Tuesday with representatives of the Romanian diaspora in Israel.

"An exciting meeting with the Romanian diaspora in Israel! In such moments, words cannot soothe the loss of loved ones. The community can count on the full support of the Government in Bucharest. Romania was and is a safe place for those who want a refuge for themselves and their families!," said Marcel Ciolacu in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

According to a government press release, in Israel, Prime Minister Ciolacu met with representatives of the Romanian community affected by the security situation in the region.

"I am by your side and I ask you to have confidence that we will do everything possible to support you and offer you security," the Prime Minister told the Romanian citizens in Israel.

The source mentions that, so far, the Romanian authorities have provided support for the safe repatriation of more than 2,200 Romanian citizens in Israel and continue to provide consular assistance to Romanian citizens who request support for their return home.

According to the press release, in the presence of the Jewish community, the Prime Minister presented Menachem Hacohen, Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community in Romania from 1997-2011, with the 'Star of Romania' National Order in the rank of Grand Officer, a distinction awarded by the President of Romania.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was accompanied on his visit to Israel by Minister of National Defence Angel Tilvar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminita Odobescu, MP Silviu Vexler, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, and Romania's Ambassador to Israel Radu Ioanid.

AGERPRES
DES MOINES, Iowa  A dozen state or county agencies have parted ways with tens of thousands of dollars in federal grants meant to help monitor teenagers' sexual behaviors and try to lower rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

The withdrawals reflect a shift in many states that is further complicating and polarizing sex education in K-12 schools as some Republican-led legislatures more strictly regulate when and what students learn about their bodies.

The new laws are part of a broad push to fortify "parents' rights" and strike LGBTQ+ content from the classroom, core themes that have flooded the campaign for the GOP presidential nomination.

Experts are concerned students won't reliably learn about adolescence, safe sexual activity or relationship violence, topics they say are especially important since sexually transmitted diseases rose after the pandemic and access to abortion is increasingly restricted.

Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at Seattle Children's Hospital, said a trained, trusted adult is critical for young people to get good information versus other, less trustworthy sources like social media.

"When we stop talking about these things or  try to push things under the rug, we just increase risk," she said.

Fewer teens are sexually active, a 2021 government survey showed, but federal data that year also suggest teens and young adults made up half of all people with STDs. For the youngest generations, the language about sex is evolving.

This year, lawmakers passed bans on teaching human sexuality before fourth grade in Indiana and sexual reproduction or sexual intercourse before fifth grade in Arkansas. In Kentucky, educators can't teach sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases before sixth grade, and parents must provide consent for older students. A handful of states require parents to opt in to instruction instead of opting out.

In Florida, materials about reproductive health, human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases for any grade must be approved by state officials. A letter from the state agency indicates curriculum was due for review by the end of September.

Advocates for comprehensive sex education say the restrictions in early education may prevent kids from getting age-appropriate foundational knowledge that they build on each year, said Alison Macklin, director of policy and advocacy at the progressive sex education organization SIECUS.

"You were never going to teach a first-grader a trigonometry lesson, right?" she said. "But they have to have foundational knowledge in first grade to be able to get to that in high school."

"Sex education is exactly the same," Macklin continued, suggesting young people aren't prepared for puberty if they haven't already learned "foundational things like correct terminology for body parts."

Puberty for girls begins between ages 8 to 13 and typically two years later for boys. To comply with the new law in Kentucky, for example, the state's education agency advised schools eliminate fifth-grade lessons on puberty and reproductive body parts.

The consensus was sex education in elementary school "wasn't necessary or appropriate in any context," said David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation, a Christian organization in Kentucky that advocated for the law.

There is federal guidance for developing evidence based and age-appropriate sexual health curricula, but state laws and local implementation run the gamut.

Twenty-eight states require sex education, and 35 require HIV education, according to tracking by the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Most states require any instruction on sex or disease prevention to include abstinence, and most states allow parents to opt out.

While many states have curtailed sex education, others have codified comprehensive and inclusive standards. Massachusetts, for example, recently announced new sexual health education guidelines, which were last updated in 1999.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services award millions of dollars for programs designed, in part, to track teen behavior and teach abstinence and contraception with the goal of creating safe environments and preventing pregnancy and diseases.

Idaho's Division of Public Health said it no longer administered the HHS grant for personal responsibility education programs, or PREP, as of July 1 after lawmakers did not approve the spending during the legislative session.

New Hampshire withdrew from PREP funding after a five-member Republican-led council that approves contracts repeatedly blocked funding in 2022. However, PREP funding doesn't necessarily disappear if a state's officials reject it; instead, it can be awarded directly to local organizations, which is now the case in New Hampshire.

A different grant is provided by the CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health for a biennial youth survey. Since March 2022, six states have discontinued the agreement to conduct the survey: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa and South Carolina. Some of those states also have new laws restricting schools' ability to administer surveys.

Four Florida counties encompassing parts of the Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami metro areas also withdrew from another CDC grant to expand student health resources and education.
Grandmaster Flowers, the Brooklyn DJ who died young in 1992, preceded artists such as Grandmaster Flash, DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa. He was your favorite iconic DJs favorite iconic DJ. Though he never rose to the heights of those he influenced, hes often credited as one of the first DJs to mix songs together in sequence, as well as one of the first mobile DJs.

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He will be recognized, St. Louis style, at Fusia Fest. The second annual event, dubbed Give the DJ Their Flowers: Tribute to DJ Grandmaster Flowers, is Oct. 21 at Off Broadway.

The fest is organized by Larry Fallout Morris of St. Louis band iLLPHONiCS.

Veteran St. Louis DJ G. Wiz will play a set inspired by Grandmaster Flowers that will take you back to a block party in 1970, 1971, Morris says. Hell show you where hip-hop came from. I want to take people back and show them  discover what it felt like to see Flowers in that park in Brooklyn in 1971.

Grandmaster Flowers is definitely an artist who has been overlooked, Morris says. Events nationwide and in St. Louis this year have commemorated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

His story doesnt get told, Morris says. Hip-hop is at a point where its so mainstream and marketable. We love to attach ourselves to a narrative thats more palpable. Hes been overlooked because he doesnt have a story thats very heroic.

Morris learned about Grandmaster Flowers about four years ago, when he went down a rabbit hole to discover everything he could. Morris even did a presentation on Flowers.

He had always been on my mind, he says. This brings him back to the front.

The focus on Grandmaster Flowers is a detour for Fusia Fest and its focus on hip-hop bands. But Morris says the shift in focus was warranted.

Well always have hip-hop groups, he says. But we were looking at the things we dont necessarily look at in hip-hop. This year I went this direction for a couple of reasons. Its the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and we were curious about how we could talk about the DJ but not the way everyone else is doing it.

Other tributes, he says, have honored the expected legends such as Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash, who performed in September at Music at the Intersection.

We always look at these hip-hop giants, but who inspired these giants? he says.

Along with celebrating Grandmaster Flowers, Morris wants to honor St. Louis DJs, including G. Wiz.

A documentary about G. Wiz, Background Check: The Story of St. Louis & East St. Louis Hip-Hop From 1979-1995, debuted in 2019 at the Missouri History Museum. Back in the day, he founded his own label, Wiz-A-Tron Records, and had two video shows, Street Vibes and R&B With a Touch of Jazz.

Hes a legend too, and our local people are as valuable as those we look at outside of St. Louis, Morris says. Love on him the way you would love up on any DJ. We gotta honor our legends, and G. Wiz is a legend.

Oct. 21 will be proclaimed G. Wiz Day in St. Louis.

Fusia Fest also will spotlight a handful of St. Louis DJs who each will spin a different kind of hip-hop: DJ Reminise (boom bap), DJ Mahr (West Coast), DJ Nico Marie (South/crunk), DJ Sinamin (Miami/booty bass) and DJ Smitty (Midwest/St. Louis).

Its a sample platter of the last 50 years, and I wanted to include our music, Morris says of DJ Smittys set. Nelly, Chingy and J-Kwon came around and defined a sound. And we need to acknowledge that Nelly is one of the few whose albums went diamond.

Country Grammar sold over 10 million copies.

The inaugural Fusia Fest featured performances by iLLPHONiCS, Looprat, Domino Effect, DreCo, the Greater Good, Retro Champ and Native Sun.

I think we did well the first year, Morris says. Im not going to say its a thing that blew you out of the water, but enough people gathered to make it a thing worthy of returning. It brought community together to celebrate hip-hop artists not on the fringes, but off the beaten path.

It made me happy enough to say, Lets continue to explore the outskirts of hip-hop for what it is, the pieces we dont always lift up.

He calls the festival a slow burn.

These things take time, he says. It will take a few years for this to gain the traction we want to gain. Were not trying to grow too fast. We want slow and steady. Thats what this is.

Next year, Fusia Fest plans to look at the relationship between hip-hop and jazz, with mashups of the two genres.

What Fusia Fest: Give the DJ Their Flowers Tribute to DJ Grandmaster Flowers  When 4 p.m. Oct. 21  Where Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Avenue  How much $15-$20 with VIP package available  More info ticketweb.com

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Updated Wednesday afternoon with more information about the dog.

Rani, a 27-year-old Asian elephant at the St. Louis Zoo, has died.

The elephant died around 4 p.m. on Friday. Zoo officials announced her death Tuesday afternoon, saying that a loose dog may have been indirectly responsible.

We are absolutely devastated, St. Louis Zoo director Michael Macek said in a statement. We ask for the communitys thoughts and support during this difficult time.

The zoos pathologist discovered that Rani had preexisting problems with her heart, though whether they contributed to her death is not yet known. The zoo is still conducting tests.

The immediate cause of death may be related to a small, unleashed dog that was running around in a non-public area near the Elephant Barn. Rani was indoors eating dinner at the time and did not see the dog.

But an elephant that was outside did see the dog and became agitated. While members of the Elephant Care team tried to catch the dog, others moved the elephant indoors, zoo officials said.

Inside the barn, other elephants began to vocalize, and Rani became agitated by their distress. She too began to vocalize and turn in a circle before collapsing.

Members of the zoos Elephant Care and Animal Health teams immediately tried to revive her but were not successful.

After her death, current and past members of the Elephant Care Team spent time with Rani to say goodbye.

The other elephants, who also were given time with Rani, calmed down quickly and are doing well, zoo officials said.

Zoo officials said the dog was small, about the size of an opossum, and was apparently lost. It perhaps made its way onto the grounds through or under a fence or gate. the way other small native animals such as rabbits and squirrels sometimes do, they said. The dog was caught and was turned over to a local shelter.

In 1989, a pack of wild dogs  apparently domestic dogs that had turned feral  killed seven female springboks at the zoo, including two that were pregnant. Springboks are South African gazelles, about half the size of white-tailed deer. Security guards and police killed four of the dogs and captured at least one more.

In 1986, stray dogs roaming Forest Park killed a blesbok antelope and her newborn calf at the zoo. In the 1960s and '70s, three kangaroos and 15 antelopes at the zoo were also killed by wild dogs.

Rani was 5 when she and her mother, Ellie, came to the St. Louis Zoo in 2001 from another accredited zoo with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

Eight Asian elephants remain at the St. Louis Zoo, including six from three generations of the same family. Among them is Jade, 16, who is Ranis daughter, and Ellie, 52.

Rani was a special member of this elephant family group, Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, zoological manager of the Rivers Edge habitat at the zoo, said in a statement.

While growing up here in St. Louis, she got to learn from her own mom, Ellie, on how to be an amazing mother herself, Pilgram-Kloppe said.

Fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants still exist in the wild, scattered in discrete habitats across 13 countries. With threats from poachers killing them for their ivory, skin and meat, and human civilization encroaching on the space where they roam, their future survival as a species is uncertain.

The St. Louis Zoo runs the Center for Asian Elephant Conservation as a way to forestall or prevent their extinction. The center aims to preserve the species both in the wild and in zoos around the world.

But animal rights activists argue that elephants do not belong in zoos. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says that elephants needs  such as walking dozens of miles every day for their joint health  cannot be met in zoo exhibits.

Some zoos agree. The Toronto Zoo and the San Francisco Zoo have phased out their elephant programs. Both sent their elephants to animal sanctuaries in the United States that have much more space for large animals to roam.

The St. Louis Zoo, among others, says that its breeding programs are helping to preserve the species. Three elephants currently at the zoo  Maliha, Jade and Priya  were born there.

The median life expectancy for female Asian elephants under human care is 47 years, according to the zoo.

1916: Miss Jim, the St. Louis Zoo's first celebrity, parades into town Miss Jim arrives Miss Jim the elephant Miss Jim Pao Pei & Happy Phil Blondie Randy Siegfried Mr. Moke Jeepers Peepers Kalista Raja Kali
ST. LOUIS  Dr. Colleen McNicholas, the chief medical officer for the St. Louis regions Planned Parenthood, is among three finalists selected from across the world for the European Unions top human rights prize.

McNicholas, Justyna Wydrzynska, of Poland, and Morena Herrera, of El Salvador, were jointly nominated as women fighting for free, safe and legal abortion

As far-right politicians try to ban abortion across swaths of the U.S. and internationally, Im thankful for the European Parliaments nomination and spotlight on this critical issue of human rights, McNicholas said. Let this be a sign to those trying to roll back access to abortion: the world is watching.

The other two other finalists this years Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought were:

 Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in police custody in Iran last year after she was arrested for allegedly violating Irans mandatory headscarf law, sparking worldwide protest.

 Vilma Nunez de Escorcia and Roman Catholic Bishop Rolando Jose Alvarez Lagos, for their decadeslong fight defending human rights in Nicaragua.

The finalists were chosen in a vote Oct. 12 by the European Parliaments foreign affairs and development committees. Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the political group leaders will decide Thursday on the winner.

The EU prize, named for Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, has been awarded each year since 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend freedom and human rights. Sakharov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, died in 1989.

This is the first time since the prizes creation that abortion rights advocates have been nominated. In the U.S., where the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade over a year ago, 21 states have banned or severely restricted the procedure.

Among the abortion advocates, the nominating committee wrote that McNicholas has a strong track record of high-quality patient care and impactful reproductive health advocacy.

Yamelsie Rodriguez, president of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, said she is privileged to work alongside McNicholas.

You can only do this work when you have fierce advocates by your side, Rodriguez said. Colleens partnership, strength, and commitment to providing compassionate care and advocacy for her patients are inspiring and among the strongest Ive ever known.

McNicholas, born and raised in Chicago, has worked as an abortion provider for more than 20 years in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. She currently works in southern Illinois, where hundreds of abortion patients travel to each week from states where the procedure is banned.

She has testified multiple time before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and the Missouri Legislature against abortion restrictions. McNicholas also oversees operations of a regional logistics center, which works with abortion funds, independent clinics and other resources to support traveling patients.
Daniel Neman Features writer Follow Daniel Neman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

On Saturday July 25, 1891, Grover Cleveland sat down to a banquet in his honor in the town of Sandwich, Massachusetts, the oldest town on Cape Cod.

The purpose of the banquet has perhaps been lost to the mists of history, unless someone is willing to spend more than the 20 minutes I just wasted trying to look it up.

Cleveland had left office as the 22nd president of the United States two years before the banquet. He had lost re-election to Benjamin Harrison in 1888, though he won the popular vote, and had been nominated one month before the banquet to run again for the office by the Democratic party. He would win that election the next year (his running mate, incidentally, was Adlai Stevenson, grandfather of the Adlai Stevenson who unsuccessfully ran for president twice in the 1950s).

The banquet appears to have been a grand affair. An etching of the event that ran in Harpers Weekly two weeks later shows a large banquet hall filled with citizens in their best finery. Cleveland, who had a summer house on nearby Buzzards Bay, stands at the center of the dais, before an impressive array of flag-inspired bunting.

Visible on the table in the foreground is a tray of meat, a platter of what could be vegetables and a dish of small delicacies.

It is the food that interests me the most.

As it happens, there is an extant menu from this banquet, in the digital collections of the New York Public Library. So now we know what a formal banquet was like at the height of the Gilded Age.

Spoiler alert: There was a lot of food, or at least a lot of courses. The diners presumably had a choice for each course, and their appropriate accompaniments. The gathered elite would have been pleased, but the staff in the kitchen must have been going out of their minds.

The bill of fare begins with a fish course, a single offering of boiled salmon served with fresh peas along with boiled potatoes, sliced tomatoes and sliced cucumbers.

Im going to go out on a limb here and suggest that what they called boiled fish in 1891 is what we would call poached fish now  that is, the fish was gently simmered in water flavored with an assortment of aromatics such as onions, bay leaves and slices of lemon.

Otherwise, it would not be the sort of thing one would want to serve to the once and future president.

The next course was a selection of roasts. Diners could choose between a sirloin of beef with a dish gravy, spring lamb served with a mint sauce or turkey served with a cranberry sauce.

Dish gravy is the just the jus, the liquid that seeps out of the roast while it is cooking. And you can be certain the cranberry sauce did not have ridges on it from when they opened the can and plopped it unceremoniously onto a plate  though that is theoretically possible. Food has been canned in the United States since the early 1800s.

The next course on the bill of fare is vegetables, which I hope were served with the roasts. Here the choices were green corn  thats corn that is young and tender  string beans, mashed potatoes or dressed lettuce. I think we can all agree that dressed lettuce is salad, right?

Only at this point did the meal make its way to the actual entrees, and here there were only two choices: filet of beef with a mushroom sauce, or a lobster salad.

Its Cape Cod. Lobsters were everywhere. I imagine the beef was the exotic choice.

Though no one could possibly have been hungry at this point, dessert was served next. Here, the choices included vanilla, strawberry, chocolate or pineapple ice cream.

Pineapple was special at the time; it did not become widely available in the continental United States until James D. Dole began producing it commercially in 1899, eight years after this banquet.

Everyone wanted to try it, but still: Pineapple ice cream?

Also available for dessert were lemon and raspberry sherbets, assorted cakes and frozen pudding.

Frozen pudding?

After dessert, of course, came fruit  bananas, pineapples (for the people wise enough not to get the pineapple ice cream), oranges and water melon.

After the fruit, finally, came coffee.

Cleveland died in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1908. He was 71 years old. I have no idea how he lasted that long.
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

This is the third column about Missouris Taum Sauk disaster recovery money. Read the first and second columns on stltoday.com.

POTOSI, Mo.  Scott Rosenblum was in his element, standing in the second-floor courtroom of the Washington County Courthouse. The noted St. Louis criminal defense lawyer was trying to pick apart a prosecutors case  and then he offered a tease about a conspiracy theory.

Rosenblums client, a wealthy Iron County rancher named Donald Rick Gaston, stands accused of leading a criminal street gang stemming from a child custody dispute. The case in southeast Missouri has drawn extra attention because Iron Countys sheriff and two of his deputies have also been charged in the case.

The charges, Rosenblum told the Washington County judge, are rooted in underlying stuff between these deputies and other officials.

Rosenblum didnt elaborate. But Sheriff Jeff Burketts lawyer, who was in the courtroom that day, caught the reference. He says he knows exactly what the underlying stuff is  and that it ties back to Missouris Taum Sauk disaster recovery money and the folks overseeing it.

The lawyer, Gabe Crocker, wrote me in a text message: I can confirm Sheriff Burkett had initiated a preliminary investigation into two separate matters involving possible criminal and ethical wrongdoing by several Iron County elected officials.

As my recent columns have documented, nearly $3 million in state money has been drained over the past year in Iron County. The money was supposed to help the area recover from the 2005 Taum Sauk flooding disaster that badly damaged Johnsons Shut-Ins State Park and surrounding land. The money was overseen by the Iron County Economic Partnership (ICEP), and much of it went to people tied to board members or companies owned by those members. Several of the transactions appear to violate Internal Revenue Service rules. Expenditures from previous years have also raised questions.

Erich Jett, a consultant who once worked for ICEP, has filed several whistleblower complaints with the Missouri attorney generals office and the IRS about spending by ICEP board members.

In late 2022, he filed his latest complaint with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. He also handed over his files to Sheriff Roger Medley, and then to the man who replaced him as sheriff, Jeff Burkett.

Burkett had to survive a Republican primary fight against Medley. He initially won, but a judge overturned the election after Medley sued, alleging irregularities over absentee ballots and other issues. Burkett then won a second time, after a new election, and became sheriff after the general election in November 2022.

Not long after, Jett gave his files to Burkett. Jetts files contain questions about years of transactions by the ICEP board. During most of the time those transactions took place, the ICEP board was being advised by Brian Parker, a local attorney whos now the Iron County prosecutor.

Sheriff Burkett was taking it seriously, Jett said. Not long after that, he was in jail. Its a small town and weird stuff happens.

Burkett had also turned over the file to the FBI, according to his lawyer.

Conspiracy theories abound in Iron County  about Burketts election win, about the Taum Sauk money, about connections (real or not) between the two. And defense attorneys are supposed to try to sow doubt.

What we know for certain is this: Burkett, his deputies and Gaston have been charged by Washington County Prosecuting Attorney John Jones for events on Feb. 10. Thats when the men are accused of tracking Gastons ex-girlfriend and the 5-year-old daughter they share because he had custody of the child. The charges include attempted kidnapping and stalking.

That this is somehow a legitimate law enforcement action is insane, Jones said in a recent hearing. This is conspiratorial behavior. This is organized crime.

Burkett has been removed from office. He may have been on to something regarding ICEP and its spending. Regardless, his arrest overshadowed the Taum Sauk controversy and added another layer of confusion.

Today, the county has no elected sheriff. The recently deposed sheriff is facing a criminal street gang charge that reads like a movie plot. And a fund meant to boost the areas economic prospects is nearly empty, with plenty of questionable spending.

Welcome to Iron County, where weird stuff happens.
Cahokia Heights police are stymied in their investigation after a paralyzed man was gunned down in his bed last week.

"As of right now, we've conducted probably 15 interviews and we have absolutely no leads," said Cahokia Heights police Major Tony Tomlinson. "This one is not looking good."

Tomlinson talked to the Post-Dispatch on Tuesday, one week after the death of Eddie Freeman.

Freeman was shot multiple times on the evening of Oct. 10 at his home in the 600 block of West Avenue. Freeman, 50, died later at a hospital in St. Louis, according to the St. Louis medical examiner's office.

Tomlinson said his police agency has asked for help from the Illinois State Police.

Freeman was paralyzed in a shooting in 2020 in St. Louis County. Freeman was riding in a van with his daughter when the daughter's ex-boyfriend fired shots at her fleeing van. Freeman was hit several times and paralyzed.

A St. Louis County judge sentenced Chicory Griffin of Bellefontaine Neighbors to two life prison terms for the attack. At Griffin's sentencing hearing in December 2021 at the courthouse in Clayton, Freeman testified that he could not play with his grandchildren or use the bathroom unassisted.

Ever since his injury, Freeman used a wheelchair, Tomlinson said. A woman lived with him as his caregiver.

About 7 p.m. Oct. 10, the caregiver heard a knock at the door and asked who it was. The man at the door used the name of a relative of a neighborhood friend, and the caregiver asked Freeman if it was okay to let the person in. Freeman said yes.

The man entered the home, went to the bedroom and fatally shot Freeman, then ran off, Tomlinson said. The caregiver was unharmed.

Tomlinson said police believe the gunman used a fake name to get inside. Police quickly found the man whose name was given and eliminated him as a suspect, Tomlinson said.

Police are working with the caregiver to try to identify the killer.
A 10-year-old girl died and three boys were among the injured in a vehicle crash Monday morning in Washington County, Missouri, authorities said.

The crash was on Highway 21, north of Furnace Creek Road.

The Missouri Highway Patrol did not release the name of the girl who died, but the Valley R-VI School District identified her as Amelia Biri, 10. Amelia was a fifth grader and lived in Richwoods, Missouri.

Amelia was riding in a 2012 Nissan Murano driven south on Highway 21 by Zachary R. Wideman. Three boys, ages 6, 7 and 8, were also in the car. The school district, in a message on Facebook, said one of the injured boys was Amelia's younger brother.

At about 8:30 a.m. Monday, the car ran off the highway on a curve and hit a tree. All of the children were wearing seat belts, police said. Wideman was not.

Wideman and the boys were seriously injured. The boys were taken by medical helicopters to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. Wideman was taken by ambulance to St. Louis University Hospital.
Boats and houseboats are stuck in a dry area of the Negro River during a drought in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.

The Negro River, the Amazons second largest tributary, on Monday reached its lowest level since official measurements began near Manaus 121 years ago. The record confirms that this part of the worlds largest rainforest is suffering its worst drought, just a little over two years after its most significant flooding.

In the morning, the water level in the citys port went as low as 13.5 meters (44.3 feet), down from 30.02 meters (98.5 feet) registered in June 2021  its highest level on record. The Negro River drains about 10% of the Amazon basin and is the worlds sixth largest by water volume.

Madeira River, another main tributary of the Amazon, has also recorded historically low levels, causing the halt of the Santo Antonio hydroelectric dam, Brazils fourth largest.

Throughout Brazils Amazon, low river levels have left hundreds of riverine communities isolated and struggling to get access to drinkable water. The drought also has disrupted commercial navigation that supplies Manaus, a city of 2 million with a large industrial park.

Manaus is the largest city and capital of Amazonas, the state hit hardest by the drought. In late September, 55 of 62 municipalities there entered states of emergency due to the severe drought.

There is no more water to go through. Navigation is over, boatman Cledson Lopes Brasil told The Associated Press.

Brasil operates in Marina do Davi port, a getaway to dozens of riverine communities, some of them with sandy beaches that attract tourists. The once bustling area is now surrounded by parched soil, with many boathouses high and dry.

For one month now, Brasil has switched to a lower-powered boat, better suited for shallow waters. Still, he cant reach most communities along Taruma-Acu, a tributary of the Negro River. Some riverine dwellers must walk up to three hours to reach their houses  and tourism has stopped altogether.

Manaus and other nearby cities are also suffering from high temperatures and heavy smoke from nearby man-caused fires for deforestation and pasture clearance. The drought is also the likely cause of dozens of river dolphin deaths in Tefe Lake, near the Amazon River.

This is a startling contrast to July 2021, when Negro River waters took over part of the Manaus downtown area. The historic flood, which also ruined crops of hundreds of riverine communities, lasted for about three months.

Negro River ends near Manaus, where it converges with the Amazon River, which is called the Solimoes River in Brazil upstream from this confluence. In Brazilian maps, this marks the beginning of the Amazon, with Negro as the second main tributary. In international maps, however, the Amazon River begins in Peru.

Philip Fearnside, an American researcher at the Brazilian National Institute of Amazonian Research, a public agency, expects the situation to deteriorate, both during the ongoing event and in the future with increasing frequency and severity of similar events with climate change.

He said surface water in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean is now warmer than during the Godzilla El Nino of 2015-2016 and is expanding. In the Amazon, these Pacific warmings primarily lead to droughts in the northern part of the region.

Moreover, a warm water patch in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean is causing drought in the southern part of the Amazon, similar to what happened in 2005 and 2010, according to researchers.

The forecast is for the start of the rains to be delayed compared to normal, and for a drier-than-normal rainy season, Fearnside said. This could result not only in extreme low water this year, but also low levels in 2024. Until the rainy season begins in the basin, the situation that is already underway should worsen.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A former detective in Missouri convicted in the death a Black man in 2019 is now jailed after losing an appeal of his conviction despite unusual support from the states Republican attorney general.

Eric J. DeValkenaere had been free on bond during the appeal, but a judge revoked bond Tuesday and ordered a warrant for his arrest. DeValkenaere went to the Platte County jail himself Tuesday and surrendered, Maj. Erik Holland of the sheriffs office told the Kansas City Star. He will be held there until he is transferred to a Missouri prison.

DeValkenaeres lawyer declined comment to The Associated Press.

DeValkenaere, who is white, was found guilty in 2021 of second-degree manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb. Lamb was parking a pickup truck in his Kansas City back yard when the officer shot him after reports Lamb was in a car chase with his girlfriend.

The judge who found DeValkenaere guilty in a bench trial said police were the initial aggressors and had a duty to retreat, but DeValkenaere illegally used deadly force instead.

Prosecutors and Lambs family have alleged a handgun was planted after the shooting but that issue was not addressed by Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge J. Dale Youngs when he convicted the detective.

On Tuesday, a three-judge panel ruled unanimously there had been enough evidence to convict DeValkenaere. He had been sentenced to three years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively.

In an unusual legal move, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey in June asked the appeals court to reverse DeValkenaeres conviction or order a new trial. In Missouri, the attorney generals office handles criminal appeals and typically defends convictions, rather than appealing them.

A spokesperson on Tuesday said the attorney generals office is reviewing the appeals court decision.

Police said DeValkenaere and his partner, Troy Schwalm, went to Lambs home after reports hed been chasing his girlfriends convertible in a stolen pickup truck. DeValkenaere said he fired after Lamb pointed a gun at another detective. The judge said the officers had no probable cause to believe any crime had been committed, had no warrant for Lambs arrest and had no search warrant or consent to be on the property.

Rumors had swirled this summer that Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson was considering pardoning or granting clemency to DeValkenaere. That prompted Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker to send the governor a letter urging him not to do so. Civil rights advocates warned that releasing the former detective could cause unrest in the city and damage an already tense relationship between police and Kansas Citys Black community.

On Tuesday, Parson spokesperson Johnathan Shiflett said in an email that the governor is assessing the situation, and no decision has been reached on whether to grant a pardon.

Updated at 8 a.m. Wednesday
ST. LOUIS  St. Louis police on Tuesday identified the woman who was killed Friday after crashing her car into a light pole in south St. Louis.

Aylia Crus, 20, died at a hospital after crashing just before 3 a.m. Friday on Chippewa Street, near South Kingshighway. Crus lived in the 4600 block of Newport Avenue in St. Louis.

Police said Crus was driving a 2009 Honda Civic east on Chippewa when the vehicle veered into the westbound lanes and hit a light pole.

Her passenger, a 22-year-old woman, refused medical treatment, authorities said.

The crash was on the edge of several neighborhoods, including North Hampton and Southampton.
JEFFERSON CITY  Margie Vandeven, the education commissioner of Missouri, announced Tuesday that she will resign in July after serving two separate terms for a total of seven years.

The surprise announcement came at the start of a packed agenda for the Missouri State Board of Educations monthly meeting.

Serving as commissioner of education for the great state of Missouri has been the honor and the opportunity of a lifetime, Vandeven said at the meeting. Together we have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our children.

Vandeven started her career in education as a teacher in OFallon, Missouri, in 1990. She taught in Maryland from 1995 to 2002 before returning to Missouri as an English teacher and administrator.

Vandeven was first named state commissioner in January 2015 and was ousted from the role in 2017 in a push by then Gov. Eric Greitens to appoint his own commissioner. Vandeven was rehired in 2019 by a board of education that included members appointed by Gov. Mike Parson, Greitens replacement.

The commissioner earns more than $190,000 and oversees an agency with about 1,650 employees, who monitor the states 518 school districts. The state board members will now start the process of finding a successor to replace Vandeven.

Senate Majority Leader Cindy OLaughlin, a Shelbina Republican who called for Vandevens firing in 2021, said Tuesday that Missouri needed a new direction for education.

I think weve been lacking leadership in our education department for years, she said. Schools are struggling. Their outcomes are failing. And its been obvious to me that we need to take a new direction.

OLaughlin also signaled a focus on school choice in the next legislative session.

I think we need a system that rewards good schools and allows parents the choice to send their students where they can find the best outcomes, OLaughlin said. I look forward to working with other legislators and the governor and moving on in a new direction.

Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, a former educator who chairs the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, said he spoke with Vandeven at an event Monday night, and she didnt mention her departure.

Im surprised, Pollitt said following the announcement. Margie served the state well. I think she worked hard at her job.

Pollitt said he hopes the commission will find a replacement that has a strong vision of the future and is willing to look at changes.

The state of Missouri has a lot of good schools. Sometimes it doesnt come across that way. Theres just small tweaks we probably need to make to be current, Pollitt said.

Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, said the state owes a debt of gratitude to Vandeven.

Throughout her career, Dr. Vandeven has put the betterment of Missouri students above all else, and we have been incredibly fortunate to have a leader of her caliber at DESE. Its an incredibly difficult role, and her intellect, insights, and integrity will be missed, said Arthur, a member of the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee.

In other matters, the state board approved a return to elected leadership in the Normandy and Riverview Gardens school districts, which have been under state control for at least a decade. Enrollment and academic performance have declined in both districts under state-appointed boards.

In April, voters will elect three board members in Normandy and two board members in Riverview Gardens to bring both boards to seven elected members.

State board members also approved a five-year charter school application for Believe STL Academy. The high school is expected to open in the fall in St. Louis with 100 ninth graders, and add a grade each year. The St. Louis Public Schools board of education approved a resolution Monday in opposition to the new charter school.

Finally, the board discussed long-awaited guidelines on social-emotional learning in three categories: me, including personal healthy behaviors and self-esteem; we, teamwork, collaboration and cooperation; and others, empathy, compassion and fairness.

Vandeven said the guidelines are to be viewed as a resource for educators, not as standards or a mandate.

The department received close to 2,000 comments this fall about the proposed guidelines. About one-third of the responses were negative, including many complaints stating that social-emotional learning is the role of parents, not schools.

Kurt Erickson and Jack Suntrup of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
ST. LOUIS  Speakers at future St. Louis Public Schools board meetings could be asked to show identification after district leaders said they felt threatened during an outburst at the last meeting.

Nearly 50 people signed up to speak at the Oct. 10 board meeting, including several activists funded by charter school groups. The meeting was paused when the crowd became upset over limits on public comments.

It was clearly not genuine concern of parents coming to speak, said Matt Davis, SLPS board vice president, at a special meeting called Monday to address several issues including public comments. It was very clear that it was an organized effort of agitation. It was meant to escalate and escalate and escalate to try and see how we would react.

A lawyer for SLPS said requiring identification is one possibility for changes to the public comment procedures.

The board on Monday also approved two resolutions, one opposing the opening of a new charter high school, Believe STL Academy, and the other disputing a $35 million federal grant awarded to charter school funder Opportunity Trust.

The state board of education will vote Tuesday on Believe schools application from founder Kimberly Neal-Brannum with support from the Opportunity Trust. The school is a replica of Believe Circle City charter high school in Indianapolis, which Neal-Brannum opened in fall of 2020.

A spokeswoman for the Opportunity Trust said Believe has enthusiastic support from students, families and partners including BJC HealthCare, St. Louis Community College and the Regional Business Council.

In its resolution opposing the new charter school, the St. Louis School Board cited declining population in the city and an overabundance of high schools. There are 21 district or charter high schools in the city with an average enrollment of 355. By comparison, districts in St. Louis County with similar student populations including Hazelwood, Parkway and Rockwood have three or four high schools each.

An additional high school located in the city of St. Louis would likely be significantly detrimental to the educational benefits of the children of the district, reads the resolution.

The SLPS board passed a second resolution objecting to a $35 million federal grant to the Opportunity Trust to expand charter schools across the state. The group misrepresented its relationship with SLPS in its application to the U.S. Department of Education, the resolution states.

The school board "does not have a working relationship with the Opportunity Trust, does not collaborate with the Opportunity Trust and has opposed efforts by the Opportunity Trust to enact legislation to divert district funds to charter schools," it reads.

"They dont want us to be successful," Davis, the board vice president, said during the meeting Monday. "I'm glad this elected school board is finally, finally, finally going to stand up for students and against these special interests."
Cleaning up Coldwater Creek and other radioactive waste sites in St. Louis County will cost more than twice what federal officials thought six years ago, a new federal report finds.

A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office released Tuesday finds the governments financial liability at the sites ballooned from $177 million in 2016 to $406 million last year, primarily because of additional contamination that forced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand the investigation and cleanup to include the creeks 10-year floodplain.

The report takes to task the Army Corps, which is overseeing the cleanup of Coldwater Creek, a tributary of the Missouri River that has been contaminated for decades by radioactive waste leftover from the development of the first atomic bomb during World War II.

GAO auditors found the Army Corps didnt sufficiently meet several best management practices, which could help prevent cost overruns or identify risks with cleanup projects. The Army Corps largely agreed with the findings of the report.

Tuesdays report follows the GAOs earlier findings that the U.S. governments environmental liabilities pose a high risk.

In our most recent high-risk list update, we found that departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, need to take additional steps to monitor, report on and better understand their environmental liabilities, the report says.

The GAOs report focuses on sites within the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, which was created in the 1970s to clean up areas contaminated in the course of the Manhattan Project, the name given to the World War II nuclear weapons program.

A monthslong investigation by The Missouri Independent, MuckRock and The Associated Press published earlier this year found radioactive waste was known to pose a threat to people living near Coldwater Creek as early as 1949, but federal officials repeatedly wrote potential risks off as slight, minimal or low-level.

St. Louis was pivotal to the Manhattan Project, resulting in a decadeslong radioactive contamination problem. Uranium was refined in downtown St. Louis during the war, contaminating surrounding properties.

After the war, waste from the downtown site was trucked to St. Louis County, sometimes spilling along the way, and dumped at the airport. Decaying barrels released radioactive waste into Coldwater Creek, and despite acknowledging the risk of contamination, the private company that produced the waste thought it was too dangerous for workers to put the material in new barrels.

Eventually, the waste was sold to another private company and moved to a property on Latty Avenue, also adjacent to Coldwater Creek. The material was stored in the open where it could continue to contaminate the creek.

The Cotter Corp., which purchased the waste to extract valuable metals, dried and shipped most of it to its facility in Colorado before dumping the rest in the West Lake Landfill, where it remains today.

The Army Corps has authority through FUSRAP over the downtown, Coldwater Creek, airport and Latty Avenue sites, but cleanup of the landfill is being overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency.

U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, requested the GAO investigate the Army Corps stewardship of the sites in 2021. She noted in a statement the report found that, compared to other FUSRAP sites, the St. Louis sites are near some of the most underserved communities.

The federal government bears full responsibility for ensuring that this waste is expeditiously cleaned up and that all those harmed are made whole, Bush said.

The Army Corps liability at the downtown site where Mallinckrodt Chemical Works refined uranium during World War II also rose precipitously.

The GAO report evaluated the cleanup efforts and costs at 19 FUSRAP sites spread across eight states, totaling $2.6 billion in environmental liabilities. Four of those sites make up about 75% of that total amount: the North St. Louis County sites; the Niagara Falls Storage Site in New York; the Shallow Land Disposal Area, in Parks Township, Pa., outside Pittsburgh; and Guterl Specialty Steel, also in Niagara County, N.Y.

These four sites generally require complex cleanup work or cover large areas; for example, the Niagara Falls Storage Site has several types of buried radioactive waste that will be exhumed, packaged and shipped to an offsite location, officials say. In addition, eight of the 19 sites are within or adjacent to underserved racial or ethnic populations or have high rates of poverty compared with the rest of the county where they are located.

All told, the liability estimate for all 19 sites has grown by nearly $1 billion, or roughly 63%, over the past seven years, the GAO found.

Difficult cleanups

For years, contaminated soil at the downtown site wasnt accessible to the Army Corps, the report says, because it was under a building that was in use by the property owner. The owner of the site decided to grant access, and the Corps found it had additional cleanup work to do, increasing the liability for the site from $17 million to $96 million within a year.

The GAO also found the Army Corps sites in St. Louis city and county are all situated in underserved communities.

While 53% of the residents of St. Louis are from underserved racial or ethnic groups, the report says, 80% of individuals near the downtown Mallinckrodt site are. The areas poverty rate is 1.5 times higher than the rest of the city.

In St. Louis County, 29% of residents are from underserved groups compared to 63% of residents near the radioactive sites. Like downtown, the area suffers from a poverty rate 1.5 times the rest of the county.

The Government Accountability Office found the Army Corps could benefit from better management practices, including a risk management program.

While Army Corps conducts risk management operations on individual projects, the GAO found it doesnt have a risk management plan for FUSRAP as a whole. Doing so could help it more efficiently allocate resources, the report says.

Furthermore, better risk management could help the Corps plan for uncertainties, such as the discovery of more contamination requiring cleanup, that may affect future environmental liability, the GAO says.

The report says a risk management program could also identify potential opportunities affecting the entire program. The report gives, as an example, the $182 million the Army Corps received in appropriations but hasnt spent because of its limited staffing.

In a response included in the report, the U.S. Department of Defense largely concurred with the GAOs recommendations and said it would work with the Army to implement several management practices.

Bush said the report shows the Army Corps is leaving money on the table as a result of mismanagement and needs to build trust and improve communication with the community.

This report validates concerns people have been raising for years, Bush said. The Corps must heed their recommendations without delay.

U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, ranking member on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said in a statement that the long delay in remediating Manhattan Project sites is unconscionable.

Decades after the federal government generated large amounts of toxic nuclear waste as a result of nuclear weapons production, Raskin said, Americas most underserved communities still bear the brunt of deadly contamination from one of the most significant environmental disasters in our nations history.

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X.
JEFFERSON CITY  A husband and wife duo may have drained a small-town sewer district of more than $160,000, a new report says.

State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said Tuesday the couple used money that was supposed to help operate the Dunklin County Sewer District like a personal piggy bank, writing checks for Christmas bonuses and giving themselves advances on future paychecks.

This is a clear and egregious violation of the publics trust as taxpayer dollars were mismanaged by the individuals who were entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the operation of the sewer district. My office will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure justice is served, Fitzpatrick said.

The audit provides another example of local government corruption in Missouris Bootheel.

In June, Fitzpatrick said the former acting mayor of Holland, located in nearby Pemiscot County, failed to deposit money to pay city utility bills in city accounts. A review of Acting Mayor Jessica Roachs personal bank accounts noted large cash deposits totaling the same amount that wasnt placed in city coffers, the audit said.

In the Dunklin County report, auditors detailed how the sewer board president, Korey Adams, and his wife, Jennifer Adams, who was serving as the districts bookkeeper, diverted money and sewer services totaling at least $62,000 from the district between 2017 and early 2021.

An additional $98,096 was not deposited during this time and is also likely missing. A review of the Adamses personal bank accounts found cash deposits totaling $29,146, the audit noted.

In one instance, Jennifer Adams issued a $450 check to herself indicating it was for a Christmas bonus and mileage.

The missing or stolen money isnt the only legal issue facing the couple.

By hiring and paying his wife to serve as bookkeeper, Korey Adams violated a constitutional prohibition on nepotism. And, the Internal Revenue Service has made claims against the couple.

Fitzpatrick said a lack of oversight played a role in the couples ability to tap into funds meant to assure wastewater collection and processing for 253 customers in Malden, a city of 4,200 residents.

According to the audit, a board charged with governing the district had vacant positions for more than four years, leaving the district under the control of the Adamses.

The audit, which was commissioned under former Auditor Nicole Galloway, was requested by the City of Malden after the sewer district was placed under receivership in 2021 because it was unable to pay its bills.

The district is now being operated by the city.
JEFFERSON CITY  House Speaker Dean Plocher fired his chief of staff Tuesday, weeks after top aides in the House raised questions about an $800,000 software purchase the Des Peres Republican was lobbying for.

Kenny Ross, who has served in a variety of top staff roles in the Legislature, vacated the post Wednesday, according to a letter Plocher sent to lawmakers.

Plocher, who is running for lieutenant governor, did not elaborate on why Ross was let go from the $132,000 per year job. He did not respond to requests for comment and a spokesman said he didnt expect further elaboration.

Ross, who served under four House speakers since 2018, declined comment.

Later Tuesday, Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, announced he had scooped up Ross to serve as his director of strategic initiatives.

I am excited to add Kennys years of experience to my incredibly talented team, Rowden said in a social media post.

Rowdens maneuver was hailed by one of Ross former bosses, Elijah Haahr, a Springfield Republican who served as speaker with Ross as his chief of staff.

Haahr said Ross was one of the brightest minds in the Capitol, where term limits have put the institutional knowledge of longtime staffers at a premium.

Plocher has drawn scrutiny in recent months after he pushed for the House to purchase a constituent management system from a private company over the objections of nonpartisan legislative staff.

House Chief Clerk Dana Rademan Miller argued in a series of emails to lawmakers that the web-based product is an unneeded and expensive redundancy.

In her analysis, Miller expressed concern that a feature on the Fireside software program would allow lawmakers to export data obtained within their official capacity as a state representative to the campaign side of their jobs.

She also said under the current system data is stored on an internal database with its own unique internal security credentials and which is not connected to the web server to avoid this data being vulnerable to hacking.

The push by Plocher drew the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Missouri Independent reported last month that the FBI sent an agent to the meeting where the committee debated the purchase.

After the panel rejected the purchase, Fireside lobbyists Chris Roepe and John Bardgett canceled their contract and a spokesman for the company said the firm was no longer offering lawmakers free trials of its product.

Plochers counterpart, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said she was concerned that the push to hire Fireside was not subject to normal purchasing rules, where the House would have typically asked for requests from a number of vendors for the service in order to get the best price.

I think that was the biggest red flag for me, Quade said Tuesday. I think we should have approached it differently.

Quade, who is running for governor, said Plocher called to make her aware of Ross departure, but didnt offer an explanation.

Plocher begins his final year as speaker in January before he is term limited.

The former prosecutor and municipal judge is set to face state Sen. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, Franklin County Clerk Tim Baker and unsuccessful congressional candidate Paul Berry III in the GOP primary next year.

Rep. Richard Brown, the assistant minority floor leader in the House, is among Democrats seeking the post. Brown, a former Kansas City school teacher, is set to serve in his final House session in 2024 due to term limits.
LONDON  A lawyer for Donald Trump told a London judge Monday the ex-president plans to prove that shocking and scandalous claims about him in a largely discredited report by a former British spy were false and harmed his reputation.

Trump sued the company founded by Christopher Steele, who created a dossier in 2016 that contained rumors and uncorroborated allegations about Trump that erupted in a political storm just before he was inaugurated. Trump is seeking damages from Orbis Business Intelligence for allegedly violating British data protection laws.

Steeles firm is seeking to have the case thrown out and a judge said she would rule at a later date after hearing arguments in Londons High Court.

The lawsuit comes as Trump is the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination while facing legal problems on the other side of the Atlantic.

Trumps lawyers are currently fighting a civil fraud trial in New York alleging he and company executives deceived banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth to secure loans and make deals. He also faces four separate criminal cases for allegations including mishandling classified documents, trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and paying hush money to a porn actress to cover up an affair.

His lawyer noted in court Monday that Trump is a controversial figure who expresses himself in strong language and has faced criticism from judges in the U.S. However, he said none of that is relevant in the current case.

Trump suffered personal and reputational damage and distress because his data protection rights were violated, attorney Hugh Tomlinson said.

Steele, who once ran the Russia desk for the Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, was paid by Democrats to compile research that included salacious allegations that Russians could potentially blackmail Trump for sexual activity. Trump said the dossier was fake news and a political witch hunt.

Tomlinson said it contained shocking and scandalous claims about the personal conduct of President Trump and included allegations he paid bribes to Russian officials to further his business interests. Trumps case is that this personal data is egregiously inaccurate, he said.

Tomlinson said Trump plans to vindicate himself in court by providing evidence that the reports claims were false.

In a written witness statement, Trump said that despite Steeles assertions the allegations have not been disproven, they were wholly untrue.

Trump said he had not engaged in perverted sexual behavior including the hiring of prostitutes ... in the presidential suite of a hotel in Moscow, taken part in sex parties in St. Petersburg, bribed Russian officials, or provided them with sufficient material to blackmail me. He also said he had not bribed, coerced or silenced witnesses.

Orbis wants the lawsuit thrown out because it said the report was never meant to be made public and was published by BuzzFeed without the permission of Steele or Orbis. It also said the claim was filed too late.

Orbis attorney Antony White said Trump has a deep and intense animus against Steele and the firm and a a long history of repeatedly bringing frivolous, meritless and vexatious claims for the purpose of vexing and harassing perceived enemies and others against whom he bears a grudge.

Trump had called for Steele to be extradited, tried, and thrown into jail and has called him a lowlife and sleazebag involved in the Russian collusion hoax who produced a total phony con job dossier, White said in a court filing.

Trump said in his witness statement that he was not trying to harass or seek revenge or drive Orbis into financial ruin but wants to establish that the information in the dossier was false.

Until there is such a judgment, I continue to suffer damage and distress as a result of people wrongfully believing that the data in the dossier is accurate, he said.

In two previous High Court cases, a judge ruled Orbis and Steele were not legally liable for the consequences of the dossiers publication.

A federal judge in Florida last year dismissed Trumps lawsuit against Steele, 2016 Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and former top FBI officials, rejecting his claims that they helped concoct the Russia investigation that overshadowed much of his administration.

How sea levels in 40 cities will change by 2050 How sea levels in 40 cities will change by 2050 Annapolis, Maryland Astoria, Oregon Atlantic City, New Jersey Bar Harbor, Maine Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Boston Bridgeport, Connecticut Charleston, Cooper River Entrance, South Carolina Corpus Christi, Texas Dauphin Island, Alabama Fernandina Beach, Florida Freeport, Texas Galveston Pleasure Pier, Texas Grand Isle, Louisiana Hilo, Hawaii Honolulu Juneau, Alaska Key West, Florida Los Angeles Nantucket Island, Massachusetts New York City Newport, Rhode Island Pensacola, Florida Philadelphia Port Angeles, Washington Port Orford, Oregon Portland, Maine Providence, Rhode Island San Diego San Francisco Santa Monica, California St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, Florida Washington D.C. Wilmington, North Carolina
Venezuelas government and opposition will resume their dialogue, mediated by Norway, with talks scheduled for Tuesday in Barbados, Norways embassy in Mexico said Monday in a brief statement posted to the platform X. Mexico hosted multiple rounds of talks in 2021 and 2022. When they last met, in November 2022, the sides agreed to create a U.N.-managed fund to finance health, food and education programs for the poor while the U.S. government agreed to allow oil giant Chevron to pump Venezuelan oil.

Colombia and other countries have tried in recent months to restart negotiations between the sides, but the government of President Nicolas Maduro has demanded that the U.S. drop economic sanctions and unfreeze Venezuelan funds held overseas as a condition of resuming talks.

Norways statement Monday said that the two sides had decided to resume the dialogue with the objective of reaching a political agreement. Venezuelas government did not immediately comment. A U.S. official who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations said there was no deal between the U.S. government and Venezuela. The official said the Biden administration supports Venezuelan-led negotiations and is prepared to provide relief from sanctions in response to concrete actions toward holding competitive elections.

The dialogue formally began in September 2021, but President Maduros delegates walked away from negotiations in October 2021 after Colombia-born businessman Alex Saab was extradited on money laundering charges from Cape Verde to the U.S. Maduro conditioned a resumption on the release of Saab.

The political, social and economic crisis that has come to define Venezuela has evolved since it began a decade ago as a result of a global drop in the price of oil, Venezuelas most valuable resource, mismanagement by the self-proclaimed socialist administration and government repression of its opponents. A brief period of relative economic stability has again been shaken by jumping food prices, business closures and another wave of emigration.

Some members of the Venezuelan opposition celebrated Norways announcement. Luis Florido, a former exiled opposition lawmaker, said on X that only through negotiations would Venezuelans be able to restore democracy through the ballot box. You wont get everything you want, but you will make progress, he said of the negotiations. The talks were scheduled to take place in Bridgetown, Barbados.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A white former detective in Missouri who shot and killed a Black man in 2019 has lost an appeal of his conviction despite unusual support from the states Republican attorney general, with judges on Tuesday ordering the ex-officer placed under arrest.

Eric J. DeValkenaere was found guilty in 2021 of second-degree manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb. Lamb was parking a pickup truck in his Kansas City back yard when the officer shot him, after reports Lamb was in a car chase with his girlfriend. The judge who found DeValkenaere guilty in a bench trial said police were the initial aggressors and had a duty to retreat, but DeValkenaere illegally used deadly force instead.

Prosecutors and Lambs family have alleged a handgun was planted after the shooting, but that issue was not addressed by Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge J. Dale Youngs when he convicted the detective.

On Tuesday, a three-judge panel ruled unanimously that there had been enough evidence to convict DeValkenaere. He had been sentenced to three years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively.

The former detective has been free on bond during the appeal, but the judges revoked his bond Tuesday and ordered a warrant for his arrest.

DeValkenaeres lawyer declined to comment.

In an unusual legal move, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey in June asked the appeals court to reverse DeValkenaeres conviction or order a new trial for him. In Missouri, the attorney general's office handles criminal appeals and typically defends convictions, rather than appealing them.

A spokesperson on Tuesday said the attorney general's office is reviewing the appeals court decision.

Police said DeValkenaere and his partner, Troy Schwalm, went to Lambs home after reports he'd been chasing his girlfriends convertible in a stolen pickup truck. DeValkenaere said he fired after Lamb pointed a gun at another detective. The judge said the officers had no probable cause to believe that any crime had been committed, had no warrant for Lambs arrest and had no search warrant or consent to be on the property.

Rumors had swirled this summer that Republican Gov. Mike Parson was considering pardoning or granting clemency to DeValkenaere. That prompted Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker to send the governor a letter urging him not to do so. Civil rights advocates warned that releasing the former detective could cause unrest in the city and damage an already tense relationship between police and Kansas Citys Black community.

On Tuesday, a Parson spokesperson said the governor is assessing the situation.

Governor Parson will give the same thorough review to Mr. DeValkenaeres case that he gives to all others that come across his desk, Johnathan Shiflett said in an email. "No decision regarding a pardon has been made at this time."
The Post-Dispatch Editorial Board on Monday morning was prepared to take an unusual stance: The board determined that, whatever misgivings we have had about Missouri Congresswoman Ann Wagner in the past, she should be lauded for showing the courage to vow she will absolutely not support the House speakership ambitions of right-wing demagogue Jim Jordan of Ohio.

But within about an hour after that board meeting, with Jordan and his allies signaling they would pursue a scorched-Earth strategy of siccing the MAGA base on any holdouts, Wagner did what she has done before after taking an uncharacteristically courageous stance: She folded like a cheap card table. In a written statement, she announced her support for the man she had chided just last week for his disgraceful behavior.

So much for Wagners courage. As a result of her about-face, Jordan is somewhat more likely to win a vote Tuesday to lead the House on what is sure to be a path to more dysfunction, vitriol and partisan hackery than even under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Jordan is one of Donald Trumps closest allies in the House, one who endorses and often mimics the former presidents poisonous brand of populism.

He has lately been using his chairmanship of the House Judiciary Committee to press bogus claims about the weaponization of the federal government, attacking the FBI, the Justice Department and anyone else who has the audacity to confront Trumps chronic criminality.

Everyone knows the fix is in, Jordan alleged during last months hearings on first son Hunter Biden  providing, as usual, not a modicum of evidence to go with his reckless rhetoric.

That rhetoric apparently is even worse behind closed doors, according to an insider peek recently provided by none other than Rep. Wagner. The Town and Country Republican was quoted in Politico strongly criticizing Jordan after Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a Wagner ally, failed to win the speakership last week.

Scalise had earlier outvoted Jordan for the caucus nomination, after which Jordan gave the most disgraceful, ungracious  I cant call it a concession speech  of all time, Wagner told the news site. There were gasps in the room.

Thats Jordan, all right.

Wagner further claimed she overheard as Jordan ordered Scalise to endorse him for speaker, then stormed out of the room after declaring, America wants me.

His camp denies the exchange  but, again, its classic, classless Jordan.

Because of the GOPs narrow House majority, Jordan cannot win the speakership in Tuesdays expected vote if more than four Republicans fail to support him. Wagners opposition, then, was crucial.

And, as it turns out, fleeting.

Let me be clear, I am not, and will not, work with Democrats as our Republican Conference comes together to elect a conservative Speaker of the House, Wagner said in her written statement released late Monday morning announcing her support for Jordan in the speaker race, even as media accounts of her brief stance against him ricocheted around the internet.

Declaring that too much is at stake to hand control of the House over to radical liberal Democrats, Wagner proceeded to explain why she is now backing one of the most radical right-wingers in the chamber: I have always been a team player and supported our Republican nominees.

Team player. No compromise with Democrats. Is this what Missouri and America want from their elected leaders  more bull-headed partisanship?

Wagner wrote that she and Jordan spoke at length Monday morning and that he has allayed my concerns about keeping the government open and consistent international support in times of war and unrest. That promise is worth precisely nothing coming from Jordan, a Trumper who is squishy on support for Ukraine against Russias invasion and who just last week was hinting at threatening a government shutdown later this year as policy leverage.

We will admit a little embarrassment at having been taken by surprise by Wagners reversal. After all, in 2016, she disavowed her support for then-candidate Trump after his grotesque attitudes toward women were revealed in the infamous Access Hollywood tape  only to capitulate a month later and implore voters to support the genital-grabber.

If Jordan ultimately wins the speakership, the gridlock and chaos that will inevitably follow will make even the current House look functional by comparison. If it comes to that, the relatively moderate voters who populate Wagners suburban St. Louis district shouldnt forget her role in enabling that chaos.
As a Jewish-American, I can't tell you how ashamed I am of U.S Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. ("St. Louis Cori Bush draws fire for statement on Hamas surprise attack on Israel," Oct. 10). Her anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish sentiments defy belief. Her previous anti-Israel sentiments pale in comparison to her present castigation of the Jewish state, in which she negatively assigns blame to Israel in the current Israeli-Hamas War.

I question her sanity when she fails to condemn Hamas for the brutal slaughter of innocent Israeli men, women and children  including babies  in the current war against the Jewish state.

How could anyone, most of all a U.S. congresswoman, take a cavalier attitude against such savagery and genocide against the Jewish people without speaking out against it? Where is her moral compass?

I can only hope that her colleagues in the House, who favor Israel overwhelmingly, convey to Bush how repulsive and repugnant her feelings are toward the only true ally the U.S. has in the Middle East.

Gene Carton  Clayton
I just received my second fundraising letter from Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley. Maybe I got it because I live in St. Charles or maybe because I am old. The second letter is formatted as a personal letter from a down-home guy. He talks of his rural upbringing. He attended a Jesuit high school in Kansas City whose motto is "Men for Others."

It is clear that Hawley is only available to help those in his extremist wing of the Republican Party. The letter is filled with scare tactics, exclamation points and capital letters, leading me to believe a teenager wrote it.

Hawley tells us of all he had done for Missourians. I can't see what he has done for me. From the time he was elected Missouri attorney general and refused to live in Jefferson City, he has only worked for himself. He touts his work on the Hobby Lobby case. But that was eight years ago and now he wants all decisions to be made by using his version of Christianity.

He pleads for all to send him what they can. The letter shows no willingness to govern or compromise. This person only wants a small portion of Missourians to participate in his government. I hope that Missourians chose someone who wants to bring us together rather than apart.

Anne Worth  St. Charles
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a visit that underscores Chinas support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine as well as Russian backing for China's bid to expand its economic and diplomatic influence abroad.

The two countries have forged an informal alliance against the United States and other democratic nations that is now complicated by the Israel-Hamas war. China has sought to balance its ties with Israel against its relations with Iran and Syria, two countries that are strongly backed by Russia and with which China has forged ties for economic reasons as well as to challenge Washington's influence in the Middle East.

Putin's plane was met by an honor guard as the Russian leader began his visit that is also a show of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinpings signature Belt and Road initiative to build infrastructure and expand Chinas overseas influence.

In an interview to Chinese state media, Putin praised the massive but loosely linked BRI projects.

Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the Peoples Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise. We just see a desire for cooperation, he told state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin on Monday.

Putin will be among the highest-profile guests at a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Xis announcement of the BRI project, which has laden countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debt from contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports and other public works they could not otherwise afford. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised the Chinese policy as bringing development to neglected areas.

The gathering has also given Putin an opportunity to meet with other global leaders who have criticized the Western approach to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Speaking at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country is a member of the European Union as well as NATO, Putin said the countries have maintained good ties despite recent tensions.

It causes satisfaction that we have managed to preserve and develop relations with many European countries, including Hungary, Putin said at the start of the talks with Orban.

Orban, who has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions against Russia, noted that his country has remained eager to maintain ties with Russia.

Hungary never wanted to confront Russia. Hungary always has been eager to expand contacts, Orban told Putin. Hungary has continued to pursue contacts with Russia in the nuclear power and gas energy fields despite EU sanctions.

Asked by reporters Friday about his visit, Putin said it would encompass talks on Belt and Road-related projects, which he said Moscow wants to link with efforts by an economic alliance of former Soviet Union nations mostly located in Central Asia to achieve common development goals.

He also downplayed the impact of Chinas economic influence in a region that Russia has long considered its backyard and where it has worked to maintain political and military clout.

We dont have any contradictions here, on the contrary, there is a certain synergy, Putin said.

Putin said he and Xi would also discuss growing economic ties between Moscow and Beijing in energy, high-tech and financial industries. China has also grown in importance as an export destination for Russia.

Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said that from Chinas view, Russia is a safe neighbor that is friendly, that is a source of cheap raw materials, thats a support for Chinese initiatives on the global stage and thats also a source of military technologies, some of those that China doesnt have.

For Russia, China is its lifeline, economic lifeline in its brutal repression against Ukraine, Gabuev told The Associated Press.

Its the major market for Russian commodities, its a country that provides its currency and payment system to settle Russias trade with the outside world  with China itself, but also with many other countries, and is also the major source of sophisticated technological imports, including dual-use goods that go into the Russian military machine.

Gabuev said that while Moscow and Beijing will be unlikely to forge a full-fledged military alliance, their defense cooperation will grow.

Both countries are self-sufficient in terms of security and they benefit from partnering, but neither really requires a security guarantee from the other. And they preach strategic autonomy, he said.

There will be no military alliance, but there will be closer military cooperation, more interoperability, more cooperation on projecting force together, including in places like the Arctic and more joint effort to develop a missile defense that makes the U.S. nuclear planning and planning of the U.S. and its allies in Asia and in Europe more complicated, he added.

The Chinese and Soviets were Cold War rivals for influence among left-leaning states, but China and Russia have since partnered in the economic, military and diplomatic spheres.

Just weeks before Russias invasion of Ukraine last February, Putin met with Xi in Beijing and the sides signed an agreement pledging a no-limits relationship. Beijings attempts to present itself as a neutral peace broker in Russias war on Ukraine have been widely dismissed by the international community.

Xi visited Moscow in March as part of a flurry of exchanges between the countries. China has condemned international sanctions imposed on Russia, but hasnt directly addressed an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court on charges of alleged involvement in the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine.
A massive explosion at a hospital in Gaza City killed hundreds of people Tuesday, Hamas said, after intensifying bombardments near towns in southern Gaza rattled civilians where Israel had ordered them to take refuge. Hamas attributed the blast to an Israeli airstrike, but the Israeli military said it was not involved and the explosion was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

Hamas' military wing also said an Israeli airstrike on a refuge camp killed a top Hamas commander.

Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which has the territorys only border crossing to Egypt. Mediators are pressing for an agreement to let aid in and refugees with foreign passports out. The U.S. hoped to break a deadlock with President Joe Biden headed to the region, but a planned summit in Jordan was postponed.

Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege that followed a Hamas attack on Israel.

The war that began Oct. 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,778 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.

Currently:

1. The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says an Israeli airstrike hit a hospital in Gaza City, killing at least 500 people. Israeli authorities have denied involvement in the explosion and say it was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket. 2. U.S. President Joe Biden departed for a visit to Israel on Wednesday. But a planned four-way summit in Jordan has been postponed. 3. A senior Palestinian official said earlier that he would not participate in the now-scrapped talks with Biden, citing the blast at the hospital in Gaza City.

Here's what's happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:

US STATE DEPARTMENT RAISES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR LEBANON

WASHINGTON  The State Department has raised the travel advisory for Lebanon, urging people not to travel to the country due to the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hizballah or other armed militant factions.

The advisory issued on Tuesday also urged people to reconsider travel to Lebanon due to terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, kidnapping and the U.S. Embassy in Beiruts limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens. The State Department authorized the voluntary, temporary departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Beirut due to the unpredictable security situation in Lebanon.

The advisory was hiked to Level 4, Do not travel  the highest level  from Level 3, Reconsider travel.

US TREASURY OFFICIAL WARNS OVER HAMAS FUNDING

WASHINGTON  A Treasury official said the U.S. IS renewing plans to pursue Hamas funding streams and called on allies and the private sector to do the same or be prepared to suffer the consequences.

We cannot, and we will not, tolerate money flowing through the international system for Hamas terrorist activity, said Brian Nelson, under secretary for terrorism and illicit finance, at an anti-money laundering conference.

Treasury will bring our tools to bear against Hamas financing and the overall funding of terrorism, he said.

WESTERN INTELLIGENCE LEADERS WARY OF POTENTIAL FALLOUT IN THEIR COUNTRIES

MENLO PARK, Calif.  Leaders of Western intelligence services said they are attuned to the potential fallout in their home countries of the deadly attacks by Hamas on Israel.

Representatives from intelligence agencies from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia  a coalition known as the Five Eyes  convened in California to discuss Chinese economic espionage. But the meeting unfolded against the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said his agency is working with local law enforcement to address threats of violence against both the Jewish and Muslim communities. It is also working through its legal attache office in Tel Aviv, Israel, to locate and identify Americans who remain unaccounted for after the Oct. 7 attacks.

David Vigneault, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, said events like the Hamas attack lead to soul searching about what we know, what we knew, what we can do in our own countries to protect against similar violence.

ARAB COUNTRIES AT UN DEMAND IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE

UNITED NATIONS  The 22 Arab countries at the United Nations joined in demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza following the devastating explosion and fire at a Gaza City hospital.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, said Arab Group members are outraged by this massacre and also united in demanding the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid and preventing forcible displacement of Palestinians.

Mansour said that after the massacre, the highest objective is a cease-fire because saving lives is the most important thing.

Also Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was horrified at the deaths and hospitals and medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law.

The Security Council scheduled a Wednesday vote on a draft resolution that currently condemns the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel and all violence against civilians. It also calls for humanitarian pauses to deliver desperately needed aid to millions in Gaza.

BIDEN OUTRAGED AND DEEPLY SADDENED BY GAZA CITY HOSPITAL BLAST

WASHINGTON  U.S. President Joe Biden said he is outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted.

Biden said he spoke immediately after hearing the news with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened.

The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy, Biden said in a statement issued after he departed for the Middle East.

He is to visit Israel on Wednesday, but a meeting with Arab leaders in Jordan has been postponed following the destruction at the hospital.

ISLAMIC JIHAD GROUP DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR HOSPITAL BLAST

JERUSALEM  The Palestinain Islamic Jihad group denied Israel's claim that it was behind the deadly blast at Al-Ahli hospital. It accused Israel of trying hard to evade responsibility for the brutal massacre it committed.

The accusations promoted by the enemy are baseless, Islamic Jihad said, adding that the group does not use places of worship or public facilities, especially hospitals, as military centers or weapons stores.

The group said details such as the angle of the bombs fall and the extent of destruction it left behind confirm it was similar to Israeli strikes.

The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, also denied Israel's claim, calling it lies.

4-WAY SUMMIT IN JORDAN OF BIDEN AND OTHER LEADERS CANCELED

AMMAN, Jordan  Jordan has called off a four-way summit scheduled for Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders, the countrys foreign minister told state-run television.

Ayman Safadi told al-Mamlaka TV that the war between Israel and Hammas was pushing the region to the brink and the summit would be postponed.

After visiting Israel Wednesday, Biden had planned to travel to Amman for the meeting.

The White House said Biden had hoped to use the summit to discuss the bloody Oct. 7 Hamas militant attack on Israel with the United States' Arab allies and the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited autonomy in parts of the occupied West Bank.

GRIEF, CONDEMNATION AFTER HUNDREDS KILLED AT GAZA HOSPITAL

JERUSALEM  Expressions of condemnation and grief are pouring in after hundreds of people were killed in an explosion at a Gaza City hospital that Hamas attributed to an Israeli airstrike but the Israeli military said was caused by a misfired militant rocket.

Countries such as Syria and Saudi Arabia blamed Israel for the blast, with Libyas Foreign Ministry accusing Israel of war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip. Iraq declared three days of mourning, and there were protests there and in Lebanon.

Egypts President, Abdul-Fattah el-Sissi, condemned what he called Israels deliberate bombing of Ahli Arab hospital and a clear violation of international law ... and humanity.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that his country condemns the attack on the Al-Ahli Arabi hospital and there's no justification for targeting a hospital or civilians.

Richard Peeperkorn, World Health Organization representative for the West Bank and Gaza, expressed our deepest grief at the horror that has unfolded, calling it unprecedented even in a region that has seen consistent attacks on healthcare.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement that it was shocked and horrified by reports that Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza was destroyed.

The United Arab Emirates and Russia called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.

ISRAEL DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN BOMBING OF GAZA CITY HOSPITAL

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military says it had no involvement in an explosion that killed hundreds of people at a Gaza City hospital and that the blast was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says an Israeli airstrike caused the blast, which killed some 500 people, many of whom had sought shelter from an ongoing Israeli offensive.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital.

Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch, it said.

Islamic Jihad is a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often cooperates with Hamas in their shared struggle against Israel.

VIDEOS AND PHOTOS CAPTURE SCENE AT GAZA CITY HOSPITALS

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  A chaotic scene unfolded at Al Shifa hospital Tuesday night as Palestinians injured in a blast at another hospital in Gaza City arrived for treatment.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike killed at least 500 people at al-Ahli Hospital. Israeli authorities denied involvement, saying the explosion was caused by a militant rocket.

Photos purportedly taken at al-Ahli Hospital shared widely on social media showed fire engulfing the building, with bodies scattered among the wreckage. Those photos could not be independently verified.

Footage captured by The Associated Press showed ambulances and private cars converging on Al Shifa hospital, where medics and others rushed the injured inside on stretchers and a wheelchair.

One person had a bloody stump where their left leg was missing. Four men carried a body bag to a civil defense vehicle.

Inside Al Shifa, the wounded were laid out on bloody floors, screaming in pain, as shouting people surrounded them. Some of the injured were not moving. Workers in scrubs ran outside and sirens wailed as more Red Crescent ambulances arrived.

PALESTINIAN OFFICIAL DROPS OUT OF BIDEN MEETING CITING HOSPITAL AIRSTRIKE

RAMALLAH, West Bank  A senior Palestinian official says President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled his participation in a meeting scheduled Wednesday with President Joe Biden and other Mideast leaders.

Abbas was scheduled to join Jordans King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at Wednesdays summit in Amman, Jordan, where they are to discuss the Israel-Hamas war with Biden.

But the senior official said Abbas was withdrawing to protest an alleged Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that health officials say has killed over 500 people.

The president is very angry after the news of the Israeli massacre at the hospital in Gaza, and he decided to immediately return to Ramallah, the official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the cancelation has not been formally announced.

Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre contributed to this report from Jerusalem.

RESIDENTS LINE UP TO COLLECT SCANT WATER SUPPLIES IN GAZA

NUSAIRAT, Gaza Strip  Palestinians desperate for water lined up to fill bottles and large jugs Tuesday at a desalination plant in Gaza.

Children and men took turns using a hose in Nusairat to fill containers that they hauled away using bicycles, a wheelchair and a cart pulled by a donkey.

Ismael Al-Hafi said people are rationing the water they can find and wait two or three days to clean themselves.

Gaza is in complete collapse, Al-Hafi said. There is no solar to operate the desalination plants. This means that you have to struggle to fill two gallons of water. This is suffering.

HAMAS SAYS HUNDREDS KILLED IN ISRAELI ATTACK ON GAZA CITY HOSPITAL

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  The Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip says at least 500 people have been killed in an explosion that it says was caused by an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City Hospital.

If confirmed, it would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

Israel's military later denied responsibility, saying the militant group Islamic Jihad was to blame.

Hamas authorities said most of the people killed were hospital patients and displaced families.

A new war crime committed by the (Israeli) occupation by bombing the Al-Ahli Hospital in the center of Gaza City, said Salama Marouf, a spokesperson for Hamas.  The hospital was housing hundreds of patients, wounded, and those forcibly displaced from their homes due to the strikes.
Founder and President of Glidewell receives honor for his company's role in the expansion of quality implant dental care around the nation.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Each year, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) presents the Isiah Lew Memorial Research Award to an individual who has made essential contributions to the field of implant dentistry. This year, the AAID recognizes Jim Glidewell, CDT, founder and president of Glidewell, the pioneering company that has spearheaded numerous innovations in CAD/CAM implant restorations and implant manufacturing.





Jim Glidewell





Widely known for introducing the restorative material known as BruxZir Zirconia to the industry, Glidewell has also contributed to numerous advancements that have helped make implant dentistry a standard part of modern dental practices today. These advancements encompass various implant solutions ranging from dental implant systems, to digital treatment planning and surgical guides, to the CAD/CAM fabrication of the full range of implant restorations.

Driven by the company's mission to expand patient access to premium dental care, Glidewell has made many contributions to implant dentistry. Starting with the development of their Inclusive line of products in 2011, Glidewell sought to offer ISO-certified implant components compatible with leading systems, enabling the company's implant lab to offer flat-rate lab fees that lower the cost of restoring implants for dentists.

In the area of technology, Glidewell has been a pioneer in bringing digital innovations to the forefront of restorative implant dentistry. Armed with data from more than two million implant restorations, Glidewell's Digital Treatment Planning team helps doctors achieve optimal prosthetic outcomes by creating treatment plans and surgical guides that ensure implant placement that is safe, predictable, and reliable to use for implant doctors of all skill levels. Glidewell has also led efforts to implement CAD/CAM process in the fabrication of implant restorations - including custom abutments, screw-retained crowns and full-arch implant prostheses - that can affordably meet the demands of a growing industry while ensuring more consistent, esthetic outcomes for patients.

In 2015, Jim Glidewell partnered with Dr. Jack Hahn to develop the Hahn" Tapered Implant System. "A big reason why Dr. Hahn and I teamed up was our shared philosophy of making high-quality implant treatment available to more patients," said Jim Glidewell. "Combining his vast clinical experience with the capabilities of our lab has allowed us to create a product that not only simplifies the surgical and restorative aspects of treatment, but makes it easier for patients to accept treatment thanks to the implant's affordability." Hahn implants and instrumentation have also been praised for their predictability and ease-of-use, making them ideal tools for newer implant doctors looking to embrace this form of treatment.

And in service of those clinicians who want to make implant dentistry a bigger part of their practice, Glidewell has also strived to be a leading provider of continuing education (CE) in dental implant treatment. Since its inception in 2011, Glidewell Clinical Education has been providing clinicians with learning opportunities to acquire contemporary skills and techniques for success in dentistry. Glidewell has also partnered with Dr. Randolph Resnik and the Resnik Implant Institute, providing the models and implant accessories used in their hands-on workshops and establishing the Hahn implant as the official implant system used by their students. This relationship allows aspiring implant doctors to learn with the tools they will use later in their practice so they can start applying the techniques and protocols they learn at the institute toward predictable and efficient implant placement. Those who would like to learn more about the Resnik Implant Institute can do so by visiting https://resnikimplantinstitute.com.

2023 also marks the beginning of Glidewell's support of the AAID MaxiCourse program Southern California, which will provide comprehensive implant education and over 300 hours of CE to doctors in the region. This course will be held at the Glidewell Clinical Education Center, located on the Glidewell campus in Orange County, CA. "Glidewell is proud to be associated with this comprehensive, high-quality implant educational program," says Dr. Neil Park, vice president of clinical affairs at Glidewell. "Not only will this program prepare doctors for clinical success, it also lets them experience hands-on training and in-person lectures in our state-of-the-art facilities." To learn more about this program, dentists can visit maxicourseca.com, or reach out directly by calling 866-791-9539.

For more information about Glidewell, visit glidewell.com for a full look at the company's history, services and product offerings. To view the company's comprehensive assortment of surgical and restorative implant solutions, visit glidewell.com/implant-solutions.

To learn more about each of the AAID Foundation's awards and the history of past winners, visit aaid.com/awards.

Contact Information

Eldon Thompson

Sr. Director of Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE: Glidewell

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Long before Etterbeek was known for housing the main institutions of the European Union  or for being where Georges Remi, better known as Herge, the creator of Tintin, grew up  this municipality of Brussels was famous for the numerous military barracks installed there after Belgium gained independence in the 19th century. It is a past that inevitably means it holds the largest number of references, among street names and monuments, to the sinister colonial legacy that the country has been trying to come to terms with for years, especially after the worldwide protests of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, which provoked a questioning of cultural symbols representing an often very racist past.

Etterbeek now wants to face that past, without erasing it. After 18 months of work by a commission formed by political representatives and residents to discuss what to do with its colonial vestiges, the mayor of Etterbeek, Vincent De Wolf, has announced a work of contextualization of the names of streets, statues and other monuments linked to Belgiums colonial past. The next step will be the formation of a panel of independent experts, which will make a list of the symbols to be explained in order of priority, and the context of each of them. These explanations will foreseeably be presented on a plaque, or with a QR code next to the original monument or street name.

The idea, explains Andre du Bus, a local councilor and rapporteur of the commission that prepared the Etterbeek report, is that the surrounding explanation contains all the elements identified as problematic and raising questions about the character or element in question, but also to avoid meaningless excesses. Its about citizens taking ownership of the issues and opening a debate, says Du Bus, whose report also proposes holding an annual cultural, social and sociological event to educate about colonial and decolonization challenges. The information to be proposed, he stresses, will have to be precise, factual, which is why it has been entrusted to a panel of experts. Mayor De Wolf has indicated his intention to move quickly, so that everything will be in place before the municipal elections to be held just a year from now.

Andre du Bus, municipal councilor of Etterbeek and one of the report's rapporteurs, in front of the 'Archery with Bow' sculpture. Delmi Alvarez

But it wont be an easy job, Du Bus warns. Etterbeek is host to the largest concentration of the fingerprints of Belgiums colonial past: 26 of the 185 streets refer to military men related to that past, he notes. In addition, various monuments dot the streets. Some extol participants  from prominent military men to anonymous pioneers  in the brutal management and repression of the Congo during Belgian rule, particularly the period from 1885 to 1908, when the now independent Democratic Republic of the Congo was the personal property of King Leopold II of Belgium, under whose brutal rule an estimated 10 million people died, but also during the Congos tenure as a Belgian colony, from 1908 until its independence in 1960. Others, such as the statue LArcher, of a Black warrior with his bow, are dedicated to the native Congolese, but in a manner that many consider anonymous and stereotypical.

Despite the challenges involved, experts of various stripes agree that contextualizing is a welcome step in the framework of a critical reflection on Belgiums colonial past that the country initiated a few years ago, first with the profound change of perspective of the once pro-colonialist Royal Museum for Central Africa, and now with initiatives like the one in Etterbeek, which are also being progressively worked on throughout the Brussels region.

Contextualization is the foundation, the minimum, says law professor Marie-Sophie de Clippele, who participated in the preparation of a report titled Working on decolonizing public spaces in the Brussels-Capital Region, published last year and which forms the basis for analyzing different steps to be taken in a city riddled with colonial monuments and symbols, even in its renowned art nouveau buildings. The report stresses that the decolonization of public space is an integral part of the decolonization of society, which requires an ongoing social, political and cultural process that should not be limited to Belgiums colonial past, but should be inscribed in other fields such as health, housing, education or employment to build a region in which every Brussels citizen recognizes themselves and feels recognized.

Detail of the monument to the colonizers in the Cinquantenario park, with blood stains. Delmi Alvarez

Philologist Philipp Buyck  a decolonization activist who is largely responsible for the fact that Brussels today has a square dedicated to Patrice Lumumba, the hero of the Congo independence movement who was assassinated in 1961  would like the whole process to go even further and also extend to the European role in the post-colonial era. But he agrees that the commitment to contextualization is a step in the right direction because the alternative, removing the symbols, as some have demanded, would be mutilating history. Besides, he adds with a wink, to remove them is to end the possibility of talking about the subject, because they are the ideal decor to denounce issues around colonization.

A statue is often erected in memory of a certain version of history, which does not tell the whole story, De Clippele notes. I believe that statues should not be removed; it is better to contextualize them, in an inclusive way if possible, and to make people understand that these statues, on their own, do not tell the story, but they are the version of the period that they wanted to show. For his part, Du Bus says that he would not be opposed to some street names being removed if it is shown that they are really problematic characters. But not as a principle. I am not a revisionist. I am opposed to the removal, from one day to the next, of a whole plane of colonial history, because it doesnt make sense; its part of our history.

Inauguration of the square named after Patrice Lumumba in Brussels, in 2018. NICOLAS MAETERLINCK (AFP)

The death George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis in May 2020 sparked a wave of demonstrations that quickly spilled across U.S. borders. In many European countries with a colonial past, such as the United Kingdom, France or Belgium, protests against still persistent racism broke out and monuments of that colonialist legacy were attacked. In Belgium, many statues, especially those dedicated to Leopold II, were stained with red paint.

Although the initial anger seems to have subsided, the wound is still open three years later. Proof of this lies in Etterbeek itself, where a monument in honor of the Belgian pioneers in the Congo in the Cinquantenaire park, close to the European Commission headquarters, still shows traces of red paint that an activist threw against the work in mid-September to denounce the blood that Belgium has on its hands.

Will the contextualization of colonial symbols put an end to attacks on monuments? Du Bus is unsure. Contextualization seeks above all to sensitize the population. Its about pacifying, giving ample information to everyone. Will it be enough? I dont know, he confesses. What he is convinced of is that this task of contextualization must be a collective work, with professional advice to ensure the participation of all those involved: Changing the name of a street or square cannot be a unilateral decision. It needs the support of the citizens will.

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In Celebration of its 25th Anniversary, The Organization Partnered with Motorola Solutions Foundation, Sundt Construction and the Phoenix Police Department to Complete the Renovation

PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / On Oct. 12, Arizona Helping Hands renovated its foster resource shopping center. Three organizations joined forces with Arizona Helping Hands to provide complementary essential resources to children on a foster care journey and to make the experience warm, comforting and provide a relaxed environment. Thanks to funding from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, volunteers from Motorola Solutions and the Phoenix Police Department and the support of Sundt Construction, the organization's office space was transformed into a newly designed service boutique.

"This exciting new project celebrates our focus to support the foster community and our commitment to be the organization this community needs us to be," said Bethany Eggleston, Arizona Helping Hands' vice president of marketing and development. "We want to do everything we can to make sure that foster children thrive during every step of their journey. Our goal with this renovation project was to provide a compassionate place of hope and sanctuary."

By moving the foster resource center into the reimagined office space, Arizona Helping Hands is able to organize the offerings as well as create a more enjoyable boutique experience. Each room will house items for different age groups, which will also make it easier for foster parents and advocates to shop for the children in their care.

"Together we thrive as a community through partnerships with valued organizations like Arizona Helping Hands," said Executive Assistant Chief Sean Connolly of the Phoenix Police Department. "Our goals align with the best interests of the most vulnerable of our community at heart. We look forward to where this partnership takes us."

At the Phoenix facility, foster families can come and pick out brand-new items including shoes, clothes, back-to-school supplies, toys, footlockers, beds and more. These items are generously donated by the community and made available completely free of charge to people caring for children in foster care.

"Arizona Helping Hands is making a difference in the lives of children and foster care families every day," said Karem Perez, executive director of Motorola Solutions Foundation. "We are grateful for the opportunity to volunteer alongside local community, corporate and first responder partners to help Arizona Helping Hands continue to deliver on their incredible mission."

This renovation is a continuation of Arizona Helping Hands' efforts to make getting essential items easy for foster families. Earlier this year, the organization replaced its appointment system with walk-in accommodation, tripling the number of families served. In 2022, the organization served 3,000 foster kids; to date, 6,000 kids have been served in 2023.

"Sundt Construction is happy to lend our support to Arizona Helping Hands. It's a fulfilling experience to use our skills and give our time to make a difference for Arizona foster families," said Emily Dwosh, Sundt Construction community relations manager and Sundt Foundation executive director. "Opportunities to lift up others and give back to our community is part of Sundt's purpose and values, and we hope Arizona Helping Hands enjoys its new space."

Arizona Helping Hands is dedicated to ensuring that foster children thrive on every step of their foster care journey. To learn more about their work, visit azhelpinghands.org.

About Arizona Helping Hands

Founded in 1998, the mission of Arizona Helping Hands is to support the foster care community, by providing essentials to benefit children in foster care. As Arizona's largest provider of essential resources, we offer foster care families beds, cribs, clothing, diapers, and personal care items. Arizona Helping Hands also provides backpacks with school supplies to help children succeed in school and fulfills birthday dreams to help raise self-esteem by showing children they are special and loved. Additionally, we provide state-required home safety items to help families become licensed providers by ensuring they can offer a safe home environment. To learn more, visit www.azhelpinghands.org.

About Motorola Solutions Foundation

As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the globe to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company lives out its purpose of helping people be their best in the moments that matter. For more information on Motorola Solutions corporate and foundation giving, visit our website: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation

About Sundt Construction Sundt Construction, Inc. (https://www.sundt.com/) is one of the country's largest and most respected general contractors. The 133-year-old firm specializes in transportation, industrial, building, concrete and renewable power work and is owned entirely by its approximately 2,000-plus employees. Sundt is distinguished by its diverse capabilities and experience, unique employee-ownership culture and depth of self-perform expertise in nine major trades. Much of Sundt's workforce is comprised of skilled craft professionals who, together with the company's administrative employees, enable Sundt to fulfill its mission to be the most skilled builder in America. Sundt has 13 offices throughout California, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Washington and Utah and is currently ranked the country's 62nd largest construction company by ENR, the industry's principal trade magazine.

About Phoenix Police Department

The Phoenix Police Department is committed to providing the citizens of Phoenix with quality and professional law enforcement services. Our vision is to make Phoenix the safest major city in the nation. The Department is dedicated to PRIDE: protection, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Motorola Solutions on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Motorola Solutions

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/motorola-solutions

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Motorola Solutions

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17th, 2023 / Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd. ("Blackwolf" or the "Company") (TSXV:BWCG),(OTC PINK:BWCGF) announces that it has closed its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement that was announced on October 6, 2023 (the "Offering") and upsized on October 10, 2023. Due to significant demand, the Offering was further upsized for gross total proceeds of $3,263,532 (all figures in the current release are in Canadian dollars).

The Offering consists of 13,598,050 units of the Company at a price of $0.24 per unit. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant (the "Units"). Each share purchase warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share at a price of $0.35 per common share until October 17, 2025 (the "Warrants").

Morgan Lekstrom, CEO of Blackwolf commented, "We are elated to see such strong support from our Strategic Shareholder, Mr. Frank Giustra and strong demand from new and existing shareholders. In a very short time, Blackwolf was able execute a drill program at Cantoo, acquire Optimum Ventures, drill the newly acquired Harry Project and find visible gold in our first program. I believe this is a strong indication as to how we want to strategically grow this Company. We are now planning near term work at Niblack and next phases of work at Harry and Cantoo. We look forward to the receipt of assay results from Cantoo and Harry."

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund exploration activities at the Company's three projects including Niblack, Cantoo and the Harry Project, as well general working capital purposes. Advancing Niblack will be the near-term goal while Blackwolf plans its further campaigns for Harry and Cantoo to begin in Spring 2024.

The Company further reports that pursuant to the Offering, Frank Giustra and his related entities directly and indirectly acquired ownership and control of 3,125,000 Units which are comprised of 3,125,000 common shares and 3,125,000 Warrants. Prior to the Offering, Mr. Giustra owned and controlled 12,836,285 common shares of the Company, representing 11.78% of the then outstanding common shares of the Company. After the Offering, Mr. Giustra now owns and/or controls directly and indirectly 15,961,285 common shares of the Company representing 13.02% of the outstanding common shares of the Company.

Mr. Giustra and his related entities acquired these securities for investment purposes effective October 17, 2023 and as disclosed in the Early Warning Report accompanying this news release, may in the future acquire or dispose of securities of the Company, through the market, privately or otherwise, as circumstances or market conditions warrant.

In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company paid $65,484.72 and issued 272,853 Finder's Warrants to PI Financial Corp., Haywood Securities Inc., Research Capital Corp., and Red Cloud Securities Inc. in consideration for introducing subscribers to the Offering. Finder Warrants entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (a "Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.35 per Finder's Warrant Share until October 17, 2025.

The Offering remains subject to final approval of the TSXV. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a standard four (4) month hold period expiring February 18, 2024. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and accordingly may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

The Company further announces the resignation of Ms. Sheryl Dhillon and the appointment of Mrs. Lindsey Le Ho as Corporate Secretary effective October 15, 2023. The Company would like to thank Ms. Dhillon for her services and wish her success in future endeavours.

About Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd.

Blackwolf's founding vision is to be an industry leader in transparency, inclusion and innovation. Guided by our Vision and through collaboration with local and Indigenous communities and stakeholders, Blackwolf builds shareholder value through our technical expertise in mineral exploration, engineering and permitting. The Company holds a 100% interest in the high-grade Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver VMS project, located adjacent to tidewater in southeast Alaska. In addition, the Company holds 100% interest in five Hyder Area gold-silver and base metal properties located in southeast Alaska and an option to acquire an 80% interest on the Harry gold-silver property located northwest British Columbia in the Golden Triangle. For more information on Blackwolf, please visit the Company's website at www.blackwolfcopperandgold.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd.

"Morgan Lekstrom"

CEO and Director

For more information, contact:

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 Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include statements relating including the use of proceeds from the Offering and the Company's future objectives and plans. Forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, receipt of final regulatory approvals of the Offering, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; fluctuations in commodity prices and changes in the Company's business plans. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including without limitation, that regulatory approvals will be obtained, and the Company will continue with its stated business objectives. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company seeks safe harbor.

For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCE: Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd

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Highly experienced Process Engineer with expertise in completing and optimizing technical studies and delivering new projects into operation;

Strengthens Cerrado's Technical capability to transition into the project development phase

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Cerrado Gold Inc. (TSXV:CERT)(OTCQX:CRDOF) ("Cerrado" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has strengthened its technical team with the addition of Mr. Val Coetzee, who has been appointed as Director, Process Engineering. Mr. Coetzee will work with the rest of the Cerrado technical team to enhance the delivery and operation of both the Monte Do Carmo project and the Minera Don Nicolas Mine.

Mr. Coetzee is a senior process engineering professional with over 25 years of experience in process engineering design, operational management, metallurgical analysis, risk analysis, economic valuation and executive leadership within the global mining industry. Mr. Coetzee most recently served as Senior Vice President of Process Engineering at DRA Global, an international and multi-disciplinary engineering, project delivery and operations management group. As Senior Vice President for Process Engineering, Mr. Coetzee played a vital role in the success of various projects and studies globally. Prior to DRA, Mr. Coetzee worked at Impala Platinum and De Beers Consolidated as a metallurgist and technical manager tasked with overseeing new greenfield projects. Mr. Coetzee holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa and a Master of Engineering: Mining (Mineral Economics) from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and has experience in a diverse range of commodities, including PGMs, Gold, Uranium, Copper, Cobalt, Zinc, Lead, Lithium, Manganese, Chrome, Nickel, Magnesium, Iron Ore and Diamonds, with expertise in mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy.

Mark Brennan, CEO and Chairman commented "We are extremely pleased to welcome Val to the Cerrado team. Val brings significant experience in process design, engineering, metallurgy and optimization that will significantly add to the technical capabilities of the Cerrado team in advancing our projects; specifically as we bring the Monte do Carmo gold project through the final Feasibility stage and into development."

Share and Long Term Incentive Issuances

Additionally, the Company announces that, in connection with the US$20 million secured note (the "Note") issued by Cerrado to Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. ("Sprott") to facilitate funding of the gold and silver stream agreement in advance of commercial production at its Monte do Carmo Project, Cerrado has elected to pay interest due September 30, 2023, in shares.

Pursuant to the Note, the Company may elect to satisfy the payment of any accrued and unpaid interest on the Note by the issuance of common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price per Common Share equal to 95% of the volume weighted average price (the "VWAP") of the Common Shares for the 5 trading days immediately prior to the date payment is due or any combination of cash and Common Shares in the Company's sole discretion.

Interest due on the Note for the period ending September 30, 2023, amounts to US$504,109.59. Subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company will issue 1,229,579 common shares to Sprott at the price of $0.5577 per share to satisfy the interest payment.

The Company has also issued 100,000 options and 100,000 RSU's under its omnibus incentive plan. The options have an exercise price of $0.75, vest immediately and expire in 3 years and the RSU's vest on the first anniversary date.

About Cerrado

Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company focused on gold projects in South America. The Company is the 100% owner of both the producing Minera Don Nicols and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and the highly prospective Monte Do Carmo development project, located in Tocantins State, Brazil. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing it's 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium project located outside of Chibougamou, Quebec.

In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias Heap Leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff.

In Brazil, Cerrado is rapidly advancing the Serra Alta deposit at its Monte Do Carmo Project, through feasibility and into production. Serra Alta is expected to be a high-margin and high-return project with significant exploration potential on an extensive and highly prospective 82,542 hectare land package.

In Canada, Cerrado holds a 100% interest in the Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium Project, which has the potential to produce a premium iron ore concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces contributing to the decarbonisation of the industry and the achievement of SDG goals.

For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com.

Mark Brennan

CEO and Chairman

Mike McAllister

Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: +1-647-805-5662

[email protected]

Disclaimer

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.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, all statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado. In making the forward- looking statements contained in this press release, Cerrado has made certain assumptions. Although Cerrado believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Cerrado disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

SOURCE: Cerrado Gold Inc.

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Enbridge partnership on green dust-control solution bolsters safety during Swan Lake First Nation's 25th anniversary powwow

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Enbridge / The storytelling begins with the drummers, each of their beats bringing those present into balance with the pulse of the earth.

Vocalists join the thunderous rhythm, their tones merging music with spirit as the sound fills the peak of the towering tent.

The Ojibwe people's traditional clothing, too, recounts the narrative, shows the history of craftsmanship in the careful bead and feather work.

The story of this performance is one of celebration. It's the 25th anniversary powwow of the Swan Lake First Nation (SLFN), held this past Canada Day long weekend in south-central Manitoba.

Every year, the powwow attracts more than the SLFN's 1,500 members; it also calls to visitors from near and far who attend to experience the culture, heritage and stories of the Nation.

The event is held on the Nation's powwow grounds, on Treaty 1 lands in the Pembina Valley, on the bank of SLFN's namesake-Swan Lake-so termed for its shape like the long neck and head of a swan. In the Nation's Saulteaux language, the lake is called Gaubiskiigamaux, meaning "the lake that is curved."

The site is surrounded by rich, agricultural land; eight kilometers of unpaved roads crisscross farm plots and animal pastures leading to the grounds. As is typical with unpaved roads, dust from vehicles can cause serious safety issues. Airborne dust poses health risks when inhaled, and it damages crops and vegetation. Dust clouds also cause dangerous visibility issues for drivers.

Safety being the foundation of everything we do at Enbridge, we saw an opportunity to support SLFN's 25th anniversary powwow by proactively making the roadways safe for attendees. We awarded SLFN a $50,000 Fueling Futures grant to help cover costs of controlling dust on the unpaved roads, and we partnered with two Canadian companies to make it happen.

Cypher Environmental donated a portion of its environmentally friendly, non-toxic dust-control solution for the project, and Subcan Inc., a heavy construction service provider, provided in-kind machinery and labour to apply the product to the roads.

The three-way partnership is a prime example of community pooling resources to make a positive impact in the community.

"You recognize that there's a very big component that corporations should be playing in promoting better environments, better health," says John Palson, director of engineering at Cypher. "You have to contribute back."

Adding to the safety of the powwow was a key driver of the partnership.

"The most important part of our partnership with Swan Lake First Nation is care of the environment and safety," explains Charissa Dobson, co-owner of Subcan.

The approach to dust suppression helped keep powwow participants and visitors safe, so attendees could focus on the story-celebrating the Nation's arts, culture and heritage.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Enbridge

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/enbridge

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Enbridge

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Fabled Copper Corp. (" Fabled " or the " Company ") (CSE:FABL; FSE:XZ7) is pleased to announce the first Phase sampling program on the Volt 1 Property in Quebec.

The VOLT 1 Property is comprised of 9 contiguous cells with a total size of 504 hectares. The VOLT 2 Property is comprised of 2 contiguous cells nearby with a total size of 112 hectares. Both properties are located due east of the village of Miquelon, Quebec and are surrounded by Mosaic Minerals Corp.'s (CSE: MOC) "Lithium SM Project."

Figure 1 - Volt Property Location

Preamble

The late spring and summer of 2023 has been challenging due to forest fires in northern Quebec and as a result work in the forest was prohibited. In late July 2023 the ban was lifted for one day in the area of the VOLT 1 Property area and a first phase exploration sampling program was conducted over a period of half a day due to locating property access. The main objectives of the program were as follows:

Accessibility, road conditions, field conditions. Do reported pegmatites exist and over what area. If pegmatites are found, are they boulders, glacial trains or insitu outcrops. Do the boulders and or outcrops contain lithium and or associated subset of minerals and are the concentration of minerals associated with a particular type of texture, fine grained verses coarse grained. And finally do the results warrant and more comprehensive field program.

Discussion on the Findings.

During late July, 2023 the VOLT 1 Property was prospected and sampled over a half day and samples 28921 - 28923, were collected over an area of approximately 500 meters in length. See Map 1 below, Table 1 below.

The purpose of the sampling to was obtain typical pegmatite samples over the greatest area possible, in the fasted time possible due to travel distance back to Val D'Or. The 3 samples taken on outcropping pegmatites on a west trending road in the central portion of the property are by no means indicative of the property potential.

The volume of visible surface outcroppings on the higher portion of the property should allow a proper property wide evaluation. See Map 1 - Sample locations and yellow arrows indicating visible outcrops from google earth. Note the extent of outcropping form the road sampled.

Map 1 - Sample Locations

The central 3 outcrops sampled were composed of fine grained pegmatite. LTC pegmatites comprise a compositional defined subset of granitic pegmatites. The majority minerals are quartz, potassium feldspar, albite and muscovite all present in the pegmatites viewed See Photo 3 below.

LTC pegmatites crystallize at remarkably low temperatures (about 350 - 550 C) in a short period of time thus the large crystal sizes of associated minerals.

Photo 1 - Sample No. 28921 of road side pegmatite outcrop

Photo 2 - Sample No. 28922 of road side pegmatite outcrop

Photo 3 - Close Up of Sample No. 28922 , note muscovite content

Photo 4 - Sample No. 28923 of road side pegmatite outcrop

Early stage reconnaissance in the central part of the property has confirmed the presence of lithium (Li), cesium (Cs), tantalum (Ta), rubidium (Rb), beryl (Be), potassium (K) and niobium (Nb) in all 3 samples except for sample 28921 which lacked Ta. See Table 1 below.

Of the 3 samples, No. 28922 was very elevated compared to the other 2 samples.

Sample Number Rock Type Exposure Type Li ppm Cs ppm Ta ppm Rb ppm Be ppm K ppm Nb ppm 28921 Medium Grained pegmatite Surface Out Crop 21.60 2.04 0.005 21.40 0.41 0.28 0.706 28922 Fine Grained pegmatite Surface Out Crop 110.50 13.10 0.010 63.10 0.41 0.28 2.630 28923 Fine Grained pegmatite Surface Out Crop 82.50 5.00 0.018 28.10 0.58 0.18 3.000

Next Step Forwards

With only 3 samples taken over the entire property, mineral assays of interest and excellent road access in the central sector and as seen by google earth wide-spread out crop is yet to be sampled a Second Phase Exploration Program has already begun with a team currently in the field. This work will consist of follow:

About Fabled Copper Corp.

Fabled is a junior mining exploration company. Its current focus is to creating value for stakeholders through the exploration and development of its existing drill ready copper properties located in northern British Columbia. The Company's current property package consists of the Muskwa Project and the Bronson Property and comprises approximately 16,219 hectares in three non-contiguous blocks and located in the Liard Mining Division in northern British Columbia.

The Company is also seeking to broaden and diversify its portfolio. The Company has acquired the VOLT 2 lithium Property, located in Miquelton, Quebec and has options to acquire the OHM Property, located in Val D'Or, Quebec and the VOLT 1 Property located in the Miquelton, Quebec.

Mr. Peter J. Hawley, President and C.E.O.

Fabled Copper Corp.

Phone: (819) 316-0919

[email protected]

For further information please contact:

[email protected]

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Peter J. Hawley, P.Geo. President and C.E.O. of Fabled, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition, development plans and business plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains any required regulatory approvals.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the failure of the shareholders of the Company to approve the Consolidation Proposal, impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; governmental regulation of the mining industry, including environmental regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; inability to obtain drilling permits; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for commodities; liabilities inherent in mining operations; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com . The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / For this Puerto Rican family, family is everything. Luis Rodriguez-Sepulveda joined American in the 1960's working at San Juan Airport in Tech Ops, helping mechanics find the right parts and tools for the job. His children grew up watching him come home from his job each day with a smile and pride in his work. Soon after, four of his children followed in his footsteps to continue his legacy. creating the "Rodriguez Five."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from American Airlines on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: American Airlines

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/american-airlines

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: American Airlines

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / McFarlane Lake Mining Limited (NEO:MLM)(OTCQB: MLMLF) ("McFarlane Lake" or the "Company"), a Canadian gold exploration and development company, today announced that it intends to offer for sale, on a non-brokered private placement basis: (i) up to 50,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.05 per Unit; and (ii) up to 33,333,333 flow-through shares of the Company (the "FT Shares", and together with the Units, the "Securities") at a price of C$0.06 per FT Share, to raise collective aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$4,500,000 (together, the "Offering"). The FT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act").

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable by the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of C$0.07 per Common Share for a period of 18 months from the closing of the Offering, which is expected to occur on or about October 30, 2023. The Offering may be closed in multiple tranches at the sole discretion of the Company.

The Company expects to enter into a definitive subscription agreement with Rob McEwen, a lead investor who has agreed in principle to subscribe for $1,000,000 worth of Securities.

Mr. McEwen is Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc., which has three producing mines in Nevada, Ontario, and Argentina and holds 68% interest in the large Los Azules copper project in Argentina. Mr. McEwen has been associated with the gold industry all his career, his first 18 years in the investment industry and since 1990 as CEO of several gold mining companies. Mr. McEwen was awarded the Order of Canada in 2007, the Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee Award in 2013, was inducted into the Mining Hall of Fame in 2017 and has Honorary Doctor of Law Degrees from York University and Western University.

"We are delighted that Rob McEwen is participating in the Offering and look forward to working with him as we continue to build out our gold resources at High Lake and develop our Canadian gold properties", says Mark Trevisiol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McFarlane Lake.

Rob McEwen stated, "I was attracted to McFarlane Lake because of its terrific high-grade intercepts and the fact that it is in Canada and located close to where Goldcorp Inc. enjoyed such phenomenal exploration success and profitability. As Canadians, we need our governments to move with greater urgency to develop our natural resources. Mining provides high-paying jobs, employs a wide range of skills and has a large multiplier effect on the economy!"

McFarlane Lake will utilize the net proceeds from the Offering to further explore the Company's High Lake property, as well as for general working capital purposes. The gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the FT Shares will be used to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Tax Act (the "Qualifying Expenditures"). All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the FT Shares effective December 31, 2023.

There can be no assurances that the Offering will be completed on the terms set out herein, or at all, or that the proceeds of the Offering will be sufficient for the purposes of the Company set out herein. In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay finders' fees equal to: (i) 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering payable in cash; (ii) 3.0% of the aggregate Securities sold payable in Units; or (iii) any combination of cash and Units calculated in the manner set forth in (i) or (ii), as applicable.

The Offering is subject to acceptance by the Neo Exchange Inc. (operating as Cboe Canada) ("Cboe") and all regulatory approvals, and all of the securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to applicable statutory holding periods or any other re-sale restrictions imposed under applicable securities legislation. If required in the context of the Offering, the Company will obtain written security holder approval for the Offering from at least 50% of the holders entitled vote thereon in accordance with the policies of Cboe.

About McFarlane Lake Mining

McFarlane Lake is a mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of the High Lake mineral property located immediately east of the Ontario-Manitoba border and the West Hawk Lake mineral property located immediately west of the Ontario-Manitoba border. In addition, McFarlane holds the McMillan and Mongowin mineral property located 70 km west of Sudbury and owns the Michaud/Munro mineral properties 115 km east of Timmins. McFarlane is a "reporting issuer" under applicable securities legislation in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.

To learn more, visit: https://mcfarlanelakemining.com/

Additional information on McFarlane Lake can be found by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, including but not limited to the investment of or participation by certain individuals in the Offering, the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering and the anticipated closing date of the Offering. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of McFarlane Lake to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risks Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated as of November 22, 2022, which is available for view on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and McFarlane Lake disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Further Information

For further information regarding McFarlane Lake, please contact:

Mark Trevisiol,

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

McFarlane Lake Mining Limited

(705) 562-8520

[email protected]

Craig MacPhail

NATIONAL Capital Markets

(416) 525-5709

[email protected]

SOURCE: McFarlane Lake Mining Limited

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Webgears Group, the leading international provider of content commerce solutions, announces the appointment of Charlotte Lumbroso-Baumgartner as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from on 1 January 2024. She succeeds the founder, Alexander Bitsche, who is moving to the Advisory Board.

BERLIN, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / With a new CEO, Webgears Group is opening a new chapter in its corporate history. Under the leadership of founder Alexander Bitsche, the company has made a name for itself especially in the Anglo-Saxon world and cooperates with well-known media companies. After thirteen successful years at the helm of the Webgears Group, Alexander Bitsche has decided to move to the Advisory Board. There, he will focus on strategic issues across the group in the future while limiting involvement to key operational decisions.

Charlotte Lumbroso-Baumgartner brings years of experience in digital marketing, media and content commerce to further drive Webgears' growth. From 2014 to 2019, she was a key contributor to double-digit organic and inorganic growth as Corporate Development and Strategy Director at Awin, successfully driving geographic expansion, M&A and strategic partnerships. She then moved to Axel Springer, where she held various management positions in the group's international business and became a member of the Awin's Supervisory Board.

"I am delighted to welcome Charlotte to the team as our new CEO. With her in-depth industry knowledge and proven leadership skills, she is the ideal person to put us in the best possible position for the future." - Alexander Bitsche

"Since its inception and under Alexander's leadership, Webgears has become one of the leading content commerce solutions providers in the industry. Their extremely high-quality product and highly experienced team of industry experts make Webgears the perfect trusted partner for media companies. I am honored to accept Alexander's invitation to take on the challenge of succeeding him as CEO, and I look forward to leading Webgears into a new phase of growth." - Charlotte Lumbroso Baumgartner

With the change in management, Charlotte Lumbroso-Baumgartner will also take over the chairmanship of the Management Board from 1 January 2024. Christoph von Blow, who has been instrumental in driving international expansion over the past four years together with Alexander Bitsche, will remain Managing Director and will continue to be responsible for Sales, Partners and Operations under Lumbroso Baumgartner.

About Webgears Group:

Founded in 2010, Webgears Group is one of the world's leading providers of innovative, customized commerce content integration. The Webgears platforms enable curated and verified deals for thousands of online retailers and provide an attractive, high-quality, and transparent shopping experience to more than 300,000 savings-conscious consumers every day.

The Advisory Board of the Webgears Group consists of the chairman Peter Gaugg, the co-founder Daniel Ender, and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Buser. As of 1 January 2024, Alexander Bitsche will join them.

Combining affiliate partnerships that span nearly every industry and key performance marketing services with advanced technology, Webgears offers leading media publishers the ability to deliver valuable content to their users while growing their overall commercial footprint. In 2022, the company generated more than $500 million in online revenue for its online retailers and brand partners in the North American and European markets.

Further information at https://www.webgears-group.com/new-leadership-webgears-group-appoints-charlotte-lumbroso-baumgartner-as-ceo/

Media Contact

Organization: Webgears Group

Contact Person: Julia Karalus

Website: https://www.webgears-group.com/

Email: [email protected]

Contact Number: +49 (0)177 2401750

City: Berlin

State: Berlin

Country: Germany

SOURCE: Webgears Group

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Park Lawn Corporation (TSX:PLC, PLC.U) ("Park Lawn" or "PLC") announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to divest substantially all of the assets of The Park Lawn Cemetery Company (USA), Inc., PLC Saber Ltd. and PLC Citadel Ltd. to Everstory Acquisition Portfolio, LLC ("EAP"), an affiliate of Everstory Partners ("Everstory Partners"). Everstory Partners is a deathcare company that owns and operates cemetery, funeral and crematory locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The divestiture includes 72 cemeteries in Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina and South Carolina and 11 funeral homes in Kentucky and North Carolina. The transaction is valued at approximately US$70 million consisting of US$55 million in cash and the remaining US$15 million in deferred compensation, bearing interest at 10% per annum, to be received by PLC within 5 years following the closing of the transaction.

"This transaction represents the divestiture of a portfolio of legacy businesses which, by their nature, do not fit within Park Lawn's long-term growth strategy," said J. Bradley Green, Chief Executive Officer of PLC. Mr. Green continued, "The teams operating these businesses are completely aligned with our vision and mission, and they have been successful in maintaining a level of profitability consistent with the type, size and location of these businesses. Nonetheless, we determined that refining our portfolio in this manner will assist us in improving our margin mix to better align with our long-term strategy. Also, this will allow us to redeploy our capital resources to acquire businesses that offer stronger long-term profit potential. Park Lawn has identified a purchaser who can continue to support and grow these businesses outside of the pressures of the public markets."

The purchase price represents an approximate 8.0x Adjusted EBITDA multiple based on trailing twelve month results, however, Park Lawn expects the divestiture to be slightly dilutive to its adjusted earnings per share in the near term reflecting the foregone revenue related to the divested businesses and before factoring in any benefits from the redeployment of transaction proceeds.

In the near term, the cash portion of the proceeds is expected to reduce Park Lawn's leverage ratio to approximately 1.9x and 2.7x, including Park Lawn's outstanding debentures. Park Lawn anticipates replacing the divested earnings through the deployment of transaction proceeds into high-growth markets and new business opportunities which align with its long-term growth strategy.

Following the receipt of regulatory approval and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for a transaction of this type, the transaction is anticipated to close prior to year-end 2023.

About Park Lawn Corporation:

PLC provides goods and services associated with the disposition and memorialization of human remains. Products and services are sold on a pre-planned basis (pre-need) or at the time of a death (at-need). PLC and its subsidiaries own and operate businesses including cemeteries, crematoria, funeral homes, chapels, planning offices and a transfer service. PLC operates in three Canadian provinces and nineteen U.S. states.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business of PLC and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements in this news release are identified by words such as "believe", "anticipate", "project", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "may", "estimate", "pro-forma" and other similar expressions. These statements are based on PLC's expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and include, without limitation, statements regarding PLC's expectation that the divestiture will improve PLC's margin mix; that the divestiture will be slightly dilutive to its adjusted earnings per share in the near term; that the divestiture is aligned with PLC's long-term strategy; that PLC will be able to redeploy the capital received from the divestiture to acquire businesses that offer stronger long-term profit potential, that the cash portion of the divestiture proceeds will reduce Park Lawn's leverage ratio to approximately 1.9x and 2.7x including Park Lawn's outstanding debentures; and the expected time of closing of the divestiture. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions, including that Everstory is able to obtain regulatory approval or satisfy regulatory requirements for the acquisition, the acquisition closes in the anticipated time frame, there will be no unexpected expenses occurring as a result of the divestiture, that overhead expenses will be reduced as a result of the divestiture, PLC will receive the deferred compensation within 5 years from the date of closing, as well as assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, organic growth initiatives, the environment in which PLC will operate in the future, expected revenues, expansion plans and PLC's ability to achieve its goals. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in PLC's most recent Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis available at www.sedarplus.com. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, PLC assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Information

Daniel Millett

Chief Financial Officer

(416) 231-1462, ext. 221

SOURCE: Park Lawn Corporation

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SmartArches is a specialty dental support organization focused on delivering best-in-class patient dental implant care at more affordable price points, utilizing cutting-edge technology and techniques.

TOMS RIVER, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / ProSmile, a leading multi-specialty dental services organization (DSO) and the fastest growing dental organization on the East Coast, announced today the sale of its new national brand, SmartArches" Dental Implants ("SmartArches"), to funds affiliated with TriSpan LLP. SmartArches locations are specialty dental offices offering patients a full array of affordable yet state-of-the-art dental implant services, including implants and full mouth reconstruction. SmartArches currently serves patients at eight locations in Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, with further plans to expand in 2023 and 2024.

ProSmile Logo

ProSmile Logo

"We are energized by the success of SmartArches over the last year," said Hugh Carey II, CEO of ProSmile. "Through ProSmile's strong support services, SmartArches is now ready to stand on its own. With this recapitalization, SmartArches will help support more dentists and patients as it expands to make implants and full mouth reconstructions accessible to more people than ever before."

"SmartArches' mission is here to stay: to help as many patients get their smiles back, and live their best lives, as possible," said Dr. Simon Oh, Co-Founder and Chief Dental Officer of SmartArches. "At SmartArches, we help dentists by supporting them clinically and administratively, so the clinical teams can serve their patients with the highest of standards of care. With our cutting-edge technology and techniques, even patients with little to no bone can still get full mouth implants at all SmartArches locations. We look forward to on-boarding more doctor-partners as we expand with the financial backing of TriSpan."

"We are delighted to continue supporting SmartArches' growth as a standalone company," said TriSpan partner Baudoin Lorans. "We have seen the SmartArches concept develop from a single location to eight and soon nine in the last three years, with tremendous patient acceptance and support for the company's approach to implant and full mouth reconstruction surgeries. We look forward to helping it achieve its full potential in the coming years."

In addition to offering world-class services to patients, SmartArches is committed to making an impact in its communities through its "AngelArches" program, helping give free dentistry away to those who need it most.

About ProSmile

Founded in December 2020, ProSmile is a leading multi-specialty dental services organization with a network of more than 1,100 premier healthcare professionals serving patients in more than 60 locations throughout the U.S. ProSmile's practices offer a range of services from basic exams and cleanings to specialty services, including pediatrics, endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, and oral surgery.

About SmartArches

Founded in December 2022, Smartarches is a leading specialty implant-focused dental organization with a network of oral surgeons, implant and restorative dentists serving patients in currently eight locations throughout the U.S. For more information, please visit the firm's website at www.smartarchesdental.com.

About TriSpan

Founded in 2015, TriSpan is a private equity firm with offices in New York and London that invests in lower middle market companies in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom with annual revenues typically ranging from $20-100 million and/or EBITDA of $2-20 million. TriSpan is committed to creating value by bringing a combination of deep operational and financial resources to drive strong growth and performance. Since inception, the firm has invested in 19 platforms, totaling more than 80 companies to date. For more information, please visit the firm's website at www.trispanllp.com.

Contact Information

Arthur Carrion

VP Marketing

[email protected]

Related Images

ProSmile Logo

ProSmile Logo SmartArches Dental Implants Logo

SOURCE: ProSmile

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Ecuadorians have elected a new president, and hes a somewhat unconventional choice. Daniel Noboa is a 35-year-old businessman who little political experience, but also little political baggage. Guiding him are his mother, a former legislator, and his aunt, Ecuadors wealthiest woman. Known for his reticence and brevity in public appearances, he gave a short statement to the press from his beach house after winning the election. Noboa is relatively unknown to his compatriots, but they elected him to counter the leftist drift initiated by former President Rafael Correa (2007-2017).

Daniel Noboa inherits a disastrous situation from the outgoing president Guillermo Lasso. Despite his banking background, Lassos inability to revive the economy, rein in public spending and prevent institutional decay led to a surge in drug trafficking. He has also failed to bring to justice the people behind the shocking assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio two months before the election. Villavicencio was a fearless journalist who exposed corruption at all levels and repeatedly denounced widespread government infiltration by criminal networks.

Marjorie Clavijo, a woman in her fifties, voted for Noboa because she believes he is the only hope to reverse Ecuadors worsening situation. However, she also expects him to do two things. I want job opportunities for young people and better security. Weve sadly grown accustomed to kidnappings, homicides, and even massacres, said Clavijo, a building manager in Quito. My vote for Noboa was more like a vote against [former president] Correas candidate, Luisa Gonzalez. Correa and his movement had connections with [Hugo] Chavez, [Nicolas] Maduro and Cuba. That made me think about what would happen if they won.

Marjorie Clavijo, 53 years old. KAREN TORO Maria Jose Campos, 21 years old. KAREN TORO

Standing nearby is Maria Jose Campos, a 21-year-old student with a broad, but somewhat shy smile. This was the second time she voted in an election and initially didnt plan backing Noboa. Once he made it to the runoff against Gonzalez, she decided voting for Noboa was the right choice. She also wants the new president to focus on job opportunities for young people, and would like more funding for shelters like the one where she volunteers because President Lasso has cut the budget for social welfare programs.

An elegant older man with a well-groomed beard approaches. Nestor Diaz is wearing a brown sweater, pleated pants and polished shoes. The 75-year-old retired surveyor says he has election chuchaqui, using the local slang for a hangover. Diaz is a staunch supporter of the Correa movement and says he was disappointed in the election outcome. Making a half-hearted pun, he says Ecuador used to be Guate-mala and is now Guate-peor  in other words, going from bad to worse. Diaz says Noboa is just another version of Lasso, and that the presidency is passing from a banker to the entitled heir to a banana empire that has made the Noboas the richest family in the country. I really hope things go well for Noboa, but honestly, I have a bad feeling about it. At my age, I doubt Ill be proven wrong. Why doesnt he start by paying his workers well and paying the taxes his companies owe? I really hope he wont try to privatize health, education or social security.

On a pedestrian bridge, Jose Escobar is talking politics with his partner. Is there anything else to talk about these days? Escobar is a chef who is currently developing a Japanese street-food eatery. Hes never been to Japan, but has seen how well the countrys street food does in the United States and Canada. Escobar voted for Noboa because he thinks Ecuador needs a change. He ran a clean campaign and didnt mess with anyone. That approach gave him a lot of the youth vote, said Escobar. He thinks the Correa movement is straight-up socialist and has used class resentment to divide Ecuadorians at a crucial time. I understand that security problems are on the rise and bringing down the murder rate cant be done overnight. Even [Salvadoran President] Bukele couldnt do that. But if Noboa can quickly retake control of the prisons, it should relieve some of our security concerns.

Nestor Diaz, 75 years old. KAREN TORO Jose Escobar, 34 years old. KAREN TORO Andrea Vega, 35 years old. KAREN TORO

Andrea Vega, Jose's partner, is a construction company manager. She listens impatiently as Escobar talks, trying to get a word in. Noboa, she said, ran on his own platform and didnt get involved in this class struggle between the rich and the poor. Vega says she doesnt care that the president-elect is the very wealthy son of a tycoon. He never boasted about that. Noboa is taking aim at Latin American socialism and more specifically at Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who didnt have a horse in this race but still ended up losing political ground. That man preaches socialism, but hes always well-dressed and doesnt miss any meals. What about his people? Theyre all leaving the country! If we stuck with Correa and his people, we would all be leaving too although many already are.

Vega wants the same things from Noboa as her boyfriend  control the prisons. Just like Villavicencio said, the mafias are well-entrenched in Ecuadorian politics. Noboa needs to attack that immediately, otherwise no president will be able to achieve real change in this country.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Pulsar Helium Inc. (TSXV:PLSR)(FRA:Y3K) ("Pulsar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received an addendum to its Licence No. 2021-45 (referred to as the Tunu Project in Greenland), confirming enlargement to include a prospective area for both helium and geothermal power generation.

The enlarged Tunu Project area now covers a total of 2,816 km2, an increase of 45km2. This enlarged area covers the Kap Tobin locality where thermal springs were sampled in 2021, returning a helium concentration of 0.8%, associated with 97% nitrogen and 2% argon. The same location has been studied by geothermal industry experts including the Iceland GeoSurvey who have published data stating that cogeneration of power and heat looks achievable due to the 80C geochemical temperature at depth and access to the locally cold ocean as a heat sink. The Government of Greenland has stated that the usage of geothermal energy falls under the administrative purview of the Mineral Resource Authority if the usage occurs as part of a mineral exploitation activity, such as Pulsar's activities for helium.

Quote from the President & CEO, Thomas Abraham-James:

"Helium has recently been added to the European Union's list of critical raw materials, and Pulsar's Tunu project is one of very few primary helium occurrences in Europe. Tunu was generated in-house and is the first helium licence to be granted in Greenland. The licence enlargement covers a strategic location that contains a proven primary helium system, and potential for geothermal energy."

About the Tunu helium project:

Pulsar is the first mover exploring for helium in Greenland, having received the only license of its kind that gives exclusive rights for the exploration of helium, hydrogen and all other minerals (excluding hydrocarbons and radioactive elements). Licence No. 2021-45 covers an extremely large exclusive land position of 2,816km2, on the east coast of Greenland that is Europe facing. The Tunu Project was generated in-house by Pulsar technical staff and is one of few locations where primary helium (not associated with the production of hydrocarbons) has been identified, globally. Sampling of thermal springs occurred in 2021, conducted by staff from Pulsar and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, helium concentrations of up to 0.8% associated mostly with nitrogen were identified.

About Pulsar Helium Inc.

Pulsar Helium Inc. is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange with the ticker PLSR. Pulsar's portfolio consists of the Topaz helium project in Minnesota, USA and the Tunu helium project in Greenland. Pulsar is the first mover in both locations with primary helium occurrences not associated with the production of hydrocarbons identified at each. For further information visit https://pulsarhelium.com, follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) https://twitter.com/pulsarhelium?lang=en and LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/company/pulsar-helium-inc.

On behalf Pulsar Helium Inc.

"Thomas Abraham-James"

President, CEO and Director

Further Information:

Thomas Abraham-James President,

CEO and Director Pulsar Helium Inc.

[email protected]

+ 1 (604) 599-0310

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the prospective nature of the Tunu area, achievement of the Company's business objectives going forward and other statements that are not historical facts. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward- looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to Pulsar may be unsuccessful in drilling commercially productive wells; drill costs may be higher than estimates; delays in the commencement of drilling, and other factors set forth under "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements and Market and Industry Data" and "Risk Factors" in the Final Prospectus. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. SOURCE: Pulsar Helium Inc.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV:SM)(OTCQX:SMDRF) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has engaged Stantec Consulting International LLC ("Stantec") to examine tailings deposition options at the 100% owned past-producing La Guitarra Silver-Gold Mine Complex ("La Guitarra") in Estado de Mexico, Mexico, 130 km southwest of Mexico City. The agreement was signed on September 12, 2023, with detailed work commencing earlier this month. Results are expected towards the end of Q4 2023. Stantec is completing two studies for the Company.

The first is a global stability evaluation of the permitted existing tailings storage facility (TSF) to determine the amount of additional capacity within the TSF if converted to dry stack tailings deposition. This work will use stability factors which meet or exceed stability factor of safety values provided by the Canadian Dam Association. The second is a scoping-level study on the layout and capacity of a new TSF within the current boundaries of the Environmental Impact Assessment (MIA).

Dry stack tailings deposition has several environmental advantages. Process water is removed and returned directly to the plant during the filtration process. The per-tonne impoundment area is reduced compared to conventional wet deposition. Dry tailings are more stable and the potential for liquification during a seismic event is reduced compared to a saturated conventional tailings facility.

The new TSF at La Guitarra, which is fully permitted for dry stack tailings would have an ultimate capacity of 5.8 million tonnes, which is in addition to the existing TSF. The Company is undertaking this work in order to examine possibilities to reduce capital outlays necessary to reopen the mine. If the existing TSF or a new TSF within the existing permit can be opened using dry stack tailings deposition, the Company believes construction of the larger permitted TSF has the potential to be financed out of future cash flows.

Extension of Subscription Receipts

Sierra Madre announces that, further to the Company's news releases dated May 31, 2023 and September 14, 2023 (the " the News Releases"), the Company has amended the terms of all 5,123,092 subscription receipts (each, a "Subscription Receipt") in order to extend the Escrow Release Conditions and Termination (as both terms are defined in the May 31 and Sep 14 News Releases) for an additional 30-day period.

Pursuant to the amended terms, each Subscription Receipt shall have met the Escrow Release Conditions and be eligible to, without the payment of any additional consideration, automatically convert into one common share in the capital of the Company upon the earlier of: (i) the holder of the Subscription Receipt receiving written notice from the Company of conversion; or (ii) November 14, 2023. Termination shall occur on the date that is three business days following the day on which the Escrow Release Conditions occur, which shall be no later than November 17, 2023. For additional information on the Subscription Receipts, refer to the May 31 News Release.

About Sierra Madre

Sierra Madre Gold & Silver (TSX.V: SM, OTCQX: SMDRF) is a precious metals development and exploration company, focused on evaluating the potential of restarting the La Guitarra Mine in the Temascaltepec mining district, Mexico, and the exploration and development of its Tepic and La Tigra properties in Nayarit, Mexico. The La Guitarra Mine is a permitted, past-producing underground mine which includes a 500 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018.

The +2,600 ha Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource. La Tigra, located 148 km north of Tepic, has been mined historically; Sierra Madres maiden 2022 drill program at the site intercepted shallow mineralization.

Sierra Madres management has played key roles for managing exploration and development of more than 22Moz gold and 600Moz silver in combined reserves and resources. Sierra Madres team of professionals has collectively raised over $1B for mining companies.

On behalf of the board of directors of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd.,

"Alexander Langer"

Alexander Langer

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

1-604-765-1604

Contact:

[email protected]

Cautionary Note

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.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the completion of the Transaction on the terms set out in the definitive agreement (or at all) and the ability of the Company to obtain requisite corporate and regulatory approvals for the Transaction, including but not limited to the approval of the Exchange, Mexican antitrust approval and other governmental approvals as currently anticipated.

In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Company will be able to receive all required regulatory approvals by the timelines currently anticipated (or at all); and that the Company will be able to complete the Transaction on the terms of the definitive agreement. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, but not limited to, the risk that the Company is not able to complete Transaction on the terms set out in the definitive agreement (or at all) and the risk that the Company is unable to obtain requisite corporate and regulatory approvals, including but not limited to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Mexican antitrust approval and governmental approval as currently anticipated.

Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold and Silver

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REYKJAVIK, ICELAND / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / GreenBank Capital (CSE:GBC)(OTC PINK:GRNBF)(FRA:2TL) ("GreenBank" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received its strategy report from JV Capital and has signed an agreement to acquire the Suni Iron Ore Project in Ontario Canada.

New strategy update.

On the 5th October 2023 the board of directors received from JV Capital the first iteration of the strategy report it engaged them to provide, and the decision has been taken to adopt the main suggestion set out in the report. That is that Greenbank should in the future seek to mainly invest in companies in which it can take an active role and control management. This "hands-on" or "active management" approach will entail acquiring a majority stake in the investee companies, allowing Greenbank to have significant control over their operations and decision-making processes. By acquiring direct control over the companies, it invests in, Greenbank expects to use its influence to better align their direction and management with its own investment objectives and overall business strategy. It will also allow GreenBank to leverage its expertise and resources to help implement operational improvements, streamline processes, and enhance efficiency in its investee companies, and thereby better manage risk exposure, and drive value creation.

The Company intends to adopt this strategy alongside investing in situations that are liquid (such as publicly traded companies) or have a near term clear exit strategy (such as pre-IPO situations).

Suni iron ore acquisition.

The Company is pleased to announce that on 9th October 2023 it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the issued shares ("the Purchased Shares") in 1500597402 Ontario Inc., which holds the Suni Iron Ore project in Ontario Canada. This acquisition is in line with the new company strategy which is to take projects and nurture them towards exit.

Purchase Price

The aggregate purchase price (the "Purchase Price") for the Purchased Shares is ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND Canadian Dollars (Cdn$150,000,) payable to the sellers, as follows.

by the issuance of a total of 3 million Common Shares in the capital of the Purchaser to the two sellers, Ankcorn and Isles each being issued ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (1.5) million shares as follows:

(a) 1,500,000 Common Shares on closing; and

(b) 1,500,000 Common Shares on the earlier of the date on which the Purchaser obtains an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report and 9th October 2024

The agreement is expected to close on or before 23rd October 2023.

About the Suni iron project

The Suni Iron Property is in the Onaman Iron Range of Ontario, Canada approximately 160km north of Lake Superior and 50km east of Lake Nipigon. The Property consists of an area of approximately 11.5km or 1,155 hectares, comprised of 6 block claims totalling 71 mining claim units.

The Onaman Iron Ranges have had a long history of exploration and drilling starting in the early 1900s. They were first located and examined in 1904, when survey crews of the National Transcontinental Railway started the survey for a railway line. In 1906 and 1907, iron prospects were discovered and staked. Discovery of the iron prospects led to a rush by prospectors into the area. In 1951, following completion of an airborne magnetometer survey by Kennco Limited, several companies acquired ground and obtained patents or leases covering most of the known Onaman Iron Range deposits of the northern and southern range by staking and/or by option. Between 1958 and 1961 Can-Fer Mines Limited (Can-Fer) drilled a total of 47 diamond drillholes on the Suni Iron property.

The Company is in possession of historic data and valuation report dated 26th October 2022 by Evans & Evans, Inc., and a NI 43-101 technical report by Tetra Tech dated March 2011 that has been executed in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mines (CIM) guidelines provided in NI 43-101, standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, dated December 23, 2005. The Company expects to issue a separate technical detailed press release in due course.

Vilhjalmur Thor Vilhjalmsson, the CEO and Chairman of Greenbank , had this to say: "With our updated approach, we are optimistic about both our existing investments and the avenues for future growth. It's crucial for us to maintain greater oversight of our investment portfolio. In line with this, we'll continually assess our current holdings while also exploring new opportunities. I've recently engaged in dialogues with the leadership of our investee companies, and I am enthusiastic about our upcoming initiatives and the health of our investments."

Results of the company's Annual General Meeting.

The company's AGM took place Wednesday 11th October 2023. All resolutions were duly passed at the meeting. Shareholder Hector Early put forward to the meeting four new nomination to the board of directors.

The voting went as follows.

Nominated director Total votes Richard Beresford 54,889,010 Peter Wanner 53,615,822 Steve O'Carroll 54,888,835 Sir Robert Neill 53,615,843 Vilhjalmur Thor Vilhjalmsson 54,890,835 Mark Edwards 5,867,821 Hector Earley 5,867,821 Emma Taylor Moore 5,867,821 Adam Boudemate 5,867,821

The Board remains unchanged with the following directors.

Vilhjalmur Thor Vilhjalmsson Chairman and CEO

Richard Beresford

Peter Wanner

Sir Robert Neill

Steve O'Carroll COO

Concerned shareholder Hector Earley

Greenbank acknowledges the recent press release issued by Mr. Hector Earley, a shareholder of the Company, filed on Sedar+.

We wish to state that we strongly disagree with all claims made by Mr. Earley in his press release. After a thorough review, we have found that his allegations lack substance and are not supported by factual evidence.

Greenbank remains committed to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. We will continue to focus on delivering value to all our shareholders and stakeholders.

About GreenBank

GreenBank is a business-transformation firm, which aims to nurture early stage and growth companies to their full potential. Through modern approaches to the provisions of consultancy services, GreenBank takes a stake in companies it hopes to nurture and gives the opportunity to the founders and executives of those companies to benefit from the years of collective experience of the GreenBank management team.

The team are based in London, Reykjavk and Toronto and work diligently across borders to ensure that businesses in the GreenBank portfolio reach their core objectives. The businesses the Company typically works with are start-ups or early-stage and include mining and mineral exploration companies. From this emergent state, Greenbank aims to quickly implement strong business practices by, where possible and required, deploying operations, communications, data strategy and financial expertise.

Whether a business desires to become a successful private company, list publicly, or is seeking a profitable exit, GreenBank tries to add value at every stage as a strategic partner. GreenBank is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, under the symbol "GBC", and on the OTC markets (OTCMKTS: GRNBF) as well as the Frankfurt Boerse (FRA: 2TL).

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical aspects of this news release were reviewed and approved by Joel Scodnick, P.Geo., and independent consultant to GreenBank Capital, in his capacity as a Qualified Person (Q.P.), as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

For further information, please contact:

Vilhjalmur Thor Vilhjalmsson, CEO and Chairman, GreenBank Capital

Tel: +354 8697296

Email: [email protected]

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains statements that include "forward looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to GreenBank's proposed new investment strategy and the expected benefits arising from it, and the proposed acquisition of .1500597402 Ontario Inc and the Suni iron ore project. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of GreenBank to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: challenges in identifying and concluding investment transactions with attractive companies on favourable terms, or at all, , future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to conclude investment transactions with third-party companies or to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the Suni project, environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and other risks inherent in business, such as; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; or failure to obtain regulatory approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to GreenBank's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although GreenBank 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 made as of the date of this news release and GreenBank 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 applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: GreenBank Capital Inc.

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Adam Sanders applies what he learned building robots to help improve technology at U.S. Bank

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / U.S. Bank

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Robots. Astronauts. Space centers.

For most of us, these are the subjects of a sci-fi thriller. For Adam Sanders, they were the thrill of daily work. In 2006, the college grad launched his career as an engineer with General Motors, which quickly led to his selection to participate in a partnership with NASA for more than six years.

Adam Sanders in front of the patent wall outside the Dexterous Robotics Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Sanders was awarded 11 patents while working at NASA.

"Have you ever seen the movie Armageddon? There was a scene where they tested the rover in this huge vacuum chamber in the Johnson Space Center," Sanders said. "That was the building that I worked in."

Sanders' cosmos didn't coincide with Ben Affleck or Bruce Willis during his tenure as a roboticist, but he did make a name for himself in the space of engineering - racking up 11 patents (connected to the Robonaut technology) and the title of inventor for his resume.

"I was fresh out of college, so this was absolutely astounding," he said. "There's no other word to describe it. It was a wonderful experience. I was working with some of the smartest people in the world."

Now a principal engineer with U.S. Bank, Sanders was among a group of inventors and former colleagues recently recognized by NASA with the Commercial Invention of the Year award for Robo-Glove, a wearable robotic technology Sanders helped build during his time at the NASA Johnson Space Center.

"In assembly plants, one of the common injuries is from repetitive strain," Sanders said. "With Robo-Glove you can pick something up, actuate the Robo-Glove so it relieves pressure on your hand, and it helps reduce fatigue and tendon strain ergonomically."

The technology, inspired by NASA's Robonaut humanoid robot, was patented in 2010 and 2011, and has since been bought and rebranded for commercial use, which landed it the award for Commercial Invention of the Year in 2020. Covid delayed the recognition ceremony until this year.

"At NASA, we believe technology drives exploration, and our talented innovators are key to our continued leadership in space and technology," Douglas Terrier, NASA's chief technologist, said in an announcement about the awards . "Each year, we evaluate our inventions based on how they've benefitted NASA and other industries and recognize the great people behind the technologies. The technologies we recognize with these awards will have lasting impacts on the way we transport goods, build cars and space stations, and enable audacious missions to accomplish NASA's most ambitious goals."

From builder of robots to transformer of banking

Landing a career in banking after building robots with NASA may seem like an unusual path, but Sanders said the two industries are fewer light years away than you may think.

"In robotics, we deal with a lot of real-time data," Sanders said. "You say Hey, robot, try to do these steps on your own but work with a human for direction.' That's a surprisingly close synergy with what we do in capital markets."

At U.S. Bank, Sanders works on foreign exchange technology for Global Capital Markets.

"We use information from the market and environment in real time," he said. "What's the market doing, the pricing, what's going on in the news, in the world, where do we think things are going. There's more overlap than you would expect."

In both banking and robotics, Sanders said technology is created that allows humans to interact with it, interpret what's occurring because of it and use the information to adjust as needed to help drive a business's goals and strategic direction.

Prior to joining U.S. Bank in 2022, Sanders spent 10 years in the financial sector and led a team of engineers. And he's impressed with what U.S. Bank is doing with technology.

"One of the things I think is great about U.S. Bank is they give you the tools and let you explore. I really appreciate the emphasis and support driven by leadership in upskilling," Sanders said. "We're investing in our people and investing in them in a way that makes sense for the people. Paying for tools for us to learn about new technologies - it's a particularly important thing that I'm most proud of working here."

In his current role at the bank, Sanders is supporting the migration of foreign exchange technology to the cloud as part of the bank's ongoing technology transformation . The new, modern platform replaces vendor systems that have a collective 50-year history in the bank.

"What we're now using at the bank is at the forefront of tech modernization. It's built using some of the latest technology. It allows us to adapt and scale with the business in unparalleled ways," Sanders said.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: U.S. Bank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: U.S. Bank

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Valsoft achieved remarkable 316% growth over three-year span

MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Valsoft Corporation Inc. ("Valsoft"), a Canadian leader specializing in the acquisition and development of vertical market software businesses, is pleased to announce that for the third consecutive year it has been placed on the 2023 Report on Business ranking of Canada's Top Growing Companies.

The ranking is based on each company's three-year revenue growth, with Valsoft earning the 153rd spot with an impressive growth of 316% over that time span.

"Valsoft's placement on Canada's Top Growing Companies list for a third consecutive year showcases our unwavering dedication to progress and innovation," said Mounir Hilal, President & COO at Valsoft. "Our continued growth is a testament to our dynamic approach to business, our exceptional portfolio of companies, and our remarkable team."

For seven consecutive years, Valsoft has achieved triple-digit growth, a testament to the company's relentless pursuit of excellence and entrepreneurial achievements.

Canada's Top Growing Companies is an editorial ranking that was launched in 2019. It aims to bring the accomplishments of innovative businesses in Canada to the forefront. In order to qualify for this voluntary program, companies had to complete an in-depth application process and fulfill requirements. In total, 425 companies earned a spot on this year's ranking.

"Canada's Top Growing Companies acknowledges the drive and ingenuity displayed by Canadian business," says Dawn Calleja, Editor of Report on Business magazine. "This year's ranking serves as an inspiration for future business owners." "This year's Report on Business magazine's list of Top Growing Companies shows how innovative ideas always rise to the top, perhaps even more so in times of uncertainty," says Andrew Saunders, CEO of The Globe and Mail. "The Globe and Mail congratulates this year's winners for meeting and surpassing those economic challenges."

The full list of 2023 winners along with editorial coverage is published in the October issue of Report on Business magazine. The list is out now and online here.

About The Globe and Mail

The Globe and Mail is Canada's foremost news media company, leading the national discussion and causing policy change through brave and independent journalism since 1844. With our award-winning coverage of business, politics and national affairs, The Globe and Mail newspaper reaches 6.2 million readers every week in our print or digital formats, and Report on Business magazine reaches 2.7 million readers in print and digital every issue. Our investment in innovative data science means that as the world continues to change, so does The Globe. The Globe and Mail is owned by Woodbridge, the investment arm of the Thomson family.

About Valsoft Corporation

Valsoft Corporation acquires and develops vertical market software companies that deliver mission-critical solutions. A key tenet of Valsoft's philosophy is to invest in established businesses and foster an entrepreneurial environment that shapes a company into a leader in its respective industry. Unlike private equity and VC firms, Valsoft does not have a predefined investment horizon and looks to buy, hold, and create value through long-term partnerships with existing management and customers. Learn more: www.valsoftcorp.com.

Media Contact Information:

Communications and Public Relations

Valsoft Corporation

[email protected]

SOURCE: Valsoft Corp.

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ORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / Newsweek has included Whirlpool Corporation on its list of America's Greenest Companies for 2024. This recognition for Whirlpool highlights the company's continued commitment to sustainability through innovative products and efficient operations.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from Newsweek which is a testament to the company's long standing commitment to environmental sustainability. Our employees work every day to improve life at home for our consumers by delivering products that are water and energy efficient without compromising performance," said Pam Klyn, Whirlpool executive vice president of corporate relations and sustainability. "We take proactive steps to ensure we're doing all we can to protect the environment in the communities where we operate and the planet as a whole."

Whirlpool has a long history of environmental stewardship.

In 1970, the company pioneered sustainability efforts in the home appliance industry with the creation of the Internal Office of the Environment.

Currently, all of Whirlpool Corporation's large manufacturing sites have achieved Zero Waste to Landfill gold or platinum status in 2022, meaning at least 95 percent of waste from operations is recycled.

Whirlpool also has invested in two wind VPPAs that match nine U.S. appliance plants' energy needs with renewable energy, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent from 2016 to 2022.

Sustainability innovation can be seen in products as well. Most Whirlpool Corporation dishwashers are 3 to 4 times more water-efficient than hand washing, saving over 2,500 gallons of water per home each year.

The company also is committed to our local communities.

Through Habitat for Humanity's BuildBetter with Whirlpool program, 250 climate-resilient and energy-efficient homes will be built in the U.S. by the end of 2024.

Looking to the future, Whirlpool has made a global commitment to reach net zero emissions in its plants and operations by 2030.

The America's Greenest Companies 2024 ranking is based on research and analysis of publicly available sustainability data (as of July 31, 2023) of the top 952 US organizations that meet the European Union's sustainability standards and have a minimum market capitalization of $5 billion. To create the list, Newsweek partnered with market data research firm Plant-A Insights and GIST Impact, a leading impact data and analytics provider. The companies were evaluated and scored on more than 25 parameters based on the following 4 categories: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water usage, waste generation, and sustainability data disclosure and commitments.

Click here to see the full list of America's Greenest Companies in 2024.

Based on favorable water and energy use comparison against KitchenAid Model No. KDTM354ESS, which was compared to manual handwashing among 40 study subjects using conditions and assumptions set forth in Gabriela Y Porras et al 2020 Environ. Res. Commun. 2 021004. Assumes 215 cycles/year.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whirlpool Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Whirlpool Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whirlpool-corporation

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation

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Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) is mourning the accidental passing of its long-standing board member and board chair Ian Bruce on Sunday, October 15 at his cottage in Ontario.

We are heartbroken with this tragic loss of a dear friend and valued colleague. I have worked with Ian since he joined our board more than a decade ago. He was a dedicated husband and father who was very proud of his family. We extend our deepest condolences to Ians wife Darlene, their family and their many friends and loved ones, said Tim Gitzel, president and CEO of Cameco. Ian was also proud to be part of the Cameco family and his business acumen and leadership were invaluable to our board.

Ian first joined Camecos Board of Directors in 2012 and became board chair in May 2018, bringing over 30 years of experience in investment banking after serving as president and CEO of Peters & Co. Ltd. He also chaired the boards of MEG Energy Corporation and Qube Technologies Inc.

Ian had a restless intellectual curiosity and was excited about the future of Cameco and nuclear energy. Ians presence and contributions around the board table will be deeply missed, said Gitzel.

Profile

Cameco is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to energize a clean-air world. Our competitive position is based on our controlling ownership of the worlds largest high-grade reserves and low-cost operations. Utilities around the world rely on our nuclear fuel products to generate safe, reliable, carbon-free nuclear power. Our shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Our head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017346499/en/

Investor inquiries:



Rachelle Girard



306-956-6403



[email protected]







Media inquiries:



Veronica Baker



306-385-5541



[email protected]

Source: Cameco
H1 2023 revenues of 6.2 million, in line with the guidance

Improvement of the gross margin rate to 61% vs. 56% as of June 2022

Positive EBITDA achieved at the end of June 2023

Cash position of 6.2 million at June 30, 2023

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

ALCHIMIE (FR0014000JX7  ALCHI  PEA-PME eligible) (Paris: ALCHI), a unique channel factory enabling brands, media and companies to create, design and animate their own themed video channels and stream their video content, today announces its consolidated half-year results to June 30, 2023.

Pauline Grimaldi d'Esdra, CEO of Alchimie, stated: "Our first-half results are in line with the targets we set ourselves at the beginning of the year. We are pursuing our diversification through the development of new growth drivers, notably with the recent launch of 42videobricks, a new SaaS solution that simplifies video streaming functionalities for businesses. In the second half of the year, we will be concentrating most of our resources on the commercial roll-out of these new SaaS offerings, which are now at the heart of our value proposal. Nevertheless, given the length of sales cycles and the still uncertain economic context, we are revising our 2023 revenues target to 11.3 million, and aiming for an EBITDA close to breakeven".

Consolidated income statement (IFRS)

In thousands of euros 06.30.2023 06.30.2022 Change in % Revenues 6,214 12,506 (50.3%) Cost of sales (2,441) (5,510) (55.7%) Gross margin 3,773 6,996 (46.6%) Technology and development costs (1,622) (2,550) (36.4%) Marketing and sales expenses (723) (2,059) (64.9%) General and administrative expenses (2,137) (3,497) (38.9%) Operating income (709) (1,111) (36.2%) Financial result 3 (232) Consolidated net income (845) (1,343) (37.1%) EBITDA 325 502 Cash position end of period 6,189 5,252 +17.8%

Business activity and first half 2023 results

As of June 30, 2023, the Groups consolidated half-year revenues (IFRS) amount to 6.2 million, down 50% compared with June 30, 2022. The majority of activity is generated by the historical subscriber bases in France and Germany. This downturn, following the company's strategic reorientation to begin marketing SaaS and VPaaS (Video Platform as a Service) offers, is in line with the announced trajectory. In France more specifically, the drop in subscriber numbers is explained by the termination of the contract with Orange in January 2023.

Cost of sales for the first half of 2023 fell sharply to 2.4 million from 5.5 million at June 30, 2022, as a result of the rationalization of content licensing costs implemented since 2022.

The gross margin rate is thus 3.8 million as of June 30, 2023, i.e. a gross margin rate of 61%, up 5 points compared with the corresponding period in 2022.

Operating expenses stand at 4.4 million, down sharply by 45%, due to the finalized restructuring of the Company and the decision to significantly reduce marketing expenses in order to adapt the cost structure.

Technical and development costs have thus been reduced by 36% and marketing and sales costs by 65% compared with the first half of 2022. General and administrative expenses have also been reduced by 39%, following the resizing of support functions to the needs of the Company.

All the measures taken have enabled Alchimie to achieve a positive EBITDA of 325k in the first half of 2023, compared with 502k a year earlier.

The financial result for the first half of 2023 amounts to a loss of 0.7 million compared with a loss of 1.1 million as of June 30, 2022, partly generated by the video business.

The consolidated net loss of the first half of 2023 is thus cut to 0.8 million vs. -1.3 million at the end of June 2022.

Financial situation of the Group

Consolidated shareholders equity is negative and amounts to 2 million as of June 30, 2023, impacted by the loss for the first half of 2023 of 845k.

The cash position at the end of June 2023 stands at 6.2 million, a stable position compared with 6.4 million at December 31, 2022.

Highlights of the first half 2023: further diversification of the offering

During the first half of the year, Alchimie implemented its strategy of leveraging its Tech expertise by offering companies a variety of functionalities of its video streaming platform via two distinct offerings:

The SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) turnkey web TV offering, renamed videowall, offering companies the possibility of owning a tool that enhances the impact of their communication and image through a single video streaming platform. This is an all-in-one solution, benefiting from Alchimie's expertise (video storage, stream encoding, content editorialization, multi-terminal distribution, etc.), designed to meet the needs of all departments (Marketing, Sales, Communication, HR, CSR) or external stakeholders. Companies can thus distribute their content in a completely safe and secure way.

As announced in July, Alchimie launched an API-based offering of the technological building blocks of a VPaaS (Video Platform as a Service), called 42videobricks, dedicated to businesses and professionals wishing to enhance their applications with video and streaming functionalities. This nimble solution enables developers or partners to free themselves from the technical complexities of integrating video streaming functionalities into their environment without additional investment in new dedicated infrastructures or software licenses. This technological platform is primarily aimed at e-commerce players, franchise chains, commercial, institutional or HR communication professionals, as well as integrator partners looking for a video streaming solution for their customers.

These two offers cover all corporate video needs, and also provide access to several hundred hours of video content from the Alchimie catalog.

Strategy and outlook 2023

In the second half of 2023, Alchimie will deploy its new offerings with the aim of further monetizing its technical assets. The Company intends to accelerate the commercialization of the 42videobricks platform in order to achieve first significant results in 2024.

The Company continues to strengthen its sales teams to sell its SaaS and VPaaS solutions across Europe, particularly in France, Spain and Germany. In addition, Alchimie is investing in several communication campaigns to raise awareness of its offerings and boost their launch.

After taking these factors into account, the Company is setting its targets for the end of 2023 with revenues of 11.3 million, compared with the initial 12 million, and EBITDA close to breakeven.

In terms of financial resources, Alchimie does not plan to call on the market given its cash position at June 30, 2023. At the end of 2023, the cash position is expected to be close to 5 million euros.

Stephane Taillefer, Chief Financial Officer, will leave the Company on November 1st. The Board of Directors would like to thank Stephane for his investment throughout his assignment, and is currently evaluating options for continuity and replacement. In the meantime, the finance function will be taken over by Pauline Grimaldi d'Esdra, CEO, given her expertise in this field.

Alchimie is releasing its 2023 half-year financial report today, now available on its website: click here.

***

Next financial release: 2023 annual sales on January 31, 2024, after market close.

About Alchimie

Alchimie is a unique video streaming platform allowing companies and creators to build their own video channel, their internal communication media and partners. Alchimie also offers 42videobricks, the SaaS access to the technological building blocks (via API) for operating video and streaming functions. Alchimie has a catalog of video content from more than 300 prestigious partners (Arte, France TV distribution, ZDF Entreprises or Zed). For further information: https://www.alchimie-finance.com / http://www.alchimie.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017922617/en/

Alchimie

Pauline Grimaldi dEsdra

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

NewCap

Thomas Grojean/Aurelie Manavarere

Investor Relations

[email protected]

01 44 71 94 94

NewCap

Nicolas Merigeau

Media Relations

[email protected]

01 44 71 94 98

Source: ALCHIMIE
Rebranding follows Molded Devices Inc.s acquisition of GlobalMed and other leaders providing customers with complex medical and non-medical manufacturing solutions

New brand represents continued growth ambitions

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Molded Devices Inc. (MDI) today announced its rebranding as Aptyx. The new brand brings together the aptitude and excellence of more than a dozen companies with over 70 years of experience in complex manufacturing  particularly in the areas of molding, extrusion, coatings, and medical device assembly.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017556838/en/

The Aptyx name and brand identity integrates a global group of industry-leading brands that are part of MDI including GlobalMed, Seitz, Medefab, Bates, and DipTech Systems. Through its collaborative approach across the company, Aptyx supports its customers in bringing their expertly engineered products to market with the highest quality and entrepreneurial speed to enable their long-term success and positive impacts on peoples lives.

Im thrilled to officially bring these remarkable companies under one name  and to draw on their innovative manufacturing capabilities and technologies to help clients solve tough challenges with confidence, said Gregg Tobin, President and CEO, Aptyx. With our domestic, near-shore, off-shore, and low-cost manufacturing capabilities and automation expertise, we are well suited to meet the unique demands of complex manufacturers mission-critical components and devices. At Aptyx, making it happen is the way we do business.

The new brand comes on the heels of significant growth through acquisition and the recent acquisition of MDI by TruArc Partners, a private equity firm focused on supporting transformative growth for middle-market companies. The Aptyx brand will allow the company to build its commercial and operational efforts around a singular identity.

Were so pleased to announce Aptyx  a brand that brings together all of the companys businesses as we look to continue our growth in the fast-growing medical devices space, and in specialty plastics manufacturing, said John Pless, Co-Managing Partner at TruArc Partners, majority owner of Aptyx. We look forward to supporting Aptyxs ambitious investment and growth plan in the months and years to come.

Aptyxs global network encompasses ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certified manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China, including ISO 7 and 8 cleanrooms. The organization serves the medical device and life sciences market as well as a number of other key markets including motion control and facility automation, aerospace and defense, and energy. With integrated, specialized engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Aptyx solutions range from development through manufacturing, assembly, and packaging.

Whether its life-saving medical devices, specialty precision gears, or custom dip molded insulation solutions for advanced applications, Aptyx is focused on unwavering quality and integrity in delivering smart solutions that solve complex challenges for our customers, said Dave Appleton, Global VP of Quality, Aptyx. We deliver quality manufacturing solutions at scale because the products our customers make matter  and were excited to embark on this new and exciting chapter in our growth.

The wordmark Aptyx is a custom font with unique notch and cutout details. In other words, it is highly engineered like the products Aptyx helps make. The organizations logo mark is a representation of the letters A and X, an apex and the up arrow, representing continuous growth.

About Aptyx

Aptyx is a global manufacturing partner that engineers smart solutions to help customers solve tough challenges with confidence. With a broad range of specialized capabilities including engineering, molding, extrusion, coatings, and assembly, the company manufactures complex components and devices for the life sciences and other demanding industries. Headquartered in Tempe, AZ, Aptyx has dedicated production facilities across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China. To learn more visit www.aptyx.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About TruArc Partners

TruArc Partners is a private equity firm focused on middle-market control investments. TruArc focuses on companies in attractive sub-sectors across specialty manufacturing and business services. The TruArc investment team collaborates with its operating partners and portfolio management teams to create value through a transformational growth strategy led by organic or acquisition-driven growth. To learn more about TruArc visit www.truarcpartners.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017556838/en/

Abby Aylman Cohen

[email protected]

917-596-4758

Source: Aptyx
GULFPORT, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ocean Aero announces the opening of their new headquarters and manufacturing facility located at the Port of Gulfport on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. With 63,000 square feet of state-of-the-art production capacity, the new Ocean Aero facility represents Americas latest addition to the industrial manufacturing base. The facility opens with 60 employees and will hire another 15 full-time positions before the end of the year.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017451588/en/

Autonomous Maritime Drone Manufacturer Ocean Aero Opens 63,000-Square-Foot Facility on Gulf Coast. The facility will enable the production of up to 150 Tritons per year. (Photo: Business Wire)

Representing the first phase of Ocean Aeros manufacturing expansions, the facility will enable the production of up to 150 Tritons per year. Annex options adjacent to the facility have the opportunity to produce another 450 Tritons per year.

Were very proud of what the team has accomplished in our two years located in Mississippi and are looking forward to an even brighter future, said Ocean Aero CEO Kevin Decker. The timing couldnt be better to add to our production base given the recent announcement of Replicator and other ongoing programs championed at both the U.S. Navy and DoD levels.

Ocean Aero has been consistently working with the U.S. Navy and many of its constituents around the world since moving to Mississippi. It is an international exporter and has engaged with NOAA as well as a number of universities to conduct scientific services.

The talent of our employees from the Mississippi area, the support we have received from the Gulf Blue ecosystem, and the unwavering dedication of the Mississippi elected officials have exceeded our expectations in every way. Were honored to be citizens of the local community, said Decker.

The company drew support from a host of Mississippis political leadership, including the Mississippi Development Authority, the Harrison County Development Commission, Mississippi Power, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the Port of Gulfport. This opening culminates a years-long process championed by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and Senator Roger Wicker.

"The opening of Ocean Aeros state-of-the-art facility on the Mississippi Gulf Coast marks a significant milestone in the journey toward a sustainable and thriving blue economy. By harnessing the potential of our coastal resources, Ocean Aero exemplifies the spirit of innovation and environmental stewardship, said Mississippi Development Authority Deputy Executive Director Laura Hipp. The companys commitment to advancing marine technology not only positions Mississippi as a leader within the blue economy, it underscores the crucial role of our oceans in R&D and in shaping the future of our economy as a whole. MDA congratulates the Ocean Aero team on the opening of this new facility and looks forwards to the companys continued progress on the Gulf Coast."

About Ocean Aero

Ocean Aero creates, manufactures, and distributes advanced unmanned ocean systems technology. Its signature productThe Tritonis the worlds first and only environmentally-powered Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicle (AUSV). The Triton both sails and submerges for unparalleled ocean data collection with ready-to-deploy packages and custom payloads for an array of applications. Ocean Aero brings the ocean and its data to you, with novel hardware and software that is revolutionizing maritime exploration.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017451588/en/

Brian Peterson

[email protected]

Source: Ocean Aero
The European Union is seriously concerned about the risk of a regional escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas. In addition to concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza strip, besieged by the Israeli army in response to attacks by the Islamist organization, there is also a situation that threatens to apply more heat to an already simmering geopolitical chessboard. Brussels is alarmed by the prospect of the violence spreading to the West Bank and Lebanon, and that Iran could also be drawn into the conflict. But the situation in Egypt is also causing anxiety: Cairo is keeping its crossing from Gaza closed and has refused to create a humanitarian corridor for Palestinians fleeing Israels attacks, amid fears that they will settle in the Sinai. The Egyptian government cites national security and concerns that the displacement of Palestinian refugees into its territory will become permanent.

On Monday, following talks with Egypt, Brussels announced the deployment of a humanitarian airlift, which consists of sending several planes to Egypt carrying essential supplies for organizations in Gaza. The first flights will take place in the coming days. The catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza is about to reach breaking point, warned EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, who added that the Rafah crossing to Gaza must be opened without further delay. EU sources state that the Egyptian authorities have accepted the passage of aid.

The leaders of the EU-27 will hold an emergency summit by videoconference Tuesday to address the next steps in a conflict of devastating effects, and one that EU sources warn could affect the bloc economically, socially and politically. These effects are becoming increasingly apparent as Israel prepares for a ground incursion into Gaza, an operation awaiting political approval that extensive Western diplomatic efforts are seeking to avoid.

Hezbollah  the militia supported by Iran in southern Lebanon  and Israel have exchanged fire in recent days, and the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the evacuation of residents of 28 towns around one mile from the border with Lebanon. The West Bank has also seen an increase in violence. The situation in Jordan, which has a large Palestinian population, is also complicated.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 13 in Tel Aviv. Gobierno israeli (EFE/Gobierno israeli)

Migratory movements

There are major external security concerns, as well as internal ones, and alarm that this crisis will again lead to a critical humanitarian situation in the area and migratory movements to the EU, says a senior source in Brussels. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned on Monday that time is running out to find a political solution to avoid an expansion of the conflict.

In recent days, and in the face of fears of regional escalation, the EU has increased its diplomatic efforts with key regional leaders in Jordan, Qatar and Egypt, which will hold a high-level meeting on the weekend to discuss the Palestinian situation, according to EU sources, although a European presence is not yet confirmed. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and Jordan Wednesday in an attempt to bring about a de-escalation.

There is growing concern about the situation of civilians in Gaza  there are also some 1,000 Europeans in the enclave  and over around 200 people kidnapped by Hamas (according to the latest Israeli figures), which de facto governs Gaza.

The EU is carrying out damage containment moves following the controversial visit to Israel of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which was widely criticized for not publicly mentioning Israels obligations to respect international humanitarian law  which it is violating with its siege of Gaza  and for encroaching on the EUs foreign policy jurisdiction, which lies with the EU-27. The leaders of the member states have instead stressed the need to protect Palestinian civilians.

Strong engagement with regional actors is key, as they are the most impacted by the conflict and can play an effective role, European Council President Charles Michel stated in the convening letter for Tuesdays remote summit.

The EUs reputation in the region has been damaged by the lack of coordination between its institutions over Von der Leyens trip and the EC presidents initial pro-Israel stance, a senior EU official warns. Despite the announcement that the European Commission will triple the most pressing aid to Palestinians to 75 million ($79 million), Brussels is keeping development aid under review to ensure that not a single euro goes to Hamas.

The EU is also concerned about the impact of Israels war against Hamas on its own security. Sources in Brussels point, for example, to fears of an increase in hate crimes, both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic, a matter to be discussed by interior ministers on Thursday at a meeting in Luxembourg.

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Blackstone Leverages IntelliBuddies RDA to Automate Job Intake and Improve Client Responsiveness

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blackstone Talent Group, specializing in providing workforce solutions to commercial, government and non-profit clients across the U.S., is pleased to announce the automation of select sales capture processes - through Rapid Digital Automation (RDA) platform - to help better serve its clients. Founded in 1998, Blackstone has garnered an impressive track record of delivering successful contract, permanent placement and end-to-end managed resource services to a client list that includes Fortune 500 businesses and US federal, state and local governments.

As part of its digital transformation, Blackstone recently leveraged RDA bot technology from IntelliBuddies to automate aspects of its sales capture process with its clients third-party job systems. The results have been being better in synch with client demand, executing on client needs faster, and better responding to ongoing changes to client resource needs.

With the emergence of RDA solutions like IntelliBuddies, we were able to flip the script on how we thought about synchronizing our client systems with our own when it comes to job demand, says Ken Hans, CEO for Blackstone Talent Group. The RDA capabilities provided by IntelliBuddies are far superior to traditional integration solutions weve used in the past. RDA gives us more flexibility, more control and more sophistication when it comes to not only being in synch with new client demand, but also in monitoring big and small changes across the client job lifecycle.

Through IntelliBuddies RDA, Blackstone has now empowered its sales team to automatically sync the client demand it chooses, with the click of a button. The results have been less cluttered demand pipelines in their front office system, and freed up time for sales to do focus on higher value client tasks.

Weve developed a great relationship with Blackstone, and are excited that our AI driven RDA technology has been able to seamlessly adapt to support Blackstones specific business needs, says Vikash Marodia, Solutions Director, IntelliBuddies. We see a lot of potential for Blackstone to continue to capitalize on the use case we have deployed. The foundation is there for continued optimization, which will help their business grow.

About Blackstone Talent Group

Blackstone Talent Group is a privately-held, workforce solutions firm founded in 1998 and headquartered in San Francisco, California with additional offices in Washington DC, Denver, and Colorado Springs. Blackstone helps clients adapt their workforce to the demands of a digital world across areas such as Cloud, Cyber, Mobility, Big Data and DevOps. Blackstone has garnered an impressive track record of delivering successful results to a client list that includes Fortune 500 businesses and the US Federal Government.

For more information on Blackstone Talent Group, please visit https://www.bstonetalent.com/.

About IntelliBuddies

IntelliBuddies is a global software company that develops advanced technologies to enable enterprises to Think Big, Start Smart, Scale Faster. Through its AI driven Rapid Digital Automation (RDA) platform, IntelliBuddies improves the lives of human capital in the workforce to foster rapid growth and health to the organization(s) they serve.

For more information on IntelliBuddies, please visit https://intellibuddies.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017538326/en/

Madison Crist

(719) 633-2722 x402

[email protected]

Source: Blackstone Talent Group
RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leading cloud-native digital banking services provider Constellation Digital Partners (Constellation) announced that Catalyst Corporate Federal Credit Union (Catalyst Corporate - $54 billion in managed assets) has partnered with the fintech to deliver its remote deposit capture solution, TranzCapture, to credit unions on the Constellation Digital Banking platform.

Designed and built specifically for credit unions, TranzCapture was created by Catalyst Corporate and is owned by four of the nations largest corporate credit unions through a CUSO partnership which represents over 3,500 credit unions  or 65% of all credit unions nationwide. Through TranzCaptures Constellation integration, Constellation member credit unions have access to mobile deposit capture, which enables their members to deposit checks from smart devices anytime, anywhere. TranzCaptures mobile capture integrates easily with a financial institutions backend systems, allowing proactive fraud detection on all mobile deposits. Additionally, Catalyst is also offering a TranzCapture integration to provide members the ability to view their deposited images.

Catalyst Corporate partners with credit unions across the nation to enhance their success and relevance through innovative payments, investments, liquidity and balance sheet management solutions. As one of Constellations initial investors, the corporate credit union has worked with the fintech from its inception.

We really liked the idea of a vendor-agnostic application universe where credit unions could go to create their own customized online banking solutions to suit their specific needs, said Diana Hennel, Chief Technology Officer for Catalyst Corporate. Friction that sometimes characterizes core integrations can be minimized by using a marketplace like Constellations Digital Banking platform, where we provide game-changing solutions directly to our members.

Through its partnership with Constellation, Catalyst Corporate seeks to expand the reach of its TranzCapture platform to more credit union members.

Partnering with Constellation offers tremendous value and opportunities for both of our respective client bases, said Hennel. As the number of physical checks continues to decline, so too do the updates and features for many other providers in this space. However, Catalyst is committed to ensuring our members always have access to the most up-to-date, best-of-breed check capture capabilities. Whats more, Constellations platform will allow us to scale for this quickly and efficiently, supporting our continued expansion and investment to further consolidate check capture across the credit union industry.

We are excited to partner with Catalyst Corporate and to help expand the availability of its powerful remote deposit capture solution further throughout the industry, said Kris Kovacs, Founder and CEO of Constellation. Our Constellation Digital Banking platform is designed to provide todays credit unions access to a comprehensive ecosystem of the most cutting-edge technologies, like TranzCapture, to meet the needs of their members, while allowing quick, seamless integrations.

About Catalyst Corporate Federal Credit Union

Plano, Texas-based Catalyst Corporate Federal Credit Union serves over 3,500 member and client credit unions throughout the country. Catalyst Corporate provides credit unions with core financial services, including payments, liquidity, investment and balance sheet management solutions. Visit www.catalystcorp.org to learn more.

About Constellation

Constellation Digital Partners is a leading provider of digital banking solutions that enable credit unions to deliver a unique and customized digital banking experience to their members. Constellations patented, open development platform allows credit unions to pursue innovative fintech services at the pace of their individual digital strategy. For more information, visit www.constellation.coop.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017679979/en/

Derek Howard

For Constellation

[email protected]

678-781-7215

Source: Constellation Digital Partners
Microsoft Azure customers worldwide now gain access to D3 Smart SOAR to take advantage of the scalability, reliability, and agility of Azure to drive application development and shape business strategies.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) vendor D3 Security today announced the availability of Smart SOAR in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, an online store providing applications and services for use on Azure. D3 Security customers can now take advantage of the productive and trusted Azure cloud platform, with streamlined deployment and management.

D3 Securitys Smart SOAR is an independent SOAR platform for enterprises, MSSPs, and public sector entities that want to eliminate 90-98% of the noise from their security alerts, seamlessly integrate their entire security stack, and rapidly respond to threats across their environment. As a proud member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), D3 Security provides the ideal SOAR platform for Microsoft-centric security operations centers (SOCs). Smart SOAR boasts 36 integrations with Microsoft products, including:

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: for orchestrating responses to malware and other threats to endpoints.

Microsoft 365: for mitigating phishing campaigns and other email-based incidents.

Azure Active Directory: for enriching incidents with identity information.

Microsoft Sentinel: for ingestion of Sentinel events and managing investigations.

Smart SOAR enables Microsoft Security customers to use best-in-class tools across their SOC in the most flexible, efficient, and effective manner possible, said Amardeep Dhingra, Director of Strategic Alliances at D3 Security. We collaborate closely with Microsoft to build and maintain integrations, to deliver world-class joint solutions, and now, to share Smart SOAR through the Microsoft Azure Marketplace.

Through Microsoft Azure Marketplace, customers around the world can easily find, buy, and deploy partner solutions they can trust, all certified and optimized to run on Azure, said Jake Zborowski, General Manager, Microsoft Azure Platform at Microsoft Corp. Were happy to welcome D3 Securitys solution to the growing Azure Marketplace ecosystem.

The Azure Marketplace is an online market for buying and selling cloud solutions certified to run on Azure. The Azure Marketplace helps connect companies seeking innovative, cloud-based solutions with partners who have developed solutions that are ready to use.

About D3 Security

D3 Securitys Smart SOAR helps solve many of the most entrenched problems in cybersecurityincluding analyst burnout, alert overwhelm, and information silosby transforming separate tools into a unified ecosystem with multi-tier automation, codeless orchestration, robust case management, and environment-wide reporting. Smart SOAR performs autonomous triage and drastically reduces false positives so that enterprise, MSSP, and public sector security teams can spend more time on real threats.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017359947/en/

For more information, press only:

Walker Banerd, Director of Communications and Content

[email protected]

Source: D3 Security
Outlines Actions with Potential to Triple VF Corp.s Share Price in Less than Three Years

Expresses Desire to Work with Company Leadership to Refresh Board and Drive Sustained Value

Visit www.ElevateVFCorp.com to Download Presentation Delivered at the 13D Monitor Active-Passive Investor Summit

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Engaged Capital, LLC (Engaged Capital), an investment firm specializing in enhancing the value of small and mid-cap North American companies and a top shareholder of V.F. Corporation (NYSE: VFC) (VF Corp. or the Company), the owner of The North Face and Vans brands, today issued a presentation highlighting the actionable and significant opportunities for long-term value creation at the Company. Download the presentation and sign up for relevant updates at www.ElevateVFCorp.com.

About Engaged Capital

Engaged Capital, LLC (Engaged Capital) is an investment advisor with a private equity-like investing style in the U.S. public equity markets. Engaged Capital seeks to help build sustainable businesses that create long-term stockholder value by engaging with and bringing an owners perspective to the managements and boards of undervalued public companies and working with them to unlock the embedded value within their businesses. Engaged Capital focuses on delivering superior, long-term, risk-adjusted returns for its limited partners. Engaged Capital was established in 2012 and is based in Newport Beach, California. Learn more at www.engagedcapital.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017215480/en/

Longacre Square Partners

Charlotte Kiaie / Ashley Areopagita, 646-386-0091

[email protected]

Source: Engaged Capital, LLC
As Factbird sets its sights on the vibrant Swedish manufacturing sector, local companies stand to gain an impressive boost in productivity as well as reductions in waste. This entry marks Factbird's commitment to elevating the Swedish manufacturing landscape with innovative data-driven solutions.

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Factbird has proudly announced its official entry into the Swedish market with the hiring of Sweden-based sales engineer Jonas El-Refai. This permanent entry into Sweden strengthens Factbirds European footprint and brings state-of-the-art Manufacturing Intelligence Solutions to Swedish manufacturers.

Already serving notable Swedish enterprises Lindvalls, Kronfagel, among others, Factbird sees a vast landscape of untapped opportunities in the Nordic manufacturing powerhouse. Factbirds successful track record of improving productivity for food and beverage brands, pharmaceutical companies, packaging manufacturers, and more will greatly benefit Swedish manufacturers looking to reduce costs, increase output, and meet sustainability targets.

Anders Rosengaard Holmenlund, Sales Manager, Nordics at Factbird, remarked, Factbird's entry into the Swedish market is a significant milestone in our journey to redefine manufacturing intelligence. Im excited to welcome Jonas, our first sales engineer for the Swedish market, and the pivotal role he will play in our mission. Together with Jonas, we're poised to supercharge productivity for Swedish manufacturers.

Jonas El-Refai, Sales Engineer, Sweden at Factbird, added, Im excited to join the Factbird team and mark the companys entry into the Swedish market. Factbirds combination of highly effective Manufacturing Intelligence Solutions, extremely skilled individuals, and, above all, a helpful and positive culture will assist many Swedish companies in becoming leaner and more profitable.

Emphasizing Factbirds commitment to the region, Sren Traumer Schnnemann, CCO & Partner at Factbird, stated, "I'm excited to enter the Swedish market, where we have been servicing customers remotely for years. We know the market requirements, and we see a strong fit for our solutions. Not only will this help elevate our bottom-line, but we also expect to learn a lot from the market in terms of servicing the Enterprise segment that Sweden is so well-known and respected for mastering.

About Factbird

Factbird is a pioneering provider of Manufacturing Intelligence Solutions aimed at driving operational excellence. Our focus on data and factual insights empowers businesses to optimize operations, reduce downtime, and boost productivity. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies, Factbird delivers real-time insights and actionable intelligence. For more information, visit factbird.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016251789/en/

Sren Traumer Schnnemann

CCO and Partner

+45 51 55 85 15

[email protected]

Source: Factbird
Analytics category award win cites complete transformation into data-driven organization

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fivetran, the global leader in automated data movement, and Crane Worldwide Logistics, a leader in global supply chain solutions, have won Ventana Researchs 2023 Digital Leadership Award in the analytics category. This award recognizes the organization and technology that best exemplifies leadership in any use or application of analytics across business or IT.

Crane Worldwide Logistics, a Houston-based supply chain company specializing in intermodal transportation and warehousing, selected Fivetran to help migrate data into Snowflake. What started as a targeted solution morphed into an ongoing partnership providing a fast and consistent entrypoint to Cranes data ecosystem. With Fivetran deployed across the organization, Crane estimates 80% time savings on undifferentiated activity for engineers and delivery time of new data capture reduced from months to hours.

Utilizing Fivetran reduced both TCO and time to value for many key data initiatives, said Jared Noynaert, Vice President, Data & Analytics at Crane Worldwide Logistics. With Fivetran Local Data Processing as a reliable entrypoint to our data ecosystem, engineers can focus on driving innovation instead of tuning undifferentiated ETL jobs, without giving up flexibility or configurability for critical change data capture workloads. As a result, downstream data consumers can rely on complete, timely data with strict SLA adherence.

The Ventana Research Digital Leadership awards spotlights the individuals and organizations that have utilized and championed modernization and transformation across their people, processes, information, and technology to grow their business and industry market potential.

As part of the grading process and methodology, the Ventana awards team examined case studies and submissions to evaluate the organization's use of people, processes, information, and technology to the impact and performance that resulted from the use of technology. The examination of best practices and methods used, the degree of team involvement, and the project's business impact and value. This years nominations crossed many industries and different-sized organizations.

Congratulations to Jared Noynaert and Crane Worldwide Logistics using Fivetran for receiving the 16th annual Ventana Research Digital Leadership Award in Analytics, said David Menninger, SVP and Research Director at Ventana Research. Together they have unlocked organizational data silos and are making data available more quickly to support decision making across the organization, improving customer experience, employee satisfaction, operational efficiency, and the environment.

About Fivetran

Fivetran automates data movement out of, into and across cloud data platforms. We automate the most time-consuming parts of the ELT process from extracts to schema drift handling to transformations, so data engineers can focus on higher-impact projects with total pipeline peace of mind. With 99.9% uptime and self-healing pipelines, Fivetran enables hundreds of leading brands across the globe, including Autodesk, Conde Nast, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Morgan Stanley and Pitney Bowes, to accelerate data-driven decisions and drive business growth. Fivetran is headquartered in Oakland, California, with offices around the world. For more information, visit fivetran.com.

About Ventana Research

Ventana Research provides insight and expert guidance on mainstream and disruptive technologies through a unique set of research-based offerings including benchmark research and technology evaluation assessments, education workshops, and our research and advisory services, Ventana On-Demand. Our unparalleled understanding of the role of technology in optimizing business processes and performance and our best practices guidance are rooted in our rigorous research-based benchmarking of people, processes, information, and technology across business and IT functions in every industry. This benchmark research, plus our market coverage and in-depth knowledge of hundreds of technology providers, means we can deliver education and expertise to our clients and increase the value they derive from technology investments while reducing time, cost, and risk.

Ventana Research provides the most comprehensive analyst and market coverage in the industry - business and IT professionals worldwide are members of our community and benefit from our insights, as do highly regarded media and association partners globally. Our views and analyses are distributed through our blogs and on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. To learn how Ventana Research can help advance the maturity of your organizations use of information and technology through our consulting, advisory, research, and education services, please visit www.ventanaresearch.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017765702/en/

Ross Perich

[email protected]

Source: Fivetran
The overall winner in the award's third year addresses the importance of equipment and process reliability

NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- International Data Corporation (IDC) today announced Georgia-Pacific is the overall winner of the IDC Future Enterprise Best in Future of Operations North America Awards for its "Enterprise AI for Manufacturing Operations at Georgia-Pacific" project. The annual award calls for the nomination of organizations that have successfully navigated a fundamental shift in the operations model to support increased operational agility and resiliency.

Georgia-Pacific will be presented with its award at a virtual event this fall. To register for the event, and learn more about Georgia-Pacific's Operations initiative, visit HERE.

Check out IDC's Future of Operations eBook.

IDC's Future of Operations framework emphasizes the importance of building infrastructure and digital capabilities to develop resilient decision-making that keeps enterprises tightly aligned with customer expectations and demands. The practice highlights how digital-first organizations will become flatter as they leverage operational data to optimize and drive better, more timely decision making, defined as data-driven operations (DDO). Organizations that commit to relying less on human judgment and more on the insights derived from operational data and its various components will thrive in the face of digital disruption.

"George-Pacific's Collaborative Support Center and Asset Health are excellent examples of operational transformation through digital technology," said Reid Paquin, research vice president, Future of Operations at IDC. "This initiative brought a wide range of stakeholders from across the organization to improve manufacturing processes and demonstrated the value of using AI to monitor the health of these systems, resulting in reduced unplanned downtime due to unforeseen circumstances."

More about the Best in Future of Operations award-winning project:

Overall Winner: Georgia-Pacific: Enterprise AI for Manufacturing Operations at Georgia-Pacific

Project Details: Georgia-Pacific (GP) created the Collaboration Support Center (CSC) to address equipment and process reliability at more than 100 manufacturing facilities. Making paper products is a complex process, especially at the scale and speed that GP operates. Advanced technologies like cameras, sensors, machine learning, and data science can solve manufacturing operational challenges  it also takes people who are passionate to make technology part of their role. Asset health was the first key challenge tackled, working with data from over 90,000 sensors and 11 different instances of asset management software. AI can detect anomalies, pinpoint the main drivers of anomalous behavior, and predict a failure, hours, days, or even weeks before it happens, avoiding unplanned downtime and significant impacts to revenue and customer order delivery. Using C3 AI Reliability to aggregate a large number of data points across process data and asset sensors, create a unified data image, and apply AI to predict failures, Georgia-Pacific has improved overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by several percentage points and avoided hundreds of hours of unplanned downtime. The CSC has been key to getting all the stakeholders, from the business, operations, data science, engineering, and IT, to work together as a team to focus on capturing that business value.

About the Future Enterprise Awards

The world is moving from digital transformation (DX) (as we know it) to Digital First. DX started with transformation from analog to digital. With contextualization, Digital First becomes the next evolution in DX. Digital is a permanent, yet dynamic fixture in this world. Digital First applies to any entity searching for a digital-based capability or enhancement that could improve our lives and desired outcomes. As we anchor ourselves in a digital-first world, one thing is clear. Organizations, private or public, large or small, will need to leverage technologies in an accelerated fashion to thrive. And the ones that can close the new digital gap through the greatest business value impact will become market leaders of tomorrow. These leaders are the Future Enterprises. To learn more about the Future Enterprise Awards, please visit idcdxawards.com.

To learn more about the Future Enterprise North America Awards please contact Heather Ball at [email protected].

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017429615/en/

Heather Ball

508-872-8200

[email protected]



Michael Shirer

508-935-4200

[email protected]

Source: International Data Corporation (IDC)
WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE: GVA) will release third quarter financial results on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, before the market opens. The Company will host an investor conference call at 8:00 a.m. PT, Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

The Company invites investors to listen to a live audio webcast of the investor conference call on its Investor Relations website, investor.graniteconstruction.com. The investor conference call will also be available by calling 1-877-328-5503; international callers may dial 1-412-317-5472. An archive of the webcast will be available on Granites Investor Relations website approximately one hour after the call. A replay will be available after the live call through November 7, 2023, by calling 1-877-344-7529, replay access code 5819938; international callers may dial 1-412-317-0088.

About Granite

Granite is Americas Infrastructure Company. Incorporated since 1922, Granite (NYSE: GVA) is one of the largest diversified construction and construction materials companies in the United States as well as a full-suite civil construction provider. Granites Code of Conduct and strong Core Values guide the Company and its employees to uphold the highest ethical standards. Granite is an industry leader in safety and an award-winning firm in quality and sustainability. For more information, visit the Granite website, and connect with Granite on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016504459/en/

Granite Construction Incorporated

Investors

Wenjun Xu, 831-761-7861

Media

Erin Kuhlman, 831-768-4111

Source: Granite Construction Incorporated
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Herc Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HRI), one of North Americas leading equipment rental suppliers, will host an Investor Day at its Bonita Springs, FL., headquarters on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Senior management, including Larry Silber, president and chief executive officer; Aaron Birnbaum, senior vice president and chief operating officer; and Mark Humphrey, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will provide a progress update on its long-term strategies and capital allocation priorities, and will introduce new, three-year performance targets.

The live webcast will be available on the Events and Presentations page of the companys investor relations website at: https://ir.hercrentals.com/events-and-presentations/11-02-2023

About Herc Holdings Inc.

Herc Holdings Inc., which operates through its Herc Rentals Inc. subsidiary, is one of the leading equipment rental suppliers with approximately 373 locations in North America. With over 58 years of experience, we are a full-line equipment rental supplier offering a broad portfolio of equipment for rent. Our classic fleet includes aerial, earthmoving, material handling, trucks and trailers, air compressors, compaction and lighting. Our equipment rental business is supported by ProSolutions, our industry specific solutions-based services, which includes power generation, climate control, remediation and restoration, pumps, trench shoring, studio and production equipment, and our ProContractor professional grade tools. Our product offerings and services are aimed at helping customers work more efficiently, effectively and safely. The Company has approximately 6,900 employees who equip our customers and communities to build a brighter future. Herc Holdings 2022 total revenues were approximately $2.7 billion. All references to Herc Holdings or the Company in this press release refer to Herc Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. For more information on Herc Holdings and its products and services, visit: www.HercRentals.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017371484/en/

Leslie Hunziker

Sr. Vice President

Investor Relations, Sustainability & Communications

[email protected]

239-301-1675

Source: Herc Holdings Inc.
Monetizes Moov Africa Niger A2P SMS traffic for sustainable revenue increase and fraud protection

Deploys iBASIS comprehensive messaging monetization solution including full managed services, SMS Firewall

LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- iBASIS, the leading provider of communications solutions for operators and digital players worldwide, announced today an exclusive agreement with Moov Africa Niger, a subsidiary of the MAROC TELECOM Group, to implement its A2P messaging monetization solution.

The agreement, which started on September 1, has established iBASIS as the trusted, singular gateway for all international A2P SMS traffic into Moov Africa Nigers network. The iBASIS SMS Firewall, supported by Tier 1 independent firewall technology partner HAUD, ensures successful traffic monetization via monitoring of all entry points and stopping of leakage while preventing growing types of SMS fraud, such as smishing, or SMS phishing scams.

According to Mobilesquared, A2P SMS traffic growth in Africa will be 16.3% for the period 2022 to 2027, to reach 128 billion by the end of 2027, which is higher than the overall market growth*.

"We are delighted to collaborate with iBASIS, a global leader in voice and mobile services, who will serve as our exclusive gateway for international A2P SMS termination," says Abdelali BABA ALI, Directeur General, Moov Africa Niger. "This strategic partnership aligns with our commitment to continually enhance our SMS service quality, combat fraud, and safeguard our revenues."

Edwin Van Ierland, CEO, iBASIS Voice & Mobile, adds: "We are honored to be chosen by Moov Africa Niger to handle all their international A2P SMS traffic. Their demand for innovation combined with their focus on quality and security aligns with our priorities. Our suite of managed services will meet their extensive requirements for A2P SMS monetization and ensure the reactivity to adapt to the ever evolving messaging landscape."

ABOUT iBASIS

iBASIS is the leading communications solutions provider enabling operators and digital players worldwide to perform and transform. Powered by Tofane Global, iBASIS is the first independent communications specialist and Tier One IPX vendor with 800+ LTE destinations. iBASIS today serves 1,000+ customers across 28 locations worldwide. iBASIS optimizes global connectivity, quality and security, so customers achieve high return on voice, SMS A2P messaging, mobile data, 5G roaming and IoT.

ABOUT Moov Africa NIGER

Moov Africa Niger is a limited company with its Board of Directors and headquarters located in Niamey, with a capital of 5,388,030,000 FCFA. As a subsidiary of the MAROC TELECOM group, Moov Africa Niger is a mobile network operator and internet provider in Niger since 2003. Moov Africa Niger offers mobile services that meet its subscribers needs at the edge of innovation.

*Mobilesquared Global A2P SMS Report, July 2023

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iBASIS Media

Jason McGee-Abe

26FIVE Global Lab

[email protected]

+ 44 7970 237682

Source: iBASIS
The intense aerial bombardment and the complete siege policy launched by Israel on Gaza after the armed wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas launched an attack on Israeli territory on October 7 has turned a remote spot in Egypts Sinai Peninsula into the center of global attention. The Rafah border crossing, located in southern Gaza, directly connects Gaza to Egypt and is the only entry and exit point not controlled by Israel, making it the sole route through which the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian enclave can be bypassed and emergency humanitarian aid sent to the more than two million civilians trapped there.

Early last week, Israel shelled the Palestinian terminal of the crossing three times in 24 hours, disrupting its normal operation. Since then, Egypt has been negotiating with Israel, the U.S., the U.N. and Qatar for Benjamin Netanyahus government to provide security guarantees for its reopening to deliver humanitarian assistance. Under normal conditions, the Rafah crossing is administered by Cairo and Hamas Interior Ministry officials, but it is mainly the Egyptian and Israeli authorities that exercise strictest control over the movement of people and goods.

A convoy of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, one of them with a photo of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, wait to cross into Gaza. KHALED DESOUKI (AFP)

The crossing is of great concern to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who fears a massive exodus of Palestinian refugees fleeing the bombings and the land invasion that Israel, according to his government, is preparing imminently. Additionally, on the Palestinian side of the crossing, there are hundreds of Gazans and citizens of third countries, especially Americans, waiting for the border to open so that they can leave the enclave.

In an attempt to press for its opening, and to be prepared in case an agreement is finally forged, Egypt last week prepared the airport in the capital of North Sinai province, Al Arish, around 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Rafah, to receive international humanitarian aid shipments. Countries such as Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, as well as organizations including as the Red Crescent and the World Health Organization (WHO), have already sent hundreds of tons of basic necessities destined for Gaza. But for now, dozens of truckloads of supplies, carrying mainly food, water and medicine, remain stuck on the Egyptian side of the border waiting for the green light to cross.

What role Israeli officials would have in the mechanism governing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza remains unclear. The Sinai Foundation for Human Rights said Monday that Israels insistence on inspecting all trucks before they enter Gaza was at least one of the reasons its implementation initially failed. The plan that has been put forward so far involves approving a geographically delimited ceasefire zone inside Gaza so that aid arriving in the enclave can be distributed. Cairo has stated that it will only allow the exit of foreigners residing in the enclave if at the same time trucks are allowed to enter.

A child waits next to his family's suitcases to cross into Egypt through the Rafah crossing. IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA (REUTERS)

Movement through the Rafah crossing  which was opened in 1982 after Israel withdrew from Sinai as part of the peace agreement it signed with Egypt three years earlier  has fluctuated greatly over the past decade depending on the political context; it remains a sensitive issue for the Egyptian authorities, not least because of the presence of Hamas. Between mid-2012 and 2013, coinciding with the presidency in Egypt of Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood  which shares the ideology of Hamas  the crossing was open for 341 days and recorded intense activity, according to U.N. data. In contrast, between 2014 and 2017, coinciding with staunch Brotherhood opponent El-Sisis first years in power, Rafah remained closed for almost 300 days a year on average. The situation only started to improve from May 2018 onwards, at a time when Gaza was undergoing a serious humanitarian and political crisis.

Since then, the Rafah crossing has operated more regularly, with the exception of closures imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, the criteria imposed by Egypt for people wishing to travel through the crossing remain strict and the waiting time for processing the permit is often lengthy, according to the Israeli human rights organization Gisha, which monitors freedom of movement for Palestinians. Israel, for its part, often prohibits people leaving Gaza through Rafah from re-entering through the Erez crossing between the Strip and Israel, which presents an added obstacle.

In addition, the vast, desert-like northern Sinai, separated from the rest of Egypt by the Suez Canal, is a completely militarized region and access is severely restricted, even for the press. Egypt has been waging a bitter war in the province for years against the local branch of Islamic State, which has recruited many Gazan members and whose momentum has only been slowed over the last three years by an extensive joint counter-terrorism campaign waged by the Egyptian army and security forces and their tribal allies.

A woman and three children wait next to the border wall for the Rafah crossing to open on October 16. Mohammed Talatene (DPA via Europa Press)
Expanded footprint, new capabilities mark IDTs entrance into CRISPR therapeutics space

CORALVILLE, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global genomics solutions provider Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), an operating company in the Life Sciences segment of Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR), today announced the completion of its new Therapeutic Oligonucleotide Manufacturing facility in Coralville, Iowa. The milestone marks a significant achievement in the companys 35-year-historyits entrance into the therapeutics spaceand enables IDT to manufacture products for research use through to current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) grade cell and gene therapy reagents to provide researchers with a single partner that can help them rapidly transition from the lab to therapeutic development.

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The 41,000-square-foot-site will produce cGMP cell and gene therapy reagents, including single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) and donor oligos for homology-directed repair (HDR) with additional offerings to follow. These new capabilities and offerings will be supported with comprehensive documentation and testing, a support team, and regulatory guidance to help accelerate researchers path to the clinic.

An increasing number of customers are seeking out IDT as a trusted partner for their CRISPR genome editing needs, and are asking us to be the provider that can help them bridge the gap from lab to clinic, said Demaris Mills, president, IDT. Now, with our new cGMP manufacturing facility, IDT can provide a complete CRISPR workflowfrom design to analysisthat supports cell and gene therapy developers in all stages of therapeutic development, with the same support and expertise they have come to know from IDT. These new manufacturing capabilities, which have been informed by our decades of oligonucleotide synthesis manufacturing expertise, evolves IDTs business model from Research Use Only to cGMP, and enables us to help more people.

Danaher Vice President and Group Executive Chris Riley added, The future of genomic medicine hinges on the industrialization of biology to make life-saving therapies more accessible to people. As a pioneer in genome editing, IDTs continued investments will enable customers to rapidly move from clinical development to commercialization. This new facility is another significant milestone in IDTs innovation journey, one we envision will have a profound impact in genomic medicine for years to come.

The Therapeutic Oligo Manufacturing facility features ISO 8 cleanrooms, purification suites, chemical distribution and storage rooms, quality control labs, analytical lab space for product testing, ancillary and office spaces and shell space for future expansion. Manufacturing is performed in accordance with ICH Q7 cGMP standards for consistent and reliable quality. The controlled-access building features environmental controls for temperature, humidity and air pressure throughout, supported by an environmental program and continuous monitoring system. The addition of this new facility expands IDTs global manufacturing footprint and enables the company to provide a range of manufacturing capabilities, including Research Use Only (RUO), large scale RUO, Engineering Run and cGMP (ICH Q7).

A Decade of CRISPR Innovation

Since 2015, IDT has continued to accelerate the pace of genomics with its complete portfolio of Alt-R CRISPR genome editing solutions. Its portfolio includes several first-to-market research products as well as solutions to meet researchers complete workflowfrom design to analysisto enable greater quality, simplicity, and cost efficiency. Last year, IDT launched the Alt-R HDR Donor Blocks, an improved solution for increasing homology-directed repair (HDR) rates in large fragment knock-in experiments, and expanded access to its Alt-R Custom CRISPR gRNA Libraries for drug discovery. In 2021, IDT also unveiled its rhAmpSeq CRISPR Analysis System, an end-to-end solution for characterizing and quantifying the full array of on- and off-target genome editing events in CRISPR research products.

IDTs research and development teams have also been at the forefront of CRISPR innovation, with achievements that include the development of multiple proprietary CRISPR reagents such as IDTs Alt-R S.p. HiFi Cas9 Nuclease and the Alt-R L.b. and A.s. Cas12a (Cpf1) Ultra enzymes. Notably, their groundbreaking research and collaborations with scientists around the globe has been published in more than 200 scientific journals as peer-reviewed articles, and is helping to shape the future of genomics and biotechnology.

IDT collaborated with M.A. Mortenson Company, a team led by OPN Architects and Barr Engineering Co. on the facility design and construction of its cGMP facility.

For additional information on IDTs cGMP facility, capabilities, and photos, visit http://www.idtdna.com/cGMPManufacturingFacility.

About IDT

For more than 35 years, Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (IDT) has been empowering genomics laboratories with an oligonucleotide manufacturing process unlike anyone else in the industry, with the most advanced synthesis, modification, purification, and quality control capabilities available. Since its founding in 1987, IDT has progressed from a leading oligo manufacturer to a genomics solutions provider supporting key application areas such as next generation sequencing, CRISPR genome editing, synthetic biology, digital PCR, and RNA interference. IDT manufactures products used by scientists researching many forms of cancer and most inherited and infectious diseases.

Seeking to fulfill its mission of accelerating the pace of genomics, IDT acquired Archer NGS Research Assays in December 2022. When combined with its existing solutions, the expanded portfolio helps realize the shared vision of enabling researchers to rapidly move from the lab to life-changing advances.

IDTs infrastructure supports customers around the globe with its manufacturing headquarters situated in Coralville, Iowa, USA, with additional manufacturing sites in San Diego, California, USA; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Leuven, Belgium; and Singapore.

IDT is proud to be part of Danaher. Danahers science and technology leadership puts IDTs solutions at the forefront of the industry, so they can reach more people. Being part of Danaher means we can offer unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise and solutions to our customers.

Together with Danahers other businesses across Biotechnology, Diagnostics and Life Sciences, we unlock the transformative potential of cutting-edge science and technology to improve billions of lives every day.

For more information about IDT, visit www.idtdna.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Disclaimer: IDT engineering runs and cGMP gRNA are for development and investigational use only. The performance characteristics of this product have not been established. This product is not intended to be used as final drug product. The purchaser is solely responsible for all decisions regarding the intended use of the product and any associated legal or regulatory obligations."

RUOFor research use only. Not intended for use in diagnostic, investigational and/or therapeutic applications.

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Kristina Sarenas

Manager of PR

800-328-2661 (USA & Canada)

+1 319-626-8400 (outside USA)

[email protected]

Source: Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (IDT)
Dr. Shane Nho will use ArthroFree to teach a Labral Reconstruction

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Medical device and technology company Lazurite announced that its ArthroFree Wireless Camera System will be available at the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) Advanced Knee and Shoulder course on Oct. 20-22, and the Innovations in Hip Arthroscopy lab course on Nov. 3-4, at the AANA Orthopaedic Learning Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

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Surgeons attending two upcoming AANA lab courses will have the opportunity to try out Lazurites ArthroFree wireless camera for themselves. ArthroFree has been used in centers of excellence around the country with outstanding results. (Photo: Business Wire)

At the Advanced Hip Arthroscopy course, Shane J Nho, M.D., M.S. of Gold Coast Surgery Center and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago will use the ArthroFree system to teach a labral reconstruction at 1:30 p.m. Central Time.

At both events, an ArthroFree device will be on display and available to try in the exhibit area. At the Hip and Knee event there also will be an ArthroFree at the lab checkout station. Surgeons can review the ArthroFree system there and bring it to their cadaver station on a cart to try it out.

We invite attendees to try the ArthroFree camera system at these AANA courses to see what it means to operate when there is no cord to distract your attention or limit your dexterity, Lazurite CEO and co-founder Eugene Malinskiy said.

For surgeons who want to be at the top of their game for every procedure, the ArthroFree wireless camera system has no cord to distract a surgeons attention or limit dexterity so they can enhance their focus on the patients procedure. ArthroFree has been used in centers of excellence around the country with outstanding results. For more information, contact an ArthroFree product expert at: (833) 214-2324 or [email protected].

About AANA

The Arthroscopy Association of North America offers hands-on cadaver lab courses to meet the unique needs of a variety of career stages. For more information, visit www.aana.org

About Lazurite

Lazurite designs medtech devices. Its ArthroFree System is the first wireless camera with FDA clearance for arthroscopy and general endoscopy. The ArthroFree System is designed to enhance the surgeon's focus during the critical moments of surgery by enabling untethered movement and dexterity. It promises to increase the safety and efficiency of minimally invasive surgical procedures while decreasing the cost. Lazurites IP portfolio includes the high-efficiency Meridiem light technology, wireless communication technology, and products in development. Lazurites three-year vision (by 2026): Modernize 1,000 operating rooms for the wireless age. For more information, see https://lazurite.co.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "projected," "estimate," "expect," "may," "should," "will," "designed," "optimistic," "promises," "helps," "allows" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding the expected impact and ease of use advantages of the ArthroFree System within the field of minimally invasive surgery, particularly orthopedic surgery. 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 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 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.

Lazurite, ArthroFree, and Meridiem are registered trademarks of Lazurite Holdings LLC.

Media Center

Visit lazurite.co/media for videos, logos, images, fact sheets, bios and more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017357452/en/

Patrick Gallagher

+1 (216) 233-7473

[email protected]

Lazurite:

+1 (216) 334-3127

[email protected]

Source: Lazurite
BRAMPTON, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- National Homes and Brixen Developments have joined hands in a partnership to contribute $100,000 annually for the next five years, totaling a $500,000 donation towards the construction of Brampton's new hospital for the William Osler Health System. This significant commitment, by two prominent names in the real estate and development industry, exemplifies their unwavering dedication to the well-being and prosperity of the Brampton community.

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Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown (center) is joined by City Council and representatives from National Developments and Brixen Developments to commemorate the $500,000 donation from National and Brixen to Brampton's new hospital - Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness. (Photo: Business Wire)

With a shared vision for a healthier and stronger Brampton, National Homes and Brixen Developments have stepped forward to provide vital support to the city's healthcare infrastructure. Their generous donation will play a pivotal role in the transformation of health care in Brampton and Etobicoke. Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness (Peel Memorial) will include a new multi-storey patient tower, new and enhanced outpatient services and day programs and the expansion of the existing Urgent Care Centre to 24/7 operations - enhancing healthcare services, improving patient care, and ensuring that the local community receives excellent state-of-the-art medical treatment.

In recognition of this contribution, Mayor Brown and the Brampton City Council expressed their gratitude by presenting a special gift at a recent public event attended by all members of Council. The gift, a signed Tavares Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, symbolizes the city's appreciation for National Homes and Brixen Developments' dedication to Brampton's healthcare future. In a heartfelt gesture, National Homes and Brixen Developments have decided to donate the signed jersey back to the hospital, where it will be gifted to a child in need.

Mayor Brown remarked on the company's long standing history with the community by saying thank you very much Jason (Pantalone) for your support in all City initiatives. He spoke about how this significant donation will undoubtedly make a substantial difference in the lives of Brampton residents and patients at the new hospital.

The pledge from these industry leaders reaffirms their belief in the potential of Brampton as a vibrant and thriving community. "We can think of half a million reasons why we love Brampton," said Jason Pantalone, President and CEO Managing Partner of National Homes, who went on to say Weve developed thousands of acres in Brampton and built roughly 6,000 homes there since 1992, says Pantalone, expressing their commitment to the city's future.

The new hospital, a vital addition to Brampton's healthcare infrastructure, will serve as a beacon of hope and healing for the community, thanks to the invaluable support from National Homes and Brixen Developments.

This philanthropic partnership sprung from the 2023 National Homes and Brixen Developments successful release of Duo Condos in Brampton, a luxurious 25-storey condominium conceived and created with inputs received from investors and community stakeholders. Right from its location, its focus on transit to its many inspired amenities, DUO represents the culmination of a vision  the introduction of a connected and convenient way of living in Brampton.

National Homes and Brixen Developments invite other community leaders and businesses to join them in supporting the growth and well-being of Brampton. Their commitment to making a positive impact on the city is a testament to the power of collaboration and community spirit.

ABOUT NATIONAL HOMES

Since 1992 National Homes has been in the business of designing, building, marketing and selling new homes based on understanding and responding to our customers needs.

ABOUT BRIXEN DEVELOPMENTS

Brixen Developments was launched in 2019 by Alexander DOrazio and Andrew Iacobelli based on a shared commitment to quality, desire to build communities, and the underlying belief that people come first.

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For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Lianne McOuat

[email protected]

416-953-0380

Source: National Homes
Ten Technicians receive Scholarship Awards at CFESA Annual Conference 2023

ADDISON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Parts Town, the technology innovator and market-leading distributor of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) foodservice, residential appliance, and HVAC equipment repair parts, announced the recipients of the Technician Scholarship Awards at this years CFESA Annual Conference. As CFESA celebrates 60 years of dedication to the industry, Parts Town is proud to earmark $22,500 in Scholarships and Cash Prizes to support individuals in our technician community.

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Parts Town earmarks $22,500 in scholarships and cash prizes to technicians at CFESA Annual Conference 2023 (Photo: Business Wire)

In 2023, Parts Town has already awarded scholarships to technicians from A+ Commercial Gaskets of Minneapolis, JK Services, A+ Commercial Kitchen Repair, and Windy City Equipment Service during their respective region conferences.

We are excited to have selected two additional winners from each region, who will each receive $1,000 for CFESA training along with a $500 cash prize, said Chuck Combs, PARTnership Builder (a.k.a Senior Vice President, Service & Distribution Partnerships) at Parts Town, who was awarded a plaque at the event in recognition of his unwavering support and dedication to the CFESA Training Program. Contributing to the advancement of the commercial kitchen service community through these scholarships and supporting their professional development journey is truly an honor.

Entries were collected online and at the companys booth throughout the conference.

The set of winners included:

Region 1: Scott Brown, Superior Service, and Misael Flores-Ramirez, Rox Services

Region 2: Gerardo Hernandez, Eichenauer Services Inc., and Nicholas Ackerland, Cones Solutions

Region 3: Cesar Acosta, Texas Restaurant Improvement, and Troy Hogoboom, Hawkins Commercial

Region 4: Chip Norwood, Norwoods Commercial Appliances, Inc., and Chris McLeod, Jones-McLeod

Region 5: Shaun Dowd, Valley Service Inc., and Roger Kauffman, EMR

For 60 years, CFESA has remained determined in its commitment to empowering entry-level technicians on their journey into the skilled trades. Our mission is to provide them with the essential fundamentals in troubleshooting and repair for the commercial cooking and refrigeration equipment industry, said Daniel Reese, Director of Training at CFESA. The generous scholarships offered by Parts Town continue to champion education and provide invaluable access to industry-specific training.

Parts Town prioritizes the needs of service technicians through streamlined part delivery methods, leading to improved initial repair success rates and reduced operational disruptions for end-users. The company is dedicated to fostering service partner collaborations, offering the essential resources, cutting-edge technology, and ready access to genuine OEM parts needed for every type of call.

There will be one more chance next month for Parts Towns CESA Region 1 members to win this year, and the company will be making the same commitment to support this community in 2024.

About Parts Town

Parts Town is the leading, technology innovation-driven distributor of genuine OEM (original equipment manufacturer) foodservice, residential appliance and HVAC equipment repair parts. When theres a hiccup with any piece of equipment, Parts Town is ready to jump in and help service technicians with the most in-stock parts on the planet, innovative technology, and an unmatched customer experience.

By partnering with the top manufacturers of foodservice, residential appliance and HVAC replacement parts, Parts Town improves the supply chain, increases sales of genuine OEM parts and keeps businesses running like clockwork. Parts Town also partners with equipment suppliers and dealers of all sizes to offer a one-stop-shop through its Parts In Town marketplace.

For more information, visit http://www.partstown.com/.

About the Commercial Food Equipment Service Association (CFESA)

The Commercial Food Equipment Service Association (CFESA) is the trade association for professional service and parts distributors. Our members stock Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts  the best for any equipment  with access to an online inventory of millions of parts. Our CFESA Certified Technicians have a higher first time fix rate and ensure our service mark for excellence.

CFESA is the official trade association for professional food service agents. Founded in 1963, CFESA sets The Standards for Service Excellence.'

For more information, visit https://cfesa.com/.

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David Claus

[email protected]

224-422-7766

Source: Parts Town
Executive brings over two decades of expertise in driving innovation and leading digital transformations

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rent Group Inc., a leading provider of integrated marketing solutions for the multi- and single-family housing industries and operator of Rent.com, ApartmentGuide.com and Rentals.com, today announced that Chris Huff has joined the company as Chief Technology Officer. Chris will helm engineering and development efforts to continuously innovate and deliver solutions that simplify the experience of connecting people and properties. He brings more than two decades of building consumer-focused mobile experiences and leading digital transformations.

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Huff will helm engineering and development efforts to continuously innovate and deliver solutions that simplify the experience of connecting people and properties. (Photo: Business Wire)

Chris is an exceptional leader with an amazing blend of technical expertise, innovation and culture building. He will be a critical catalyst for our continued success and will drive innovative solutions for Rent, said Jon Ziglar, CEO of Rent. His experience with large-scale mobile app development, machine learning and mobile technologies makes him the ideal technology leader for Rent.

Prior to joining Rent, Huff was CTO at ParkMobile, where he was responsible for both the product and technology teams, guiding the development of the most successful parking app in North America. Prior to that, his extensive career included Head of Engineering for Watson Marketing (IBM), Vice President of Mobile and Consumer App Development at The Weather Channel and senior IT leadership roles at The Home Depot. Chris holds an MBA from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia.

Im thrilled to join the Rent team and continue to build on the incredible momentum the organization has created in the last 18 months, Huff said. I look forward to working with the team to build new solutions and experiences that continue to accelerate growth and deliver on best-in-class experiences for our clients, as well as the renters who visit our sites daily.

Rent is a comprehensive technology platform focused on addressing the needs of modern multifamily marketing teams. RentMarketplace Tour Calendar is the latest feature to enhance the listing experience and offer rich insights into a listed property, joining features such as Google Aerial View, Places Nearby, Walk Score, Transit Score and Profile Sync with Google Business Profile. Rent also recently launched the multifamily industrys only automated solution for TikTok advertising and is the first and only rental marketplace network to provide access to two of the country's largest real estate sites, Redfin.com and Realtor.com.

About Rent Group Inc.

Rent Group Inc. operates The Rent. Marketing Platform, offering powerful leasing technology to simplify the entire renter experience, matching the right property with the right renter, at the right time. Through a large network of two sided marketplaces, mobile apps and partnerships, Rent. clients can reach over 350 million site visits per month. In addition, Rent. services the multifamily industry with powerful solutions such as search engine marketing, lead nurturing through chatbots and client automation tools, reputation management through ratings and reviews, as well as social media monitoring and marketing. This, paired with an optimized consumer app and site experience, enables Rent. to offer renters a comprehensive home-finding experience. Rent. exists to help people find the perfect place. Rent Group Inc., is a subsidiary of Redfin Corporation.

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Marlena DeFalco

LinnellTaylor Marketing

303.682.3943

[email protected]

Source: Rent Group Inc.
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Global Agri-Food Advancement Partnership (GAAP) and Ag-West Bio are welcoming five food innovation companies from South Africa, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Mexico to take part in the Navigate program, starting October 17th.

Navigate is organized by GAAP and supported by Ag-West Bio. The program seeks out cutting-edge technologies from around the world that align with the Canadian agri-food ecosystem.

The companies will spend time with GAAP and its partners across Canada and the US to explore how food and fermentation can achieve a greater level of efficiency, sustainability, and profitability through innovation adoption.

GAAP CEO Jay Robinson says hes thrilled to be hosting these innovative companies this fall.

In todays rapidly growing food industry, food security and streamlined supply chain management are foundational cornerstones for success. Embracing innovation while balancing industry requirements and consumer demands are the key to unlocking the abundant opportunities Canada has on the global food technology stage.

GAAP is excited to host novel food ingredient companies from around the world because we understand that capturing these opportunities in a sustainable and profitable way requires the collaboration of the best and brightest minds. Together, we can mold a future where food innovation not only tantalizes our tastebuds but also nourishes our world, ensuring a bountiful and secure global food landscape.

Karen Churchill, president and CEO of Ag-West Bio, says Bringing these diverse food companies together in Saskatoon  the heart of Canadas agricultural biosciences industry  is an opportunity for growth. We anticipate there will be a lot of ideas and information exchanged. Im sure their stories will inspire our community. As well, we are excited to show them the world-class infrastructure in our research cluster and explore the potential for collaboration.

While in Saskatchewan, participants will engage with industry members, researchers, food producers, and other collaborators, and explore how they can fit into Canadas food ecosystem. GAAP and Ag-West Bio will provide concierge meetings and guided tours of local food and fermentation facilities.

About the companies:

Creative Food Labs

Millions of tons of agricultural waste decays (or is incinerated) every year, leading to massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. Creative Food Labs upcycles agricultural waste into xylitol  a natural sugar substitute  through a low-energy fermentation process. Xylitol tastes like sugar but reduces the risk of diabetes, obesity and tooth decay. Joining us from Mexico will be Javier Larragoiti Kuri and Isabella Fernandez Klimek. https://creativefoodlabs.mx/

De Novo Foodlabs Through its proprietary precision fermentation technology, De Novo Foodlabs creates valuable compounds and nutrients that are difficult to obtain through traditional means, such as rare proteins and isolated peptides, without the need for animal agriculture. An example is NanoFerin - a revolutionary, animal-free substitute for lactoferrin (a protein found in a cows first milk) which has powerful health benefits. Joining us from South Africa are Leah Bessa and Richard Grieves. https://denovofoodlabs.com/

Ergo Bioscience is a biotech startup focused on the production of complex animal proteins through plant cell cultivation with high efficiency, with current cell lines for the expression of myoglobin for use in plant-based meat products, and caseins for use in plant-based dairy products. Joining us from Argentina will be Alejandro Barbarini. https://ergofoods.com/

Food4You develops unique bacteria combinations for fermentation that are optimized and quicker than commercial options. The customized bacterial cultures are used to optimize plant ingredient bases for yogurt, cheeses, dips or bean flours. Food4Yous goal is to unlock access to a wider choice of nutritious and robust plant-based food products, using unique starter cultures and probiotics. Joining us from Argentina is Francisco Garbagnoli. https://food4you.bio/

NoPalm Ingredients harnesses fermentation to produce high quality oils and fats from agri-food waste streams, such as potato peels, rejected vegetables or any other biomass that contains either sugar, fatty acids, or alcohols, for use in food, cosmetics, and home care products. Their products are perfect substitutes to palm and other vegetable oils. Joining us from the Netherlands is Allard Langenhuijsen. https://www.nopalm-ingredients.com/

If you are interested in meeting with any of these companies, please contact [email protected].

About the Global Agri-Food Advancement Partnership (GAAP)

GAAP is a privately run and operated agri-food investment incubator looking for cutting-edge technologies from early and rapid-growth companies seeking to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability within the global agriculture and food sector. www.gaapvc.com

About Ag-West Bio

Ag-West Bio is Saskatchewans bioscience industry association. The company works as a catalyst for industry growth in the bioeconomy through investments, aiding strategic alliances, and providing business planning support, regulatory advice, and communications. Funding for Ag-West Bio is provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canadas Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program. www.agwest.sk.ca

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Grayson Berting

GAAP Marketing and Communications Manager

[email protected]

306 231-6468

Source: Ag-West Bio
Partnership provides technical assistance to incorporate California state Medicaid program billing functions for behavioral health services into the School District

SOLEDAD, Calif. & BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Soledad Unified School District (Soledad USD) has teamed up with Intrepid Ascent to explore the implications of incorporating Medi-Cal billing functions into the existing Soledad USD infrastructure as part of the Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP).

Soledad USD is participating in SBHIP, funded by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), to build infrastructure and capacity for Medi-Cal billing. SBHIP is a $389 million program designated over a three-year period (January 1, 2022December 31, 2024) for incentive payments to Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) that meet predefined goals and metrics. SBHIP goals and metrics are associated with targeted interventions that increase access to preventive, early intervention, and behavioral health services by school-affiliated behavioral health providers for TK12 children in public schools.

It is with great pleasure that we have had the opportunity to partner with Intrepid Ascent to fully evaluate our internal processes and procedures for Medi-Cal billing, said Soledad USD Superintendent Randy Bangs. We hold student services of the utmost importance, and to Soledad USD, it is critical to continuously evaluate current processes and procedures to ensure they meet the current needs of our students. We are confident that with this current partnership, we will have additional guidance to potentially make necessary changes that will allow us to expand our services to students.

Intrepid Ascent supports Soledad USD in two targeted interventions that have been approved under the SBHIP pilot project: (1) implementing information technology and processes for billing behavioral health services and (2) enhancing appropriate behavioral health screenings and referrals by streamlining workflow processes and training school-affiliated behavioral health providers.

Intrepid Ascent has been engaged to assist Soledad USD with exploring the implications of incorporating Medi-Cal billing functions for behavioral health services into the existing enterprise. This activity will include the evaluation of systems, processes, staffing, and data governance framework; an assessment of the current state and future workflow needs of referral pathways; and provide technical assistance for the implementation of Medi-Cals behavioral health screening tool.

Intrepid Ascent is excited to partner with Soledad USD on this engagement and the larger effort to empower the education sector to better serve their students and students families through cross-sector partnerships, said Mark Elson, Ph.D., CEO of Intrepid Ascent.

About Intrepid Ascent

Intrepid Ascent partners with clients in a collaborative ecosystem approach that intersects policy, technology, and change management for lasting progress. We guide whole-person care initiatives across the country with our population health and cross-sector expertise. For more information about Intrepid Ascent, please visit www.intrepidascent.com.

About Soledad Unified

Every member of the Soledad Unified School District team actively works to create the conditions for student success and contribute to a positive learning environment. We commit every day to nurturing the unique skills and abilities of every student, and we work as a collaborative team within each school site and our greater learning community to achieve our vision. For more information about Soledad Unified, please contact Brad Smith, Director of Student and Family Services [email protected].

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017595585/en/

Intrepid Ascent

Alexandra Milutin, Business Development Manager

[email protected]

Source: Intrepid Ascent
VicOne joins Trend Micros Zero Day Initiative in staging first-of-its-kind contest offering cash and prizes of more than $1 million

DALLAS & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VicOne, an automotive cybersecurity solutions leader, today announced it is co-hosting the first-ever Pwn2Own Automotive 2024 contest, the worlds only event of its kind to focus on uncovering and rectifying vulnerabilities in technologies for connected cars. Tesla is Pwn2Own Automotives title sponsor.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017462577/en/

Modern cars are a complex system of systems with an increased attack surface. To find the latest vulnerabilities and exploit techniques, VicOne is co-hosting with ZDI the first ever Pwn2Own Automotive competition in Tokyo, Japan, January 24-26, 2024. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Pwn2Own Automotive is scheduled for Jan. 24-26, 2024, at Automotive World in Tokyo. Participants will compete for more than $1 million in cash and prizes in the contest drawing on VicOnes uncommon understanding of vehicular systems and the associated digital infrastructure, plus Trend Micro Incorporateds proven Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) platform, the worlds largest vendor-agnostic bug bounty program.

"Pwn2Own Automotive would not exist without VicOne, said Brian Gorenc, vice president of threat research at Trend Micro Incorporated. VicOne provides expertise and well-founded insights in terms of the true attack surface and threats for specific connected-car components, and then how we can potentially expose that information to security researchers for them to make meaningful progress on addressing them. VicOnes unmatched experience in this space is key for our credibility with the automotive industry in demonstrating that we are doing real research against real problemsas opposed to stunt hacking of limited business value.

Pwn2Own Automotive participants will compete in four categories: Tesla, In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI), Electric Vehicle Chargers and Operating Systems. A successful entry must leverage a newly discovered vulnerability to modify the standard execution path of a connected-car program or process, in order to allow the execution of arbitrary instructions. The vulnerabilities utilized in the attack must be previously unknown, unpublished and/or unreported. ChargePoint, a leading provider of networked solutions for charging electric vehicles, will provide hardware to the Pwn2Own Automotive facility. VicOne engineers will work onsite at Pwn2Own Automotive to help prepare targets, evaluate entries and carry out the disclosure process so that remediations can begin quickly and applied to real-world products.

We are thrilled to have Tesla as title sponsor for Pwn2Own Automotive, hosted by VicOne and Trend Micros ZDI, said Max Cheng, chief executive officer of VicOne. Through this program with ZDI, VicOne is leading vulnerability discovery ahead of the future attacks on connected cars. Activities like this one are crucial for preparing the global automotive industry to anticipate and gird for the evolving threat landscape.

Contest registration is due Jan. 18, 2024, and requires submission of a white paper detailing the exploit chain and the entrys run instructions. Remote participation is available. Full Pwn2Own Automotive rules are available at www.zerodayinitiative.com/Pwn2OwnAuto2024Rules.html.

VicOne at Auto-ISAC Cybersecurity Summit

Underscoring its leadership in automotive cybersecurity, VicOne, a strategic partner of Auto-ISAC, is showcasing the latest solutions for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers in Booth 19 at the 2023 Auto-ISAC Cybersecurity Summit, October 17-18 in Torrance, California. During the event, on Wednesday, October 18 at 9:4010:25 AM PDT, Niraj Kaushik VicOnes Managing Director for North America is hosting a panel on Rethinking VSOC: Vehicle Cybersecurity Lifecycle Management - Is It Enough? with guest speakers:

Saritha Auti, CISO, UD Trucks

Ravi Puvvala, Advisory Board Member, Fleet Defender, and Auto-ISAC Board of Directors Member

Brandon Barry, CEO, Block Harbor

Max Cheng, CEO, VicOne

"The Auto-ISAC welcomes the active role of VicOne in our 7th Annual Cybersecurity Summit, our biggest event of the year which draws cyber experts from around the globe, said Faye Francy, Executive Director of the Auto-ISAC. VicOne provides cybersecurity solutions that support a vehicle's whole life cycle, as well as vast network operations, so their knowledge and expertise is important to our community focusing on connected, autonomous, shared and electrified security through presentations and panels."

About VicOne

With a vision to secure the vehicles of tomorrow, VicOne delivers a broad portfolio of cybersecurity software and services for the automotive industry. Purpose-built to address the rigorous needs of automotive manufacturers, VicOne solutions are designed to secure and scale with the specialized demands of the modern vehicle. As a Trend Micro subsidiary, VicOne is powered by a solid foundation in cybersecurity drawn from Trend Micro's 30+ years in the industry, delivering unparalleled automotive protection and deep security insights that enable our customers to build secure as well as smart vehicles. For more information, visit www.vicone.com.

# # #

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017462577/en/

U.S. Media Contact:

Vivian Kelly Interprose for VicOne

+1 703.509.5412

[email protected]

Source: VicOne
PANAMA CITY, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The strategy is simple: Charge less, give more.

That is the message Tyndall Federal Credit Union Board Chairwoman Frances Martin recently brought to the Credit Union National Association Board Roundtable in Chicago.

Tyndall, a 67-year-old credit union based in Panama City, Florida, has shared more profits with its members over the last 5 years than any other credit union in the country, a total of more than $62,000,000. They are giving back $22,000,000 in 2023 alone.

During this time of economic uncertainty, Tyndall has eliminated many of its most common member fees and now charges $28 per member per year vs. $78 at their peer (Source Callahan & Associates).

Credit Unions were created in 1934 to help everyday people save money and facilitate their lives, Martin said. And Tyndall is a low-income designated credit union, which means our first thought should always be, How can we help our members keep money in their pocket and build the life they want?

Tyndalls board is highly focused on creating and sustaining meaningful value for its membership. Tyndall has continued to leverage its tax benefit and co-operative structure, while at the same time keeping member fees and operating costs low. These measures help drive the CUs profit sharing givebacks.

Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations, but that doesnt mean we dont make a profit, said Jim Warren, chief executive officer at Tyndall. Its what we do with that profit that matters.

The Tyndall Giveback is awarded based on member activities like using direct deposit or electronic services such as online banking. The more goals the member achieves, the larger the giveback.

I think about that single mom. I think about the young family. I think about those retirees, Martin said. And its obvious. They have trusted us with their money. Honoring them with this giveback is the least we can do.

Learn more about the Tyndall Giveback at Tyndall.org/Giveback.

About Tyndall Federal Credit Union

Tyndall Federal Credit Union was founded in 1956 to help its members reach their financial goals. Its first office was on Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, but today Tyndall serves more than 113,000 members from all walks of life.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017599617/en/

Jason Newman, VP of Marketing

[email protected]

850-896-7806

Source: Tyndall Federal Credit Union
COASTALUME product was jointly designed to withstand challenges associated with Americas coastal environment

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) (U. S. Steel) and DuPont (NYSE: DD) today launched a new product, COASTALUME, North Americas first GALVALUME solution engineered and warrantied for coastal environments. Marking a collaboration of two iconic American industrial companies, the new COASTALUME product combines the strength and self-healing characteristics of U. S. Steels GALVALUME  solution with DuPonts Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film barrier that helps resist saltwater corrosion, UV damage, cracking, impact, and more. The jointly designed product is exclusively available through U. S. Steel.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016932620/en/

Today, nearly 40% of Americans live in coastal counties and increasingly face unpredictability and damage caused by environmental factors like hurricane force winds and saltwater spray. By combining these two materials for the first time, U. S. Steel and DuPont have built a maintenance-free roofing solution that offers a level of durability and reliability needed in residential and commercial construction along the coast. The product features a best-in-class coastal warranty and a timeless aesthetic, including a wide variety of color and finish options, to attract builders, architects, and homeowners alike.

Steel is infinitely recyclable, unlike other building materials, and our steel is mined, melted and made here in America, said Robert Kopf, Vice President Sales and Marketing, at U. S. Steel. With our new product COASTALUME, we combined our steel with the proven performance and durability of DuPont Tedlar  PVF film, and fully address the unique needs of coastal construction, which must withstand the toll that wind and saltwater inflict over time.

Applied directly to the steel coil, Tedlar film excels in resisting sea water and salt spray, maintaining color integrity, even in prolonged sun exposure. Available in over 30 different colors, including metallics, wood grains, and stone finishes, its combination of durability and versatility is unmatched.

DuPont invented Tedlar over six decades ago, and today it remains the industry gold standard in protection because of its flexibility, durability, and reliability, said Matt Urfali, Vice President Sales and Marketing, DuPont Tedlar . Tedlars performance and ease of maintenance have rightfully driven several exciting applications over the years, including use by the solar industry, aerospace, and even NASA. Now, by combining the resilience and flexibility of Tedlar with the strength of U. S. Steels GALVALUME  solution, this is the next breakthrough for the demanding construction market along the coast.

COASTALUMEs best-in-in-class coastal warranty covers roofing and siding products installed up to 300 feet from breaking surf, large bays, marshes, and other coastlines. The exclusive warranty also covers up to 50 years for finish warranty and 25 years for substrate- another industry best.

DuPont and U. S. Steel have more than 340 years of combined science and manufacturing experience in the United States. The COASTALUME product will be unveiled at the 2023 METALCON Industry Trade Show, being held October 18-20 in Las Vegas, NV, by representatives from both U. S. Steel and DuPont. U. S. Steels GALVALUME  solution is a registered trademark of BIEC International Inc.

About U. S. Steel

Founded in 1901, United States Steel Corporation is a leading steel producer. With an unwavering focus on safety, the Companys customer-centric Best for All strategy is advancing a more secure, sustainable future for U. S. Steel and its stakeholders. With a renewed emphasis on innovation, U. S. Steel serves the automotive, construction, appliance, energy, containers, and packaging industries with high value-added steel products such as U. S. Steels proprietary XG3 advanced high-strength steel. The Company also maintains competitively advantaged iron ore production and has an annual raw steelmaking capability of 22.4 million net tons. U. S. Steel is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with world-class operations across the United States and in Central Europe. For more information, please visit www.ussteel.com.

About DuPont

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. Tedlar represents a portfolio of product solutions with over 60 years of service to the solar, aerospace, building & construction and many other markets. Tedlar films provide superior surface protection for a variety of materials and industries, including construction, signage & graphics, transportation, healthcare and wallcoverings. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com and www.tedlar.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016932620/en/

Amanda Malkowski

U. S. Steel Media Relations Manager

Corporate Communications

T - (412) 736-2475

E - [email protected]

Mary Ellen Broderick

DuPont Marketing Communications & Media Manager

Corporate Communications

T-(248) 243-1761

[email protected]

Source: United States Steel Corporation
The 2.3 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip are facing the launch of an imminent ground invasion announced by the Israeli army after Israel on Friday ordered the population in the north of the Palestinian enclave to evacuate to the south. The U.N. has confirmed that at least 600,000 Palestinians, out of a population of 1.1 million in northern Gaza, have already fled their homes to seek refuge and escape an assault that has been preceded by heavy aerial bombardment after the fundamentalist group Hamas attacked Israeli territory on October 7, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping around 200. Meanwhile, the only border crossing not controlled by Israel  the Rafah crossing, which connects Gaza with Egypt  remains closed to refugees and humanitarian aid. More than 2,800 Gazans have so far been killed in the shelling, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

What is happening in Gaza?

Israel on Friday ordered all residents of northern Gaza to move south of the Wadi Gaza River, ahead of a military operation by land, sea and air was announced by an Israeli army spokesman. At least 600,000 Palestinians have since left their homes in the northern part of the enclave, according to the U.N., whose secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, has described the exodus as extremely dangerous and, in some cases, simply impossible. Hamas, for its part, has urged residents to stay in their homes and dismissed the Israeli order as propaganda aimed at confusing citizens and breaking internal Palestinian cohesion.

Since October 7, when Hamas  considered a terrorist organization by the EU and the U.S.  attacked southern Israel, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has imposed a complete siege on Gaza. The blockade of the enclave includes cutting off supplies of water, electricity, food and fuel.

The siege, the massive displacement order and the more than 6,000 bombs dropped by Israel since the day of the Hamas attack, have turned Gaza into a trap. The enclaves two main border crossings  Erez, under Israeli control, and Rafah, managed by Egypt  are closed to people and humanitarian aid. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering in Gazas 92 U.N. schools and in hospitals that are on the verge of running out of fuel to power the generators that provide electricity to keep incubators and ventilators running.

What does Israel intend to do in Gaza?

Israel has announced its intention to completely destroy the government and military capacity of Hamas and the terrorist organizations and has deployed a large number of troops on Gazas borders. In addition to the Israeli regular army, which is estimated at 160,000 troops, the Israeli government has mobilized 300,000 reservists.

Israel has conducted a massive bombardment of Gaza, especially the outskirts of Gaza City, in what is interpreted as an attempt to pave the way for the entry of its forces. Images show entire streets razed to the ground. The order to the population to move south indicates that the Israeli army has no intention of occupying all of Gaza. Nor does anything indicate that Israel intends to hold the territory, which it unilaterally abandoned in 2005, under indefinite control: a new occupation would be costly in economic, political, and diplomatic terms and in Israeli lives. Gideon Saar, a minister without portfolio in the national unity government formed on October 11, has already announced that Gaza must be smaller at the end of the war, alluding to the establishment of a security zone between the Palestinian enclave and Israel to prevent attacks like the one on October 7.

What are the difficulties of a ground invasion?

A ground operation in Gaza is very complicated. As demonstrated in cities such as Aleppo, Syria, urban warfare allows an initially weaker opponent  such as the armed wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades  to defend itself in the short and medium term, even against a very powerful conventional force such as the Israeli army.

An abundance of hiding places and parapets, which provide cover for snipers and ambushes, the effectiveness of guerrilla warfare in streets and buildings or rubble, the greater knowledge of the terrain and the network of 500 kilometers of subterranean tunnels under Hamas control make Israel aware that this ground operation will probably entail a large number of casualties. The use of weapons such as heavy artillery against urban environments densely populated by civilians signifies another red line that Israel is already crossing, according to human rights organizations: international humanitarian law prevents the targeting of civilians.

Hamas militiamen are in high spirits after their unexpected success on October 7. One of the central aspects of their ideology is also the cult of martyrdom; they have carried out several suicide attacks in the past. An adversary who is not afraid to die is considerably more dangerous.

What are Israels chances of wiping out Hamas?

Israel has already announced the deaths of some Hamas military commanders in the bombings in Gaza. However, wiping out the organizations leadership and ending its dominance over the territory is a complicated task. Israel has shown no signs of wanting to occupy Gaza, so it is foreseeable that the groups leaders will take refuge in the south, where the Israeli army has ordered the civilian population to settle. Although on a lesser scale than in the past, Hamas continues to have popular support in Gaza and the West Bank. In May, the Islamic Bloc, Hamass student organization, swept the elections for student councils at major West Bank universities, now the only democratic institutions in Palestine. The group also has foreign support and funding from Qatar and Iran, and it is not out of the question that it will rebuild its leadership if its current members are killed.

What did Hamas intend with its attack?

With its offensive, the success of which surprised even its own leaders, Hamas probably intended not only to deal a severe blow to the security of the Israeli state and the confidence of its citizens in the government, but also to present itself to Palestinian public opinion as the dominant political actor, in contrast to the discredited Palestinian National Authority, which governs the West Bank, and which has proven helpless in the face of an Israeli occupation tolerated by the international community. The aggressive policy of expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank promoted by the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu explains in large part why this year has been the deadliest in history for Palestinians living in this Israeli-occupied territory. In September, Save the Children put the number of children killed by Israeli forces so far this year at 38, the worst figure ever recorded.

Many analysts have speculated that Hamas, one of whose allies and financiers is Iran, may also have intended this attack to send a message to Saudi Arabia in order to derail the establishment of relations between the great Sunni power and Israel, which was almost being taken for granted. The capture of hostages as bargaining chips for the approximately 6,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails was another of their motivations, as the militia has stated. Among these prisoners, several hundred are in administrative detention without charge or trial, and about 200 of them are minors. The issue of prisoners is one of the most sensitive for Palestinian society.
Automating the complicated payment billing and acceptance operations by linkage to PPCBank accounts in Cambodia

Supporting real-time computer and mobile device-based operations including bill issuance, deposit status identification, and business report check

WeBill365 will be launched in Vietnam within the year following Cambodia, aiming to enter Thai and Indonesian markets in 2024

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Webcash Global (CEO Lee Sil-kwon) announced the launch of WeBill365, a payment billing and acceptance service, in Cambodia.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016328342/en/

WeBill365 launched by Webcash Global in Cambodia will automate the complicated payment billing and acceptance operation for businesses in Cambodia (Graphic: Webcash Global)

WeBill365 is a solution to automate complicated payment billing and acceptance operations for Cambodian businesses. It was launched for large-scale B2C businesses handling operations to bill and receive tuitions, building rentals and communication service fees, etc. Businesses can create virtual accounts and send bills to a large number of customers with a single click, and customers can conveniently make payments using their mobile devices by scanning the KHQR (universal QR platform for Cambodia) issued through text messages, emails, and Telegram.

WeBill365, which is available on desktop and mobile apps, enables real-time operation processing. The complicated operations ranging from bill preparation and issuance to deposit status identification and business report check can be handled conveniently anytime, anywhere.

It is also linked freely with the ERP system. Offering an open API to update the payment receipt details in the ERP system, shortens operators working hours and reduces errors.

Webcash Global CEO Lee Sil-kwon said, WeBill365, a service for response to the B2C needs of educational, communication, rental, and various other businesses, maximizes convenience and efficiency of both businesses and consumers in Cambodia. Moving forward, we will dedicate our utmost effort to more efficiently connecting Cambodian businesses, consumers, financial institutes, etc., and contributing to the fintech industry development in Cambodia.

Following Cambodia, Webcash Global plans to launch WeBill365 in Vietnam within the year and enter Thailand and Indonesia in 2024.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016328342/en/

Webcash Group

Ms. Oanh Manager

+84-028-7300-1660

[email protected]

Eunji Kim Manager

+84-028-7300-1661

[email protected]

Source: Webcash Group
New, secure way to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrency

TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In an exciting new venture, WeStreet Credit Union has announced a new Crypto Portal for users to buy, sell and hold their digital currency. The portal was launched in August as an exclusive members-only feature and became available to the public this month.

Cryptocurrency is a general term for any decentralized digital currency, like Bitcoin or Ethereum. These cryptocurrencies are maintained by a peer-to-peer network of computers on a public ledger called blockchain. In the past, crypto was most often traded via unregulated online exchanges. While digital-only exchanges often come with a risk for users, WeStreets Crypto Portal aims to change that.

At WeStreet, we always keep our community, their needs, and their financial goals top of mind. Right now, many of our members and the broader community are looking for an accessible, all-in-one way to invest in cryptocurrency, said WeStreet Credit Union President and CEO Greg Gallant. We want to empower users and make sure they feel confident in their cryptocurrency ventures, and we believe our Crypto Portal is the best solution on the market for our community.

Unlike unregulated digital-only exchanges, WeStreet Credit Union is a traditional, federally regulated credit union staffed by member service professionals, providing financial products designed to meet the needs of its members. WeStreet has partnered with a Qualified Crypto Custodian, which is a Trust company, providing users with a way to manage cryptocurrency assets through their online banking app. Many digital-only exchanges are unregulated, which has been a major cause of billions of dollars of cryptocurrency being lost in recent years. By using a combination of best-in-class systems, the regulated custodian WeStreet has partnered undergoes financial and technology audits, to ensure users digital assets are protected.

We also independently monitor crypto balances with our qualified custodian several times a day and immediately work to resolve any discrepancies if any do appear," said Gallant.

WeStreet also utilizes an audited ledger to keep track of customers crypto assets and monitor their account activities, which allows the credit union to better serve users by quickly addressing and resolving any issues or discrepancies. Users will always have access to their funds to purchase, sell, and hold at any time, empowering them to make informed financial decisions that best serve their needs.

A variety of the most popular and highly circulated coins are available for purchase on the platform, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Stellar. Coins Avalanche and Chainlink will be added to the platform in late October.

More information on the Crypto Portal can be found at westreet.org/crypto-portal.

About WeStreet Credit Union

WeStreet Credit Union was established in 1943 on the philosophy of people helping people. Today, WeStreet has grown to over 56,000 members, $970+ million in assets, more than 200 employees, and serves 11 Northeast Oklahoma counties with 14 convenient locations. WeStreet Credit Union is a community-minded financial institution focused on serving and enriching the lives of others. By creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere, WeStreet helps neighbors become members and members become family. For more information about WeStreet Credit Union, visit westreet.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017076995/en/

Jenny Berry

[email protected]

918-691-0750

Source: WeStreet Credit Union
The Clean Water Challenge illustrates the importance of water filtration and reuse for ocean animals

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Xylem will debut an interactive game at Georgia Aquariums Ocean Voyager exhibit on October 17, 2023. As visitors check out the whale sharks 6.3-million-gallon home in Atlanta, theyll also learn about the essential sand filtration and water reuse technology at the aquarium thanks to the Clean Water Challenge game.

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Xylem debuts the Clean Water Challenge game at Georgia Aquariums Ocean Voyager exhibit today to illustrate the importance of sand filtration and water reuse technology for ocean animals. (Photo: Business Wire)

Following a series of on-screen prompts, visitors must repair a virtual exhibit to save whale sharks, manta rays and hundreds of fish. Participants build the proper filtration system to achieve optimal water quality levels. Visitors will learn how sand filtration is safe for the animals and provides a level of water quality closest to their natural habitat.

Xylems Neptune Benson sand filters used in the exhibits provide critical filtration to remove particulates from the water, establish a healthy balance of bacteria and create a safe habitat for more than 40 species. Water is continuously recirculated through the sand filters in each of the exhibits, allowing Georgia Aquarium to reduce its overall water consumption and reuse the majority of the 11 million gallons of water found in the facility.

We seek to educate and engage our visitors using various experiences that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the animals in our care, said Hiroshi Okuda, Senior Director of Strategic Marketing & Corporate Partnerships at Georgia Aquarium. Our relationship with Xylem and the Clean Water Challenge game enables us to teach our patrons about how clean, sustainable water is an essential part of our animal care.

Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit scientific institution that provides industry-leading aquatic research, conservation efforts, and exceptional care of its animals. The facility conducts crucial research by working with animals, both in the aquarium and in their natural habitats, to develop new standards of care and veterinary practices.

The Clean Water Challenge game provides a fun, interactive way to inform visitors about the direct impact water quality and filtration have on aquatic life in an aquarium environment, said Scott Holzborn, Vice President and General Manager of the Disinfection and Aquatics Division at Xylem. The water filtration ecosystem is central to the animals well-being and we are excited to team up with Georgia Aquarium to help educate people about reducing the impact on water the worlds most valuable resource.

Visitors can play the Clean Water Challenge game and check out Georgia Aquarium year round.

About Xylem

Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company committed to solving the world's critical water, wastewater, and water-related challenges through technology, innovation, and expertise. Our more than 22,000 diverse employees delivered combined pro forma revenue of $7.3 billion in 2022. We are creating a more sustainable world by enabling our customers to optimize water and resource management and helping communities in more than 150 countries become water-secure. Join us in the effort at www.xylem.com and Let's Solve Water.

About Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium is a leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Ga. that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Georgia Aquarium is committed to working on behalf of all marine life through education, preservation, exceptional animal care, and research across the globe. Georgia Aquarium continues its mission each day to inspire, educate, and entertain its millions of guests about the aquatic biodiversity throughout the world through its engaging exhibits and tens of thousands of animals across its eight major galleries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017736676/en/

Kim Genardo

+1 (919) 417-2760

[email protected]

Source: Xylem
Excelerate Energy, Inc. (NYSE: EE) (Excelerate or the Company) announced today that the Company and Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) signed a ten-year contract to charter the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Sequoia. Under the Time Charter Party and Operation and Services Agreement (collectively, the Agreement), which will commence on January 1, 2024, Excelerate will continue to deploy the Sequoia to provide regasification services in Brazil, primarily at the Bahia Regasification Terminal (TR-BA) in Salvador, Bahia.

Brazil is an excellent market. This Agreement is an important step in furthering Excelerates long-term sustainable growth plan in South America, said Steven Kobos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Excelerate. Deploying the Sequoia for 10 more years will position Excelerate well to support Brazils efforts to strengthen its energy security. We have been a reliable partner to Petrobras for more than a decade, and we are committed to maintaining that partnership and supporting the energy transition for all Brazilians.

Since 2012, Excelerate has provided regasification services in Brazil at Petrobrass LNG import terminals. In addition to the Sequoia, Excelerates FSRU Experience is currently providing regasification services in Brazil. Maintaining a continued presence in the Brazilian market is a fundamental part of Excelerates strategic position as a reliable backstop to the country's energy system for which intermittent renewable energy contributes approximately 85 percent.

This Agreement highlights Excelerate Energys commitment to using its flexible FSRU fleet to enhance energy security and reliability for its customers around the world. The deal also expands the Companys core regasification business, which allows for increased visibility to predictable near-term and long-term earnings and cash flows.

ABOUT EXCELERATE ENERGY

Excelerate Energy, Inc. is a U.S.-based LNG company located in The Woodlands, Texas. Excelerate is changing the way the world accesses cleaner forms of energy by providing integrated services along the LNG value chain with the objective of delivering rapid-to-market and reliable LNG solutions to customers. The Company offers a full range of flexible regasification services from FSRUs to infrastructure development to LNG supply. Excelerate has offices in Abu Dhabi, Antwerp, Boston, Buenos Aires, Chattogram, Dhaka, Doha, Dubai, Helsinki, Manila, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, and Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.excelerateenergy.com.
By Nicole Jao

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday as investors wait to see if U.S. diplomatic efforts and a trip by President Joe Biden to Israel will prevent the conflict in the Middle East from widening.

Brent crude futures settled up 25 cents to $89.90 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) was unchanged at $86.66.

Oil prices fell earlier in the session when Richmond Federal Reserve Bank chief Thomas Barkin said that higher long-term U.S. borrowing costs are putting downward pressure on demand but it was unclear how that will affect the central bank's rates decision in three weeks.

Interest rate hikes to curb inflation can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

Both oil benchmarks rallied last week on fears that the Israel-Hamas conflict could widen into the oil-producing region. Global benchmark Brent gained 7.5% in its largest weekly gain since February.

Biden's visit to Israel on Wednesday will seek to balance showing support for Israel's war on Hamas and trying to rally Arab states to help prevent a regional conflict, after OPEC-member Iran pledged "pre-emptive action" from the "resistance front" of its allies that include the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

"Oil prices are wavering as energy traders await to see if the U.S. diplomatic efforts will be successful in preventing the Israel-Hamas conflict from turning into a wider regional war," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA.

Providing some support to prices, U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in September as households stepped up purchases of motor vehicles and spent more at restaurants and bars.

Weighing on prices with the possibility of increased supply, Venezuela's government and opposition are set to resume long-suspended talks on Tuesday, which could lead to Washington easing sanctions, multiple sources said.

Since 2019, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on oil exports from Venezuela, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), to punish President Nicolas Maduro's government following elections in 2018 that Washington considered a sham.

The U.S. government has been seeking ways to increase the flow of oil to world markets to alleviate high prices. But any real oil output increase by Venezuela will take time because of a lack of investment.

Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser said the world's biggest oil company could ramp up production within weeks if needed.

Nasser said global oil demand was set to rise to 103 million barrels per day (bpd) in the second half of this year while the company's spare capacity is 3 million bpd.

"The market is really tight right now and that's why we're so nervous," Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group, said.

"Even if OPEC raised production, the most they could raise production is by 3 million barrels a day. That's a scary number," Flynn said.

OPEC+, which comprises OPEC countries and leading allies including Russia, has cut output since last year in what it says is pre-emptive action to maintain market stability.

On U.S. supply, industry data showed crude stocks fell by about 4.4 million barrels in the week ended Oct. 13, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. [API/S]

Seven analysts polled by Reuters estimated on average that crude inventories fell by 300,000 barrels in the week to Oct. 13.

(Reporting by Nicole Jao in New York; Additional reporting by Paul Carsten in London and Sudarshan Varadhan in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy, Barbara Lewis and David Gregorio)
Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS), an audience-driven technology company empowering automotive, today announced a new enterprise brand name. The company is uniting its various commercial brand names under Cars Commerce and doubling down on its platform strategy to better connect the industry with a simplified and tierless technology that spans pretail, retail and post-sale activities.

"The automotive industry has two critical, yet solvable, issues that directly impact the consumer: unnecessary complexity within retail operations and a battle between OEMs and retailers for customer control," said Alex Vetter , chief executive officer of Cars Commerce. "Cars Commerce brings consumers, OEMs, retailers and lenders together to speed up operations, deliver more sales at greater profitability and reduce a dealer's turn time by up to 20%."

Cars Commerce remains focused on simplifying car buying and selling by eliminating complexity and increasing transparency throughout the local retail experience, where sales and service are best facilitated.

The new enterprise brand name comes with a streamlined and interconnected portfolio organized by four core capabilities:

Marketplace: Central to the platform is Cars.com, the No. 1 most recognized marketplace brand. Its role is critical to the pretail experience, allowing OEMs and retailers to merchandise inventory and promote their unique brand experience to 27 million in-market shoppers each month. Integrated into the marketplace is the company's reputation technology that powers more than 13 million consumer reviews, making it the largest review platform in the industry, as well as digital financing and trade-in capabilities that speed transaction time with local retailers.



Central to the platform is Cars.com, the No. 1 most recognized marketplace brand. Its role is critical to the pretail experience, allowing OEMs and retailers to merchandise inventory and promote their unique brand experience to 27 million in-market shoppers each month. Integrated into the marketplace is the company's reputation technology that powers more than 13 million consumer reviews, making it the largest review platform in the industry, as well as digital financing and trade-in capabilities that speed transaction time with local retailers. Digital Experience: The marketplace audience is often driven directly into the retail experience through the platform's websites and solutions. Industry-leading brand Dealer Inspire is a preferred provider with nearly every OEM, and for good reason: Dealer Inspire websites and technology include integrated reviews, AI-powered chat tools, instant financing, vehicle acquisition technology, and a lightning-fast user experience, turning browsers into buyers.



The marketplace audience is often driven directly into the retail experience through the platform's websites and solutions. Industry-leading brand Dealer Inspire is a preferred provider with nearly every OEM, and for good reason: Dealer Inspire websites and technology include integrated reviews, AI-powered chat tools, instant financing, vehicle acquisition technology, and a lightning-fast user experience, turning browsers into buyers. Trade & Appraisal: Integrated into both the Cars.com marketplace and Dealer Inspire websites is Accu-Trade, a powerful data and technology provider that puts the right valuation on any vehicle every time. Nearly half of car buyers have a trade-in prior to purchase, and Accu-Trade speeds transaction time by enabling digital instant offers for consumers and equipping everyone in the dealership with turnkey and transparent acquisition solutions that complete an appraisal in under five minutes. Through nearly 600,000 appraisals completed this year, Accu-Trade has identified more than $30 million of potential savings in appraisal losses for dealers while consistently offering consumers the best prices for their used cars.



Integrated into both the marketplace and Dealer Inspire websites is Accu-Trade, a powerful data and technology provider that puts the right valuation on any vehicle every time. Nearly half of car buyers have a trade-in prior to purchase, and Accu-Trade speeds transaction time by enabling digital instant offers for consumers and equipping everyone in the dealership with turnkey and transparent acquisition solutions that complete an appraisal in under five minutes. Through nearly 600,000 appraisals completed this year, Accu-Trade has identified more than of potential savings in appraisal losses for dealers while consistently offering consumers the best prices for their used cars. Media: Cars Commerce Media Network is a new brand that unifies all of the company's media products, including Cars Social, FUEL IMV and its national advertising solutions. As the industry spends billions of dollars guessing which audiences are in-market for a vehicle, the company's new retail media network empowers OEMs and retailers to reach proven in-market consumers while they are shopping. Cars Commerce inventory search ads drive a 56% lower cost-per-lead compared to Google, and when combining its video, social and display media products together customers gain a 32% increase in direct referrals to dealer websites.

"We have built a platform with a differentiated and powerful combination of audience, reviews and content, technology and data  and there's a word for it: Commerce," said Vetter. "Cars Commerce affirms our strategic evolution and signals our continued commitment to unite the industry with a connected platform of technology solutions."

The Cars Commerce brand and new visual identity system was created by FutureBrand , IPG's brand-led business transformation agency. For more information about Cars Commerce and its connected platform capabilities, visit: www.carscommerce.inc.
HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a $244 million task order to integrate Minotaur software products into maritime platforms for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.

HII was awarded this contract under the Department of Defense (DoD) Information Analysis Centers (IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle. IAC MAC task orders are awarded by the U.S. Air Force's 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the Defense Technical Information Center repository and the research and development and science and technology community.

Under the Naval Air Systems Command task order, HII will perform research, development, test and evaluation to facilitate the integration of Minotaur Family of Services products into the services maritime platforms to meet intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance warfighting requirements.

Minotaur products support the warfighter by enhancing sensor performance and presenting data from multiple types of sensors, including radar and C5ISR equipment, into a single common operating picture and transmitting that data to other platforms and units during operations.

HII has been the first and only industry prime developer of Minotaur since the program was first awarded to industry in 2020.

The contract has a five-year period of performance, with work conducted at contractor facilities in various U.S. locations.

HII has been at the forefront of Minotaur software development for nearly a decade, said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of Mission Technologies. Its a privilege to continue this mission-critical work and to concurrently deliver the advantage to three branches of the Armed Forces.

We are pleased that the Navy has selected this proven technology to meet the combined requirements of next-generation Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard ISR platforms, said Todd Gentry, president of Mission Technologies C5ISR business group. We have assembled an outstanding team and look forward to expanding our longstanding partnership with the Navy and supporting the tri-service maritime strategy.

For more information about HIIs C5ISR capabilities, visit: https://hii.com/what-we-do/capabilities/c5isr/.
Metals Acquisition Limited (NYSE: MTAL) (MAC or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into subscription agreements with certain existing and new accredited investors to sell and issue an aggregate of 1,827,096 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, (the Ordinary Shares) of the Company at a price of $11.00 per Ordinary Share, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $20 million through a private placement financing (the Private Placement). Settlement and issue of new Ordinary Shares will occur shortly.

The net proceeds from the financing will be used to accelerate exploration drilling and mine development at the CSA copper mine, for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Mick McMullen, CEO of MAC commented We are accelerating the implementation of many of the opportunities we have identified during the first three months of ownership of the CSA copper mine. With additional capital we expect to bring forward some of the previously unrealized value that exists at CSA. Our existing shareholders have strongly participated in the offer and we are very happy to have a shareholder base who continue to support us in our efforts to unlock value at the CSA mine.

Scotiabank and Ashanti Capital are acting as joint placement agents in connection with the Private Placement.

The Ordinary Shares offered pursuant to the Private Placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This notice is does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation for an offer to purchase, the securities referenced herein. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company has agreed to file a registration statement on Form F-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering the resale of the securities sold to U.S. Persons in the Private Placement.

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) announced today that the company was awarded a contract by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Honolulu District to provide the design-build delivery of new U.S. Army housing units in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The three-year, $44 million single-award ceiling value contract is new work for the company.

The company also announced the selection for a task order award with a ceiling value of $27 million over five years from the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville for remediation and construction support services in Guam. This is new work for the company.

Parsons is a leader in providing the federal government with solutions to their most complex infrastructure and remediation challenges, said Jon Moretta, president, Engineered Systems, for Parsons. Projects of this nature in the Indo-Pacific are uniquely complex due to the logistical and environmental challenges required to operate in the region. Our team has proven to be a trusted delivery partner to USACE, and we look forward to further advancing their mission in support of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Under the Kwajalein contract, Parsons will deliver new army housing units on-island in support of the Department of the Armys modernization initiatives. Under the Guam task order, Parsons will assess munitions, explosives, and material for hazardous removal and provide construction management support for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) facilities in Guam.

These awards expand the companys existing footprint in the Indo-Pacific (INDOPAC) region. The Kwajalein army housing units advance the U.S. Indo-Pacific Commands mission to implement a deterrence strategy at the nations Western Flank, and the Guam remediation and construction support services advance MDAs need to strengthen missile defense on the critical U.S. military hub.

Since 2019, Parsons has been awarded nearly $300 million in INDOPACOM-related contracts by leveraging their program and construction management; engineering and planning; and complex infrastructure expertise. Federal clients include Naval Facility Engineering Systems Command Southwest, which is responsible for a six-state area on the West Coast; Officer in Charge of Construction China Lake, which is executing the nearly $4 billion earthquake recovery program to restore Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and the Naval Air Weapons Center Weapons Division to fully mission capable; and USACE Honolulu District, which engineers solutions for the nations INDOPAC challenges that enable defense readiness.
A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

The health ministry said at least 500 people had been killed. Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospitals grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings.

The carnage came as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas deadly rampage in southern Israel last week. It also came a day before President Joe Biden was due to visit the region to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Hamas called Tuesdays hospital strike a horrific massacre, saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time. Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch, it said.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza Citys main hospital, al-Shifa, already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia. The wounded were laid onto bloody floors, screaming in pain.

We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room. We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anesthesia, we need everything, Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospitals generators will run out Wednesday. I think Gazas medical sector will collapse within hours.

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

Hamas Oct. 7, attack in southern Israel killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 200 captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

In protest over the purported airstrike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egypts president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan to discuss the war. Abbas Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades. Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli Embassy.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military had told Palestinians to evacuate to. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The U.N. agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south with little food or water.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza. Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the U.S., Israel and Egypt.

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israels Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the U.N. oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Bidens visit in part aims to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israels continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.

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Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced recent Leadership updates across the Company. These changes are effective immediately and represent a continuation of the organizational structure work that began in September 2022 and has continued into 2023.

Total Rewards

Lori Winters has been promoted from Managing Director Culture & Employee Experience to Vice President Total Rewards, overseeing Southwest's Compensation, Retirement, Labor, Benefits, Travel, and Perks strategy.

Winters' Southwest career began in 2006 as Customer Support & Services Strategy and Projects Director. She developed several new capabilities for the Company, including Change Leadership, Employee Experience, and Employee Insights, and worked on various large-scale projects during her tenure. Most recently, as Managing Director Culture & Employee Experience, Winters led the Employee Experience Strategy and Delivery, Employee Insights, Awards & Recognition, and Culture & Engagement Teams. Winters has a bachelor's degree in education from Baylor University and a master's degree in communication studies from the University of North Texas. Lori is stepping into the role previously held by former Vice President Total Rewards, Danny Collins .

Fleet Management

Jon Stephens has been promoted from Managing Director Fleet Management to Vice President Fleet Management and provides strategic direction and oversight of the management of the Southwest Airlines  Fleet Plan.

Stephens has been with Southwest for 24 years. Throughout his 12 years with the Fleet Team, he's led Southwest's aircraft and engine fleet strategy. Stephens played an integral role in building the Fleet Team, beginning in 2012, which now supports a fleet of over 800 Boeing 737 aircraft. He started his Southwest career in the Tax Department before moving into a Leadership role on the Financial Planning & Analysis Team in 2001, followed by the Fleet Transactions Team 11 years later. Prior to Southwest, Stephens held various positions in leadership and operations with Union Pacific Railroad. He has a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Texas at Austin.

Network Planning, Network Operations Planning, & Network Operations Control (NOC)

Steve West has been promoted from Managing Director Operations Control to Vice President Network Operations Control (NOC), where he'll focus on day-of operations and support Southwest's safe and efficient flying schedule.

Throughout West's 40-year Southwest career, with more than 20 years in a Leadership role, he's been responsible for the daily oversight of the NOC, ensuring a safe, compliant operation of more than 4,300 daily flights to 121 destinations. West began his Southwest career in 1983 as a Ground Ops Employee in Phoenix . Ten years later, in July 1993 , his career in the NOC started as a Flight Dispatcher, then Chief Dispatcher in 2001, and Director Flight Dispatch in 2005. West continued to provide strong Leadership within the NOC as Senior Director Operations Coordination Center in 2006, Network Director in 2014, and Managing Director in 2015. West holds an FAA-Licensed Aircraft Dispatch Certificate. The Vice President NOC role became open with Matt Hafner's retirement and move to an Executive Advisor role.

Brook Sorem has been promoted from Managing Director Schedule Planning to Vice President Network Planning, where he's responsible for Network Planning, schedule creation, capacity planning, and airline partnerships.

Since joining Southwest Airlines in 1990, Sorem has spent more than 30 years in Network Planning, supporting every function within the department to create and refine innovative solutions that address complex industry challenges. Sorem has bachelor's and master's degrees in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Matt Muehleisen has been promoted from Managing Director Network Planning Initiatives to Vice President Network Operations Planning, and he's responsible for ensuring that the plans received by the NOC are fully executable and allow the day-of Team to remain focused on the operation. Muehleisen leads the newly-formed Network Operations Planning Team, establishing a near-term planning function and continuing its strong focus on supporting and enhancing operational performance and Safety.

Muehleisen joined Southwest in 2001 in the Schedule & Network Planning organization. His previous roles at Southwest include Future & Current Schedules, Schedule Design, Optimization, Operations Planning, and Network Initiatives. Muehleisen led the Network Initiatives Team within Network Planning as they worked to develop and implement industry-leading Network Planning software in partnership with Amadeus. He has a bachelor's degree in aviation management from Oklahoma State University and is a commercial rated pilot.
FILE PHOTO: Flags of China and U.S. are displayed on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo

By Alexandra Alper, Karen Freifeld and Stephen Nellis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Biden administration plans to halt shipments to China of more advanced artificial intelligence chips designed by Nvidia and others, part of a raft of measures released on Tuesday that seek to stop Beijing from receiving cutting-edge U.S. technologies to strengthen its military.

The rules, which go into effect in 30 days, restrict a broader swathe of advanced chips and chipmaking tools to a greater number of countries including Iran and Russia, and blacklist Chinese chip designers Moore Threads and Biren.

The new measures close loopholes in regulations released last October and will probably be updated "at least annually," Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters late on Monday.

The goal is to limit China's access to "advanced semiconductors that could fuel breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and sophisticated computers that are critical to (Chinese) military applications," she said, stressing the administration was not seeking to hurt Beijing economically.

She said China will still import hundred of billions of dollars worth of U.S. semiconductors.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said it "firmly opposes" the new restrictions, adding that "arbitrarily placing curbs or forcibly seeking decoupling to serve (a) political agenda violates the principles of market economy and fair competition (and) undermines the international economic and trading order."

REPORT FINDS U.S. AI FEEDS CHINA'S MILITARY

The new measures demonstrate the Biden administration is struggling to slow the flow of chips and chipmaking tools into China, even as concerns mount over the role U.S. technology is playing in modernizing Beijing's military.

Reuters reported in June that the very AI chips barred by prior regulations could be purchased from vendors in China's Shenzhen.

Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology found in a June 2022 report that out of 97 individual AI chips procured via Chinese military tenders over an 8-month period in 2020, nearly all of them were designed by Nvidia, Xilinx, Intel, and Microsemi.

AI capabilities, aided by supercomputing and advanced chips, improve the speed and accuracy of military decision-making, planning and logistics, according to the regulations released Tuesday.

CHINA-ONLY CHIPS HIT

In a statement following publication of the rules, top U.S. AI chip designer Nvidia said it complies with regulations and does not expect a meaningful hit to near-term results.

Nvidia's business has soared since the imposition of last year's rules because its China-only chips are still better than alternatives. The firm is currently selling almost every chip it can procure as worldwide demand outstrips supply, but would be hurt in the long term as Chinese chip firms look elsewhere to fill any voids left by U.S. companies.

The company has made chips such as the A800 and H800 that walked up to the line of the previous rules to continue selling to China, and AMD, also impacted by the rules, has said it plans a similar strategy.

Nvidia's shares fell 3.7%, while shares in AMD and another rival AI chipmaker, Intel, slid 0.6% and 1% respectively.

The new rules will exempt most consumer chips used in laptops, smartphones and gaming, though some will be subject to licensing and notification requirements by U.S. officials.

TAKING ON CHIPLET TECHNOLOGY

The previous rules imposed a two-pronged test that measured both a chips computing performance and its ability to communicate with other chips, an important measure in AI supercomputers where thousands of chips are strung together to chew through huge amounts of data.

Nvidia and Intel created special chips for the Chinese market that retained the powerful computing capabilities but limited communications speeds to stay inside the previous rules.

The new rules impose limits on how much computing power a chip packs into a certain size, a measure designed to prevent workarounds using new "chiplet" technology that China has said will be central to its semiconductor industry's future.

Chinese firms Biren and Moore Threads, whose U.S. suppliers will now face a tough licensing requirement before shipping products to them, are both startups founded by former Nvidia employees and aim to compete with the U.S. AI chip giant.

Biren said it firmly opposes its blacklisting and will appeal to the U.S. government to reexamine the decision. Moore Threads said it strongly disagrees with its addition to the trade blacklist.

LICENSING EXPANDED

The new measures also expand licensing requirements for exports of advanced chips to more than 40 additional countries that present risks of diversion to China and are subject to U.S. arms embargoes.

That measure appears to build on a letter received by Nvidia in August that it described as restricting shipments of its A100 and H100 chips beyond China to other regions including some countries in the Middle East.

Confirming a Reuters report, chips will be barred from being sent to units of firms located anywhere in the world if their parent companies are headquartered in China, Macau and other arms embargoed countries.

The Biden administration also hit 21 countries outside China with a licensing requirement for chipmaking tools, over fears the equipment could be diverted to China and other national security concerns.

It also added to the list of equipment restricted from going to that country to include some deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems, going beyond recent Dutch regulations to keep the Netherlands' ASML from sending older DUV models and spare parts to some advanced Chinese chip factories, confirming another Reuters report.

DUV is less advanced chipmaking equipment than state-of-the art extreme ultraviolet equipment (EUV), which has already been withheld from China, but can make chips nearly as advanced at greater cost.

ASML said in a statement the new measures would likely have an impact on "the regional split of our system sales" over the medium to long-term, but the company did not expect to see a "material impact" on its financial outlook for 2023 or the longer term.

Shares of rival U.S. equipment makers Lam Research was flat while Applied Materials traded up 0.6% and KLA down 1.3%.

"We dont think incremental semiconductor equipment restrictions are likely to have significant long term effects" on equipment suppliers, Wolfe Research said in a client note.

KLA declined to comment. Lam and Applied did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

U.S. officials said Chinese counterparts were warned the rules were coming by Raimondo, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, confirming a Reuters report.

The Semiconductor Industry Association said in a statement it was "evaluating the impact" of the new rules and urged the administration to work with allies. "Overly broad, unilateral controls risk harming the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem without advancing national security," the group said.

(Reporting by Alexandra Alper, Karen Freifeld, Stephen Nellis, David Shepardson and Max A. Cherney; Editing by Chris Sanders, Jamie Freed and Daniel Wallis)
OCALA, Fla., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American: AIM) (AIM) today announced it has entered into an agreement with Azenova, LLC (Azenova), a professional business development (BD) consulting firm, to support efforts to partner AIMs pipeline programs with a particular focus on the companys lead asset, Ampligen, for the treatment of various malignant solid tumors.



Azenova has been engaged to assist AIM with its BD efforts with the goal of entering into a partnership, out-license or other transaction whereby a biopharmaceutical company takes on the further development and commercialization of Ampligen with the goal of maximizing value to AIM. This process may not result in any transaction and the company does not intend to disclose additional details unless and until it has entered into a definitive agreement.

With our growing body of compelling clinical data, we believe Ampligen has significant potential to provide a therapeutic solution for a wide range of cancers, immune disorders and viral diseases. We believe the timing of our engagement with Azenova perfectly aligns their BD expertise with our strategic vision to maximize the opportunities for our Ampligen pipeline programs and to unlock significant value in the asset, commented AIM Chief Executive Officer Thomas K. Equels.

Azenova provides a wide range of services to support clients in their partnership, licensing, and other transactional activities. This includes determining opportunities for partnership (assets and technologies), identification and assessment of potential partners and leading all steps involved in engaging partners and establishing definitive BD transaction agreements. Azenovas principals, Jeff Southerton, PhD, MBA, and Stacy Evans, MD, MBA, have more than 50 years of combined BD experience in the biopharmaceutical industry leading transactions across a wide range of deal structures in multiple therapeutic areas, including significant experience in oncology.

With AIMs emerging data showing the promise of Ampligen as a therapeutic across a pipeline of malignant and often end-stage solid tumors, Azenova is excited to be formally engaged by AIM to assist the company with materializing a potential value inflecting BD transaction for the company, commented founder of Azenova, Jeff Southerton.

About AIM ImmunoTech Inc.

AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders and viral diseases, including COVID-19. The Companys lead product is a first-in-class investigational drug called Ampligen (rintatolimod), a dsRNA and highly selective TLR3 agonist immuno-modulator with broad spectrum activity in clinical trials for globally important cancers, viral diseases and disorders of the immune system.

For more information, please visit aimimmuno.com and connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.



Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the PSLRA). Words such as may, will, expect, plan, anticipate and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Many of these forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among other things, for those statements, the Company claims the protection of safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA. No assurance can be given that the agreement with Azenova will result in a partnership, out-license or other transaction whereby a biopharmaceutical company takes on the further development and commercialization of Ampligen. The company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof.




VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alta Copper Corp. (TSX: ATCU; OTCQX: ATCUF; BVL: ATCU) (Alta Copper or the Company) is pleased to announce that Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (Fortescue Metals), has exercised their pre-emptive right to maintain their shareholders interest.

As previously announced by the Company on October 11, 2023, the Company arranged a Private Placement to raise gross proceeds of $766,645 through the issuance of 1,533,290 Common Shares at a premium to market purchase price of $0.50 per Common Share.

As a result of the private placement Nascent Exploration Pty Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals has exercised their pre-emptive right to subscribe for 535,000 Common Shares at a purchase price of $0.50 per Common Share for a total purchase price of $267,500 to maintain their shareholders interest at 25.4%.

A total of 2,068,290 Common Shares will be issued for gross proceeds of $1,034,145 with closing of the private placement subject to final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange which is expected to occur on or before November 23, 2023. 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.

Joanne Freeze, CEO & President of Alta Copper commented: This private placement represents a significant premium of plus 45% to the market close on October 16, 2023, while continuing to demonstrate third-party endorsement of the investment merits of Alta Copper. Furthermore, we welcome the ongoing and continued support of our largest shareholder Fortescue Metals.

The Company will use the proceeds of the Private Placement for working capital, ongoing community initiatives as well as engineering work related to the Optimized Preliminary Economic Assessment currently underway.

About Alta CopperAlta 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 [email protected] +1 604 512 3359

or

Giulio T. Bonifacio, Executive Chair and Director [email protected] +1 604 318 6760

Source: Alta Copper Corp.
Hsinchu, Taiwan, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Andes Technology, the renowned supplier of high-efficiency, low-power 32/64-bit RISC-V processor cores and a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, proudly announces the release of its latest innovation  the AndesCore D23 and N225 RISC-V processors. Specifically designed to cater to the dynamic needs of the Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems, these cores epitomize Andes unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology for the interconnected world.

The D23 and N225 cores have been meticulously engineered with compactness, performance-efficiency, low-power consumption, flexibility, and security as top priorities. These cores empower IoT and embedded chip and device manufacturers to meet the burgeoning demands of a rapidly evolving market while minimizing power usage and ensuring robust security.

Andes announced the popular N22, a 2-stage pipeline AndesCore implementing RV32I/EMAC ISA back in February 2019, targeting deeply embedded processing and having a performance of 3.95 Coremark/MHz and 1.8 DMIPS/MHz. The D23 and N225 are revamped designs with a new microarchitecture and the latest RISC-V extensions (details below) to offer better performance, smaller code size, and more security support. They provide a good migration path for customers looking to upgrade their N22 designs or kick-off a new design today.

Common Key Features of AndesCore D23 and N225:Latest RISC-V Extensions Support: The N225 implements the RV32 IMACBZce non-privileged extensions as well as Machine/User modes and Enhanced Physical Memory Protection (ePMP). The D23 additionally supports the FDKP extensions (Single/Double-Precision Floating-Point, Scalar Crypto and Packed SIMD/DSP draft), and CMO (Cache Management Operations) extension. The D23 is also incorporated with Supervisor mode and its associated PMP (sPMP) for higher security.

Compact Size: Both cores feature a highly compact design with a 3-stage pipeline, primarily supporting single instruction issue with some dual-issue capability. This makes them exceptionally well-suited for space- and memory-constrained IoT and embedded applications, including wearables, sensors, and smart home devices.

High Performance: Both cores achieve industry-leading performance in their class, boasting outstanding benchmark scores such as 4.55 (D23) and 4.4 (N225) Coremark/MHz, and 2.08 (D23) and 1.92 (N225) DMIPS/MHz, respectively. They are capable of operating at high frequencies across various technology nodes such as near 800 MHz at 28nm, providing the necessary computing power for edge IoT devices with ever-increasing performance and feature demands.

Power Management: Both cores support advanced power management technologies such as PowerBrake and Wait-For-Interrupt (WFI) and Wait-For-Event (WFE), ensuring prolonged battery life for many types of untethered IoT devices.

Small Code Size: The N22 already offers industry-leading code size with Andes CoDense technology. With the addition of the new RISC-V Zce code size reduction extension, the D23 and N225 further reduce 4.4% code size for the Embench-IoT benchmark, compared to the N22. This provides additional memory cost-saving for Andes customers.

Flexibility: Both cores offer extensive configurability, including optimized multipliers for performance or area, optional static or dynamic branch prediction, various combinations of privilege modes, instruction and data Local Memories with sizes from 1 KB to 512 MB, and 2-wire or 4-wire JTAG debug interface. Designers can tailor these features to address their specific application requirements.

Ease of SoC Integration: To simplify integration into System-on-Chip (SoC) designs, both cores support either Core-Local Interrupt Controller (CLIC) for the single-CPU SoC or Platform-level Interrupt Controller (PLIC) for multiple-CPU SoC, rich options for AMBA interfaces, private machine timers or platform machine timers, and instruction trace interfaces.

In addition to the above-mentioned shared features and latest RISC-V extensions, the D23 core boasts additional capabilities, including built-in instruction and data caches, and ECC soft error protection for all cache and local memories. It can also seamlessly integrate with the powerful ACE (Andes Custom Extension) to support custom instructions for Domain-Specific Acceleration (DSA) and has a roadmap to include a functional safety derivative. These expanded capabilities open up opportunities for the D23 to serve a wider range of segments in automotive and industrial control applications.

Dr. Charlie Su, President and CTO of Andes Technology, expressed his enthusiasm for the release of these cores, stating, The D23 and N225 mark a significant milestone in our commitment to providing innovative solutions for the IoT and embedded segments. With their compact design, power efficiency, and robust security features, these cores are poised to set new industry standards. We believe they will empower designers and developers to create cutting-edge products that can thrive in the fast-paced world of IoT.

The D23/N225 have been licensed out and several companies are actively evaluating them. Their overall features will be developed and delivered in two phases. For more information about these cores, please visit the Andes Technology website.

About Andes TechnologyEighteen years in business and a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, Andes is a publicly-listed company (TWSE: 6533; SIN: US03420C2089; ISIN: US03420C1099) and a leading supplier of high-performance/low-power 32/64-bit embedded processor IP solutions, and the driving force in taking RISC-V mainstream. Its V5 RISC-V CPU families range from tiny 32-bit cores to advanced 64-bit Out-of-Order processors with DSP, FPU, Vector, Linux, superscalar, and/or multi/many-core capabilities. By the end of 2022, the cumulative volume of Andes-Embedded SoCs has surpassed 12 billion. For more information, please visit https://www.andestech.com. Follow Andes on LinkedIn, Twitter, Bilibili and YouTube!

Hsiao-Ling Lin Marcom Manager, Andes Technology Corp. [email protected]

Source: Andes Technology Corporation
MESA, Ariz., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, the largest international swim school franchise, is proud to announce the opening of its 143rd worldwide location in Khon Kaen, Thailand. This expansion is the fourth state-of-the-art location in Thailand and continues the companys mission of saving lives worldwide.

Khon Kaen, the fourth largest city in Thailand, has experienced rapid growth in recent years, making it an ideal location for Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. With its thriving community and increasing demand for high-quality swim lessons, the franchise owners, Ekkasit and Kannalin Charoenwisarutkul, are excited to bring Aqua-Tots' world-renowned swim program to the families of Khon Kaen.

Since its establishment in 1991, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has been at the forefront of the swim instruction industry. With a focus on year-round, indoor swim classes for children aged four months to 12 years old, Aqua-Tots offers a comprehensive program that caters to the needs of every child. The highly sought-after Parent & Tot swim classes for tots aged 4-30 months old are a highlight of the curriculum, providing a valuable bonding experience for parents and their little ones.

Craig Wright, CEO of Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, expressed his enthusiasm for the company's international expansion, stating, "Every school we open is an exciting accomplishment, and opening schools across the globe continues to be an honor. Its a reminder that all families throughout the world have a shared desire: safety for their children."

With its headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools is committed to convenient schedules and flexible make-up lessons, demonstrating their dedication to meeting the needs of busy families. With their proven track record and commitment to excellence, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools is poised to make a positive impact on the community of Khon Kaen and beyond.

For more information about Aqua-Tots Swim Schools and their programs, please visit aqua-tots.com.

About Aqua-Tots Swim SchoolsFounded in 1991 and headquartered in the Phoenix area, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools is making waves as the largest international provider of year-round, indoor swim instruction, community outreach and drowning prevention education. Its trusted program is dedicated to children of all abilities from four months to 12 years old and features a proven curriculum used to teach more than five million swim lessons each year.Recognized in Entrepreneur's Top 15 Childrens Franchises of 2023, Entrepreneurs Franchise 500, Inc. Magazine's Top 5000 and Franchise Times Top 200, Aqua-Tots has more than 140 locations in 25 states across 14 countries and is rapidly expanding with 90 locations in development. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit aqua-tots.com/franchise-development and for more information about Aqua-Tots or to sign up for lessons near you, visit aqua-tots.com and follow Aqua-Tots on Facebook and Instagram.

###

Attachments

Jacquelyn Lambert Aqua-Tots Swim Schools 480-621-3226 [email protected]

Source: Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
Greenville, South Carolina, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARCpoint Inc. (TSXV: ARC) (the Company or ARCpoint) a leading US-based franchise system providing drug testing, alcohol screening, DNA and direct to consumer (DTC) clinical lab testing services, is pleased to report that it has launched two new subscription plans that offer businesses and individual consumers discounts on ARCpoint healthcare diagnostic testing services when subscribed for on an annual basis.

ARCpoint CEO John Constantine commented, The launch of the ARCpoint Access programs is a win-win-win scenario for our individual and business customers, and our franchisees. Under either an Individual or an Employer Access plan, annual subscribers will get bundled pricing on certain services and access to discounted pricing on all our other services. With the Access Employer program, business customers will be able to offer their employees certain healthcare benefits at a significant discount to the cost of traditional insurance plans.

ARCpoint Access is not insurance, but it works where insurance doesnt. It helps fill an important gap for those people who are left behind by the insurance system. ARCpoint Access provides access to valuable preventive and urgent care services that many people with no insurance or high deducible healthcare plans dont have access to in an affordable way. As with most ARCpoint services, the Access programs are offered on a cash basis and vary in scope, degree of coverage and may include access to bundled wellness and preventative diagnostic testing service packages. All the Access plans offer varying discounts on ARCpoint services which are not included in a purchased bundle.

Mr. Constantine added Our franchisees will also have a new opportunity to engage individual and business customers at a time when overall healthcare and employer funded healthcare costs are rising. Given that our franchisees have commercial relationships with over 4,000 businesses, this is an excellent opportunity to expand our affiliate network by turning those businesses into affiliates, which would expand our distribution reach and generate monthly subscription revenue.

As the Company discussed in its August 10, 2023, news release, affiliate businesses are health-related businesses that are separate from Arcpoint, such as health or vitamin stores, fitness facilities, chiropractor offices, physician offices, clinical and genetic reference labs, and pharmacies. Given regulatory, licensing, technology and other issues, many of these types of businesses have not been previously able to offer DTC healthcare testing services. Using the MyARCpointLabs platform, affiliates can offer some or all ARCpoint's products and services to their customers to both enhance their own product and service offerings and, in some cases, generate additional revenue, while at the same time meeting applicable regulatory and other compliance obligations. With the launch of ARCpoint Employer Access, any business can now become a new type of affiliate by offering ARCpoint wellness and preventative diagnostic testing services to their employees, including discounts on all ARCpoint testing services not explicitly included in the particular employer-purchased subscription package. According to an October 16, 2023, Wall Street Journal article on employee healthcare benefits entitled Surge in Health-Insurance Costs Pose Next Challenge for Finance Chiefs, Healthcare costs are rising at the steepest rate in years, leaving CFOs to manage the price tags.

The Company also reports that it has undertaken new measures to reduce costs by USD$1,000,000 on an annualized basis. These cuts include annualized reductions in staffing and compensation of approximately USD$800,000 and USD$200,000 in sales, general and administration costs. As a function of these cuts, the Company will incur severance costs of USD$67,000 in the current month and start to see the full impact of financial benefits beginning in November of this year.

About ARCpoint Inc.ARCpoint is a leading US-based franchise system that leverages technology along with brick-and-mortar locations to give businesses and individual consumers access to convenient, cost-effective healthcare information and solutions with transparent, up-front pricing, so that they can be proactive and preventative with their health and well-being. ARCpoint is based in Greenville, South Carolina, USA. ARCpoint Franchise Group LLC, formed under the laws of the state of South Carolina in February 2005, is the franchisor of ARCpoint Labs and supports over 130 independently owned locations. ARCpoint sells franchises to individuals throughout the United States and provides support in the form of marketing, technology and training to new franchisees. ARCpoint Corporate Labs LLC develops corporate-owned labs committed to providing accurate, cost-effective solutions for customers, businesses and physicians. AFG Services LLC serves as the innovation center of the ARCpoint group of companies as it builds a proprietary technology platform and a physician network to equip all ARCpoint labs with best-in-class tools and solutions to better serve their customers. The platform also digitalizes and streamlines administrative functions such as materials purchasing, compliance, billing and physician services for ARCpoint franchise labs and other clients.

For more information, please contact:

ARCpoint Inc.Jason Tong, Chief Financial OfficerPhone : (604) 889-7827E-mail : [email protected]

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information (collectively referred to hereafter as forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.

All statements that address activities, events or developments that ARCpoint expects or anticipates will, or may, occur in the future, including statements about ARCpoints future growth, business prospects, future trends, plans and strategies, expected benefits from business activities and the Companys prospects for new business are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements are preceded by, followed by or include words such as may, will, would, could, should, believes, estimates, projects, potential, expects, plans, intends, proposes, anticipates, targeted, continues, forecasts, designed, goal, or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. Although the management of ARCpoint believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements are reasonable.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of ARCpoint to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company, as well as trends identified by the Company affecting it and the healthcare services industry can be found in the Companys 2022 Annual MD&A and its continuous disclosure record available on SEDAR. Although ARCpoint has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Forward-looking information included in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements in respect of the expected timeline for deploying ARCpoints online portals and the expected benefits of such online portals.

Such cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements made in this press release. ARCpoint undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors. When considering the forward-looking information contained herein, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Companys disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors and other factors noted in the disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Press release.

Source: ARCpoint Inc.
FLORENCE, Italy, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The seventh edition was organised by the banking group in collaboration with the Marisa Bellisario Foundation

The first concluding event of the Women Value Company Intesa Sanpaolo award, organised by the banking group in collaboration with the Marisa Bellisario Foundation, took place at Palazzo Incontri in Florence. This initiative, now in its seventh edition, is recognised as a special category of the Marisa Bellisario Award and is dedicated to promoting female entrepreneurship and companies that invest in gender equality and corporate welfare.

This award stands for Intesa Sanpaolos commitment to businesses in general, and specifically to female-led businesses, explains Anna Roscio, Head of Corporate Sales & Marketing at Intesa Sanpaolo. This marks the seventh edition of a recognition program that, over seven years, has seen the participation of five thousand companies. Today, we embark on a tour across the region and will award 35 out of the 100 companies that will be awarded this year. It is a program designed to complement the banks role in providing credit by highlighting the best business success stories.

The issue of female entrepreneurship is crucial in our country. Female employment is about 13 points lower than the European average, adds Virginia Borla, Head of Business Governance, Banca dei Territori Division at Intesa Sanpaolo. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) is key to rebalancing and providing opportunities to half of the country that does not have the same opportunities we want them to have. For this reason, Intesa Sanpaolo is adding one billion in financing for female-led businesses. I do not believe there is a single solution, but it is certainly essential to combine multiple elements so that, together, they enable every individual to reach their full potential. We want to convey a message about the importance and relevance of womens impact within companies. Female-led businesses are not just businesses led by women, but rather businesses working to enable everyone to express themselves. Welfare, innovation, digitalisation, with the ability to work against diversity and in favour of inclusion.

The businesses participating in this edition of the Women Value Company award have shown a strong commitment to employee development through a diverse range of initiatives, with training and work-life balance at the top of the list. Female-led businesses stand out for their adoption of these initiatives. Attention to human capital and sustainability emerge as closely connected elements: companies with a more advanced human capital management profile are more inclined to invest in sustainability. Companies with a higher focus on these issues have recorded better growth in turnover and labour productivity in recent years, demonstrating that human capital and well-being are increasingly becoming a strategic winning factor.

For more information:Press Office LaPresse - [email protected]

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e7699cc-e14f-4b1e-ab04-353d18a4813e

Source: Intesa Sanpaolo
OTTAWA, Ontario, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Cannabis Council of Canada (C3) is calling the cannabis community to Ottawa to commemorate the fifth anniversary of cannabis legalization in Canada and appeal to the Government of Canada to fulfill the promise of legalization by responding to the mounting evidence of challenges faced by the nascent industry.

A recent C3 survey of Licensed Producers (LPs) from coast to coast underscored the urgent need for government reforms to rejuvenate the sector, ensuring its continued growth and contribution to the Cannabis Acts public policy objectives. The survey, compiling responses from 122 LPs across the country, identified the major financial challenges facing the Canadian cannabis industry:

71% of respondents reported a surge in excise tax payments from 2021 to 2022, reflecting the adverse financial impact of escalating excise taxes due to price compression and burdensome regulatory fees.

reflecting the adverse financial impact of escalating excise taxes due to price compression and burdensome regulatory fees. 83% of LPs reported negative net income in 2022. This significant increase in the excise tax burden has placed an unsustainable strain on LPs, impeding their capacity to invest in growth and innovation.

C3's Key Recommendations to Government:

The Cannabis Council of Canada, recognizing the importance of the cannabis sectors contributions to the success of the Cannabis Act, has released a position paper outlining three urgent recommendations:

Reform the Excise Duty Framework: C3 advocates for a fairer taxation system, proposing the reduction of excise tax to a fixed rate of 10% of sales and structural changes to the operation of the program that are costly and inefficient. These changes would ensure that the diverse cannabis industry is sustainable and can compete with the illicit cannabis industry. Eliminate Excessive Regulatory Fees: Overbearing regulatory fees, which do not exist in other sectors such as alcohol and tobacco, have hampered the growth and profitability of LPs. C3 urges the government to eliminate these unfair fees. Reform the Edibles Product Category: C3 calls for an increase in the allowable THC limit in edibles to 100 mg, aligning regulations with consumer protection and winning this category back from the illicit market.

After five years of legalization, the regulated cannabis industry is struggling due to high taxes, excessive regulation and unbridled competition from the illicit market. To fulfill the potential of legalization, the sector needs reform urgently. Weve identified the top areas the government can change today to allow us to collectively grow the pie, said George Smitherman, President & CEO of the Cannabis Council of Canada. Growing the pie means more revenue for the cannabis sector and governments and it means extending the protection of the regulated sector to more Canadian cannabis consumers, concluded Smitherman.

Mike Schilling, President & CEO of Community Savings, stressed the economic benefits that a thriving cannabis sector can bring to Canada. He stated, A revitalized cannabis industry can serve as a valuable source of tax revenue and employment opportunities, especially in challenging economic times. Between 2018 and 2021, the legal cannabis industry generated $11B in sales, $29B in investments, 98,000 jobs and added $43.5B to Canadas GDP. It's time for the government to support the economic potential of Canadas nascent cannabis industry.

On this landmark fifth anniversary of cannabis legalization in Canada, the Cannabis Council of Canada urges the government to take action promptly to implement these critical reforms and support an industry that has the potential to contribute significantly to the Canadian economy. The cannabis sector stands at a crossroads, and the government's support is pivotal in ensuring its success.

Visit www.cannabis-council.ca for more information and access to the full position paper and survey results.

For media inquiries (English) George Smitherman President and CEO Cannabis Council of Canada [email protected]

For media inquiries (French) Pierre Killeen Cannabis Council of Canada [email protected]

About Cannabis Council of Canada (C3)

The Cannabis Council of Canada is the national trade association representing businesses that are dedicated to the responsible production and distribution of cannabis. C3 advocates for the interests of the Canadian cannabis industry, working to create a supportive regulatory environment and promote the economic and social benefits of cannabis legalization.

Follow us on Twitter: @Cannabis_Canada and LinkedIn: Cannabis Council of Canada

About Community Savings

Community Savings Credit Union is driven by its purpose to unite working people to build a just world. As BCs largest fully unionized credit union, Community Savings provides best-in-class personal and business banking and advocates for workers rights, mental health and financial inclusion for the cannabis industry. It is the largest cannabis banker in BC.

Community Savings is a vocal advocate for the cannabis industry and for equal access to fair and affordable banking, winning two Canadian Marketing Association awards for its advocacy campaigns. Community Savings operates seven branches across the Lower Mainland and Victoria. Visit www.comsavings.com for more.

Source: Cannabis Council of Canada
The companys 2024 dealer event provided recognition for the past years success while emphasizing the importance of setting new goals for dealer performance, innovation, and improvement in the year ahead.

NEODESHA, Kan., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premium luxury day boat manufacturer Cobalt Boats continued its series of World Class Dealer Meetings with a special three-day event on September 10-13 at the Mission Bay Resort in San Diego, CA. Held annually to recognize dealer accomplishments, this years meeting incorporated a theme of Higher, Faster, Stronger to pay homage to San Diegos annual Comic-Con International Comic Convention. Connecting with this theme, the Sept. 12 Awards Banquet helped inspire and motivate attendees to achieve greater success by setting higher goals and seeking constant improvement and innovation in their sales techniques, while this years top dealers were recognized for their outstanding work in 2023.

Dealer Highlights

Along with the regional sales conferences, highlights of the dealer schedule included the general business meeting with state-of-the-industry and state-of-Cobalt recaps followed by an interactive and intriguing fireside chat, sales updates, and a product development report. Other events included a two-mile Fun Run/Walk, and a dockside showcase of the new Cobalt models, detailing the latest in state-of-the-art craftsmanship and design. Engaging breakout sessions covered business development discussions focusing on such topics as latest trends in 2024, enhancing the customer experience, exploring opportunities for collaboration and growth, and learning about Cobalts forthcoming Monsoon engine. Complementing these activities were wake-surfing and boat-testing sessions for Cobalts new model-year products, and a vendor mall where Cobalts premier partners displayed their product offerings. The meetings grand finale was the Cobalt-Con banquet honoring the following dealers with the highest rankings for sales and customer satisfaction:

Top Sales Singleton Marine Group, Buford, GA Hagadone Marine Group, Coeur DAlene, ID Seattle Boat Co, Inc., Seattle, WA Action Water Sports, Hudsonville, MI West Coast Boat Center, Rocklin, CA The Harbor, Branson, MO Slalom Shop, Lewisville, TX Rambo Marine, Hazel Green, AL Premier Marine, LLC, Middleton, MA The Boat House of Cape Coral, Cape Coral, FL Village Marina, Eldon, MO Futrell Marine, Nashville, AR River Valley Power & Sport, Inc., Red Wing, MN Parks Marina, Okoboji, IA Arrowhead Boat Sales, Afton, OK Boat Town, Inc., Austin, TX Gordys Lakefront Marine, Fox Lake, IL Walkers Point Marina, Gravenhurst, ON, Canada Boats By George, Inc., Lake George, NY Lake Norman Marina, Sherills Ford, NC Worlds Largest Dealer Singleton Marine Group, Buford, GA Worlds Largest Single-Market Dealer Seattle Boat Co, Inc., Seattle, WA Customer Satisfaction Awards Central Region: The Harbor, Branson, MO Eastern Region: Travis Marine, Knoxville, TN Western Region: Paris Marine, Peterborough, ON, Canada Worldwide: Travis Marine, Knoxville, TN C You On The Water Contest Seattle Boat Co, Inc., Seattle, WA

Product Preview

The 2024 new-product preview featured the new R33 Surf model, the new CS Series with details on all these exciting products forthcomings in 2024.

About Cobalt: Headquartered in Neodesha, KS, Cobalt Boats LLC, is a publicly owned, industry-leading manufacturer of luxury family day boats. Combining uncompromising product quality with customer-inspired innovation and value, Cobalt, a division of Malibu Boats, has earned an international reputation for unmatched customer satisfaction through its World Class Dealer Network. Learn more at www.cobaltboats.com

Contact: Kelle Pierce 1715 N. 8th St., Neodesha, KS 66757 800-835-0256 www.cobaltboats.com

Source: Cobalt Boats
Three opposition parties that vowed to restore democratic standards in Poland together won over 54% of the votes in the nations weekend parliamentary election, putting them in a position to take power, according to a complete ballot count reported Tuesday.

The conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has governed the country for eight turbulent years, won slightly over 35% of the votes, making it the single party with the most votes. But the party and its leader Jarosaw Kaczynski lost their majority in parliament and appeared to have no way to hold onto power. The official ballot announced by the National Electoral Commission aligns closely with an exit poll released after voting ended Sunday. Turnout was nearly 75%, a record that surpassed the 63% turnout of 1989, a vote that triggered the collapse of the oppressive Soviet-backed communist system.

As the party with the most votes, PiS will do everything it can to secure a third consecutive term despite not having the numbers for it, in a situation that is reminiscent of the failed investiture of Alberto Nunez Feijoo in Spain. It is up to Polands president, Andrzej Duda, to tap candidates to try to form a government. His closeness to Jaroslaw Kaczynskis party suggests that he will invite him to try first, despite not having enough support. The process until a new executive is in place can extend until December. Duda on Monday issued a message thanking citizens for the high turnout.

The result was a huge victory for Donald Tusk, the head of the largest opposition group, Civic Coalition. Tusk could return to his past role as Polish prime minister, a job he held from 2007-14. He also served as the European Council president, a top job in the bloc, from 2014-19.

But Kaczynskis party is not going to give up power easily. Days of struggle and tension await us, the deputy prime minister said after learning about the exit polls. Kaczynski is known for his generosity during negotiations and for seeking support even from lawmakers on the opposite end of the ideological spectrum. But even if he secured the votes of the far-right Confederation, an anti-establishment party that insists it would never enter a coalition with PiS, he would still need the support of 20 more legislators.

Members of the ultra-conservative party are pointing as a possible partner to the Polish Peoples Party (PSL), an agrarian formation that is part of the Third Way coalition together with Polska 2050. If PiS receives the mandate to form a government, those conversations will take place, said Joachim Brudzinski, PiS chief of staff, when asked about that possibility. But the PSL spokesperson Milosz Motyka was quick to pour cold water over any possibility of agreement.: Forget it. For those lies, for those slanders, for hating and spitting on us all, for the thefts and all the scandals... We will hold you responsible! he wrote on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

Difficulties

Experts estimate that the formation of a new liberal government could take several weeks. Jacek Kucharczyk, president of the Institute of Public Affairs think tank, warns that in the meantime PiS will continue to control the institutions, at least until the new parliament is formed. I am sure that they will be extremely creative in making it difficult to form an opposition government, and if it happens, they will make life very difficult for this government.

As Kucharczyk recalls, after eight years in power, Kaczynskis party has control over the Constitutional Court  with the power to veto any legislation  and the Supreme Court, which must validate the electoral results in 90 days. The seats gained by the liberal parties are not enough, furthermore, to reverse the presidential veto of the new laws, for which 3/5 of the chamber, 276 seats, are necessary. The president has used this prerogative even against PiS, so it could complicate life for a new government if he decides to use it before his term ends in May 2025.

In any case, a red carpet does not await the new coalition. Political analyst and writer Aleksander Smolar notes that it will not be easy for four heterogeneous parties with very ambitious leaders to reaching an internal understanding. But Smolar trusts that the experience of eight years in the opposition has taught them to act together and ensure, to begin with, an improvement in relations with the European Union, with Germany, with other partners such as France and with Ukraine. In domestic politics, he believes that they will take immediate measures to change the leadership of entities controlled by PiS and used for partisan purposes, such as the public broadcaster. This expert believes that the coalition, when it manages to get going, will not find it easy to govern, because PiS leaves the country in a very bad state.
LOS ANGELES, CA, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DGPT, announces its new generation Artificial Intelligence computational power sharing Platform, which will bring AI benefits to everyone.

In recent years, with the popularity of deep learning and large language models such as BERT, GPT-3, and ChatGPT, the demand for high-performance computational power for AI systems has been exploding. The parameter size of these large models has reached tens or even hundreds of billions, requiring a significant number of GPUs and computational resources for training. However, the computational power provided by current data centres and cloud services is far from meeting this massive demand. On the other hand, building a professional GPU server cluster independently for training such models is highly costly and has a high entry barrier. This has led to a significant imbalance between the supply and demand of computational power in the AI field.

Solutions for contradiction between the current computational power supply and demand

To address the contradiction between the current computational power supply and demand, DGPT, a decentralized idle computational power-sharing platform, was born. DGPT aims to pool idle computational resources worldwide. Whether it's the idle computational power of individual user devices or the idle servers of various institutions, all can provide cost-effective computational support for AI system training via the DGPT platform. DGPT has been specially designed with low entry barriers, automated access, and incentive mechanisms, allowing even non-tech professionals to quickly join. With a simple registration and client software installation via a mobile app, ordinary users can opt to provide their device's idle computational power to the DGPT platform, participate in AI model training, and the entire process is completely transparent and invisible to the user, not affecting the device's regular use. This opens up a new way for the general public to earn passive income.

DGPT can achieve virtual pooling and flexible scheduling of heterogeneous terminal computational resources, supporting dynamic allocation and matching of available computational power across the network based on customer AI training task requirements, ensuring rational resource allocation and effective utilization. Core technologies include efficient workload allocation algorithms, cross-platform universal data interfaces, and powerful task schedulers. These innovative designs overcome the challenges faced by traditional distributed computing platforms, achieving unprecedented flexibility and scalability.

DGPT now supports model training for various AI algorithm tasks, including computer vision, natural language processing, and reinforcement learning. The platform currently serves hundreds of clients, with a node scale reaching hundreds of thousands, making it one of the industry-leading distributed AI Infrastructure-as-a-Service (AIaaS) providers.

Business Model

DGPT adopts a dual-track profit model. On one side, AI companies and researchers with training needs can rent computational power on the DGPT platform at a cost lower than traditional cloud services, significantly reducing model training expenses. On the other side, individual users and institutions that provide idle computational power can earn rewards based on the amount of computational power they contribute, thereby obtaining additional income.

DGPT has forged partnerships with numerous AI companies, research institutions, and universities, cultivating a robust ecosystem centred around AI computational power sharing. With the AI field's ongoing expansion, the demand for computational power will persistently rise. The platform model of DGPT harbours immense growth potential for the future.

Future Vision

As we look ahead, DGPT aims to swiftly augment the number of both individual and institutional users on its platform. Our goal is to accommodate a broader range of AI model training tasks and continually elevate user engagement levels. In the long run, DGPT envisions itself as the pivotal platform bridging computational resources globally, laying down a solid infrastructure foundation for the progression of artificial intelligence. By fostering an AI ecosystem that thrives on mutual benefits, DGPT aspires to ensure that both individual users and organizations garner tangible advantages. Our ultimate objective is to catalyze the ubiquity of AI technologies and their applications, ensuring that artificial intelligence becomes a boon for the entirety of human society.

About DGPT

DGPT was established in 2021 by a team of technical experts with profound expertise in artificial intelligence and distributed computing. Core team members are graduates of top universities and have held positions in renowned companies and research institutions in the industry. After two years of relentless efforts and breakthroughs in key technologies, DGPT finally launched this revolutionary distributed heterogeneous AI computational power scheduling and optimization platform in 2023.

Social Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dgpt_cloud

Telegram: https://t.me/DGPT_Cloud

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DGPT_AI

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgpt_ai

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dgptcloud

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dgpt_ai

Media contact

Company: DGPT LLC

Contact: Media team

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.dgpt.cloud/

SOURCE: DGPT LLC

Source: DGPT LLC
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dore Copper Mining Corp. (the "Corporation" or "Dore Copper") (TSXV: DCMC; OTCQX: DRCMF; FRA: DCM) announces results from its drilling campaign of 1,557 meters completed in July 2023 at the Gwillim and Jaculet projects, both located near Chibougamau, Quebec.

Ernest Mast, President and CEO of Dore Copper, commented, Our summer drilling program at Gwillim has shown the potential of the Signal Zone, another high-grade mineralized zone to the north of the KOD Zones. The geological model for Gwillim continues to advance and further work is warranted to test the potential of these high-grade zones and to identify additional gold mineralized structures.

Gwillim

In July 2023, Dore Copper completed three holes totaling 957 meters at Gwillim. Hole KOD-22-05 was extended by 90 meters to test KOD Zone C and the other two holes (KOD-23-06 and 07) tested a geophysical anomaly (airborne VTEM survey conducted in January 2023), located immediately west of the KOD zone (refer to August 1, 2023 news release).

Hole KOD-22-05E intersected KOD Zone C from 633 to 654 meters with anomalous gold values in several decimetric zones containing variable amounts of pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite.

Hole KOD-23-06 intersected a 1.7 meter interval (interpreted as KOD Zone A) containing stringers of chalcopyrite and sphalerite with a highly chloritized basalt. No significant gold mineralization was reported.

Hole KOD-23-07 intersected the Signal Zone at a downhole depth of 15.5 metres with an intercept of 4.4 g/t Au over 9.8 meters, including 16.51 g/t Au over 2.3 meters, characterized by decimetric bands of massive pyrrhotite, pyrite and traces chalcopyrite. Results from a downhole geophysical survey completed in the hole shows an off-hole anomaly located approximately 100 meters down and west of this gold intercept. The KOD Zone envelope (Zones A, B1, B2, and C) was intersected from 358.5 to 462.3 meters, characterized by several intervals containing pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite within the pillow rims (typical of the KOD Zone). No significant gold mineralization was reported.

The Signal Zone has been historically traced over a strike length of 600 meters and is approximately 200 meters north of the KOD Zone C. In the late 1980s, approximately 2,357 meters in 27 holes tested the Signal Zone. In addition, a number of historical holes were drilled from underground intercepting both the Signal and KOD Zones.The best historical gold intersections from the surface program (see reference 3) included: 7.1 g/t Au over 2.6 meters (SZ-87-6), 34.96 g/t Au over 1.37 meters (SZ-87-10), and 22.9 g/t Au over 1.2 meters (GL-41). Dore Copper hole KOD-21-02 had also intersected the Signal Zone with 3.33 g/t Au over 13.3 metres at a downhole depth of 28.0 meters. A compilation of this historical work is currently underway.

The KOD mineralized system remains open along strike to the east and below 600 meters. The Signal zone for its part remains open below 230 meters.

The Gwillim property is under a 50/50 joint venture with Argonaut Gold through its wholly-owned subsidiary Prodigy Gold with Dore Copper being the operator.

Jaculet

Dore Copper completed one drill hole of 600 meters in July 2023, which tested the strike extension of Jaculet Zone 1, approximately 100 meters to the west of a previously mined out area and two high-grade copper intercepts in two historical holes, at a vertical depth of approximately 400 meters. The two surface historical holes from Chibougamau Jaculet Mines Ltd. in 1956 had intersected with 4.55% Cu and 0.86 g/t Au over 6.7 meters and 4.25% Cu and 0.59 g/t Au over 6.4 meters, respectively (refer to May 3, 2023 news release).

Hole JA-23-01 intersected 2.29% Cu and 0.36 g/t Au over 1.5 meters, mainly chalcopyrite in centrimetric veins at a downhole depth of 438 meters (Jaculet Zone 1). It is now interpreted that the mineralization in hole JA-23-01 is at the periphery of the main Jaculet Zone 1 ore shoot. The deposit remains open below 400 meters.

Drilling and Quality Control

The Company is using Miikan Drilling as the drilling contractor. Miikan is a joint venture between Chibougamau Diamond Drilling Ltd., the First Nations community of Ouje-Bougoumou and the First Nations community of Mistissini both located in the Eeyou Istchee territory.

Sample (half core) preparation was done at ALS Canada Ltd. (ALS) in Val-dOr, Quebec, and the fire assay and ICP analysis was done at ALS in Vancouver, B.C. Samples were weighed, dried, crushed to 75% passing 2 mm, split to 250 g, and pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Samples are fire assayed for gold (Au) (50 g) and sodium peroxide fusion ICP-MS finish for 34 elements. Samples assaying >10.0 g/t Au are re-analyzed with a gravimetric finish using a 50 g charge. If visible gold is observed in the sample, the assay is performed by metallic screening whereby the entire sample is crushed, a 1 kg portion is pulverized and screened to 106 m and analyzed by 50 g fire assay with gravimetric finish.

QA/QC is done in house by Dore Copper geologists with oversight from the Vice President Exploration. The check samples (blanks and standards  4% of total samples with another 2% of core duplicates taken on half split core) that were inserted into the sample batches are verified against their certified values and are deemed a pass if they are within 3 standard deviations of the certified value. The duplicates are evaluated against each other to determine mineralization distribution (nugget). If there are large discrepancies in the check samples, then the entire batch is requested to be re-assayed.

Sylvain Lepine, M.Sc, P.Geo, MBA, Vice President Exploration of the Corporation and a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Table 1. Assays Highlights from the 2023 Drill Program

Hole From(m) To(m) Width1(m) Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) Cu(%) Zone Gwillim KOD-23-05E No significant mineralization. KOD Zone C KOD-23-06 12.40 12.80 0.40 1.51 1.40 - Signal 148.00 148.70 0.70 1.45 4.10 - Unknown KOD-23-06 278.30 280.00 1.70 0.38 3.70 0.14 KOD Zone A including 278.75 279.13 0.38 1.19 4.90 0.30  KOD-23-07 15.00 24.80 9.80 4.41 2.11 - Signal including 15.00 17.30 2.30 16.51 5.34 -  including 15.90 16.90 1.00 36.10 11.20 -  133.50 135.00 1.50 1.24 1.90 - Unknown 226.50 228.00 1.50 1.23 14.00 - Unknown Jaculet JA-23-01 426.70 427.10 0.40 0.19 4.90 1.10 Unknown 438.00 439.50 1.50 0.36 8.43 2.29 Zone 1 445.70 446.20 0.50 0.34 6.50 1.21 Unknown

The true width of the structures intersected is estimated at approximately 60-80% of the downhole width for Gwillim, and approximately 75-90% of the downhole width for Jaculet.

Figure 1. Gwillim Property  Plan View of 2023 Drill Program

About Dore Copper Mining Corp.

Dore Copper Mining Corp. aims to be the next copper producer in Quebec with an initial production target of +50 million pounds of copper equivalent annually by implementing a hub-and spoke operation model with multiple high-grade copper-gold assets feeding its centralized Copper Rand mill1. The Corporation delivered its PEA in May 2022 and is proceeding with a feasibility study.

The Corporation has consolidated a large land package in the prolific Lac Dore/Chibougamau and Joe Mann mining camps that has historically produced 1.6 billion pounds of copper and 4.4 million ounces of gold2. The land package includes 13 former producing mines, deposits and resource target areas within a 60-kilometer radius of the Corporation's Copper Rand Mill.

For further information, please contact:

Technical report titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Chibougamau Hub-and-Spoke Complex, Quebec, Canada" dated June 15, 2022, in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). The Technical Report was prepared by BBA Inc. with several consulting firms contributing to sections of the study, including SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd., SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and WSP Inc. Sources for historic production figures: Economic Geology, v. 107, pp. 963989 - Structural and Stratigraphic Controls on Magmatic, Volcanogenic, and Shear Zone-Hosted Mineralization in the Chapais-Chibougamau Mining Camp, Northeastern Abitibi, Canada by Francois Leclerc et al. (Lac Dore/Chibougamau mining camp) and NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Joe Mann Property dated January 11, 2016 by Geologica Groupe-Conseil Inc. for Jessie Ressources Inc. (Joe Mann mine). Report titled Report on Diamond Drilling Signal Zone, Gwillim Lake Property, McKenzie Township, Quebec dated January 1988, prepared by Jerry Zuiderveen, Geologist for Flanagan McAdam & Company.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to aiming to be the next copper producer in Quebec with an initial production target of +50 Mlbs of copper equivalent annually, implementing a hub-and spoke operation model; and completing a feasibility study.

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the timing and ability of the Corporation to receive necessary regulatory approvals, and the plans, operations and prospects of the Corporation and its properties are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required regulatory approvals, health emergencies, pandemics and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Corporation with securities regulators. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that 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 Corporation 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.

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.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83076e81-8b17-4935-b7a6-b7f5d3e333c4

Figure 1. Gwillim Property  Plan View of 2023 Drill Program Gwillim Property - Plan View of 2023 Drill Program

Source: DORE COPPER MINING CORP
New York, New York, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Water Resilience Coalition (WRC), an industry-driven, CEO-led initiative convening global companies to address the global water crisis, today announced the launch of the Women + Water Collaborative, a flagship corporate collective action program to improve access to clean water and sanitation in India.

Gap Inc., Cargill, and GSK, in partnership with WaterAid and the Water Resilience Coalition, are launching the initiative to improve health, livelihoods, and climate resilience in water-stressed communities in India, beginning with the Krishna and Godavari basins. The WRC is an initiative of the CEO Water Mandate, a partnership between the UN Global Compact and the Pacific Institute.

This marks the first time that companies from different sectors spanning apparel, biopharma, and agriculture have united with shared goals, metrics, and governance to provide access to clean water and sanitation in the same communities. The Collaborative builds on the success of the previous USAID Gap Inc. Women + Water Alliance, which empowered over 2.4 million people to improve their access to water and sanitation in India between 2017 and 2023. This is one of 21 collective action projects in 15 basins underway across Asia, Africa, South America, and North America as part of the Water Resilience Coalitions 2030 ambition to build water resilience across 100 Priority Basins.

The Women + Water Collaborative will improve the availability and quality of water in priority river basins through water replenishment and conservation using methods such as rainwater harvesting. It will provide communities with safe drinking water and climate-resilient sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and services. Although women in rural India play a crucial role in water collection and use, their participation in decision-making around water resources remains low. This program will leverage womens leadership to build water resilience, improve water security, and enable equitable access to water and sanitation for communities at scale.

"As part of the Forward Faster Water Resilience Target and as members of the Water Resilience Coalition, the companies involved in this initiative have joined an alliance that thrives on collaboration and collective action. This cooperation will play a key role in achieving the WRC's ambitious goals outlined in its 2030 strategy," said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact and Co-Chair of the Water Resilience Coalition.

"The Women + Water Collaborative builds on Gap Inc.s history of designing innovative programs with nonprofits and the public sector, and then convening corporate partners to drive sustainability at scale, said Dan Fibiger, Head of Global Sustainability for Gap Inc. By joining across food, fashion and biopharma, we can drive meaningful impact in communities that fuel our global supply chains.

Water is essential for human health, as well as for the ongoing production of our medicines and vaccines, said Claire Lund, VP Sustainability at GSK. Yet climate change and nature loss are impacting water and health in locally specific ways  with some countries being more vulnerable. Thats why we are focused on water as part of our commitment to contributing to a nature positive world. We are proud to be a founding partner of the Women + Water Collaborative to improve water quality, quantity, and access in India, in turn helping to support local community health.

This flagship collective action program demonstrates tangible progress toward the Water Resilience Coalitions ambition to contribute to water security for 3 billion people and enable equitable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene for more than 300 million people by 2030.

We know that reliable access to clean water and sanitation is essential for people and agriculture. At Cargill, we are focused on improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation, with the goal of reaching 500,000 people in priority communities by 2030, said Michelle Grogg, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Cargill. Partnership and collective action are a critical pathway to help us deliver on this ambition and were pleased to be a participating company in the Women + Water Collaborative.

WaterAid will launch the program in five Indian states and six priority districts. The NGO is keen to bring on additional corporate partners to expand the reach.

Our impact is limited only by the number of corporate partners we are able to bring on, says Kelly Parsons, CEO of WaterAid America. We know that solving the water crisis is a business imperative. We also know that none of the sustainable development goals will be achieved without global collaboration and partnership. By coordinating large, multi-stakeholder partnerships, we create holistic impact, at scale. That's the power of collective action."

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About the Water Resilience Coalition

The Water Resilience Coalition is an industry-driven, CEO-led initiative of the CEO Water Mandate that aims to elevate the long-term mounting crisis of global water stress to the top of the corporate agenda and to preserve the worlds freshwater resources through collective action in water-stressed basins and ambitious, quantifiable commitments. Since the Coalitions launch in 2020, 35 global companies across multiple sectors with a combined market cap of US$4.8 trillion and operations in more than 140 countries have joined the effort. For more information, visit ceowatermandate.org/resilience.





About the Pacific Institute

Founded in 1987, the Pacific Institute is a global water think tank that combines science-based thought leadership with active outreach to influence local, national, and international efforts in developing sustainable water policies. From working with Fortune 500 companies to frontline communities, our mission is to create and advance solutions to the worlds most pressing water challenges. Since 2009, the Pacific Institute has also acted as co-secretariat for the CEO Water Mandate, a global commitment platform that mobilizes a critical mass of business leaders to address global water challenges through corporate water stewardship. For more information, visit pacinst.org.





About the UN Global Compact

As a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Global Compact is a call to companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 18,000 companies and 3,800 non-business signatories based in over 101 countries, and 62 Local Networks, the UN Global Compact is the worlds largest corporate sustainability initiativeone Global Compact uniting business for a better world.
ATLANTA, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Television, Inc. (Gray) (NYSE: GTN) has released a new investor presentation providing Grays perspective on the broadcast industry and the company in the current network and retransmission landscape. The presentation outlines Grays belief that the Broadcast Industry and Gray are positioned well for continued growth in retransmission revenues in light of the continuing market trends and recent industry developments. The presentation is available on Grays website at https://gray.tv/investorrelations#presentations.



Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release and the presentation contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on Grays current expectations and reflect various estimates and assumptions by Gray. These statements may be identified by words such as estimates, expect, anticipate, will, implied, assume and similar expressions. In addition, statements in this press release and the presentation relating to the value and growth opportunities for retransmission revenues are based on Grays current expectations and beliefs and therefore constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks, trends and uncertainties which in some instances are beyond Grays control, including estimates of future retransmission revenue, future expenses and other future events.

Gray is subject to additional risks and uncertainties described in Grays quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including in the Risk Factors, and managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations sections contained therein. Any forward-looking statements in this press release and the presentation should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. This press release and the presentation reflects managements views as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, Gray undertakes no obligation to update or revise any information contained in this press release and the presentation beyond the published date, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Gray:

Gray Television, Inc. is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Gray is the nations largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. Its television stations serve 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. This portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 102 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station. Gray also owns video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films. For more information, please visit www.gray.tv .

Gray Contacts:

Jim Ryan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 404-504-9828

Kevin P. Latek, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Development Officer, 404-266-8333



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Contract Extends HIIs ISR Mission Support Across Domains

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a $244 million task order to integrate Minotaur software products into maritime platforms for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.



HII was awarded this contract under the Department of Defense (DoD) Information Analysis Centers (IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle. IAC MAC task orders are awarded by the U.S. Air Force's 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the Defense Technical Information Center repository and the research and development and science and technology community.

Under the Naval Air Systems Command task order, HII will perform research, development, test and evaluation to facilitate the integration of Minotaur Family of Services products into the services maritime platforms to meet intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance warfighting requirements.

Minotaur products support the warfighter by enhancing sensor performance and presenting data from multiple types of sensors, including radar and C5ISR equipment, into a single common operating picture and transmitting that data to other platforms and units during operations.

HII has been the first and only industry prime developer of Minotaur since the program was first awarded to industry in 2020.





A photo accompanying this release is available at https://hii.com/news/hii-awarded-244-million-contract-to-integrate-minotaur-software-products-into-maritime-platforms/

The contract has a five-year period of performance, with work conducted at contractor facilities in various U.S. locations.

HII has been at the forefront of Minotaur software development for nearly a decade, said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of Mission Technologies. Its a privilege to continue this mission-critical work and to concurrently deliver the advantage to three branches of the Armed Forces.

We are pleased that the Navy has selected this proven technology to meet the combined requirements of next-generation Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard ISR platforms, said Todd Gentry, president of Mission Technologies C5ISR business group. We have assembled an outstanding team and look forward to expanding our longstanding partnership with the Navy and supporting the tri-service maritime strategy.

For more information about HIIs C5ISR capabilities, visit: https://hii.com/what-we-do/capabilities/c5isr/.

NOTE

The DoD IAC, sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center, provides technical data management and research support for DoD and federal government users. Established in 1946, the IAC program serves the DoD science and technology and acquisition communities to drive innovation and technological developments by enhancing collaboration through integrated scientific and technical information development and dissemination for the DoD and broader science and technology community.

This material is based upon work supported by the DoD Information Analysis Center Program (DoD IAC), sponsored by the DTIC under Contract No. FA807523F0049.

Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the DoD.

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

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be87f076-da8c-4915-a868-e80112c33d93
Meet the multi-generational farmers at the beginning of a bold new journey incorporating regenerative agriculture practices on a conventional farm the size of Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kiss the Ground, an audience-supported non-profit organization dedicated to promoting regeneration as a viable solution for the climate, wellness, and water crises, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest mini-documentary in the Stories of Regeneration series. This authentic film invites viewers into the heart of a captivating narrative featuring T.J. Schiff and his daughter Caroline. They share the genesis of their courageous journey as they embark on the mission to introduce regenerative practices onto a conventional farm, sprawling in size akin to Los Angeles, providing hope for future generations and a second chance for conventional farms around the country to increase profit while doing the right thing for the environment, water, and wellness.

The Schiffs are taking pioneering steps in introducing regenerative agriculture practices to their community, reshaping the landscape with innovative row-spacing and cover crops, and opening themselves to regenerative experts and leaders to help guide their journey. T.J. sets the film's tone early, stating his confidence in the project. We need to see things change; Im not going to risk losing something that two prior generations have worked hard to give my generation. This film provides a fresh perspective on the possibility of American Big Ag changing for the better.

Evan Harrison, CEO of Kiss the Ground, expressed his enthusiasm for the latest addition to the Stories of Regeneration series, stating, "I was immediately taken in by the humble, thoughtful way T.J. and his daughter Caroline entered into the regenerative movement, provoked by a conversation with a major buyer. I believe it signifies a remarkable shift in the industry and the overall food system as we know it today; this is a tangible step of the direction we are heading in."

Kiss the Ground's Stories of Regeneration series is designed to inspire and educate audiences worldwide by sharing the unique journeys of regenerative practitioners from all backgrounds who work in harmony with nature to provide a better future for new generations. The organization is committed to raising awareness about regenerative agriculture and its potential to address pressing global challenges.

The NUTRO brand is a proud supporter of Kiss the Ground and the Stories of Regeneration Series. To date, the series has featured farmers such as a California regenerative farmer, Mollie Engelhart, who sources for her restaurants and uses food scraps for compost, and a Southwest wheat Farmer, Yadi Wang. Now, we are introducing T.J. Schiffs inspiring story to showcase how healthy soil practices can be adopted at scale.

Mindy Barry, Vice President of Marketing, NUTRO Brand, reflected on the power of the Stories of Regeneration film series. We are proud to support Kiss the Ground as they celebrate growers who are making the transition to healthy soil practices on their farms. As a brand, NUTRO depends on healthy, natural ingredients to create products that pets and pet parents depend on, and we are proud to support our own growers as they adopt new techniques to protect soil health on their land. The Schiffs are within our Barley supply network, and its exciting to see the family take major steps in a new direction to reduce the impact of heavily tilling on their farm.

For more information and to watch the latest mini-documentary featuring T.J. Schiff, please visit Kiss the Ground.

Join us in celebrating the power of regeneration and the individuals leading the way. Follow Kiss the Ground on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.





##

About Kiss the Ground: Kiss the Ground is an audience-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting regeneration and healthy soil as a viable solution for our climate, wellness, and water crisis. Since 2013, the organization has inspired millions to participate in the Regenerative Movement through storytelling, education, and partnerships.

Attachments
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Middle East and North Africa Climate Week (MENACW) 2023, hosted in Riyadh, underscored the pivotal role of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in shaping the future of minerals.

The panel moderated by Aldo Pennini, Director of Strategy, Program, and Content for FMF, featured distinguished panelists, including Abdulrahman Al Belushi, Assistant Deputy Minister for Mining Enablement at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources; Eng. Saud Al Mandil, Vice President of Technology, R&D, and Innovation at Maaden; Dr. Thamer Aldaajani, General Manager of Mining and Hydrocarbon Research at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology; Ali Al-Mutairi, Executive Director at FMF; Dr. Abdullah Al-Nabhan, Senior Director of the Survey and Exploration at the Saudi Geological Survey; and Professor Jim Skie, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Minerals represent a crucial pillar in powering numerous industries and projects, said Abdulrahman Al Belushi. He stressed the need for sustainable operations that minimize environmental impact and ensure community benefits.

Saud Al Mandil emphasized Maaden's commitment to sustainability in the mining sector. The company is dedicated to minimizing environmental impact and responsibly managing natural resources, aligning with the Kingdom's commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement.

Thamer Aldaajani stressed the pivotal role of research in comprehending the economic and environmental impact of mineral resources and enhancing their value chains. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the mining sector in balancing the extraction of required minerals with environmental preservation.

Ali Al-Mutairi outlined FMF's mission, stating, FMF aims to shape the future of minerals in the context of the energy transition through multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration. The Forum serves as an international platform, fostering opportunities for entities involved in the mining sector to explore potential opportunities across the mineral super region, which stretches from Africa through West and Central Asia.

Abdullah Al-Nabhan elaborated on the geological characteristics of the Arabian Shield, highlighting its abundant mineral resources essential for the green energy transition. Meanwhile, Professor Jim Skea announced, that for the first time, the IPCC will incorporate the role of minerals in the energy transition as part of its next multi-year report.

The third edition of FMF, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, will be held from January 9-11, 2024, at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c7249c16-1580-4825-bd81-b2946880f9f4

Omar Shereen M: +966 50 663 0489 E: [email protected]

Future Minerals Forum at MENA Climate Week The Future Minerals Forum panel discussion at the MENA Climate Week

Source: Future Minerals Forum
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a significant development today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced that the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) has been selected as the single external complaints body for Canada, with the mandate to investigate and resolve complaints between Canadian banks and consumers. OBSI welcomes this decision that recognizes our organizations 27-year track record of impartiality, expertise, and dedication to resolving disputes fairly and independently.

Maureen Jensen, OBSI Chair, expressed OBSIs appreciation for this recognition, stating, We are deeply honored to have been chosen as the exclusive ombudsman for banking complaints in Canada. This decision validates our ongoing efforts to provide consumers and financial services firms with an effective process for addressing their disputes and to offer a world-class complaint resolution service that all Canadians can have confidence in. The OBSI team is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fairness, and we are committed to facilitating efficient resolutions that benefit both consumers and the financial industry.

In the coming year, we look forward to working with the FCAC, the banks that will be returning to OBSI, as well as the Canadian Bankers Association, our existing participating banks and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition, said Sarah Bradley, Ombudsman and CEO, OBSI.

With the consolidation of banking complaint handling under OBSI, the organization will be responsible for providing ombuds services to all federally regulated Canadian banks. OBSI currently has more than 1,500 participating firms, including banks, trust companies, and credit unions, as well as all investment firms across Canada.

Effective ombudsman services advance fairness and trust in the Canadian financial services sector by providing efficient, independent, and accessible dispute resolution services to consumers and firms, and feeding data and insights back into the system to support a virtuous cycle of continuous improvement.

Canadas Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) is a national, independent, not-for-profit organization that helps resolve and reduce disputes between consumers and financial services firms in both official languages. OBSI is responsive to consumer inquiries, conducts fair and accessible investigations of unresolved disputes, and shares its knowledge and expertise with all stakeholders and the public. If a consumer has a complaint against an OBSI participating bank or investment firm that they are not able to resolve with the bank or firm, OBSI will investigate at no cost to the consumer. Where a complaint has merit, OBSI may recommend compensation up to a maximum of $350,000.

For more information, contact:

Mark Wright, Director, Communications and Stakeholder Relations

416-287-2877 ext.2225

[email protected]

Source: Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI)
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pan American Energy Corp. (the Company or Pan American) (CSE: PNRG) (OTC PINK: PAANF) (FRA: SS60) is pleased to announce that the Company has received an Exploration Permit (PR-23-000091) from the Ontario Ministry of Mines for the Big Mack Lithium Project (the Property). The Company has identified several high-priority drill targets as a result of field sampling and geophysical work completed earlier this year which it intends to drill as part of the planned exploration program. The Companys contractor partner, Axiom Exploration (Axiom), will support the planned exploration work, including project management, drill program design, geological data collection, testing and technical reporting.

Project Highlights:

Over 20+ pegmatites identified across the Property with three priority targets  Big Mack, Eleven Zone and Sprinkler/6059 which will be the focus of the planned exploration program.

The Property is adjacent to Avalon Advanced Material Corp.s ( Avalon ) flagship Separation Rapids joint venture project, the Big Whopper, which has an estimated measured and indicated mineral resource of 10.08 million tonnes averaging a grade of 1.35% Lithium Oxide (Li2O).1

) flagship Separation Rapids joint venture project, the Big Whopper, which has an estimated measured and indicated mineral resource of 10.08 million tonnes averaging a grade of 1.35% Lithium Oxide (Li2O).1 The Company has completed a magnetic survey, LiDAR survey and prospecting program with multiple high priority drilling targets identified, which the Company intends to drill as part of the planned exploration program.

Prior surface samples taken from the Property graded up to 3.21% Li2O, with sample values above 1.00% Li2O from the Eleven, Big Mack, and 6059 zones, all with visible petalite on surface.

The Property is accessible by road and is located approximately 80 km North of Kenora, ON.

We are thrilled to have received this exploration permit from the Ontario Ministry of Mines and look forward to getting to work in the coming weeks, said Jason Latkowcer, Chief Executive Officer at Pan American. The previous work on the Property has allowed us to refine our drill targeting. We have identified some incredible targets in the program design. Jason continued, We would like to acknowledge that the Big Mack Project lies within the traditional land use area of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations of Whitedog, Ontario. We are committed to conducting operations in accordance with applicable environmental laws and in collaboration with the local community.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Lynde Guillaume, P.Geo, who is a consulting geologist of Axiom Exploration, an independent consultant of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

For additional information regarding the Companys surface sampling program at the Property, including a complete summary of the samples collected and the results of the sampling program and the sampling and analytical methods and QA/QC protocols, please see the Companys news release dated August 9, 2023, which is filed on the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About the Property

The Property is located 2 km east of all-weather Snook Lake Road about 80 km north of Kenora, ON. The property is proximal (~1.3 km) to Avalons Separation Rapids, Big Whopper deposit which hosts a measured and indicated resource. The Property is within an Ontario registered mining lease, with over 30 years of exploration history. The Property lies within the traditional land use area of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations of Whitedog, Ontario: an Aboriginal community located approximately 35 km southwest of the property.

The Property hosts four known Li-bearing pegmatites including the Big Mack pegmatite, Eleven Zone, Sprinkler Zone, and 6095 pegmatite which are thought to be related to the Separation Rapids Pluton. They are interpreted as zoned Complex Type, Petalite Subtype LCT Pegmatites. The Big Mack pegmatite represents the largest petalite-bearing mass on the Property and is exposed over an 80 by 225 m area. Historic drilling campaigns (1998, 1999, 2001) intersected mineralization extending along a strike length of ~150 meters and to a depth of 75 meters. The mineralization at the Property remains open at depth and along strike.

About Pan American Energy Corp.

Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG) (OTC PINK: PAANF) (FSE: SS60) is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties containing battery metals in North America.

The Company executed an option agreement in Canada with Magabra Resources, providing for the right to acquire up to a 90% interest in the drill-ready Big Mack Lithium Project, 80 km north of Kenora, Ontario. The Company has also entered a property option agreement with Horizon Lithium LLC providing for the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Horizon Lithium Project, located within Esmeralda County  Tonopah Lithium Belt, Nevada, USA.

To register for investor updates, please visit https://panam-energy.com.

On Behalf of the Board of DirectorsJason LatkowcerCEO & Director

ContactPhone: (587) 885-5970 Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

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 the Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the exploration plans of the Company for the Property, including the nature and type of the Companys exploration activities, the timing of such exploration activities, the aim of the Companys exploration efforts and the cost of the Companys planned exploration program; the expected benefits of the Companys use of Axiom to complete the proposed exploration activities; and the Companys ability to comply with all applicable environmental laws and conduct its operations in collaboration with the local community.

Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, assumptions regarding the Companys ability to execute on its exploration plans for the Property, including that it will be successful in carrying out such exploration activities in the manner contemplated, that such exploration activities will yield the expected information and the desired outcomes and that the Company will be able to complete such exploration activities in accordance with the Companys budget for such exploration activities; that the Companys use of Axiom to carry out the exploration activities will yield the anticipated benefits to the Company and the Property; that the Companys exploration and development activities on the Property will be successful; and that the Company will be successful in its efforts to comply with all applicable environmental laws and conduct its operations in collaboration with the local community.

Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things, the risk that exploration at the Property does not proceed in the manner currently contemplated, or at all; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to receiving requisite permits and approvals, changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project and that the costs of mineral exploration are subject to change which often results in the cost of mineral exploration exceeding budgeted costs; that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company; that the Companys use of Axiom to carry out the Companys exploration program may not yield the anticipated benefits to the Company or the Property; that mineral exploration and development activities are often unsuccessful and that the Company may fail to develop the Property into an economically beneficial commercial project; that the Company may not be successful in complying with all applicable laws, whether as a result of changes in these laws or the application of these laws or otherwise; and risks associated with collaboration with local communities, including that the Company may not be able to facilitate such collaboration or that such collaboration may lead to delays or additional costs associated with the Companys activities with respect to the Property. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company 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.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

1 Information regarding the mineral resource estimate for Avalons Separation Rapids project was taken from Avalons press release dated August 10, 2023, which is available on Avalons SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. This mineral resource estimate was independently prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. for Avalon, with an effective date of August 7, 2023. Pan American has not had a qualified person verify this information, and this information is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization (if any) present at the Property.

Source: Pan American Energy Corp.
CHANTILLY, Va., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) announced today that the company was awarded a contract by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Honolulu District to provide the design-build delivery of new U.S. Army housing units in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The three-year, $44 million single-award ceiling value contract is new work for the company.



The company also announced the selection for a task order award with a ceiling value of $27 million over five years from the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville for remediation and construction support services in Guam. This is new work for the company.

Parsons is a leader in providing the federal government with solutions to their most complex infrastructure and remediation challenges, said Jon Moretta, president, Engineered Systems, for Parsons. Projects of this nature in the Indo-Pacific are uniquely complex due to the logistical and environmental challenges required to operate in the region. Our team has proven to be a trusted delivery partner to USACE, and we look forward to further advancing their mission in support of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Under the Kwajalein contract, Parsons will deliver new army housing units on-island in support of the Department of the Armys modernization initiatives. Under the Guam task order, Parsons will assess munitions, explosives, and material for hazardous removal and provide construction management support for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) facilities in Guam.

These awards expand the companys existing footprint in the Indo-Pacific (INDOPAC) region. The Kwajalein army housing units advance the U.S. Indo-Pacific Commands mission to implement a deterrence strategy at the nations Western Flank, and the Guam remediation and construction support services advance MDAs need to strengthen missile defense on the critical U.S. military hub.

Since 2019, Parsons has been awarded nearly $300 million in INDOPACOM-related contracts by leveraging their program and construction management; engineering and planning; and complex infrastructure expertise. Federal clients include Naval Facility Engineering Systems Command Southwest, which is responsible for a six-state area on the West Coast; Officer in Charge of Construction China Lake, which is executing the nearly $4 billion earthquake recovery program to restore Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and the Naval Air Weapons Center Weapons Division to fully mission capable; and USACE Honolulu District, which engineers solutions for the nations INDOPAC challenges that enable defense readiness.

To learn more about Parsons global infrastructure solutions, visit Parsons.com/infrastructure-capabilities/. To learn more about Parsons environmental remediation and treatment solutions, visit Parsons.com/environmental/.

About Parsons:

Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the national security and global infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cyber and intelligence, space and missile defense, transportation, environmental remediation, urban development, and critical infrastructure. Please visit parsons.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we're making an impact.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions, and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks, changes in circumstances, trends and factors that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside of our control. Accordingly, actual performance, results and events may vary materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, and you should not rely on the forward-looking statements as predictions of future performance, results or events. Numerous factors could cause actual future performance, results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: any issue that compromises our relationships with the U.S. federal government or its agencies or other state, local or foreign governments or agencies; any issues that damage our professional reputation; changes in governmental priorities that shift expenditures away from agencies or programs that we support; our dependence on long-term government contracts, which are subject to the governments budgetary approval process; the size of our addressable markets and the amount of government spending on private contractors; failure by us or our employees to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances or certifications; failure to comply with numerous laws and regulations; changes in government procurement, contract or other practices or the adoption by governments of new laws, rules, regulations and programs in a manner adverse to us; the termination or nonrenewal of our government contracts, particularly our contracts with the U.S. federal government; our ability to compete effectively in the competitive bidding process and delays, contract terminations or cancellations caused by competitors protests of major contract awards received by us; our ability to generate revenue under certain of our contracts; any inability to attract, train or retain employees with the requisite skills, experience and security clearances; the loss of members of senior management or failure to develop new leaders; misconduct or other improper activities from our employees or subcontractors; our ability to realize the full value of our backlog and the timing of our receipt of revenue under contracts included in backlog; changes in the mix of our contracts and our ability to accurately estimate or otherwise recover expenses, time and resources for our contracts; changes in estimates used in recognizing revenue; internal system or service failures and security breaches; and inherent uncertainties and potential adverse developments in legal proceedings, including litigation, audits, reviews and investigations, which may result in materially adverse judgments, settlements or other unfavorable outcomes. These factors are not exhaustive and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance. For a discussion of additional factors that could materially adversely affect our business and financial performance, see the factors included under the caption Risk Factors in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and speak only as of the date on which they are made. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this presentation that becomes untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise, except to the extent we are required to do so in connection with our ongoing requirements under federal securities laws.

Media Contact:

Jonathan Larry

+1 706.832.7330

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Dave Spille

+1 703.775.6191

[email protected]
By Azernews

Qabil Ashirov

Turkish Ambassador has paid a visit to Fuzuli, which was liberated from the Armenian invasion three years ago, Azernews reports.

We are heading for Fuzuli in its third year since the victory and its liberation from the Armenian invasion, the Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Cahit Ba?ci shared a post on his X account.

He added that we will witness the reconstruction and restoration of Garabagh and the return of our brothers to their homeland.

To recall, the Fuzuli district was invaded by Armenian Armed Groups on August 23, 1993. After being under 27 years of Armenian invasion, the district was liberated on October 17, 2020. Azerbaijan has started mass reconstruction and restoration works in Fuzuli, like other liberated territories. Over 130,000 residents of Fuzuli became IDPs as a result of Armenian occupation and so far, roughly 1,000 former IDPs returned to Fuzuli.
The Russia-China axis is strengthening ties at a time of multiple global conflicts. Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Beijing on Tuesday and will meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on Wednesday. The meeting  which was scheduled months ago  is in honor of the 10th anniversary of Chinas New Silk Road or Belt and Road initiative, an infrastructure project aimed at connecting China to the world. It comes at a critical moment, with the outbreak of a new war between Israel and Hamas that threatens to open a new gap in the geopolitical scene and comes on top of Russias war in Ukraine.

Since Putin decreed the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian leader is rarely seen traveling abroad. In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Putin for alleged war crimes for his involvement in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, and there are only a few places he can visit without running the risk of being arrested. His first trip outside of Russia since the arrest warrant was to Kyrgyzstan, a nation that  like China  does not recognize the ICC.

The trip will strengthen ties between two leaders who call themselves dear friends. Putin and Xi have brought relations between their countries to their closest point ever despite the war in Ukraine, and in part, because of it. The two leaders have met more than 40 times. A few weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine they announced a friendship without limits and in their last meeting in Moscow, in March, Xi said goodbye to his Russian counterpart by saying: There are changes that havent happened in 100 years. When we are together, we drive these changes. To which Putin replied: I agree.

While G-7 countries and their allies have placed sanctions on Moscow and severed economic ties with Russia, the war in Ukraine has given a new boost to trade with Beijing. In 2022, it increased by 34.3%, reaching $190 billion. The West is suspicious of Chinas calculated attitude towards Russia with respect to the Ukraine war. Beijing has at no time condemned the invasion, although it has offered to be a mediator, creating a 12-point document to find a political solution to the crisis. Xi has also appointed a special envoy to investigate possible negotiations. So far, these efforts have not yielded any results.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traveled on Monday to Beijing, where he met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. The two discussed the two major points of friction on the geopolitical scene: Ukraine, and the war between Israel and Hamas. On this last point, Wang reiterated Chinas condemnation of all actions that harm civilians and violate international law, and has called for the United Nations Security Council to take action.

Major powers should play an active role to achieve a ceasefire, establish emergency humanitarian aid channels and prevent a humanitarian disaster, Wang said, according to a readout by Chinas foreign ministry, published by the Xinhua news agency. He also insisted, as Beijing has repeated in recent days, that negotiations on the two-state solution must be resumed and that China supported the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights.

Wang and Lavrov also touched upon the Ukrainian crisis, including efforts to resolve it through political and diplomatic means, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, published by the TASS news agency. According to the statement, the diplomats highlighted the importance of boosting close coordination between Russia and China on the international stage, in reference to forums such as the U.N. Security Council, BRICS and the G-20. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the parties were glad to note that their positions coincided fully or were very closely aligned on all the issues discussed.

Putins meeting with Xi will be partially overshadowed by the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, in which delegations from more than 140 countries will take part. The summit is of utmost importance to China: the Belt and Road initiative is one of the most important projects the Chinese president has launched in the past decade. The event will feature heads of state from numerous countries, particularly in Africa and Latin America. The highest level leader from the European Union will be Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Eurasian Economic Union

One of Moscows objectives will be to harmonize Chinas Belt and Road initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union, an integration project sponsored by Moscow with other former Soviet republics. In addition to Putins meeting with Xi on Wednesday, the Russian leader is planning several bilateral meetings with the leaders of the states participating in the forum, according to a Kremlin statement.

In an interview with China Media Group before the trip, Putin highlighted the fundamental importance of relations between both countries to ensuring stability in the world, according to the official Kremlin transcript. There is no reference to the war that broke out on October 7 in the Middle East. But it does contain an extensive reflection on the situation in Ukraine and Chinas role as a mediator.

We are thankful to our Chinese friends for trying to think about ways to end this crisis, said Putin, who blamed Ukraine for the lack of progress towards a ceasefire and accused Western countries and NATO expansionism for provoking the conflict. He said Beijings proposals were absolutely realistic and could lay the foundation for peace agreements. But, unfortunately, he added, the opposing side does not want to enter into any negotiations.

In the interview, Putin expressed his support for a multipolar world against the vestiges of colonial thinking, which he believes is represented by the U.S.-led international order. This is exactly what we are striving for, and this is the basis of our interaction with China on the international stage, he said.

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HAYWARD, Calif., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Predicine, a pioneer in the liquid biopsy, announce its participation in the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress in Madrid, Spain. The company will present six compelling poster studies, unveiling the future of liquid biopsy solutions.

These poster presentations will shine a spotlight on Predicines groundbreaking liquid biopsy innovations, including PredicineBEACON, a revolutionary solution for personalized and actionable minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis. Additionally, PredicineWES+ liquid biopsy will be showcased for its capacity for boosted whole exome sequencing for cfDNA genomic profiling, along with PredicineCARE, an advanced cfDNA NGS assay for genomic alteration detection, and PredicineSCORE for copy number detection, tumor fraction, gene expression, and disease monitoring.

The upcoming data presentations will spotlight Predicines state-of-the-art MRD solution, unveil genomic profiling in breast cancer, and explore the use of urinary cfDNA in bladder cancer. These discoveries underscore Predicines pioneering efforts to revolutionize oncology through liquid biopsy solutions, promising to reshape the landscape of personalized cancer care, clinical trials, and companion diagnostic (CDx) development.

The lineup of poster presentations includes:

#2397P: A Real-world Study of Longitudinal Urinary ctDNA Monitoring of MRD in Patients with Muscle Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma

#2262P: Baseline-informed vs. tumor-agnostic MRD Concordance Study in Patients with HER2+ Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma

#496P: Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of Advanced HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer Patients Using Liquid Biopsy

#2401P: Detection of Molecular Recurrence in Early-Stage Bladder Cancer Patients using a Urinary Tumor DNA Assay

#2402P: Urine-based Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Reveals Mutational Landscape in Patients with Bladder Cancer

#1436P: Prospective Study Utilizing ctDNA Genome-wide Copy Number Variations for Longitudinal Monitoring of Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Predicine's CEO, Shidong Jia, expresses his excitement for these upcoming presentations, stating, "These studies at ESMO are a testament to our unwavering commitment to MRD technology innovation and its incredible potential to transform clinical trials and patient care. We look forward to engaging with the oncology community to explore the limitless possibilities of MRD in precision medicine."

About Predicine Predicine is a global molecular insights company committed to advancing precision medicine in oncology and infectious disease diagnostics. Predicine is developing proprietary technologies for cell-free DNA and cell-free RNA liquid biopsy to enable minimally invasive molecular diagnoses for early cancer detection, treatment selection, therapy response, minimal residual disease monitoring, and disease progression. The Predicine portfolio includes blood, urine, and tissue based NGS assays designed for globally harmonized use in research, clinical investigation, and companion diagnostic (CDx) development. Through its business operations in Silicon Valley, Houston, Chicago, Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, and Harbin, Predicine is partnering and collaborating with leading biopharma companies, institutions, and governments to support personalized healthcare on a global scale. Further information is available on the company websites, http://www.predicine.com. Stay in touch on LinkedIn or @Predicine on Twitter (X).

Contact Information: Predicine, Inc. [email protected]

Source: Predicine
MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- mdf commerce inc. (TSX: MDF), a SaaS leader in digital commerce technologies, today announces that Rockland, Chemung, Orange and Ulster Counties (the Counties) in New York State have signed a multi-year agreement for the usage of our source-to-contract solution and our Shop module, a marketplace to easily find and shop from available cooperative contracts. These Counties have been utilizing our sourcing module for over 15 years and, through this agreement, will upgrade their procurement efficiency to include our full source-to-contract technology and innovative shared marketplace.

Strategic sourcing is critical for governments. The four Counties, with a total population of over one million, will now be able to leverage their collective buying power. Suppliers will benefit from the ease of using cooperative contracting to more efficiently serve government customers across the region and State. While cooperative purchasing is not new, the ability to shop contracts from a common marketplace is a new and innovative approach to public procurement. The marketplace will be accessible to all New York State agencies, and they will be welcome to join the community to streamline their procurement and benefit from the shared marketplace.

Over the multi-year term of the agreement, these Counties will each have access to our comprehensive source-to-contract and marketplace solutions, stemming from our 20+ years of experience with the public sector, including four of the five modules of our suite: Source, Connect, Contract, and Shop.

Our full-procurement solution, adopted by approximately 6,500 public sector buying organizations, powers the critical work of public procurement throughout North America and includes:

SOURCE | Strategic Sourcing to streamline solicitation creation, publication, evaluation and awarding in one easy-to-use platform

CONNECT | Vendor Management to improve insight and automation to connect with vendors throughout the procurement process with qualification, performance management and contract negotiation

CONTRACT | Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) to increase efficiency and transparency through collaborative authoring, performance monitoring and overall CLM

PROCURE | Requisition to Pay to improve the entire procurement process through purchase orders, invoicing, payments, spend reporting and an integration with the entity ERP

SHOP | Marketplace to provide the Counties buyers and other local municipalities in New York State a shared community and a convenient experience to order off existing contracts with supplier-uploaded catalogs

"We are thrilled by these exciting developments in Rockland, Chemung, Orange, and Ulster Counties, building their community procurement collaboration through our source-to-contract and marketplace solutions. These enhanced tools will play a pivotal role in driving procurement transformation in these Counties. The inclusion of our Shop module, designed specifically for the public sector, further underscores our dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration among local government buyers," remarked Mark Eigenbauer, President of eprocurement at mdf commerce. "We are very enthusiastic about this initiative. By working in tandem with these Counties through strategic sourcing and supplier onboarding services, we expect to enable the success of the community program, while strengthening the collective purchasing influence of local governments across the State of New York."

About mdf commerce Inc.

mdf commerce Inc. (TSX: MDF) enables the flow of commerce by providing a broad set of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions designed to optimize and accelerate commercial interactions between buyers and sellers. Our platforms and services empower businesses around the world, enabling them to generate billions of dollars in transactions on an annual basis. Our eprocurement, ecommerce and emarketplaces solutions are supported by a strong and dedicated team of approximately 650 employees based in Canada, the U.S., Ukraine and China. For more information, please visit mdfcommerce.com, follow us on LinkedIn or call 1-877-677-9088.

For further information

Brigitte Guay, Director - Corporate Communications

1 877 677-9088, ext. 5123

[email protected]
Schaumburg, IL, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During her reign as President of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) in 2021-22, Sue Ellen Cox, MD, created the Legacy Circle as an avenue for members to give back to ASDS through their estate planning. The program recognizes its most generous and loyal member donors who support the longevity of dermatologic surgery.

Dr. Cox recently committed $300,000 to the Legacy Circle  a Tier 3 contribution that includes a yearly anniversary gift, memorial gift, preceptorship award and educational scholarship in the members honor.

The education, relationships and opportunities Ive had through ASDS have truly built my career, and ASDS has been, by far, the single most important external factor in my success, said Dr. Cox. I am blessed to have a career I love, and ASDS has been instrumental throughout it by providing invaluable structure, guidance and relationships. I want the next generation of dermatologic surgeons, and all those that follow, to have the same opportunity.

For over 25 years, Dr. Cox has been a pioneer in dermatology, having held many leadership roles that advance the practice of aesthetic dermatology. Throughout her career, she has taught hundreds of dermatology residents, authored and contributed to more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, served on numerous committees and Boards of Directors for professional organizations and frequently lectured about her extensive clinical research findings for international audiences.

Dermatologic surgery is one of the most innovative medical specialties today. ASDS members have pioneered safe, in-office procedures that are saving lives by diagnosing and treating potentially deadly skin cancers earlier and more successfully and are giving patients more effective treatments for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures to help them look and feel their best. Committing to the ASDS Legacy Circle ensures future dermatologic surgeons will continue their innovative work.

With four tiers of giving, ASDS members can plan for a future gift without giving up any assets during their lifetime. The programs success will ensure that the Society endures, grows and guides the aspirations of future generations of dermatologic surgeons.

Tier 1 is for members who commit to a gift $50,000 to $100,000. They will receive a yearly anniversary gift to recognize their commitment.

is for members who commit to a gift $50,000 to $100,000. They will receive a yearly anniversary gift to recognize their commitment. Tier 2 is for members who commit to a gift $100,001 to $200,000. In addition to the yearly anniversary gift, members families will receive a memorial gift at the time of their passing.

is for members who commit to a gift $100,001 to $200,000. In addition to the yearly anniversary gift, members families will receive a memorial gift at the time of their passing. Tier 3 is for members who commit to a gift $200,001 to $300,000. They will receive the benefits from Tiers 1 and 2, plus a named cosmetic or reconstructive preceptorship award in their honor.

is for members who commit to a gift $200,001 to $300,000. They will receive the benefits from Tiers 1 and 2, plus a named cosmetic or reconstructive preceptorship award in their honor. Tier 4 is for members who commit to a gift over $300,000. They will receive the benefits from Tiers 1, 2 and 3, as well as a named educational scholarship in their honor.

Learn more at asds.plannedgiving.org or contact Tara Azzano, ASDS Chief Development and Industry Relations Officer, at 847-956-9128 or [email protected].

# # #

About the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is the largest specialty organization exclusively representing dermatologic surgeons who have the unique training and experience required to treat the health, function and beauty of patients skin, hair and nails. ASDS members are pioneers in the field, often involved in clinical studies that substantiate popular procedures to revitalize and repair skin, enhance skin care devices and improve standard techniques. Dermatologic surgeons are also experts in skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment. As the incidence of skin cancer rises, dermatologic surgeons are committed to spreading sun safety awareness to minimize the life-threatening effects of this disease. For more information, visit asds.net.

For physician news, follow ASDS Members on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.For patient education, follow ASDS Skin MD on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, YouTube and TikTok.Locate a dermatologic surgeon in your area: asds.net/find

Attachment

Katie Allodi American Society for Dermatologic Surgery 847-956-9143 [email protected]

Source: American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
FLOWOOD, Miss., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superior Polymers, an innovator in advanced materials for medical applications, announces the launch today of Magnolia Trinity PEEK, bringing three clinically proven biomaterials together. Magnolia Trinity PEEK combines carbon fiber, hydroxyapatite, and polyether ether ketonethree critical materials required in high performance medical applications. Now, Magnolia Trinity PEEK brings unparalleled versatility, biocompatibility, and durability for medical devices such as orthopedic and cardiovascular implants or surgical instruments, catheter components, and more.

Superior Polymers pushed the boundaries of material science to create Magnolia Trinity PEEK, said Bob Fruge, Superior Polymers Director of Business Development. Bringing these three proven materials together in one application is unprecedented. This novel composite material is opening new possibilities for implantable polymer usage for engineers, designers, and manufacturers. We are thrilled to bring Magnolia Trinity PEEK to our customers and the market to ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Multiple studies have proven the positive effects of hydroxyapatite, carbon fiber, and polyether ether ketone.i Carbon fiber is renowned for its exceptional mechanical properties, while hydroxyapatite is a natural mineral component of bone, known for its osteoconductive ability. Combining these materials allows for the creation of multi-functional composites that can simultaneously provide structural support, promote bone growth, and resist wear.

Magnolia Trinity PEEK is readily machinable and can be easily customized to suit specific medical device designs. This versatility allows for the creation of intricate and patient-specific implants.

Additional key features and benefits of Magnolia Trinity PEEK include:

Fatigue resistance : Carbon fiber reinforcement enhances the fatigue resistance of PEEK.

: Carbon fiber reinforcement enhances the fatigue resistance of PEEK. Reduced wear and friction for joint replacement and prosthetics : High wear resistance and low friction properties due to the presence of carbon fiber are advantageous in applications involving articulating or sliding components, such as joint replacements and prosthetic devices.

: High wear resistance and low friction properties due to the presence of carbon fiber are advantageous in applications involving articulating or sliding components, such as joint replacements and prosthetic devices. Osteoconductive potential : Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral found in bone, and when combined with PEEK, it enhances the material's osteoconductive properties.

: Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral found in bone, and when combined with PEEK, it enhances the material's osteoconductive properties. Enhanced radiolucency : Carbon fibers enhance the radiolucency compared to pure PEEK, which is relatively radiopaque.

: Carbon fibers enhance the radiolucency compared to pure PEEK, which is relatively radiopaque. Better hemocompatibility: Higher crystallinity of the composite may induce less hemolysis, thrombin generation, and reduce platelet adhesion making it a promising material for cardiovascular applications.

Magnolia Trinity PEEK is available now. To learn more and explore its potential applications with a materials expert, visit superior-polymers.com today to schedule a consultation. Representatives from Superior Polymers will be attending the upcoming annual North American Spine Society (NASS) event in Los Angeles, CA October 18 -21, 2023. To schedule a meeting please email Bob Fruge at [email protected].

About Superior Polymers

Superior Polymers is a leading innovator in advanced materials, dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions to industries worldwide. With a strong focus on customer service, our team of experts strives to create materials that exceed expectations in terms of performance, sustainability, and versatility. Learn more at www.superior-polymers.com.

Contact:

Email Address: [email protected]

Phone Number: 601-345-4515

Company Website: http://www.superior-polymers.com

Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/company/superior-polymers/

PR ContactMelany Joy Beck | [email protected] Mobile: (737) 900-7986

i https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4987717/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25780341/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3d86fcc-172b-4d59-b90c-e983978048cf

Superior Polymers Magnolia Trinity PEEK Superior Polymers Magnolia Trinity PEEK combines polyether ether ketone, carbon fiber, and hydroxyapatite for medical devices.

Source: Superior Polymers LLC




Nanterre, 17 October 2023

The consortium led by VINCI wins the contract to recover excavated materials

from the French side of the Mont-Cenis base tunnel (Lyon-Turin)

An 800 million contract

To process 23 million tonnes of materials

Over 50 % of the materials reused at the construction site

An 120-month project

The Board of Directors of TELT (Tunnel Euralpin Lyon-Turin) has awarded a contract for the recovery of excavation materials on the French side of the Mont Cenis tunnel (works package CO11) to a consortium encompassing Eurovia Alpes (the lead and a VINCI Construction subsidiary), Carrieres du Bassin Rhonalpin, Terelian (two VINCI Construction subsidiaries), SATM, Granulats Vicat (two VICAT subsidiaries), Spie Batignolles Valerian, Spie Batignolles Malet and GIE GMM 73.





This 800 million contract covers industrial processing of the 23 million tonnes of materials excavated on the French side with a circular approach including reuse of over 50 % of the spoil on site.





The outsized complex will include three permanent storage sites, three materials processing stations, eight logistics platforms, 15 km of conveyor belts and a full train loading facility.





The consortium will also provide 78,000 hours of work and training for people on integration paths during the 120 months of works.





VINCI Construction is already involved in LyonTurin construction site, digging 23 km of twin-tube tunnel between Saint-Martin-de-la-Porte and Modane, preparing the construction of the Avrieux shafts near the future safety base at Modane and on the La Maddalena niches, on the Italian side of the Alps to create lateral niches to widen the tunnel and reinforce the vault to ensure safety. VINCI Construction will be able to draw on the historical experience of the VICAT Group on the TELT project.





About VINCI

VINCI is a global player in concessions, energy and construction, employing 272,000 people in more than 120 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, above and beyond economic and financial results, we are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. VINCIs ambition is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, partners and society in general. www.vinci.com

Contact: VINCI Press Department  Tel: +33 1 57 98 62 88 - [email protected]

About VICAT

For almost 200 years, VICAT has been a leading industrial player in the field of mineral and bio-based construction materials. Committed to a trajectory of carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050, the family-owned company (listed on the stock exchange) currently operates in 3 main businesses: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) and Aggregates, as well as complementary activities to these core businesses. The cement group employs 9,900 people and had consolidated sales of 3.642 billion in 2022. Anchored in the territories, VICAT develops a circular economy model that benefits everyone and innovates every day to reduce the environmental impact of construction. www.vicat.fr

Contact: Lison Douvegheant - Tel: +33 4 78 37 34 64 -Monet and Associate for VICAT - [email protected]





This press release is an official information document of the VINCI Group.

PRESS CONTACT

VINCI Press Department

Tel: +33 (0)1 57 98 62 88

[email protected]





Attachment
DEASE LAKE, British Columbia, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC), the business arm of the Tahltan Nation, and Solvest, a leading provider of renewable energy solutions, are pleased to announce their strategic partnership aimed at advancing sustainable and clean energy initiatives in Tahltan Territory. Further, TNDC and Solvest are pleased to announce their first power project installation will be at the Schaft Creek Copper-Gold-Molybdenum-Silver Project located in NW British Columbia in Tahltan Territory which is owned by the Schaft Creek Joint Venture (SCJV) and operated by Teck Resources Limited (Teck) with a 75% interest and Copper Fox Metals Inc. with a 25% interest.

Under the partnership, TNDC and Solvest will work together to identify and develop renewable solar power solutions that reduce diesel consumption and carbon emissions, with the aim to achieve carbon neutrality in Tahltan Territory in the future.

TNDC will invest in and own redeployable long life solar power assets and lease them to mining companies under a short-term lease. This creates greater economic benefits for TNDC while removing the capital investment and lowering the cost of fuel and carbon emissions for mining companies  reducing risks for all parties.

The first power project installation is at the Schaft Creek copper-gold-molybdenum-silver project, which is managed through the SCJV by Teck who is the Operator of the SCJV. TNDC has entered into a 3-year leasing arrangement with Teck for the power equipment, where Teck has the option to buy-out the lease after 3-years, and where Solvest has co-invested with TNDC for 25% of the project.

The Schaft Creek project includes a remote seasonal 85-person camp currently powered by diesel generators. It is estimated this solar array and battery installation will achieve more than an 80% reduction in carbon emissions directly for camp power, resulting in a significant cost savings for the SCJV over the next 3 years and beyond. Additional benefits include a significant reduction in camp noise compared to generators, lower cost of power, the ability to extend the life of the system and/or redeploy the power system, and additional reductions in fuel consumption related to the delivery of fuel and materials to the site.

We are excited to collaborate with Solvest to accelerate our goal to develop and adopt clean energy technologies within Tahltan Territory. This partnership will leverage the collective expertise and resources of both organizations to develop and implement renewable solar power solutions that will benefit the Tahltan Nation and advance our vision of sustainable development. This partnership not only aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship but also presents significant economic opportunities. We look forward to working together to create a cleaner and more prosperous future, said Paul Gruner, CEO, TNDC.

Solvest is excited to partner with TNDC to bring more accessible renewable power to mining companies and communities in Tahltan Territory and to assist TNDC in developing a portfolio of long-term renewable power assets with steady revenue streams. We have been impressed with TNDCs proactive approach and commitment to making a positive impact in a short timeframe. Both TNDC and Teck worked collaboratively to create a win-win arrangement in a matter of a few months for mutual economic benefits  without the requirement for government grants. We look forward to replicating this success with TNDC at other mining projects, said Ben Power, CEO & Co-founder, Solvest.

Implementing solar and battery technology at the Schaft Creek Project will reduce both our greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on diesel fuel. Through this partnership, Schaft Creek will work with a Tahltan company to implement this project while also building capacity with our community partners. Using battery storage with the solar panels means that we can obtain 24-hour power even in a remote location and learn more about the potential for this approach to reduce emissions at other sites, said Jonathan Price, CEO, Teck.

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 SOLVEST

Solvest is the leading provider of renewable energy services in Northern and remote areas, leveraging the extensive expertise of its partners in resource development across northern Canada. Specializing in reducing reliance on costly diesel power generation through cutting-edge renewable energy technology, Solvest aims to empower individuals and communities, foster self-sufficiency, generate wealth, and promote environmental stewardship. Solvests services include solar and energy storage project development, design, procurement, construction, operations and maintenance and equipment leasing, including fostering collaborative partnerships with Indigenous partners and mining companies.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b37c9a08-fda0-4507-a858-b40eac390f66

Contact: Tahltan Nation Development Corporation Deena Tokaryk, TNDC Communications Manager Mobile 778 552 5082 [email protected] Contact: Solvest Ria Fitzgerald, Director of Mining [email protected]

Schaft Creek solar array completed The TNDC/Solvest solar array installed at the Schaft Creek Copper-Gold-Molybdenum-Silver Project located in northwest British Columbia in Tahltan Territory.

Source: Tahltan Nation Development Corporation
BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TwinFocus , the premier boutique multifamily office for global ultra-high-net-worth investors, entrepreneurs, their families, professional investors and select institutions, today announced the appointment of David Daglio as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Global Investment Strategist.



As CIO, Daglio will be responsible for leading the firms Investment Committee, overseeing macro investment strategy and guiding private investment activities. Managing Partner John Pantekidis, CFA, who heads the firms wealth structuring and tax planning efforts and had been serving in the role of CIO, will work with Daglio to guide the firms investment activities and global strategy.

Daglio brings more than two decades of experience in investment research, risk management, asset allocation and client engagement leadership positions to the firm. He spent 22 years at Mellon, an investment firm that merged with the Bank of New York to become BNY Mellon in 2007. As CIO of Mellon, Daglio united and integrated three distinct firms to create a leading $500 billion asset manager, the twelfth largest in the U.S. Throughout his tenure with BNY Mellon, he worked globally with institutional clients and boards, managed investors and achieved five-fold growth in portfolio assets in his funds. Most recently, Daglio was CEO and founder of BC-GUMPSa tactical asset manager focused on delivering hard-to-find arbitrage opportunities to sophisticated and ultra-high-net-worth investorswhich has been acquired by TwinFocus.

"We have known Dave for many years as one of the top investment strategists in the business and have been following his launch of BC-GUMPS closely, said Paul Karger, CFA, co-founder and Managing Partner at TwinFocus. We are delighted to welcome him to the firm.

With extensive leadership experience and unrivaled knowledge of the financial markets, Dave will play a pivotal role in shaping our investment solutions, enriching the value we bring to clients and driving our firm's success in the years to come, added Wesley Karger, CFA, co-founder and Managing Partner at TwinFocus. In addition, we believe the research principals Dave developed at BC-GUMPS, which explicitly allow for the sourcing and extraction of asymmetric returns, can complement and enhance a diversified portfolio.

As a long-time client of TwinFocus, I have seen firsthand the care and dedication with which the team supports individuals, families and institutions throughout their wealth journey, said Daglio. I look forward to leveraging my experience and investment approach to continue delivering an unparalleled level of service to our clients.

Daglio is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and earned his MBA from NYUs Stern School of Business and bachelors degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

About TwinFocus

TwinFocus is a premier boutique multifamily office for global ultra-high-net-worth investors, entrepreneurs, their families, professional investors and select institutions looking to preserve, enhance and transfer wealth across multiple generations. TwinFocus proprietary total balance sheet approach and direct investing platform incorporate the nuances and complexities of all family members. The firm integrates all aspects of tax, legal, investment, philanthropic and intergenerational planning in its tireless pursuit of establishing enduring legacies.

Headquartered in Boston with an office in Mayfair, London, TwinFocus oversees more than $7 billion of assets and manages diversified investment solutions that include exclusive access to unique direct investments in private equity and real estate. For more information, visit www.TwinFocus.com .
Washington, D.C., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A long-standing collaboration between UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and Google continues to make groundbreaking investments in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Google has invested more than $50 million over several years to elevate talent and innovation at HBCUs. Today, in partnership with UNCF, the investment growswith an additional $2 million in unrestricted funding to Morehouse College and Hampton University.

Both institutions received $1 million to invest in technical infrastructure to support in-class and remote learning, as well as develop curriculum and career support programs for students pursuing career opportunities in the tech industry.

Todays announcement is a testament to the outstanding partnership that UNCF and Google have maintained over many years to help diversify and increase opportunities for students of color in the tech industry, said UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax. Googles investment is building on the work that is already underway on the campuses of Morehouse and Hampton to incorporate innovative uses of technology to educate students and support faculty. Google is setting the standard, and were calling on the entire tech industry and others in corporate America to follow Googles lead.

Googles commitment to investing in the future of tomorrows Black leaders and professionals is directly addressing the diversity gap in tech.

We are thrilled to partner with UNCF to continue Googles ongoing commitment to invest in education pillars like Morehouse College and Hampton University. By supporting these institutions, we move closer to unlocking sustainable equity for the next generation of diverse tech talent and meaningfully expand pathways to the tech industry, said Google Chief Diversity Officer Melonie Parker.

Googles $1 million investment to Hampton University will enable the university to expand pathways and opportunities by facilitating needed infrastructure and classroom technology upgrades.

We are in an unrelenting pursuit of making a reimagined academic experience a reality for our students, faculty, and staff, through digital transformation, said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams. We are delighted to receive this gift and applaud the Google and UNCF partnership for increasing access to unrestricted funds for HBCUs.

The $1 million gift to Morehouse will support the construction of the new Morehouse College Student Center. The Student Center will include a computer lab, study rooms, and collaborative learning spaces for students to use as a hub for developing entrepreneurial interests and sharing ideas. In addition, Google is also funding the tech upgrade of an existing classroom at Morehouse. It will be transformed into a Google Annex and outfitted with new computers and furniture.

Our partners at Google and UNCF understand the importance of investing in the intellect and creativity of students of color who are on a trajectory to become future leaders and innovators in STEM, said David A. Thomas, Ph.D., president, Morehouse College. Morehouse appreciates this gift and partnership. It provides an opportunity for our faculty to expand its work in preparing students to thrive in the tech ecosystem as entrepreneurs and change agents who will bring much-needed diversity to the field and the creation of emerging technologies.

In addition to the new Google Annex classroom at Morehouse, Google has also funded and constructed a Google Annex enrichment space at North Carolina Agricultural and Technology University (NC A&T), also an HBCU. Students at both Morehouse and NC A&T will be able to network with Google employees and explore mentorships and career opportunities through the partnership.

Over the last three years, Google investments have focused on elevating Black talent, Black innovation and Black excellence within the company and the tech industry. Google funding has propelled UNCF-member Spelman College to become the top producer of Black women who receive doctoral degrees in STEM fields.

In 2021, Google announced a $50 million grant for 10 HBCUs to enhance each institutions competitiveness in computer science technology, provide professional development opportunities for computer science faculty to innovate the curriculum, and prepare students for careers in the industry, specifically at Google, to help fund scholarships, and to invest in infrastructure to support in-class and remote learning.

Googles grant followed its previous work to support HBCUS, including its Pathways to Tech initiative which builds equity for HBCU computing education, helps job seekers find tech positions and provides opportunities to accelerate their careers.

Googles Additional Recent HBCU Investments Include:

Spelman Colleges Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM (Center of Excellence) received a $5 million grant from Google.org, Googles charitable arm, to support the development of a comprehensive data dashboard that will help shape the narrative of the impact of Black women leading, working and studying in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The dashboard will also scale to include the impact of Indigenous and Latina women. This is the largest single grant that Google.org has awarded to support a project focused on women of color in STEM. In addition to the grant, Google.org will provide a team of Google.org FellowsGoogle engineers, product managers, UX researchers and designerswho will work with Spelman on a full-time, pro-bono basis to help build the data dashboard.

UNCF, Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Google have embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to transform and accelerate mathematical and computational science research across HBCUs by piloting the launch of The Applied Research Institute for Mathematical and Computational Sciences (ARI). ARI is an HBCU-anchored institute that will conduct leading-edge applied research in a variety of mathematical and computational fields and produce commercially applicable solutions that have positive social impact. Google has committed $1.4M for the pilot year to support research collaborations, research training and talent development. The ARI HBCU Undergraduate Research Internship Program is currently accepting summer 2024 applications.

UNCF-member Stillman College Cybersecurity Center received $500,000 from Google Cybersecurity Clinics Fund to build a diverse pipeline of cybersecurity professionals and to help surrounding community organizations defend themselves against cyber attacks.

Google and Howard University announced a new partnership called Project Elevate Black Voices. Project EBV is a first-of-its-kind collaboration to build a high-quality African American English (AAE) speech dataset. The project will allow Howard University to share the dataset with those looking to improve speech technology while establishing a framework for responsible data collection, ensuring the data benefits Black communities. Howard University will retain ownership of the dataset and licensing and serve as stewards for its responsible use.

###

About UNCFUNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 15% of bachelors degrees, 5% of masters degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.

About GoogleGoogle's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

About Morehouse CollegeFounded in 1867, Morehouse College is the nations only college founded to educate men of color. Ranked as Georgias 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 Georgias #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 nations 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.

About Hampton UniversityHampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education, dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. Its curriculum emphasis is scientific and professional with a strong liberal arts undergirding. A historically Black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism, serving students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hamptons mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to our society in a productive and useful manner. For more information, visit hamptonu.edu.

Roy Betts UNCF 2407033384 [email protected]

Source: United Negro College Fund, Inc. (UNCF)
Expands capabilities providing clients with even more sophisticated solutions

Demonstrates our unwavering commitment to innovation and growth

Marks the launch of strategic investments, partnerships, and collaborations for ArcStone

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - ArcStone Securities and Investments Corp., a leading New York-based diversified financial services firm, is thrilled to announce a strategic investment in the renowned Los Angeles based fintech platform, Issuance, led by visionary CEO, Darren Marble. This investment is set to propel ArcStone's growth in its Reg CF, Reg D, and Reg A business lines as ArcStone is working extensively with high-growth and diversified clients that need multiple options to fuel their business growth.

Issuance stands out as a leading investment platform in the equity crowdfunding space, providing issuers with the fastest checkout for securities industry wide and at lower costs than its competitors. Founded in 2018, Issuance offers leading SaaS products for Reg CF, Reg D, and Reg A financings. The platform is built on a foundation of industry leadership and success, where Issuance has helped its clients raise over $300M of growth capital from retail and accredited investors globally.

Michael Astone, CEO of ArcStone Securities and Investments Corp., commented on the partnership, "Our unyielding commitment to our clients drives us to consistently elevate our standards and offerings as an evolving fintech company. Strategic investments, like the investment in Issuance, are symbolic of our broader vision. We are not only fueling the future of financial services but also positioning ArcStone as a premier fintech institution. Collaborating with trailblazers such as Issuance, enhances our capabilities, enriches our network, and empowers our clients." The equity crowdfunding markets are important avenues for clients to consider in their capital raising strategies.

Most other financial services firms in the market don't offer this solution. As a result, they end up trying to fit a square peg into a round hole for high growth industry clients, whether they be in the carbon / climate-tech space, artificial intelligence, or electric vehicles. ArcStone is fully committed to delivering innovative solutions across the board as a solution-oriented financial services firm.

Speaking on the strategic alignment, Darren Marble, CEO of Issuance, said, "We are grateful for ArcStone's investment and are honored to partner with their team. We aligned around a shared vision to help US and Canadian companies raise growth capital online faster, cheaper, and more efficiently than ever before. Teaming up was a logical play for both sides, with Issuance's best-in-class processing engine and the ArcStone's management team's proven track record of quality deal sourcing, institutional capital placement, and compliance expertise. ArcStone's investment in Issuance is not only an endorsement of our platform, but also a testament to the thriving future we envision together."

ArcStone continues its legacy of organizing an elite group of seasoned dealmakers, investors, and specialists to support its clients. Its broad network of partners, now secured with Issuance, ensures that its clients receive comprehensive, innovative, and agile solutions tailored for today's rapidly-evolving financial landscape. ArcStone will continue to aggressively pursue strategic investments and partnerships to generate client solutions globally seeking expert advice and financing solutions to build their business.

About ArcStone Securities and Investments Corp.

ArcStone Securities and Investments Corp. is recognized as a hands-on, entrepreneurial North-South diversified financial services firm, delving into various and specialized sectors. With a team coming from prominent financial institutions across Canada and the USA, ArcStone offers unmatched strategic guidance in diverse markets and access to capital. With offices in Canada and the US, we are well equipped to advise companies globally.

Learn more at www.arcstoneglobalsecurities.com.

Press Inquiries:

Michael L. Astone, CPA, CA - Chief Executive Officer

Email: [email protected]

Jack J. Bensimon, LL.M. - Managing Director

Email: [email protected]

About Darren Marble's Issuance Platform:

Founded in 2018, Issuance is a SaaS-based capital-raising platform utilized by issuers for regulation financings. The platform is built on a foundation of industry leadership and success, where Issuance has helped issuers raise over $300M of growth capital. Issuance offers a streamlined mobile and desktop-friendly investor experience that allows investors to check-out in under 1 minute using Apple Pay, Google Pay, as well as standard payment methods.

Learn more at www.issuance.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184224
Promoting Sustainable Innovation and Collaboration

Madrid, Spain--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Codeware Digital Productions Company is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Summit 2023. The two-day event, held September 28-29 at the Cybele Palace - in the heart of Madrid - explored innovative solutions for sustainability.

Basil Zahorodniuk

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ESG Summit Europe is a two-day conference that brings together attendees from over 200 leading companies across 15 European countries with the goal of inspiring organizations to adopt environmental responsibilities and discussions. Speakers are selected from industry leaders and pioneers, ranging from huge corporations and banks to the European Commission, Securities Regulatory Authorities, and the World Economic Forum.

The speakers and panel discussions focused on tools for positive change through leadership, authenticity, and transparency. Discussions ranged from sustainable financing and investment to addressing regulatory challenges within the financial sector alongside energy transition and the importance of conscious consumption and waste reduction. Of note was the roundtable discussion on consistency and adherence to European regulations and sustainability standards in sustainability reporting.

As a silver sponsor, Codeware Digital participated in panel discussions and conversations on the criteria for sustainable environmental development. Networking with like-minded companies and individuals, Codeware Digital is looking into several projects related to sustainability.

In a statement, Basil Zahorodniuk, founder of Codeware Digital, expressed his pride in participating in such an event: "Today, our team conveyor has been a part of a huge event - ESG Summit Europe - that happened in Madrid. And we are proud to do our part in saving the environment and be part of such an interesting and helpful event."

As the event ended, Codeware and attendees were left with a renewed commitment to leading the way toward a better future for all. Codeware Digital Productions is dedicated to the ideas and goals brought forward by the experts at the ESG Summit 2023. Codeware Digital looks forward to participating in ESG Summit Europe in the future.

Contact: Natalka Skazyuk, [email protected], +34 603 387 617

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183468
Hospitals in the Gaza Strip are on the brink of collapse. Even as hundreds of wounded people enter the health centers every day, the complete blockade by land, sea and air that Israel has imposed after Hamas attack on October 7 has left this enclave without electricity, water, food or medicine supplies.

Fuel reserves in all Gaza hospitals are expected to last about 24 hours longer, the U.N. Office of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Monday. And without fuel, the lives of thousands of patients are at risk, especially those admitted to intensive care units, newborns in incubators and patients requiring dialysis. Everything that is being done now is aimed at saving lives, without the possibility of carrying out other types of medical procedures, points out Mohamed Abu Mughaisib, deputy medical coordinator of a team of Doctors Without Borders working in Gaza, in an audio released by the NGO.

Palestinians injured in Israeli bombings on the Gaza Strip arrive at the Khan Younis hospital, this Monday. Fatima Shbair (Associated Press/LaPresse)

The 3,500 beds that the U.N. estimates that all health centers in the Strip have are, furthermore, not enough to care for all patients. In just 10 days, nearly 10,000 people have been injured as a result of missile attacks by the Israeli Armed Forces, which have killed more than 2,800 people. Only the most urgent cases are being operated on due to lack of resources, according to doctors working in Gaza cited by the Reuters agency.

The spokesman for the Gaza Ministry of Health, Ashraf Al Qidra, has asked Gazans to go to Al Shifa hospital, the largest in the Strip, to donate blood. If the hospital stops working, the entire world will be responsible for the hundreds or thousands of patients who depend on our service, he said on Monday. The medical center, located in the capital and where tens of thousands of civilians are taking refuge, has just buried 100 bodies because they did not fit in the morgue. Painkillers have also run out and there are hardly any medications left even in pharmacies, according to staff in the Doctors Without Borders area.

Al Shifa is located in the northern half that the Israeli army has warned its 1.1 million inhabitants to evacuate ahead of an expected ground offensive. This area includes 22 medical centers. One of these is Kamal Adwan Hospital. The staff has not abandoned their posts because leaving would mean death for the seven newborns who depend on respirators and for other patients under care, the head of pediatrics, Hussam Abu Safiya, told the Associated Press agency.

Palestinian paramedics cry outside Al Shifa hospital in Gaza, Monday, October 16. DAWOOD NEMER (AFP)

More than half of the inhabitants of the north, some 600,000, had fled southwards by Monday for fear of an Israeli invasion, according to U.N. data. Among them are few healthcare workers, who have overwhelmingly chosen to stay back [in hospitals] and honor their oaths as healthcare professionals to do no harm, rather than risk transporting their critically ill patients for hours, said OCHA, which considers this transfer impossible under safe conditions.

The situation is very difficult. Today, for two hours, we were looking for drinking water, laments Dr. Abu Mughaisib. Although there is still food, hospitals can barely function and medicines are running out.

Death warrant

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the pressure that the situation puts on the fewer hospitals in the south. Not only are they already at maximum capacity, treating wounded people from the airstrikes and suffering from the same shortages of medical supplies, water, electricity and fuel, but they will also now have to accept patients from the medical centers in the north. Forcing more than 2,000 patients to relocate to southern Gaza, where health facilities are already running at maximum capacity and unable to absorb a dramatic rise in the number of patients, could be tantamount to a death sentence, said the WHO in a statement.

This is the case of Nasser Hospital, in the city of Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, where the intensive care room is full of injured people, especially children under three years of age. It has received hundreds of seriously injured people from the impact of the missiles, there are 35 patients in the ICU and 60 who need dialysis, but the hospital only has fuel to function until the end of the day, according to the director of its emergency department, Mohamed Qandil. And if it ends, the entire health system collapses [...] All of these patients are at risk of dying if the electricity goes out, he told AP.

Health workers at Khan Younis hospital treat a Palestinian child injured after an Israeli attack, on October 16. MAHMUD HAMS (AFP)

Meanwhile, the flow of arrivals to medical centers, whether wounded people or those seeking refuge from Israeli airstrikes, does not stop, as confirmed by the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS). Hospitals have a very limited number of days in terms of their capacity to operate and care for the wounded, they said in a statement, warning that the Al Quds medical center in Gaza City, and Al Amal in Khan Younis [in the south], are also running out of fuel, medicine and medical supplies, as well as food and water for staff, volunteers and patients.

The PRCS on Sunday condemned the intensification of bombings in the vicinity of Al Quds hospital, with around five attacks in less than a minute. It also said that Israeli forces have bombed ambulances trying to pick up wounded people in Gaza. At least four people from this organization, two health workers and two volunteers, have been killed since the conflict began.

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Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) (OTC Pink: CRUCF) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased to provide shareholders and interested parties with an update on its exploration and corporate activities.

"Colibri Resource Corporation's business mandate is to identify, acquire, explore, develop and monetize precious metals projects in the state of Sonora Mexico which have historically been exploited by artisanal or small-scale hard rock miners and/or surface placer miners. It is Colibri's assertion, that by following the trail left by the artisanal miners and applying modern technology and methodical exploration techniques to these areas, larger gold and silver resources can be discovered," said Ian McGavney Colibri's President & CEO.

Pilar Gold & Silver Project

On September 18th, 2023, Colibri received notice from its partner Tocvan Ventures Corp. ("Tocvan") that it has met all conditions set forth in its 2019 option agreement with Colibri to earn an initial 51% of its advanced exploration stage Pilar Gold & Silver Project ("Pilar"). The Pilar project is located near the town of Suaqui Grande in central Sonora. Under the terms of the agreement, Tocvan has until March 18th, 2024 to purchase the remaining 49% of Pilar from Colibri by paying an additional CAD $2 million in cash and issuing a 2% net smelter on the project to Colibri. Tocvan would maintain an option to buy back 1% of the royalty for CAD $1 million. Should Tocvan elect not to exercise its option, a joint venture between the two companies will be created to advance the project to a production decision. Pilar was originally found by Santa Catalina Mining Corp. in the mid 1990's by applying modern exploration methods and technology to a target area containing historical small scale mine workings. Colibri acquired Pilar in 2017 by way of acquiring Canadian Gold Resources and advanced the Pilar project by completing approximately 3,000 m of RC drilling. In 2019, Colibri optioned Pilar to Tocvan who has advanced the project through bulk sampling, various metallurgical testwork, and test mining.

EP Project

The Company recently announced the completion of a 2,200 metre drill program at its flagship EP Project. The EP Project is a consolidated land position consisting of Colibri's long held Evelyn Gold Project and the contiguous Plomo Gold Project which was acquired in early 2023 from the liquidators of Great Panther Mining. The total land position is 4,766 hectares and is located in the heart of the prolific Caborca Gold Belt. The project is encircled by Fresnillo Plc claims, one of Mexico's largest gold miners, which owns three open pit gold mines within 32kms of the project (including the La Herradura gold mine which has combined past production and current resources of more than 15 million ounces Au) and is presently developing a fourth deposit 11km south of EP.

Exploration of both Evelyn and Plomo began from the concept of applying modern exploration science and geological interpretation in areas where small scale hard rock miners and placer miners have left evidence of significant activity. Both properties have numerous small mines, test pits, and large areas of alluvium processing by placer miners referred to as "gambusinos."

EP Project exploration work completed to date includes a total of 13,087 metres of RC and core drilling, assay of more than one thousand surface rock and soil samples, geological mapping, structural mapping, and geophysical surveys including Magnetics and Induced Polarization ("IP"). The results clearly demonstrate that the EP Gold Project shares many geological characteristics with the operating mines and deposits in the adjacent Caborca Gold Belt. Compilation and interpretation completed by the Company has resulted in the identification and prioritization of a number of drill-ready and advanced exploration targets. Highlights of drilling include 12.2 g/t Au over 3m and 29m at 0.47 g/t Au from the Main Zone, 15m at 2.36 g/t Au from El Sahuaro, and 0.66 g/t Au over 11.65m from San Perfecto.

The most recent drilling at EP tested three target areas on the Evelyn Property. Assay results will be released upon receipt, validation, and interpretation of the data.

Diamante Project

The 1,057-hectare Diamante property is located adjacent to the Company's Mezquite and Jackie properties which cover 180 and 1113 hectares respectively thus providing the company with a total of 2,351 hectares of exploration ground. The Diamante property hosts a number of historical showings and combined with mineralization on the Mezquite and Jackie properties exhibit the geological characteristics of epithermal low to intermediate sulfidation Ag-Au (Pb-Zn), high sulfidation Au-Cu, and potential transition zones within and peripheral to porphyry style Au-Cu mineralization. Colibri and its partners completed the first-ever drill program on the Diamante property during 2022 at the El Pillado and La Prieta targets. Results included 2.48 grams per tonne ("g/t") Au and 56.7 g/t Ag over an intersection length of 9.0 metres ("m") from La Prieta and 0.26 g/t Au and 184.5 g/t Ag over an intersection length of 6.0 m from El Pillado. These two targets represent only two of nine known exploration targets on the property.

The Company is currently completing a geological mapping and sampling program at Diamante taking a property-wide approach as well as a more detailed evaluation of selected showings. Sampling includes outcrop sampling as well as property-wide stream sediment sampling. The Company anticipates initiating a drill program at Diamante before the end of the calendar year.

The Diamante property is located within a belt of Epithermal Au-Ag mineralization hosted by the Sierra Madre Occidental Volcanic Complex. Major gold mining operations in the area of the Diamante property include Alamos Golds' Los Mulatos Mine and Agnico Eagles' El India and Pinos Altos Mines. The Diamante project is located approximately 12km km northeast of Minera Alamos' Santana Au development project which is anticipated to commence commercial production in the near future. Colibri and its partners have located many areas on the project that have evidence of historical small scale production however no production records are available.

Financing

The Company has recently closed a convertible debenture private placement totalling USD $687,000. Current exploration plans are fully funded. For further details of the financing please refer to Colibri's news release dated September 12, 2023.

For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements." Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate.

For information contact: Ian McGavney, President/CEO and Director, Tel: (506) 383-4274, [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184285
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Deveron Corp. (TSXV: FARM) ("Deveron" or the "Company"), a leading agriculture service and data company in North America, is pleased to announce that the Company's Q4 and fiscal year 2023 audited financial results will be released after market close on Thursday, October 26th, 2023. At that time, the financial results and related documents will be posted on SEDAR and Deveron's financials web page at https://deveron.com/financials. As per Deveron's press release of September 7th, 2023, the Company has changed its fiscal year to June 30th, aligning more logically with the North American agriculture season.

Deveron will hold a live audio webcast at 8:00 AM Eastern Time on Friday, October 27th, 2023, to discuss the Company's Q4 and fiscal year 2023 audited financial results and highlights. Participants who would like to listen to the live audio webcast can sign on athttps://app.webinar.net/p1L47MGe8XR or dial in at 1-888-664-6392. Following the event, a transcript and audio replay will be available on Deveron's Investor website at https://deveron.com/investors. Questions will be limited to analysts.

About Deveron: Deveron is an agriculture technology company that uses data and insights to help farmers and large agriculture enterprises increase yields, reduce costs, and improve farm outcomes. The company employs a digital process that leverages data collected on farms across North America to drive unbiased interpretation of production decisions, ultimately recommending how to optimize input use. Our team of agronomists and data scientists build products that recommend ways to manage fertilizer, seed, fungicide and other farm inputs better. Additionally, we have a national network of data technicians that are deployed to collect various types of farm data, from soil to drone, that build a basis of our best-in-class data layers. Our focus is the US and Canada where 1 billion acres are actively farmed annually.

For more information and to join our community, please visit www.deveronuas.com/register or reach us on Twitter @Deveron.

Philip Linton

VP of Corporate Development

[email protected]

647-622-0076

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.

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under Canadian securities laws. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current views with respect to possible future events and conditions and, by their nature, are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific to the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of agricultural commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in agriculture, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. Additional information regarding the material factors and assumptions that were applied in making these forward looking statements as well as the various risks and uncertainties we face are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of our annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis of our financial results and other continuous disclosure documents and financial statements we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. The Company relies on litigation protection for forward looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184334
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - E79 Resources Corp. (CSE: ESNR) (OTCQB: ESVNF) ("E79" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, given the Company's new focus on green metals within Brazil, the Company's Board of Directors has approved a change of the Company name to Serra Energy Metals Corp. The Company expects the name change and ticker symbol change to "SEEM" to be effective October 19, 2023.

The Company's CUSIP and ISIN identifiers will update because of the name change: CUSIP 81752V101 and ISIN CA81752V1013. Beneficial shareholders will have their common shares updated automatically. Registered holders will not be required to transmit their common shares under the old name but may contact the Company's transfer agent, Odyssey Trust Company, if they wish to exchange their common share certificates/DRS advices for new certificates/DRS advices in the new name.

Patrick Donnelly, President and CEO of E79, stated, "Change is a sign of progress, and the decision to rebrand E79 to Serra Energy Metals Corp reflects our strategic focus on the immense potential of Brazil's green metals sector. Brazil is a treasure trove of mineral resources, particularly lithium, copper, and nickel, vital for the green energy revolution. The country's conducive business environment and rich geology make it an exciting frontier for mineral exploration. We are inspired by the success of companies like Sigma Lithium, Lithium Ionic, and Latin Resources who have demonstrated their lucrative prospects in Brazil. As Serra Energy, we are eager to advance our exploration efforts and expect to announce a number of property transactions soon, further solidifying our commitment to unlocking Brazil's mineral potential and our contribution to a sustainable future."

About Serra Energy Metals Corp. (formerly E79 Resources Corp.)

Serra Energy Metals Corp. ("Serra") is focused on the exploration and development of green metal projects, primarily in Brazil. The Company's main interest lies in the exploration of nickel, copper, cobalt, and lithium, with an emphasis on identifying and investigating exploration targets that are drill-ready and are situated near infrastructure. The Company operates in Brazil, a rising hub for green metals with numerous active copper, nickel, and lithium mines. Serra has assembled a top-notch, experienced in-house exploration team based in the country.

Patrick Donnelly

President and Chief Executive Officer

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.E79resources.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

-2-

This message contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. 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", "indicates", "opportunity", "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although E79 believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to enter into agreements or arrangements for new projects and the timing to close the Purchase Agreement, among others; raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward; to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing; to explore and develop its projects; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining operations; future prices of nickel, copper, cobalt, lithium and other metals; changes in general economic conditions; accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates; the potential for new discoveries; the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the applicable project; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184206
Now available to financial institutions in the United States and Canada, Evolve Credit pursues a universally accessible financial system.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Evolve Credit, a fintech offering no-code SaaS tools that democratize the creation of financial solutions, is now available to financial institutions, banks, and non-bank lenders in the United States and Canada. With the launch of their new global platform,Evolve Creditis positioned to help these North America-based institutions develop robust online services for their customers and clients.





Evolve Credit

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Being a US-registered entity since its inception in 2019, Evolve Credit is well-positioned to introduce its SaaS tools to the North American market.

"Our technology has been honed in Africa and is as formidable as tech developed anywhere else. But our legal roots and foundation are in the United States, and we're a beacon of what's possible when diverse worlds converge," Evolve Credit's Co-Founder and CEO, Akan Nelson, says.

In conjunction with this North American expansion, Evolve Credit is soon to close a seven-figure fundraising round. Now, with a meaningful presence in the United States and Canada, Evolve Credit is picking up even more momentum as the financial world becomes aware of their industry-disrupting technology.

Evolve Credit's flagship product, Configure, addresses a problem felt across the globe: the multi-trillion-dollar financing gap that represents the disparity between the financial needs of certain communities and the resources available to them. By making digital financial services accessible to financial institutions, big and small, Evolve Credit creates opportunities in sectors once seen as unprofitable.





A sneak peak into the platform

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A four-in-one digital lending suite, financial institutions can customize the experience of their users based on their branding, services, and region-all without using code. Functioning similar to WordPress and other accessible website builders, even the backend of Evolve Credit's tools are designed to be accessible to those with little technical experience.

"We're in pursuit of a society," Nelson says, "where the financial system, which I would say is a human right, is accessible to all people."

With this expansion into the United States and Canada, Evolve Credit has moved another massive step closer to that goal.

Those interested in Evolve Credit investment opportunities can reach out to CEO Akan Nelson on LinkedIn.

About Evolve Credit

A rising fintech star garnering global recognition, Evolve Credit is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform with no-code tools for creating digital financial solutions. Evolve democratizes the way that banks and non-bank lenders can serve their communities digitally, so that every modern financial institution can operate as a fintech in their own right. Scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness are all benefits of Evolve technology, which uses a modular system for building out online services.

Media Contact:

Full Name : Akan Nelson

Email : [email protected]

Phone Number : (080) 60015883

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184294
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Exploits Discovery Corp. (CSE: NFLD) (OTCQX: NFLDF) (FSE: 634) ("Exploits" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from airborne LiDAR ("Light Diffraction and Ranging") and magnetics (airborne geophysical) surveys flown over its large 100%-owned Gazeebow South claims that straddle the Appleton Fault Zone system in Central Newfoundland.

Highlights Include:

Identified a complex network of structural disruptions and braided splays along the Appleton Fault Zone.

The local bedrock's deformation levels and trends indicated by these surveys are similar in scope to those displayed by New Found Gold at several high-grade gold discoveries within the Queensway North project, located approximately 17 kilometres to the south.

This high-resolution mapping will assist the design of the follow up collection sites from several elevated gold-grain counts generated from the preliminary gold-in-tills sampling program (see news release dated September 28, 2023).

The Company's goal of advancing several Gazeebow targets to the drill-ready stage during 2024 remains on-schedule.

Ken Tylee, Vice President of Exploration, comments, "We are pleased to see a complex network of structural breaks and splays along the Appleton Fault Zone on our large Gazeebow property, which has the potential for gold-enriched mineralization. The combination of both brittle and ductile structural development and some 070 trending splays observed are typically key indicators that I've seen within the prolific Destor-Porcupine Fault Gold Zone, which has contributed to over 100 years of gold mining within northeastern Ontario. The large volume of LiDAR and AMAG data generated from these surveys will assist our team in their gold-in-till follow up program as well as refining targets to drill."





Figure 1: Location map showing location of Gazeebow South exploration claims relative to the recent Horseshoe gold discovery situated on the Bullseye property.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/184207_87c5b4dde48939b7_002full.jpg





Figure 2: Gazeebow South structural interpretation based on lineament-analysis performed using LiDAR data in conjunction with various geophysical (magnetics) products; Background for airborne survey area is Analytical Signal of the Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI-ANSIG).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/184207_87c5b4dde48939b7_003full.jpg

About the LiDAR and Magnetics surveys

LiDAR and Magnetics surveys identify a complex network of structural disruptions and anastomosing splays, preferentially occupying the eastern flank of the Appleton Fault Zone as it tracks across the Gazeebow group of exploration claims.

These aerial surveys approximately cover a 10 x 5-kilometre segment of under-explored sedimentary stratigraphy directly influenced by the emplacement of the Appleton faulting. This high-resolution mapping cost-effectively provides Exploits staff with two additional data sets that will be merged with their results from prospecting, mapping, and boots-on-ground site investigations that are currently underway.

RPM Aerial Surveys:

RPM Aerial Surveys ("RPM") is a Canadian company with its corporate office located in Holyrood, Newfoundland and is a provider of high-density geospatial data using LiDAR, Magnetometer, Photogrammetry and various other professional geospatial systems. Their proprietary LiDAR surveys are a cost-effective 'remote sensing tool' that uses light waves to super-accurately measure the earth's surface and classify structural lineaments that would have otherwise been obscured by the Gander region's typically dense cover of vegetation or wetlands.

RPM's concurrent Magnetics survey was designed to accurately delineate subtle variations in the bedrock's magnetic signature (reflecting iron content levels), essentially mapping-out the individual units or components that form the local geologic assemblage. The helicopter's operations crew was instructed to collect approximately 700 line-kilometres of geophysical and location-control data, covering 57 square kilometres under the following parameters:

Altitude 80 metres to allow integration with previous surveys

Profile (grid) lines at 100 metres spacing flow at a NE-SW orientation

Perpendicular tie-lines flown at 1,000 metres intervals

RPM processed and verified (quality assurance) the large volume of geophysical responses without issue. The new accurately geo-referenced dataset now provides our geologists with a definite upgrade over previous generation of less-defined, regional-scale geophysical mapping. The influences of the area's convoluted structural/tectonic history (such as folding, sudden unit truncations, fault offsets, etc.) are now easier to identify and interpret.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure:

Ken Tylee, P.Geo., VP of Exploration with Exploits, is a qualified person within the Provinces of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Tylee has reviewed and approved the technical information presented herein.

About Exploits Discovery Corp.

Exploits is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company is focused on discovering high-grade structurally hosted epizonal gold similar to New Found Gold's success along the Appleton Fault zone and parallel structures within the Exploits Subzone.

Exploits is utilizing its experienced, talented local team and geologic understanding with the vision to become one of the most successful explorers in Canada.

On Behalf of the Board:

/s/ "Jeff Swinoga"

President and CEO

For more information, please contact:

Shanda Kilborn

VP, Investor Relations

+1 (778) 819-2708

[email protected]

https://exploitsdiscovery.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. 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 save as required by applicable law.

Acknowledgments:

Exploits Discovery would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program from the Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184207
Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2023) - ]The global mining industry is at a critical juncture in its engagement with First Nations communities, with progress on economic participation and employment being tempered by ongoing challenges around cultural heritage and land use.

The destruction of Indigenous heritage sites in the western Pilbara in 2020, which attracted world headlines, has brought the relationship between mining leaders and traditional landowners into sharp focus. But while there continues to be challenges around environmental and cultural heritage, attention is also focusing on how mining can boost the employment, skills and economic participation of the First Nations communities in which they operate.

This year's International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is taking place on Gomora land (Sydney) of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and will feature first nations speakers from around the globe exploring these complex challenges.

IMARC Conference & Partnerships Director Sherene Asnasyous says this year's event features the largest indigenous delegation and the highest number of first nations speakers in the conference's 10-year history.

"We are privileged to host such a diverse range of indigenous delegations from around the world at IMARC, which is a testament to the growing recognition of the perspectives and contributions of indigenous communities within the mining sector," she says.

"IMARC 2023 will feature an unprecedented number of first nations speakers, providing a unique opportunity for their voices to be heard and their insights to be valued. This year's event marks a significant step towards greater inclusivity and diversity in the global mining industry."

Australia: Some progress, but more work to do

From an Australian perspective, mining has long been one of the largest employers of First Nations people and while levels of economic participation and employment continue to rise, there remains concerns that the industry does not always uphold the social license the community expects.

Ian Hamm, Chair of the First Nations Foundation, an organisation dedicated to providing financial education and support to Indigenous Australians, observes that we are currently at a pivotal juncture when it comes to relations between the mining industry and indigenous communities. He believes mining companies are increasingly receptive to supporting communities, and Indigenous Australians are increasingly able to negotiate a more equitable share of the benefits.

"The shift in perspective towards Aboriginal communities is crucial and viewing them as partners rather than mere stakeholders with rights is fundamental," Mr Hamm says.

"When assessing partnerships between resource companies and Aboriginal communities, the focus should be on equality and long-term advantages, not just immediate problem-solving.

"The key question is whether both sides are learning and progressing together, rather than merely addressing the current situation. This contrasts with past government interventions that primarily aimed to prevent immediate issues, without considering long-term impact. This mindset is finally starting to change," he says.

Mr Hamm will join other First Nations speakers at IMARC this year, including Christina Coleman, the Co-Lead of Indigenous Women in Mining and Resource Australia (IWIMRA), which was created to raise the profile of Indigenous women in the mining and resources industry and build a community to engage in conversation with women across the industry.

Ms Coleman says one of the biggest challenges facing the economic participation of First Nations communities is the enormous scale of projects and the disparity between the large operators and often very small local Indigenous suppliers.

"Despite all the productive and collaborative work between mining companies and Indigenous communities, gaining access to contracts and work still remains an ongoing concern," she says.



"The biggest challenge we are still facing is in regards to compliance. Big companies make it incredibly hard for small businesses to weave and navigate their way through the bureaucratic requirements for a local Indigenous corporation to become a partner or a subcontractor.

"We constantly hear from our colleagues that if you don't have assistance in steering through the paperwork, you're going to fail."

Ms Coleman says the role of First Nations women in the mining and resources sector also represents an opportunity for the industry.

"Indigenous women are identified as the cornerstone of many families and communities and their participation and influence can be utilised to strengthen relations within the Indigenous workforce and to promote retention initiatives."

Australian mining companies have been working to address these issues and remain committed to improving the lives of First Nations People. BHP for instance has determined four key priorities though consultation and engagement. These areas are economic empowerment; social and cultural support; public engagement and governance.

The global view

The challenges and opportunities faced by the Australian mining sector are not unique and they resonate worldwide.

In Canada, for example, mining companies have been actively collaborating with indigenous communities to offer training and employment opportunities. These programs are geared towards equipping indigenous individuals with the skills and expertise needed to secure employment within the mining industry.

JP Gladu is Strategic Advisor to the First Nations Major Projects Coalition and Principal of Mokwateh. His expertise is in providing long-term strategic advice that provides sustainable economic development to support Indigenous people across Canada break the cycle of disadvantage and retain their cultural identity.

Mr Gladu notes that even though Canada has implemented strong requirements for mining companies to engage collaboratively with Indigenous communities, Indigenous Canadians still struggle to access capital.

"Accessing capital remains a significant challenge for Indigenous communities. Overcoming this hurdle is crucial for our country's progress to improving the lives of Indigenous Canadians. As it stands, banks in Canada are unlikely to lend to Indigenous communities given the lack of security against the loan," he says.

"To drive sustainable growth, we must find ways to assess and mitigate risks effectively, facilitating access to affordable capital. This, in turn, empowers Indigenous communities to participate in long-term infrastructure projects, ultimately breaking free from the cycle of poverty and providing for future generations without relying on government intervention."

"Balance for Better" - highlighting best practice

In the past, governments and mining companies showed little consideration for how mining impacted Indigenous communities. Environmental standards were low, indigenous people were often displaced for mining operations, and little attention was given to their cultural heritage or economic inclusion. The focus was primarily on maximising exploration, extraction and processing quickly and inexpensively.

In this context, IMARC 2023 will feature a range of presentations, panels and discussions focusing on how mining can:

develop better indigenous partnerships that support shared prosperity;

create community and environmental opportunities throughout the life of a mine;

drive positive ESG (Environment, Sustainability and Governance) outcomes for both companies and communities; and

create real value for stakeholders and host communities.

The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and the Native Title Act 1993 were pivotal in granting formal land ownership and control to Indigenous Australians, necessitating formal negotiations for mining access.

As the industry grappled with these changes, companies - most for the first time - faced organised resistance from groups advocating for guaranteed recognition of Indigenous rights and fair terms for cultural, social, and economic futures.

This rise of advocacy coincided with growing environmental awareness, which resulted in policies like the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This prompted a transformation in relationships between mining companies and Indigenous communities, shifting from command and control to cooperation and collaboration, grounded in mutual respect and shared interests in the land.

IMARC's Sherene Asnasyous says the event's Balance for Better agenda is all about highlighting the impact and achievements of equality, diversity and inclusion in mining while also reflecting the strides being made industry-wide to be more equitable and showcase the industry-wide benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion.

"There are over 135 speakers at IMARC, representing a range of minorities in mining from financial, technical, operational and leadership roles, many whom champion diversity and inclusion with their colleagues from across the industry," she says.

Speakers at IMARC this year include Vanessa Elliot from the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland and Florence Drummond, co-founder of IWIMRA and now Executive Director of the Development Partner Institute.

Ms Drummond says First Nations Women can bring huge value to the mining industry, including contributing important Indigenous perspectives on projects.

"[It means] informed decisions that we haven't had in industry, people being in those decision-making roles sharing their cultural perspectives and their lived experience," she says.

"Better decisions can be made much earlier."

IMARC also continues to support students, graduates, and future leaders of the industry via its NextGen Program, which this year will not only see more students and graduates as speakers in the IMARC Conference Program but will also host more than 230 students from five Sydney schools for the IMARC NextGen Junior Program, in partnership with AREEA's Bright Future STEM.

The global mining and resources industry has certainly come a long way in how it works with the communities in which it operates, recognising that its social license is hard-won, and must be constantly earned.

The entire global value chain has clearly taken great strides to enhance the well-being of indigenous populations and to listen to their voices. The benefits lie not only in the ability to access and develop the resources the world needs, but also in tapping into the skills, knowledge and human resources that the industry needs.

IMARC 2023 in Sydney will be a showcase of initiatives encompassing job opportunities, training schemes, social welfare programs, and bolstering local enterprises.

About The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC)

IMARC, Collaborating on trends in mining, investment and innovation towards a sustainable future. The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is where the most influential people in the mining industry come together, delivering ideas, inspiration and serving as a meeting ground for industry leaders. As Australia's largest mining event, it brings together over 8,500 decision makers, mining leaders, policy makers, investors, commodity buyers, technical experts, innovators, and educators from more than 120 countries for three days of learning, deal-making and unparalleled networking. IMARC is developed in collaboration with its founding partners the Victorian State Government, Austmine, AusIMM and Mines and Money, and held with the support of its Host Partner, the NSW Government.

Media Enquiries

Jim Carden

[email protected]

+61 429 112 381

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184226
Melbourne, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2023) - Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) (TSX: NCM) (PNGX: NCM) announces that the Federal Court of Australia (Court) has today made orders approving the proposed scheme of arrangement under which Newcrest will be acquired by Newmont Corporation (via its subsidiary, Newmont Overseas Holdings Pty Ltd) (Scheme).

Newcrest expects to lodge an office copy of the Court orders with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission tomorrow, at which time the Scheme will become effective. As disclosed in the Scheme Booklet dated 7 September 2023 (released to the ASX, PNGX and TSX (via SEDAR) on 8 September 2023), Newcrest shares will continue to trade on the ASX, PNGX and TSX after the Scheme becomes effective until close of trading on 26 October 2023.

Special Dividend

Newcrest announced on 5 October 2023 a Special Dividend of US$1.10 per Newcrest share, subject to the Scheme becoming effective. This dividend will be fully franked.

Newcrest shares on the ASX and PNGX will trade ex the Special Dividend from commencement of trading tomorrow. Newcrest shares on the TSX will trade ex the Special Dividend from commencement of trading on 19 October 2023.

The record date for the dividend will be 7.00pm (Melbourne time), 19 October 2023 and it will be paid on 27 October 2023.

Shares acquired on the ASX and PNGX after today (and on the TSX from 19 October 2023) will not carry an entitlement to the Special Dividend.

Scheme Consideration

Subject to the Scheme becoming effective, eligible Newcrest shareholders will be entitled to receive the Scheme Consideration of 0.400 Newmont securities for each Newcrest share held on the Scheme Record Date, being 7.00pm (Melbourne time) on 30 October 2023. Newcrest shareholders on the:

Australian share register will receive Newmont CHESS depositary interests (Newmont CDIs);

PNG share register will receive Newmont PETS depositary interests (Newmont PDIs); and

Canadian share register will receive Newmont shares (Newmont Shares).

Timetable

The remaining key dates of the Scheme are set out below.

Event Date Effective Date



Court order lodged with ASIC



Newcrest shares will continue to trade ex-dividend on the ASX and PNGX after the Effective Date1



Newcrest shares on the TSX will trade ex-dividend from commencement of trading on Thursday, 19 October 20232



Wednesday, 18 October 2023 Special Dividend Record Date



For determining entitlements to the Special Dividend



7.00pm, Thursday, 19 October 20233 Last day to reposition Newcrest shares between the Australian, Canadian and Papua New Guinean registers



Thursday, 26 October 2023 Last day of trading in Newcrest shares



Newcrest shares will be suspended from trading on the ASX, PNGX and TSX from close of trading4

Thursday, 26 October 2023 Newmont CDIs listed on the ASX



First day trading in Newmont CDIs on the ASX (on a deferred settlement basis) (ASX: NEM)



Friday, 27 October 2023 Newmont PDIs listed on the PNGX



First day trading in Newmont PDIs on the PNGX (on a deferred settlement basis) (PNGX: NEM)



Friday, 27 October 2023 Special Dividend Payment Date



Date on which the Special Dividend will be paid (provided the Scheme becomes effective)



Friday, 27 October 2023 Scheme Record Date



For determining entitlements to Scheme Consideration



7.00pm, Monday, 30 October 2023 Implementation Date



Issue of Scheme Consideration completed5

Monday, 6 November 2023 Commencement of trading - Newmont Shares



Commencement of trading of Newmont Shares issued under the Scheme on NYSE and TSX



Monday, 6 November 2023 (New York time) Commencement of normal trading - Newmont CDIs



Holding statements for Newmont CDIs dispatched



Commencement of normal trading of Newmont CDIs on the ASX (ASX: NEM)



Tuesday, 7 November 2023 Commencement of normal trading - Newmont PDIs



Holding statements for Newmont PDIs dispatched



Commencement of normal trading of Newmont PDIs on the PNGX (PNGX: NEM)



Tuesday, 7 November 2023 DRS statements - Newmont Shares



DRS statements for Newmont Shares dispatched



Monday, 13 November 2023

Unless otherwise indicated, all times and dates in the above timetable are references to the time and date in Melbourne, Australia and all such times and dates are subject to change. Any changes will be announced by Newcrest to the ASX, PNGX and TSX (via SEDAR) and notified on Newcrest's website at www.newcrest.com.

Authorised by the Newcrest Disclosure Committee

For further information please contact

Investor Enquiries

Tom Dixon

+61 3 9522 5570

+61 450 541 389

[email protected]



Rebecca Lay

+61 3 9522 5298

+61 438 355 511

[email protected]



North American Investor Enquiries



Vlada Cvijetinovic

+1 604 335 9202

+1 604 240 2998

[email protected]



Media Enquiries



Celina Watt

+61 3 9522 4264

+61 436 677 220

[email protected]

This information is available on our website at www.newcrest.com.

________________________

1 In order to be entitled to both the Special Dividend and the Scheme Consideration, Newcrest shareholders must hold their Newcrest shares on both the Special Dividend Record Date and Scheme Record Date. See section 4.6 of the Scheme Booklet for further details.

2 As described in the Special Bulletin published by the TSX on Friday, 13 October 2023 (Toronto time), the TSX has put in place mandatory special settlement rules that will apply to Newcrest shares trading on the TSX. In particular, all trades on the TSX on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 will settle on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 and all trades on the TSX on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 will settle the same day.

3 The Toronto time equivalent is 4.00am on Thursday, 19 October 2023. Accordingly, shareholders on Newcrest's Canadian share register will need to be registered on the Newcrest share register on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 (Toronto time) in order to remain on the register for the Special Dividend Record Date.

4 The TSX has granted permission for Newcrest Shares to trade on a T+1 basis during the course of trading on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 and on a T+0 basis during the course of trading on Thursday, 26 October 2023. Non-registered holders of Newcrest shares on Newcrest's Canadian share register should note that full restrictions will be imposed by each of CDS and the Depository Trust Company over Newcrest shares on and from 4.30pm on Friday, 27 October 2023 (New York time) such that there cannot be any trades or withdrawals prior to the Scheme Record Date. These holders should refer to the bulletins published by each of CDS and the Depository Trust Company for further details on trading limitations that may be imposed.

5 Newmont shares issued under the Scheme will be issued following close of trade on Friday, 3 November 2023 (New York time), being the business day prior to the Implementation Date.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184251
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Showcase Minerals Inc. (CSE: SHOW) ("Showcase" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a private placement offering ("Offering") of up to 1,500,000 units at $0.30 per unit. Each unit will consist of one common share and one two-year share purchase warrant entitling the holder to acquire an additional common share for $0.40/share. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the private placement for further exploration on its Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project and for general working capital.

This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. The Company will not make any public offering of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

All securities issued pursuant to the private placement will be subject to a four month and one day hold period under applicable securities laws. The Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, receipt of all regulatory approvals, including but not limited to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE").

About Showcase Minerals Inc.

Showcase is a Canadian mineral exploration company with an exclusive option to acquire a 100% interest in Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project and the Woodruff Gold-Vanadium Project (subject to various net smelter returns royalties ranging from 2.25% to 4.25%), which collectively consist of unpatented 254 lode mining claims covering approximately 1,818 hectares located in Elko County, Nevada.

For further information, please contact:

Kirk Reed, President

Showcase Minerals Inc.

Telephone: 1-800-982-0670

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184369
Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) ("Talon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement of 80,350,000 common shares of the Company (the "Offered Shares") with an investor (the "Investor"). The Offered Shares were issued at a price of approximately C$0.27 per Offered Share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately C$21.7 million (the "Investment").

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Investment for further exploration, to progress its feasibility study in respect of the Tamarack Nickel Project and the Battery Minerals Processing Facility in North Dakota and to progress the environmental review process towards permitting for the Tamarack Nickel Project and the Battery Minerals Processing Facility in North Dakota, and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

In connection with the Investment, the Company entered into an investment agreement with the Investor pursuant to which the Company has granted the Investor a contractual participation right in respect of future equity financings by the Company to allow the Investor the ability to maintain its ownership interest in the Company.

The Offered Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. 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 Offered Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Investment remains subject to final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX").

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in central Minnesota. Talon's shares are also traded in the US over the OTC market under the symbol TLOFF. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with additional high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Nickel Project, and currently owns 51%. Talon is focused on (i) expanding and infilling its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 to shape a mine plan for submission to Minnesota regulators, and (ii) following up on additional high-grade nickel mineralization in the Tamarack Intrusive Complex. Talon has an agreement with Tesla Inc. to supply it with 75,000 metric tonnes (165 million lbs) of nickel in concentrate (and certain by-products, including cobalt and iron) from the Tamarack Nickel Project over an estimated six-year period once commercial production is achieved. Talon has a neutrality and workforce development agreement in place with the United Steelworkers union. Talon's Battery Mineral Processing Facility in Mercer County was selected by the US Department of Energy for US$114m funding grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Talon has well-qualified experienced exploration, mine development, external affairs and mine permitting teams.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com

Media Contact:

Todd Malan

1-(202)-714-8187

[email protected]

Investor Contact:

Sean Werger

1-(416)-500-9891

[email protected]

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the expected use of proceeds of the Investment, the receipt of final TSX approval for the Investment, expanding mineralization and completing a mine plan, achieving commercial production and receipt of the grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Investors should refer the Company's annual information form and financial statements for a discussion in respect of these risks.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184254
TeloView Analyses Telomeres to Accurately Predict and Characterize Multiple Myeloma

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Telo Genomics Corp. (TSXV: TELO) (OTCQB: TDSGF) (the "Company" or "Telo") today announced the launch of its TeloViewSMM to clinicians in the United States.

Combining molecular biology and artificial intelligence, the diagnostic platform performs industry-leading 6-factor quantitative analysis of 3D telomeres, the protective end caps of chromosomes. TeloView has the potential to characterize multiple cancers, identify their current level of genomic instability and therefore predict their progression.

The Company's initial clinical launch will focus on testing for "Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM)" the precursor for Multiple Myeloma, a blood-based bone marrow cancer. Approximately 50% of patients with SMM will develop full Multiple Myeloma.

The test is available for physicians to order under the SMART (Smoldering Multiple myeloma Assessment of Risk for Transformation) protocol, an observational study intended for oncology/hematology physicians and their staff in the U.S., to gain experience ordering and utilizing the TeloViewSMM assay. SMART follows a positive industry trend toward introducing novel molecular testing tools in an observational construct to efficiently gather information and feedback from clinicians and their teams.

"The commercial launch of our flagship TeloView platform is a major milestone for our Company" stated Telo Genomics' CEO Kris Weinberg. "I am extremely proud of our entire team who have put forth a tremendous effort over many years in the development of our platform. Our presentations at this year's International Myeloma Society ("IMS") annual meeting and the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting were received very positively and have generated many leads for our new assay. We are also very active in discussions with platform partners and in the development of new tests in additional applications."

While the initial launch of TeloViewSMM will be conducted as a single-site CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) model, commercial-scale delivery of testing will be accomplished in partnership with large reference labs where FISH and microscopy resources are available and scalable. The company is also developing products and use cases for the biopharma and CRO segment and has an active business development pipeline focused on CDx opportunities and contract research.

About TeloViewSMM

The TeloViewSMM assay has been clinically validated in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic - data supporting this validation were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in 2023. TeloViewSMM has the potential to be an important tool for physicians managing the care of patients diagnosed with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma. The proprietary assay (and associated platform technology) quantifies individual patients' risk of transformation/progression by measuring the 3D structure and spatial organization of telomeres. This molecular signature identifies high-risk SMM patients who are likely to benefit from earlier treatment intervention. The larger subset of low-risk patients may not require immediate treatment and can be regularly monitored using the TeloViewSMM assay along with standard phenotypic measures. Over 200,000 patients in the United States are currently living with smoldering Multiple Myeloma.

About Telo Genomics

Telo Genomics is a clinical-stage high complexity laboratory pioneering the most comprehensive telomere platform in the industry. The company has developed powerful predictive and prognostic assay tools in oncology and neurological disease. These applications are facilitated on a liquid biopsy platform that performs quantitative analysis of 3D telomeres with molecular biology and artificial intelligence to recognize disease-associated genetic instability. The benefits of the TeloView platform have been substantiated in over 160 peer reviewed publications and 30-plus clinical studies involving more than 3,000 patients.

For more information, visit www.telodx.com

Kris Weinberg, CEO

678-429-5582

[email protected]

MaRS Centre, South Tower,

101 College Street, Suite 200, Toronto,

ON, M5G 1L7

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "will", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the clinical efficacy of products, commercial viability of products, use of proceeds, and the ability of the TeloView platform to deliver personalized medicine resulting in better treatments and outcomes are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184274
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

Regarding debates over recent events in our region:

We, Israel-based academics, thought leaders and progressive activists committed to peace, equality, justice and human rights, are deeply pained and shocked by the recent events in our region. We are also deeply concerned by the inadequate response from certain American and European progressives regarding the targeting of Israeli civilians by Hamas, a response which reflects a disturbing trend in the global lefts political culture.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack that included mass murder of innocent civilians in their homes, indiscriminate violence towards women, the elderly and children, and mass kidnappings of Israeli citizens. Entire families were wiped out in this carnage, whole communities were reduced to ashes, bodies were maimed, infants were massacred. It is impossible to overstate the damage caused by these events, both on a personal and a collective level. The traumatizing events of that Saturday in October will leave a lasting mark on our hearts and memories.

As expected, in response to Hamass actions, the state of Israel launched a massive military operation in Gaza. We still cannot estimate the death toll of these attacks, but it is likely to be higher than anything we have witnessed heretofore. This cycle of aggression severely undermines our long-standing struggle against oppression and violence and in pursuit of full rights and equality for all residents of Israel-Palestine. At this moment, more than ever, we need support and solidarity from the global left, in the form of an unequivocal call against indiscriminate violence towards civilians on both sides.

Many of our peers worldwide have expressed strong opposition to Hamass attack and have offered unambiguous support for its victims. Prominent voices in the Arab world, too, have made it clear that there is no justification for sadistic murder of innocent people. However, to our dismay, some elements within the global left, individuals who were, until now, our political partners, have reacted with indifference to these horrific events and sometimes even justified Hamass actions. Some have refused to condemn the violence, claiming that outsiders have no right to judge the actions of the oppressed. Others have downplayed the suffering and trauma, arguing that Israeli society brought this tragedy upon itself. Yet others have shielded themselves from the moral shock through historical comparisons and rationalization. And there are even those  no small number  for whom the darkest day in our societys history was a cause for celebration.

This array of responses surprised us. We never imagined that individuals on the left, advocates of equality, freedom, justice and welfare, would reveal such extreme moral insensitivity and political recklessness. Let us be clear: Hamas is a theocratic and repressive organization that vehemently opposes the attempt to promote peace and equality in the Middle East. Its core commitments are fundamentally inconsistent with progressive principles, and thus the inclination of certain leftists to react affirmatively to its actions is utterly absurd. Moreover, there is no justification for shooting civilians in their homes; no rationalization for the murder of children in front of their parents; no reasoning for the persecution and execution of partygoers. Legitimizing or excusing these actions amounts to a betrayal of the fundamental principles of left-wing politics.

We emphasize: there is no contradiction between staunchly opposing the Israeli subjugation and occupation of Palestinians and unequivocally condemning brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians. In fact, every consistent leftist must hold both positions simultaneously.

The seventh of October is a dark day in the history of Israel-Palestine and the lives of the peoples of this region. Those who refuse to condemn Hamass actions do immense damage to the prospects of peace becoming a viable, relevant political option. They weaken the lefts ability to present a positive social and political horizon, turning it into an extreme, narrow, and alienating political force. We call on our peers on the left to return to a politics based on humanistic and universal principles, to take a clear stance against human rights abuse of any form, and to assist us in the struggle to break the cycle of violence and destruction.

Eva Illouz is a sociologist and writer; Aviad Kleinberg is the President of the Ruppin Academic Center and David Grossman is an author. The statement is also signed by: Prof. Aviad Kleinberg, President of the Ruppin Academic Center

Avirama Golan, author and journalist

Ibtisam Mara'ana, Former MK, Labor Party

Adam Raz, Historian, Human rights activist

Prof. Eva Illouz, Directrice detudes EHESS Paris, Membre of Institute for Israeli Thought

Dr. Ofek Birnholtz, Bar Ilan University

Ortal Ben Dayan, Social Activist

Ori Ben Dov, Social Activist

Uri Weltmann, National Field Organizer - Standing Together

Ori Kol, Social Entrepreneur

Dr. Orit Sonia Waisman, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem

Eilon Tohar, Social Activist

Iris Leal, Author

Alon-Lee Green, National Co-Director of Standing Together

Dr. Eli Cook, Head of the General History Department, Haifa University

Dr. Almog Kasher, Bar Ilan University

Prof. Orna Ben-Naftali, the College of Management Law Faculty and the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute

Josh Drill, Social Activist

Ghadir Hani, peace activist, Standing Together

Prof. Gila Stopler, Faculty of Law, College of Law and Business

Prof. Galia Sabar, Tel Aviv University. Former President of Ruppin College

Dr. Dov Khenin, Former MK, Hadash, Tel Aviv University

David Grossman, author

Dorit Hadar Persky, M.A teacher for special education, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem

Prof. Danny Gutwein, Haifa University

Prof. Dani Filc, MD PhD, Standing Together

Dr. Hagar Gal, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem

Vered Livne, former Director General of The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and leadership member of Standing Together

Taleb el-Sana, Former MK, Arab Democratic Party, Head of High Committee for Arab Citizens of the Negev

Yoav Hareven, leadership member of Standing Together

Prof. Yoav Goldberg, Bar-Ilan University

Prof. Jonathan Rubin, Bar Ilan University

Yossi Sucary, Author

Dr. Yofi Tirosh, Tel Aviv University

Prof. Yael Hashiloni-Dolev, Ben-Gurion University, Sociology and Anthropology Department

Dr. Yael Sternhell, Tel Aviv University

Dr. Yiftah Goldman, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem

Dr. Carmel Shalev, Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University

Dr. Lisa Kainan, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem

Prof. Meir Yaish, Haifa University

Mossi Raz, former MK, Meretz

Dr. Meital Pinto, Zefat Academic College, Ono Academic College

Meital Peleg Mizrachi, Postdoctoral fellow at Yale University, environmental justice researcher

Mickey Gitzin, New Israel Fund, Executive Director in Israel

Dr. Miri Lavi Neeman, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies

Nadav Bigelman, Social Activist, member of Standing Together

Prof. Noam Zohar, Bar Ilan Univesity

Niv Meyerson, Social and environmental justice activist

Sally Abed, Member of national leadership, Standing Together

Dr. Adi Makmal, Engineering Faculty, Bar-Ilan Uni. Israel

Odeh Bisharat, Writer

Prof. Eran Dorfman, Literature Department, Tel Aviv University

Prof. Amit Schejter, department of communication studies, Ben-Gurion University, chairman of ACRI

Dr. Anat Herbst-Debby, The Gender Studies program, Bar-Ilan University

Dr. Ofri Ilany, Van Leer Institute, historian and journalist

Eran Nissan, Mehazkim, CEO

Tzlil Rubinshtein, Social Activist

Ran Heilbrunn, Writer

Dr. Ronit Donyets Kedar, College of Law and Business

Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Law

Dr. Raphael Zagury-Orly, Institut Catholique de Paris

Dr. Shlomit Aharoni Lir, Bar Ilan University

Prof. Sharon Armon-Lotem, Bar-Ilan University

Tom Yagil, Social and Environmental Justice Activist

Dr. Tamar Ascher Shai, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd.(CSE: TONY)(the "Company") is pleased to announce that at its annual and special shareholder meeting held on October 16, 2023 (the "Meeting"), Mr. Peter Tutlys has been elected as a new director of the Company.

Mr. Tutlys has 30 years' of experience as an innovative and results driven brand and business operations leader gained as an investor, business owner, board member, strategy and marketing leader. Mr. Tutlys has held senior marketing roles at Royal Bank of Canada, Norway's largest bank, DNB Bank, and Germany's NORD Landesbank. He has launched many successful Digital client facing brands including Canada's first Digital Electronic Cash Card and Canada's largest online banking system. Currently and since 2014, Mr. Tutlys has been and is the owner and VP Marketing & Sales, Toronto at MarketVest Financial Network, a financial network targeting distressed property owners providing full financial solutions. As President of MarketBanga (SwiftTrade), Peter launched an online day trading company which was sold to a private equity company. Peter has an Economics degree from University of Toronto.

Mr. Bruno Macchialli did not stand for re-election at the Meeting. The Company would like to thank Mr. Macchialli for his contributions to the Company and wishes his success in future endeavours.

For more information, please contact:

Gediminas Klepackas

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +370 677 73470

Email: [email protected]

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184345
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Trojan Gold Inc. (CSE: TGII) (OTC Pink: TRJGF) (FSE: KC1) (the "Company" or "Trojan") wishes to announce the appointment of Mr. Jon Li as the Company's new Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Li succeeds Mr. Vic Hugo who has resigned from his role as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Li has over 20 years of finance experience with a speciality in the mining, technology and financial services industries.

Mr. Charles J. Elbourne, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, wishes to thank Mr. Hugo for his services and contributions to the Company.

About Trojan Gold Inc.

Trojan is an active Ontario-based prospect generator junior exploration company, led by a team of professionals having exploration, engineering, project financing and permitting experience. Trojan has accumulated land positions in the Hemlo Gold Camp and Shebandowan Greenstone Belt which in management's view represent mineral exploration potential. For further information on the Company, please visit www.trojangold.com. Trojan is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol (CSE: TGII), on the OTC Pink Market under the ticker symbol TRJGF and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol KC1.

For further information, please contact:

Charles J. Elbourne, President & CEO

Trojan Gold Inc.

82 Richmond St. East, Suite 401 Toronto, Ontario M5C 1P1

Telephone: 416-315-6490

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.trojangold.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions, and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, potential future exploration potential and success of such exploration activities.

Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that sufficient capital will be available to the Company that will allow it to undertake exploration activities on its properties.

However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the impact of the recovery post COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on precious metals; there being no assurance that the exploration program will result in expanded mineral resources; risks and uncertainties inherent to any mineral resource estimates; receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future gold and other metal prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages; environmental and other risks of the mining industry.

Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184359
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2023) - On October 16 and 17, 2023, Exhibition Performance Days was held in Shanghai. More than a thousand materials from 232 companies worldwide were exhibited at this fair. Among them was a new porous thermal insulation material, Y-Warm, from Beijing Matrix Technologies Co., Ltd.





Image 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8247/184141_82094970b4b389ae_001full.jpg

Y-Warm is like a special kind of fabric with great tactile properties but lighter weight and smaller volume. It was developed after 8 years research from the R&D team in Beijing Matrix Technologies Co., Ltd. A variety of winter garments applied with Y-Warm is presented In PERFORMANCE DAYS and brought to the public's attention. This new product, which aims to be a perfect combination of technology and fashion, hopes to bring consumers a brand-new experience of winter fashion.

For more information, please visit Y-Warm official website: http://en.do-matrix.com

Contact: Feipeng Zhong

Phone+86 400-127-6188

E-mail: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184141
2023 LA AUTO SHOW PRESENTS THE ELECTRIC AVENUE TEST TRACK ALLOWING ATTENDEES TO DRIVE AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF VEHICLES AS EV ENTHUSIASM SURGES

Visitors can compare electric and gas vehicles side-by-side, spotlighting the annual event's leading role in California's changing new car landscape

LOS ANGELES , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark your calendars for November 17-26 as the Los Angeles Auto Show introduces an unprecedented experience for attendees. For the first time, a diverse roster of automotive brands will empower visitors to directly compare electric vehicle performance, comfort and features by getting behind the wheel. Set against the expansive backdrop of the show's 1M sqft venue, visitors can experience top-tier models from leading automakers through both street drives and specialized indoor tracks. The 116th LA Auto Show ensures a unique, pressure-free environment for attendees to gain firsthand insights and make well-informed vehicle choices.

Experience the future of automotive on the streets of Los Angeles ! This year, the Los Angeles Auto Show propels attendees into the driver's seat with an electrifying array of ride-and-drive experiences. Attendees will navigate the show's Electric Avenue , a sweeping, zero-emission vehicle test track that seamlessly circles the entire South Hall at the LA Convention Center , measuring almost one mile. In a premiere initiative, sponsored by LADWP and Volta, both seasoned EV enthusiasts and curious first-timer shoppers are invited to pilot a range of vehicles from a dozen cutting-edge EV options. The EV fleet will be kept in peak performance thanks to dedicated Volta charging stations.

Discover the electric diversity of Electric Avenue! Each automaker will showcase its unique flair with test drives running daily from 9AM to 5:30PM . Dive into a lineup featuring powerhouses like Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Lucid, Polestar, Porsche, and Volvo. And for those looking to shift gears, the LA Auto Show introduces an electrifying twist: Verge Motorcycles debuts its two-wheeled electric sensation, ready for eligible enthusiasts to take for a spin down Electric Avenue .

"With California leading the world as the most influential market for gas and electric vehicle ownership, it's essential that the Los Angeles Auto Show gives visitors the opportunity to experience the newest products and latest technology," said Los Angeles Auto Show President Terri Toennies. "The show will allow consumers to discover the power, handling and comfort of these innovative vehicles, as well as the new electric motorcycle offering for licensed visitors to experience alternative mobility solutions."

Eligible riders will be able to throw a leg over the newest electric machine from Verge. Boasting almost 900 ft-lb of torque, a range of more than 230 miles, and the world's first hubless electric rear wheel motor among its many highlights, the revolutionary Verge TS models will showcase advances in the latest two-wheeled electric options.

Vehicle manufacturers keen to create a one-stop shop for discovery and experience have placed indoor ride-along tracks directly within their main hall exhibitions. This includes Camp Jeep , Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, and Volkswagen. In another first for the LA Auto Show, Ford's Adventure Track will begin inside their exhibit space and head outside, creating a multisensory experience.

ELECTRIFICATION EDUCATION TAKES CENTER STAGE

In response to surging consumer interest and marking yet another groundbreaking feature at the LA Auto Show, the Electrification Discovery Center has emerged. In collaboration with the Hispanic Motor Press Guild, bilingual EV ambassadors fluent in both Spanish and English, will guide visitors through the electrification journey. The Center is not just an exhibit but an educational hub, aiming to demystify the nuance of EV ownership. Attendees will gain insight into driving characteristics, charging options, enticing purchase incentives, and an extensive array of EV products and vehicles on display, spanning both pure EVs and hybrid models.

Adding to the Center's offerings, renowned author and automotive journalist Matt DeLorenzo will host weekend sessions centered around "How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car." Drawing from the wealth of knowledge in his latest book, How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership, DeLorenzo will share valuable insights for potential EV owners."

"Our research has shown that many consumers are unaware of what electric vehicles can offer and sometime confused by the purchasing programs, charging options, and more. We decided to create the Electrification Discovery Center and provide bilingual staff to allow visitors to ask any questions they have, so they can really understand the new opportunities available to them," said Toennies.

The Electrification Discovery Center at the LA Auto Show will be open daily from November 17-26 at the following times:

11/17-19: 10AM-7PM

11/20-22: 11AM-7PM

11/23: 10AM-3PM ( Thanksgiving )

11/24-25: 10AM-7PM

11/26: 10AM-5PM

AMPED ELECTRIFICATION AT THE FOREFRONT

Spanning the expanse of the LA Convention Center , the LA Auto Show is set to unveil a captivating array of EV displays that reflect the dynamic shifts in the electrified sector. Whether it's innovative charging solutions, adept conversion specialists, or groundbreaking outdoor RV innovations, attendees will be treated to advances that bridge the gap between familiar highways and rugged off-road experiences. As the pinnacle event on the annual automotive calendar, the LA Auto Show highlights how electrification isn't just a trend  it's revolutionizing and enriching daily driving experiences.

TICKETS

The 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show will be cashless. All tickets can be purchased online at laautoshow.com/tickets with a credit card or bank card. Tickets purchased for attendance on November 18-19 will include complimentary admission to the USA Street Food Awards.

For additional show information visit laautoshow.com.

MEDIA REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for the Media and Industry preview day on Thursday November 16 . The LA Auto Show's press and B2B gathering is an opportunity for the global community and key decision makers to gather in Southern California for the latest debuts, product announcements, networking opportunities and more.

Registration is accessible at laautoshow.com/media-and-industry-day.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW (LA AUTO SHOW)

Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show is widely recognized as one of the most influential shows globally. Reflective of its location, the show celebrates the love affair Angelenos have with their cars and offers a global platform to industry technology and innovation, synonymous with California .

The show runs for 10 full days over the Thanksgiving period and is a must-attend destination for many industry influencers, car enthusiasts and families wanting to enjoy a day out over the holiday season. Held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center , the LA Auto Show contributes several hundred million dollars to the local economy, stimulates the local job market, and is the number one revenue generator for the LA Convention Center .

For media inquiries, please email [email protected]

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LONDON , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Acturis, the leading technology provider to the general insurance industry, has partnered with Customer Lifecycle Intelligence platform FullCircl to integrate its SmartBroker solution into the platform in order to deliver a rich, contextualised, and connected data solution for brokers, insurers, and MGAs. The SmartBroker API integration will provide next generation data enrichment to Acturis users proven to drive growth, improve decisioning, and enhance compliance.

Recent research has highlighted a persistent level of doubt when it comes to broker and insurer trust in data. This has significant knock-on impacts when tackling many of the biggest challenges facing the industry - onboarding speeds, underwriting accuracy, underinsurance, personalised customer journeys, risk and fraud reduction, and meeting compliance duties. By integrating FullCircl SmartBroker into the Acturis platform brokers and insurers can:

Efficiently identify and win new customers

Save time and pre-populate forms in Acturis with validated data

Run screening and onboarding checks

Enrich customer data to save time and improve underwriting submissions

Improve in-life monitoring for personalised experiences, elevated renewal rates, and expanded upsell opportunities

Improve customer outcomes and comply with the Consumer Duty

Speaking about the partnership Tony Goddard , CEO of Acturis commented: "We're always looking for new ways to enhance how our customers write more business and ensure the trading experience is accurate, efficient, and effective. Integrating with FullCircl is another opportunity for us to elevate our platform and connect the insights brokers need, when it matters most."

Andrew Yates , CEO and Co-Founder at FullCircl said: "This integration has been driven by demand from our shared customer base. We've worked together to provide users with a connected solution that will provide meaningful opportunities to drive growth. We believe brokers, insurers and MGAs are better with data, and this integration makes data enrichment more accessible. We're delighted to announce this partnership so quickly after the launch of our SmartBroker solution and exclusive facility for BIBA members. It's an exciting time for us, and for our customers in the insurance sector."

Phil Barton CEO at Partners&, collaborators in the integration, expressed his excitement at the launch commenting: "I am delighted to see the integration of Acturis and FullCircl being announced. As a partner of both firms, and a business committed to intelligent use of technology, we could see the natural synergy in this integration, and the potential added value for our business. I am pleased to have played a role in influencing the development of this valuable proposition for the broking community."

For more information about FullCircl SmartBroker + Acturis, customers can contact their FullCircl or Acturis account manager.

NOTES TO THE EDITORS

For more information please contact:

Kelly Prior, PR Consultant

Tel: 07730 572878

Email: [email protected]

About FullCircl:

FullCircl is a Customer Lifecycle Intelligence (CLI) platform that connects the insight you need, when it matters most.



Its software, delivered through a platform, API, and suite of applications, is used to identify and acquire customers, verify entities and assess risk to accelerate onboarding, and retain and grow customers by delivering proactive account management.



FullCircl identifies millions of actionable insights daily on entities from 160 countries, providing a near real-time record of companies, their officers and shareholders, and the relationships between them. FullCircl improves commercial effectiveness while empowering businesses to satisfy regulatory requirements and make informed decisions about their customers.



FullCircl was formed following the merger of Artesian Solutions and DueDil and is backed by top tier investors including Octopus Investments, Notion Capital and Augmentum Fintech. In 2023, FullCircl acquired W2 Global Data Solutions, strengthening its KYC, AML and identity verification capabilities. Today, it serves 700+ customers, 15,000+ users, processes over 300 million onboarding and monitoring transactions per month and facilitates the onboarding of 200,000+ customers annually.

fullcircl.com

About Acturis:

Acturis is the leading, award winning Software-as-a-Service provider to the insurance industry.



Founded in 2000, we have grown exponentially over the past 20 years. To date, more than 100,000 individuals, in over 40 countries, use Acturis solutions to power their business. We drive innovation in both personal and commercial lines by working closely with brokers, insurers, and MGAs. Our work has helped create and shape the insurance market of today.



The Acturis Group includes Acturis SaaS, Nordic Insurance Software (NIS), ICE InsureTech, Broker Buddha, Acturis Deutschland, Acturis France and Acturis Canada.

Visit us at www.acturis.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2075760/4239249/FullCircl_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE FullCircl
Light up their night with Bobbi Whale , Celeste Mushroom and Lumicolor Bear

MONTREAL , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Angelcare, a market leader in baby products, is thrilled to announce the launch of Angelcare Magical Dreams, an enchanting range of nightlights and projectors designed to illuminate children's bedtime with comfort and wonder. Featuring customizable sounds and adjustable light intensities, these whimsical companions are available in the US at Amazon and Target (online only) and in Canada at Amazon, Babies "R" Us and Walmart (online only) as of early November 2023 .

Angelcare Magical Dreams is the North American brand of Pabobo, the acclaimed French brand renowned for pioneering nightlights and sleep solutions for babies and toddlers. Angelcare acquired Pabobo in 2017, further solidifying its commitment to providing best-in-class baby care products that address parents' peace of mind.

"We understand the importance of promoting a peaceful sleep transition and creating a soothing bedtime routine for everyone involved," said Lina Racaniello , VP Global Marketing. "These new playful companions are designed to capture the imagination while fostering a calming environment that's conducive to sleep. With Magical Dreams, we've expanded our Angelcare baby care line in North America , with a brand that parents have come to trust over the years."

The Angelcare Magical Dreams launch collection features a trio of whimsical light-up friends:

Bobbi Whale Projector: Dive into a world of imagination with the Bobbi Whale! This adorable projector gently casts images of waves and moving fish onto the ceiling and walls. With three sound options, including marine rhythms and white noise, and no-heat LED lights that adjust to three different intensities, Bobbi Whale is the perfect nighttime pal. USD $34.99 , CAD $54.99 .





Dive into a world of imagination with the Bobbi Whale! This adorable projector gently casts images of waves and moving fish onto the ceiling and walls. With three sound options, including marine rhythms and white noise, and no-heat LED lights that adjust to three different intensities, is the perfect nighttime pal. Celeste Musical Mushroom Projector: A soothing sleep under the stars awaits with Celeste Mushroom! Featuring an adorable mushroom shape, this portable companion blends soothing projections with calming sounds to create a serene sleep environment. Celeste also offers a cry sensor that will reactivate the projector if crying is detected. USD $25.99 , CAD $39.99 .





A soothing sleep under the stars awaits with Celeste Mushroom! Featuring an adorable mushroom shape, this portable companion blends soothing projections with calming sounds to create a serene sleep environment. Celeste also offers a cry sensor that will reactivate the projector if crying is detected. Lumicolor Bear Night Light: Innovation meets imagination with Lumicolor Bear! This dreamy night light intuitively senses the color of each object it's placed on and lights up in the same shade. A perfect companion for nighttime or playtime, Lumicolor offers a soft round body for little hands and the option of an auto-shutdown after 45 minutes. Children can explore the world of colors while feeling safe and secure throughout the night. USD $34.99 , CAD $44.99 .

Angelcare Magical Dreams collection was developed in collaboration with experts and certified by independent international laboratories to ensure their quality and safety. To prevent any potential hazards, Angelcare Magical Dreams collection has a unique safety feature: all its products are turned off during the charging process to dissuade children from playing with the product or cable while it's plugged in.

Interviews with Angelcare are available upon request. High-res images can be found here .

About Angelcare Group

Angelcare was founded in 1997 by Maurice Pinsonnault , a visionary thinker and doer who never met an idea he couldn't improve upon. As a first-time father who understood how worrying it could be to care for a newborn and being dissatisfied with the selection of baby monitors available, he chose to revolutionize the category, and this is how the Angelcare story began. He then turned his attention and talent to bringing innovation to various products in the baby care and pet industries such as diaper disposal systems, and cat litter disposal systems. From then on, this focus on innovation has made the Angelcare Group a benchmark and leader in its categories, with recognized global brands such as Angelcare, Diaper Genie, Litter Genie, LitterLocker, Pabobo and Kids'Sleep. Today, our products are sold in more than 50 countries, and address consumer needs for peace of mind, quality of children's sleep and pet wellness. Learn more at www.angelcaregroup.com .

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SOURCE Angelcare Magical Dreams
BEIJING , Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The world is moving ever closer toward greater multipolarity, economic globalization and cultural diversity, becoming increasingly information-orientated in the process. Countries today are more frequently connected and closely interdependent than at any point in history. Humanity is, without a doubt, a community with a shared futurea future in which everyone's interests are inseparably entwined.

However, a growing deficit in peace, development, security and governance, together with intertwining conventional and non-conventional security issues, such as regional conflicts, arms races, food insecurity, terrorism, cyber-attacks, climate change, energy crises and artificial intelligence snags, poses a grave threat to the beautiful planet we all live on.

In the face of emerging global difficulties and challenges, human society needs new ideas, new concepts and a more just, equitable, balanced, resilient and effective global governance system. What kind of world to build and how to create a brighter future are questions on the minds of all countries and individuals. We must respond to the challenges presented by the times and make the right choices.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) via video in Beijing on July 4 and expressed his expectations for the future of the nine-member international organization, he said, "A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions goes a long way."

The sentence derives from remarks found in The Analects of Confucius and the Dao De Jing , works that outline the thoughts of the two great ancient Chinese thinkers Confucius and Laozi, respectively. It underlines the importance of advancing together on the right path to achieve greater development through solidarity, cooperation and perseverance.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China -proposed concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity. As the world is changing in ways rarely seen before, the SCO, founded by China , Russia , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in Shanghai in 2001, has upheld this concept of a shared future and embarked on a new path where countries build partnerships instead of forming exclusive blocs and work together toward common benefits instead of working against one another by engaging in confrontation. This devotedness has made the SCO a cornerstone for world peace and stability, exemplifying the time-honored adage that "a just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions goes a long way."

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an initiative consisting of a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st- Century Maritime Silk Road . Over the past decade, the initiative, aimed at boosting connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes, has gathered three fourths of the world's countries and 32 international organizations and carried out 3,000 projects with nearly $1 trillion in investment.

Flagship projects include China - Europe freight trains, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The initiative's participating economies have strengthened their interconnectivity, leading to burgeoning cross-border trade and investment.

The BRI supports genuine multilateralism through consultation and cooperation in global governance. It advocates dialogue rather than confrontation, tearing down walls rather than erecting new ones, integration rather than decoupling, and inclusion rather than exclusion. This new paradigm for state-to-state relations shapes the international order toward greater justice and equity.

To contribute to the future wellbeing of humanity, China has proposed several undertakings to lift global governance. For example, the country's ideas on development, security, civilizations and ecological progress are considered global public goods because they inspire the international community to seek cooperation while setting aside differences, and because their benefits are continuously and equally available to all nations.

China calls for building international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, as well as win-win cooperation. It works with its partners to promote regional cooperation while pursuing global common development. "A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions goes a long way." China's efforts in this area reflect the continued relevance of ancient Chinese knowhow in contemporary times.

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SOURCE Beijing Review
D2L and BlackBerry select Actua, with specialized STEM programming for K-12 students and Indigenous youth, for first investment

TORONTO , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) ("BlackBerry") a global IoT and cybersecurity software company and D2L Inc. (TSX: DTOL) ("D2L") a global learning technology company, today announced their partnership to support STEM education for K-12 students in North America , with BlackBerry naming D2L its Sustainability Partner.

As partners in technology-enabled missions, BlackBerry and D2L have chosen Actua, a national STEM outreach organization, for the first investment. BlackBerry believes a sustainable world is one that is increasingly connected and has security and privacy built in. The company leverages its expertise and innovations to help achieve a sustainable world. D2L is committed to reducing cybersecurity burdens through innovative learning and education solutions has partnered with BlackBerry to identify Actua to help advance its sustainability agenda.

Actua Canada's leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach organization, is a leader amongst its peers in impact measurement, depth and breadth of programming, and in its extensive delivery and partner networks across Canada . Of its many programs, Actua's investments in Indigenous-led participation in STEM skill development, with land-based InSTEM programming and in-classroom workshops, including in the North, reaches over 35,000 Indigenous students across Canada annually.

"Like BlackBerry, D2L leads with purpose and innovation and we are thrilled to partner with them to enable the next-generation of innovators. Together we will support Actua's mission to foster technology talent and prepare the workforce of tomorrow," said John Chen , Executive Chairman & CEO, BlackBerry. "At BlackBerry we believe that the IoT and cybersecurity are key pillars of a sustainable future and industry leaders have a responsibility to eliminate barriers to STEM education for global progress in an increasingly technology-driven world."

"We are delighted to be named BlackBerry's Sustainability Partner in their mission to help build a more sustainable world, and thrilled that together we can support Actua Canada's largest STEM outreach organization, in their ongoing work to dismantle inequalities so that all youth can participate in STEM," says John Baker , CEO of D2L. "At D2L, we believe that the role of education is the foundation for human progress, perhaps now more than ever. Technology-enabled learning has a critical role to play in improving learning experiences, in promoting lifelong learning opportunities, and in making quality learning more accessible for all."

"We are grateful for BlackBerry and D2L's support in advancing STEM skill development and learning," said Jennifer Flanagan , Actua's Co-founder and CEO. "Actua's Indigenous Youth In STEM program focuses on culturally inclusive learning experiences and removing barriers that prevent Indigenous youth from engaging in STEM. With BlackBerry and D2L's partnership, we will continue providing opportunities for Indigenous youth to thrive in STEM, nurturing their confidence and skills in these critical fields."

BlackBerry has been committed to innovations in connectivity and cybersecurity technologies for forty years. The company believes that advancing how the world connects is key for today and future generations to thrive, and that connectivity must have security and privacy embedded to be sustainable. BlackBerry is trusted by customers and partners around the world in the fields of embedded software, endpoint management, AI cybersecurity, and more.

D2L is driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality education, regardless of age, ability or location. For more than two decades, D2L has been focused on creating unique, accessible learning experiences to make learning more engaging and meaningful. D2L platforms enhance the learning experience for millions of people across the globe at every stage of life, from the earliest days of school to the working world.

For more information on the partnership between BlackBerry and D2L watch BlackBerry Summit live today.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 235M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario , the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety, and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security, endpoint management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust.

About D2L

D2L is transforming the way the world learnshelping learners of all ages achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with clients all over the world, D2L is supporting millions of people learning online and in person. Our growing global workforce is dedicated to making the best learning products to leave the world better than they found it. Learn more about D2L for K-12, higher education and businesses at www.D2L.com.

Media Contacts:

BlackBerry Media Relations

+1 (519) 597-7273

[email protected]

D2L Media Contact

Tory Waldron

Director, PR, D2L Corporation

[email protected]

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SOURCE BlackBerry Limited
The trusted manufacturer and event sponsor affirms its commitment to plumbing, heating and cooling professionals with support of top industry event, scheduled for Oct. 25-27 in Cleveland

AMBLER, Pa. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bradford White Corporation , an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, will showcase a range of innovative high-performance and high-efficiency products while serving as a major sponsor of PHCCCONNECT2023, the premier annual conference for plumbing, heating and cooling professionals.

PHCCCONNECT2023, scheduled for Oct. 25-27 in Cleveland , is hosted by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling ContractorsNational Association (PHCC), the top national organization representing professionals in residential, commercial, new construction, industrial and service and repair segments of the plumbing and HVAC industry.

"Bradford White remains committed to supporting PHCC and the industry overall as it continues to grow and evolve," said Neal Heyman , director of marketing for Bradford White. "We're looking forward to the shared solutions and strategies that emerge from this important event and the opportunity to continue meeting the needs of the hard-working professionals who drive this industry."

PHCCCONNECT2023 offers top-tier education sessions, a product and technology showcase featuring the latest technological advances, and face-to-face networking opportunities with business owners and other professionals.

Representatives from Bradford White will be at Booth #400 during the event to meet with attendees and discuss the following Bradford White Water Heaters products:

Bradford White Water Heaters AeroTherm Heat Pump Water Heater with Bradford White Connect and Microban: With 50-, 65- and 80-gallon capacity units available, the Bradford White Water Heaters ENERGY STAR-certified AeroTherm Series offers value, efficiency and versatility.

With 50-, 65- and 80-gallon capacity units available, the Bradford White Water Heaters ENERGY STAR-certified AeroTherm Series offers value, efficiency and versatility. Bradford White Water Heaters Infiniti GR Tankless Water Heater: The Infiniti GR's wide array of features, including cascading and common venting, variable heat control, bottom water connections and an integrated recirculation pump with dedicated connection, are designed to increase efficiency and make service and maintenance more convenient.

The Infiniti GR's wide array of features, including cascading and common venting, variable heat control, bottom water connections and an integrated recirculation pump with dedicated connection, are designed to increase efficiency and make service and maintenance more convenient. Bradford White Water Heaters ElectriFLEX MD: The ElectriFLEX MD medium-duty commercial tank-type electric water heaters are available in 50-, 80- and 119-gallon capacities to fit a variety of applications, with available advanced features such as rugged Incoloy low-watt density elements, field conversion kits to fit demanding application needs, and a Hydrojet sediment reduction system.

PHCC provides legislative advocacy, education and training to approximately 3,300 plumbing and HVACR open shop and union businesses and 65,000 technicians. Approximately 125 state and local association affiliates are part of PHCC's chapter network.

For more information about Bradford White Corporation, visit https://www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

About Bradford White Corporation

Bradford White Corp. is a full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage products. The company maintains headquarters in Ambler, Pennsylvania , and has manufacturing facilities in Middleville, Michigan ; Niles, Michigan ; and Rochester, New Hampshire ; and distribution and training centers in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada . For more information, visit www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

BRADFORD WHITE CONTACT:

Rebecca Owens

Senior Communications Manager

Bradford White Corporation

(215) 641-9400

[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

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SOURCE Bradford White Corporation
CHICAGO , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS), an audience-driven technology company empowering automotive, today announced a new enterprise brand name. The company is uniting its various commercial brand names under Cars Commerce and doubling down on its platform strategy to better connect the industry with a simplified and tierless technology that spans pretail, retail and post-sale activities.

"The automotive industry has two critical, yet solvable, issues that directly impact the consumer: unnecessary complexity within retail operations and a battle between OEMs and retailers for customer control," said Alex Vetter , chief executive officer of Cars Commerce. "Cars Commerce brings consumers, OEMs, retailers and lenders together to speed up operations, deliver more sales at greater profitability and reduce a dealer's turn time by up to 20%."

Cars Commerce remains focused on simplifying car buying and selling by eliminating complexity and increasing transparency throughout the local retail experience, where sales and service are best facilitated.

The new enterprise brand name comes with a streamlined and interconnected portfolio organized by four core capabilities:

Marketplace: Central to the platform is Cars.com, the No. 1 most recognized marketplace brand. Its role is critical to the pretail experience, allowing OEMs and retailers to merchandise inventory and promote their unique brand experience to 27 million in-market shoppers each month. Integrated into the marketplace is the company's reputation technology that powers more than 13 million consumer reviews, making it the largest review platform in the industry, as well as digital financing and trade-in capabilities that speed transaction time with local retailers.



Central to the platform is Cars.com, the No. 1 most recognized marketplace brand. Its role is critical to the pretail experience, allowing OEMs and retailers to merchandise inventory and promote their unique brand experience to 27 million in-market shoppers each month. Integrated into the marketplace is the company's reputation technology that powers more than 13 million consumer reviews, making it the largest review platform in the industry, as well as digital financing and trade-in capabilities that speed transaction time with local retailers. Digital Experience: The marketplace audience is often driven directly into the retail experience through the platform's websites and solutions. Industry-leading brand Dealer Inspire is a preferred provider with nearly every OEM, and for good reason: Dealer Inspire websites and technology include integrated reviews, AI-powered chat tools, instant financing, vehicle acquisition technology, and a lightning-fast user experience, turning browsers into buyers.



The marketplace audience is often driven directly into the retail experience through the platform's websites and solutions. Industry-leading brand Dealer Inspire is a preferred provider with nearly every OEM, and for good reason: Dealer Inspire websites and technology include integrated reviews, AI-powered chat tools, instant financing, vehicle acquisition technology, and a lightning-fast user experience, turning browsers into buyers. Trade & Appraisal: Integrated into both the Cars.com marketplace and Dealer Inspire websites is Accu-Trade, a powerful data and technology provider that puts the right valuation on any vehicle every time. Nearly half of car buyers have a trade-in prior to purchase, and Accu-Trade speeds transaction time by enabling digital instant offers for consumers and equipping everyone in the dealership with turnkey and transparent acquisition solutions that complete an appraisal in under five minutes. Through nearly 600,000 appraisals completed this year, Accu-Trade has identified more than $30 million of potential savings in appraisal losses for dealers while consistently offering consumers the best prices for their used cars.



Integrated into both the marketplace and Dealer Inspire websites is Accu-Trade, a powerful data and technology provider that puts the right valuation on any vehicle every time. Nearly half of car buyers have a trade-in prior to purchase, and Accu-Trade speeds transaction time by enabling digital instant offers for consumers and equipping everyone in the dealership with turnkey and transparent acquisition solutions that complete an appraisal in under five minutes. Through nearly 600,000 appraisals completed this year, Accu-Trade has identified more than of potential savings in appraisal losses for dealers while consistently offering consumers the best prices for their used cars. Media: Cars Commerce Media Network is a new brand that unifies all of the company's media products, including Cars Social, FUEL IMV and its national advertising solutions. As the industry spends billions of dollars guessing which audiences are in-market for a vehicle, the company's new retail media network empowers OEMs and retailers to reach proven in-market consumers while they are shopping. Cars Commerce inventory search ads drive a 56% lower cost-per-lead compared to Google, and when combining its video, social and display media products together customers gain a 32% increase in direct referrals to dealer websites.

"We have built a platform with a differentiated and powerful combination of audience, reviews and content, technology and data  and there's a word for it: Commerce," said Vetter. "Cars Commerce affirms our strategic evolution and signals our continued commitment to unite the industry with a connected platform of technology solutions."

The Cars Commerce brand and new visual identity system was created by FutureBrand , IPG's brand-led business transformation agency. For more information about Cars Commerce and its connected platform capabilities, visit: www.carscommerce.inc.

Cars Commerce internal data, September 2023

Cars.com brand tracker, Q2 2023

Cars Commerce internal data, YTD September 2023

Cars.com case study, July- November 2022

About Cars Commerce

Cars Commerce is an audience-driven technology company empowering automotive that simplifies everything about buying and selling cars. The Cars Commerce platform includes the flagship automotive marketplace and dealer reputation site Cars.com, innovative digital marketing technology and services from Dealer Inspire, industry-leading trade-in and appraisal technology from Accu-Trade, an exclusive in-market media network, and powerful and predictive AI technologies that enable more efficient and profitable retail operations. Cars Commerce is the essential partner to stay one step ahead in automotive. Learn more at www.carscommerce.inc.

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SOURCE Cars.com Inc.
Linda Evangelista poses for the June 1987 issue of Vogue, styled by Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele, hair by Oribe and makeup by Francois Nars. The image comes from the book Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel (Phaidon). Steven Meisel

Divine is Steven Meisels favorite word. The legendary fashion photographer uses it often and without irony, especially when a model executes a perfect gesture. For Meisel, an expert in capturing those moments, it is the highest compliment. And supermodel Linda Evangelista has received it more than anyone else. The union of these two artists is a thing of legend, at least within the confines of fashion and photography. For almost four decades, they have created unorthodox portraits and influential fashion editorials.

Some of the photos can be seen in the ambitious exhibition 1993: A Year in Photographs, which the Fundacion MOP dedicated to Meisel in A Coruna, Galicia, in May of this year. But now the photographers work with the top model has been released in the book Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel, a volume published by Phaidon that reviews the duos most transcendental moments. For many, it is the fashion book of the year. Its incredible, says Evangelista, cup of coffee in hand, from Milan. Its crazy. I look at a photo and the memory of that day returns to me in an instant. I turn the page and I feel like another person is looking at me. Whos that? The variety of what weve done and the range of our work, even though it doesnt follow any order, makes me proud.

Linda Evangelista poses in the Vogue May 1993 issue, styled by Camilla Nickerson, hair by Ward Stegerhoek and makeup by Denise Markey. As with all the photos in this text, it is part of the book Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel (Phaidon) Steven Meisel

If Meisel is the master of narrative in fashion photography, a talent beyond good and evil, she is the model who will go down in history for her ability to transform into whatever he wants: a Marilyn-style diva, a renaissance page or a modern Katharine Hepburn. Both of us love what we do and were really dedicated, the model explains. But something made us get along from day one. It was love at first sight. We communicate without talking. With the way that Steven tilts his head or looks into my eyes, I know exactly what to do. Im not afraid at all to try something new and experiment. And I trust that with him it will never turn out wrong,

Evangelista has returned to the front lines after a few years far from the spotlights. She shows off recent fashion campaigns, an Apple TV documentary series, Vogue covers and, now, the book. Today the model, one of the original supermodels that marked the nineties, is once again seeing her moment. She is having a rebirth, and her fans encourage her to keep going. I could cry, she says, while she attempts to hold back tears. The love Ive experienced is overwhelming and it makes me so happy. Its healing me.

Linda Evangelista photographed for the February 1994 issue of Vogue. Styling by Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele, hair by Ward Stegerhoek and makeup by Denise Markey. Steven Meisel

From what? To start, from the trauma of a failed cosmetic surgery that, in her words, permanently and brutally disfigured her. The technique, called CoolSculpting, is intended to eliminate localized fat, but for Evangelista, it caused the opposite: paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, or an increase in her bodys fat cells. She hid from the world until she couldnt any longer. I was very sad, but I was tired of isolating myself. I didnt have anyone to go to who had gone through the same thing, and I couldnt even find anything on the internet about it. Now more cases have been reported and I see that many people have gone through the same thing. Then I got breast cancer again [she had it twice in five years and had a double mastectomy], so I needed intimacy. But I didnt want to whine or be sorry for myself. For me, there was always light at the end of the tunnel, so I waited, she says now.

Im a fighter, though I havent had a choice. Ive gone through a lot of operations in my life and throughout my career, but I want to live. When I think of fashion and the fact of being able to make images, I see it also as a way to escape my real life. I assumed that things dont always come out as theyre planned. The key to the new Evangelista is that shes not trying to repeat her past: the eternal chameleon has embraced her own story with the aplomb with which she used to wear thousands of masks. And she has been more successful than she expected. She spent the week before our interview descending from limousines to sign books, accompanied by her son her spitting image and with the radiant appearance of an Italian neorealist diva in all her mature splendor.

The morning that we spoke, she had flown to Italy to attend a Fendi test with designer Kim Jones. (Days later, she was the star of the runway show, dressed in an imposing sky-blue jacket.) The model says shes excited. She appears slightly stunned by all the attention. But despite her nerves, there has a luminous elegance and an innate self-confidence in the star who in 1978 won her first contest Miss Niagara at only 12 years old.

Linda Evangelista and Steven Meisel in 1992. Phaidon

Her stratospheric success exploded in the nineties alongside her colleagues Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. They were the first models to become as famous as pop stars. At the height of her fame and beauty, George Michael called her to star in two music videos. In 1992s Too Funky, the Canadian played an exaggeratedly kitschy version of herself.

When she wanted to escape, Evangelista retreated to Casa Linda, her elegant refuge at the top of an Ibizan hill, which she bought with her modeling earnings but which no longer belongs to her. Yes, I lost that house. The man I was married to forced me to leave it, she states drily. She refers to Gerald Marie, the fashion titan accused of rape who was the head of Elite Models, Evangelistas agency. She accuses him of abuse and says that if Marie didnt touch his face, it is because it was his source of income. The ex-agent has denied the accusations from Evangelista and other women who have denounced him. (The French justice system closed the investigation in February because the crimes statute of limitations had expired.) But Evangelista doesnt forgive him. Dont bring that up, she says, visibly upset. You can put this in writing: he has that house now, but it is mine. I paid for it.

The model poses in the Vogue Paris 1989 summer issue, styled by Nicoletta Santoro, with hair by Oribe and makeup by Francois Nars. Steven Meisel

During the nineties, I ran into Evangelista on all sorts of occasions, at parties, weddings and funerals. Always discreet and humble, though she represented the decade as much as Bill Clinton or Bart Simpson, the miracle occurred on the catwalk or before the camera. I witnessed it in winter 1994 in New York as she shot an editorial for Harpers Bazaar with David Sims. Manhattan was covered with snow, and she entered the studio dressed for an Arctic fantasy, wrapped in a bulky Isaac Mizrahi fur. Half an hour later, she left the dressing room in a toupee, sheathed in a Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo, transformed into another person. She was brilliant, Sims says. She had an extraordinary capacity to channel characters. She is a perfectionist, a fashion expert that knows the references, knows what its all about and puts in more effort than anyone else to capture a moment. Whatever the photographer or stylist wants, she gets it. Always.

Luis Venegas, director of the publications Candy and Fanzine137, insists that the models signature has always been her talent to reinvent herself over and over. Madonna talks about herself as the queen of reinvention, but I think Linda was first. Her images were always alive. She seemed to say: who are we going to be today? Am I Lucille Ball or a grunge girl? With those credentials, has she ever thought about acting? No, that was never my dream. There are models who go down that path and do incredible things, like Charlize Theron, but it never seemed like the right thing for me. It wasnt where I wanted to go. Its not that I was opposed to it, but it just didnt happen. My head wasnt there.

In a world where youth seems to be everything, Linda Evangelista isnt afraid of getting old. In fact, its the interview question she most easily responds to: My sector has done a pretty good job with becoming more inclusive, she declares. With respect to body types, age and skin color. Now its much more tolerant than before. And how does she see herself in the near future? My goal now is to get old, she announced. Thats what I want to do. I want to get old. Very, very old.

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SAN FRANCISCO , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco-based fine jewelry brand Cast is excited to announce their second collaboration with artist Windy Chien, The Circuit Collection. Inspired by Chien's iconic Circuit Board series, this high voltage collaboration translates graphic textile creations into wearable art. Like Chien's installations, each sculptural piece of jewelry makes a powerful statement.

The renowned Circuit Board series originated from Chien's fascination with the intersection of the early tech era and the role of women during that period. In the late 1960s, companies such as Fairchild Semiconductor and even the NASA Apollo missions turned to craftswomen, including Navajo weavers on Shiprock reservation in New Mexico , to assemble and construct the components of early circuit boards and computer memory modules. Chien's Circuit Board series pays homage to the contributions of women by using the weaving techniques of so-called "women's work" in contrast to the male-dominated tech world visual motifs. Installations from this esteemed collection are found in the homes of private art collectors, interior designers, and architects. Chien's first public art commission, a milestone for the studio, can be found at the University of Florida Gainesville in their brand-new Computer and Information Sciences building.

Windy explains, "This collaboration with Cast was a wonderful challenge because my Circuit Board artworks are intentionally detailed and busy. While this makes them impactful as oversized artworks, translating them to small jewelry pieces was not an obvious 'just shrink them' task. The Cast design team brilliantly zeroed in on the rows of Clove Hitches as a signature, singular element in the Circuit Boards. It's an incredible design solution I would not have come up with on my own. So, this was a true, and very satisfying, collaboration."

Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer Rachel Skelly adds; "We were ecstatic to work with Windy once again on another collection. Being such a big fan of her art, I've always especially loved the graphic patterning in her Circuit Board series. Translating that design into jewelry was a fantastic journey of collaboration and creativity. We were thrilled to see it come to life in such a striking way. The result is a stunning celebration of Windy's artistry, and a nod to the early craftswomen of tech."

The Circuit Collection features rich 14K gold, shimmering diamonds and sterling silver that come together in a story of connectivity.

The Circuit Collection ranges in price from $850-$3,200 and is currently available for purchase on www.castjewelry.com and in store at the Cast boutique in Marin, CA. Cast's first collection with Chien, Knot Life, featuring a ringbolt hitch knot in satin silver and 14 karat gold, woven over high polished rings of rich metal and charcoal jade is also is available for purchase on www.castjewelry.com and in store at the Cast boutique in Marin, CA.

ABOUT CAST

Cast is a place to discover unexpected wonder-filled fine jewelry. Founded in San Francisco and launched in 2021, Cast was created by two friends who wanted to make the experience of shopping for fine jewelry as joyful as wearing it. With Co-Founder Rachel Skelly at the design helm as Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder and CEO Eric Ryan guiding the path forward, Cast brings to life a new vision for fine jewelry with exclusive pieces designed in partnership with artists from around the world... Together, Skelly and Ryan are on a mission to cast wonder and invite everyone to experience the joy of fine jewelry. Welcome to Cast. Let your treasure hunt begin.

ABOUT WINDY

Following long careers at Apple and as owner of legendary San Francisco music shop Aquarius Records, Windy Chien entered the next phase of her artistic journey with the launch of her art studio in 2015. She now creates bold and yet human, tactical pieces for galleries and collectors from around the world. Her art became broadly known with the publication of her 2016 work, The Year of Knots, in which she learned a new knot every day for a year. Each of her ensuing bodies of work explore a single, exquisite knot in search of its ultimate expressive potential. The finished works are minimalist rope sculptures that utilize pattern, repetition, and monumental scale to emphasize the journey of the line. Her work ranges in size from a knot that can fit in the palm of a child's hand to room-sized installations that are sought after by institutions, museums, and private collectors alike. Clients include the National Geographic Society, the De Young Museum, the San Francisco MOMA, Nobu Hotels, Google, and the Kering Group, and her work has been covered by Wired, The New York Times and Martha Stewart . Windy lives in San Francisco with her rescued greyhound.

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SOURCE Cast Jewelry
BEIJING , Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Serbia is one of the countries benefiting from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the century-old steel mill in the northeastern city of Smederevo serving as a prime example. Founded in 1913, the Smederevo Steel Mill once contributed 40 percent of the city's revenue at its peak and was known as the "pride of Serbia ."

Later, due to intensified market competition and poor operation, the steel mill began to lose money year after year and was on the verge of bankruptcy. The Government of Serbia initiated several rounds of international tenders, all of which failed. In 2016, over 5,000 employees faced uncertainty. But then China's Hebei Iron and Steel Group stepped in to establish HBIS Serbia Steel and introduced advanced management and technology, turning the steel mill into a global enterprise with a focus on clients and supply chain. The company was actively integrated into the "Belt and Road" and the process of economic globalization, rapidly establishing itself as a highly competitive steel enterprise in Europe and a prime example of international industrial collaboration.

BRI cooperation between China and Europe

The revival of the century-old steel plant is an epitome of the benefits brought about by the BRI to Europe . Twenty-six European countries have signed BRI documents with China . Under their BRI cooperation, China's imports from the EU increased by 63.7 percent between 2016 and 2021. Its imports from Central and Eastern European countries jumped 127.3 percent during the same period. The China Railway Express, which links a number of Eurasian cities located near China's east coast to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean , is increasingly busy. In the past year, 16,000 trains traversed the route between China and Europe , a stark contrast to the mere 80 at the inauguration of the CR Express over a decade ago.

New challenges

Compared with the first few years of the initiative, the situation between China and Europe is significantly different. Their bilateral relationship needs fine tuning to tackle uncertainties and challenges, as well as an upgrade of the mindset to replace the out-of-time zero-sum one. Chinese senior diplomat Wang Yi , when addressing the 12th China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing last week, said China and the EU are partners, not rivals, and they have more common understandings than differences. Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell said that, despite their different political and economic systems, the EU and China share a common interest in pursuing constructive, stable relations.

Meanwhile, the BRI is also entering a new stage. In the beginning phase, both private and state-owned contractors took the lead in building basic infrastructure. Those projects helped to nurture political goodwill and energize local business partners. Thanks to them, private Chinese companies now feel more comfortable doing business in BRI partner countries. China is encouraging private enterprises to take a more active role and participate in projects labeled as "small and beautiful," which refers to the smaller projects directly connected with improving local livelihoods. New investment favorites include businesses in sectors such as new energy, healthcare, mobile communication, and e-commerce.

Need for more dialogue

Since the launch of the BRI, its global partners have been trying to find more theoretical frameworks and institutional arrangements to make the global cooperation program sustainable. Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. These global initiatives have been widely recognized by the international community and have made historic contributions to global human rights governance on specific issues related to security, development and cultural diversity.

Against all these backdrops, it is high time for China and Europe to carry out more dialogue on key strategic issues and CGTN is hosting a TV forum on the sidelines of this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, themed China's Global Initiatives and the BRI: Opportunities or Risks?

Panel guests include Danilo Turk, former President of Slovenia ; Michael Schumann , chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade; Rudolf Scharping , former German Defense Minister; Susanne Baumann , former director of the Confucius Institute at Dusseldorf ; and Zhong Hong , former senior vice president of Evonik Industries. The panelists will have an in-depth discussion about China-EU ties under the discourse of the Belt and Road Initiative, which are related not only to the wellbeing of the two sides, but also to global stability and prosperity.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-10-17/As-the-Belt-and-Road-turns-10-high-time-for-China-and-Europe-to-talk-amid-uncertainties-1nXkFjKKduU/index.html

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SOURCE CGTN
DENVER , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), announced today that it will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss third quarter results on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The company plans to release its results after market close the same day.

This call is also being webcast and can be accessed at the DaVita IR web page. You can join this call as follows:

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Starting at 5:00 p.m. EST

Webcast can be accessed using this link

Dial in number: 877-918-6630

International dial in: 517-308-9042

When calling in, please provide the operator the password "Earnings" and provide your name and company affiliation. Investors unable to listen to the conference call will be able to access a replay via our website at investors.davita.com. There will be no telephone replay.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita (NYSE: DVA) is a health care provider focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients globally. The company is one of the largest providers of kidney care services in the U.S. and has been a leader in clinical quality and innovation for more than 20 years. DaVita cares for patients at every stage and setting along their kidney health journeyfrom slowing the progression of kidney disease to helping to support transplantation, from acute hospital care to dialysis at home. As of June 30, 2023 , DaVita served approximately 201,000 patients at 2,703 outpatient dialysis centers in the United States . The company also operated 353 outpatient dialysis centers in 11 other countries worldwide. DaVita has reduced hospitalizations, improved mortality, and worked collaboratively to propel the kidney care industry to adopt an equitable and high-quality standard of care for all patients, everywhere. To learn more, visit DaVita.com/About.

Contact Information

Investors:

[email protected]

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SOURCE DaVita
ATLANTA , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DEKRA has successfully completed the acquisition of the environmental testing laboratories of Weiss Technik Testing Services. This strategic move adds an extensive range of environmental testing services, further strengthening DEKRA's product testing portfolio in North America .

The A2LA-accredited environmental testing in Michigan will complement DEKRA's existing ISO 17025-accredited testing laboratories in North America .

"Adding environmental testing services in Michigan is critical to our continued development of testing and certification solutions. These exciting additions further expand our market share in several industries," said Andres Moreno , senior vice president of Service Operations for DEKRA Americas. "This growth is particularly important to DEKRA's commitment to driving future mobility and deepening our relationship with automotive manufacturers and suppliers in North America ."

The environmental testing services added include temperature, humidity, altitude, vibration, HALT and HASS, drop impact, thermal shock, and salt spray corrosion testing. The services complement DEKRA's product-testing portfolio, which includes product certification, global market access, mobility, connectivity, EMC/RF, cybersecurity, and product safety testing.

DEKRA is committed to a seamless transition for customers and employees of Weiss Technik Testing Services.

"As a leader in testing and certification services, we warmly welcome the customers and employees of Weiss Technik labs to the DEKRA Americas family," said John Tesoro , executive vice president of DEKRA Americas. "The addition of environmental testing services further expands the extensive footprint and testing capabilities that we provide for our automotive, energy, electronics, medical, and telecommunications industry partners."

About DEKRA Americas

DEKRA Americas protects people, assets, and our community by providing comprehensive testing, inspection, certification, and consulting services around the globe. DEKRA Americas is a service unit of DEKRA S.E., a global leader in safety since 1925 with more than 48,000 employees in 60 countries across six continents.

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SOURCE DEKRA North America
The trial is being conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) under noted psychedelic researcher Dr. Peter Hendricks

(UAB) under noted psychedelic researcher Dr. This exploratory study is the first investigation of the influence of low-dose psilocybin on human subjects suffering from demoralization

TORONTO , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Diamond Therapeutics Inc. ("Diamond"), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on non-hallucinogenic, psychedelic-based therapies for use in the treatment of mental health, today announced the enrollment of the first patient in an FDA-approved clinical trial conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The principal investigator is Dr. Peter S. Hendricks , a clinical psychologist and professor at UAB's Health Behavior Department in the School of Public Health. This study is referred to as the UAB-Diamond Trial.

Dr. Hendricks has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts with 3,504 citations. His work has been recognized in media outlets, including National Geographic, The Economist, Business Insider, New York Times, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Scientific American, Vogue, and Michael Pollan 's bestseller, "How to Change Your Mind." Dr. Hendricks was recently named the first editor-in-chief of the journal Psychedelic Medicine, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. He has provided keynote addresses on the topic of psychedelics nationally and internationally, including at the FDA and several other leading institutions.

The UAB-Diamond Trial will enroll 60 patients to evaluate the treatment of low doses of psilocybin in demoralization, which involves feelings of hopelessness and meaninglessness. The trial will assess initial signals of efficacy, feasibility, and potential mechanisms of action. Psilocybin will be administered across a series of low doses that are not expected to produce hallucinogenic or other subjective effects, which may limit broad use.

Demoralization is believed to be pervasive in the wake of COVID-19, resulting in a widely experienced unmet need for treatment. "This study is significant because it is the first to test low doses of psilocybin in the treatment of demoralization and is also among the first to test the effectiveness of low doses of psilocybin in a clinical rather than a healthy sample group," notes Dr. Hendricks .

Dr. William J . Tyler serves as a scientific advisor and Chief Technical Officer to Diamond, as well as professor at UAB's School of Engineering-Biomedical Engineering and head of the UAB's Alabama BRAIN Lab, although he is not actively involved in the UAB-Diamond study. Dr. Tyler says, "Diamond has achieved many notable milestones, including cellular studies, animal studies, and studies with healthy humans. Commencing the UAB-Diamond Trial is a landmark moment for Diamond and for the future of psychedelic medicine. The research community is keen to understand low-dose psilocybin's impact on a clinical population. It is our sincere hope that these efforts will help provide solutions to the mental health crises facing our nation."

Diamond Therapeutics

Diamond Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug development company founded to develop new and better therapies for mental health conditions by unlocking the promise of psychedelic compounds. Diamond is focused on sub-perceptual, non-hallucinogenic take-at-home prescription treatments that hold potential for use across a broad patient cohort maximizing the positive impact better drugs can have on global mental health. To learn more about Diamond, visit www.diamondthera.com

About UAB

Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a part of the University of Alabama System, is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center with over $700 million in research awards annually, as well as Alabama's largest single employer, with some 28,000 employees, and has an annual economic impact exceeding $12.1 billion on the state. The pillars of UAB's mission include education, research, innovation and economic development, community engagement, and patient care. Learn more at www.uab.edu.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes statements other than statements of historical fact that can be identified by phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "aims", "plans" and "believes", and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the potential effects of low dose psilocybin and other psychedelic treatments, the potential use in treating mental health conditions and the timing and completion of Diamond's clinical programs and trials. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive applicable regulatory approvals; that factors may occur which impede Diamond's future business plans; the results of continued development, marketing and sales; and other factors beyond the control of Diamond. 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 information. Diamond disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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SOURCE Diamond Therapeutics Inc.
DeSouza Law Brings Attention to Attorney Discipline Reporting when Licensed in Multiple States

DALLAS , Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- If an attorney has been disbarred in one state and is licensed to practice law in another, generally there is an ethical and often legal obligation to report disbarment to the state(s) where that attorney is licensed to practice. Failing to report disbarment in another jurisdiction can have serious consequences, including potential disciplinary action in the other state(s). In Texas , an attorney may be disciplined for conduct occurring in another jurisdiction or resulting in lawyer discipline in another jurisdiction, if it is professional misconduct under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.

The case of Robert Bartholomew Evans III, who was licensed to practice in both Louisiana and Texas for two decades, illustrates the issues that can arise in this context. Evans became engaged in a legal battle with his former business partner in Louisiana . That dispute ultimately ended with Evans being deemed a threat of harm to the public after he falsely represented to a court that he had the consent of opposing counsel to withdraw disputed funds from the court registry, leading to the release of more than $207,000 . Evans later deposited that large sum of money into his personal bank account.

On September 28, 2018 , the Supreme Court of Louisiana disbarred Mr. Evans finding him in violation of multiple Rules of Professional Conduct, including making false statements to the tribunal, engaging in dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

In May 2022 , a subsequent Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Hearing was held regarding Evan's prior conduct and whether re-instatement or permanent disbarment should be imposed. Evans was subject to being permanently disbarred if the tribunal made the following findings: (1) the lawyer's misconduct is so egregious as to demonstrate a convincing lack of ethical and moral fitness to practice law; and (2) there is no reasonable expectation of significant rehabilitation in the lawyer's character in the future."

On January 27, 2023 , Evan's misconduct was found to have satisfied the two permanent disbarment guidelines, found in Appendix D of Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX: intentional corruption of the judicial process and, following notice, he had engaged in the unauthorized practice of law during a period of suspension. The Texas State Bar has now been made aware of this disbarment, and Evans' suitability to practice law in Texas is currently under review.

Unfortunately, no one in Texas , including the State Bar, was made aware of his discipline by Evans himself. He failed to report the discipline although required because an attorney licensed in Texas is answerable for his conduct in another state when that conduct involves a "serious crime1" or "dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation." Tex. R. Disc. P. 8.04 (a)(2) and (3).

This failure begs the question whether state legislators and state supreme courts should prioritize strengthening governance around attorney disciplinary actions, especially when attorneys practice in multiple states, to ensure consistent and robust oversight of legal professionals.

While it is true that states have different laws, it is equally true that no state allows its attorneys to engage in dishonesty, fraud, or theft. For that reason, each state could easily adopt procedures whereby discipline in one state is applied to all states in which the same attorney is licensed, subject to some form of peer review. At a minimum, states should establish a uniform procedure whereby discipline in one state is reported to any other state where that attorney holds a license to practice law.

The good news, according to the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility, an organization that collects, analyzes, and compiles statistics about lawyer regulatory systems on a national basis, is that as of 2019, "the percentage of lawyers disbarred is generally trending downwardbetween 0.05% and 0.06%." This low percentage means that there is only a 1 in 2000 chance that the attorney you hire is, or ever will be, disbarred. That is impressive and it speaks well of the practice of law given that there are at least 1.4 million attorneys in the United States .

While the odds of finding a legacy of unreported disciplinary action is minimal, here are a few steps to take to remove doubt when hiring a professional attorney:

Verify Licensing : Check the attorney's licensing status by contacting the relevant state bar association where they are licensed to practice law. You can often do this online by searching for the attorney's name on the state bar's website or by calling the bar association's office. Online Reviews: Search for online reviews and ratings of the attorney on websites like Avvo, Martindale -Hubbell, or Google. These platforms may provide insights into the attorney's reputation and client experiences. Referrals and Recommendations: Seek referrals and recommendations from trusted sources, such as friends, family members, colleagues, or other attorneys. Personal recommendations can be valuable in assessing an attorney's qualifications and professionalism. Interview the Attorney: Schedule a consultation with the attorney to discuss your case or legal needs. During the consultation, ask questions about their experience, past cases, and approach to handling your specific legal matter. Pay attention to their communication skills, responsiveness, and professionalism. Background Check Services: Consider using online background check services that may provide information about an attorney's education, professional history, and any legal actions against them. Keep in mind that the accuracy and completeness of such reports can vary.

1 "serious crime" includes "any misdemeanor involving theft, embezzlement, or fraudulent or reckless misappropriation of money or other property." Tex. R. Disc. P. 8.04 (b).

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SOURCE DeSouza Law, P.C.
PHILADELPHIA , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a timely collaboration, Embark MGA (Embark) and Decision Research Corporation (DRC) joined forces to tackle the pressing need for reliable markets for homeowner's insurance across the United States , starting with California and Arizona . This strategic partnership modernizes the application, underwriting and fulfillment process for obtaining homeowner's insurance, allowing Embark to distribute its market-leading insurance products through an expanded local agency network and via embedded distribution partnerships.

In the first phase of the partnership, Embark is migrating its Manufactured and Mobile Home insurance program (managed through its affiliate, King Insurance) onto the DRC platform. Manufactured, modular and mobile homes require a custom insurance policy, different from policies for traditional home construction. Securing suitable insurance for these homes has been a challenge for many due to a lack of insurance companies offering manufactured home insurance policies, combined with heightened attention to wildfire risk exposure limiting options for affordable insurance.

King, part of the Embark MGA, is a leading specialty property managing general agency with 25 years serving the manufactured home insurance sector with both personal and commercial property insurance. Their expertise in wildfire risk management, micro-aggregation controls, and commitment to provide stable insurance programs to underserved and niche markets makes them the ideal solution provider for this market need.

DRC, a recognized leader in end-to-end technology solutions for the insurance industry, brings its cutting-edge platform and data integration capabilities to streamline the insurance application process and bring real-time access to quality insurance coverage.

Jai Prakash , CIO of Embark, enthusiastically conveyed his excitement regarding the partnership, stating, "DRC has impressed us with their unwavering dedication to accelerating system upgrades, delivering results in half the time compared to typical implementations. This speed-to-market approach perfectly aligns with our commitment to providing responsive, efficient, and innovative solutions for our distribution, carrier and reinsurance partners."

Key benefits of the new system include:

24/7 Straight-through Policy Issuance: The secure system pre-populates critical information, accepts payment, and provides policy documents electronically, eliminating the waiting period and streamlining the effort required by agents. Improved Wildfire Risk Mitigation: By integrating advanced risk models into its new sales platform, King ensures a fair price and can help agents educate customers about their wildfire risk. More and Easier Payment Options: DRC's modern platform lets customers level out their payments, pay upfront, or enroll in automatic escrow billing, and manage their payments online.

Since the upgraded platform was released in California earlier this year, King has been able to activate their program with larger, established insurance agencies that demand modern systems, making it easier for homeowners to find better coverage. The system is rolling out in Arizona now, and agent engagement is following a similar pattern, furthering broadening access to King's insurance solutions.

In addition to expanding distribution partner options, the new system enhances Embark's capabilities in risk management, geographic diversification, and program expansion. "We're delighted to be able to provide Embark with the technology foundation that enables them to expand the markets they serve and bring stable insurance options to the public" stated Karen Yamamoto , CEO and President at DRC. "We look forward to having a long-term lasting relationship fueled by continued growth of their business."

For media inquiries, please contact:

Embark MGA

Marc Murphy , Marketing Director

[email protected]

470-620-6664

Decision Research Corporation

Kristina Tomino , Marketing Manager

[email protected]

808-983-9152

About Embark MGA

Embark MGA is a next generation managing general agency, offering turnkey insurance solutions to its carrier and distribution partners. Founded in 2018, Embark specializes in the program administration of auto, property, and commercial liability insurance, serving both specialty and broad markets. Embark provides full program management capabilities to its carrier partners, including product management, pricing, compliance, claims, servicing, policy administration, and distribution management. Embark's manufactured homeowner program and mobile home/RV parks commercial program are administered through its affiliate, King Insurance Support Systems. For more information, please visit www.embarkmga.com.

About Decision Research Corporation

Decision Research Corporation (DRC) provides innovative, cloud-native, enterprise solutions to P&C insurance companies looking to boost their business development efforts, reduce administrative overhead, and accelerate speed-to-market for their products through automation. RS X Rating, DRC's no-code rating solution, gives actuaries the ability to configure powerful automation functions without IT assistance, and to price risks and model products, no matter how complex, all through a familiar Microsoft Excel interface. DRC's flagship product is the DRC Insurance Platform, a full-service policy administration system, including portals, quoting, billing, claims, and advanced analytics, powered by RS X Rating, and engineered to streamline internal processes and empower business users within a secure and robust enterprise ecosystem. DRC has remained committed to total customer satisfaction for over half a century and its clients, running the gamut of size and scope from large global carriers to regional start-ups, continue to rely on DRC's trusted solutions to manage over $10 billion in written premium. To learn more about DRC, visit www.decisionresearch.com.

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SOURCE Decision Research Corporation
ESHYFT is dedicated to providing nursing professionals with innovative solutions that enhance their financial well-being and work-life balance. With Fingercheck, they are setting new payroll standards in the healthcare industry so employees can access their earnings faster.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ESHYFT , a technology that connects nursing professionals to shifts at long-term care facilities, and Fingercheck , an award-winning Payroll & HR platform for small businesses, have come together on a shared mission to give employees more control over their payday. PayOnDemand, powered by Fingercheck, provides ESHYFT nurses with the flexibility and convenience to access their earned wages outside their regular weekly pay cycle  simply through the Fingercheck app.

With earned wage access, employees can proactively reduce debt and avoid costly payday loans or bank overdraft fees.

Over 60% of U.S. workers rely on biweekly or semi-monthly paychecks; shockingly, 63% of Americans , including those earning six figures, live paycheck to paycheck. While earned wage access isn't a solution for all financial challenges, it empowers employees and businesses to exert greater control over their financial well-being.

"We believe in empowering our nurses and addressing their needs beyond traditional pay cycles." said David Greisman , President and Co-Founder. PayOnDemand is our most requested feature  through our partnership with Fingercheck, our nurses have more control and greater financial flexibility. It's about giving them the freedom to access their hard-earned wages whenever they need it."

The best part is that nurses using this new solution have options: they can have their funds available in their bank account by the next business day, or for even faster access, they can request a Fingercheck PayCard and get their funds within 25 minutes.

With earned wage access, employees can proactively reduce debt, avoid costly payday loans, and avoid unexpected bank fees or overdraft charges. For businesses, providing this benefit can alleviate employee financial anxiety, lead to improved retention, higher engagement, and enhanced talent acquisition. ESHYFT, specifically looks forward to enticing nurses to return to the industry.

"At Fingercheck, our mission is to provide businesses with innovative and reliable payroll & HR solutions that simplify their operations, empower their people, and drive success," said Tiffany Haynes , COO at Fingercheck. "By powering earned wage access for ESHYFT, we are not only advancing our mission but changing how businesses traditionally think of payday, so employees everywhere can have the flexibility to steer their own financial success."

What ESHYFT nurses are already saying about PayOnDemand:

"I absolutely love PayOnDemand! I like the fact that I can request my pay early if necessary. It's extremely easy to follow the step-by-step directions to request next day pay!" - Vanessa Thompson , Michigan CNA

"I love PayOnDemand! It is a great option. I am so happy ESHYFT has implemented this new feature. PayOnDemand is very easy to utilize and works exactly as described. I hope others will enjoy feature as much as I do." - Regina Smith , Maryland LPN

About ESHYFT:

ESHYFT is a technology connecting nurses to shifts at long-term care facilities. In 25+ states, vetted CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, use ESHYFT's top rated nurse app to pick up shifts. To facilities ESHYFT is providing a staffing solution, and for nurses it's empowering them to choose when and where they work. Together, with facilities and nurses, ESHYFT is closing the gap on staffing shortages and providing care for those most vulnerable.

About Fingercheck

At Fingercheck, we're about making life easier for small business owners. We know payroll and HR can be a total headache, so we created a platform that simplifies everything. You can say goodbye to the stress and time-consuming tasks of payroll and HR management, including taxes and compliance  we've got you covered!

Our advanced AI and automation technology saves you time and money, so you can put energy into growing your business. And the best part? Our team is dedicated to providing top-notch support. We take the time to understand your needs and offer personalized solutions to make your internal processes quick, easy, and accurate. For more information, please visit fingercheck.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Facebook , Twitter & Instagram .

ESHYFT Media contact:

Hannah May

Communications Manager

[email protected]

Fingercheck Media contact

Christian Kunkel

Head of Marketing

[email protected]

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SOURCE Fingercheck
Drives Sales and Sets Stage for Next Phase of Growth

CINCINNATI , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EdgeEnergy, a leading provider of innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure solutions, announced the appointment of Shaun Shuler as the company's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This move will capitalize on Shuler's extensive experience in sales, sales organization leadership and senior management positions to drive additional sales and set the stage for EdgeEnergy's next phase of growth.

Greg York , Founder of EdgeEnergy, said, "Shaun brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of building high-performing teams. His demonstrated success in growing revenue and his hands-on, collaborative approach to management make him the ideal candidate to lead EdgeEnergy into its next phase of growth. His passion for sustainable transportation and commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences align perfectly with our company's vision."

York, the co-inventor of EdgeEnergy's proprietary technology and who has been leading EdgeEnergy since 2020, will transition into the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). With 25 years of supply chain and logistics management experience at Procter & Gamble, Greg will assume the crucial COO role to drive operational efficiency and expand EdgeEnergy's market reach.

Shuler joins EdgeEnergy from DataMinr, a pioneer in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive real-time event and risk detection. There, he held prominent leadership positions, demonstrating his ability to drive sales growth and foster team success. Known for his motivational management style, Shuler has consistently built and retained top-performing teams, setting them up for long-term success.

"I am honored to join EdgeEnergy as CEO at this exciting time for the company and the EV industry as a whole," said Shuler. "EdgeEnergy's mission to eliminate range anxiety by providing innovative, accessible EV charging solutions resonates deeply with me. As an EV owner myself, I understand the acute need for additional EV fast charging capacity nationwide, and am excited about the ability of EdgeEnergy's technology to help close this gap. I am committed to leading our talented team to drive innovation, expand our reach, and empower EV owners with the freedom to travel confidently. Together, we will shape the future of sustainable transportation."

"EdgeEnergy is poised to strengthen its position as a market leader in EV charging solutions and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles worldwide," Shuler continued. "With a relentless focus on customer satisfaction and a strong commitment to innovation, EdgeEnergy is set to transform the way people approach EV charging, making it more accessible and convenient than ever before."

About EdgeEnergy

EdgeEnergy is a leading provider of innovative electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions. Through cutting-edge technology and advanced hardware solutions, EdgeEnergy aims to eliminate range anxiety and make fast EV charging more accessible by freeing customer from the limitations of the power grid, eliminating expensive power upgrades and leveraging existing single-phase power. With a focus on customer satisfaction and sustainability, EdgeEnergy is revolutionizing the way people charge their electric vehicles, paving the way for a greener and more connected future.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements." The Company's actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believe," "predict," "potential," "continue," "aim" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, or strategies for the future. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside the Company's control and are difficult to predict. The Company cautions not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including projections, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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SOURCE EdgeEnergy
Unveil a Trade Data Revolution with Single-Subscription Access to 100+ Countries Export-Import Insights

NOIDA, India , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a world where global trade is the lifeblood of economies, businesses constantly seek to navigate the complexities of international trade. Export-import companies have long been challenged to find verified trade data for global countries. To address these complexities, Eximpedia has introduced a revolutionary single-subscription application that gives access to import-export data for 100+ countries, transforming the trade industry and streamlining international trade more than ever.

Traditional solutions were undoubtedly expensive and inefficient, requiring individual subscriptions for each country. The major limitation that businesses face is the availability of reliable trade data, which is available with some limitations. Hence, this restricted data was nowhere helping companies in global trading.

Eximpedia.app is a unique application that provides vital information about market trends, competitor activities, and consumer preferences. Import Export data enables firms to make informed decisions and avoid any potential risk before investing.

With a single subscription, Eximpedia.app offers global trade data for over 25 million verified import and export companies. Currently, it serves over 5,000 total subscribers across the globe. It has a unique database of 5 million new records and 5 geographic zones that are updated daily.

Eximpedia offers customs data, product classifications, customs tariffs, HS codes, and more that help businesses visualise and interpret data, uncovering confidential market opportunities and trends.

"Eximpedia.app has been a game-changer for my trade business. It has allowed me to identify new markets, find reliable suppliers, and track industry trends. The platform is easy to use and delivers the data I need to make informed decisions," - John Smith , CEO, Acme Corporation.

For more information about our services and to explore our subscription Plans , please visit our website at https://www.eximpedia.app.

About Eximpedia.app:

Eximpedia.app is an exclusive data-driven company, founded in 2021. The company is committed to revolutionising the export-import industry by delivering reliable, real-time, and user-friendly market insights.

The company boasts a strong client base of international businesses, ranging from MSMEs to large MNCs.

Whether you are a seasoned player in the global marketplace or just starting your international journey, Eximpedia.app has the tools and insights to help you succeed.

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SOURCE Eximpedia.app
Martti Ahtisaari, the former president of Finland and global peace broker who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008 for his work to resolve international conflicts, died Monday. He was 86. The foundation he created for preventing and resolving violent conflicts said in a statement it was deeply saddened by the loss of its founder and (former) chair of the board. In 2021, it was announced that Ahtisaari had advanced Alzheimers disease.

It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the death of President Martti Ahtisaari, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in a statement. He was president in times of change, who piloted Finland into a global EU era. Niinisto described Ahtisaari in a televised speech as a citizen of the world, a great Finn. A teacher, diplomat and head of state. A peace negotiator and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Ahtisaari helped reach peace accords related to Serbias withdrawal from Kosovo in the late 1990s, Namibias bid for independence in the 1980s, and autonomy for Aceh province in Indonesia in 2005. He was also involved with the Northern Ireland peace process in the late 1990s, being tasked with monitoring the IRAs disarmament process.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called Ahtisaari a hero of peace, security and conflict prevention, adding that I admired his peace work in the Western Balkans. President Ahtisaari committed all his life to peace, diplomacy, the goodness of humanity, and had an extraordinary influence on our present and the future, said Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani. He engraved the frame of our country, and his name will remain forever in the pages of the Republic of Kosovos history.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called him a visionary and a champion of peace on X, formerly known as Twitter. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair called Ahtisaari an outstanding statesman and a good friend and said he made a vital contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that we are losing an outstanding diplomat. He pointed to Ahtisaaris mediation in many conflicts, including in the Balkans as he attended a summit of Western Balkan leaders in Albania.

When the Norwegian Nobel Peace Committee picked Ahtisaari in October 2008, it cited him for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts. Ahtisaari was the Nordic countrys president for one six-year term  from 1994 until 2000  and later founded the Helsinki-based Crisis Management Initiative, aimed at preventing and resolving violent conflicts through informal dialogue and mediation.

Born June 23, 1937, in the eastern town of Viipuri, which is the present-day Russian town of Vyborg, Ahtisaari was a primary school teacher before joining Finlands Foreign Ministry in 1965. He spent about 20 years abroad, first as ambassador to Tanzania, Zambia and Somalia and then to the United Nations in New York.

He then joined the U.N., working at its New York headquarters, and in 1978 was appointed as the special representative for Namibia by then-U.N. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim. He headed the U.N. peacekeeping operation in the 1980s that led to Namibias independence from South Africa in 1990. Ahtisaari had become deeply involved in activities aimed at preparing Namibians for independence during his diplomatic tenure in Africa in the 1970s.

The Namibian government was grateful for Ahtisaaris work and later made him an honorary citizen of the country. Namibian President Hage Geingob said on X that Ahtisaari was a friend of the Namibian liberation struggle and a leading peacemaker who played through the United Nations a pivotal role in midwifing the birth of a new Namibia.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized Ahtisaaris invaluable contributions to the work of the organization, including as the secretary-generals special representative for Namibia and as a special U.N. envoy for the Horn of Africa and Kosovo among other posts.

His remarkable life of service and pursuit of peace will always serve as an inspiration to countless United Nations officials who had the privilege to work with him, Dujarric said in a statement. Mr. Ahtisaari was a distinguished statesman, diplomat, and exemplary mediator who dedicated his life to the cause of peace.

After returning to Finland in 1991, Ahtisaari worked as a Foreign Ministry secretary of state before being elected president in 1994. He was the first Finnish head of state to be elected directly instead of through an electoral college.

Having lived abroad for so long, he came into the race as a political outsider and was seen as bringing a breath of fresh air to Finnish politics. Ahtisaari was a strong supporter of the European Union and NATO, which Finland joined in 1995 and 2023 respectively.

A highlight came in 1999 when he negotiated  alongside Russias Balkans envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin  the end to fighting in the Yugoslav province of Kosovo with Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. Ahtisaari later said his toughest job as a negotiator and peace broker was during the Kosovo talks.

During his presidency, Ahtisaari hosted Russian President Boris Yeltsin and U.S. President Bill Clinton at a U.S.-Russia summit in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, in March 1997. Ahtisaari had a great heart and he believed in the human being, Niinisto said.

In his speech at the Nobel celebration, Ahtisaari said that all conflicts can be resolved: Wars and conflicts are not inevitable. They are caused by humans, Niinisto said. There are always interests that war promotes. Therefore, those who have power and influence can also stop them.

As president, Ahtisaari traveled abroad more widely than any of his predecessors. At home, he often appeared impatient and vexed by media criticism  he was clearly much more comfortable in international circles.

He declined to run for a second term in the January 2000 presidential election, saying he wanted to devote the time he would otherwise have used for campaigning to run the rotating EU presidency, which Finland held for the first time in 1999.

After the Finnish presidency, he was offered several international positions, including in the United Nations refugee agency, but decided instead to open his own office in Helsinki which centered on mediating international crises.

In May 2017, Ahtisaari stepped down as chairman of the Crisis Management Initiative to help resolve global conflicts but said he would continue working with the organization as an adviser. He was replaced by former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, who is now running for president.

Stubb reacted to Ahtisaaris death on X, saying that perhaps now more than ever, the world needs people like him. Ahtisaari is survived by his wife Eeva and their adult son, Marko. CMI said Ahtisaari will be laid to rest following a state funeral. The date will be announced later.

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Head of R&D and Chief Physicist Dr. Marina Poliak to deliver an opening talk on breaking down AR barriers using VRD & eye-tracking technology

EyeJets secures its second patent for its virtual keyboard. The revolutionary concept doubles both as a display screen and input device, allowing users to effortlessly connect with their eyewear

TEL AVIV, Israel , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EyeJets, the startup Israeli smartglasses technology company, is thrilled to announce its debut demonstration of their patented retinal eye-tracking feature (RET) combined with Virtual Retinal Display (VRD) technology on October 24-25 , at AWE Vienna.

The innovative smartglasses technology developed by EyeJets represents a revolutionary leap in the world of AR. By combining VRD and eye-tracking, EyeJets has created an exceptionally compact, lightweight eyewear solution that's comfortable and safe for all-day use. Using EyeJets smartglasses technology, users can seamlessly transition between the physical and digital realms like never before.

Attendees of AWE Vienna can experience this game-changing technology firsthand at EyeJets' booth #258, located in AWE's main expo hall. Additionally, EyeJets' VP of R&D, Dr. Marina Poliak , will deliver the opening talk on October 24 , "Virtual Retinal Display Combined with Retinal Eye-Tracking - Overcoming Challenges & Breaking AR Barriers." Dr. Poliak will discuss the immense potential of VRD and RET to overcome the traditional challenges facing the Augmented Reality (AR) industry.

In a significant milestone for the company, EyeJets also secured its second patent (No. 11,800,084) for their virtual keyboard, which allows users to interact with their smart eyewear by inputting data commands on a virtual keyboard while simultaneously seeing the real world. The patent, filed by Joshua Dr. Gur, builds upon EyeJets' commitment to innovation and further establishes the company's position as a frontrunner in the smart eyewear industry.

Edu Strul , CEO of EyeJets and Co-founder, explained, "At EyeJets, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of smart eyewear technology. Our VRD and eye-tracking feature, along with our recent patents, are testament to our commitment to innovation and making AR a seamless part of everyday life."

For media inquiries or to schedule a demo at AWE Vienna, please contact: Atara Braun Levi , [email protected] or Edward Strul , [email protected]

About EyeJets:

EyeJets is an Israeli smartglasses technology startup founded in 2017 and backed by the Israeli Authority of Innovation. The company was founded by Edward (Edu) Strul , CEO, Dr. Joshua Gur , CTO, and Dr. Isaac Lipshitz , CMO. EyeJet specializes in developing cutting-edge smart eyewear solutions, including its patented virtual retinal display and eye-tracking technology, aimed at enhancing users' smartglasses experience and expanding the possibilities of Augmented Reality. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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SOURCE EyeJets
Joint offering automates and streamlines trade finance processes for corporate users

LONDON , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra, a global provider of financial software applications and marketplaces, is partnering with ELCY, a specialist in e-commerce solutions for the processing of international trade finance, to provide a trade finance solution for corporates.

The Corporate Trade Finance Portal from Finastra and ELCY will enable corporates to communicate in a secure and authenticated manner with all their banks through one centralized platform. As a result, corporates will benefit from greater visibility and real-time control of all trade finance exposures across their organizations. The transition away from the complexity of connecting to multiple bank proprietary systems and the removal of inefficient paper-based processes will also deliver significant cost and efficiency savings.

"Finastra is thrilled to build on our long-term relationship with ELCY through a global collaboration that creates immediate value for both parties," said Jaime Lynn , Vice President, Enterprise Solutions, Finastra. "ELCY brings a wealth of expertise in meeting the trade finance needs of corporates, while Finastra meets the end-to-end digitization needs of banks focused on international trade and supply chain finance. Our close collaboration with ELCY expands our suite of solutions for corporates, enabling them to connect to all banks supplying them trade finance through a single portal. Corporate users benefit from much greater visibility and control in managing their cash flow and trade finance exposures and in reducing risk."

Robin Cohen , Chief Executive Officer, ELCY added: "Our partnership with Finastra will further increase our visibility and reach in the market, helping us deliver the benefits of our multi-bank portal solution to corporates globally. Customers using our joint Corporate Trade Finance Portal will be equipped to communicate seamlessly, both on the import and export side, with any SWIFT-enabled bank in the world to manage their day-to-day trade finance processing. All instructions or messages sent through the portal can be tailored to conform with the message type preferred by the bank in question. Furthermore, the portal includes extensive modular functionality enabling corporates to monitor counterparty and bank exposure, manage global bank limits and provide reports for credit and treasury departments all in real time."

The Corporate Trade Finance Portal is available as a cloud-based, multi-tenant SaaS solution meaning no software installation is required on site and all users benefit from the ability to adapt quickly to new market requirements through centrally-managed software upgrades.

About Finastra

Finastra is a global provider of financial software applications and marketplaces, and launched the leading open platform for innovation, FusionFabric.cloud, in 2017. It serves institutions of all sizes, providing award-winning software solutions and services across Lending, Payments, Treasury & Capital Markets and Universal Banking (Retail, Digital and Commercial Banking) for banks to support direct banking relationships and grow through indirect channels, such as embedded finance and Banking as a Service. Its pioneering approach and commitment to open finance and collaboration is why it is trusted by over 8,000 institutions, including 45 of the world's top 50 banks. For more information, visit finastra.com.

About ELCY

Established in 2001, ELCY is an independent private company providing e-commerce solutions for the processing of international trade finance. The firm's core product, elcyMBP, is a multi-bank portal that enables corporates to communicate in a secure and authenticated manner with all their trade finance banks through one centralised platform. For more information, visit www.elcy.com.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1916021/FINASTRA_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Finastra
Trailblazing founder's vision lives on in the mission and impact of the Girl Scouts Movement.

NEW YORK , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is proud to announce that its founder Juliette Gordon Low has been named an honoree of the 2025 American Women Quarters Program. In its fourth and final year, the program features the accomplishments and contributions of trailblazing American women.

Low founded Girl Scouts on March 12, 1912 , in Savannah, Georgia , envisioning a Movement where girls could come together and embrace their unique strengths and passions. She strongly believed that everything Girl Scouts do should unlock their full potential and raise their confidencea powerful legacy that remains relevant to Girl Scouts both past and present. She created a Movement that prepared girls for leadership eight years before women gained the right to vote in the U.S. and emphasized civic responsibility, motivating girls to make their communities better places through service. Low sowed seeds of empowerment that would help the Girl Scout Movement grow to a remarkable reach and impactwith millions of adult and girl members and volunteers worldwide and a vast web of accomplished alums leading in nearly every community and at every level of government, business, arts, media, science and technology.

"We are thrilled that the United States Mint has decided to recognize our visionary founder Juliette Gordon Low ," said Bonnie Barczykowski , CEO of GSUSA. "Juliette's leadership helped generations of girls and young women discover their strengths and passions, build courage and confidence and understand the power they had to blaze their own trails and leave the world better than they found it. This acknowledgment both elevates Juliette as an influential historical figure and affirms the enduring relevance of Girl Scouts for today's girls. Juliette's vision for the Girl Scout Movement is our north star as we chart the future of Girl Scouts and continue to nurture the next generation of women leaders across the country and around the world."

The American Women Quarters Program is authorized by Public Law 116-330. Beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the U.S. Mint is issuing five quarters in each of these years. The ethnically, racially and geographically diverse group of individuals honored through this program reflects a wide range of accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space and the arts. Low joins an impressive list of women being honored as part of the Mint's historic program, including Ida B. Wells , Dr. Vera Rubin , Stacey Park Milbern , and Althea Gibson .

The Secretary of the Treasury selected the women to be honored following consultation with the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum, the National Women's History Museum and the Congressional Bipartisan Women's Caucus.

To join Girl Scouts or volunteer, visit www.girlscouts.org/join . To donate to Girl Scouts, visit https://www.girlscouts.org/support. To receive updates about the Juliette Gordon Low quarter, sign up to receive News from Girl Scouts at www.girlscouts.org/subscribe.

We Are Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challengeswhether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

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Expand North Star hosted an unfiltered panel discussion to challenge the conventional narratives surrounding unicorn companies

Asian founders explored how increasing public-private partnerships are driving the growth of next-generation startups

DUBAI, UAE , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The rapidly evolving AI industry poses a challenge for regulators as they seek to foster public trust and confidence in AI while promoting innovation and competitiveness for local industry. A session titled 'Leaders of Change Through the AI Lens' underscored the potential impact of AI and the need for its regulation, on Day 3 of Expand North Star, hosted by the Dubai Chambers of Digital Commerce and organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre.

His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama , Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, revealed that the UAE Government has launched a program in partnership with Oxford University, to educate public officials on how to govern artificial intelligence, how to audit AI systems, and help explore use cases.

H.E. Al Olama said regulations must be adapted to specific countries, noting that the challenges facing the USA vary from those in the UAE , Japan , China or England . To prevent technology from harming the public, the world must agree on a regulatory baseline, where legislation is possible, and how it can be implemented.

Other panelists included Mohamed Gouled , Vice President of Industries, International Finance Corporation, US, and Emad Mostaque , Co-Founder and CEO, Stability AI, UK . Conscious of AI's immense power, the panelists stressed the need for AI regulation. However, the speakers also acknowledged the technology's vast potential to change and uplift the world, highlighting how various AI use cases can elevate small businesses and developing countries.

Exploring the Entrepreneurial Journey with Founders

Startup success stories are a business and tech media staple. But behind the glowing media reports is the hard work required to get there. Entrepreneurs need grit, patience, and perseverance to overcome obstacles and failures. Startups are for those who dare to challenge the status quo and create something new.

Expand North Star hosted an unfiltered panel discussion to challenge the conventional narratives surrounding unicorn companies. The panel featured prominent speakers from across the globe, including Rohit Chennamaneni , Founder at Darwinbox; Ramakant Sharma, Founder of LivSpace; Sebastien Borget, Co-founder & COO of The Sandbox; Dr. Milkayel Vardanyan, Co-Founder & CPO, Picsart; Dan Westgarth , Co-founder & COO, Deel; and Melvyn Lubega , Founder & Director, Go1, and was moderated by Nic Watson , CEO, Udrive.

During the discussion, the panelists shed light on the triumphs and challenges of building and scaling a business. They highlighted the importance of properly valuing startups, influenced by customer activities and external market factors. Various obstacles were addressed, including long hours and constant toil that negatively affect the founders' and employees' well-being. The speakers told of corporate and personal upheaval as their businesses scaled, requiring continuous reinvention to maintain growth.

Asian Startup Scene: A Success Story

With its large population, history of entrepreneurship and public and private sector support for entrepreneurs, the Asian tech scene has never been this vibrant. Expand North Star had a Spotlight Asia focus on Day 3, hosting an engaging panel discussion titled 'Exploring Ecosystems in Emerging Markets'. The panelists discussed the measures needed to propel future growth in the region's startup landscape and an analysis of how increasing public-private partnerships are driving growth for next-generation startups.

Among the panelists were Ashok Kurian , Business Development & Startup Lifecycle Programs, Kerala Startup Mission; Ehantha Sirisena, CEO of KBSL, Sri Lanka ; Naeem Zamindar, Founder, Neem, Pakistan ; and Rezwanul Haque Jami , Head of Commercial Strategy, Ministry of ICT, Bangladesh .

The speakers noted that the challenges facing Asian countries present tremendous opportunities. Education, infrastructure, healthcare and more are all rich targets for transformation. Government bodies in the continent are adopting new disruptive technologies, including from startups. The speakers commended organizers for putting together prominent events, such as Expand North Star, essential to exploring international markets.

Hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Expand North Star marks its largest-ever edition this year, from October 15-18, 2023 , at its new Dubai Harbour venue. GITEX GLOBAL 2023 and Expand North Star bring together 1,800 startups from 100-plus countries at the Middle East's biggest iconic superyacht hub. More than 1,000 investors with a combined total of over US$ 1 trillion under management are in Dubai , rapidly emerging as the heart of the world's digital economy. This mega gathering of next-gen companies also features three themed sub-events targeting specific sectors: Fintech Surge, the Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.

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About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC):

A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to region's leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region's growth story with an estimated total economic output of AED 200 Billion, attracting over 30 million business visitors to Dubai over the past four decades.

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NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. and IRVINE, Calif. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoag is proud to announce the recruitment of Ronald Wolf , M.D., F.A.C.S., as medical director of hepatobiliary and pancreas surgery at Hoag Family Cancer Institute. The fellowship-trained, board-certified surgical oncologist specializes in treating liver, bile duct and pancreatic cancers.

"We welcome Dr. Wolf , whose extensive clinical and research background, as well as his dedication to his patients, will no doubt make him an invaluable member of our team," said Burton Eisenberg , M.D., Grace E. Hoag Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, Hoag Family Cancer Institute.

With a focus on rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma and colon and rectal cancers that have metastasized to the liver, Dr. Wolf said he was drawn to Hoag for its culture of innovation and its patient-centric, team-based approach to care.

"Hoag's fearlessness in pioneering new approaches to care, coupled with the institution's nimbleness, has earned it a reputation for allowing doctors to really put patients first," Dr. Wolf said. "I am excited to join a comprehensive team that is at the forefront of patient-centric care."

Dr. Wolf comes to Hoag from concurrent posts at UC Irvine School of Medicine, where he served as professor of clinical surgery in the hepatobiliary and pancreas surgery/islet cell transplantation division.

Prior to that, he served as Medical Director of Hepatic and Pancreatic Surgery at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland, Oregon , and as the Medical Director of Liver and Pancreas Surgery at Providence Cancer Center, also in Portland .

Dr. Wolf received his medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland , followed by an internship and two residencies in general surgery at UC Davis. He then completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York , where he also served as a clinical research fellow. Later, he helped direct surgical resident and fellowship-level postgraduate training programs in Portland .

Dr. Wolf has co-authored more than 80 clinical presentations throughout his career and is a committee member of several national organizations including the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology and the AHPBA Americas Hepatopancreatobiliary Association.

ABOUT HOAG

Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery system in Orange County, California . Delivering world-class, comprehensive, personalized care, Hoag consists of 1,800 top physicians, 16 urgent care facilities, 11 health & wellness centers, and two award-winning hospitals. Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes seven institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular, neurosciences, spine, women's health, and orthopedics through Hoag's affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and four ambulatory surgical centers. Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California , as well as a designated Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). For more information, visit hoag.org.

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SOURCE Hoag
All-electric prototype Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle (AWV) is designed to enhance workforce productivity and support repetitive tasks

Honda seeks partners to field test the AWV for use in airfield operations

Navigating inspection routes for perimeter security, hauling aircraft equipment, and towing a baggage cart are among potential applications

Watch a video of potential AWV use cases in airfield operations at https://honda.us/AWVairfield

TORONTO , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda today demonstrated its fully-electric prototype Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle (AWV) at the Toronto Pearson Airport to promote the next stage of development  engaging airfield operators and airport authorities in field testing the AWV at their worksites. Today's demonstration of a first-of-its kind autonomous perimeter fence inspection solution showed how the Honda AWV could be used to address the challenges of labor shortages, safety and security, and emissions reductions to bring new value to airfield operations.

Honda seeks field testing partners to understand the needs of airfield operators and airport authorities.

The demonstration was conducted in collaboration with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, along with technology leaders including Cisco Canada , Genwave Technologies, Illuminex AI and Eagle Aerospace.

First introduced by Honda as a concept at CES 2018, the Autonomous Work Vehicle is now advancing toward commercialization and Honda is inviting interested companies to email [email protected] for more information about participating in the field testing initiative.

"Our Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle has been verified to help improve worksite efficiencies and safety through previous field tests, so we're ready to move to the next stage of exploring real world applications with airfield operators," said Jason VanBuren , systems engineering manager at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "As we work toward commercializing the Honda AWV, we want to understand the needs of airfield operators and airport authorities to create new value by streamlining operations, enhancing safety performance and helping to meet airfield environmental sustainability goals."

The Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle is designed to boost workforce productivity and support repetitive tasks that allow companies to focus their workforce on value-added activities. It is a fully electric, off-road vehicle that can be operated autonomously or manually with a remote control. Using Honda's software system on a tablet-based interface, the operator can develop routes for the AWV to move around the worksite by setting start and stop points or creating a map of the worksite.

Haul, Attach and Tow: Honda AWV Use Cases

As a mobility platform, the Honda AWV can haul materials, attach or carry functional equipment such as sensors or a camera, and tow a maintenance tool or trailer.

For the Toronto Pearson Airport demonstration, Honda showcased a first-of-its kind autonomous perimeter fence inspection solution that leverages the AWV's mapping and obstacle detection features  enabling the AWV to effortlessly navigate inspection routes and slow down or stop to avoid colliding with an obstacle.

The proof of concept perimeter fence inspection integrates technologies from multiple tech companies, a collaboration that successfully shows what is possible when leveraging advanced technologies for airfield perimeter security. The following technologies were applied to the Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle:

Cisco Ultra Reliable Wireless Backhaul is the wireless networking backbone that provides reliable, secure and private connectivity to the airfield.

Genwave Technologies designs, integrates, and supports wireless networks such as Cisco's IoT Ultra Reliable Wireless Backhaul platform.

Illuminex AI's Operational AI System provides real-time assessments of airfield conditions and alerts of potential hazards.

Eagle Aerospace's AIROps cloud-based software enables real-time automated logging of discrepancies during the inspection process.

Honda is exploring other use cases for the AWV to enhance efficiencies of airfield and airport ground operations. For example, the Honda AWV could haul and transport aircraft parts and equipment, and workers could attach a mower to the AWV for vegetation control around airfields as well as a FOD (foreign object debris) tool to remove debris from airport runways and aprons. To help streamline airport ground support, the Honda AWV could tow a baggage cart or trailer to and from aircraft.

The Honda AWV uses a camera for real-time monitoring and a suite of sensors to operate autonomously, including GPS for location and radar and LiDAR for obstacle detection. Honda has field tested the Autonomous Work Vehicle at several worksites, where the vehicle successfully transported supplies to pre-set destinations within the work site along a calculated route and proved capable of stopping within centimeters of pre-set points. It also was able to detect obstacles and other vehicles in its path to ensure a safe interaction with workers.

Honda in North America

Honda established operations in North America in 1959. Today, the company employs about 42,000 associates in the region engaged in the development, manufacturing, sales and service support of Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda power equipment, Honda powersports products and the HondaJet Elite II advanced light jet.

Based on its longstanding commitment to build products close to the customer, Honda operates 18 major manufacturing plants in North America , working with over 750 suppliers in the region to produce a diverse range of quality products. Honda has built automobiles in North America for 40 years and, in 2022, more than 99% of all Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America .

Honda also conducts research and development activities at 23 facilities in North America where we fully design, develop and engineer many of the company's North American-made products.

Learn more with Honda's Digital FactBook.

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SOURCE Honda
Hyundai's Brandon Ramirez recognized by Northgate Gonzalez Market and UC Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandon Ramirez , director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, was recognized with multiple awards for his community leadership. He received the 2023 Northgate Gonzalez Market JUNTOS Award for his contributions to serving the southern California community and the 2023 Paul Merage Community Engagement Award from UC Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business for his influence on the Latino student community.

"I'm grateful for these two honors from Northgate Market and UCI's Paul Merage School of Business as these two organizations are dedicated to supporting our neighbors in southern California and the next generation of young leaders," said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, Hyundai Motor America. "I'm proud to support the Latino community and local communities at large both inside and outside the walls of Hyundai."

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Northgate Gonzalez Market, California's premier Mexican-themed grocery store, recognizes leaders who give back and are committed to Latino communities in the area. During the grocer's JUNTOS Awards Ceremony, Northgate Market announced the allocation of $24,000 in grants to local nonprofits, selected by the honorees themselves, as beneficiaries of these funds. Community Action Partnership of Orange County, a long-time partner of Hyundai Motor America, received a $2,000 grant on behalf of Ramirez and Hyundai.

The Paul Merage Community Engagement Award is awarded to individuals who have enriched Latino students' lives and are leaders in community service. Ramirez was recognized by the Merage School at its annual Latinx Initiative (LXi) 2023 Conference, which celebrates individuals who have significantly impacted the Latino student community at UCI and the broader community.

Ramirez leads Hyundai Motor America's corporate social responsibility initiatives, which includes overseeing its Hyundai Hope initiative, which seeks to uplift children and families by means of fostering positive growth in communities. He is the executive sponsor of Hyundai's "Amigos Unidos" employee resource group, which is tasked with community engagement and raising cultural awareness at Hyundai.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
Biennial Event Recognizes 'The Peacemaker' -- Historic Accounting of Ronald Reagan and the End of the Cold War Era  from Over 50 Nominees

BROOKVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of Presidential Descendants, housed at The Roosevelt School at Long Island University and dedicated to promoting civic education and Presidential studies, has awarded its Biennial Presidential Leadership Book Award to William Inboden for his historic accounting of Ronald Reagan and the end of the Cold War era.

Long Island University's Society of Presidential Descendants Presents the Presidential Leadership Book Award

Inboden's "The Peacemaker," published by Dutton, was selected from more than 50 entries by a distinguished panel of writers and historians ( David Greenberg , Shawna Thomas and Mara Liasson ). The award was announced Saturday, October 14 , at a ceremony at the University Club of Washington, DC with historian and author Michael Beschloss serving as master of ceremonies.

The biennial award recognizes literary excellence and scholarship on the subject of presidential leadership. Honorable mention was given to the two other finalists  Douglas Brinkley for "Silent Spring Revolution" which chronicled environmental activism in the 1960s and 70s, and Peter Shinkle's "Uniting America" which detailed the bipartisan alliance forged by Franklin Delano Roosevelt during World War II.

"In today's time of tension and turmoil in the Ukraine and the Middle East , 'The Peacemaker' notably stands out as a vital reminder of the role America's Presidents have always played in diplomacy and furthering peace throughout the world," noted Tweed Roosevelt , great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt , founder and chairman of both The Roosevelt School at Long Island University and President of the Society of Presidential Descendants.

"Every one of our nation's 46 Presidents have faced significant issues, challenges and crises and were faced with making decisions which were sure to have a long and lasting impact on the American people and global history. The Biennial Presidential Leadership Book Award was established to recognize outstanding literature dedicated to understanding these critical moments which shaped our nation," stated Massee McKinley, Vice President of the Society, whose ancestry includes ties to both residents William McKinley and Grover Cleveland .

"The study of Presidential leadership is an important way to focus on what unites us as a nation and what has brought us together in the toughest times in our history," said Lynda Johnson Robb , daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson , Vice President of the Society and Honorary Chair of the Book Award.

Clifton Truman Daniel , oldest grandson of Harry S. Truman and Vice President of the Society noted, "As my grandfather said, 'Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better'."

Dr. Kimberly R. Cline , President of Long Island University said, "Civics education is a path to ensuring that all Americans are informed and involved in the matters most affecting them. The Roosevelt School and the Society of Presidential Descendants are two important components of Long Island University's challenge to prepare the world leaders of tomorrow through education and engagement."

The Roosevelt School prepares students for careers in international relations, diplomacy, leadership, service, and policy making whether at multinational corporations, foundations, think tanks, non-profit organizations or governmental agencies, and includes:

The Global Service Institute, which inspires community service by connecting volunteers with non-profit organizations;

The Steven S. Hornstein Cener for Policy, Polling and Analysis;

The Center for the Study of the Presidency ;

; The Society of Presidential Descendants ; and

; and The "White House Experience," an interactive recreation of the Oval Office , Situation Room, Press Briefing Room and other White House features where local high school students take part in simulated real-time crises.

The Roosevelt School also partners with the Museum of Democracy to serve as its permanent home and features a display from the nation's largest private collection of Presidential campaign memorabilia.

The Society of Presidential Descendants are all direct descendants of United States presidents who united to offer a contemporary educational platform that highlights the present-day relevance of historic presidential leadership. Their mission is to enable the public to better understand the leaders who have shaped the nation and encourage all Americans to exercise their civic rights and live up to their responsibilities as a citizen.

About Long Island University

Long Island University, founded in 1926, is a leading research and teaching university that continues to redefine higher education by providing high-quality academic instruction by world-class faculty, serving more than 15,000 students from its Long Island and Brooklyn campuses. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its "value added" to student outcomes, the University is ranked in the top 7% of national research universities. LIU has a network of over 285,000 alumni, including industry leaders and entrepreneurs around the globe. Visit www.liu.edu for more information.

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SOURCE Long Island University
BOISE, Idaho , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lovevery, the global early childhood brand, today announced its newest product line with the launch of The Course Packs . Unlike any other parenting resource out there, The Course Packs provide families with a complete set of tools that parent and child can engage in together as they work on big transitions, such as introducing solid foods, potty learning, or introducing a new sibling. Each element of The Course Packs was thoughtfully designed to support families through big transitions in a way that builds confidence for all involved.

The Course Packs by Lovevery include:

Bite-sized video content with expert advice and proven tactics tested by parents

with expert advice and proven tactics tested by parents Children's books to help explore changes with understanding and confidence

to help explore changes with understanding and confidence Unique playthings, tools, and singalong songs that help families put learnings into action at home

that help families put learnings into action at home Community data from thousands of Lovevery families who have been there, so that parents can see the range of normal

from thousands of Lovevery families who have been there, so that parents can see the range of normal A Parent Guide filled with helpful step-by-step support that makes it easy to revisit expert advice

"Parenting is full of questions, and some new stages and changes are more difficult than others. We wanted to provide everything that families need for big transitions in a way that builds parental confidence and involves the child fully," said Jessica Rolph , Lovevery Cofounder & CEO. "The Course Packs take a research-backed approach, sharing multiple expert perspectives, so that parents can access proven tactics that will work for them. Unlike any other course offering, we share insights from across thousands of real Lovevery families. The data we present helps to normalize common challenges in these transitions, such as how many families experienced regressions in potty learning or when parents told their child about expecting a new sibling and what their reaction was to the news. We combine bite-sized expert video clips for parents with children's books, playthings, and other learning tools to create a complete solution that gets the whole family on board. Extensive research went into the creation of The Course Packs, and we're excited to hear what customers think of them."

This launch includes four Course Packs and is one of many ways that Lovevery will be expanding its comprehensive support system for families.

The New Sibling Course Pack has everything a parent and older child need to set the stage for their new, healthy sibling relationship, with guidance on how to emotionally prepare the older child, best practices for making the first introduction, and navigating both of their competing needs through the first year as a bigger family. This Course Pack provides a Siblings Activity Guide with fresh ideas for sibling play and a set of children's books to support difficult transition periods including: Baby Is Coming, Baby Is Born, Baby Is Here, and Baby Is Crawling. Parents can also customize this Course Pack with additional supportive tools including the Organic Cotton Baby Doll , Organic Cotton Baby Doll Accessories, and The Buddy Stroller.





has everything a parent and older child need to set the stage for their new, healthy sibling relationship, with guidance on how to emotionally prepare the older child, best practices for making the first introduction, and navigating both of their competing needs through the first year as a bigger family. This provides a with fresh ideas for sibling play and a set of children's books to support difficult transition periods including: and Parents can also customize this with additional supportive tools including the , and The Potty Learning Course Pack taps into a child's intrinsic motivation, providing a positive, effective, and child-led approach to potty learning, with a Parent Guide serving as a go-to reference, scripts to get everyone on the same page, a singalong song, and routine tools for the child. Parents can also customize this Course Pack with the Ready to Go: Pee and Ready to Go: Poop children's books.





taps into a child's intrinsic motivation, providing a positive, effective, and child-led approach to potty learning, with a serving as a go-to reference, scripts to get everyone on the same page, a singalong song, and routine tools for the child. Parents can also customize this with the and children's books. The Food Before 1 Course Pack gives parents the confidence to navigate starting solids safely and raise an independent eater by offering a modified, flexible baby-led approach and a countertop Parent Guide , which includes safety and allergen guidance, an overview of important nutrients, ideas for meals, and more.





gives parents the confidence to navigate starting solids safely and raise an independent eater by offering a modified, flexible baby-led approach and a countertop , which includes safety and allergen guidance, an overview of important nutrients, ideas for meals, and more. The Tummy Time Course Pack has everything a parent needs to help their baby find ways to progress and actually enjoy tummy time, with guidance from a Pediatric OT on why tummy time is important, recommended developmental sequence, and tips and advice to make the experience positive for everyone.

To support the end-to-end experience of The Course Packs and make following each program well-suited to the realities of a parent's lifestyle, Lovevery built a new user interface that makes it easy to navigate modules, utilize the program's listen-only option, or view expert video content on The Lovevery App , as well as via desktop or mobile web browser. In response to rising demand, Lovevery recently started testing a free trial option for its mobile appa platform that has grown steadily in the past two years, with WAU/MAU at 0.58 and an app NPS ranked above a number of household name social media and wellness apps.

"The launch of The Course Packs is an important next phase in the development of Lovevery's technology platform, which today hosts more than four million users, facilitates developmentally specific subscriptions globally, utilizes a deeply engaging mobile app, and now combines products and content in a unique parenting course solution that nobody else can duplicate," said Roderick Morris, Lovevery Cofounder & President.

With The Course Packs, Lovevery is also beta testing an augmented customer portal functionality to support multiple siblings across each family. These enhanced technical features will better serve customers who subscribe to Lovevery's program for more than one child and provide a personalized shopping experience based on each child's age and family purchase history. It will also give customers self-serve access so they can manage previously missed products, refills, and replacement parts to extend the life of their play things.

Visit lovevery.com/products/the-course-packs to learn more.

ABOUT LOVEVERY

Lovevery 's comprehensive support system provides stage-based learning and play for children, and research-backed guidance that empowers parents with confidence. The company is best known for its award-winning subscription Play Kits program. Lovevery was launched in 2017 by Cofounders Jessica Rolph and Roderick Morris with the introduction of the company's first product, The Play Gym . Today, Lovevery is a Certified B Corporation, serving more than thirty markets worldwide. Lovevery's global headquarters is in Boise, Idaho USA, with multinational teams based in Amsterdam and Hong Kong .

Contact: [email protected]

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SOURCE Lovevery
RIGA, Latvia , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mintos , the largest platform in Europe for investing in loans, is pleased to announce the launch of high-yield Fractional Bonds. This offering opens up the world of fixed-income securities to retail investors in Europe , making it accessible and easy for anyone to diversify their portfolio with bonds.

Historically bonds, and especially high-yield bonds, have predominantly been within reach of institutional investors or individuals wielding substantial capital, making them notably less accessible to retail investors. Starting today, Mintos enables individuals to invest in high-yield bonds with as little as 50 and zero commissions, transforming the way people approach investing in debt instruments.

Initially, Mintos will offer investments in high-yield corporate bonds issued by the lending companies present on the Mintos platform. Meanwhile, the company is already working on expanding its offering to encompass bonds of firms in various industries, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and more.

To access high-yield bonds on Mintos, investors invest in Fractional Bonds, asset-backed securities issued by Mintos special purpose entity that fully reflect the economic gains and capital repayments tied to specific underlying bonds. Therefore, through Fractional Bonds, investors enjoy regular, fixed returns from the underlying bond. Each Fractional Bond is associated with a unique International Securities Identification Number (ISIN), ensuring transparency and traceability.

"Mintos is committed to empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures by providing access to a diverse range of investment opportunities. The launch of high-yield Fractional Bonds is a significant step towards achieving this goal, ensuring that all investors, regardless of their financial means, can benefit from the stability of returns and low volatility that bonds offer." comments Martins Sulte , CEO and Co-Founder of Mintos.

For more information about Mintos and the Fractional Bonds, please visit Mintos bonds .

About Mintos

Mintos is a leading financial technology company headquartered in Riga, Latvia . Established in 2015, Mintos has evolved into Europe's largest platform for investing in loans, managing over 600 million in assets under administration and serving a diverse community of more than 500,000 registered users. Designed for investors seeking simplicity, Mintos offers an easy-to-use platform with automated portfolios, enabling users to grow their wealth starting with as little as 50. Mintos is an authorized investment firm under MiFID, adhering to all investor protection requirements.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244368/mintos_logo.jpg

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SOURCE Mintos
Richard Curtis at the 'Love Actually Live' event at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California in 2021.

The British romantic comedies of the 1990s and 2000s have a first and last name: Richard Curtis. Curtis, 66, is the screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) starring Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell; Notting Hill (1999), which tells the story of a bookseller played by Grant who falls in love with a Hollywood actress, played by Julia Roberts; and the 2001 smash hit Bridget Joness Diary, one of the quintessential anti-heroines of the romantic genre, who has since come under criticism. In 2003, he also wrote and directed the classic Christmas movie Love Actually.

Curtis  who was born in New Zealand and move to London when he was 11  brings a touch of British humor to all his scripts. His movies may be romantic comedies, but they are praised for being fun and insightful, instead of sappy. EL PAIS once described him as the master of romantic comedies.

However, looking back, Curtis regrets some of the decisions that he has made in his writing. Speaking at the Cheltenham Literary Festival, during an interviewed by his very own daughter, Scarlett, 28, Curtis described some of his most successful movies as stupid and wrong with respect to diversity.

The screenwriter laments, for example, that in Notting Hill, a film set in a neighborhood that every year celebrates an immense street carnival with Caribbean music and dances in honor of a community where the British Black civil rights movement was born, as in the words of his daughter, not a single person of color was included in the cast.

In the interview, Curtis said this was a mistake. I wish Id been ahead of the curve. Because I came from a very undiverse school and a bunch of university friends, I think that Ive hung on to the diversity issue to the feeling that I wouldnt know how to write those parts, he said. I think I was just sort of stupid and wrong about that.

Interestingly, since gentrification of Notting Hill, today it is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in London. Its popularity began to rise precisely when Curtis decided to stage his movie there.

Renee Zellweger in a scene from the film 'Bridget Jones's Diary,' directed by Sharon Maguire.

Richard Curtis also apologized for how some female characters were portrayed in his movies, in particular Bridget Joness Diary. The screenwriter and his daughter discussed the character of Bridget Jones, who was considered a feminist heroine when the movie was released, but has not stood the test of time well.

On the 25th anniversary of Helen Fieldings best-selling book  upon which the movie is based  writer Elizabeth Egan described the novel as a chilling, upsetting read, pointing out Jones neurotic calorie counting and helplessness. Bridget deserved better. We all did, she wrote in The New York Times.

In the interview, Scarlett Curtis asked her father about the portrayal of tree trunk thighs Bridget being overweight when shes just a very skinny white woman, played by Renee Zewellger. He replied: I dont feel I was malicious at the time, but I feel I was unobservant and not as clever as I should have been.

He also addressed criticism over the portrayal of Natalie, the British prime ministers secretary in Love Actually, who is the butt of constant jokes about Natalies weight.

I remember how shocked I was five years ago when Scarlett told me, You can never use the word fat again. Wow, you were right. In my generation, calling someone chubby [was funny]  in Love Actually there were jokes about that, Richard explained. Those jokes arent any longer funny.

Curtis, however, pointed out that he included a same-sex couple in Four Weddings and a Funeral, explaining that Simon Callow, who played the character Gareth, had told him that it was the first time he had been offered the role of a gay man who did not end up dying of AIDS.

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LOS ANGELES , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After a long hiatus due to Covid-19, The National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Los Angeles County ( NAMI GLAC ) and the NAMI Los Angeles community convenes again to provide information on the state of mental health treatment, advocacy, and innovations. This one-day conference on Monday, November 13, 2023 at the California Endowment in Downtown Los Angeles focuses on families and individuals affected by mental illness. Highlights of the conference include inspiring keynote presentations and breakout sessions led by passionate advocates and esteemed experts on mental health and advocacy. To register for the free conference go to namiglac.org/nami-la-regional-conference.

The keynote speaker will be the California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly . Dr. Ghaly oversees California's largest state Agency which includes many key departments integral to supporting the implementation of the Governor's vision to expand health coverage and access to all Californians.

In serving California , Dr. Ghaly has the privilege of working with partners across sectors and disciplines to improve the lives and life chances of ALL Californians. Dr. Ghaly is a primary care pediatrician who continues to use his clinical and community experiences, working in California's healthcare safety netsystem, to inform a whole person, whole community, approach to integrating services so they are equity-anchored and person-centered for ALL, but especially the most vulnerable Californians. Dr. Ghaly holds the deep belief that together our collective efforts can not only serve Californians well today but set us on a path where ALL Californians have a brighter and healthier future.

Also featured is Lisa M. Gomez , Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). She will provide remarks on mental health parity and the current administration's commitment to ensuring equal access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits for all workers and improving employee wellness.

The conference includes breakout sessions that bring professionals, family members and peers together to be informed and inspired. Some of the sessions include 'How to be a Mental Health Advocate', 'What is the Care Act?' and 'Mental Health in Underserved Communities .' Select sessions will be in Spanish and Spanish translation will be provided for others. Wellbeing workshops and a healthy lunch will be provided.

Sponsors including Gold level Neuroscience and community organizations will provide resources and giveaways. NAMI provides free mental health programs, services and resources to people living with mental illness and their loved ones in Los Angeles County . NAMI has grown from a grassroots organization in the 1970's to a powerful national non-profit organization that serves and advocates for people whose lives are impacted by mental illness.

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Stanley Black & Decker's outdoor professional brands will feature the latest electric and gas outdoor power equipment

Attendees are invited to visit booth 5116 to test new products, meet industry experts and enter to win prizes, including mowers and tickets for a big race

LOUISVILLE, Ky. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK), a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment, and three of its iconic brands, Cub Cadet, DEWALT and Hustler Turf, will showcase their growing lineup of professional-grade electric- and gas-powered products and solutions at Equip Expo 2023, one of the largest annual events for the professional landscape community, in Louisville, Kentucky from Oct. 17-20 .

"As a leader in both battery and gas outdoor power equipment, we are focused on providing our professional landscaper customers with a wide variety of products to support them as they adapt to an evolving industry," said Christine Potter , President, Outdoor for Stanley Black & Decker. "As the outdoor power equipment market continues to electrify, we are committed to developing innovative solutions, which will continue to deliver peak performance and durability with the support of our exceptional customer service, to help get the job done  and done well."

At this year's show, Cub Cadet, DEWALT and Hustler will feature their professional product offerings, including the newest products and technologies. They include:

Cub Cadet

Cub Cadet will feature its PRO Series commercial lineup, including the PRO Z Series of zero-turn mowers and the PRO X Series of stand-on mowers. The PRO Z Series is built to deliver exceptional cut quality at high speeds, thanks to powerful engines and wide-cutting decks while also providing premium comfort. Visitors to the outdoor booth will have the chance to experience Cub Cadet's Synchro-Steer technology and SurePath AutoSteer technology. Synchro-Steer is an industry-exclusive, zero-turn technology that allows for control of all four wheels, designed to provide stability on hills, rough terrain and around obstacles, while SurePath leverages GPS technology and an exclusive four-wheel steering system to deliver a semi-autonomous experience. In addition, attendees will have the chance to not only experience the PRO X Series of stand-on mowers but also win one for themselves. Cub Cadet invites visitors to Pose Like The Pros at their photobooth and to enter for a chance to win their own PRO X Series mower.** (No purchase is necessary to enter or win.) The winner will be drawn on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. by Blake Albertson with B&B Lawn Care.

DEWALT

This year, attendees will have the opportunity to try out the Ascent Series commercial zero-turn mower and experience its comprehensive electric ecosystem for the first time. This includes the GroundCommand app, exclusive H-E-2 High-Efficiency Deck Cutting Technology and PowerEquip battery system. Visitors can also participate in the Unlock the Future QR Code Search for the chance to win tickets and travel to an upcoming race.*** (No purchase necessary to enter or win.) Also new this year, the 60V MAX* 14" Top Handle Chainsaw, which will be available for demonstrations in the indoor and outdoor booths; the next generation of DEWALT battery mowers, available in four models; and the 21 in. 60V MAX* Single-Stage Snow Blower, all highlighting DEWALT's growing portfolio of battery-powered equipment and tools with pro-level performance.

Hustler

Hustler will debut the latest addition to its commercial lineup with the X-RIDE. The new X-RIDE is equipped with Custom Ride Technology, an isolated operator suspension platform designed to deliver a comfortable ride for the operator over rough terrain. Also featured this year is the enhanced Super 104, launching in 2024, with increased fuel tank capacity, a new seat and redesigned engine guard. On Thursday at 10 a.m. , attendees can visit the Hustler booth for a meet and greet with SB Mowing and That Lawn Dude. Show attendees can also enter for a chance to win a 18-foot utility trailer loaded with three Hustler units  the X-ONE, Super S and TrimStar.** (No purchase necessary to enter or win.) The winner will be chosen on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Visit Booth #5116

Equip Expo attendees are invited to visit Stanley Black & Decker and its brands at Booth 5116 in the indoor exhibit facility. In the outdoor demo area, attendees can see products in action and try them for themselves at the following booths: Cub Cadet 6052D, DEWALT 8060D and Hustler 7822D.

For more information about Stanley Black & Decker and its global portfolio of brands, visit:

Cub Cadet: www.cubcadet.com

DEWALT: www.dewalt.com

Hustler: www.hustlerturf.com

* Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 60 volts. Nominal voltage is 54.

** Entry open from Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. until Oct. 19 immediately prior to time of drawing. Visit the Stanley Black & Decker booth for official rules. Winners must be present at time of drawing to win.

*** Entry open from Oct. 18-20 . Visit the Stanley Black & Decker booth for official rules. The winner will be drawn and contacted after the show has ended to allow for maximum participation.

About Stanley Black & Decker

Headquartered in the USA , Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is the world's largest tool and outdoor company operating manufacturing facilities worldwide. Guided by its purpose  for those who make the world  the company's more than 50,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative, award-winning power tools, hand tools, storage, digital tool solutions, lifestyle products, outdoor products, engineered fasteners and other industrial equipment to support the world's makers, creators, tradespeople and builders. The company's iconic brands include DEWALT, BLACK+DECKER, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, Cub Cadet, Hustler and Troy-Bilt. Recognized for its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG), Stanley Black & Decker strives to be a force for good in support of its communities, employees, customers and other stakeholders. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com .

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SOURCE Stanley Black and Decker-Corporate
DALLAS , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC ("Oncor") plans to release its third quarter 2023 results on November 3 , prior to Sempra's (NYSE: SRE) (BMV: SRE) third quarter 2023 conference call. Oncor's earnings release will be available on Oncor's website, oncor.com.

Sempra executives will conduct a conference call at 12 p.m. ET , Friday, November 3 that will include discussion of Oncor's third quarter 2023 operational and financial results. Investors, media, analysts and the public may listen to a live webcast of the conference call by registering on the Investors section of Sempra's website, sempra.com/investors and clicking on the appropriate link. Prior to the conference call, an accompanying slide presentation will be posted on sempra.com/investors.

For those unable to obtain access to the live webcast, it will be available on replay a few hours after its conclusion at sempra.com/investors.

Oncor's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023 will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission after Sempra's conference call and, once filed, will also be available at oncor.com.

Headquartered in Dallas , Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC is a regulated electricity transmission and distribution business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor (together with its subsidiaries) operates the largest transmission and distribution system in Texas , delivering power to more than 3.9 million homes and businesses and operating more than 141,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas . While Oncor is owned by two investors (indirect majority owner, Sempra, and minority owner, Texas Transmission Investment LLC), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of disinterested directors.

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SOURCE Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC
Researchers to Present on Genetic Testing, Precision Medicine, Care Delivery & Physician Workforce Research

NASHVILLE, Tenn. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OneOncology, the national platform for independent oncology practices, announced today that researchers at OneOncology and its partner practices will present 11 abstracts at the upcoming ASCO Quality Care Symposium October 27-28 .

Neha Jain , Ph.D., OneOncology's Senior Director of Precision Medicine, will present "Provider Messaging for Precision Treatment (ProMPT): A Notification Pilot to Inform Actionable Genomic Findings." Through the ProMPT pilot project, OneOncology leverages the raw genomic data feed from Next Generation Sequencing vendors by:

performing a weekly query for all the patients with a signed molecular test report;

examining the reported mutations to assess testing adequacy and;

matching those patients with FDA-approved precision therapies or institutional clinical trials.

The next iteration of ProMPT will use OneOncology's proprietary analytics platform to incorporate genomic information into our physicians' workstream.

Tennessee Oncology researchers will present six abstracts addressing topics including clinical innovation, care delivery, OCM learnings and implications for value-based care, automating behavior economics and analytics to improve palliative care, and scaling oncology disease expertise in urban and rural clinics. The Tennessee Oncology abstract authors are L. Johnetta Blakely , MD, MMHC, MS; Leah Owens , DNP, OCN, RN; Christy Schneider ; Sandhya Mudumbi , MD; Ashley Wyse , NP-C; Michael T. Byrne , MD, and Katherine Baker MD, MMHC.

Ray Page , DO, PhD, FACOI, FASCO, who practices at The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth, Texas , is an author on two abstracts chosen for oral and poster presentation. "The State of Professional Wellbeing and Satisfaction Among US Oncologists" was selected for oral presentation while "The State of Workforce Retention Among US Oncologists" was selected for a poster presentation.

Joining first author, Melissas Cruz, LPN, OPN-CG, Manager Patient Navigation Services, Astera Cancer Care, is Ellen Ronnen , MD, Astera Cancer Care's Chief Medical Officer, on the abstract "Enhancing Precision Medicine Testing Process in a Breast Cancer Population of a Community Oncology Practice: Use of Oncology Patient Navigators (OPN) and a Molecular Processing Team (MPT) to Improve Germline Testing." This research examines how Astera Cancer Care's Oncology Patient Navigators and a Molecular Processing Team use the Electronic Health Record to optimize germline testing for eligible breast cancer patients. Germline testing is genetic testing that identifies a person's inherited mutations, which can help oncologists determine the best treatment for patients. Results of germline testing also inform recommended earlier screening and diagnostics for a patient's first-degee relatives (children, parents, and siblings) who may have inherited mutated genes.

Dr. Ronnen is also an author on "Using an Electronic Capture Geriatric Assessment to Guide Rehabilitation Triage for Adults with Cancer During Systemic Therapy," which uses an electronic capture to get elderly patients going on chemotherapy an ASCO-recommended frailty assessment and an introduction to Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, both of which are proven to improve quality of life with regular use. Dr. Ronnen was joined by Astera Cancer Care's Rachel Carroll , MSN, FNP-BC, AOCNP as an author on the abstract.

The lineup of abstracts is as follows:

Abstract Title Presenter or Author Organizations Abstract number Enhancing Precision Medicine testing process in a Breast Cancer population of a Community Oncology Practice: Use of Oncology Patient Navigators (OPN) and a Molecular Processing Team (MPT) to Improve Germline Testing. Melissas Cruz, LPN, OPN-CG Astera Cancer Care 429416 Using an electronic capture geriatric assessment to guide rehabilitation triage for adults with cancer during systemic therapy. Ellen Ronnen , MD Astera Cancer Care 429146 Provider Messaging for Precision Treatment (ProMPT): A notification Pilot to Inform Actionable Genomic Findings. Neha Jain , Ph.D. OneOncology 448 | Poster Bd #: K6 Burden of myelosuppression in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: Retrospective analysis of real-world data from Tennessee Oncology. L. Johnetta Blakely , MD, MMHC, MS Tennessee Oncology 364 | Poster Bd #: F21 Trend in breakdown of total cost of care for medical oncology over time: Learnings from the Oncology Care Model and implications for future oncology value-based care. Leah Owens , DNP, OCN, RN Tennessee Oncology 69 | Poster Bd #: C22 Virtual easy-to-access hematology tumor boards: Scaling disease expertise across multiple sites of care across urban and rural Tennessee . Kimberly Senneke Tennessee Oncology 570 | Poster Bd #: M17 BE-A-PAL: Behavioral economics and automated analytics to improve palliative care among patients with advanced cancer. Sandhya Mudumbi , MD Tennessee Oncology 268 | Poster Bd #: J3 CHIPping in: Clonal hematopoiesis clinics in community oncology. Ashley Wyse , NP-C Tennessee Oncology 499 | Poster Bd #: L25 Heterogeneity in costs of standard-of-care drug regimens within high volume Enhancing Oncology Model disease groups: Implications for performance risk outside of a provider's control. Katherine Baker MD, MMHC Tennessee Oncology 70 | Poster Bd #: C23 The State of Professional Wellbeing and Satisfaction Among US Oncologists. Ray Page , DO, PhD, FACOI, FASCO The Center For Cancer and Blood Disorders, Fort Worth Texas 427842 The state of workforce retention among US oncologists. Ray Page , DO, PhD, FACOI, FASCO The Center For Cancer and Blood Disorders, Fort Worth Texas 427840

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SOURCE OneOncology, LLC.
Scott Westover appointed Chief Network Solutions Officer, a newly created, expanded role, assuming responsibility for the Network Performance Team

Subhash Seelam joins as SVP, Applied Network Analytics from Optum

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Analytics, the leader in provider network management solutions and services, today announced the appointment of Scott Westover as Chief Network Solutions Officer, Quest Analytics, continuing his leadership in the regulatory arena while adding oversight of the Network Performance team. In addition, the company announced that Subhash Seelam has joined as Senior Vice President, Applied Network Analytics, reporting to Scott and supporting the Network Performance team.

Scott Westover previously served as Quest Analytics' SVP of Network and Regulatory Strategy, where he worked directly with state and federal regulators to navigate rapidly changing market and policy needs. Prior to joining Quest Analytics, Scott served as market president for AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire, a leading Medicaid Care Management Organization. His prior experience also includes working at Anthem, Inc. as a vice president of provider joint ventures and national accounts, senior roles within leading healthcare providers, and driving national health strategy for multiple Fortune 50 corporations.

Subhash Seelam , a seasoned leader in healthcare analytics, brings a deep understanding of data applications, analytical experience, and the development of analytic intellectual property that will greatly enhance the Network Performance team. He joins Quest Analytics most recently from Optum, where he served as Head of Advanced Analytics and Clinical Insights, leading the team that provided analytic support to Optum's growth agenda.

"Working across the industry with regulators, payers and providers in network measurement is critical to understanding how we can better meet members' needs, build value and increase satisfaction," said Steve Levin , CEO, Quest Analytics. "The new role for Scott and the addition of Subhash will greatly enhance this work and provide incredible performance-driven analytical and data support for our clients' network teams across the country."

About Quest Analytics

Quest Analytics' software platform and services are trusted by more than 400 clients, including all eight of the nation's largest health plans, regulators, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and multiple state regulatory agencies, and many of the nation's leading health systems and provider groups to manage, measure and monitor health plan network performance. Its mission: to elevate the health of communities across the nation through superior provider networks. The company helps 90% of all healthcare networks deliver differentiated member experiences, thereby impacting 90% of Americans' ability to access quality healthcare. For more information, please visit Quest Analytics.

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SOURCE Quest Analytics, L.L.C.
On the 50th anniversary of Shorebank's founding, Opportunity Finance Network recognizes bank founders Mary Houghton , Ron Grzywinski , Jim Fletcher , and Milton Davis for demonstrating that providing financial services to poor communities is both sustainable and profitable, spawning a $250 billion industry.

WASHINGTON , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) awarded the founders of ShoreBank  Mary Houghton , Ron Grzywinski , Jim Fletcher (posthumous), and Milton Davis (posthumous)  the 2023 Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Finance. Awarded annually by OFN, the nation's leading network of community development financial institutions (CDFIs), the Gramlich Award is the CDFI industry's highest individual honor.

During ShoreBank's 37 years of operations, the nation's first CDFI inspired a national movement, seeding what is now a nearly $250 billion industry. Its founders helped shape federal community development legislation. Its business model catalyzed the concepts of double-and-triple-bottom-line enterprises.

"No one better embodies the values of the opportunity finance industry than the four founders of ShoreBank," said Donna Gambrell , president and CEO of Appalachian Community Capital and chair of the OFN Board of Directors. "So many of us in the industry are guided and inspired by the work of these brilliant and diverse trailblazers. On behalf of OFN, I am truly thrilled to recognize Ron, Mary, Jim, and Milton with this honor."

ShoreBank was founded 50 years ago in 1973 when the four honorees, a small group of impact-minded investors, purchased South Shore National Bank, which was poised to be sold and relocated from the predominantly black South Shore to predominantly white downtown Chicago . The founders sought to rebuild South Shore by empowering the community and investing in its economic development, a radical idea in the days of redlining.

"It gives me great pleasure to recognize these giants of our industry," said Harold Pettigrew , president and CEO of OFN. "By marrying modest profitability with strong social impact  and doing it so successfully  Ron, Mary, Jim, and Milton completely upended the conventional wisdom that investing in low-income, formerly redlined communities was bad business. The legacy of ShoreBank and its founders lives on through the many institutional, policy, and professional progeny they inspired and nurtured, and I am proud to honor them with the 2023 Ned Gramlich Award."

The ShoreBank founders devoted their lives to demonstrating that investing in and providing financial services to poor communities is not only sustainable, but profitable. ShoreBank's financial model was replicated in Arkansas and inspired the creation of the CDFI Fund by President Bill Clinton . Although ShoreBank closed in 2010, it leaves behind a thriving community development finance sector. Today, CDFIs are widely recognized as a critical part of the financial ecosystem and powerful agents of community economic development.

Houghton, Grzywinski, and Maria Barksdale , daughter of Jim Fletcher , accepted the Gramlich Award in Washington on Monday, October 16 , at the OFN Annual Conference, the largest industry event in the country.

The award is named for Ned Gramlich , a staunch, longtime advocate for responsible finance. As the former Board of Governors' primary liaison to the Federal Reserve's Consumer Advisory Council, Gramlich advised on community development and consumer finance policy matters. He was an outspoken voice against predatory lending and a strong defender of the Community Reinvestment Act. He served on the OFN Board of Directors from October 2006 until his death in 2007.

Previous Gramlich awardees include Janie Barrera (2022); Susan Tachau (2021); Inez Long (2020); Michael Swack (2019); Nancy O. Andrews (2018); Linda Davenport and John Berdes (2017); Elsie Meeks (2016); Moises Loiza (2015); Bill Bynum (2014); Ron Phillips (2013); Juliana Evades (2012); Jeremy Nowak (2011); Sister Corinne Floret (2010); Martin Eakes (2009); Cliff Rosenthal (2008); and Ned Gramlich (2007).

About OFN

Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) is the leading national network of community development financial institutions. Its membership of more than 400 mission lenders specializes in providing affordable, responsible financial products and services in low-income rural, urban, and Native communities nationwide. As a trusted intermediary between CDFIs and the public and private sectors, OFN works with its partners  banks, philanthropies, corporations, government agencies and others  to create economic opportunity for all by strengthening and investing in CDFIs. Since its founding in 1986 and through 2021, the network has originated $100.4 billion in financing in rural, urban, and Native communities, helping to create or maintain more than 2.6 million jobs, start or expand more than 696,000 businesses and microenterprises, and support the development or rehabilitation of more than 2.3 million housing units and more than 13,600 community facility projects.

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SOURCE Opportunity Finance Network
TORONTO , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Today, Symetryx Corporation ("Symetryx") announces that it has sent a demand letter on September 29, 2023 in its capacity as a shareholder of more than 5% to CHECK-CAP Ltd. ("Check-Cap" or the "Company") in order to have shareholders of the Company approve a resolution to change the board.

Symetryx is of the view that the Company's existing board of directors is making irrational and unreasonable business decisions and fails to oversee the Company's management. This is demonstrated, inter alia, by the following:

As set forth in the Company's 6-K filing of August 14, 2023 , on August 16, 2023 , the Company entered into a business combination agreement (the "BCA") with Keystone Dental Holdings, Inc. ("Keystone"), and affiliated entities.

, on , the Company entered into a business combination agreement (the "BCA") with ("Keystone"), and affiliated entities. The BCA is lacking any rational synergies. Keystone is a traditional manufacturing company, which is fundamentally misaligned with the needs and expectations of the Company's shareholders, who believed and invested in the Company's innovative high-growth technology.

While providing very little information and guidance as to the prospective operations and benefits of the merged business (including, without limitation, Keystone's Compounded Annual Growth Rate) the BCA provides Keystone with a $225,000,000 valuation, which we view as inflated and unrealistic due to Keystone's revenues for 2022 and given the pessimistic prospective growth. We have significant concerns that the Company and its management are not fulfilling their obligations to protect shareholder value in a transaction which will be excessively dilutive with no real long - term provided synergy.

valuation, which we view as inflated and unrealistic due to Keystone's revenues for 2022 and given the pessimistic prospective growth. We have significant concerns that the Company and its management are not fulfilling their obligations to protect shareholder value in a transaction which will be excessively dilutive with no real long - term provided synergy. The BCA and the press release provided in connection therewith provide no clarity as to the future of the Company's intellectual property, which we view as very concerning.

The Company's cash burn rate, which is expected to be over $15,000,000 from June 2023 through the BCA consummation date while the Company is effectively not conducting any business, is in our view highly excessive and raises major concerns.

We believe that our proposed highly experienced directors will be able to cut down on the Company's excessive burn rate, substantially reduce it and help the Company to navigate through these uncertain times.

Symetryx has proposed the following directors, each to serve until the Company's next general annual meeting of shareholders: Jordan Lipton , Avital Shafran , Idan Ben Shitrit , William Vozzolo and Lilian Malczewski .

Mr. Jordan Lipton

Mr. Jordan Lipton currently serves as the chairman of Noveto ltd. since August 2022 . Mr. Lipton also serves as a board member of Avalon Bridge Capital Inc. since May 2021 , and as a CO-Founder, Chief Investment Officer of ACA Enterprise Holdings since February 2019 . Between August 2019 and July 2023 , he served as a Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at Justice Cannabis Co. From September 2018 to October 2021 , Mr. Lipton served as a board member in Alerio Gold Corporation. From April 2019 to September 2019 , he served as a managing director in Antera Inc. From August 2016 to April 2019 , Mr. Lipton served as a managing director of Gravitas Financial Inc. Between 2014 and 2017 he also served as a partner in Silverbear Capital Inc. Mr. Lipton served from 2014 to 2016 he served as a managing director in AM Capital Receivables Management Limited. Between 2014 to 2015 he served as a consultant in First Global Data Corp. Between 2011 to 2014 he served as a VP Corporate Finance and Business Development in Fordham Hillsworth Financial Service Inc. Mr. Lipton has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the City University of London, and a Master of Business Administration from the Korea University.

Ms. Avital Shafran

Ms. Avital Shafran has a Bachelor of Sciences in Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as a Master of Sciences in Computer Science, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is currently studying towards a PhD in Computer Science researching AI. Since 2017, Ms. Shafran is employed as a teacher assistant at the Hebrew University. From 2016 until 2017 Ms. Shafran served as a Full stack developer at Intel.

Mr. Idan Ben Shitrit

Mr. Idan Ben Shitrit serves, since 2018, at a Hedge Fund management, as a board member at multiple private companies, and as a financial and wealth advisor. From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Ben Shitrit worked in investment banking. From 2009 to 2016, he served as a portfolio and securities manager in Expert Nostro Co., Meitav Nostro, and Altris Nostro. Between 2007 to 2008 , Mr. Ben Shitrit served as an investment manager in Africa Israel Investment Ltd. In 2005 to 2007, he served as a Department Senior Manager in Michale Davis Group. Before 2005, Mr. Ben Shitrit served as a trader in Harel Investment Company and before that as a personal security unit manager. Mr. Ben Shitrit has a Bachelor of arts' degree in Mathematics and Economics, from the Tel-Aviv University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Herzliya Reichman University.

Mr. William Vozzolo

Mr. William Vozzolo is serving as Global Treasurer, Head of Operations and CCO at OC Investment Management LP, a medium-sized Fixed Income hedge fund in Miami, Florida . As Global Treasurer, his role entails managing the funding, cash management / yield enhancement strategy, and margin usage, along with investor relationship management. As Head of Operations, William manages a team of analysts, programmers and developers to ensure all post-execution is streamlined and at a low to zero risk to the firm. William is also titled CCO, ensuring the firm is compliant with all related regulatory bodies and responsible for establishing standards and implementing procedures to ensure that the compliance programs throughout the organization are effective and efficient in identifying, preventing, detecting, and correcting noncompliance.

William is highly accomplished with a career spanning over two decades in finance. He commenced his journey at JPM in 2000, on the Fixed Income Repo Desk before joining Highland Financial, where he was an MBS repo trader and assumed responsibilities in operations management. In 2007, he transitioned to Highbridge Capital, where he played a pivotal role in establishing and elevating their repo desk and treasury management capabilities in the fixed income sector. William then spent three years at Barclays as a Product Manager. In 2013, he joined Field Street Capital Management, leading Operations and non-USD funding while simultaneously overseeing the business operations of the EU entity. In 2021, he joined OC Investment Management.

Dr. Liliane Malczewski

Dr. Malczewski is currently serving as president and as a board member at the Order of Dentists of Quebec , as well as president and chief executive manager of the Healy Dental Clinics, and also as the Chief of Dentistry at the Montreal Integrated Health, Social Services and University Centre (Ciusss Odim). Between 2018 to 2021, she served as Local Chief of Dentistry at the Lakeshore General Hospital. From 2012 to 2018, she served as President of the Cornwall & District Dental Society - Division of The Ontario Dental Association. Dr. Malczewski also served as a Clinical Dentist in various clinics between 2011 and 2019. She has an Executive master's degree in business administration from the University of Fredericton, a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Montreal, and a D.E.C. Health Sciences from the college of Jean-De-Brebeuf .

Moreover, Section 8.1(g) of the BCA required financial statements of Keystone to be delivered within 45 days of August 16, 2023 . We are now at 64 days and the Company has not provided such financial statements. This is wholly unacceptable as shareholders are unable to assess the fundamentals of the BCA.

Symetryx is open to discussing alternatives with management and other shareholders of Check-Cap.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT :

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS OUR CURRENT VIEWS ON THE VALUE OF SECURITIES OF CHECK-CAP AND CERTAIN ACTIONS THAT ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIGHT TAKE TO ENHANCE THE VALUE OF ITS COMMON STOCK. OUR VIEWS ARE BASED ON OUR OWN ANALYSES OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND ASSUMPTIONS WE BELIEVE TO BE REASONABLE. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE INFORMATION WE CONSIDERED AND ANALYZED IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. SIMILARLY, THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT OUR ASSUMPTIONS ARE CORRECT. THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS OF CHECK-CAP MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM OUR ASSUMPTIONS AND ANALYSES.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ALSO REFERENCES THE SIZE OF SYMETRYX'S CURRENT HOLDINGS OF CHECK-CAP. SYMETRYX'S VIEWS AND OUR HOLDINGS COULD CHANGE AT ANY TIME. WE MAY TAKE ANY OF THESE OR OTHER ACTIONS REGARDING CHECK-CAP WITHOUT UPDATING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR PROVIDING ANY NOTICE WHATSOEVER OF ANY SUCH CHANGES (EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW). WE MAY SELL SOME OR ALL OF OUR CHECK-CAP SHARES AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS :

Certain statements contained in this announcement are forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements that are predications of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Due to such risks and uncertainties, actual events or results or actual performance may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the future tense or other forward-looking words such as "believe," "might, "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "should," "could," "may," "will," "objective," "projection," "forecast," "continue," "strategy," "position" or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or by any comparable terminology.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations set forth in this announcement include, among other things, the factors identified in the public filings of Check-Cap and other information generally available in the market. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed considering such factors, and Symetryx is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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SOURCE Symetryx Corp
Proven Consumer Industry Leader Laurie Ann Goldman Named President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Board

Three New Directors with Financial, Transformation and Direct Sales Expertise Join Board

Company Files 2022 Form 10-K

ORLANDO, Fla. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tupperware Brands Corporation ("Tupperware" or the "Company") (NYSE: TUP), a global consumer products company, today announced that Laurie Ann Goldman has been named President, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and a Director of the Board to support the Company's continued turnaround strategy and execution. Goldman replaces Miguel Fernandez as President and CEO, and Fernandez will no longer serve as a Director of Tupperware's Board, effective immediately.

Goldman, a seasoned executive with over 30 years of leadership and brand-building experience, previously served as CEO of Avon North America, where she was instrumental in driving value creation, and as CEO of Spanx, where she transformed the company from a startup into a global category leader and household name. She was most recently the CEO of OVME Aesthetics.

"Now is the right time to bring in new leadership, and Laurie Ann is exceptionally well-suited to advance our long-term strategy and accelerate growth," said Susan Cameron , Chair of Tupperware's Board of Directors. " Laurie Ann is a trusted and growth-oriented leader with extensive management experience in the consumer goods industry."

Cameron added, " Laurie Ann brings the right mix of business and brand experience and has built consumer affinity for some of the world's most iconic brands. We are confident that her proven history of motivating global sales teams, along with her strong operational and financial capabilities, will empower our teams and accelerate our efforts to guide Tupperware to sustainable, long-term growth."



"I am excited and energized to lead this iconic brand whose innovative products are coveted by millions around the world," said Goldman. "This is a tribute to the entrepreneurial and inventive spirit of the wonderful teams that sell and create Tupperware and its impressive retail partners. I can't wait to delight more consumers with the celebrated products they trust and love."

Board Refreshment

Additionally, the Company has appointed Lori Bush , Paul Keglevic and William Transier to the Board of Directors. Bush's direct-sales marketing experience, along with Keglevic's and Transier's financial and operational leadership, will provide valued support for the Company.

To enable the Board refreshment, Mark Burgess , Meg Crofton , Deborah Ellinger and James Fordyce have voluntarily stepped down from the Board after providing significant support and counsel to Tupperware. With these changes and the previously disclosed departure of Richard Goudis , the Board will be reduced to eleven directors, ten of whom will be independent.

"Today marks a significant step forward for Tupperware, and I am honored to welcome Lori, Paul and Bill to our Board of Directors," said Cameron. "We are grateful for the insights and dedication that Mark, Meg, Deborah, and Jim brought to Tupperware to help us achieve our goals and thank them for their considerable contributions. With these new appointments, we are confident we are adding tremendous expertise to the Board that will help us accelerate our turnaround plan to meaningfully drive value creation and long-term growth."

Financial Disclosure and Compliance Update

The Company filed its 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, October 13, 2023 . As previously disclosed, the Company is continuing to finalize its financial close process for the first three quarters of 2023 and will file its Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for Q1, Q2 and Q3 of 2023 as promptly as possible.

About Laurie Ann Goldman

Laurie Ann Goldman has over 30 years of leadership and brand-building experience leading and advising top consumer brands. Previously, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Avon North America from August 2018 to August 2019 , Chief Executive Officer of Spanx from 2002 to 2014, and most recently, as the Chief Executive Officer of OVME Aesthetics. Before Spanx, she served in various marketing and operational leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company for a decade. She also serves as an independent director on the Board of European Wax Center, along with several private companies, including Claire's, Cole Haan , Joe & the Juice, Invited and 101 Studios. Goldman earned a B.S. from the Moody School of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin.

About Lori Bush

Lori Bush brings over four decades of entrepreneurship and business leadership in the consumer, professional healthcare and personal care products industries. Bush most recently founded Solvasa in 2020. Previously, she was President and Chief Executive Officer of Rodan & Fields from 2007 to 2016 and served as President and Principal Owner of The Gremlin Group from 2006 to 2007. Prior to that, she held various leadership and marketing roles at Nu Skin Enterprises, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Companies, Tsumura International and Bio/Data Corporation for over two decades. Bush currently sits on the Board of Directors for Ruby Ribbon, Topix and Leo Holdings I, II, III, IV. She earned her B.S. from the Ohio State University and her M.B.A. from Temple University.

About Paul Keglevic

Paul Keglevic is an experienced leader and board member with deep expertise in finance, transformation and operations. Keglevic was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Energy Future Holdings, where he held roles of increasing responsibility including Chief Risk Officer , Chief Restructuring Officer and Chief Financial Officer since 2008. Prior to that, he held various practice leadership positions and was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Arthur Andersen. Keglevic currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Rite Aid, WeWork, Evergy and Envision Healthcare. Keglevic received a BS in Accounting from Northern Illinois University.

About William Transier

Bill Transier has over four decades of combined executive and board leadership experience with strong financial and transformation expertise. Transier founded and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Transier Advisors since 2015. Previously, he was Co-founder and CEO of Endeavour International Corporation from 2004 to 2015 and served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ocean Energy from 1996 to 2003. Prior to Ocean Energy, Transier spent nearly two decades as a partner at KPMG. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Helix Energy Solutions Group, Westinghouse Electronic Company and Altera Infrastructure Holdings. Transier earned a B.B.A in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A from Regis University.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes words like "will", "expects", "confident" and other "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including with respect to the timing of the filing of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for Q1, Q2 and Q3 of 2023, and the timing and success of the Company's turnaround plan and return to growth. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including risks identified in the Company's most recent filing on Form 10-K and other SEC filings, all of which are available on the Company's website. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements unless otherwise required by law.

About Tupperware Brands Corporation

Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) is a global consumer products company that designs innovative, functional and environmentally responsible products that people love and trust. Founded in 1946, Tupperware's signature container created the modern food storage category that revolutionized the way the world stores, serves and prepares food. Today, this iconic brand has more than 8,500 functional design and utility patents for solution-oriented kitchen and home products. With a purpose to nurture a better future, Tupperware products are an alternative to single-use items. The company distributes its products into nearly 70 countries, primarily through independent representatives around the world. For more information, visit Tupperwarebrands.com or follow Tupperware on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Investors: [email protected]

Media: [email protected]

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SOURCE Tupperware Brands Corporation
BOSTON , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Beacon Gallery is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibition Unaccustomed Earth , featuring the work of Boston -based artists Emily Rose and Beatriz Whitehill . Unaccustomed Earth, is a two-artist show running from November 03, 2023 - January 14, 2024 . This exhibition honors Jhumpa Lahiri's book of the same title, inspired by the Nathaniel Hawthorne quote "Human nature will not flourish, any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted, for too long a series of generations, in the same worn-out soil. My children ... shall strike their roots in unaccustomed earth."

Unaccustomed Earth parallels the diasporic practice of maintaining some cultural traditions and reinventing others. The two Caribbean -origin artists illustrate the ways they have maintained and reinvented cultural traditions with their own unique visual language.

This two-person exhibition is organized into vignettes, similar to the novel. Working in a variety of media, the artists reinforce the notion that there is no single answer for resilience and learning to flourish in one's own Unaccustomed Earth. Through painting, sculpture, animation, and installation, the two artists grapple with their positions as storytellers, and forbearers of family culture and artistry, all while exploring their diasporic identities.

Unaccustomed Earth also marks the final exhibition occurring under the brand Beacon Gallery for the art space at 524b Harrison Avenue . The founder and owner of Beacon Gallery, Christine O'Donnell , is turning the gallery into a 501c3 nonprofit entitled ShowUp.

While ShowUp officially takes over Beacon Gallery as of January 2024 , Beacon Gallery owner & director Christine O'Donnell will continue as Executive Director and Board President. ShowUp will feature exhibitions curated by guest curators including Unaccustomed Earth curator Chenoa Baker, as well as host programming, workshops, and community events. ShowUp's mission is to empower artists and curators to experiment, learn and have meaningful exchanges, amplify artists and their voices, give artists tools for self-sufficiency, and connect artists to local communities and beyond. More information will be available soon on social media and their forthcoming website.

Unaccustomed Earth Events:

November 3, 2023 5 8 pm : First Friday Opening Reception

November 12, 2023 12-4 pm : Beatriz Whitehill live painting event. Personalized 4 x 4 paintings made live in-gallery.

December 1 , 5-8 pm : SoWa First Friday

January 5, 2024 5-8 pm : SoWa First Friday

About the Artists

Emily Rose (b. 1994) is a Puerto Rican-American multidisciplinary artist. Her work addresses the legacy of colonialism and its impact on the Caribbean diaspora, particularly the effects of ancestral trauma. She focuses on identity, memory, home, and healing through research, visual art, and performance. She explores how identities are formed, rejected, and erased to build a sense of belonging and community. Repurposing associated objects of memory and family photographs, she evokes one's imagination, senses, connections, and healing. As part of her artistic practice she revisits physical and metaphorical spaces through collective memories and dreams as a medium to remember the past, present, and forgotten parts of ourselves.

Beatriz Whitehill (b. 1998) is a visual artist based in Jamaica Plain . She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Beatriz's practice encompasses her interests in painting, collage, and stop-motion animation. Much of Beatriz's work is inspired by the intersection of traditional painting and street art, video animation, and contemporary fashion design, such as streetwear. The stories within her work are snapshots of moments that draw reflections of one's place in the world with hidden details that encourage the viewer to take a longer look. These stories may depict magical or mythical elements in a modern world, the influence of magical realism on her work. Magical realism is a strong influence in her work because its narratives usually span generations. Considering multigenerational narratives, she often draws on her Puerto Rican heritage when she creates art. Symbols from her culture, like the vejigante masked monsters, help her tell stories about resilience within oneself and represent the inner angels and demons that we all grapple with.

About the Curator



Chenoa Baker

Beacon Gallery's Curator Chenoa Baker (she/her) is a curator, wordsmith, and descendant of self-emancipators. Art spaces as incubators for intergroup dialogue and imaginative portals were her foray into curatorial work. She worked on: Gio Swaby : Fresh Up at the Peabody Essex Museum; Simone Leigh at ICA/ Boston ; and Touching Roots: Black Ancestral Legacies in the Americas at MFA/ Boston . Her autobiographical-style art criticism appears in Public Parking, Material Intelligence, Studio Potter, Boston Art Review, Sixty Inches From Center, Burnaway, and a monograph contribution for Helena Metaferia : Generations, Art For This Moment.

About Beacon Gallery

Beacon Gallery (2017-2023) is a contemporary art gallery located in Boston's South End , providing a platform for emerging and established artists to deliver thought-provoking solo and group shows, and community-building events. As a partner to greater Boston's artistic community, Beacon Gallery is committed to producing thoughtfully curated exhibitions that showcase original conceptual art and share compelling messages and unique perspectives. It aims to make art accessible to the general public, as well as collectors and institutions locally, nationally, and globally. For more information go to our website and follow us on Instagram .

About ShowUp

ShowUp is a 501c3-designated nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in Boston's South End . Founded in 2019 by Christine O'Donnell as a sister nonprofit to Beacon Gallery, it is now fully taking over the gallery's mission and programming. ShowUp strives to foster art, education, and empowerment. ShowUp supports local and regional artists, with a focus on its own and others' social practice, by exhibiting artwork, hosting workshops, classes, and building community within the art world and beyond.

Mission Statement:

ShowUp is a haven for disruptors of the artistic status quo. We are an art-focused community, specialized in exhibitions, programs, and opportunities both inside and beyond our walls.

Our mission is to

EMPOWER artists and curators to experiment, learn and have meaningful exchanges

AMPLIFY artists and their voices

GIVE artists tools for self-sufficiency

CONNECT artists to local communities and beyond

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SOURCE Beacon Gallery
Closer ties with Swedish software product company to enhance telecommunication testing and network transformation capabilities

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has announced a strategic investment in VoerEir, a Swedish software product company specializing in the development of advanced software solutions for testing, benchmarking, and certifying the physical and virtual networks of Communications Service Providers (CSP). VoerEir solutions significantly streamline the process of deploying network infrastructure to the cloud. This investment strengthens UST's position as a leading provider of DevSecOps services in network engineering for 5G and beyond.

UST is expanding its presence in the rapidly growing telecommunications sector, partnering with innovative companies, and making strategic acquisitions positioned to address the primary challenges facing Tier-1 CSPs. Bolstered by the network engineering capabilities of the recently acquired telecom engineering firm MobileComm, UST's significant cloud, data, and DevSecOps expertise combines with VoerEir's Touchstone platform to ensure heightened network performance and reliability in a fully virtualized 5G network.

VoerEir's market-leading Touchstone platform helps telecom operators identify and resolve pain points in their telecom cloud environments, enabling greater Network Functions Virtualization (NFV). Touchstone is a comprehensive test system with extensive automated test cases and pre-packaged tools. It empowers its users to evaluate the performance, functionality, robustness, stability, and security of their cloud infrastructure for telecom applications. Furthermore, the dynamic solution supports Openstack and Kubernetes environments and offers deployment support for private and public cloud deployments.

UST's investment ensures that VoerEir is positioned to scale its business by leveraging UST's deep expertise in cloud solutions, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and the telecommunications sector.

"We welcome this strategic investment from UST, and believe that our closer relationship with the company will equip us with the capabilities and scale we need to continue growing as a credible and dependable partner in facilitating the transformation of CSPs from traditional legacy solutions to cutting-edge cloud based NFV architecture. UST shares our vision for transforming the telecommunications industry through cloud, data and DevSecOps, and our growing ties will allow us to improve at scale as we innovate to meet evolving demand in a growing sector," said Javier Garcia Gomez , Chief Executive Officer, VoerEir.

"This partnership further strengthens the growth strategy of UST's telecommunications vertical oriented around cloud, DevSecOps and data. We are excited to apply UST's experience and insights to VoerEir's innovative Touchstone platform to empower telecom operators. Our collaboration will simplify and streamline the evaluation of performance, functionality, robustness, stability, and the security of their cloud infrastructure for telecom applications," said Aravind Nandanan , General Manager, Telecommunications, UST.

VoerEir currently serves various marquee customers, including three of the top four Tier-1 Europe -headquartered multinational CSPs; and one of the top three Tier-1 US-headquartered hyperscaler cloud providers. VoerEir's Touchstone platform perfectly complements UST's telco network engineering, DevSecOps, and cloud capabilities, positioning these two leading companies to offer cutting-edge solutions to Tier-1 CSPs.

About VoerEir:

VoerEir is a telecom engineering-focused software product company founded and led by former Ericsson executives. The company addresses telecom operators' challenges in identifying, fixing, and eliminating pain points in their telco cloud environments using its market-leading software platform, "Touchstone." With over 1,000 integrated test cases and 140+ person-years of R&D, VoerEir automates the testing of Telco Cloud environments for telecom operators.

Media Contacts, VoerEir

Adriana Petkov

+34 657 127 755

[email protected]

About UST

For more than 24 years, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Through our nimble approach, we identify their core challenges, and craft disruptive solutions that bring their vision to life. With deep domain expertise and a future-proof philosophy, we embed innovation and agility into our clients' organizationsdelivering measurable value and lasting change across industries, and around the world. Together, with over 30,000 employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impacttouching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com

Media Contacts, UST:

Tinu Cherian Abraham

+1 (949) 415-9857

Merrick Laravea

+1 (949) 416-6212

Neha Misri

+91-9284726602

Roshni Das K

+91 7736795557

[email protected]

Media Contacts, U.S. :

S&C PR

+1-646.941.9139

[email protected]

Makovsky

[email protected]

Media Contacts, U.K. :

FTI Consulting

[email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1422658/UST_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE UST
Womens fertility plummets after age 35. Below that age, around 90% of those who want to get pregnant succeed, but the figure drops to 13% at age 45. The delay in the age at which women become mothers, added to the continuous decline in sperm quality, makes the need for medical assistance for getting pregnant increasingly common.

The success rate of those procedures also depends on age, especially due to the deterioration of ovarian reserve and the quality of the oocytes. This week, a team of researchers from the Nanjing Agricultural University published a study in the journal Nature Aging in which they found that spermidine improved the quality of eggs and fertility in mice of advanced age. The authors, led by Bo Xiong, believe this is a first step toward using spermidine as a treatment to improve fertility in older women.

Although spermidine has been shown to be a promising molecule to slow down or reverse some effects of aging, the road will still be long to translate the results as a treatment for infertility to humans. As Xiong explains by email, in their study they also documented that the effects of spermidine on the quality of oocytes matured in vitro were preserved in pigs, increasing the confidence to perform the test in humans. Their next step, as Xiong explains, is a collaboration with a reproductive medicine center to test the effects of spermidine on human oocytes and their fertility.

One of the important factors in human studies will be finding the right dose for treatment and its duration, because Xiong and his colleagues saw that too much of the molecule worsens the quality of oocytes in mice. We will begin by testing the effects of spermidine on the maturation of human oocytes in vitro, the researcher said.

Anti-aging molecule

Spermidine is a molecule that was first isolated in semen, but is found in most cells of all types of organisms, as well as in the ovaries. It participates in many important processes. At low levels it maintains cell stability, but when abundant, it destroys cells. Experiments with yeast, worms and flies have shown that, used as a supplement, it can prolong the life of these organisms, and in human cells it has been seen to promote autophagy, a cellular cleaning process that is also associated with the benefits of fasting. This potential of spermidine supplementation is being tested in human trials to treat high blood pressure, depression and aging of the immune system.

The authors of the work explain that although a growing number of studies have reported the restorative effect of spermidine on the aging of somatic cells, its effect on the aging of oocytes has not been clarified. To do so, they compared the metabolite profile of young mice, about 7 weeks old, with that of others that would be equivalent to middle age in humans, about one year old (54 weeks). Along with other changes between the ovaries of young and old females, they saw that the amount of spermidine decreased with age.

In a second part of the experiment, they gave spermidine to older females, putting it in the water and injecting it. The researchers saw that it improved the quantity and quality of their follicles, the structures from which eggs are formed. Furthermore, in what University of Graz researchers Andreas Zimmermann and Frank Madeo, in another article published in Nature Aging, consider the most captivating finding of the study, supplementing the aging females with spermidine almost doubled the size of their litters.

Since the aging of the ovaries is connected to the general aging of the organism, the authors of the study wanted to examine if what was seen when spermidine was given to mice was replicated in oocytes studied in vitro. They found that signs of aging were also reversed in vitro, and they identified two main mechanisms that explain it: autophagy and mitophagy, a cleaning process similar to the previous one that occurs in the mitochondria, organelles that produce most of the energy of the bodys cells. Spermidine is thus confirmed to be the basis of potential medications that can combat effects of aging.

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Offering Includes Morning Blend, Donut Shop Blend, 100% Colombian, and French Roast in Single Serve Pods

LITTLE CHUTE, Wis. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trilliant Food & Nutrition, a leading, vertically integrated coffee manufacturer in the U.S. , announced today an expansion of new distribution of its Victor Allen's Coffee Brand at a leading east coast grocery retailer, Food Lion.

Victor Allen's Coffee is about providing consumers a great cup of coffee without having to comprise quality for price.

Available today, shoppers at more than 1,100 Food Lion stores on the east coast can find Victor Allen's single serve coffee pods in 36 count cartons in the following flavor profiles: Morning Blend, Donut Shop Blend, 100% Colombian and French Roast. New packaging graphics are also being launched on-shelf showcasing the NEW Victor Allen's Coffee Brand logo along with a refreshed design focusing on our core brand attributes that are important to both the brand and consumers.

"The Victor Allen's Coffee Brand is all about providing consumers with access to a great cup of coffee without having to comprise quality for price," said Tom Lehocky , Vice President of Sales for Trilliant Food & Nutrition. "By expanding our distribution through a Food Lion partnership, consumers on the east coast will now have access to high quality coffee at a price that won't break the bank. We are proud to partner with Food Lion and bring their shoppers this offering."

To find a Food Lion near you, visit the Food Lion store finder. For more information about the Victor Allen's Coffee Brand, visit the Victor Allen's website and follow Victor Allen's Coffee on Facebook and Instagram.

About Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC

Founded in 1979, Trilliant Food & Nutrition is a leading, vertically integrated coffee manufacturer in the U.S. providing coffee sourcing, roasting, extraction, packaging of dry and liquid formats, product development, supply chain management, and sales and marketing services to the world's leading retailers, foodservice operators, and brands. For more information on Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC, visit www.trilliantfood.com.

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SOURCE Trilliant Food & Nutrition
Updated FISCAL spreading software offers new features and functionality to streamline the underwriting process

CHARLESTON, S.C. , Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vision Software Solutions is announcing the release of an updated version of its FISCAL SPREADING software, called FISCAL Forward . This user-friendly software brings the features of the company's flagship statement spreading software product into the future with added functionality, features and a new modern user interface.

FISCAL launches updated spreading software to streamline the underwriting process for banks & credit unions

"FISCAL has always been focused on meeting the needs of community banks and credit unions. FISCAL Forward provides the tools lenders need to get their job done quickly and efficiently," said Barry Brinson, President & CEO. "New features like a streamlined interface, enhanced flexibility, and expanded functionality for loan review and renewals will help credit analysts and loan officers save time, reduce errors, and free them up to develop relationships and grow the bank's portfolio."

FISCAL Forward is the latest version of this trusted underwriting tool, building upon the advancements of FISCAL 10, previously released in 2017. Vision Software Solutions has more than 35 years of experience providing tools designed to help community banks and credit unions manage financial statement spreading and tracking operations, from data entry to risk analysis to reporting and compliance. FISCAL Forward is the seventh generation of the spreading software, resulting in a streamlined, feature-robust and modern product.

The product features and benefits include:

Enhanced, modern user interface providing a clean, intuitive user experience.

Improved efficiency in Spreading Financials with new templates, the ability to move, re-sort and add rows, and flexibility to assign multiple spreads to people or businesses.

Maintains FISCAL's familiar, intuitive look and feel with the features you've come to expect in a comprehensive spreading tool.

Expanded Loans functionality natively integrates your underwriting process for renewals and reviews on Existing Loans, as well as Proposed Loans.

Streamlined Reports tool enhances FISCAL's powerful analysis and makes it easier than ever to get exactly what you want with just a few clicks.

Based in Charleston, South Carolina , Vision Software Solutions is a third-generation family owned and operated company that develops and supports the FISCAL software programs. FISCAL has been in the market for over 35 years, having served nearly 500 banks and credit unions located throughout the United States . These clients include financial institutions managing over $465 billion in total assets and over $222 billion in commercial loans.

Its products are designed to give community financial institutions an alternative to the inconsistent, error-prone and time-consuming Excel-based statement spreading and tickler tracking processes, without having to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours implementing a large, end-to-end loan origination system. Vision Software Solutions, via the FISCAL product line, offers credit union and banking software solutions, credit analysis software, loan exception tracking, and financial statement spreading that balances the need for consistency with the flexibility required for small business lending.

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SOURCE Vision Software Solutions LLC
CHICAGO , Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 15, 2023 , The International Dairy Federation (IDF) held its Board of Directors election on the eve of the "2023 IDF World Dairy Summit" in Chicago . Dr. Yun Zhanyou, Vice President of Yili Group, has been elected to the Board of IDF. This appointment makes Dr. Yun one of three representatives from global dairy enterprises.

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the International Dairy Federation's establishment. The IDF has played a pivotal role in fostering dairy science and technological innovation worldwide and making substantial contributions to the sustainable development of the global dairy industry. With 39 member countries representing 74% of the world's milk production, the IDF holds unparalleled influence in shaping the industry's future.

At the heart of the IDF's governance structure lies the IDF Board of Directors. Comprising nine industry associations and business representatives from member countries, this influential body serves as the primary hub for research, decision-making, and coordination within the IDF.

"I'm honored and proud to be a part of the IDF board of directors, and it comes with a greater sense of responsibility. We're excited about having closer communication with the global dairy industry and sharing the valuable experiences and accomplishments of Chinese dairy companies in areas like innovation research, digitalization, and sustainable development. Our goal is to work together and create more opportunities, unlocking the boundless potential of the global dairy industry," said Dr. Yun .

IDF President Piercristiano Brazzale said: "We have just finished the General Assembly where Dr Yun was elected a board member of IDF. This is a very important step for IDF, because knowing the level of innovation and technology out of Yili, that is a leader company in China , will give us a lot of contribution in the work we are doing every day to support the dairy sector around the world. I'm sure we will work a lot together to contribute to the dairy sector and also China 's dairy sector to improve the quality and reward innovation technology."

Following Dr. Yun's election, Yili Group is poised to play a more active role in fostering global collaboration. Yili's commitment to global dairy industry governance has been exemplified by its active involvement in several working committees under the IDF. These committees cover various areas, such as analytical methods for composition, dairy microorganisms, additives and contaminants, dairy science and technology, as well as dairy policies and economics, and so forth. Leveraging its expertise, Yili will share the valuable experiences of Chinese dairy enterprises in digitalization, intelligent technologies, and low-carbon practices during the IDF's major events, research initiatives, and discussions on critical topics.

As the largest dairy enterprise in the Asian dairy industry, Yili is committed to supporting global industry innovation and seeking further development opportunities. Yili will continue to listen to the needs of consumers worldwide, delivering higher quality products and services and realizing the dream of "World Integrally Sharing Health."

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SOURCE Yili Group
Modern student transportation provider shares tips, initiatives to enhance children's bus safety

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. , Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zum , the leader in modern and safe student transportation, today shared several tips and initiatives to mark National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 16-20).

School bus safety is a pressing issue for parents: In Zum's 2023 Student Transportation Report Card , an annual commissioned survey that examines parents' views of the school bus system, the vast majority of respondents felt the school bus system in America could improve (91%) and the current system is not safe, efficient, and good for the environment (80%). When asked to name their biggest concern about their child while riding the school bus, the majority of parents said safety.

"I founded Zum to improve and modernize the student transportation system," said Ritu Narayan , CEO and founder of Zum. "We believe that Zum is influencing new standards and conversations on safety in the industry, and we are proud to work alongside parents, drivers, and educators to reimagine the school bus experience for the 27 million children who rely on it each day."

Five tips for families this National School Bus Safety Week on how to make sure children are safe on the school bus:

When waiting for the bus, students should stand at least 10 feet away from the edge of the road. Crossing students should always walk in front of the bus, never behind it. Before crossing in front of the bus, students should wait for the driver's signal to cross. Motorists are required by law to stop for stopped school buses that are displaying flashing red lights and a stop arm. Never pass a stopped school bus. Bright clothing and reflective gear on jackets, shoes, hats, and backpacks increases a student's odds of being seen by drivers, especially if students are traveling at dawn or dusk. Those who meet children at the bus stop after school should wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street.

Zum will recognize National School Bus Safety Week by holding events at Zum bus yards nationwide that include a safety slogan competition, employee appreciation breakfasts, and awarding drivers with outstanding safety records.

Zum currently serves thousands of schools and school districts in the U.S. , including Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest school district; San Francisco ; Oakland ; Seattle ; Spokane ; San Bernardino ; Howard County; and Nashville . All Zum drivers receive comprehensive training and follow specific safety protocols, while Zum's technology optimizes routes and allows parents to track their children's rides.

To learn more about how Zum is working with thousands of schools across the nation to deliver safe, reliable, and modern student transportation, please visit Zum's website .

About Zum

Zum has reimagined student transportation, the nation's largest mass transit system. Our robust operations and integrated end-to-end cloud-based platform provides a modern student transportation service for school districts purpose-built around the needs of kids and the expectations of their families. Zum provides one seamless, real-time interface for parents, drivers, schools, districts, administrators and operators to transport children safely and with increased visibility and personalized care. Always investing in the wellbeing of the communities, Zum is also the only carbon neutral student transportation provider in the nation with plans to go Net Zero with EV transition. Learn more at www.ridezum.com .

CONTACT:

[email protected]

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SOURCE Zum
By Tom Polansek

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Arkansas ordered Syngenta to sell 160 acres (65 hectares) of farmland in the U.S. state within two years on Tuesday because the company is Chinese-owned, drawing a sharp rebuke from the global seeds producer.

U.S. farm groups and lawmakers are increasingly scrutinizing foreign land ownership due to concerns about national security.

"This is about where your loyalties lie," Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at a news conference.

Syngenta said it was disappointed and called the decision "a shortsighted action" that will hurt Arkansas farmers. The company owns about 1,500 acres (610 hectares) of U.S. agricultural land for research, development and regulatory trials on products used by U.S. farmers, spokesman Saswato Das said.

"Our people in Arkansas are Americans led by Americans who care deeply about serving Arkansas farmers," Das said. The company has owned the site in Craighead County for 35 years, he added.

The order is Arkansas' first enforcement action under a state law passed this year that prohibits certain foreign parties from acquiring or holding land. China is among the prohibited parties because it is subject to U.S. arms export controls known as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said.

A rival of U.S. company Corteva and German firms BASF and Bayer, Swiss agrichemicals and seeds group Syngenta was bought for $43 billion by ChemChina in 2017 and folded into Sinochem Holdings Corp in 2021. ChemChina is a "state-owned enterprise" in China, Griffin said.

Syngenta is now pursuing an initial public offering in Shanghai.

If Syngenta fails to sell its land, owned by subsidiary Northrup King Seed Co, Griffin can "force them to get out of our state" with legal action, Huckabee Sanders said. The state also fined Syngenta $280,000 for failure to report foreign ownership in a timely manner.

In a form filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture about the property last year, Syngenta said: "Ultimately, the foreign person that holds indirectly a significant interest in the person owning the land is from China," according to a copy of the document posted by Griffin's office.

But no one from China has ever directed Syngenta executives to buy, lease or otherwise engage in U.S. land acquisitions, Das said. Since Syngenta had Chinese ownership, the company has purchased an additional 200 agricultural acres (80 hectares), he said.

"All Syngenta land holdings have been examined by the U.S. government, through two administrations, as Syngenta was transitioning to ChemChina ownership," Das said.

Foreign persons held an interest in approximately 40 million acres (16.2 million hectares) of U.S. agricultural land as of Dec. 31, 2021, the USDA said. That was 3.1% of all privately held agricultural land and 1.8% of all land. China had less than 1% of foreign-held land, while Canadian investors had 31%.

(Reporting by Tom Polansek; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
By Tommy Wilkes and Simon Jessop

LONDON (Reuters) - A group of the world's biggest pension funds and insurers have cut the emissions from their investment portfolios by reducing exposure to more polluting companies in favour of their greener peers, the chair of the industry alliance said.

The U.N.-backed Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA), which counts among its members AXA Group, Legal & General and Nippon Life, is one of several financial alliances promising to curb carbon emissions linked to investments this decade, and then reach net-zero emissions by mid-century.

How they should get there is debated, with many investors arguing that divesting out of dirtier companies - rather than pressuring them to shift tack - is simply transferring the problem to someone else.

The NZAOA has expanded to include 86 members collectively managing $9.5 trillion in assets, and it said on Wednesday its members had seen their absolute financed greenhouse gas emissions fall 3.5% to 213.4 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) in 2022 from 2021, despite membership growing.

For institutions which set targets in 2019, the drop in emissions was 12% between 2019 and 2022, it said in its latest progress report.

Gunther Thallinger, NZAOA chair, told Reuters members were making progress towards their 2025 emissions reductions targets, and this was partly done through divesting.

But rather than simply dumping high-emitting sectors, many had switched to 'best in class' companies, he said, for example an oil and gas firm expanding renewable energy projects faster.

"Together with our asset managers, we are asking who are the (companies) that are doing the transformation and therefore the assets we want to own," said Thallinger, who is also a board member at Germany's Allianz.

However, further reductions will be harder to achieve, with few of even the best-in-class companies in high-emitting sectors aligned with a scenario in which global temperature rises are kept below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

(Reporting by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes and Simon Jessop)
FILE PHOTO: Vehicles for sale are pictured on the lot at AutoNation Toyota dealership in Cerritos, California December 9, 2015. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

(Reuters) - U.S.-based AutoNation said on Tuesday it will not make an offer for Pendragon, just weeks after the British automotive retailer's top shareholder Hedin Mobility and PAG International also dropped their joint bid.

Pendragon had earlier this month agreed to Lithia Motors' offer of 397 million pounds ($483.82 million) for its UK motor and leasing businesses.

($1 = 0.8205 pounds)

(Reporting by Akshita Toshniwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes a statement on Israel and Palestinians at the House of Commons in London, Britain September 16, 2023. UK Parliament/Maria Unger/Handout via REUTERS.

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Middle East must avoid further destabilisation in the wake of the Israel-Palestine crisis in calls with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, his spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Sunak spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, about the conflict in Gaza.

"The leaders agreed on the importance of avoiding further destabilisation across the Middle East," his spokesperson said in a readout of the call with the Saudi crown prince.

A readout of the Qatari call said: "The Prime Minister thanked the Emir for his constructive role in regional diplomacy... and they agreed that the conflict must not be allowed to destabilise the wider region."

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; editing by William James)
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a ceremony to welcome participants of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 17, 2023. Sputnik/Sergei Savostyanov/Pool via REUTERS

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Beijing, calling the country an "ironclad friend" and urging stronger strategic coordination between them.

Xi held talks with Vucic, who is in Beijing to attend a forum on the Belt and Road Initiative, China's plan for global infrastructure and energy networks launched a decade ago.

China and Serbia should promote cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure construction, digital economy and scientific and technological innovation, Xi said, according to state media China Central Television (CCTV).

Xi also pledged China's support for Serbia in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Vucic, who also described the friendship between Serbia and China as "ironclad", said their bilateral ties had withstood various tests, and acknowledged China's support to Serbia when facing difficulties, CCTV said.

The two leaders signed several bilateral documents, including on industrial and investment cooperation, and a free trade agreement, according to the report.

(Reporting by Bernard Orr and Ethan Wang; Editing by Alex Richardson)
SYDNEY (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping said the country supports Papua New Guinea in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and is willing to strengthen ties, state media reported on Tuesday

Xi made the comments in a meeting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, who was in Beijing to attend this week's Belt and Road Forum.

The Pacific Islands nation, which signed a defence cooperation agreement with the United States in May, said China was a significant infrastructure and roads partner.

A resource-rich but underdeveloped nation north of Australia, Papua New Guinea is seeking greater foreign investment and Asian customers for a new gas project.

During talks, Xi said China was willing to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, forestry and fishery, clean energy, climate change and other fields with Papua New Guinea, according to China Central Television (CCTV).

Marape said stronger cooperation with China was of great significance not only to Papua New Guinea, but also to the world.

Xi stressed that China has always adhered to the equality of all countries, big or small, CCTV reported.

"China's assistance to Pacific island countries does not attach political conditions, does not seek exclusive rights, does not impose on others, does not write 'empty promises', and fully respects the wishes and actual needs of Pacific island countries," Xi said.

China has become a significant infrastructure lender to Pacific Islands nations, emerging as the largest creditor to several countries in the region, prompting Australia and the United States to boost aid and diplomacy in the region.

Xi said China will continue to deepen cooperation with Pacific island countries to contribute to the long-term economic and social development of the region.

Fiji's deputy prime minister Bill Gavoka is also attending the forum in Beijing while Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka visits Australia.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham and Bernard Orr; Editing by Miral Fahmy and Christina Fincher)
At some point, long ago, we were given the vision of a placid future, where robots would perform the hardest tasks and humans would have time for personal development and pleasure in a hedonistic society. However, movies like Blade Runner (1982) also alerted us to the possibility that technology could take over and tarnish this happy, idyllic future. Today, artificial intelligence is viewed with considerable suspicion, partly because it is poised to take many of our already scarce jobs, and partly because it is giving us a glimpse of a world for which we are not yet prepared. Technological advances are once again moving too fast for our minds, laws and morals.

In 2018, the physicist, mathematician and futurologist Ian Pearson talked with EL PAIS about sextech, a term that refers to high tech applied to sex. In a report on the future of sex that he made for Bondara, an English brand of online erotic shops, Pearson predicted: We will start to see some forms of robot sex appearing in high-income, very wealthy households as soon as 2025. By 2035 the majority of people will own sex toys that interact with virtual reality sex. We will start to see robot sex overtaking human-human in 2050.

But the use of humanoids is just the tip of the iceberg of everything that technology has in store for our private lives. It is also, by far, not the most disturbing possibility. In the very near future, we will have access to an extensive menu of sexual practices in which the body will no longer be a limitation. People will be able to get a replicant, exactly like them, and (literally) have sex with themselves. Virtual reality will allow us to have long-distance relationships and feel kisses, caresses and physical contact, thanks to sensors connected to touch screens that will send messages to the brain. It will be easy to materialize any fantasy that anyone imagines, or to make a replica of someone who died. It is already possible to temporarily suspend consciousness in order to perceive the sensations of other bodies. For example, if you want to experience a sex change or be a different age. Or we can switch bodies and have intimate relationships where each one feels what the other feels, Pearson pointed out.

For scientist and researcher Brian Roemmele, artificial intelligence is the electricity of the future. From the perspective of sex, some people already identify as digisexuals, which means that their primary sexual identity is linked to the use of technology and they do not need other humans to form intimate relationships.

Tracey Follows is one of the top 50 female futurists in the world. She is the author of the book The Future of You, host of a podcast with the same name and visiting professor, expert in digital futures and identity, at Staffordshire University, in the United Kingdom. We talked with her about how artificial intelligence will affect sex and relationships.

'The future of you', essay by Tracey Follows. Elliott & Thompson

Question. The field of sexuality seems like a good place to put artificial intelligence into practice because it is designed for pleasure, not for work, and because it is like a magic wand that can make all our fantasies come true. A friendly space to promote this controversial tool; You see, AI has come to make us happier, not to take our jobs!

Answer. I think it all depends on how we use it. AI will be able to do many things and, in collaboration with humans, it will be used to perform many of the tasks we take for granted today. One thing about generative AI is that it turns everything you imagine into an image. It can take a mental image and turn it into a concrete image using the text-to-image or text-to-video process. And because so much of sexuality has to do with our desires (some secret, some public), people will be able to communicate those desires better in new and, apparently, more obvious ways.

Q. If there is something we must learn in the age of AI, it is that an image is no longer proof that something is real. The porn industry is the best example. A person can create or recreate people, from Scarlett Johansson to their neighbor, to have sex with them in virtual reality. This is the example of websites like MrDeepFakes. The sad case of the Spanish girls [whose fake nude pictures circulated all through their school], confirms that laws and security measures are slower than technology.

A. I think that there will soon be regulations to regulate or reduce some of this. There will be an attempt to carry the moral and legal codes that exist in the real world to the digital world. For example, dont hug or kiss an avatar you dont know without their consent. But I think they will probably fail, because the personal dynamics of a digital world or a virtual environment are different than those of the real world. Laws that adjust to this new universe will have to be made.

Q. When we talk about AI applied to sex, people automatically think of sex robots. Do you believe, like your colleague Ian Pearson, that sexual relations between people and robots will overtake those between humans by 2050?

A. It could be. Look at how popular phone sex became in the last few decades, and then cybersex. Whatever technology humanity invents, it will always find a way to use it to satisfy its desires. Consider OnlyFans and other sites; people are already starting to fabricate their personas, to the point that they might as well present themselves as avatars. In Japan, a large number of young men already prefer to have relationships with their digital assistants, avatars or holographic girlfriends, instead of dealing with the complexity of real-life relationships. And this trend is increasing. I will build on Dr. Pearsons prediction by saying that I think this will come to be seen as acceptable within the narrative of diversity. That is, a virtual girlfriend will simply be another option, and that will be the way in which relationships between humans and AI will be accepted; under the banner of inclusion.

Q. Many will see this as a blessing, but dont you think that the relationships between avatars created by AI and humans can be equally complex, especially when the former start to become increasingly sophisticated, imitating or developing human-like emotions?

A. I wrote a book about this called The Future of You, in which I suggest that these AI companions and applications will come to define you and your life to such an extent, they will adapt to that knowledge so faithfully, that they will become your mirror. That is, an AI girlfriend will be so perfectly programmed to please her owner that, in the end, the two will become one. At that moment it stops being interesting and, furthermore, it stops being a relationship and becomes more like masturbation. This is one of the risks.

On the other hand, I think we should distinguish between the technology that is used to satisfy our sexual desires and that which is intended to improve human connection. It is now possible to send or feel a hug from a distance; and it would not be at all strange for the wedding rings of the future to incorporate this type of technology. But that is different from that other branch of technology that seeks to satisfy fantasies, to arouse desire, escape and, in a certain sense, disconnection. I imagine deepfake porn will continue to grow and will be very difficult to regulate, so if you want to have sex with your favorite Kardashian, you can. All it takes is some photos or videos and an artificial intelligence platform to have sex with your next-door neighbor. The psychological effects of this, both on the user and the one being used, can be truly dark.

I imagine deepfake porn will continue to grow and will be very difficult to regulate, so if you want to have sex with your favorite Kardashian, you can, says futurologist Tracey Follows. Fran Monks

Q. All these advances can make our sex lives easier and, for lonely people, even possible; but pressing a button and having an orgasm in 10 seconds could be counterproductive. Dont you think that the fact that we no longer have to make an effort to seduce someone, or to develop certain lovemaking techniques, will make us less intelligent and empathetic and more insensible and selfish?

A. I wonder if we are assuming that one thing will replace the other. It is quite possible that most of this sexual technology complements what we already do in the real world and, in a sense, heightens the need to put more effort into reality. Have food delivery services canceled our need to go out to restaurants? No. They have simply increased our passion for food in general. I think what we will see is that our interest in sex, in all its aspects, will grow. It is very likely that television shows will appear aimed at matching people with AI sexual partners. Spaces that show how to use sexual technology in virtual reality or online will also become popular, and will be broadcast as educational.

Q. If the sexual revolution of the 1970s separated sex from reproduction (thanks to the contraceptive pill) and from love (casual sex), high tech promises to give us the best possible sex, physiologically speaking. Robots and various mechanisms will have direct access to the erogenous zones of the brain, something impossible even for the most experienced lover. Does this mean that AI will be able to help with many sexual dysfunctions such as anorgasmia, erection problems or lack of desire?

A. If AI can analyze human behavior and find patterns in it, it may also be able to diagnose and even reprogram people toward certain behaviors and desires, or away from others. Some sextech products and services focus on addressing issues such as erectile dysfunction, low libido or recovery from sexual trauma through guided programs and support. There are also apps and devices that promote relaxation and can improve a persons sex life by creating an environment more conducive to intimacy. Virtual reality and augmented reality can provide new and exciting ways for individuals and couples to explore their fantasies and engage in role-playing scenarios, adding variety and excitement to their sex lives.

Q. I imagine that AI applied to sexuality will lead us to reformulate many concepts, such as infidelity, open couples, intimacy and jealousy.

A. Certainly. AI will make us embrace completely new and emerging psychosexual concepts that we have not yet heard of or come to terms with. We have a vast terrain to explore, and the big question is: who is controlling this AI? Because it will not be the user. It will be a large technology company that the user has signed up to. That means that the consumer will be, in a way, a hostage of that company and what it allows them to do or not, and that they will subject to the moral obligations of that company. In the same way that Twitter or Facebook censor certain users for their opinions, we will have technology companies that will do the same thing with their customers, depending on their behaviors. What can happen then? Imagine that they socially program usage towards homosexuality instead of heterosexuality, or towards trios instead of couples. Then you could end up with a set of desires that you never thought were part of you, but that have been programmed into you through mental manipulation. Another of the great dangers will be that enormous set of very intimate data that companies will have. What could they do with it? What would happen if it falls into the hands of hackers?

Q. Dont you think that mental or personality disorders can also increase, in a field  the sexual field  where feelings and affections are very present? Im talking about losing track of reality or having trouble recognizing what is real and what is not.

A. I wonder if part of the regulation could be messages, after an encounter, that guide you or ask you to enter your emotional state, so that the AI can analyze them and look for patterns.

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An Embraer logo is pictured during the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

By Jason Hovet and Gabriel Araujo

PRAGUE/SAO PAULO (Reuters) -The Czech Republic said on Tuesday it had started talks with Embraer on the possible acquisition of two C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, lifting shares of the Brazilian planemaker.

The move comes after neighbouring Austria tapped the C-390 Millennium to refresh its fleet in a possible joint order with the Netherlands, underscoring demand for the new aircraft aimed at replacing Lockheed Martin's Hercules C-130s.

Embraer shares rose more than 1.5% on the news, among the top advances on Brazil's benchmark stock index, which was near flat.

"The ramp-up of C-390 deliveries are an important aspect of our overweight-rating on Embraer," analysts at JPMorgan said. "Moreover, the increased backlog bodes well for our expected margin improvement in the segment during the coming years."

Embraer and the Czech government did not provide details on pricing, but JPMorgan estimated the potential order to be worth around $240 million.

The Czech Defence Ministry said it wanted to negotiate the shortest possible delivery time for the aircraft, which it noted could be used for evacuations from crisis areas.

The Czech Republic, which is ramping up defence spending to meet its NATO commitments, currently lacks aircraft in the niche for medium and long haul flights.

Embraer had been long courting the country for an order as the company's defence unit aims to expand its footprint abroad.

"The C-390 Millennium is drawing the attention of several nations around the world," Bosco da Costa Junior, chief executive of Embraer Defense & Security, said in a statement.

He had told Reuters last month that the company was in the "final stages" of talks with multiple countries to place orders for the aircraft.

The Czech Republic is lining up to be the fourth NATO country in Europe with the C-390 in its fleet, following Portugal, Hungary and the Netherlands. Sweden and Austria are among non-NATO nations also discussing possible acquisitions.

Brazil's armed forces already operate the plane, which has drawn interest as far away as India and South Korea.

(Reporting by Jason Hovet and Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Alison Williams, Susan Fenton, and Deborah Kyvrikosaios)
By Alexandra Alper

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Biden administration's latest round of export curbs on China is part of a two-pronged strategy aiming to halt Beijing's technological advances over fears it could use the innovations to bolster its military, while at the same time spending billions to lure more chip manufacturing back to the U.S.

On Tuesday, the U.S. announced new measures that seek to tighten restrictions and close loopholes in a slew of new rules announced last October. Those rules aimed to stem the flow of high-end American artificial intelligence chips and chipmaking tools into China.

As the United States has slashed the amount of top technology headed to China, it has also been using the promise of billions of dollars of funding to entice non-Chinese chipmakers to set up shop, or expand operations, in the United States.

"Chips are at the center of the administration's economic security and national security agenda when it comes to managing the competition with China," said Emily Kilcrease, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and former deputy assistant U.S. Trade Representative.

The United States has been locked in a technology war with China since former President Trump blacklisted Chinese telecoms giant Huawei in 2019. The move heightened tensions between the two countries and forced U.S. suppliers to get a special license before selling to the company.

While President Joe Biden has taken aim at fewer big-name Chinese companies since taking office in 2021, his administration has stepped up its efforts to keep China from advancing in three key fields: semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

The best examples of these efforts are the export controls unveiled last October, and an executive order released in August, which forces investors to notify the government of most transactions in those sectors while banning a smaller subset.

The Biden administration is pivoting from a prior strategy of 'the U.S. should stay a couple generations ahead of China in chip design and manufacturing' to 'we should stay as far ahead as we can on chip design and manufacturing,' said Peter Harrell, a former Biden administration official who said the change was due to a recognition of the wide range of applications for semiconductor chips with national security implications.

China has reacted to the measures by accusing the U.S. of using national security to justify economic bullying of its companies. It has also hit back with raids of U.S. businesses operating there and banned Chinese companies from working with U.S. chipmaker Micron.

BILLIONS FOR CHIPS

The United States, meanwhile, has been helping non-Chinese chipmakers negotiate with states like Arizona, Texas and New York to set up shop or grow existing operations.

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the U.S. has decreased from 37% in 1990 to 12% in 2022.

With avid White House support, Congress passed the landmark "Chips and Science" law in 2022, which provides $52.7 billion for U.S. semiconductor production, research and workforce development.

Chipmakers both foreign and domestic have lined up to ask for a share of the $39 billion earmarked for semiconductor production, from Taiwan's TSMC to South Korea's Samsung and U.S.-based Intel.

Companies have already announced plans to build or expand U.S.-based fabs, and awards are expected to be announced in short order. Intel, for example, announced a $20 billion investment to build a new mega chip factory in Ohio in January, and hopes to use some of the Chips and Science Act money to pay for it.

Beyond the tech realm, the U.S. and China remain at odds over issues from Taiwan and tension in the South China Sea to trade, fentanyl and human rights.

(Reporting by Alexandra Alper; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
A Palestinian with dual citizenship waits outside the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in the hope of getting permission to leave Gaza, amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem A

(Reuters) -The Rafah crossing is the main entrance and exit point to the Gaza Strip from Egypt. It is controlled by Egypt and has become the focal point of efforts to deliver aid to Palestinians since Israel imposed a "total siege" on the enclave following a deadly incursion by Hamas militants on Oct. 7.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON AID TO THE GAZA STRIP?

After Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, Egypt said the Rafah crossing was open but was inoperable due to Israeli bombardment on the Gaza side.

After wrangling over conditions for delivering aid stranded on the Egyptian side, the first humanitarian convoy crossed into Gaza on Oct. 21. U.N. agencies say the aid is not nearly enough to meet the needs of the 2.3 million population in Gaza, where clean water, food, medicines and fuel are running low.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said it had received 74 aid trucks into the Rafah crossing so far, including 12 on Thursday. U.N. officials say about 100 trucks are needed each day to meet essential needs.

The trucks have been carrying water, food and medicines but not fuel, which Israel says could be used in the conflict by Hamas.

WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO GET LARGE-SCALE AID THROUGH RAFAH?

Aid officials say Rafah's principal role in the past had been as a civilian crossing and that it was not equipped for a large-scale aid operation.

Trucks carrying aid have been driving through the Egyptian border gate at Rafah before heading more than 40km (25 miles) to the Egyptian-Israeli crossing of Al-Awja/Nitzana, south of Egypt's short border with Gaza, for inspection, as agreed in negotiations with Israel. Trucks return to Egypt empty, with the aid reloaded onto separate trucks for delivery into Gaza.

During past conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, aid had mainly been delivered through crossing points with Israel, and the U.N. aid operation for the Palestinian territories has been run through Israel since the 1950s.

WHY IS THE RAFAH CROSSING SO IMPORTANT IN THIS CONFLICT?

In response to the cross-border infiltration by Hamas fighters on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,400 Israelis, Israel imposed a total blockade of Gaza, leaving Rafah as the only route in for humanitarian aid and the only exit point for Gaza residents seeking to flee.

More than 7,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, since Oct. 7.

WHY IS ACCESS ACROSS RAFAH RESTRICTED BY EGYPT?

Egypt is wary of insecurity near the border with Gaza in northeastern Sinai, where it faced an Islamist insurgency that peaked after 2013 and has now largely been suppressed.

Since Hamas took control in Gaza in 2007, Egypt has helped enforce a blockade of the enclave and heavily restricted the flow of people and goods.

In 2008, tens of thousands of Palestinians crossed into Sinai after Hamas blasted holes in border fortifications, prompting Egypt to build a stone and cement wall.

Egypt has acted as a mediator between Israel and Palestinian factions during past conflicts. But in those situations it has also locked down the border, allowing aid to enter and medical evacuees to leave but preventing any large-scale movement of people.

WHY ARE ARAB STATES SO RELUCTANT TO TAKE IN PALESTINIANS?

Arab countries have deep-rooted fears that Israel's latest war with Hamas in Gaza could spark a new wave of permanent displacements.

Egypt, the only Arab state to share a border with Gaza, and Jordan, which flanks the Israeli-occupied West Bank, have both warned against Palestinians being forced off their land.

For Palestinians, the idea of leaving or being driven out of territory where they want to forge a state carries echoes of the "Nakba", or "catastrophe", when many fled or were forced from their homes during the 1948 war that accompanied Israel's creation.

Israel contests the assertion it drove Palestinians out, saying it was attacked by five Arab states after its creation.

(Writing by Aidan Lewis and Edmund Blair; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
By Stephen Nellis

(Reuters) - The Biden administration on Tuesday issued a sweeping update to restrictions on exporting advanced artificial intelligence to China and other countries.

The measures are designed to prevent China from acquiring the cutting-edge chips needed to develop AI technologies such as large language models, which power applications such as ChatGPT but that U.S. officials say also have military uses that present a national security threat.

Here is a closer look at how the Biden administration is tightening the rules.

CAPTURING MORE CHIPS

The original rules last year restricted chips if they met a two-pronged test for how much computing power the chips contained and how fast they could talk to other chips. Those measures were considered important because AI systems require chaining together thousands of chips at time to chew through huge troves of data.

Nvidia , the top AI chip supplier, responded by creating chips that stayed just under the communication limits for the Chinese market but that still proved useful for AI work.

On Tuesday, U.S. officials said they would focus on computing power alone, which has the effect of controlling a broader range of chips - including Nvidia's recent creations for China.

The new rules also require chip companies to notify U.S. authorities when they are selling chips that fall just below the restriction limits so that officials can track whether those chips are being used in large quantities for AI work.

CLOSING 'CHIPLET' LOOPHOLES

Another issue that U.S. regulators sought to address is a new technology known as "chiplets" in which smaller sections of a chip are joined together to form a full chip. Analysts had expressed concern that Chinese firms could use such technology to acquire chiplets that stayed within the legal limits but that could later be assembled in secret into a larger chip that would break the rules.

The new rules imposed a "performance density" limitation that aims at preventing such workarounds.

BLACKLISTING CHINA'S NVIDIA CHALLENGERS

Chip industry watchers believe that if U.S. AI chips are banned in China, Chinese firms will seek to fill the void in the market.

On Tuesday, U.S. officials added two leading Chinese chip startups, Biren and Moore Threads, to a U.S. trade blacklist. Both Biren and Moore Threads were co-founded by former Nvidia employees in China and were believed to be China's leading candidates to produce domestic alternatives to Nvidia's chips.

Their addition to what is known as an entity list could hobble the startups because it cuts them off from having their chips manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co or other leading chipmakers that use U.S. equipment.

RED FLAGS FOR CHIP FACTORIES

The U.S. said that any chip that contains 50 billion or more transistors, the tiny switches at the heart of all computing chips, and uses what is called high bandwidth memory, presents a "red flag" an exporter should consider when deciding if they need a license to ship goods to China. That threshold would encompass nearly all advanced AI chips and is aimed at helping chip factories spot efforts to work around the rules.

EXPANDED REACH

U.S. officials expanded the license requirements for exporting advanced chips from China and Macau to all 22 countries on which the U.S. maintains an arms control embargo. The officials also extended the controls to any company whose ultimate parent company is headquartered in one those countries in an effort to prevent offshore subsidiaries from buying up banned chips.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - The Abu Marasa family are returning to Gaza City, having fled on Friday after Israel ordered all civilians to go south or face bombardment, saying they would rather die at home after an air strike hit the house next to where they were sheltering.

Bombing in the south of the tiny, crowded Gaza Strip killed scores of people overnight, local authorities said, and the Abu Marasa family is one of several Reuters spoke to that have concluded they may as well go back to their homes in the north.

More than a dozen members of the family were crowded into a car on the edge of Khan Younis, the main city of southern Gaza, their belongings strapped to the roof for the perilous journey back north through the bombardment.

"Why should we be martyrs in Khan Younis? We would better die as martyrs in our houses. Let the whole building fall on our heads," said Saleem Abu Marasa, preparing to drive back.

Israel began its most intensive ever bombardment of the Gaza Strip, a 45km-long (25 mile) enclave home to 2.3 million people, after the militant Palestinian group Hamas rampaged through Israeli towns killing 1,300 people on Oct. 7.

The Israeli military said last week all civilians should leave the northern half of the enclave, including the main Gaza City, as it prepares a ground assault to wipe out Hamas. Israeli bombing has killed 2,800 Palestinians in 11 days.

Even without the bombardment, a humanitarian disaster is unfolding across the enclave as Israel blocks off all power, water, medicine, food and fuel.

The evacuation order has stirred fears in Gaza, where many inhabitants are refugees, that they will never be able to return home. The United Nations human rights office warned on Tuesday that the demand could breach international law.

The United Nations said heavy bombardment was taking place across the enclave, with strikes hitting Khan Younis and other parts of the south where Israel had told people to go.

"Those who managed to comply with the Israeli authorities' order to evacuate are now trapped in the south of the Gaza Strip, with scant shelter, fast-depleting food supplies, little or no access to clean water, sanitation, medicine and other basic needs," said U.N. rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.

A crowd on Tuesday was working through the rubble of a building destroyed by an air strike, looking for survivors and bodies of those killed.

Rescue workers carried an injured man, smeared with dust and blood, past a bomb crater and fallen debris, before a paramedic ran from the ruins holding a baby wrapped in a blanket, feeling in vain for a pulse.

'DEATH IS EVERYWHERE'

Hattab Wahdan had fled Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza and travelled to Khan Younis with his family. An overnight Israeli air strike hit a house near the one where he is staying, killing several people who had, like him, fled from the north.

"They told us the south was safe. They forced us, displaced us from our homes and we came to Khan Younis because we have children," said Wahdan, who said Israeli strikes had destroyed his home during conflicts in 2006 and 2014.

"We found things are the same. Death is everywhere. So going back is better for us," he said, describing the situation in Khan Younis as "hell".

Israeli strikes are still pounding northern Gaza. As the sun rose on Tuesday, blasts struck behind a row of housing blocks in Gaza City, sending up balls of flame followed by massive pillars of smoke, a Reuters video link showed.

Residents there spoke of unprecedented devastation, with whole districts smashed. But many residents had decided to stay put, some of them afraid they would be forced all the way to Egypt and made refugees twice over.

"It is true that we have no electricity, no water, and no internet, but we have what's more important, our determination to resist until death," said Shadi, a father of six who works as a civil servant in Gaza's Hamas-controlled administration.

"We are not going to give them what they want, they want another displacement and they will fail. We may die but we will be buried here, not in Sinai," he told Reuters by phone from Jabalia refugee camp.

Reuters reporters by the road out of Khan Younis said they saw several dozen vehicles packed with people and belongings heading north.

In the family car, Raghda Abu Marasa was sitting in the back, jammed in with other adults, two tiny children on her lap.

"Now we are returning home even though our life will be in danger and it will be difficult for us and our children," she said. But that was better than death away from home, she said.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Muhammad Salem; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
By Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) -A Black man who had been exonerated after serving 16 years for an armed robbery conviction was fatally shot by a Georgia sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop as he was driving to visit his mother in Florida.

The officer pulled over Leonard Allan Cure, 53, on Monday morning along Interstate 95 in Camden County near the Florida border. An altercation ensued, and the deputy killed Cure, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

The deadly encounter took place about 20 years to the day after Cure was arrested on charges of armed robbery and assault at a Walgreens store in Dania Beach, Florida.

A year later, a jury found Cure guilty, and he was sentenced to life in prison, but a judge vacated the convictions in 2020 after a review panel exonerated him.

In Monday's incident, the GBI said the deputy had told Cure that he was under arrest but Cure failed to comply with the officer's requests and assaulted him. Before shooting, the deputy used a Taser and a baton in an effort to subdue Cure, the agency said. Paramedics treated Cure but he later died.

Cure was stopped because he was driving at least 90 miles per hour in an area where the speed limit was 70, the New York Times reported, citing a sheriff's department spokesperson.

The sheriff's department was not immediately available for comment.

The deputy was not identified by the GBI, which has opened an independent investigation.

It was unclear whether body camera footage of the incident existed or if it would be released.

Several high-profile killings of Black men during traffic stops in recent years have called attention to the potential for violence when police pull over drivers.

Black motorists in the United States are 20% more likely to be stopped by police, a study by researchers at New York University and the Stanford Open Policing Project found in 2020. The study also found that they were searched about 1.5 to 2 times as often as white drivers, but were less likely to be carrying drugs, guns or other illegal contraband.

EXONERATION IN FLORIDA CASE

In December 2019, Cure asked a newly created Broward State Attorneys Office Conviction Review Unit to re-investigate his case, based on evidence and questions about how he was identified as a suspect.

In 2020, an independent review panel ruled that the case against Cure gave "rise to a reasonable doubt as to his culpability and that he is most likely innocent," according to court records.

A judge vacated Cure's convictions and all charges were dropped against him three days later, making him the first to be exonerated by Broward's review unit.

The Innocence Project of Florida represented Cure during his appeal. It said in a statement on Monday that Cure was traveling to see his mother in south Florida when the incident occurred.

"We are devastated by the news that our client, Leonard Cure, was tragically shot to death this morning," it said, noting that he had a job, was in the process of buying a home and aspired to attend college for music production.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses a press conference, after a dialogue with Jordan's King Abdullah II (not pictured), at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about how to get humanitarian aid to civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and would raise the topic with Egypt's president as well.

"Germany and Israel are united in being democratic states, acting in justice and law even in extreme situations... I have spoken with the prime minister about ways to allow the people in Gaza to receive humanitarian aid as quickly as possible," Scholz said, speaking alongside Netanyahu in Israel.

"We want to protect civilians and prevent civilian deaths," he added.

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; Editing by Alex Richardson)
By Ahmed Kingimi

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - At least 50 people, including women and children, were abducted and three others were killed in an attack by gunmen in Bagega, a mining village in Nigeria's northwest Zamfara state, residents said on Tuesday.

Kidnapping for ransom has become commonplace in northwestern Nigeria in recent years where armed gangs, often referred to locally as bandits, have targeted villages, schools, and travelers, demanding millions of naira in ransom and making it unsafe to travel by road or to farm in some areas.

The Zamfara police spokesperson did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on the attack, which took place on Monday.

Residents told Reuters the gunmen had stormed the village on motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses ablaze. Seven people were also injured in the attack.

The district head was among at least 50 people kidnapped, Mallam Abubakar, the village chief, said by phone on Tuesday.

Bello Yahaya, whose father was abducted, said three people were killed and two policemen were shot and wounded while trying to fend off the attackers.

"The injured officers, along with the other individuals who suffered various degrees of gunshot wounds, are currently receiving medical treatment while two critically injured victims have been referred to the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau," Yahaya said. Gusau is the state capital.

"As I speak with you now, an unspecified number of people have been abducted. There is panic and widespread fear among our people," Ismail Badamasi, a resident who managed to escape the assault, told Reuters by phone.

Nigeria faces numerous security challenges, including a 14-year Islamist insurgency in its northeast, separatist violence in the southeast, and frequent deadly clashes between farmers and herders in the central region.

President Bola Tinubu has yet to detail how he will tackle the insecurity. His economic reforms, including the removal of a costly petrol subsidy and freeing the naira currency, have led to a sharp increase in the cost of living, angering citizens.

(Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi; Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Children sit in the back of an ambulance after an Israeli air strike hit At Al-Ahli Hospital, according to Gaza Health Ministry in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Al-Masri

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) -Gaza's health ministry spokesman said an Israeli air strike on Tuesday killed hundreds of people at a hospital in the Palestinian enclave, but Israel said a Palestinian barrage had caused the blast.

The death toll was by far the highest of any single incident in Gaza during the current violence, triggering protests in the occupied West Bank, Istanbul and Amman.

The Palestinian Authority's health minister, Mai Alkaila, accused Israel of "a massacre" at Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital. The strike killed hundreds of people and occurred during Israel's intense 11-day bombing campaign in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "barbaric terrorists" in Gaza had attacked the hospital, not Israel's military.

The health ministry spokesman, Ashraf Al-Qudra, said early on Wednesday that hundreds were killed and that rescue workers were still removing bodies from the rubble. In the first hours after the blast, a Gaza civil defence chief said 300 people were killed, while health ministry sources put the figure at 500.

Israeli Military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters rockets fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group passed by the hospital at the time of the strike, which he said hit the facility's parking lot.

Another spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, told CNN the military intercepted a conversation in which militants acknowledged a misfire. He said the military would release a recording of the conversation.

Islamic Jihad denied that any of its rockets were involved in the hospital blast, saying it did not have any activity in or around Gaza City at that time. Iran-backed Islamic Jihad took part in the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7 and, like Hamas, has fired numerous salvoes of rockets into Israel.

News of the hospital strike and high death toll prompted condemnation from many countries on the eve of U.S. President Joseph Biden's visit to Israel. Russia and the United Arab Emirates demanded a U.N. Security Council meeting and clashes erupted in the West Bank.

Earlier on Tuesday the United Nations said an Israeli strike had hit one of its schools where at least 4,000 people were sheltering. The agency said six people were killed and dozens injured by the strike. Israel's military said it was looking into that report.

While briefing reporters, Hagari cast doubt on the Palestinian death count in the hospital strike and claimed there was no direct hit on the facility. He said military drone footage showed "a kind of hit in the parking lot."

He said the military did have an Israeli air force operation in the area around the time of the hospital blast, "but it was with a different kind of ammunition that does not ... fit the footage that we have (of) the hospital."

On the death count, Hagari said: "I don't know how many people (were) hit here, even. Nobody can verify it yet."

STRIKE DRAWS CONDEMNATION

Biden said he was "outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion" at the hospital and loss of life. In a statement, he said he spoke with the leaders of Jordan and Israel and "directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened."

Health authorities in Gaza said prior to Tuesday's incident at least 3,000 people had been killed in Israel's 11 days of bombing since Hamas militants rampaged into Israeli towns on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,300 soldiers and civilians.

Displaced people fleeing the Israeli bombardment have flocked to hospitals, seeking refuge around them in hopes they will be safer.

Last week Israel ordered all people living in the northern half of the Gaza Strip, which is only 45 km (25 miles) long and home to 2.3 million people, to leave their homes and go south.

However, the air strikes have pounded targets throughout the enclave and despite expectations of an Israeli ground offensive, some displaced people have started returning north.

The World Health Organisation said the attack on the hospital was "unprecedented in its scale". It said earlier on Tuesday there had been 115 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza and the majority of its hospitals were not functioning.

Israel has cut off all power, water, food, fuel and medicine supplies into Gaza since the Hamas attack, intensifying an existing blockade of the enclave.

Countries including Canada, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan and Qatar condemned the strike on the hospital.

In the West Bank, where the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority operates, Palestinian protesters clashed with Palestinian security forces, who fired tear gas to disperse them. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled a meeting with Biden.

(Reporting By Moaz Abd-Alaziz, Nidal al Mughrabi and Ali Sawafta; Additional reporting by Emily Rose; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
ROME (Reuters) - Eviatar Moshe Kipnis, an Italian-Israeli who had been missing since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Islamist group Hamas has been confirmed dead, the Italian foreign minister said on Tuesday.

"I am close to his family, especially his two sons whom I met during my trip to Tel Aviv," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on social media X.

An Italian foreign ministry statement said Kipnis went missing following the attack on Kibbutz Be'eri, an agricultural kibbutz 3 miles (5 km) from Gaza, which was one of the first hit by Hamas.

It said the DNA test that confirmed the 65-year-old's death was carried out by Israeli authorities.

"The Italian embassy in Tel Aviv is in contact with the family to assure them of any possible assistance at this difficult time," the ministry said.

The statement added that two Italian-Israeli citizens were still unaccounted for, and that the Italian government was fully committed to tracking them down.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Alvise Armellini)
Sexist violence is one of the great scourges of society. But would we be willing to have a security camera recording 24 hours a day in every room in every home to eradicate it? Brussels proposes a similar dilemma to combat the digital dissemination of child pornography. The European Union is going to decide in the coming weeks whether to approve a regulation that forces technology companies to review users private communications to detect child sexual abuse material. If it goes ahead, it will involve the automatic scanning of every message, photo, video, post or email exchanged on European soil whenever there is suspicion that it contains illegal material.

Some, like Apple, have their reservations about this initiative as they consider defending user privacy a priority. This position has earned the company a negative campaign in the United States, where, as in the United Kingdom, similar regulations are being discussed. The company prefers not to comment on either the campaign or the regulation.

Hundreds of academics and engineers and non-profit organizations such as Reporters Without Borders, as well as the Council of Europe, believe that the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation (CSAR) would mean sacrificing confidentiality on the internet, and that this price is unaffordable for democracies. The European Data Protection Supervisor, who is preparing a statement on this for late October, has said that it could become the basis for the de facto widespread and indiscriminate scanning of all EU communications. The proposed regulation, often referred to by critics as Chat Control, holds companies that provide communication services responsible for ensuring that unlawful material does not circulate online. If, after undergoing a risk assessment, it is determined that they are a channel for pedophiles, these services will have to implement automatic screening.

The mastermind behind the billboards and newspaper exhortations calling on Apple to detect pedophile material on iCloud is, reportedly, a non-profit organization called Heat Initiative, which is part of a crusade against the encryption of communications known in the U.S. as Crypto Wars. This movement has gone from fighting against terrorism to combating the spread of online child pornography to request the end of encrypted messages, the last great pocket of privacy left on the internet. It is significant that the U.S., the European Union and the United Kingdom are simultaneously processing regulations that, in practice, will curtail encrypted communications. It seems like a coordinated effort, says Diego Naranjo, head of public policies at the digital rights non-profit EDRi.

There are some technology companies that do welcome Chat Control. Notable among them is the American business Thorn, created by actor and businessman Ashton Kutcher and his then-wife, Demi Moore. A recent journalistic investigation has revealed that the EU Commission exchanged sensitive information on the progress of the regulation negotiations with the company, which presents itself as a non-profit but carries out significant lobbying work and has commercial interests in the matter. Thorns flagship product is a software that is based on Microsofts PhotoDNA and supported by AWS, Amazons cloud division. The program is designed to detect child abuse by cross-referencing hash values (a type of alphanumerical license plate) of images and videos uploaded to the internet against a database of millions of known images of child sexual abuse material.

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson with actor and businessman Ashton Kutcher in Brussels on March 20.

A delicate balance

It is incredible that we still do not have regulation in the EU on online child abuse. I feel like a pioneer with this proposal, said Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson in a recent interview with this newspaper. Of course children must be protected, the question is how, responds Carmela Troncoso, a researcher at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne and leader of the team of scientists that developed the privacy protocol for the Covid-19 tracking applications. There are two questions to ask about this proposal: first, whether it is really going to protect children, and second, whether it can be done safely. And the answer to both is no.

The main problem that this technology poses to citizens is that pedophile content will be detected using automatic artificial intelligence (AI) tools, says Bart Preneel, a professor of cryptography and privacy at the Catholic University of Leuven and author of a technical report for the European Parliament in which he exposes the shortcomings of the system. Thorn says their system gives 10% false positives. Since Europeans exchange billions of messages daily, that means that tens of millions of people will be charged every day. Even if they are innocent, their information will be processed and stored by security forces, and if it is leaked, their reputation will be impacted.

Every time we write a message on platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal, that communication is encrypted. Only the recipient has the key to open it. This is what is known as end-to-end encryption, a mechanism that guarantees that no one other than the sender and receiver can access the content. The proposed EU regulations maintains that it is not necessary to end encryption: it would be enough to review the messages on the device itself before sending the content and when it reaches its destination.

The argument that this technology does not break encryption is based on tremendous technical ignorance, says Troncoso. If you look at it before, even if you dont touch the algorithm or the key, of course you are breaking the encryption. It is like saying that if someone reads a letter before putting it in the envelope and the envelope arrives sealed at its destination, confidentiality is not broken.

Companies are forced to break their own encryption to scan messages before they are sent to their recipient. The problem is that there is no way to implement those methods and preserve privacy at the same time. And if you break the encryption, you invite hackers in. There are no backdoors that only the good guys can use, argues Andy Yen, founder and CEO of Proton, the developer of the Proton Mail encrypted email service. Chat Control is about combating the serious problem of illegal content by creating of another serious problem: ending the right to privacy, adds Yen. However, a legal report commissioned by EU institutions concludes that the regulation under discussion could lead to permanent de facto surveillance of interpersonal communications, which is illegal in the EU.

The scanning techniques proposed by the EU are also easy to evade. As Professor Preneel explains, it would be enough to change a few bits in the images that are stored in the database against which communications would be compared, and the algorithm would be unable to establish a match.

Open negotiations

Brussels has been working for two years on a regulation that allows scanning private communications to combat the dissemination of child abuse material, which in 2022 alone generated 1.5 million reports from internet companies collecting five million videos and photos and grooming activities. In May last year, the Commission proposed a draft regulation on which the European Parliament and the Council have been working since then.

Spain currently has the EU rotating presidency and the idea is to approve the regulation before the end of its term on December 31, although it is likely that the deadline will not be met. At the moment, the draft is pending debate in the European Parliaments Civil Liberties Committee, which will vote on the text on October 26. Negotiations between the groups are going well. What we are debating now are the detection orders, explained the European Peoples Party MEP Javier Zarzalejos, rapporteur of the proposed regulation. This means when and how internet service providers that have failed to stop the spread of child pornography through other means will be forced to scan communications. It is the instrument of last resort and greatest intensity in terms of the detection capacity of this type of material. The idea that we are going to be subjected to massive and systematic scanning of our communications is absurd and is not going to happen. It is neither technically possible nor makes any sense.

The document is also being reviewed in the Council, the EU body that brings together representatives of the governments of its 27 members, which is expected to debate it on October 19. There is no consensus here either. A dozen countries (Germany, Austria, Estonia, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic and Sweden) oppose the text presented by the Spanish poresidency. Among the main defenders of the proposal are Hungary, Finland and Spain.

As published by Wired in May, citing official sources from the government of Spain, Madrids position is that it would be desirable to legislatively prevent service providers from implementing end-to-end encryption. Spains Interior Minister has denied that allegation in a conversation with this newspaper.

When the European Parliament and the Council establish their position, it will be time for the so-called trilogues, a negotiation between these two institutions and the Commission that will finish shaping the final document.

Digital solutions for a physical problem?

Another criticism that the regulation faces is that it is trying to solve with technical means something that is not limited to the digital field. Child abuse is not a technological problem, there is no such thing as online abuse. These crimes are committed in the physical world, they cannot be fixed with technology, says Troncoso.

The regulation promoted by the Home Affairs Commissioner does not contemplate measures such as the reinforcement of mechanisms so that minors can report attacks or social assistance to monitor their family environment and friends.

It is extremely serious that in the proposed regulation there is not a single line of prevention or strategies to socially address sexual abuse. The law uses abuse against children to attack the structure and architecture of the internet, says Simona Levy, from the Xnet collective, which has been very belligerent with Chat Control.

So what happens if the regulation enters into force as it is currently worded? It would be very bad news. The dichotomy between security and privacy is false. In general, the more privacy, the more security, and not the opposite. Anyone who has lived in a dangerous country has an intuitive knowledge of how privacy is used to protect individuals, reflects the philosopher Carissa Veliz. When we give up privacy we are losing security and eroding democracy. In a police state in which there was total surveillance it would be impossible to commit a crime, but at what cost?
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi reacts during a press conference held by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after their visit to the hotspot, a reception centre for migrants, and later

By Angelo Amante

ROME (Reuters) - It is essential for the European Union to help Tunisia stop migrant boat departures, Italy's interior minister said on Tuesday, calling on the bloc to enact a deal signed with Tunis in July.

Sea migrant arrivals to Italy have almost doubled in 2023 compared to the same period last year, with around 140,000 people coming ashore so far. Some 91% came from Tunisia, with the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa bearing the brunt of landings.

"The aim is, first and foremost, to stop departures by taking action through a strong international and European initiative," Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told the lower house of Italy's parliament.

In July the European Union and Tunisia signed off on a strategic partnership that included combating human traffickers and tightening borders, in return for consistent financial aid to the north African state's battered economy.

However, this month Tunisian President Kais Saied rejected an EU tranche of aid worth 127 million euros ($134 million), saying it conflicted with the partnership, in a move seen as possibly undermining the deal.

"I believe that it is in the interest of all parties to swiftly implement the contents of the deal between the EU and Tunisia," Piantedosi told parliament.

In an effort to deter sea immigration, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government has passed a series of measures, including steps to speed up repatriations of failed asylum seekers and stiffer jail terms for human smugglers.

The government also approved a crackdown on sea rescue charity boats, which Piantedosi accused of acting as a catalyst for departures by signaling to migrants that someone will pick them up at sea.

Charity organisations have always rejected these "pull factor" allegations, pointing out that sea arrivals to Italy have soared this year despite their operations having been curtailed.

Piantedosi also welcomed this month's European Union deal on how to handle irregular immigration, and said Italy supported a new EU naval mission in the Mediterranean, as long as it does not leads to the "disembarkation of immigrants always and only in Italy." ($1 = 0.9481 euros)

(Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Alvise Armellini and Keith Weir)
FILE PHOTO: Trading information for KKR & Co is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., August 23, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Elvira Pollina

MILAN (Reuters) - U.S. fund KKR has strived to structure its offer for the fixed line of Telecom Italia (TIM) in a way that would help the phone group more easily sustain its business after parting ways with its most valuable asset, two sources close to the matter said.

As part of a plan backed by Italy's government, KKR this week tabled a multi-billion binding offer for the former telecoms monopoly's domestic access network.

KKR is already an investor in TIM's grid. The Treasury also plans to buy 20% of the network for up to 2.2 billion euros.

The offer values the grid operations, which include fibre and copper cables stretching from switching centres to customers' homes, above 20 billion euros, with roughly half the figure as debt, the two sources told Reuters.

KKR has also offered to sustain a number of extraordinary costs under a 20-year supply contract regulating the relation between the network company, dubbed NetCo, and TIM's remaining service operations, the sources said.

Once it disposes of its ageing network, TIM will still need to use it to provide connectivity services to its clients. The grid entails significant maintenance and upgrade costs.

The sources said the non-monetary terms KKR offered could add 1 billion euro to the value of its proposal.

TIM advisers have only started examining the several hundred pages containing KKR's complex offer.

NetCo would take on some 21,500 workers, more than half of TIM's domestic staff, a higher number than envisaged by an earlier, non-binding bid, the sources said.

The offer also includes a possible future payment potentially worth more than 2 billion euros linked to the merger of TIM's fixed access network assets with those of state-backed fibre operator Open Fiber, according to the sources.

KKR has also submitted a separate non-binding proposal for Sparkle, TIM's submarine cable business which was initially part of the overall venture for which KKR was bidding.

The latest, separate offer for Sparkle values it at 600-700 million euros including debt, and would hand full control of it to the Treasury, which has already signalled its interest.

(Reporting by Elvira Pollina; editing by Valentina Za)
By M. Sriram

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian financial services firm Avendus will start offering investment banking services from Singapore to cash in on an expected technology sector dealmaking boom in the Southeast Asia region.

Majority owned by U.S. private equity giant KKR, Avendus is best known in India for advising large startups such as SoftBank-backed food delivery firm Swiggy and eyewear retailer Lenskart on their fund raising.

Karan Sharma, a managing director for Avendus in India said the operations from Singapore will focus on advising technology sector funding rounds of $40-50 million in Southeast Asia.

Sharma said Avendus India Managing Director Varun Gupta will lead the Southeast Asia operations and relocate to Singapore early next year.

"The kind of massive growth we saw in India the last 8-9 years is what we expect in Southeast Asia now, which has also grown big. The demographics and infrastructure challenges are similar," said Sharma, who co-heads Avendus' Digital & Technology Investment Banking division in India.

Over the last decade, India has been a sought-after market for technology investors such as Tiger Global and SoftBank, as many companies raised billions of dollars and made their market debuts in line with the increasing adoption of smartphones, digital payments and online shopping.

But India's startups have also faced criticism for unrealistic and high valuations, and many have battled a funding crunch and fired employees during the recent technology market rout.

Southeast Asia is also on the radar of investors seeking emerging market exposure as the region is witnessing strong economic growth, an increasing population and consolidation in some sectors. Companies such as ride-hailers Grab and GoTo have already clocked multibillion dollar valuations.

Dealmaking in Southeast Asia should help lift Asian mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the second half of the year, bankers told Reuters in June. The region was the source of the largest Asia Pacific M&A transaction this year, Refinitiv data showed.

Expanding to Southeast Asia will also help Avendus leverage its relationships with investors such as Accel and Lightspeed which have expanded beyond India, an industry source familiar with its plans said.

Avendus employs about 150 bankers in India, and Venture Intelligence data shows it was the top advisor in India for private equity deals in 2022, advising on 37 deals worth $7 billion. It competes with larger rivals such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.

(Reporting by M. Sriram, additional reporting by Yantoultra Ngui in Singapore, editing by Aditya Kalra and Sharon Singleton)
An injured person is assisted at Shifa Hospital after an Israeli air strike hit the nearby Al-Ahli Hospital, according to Gaza Health Ministry in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Al-Masri

(Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah denounced what the group said was Israel's deadly attack on a Gaza hospital and called for "a day of unprecedented anger" on Wednesday, as protests erupted outside the U.S. embassy in Beirut just hours after the incident.

Iran-backed Hezbollah, which fought a war with Israel in 2006, made the call for the day pf protest in Beirut in a statement late on Tuesday, after Palestinian officials said hundreds of people were killed in the strike on the hospital.

Israel's military denied responsibility for the bombing, saying military intelligence suggested the hospital was hit by a failed rocket launch by the enclave's Palestinian Islamic Jihad military group.

Islamic Jihad denied that any of its rockets were involved in the hospital blast.

Hundreds of Lebanese protesters, some waving Palestinian flags, gathered late into Tuesday night outside the U.S. embassy in response to the incident. Others gathered outside the French embassy in Beirut.

Tear gas was fired at protesters near the U.S. embassy in Lebanon.

In denouncing what the group said was a strike by Israel, Hezbollah said in its statement: "The attack reveals the true criminal face of this entity and its sponsor ... the United States, which bears direct and complete responsibility for this massacre."

(Reporting by Moaz Abd-Alaziz in Cairo and Beirut bureau; Editing by Edmund Blair and Sandra Maler)
Leader of Liberia's ruling party Coalition for Democratic Change(CDC), President and former soccer player George Weah, prepares to cast his vote during the presidential elections in Monrovia, Liberia October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Carielle Doe/File Photo

MONROVIA (Reuters) - Liberia's presidential election was still on track for a run-off on Tuesday after nearly complete provisional results showed President George Weah and opposition leader Joseph Boakai neck-and-neck, below the threshold needed to avoid a second round.

Following the Oct. 10 general election, Weah holds a slim lead with 43.79% of the vote, while Boakai has 43.49%, according to tallied results from 98.4% of polling places, the West African nation's election commission said.

To avoid a run-off, the winner must secure more than 50% of votes cast.

(Reporting by Carielle Doe and Alphonso Toweh, Writing by Alessandra Prentice)
FILE PHOTO: Visitors are seen at the world's largest book fair in Frankfurt, Germany, October 21, 2021. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo

By Rozanna Latiff and Riham Alkousaa

KUALA LUMPUR/BERLIN (Reuters) - Hundreds of international writers have condemned a literary association and the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's largest forum for books and literature, after a Palestinian writer's award was postponed and a public discussion with her cancelled.

The Malaysian government said on Tuesday it would boycott the fair entirely, because of the postponement and after the fair said it would highlight Israeli voices following the Hamas attack on Israel.

Adania Shibli, a Palestinian novelist who divides her time between Berlin and Jerusalem, had been due to receive a prize for "literature from the developing world" for her novel Minor Detail at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

The novel, an account of the 1949 war in which clashes between Arabs and Jews saw hundreds of thousands of Palestinians driven from their homes, one of the formative moments of the long-lasting Arab-Israeli conflict, has drawn comparisons with the works of Albert Camus.

Litprom, which is funded by the German government and the Frankfurt Book Fair and manages the prize, said last Friday it would postpone Shibli's award due to the war against Israel. On Tuesday, it said it had decided to hold the award ceremony at a different time in a "less politically charged atmosphere".

The fair itself said separately it wanted to foreground Israeli and Jewish voices in the aftermath of Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel in which over 1,300 were killed.

"Frankfurt Book Fair stands with complete solidarity on the side of Israel," the book fair posted on Instagram on Saturday, citing the fair's director, Juergen Boos, who is also the president of Litprom.

Boos also said "the war against Israel, the resulting suffering and the travel restrictions have had an impact on our programme... Terror, however, can never be allowed to win, which is why we want to make Jewish and Israeli voices especially visible at the book fair."

Asked about the postponement of the award, Boos said the Fair could not comment but added, "Freedom of words is the backbone of our publishing industry. This is part of the DNA of the Frankfurt Book Fair, and that is what we stand for."

A public discussion with Shibli and her book translator scheduled at the Fair was also cancelled, a spokesperson for the Fair said.

In an open letter, the postponement was condemned by over 600 writers, including Nobel prizewinners such as Abdulrazak Gurnah, Annie Ernaux, and Olga Tokarczuk, and Booker Prize winners Anne Enright, Richard Flanagan and Ian McEwan.

"The Frankfurt Book Fair has a responsibility, as a major international book fair, to be creating spaces for Palestinian writers to share their thoughts, feelings, reflections on literature through these terrible, cruel times, not shutting them down," the open letter said.

Acclaimed Syrian playwright Mohammed Al Attar and Syrian writer Rasha Abbas said they would boycott the fair.

The education ministry of Muslim-majority Malaysia accused the organisers of taking a pro-Israel stance, amid growing global divisions over the conflict in the Middle East.

"The ministry will not compromise with Israel's violence in Palestine, which clearly violates international laws and human rights," Malaysia's education ministry said in a statement late on Monday.

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff, Riham Alkousaa, Thomas Escritt; Editing by Sonali Paul, Friederike Heine, Alexandra Hudson)
FILE PHOTO: Cheila Gonzalez, 4-year-old, from Guatemala, who is traveling with her family, looks on as she and other migrants who in their attempt to reach the United States travel by train to Ciudad Juarez, are stranded near Villa Ahumada, in the state o

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - More migrants crossed into Mexico last month, led by a sharp increase from Venezuela but also significant numbers from Guatemala and Honduras, Mexico's top diplomat told lawmakers on Tuesday.

In testimony to Mexican senators, Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said that in the month of September alone, 60,000 Venezuelan migrants, 35,000 Guatemalan migrants and 27,000 Honduran migrants arrived in Mexico.

The September data comes ahead of Sunday's migration summit in the southern Mexican town of Palenque hosted by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador where regional leaders will discuss rising U.S.-bound migration in Latin America.

Among the leaders who have confirmed their attendance are Colombia's Gustavo Petro and Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro.

After U.S. authorities authorized in May more legal pathways to enter the United States, the numbers of migrants crossing Mexican territory fell abruptly. But the numbers have again shot up in recent weeks.

Barcena also noted that some 1.13 million migrants have so far this year reached Mexico's southern border with Guatemala, and that 1.75 million had reached the U.S.-Mexico border.

She added that about 63,000 migrant children had arrived in Mexico since August, about 7% of them unaccompanied while nearly three-quarters were 11 years old or younger.

(Reporting by Raul Cortes; Editing by Isabel Woodford and Sandra Maler)
BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanese carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) will keep five of its 24 airplanes in Turkey as a precaution in case of conflict but its operations have not been affected by the decision and all flights continue as normal, an airlines spokesperson said.

Israel, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, as well as Palestinian militants in Lebanon, have been engaged in 10 days of clashes across the border, the deadliest since the 2006 war and which Beirut fears could further expand.

The MEA spokesperson said the planes had been moved to Turkey's Istanbul airport over the weekend and would remain there until further notice, while the remaining 19 planes in the fleet were operating normally.

Middle East Airlines alerted its staff to be on standby in case they needed to implement an emergency plan to remove further planes from the airport, the spokesperson said.

"It's a plan in case of emergency. God willing, we won't need it."

Israeli and Lebanese residents on have begun to move out of their homes amid fears escalating clashes at the border could become a second front in a wider Middle Eastern war if Israel's expected invasion of Gaza following a deadly attack by Hamas militants prompts a strong response from its regional foes.

The Lebanese national carrier had removed all of its planes from Beirut airport at the outset of the month-long 2006 war, which killed 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 157 Israelis, mostly soldiers. The airport was later bombed, and ceased to function.

(Reporting by Timour Azhari; Editing by Alison Williams and Bernadette Baum)
(Reuters) - A passenger on a rubber boat adrift in the Mediterranean Sea called a rescue hotline on June 23 to plead for help. The boat  carrying 14 migrants from the Middle East and Africa  was out of fuel in choppy waters. And a male passenger had just drowned.

The craft was about 70 nautical miles off the coast of Malta, within the small island countrys search and rescue zone, according to position data recorded by Alarm Phone, the hotline operator. Within these zones, countries are obligated under international law to coordinate search and rescue operations.

Still, Maltese authorities declined that distress call and at least 32 other communications about the situation, according to interviews with humanitarian groups involved in the rescue and a Reuters review of the groups notes, e-mails and recordings documenting the incident.

At one point, a person who answered the phone at Maltas Rescue Coordination Centre rebuffed a call from a humanitarian worker regarding the boat. Youre keeping my line busy, the responder said, and hung up, according to a recording of the call provided to Reuters by Sea-Watch, a German non-profit search-and-rescue group, one of several that notified authorities about the distressed vessel.

A Maltese military boat did eventually reach the distressed vessel but refused the passengers direct pleas for rescue, survivors told interviewers from the medical aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). An MSF boat, the Geo Barents, later rescued the passengers, a Reuters review of MSF photos and video of the operation shows, and took them to Italy.

The incident is a recent example of Maltas practice of declining to rescue vessels carrying migrants bound for Europe, according to humanitarian groups and non-governmental organisations operating in the region. The case was particularly troubling, international law experts say, because of the Maltese armed forces alleged refusal to aid the passengers.

Details of the incident, described to Reuters by humanitarian groups MSF, Sea-Watch and Alarm Phone, havent previously been reported.

By not responding promptly to distress calls and coordinating a rescue, Malta fell short of its duties under international law, said Ainhoa Campas Velasco, a lecturer in maritime law at the University of Southampton. The type of boat, the sea conditions, they are overcrowded  this is a clear situation of distress.

Maltese authorities, including a spokesperson in the prime ministers office, declined to answer questions about the incident. A spokesperson for Maltas armed forces, which coordinates search and rescue efforts, said all reports of irregular migrants in Maltas search and rescue zone are followed up immediately.

Search and Rescue operations are coordinated in accordance with the applicable international conventions, regulations and through the competent authority, spokesperson Sabrina Borg wrote in an email to Reuters. As with all cases, the competent authorities exercise the duty of care.

An Italian politician in April accused Malta of failing to rescue boats in distress within the countrys search and rescue zone. Maltese authorities consistently pretend not to see and never intervene, leading to more pressure on the Italian coast guard, Tommaso Foti, a member of the ruling Brothers of Italy party, told an Italian radio programme. Foti did not respond to a request for comment.

Humanitarian groups involved in Mediterranean rescues echoed that criticism. From our experience, its highly unlikely that Malta will rescue, said Oliver Kulikowski, spokesperson for Sea-Watch, which helped in the ultimate rescue of the boat in June. Malta is trying everything to avoid having responsibility and having people arriving in Malta.

A home affairs ministry spokesperson said Malta wants a fair and safe immigration and asylum system, in which people genuinely in need of international protection are swiftly recognized and those who lack a legal right to remain in Malta are returned to their countries of origin. Malta will continue working to reduce illegal crossings that result in thousands of deaths at sea, said the spokesperson, Neil Azzopardi Ferriggi.

It is not acceptable that thousands of people continue risking their lives, trying to reach the EU, while smugglers continue profiting from the hopes and misery of migrants, he said.

SCREAMING FOR HELP

Thirty-nine hours after the first distress call, MSF rescued the three teenagers, two women and eight men who remained on the boat. The aid group collected testimonies from three survivors and shared them with Reuters. The news agency wasnt able to independently interview the survivors or confirm the full details of their accounts. Their whereabouts are unknown.

The rubber boat left Sirte, Libya, around 3 a.m. on June 21, two survivors told MSF. On board were 14 people from Syria and South Sudan, including two women and three teenagers between 14 and 17 years old.

At 4:28 p.m. on June 22, after a day and a half at sea, someone aboard made a distress call to Alarm Phone, a network that relays distress calls from the Mediterranean to emergency services. Alarm Phone alerted Maltese and Italian authorities by email of the boats location, noting that it was out of fuel, according to a copy of the email provided to Reuters.

The people on the boat are urgently asking for help, the email said.

In the following hours, Alarm Phone updated Maltese and Italian authorities by email about the boat's situation and called the Malta Search and Rescue Coordination Centre at least four times, according to Alarm Phone notes. None of the contacts elicited a response.

By the next morning, June 23, survivors told MSF, they had run out of food and water. They tied empty fuel containers to the sides of the boat to use as floatation devices in case they capsized.

Around 12:30 p.m., one of the empty fuel containers fell into the water and a 23-year-old Syrian man jumped in to retrieve it. The jug was only a metre away from the boat, but the waves were strong, and he was not wearing a life jacket, a 27-year-old man who witnessed the incident told MSF. Passengers told MSF they tried, to no avail, to move the boat closer to the Syrian man as he struggled to stay above water.

At 12:46 p.m., Alarm Phone called the Malta Search and Rescue Coordination Centre to report that one person was in the water. The boat was 74 nautical miles southeast of Malta, position data show, and within the countrys search and rescue zone.

The person answering the phone at the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre hung up immediately, according to Alarm Phones notes from the call.

The Syrian man eventually disappeared beneath the waves, survivors told MSF.

An hour later, a plane operated by Sea-Watch spotted the drifting boat. Only a few people wore life jackets, according to a copy of an email Sea-Watch sent to Maltese authorities. The closest vessel was a Maltese patrol boat, 15 nautical miles away, travelling toward Malta, according to position data and videos recorded by Sea-Watch staff and analysed by Reuters.

Sea-Watch radioed the Maltese boat, patrol vessel P51 of the Armed Forces of Malta, three times and got no response, Sea-Watch staff said. The Armed Forces of Malta runs the country's Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, which is responsible for coordinating and directing rescues within Malta's zone.

Sea-Watch also issued a May Day call, summoning any nearby ship to help the drifting vessel. No Maltese authority or patrol boat responded, Sea-Watch staff said.

Its like calling 911, and the emergency hotline is not responding, said Kulikowski, the Sea-Watch spokesperson.

An oil tanker, the Laconia flagged to Gabon, did respond to the May Day call and altered course to pull up alongside the boat for more than two hours, according to ship tracking data. It left around 9:20 p.m. after a speed boat whose crew identified themselves as Maltese armed forces told the captain to hand over monitoring of the craft to them, according to a recording of a conversation between the tanker captain and Sea-Watch staff. The tankers captain and owners did not respond to a request for comment. Maltas armed forces declined to comment on the tankers involvement.

A SHARP FALL IN ARRIVALS

Official counts of Mediterranean distress calls and sea rescues are not available. But Maltas intake of migrants arriving by sea has declined sharply in recent years as arrivals soared elsewhere in Europe.

More than 152,000 people arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean Sea in 2022, up 49% since 2019, according to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Italy recorded an 814% increase in sea arrivals over those years, from 11,500 to 105,131. Maltas arrivals plunged 87%, from 3,406 to 444.

A 2020 report by Amnesty International accused Malta of delaying or denying rescues. Some of these incidents, according to the report, involved vessels that had already reached the Maltese search and rescue zone before being pushed back to Libya. The report cited migrant testimony, NGOs, government sources and press reports.

Malta has denied engaging in pushbacks, which the European Court of Human Rights has declared illegal under international law.

The tiny nation, with just over 500,000 people, cannot handle a huge influx of migrants as easily as wealthier nations such as Italy, which has more than 100 times its population, Maltas leaders say. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri took a hard line on undocumented migrants at an Oct. 7 meeting with other European Union officials. Camilleri said that 70% of migrants who landed in Malta had been returned and that it was important to send a clear message they have no right to stay.

Critics say this stance drives Maltas search and rescue response. What theyre interested in is closing the border and people not arriving rather than meeting their search and rescue obligations, said Jean-Pierre Gauci, a Maltese scholar in migration law at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law.

A RESCUER STEPS IN

A Maltese patrol boat arrived at the drifting vessel after sunset on June 23, more than 10 hours after the young man had drowned, survivors told MSF. Three men in white hazmat suits gave the passengers energy biscuits, a flashlight and three gallons of fuel and urged them to continue to Italy. The boat was more than 78 nautical miles from Italy at the time, position data show.

The passengers told the men they were scared and didnt want to remain on the boat, survivors told MSF.

Within a few hours, the rubber boat again ran out of fuel. The Maltese patrol boat came back and gave the passengers three more containers of fuel, survivors told MSF.

An MSF ship arrived in the region late at night on June 23, and its crew notified Maltese authorities that they could rescue the passengers. After waiting a few hours and getting no response, MSF picked up the 13 survivors and took them to La Spezia, Italy. MSF staff doesn't know what happened to the passengers after that because the organisation does not track migrants after they leave the rescue ship.

MSF gave Reuters a copy of a drawing one of the survivors created en route. It depicts a man overboard with his arms raised high in the air. In the bottom corner, the artist wrote in Arabic: "May God rest his soul."

(Reporting by Reade Levinson in London. Editing by Janet Roberts.)
Richard Alexander Murdaugh is seen in a mugshot taken after his arrest, at Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center in Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. in this handout obtained March 4, 2023. South Carolina Department of Corrections/Handout via REUTERS/File

By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) - The South Carolina court of appeals on Tuesday ruled that Richard "Alex" Murdaugh, a lawyer found guilty of murdering his wife and son, can ask a lower court judge to toss out his conviction due to allegations of jury tampering.

Lawyers for Murdaugh, who has maintained his innocence, said in a statement that they would now seek "a full blown evidentiary hearing" in a lower court on their allegations that the Colleton County Clerk of Court, Rebecca Hill, improperly communicated with jurors as they weighed Murdaugh's case.

The lawyers allege in court filings that Hill told jurors not to be "fooled by" Murdaugh's defense, among other comments.

Hill did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the South Carolina Attorney General's office, which prosecuted the case, said that the office would "respond through the legal process at the appropriate time."

A hearing on Murdaugh's allegations of jury tampering and request for a new trial has not been scheduled.

Even if he were eventually cleared of his murder conviction, Murdaugh would likely remain in prison - he pleaded guilty last month to federal financial crimes charges and is awaiting sentencing, expected to be several years in jail.

Murdaugh, 55, a member of a powerful South Carolina family, was found guilty on March 2 on two counts of shooting his wife Maggie, 52, and youngest son, Paul, 22, on their family estate on June 7, 2021. He was sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.

During his trial, prosecutors said Murdaugh fatally shot his wife and son to distract from an array of financial misdeeds, including the theft of millions of dollars from his law partners and clients, money used to feed a years-long addiction to opioids and support an expensive lifestyle.

Murdaugh's lawyers tried to paint their client as a loving family man who, while facing financial difficulties and a drug addiction, would never harm his wife and child.

For decades until 2006, Murdaugh family members served as the leading prosecutor in the area. Murdaugh was a prominent personal injury attorney in the state.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks; Additional reporting by Joseph Ax and Rich McKay; editing by Donna Bryson and Jonathan Oatis)
Demonstrators take part in the protest in support of Palestinians, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., October 16, 2023.

From its first months in office, the Biden administration made a distinctive decision on its Middle East policy: It would deprioritize a half-century of high-profile efforts by past U.S. presidents, particularly Democratic ones, to broker a broad and lasting peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

Since Richard Nixon, successive U.S. administrations have tried their hands at Camp David summits, shuttle diplomacy and other big-picture tries at coaxing Israeli and Palestinian leaders into talks to settle the disputes that underlie 75 years of Middle East tensions. More than other recent presidents, Joe Biden notably has not.

Instead, administration officials early on sketched out what they called Bidens policy of quiet diplomacy. They advocated for more modest improvements in Palestinian freedoms and living conditions under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hardline government, which has encouraged settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and which includes coalition partners that oppose the U.S.-backed two-state solution. The less-ambitious approach fit with Bidens determination to pivot his foreign-policy focus from Middle East hotspots to China.

But the long-term risks of sidelining the Israeli-Palestinian conflict exploded back into view with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israels heavy bombardment of Gaza in response. The United States angry Arab partners are pointing to Americas failure to actively engage as Israeli-Palestinian violence roars back to center stage.

Hamas militants bloody breakout from Gaza and Israels military escalating response have killed thousands of civilians in Israel and Gaza, prompted Biden to deploy carrier strike groups to the region, and threatens to spill conflict and flows of Palestinian refugees across borders.

In Cairo this weekend, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was one of a succession of Arab leaders to warn Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is scrambling through Middle East capitals to try to contain the conflict, that the Israel-Gaza war threatens the stability of the entire Middle East. Biden is likely to hear the same as he meets with leaders of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority in Jordan on Wednesday, after he travels to Israel.

Sissi, who fears the Israeli military offensive will push Gazas 2.3 million people across the border into Egypt, cast blame on the near-disappearance of any international pressure on Netanyahus government and Palestinians to return to negotiations.

Sissi cited a buildup of outrage and hatred for more than 40 years and the lack of any horizon to solve the Palestinian cause; one that gives hope to the Palestinians for a state with a capital in East Jerusalem. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, pointed to Saudis repeated warnings of the danger of the explosion.

Arab leaders are very aware this is going to keep blowing up. And they might ride it out this time, they might ride it out next time, as they have in the past, said Yezid Sayigh, a senior fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Lebanon.

But its not actually a comfortable position for them to be endlessly living in, with endless cycles of Israeli and Palestinian wars that threaten the regions peace and economies, said Sayigh, who accused the U.S. of encouraging Netanyahu to think there was no need to address Palestinian concerns.

Underscoring his administrations diminished emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Bidens call to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this past weekend amid the building Gaza war was the American leaders first since taking office.

In 1973, Arab nations surprise attack on Israel, and Arabs devastating oil embargo on the U.S. and other countries for their support of Israel in that fight, convinced U.S. leaders that a lasting resolution to Palestinian demands for statehood was in Americas strategic interest.

But after some early successes, recurring violence, the disappointments of past failed mediation efforts, and the scale of the disputes helped derail the U.S. push. By the time Biden, a strong supporter of the state of Israel, took office, any support for major negotiations among Israelis was faint.

To be sure, theres little to suggest ambitious engagement by Biden on Israeli-Palestinian issues would have made immediate progress, or done anything to discourage the attack by Hamas, whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel.

Even after a 2021 burst of fighting between Hamas and Israel, administration figures argued that a big push on peace efforts would undermine more easily won goals, like cease-fires with Hamas.

Instead, Biden has enthusiastically followed the new path that predecessor Donald Trump had laid out on Middle East peacemaking: lobbying for so-called normalization deals with Arab countries, absent any Israeli-Palestinian accord.

Under Trump, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco all signed normalization deals establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. Up until Oct. 7, Biden appeared to be fast closing in on brokering a normalization deal with the biggest prize of all, regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia.

Then, Hamass breakout from Gaza shattered what National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had hailed as a period of Middle East calm. The violence has been the deadliest of five wars between Hamas and Israel, killing more than 1,400 people in Israel and nearly 2,800 in Gaza.

Its not clear what happens to Bidens normalization push now. Despite their angry comments and varying degrees of popular support among their public for the Palestinian cause, Americas Arab partners are pragmatists, and like the U.S. and Israel, adversaries of Hamas and other Iran-backed groups.

Additionally, the Biden administrations immediate and all-in rallying to Israels mounting defense after Hamass Oct. 7 massacres may only heighten Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans desire to lock in that kind of security alliance with the U.S. for the kingdom, many analysts are arguing.

I think Gulf partners are looking at the quick, decisive response that the U.S. has provided Israel, and are incredibly jealous, said Jonathan Lord, director of the Middle East security program at the Center for a New American Security think tank.

Brokering those alliances would stabilize the Middle East in themselves, no Israeli-Palestinian peace accord needed, supporters have argued. The nightmare unfolding now for Israeli and Palestinian civilians argues differently, when it comes to Bidens approach, critics say.

As long as the core issues stay unresolved, ignoring them does not make them go away, said Yousef Munayyer, who heads the Palestine-Israel program at the Arab Center, a Washington think tank. And I think thats a lesson for everybody.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of former top U.S. officials and U.S. resettlement organizations on Tuesday urged Pakistan to exempt from deportation to Afghanistan thousands of Afghan applicants for special U.S. visas or refugee relocation to the United States.

Pakistan has set a Nov 1. deadline for all illegal immigrants, including hundreds of thousands of Afghans, to leave the country or face forcible expulsion.

Some 20,000 or more Afghans who fled the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan are in Pakistan awaiting the processing of their applications for U.S. Special Immigration Visas (SIVs) or resettlement in the United States as refugees.

"To deport them back to an environment where their lives would be in jeopardy runs counter to humanitarian principles and international accords" signed by Pakistan, said an open letter sent to the Pakistani embassy signed by 80 former senior U.S. officials, other individuals and U.S. resettlement groups.

They included Colin Kahl, the No. 3 Pentagon official until July, three former U.S. ambassadors to Kabul and two retired U.S. generals.

The letter was organized by #AfghanEvac, the main coalition of U.S. groups working to resettle in the United States Afghans who fear retaliation for working for the U.S. government or U.S.-linked organizations during the 20-year American war with the Taliban.

Those in Pakistan awaiting the processing of their applications for SIVs or refugee resettlement include former translators, journalists, women activists and "other professionals who face significant risks" if they return home, the letter said.

The signatories urged Pakistan to immediately halt deportations of those Afghans and "at a minimum" exempt them from detention or deportation.

Pakistan says the deportation process would be orderly and conducted in phases and could begin with people with criminal records.

Some 1.73 million Afghans in Pakistan have no legal documents, according to Islamabad, which alleged that Afghan nationals carried out 14 out of 24 suicide bombings this year.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Palestinians take part in a protest after an Israeli air strike hit Al-Ahli Hospital, according to Gaza Health Ministry, in Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian security forces in Ramallah fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, as popular anger boiled over after a deadly Gaza hospital attack that Palestinians blamed on Israel.

The strike on Gaza's Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital, which officials said killed about 500 people, was the deadliest single incident in Gaza since Israel launched a campaign in retaliation for a deadly Hamas gun rampage through Israeli communities.

Israel's military denied responsibility for the strike, blaming it on a failed Palestinian militant rocket launch. The strike drew condemnation from the West and the Arab world, and protests were staged at Israel's embassies in Turkey and Jordan and near the U.S. embassy in Lebanon.

In the West Bank, where Abbas was returning on Tuesday after canceling a planned meeting in Jordan with U.S. President Joe Biden, hundreds of demonstrators marched in Ramallah's central Manara Square, with some chanting in support of Hamas militant leaders.

Clashes with Palestinian security forces also broke in the West Bank cities of Nablus, Tubas and Jenin, a northern city that was the focus of major Israeli military operations earlier this year, according to witnesses.

The outbreak of West Bank protests highlights long-simmering Palestinian anger against Abbas, whose forces have long faced criticism for coordinating with Israel on security in the territory.

(Reporting by Ali Sawafta; writing by Rami Ayyub; Editing by Sandra Maler)
FILE PHOTO: Actor Alec Baldwin departs his home, as he will be charged with involuntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie "Rust", in New York, U.S., January 31, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgad

By Kanishka Singh and Andrew Hay

(Reuters) -New Mexico prosecutors on Tuesday said they intended to recharge actor Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

Baldwin's case will be brought before a grand jury in mid-November, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said.

The move followed results of an independent forensic test that found Baldwin had to have pulled the trigger of a revolver he was rehearsing with for it to fire the live round that killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.

The finding was the same as a previous FBI test on the firearm.

After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza, Morrissey and Jason Lewis said in a statement.

Baldwin has said he is not responsible for Hutchins' death and he did not pull the trigger.

"It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will answer any charges in court," Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, lawyers for Baldwin, said in a statement.

The "30 Rock" actor was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter in January for Hutchins' death, along with the movie's chief weapons handler Hannah Gutierrez, who faces a 2024 trial.

The planned grand jury marked a setback for Baldwin after prosecutors dismissed charges against the actor in April after new evidence the gun he used might have been modified, allowing it to fire without the trigger being pulled.

Morrissey said if new testing of the gun showed it was working, she would recharge Baldwin.

Prosecutors often use grand juries as they are an easier means to prove probable cause and proceed to trial than filing a criminal complaint that can be probed by defense lawyers at a preliminary hearing, legal experts say.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexio; Editing by Donna Bryson, Lisa Shumaker and Jonathan Oatis)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday rejected comments by U.S. President Joe Biden, saying in an interview in Beijing that Moscow's interests could not be suppressed, and that U.S. politicians should learn to respect others.

Putin was responding to comments by U.S. President Joe Biden in an interview with CBS News, where he said: "Imagine what happens if we, in fact, unite all of Europe and Putin is finally put down where he cannot cause the kind of trouble he's been causing".

In a brief interview aired on state television during a summit in the Chinese capital, Putin said: "This is not about me personally. This is about the interests of the country. And it is impossible to suppress the interests of Russia. They have to be taken into account."

Putin said that both Biden, with whom he has had an antagonistic relationship since the U.S. president took office in 2021, and the wider American political elite needed to learn to "respect" Russia.

He said: "This applies not only to President Biden, but also to the U.S. political elites as a whole. You must learn to respect others, and then there will be no need to suppress anyone."

(Reporting by Felix Light; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: The Zoom Video Communications logo is pictured at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York, New York, U.S., April 18, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Russian court on Tuesday fined Zoom Video Communications 115 million roubles ($1.18 million) for operating without opening a local office, the RIA news agency reported.

Zoom did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Moscow has clashed with foreign technology companies over content, censorship, data and local representation in a simmering dispute that intensified after Russia sent its armed forces into Ukraine in February 2022.

RIA cited judge Timur Vakhrameyev as saying the fine had been set at a 10th of Zoom's 2022 revenues in Russia.

Zoom was fined 15 million roubles last week in what a court said was a repeated failure to store data that it held on Russian citizens on a server in Russia.

Other companies, such as Alphabet's Google and Apple, have been fined heavily in Russia in the last few years.

Soon after Russia started what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine, Meta was found guilty of "extremist activity" in Russia, which it denied, and its Facebook and Instagram platforms were banned.

($1 = 97.3675 roubles)

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian police are checking whether or not President Vladimir Putin's former chief strategist has broken the law by authoring an article which suggested that Russia and the West might become aligned one day, after the war in Ukraine.

Vladislav Surkov, once dubbed Kremlin's "puppet master" by friends and foes alike, helped Putin forge his tightly controlled political system. He left the Kremlin in 2020.

In an article published on Sept. 27 entitled the "Birth of the North", Surkov suggested that no major powers would get what they wanted out of the Ukraine war and that Russia, the United States and Europe would draw closer together in the future.

"There will be a Great North - Russia, the USA and Europe forming a common socio-cultural space," Surkov said, adding that the term "Global South" indicated there had to be a north too.

Two Russian state news agencies, TASS and RIA, reported that Russian police were looking into the article after a complaint. The Baza Telegram channel was first to report the complaint. Surkov could not immediately be reached for comment.

His article contradicts the current Kremlin line that the West is a declining and arrogant force for evil which is intent on cleaving Russia apart to grab its vast natural resources.

But many in the broader Russian elite are troubled by the Kremlin's pivot to China, which Putin is visiting this week, and say Russia is culturally and historically rooted in Europe, despite the current confrontation with the West over Ukraine.

Surkov said in his article that the world's major civilisations would face turmoil in the coming years and that, while a Russian alignment with the West might seem far fetched, so had a united Russia in the 13th century.

He said the chance to forge an alignment was missed when the West laughed off Putin's suggestion in the 2000s that Russia might join the NATO military alliance.

Sergei Markov, a political scientist who is close to the Kremlin, cast the police investigation as foolish.

"Surkov should not be trolled," Markov said. "Surkov is a very talented and experienced person."

"Pushing such talented bright people like Surkov into opposition is a political mistake. Give Surkov a job."

Surkov worked as first deputy chief of the Kremlin administration from 1999 to 2011, then worked in the government and later in the Kremlin as a presidential adviser.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 17, 2023. Sputnik/Grigory Sysoyev/Pool via REUTERS

BEIJING (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin and his closest ally among European Union leaders, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral ties amid international tensions over the war in Ukraine.

Hungary - which has opposed many EU initiatives to support Ukraine in resisting Moscow's forces and gets most of its crude oil and gas from Russia - has never wanted to oppose Russia and is trying to salvage bilateral contacts, Orban told Putin in comments via an interpreter broadcast on Russian television before a forum in Beijing.

The men met in the government guest house where Putin was staying before the start of an international forum on China's Belt and Road Initiative.

"Despite the fact that in today's geopolitical conditions the opportunities for maintaining contacts and developing relations are very limited, nevertheless, it can only cause satisfaction that our relations with many European countries are maintained and developed. One of these countries is Hungary, Putin told Orban.

Hungary cultivates closer ties with Russia than other EU states, and is seen as the key potential opponent to a decision due in December on whether to open EU accession talks with Kyiv, which would require the unanimous backing of the bloc's 27 members.

In an attempt to win Budapest's approval for further aid to Ukraine, including a start to membership talks, Brussels is considering unlocking billions of euros for Hungary that were frozen over rule-of-law concerns, senior officials say.

In an emailed response to Reuters, Orban's press chief Bertalan Havasi said Orban and Putin had discussed gas and oil shipments and nuclear energy issues. Under a 2014 contract awarded without a tender, the Russian energy giant Rosatom is building a nuclear power plant in Hungary.

Havasi said Orban had stressed it was crucial for Europe, including Hungary, for the sanctions on Russia and fighting in Ukraine to end, and for the flow of refugees to come to a halt.

He did not say who had initiated the latest meeting.

Putin and Orban last spoke face-to-face on Feb. 1, 2022, in a meeting lasting several hours in Moscow, exactly three weeks before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Russia calls a "special military operation".

(Reporting by Reuters and by Krisztina Than in Budapest; Writing by Alexander Marrow and Kevin Liffey;)
Scotland's First Minister and Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Humza Yousaf speaks during an interview with Reuters ahead of his party's annual conference in Aberdeen, Britain, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gerhard May

By Andrew MacAskill

ABERDEEN, Scotland (Reuters) - Scotland's leader Humza Yousaf is confident his dream of independence will come true in the next decade despite his governing party haemorrhaging support over the worst crisis in its modern history.

The dominant political party in Scotland for almost two decades, the pro-independence Scottish National Party has been damaged by infighting, voter fatigue and scandals, including the arrest of its charismatic former leader Nicola Sturgeon.

Britain's main opposition Labour Party won back a parliamentary seat in Scotland this month, ousting the SNP in a vote that suggests dozens of the party's politicians could lose their seats at the next election, while last week another SNP lawmaker defected to the Conservatives over bullying claims.

"It has been difficult and there is no point pretending otherwise. It has probably been the most difficult six months that our party has faced in our modern history," Yousaf told Reuters at his party's annual conference in Aberdeen.

"These things unfortunately come at you, not in ones or twos, but they hit you with a number of challenges. But despite the challenges, if you look at virtually every poll that comes out, we continue to lead the opposition."

At the last election in 2019, the SNP picked up 48 out of the 59 seats, making it one of the most dominant political parties in western Europe. But a poll by YouGov last week put its support over Labour in Scotland at just two percentage points. Once the dominant party of Scotland, Labour won one seat in 2019.

"ROCK SOLID" INDEPENDENCE SUPPORT

Yousaf said he was confident that an independent Scotland was coming. Even with support for the SNP in decline, opinion polls show Scotland is still roughly split over independence.

"Support for independence is rock solid but support for the SNP has dipped," he said. Asked if Scotland would get independence in the next decade, he said: "without a shadow of a doubt. I would hope it will be well within 10 years."

Scots rejected ending the more-than 300 year-old union with England by 55% to 45% in a referendum in 2014. But nationalists argue the 2016 vote to leave the European Union changed everything, as a majority of Scottish voters had opposed it.

Pro-independence feelings hardened under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was deeply unpopular in Scotland.

Yousaf said he needed to present a positive vision of what an independent Scotland would look like, including better protections for workers and efforts to tackle poverty, because criticising Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government in London could only go so far.

He believes that consistent support for independence would also help overcome the biggest battle ahead - persuading a Westminster government to agree to a second referendum.

The British Supreme Court said last year that the Scottish government could not hold a second referendum on independence without approval from the British parliament.

Yousaf said at the weekend that he would have a mandate to negotiate a new vote if the SNP won a majority of Scotland's Westminster seats at the national election expected next year - a position that has been rejected by pro-UK parties.

"What we have to do is create the political conditions that are such that the Westminster political parties cannot deny Scotlands voice," he said. "If the SNP is not winning, then the independence cause isn't either."

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill, Editing by Kate Holton and Ed Osmond)
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain will increase its humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip with a package worth 1 million euros ($1.06 million) and is prepared to send more, the country's acting foreign minister told a news conference on Tuesday.

"The aid must reach the civilian population of Gaza, and Spain is ready and willing to participate" in humanitarian efforts, Jose Manuel Albares said, adding that more packages "will come, because everything points to the need for more (aid)".

On Monday, Israel's embassy in Madrid said that some Spanish officials were siding with the Palestinian militant group Hamas after three left-wing ministers criticized Israel's bombing of Gaza, but Spain's foreign ministry rejected the claim in a statement.

Madrid reiterated that it strongly condemned Hamas' attacks on Israel, while calling for the protection of civilians in Gaza, and said any representative of a political party was free to express their positions "in a democracy such as Spain's".

Asked about the diplomatic row, Albares described it as a "one-off incident" in bilateral relations that had been settled with his ministry's statement and a personal call to the ambassador in which he characterised the Israeli embassy's accusations as an "unfriendly gesture" towards Madrid.

($1 = 0.9473 euros)

(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Emma Pinedo; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
By Joe Cash

BEIJING (Reuters) - The Taliban's acting commerce minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to attend the Belt and Road Forum, the Afghan embassy said, which is among the highest-profile summits it has been invited to since taking power in 2021.

Beijing has sought to grow its official ties with the Taliban administration ever since U.S. and other foreign forces withdrew from the country two years ago, despite its lack of formal recognition by any government. The impoverished country could offer a wealth of coveted mineral resources.

Azizi arrived at noon, an embassy spokesperson told Reuters by phone.

China's Foreign Ministry said: "China has noted that the interim government of Afghanistan said it hopes to take the ride of the 'Belt and Road'... and realise national stability and economic development as soon as possible", when asked whether inviting the Taliban showed Beijing wanted to strengthen its ties with the diplomatically-isolated group.

Azizi will invite "large investors" to Afghanistan and continue discussions with Chinese officials on plans to build a road through the Wakhan corridor, a thin, mountainous strip in the country's north, a commerce ministry spokesperson said.

China has also been in talks with the Taliban over plans, begun under the previous foreign-backed government, for a possible huge copper mine in eastern Afghanistan.

While Beijing's ambassador presented his credentials to the Taliban's acting prime minister last month, other nations have held back from any change of diplomatic representation that involves formally presenting credentials to the government.

(Reporting by Joe Cash and Ethan Wang; editing by Christina Fincher and Ed Osmond)
A group of military personnel and aviation equipment of the Turkish Armed Forces will be involved in joint tactical exercises dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkiye arrived in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry.

The joint tactical exercises are planned to be conducted on October 23-25 in several directions, including Baku city, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and the liberated territories, the ministry said.

---




The U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote Tuesday on a new House speaker, nearly two weeks after Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the position by a member of his own party: Congressman Matt Gaetz. But there is no guarantee that the vote will bring an end to the crisis that has engulfed the Republican Party since McCarthys ouster. The groups candidate for speaker is Jim Jordan, a hard-right Trump loyalist, who needs 217 votes to be elected. Given the Republican Party only has a slim majority in the House, securing those numbers could be difficult.

Jordan was chosen after Steve Scalise  the groups first choice  withdrew from the race when it became clear he would not have enough votes to win the speakership. Austin Scott, from Georgia, emerged as a last-minute rival, but he was defeated in a secret vote held on Friday, with the party voting 124-81 in favor of Jordan. It was later learned that the far-right lawmaker had the support of 152 Republicans.

Since then, Jordan has been working tirelessly to obtain the 65 remaining votes he needs to be elected, and has managed to sway some of his earlier opponents. In a bid to avoid what happened in January, when it took 15 rounds of voting for McCarthy to be elected speaker, the Republican Party has been conducting secret votes instead of taking the vote to the floor.

McCarthy was only elected after making several concessions to the partys hard-right faction, including the provision that a motion to vacate could be filed by just a single member of the group. Nine months later, Gaetz filed the motion in protest at McCarthys decision to pact with the Democrats over a stopgap spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. The measure was backed by seven Republicans and 208 Democrats.

The temporary spending bill is set to expire on November 17, a deadline that is looming closer and closer amid the paralysis of the House. With no new speaker in place, the House is also unable to approve new military aid to support Israels campaign against Hamas. Aid to Ukraine is also frozen.

On Monday, Jordan wrote a letter to Republicans, arguing: The role of a speaker is to bring all Republicans together. Thats what I intend to do. In the letter, he also made reference to the five families  the term used to describe main ideological groups of House Republicans. In 2015, the candidate helped create one of these groups: the Freedom Caucus, which represents the hard-right faction of the party.

The final report of the bipartisan committee that investigated the attack on the Capitol for 18 months concluded that the Ohio congressman decisively helped former president Donald Trumps attempts to reverse the November 2020 election result. Almost three years later, Trump  who has been charged in two separate cases for election subversion  still maintains, without proof, that the election was stolen.

The vice chair of that commission, Republican Liz Cheney, who represented Wyoming until last Novembers midterm elections, has been put forward as a possible House speaker to unblock the leadership crisis. According to her supporters, she would have the support of the Democrats, meaning only a handful of moderate Republicans would have to be swayed. Republican representatives from swing states are concerned that the appointment of a far-right speaker could alienate voters, which could jeopardize their position in next years election, when the 435 seats in the lower house are up for grabs.

Some Republicans have been talking about the possibility of a centrist alliance. Bipartisanship is not a sin, Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar said on Friday. Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries admitted Sunday that informal talks were taking place between members of both sides in a bid to find a way out of the impasse that has plunged the Capitol into chaos.

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Tunisian President Kais Saied arrives for the closing session of the New Global Financial Pact Summit, Friday, June 23, 2023 in Paris, France. Lewis Joly/Pool via REUTERS/File photo

TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian President Kais Saied on Tuesday sacked Economy Minister Samir Saied after fresh statements that a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be vital for obtaining other foreign financing.

The president strongly opposes what he described as the dictates of the IMF, saying that the IMF is "not sacred" and its conditions will lead to protests.

The minister told TAP state news agency on Tuesday that "lenders are wondering about Tunisia's talks with the IMF." adding that "any deal would give a strong signal to the rest of the financiers."

Tunisia last year reached a staff-level deal with the IMF for a $1.9 billion loan, but it has already missed key commitments and donors believe the state's finances are increasingly diverging from the figures the deal was based on.

The president criticized previous statements by the minister, saying that the government was charged with implementing the president's policy.

The president assigned Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri to temporarily run the economy ministry.

Tunisia expects its economy to grow by 2.1% in 2024, up from 0.9% in 2023, and plans almost the same subsidies for fuel, electricity and food while raising taxes for banks, hotels and liquor firms, a bill on its budget showed on Tuesday.

The bill included no reference to an agreement with IMF.

(Reporting by Tarek Amara and Enas Alashray; Editing by Sandra Maler)
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate leaders said on Tuesday they expect President Joe Biden to send them a request by the end of this week for billions of dollars in assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan and for security at the U.S. border.

The size of the request was not known, but a congressional source familiar with the request said Israel had asked for $10 billion, as it responds to an attack on its citizens by the Iran-backed militant group Hamas.

Israel's request is not an indication that the Biden administration would request, or Congress would approve, that amount.

"We are going to do everything in our power to ensure the Senate delivers the support for Israel and the rest of the package. We intend to get the package the end of this week," the Senate's majority leader, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, told his weekly press conference.

The top Senate Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell, said he expected the request to include assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, and said Republicans want it to include "something serious" for the border.

Top Biden administration officials will hold a classified briefing on Wednesday for the Senate on the situation in Israel and Gaza. Schumer said that Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who faces charges of acting as an unregistered agent for Egypt, would not attend.

Menendez has denied wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
By Elias Biryabarema

KAMPALA (Reuters) -A Ugandan national and two foreign tourists were killed in an attack by suspected Islamist rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in a national park, the police said on Tuesday.

"We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The three were killed, and their safari vehicle burnt," police spokesperson Fred Enanga said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Enanga said they were pursuing suspected ADF members, and Uganda's police posted on its X account a picture of a burning four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The ADF began as an uprising in Uganda but has been based in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the late 1990s. It pledged allegiance to Islamic State in mid-2019 and is accused of killing thousands of villagers in frequent raids over the past decade.

The police did not give a precise location for the attack. The national park's western boundary is the shore of Lake Edward, which separates Uganda from Congo.

Bashir Hangi, spokesperson of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, said the attack took place on Tuesday evening. The wildlife authority said in a statement the one tourist was from South Africa and the other from the United Kingdom.

Rebels from ADF have previously carried out attacks in the area and across the border in Congo, where they have bases.

Uganda and Congo launched a joint ground and air operation against the ADF in December 2021 in an effort to eliminate them from eastern Congo. Uganda says it has succeeded in killing more than 560 fighters and destroyed their camps.

Last week, ADF fighters killed at least one man and injured another when it ambushed a truck in western Uganda.

In September, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni said an air strike had killed a senior ADF commander, Meddie Nkalubo, accused of being a mastermind of suicide bombings in Kampala in 2021 that left seven people dead.

Museveni said on Sunday that the relentless offensive against ADF, including air strikes a day before, had forced ADF fighters to re-enter Uganda where they could possibly increase attacks.

(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Estelle Shirbon and Bill Berkrot)
UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps looks on during the signing ceremony during a NATO Defence Ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Defence minister Grant Shapps will visit the United States for urgent talks over conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine on Tuesday, aimed at preventing further destabilisation and enabling humanitarian support, the Ministry of Defence said.

"At this crucial time for global security, Im in Washington DC for urgent talks with our partner and friend on our ongoing work to prevent escalation in the Middle East, and our vital support to Ukraine," Shapps said in a statement.

(Reporting by Farouq Suleiman; editing by William James)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ukraine launched U.S.-provided long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian forces on Tuesday, according to media reports that citing unidentified sources familiar with the matter.

The United States secretly provided Kiev with the missiles, although it was not immediately clear when Washington sent them, CNN reported, citing two unidentified U.S. officials.

The ATACMS, or Army Tactical Missile Systems, were fired on Tuesday, their first use in the roughly 20-month-long conflict, according to the Wall Street Journal. Politico also reported on the acquisition and deployment of the missiles, which it said were sent in recent weeks.

The U.S. State Department said it could not confirm the reports and referred questions on military operations to the Ukraine government.

Representatives for Kiev could not be immediately reached for comment.

Kyiv has repeatedly asked the Biden administration for ATACMS to help attack and disrupt supply lines, air bases and rail networks in Russian-occupied territory.

President Joe Biden had told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Washington would provide Kyiv with ATACMS long-range missiles, NBC News reported last month, although the White House and Pentagon would not comment.

(Reporting by Mike Stone and Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
A view shows houses and buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Anas al-Shareef

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council will now vote on Wednesday on a Brazilian-drafted resolution that calls for humanitarian pauses in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas to allow humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip.

The council is then expected to discuss - at the request of the United Arab Emirates and Russia - a Gaza hospital blast that killed hundreds of people on Tuesday, diplomats said.

Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour blamed Israeli forces for the "massacre" at the hospital, calling for an immediate ceasefire. Israel's U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan issued a statement accusing the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group of responsibility.

Islamic Jihad has denied the allegations. Reuters could not independently verify who was responsible for the blast.

The 15-member council had initially been due to vote Monday on the Brazilian draft, but it was postponed 24 hours to allow more time to negotiate. The United States then pushed for a further delay as President Joe Biden visits Israel on Wednesday.

It was unclear if the United States, a veto-power who traditionally shields its ally Israel from any Security Council action, would allow the resolution to pass. The draft text also urges Israel - without naming it - to rescind its order for Gaza civilians to move to the south of the Palestinian enclave.

Israel last week ordered some 1.1 million people in Gaza - almost half the population - to move south as it prepares for a ground offensive in retaliation for the worst Hamas attack on civilians in Israel's 75-year-old history.

The Brazilian draft is essentially a more detailed version of a Russian text that failed to pass in a vote on Monday, except it specifically condemns "the terrorist attacks by Hamas". Instead of calling for a ceasefire, it calls for humanitarian pauses in the conflict to allow aid access to Gaza.

Israel has put Gaza under a total siege and subjected it the most intense bombardment ever. It has vowed to annihilate Hamas after it killed 1,300 people and seized hostages in an Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Some 3,000 Palestinians have been killed.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations warned on Tuesday that Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip are being "packed into an ever-smaller area" and life-saving essentials have essentially run out, appealing for a humanitarian truce to allow aid access.

"It is now estimated that as many as 1 million people have fled their homes to other parts of Gaza," senior U.N. aid official Joyce Msuya told a meeting convened by Arab envoys on the enclave, which is controlled by Hamas militants.

Israel last week ordered some 1.1 million people in Gaza - almost half the population - to move to south as it prepares for a ground offensive in retaliation for the worst Hamas attack on civilians in Israel's 75-year-old history.

"In reality, civilians have nowhere to go  nowhere to escape the bombs and missiles, and nowhere to find water or food, or to escape the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe," Msuya said, urging a "humanitarian suspension of hostilities."

Israel has put Gaza under a total siege and subjected it the most intense bombardment ever. It has vowed to annihilate Hamas after it killed 1,300 people and seized hostages in an Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Some 3,000 Palestinians have been killed.

International diplomacy has been focused on trying to broker a humanitarian pause in the conflict near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza to allow the delivery of aid. Egypt says Rafah has not been officially closed but has become inoperable due to the Israeli air strikes on the Gaza side.

"We can't move humanitarian trucks and convoys while active bombardment is ongoing," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. "There are intense discussions going on, in which we're involved, with a number of parties in order to try to get the most basic humanitarian aid in as quickly as possible."

After nine hours of negotiations, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said early on Tuesday he had agreed with Israel "to develop a plan" to get aid into Gaza. He gave no details. U.S. President Joe Biden is due to visit Israel on Wednesday.

U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths is traveling to Egypt on Tuesday and plans to visit Israel, while U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to arrive in Cairo on Thursday.

Ted Chaiban, a deputy executive director at the U.N. children's agency UNICEF, told the meeting on Tuesday that there was a risk of an infectious disease outbreak in Gaza as water supplies run out.

"We have a population of 2.3 million in Gaza, essentially without drinking water. We're down to three liters per person, when the normal average should be 15 litres," he said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
By Stanley Widianto and Hyunsu Yim

JAKARTA/SEOUL (Reuters) - The U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim on Tuesday criticised relations between North Korea and Russia as "very worrying," after the White House said last week Pyongyang recently provided Russia with a shipment of weapons.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Jakarta, Kim called weapons deliveries between the two countries "dangerous" and "destabilising," and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to protect its allies.

"At the same time we will continue our work to counter the DPRK's unlawful WMD (weapons of mass destruction) and ballistic missiles," Kim told a briefing. DPRK is the initials of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The meeting took place days after a new accusation by the United States that the North recently provided Russia with a large shipment of weapons, which it said was an indication of expanded military relationship between the two countries.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's made a rare trip to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin last month, fanning concerns they could shore up Russia's military in Ukraine while North Korea obtains missile technology banned under U.N. resolutions.

Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, will visit North Korea this week, according to North Korea's state media KCNA and Russia's foreign ministry.

In a further sign of growing trilateral security cooperation, South Korea, the United States and Japan have completed work on a three-way communication hotline, Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday citing a senior Seoul official.

The three countries' leaders announced a commitment to consult each other in times of crisis at a summit in Camp David in August.

Technical tests of the system have been completed, Yonhap said, citing the anonymous source. The hotline is to be used by the leaders or their top national security advisers in times of security crises, it said.

South Korea's foreign ministry did not immediately confirm the report.

On Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to boost the defence industry as a key part of national security strategy, addressing the opening of the country's largest-ever defence exhibition, which included a rare flyover by a U.S. nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bomber.

Pyongyang has repeatedly criticised the United States over the deployment of strategic assets in the region, including the recent arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier, calling it a provocation.

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto in Jakarta, Hyunsu Yim and Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Ed Davies)
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department will continue to offer government-sponsored charter flights to Europe from Tel Aviv to help Americans leave Israel through at least Sunday, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The department said about 1,500 U.S. citizens and family members have departed Israel on the charter flights to Athens and other transport options since Friday after offering more than 5,000 seats.

The State Department has said flights have generally departed at half capacity or less. The department had previously only committed to offering charter flights through Thursday.

Some expatriates were leaving Israel following the Oct. 7 assault by Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern Israel that killed 1,300 people. Israel has responded with a bombing campaign on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

A U.S.-chartered Royal Caribbean ship on Monday left Haifa and arrived in Cyprus. The ship had room for 2,200 people and transported 150 Americans and their immediate family, the department said on Tuesday. The department offered Americans onward transportation to Vienna from Cyprus.

U.S. airlines have added flights to Athens and boosted the size of planes to accommodate Americans flying from Israel seeking to return home.

The State Department said over 3,000 U.S. citizens have also told the department they have successfully left Israel and the West Bank in a variety of ways.

The state of Florida and a nonprofit group partnered to charter a flight and helped 270 more Americans return from Israel, Governor Ron DeSantis said on Monday.

United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines all temporarily halted direct flights to Israel.

More than 30 U.S. lawmakers on Friday wrote the three airline CEOs urging them to resume flights to Tel Aviv "as quickly as possible."

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma told airlines last week the U.S. government had received roughly 17,000 inquiries about travel assistance leaving Israel.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool)
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) - Executives from Vodafone and CK Hutchison's Three UK unit said their 15 billion pound ($18 billion) merger would benefit Britain's consumers, infrastructure and jobs, as lawmakers scrutinise the planned tie-up.

Vodafone and Three UK have pledged to invest 11 billion pounds to build a 5G network for Britain as part of their bid to secure backing from politicians, unions and competition authorities for the merger announced in June.

Britain's antitrust watchdog last week kicked off its examination of the deal, while lawmakers from the business and trade committee on Tuesday asked what the deal would mean for jobs.

"We believe that actually jobs will be created as a consequence of this merger both for building the network, and to create and support the IT systems, and to maintain this new network," Vodafone UK's corporate affairs and sustainability director Nicki Lyons said.

She said the companies were not giving numbers at this stage, and conceded that head office duplication could be an issue.

Trade union Unite has warned the deal will result in higher bills and job losses.

Representatives from both the companies said that as the current No. 3 and No. 4 players in Britain's mobile market they did not have the scale to invest and compete against the two biggest operators, BT's EE and VM O2, jointly owned by Telefonica and Liberty Global.

They warned that without the deal, Britain's 5G network would continue to lag that of other European nations.

"Neither us nor Vodafone can invest sufficiently to build the type of 5G network that's needed," Three's Chief Technical Officer David Hennessy said.

The two companies have long known that a proposed merger would face intense scrutiny from regulators who have previously opposed deals that reduce the number of networks in major markets from four to three.

But the tie-up would not result in price rises for consumers, said Three's general counsel Stephen Lerner.

"We are not planning any increases in price," he said, explaining the merged entity would be keen to price competitively to ensure it filled the new capacity it wants to build.

($1 = 0.8223 pounds)

(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Mark Potter)
Asylum seekers approach the US-Mexico border in El Paso in April 2022. Jose Luis Gonzalez (REUTERS)

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Monday a court settlement with migrant families who were separated at the border during the Donald Trump administration. The deal, which must still be approved by a San Diego district court, offers benefits to those who were victims of the former presidents policies and prevents the U.S. government from implementing similar measures in the next eight years. If approved, the settlement would temporarily shield immigrants from zero tolerance policies, especially if Trump returns to the White House in January 2025 after next years elections.

The deal will benefit between 4,500 and 5,000 minors and their parents, who were separated by the policies devised by Stephen Miller, Trumps radical border advisor. This group may receive work permits for three and five years, housing assistance for one year, legal assistance and limited medical coverage that includes psychological help to address the trauma created by the situation. As part of the settlement, the government must continue to identify separated families, finance their reunification in the United States and initiate the procedures to consider offering them asylum. The settlement does not include payments to the families or any other financial compensation.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)  which filed the suit in July 2019  explained that one of the key parts of the agreement is the governments pledge not to implement similar policies in the future. This settlement closes the darkest chapter of the Trump administration, but as welcomed as it is, the damage inflicted on these families will forever be tragic and irreversible, Anthony Romero, the executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement.

The practice of separating families at the southwest border was shameful, said Merrick Garland, Bidens attorney general, upon announcing the settlement, which took three years of negotiations. This agreement will facilitate the reunification of separated families and provide them with critical services to aid in their recovery, the official added in a statement.

Trumps so-called zero tolerance policy sparked international controversy for its inhumane treatment of migrant families. U.S. authorities began implementing the policy secretly in 2018. This resulted in adult migrants being booked and processed in detention centers awaiting trial. Since their children could not be imprisoned, the immigration services placed them in the custody of the federal government or a family. In May of that year, the administration acknowledged that it had lost track of some 1,500 undocumented minors. A district court issued an injunction in June 2018 to stop the zero tolerance policy. Faced with criticism, Trump issued an executive order to end it, but migrant families remained separated.

The ACLUs first lawsuit claimed that some 900 minors had been separated from their parents due to the former Republican presidents policies. But the number of families affected has risen since then. When President Joe Biden came to power in January 2021, he eliminated the Trump policy and created a task force to locate and reunite separated families. According to the Department of Homeland Security, some 3,881 minors were separated from their parents between 2017 and 2021.

It is our intent to do whatever we can to make sure that the cruelty of the past is not repeated in the future. We set forth procedures through this settlement agreement to advance that effort, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told The Associated Press.

About 74% of families have been reunited. Some 2,100 cases were resolved before Biden became president. The working group created by the Biden administration has reunited around 750 children with their families. Another 85 are in the process of being reunited. The task group pointed out that at least 290 minors who were victims of Trumps zero tolerance policy had American citizenship.

Initially, the Biden government kept open the possibility of compensating victims of the family separation policy with up to $450,000. If, in fact, because of the outrageous behavior of the last administration, you coming across the border, whether it was legally or illegally, and you lost your child, you deserve some kind of compensation, no matter what the circumstance, the president said in November 2021. The initiative was criticized internally, which led the White House to backtrack on the proposal. The administration was forced to litigate hundreds of cases individually. These cases were resolved on Monday with a promise not to repeat the policy in the future. It remains to be seen whether Trump will follow through if he returns to power.

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(Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday Kyiv has used U.S.-provided long-range Army Tacticle Missile System (ATACMS) missiles.

Kyiv has repeatedly asked the U.S. administration for ATACMS, in the hope the missiles could strengthen Ukraine's ability to attack and disrupt supply lines, air bases and rail networks in Russian-occupied territory, that could not be reached by short-range equipment.

"Today, special thanks to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. Very accurately - ATACMS missiles proved themselves," he said in his nightly address.

This marks the first officially confirmed usage of the ATACMS, that can fly up to 190 miles (306 km), in Ukraine.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Ukrainian military said they hit two airfields used by Russia in the Moscow-occupied cities of Luhansk and Berdiansk.

According to its reports, nine helicopters, an air defence missile launcher and other equipment had been destroyed, runways had been hit, and heavy losses had been inflicted on Russian forces. Russia's Defence Ministry did not mention the attacks.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Alex Richardson, Alexandra Hudson)
false 0001088413 0001088413 2023-10-17 2023-10-17

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report

Pursuant To Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):

Greystone Logistics, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Oklahoma 000-26331 75-2954680 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1613 E. 15th , Tulsa , Oklahoma 74120 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

( 918 ) 583-7441

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 270.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 270.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 270.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered NONE GLGI NONE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging Growth Company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On October 17, 2023, Greystone Logistics, Inc. (the Company) issued a press release regarding results of operations for the three months ended August 31, 2023. A copy of the press release dated October 17, 2023, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The information being furnished hereunder discloses EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company believes that EBITDA is a useful measure of evaluating its financial performance because of its focus on the Companys results from operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is utilized for internal analysis of the Company. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to other financial measures determined under GAAP. However, EBITDA is commonly used by investors, financial analysts and rating agencies as an alternative measure of evaluating, comparing and rating operating performance. EBITDA presented by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The information in this Form 8-K, including exhibits, is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

As noted above in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, the registrant issued a press release on October 17, 2023. A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is being furnished pursuant to Regulation FD.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

GREYSTONE LOGISTICS, INC. October 17, 2023 By: /s/ William W. Rahhal William W. Rahhal Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description

99.1 Press Release dated October 17, 2023

104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 99.1

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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2023 Registration No. 333-________

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM F-6

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 FOR DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

__________________

Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd.

(Exact name of issuer of deposited securities as specified in its charter)

__________________

N/A

(Translation of issuers name in English)

__________________

Japan

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of issuer)

__________________

CITIBANK, N.A.

(Exact name of depositary as specified in its charter)

__________________

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

(877) 248-4237

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of depositary's principal executive offices)

CITIBANK, N.A.  DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS DEPARTMENT

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

(212) 723-5435

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of agent for service)

Copies to:

Herman H. Raspe, Esq.

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

1133 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

_______________________

It is proposed that this filing become effective under Rule 466:  immediately upon filing.  on (Date) at (Time).

If a separate registration statement has been filed to register the deposited shares, check the following box: 



CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered Amount to be Registered Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit* Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price** Amount of Registration Fee American Depositary Shares, each American Depositary Share representing the right to receive one (1) share of common stock of Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd. 50,000,000 ADSs $5.00 $2,500,000.00 $369.00

* Each unit represents 100 American Depositary Shares.

** Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Pursuant to Rule 457(k), such estimate is computed on the basis of the maximum aggregate fees or charges to be imposed in connection with the issuance of American Depositary Shares.

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Cross Reference Sheet

Item 1. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

Item Number and Caption Location in Form of American Depositary Receipt ( Receipt ) Filed Herewith as Prospectus 1. Name of Depositary and address of its principal executive office Face of Receipt - Introductory Article 2. Title of Receipts and identity of deposited securities Face of Receipt - Top center. Terms of Deposit: (i) The amount of deposited securities represented by one American Depositary Share ( ADS ) Face of Receipt - Upper right corner. (ii) The procedure for voting, if any, the deposited securities Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs 12, 14 and 17 (iii) The procedure for collecting and distributing dividends Face of Receipt - Paragraphs 4 and 8; Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs 13, 14 and 17 (iv) The procedure for transmitting notices, reports and proxy soliciting material Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs 11 and 12 (v) The sale or exercise of rights Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs 13 and 14 (vi) The deposit or sale of securities resulting from dividends, splits or plans of reorganization Face of Receipt - Paragraphs 4 and 8; Reverse of Receipt  Paragraphs 13, 14, 16 and 17 (vii) Amendment, extension or termination of the deposit arrangements Reverse of Receipt  Paragraphs 18 and 19 (no provision for extension) (viii) The rights that holders of Receipts have to inspect the transfer books of the Depositary and the list of Receipt holders Face of Receipt - Paragraph 3

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(ix) Any restrictions on the right to transfer or withdraw the underlying securities Face of Receipt - Paragraphs 2, 4, 5, and 6 (x) Any limitation on the Depositarys liability Face of Receipt - Paragraphs 1 and 8; Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs 12, 15 and 17 3. Fees and charges that a holder of Receipts may have to pay, either directly or indirectly Reverse of Receipt  Paragraph 20 Item 2. AVAILABLE INFORMATION Reverse of Receipt - Paragraph 11

Based on the reasonable good faith belief of the Depositary after exercising reasonable diligence, the registrant represents that, as of the date hereof, Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd. (the  Company ) publishes in English the information contemplated in Rule 12g3-2(b) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the  Exchange Act ), on its internet website or through an electronic information delivery system generally available to the public in the Company's primary trading market. As of the date hereof the Company's internet website is http://www.asahi-intecc.co.jp/. The information so published by the Company cannot be retrieved from the Commission's internet website, and cannot be inspected or copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission.

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prospectus

IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS III. B OF FORM F-6, THIS PAGE AND THE FORM OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT ATTACHED AS AN EXHIBIT TO THIS F-6 REGISTRATION STATEMENT CONSTITUTE THE PROSPECTUS RELATING TO THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES TO BE ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS F-6 REGISTRATION STATEMENT.

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 3. EXHIBITS

(a) The agreement between Citibank, N.A., as depositary (the  Depositary ), and all holders and beneficial owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares registered hereunder.  Filed herewith.

(b) Any other agreement to which the Depositary is a party relating to the issuance of the American Depositary Shares registered hereunder or the custody of the deposited securities.  None.

(c) Every material contract relating to the deposited securities between the Depositary and the issuer of the deposited securities in effect at any time within the last three years.  None.

(d) Opinion of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, counsel for the Depositary, as to the legality of the securities to be registered.  Filed herewith.

(e) Certification under Rule 466.  Filed herewith.

Item 4. UNDERTAKINGS

(a) The Depositary hereby undertakes to make available at the principal office of the Depositary in the United States, for inspection by holders of the Receipts, any reports and communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities which are both (1) received by the Depositary as the holder of the deposited securities, and (2) made generally available to the holders of the underlying securities by the issuer.

(b) The Depositary undertakes to prepare a separate document stating the amount of any fee charged and describing the service for which it is charged and to deliver promptly a copy of such fee schedule without charge to anyone upon request. The Depositary undertakes to notify each registered holder of a Receipt thirty days before any change in the fee schedule.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that all the requirements for filing on Form F-6 are met and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 17th day of October, 2023.

Legal entity created by the agreement set forth in the American Depositary Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing shares of common stock of Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd. CITIBANK, N.A., as Depositary By: /s/ Rosemary Asafo-Adjei Name: Rosemary Asafo-Adjei Title: Attorney-in-fact

II-2

Index of Exhibits

Exhibit Document Sequentially Numbered Page (a) Form of ADR (d) Opinion of Counsel to the Depositary (e) Rule 466 Undertaking

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

e619007_ex99-a.htm

e619007_ex99-d.htm

e619007_ex99-e.htm
Fort Polk, La., was officially renamed Fort Johnson in a ceremony at the Army base on June 13, 2023. (U.S. Army )

Five Fort Johnson soldiers charged last year with raping two women will now be tried in military court and face new charges for an additional sexual assault that occurred on the Army base two months earlier, according to service officials.

Spc. John Paul Bianzon, 29, Pfc. Franz Robert Camentil, 20, Pfc. Ajjashery Jalnaiz Flores, 24, Spc. Cyrus Moises Ranada Labial, 24, and Pfc. Frinz Deivhid Ramit, 19, were originally arrested Nov. 30 in Vernon Parish, outside the gates of Fort Johnson, and charged with at least one count of first-degree rape, according to the parish sheriffs office.

The five soldiers are now also charged in a sexual assault that happened at Fort Johnson in September 2022, according to base officials. The soldiers face courts-martial in the sexual assault of one woman on Sept. 24 at the Army post, and two roommates assaulted Nov. 25 at a home in Rosepine, La.

All the soldiers are infantrymen assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, which is based at Fort Johnson, and have pleaded not guilty, according to the base and the Armys online court docket.

Authorities for Vernon Parish agreed April 5 to transfer control of the cases from the November incident to the Army.

The transfer will allow the Army to seek justice for the allegations that occurred off-post in Vernon Parish and additional alleged sexual crimes committed by the five soldiers on the military installation in September of 2022, according to a statement from the base.

However, some of the charges for each of the soldiers have changed since Army prosecutors took the cases.

Excluding Flores, the Army charged each soldier with two counts of conspiring together  one for each sexual assault, according to charge sheets. Flores is charged with one count of conspiracy, though the redacted charge sheet does not state on which incident the charge is based.

They all face two counts of sexual assault for the September incident, and all but Flores face the same charge for the November assault. Labial is additionally charged with two counts of rape by administering a drug, intoxicant or similar substance without the womens knowledge in both incidents.

Labial also faces two counts of other sexual misconduct for taking photographs of the woman in the September assault and then sending them without consent. Ramit is accused of making and distributing a recording during the same incident, according to his charge sheet.

Flores is charged with two counts of recording and distributing in the November assault, and Camentil is charged with two counts for photographs during the same incident, according to their charge sheets.

All the soldiers are in pretrial confinement except for Flores, who was released by a military judge following a request from Flores attorney, according to court documents. It was not clear why he was released.

Ramit will face a jury on Nov. 27 at Fort Johnson, followed by Labial on Dec. 18, then Camentil and Bianzon in 2024. A trial date has not been set for Flores.

Few details about the September assault on post are included in the charge sheets for the soldiers. Fort Johnson officials declined to say when the September assault was reported to law enforcement because it is part of the ongoing investigation.

The two female roommates told police that the soldiers came to their home the night of Nov. 25 and brought alcohol that the women drank, according to the sheriffs office. Both said soon after that they began to feel unwell, and the effects of the alcohol seemed exaggerated.

Forensic testing showed the women had suffered injuries consistent with sexual assault, the sheriffs office said.
Marine Capt. Zach Mullins after a training flight out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Mullins, who flies the F/A-18 Hornet, is one of five Black Marines who pilot fighter jets. (Rick Loomis/for The Washington Post)

Zach Mullins was used to walking into rooms filled with white faces. But he was taken aback when, at an air show last year in San Diego, a man approached to ask: Did you know that youre the only Black fighter pilot in the Marine Corps?

Mullins, who flies F/A-18 Hornets, is one of five, in fact. But in recalling the exchange, he said that, I never really thought about the numbers just because it was the job that I wanted to do  though it was a little staggering, the Marine captain conceded, to learn the number of African Americans in elite jobs like his was so small.

The Marine Corps, in step with the rest of the U.S. military, has spent decades making a concerted push to become more reflective of the diverse nation it defends. Officials point to sustained gains in recruiting women to join the force and in growing overall diversity among the services officer ranks.

But within its community of fighter pilots, these efforts have failed to keep pace. And while leaders acknowledge they have work to do, observers say the institution appears unwilling to take the aggressive and resource-intensive steps that experts deem necessary to put Black candidates for those jobs on more equal footing with their white peers.

Gary Graham Jr., a film producer whose father flew fighter jets in the Marine Corps, has researched the imbalance and concluded that the services leaders underestimate whats required for African Americans to overcome certain obstacles that can stymie the prospects of otherwise qualified individuals. He points to previous flying experience, which is expensive. Graham also faults a recruiting system that he said has done a lackluster job engaging the Black community specifically.

So those opportunities, he said, arent known to folks who would even consider it, and who would be skillful or educated enough.

Marine Capt. Zach Mullins of Houston prepares for a training flight in August out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. (Rick Loomis/for The Washington Post) Marine Capt. Zach Mullins of Houston prepares for a training flight in August out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. (Rick Loomis/for The Washington Post)

Over the past quarter-century, the number of Black Marines who fly fighter jets has fallen from an all-time high of 15 in 2000 to just the five today  not even 1 percent of the approximately 580 fighter pilots serving across the Marine Corps. Its the militarys worst such disparity  and one made more striking by the rise of Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., a fighter pilot and African American, who as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff holds the militarys highest post.

David Berger, who retired in July as the Marines top general, commissioned during his tenure as commandant an independent study that yielded a road map for the service to start closing the gap. But two years later, the studys most transformative recommendations remain unimplemented as leaders opt instead to remain on a course that emphasizes a broad concept of diversity rather than targeting shortfalls in individual demographics or career fields.

To lead the effort, Berger tapped Charles Bolden Jr., a former NASA administrator and the second Black Marine aviator ever promoted to general officer, and Boldens son Che, who spent 26 years in the Marine Corps. In an interview, Charles Bolden said he accepted the assignment somewhat leery, having grown disillusioned with what he characterized as the Pentagons vague efforts to promote military diversity.

I came out depressed, he said. Because I personally had no idea we had gone as backwards as we have gone. He and his son remain doubtful that Marine Corps leaders will expend the resources and effort required to achieve the change they prescribe.

The Boldens study, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post, has not been made public. It concludes that the Marine Corps cannot overcome generations of discrimination and mistrust merely by having removed barriers to participation in top-tier jobs such as fighter pilot. Rather, the Boldens assert, the service must establish new pathways to reach and recruit African Americans and entrust the role of chief diversity officer to the commandant himself rather than delegate that responsibility to a leader with less visibility and influence as it does now.

We made a very clear statement upfront that, hey, the Black jet pilot community is an avatar for the Marine Corps, Che Bolden said.

In response to questions about the study, Maj. Joshua Larson, a Marine Corps spokesman, pointed to a mission statement indicating that the service is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, not to satisfy abstract notions of political correctness, but as a very real means to recruit, develop, and retain Marines of varied talents.

Marine Capt. Zach Mullins communicates with the ground crew in August at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. (Rick Loomis/for The Washington Post)

Only the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps operate fighter jets, and while all have struggled to recruit and retain Black pilots, the Marines have performed most poorly.

There are 60 Black fighter pilots in the Air Force, or 2 percent of the community. Navy data show 15 Black pilots out of 1,124, about 1.3 percent. Those figures could be higher, however, as both services allow personnel to identify as multiple races or decline to respond.

In the Marine Corps, the fighter pilot community has an outsize impact: The services top officers are almost always promoted from within the infantry and aviation fields. One takeaway from the Boldens study was that Black Marines often take themselves out of the running for these positions at the start of their military careers by pursuing fields such as logistics or administration that transfer more readily to future civilian employment.

The Marine Corps could diversify its pilot ranks by selecting more Black enlisted troops for officer training, the study found. But a restrictive process that requires enlisted Marines to serve at least four years  which is the duration of a standard contract  before entering an officer program reduces the pool of candidates. The Boldens recommended removing these barriers, but to date, the service has not done so.

Last year the Marine Corps did launch a program that brought 40 enlisted reservists from underrepresented demographics to the D.C. region where, for a week, they observed Marine officer training  to help them visualize what it would be like to pursue such a career path, according to program materials supplied by Larson, the spokesman.

Statistics provided by the Marine Corps show that, in the past two years, about 35 percent of newly commissioned lieutenants came from what the service calls diverse backgrounds, defined as anyone other than a white male. The data show, too, that last year nearly 45 percent of those enrolled in enlisted-to-officer programs were categorized as diverse.

The Bolden study is critical of the services broad-brush discussion of diversity, saying that failing to distinguish demographics by race and job field amounts to data masking.

Another focus of their study was the availability of education opportunities that prepare promising leaders for future military service. The Boldens called for establishment of an additional military feeder school at a historically Black college or university  there are six such institutions nationwide now  and aviation-specific recruitment programs at each.

The Marine Corps does not have close, long-term, habitual relationships with key institutions within the Black community, the Boldens wrote, emphasizing that this very same shortcoming was highlighted during a similar diversity initiative undertaken during the early 1990s. Decades later, they wrote, it remains a problem.

Before retiring, Berger, the studys commissioner, said he agreed the Marines have more to learn from HBCUs  thats a partnership we can continue to build on  and noted that he had met last year with administrators from Florida A&M to discuss diversity and bridging perceived gaps about what service means today. To date, the Marines have not announced any plans to pursue the establishment of a new feeder school, though. Doing so would require collaboration with the other military branches and Congress.

Marine Capt. Zach Mullins taxis on the tarmac in August at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. (Rick Loomis/for The Washington Post) Marine Capt. Zach Mullins of Houston in August at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. (Rick Loomis/for The Washington Post)

Mullins path to the cockpit illustrates the effectiveness of community outreach. A Houston native, he said he had a natural affinity for engineering and loved to attend air shows but knew nothing about military academies until an Army officer visited his school when he was in eighth grade.

It was a family friend, whod flown for the Navy, who turned Mullins head with stories of landing on aircraft carriers. Ultimately, he attended the Merchant Marine Academy in New York, a lesser-known federal service academy. He said his education, from his days at a predominantly white Catholic high school, prepared him well not only for a demanding military career, but for navigating non-diverse environments.

I wouldnt say Id settled into being the minority in the group, but I think its a statistic that Im not unfamiliar with, Mullins said. As I matured, I realized what that meant. And I do think I carry a little bit of extra intentionality with the way ... I conduct myself, because I do know that I might be the only Black guy in the room.

The Boldens study noted only a few reported incidents of racial hostility within the Marines aviation units, and none from recent years, but it described a culture of silence in which Black and white Marines are unwilling to engage in conversations about race and representation. Often, the study says, as the only minorities in their unit, non-white Marines deem it necessary to adapt to the cultural circumstances in which they find themselves if they want to be accepted by peers.

The Boldens have called for the creation of Socratic-style discussion groups, centered on topics of diversity and race, at Marine Corps training hubs. Officials said the service will consider such groups.

Charles and Che Bolden suggested that, until the message comes from the Marines most senior leaders that Black fighter pilots are needed in the ranks, efforts to reach candidates will ring hollow. They called in their study for assigning the responsibilities of chief diversity officer to the commandant, a recommendation that has gone unheeded. Such a step, they added, would permit Marines in the ranks to pursue more radical solutions for building diversity, rather than relying on established approaches.

Without the commandants explicit oversight, Che Bolden said, youre always going to find those younger, or those who are not able to chart their own destiny, afraid of sticking their neck out.

At NASA, where he answered directly to the president, Charles Bolden said, he assigned himself this role. The move was meant to make his priorities clear to all. I felt that the only way to build an effective, No. 1-ranked organization that beats everybody else is to have that organization be diverse and inclusive, he said.
U.S. troops salute during an opening ceremony for the Resolute Dragon at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The 12th Marine Regiment, soon to be known as the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, is rehearsing stand-in force concepts during the exercise. (Robert Gavaldon/U.S. Marine Corps)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  The Marine Corps plans to launch a new seaborne quick-reaction force on Okinawa next month to counter Chinese maritime expansion and protect Japans southern island chain.

The 12th Marine Regiment will be renamed the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment during a Nov. 15 ceremony at Camp Hansen, 3rd Marine Division spokesman Maj. Clayton Groover said by phone Tuesday.

Littoral units  typically about 2,000 Marines  specialize in stand-in force operations, a key tenet of the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 modernization effort.

A stand-in force is a small, mobile unit inserted within range of enemy missiles to seize and hold key islands and deny enemy vessels access to surrounding seas.

The 12th Marine Regiment is rehearsing stand-in force concepts during exercise Resolute Dragon, which began Saturday and runs through Oct. 31, Groover said. Training is taking place from the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido to Yonaguni, an island 70 miles east of Taiwan.

The redesignation will mark the next historic chapter in the Marine Corps commitment to designing a force that is prepared to effectively respond to the challenges of the contemporary global security environment, a division statement said Tuesday.

It will take a couple of years for the unit to become fully operational, Groover said. The unit will not add to the total number of Marines on Okinawa.

Plans to transition to a new Okinawa-based littoral regiment were first announced Jan. 11 by the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee, or 2+2. The new regiment is the second of at least three planned for the Indo-Pacific. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment was launched in Hawaii in March 2022.

Guam is reportedly being considered for the third littoral regiment, the Yomiuri newspaper reported Jan. 10, citing unnamed U.S. and Japanese government sources.

Protect Japans remote islands

Resolute Dragon kicked off Saturday with opening ceremonies at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture and at Marine base Camp Kinser on Okinawa, 1st Lt. Alejandro Arteaga, a spokesman for III Marine Expeditionary Force, wrote in an emailed statement Tuesday.

The exercise will see approximately 3,300 U.S. troops, mostly from III MEF, and 4,000 Self-Defense Force personnel train on island-defense concepts, including command and control, precision fires and maneuvering.

For the first time, Marine M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, crews will participate in live-fire maneuvers with Ground Self-Defense Force M270 rocket teams.

Marines with HIMARS will rapidly infiltrate the Yausubetsu Maneuver Area in Hokkaido; JGSDF V-22 Osprey aircraft will fly over Okinawa in simulated casualty evacuation drills; and about 80 U.S. soldiers and Marines will work from JGSDF Camp Ishigaki, a southwestern Japanese island 160 miles east of Taiwan.

The purpose of the exercise from the Japanese perspective is to protect Japans remote islands from any type of attack, a spokesman from Japans Ground Joint Staff wrote in an emailed statement Tuesday. Soldiers from Japans Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, which resembles the Marine Corps, are not scheduled to take part.

Some Japanese officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

Once a training scenario is issued, members of the 12th Marine Regiment will work with their Japanese allies to come up with the best strategy to detect and eliminate potential threats, Groover said.

The field training exercise portion is important because it will allow us to transfer knowledge between our forces, share ideas and innovation, and strengthen the bond we have as those entrusted to the defense of our respective nations and to our partners, Arteaga said. We will build greater camaraderie, confidence, interoperability, and trust between our forces and our nations.
The submarine tender USS Frank Cable returned to Naval Base Guam on Oct. 6, 2023, after nearly a year in dry dock for repairs and an overhaul. (Andrew McPeek/U.S. Navy)

The USS Frank Cable is back at work supporting submarines and other Navy ships on Guam following a yearlong overhaul on the U.S. mainland that cost nearly $38 million.

The submarine tender spent the past year at Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo, Calif., where it received several ship repairs and upgrades to reinforce its long-term mission readiness, the Navy said in an Oct. 12 news release.

The Frank Cable  one of two submarine tenders maintained by the Navy  is considered the anchor of sub maintenance in the Indo-Pacific, according to the Navy. Its responsible for repairing, rearming and resupplying submarines operating in the region, the release said.

The other tender, the USS Emory S. Land, is also based on Guam.

Submarine Force Pacific operates fast-attack, ballistic and guided-missile submarines throughout the region. Missions include surveillance, intelligence, deterrence and, if called upon, nuclear strikes, according to the commands website.

Sailors assigned to USS Frank Cable man the rails as the submarine tender returns to its homeport in Apra Harbor, Guam, Oct. 6, 2023. (Kaitlyn Eads/U.S. Navy)

The Frank Cable and Emory S. Land primarily support Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines but can provide nearly any service a submarine or surface ship may require, according to Submarine Force Pacific.

Theyre equipped with maintenance, repair, fabrication and service shops and an engineering plant similar to that of a small town, the command said.

While in dry dock, the Frank Cables crew trained to get into the repair mindset, according to Chief Petty Officer Ryan Magee, a hull technician.

I know I speak for the whole crew when I say we are all very excited to be back in Guam, he said in the news release. Its been a long time since we have been at our homeport, and its wonderful to see our families and friends.

The Emory S. Land completed its yearlong, $33.5 million overhaul at Mare Island in spring 2021.

With nearly 45 years of service under their belt, the Navy plans to replace the Emory S. Land and Frank Cable in the coming years.

Few details about the new ships have been released, but at least three companies  L3Harris, General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company and Huntington Ingalls Industries  are working on concepts and designs for them, Naval News reported Aug. 1, 2022.
A member of Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment waits atop an armored Humvee as his colleagues talked to townspeople in Saba al Boor, Iraq. (Lisa Burgess/Stars and Stripes)

BAGHDAD  When 21-year-old Spc. Alfredo Zendijias first stepped inside the gate of the fabled 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., in 2001, little did he know that the division would soon become famous as one the Arms most-deployed units.

In fact, his unit in particular, Company C of the 10th Mountain Divisions 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, is one of the most deployed units in the Army, according to Lt. Col. John Spiszer, battalion commander.

After Sept. 11, 2001, elements of the 10th Mountain were deployed to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.; Uzbekistan; Afghanistan for Operation Anaconda; Djibouti in the Horn of Africa; and now Iraq  for a full year, Spiszer said Wednesday.

Zendijias said he knew, after the Sept. 11 attacks  he was in basic training at the time  that deployments would follow, no matter which unit he ended up in.

I just didnt expect to be out this often, said the young soldier, whose favorite deployment to date has been Africa. Maybe once.

By the time they return home after a year in Iraq, some 10th Mountain soldiers will have been deployed for more than 26 months out of the past 45 months, said Spiszer, whose battalion is nicknamed the Polar Bears.

Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Divisions Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment investigate the spot of a mysterious explosion the day before at the Saba al Boor police station, a small rural town in the vicinity of Baghdad International Airport. (Lisa Burgess/Stars and Stripes) Spc. Alfredo Zendijias, a soldier from Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment holds his position while securing the site of a mysterious explosion at the Saba al Boor police station in Iraq the day before. (Lisa Burgess/Stars and Stripes) The glamour of infantry work: Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Divisions Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment work around rotten trash as they secure the perimeter of Saba al Boor police station in Iraq. (Lisa Burgess/Stars and Stripes)

We have lots of [battle-] scarred soldiers in this brigade, said 2nd Brigade Combat Team commander Col. Mark Milley, a Princeton-educated Ranger and former Special Forces infantryman.

In fact, between 40 percent and 50 percent of the 10th Mountain soldiers who are now here at Camp Victory were either in Afghanistan, Iraq, or both, Milley said. So Zendijias, who is from Norwalk, Calif., is not alone.

The 2nd BCT is responsible for 700 square miles of the western hinterlands of Baghdad, Spizser said.

The soldiers do full spectrum operations, from constant patrolling ... to helping recruit and mentor the new Iraq National Police force, Milley said Wednesday.

The brigade also works with local officials on civil affairs projects such as health care, irrigation systems and potable water and sewage disposal, he said.

Some of the 10th Mountains soldiers are not in Iraq by choice, such as Spc. Billy Weatherall, a 23-year-old from Bossier City, La. He was only three days from finishing his Army contract and going to college when he got the news on May 12 that he had been extended in order to be sent to Iraq for a year.

Weatherall, who said he joined the military out of family tradition, including both grandfathers in the Air Force and a father in the Marines, had been in the Army for four years and four months and had already done three deployments: Aberdeen, Uzbekistan and Anaconda. Now he is in Iraq, where the unit arrived in mid-July after spending a month in Kuwait. In total, he has been deployed for one year and nine months, he said.

Weatherall said he doesnt mind deployments: ... But I didnt realize Id be deployed four times.

Leaders of 10th Mountain Division's Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment discuss how a rocket was buried inside the Saba al Boor police station gate in Iraq. (Lisa Burgess/Stars and Stripes) Pfc. Joe Strauch, of Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment waits atop an armored Humvee as his colleague talked to townspeople in Saba al Boor, Iraq. (Lisa Burgess/Stars and Stripes)

Like his company mate Zendijias, Weatherall liked his stint in Africa the best.

It was a fantastic deployment, he said while grabbing a taco-and-cheese dinner at the chow hall after a Wednesday patrol. We got to see so much of the other cultures.

The least favorite, for both men, was Operation Anaconda, in Afghanistan.

Just the terrain was so rough, never mind the fighting, Zendijias said while chewing a corn dog and some fried chicken.

Iraq isnt too bad, both men said.

The hardest part is not being able to call my family, or not getting time off to goof around with my friends, Zendijias said.

In his precious spare time, Weatherall said, he lifts weights and goes to church.

I think [God] is looking over our shoulders because he knows what we are doing is right, the devout Baptist said.

Weatherall said he still intends to go to college when his extension finally ends.

But he doesnt want to cut all his Army ties  he wants to join his local National Guard unit.

I want to be with my buddies, he said.

Zendijias said he intends to stay in the Army. His dream assignment is Fort Lewis, Wash., working with the new Stryker Brigade.
U.S. Marines, assigned to Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and members of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) conduct an interment ceremony held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, , Oc. 16, 2023. DPAA and attending family members paid their respects and honored the life of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Arthur B. Ervin, 22, killed during World War II. (Edward Randolph/U.S. Army)

HONOLULU (Tribune News Service)  Nearly 80 years after Marine Sgt. Arthur Ervin died fighting on Saipan, he was laid to rest Monday in a ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

Ervin, a Navy cross recipient, died alongside his platoon leader Lt. Philip Wood on July 5, 1944, during an ambush as they were trying to aid local Chamorro civilians caught in the crossfire of the battle. The two men were buried side by side along with others from the unit killed in the ambush in a field burial ground on the island.

Wood would be buried at Punchbowl after the war, but Ervins body  lacking dog tags, a legible name on his uniform or any personal effects  would end up listed as an unknown as the military moved bodies around.

It wasnt until June 2022 that the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency officially identified Ervins remains. For decades they were locked away, with his family wondering what had happened. For years they, as well as a relative of Woods, worked to find out.

Kay Gay, Ervins niece, recalled hearing bits and pieces of the story from her mother.

He spent a lot of time with her when she was young, you know, babysitting. So she just really looked up to him, said Gay. She was very, very private, so she didnt share a whole heck of a lot. But she always, when something came up, it always sparked a curiosity about what happened to Arthur.

Marine Sgt. Arthur Ervin died fighting on Saipan on July 5, 1944. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency)

Gay eventually convinced her mother to send in her DNA and try to get answers. It turns out they werent the only ones looking.

Geoffrey Roecker, a historian and author who was related to Wood, told the Star-Advertiser, When I was reading Lt. Woods letters, I started wanting to find out everything I could about the people he mentioned and everyone who was in his company. I found out in the course of that research that Sgt. Ervin had never been recovered and accounted for.

He said that given that it was documented they had died side by side, and a letter from an officer in the unit said they were buried together, that didnt make sense to him. Roecker became passionate about gathering information about Ervin and other missing Marines in the Pacific, establishing missingmarines.com.

Roecker eventually connected with Ervins family when Gay found his website, which recounted Ervins life in the Marine Corps. The two worked together to unravel the mystery of what happened after his death.

Ervin grew up in Detroit, Texas. His father and namesake, Arthur Ervin Sr., died in a coal mine when he was just 6. The younger Ervin bounced between jobs around the country before enlisting in the Marine Corps, and he arrived in Hawaii in September 1940 and was assigned to Naval Air Station Pearl Harbor on Ford Island.

He enjoyed island life  perhaps a bit too much. In November 1941 he and fellow Marine James Coupe were arrested for stealing a car and burglarizing a Waikiki establishment, making off with $75. On Dec. 7, 1941, the two Marines were in custody at the brig on Ford Island awaiting a court-martial when the Japanese navy launched its surprise attack.

Sailors and Marines outside were fighting back, shooting at the attacking Japanese planes with whatever they had. As the attack continued, Ervin and Coupe were released from the brig, issued pistols and told to join their comrades outside. In the aftermath of the attack, both Marines volunteered to help dig unexploded bombs out of the ground. But once the smoke had cleared, both were sent straight back to the brig.

They both plead guilty and were set for imprisonment that would end in dishonorable discharges. But as the need for Marines in the Pacific became more obvious, they were granted a second chance. Citing mitigating circumstances  as well as the youth and inexperience of both the accused, their previous good records and their commendable actions during and after the Japanese air raid, the court made a unanimous recommendation for clemency.

Gay said that her mother told her that in a strange way Pearl Harbor probably saved him, as Ervin dedicated himself to being the best Marine he could be.

Ervin eventually got the opportunity to volunteer for the elite Marine Raiders. He earned a Purple Heart during fighting on Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands and was sent back to Hawaii for treatment. It wouldnt be his last Purple Heart during the war.

He healed quickly and was eager to rejoin his unit. When he returned he was assigned to the units mortar section, led by Wood. The young officer quickly recognized strong leadership qualities in him and made Ervin, at the time still a corporal, his right-hand man over higher-ranking sergeants in the section.

Ervin, a wild Texas kid, and Wood, a New York aristocrat and aspiring lawyer, made an unusual pair. But another officer from the unit later wrote that the the mutual admiration and respect which grew between the two was obvious, and they were a strongly attached pair who worked together as well as any and better than most.

Ervin would be awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during a battle on Feb. 1, 1944. According to the award citations, he skillfully located and led the attack upon each hostile strong point in this zone of action.

Despite being wounded he launched a single-handed assault on a Japanese heavy machine-gun nest, returned to initiate a raid into an occupied blockhouse and moved up fire into a Japanese trench and shouted to fellow Marines to press forward. He was wounded a second time during the attack and stopped fighting only under direct orders from superiors.

He received his Navy Cross at Camp Maui from Adm. Chester Nimitz. He wrote home to his brother, I am damn proud of it and sending it home to Mother. Wish you could have been here Bud to see me get it. He was also finally promoted to sergeant.

Ervin and Wood went on to fight together on Saipan, where the Marines again saw heavy fighting. On July 5, 1944, the mortar section was pounding enemy-held territory as other Marines prepared for a major attack. But as they looked out, they spotted a group of local Chamorro people, some wounded, trying to make it to their lines.

The mortars stopped, and Wood and Ervin requested permission from their superiors to go help the islanders, something their company commander wrote they had a developed a reputation for doing. Several of the Chamorro were women and children, and some spoke English. They told the Marines they had escaped Japanese forces and that there were more of them in a cave ahead.

The massive planned attack was going to have artillery with it. Ervin and Wood volunteered to go find the civilians and get them out before the attack began in hopes of getting them out of harms way. But as they approached, a snipers bullet struck Wood. Seeing him go down, Ervin ran to his aid. According to a fellow Marine, Ervins last words were Dont worry, Phil ! Im coming for you ! before taking a bullet to the head.

A bloody firefight broke out as the Marines fired into the trees, taking more casualties. Six died. Another platoon went to help the survivors and drove back Japanese troops. The remaining Marines went to inspect a nearby cave and found a group of 60 Chamarro and Japanese civilians. They got them out of the cave and brought them to their lines for aid.

In Roeckers research he found that Wood had been buried on the island with several of his men and one of the unknowns right next to him, who he suspected was Ervin. He recalled, We said, Man, this has got to be, this has got to be him. And it took 11 years for us to kind of convince the DPAA that we had a good match.

Gays mother died in 2019, before a match could be made. Gay said she was determined to see it through and went to DPAA. She said she was told the DNA her mother gave couldnt be matched because it lacked a Y chromosome. She reached out to a male cousin who agreed to send in DNA, finally confirming the match.

Four Marine Ospreys did a flyover of the service at Punchbowl to honor Ervin, and a Marine honor guard handed his family a folded flag.

All the work that he put in after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and all the fact that he was given that second chance, this was, we felt, the place he belonged, said Gay. Im happy to bring him home.

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KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2023 - 13:25 | Arts, All, Japan

Japan's top male talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc. renamed itself Smile-Up Inc. on Tuesday in a bid to distance itself from its late namesake founder Johnny Kitagawa, against whom hundreds of sexual abuse allegations have been made.

The company unveiled earlier this month its plan to change its name and provide redress to the victims of Kitagawa, who died in 2019. Payments are scheduled to start in November, and Smile-Up will close as an entity once it finishes compensating the victims.

After midnight, the company's official website transitioned to a new design with Smile-Up branding, and "Johnny's," which long served as a brand name for male idols, disappeared.

Boy bands carrying "Johnny's" or other names associated with it will subsequently change their names as well.

The company said in September it would keep Johnny's as its name but reversed its stance after facing a backlash from corporate clients that used its performers.

Japan's public broadcaster NHK and commercial broadcasters also criticized the company's response as inappropriate.

During a press conference on Oct. 2, President Noriyuki Higashiyama announced the name change. He also said a separate talent agency will be established to manage former Johnny & Associates performers who decide to ink new contracts, and fans will help pick the new company's name.

As of the end of September, a victim relief committee established by the former talent agency had received compensation requests from 325 individuals.

Related coverage:

Japan vows to promote security camera use to curb child sexual abuse

Sex abuse reparations may just be tip of iceberg in Johnny's scandal

FOCUS: Johnny's abuse scandal giving fresh Japanese talent a chance to shine
Cpl. Hunter Way, a fire support Marine with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, watches for vessels while training in Sorsogon, Philippines, Oct. 9, 2023. (Kai Huber/U.S. Marine Corps)

Members of a new Marine rotational force and littoral regiment will be among the nearly 2,000 troops training to defend Philippine islands during next months Kamandag exercise.

Kamandag will take place Nov. 9-17 on the main island of Luzon and on Palawan, to the west, Capt. Larry Boyd, a spokesman for Marine Rotational Force  Southeast Asia, recently told Stars and Stripes by email.

Chinese coast guard and maritime militia have, in recent weeks, tried unsuccessfully to block Philippine vessels resupplying a marine territorial outpost at Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed South China Sea reef.

A major clash in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims as its territory, could potentially involve U.S. forces. Washington has vowed to defend Manila if it is attacked.

Next months coastal defense exercise will include approximately 900 U.S. troops and 900 Filipinos, along with marines and commandos from Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, Boyd said.

About 200 members of the rotational force, which stood up last year and has been training in the Philippines this month, will join Kamandag alongside members of the newly formed, Hawaii-based 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment and the Okinawa-based III Marine Expeditionary Force and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Boyd said.

The 3rd Marine Regiment was redesignated 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment in February 2022, a major step in the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 modernization effort in Hawaii.

The changes are intended to remold the service into a lighter force more adapted to fighting in the kinds of contested maritime spaces expected to be central in a conflict with China.

Along with coastal defense drills, the troops will practice chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear and information operations, conduct a command operations center exchange and amphibious assault vehicle training, Boyd said.

Theyll also practice humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, engineering, civil affairs, religious and medical support and search and rescue, he said.
Images and video newly released by the Defense Department capture a Chinese fighter jet in the course of conducting a coercive and risky intercept against a lawfully operating U.S. asset in the East China Sea. Over the course of five hours, four Chinese aircraft conducted this intercept, at one point reaching a distance of just 75 feet from the U.S plane. (Defense Department)

WASHINGTON  There has been a sharp increase in risky behavior by Chinese pilots in the South China Sea in the past two years, U.S. defense officials said Tuesday, releasing newly declassified images and video to support their claim.

Since the fall of 2021, we have seen more than 180 such incidents  more in the past two years than in the decade before that, said Ely Ratner, the Pentagons assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs. Thats nearly 200 cases where [Chinese] operators have performed reckless maneuvers, or discharged [anti-radar measures], or shot off flares, or approached too rapidly or too close to U.S. aircraft.

Ratner said the number of risky midair incidents rises to at least 300 since 2021 when accounting for Chinese actions against U.S. and ally planes in the South and East China Sea.

All [this is to try] to interfere in the ability of U.S. forces to operate safely in places where we and every country in the world have every right to be under international law, he said.

Ratner and Adm. John Aquilino, the commander of Indo-Pacific Command, expressed alarm at the abrupt rise in risky and coercive maneuvers and said they will be outlined in more detail in the Pentagons forthcoming Chinese Military Power Report  the Defense Departments annual assessment of Beijings military strength.

This years report will be out soon and taken together with todays announcements, it represents the departments most comprehensive depiction to date of this highly concerning behavior by the [Chinese military], Ratner said. [Chinas] coercive and risky behavior  seeks to intimidate and coerce members of the international community into giving up their rights.

Chinese military aggression against U.S. and allied aircraft in the region is nothing new. The Pentagon has noted multiple incidents this year, including one in May when a Chinese fighter jet made an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver in flying too close to a U.S. reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea.

Ratner and Aquilino said the images released Tuesday showing the risky behavior by Chinese planes were only just declassified. They said the increasingly unsafe behavior by China could lead to inadvertent conflict.

I am most concerned about the potential for accidents, and those accidents could lead to miscalculation, said Aquilino, PACOMs commander since May 2021. We must prevent these from happening.

For example, the Pentagon officials said an American plane was flying safely and lawfully over the South China Sea when it was approached by a Chinese fighter jet flying hundreds of miles per hour. They said the Chinese jet was clearly armed and came within 30 feet of the U.S. plane.

In fact, once it was there, the [Chinese] fighter jet lingered at that narrow proximity for more than 15 minutes, Ratner said, adding the incident occurred just weeks after a similar intercept. He said the repeated incidents indicate a central and concerted campaign of aggression on Chinas part.

China has one of the most sophisticated militaries in the world and has long been considered an increasing threat in the region, particularly to Taiwan. Beijing has long considered Taiwan a breakaway territory, and Chinese leaders have long expressed a desire to unify with the island at some point.

Army Gen. Charles Flynn, the commander of U.S. Army Pacific, said recently that China could be considering the late 2020s as a time to undertake an invasion of Taiwan, which is located only about 115 miles east of mainland China. Last fall, the Defense Department said in its National Defense Strategy that China, due to its military strength, is the No. 1 global pacing challenge for the United States.

In the past, China has denied accusations of reckless behavior on and over the South China Sea  mainly because it claims ownership over much of the sea, which also borders parts of the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. The East China Sea is farther to the northeast and borders China, Japan and South Korea. Because China claims ownership over much of the seas, it challenges the rights of other countries to fly or sail there.

Ratner said the recent risky Chinese behavior also has included incidents on the water, and the most recent aggression occurred last month.

Every one of these is one too many, he said.
South Koreas upcoming naval minesweeping helicopter will reportedly be based on the MUH-1 Marineon used by the nation's marines. (Korea Aerospace Industries)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  Northrop Grumman has been contracted to provide technical support for South Koreas upcoming naval minesweeping helicopter, the company announced in a news release Monday.

The Virginia-based company will support the integration of its Airborne Laser Mine Detection System, or ALMDS, into Korea Aerospace Industries Korean Mine Countermeasures Helicopter program by 2027, according to the release.

The purpose of the ALMDS is to detect and identify floating and near-surface moored mines, Northrop Grumman said on its website. The system has been used in U.S. Navy littoral combat ships and the MH-60S Seahawk helicopters since its development in 2016.

KAI is convinced that the ALMDS integration will make a significant improvement to [South Koreas] mine detection capabilities, Chang-heon Han, the companys rotary wing executive vice president, said in the release. The program will also enhance our strategic partnership with Northrop Grumman in the defense domain.

The cost of the contract was not specified in the release. KAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment by phone Tuesday.

KAI is developing South Koreas mine-sweeping helicopter by 2026 after being awarded a contract by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, according to a Korea Economic Daily report in December.

The $269 million contract will reportedly include a prototype that will be based on KAIs MUH-1 Marineon utility helicopter used by South Korean marines.

BAE Systems is also signed on to support the minesweeping helicopter. The UK-based defense company in June was awarded a $9 million contract by KAI to integrate its Archerfish mine-neutralization system, according to a BAE news release.

The remote-controlled, single-shot Archerfish system is used in U.S. Navy helicopters and fires a directed-energy warhead to detonate underwater mines, according to a BAE fact sheet.

Between 2018 to 2022, South Korea was the ninth-largest arms exporter with 2.4% of the worlds share, according to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report published in March.

Seoul also accounted for 6.5% of the U.S.s total arms exports within the four-year span, the report said.

South Korea has established itself as one of the worlds largest defense industry exporters and will continue to build its military might amid the Norths provocations and threats, President Yoon Suk Yeol said in a speech at Seouls Armed Forces Day parade on Sept. 26.
Polish President Andrzej Duda meets with U.S. soldiers during a visit to Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, in 2019. Duda has emphasized his country's ties with the U.S. military, which has made Poland a center of gravity for operations along NATOs eastern flank. (Sarah Kirby/U.S. Army)

A coalition on the cusp of winning Polands national elections is expected to maintain the countrys support for Ukraine while prioritizing close military ties with the U.S. and NATO, according to analysts.

The stakes were high for Ukraine in Sundays election in Poland, where officials say voters took to the polls in numbers surpassing the 63% turnout in 1989 that ended communism in the country.

If Ipsos exit polling holds, three opposition parties appear to have enough votes to oust the conservative Law and Justice party, which has been in power since 2015.

While Law and Justice has been a strong backer of Ukraine, a dispute with Kyiv over grain exports has strained relations and prompted calls from within the party to scale back its support for the country.

One election scenario had the Law and Justice party forming a government with Confederation, a grab bag of right-wing and far-right parties whose common issue was ending Polish support for Ukraine.

But on Sunday, former Prime Minister Donald Tusks Civic Coalition along with two other opposition parties appeared to have secured enough votes to form a coalition that wants to hold the line when it comes to backing Ukraine. Exit polling has the opposition controlling 248 seats in the 460-seat lower house of parliament.

The opposition broadly supports the governments support for Ukraine, and resistance to Russian aggression, plans to increase defense spending, and continue to rely on NATO and the United States for the defense of Poland, the Washington, D.C.-based Atlantic Council think tank wrote in an analysis of party platform positions ahead of the election.

Polish soldiers maneuver a PT-91 tank during an exercise at Nowa Deba, Poland, May 13, 2023. A new government coalition in Poland would be expected to maintain the countrys support for Ukraine and its close ties with the U.S. and NATO. ( Theresa Gualdarama/U.S. Army)

In recent years, Law and Justice ramped up defense spending, with tens of billions of dollars invested in advanced American hardware like Abrams tanks, Patriot missiles and F-35 fighters. Party leaders indicated Monday before the final tally that they may continue to try t0 govern in a new coalition.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, a Law and Justice ally, must call the first session of the new parliament within 30 days of the election and designate a prime minister to form a government.

Should the ruling party unexpectedly prevail, Warsaw will still perceive the United States as its sole security guarantor, and will maintain its practice of favoring American defense companies over European ones, the German Marshall Fund of the United States said in a pre-election analysis of party positions.

Duda also has emphasized Polands ties with the U.S. military, which has made Poland a center of gravity for operations along NATOs eastern flank. Along with expanded U.S. troop rotations in the country, the U.S. Army last year established its first permanent garrison in Poland, in the city of Poznan.

There are no indications that a new government coalition would change course on hosting U.S. forces in the country. Still, the U.S. weapons industry could be in for more competition.

A new Polish government will stress improving a damaged relationship with the European Union. The Law and Justice era featured numerous disputes between Brussels and Warsaw, especially over migration issues.

The German Marshall Fund said relations with the United States and NATO would remain strong, but when it comes to weapons purchases, the new coalition would would seek to balance these (U.S. acquisitions) by closer cooperation with the European defense sector.
Navalny learned of the arrest of the three lawyers Monday only from journalists, and Tuesday he found out that a fourth lawyer, Alexander Fedulov, had fled the country. A fifth, Olga Mikhailova, was not in Russia when the others were arrested, but her offices were raided and a search warrant was issued. (Evgeny Feldman/Wikimedia Commons)

RIGA, Latvia  Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny appeared at a court hearing without legal representation Tuesday after three of his lawyers were arrested on extremism charges and two others left the country.

Navalnys court appearance, by video link from Penal Colony No. 6 where he is being held, highlighted the dire state the Russian legal system. Barred from attending court in person, Navalny was shown by video from a small room in a prison colony, but he had no attorney. At one point his sound cut out. Later, the entire video stream was lost.

Navalny learned of the arrest of the three lawyers Monday only from journalists, and Tuesday he found out that a fourth lawyer, Alexander Fedulov, had fled the country. A fifth, Olga Mikhailova, was not in Russia when the others were arrested, but her offices were raided and a search warrant was issued.

I dont understand whats going on. My lawyer is not here. All the other lawyers are not here. Nobody is allowed to visit me. I am isolated and cut off from any information, Navalny complained Tuesday, adding he was even denied the right to a radio.

Navalnys sound was abruptly switched off as he criticized Russian authorities, according to Russian media outlets attending the hearing. Toward the end of Tuesdays court session, the video link was lost completely.

Officials claimed this was due to a power outage affecting the entire village of Melekhovo, where the prison is located in Vladimir region, about 150 miles east of Moscow. They said there was no information on when power would be restored.

Russian prison authorities even sued Navalny in one of several cases heard Tuesday, for the cost of gasoline for prison officials to attend the court, a claim the judge upheld.

Other cases Tuesday involved Navalnys civil claims against prison authorities for their mistreatment of him  for example, denying him daily exercise.

Navalny, a political prisoner serving 30 years for charges including extremism based on his opposition to the Putin regime, repeatedly has been placed in constant solitary confinement in a brutal punishment cell, the harshest regime in the colony.

Until Friday, his legal team was his only link with the outside world. Russias detention of three lawyers pending trial on extremism charges has severed even that connection, in what Navalnys team argues is a concerted state effort to crush his will and physically destroy him.

What is happening now with Alexeis lawyers is an attempt to deprive him not only of legal protection but also of his last connection with the outside world, Navalny spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said Tuesday.

At Tuesdays court session, Navalny described the arrest of the three lawyers, Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser and Igor Sergunin, as a spasm of this disgusting government, and called on Russians to continue their opposition to President Vladimir Putin and his United Russia party.

Rights groups say the cases against Navalny are political, and he argues they were trumped up in retribution for his opposition to Putin as well as his Anti-Corruption Foundations exposes of gross corruption by Putins cronies.

Over the weekend, Navalny supporters in numerous cities around the world marked his 1,000th day in prison.

On Monday, when Fedulov failed to appear, Navalny asked Judge Dmitry Samoilov to Google him for news on his whereabouts. Navalny said he despaired of finding a new lawyer. Given the fact that they are being arrested right and left, I think that no one will come to me, he said.

Late Monday, Fedulov posted a message on Instagram calling the situation for Russian defense lawyers strange.

The arrest of our colleagues who defended Navalny has made significant adjustments to the work of the defense lawyers who remain at large, Fedulov posted, adding that he was forced to leave Russia due to the current situation.

The case against the three lawyers alleges that they were part of an extremist community, and it accuses them of conveying Navalnys letters to the outside world, according to Russian media.

I consider what is happening, of course, to be lawless, Navalny told the court Tuesday. I believe that my lawyers are being persecuted for their professional activities, and you are a witness to this, he told Samoilov.

Russian lawyers associations have called on advocates across Russia to hold a strike Oct. 25 to 27 to protest the persecution of lawyers.

Obviously, we are simply returning to the U.S.S.R. by leaps and bounds, Navalny said. We have all already seen this, and these are absolutely signs of the agony of this system. He vowed that he and his team, now operating in exile from Vilnius, Lithuania, would never give up their opposition to Putin and his regime.

It is not extremist. It fully complies with the constitution. We have the right to engage in political activity. I have the right to say quite frankly that yes, I am against Vladimir Putin. I am against his power. I will fight against it, Navalny said.

At one point, Navalny passionately thanked his lawyers for working to defend him.

I want to convey to all my defenders that, firstly, I am very grateful to them. They are true professionals, he said. Secondly, that I am, of course, very worried about them and their families, and I, of course, really want to tell them and their families to hang in there. They are great.

Yarmysh said the team was working to try to restore his legal representation.

As bad as things are for Navalny, Yarmysh said they are about to get worse, when he is transferred to the harshest of Russian jails, a special-regime prison colony, reserved for the worst offenders, with restricted visits, parcels and exercise. No date on the transfer has been announced.

He is soon to be transferred to a special-regime colony, which means that we will literally lose him, she said. During travel, he will be defenseless.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2023 - 21:49 | All, World

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa asked her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian to "play a role" in defusing the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas during their phone talks Tuesday, the Japanese government said.

Kamikawa also told a press conference earlier in the day Japan will provide $10 million in aid for civilians in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to deal with the humanitarian crisis amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.

During the 20-minute talks, Kamikawa asked Iran to "work on Hamas and play a role in calming the situation," the Foreign Ministry said in a press release. She reiterated Japan's condemnation of Hamas for its "terror attacks" that cannot be justified on any grounds.

Iran, backing Hamas in the conflict with Israel, is seen by the United States and others as engaging in destabilizing activities in the region through the Hezbollah militant group, Tehran's proxy that wields power in Lebanon.

The two ministers also agreed on the importance of the international community being united in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and pledged to continue close communication between Tokyo and Tehran, according to the ministry.

The $10 million in emergency humanitarian relief to the Palestinian enclave will be delivered through international institutions, Kamikawa said.

"We will keep making diplomatic efforts...so that necessary aid, such as food, water, medical and health services, will reach innocent civilians and Palestinian refugees," she said.

Stability in the Middle East is important for Japan, which is highly dependent on crude oil imports from the region. Japan is also a close U.S. ally but has traditionally maintained friendly ties with Iran, Israel's longtime enemy.

As part of Japan's efforts to help reduce tensions in the Middle East, Kamikawa has already held phone talks with her counterparts from countries in the region such as Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well as Israel and Palestine.

Israel and Hamas have been at war since the Islamist militant group mounted a surprise attack from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on Oct. 7, triggering Israeli retaliation. Thousands of people on both sides have died so far.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been rapidly worsening as Israel has put the enclave under siege and cut off basic utilities, and its warning against residents to evacuate from Gaza's north has displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

In a related move on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hideki Murai told a separate news conference that the government is considering evacuating Japanese citizens in Israel on Self-Defense Forces aircraft later this week.

To prepare for the possible evacuation operation, three SDF planes left Japan on Saturday, two of which have arrived in Jordan on Tuesday, with one on standby at an SDF base in Djibouti in East Africa since Monday.

On Saturday, 51 Japanese nationals were evacuated from Israel on a South Korean military transport aircraft to an air base outside Seoul, and eight more left Tel Aviv for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on a Japan-chartered flight on Sunday.

Around 900 Japanese people remain in Israel and Palestinian territories, including "a small number" of nationals in Gaza that the government has kept in close communication with, according to Kamikawa.

Related coverage:

Biden will visit Israel on Oct. 18 to reaffirm U.S. security commitment
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron take off from RAF Lakenheath, England, for a deployment to the Middle East on Oct. 16, 2023. (Olivia Gibson/U.S. Air Force)

The U.S. militarys top general in the Middle East arrived in Israel early Tuesday as part of a series of visits by American officials intended to prevent conflict in the region from spiraling into a wider war.

Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, said during meetings with Israeli military leaders in Tel Aviv that the U.S. will support Israel, a statement from the command said.

Im here to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and am particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict, Kurilla said in the statement.

Kurillas visit comes ahead of a scheduled trip by President Joe Biden to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday and follows shuttle diplomacy by Secretary of State Antony Blinken throughout the region.

U.S. military officials and diplomats have said they intend to provide munitions to the Israeli military, which is likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza in response to attacks since Oct. 7 by Hamas that killed 1,400 people, according to Israeli estimates.

Israels response so far has included bombardments of Gaza that have left 2,778 dead and 9,938 injured, the Palestinian health ministry said Tuesday.

The U.S. has moved troops and hardware to and around the region. Defense officials say those assets are meant to deter groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and other Iran-backed groups from escalating the conflict with Israel.

A U.S. sailor assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan signals to an MV-22B Osprey to land on the ships flight deck in the Persian Gulf on Oct. 11, 2023. (Riley Gasdia/U.S. Navy) U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla and Israel Defense Forces chief Herzi Halevi meet in Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 30, 2023. Kurilla arrived in Israel Oct. 17 for meetings with its military leadership. (Israel Defense Forces)

The Pentagon said Tuesday that 2,000 U.S. troops from a variety of units have been given a prepare to deploy order.

No decisions have been made to deploy any forces at this time, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement.

Those troops are deployed in the Middle East and elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Meanwhile, a U.S. Marine unit aboard an amphibious assault ship began sailing toward Israel for potential use on missions to evacuate American citizens, a U.S. defense official told the Wall Street Journal.

Those Marines, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, ended a military exercise in Kuwait early in response to the conflict as a prudent measure, a spokeswoman for Marine Corps Forces Central Command said Friday.

Two aircraft carrier strike groups, A-10 attack aircraft and F-15 fighter jets also have been sent to the region in the past week.

U.S. officials have expressed concern that Iran and the militant groups it backs may join the fighting should Israels army become preoccupied in a grinding fight in Gaza, according to a New York Times report Monday.

The Israeli military would have to fight a two-front war, with battles in Gaza and another conflict on the countrys northern border with Lebanon, where there already have been skirmishes with Hezbollah, the Times report said.

Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, warned on Monday that preemptive action is possible if Israel continues preparations for a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, The Associated Press reported Monday.

Iran has backed Hamas for many years, but U.S. officials say there is no smoking gun implicating Tehrans involvement in funding or planning the Oct. 7 attacks.
Marquis Hooper, a former Navy chief petty officer, was sentenced Oct. 16, 2023, in federal court in Fresno, Calif., to more than five years in prison for hacking a database containing personal information, which he and his wife sold for $160,000 in Bitcoin, the Justice Department said. (Joshua Magbanua/U.S. Air Force)

A former Navy chief petty officer is going to prison for using his job at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan to steal and sell $160,000 worth of personal information belonging to thousands of people, the Justice Department said.

Marquis Hooper, 32, of Selma, Calif., was sentenced Monday in federal court in Fresno to five years and five months. He and his wife, Natasha Chalk, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Hooper also pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Chalk is scheduled to be sentenced next month, the Justice Department said. The maximum prison term for the conspiracy conviction alone is 20 years.

The two obtained information by accessing a private database and selling it in exchange for Bitcoin on the dark web, according to prosecutors.

The couples criminal plot began in August 2018, about two months before Hoopers 10-year military career ended, according to court documents.

At the time, he was stationed in Japan as an IT manager. Chalk was a naval reservist at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California.

Hooper opened an online account with a company that runs a database containing personal information for millions of people.

The company, which was not identified in court documents, restricts access to the database to businesses and government agencies with a proven and lawful need for the information.

Hooper falsely told the company he was representing 7th Fleet and needed access to perform background checks on Navy personnel, according to court filings.

Hooper then added Chalks name to the account, and they retrieved more than 9,000 peoples information, which they sold to third parties for $160,000, the Justice Department said.

Some buyers of the information used it to commit further crimes, the Justice Department said. Someone tried to withdraw money from a bank account in Arizona using a fake California drivers license with information bought from Hooper and Chalk. A bank teller declined the transaction, according to court documents.

The company closed Hoopers account in December 2018 after suspecting fraud, but that didnt stop him, federal prosecutors said.

Three months later, he tried to access the database again through a contact stationed on the USS George Washington, which was docked in Newport News, Va., according to court documents.

Hooper told the sailor, identified in court documents by the initials K.D., that he would pay him $2,500 for each month that the account was open.

Hooper had K.D. falsely list another sailor as the supply officer who would sign for the account, prosecutors said, adding that Hooper and Chalk then sent K.D. false documents and a forged letter from the carriers commanding officer.

The application was flagged for possible fraud and declined, court documents state. K.D. was listed as of this week as an unindicted co-conspirator, according to the Justice Department.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2023 - 18:15 | All, Japan

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent a ritual offering Tuesday for the fall festival at Tokyo's war-linked Yasukuni shrine, seen by some of Japan's Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country's past militarism.

Kishida sent the "masakaki" offering on the first day of the festival, but he is unlikely to make an in-person visit during the three-day event, having refrained from doing so since taking office in October 2021, people close to him said.

Yoshitaka Shindo, minister in charge of economic revitalization, and economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, known for her hawkish views on foreign affairs, visited the shrine Tuesday morning.

Shindo, who assumed his current post in a Cabinet reshuffle in September, told reporters, "I paid my respects to the spirits of those who carried out important duties for the country and their families."

Regarding Kishida's offering, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing "firmly opposes Japan's negative moves" and has lodged "stern representations" with Tokyo.

China urges that Japan honors its "pledge of facing up to and reflecting on its own history of aggression and make a clean break with militarism," to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community, she said.

South Korea expressed its "deep disappointment and regret" over Kishida's offering and the visits by ministers, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lim Soo Suk saying Yasukuni "enshrines war criminals and glorifies Japan's past aggression."

"We urge Japan's leaders to squarely face history and show their humble reflection and genuine repentance for the past through their actions," Lim said.

The festival comes as Sino-Japanese ties have become strained due to the release into the sea of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant since August, while bilateral relations between Tokyo and Seoul have rapidly improved.

Yasukuni has been a source of diplomatic friction with China and South Korea as Japan's wartime leaders, convicted as war criminals in a post-World War II international tribunal, are among the more than 2.4 million war dead honored at the shrine.

Past visits to Yasukuni by Japanese prime ministers, including assassinated former leader Shinzo Abe, known as a hawkish politician, and lawmakers have drawn a backlash from China and South Korea, where memories of Japan's wartime actions run deep.

Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945 and occupied a vast swath of China.

On Monday, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who belongs to a conservative faction formerly led by Abe in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, visited Yasukuni ahead of the latest festival.

To avoid angering Beijing and Seoul, recent prime ministers have sent offerings to the shrine at the time of its festivals in the spring and fall as well as the anniversary of Japan's surrender in the war on Aug. 15, 1945.

In 1978, Yasukuni added 14 Class-A war criminals, including wartime Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo, to the enshrined deities, stirring controversy at home and abroad. Tojo was executed by hanging for crimes against peace.

Related coverage:

Japan economy minister visits war-linked Yasukuni ahead of festival

FOCUS:Japan-China row on Fukushima water feared to persist, hinder dialogue

Japan marks 78th anniv. of WWII end as PM reiterates war opposition
The woman only escaped from the house in the greater Belfast area when her suspected captor fell asleep

Alleged drug dealer Thomas Morgie Morgan has been in court accused of holding a sex worker hostage.

In what was described as a deranged incident, he is accused of kidnapping a sex worker, threatening to kill her and telling her the only way she was leaving the house was if she shot him.

The 47-year-old  facing charges in relation to drugs possession, kidnapping, threats to kill and possessing a firearm  appeared in Belfast High Court for a bail application.

The woman only escaped from the house in the greater Belfast area when her suspected captor fell asleep during an ordeal lasting up to three days, a judge was told.

Morgan, of Walnut Green in Larne, Co Antrim, faces charges of possessing a firearm, false imprisonment, common assault, paying for sexual services, possessing cocaine, threats to kill theft, and having offensive weapons with intent.

The alleged offences were committed in December last year.

A Crown lawyer said the woman used WhatsApp to arrange a five-hour meeting for a 1,000 fee.

She claimed when she arrived at the property her customer showed some cash and promised to make payment soon. Later, a request to leave the house was refused.

At one stage the customer allegedly stated: You are going to die in this house with me.

Counsel said that when the woman tried to get up from a sofa she was headbutted back down and then threatened with a knife, hammer and broken bottle.

The man produced a firearm and asked if she would shoot him in the head, according to her account. He said she could only leave if she shot him, the prosecutor added.

Adjourning the application, Lord Justice McCloskey requested further medical reports before making a decision.
Mark Doyle (38), who was stationed in Dublin and is currently suspended, pleaded guilty on Monday

A Dublin-based garda will be sentenced next January after he admitted six charges of assault causing harm to three named people over an 11-year period.

Mark Doyle (38), who was stationed in Dublin and is currently suspended, pleaded guilty on the morning of his trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Monday to four charges of assault causing harm to a woman on dates between May 8, 2010, and August 28, 2019.

Mark Doyle

He further pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a male on September 3, 2017, and assault causing harm to a second male on unknown dates between 2008 and 2009.

Dean Kelly SC, prosecuting, said the pleas were acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge Orla Crowe set a sentence date of January 29, 2024, when all evidence in the case will be heard.

She ordered victim impact statements for that date and remanded Doyle on continuing bail.
The court heard how Webb who is now banged up in Mountjoy Prison after he was handed a two-year jail term  entered into an illicit coke for info relationship with former civilian garda employee Holly Hayden.

Holly Haydens case will be before court again in November

These are the first pictures of the 33-year-old who was jailed for corruption after he admitted exchanging cocaine for information taken directly from the Garda Pulse system.

Our exclusive images show Daniel Webb, who attended court wearing a pair of 695 Balenciaga designer trainers, standing outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin ahead of his sentencing hearing.

The court heard how Webb who is now banged up in Mountjoy Prison after he was handed a two-year jail term  entered into an illicit coke for info relationship with former civilian garda employee Holly Hayden.

Webb (33), of Charlesland, Greystones, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to two counts of active and passive corruption at unknown locations on September 6 and 9, 2019.

Daniel Webb turned up wearing 695 Balenciaga trainers

At a previous hearing, Detective Sergeant James King recalled how, in January 2020, gardai received confidential information that a civilian employee of An Garda Siochana, Holly Hayden (27), who was working at the Dun Laoghaire District Office, was relaying confidential information from the Garda Pulse system to third parties outside the station.

An investigation took place and her work area and home were searched. A mobile phone was seized during the search and a forensic download was carried out.

Messages from Hayden to Webb were found on both the WhatsApp and Telegram apps.

The court heard that Webb was then identified and messages showed Hayden sent him a document containing information from the Pulse system about another individual on September 6, 2019.

On September 9, 2019, she provided a synopsis of information from the Pulse system, which she had been instructed to download via the messaging app Telegram.

She received cocaine in exchange for providing information on both of these occasions.

Holly Haydens case will be before court again in November

The court heard that in total 17 lines of intelligence were sent, which related to Webb and people associated with him.

Screenshots of the Pulse system were also sent to Webb.

The court heard that Hayden also sent information to another third party and gave details about the location of garda checkpoints.

Judge Orla Crowe asked if copies of the information taken from the Pulse system were available, and these were handed into the court.

Det Sgt King said a search warrant was issued for Webbs home and car.

Webb arrived home during the search and cooperated fully with gardai. His mobile phone was also seized.

James Dwyer SC, defending, said his client met Hayden in his local pub after she approached him.

They first began to communicate on WhatsApp in May 2019.

He said Hayden sent information to his client about him and his associates and sent details to a third party relating to garda movement and checkpoints.

Det Sgt King agreed with counsel that messages from his clients phone show that at one point he encouraged Hayden not to look up more information.

Mr Dwyer handed in character references for his client from his GP, a member of the Bar of Ireland, neighbours, a woman for whom his mother worked, and family members.

His parents were also in court to support him.

The letter from his parents described Webb as warm, generous and loving and said he is adored by his siblings.

Counsel said seven urine analyses had also returned clean.

He said a probation report is available, indicating when this offence occurred Webb was at the peak of his drug use, spending up to 200 a night on cocaine and Xanax.

The reports put him at a low risk of re-offending and noted he is in stable employment.

He said this was a crime of the utmost seriousness where the Pulse system has been compromised but asked the court to consider the clean urine reports, the lack of previous convictions, and his early guilty plea when sentencing.

The court heard Webb has no previous convictions.

Passing sentence, Judge Orla Crowe said the offending involved interfering with an intelligence resource of An Garda Siochana.

Judge Crowe sentenced him to two years in prison on each count to run concurrently, with the final 12 months suspended for two years.

The judge had previously adjourned the case facing Webbs co-accused Holly Hayden until November 6 for finalisation.

Hayden (27) of Bayview Terrace, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to one count of disclosing confidential information from the Pulse system obtained in the course of her employment on October 29, 2019.

She further pleaded to two counts of accessing confidential information from the Pulse system for the purpose of corruptly obtaining a gift, consideration or advantage for herself at Dun Laoghaire Garda Station on September 9, 2019, and on dates between April 28, 2020 and May 11, 2020.
Jacintha McSherry O'Connor took the stand in her Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial on Monday

A teacher accused of indecently assaulting a male student 38 years ago has told a jury she never had sexual relations of any kind with the child.

Jacintha McSherry O'Connor took the stand in her Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial on Monday and denied the allegations against her.

Ms McSherry O'Connor (63), of The Mullins, Donegal Town, Co Donegal, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a child on dates between June 1 and September 1, 1985. She was aged between 24 and 25 at the time, and he was 13.

The court heard the incidents are alleged to have happened while Ms McSherry O'Connor worked as a student teacher at a school in Dublin.

It is alleged that Ms McSherry O'Connor indecently assaulted the boy on two occasions in his home, where she gave him grinds. These are the charges the jury must decide on. It is alleged there was also sexual contact between the boy and the accused on a holiday she attended with his family in Spain.

Yesterday, Patrick McGrath SC, defending, asked Ms McSherry O'Connor did she ever have sexual relations of any kind with the boy. No, I did not, Ms McSherry O'Connor replied.

When asked if she indecently assaulted the boy while in Spain or in his home as is alleged, Ms McSherry O'Connor replied: No, I did not.

Ms McSherry O'Connor told the court that at the time of the alleged offences she was in a relationship with the man who is now her husband.

Garrett McCormack BL, prosecuting, asked Ms McSherry O'Connor was it not unusual for the boy to go to her family house, where she then lived with her parents and siblings. Ms McSherry O'Connor said he would show up after he followed her home one day and discovered where she lived.

She said the boy occasionally walked her home as far as the local shops. She said she was disappointed he had followed her all the way home as she hadn't wanted him to know where she lived.

Mr McCormack put it to Ms McSherry O'Connor that she groomed the boy for sexual abuse and that the grooming began when you started giving him grinds.

He said it was the prosecution case that the complainant has given a correct version of events, and what you're saying is not true. Ms McSherry O'Connor disagreed.

Prosecution counsel asked Ms McSherry O'Connor why the complainant would lie. The court heard he has been steadfast throughout and didn't waver in his allegations. He has no reason to make this up, Mr McCormack said. I don't know, replied Ms McSherry O'Connor.

He did say he fantasised about me, he was in love with me, she said. She later added: I don't know why he brought the criminal case. If he told so many people, maybe they pushed him into it.

She agreed she has had no contact with the complainant since 1985.

Yesterday, a teacher who went on holiday to Spain with Ms McSherry O'Connor gave evidence.

Doreen Maher Ritchie told the court that she met Ms McSherry O'Connor while they were studying in UCD and that the trip to Spain was her first holiday abroad without her family.

Under cross-examination from Marc Thompson BL, defending, Ms Maher Ritchie said that she and Ms McSherry O'Connor were together on holidays all the time and didn't leave each other on their own. She said they didn't interact much with the boy's family.

We were there on our own holiday, two girls together, she said. We weren't interested in kids, we had had enough of kids for the year.

Ms Maher Ritchie said she had no recollection of any of the boys family being in the studio apartment she shared with Ms McSherry O'Connor and she agreed with defence counsel that she didn't recall ever feeling uncomfortable with anything Ms McSherry O'Connor was doing on holiday or in general around children.

She said she was absolutely appalled when she was first told of the allegations against Ms McSherry O'Connor. We were just two kids on a holiday together, that's all we were, she said.

The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
Martin Hayes (34), with an address at Poddle Close, Crumlin, Dublin 12 was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court yesterday afternoon

A grave digger will go on trial today accused of murdering his former partner on the northside of Dublin six years ago.

Martin Hayes (34), with an address at Poddle Close, Crumlin, Dublin 12 was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court yesterday afternoon.

Mr Hayes is charged with murdering mother-of-two Amadea McDermott (27) at her home in Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock on or about July 20, 2017.

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused man and asked him how he was pleading, he replied: "Not guilty".

The prosecution case is being led by senior counsel Sean Gillane, while Ronan Munro SC is heading up the defence team.

Amadea McDermott

Addressing the jury panel, Mr Gillane said the events concerned evolved on July 19 into the early hours of July 20, 2017 at Ms McDermott's home. The lawyer said Ms McDermott and the accused were in a relationship with each other at the time.

Mr Gillane said Ms McDermott has several sisters, whom the jury will hear from and that they would also hear from other witnesses. The garda witnesses in the case are attached to Coolock and Malahide Garda Stations, he added.

Mr Munro said his client's family come from Kimmage in Dublin 12 and that they still live there. The barrister said that Mr Hayes was working as a grave digger in Mount Jerome cemetery in Harold's Cross at the time.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt swore in a jury of eight men and four women to hear the trial, which will begin before Mr Justice Paul McDermott on Tuesday morning and is expected to last up to four weeks.
The search operation resulted in 15 Pit Bull Terriers, two Alsatians and two Rottweilers being seized

A man was remanded on bail after appearing in court today, charged with cruelty and neglect to dogs, at his home in Co Limerick.

Gardai arrested and charged Andrew Hartigan, (35), of Olivers Flats, The Corner, Old Pallas, Co Limerick, after 19 dogs were recovered at his home, on January 17th last.

The search operation, led by Garda Mark OMahony, Bruff Garda Station, resulted in 15 Pit Bull Terriers, two Alsatians and two Rottweilers being seized under Section 45 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

The joint-search operation involving Gardai attached to Bruff and Pallasgreen Garda Stations and Limerick City and County Council was initiated following an inspection by veterinary officials.

At Kilmallock District Court today, a certificate of evidence of Mr Hartigans arrest, charge and caution was provided by Garda Inspector Gary Thompson, Bruff.

Inspector Thompson told the presiding judge, Patricia Harney, that the accused had made an application under the Police Property Act for return of the dogs that were currently in the care of the State.

The court adjourned this application pending the outcome of the criminal charges against Mr Hartigan.

Mr Hartigan was charged with a total of four counts of cruelty and neglect to a Brindle Pit Bull Terrier, a Belgian Malnois, a White and Brown Pit Bull Terrier and a Speckle Pit Bull Terrier, on January 17, 2023.

The dogs remain in the care of a dog shelter in the Southern Region.

Andrew Hartigan

The State has alleged Mr Hartigan did cause or permit anything to be done to an animal that caused unnecessary suffering to, or endangered the health or welfare of, an animal, or neglect, or be reckless regarding the health and welfare of the four dogs Contrary to Section 12 (1) (a) and 12 (1) (b) of

Health and Welfare 2013 as amended.

Inspector Thompson told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that the case be dealt with by way of summary disposal, which allows a District Court judge to hear a summary of the evidence before deciding if they will allow the case be dealt with in the District Court or allow it to be sent to the Circuit Court for trial on indictment.

Inspector Thompson said Mr Hartigan had been granted bail at a garda station to appear before the court today.

He said the State was not seeking any special conditions on Mr Hartigans bail terms, nor had the State any objection to Mr Hartigan being remanded on continuing bail.

Judge Harney granted Mr Hartigan free legal aid and ordered the State to disclose all of the evidence in the case to Mr Hartigans legal representatives, following applications for same, made by solicitor Brendan Gill, who was acting as agent for Mr Hartigan.

Judge Harney remanded Mr Hartigan on continuing bail for a plea, or, a date for hearing of all of the evidence, on November 24th, this year.

Mr Hartigans application, which he has brought under the Police Property Act 1897, was adjourned to the same date.
The womans own child is listed as a victim in the shocking case.

An American mum hosted alcohol-fuelled parties for kids in her million dollar mansion where she watched her sons intoxicated friends having sex in between vomiting and falling unconscious, it is alleged.

Shannon OConnor, whose 15-year-old son is one of the alleged victims in the Californian case, is currently facing 39 criminal charges, including felony child abuse, sexual assault, sexual battery, annoying or molesting a child, and providing alcohol to minors.

The secret parties were hosted by OConnor at her 4.5m Los Gatos mansion in 2021 without her husbands knowledge, cops say.

O'Connor in court (Getty)

The so-called Party Mom allegedly pressurized teens to binge drink and engage in sex for her own gratification. She was subsequently battered by up to five inmates when she was put in prison.

According to a report by KRON4 news, OConnors mobile contained evidence of her Google searches for things including good books with young sex  along with several videos of undressed, underage kids.

The videos show young girls who appear to be underage. They are dressed in revealing clothing. There is no evidence that the girls in these videos were personally known to defendant," the news outlet stated.

Court documents showed some of her OConnors searches including hot sixteen year old girls and tit* and a*s.

Court documents

Many of the sexual incidents which occurred in the womans home are reported as non-consensual.

Evidence admitted at preliminary hearing will show offenses alleged above were committed by defendant as a result of sexual compulsion and for the purpose of sexual gratification, Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise said.

The mother helped minors sneak out of their homes in the middle of the night without their parents knowledge. She would communicate via Snapchat or text message, pick them up  and drive them to her home, according to the attorney.

Alleged crime scene mansion (google maps)

She got the children under her care so drunk that many children would vomit, be unable to stand, and even lose consciousness. She urged them to engage in sexual activity with each other, the prosecutor added.

It is also alleged that OConnor would judge girls appearance on whether or not they would be invited to the sick parties. A judging scale was reportedly used on whether people were pretty enough and whether or not they put out.

O'Connor is alleged to have watched drunk teenage boys get on top of a girl, court documents claim.

A fourteen-year-old girl was threatened with retaliation if she told anyone about the sick events, which included threats of rumours being spread about her.

It is reported O'Connor handed one teen a condom and pushed him into a room where a drunk teen was lying on the bed. The girl was forced to run and lock herself in a bedroom to escape.

Another mugshot of O'Connor (District Attorney)

In another incident, OConnor was accused of witnessing a boy attack a drunk girl and doing nothing to intervene.

It's just so terrible what she did to my daughter and these other children, said the mother of one of the girls.

My heart breaks for these kids. It's been devastating. It's a worst nightmare for a parent, the distraught parent told the Mercury News outlet.

The trial is ongoing with the next hearing in three week s time.
A prosecutor also put it to the celebrity (40) that aspects of his evidence were completely unbelievable

The woman who alleges a well-known entertainer began a sexual relationship with her when she was an underage schoolgirl has no grudge against the accused, his trial has been told.

A prosecutor also put it to the celebrity (40) that aspects of his evidence were completely unbelievable and the only plausible version of events had been put forward by the complainant.

The accused repeated his denials of the allegations that she gave him oral sex three times when she was 16 years old.

He was being cross-examined for a second and final day at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where he is pleading not guilty to defilement of a child under 17 - the legal age of consent - between August and December 2010.

The complainant, now in her late 20s, has said she first met the accused at the Oxegen music festival in July 2010, when she gave him her number.

The victim accepted she initially lied that she was 18, but alleged she revealed her actual age by text before they began a sexual relationship.

She alleged she first gave him oral sex in a stairwell at his Dublin workplace in late August 2010.

The next two incidents, she alleged, were at his home in the city, the final one on December 14 that year.

The accused insisted he never had any sexual contact with the girl before she turned 17, only after.

He said she only revealed her real age after her 17th birthday, in January 2011, when he took her for lunch, and it was a little bit of a surprise or shock.

He told the jury he also took her to his workplace that day and this was the only time she was there.

He denied that anything sexual happened between them there, or that they were ever in the stairwell. He said he never took her to his home at all.

On Monday, prosecutor Eilis Brennan SC asked the accused about the restaurant he said he met the complainant at in January 2011.

I understand that [the restaurant] wasnt open, he said. Its possible we went for food [in another location], theres a lot of restaurants around there. Im happy to correct the record. Its possible I misremembered that.

Ms Brennan put it to him the restaurant in question was not open until 2017 and he couldnt possibly have met the complainant there when he said he did.

I was trying to piece it together as best I could, he said, and that it wasnt fancy food and it was on the way to his office.

Ms Brennan put it to him he had been very specific about where he met the girl for lunch.

I have obviously mixed up dates and years, he replied. We did go for food in that general area.

He agreed that the first time they had an intimate encounter with the girl was at a hotel in the summer of 2012, around the time of her Leaving Certificate.

There was a flirtatious text around this time when she called him a sexy man", the court heard.

Ms Brennan asked why he had found time to meet the girl shortly before he moved to the UK in early 2011.

He replied that she had reached out and he told her to swing by his other office. Ms Brennan asked how their relationship developed if he was out of the country for a year.

We just kept in touch, he said.

He said he did not think he had a specific categorisation for the relationship at that stage. She was interested in media, he was happy to meet her for help and advice and they kept in touch, he said.

Eventually, there was a physical element to that relationship, he said.

Ms Brennan said getting a girls phone number would generally be to ask her on a date.

In 2012 I did ask her on a date, he replied.

Asked about the day of the alleged offence at his house on December 14, 2010, he said: Im practically certain I was not at home all day and I think that evening is fairly well accounted for.

He was certain he was working that day.

Ms Brennan put it to him none of the working day he described was inconsistent with the girl popping in to his house for a half an hour.

That didnt happen, he said.

Ms Brennan asked why he and the girl were texting on Christmas Day 2011, having only met three times on a very casual basis on his account.

He could not recall what level or frequency of communication he had with her in 2011 but in early to mid 2012, obviously myself and [the complainant] did have some sexual encounters and this was in the run-up to that.

Ms Brennan put it to him he was texting her at Christmas because they had a sexual relationship that began in 2010.

That is not true, he said.

Asked what he had meant in a May 2012 text by asking the girl on a proper date he said its just a phrase and I think it was declaring some romantic intention perhaps.

Ms Brennan asked if the accused accepted the complainant was someone who doesnt have a grudge against him.

He replied that he thought she was upset after they met at a festival abroad in summer 2012. That was the first time we had been fully intimate together and he hadnt contacted her in the aftermath.

He said, however, there was a straightforward text from him later apologising because he had left his phone behind.

Ms Brennan put it to him that the complainant was telling the truth and his evidence that he was never in the stairwell at his workplace was completely unbelievable.

He repeated that he never had cause to go the stairwell.

Ms Brennan said the only plausible version of events was that put forward by the complainant.

I disagree, he said.

The trial continues on Tuesday before Judge Pauline Codd and a jury of nine men and three women.
He was a top informer for British intelligence

Alfredo "Freddie" Scappaticci pictured at the 1987 funeral of IRA man Larry Marley.

The intriguing story of IRA double agent Freddie Scappaticci is one of mystery and fascination and for years has been the subject of the Operation Kenova investigation due to be published in coming weeks.

Nicola speaks with author and former Provision IRA prisoner Richard ORawe whose book 'Stakeknifes Dirty War' exposes British intelligent's top informer and his role in the IRAs Nutting Squad.

He tells Nicola about a narcissist who turned traitor and his sinister role as a notorious torturer who may have told his handlers who was going to live and die during Northern Irelands dirty war.

.

Crime World Podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Soundcloud.

MORE EPISODES 
KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2023 - 12:54 | World, All

U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirm Washington's "ironclad commitment to its security," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday in Tel Aviv following hours of talks with Netanyahu amid growing concern that Israel's war with Palestinian militant group Hamas could turn into a wider and longer regional conflict.

After Israel, Biden will travel to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to the White House.

"President Biden will again make clear, as he has done unequivocally since Hamas' slaughter of more than 1,400 people including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists, and to prevent future attacks," Blinken told the press.

Blinken said Biden will also send "our crystal-clear message to any actor, state or nonstate, trying to take advantage of this crisis to attack Israel -- Don't" and hear from the U.S. ally about its "war aims and strategy," including how it will minimize civilian casualties and enable humanitarian assistance.

Israel is preparing for a ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which is now facing a humanitarian crisis with shortages of electricity, water and food.

Israeli forces have been retaliating against the militant group for its sudden attack on Israel on Oct. 7, with Gaza health authorities announcing Monday that 2,778 had been killed in the densely populated area.

Blinken said the United States and Israel had "agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multinational organizations to reach civilians in Gaza."

While working closely with Israel to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas, Blinken said, "It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible."

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement Biden will reiterate during his trip that "Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination, and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza."

Related coverage:

Japan SDF plane arrives in Djibouti for possible Israel evacuation

8 Japanese evacuated from Israel on government-chartered flight to Dubai

G20 notes uncertain global economic outlook, airs concern over wars
Belgium raises terror alert to highest level after two shot dead in Brussels

Belgiums Prime Minister Alexander De Croo suggested the attack was linked to terrorism and convened an emergency meeting of senior cabinet ministers.

Belgium raises terror alert to highest level after two shot dead in Brussels

Tue 17 Oct 2023 at 09:14







Belgian authorities have raised the terror alert to its highest level in Brussels and the second-highest level across the rest of the nation after two Swedish people were shot dead in the capital.
Three people have been charged and will appear before Dublin District Court.

Three people were arrested yesterday during violent scenes in Dublin 8.

The public order incident took place in Pimlico on Monday at the site of the former Pimlico Tavern.

In images posted online, a man is seen on a balcony remonstrating with the crowd below, as a green flag flies on the roof of the building.

Man on balcony (Anti Imperialist Action Ireland)

In a statement today, gardai said:

Yesterday afternoon, Monday 16th October 2023, Gardai attended a vacant premises in Pimlico following reports of an alleged trespass and public order incident.

"Over course of the operation, three persons were arrested and have since been charged to appear before Dublin District Court.

Garda operation ('Anti Imperialist Action Ireland)

A group called Anti Imperialist Action Ireland, who are a Socialist Republican Organisation that campaign against British, EU and US Imperialism in Ireland, posted images of the incident on social media.

That group wrote:

Earlier today upwards of 60 Free State Police, including the armed emergency response unit, descended on the Liberties in Dublin to evict a number of homeless people from a building that has been empty for 6 years.

Scene of incident

Housing and homeless activists highlighting vacancy in the midst of an artificial housing crisis are not criminals and should not be arrested or brought before the courts.

AIA strongly condemn the arrest of this man and call for his immediate release.

There are enough empty homes in Ireland to house all in need, the struggle for homes for all must be continued until it is a reality! the group wrote.

Gardai in Pimlico ('Anti Imperialist Action Ireland)

On October 14, Anti Imperialist Action Ireland took part in a rally relating to ongoing events in the Middle East.

"Members and supporters of AIA joined 10,000 people today marching for Palestine in Dublin, the group said.

AIA proudly flew the flag of the PFLP and a banner stating "Victory to the Palestinian Resistance!"

It is alleged that one of the people arrested yesterday in Pimlico has been involved in a number of protests taking place in Dublin.
To be honest we had three bottles of whiskey between three people, I was really drunk

A man who was sacked after making offensive jokes to a black colleague shortly after calling him a snowflake at a company barbecue says he was really drunk on whiskey at the time, and is not a racist.

General operative Lucian Mihai Muscalu won a Workplace Relations Commission case against former employer Gunn Lennon Fabrications (GLF) Ltd, but the adjudicating officer in the case found it was just and equitable to award him nothing in compensation because of his offensive comments.

Mr Muscalu told the Sunday World that while he was very apologetic for making the jokes, he is glad the Workplace Relations Commission found he had been unfairly dismissed over the incident, even if he wasnt awarded any payout.

He also claimed people are too sensitive and added: you cant say something about somebody without everybody else cancelling you.

Yes, I did some jokes and yes it was inappropriate I know, but, in the end, it was friendly from my point of view.

He said he was extremely drunk at the time and knew he had gone too far with his jokes.

To be honest we had three bottles of whiskey between three people, I was really drunk. I remember this and told them that, he said.

He said as well as whiskey he had drunk a number of beers.

The incident took place at a barbecue thrown by the engineering firm for its staff on June 25, 2021, when Covid-19 public health measures had just been relaxed to allow outdoor social events, the employment tribunal was told.

Mr Muscalu admitted to the Sunday World that what he said was completely inappropriate.

He was talking to a group of people of different nationalities, including a black colleague, when he made the comments.

He told the Sunday World he initially called the colleague a snowflake for not helping a woman lift a pot.

After this I said the joke with the panda bear. I said which is the most unracist [sic] animal in the world and he said who and I said the panda bear because hes white, hes black and hes Asian at the same time.

We had the laugh regarding that. Now the next one I said, it was a little hard. I said to him before this look I will say something but please dont take it personal or something like that.

I said you know why black people are white on their palms and their feet. He looked at me and I said because when you were painted you had your hands on the wall.

Everyone told me in that moment look this is kind of harsh and I said yes, please I apologise I shouldnt have said that, it was just a joke.

Another colleague criticised Mr Muscalu for making remarks about gay people referring to them as rainbow people at the barbecue.

Mr Muscalu said he knew at this stage he was very drunk and his comments were offending people so he decided to go home.

I left from the barbecue around 3.30pm. The rest stayed, but I ordered myself a taxi because I knew I was really drunk and I didnt want things to escalate. I didnt have a fight with anybody I said I will apologise guys and go home so I took a taxi and left. That was about 10 or 20 minutes [after the racist joke].

I just left because I knew it was inappropriate. He said he went into work on Monday and spoke to his boss, who was fine with him. However, a colleague subsequently complained about what had been said at the barbecue and Mr Muscalu was called in for meeting on Tuesday where he admitted what he had said.

I said if I offended somebody, I am really sorry and apologise, I dont want to do that.

He said: what do you mean by offending people and I said: I did make some jokes and one of them was really inappropriate but I did apologise to him.

He was fired the next day.

The WRC found the sacking was unfair on procedural grounds. Mr Muscalu said he was shocked to have been sacked.

I said I didnt touch nobody or swear to somebody, it was just a joke. These jokes I saw them on YouTube like some Ricky Gervais or some stand-up.

He said while he was fired on the Wednesday, he was able to get a new job within a matter of days so was only at a financial loss of 374.40 and he wasnt concerned about receiving any pay-out.

I was not on jobseekers allowance or anything. I told them it wasnt about the money but what they did was really unfair. I didnt come to Ireland to sue a company and make money. I work hard for my money to sustain my family. I have two boys and Im blessed and everything is OK and I dont want any free money.

Mr Muscalu claimed he himself was made the subject of jokes about being from Romania from another colleague but never complained about it.

I was missing a piece to measure something. I asked him if he had it because I needed it and he said look youre a Romanian you can handle. I said OK what does that mean. He said you know Romanians are thieves and gypsies.

"We laughed about it. Its not a problem.

Despite his comments at the barbecue, Mr Muscalu does not see himself as racist.

I dont have nothing with racism, we are led by Gods way and thats it.

He said he would have been happy to apologise in front of everyone in work.

I was thinking back then if they gathered everybody and I went in front of them and said look guys what I did say was bad and I apologise and Im really sorry I am responsible for what Im doing and what Im saying.

They didnt do that they just fired me and got rid of me and said case closed thats it.

Asked if he drank whiskey at workplace events any more, he said: Im thinking twice before doing that. My Polish friends they didnt have nothing. They were sober when we finished, I wasnt. Maybe it was a little too much for me.

Workplace Relations Commission Adjudication Officer Davnet ODriscoll noted that Mr Muscalu was given no notice of the first meeting when his manager brought up the allegations and had no opportunity to obtain representation. Other procedures were not followed by the company in the dismissal process.

A spokesman for GLF said the company felt the case had been reported on fairly accurately in the media this week so in those circumstances they feel it is better to make no further comment.
He has not just entered domestic politics - which he's done on many occasions and I think it was wrong to do so  now, he's meddling in international politics

President Michael D Higgins meddling in international politics is making life difficult for the Irish Government, Newstalks Shane Coleman has said.

Reacting to the presidents criticism of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the stations breakfast presenter said it was irrelevant whether he was right or wrong on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

We have to be consistent on this, Coleman said. The president does not have a role in politics. The president has to be apolitical.

He has not just entered domestic politics - which he's done on many occasions and I think it was wrong to do so  now, he's meddling in international politics.

Whether he's right or wrong, I think, is actually irrelevant.

I just think his comments are so interesting about, I don't know where the authority comes from, it's not helpful, it may not have been malevolent, but it has consequences  we need better in terms of diplomacy, he said.

Yeah, have a look in the mirror, Mr President.

Theres a million voices on this, he added. Why does Michael D Higgins feel it's his job to intervene?

Ms von der Leyen has faced criticism from within and outside the EU for not explicitly calling on Israel to adhere to international law as it responds to the deadliest attack it has suffered since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

President Higgins, speaking to reporters in Rome yesterday as the World Food Forum opened, said that the EU need[s] a better performance in relation to European diplomacy after the head of the commission made statements in support of Israel without consultation of European states.

I dont know where the source of those decisions was. I dont know where the legitimation for it was and I dont know where the authority for it is and I dont think it was helpful, the president said.

"It may not have been meant to have malevolent consequences but certainly we need a better performance in relation to European Union diplomacy and practice.

Ms von der Leyen said Israel has the right to defend itself, and then said: I know that how Israel responds will show that it is a democracy.

This was reportedly not what had been agreed by EU diplomats beforehand and did not explicitly call for Israel to follow international humanitarian law.

The Irish President then said that Ms von der Leyen was not speaking for Ireland nor the opinions of the Taoiseach or the Tanaiste, who have made statements saying they believe Israel is in breach of international law due to its response to the Hamas attack on Israel that saw more than 1,200 Israeli civilians killed.

"What one is seeing in this is a thoughtless and even reckless set of actions and I dont think its helpful, President Higgins said.

Its one thing, when we look at historic breaches of international law, that is incredibly bad, but to actually announce in advance that youre going to break international law, and that you announce it again and again, and that you do so on an innocent population.

I have thought about it and I think that it really reduces all that code that was there from the Second World War through the Geneva Conventions about the protection of civilians, it reduces it to tatters, President Higgins said.

"One has to bear in mind how important it is to retain and insist on the veracity and the cogency of international law.
The so-called cost-of-living bonus will again be paid to pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and the unemployed

Bonus welfare payments will be paid to pensioners, carers and people with disabilities from the week beginning November 20.

The first of the lump-sum payments will be paid to 46,500 households in receipt of the Working Family Payment, who will receive an extra 400 on the third full week of November.

In the same week, 214,000 people in receipt of the disability support grant will also receive a bonus 400 payment.

A 300 Fuel Allowance lump sum will also be paid that week to around 409,000 households who qualify for the support aimed at helping people heat their homes during the colder winter months.

Meanwhile, people in receipt of the Carers Support Grant will have to wait until the week beginning November 27 to receive their 400 bonus payment.

Around 237,0000 mostly older people who receive the living alone allowance will also have to wait until the last week in November to receive the extra 200 they were promised in the Budget.

That week will also see 100 bonus paid in respect of 370,000 children in receipt of the qualified Child Benefit.

On the week beginning December 4, everyone in receipt of a welfare payment will receive double Christmas bonus payment. This will benefit 1.3m people including pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and the unemployed.

A double Child Benefit payment of 280 per child will also be paid to parents that week.

A second double payment of all welfare payments will be paid to recipients of the state benefits from the week beginning January 29 next year.

The so-called cost-of-living bonus will again be paid to pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and the unemployed.

The cost-of-living welfare payments will cost the taxpayer 1.2bn under a deal struck by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys during Budget negotiations with Finance Minister Michael McGrath and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe.

Ms Humphreys will outline the dates for the payments to her cabinet colleagues today. The 2024 Budget will also see welfare payments increase by 12 a week from the beginning of January.
The scenes were filmed and put online this morning.

A group of people are seen holding hands in a human chain along a street in Donegal, in an apparent attempt to prevent a bus containing migrants entering the area.

The incident played out in Buncrana on Monday evening. A group called Lawyers for Justice Ireland, who say they are a group of pro bono Irish Lawyers committed to empowering people with knowledge to uphold freedoms, posted images of the incident on X, formerly Twitter.

"Buncrana says no, began the post.

It is alleged that at least two white vans arrived with migrants on board were prevented from stopping and letting people off.

Both groups allegedly began taking photographs of each other and hostile communications ensued.

A stand-off took place last evening in Buncrana, County Donegal between angry and concerned locals and buses trying to deposit even more young migrant men into accommodation in the town with no advance consultation.

Buncrana incident

"The brave local men and women formed a human chain to block the buses full of men, who were certainly not meek or in any way phased by the demonstration against their presence, the group stated.

This is not the first time Donegal has seen alleged confrontations between locals and non-locals.

Back in May, the owners of an emergency accommodation centre in Buncrana that housed 50 refugees said residents were petrified by an attempt to set fire to the building.

The owners of The Sailors Rest accommodation centre said a firework was thrown at the building late at night.

Formerly 'The Sailor's Rest' (Google Maps)

CCTV footage allegedly showed there was a clear attempt to throw a firework through an open window on the roof.

The owners said the incident followed a social media campaign against the presence of the refugees and several direct threats to burn the building.

The incident followed an arson attack that caused significant damage to a building outside Buncrana that was reportedly to be turned into an accommodation centre for refugees.

A statement from the Garda Press Office today stated:

Gardai attended and managed a gathering at a Car Park in Buncrana, Co Donegal on the evening of 16th October, 2023.
The civil defence authority says it was an Israeli airstrike that hit the hospital complex while the Israeli military has denied responsibility for the attack

More than 300 people were killed in an air strike on a hospital in Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening, the civil defence chief told Al-Jazeera TV.

A health ministry official in Gaza said at least 500 were killed and injured in the air strike. Reuters reported that the death toll could be as high as 500 with the overall number of dead and injured possibly as high as 800.

Doctors without Borders called hospital strike a massacre and have said they are horrified by the strike.

Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah said they were operating in the hospital when the explosion occurred, with the ceiling falling on the operating room.

The civil defence authority says it was an Israeli airstrike that hit the hospital complex while the Israeli military has denied responsibility for the attack, saying military intelligence suggested the hospital was hit by a failed rocket launch by the enclave's Palestinian Islamic Jihad military group.

"An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit," a spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces said in a statement.

"Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza."

This latest strike is the largest in terms of death tolls ever recorded in Gaza and has taken the number of people killed in Gaza in the first 10 days of the conflict to more than 3,000.

A further 1,300 people have been killed in Israel and the Israeli military has said that it killed 1,500 Hamas militants within its territory.

Some 12,500 Palestinians have also been wounded in the Gaza Strip since October 7.

Children sit in the back of an ambulance after an Israeli air strike hit a hospital, according to Gaza Health Ministry in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Al-Masri

This comes as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told an emergency European Council meeting this evening that Israel must immediately reverse its decision to cut off water, food, medical and fuel supplies to Gaza.

A Government read out from the meeting said the Taoiseach called for the European Union to take two urgent actions. The first is to make all efforts to avoid escalation of the conflict into other countries in the region which could put Irish peacekeeping forces at risk.

The section is for the EU to urgently do all it can along with the United Nations and other partners to deal with the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Israel must immediately reverse its decision to cut off water, food, medical and fuel supplies to Gaza, Mr Varadkar told the meeting.

There must be a humanitarian pause in hostilities to provide space in which the immediate humanitarian needs of all civilians in Gaza can be met.

Humanitarian corridors must immediately be created to allow access to vital supplies and to allow EU citizens who wish to leave Gaza to do so safely, he added.

Scores of injured people are being taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, Gaza on October 17, 2023. Over 500 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday, Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told. (Photo by Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Taoiseach also sought assurances from the European Commission that its review of development aid to Palestine does not include UN agencies, especially UNRWA, and that no payments to them are delayed.

He said that in supporting Ukraine, we have rightly argued that there are basic universal principles that must apply in all circumstances, and that International Humanitarian Law must be upheld. He said the EU must continue to advocate for de-escalation, protection of civilians and avoidance of a humanitarian disaster.

The Taoiseach expressed also solidarity with Belgium, Sweden, France, and other colleagues who lost citizens in the Hamas attack and in subsequent events, and also with those whose citizens have been taken hostage.

The EU leaders agreed hostages are very much on their minds and hope for their early and safe return. The Taoiseach joined others in calling on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any preconditions.

The Council agreed Israel has a right to defend itself and its people and that this right must be exercised in line with international humanitarian law.

The leaders reiterated their strong condemnation of Hamas for its unspeakable attack. The dreadful attacks in Belgium last night and the school stabbing in Arras in France last week are a reminder that events in other parts of the world have consequences in Europe.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning following the strike, state media reported.

"What is taking place is genocide. We call on the international community to intervene immediately to stop this massacre. Silence is no longer acceptable," a statement issued by the Palestinian Liberation Organisation said in response to the attack.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said an Israeli strike on a hospital in Gaza was "horrific and absolutely unacceptable".

Trudeau told reporters that "it's not acceptable to hit a hospital".

The Palestinian death toll from Israel's bombardment of Gaza climbed to about 3,000 on Tuesday, health authorities said, and at least six people were killed in an Israeli air strike that hit a school run by the UN's Palestinian refugee agency.

The violence raged as Washington announced that US President Joe Biden would visit Israel on Wednesday to show support for its war on Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

Israel has vowed to annihilate the Islamist group after Hamas gunmen crossed the border and killed 1,300 people, mainly civilians, during a rampage through southern Israeli communities on October 7, the deadliest single day in Israel's 75-year history.

Since then Israel has flattened parts of densely urbanised Gaza with air strikes, driven around half of its 2.3 million population from their homes, and imposed a total blockade on the enclave, halting food, fuel and medical supplies.

An Israeli air strike killed senior Hamas military commander Ayman Nofal, who was in charge of central Gaza, according to Hamas' armed wing, the Izz el-Deen Al-Qassam Brigades.

More to follow..
Israeli ambassador to Portugal, Dor Shapira, accused Mr Cosgrave of "extreme political views.

Web Summit boss Paddy Cosgrave has said goodbye to Twitter, or X as it is now known, after a serious row over the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Israel has withdrawn from the Web Summit in Lisbon next month after a controversial social media post from the Wicklow man.

Several tech industry executives also say they won't attend the conference over the issue.

The Irish entrepreneur had tweeted: "I'm shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders and governments, with the exception in particular of Ireland's government, who for once are doing the right thing.

"War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies and should be called out for what they are."

Mr Cosgrave also put a tweet prior to that where he condemned the actions of Hamas.

However, Israeli ambassador to Portugal, Dor Shapira, accused Mr Cosgrave of "extreme political views.

Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave

"Today, I wrote to the mayor of Lisbon informing him that Israel will not participate in the Web Summit conference due to the outrageous statements made by the conference CEO, Paddy Cosgrave," Mr Shapira tweeted.

"Even during these difficult times, he is unable to set aside his extreme political views and denounce the Hamas terrorist activities against innocent people."

Mr Cosgrave subsequently issued an apology in a lengthy statement.

 Bye for now. Need some time off this platform.      Paddy Cosgrave (@paddycosgrave) October 17, 2023

"To reiterate what I said last week: I unreservedly condemn Hamas evil, disgusting and monstrous October 7 attack, Paddy wrote.

"I also call for the unconditional release of all hostages. As a parent, I sympathise deeply with the families of the victims of this appalling act, and mourn for all the innocent lives lost in this and other wars.

I unequivocally support Israels right to exist and to defend itself. I unequivocally support a two-state solution.

Tweet

I understand that what I said, the timing of what I said, and the way it has been presented has caused profound hurt to many. To anyone who was hurt by my words, I apologise deeply.

"What is needed at this time is compassion, and I did not convey that. My aim is and always has been to strive for peace. Ultimately, I hope with all my heart that this can be achieved.

Like so many figures globally, I also believe that, in defending itself, Israel should adhere to international law and the Geneva Conventions  i.e., not commit war crimes. This belief applies equally to any state in any war. No country should breach these laws, even if atrocities were committed against it.

Mr Cosgrave was accused of supporting the beheading of babies by one tech investor also.

Paddy responded: @amitkarp is a respected tech investor. But because he claims I support the beheading of babies he will never attend Web Summit. An utter lie and extreme over reaction to my perfectly reasonable and humane statement: War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies.
Kelly Donegan is expecting a baby with partner, Alex Hermann.

12 years on from her appearance on reality show Tallafornia, Kelly Donegan is celebrating impending motherhood.

Kelly was part of the TV3 show back in 2011 which followed the dramatic lives of Phil Penny, Cormac Branagan, Dave Behan, Phil Penny, Jay Abbey, Natalie Geraghty, Mark O Neill and Nikita Murray.

The 34-year-old took to Instagram on Monday to share snaps from her recent baby shower.

She captioned the post: "Only coming back to life after the best day ever yesterday, Im filled with so much love and excitement.

@mollie_donegan @chelseatylermcgrane organised the best baby shower ever ! Im so lucky to have the family that I do 

Kelly's baby shower

Also great to share the special day with everyone who could make it. Some serious laughs and memories, Ill never forget it. Im genuinely still on a high

The final count down is on for baby, its getting so real!

Kelly Donegan

Over the summer, Kelly announced her engagement to boyfriend Alex Hermann during a trip to America.

Were getting married ! We have been through so much together as a couple and as individuals; and grown into such a beautiful team. The yin to my yang, the spicy to my icy, the moon to my sun.

"I couldnt imagine my life without my best friend. I love you Mr Hermann, an easy yes!! Lets design this marriage thing 100pc our way.

Kelly Donegan in the States (Instagram)

"The cutest engagement ever BTW !!!! After a romantic day of picnicking, sipping rose and renting boats on Central Park lake.

"He picked the cutest tree with grey squirrels and American robins jumping around us, he was literally shaking like mad, Kelly wrote.

The first series Tallafornia made household names of the young people who took part.

Ireland's answer to Jersey Shore and Geordie Shore ran for 22 episodes and was meant to be focused on the Dublin suburb of Tallaght but was filmed at locations in nearby Citywest and in Santa Ponsa in Mallorca.

Over a decade later, two of the cast members have become fathers while others work in a range of industries, including banking, marketing, pharmaceutical, fitness and taxi-driving.

Tallafornia crew

"For the first series we each got two or three grand and the second one was five grand," Jay Abbey told us. "Not mad money. But then you have to weigh it up, you're getting paid to have fun.

"At the time myself and guys were getting seven or eight hundred an hour."

Jay was a shop-fitter, working on building sites and also a part-time stripper back then.

He now owns a number of gyms in the 'Go' chain, in Greystones, Limerick and Ashbourne with fellow former Tallafornia star Dave Behan.

Natalie Geraghty is a principal account executive with a major marketing software and sales firm.

Nikita Murray is a customer relations officer with a major bank. Her relationship status is unknown but she's now into nature, herbal tea and is a bookworm.

Former soldier, Marc ONeill, was introduced to viewers at the house in Santa Ponsa emerging fully naked from a pool. He got a degree in chemistry and molecular biology and works with a major pharmaceutical company.

Cormac The 'Corminator' Branagan had a brief romance with Nikita, but then became her arch enemy. He tried his hand at an online merchandising company and worked as a taxi driver, although he was seriously injured in a life-changing crash a couple of years ago.

Tallaght native Phil Penny has now settled down with his girlfriend Laura and son Cameron, and works in administration as well as doing online personal-training courses.
Joanne often stays in the "basement" downstairs that comes complete with its own separate bathroom and dressing room

Boasting three reception rooms, a bar and a gym, Vogue Williams' luxury London home has gone on sale for nearly 7m.

The West London pad that Vogue and reality TV star Spencer Matthews share has hit the market with a price tag of 5,950,000 (6,862,730).

Fans of her My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast that Vogue produces with her comedian pal, Joanne McNally, will be familiar with the apartment, which also comprises four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a good-sized terrace.

The couple's touch is everywhere

Joanne often stays in the "basement" downstairs that comes complete with its own separate bathroom and dressing room.

Other features throughout the apartment include oak engineered flooring and floor to ceiling sliding windows opening out onto a private terrace.

The outdoor terrace

The property is one of eight luxury apartments located within a gated community that is described by estate agents Knight Frank as "open, spacious and designed to maximise both light and orientation".

While artwork acquired by the couple can be seen throughout the home, during a house tour last year, Voguer revealed how her taste differs from her husband's.

Vogue's art work on display in the apartment

I would say we always have a lot of art everywhere. All of that is mine bar the bird. Spenny likes to say he doesn't like it, but I love it in the space, she has said.

The property, which is surrounded by local amenities such as parks and river walks, is described by the agent as an open-plan design that makes the most of its orientation and the light. All floors and furnishings are finished with a high quality standard.

The apartment boasts its own gym

Vogue and Spencer also have secure allocated parking and there is a daily concierge on duty from Monday to Friday

This is the second property Spencer and Vogue are selling this year after they put their Howth, Co Dublin family home on the market for 1.29m back in July.

One of the bedrooms

The couple also own a property in Jersey, and they are reportedly planning to buy another place in Ireland after making a reported 400,000 profit on the sale of the house in Howth.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2023 - 19:47 | World, All

China kicked off Tuesday a two-day international forum on its signature Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative in Beijing, with representatives from over 140 countries, to mark achievements over the past decade to connect nations along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

The forum has drawn leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, with virtually no high-level participation from major Western countries. Putin is on his first visit to China since Russia's invasion of Ukraine started in February last year.

At a CEO conference involving business leaders, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said economic and trade cooperation between China and its Belt and Road partners has "achieved new progress and breakthroughs."

He noted that over the past decade, the total volume of trade in goods between China and participants of the infrastructure initiative has reached $19.1 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4 percent.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee vowed at the conference to provide Belt and Road economies with services in such areas as financing and risk management and invited business leaders to set up offices in the territory, saying it serves as "a key link" for the initiative, according to Hong Kong media.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to deliver a keynote speech Wednesday, to be followed by an address of Putin. The conference will discuss such topics as green development and the digital economy.

China hosted similar Belt and Road summits in 2017 and 2019.

Critics of Xi's mega infrastructure project often point out the scheme has drawn recipient nations into a Chinese debt trap, with developing countries saddled with huge debts that allow Beijing to leverage control over them.

Italy, the only Group of Seven major industrial nation to be part of the project, reportedly intends to exit the scheme as it has not reaped the economic benefits it expected through joining.

On the sidelines of the event, Xi and Putin are expected to talk Wednesday about the fierce fighting taking place between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas among other issues.

Western nations, including the United States and Japan, have been wary of closer ties between Russia and China, which has opposed sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war.

In March, Xi visited Moscow and agreed with Putin to deepen the two countries' partnership, days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader for allegedly overseeing the war crime of forcible deportation of Ukrainian children.

China is not a member of the ICC so it is not obliged to arrest Putin.

Since Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant that started in late August, China has banned imports of seafood from Japan. Russia said Monday it had joined China in imposing temporary restrictive measures.

Related coverage:

Ukraine's Bucha seeks ties with Hiroshima after Russian massacre

Russia restricts Japan seafood imports amid Fukushima water release

G7 "unequivocally" condemns Hamas attack on Israel as markets wary
Seven new Fiji Police patrol dog teams have graduated in a notable first for New Zealand and our Pacific partners.

The graduation on Friday marked the first time New Zealand Police has trained frontline patrol dogs for another country. It was also first graduation at the new Fiji Police Dog Unit facility, which was officially opened in April.

The seven dog teams will be deployed to the Western Division, Nadi and Lautoka regions, boosting Fiji Polices frontline operational capabilities.

New Zealand-bred and newly qualified Fiji Police patrol dogs, from left: Fi, Hazza, Ngakau, Patrick, Scully, Storm and Wren.

Inspector Todd Southall, National Coordinator Police Dogs, says he was thrilled with the successful graduation.

The dogs and handlers trained at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre in Trentham, supported under New Zealand and Fiji Polices Partnership Programme.

They train at Trentham in Upper Hutt for eight weeks and then the rest of their training is completed back in Fiji under the watchful eye of Sergeant Wally Kopae who manages on-the-job training in Suva, says Todd.

It was a great day  it was good to attend and we are proud to be part of this achievement.

Inspector Todd Southall and Sergeant Wally Kopae with the team outside the new Fiji Police Dog Unit. The handlers are, from left: PC Isikeli Bola (Fi); PC Maciu Temo (Ngakau); PC Aminio Koto (Storm); PC Valevatu Rabuku (Wren); CPL Jone Wainiqolo (Scully); PC Maciu Sevutabua (Patrick); and PC Michael Peter (Hazza).

Wally, OC of Invercargill/Southland Dog Section, is seconded to Fiji under the partnership programme. He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Kings Birthday honours this year.

Police has a close partnership with our Pacific neighbours, which extends to our roles with the Pacific Detector Dog Programme, and our commitment to increase safety across the Pacific.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Fiji Police Sakeo Raikaci says the Police Dog Unit has grown in strength largely due to the support of its regional and international partners.

"I wish to acknowledge the New Zealand Government for their continued support. When it comes to the Fiji Police K9 and NZ K9, he says. It is more than a partnership, we are a family," he says.

Superintendent Glyn Rowland, New Zealand Polices Senior Liaison Officer in the Pacific, congratulated the handlers for their hard work and perseverance, wishing them well in their new roles.

-Police Ten One Magazine.
With the recent death of an elderly woman in Moerewa, North of Auckland, caused by a dog attack, and the increase in the number of these episodes throughout the country, authorities have raised the alarms and called all dog owners to extreme precautions with their pets.

Just in the Bay Of Plenty, The Tauranga City Council Animal Services team has received 64 reports of people being attacked by dogs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

March 2023 was a particularly bad month, says Taurangas Animal Services team leader Brent Lincoln.

During the third month of the year we have reported 15 attacks, we think it is partially because during that month census workers were going door to door which increased the interaction between people and dogs and some of these can be really territorial sometimes.

But remember a dog attack is not merely defined as a person being bitten by a dog, the attack can include a dog rushing into another animal or person with the intention to hurt them.

Through the year, we reported 122 Incidents where other dogs or domestic animals were attacked, along with 83 cases where a dog is deemed to have rushed at a person without any physical contact, says Brent Lincoln.

The attacks over the past 12 months are reasonably consistent with previous years, says the Animal Services team leader.

Despite the increase in known dog numbers which generally are around 500 per year on average. With the human population of Tauranga growing, the potential for attack interactions increases too, however, the incidence of attacks in comparison to the number of known dogs is still less than two per cent.

Despite what people think, there is no special breed associated with these attacks, and no matter if they are small, big, household pets or roaming dogs, animals can attack especially after some particular situations.

The victims of the attacks, the breeds of dogs involved, and the circumstances of each are many and varied, and fortunately, we have no cases as the one reported in Auckland this week, says Animal Services team leader Brent Lincoln.

Whilst all dog attacks are upsetting for all those involved and include varying degrees of injury, none in the past year have resulted in serious injury to the victims.

To reduce the probability of a dogs aggressive behaviour, the Animal Services team leader recommends:

To include regular exercise in the animal's daily routine.

Frequent socialisation with other dogs and with human families.

Desexing, particularly of male dogs.

Visit professional trainers who can provide advice and training to help with aggression.

Finally, the team leader of the Animal Services in Tauranga encourages all the residents to call Council on 07 577 7000, If anyone or their animal is attacked by another dog.

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays. Reporting an attack today could prevent a more serious one in the future.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter crew joined forces with civilian emergency medical services and a Police-led Land Search & Rescue team to successfully winch an injured tramper out of dense bush in a remote part of the Waikato.

The man had broken his leg in a narrow valley about 35km west of Hamilton.

The terrain and gusty weather conditions prevented a civilian helicopter and paramedic from reaching him.

The NH90 captain, Flight Lieutenant Hamish Park, says the rescue mission took place last Thursday after careful assessment to ensure the rescue could be safely carried out.

We first landed at a staging area to consult the Police LandSAR controller, then located the injured person in the bush and winched down the two Defence Force medics.

Then we waited back at the staging area while they treated the casualty and prepared him to be extracted. Once we got the call they were ready, we returned to the scene and winched out the patient in a stretcher, escorted by a medic, and then his wife, also escorted by a medic.

The pair were flown to Hamilton Airport and the man transferred to hospital by ambulance.

It was a fantastic team effort between agencies.

Great co-ordination was provided throughout by the on-scene civilian aircraft and the support from all involved  from LandSAR to airfield operations and Air bp refuelling at Hamilton  was exemplary.

Flight Lieutenant Park says it's always rewarding to bring people out of bad situations.

Im proud of the NH90 crew, everyone did a brilliant job - but it was particularly satisfying that the Air Force and various agencies worked so well together to use the most suitable platform available for a rescue with the best possible result.

We train extensively for these situations and it really paid off out there.
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The repair and conservation works of the Castillo de San Luis (San Luis Castle), a coastal fortress built at the end of the 16th century and whose remains are located in the historic centre of Estepona, has been awarded to the company Grafeno Inversiones for 531,795 euros, financed with European Union funds.

According to the town hall, the works will begin in the coming weeks, for which the detailed study of the excavations led by Ildefonso Navarro, a council archaeologist from Estepona, and historians Adrian Suarez and Pedro Martin, has been of vital importance. All three experts shared information in 2020 at a virtual congress.

We have excavated the original floors from the 16th century, some with stones and others with mortar. We have found a series of rooms from the same period, the experts said. The project was presented to the Junta de Andalucia and foresees the installation of a walkway that will allow visitors to visit the castle interior and view the remains of the different historical phases of the building. Visitors will be able to visit the area built in the 16th century and the 18th century cannon battery, Navarro said.

Moorish rebellion

The San Luis castle was born of its era when the Moorish rebellion of 1568 forced the naval defence of the Kingdom of Granada. In 1575 the towns five beacon towers were erected. That same year an extension of the wall was proposed, which was never carried out, although two plans were drawn up by the engineer Juan Ambrosio Malgra, from which Fernando Hurtado de Mendoza, general capital of the coast of the Kingdom of Granada, ordered the current castle to be built, whose construction was completed in 1588.

After the capture of Gibraltar in 1704 by Britain, several battles were fought on the beach of La Rada. The most important took place in 1712, when three British ships fired on Estepona and the castle artillery managed to sink one of the ships.

French troops

From 1731, the fortress was shaped like a diamond point, with a two-storey barracks and a round rooftop, which did not overcome its poor defensive capabilities.

In August 1812, French troops blasted holes in the castles four corners, preventing its rebuilding. Except for the battery, called Baluarte de Mediodia, with a pentagonal plan, which was added in 1907, the rest was demolished at the beginning of the 20th century. Currently, only part of the original castle, including a mural, remains after 400 years of additions and losses.
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The Malaga hospitality industry continues to accumulate recognitions at the national level, proof of its drive and good work. After the prize collected last week by the Daza pastry shop for making the best apple tart in Spain, this time it was the turn of La Garganta restaurant, which will be distinguished by Hospitality of Spain with a national award for the hospitality company most committed to sustainability

For the organisers, the restaurant located in El Chorro, Alora, is an example of a restaurant that is based, from its conception, on sustainable models. They detailed that the eaterie, part of a tourist complex, coexists perfectly with the impressive landscape in which it is immersed, the Parque Natural del Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, and which offers an integrated experience to jointly enjoy the historical heritage and the natural environment.

Hospitality of Spain noted that the siblings Queco Fernando and Laura have launched forty initiatives aimed at rationalising water consumption, waste management, energy, mobility, carbon footprint or responsible consumption, among others. The use of solar panels for obtaining domestic hot water stands out, the judges said, as well as the use of a very efficient heating system, the reuse of water, the use of light sensors (allowing energy savings of up to 70%), and the provision of waste containers for customers. Also the fusion gastronomy is produced from local products and does not generate waste from used oil.

As proof of its commitment to sustainability and energy saving, the establishment has also been recognised by the climate hospitality programme, promoted by Coca-Cola.

National Hospitality Award winners

Spain's National Hospitality Awards will be held on 7 November in Madrid during an event to honour the work, commitment and professionalism of the selected establishments, companies, institutions, and people who have excelled in aspects such as innovation, sustainability, support for culture, commitment to people with disabilities or social responsibility.

Among the winners are the hotelier Manuel Balseiro (Lugo), Grupo Pescaderias Corunesas (Madrid), Grupo Trabanco (Asturias), Los Tortillez (Barcelona), Grupo Tandem (Zaragoza), El Xato (Alicante), Maca de Castro (Baleares), Grupo Paraguas (Madrid), Javier Perez Andres (Castilla y Leon), Maria Jose San Roman (Alicante), Javier Romera, Ecovidrio, Schar, the haute cuisine school of the Francisco de Vitoria University, Antonio Garcia Gonzalez (Granada) and Luis Suarez de Lezo.
There are currently 70 unattended, automatic filling stations in operation and there are plans for many more in the pipeline

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With 95-octane petrol costing 1.73 euros a litre on average (as of last week), and diesel costing practically the same, it is increasingly common for Malaga residents to use the so-called "low cost" automatic or unattended petrol stations.

The number of these unattended petrol stations continues to grow after a dozen openings in the last year. There are currently 70 in Malaga province, which represent 20% of the fuel supply offering, according to calculations by SUR based on data provided by the Geoportal of service stations of the Ministry for Ecological Transition; the National Association of Automatic Service Stations (Aesae) and the main operators.

The Coloso group has opened two new stations, in Marbella and Churriana, according to its owner, Antonio Velarde. The company currently has five stations in the province. "It's a difficult market, with a lot of competition," said the businessman. In his opinion, the key is to be in good areas, and Coloso is betting on the coast.

"The increase in fuel prices makes margins more complicated, but we go to the free market and give more benefit to the customer. We earn less to gain market share and be more competitive". Velarde added: "We give the customer a [competitive] price because we have just enough staff to operate, without senior management. With their sights set on the future, Coloso is also to offer charging points for electric vehicles.

UPDATED DAILY: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices...

Malaga is the Spanish mainland province (second in the country, only behind the Canary Islands) where there is a greater price difference between filling up at 'low cost' and branded petrol stations. According to a recent report by Aesae, the choice of refuelling point can mean a saving of 23 euros for an average 60-litre tank (according to September data). This is due to the scarce, although growing, competition that the big oil companies service stations have traditionally had, compared to the automatic stations, especially in Malaga city.

In a search carried out on 11 October by SUR on the Ministry for the Ecological Transition's Hydrocarbons Geoportal, the cheapest diesel was to be found at a Petroprix petrol station in Malaga city, at 1.475 euros per litre; the most expensive was at a Cepsa in Estepona (1.839). Therefore, the difference amounts to 0.364 euros per litre, which, applied to the average car tank capacity of 60 litres, gives a difference of 21.84 euros.

Plenoil: Two openings in 2023, and a total of nine petrol stations in Malaga

One of the sector's most dynamic operators is Plenoil, which this year has opened two petrol stations in the province  in Pizarra and Mijas  while in the coming months it expects to open its first in Malaga city. The company has nine operational centres in Malaga and 48 in Andalucia.

Jose Rodriguez de Arellano, CEO of the company, said that the same problems continue to exist when it comes to processing licences that have been reported for years. According to the CEO, a special plan is required in Malaga city, which is not in accordance with state regulations, causing the process to take many years. "It has taken us five years to obtain the licence for the petrol station we will be opening soon," he said.

Petroprix: Nine stations in operation, with plans for two more before the end of the year

"Malaga is one of the cities that the low cost chains like the most, and not only Petroprix, it is a place where it sells very well," said Jaime Vega de Seoane, development director of the company. He said the population and the geographical spread of the metropolitan area, from Alhaurin de la Torre to Rincon de la Victoria favours the expansion.

The company currently has nine stations throughout the province, several of them in Malaga city, while it is processing permits for another five (at least two of which are expected to be operational before the end of the year).

The manager explained that even traditional petrol stations are migrating their business to the 'low cost' model, due to high fuel prices. Jaime Vega de Seoane said that 95% of customers are initially attracted to the automatic stations because they are cheaper, but many also like the simplicity of refuelling compared to traditional petrol stations.

Ballenoil: Ten stations in operation

Another of the big operators of automatic petrol stations, Ballenoil, currently has ten stations in operation, the latest of which was opened before the summer in Torremolinos. They are planning to open seven more in Malaga city and its metropolitan area.

"The province is fundamental for Ballenoil's expansion. The good reception we are having in the service stations in operation has led us to reinforce our presence in this region," said a company spokesperson. "We will continue to grow in Malaga city and the towns within its radius of influence because we believe that this is the best way to help drivers save money when filling up their tanks.
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Nightlife venues across Malaga city face new safety inspections following the death of 13 people in Murcia earlier this month when a nightclub, that had not been granted an opening licence, caught fire.

The motion, presented by members of Spain's PSOE socialist workers' party, was approved on Monday 16 October and the city council will now move to reinforce the police presence in nightclub districts and inspect venues for licences and safety.

At the ordinary session of the urban planning committee, Monica Reino, from the Old Town neighbourhood association complained about noise levels and called for nightclubs to be moved out of the city centre.

"But what can we expect from a council condemned for inaction against noise? In a half-hour walk through the old town we saw that half of the nightclubs do not have an emergency exit other than the main entrance. Council officers haven't set foot in the premises, but they tell us that they are safe places. Papers can say anything, but we can't stand living with discotheques under our houses," she said.

PSOE councillor Mariano Ruiz Araujo agreed: "There is a serious problem that the administration is letting pass. The dramatic event in Murcia has meant created watershed moment in the cities of Spain, but this council is not taking the matter seriously".

"The opening of these premises is based on a responsible declaration. And there are many that combine this business activity with residential use in the same building, something that the PGOU has not allowed since 1997. Ex officio inspections are not carried out. And we only have six inspectors in the city," he added.

Antonio Alcazar, of Vox, also called for lowering the noise level of nightclubs and for a greater police presence. "We are in favour of taking measures in this respect and of solving a problem that is not new and which requires political consensus," he said.

Councillor for security, Avelino Barrionuevo, pointed out that the fire prevention service has carried out 51 inspections so far this year. "Absolute safety does not exist, but our city has high standards. We should not demonise a sector that generally complies," he said.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2023 - 13:02 | All, World, Japan

The aircraft unit of Honda Motor Co. revealed Monday that its new small business jet will be named the "HondaJet Echelon," with the company aiming for its first flight in 2026.

The 11-seater jet, categorized as a "light jet" that is bigger than the existing HondaJet that can carry up to eight people, is designed to be the first single-pilot light jet capable of flying across the United States without refueling, Honda Aircraft Co. said.

The U.S.-based company said it is aiming to obtain flight certification from U.S. aviation authorities in 2028.

"The HondaJet Echelon was born to create a new category that transcends the travel experience on conventional light jets," said Honda Aircraft President and CEO Hideto Yamasaki in a statement.

The new jet will have one engine on each wing and will be 20 percent more fuel efficient than its rivals, it said.

The new aircraft will be assembled at the company's factory in North Carolina, with early build processes scheduled to begin in 2024, it said.

The price of the light jet has not been determined and it has yet to decide whether to sell it in Japan, according to the company.

Honda Aircraft, which entered the business jet market in 2015 and sells its products globally including in Japan, announced in June a plan to offer a small business jet.

Related coverage:

Honda to launch new small business jet with 11 seats around 2028
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Business professionals have put their heads together to discuss the current economic trends in Marbella, and look to the future.

CIT Marbella organised the conference, Analysis and Economic Perspectives in Marbella, this Tuesday 17 October, along with the Association of Businessmen and Professionals, the British Chamber of Commerce and Marbella town hall.

The event was attended by specialist professionals such as Setareh Mohregi, local director of Gilmar Real Estate; and Elena Gallego, head of foreign investment at Invest in Andalucia. Francesca Pienariu, partner in law firm Franke & de la Fuente, was also a speaker at the event.
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It was a building which "brought Marbella into another era". These are the words of Manuel Jaen about the project his father, the architect Manuel Jaen Albaitero, completed in 1963. Today it stands in front of Fontanilla beach as one of the great architectural emblems of the Costa del Sol and as a topographical reference in the municipality. "It's near the Skol," as is often heard among Marbella's residents, who tend to orientate themselves more by its buildings than by the name of its streets.

The building was originally made up of three blocks with 230 rooms of different types, forming an open enclosure on the side facing the beach. The space between the buildings resolves the encounters with the topography and the leisure areas, combining volumetry with the harmony of the material details. It was built on a dune ecosystem at a time when there was not even a promenade. Nearby, before reaching the Hotel el Fuerte, there was only the Torre de Marbella, a building which, with its nine floors, was more notable for its size than for its architectural value.

"The taller body incorporates aspects from Le Corbusier's Unite d'Habitation de Marseille", including the flats at different heights, some duplexes, the 'brise-soleil' of the facade (sunshades) and the sculptural staircase outside the main building, "which caused quite a few problems at the time," explained his son, also an architect and whose legacy is continued by his nephew Ivan at the head of Estudio Jaen.

Arrival in Malaga

A friend of Jorge Oteiza and a founding member of the Northern Group of Gatepac, a pioneering group of rationalist architects, Manuel Jaen Albaitero was born in Valle del Baztan (Navarre) in 1913 and had a great calling for painting from an early age. During his years as an architecture student in Madrid he worked in the studio of Carlos Arniches. "He also drew for La Codorniz magazine. He was a close friend of Chumy Chumez," recalled his son. He built his first residential building in Calle Guzman el Bueno. His works in collaboration with Antonio Bonet stand out from this period, such as the Banco de Madrid project. But his most famous work has to be on the Costa del Sol.

On his arrival at Malaga, together with Bonet, he developed the Los Naranjos tourist complex in Torremolinos, whose tourist planning was then more advanced than that of Marbella, and where he simultaneously designed a project for the development of Puerto Banus, which would not done in the end. Before Skol, in Marbella he built the Valdecantos building, the Cortijo Blanco in San Pedro, the Carihuela Palace and the San Fermin flats.

"My father didn't care much about earning the stripes," said his son, who acknowledged that Skol was "a much-loved project".

Rafael Zea Morales, the builder

"The Skol building is one of the few buildings from that era that we can say has been well preserved," explained architect Roberto Barrios of the Barrios/Cepedano architectural practice in Marbella. "It is an example of what a good developer and a good architect can do together."

This was the case of Manuel Jaen and Rafael Zea Morales. The latter first visited Marbella in 1954, shortly after the opening of the Marbella Club Hotel. Following the example of his friend Miguel Garcia Rico, promoter of the hotel and the Cortijo Blanco urbanisation, his first development was the Torre de Marbella (1960), then notable for the height of its nine storeys and 137 flats, which would go on to be less successful than his next project, the Skol building.

Subsequently, he built the flats and premises of Nueva Marbella, located on Avenida Ricardo Soriano. On the ground floor of one of these blocks he would install the Lolita cafeteria which, years later, under different owners, would become the Siete Puertas, one of the most popular restaurants in Marbella. In Calle Jacinto Benavente, he would plan the Urbanizacion de la Haza, which he connected with Calle Valentunana, where he would construct the building under his name. According to the historian Fernando Alcala, "this residential development was exchanged for the Cortijo Blanco hotel by the then young businessman Jose Maria Ruiz Mateos".

His largest urban development project was Las Lomas del Marbella Club. One of his last works was a residential building on Calle Camilo Jose Cela, just behind his best known work, the Skol building, his most enduring legacy.
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Police have swooped on alleged members of neo-Nazi gangs and raided properties across Spain, including Malaga.

National Police and the Mossos d'Esquadra launched an operation in the early hours of this Tuesday morning (17 October) across premises in the province, as well as Catalonia, Madrid, Lugo and Toledo.

Police said the operation focused on members of Combat 18, a criminal group associated with national socialism and white supremacism. However, details are confidential as the operation is still under way.

There were raids across six Catalan municipalities: Barcelona, Navarcles, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Sentmenat (Barcelona), Lloret de Mar (Girona) and Mollerussa (Lleida), as well as Arganda del Rey (Madrid), Talavera de la Reina (Toledo), Lugo and Malaga, according to sources from Mossos d'Esquadra.

The name of the neo-Nazi group bears the number 18 for the first and eighth letters of the alphabet, which correspond to the initials A and H, of Adolf Hitler. The organisation was founded in Britain in 1992 and later spread to several countries, including Germany, where it was banned in 2020.

Since its inception, the group has been vocal in its calls for violence against immigrants, ethnic minorities and people politically aligned to the left or linked to any LGTB movement. Its logo is a skull derived from that used by the third Panzer division of the Waffen-SS.
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A record amount of rain will need to fall in the coming months if Spain is to have any hope of alleviating its drought crisis by next summer.

Despite forecasters predicting a warmer than usual autumn, a lot more rain will need to fall. According to state weather agency (Aemet), some 230mm more than usual would have to rain down on the country's driest terrain between now and March to overcome the water deficit before next summer. But that has only happened once since 1961, Aemet spokesperson Ruben del Campo pointed out.

"In order to overcome the drought situation which we find ourselves in, we would have to have a very rainy autumn and winter, one of the two wettest in history," he said.

12% less water

In a press conference on Monday, Del Campo presented results of the country's hydrological year: which began on 1 October 2022 and ended on 30 September.

Spain closed the 2022-23 hydrological year with a severe water deficit. A total of 560mm fell in inland Spain, when the normal figure is 640, 12% less, Del Campo pointed out. According to the figures, this past hydrological year has been the 12th driest since 1961, and the sixth driest of the 21st century.

Del Campo said the distribution of rainfall has been "uneven", with above-normal rainfall in Galicia, the Cantabrian coast, the Pyrenees and the area around the Central and Iberian mountain ranges. It has been particularly dry in Andalucia, Catalonia and the Canary Islands, with areas of the archipelago barely registering 50mm.

The drought has had repercussions in all of Spain's river basins, especially in the Ebro, Catalonia and Andalucia areas. It is the longest drought in history for the Guadiana, Guadalquivir and Southern basins, which have been in deficit since the spring of 2016.

Rains are on the way

Del Campo said people in Spain could expect warmer weather than usual for November, December and January, as well as more rain. "There is more than a 70% probability that it will be a three-month period with above-normal temperatures. As far as rainfall is concerned, there is more uncertainty. But the most likely scenario, with a 40-50% probability, that it will be wetter than normal in most of the mainland".

The rain is forecast to arrive as early as this week on Thursday with rainfall expected across the whole country. "More than 40mm could fall in a large part of southern Galicia, central Spain, Extremadura, western Castile-La Mancha, Andalucia and around the Pyrenees," Del Campo said.

Record temperatures in October

The first fortnight of October has been 4.8 degrees warmer than normal, Del Campo pointed out. It is the warmest first fortnight of October since 1961. According to the Aemet spokesperson, from 28 September to 9 October "we had 11 record warm days, that is, all those days were the warmest for that date since at least 1950. An extraordinary situation, with temperatures typical of the end of August rather than October".
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Note: This story has been updated from an earlier version that identified at least 29 stores expected to close in New York state.

Rite Aid is expected to close at least 26 stores in New York state after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to reports.

A court filing obtained by Business Insider shows the drugstore chain identified 154 underperforming stores in the U.S. that it will close as part of its bankruptcy plan. More locations could get the ax as well, as The Wall Street Journal said last month Rite Aid could close as many as 500 pharmacies nationwide.

Most of the affected locations in the Empire State are in New York City and Long Island. Upstate New York stores expected to close include Rite Aid pharmacies in Cheektowaga (2887 Harlem Road), Kenmore (2453 Elmwood Avenue) and Rochester (1567 Penfield Road). Closing dates were not made available.

Meanwhile, A&G Real Estate Partners announced Tuesday that it plans to market for sale 78 Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs pharmacy leases, as well as 21 fee-owned properties, pending approval by the U.S. Bankrupcty Court. Those locations include two stores in Buffalo at 15 Arnold Street and 452 Main Street.

A representative for Rite Aid told Business Insider that customers affected by the closures will have their prescriptions transferred to another pharmacy so there is no disruption of services.

Rite Aid has more than 2,100 drugstores, including 14 in Central New York. The chain operated as many as 4,600 stores a decade ago, but nearly half of the companys locations were bought by rival pharmacy business Walgreens in 2017 for $4.38 billion.

Rite Aid said Sunday its bankruptcy plan included a restructuring plan with $3.45 billion in fresh financing as it faces falling sales and opioid-related lawsuits. The Associated Press reports Rite Aid settled for up to $30 million to resolve lawsuits last year alleging pharmacies contributed to an oversupply of prescription opioids.

The plan will significantly reduce the companys debt while helping to resolve litigation claims in an equitable manner, Rite Aid said.

Rite Aid stores closing in New York state (according to A&G Real Estate Partners):

Bay Shore: 836 Sunrise Highway

Buffalo: 15 Arnold Street

Buffalo: 452 Main Street

Copiague: 901 Merrick Road

East Northport: 577 Larkfield Road

Floral Park: 2 Whitney Avenue

Jamaica: 115-10 Merrick Blvd.

Kenmore: 2453 Elmwood Avenue

Levittown: 3131 Hempstead Turnpike

Medford: 700-43 Patchogue-Yaphank Road

New York: 4188 BRd.way

New York: 195 8th Ave.

New York: 1033 St. Nicholas Ave.

Port Jefferson: 593 Old Town Road

Sayville: 101 Main Street

Smithtown: 65 Route 11

West Patchogue: 397 Sunrise Highway

Additional Rite Aid stores closing (according to Business Insider):

Bellmore: 2784 Sunrise Highway

Brooklyn: 2981 Ocean Avenue, 2002 Avenue U

Cheektowaga: 2887 Harlem Road

Flushing: 71-18 Kissena Boulevard

Huntington Station: 695 East Jericho Turnpike

Oceanside: 3199 Long Beach Road

Oyster Bay: 273 Pine Hollow Road

Rochester: 1567 Penfield Road

Valley Stream: 198 West Merrick Road

An earlier version of this story included seven additional locations A&G Real Estate Partners said were also closing, including in Fairport and Oneonta. A rep for A&G said those locations appeared on an earlier, outdated list. A&Gs updated list included several locations not on the previous list.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2023 - 19:44 | World, All

Candidate registration for Hong Kong's district council election slated for December started Tuesday, as the special administrative region amended a law earlier this year and drastically reduced the number of directly elected seats.

The poll on Dec. 10 will be the first "patriots-only" election for the district council, following a 2021 election of the Legislative Council that underwent a similar overhaul based on Beijing's principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong."

The largest and pro-Beijing party, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said on Monday that it will field over 120 candidates to stand in the election, a stark contrast to its rival Democratic Party, which will have only six candidates, according to local media reports.

In the Legislative Council election in December 2021, the Democratic Party abstained from putting forward candidates. The poll, which followed the electoral change in the aftermath of the 2019 anti-government protests, was swept by pro-Beijing members.

In the previous district council election in 2019, the pro-democracy camp clinched an unprecedented landslide victory, capturing over 80 percent of the 452 directly elected seats and gaining control over 17 of Hong Kong's 18 district councils.

Under the amendment approved by the legislature unanimously in July, the number of seats in the district council directly elected by the public was significantly reduced from 452 to 88, while the overall number of seats dipped from 479 to 470.

The remaining seats will be filled by members chosen by the chief executive, rural committee chairpersons and local committees.

The Electoral Affairs Commission will accept nominations until Oct. 30.

Related coverage:

Hong Kong's former No. 2 becomes sole candidate in leadership race

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will not seek re-election

Pro-Beijing members sweep Hong Kong legislative election
Just before dusk on a September afternoon in 1913, a fatal hit-and-run shocked the city of Syracuse into a revolutionary effort to make its street safer.

Rebecca Latimer, 55 years old and deaf, stepped off a trolley car in front of her home on South Salina Street. A speeding automobile hit her so hard she was launched 25 feet in the air and landed on the trolley tracks, according to newspaper reports at the time. She died instantly and the car sped away from the scene.

The tragedy was the last straw for a city that had seen more than 7,000 accidents on its streets that year alone. The automobile was still new, and Syracuses streets were a chaotic, disorganized mess.

Jaywalkers, speeding cars, bicycles, playing children, horses pulling wagons, and hurried passengers rushing to or stepping off trolleys made Syracuse streets dangerous for everyone. The rules of the road were often ignored.

So after Latimers death, Syracuse would launch a safety campaign that would eventually become the blueprint for bigger cities like New York to Paris.

This photo shows the chaotic nature of Syracuse streets. Taken in October 1911, Salina and Fayette Streets are clogged with early automobiles, trolley cars, horses, wagons and carriages, and pedestrians crossing the busy street. When you added in children playing in the street and bicycles and little regard for following traffic rules, a dangerous situation was created. Courtesy of the Onondaga Historical AssociationCourtesy of the Onondaga Historical Association

***

Just two days after the death of Mrs. Latimer nearly all of Syracuse, its Chamber of Commerce, police department, Automobile Club, schools, even its churches, had been mobilized.

A Safety First committee was formed, and they put into motion an educational campaign which would run the entire month of December.

It was, according to a Post-Standard editorial, the most comprehensive ever to be undertaken in an American city.

It is a campaign of practical education, the Herald announced. It may be likened to a religious revival, with the body, instead of the soul, as the object of solicitude.

The phrase Safety First was everywhere; its message aimed at everyone, drivers, pedestrians, trolley passengers, the old and the young.

12 1 / 12 Syracuse's 'Safety First" campaign from 1913

Tomorrow will begin the most thorough campaign ever undertaken by a community to guard humanity from the carelessness that means death or maiming, the Herald said on Nov. 30, 1913.

The undertaking was massive.

The campaign ordered 50,000 booklets with safety rules in them and had them delivered to every school, church and synagogue in Syracuse. The books were to be brought home and read together and their lessons were incorporated in sermons and teachers lessons.

Kindergarteners recited mottos like I will always watch and look and I will never stop and talk in the path of danger.

During the first week of the campaign, Syracuses 20 movie theaters showed 11 Safety First pictures and slides showing the dangers of jaywalking, alighting from trolleys the wrong way, and how accidents involving street cars and automobiles mostly occurred through carelessness. More than 15,000 people were educated this way.

The words Safety First were emblazoned on watch fobs, rulers, sides of trolley cars, painted on sidewalks and new glass ornamental streetlights, and was written on thousands of pennants which hung from automobiles.

Newspaper ads carried the words, even from downtown stores like Dey Brothers. The words were even stamped on everyones light and telephone bills, theater programs, and hotel restaurant menus.

During the first weekend of the campaign, which also coincided with the start of the busy downtown holiday shopping season, 160 Boy Scouts were stationed all over Syracuse, four to eight at each intersection. They handed out cards to would-be jaywalkers, passed along traffic ordinances to drivers, and filed reports with Police Chief Martin Cadin.

They stopped reckless persons before they permitted them to cross the streets in the wrong way, the Syracuse Journal said. They did it politely but insistently and the good people of Syracuse met their warnings good-naturedly.

A few weeks later, it would be Santa Claus with a megaphone who would be urging safety.

Ho, ho, ho, was replaced with warning like, Say, lady with the red feather in your hat, please dont cross here. Go to the intersection where it is safe, and Mr. Automobilist in the green car, Ive got your number. You didnt stop when the streetcar stopped as the traffic ordinance said you must. Safety first, you know.

A visitor from St. Louis, Tom L. Johnson, was so impressed by what he saw in Syracuse he turned to Missouri with pennants, newspapers, booklets, and buttons.

This is the best movement Ive ever seen, he said. I am going back and tell the Mens League all about it and I think they will start a campaign there.

Other cities were soon following the Syracuse Safety First model.

Upstate cities like Rome, Rochester, Fulton, and Poughkeepsie would be joined by Boston, Beaumont, Texas, and Calgary, Canada.

New Jersey sent its director of safety, A. J. Van Brunt, who said he surprised by the enthusiasm over the campaign shown by everyone in Syracuse.

"Yours is not a charmed life," was this "Safety First" message, signed by the heads of the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, Automobile Club, and Police Chief Martin Cadin, which ran in the Syracuse Herald on Dec. 6, 1913. It pleaded with city jaywalkers that the potential minute saved by breaking traffic rules was not worth the risk. Courtesy of World ArchivesCourtesy of World Archives

New York City was so impressed that its leaders requested literature be mailed to them from Syracuse.

After the details of the campaign were described in the April 1914 issue of American City magazine, a similar request came from across the Atlantic.

The fame of Syracuses safety-first campaign has extended to Paris, the capital of France, the Herald reported.

The methods that were used in Syracuse were used as part of a nationwide tour in 1914 which crossed the country.

Deemed effective and successful, the leaders of Syracuses Safety First campaign were happy with the results. There was a drop in accidents in early 1914.

But the educational nature of the campaign meant that old bad habits would soon be back.

In 1915, newspaper editorials were calling for even more safety campaigns which went further, including better enforcement of traffic laws and more safe playgrounds and parks for children to play in instead of the streets.

Read more

How did Skaneateles biggest, finest cruise ship end up a wreck at the bottom of the lake?

Who is Syracuses worst sports team ever? This squad lost every game and never came back

Americas biggest bands once rocked in Cayuga County: Inside the 5 loudest Rockin in Weedsport concerts

This weird, old fungus is the last relic of one of CNYs great underdog high school teams

This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle: Email | 315-416-3882.
Join NY Cannabis Insider for our next full-day conference on Nov. 16 at the Sonesta White Plains.

New Yorks Cannabis Control Board extended deadlines for general marijuana licensing applications and granted the Office of Cannabis Management additional enforcement authority during the boards first meeting since the application period began.

Early in the Tuesday morning meeting, OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander told board members that thousands of applications for all cannabis business license types have poured into the agency since the application period opened Oct. 4.

Weve received a significant amount of interest from New Yorkers and from interested applicants across the country, Alexander said. A two-week extension would give more folks an opportunity to apply.

Under the original timeline, the window for most applicants would close on Dec. 4, and the expedited application period for retailers or microbusinesses who have already secured a location would close on Nov. 3. The new timeline, which CCB members approved on Tuesday, extends those deadlines to Dec. 18, and Nov. 17, respectively.



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Additionally, OCM General Counsel Linda Baldwin sought approval from board members for emergency enforcement regulations meant to reduce the burden of proof needed to determine a business is illegally selling weed.

The board approved the new rules, which now mandate that businesses that receive a notice of violation from the OCM have five days to respond with a certificate of compliance form that says theyve stopped the alleged illegal activity. If a business does not provide OCM staff with the certificate, agency officials may infer during a hearing that the business has continued the alleged illegal sales.

If a business sends the certificate of compliance, but inspectors later find they are still selling weed without a license, OCM officials may assume in a hearing that the illegal sales never stopped.

The burden on us to go back every single day in order to prove noncompliance is far too great, Baldwin said. This certificate of noncompliance allows the business to inform us that they have, in fact, complied with the order.

Regulations allow the OCM to impose fines up to $20,000 per day on businesses that sell marijuana without a license.

Presenting an update on legal cannabis sales, OCM Director of Policy John Kagia said retailers sold $51 million worth of cannabis products between July and September, and a total of $81 million in the past year.

Kagia said growers, processors and retailers have held 142 Cannabis Growers Showcase events since August, and the OCM has approved an additional 1,250 scheduled by the end of the year. These events have generated $1.5 million in sales, which is about equivalent to the amount of sales revenue hed expect two dispensaries to collect during that time period. Flower products accounted for 52% of sales at CGS events, Kagia said, but customers appear to also heavily gravitate toward edibles, which represent 20% of the sales.

The CGS program has been successful in driving demand for legal weed  especially in regions with few or no legal dispensaries  and has become an important opportunity for growers and processors to sell their products, Kagia said.

He also noted that five CAURD dispensaries, which received exemptions from a current court injunction, are scheduled to open in coming days (one being delivery-only).

The CGS events operating alongside the increasing number of dispensaries is going to bring much needed relief for our growers, Kagia said. We are going to petition for exemptions for our retailers, because this is a critical, critical part of stimulating our supply chain.

However, during a public comment period at the end of Tuesdays CCB meeting, multiple CAURD licensees said they remain in the dark when it comes to the court injunction preventing them from opening stores.

Also during the public comment period, CJ. Segal-Isaacson of the Cannabis Farmers Alliance took issue with CCB Chair Tremain Wrights characterization of an exchange between Wright and CFA member Jeanette Miller during the boards September meeting.

At the beginning of Tuesdays meeting, Wright referred to an incident that took place at the September meeting, which has led the OCM and CCB to ask people who attend meetings to adhere to a standard of behavior that reflects the boards and the offices value of inclusivity and equity, Wright said.

This includes  avoiding behaviors that are disrespectful or disruptive or reflect racial or other biases in any way, Wright said.

During Tuesdays public comment period, Segal-Isaacson said Wright was referring to a portion of Millers September comments, in which she invoked suicidality and took a string tied around her neck and presented it to the board. After the meeting, Segal-Isaacson said, Wright approached Miller and accused her of racism.

In her comments to the CCB, Ms. Miller was clearly speaking about her own desperation as a cannabis farmer  there was no suggestion the board should also hang themselves, Segal-Isaacson said. CFA as an organization, and Ms. Miller as an individual, have a commitment to diversity and fairness.
Join NY Cannabis Insider for our next full-day conference on Nov. 16 at the Sonesta White Plains.

Yvette Pagano is chief commercial officer at GenTech Scientific LLC and Conquer Scientific LLC, both companies that provide support services for testing laboratories.

In the newest entry of NYs women in cannabis, Pagano talks about entering the cannabis industry after leaving the manufacturing sector, barriers for women in weed and how companies can support women early in their careers.

Women are vastly underrepresented in cannabis, and not just in New York. From 2019 to 2022, executive-level females have seen their industry wide status drop from 37% to 23%. Yet the MRTA makes things very clear: women-owned businesses are a key component of the states social and economic equity plan.

NY Cannabis Insider is seeking to elevate women in cannabis through a hyper-focus on female story sourcing and balanced representation in articles.

This series will last for as long as submissions come in.

Why did you launch your career in the cannabis industry? Were there any women who inspired you to do so? How did you do it?

I launched my career in the cannabis industry when I exited a traditional manufacturing business back in 2019. I am a lifelong supporter of the plant and saw an opportunity to enter an industry I am passionate about, and be on the right side of history.

I started by making strategic investments in companies in the industry and eventually found an opportunity with Lakelet Capital, a private equity firm from Buffalo that owns both GenTech Scientific LLC and Conquer Scientific LLC. Both businesses sell and service analytical science equipment used by cannabis and hemp testing facilities worldwide.

What do you think is the most significant barrier to women leadership? Are the barriers different in cannabis than any other industry?

The scarcity of women in leadership roles can create a self-perpetuating cycle. The absence of role models and mentors make it difficult for women to envision themselves in leadership roles. Specifically in cannabis, access to capital is a challenge  those with the ability to invest tend to be white males. There is no federal support for female cannabis entrepreneurs.

Why do you think women are so underrepresented in leadership roles in cannabis?

Cannabis is still federally illegal and women tend to be more risk-averse than men.

What are some ways in which companies can support gender diversity at senior levels?

First and foremost, companies should create inclusive policies and set clear diversity goals. What gets measured gets done.

Shout out your other favorite women-owned or women-led businesses in the industry.

Shauna Levy, Founder and CEO of Madge and Mercer Modern Apothecary; Nancy Whiteman, CEO Wana Brands; Liz Geiselman, CEO Rocky Mountain Reagents and 710SCI.

Who/what are your favorite tools and resources in the industry?

Sara Brittany Somerset, Ph.D. is a public speaker, multimedia journalist, drug policy reform advocate, and spokesperson. She established the first cannabis news desk at the United Nations  she reports thoughtfully on both cannabis and psychedelics worldwide. I also follow Brett Puffenbarger on LinkedIn and love his cannabis industry content.

What advice would you give your 25-year-old self? What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?

To my 25-year-old self: You are a total winner, keep working hard, stay curious and authentic and good things will come. Also dont worry you havent found your life partner yet  hes coming when you turn 30.

To the next generation of women leaders: If someone tells you no, that only means one thing: youve asked the wrong person. Dont quit, just ask someone else.

Is there anything we left out that youd like to add?

Cannabis is medicine  dont demonize the plant.

If youd like people to connect with you, please share your favorite methods of contact.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvette-pagano/ or ypagano@gentechscientific.com
Theodore W. Ted Chief Mosley, 75, of Auburn, died Friday following a long illness.

A native of Auburn, he lived in Central New York most of his life but traveled extensively throughout his military career, according to his obituary.

He served in the U.S. Air Force and Air Guard, rising to the rank of command chief master sergeant at the 174th Attack Wing in Syracuse. He was the first command chief at the 174th from 1999 to 2004.

He served active duty overseas in England, Turkey, Norway, Germany and Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War, and also was stationed across the United States.

He was passionate about music and played keyboards and guitar starting in the 1960s while in high school. He once performed at the Worlds Fair in New York City, according to his obituary.

He also performed in the Dreamers, the Ted Mosley Trio and Moondance, a wedding and party band iconic in the area.

He was a former vice president of the Ukrainian National Club and a committee member for many years with the United Way of Cayuga County.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday in Ss. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 136 Washington St., Auburn, followed by a celebration of his life at the Ukrainian National Club.

In this 2000 file photo, CMSgt Ted Mosley of Auburn, left, Command Master Sergeant for the 174th Fighter Wing of the NY Air National Guard gets his Anthrax immunization from SSgt Steve Blovat, medical squadron medic, prior to their unit's departure to Saudia Arabia.

If you have a suggestion for a feature obituary, please email the link and any other information youd like to share to citynews@syracuse.com or call our newsroom at 315-470-2265.
A 78-year-old vulnerable adult from the Hudson Valley town of Ghent went missing in a wooded area last Sunday at around 5 p.m.

Four New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers joined state police in a search for the missing person. Search teams were aided by a bloodhound and a drone.

Around five hours into the search, one of the rangers heard a faint call for help coming from the woods. The ranger pinpointed the location of the missing person, who was found exhausted, scraped, and bruised.

The search team turned the elderly person over to Greenport Rescue for transport to the hospital for further evaluation.

The following reports are excerpted from DEC:

Forest rangers last week took part in critical response training with members of LifeNet and Saranac Lake Emergency Room staff at Lake Clear Airport.

On the evening of Oct. 12, a group of hikers from Plattsburgh climbing Crane Mountain realized they were running out of daylight and didnt have headlamps. Among the hikers was a nine-year-old. A ranger reached the hiking party just after dark and helped them to the trailhead. When preparing for a hike, DEC reminds outdoors enthusiasts to bring the 10 Hiking Essentials, even for short adventures.

A 64-year-old man went missing on the night of Oct. 12. According to the mans wife, he drove his UTV to go fishing. At 10:00 p.m., a ranger found the mans UTV near a pond and saw personal items floating near a boat with a broken motor. Members of the New Berlin Fire Department found the mans body in the water, approximately 30 feet from shore. The body was turned over to the Chenango County Medical Examiner.

A 50-year-old from Pennsylvania fell ill with dizziness and vomiting while hiking a trail in Roosa Gap State Forest. Local fire and EMS personnel reached the hiker at 3 p.m. and strapped them in a litter. A ranger assisted with the carry-out, employing a rope system for steep areas with loose terrain.

On the evening of Oct. 13, a 20-year-old St. Lawrence University student went down with knee pain while hiking the Cranberry Lake 50 Trail. The student, who was with three other university students, declined rescue, preferring instead to spend the night at the campsite with her friends. The next morning, two rangers traveled via boat to Chair Rock Flow on Cranberry Lake and found the injured hiker at Five Ponds Wilderness Area. They helped her onboard the boat, assessed her injury, and kept her warm until they reached the DEC boathouse where they linked up with her friends.

During a search training class on the morning of Oct. 14 in Cattaraugus State Forest, a ranger encountered a man who said his 83-year-old father was lost. The ranger called the elderly mans phone and tried using his siren to get a location, but he couldnt hear it. Using GPS coordinates from the missing mans phone, rangers and volunteers from the training class eventually located him and took him back to his vehicle.

On the afternoon of Oct. 14 at 3:42 p.m., an 82-year-old hunter from Turin fell in Lesser Wilderness State Forest. The hunter wasnt injured but was unable to get up. A ranger and sheriffs deputies found the man, got him on his feet, and walked him out of the woods to his vehicle.



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READ MORE

Brooklyn hiker injured in steep Catskills terrain carried out by forest rangers - newyorkupstate.com

Forest rangers conduct seven wilderness rescues in Adirondacks and Catskills - syracuse.com

Rangers rescue elderly hiker who smashed face on rock in Adirondacks - newyorkupstate.com

Rangers uproot pot plants growing in Upstate NY forest - newyorkupstate.com

Catskills hiker injured while escaping Predator is rescued by forest rangers - newyorkupstate.com

Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors.
By Joshua Solomon | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  DocGo, the publicly traded health care company under contract with New York City to oversee thousands of migrants, has brought back its embattled former chief executive officer.

Anthony Capone, who resigned last month after the Times Union reported he had fabricated portions of his professional biography, has been retained as a consultant for DocGo through March, for a sum of $225,000, according to a public filing the company submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The agreement is part of what DocGo described to investors as the terms of a transition agreement with Capone.

The five-month agreement will run through the majority of the remainder of the $432 million contract DocGo has with New York Citys housing agency to manage the sheltering of migrants. The companys contract is undergoing an audit by the New York City comptrollers office  which initially rejected it due to multiple concerns about the agreement; the administration of Mayor Eric Adams overrode the rejection.

Capone had been directly involved in the management of the contract. He often handed out his cell phone number to elected leaders and providers, and attended meetings with upstate officials as he ensured them of a smooth rollout of the contract.

Capone resigned as CEO after the Times Union reported he did not earn a graduate degree from Clarkson University as he had listed on DocGos website and in publicly filed documents, and in his statements to investors. There also is no record available showing he graduated from the State University of New York at Potsdam.

A filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission said Capone earned his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York College at Potsdam and his M.S. in computer science from Clarkson University.

Capone, the companys former chief technology officer, often pitched himself as an expert in artificial intelligence  and claimed to have a graduate degree in that field. He told investors that set DocGo apart from its competition is its artificial intelligence capabilities.

When confronted with information that Capones biography was falsified, a public relations firm hired by the company issued a statement on his behalf saying it had come to my attention that my public biography erroneously listed him earning a graduate degree from Clarkson University. Capone resigned days later.

Questions about Capones credentials surfaced after the newspaper reported that he also misled investors about the size of a federal contract DocGo was seeking to provide services for migrants at the southern border. The companys spokesman also walked back comments Capone had made about a health insurance plan to enroll migrants in the states Medicaid plan.

Capone also faced severe criticism from New York City Comptroller Brad Lander for how the CEO described the companys plans to benefit off of the migrant crisis, which were first reported by the Times Union.

This is a long-term problem, Capone said, referring to the potential for continued revenues. And theyre in our care. Nobodys going to just say, all of a sudden, one day theyre in your care and youre caring for all of them and the next day they no longer need care. Thats crazy.

Lee Beinstock has taken over as CEO. Beinstock, a former contestant for Donald J. Trumps The Apprentice show, has been directly involved in the management of the companys work in upstate New York, where hundreds of migrants are being lodged in hotels.

On Sept. 27, days ahead of the opening of federal work authorization eligibility for Venezuelan migrants, DocGo officials told advocates with community based organizations, which have their own contracts with the state to assist migrants, that they were to not do any intake at the hotels. The following week, Beinstock joined the call and walked back the directive.

The state attorney generals office previously told DocGo to cease any limitations on the freedom of movement or speech of migrants under its care. DocGo has severed ties with two security companies it had employed but were found by the state Department of State to not be properly licensed.

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(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
By Raga Justin | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  New Yorks state university system is poised to ramp up its focus on generative artificial intelligence and its impact, even as Gov. Kathy Hochul indicated that statewide regulation of the emerging technology is unlikely, especially in the near future.

In remarks delivered at the State University of New Yorks inaugural symposium on artificial intelligence on Monday at the University at Albany, Hochul highlighted an incoming $20 million collaboration between IBM and UAlbany that seeks to better position the states adoption of AI. Hochul sought to portray New York as the geographical nexus of research and job growth in the newly emerging industry, while acknowledging potential pitfalls.

Think about all the possibilities, the good and the bad, Hochul told conference attendees. And if theres bad lets anticipate, lets solve for it now before it becomes embedded in the systems.

But Hochul also said she believes states, including New York, do not have much of a role to play in regulating companies pushing generative AI, which proponents and opponents alike have said has the capacity to cause fundamental changes to entire industries. Hochul said the federal government should instead oversee any regulation of artificial intelligence.

Many have touted artificial intelligences ability to improve automation and some workplaces; others have pointed to potential loss of jobs and increasing risks associated with deep fake technology or other unsavory aspects of machine learning.

For individual states to piecemeal this off, it certainly makes it enormously complicated for all the companies to have 50 states, different regulatory schemes to deal with, Hochul told reporters. I will say this, Im very open-minded to innovations, ideas coming to us or areas where we can protect our citizens.

SUNY will also launch an AI research group tasked with developing the university systems approach to the technology across its dozens of research institutions. Hochul said that the conclusions researchers reach could shape what role governments, including New Yorks, should play in the technology.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. called the system-wide efforts to monitor and pioneer AI-related initiatives crucial to define the quality of our states future.

Artificial intelligence development and application into education and the workforce has exploded over the past year, with much of the popular attention focused on how we can assure ourselves that student work and even faculty work are original in the context of ChatGPT, King said. But we all understand the potential and the risks are so much bigger than that. AI is intruding upon, improving upon and impacting nearly every area of our lives.

ChatGPT is a language processing tool that uses AI technology to allow someone to have human-like conversations with a chatbot.

In recent years, New York has attempted to position itself as a hub for artificial intelligence and machine learning along with other technological research and development.

Hochul included $75 million last year for the University of Albany, an aggressive early adopter of the technology.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
By Brendan J. Lyons | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  The myriad state and federal investigations of Andrew M. Cuomo and his administration have cost taxpayers at least $20 million in legal fees  expenses that continue to mount as the former governor defends himself in two sexual harassment lawsuits as well as an ongoing court battle over his lucrative deal to publish a book about his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

More than $8 million in legal expenses have been paid through contracts secured by the Executive Chamber to hire multiple law firms to represent Cuomo as well as more than a dozen of his former staff members and senior aides.

Records with the state comptrollers office indicate more than $8.69 million has been paid to four law firms that have contracts valued at up to $13.6 million to represent Cuomo and former members of his administration in investigations that have been conducted by the state attorney generals office, the U.S. attorneys office in Brooklyn, the state Assembly, the state Board of Elections and New Yorks current and former ethics commissions.

Cuomo has not yet submitted a request for reimbursement of his legal fees, which may top $6 million based on the amount of funding he has drawn from his campaign account to offset those expenses.

Last year, Cuomo became embroiled in a five-month legal battle in which the state attorney generals office fought against having the state represent or pay for his legal costs in a federal lawsuit filed by a female State Police investigator who has accused him of facilitating her assignment to his protective detail and then sexually harassing her.

But in January, a judge ruled the state must cover Cuomos legal costs after his attorneys noted the attorney generals office had recently cited, for the first time, a case in which their office was ordered by a judge to provide defense to a former state Supreme Court justice who had been accused by his former secretary of engaging in unlawful discrimination and retaliation, including sexually harassing her.

Legal fees begin to mount

Cuomos legal expenses began to mount in March 2021 when the then-governor hired the white-collar law firm Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello to represent his administration in a now-dormant investigation by the FBI and U.S. attorneys office that examined, in part, the actions of Cuomos coronavirus task force in its handling of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities during the pandemic. Cuomo hired the firm a month after the Times Union reported the administration was the subject of a criminal investigation by the Justice Department.

That probe, which focused on the work of some of the senior members of the governors task force, resulted in no charges. The Morvillo Abramowitz firm has been paid more than $2.5 million for its work, which included responding to the Justice Departments investigation that had also examined whether Cuomos administration had given false information about the number of nursing home deaths tied to Covid-19 in what critics charged was an attempt to buttress his book deal.

Nearly three weeks after the governors task force was announced in 2020, the state health department issued an order directing nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to admit residents who were being discharged from hospitals even if they were still testing positive for the infectious disease, as long as the facilities were able to care for them properly.

That directive, which was rescinded less than two months later, became the focus of a firestorm of criticism directed at Cuomos administration, including allegations that the order  which the governor said was based on federal guidance  had contributed to the high number of fatalities of nursing home residents in New York. That assertion was largely dismissed in a July 2020 report released by the state Department of Health, which asserted the spread in those facilities was the result of infected staff members.

In January 2021, the office of Attorney General Letitia James issued a scathing report that concluded his administrations directives may have increased the risk of Covid-19 infections at congregate facilities such as nursing homes. The report found the administration had deliberately delayed reporting that thousands of additional nursing home residents died at hospitals after being infected in their residential facilities.

Cuomo later stopped short of apologizing for his administrations handling of the fatality data, though he conceded they had created a void by not providing the accurate information requested by state lawmakers. His office said some of the blame for that stonewalling was due to what they claimed was a politically motivated civil inquiry by the Justice Department.

Apologize? Look, I have said repeatedly, we made a mistake in creating the void, he said. When we didnt provide information it allowed press, people, cynics, politicians to fill the void.

But arguably the most costly and harmful investigation of Cuomo boiled over in August 2021 when a state attorney generals report was issued that found he had allegedly engaged in misconduct with 11 women, including several former aides. He announced his resignation a week later, but has since disputed the allegations and, while acknowledging he did things that were not appropriate, contends he did not sexually harass anyone.

Those allegations have led to two federal lawsuits being filed against Cuomo by the State Police investigator and a former aide, Charlotte Bennett. State records indicate that in the State Police investigators case the state has been billed more than $1.7 million for legal fees for three former top aides to Cuomo  Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, special counsel Judith Mogul and chief of staff Jill DeRosiers.

The legal fees in that case have soared as Cuomos legal team has also sought to subpoena records and testimony from many of the 11 women whose allegations were outlined in the attorney generals report. That effort has triggered months of pretrial litigation that is continuing.

Additional legal fees of more than $986,000 also were incurred by the Executive Chamber in response to reviews conducted by multiple district attorneys concerning whether Cuomo should have faced criminal charges for any of the alleged misconduct outlined by the attorney generals sexual harassment investigation. Several district attorneys said they found the womens allegations credible but said they did not support a criminal prosecution.

One of those cases led to misdemeanor criminal charges being filed against Cuomo in Albany that were later dropped in January 2022 when the office of Albany County District Attorney David Soares declined to prosecute the case. The criminal charges had been filed against Cuomo by the Albany County Sheriffs Department in connection with a former aides allegation that Cuomo had reached under her blouse and groped her breast during a workplace encounter at the Executive Mansion more than three years ago.

The sheriffs office filed the charges before consulting with prosecutors about their decision.

Brittany Commisso, who accused Cuomo of groping her, criticized prosecutors for declining to prosecute the case and had said she was ready to go forward. She has not filed a lawsuit against the former governor.

Richard Azzopardi, who remains a top adviser and spokesman for Cuomo, issued a statement Monday contending the investigations of the former governor were either politically motivated or went nowhere in terms of finding wrongdoing.

We agree thats a lot of money for five (district attorneys), the (Department of Justice)  twice  several state and federal judges, the Board of Elections enforcement counsel and maybe others  Im losing track  to cut through the politics and find no there, there, Azzopardi said. Taxpayers can thank Tish James and her corrupt, discredited report that she used to launch her failed campaign for governor. Thats $487,805 for each day she was in the race.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
Washington  Rep. Brandon Williams backed Rep. Jim Jordan on Tuesday as the Ohio Republican fell short of the votes needed to be elected as the new House speaker.

Williams, a first-term Republican from Central New York, was among 200 GOP members who supported Jordan as the successor to ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy. An additional 20 Republicans voted for other people.

All 212 Democrats supported Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. At least 217 votes were needed to be elected speaker.

Rep. Claudia Tenney, a Republican who represents parts of Central New York, also voted for Jordan  an intention she made clear in a public statement Monday.

Williams, who had backed McCarthy in previous votes for speaker, did not say before Tuesdays floor vote whether he would support Jordan.

Democrats are determined to make Jordan a political liability for House members like Williams, one of 18 Republicans nationally who represent districts that President Joe Biden won in the 2020 election.

Jordan is co-founder of the hardline House Freedom Caucus and has been among former President Donald Trumps key allies in Congress. Trump endorsed Jordan for speaker before Tuesdays vote.

Jordan helped lead House Republicans in a failed effort to stop the House from certifying the 2020 presidential election for Biden based on disproven claims of voter fraud.

Before Tuesdays vote, the Congressional Integrity Project paid for digital ads against Williams and the 17 other Republicans in Biden districts.

The Democratic-aligned group said those who voted for Jordan should be held accountable for Jordans efforts to undermine the election.

Three House Republicans who represent parts of Long Island  Reps. Anthony DEsposito, Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino  were among those who refused to back Jordan.

Instead, the three New York Republicans voted for former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-Long Island, the Republican nominee for governor last year.

Some moderate Republicans who didnt immediately back Jordan faced intense lobbying from the partys far right, which threatened a conservative backlash from voters, The New York Times reported.

Taylor Weyeneth, a spokesman for Williams, did not respond when asked if the congressman had been lobbied by Jordan or his supporters before the vote.

On Monday, three influential Republicans who chair House committees agreed to back Jordan after he agreed to support a package of bills that would provide addition security fund for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region, Roll Call reported.

Upstate New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, chair of the House Republican Conference, nominated Jordan for speaker before the vote.

READ MORE

Rep. Brandon Williams has 3rd highest staff turnover rate in House

Williams flip flops within hours about taking pay during government shutdown

Rep. Brandon Williams moves toward far right with new staff rooted in Trumps campaign

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
Republican Mark Olson is seeking his second term as an Onondaga County legislator and facing a challenge from a former teacher whos running for office for the first time.

Carrie Ingersoll-Wood is a former English teacher who is now the director of Syracuse Universitys Disability Cultural Center. Olson is the current mayor of Fayetteville.

They are competing to represent District 10, which includes all of Manlius except for the village of Manlius.

Wood has raised more than $13,000, state records show and Wood told syracuse.com. Shes spent about $5,300 and has about $7,800 cash on hand.

Olson said he has raised close to $28,000. Hes spent about $22,000 and has more than $6,000 on hand.

County legislators serve two-year terms. Next years salary will be $37,619, according to the proposed county 2024 budget.

Election Day is Nov. 7. Early voting starts on Oct. 28 and ends on Nov. 5.

Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard asked each candidate questions about their goals as county lawmakers. Their answers have been edited lightly for clarity and space.

Mark Olson

Age: 56

Address: Fayetteville

Lines: Republican and Conservative

Experience: County legislator since 2021, Fayetteville mayor since 2004. He also is the Legislatures chair of the public safety commission. He was a Fayetteville village trustee and has been mayor since 2004. He is a manufacturers sales representative.

What is the biggest problem facing Onondaga County and how will you tackle it?

Onondaga County continues to face the never-ending shift of costs of state-mandated services onto the county taxpayers. New York state mandates services that it refuses to pay for, expecting us to pick up the bill despite trying economic times. Despite repeated conversations with state representatives, nothing changes. The Legislature works hard to limit local spending to what is most necessary to avoid dramatic hikes in residents tax bills.

We are seeing a shocking decrease in volunteers for our fire departments and ambulance services. With the numbers dwindling, I led efforts to invest in recruitment and retention of Fire and EMS volunteers. I also spearheaded efforts to upgrade and standardize communications equipment across the county, improving efficiency when response time is of the essence.

What action should the Legislature take involving the fatal shooting of two teens by Deputy John Rosello?

This shooting is heartbreaking, and I am thankful that there is an investigation into the incident to hold all parties to the highest standard.

There is a proposal from a new body-worn camera vendor that was implemented by the Syracuse Police Department that the county will be looking into. (Editors note: The sheriff is proposing a new, 10-year contract with its current body cam vendor.)

Sheriff Toby Shelley needs to sit down with members of the Legislature and County Executive Ryan McMahon to form a plan to ensure our deputies are both protected and accountable by proper use of body-worn cameras.

Name one thing the county could do to improve efforts to keep children safe from lead poisoning.

The countys mobile testing van was a great success and a good start on getting to the source of the lead issue. We will add more resources to training people how to remediate lead issues, and at the same time encourage new service providers to get into this much-needed business.

We have seen grants for beautification and infrastructure, its time we started incentivizing people to get into the business of lead abatement. In a community with aged housing infrastructure, this can be a great industry for someone with the right skillset to get into.

Carrie Ingersoll-Wood

Age: 49

Address: Manlius

Lines: Democratic and Working Families

Experience: Director, Disability Cultural Center, Syracuse University; Ph.D. Candidate in School of Education at SU; former middle and high school English teacher at H.W. Smith and in Broome County. First time running for public office.

What is the biggest problem facing Onondaga County and how will you tackle it?

Our biggest problem is also our biggest opportunity: Billions of dollars in public and private investment to build Micron, the largest semiconductor fabrication facility in the history of the United States. Tracking investments will be critical to avoid exacerbating historical patterns of inequity.

As the District 10 county legislator, I will advocate for what is best for all of the people in Onondaga County, the city of Syracuse, and my district. Because what is best for some has earned Syracuse the No. 1 ranking for the highest childhood poverty rate (49.6%) of mid-sized cities in the nation, two immediate priorities of mine will be to ensure we are building out sufficient housing and growing our childcare infrastructure, both of which are critical to economic development.

What action should the Legislature take involving the fatal shooting of two teens by Deputy John Rosello?

The legislature should trust Sheriff Toby Shelley will exercise due diligence in investigating this tragedy. After all legislators have had the opportunity to review his official report, then there should be an opportunity to ask questions. (Editors note: Shelley is not investigating the shooting; the New York Attorney General is.)

Name one thing the county could do to improve efforts to keep children safe from lead poisoning.

The county needs to invest $12 million in the CNY Community Foundations Lead Safe NY initiative to ensure this crisis is addressed with urgency, expertise, and the funding necessary to make a lasting difference. Remediating lead contaminated homes is complicated by the fact that we have nowhere safe to shelter families while their homes are being remediated.

The budget surplus is currently more than $60 million over what is required. I will propose legislation to require that 20% of annual surplus funds over the required amount be invested in Lead Safe NY for five years. The Republican County Executive, Ryan McMahon, and the GOP-controlled Legislature continuously grow the surplus beyond required limits. That is how we ended up with an $85 million aquarium, which does not address the needs of our people but satisfies the wants of their donors.

Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com
KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2023 - 18:46 | All, World, Japan

A growing number of Japanese firms have ordered their employees based in Israel to return home over concern for their safety amid the country's ongoing conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

A total of 92 Japanese companies were operating in Israel as of September, with 39 of them based in Tel Aviv, according to research firm Teikoku Databank Ltd. Several of these companies have expressed uncertainty about when they can resume local operations and they worry the fighting could further escalate.

Trading houses Mitsui & Co. and Toyota Tsusho Corp. said they have evacuated Japanese staff and their families in the region, with the former directing all its employees not to travel to Israel.

Fujitsu Ltd., which has a research center in Tel Aviv for data security and artificial intelligence, has suspended sending a handful of employees back to the country after they returned to Japan just as large-scale fighting broke out.

Meanwhile, Sakata Seed Corp. last week quickly evacuated two staff posted in Israel via a commercial flight. The company established a branch office in Rehovot in June to gather information on cutting-edge horticultural technology.

"The impact on our business partners is significant, and some companies have already ceased operations in the region," said an employee of Moriroku Chemicals Co., which has also brought home its personnel based in Israel.

While Japanese staff have been safely evacuated, some firms have expressed concern for local employees, including fears that they may be taken hostage and held for ransom.

Israel and Hamas have been at war since the Islamist militant group mounted a surprise attack from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on Oct. 7, triggering Israeli retaliation. The incursion by Hamas and the Israeli response together have killed thousands of people, including many civilians.

Related coverage:

Japan to provide $10 mil. in humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip

Japan SDF plane arrives in Djibouti for possible Israel evacuation

8 Japanese evacuated from Israel on government-chartered flight to Dubai
Craigslist, Wikipedia, and Zillow are the fastest-loading U.S. websites on the internet, according to a study released Monday by web design company DigitalSilk.

The study rated popular websites based on average mobile and desktop load times. Craigslist crowned the list of fastest sites with an average of 1.35 seconds, 2.0 seconds on mobile, and 0.7 seconds on the desktop.

Following the online classified site was the crowdsourced encyclopedia Wikipedia, with an average load time of 1.40 seconds (1.6 mobile, 1.2 desktop), and the real estate website Zillow, with an average load time of 1.5 seconds (1.6 mobile, 1.2 desktop).

The New York Times had the fastest mobile load times in the top 10 at 1.3 seconds. Overall, the Times finished fourth in the DigitalSilk rankings, with an average load time of 1.55 seconds, tied with Amazon, which had a mobile load time of 1.5 seconds and a desktop time of 1.6 seconds.

Following the Times was the U.S. Postal Service, with an average load time of 1.60 seconds, Realtor.com (1.70 seconds), eBay (1.75 seconds), Weather.com (1.75 seconds), Worldstar.com (1.80 seconds), DuckDuckGo (1.85 seconds) and Fandom.com (1.90 seconds).

(Source: DigitalSilk)

All of these sites in the top 10 load between one and two seconds on average, and that aligns with consumers expectations that their web browsing experience should be smooth and instantaneous, Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO and founder of DigitalSilk, said in a statement.

The lesson for business owners is clear, he continued, they need to make sure that their website loading times on both desktop and mobile are slick and responsive to ensure that all potential customers get a high-quality user experience.

Fast Page Load Benefits

Most of the sites on the list use old-school interfaces. Websites like Craigslist and eBay are largely text-based, so they load faster, observed Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research in San Jose, Calif.

Studies have shown that when web pages load faster, conversion rates are higher, he told TechNewsWorld.

More than 20 studies have been conducted since 2009 exploring the connection between load times and user behavior.

In 2009, for example, Amazon estimated that every 100ms of latency on its site reduced sales by 1%.

Firefox, in 2010, found that reducing the average page load times by 2.2 seconds increased download conversions by 15.4%.

Reducing load time by one second improved conversions by about 10%, Staples discovered in 2014.

Vodafone revealed in a 2021 study that a 31% improvement in Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), a measure of how quickly the main content of a web page becomes visible to a user, resulted in 8% more sales.

In the same year, Swappie, a site for selling used mobile phones, disclosed that lowering their page load times by 23% increased revenues by 42%.

Also in 2021, French automaker Groupe Renault found a one-second improvement in LCP led to a 13% increase in conversions.

Speed by Design

For popular, high-traffic websites, fast downloading is critical for good performance and user retention, observed Eileen Mullin, owner of GenuineClass, a web design consultancy in New York City.

Its also very important for avoiding overloading a server, resulting in crashes that lead to downtime, she told TechNewsWorld.

She noted that content can have an impact on website performance. Websites can have an issue with slow performance if they serve up very large files that must be downloaded before the rest of the page loads, she explained. These could include images that are needlessly large, or videos hosted locally instead of through a streaming service like YouTube or Vimeo.

Design, too, will impact performance, Mullin added.

If a website design relies overly on large hero images or an image slideshow on the home page, that can result in loading delays that can adversely affect the first impression visitors get when they come to that site, she said.

Design can have a significant role in performance, added Alex Krivit, a product manager for Cloudflare, a web performance and security company in San Francisco.

Designers can prioritize assets for faster load times, for example, he told TechNewsWorld.

Website Speed Tips

Not only will prioritizing the loading of essential assets, such as images, stylesheets, and scripts, enhance the user experience and reduce page load times, but so will compressing assets, Krivit added.

Compressing data before transmission and efficiently using a shared dictionary will reduce the amount of data transferred between a server and a browser, resulting in faster page load times and decreased bandwidth usage.

A shared dictionary allows a server and browser to use the same set of patterns and references during compression and decompression, which makes the compression by both resources more efficient.

Reducing the number of assets, and the size of those files, included in web pages is very important to improve download speeds, Mullin added.

Websites can minify their CSS and Javascript with automated tools for stripping out spaces and comments to reduce the size of those files, she noted.

Lazy Loading is another technique for only loading images on a page when visitors have scrolled far enough down to see them, she continued.

I especially like to recommend image optimization, she said, which can greatly reduce the size of images uploaded to a website, with little or no discernible loss in quality.

If a website is non-transactional or informational, Vena added, it can be heavier on graphics. Transactional websites, though, need to be fast to optimize their conversion rates.

Instagram Finishes Last

Other findings in the DigitalSilk study included:

The slowest loading website in the study was photo-heavy Instagram, which had an average of 5.45 seconds for loading. The site on mobile takes a whopping 6.7 seconds to load and 4.2 seconds on desktop.

The most visited website, Google, had an average load time of 2.85 seconds. While it had a respectable mobile load time of 1.1 seconds, its desktop time of 4.6 seconds bloated the search giants overall performance.

Facebook, the most visited social media website, was found to have loading times of 3.8 seconds on mobile and 3.9 seconds on desktop, for an average of 3.85 seconds.

Its interesting to see how websites like Wikipedia and Craigslist, which have barely changed their design and have remained largely text-based, topped our list, and the popularity of these sites shows that sometimes simplicity can work, Shaoolian said.

Howevergoing the extra mile with website design on a new brand can be crucial in 2023, he added.
Abbas Ganbay

"Armenia is ready to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan before the end of the year," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says, speaking at the European Parliament, Azernews reports.

"Signing a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia by the end of this year has become realistic," Pashinyan says.

Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel has invited the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to attend a trilateral meeting in Brussels scheduled for late October.

In his speech in the European Parliament, Prime Minister Pashinyan accused Russia of coup attempts in Armenia.

"Our security allies are publicly calling for the overthrow of the democratic government in Armenia," he said during a speech at the European Parliament.

Armenian PM notes that "Armenians left Garabagh because of the inaction of Russian peacekeepers."

Earlier, Prime Minister Pashinyan said that he was not going to let Russian peacekeepers into Armenia. Thus, he said that if Russian peacekeepers in Garabagh leave the region, they should return to Russia and not redeploy to Armenia.

Pashinyan also refused to participate in the CIS summit in Bishkek, which took place on 13 October. In a telephone conversation with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, he said he would not be able to attend the event.

Also, PM adds in his speech "We are ready to restore the Meghri railroad connecting the southwestern regions of Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan"

The PM emphasized that the establishment of transport and energy communication is one of the main agendas of the peace agreement. This road will allow not only Azerbaijan and Armenia but also Georgia and Iran, to gain access to Western markets.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing.

The meeting took place ahead of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, slated for Tuesday and Wednesday in Beijing.

Wang noted that China has always taken ASEAN as a high priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and will continue to be a strategic partner that ASEAN can trust and rely on.

China is ready to work with ASEAN to make the China-ASEAN Expo a grand event for all-round and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides, he said.

Kao Kim Hourn said that over the past decade, ASEAN countries have benefited a lot from the Belt and Road Initiative and will continue to actively participate in the initiative. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
The big picture: Google is analyzing data from its maps to suggest how cities can adjust traffic light timing to optimize traffic flow and reduce emissions. The company claims it's already cutting stops for millions of drivers and believes that if optimization is done in several adjacent intersections, cities can improve their traffic and reduce the environmental impact of frequent stops and starts.

Google Research AI program, Green Light, is easing traffic and reducing vehicle emissions in cities around the world, albeit on a reduced implementation for the time being. Several metropolises are already participating in the project, and Google is welcoming other city planners to join in. The project is live now in 70 intersections in 12 cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Seattle, Manchester, Abu Dhabi, Hamburg, and Bangalore.

The project uses Google Maps driving trends and AI to investigate traffic patterns and make actionable recommendations for optimizing traffic light plans. Using the existing infrastructure, traffic engineers can use the suggestions to implement the solutions in less than five minutes.

So far, the findings show that the project has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% at intersections and up to 30% at stops, and it can reduce emissions and save fuel for up to 30 million car rides every month. According to David Atkin, Transport for Greater Manchester's (TfGM) analysis and reporting manager, Green Light has enabled the government body to identify opportunities where it previously had no visibility and has provided valuable insights to improve journeys by up to 18% and reduce emissions.

Similarly, Rupesh Kumar, who is Kolkata's Joint Commissioner of Police, comments that Green Light has become a valuable resource for his Traffic Police as it contributes to a more efficient and organized traffic flow and has helped reduce traffic at busy intersections.

Before Green Light, Google says that planners used labor-intensive manual counting of vehicles or costly sensors. However, none of these methods provide complete information on the critical parameters needed in decision-making.

Unlike these traditional methods, Green Light can analyze thousands of intersections simultaneously and offer AI-based recommendations that work with the existing traffic systems and infrastructure. It can then build a model of each intersection, including light scheduling, traffic patterns such as start-stop patterns, structural attributes, and how traffic and light schedules interact.

Based on that, the team then develops optimizations and gives suggestions to city traffic engineers, who can accept or reject the suggestions using Green Light's interface. If they implement the suggestions, the engineers can monitor the results within weeks.

Google Research is confident that by working with cities worldwide, it can help drivers and the planet as its technology has already shown success in cities like Hamburg and Seattle, and it believes the project has a more significant impact in cities with limited access to advanced technology. The project is working to add more intersections within each city and aims to expand to more cities by 2024.

Image credit: Joey Lu, Hendra Jn
The first text from a Herculaneum scroll which came from the Ancient Roman era has been deciphered by a computer science student with the help of an AI, with him training it to recognize the pattern and ink in the material. However, this was a massive challenge as the text from these scrolls was deemed "unreadable," as it was originally charred by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Organizers and groups called this the "Vesuvius Challenge," with Luke Farritor, winning $40,000 for his successful attempt in uncovering the message.

Ancient Herculaneum Scroll Message Unveiled using AI

(Photo : Vesuvius Challenge/University of Kentucky)

The organization that held the Vesuvius Challenge has announced the first-ever deciphering of an Ancient Herculaneum papyri, with Farritor successfully uncovering the texts it held inside it. Luke Farritor, also a SpaceX summer intern working at Starbase, used his free time to uncover the texts of the past and was inspired by an earlier discovery by Casey Handmer in finding the ink patterns.

Through Handmer's discovery, Farritor used machine learning to train the system to detect the patterns and letters found in the unopened scrolls, seeing the "crackle" patterns of the ink which the AI uncovered one after the other.

With the data he uncovered, the AI learned and was able to determine different letters and patterns in the writing, revealing the word "" or "porphyras."

Read Also: Scientists Confirm Ancient Footprints in New Mexico to Be the Oldest Sign of Humans in Americas

Vesuvius Challenge: Deciphering Ancient Roman Text

Porphyras translates to purple, and is considered rare in the ancient Roman text. According to a papyrologist, "The sequence  may be  (noun, purple dye or cloths of purple) or (adjective, purple)."

Farritor's discovery was followed by Youssef Nader who discovered the same word in the area but with better distinction of the letters. The Vesuvius Challenge remains optimistic that someone could take the grand prize in uncovering more of what the scrolls hold secret until now.

Ancient Writings and MORE Uncovered

While some archaeologists and researchers prefer to study ancient items or objects through traditional methods, some academics welcome the use of modern technology, particularly in employing AI to help them understand more of the past. DeepMind introduced a new AI tool called "Ithaca" last year and it helps study the remnants of a specific object and help recover the lost parts to get the whole.

One of the most destructive events in human history is with the fall of Pompeii due to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, with Rome preserving the site up to the modern age. However, it was recently found to be contaminated due to plaster, as the new study revealed that the ancient remains were affected by this cast to preserve the bones, particularly on its elemental profiles.

As much as bones and other structures were important to preserve from Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius' effects, other parts of the Ancient Roman civilization were also affected. The Vesuvius Challenge called upon bright minds and those who share the advocacy to uncover the messages of the past, and despite their almost unretrievable status, AI has helped pave the way to deciphering the content in these scrolls.

Related Article: Amazon Forests May Still Be Hiding Over 10,000 Ancient Structures, According to Archaeologists

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Meta will reportedly be sued by 184 former Facebook content moderators in Kenya with a contempt of court case after failing an out-of-court settlement despite the petitioner's "best efforts" in getting the deal done.

Mata is accused of insincere intentions behind the negotiation talks that showed lackluster interest and an insufficient proposed amount for the settlement that the lawyer, Mercy Mutemi, described as something "that cannot even take care of the petitioners' mental health."

Mutemi described Meta's disappointing effort to settle the negotiation as "not genuine," wherein the petitioners tried with "their best effort" in each mediation, yet Meta "kept saying they would get back to [the petitioners] by a certain date but only got back... at the end of last week."

(Photo : KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Photo taken on October 18, 2021 in Moscow shows the US online social media and social networking service Facebook's logo on a tablet screen..

Mutemi, while representing the petitioners, remained open to continuing the negotiation talks between Meta should the firm be "willing to engage seriously."

According to the Employment and Labor Relations court, the former Kenyan chief justice Willy Mutunga and the labor commissioner Hellen Apiyo are expected to co-mediate the disagreement, which gave them 21 days to come to a now-failed agreement.

The parties will now attend a hearing on the moderators' request to hold Meta and Sama in contempt of court on October 31.

Read Also: Meta's Content Moderation Partner in Africa Announces Closure

Meta's Responses

BBC reports that Meta, with the recent developments, has responded by saying, "we remain committed to Africa, and our content review work in local languages, so we're exploring options with our partners who have a presence on the continent to ensure that we can continue to help keep people safe on our platforms."

Meta also stated in an Associated Press report last August that where they operate, its contractors are obligated by law to pay their staff more than the going rate for the industry and give on-site support from qualified professionals.

Meta and the petitioners' out-of-court settlement was agreed upon last August during a court hearing that saw 184 former content moderators employed at the social media giant's outsourced hub, Sama, sued the company after reportedly forming a union that retaliated against poor working conditions, inadequate mental health care, and low pay.

The lawsuit saw the former content moderators seeking $1.6 billion in compensation.

Facebook Content Moderation Working Conditions

The moderators had to review user content in 12 African languages to comply with Facebook's community standards and rules of service and delete any uploads that failed to meet the platform's standards. The job was described as watching "horrific content for eight hours daily."

In a BBC report, Sama stated that they paid the content moderators $630 (515) per month. In contrast, the Associated Press reports that according to the content moderators, they were paid 60,000 Kenyan shillings, or $414 a month, while failing to ensure "post-traumatic professional counseling was offered."

Associated Press also stated in a different report that Sama claimed all employees had unrestricted access to one-on-one counseling and that pay given in Kenya was four times the local minimum salary.

Related Article: Kenyan Court Rules in Favor of Content Moderators in Lawsuit Against Meta

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Last week, Caroline Ellison brought significant details about Sam Bankman-Fried's former operations, but to start off this week, the court brought another disgraced former FTX engineer, Nishad Singh to bring additional details to the case. Here, he detailed the "one-on-one" meetings he had with the former CEO, SBF, last 2022 to discuss FTX's finances and its state.

It was here that Singh learned more about the state of the company, and how Alameda borrowed a massive sum from FTX customers to pay off its lenders.

FTX's Nishad Singh Testifies: One-on-One Meetings with SBF

(Photo : Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

CNBC reported that Nishad Singh, FTX's former engineering chief, has joined the courts as part of his plea deal to fully cooperate amidst the investigation, now detailing the happenings before FTX's collapse. Here, it was revealed by Singh that he had two one-on-one meetings with SBF where he asked about the state of the company, amidst the panic of other FTX executives, Gary Wang and Caroline Ellison.

Singh first joined Alameda Researcher in 2017, was a former classmate of SBF, and also helped in building the disgraced crypto-exchange platform, FTX.

The former engineering chief also detailed in the courtroom that he knew about the missing $8 billion from customer funds in FTX, and was subsequently used by SBF to pay off Alameda's loans.

Read Also: Sam Bankman-Fried Trial: FTX Co-Founder Accuses Alameda Research of 'Taking Customers' Money'

Sam Bankman-Fried Tells Singh Not to Worry

During the said meetings, Singh confronted Bankman-Fried of the companies' state, saying that "Caroline [Ellison] is really freaked out about the NAV situation," but the CEO said that it was "super positive" and there was nothing to worry about.

Moreover, Singh also asked about the $13 billion that Alameda could not return to FTX after borrowing it, with SBF saying that it could deliver $5 billion immediately, and more in the coming weeks and months.

FTX's Executives and Sam Bankman-Fried

Back in late 2022, two of FTX's former executives Gary Wang and Caroline Ellison pleaded guilty to the charges they faced in court, and they are among those who admitted their crimes amidst the trial. This was followed by the guilty plea by Nishad Singh, along with other FTX executives, and this was while SBF was running free and before he was extradited from the Bahamas.

Bankman-Fried later pleaded not guilty, and this launched a subpoena from the courts for SBF, his family, and known associates to show up in court to talk about FTX's former missing funds. SBF's elusiveness and maintaining his innocence in front of the court led to today's criminal trial against him, looking to either prove him guilty or innocent in what happened with the crypto-exchange platform.

FTX remains a controversial topic today, and this is because of the executives of the company which had hands in customer assets and holdings, involving various executives apart from Sam Bankman-Fried. Singh regarded that on various occasions, he remained in the dark about FTX's financial status, but these meetings finally revealed their state, now stating this to the court and the world to know.

Related Article: SBF Criminal Trial: Caroline Ellison's Revelations This Week Shocked the World-Here's the Highlights

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
News Highlights:

Trending 2024 Report finds consumers are conflicted in their attitudes towards technology, sustainability, health and belonging - presenting challenges and opportunities for brands

While over a third of global consumers are interested in a brain chip or implant to control home devices, nearly two-thirds of those also want to avoid using technology before bed to promote better sleep

The US is divided over whether AI will have a negative or positive impact on society. Millennials in both the US and UK are more optimistic than the general population

Global consumers prioritize economic growth for their country, even if it negatively impacts the environment , while climate fatalism is on the rise

However, the majority of Americans support climate activism even when it disrupts their lives - unlike in Britain, where majority say they do not support activists

Foresight Factory, the consumer prediction consultancy, today launches its Trending 2024 report, which predicts that 2024 will usher in an era of reckoning, where consumers and brands alike will be forced to face up to several challenging realities.

As we enter 2024, consumers and brands will need to reckon with four big questions, revealing clear tensions in their possible future scenarios: What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be healthy? What does it mean to be sustainable? What does it mean to belong?

(Photo : Duet London)

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READ ALSO: Foresight Factory Launches World's First Business Decision-Making Platform as "Antidote to the Insights Industry"

For example, the new report finds conflict in how much consumers want technology to infiltrate their lives. While over a third (35%) of global consumers are interested in a brain chip or implant to control home devices, 40% say they are concerned about the effect of technology on their health and want to avoid using technology before bed to promote better sleep.

Interestingly, 20% of consumers agree with both statements - suggesting that while there are concerns about our reliance on technology, we still want to explore new technologies to make our lives easier. These conflicting attitudes mean that brands must consider multiple future scenarios when planning their strategies.

Society vs Soc-AI-ety

Foresight Factory's research also found that 39% of British consumers believe AI will have a negative impact on society, vs 28% who believe the effect will be positive. Americans are more optimistic, with 34% believing the impact will be negative vs 35% positive.

Millennials in both countries buck the trend with a far more positive outlook than the general population. Almost half (46%) of American millennials believe AI will positively impact society, with British millennials at 38% (ten percentage points higher than Brits overall). Millennials, after all, are the leaders (e.g. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, aged 38) who will be ushering in this technology.

For both American and British consumers, the biggest perceived drawback of AI is the loss of human interaction (22% and 25% of the respective populations), with 20% of consumers in both countries also saying they fear job losses as a result of AI's rise. However, while AI chat has functional uses, it may also play a more personal role too. In the US, 21% of women would be comfortable using AI chat to get relationship advice. Among men, that rises to 31%.

In response, brands should:

Embrace ethical and responsible AI development: establish clear guidelines for AI development and proactively participate in wider discussions about AI governance. Reassure customers and employees that even as you embrace new technologies, human wellbeing will always be a core principle of your brand.

establish clear guidelines for AI development and proactively participate in wider discussions about AI governance. Reassure customers and employees that even as you embrace new technologies, human wellbeing will always be a core principle of your brand. Introduce a minimum quota for human employees and human-created work: Identify the areas that require a human touch, and invest in upskilling programs to ensure your employees are equipped to contribute effectively.

Identify the areas that require a human touch, and invest in upskilling programs to ensure your employees are equipped to contribute effectively. Help consumers maintain their human agency: Be an educator brand by supporting consumers in their AI literacy skills and helping them recognize the invisible algorithms that assert influence over their choices.

Eco-Consciousness vs Economy

Foresight Factory has always acknowledged some degree of tension between its trends 'Sustainable Living' and 'Maximizing Value,' especially during economic downturns when green considerations for consumers tend to fall down the priority list. This looks set to intensify as the costs of many products and activities increase - temporarily at least - in the pursuit of net-zero targets.

The proportion of global consumers who agree that economic growth must be a priority for their country, even if it negatively affects the environment, has grown from 33% in 2020 to 42% in 2023. There has also been an increase in 'climate fatalism', with over 3 in 10 now agreeing that it's too late to do anything to counter the effects of climate change.

As a result, there are signs that consumers are more reluctant to pay a premium for more virtuous solutions. The report predicts that by 2030, only 32% of global consumers will have chosen an alternative means of transport to flying for environmental reasons, and 41% will have made home improvements to make their home better suited to climate change and/or extreme weather. Both scenarios are slightly more likely in the US than the UK, partly thanks to North America's driving culture and increased visibility of climate change-related extreme weather.

In addition, while 39% of Americans say they support climate activists even when they disrupt their lives (vs 30% who don't), the situation is reversed in the UK, where 42% say they do not support climate activists (vs 32% who do).

In response, brands should:

Reject greenshouting and greenhushing in favor of "green truth telling": For brands to retain trust in this area, level with customers and be clear that in order to reach net zero targets, sacrifices will need to be made by all.

For brands to retain trust in this area, level with customers and be clear that in order to reach net zero targets, sacrifices will need to be made by all. Calibrate eco-adoption timelines in line with consumer demand: Realism should prevail over idealism, with clear acknowledgement of barriers to adoption such as cost or reduced efficacy.

Realism should prevail over idealism, with clear acknowledgement of barriers to adoption such as cost or reduced efficacy. Invest in ways to reduce eco-inequality: A plausible aspect of the future development of this reckoning area is everyone but a few being priced out of activities such as flying. Brands must acknowledge this and focus R&D capabilities on ways to reduce costs and increase availability of greener alternatives.

Turning Foresight into Action

Foresight Factory's unique trends analysis represents enduring consumer behaviors that morph and evolve over time, persisting and either accelerating or decelerating depending on contextual factors. This enables the consultancy to uncover new areas of risk or untapped growth for consumer brands. Each focus area is underpinned by three potential future scenarios to consider: a central scenario and two alternatives, and gives direct recommendations at a sector and business discipline level.

Health and wellness brands in particular should pay attention to the possibility that pressure to engage in wellness activities could be driving up stress among younger consumers. Generally those who don't feel stressed engage in more habits and activities to maintain a healthy lifestyle (such as eating well, using health tracking apps, practicing mindfulness etc). However, among Gen Z globally (and in the US), the data shows the opposite - Gen Z who say they are stressed practice more healthy habits and activities.

By monitoring weak signals, tracking global commercial activity and analyzing Foresight Factory's latest proprietary consumer data, the new report finds that issues that once felt too far in the future to resolve are now coming sharply into view, and that the time has come for brands to confront hard truths, pick a side and make decisions.

Meabh Quoirin, CEO and Co-Owner, Foresight Factory comments: "Reality is biting. As brands prepare for the era of reckoning, when global warming has given way to global boiling and where wellness culture is increasingly at odds with urgent health needs, definitive action is a strategic necessity. In today's economic climate, brands cannot afford any missteps while consumers are tightening their belts. As we've seen amid the global backlash against UK PM Rishi Sunak's u-turn on climate policy, when there are tensions and divisions surrounding an issue, brands and governments need to carefully navigate these tensions.

"Trending 2024 isn't a "hot take" on the future, packed with new trends and zeitgeisty fads. In fact, there are no new trends in our report, but there are plenty of new implications to help brands from all sectors navigate the road ahead. By connecting consumer and commercial insights to create multiple future scenarios and recommendations for action, we help brands plan for the future with confidence."

(Photo : Duet London)

Meabh Quoirin, CEO and Co-Owner, Foresight Factory

To read the report preview, please click here.

RELATED ARTICLE: Foresight Factory's 'Collision': Guiding Businesses to Success

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One of the top broadband service providers in the country, Comcast, has been deemed to have a name in its service to be misleading, particularly as it uses the name "10G" as part of its marketing. However, there are still no 10G services available, and even for cellular networks which are still in 5G-with the manner refuted by Comcast and the company still holding out for the name.

At first, 10G would confuse the public about the next-generation cellular network, but for broadband, this has a different meaning as it talks about a future goal.

Comcast's 10G Name is Misleading, Claims Groups

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The National Advertising Division (NAD), under the BBB National Programs, has released a statement that urges Comcast to change its Xfinity "10G" network name as it is claimed to be misleading. Among those advocates, the NAD called upon the company to change this name immediately.

NAD recommends Comcast to "Discontinue its "10G" claims or qualify them to (a) make clear that Comcast is implementing improvements that will enable it to achieve "10G" and that 10G is aspirational, or (b) use "10G" in a manner that is not false or misleading."

"Further, NAD determined that the evidence in the record was insufficient to support the broad, unqualified message that the "Xfinity 10G Network" is vastly superior to 5G," added the organization.

Read Also: Comcast Cuts Free Peacock Premium for Xfinity Subscribers

Comcast Still Holds Out to 10G, But Why?

Comcast still holds out to its Xfinity 10G Network name as it is the company's long-term goal, to be able to provide 10Gbps internet speeds to its customers.

Still, NAD argues that not all of Comcast's services are capable of delivering said speeds. "However, only one of Xfinity's many plans (Gigabit Pro) can reach 10 Gbps, and to access that service tier requires the installation of fiber to the premises."

Internet: Broadband, Satellite, Cellular

Comcast is among the top broadband providers in the country, and back in Fall 2022, the company first released its 2 Gbps internet service for those who still use the terrestrial, land-based connection. It is a significant improvement for broadband as it still faces massive challenges in providing higher gigabit speeds, with a significant goal in the years to come.

Massive improvements in connections were unveiled by various companies in recent times, with Starlink heading the satellite internet service for the world, and T-Mobile regarded as the fastest 5G cellular network in the country. However, these iconic companies with their renowned services are joining to soon provide satellite connections with its Direct-to-Cell service, along with other companies in different countries.

Broadband may seem to be slowing behind the likes of satellite internet and cellular as these do not have terrestrial connections needed, with the use of wireless signal receivers direct to devices. Still, the issue is with Comcast's marketing and name for its broadband, the Xfinity 10G, which wants to hold on to its name for its future goal of providing 10 Gbps speeds to its customers.

Related Article: Comcast Announces NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell's Departure Over Inappropriate Behavior

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Skype and Microsoft Teams accounts have been hacked, according to Tech Radar, which has led to malware named Darkgate spreading through the messaging platforms; the hacking incident started from July to September, according to a report by cybersecurity firm Trend Micro, which could only hypothesize as to how the hacking incident started.

Multiple accounts from both Skype and Microsoft Teams were hacked, and reasons for the hacking incident were assumed by the report as either compromised parent organization records or hacked credentials made available through underground forums.

The malware was spread by sending it in chat threads that would disguise a file containing it as a PDF file. According to Truesec, a Sweden-based cybersecurity firm, the messages used to trick the users into downloading the malware-filled file were made to be context-specific.

(Photo : Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

In this photo illustration, the logo of the internet communications company Skype is reflected in the eye of a woman looking at a computer screen, April 13, 2006 in London, England.

An observed instance within Microsoft Teams saw the message discussing, in what seems to be a vacation schedule of employees, how there are sudden changes to the planned schedule while attaching a file that supposedly contains the revised schedule.

Should they open the attached file, users will unconsciously download the Darkgate malware that opens the user's account and computer to various cyberattacks.

Darkgate malware, in particular, can hack the computer to remotely control the users' computers, track the users' specific pressed keyboard buttons, also known as keylogging, and steal information from the users' browsers.

Darkgate hacking incidents were reportedly detected in multiple regions, with the majority coming from the Americas with 41% of the detected cases, Asia, Middle East, and Africa accounting for 31% of the detected attacks, and Europe with the least at 28%.

Read Also: Lyca Mobile Confirms Customer Data Theft During Cyberattack

Hacking's True Purpose

The accounts used to send the messages in the chat thread are trusted sources, as per the Truesec report. The accounts were reportedly sold through the dark web in August 2023; it was confirmed that the sold accounts had been taken over by unidentified malware.

Trend Micro concludes that the hacked Skype and Microsoft Teams accounts were only an initial attack by the hackers. The organizations to which the unsuspecting users belonged were the actual target.

The objective remained to infiltrate the entire environment with possible cyberattacks against the organization, ranging from ransomware to crypto mining, depending on the threat organization that purchased or rented the DarkGate variation. It further hypothesized that the hacking incident could be linked to the Black Basta Ransomware based on the firm's data.

Cybersecurity Efforts Recommended

Skype and Microsoft Teams organization-run chat threads were recommended to remain vigilant against external messaging.

Organizations were asked to employ measures against external files, such as banning external domains, limiting attachments, and, if practical, putting scanning into place.

Truesec, on the other hand, stated that the attacks could be due to the inability of Safe Attachments and Safe Links, two current Microsoft Teams security features, to recognize or stop this attack.

The Sweden-based cybersecurity firm stated that the only current solution to stop this attack vector within Microsoft Teams was to only allow specific chat requests from particular external domains.

The Darkgate malware has been used to run numerous scripts and was originally discovered in 2018. As Trend Micro reported, a fresh version was released in May of this year and promoted on a Russian dark web forum.

Related Article: Sony Confirms Data Breach That Exposed Personal Information of Thousands in the US

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A new report centers on Netflix Games looking to bring one of the largest gaming franchises in the world to its library, and it is allegedly a Grand Theft Auto game that is trying to work out now, sources claim that Netflix is smoothing it out with Take-Two Interactive, the renowned mother company of Rockstar Games, best known for its development of the GTA games.

Netflix Games is Trying its Luck for a GTA Game

(Photo : Netflix)

It is no secret that Netflix Games is looking to expand, and alongside that, a report from The Wall Street Journal regards the streaming company to be trying its luck to acquire and distribute a Grand Theft Auto game. As per the sources, Netflix is appealing to third-party publishers including Take-Two Interactive now, with the company eyeing the renowned action RPG sandbox, GTA.

Reports claim that it is unknown if Netflix is looking to add an existing GTA game to its streaming platform or co-develop a new title that would center on the franchise.

ComicBook Gaming regarded that this possible arrival of GTA could help bolster Netflix Games' fame and usage among subscribers, as at present, it is struggling to get attention from the public.

Read Also: Netflix's Anime Adaptation of 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off' Drops First Full Trailer

Grand Theft Auto on Netflix-What Title?

Speculations center on Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars to see either a remake or sequel via Netflix Games, and it would be fitting to join the service. It remains unknown what Take-Two and Rockstar have in store for Chinatown Wars, especially as it gained critical acclaim during its release, befitting the portable consoles of the past.

(Photo : Rockstar Games)

Chinatown Wars' remake or sequel would be a massive addition to Netflix, but for now, take this information with a grain of salt as there are no confirmations yet from the companies.

Netflix Games and Its Offers

Netflix Games may be small and unnoticed for now, but the company is building it up to be the next streaming destination that will allow users to experience gaming on any device, not only for the mobile. In this new offer, Netflix aims to deliver a cloud-streaming service for its Games, one where subscribers may play it via web browsers or televisions, now under testing in Canada and the U.K.

This was reinforced by Netflix's earlier app release of the "Netflix Game Controller" which was made available to the Apple App Store, meant for the iPhones to connect to the cloud gaming device.

As the company adds as many as 40 games to access on its current service, its incorporation of hit shows to interactive play opens more opportunities for all to enjoy.

Netflix Games started with a limited library which mostly focused on Stranger Things apps that were already made available via app stores from Apple and Google. However, that is soon to change as the cloud streaming is coming, alongside its plans to acquire the rights to re-distribute a Grand Theft Auto game to its platform, seeking out Take-Two Interactive now.

Related Article: Netflix Expands Mobile Gaming Portfolio, Bringing Hit Shows to Interactive Play

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Bat genes have long intrigued researchers due to their remarkable immunity to both COVID and cancer. These flying mammals host numerous coronaviruses without displaying any signs of illness. Scientists have delved into these genetic traits, exploring the potential for transferring these health advantages to humans.

(Photo : John Moore/Getty Images)

BOMADERRY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Young grey headed "flying fox" bats hang with a teddy bear to cuddle on January 27, 2020 in Bomaderry, Australia.

Revealing Secrets of Bat Genes

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) suggest that the key to these mammals' resistance lies within their genetic makeup. Interesting Engineering reported that the researchers conducted genome sequencing for Jamaican fruit bats and Mesoamerican mustached bats.

Utilizing cutting-edge Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology, the team pieced together the complete genomes of both bat species and compared them to 15 other bat and mammal genomes, including the human genome. The results were nothing short of astonishing.

Collaborating with Nancy Simmons from the American Museum of Natural History and conducting their research in Belize, a team of scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) undertook the ambitious task of sequencing the genomes of two distinctive bat species: the Jamaican fruit bat and the Mesoamerican mustached bat.

Employing Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology, CSHL professors W. Richard McCombie and Adam Siepel, along with postdoc Armin Scheben, successfully assembled the comprehensive genetic blueprints of these bats.

To unravel the mysteries of bat genomics, they meticulously compared the obtained sequences to those of other bats and the human genome. This exhaustive analysis unveiled a remarkable and previously undisclosed transformation in the regulation of two essential genes associated with inflammatory proteins-interferon-alpha and interferon-omega.

Read Also: COVID-19 Infected Humans Could Threaten Bats: How Likely Could This Happen?

Reflecting on Findings

As McCombie pointed out, the research revealed a surprising trend of immune system genes in bat genomes being positively selected. Bats exhibit various unique characteristics, notably their distinct response to infections that sets them apart from humans.

Reflecting on the findings, McCombie emphasized that this difference in their immune system might hold the key to understanding their exceptional resistance to both aging and cancer.

Interesting Engineering reported that the scientists' study uncovered a fascinating mechanism in bats: the genes responsible for producing interferon-alpha, a crucial part of the immune system's warning system, are deliberately subdued.

This intriguing adaptation potentially grants bats a high viral tolerance, safeguarding them from the damaging effects of infections that often lead to an overreactive immune response in humans, resulting in the destruction of healthy tissue.

In another striking revelation, the researchers found that bats possess a greater number of genetic modifications related to cancer than other animals. Among these alterations, six contribute to DNA repair, while 46 work to suppress tumors.

These findings align with previous research indicating that bats possess more efficient DNA repair mechanisms, effectively preventing the accumulation of DNA damage, a common precursor to cancer. These superior DNA repair capabilities might significantly contribute to their lower cancer risk.

The implications of these discoveries are profound. They promise fresh insights into the intricate connections between immunity, aging, and cancer, potentially paving the way for advanced medical procedures and treatments.

Siepel acknowledged that while many mysteries remain, the research could set the stage for collaboration with disease experts to develop innovative drugs and therapeutics based on these findings.

Related Article: Scientists Discover Unusual Behavior of Bats: They Socially Distance Just Like Humans

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Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Kenyan President William Ruto in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. Ruto is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese official Li Xi on Monday met with Kenyan President William Ruto who arrived here to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

China is ready to promote the close alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Kenya's development strategy and work for more achievements in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Kenya, said Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

China will also continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Kenya in fighting corruption, said Li, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Ruto said the BRI has brought tangible benefits to the people of both Kenya and China, expressing the hope for achieving a new height of bilateral relations. 

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Kenyan President William Ruto in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. Ruto is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
Google has introduced a legislative framework to enhance online safety for children and teenagers. This framework served as the company's response to congressional child online safety proposals.

Google released its "Legislative Framework to Protect Children and Teens Online" in a blog post Monday. In this initiative, the big tech company emphasized several key principles. First, it advocated for the prioritization of children's and teens' best interests in the design of online products.

Recommendations of Google

Google asserted that online services tailored for young users should be based on expert research and best practices, taking into account factors like safety, well-being, privacy, access to information, and freedom of participation.

The company also proposed a risk-based approach to age verification, recognizing the potential trade-offs between accurate age determination and user privacy.

It suggested that any age assurance methods should be interoperable and avoid excessive data collection. Additionally, the framework recommended legislation that acknowledges the increased maturity of teenagers, avoiding unnecessary restrictions on online access.

The company called for the implementation of robust parental control options that respect teenagers' growing abilities and autonomy. That includes providing parents with meaningful tools to understand and control their child's online experience.

Regarding mental health and well-being, Google stressed the complex relationship between technology use and the psychological well-being of children and teens.

The framework suggested regulatory guidance to encourage content-sharing platforms to implement age-appropriate policies and product features that support mental health.

Read Also: Google Pixel Magnifier App: Here's How to See Small Objects for Better Visibility, Readability

Ban on Personalized Ads

Google proposed a ban on personalized advertising for individuals under 18, advocating for the protection of children's and teens' personal information from third-party sales.

The company also encouraged platforms to provide tools for teens and parents to manage their online viewing and search history for personalized recommendations.

In terms of content policies, Google recommended a responsible and transparent approach, prioritizing the best interests of children and teens. The company emphasized the importance of developing policies that are publicly available, informed by research and outside expertise, and actively enforced.

The framework underscored the need for risk-based impact assessments to promote accountability in the responsible development of online services. These assessments would evaluate how a service processes the data of children and teens and prioritizes their best interests.

Lastly, Google called for regulatory harmonization and global interoperability to provide clarity and consistency for users, online services, and policymakers in the global digital landscape.

The framework recognized the diversity of online services and their varying roles, emphasizing the need for tailored requirements for different service providers.

"Well-crafted legislation can be an effective tool to build on these efforts to keep children and teens safer online. In particular, we support legislation that tailors protections to the age of the child, supports mental health and well-being, tackles different risks with proportional responses, and gives space for product and business improvements," Google said in a press statement.

Related Article: Google Is Testing New Homepage Design Similar to News-Focused Interfaces of Rivals Bing, Yahoo

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NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made a striking discovery, detecting tiny quartz crystals in the atmosphere of a searing-hot Jupiter exoplanet, WASP-17 b. While quartz is a common mineral on Earth, finding it in such a context is an extraordinary discovery.

These quartz crystals, each a mere 10 nanometers across, are unlike those found on our planet, as they form directly from gas due to the extreme conditions of the exoplanet's atmosphere, which boasts temperatures of about 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.

This finding provides critical insights into the composition of exoplanet atmospheres and their atmospheric processes.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Detects Silica in Clouds of WASP-17 b

The detection of silica (SiO2) particles in the high-altitude clouds of WASP-17 b is the first of its kind, thanks to the capabilities of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI).

This is a significant advancement, as it challenges previous assumptions about the makeup of exoplanetary clouds. While silicates, compounds abundant in silicon and oxygen, are prevalent in our solar system, the silicate particles identified in exoplanetary atmospheres typically consist of magnesium-rich varieties such as olivine and pyroxene.

This revelation prompts a reevaluation of the comprehension of cloud formation processes on exoplanets. A collaboration between researchers from the University of Bristol, NASA's Ames Research Center, and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center led to this groundbreaking revelation. David Grant, a researcher at the University of Bristol, conveyed his enthusiasm for this unforeseen discovery.

Initially anticipating the presence of magnesium silicates, the team encountered quartz crystals instead. Hannah Wakeford, also affiliated with the University of Bristol, underscored the significance of this breakthrough.

She pointed out that these quartz particles likely serve as the building blocks for the larger silicate grains observed on cooler exoplanets and brown dwarfs.

Read Also: NASA James Webb Achieves One of Its First Major Science Goals After Probing the Atmosphere of TRAPPIST Planet

1,275 Brightness Measurements

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope detected the WASP-17 system for nearly 10 hours, collating over 1,275 brightness measurements of mid-infrared light.

Through meticulous analysis, the team identified a distinctive feature at 8.6 microns, indicating the presence of quartz crystals. These minute particles play a crucial role in the formation of clouds in exoplanet atmospheres.

While the extent and prevalence of these quartz clouds remain challenging to ascertain, they are likely distributed along the terminator, the boundary between the day and night sides of the planet, according to NASA.

Given the extreme conditions on WASP-17 b, with scorching days and cooler nights, these clouds may undergo rapid circulation at high speeds.

This groundbreaking discovery underscores the James Webb Space Telescope's unprecedented capacity to unravel the mysteries of distant celestial bodies.

By examining the atmospheric composition of exoplanets, researchers are gaining profound insights into the diverse environments beyond our solar system.

WASP-17 b is one of three planets targeted for in-depth investigation by the Webb's Scientist Team's DREAMS initiative, which aims to gather comprehensive data on different classes of exoplanets. The MIRI observations of WASP-17 b were conducted as part of the GTO program 1353.

Related Article: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Captures Evidence of Carbon Dioxide, Methane on Larger-Than-Earth Exoplanet

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Archer Aviation, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle company, is poised to launch air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi by 2026. This move marks Archer's foray into international markets, extending beyond its American base.

The company's expansion plans include establishing an air taxi service throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under a memorandum of understanding with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).

Abu Dhabi: Archer Aviation's Launch Site

Archer's strategic partnership with ADIO was formalized in a recent signing ceremony, signaling a collaborative effort to position Abu Dhabi as the launch site for the company's international operations.

ADIO intends to provide incentives to support Archer in establishing its inaugural international headquarters and manufacturing facilities within Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) Cluster.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is keen on expediting the approval process for Archer's air taxi to operate in the UAE, contingent on the FAA's certification.

This underscores the UAE's commitment to embracing electric air taxis, a mode of transport with zero emissions, offering an effective solution to congestion.

The collaboration with Archer is anticipated to result in substantial foreign direct investment and the creation of thousands of jobs in the region over the next decade.

Archer Aviation has secured over $1.1 billion in funding, with investments from key stakeholders such as Mubadala Capital, United Airlines, Stellantis, and Boeing.

The company's Founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, expressed enthusiasm about this joint initiative with the UAE, heralding it as a significant step towards establishing international operations.

"Archer plans to partner closely with ADIO and the Department of Economic Development to bring manufacturing and operations for our air taxis to the region. Together, we are positioned to be a driving force in making all-electric air taxis a reality in the skies of the UAE and beyond in the coming years," Goldstein said in a press statement.

Stellantis is a pivotal partner in Archer's pursuit of high-volume manufacturing for the Midnight aircraft. The collaboration aims to lay the foundation for future Archer manufacturing facilities, with a particular focus on the Middle East.

Read Also: Joby Aviation Completes Flights of Electric Air Taxi With Human Pilots on Board

Archer Aviation's Partnerships in UAE

Archer has also forged partnerships with industry leaders in the UAE to advance its commercialization plans. Agreements have been inked with Falcon Aviation, which will oversee air taxi operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and GAL-AMMROC, set to provide vital maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Archer's eVTOL aircraft.

Archer's ultimate vision is to transform urban transportation, replacing lengthy car commutes with electric air taxis. This transition promises faster, more efficient travel, with estimated flight durations of 10-20 minutes, ensuring a sustainable, low-noise, and cost-competitive alternative to ground transportation.

The Midnight aircraft, a piloted model designed for rapid consecutive flights, is central to achieving this vision. As Archer prepares to showcase its Midnight aircraft at the Dubai Air Show, the company remains poised to shape the future of urban air mobility in the UAE and beyond.

Related Article: Jump Aero Reveals New Design of JA1 Pulse-An Ambulance-Beating eVTOL Aircraft!

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Immersive virtual reality (VR) may alleviate pain and distress in cancer patients, according to a comprehensive analysis of existing evidence in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.

The technology also holds promise for individuals contending with other chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), kidney disease, and dementia, the findings suggest.

Using Virtual Reality to Enhance the Quality of Life

As the costs associated with virtual reality technologies have become more accessible, there has been a growing interest in utilizing them to enhance the quality of life for patients. However, the extent of their effectiveness in helping individuals manage the medical and psychological effects of long-term conditions remains uncertain.

To address this, researchers conducted an extensive search of research databases for studies examining the use and efficacy of immersive virtual reality in aiding the psychological adjustment to chronic conditions in adults, MedicalXpress reported.

They found 31 relevant studies from 1993 to 2023, when the technology was used in patients with cancer, dementia, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The studies included 30 to 50 participants, predominantly women with an average age of 51. Virtual reality sessions lasted around 20 minutes, administered either singularly or daily for a specified period.

These studies examined environment-based and game-based virtual reality interventions. They aimed to either relax users before medical procedures using techniques like nature walks and mindfulness meditation or engage them with specific skills for managing their condition.

Read Also: ChatGPT Was Able to Give Better Medical Advice on Depression Than Real Doctors, New Study Shows

Virtual Reality Helpful in Coping With Treatments

Overall, patients across various conditions found virtual reality helpful in coping with medical treatments and emotional impact. However, the type of virtual reality and procedures varied widely, with no clear superior option. Some studies had small sample sizes and lacked comparison groups, warranting caution in interpretation.

The exact mechanisms behind how VR affects patients physically and psychologically remain uncertain. It may act as a distraction, absorbing attention, or alter the user's mental state, potentially reducing the experience of pain and enhancing their ability to cope with their condition.

"These findings are promising in a population at risk of polypharmacy, and suggest immersive VR [virtual reality] can offer a non-pharmacological intervention that is considered acceptable by clinicians, caregivers, and patients," the researchers noted.

"As VR systems become progressively more accessible, immersive VR interventions may begin to offer cost benefits compared with conventional pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments," they added.

The researchers said that further research is essential to better understand the technology's mechanisms, most effective applications, and the circumstances under which it proves most beneficial.

The team concluded that VR interventions are "acceptable treatments" that could enhance the physical and psychological consequences of physical illness. They cited "good quality research," claiming that these VR interventions can minimize pain and distress, especially among cancer patients.

Related Article: This New 3D Organ-on-a-Chip That Mimics Human Joint Could Accelerate Development of Treatments for Arthritis

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Artificial intelligence models used in chatbots could offer guidance for planning biological attacks, warns US think tank Rand Corporation.

In a chilling revelation, a recent report by the Rand Corporation has shed light on the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of biological warfare.

The Dark Side of AI

Large language models (LLMs) could supply guidance for the planning and execution of a biological attack, raising concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology.

This report comes at a time when the rapid evolution of AI technology is outpacing regulatory oversight, creating a potential gap in existing policies and regulations.

As The Guardian reports, the report has highlighted that the lack of understanding about biological agents has historically been a limiting factor in the success of previous bioweapon attempts, but AI could swiftly bridge these knowledge gaps, thereby increasing the risk of such attacks.

The Rand Corporation's research findings revealed that LLMs did not generate explicit biological weapon instructions. However, they offered guidance that could significantly aid in planning and executing a biological attack.

AI in BioWeapons Attack

One notable scenario devised by Rand involved an anonymized LLM identifying potential biological agents, including smallpox, anthrax, and plague.

It discussed the relative likelihood of causing mass death with these agents, as well as the possibility of obtaining plague-infested rodents or fleas and transporting live specimens.

This scenario also considered variables such as the size of the affected population and the proportion of pneumonic plague cases, which is deadlier than bubonic plague.

The researchers acknowledged that extracting such information from an LLM required "jailbreaking," which involves using text prompts that override a chatbot's safety restrictions.

Read Also: OpenAI to Launch Major Updates to Make AI Software Development Cheaper and Faster, Luring Developers

In another scenario, the unnamed LLM discussed different delivery methods for botulinum toxin, a deadly nerve-damaging agent.

It weighed the pros and cons of using food or aerosols for dissemination. It even advised on a plausible cover story for acquiring Clostridium botulinum while appearing to conduct legitimate scientific research.

The LLM recommended presenting the purchase of C. botulinum as part of a project focused on diagnostic methods or botulism treatments, thereby concealing the true intent behind the acquisition.

A Closer Look

The researchers emphasized the need for rigorous testing of AI models, highlighting the importance of limiting the openness of LLMs to conversations like the ones explored in their report.

While the report raises alarming concerns, it also points out that it remains an open question whether existing LLMs' capabilities represent a new threat beyond the harmful information already available online.

However, the risks are undeniable, and as AI continues to advance, policymakers, researchers, and AI companies must come together to address these concerns.

The potential misuse of AI in planning biological attacks will be a significant topic of discussion at the upcoming global AI safety summit in the UK.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

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An X-wing Starfighter miniature from "Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope" (1977) sold for $3.135 million at auction, far more than its opening cost of $400,000, setting a record for any Star Wars movie prop, according to Dallas-based Heritage Auctions.



In 2022, friends of the late Hollywood visual effects designer, Mr. Greg Jein, discovered the fascinating rare X-wing miniature model in his garage. For decades, Mr. Jein, who died aged 76 last year, collected Hollywood memorabilia. Two residences, two garages, and two storage facilities in Los Angeles held these items.



The successful bidder, who engaged in a telephone bidding competition with another collector, has remained anonymous. Notably, a comparable X-wing model sold for around $2.4 million last year, according to The Strait Times.

One of the Highest-Selling Hollywood Auctions in History

The auction sold more than 500 pieces from Mr. Jein's superb collection for $13.6 million. This two-day Hollywood auction is second only to Debbie Reynolds' 2011 $22.8 million sale.



The collection exhibited Mr. Jein's love of sci-fi, comics, and fantasy. A Stormtrooper costume from the first "Star Wars" film sold for $645,000, a spacesuit from Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film "2001: A Space Odyssey" sold for $447,000, and a utility belt from the 1960s Adam West-starring "Batman" television series, which sold for $36,250, as per a report from The New York Times.



However, the X-wing captured the greatest interest. This 22-inch prop, according to Heritage Auctions, was used in sequences when three Rebel Alliance members flew X-wings during the crucial assault against the Death Star. These individuals went by the call signs Red Leader, Red Two, and Red Five, which belonged to Luke Skywalker.

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Industrial Light & Magic, the George Lucas-founded special effects company, created the X-wing miniature model. It was built with motorized wings, fiber-optic lighting, and other detailed embellishments for close-up shots during the filming of the original Star Wars movie.

A Certified Sci-Fi Geek

Interestingly, the visual effects industry had not seen the X-wing concept in many years, so its discovery was met with considerable excitement. While working with Mr. Jein on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" in the 1990s, visual effects historian and archivist Gene Kozicki compared the X-wing finding to "Kids on Christmas."



According to Western Wheel, before joining the successful franchise, Mr. Jein was a diehard "Star Trek" fan and auctioned off some of his memorabilia. In particular, a model of the 1960s "Star Trek: The Original Series" ship "SS Botany Bay" sold for $200,000.

The auction's highlights were a $187,500 hero phaser and a $175,000 tricorder, both show props. Additionally, Mr. Jein acquired a delicate lace hairpiece that William Shatner wore as Captain Kirk in the original "Star Trek" TV series. This rare Star Trek item sold for $13,750.

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The US Commerce Department updated its export regulations on Tuesday to prevent China from getting advanced computer chips and related equipment. The modification to the original constraints applied a year ago, target military uses of these devices, such as hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence (AI).



US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stressed that these updated chip export controls aim to safeguard technologies with "clear national security or human rights implications."



"The vast majority of semiconductors will remain unrestricted. But when we identify national security or human rights threats, we will act decisively and in concert with our allies, the US official said, as quoted in the report by AP News.



The US chip export restriction changes were made after studies on technology and discussions with the business world were conducted. They added a "gray zone" to keep an eye on semiconductors that could still be used for military purposes even if they do not meet the trade limitation levels set. Chip exports might be restricted to Macao or US arms embargoed businesses to avoid circumvention.

New Policy Not Intended to Curb China's Economic Growth

New US chip export regulations are also part of the policy reforms, making it harder for China to produce sophisticated chips abroad. As part of these revisions, the list of manufacturing equipment subject to export controls has increased.



Raimondo noted that these restrictions are not designed to hamper China's economic progress, although the Chinese government may have been irritated by the export curbs since it considered high-level semiconductor design and production to be essential for its economic and geopolitical goals.



The US government argues that China's access to advanced technology could be used to control hypersonic missiles, set up powerful surveillance systems, or break top-secret U.S. codes. Leading authorities on artificial intelligence have also issued warnings that badly controlled technology might endanger mankind.



However, as AI technology has many practical business applications, these more stringent regulations may have an impact on Chinese companies developing AI chatbots, like TikTok's parent company ByteDance and internet behemoth Baidu. As AI affects retail and healthcare, these restrictions may damage China's economy.

Read Also: Purpose Over Profits? Bill McGlashan Doesn't Believe Businesses Have To Choose

Chip Makers Oppose Tighter Chip Controls

The regulations are anticipated to impact US chip producers like Nvidia, AMD, and Intel's sales to China. Some semiconductor manufacturers, which receive up to a third of their income from Chinese customers, have recently expressed opposition to harsher US chip restrictions.



US officials stated that commercial chips, such as those used in smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and gaming systems, would be exempt from the regulations, according to The New York Times. Although some measures may take effect sooner, most new rules will take effect in 30 days.



The Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents major chip makers, said it was evaluating these amended requirements and stressed the need to balance national security with a strong US semiconductor sector. Nvidia stated that the company follows all regulations and does not foresee any short-term financial impacts from the new requirements.



Reuters reported that the Chinese government view these US chip exports restrictions as a historic shift in US-China tech policy and accused the United States of employing export controls to stifle Chinese businesses.



In August, Secretary Raimondo and her Chinese counterparts agreed to share export control information. A senior administration source who requested anonymity claimed the US did not communicate with China on the revised export curbs. China's premier, Li Qiang, asked Washington to focus on Taiwan, technology, and other issues to improve relations.

Related Article: AI-Driven Financial Collapse Looms, Warns US SEC Chair

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PayPal added instant package tracking to its online order monitoring app, eliminating the need for online shoppers to manually enter order numbers or check their email for delivery status. Instead, PayPal streamlines the process by automatically collecting shipping information and tracking deliveries using Gmail integration.



TechCrunch reported that PayPal users may still use the instant package tracking tool even if their PayPal account is not linked to their Gmail account by manually entering the tracking information. Among the significant advantages of the new PayPal app feature is that it is free and may be utilized for transactions where PayPal was not used during checkout.



When there is an update to the order or a change in the delivery status, the app will send out live push alerts. It also provides a visual tracking feature that enables consumers to keep an eye on their parcels on a real-time map. Users have the choice to effectively and conveniently track their delivery.



The addition of the instant package tracking tool in the PayPal app puts Amazon and Shopify in direct rivalry with PayPal. Shopify's Shop app offers real-time order progress, delivery, and map tracking. Additionally, Amazon offers a "Map Tracking" tool that lets consumers see where their delivery person is.

Keeping Up with The Competition

PayPal always attempts to increase the post-purchase options it offers and improve the buying experience for its users as it responds to competition from other payment providers with this service.



According to Market Screener, Apple Pay, Stripe, Ayden, Google, and Amazon want to enter the market, endangering PayPal's once-privileged position. Despite the competition, PayPal manages a sizable amount of transactions and is still a key participant in the payment processing industry.

Read Also: LinkedIn Implements Workforce Reduction, Focusing on Future AI Priorities



The firm handles 23 billion transactions worth $1.4 trillion each year for 35 million merchants in 200 marketplaces and 150 currencies. PayPal's combined infrastructure, compliance record, and security commitment support these excellent numbers. However, PayPal must adjust to the changing market dynamics due to threats from rivals and a changing environment.

Former PayPal President and CEO to Speak at This Year's Money20/20

Meanwhile, former PayPal President and CEO Dan Schulman will speak at Money20/20, a well-known fintech event showcasing inspirational talks on financial innovations and market dynamics. The event will be held in Las Vegas on October 23, at 2 p.m. PT, offering firms a unique opportunity to learn about industry issues and future breakthroughs from experts.



According to a Business Wire article, Dan Schulman will discuss PayPal's rise to the top of the payments industry. He will also discuss his initiatives to support purpose-driven leadership and employee financial well-being. Jennifer Tescher, president and chief executive officer of the Financial Health Network, is going to moderate the conversation.



The event's 60-hour schedule is packed with ideas and conversations. Senior executives from major banks, venture capitalists, payment service providers, lending and credit corporations, startups, disruptors, and global technology organizations are scheduled to speak.

Related Article: US Broadens Export Controls Targeting Chip Transfers to China

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In northwest France, a piece of granite with enigmatic symbols that went mostly unstudied for 4,000 years has unexpectedly emerged as a beacon for archaeologists. It is known as the Saint-Belec slab, considered a "treasure map" that helps researchers uncover ancient locations.

The Saint-Belec slab was found beside a grave, and ever since it was named Europe's earliest known map in 2021, its engravings have piqued the interest of scholars. Archaeologists are currently interpreting these etchings to precisely date the slab and re-discover long-lost structures.

The University of Western Brittany's (UBO) Yvan Pailler commented on this innovative strategy, quoted by a report on CBS News, saying, "Using the map to try to find archaeological sites is a great approach." He noted that ancient sites are typically found accidentally during urban building, using radar technology, aerial photography, or other methods.

Unlocking the Mystery Will Take Years

The Saint-Belec slab's potential is just being discovered. It delineates a region measuring around 30 by 21 kilometers. A colleague of Pailler's from the CNRS research institute, Clement Nicolas, hypothesizes that it may take 15 years to examine the entire area and compare the marks on the slab, per MoneyControl.

Around 500 kilometers west of Paris, in the Brittany area of Roudouallec, are shown on the slab as rivers and mountains. The researchers discovered about 80% agreement between the maps and the present data. However, the significance of all the geometric symbols and their corresponding tales is still unknown.

The Saint-Belec slab is decorated with tiny hollows, which have led experts to hypothesize that they could represent homes, housing mounds, or geological deposits. Uncovering the significance of these mysterious patterns may lead to a wealth of fresh findings.

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A Glimpse of a Bronze Age Society

Archaeologists have been excavating at the location where the Saint-Belec slab was first discovered, which Pailler describes as one of the most important Bronze Age burial sites in Brittany, to learn more about this old treasure. Fragments of the slab that had never been found before have been found during these most recent excavations.

The slab appears to have been shattered into several pieces, which were then utilized to build a tomb wall. It suggests Bronze Age settlement power dynamics changed. The area shown on the map could correspond to an ancient kingdom that saw uprisings and other forms of unrest.

Une carte de lage du bronze decouverte en 1900 a Saint-Belec enfin decryptee ? Une  carte aux tresors  selon l'archeologue Yvan Pailler @UBO_UnivBrest car elle pourrait conduire a de nouveaux sites inexplores!

 https://t.co/cz8dFccdmm pic.twitter.com/dlu47sWCOo  Caroline Fourgeaud-Laville (@EurekaParis5) October 17, 2023

The slab also resembles a geographical arrangement because of the presence of repetitive motifs connected by lines. Researchers compared it to depictions from other ethnic groups and prehistoric Europe.

According to a report from The Guardian, researchers believe that the Saint-Belec slab represents the domain of a hierarchical governmental body that exercised tight authority over the area in the early Bronze Age, as the evidence reveals. Broken slabs may represent censure and deconsecration, signaling the end or rejection of early Bronze Age elites who ruled society for ages.

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Paxlovid, a key COVID-19 medicine, is projected to hike its price as the US exits the pandemic's emergency phase, raising accessibility worries. Similar to COVID-19 vaccinations, Paxlovid is going to shift from free through government purchases to a commercial marketplace for most patients, worrying healthcare professionals.

The new Paxlovid price will likely exceed the $530 per course US government charge, per reports. Patients with Medicare, Medicaid, or no insurance can use a patient assistance program until 2024, while those with commercial insurance may have to pay copayments.

Worries Mount Over Impact of COVID-19 Medication's Price Hike

Albert Bourla, the chief executive of Pfizer, stated that talks with payers had begun and that the "pandemic price" would probably be less than the new commercial price.



Professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research and concerned party Dr. Eric Topol called the expected price rises "more bad news of price gouging by Pfizer." He stressed the effects on the patients who need Paxlovid, particularly those who are worried about costs.

"Even for those who have full coverage, sticking it to insurers just winds up, in the long run, increasing health care insurance premiums for all," Topol stated, as quoted by CNN.

When administered early in the infection, paxlovid was thought to be one of the most effective therapies for COVID-19 and was initially the focal point of the "test-to-treat" approach in the United States.

Clinical studies revealed that when high-risk people took the medication, they had an 86% lower chance of needing hospitalization or passing away from a COVID-19 infection.

However, some patients have chosen to forgo the treatment due to difficulties in getting the medicine and worries about interactions with other medications.

Read Also: Fiber-Rich Diets Linked to Disease Prevention; New Findings in the US Say Americans Not Eating Enough

How Much is Paxlovid's Price Increase?

For many medical professionals, paxlovid remains as the go-to and best option for treating COVID-19. Though, Damien Conover, a Morningstar analyst, predicts that it would retail for roughly $700.

Pfizer had billed the government $530 for each medication course. Umer Raffat from Evercore ISI has predicted a three- to five-fold price increase to $2,500 per course.

Since cost affects pharmaceutical accessibility in the US, patients might become discouraged by the anticipated price increase.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 40% of Paxlovid patients are on Medicare or Medicaid and will have free access through 2024, according to The Messenger.

After the US COVID health emergency ended, the government stopped procuring the majority of medications and vaccinations for the populace.

While certain supplies were still available to those who met specific requirements, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines, for instance, were advertised on the private market for around $120, which was four times the price set by the US government, as per a Bloomberg report.

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 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows smoke rising following Israeli attacks near the Lebanese town of Alma al-Shaab. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues.

A statement released by Hezbollah said its fighters attacked five border "Zionist sites," including Jal al-Alam, Barakat Risha, Ramya, Al-Manara, and Al-Abad.

They also shelled the Hanita settlement, resulting in the damage of two Merkava tanks and a tracked personnel carrier, and several casualties within the Israeli army's ranks, said the statement.

Hezbollah said its attacks also targeted surveillance cameras and technical equipment installed by Israel in the Al-Motella settlement.

In response to Hezbollah's attacks, the Israeli artillery bombed with over 50 shells the towns of Mays al-Jabal, Hula, Aita al-Shaab, Marwahin, and al-Qalila, causing damage to 12 homes in the Qalila village, according to Lebanese military sources.

On the same day, Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced that the exchange of fire between Lebanon and Israel intensified in the evening along the Blue Line, and a missile fell on the headquarters of the UNIFIL in Naqoura.

"Fortunately, no one was hurt; we are working to verify the source of the missile," he said.

The situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated after Hezbollah fired on Oct. 8 tens of rockets toward military sites in Shebaa Farms in support of the "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" launched by Hamas on Oct. 7, prompting the Israeli forces to respond the same day by firing heavy artillery. 

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows smoke rising following Hezbollah's attacks in Israel near the Lebanese town of Aita al-Shaab. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows smoke trails of Israeli missiles launched to intercept missiles fired from Lebanon, near Alma al-Shaab, Lebanon. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows smoke rising following Hezbollah's attacks in Israel near the Lebanese town of Aita al-Shaab. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows Israeli shells exploding over the Lebanese town of Marwahin. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows a damaged center for people with special needs following Israeli attacks in the Lebanese town of Aita al-Shaab. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows Israeli shells exploding over the Lebanese border town of Marwahin. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows the closed door of the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, Lebanon. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows smoke rising following Israeli attacks near the Lebanese town of Alma al-Shaab. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2023 shows smoke rising following Hezbollah's attacks in Israel near the Lebanese town of Aita al-Shaab. Lebanon's Hezbollah military group announced on Sunday that it has bombed several Israeli border sites and settlements, as sporadic fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border continues. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
Earlier this year, Garmin introduced its electrocardiogram (ECG) app but only to one smartwatch. At that time, Engadget reported that it was exclusive to Venu 2 Plus owners living in the US.

Right now, the timepiece maker announced that it has expanded the app to four more Garmin smartwatches.

4 Garmin Smartwatches Get ECG App Support

Garmin, a leading player in the wearable technology sector, has unveiled expanded compatibility for its ECG App, benefitting users in the US. The latest integration covers a range of Garmin's premium smartwatches, offering enhanced health monitoring capabilities, according to GSM Arena.

Garmin's ECG App is now seamlessly compatible with the Epix Pro series, Fenix 7 Pro series, Venu 3 series, and Tactix 7 smartwatches, providing users with a broader array of options for their health and wellness tracking.

This expanded compatibility allows users to perform electrocardiogram (ECG) readings directly from their supported Garmin smartwatches. These readings furnish valuable data related to heart rhythm, offering insights into potential irregularities like atrial fibrillation (AFib) and sinus rhythm.

Garmin's user-friendly approach ensures that ECG readings are readily accessible. Users can view these records directly on their compatible Garmin smartwatches, within the Garmin Connect smartphone app, or export them as convenient PDF files.

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How to Unlock ECG Feature in Your Garmin Watch

To unlock the potential of this ECG feature, users are advised to update their Garmin Connect app to the latest version. Once updated, they can activate the ECG feature through the Settings menu within the smartphone app.

Garmin takes pride in the accuracy of its ECG readings, likening them to single-lead electrocardiogram devices. This precision ensures that users can trust the data for critical health monitoring.

While the ECG App is currently accessible in the US, Garmin's commitment to extending its global reach is evident. Users in Hong Kong and Vietnam can also benefit from this health-monitoring feature, with the potential for further expansion in the future.

"We are pleased to bring the ECG App to even more of our customers, including those with our flagship epix Pro and fenix 7 Pro series smartwatches. We take pride in offering premium health and wellness features across our smartwatch lineups and this revolutionary tool that lets our customers conveniently take an ECG recording when they want only adds to the suite of innovative features to help them stay on top of their health," Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales said via PR Newswire.

If you want to use the ECG app on your Garmin smartwatch, just click here to go to the Garmin support center. The full instructions on how to use it are already included. Just go to the Wearables section to get started.

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 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Many Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced since Oct. 7 while Israeli military buildup continues at Gaza borders.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
The Israel-Gaza conflict, now entered its eleventh day, has killed over 4,000 people on both sides.

In an early weekday morning, hundreds of displaced Palestinians crowded outside a mosque on the main street of Rafah, as it was one of the very few places in the southern Gazan city that could provide electricity and clean water in a time of war.

Having just fled from northern Gaza, amid continued power outages and network faults, they were waiting to get cell phones charged to stay in contact with loved ones.

"We left everything behind, our house, our memories... to escape the imminent threat of death," said Imad Sayyidam, whose family fled from the northern city of Beit Lahia.

As the war between Israel and Hamas entered the second week, people in northern Gaza, on caravans or by foot, continued to pour into the south, with the United Nations estimating the number of internally displaced at hundreds of thousands.

"Dont dare say Israel is not responsible for the bombs."



Palestinian envoy to the United Nations Riyad Mansour addressed the targeting of civilians in Palestines Gaza during a UN Security Council session, calling it a breach of international law pic.twitter.com/9JrEYf4VnS  TRT World (@trtworld) October 17, 2023

According to Sayyidam, his family had to sleep outdoors in Rafah before securing a place in one of the UN-run shelter camps packed with families newly displaced in the war.

"The shelter's bathrooms have no water, so we are here at the mosque to use its bathrooms and charge our phones, but those services seem to be running out," he added.

Under heavy Israeli bombardment and a possible ground offensive, which could happen any time soon, to leave or to stay has become a question of survival for northern Gazans.

The Israeli army repeatedly urged residents and hospitals in northern Gaza to evacuate southward. But for many residents, especially hospitalized patients, relocation is impossible due to the massive destruction of infrastructure in the ongoing airstrikes.

Sahad Ahmed, her husband, and children fled from a coastal refugee camp near the Gaza City. She described the situation in the camp as "very dangerous." However, several members of her extended family decided to stay there.

 Doctors under threat of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza refuse to evacuate and leave critically ill infants behind.



If you want to kill us, kill us while we continue working here. We will not leave.



Heroes! pic.twitter.com/RlzeH7Cbfe  Jackson Hinkle  (@jacksonhinklle) October 17, 2023

In a courtyard of the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, conversations among the displaced dwell between what has already been lost and what may be further deprived in the future.

Some talked about their homes and hard-earned possessions that were left abandoned, or a horrendous day when a family member was killed in a strike.

Others discussed the timing and ramifications of a possible Israeli invasion of Gaza City, fearing that the besieged enclave would be plunged into the calamity of a protracted conflict.

"This war is more horrific than the previous ones. Many of our grandparents and friends have been martyred or injured. The Israelis destroyed our home and the (refugee) camp. There's nothing left for them to destroy in Gaza," said Abu Iyad, who fled the Gazan city of Jabalia.

A glimpse into the daily life in #Gaza these days pic.twitter.com/VesS0VWWKk  Quds News Network (@QudsNen) October 17, 2023

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, prior to Israel's demand for the evacuation of citizens from the northern Gaza Strip on Oct. 13, more than 400,000 Palestinians had been internally displaced in Gaza due to the conflict.

The Israeli military said that at least 199 hostages were held in Gaza, while Hamas claimed that there were 200 to 250 Israeli captives in Gaza since October 7.

The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, now entered its eleventh day, has killed more than 4,000 people on both sides and wounded even more. Sahar Ahmed, a 35-year-old woman from the city of Gaza, recounted her decision to move south.

"I left my house after many neighboring houses were bombed ... fifty meters stood between my house and one of my neighbor's that was bombed. The Israelis forced us to leave, destroying our lives and the future of our children," she said.
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

Three Cultural Voices from Gaza: The Role of Intellectuals Will Be to Inspire

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Meizhou, Guangdong, the "Hakka Capital of the World", held a number of Hakka cultural activities to welcome guests at home and abroad

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To recruit, more and more companies are displaying salaries on their job offers

Twitter purchase: Musk's lawyers are said to have taken on US Securities and Exchange Commission

State Administration of Foreign Exchange: China's balance of payments remained basically balanced in the first three quarters

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Calvino assures "equal treatment" to all communities by forgiving the debt, "including those of the PP"

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Osama Hamdan for Al Jazeera Net: Massacres will not break the resolve of the Palestinians and American support will not save the occupation

Nasrallah: We have been involved in the war from the beginning and we are continuing in it

The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines remarks reporters' questions on the so-called infiltration and interference activities of China in the Philippines

Operations manager on the closure of the SURF team: "We will save a few million"

The Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang held an educational experience exchange meeting on the theme of "concentrating on the soul and strengthening the foundation, uniting and forging ahead on a new journey" in Beijing

From host to anchor: Taiwanese youth Li Qifei "North Drift" opened the second half of his life

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Matthew Perry's Estate: His Parents and Five Siblings, the Possible Heirs to His Million-Dollar Fortune

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Belarus banned the import of socks and bricks from Latvia to the republic

The first hearing of Trepova's case on the terrorist attack is scheduled for November 15 in St. Petersburg

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KINSHASA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has risen to 47 after a boat carrying about 300 people sank four days ago in the province of Equateur in the northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Minister of Transport Marc Ekila said late Monday.

The shipwreck, which occurred Friday night on the Congo River, killed at least 47 people, while an unknown number remains missing, said the minister. He specified that the tragedy was due to "overloading."

"As the boat was in an irregular situation, we were unable to obtain the manifest which could allow us to determine exactly the number of passengers who were on board," he added.

In a video statement released Sunday, Taylor Nganzi, the deputy governor of the province, reported the discovery of 28 dead bodies, with 261 people reported missing by relatives of the victims.

The deputy governor, who visited the scene of the accident, said that responsibilities would be strictly established without any complacency toward the culprits.

According to provincial authorities, the boat late Friday left the port of Mbandaka, the province's port city on the Congo River, for Bolomba, which is more than 300 km from Mbandaka.

"We have asked the provincial authorities to set up a commission of inquiry," Ekila said. 
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Joe Bidens Middle East summit has been cancelled following the deadly strike on a Gaza hospital that killed hundreds of Palestinians, the White House has confirmed.

A White House official said Mr Biden would still travel to Israel, but the planned second leg of the trip to Jordan will be postponed for now.

After consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, President Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President Sisi of Egypt, the official said in a statement.

The official also said Mr Biden had sent his deepest condolences for the innocent lives lost in the hospital explosion in Gaza, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.

He looks forward to consulting in person with these leaders soon, and agreed to remain regularly and directly engaged with each of them over the coming days, the official added.

The US president had been set to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan, along with the countrys King Abdullah and Egyptian President Sisi, as part of his wartime trip to the region.

Mr Abbas returned to Ramallah in the West Bank in the wake of the airstrike in Gaza that Hamas health officials say has killed as many as 500 people, according to The Associated Press.

The news broke as Mr Biden was en route to Andrews Air Force Base to leave for the region and was confirmed by the White House, which said the president would still travel to Israel.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry claims that the air strike hit the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, which was packed with injured Palestinians and people seeking shelter from Israels bombing.

Israels IDF categorically denied it was behind the hospital attack and instead blamed a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.

We did not strike that, and the intelligence that we have suggests that it was a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad, and I want to add, categorically, that we do not intentionally strike any sensitive facilities, any sensitive facilities, and definitely not hospitals, Lt Col Jonathan Conricus told CNN.

Israel has not yet provided evidence to support its claim that it an Islamic Jihad rocket was responsible.

Photos from the hospital show fire engulfing the hallways with bodies scattered around. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli air strike in five wars fought since 2008.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters the strike was horrific and absolutely unacceptable while Egypt has denounced it in the strongest terms.

More than 3,000 people have been killed in Gaza and more than 12,500 injured since the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel. In Israel, 1,400 people have been killed and almost 4,000 wounded.

While in Israel, Mr Biden is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and the families of some of the hostages and the missing.

His meeting in Jordan was to discuss continued humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians.

He will certainly reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinians right to dignity and self-determination, John Kirby, a White House National Security Council spokesman, told reporters on Monday night. Hell discuss again the humanitarian needs of all civilians in Gaza.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from Israel, announced the trip to Tel Aviv on Tuesday, and said that it was to reaffirm the United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security.

It is not the first trip to an active warzone for the president, as he secretly travelled to Ukraine in February, his first to the country since the Russian invasion.
SHENZHEN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have completed a digital genetic variation map of rice based on more than 10,000 rice samples, providing a new tool for further study of natural rice variations, especially rare variants.

Rice is one of the world's most important staple foods and crops. Its natural variation provides a key genetic basis for its possible genetic modification and modern breeding.

"The latest research result is like a 'digital map' for research on rice, offering clear guidance on its breeding," said Shang Lianguang, a researcher from the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen (AGIS) under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

With the help of this map, the researchers have corrected errors in the classification of some indica and japonica rice varieties, extensively analyzed the population frequencies of important functional genes in different rice subpopulations and identified excellent natural variations among them.

Based on the map, they also established an online database platform for global users, providing relevant scientific and research services for studies on rice.

This research result was recently published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research. 
Jennifer Scott signs in to vote while her son, Hugh, 11, left, watches at the Bluebonnet Library precinct Saturday for the local and statewide election. Scott's son has observed the process before and enjoys going into the voting booth to see his mom's selections.
This is a shelf of donated materials at the headquarters of Books 2 Prisoners, a nonprofit based in New Orleans. The organization didn't know there Louisiana Department of Corrections kept a list of banned books on file until a few months ago, despite sending hundreds of books to Louisiana correctional facilities every year.
Five African countries that have a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.

Exploring Africa's Mediterranean Coastline.

The Mediterranean Sea is a nearly landlocked sea, bordered by Southern Europe to the north, North Africa to the south, and Western Asia to the east. The Mediterranean has been a cradle of civilization for millennia.

Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans thrived along its shores. It served as a major trade route, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The Mediterranean has witnessed numerous historical events, including the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage, the rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire, and the spread of Islam across North Africa and southern Europe. During the Middle Ages, the Mediterranean was a focal point of the Crusades, with European powers vying for control over key coastal cities.

The Mediterranean Sea has long been a crucial trade hub connecting these North African nations to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Throughout history, this sea facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures, shaping the development of these countries and contributing to their rich and diverse heritage.

Carthage, an ancient city in Tunisia, was one of the major trading powers in the Mediterranean before the rise of Rome, exemplifying the historical significance of this region as a trading crossroads.

Five African countries that have a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea

Located in North Africa, Morocco features a diverse landscape that includes the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert, and a picturesque coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. The country is known for its rich history, with influences from Berber, Arab, and European cultures. Historic cities like Marrakech, Fes, and Casablanca are famous for their vibrant markets, intricate architecture, and cultural heritage. Morocco has a Mediterranean coastline that extends for approximately 1,835 kilometers or 1,139 miles.

Algeria is the largest country in Africa and has a long Mediterranean coastline. Its history is marked by the ancient Berber civilization, Roman ruins such as Timgad, and a long period of French colonial rule. The capital, Algiers, is a coastal city known for its white-washed buildings and historical Casbah. Algeria boasts one of the longest Mediterranean coastlines in Africa, stretching for approximately 1,622 kilometers or 1,007 miles.

Tunisia is known for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches, particularly in areas like Hammamet and Sidi Bou Said. The country is steeped in history, with Carthage being one of its most famous ancient cities. It was a major power in the Mediterranean before the rise of Rome. Tunisia's Mediterranean coastline is approximately 1,148 kilometers or 713 miles long.

Libya has a lengthy Mediterranean coastline with beautiful coastal towns like Tripoli and Benghazi. The country has a complex history, from ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians and Romans to more recent events such as the rule of Muammar Gaddafi and the subsequent civil conflicts. Libya's coastline along the Mediterranean Sea is extensive, measuring roughly 1,770 kilometers or 1,100 miles.

Egypt, although primarily associated with its Nile River, also has a Mediterranean coastline along the northern part of the country. The Mediterranean city of Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great, is famous for its ancient library and lighthouse. Egypt is home to iconic historical sites like the Pyramids of Giza and the temples of Luxor. Egypt has a Mediterranean coastline that extends for approximately 1,050 kilometers or 652 miles.

African countries along the Mediterranean Sea face challenges

African countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, particularly Libya and Tunisia, have been at the forefront of the Mediterranean migration and refugee crisis.

They serve as transit points for migrants and refugees attempting to reach Europe. This crisis poses humanitarian challenges, as migrants and refugees undertake perilous journeys, and it also has political and social implications for the host countries in North Africa.

Maritime security, including its African coastline, is a significant concern in the Mediterranean Sea. Piracy and maritime crime have been reported in certain areas, such as off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Guinea, affecting the security of shipping lanes and coastal communities. These security challenges hinder trade and economic activities, impacting the stability and development of these African nations.




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 As he prepares to visit Australia for the Just for Laughs festival, Phil Wang is ready to embrace the silly streak that runs through his mostly thoughtful comedy. Were coming out of a period of great seriousness, and also seriousness in stand-up, comedy and satire, he says over a Zoom call as he tucks into a bowl of breakfast porridge. I think people, including myself, are kind of yearning for silliness again. The 33-year-old, who is of British and Malaysian heritage, has carved out a reputation for finding fresh angles on the familiar. His stand-up, including Netflix special Philly Philly Wang Wang, has displayed an assured but low-key delivery. But he says sillier means bigger, and with his new show Wang In There, Baby!, hes started playing around with a more animated style. Phil Wang loves the challenge of entertaining an audience with nothing but your wit. Credit: Chris Hopkins I realised recently that I often look quite serious (when performing), he says. I think Im being very big and silly and letting myself go, but when I look at the footage, its just like a normal guy; Im naturally quite unexpressive. Wang was drawn to comedy as a way to circumvent his social awkwardness. The thing about stand-up is that it gives you a set of parameters and rules, he says. It gives you a stage, and a set amount of time to talk, and everyone is expected to listen to you, and then you leave. He enjoyed trying to make his classmates laugh at school and began pursuing comedy seriously while studying engineering at Cambridge. He found almost immediate success, winning Chortles Student Comedian of the Year in 2010 and heading up the colleges fabled sketch comedy troupe, Footlights.

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Hes since gone on to be a regular on UK comedy TV (Live at the Apollo, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and a hilarious if unsuccessful season on Taskmasters) and penned a memoir, Sidesplitter, about growing up mixed race and the cultural differences between Malaysia and the United Kingdom. However, stand-up remains Wangs first love, and he has found something that always draws him back to the stage. He has written about the central delusion that makes comedians tick: an insistence that even when one audience doesnt find you funny at all, theres always another chance to redeem yourself in a cascade of laughs with the next crowd. Wang likens his addiction to doing stand-up to a gamblers compulsion to keep rolling the dice. I think thats what comedy is; you always have the chance to lose, and thats what makes the victories so thrilling. Comedian Phil Wang Whats addictive in gambling, whats thrilling, is the chance of losing, right? Winning all the time isnt addictive. I think thats what comedy is; you always have the chance to lose, and thats what makes the victories so thrilling. As for actual gambling, Wang isnt having a bar of it. Im a terrible gambler. I hate risking money. Stand-up is my gambling because I dont mind risking my self-esteem and well-being; I just dont like to risk any money. While the intricacies of what makes a story or observation funny can be complex and unpredictable, Wang says theres also an appealing simplicity to stand-up - the challenge of entertaining an audience with nothing but your wit.

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Sometimes when Im about to go on stage to a room of a thousand people, I think: Am I really just going to stand there, and talk to them on a microphone? And, as far as a set goes, Ive got some banners with my name on them, but I dont even know if I can take them to Australia. I feel like there should be air gymnasts, and pyrotechnics and things, but no, its just me talking. Thats incredible. Phil Wangs Wang in There, Baby!, part of Just For Laughs, is at Enmore Theatre, November 13 Three other shows not to miss at Just For Laughs Sydney Catherine Cohen brings a thoroughly modern twist to performing cabaret songs. Credit:

Catherine Cohen

A purveyor of the art of cabaret songs, Cohen brings a thoroughly modern twist to the genre. While she has earned a cult following as an actor (Broad City, What We Do In The Shadows), a podcaster (Seek Treatment) and a poet, her comedy specials remain her apex. She describes her new show Come for Me as an openly glamorous, decidedly horny musical exploration of what it means to enter your thirties as a woman online. Previous special, The Twist? Shes Gorgeous, was a wild ride, with Cohen showcasing her powerhouse voice and charismatic stage presence as she delivered line after line of irony laden gold. It all adds up to a perfectly calibrated persona, alternately skewering and celebrating millennial narcissism and oversharing.

Factory Theatre, November 13

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The media center for the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is hosting journalists from across the world. Join Xinhua's Liu Yutian to explore the services there.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Last month, just weeks after her father died, Pip Williams found herself watching her relationship with him play out on stage. She was in the audience of the theatre adaptation of her hit novel, The Dictionary of Lost Words.

Its been quite poignant attending the performances and seeing Brett [Archer] play Harry, she says. The relationship between Esme and Harry is very similar to the relationship I had with my dad.

Adelaide writer Pip Williams is the author of runaway success The Dictionary of Lost Words. Credit: James Elsby

I feel so glad that Ive been able to resurrect him through this book and now through the play. A little bit of him is always going to live on because people are embracing the character of Harry and the relationship he has with his daughter.

The theatre adaptation that so moved Williams, created by Sydney Theatre Company and State Theatre Company South Australia, is set to tour to Melbourne in February, following sell-out shows in Adelaide and Sydney.
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RecipesCookbook extracts Adam Liaw makes cabbage taste amazing with these family-friendly fritters Columnist and TV host Adam Liaw shares four easy, everyday recipes from his new cookbook 7 Days of Dinner. Adam Liaw October 13, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This recipe appears in the most popular recipes of October 2024 collection. See all stories .

Photo: Steve Brown No-mix potato salad I made this salad one Christmas years ago only because we didnt have a bowl large enough to toss everything together. It was a revelation. Keeping the dressing separate from the mustard cream allowed each element of the salad to have its own character. INGREDIENTS 1.5 kg new potatoes

1 tsp salt, plus extra to season

 cup (60m) olive oil

100g speck, in a block, cut into lardons

4 spring onions (scallions), sliced

 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 red onion, cut into thin rings

3 dill pickles, sliced

2 tbsp baby capers, drained

 cup finely shredded dill

2 tbsp finely shredded parsley

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Mustard cream  cup (185g) sour cream

 cup (185g) mayonnaise

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

black pepper, to season METHOD Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water and place over a medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until tender (a small sharp knife inserted into a potato should be able to go in and come out easily). Drain and allow to cool slightly, then cut into halves or quarters, depending on how large your potatoes are. To make the mustard cream, mix the ingredients together and season well with plenty of black pepper. In a small non-reactive frypan, heat half the olive oil and fry the speck until crisp. Add the spring onion and cook for about 1 minute until softened. Add the remaining olive oil and the apple-cider vinegar. Remove from the heat. Spoon the mustard cream onto a serving plate, add half the potatoes, then scatter with the red onion, sliced dill pickles and capers. Add remaining potatoes, then pour over the dressing. Scatter with the dill and parsley to serve. Tip: Keep the potatoes and the dressing slightly warm when you pour the dressing over, as it will help the vinegar to soak into the potatoes. The salad can cool down or be chilled after that, but combining them when theyre still slightly warm is quite important.

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Serves 8 Photo: Steve Brown Cabbage and cheese fritters I originally wrote this recipe as mini okonomiyaki (the Osaka-style fritters smothered in a thick barbecue-like sauce), but they are really delicious served just with a little sour cream and chives. INGREDIENTS

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 medium white cabbage, cut into large pieces (about 800g in total)

1 brown onion, grated

 cup (35g) self-raising flour

1 egg

1 cup (150g) grated cheese

 tsp salt, plus extra to season

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 tbsp finely chopped chives, to serve

freshly ground black pepper, to serve

 cup (125g) sour cream, to serve

lemon wedges, to serve METHOD Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add the cabbage and cook on high for about 3 minutes, until softened. Drain well, squeeze out excess moisture and finely chop. Combine with the onion, flour, egg, cheese and salt and mix to a thick batter. Heat a large frypan over medium heat and add a little of the oil. Spoon about  cup (125ml) of the mixture into the shape of a small patty and fry for about 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Serve scattered with chives, a little extra salt and freshly ground black pepper, with the sour cream and lemon wedges on the side. Tip: For the okonomiyaki version, replace the sour cream and lemon wedges with Otafuku sauce (available from Asian grocers and some major supermarkets) and Japanese mayonnaise. Serves 4

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Photo: Steve Brown Beef nachos with guacamole Ballpark. Trashcan. Tex-Mex. There are so many different kinds of nachos today, but the original only dates back to 1940, in the Mexican city of Piedras Negras, just west of the Texan border. They were named for Ignacio Anaya, the maitre d of the restaurant that created them, and the rest is history. INGREDIENTS 2 cups (500ml) vegetable oil, for deep-frying

20 corn tortillas, cut into triangles

salt and black pepper, to season

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Meat sauce 1 tbsp olive oil

1 brown onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

1 kg minced beef

1 tbsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp ground cumin

2 tsp dried oregano

 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp soy sauce

400g tinned diced tomatoes

 cup (60g) sliced jalapenos, to serve

sour cream, to serve

Guacamole, to serve

Tabasco, or hot sauce, to serve

lime wedges, to serve Cheese sauce 340ml evaporated milk

2 cups (300g) shredded cheese Fresh salsa

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3 roma tomatoes

 brown onion, finely diced

6 coriander sprigs, roughly chopped

juice of  lime

salt, to season METHOD Heat the vegetable oil to around 180C in a medium saucepan or wok. Fry the tortilla pieces in batches until golden brown. Season with a little salt and set aside. To make the meat sauce, heat a large frypan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and fry the onion and garlic for a few minutes, then add the beef and fry until browned. Add the paprika, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, salt and pepper and fry for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the soy sauce and tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from the heat. To make the cheese sauce, pour the evaporated milk into a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesnt burn on the bottom, and add the cheese, stirring for about 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts and creates a smooth, thick sauce. To make the salsa, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and toss together. Place the corn chips on a serving platter and spoon over the meat mixture. Pour over the cheese sauce, scatter with the salsa, and top with dollops of sour cream and guacamole. Scatter with the jalapenos and serve with Tabasco and lime wedges. Tip: Use store-bought corn chips to save a step. Serves 6-8

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Photo: Steve Brown Salmagundi A salmagundi is a mixed-platter dish that dates back to 17th-century Britain. This here is less of a recipe and more of a permission: your Sunday roast can absolutely be a pre-roasted chicken from the supermarket, lovingly assembled into an eclectic platter, all tied together with a simple vinaigrette. INGREDIENTS 300g new potatoes

6 eggs

150g green beans, stalks removed

 bunch broccolini, trimmed

 bunch asparagus, trimmed

 pre-roasted chicken

150g sliced smoked salmon

80g mixed salad leaves

1 Lebanese cucumber

1 cup (approx. 200g) mixed cherry tomatoes

60g sharp cheddar

salt, to season

Savoury herb vinaigrette (see below), to serve

Japanese mayonnaise, to serve

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METHOD Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover with water. Place over medium heat, bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender (a small sharp knife inserted into a potato should be able to go in and come out easily). Remove from the water and set aside, leaving the water in the pot. Carefully lower the eggs into the water, then bring the water to boil. Let the eggs cook for 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of iced water to cool, then peel. Place the beans, broccolini and asparagus in a heatproof tray or bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow to stand for about 1-2 minutes, then remove the asparagus and beans and let the broccolini sit for 1-2 minutes longer, checking for doneness. Drain, then trim the broccolini if you like. Season with a bit of salt and drizzle with olive oil. Slice the potatoes into rounds and the eggs in half. Joint the chicken. Take a large platter and arrange all the ingredients in separate piles. Dress with the savoury herb vinaigrette and serve with a bit of mayonnaise on the side. Tip: As you can probably tell, there are no fixed ingredients for this. Just take whatever you have and build it into a plate. The potatoes and eggs are a personal favourite of mine, but its the dressing that really ties everything together. Serves 6 Savoury herb vinaigrette

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Combine  cup (125ml) olive oil with  cup (60ml) red-wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, a good pinch of sugar, and 1 tablespoon each finely chopped parsley, dill and chives or other herbs, to taste. Salt, to season. Photo: This is an edited extract from 7 Days of Dinner by Adam Liaw, Hardie Grant Books, RRP $45. Photography: Steve Brown. Buy now

Appears in these collections The 20 most popular recipes of October (starring your new go-to spud salad)

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Review Eating outCrows Nest Skip the snooze button for this curried egg muffin that lights up your brain Early birds are rewarded with mentally healthy food at this buzzy north shore cafe. Lee Tran Lam October 17, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the November hit list. See all stories .

1 / 10 Clockwise from top left: Fiore sourdough with egg and LPs pig head sausage; focaccia with basil kimchi, avocado, gruyere and tomato; focaccia with provolone and chilli tomato relish; and Japanese curry scrambled egg muffin with Kewpie. Nikki Short 2 / 10 Nikki Short 3 / 10 Focaccia with provolone and chilli tomato relish. Nikki Short 4 / 10 Nikki Short 5 / 10 Nikki Short 6 / 10 Japanese curry scrambled egg muffin with Kewpie mayo. Nikki Short 7 / 10 Nikki Short 8 / 10 Basil kimchi, avocado, gruyere and tomato and EVOO focaccia. Nikki Short 9 / 10 Fiore sourdough with egg and LPs pigs head sausage. Nikki Short 10 / 10 Iced oat latte, cascara tea, blood orange juice and coffee. Nikki Short Previous Slide Next Slide Cafe$$$ Its worth setting your alarm for the Japanese curry scrambled egg muffin with Kewpie mayonnaise at Always in Crows Nest. Its on the menu until 11am, and although prioritising weekend sleep-ins is understandable, Id recommend skipping the snooze button and ensuring you get to this sandwich bar before its breakfast dishes are gone for the day. Sure, this muffin can be easily cradled in one hand, but each bite leaves an outsized impact. Wedged between the slices of soft, grippable bread are sweet mayonnaise squiggles and scrambled eggs that are deeply spiced and salty, thanks to the Japanese curry mix. Focaccia with provolone and chilli tomato relish. Nikki Short

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You can get this with extra American cheese for a burger-like effect (yes, do it!) or bonus Spam. In the West, the sodium-rich tinned meat has such a low reputation its synonymous with junk email, but youll find it in Asian staples from Hong Kong to Hawaii; theres even a Filipino boy band called All4Spam  check out their Spam Can! Make Me Fall In Love clip on YouTube (it features handsome men gazing at canned Spam in different flavours). Sam Lee, the co-owner of Always, doesnt need a Spam-appointed boy band to convince him of the luncheon meats salty power. Im Korean, he says. Theres an army stew [budae jjigae] that you put a lot of corned beef, Spam, sausages and some ramyun [noodles] in. You eat that and thats really nice. Photo: Nikki Short A similar principle applies to his Japanese scrambled egg muffin. Once loaded with optional American cheese and Spam, its not the most nutritious dish in the world but it lights up your brain in the brightest of ways. Its mentally healthy food, says Lee of this breakfast sandwich. I love mentally healthy food, he adds. I do, too. And the menu at Always is full of such dishes. If youre there before 11am, you can also get the curry-swirled eggs with buttered sourdough and add-ons (such as pigs head sausages from LPs Quality Meats). The all-day menu, meanwhile, focuses on Always specialty: build-your-own $14 focaccia sandwiches.

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The pillowy slabs of bread come from Fiore in McMahons Point. Credit award-winning chef Josh Niland (a regular at Double Cross Dining Room, the nearby cafe that Lee also runs) for this  Lee first tried Fiores loaves at Nilands Petermen restaurant. So Lee went to Fiores bakery the next day and bought 10 different sandwiches. Fiores focaccia provides a sturdy delivery system for the many sandwich fillings you can request at Always. To prevent indecision, the cafe has an efficient system: tick your picks on a form before handing it over to staff. Start with one meat or plant-based option (protein options include Saison pork, native pepperberry salami, mortadella from LPs Quality Meats, miso tuna and specials such as smoked chicken, while plant-based options feature avocado with basil kimchi or the Van Dec antipasto combination of char-grilled eggplant, roasted capsicums, sliced olives and basil pesto), add cheese (from provolone to stracciatella), choose extras (rocket, tomato, pickles  all free, so you could order the lot) and a sauce to finish (the chilli tomato relish is especially good). Fiore sourdough with egg and LPs pig head sausage. Nikki Short In these budget-stretching times, the $14 pricetag seems generous, particularly as there are quality fillings to choose from: Lee pays $100 a kilo for the Mr Flax smoked salmon on his menu, while the basil kimchi is made in-house. Lee has come a long way since his first barista job at 17 at Warringah Mall. I didnt even know what the decaf was, he admits. Nowadays, he also runs Only Coffee Project down the street (with a new outlet opening in Artarmon later this year) and at Always, theres a self-serve brew bar where you can fill up on great icy oat lattes (made with Primary Coffees Seasonal Espresso blend), medicinal iced teas (flavoured with Market Lanes Bolivian cascara berries) or an ever-changing selection of filter coffee (such as the intriguing Alirio Munoz pink bourbon from Small Batch).

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He might have opened Always in May, but this marks his seventh year running cafes in Crows Nest. I really want this Always shop to be there for a long time, he says. And given how welcome its food and prices are, Sydney should as well. The low-down Always Vibe: A cute, friendly cafe offering budget-friendly sandwiches, Japanese curry scrambled eggs and acai bowl made from the soft-serve machine.

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Chemotherapy. Radiotherapy. Surgery. These are the cancer treatments most people are familiar with. But advocates, patients and oncologists say there is another key, cancer-busting tool that is too often being overlooked: genomic profiling.

Rare Cancers Australia, a charity that focuses on lesser diagnosed cancers, which account for about 40 per cent of Australias cancer deaths, says some patients are missing out on life-saving medicines because they are not getting timely access to genomic profiling of their cancer.

Alison Bolton has had her life extended by specialised cancer treatment. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Many cancers have genetic subtypes, which may benefit from specialist drugs.

Christine Cockburn, general manager of Rare Cancers Australia, said some cancer patients were not receiving genomic profiling at all, or only after they had received potentially unnecessary chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and their disease had progressed.
When complete, it will be a welcome addition to Brisbanes public transport network and have the capacity to revolutionise how we get around in our fair city. It will be great. But it just wont be a metro. RAIL Back on Tracks Robert Dow, one of Brisbanes leading public transport boffins, has come up with a pretty good alternative name: Busway Electric Rapid Transit  the BERT. (Though I prefer Brisbane Electric Rapid Transit, with the same acronym.) Dow says he took that idea to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and his public transport chair, Ryan Murphy.

They thought that was a bit silly, until I pointed out to them that San Franciscos rapid transit system is named BART [Bay Area Rapid Transit] and a few of the PR guys around town, they actually thought the BERT was quite good, because it describes what it actually is and its a catchy name, he says. A BERTie in the wild. Credit: Matt Dennien You can call the electric biarticulated buses BERTies  it would have really gone well, I reckon. It would have caught on and stopped all this lampooning thats going on about the metro thats not a metro  its constant. Calling it Brisbane Metro, Dow says, is talking down what it really is  a world-leading bus rapid transit system. That could have really gained some credibility, or renown if you like, as one of the worlds best-practice bus rapid transit systems.

Loading But no, they went along and called it the Brisbane Metro, which is just dumb. Not everyone shares those concerns. Daniel Gschwind knows a thing or two about tourism. After years as CEO at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, hes a professor of practice at Griffith Universitys Institute for Tourism. Its in that latter capacity that Gschwind tells me I am full of it. Politely, of course.

What matters is to have a transport system that is easy to understand and accessible, as in: Where does it go? Where do I catch it? And the metro, in inverted commas, will deliver that on a dedicated piece of infrastructure, which is the crucial thing, he says. In Europe, the trams, the buses, the trains, it does blur a little bit. Ive just come back from Europe, as a matter of fact, and sometimes its kind of hard to tell what youre actually dealing with. ... The lines have blurred in terms of transport systems and I think what really matters is people will be impressed having these two lines criss-crossing the city in an efficient way. Another of the hats Gschwind wears is that of honorary consul of his native Switzerland in Brisbane. In that capacity, Gschwind visited the Swiss factory making the BERTies  ahem, sorry, metro vehicles  while he was on that aforementioned European trip. Ive just had the opportunity to see those buses as they were being constructed and they are really the latest technology, he says.

Loading They have incredibly fast recharging systems  at either end of the line, theyre charged in five minutes before theyre fully charged to go again. Its the absolutely latest technology and the manufacturers said they were very impressed with Brisbane City Council during the tender process, opening the opportunities to fully electrified vehicles as opposed to hybrids. Cue record scratch. Wait, what was that you called them, Daniel? Buses? Checkmate. Its not a metro.
Eighteen more schools  including a specialist campus  are in line to be hit with the states controversial private school payroll tax by 2029, as those already on the list begin charging parents extra fees to cover it.

Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) analysis of the policy has found three Catholic schools and 15 independents could be forced to pay the tax between 2024 and 2029 as their projected fees rise above the $15,000-per-student threshold.

De La Salle College is among schools likely to pass the $15,000-income-per-student threshold before the private school payroll tax is reviewed in 2029.

Parents whose children attend schools already on the list are being slugged with additional charges, as schools attribute fee rises of up to 9.9 per cent directly to the payroll tax, warning that the rises will cover only six months of the tax in 2024. The following years fees are expected to increase even more sharply.

De La Salle College, Marcellin College, Alphington Grammar School and Ballarat Grammar are all named on the list of schools likely to cross the threshold in the near future.
More broadly, misinformation in political advertising is a blight on our society. Claims ought to be true, and penalties applied if they are not. If I buy a $500 item I have consumer protection; if I vote in a referendum that affects my life and those of future generations of Australians there is none. Why not?

Louise Kloot, Doncaster PMs blunders

Anthony Albaneses time as prime minister has been marked by three major policy blunders  the $370 billion AUKUS nuclear submarines deal, the commitment to stage three tax cuts for high-income earners, costing $313 billion over 10 years, and the Voice referendum debacle. All three of these policies were initiated by Liberal federal governments. If the Australian people had wanted Liberal Party policies then Scott Morrison would still be prime minister. If Albanese is wondering what his next steps should be, he could start by acting like a Labor PM and scrap the AUKUS deal and stage three tax cuts.

Peter Martina, Warrnambool THE FORUM Colourblind rules

Now that the dust is settling on what was at times a remarkably divisive and contentious referendum, both sides will indeed enter a season of due introspection about their respective campaigns.

Two key points to take away: First, the voting patterns unequivocally demonstrate that there is now a clear and present social demarcation between the more affluent inner-city enclaves and the outer suburbs. For a host of reasons, new migrants and established communities away from the niche coffee shop and artisan baker strips decided not to amend our nations colourblind rule book. It was a vote for universal equality under the law, regardless of your heritage or background. Second, the mainstream mercifully demonstrated that it cannot be bullied or bought by the moralising corporate elites, self-righteous big businesses or the preachy sporting bodies, who felt that due to the size of their combined bank balances, they had the right to tell the wider populace what to think and do. That is not a healthy attitude towards fellow voters.

Instead, Australia rightly held the line in nationally declaring that what ultimately matters in changing ones fortunes is not yet more administration, but agency and aspiration.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn Practical solutions

Imagine, if you will, that the federal government allocated $130 million to a set of test case housing, hospital and education projects in remote areas with associated skills training programs, emphasis on local Indigenous labour and say prefabrication to speed up implementation and a few million more to promote the projects and promise more of the same based upon the lessons learnt etc. They might just have got bipartisan, in fact unanimous, parliamentary support and not a word of complaint from Jacinta Nampijinpa Price or Warren Mundine et al. Public support would likely be in the 90 per cent range (just like the 1967 referendum). Obviously I am off with the pixies because the KPIs in play were not outcomes for Indigenous Australians but public attention on senior Yes advocates and other activists.

Mike Seward, Port Fairy Still confused

Now finally, after what can only now be described as a painful if not reprehensible period in our nations brief history we find ourselves even more confused. Definitely divided, and in a sort of opaque trance, wondering where to now. The Yes-ers blame the No-ers, and vice versa, and nobody is celebrating. The Indigenous flag is at half-mast and their constituency are largely sad, along with a good portion of the voting public. What has been achieved after more than a decade of what was intended to be a bipartisan compact of Closing the gap? Nonsense and more nonsense it appears was the cause of this tragic failure. The cause, however, remains honest and true.

Keith Brown, Southbank Week of mourning

The decision by Indigenous leaders to retreat for a week of mourning (Yes campaigners started to draft vow of silence statement before polls closed, 17/10) exhibits a sophistication and humility that is to be applauded. Their ability to contemplate and reflect before taking action is one of the many reasons they have survived for 65,000 years. We can learn so much from them.

Mark Hulls, Sandringham

State of shock

It is disappointing that your correspondent (Democratic right, 17/10) sees fit to do a victory lap while accusing Yes supporters of sulking. With Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price claiming that colonisation has had a positive impact on Indigenous Australians, and Warren Mundine stating that the Uluru Statement was a declaration of war, Indigenous Australians are in shock, and Yes campaigners wondering how such statements were allowed to enter mainstream media with little scrutiny. Indigenous Australians must be allowed to mourn and come to terms with the fact that their hand of friendship has been left outstretched. Recognition and reconciliation will now be replaced by audits, inquiries and committees, again.

Doug Shaw, Sunbury Living in harmony

Australians should be strongly encouraged to live in Indonesia for six months. It is there they will clearly see and experience the harmonious, heartening integration of indigenous culture with Muslim, Christian and Hindu religions and cultures. It will enlighten most, and go some way towards ending the silly racial prejudices and division in this country.

James Henshall, Richmond Details were there

Those correspondents insisting there were justifications for voting No (No shame in voting No to an ill-judged referendum, 17/10) need to be challenged. Claiming there was insufficient information ignores the detailed report that the Coalition government (including Dutton) received and accepted years ago. Claiming that it was a threat to the Constitution ignores the advice of the vast majority of the countrys most senior jurists. Claiming that it was Albaneses referendum ignores the detailed, consultative work done over many years by First Nations leaders.

Peter McPhee, Abbotsford

Deep unease

I suspect a large percentage of the No vote was triggered by a deep uneasiness about being reminded how Indigenous people have been treated since settlement and an unwillingness to accept any responsibility because that is really awkward. Australia has been a deeply divided country since its inception.

Linelle Gibson, Williamstown Fair go

Your correspondent asks how The Age could initially publish so many letters on the referendum without any hailing the result (Out of touch? 17/10). As a reader and occasional contributor to the Letters page, I believe the answer is fairly simple: The Age and most of its readership is in touch with thoughtfulness, decency, morality, the concept of a fair go, and they did not choose to celebrate what is a disastrous outcome for Australia.

Ian Usman Lewis, Kentucky, NSW Still out of touch

The recent history of Age readers who were out of touch includes those who knew climate change is real, those who knew that Mabo and the Apology would destroy our way of life, and those who knew that marriage equality was right.

Paula OBrien, St Kilda Misplaced criticism

Criticism of Anthony Albanese for proceeding with the Voice referendum is misplaced. He fulfilled a promise to put to the Australian people a request from Indigenous Australians made after an extensive consultative process and supported by a large majority of Indigenous Australians at the time. It was a simple, moderate proposal. Indeed, polling in August last year after draft wording of the amendment was released showed 65 per cent saying Yes given a binary choice.

Tony Ralston, Balwyn North Does it affect me?

During the same-sex marriage plebiscite, as a heterosexual male I knew that the outcome would not impact me personally but would benefit gay and lesbian Australians enormously. So I, along with many other heterosexual Australians, voted Yes. As a non-Indigenous Australian the Voice would also not impact me personally but would be the beginning of positive change for our Indigenous Australians, so I also voted Yes. Its difficult to understand why more did not see it the same way.

David Parker, Geelong West

Finding humanity

In 1937, Japanese journalist Genzaburo Yoshino wrote How Do You Live?, a story of a young boy and his relationship with his uncle in the absence of his deceased father. Its great for young readers, encouraging independent thought, standing up for others and friendship. At the end, the young boy demonstrates his appreciation to his uncle, and his personal maturity, in a written note: I think there has to come a time when everyone in the world treats each other as if they were good friends. Since humanity has come so far, I think now we will definitely be able to make it such a place. So I think I want to become a person who can help that happen.

Simon Williamson, Footscray Pressure to partake

As a former teetotaller and now an occasional drinker, it was wonderful to read the social pressure and irritation felt by a committed drinker when friends suggested she cut back or stop (Comment, 15/9). I cannot tell you how many times I was asked with great suspicion why dont you drink?, wine was poured assuming I would pick up the glass, or it was inferred I didnt like parties. It was relentless. This went on for 40 years of my life. Now people are waking up to the idea the cost, health issues and boring conversation of drunks are maybe not worth a drink.

Geoffrey Conaghan, St Kilda Water wars

There is irony in the heading of a recent report about the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. The Victorian government is opposing the Commonwealths intention to buy more water from irrigators to supplement river flows, to in effect ensure sufficient deep water. It has long been apparent the health of Australias largest river system and its many precious water-dependent species, are suffering because too much water has been extracted. But it is also true that a large irrigation industry, and the communities it supports, have become dependent on that water. Can we help the river and maintain this scale of industry? No. We cannot continue to deplete nature for our economic benefit. This is a classic illustration of the saying, attributed to Mark Twain, that, whisky is for drinking and water is for fighting over.

Ian Penrose, Kew AND ANOTHER THING

Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding The Voice

How long must we live in the fairytale world which says, the Australian people always get it right. That statement doesnt help any of us understand whats being debated now or in the future.

Sue Littleford, Clifton Springs I cant help but wonder what the No side actually thinks theyve achieved?

Michael Carver, Hawthorn East Obviously Peter Duttons offer to have a second referendum to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution was a non-core promise.

Eric Butcher, Eltham Didnt know, so didnt grow.

David Jones, Essendon

The referendum just confirms that we really are a nation divided not just between First Nations people and the rest but between city and country.

Terry Kelly, Coburg Forty-five per cent of Victoria voted Yes, 32 per cent of Queenslanders did. What are we doing in the same federation?

Tony Haydon, Springvale I agree with your correspondent who suggests we shouldnt sulk about the referendum result (Letters, 17/10). That doesnt mean we arent allowed to be bitterly disappointed, though.

Brian Collins, Cardigan Grandad, way back in 2023 when Indigenous Australians asked for a say in developing laws that affect them, did you vote Yes?

Graeme Rose, Wangaratta Poor fellow, my country!

Rod Martin, Glen Waverley
Australias largest private rail freight company plans to build a huge rail terminal and warehousing hub on green wedge land west of Werribee, promising to create 3600 new jobs and remove thousands of trucks a year from the roads.

But the proposed project, which will cost Pacific National between $3 billion and $5 billion to build, could also exact a toll on Victorias environmentally sensitive western grasslands, which are home to several critically endangered animals and plants.

Pacific Nationals proposed Little River rail freight terminal would claim 595 hectares of farmland and native grassland west of Melbourne. Credit: Jason South

The terminal would also transform life in the township of Little River, between Melbourne and Geelong, bringing to its doorstep a sprawling rail freight facility operating 24 hours a day and handling a forecast 2 million or more shipping containers a year.

Pacific National says it needs to open a new rail terminal by 2029, as the lease on its current base at Dynon Road, West Melbourne, will expire by 2031.
All roads lead to Rome  unless youre headed to Leedervilles new Indian gastropub or even to Mindarie Marina, in which case its time to dust off your favourite beer clown suit.

Confused? Fear not, all will become clear as you read this latest roundup of Western Australias food and drinks scene (then perhaps blurry again if you make it all the way to Mindarie).

Jagga Daku Leederville has it all: shiny surfaces, indoor motorbikes and Bollywood on repeat.

Bella Roma!

Mount Hawthorn Italian La Madonna Nera is presenting Gran turismo Tre  Roma, on October 25. Its the third instalment in its series of dinners exploring the regions and hidden corners of Italy.
KIEV, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The first train carrying Ukrainian grain products has arrived at the Latvian port of Riga, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Tuesday.

The cargo train, consisting of 54 containers with 1,423 tons of rapeseed, arrived at the port through the Kaunas Intermodal Terminal in Lithuania, said the report.

Commenting on the arrival, Latvian Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens promised further efforts to integrate Ukraine into the European transport network.

The train started off from Ukraine on Sept. 25. Previously, Ukraine delivered grain to the terminals of Riga port solely by road.

Ukraine has set a target to export about 59.2 million tons of grain from this year's harvest. 
A Palestinian-born Australian man stuck in Gaza with his wife and two children says they are camping out on the Egyptian border, waiting for a humanitarian passage to open so they can reach safety. The threat of Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion looms over two million people in the besieged enclave.

But the Rafah crossing, where the man and his family have been waiting with thousands of others for several days, is not operating despite an international effort  led by the United States and joined by Australia  to reopen it, so that humanitarian aid can make its way into Gaza and foreign nationals can get out.

A convoy of trucks carrying aid are on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, while Palestinians wait on the Gaza side to get out. Credit: Getty/AP

There are at least 45 Australian citizens in Gaza who have made themselves known to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles revealed on Tuesday, which is more than double the number the government said it knew about the day before. Some are families with children.

As food, fuel and water supplies dwindle, the Australians have been told to follow Israels order and evacuate Gazas north. If possible, they were told to make their way to Rafah. Marles said a humanitarian corridor through Rafah would provide the key answer for those Australians who are in this situation.
Ukrainian forces have used US-supplied long-range missiles for the first time, inflicting heavy damage on two airfields in Russian-occupied areas, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying on Tuesday that the weapons had proven themselves.

The Ukrainian military had issued reports throughout the day about successful strikes on airfields near Luhansk in Ukraines east and in Berdiansk in the south, on the Sea of Azov.

Today, special thanks to the United States. Our agreements with President [Joe] Biden are being implemented. Very accurately  ATACMS proved themselves, Zelensky said in his nightly video address.

A photo of a US-supplied long-range missile posted by Ukraine officials on October 18 . Credit: @StratcomCentre/X

Ukraine had repeatedly asked the US administration for army tactical missile systems (ATACMS).
Jean-Jacques Dordain, former director-general of the European Space Agency, gives a speech at the opening ceremony of the 3rd China Space Science Assembly in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 15, 2023. (Chinese Society of Space Research/Handout via Xinhua)

HANGZHOU, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Scientists are exchanging views on the latest progress, major achievements and frontier trends of space science at the ongoing 3rd China Space Science Assembly in Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, calling for deeper international cooperation in space science.

The world is becoming more and more complex, and cooperation is now even more necessary than ever, Jean-Jacques Dordain, former director-general of the European Space Agency (ESA), said at the assembly.

We have no alternative to cooperation, because we are living on one planet, meaning that we have only one common future, he said.

Dordain believes that cooperation in space is not only necessary, but also more and more possible, adding that cooperation is based on mutual interest, real understanding and trust.

The China-Europe joint space mission, Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), is scheduled to enter space in 2025, said Wang Chi, director of the National Space Science Centre (NSSC) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), at the assembly.

SMILE is a collaborative science mission between the CAS and ESA to build a deeper understanding of the Sun-Earth link by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere.

Space science is about discovering the natural laws of space, which is the common knowledge of humankind, Wu Ji, chairman of the Chinese Society of Space Research (CSSR), said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua at the assembly.

International cooperation in space science can lead to higher efficiency, richer results and maximized scientific output, which will benefit all participating countries, Wu said.

China has been actively promoting international cooperation in space science, and has shared the data from scientific satellites, such as the Gravitational Wave High-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor (GECAM) and the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S), with the world, Wu said.

Sun Yueqiang, a researcher at the NSSC, who has led the establishment of the International Laboratory on Climate and Atmosphere Research with Occultation & Reflectometry Observing Systems, is also attending the assembly.

Her team cooperated with the University of Graz in Austria and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) to jointly create a global shared Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) remote sensing climate database, develop new GNSS remote sensing technology, and promote the development of GNSS meteorology.

The assembly, being held by the CSSR, the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology, and the Huzhou City government from Oct. 14 to 17, has attracted more than 1,000 experts and scholars from the country's scientific research institutes, universities and enterprises. 
BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Xi said he is very happy to meet his old friend again. A sound, stable and vibrant China-Kazakhstan relationship is conducive to the development and revitalization of both countries as well as to regional peace and stability, Xi said.

China supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said.

No matter how the international situation changes, China and Kazakhstan should pass on the concept of good-neighborliness and friendship from generation to generation, and promote further development of China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.

Xi called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation, promote the Belt and Road cooperation to achieve more results, and deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries.

China is willing to continuously facilitate trade and investment with Kazakhstan, expand imports of high-quality and green agricultural products from Kazakhstan, and promote exchanges in digital technology including cross-border e-commerce, artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain, he said.

China firmly opposes external forces interfering in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries, and supports Kazakhstan in performing its duties as the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Xi said. 
A five-year, groundbreaking project by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to study mule deer in the Cowboy State is underway. This project, which started in late 2022, takes a deeper data dive by researching six areas considered critical for mule deer management: abundance, composition, data management, survival, herd health and harvest management. One of the primary research questions the project hopes to address is abundance  how many individual mule deer are in each of the states herds.

From late 2022 through early 2023, 1,112 collars were placed on mule deer from five focal herds around the state. In each herd, 80 does, 30 bucks and 100 juveniles  animals at least 6 months old  were collared.

Focal herds in this project include: Wyoming Range, Laramie Mountains, North Bighorn, Sweetwater and Upper Shoshone. These focal herds are located in different parts of the state and feature many unique characteristics, which may allow Game and Fish to understand why some herds perform better than others. Additional collaring efforts will be made in November so robust data can continue to be collected.

Winter mortality varied across the state

The winter of 2022-23 will go down as one of the more significant and devastating to mule deer in Wyoming history, especially in central and western Wyoming. Sustained snow, wind and cold temperatures took its toll. For example, in the Wyoming Range herd all 100 juveniles collared for this project died during the winter.

Hopefully it will be a while before we see a winter like this again, said Gary Fralick, Game and Fish biologist in the Jackson Region who has done extensive work and research on mule deer in the Wyoming Range throughout his 30-plus years with the department. Its going to take a long time for this deer herd to bounce back.

Despite the harsh winter and mule deer deaths in some parts of Wyoming, other focal herds came out of the winter quite well.

Sam Stephens, Game and Fish biologist based in Greybull who works with the west side of the North Bighorn herd, said despite lots of snow and numerous below-zero cold snaps, mule deer in his area made it through the winter well.

We had 89 percent of collared does survive, and juveniles fared relatively well at around 81 percent, he said.

Zach Turnbull, Game and Fish biologist who works with the North Bighorn herd in the Buffalo and Sheridan areas, said the winter was one of the most severe in Johnson and Sheridan counties since the 1980s. However, mortality for juveniles was about 35 percent and around 12 to 15 percent for bucks and does.

Not great, but not horrible, Turnbull said.

The Sweetwater herd unit is in central Wyoming surrounding Jeffrey City. Mortality of juveniles over the winter was more than 60 percent. However, doe and buck mortality rates were 20 and 30 percent range, respectively. If anything, the 2022-23 winter wasnt the same for all of Wyoming and its mule deer.

Being able to see some of that statewide variation was super interesting, said Embere Hall, Game and Fish science, research and analytical support unit supervisor and lead on this project. I think its easy to wring our hands and say winter was terrible and were losing all the deer. Actually, thats not true. We lost a lot on the western side of the state. That population really took a hit. The eastern part of the state wasnt that bad.

What were learning

Keaton Weber, Game and Fish biologist in Wheatland, said the Mule Deer Monitoring Project is the first time Game and Fish conducted a collaring study on the Laramie Mountains herd. Weber also said despite tough winter conditions, 70 percent of juveniles, 79 percent of does and 86 percent of bucks collared for this project survived the winter.

Survival data is some of the best information we can learn, and to have that after a harsh winter is really beneficial to us to estimate abundance and also understand how survival varies in harsh winters and mild winters, Weber said.

Since no extensive studies have been done on the Laramie Mountains herd, any information is valuable. Weber added this herd isnt as migratory as others around the state, but there have been some surprising movements of deer so far.

Another positive result for Weber has been with the public. Laramie Mountains mule deer herd is predominantly private land. Weber said landowners have shown great cooperation in granting Game and Fish access to capture deer and retrieve collars.

Were fortunate to have a lot of landowners that support the department, support this project and want to learn more about the Laramie Mountains mule deer herd, Weber said. Were forever grateful to them for access to their properties to learn more about this herd and why its been struggling. We hope to continue to have that support throughout this project.

Tony Mong, Game and Fish wildlife biologist in Cody, said a lot has been learned about the Upper Shoshone herd in the first year of the project.

It has shown us we werent catching all the areas mule deer use or all the different routes or pathways theyre taking to get there, Mong said. It is some really cool stuff.

Mong said mule deer in the Upper Shoshone herd move a lot, and as of mid-July there were deer from this herd in the Jackson and Lander regions. Mule deer in this herd are part of a diverse area of land that ranges from remote wilderness to highly-developed private land. And, some of these deer spend a lot of their time in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

This herd highlights the importance of collaboration and cooperation when it comes to management across every entity that has anything to do with land in Wyoming, Mong added.

Collaborative effort

The University of Wyoming and the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab are key partners in the Mule Deer Monitoring Project. UW is processing all the data from collars, in collaboration with the departments science, research and analytical support unit.

Focal herd managers receive real-time data and a report each Monday highlighting current survival, the number of mortalities in the past week and a map of recent movements. In addition, managers and other Game and Fish decision-makers can log in to a dashboard that shows real-time survival estimates and movements. Quick access to the data was especially important during conversations with the public this winter, as well as to the department's season-setting process.

Whats next

Collaring more deer to keep the sample size of each herd at or as close to 80 bucks, 30 does and 100 juveniles is a priority. Data collection and analysis, along with lab work will continue.

Hunter harvest surveys also will provide important information. Game and Fish conducts surveys of hunters each year to determine how many animals were harvested from each hunt area, how satisfied hunters were with their experience and how many days it took to harvest an animal. The surveys are a critical tool in setting seasons and allocating licenses.

Since the project is just short of one year in a five-year timeframe, there are still a lot of unknowns. Its too early to come to many conclusions, but optimism is high.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of what were going to learn, Mong said. This is a catalyst for learning so much more about our mule deer. I feel in five years well be able to make much better management decisions and have the data to back that up.
Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High around 60F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 36F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Photo-Illustration: The Cut; Photos: Getty

Every weekday, Carson Bradley wakes up to the sound of her alarm at 4 a.m. to squeeze in enough time for her basic skin-care routine, which usually takes around 25 minutes, before her day begins. She begins by setting the mood, putting on a silk pink robe, lighting a scented candle, and playing music, usually something like Lana Del Rey, in her brightly lit bathroom. Then, she gets to work: double-cleansing and applying toner, vitamin C serum, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, finishing off with two different types of moisturizer. I use a lot of glycolic acid, because its texture smoothing, she explains. And I use an excessive amount of moisturizer, even though I dont have dry skin  it plumps your skin.

Bradley does all of this again before bedtime, with the addition of a few more eye creams and patches and an over-the-counter retinol. Occasionally, shell use a gua sha.

Despite what it sounds like, Bradley isnt doing this to combat existing wrinkles. Shes 14 years old.

Earlier this year, Bradley posted a TikTok of her daily skin-care routine to her 36,000 followers. In the 70-second-long video, we see her take two apple cider vinegar pills, apply retinol, do a ten-minute face mask, and drink green tea with raw honey before getting in a car with a piece of paper taped to the window to block out the UV rays. Here are some things I do to slow down the aging process as a 14-year-old, Bradley narrates. I started doing most of these things at 12.

The TikTok was soon shared to Twitter, where it went viral. One tweet, liked almost 75,000 times, resharing the clip reads, Whole beauty industry is going to hell, this is so bleak. Others expressed their horror at seeing a teen use retinol twice a day (after reading this, Bradley now only uses retinol in the evenings).

I completely understand it, Bradley, who is from Alabama, tells me about the response to her TikTok. And I genuinely agree with it. Despite what her skin-care routine might suggest, Bradley insists that aging is not something she obsesses too much about. My family ages pretty good, Bradley says. So its just like a precaution, you know  mostly, she says, against the sort of things that creators in skin-care and makeup tutorials tend to complain about most or want to conceal like sunspots and frown lines and definitely crows feet.

The beauty standard is to stay young, and I do try to fit the beauty standard.

Bradley grew up watching makeup tutorials by the likes of James Charles and NikkieTutorials, which led her to videos about skin care on YouTube. In her bedroom, in stolen moments at school, or at sleepovers with friends, Bradley has watched countless videos about Korean and Japanese skin-care products, celebrities like Hailey Bieber recommending their favorite anti-aging brands, and TikTok-famous dermatologists explaining how to stave off wrinkles. The message from these skin-care experts when it comes to anti-aging routines is clear. They always say the younger you start, the better, Bradley says.

While Bradleys TikTok might have shocked some corners of the internet, its hardly surprising. Beauty products sell best when they create a feeling of fear and vulnerability, says Renee Engeln, a psychology professor at Northwestern University and the author of Beauty Sick: How the Cultural Obsession With Appearance Hurts Girls and Women. Cosmetics companies used to market skin care to teens based on eliminating zits; now, fine lines and wrinkles have also become the enemy. The sooner they can get young girls worried about another thing that might go wrong with their appearance, the more they can sell, Engeln says. And if you can start selling anti-aging creams earlier and earlier, its a way to grow market share and to build loyalty early to your brand. Recently, the skin-care brand SpoiledChild released an anti-aging line specifically targeted at Gen Z with the slogan: GETTING OLD IS GETTING OLD.

This push to market anti-aging skin care to ever-younger consumers is breeding new anxieties in teen girls, with concepts like preventative aging leading some to worry about what getting older will look like.

The beauty standard is to stay young, and I do try to fit the beauty standard, says 15-year-old Lorna Garcia. Earlier this year, the high-schooler from Missouri posted a video to TikTok about her concerns over wrinkles, which has since been liked 723,000 times. In the video, we see Lorna inspecting her face, with a caption that reads, Me wondering why Im starting to get forehead lines at 15. It then cuts to a clip with the caption also me every morning, which shows Lorna applying mascara, her eyebrows raised. The post was inundated with comments like I was literally crying about this last night or others advising her to use hyaluronic acid and retinol.

Lorna has since made some adjustments to her skin care (she now repeats her routine in the evening), but her fear of developing wrinkles has persisted. She says that there is a certain pressure to keep up with her friends. If I have good skin, thats great  but so does everyone else, she says. Its like a form we all have to fit into. If her skin-care routine fails to stave off wrinkles, Lorna says she would probably consider Botox when shes old enough.

Im noticing an increased interest in procedures involving younger people who are coming in when they have absolutely nothing, but theyre so afraid of the aging process, says Shereene Idriss, a dermatologist based in New York. Idriss wont hesitate to turn away younger clients who come to her with no wrinkles or fine lines asking for Botox. I tell them listen, very honestly, as crass as this sounds: Youre wasting my time.

In the last few years, Fayne Frey, a dermatologist and author of The Skincare Hoax: How Youre Being Tricked Into Buying Lotions, Potions & Wrinkle Cream, has also seen plenty of young patients who come in, and I dont even think theyre really concerned about any particular wrinkle, she says, they just think its something theyre supposed to do. Which becomes obvious when Frey says she educates young clients on the realities of the procedure, and they change their minds. The overwhelming majority of people who come to me because they want to just belong wind up not injecting or doing anything, she says.

Heather Bowling, 19, says that getting Botox has made her an anomaly in her friendship group. Bowling started to worry about the lines on her forehead a couple of years ago while on vacation. I always had forehead wrinkles, she says, but because of a lot of sun exposure, they had left a prominent crease in my forehead. She started to see videos on her For You page of people getting baby Botox, which inspired her to get the procedure for the first time herself. I feel more confident seeing pictures and videos of myself now, she says.

For many young people for whom skin care equals self-care, anti-aging routines and products are often thought of as about more than something that will make them look good later  itll also make them feel better now. For Caroline Bennis, a 22-year-old from Washington, Botox is just the most recent addition to her yearslong skin-care regimen, which she began doing, she says, at 14. Bennis has struggled with self-image in the past, she says, and having a skin-care routine allows her to feel more in control. As the sheet of pink paper taped to her bedroom wall reads, SELF-CARE IS IMPORTANT DO THIS FOR YOU.

Growing up I was like the ugly kid that nobody wanted to hang out with, she says. So now Im just trying to do things for myself and things that make me feel confident in my own skin and my own body.

Part of the concern for Bennis has always been about smiling or raising her eyebrows too much. I have a very expressive face, so its just something that I know thats going to affect me in the future if I dont get [Botox] now, she says. My friends are like, Oh, now that you have Botox, you look like a baby bunny  [now] my expression is on the gentler side.

On that same note affixed to her bedroom wall is a list of products, some of which shes been using since a young teen, to use as part of the daily anti-aging skin-care routine she began doing two years ago.

Step 0: I use a micellar water cleanser (only if I wear makeup)

P.M.: 1. Gentle cleanser or once a week salicylic acid cleanser 2. The Ordinary niacinamide (one drop all over) 3. The Ordinary hyaluronic acid (one drop all over) 4. The Ordinary caffeine solution (one drop spread under both eyes) 5. The Ordinary retinol (one drop every other night) in CeraVe moisturizer (dime size every night) (FACE+NECK) 5. CeraVe healing ointment (on lips and left over all over) (tiny amount ALL OVER)

A.M.: 6. Spray sunscreen EVERY DAY in A.M. on face, neck, and hands.

Even if I get tired of doing it, I just push through it knowing that at the end of the day, this is all gonna be worth it, she says. Eventually its gonna be like, Wow, youre 40 years old and you dont even look like youre 20.

With teen girls now reporting record levels of sadness, its not at all surprising that several are investing this much time and money into skin-care products containing vague promises of improved mental well-being. When I go out of my way to buy a product, its marketed as, Itll make you feel relaxed, Bradley says. A lot of the marketing sells a lifestyle. When you buy it, you feel like youre being that girl.

As Idriss sees it, brands promising improved mental health should be approached with skepticism. I dont think cosmetic products should be offering a solution to mental health and making such large promises for people, says Idriss. It doesnt help that younger consumers are likely to be more impressionable to these promises, she adds.

Engeln makes a similar point. I dont doubt that some people do enjoy skin care, she says. But if your self-care is driven by fear of becoming ugly, because you show visible signs of aging  is that self-care?

Being bombarded with images of perfect skin and filters such as old age  which allow users to see an older version of themselves  has helped instill this fear in a generation of girls and women. Meanwhile, trends like dolphin skin or glass skin are leading people to pursue poreless, smooth skin that more closely resembles plastic than flesh. The volume of beauty advice and targeted ads that young people are getting today is incredibly intense, says Engeln. On social media, you regularly see people with unreal skin. And I think it can sort of feed this obsession with a level of skin perfection that truly does not exist in the world  at any age.

This is something Bradley sometimes wrestles with. After using TikToks light makeup filter, which appears to smooth skin and remove imperfections, she felt frustrated that despite her extensive routine, her skin didnt look as good as with the filter on. I needed to remind myself: No ones skin is perfect, she says. The old-age filter left Bradley feeling scared and anxious about what she might look like when shes old. It was a moment that forced her to consider why she feels the way she does about aging. I was like, When I get to the point where I look like that, first of all, will I really care? Second of all, I know Im going to be a hot old lady in my soul, Bradley says. So I shouldnt worry about it until I get there.

Lately, Bradley says, her 10-year-old sister has started doing a similar routine to her, using moisturizers and cleansers. Bradley recently asked her, Are you doing it for fun, or because you feel insecure? Her sister replied, she says, that shes doing it for fun.
The United Nations Women Georgia Country Office will host its second exhibition for sale of products and services created by women entrepreneurs at the Expo Georgia fairgrounds in Tbilisi this weekend, the organisation said on Tuesday, Azernews reports, citing Agenda.

Between October 21-22, visitors will have an opportunity to explore local, natural and delicious food products, as well as accessories, furniture, self-care products, wine and childrens handmade toys created by over 160 female entrepreneurs.

Young visitors will be hosted with childrens activities in a specially designated area, with entrepreneur women and artists engaging them in cookie decoration, face painting and sensory games.

The event is part of the women's economic empowerment component of the project Good Governance for Gender Equality in Georgia, which is supported by the Norwegian Government.
ZAGREB, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF), held in Beijing on Oct. 17-18 and attended by leaders from across the world, is a confirmation that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is extremely necessary in today's world, Mladen Plese, a Croatian political analyst and an expert on Asia, told Xinhua in an interview on Tuesday.

"China's BRI is one of the most significant initiatives in the world for several reasons," Plese said. It affirms China as a country that wants to share the knowledge and successes of its economy with others, but with no intention or aim of exerting political pressure on other countries.

Secondly, through the BRI, everyone wins and no one loses, and thirdly, it shows how China cares about multilateralism, which paves the way for the future of the world, prevents conflicts and gives every country in the world a chance to develop, Plese said.

The BRI, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping ten years ago, stands for peace, development, cooperation and prosperity, Plese said, adding that the initiative has proved that China is not only focused on itself, but that it wants other countries to develop as well.

The numerous crises in the world have made the BRI more important than ever. "The BRI is a real beacon that prevents conflicts and stands for cooperation in which everyone wins and no one loses," he said.

Plese cited the Peljesac Bridge and the Senj Wind Farm, two major BRI projects in Croatia that have been the results of the mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between China and Croatia.

Through the two projects, "Croatia has directly benefited from being included in the BRI, and some other important projects are also being prepared," Plese said, noting that the Peljesac Bridge connects Croatia's lands for the first time and has greatly facilitated travel, tourism and transportation in southern Croatia, while through the Senj Wind Farm, local residents can now use green and renewable energy.

The 2.4-km-long Peljesac Bridge, constructed by a Chinese consortium led by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), was opened for traffic on July 26 and the Senj Wind Farm, built by China's Norinco International and inaugurated in December 2021, produces about 530 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green electricity each year and reduces Croatia's carbon dioxide emissions by about 460,000 tonnes per year.

"Croatia has recognized the significance of the Chinese initiative and the general opinion is that cooperation should continue," Plese said. 
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Sunny this morning then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 57F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 44F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
TUNIS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Parliament Speaker Ibrahim Bouderbala called on the international community to intervene immediately to stop the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and lift the siege on the Gaza Strip, the official news agency Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) reported on Monday.

Bouderbala made the remarks at an online emergency meeting with heads of parliaments for member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the repercussions of the conflict.

The speaker also called for accelerating the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

He urged OIC member states and regional and international bodies to "condemn the Israeli attacks on civilians and to summon Israel to comply with international resolutions."

Tunisia sent on Sunday a relief plane to the Palestinian people, carrying about 12 tons of medical and health supplies and infant formula.

So far, at least 2,808 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, while some 1,300 people in Israel have died from the Hamas-led attacks. 
Having been based in Sydney for the last six months, Drax Project are excited to get back to Aotearoa and do what they do best  tear up the stage! The Summer Run promises to be a thrilling musical journey, featuring the band's signature blend of pop, funk, and electronic elements that have captivated audiences worldwide. Drax Project's energetic live performances and undeniable charisma have made them a must-see act, and this summer, they're bringing their electrifying show to fans across the country.
Lack of evidence Allahabad HC acquits Nithari killers





Surendra Koli (L) and Mohinder Pandher being taken to jail after court hearing. (PTI/File photo)

PRAYAGRAJ/NEW DELHI,

Court order may pave the way for Pandher to walk out of jail

Koli is likely to remain behind bars. He still faces life imprisonment in one case. He was acquitted in remaining 12 cases on Monday

THE Allahabad High Court on Monday acquitted domestic help Surendra Koli and his employer Moninder Singh Pandher in the 2006 Nithari serial killings for lack of evidence, recalling for many the chilling crime targeting young girls that came to light with skeletal remains being found behind a Noida bungalow. A two-judge bench of Justices Ashwani Kumar Mishra and SHA Rizvi allowed the appeals filed by Koli and Pandher, who were challenging the death sentence given by a CBI court in Ghaziabad. The High Court said the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The Allahabad High Court order may pave the way for Pandher to walk out of jail, the businessmans lawyer Manisha Bhandari told PTI over the phone. However, Koli is likely to remain behind bars. He still faces life imprisonment in one case. Expressing disappointment with the probe, the High Court noted that the investigation was botched up and basic norms of collecting evidence were brazenly violated.

The failure of the prosecution was nothing short of a betrayal of public trust by responsible agencies, the High Court said. Pandher was acquitted in two cases in which he was facing the death penalty while Koli was let off in 12 cases in which he was awarded capital punishment. Upon evaluation of the evidence led in this case, on the touchstone of fair trial guaranteed to an accused under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, we hold that prosecution has failed to prove the guilt of accused SK and Pandher beyond reasonable doubt, on the settled parameters of a case based on circumstantial evidence, the bench of Justices Syed Aftab Husain Rizvi and Ashwani Kumar Mishra said. The High Court expressed disappointment at the manner in which Nithari killings, particularly the disappearance of victim A, have been investigated. The prosecution case is based upon the confession of accused SK, made to U.P. Police on December 29, 2006, the bench said. It said the procedure required to be followed for recording the accuseds disclosure leading to recovery of biological remains i.E. Skulls, bones and skeleton etc.

Has been given a complete go by. The casual and perfunctory manner in which important aspects of arrest, recovery and confession have been dealt with are most disheartening, to say the least, it said. The court took note of the fact that the prosecution kept changing its position -- from attributing the recoveries jointly on Pandher and Koli initially to the guilt was fastened exclusively on Koli at later stages. The High Court noted that all the recoveries of human remains were from a drainage situated beyond the boundary of House no. D-5 (Pandhers) and D-6 (belonging to a doctor accused of organ trading) and no recovery was made from inside of Pandhers house. None of the recovery of skull, bones/skeleton is made from within the House No. D-5. The only recovery from within the House No. D-5, Sector 31, Noida is that of two knives and an axe, which admittedly are not used for committing the offence of rape, murder etc. But are alleged to have been used for cutting the body parts after the victims were strangulated to death, the bench said. It said the failure of the prosecution to probe the possible involvement of organ trade, despite specific recommendations made by the High Level Committee constituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, in the Nithari killings is nothing short of a betrayal of public trust by responsible agencies. The High Court said the investigation opted for the easy course of implicating a poor servant of the house by demonizing him, without taking due care of probing more serious aspects of possible involvement of organised activity of organ trading.

Inferences of many kind, including collusiono express any definite opinion on these aspects and leave such issues to be examined at the appropriate le etc are probable on account of such serious lapses occasioned during investigation. However, we do not intend tvel, it said. The sensational killings came to light with the discovery of the skeletal remains of eight children from the drain behind Pandhers house in Nithari in Noida bordering the national capital on December 29, 2006. Further digging and searches of drains in the area around Pandhers house led to more skeletal remains being found. Most of these remains were that of poor children and young women who had gone missing from the area. Within 10 days, the CBI took over case and its search resulted in the recovery of more bones.
Actress Prajakta Mali visits Batukbhai Sons Jewellers





Renowned Marathi film and television actress Prajakta Mali on Monday paid a visit to Batukbhai Sons Jewellers, the premier jewellery store located on WHC Road in Dharampeth. On the occasion, Kishor Sheth welcomed the actress. Bharat Sheth, Naina Sheth, Mohit Sheth and Manoj Jha were also present. The jewellers has launched a wide range of gold and silver ornaments along with an eye-catching range of diamonds especially for the on-going festive season. Its extensive selection of jewellery includes pieces in a variety of styles, from classic and traditional to modern and contemporary.
Another key accused of Mahadev OnlineGambling App nabbed at Mumbai airport





Staff Reporter RAIPUR,

IN ANOTHER major development linked with Mahadev Online Gambling App, a team of Pratapgarh district police from Rajasthan arrested Mrigank Mishra from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai. Mrigank Mishra is learnt to be a key aide of Saurabh Chandrakar, one among the two key operators of illicit online gambling. He too fled to Dubai and joined Chandrakar, since Rajasthan police was tailing him following his involvement in a fraud case. According to information received here, the arrested accused Mrigank Mishra, a resident of Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh, was wanted by Pratapgarh District police of Rajasthan, for his alleged involvement in a major fraud to the tune of several crores. The crime came to light, when some people filed a complaint of fraud against Mrigank Mishra with Kotwali police station of Pratapgarh (Rajasthan) in May 2023. The complainants told the police that Mrigank lured them in the name of government schemes and made them open bank accounts, apart from SIM cards issued in their names. During this period, the unbeknownst account holders received information from the bank that transactions worth crores of rupees had been made from their accounts.

The victim account holders, shocked by the massive transactions being undertaken from their accounts, made the police complaint. The police investigation found that Mrigank Mishra had been doing these transactions at the behest of the victim account holders, SP Pratapgarh Amit Kumar told the media persons. SP Kumar further said that Mrigank got wind of this and he ran away after which police raided his house in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh and also his flat in Mumbai, Octa Caste Building, Lokhandwala Kandivali, but he had vanished into thin air. During this time, the police came to know that the accused had fled to Dubai and was operating the Mahadev app from here. The police had also issued a Lookout Notice against him, he added. As per SP Amit Kumar, the Rajasthan Police, desperately searching for the accused for the last six months, came to know that the accused was returning back to the country from Dubai on October 14th. No sooner, he landed at CSMIA, a team of Pratapgarh District Police nabbed him. He was later produced in a court, which granted the Police Custody Remand of Mrigank till October 21, he added. Earlier, the police investigators have also detected 90 accounts linked to him, out of which 68 accounts were frozen by them, apart from putting a hold on an amount to the tune of Rs 3.88 crore in it.

In this connection, the police have already four accused Sanjay, a resident of Rathanjana, Shubham, resident of Bhatpura, Rudraksh Trivedi, Bahubali Colony, Pratapgarh and Aman Soni, a resident of Ratlam. It was during the interrogation, the four accused divulged information about their kingpin Mrigank Mishra. More than 20 debit cards and credit cards were also seized from the possession of the four arrested accused, the SP Pratapharh told the mediapersons. Pratapgarh SP Amit Kumar also affirmed during his interaction with the media persons Mrigank had been operating the Mahadev online betting app while living in Dubai. He used to run and operate the online betting syndicate along with his aides in India. He is being grilled to ascertain his association and acquaintance along with the modus operandi of running the illicit app in connivance with Saurabh Chandrakar, one of the promoters of illegal gambling app, who is currently in Dubai, the SP added.
BJP submits memo to EC regarding Congress Karadas insulting SCs





Staff Reporter

A BJP delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer on Monday evening demanding registration of a case against Congress MLA Hukum Singh Karada for violation of SC/ST Act and Election Code of Conduct. State Convenor of Co-ordination Department of Bharatiya Janata Party Election Commission, S S Uppal, State Co-Convenor of BJP Law Cell, Ashok Vishwakarma, State Media In-charge of Scheduled Caste Morcha, Suraj Khare, Advocate Sunil Gupta and Aman Garg met the Chief Electoral Officer and submitted a memorandum of demand. In the memorandum, it has been said that Hukum Singh Karada, Congress candidate and MLA from Shajapur, has insulted the Valmiki community by using caste-based words in his election meeting in Maksi of Shajapur district.

This is indecent and highly condemnable. Karada has insulted the entire scheduled caste community, including the Valmiki community. This act is a clear violation of the provisions of the Scheduled Castes (Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989). This statement of the Congress candidate is also a violation of the code of conduct. The delegation has demanded strict action against Karara for violating SC/ST Act and model code. Bharatiya Janata Party has complained to the Election Commission about the issue of Congress party printing a misleading pamphlet and distributing it with all the newspapers in Ganjbasoda area. In the complaint made by the BJP Law Cell to the Chief Electoral Officer, it has been stated that Congress chargesheet committee member and former MLA Paras Saklecha has got a misleading pamphlet printed from a printing press in Bhopal. The pamphlet does not mention circulation numbers, which is a violation of the election code of conduct. BJP has submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission demanding strict action.
Free-Fire Zone





By GWYNNE DYER

ARMIES never tell you what their strategy is, but if you look at the problems they are faced with, you can usually figure it out. No solution they come up with can be perfect  wars do not allow for perfect solutions  but their options are always limited, and they will generally go with the least bad one. So why has Israel ordered all Palestinian civilians to evacuate the northern part of the Gaza Strip within 24 hours? Never mind the 24 hours. The Israeli military themselves concede that it will take longer than that for the 1.1 million people who live north of Wadi Gaza, the dividing line they have chosen, to move south of there along the single north-south main road. The civilians probably have several days before the Israeli ground invasion really gets underway. What the Israel Defence Force (IDF) intends is to create a free-fire zone in the northern third of the Strip, where its soldiers can use maximum firepower without killing large numbers of civilians. Thats also why Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip and planned the recent mass slaughter of Israel civilians in the area around the Strip, is urging Palestinian civilians in northern Gaza to stay put. They need the civilians there to deter the Israelis from blowing up everything that moves, or alternatively to provide mountains of dead martyrs for the cause. But whats the Israeli strategy? Consider the nature of the task the IDFs commanders were given. Priority One: Root out Hamass infrastructure in the Strip, killing all the senior commanders but also most of the activists. Priority Two: Accomplish this job incurring the minimum possible number of Israeli military casualties.

Nobody will have given the IDF a maximum acceptable number, but more than a thousand military dead would certainly be regarded as a failure. Priority Three: Minimise Palestinian civilian casualties as much as fulfilling the two higher priorities permits. Over ten thousand Palestinian civilian deaths would be a failure, because more than that would cause such outrage globally that the operation would have to be stopped. The free-fire zone is essential to this concept, because otherwise both Palestinian civilian deaths and Israeli military deaths will be too high. Whereas if there are no civilians around, you just call in the artillery or the bombers every time you encounter resistance. That spares the lives of the PBI (poor bloody infantry). You also need somewhere else to put the civilians while you wipe out the Hamas fighters, so you will have to do it piecemeal: divide the Strip up into three zones and move the civilians around so there are none (or as few as possible) in the zone you are currently cleansing  starting with the northern one. Two further implications of this strategy: you will have to filter the entire population of Gaza (2.3 million people) to weed out Hamas members as you move it between the three zones. And the Israeli hostages have to be written off: theres no way to extract them safely from the hundreds of kilometres of tunnels they are being held in. Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right Finance Minister in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahus Government, has called on the Israeli Army to hit Hamas brutally and not take the matter of the captives into significant consideration. If Israel is to visit mighty vengeance on Hamas, as Netanyahu promises, this is a necessary part of the policy.

And one other thing. Who is going to give these two-million-plus residents of Gaza access to food, water and medical care while they are shuffled from one overcrowded zone to the next over a period that cannot be less than a month? Either Israel, or nobody at all  and its not clear if Israel even has the capacity to do that. Now, the big question. If I am right about the Israeli strategy, can it possibly work? I very much doubt it, because it is too complicated and it would take far too long. Israel has enough international support after the massacres that it can do pretty much anything it wants to the Palestinians in Gaza for the next week or so, but then the sympathy and the patience start running out. Its still the least bad option available to the Israeli high command, given what the current Government is asking the IDF to do. And while the strategy is almost bound to fail, it will probably kill fewer people than any other that the Israeli population would accept in its current state of mind. You are offended by the cold calculations I am making in this article? Then you probably shouldnt support war at all.
HAMAS HOLDS 199 ISRAELIS HOSTAGE Release them: UN Chief





RAFAH (Gaza Strip) :

THE Israeli military says Hamas and other Palestinian militants are holding 199 hostages in Gaza, higher than previous estimates. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman, said on Monday that the families have been notified. He did not specify whether that number includes foreigners, or say who is holding them. Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres has called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without conditions and urged Israel to allow rapid and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for civilians in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, home to about 2.3 million people, is under a total blockade.

Israel has cut off all supplies of food, water and fuel in the wake of ongoing hostilities with Palestinian militant group Hamas. On Monday, Israels Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said it would impose a complete siege on the territory. In this dramatic moment, as we are on the verge of the abyss in the Middle East, it is my duty as Secretary-General of the United Nations to make two strong humanitarian appeals, Guterres said here in a statement on Sunday. The UN Secretary-General appealed to Hamas that it must release all hostages immediately without conditions. To Israel, rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid must be granted for humanitarian supplies and workers for the sake of the civilians in Gaza, Guterres said. Each one of these two objectives is valid in themselves.

They should not become bargaining chips and they must be implemented because it is the right thing to do, he said. Israeli air strikes hit Hamas operational facilities: Dozens of operational headquarters and mortar bomb launching positions in the Gaza Strip belonging to Hamas have been destroyed in air strikes, the Israel Defence Forces announced. Among the sites destroyed were the military headquarters of Ali Kachi, a commander of the terror organisations Najaba Force. A number of terrorists inside the compound were also killed. Kachi was killed in a separate strike on Saturday.
Israeli Minister thanks India for support





By Ashoke Raj

TEL AVIV,

ISRAELS Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli has thanked the Indian leadership, people of India for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel in its fight against Hamas. I want to thank the leadership of India, the people of India for being with us shoulder-to-shoulder in this fight against brutal jihadist barbaric Islamist. This is not just our war, this is your war too and we will win it together with your support, he said. He further said: I want to tell the people of India - we share the same values, we cherish life, we cherish good...We believe in human values.

He said that there are more than 120 confirmed hostages. We will make every effort to bring them back home. It wont be simple. As you know, Hamas has absolutely zero mercy, zero human values. So, we have no expectations from Hamas. Still, we believe we might, with Intelligence, with efforts, maybe we can rescue some of them, he said.

My recommendation for Hamas militants - lay down your weapon, raise up your hands, come from your tunnel and maybe there will be mercy, he added.

One of the towns that bore the brunt of the Hamas attack is Sderot in the South of Israel. Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi says, Hamas must be destroyed. I have six children. All of them live in this situation. More than 50,000 people live in this situation. All of this time, I have asked the Government to destroy Hamas said the Sderot Mayor while speaking to ANI. We now see that the Hamas is the new ISIS of the world. Now, its not just Israels but everybodys role to destroy the Hamas. It is like the Hezbollah, the ISIS, he added.
Jaishankar, Vietnams top leadership discuss cooperation in key sectors





HANOI,

EXTERNAL Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Vietnams top leadership and discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation in areas like trade, energy, defence and maritime security while also sharing perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, amidst Chinas aggressive behaviour in the strategic region. Jaishankar, who arrived here on a four-day official visit to Vietnam on Sunday, called on Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Honoured to call on PM Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam today evening. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi. Valued his guidance for the further development of our bilateral relationship. A stronger India-Vietnam partnership contributes to a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, he said in a post on platform X. Earlier, Jaishankar met his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son and discussed ways to boost cooperation in areas like trade, energy, defence and maritime security while also sharing perspectives on the Indo-Pacific.

Jaishankar and Son also unveiled commemorative stamps celebrating 50 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Vietnam. Stamps depicting Kalaripayattu and Vovinam capture our shared affinity for sports and celebrate the strong cultural, social & people-to-people links between India and Vietnam, he posted on X. The two leaders co-chaired the 18th India-Vietnam Joint Commission meeting in Hanoi. Our discussions covered cooperation in political, defence & maritime security, judicial, trade & investment, energy, development, education & training, science & technology, cultural domains, Jaishankar said. Convinced that our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will only further strengthen over the coming years. Also shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region, our commitment to global issues and our collaboration in various multilateral groupings, he said.
Man held with illegal stock of gold jewelllery worth Rs 3 crore





Staff Reporter

Special Task Force (STF) and Garha police succeeded in apprehending a man and seized illegal stock of 5.27-kilograms gold jewellery worth Rs 3 crores at Tripuri Chowk late night on Sunday. The arrested has been identified as Saurabh Narendra Kumar Jain (38), a native of Sudama Nagar, Annapurna in Indore district. It may be noted that pointing out the forthcoming State Assembly Elections Superintendent of Police, Aditya Pratap Singh has directed all the gazetted officers and SHOs for checking of persons arriving in district at railway stations, bus stands and highways. He has also constituted a Special Task Force (SFT) for strict enforcement of election Model Code of Conduct for fair elections.

Continuing the campaign, police received information about a suspected man along with two bags reaching at Andhmuk by-pass through an auto-rickshaw and was asking about police checking in the city. Acting promptly on the information, police conducted barricading at Tripuri Chowk and started vehicle checking. During the checking, police stopped an auto-rickshaw ferrying the suspected man. In the checking of his two bags, police found stock of gold jewellery. The suspected man failed in presenting any kind of documents pertaining to transportation of gold jewellery. Taking a serious note, police detained the suspected man and seized the jewellery stock and immediately contacted the STF and Income Tax Department.

Acting on the information, STF and Income Tax officers reached the spot and found gold jewellery weighing around 5.274-kilograms carrying in 43 packets in eight plastic boxes amounting to Rs 3 crore. Illegal stock of gold jewellery was handed over to Income Tax Department for further investigation into the case. Illegal stock of gold jewellery was seized by Garha police led by SHO Brijesh Mishra and team members comprising SI Anil Kumar, Head Constable Bhupendra Patel, Constables Nikesh, Dharmendra, Ravisagar, Ashwini, Kamlesh, Ashish Pratap Singh, STFs officer Shubham Biloria, Nitin Kumar Vishwakarma (Indian Geological Survey Officer), Tehsildar, Bharat Soni and Head Constable Suveg Patel.
CHANGCHUN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. on Tuesday signed a high-speed train procurement deal with the Serbian transportation authorities, according to the train manufacturer.

The deal marks that Chinese high-speed electric multiple units (EMUs) with a speed reaching 200 km per hour will be exported to Europe for the first time, the company noted.

The EMUs include 20 train cars divided into five sets. These trains will operate at a maximum speed of 200 km per hour on the Hungary-Serbia railway.

Wang Chengtao, with the research center under CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, said that these high-speed trains are built on a proven and adaptable technological platform that aligns with European standards and Hungary-Serbia railway project needs, promising enhanced passenger experience with intelligence, eco-friendliness, and comfort.

The Hungary-Serbia railway project, scheduled for operation in 2025, is expected to significantly cut travel time between Belgrade and Budapest from the current eight hours to three hours upon the railway's operational launch. 
No MTP for 26-wk pregnancy: CJI bench





NEW DELHI :

THE Supreme Court on Monday declined to permit a married woman, a mother of two, to terminate her over 26-week pregnancy as the foetus was healthy and the AIIMS medical board found no abnormality with it. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said the length of pregnancy has crossed 24 weeks, the upper limit for allowing Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP), and therefore it cannot be permitted. The top court said the foetus is 26 weeks and 5 days old and there is no immediate threat to the mother.

There was also no foetal abnormality, it said. The length of the pregnancy has crossed 24 weeks and it is approximately 26 weeks and 5 days old. The medical termination of the pregnancy cannot be permitted, the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misa said. The top court had said earlier in the day that the challenge to pregnancy termination law will be dealt with in separate proceedings, and the present case would be limited to the issue between the petitioner and the State.

The apex court had earlier sought a report from the AIIMS medical board on whether the foetus was suffering from any abnormality. The bench was hearing arguments on the Centres application seeking recall of the apex courts October 9 order permitting the 27-year-old woman, a mother of two, to undergo termination of pregnancy at AIIMS as she was suffering from post-partum psychosis after the birth of her second child. Under the 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. The apex was faced with a conundrum over whether to allow the woman to terminate her 26-week pregnancy. The moral dilemma stemmed from what the court said the rights of the unborn child and the womans right to her bodily autonomy. The issue arose after one of the doctors of the AIIMS medical board, which examined the woman and filed a report dated October 6 in the apex court, sent an e-mail on October 10 saying the foetus had a strong possibility of survival. The matter came up before the CJI-led bench after a two-judge bench on Wednesday gave a split verdict on the Centres plea for recall of its October 9 order granting permission to the woman to terminate her pregnancy.
Raman Singh files papers from Rgaon





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

BJPs National Vice-President and former Chief Minister, Dr Raman Singh submitted his nomination papers for the Assembly elections from Rajnandgaon constituency. Dr Singh is one of the four candidates who filed their nomination for the first phase of elections, covering 20 Assembly constituencies. Apart from the former Chief Minister, other BJP candidates who submitted their nomination papers on Monday include Geeta Ghasi Sahu for the Khujji constituency, Bharat Lal Verma for Dongargaon, and Vinod Khandekar for Dongargarh-SC.

In an impressive show of support, Dr Raman Singh was joined by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who flew in for the special occasion, as well as state party leaders and a multitude of party workers. Together, they stood by the veteran leader as he formally sought re-election in Rajnandgaon. Senior BJP leader Amit Shah was also present when three other party candidates also filed their nomination papers to contest assembly seats within the Rajnandgaon district.

After filing the nomination, Dr Singh said that the four candidates of Rajnandgaon were fortunate to have Home Minister Amit Shah having arrived to bless them. Thousands of workers with great energy participated. BJP will achieve emphatic victory in Rajnandgaon and across Chhattisgarh. There is a clear lead for BJP in all four constituencies of Rajnandgaon. Dr Singh also took a jibe at Congress candidate Girish Dewangan, saying its fine if Girish Dewangan is bringing party workers from outside. By the time people know about Girish Dewangan, the election will already be over.
Thakur criticises BJP as workers stagedemo to oppose several candidatures





Staff Reporter RAIPUR,

SENIOR State Congress Spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur has taken a critical stance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after BJP workers demonstrated at the state party office in the capital to oppose the candidature of several BJP candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls. Thakurs statement highlights the ongoing protests by BJP workers and leaders on the streets, demonstrating their discontent with the declared candidates. These protesters have set up tents in front of the BJP state office and are even using ration and water in their protest. The primary source of contention seems to be the alleged arbitrariness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh.

This development indicates a growing divide within the BJP, with Thakur noting that local leaders are avoiding confrontation and instead keeping a low profile. Thakur goes on to claim that not only are BJP workers and leaders dissatisfied with the 85 candidates declared by the party, but there is also visible strife and disagreement among party members. The basis of this dissatisfaction appears to be the selection of candidates with corruption charges against them from the previous 15 years of BJP governance. The BJPs decision to field these candidates for the 2023 assembly polls has further intensified the anger among party workers and the general public.

Thakur also criticised the BJP for nominating MPs who have not effectively fulfilled their duties as Members of Parliament and have not connected with the publics concerns. This move, according to Thakur, reflects a lack of strong candidates within the BJP This development showcases the growing tensions and internal divisions within the BJP, which may have significant implications for the upcoming assembly polls, Thakur claimed.
Two persons killed, two injured after two cars collide head-on





Staff Reporter

Two cars collided head-on at Sukhasevnia Bypass, Imlia Junction, Bhopal, in which a retired woman Railway employee died whereas condition of her son is critical, who has been admitted to a hospital in Indore for treatment. Meanwhile, a youth travelling in the other car died on the spot. His companion is seriously injured. The police have registered a case and started investigation in the matter. According to Sukhisevaniya Police, 21-year-old Akash Paswan, resident of Patel Colony Chhola Mandir, was going towards Sukhisevaniya with his friend Hariom in his Alto car. Whereas in the other car, 62-year-old Sadhna Gaur, resident of Vijay Nagar, Indore, was travelling with her 28-year-old son Himanshu.

Investigating Officer SI Sitaram Lovanshi said that Akash Paswans car reached Imalia Junction, at the same time the car went out of control and hit the divider and while crossing the divider and collided with the car coming from the other side. The speed of both the cars was quite fast. In this accident, Akash died on the spot, while Sadhna Gaur, who was travelling in the other car, was admitted to a private hospital with serious injuries where she died during treatment.

SI Sitaram Lovanshi told that the womans son is Himanshu, Akashs friend Hariom is injured. The condition of both remains stable. Deceased Sadhna Gaur had retired from the post of Railway Reservation Booking Clerk from Katni.

After retirement, she was shifting to Vijay Nagar, Indore. Her family lives there only. The deceased Akash Paswan, who lived in Patel Nagar of Bhanpur, had left studies.

He was not doing any work at present. Akashs father is a clerk in Railways. Akash was the only brother among 6 sisters. After post-mortem at Hamidia Hospital, the bodies of both have been handed over to their relatives. Sadhnas last rites will be performed in Indore only. After the post-mortem on Monday afternoon, the family left for Indore with the body. Akashs last rites were performed at Chhola Rest Home. The body was handed over to the family after PM on Monday afternoon.
We are running out even of body bags: UN agency in Gaza





By Yoshita Singh

UNITED NATIONS/JERUSALEM,

THE United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, which has the largest UN footprint in the Gaza Strip, has warned that it is on the verge of collapse and was even running out of body bags amidst the raging conflict between Israel and the Hamas militants. As I speak with you, Gaza is running out of water and electricity. In fact, Gaza is being strangled and it seems that the world right now has lost its humanity, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on the situation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Gaza is now even running out of body bags. Entire families are being ripped apart, he said. Addressing a press conference at UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem, Lazzarini said his colleagues in Gaza are no longer able to provide humanitarian assistance.

The number of people seeking shelter in our schools and other UNRWA facilities in the South is absolutely overwhelming, and we do not have any more the capacity to deal with them, he said. In fact, an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding under our eyes. The UNRWA operations is the largest United Nations footprint in the Gaza Strip, and we are on the verge of collapse. This is absolutely unprecedented, Lazzarini said.
We will recover every penny from corrupt: Shah in Cgarh





RAJNANDGAON,

UNION Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday alleged that the Congress will continue doing the appeasement politics for a vote bank if it returns to power in Chhattisgarh after the Assembly polls next month. Addressing a rally in Rajnandgaon city, Shah said the Congress Government has built a corruption chain up to Delhi like a food chain (of restaurants). If BJP comes to power in Chhattisgarh, we will recover every penny from the corrupt and they will be hanged upside down, he added. He also said that the undivided Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh had remained a BIMARU (laggard) State during the Congress rule, but in 15 years after Raman Singh came to power (in 2003), it became a developed state.

Shah attacked the Bhupesh Baghel Government over communal violence in Biranpur village of Bemetara district in April and asked people whether they wanted Chhattisgarh to become a centre of communal riots again. The rally was held ahead of the filing of nomination forms of former chief minister Raman Singh and three other BJP candidates in Rajnandgaon. The Opposition BJP has fielded Ishwar Sahu, the father of Bhuneshwar Sahu who was killed in the Biranpur riot, from the Saja Assembly segment in Bemetara district. Polling for 90 seats in Chhattisgarh is scheduled to be held in two phases on November 7 and 17. Pointing at Ishwar Sahu who was present on the stage, Shah said Bhuneshwar Sahu was lynched for vote bank and appeasement.

We will bring the murderer of Bhuneshwar Sahu to justice. We have given a ticket to his father. Do you want Chhattisgarh to become the centre of communal riots once again? Should Bhuneshwar Sahu get justice or not? If Congress comes to power again, it will continue the politics of appeasement and vote bank, he said. Shah said various scams have taken place during the Congress rule in Chhattisgarh and accused CM Baghel of turning the State into the ATM of Delhi darbar. Hailing the massive crowd at the rally, Shah said the enthusiasm of people shows that the lotus (BJPs poll symbol) will bloom on December 3, the day of counting, in Chhattisgarh. The upcoming elections are not to elect any government or MLAs but to create a golden future under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.
Young voters want Govt to focus on education sector





By Ankita Garg

As the voting for Assembly elections is scheduled for November 7 in Madhya Pradesh, poll fever grips the locals representing various groups in Bhopal. Especially, education sector has lots of expectation with the new Government and they want a politician to address this issue of students as well as of teaching, non-teaching staff. While some people demanding a new face, the other want see a young leader ruling the State. The Hitavada team interacted with people from different walks of the society and noted down their expectation with Assembly elections and what kind of Government formation they want to see. Some people said that they want the promises made by political leaders fulfill while others said that they want to see a fresh face in political parties. Universities and college students were also involved in the discussion about new Government and most of them said that they want to see a new young leader in ruling party who understand the problem of education sector. They said that at present education sector of MP is in poor condition. Prabhakar Mishra, City Incharge ABVP, says, We want that the Assembly polls 2023 should be focused on policies instead of candidate. Leader who focus towards the overall development of youth should come to power. Our students are aware of everything happened in the past. Earlier schemes like Medhavi Chhatra Yojana was cancelled and proper fund was arranged for other schemes. road, water, electricity is common problem of all but Government has to pay attention towards the education.

Women safety is a burning issue for Madhya Pradesh and keeping view the same, Ladli Bahna Yojana, Ladli Lakshmi Yojana had worked a lot. Earlier, roads were filled with patches but today, there are many development work in State. Today, India has its own identity in global world. Present Government has done ground level of work for women safety, youngsters, education, basic facilities and all group of our society.  Ravi Parmar, State Co-ordinator of NSUI, says, Upcoming Assembly elections bring more hope for the medical students of Madhya Pradesh. There are many issues that need to be addressed urgently. Medical students are burdened by the late academic sessions and high fees structure. There are thousand of nursing students who are stuck in their first year of graduation since last 3-4 years because their exams have not been conducted. Furthermore, more the overall fees of the medical students is very high, theres strong demand for fees reduction or subsidy in the fees. This Government has paid little to no ear to the demands of the ordinary poor medical aspirant. You see with prolonged academic sessions and with students being forced to study 4 years of graduation degree in 7-8 years also increases their expense. For every month that they have to be in college and out of jobs financial burden is increasing and its becoming very difficult for the students to continue like this.
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- One child was killed and nine others injured in a hand grenade blast in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Tuesday, police said.

The incident happened in Khuzdar district where children of a seminary found a hand grenade near the seminary on Monday and brought it to the school for playing, Deputy Superintendent of Police in Khuzdar Abdul Manaf told media.

He said that the grenade exploded when the children were playing with it on Tuesday, injuring 10 of them who were shifted to a nearby hospital.

One of the kids succumbed to injuries at the hospital, and three others were in critical condition, he added.

Police reached the site following the explosion, and cordoned off the area for investigations. 
Shares of Endeavour Silver Corp. (NYSE:EXK  Get Free Report) (TSE:EDR) have been given an average rating of Buy by the four ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $7.07.

A number of analysts have recently commented on EXK shares. HC Wainwright restated a buy rating and issued a $7.75 price objective on shares of Endeavour Silver in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. StockNews.com started coverage on Endeavour Silver in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Finally, TD Securities cut their price objective on Endeavour Silver from C$5.50 to C$5.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Endeavour Silver

Endeavour Silver Stock Up 0.8 %

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of EXK. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its holdings in shares of Endeavour Silver by 9.5% in the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 21,668,423 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $84,074,000 after buying an additional 1,879,509 shares during the period. ETF Managers Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Endeavour Silver in the 1st quarter valued at $21,148,000. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Endeavour Silver by 40.3% in the 1st quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 5,269,365 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $20,169,000 after buying an additional 1,513,939 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP raised its holdings in shares of Endeavour Silver by 66.6% in the 1st quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 1,369,494 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $5,314,000 after buying an additional 547,500 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in Endeavour Silver by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 897,568 shares of the mining companys stock worth $2,594,000 after purchasing an additional 42,582 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 25.89% of the companys stock.

Shares of EXK stock opened at $2.47 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $2.65 and a 200 day moving average of $3.18. The company has a current ratio of 2.62, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The stock has a market cap of $491.92 million, a P/E ratio of 49.40 and a beta of 1.53. Endeavour Silver has a twelve month low of $2.26 and a twelve month high of $4.55.

Endeavour Silver (NYSE:EXK  Get Free Report) (TSE:EDR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The mining company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.02 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $50.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $53.01 million. Endeavour Silver had a net margin of 5.22% and a return on equity of 5.22%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.02) earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Endeavour Silver will post 0.12 EPS for the current year.

About Endeavour Silver

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Endeavour Silver Corp., a silver mining company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, extraction, processing, refining, and reclamation of mineral properties in Mexico and Chile. The company explores for gold and silver deposits, and precious metals. The company was formerly known as Endeavour Gold Corp.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines (NYSE:ASM  Free Report) in a research note released on Friday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. HC Wainwright decreased their price target on shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines from $1.80 to $1.70 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 11th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Monday, September 25th.

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Avino Silver & Gold Mines Trading Down 0.2 %

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines stock opened at $0.51 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.46 million, a PE ratio of 50.80 and a beta of 1.82. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The firms 50 day moving average is $0.54 and its 200 day moving average is $0.63. Avino Silver & Gold Mines has a 1 year low of $0.44 and a 1 year high of $1.01.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Millennium Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 378.3% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 57,470 shares of the companys stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 45,454 shares during the period. Citadel Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 12.4% in the 2nd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 147,818 shares of the companys stock worth $98,000 after purchasing an additional 16,347 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 45.5% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 596,133 shares of the companys stock valued at $323,000 after acquiring an additional 186,433 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.34% of the companys stock.

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Company Profile

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Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and advancement of mineral properties in Canada. It primarily explores for silver, gold, and copper deposits. The company owns interests in 42 mineral claims and four leased mineral claims, including Avino mine area property comprising four exploration concessions covering 154.4 hectares, 24 exploitation concessions covering 1,284.7 hectares, and one leased exploitation concession covering 98.83 hectares; Gomez Palacio property consists of nine exploration concessions covering 2,549 hectares; Santiago Papasquiaro property comprises four exploration concessions covering 2,552.6 hectares and one exploitation concession covering 602.9 hectares; and Unification La Platosa properties, which include three leased concessions located in the state of Durango, Mexico.

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Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Free Report) had its target price trimmed by B. Riley from $100.00 to $97.00 in a research report report published on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. B. Riley also issued estimates for Brunswicks Q4 2023 earnings at $1.96 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $9.25 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $9.86 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $2.77 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $2.83 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $2.80 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $10.59 EPS.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Roth Mkm restated a buy rating and set a $91.00 price objective on shares of Brunswick in a research report on Tuesday, September 19th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Brunswick from $102.00 to $92.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered Brunswick from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $109.00 to $79.00 in a research note on Monday, September 11th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Brunswick in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $84.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Brunswick from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $95.13.

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Brunswick Stock Performance

NYSE BC opened at $74.77 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $79.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of $81.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.92 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Brunswick has a 1 year low of $64.55 and a 1 year high of $93.15. The company has a market capitalization of $5.29 billion, a PE ratio of 9.83 and a beta of 1.53.

Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $2.35 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $1.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.75 billion. Brunswick had a net margin of 8.21% and a return on equity of 33.86%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.82 EPS. Brunswicks quarterly revenue was down 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Brunswick will post 9.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Brunswick

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Brunswick by 94.8% in the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 18,233 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,580,000 after buying an additional 8,874 shares in the last quarter. Sigma Planning Corp acquired a new position in shares of Brunswick during the 1st quarter worth about $772,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. raised its position in shares of Brunswick by 2.3% during the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 25,298 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,074,000 after buying an additional 577 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Brunswick by 13.6% in the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 109,161 shares of the companys stock worth $8,951,000 after purchasing an additional 13,065 shares during the period. Finally, Tectonic Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Brunswick by 19.0% in the 1st quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 10,325 shares of the companys stock valued at $847,000 after purchasing an additional 1,646 shares during the period. 94.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Brunswick Company Profile

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Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Propulsion, Parts & Accessories, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, and inboard engines for independent boat builders and governments through marine dealers and distributors, specialty marine retailers, and marine service centers; and propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers to original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket retailers, distributors, and distribution businesses.

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Shares of Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the five brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has issued a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $7.08.

Several research firms have commented on JOBY. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Joby Aviation from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $5.00 to $6.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. 888 reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Joby Aviation in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on shares of Joby Aviation from $9.00 to $10.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, SpectralCast reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Joby Aviation in a research note on Friday, June 30th.

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Joby Aviation Stock Performance

JOBY stock opened at $6.26 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $6.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.62. Joby Aviation has a fifty-two week low of $3.15 and a fifty-two week high of $11.98. The firm has a market cap of $4.34 billion, a PE ratio of -7.03 and a beta of 2.12.

Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The company reported ($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.14) by ($0.03). On average, equities analysts predict that Joby Aviation will post -0.66 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Joby Aviation

In other news, insider Kate Dehoff sold 5,637 shares of Joby Aviation stock in a transaction on Friday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.13, for a total transaction of $34,554.81. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 165,550 shares in the company, valued at $1,014,821.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Kate Dehoff sold 5,637 shares of Joby Aviation stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.13, for a total value of $34,554.81. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 165,550 shares in the company, valued at $1,014,821.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Didier Papadopoulos sold 5,968 shares of Joby Aviation stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.72, for a total value of $40,104.96. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 5,673 shares of the companys stock, valued at $38,122.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 322,500 shares of company stock worth $2,118,521. 49.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Joby Aviation

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Joby Aviation by 40.5% during the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 44,453 shares of the companys stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 12,810 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates grew its stake in shares of Joby Aviation by 47.0% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 84,841 shares of the companys stock worth $562,000 after acquiring an additional 27,114 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Joby Aviation during the first quarter worth about $108,000. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in shares of Joby Aviation by 281.9% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 55,694 shares of the companys stock worth $369,000 after acquiring an additional 41,110 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in Joby Aviation by 368.2% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 50,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $332,000 after buying an additional 39,400 shares during the last quarter. 36.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Joby Aviation Company Profile

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Joby Aviation, Inc, a vertically integrated air mobility company, engages in building an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft optimized to deliver air transportation as a service. The company intends to build an aerial ridesharing service, as well as developing an application-based platform that will enable consumers to book rides.

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BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday held talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Xi said since the establishment of China-Chile diplomatic relations more than half a century ago, the bilateral ties have long been at the forefront of China's relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Noting that Chile is a pioneer in the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Latin America, Xi said that the bilateral cooperation in various fields has delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples. 
Hohimer Wealth Management LLC decreased its position in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Free Report) by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 19,392 shares of the credit-card processors stock after selling 784 shares during the period. Visa comprises approximately 1.3% of Hohimer Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Hohimer Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Visa were worth $4,605,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in V. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its position in Visa by 107,990.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,998,628,576 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $474,634,314,000 after purchasing an additional 1,996,779,546 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Visa by 116,608.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 24,504,130 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $5,090,978,000 after purchasing an additional 24,483,134 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Visa during the 4th quarter valued at $3,067,232,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in shares of Visa by 13.0% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 51,122,866 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $10,621,287,000 after buying an additional 5,864,340 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Visa by 130.4% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,042,098 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $680,069,000 after buying an additional 3,986,135 shares in the last quarter. 81.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 8,150 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $247.47, for a total transaction of $2,016,880.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 8,150 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $247.47, for a total value of $2,016,880.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Rajat Taneja sold 15,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.01, for a total value of $3,950,158.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 232,112 shares of the companys stock, valued at $58,030,321.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 32,100 shares of company stock valued at $7,923,039 in the last quarter. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Visa Price Performance

V opened at $239.98 on Tuesday. Visa Inc. has a 52-week low of $182.85 and a 52-week high of $250.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $446.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 1.49. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $239.73 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $234.55.

Visa (NYSE:V  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The credit-card processor reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.11 by $0.05. Visa had a net margin of 51.94% and a return on equity of 49.42%. The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.06 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.98 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Visa Inc. will post 8.65 EPS for the current year.

Visa Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 11th were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 10th. Visas payout ratio is currently 22.84%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. Robert W. Baird restated an outperform rating and set a $284.00 target price on shares of Visa in a report on Thursday, September 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Visa from $296.00 to $293.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 9th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Visa from $273.00 to $275.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Visa from $282.00 to $284.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Visa from $287.00 to $285.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $275.14.

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About Visa

(Free Report)

Visa Inc operates as a payments technology company worldwide. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, click to pay; Visa Direct, a real-time payments network; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral B2B cross-border payments network; Visa Treasury as a Service, a cross-border consumer payments business; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services.

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Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY  Free Report)  Analysts at William Blair dropped their Q3 2024 earnings estimates for Infosys in a research report issued on Thursday, October 12th. William Blair analyst M. Nolan now anticipates that the technology company will post earnings per share of $0.17 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.18. The consensus estimate for Infosys current full-year earnings is $0.71 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for Infosys Q4 2024 earnings at $0.16 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $0.69 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $0.18 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $0.18 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $0.72 EPS.

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Infosys (NYSE:INFY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 12th. The technology company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.18. The firm had revenue of $4.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.55 billion. Infosys had a net margin of 16.41% and a return on equity of 32.39%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.18 earnings per share.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on INFY. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Infosys in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. They set a buy rating for the company. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Infosys from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Nomura upgraded shares of Infosys from a reduce rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, September 8th. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $22.00 price target on shares of Infosys in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Infosys from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and upped their target price for the company from $14.00 to $16.80 in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $18.93.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Infosys

Infosys Stock Up 1.8 %

Shares of Infosys stock opened at $17.21 on Monday. Infosys has a 52-week low of $14.71 and a 52-week high of $20.57. The company has a 50 day moving average of $17.38 and a 200 day moving average of $16.44. The company has a market capitalization of $71.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.90, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.96.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Infosys

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its holdings in Infosys by 22.5% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 8,230 shares of the technology companys stock worth $144,000 after buying an additional 1,514 shares during the period. Creative Planning increased its holdings in shares of Infosys by 12.1% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 103,193 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,658,000 after purchasing an additional 11,164 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Infosys in the 1st quarter valued at about $766,000. HB Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Infosys in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $165,000. Finally, GAM Holding AG grew its stake in shares of Infosys by 14.4% in the 1st quarter. GAM Holding AG now owns 585,929 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $10,219,000 after buying an additional 73,605 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.39% of the companys stock.

Infosys Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Infosys Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides consulting, technology, outsourcing, and next-generation digital services in North America, Europe, India, and internationally. It provides application management and application development services, independent validation solutions, product engineering and management, infrastructure management services, traditional enterprise application implementation, support, and integration services.

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Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of Mister Car Wash (NYSE:MCW  Free Report) from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm currently has $10.00 price target on the stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on MCW. Piper Sandler raised Mister Car Wash from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $9.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Monday, August 28th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Mister Car Wash from $10.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 11th. William Blair started coverage on Mister Car Wash in a report on Friday, September 8th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $11.00 price objective on shares of Mister Car Wash in a report on Friday, September 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mister Car Wash has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $10.14.

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Mister Car Wash Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MCW opened at $5.83 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. Mister Car Wash has a 1 year low of $5.14 and a 1 year high of $11.14. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $6.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $7.96. The firm has a market cap of $1.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.40, a P/E/G ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 1.30.

Mister Car Wash (NYSE:MCW  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.08 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $236.89 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $240.54 million. Mister Car Wash had a net margin of 10.06% and a return on equity of 11.61%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Mister Car Wash will post 0.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO John Lo-Minn Lai sold 77,730 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.06, for a total value of $548,773.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 960,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,777,600. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 672,330 shares of company stock worth $4,338,358. Insiders own 71.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MCW. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in Mister Car Wash in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Clear Street Markets LLC acquired a new stake in Mister Car Wash during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. National Bank of Canada FI grew its holdings in Mister Car Wash by 39.4% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 4,950 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 1,400 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in Mister Car Wash during the 3rd quarter worth $45,000. Finally, KBC Group NV acquired a new stake in Mister Car Wash during the 2nd quarter worth $46,000.

Mister Car Wash Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mister Car Wash, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides conveyorized car wash services in the United States. It offers express exterior and interior cleaning services. The company was formerly known as Hotshine Holdings, Inc and changed its name to Mister Car Wash, Inc in March 2021. Mister Car Wash, Inc was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.

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Pinnacle West Capital Co. (NYSE:PNW  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research upped their Q2 2025 EPS estimates for Pinnacle West Capital in a research report issued on Thursday, October 12th. Zacks Research analyst T. Sarawagi now anticipates that the utilities provider will post earnings per share of $1.05 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $1.01. The consensus estimate for Pinnacle West Capitals current full-year earnings is $4.23 per share.

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PNW has been the topic of a number of other reports. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $78.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $89.00 to $88.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 4th. KeyCorp raised shares of Pinnacle West Capital from an underweight rating to a sector weight rating in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Mizuho reissued a buy rating and set a $85.00 price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a report on Friday, September 15th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $77.10.

Pinnacle West Capital Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PNW opened at $76.56 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $8.68 billion, a PE ratio of 21.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.49. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $76.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $79.09. Pinnacle West Capital has a one year low of $62.39 and a one year high of $86.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.96.

Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.25). The firm had revenue of $1.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.09 billion. Pinnacle West Capital had a return on equity of 6.55% and a net margin of 8.92%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.45 EPS.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 1.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,338,202 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,041,714,000 after purchasing an additional 241,019 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 2.7% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 10,307,741 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $816,785,000 after purchasing an additional 273,945 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 1.0% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,634,622 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $492,509,000 after purchasing an additional 74,164 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 29.6% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,537,942 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $276,313,000 after buying an additional 808,207 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 3.4% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,574,336 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $209,414,000 after buying an additional 84,844 shares in the last quarter. 84.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Pinnacle West Capital

(Get Free Report)

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities.

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Rockland Trust Co. increased its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 225,619 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,092 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil makes up approximately 1.4% of Rockland Trust Co.s portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Rockland Trust Co.s holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $24,198,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Exxon Mobil in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Exxon Mobil in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 105.4% in the second quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Artemis Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil during the first quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil during the first quarter worth approximately $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.53% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Exxon Mobil

In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben bought 458,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 31st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $106.93 per share, for a total transaction of $48,973,940.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 1,635,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $174,830,550. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben bought 458,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 31st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $106.93 per share, for a total transaction of $48,973,940.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 1,635,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $174,830,550. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total value of $172,500.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 27,772 shares in the company, valued at $3,193,780. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock.

Exxon Mobil Stock Performance

Exxon Mobil stock opened at $109.91 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $112.32 and its 200-day moving average is $109.47. The company has a market cap of $439.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.09. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 12 month low of $98.02 and a 12 month high of $120.70.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 28th. The oil and gas company reported $1.94 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.00 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $82.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $81.80 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 25.82% and a net margin of 13.72%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 28.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.14 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 16th were issued a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 15th. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.31%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.12%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Mizuho restated a buy rating and set a $139.00 price target on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Monday, September 25th. HSBC upped their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $110.00 to $116.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. Redburn Partners raised Exxon Mobil from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $100.00 to $105.00 in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Truist Financial raised Exxon Mobil from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $110.00 to $131.00 in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered Exxon Mobil from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $125.61.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on XOM

Exxon Mobil Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XOM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report).

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HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF  Free Report) in a research report released on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage issued a hold rating and a $32.00 price objective on the financial services providers stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $40.00 to $37.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Synchrony Financial from $29.00 to $28.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. Citigroup decreased their price target on Synchrony Financial from $43.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 6th. Royal Bank of Canada cut Synchrony Financial from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $41.00 to $37.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $38.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $35.87.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on SYF

Synchrony Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:SYF opened at $29.65 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $31.68 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $31.70. Synchrony Financial has a twelve month low of $26.59 and a twelve month high of $40.88. The stock has a market cap of $12.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.49, a PEG ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $5.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.10 billion. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 19.79% and a net margin of 12.90%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.60 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Synchrony Financial will post 5.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This is an increase from Synchrony Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 28th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.37%. Synchrony Financials dividend payout ratio is 18.52%.

Insider Transactions at Synchrony Financial

In related news, insider Brian D. Doubles sold 36,610 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.50, for a total transaction of $1,263,045.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 565,240 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,500,780. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider David P. Melito sold 15,015 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.00, for a total transaction of $525,525.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 13,960 shares of the companys stock, valued at $488,600. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Brian D. Doubles sold 36,610 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.50, for a total transaction of $1,263,045.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 565,240 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,500,780. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 41,325,067 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,401,746,000 after purchasing an additional 209,520 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 8,123,671 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $282,786,000 after purchasing an additional 484,220 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 14.9% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 6,791,030 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $197,483,000 after purchasing an additional 879,797 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 151.8% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,764,164 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $135,016,000 after purchasing an additional 2,872,160 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial during the 4th quarter worth approximately $151,220,000. 94.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Synchrony Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Synchrony Financial, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer financial services company in the United States. It provides credit products, such as credit cards, commercial credit products, and consumer installment loans. The company also offers private label credit cards, dual cards, co-brand and general purpose credit cards, short- and long-term installment loans, and consumer banking products; and deposit products, including certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, money market accounts, and savings accounts to retail and commercial customers, as well as accepts deposits through third-party securities brokerage firms.

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BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, discussed on Monday the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Belt and Road cooperation.

Describing the current situation between Palestine and Israel as very critical in a telephone conversation with Wang, Shoukry commended China for adhering to principles, upholding justice, and supporting the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights and establishing an independent state.

Egypt applauds China's important role in the political settlement of the Palestinian issue and in safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East, he said.

Egypt, Shoukry said, is willing to stay in touch with China to help deescalate the situation, prevent the conflict from escalating and stem further spillover of the crisis.

Egypt and China enjoy a profound friendship and a dynamic relationship, said the Egyptian foreign minister. Wishing the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation a complete success, he said that Egypt will continue to actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, reiterated that China opposes and condemns all acts harming civilians and violating the international humanitarian law.

China will continue to stand on the side of international justice and support the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, Wang said, adding that under the current circumstances, the UN Security Council should play its due role in pushing for an early ceasefire.

China applauds Egypt's active mediation and coordination efforts to ease the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and supports Arab and Islamic countries in forming a common position and speaking with one voice, Wang said. China stands ready to work with all parties to promote the resumption of negotiations on the two-state solution and strive for a broader international consensus, he added.

Referring to Egypt as an important partner of Belt and Road cooperation, Wang voiced confidence that Egypt will make positive contributions to the successful holding of the forum and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. 
In September 2019, the South Riding Point terminal was in the direct path of Hurricane Dorian and sustained extensive damage.
Anglican Bishop Laish Boyd giving his charge at the Anglican Synod at Christ Church Cathedral last night, touching on a wide range of national issues. BIs/Kemuel Stubbs
A view of destroyed houses and a mosque following Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Israel has been striking targets throughout Gaza since a bloody, cross-border attack by Hamas militants killed over 1,400 and captured many Israelis on Oct. 7. AP
Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York on Oct. 16, 2023. The UN Security Council on Monday failed to adopt a Russian-drafted resolution that calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The draft resolution obtained five votes in favor and four against, with six abstentions. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called for a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians for the protection of civilians, at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The latest round of conflict has resulted in massive civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis. Its spillover effects have impacted regional peace and stability. China is deeply concerned about this, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

China condemns all acts that harm civilians and opposes all acts that violate international law. China supports the UN Security Council in playing a responsible role, supports all efforts aimed at de-escalation and peace, and welcomes all initiatives that are conducive to protecting civilians and mitigating the humanitarian crisis, he said.

On the basis of the above-mentioned position, China voted in favor of the Russian-drafted resolution, said Zhang in an explanation statement after the vote at the meeting.

The Security Council failed to adopt the draft resolution that calls for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza.

In the face of the dire situation, China calls for efforts to realize a cease-fire as soon as possible and to prevent the spread of the flames of war, so as to avoid the further escalation of tensions. Military means are not the way out. Violence for violence will only lead to an endless vicious cycle, said Zhang.

"China calls for respect for international humanitarian law and for all efforts to ensure the security of civilians. The protection of civilians in armed conflict is a red line under international humanitarian law. Civilians should not be the target of military operations. The indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable. The maintenance of one's own security cannot come at the cost of harming innocent civilians. The safety of UN staff and humanitarian workers must be guaranteed," he said.

China supports diplomatic and mediation efforts aimed at the release of hostages. China calls for the opening of a humanitarian relief corridor as soon as possible to avoid a more severe humanitarian disaster, he said.

Zhang expressed China's grave concerns about the consequences of Israel's imposition of a full siege on Gaza and its order of an emergency evacuation of the population in northern Gaza.

China calls on Israel to heed the appeals of the international community and resume water, electricity and fuel supplies to Gaza, and stop the collective punishment of the people in the strip. China supports the opening of a humanitarian corridor at an early date so that food, medicine and other humanitarian relief supplies could be delivered in a timely and smooth manner, said Zhang.

The Security Council bears the primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security and should play its due role in resolving the current crisis. It is also the common expectation of the international community for the council to reach consensus as soon as possible and adopt real measures, he said.

The Russian-drafted resolution demonstrates the overall direction of the council's focus on humanitarian concerns and the protection of civilians. China greatly regrets the fact that the council failed to agree on this draft resolution, he said.

"Humanitarian issues should not be politicized. The protection of civilians should be a priority for all parties," said Zhang.

The current conflict is spreading and suffering is continuing. The council should not give up its efforts in this regard. Brazil has also proposed a draft resolution. China hopes that all parties continue to seek consensus and take more active actions to ease the tension and avoid a humanitarian disaster, he said.

History has time again proved that the repeated outbreak of the crisis between Israelis and Palestinians is fundamentally due to the fact that the basis of the two-state solution keeps being eroded, that the Middle East peace process has veered from the right track and that relevant UN resolutions have not been effectively implemented, he said.

When dealing with this new round of conflict, the international community must go beyond the fragmented case-by-case crisis management model and persevere toward the fundamental direction of the two-state solution and make greater efforts toward a comprehensive lasting solution to the question, he said.

Since the outbreak of the crisis, China has actively conducted efforts to facilitate the ease of tension and actively promote peace talks. China will always stand on the side of peace, justice, and international law.

China is ready to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts to stop the fighting in Gaza at an early date and realize the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel, as well as lasting peace and security in the Middle East. 
After a house detention spanning two years, Nigerias Sunday Igboho earlier this month finally secured his freedom from Benin Republic. He did not return to Nigeria. He jetted out to Germany.

Igboho, 56, a Yoruba nation separatist and whose real name is Chief Sunday Adeyemo, ran afoul of that Francophone nations laws for attempting to secure its passport through the backdoor. They arrested him. Worldwide pleas by Yoruba people were made for his release, with even the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, paying Igboho a visit in custody May 2022. Perhaps reluctant to court the ire of President Muhammadu Buhari, Cotonou had dilly-dallied over Igbohos case until the Fulani-born retired-Army Generals tenure expired on May 29.

Igboho became a fugitive from Nigeria after the Department of State Services (DSS) raided his Ibadan, Oyo State home. This followed his effrontery in issuing a deadline to almighty Fulani herdsmen who for years had unleashed an orgy of kidnapping, murder and rape on rural communities in Sundays native Yoruba South-West. The Fulani pseudo-monarch, Seriki Fulani, served as intermediating agent for ransom payment to the kidnappers, who slew several captives and frightened farmers away from farmlands. SOS cries to security agents went unheeded. Finally, Igboho led natives on a raid of the camp of this Fulani army of occupation in Igbo-Ora, Igangan, Ibarapa and environs in Oyo State.

Reprisal came from an unexpected quarter. Clearly acting under the instructions of The Presidency and the agencys Fulani-born CEO Yusuf Magaji Bichi, DSS operatives stormed Sunday Igbohos home in a midnight invasion on July 1, 2021, unleashing sorrows, tears and blood in a rain of bullets. DSS slaughtered two unarmed occupants and arrested 12. The Yoruba activist himself escaped. Government froze all his bank accounts. While attempting to reach Europe through the West African country, Igboho fell into the hands of the gendarmes when he tried to arrange travel documents informally. Abuja mounted pressure for his repatriation back home. However, Buhari and his Fulani collaborators underestimated the centuries-old socio-cultural ties between Benin Republic Yoruba and Nigerian Yoruba. Those ties saved Adeyemo.

What offence did Igboho commit, except confront foreign Fulani killing Nigerians? The story began with the house-rat inviting the bush-rat to come and partake in the abundant food available at home. Perhaps because of climate change and shrinking grazing grounds in the Savannah, Fulani cowboys zeroed in on Middle-Belt and Southern Nigerias lush greenery. Buhari, a pan-Fulani bigot being in power, Fulani irredentism won. He threw the borders open. Unchecked, the itinerant herders arrived here in droves from all over Africa and filtered through the land. They came with their AK47s, anti-aircraft propelled rocket launchers and unleashed a new brand of terrorism. Migrant Fulani militias unleashed terror everywhere the soles of their feet marched. They still do. Videos have been seen of helicopters landing in thick forests to supply these militias with arms and provisions. This was state-backed terrorism.

Like the helplessness they displayed in Igbohos neck of the wood in Ibarapa, security agencies made zero or half-hearted efforts to halt the Fulani militants evil activities nationwide. The world termed them the second deadliest terror group in the world, but pro-Fulani Buharis regime held back. His government sold the official false narrative that herdsmen killing unarmed rural dwellers arose from axiomatic farmers-herdsmen clashes. Such rhetoric served as white-washing PR, if not justification, for the killings, even as their body counts mounted nationwide. Buharis government consistently sided with the foreign aggressors.

It will not be forgotten, the ignoble role of Buharis spin-doctors and attack dogs: Femi Adesina, Garba Shehu and Lai Mohammed. Such names will go down in infamy as defenders of killer Fulani. Adesina once said those who failed to give up land to the Fulani should prepare to forfeit their lives undoubtedly his pan-Fulani paymaster, Buharis veritable voice.

Buhari came from a Fulani father and a half Kanuri half Hausa mother. He hails from the Fulani stock in Daura, Katsina State. Also called Fulbe, the Fulani tribe originated from nomads in North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, settling into Central and West Africa. Upon landing on Nigerian soil, and in order to secure population and numerical advantage, the Fulani heads formed a socio-political alliance with their Hausa hosts; and today, they are jointly tagged Hausa-Fulani. But when push comes to shove and competition for posts and resources becomes inevitable, Hausa and Fulani individuals resort to their separate ancient tents. Despite being less than 9 percent of Nigerias population, the Fulani wield much socio-political and socio-cultural superiority.

In relationship to other Nigerians, Buhari and fellow Fulani irredentists rate their foreign cousins higher. Nigerian Fulanis affinity with cousins from Mali, Niger, Chad, Cameroun, Guinea-Bissau and Libya gives these invaders licence to infiltrate the Nigerian space.

Going by narratives from APC chieftains privy to the affair, foreign Fulani militants had been recruited to push Buhari into power in 2015. President Goodluck Jonathan saw the handwriting on the wall and quickly threw in the towel to prevent a bloodbath. The APC kingpins claimed that politicians reneged on agreements with the imported militants, which infuriated them and made them go wild. However, something else fuelled the foreigners daredevilry a pan-Fulani agenda.

In his eight years, President Buhari powered that pan-Fulani agenda. The agenda drove his lopsided pro-Fulani appointments, especially in security and the entire Armed Forces. The agenda theoretically centred on rallying Fulani in Africa to migrate to Nigeria and create a monolithic nation that would subjugate other nationalities as minorities. Buhari gave the foreign Fulani traction in Nigeria. For all he cared, Nigerias other 370 tribes could go to hell, once the Fulani worldwide secured Nigeria as their homeland. Resultantly, Fulani foreigners flocked into Nigeria like locusts. Egged on by the likes of the then Kaduna State Governor, they unleashed a scorched earth policy on minorities in Southern Kaduna, Zamfara State, Benue State, Plateau State, Nasarawa State, Niger State and other places, and drove millions into IDP camps. Benue recently said it lost over 20,000 lives to these marauders.

The regime supported the pan-Fulani campaign with policies. It floated the rejuvenation of North-South grazing routes that his spin-doctors said farmers had encroached upon and triggered clashes. But grazing routes were a colonial era convenience that no one wanted revived; hence, the move failed to fly.

Undeterred, the government went ahead to float a malevolent Waterways Bill, which many saw as a ploy to give Fulani herdsmen unrestricted access to rivers and streams in the country. Other Nigerians collectively ensured their legislators killed what could have amounted to signing the death warrant of other sub-groups.

Buhari went on to concoct plans for Ruga settlements. Thousands of hectares would be reserved in each of the 36 states solely for cattle grazers. Condemned as a scheme to fulanise the entire country, Ruga, to its antagonists, would ultimately turn into a veritable hideout for Fulani criminals and irredentists. That idea too died suffered nationwide rejection.

Other Nigerians suspected Ruga was window-dressing Uthman-Dan-Fodios legendary mission to spread the Sokoto Empire throughout the Nigerian territory and dip the Quran in the Atlantic. Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigerias first Prime Minister, during the legislative council debates on March 24, 1947 openly asserted that, If the British departed Nigeria, the Northern people would continue their interrupted conquest to the sea. Nigerias history of political instability since Independence has its roots in this Fulani quest for permanent hegemony and the determination of the rest of the country to resist the Caliphates domination vision.

However, Buhari himself had always shown signs of a Fulani irredentist. At the onset of the Fourth Republic, he once received a stiff rebuff from now Late Oyo States Governor Lam Adesina over an incident. Then usually reticent Buhari had travelled all the way from Daura to lodge a protest in Ibadan because Yoruba natives killed the cows of Fulani cattle herders. Actually, the herdsmen first unleashed an orgy of raping of women, grazing on farmlands and killing of indigenes. During Buharis inglorious visit, the Oyo State Police Commissioner and DSS Director vilified him for the bias displayed by someone expected to play the mediatory role of an elder statesman.

Today, Fulani incursion continues to pose an existential threat to others in the Nigerian space. And the apparent apathy and compromise of the security agencies forced the likes of Retired-General Theophilus Danjuma to voice their frustration. Danjuma, a former Fulani ally, urged other tribes to expect no protection from the colluding Military; and he urged them to arm themselves against the invaders.

In fact, other sections have adopted protective policies. South-West governors created Amotekun. As constituted authorities of the South-East dilly-dallied, the separatist group IPOB created the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Ultimately, Igbo governors rallied themselves, jointly forming Ebubeagwu to secure their zone. Tired of waiting for Governor Godwin Obaseki to take a similar initiative, the long-suffering Esan people in Edo State unilaterally created the Atanakpa vigilante group. Benue State formed the Community Volunteer Guards.

Additionally, states in the South and Middle-Belt have followed up with anti-grazing laws, in an uncommon determination to enforce their sovereignty in the context of a Nigerian Federation. Ironically, some dominantly Fulani states, fearing the terrorism of their immigrant cousins, have enacted similar anti-grazing laws.

Clearly, Buharis pan-Fulani predilection kept Nigeria divided like never before. This man divided Nigeria by choice. Like Buhari, Second Republics President Shehu Shagari rose from the Fulani stock; but Shagari never displayed the trappings of bigotry and led Nigeria in the path of cohesion and peace.

To continue down the path of Buharis pan-Fulani hallucination will only devalue the Fulani themselves and make them inevitable victims. No group owns the monopoly of violence. Victims, fighting for survival, will likely resort to self-help and in time build corporate, collaborative resistance. Who does not dread the day that Nigerias remaining 370 tribes will be pushed to conclude that the only good Fulani is a dead Fulani? God forbid!

Buhari and his cohorts probably forgot the transient power of power. His nightmarish eight years have ended with him, even if the bitter taste lingers in the raping, kidnapping and killings that foreign Fulani continue within Nigerian forests and highways. Like Sunday Igboho, millions of Nigerians thank God for surviving their inordinately pan-Fulani President. Goodbye to divisive bigotry and ethnic chauvinism. Goodbye to rubbish.

OBOAGWINA IS AN AUTHOR, JOURNALIST AND PUBLISHER, REACHABLE VIA: [email protected]
Another Thai killed in Israel, another taken hostage

BANGKOK: An additional Thai worker was confirmed killed in Israel and another was taken hostage, and the situation there remains critical, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said yesterday (Oct 16).

Safetypoliticsviolence

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 17 October 2023 09:37 AM

More Thais arrive back from Israel yesterday morning (Oct 16). Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb

Mr Srettha was speaking at Suvarnabhumi airport prior to his departure for China to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing on Oct 16-20, reports the Bangkok Post.

He said another Thai worker had died and another was taken hostage, raising the Thai death toll to 29 and the number of those taken hostage to 18, but did not give details.

The prime minister said he had also been told that six Thai workers who were supposed to return to Thailand on the latest flight did not show up for the trip. Thai authorities tried to contact them, to no avail. It was believed they were in conflict areas and unable to travel out.

The latest flight was the Royal Thai Air Forces A340-500 aircraft, which brought home 130 Thais yesterday morning.

Mr Srettha said a meeting on flight arrangements had been scheduled at the Foreign Ministry yesterday at 4pm - the time he was due to arrive in Beijing. He had given instructions they should try to find more flights, to evacuate all of the approximately 7,000 Thais who wished to return home from Israel by the end of November.

Asked about the Thais taken hostage, the prime minister admitted there had been no positive signs of them being released, despite reports of progress in negotiations.

Mr Srettha said the continued fighting and the rising death toll of Thai workers was worrying. He had instructed officials to do everything they could to get the hostages released and bring them home as soon as possible.

Asked about reports some Thai workers were being forced by their Israeli employers to continue working, even though the country was now at war, Mr Srettha said he had already told the Israeli ambassador that this was unacceptable. She had agreed to look into the matter.
Cabinet approves visa extension for Russian tourists

BANGKOK: The Cabinet has given its approval for an extension of the visa-free stay for Russian tourists to 90 days in an effort to boost tourism in Thailand.

tourismeconomicsRussian

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 17 October 2023 11:46 AM

Photo: TNA

Following a Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin and the Minister of Finance disclosed their plans to extend the duration of the visa-free period, reports state news agency TNA.

The decision comes as part of a broader initiative to stimulate the tourism sector, replacing the previous 30-day visa-free period with a more extended 90-day stay, the TNA report said.

Recognising the frigid winter weather in Russia and the desire of Russian travelers to escape it, the government aims to encourage them to stay in Thailand for a longer period, the report added.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister said he was set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his participation in the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in the Peoples Republic of China.

The diplomatic interaction marks a friendly gesture between the two nations, potentially leading to more substantial discussions and agreements, the TNA report concluded.
Phuket Veg Fest processions continue

PHUKET: The street processions for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival continued this morning (Oct 17) as Mah Song and devotees from the Sapam Shrine and the Bang Khu Shrine took to the streets.

Chineseculture

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Tuesday 17 October 2023 12:33 PM

The procession, carrying an image of Iw Keng, made its way to the tip of Saphan Hin before returning along the same route to the shrines, north of Phuket Town.

Despite a downpour of heavy rain, Thais and foreigners, most of whom were dressed in white, lined the streets to observe the procession.

Along the route tables of offerings had been prepared for the gods to enjoy en route, while dispensing blessings to the faithful.

Devotees from the Hai Yian Geng Shrine in Baan Mai Khao and from the Seng Leng Tong Shrine in Muang Mai also held their street processions today.

The street processions continue tomorrow (Oct 18), as follows:

6:45am - Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine (Samkong)

7:00am - Thee Gong Tua Shrine (Phuket Town)

7:00am - Sam Sian Tong Shrine (Chalong)

7:00am - Guan Yu Shrine (Ban Nabon)

7:00am - Ngore Choon Gend Baanya Shrine (Baan Ya)

8:15am - Tai Houd Tong Shrine (Surin Beach)

8:30am - Bu Seng Tong Shrine (Baan Kian)

For a full list of all the street processions to be held during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, click here.
Police stage Active Shooter Training at Central

PHUKET: Officers from Region 8 Police staged an active shooter training emergency-response drill at Central Phuket shopping mall yesterday (Oct 16) before the mall opened to shoppers.

tourismSafetypolice

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 17 October 2023 09:00 AM

Region 8 Police Commander Pol Lt Gen Suraphong Thanomchit and Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong jointly led the incident response simulation, held on the first floor of Central Phuket mall Floresta building from 8:30am to 9:30am.

The exercise simulated a lone male criminal discharging a firearm inside the mall, explained an official report of the drill.

Under the simulation, the criminal entered the mall concealing his face and carrying a firearm. He refused to allow the officers to search him, and the simulation then proceeded as if the criminal shot people inside the mall, injuring his victims and then taking people hostage.

The simulation continued with Wichit Police Station being notified of the incident and coordinating forces and reporting to the commander before proceeding with the response.

The outcome of the simulation was that the shooter was the only person to die and the hostages escaped safely.

Emergency medical personnel were on hand to help participants designated as injured and EOD police officers inspected the suspects bag and found no explosives.

Tourist Police fulfilled their role by ensuring that participants designated as tourists at the mall were informed of the situation and guided appropriately.

The drill was a rehearsal of the annual incident response plan, said Pol Maj Gen Sermphan.

This [simulation] has been done once before at Phuket Boat Lagoon and this rehearsal is linked to the real situation that happened in Bangkok earlier this month, he added, referring to the shooting spree by a 14-year-old that killed three people and left several others injured on Oct 3.

After learning the theory from expert personnel from the Royal Thai Police, the personnel of Region 8 Police and Phuket Provincial Police and various related agencies are very ready to serve citizens and tourists, especially during this period, the traditional Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, with a large number of citizens and tourists traveling into the area, Maj Gen Sermphan said.

Police officers are ready in every aspect, including traffic, Tourist Police, Immigration police, We are ready to provide safety for citizens and tourists, both Thai and foreigners, he added.

This builds confidence and increases the effectiveness of our work. It can clearly be seen that the statistics of incidents have decreased. including traffic accident statistics and other aspects, he concluded.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Chilean President Gabriel Boric in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. Gabriel Boric is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay a state visit to the country. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay a state visit to the country.

Li said China and Chile always adhere to mutual respect and mutual benefit, and the bilateral relations have long been at the forefront of Latin American and Caribbean countries' relations with China.

China is willing to work with Chile to act on the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, pass down the China-Chile friendship, advance cooperation between the two countries, and push the China-Chile comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and make new achievements, the premier said.

Li noted that China is ready to work with Chile to focus on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and promote the continuous upgrading of bilateral practical cooperation. China will expand and strengthen its cooperation with Chile in traditional areas such as agriculture, energy, mining and infrastructure, further increase the scale and level of trade, and jointly maintain the stability and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains.

The two countries will carry out financial cooperation such as investment and financing to provide strong support for promoting two-way trade and investment. Cooperation in emerging areas such as clean energy, digital economy and technological innovation will be actively explored to foster new growth engines for China-Chile cooperation and to improve the quality of development, Li said.

Boric said Chile adheres to the one-China principle, supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to consolidate cooperation with China in traditional areas such as agriculture and food, expand new areas of cooperation such as scientific and technological innovation, Antarctica and tourism, deepen people-to-people exchanges, and push for further development of bilateral relations.

Chile welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Chile and is willing to become a gateway for Chinese enterprises to enter Latin America, he said. 
Prachachat looking to expunge erroneous criminal records

NARATHIWAT: The Prachachat Party has confirmed it is seeking to expunge erroneous criminal records affecting some groups of people, especially those in the deep South.

policemilitarycrime

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 17 October 2023 01:42 PM

Many of the erroneous criminal records arise from events in the insurgent plagued far South. This bomb explosion left a deep crater in the middle of a road in Si Sakhon district of Narathiwat province in March, killing two bomb disposal officers and seriously wounding another. Photo: Abdullah Benjakat

Kamonsak Leewamoh, the party spokesman and MP for Narathiwat, said the move was one of two human rights-related issues the party is championing. The other is to encourage the scrapping of the emergency decree imposed in most of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, reports the Bangkok Post.

With the Justice Ministry now under the stewardship of the party leader, Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, it presented a good opportunity for the party to pursue justice-related policies, said Mr Kamonsak, who is chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs.

He said the party has vowed to delete names wrongly included in the criminal records database, using its previous work with people with false records and other research on human rights violations as references. The move was aimed at protecting the rights of people, not only in the southernmost region but nationwide.

As a member of the committee, we studied this topic for a long time. It is now up to the party to find a way to remove measures that might cause deleting names from the records to be delayed, said Mr Kamonsak.

Prachachat, which has a strong voter base in the southernmost region, has received many reports regarding locals affected by having an erroneous criminal history, which led to the party including the issue as one of its campaign policies.

According to Mr Kamonsak, people with records that were erroneous, especially those in the southernmost region, include those with non-prosecution orders or those whose cases were thrown out by a court.

Having a criminal record leads to many hardships in any activity that needs legal verification, such as travelling abroad or job applications, he said.

Erroneous records directly affect someones rights. One person who has such a record said he felt violated by the immigration police just because he had a non-prosecution order from a court back in 2015.

Many sectors have attempted to resolve the issue, including the Royal Thai Police, which removed about 10 million innocent people from its criminal database from April to June.

However, one security official in the deep South said it is hard to improve the system overall. In fact, they have to solve issues case by case, as they do not have a list of people with erroneous records available to them.
Trump given partial gag order in election conspiracy trial

WASHINGTON: The federal judge set to preside over Donald Trumps trial for conspiring to overturn the 2020 US election imposed a partial gag order on the former president yesterday (Oct 16).

politics

By AFP

Tuesday 17 October 2023 01:55 PM

A federal judge has issued a partial gag order on former president Donald Trump ahead of his trial for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. Photo: AFP

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered Trump not to publicly attack prosecutors, court staff or potential witnesses ahead of the historic trial scheduled to begin in Washington in March 2024.

The former Republican president reacted to Chutkans move with a post on his Truth Social platform, saying in all capitals: A TERRIBLE THING HAPPENED TO DEMOCRACY TODAY - GAG ORDER!

WILL APPEAL THE GAG ORDER RULING, he said, repeating his claim that the trial amounted to a witch hunt.

Chutkans ruling came after special counsel Jack Smith, a frequent target of Trumps vitriol, filed a motion claiming that the real estate tycoons inflammatory rhetoric threatened to undermine his trial for election subversion.

Trump has described Chutkan in public comments and social media posts as a fraud and Trump-hating judge, Smiths office as a team of thugs, and the US capital as a filthy and crime-ridden city with a population over 95% anti-Trump.

John Lauro, an attorney for Trump, argued against a gag order during a two-hour hearing in federal court yesterday, claiming it would infringe on Trumps constitutional right to free speech.

The Biden administration is seeking to censor a political candidate in the middle of a campaign, Lauro said, a reference to Trumps bid to return to the White House in the 2024 presidential election.

Youre trying to squelch political speech, Lauro said at the hearing, which Trump chose not to attend.

Chutkan pushed back, saying Trumps presidential candidacy does not give him carte blanche to vilify public servants who are simply doing their jobs.

In what world is it permissible for a defendant to attack a prosecutors family? she asked.

While restricting Trump from publicly attacking the special counsel, court staff and trial witnesses, Chutkan did not prohibit him from commenting on President Joe Biden, the Justice Department or the nations capital.

No trial delay

In Truth Social comments on Sunday, Trump lashed out at Smith, calling him a Leaking, Crooked and Deranged Prosecutor, and disparaged Chutkan as a highly partisan Obama appointed Judge.

Trump said a gag order would make it impossible for me to criticize those who are doing the silencing, namely Crooked Joe Biden.

They want to take away my First Amendment rights, and my ability to both campaign and defend myself, he said, claiming such moves were attempts to cheat and interfere in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Chutkan yesterday also rejected a renewed attempt by Trumps lawyers to have the trial delayed until after the November 2024 election, which may likely feature a rematch between the 77-year-old Trump and the 80-year-old Biden.

This trial is not going to yield to the election cycle, Chutkan said.

Trump was indicted for seeking to upend the results of the 2020 US election in a concerted effort that led to the violent Jan 6, 2021 attack by his supporters on the US Capitol.

The twice-impeached former president is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise American voters with his false claims that he won the November 2020 presidential election.

Chutkan has set Mar 4, 2024 for the start of the trial, which could interfere with Trumps campaign to win the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

The judge overseeing Trumps civil fraud trial in New York also slapped a limited gag order on the former president this month after he insulted a court clerk in a social media post.

Judge Arthur Engoron forbid all parties from posting, emailing or speaking publicly about his court staff.

Trump, his sons Eric and Don Jr and other executives of the Trump Organization are accused of inflating the value of their real estate assets to receive more favorable bank loans and insurance terms.

Trump also faces federal charges for alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left the White House and has been charged with racketeering in Georgia for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in the southern state.
"I thought, I've got to video this because no one is going to believe this. I slapped him across the head, and he jumped me and we ended up having a bit of a tussle in the water, lost my phone then found my phone.
Mental health is an extremely important topic for all of us here at The Rock, so the Movember Foundation is close to our hearts and we couldnt be more stoked to work alongside them for these limited edition tees.
This photo taken on May 21, 2023 shows the entrance of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua)

"These infrastructure projects have improved connectivity within Cambodia and enhanced Cambodia's role as a crucial link within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)," a Cambodian expert said.

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has greatly facilitated Cambodia's socioeconomic development and poverty reduction, serving as a success story in the implementation of Belt and Road projects, a Cambodian expert has said.

Chinese-invested and Chinese-aided Belt and Road projects have significantly promoted Cambodia's infrastructure development and economic growth, said Ki Manghout, a researcher at Phnom Penh-based independent think tank Asian Vision Institute (AVI), in an interview with Xinhua on Sunday.

The construction of highways, bridges, ports, airports, hydropower plants and the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone has facilitated trade and boosted Cambodia's export capabilities, he said.

"These infrastructure projects have improved connectivity within Cambodia and enhanced Cambodia's role as a crucial link within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)," Manghout said.

"Cambodia's economic prosperity can serve as a model for other BRI participating countries," he added.

Apart from infrastructure investment, the initiative's focus on poverty alleviation and job creation in Cambodia has also been evident, Manghout said.

"For instance, Chinese investments in the textile and garment industry have generated employment opportunities for Cambodians, helping to lift many out of poverty," he said.

Photo taken on March 18, 2022 shows the Cambodia-China Friendship Medical Building in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua)

On top of these, he said, a China-aided medical building at the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh is another testament to China's commitment to improving the lives of Cambodians.

"This healthcare facility provides quality medical services to the Cambodian population and represents a tangible example of China's contributions to social development," Manghout said.

Cultural exchanges and tourism, he said, are also vital components of the initiative, fostering people-to-people connections between nations.

"With its rich history and cultural heritage, Cambodia has seen a surge in Chinese tourists, thanks in part to enhanced connectivity," the expert said. "Chinese tourists contribute significantly to Cambodia's tourism industry, providing economic benefits and promoting cross-cultural understanding."

By focusing on economic development, poverty alleviation, transparency, and sustainability, Manghout suggested Cambodia could become "an exemplary model of the BRI."

He believed that as Cambodia continues to prosper within the framework of the initiative, it stands out as a shining example of what can be achieved through strategic cooperation and responsible development. 
From 1982 to 2023 is 4 decades The ST demand

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Certain points should be very clear. The office of the Registrar General of India is reported to have turned down the suggestion from the Union Home Ministry to include the Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Constitution of India in 1982. This is what has been reported clearly in a reputed newspaper with a pan India outlook and having the status of a National newspaper and not surprisingly this has kick started experts on either side of the ST divide to chip in with their respective sets of interpretations, one such piece of which The Sangai Express is carrying today from a certain gentleman. The RGI must have had its own reason for turning down the proposal to include the Meiteis in the ST list in 1982 when the then Rishang Keishing led Government sent the report based on available information. Proposal or report turned down or rejected, but it is not yet clear whether the available information gave a true picture of the socio-economic status of the Meiteis or not. Plus it is crucial to remember that it is not a case of once rejected, forever rejected, and it stands that there is no rule which says that a community which has been included in the ST list cannot be delisted in as much as a tribal group which is outside the ST list cannot be included in the scheduled list. This is the reality and it is also along this reality that issue of ST for Meiteis demand should be viewed and understood. And 2023 is not 1982 and much has changed since then. The reference to 2001 should be understood in the context of the fact that it was a reply from the State Government that the Meiteis need not be included in the ST list and not a rejection of a report sent by Imphal. Moreover the vocal ST for Meiteis demand was yet to dawn. The bottomline is it was not a report on the socio-economic status of the Meiteis that was submitted in 2001 but just a reply from the State Government, a reply which was prepared by the Tribal Development Department of the State Government. It is as much the same as the report sought by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2013 from the State Government on the socio-economic status of the Meiteis. The only difference is, the State Government is yet to act on the 2013 missive while it did reply in 2001. The report in the said National newspaper should be seen and understood in the backdrop of the points briefly touched here.

All the instances cited or recalled here should more than debunk the false narrative that the High Court of Manipur had recommended the inclusion of the Meiteis in the ST list. As repeatedly stated here, it is not the job of the judiciary to decide whether the Meiteis fit the bill to be included in the ST list or not, but Parliament or the Government at New Delhi. This should rubbish the very reason for which the May 3 Tribal Solidarity March was organised by the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur in the first place. Newspapers and news agencies based outside Manipur may have their own agenda for repeatedly harping back on the manufactured reason for staging the May 3 rally, but the reality will continue to stand. One is also left wondering why the existing tribal groups of Manipur which have already been included in the scheduled list should so strongly oppose the proposal that the Meiteis be included in the ST list. As a young acquaintance shared, if it is competition in the job market they are wary of then why concentrate only on the Meiteis ? Are they able to compete with the STs from other States ? Are they able to get into the top engineering and medical schools of India ? And remember six more communities from Assam have already been declared as Scheduled Tribes and their formal inclusion in the list may come anytime. The extremely narrow outlook of only looking within Manipur is what is jarring.
Spell out steps taken for bringing peace in Manipur: NHRC notice to Centre, State Govt

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New Delhi, Oct 17 : The NHRC has issued notices to the Centre, the Manipur Government and the States police chief and sought further reports, asking them to clearly spell out the steps being taken for bringing peace in the restive State, officials said on Tuesday.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has received action taken reports (ATRs) from the Government of Manipur in response to its previous notices in various cases relating to incidents of violence, they said.

It has stated that many steps have been taken relating to the incidents of violence in the State, including reinforcements in law and order machinery and security, setting up of relief camps and a peace committee, relaxing curfew, reinstating internet and banking services in a measured manner, ex-gratia for the families of the dead, compensation packages for the injured, and rebuilding of damaged houses, the NHRC said in a statement on Tuesday.

It has also been informed that the Centre has constituted a commission of inquiry to arrive at the causes of the conflict and that six FIRs have been transferred to the CBI for investigation independently. It has also been noted that a large number of relief camps are operational in the affected areas, the rights panel said.

Considering various aspects, the Commission has issued notices to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Manipur, calling for ATRs, the statement said.

The ATRs have been sought on a range of matters within four weeks, the officials said.

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May 3 between the majority Meitei community, concentrated in the Imphal valley, and the Kukis, occupying the hills.

Peace-building measures for rival communities should be organised, the NHRC statement said.

The State Government may expeditiously furnish details of the compensation provided in the case of death to the next of kin of the victim as well as to the injured persons; number of compassionate appointments provided, and steps taken for bringing the peace be clearly spelt out, the statement said.

Considering the various aspects and the large number of relief camps in operation, the State Government is directed to see that there is proper facility for sanitation and waste disposal, proper water for drinking, cooking and washing is provided; adequate food having proper nutritional values be provided as prescribed by the National Disaster Management Authority, it said.

Health and mental health services be properly maintained; primary healthcare be provided in the camps by arranging visits by health workers and it should be ensured that there is no shortage of medicines, the rights panel said.

The State Government should make adequate arrangements for schooling and educational services in the affected areas for the benefit of the children in the camps; employment may be provided for the livelihood of the inmates/incumbents living in the camps; and helping hands be provided as early as possible for rebuilding the houses which have been damaged, the statement said.

The Commission said it had registered 18 cases in connection with the incidents of violence in Manipur related to human rights violations in the last few months.

After issuing initial notices calling for reports in all these matters, the Commission on further consideration held that since the nature of the matters was identical, therefore, a common questionnaire was prepared on which the reports were sought from the concerned authority on vide its proceeding dated 30th August 2023 and 12th September, 2023. Out of these, the responses have been received in all except in eight cases. The reminder notices have also been issued for reports in the remaining cases, it said. PTI
BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's cabinet, announced the appointment and removal of several officials on Tuesday.

Sun Guangyu was appointed deputy secretary-general of the State Council, and no longer serves as vice minister of emergency management.

Chen Min was appointed vice minister of water resources.

Xiao Yanshun was named as deputy director of the Research Office of the State Council.

Wang Jingtao was appointed deputy director of Cyberspace Administration of China. He no longer serves as deputy head of National Administration of State Secrets Protection.

Fan Yun was named as deputy editor-in-chief of China Media Group.

Wang Zhiqing was removed from the post of deputy secretary-general of the State Council.

Zhao Zeliang no longer serves as deputy director of Cyberspace Administration of China.

Yin Hejun was removed from the post of vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 
Qabil Ashirov

The project "Conducting a sociological survey among IDPs and preparing preliminary forecasts for the purpose of ensuring the return and reintegration of the population to the territories freed from occupation" carried out by the ADA University in cooperation with the Institute of Economics of the Ministry of Science and Education continues, Azernews reports.

On the basis of the order of the State Committee for the Affairs of the Project Refugees and IDPs, the priority direction "Return of the population and creation of sustainable communities in the territories" of the Action Plan of the "I State Program on the Great Return to the territories freed from occupation of the Republic of Azerbaijan" is "Reintegration for adaptation of the population to new living conditions" organization of events" is carried out in the direction of activity.

As part of the project implemented since July, sociological surveys (focus group discussions) are being conducted among IDPs. The goal is to prepare preliminary forecasts regarding the return of the population and to give appropriate recommendations to the government. Within the framework of the project, a "focus group" discussion was held on October 13 with the participation of seventeen women who settled in Sumgait. In the discussion, the opinions and suggestions, expectations, as well as the needs and potentials of reintegration were studied regarding the voluntary, dignified and safe return of IDPs to their native lands.

Note, during the execution of the mentioned project, four "focus-group" discussions have been organized in Baku with the participation of IDPs representing different segments of the population. In the following days, it is planned to hold such "focus group" discussions in Ganja, Aghdam and Lachin regions.
ISTANBUL, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police on Tuesday rounded up 17 suspects accused of transferring money to Islamic State (IS) members in a large-scale operation in Istanbul, local media reported.

Authorities found that the suspects were illegally transferring money between Turkiye and conflict zones through companies and individuals, the private news agency Demiroren said.

The Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's identified 20 suspects who allegedly had links with the extremist group as part of the investigation, Demiroren said. Police have captured 17 of them.

Turkiye declared the IS a terrorist organization in 2013 and began to crack down on its cells after it claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks on Turkish soil. 
ASANSOL, 17 OCTOBER: An illegal coal miner was killed when a chunk of coal fell upon his head at Shibdanga Open Cast Coal Mine of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in the Jamuria Police Station area early this morning.

Local villagers rescued the teenager, and Jamuria Police shifted him to Asansol District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The victim has been identified as Sudip Tudu (12) of Jamuria. Coal production was stopped after the incident.

Kuldip Sonawane, DCP (Central) of the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate, told the media that the postmortem has been conducted at the Asansol District Hospital. We have started investigations, and the colliery officials will be questioned. The teenager had entered the coal mine this morning, local villagers claimed, he added.

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This is the third such incident of the death of illegal coal miners in the collieries of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in the past week. While three illegal coal miners were officially killed in Narayankuri, Raniganj, two illegal coal miners were killed in Nirsa colliery, ECL.

Jawans of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have also rushed to the scene after the accident. Local villagers allege that the police, coal mafia, and CISF are hand in glove with each other. Recently, after a brief lull, illegal coal mining has once again started in the Jamuria, Raniganj, Barabani, and Salanpur areas.

Burdwan South MLA Agnimitra Paul has staged a dharna outside the office of the Kunustoria Area office of ECL. She has demanded compensation for seven illegal coal miners in Narayankuri and the deployment of CISF at all the coal mines.

Former Asansol Mayor Jitendra Tiwari has demanded a high-level probe against the private mine developers and operators (MDO) of ECL. Every day before the Durga Pujas, there have been reports of the deaths of illegal coal miners. BJP will lodge an FIR if required, he added.
Former BJP national president and Union home minister Amit Shah today gave a call for a corruption-free Bengal. Shah was inaugurating the Ram Temple-themed Durga Puja pandal at Santosh Mitra Square in north Kolkata today.

He said that the change will come in Bengal and all efforts will be made to bring change here. I want to congratulate the people of north Kolkata that they have inaugurated the Ram Temple before the unveiling of actual construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. Let the goddess finish all evil forces, he said.

The Ram Temple pandal has drawn inspiration from the under-construction Ram Tem- ple in Ayodhya. The inauguration ceremony took place at 5.20 pm in the Santosh Mitra Square Puja. This evening, Mr Shah arrived at Kolkata airport from Chhat- tisgarh by a special flight. From there, he went straight to Lebutala Park and inaugurated the Durga Puja pan- dal at Santosh Mitra Square.

Amit Shah said, I have come to Bengal today only to seek the blessings of Mother Durga. These nine days are a significant celebration for

West Bengal, even bigger than Diwali. Throughout Bengal, there are elaborate Durga Puja pandals, and the worship of the goddesss power takes place. Today, I do not wish to make any political comments. I will come to Bengal, and I will talk about politics too, but not today.

The central minister stated he will pray on behalf of the people of Bengal and all the countrymen. Simultaneous- ly, he will also pray for the strength to stand against cor- ruption, injustice, and oppression in Bengal so that Goddess Durga grants everyone that power.

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BJP leader Sajal Ghosh was present by his side, who is one of the main organizers of the puja. Amit Shah also inaugurated a puja pandal in 2021, during Assembly elections in Kolkata. BJP had organised Durga Puja celebrations in Bengal during that time and Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually paticipated in the inauguration, said Mr Ghosh
The state government of Gujarat, in a strategic move aimed at fostering collaboration and investment prospects between Japan and India, invited Vedanta to the roadshow targeting Japans major electronics players, ahead of the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

Vedanta, a global natural resources and technology conglomerate, highlighted the tremendous investment opportunities in India, especially in Gujarat, and urged Japanese companies to partner in Indias electronics manufacturing revolution.

Akarsh K. Hebbar, Global Managing Director of Vedantas Semiconductor and Display business, addressed a gathering of Japanese industry leaders at the Embassy of India in Tokyo and Osaka over the two-day roadshow. He underscored the investor-friendly climate in India, particularly in Gujarat, emphasizing the nations commitment to providing Japanese companies with exceptional opportunities to engage in Indias flourishing electronics manufacturing industry. He complimented the Government of Gujarat for their policy stability, good governance, excellent infrastructure facilities, and hand-holding for ease of doing business at every step by the States proactive and efficient team.

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Talking about the huge opportunities in the country, Akarsh Hebbar said, The demand for electronics in India is fuelled by the Indian governments initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, and 100 Smart Cities Mission, which aim to promote local manufacturing, digitalization, and technological advancement across various sectors. Additionally, the growing penetration of the Internet and increasing adoption of e-commerce have further boosted demand for electronics. With a population of more than 1.4 billion, India presents a huge market opportunity for global electronics companies.

He outlined Vedantas ambitious plans to establish semiconductor and display fabs in Dholera SIR, Gujarat, and invited Japanese companies to partner with Vedanta in helping build the countrys first electronics manufacturing hub in the state. He also pointed out that the hub has the potential to attract hundreds of SMEs and create more than one lakh jobs.

Addressing the Japanese industry, he said, There is an $80-billion opportunity for companies willing to come and invest in this electronics manufacturing hub, and Vedanta will be the anchor for Japanese companies interested in investing in India.

Vedanta has a longstanding relationship with Japan, with group company AvanStrate Inc. headquartered in Japan. Late last year, the company signed agreements with 30 Japanese technology companies to foster the development of Indias semiconductor and glass display manufacturing ecosystem.

The event was hosted by Sibi George, Ambassador, Ambassador of India to Japan and Nikhilesh Giri, Consul General, Osaka Kobe. The Indian delegation was led by Vijay Nehra, IAS, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology and facilitated by Takehiko Furukawa, Director General, JETRO. Leading Indian and multinational companies based in India were part of the delegation.
Delhi Police arrested a person for kidnapping a two-year-old girl, within seven hours after receiving the information.

The police said that a PCR call informing of the incident was received at Madhu Vihar Police Station around 3.20 pm on Sunday. On receiving the call a police team reached the spot and a woman said her daughter was playing in the street when some unindentifed person kidnapped her from outside her residence.

The CCTV at the spot was analyzed and it was found that the child was lifted and taken away by a man. A case under section 363 of IPC was registered in this connection and an investigation was taken up.

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Many teams were formed and a search of public places such as parks, bus stands, bus terminals, and railway station was conducted.

About 50 CCTV cameras at and around the spot were analyzed and the photographs of the kidnapped child and the perpetrator were taken and the same were shown to almost every person in the neighbourhood and in the locality of Allah Colony.

The photograhs were sent to Whatsapp groups of labourers, shopkeepers, and RWAs(Resident Welfare Associations). In the meantime, the CCTV Camera trail revealed that the perpetrator along with the kidnapped child went through the streets of Allah Colony, Shri Ram Chowk reached at West Vinod Nagar Metro Station and boarded a DTC bus towards ISBT, Anand Vihar.

A team was sent to ISBT Anand Vihar where the accused Ragib, 38, was found near the reservation counter at ISBT, Anand Vihar Railway Station along with the kidnapped child.

Ragib, a resident of Chhater Bhog in Bihars Purnia district was nabbed and both he and hte baby were taken into custody.

After Interrogation, Section 365 IPC was added to the case and the child was reuinted with her parents. Case was solved within seven hours by the East District Police, according to officials.

Further investigation is on to dertermine the motive behind the kidnapping.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday urged the Centre to convene a meeting of the environment ministers of all the NCR states to discuss the growing pollution level in the national capital.

In a letter to Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, Rai contended that unless sources of the pollution that lie in neighbouring states are not plugged, all the efforts to contain pollution in Delhi would go in vain.

Quoting a report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), he said 69 per cent of total pollution of the national capital originates from adjoining states, hence the need for coordination with them to control the same.

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According to the environment minister, pollutants generated from inside Delhi account for only 31 per cent of the citys total pollution.

He also gave some suggestions to be taken up for discussion at the meeting. They include:

Only CNG- or electricity-based public transport vehicles should be allowed to enter Delhi from the NCR;

A total ban on burning crop residue;

NCR industries should be encouraged to use piped natural gas instead of conventional fuel;

A complete ban on firecrackers in the entire NCR,

Diversion of vehicles, not bound for Delhi, to eastern or western peripheral expressways.

Rai apprised the Union minister about the steps taken by the Delhi government to combat air pollution which, he claimed, resulted in a 30 per cent reduction in air pollution.

Meanwhile, Delhiites had a sigh of relief on Tuesday as the overnight rain accompanied by chilly winds gave them the much-wanted respite from the polluted environment with the Air Quality Index (AQI) improving significantly.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the average AQI in the city was recorded at 89, falling under the Satisfactory category, after long last.

The data is based on readings from 27 out of the 40 monitoring stations, as per the CPCB.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday approved the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Scheme 2023, and its file has been submitted to Lt Governor VK Saxenas office.

The scheme is aimed at regulating cab aggregators and delivery service providers in the state and focussed on setting clear guidelines for transitions from commercial vehicles to Electric Vehicles (EVs) and high standards of public safety.

As per the governments plan, by the year 2030, commercial vehicle fleets of all aggregators, delivery service providers and e-commerce entities in Delhi will go electric.

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The CM said with the implementation of this scheme, Delhi will become the first state or Union Territory in India and among very few cities globally, to mandate a time-bound transition of commercial vehicle fleets of aggregators, delivery service providers, and e-commerce entities to zero-emission electric.

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said this is for the first time in India that an aggregator scheme has defined targets to convert their fleet into electric vehicles, promoting green and sustainable mobility.

The scheme imposes strict monetary penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh on the violation.

The government said all existing or new operators must obtain a licence within 90 days of the schemes notification or before commencing operations. Licences will be valid for five years, with annual fees applicable, and zero fees in case of electric vehicles.

Additionally, a 50 per cent rebate is provided for vehicles that are less than two years old.

According to a government statement, the target for the introduction of EVs in the new fleet for Aggregators has been set at 100 per cent for 2-wheelers, while three-wheelers have to achieve the target of 10 per cent EVs in new fleet in 6 months, and 50 per cent in two years and 100 per cent in four years.

As for the four-wheelers, they have to achieve the target of 5 per cent EVs in new fleet in 6 months, 50 per cent in 3 years and 100 per cent in 5 years.

The entire fleet of all Aggregators, old and new, has to turn into EVs by April 1, 2030, the statement added.

For Delivery service providers, the scheme has set different targets for the introduction of EVs. For new fleet of two-wheelers and three-wheelers at 10 per cent in six months, 50 per cent in two years and 100 per cent in four years, while four- wheelers have to achieve the target of 5 per cent EVs in new fleet in six months, 50 per cent in three years and 100 per cent in five years.

The entire fleet of all Delivery service providers, old and new, will also have to transform into to EVs by April 1, 2030.
Actor Emraan Hashmi, who will be seen as a cold-blooded nemesis of Salman Khan in Tiger 3, describes his character as cerebral, his mind is his greatest weapon and he also wields immense power over authorities across countries.

Emraan also reveals the name of his character in Tiger 3.

The actor said: I had an amazing time creating Aatish  a man who is fuelled by rage and will go to any length to finish Tiger. I play a very distinctively different villain that is rare in Hindi cinema. He is cerebral, his mind is his greatest weapon and he also wields immense power over authorities across countries to bring his devious plans into motion.

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Emraan added: He single-mindedly wants to destroy Tiger, his family and by doing that, he wants to take out the biggest super agent of India. He knows Tiger will always be the last man standing for India and he wants him removed at any cost.

The actors villainous turn has been lauded since the trailer of Tiger 3 dropped online.

Emraan said he relished being the anti-hero of this spy universe offering.

The actor shared: The anti-heroes of the YRF Spy Universe have been the trump cards. They hit you hard by surprise and Aditya Chopra was clear that he wanted my character to also catch people by surprise. So, an elaborate plan was made to keep me under wraps.

Emraan added: I was dying to tell people about Tiger 3 but couldnt, knowing very well that the pay off would be immense when my character is unveiled to the people. The decision was clear to bring the anti-hero to spotlight with the trailer of Tiger 3 and Im happy that people are loving my menacing turn!

Emraan has always felt that villains make for really memorable roles that people fondly remember for a long, long time!

The actor said: Anti-heroes are always fun to play because you get to essay someone who doesnt care a damn about rules. Instead, they create their own rules. So, I jumped at the opportunity because I knew that I will have the freedom to create a villain that people will hopefully remember for a long, long time.

He added: Im thankful to Maneesh Sharma for being a guide to bring Aatish to life. It was his vision for the character that I was sold on. He helped me craft a character that Im immensely proud of.

Tiger 3 starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif is set to release on Diwali, November 12.
At least four persons were killed and six others were injured after an explosion in a soap factory at Lohia Nagar locality in the city on Tuesday morning.

The deceased were yet to be identified while the injured including two children have been admitted to the hospital.

Police said that some explosives were recovered from the spot and ATS teams were investigating the case.

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District Magistrate Deepak Meena confirmed that four persons died after they were trapped in the debris of the collapsed factory but are yet to identified.

The DM has ordered an investigation into the incident. Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from Ghaziabad also rushed to speed up the rescue operation.

Taking cognizance of the matter, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a thorough investigation in the

incident and sought a report from the officials.

The CM expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased and instructed the district administration officials to immediately take the injured to the hospital and provide them with proper treatment.

According to the eye witness, the building collapsed with a loud explosion at around 7 am in the morning. The explosion was so powerful that many nearby buildings suffered cracks.
Slamming the BJP government at the Centre for asking the Army to publicise its schemes, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making a political capital out of the reputation of the armed forces ahead of the upcoming elections.

He said the BJP has hurt the dignity of the Indian Army.

The remarks of the Congress chief came a day after a report claimed that the ruling dispensation is making attempts to use the Army to publicise its schemes.

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By capitalising on the popularity of the brave soldiers of our Indian Army who protect the nation, Modi ji is promoting him. The Modi Government has asked the Army to set up 822 selfie points across the country to promote government schemes, Kharge wrote in a social media post.

In an apparent reference to the forthcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana, the Congress chief took a swipe at the ruling dispensation, saying, By politically using the Army in elections, the Modi government has done something which has never happened in last 75 years. BJP, which teaches the lesson of nationalism, has hurt the dignity of the Indian Army.

The Indian National Congress is extremely proud of the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Army, Kharge added.

Earlier on Monday, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh urged President Droupadi Murmu to look into the matter.

After failure on all fronts during the past 9.5 years, the (Narendra) Modi government is now making an attempt to get its political publicity through the Army. We request President Draupadi Murmu ji, the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, to intervene in this matter, and direct the government to immediately withdraw this wrong step, he said.

The grand old party often accused the saffron party of using the name of the Army for political gains.
Levente Horvath, director of the Eurasia Center of the John von Neumann University in Hungary, speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Budapest, Hungary, on Oct. 13, 2023. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has seen a decade of remarkable accomplishments, deserving significant celebrations, a Hungarian expert has said.

Levente Horvath, director of the Eurasia Center of the John von Neumann University in Hungary, made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua just before the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).

"In the past ten years, the Belt and Road cooperation has been really successful," he said, adding that numerous projects have been effectively completed under the initiative.

Highlighting Hungary's pioneering role as the first European country to sign BRI cooperation agreement with China, Horvath said it aligns with Hungary's "Opening to the East" policy and has resulted in fruitful collaborations between the two countries.

Commenting on the Hungary-Serbia railway project, a flagship BRI project, Horvath said such a project has the potential to "significantly bolster European connectivity," foster cooperation among Central and Eastern European countries, and "bring a lot of benefits to the development of our region."

He also mentioned potential for more bilateral cooperation in the financial sector under the BRI framework.

The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday.

By June 2023, China had signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with over 150 countries and 30-plus international organizations across five continents, yielding a number of signature projects and small-scale yet impactful projects. 

Levente Horvath, director of the Eurasia Center of the John von Neumann University in Hungary, speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Budapest, Hungary, on Oct. 13, 2023. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India denied adoption rights to same-sex unmarried couples while also rendering a decision on many petitions requesting the legalization of same-sex unions. The five-judge bench passed a 3:2 verdict against adoption rights for the LGBTQIA community. Judges PS Narasimha, Hima Kohli, and Ravindra Bhat dissented from the claims made by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul that adoption rights should be granted to LGBTQIA couples.

As Justice DY Chandrachud delivered the decision on same-sex marriage, he noted that the law cannot assume that only heterosexual couples can be good parents. He further stated that the current adoption restrictions violate the constitution for discriminating against queer couples. He declared that it is violative of Article 15 of the Constitution for the Central Adoption Resource Authoritys (CARA) circular to deny adoption rights to homosexual couples. There is no material on record to prove that only a married heterosexual couple can provide stability to a child, added Justice Chandrachud. Regarding adoption, Justice Kaul concurred with the Chief Justices remarks.

Contrary to the CJI, Justice Bhat stated that while he accepts that single LGBT couples can be just as successful parents as married heterosexual couples, there are some issues that need to be addressed.

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We express some worries. Not that single people or non-heterosexual couples cant make good parents; rather, in light of Section 57, the state, acting in its capacity as parens patriae, must look into all options and make sure that children in need of stable families receive the fullest benefit possible. Following their disagreement with CJI Chandrachud, Justices Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha also rendered a 3:2 decision.

The Supreme Court of India ruled in a landmark decision on Tuesday, declining to recognize same-sex marriages legally but recommending the Union of India form a committee to examine the rights and privileges of people in same-sex relationships without calling them marriages.
A massive fire broke out at a paint manufacturing plant on the Sohna Route near the Dhatir village in Haryanas Palwal on Monday evening, officials said. However, no injury or casualty was reported in the incident.

As per the fire department officials, the incident took place at 7:30 p.m.

On receiving the information, fire tenders reached the spot and doused the fire. The manufacturing plant got completely damaged, officials said.

Traffic on the Sohna-Palwal route was also halted due to the dousing operation. The reason behind the fire is not ascertained yet, they added.

More details are awaited.

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Earlier on Sunday, a fire broke out at the Advanced Eye Centre of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, with the fire brigade pressed to action to douse it. No casualties were reported.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday signed first of its kind Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eterno Infotech, the owner of Dailyhunt, Josh and One India Social media platforms in a function held at the Police Headquarters Srinagar. Director General of Police, J&K, Dilbag Singh presided over the function.

The DGP thanked the team Eterno Infotech for collaborating with J&K Police with a commitment to tell the success stories of Jammu and Kashmir Police to the large number of citizens of the country.

He said that Jammu and Kashmir Police is one of the finest police forces of the country which is known for its valour and sacrifices and telling its success stories to the world around would be a morale booster for the force.

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The DGP said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi once desired to have films made on the commitment and valour of Jammu and Kashmir Police.

He hoped that with signing of MoU with these media platforms, the stories of J&K Police could reach the people of our country in a befitting manner. He however, emphasized upon the officers working on ground to feed the content of success stories on different fronts to these platforms on a daily basis.

ADGP (Headquarters/Coordination) PHQ MK Sinha thanked Eterno Infotech for signing the MoU with the J&K Police to make public the inspiring stories of this force.

He said that Jammu and Kashmir Police has been working with utmost commitment, dedication and valour for sovereignty and integrity of the country and have never got time to express its working to the people of the country.

He said that there are a number of untold stories of this force which he hoped could reach to our people through these platforms.

Executive Director, Eterno Infotech, N Ravanan said: I believe its our duty to take all these stories of what great work J&K Police is doing in building the nation and Naya Jammu & Kashmir to take every nook & corner of India.

AIG Communication PHQ Manoj Kumar Pandit made a brief presentation about the various media projects undertaken by Jammu and Kashmir Police with various partners to present the bravery, sacrifices and commitment of J&K Police to the world.

The collaboration is aimed to reach maximum citizens of the country and abroad with the unsaid stories of bravery, sacrifices and commitment of J&K Police and also to share important information related to safety and security of citizens.
In the wake of the Kottayam District Police chiefs report mentioning Erattupetta a place with terrorist presence, the BJP has urged Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately intervene to address the escalating presence of anti-national forces in Kottayam and Idukki districts.

BJP Central Zone President N Hari has written a letter to the Home Minister requesting him to take proactive measures to counter the growing strength of the ant-national forces in Kottayam and Idukki districts.

N Hari, in his letter, said the activists of the Popular Front of India, after the ban of the outfit, have aligned themselves with other parties and are engaged in terrorist activities.

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The indication on terrorism issues at Erattupetta area in Kottayam was mentioned in the report submitted to the state police chief by district police chief K Karthik IPS.

Kottayam District Police Chief K Karthik recommended the setting up of an anti-terrorism squad office in Erattupetta due to the presence of significant terrorist activity in the region.

After receiving a request from the Revenue Department to release three acres of land owned by the police in Poonjar for the construction of a mini-civil station there, the DGP sought a detailed report from Kottayam SP Karthik.

In response to this, the SP submitted a report to the DGP recommending the construction of an anti-terrorism squad office in Erattupetta.

The Kottayam District Police Chiefs report mentioning Eratupetta a place with terrorist presence, has sparked a controversy in Kerala. The SDPI and CPI-M local leaders have demanded action against SP K Karthik.

It has, meanwhile, been reported that the NIA has also mentioned Erattupetta a place with terrorist presence.

The NIA , in a report, has included Erattupetta among the villages and towns with terrorist presence in Kerala.

The central agencies had stepped up their surveillance in places including Erattupetta amidst reports that terror sleeper cells have intensified their activities in Kerala.
Two persons shot dead a 58-year-old lady and her daughter on Tuesday at their home in Jalandhar, Punjab, according to police.

According to them, the incident happened in Bhujewal village when two people on bikes broke into the house and killed Ranjit Kaur and her 32-year-old daughter Gurpreet Kaur.

They said that the attackers even attempted to set Ranjits body on fire.

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Police believe that Jaspreet Singh, Gurpreets estranged husband who lives in the US, was involved in the double murder.

Jagtar Singh, the husband of Ranjit, claims that Jaspreet hired contract murderers to murder the two women.

Karanjit Singh, a native of Nawanshahr, has been identified as one of the attackers, according to Jalandhar Senior Superintendent of Police (rural), Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar.

Police claimed that more investigation was being conducted and that efforts were being made to apprehend the offenders.
The National Conference and the Congress on Tuesday agreed to hold the post of chief executive councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil on a rotational basis.

The NCs candidate will hold the post of the chief executive councillor (CEC) for the first two-and-a-half years.

The NC-Congress combine won 22 out of 26 seats of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC).

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The recently elected councillors of the LAHDC, Kargil were sworn in at the Syed Mehdi Auditorium Hall in Kargil.

The National Conference (NC) nominated Jaffar Akhoon as its candidate for the post of chief executive councillor-cum-chairman of the fifth LAHDC.

Outgoing CEC Feroz Ahmad Khan had proposed the name of Akhoon, which was agreed to by the councillors unanimously, a party leader informed after the meeting. Akhoon had won from Thasgam Thovina constituency.

The BJP and independents won two seats each as the NCCongress coalition swept the election.
Taking to 'X' on Friday, Saxena said, ''I appeal to the people to remain indoors as much as possible and to not expose themselves- especially children & elderly to hazardous ambient conditions wherein AQI has reportedly crossed 800 at places.''
Asserting that when half of the population is secure, the entire society is secure, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday issued a stern warning to the miscreants, saying that those who breach the safety of women will be hunted down even if they hide in the depths of inferno.

Speaking at the inauguration/foundation stone laying and assistance fund distribution ceremony of 256 development projects worth Rs 632 crore in Transport Nagar, the CM emphasized that there is no caste of a mother, a sister, or a daughter, urging everyone to unite in safeguarding their safety, respect and self-reliance.

The CM said that when the dignity of women is ensured, investment follows naturally. He pointed out that over the past nine and a half years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tirelessly strived to elevate the respect and dignity of half the population.

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The Nari Shakti Vandan Act is poised to be a significant milestone. Now the mothers and sisters of the state will get the opportunity to be elected to one-third of the seats in the Assembly and Lok Sabha, like the Panchayat and local bodies.

CM Yogi pointed out that before the double engine government entering the scene, Uttar Pradesh was a BIMARU state, known for frequent incidents of unrest, chaos and anarchy. Unfortunately, this situation had even made it unsafe for daughters to attend school.

The Chief Minister said, Currently, we have taken forward the fourth edition of Mission Shakti. This edition is also a campaign to once again effectively protect the dignity of women, enhance their respect and pave the way for their self-reliance.

This mission was launched in 2020, and taking this forward, the double engine government is taking forward programs for the welfare of women. He also pointed out that under the PM Awas Yojana, Prime Minister Modi has given houses to many women of the country, making them rightful owners of their houses. In Uttar Pradesh alone, 55 lakh sisters have received their own homes through this program, he informed.

CM Yogi said: Our daughters Parul Chaudhary and Anu Rani of Western Uttar Pradesh have brought laurels to the country as well as mother power by bringing gold medals in the Asian Games. Our government will directly appoint both daughters as Deputy SPs. Apart from this, by organizing a function in Lucknow, an assistance amount of Rs 3 crore will be given to those who won gold medals in the Asian Games, Rs 1.5 crore to those who won silver medals, and Rs 75 lakh to the players of Uttar Pradesh who won bronze medals.

CM Yogi distributed an amount of Rs 72.90 crore to 2,528 self-help groups of National Rural Livelihood Mission and Rs 29.02 crore to 54 beneficiaries of One District, One Product Programme. Apart from this, CM Yogi provided Rs 19.16 crore to 175 beneficiaries of Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme.

Following his speech, CM Yogi interacted with entrepreneurs from Bulandshahr, discussing their concerns. During the conversation, he highlighted the states new industrial policy and reassured entrepreneurs of comprehensive policy support from the government. The event was attended by several high-ranking officials, along with MSME entrepreneurs from the district.
This April, more than 9,000 Hollywood screen- writers, meeting under the banner of the Writers Guild of America, authorised a strike with ninety-eight percent of the vote. One of the major issues in dispute was the demand of screenwriters that Artificial Intelligence (AI) be used only for the purpose of research or ideation, and not as a means to replace them. The strike which started on 2 May ended only on 27 September i.e., after 148 days, with the acceptance of the strikers aforesaid demand.

This instance is proof of the power of AI-powered language models which entered the pub- lic domain late last year; the most popular AI-powered language model, Chat GPT, amassed one hundred million users within two months of its release, and had one billion visitors in the first four months of its existence. The popularity of Chat GPT can be easily understood; it is free, easily accessible, capable of self-supervised learning on large data sets, that enables it to write essays, search answers to questions, create computer applications, write computer code, build a resume, write Excel formula, summarize content, write cover letters etc.

Such enormous capabilities of AI-powered language models have led to concerns ranging from intrusion in the privacy of netizens, providing misleading answers that appear to be corre- ct, but mainly for its potential of replacing humans in hundreds of millions of jobs. Such fears have led to a number of educational and other institutions banning Chat GPT, and similar Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbots.

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Already experts are predicting that AI Chatbots could be the nemesis of analytical and writing skills just as pocket calculators (later mobile phones) killed arithmetical ability in children. More dangerously, AI chatbots could disincentivise learning. Which student would willingly spend hours reading bulky tomes or trawling the internet to identify relevant content, another few hours in summarising the content, some more hours in writing a worthwhile essay or paper, when all these tasks could be accomplished in less than a minute by giving some simple commands to Chat GPT?

Even highly specialised business reports, that would readily pass muster with higher-ups can be generated by Chat GPT in seconds. No wonder, there is a move to ban AI chatbots in renowned academic institutions. According to the Cambridge University Rule Book: Content produced by AI plat forms, such as Chat GPT, does not represent the students own original work so would be considered a form of academic misconduct to be dealt with under the Universitys disciplinary procedures.

Associated Press which describes itself as independent global news organization dedicat- ed to factual reporting recently trained AI software to automatically write short news stories. This initiative produced twelve times more stories and also freed reporters to write more in-depth pieces. Newsquest, one of the biggest publishers of regional newspapers in England is recruiting an AI-powered reporter who would use artificial intelligence to create national, local, and hyper-local content. A company

called Real Fast Reports, with at least a thousand subscribers, uses AI to create end of

the year reports for students, at 10 a year. Teachers have only to provide some basic details of the pupil, and Real Fast Reports compiles the report, in seconds, in perfect prose.

On the downside, the rise and rise of AI, which has opened up such immense possibilities for the human race, poses an existential threat for the human race because hypothetically, artificial-intelligence systems might in due course, replace human intelligence, and develop their own goals and intentions, making humans irrelevant or even extinct. This is not a doomsday prediction but a real possibility, which should worry governments the world over.

Exactly a year ago, US White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) relea- sed a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights which begins by highlighting the dangers of AI: Among the great challenges posed to democracy today is the use of technology, data, and automat- ed systems in ways that threaten the rights of the American public. Too often, these tools are used to limit our opportunities and prevent our access to critical resources or services Unchecked social media data collection has been used to threaten peoples opportunities, undermine their privacy, or pervasively track their activity ~ often with- out their knowledge or consent.

Approximately sixty countries now have national AI strategies creating policies which disallow irresponsible use of artificial intelligence. UNICEF has released a paper Artificial Intelligence and Childrens Rights to help stakeholders bet- ter understand and lay down policies, and to address the potential impact of artificial intelligence on children.

Contrarily, the ultimate goal of the large corporations behind the development of AI platforms is building machines that can operate like humans in physical spaces, such as factories and offices ~ far beyond the capabilities of the current AI chatbots. Yet, with the worlds biggest cor porations pouring in billions of dollars in research, this goal may be reached sooner rather than later. This conclusion follows from the superfast development of AI-powered machines that were in the concept stage ten years ago to their present-day sophistication.

The history of AI-powered chatbots is quite interesting. Demis Hassabis, a video-game designer and artificial-intelligence researcher co-founded a company named DeepMind in 2010, that sought to design computers that could learn how to think like humans. Google purchased Deep-Mind in 2014, making available billions of dollars for AI research to the founders of DeepMind that culminated in Deep Mind- Google releasing Bard, as a rival

to ChatGPT in 2023. At the same time, Elon Musk of Tesla fame, and Sam Altman, a software entrepreneur, co-founded, OpenAI, a non-profit artificial-intelligence- research lab, to stymie the development of thinking computers and develop open-source AI software to match Googles growing dominance of the AI field. Such were Musks fears of unregulated AI that he even tried to persuade US President Barack Obama to regulate the development of AI.

Somewhere along the line, Microsoft invested heavily in OpenAI, prompting OpenAI to transform itself into a for profit corporation, which led Musk to withdraw from OpenAI. Thereafter, there was no holding back, and OpenAI released ChatGPT on 30 November 2022.

Miffed at the failure of his plans, Musk launched xAI, a company to challenge Deep- Mind-Google and OpenAI-Mic- rosoft. Musk has brought his tremendous financial and technological capabilities to the table;

in addition to AI-powered Tesla self-driving cars, Musk owns Neuralink, which aims to plant microchips in human brains; Optimus, a human-like robot; and Dojo, a super-com- puter that can use millions of videos to train an artificial neur- al network to simulate the human brain.

Musks plan is to train xAI on X (Twitter)s more than a tril- lion tweets, that encompass all kinds of conversations, argu- ments, news, and interests. Sim- ultaneously, Musk has restricted the number of tweets a viewer could see per day, which denied access to Google and Microsoft to the X database.

xAI also has access to Teslas 160 billion frames of video, that it receives and processes daily, from the cameras mounted on Teslas cars. This video data of humans navigating in real-world situations is far more advanced than the text-based documents that chatbots like ChatGPT ac- cess. Such data could create AI for physical robots, like the robot Optimus being developed by Tesla ~ which would be humanoid ~ far more sophisticated than text-generating chatbots.

The obvious danger being overlooked is that self-learning AI systems might turn hostile to the human species and threat- en our existence or make hum- ans redundant.

With some of the worlds largest corporations, Google, Microsoft and Tesla trying to win the AI race it is only a question of time before robots, having almost human intelligence, come into existence. Unfortunately, these humanoids will not have our morals, discretion or aesthetics, and the tale of Frankensteins monster that killed its creator, could well come true in our lifetime.

Overawed by money power, national Governments take no action to regulate the development of AI, rather Governments have themselves joined the fray; US National Security Commission on AI asked for $40 billion to expand and democratise federal AI research and development, while the British Government, has made a commitment of 1 billion and Baidu, a forty- eight billion dollar Chinese corporate, has joined the AI race.

We should, perhaps, heed the warning of Nobel Laureate Stephen Hawking: The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human raceIt would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever-increasing rate. Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, could- nt compete, and would be superseded.

(The writer is a retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax)
The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict is unique. Israel was attacked by Hamas, a banned terrorist organization which controls Gaza through military power and terrorises the local population, while refusing to adhere to global norms. The world recognizes the Palestinian Authority (PA) which controls the West Bank, while terming Hamas as a terrorist organization. States sponsoring Hamas and providing sanctuary to its leaders have never been taken to task. Hamas is a creation of Israel. Writing for The Times of Israel, Tal Schneider mentions, For years, various governments took an approach that divided power between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, bringing PA President Mahmoud Abbas to his knees while making moves that propped up the Hamas terror group. The intent was to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state.

Tal adds that Tel Aviv even held secret discussions with Hamas on work permits for Gaza residents, which soared this year to over 20,000. These workers spied for Hamas and provided vital inputs enabling them to plan their operations. Israel also permitted inflow of billions of dollars from Qatar into Gaza and turned a blind eye to incendiary balloons and rockets fired from there. Through the years Tal states Israeli policy was to treat the Fatah led PA as a burden and Hamas as an asset.

Rearing snakes in the backyard will always backfire. US creating and arming al Qaeda and Pakistan the Taliban are examples. The US was attacked by al Qaeda while the Taliban backs anti-Pak terrorist groups. Israel supported Hamas as a counter to the PA and is now compelled to suppress them. Nations reap only what they sow and Israel is experiencing it the hard way.

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Military retaliatory action or blockades by Israel impact Gaza residents, many of whom disagree with Hamas philosophy. Hamas has constructed underground tunnels and bunkers for storage of ammunition and missiles and where its soldiers move during Israeli air raids. The only ones without protection are Gaza citizens. Hamas is aware that attacking Israel would invite a military retaliation, which would result in civilian casualties as collateral damage.

The larger the Israeli casualties the more severe the retaliation.

Hamas, being a terrorist organization is unaccountable for its actions. Israel has limited choice but to employ air power to destroy what it claims are military targets. Its warn- ing to civilians to leave Gaza has little impact as Gaza borders are closed as also Hamas does not permit it. For Hamas its civilians are a human shield. Their killing reignites cycles of violence rather than curbing it.

The paradox is that nations task and equip their armed forces to defend their populace from enemies. Hamas exploits the Gaza populace to defend its arsenal of weapons and fighters.

Freedom from occupation is the core belief of Hamas. Children from childhood are taught that Jews are the enemy and victory is only possible by war. Israel may temporarily enforce peace through the barrel of the gun, but conflicts will re-arise at regular intervals. Hamas troops may be eliminated, facilities destroyed and military power subdued, however, its philosophy can never be eradicated.

For Hamas, a war and increased Palestinian casualties would break unity within the Arab world. It would compel Arab nations which have established relations with Israel to reassess them. Finally, the two-nation theory would be given fresh impetus.

The UN Human Rights Council had a discussion on the conflict.

The Pakistani representative, Zaman Mehdi, stated, On behalf of OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) member states, we express our deep concerns over the loss of innocent lives in occupied Palestinian territory and elsewhere. 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 interna- tional law. On his demand the council observed a minutes silence for loss of lives in Occupied Palestine. There was no concern on Israeli deaths as a result of the brutality of Hamas or children taken as hostages as after all Israel is not a member of the council.

Israels total blockade of Gaza is considered collective punishment. It refuses to relent unless all hostages are freed. While hostages remain under Hamass control, the popula- tion suffers. The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, criticized Israel by stating, 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. Simultaneously, some Muslim states consider Hamas as freedom fighters seeking an end to Israeli occupation.

The famed Five eyes intelligence network, employing its vast signal and satellite intelligence resources determined India killed Nijjar in Canada but failed to detect the presence of thousands of rockets and smuggling of US manufactured weapons into Gaza. It also failed to discover Hamass plans to invade Israel. It appears that the five eyes network only monitors those whom they consider allies. What a paradox. The quint comprising of G7 members US, UK, Germany, France and Italy, issued a statement in Washington condemning the Hamas attack. Canadas name was missing. James Moore, the former Canadian secretary of state for foreign affairs responded by mentioning that Canada has been sidelined.

Justin Trudeau tweeted after coming under criticism for having permitted pro-Hamas protests in the country, The glorification of violence is never acceptable in Canada, by any group or in any situation. I strongly condemn the demonstrations that have taken place, and are taking place, across the country in support of Hamas attacks on Israel. Lets stand united against acts of terror.

This is the same Trudeau who permits Khalistanis to display a float celebrating the assassination of Indian PM Indira Gandhi, terming it as a right to protest and freedom of speech. He also fails to act against Indian terrorists on Canadian soil. Hypocrisy at its best.

Israel was considered the leader in snooping technology. It relied on technology to monitor its adversaries and counter their intent. The Hamas attack proved that technology too has loopholes. Netanyahu began his current tenure attempting to curb the powers of Israels judiciary. At the end of the day, he would be forced out of office to face pending cases under the same judiciary he sought to suppress. A collection of paradoxes.

(The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.)
BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The income of China's basic medical insurance fund, which includes maternity insurance, increased 9.3 percent year on year to over 2.09 trillion yuan (291 billion U.S. dollars) from January to August, data from the National Healthcare Security Administration shows.

The income of the basic medical insurance fund for urban workers totaled 1.47 trillion yuan during the period, an increase of 13 percent from last year. The income of the basic medical insurance fund for rural and non-working urban residents was 618.53 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.3 percent.

The data shows that basic medical insurance fund spending in the first eight months rose 18.3 percent from the previous year to 1.79 trillion yuan.

For urban workers, fund expenditure was 1.13 trillion yuan, of which 70.95 billion yuan was spent on maternity insurance. 
Colombia has issued a demand for Israels ambassador to leave the country following a growing dispute over remarks made by President Gustavo Petro regarding the conflict with Hamas. Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva stated that the Israeli ambassador, Gali Dagan, should, at the very least, offer an apology and depart the nation.

This demand comes after Dagan criticized Petro for drawing a comparison between Israeli actions in Gaza and the historical persecution of Jews during the Nazi regime.

Leyva expressed his dissatisfaction with Israels response to Petros statements, denouncing it as rudeness and adding, Shame. Tensions arose after Hamas launched a series of attacks on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 people. In response, Israel declared a retaliatory siege of Gaza.

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Petro accused Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of using language that resembled what the Nazis had said about Jews. Petro, who is Colombias first leftist president, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to assert that democratic nations must not permit the resurgence of Nazism in international politics.

On Sunday, Israel, a major supplier of arms to Colombias military, announced the suspension of security exports to the South American country, further escalating the diplomatic dispute. Ambassador Dagan had reported that protesters had defaced the embassys facade with graffiti, including swastikas.

President Gustavo Petro remains steadfast in his criticism of Israel and has suggested that Colombia might consider suspending its diplomatic relations with the country. In the midst of this diplomatic tension, the suspension of security exports to Colombia by Israel serves as a significant development in the ongoing dispute.

The situation between Colombia and Israel continues to evolve, and it remains to be seen how both countries will navigate this diplomatic challenge.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip, operates a complex funding network to secure finance from charities and friendly nations. This network allows them to evade international sanctions. Recent events have made it even more challenging for Hamas to access these funds, as a violent rampage by their gunmen resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Israelis, mainly civilians. In response, Israel carried out one of the most extensive bombardments of Gaza in the 75-year history of the conflict.

According to Matthew Levitt, a former U.S. official specialized in counterterrorism, the majority of Hamas budget, which exceeds $300 million, primarily comes from taxes on businesses, as well as support from countries like Iran and Qatar, along with charities.

In the period between December 2021 and April of this year, Israel seized approximately 190 cryptocurrency accounts associated with Hamas. This marked a significant disruption to their financial operations.

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More on Hamas funding:

Hamas allies have employed various methods to funnel money into Gaza, bypassing international restrictions. The U.S. State Department has revealed that Iran annually provides up to $100 million in support to Palestinian groups, including Hamas. Iran is known to use shell companies, shipping transactions, and precious metals to transfer these funds.

In the year before 2022, Hamas established a secret network of companies that managed around $500 million in investments across several countries, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia. In response to this, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on these firms in May 2022.

Israel has long accused Irans clerical rulers of arming Hamas, alleging their involvement in stoking violence. On the other hand, Tehran claims to provide moral and financial support to the group.

Qatar, a nation rich in gas resources, has also contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to Gaza since 2014. Qatar has a unique foreign policy that involves hosting the regions largest U.S. military base, the Taliban, and other groups. This positioning has often allowed Qatar to play a mediating role in regional affairs.
Armed wing of the Hamas militant group Al-Qassam Brigades, said there were 200 to 250 Israeli captives in Gaza who were captured after the October 7 attack.

On Monday Abu Obaida, spokesperson of the Al-Qassam Brigades in a televised address, said the Hamas is holding 200 prisoners, while the rest are captured by other resistance factions in the Gaza Strip.

The spokesperson added that they cannot specify the exact number of hostages in the besieged enclave due to consistent Israeli bombardment.

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Obaida added that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 22 Israelis, including Guy Olives, a Tel Aviv-based artist.

He noted that outsiders were not prisoners in Gaza, and they will be released when the opportunity arises on the ground.

The spokesman asserted that the Al-Qassam is committed to protecting them. but warned that any foreign national serving with the Israeli military will be considered a direct enemy.

Meanwhile, former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal claims that the militant group has enough hostages, including high ranking officers from the Gaza division of the Israeli Defense Forces, to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

One of this battles goals was to take Israeli soldiers and officers hostage to clear Zionist prisons from our own people, CNN quoted Meshaal as saying to Alaraby TV in a live interview on Monday

He added that Hamas will be dealing with civilians and foreign nationals differently.

Military hostages have their own calculations, civilians and foreign nationals have others. Hamas leadership will deal with hostages in accordance with international and humanitarian law.
In a recent development, Iran has issued a warning of possible pre-emptive action against Israel. This warning comes as Israel prepares for a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, further intensifying the ongoing conflict. The situation has raised concerns about the potential involvement of Hezbollah in the conflict.

Irans Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, conveyed the warning during a live broadcast on state television. He emphasized that the leaders of resistance groups in Iran are determined not to allow Israel to act without constraint in Gaza. Amirabdollahian mentioned his recent meeting with Hezbollahs leader, Hassan Nasrallah, which further fueled speculation about possible actions in the near future.

Amirabdollahian stressed that the possibility of a pre-emptive action by the resistance front is looming and emphasized that they are considering all available options. He made it clear that they cannot remain indifferent to the reported war crimes committed against the people of Gaza. He also highlighted the urgent need to defend Gaza, as failure to do so could result in similar challenges in their own country, referencing concerns about the use of phosphorus bombs in childrens hospitals.

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Before the current escalation, there were ongoing efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalize their diplomatic relations. These talks faced opposition from both Hamas and its supporter, Iran. In response to the escalating situation, Saudi Arabia has suspended these discussions. The decision to halt the talks likely reflects more than just opposition from Hamas and Iran.

Hamass leadership has recognized the divisions within Israeli society. These divisions were exacerbated by the judicial reforms introduced by the right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu. These reforms aimed to bring significant changes, causing turmoil within Israel. As a result, Hamas saw an opportunity to strike a significant blow against Israel. This capitalizes on the internal challenges within the nation.

The situation remains fluid, with tensions escalating and the possibility of pre-emptive action by the resistance front against Israel. It is a critical development in a region as a result of longstanding conflicts and complex dynamics.
The speaker of the Russian parliaments lower chamber declared on Tuesday that Russia is rescinding its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty due to the USs reckless approach to international security.

Vladimir Putin stated he was not ready to declare whether or not Russia would resume nuclear testing. Earlier this month, Putin proposed that Russia reverse ratification of the 1996 deal because the US had not approved it.

Before a discussion and legislative vote on rescinding ratification, Speaker of the Duma Vyacheslav Volodin declared, We are withdrawing the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in the interests of ensuring the security of our country.

Washington had not ratified the treaty, according to Volodin, despite the fact that Russia had done so in 2000 due to its irresponsible attitude to global security issues.

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The Russian Federation will do everything to protect its citizens and to maintain global strategic parity, Volodin declared.

Notwithstanding its revocation of ratification, Russia will stay a signatory to the treaty and carry on working with the global monitoring system, which notifies all nations of any tests.

A fresh nuclear arms race between the major countries that put an end to nuclear testing in the years after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 may be signalled by the restart of nuclear testing by China, Russia, or the US.

Many scientists and activists believed that the Cold Wars nuclear bomb testing was a foolish experiment that may wipe out humanity and poison the earth for hundreds of thousands of years.

However, the conflict in Ukraine has brought Moscow and Washingtons tensions to their greatest point since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, at the same time as China is attempting to bolster its nuclear arsenal in line with its growing power status.
US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday to support the country facing its toughest battle with the terrorist group Hamas.

The information was given by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday said, will reaffirm the US solidarity with Israel.

US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday. He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world. President Biden will reaffirm the United States solidarity with Israel. President Biden will again make clear, as hes done unequivocally since Hamass slaughter of more than 1,400 people, including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks, he said.

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He further added by saying that President Biden will continue to coordinate closely with the Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

President Biden will underscore our crystal clear message to any actor, state or non-state trying to take advantage of this crisis to attack Israel, dont. President will continue to coordinate closely with our Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by HamasThe United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza, he said.

Blinken noted that President Biden will also receive a comprehensive brief on Israels war aims and strategy.

The President will hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas.To that end, today and at our request, the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza and them alone, including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way. It is critical that aid begins flowing into Gaza as soon as possible, he said.

If Hamas in any way blocks humanitarian assistance from reaching civilians, including by seizing the aid itself, well be the first to condemn it, and we will work to prevent it from happening again, he added.

Meanwhile, the White House also issued a statement on President Bidens visit to Israel.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Israel on Wednesday, October 18, to demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamass brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps, the White House said.

President Biden will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with his Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian peoples right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza, the White House added in its statement.

Earlier on Monday, Spokesperson for Israeli Prime Ministers Office (PMO) Tal Heinrich announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden to visit Israel and hopes to host the president soon.

Prime Minister Netanyahu invited US President Joe Biden to Israel, and we hope to host the president soon. We are truly grateful for the support of the united front against the commons, the Spokesperson for the Israeli PMO said.

She said the IDF continues to target those responsible for the massacre in Israel.

Over the last few hours, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) carried out dozens of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. The targets included Hamas headquarters, mortar launching positions, and a number of terrorists at a military compound, she said.

She further said that the IDF had struck the command centre of Ali Qadhi, a commander in the Hamas commando forces who was killed in an Israeli strike two days ago. As the IDF Chief of Staff told our frontline troops, attack them everywhere, every commander, every operative

She said Israel appreciates the unconditional and unwavering support of its allies.

CNN recently reported that Netanyahu has invited Biden to visit Israel soon, and both countries are discussing the possibility, a source familiar with the matter revealed.

A Biden visit would also amount to a message to other players in the region, including the Iran-backed Hezbollah, that they should not escalate the conflict further, as per CNN.

Biden recently said that there is a fundamental difference between Israelis killed in the Hamas attack and Palestinian civilians and Hamas terrorists killed in Tel Avivs counter-attack as the terrorist group Hamas has engaged in barbarism that is as consequential as the holocaust.

Speaking to CBS News in a 60-minute interview, Biden called Hamas a bunch of cowards who are hiding behind the civilians. He expressed confidence that Israel would do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians.

Asked whether there was a time for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Biden said, Look, theres a fundamental difference. Israel is going after a group of people who have engaged in barbarism that is as consequential as the Holocaust. And so I think Israel has to respond.

They have to go after Hamas. Hamas is a bunch of cowards. Theyre hiding behind the civilians. They put their headquarters where civilians are and buildings and the like. But to the extent they can separate out and avoid, Im confident the Israelis are gonna do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians, he said.
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BISHKEK, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan has introduced a visa-free regime for some citizens of China and India, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

It said that the decision was made by the cabinet of ministers of Kyrgyzstan in order to further liberalize the visa regime.

Thus, a visa-free regime is introduced for up to 7 days for citizens of China and India, in observing certain conditions for entry into Kyrgyzstan.

In particular, citizens of China and India -- holders of long-term multiple-entry visas from countries such as the United States, Britain and the Schengen zone, are provided with a visa-free regime for up to 7 days with the right to re-enter after 21 days from the date of departure from the country.

Permanent residents of Macau and Hong Kong with a return air ticket are provided with a visa-free regime for up to 30 days with the right to re-enter after 30 days from the date of departure from Kyrgyzstan.

These measures aim at further stimulating tourist flows and improving the investment and business attractiveness of Kyrgyzstan, the report 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 U.S. Department of Labor.
A worker arranges parts of children bicycles at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A worker arranges tires for children bicycles at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A merchant selects children bicycles at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A worker moves children bicycle frames at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A worker assembles a children bicycle at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A worker assembles tires for children bicycles at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A worker operates on the production line of children bicycle at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A worker assembles a children bicycle at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A worker checks a wheel hub for children bicycle at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A worker stores children bicycle products at a manufacturing company in Pingxiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 16, 2023. Pingxiang, dubbed the "city of children wheels," has made great efforts in boosting its children bicycle business in recent years. Products here have been sold to over 60 countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The value of children bicycles directly exported by manufacturers in the county has amounted to 364 million yuan (about 49.76 million U.S. dollars) in the first seven months this year. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)
This photo taken on Oct. 17, 2023 shows posters with information of Israeli captives in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israeli military said that at least 199 hostages were held in Gaza, while Hamas claimed that there were 200 to 250 Israeli captives in Gaza since it launched a surprise attack at Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

GAZA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- In an early weekday morning, hundreds of displaced Palestinians crowded outside a mosque on the main street of Rafah, as it was one of the very few places in the southern Gazan city that could provide electricity and clean water in a time of war.

Having just fled from northern Gaza, amid continued power outages and network faults, they were waiting to get cell phones charged to stay in contact with loved ones.

"We left everything behind, our house, our memories ... to escape the imminent threat of death," Imad Sayyidam, whose family fled from the northern city of Beit Lahia, told Xinhua on Monday.

As the war between Israel and Hamas entered the second week, people in northern Gaza, on caravans or by foot, continued to pour into the south, with the United Nations estimating the number of internally displaced at hundreds of thousands.

According to Sayyidam, his family had to sleep outdoors in Rafah before securing a place in one of the UN-run shelter camps packed with families newly displaced in the war.

"The shelter's bathrooms have no water, so we are here at the mosque to use its bathrooms and charge our phones, but those services seem to be running out," he added.

Under heavy Israeli bombardment and a possible ground offensive, which could happen any time soon, to leave or to stay has become a question of survival for northern Gazans.

The Israeli army repeatedly urged residents and hospitals in northern Gaza to evacuate southward.

But for many residents, especially hospitalized patients, relocation is impossible due to the massive destruction of infrastructure in the ongoing airstrikes.

Ahmed, her husband, and children fled from a coastal refugee camp near the Gaza City. She described the situation in the camp as "very dangerous." However, several members of her extended family decided to stay there.

In a courtyard of the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis, conversations among the displaced dwell between what has already been lost and what may be further deprived in the future.

Some talked about their homes and hard-earned possessions that were left abandoned, or a horrendous day when a family member was killed in a strike.

Others discussed the timing and ramifications of a possible Israeli invasion of Gaza City, fearing that the besieged enclave would be plunged into the calamity of a protracted conflict.

"This war is more horrific than the previous ones," said Abu Iyad, a man who fled the northern Gazan city of Jabalia.

"Many of our grandparents and friends have been martyred or injured," he said. "The Israelis destroyed our home and the (refugee) camp. There's nothing left for them to destroy in Gaza."

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, prior to Israel's demand for the evacuation of citizens from the northern Gaza Strip on Oct. 13, more than 400,000 Palestinians had been internally displaced in Gaza due to the conflict.

The Israeli military said that at least 199 hostages were held in Gaza, while Hamas claimed that there were 200 to 250 Israeli captives in Gaza since it launched a surprise attack at Israel on Oct. 7.

The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, now entered its eleventh day, has killed more than 4,000 people on both sides and wounded even more.

Sahar Ahmed, a 35-year-old woman from the city of Gaza, recounted her decision to move south.

"I left my house after many neighboring houses were bombed ... fifty meters stood between my house and one of my neighbor's that was bombed," she said.

"The Israelis forced us to leave, destroying our lives and the future of our children," she added. 

This photo taken on Oct. 17, 2023 shows a wall covered with posters displaying information of Israeli captives in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israeli military said that at least 199 hostages were held in Gaza, while Hamas claimed that there were 200 to 250 Israeli captives in Gaza since it launched a surprise attack at Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A man walks by posters showing information of Israeli captives in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 17, 2023. The Israeli military said that at least 199 hostages were held in Gaza, while Hamas claimed that there were 200 to 250 Israeli captives in Gaza since it launched a surprise attack at Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A woman holds a poster showing information of Israeli captives in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 17, 2023. The Israeli military said that at least 199 hostages were held in Gaza, while Hamas claimed that there were 200 to 250 Israeli captives in Gaza since it launched a surprise attack at Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Manjeri, Kerala

In a bold and visionary move, Sabeer Nelli, founder and CEO of ZilBank.com and Zil Money Corporation, has announced plans to transform the small city of Manjeri into "Silicon Jeri," positioning it as a hub for technological innovation in Kerala, India. As a native of Manjeri, Sabeer Nelli seeks to leverage the immense talent and educational strengths of the region to create a world-class infrastructure for technology and innovation.



Existing Global Structure in Manjeri

One of the most compelling aspects of this vision is the already existing global structure that ZilBank.com has in place in Manjeri. The facility can accommodate up to 500 employees at any given time and has the capacity to scale up to 1,400+ personnel through multiple shifts. The infrastructure is of global status, equipped with world-class amenities, and is often referred to as the "Google of Kerala" among developers. "This existing facility stands as a testament to what Manjeri can offer. It's a precursor to what Silicon Jeri will become," said Sabeer Nelli.

Kerala: The Switzerland of India

Kerala, often described as the Switzerland of India by Sabeer Nelli, is known for its natural beauty, diverse populace, and social harmony. But above all, it is the wealth of highly educated and talented people that makes the state ripe for a technological transformation. "There is no shortage of skilled and educated people in Kerala, or India as a whole. What they need is the right guidance and world-class infrastructure, which we plan to provide in Manjeri," stated Sabeer Nelli.



The Legacy of Silicon Valley

In 1971, journalist Don Hoefler named a broad area in California, including cities like Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park, as "Silicon Valley." This name was inspired by silicon, the primary material used in computer microprocessors. Today, Silicon Valley is a global heart for technological innovation, housing the headquarters of industry giants such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Intel, Facebook and many more.

The Vision for Silicon Jeri

In the vein of Silicon Valley's groundbreaking legacy, Sabeer Nelli envisions a similar path for Manjeri. "Just as Silicon Valley revolutionized technology and business sectors, Silicon Jeri aims to become the center for technological innovation in Kerala and potentially all of India," said Sabeer Nelli.

According to Nelli, Zil Money Corporation is investing in creating a world-class infrastructure, similar to the established tech parks in the United States. Plans are underway for the construction of "Zil Park," a state-of-the-art technology park modeled after Apple Park in Silicon Valley. This enormous project aims to attract top talent and companies to Manjeri, providing a platform for innovation, research, and development.

A Strategic and Inclusive Move

"The concept of Silicon Jeri isn't just about high-tech companies or startups; it's about creating an ecosystem that fosters innovation, much like what we've seen in Silicon Valley," elaborated Sabeer Nelli. In addition to technology companies, Zil Park will incorporate educational centers, incubators, and recreational facilities, offering a harmonious environment for professionals and families alike.

Towards a Brighter Future

Sabeer Nelli's vision for Manjeri is not just an isolated project but a potential blueprint for other cities in Kerala and India. "Silicon Jeri can serve as a template for how small cities, rich in talent but underutilized, can transform themselves into global centers for technology and innovation," Nelli concluded.



About Zil Money Corporation

Zil Money Corporation, the parent company of ZilBank.com, is a leading provider of FDIC-insured business banking services and modern accounts payable & receivable platforms. With partnerships with Evolve, SVB, Sunrise Bank, and Texas National Bank, Zil Money Corporation is transforming the way businesses handle their financial operations.
Cochin Shipyard Limited, a leading shipbuilding and repair company, has announced an exciting opportunity for aspiring individuals looking to kick-start their careers.

The company is currently seeking 75 Graduate Apprentices and 70 Technician (diploma) Apprentices to join their dynamic team. The apprenticeship program spans over one year, allowing participants to immerse themselves in hands-on training and acquire practical skills that will set them on the path to success.

The Graduate Apprenticeship positions are available in various disciplines, including electrical and electronics, mechanical, electronics and communication, civil, computer science/information technology, fire and safety, marine, and naval architecture and shipbuilding. To be eligible for these positions, applicants must hold a degree in Engineering/Technology or an equivalent qualification in the relevant field. Successful candidates will receive a generous stipend of 12,000.

For those interested in the Technician (Diploma) Apprenticeship roles, opportunities are available in disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, electronics, instrumentation technology, civil, computer, and commercial ractice. Applicants for these positions should possess a Diploma in Engineering/Technology or an equivalent qualification in the applicable field. Those selected will receive a stipend of 10,200.

Applicants must be above 18 years of age to be considered for these positions. The application process is quick and simple, with the option to apply online until October 31.

With a total of 145 apprentice positions available, this is a golden chance to gain valuable experience and training in the maritime industry.

www.cochinshipyard.in
Amid immense anticipation from fans of Tamil actor Vijay, the Madras High Court on Tuesday refrained from passing an order on Leo producer's plea to allow special morning shows for the film in Tamil Nadu.

The Vijay-starrer, set to hit the big screens on October 19, will not have 4am shows as the state government denied permission for shows earlier than 9am.

Seven Screen Studios had moved the HC, requesting permission for five screenings of Leo, from 7am, between October 19 and 24. The HC, however, directed the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider its decision. The film's makers and representatives of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Association will once again meet government officials on Tuesday, seeking permission for the special shows, Times of India reported.

According to a report by The Hindu, Justice Anita Sumanath also directed the cinema department to hold a discussion with producers and take an appropriate decision. The decisions need to be taken by end of Tuesday itself as hundreds of tickets have already been sold in advance bookings. In case of fresh shows, ticket bookings will need to commence at the earliest.

State Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohamed Jinnah had vehemently objected to the early morning screenings citing security issues. In recent times, multiple incidents of violence have been reported during early shows and fan screenings of movies headlined by Tamil superstars. There are also allegations of tickets being sold at exorbitant rates.

In January, the state government initiated action against theatre owners who violated prohibitory orders and conducted early morning screenings for Ajith-starrer Thunivu and Vijay's Varisu.

Leo, a gangster drama helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, features an ensemble cast including Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Priya Anand, Mysskin and Gautham Menon among others.

Also Read: Is Vijay's 'Leo' part of LCU? Lokesh Kanagaraj breaks silence
Actor, and film-maker Prithviraj Sukumaran, on Tuesday, broke his silence on the movie starring him and Telugu star Prabhas, Salaar, clashing with Dunki starring Shah Rukh Khan.



Both Salaar: Part 1-Ceasefire, helmed by KGF director Prashant Neel and Dunki directed by Rajkumar Hirani is slated for a Christmas release. The plausible clash between two heavyweight films has been the talk of town for a while now.

"I am not quite sure about the promotional plans yet. The makers will let us know in November how they intend to roll out the film. I am in touch with Prashanth Neel, the director. But the fact that we are releasing alongside films by Rajkumar Hirani and Shah Rukh Khan leaves everything else aside; as a film lover, I absolutely love it! Prithviraj Sukumaran told Pinkvilla.

Both the films are said to have opposite themes. Prithviraj had to undergo knee surgery due to an accident he was involved in while shooting for a Malayalam film, Vilayath Buddha. He is currently shooting for L2E- Empuraan, which also stars Mohanlal. He also said that he will be watching both the films.

There were rumours on social of Dunki, Rajkumar's first film with Shah Rukh Khan being postponed, but sources have said that the movie isn't getting postponed.
Amid the ongoing controversy over 'bribe-for-query' allegations against Mahua Moitra, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has referred BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's complaint against the TMC MP to the ethics committee.

On Monday, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote to Birla accusing Moitra of taking bribes for raising questions in parliament to "protect the interest of a business group. He added that advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai had "shared irrefutable evidence of bribes exchanged" between Moitra and Darshan Hiranandani. The Hiranandani Group has denied the allegations.

In his letter to the speaker, Dubey said 50 of 61 questions she asked in Lok Sabha till recently were focused on the Adani Group, after the Hindenburg report raised allegations of short-selling against the business conglomerate. The Hiranandani Group had lost energy and infra contracts to the Adani Group and Moitra's questions were directed at perpetuating the business interests of the former, Dubey indicated in his letter, NDTV reported.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday called the allegations shocking. Dubey had also written to Chandrasekhar and Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw demanding an inquiry committee. Chandrasekhar said that the alleged sharing of Moitra's Lok Sabha credentials with an external entity poses a direct threat to national security.

Moitra hit back at Dubey, saying she "welcomes any move against her after the Lok Sabha Speaker is finished dealing with pending charges against him (Dubey)".
Former Congress legislator Kulbir Singh Zira was arrested from his residence in Ferozepur district early on Tuesday on charges of obstructing an officer from performing his duties a few days ago, officials said.

A large number of his supporters gathered at the police station and raised slogans against the AAP government following the arrest.



Zira, who is the Congress' district unit chief, was arrested following a complaint by a block development panchayat officer, accusing the leader and his supporters of obstructing him and other staff from performing their duties during a protest a few days ago.



Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring slammed the AAP government for the arrest of Zira. In a post on X, Warring said the case was registered against Zira for holding a protest against the government officials for not allegedly performing their duties.

"The AAP's Punjab government wanted to suppress our voice. We will not sit quiet and will hold a massive protest against this vindictiveness," he added.


The Congress, on Tuesday, released its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in Mizoram, making a slew of promises, including the reintroduction of the old pension scheme, LPG cylinders at Rs 750 for poor households and a health insurance cover of Rs 15 lakh per family for cashless treatment at hospitals.

The Congress also named Meriam L. Hrangchal as its candidate in the Lunglei South seat, defying the diktat of a students' organisation that Mizo women who marry non-Mizos should not be given tickets by any political party.

Promising to establish an efficient, transparent and corruption-free government, the Congress, in its 12-page manifesto, said it would strengthen grassroots democracy by giving more power, responsibilities and financial resources to the village councils and local bodies, if voted to power.

The Congress will set up better and durable public infrastructure assets such as roads, airports, power lines to promote all-round economic development of Mizoram, it said.

To enable farmers and entrepreneurs develop sustainable economic and livelihood activities, and prosper, the Congress announced the 'Tang Puihna' scheme, under which monetary assistance of Rs 2 lakh would be provided.

If voted to power, the Congress said its government will provide health insurance cover of Rs 15 lakhs to each family for cashless treatment in hospitals, given that they do not have a member who is a regular government employee.

It also promised to make a budgetary provision of Rs 5 crore every year, for providing assistance to patients undergoing treatment for cancer and other serious ailments.

The party, which ruled the state form 2008 to 2018 and before that, from 1989 to 1998, said it would establish a 'young Mizo entrepreneurs programme' with startup funding provisions, and target creating 1 lakh jobs for the state's youths.

Among other promises it made were an old-age pension of Rs 2,000 per month, and LPG cylinders at Rs 750 for Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Household, besides those Below Poverty Line and families headed by women.

The manifesto was released by state Congress vice-president Lal Thanzara. He also announced that Hrangchal will be the party candidate in the Lunglei South seat, defying the diktat of influential students' organisation Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP).

The Congress had on Monday announced its candidates for 39 of the 40 seats, leaving the Lunglei South seat

The MZP had appealed to all political parties not to nominate any Mizo woman who got married to a non-Mizo person, maintaining that it would ensure that such a candidate is not elected.

Polling for the assembly elections will be held on November 7, and the counting of votes will take place on December 3.

The ruling MNF and main opposition ZPM have already announced the names of their candidates for all 40 constituencies.
The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, set aside an order by Patiala House Court and said that Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha can continue to stay in his government bungalow. Chadha had challenged a trial court order that lifted an interim order, which allowed the Rajya Sabha secretariat to have him vacate the government bungalow allotted to him.



Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani said the April 18 order of the trial court, which had directed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat not to evict Chadha, stands revived, a PTI report reads. The trial court had ruled that Chadha had no right to continue staying in the government bungalow allotted to him for the entirety of his term once it had been cancelled.

The allotment of the MP bungalow for Chadha had been cancelled after he was suspended from the Rajya Sabha. He was suspended after allegedly forging signatures of MPs and recommending them for a committee without their consent.

On Monday, The Supreme Court sought a response from the Rajya Sabha Secretariat on the petition filed by AAP leader and lawmaker Raghav Chadha, who challenged his indefinite suspension from the upper House and sought the assistance of the attorney general in adjudicating the issue.

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat was sent a notice by the SC regarding the plea which will be heard on October 30. the SC also asked Attorney General R Venkataramani to assist it in dealing with legal issues related to the suspension of a lawmaker from the Upper House, a PTI report reads.

Delhi High Court has asked Chadha to present the plaint before the trial court within three days. It has also asked the trial court to proceed with the matter by deciding the e AAP leaders application under Order 39 Rules 1 and 2 of CPC. The court also maintained that the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, a permanent administrative office of the Rajya Sabha, is a separate and distinct institution from the Government.
BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The People's Republic of China and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea on Tuesday issued a joint statement.

The following is the full text of the statement:

Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea

At the invitation of the People's Republic of China, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and also embarked on an official visit to the People's Republic of China from 16th to 19th October, 2023.

During the visit, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Marape, and Premier Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister Marape. Leaders during these meetings had in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations, Belt and Road cooperation and issues of mutual interest, and reached important and broad consensus.

1. The two sides spoke highly of the great progress in bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 47 years ago, and believe that they enjoy deeper political mutual trust, flourishing mutually beneficial cooperation, stronger friendship between the two peoples, and sound communication and coordination on multilateral occasions. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Featuring Mutual Respect and Common Development has been further enriched.

2. Papua New Guinea appreciates China's great achievements over the past 10 years of the new era, and believes that the Chinese path to modernization offers developing countries alternate options in independently pursuing modernization, and that China will realize the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects, and advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

3. The two sides reiterated their respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, their support for the two peoples' independent choice of development path pursuant to respective national conditions, and their staunch support for each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. Papua New Guinea reaffirms its longstanding traditional commitment to the one-China policy, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, that it opposes "Taiwan independence," and that it supports all efforts made by the Government of the People's Republic of China to realize reunification. Papua New Guinea considers matters related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Xizang as China's internal affairs and within its "friends to all, enemies to none" foreign policy reaffirms the principle of non-interference into another sovereign state's internal affairs. China reiterates its staunch support for Papua New Guinea in independently choosing a development pathway and in upholding its sovereignty, security and development interests.

4. Papua New Guinea recognizes the huge potential of the Chinese economy and market, and is desirous to harness these opportunities in its endeavor to industrialize through creation of Special Economic Zones and downstream processing and value-add of its vast renewable and nonrenewable resources. China supports Papua New Guinea's efforts toward that end.

5. Papua New Guinea recognizes the important contribution of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in promoting win-win cooperation and global economic growth since it was proposed 10 years ago, and congratulated China on successfully holding the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Papua New Guinea will continue to actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation now and heading into the future.

6. Papua New Guinea welcomes and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to work with China in building a community with a shared future for mankind. China acknowledges Papua New Guinea's involvement at the UN, APEC, and other multilateral, international and regional organisations.

7. The two countries agree that all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal. It is important to uphold true multilateralism, defend the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, advocate humanity's common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, firmly stand against any acts of putting together "small circles," dividing countries into camps, and stirring up division and confrontation.

8. The two countries recognize the need to enhance internal consultation, build synergy, strengthen development momentum, and increase their comprehensive strategic partnership to higher levels.

- Enhance exchanges at all levels and in multiple areas, increase interactions to better share governance experience and deepen mutual trust.

- Further synergize development strategies. Expand practical cooperation in a wide range of areas including trade and investment, banking and finance, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, infrastructure, energy and minerals, green development, marine resource management, conservation and research. Both countries agree to further accelerate the China-PNG Free Trade Agreement process, and work together to complete Joint Feasibility Study with the aim to commence negotiation within one year. The two sides agree to open direct flight between Guangzhou and Port Moresby at an early date.

- Enhance people-to-people exchanges to forge closer bonds between the peoples. Expand exchanges and cooperation in areas such as education, culture, youth, health, sports, tourism and media. China will continue to provide various kinds of scholarships and training opportunities and send medical teams and Chinese language teachers to Papua New Guinea.

- Remain committed to a closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific Island Countries. Actively support the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Work together in building multilateral cooperation frameworks on emergency supplies, climate response, poverty alleviation, Juncao technology, agriculture, etc., to take the cooperation between China and Pacific Island Countries as a whole to a new level.

- Strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs. Work together for the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. Support and actively participate in cooperation under the Global Development Initiative and promote the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

During the visit, the two sides reached various cooperation results in the fields of development cooperation, infrastructure development, climate response, education, and energy.

Beijing, October 17, 2023


A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday said it cannot grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, with Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud saying making such a law is the Parliament's domain.

Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S. Ravindra Bhat and P.S. Narasimha and Hima Kohli were also part of the five-judge bench. Here are the key quotes by the apex court judges while announcing the verdict.
A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, today, refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S. Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and P.S. Narasimha, pronounced the verdict on a series of petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex and queer marriages.

Saying that the court can't make law but only interpret it, the bench directed the Parliament to decide on granting legal status to same-sex marriages. Incidentally, the Union government has been vehemently opposing the legal validation.

Interestingly, more than 30 jurisdictions worldwide have already implemented marriage equality rights. Countries mostly in Europe and Americas legally allow gays and lesbians to marry. However, it is mostly the western Europe that is in favour of same-sex marriages. Slovenia is the only former communist state from eastern Europe to legalise same-sex marriage  it was done last year.

In 2018, the European Court of Justice issued a ruling stipulating that all EU member states must acknowledge same-sex marriages for immigration purposes, irrespective of the legal status of same-sex marriage within their respective territories. Subsequently, the Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria confirmed its commitment to recognising same-sex marriages specifically for immigration-related matters.

The world's first legally recognised same-sex marriage occurred in the Netherlands in 2001. Following this, Belgium, in 2003, became the second country globally to legalise same-sex marriage. Argentina set a precedent in Latin America by allowing gays and lesbians to marry, and Taiwan became the first in Asia to do the same.

South Africa stands as the sole African nation where same-sex marriage is legal, despite several other countries there implementing laws that criminalise homosexuality in recent years. Both South Africa and Taiwan passed legislation permitting same-sex marriage after their respective courts mandated their legislatures to take such action. Notably, in Taiwan, same-sex marriage is exclusively available to Taiwanese citizens or foreign citizens from countries that recognise same-sex marriage and wish to marry a Taiwanese citizen.

To date, 23 countries globally have enacted national legislation to legalise same-sex marriage. Notably, Australia, Ireland, and Switzerland embraced same-sex marriage through legislative measures after conducting nationwide referendums.

Meanwhile, in 10 other countries, the legalisation of same-sex marriage at the national level was the result of court rulings.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to legalise same-sex marriages, stating that it is the legislature that has to change the law. However, the five-judge bench recognised the rights of the queer community in India, including to adopt children.

"There is no unqualified right to marriage except as it is recognised under the law. Conferring legal status to a civil union can only be through enacted law," says the Supreme Court on same-sex marriage.

At the outset, Justice Chandrachud said there are four judgments -- by himself, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha -- in the matter. Justice Hima Kohli is also a part of the five-judge bench.

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud added that it was for the Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act and the court can't make law but only interpret it. "This court can't make law. It can only interpret it and give effect to it," he said.

However, it directed the Centre, states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that the queer community is not discriminated against. The court also recorded Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's statement that the Centre will form a committee to decide the rights and entitlements of persons in queer unions.

He said choosing a life partner is an integral part of choosing one's course of life. "This right goes to the root of the right to life and liberty under Article 21. Right to enter into a union is also grounded in Article 19(1)(e)," the CJI observed.

"For the full enjoyment of such relationships, such unions need recognition and there cannot be denial of basic goods and services. The CJI directed the police to conduct a preliminary enquiry before registering an FIR against queer couple over their relationship.

The CJI Chandrachud said homosexuality or queerness is not an urban concept or restricted to the upper classes of society. He added that queerness can be regardless of one's caste or class or socio-economic status.

In a major move, the court allowed queer couples to adopt a child. However, the five-judge bench differs in certain aspects, especially on the applicability of adoption rules for queer couples.

"CARA regulation 5(3) discriminates between partners in atypical unions. It will disproportionately effects non-heterosexual couples and thus a unmarried heterosexual couple can adopt but not the same for the queer community. the law cannot make an assumption about good and bad parenting and it perpetuates a stereotype that only heterosexuals can be good parents," the CJI added.

Justice Kaul said he agrees with the CJI on grant of certain rights to queer couples. "Non-heterosexual and heterosexual unions must be seen as both sides of same coin," he said, adding that legal recognition of non-heterosexual unions is step towards marriage equality. Justice Bhat, who read out the operative portion of his verdict, said he agrees and differs with views of the CJI on certain points
With a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court declining to legalise same-sex marriages on Tuesday, several members of the LGBTQ+ community expressed their disappointment.

Rohin Bhatt, a human rights litigator and queer rights activist, posted on X that the LGBTQ+ community are considered second-class citizens.

Today the court has reaffirmed that queer citizens will be relegated to an unsympathetic legislature and an apathetic executive. We are second class citizens, no matter how many judicial platitudes say otherwise. We will rise in rage and protest.

One of the petitioners and activist Anjali Gopalan said the LGBTQ+ community will keep fighting for their rights. We have been fighting for long and will keep doing so. Regarding adoption also nothing was done, what the CJI said was very good regarding adoption but it's disappointing that other justices didn't agree...this is democracy but we are denying basic rights to our own citizens, ANI quoted Gopalan as saying.

Another petitioner and LGBTQ+ activist Harish Iyer said welcomed Supreme Court's move to put the onus on the central government though the verdict was not it their favour.

Though at the end, the verdict was not in our favour but so many observations (by Supreme Court) made were in our favour. They have also put the responsibility on the central government and its Solicitor General said so many things against us, so it is important for us to go to our elected government, MPs and MLAs and tell them we are as different as two people. War is underway... it might take sometime but we will get societal equality," ANI quoted Iyer as saying.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set ambitious targets for the country's future space exploration endeavors. During a recent meeting to review the preparedness of the Gaganyaan mission and the crew escape system test vehicle's first demonstration flight, Prime Minister Modi outlined India's vision for the future of space exploration.

First and foremost, Prime Minister Modi urged scientists to work towards sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. This ambitious goal reflects India's growing capabilities and determination to make its mark in space exploration. The prime minister expressed confidence in India's ability to achieve this feat, building upon the success of recent missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi called for the establishment of an Indian space station, named "Bharatiya Antariksha Station," by 2035. This would mark a significant milestone for the country, allowing India to conduct a wide range of scientific experiments and research in space. The Department of Space has been tasked with developing a roadmap for Moon exploration, which will include a series of Chandrayaan missions, the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), and the construction of a new launch pad.

To support these ambitious goals, the Department of Space presented an overview of the Gaganyaan Mission during the meeting. Several technologies, including human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification, have already been developed. Furthermore, around 20 major tests, including three uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), are planned to ensure the success of the Gaganyaan mission.

Prime Minister Modi's emphasis on interplanetary missions was also highlighted during the meeting. He encouraged scientists to work towards a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander, showcasing India's growing interest in exploring the mysteries of the solar system.

India's commitment to scaling new heights in space exploration was reiterated by Prime Minister Modi, who expressed confidence in the nation's capabilities. With a clear roadmap and ambitious goals in place, India is poised to make significant strides in the field of space science and technology.

As India continues to make its mark in the global space arena, the nation's space program is set to inspire the next generation of scientists and propel India towards a future where space exploration becomes an integral part of its scientific endeavours.
With the frequent Israeli airstrikes and death toll rising, Gaza Strip is on an edge of a catastrophe. Reportedly, Israel on Tuesday carried out airstrikes in southern areas where it had asked the Palestinians to move ahead of the ground invasion.

With the border tensions intensifying, diplomatic efforts are on to settle or end the Israel-Hamas war.

Jordan will host a four-party summit in Amman with United States President Joe Biden, Egyptian and Palestinian leaders on Wednesday to discuss the "dangerous" repercussions of the war in Gaza.

With the Rafah crossing still closed due to repeated Israeli strikes, dozens of trucks with aid from the Egyptian side of the crossing is waiting to get into Gaza.

Over 3,000 people were killed since the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7. Israel has said that 199 Israeli hostages were taken by the Hamas. Iran has said that Hamas will be releasing the hostages once Israel end violence. Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has informed the families of the 199 hostages, they believe, to be taken to Gaza.

Deepening humanitarian crisis

With the condition of Gaza deteriorating, it faces imminent public health crisis. Hospitals were relying on ice cream trucks for keeping dead bodies as many are facing shortage of electricity.

Even Gazans are facing severe water shortages. Despite Israel agreeing to resume the water supply, many aid workers complain that they are facing water shortage.

Meanwhile, Gazans have been urged to donate blood as doctors battle with crippling medical shortages as humanitarian aid is unable to pass through the Rafah crossing.

Meanwhile, Hamas released a video of a hostage, Mia Schem, 21, Israeli French citizen. According to Hamas, Schem is among as many as 250 hostages being held in Gaza. She was heard in the video saying she was severely injured when she was taken from the party and they had performed a surgery on her injured hand. "Everything is fine," she told in the video.

Schem also said that she is hopeful that she will be released quickly.

Iran had again asked Israel to end atrocities in Gaza. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel's continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

A deputy commander of Irans Revolutionary Guards, Ali Fadavi, has said on Iranian state media that: The resistance fronts shocks against the Zionist regime will continue until this cancerous tumour is eradicated from the world map. Another shockwave is on the way, if Israel does not end atrocities in Gaza.

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister's office has urged Israel to allow water into Gaza while still refusing to clarify whether it believes the tactic to shut off the supply was in line with international law.

On Monday Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defence in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. According to health authorities, another 10 medics and doctors have been killed on the job.

As per United Nations, more than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometre (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse as hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

Some specialised cancer hospitals stopped working due to severe fuel shortages. According to a statement from Sobhi Skik, director general of the Turkish Friendship Hospital, the remaining wards will run out of fuel within two days.

An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel.

Wael Abu Omar, Hamas' spokesman for the Rafah crossing, said: "Up until now, there is no agreement."

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the UN agency for Palestinians. The agency said it has only 1 litre of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.
Israeli air force on Tuesday said that it has eliminated senior Hamas operative Ayman Nofal in Gaza airstrikes. Nofal was the former head of Hamas's military intelligence and he commander of Hamas central brigade in Gaza.

Earlier, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Hamas members had two options: to surrender or to die. Israel has been conducting frequent airstrikes in Gaza making it unsafe for civilians even in the southern side of the Strip. Ahead of the ground attack, Gazans in the north was asked to move to the south to safety. However, airstrikes even in the south made it difficult for the civilans to find a safe place.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, death toll crossed 3,000 since the Hamas attack on October 7.

Also read: Israel is trying to identify breaches and learn lessons from them

Taking to X, Israel Defence Force (IDF) said that we just eliminated Ayman Nofal, a senior Hamas operative. IDF added that Nofal was the Commander of Hamas Central Brigade in Gaza and the former head of military intelligence.

Nofal directed many attacks against Israeli civilians and besides being one of the most dominant figures in the terrorist organization, he was involved in the planning of the abduction of Gilad Shalit. Shalit, the Israeli soldier was seized by Hamas in 2006. Later, he was freed in a deal that involved the release of 1,027 Palestinians.

Air Force fighter jets, under joint intelligence guidance with the Shin Bet, killed one of the senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization, Ayman Nofal, who served as the commander of the Hamas central camps brigade in the Gaza Strip, and as the former head of Hamass military intelligence, said airforce in its statement.

By virtue of his duties, he directed many terrorist attacks against Israel and the security forces, and he directed the targets of Hamass rocket fire, specifically targeting areas populated by uninvolved civilians, it added.

The statement also said Nofal was involved in the production and development of weapons, promoted and was a partner in many terrorist attacks.

"Our warplanes will reach everywhere...every missile has an address. We will reach each and every one of the members of Hamas," Gallant was quoted by the Times of Israel. "There is no third option for Hamas members. We will wipe out the Hamas organisation and dismantle all of its capabilities," he added.

Also read: How Israel is planning for hybrid wars of the future with cyber dome
US President Joe Biden will fly to Israel on Wednesday as a show of solidarity with Israel and to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement on Monday night.

The President will also travel to Jordan for a summit meeting with the heads of state of Jordan, Egypt and the president of the Palestinian Authority as Israel braces for ground offensive in Gaza. "He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza," Jean-Pierre said.



Earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is in Israel again, had mentioned the President's visit, stating that Biden would make clear that "Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks."



Blinken said Israel would brief Biden on its war aims and strategy and on how it will conduct operations in a way that "minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas."



Earlier in the day, the US president spoke over the phone with his Egyptian counterpart El-Sisi and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani of Iraq. The talks focused on efforts to bring aid to Gaza, in coordination with the United Nations (UN), Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and other regional partners, and the need to preserve stability in the Middle East.



The U.S. and Israel have also come up with a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organisations to reach civilians in Gaza.



Meanwhile, the US has been privately asking Israel to come up with a strategy for Gaza after it topples Hamas after the ground offensive, The Times of Israel quoted a US official and an Israeli official.



However, Netanyahu and his inner circle have indicated to their American counterparts that Israel has not yet come up with such a strategy and is more focused on the immediate goal of removing Hamas from power in Gaza, the US official was quoted as saying by the news outlet.



Israels Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan told CNN on Sunday, "Were not thinking now what will happen the day after the war We need to win this war, and thats the only thing that were focused on."



However, the US officials reportedly cautioned Tel Aviv against this approach, stating that without a strategy for who will control the Strip if or when Hamas is removed, the IDF is more likely to get bogged down in Gaza indefinitely. Israel has claimed that it has no intention to retake the enclave.

Also read: How Israel is planning for hybrid wars of the future with cyber dome
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing ahead of his meeting with President Xi Jinping on Wednesday. Xi invited 'close friend' Putin to Xi the third Belt and Road Initiative forum, where the leaders of 130 countries will discuss one of China's signature international projects, Al Jazeera reported. Putin was greeted by China's Commerce Minister Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.



On Monday, China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. After meeting Wang, Lavrov said, China's Belt and Road Initiative would help promote cooperation in the Eurasia region. Putin's China visit is the first one outside Russia this year.

In an interview with Chinese state media, Putin praised the massive but loosely linked BRI projects.

Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the People's Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise, we just see a desire for cooperation, he told state broadcaster CCTV, AP reported.

The two leaders are likely to discuss the war in Israel and the war in Ukraine. In September this year, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia to discuss the probability of an arms deal. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is slated to visit North Korea. China and North Korea have been sending weapons to Russia and Hamas.

The West has criticised China's partnership with Russia in the shadow of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But, the West has also said that China has the right to partner with any country it chooses. Putin last visited China in February 2022, during the Winter Olympics.

Trade between Russia and China has soared, especially since Western nations imposed sanctions on Russia following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both Moscow and Beijing have criticised Israel and have called for a ceasefire. It's the major market for Russian commodities, it's a country that provides its currency and payment system to settle Russia's trade with the outside world with China itself, but also with many other countries, and is also the major source of sophisticated technological imports, including dual-use goods that go into the Russian military machine.

 With inputs from PTI
Hamas has released a video statement claiming that there were over 250 hostages with them in Gaza. Abu Obeida, spokesman of Hamas military wing Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, appeared on TV to state that Hamas had 200 hostages with it while 50 others were held by other "resistance factions and in other places."

Obeida added that there was no definitive count due to "security and practical difficulties". The hostages, including soldiers and civilians, ended up in the hands of Hamas following the terror groups massive onslaught on October 7.



"Foreign hostages are our guests," Obeida says, vowing to protect them and to release them whenever conditions "on the ground" allow for it. He added that the threat of an Israeli ground operation in Gaza didnt scare them and they were ready for it.



He also names an Israeli hostage allegedly killed in an Israeli bombing in the last few hours.



Hamas also released footage of one of the Israeli hostages held by terror groups in the Gaza Strip. The woman identified as 21-year-old Mia Schem is being treated after she was wounded in her arm. Schem was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7 while taking part in the desert rave in Kibbutz Reim, where the gunmen also massacred over 260 festival-goers.



Schem tells the camera she was operated on for three hours and was being cared for. "Im getting medications. Im only asking for me to be returned home as soon as possible, to my family, to my parents, to my siblings. Please get me out of here as soon as possible," she added.



In response, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said they were in touch with Schem's family. "In the video published by Hamas, they try to portray themselves as humane. However, they are a horrific terrorist organisation responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, children, men, women and the elderly. At this time, we are deploying all intelligence and operational measures for the return of all hostagesincluding Mia," a post on X by IDF read.



Meanwhile, another Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal said that there are 6,000 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons and Hamas holds enough hostages  including high-ranking officials of the IDFs Gaza Division  to free all of them.



He also says that Gazans will not leave the strip and that their displacement would harm Egyptian national security and would pose a danger for Jordan, implying that a mass exodus of Palestinians to a neighbouring country could set a precedent for the West Bank, reported The Times of Israel.



Mashaal also raises Lebanons Hezbollah terror group for "taking steps" against Israel.


YANGON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A total of 70 people were killed and 254 injured in traffic accidents on Myanmar's Yangon-Mandalay highway in the first nine months of 2023, according to the Nay Pyi Taw Expressway Traffic Police Force on Tuesday.

From January to September this year, there were a total of 126 road accident cases reported on Myanmar's busiest highway, with 25 more deaths recorded than last year.

Most of the accidents were caused by drivers' reckless driving, an official from Expressway Traffic Police Force told Xinhua.

In the same period of 2022, there were a total of 123 road accidents on the Yangon-Mandalay highway, killing 45 and injuring 184 others.

Inaugurated in December 2010, the 587-km Yangon-Mandalay expressway connects the country's commercial city Yangon and the second largest city of Mandalay. 
MUMBAI, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SVKM's NMIMS, one of India's leading educational institutions, has signed an MoU with Australia's prestigious Monash University. The collaboration between the two universities is a step ahead in NMIMS' dedication to globalizing education and offering students a broader worldview. The partnership will benefit students studying in the BBA, B.Com. Hons, B.Sc. Economics, and B.Sc. Finance programs with a unique 1.5+1.5 feature giving the students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in India and Australia for one and a half years each.



Globalization of education has become imperative in today's interconnected world. It opens doors to diverse perspectives, cultures, and opportunities. The partnership reflects NMIMS's commitment to offering its students world-class educational opportunities. By collaborating with Monash University, NMIMS is providing its students with a global outlook as they immerse themselves in diverse surroundings and inclusive experiences. This exposure will help them to widen their horizons and become adaptable to the current job market, where international experience is highly valued.



This program is unique for being compact and allowing students to make a smooth transition from their semesters at NMIMS to those in Monash University, ensuring they graduate on the same schedule as if they had continued at NMIMS. Another salient feature of this collaboration is that students interested in pursuing a Master's degree at Monash can complete it in one year, considering they have already spent 1.5 years there. As a result, in four years, the students can earn both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from two acclaimed Universities.



With an array of subject options available and the flexibility that the Australian education system offers, students have the freedom to do their Master's in a field of their choice, regardless of their previous specialization. The program at Monash also allows students to pursue off-campus internships in domains of their choice. Moreover, by investing time in completing the Master's program , students get the opportunity to explore job opportunities in Australia, providing them with a multicultural work experience that is certain to enrich their perspective.



Further, this MoU simplifies the process of seeking international education, making it accessible to all NMIMS students. This partnership reinforces NMIMS's mission to nurture well-rounded, globally aware individuals ready to take on the challenges of the future.



Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar, Pro Vice Chancellor of NMIMS said , "We are happy to collaborate with Monash University, an institution celebrated globally for its commitment to academic excellence. This partnership aligns perfectly with NMIMS' vision of providing our students with the finest education and preparing them to shine on the international stage. Our commitment to internationalization has never been stronger, and this partnership with Monash University marks a significant stride in our relentless pursuit of global excellence in education. This unique experience will enrich students' lives with diverse learning experiences."



Professor Michaela Rankin, Professor of Accounting and Deputy Dean of International Accreditation at the Monash Business School, expressed her pleasure at signing the MoU. She said, "I am pleased to sign an agreement between Monash University and NMIMS. This agreement will mean that we will provide plenty of opportunities for commerce, finance, and business students to be able to complete their education at both institutions. We are both some of the best institutions in commerce education in the world, and we are glad to be able to provide students with the opportunity to experience an education both in India and Australia."



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).



(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
The enhanced set of capabilities in the new CEP enables full-funnel interactions to drive lower CAC and higher LTV



SAN FRANCISCO and MUMBAI, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gupshup.io, the leading Conversational Engagement Platform, has unveiled a series of new and cutting-edge features in their latest launch. This latest update is designed to empower businesses to engage in personalized, two-way conversations with their customers at scale, especially as the festive season approaches.



The latest update streamlines and automates customer acquisition, qualification, personalized engagement, remarketing, and customer service. It introduces features such as audience categorization, automated retargeting for leads generated from click-to-chat advertisements, as well as from the brand's own channels. The addition of Gupshup.io's ACE LLM into generative AI-driven chat and voice bots guarantees high quality, precise interactions.



"The conversational phenomenon has seen a massive boost with the rise of LLMs, and we observe businesses transitioning to two-way interactions, whether for advertising, growth marketing, commerce, or support. Personalization is a crucial component of customer experience and with the emergence of click-to-chat ads, brands are now building their first-party databases and harnessing them to offer personalized and relevant interactions to their customers," said Gaurav Kachhawa, Chief Product Officer, Gupshup.io.



Top brands across verticals such as BFSI, retail, eCommerce and more are using Gupshup.io Conversational Engagement Platform to capture leads, nurture them through interactive campaigns and create delightful 1:1 experiences to drive higher engagement rates. Through the use of Gupshup.io's Bot Studio and visual journey builder, business users can craft omnichannel bot flows, quickly reducing the time to launch and optimize journeys. Through AI-powered Agent Assist dashboard, agents can aid consultative selling based on a customer's recent interactions, leading to better resolution and higher conversion rates.



Key capabilities in Gupshup.io's Conversational Engagement Platform



Personalized and interactive campaigns at scale



Now businesses can quickly launch advanced two-way interactive campaigns on channels such as WhatsApp with just a few clicks. With new capabilities in the campaign manager brands can easily make any message two-way by simply linking a journey to the template. Additionally, the Campaign Manager now offers an immediate preview of the selected template, allowing brands to see what the message will look like to their users.



Automated remarketing for cold leads acquired through conversational ads



Click to chat ads help businesses acquire leads from digital ads and qualify them through a chatbot conversation, eliminating the friction associated with form fills and app downloads. With the Conversational Ads Manager, brands can build their first-party database and drive higher conversions through remarketing within the same chat window. With this release, businesses can set up rules to automatically nudge leads that didn't convert earlier. Marketers can send retargeting messages up to 72 hours.



AI features to help save agent time and resolve customer problems better



While running a helpdesk on WhatsApp, it's time-consuming for agents and supervisors to catch up with lengthy chat history to get the context. With AI Summarize, Gupshup.io Agent Assist can generate a short blurb of the chat with the key details, so agents can seamlessly continue the conversation. Available in Beta. Agents can also leverage the Rephrase and Expand features to improve their responses, making them more professional and clear.



Full funnel analytics to help optimize spends and journey flow



Beyond advertising impressions and CTR, brands will now get insights on the chatbot funnel performance and retargeting campaigns effectiveness. Bot analytics now provides businesses with metrics and trends of conversations, messages, number of users, and returning users along with insights into typical drop off points.



ACE LLM for more natural conversations without redundant back and forth



Subsequent to the launch of ACE LLM in Q3, this release brings AI into the no-code journey builder, allowing business users to train bots on their enterprise knowledge base. With the ability to automatically identify intents and entities, the bot becomes smarter, avoiding needless questions that are already available in customer input.



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249284/CEP.jpg



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BANGALORE, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthium Medtech, a global player in medical devices, focused on products in surgical, post-surgical and chronic care, is a Great Place to Work certified organisation for the second time in a row. The certification is awarded after rigorous independent assessment conducted by Great Places to Work Institute basis employee feedback, culture audits and surveys related to the company's work ethics and practices.



Commenting on the achievement, Anish Bafna, CEO & MD, Healthium Medtech said, "It is indeed a privilege and honour to be recognised as a Great Place to Work consistently for two years in succession. The prestigious certification speaks volumes about our continued investments and efforts in nurturing a positive environment at Healthium. We strongly believe that employees are the backbone for success at any organisation and hence it is of principal importance for us to create a nurturing environment at Healthium for our home-grown talent to flourish and excel in the industry. As a result, today Healthium is defined by its people who have carefully and successfully created an environment that fosters a conducive work culture and mutual respect across levels."



Great Place to Work Institute 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. Its 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.



Kankana Barua, Group CHRO & Head - IT, Healthium Medtech added, "As an organisation, bringing diverse mind-sets together and building a consciously inclusive and nurturing culture has always been fundamental to our success. Being certified as a Great Place to Work twice in a row, makes me proud of the work we do and gives me immense confidence in the talent that is being nurtured by the organisation. This achievement is a testimony to the great work done by each and every member of our Healthium family."



In India, Great Place to Work partners with more than 1100 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.



Healthium has been built on the strength of its high levels of job satisfaction, performance culture and employee engagement. These elements were carefully analyzed and measured using Great Place to Work's expert and knowledge-driven parameters. Great Place to Work assesses organizations on its proprietary Trust Index Survey and Culture Audit people practices framework, which impacts innovation, financial growth and other business results for organizations.



About Healthium Medtech Limited:



Healthium Medtech Limited is a global medtech company focused on products used in surgical, post-surgical and chronic care. One in four surgeries conducted globally uses a Healthium product. As of fiscal 2022, it is the largest independent Indian medical device company and the largest non-captive manufacturer of surgical needles globally. With a vision to provide access to precision medtech for every patient globally, the company has built an extensive market access in India covering over 40,000 surgeons across 18,000 hospitals. Healthium also has significant global presence with exports to over 80+ countries, including the USA, France, Germany and Brazil.



The company's diverse portfolio includes 52,000 SKUs across advanced surgery, arthroscopy and wound care products. With a strong focus on R&D, the company has 7 high precision, integrated and scaled manufacturing facilities with global certifications and approvals like US FDA, C.E, CDSCO, TGA, ISO and CE under the stringent new EUDMR norms. Since fiscal 2018, the company has launched 30 new products including a patented portfolio of arthroscopy products. Since 2020, the company has completed three acquisitions to enhance market reach and expand its product portfolio.



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BANGALORE, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- iWPS Global along with FMG proudly unveiled the inaugural issue of FM & CRE World, a bi-monthly magazine, at an opulent ceremony hosted in a prominent 5-star hotel in Bangalore. Distinguished guests, representing the FM, Procurement, and CRE community, graced the occasion. The magazine's grand debut was led by luminaries of the CRE community in Bangalore, including Sridhar Raghavendra, Jaganath Rao, Jayaram S Govindaiah, and Gilbert Raj. The cover page featured Archie Abraham, Principal at iWPS Global, a leading interior design firm renowned for crafting High-Performance Workplace Experiences across India and beyond.



FM & CRE World boasts a compelling collection of articles contributed by notable figures within the CRE and Sustainability domains. The issue includes enlightening pieces by Shashidhar Sharma on "Beyond Workgreen," Dr. Mohar Ghosh on "Trends in Facility Management," Sridhar Raghavendra on "Emerging Architectural Design in Corporate India," Prabhuraman Jayanandan on "A Guide to Select Office Space," Sathish Rajendran on "Sustainability," Jayaram S Govindaiah on "Changing Dynamics in Corporate Real Estate," and more.



A significant highlight of the launch event was a presentation by Sudeeti Chaturvedi and Harshita Vyas on the #neXtbigwhat. They announced the opening of the iWPX (iWPS Xperience Center) on Dussehra Day, focusing on the integration of AR, VR, XR, and MR in the Design Industry, offering new perspectives in design communication. The role of AI in interior design was also showcased, presenting test renders as a glimpse of future possibilities.



Despite adverse weather conditions, the launch was a resounding success. Jaganath Rao, representing FM Globalnet, conveyed his excitement for the magazine's upcoming issues. The inaugural issue of FM & CRE World is available for readers at this link. For further information, please contact 9035615971 or sudeeti@iwpsglobal.com and reach their Website.



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New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Realty firm Brigade Enterprises has bought a 9.71-acre land parcel in Hyderabad for Rs 660 crore to expand its business.

The company said it successfully bid in an e-auction conducted by Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) in August. The land is situated in Neopolis, Kokapet and Hyderabad, and was acquired at a rate of Rs 68 crore per acre.

Bengaluru-based Brigade Enterprises, in a regulatory filing on Monday, said it has "executed the sale deed and registered in its name."

The company did not share details about what project it would develop on this land parcel.

In August, Brigade Enterprises acquired a 6.54-acre land parcel in Chennai from Pfizer Healthcare India for nearly Rs 139 crore to develop a residential project.

Brigade Enterprises has developed many residential, commercial (office and retail) and hotel projects in various South Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kochi.

Real estate developers, especially large listed players, are acquiring land in a big way to expand their businesses amid a sharp revival in housing demand post-pandemic.

Realtors are buying land outright and also forming partnership with landowners to develop projects. In Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) with landowners, builders have different arrangements, like sharing of revenue or profit or area.
Sonipat, 17 October, 2023: Soli J. Sorabjee was a Defender of the Constitution and Human Liberties, said Honble Mr. Justice K.V. Viswanathan Judge, Supreme Court of India at the Soli J. Sorabjee Memorial Lecture organized by O.P Jindal Global University to honour the memory of renowned jurist and former Attorney General of India, Mr. Soli J. Sorabjee. He was a champion of federalism, a defender of minority rights. He was a strong advocate for free and fair elections and a leader of the bar who fought for independence of judiciary. He had a deep sense of public service and was a strong supporter of free speech and will be remembered for his scholarship, his knowledge and his many landmark judgements. He was also a great protagonist of the value of fraternity a value which was most visible during the Pandemicas laid down in our Constitution. He deeply believed in the rule of law which for him was not just a legalistic slogan, but a noble concept and denoted a way of life



Honble Mr. Justice K.V. Viswanathan also awarded the Soli J. Sorabjee Endowment Award & Scholarship instituted by O.P. Jindal Global University to Ms. Pragati Thapa for securing highest score in the course, Human Rights Law & Theory, at the Jindal Global Law School. For Mr. Sorabjee, human rights were the conscience of the Constitution, and an independent judiciary, its conscience keeper. Therefore, the Scholarship and Award stands reminiscent of Soli Sorabjees achievements and his contributions to Human Rights advocacy in all its forms and an area of close interest to Mr. Sorabjee. Endowment Award and Scholarship has been established with the aid of a generous endowment instituted by Senior Advocate Mr. Satvik Varma in his personal capacity for a period of 20 years.



The Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar observed that the Distinguished Lecture Series is not just a way of remembering a legal luminary but also to celebrate a scholarly life dedicated to the promotion of rule of law. Those who have been associated Soli. J. Sorabjee were touched by his profound understanding of law and by his erudition. He is remembered for his contribution and commitment to advancing the cause of legal education and legal profession. Here today is present a galaxy of renowned legal experts who in one way or other were inspired by Mr. Sorabjee.



Mr. Satvik Varma, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India recalled that he established the Soli. J. Sorabjee endowment at Jindal Global Law School to recognize the importance of providing quality legal education for students. This award recognizes the academic achievement of a student in the field of human rights, which was an area closer to Mr. Sorabjees heart. This award will encourage future generations of lawyers to focus on human rights as an area of expertise.



Professor (Dr.) S.G. Sreejith Executive Dean, Jindal Global Law School recalled the intellectual convictions and sensibilities of Mr. Soli Sorabjee and the depth that he brought to the subject. Mr. Sorabjee had unwavering faith in the emancipatory powers of the Constitutionhe was a constitutionalist in the true sense of the term. He cherished the maternity of democracy, the paternity of egalitarianism, and the tutelage of the constitution.



The memorial lecture also included panel discussion moderated by Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr) C. Raj Kumar and included Mr. R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, Ms. Madhavi Divan Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India and Mr. Satvik Varma Senior, Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India.



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New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Gold remained flat at Rs 60,150 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday, according to HDFC Securities.

However, silver declined Rs 300 to Rs 73,700 per kilogram. In the previous trade, silver had settled at Rs 74,000 per kg.

In the overseas markets, gold and silver were trading slightly higher at USD 1,915 per ounce and USD 22.55 per ounce, respectively.

"Gold traded within the previous day range amid the US ramping up efforts to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from expanding into a regional conflict.

"Meanwhile, the 10-year US Treasury yield jumped on Monday, which also weighed on prices," Saumil Gandhi, senior analyst of commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
Mumbai, Oct 17 (PTI) The country's premier container port Jawaharlal Nehru Port on Tuesday unveils four key projects worth Rs 8,363 crore during the third edition of the Global Maritime India Summit, which was virtually addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The four projects are: construction of the fourth container terminal, Phase II at JNPA; upgradation, operation, maintenance, and transfer of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal (JNPCT); newly constructed additional liquid berth terminal; and port-based multi-product special economic zone (SEZ).

With these projects, the port's container capacity will go up significantly by 35 per cent from 7.7 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units ) to 10.4 million TEUs while the liquid cargo handling capacity is expected to surge by 62.5 per cent, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) said.

Of the four projects, foundation stone was laid for the construction of fourth container terminal-phase II on PPP (public-private partnership) basis by Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals Pvt Ltd.

It is a significant step towards enhancing the port's capacity to handle container traffic efficiently. This project is a partnership between JNPA and Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals, promising to bring advanced infrastructure and logistics solutions to the region, JNPA said.

Foundation stone was also laid for the upgradation, operation, maintenance, and transfer of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal (JNPCT) on PPP basis by JNPA to Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminals Pvt Ltd in a move to further streamline operations, and this strategic collaboration on a PPP basis will lead to increased efficiency and world-class services for container handling, it said.

At the same time, the newly constructed additional liquid berth terminal was also inaugurated on this occasion.

The new liquid berth terminal will play a vital role in handling liquid cargo, further diversifying the port's capabilities and increasing its relevance in the global trade network, JNPA said, adding this project will ease pressure on the existing liquid jetty and cater to additional liquid cargo demand.

The prime minister also dedicated a port-based multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to the nation.

The launch of the port-based multi-product SEZ at JNPA marks a significant stride towards fostering EXIM (export-import) trade and economic growth in the region. This initiative will provide a dedicated area for various industries, leading to increased investment option in manufacturing, services, trade sectors and thereby generating employment opportunities for regional ecosystem, JNPA said.

"Today, as we set these projects in motion, we embark on a journey toward a more prosperous, efficient, and globally competitive port. These projects are a testament to our commitment to the economic growth of our nation," Sanjay Sethi, Chairman at JNPA, said.

"JNPA is honoured to have received the support and presence of Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi during this momentous occasion, signifying a testament to the government's commitment to advancing India's maritime interests," he added.
Mumbai, Oct 17 (PTI) Actor Kirti Kulhari is set to make her international feature debut with a slice-of-life film Sach is Life.

The movie is based on the true story of an Indian immigrant Munshi family based out of the US. It is written and directed by Harsh Mahadeshwar, who has earlier worked on many music videos.

Sach is Life narrates the compelling tale of a devoted couple who remain united in their determination to provide their three-year-old-son, diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a life that he deserves, read the official synopsis.

Kirti, known for her performance in projects such as Human, Four More Shots Please!, Criminal Justice, and Pink, said she is thrilled about her first international film.

The makers are from the US but it's an Indian story. I'm extremely excited to collaborate with a crew from the US and to work in an environment outside of India. I'll do my best to make it a film that we all are going to be proud of, the 38-year-old actor said in a statement.

The project is produced by Romila Saraf Bhat, Rahul Bhat and Red Bison Productions located in Princeton, New Jersey.

Sach is Life, which will be shot in Kashmir, Delhi, New Orleans, New Jersey and New York, will go on floors in April next year.

Kulhari is currently in the US and has been preparing for her role in the film. The actor said she is also scheduled to meet Daisy Munshi, whose character she is set to portray.

For the first time I am playing a real-life character. The family lives in Albany. We are meeting the whole family, especially Daisy ji whose character I am playing and her son, Sachin Munshi. That's a big part of the prep that I am really looking forward to.

"I think it will give me a lot of understanding of her story. I will also get to understand her personality, just by observing her, her mannerisms. It's a very challenging, tough, intense role and I know that the only way I can do this is by going all in, the actor added.

Sach is Life also features Jim Sarbh, who recently scored an International Emmy best actor nomination for SonyLIVs Rocket Boys.
Mumbai, Oct 17 (PTI) A fascinating character and a rarely-attempted-before genre like survival drama inspired filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker to return to acting in Netflix series "Kaala Paani".

Gowariker, primarily a filmmaker who has acted in Circus, Chamatkar, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, and Ventilator, said he just could not say no to the show as it had a great creative team behind it. Set in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the seven-episode show is described as a grounded story about the fight for survival".

The series comes from Sameer Saxena, best known for acclaimed shows such asPanchaayat, Kota Factory, Gullak and Permanent Roommates. He serves as a showrunner and co-director on the project alongside Amit Golani. The story is penned by Biswapati Sarkar, Golani, Sandeep Saket and Nimisha Misra.

You must get the material that you can vibe into, you must get a character that you will not only do justice, but contribute and take it ahead of what the writer has imagined, the team has to be right and the creators. When this part came to me, I had four tick marks," Gowariker told PTI in an interview.

The filmmaker, known for his lavishly-mounted period dramas such as "Lagaan" and "Jodha Akbar, plays the character of Lieutenant Admiral Zibran Qadri, lieutenant governor of Andaman and Nicobar, in the series.

Gowariker said when the creators met him, he told them that he was already a fan of their work in the OTT space.

"So, it was a fanboy moment to be with them, second was: it is a survival drama, it is one of the firsts on Indian OTT screens, third is Netflix, and the most important thing is the character, which I found most fascinating. I didnt want to miss this (opportunity), so I found myself saying yes to it, he said.

The series is set in 2027 and is about an evil entity that, in the form of a disease, is slowly killing the residents. The island is also cut off from the rest of the world and the residents are trying to find their way out before disaster befalls them.

Writer Biswapati Sakar, best known for writing and appearing in projects like Permanent Roomates, TVF Pitchers, and Panchayat, said the germ of the idea came to him during his trip to Andaman and Nicobar during his formative years.

Its the place that gave us the idea, it is not the other way round. I was on a holiday and this idea came to me. This was when I was a child. It was a basic premise...

"The basic idea of people being in cellular jail and they (the guide) are telling you Theres no way (to go), the actual walls are six feet high, the real wall is the water, so nobody could escape, not because the walls are high, it is because theres water everywhere. I felt, wow, what if this happens to us and what if we can never leave this place. That thought stayed with me for quite some time.

For Sarkar, it was interesting to tap into the moral dilemmas that individuals face in times of crises.

The moral dilemma of the characters really interested us. We felt there are not a lot of stories and shows that show people as humans. We tend to categorise them as good or bad guys. But everybody has an interest for which they are working. This is something that we got to capture through the show. So that was an interesting point for us, he said.

Kaala Paani, which is a new kind of show for Saxena, presented several challenges, from scripting to filming to execution.

From the writing stage, it was very complex to write (this story), there are multiple characters and multiple stories, a different genre for us, so that in itself was challenging and new. Besides writing, the execution of the show was a mammoth task. "From rains, the extreme weather, the cyclones, the ever-changing schedules, all that was too difficult to work around with. We could manage to pull it off because we had a fantastic team and a great set of actors. Then post (production) was a challenge, the sound design, the edit, the VFX, etc. It is a show that is mounted on a huge scale but at the core, it is an emotional story.

Actors Mona Singh, Amey Wagh, Sukant Goel, Arushi Sharma, Radhika Mehrotra, Vikas Kumar, Chinmay Mandlekar and Poornima Indrajith round out the cast of "Kaala Paani".

Popular Marathi actor Wagh thinks the show has an international feel and will connect with viewers throughout the world.

Apart from the fact that it is an amazing script, it is a great character that I get to play in the show. As an audience, we are living in exciting times because I watch shows like Money Heist (Spanish), Into the Night (Belgian), Dark (German), films like Capernaum (Lebanon), Roma (Mexico), which are all in their own mother tongue.

"Even though I dont understand the language, theres something about the content that appeals to me. Kaala Paani is in the same league, the writing is so strong, that even if we are doing the show in Hindi and some parts in English, it is a show that will appeal to a global audience.

Sharma, who has appeared in supporting roles in Tamasha, Love Aaj Kal, and other films, said she was happy to be reuniting with Saxena, Golani and Sarkar after their 2022 film, Jaadugar. She plays a nurse, Jyotsana Dey.

There are so many characters but every character has an arc and is justified, which is rare to see. It is a survival drama not done before and to see myself in a set up like this, I had never imagined to be part of a show like this. When I saw it, I was like, to do something like this would be challenging. I wanted to give my all, she said.

The show will be released on Netflix on Wednesday.
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has greatly facilitated Cambodia's socioeconomic development and poverty reduction, serving as a success story in the implementation of Belt and Road projects, a Cambodian expert has said.

Chinese-invested and Chinese-aided Belt and Road projects have significantly promoted Cambodia's infrastructure development and economic growth, said Ki Manghout, a researcher at Phnom Penh-based independent think tank Asian Vision Institute (AVI), in an interview with Xinhua on Sunday.

The construction of highways, bridges, ports, airports, hydropower plants and the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone has facilitated trade and boosted Cambodia's export capabilities, he said.

"These infrastructure projects have improved connectivity within Cambodia and enhanced Cambodia's role as a crucial link within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)," Manghout said.

"Cambodia's economic prosperity can serve as a model for other BRI participating countries," he added.

Apart from infrastructure investment, the initiative's focus on poverty alleviation and job creation in Cambodia has also been evident, Manghout said.

"For instance, Chinese investments in the textile and garment industry have generated employment opportunities for Cambodians, helping to lift many out of poverty," he said.

On top of these, he said, a China-aided medical building at the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh is another testament to China's commitment to improving the lives of Cambodians.

"This healthcare facility provides quality medical services to the Cambodian population and represents a tangible example of China's contributions to social development," Manghout said.

Cultural exchanges and tourism, he said, are also vital components of the initiative, fostering people-to-people connections between nations.

"With its rich history and cultural heritage, Cambodia has seen a surge in Chinese tourists, thanks in part to enhanced connectivity," the expert said. "Chinese tourists contribute significantly to Cambodia's tourism industry, providing economic benefits and promoting cross-cultural understanding."

By focusing on economic development, poverty alleviation, transparency, and sustainability, Manghout suggested Cambodia could become "an exemplary model of the BRI."

He believed that as Cambodia continues to prosper within the framework of the initiative, it stands out as a shining example of what can be achieved through strategic cooperation and responsible development. 
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Alia Bhatt made a fashion statement at the National Film Awards by repeating her ivory wedding saree as she attended the ceremony with actor-husband Ranbir Kapoor.

Alia won the best actress National Film Award for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Gangubai Kathiawadi". The ceremony is being held at Vigyan Bhavan here and President Droupadi Murmu will confer the recipients with the awards.

The Bollywood star arrived at the venue in her Sabyasachi hand-dyed ivory organza sari embroidered with fine tilla work, which she wore for her white-themed wedding with Ranbir last year in April.

The actor tied her hair in a neat bun and completed the look with a choker and matching earrings.

It was a rare fashion moment for the actor as celebrities, who are constantly under media glare, avoid repeating their outfits in public appearances.

Alia is sharing the best actress award with Kriti Sanon, who also wore a ivory saree with ombre details. Kriti is receiving the award for her work in Hindi film "Mimi" while her co-star Pankaj Tripathi won the best supporting actor award for his role in the film.
Chennai, Oct 17 (PTI) The Madras High Court on Tuesday disposed of a petition from the makers of top actor Vijay-starrer 'Leo,' seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to permit screening a special show of the film at 7 am and asked the producer to approach the government over the matter.

The petitioner contended that while the government had allowed five shows--(4 regular and one special show), it would not be possible to screen them during the stipulated time of 9 am to 1.30 am of the next day from its release day of October 19 to October 24.

The producer's request to permit a 4 am show on Thursday was rejected by the court.

The makers cited the 2.45 hour duration of the film for being unable to accommodate the 5 shows within the stipulated time.

Impleading the Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association as one of the parties to the case, Justice Anita Sumanth, before whom the plea came, said the petitioner and the impleading party can appear before the state Home Secretary and present their case.

The judge, however, said there should be no change regarding interval and the time in between shows, considering public safety.

Meanwhile, the advocate team representing the movie-makers met the Home Secretary with their plea.
Peshawar, Oct 17 (PTI) Two Pakistani soldiers and two terrorists were killed in two fierce encounters between troops and militants in the country's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, the army said.

The encounters took place on Monday in the North and South Waziristan districts bordering Afghanistan, during which two soldiers were also killed, the army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The first encounter took place in the Asman Munza locality in the South Waziristan district, where the troops engaged the terrorists, killing one of them and injuring another.

However, the statement said a soldier was also killed during the intense exchange of fire.

In another intense fire exchange between the troops and terrorists in the Miran Shah locality of North Waziristan district, a soldier and a terrorist were killed.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

However, banned militant group Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) is responsible for carrying out most of the terror attacks in the region.

The TTP is fighting to impose the rule of Sharia across Pakistan.
New York, Oct 17 (PTI) In a suspected hate crime, a 19-year-old Sikh was assaulted and injured in New York for wearing a turban while travelling in a shuttle bus, the police said.

The attack took place early on Sunday when the Sikh teen was riding a shuttle bus in Queens, a borough of New York City, CBS News channel reported.

According to the police, the suspect approached the victim, asking him to remove his turban and said, "We don't wear that in this country and take that mask off!"

The attacker then repeatedly punched the teen in his face, back, and the back of his head, causing minor cuts. He also tried to remove the victim's turban from his head before getting off the bus and leaving the scene on foot, the report said.

Police described the suspect as "a male, 25-35 years of age, dark complexion, slim build, approximately 5'9" tall, with brown eyes and black hair," and sought the public's help to find him.

The New York Police Department hate crime unit is investigating the incident, and the police department is calling it a hate crime assault, NBC New York TV channel reported.

No arrests have been made in the case yet, The Messenger news portal reported.

The victim, who was not named, refused further medical treatment at the scene, police said in the statement sent to The Messenger.

"Right now, the victim is very traumatised," community activist Japneet Singh was quoted as saying by ABC7 television station. "The family is very scared for him," Singh added.

Though he refused treatment at the scene, Singh says the victim was injured badly enough that he won't be able to work for the next few days.

"We are in contact with the survivor and working with him to provide support as needed; he has requested anonymity for the time being. Our current understanding is that NYPD is, appropriately, investigating this incident as a hate crime," Sikh Coalition, a national organisation representing the minority community, said in a post on X.

"As we stand alongside our allies from all communities, we will continue to insist that no one should have to fear for their personal safety while simply existing in public," the post added.
Jerusalem, Oct 17 (AP) More than a million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israeli invasion that seeks to eliminate Hamas' leadership after its deadly incursion. Aid groups warn an Israeli ground offensive could hasten a humanitarian crisis.

Israeli forces, supported by US warships, positioned themselves along Gaza's border and drilled for what Israel said would be a broad campaign to dismantle the militant group. A week of blistering airstrikes have demolished neighbourhoods but failed to stop militant rocket fire into Israel.

The war that began on October 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead. The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.



Currently:

1. US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.

2. A shortage of potable water continues across Gaza, leading humanitarian workers to warn of the risk of disease from drinking untreated water.

3. Overwhelmed doctors at the territory's largest hospital struggle to care for patients as supplies of water, fuel and medicine run dangerously low.

4. Hundreds of civilians killed in the Hamas attacks have yet to be identified by Israeli forensics teams.



Here's what's happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:



NEW YORK GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES A TUESDAY VISIT TO ISRAEL

Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a written statement on Monday evening that she will travel to Israel on Tuesday for a solidarity mission.

She said she plans to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities devastated after the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israeli towns.

During these difficult times, it's more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel, Hochul said.

New York has the largest percentage of Jews among all the US states, according to the American Jewish Population Project at Brandeis University.



PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO VISIT ISRAEL WEDNESDAY, US SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES

President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support for the US ally amid concerns the Israel-Hamas war could become a larger regional conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said early on Tuesday in Tel Aviv.

Biden will then go to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Blinken's announcement followed hours of talks with Israeli officials, as well as an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire, Blinken also said the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid from donor nations to reach civilians in Gaza, "including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way.

We share Israel's concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, Blinken said.



IRAN WARNS OF POSSIBLE PREEMPTIVE ACTION AS GAZA GROUND OFFENSIVE NEARS

Iran's foreign minister has warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to its looming ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The comments by Hossein Amirabdollahian follow a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, whose theocracy provides support to Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel cannot do whatever it wants in Gaza and then go after other resistance groups after it's done with Gaza, he told state television. Therefore any preemptive action is possible in the coming hours.

He did not elaborate on what form any action might take.

If the limited and extremely tight windows of opportunity available to the United Nations and political actors are not used over the coming hours, opening new fronts against the Zionist regime is inevitable, he said.



UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF PUSHES FOR AID TO BE ALLOWED INTO GAZA

Calling this the worst of times, the UN humanitarian chief said the United Nations is in deep discussions with the Israelis, Egyptians and others about getting aid through the Rafah crossing, hugely helped by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who has been travelling in the region.

Martin Griffiths, who is heading to Cairo on Tuesday to try to help in the negotiations, said in an interview with the UN on Monday that he was hoping for some good news soon.

Griffiths said the UN's overwhelming priority is to get access to Gaza, saying humanitarian rules of war are being violated.

You cannot ask people to move out of harm's way without assisting them to do it, by providing safe places and humanitarian aid, and right now Israel has not made these provisions for Gazans moving from the north to the south, Griffiths said.

He also called for the immediate release of all hostages taken from Israel, many of them children, women, the elderly and the sick, which he said is unacceptable and illegal.



AIR RAID SIRENS PUNCTUATE BLINKEN'S RETURN TO ISRAEL

Air raid sirens interrupted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's return to Israel three times on Monday, twice as he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet for discussions over Israel's war with Hamas.

The sirens signalling incoming rocket fire followed by the loud booms of Iran Dome air defences intercepting rockets underscored an often-daily reality for Israelis, especially in the past week.

Blinken and his team got their first taste of the warning system and Iron Dome response as they drove from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, minutes after sirens sounded in both cities causing motorists to pull over and take cover.

Blinken's motorcade did not slow or alter its route but sped quickly to the Israeli Ministry of Defence as motorists on the shoulders of the road returned to their vehicles.

Later, Blinken and his aides were meeting Netanyahu and his war cabinet at the prime minister's office when sirens sounded again. Blinken, Netanyahu and the others took shelter in a bunker, according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

Others huddled in defense ministry stairwells until the all clear was given.



EUROPEAN COMMISSION VOWS TO TRIPLE AID TO GAZA

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday that the European Union will increase humanitarian aid to Gaza starting with two flights this week via Egypt.

She said the Commission has tripled humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza to 75 million euros (USD 79 million) and would keep working with our partners in the region to assess and address the needs on the ground.

Von der Leyen denounced the heinous Hamas attacks and said Israel has the right to defend itself in line with humanitarian international law".

The Commission head was speaking in Tirana at the end of a summit with Western Balkan leaders.



PENTAGON SENDS DEPLOYMENT NOTICES TO 2,000 US TROOPS

The Pentagon has sent prepare to deploy orders to about 2,000 US troops to be ready to respond to the Israel-Hamas war, two US officials said on the condition of anonymity to discuss a decision that has not been announced yet.

The troops would cover a variety of support roles, such as additional medical support or explosive ordnance support, such as providing additional security at gate crossings, one of the officials said.

They would not be sent to Israel but could be sent to countries in the region, one of the officials said. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the orders.



EU LEADERS TO MEET TO DISCUSS ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit Tuesday as concern mounts that the war between Israel and Hamas could fuel inter-communal tensions in Europe and bring more refugees in search of sanctuary.

The leaders will also attempt to restore some order after a series of social media messages, statements and visits by EU officials sowed confusion about the 27-nation bloc's intentions after Hamas attacked southern Israel.

The conflict could have major security consequences for our societies, EU Council President Charles Michel said on Monday as he announced the video summit.

The meeting will also focus on getting aid to civilians and working with other countries in the region to stop tensions from spreading. (AP) PY

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Lismore (Australia), Oct 17 (The Conversation) It might sound like science fiction, but marine cloud brightening is being seriously considered as a way to shield parts of the ocean from extreme heat.

Were using water cannons to spray seawater into the sky. This causes brighter, whiter clouds to form. These low marine clouds reflect sunlight away from the oceans surface, protecting the marine life below from the worst of climate change.

Australias Reef Restoration and Adaptation Programme -- a collaboration between several universities, CSIRO and the Australian Institute of Marine Science -- is exploring whether cloud brightening could reduce coral bleaching.

As an oceanographer and engineer I lead the programmes research into cooling and shading techniques.

We started exploring cloud brightening after the mass bleaching event in 2016. First, we needed to develop and test the underlying technologies in the lab. Then we began pilot testing in the central Great Barrier Reef near Townsville during January 2020. After several iterations we have now moved beyond proof of concept to investigating the response of the clouds themselves.



A bright idea

British cloud physicist John Latham originally proposed cloud brightening in 1990 as a way to control global warming by altering Earths energy balance. He calculated that brightening clouds across the most susceptible regions of the worlds oceans could counteract the global warming caused by a doubling of preindustrial atmospheric carbon dioxide. Thats a level likely to be reached by the year 2060.

Recently, scientists have begun to consider regional rather than global application of cloud brightening. Could brightening clouds directly over the Great Barrier Reef for a few months reduce coral bleaching during a marine heat wave?

Modelling studies are encouraging and suggest it could delay the expected decline in coral cover. This could buy valuable time for the reef while the world transitions away from fossil fuels.

Lowering the heat stress on the ecosystem would produce other benefits when combined with other reef interventions  such as improved control of invasive crown of thorns starfish and planting of corals with increased heat tolerance.

But these studies also show theres a limit to what can be achieved. Long-term benefits are only possible if the cloud brightening activity occurs alongside aggressive emissions reductions.

Cloud brightening does have risks as well as benefits, but the prospect of intermittent regional use is very different to large-scale solar geo-engineering proposals for shading and cooling the whole planet.

We expect the regional effect will be short-lived and reversible, which is reassuring. The technology must be operated continuously to modify clouds and could be stopped at any time. The sea salt particles sprayed in the process typically only persist in the atmosphere for one to several days.



How do you brighten a cloud?

A warm cloud (as opposed to an ice cloud) is a collection of small water droplets floating in the air.

A cloud of many small droplets is brighter than one with fewer large droplets  even if both clouds contain the same amount of water overall.

Every droplet begins with the condensation of water vapour around a nucleus, which can be almost any kind of tiny particle suspended in air.

Typically, in the lower atmosphere over land there are thousands to tens of thousands of these tiny particles suspended in every cubic centimetre of air. We call these airborne particles aerosols.

Aerosols may be natural such as dust, sea salt, pollen, ash and sulphates. Or they may come from human activity such as burning fossil fuels or vegetation, manufacturing, vehicle exhaust and aerosol spray cans.

In very clean maritime air, the aerosols available to form clouds are mainly sulphates and sea salt crystals. And they are few and far between, only a few hundred per cubic centimetre.

When a cloud forms under these conditions, water vapour is forced to condense around fewer nuclei, creating larger droplets and fewer of them. Large droplets reflect less light for the same volume of cloud water.

To brighten such clouds, we can spray large quantities of microscopic seawater droplets into the air. This process of atomising seawater mimics the generation of sea salt aerosols by wind and waves in the ocean. If these are incorporated into a cloud and create extra droplets, the cloud will be brightened.

Sea salt also provides additional shade by direct scattering of light.



Testing the theory

Although scientists have researched cloud brightening for more than 30 years, no one had ever directly tested the theory. In Australia, we have now developed technology to a point where we are starting to measure the response of the clouds.

We are beginning such tests with the support and permission of Traditional Owners, who have sustainably managed their Sea Country for tens of thousands of years.

Our research program involves more than 15 research institutions and has multiple levels of governance and oversight.



Not so far-fetched

Most people probably dont realise we are already inadvertently brightening the clouds. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates humanitys unintentional release of aerosols offsets around 30 per cent of the warming effect due to greenhouse gases.

Sulphates in ship exhaust are such a potent source of aerosols for droplet formation, the passage of ships leaves cloud trails called ship tracks.

When the International Maritime Organisation introduced new rules limiting the sulphur content of marine fuels, the number and extent of ship tracks drastically reduced, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. A recent study even suggests the devastating heat wave that swept the Northern Hemisphere earlier this year was worsened by the absence of ship tracks.

The world-first research we are conducting in Australia aims to determine if we could harness the clouds in an effective, environmentally responsible and socially acceptable manner for the future conservation of one of our most precious ecosystems. (The Conversation) PY

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Taipei (Taiwan), Oct 17 (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a visit that underscores China's support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine as well as Russian backing for China's bid to expand its economic and diplomatic influence abroad.

The two countries have forged an informal alliance against the United States and other democratic nations that is now complicated by the Israel-Hamas war. China has sought to balance its ties with Israel against its relations with Iran and Syria, two countries that are strongly backed by Russia and with which China has forged ties for economic reasons as well as to challenge Washington's influence in the Middle East.

Putin's plane was met by an honour guard as the Russian leader began his visit that is also a show of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road initiative to build infrastructure and expand China's overseas influence.

In an interview to Chinese state media, Putin praised the massive but loosely linked BRI projects.

Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the People's Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise, we just see desire for cooperation, he told state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin on Monday.

Putin will be among the highest profile guests at a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Xi's announcement of the BRI project, which has laden countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debt from contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports and other public works they could not otherwise afford. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised the Chinese policy as bringing development to neglected areas.

Asked by reporters Friday about his visit, Putin said it would encompass talks on Belt and Road-related projects, which he said Moscow wants to link with efforts by an economic alliance of former Soviet Union nations mostly located in Central Asia to achieve common development goals.

He also downplayed the impact of China's economic influence in a region that Russia has long considered its backyard and where it has worked to maintain political and military clout.

We don't have any contradictions here, on the contrary, there is a certain synergy, Putin said.

Putin said he and Xi would also discuss growing economic ties between Moscow and Beijing in energy, high-tech and financial industries. China has also grown in importance as an export destination for Russia.

Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, said that from China's view, Russia is a safe neighbour that is friendly, that is a source of cheap raw materials, that's a support for Chinese initiatives on the global stage and that's also a source of military technologies, some of those that China doesn't have.

For Russia, China is its lifeline, economic lifeline in its brutal repression against Ukraine, Gabuev told The Associated Press.

It's the major market for Russian commodities, it's a country that provides its currency and payment system to settle Russia's trade with the outside world  with China itself, but also with many other countries, and is also the major source of sophisticated technological imports, including dual-use goods that go into the Russian military machine.

Gabuev said that while Moscow and Beijing will be unlikely to forge a full-fledged military alliance, their defence cooperation will grow.

Both countries are self-sufficient in terms of security and they benefit from partnering, but neither really requires a security guarantee from the other. And they preach strategic autonomy, he said.

There will be no military alliance, but there will be closer military cooperation, more interoperability, more cooperation on projecting force together, including in places like the Arctic and more joint effort to develop a missile defence that makes the U.S. nuclear planning and planning of the U.S. and its allies in Asia and in Europe more complicated, he added.

The Chinese and Soviets were Cold War rivals for influence among left-leaning states, but China and Russia have since partnered in the economic, military and diplomatic spheres.

Just weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February, Putin met with Xi in Beijing and the sides signed an agreement pledging a no-limits relationship. Beijing's attempts to present itself as a neutral peace broker in Russia's war on Ukraine have been widely dismissed by the international community.

Xi visited Moscow in March as part of a flurry of exchanges between the countries. China has condemned international sanctions imposed on Russia, but hasn't directly addressed an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court on charges of alleged involvement in the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. (AP) NPK

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Khan Younis (Gaza Strip), Oct 17 (AP) The US worked to break a deadlock over delivering aid to millions of increasingly desperate civilians in the Gaza Strip, which has been besieged by Israel since a brutal attack by Hamas militants, as US President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region.

Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Gaza early Tuesday, even inside an evacuation zone where Israel had told residents to gather in advance of an expected ground offensive.

Israel appears set to mount a major assault on the northern part of the territory aimed at rooting out Hamas.

Wounded people were rushed to the hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, Gaza residents reported.

Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported that 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 were killed in Khan Younis.

Israel has carried out unrelenting airstrikes against Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel last week killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians. Dozens of Israelis and citizens of other countries were taken captive and brought to Gaza by militants.

The Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to barrage Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling necessities caused by Israel's blockade, and Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territory's 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said. Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse with ever-decreasing supplies of water and medicine and with power running out at hospitals.

At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes. An agreement appeared to have been reached Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel.

Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict as fighting intensified along Israel's border with Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. With taps dry, many rationed the little clean water available and others resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military says it was trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gaza's north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas' military infrastructure is in residential areas.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. Israel fought a vicious month-long war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Don't test us in the north. Don't make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier."

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Iran's foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahian's threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Israeli military said on Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas' military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background. Schem was taken from Kibbutz Reim, where she was attending a rave. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the UN agency for Palestinians. But the agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel imminently, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the UN said.

Yet doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators.

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave. Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south. (AP) PY

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Khan Younis (Gaza Strip), Oct 17 (AP) The US worked to break a deadlock over delivering aid to millions of increasingly desperate civilians in the Gaza Strip, which has been besieged by Israel since a brutal attack by Hamas militants, as US President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region.

Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Gaza early Tuesday, killing dozens of people in the besieged enclave's south, where Israel told civilians from the north to seek shelter ahead of an expected ground offensive.

Wounded people were rushed to the hospital after heavy attacks outside the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, Gaza residents reported. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported that 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 were killed in Khan Younis.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis since early Tuesday. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

Israel has carried out unrelenting airstrikes against Hamas-ruled Gaza since the militant attack on southern Israel last week killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians. Dozens of Israelis and citizens of other countries were taken captive and brought to Gaza by militants.

The Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 others in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there. The strikes have not stopped Hamas militants from continuing to barrage Israel with rockets launched from Gaza.

The combination of airstrikes, dwindling necessities caused by Israel's blockade, and Israel's mass evacuation order for the north of the Gaza Strip has thrown the tiny territory's 2.3 million people into upheaval and caused increasing desperation.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes, and 60 per cent are now in the approximately 14-kilometer-long (8 mile) area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse with ever-decreasing supplies of water and medicine and with power running out at hospitals.

At the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  were hoping desperately to get out.

Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes.

An agreement appeared to have been reached on Monday, but Israel denied reports of a cease-fire in Rafah, which would be needed to open the gates. On Tuesday morning, they were still closed.

An Egyptian official said on Tuesday that Egypt and Israel agreed that the aid convoys at the border would travel into Israel for inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel.

The aid would then be allowed into Gaza. A brief humanitarian ceasefire would take place and foreign nationals would be allowed to exit Gaza via Rafah, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the media.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of a Biden visit planned for Wednesday to signal White House support for Israel.

Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict as fighting intensified along Israel's border with Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Israel for the second time in a week on Monday after a six-country tour through Arab nations, said in Tel Aviv that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

There were few details, but the plan would include the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way.

In Gaza, hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes searched for bread. With taps dry, many rationed the little clean water available and others resorted to drinking dirty or sewage-filled water, risking the spread of disease.

The Israeli military says it was trying to clear civilians for their safety ahead of a major campaign against Hamas in Gaza's north, where it says the militants have extensive networks of tunnels and rocket launchers. Much of Hamas' military infrastructure is in residential areas.

In addition to the dead, some 1,200 people across Gaza are believed buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said. Emergency teams struggled to rescue people while cut off from the internet and mobile networks, running out of fuel and exposed to unceasing airstrikes.

On Monday Israeli warplanes struck the headquarters of the Civil Defence in Gaza City, killing seven paramedics. Another 10 medics and doctors have been killed on the job, health authorities said.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. Israel fought a vicious month-long war with Hezbollah in 2006 that ended in a stalemate and a tense detente between the two sides.

Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah, Don't test us in the north. Don't make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier."

Soon after he spoke, the Knesset floor was evacuated as rockets headed toward Jerusalem. Sirens in Tel Aviv prompted US and Israeli officials to take shelter in a bunker, officials said.

Iran's foreign minister, meanwhile, warned that preemptive action is possible if Israel moves closer to a ground offensive. Hossein Amirabdollahian's threat followed a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Israeli military said Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken into Gaza, more than previously estimated. Hamas said it was holding 200 to 250 hostages.

Hamas' military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm wrapped with bandages. The woman, who identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, rocked slightly as she spoke, the sound of explosions reverberating in the background.

Schem was taken from Kibbutz Reim, where she was attending a rave. Hamas said she had undergone a three-hour operation.

The plight of the hostages has dominated the Israeli media since the attack, with interviews with their relatives playing on television almost constantly. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza until the hostages are released.

In Gaza, more than 400,000 displaced people in the south crowded into schools and other facilities of the UN agency for Palestinians. But the agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel imminently, meaning life-saving equipment like incubators and ventilators will stop functioning and putting thousands of lives at risk, the UN said.

Yet doctors and many hospital staff have refused to evacuate, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and newborns on ventilators.

In northern Gaza, unknown numbers remained, either unwilling or unable to leave. Hamas urged people to ignore the evacuation order. The Israeli military on Sunday released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south. (AP) PY

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Jerusalem, Oct 17 (AP) Here's what's happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:



ISRAEL SAYS MILITARY KILLED 4 MILITANTS CROSSING BORDER FROM LEBANON

Beirut: The Israeli military said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon, its Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said.

A video from a reconnaissance drone the Israeli army shared showed the militants near the separation wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion.

No group in Lebanon claimed immediately claimed responsibility. Last week, militants from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in southern Lebanon crossed the border and clashed with Israeli troops, killing 3 and wounding several others. The militants were killed, and the Palestinian group held funerals for two of them.

Tensions have flared along the Lebanon-Israel border between the Hezbollah group and Israeli military. While shelling has been limited to towns along the border, there are fears Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups would escalate their actions to support Hamas should Israel begin a ground operation in Gaza.



MALAYSIA'S ANWAR WARNS GAZA CRISIS COULD TURN INTO GENOCIDE

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the crisis in Gaza could turn into genocide if Israel's war against Hamas in the territory continues.

Anwar said Tuesday that civilian safety must be given top priority. He said he expressed Malaysia's unwavering support for the Palestinian people during a phone conversation Monday with Hamas political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh.

Given the dire situation in Gaza, I strongly advocate for the immediate cessation of bombardment and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in Rafah, he wrote on social media. He urged Israel to genuinely pursue a peaceful resolution to end the conflict.

Anwar told Parliament on Monday that Malaysia rebuffed calls by Western countries to condemn Hamas for its Oct 7 incursion into Israel that set off their latest war. Malaysia blames years of injustice and Israeli oppression on the Palestinian people for the Hamas incursion.

If no action is taken, it will turn into a genocide war, he said. If the world is unable to do anything, it means that the world is allowing the mass killing of Palestinians.

Malaysia, a moderate, mostly Muslim nation, has long been a critic of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. It does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.

Anwar plans to attend a meeting of Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia this week and has said he would discuss the issue with his counterparts.

Malaysia has allocated $2.1 million to the UN relief agency helping Palestinian refugees and hopes to raise up to $22 million for Palestinian humanitarian aid.



PALESTINIANS REPORT HEAVY SHELLING IN SOUTHERN GAZA

Gaza Strip: Palestinians in Gaza reported intense bombardments early Tuesday near the southern towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, where Israel ordered civilians to seek refuge.

Israeli bombs hit areas west and southeast of Khan Younis and west of Rafah, according to local reports. Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which contains the territory's only border crossing to Egypt, as international mediators press for a deal to allow aid in and refugees with foreign passports out.

Details of causalities were not immediately available. (AP) SCY

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Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin respectively in Beijing on Tuesday.

In the meeting with Thuong, Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, noted that 2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the two countries are working to build a community with a shared future with strategic significance.

The two sides should promote cooperation in key areas and make more achievements, focusing on promoting the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan, Zhao added.

The NPC will work with Vietnam's National Assembly to further deepen the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Zhao said.

Noting that Vietnam-China relationship has always been a strategic choice and top priority for Vietnam, Thuong said that Vietnam will actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road, strengthen pragmatic cooperation with China in various fields, consolidate political mutual trust, and bring Vietnam-China relations to new heights.

In the meeting with Tokayev, Zhao noted that China and Kazakhstan have made concrete progress in jointly pursuing the BRI since the initiative was proposed a decade ago, which brought actual benefits to people of the two countries.

The NPC will work with the Kazakh parliament in implementing the consensus reached by two heads of the state and further synergizing the BRI with the Bright Road initiative of Kazakhstan to contribute to the further development of China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Zhao said.

Acknowledging the notable achievements of the BRI over the past decade, Tokayev said that Kazakhstan places great importance on the development of Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and will work with China to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and bring the bilateral relations to new heights.

In the meeting with Srettha, Zhao noted that China will deepen political mutual trust with Thailand, continue to staunchly support each other, work together to build a China-Thailand community with a shared future and take the China-Thailand comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new levels.

Zhao added that the NPC will maintain friendly exchanges with the Thai parliament to provide legal support for China-Thailand cooperation and the Belt and Road cooperation.

Noting that Thailand highly values the development of the friendly relationship between the two countries, Srettha said that Thailand will deepen BRI cooperation with China, promote closer people-to-people and cultural exchanges and continue to increase the well-being of the two peoples. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)
Kyiv, Oct 17 (AP) Russia is throwing more units into its effort to take a key eastern Ukraine city, Western analysts say, after apparent setbacks that have slowed its dayslong onslaught.

The attempt to storm Avdiivka, a heavily defended city that stands in the way of Moscow's ambition of securing control of the entire Donetsk region, is Moscow's most significant offensive operation in Ukraine since the start of the year, the UK defence ministry said Tuesday.

The Kremlin's push to claim Avdiivka comes after months of fending off Ukraine's counteroffensive, which Kyiv launched some 16 months after Russia's full-scale invasion.

Both sides are looking for battlefield advantages ahead of winter. They are also looking to secure future weapons supplies for what is shaping up as a protracted war of attrition.

The Kremlin's forces deployed to Avdiivka are likely making slow progress and sustaining high casualties in what is proving a costly effort, the UK defence ministry said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The pace of Russia's attack on the heavily fortified target has reportedly slowed in recent days since its launch last week, a Washington-based think tank said.

Citing the Ukrainian General Staff, the Institute for the Study of War said Ukrainian forces pushed back 22 Russian attacks on Monday, down from 30 reported assaults the previous day. Kyiv officials said Russia mounted up to 60 attacks per day in the middle of last week.

The Ukrainian defence ministry said Tuesday that Russia is nevertheless still attempting to encircle the city, with 10 attacks over the previous 24 hours.

The UK defence ministry said Russia's effort to overrun Avdiivka looks increasingly unlikely in the short term.

More widely, Russian forces launched six Shahed drones and one Kh-59 cruise missile over southern regions of Ukraine late Monday, Kyiv authorities said. The Ukraine Air Force of Ukraine claimed to have intercepted all the targets, with no casualties or destruction reported.

Ukraine struck two helicopter airfields near the Russia-controlled Luhansk and Berdyansk regions, the Air Force claimed.

It was not immediately possible to verify the two sides' battlefield claims. (AP) SCY

SCY
Jerusalem, Oct 17 (PTI) Here's what's happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:



UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE CONDEMNS REPORTED KILLING OF FLEEING CIVILIANS

Geneva: The UN human rights office is decrying appalling reports that civilians who were trying to flee to southern Gaza were hit and killed by a military strike.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani urged Israeli forces to avoid aerial bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks and to take precautions to avoid - and in any case, to minimize - loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects.

She said those who managed to evacuate are now trapped in southern Gaza with scant access to shelter, food, water, sanitation and medicine.

Appalling reports that civilians attempting to relocate to southern Gaza were struck and killed by an explosive weapon, must be independently and thoroughly investigated as must all allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law, she said.

Shamdasani also reiterated the call from the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Palestinian armed groups to immediately and unconditionally release all civilian hostages and to halt the use of inherently indiscriminate projectiles against Israel.



FRENCH PRESIDENT CALLS FOR AN END TO ODIOUS' HOSTAGE-TAKING

Tirana (Albania): French President Emmanuel Macron said the situation of hostages is absolutely odious and unacceptable after Hamas' military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm bandaged.

The woman identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, a French-Israeli national.

Speaking at a news conference during a visit to Albania, Macron said he watched the video and expressed support and affection to Schem's family and all other hostages' loved ones.

To have taken hostages, both civilian and military, of all nationalities and to use blackmail at this time is absolutely odious and unacceptable, he said.

Macron said France is using contacts with Israeli authorities and also with Hamas through friendly intermediary powers, which he did not identify, to get the release of French and other hostages.

In her statement, Schem said she was taken from Kibbutz Reim, where she was attending a rave near the Israel-Gaza border.

The Israeli military said Schem's family was told of her abduction last week, and officials dismissed the video as propaganda.



A CRUISE SHIP CARRYING FOREIGN NATIONALS FROM ISRAEL DOCKS IN CYPRUS

Nicosia: A cruise ship carrying some 160 US citizens and other foreign nationals who opted to leave Israel has arrived in Cyprus' main port of Limassol.

The Rhapsody of the Seas docked at dawn Tuesday and were met by the US ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher. Passengers were processed by Cypriot authorities and local US embassy officials before being bussed to temporary accommodation prior to their flight back home.

Barbara Zwillick, 73, was escorting her granddaughter to New York City at the request of her daughter, who has stayed behind to continue her work as a nurse.

"She doesn't want to leave. I don't want her to leave. But she wants her daughter out, Zwillick told The Associated Press.

Naama Kopelman, who has relatives believed to be Hamas hostages, said she decided to leave Israel for the sake of her daughter.

"It's a big relief to be out of there in a safe place. No alarms, no sounds of the planes going about all the time, Kopelman said.



IRANIAN LEADER CALLS ISRAEL'S ASSAULT ON GAZA GENOCIDE'

Tehran: Iran's supreme leader Tuesday has insisted that his country will not stop Hamas, and repeated a call for Israeli leaders to be tried for war crimes.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, If the crimes continue, Muslims will be impatient, resistances forces will be impatient, and nobody will be able to prevent them.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped, Muslim nations are angry, said Khamenei.

He reiterated Iran's stance in calling Israel's assault against Hamas, genocide and urged the prosecution of the Israeli government for its killing of civilians in Gaza.

He also urged the US to pay attention to its responsibility in the war.



FAMILIES KILLED IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES ON GAZA

Gaza Strip: Palestinians in Gaza are taking stock of the latest deadly airstrikes from Israel.

A strike in Deir al Balah, south of Gaza City, reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there, mostly women and children. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

In Khan Younis, in a neighbourhood just a few hundred metres away from Nasser Hospital, Samiha Zoarab looked around at the destruction in shock as children rummaged through the piles of debris and detritus around a leveled home, which lies within a dense cluster of buildings. At least four people from the same family were killed in the attack, locals said. There are only two survivors, Zoarab said.



ANTI-TANK MISSILE FIRED FROM LEBANON INTO ISRAEL, WHICH RESPONDS WITH SHELLING

Beirut: An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon landed in the town of Metula in northern Israel Tuesday morning. Three people were injured in the attack, according to the Ziv Medical Centre in Safed, which was expecting to receive them.

No group in Lebanon immediately took responsibility for the rocket. It was not immediately clear if the injured were civilians or soldiers, but Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate from the area near the Lebanese border.

Israel responded by striking several areas along the border in southern Lebanon with shelling and white phosphorus, the state-run National News Agency in Lebanon reported. The Israeli military said its tanks fired back into Lebanon over the anti-tank missile fire it received.



TURKISH OFFICIAL SUGGESTS NATION COULD BE 2-STATE GUARANTOR

Istanbul: Turkey and other regional powers should act as guarantors of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestinians to ensure peace, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said late Monday.

The international community should insist that Israel accept the creation of a Palestinian state, Fidan said in a briefing with the Turkish media.

After an agreement is reached...the guarantor countries should assume responsibility for fulfilling its requirements, state-run Anadolu news agency quoted Fidan following a briefing with Turkish media.

He added: Unless peace is guaranteed, the state of Israel and its people can never feel safe in the region. The minister did not provide further detail on the plan. Turkey, along with the UK and Greece, has acted as a guarantor on the divided island of Cyprus since 1960.

Fidan has had a series of diplomatic meetings focused on Gaza in recent days and has others scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.

Fidan said he had presented to idea of guarantors to those he had spoken with.

The important thing is to realize the two-state solution by using this crisis as an opportunity, he said. It is to bring permanent peace to the region.



JORDAN'S KING SAYS IT WON'T ACCEPT PALESTINIAN REFUGEE

Berlin: King Abdullah II of Jordan has said at a meeting with German Chancellor OIaf Scholz in Berlin that neither Jordan nor Egypt would be willing to take in any Palestinian refugees.

The Jordanian king told reporters on Tuesday that this is a red line...no refugees to Jordan and also no refugees to Egypt.

This is a situation that has to be handled within Gaza and the West Bank, he said. And you don't have to carry this out on the shoulders of others.

Abdullah also said that everything needs to be done to prevent a further escalation of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

The whole region is on the brink, Abdullah said. This new cycle of violence is leading us towards the abyss.

Scholz, who is travelling to Israel later on Tuesday, stressed that the country has every right to defend itself and can count on Germany's support. (AP) SCY

SCY
Jerusalem, Oct 17 (AP) Palestinians described intense bombardments early Tuesday near two towns in southern Gaza, where Israel had ordered civilians to seek refuge.

Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which has the territory's only border crossing to Egypt. Mediators are pressing for an agreement to let aid in and refugees with foreign passports out. The U.S. hoped to break a deadlock with President Joe Biden set to head to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday.

Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege that followed a Hamas attack on Israel.

The war that began October 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,778 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.



Currently:

1. U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.

2. A shortage of drinking water continues across Gaza, leading humanitarian workers to warn of the risk of disease from drinking untreated water.

3. Overwhelmed doctors at the territory's largest hospital struggle to care for patients as supplies of water, fuel and medicine run dangerously low.

4. Hundreds of civilians killed in the Hamas attacks have yet to be identified by Israeli forensics teams.



Here's what's happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:



UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE CONDEMNS REPORTED KILLING OF FLEEING CIVILIANS The U.N. human rights office is decrying appalling reports that civilians who were trying to flee to southern Gaza were hit and killed by a military strike.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani urged Israeli forces to avoid aerial bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks and to take precautions to avoid  and in any case, to minimize  loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects.

She said those who managed to evacuate are now trapped in southern Gaza with scant access to shelter, food, water, sanitation and medicine.

Appalling reports that civilians attempting to relocate to southern Gaza were struck and killed by an explosive weapon, must be independently and thoroughly investigated as must all allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law, she said.

Shamdasani also reiterated the call from the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights to Palestinian armed groups to immediately and unconditionally release all civilian hostages and to halt the use of inherently indiscriminate projectiles against Israel.



FRENCH PRESIDENT CALLS FOR AN END TO ODIOUS' HOSTAGE-TAKING

TIRANA, Albania  French President Emmanuel Macron said the situation of hostages is absolutely odious and unacceptable after Hamas' military wing released a hostage video showing a dazed woman having her arm bandaged.

The woman identified herself as Mia Schem, 21, a French-Israeli national.

Speaking at a news conference during a visit to Albania, Macron said he watched the video and expressed support and affection to Schem's family and all other hostages' loved ones.

To have taken hostages, both civilian and military, of all nationalities and to use blackmail at this time is absolutely odious and unacceptable, he said.

Macron said France is using contacts with Israeli authorities and also with Hamas through friendly intermediary powers, which he did not identify, to get the release of French and other hostages.

In her statement, Schem said she was taken from Kibbutz Reim, where she was attending a rave near the Israel-Gaza border.

The Israeli military said Schem's family was told of her abduction last week, and officials dismissed the video as propaganda.



A CRUISE SHIP CARRYING FOREIGN NATIONALS FROM ISRAEL DOCKS IN CYPRUS

CYPRUS - A cruise ship carrying some 160 U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals who opted to leave Israel has arrived in Cyprus' main port of Limassol.

The Rhapsody of the Seas docked at dawn Tuesday and were met by the U.S. ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher. Passengers were processed by Cypriot authorities and local U.S. embassy officials before being bussed to temporary accommodation prior to their flight back home.

Barbara Zwillick, 73, was escorting her granddaughter to New York City at the request of her daughter, who has stayed behind to continue her work as a nurse.

"She doesn't want to leave. I don't want her to leave. But she wants her daughter out, Zwillick told The Associated Press.

Naama Kopelman, who has relatives believed to be Hamas hostages, said she decided to leave Israel for the sake of her daughter.

"It's a big relief to be out of there in a safe place. No alarms, no sounds of the planes going about all the time, Kopelman said.



IRANIAN LEADER CALLS ISRAEL'S ASSAULT ON GAZA GENOCIDE'

TEHRAN, Iran  Iran's supreme leader Tuesday has insisted that his country will not stop Hamas, and repeated a call for Israeli leaders to be tried for war crimes.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, If the crimes continue, Muslims will be impatient, resistances forces will be impatient, and nobody will be able to prevent them.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped, Muslim nations are angry, said Khamenei.

He reiterated Iran's stance in calling Israel's assault against Hamas genocide and urged the prosecution of the Israeli government for its killing of civilians in Gaza.

He also urged the U.S. to pay attention to its responsibility in the war.



FAMILIES KILLED IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES ON GAZA

DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip  Palestinians in Gaza are taking stock of the latest deadly airstrikes from Israel.

A strike in Deir al Balah, south of Gaza City, reduced a house to rubble, killing nine members of the family living there, mostly women and children. Three members of another family that had evacuated from Gaza City were killed in a neighbouring home. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

In Khan Younis, in a neighbourhood just a few hundred metres away from Nasser Hospital, Samiha Zoarab looked around at the destruction in shock as children rummaged through the piles of debris and detritus around a levelled home, which lies within a dense cluster of buildings. At least four people from the same family were killed in the attack, locals said. There are only two survivors, Zoarab said.



ANTI-TANK MISSILE FIRED FROM LEBANON INTO ISRAEL, WHICH RESPONDS WITH SHELLING

BEIRUT  An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon landed in the town of Metula in northern Israel Tuesday morning. Three people were injured in the attack, according to the Ziv Medical Center in Safed, which was expecting to receive them.

No group in Lebanon immediately took responsibility for the rocket. It was not immediately clear if the injured were civilians or soldiers, but Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate from the area near the Lebanese border.

Israel responded by striking several areas along the border in southern Lebanon with shelling and white phosphorus, the state-run National News Agency in Lebanon reported. The Israeli military said its tanks fired back into Lebanon over the anti-tank missile fire it received.



TURKISH OFFICIAL SUGGESTS NATION COULD BE 2-STATE GUARANTOR

ISTANBUL  Turkey and other regional powers should act as guarantors of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestinians to ensure peace, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said late Monday.

The international community should insist that Israel accept the creation of a Palestinian state, Fidan said in a briefing with the Turkish media.

After an agreement is reached ... the guarantor countries should assume responsibility for fulfilling its requirements, state-run Anadolu news agency quoted Fidan following a briefing with Turkish media.

He added: Unless peace is guaranteed, the state of Israel and its people can never feel safe in the region. The minister did not provide further detail on the plan. Turkey, along with the U.K. and Greece, has acted as a guarantor on the divided island of Cyprus since 1960.

Fidan has had a series of diplomatic meetings focused on Gaza in recent days and has others scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.

Fidan said he had presented to idea of guarantors to those he had spoken with.

The important thing is to realize the two-state solution by using this crisis as an opportunity, he said. It is to bring permanent peace to the region.



JORDAN'S KING SAYS IT WON'T ACCEPT PALESTINIAN REFUGEES

BERLIN  King Abdullah II of Jordan has said at a meeting with German Chancellor OIaf Scholz in Berlin that neither Jordan nor Egypt would be willing to take in any Palestinian refugees.

The Jordanian king told reporters on Tuesday that this is a red line ... no refugees to Jordan and also no refugees to Egypt.

This is a situation that has to be handled within Gaza and the West Bank, he said. And you don't have to carry this out on the shoulders of others.

Abdullah also said that everything needs to be done to prevent a further escalation of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

The whole region is on the brink, Abdullah said. This new cycle of violence is leading us towards the abyss.

Scholz, who is travelling to Israel later on Tuesday, stressed that the country has every right to defend itself and can count on Germany's support.



ISRAEL SAYS MILITARY KILLED 4 MILITANTS CROSSING BORDER FROM LEBANON

BEIRUT  The Israeli military said it killed four militants attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon with an explosive device, its Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said.

A video from a reconnaissance drone the Israeli army shared showed the militants near the separation wall before they were targeted, causing an explosion.

No group in Lebanon immediately claimed responsibility. Last week, militants from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in southern Lebanon crossed the border and clashed with Israeli troops, killing 3 and wounding several others. The militants were killed, and the Palestinian group held funerals for two of them.

Tensions have flared along the Lebanon-Israel border between the Hezbollah group and Israeli military. While shelling has been limited to towns along the border, there are fears Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups would escalate their actions to support Hamas should Israel begin a ground operation in Gaza.



MALAYSIA'S ANWAR WARNS GAZA CRISIS COULD TURN INTO GENOCIDE

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the crisis in Gaza could turn into genocide if Israel's war against Hamas in the territory continues.

Anwar said Tuesday that civilian safety must be given top priority. He said he expressed Malaysia's unwavering support for the Palestinian people during a phone conversation Monday with Hamas political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh.

Given the dire situation in Gaza, I strongly advocate for the immediate cessation of bombardment and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in Rafah, he wrote on social media. He urged Israel to genuinely pursue a peaceful resolution to end the conflict.

Anwar told Parliament on Monday that Malaysia rebuffed calls by Western countries to condemn Hamas for its October 7 incursion into Israel that set off their latest war. Malaysia blames years of injustice and Israeli oppression on the Palestinian people for the Hamas incursion.

If no action is taken, it will turn into a genocide war, he said. If the world is unable to do anything, it means that the world is allowing the mass killing of Palestinians.

Malaysia, a moderate, mostly Muslim nation, has long been a critic of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. It does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.

Anwar plans to attend a meeting of Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia this week and has said he would discuss the issue with his counterparts.

Malaysia has allocated USD 2.1 million to the U.N. relief agency helping Palestinian refugees and hopes to raise up to USD 22 million for Palestinian humanitarian aid.



PALESTINIANS REPORT HEAVY SHELLING IN SOUTHERN GAZA

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  Palestinians in Gaza reported intense bombardments early Tuesday near the southern towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, where Israel ordered civilians to seek refuge.

Israeli bombs hit areas west and southeast of Khan Younis and west of Rafah, according to local reports. Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which contains the territory's only border crossing to Egypt, as international mediators press for a deal to allow aid in and refugees with foreign passports out.

Details of casualties were not immediately available.



NEW YORK GOVERNOR SAYS SHE'LL VISIT ISRAEL ON TUESDAY

NEW YORK  Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will travel to Israel on Tuesday for a solidarity mission.

She said she plans to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities devastated after the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israeli towns.

During these difficult times, it's more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel, Hochul said.

New York has the largest percentage of Jews among all the U.S. states, according to the American Jewish Population Project at Brandeis University.



BIDEN TO VISIT ISRAEL ON WEDNESDAY

TEL AVIV, Israel  President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support for the U.S. ally amid concerns the Israel-Hamas war could become a larger regional conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Biden will then go to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Blinken's announcement followed hours of talks with Israeli officials, as well as an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire Blinken also said the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid from donor nations to reach civilians in Gaza, "including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way.

We share Israel's concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it, Blinken said. (AP) NPK

NPK
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) A special flight carrying Indian nationals and 18 Nepalese citizens wanting to leave Israel amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict left for India on Tuesday as part of 'Operation Ajay'.

In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, "Operation Ajay moves forward. 286 more passengers are coming back to India. Also carrying 18 Nepalese citizens."

The Indian Embassy in Israel said Operation Ajay continues with the fifth flight having taken off from Tel Aviv to Delhi.

Nepalese Ambassador to Israel Kanta Rizal told PTI that some of these 18 Nepalese were living in difficult zones while others wanted to go back.

"We sent 254 Nepalese citizens on the Nepal Airlines on October 12 and may look to arrange more flights to take them out," she said.

Nepalese Deputy Chief of Mission in Israel Arjun Dhimire told PTI, "The two embassies (Indian and Nepalese) were in touch and always cooperate with each other. This time also, considering the limited flights, the Embassy of Nepal asked to accommodate its 18 citizens."

The special flights are part of Operation Ajay launched on October 12 to facilitate the return of those Indian nationals who wish to return home following the brazen attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas militants from Gaza on October 7.

The voluntary departure of Indian nationals was necessitated after armed Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip launched an unprecedented attack on Israel by land, air, and sea on October 7.

Last week, four chartered flights from Tel Aviv came with a total of 906 passengers, including children.

Since the start of hostilities, as many as 2,778 Palestinians have been killed.

According to official Israeli sources, at least 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in Israel. PTI ASK HM NPK AKJ ASK NPK

NPK
Brussels, Oct 17 (AP) The European Union leaders are trying to overcome the cacophony of different opinions and voices over the Israel-Hamas war into one single political hymn in an attempt to have a bigger diplomatic impact on the global stage.

Even if their summit on Tuesday is by virtual video conferencing only, the attack in Brussels that left two Swedes dead last night further underscored the need to show a unified stance in the face of common threats.

Ever since the attack of Hamas on Israel on October 7, the EU has shown it is a group of 27 different nations and even their common institutions have sent out different messages, sowing confusion about the bloc's intentions and reaping international criticism.

Many member states feel that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen overstepped her authority by visiting Israel on Friday without a pre-agreed political message and then toed what many saw as an excessively pro-Israeli line.

Foreign and security policy remains a responsibility of the member states, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Tuesday ahead of the the virtual summit.

Von der Leyen's executive Commission maintains she is free to travel as she wants and express solidarity with a nation in need as she pleases, and will do so again if need be.

Still, the unease was compounded because, for some, an EU insistence that Israel respect international law in its fight against Hamas was not expressed explicitly enough by von der Leyen.

The position is clear: Israel has the right to defense, but this defense has to be developed in compliance with international laws and in particular humanitarian laws  because war also has its laws, Borrell said.

He insisted that it would be the main common message coming out of the summit.

On Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz travelled to Israel for an impromptu visit. French President Emmanuel Macron said that he will travel to the region as soon as I consider that we have a useful agenda and very concrete actions to drive forward.

Few other international crises divide the bloc like the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Just last week in the wake of the Hamas attack, a commissioner at the bloc's executive branch announced that development aid meant to help the Palestinian Authority reduce poverty would be immediately suspended. Hours later, the European Commission's position changed. It announced an urgent review of the assistance to ensure that no money is being misused. Since it is listed by the EU as a terror group, Hamas does not receive any such funds anyway.

Then on Saturday, the commission said it was tripling humanitarian aid to Gaza - money meant to be used in times of crises or disasters.

Macron, a key player in Tuesday's summit, said that beyond supporting Israel's right to defend itself, he also has been able "to pass on warning messages calling for respect for humanitarian law, international law and civilian populations in Gaza and the West Bank, and for non-escalation of the conflict in Lebanon.

We remain extremely vigilant and committed, he added.

EU Council President Charles Michel said in announcing the summit that the conflict could have major security consequences for our societies.

He said that the leaders would look at ways to help civilians in Israel and Gaza caught up in the war and to work with other countries in the Middle East and Persian Gulf regions to try to prevent the conflict from spreading.(AP) RUP

RUP
Tel Aviv, Oct 17 (AP) President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support for the US ally as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Biden's travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometre) territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what US and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.

Biden is looking to send the strongest message yet that the US is behind Israel. His Democratic administration has pledged military support, sending US carriers and aid to the region. Officials have said they would ask Congress for upward of USD 2 billion in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russia's invasion.

Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials. (AP) RPA
Ahmedabad, Oct 17 (PTI) The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) on Tuesday said the construction of the concourse-level slab of a station for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train at Kalupur here has been completed.

The station, with two platforms, will be at a height of 33.73 meters from the ground, spread over 38,000 square metres above platform numbers 10, 11 and 12 of the existing station of the Western Railway, the NHSRCL said in a release.

The 435-metre long slab of the concourse of the bullet train station has been completed, it said.

The design of the bullet train station draws on the rich cultural and historical ethos of the city. Its roof depicts a canvas for hundreds of kites whereas the facade has a pattern inspired by the intricate lattice work of Sidi Sayed mosque's jaali window, the release said.

To ensure seamless integration of the bullet train station with other modes of transport, an integrated building for passenger transit is planned on the east side of the existing railway station, the NHSRCL said.

It had recently announced that all the land required for the Gujarat segment of the ambitious project has been acquired. The last parcel of land in Gujarat was acquired at Kathore village in Surat district in September.

The government aims to launch the high speed train in the Surat-Bilimora stretch in south Gujarat by 2026.

The project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with a soft loan of Rs 88,000 crore, was launched by prime minister Narendra Modi and then Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in September 2017.

The bullet train is expected to cover the distance of 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in about three-and-half hours.

The Rs 1.10 lakh crore project was expected to be completed by 2022, but faced hurdles in land acquisition.
Bhopal, Oct 17 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath on Tuesday released the party's manifesto for the upcoming state assembly polls, making a slew of promises including Rs 25 lakh health insurance cover for all citizens of MP, 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, and to form an IPL team of the state.

The opposition Congress listed 59 promises in its 106-page manifesto, with assurances for all sections of the society, including farmers, women and government employees.



"We will provide health insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh, which also has an accidental cover of Rs 10 lakh, for all the people," Nath said while releasing the manifesto.



Madhya Pradesh will also have an Indian Premier League (IPL) team of the state, he said.



Nath also announced waiver of farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh and an assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to women.



He also promised to provide LPG cylinders at Rs 500, make school education free, implementation of the Old Pension Scheme and unemployment allowance for youth ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per month for two years.

Elections to the 230-member state assembly are scheduled on November 17.
Patna, Oct 17 (PTI) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday strongly defended Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra who is facing accusations of having received bribes for targeting a business conglomerate in Parliament.

Yadav, whose RJD shares an affinity with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees TMC since much before the formation of INDIA coalition, also made a veiled attack on BJP MP Nishikant Dubey who has come up with the allegation against Moitra and sought her disqualification from Lok Sabha.

Mahua Moitra is a highly educated lady who had an illustrious career as a banker before she took the political plunge. On the other hand, the one who is coming up with nonsense against her is known to the media for various wrongdoings, which include fake degrees, Yadav told reporters here.

The allusion was to charges levelled against Dubey, by Moitra inside Parliament several months ago that the BJP MP had falsely claimed in his election affidavit that he had an MBA degree and a PhD. Moitra had also demanded termination of Dubeys membership of the Lok Sabha on the ground.

The points Mahua Moitra has been raising in Parliament have unsettled the ruling side (at the Centre). And hence, they are trying to get back at her, alleged Yadav.

Moitra has made several allegations against the Adani Group and its connection with the BJP.

The Bihar Deputy CM bristled when it was pointed out to him that the BJP, which is in the opposition in the state, was alleging that the much-publicised caste survey had many irregularities.

He replied: The data has been collected in a scientific manner. However, if the BJP believes otherwise, I have always said that they are free to ask the Centre to get a caste census done. The fact is, the BJP and Prime Minister Modi are wary of a headcount of castes. Hence, they are raising pointless objections.

The caste survey, findings of which were released earlier this month, has shown that Other Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes form a whopping 63 per cent of the states total population while the Hindu upper castes, which form the BJPs core base, were slightly over 10 per cent.

Replying to a query about seat-sharing among the constituents of Bihars ruling Mahagathbandhan, Yadav said, There will be no problem. Everything was smooth in the alliance during 2015 assembly polls when we had to decide about 243 seats. In Lok Sabha elections, there are only 40 seats.

About a CBI petition seeking cancellation of bail of RJD supremo and his father Lalu Prasad in land for jobs scam, Yadav said, We will make our submission before the court. But the CBI wants to get the bail cancelled on no valid grounds. It had tried to do a similar thing in my case a few years ago.

Asked about a Delhi court granting him permission to visit Japan later this month, Yadav, who has also been named as an accused in the scam, said he was looking forward to his official tour of the East Asian country.

The Japanese revere Buddha and they have strong feelings about Bihar which is the land where Buddha had got enlightenment. I will be holding talks with envoys and other officials of Japan to discuss ways to facilitate tourism and travel, added Yadav.
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked scientists to aim to send the first Indian to the Moon by 2040 and set up an Indian space station by 2035, according to an official statement.

He gave these directions during a meeting to review the preparedness of the Gaganyaan mission and the first demonstration flight of the crew escape system test vehicle scheduled for October 21.

"The meeting evaluated the missions readiness, affirming its launch in 2025," the statement said.

During the meeting, the prime minister outlined the future of India's space exploration endeavours and urged scientists to work towards interplanetary missions, including a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander.

"Building on the success of Indian space initiatives, including the recent Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 missions, the prime minister directed that India should now aim for new and ambitious goals, including setting up 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' (Indian space station) by 2035 and sending first Indian to the Moon by 2040," the statement said.

To realize this vision, the Department of Space will develop a roadmap for Moon exploration, it said.

"This will encompass a series of Chandrayaan missions, the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), construction of a new launch pad, setting up human-centric Laboratories and associated technologies," the statement said.

The Department of Space presented a comprehensive overview of the Gaganyaan Mission, including various technologies developed so far such as human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification.

It was noted that around 20 major tests, including three uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) are planned.

Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in India's capabilities and affirmed the nation's commitment to scaling new heights in space exploration.
Ithmaar Bank, a Bahrain-based Islamic retail bank, is continuing its long-standing tradition of hosting its Ithmaar Energy and Ithmaar Guide internship programmes.

The internship programmes, developed as part of the banks strategies and plans to achieve its Environmental, Social, and Governance goals, are designed to help prepare future banking professionals in Islamic banking industry, the bank said.

The programmes provide participants the opportunity to experience, first hand, working environment and enhance their communication and time management skills as well as provide them with practical and technical experience in order to increase their opportunity to be employed in the labour market in line with the Bahrain Vision 2030 to empower Bahrainis, making them the first choice of employment.

Ithmaar Energy is designed for fresh graduates as it provides them with the opportunity to develop their skills and utilise their capabilities and ambitions through practical experience in banking environment as well as providing them with access and authority to perform their job similarly to actual employees in the bank.

Ithmaar Guide, which is designed for younger candidates, especially high school students, aims to provide participants with an outline, practical experience, and guidance to help them make a right decision to choose their academic programme. This is done through a comprehensive programme that is designed to enable them greater knowledge about all departments in the Bank and allow participants to complete some tasks in each department as well as equip them with specialised training courses to learn more about the work environment in an Islamic Bank and guide them in line with their ambitions to meet their future academic aspiration.

Being one of the Islamic banking pioneers, Ithmaar Bank has always played a vital and effective role in supporting various activities and social initiatives, said Ithmaar Bank Head of Enterprise Support Services and Sustainability, Einas Raheemi. This includes continuous investment in Bahraini youth as it contributes directly to help maintain Bahrains position as a major financial hub in the Middle East, she said.

Ithmaar Bank recognises its important role and responsibility to support youth talent through internship programmes that aim to develop their professional capabilities and increase their chances to swiftly find a job opportunity, said Raheemi. Through these programmes, Ithmaar Bank gives the priority to its talented and qualified interns to be hired by the Bank when there is a vacancy. Therefore, the Bahrainisation in 2023 at Ithmaar Bank has reached 95 percent and has reached 93 percent at the executive management level. This high percentage is due to the Banks continuous efforts to develop national cadres and the Banks employees to hold senior management positions and set an effective internal plan to invest in Bahrainis to be the employee of choice at the Bank as well as in the banking sector, she said. -TradeArabia News Service
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia hosted the third global conference on assistance to the victims of mines and other explosive ordnance here on Tuesday.

The three-day conference brought together delegates from 45 countries and regions, which are parties to the Mine-Ban Convention, known as the "Ottawa Treaty."

Ly Thuch, senior minister and first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), said the conference gave an opportunity for all stakeholders to deliberate the assistance to victims of landmines and other explosive ordnance and their families.

"It is a moral imperative that calls upon our collective conscience to take action and support those whose lives have been shattered by these indiscriminate weapons of war," he said in a speech during the opening ceremony of the conference.

Thuch said the conference was not only an exploration of academic insights, but also a show of unity and collaboration to assist the victims of landmines and other explosive ordnance.

Cambodia is one of the countries worst affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs). An estimated 4 million to 6 million landmines and other munitions had been left over from three decades of war and internal conflicts that ended in 1998.

According to Yale University, between 1965 and 1973, the United States had dropped some 230,516 bombs on 113,716 sites in Cambodia.

According to the CMAA's latest report, from 1979 to August 2023, landmine and ERW explosions had killed 19,822 people and either injured or amputated 45,209 others, making Cambodia one of the countries with the most casualties.

The Southeast Asian country is committed to achieving a mine-free goal by 2025. 
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) As the Supreme Court refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, the Congress on Tuesday said as a party of inclusion, it believes in non-discriminatory processes in the judicial, social, and political realm.

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages.

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, who was heading the bench pronouncing its verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages, said the court can't make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "On the same sex marriage and related issues we are studying the different and differing judgments delivered in the Supreme Court today and will have a detailed response subsequently."

"Indian National Congress has always stood with all our citizens to protect their freedoms, choices, liberties and rights. We, as a party of inclusion, firmly believe in non discriminatory processes  judicial, social, and political," Ramesh said.

At the outset, Justice Chandrachud said there are four judgments -- by himself, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha -- in the matter. Justice Hima Kohli is also a part of the five-judge bench.

Directing the Centre, states, and Union Territories to ensure the queer community is not discriminated against, the CJI said queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages and is neither urban nor elitist.

Justice Kaul said he agrees with the CJI on grant of certain rights to queer couples.

Justice Bhat, who read out the operative portion of his verdict, said he agrees and differs with the views of the CJI on certain points.

Delivering his verdict on the critical issue, the CJI said it is for Parliament to decide whether there is a need for a change in the regime of the Special Marriage Act.
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Even as the Supreme Court's five-judge Constitution bench on Tuesday refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, there are 34 countries where marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognised with the most recent country being Andorra.

Same sex marriage will become legal in the 35th country, Estonia, from the next year.

Among the 34 countries where same-sex marriage is legal at present are:

Argentina: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2010.

Australia: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2017.

Germany: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2017.

Mexico: Same-sex marriage was legalised in Federal District (Mexico City) in 2010, while the legalisation dates vary in different other states.

United Kingdom: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2014.

Scotland: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2014.

Northern Ireland: Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2020.

Since July 9, 2015, married same-sex couples throughout the United States have had equal access to all the federal benefits that married opposite-sex couples have.

There are 35 countries with legal recognition other than marriage (eg, civil unions or registered partnerships).

A civil union (also known as a civil partnership) is a legally recognised arrangement similar to marriage, created primarily as a means to provide legal recognition for same-sex couples. Civil unions grant some or all of the rights of marriage.

Some of the countries with legal recognition are:

Denmark: It was the first country to legalise civil unions for same-sex couples in 1989.

Brazil: Civil unions were first created for opposite-sex couples in 2002.

Andorra: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2014.

Chile: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2015.

Estonia: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2016.

Japan: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in some municipalities before 2021.

Slovenia: Legal recognition for same-sex couples was granted in 2017.
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) The defence ministry on Tuesday said it signed a contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd for construction of the first Indian Coast Guard training ship at a cost of Rs 310 crore.

It would be the first dedicated training platform with integral helicopter capabilities that will provide basic sea training to Coast Guard personnel and other international trainee officers, according to the ministry.

"The Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the construction of one training ship for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai at a cost of Rs 310 crore," it said.

The ministry said the training ship with advanced and modern high-tech surveillance and monitoring systems will provide "profound insight and expertise" to the ICG cadets on the challenges at sea while ensuring the security of coastline and offshore assets.

"The majority of equipment and systems will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, including MSMEs. The project envisages to generate significant employment over a period of three years," it said in a statement.

"While meeting the objectives of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', the contract would also boost the indigenous shipbuilding capability and help in bolstering maritime economic capabilities," the ministry said.
Kota (RJ), Oct 17 (PTI) Former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin's son Osama was granted bail on Tuesday by a court here and handed over to a Bihar Police team in a property-related case, police said.

Osama, the son of Bihar's gangsterturned-politician, was arrested along with his friends, Saif and Wasim, on Monday.

An SDM court in Ramganjmandi town of Kota district granted the three men bail.

Osama and Saif were later handed over to Bihar Police as the two were wanted in a property-related case booked earlier this month in the state's Siwan district, Ranganjmandi Police Station SHO Manoj Berwal said.

According to police, the three were arrested when they acted suspiciously at a checkpost in Pundwa. The three men, aged around 30-35, were driving a car with a Delhi registration number.

After questioning, the three were arrested for interrogation under section 151 as they were responding suspiciously, Berwal said.

According to police, Osama and his friends told them they had been coming from Delhi and were on their way to Goa.

When police checked with their counterparts in Bihar, they were informed that Osama and Saif had about 10 days ago been booked in a property case in Siwan.
Jaipur, Oct 17 (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said legislators who did development work in their areas cannot be denied a party ticket.

When asked whether a special priority will be given to 102 MLAs who saved the government during the 2020 political crisis in Rajasthan, Gehlot said the winnability of every candidate will be considered when it comes to nomination.

Rajasthan is headed for an assembly election coming November.

"Any work related to any area is due to the legislator only. How can he be made to sit (denied a ticket)," Gehlot told reporters at Jaipur airport before leaving for Delhi.

The CM was departing for a Congress Screening Committee meeting scheduled today. He said the party's Election Committee meeting has been proposed to be held on Wednesday.

Gehlot accused the BJP and RSS of spreading "rumour" that Congress legislators committed huge corruption.

"If democracy has to be saved then Congress has to be brought in Rajasthan. This is what I believe. Only Congress can save democracy in the country," he said.

Gehlot also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he can have the right to ask for votes only if he brings back the Old Pension Scheme, implement an urban-rural development guarantee, social security, and Rs 25 lakh in health insurance at the central level.

He praised his government's work in the state saying "Such schemes have probably not come anywhere in India."

Gehlot once again targeted the BJP over the political crisis faced by his government in 2020.

"Governments fell in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka but could not be toppled here. Party President Mallikarjun Kharge yesterday gave the credit for this to the people. If the public had been against us, half the MLAs would have left at that time," he said.

The CM made the remark referring to the toppling of the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka in 2019 after chief minister HD Kumaraswamy lost a trust vote. Congress came to power again in the state in 2023 with Siddaramaiah as chief minister.

Gehlot claimed that if his MLAs were moved by greed, they would have accepted the offer of Rs 10 crore in 2020.

"When the Governor fixed the date for summoning the assembly session, their rates increased by 10, 20, 30, 40 crore," he claimed.

The CM again alleged that Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were involved in the conspiracy to topple his government in 2020.

"I don't know whether the Prime Minister's blessings were there," he added.

The CM claimed he did far more work for Hindus than BJP when it comes to welfare of cows, such as building of cowsheds, and redevelopment of temples.

"Ask them if they have done the work that we have done for Hindus. How will you ask for votes in the name of Hindutva? Their secret is exposed. Now only ED, Income Tax, CBI is left with them as people are no longer with them," he said.
Dehradun, Oct 17 (PTI) The number of pilgrims visiting the Char Dhams located in the high Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand has crossed the 50-lakh mark for the first time.

Police said that a record number of pilgrims from across the country and abroad are arriving here to visit the world-famous Char Dhams -- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. So far 50 lakh pilgrims have reached here for the pilgrimage.

According to statistics, till October 16, the number of pilgrims visiting Char Dham has crossed 50 lakh. Along with this, about 5.41 lakh vehicles have also reached Char Dham.

After the commencement of the Yatra in April-May, about 17.08 lakh pilgrims have reached Kedarnath Dham, 15.90 lakh in Badrinath Dham, 8.46 lakh in Gangotri and 6.94 lakh in Yamunotri.

Apart from this, over 1.77 lakh devotees have also visited Hemkund Sahib. The portals of Hemkund Sahib were closed for winter on October 11.

Last year, 47 lakh devotees visited the Char Dham.

Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar, while reiterating the commitment of the police to ensure safe and uninterrupted Char Dham Yatra, said that the state police is providing all possible assistance to the pilgrims at every level.

Char Dham located in the Garhwal Himalayas is closed for devotees every year during the winter season after Diwali in October-November and is reopened after six months in April-May.
Jaipur, Oct 16 (PTI) Rajasthan BJP leader Rajendra Rathore on Monday targeted the Congress' awareness campaign on the ERCP, saying Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath were responsible for stalling the canal project.

Interacting with reporters at the BJP headquarters here, Rathore, who is the Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly, said when Nath was the chief minister of neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, he had refused to give a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Rajasthan for the project.

Attacking Gehlot, Rathore said the state government is claiming to complete the project by 2051 and has announced to spend Rs 37,000 crores on it.

However, no work has been done till now, Rathore said, adding that Gehlot was not a chief minister but a "minister of announcements".

He said the CM had talked about creating an ERCP Corporation and giving Rs 13,000 crore to it but not even a single penny has been spent on the project so far.

The then chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, was the first to object to giving an NOC to Rajasthan for the ERCP, after which Gehlot announced to build the project at the state's expense, Rathore said.

The ERCP is an ambitious project that was first proposed by the previous BJP government in Rajasthan to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of 13 districts -- Jaipur, Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Dausa, Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur, and Dholpur.

The Congress plans to emphasise its demand for national status to the East Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) as it kicked off its election campaign in eastern Rajasthan on Monday, with an aim to secure a substantial number of the 83 Assembly seats in the region.

A rally was held in Baran to launch the public awareness campaign on the ERCP and it was addressed by Gehlot and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will go to polls on November 25 and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 3.

Rathore also alleged that the law and order situation in the state was "bad" and in the last six months, charge sheets in only 25 per cent of the cases have been filed in courts.

Due to the policies of the Congress government, Rajasthan is in a state of economic emergency, he said and accused the state government of "cheating" the common people in the name of schemes.

In response to a question on protests within the state BJP over ticket distribution, Rathore said most of the disputes have been resolved.

He said there was massive factionalism within the Congress party due to which it could not release the first list of candidates in September as announced earlier.
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the regular bail pleas of former deputy chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in corruption and money laundering cases arising out of the Delhi excise policy 'scam'.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti reserved its verdict on two separate bail petitions by Sisodia after hearing his counsel Abhishek Singhvi and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged role in the 'scam'. He has been in custody since then.

The ED had arrested Sisodia in a money laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9 after questioning him in Tihar Jail.

Sisodia resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28.

The high court had denied him bail in the CBI case on May 30, saying having been the deputy chief minister and excise minister, he is a "high-profile" person who has the potential to influence the witnesses.

On July 3, the high court had declined him bail in the money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the city government's excise policy, holding that the charges against him are "very serious in nature".

The Delhi government implemented the policy on November 17, 2021 but scrapped it at the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption.
Jaipur, Oct 17 (PTI) A suspected drug smuggler was killed in an exchange of fire with police personnel in Pali district of Rajasthan, officials said on Tuesday.

They said the incident occurred late Monday night in the Khinwada police station area.

The officials said two smugglers were in a car that was being pursued by a police team from Rajsamand. The car came to a halt at a place under the Khinwada police station limits in Pali and the smugglers opened fire at the police while fleeing, they said.

The officials said that as the police team fired in return, one of the smugglers sustained a gunshot wound and died on the spot.

SHO of Khinwada Ghewar Ram said the deceased was yet to be identified but the car and some narcotics have been seized.

A search is on to nab the one who fled, he added.
People gather on the rubble of destroyed buildings for rescue after Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Oct. 17, 2023. Since the bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel began on Oct. 7, 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and 10,850 others wounded, according to figures released by the Hamas-run health ministry. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

GAZA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 Palestinians, mostly displaced people, were killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike on a residential house in Khan Younis city in southern Gaza, the Hamas-run health ministry said in a press statement.

The Israeli warplanes raided a house in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, now home to a large number of Palestinians displaced from their homes in nothern Gaza following Israel's evacuation orders, according to the ministry.

The statement added most of the victims were women and children.

Since the bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel began on Oct. 7, 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and 10,850 others wounded, according to figures released by the ministry.

The ministry noted that more than 1,200 Palestinians remained trapped under the rubbles of their houses that had been destroyed by the Israeli army, while more than 200 children went missing in the Palestinian coastal enclave.

Militants of Hamas launched on Oct.7 a surprise attack against Israeli military targets and towns, prompting extensive Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Hamas attacks killed more than 1,300 people in Israel, according to figures released by Israel's military. 

People gather on the rubble of destroyed buildings for rescue after Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Oct. 17, 2023. Since the bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel began on Oct. 7, 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and 10,850 others wounded, according to figures released by the Hamas-run health ministry. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

People gather on the rubble of destroyed buildings for rescue after Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Oct. 17, 2023. Since the bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel began on Oct. 7, 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and 10,850 others wounded, according to figures released by the Hamas-run health ministry. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

People conduct rescue work on the rubble of destroyed buildings after Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Oct. 17, 2023. Since the bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel began on Oct. 7, 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and 10,850 others wounded, according to figures released by the Hamas-run health ministry. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)




Italian lawmakers on Monday marked the 80th anniversary of the Nazi roundup of more than 1,200 Roman Jews in the Holocaust with a debate on a measure to partially fund a long-delayed Holocaust Museum in the capital.

The Shoah Museum project was launched in 2007, but has foundered over funding, a location and even reluctance to highlight the role of Italys fascist government as a perpetrator in the Holocaust.

The project was revived this year by far-right leader Giorgia Meloni and her culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, both of the far-right Brothers of Italy party with neo-fascist roots. Italys lower house will vote later this week on a measure that includes 10 million euros ($10.5 million) in funding for the museum over the next three years, following Senate approval this summer.

The president of the Shoah Museum Foundation that is heading the project, Mario Venezia, told The Associated Press that the Italian role in the Holocaust must be central to the museum. He expressed gratitude to the government for giving it new impetus.

I had important meetings with the Holocaust Museum in Washington and Yad Vashem, and they were both underlining the fact that fascism was born here, he said. We are in the place where the story was born.

Italy was not conquered by the Nazis. Italy was side by side with the Nazis, and many political ideas of the fascists were adopted by the Nazis, Venezia said. He said the museum must also look at the role of the Vatican, which is under increasing scrutiny with new revelations of the extent of World War II-era Pope Pius XXIIs knowledge of the Holocaust.

Venezia said it was an important sign that Melonis government confirmed the foundation as central to the museum project, without creating a new one. He believes that the projects delays in recent years have been mostly for bureaucratic, not ideological, reasons.

Still, during the first day of debate in the lower house, only one speaker mentioned the role of Italian dictator Benito Mussolinis fascist government in laying the groundwork for the roundup of Roman Jews on Oct. 16, 1943, and deportations from other cities.

Democratic Party lawmaker Paolo Ciani told the chamber that many fellow Italians failed to speak up against the deportations because of fear of the dictatorship, or because they underestimated the significance of events.

For Roman Jews, it was the last step, an unexpected step, on a sad itinerary started in September 38 with the promulgation of the racial laws, he said. There is a deep connection between these two dates for many Roman Jews. The racial laws represented an antechamber to the Nazi extermination.

Meloni has frequently decried the fascist governments racist laws, and on Monday in a meeting with the head of Romes Jewish community underlined the fascist complicity in the Nazi roundup of Roman Jews eight decades ago. She further cited the terrible attack by Hamas targeting Israeli civilians as evidence of enduring antisemitic hatred.

SS troops rounded up more than 1,200 Jews exactly 80 years ago on Monday. Of the 1,024 Roman Jews eventually deported, only 16 survived the Holocaust. Most were murdered in the gas chambers upon their arrival at the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camps.

Former Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, who helped initiate the project backed by the city, the Lazio region and the Jewish community, quit the foundation in 2008, citing attempts by his successor, conservative nationalist Mayor Gianni Alemmano of the Brothers of Italy, to obscure fascisms role in the Holocaust.

In announcing his resignation, Veltroni cited the attempt to express a double judgement on fascism, this ambiguity not clarified, if anything aggravated, but subsequent statements that wound me, and make it impossible to stay in my place on a committee run by Rome Mayor Alemmano.

Venezia, who has headed the Shoah Museum Foundation for eight years, said the new government funding will be used to set up the eventual exhibits, not for the site, which is still being finalized by the city.

U.S. historian David Kerzer said Italy has shown a reluctance to examine its fascist past, including the racial laws and the alliance with Nazi Germany, focusing instead on the role of the resistance, which later helped expel the Nazis during the Allied advance after Mussolinis demise.

He emphasized that any Holocaust museum in Rome should examine not just the role of the fascist government, but of ordinary Italians.

The SS involved in the roundup didnt know Italian. They couldnt tell who was a Jew from anyone else. It was Italians who often cashed in on the fact there were cash offers if you turned in a Jew who was hiding, said Kerzer, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian whose most recent book examines the Vaticans behavior during the Holocaust.

After the racial laws of 1938, for five years, the Italian government, with little protest from Italians, persecuted Jews in severe ways, he said, excluding them from the workplace and schools. Today there is a lot of attempt to downplay that severity.

(AP)




The U.N. Security Council rejected a Russian resolution Monday night that condemned violence and terrorism against civilians but made no mention of Hamas, whose surprise attack that killed 1,300 Israelis was the worst Jewish massacre since the World War II Nazi Holocaust.

Only four countries joined Russia in voting for the resolution  China, United Arab Emirates, Mozambique and Gabon. Four countries voted against it  the United States, Britain, France and Japan. The other six countries abstained. Adoption needs a minimum of nine yes votes in the 15-member council.

The U.N.s most powerful body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has failed to respond to Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and to Israel response with retaliatory airstrikes that have killed 2,750 and an order to Gazans in the north to head south to avoid an expected ground war.

Britains U.N. ambassador, Barbara Woodward, said it would be unconscionable for this council to ignore the largest terror attack in Israels history.

With the Russian resolution rejected, she said negotiations would continue on a rival Brazilian resolution. It also firmly condemns all violence and hostilities against civilians and all acts of terrorism. But it unequivocally rejects and condemns the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas that started Oct. 7.

It was unclear if the council would vote on the Brazilian resolution Monday night.

Before the vote on Russias draft, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia urged support for the resolution, saying it responds to the unprecedented exacerbation of the current crisis, with the number of people killed and injured growing every hour. He again condemned the deaths of civilians in Israel and Gaza.

After the vote, Nebenzia said that the council once again has found itself a hostage to the selfish intentions of the Western bloc of countries and failed to send a collective message aimed at de-escalating the most serious explosion of violence over the past decades.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield countered that Hamas, whose purpose is to destroy Israel and kill Jews, unleashed terror on Israel but the Russian resolution didnt mention the militant group, which controls Gaza.

By failing to condemn Hamas, Russia is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalizes innocent civilians, she said. Hamas actions have led to the dire humanitarian crisis facing the people of Gaza.

Thomas-Greenfield said civilians shouldnt have to suffer for Hamas atrocities and she urged the council and the international community to help address Gazas humanitarian crisis, condemn Hamas and reaffirm Israels right to self-defense.

The bottom line is this: You cannot claim to stand with the Palestinians and their legitimate aspirations if you do not stand squarely against Hamas, she said.

The Russian draft resolution would have called for an immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian cease-fire  and strongly condemned all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism, with no mention of Hamas.

The Brazilian draft resolution calls for humanitarian pauses in addition to condemning Hamas and all violence and terrorist acts against civilians.

Apparently expecting the defeat of its resolution, Russia earlier Monday proposed two amendments to the Brazilian draft resolution to be voted on separately after the vote on the Russian resolution but before the entire Brazilian resolution would be put to a vote.

One amendment would add a call for an immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire.

The second proposed amendment also unequivocally condemns indiscriminate attacks against civilians as well as against civilian objects in the Gaza Strip depriving civilian population of means indispensable for their survival, in violation of international law.

Nebenzia told reporters after the vote that the amendments would provide balance to the Brazilian draft resolution.

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan reminded the council that the United Nations was founded on the ashes of World War II, the genocide of the Jewish people  and just over a week ago, we witnessed yet another attempt at Jewish genocide  the Nazi Hamas massacre of babies, mothers, fathers and the elderly.

He said Hamas wont stop until Israel is obliterated and so Israel must obliterate Hamas first for self-preservation.

So let me be clear. Israel is on a rescue mission, a rescue mission to save our hostages, a rescue mission to save our future and to save the people of Gaza from their savage tyrants, Erdan said.

The Palestinian U.N. ambassador, Riyad Mansour, called Israels assault on Gaza a massacre against innocent civilians, who comprise the vast majority of Palestinians killed, including more than 1,000 children.

No one should forget that these are human lives, that Palestinian lives matter, too, he said. And no one should entertain the illusion that killing more Palestinians will ever make Israelis more secure.

He said three things are needed: to halt the Israeli attack on Palestinians, allow unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza, and stop the forced transfer of our people. He urged the council to take action now, so no Palestinians or no Israelis are killed anymore.

(AP)




Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina on Monday praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for showing what he called restraint after Hamas attacked Israel over a week ago.

The Republican presidential candidate said Netanyahu waited and showed patience and humanity in response to the Oct. 7 attack.

Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza the day of the attack and Netanyahu declared war with Hamas, vowing to inflict an unprecedented price. The war has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead.

One of the first things that Israels done is they waited, Scott said about Israel as he spoke at an event focused on U.S. foreign policy and national security at Georgetown University in Washington.

Now how Prime Minister Netanyahu had the kind of restraint to refrain from immediate action, it just talks about the morality and the humanity that we see coming from Netanyahu into Gaza, the senator said.

Hamas militants surprise attacks on Israel have left 1,400 dead and retaliatory strikes have killed at least 2,778 Palestinians.

Scott also underscored the importance of Americas allyship with Israel and said America should stand shoulder-to-shoulder, back-to-back, with no daylight with Israel.

He said the U.S. should move more firepower into the region to be responsive and said that U.S. special forces should be prepared to help rescue American hostages in Gaza.

Scott also criticized front-runner Republican candidate Donald Trump for his criticism of Netanyahu days after the attack. He said the former presidents comments were terrible, not helpful and heading in the wrong direction.

We should be loyal to our allies while being lethal to our adversaries. Anything less than that jeopardizes life, he said.

The senator said he somewhat agreed with GOP rival candidate Ron DeSantis, who said the United States should not take in any Palestinian refugees if they flee the Gaza Strip. DeSantis, the Florida governor, said the U.S. should not accept any refugees if they can escape Gaza because they are all antisemitic.

Scott said not accepting refugees from Gaza is the right decision because the president cannot determine in the middle of the conflict who is safe to bring in, whos not safe to bring in.

I dont think that theyre all antisemitic. I just cant tell you whos who, he said.

Scott was asked about the killing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois who was stabbed to death in an alleged hate crime. Authorities said the boy and his mother were attacked by the familys landlord who was upset over the Israel-Hamas war.

Disgusting, Scott said quickly. It sounds like murder. Lock him up.

After he was asked to elaborate, the senator, who often takes on the mannerism of a preacher, then leaped up in to the aisles. Scott, who is Black, spoke about having grown up in the Deep South and said he understands racism and discrimination.

Thankful that our country has made tremendous progress in my lifetime, he said. But of the man accused of the Illinois attack, he said, I cant imagine that level of hate.

Scott was sitting for the conversation at an event co-hosted by The Associated Press and Georgetowns Institute of Politics and Public Service. The event marks the second in a series of talks the organizations are hosting on the topic with 2024 GOP candidates.

Former Vice President Mike Pence sat for the inaugural talk earlier this month.

Scotts sit-down comes as one of the super political action committees supporting his candidacy clawed back some of the advertising airtime it had purchased this fall, with its chair writing in a memo to backers that we arent going to waste our money when the electorate isnt focused or ready for an alternative to Trump. The memo said the group would wait until closer to Iowas leadoff caucuses to reconsider.

The South Carolina senator has not made foreign policy a mainstay of his campaign, instead seeking to focus on a positive message swathed in his Christian faith and an appeal for more individual responsibility in America.

Last week, he gave a speech on Israel at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington in which he decried Hamas militants attack on Israel as filling Americans with heartbreak, and frankly, righteous anger, but blamed the Biden administration for the violence.

While Hamas carried out these attacks, Joe Biden has blood on his hands, Scott said in the speech. His weakness invited the attack.

He also recently sought to merge his Senate duties with foreign policy strides that may help his 2024 GOP presidential campaign, calling for a Senate probe into funding sources that he and other Republicans allege may have been tied to Hamas militants attack on Israel.

Scott called for the Senate Banking Committee  on which he sits as ranking member  to hold a hearing with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to probe roughly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets recently released to an account in Qatar.

As he campaigns against rivals including a former vice president, a former United Nations ambassador and current and foreign governors, Scott has at times been asked how he would square his apparent lack of executive experience with his qualifications to lead the country.

He has held out as evidence his decade of service on Senate committees, including Banking, Finance, Armed Services and Foreign Relations.

In the memo from Trust in the Mission PAC, co-chair Rob Collins said the group would continue with door knocking and other efforts, with an eye toward potentially reallocating resources as actual votes draw nearer.

Until the experts recognize Tim is the only candidate that can capture the nomination and defeat President Joe Biden, there will be a very expensive and loud next few months  full of sound and fury and signifying nothing, Collins wrote in the memo, which was obtained by the AP and first reported on by Politico.

So, we are doing what would be obvious in the business world but will mystify politicos  we arent going to waste our money when the electorate isnt focused or ready for a Trump alternative. We have done the research. We have studied the focus groups. We have been following Tim on the trail. This electorate is locked up and money spent on mass media isnt going to change minds until we get a lot closer to voting.

(AP)




The Justice Department is appealing the length of prison sentences for four Proud Boys leaders convicted of seditious conspiracy in the U.S. Capitol attack, challenging punishments that were significantly shorter than what prosecutors had recommended, according to court filings.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio and three lieutenants to prison terms ranging from 15 to 22 years after a jury convicted them in May of plotting to stop the peaceful transfer of presidential power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 presidential election.

Tarrios 22-year sentence is the longest so far among hundreds of criminal cases stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, but prosecutors had sought 33 years behind bars for the Miami man.

Attorney Nayib Hassan said in an email that the defense team will review prosecutors reasoning for appealing the sentencing but is preparing its own appeal and believes it will prevail on multiple grounds.

Prosecutors, who made their court filings on Monday, also had recommended sentences of 33 years for former Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs, of Ormond Beach, Florida; 30 years for Proud Boys chapter leader Zachary Rehl, of Philadelphia; and 27 years in prison for chapter leader Ethan Nordean, of Auburn, Washington.

Kelly sentenced Nordean to 18 years, Biggs to 17 years and Rehl to 15 years.

Defense attorney Norm Pattis, who represents Biggs and Rehl, said in a text message that the governments appeals are ridiculous.

Merrick Garland needs a new hobby horse, Pattis said of the attorney general, whose Justice Department secured the convictions.

Nicholas Smith, Nordeans attorney, said in an email that his client is encouraged by the governments agreement that errors led to the judgment and sentence in his case.

Prosecutors also are appealing the 10-year sentence for Dominic Pezzola, a Proud Boys member from Rochester, New York. Prosecutors sought 20 years in prison for Pezzola, who was tried alongside the four group leaders. Jurors acquitted Pezzola of seditious conspiracy but convicted him of other serious charges.

The Justice Department already is appealing the 18-year prison sentence for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy in a separate Jan. 6 case, as well as the sentences of other members of his anti-government militia group.

Prosecutors had requested 25 years in prison for Rhodes. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced him to 18 years.

Also on Monday, a Proud Boys member who joined others from the far-right group in attacking the Capitol pleaded guilty to obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying the victory by Biden, a Democrat, over Trump, a Republican. William Chrestman, 49, of Olathe, Kansas, also pleaded guilty to threatening to assault a federal officer during the riot at the Capitol.

Kelly is scheduled to sentence Chrestman for his two felony convictions on Jan. 12. Estimated sentencing guidelines for his case recommended a prison term ranging from four years and three months to five years and three months.

Chrestman had an axe handle, a gas mask, a helmet and other tactical gear when he traveled to Washington, D.C., with other Proud Boys members from the Kansas City, Kansas, area. On Jan. 6, he marched to the Capitol grounds with dozens of other Proud Boys leaders, members and associates.

Chrestman and other Proud Boys moved past a toppled metal barricade and joined other rioters in front of another police barrier. He shouted a threat at officers and yelled at others in the crowd to stop police from arresting another rioter, according to prosecutors.

Facing the crowd, Chrestman shouted, Whose house is this?

Our house! the crowd replied.

Do you want your house back? Chrestman asked.

Yes! the crowd responded.

Take it! Chrestman yelled.

Chrestman also pointed his finger at a line of Capitol police officers, gestured at them with his axe handle and threatened to assault them if they fired pepper ball rounds at the crowd of rioters, according to a court filing accompanying his guilty plea.

Chrestman, a U.S. Army veteran, has been jailed since his arrest in February 2021.

More than 1,100 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Approximately 60 of them have been identified as Proud Boys leaders, members or associates.

(AP)




In a Zoom conversation with Rabbi YY Jacobson, United Hatzolah founder Eli Beer shared a fascinating conversation he had with Rav Chaim Kanievsky ztl regarding his ethical obligation to treat or not to treat a terrorist.

Beer first stressed that during the current hostilities, his group has not provided medical treatment to a single terrorist, nor have they transported one to a hospital.

He then recalled a question he posed to Rav Chaim Kanievsky ztl. The question was: in a hypothetical scenario where a terrorist stabbed a Jew and was then shot, and the terrorist is in a more serious condition than the Jew, who should he treat first? Emergency response ethics call for a more seriously injured individual to be treated ahead of a less seriously injured one, but what do you in a case where one of the injured is a terrorist?

Rav Chaims response was nothing short of incredible.

You have a chiyuv to go first to the terrorist, shoot him in the head, and then treat the Jew, Beer recalled Rav Chaim as saying.

He has a din of a rodef, he quoted Rav Chaim as saying  even if the terrorist is no longer able to hurt anyone.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Doubling down on the hardline immigration policies that have long animated his base, former President Donald Trump on Monday vowed to bar refugees from Gaza and immediately expand his first-term Muslim travel ban if he wins a second term following the deadly attack on Israel last week.

Trump, speaking to supporters in Iowa, said that if he returns to the Oval Office, he will immediately begin ideological screening for all immigrants and bar those who sympathize with Hamas and Muslim extremists.

No longer will we allow dangerous lunatics, haters, bigots, and maniacs to get residency in our country, he said. If you empathize with radical Islamic terrorists and extremists, youre disqualified If you want to abolish the state of Israel, youre disqualified. If you support Hamas or any ideology thats having to do with that or any of the other really sick thoughts that go through peoples minds  very dangerous thoughts  youre disqualified.

It is unclear how he would enforce that dictate, though current and former members of communist and totalitarian parties and their sympathizers are already banned.

The proposals marked a dramatic expansion of the controversial  and legally dubious  policies that drew alarms from immigrant rights and civil liberties activists  but helped him win the GOP primary in 2016.

The former president and GOP front-runner also said that he would aggressively deport resident aliens with jihadist sympathies and send immigration agents to pro-jihadist demonstrations to identify violators.

In the wake of the attacks on Israel, Americans have been disgusted to see the open support for terrorists among the legions of foreign nationals on college campuses. Theyre teaching your children hate, he said. Under the Trump administration, we will revoke the student visas of radical anti-American and anti-Semitic foreigners at our colleges and universities and we will send them straight back home.

He also pledged the bar the entry of refugees from Gaza fleeing Israels retaliatory strikes after the surprise Oct. 7 attack, just as he tried to bar citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries during his first term. The war the attack sparked is now the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead.

Trump, the early GOP front-runner, has stepped up his caucus campaigning this fall as his team tries to lock in support to not only avoid a repeat of his 2016 second-place finish but to win an overwhelming victory that would deny momentum to whoever finishes in second place.

Trump, continuing to paint himself as a martyr for his loyal supporters, also continued to rail against the four indictments he is facing  along with a narrow gag order that was imposed Monday by the federal judge overseeing the 2020 election interference case against him in Washington. The order, which has pledged to appeal, bars him from making statements targeting prosecutors, possible witnesses and court staff.

I am willing to go jail if thats what it takes for our country to become a democracy again, he said in Clive.

Earlier, Trump had rallied caucus-goers in Iowas rural Dallas County, where he received the endorsement of the states attorney general and predicted a landslide victory three months before voting begins in the GOP contests kickoff state.

Ninety-one days. Are you ready? Trump asked more than 1,000 supporters packed into a livestock expo barn at the Dallas County fairgrounds in Adel. Were going to have a historic landslide, Trump predicted, he he stood flanked by giant bales of hay.

Brenna Bird, Iowas Republican attorney general, served previously as former Iowa Rep. Steve Kings chief of staff and last year beat Democrat Tom Miller for the states top legal post.

Even before he returned to Iowa on Monday, the Republican former president had more than 10,000 people to his events in the state in less than a month.

Theres no guarantee his crowds will translate to support in the states Jan. 15 caucuses, which will launch the 2024 nominating cycle. But unlike his seat-of-the-pants campaign in 2016, he has a more sophisticated organization to capitalize on his high-wattage events and often emphasizes in his remarks how to participate in the caucuses.

His advisers want to lock in a blowout that discourages talk of a second-place finisher consolidating support and taking on the former president directly.

A traditional measure of campaign organization in Iowa is the caucus pledge card. People who attend Trumps events are asked to sign a commitment that they will attend the caucuses and support him, providing their contact information so the campaign can inquire about them volunteering and finding others to attend.

After Trumps second-place 2016 finish behind Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a ragtag effort of big crowds but little organization, state GOP staffers cleaned out his caucus campaign office to find thousands of signed pledge cards that had never been logged.

This time, his campaign aims to enter each card into its database within a day and to call each signee within two days. It collected 1,200 cards from two events on Oct. 7 out of about 4,000 attendees.

I can promise you there is no backlog, said Alex Latcham, a senior Trump adviser and early-state coordinator.

Trump was hitting both ends of Dallas Co. Monday as he headlined a central Iowa caucus organizing event in booming Dallas County, west of Des Moines, and a speaking event in the citys GOP-leaning western suburbs on Monday. Dallas is the fastest growing county in the state and among the fastest growing in the country. Though Republican-leaning, it is divided, with more strict religious conservatives weighing the western rural end of the county and more moderate, younger GOP voter on the suburban Des Moines eastern side.

When he launched his candidacy for president, Trump memorably was unsure about the caucus process. The quirky contests  more than 1,600 simultaneous, neighborhood-level political meetings at which party members register their presidential preference publicly  are not state-sanctioned primary elections and require intense organization to have supporters in place at each location.

During a campaign stop in Cedar Rapids this month, Trump pivoted from attacking New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is pursuing a civil trial against him, to remind his audience of the fundamentals of participating in the caucuses.

You have a very big, powerful election coming up. Its called a caucus here, Trump told about 2,500 inside a hotel ballroom. And you have to get out at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15. Were asking you to commit to caucus and bring five or seven or 10 maybe, as many as you can, because we have to win big.

He has netted thousands of commitments. But not every supporter equals a caucus vote.

Rick and Nancy Anderson, of Ottumwa, are devout Trump fans, particularly wed to his ideas on energy and maximizing U.S. oil production.

But asked if theyll caucus for Trump, Rick Anderson said, Nope. We live in Florida in the winter.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, one of Trumps main rivals for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, is betting that despite a sluggish late-summer campaign and organizational shakeup, an all-out focus on Iowa and the potential benefits of reaching every county could allow him to stress more populated counties down the stretch, perhaps trimming Trumps potential margin.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, having sparked renewed interest after two solid GOP presidential debate performances, plans to return to Iowa next week for the fourth time within the past month.

There is little doubt that Trump has the advantage, said David Kochel, who has advised Republican presidential candidates, including their caucus campaigns. But Kochel says Trump also still has something to prove.

How far apart Trump is from the No. 2 person, assuming Trump wins Iowa, is important, and how far apart the second-place person, assuming its not Trump, and the rest of the field is also important, he said. Those are things we cant know yet.

(AP)




Frances main Jewish students union has plastered walls around Paris with posters bearing the faces of French citizens believed to be held hostage by Hamas in their war with Israel. The word Kidnapped is inscribed on a red banner at the top of each photograph.

Very little is known about the hostages locked away in the Gaza Strip or whether some of those captured during the Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel have been killed in the Jewish states brutal counter-offensive. An Israeli military spokesman on Monday upped the number of hostages to 199, but did not specify whether that number includes foreigners.

Some households in France, which has the largest Jewish population in Western Europe, have taken a direct hit from the Israel-Hamas war. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said Sunday during a visit to Israel that 19 French citizens are known to have been killed and 13 others are missing.

The students action in Paris follows a similar campaign by Jews in London, where hundreds of volunteers recently posted fliers around the city bearing images of British citizens believed to have been taken hostage.

The images, featuring children, were placed widely to publicize the details of the atrocity beyond the Jewish community, organizers told Jewish News, an online newspaper. In a sign of growing contention over the war, two robed women were seen in videos posted online last weekend angrily ripping the posters down.

The French Jewish students union, known as UEJF, says that people are flirting with danger if the plight of Jews in France  and elsewhere  is not shared by all.

This isnt about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its a question of a terror organization that is attacking a free and democratic state, said Samuel Lejoyeux, president of the UEJF, glancing at the more than 50 posters on the walls near the Institute of Medicine on the Left Bank.

The union has mainly targeted universities, where debate over the war has been heated  with one professor recently disciplined for expressing support of Hamas.

Sylvie Retailleau, Frances minister for higher education, has taken aim at professors and others in university circles for straying from Frances pro-Israel position in the war.

Two days after Hamas militants attacked Israel, Retailleau pinned a letter on the platform X addressed to university presidents telling them to take disciplinary  and legal  measures against those who break French law, including taking cases to prosecutors.

Its not a Jewish question. Everyone needs to act and be with us, Lejoyeux, the student union leader, said. He claimed that a minority of people see expressions of solidarity for Israel as an act of Zionism.

It isnt simply the Jews who are targeted, it is the values of democracy and freedom that France has in common with Israel, Lejoyeux said.

(AP)




Three Israelis were injured after Hezbollah terrorists fired an anti-tank guided missile at the northern town of Metula on Tuesday morning.

One was moderately injured and two were lightly injured. Residents of the town and nearby yishuvim were ordered to stay in their bomb shelters as the IDF responded with artillery fire toward Lebanon to enable the evacuation of the wounded.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, also claiming that they fired 17 mortar shells at the area. The head of the local council has called on the residents of the town to evacuate. The IDF began evacuating residents of 28 yishuvim on the northern border on Monday.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, IDF forces thwarted a terror attack on the northern border when they eliminated four terrorists attempting to plant an explosive device on the border fence near the Israeli yishuv of Chanita.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that the squad was spotted while still in Lebanese territory and was eliminated as it approached Israeli territory. In addition, the IDF attacked Hezbollah positions overnight Monday.

The IDF thwarted an attempted infiltration by a terrorist squad, and this is how we will continue to operate, said Brigadier General Hagari. Anyone who tries to reach the fence and penetrate the territory of the State of Israel  will be killed on the fence.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Steven Davidoff Solomon, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, decried the rampant anti-Semitism at the university in an opinion article published in the Wall Street Journal this week, adding that the atmosphere at Berkeley is part of the broader attitude against Jews on university campuses that made last weeks massacre possible.

I teach corporate law at the University of California, Berkeley, and Im an adviser to the Jewish law students association, he wrote. My students are largely engaged and well-prepared, and I regularly recommend them to legal employers.

But if you dont want to hire people who advocate hate and practice discrimination, dont hire some of my students. Anti-Semitic conduct is nothing new on university campuses, including here at Berkeley.

Last year, Berkeleys Law Students for Justice in Palestine asked other student groups to adopt a bylaw that banned supporters of Israel from speaking at events. It excluded any speaker who expressed and continued to hold views or host/sponsor/promote events in support of Zionism, the apartheid state of Israel, and the occupation of Palestine. Nine student groups adopted the bylaw. Signers included the Middle Eastern and North African Law Students Association, the Queer Caucus and the Women of Berkeley Law.

The bylaw caused an uproar. It was rightly criticized for creating Jew-free zones. Our deana diehard liberaladmirably condemned it but said free-speech principles tied his hands. The campus groups had the legal right to pick or exclude speakers based on their views. The bylaw remains, and 11 other groups subsequently adopted it.

You dont need an advanced degree to see why this bylaw is wrong. For millennia, Jews have prayed, next year in Jerusalem, capturing how central the idea of a homeland is to Jewish identity. By excluding Jews from their homelandafter Jews have already endured thousands of years of persecutionthese organizations are engaging in anti-Semitism and dehumanizing Jews. They didnt include Jewish law students in the conversation when circulating the bylaw. They also singled out Jews for wanting what we all should havea homeland and haven from persecution.

The student conduct at Berkeley is part of the broader attitude against Jews on university campuses that made last weeks massacre possible. It is shameful and has been tolerated for too long.

Its time for the adults to take over, and that includes law firms looking for graduates to hire. The law firm Winston & Strawn revoked an employment offer for a student at New York University law school who wrote an open letter that pointedly refused to condemn Hamass attack. The letter denounced Israel instead and asserted that its regime of state-sanctioned violence created the conditions that made resistance necessary. The NYU law school dean had issued a tepid response to the massacres, but after the students anti-Israel screed caused an uproar, he made a second, more forceful statement condemning Hamass attack.

Legal employers in the recruiting process should do what Winston & Strawn did: treat these law students like the adults they are. If a student endorses hate, dehumanization or anti-Semitism, dont hire him. When students face consequences for their actions, they straighten up.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
LUANDA/OTTAWA/CANBERRA/TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- In a parliamentary address on Monday, Angolan President Joao Lourenco called for preventing a humanitarian disaster in Gaza and appealed for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

During his State of the Nation Address at the National Assembly of Angola, marking the opening of the new parliamentary year, Lourenco expressed concern about the escalating tension in the Middle East.

"While acknowledging Israel's right to defend itself and protect the lives of its citizens, the truth is that the Palestinian people also possess the same right. They have been living for decades in a continuous occupation and annexation of parts of their territory - a situation deemed unacceptable in the 21st century," he said.

- - - -

Canada has seen a rise in hate crimes targeting Jewish people since the start of the bloody Hamas-Israel conflict, Canadian media reports said on Monday.

Incidents of hate crimes have been recorded in several parts of the country, including Toronto, the capital Ottawa and the westernmost province of British Columbia, the National Post newspaper reported.

In light of the ongoing situation, the Canadian government on Monday appointed senior diplomat Deborah Lyons as the country's Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism.

Lyons told local media she is deeply concerned about a rise in hate speech targeting Jewish people, particularly on university campuses and social media.

Issuing a press statement on Oct. 14, the Ontario Provincial Police said it was aware of "global online threats of violence regarding the situation in the Middle East."

"We have increased police patrols and presence in areas of cultural and religious significance and will maintain open lines of communication with community leaders," it said. "We want to assure the people of Ontario that we continue to focus on public safety."

- - - -

The Royal Australian Air Force has joined the effort to repatriate Australian citizens stranded in Israel.

Richard Marles, the minister for defense and deputy prime minister, Penny Wong, foreign affairs minister, and Bill Shorten, the minister for government services, on Monday evening announced that two Air Force aircraft joined a government-supported charter to fly 255 Australian citizens from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport to Dubai on Monday.

The two heavy means of transport, a KC-30At and C-17A Globemaster III, were the first aircraft deployed by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to join the operation to repatriate Australian citizens in Israel who wish to leave the area.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, more than 1,200 Australians registered to depart the area have left, more than 400 of whom were on board government-supported flights.

- - - -

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday highlighted the need to end Israeli attacks against Gaza in separate phone calls with his Russian and Turkish counterparts, according to statements from the Iranian president's office.

Speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Raisi blamed Israel's intensification and continuation of military operations in Gaza, which were "supported by Western states, especially the United States."

"The major disaster occurring in the region is an outcome of the policies of the U.S. and Israel's other Western supporters, which are doomed to failure," Raisi stressed.

For his part, Putin said the large-scale Israeli attacks against a densely-populated region, where more than 2 million defenseless people live, "are in no way justifiable and must be immediately stopped."

He warned that carrying out ground operations in Gaza would have heavy human and military costs. He added that the U.S. sought to resolve the Palestinian issue alone but failed. 




Keren Schem, the mother of Mia Schem, a dual Israeli-French citizen who was abducted by Hamas terrorists, who released a video of her on Monday, held a press conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday morning.

Schem, 21, was abducted from the music festival in the Negev and witnesses said she was shot in the arm before she was hauled off to Gaza.

Yesterday I saw a video of Mia on the news, Keren said. I got excited and screamed because I saw my Mia alive. But after all the excitement I saw the video again  I see that Mias injured  there were rumors that she was shot and you could see that her arm is injured.

She underwent surgery, I see that shes in pain, that she is very scared, that shes saying what shes been told to say, Keren added. I see that her condition is stable, but I am very worried about her. I see this as an excellent and optimistic sign about Mia and about all our captives. We have to be optimistic here, I assume they are being taken care of.

All Im asking of the world leaders is to bring my baby back home, in exactly the same condition I saw her on TV yesterday, and bring all our captives home. Weve been through an insane terrorist attack. The enemy is cruel. This is a crime against humanity. Mias not the only one  there are many children who went to this party, there are many babies and children and elderly people and Holocaust survivors who were kidnapped, whose houses were burned.

Uri, Mias 17-year-old brother, said: I saw the video yesterday  Mia is screaming for us to save her, she is pale and scared but its a sign that shes alive. I trust the government and all the world leaders that they will do everything necessary to return the captives home.

According to a report by The New York Times, which analyzed data from the video, the video was filmed shortly after Mia was abducted as at least parts of it were filmed at least six days ago.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari commented on the video, saying that this is psychological terror by Hamas against the citizens of Israel. Hamas tries to present itself as humane while it is in fact a horrific terror organization responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, children, men, women and the elderly.

French President Emmanuel Macron responded to the video by saying it its an ignominy to take innocent people hostage and put them on show in this odious way. He called for Schems immediate and unconditional release and said that France was working with its partners to free French hostages.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




An explosion occurred at the Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday evening, resulting in reports of hundreds of casualties, as stated by the Gaza Health Ministry, which is under Hamas control. The Health Ministry accused Israel of targeting the hospital, but an IDF investigation quickly concluded otherwise.

The IDF said that based on its intelligence, a failed Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket caused the deadly blast at the Gaza hospital.

An analysis of the IDFs operational system [found that] an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, which passed in the vicinity of the hospital when it was hit, the statement added. According to intelligence information from several sources we have, the PIJ organization is responsible for the failed [rocket] fire that hit the hospital.

In previous conflicts, rockets fired by Hamas and other Palestinian factions have occasionally fallen short of their intended targets, striking buildings in Gaza. Such incidents have led to numerous casualties in past rounds of conflict. For instance, during Operation Breaking Dawn in August 2022, two individuals lost their lives when a rocket from Gaza landed near a clinic.

New video shows rocket launches during the time the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza was destroyed. The video shows 1 rocket either being intercepted or failing followed by two explosions on the ground. The second explosion appears to be at the hospital. The IDF says a PIJ failed rocket launch hit the hospital.

While there was confusion at first about the origin of the blast at the hospital, the lack of clarity didnt stop Egypt and anti-Israel Rep. Rashida Tlaib to immediately pin the blame on Israel  without a shred of evidence.

Meanwhile, marches have broken out in the West Bank and Jordan, with demonstrators also blaming Israel for the hospital explosion  again, before any evidence has even been shown as to who was behind it.

Below is video from ongoing protests in Chevron and Jordan, in which the latter demonstrators are heading to the Israeli consulate.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




A high-ranking Hamas official said Tuesday that the terorrist group would release all civilian hostages if Israel discontinues its airstrikes on Gaza.

The terrorist official emphasized that if their conditions are met, hostages could be released within an hour. He pointed out the current security concerns, saying that given the circumstances, no location is deemed safe for the release.

Furthermore, for the release of Israeli military personnel in captivity, Hamas demands that Israel free all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli detention facilities.

The same source indicated that both the U.S. and Israel are already apprised of Hamass stipulations for the civilian hostages release, noting that these terms have been openly discussed with leaders from various Arab nations.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group has called for a day of rage to denounce the explosion at a Gaza Strip hospital, which it attributes to Israel, characterizing it as a massacre and a brutal crime.

The IDF has stated that the explosion at the Gaza hospital was caused by a misfired rocket from Islamic Jihad, resulting in the reported deaths of hundreds. However, Hamas and most Arab nations have placed blame on Israel for the incident.

In fact, Egypt placed the blame on Israel in just a few minutes after the incident, before anyone saw any evidence. Jordan was right behind Egypt, followed by many Arab countries.

The IDF has since released footage of the failed rocket launch.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Many people never - or only rarely - check up on what's in their pensions. Even if you are among the more diligent, you might not get much beyond the headline 'projected income' figure.

That is of course important, but there will other useful information on annual statements that's worth a look.

And if you have an online log-in, you can make on the spot adjustments that might improve your chances of a comfortable retirement.

We have therefore compiled a practical guide on how to check your work fund is up to scratch, so you can make the most of even a brief visit to an online pension account.

How to carry out a pension check: What to zero in on when logging on to your account

Some 16 per cent of retirement savers have never reviewed their pensions and 24 per cent do so less than one a year, according to research by financial services provider People's Partnership.

That compares with 20 per cent who check once a year and 11 per cent who have a look every six months, the survey of around 1,000 pension savers found.

Nine per cent of men surveyed said they reviewed their pensions once a week or more, as did 1 per cent of women.

'Many workers are ill-prepared for retirement, which is a concern given that we know that millions of workers are not saving enough,' says Kevin Martin, group director of customer services at People's Partnership.

'There are simple steps that a person can take to ensure that they are better prepared for retirement, including signing up for an online pension account, naming a beneficiary and ensuring your details are updated so your provider can stay in touch.'

1. Check your work pension online

This might sound an obvious thing to do, but the survey above shows just how many people never bother.

If you are receiving a letter every year and this provides enough information to keep a general eye on things, that might be fine when retirement is many years away.

What's the difference between defined contribution and final salary pensions? Defined contribution pensions take contributions from both employer and employee and invest them to provide a pot of money at retirement. Unless you work in the public sector, they have now mostly replaced more generous gold-plated defined benefit - or final salary - pensions, which provide a guaranteed income after retirement until you die. Much of the information mentioned in this guide is worth checking or updating whatever kind of pensions you have. But it is especially important to monitor defined contribution pensions, because savers bear all the investment risk, rather than employers.

However, pension providers have many tools to check if you are on track, and if you are in a defined contribution scheme you might want to change how much you are putting in each month and how your pension is invested.

When it comes to reviewing investment funds, you can research the charges, risk levels, and performance to see if you can do better.

'Signing up for an online pension account with your pension provider is a simple process, as typically all you need is your National Insurance number as well as your unique customer number, which you can find in the information pack that was sent you when you joined your pension provider,' says Mr Martin.

'Once you are up and running you can check your pension fund value, change the date when you intend to retire, and change your address if you move house and a whole lot more, including changing how your pension savings are invested or transferring other pensions.'

2. Check your pension income projection

This will only be an estimate but when added to projections for any other pensions and your state pension forecast, it will give you a general idea of what your total income might be in retirement in today's money.

Compare this figure to your salary now, bearing in mind that some everyday costs like a mortgage and travel expenses might no longer be part of your budget when you are older.

An influential measure by industry group the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association suggests what income single people and couples might need for a basic, moderate and comfortable retirement.

Its calculations do not include housing costs, which you will need to factor in if these will still be an issue.

The income amount shown online or on your annual statement will give you an idea how much an individual pension will be worth at your specified retirement date if you maintain the same level of savings, says Martin.

'It must always be remembered that this indicative figure is subject to investment performance. The statement gives you an indication of how much that could give you in terms of annual income.'

The pension income you may secure in retirement is not set in stone, and will be affected by factors such as how much you save between now and retirement, says Aviva's head of savings and retirement Alistair McQueen.

He suggests using one of the many free pension calculators available online to estimate your possible income in retirement, even though this amount is just a guide and not guaranteed.

'Is your projected income enough? A very common, and understandable, pension question is 'how much money will I need in retirement?'. The tricky reality is that the answer to this question will be different for different people,' says McQueen.

Three ways to get your pension on track Alistair McQueen, head of savings and retirement at Aviva, has three 'rules of thumb' he gives to people who want a decent pension in old age. Forty-year rule Begin saving at least 40 years before your target retirement age Twelve per cent rule Save at least 12 per cent of your income in your pension, and this can include money from your employer. Ten times rule Amass at least ten times your annual income in your pension pots by the time you have reached retirement

'A very simple rule of thumb is to aim for an income in retirement equivalent to at least half that you have been earning during your working life.

'It is probable that we can meet our needs in retirement with a smaller income because, for example, we will have no work-related expenses, we may have paid-off our mortgage, and we will pay no National Insurance on our pension income.'

Check out the pension boosts you can get for free here, including increased tax relief and extra cash from your employer.

3. Make sure personal details are up to date

'Pension providers will regularly keep in touch with you about your pension savings by post or digitally, so it's vital providers have your up-to-date contact details such as home address, telephone number and email address,' says Martin.

'These can all be easily updated in your online account.'

4. Add or change the name of your beneficiary

Decide who you want to benefit from your pension if you die, or change the name if your personal circumstances have changed, for example if you have married or got divorced.

'It's really important for your pension provider to understand who you would like to benefit in the event of death,' says Martin.

'Without this information the person you wish to benefit might not benefit and it will take a long time to make a payment. You can add or change your beneficiary via your online account or by getting in contact with your provider.'

5. Track down your old pensions

You might have left a trail of pensions behind you after changing jobs, so you will need to keep on top of where they all are and ensure providers have your current contact details.

It's a good idea to carry out similar checks to the above ones on older as well as current pots, especially if you saved substantial sums into them while with a past employer.

Think about whether to merge your old pensions, though doing this will not always be to your advantage.

'It's estimated that there are as many as 2.8million lost pension pots in the UK. Look through paperwork or old payslips to see who the provider was of pensions that you previously saved into,' says Martin.

'If you can't remember and are unable to find their contact details, then try the Government's Pension Tracing Service.'
A number of bankless towns up and down the country could soon benefit from a new style shared bank branch on their High Street, having previously been ruled out for one.

The move will be welcomed by many bank customers, especially the elderly and small businesses, who prefer to do their banking face-to-face  or need to deposit takings on a regular basis.

Towns now potentially in line for such a bank  which customers of all major banks can use to deposit and withdraw cash  include Windsor in Royal Berkshire.

In August this year, this busy town, attracting thousands of tourists every day, lost its last bank when Barclays shut its branch on the corner of the towns High Street, directly opposite the castle.

Other bankless communities that could benefit include Harpenden in Hertfordshire, Tonbridge in Kent and Melksham in Wiltshire.

Closures: Since the start of last year, more than 1,150 branches have either been shut or put on notice of future closure, leaving dozens of communities without a bank

Experts believe at least 27 towns could now get a shared branch  often known as a banking hub  after being denied one.

This boost for High Street banking in so-called banking deserts is a result of a reorganisation of Cash Access UK  a not-for-profit company set up last year to install shared bank branches in towns where the banks have closed all their premises.

Since the start of last year, more than 1,150 branches have either been shut or put on notice of future closure, leaving dozens of communities without a bank.

Today, Cash Access UK will confirm that Nationwide will no longer be one of the nine financial organisations that provide it with funding to open the new hubs.

Nationwides decision is based on the fact that it should not be contributing towards building a network of hubs when it is not benefiting from the savings resulting from branch closures.

A typical bank branch costs 300,000 a year to run, compared to 250,000 for a hub  a cost divided across all banks.

Having just undergone a major rebrand, the building society wants to focus its resources on promoting its 605 branches which it is committed to keeping open until at least 2026.

With all the major banks having slashed their branch networks, Nationwide now has the most branches among all the lenders and wants to capitalise on this to increase new business. Its TV ad campaign, starring Dominic West, lampoons the archetypal self-entitled bank boss.

Banking hubs: Towns now potentially in line for such a bank  which customers of all major banks can use to deposit and withdraw cash  include Windsor in Royal Berkshire (pictured)

Hooked up: Other bankless communities that could benefit include Harpenden in Hertfordshire and Whitstable in Kent (pictured)

When Nationwide withdraws, Cash Access UK will be freed up to install hubs in towns where all the banks have disappeared, but the building society remains.

The current agreement prevents this, resulting in towns with a remaining Nationwide branch not benefiting from a hub even though the building society  unlike mainstream banks  does not offer banking services to small businesses, clubs or charities.

Many small companies need to deposit cash and cheques, which a hub allows them to do. In recent months, banking expert Derek French has called for this anomaly to be addressed.

Is your town on the list? Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex

Bourne, Lincolnshire

Burgess Hill, West Sussex

Colwyn Bay, Wales

Dagenham, Greater London

Dorking, Surrey

Faversham, Kent

Hailsham, East Sussex

Harpenden, Hertfordshire

Hertford, Hertfordshire

Leatherhead, Surrey

Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

March, Cambridgeshire

Marlow, Buckinghamshire

Marple, Lancashire

Melksham, Wiltshire

Penarth, Wales

Pocklington, North Yorks

Pontypool, Wales

Ripley, Derbyshire

Saffron Walden, Essex

Sandbach, Cheshire

Seaford, East Sussex

Tonbridge, Kent

Uckfield, East Sussex

Whitstable, Kent

Windsor, Berkshire

His home town of Harpenden does not qualify for a hub because of Nationwides presence.

He believes todays announcement by Cash Access UK could now see towns like Harpenden get the hub they need.

John Howells is chief executive of cash machine network Link which decides which towns qualify for a hub.

He told Money Mail that many big towns previously denied a hub would now likely qualify for one. Our view is that a number of the bigger towns do need banking hubs to support the existing Nationwide branch, post office and ATMs.

We will work urgently with the banks to amend the criteria we use to bring a number of these larger communities into scope.

We have also asked Cash Access UK to be prepared to add a number of locations to its banking hub opening programme.

So far, ten banking hubs have been set up countrywide, although 92 have been sanctioned by Link.

Gareth Oakley, chief executive of Cash Access UK, says: One of our founding firms Nationwide has decided that from January 2024, they plan to serve their customers through their own branches.

'We still look forward to having hubs open in 30 communities by Christmas, and 60 more opening next year.

Our member banks and Link will now work together to consider any impact on cash provision in communities as a result of the building societys decision.

Nationwide customers will still be able to use hubs, but only to withdraw cash and get an up-to-date account balance.

Nationwide says: We are investing in  and have  the largest branch network in the UK.

'We remain committed to ensuring our customers have access to cash and face-to-face services on the High Street. We hope banking hubs thrive across the country by providing services to underbanked communities.

j.prestridge@dailymail.co.uk
Means Investment CO. Inc. raised its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 3.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,612 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Means Investment CO. Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $634,000 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 stock. Bornite Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the first quarter valued at $21,442,000. United Bank boosted its position in Mastercard by 34.5% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 6,007 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,147,000 after purchasing an additional 1,541 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 30.1% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 272,358 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $97,335,000 after purchasing an additional 63,040 shares in the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,168,000. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP bought a new position in Mastercard in the 1st quarter worth approximately $12,926,000. 74.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

MA has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Susquehanna increased their price objective on Mastercard from $433.00 to $486.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Friday, July 28th. Seaport Res Ptn reissued a buy rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Thursday. HSBC initiated coverage on Mastercard in a report on Friday. They issued a hold rating and a $424.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Mastercard in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Mizuho reiterated a buy rating and set a $435.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Tuesday, August 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Mastercard presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $449.52.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 2,093 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $415.00, for a total transaction of $868,595.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares in the company, valued at $2,587,525. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Mastercard news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 2,093 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $415.00, for a total transaction of $868,595.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 6,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,587,525. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $391.39, for a total value of $49,243,124.24. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,430,749 shares in the company, valued at $38,916,200,851.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 418,446 shares of company stock worth $166,076,098 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Trading Up 1.1 %

MA traded up $4.22 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $402.25. 662,423 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,631,371. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52 week low of $291.34 and a 52 week high of $418.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $402.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $388.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $379.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.09.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.89 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.84 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $6.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.18 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 178.10% and a net margin of 43.37%. The firms revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.56 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared 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 dividend yield of 0.57%. The ex-dividend date 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.

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Orezone Gold (CVE:ORE  Free Report) had its price objective decreased by Raymond James from C$2.00 to C$1.75 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. Raymond James currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Raymond James also issued estimates for Orezone Golds Q4 2023 earnings at $0.07 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $0.26 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $0.07 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $0.07 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $0.05 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $0.05 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $0.25 EPS.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on ORE. CIBC cut their price objective on shares of Orezone Gold from C$2.15 to C$2.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Canaccord Genuity Group set a C$3.25 price objective on shares of Orezone Gold and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 19th. Finally, TD Securities cut their price objective on shares of Orezone Gold from C$2.25 to C$2.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 11th.

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Orezone Gold Stock Performance

Orezone Gold stock opened at C$1.25 on Friday. Orezone Gold has a 12-month low of C$0.87 and a 12-month high of C$1.70. The company has a market capitalization of C$404.42 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 2.56 and a quick ratio of 2.30. The firms fifty day moving average price is C$1.25 and its 200 day moving average price is C$1.25.

Orezone Gold (CVE:ORE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 9th. The company reported C$0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.09 by C($0.05). The business had revenue of C$89.19 million for the quarter. On average, research analysts forecast that Orezone Gold will post 0.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Orezone Gold

(Get Free Report)

Orezone Gold Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of resource properties. Its flagship property is the 90%-owned BomborA gold project located in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The company was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Raymond James set a C$1.00 price objective on Dolly Varden Silver (CVE:DV  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

Dolly Varden Silver Price Performance

Dolly Varden Silver stock opened at C$0.73 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$0.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$0.80. Dolly Varden Silver has a one year low of C$0.52 and a one year high of C$1.24. The company has a market capitalization of C$185.92 million, a PE ratio of -8.11 and a beta of 1.08.

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Further Reading

Dolly Varden Silver Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada. The company explores for gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper deposits. It holds 100% interests in the Kitsault Valley project, which comprises the Dolly Varden property and the Homestake Ridge property covering an area of 163 square kilometers located in Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada; and the Big Bulk property located in Canada.

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BAGHDAD, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Tuesday called for the opening of safe corridors to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to people in the besieged Gaza Strip.

During a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden, the two sides emphasized the importance of mobilizing efforts to stabilize the Middle East region and prevent the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict from expanding, according to a statement issued by al-Sudani's media office.

Also on Tuesday, al-Sudani received an official invitation from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to participate in an emergency summit on the Gaza crisis scheduled to be held in Cairo, the office said in a separate statement.

Egypt plans to host the international summit on Oct. 21, according to the country's presidency.

On Oct. 7, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) launched a surprise attack by firing thousands of rockets on Israeli military targets and towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting extensive Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Hamas militants also infiltrated Israeli territory and took hostages during the attack.

More than 1,300 people in Israel were killed in the attacks launched by Hamas, according to figures released by Israel's military. Israeli attacks have killed 2,808 Palestinians, according to figures released by the the Hamas-run Health Ministry. 
StockNews.com lowered shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE:RYAM  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report released on Friday.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $6.00 price objective on shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials from $4.40 to $4.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th.

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Rayonier Advanced Materials Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE RYAM opened at $2.85 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $3.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.18. Rayonier Advanced Materials has a one year low of $2.75 and a one year high of $9.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $186.23 million, a PE ratio of 10.96 and a beta of 3.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE:RYAM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The basic materials company reported ($0.25) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.12) by ($0.13). The business had revenue of $385.00 million during the quarter. Rayonier Advanced Materials had a return on equity of 0.98% and a net margin of 1.05%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Rayonier Advanced Materials will post -0.28 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rayonier Advanced Materials

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Nuveen Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 22.2% during the 2nd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 826,858 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,539,000 after acquiring an additional 150,288 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its position in Rayonier Advanced Materials by 140.9% in the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 37,820 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $162,000 after buying an additional 22,120 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 53.4% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 27,170 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $116,000 after purchasing an additional 9,463 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 26.6% in the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 77,716 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $333,000 after purchasing an additional 16,329 shares in the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd raised its stake in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 49.7% during the 2nd quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 124,100 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $531,000 after acquiring an additional 41,209 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.68% of the companys stock.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc manufactures and sells cellulose specialty products in the United States, China, Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, other Asian countries, and internationally. The company operates through High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard, and High-Yield Pulp segments. Its products include cellulose specialties, which are natural polymers that are used as raw materials to manufacture a range of consumer-oriented products, such as liquid crystal displays, impact-resistant plastics, thickeners for food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cigarette filters, high-tenacity rayon yarn for tires and industrial hoses, food casings, paints, and lacquers.

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Shares of FS KKR Capital Corp. (NYSE:FSK  Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Hold by the five research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $20.90.

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on FSK. B. Riley initiated coverage on shares of FS KKR Capital in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. They set a buy rating and a $21.00 price objective on the stock. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on FS KKR Capital from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Finally, TheStreet lowered FS KKR Capital from a b- rating to a c rating in a research report on Thursday, August 10th.

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FS KKR Capital Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FSK opened at $19.64 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. The stock has a market cap of $5.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.45 and a beta of 1.35. The companys 50-day moving average price is $19.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $19.44. FS KKR Capital has a 52 week low of $17.06 and a 52 week high of $20.80.

FS KKR Capital (NYSE:FSK  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, August 7th. The company reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.02. FS KKR Capital had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 12.43%. The firm had revenue of $462.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $449.67 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.67 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that FS KKR Capital will post 3.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FS KKR Capital Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 3rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 13th were given a dividend of $0.06 per share. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 12th. FS KKR Capitals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 253.47%.

Insider Activity

In other FS KKR Capital news, insider Daniel Pietrzak purchased 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $20.12 per share, with a total value of $100,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 32,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $653,900. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Brian Gerson acquired 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 29th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $20.36 per share, with a total value of $40,720.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 10,109 shares in the company, valued at approximately $205,819.24. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Daniel Pietrzak bought 5,000 shares of FS KKR Capital stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $20.12 per share, with a total value of $100,600.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 32,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $653,900. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought 8,750 shares of company stock worth $176,923 over the last 90 days. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On FS KKR Capital

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of FSK. Aspire Private Capital LLC bought a new stake in FS KKR Capital during the 1st quarter worth approximately $15,965,500,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new stake in FS KKR Capital during the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in FS KKR Capital during the 1st quarter worth about $43,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new position in FS KKR Capital in the 2nd quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Retirement Group LLC bought a new position in FS KKR Capital in the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. 33.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About FS KKR Capital

(Get Free Report

FS KKR Capital Corp. is a business development company specializing in investments in debt securities. It provides customized credit solutions to private middle market U.S. companies. It invest primarily in the senior secured debt and, to a lesser extent, the subordinated debt of private middle market U.S.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report issued on Friday morning.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Citigroup started coverage on Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research note on Tuesday, August 1st. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA to 40.50 ($42.63) in a research note on Wednesday, August 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research note on Wednesday, July 12th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. UBS Group raised Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. Finally, Truist Financial cut their price target on Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from $28.00 to $24.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $29.39.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Stock Performance

FMS opened at $17.30 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $10.15 billion, a PE ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a 1 year low of $13.06 and a 1 year high of $27.72. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $22.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.26.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.08. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA had a return on equity of 5.15% and a net margin of 3.01%. The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.19 billion. Sell-side analysts forecast that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.29 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Clear Street Markets LLC bought a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. American National Bank bought a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Assetmark Inc. increased its stake in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 61.1% in the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,969 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 747 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 34.7% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,432 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 885 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the 2nd quarter valued at $71,000. Institutional investors own 5.81% of the companys stock.

About Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

(Get Free Report)

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co KGaA provides dialysis and related services for individuals with renal diseases in Germany, North America, and internationally. The company offers dialysis treatment and related laboratory and diagnostic services through a network of outpatient dialysis clinics; materials, training, and patient support services comprising clinical monitoring, follow-up assistance, and arranging for delivery of the supplies to the patient's residence; and dialysis services under contract to hospitals in the United States for the hospitalized end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and for patients suffering from acute kidney failure.

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Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the fifteen analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $30.38.

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on TDOC shares. Truist Financial reiterated a hold rating and set a $28.00 target price on shares of Teladoc Health in a research report on Monday, September 25th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Teladoc Health in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating for the company. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on Teladoc Health from $25.00 to $19.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on Teladoc Health from $31.00 to $29.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th.

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Insider Activity

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teladoc Health

In other Teladoc Health news, CFO Mala Murthy sold 3,221 shares of Teladoc Health stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.89, for a total value of $73,728.69. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 46,907 shares in the company, valued at $1,073,701.23. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . In other Teladoc Health news, insider Claus Torp Jensen sold 6,547 shares of Teladoc Health stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.00, for a total value of $189,863.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 13,096 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $379,784. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, CFO Mala Murthy sold 3,221 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.89, for a total transaction of $73,728.69. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 46,907 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,073,701.23. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 24,835 shares of company stock valued at $676,788. 1.63% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in shares of Teladoc Health by 308,618.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 3,145,840 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $79,653,000 after buying an additional 3,144,821 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in Teladoc Health by 116.7% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,593,819 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $93,070,000 after buying an additional 1,935,496 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its stake in Teladoc Health by 245.8% in the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 2,524,794 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $65,392,000 after buying an additional 1,794,704 shares in the last quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Teladoc Health by 8.7% during the 1st quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC now owns 20,584,180 shares of the health services providers stock worth $533,130,000 after buying an additional 1,655,740 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Teladoc Health in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,632,000. 77.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Teladoc Health Trading Up 2.3 %

Teladoc Health stock opened at $18.93 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 3.45, a quick ratio of 3.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firm has a market cap of $3.12 billion, a PE ratio of -0.76 and a beta of 1.14. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $21.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $23.88. Teladoc Health has a 12 month low of $18.04 and a 12 month high of $34.73.

Teladoc Health (NYSE:TDOC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The health services provider reported ($0.40) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.44) by $0.04. Teladoc Health had a negative net margin of 158.76% and a negative return on equity of 7.32%. The business had revenue of $652.41 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $649.20 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.44) earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Teladoc Health will post -1.36 earnings per share for the current year.

About Teladoc Health

(Get Free Report

Teladoc Health, Inc provides virtual healthcare services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Integrated Care and BetterHelp segments. The Integrated Care segment offers virtual medical services, including general medical, expert medical, specialty medical, chronic condition management, and mental health, as well as enabling technologies and enterprise telehealth solutions for hospitals and health systems.

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Shares of Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the thirteen research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five 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 $14.50.

F has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group began coverage on Ford Motor in a research report on Tuesday, September 12th. They issued a buy rating and a $15.00 price target for the company. Daiwa Capital Markets increased their target price on Ford Motor from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 1st. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $12.00 target price on shares of Ford Motor in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. Barclays increased their price target on Ford Motor from $13.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Ford Motor in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company.

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Ford Motor Stock Up 1.0 %

F stock opened at $11.93 on Tuesday. Ford Motor has a fifty-two week low of $10.90 and a fifty-two week high of $15.42. The businesss 50-day moving average is $12.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.15, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.20. The company has a market cap of $47.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.58.

Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The auto manufacturer reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $44.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $43.17 billion. Ford Motor had a return on equity of 20.48% and a net margin of 2.44%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.68 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Ford Motor will post 2.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in F. RB Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Ford Motor by 14.6% during the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 27,339 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $462,000 after acquiring an additional 3,477 shares during the period. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Ford Motor in the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. Synovus Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 275.4% in the 1st quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 111,481 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $1,886,000 after buying an additional 81,783 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 17.3% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 325,778 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $5,509,000 after buying an additional 47,959 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 564,002 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $9,537,000 after buying an additional 16,498 shares during the period. 52.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ford Motor Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Ford Motor Company develops, delivers, and services a range of Ford trucks, commercial cars and vans, sport utility vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles worldwide. It operates through Ford Blue, Ford Model e, and Ford Pro; Ford Next; and Ford Credit segments. The company sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories through distributors and dealers, as well as through dealerships to commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments.

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Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 24.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 567 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $183,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,070,182 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,981,052,000 after purchasing an additional 22,635 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 40.0% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,936,351 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,038,425,000 after acquiring an additional 1,696,350 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 5,044,608 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,650,142,000 after acquiring an additional 144,177 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 4,764,509 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,396,236,000 after acquiring an additional 52,016 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 608.2% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,390,752 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $114,359,000 after acquiring an additional 2,053,162 shares in the last quarter. 69.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CEO David M. Solomon sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $345.71, for a total transaction of $3,457,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 128,982 shares of the companys stock, valued at $44,590,367.22. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, CEO David M. Solomon sold 4,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.28, for a total value of $1,496,376.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 124,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at $44,457,330.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO David M. Solomon sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $345.71, for a total value of $3,457,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 128,982 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,590,367.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup decreased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $400.00 to $380.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $347.00 to $329.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. JMP Securities decreased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $450.00 to $440.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Atlantic Securities upgraded The Goldman Sachs Group from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $330.00 to $351.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 1st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $385.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $392.76.

View Our Latest Report on The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE GS opened at $314.41 on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $301.87 and a twelve month high of $389.58. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18. The company has a market capitalization of $103.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.41, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.38. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $325.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $329.83.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The investment management company reported $3.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.25 by ($0.17). The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 8.27%. The business had revenue of $10.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.61 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $7.73 earnings per share. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue was down 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 24.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 31st were issued a $2.75 dividend. This represents a $11.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.50%. This is an increase from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.50. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 30th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 46.93%.

The Goldman Sachs Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements.

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Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its position in Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT  Free Report) by 27.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 33,555 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 7,168 shares during the quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLCs holdings in Wipro were worth $158,000 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 WIT. 1832 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Wipro in the first quarter valued at $26,000. Spire Wealth Management bought a new position in Wipro during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Assetmark Inc. bought a new position in Wipro during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management bought a new position in Wipro during the 1st quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, Enterprise Financial Services Corp bought a new position in Wipro during the 4th quarter valued at $49,000. 2.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wipro Trading Up 1.0 %

Wipro stock opened at $4.91 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day moving average is $5.01 and its 200-day moving average is $4.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a current ratio of 1.72. Wipro Limited has a 1 year low of $4.32 and a 1 year high of $5.31. The company has a market cap of $26.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.88, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.80.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Wipro in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Wipro in a research note on Tuesday, August 22nd. They set a sell rating and a $4.70 price objective on the stock.

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About Wipro

(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.

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Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The financial services provider reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.07, RTT News reports. 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.13 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.81 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Bank of America Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BAC opened at $26.98 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $28.36 and a 200 day moving average of $28.85. The stock has a market cap of $214.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.36. Bank of America Co. has a 12 month low of $25.47 and a 12 month high of $38.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12.

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Bank of America Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, September 1st were paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.56%. This is a boost from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Bank of Americas payout ratio is currently 27.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of America

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other Bank of America news, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.48, for a total transaction of $2,449,332.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 353,971 shares in the company, valued at $11,143,007.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . In other news, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 353,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,143,007.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the sale, the insider now owns 185,108 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,836,455.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC increased its position in Bank of America by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC now owns 39,526 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,309,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares during the period. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC increased its position in Bank of America by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC now owns 15,918 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $656,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the period. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. increased its position in Bank of America by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 10,765 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $308,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the period. First Command Bank grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. First Command Bank now owns 29,157 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $908,000 after buying an additional 429 shares during the period. Finally, Wall Street Access Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Wall Street Access Asset Management LLC now owns 43,588 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,796,000 after buying an additional 434 shares during the period. 68.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BAC has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $41.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 23rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $35.00 to $33.00 in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, Oppenheimer decreased their price objective on shares of 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 given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $35.32.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BAC

About Bank of America

(Get 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.

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Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,470,000 shares, a growth of 19.8% from the September 15th total of 5,400,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,350,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.8 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on HIW shares. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Highwoods Properties in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $22.00 target price on shares of Highwoods Properties in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Highwoods Properties from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Highwoods Properties from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $27.00 to $22.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.00.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on HIW

Highwoods Properties Price Performance

Highwoods Properties Dividend Announcement

Shares of NYSE HIW traded up $0.17 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $20.06. 209,091 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,180,562. The company has a market cap of $2.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.81 and a beta of 1.19. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $22.25 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $22.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. Highwoods Properties has a twelve month low of $18.56 and a twelve month high of $31.88.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 21st were issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.97%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 18th. Highwoods Propertiess payout ratio is 138.89%.

Institutional Trading of Highwoods Properties

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Highwoods Properties during the third quarter valued at approximately $125,000. Everence Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Highwoods Properties during the third quarter valued at approximately $279,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue grew its stake in shares of Highwoods Properties by 44.3% during the third quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 173,972 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,584,000 after purchasing an additional 53,378 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in shares of Highwoods Properties by 17.7% during the third quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 52,618 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,084,000 after purchasing an additional 7,930 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arden Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Highwoods Properties during the third quarter valued at approximately $206,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.31% of the companys stock.

Highwoods Properties Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Highwoods Properties, Inc, headquartered in Raleigh, is a publicly-traded (NYSE:HIW) real estate investment trust (REIT) and a member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. The Company is a fully-integrated office REIT that owns, develops, acquires, leases and manages properties primarily in the best business districts (BBDs) of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond and Tampa.

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TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday highlighted the necessity of making immediate efforts to put an end to Israeli attacks against Gaza in separate phone calls with his Russian and Turkish counterparts, according to statements from the Iranian president's office.

Speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Raisi blamed Israel's intensification and continuation of military operations in Gaza, which were "supported by Western states, especially the United States."

"The major disaster that is occurring in the region is an outcome of the policies of the U.S. and Israel's other Western supporters, which are doomed to failure," Raisi stressed.

For his part, Putin said the large-scale Israeli attacks against a densely-populated region, where more than 2 million defenseless people live, "are in no way justifiable and must be immediately stopped."

He warned that carrying out ground operations in Gaza would have very heavy human and military costs and consequences, stressing that the U.S. sought to proceed with its desired approach toward the resolution of the Palestinian issue alone, but it has ended in failure.

In another phone talk with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Raisi warned of the possible expansion of the conflict, calling on the Muslim world to "make efforts to end Israel's brutal attacks against Gaza and lift the siege on the enclave."

Erdogan, for his part, said measures such as the U.S. aircraft carrier's presence in the region and bombardment of airports in Syria's Aleppo and Damascus could expand the Israel-Hamas conflict to broader parts of the region.

He noted that Turkiye is trying to assist the people in Gaza, adding that the achievement of a cease-fire, ceasing attacks on Gaza, and lifting the city's siege are three important and fundamental priorities to control the escalation at this critical point.

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) launched a surprise attack on Oct. 7, launching thousands of rockets and breaching land border with Israel, prompting extensive Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

The ongoing conflict has caused heavy casualties in both Israel and Gaza. 
Parnassus Investments LLC lowered its stake in shares of CNH Industrial (NYSE:CNHI  Free Report) by 26.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,392,150 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,018,147 shares during the quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC owned about 0.85% of CNH Industrial worth $164,047,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CNHI. First Manhattan CO. LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of CNH Industrial in the 1st quarter valued at $38,000. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CNH Industrial in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CNH Industrial by 27.7% in the 2nd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,966 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 643 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in shares of CNH Industrial by 437.9% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,292 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 2,680 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CNH Industrial in the 1st quarter valued at $50,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 39.93% of the companys stock.

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CNH Industrial Trading Up 0.6 %

NYSE:CNHI traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $11.94. 1,304,360 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,832,060. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.94 and a beta of 1.64. The company has a current ratio of 7.47, a quick ratio of 5.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.28. CNH Industrial has a one year low of $11.43 and a one year high of $17.98. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $13.79.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CNH Industrial ( NYSE:CNHI Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 28th. The company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.04. CNH Industrial had a return on equity of 31.51% and a net margin of 9.44%. The firm had revenue of $6.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.44 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.43 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that CNH Industrial will post 1.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CNHI has been the topic of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on CNH Industrial from $15.50 to $14.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday. StockNews.com initiated coverage on CNH Industrial in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on CNH Industrial from $19.00 to $18.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded CNH Industrial from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $17.31 to $15.11 in a report on Monday, September 4th. Finally, Bank of America cut their price objective on CNH Industrial from $17.00 to $14.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, CNH Industrial presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $18.35.

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About CNH Industrial

(Free Report)

CNH Industrial N.V., an equipment and services company, engages in the design, production, marketing, sale, and financing of agricultural and construction equipment in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through three segments: Agriculture, Construction, and Financial Services.

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Trust Co. of Virginia VA decreased its stake in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT  Free Report) by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,573 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 67 shares during the quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VAs holdings in Caterpillar were worth $387,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CAT. Horan Securities Inc. lifted its stake in Caterpillar by 678.6% in the first quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 109 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the period. West Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 272.4% in the first quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 108 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 730.8% in the first quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 108 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TFC Financial Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 470.8% in the first quarter. TFC Financial Management Inc. now owns 137 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.20% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Caterpillar from $183.00 to $234.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Caterpillar from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Caterpillar from $240.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. DA Davidson began coverage on Caterpillar in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. They set a neutral rating and a $263.00 price objective for the company. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Caterpillar in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $265.95.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

NYSE:CAT opened at $270.66 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $276.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $248.60. Caterpillar Inc. has a 1-year low of $179.20 and a 1-year high of $293.88. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The stock has a market cap of $138.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.84, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 1.13.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $5.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.57 by $0.98. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 55.93% and a net margin of 12.91%. The firm had revenue of $17.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.46 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.18 EPS. The companys revenue was up 21.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 23rd will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 20th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.92%. Caterpillars payout ratio is 32.36%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 2,923 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $279.00, for a total transaction of $815,517.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 16,182 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,514,778. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Caterpillar news, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 2,923 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $279.00, for a total transaction of $815,517.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 16,182 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,514,778. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph E. Creed sold 7,286 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.25, for a total value of $2,078,331.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 48,503 shares of company stock worth $13,631,970 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

Caterpillar Profile

(Free Report)

Caterpillar, Inc engages in the manufacture of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. It operates through the following segments: Construction Industries, Resource Industries, Energy and Transportation, Financial Products, and All Other.

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Sovereign Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 34.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,307 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares during the period. Sovereign Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $616,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PM. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Philip Morris International by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 43,512,330 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,403,883,000 after buying an additional 411,358 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.3% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 34,959,139 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,399,777,000 after acquiring an additional 1,106,408 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 5.4% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 21,448,722 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,085,888,000 after acquiring an additional 1,099,430 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 8.8% during the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 16,211,020 shares of the companys stock worth $1,576,522,000 after purchasing an additional 1,315,656 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.7% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 16,050,540 shares of the companys stock worth $1,332,355,000 after purchasing an additional 260,832 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on PM. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday. 22nd Century Group restated a reiterates rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. StockNews.com started coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned 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 Moderate Buy and an average price target of $109.42.

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Shares of Philip Morris International stock opened at $92.88 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $94.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $95.62. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $84.44 and a 52-week high of $105.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $144.18 billion, a PE ratio of 18.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.71.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.10. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 127.84% and a net margin of 11.63%. The business had revenue of $8.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.76 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.48 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 27th were paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 26th. This is a positive change from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.60%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 100.58%.

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.

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Klingman & Associates LLC acquired a new position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 2,915 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $285,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Herold Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Philip Morris International by 2.1% in the first quarter. Herold Advisors Inc. now owns 5,050 shares of the companys stock valued at $491,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. LCM Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. LCM Capital Management Inc now owns 2,428 shares of the companys stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 33.8% during the 4th quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 428 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Horan Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 12.8% during the 1st quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 960 shares of the companys stock worth $93,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TimeScale Financial Inc. grew its position in Philip Morris International by 2.7% in the first quarter. TimeScale Financial Inc. now owns 4,153 shares of the companys stock worth $404,000 after acquiring an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.3 %

Philip Morris International stock opened at $92.88 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $144.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.71. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $84.44 and a 1-year high of $105.62. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $94.33 and a 200-day moving average of $95.62.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $8.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.76 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 127.84% and a net margin of 11.63%. The businesss revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.48 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 27th were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 26th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.60%. This is a boost from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 100.58%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PM has been the topic of a number of research reports. 22nd Century Group restated a reiterates rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. Barclays dropped their target price on Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued 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 given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $109.42.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on PM

Philip Morris International 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.

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Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lessened its stake in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) by 0.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 38,216 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after selling 173 shares during the quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.s holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $11,208,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 11.6% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,918 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $949,000 after purchasing an additional 406 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 3.1% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 11,087 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $2,685,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 8.8% in the first quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 2,870 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $695,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Motorola Solutions in the first quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 7.3% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 55,177 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $13,362,000 after acquiring an additional 3,741 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.37% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Raymond James upped their target price on Motorola Solutions from $315.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Motorola Solutions from $290.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 4th. Bank of America started coverage on Motorola Solutions in a report on Monday, October 9th. They issued a buy rating and a $330.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com lowered Motorola Solutions from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Motorola Solutions from $320.00 to $311.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $312.57.

Motorola Solutions Trading Up 1.8 %

Shares of Motorola Solutions stock opened at $293.32 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $280.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $285.27. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 12-month low of $217.31 and a 12-month high of $299.43. The company has a market capitalization of $48.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.14.

Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 3rd. The communications equipment provider reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.36 billion. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 2,157.02% and a net margin of 15.72%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.87 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 10.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th were paid a $0.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.20%. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.91%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Motorola Solutions

In other news, Director Kenneth D. Denman sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.58, for a total transaction of $284,580.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 8,101 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,305,382.58. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Motorola Solutions Profile

(Free Report)

Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce.

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Americana Partners LLC lessened its stake in FedEx Co. (NYSE:FDX  Free Report) by 20.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,841 shares of the shipping service providers stock after selling 993 shares during the period. Americana Partners LLCs holdings in FedEx were worth $952,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in shares of FedEx by 97,178.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 209,510,584 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $51,937,674,000 after buying an additional 209,295,211 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of FedEx during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $388,787,000. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC purchased a new position in shares of FedEx during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $314,712,000. Mizuho Markets Cayman LP lifted its holdings in FedEx by 64,686.3% in the 1st quarter. Mizuho Markets Cayman LP now owns 1,377,356 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $314,712,000 after purchasing an additional 1,375,230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in FedEx by 19.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 3,412,956 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $591,124,000 after purchasing an additional 559,607 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.61% of the companys stock.

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FedEx Price Performance

FDX traded up $0.19 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $247.75. 66,948 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,992,129. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.32. FedEx Co. has a 1 year low of $149.64 and a 1 year high of $270.95. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $259.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $245.11. The company has a market capitalization of $62.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.33.

FedEx Announces Dividend

FedEx ( NYSE:FDX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, September 20th. The shipping service provider reported $4.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.71 by $0.84. FedEx had a return on equity of 16.14% and a net margin of 4.71%. The business had revenue of $21.68 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.74 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.44 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that FedEx Co. will post 18.14 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, September 11th were given a dividend of $1.26 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 8th. This represents a $5.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.03%. FedExs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.73%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other FedEx news, EVP Michael C. Lenz sold 5,745 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.88, for a total transaction of $1,504,500.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,478 shares in the company, valued at $5,886,538.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Michael C. Lenz sold 5,745 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.88, for a total value of $1,504,500.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 22,478 shares in the company, valued at $5,886,538.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, VP Jennifer L. Johnson sold 13,348 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $258.25, for a total value of $3,447,121.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 3,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $885,281. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 8.73% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on FDX. Susquehanna upgraded FedEx from a neutral rating to a positive rating and raised their price objective for the company from $225.00 to $315.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Credit Suisse Group cut their target price on FedEx from $273.00 to $265.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on FedEx from $269.00 to $278.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. HSBC initiated coverage on FedEx in a research note on Friday, September 29th. They issued a buy rating and a $330.00 target price for the company. Finally, Loop Capital raised their target price on FedEx from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 22nd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, FedEx currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $282.54.

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About FedEx

(Free Report)

FedEx Corp. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of transportation, e-commerce, business services, and business solutions. It operates through the following segments: FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, FedEx Services, and Corporate, Other and Eliminations. The FedEx Express segment offers transportation and delivery services.

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Cambiar Investors LLC cut its stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 210,952 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 2,237 shares during the period. Union Pacific comprises approximately 1.8% of Cambiar Investors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Cambiar Investors LLCs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $43,165,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. TrueWealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at about $223,000. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at about $391,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at about $201,000. Vickerman Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Union Pacific by 2.2% during the second quarter. Vickerman Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 13,874 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $2,839,000 after buying an additional 304 shares during the period. Finally, Credit Agricole S A purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at about $348,000. 77.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Union Pacific Stock Performance

UNP stock traded up $1.73 on Tuesday, hitting $212.56. The company had a trading volume of 463,604 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,850,350. The stock has a market cap of $129.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.12. Union Pacific Co. has a 12-month low of $183.69 and a 12-month high of $240.48. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $215.10 and its 200 day simple moving average is $207.95.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The railroad operator reported $2.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.75 by ($0.18). The business had revenue of $5.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.09 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.18% and a return on equity of 55.03%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.93 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 10.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 31st were issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 30th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.45%. Union Pacifics payout ratio is 47.45%.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.83, for a total value of $222,830.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 99,378 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,144,399.74. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Union Pacific news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 8,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.43, for a total value of $1,935,141.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 42,061 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,355,628.23. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.83, for a total transaction of $222,830.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 99,378 shares in the company, valued at $22,144,399.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Atlantic Securities lowered shares of Union Pacific from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $244.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $233.00 to $232.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $265.00 to $257.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 25th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $200.00 to $245.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Finally, Stephens upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $232.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $233.62.

View Our Latest Report on Union Pacific

Union Pacific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, and other agricultural users; petroleum, and liquid petroleum gases; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.

Further Reading

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Asset Management One Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,750 shares of the restaurant operators stock after buying an additional 208 shares during the period. Asset Management One Co. Ltd.s holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $25,133,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5.0% during the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 2,910 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $13,299,000 after acquiring an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC grew its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 27.7% in the second quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 936 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $2,003,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 3.9% in the first quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,311 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $5,656,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. lifted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.8% in the first quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 439 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $750,000 after acquiring an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank lifted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.3% in the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 3,254 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $5,559,000 after acquiring an additional 9 shares during the last quarter. 91.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of CMG stock opened at $1,810.45 on Tuesday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $1,344.05 and a fifty-two week high of $2,175.01. The stock has a market cap of $49.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $1,878.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1,951.69.

Insider Activity

Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 26th. The restaurant operator reported $12.65 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $12.25 by $0.40. The firm had revenue of $2.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.53 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 45.85% and a net margin of 12.00%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $9.30 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 43.16 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,058 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,928.16, for a total value of $2,039,993.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $45,016,751.52. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,044 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,830.95, for a total transaction of $1,911,511.80. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,747,189.65. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,058 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill 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 value of $2,039,993.28. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at $45,016,751.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 3,165 shares of company stock valued at $6,024,185 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on CMG shares. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,250.00 to $2,150.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,400.00 to $2,200.00 in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,100.00 to $2,300.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Oppenheimer decreased their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,300.00 to $2,225.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2,141.22.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on CMG

Chipotle Mexican Grill Company 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.

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Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its holdings in Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT  Free Report) by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 191,416 shares of the medical technology companys stock after buying an additional 1,085 shares during the quarter. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc.s holdings in Medtronic were worth $16,864,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Medtronic by 109.0% in the 1st quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 802,643 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $64,674,000 after buying an additional 418,648 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH raised its position in shares of Medtronic by 20.6% during the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH now owns 17,220 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $1,517,000 after purchasing an additional 2,940 shares during the period. Viawealth LLC raised its position in shares of Medtronic by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Viawealth LLC now owns 12,085 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $974,000 after purchasing an additional 390 shares during the period. Argent Trust Co raised its position in shares of Medtronic by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 40,743 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $3,285,000 after purchasing an additional 1,948 shares during the period. Finally, Lincoln National Corp raised its position in shares of Medtronic by 16.1% during the 1st quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 11,669 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $941,000 after purchasing an additional 1,617 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.75% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Medtronic

In related news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.38, for a total value of $83,380.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 33,573 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,799,316.74. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 1,000 shares of Medtronic stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.38, for a total value of $83,380.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 33,573 shares in the company, valued at $2,799,316.74. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Gregory L. Smith sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.84, for a total value of $838,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 46,723 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,917,256.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 12,352 shares of company stock worth $1,035,497. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Medtronic Price Performance

Shares of MDT stock traded up $0.25 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $72.00. 1,051,636 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,762,520. Medtronic plc has a fifty-two week low of $70.95 and a fifty-two week high of $92.02. The stocks fifty day moving average is $79.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $84.04. The company has a market cap of $95.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 2.42 and a quick ratio of 1.79.

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 22nd. The medical technology company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.09. Medtronic had a return on equity of 13.81% and a net margin of 11.47%. The company had revenue of $7.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.57 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.13 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Medtronic plc will post 5.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Medtronic Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 22nd were paid a $0.69 dividend. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.83%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 21st. Medtronics payout ratio is 101.85%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on MDT shares. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Medtronic in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Medtronic from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Medtronic from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. Oppenheimer reissued a market perform rating and issued a $89.00 price target on shares of Medtronic in a research note on Wednesday, August 23rd. Finally, 22nd Century Group reissued an initiates rating on shares of Medtronic in a research note on Friday, June 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Medtronic has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $91.94.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MDT

Medtronic Profile

(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.

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TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has blamed the United States for fueling and expanding the Israel-Hamas conflict by adopting "unconstructive policies" and providing support for Israel to launch more attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks on Monday when speaking with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell by phone, according to a statement released by Iran's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

Borrell said the expansion of the tension in the region was "very dangerous," and called on all sides to exercise restraint.

He said the EU would continue its efforts to put an end to the conflict and underlined the necessity of opening humanitarian corridors in order to send aid to civilians in Gaza. He also stressed Iran's important role in easing tensions in the region.

Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) launched on Oct. 7 a surprise attack against Israeli military targets and towns, prompting extensive Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Hamas attacks killed more than 1,300 people in Israel, according to figures released by Israel's military. Israeli attacks have killed 2,808 Palestinians, according to figures released by the the Hamas-run Health Ministry. 
AI science fiction mini-film: Meet the Future in Chengdu

More than 2,200 years ago, the people in the Shu Kingdom were affected by a severe flood.

With the help of Panda Kormo, Governor Li Bing's student, Miranda, time traveled to Chengdu in the year 2023 to find out the answer on how to tackle the problem.#ShowMeChina #Chengdu
COLOMBO, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), on Tuesday called for urgent actions toward sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in Sri Lanka.

The U.N. agencies said in a joint press release that Sri Lanka was classified as 'highly water stressed' with a 90.8 percent indicator in a 2021 report, reflecting significant pressure from human activities on its freshwater resources and their sustainability.

Sri Lanka also ranks consistently high on the Global Climate Risk Index, particularly in terms of climate risks associated with impact on water resources, the press release said.

Sri Lankan Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera in his keynote address reaffirmed Sri Lanka's unwavering dedication to achieving food security for all, emphasizing the importance of agriculture and food security as national priorities. 
[October 17, 2023] Pledge Announces $100,000,000 Donations Raised for 50,000+ Nonprofits After Record Growth, Despite Economic Forecast Tweet

Used by companies, nonprofits, and people alike, the organization has powered charitable fundraising campaigns in over 130 countries and chooses to waive credit card fees to allow for generosity at any moment LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pledge, the award-winning charitable fundraising platform, backed by Maven Ventures, Zoom Ventures, Designer Fund, the Chainsmokers's Mantis Ventures, and prominent angels including Randi Zuckerberg and Bill Tai, today unveiled that is has reached the milestone of raising over $100,000,000 for more than 50,000 nonprofits and charities around the world. Although much industry speculation has focused on the likely decline in charitable giving due to instability in the macroeconomy, Pledge has seen the opposite - a significant spike in consumers' willingness to donate to organizations they support alongside and in concert with the brands whose values they align with. Since the beginning of 2020, donations have grown 300% through Pledge's fundraising platform to over 10,000 microdonations daily. While most of the fundraising industry continues to rely on profiting from processing fees, which averages 3% of every donation, Pledge decided in accordance with its values - authenticity, care, community, optimism, and trust - to disrupt this historical trend by paying these standard fees and driving more resources to nonprofits that rely on critical donations to support their missions. Through its "Free the Fee" campaign, Pledge has committed to paying the credit card processing fees on donations up to $1000 each, thus passing 100% of donations to all of the 2+ million verified nonprofits and charitable organizations in their database. Credit card fees on charitable donations are valued at an estimated$10B worldwide, which Pledge believes should be redirected toward solving the world's most pressing causes. By absorbing these transaction costs, Pledge aims to maximize the impact of every dollar donated, ensuring that more resources reach the intended beneficiaries.



"Reaching $100,000,000 in donations is a testament to the incredible generosity of our community. We are excited to pioneer new and innovative ways to fundraise and by eliminating credit card fees, unlock the potential for massive new funding streams to reach our nonprofit partners and further amplify the positive change that we can achieve together in our local and global communities," stated James Citron, CEO of Pledge. Three donations happened simultaneously to propel Pledge past the $100,000,000 mark:

A Ten-Year-Old's Birthday Party for a Cause: In a heartwarming gesture, a donation was made in honor of a ten-year-old boy's birthday party through Pledge's partnership with Evite, demonstrating the platform's ability to engage individuals of all ages in the spirit of giving and fostering a sense of philanthropy from an early age.

The Rhode Futures Foundation: A minimum of 1% of all purchases from rhode are donated to the brand's charitable arm, the Rhode Futures Foundation, powered by Pledge. The Foundation helps dismantle the barriers that women face by uplifting and investing in solutions that position women to direct their own futures and is an example of how corporate partnerships can contribute to social responsibility and sustainable impact.

Impactful Giving to Morocco through CNN's Impact Your World: A generous donation to support Morocco's disaster relief initiatives, facilitated by CNN's Impact Your World and Pledge, showcased the global reach and effectiveness of Pledge's fundraising products. The platform's ability to connect donors with international causes underscores its commitment to addressing diverse and pressing global issues, while also processing donations from more than 150 countries.

through CNN's Impact Your World: Pledge's unique offerings for companies, nonprofits, and people alike to support causes they care about in their local communities and around the world, set it apart from all other fundraising organizations. Through their frictionless and user-friendly platform, Pledge powers generosity by turning everyday actions into moments of giving - from rounding up purchases, to donating in honor of loved ones through their online event invitations, supporting a text-to-donate campaign seen on the news, to creating a personal fundraiser page for a local school, and more. Recently, Pledge's fundraising capabilities have been greatly enhanced to now accept donations in public stock and via Venmo, in addition to its support of over 150 cryptocurrencies, Apple Pay, and ACH, and by launching the first truly free, peer to peer fundraising platform. To learn more and join the #pledgetodgood movement, visit www.pledge.to. About Pledge

Pledge is the world's most trusted and innovative fundraising partner that has raised over $100,000,000 in impact, making it easy for nonprofits, businesses, and people to make a difference in their communities and around the globe. Pledge powers donations through leading online brands, such as Zoom, Evite, Shopify, Legacy, and Warner Bros. Discovery as well as democratizes fundraising through free landing pages, cryptocurrency, text-to-donate, virtual events, and more. Pledge processes donations to 2+ million verified nonprofits and charitable organizations of all sizes and is a proud member of the UN Global Compact, Pledge 1%, Conscious Capitalism, and PledgeLA. Interested in making a difference? Visit www.pledge.to and make your #PledgeToDoGood. Media Contact:

Sofia Coon, sofia@presshook.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pledge-announces-100-000-000-donations-raised-for-50-000-nonprofits-after-record-growth-despite-economic-forecast-301958201.html SOURCE Pledge

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[October 16, 2023] Textron Aviation names flyExclusive fleet launch customer for newly-announced Citation CJ3 Gen2 Tweet

Textron Aviation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced that flyExclusive has been named the fleet launch customer for the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2. The news came during the company's press conference at the National Business Aviation Association - Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) event in Las Vegas. The Citation CJ3 Gen2, just announced this morning, raises the bar in the light jet market and is part of the next phase of flyExclusive's fleet modernization efforts. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016424092/en/ Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 flyExclusive (Photo: Business Wire) "We are thrilled to announce flyExclusive as the fleet launch customer for the Citation CJ3 Gen2, the latest addition to the industry-leading Citation family," said Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations. "The CJ3 Gen2 is the ideal aircraft to enhance flyExclusive's existing fleet, offering both passengers and pilots an elevated experience. With its proven performance, leading-edge technology, and unmatched cabin amenities, this aircraft reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence in aviation." In 2022, flyExclusive, a leading provider of premium private jet charter experiences, announced an ambitious fleet modernization program that included an order of up to 44 new Textron Aviation aircraft, including up to 30 CJ3+ light aircraft. flyExclusive operates a fleet of Cessna Citation jets including Citation X, Citation Sovereign, Citation Excel/ XLS, Citation CJ3 /CJ3+ and Citation Encore / Encore+ aircraft models. "flyExclusive customers expect the best, and we believe the best planes money can buy are built and serviced by Textron Aviation," said Jim Segrave, Founder, Chairman and CEO of flyExclsuive said. "We take pride in being the fleet launch customer for the Citation CJ3 Gen 2, building on our decades-long relationship with Textron Aviation. I am excited that our fractional customers will get to invest and travel in the top light jet in the world." The Citation CJ3 Gen2 is the most comprehensive Gen2 product to date. Attendees at NBAA will enjoy access to a Citation CJ3 Gen2 mock up debuting during the show at the company's static dislay at Henderson Executive Airport. Currently under development, the aircraft is expected to enter into service in 2025.



About the Citation CJ3 Gen2 The Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 redefines business aviation, setting new standards in the light jet market. Designed with pilot input, the cockpit boasts a spacious 4.5 inches of extra legroom for the pilot. The Garmin G3000 avionics system features autothrottle technology and seamless connectivity for reduced workload and heightened situational awareness, as well as optional Enhanced Vision System (EVS) to provide improved clarity and optimized situational awareness.

Passengers will appreciate the spacious and customizable cabin where they can create their ideal environment with features such as swivel seating, RGB accent lighting, USB-C power at every seat, wireless charging, executive tables and ample storage. The lavatory features CoolView skylights for natural light, an optional modern sink and vanity, and is externally serviceable for added convenience. The Citation CJ3 Gen2 will offer standard seating for nine passengers, with an option for eight passengers with additional storage. With a maximum range of 2,040 nm and a maximum payload of 2,135 pounds, the Citation CJ3 Gen2 offers excellent range, payload and superior field performance to enable pilots to achieve a variety of missions in extensive conditions. About Textron Aviation We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com | www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com. About Textron Inc. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com. About flyExclusive flyExclusive is a vertically-integrated, FAA regulated operator of private jet experiences offering customers on-demand charter, Jet Club, and fractional jet services to destinations across the globe. As one of the world's largest operators of Cessna Citation aircraft, flyExclusive owns a floating fleet of more than 90 light to heavy jets. The company manages all aspects of the customer experience, ensuring that every flight is on a modern, comfortable and safe aircraft. flyExclusive's in-house Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services, including paint, interiors, and avionics capabilities, are provided from its campus headquarters in Kinston, North Carolina. To learn more, visit www.flyexclusive.com. Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business; and performance issues with key suppliers or subcontractors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016424092/en/

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[October 17, 2023] TrendForce 2024: Riding the Wave of Revolutionary Tech Trends Tweet

In this press release, TrendForce details the major trends that are expected to take place across various segments in the tech industry in 2024, as follows: CSPs increase AI investment, driving a 38% growth in AI server shipments by 2024 Major CSPs such as Microsoft, Google, and AWS are ramping up their investments in AI in light of the growing popularity of ChatBOTs, generative AI, and other applications, boosting demand for AI servers. TrendForce estimates that shipments of AI servers (including those equipped with GPUs, FPGAs, and ASICs) will exceed 1.2 million units in 2023-a YoY increase of 37.7%-making up nearly 9% of total server shipments. This number is expected to grow 38% in 2024 with AI occupying a share of 12%. Beyond NVIDIA and AMD's GPU solutions, major CSPs have been leaning toward developing their own ASIC chips. Google, for instance, has been accelerating the introduction of its custom TPU into AI servers since 2H23, with an annual growth rate exceeding 70%. AWS intends to adopt more of its custom ASICs in 2024, and shipment volume is expected to double. Others, like Microsoft and Meta, are also planning to expand their self-developed ASIC solutions, which may eat into the growth potential of GPUs. In summary, demand for AI servers is expected to grow in 2023-2024, mainly driven by aggressive investments from CSPs. It's expected that after 2024, more companies from application sectors will delve into developing specialized AI models and software servers, promoting the growth of edge AI servers equipped with mid-to-low-end GPUs (such as the L40S series) or FPGAs. The expected average annual growth rate for edge AI server shipments from 2023 to 2026 will exceed 20%. HBM3e set to drive an annual increase of 172% in HBM revenue Demand for AI accelerator chips grows following the construction of AI servers. HBM stands out as a critical DRAM product for these accelerator chips. In terms of specs, aside from the current mainstream HBM2e, the proportion of demand reserved for HBM3 has also increased this year with the mass production of NVIDIA's H100/H800 and AMD's MI300 series. Looking ahead to 2024, the three major memory suppliers will further introduce HBM3e-boosting speeds to 8 Gbps-and ensure even better performance for AI accelerator chips in 2024-2025. In the AI accelerator chip market, beyond leading server GPU manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD, CSPs are also accelerating their steps in developing proprietary AI chips-a common feature being HBM integration. With the growing complexity of training models and applications, demand for HBM is expected to skyrocket. It's projected that in 2024, HBM will make a significant contribution to memory suppliers' revenues given that the average unit price of HBM is several times higher than other DRAM products, for an annual growth rate of 172%. AI chips: Rising demand for advanced packaging in 2024, emergence of 3D IC technology Industry leaders like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel are not only exploring significant changes to transistor architecture but also recognizing the vital role of packaging technology, especially as semiconductor front-end manufacturing processes approach physical limits. Advanced packaging is becoming essential for improving chip performance, conserving hardware space, reducing power consumption, and minimizing latency. Both TSMC and Samsung have taken steps to establish 3D IC research centers in Japan, highlighting the critical role of packaging in the evolution of semiconductor technology. In recent years, the rise of ChatBOTs has fueled robust growth in AI applications, significantly increasing the demand for 2.5D packaging technology that enhances AI computational power by integrating computing chips and memory. 2.5D packaging primarily employs a silicon interposer layer created during the front-end manufacturing process to integrate multiple chips of varying functions and manufacturing processes side by side before combining them with a PCB substrate to complete the packaging. In fact, several 2.5D packaging solutions, including TSMC's CoWoS, Intel's EMIB, and Samsung's I-Cube, have been seen in development for years. These technologies have now reached a level of maturity and are widely utilized in high-performance chips. By 2024, suppliers are set to focus on ramping up 2.5D packaging capacity to meet the rising demand for high computational power in applications like AI. Meanwhile, the emergence of 3D packaging technology is also on the horizon. Solutions such as TSMC's SoIC, Samsung's X-Cube, and Intel's Foveros have been successively announced. Unlike 2.5D packaging, which uses a silicon interposer layer, 3D packaging directly connects chips with different functions using TSVs. This eliminates the need for a silicon interposer layer, reducing package height, shortening the data paths between chips, and increasing computational speed. In addition to breakthroughs in packaging technology, the methods and even the materials used for interconnecting chips will be a focus of technological development. Effective integration of chips with varying functions and manufacturing processes is essential to meet the requirements for high computational power, low latency, and energy efficiency in applications such as AI and autonomous vehicles. In 2024, the global initiation of NTN is set to begin with small-scale commercial tests, paving the way for broader applications of this technology Collaboration has flourished among satellite operators, major semiconductor firms, telecom operators, and smartphone makers with the steady increase in satellite deployments by global operators Starlink and OneWeb, along with 3GPP's Release 17 and 18 guidelines for 5G's New Radio development in NTNs. These partnerships have culminated in preliminary validations of NTN scenarios. Currently, the focus of NTNs is predominantly on mobile satellite communication applications, where the user equipment (UE) interfaces directly with satellites for bidirectional data transmission tests under specific conditions. Looking ahead to 2024, major semiconductor manufacturers are ramping up their efforts in satellite communication chips. This surge is expected to prompt leading smartphone makers to integrate satellite communication functionalities into their high-end phones using the SoC model. With consistent demand for high-end smartphones among certain user segments, the stage is set for small-scale commercial testing of NTN networks. This development is poised to be a significant driver in the widespread adoption of NTN applications in 2024. From a long-term perspective on mobile satellite communications, ISL communication technologies hold promise; they enable data transmission between low-orbit satellites and simultaneous relays to large-scale cross-regional user devices, thereby aligning with the vision of achieving low latency 6G communication on a global scale. Planning for 6G communication to begin in 2024, with satellite communication taking center stage The standardization process for 6G is set to commence between 2024 and 2025, with the introduction of the first standard technologies anticipated around 2027 to 2028. As breakthroughs in 6G key technologies evolve, the scope extends beyond just integrating ultra-wideband receivers and transmitters. The seamless integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks-and innovations introduced through AI and machine learning-will be at the forefront. 6G is expected to usher in an array of novel technological applications. These include the use of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), terahertz frequency bands, Optical Wireless Communication (OWC), NTNs for high-altitude communication applications, and more immersive Extended Reality (XR) sensory experiences. Through these advancements, 6G aims to deliver revolutionary applications like holographic projections, tactile communications, and digital twins. Low-orbit satellites will progressively support 6G communications as the standards for 6G technology progressively solidify. It's predicted that global deployments of low-orbit satellits will peak around the commercialization of 6G. Furthermore, the demand for drones utilized in 6G communication and environmental sensing is projected to see a significant rise in the era of 6G.



Innovative entrants drive cost optimization for Micro LED technology in 2024 2023 is a pivotal year for the mass production of Micro LED display technology, and the primary task ahead is to address persistently high costs. When it comes to developing chips, miniaturization efforts have taken center stage; the current mainstream chip size of 34x58 m for large displays is poised to be superseded by 20x40 m, and even smaller dimensions such as 16x27 m. It is projected that merely through chip downsizing, the cost reduction achievable for Micro LED chips over the next four years will be at least 20-25% annually. Transfer processes are the heart of Micro LED manufacturing. While stamping offers stability, lasers are favored for their speed (unit per hour, UPH). As the industry gears up for mass production, there's a heightened focus on striking an optimal balance between efficiency and yield. Combining the stamp method with laser bonding in a hybrid transfer approach has gained significant attention. This cold processing technique effectively addresses the challenges of pressure and temperature encountered in the stamp's thermal bonding, making it a highly anticipated production model.

The market for micro-projection displays in transparent AR lenses is a field where Micro LED holds tremendous potential. Given the stringent requirements for an ultra-high PPI, the size must be constrained to 5 m or even smaller, which makes the challenge of diminished chip EQE even more daunting. While using a combination of red, blue, and green LEDs might seem straightforward, the low efficiency of red lights poses a significant obstacle. Opting for blue LEDs combined with quantum dot materials for color conversion effectively sidesteps this challenge, but it introduces other issues related to additional manufacturing steps and the lifespan of materials. Innovative startups are eschewing traditional approaches, with solutions like InGan-based red LEDs and vertically stacked RGB LEDs garnering significant attention. While it's still difficult to ascertain which technological path will emerge as the dominant trend, the current landscape of having a myriad of competing solutions will likely hasten the discovery of the most optimal one. Enhancements in components, process optimizations, and a variety of solutions all point to a vibrant future. Driven by the lure of mass production and diversified applications, more manufacturers are expected to venture into this domain in 2024, not only strengthening the supply chain but also further refining the cost structure of Micro LED. Intensifying competition in AR/VR micro-display technologies Driven by increasing demand for AR/VR headsets, the need for near-eye displays with ultra-high PPI is on the rise, with Micro OLED being a leading technology in this space. While there are only a few AR/VR devices currently employing Micro OLED displays, this could change as key brands begin to adopt them, potentially leading to a broader market presence for Micro OLEDs. Future trends lean toward personalized displays, with miniaturization taking shape. This evolution hinges on the integration of semiconductor processes with display technologies. Concurrently, other micro-display technologies, like Micro LED, are also under active development. Currently, Micro OLED displays are the epitome of combining semiconductor processes with AMOLED deposition techniques. For Micro OLED panel makers, securing stable wafer foundry resources is crucial. Both new and established players are realigning their industry resources, and there's an ongoing shift from current white light OLED technology toward RGB OLED technology. However, Micro OLED displays do have their challenges, such as brightness and limitations to luminous efficiency. Their potential to dominate the head-mounted display market will largely depend on the progression of various micro-display technologies. Advancements in material and component technologies are propelling the commercialization of gallium oxide The rise of applications requiring high voltage, high temperature, and high frequency continues to grow, and gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is emerging as a strong contender for next-generation power semiconductor devices. This is especially true in sectors like electric vehicles, electrical grid systems, and aerospace. Compared to vapor-phase-grown silicon carbide and gallium nitride, gallium oxide crystals can be produced using melt growth methods similar to those used for silicon crystals. This offers greater potential for cost reduction. Currently, the industry has realized the mass production of 4-inch gallium oxide mono-crystals, with aspirations to expand to 6-inch in the coming years. Concurrently, there have been significant advancements in structural design and fabrication processes for Schottky diodes and transistors based on gallium oxide materials. The first batch of Schottky diode products is expected to hit the market by 2024, potentially becoming the first commercially scaled gallium oxide power components. While gallium oxide still faces challenges, such as poor thermal conductivity and the absence of P-type doping, it's anticipated that with the engagement of major players in the power semiconductor industry and the pull of key applications, commercialization is just around the corner. The EV battery industry is on the brink of ushering in a new era of battery technology, with solid-state batteries poised to reshape the industry landscape over the next decade As the EV battery industry enters the era of TWh manufacturing, the demand for batteries with better safety and energy density has become increasingly pronounced. However, current mainstream EV battery technologies are nearing the limits of energy density capabilities, and existing material systems are no longer sufficient to meet the market's rising demand for both energy density and safety. New breakthroughs are imminent as major automakers and battery manufacturers accelerate their investment and research in next-gen battery technologies. Solid-state batteries, which offer higher energy density and improved safety, have become a focal point for corporate R&D efforts. The industry has delved deeper into practical applications and exploration, including semi-solid-state technologies like colloidal-state batteries. The development and commercial application of these technologies is expected to speed up the EV battery industry's entry into a new cycle of technological iteration by 2024, exerting a significant impact on the industry landscape over the next decade. While Li-ion batteries have established their prominence in the EV sector, the diversity of vehicle types and varied use cases means that alternative battery technologies still have their specialized niches. Sodium-ion batteries, for instance, offer a cost advantage due to the abundant and evenly distributed reserves of sodium. However, their lower energy density makes them suitable for more budget-friendly EVs that don't require extensive driving range. Currently, Chinese battery manufacturers are actively working to commercialize this technology. Hydrogen fuel cells tout several advantages such as zero emissions, long driving range, quick refueling, and the ability to support cold starts. They are primarily targeted for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles. However, hydrogen fuel cells face challenges such as low energy conversion efficiency, high costs for hydrogen production and storage, and controversial production process of hydrogen. Due to the industry's relative lack of maturity, the market currently has only a limited selection of passenger and commercial vehicles that utilize this technology. Widespread commercial adoption in long-range heavy-duty trucks is anticipated to occur after 2025. Enhancing power conversion efficiency, driving range, and charging efficiency will be the three primary focuses for BEVs in 2024 SiC chips, which boast low-loss advantages, are pivotal components in elevating BEV energy conversion rates. By 2024, the production capacity of 8-inch SiC wafers is expected to gradually ramp up. However, yield rates still need improvement, and the majority of the capacity is already reserved by downstream manufacturers. This means there's limited potential for a reduction in chip costs. With an emphasis on reducing chip size, there will be an increased focus on R&D investments in Trench technology. NCM and LFP remain the top choices for automakers when it comes to driving range. The primary goals are to optimize battery pack structures through adjusting material ratios to increase energy density, and therefore extending driving range. Solid-state batteries, known for their high energy density, are anticipated to begin limited installations in vehicles as semi-solid batteries in 2H23. 2024 is a critical time to observe the commercialization of these state batteries. There will also be a noticeable increase in vehicles based on the 800V platform in an effort to reduce charging times. These vehicles can support high-power fast charging of over 360 kW, leading to a surge in the construction of high-power charging stations. Moreover, progress in wireless charging is accelerating. The US has introduced legislation to support wireless charging for EVs, and Michigan is set to unveil a 1.6 km wireless charging highway. The diversification in charging methods can potentially alleviate range anxiety among EV owners. Furthermore, the burgeoning field of AI is propelling EVs toward advanced autonomous driving. In the development of autonomous driving systems, reliability is a key determinant for market readiness. AI plays a vital role in enhancing efficiency, including assisting in the classification and labeling of vast amounts of images, as well as simulating scenarios. With competitors quickly advancing in intelligent driving, Tesla's Dojo supercomputer has announced its plans for mass production. They aim to invest US$1 billion in neural network training with Dojo in 2024. Introducing a more advanced autonomous driving system and setting an affordable price point will be Tesla's strategy to maintain its stronghold in the world of intelligent driving. The global push for green solutions intensifies, with AI simulations emerging as a linchpin for renewable energy and decarbonized manufacturing The IEA predicts that by 2024, global renewable energy generation is expected to reach a staggering 4,500 GW-nearly on par with fossil fuels. This surge is primarily attributed to strengthened policy advocacy, rising fossil fuel prices, and war-induced energy crises. To ensure stable energy generation from renewable sources, peripheral systems like electrical grids, energy storage, and management just inevitably adopt AI-driven smart technologies to increase buffering capacity and accuracy. Take a smart power grid for example: Supervised learning optimizes power input and output, unsupervised learning improves the quality of data captured, and tools like load forecasting and stability assessments enhance overall efficiency. These are pivotal to the advancement of green energy technologies in 2024. Furthermore, in 2024, the focus of smart manufacturing and energy management will be on optimizing energy consumption in drive systems, creating a fully interconnected data ecosystem, and visualizing energy flow and consumption. Leveraging the integration of virtual and physical systems through Dynamic Digital Twins, the goal is to transform data from carbon-centric to environmentally friendly flows, which can then be converted into financial benefits. Additionally, emerging technologies like generative AI and 3D printing have the potential to expedite design and production modeling phases, thereby reducing resource waste and showing significant future potential. Given the increasing focus on sustainability across various sectors, organizations must first understand their own carbon emissions and footprint. Consequently, carbon auditing tools are becoming a priority for major CSPs, and continue to leverage AI and machine learning to optimize carbon emissions. Foldable phones lead innovation trends: Commercialization of new technology and materials to drive the OLED industry's expansion across various applications As OLED folding phones continue to innovate and successfully capture market attention, newly launched foldable phones are making substantial improvements based on consumer expectations. For example, the use of lightweight composite materials for the door panel and screen support plate, a teardrop-shaped hinge structure that effectively reduces the number of components, and even replacing the hinge backbone with a shell cover plate, are all contributing to a form factor approaching the thickness and weight of traditional slab smartphones. As the market penetration of folding phones gradually increases, it's not only important to continue technological advancements but also to effectively reduce costs, ensuring profitability as the products become more widespread in the market. As OLED technology increasingly penetrates the smartphone market, the IT sector is emerging as the next critical battleground for OLED development. To further expand their footprint in the existing IT market, several key moves are being made by industry players. Apart from Samsung, which has already announced its investment plan for a new G8.7 factory, BOE Technology's planned B16 plant, JDI's continued plans to focus on the development of new eLEAP technology, and Visionox's aggressive push into OLED-related technologies and markets, are all noteworthy. These initiatives by panel makers are not solely aimed at meeting Apple's demand for medium-sized applications but also serve as a catalyst for OLED panels to venture into other application markets. It is anticipated that by 2025, the introduction of new technologies will overcome the size limitations of current FMM and evaporation equipment. Coupled with the commercialization of longer-lasting materials and the successful mass production from next-gen production lines, these developments are expected to significantly boost the market penetration rate of OLED technology across various applications. For further details of this press release, including the accompanying tables and figures, please visit:

https://www.trendforce.com/presscenter/news/20231017-11886.html For additional insights from TrendForce analysts on the latest tech industry news, trends, and forecasts, please visit our blog at https://insider.trendforce.com/ About TrendForce (www.trendforce.com) TrendForce is a global provider of the latest development, insight, and analysis of the technology industry. Having served businesses for over a decade, the company has built up a strong membership base of 500,000 subscribers. TrendForce has established a reputation as an organization that offers insightful and accurate analysis of the technology industry through five major research departments: Semiconductor Research, Display Research, Optoelectronics Research, Green Energy Research, and ICT Applications Research. Founded in Taipei, Taiwan in 2000, TrendForce has extended its presence in China since 2004 with offices in Shenzhen and Beijing. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017472969/en/

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[October 16, 2023] Governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Show Progress Toward Phasing Out Coal by 2030 and Expanding Their Clean, Reliable and Affordable Electricity Grids Tweet

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - From our homes to our businesses to our workplaces, electricity powers our lives and our economy. Building a clean, reliable and affordable electricity grid is a crucial economic and environmental pursuit. The private sector is increasingly prioritizing access to clean electricity to stay competitive and to seize new economic opportunities, including in the emerging and growing industries of hydrogen and critical minerals. The economy is also rapidly electrifying as consumers adopt electric heat pumps and purchase electric vehicles and as industry transitions to clean power on the path to net zero. It is in this context that today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, met with the Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia; the Honourable Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables of Nova Scotia; and the Honourable Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick, to discuss the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 and the drive to net-zero electricity by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050 in a manner that is affordable for all Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers. At the meeting, the Governments of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia agreed to a Joint Policy Statement on Developing and Transmitting Clean, Reliable and Affordable Power in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which includes advancing two tracks of collaborative work to help enable the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 and to drive to net-zero electricity by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050. As part of the first track of collaborative work, priority projects required to meet the 2030 timeline include the building of the Salisbury-Onslow Reliability Tie  the first phase of a modified Atlantic Loop, connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.



To further the objectives made in the Statement, today the Government of Canada announced: $11.5 million in federal funding to Nova Scotia Power to improve grid system monitoring and automation as new clean energy assets are commissioned and the proportion of intermittent wind on the Nova Scotia grid grows. This will support the innovation and transformation needed to adopt clean generation and effectively manage the off-coal transition in Nova Scotia ;





in federal funding to Nova Scotia Power to improve grid system monitoring and automation as new clean energy assets are commissioned and the proportion of intermittent wind on the grid grows. This will support the innovation and transformation needed to adopt clean generation and effectively manage the off-coal transition in ; $7 million in federal funding to support predevelopment of ARC Clean Technology Canada's small modular reactor at Point Lepreau in New Brunswick ;





in federal funding to support predevelopment of ARC Clean Technology Canada's small modular reactor at Point Lepreau in ; $2 million in federal funding to help explore the feasibility of converting the Belledune coal-fired Generating Station in New Brunswick from coal to sustainably sourced biomass, through a fuel testing program, as well as a $978,945 investment to help the Belledune Port Authority undertake site preparedness studies to establish an industrial green hub. These investments reflect an initial commitment to supporting the electricity system opportunities detailed in the recently released electricity plans of both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and reflect the ongoing collaboration between the federal and provincial governments on areas of mutual interest identified as significant economic and climate opportunities under the Canada-New Brunswick and Canada-Nova Scotia Regional Energy and Resource Tables. These focus areas include innovations in the nuclear sector like small modular reactors, advancing clean hydogen and ammonia production, and deploying demand management and affordability measures like heat pump programs.



Today's progress builds upon the significant commitments made by the federal government to the electricity sector in Budget 2023 that will help support these priorities. These include the new Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit, the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit, and a $2.9-billion recapitalization of the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program. Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will continue to work together to advance areas of critical importance on the path to net-zero electricity by 2035 and to further explore additional regional transmission and energy exchange opportunities in partnership with neighbouring utilities in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and P.E.I.

Quotes "Canada's commitment to decarbonizing our electricity grid is foundational to address the global fight against climate change and to seize the economic opportunities associated with the transition to a clean grid from coast to coast to coast. Today's investments will help drive clean electricity development for Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers and establish a pathway to achieve a clean, reliable and affordable electricity system for generations to come." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "Clean energy offers immense economic potential for Atlantic Canada  and by working together, we as governments can collectively ensure that the people we represent reap the benefits of that potential. At this critical juncture for Atlantic Canada, we will continue to work with Atlantic provinces to create a cleaner, more resilient electricity grid and build a bright future for Atlantic Canadians." The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc

Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs "We're working with the Government of Nova Scotia to help create the clean, reliable and affordable energy Nova Scotians need. By collaborating and investing in areas of mutual interest, we will help phase out coal and create an electricity sector that powers our homes, businesses and industries." The Honourable Sean Fraser

Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities "Atlantic Canada is a great place to live, work and invest. Today's agreement will help Nova Scotia and New Brunswick transition from coal to renewable electricity, securing jobs and protecting our region's competitive advantage for the next generation." The Honourable Gudie Hutchings

Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA "Building a clean, affordable and reliable electricity system is at the foundation of Canada's efforts to tackle climate change and is a generational opportunity to drive clean economic growth in Atlantic Canada for decades to come. Atlantic Canadians can look forward to the cleaner air, affordable electricity and the job opportunities that will come with it. The kind of collaboration with the provinces on display today will be important as we work together to develop the best set of federal regulations possible to drive this clean electricity transition forward." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault

Minister of Environment and Climate Change "We all have the same goal  we want a clean, sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. It's a priority for our government to do that without putting an unnecessary burden on Nova Scotians. We have unique challenges and opportunities to reach our goals, and we're focused on made-in-Nova Scotia solutions to reach them, working closely with our neighbours and our federal partners for our mutual benefit. Together, we'll advance our clean power plan and make sure people in our region have clean, reliable and affordable power." The Honourable Tim Houston,

Premier of Nova Scotia "It is important to realize that none of this will be possible without substantial federal funding, and I look forward to future commitment in that regard." The Honourable Blaine Higgs

Premier of New Brunswick "The Government of Canada is investing in the development of clean technologies right here in New Brunswick. Today's funding announcement for ARC technologies will help New Brunswick become a leader in SMR technology and create good, sustainable jobs for generations to come." Member of Parliament Wayne Long,

Saint JohnRothesay, New Brunswick "Canada will move away from coal by 2030, but the people we'll never leave behind are the workers and communities in the regions that will gradually have to move toward carbon neutrality. These investments in Belledune will help our communities diversify their economies, create jobs and prepare the future for generations to come." Member of Parliament Serge Cormier

AcadieBathurst, New Brunswick Quick facts Canada has built one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world, with more than 80 percent of our power coming from non-emitting sources.

has built one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world, with more than 80 percent of our power coming from non-emitting sources. Today's announcement will help Nova Scotia and New Brunswick achieve their goals of phasing out coal and achieving a clean power grid.

and achieve their goals of phasing out coal and achieving a clean power grid. By phasing out unabated coal-powered generation, Canada is expected to experience fewer premature deaths, fewer asthmatic episodes and fewer air-quality advisories. Canada is working to phase out coal by 2030, and both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick's climate plans contain this shared commitment. Associated links Joint Policy Statement on Developing and Transmitting Clean, Reliable and Affordable Power in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

and Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System for Every Region of Canada Follow us on LinkedIn SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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TAIYUAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A fully loaded China-Europe freight train on Monday arrived in Madrid, Spain, the first such train from north China's Shanxi Province to reach Spain.

Cargo on board consisted of cross-border e-commerce goods from Shanxi, including canned products, train wheel sets and mechanical parts. The cargo was packed in a total of 55 containers and weighed 925 tonnes.

This batch of cargo left Shanxi on Sept. 16, traveling through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany and France before arriving in Madrid. The journey covered an approximate total distance of 12,000 kilometers.

By August, Shanxi Province had handled 700 China-Europe freight train trips since its first such service was launched in 2017, according to local authorities. The province has currently launched 15 China-Europe freight train and China-Central Asia freight train routes linking 16 countries. 
[October 16, 2023] Precision Medicine Forum Gathers Experts to Pioneer Taiwan's Personalized Cancer Care Tweet

TAIPEI, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Malignant tumors have consistently ranked as the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 40 straight years. In 2020 , for example, the cancer incidence rate in Taiwan reached 311.3 per 100,000 population, with specific types like breast and colorectal cancers increasing among younger populations. This trend underscores the urgent need for precise and personalized cancer care, aiming to enable early detection and optimize treatment outcomes. Organized by the Taiwan Oncology Society and co-hosted by entities like ACT Genomics , the "2023 Advanced Precision Cancer Medicine Forum" was held on August 27th at Le Meridien Taipei. The event brought together hundreds of doctors, scholars, and experts to explore new opportunities for the development of precision cancer medicine, through clinical case studies, key points of testing principles, and relevant healthcare policies. Furthermore, the recent announcement by the National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), in July that next-generation sequencing (NGS) for precision cancer treatment would be covered by health insurance starting in 2024 heightened the forum's focus on pertinent policy issues. Related article: APCM 2022: Precision Medicine Is Opening Up a New Prospect of Cancer Therapy Is Taiwan Ready for Precision Cancer Medicine? The morning session primarily delved into Taiwan's precision cancer medicine development and its future from a policy perspective. It also highlighted the emergence of the "Molecular Tumor Board (MTB)" concept in recent years. Dr. Yang, Pan-Chyr, a renowned lung cancer researcher, kicked off the session with insights into the remarkable improvements in patient survival rates achieved through genetic testing and the identification of driver genes in tumors. Coupled with targeted drugs, these studies have led to enhanced outcomes, even in notoriously challenging cancers like pancreatic cancer. Dr. Yang underscored how various countries are actively nurturing the precision health industry, combining biomedical science, research and development, information technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). These efforts are strengthening the collection, integration, and analysis of public health data and enhancing healthcare policies through disease prevention, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment. Notable examples from the United States, Japan, and Singapore were cited to illustrate how gene sequencing data, electronic healthcare records, and big data analysis can drive precision health development. Dr. Yang also shared that Taiwan, recognizing precision health as one of its six core strategic industries, has embarked on the "Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI)." Collaborating with 16 healthcare systems across Taiwan, this initiative aims to collect genetic data from approximately one million individuals. It seeks to establish a risk assessment model for common diseases, employing genome-wide association studies (GWAS), AI and big data. Yet, Yang also stressed that TPMI faces practical challenges, including infrastructure innovation, medical data consolidation, international standards compliance, regulatory flexibility, and the utilization of AI and telemedicine. To keep pace with the international community and transition from precision medicine to precision health, Taiwan must seize opportunities in research and development, regulatory adjustments, incentive creation, and talent cultivation. Taiwan's Precision Cancer Medicine and Bio-Data Integration: Progress and Prospects Prof. Chen Li-Tzong from Kaohsiung Medical University stressed the importance of precision ancer care not only for better treatment options and prolonged survival but also for lowering healthcare costs. As genetic testing technologies advance, new drug treatments emerge, potentially leading to increased medical costs and healthcare disparities. Taiwan must expedite healthcare insurance coverage for cancer genetic testing to align with neighboring Asian countries.



While lung cancer has been a model case for precision medicine, Prof. Chen predicted that biliary tract cancer (BTC) may also become a focus in the future. Although BTC has a poor prognosis among GI cancers, some patients carry a gene alteration (FGFR2 fusion) suitable for targeted therapy. Genetic testing may help identify these patients, offering potential for individualized treatments. Dr. Yang Yi-Hsin introduced the National Biobank Consortium of Taiwan (NBCT), funded by the government and managed by the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI). NBCT collaborates with four research institutes and 31 hospitals to compile clinical and genetic data, facilitating research resources for the biomedical industry. It also partners with hospitals to build a common data model using patients' electronic health records. This approach enables data analysis on diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, promoting personalized cancer treatment and drug development.

International Examples of Genetic Data Management and Updates of Taiwan's Regulations on LDTs Liu Yu-Ching, Deputy Director General of the Department of Medical Affairs, MOHW, discussed genetic data management mechanisms in other countries and updated regulations on the management of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) in Taiwan. She cited examples from Finland, the United Kingdom, and Japan, highlighting that a government's management mindset and public trust influence genetic data management. Liu suggested that Taiwan could learn from Finland, the UK, and Japan in genetic data management while addressing information security, privacy, and data utilization. She advocated for inter-departmental collaboration to establish common data formats following international standards. Liu also introduced the MOHW's amendment to regulations governing LDTs announced in February 2021. Key points included requiring medical institutions to apply for approval when conducting LDTs, certification for laboratories, and accreditation for overseas labs. These changes aim to ensure quality and regulatory compliance. MTB As a New Trend in Precision Cancer Medicine Dr. Lin Yung-Chang, Vice Superintendent of Chung Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) Linkou Branch, discussed molecular tumor boards (MTBs) in personalized cancer care. MTBs address challenges stemming from complex genetic test results, providing comprehensive evaluations and tailored therapeutic approaches. International studies show that MTB-based treatments improve clinical benefits, overall response rates, and progression-free survival. However, based on the practical experience of CGMH in the past few years, he pointed out that challenges persist in MTB practices, such as variations in processes, limited patient access due to time constraints, lack of standardized tools, and questions about genetic test result quality and credibility. Dr. Lin called for standardized practices, including result discussions, report formats, and drug recommendation evidence. Cross-hospital genetic databases and virtual network MTBs may also enhance smaller hospitals' capabilities. Experts Gather to Discuss Strategies for Promoting Precision Medicine Apart from expert presentations, the plenary session also included two panel discussions, bringing together experts, doctors, scholars, and government representatives to explore policy and practical issues related to precision cancer care from multiple perspectives. Concerns included uncertainties surrounding the upcoming health insurance coverage for next-generation sequencing (NGS), the impact of family history and genetic risks in cancer diagnosis and treatment, healthcare resource constraints, budgetary suggestions, integrating the ICT industry with healthcare, enhancing patient involvement in healthcare decisions, and addressing data sharing challenges. These discussions provided insights for Taiwan's healthcare policymakers to formulate informed policies in this ever-changing field, helping the nation meet the challenges of the new era of precision medicine. Advances in Precision Lung Cancer Treatment Cover Multiple Genetic Variants The afternoon session delved into two breakout workshops: "Lung Cancer" and "Gastrointestinal Cancer." In the lung cancer session, doctors from NTU Hospital and NTU Hospital Hsinchu Branch shared cutting-edge advances in precision medicine for lung cancer. Meanwhile, the GI cancer workshop featured three MTB demonstrations, aiming to raise awareness of molecular testing's application through live discussions of real cases. Dr. Ho Chao-Chi, Secretary General of the Taiwan Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, discussed molecular testing's role in lung cancer treatment, emphasizing its application to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). He highlighted the inclusion of various genetic mutations in treatment guidelines but noted the high cost of next-generation sequencing as a clinical challenge. Dr. Ho called for learning from overseas experiences and establishing a more effective health insurance coverage mechanism to improve patient survival. Dr. Liao Wei-Yu and Dr. Lin Yen-Ting addressed exon 20 insertion and BRAF V600E mutation in NSCLC patients, offering insights into therapeutic options, drug resistance, and recent clinical studies. Dr. Wu Shang-Gin discussed MET exon 14 gene skipping in NSCLC management, while Dr. Lee Jih-Hsiang shared the clinical progress of Pralsetinib for NSCLC with RET gene fusion. Expert Presentation and MTB Demonstration Showcasing New Treatment Strategies for GI Cancers According to the MOHW's 2022 Cause of Death Statistics , gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute half of Taiwan's top 10 leading causes of cancer deaths (in order of ranking: liver and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer). This underscores the demand for effective GI cancer treatments and their public health implications. The GI cancer workshop addressed colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary tract cancer, and pancreatic cancer (and ampullary cancer). Prof. Lin Zong-Zhe, Clinical Associate Professor of NTU College of Medicine, discussed how next-generation sequencing can guide targeted therapy for liver and biliary tract cancers (BTC). He emphasized the paradigm shift in systemic treatment and the need for molecular classification to optimize treatment outcomes, particularly for BTC cases with diverse therapeutic targets. Immunotherapies also hold promise in treating these cancers. The workshop featured MTB demonstrations on colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary tract cancer, and pancreatic cancer, co-hosted by seasoned oncologists from various institutions. Each demonstration was based on real cancer cases, presenting the patients' conditions, treatment history and strategies, as well as genetic test results. Participants engaged with presenters, moderators, and experts, gaining insights into the practical application of precision medicine in GI cancers. In conclusion, the "2023 Advanced Precision Cancer Medicine Summit" united professionals and policymakers to address the challenges and opportunities in advancing cancer care in Taiwan. With the exchange of clinical experiences, international references, and innovative policies, Taiwan aims to realize precision and personalized cancer care, benefiting a broader spectrum of patients. Related article:

2023 Precision Medicine Industry Policy White Paper Paves the Way for the Biotechnology in Taiwan

2023 ASCO Annual Meeting: Progress in Solid Tumor Treatment Research, and Promising Results in Emerging Therapies View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/precision-medicine-forum-gathers-experts-to-pioneer-taiwans-personalized-cancer-care-301957301.html SOURCE ACT Genomics

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[October 16, 2023] Mica Market to grow by USD 97.85 million from 2022 to 2027 | Aromax Colourants Pvt. Ltd., Asheville Mica Co., BASF SE, and more among key companies- Technavio Tweet

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The mica market is expected to grow by USD 97.85 million from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 3.15% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. Growing demand for mica from developing countries is notably driving the mica market. However, factors such as stringent regulations and policies in the global mica market may impede market growth. This report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now for detailed company information. The market is segmented by type (natural and synthetic), application (electronics, paints and coatings, construction, cosmetics, and others), grade type (ground, sheet, and built-up), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). We provide a detailed analysis of 20 companies operating in the mica market including Aromax Colourants Pvt. Ltd., Asheville Mica Co., BASF SE, China Crystal New Material Holding Co. Ltd., Cleveland MICA Co., Daruka International, Dev International, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA, Gunpatroy Pvt. Ltd., Jalan Mica Exports, Luossavaara Kiirunavaara AB, Mica Manufacturing Co. Pvt. Ltd., OJSC Elinar Holding Co., Pacer Minerals LLC, Pamica Group Ltd., Sakti Mica Manufacturing Co., The Premier Mica Co., YAMAGUCHI MICA Co. Ltd., and ELEMENTARY CITY YIXIN YIXIN MINING Ltd..The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the market, and to know the exact growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate, Request Free Sample eport.



Mica Market 2023-2027: Company Analysis Aromax Colourants Pvt. Ltd. - The company offers mica such as clear sheet stove mica and spotted stove mica sheet.

Mica Market 2023-2027: Segmentation Type The natural segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. In igneous rocks composed of lava or magma, natural mica is a silicate mineral. In their original forms, mica crystals are also available as rough flakes or blocks of irregular sizes, shapes and thicknesses with structural imperfections and impurities. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. Geography APAC is estimated to contribute 43% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The growing number of internet users in the region will lead to increased demand for electronics, such as mobile phones, notebooks, and cameras, which will have an impact on the growth of the electronics market thus leading to greater demand for mica when it comes to electrical applications. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth in the region during the forecast period. Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View Free PDF Sample Report Mica Market 2023-2027: Key Highlights Historic Market Size 2017-2021

CAGR of the market during 2023-2027

Detailed information on factors that will assist mica market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the mica market size and its contribution to the parent market

Forecasts on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behaviour

The growth of the mica market

Analysis of the competitive landscape and detailed information on companies

Comprehensive details of factors that will impede the growth of mica market companies Related Reports: The manganese mining market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.21% between 2022 and 2027 with the market size forecast to increase by USD 9,383.8 million. The copper market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6% between 2022 and 2027 with the market size forecast to increase by USD 57.8 billion. ToC: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Sizes Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Type Market Segmentation by Application Market Segmentation by Grade Type Market Segmentation by Geography Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, & Trends Company Landscape Company Analysis Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

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[October 16, 2023] CGTN: As the Belt and Road turns 10, high time for China and Europe to talk amid uncertainties Tweet

BEIJING, Oct. 16, 2023 /CNW/ -- Serbia is one of the countries benefiting from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the century-old steel mill in the northeastern city of Smederevo serving as a prime example. Founded in 1913, the Smederevo Steel Mill once contributed 40 percent of the city's revenue at its peak and was known as the "pride of Serbia." Later, due to intensified market competition and poor operation, the steel mill began to lose money year after year and was on the verge of bankruptcy. The Government of Serbia initiated several rounds of international tenders, all of which failed. In 2016, over 5,000 employees faced uncertainty. But then China's Hebei Iron and Steel Group stepped in to establish HBIS Serbia Steel and introduced advanced management and technology, turning the steel mill into a global enterprise with a focus on clients and supply chain. The company was actively integrated into the "Belt and Road" and the process of economic globalization, rapidly establishing itself as a highly competitive steel enterprise in Europe and a prime example of international industrial collaboration. BRI cooperation between China and Europe The revival of the century-old steel plant is an epitome of the benefits brought about by the BRI to Europe. Twenty-six European countries have signed BRI documents with China. Under their BRI cooperation, China's imports from the EU increased by 63.7 percent between 2016 and 2021. Its imports from Central and Eastern European countries jumped 127.3 percent during the same period. The China Railway Express, which links a number of Eurasian cities located near China's east coast to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, is increasingly busy. In the past year, 16,000 trains traversed the route between China and Europe, a stark contrast to the mere 80 at the inauguration of the CR Express over a decade ago. New challenges Compared with the first few years of the initiative, the situation between China and Europ is significantly different. Their bilateral relationship needs fine tuning to tackle uncertainties and challenges, as well as an upgrade of the mindset to replace the out-of-time zero-sum one. Chinese senior diplomat Wang Yi, when addressing the 12th China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing last week, said China and the EU are partners, not rivals, and they have more common understandings than differences. Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell said that, despite their different political and economic systems, the EU and China share a common interest in pursuing constructive, stable relations.



Meanwhile, the BRI is also entering a new stage. In the beginning phase, both private and state-owned contractors took the lead in building basic infrastructure. Those projects helped to nurture political goodwill and energize local business partners. Thanks to them, private Chinese companies now feel more comfortable doing business in BRI partner countries. China is encouraging private enterprises to take a more active role and participate in projects labeled as "small and beautiful," which refers to the smaller projects directly connected with improving local livelihoods. New investment favorites include businesses in sectors such as new energy, healthcare, mobile communication, and e-commerce. Need for more dialogue

Since the launch of the BRI, its global partners have been trying to find more theoretical frameworks and institutional arrangements to make the global cooperation program sustainable. Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. These global initiatives have been widely recognized by the international community and have made historic contributions to global human rights governance on specific issues related to security, development and cultural diversity. Against all these backdrops, it is high time for China and Europe to carry out more dialogue on key strategic issues and CGTN is hosting a TV forum on the sidelines of this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, themed China's Global Initiatives and the BRI: Opportunities or Risks? Panel guests include Danilo Turk, former President of Slovenia; Michael Schumann, chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade; Rudolf Scharping, former German Defense Minister; Susanne Baumann, former director of the Confucius Institute at Dusseldorf; and Zhong Hong, former senior vice president of Evonik Industries. The panelists will have an in-depth discussion about China-EU ties under the discourse of the Belt and Road Initiative, which are related not only to the wellbeing of the two sides, but also to global stability and prosperity. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-10-17/As-the-Belt-and-Road-turns-10-high-time-for-China-and-Europe-to-talk-amid-uncertainties-1nXkFjKKduU/index.html View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-as-the-belt-and-road-turns-10-high-time-for-china-and-europe-to-talk-amid-uncertainties-301958293.html SOURCE CGTN

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[October 17, 2023] Basilea reports new data for ceftobiprole (Zevtera) presented at US IDWeek Congress 2023 Tweet

Eight presentations on antibiotic ceftobiprole providing further evidence for its activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other clinically relevant pathogens



Allschwil, Switzerland, October 17, 2023 Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil (SIX: BSLN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to meeting the needs of patients with severe bacterial and fungal infections, announced today that scientific presentations with new data on its antibiotic ceftobiprole (Zevtera) have been presented at Infectious Disease Week (IDWeek) 2023, highlighting its utility for the treatment of severe bacterial infections. IDWeek is the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), jointly held with other infectious diseases societies in the US, and took place in Boston, Massachusetts (USA) from 11 to 15 October 2023. Dr. Marc Engelhardt, Chief Medical Officer of Basilea, stated: The data presented at IDWeek provide further evidence for the potent antimicrobial activity of ceftobiprole against MRSA and other clinically relevant pathogens. It also provides results of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling supporting the dosing regimens to treat severe bacterial infections from the successful clinical phase 3 studies. These studies were conducted in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB), acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). These are the three indications included in our New Drug Application, which is currently under priority review with the US FDA, with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of 03 April 2024. Data from four presentations, building on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling, provided evidence that the exposure achieved with the applied dosing regimens was efficacious for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) in the ERADICATE phase 3 study.1 The same was also shown in analyses for the ceftobiprole phase 3 studies in acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).2, 3 Four additional abstracts included data from large in-vitro susceptibility studies testing bacterial isolates from US patients, which confirmed that ceftobiprole exhibits potent in-vitro activity against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, MRSA), as well as against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis, and retained its potency over the surveillance period of several years against these clinically relevant pathogens. The presented data were generated in collaboration with the Institute for Clinical Pharmacodynamics, Schenectady, New York (USA), JMI Laboratories, North Liberty, Iowa, (USA) and the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina (USA). Basileas ceftobiprole phase 3 program is funded in part with federal funds from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR); Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number HHSO100201600002C. Basilea has been awarded approximately USD 112 million, or approximately 75 percent of the costs related to the phase 3 studies in SAB and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), regulatory activities and non-clinical work. Ceftobiprole data presented at IDWeek 2023 Abstract #1946  In Vitro Activity of Ceftobiprole against Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Isolates from the United States (20182020)  L. Duncan, M. Castanheira, J. I. Smart, M. E. Jones, R. E. Mendes Abstract #2162  In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Ceftoiprole against Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates from the United States (20162020)  L. Duncan, M. Castanheira, J. I. Smart, M. E. Jones, R. E. Mendes Abstract #2173  Activity of Ceftobiprole Against Enterococcus faecalis Clinical Isolates From the United States (20162020), Including Those From Difficult-to-Treat Infections  R. E. Mendes, L. Duncan, H. S. Sader, J. I. Smart, M. E. Jones, M. Castanheira Abstract #2530  Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) Target Attainment Analyses to Support Ceftobiprole Dose Selection for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI) and Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP)  S. M. Bhavnani, J. P. Hammel, A. J. Rinaldo, J. I. Smart, K. Litherland, L. Duncan, M. E. Jones, M. Engelhardt, P. G. Ambrose, C. M. Rubino Abstract #2531  Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) Target Attainment Analyses to Support Ceftobiprole Dosing Regimens for Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia (SAB)  S. M. Bhavnani, J. P. Hammel, A. J. Rinaldo, J. I. Smart, K. Litherland, L. Duncan, M. E. Jones, M. Engelhardt, P. G. Ambrose, C. M. Rubino Abstract #2532  Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Analyses for Ceftobiprole Efficacy Based on Phase 3 Data from Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia  S. M. Bhavnani, J. P. Hammel, K. Liolios, A. P. Cammarata, M. Saulay, C. M. Rubino, M. Engelhardt, J. I. Smart, M. E. Jones, P. G. Ambrose, K. Litherland Abstract #2561  Population Pharmacokinetic Analyses for Ceftobiprole Using Data from Phase 1 and 3 Studies  A. P. Cammarata, K. Litherland, M. C. Safir, S. M. Bhavnani, M. Saulay, J. I. Smart, M. E. Jones, M. Engelhardt, C. M. Rubino Abstract #2785 - Characterization of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Isolates Recovered from Patients Enrolled in a Randomized, Double-blind, Multi-center Study to Establish the Efficacy and Safety of Ceftobiprole for Treatment of Bacteremia, Including Infective Endocarditis  R. E. Mendes, L. Duncan, J. H. Kimbrough, T. L. Holland, V. G. Fowler Jr, M. E. Jones, M. Engelhardt, J. I. Smart, M. Castanheira



About ceftobiprole Ceftobiprole, the active moiety of the prodrug ceftobiprole medocaril, is an advanced generation cephalosporin antibiotic for intravenous administration, with rapid bactericidal activity against a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), and Gram-negative bacteria.4 The brand is currently approved and marketed as Zevtera and Mabelio in several countries in Europe and beyond for the treatment of adult patients with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP), excluding ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP), and for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). Basilea has entered into license and distribution agreements covering more than 80 countries. Ceftobiprole is currently not approved or partnered in the US. Ceftobiprole was designated a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SAB, ABSSSI and CABP. Therefore, if approved, ceftobiprole would be eligible to receive ten years of market exclusivity in the US from the date of approval.

About Basilea Basilea is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Switzerland. We are committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs to meet the needs of patients with severe bacterial and fungal infections. We have successfully launched two hospital brands, Cresemba for the treatment of invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for the treatment of bacterial infections. In addition, we have preclinical anti-infective assets in our portfolio. Basilea is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Please visit basilea.com. Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please contact: Peer Nils Schroder, PhD



Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd, Allschwil

Hegenheimermattweg 167b

4123 Allschwil

Switzerland Phone +41 61 606 1102 E-mail [email protected]

[email protected] This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com. References ERADICATE (SAB): ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03138733

T. L. Holland, S. E. Cosgrove, S. B. Doernberg et al. Ceftobiprole for treatment of complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. New England Journal of Medicine 2023 (389), 1390-1401; DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2300220 TARGET (ABSSSI): ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03137173

J. S. Overcash, C. Kim, R. Keech R et al. Ceftobiprole compared with vancomycin plus aztreonam in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections: Results of a phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial (TARGET). Clinical Infectious Diseases 2021 (73), e1507-e1517 CABP study: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00326287

S. C. Nicholson, T. Welte, T. M. File Jr. et al. A randomised, double-blind trial comparing ceftobiprole medocaril with ceftriaxone with or without linezolid for the treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 2012 (39), 240-246 Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) Zevtera: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9164/smpc [Accessed October 16, 2023] Press release (PDF)



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[October 17, 2023] VIZZIO Technologies Welcomes Renowned AI expert Dr Lee Kai Fu to its Board of Directors and Chau Nguyen as Co-CEO at GITEX 2023 Tweet

The new leadership expertise will drive the Singapore -based 3D visualisation startup's expansion into the Middle East , China , and Western markets

VIZZIO will showcase its digital replica of Planet Earth, including 3D digital twin models of Middle East cities at GITEX 2023 DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VIZZIO Technologies, a Singapore-headquartered 3D visualisation and reality capture startup, today announced two key leadership additions. Dr Lee Kai-Fu, a renowned AI expert, now sits on the Board of Directors, while Chau Nguyen, ex-Partner at McKinsey & Company, is the new co-CEO, serving alongside Dr Jon Lee, who remains VIZZIO's Founder and CEO. These appointments underscore the company's commitment to expanding in the Middle East, China, and Western Markets. VIZZIO will exhibit at GITEX 2023, featuring its digital replica of Planet Earth, including a 3D digital twin model of Middle East cities, at booth number 9-B20. Dr Lee Kai-Fu brings with him a wealth of experience in AI, with over three decades of dedicated work at the forefront of AI research, development, and investment both in the United States and China. He was also previously the president of Google China, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the AI landscape, fostering collaborations between China and the Western world. His appointment is a testament to VIZZIO's global relevance and the trust it commands in the international AI community. Meanwhile, Mr Nguyen, ex-Partner at McKinsey & Company, will leverage his 27 years of expertise in business building, design, and product innovation to drive growth and innovation at VIZZIO. His experience also includes advanced and emerging techology commercialisation, augmented reality and virtual reality technologies for Industry 4.0 applications, and a track record in human centred industrial and digital product design that drives business impact whilst elevating the human experience. Mr Nguyen, alongside Dr Jon Lee, will be at GITEX 2023, showcasing the company's digital replica of Planet Earth, which includes a 3D digital twin model of Middle East cities.



During the event, VIZZIO will also provide live demonstrations to illustrate the practical applications of their 3D city models, emphasising their vital role in scenarios such as war gaming and defense exercises. This showcase promises to highlight the immense potential and versatility of their technology on a global stage. "We're excited to be back at GITEX Global 2023 with our stronger leadership team. The Middle East is a crucial part of our global growth plan, and we're seeing new opportunities in the region, as countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia redefine their approach to urban planning and development. We believe that our new leadership expertise solidifies our standing as a leader in 3D capture and virtualisation technologies, positioning us perfectly to support the region's transformation. Their appointments also stand as recognition of VIZZIO's remarkable success since our establishment in 2019, charting the course for the company's future, "said Dr Jon Lee, Founder & CEO, VIZZIO.

Founded in 2019, VIZZIO is on a mission to create digital twin of the entire Planet Earth, fusing millions of satellite imagery, geospatial and street data into a semantic, machine-readable database and photorealistic synthetic 3D environments for simulation, gaming, visualisation, urban planning, smart city, ESG, security and defense applications. VIZZIO's technology creates dimensionally accurate geo-specific and geo-typical parametric and 3D digital twins with no aerial photogrammetry needed. Since its incorporation, VIZZIO has partnered with world-class organisations and government projects to deliver solutions for the built environment, to the architecture, engineering, and construction professional communities, to facility managers, master planners and enhanced smart cities solutions and digital governments. Dr. Lee Kai-Fu, Chairman and CEO, Sinovation Ventures; President, Sinovation Ventures Artificial Intelligence Institute remarked, "I'm excited to join VIZZIO's Board of Directors and contribute to the company's trajectory in the growing AI Computer Vision tech landscape. Singapore is a hub of innovation, and I believe that VIZZIO has the potential to make significant contributions to the world of Earth-Scale Digital Twin, 3D mapping and modelling. As AI continues to show breathtaking new results nearly every week, we're proud to support founders to bring these advances to important  and deceptively complex, if not always sexy  business problems," "With accessible high-resolution space-based imaging, proprietary patented AI technologies, and powerful compute resources, VIZZIO stands at the forefront of geospatial artificial intelligence. Harnessing state-of-the-art technologies, VIZZIO enables its clients to see, understand, and simulate decisions and outcomes at massive scale, using the most advanced immersive visualisation available. Leveraging my expertise in commercialising technologies, delivering compelling products, and driving high performing teams, I'm excited to drive VIZZIO's growth and expansion."  said Chau Nguyen, Co-CEO, VIZZIO Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249224/VIZZIO_booth_at_GITEX_2023.jpg

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[October 17, 2023] MMI Expands Global Footprint with Entry into Asia Pacific Market Tweet

MMI, (Medical Microinstruments, Inc.), a robotics company dedicated to increasing treatment options and improving clinical outcomes for patients with complex conditions, today announced that it will continue its global momentum with two distribution agreements covering nearly a dozen countries in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The first partnership, with Device Technologies, will help to introduce the Symani Surgical System to Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Macau, and New Zealand, upon applicable regulatory approvals, as well as Australia, where it recently received approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The other partnership, with TRM Korea, will facilitate the system's entry into South Korea upon regulatory approval and will introduce microsurgical robotic technology to interested surgeons and hospitals. The Symani Surgical System is a first-of-its-kind robotic technology that uniquely addresses the scale and complexities of microsurgery and supermicrosurgery. By allowing surgeons to replicate the natural movements of the human hand at the micro scale, it can expand treatment options for patients in need of soft tissue open surgical procedures, such as free flap reconstructions, lmphatic surgery, and trauma reconstructions. It is designed to help restore quality of life for more patients, accelerate the number of surgeons able to push the boundaries of complex procedures for delicate anatomy, and enable hospitals to expand their open surgical programs.



"Through our new partnerships in Asia Pacific, we have established roots that will ultimately help us expand patient access to robotic microsurgical and supermicrosurgical capability in a region of the world with clear demand for the technology," said Matt Lemay, VP of Asia Pacific of MMI. "Surgeons from the APAC region have long been at the forefront of innovation in microsurgery, and we look forward to helping further those capabilities with the Symani Surgical System. As we advance our mission of increasing treatment options for patients with complex conditions, we are enthusiastic about our global progress and look forward to continuing our momentum in APAC and beyond." Device Technologies has provided healthcare professionals access to innovative, high quality medical devices, including leading robotics solutions, for over 30 years. They will open a new research and education center for robotic microsurgery with a premier medical institution as part of their partnership with MMI. The center will represent the first site in Central Asia where interested surgeons can learn more about the system.

"MMI and the Symani Surgical System are well aligned with our core mission to provide physicians and healthcare facilities with solutions that can drive improved patient outcomes," said Heath Priestly, Managing Director at Device Technologies. "Originating in Australia, we have broadened our presence throughout the Asia Pacific region, establishing expertise and strong connections. We are eager to use our footprint to support MMI's health system partnerships across the region and further increase patient access to sophisticated surgical techniques for complex conditions." TRM is the largest microsurgery company in South Korea and a pioneer in the medical technology and innovation space. They are collaborating with a world-renowned medical institution to open their own education center where surgeons will have the opportunity for informational sessions and hands-on learning about the Symani Surgical System. To learn more about MMI, visit https://mmimicro.com. About MMI MMI (Medical Microinstruments, Inc.) is on a mission to advance robotic technology that pushes the limits of soft tissue open surgery and opens new opportunities for surgeons to restore quality of life for more patients with complex conditions. The company was founded in 2015 near Pisa, Italy, and its proprietary Symani Surgical System combines the world's smallest wristed microinstruments with tremor-reducing and motion-scaling technologies to address significant unmet patient needs across the globe. This first-of-its-kind surgical robotic platform for open, soft tissue micro-level surgery can help address microvascular repair, lymphatic repair, and peripheral nerve repair. The Symani System is CE Marked for commercial use in Europe. In the United States, the system is not approved or cleared for commercial use. MMI is backed by international medtech investors including Andera Partners, BioStar, Deerfield Management, Fountain Healthcare Partners, Panakes Partners, RA Capital, Sambatech, and Wellington Partners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231013499914/en/

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[October 17, 2023] UST Continues Telecoms Sector Growth with Strategic Investment in VoerEir Tweet

Closer ties with Swedish software product company to enhance telecommunication testing and network transformation capabilities BENGALURU, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has announced a strategic investment in VoerEir, a Swedish software product company specializing in the development of advanced software solutions for testing, benchmarking, and certifying the physical and virtual networks of Communications Service Providers (CSP). VoerEir solutions significantly streamline the process of deploying network infrastructure to the cloud. This investment strengthens UST's position as a leading provider of DevSecOps services in network engineering for 5G and beyond. UST is expanding its presence in the rapidly growing telecommunications sector, partnering with innovative companies, and making strategic acquisitions positioned to address the primary challenges facing Tier-1 CSPs. Bolstered by the network engineering capabilities of the recently acquired telecom engineering firm MobileComm, UST's significant cloud, data, and DevSecOps expertise combines with VoerEir's Touchstone platform to ensure heightened network performance and reliability in a fully virtualized 5G network. VoerEir's market-leading Touchstone platform helps telecom operators identify and resolve pain points in their telecom cloud environments, enabling greater Network Functions Virtualization (NFV). Touchstone is a comprehensive test system with extensive automated test cases and pre-packaged tools. It empowers its users to evaluate the performance, functionality, robustness, stability, and security of their cloud infrastructure for telecom applications. Furthermore, the dynamic solution supports Openstack and Kubernetes environments and offers deployment support for private and public cloud deployments. UST's investment ensures that VoerEir is positioed to scale its business by leveraging UST's deep expertise in cloud solutions, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and the telecommunications sector.



"We welcome this strategic investment from UST, and believe that our closer relationship with the company will equip us with the capabilities and scale we need to continue growing as a credible and dependable partner in facilitating the transformation of CSPs from traditional legacy solutions to cutting-edge cloud based NFV architecture. UST shares our vision for transforming the telecommunications industry through cloud, data and DevSecOps, and our growing ties will allow us to improve at scale as we innovate to meet evolving demand in a growing sector," said Javier Garcia Gomez, Chief Executive Officer, VoerEir. "This partnership further strengthens the growth strategy of UST's telecommunications vertical oriented around cloud, DevSecOps and data. We are excited to apply UST's experience and insights to VoerEir's innovative Touchstone platform to empower telecom operators. Our collaboration will simplify and streamline the evaluation of performance, functionality, robustness, stability, and the security of their cloud infrastructure for telecom applications," said Aravind Nandanan, General Manager, Telecommunications, UST.

VoerEir currently serves various marquee customers, including three of the top four Tier-1 Europe-headquartered multinational CSPs; and one of the top three Tier-1 US-headquartered hyperscaler cloud providers. VoerEir's Touchstone platform perfectly complements UST's telco network engineering, DevSecOps, and cloud capabilities, positioning these two leading companies to offer cutting-edge solutions to Tier-1 CSPs. About VoerEir: VoerEir is a telecom engineering-focused software product company founded and led by former Ericsson executives. The company addresses telecom operators' challenges in identifying, fixing, and eliminating pain points in their telco cloud environments using its market-leading software platform, "Touchstone." With over 1,000 integrated test cases and 140+ person-years of R&D, VoerEir automates the testing of Telco Cloud environments for telecom operators. Media Contacts, VoerEir Adriana Petkov

+34 657 127 755

[email protected] About UST For more than 24 years, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Through our nimble approach, we identify their core challenges, and craft disruptive solutions that bring their vision to life. With deep domain expertise and a future-proof philosophy, we embed innovation and agility into our clients' organizationsdelivering measurable value and lasting change across industries, and around the world. Together, with over 30,000 employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impacttouching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com Media Contacts, UST:

Tinu Cherian Abraham

+1 (949) 415-9857 Merrick Laravea

+1 (949) 416-6212 Neha Misri

+91-9284726602 Roshni Das K

+91 7736795557

[email protected] Media Contacts, U.S.:

S&C PR

+1-646.941.9139

[email protected] Makovsky

[email protected] Media Contacts, U.K.:

FTI Consulting

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[October 17, 2023] Esperanza's EdTech Month Summit explores advancements in education technology that unleash human potential Tweet

HONG KONG, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Esperanza is a charitable organisation established in 2018 to advocate new ways to learn, live and work. In partnership with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the Minerva Project, they brought together over 40 experts from all over the world to share innovative solutions, case studies and best practices in the applications of technology that bring significant benefits to educators, learning & development (L&D) professional and learners, from K12 to enterprise learning. Calling for Early Adopters of Education Technology Kicking off the K12 Summit on 12 Oct was a video symbolizing Esperanza's call for everyone to be leaders in propelling a learning innovation movement. Earlier this year, Esperanza launched the EdTech Heroes Award to celebrate early adopters of education technology in Hong Kong. (See Award Winners in the Annex). EdTech Applications in Schools: Conditions for Success Joseph South, Chief Innovation Officer of ISTE. illustrated the pervasive influence of AI and advocated the imperative to shift from rote learning to skills development. "We need to foster students' identities as global collaborators, innovative designers and AI creators  and we can use technology to that." said South. "Ultimately it's our choice whether technology makes us more human or less human" he concluded. South was joined by Benjamin Sheridan, an education consultant and Philip Law, Vice Principal of the Education University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School, the Grand Award Winner of the EdTech Heroes Award. The panel discussed the role of AI in offering personalised learning and how it enables authentic and skill-based evaluation. When considering EdTech tools for integration, it is important to define goals and learning objectives. Usability, cultural alignment, and adaptability are critical factors. Teachers' confidence and competence with technology are pivotal for successful integration. Fostering a culture of joyful and safe tech use is vital to counter staff tech fatigue and encourage innovation. EdTech Applications by Award Winning Solution Providers The winners of 2023 Edventures Global Acceleration Fellowship, a global competition to identify fast growing EdTech startups, presented how technology motivates learning (House of Math, Norway) facilitates personalized and adaptive learning (Century Technology, UK) and early childhood development (iBlum, Canada and Lamsa, UAE). They are joined by 2020 Fellows MEL Science and Zzish from the UK and Mandarin Matrix from Hong Kong. AI accelerates the urgency to reinvent higher education The adult learning track started out with a thought provoking dialogue between Ben Nelson, the Founder of Minerva University, and George Siemens, Chief Scientist at SNHU's Human Systems, moderated by John C Tsang, Founder of Esperanza. Nelson pinpointed that the advent of Generative AI has exposed the limitations of universities as certification institutions. The outdated learning model and assessment framework can neither address the needs of students nor the society. It is high time for universities to rethink the purpose of higher education with AI becoming an integral part of the consideration. Referring to the existential threat of mankind if AI is not thoughtfully and intentionally adopted, Siemens underscored the historical function of universities in developing thoughtful individuals. "Education institutes and organisations that can make people more human are the ones that will succeed," he concluded. Role of AI in delivering Human-Centred approach to teaching and learning The need for a human-centred education was echoed by Matthew Rascoff, Vice Provost, Digital Education, Stanford University. Rascoff argued that technology has democratised learning but the real challenge is how it can humanise education at scale. "MOOCs did a great job of democratizing, but did a horrible job of humanizing education," he said. .Quoting Stanford's Code in Place programme, he demonstrated how Natural Language Processing might hold the key to scaling up not only personalized learning for students but personalized professional learning for teachers by making one-on-one, personal feedback from teachers possible and cost effective. Closer to home, Prof Sook Kyoung Choand Dr Chulmin Yoon of Korea Institute of Technology Institute introduced their partnership with Minerva to nurture durable life skills in their engineering programme. They explained how their university has adapted the Minerva programme in the Korean cultural context and showed how the use of technology has helped students develop humanistic skills.



Enhancing Employability of Students Through EdTech Critical thinking has become one of the most essential durable skills with the advent of AGI. Macat (UK), a 2023 Edventurs GBA Fellow, introduced its PACIER framework to assess and develop critical thinking. Belong Education (India) and Virtual Internships (UK/Vietnam) showed how AI and other technology are used to enhance the employability of students and bridge the gaps between industry and the academic world. Classin (Mainland) demonstrated how its state-of-the art hardware and software provide a seamless hybrid learning experience.

Reskilling and upskilling the workshop with the help of EdTech In the afternoon of 13 October, the focus switched to the imperative of workforce reskilling and upskilling, with AI and automation displacing millions of jobs in the not-too-distant future. Workera (US) started with how AI can be used to do granular analysis of skills requirements and help organisations formulate their talent development and acquisition strategies. Odilo (Spain) introduced its personalized learning ecosystem powered by AI. ThriveDX (Israel) showed how cross-company training programmes on cyber security are made possible with technology. EdTech Applications in Companies: Conditions for Success An expert panel shared the WHY, WHAT and HOW of integrating technology in companies' learning and development strategy. The panel comprised Carol Chuah (Head, Learning & Development, LinkedIn South East Asia), Nick Kind (Managing Director, Tyton Partners) and Bessie Chong (Director of Partnership Development, Esquel Group) and Grand Award Winner (Enterprise) of EdTech Heroes Award. Technology has made it possible to create greater access for learning, uncover the skills gap and untapped potential via data-driven insights. To make the transformation successful, panelists highlighted the need to develop a learning culture with leaders leading by examples. Chong showed how Esquel minimizes the learning barriers by using easy to use technology tools, integrating the learning in the flow of work and providing staff with a safe environment to experiment as well as incentives. A recurring theme was that we should not start with technology but with an understanding of the organisation needs and the learning objectives, and develop ROI at the business level. Role of Government, Industry and Professional Organisations Kind posited that technology has the potential to reskill the workforce at scale, but has yet to show transformative impacts as governments and organisations have yet to embrace it to the full. The panel discussed the need to address talent development at an industry, country and regional level, as opposed to individual organizations trying to solve these issues in isolation. Kind highlighted the need for a common language and an infrastructure. Using the example of the Singapore government, Chuah underlined the importance of government and industry collaboration. We Need More Heroes It is high time organisations treat the workforce as its most important asset. The speed of change is not going to slow down. Technology, applied in the correct context, can unleash human potential and transform organisations and society. What we do in the next few years will determine the state of humanity for future generations to come. The choice is ours, but we must act. Going back to the opening theme of the Summit, we need more heroes to "motivate us to do things we never imagined we could do", as summed up Brian Tang, the MC of the Summit and the Executive Director of LITE Lab at the University of Hong Kong. Annex 1 EdTech Heroes Award Winners K12 Track

Grand Award: The Education University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School

Vision Award: Victoria Shanghai Academy

Stakeholder Engagement Award: Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School

Choice of Solution Award: BrainX Training Center

Implementation Award: Fukien Secondary School Affiliated School

Learning Experience Award: Kowloon Bay St. John The Baptist Catholic Primary School Adult Learning Track

Grand Award (Enterprise): Esquel Group

Grand Award (Higher Education): Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment (HiVE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Vision Award: MTR Operations Training Department

Stakeholder Engagement Award: Law, Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship Lab, Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong

Choice of Solution Award: Soruki EdTech Limited, The University of Hong Kong

Implementation Award: HKUST Digital MBA for Global Leaders, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Learning Experience Award: Educational Development Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Annex 2 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/esperanzas-edtech-month-summit-explores-advancements-in-education-technology-that-unleash-human-potential-301958665.html SOURCE Esperanza

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[October 17, 2023] WOXSEN University collaborates with ServiceNow to offer Academic University Program Tweet

The partnership will train faculty and students with in-demand ServiceNow digital skills HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Woxsen University, announces its partnership with ServiceNow, a leading digital workflow company, to train students in digital skills and improve job prospects with paths to employment. This program will benefit 200 students every year and is part of a global skilling initiative called RiseUp with ServiceNow. The integrated curriculum centered around training and certification programs on the ServiceNow Platform enables students to pursue learning in a holistic way which can result in greater intellectual curiosity, enhanced problem solving, encourage critical thinking and higher understanding of digital skills while in the University. The program incorporates practical simulations, with access to ServiceNow Application Developer learning path covering subjects such as ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals, Scripting in ServiceNow Fundamentals, Application Developer Fundamentals and Mobile App Development essentials merging text-book knowledge with practical application leading students to be certified as ServiceNow Certified Application Developer. Prof. (Dr) RVR Krishna Chalam, Vice-Chancellr of Woxsen University, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "Our objective of Woxsenites is to become a self-reliant individual, understand the global perspective and grow to be a future-ready citizen that can be achieved through industry & international collaborations. Partnership with ServiceNow aligns perfectly with our commitment to provide our students with best possible domain specific education and preparing them to be job ready with required digital skills. The pedagogical practices adopted by Woxsen University and access to ServiceNow global Now Learning content can benefit students towards developing a strong workforce to global market."



Mr. Sumeet Mathur, Vice President and Managing Director, ServiceNow India Technology and Business Centre, said "The partnership with Woxsen University demonstrates ServiceNow's commitment to developing the workforce of the future. Students will learn requisite digital skills needed to build productive career paths. This collaboration will work towards building a skilled talent pool for our high-growth ecosystem." About Woxsen University

Woxsen University, located in Hyderabad, is one of the first private universities of the state of Telangana, India. Renowned for its 200-acre state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, Woxsen University offers new-age, disruptive programs in the fields of Business, Technology, Arts & Design, Architecture, Law, Sciences and Liberal Arts & Humanities. With 120+ Global Partner Universities and Strong Industry Connect, Woxsen is reckoned as one of the top universities for Academic Excellence and Global Edge. Woxsen is Ranked #12, All India Top 100 B-Schools by Times B-School Ranking 2023, Rank #15, All India Top Pvt. B-School, BusinessWorld 2022, and features in India's Best B-Schools beyond IIMs by Dalal Street Investment Journal.

For more information, visit woxsen.edu.in About ServiceNow ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) makes the world work better for everyone. Our cloud based platform and solutions help digitize and unify organizations so that they can find smarter, faster, better ways to make workflow so employees and customers can be more connected, more innovative, and more agile. And we can all create the future we imagine. The world works with ServiceNowTM.

For more information, visit: www.servicenow.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249397/Woxsen_University_ServiceNow.jpg

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[October 17, 2023] Xylem to Unveil Interactive Water Quality Game for Georgia Aquarium Visitors Tweet

Xylem will debut an interactive game at Georgia Aquarium's Ocean Voyager exhibit on October 17, 2023. As visitors check out the whale sharks' 6.3-million-gallon home in Atlanta, they'll also learn about the essential sand filtration and water reuse technology at the aquarium thanks to the Clean Water Challenge game. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017736676/en/ Xylem debuts the Clean Water Challenge game at Georgia Aquarium's Ocean Voyager exhibit today to illustrate the importance of sand filtration and water reuse technology for ocean animals. (Photo: Business Wire) Following a series of on-screen prompts, visitors must repair a virtual exhibit to save whale sharks, manta rays and hundreds of fish. Participants build the proper filtration system to achieve optimal water quality levels. Visitors will learn how sand filtration is safe for the animls and provides a level of water quality closest to their natural habitat.



Xylem's Neptune Benson sand filters used in the exhibits provide critical filtration to remove particulates from the water, establish a healthy balance of bacteria and create a safe habitat for more than 40 species. Water is continuously recirculated through the sand filters in each of the exhibits, allowing Georgia Aquarium to reduce its overall water consumption and reuse the majority of the 11 million gallons of water found in the facility. "We seek to educate and engage our visitors using various experiences that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the animals in our care," said Hiroshi Okuda, Senior Director of Strategic Marketing & Corporate Partnerships at Georgia Aquarium. "Our relationship with Xylem and the Clean Water Challenge game enables us to teach our patrons about how clean, sustainable water is an essential part of our animal care."

Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit scientific institution that provides industry-leading aquatic research, conservation efforts, and exceptional care of its animals. The facility conducts crucial research by working with animals, both in the aquarium and in their natural habitats, to develop new standards of care and veterinary practices. "The Clean Water Challenge game provides a fun, interactive way to inform visitors about the direct impact water quality and filtration have on aquatic life in an aquarium environment," said Scott Holzborn, Vice President and General Manager of the Disinfection and Aquatics Division at Xylem. "The water filtration ecosystem is central to the animals' well-being and we are excited to team up with Georgia Aquarium to help educate people about reducing the impact on water the world's most valuable resource." Visitors can play the Clean Water Challenge game and check out Georgia Aquarium year round. About Xylem Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company committed to solving the world's critical water, wastewater, and water-related challenges through technology, innovation, and expertise. Our more than 22,000 diverse employees delivered combined pro forma revenue of $7.3 billion in 2022. We are creating a more sustainable world by enabling our customers to optimize water and resource management and helping communities in more than 150 countries become water-secure. Join us in the effort at www.xylem.com and Let's Solve Water. About Georgia Aquarium Georgia Aquarium is a leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Ga. that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Georgia Aquarium is committed to working on behalf of all marine life through education, preservation, exceptional animal care, and research across the globe. Georgia Aquarium continues its mission each day to inspire, educate, and entertain its millions of guests about the aquatic biodiversity throughout the world through its engaging exhibits and tens of thousands of animals across its eight major galleries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017736676/en/

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BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Recalling their meeting in the Chinese city of Xi'an in May, Xi noted that the consensus on bilateral ties reached by the two countries is being fully carried out.

Xi said that the two countries have similar development goals, and China stands ready to work with Uzbekistan to support each other's national modernization drive and build the China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.

The two sides must continue to support each other, Xi said, adding that China backs Uzbekistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and firmly opposes any interference in its internal affairs under any excuse.

The two sides should effectively implement the medium- and long-term plan for economic and trade cooperation, advance cooperation in key fields, and create conditions conducive to an early start of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, Xi said.

China supports expanding cooperation in areas including new energy and innovation, Xi said, noting that the country is willing to import more quality products from Uzbekistan.

More Uzbek youths are welcome to study in China and China is willing to provide more scholarship quotas for Uzbek students, Xi said.

He also stressed the need for the two sides to accelerate the establishment of cultural centers in each other's countries as well as the Luban Workshop. 
[October 17, 2023] The 29th ITS World Congress held in Suzhou, China Tweet

SUZHOU, China, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 29th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS World Congress) is held at Suzhou International Expo Centre in China from October 16 to 20. As the most influential international conference on intelligent transportation, the ITS World Congress is the highest-level and largest platform of displaying advanced transportation technologies and products. Suzhou is the second city in China to hold the Congress, according to the Information Office of Suzhou Municipal People's Government. With the theme of "Driving Towards Intelligent Society--Quality Life", the Congress attracts over 8,000 visitors from more than 30 countries and regions. Experts, scholars and professionals held discussions and sharing sessions on eight topics: "sustainability and transformation of transportation", "cooperative autonomous transportation", "intelligent and digital transportation infrastructure", "comprehensive transportation system", "improving services through advanced technologies", "future development of intelligent city and transportation industry", "pricing and managment of transportation service needs", and "policies, standards and coordination".



The event includes an opening ceremony, minister-level round-table conferences, mayor-level round-table conferences and over 120 academic conferences. An exhibition area of more than 22,000 square meters showcases the up-to-date achievements of the world intelligent transportation in an all-round way.

Nine outdoor demonstration projects were unveiled in the exclusive demonstration area of nearly 15,000 square meters next to the conference venue, showcasing the most innovative products, equipment, solutions, and services in the field of intelligent transportation, including unmanned flying cars, unmanned cruise ships, autonomous minibuses, and unmanned aerial vehicles for cleaning. Suzhou has grown into a major industrial cluster of the internet of vehicles in China. As of this August, there were nearly 450 companies related to the internet of vehicles in the city, including 197 high-tech companies, 10 listed companies and five listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board. Suzhou has been strengthening, consolidating, and extending industrial chains, which now cover over 30 fields including autonomous driving algorithms, optical laser radar, high-accuracy maps and advanced assisted driving. As one of important outcomes, a smart expressway started operating in Xiangcheng District, Suzhou on October 12. A section of the smart expressway, spanning 6.5 km, was designed for self-driving vehicles of high automation, also known as level 4 autonomous driving, where an unmanned vehicle can perform all driving functions except in certain conditions, said Suzhou's transportation department. It noted in the section's demonstration test that a 49-tonne unmanned truck from Suzhou-based Zhijia Technology Co., Ltd. performed well in identifying obstacles, moving cars, and reverse cars, and completed driving behaviors, including ramp entry, lane change, and overtaking. Image Attachments Links: Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=442701 Caption: The 29th ITS World Congress View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-29th-its-world-congress-held-in-suzhou-china-301958933.html SOURCE Information Office of Suzhou Municipal People's Government

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[October 17, 2023] Top Computer Scientists Join Style3D's Global Dream Team, enhancing its Innovation Capacity in 3D Simulation and AI Technology Tweet

HONG KONG, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Style3D, a leading 3D digital solution provider in the global fashion industry, has recently expanded its collaborative, interdisciplinary research team by welcoming two top computer scientists. This strategic decision aligns with Style3D's goal of strengthening its Dream Team, which aims to push the boundaries of 3D simulation and AI technology in digital fashion. Additionally, this move involves the establishment of StyleU Lab, which is now operating in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Two "Graphics Masters" that Have Joined Style3D's Dream Team Are: Dr. Yin Yang, an associate professor in the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, University of Utah. Dr. Yang holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Dallas, where he was honored as a recipient of the David E. Daniel Fellowship award. Other notable accolades include the 2015 National Science Foundation (NSF) CRII Award and the 2019 NSF CAREER Award. Dr. Chenfanfu Jiang, an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Having won recognitions at the pinnacle of Computer Sience including the 2018 National Science Foundation (NSF) CRII Award and the 2020 NSF CAREER Award, Dr. Jiang has published over a hundred papers in top-tier international conferences and journals, with a total citation count of more than 3900 and an H-index of 34.



Eric Liu, Founder and CEO of Style3D, stated that Style3D has been injected with technological genes since its inception and has continuously strengthened its technical capabilities over the years. He hopes to bring together the most outstanding talents and technological resources worldwide, to build world-leading simulation and AI technologies, and jointly promote the development and application of computer graphics in the fashion field. "Style3D Research Institute has been committed to bringing more innovation in the technology and application of computer graphics. With StyleU Lab now in the mix and the addition of two more world-class computer scientists, our goal is to propel the resources and expertise of Style3D to further explore high-performance real-time physics simulation and generative AI models, bridging academia and industry as we unleash top-performed simulation and AI's full commercial potential", said Dr. Huamin Wang, Chief Scientist and Director of Style3D Research Institute.

Introducing StyleU Lab  an R&D Powerhouse Built to Catalyze Innovation in Digital Fashion StyleU Lab, at the forefront of defining the future of fashion and inspiring the next generation of designers, merges cutting-edge computing technology and material science to revolutionize fashion creation. Leveraging on leading scholar's pioneering work in computer graphics and relevant studies in the field, this foundation combines expertise and R&D resources to push the boundaries of 3D modeling in the realm of digital fashion. We aim to empower a new generation of industrial professionals with digital possibilities in the fashion industry. With the ambition to lead the way in real-time physics simulation and AI-generated animation for fashion, Style3D is actively seeking more collaborations with researchers and industrial professionals to revolutionize digital fashion together. We are recruiting now! For more information, please visit https://styleu.cs.utah.edu/recruiting.html. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244028/image1.jpg

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[October 17, 2023] Perimeter 81 Joins Pax8 Marketplace to Offer MSPs Network Security Solution Tweet

DENVER, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pax8, the leading cloud commerce marketplace, today announced Perimeter 81, a networking and network security leader, is now available on the Pax8 Marketplace. Perimeter 81 delivers managed service providers (MSPs) of various sizes a comprehensive network and web security solution, guaranteeing the security of their clients worldwide through a scalable and user-friendly solution. Remote security access isn't merely a choice; it's an essential requirement for contemporary businesses, said Nikki Meyer, Corporate Vice President of Vendor Experience at Pax8. Pax8 and Perimeter 81's enduring collaboration is a source of excitement as we welcome their inclusive security protection solution in our marketplace, offering valuable benefits to our partners' businesses. With a primary focus on safeguarding remote work environments, Perimeter 81 empowers MSPs and their clients to liberate themselves from outdated hardware, simplifying the management of their networks and security through a unified cloud-based service. This cutting-edge provider excels in Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), offering MSPs an effortless, cloud-delivered solution for network and security management, enabling businesses to fortify their networks and shield their data globally. Perimeter 81 was built with service providers in mindwe understand the unique challenges MSPs face in addressing remote access and internet security. Our goal is to empower every MSP to construct a secure network for themselves and their clients. We do this by providing an easy-to-use and enterprise-grade network security platform, delivered as a Software-as-a-Service offering for service providers. Were excited to join forces with Pax8, a true leader in the MSP community and a key partner for us. This collaboration not only expands our reach but also reaffirms our dedication to delivering a top-notch network security solution in an ever-evolving threat landscape. Together with Pax8, were poised to provide every MSP with the tools they need to thrive in todays dynamic IT environment, said Amit Bareket, CEO and Co-founder of Perimeter 81. Perimeter 81 offers MSPs and their clients the following benefits: Private Access - ZTNA

Internet Access - SWG

Malware Protection

VPN Alternative





www.pax8.com. About Pax8

Pax8 is the worlds favorite cloud marketplace for IT professionals to buy, sell, and manage best-in-class technology solutions. Pioneering the future of modern business, Pax8 has cloud-enabled more than 300,000 enterprises through its channel partners and processes one million monthly transactions. Pax8s award-winning technology enables managed service providers (MSPs) to accelerate growth, increase efficiency, and reduce risk so their businesses can thrive. The innovative company has ranked in the Inc. 5000 for six years in a row. Join the revolution at pax8.com.

Follow Pax8 on Blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube About Perimeter 81

Perimeter 81, a Check Point company, is a networking and network security leader that aims to deliver the premier SASE platform in the market. The company provides a robust yet easy-to-use, converged network and network security platform that connects all users, in the office or remote, to all corporate resources located on-prem or in the cloud. It is delivered as an easy-to-manage, cloud-native service all in a unified console. It enables any business to build a secure corporate network over a private global backbone, without any hardware, within minutes. Perimeter 81s solution is used by more than 3,000 customers worldwide across various industries. Our 300+ partners are among the worlds leading managed service providers. The company has offices in NY, LA, UK, and TLV. Visit www.perimeter81.com Follow Perimeter 81 on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , and YouTube Media contacts:

Melissa Gallegos

Public Relations Director, Pax8

[email protected] Daffy Wegner

PR Manager, Perimeter 81

[email protected]





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[October 17, 2023] TechSmith's Camtasia Accelerates Video Creation and Editing with New AI-Assisted "Rev" Workflow Tweet

EAST LANSING, Mich., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TechSmith Corporation , an industry leader in visual communication, launches Rev  an innovative AI-assisted workflow within Camtasia , the companys award-winning, user-friendly, all-in-one screen recording and video editing solution. Available as part of the latest Camtasia 2023 update, Camtasia Rev guides users through various size, layout, background, effect, and filter choices, empowering users of all skill levels to quickly create professional quality videos that inspire, educate, and engage their audiences.

The Rev workflow activates once users have recorded their screen with Camtasia, allowing them to format their screen recording with dimensions optimized for specific sharing platforms. Users can then select a design layout that matches their desired outcome and walk through a series of additional formatting options that add sophistication to their video. This streamlined workflow dramatically reduces the amount of indecision and option overload associated with most traditional video editing software. Each formatting choice is previewable in real-time, allowing users to edit in a way that no other video editing solution currently offers. After making selections, users can export their video directly as an MP4, share it to a preferred platform such as YouTube or Google Drive, or send it into Camtasias non-linear editor for further editing and enhancements. For increased efficiency, Rev automatically recalls the users previous selections when they create their next recording, saving video creators time and ensuring style consistency across their content. The Rev interface is divided into five intuitive categories: Size: Select from wide, vertical, or square video project dimensions that are optimized for popular sharing destinations such as YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

Select from wide, vertical, or square video project dimensions that are optimized for popular sharing destinations such as YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Layout: Choose from dozens of different options of how the speaker appears or overlays with their recorded screen content.

Choose from dozens of different options of how the speaker appears or overlays with their recorded screen content. Background: Peruse over fifty different backgrounds, each with unique colors, style, and movement.

Peruse over fifty different backgrounds, each with unique colors, style, and movement. Effects: Apply a wide spectrum of nuanced effects on your video such as cursor sizing and highlighting, drop shadows, reflection, and much more.

Apply a wide spectrum of nuanced effects on your video such as cursor sizing and highlighting, drop shadows, reflection, and much more. Filters: Set the tone and mood of the finished video utilizing a multitude of different colors and video lens filters.

"Camtasia Rev reimagines the video creation process, allowing anyone to create stunning videos in minutes," said Tony Lambert, CTO at TechSmith. "The new workflow is a significant milestone in our mission to provide an ideal option for both novice and professional creators. Rev will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our users in the ever-changing video landscape." Coinciding with the Rev launch, Camtasia has also improved its integration with Audiate , TechSmiths audio recorder and text-based editing application. When a user imports a video file from Camtasia into Audiate, all audio edits made in Audiate automatically sync with the corresponding video file, making video editing up to 40% faster. Additionally, exporting a video from Camtasia to Audiate now provides even faster transcription. Price and Availability

A one-year subscription of Camtasia s available now for $179.88 USD from the TechSmith online store and select resellers, or bundled with Audiate for $379.87. Customers with an active Maintenance contract will receive the upgrade for free. Discounted pricing is available for existing customers upgrading from any previous version of Camtasia. A free, fully-functional trial version of Camtasia can be downloaded from the TechSmith website. The software is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese.



About Camtasia

Camtasia is a user-friendly, all-in-one screen recording and editing solution for developing professional-quality videos without professional expertise. With a rich, expansive and flexible feature set, Camtasia has the lowest barrier of entry of any recording and editing software, helping users educate, inspire, and excite their audience with professional-quality videos. Its new, intuitive Camtasia Rev workflow guides users through various size, layout, background, effect, and filter choices, empowering users of all skill levels to quickly create professional quality videos. Developed by TechSmith , a market leader in workplace communication solutions, Camtasia is used by more than 39 million people globally, including the majority of Fortune 500 companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Google. In 2023, Camtasia was rated a top 3 screen and video capture solution by G2s community of reviewers. For more information, visit www.techsmith.com/video-editor.html About TechSmith

TechSmith is the market leader in screen capture software and productivity solutions for daily in-person, remote or hybrid workplace communication and customer-facing image and video content. The companys award-winning flagship products, Snagit , Camtasia , and Audiate empower anyone to create remarkable videos and images that share knowledge for better training, tutorials, and everyday communication. TechSmith creates easy-to-use software and provides expert training resources and unmatched support  making TechSmith the global leader for easily creating effective images and videos. To date, billions of images and videos have been created with TechSmiths products by more than 73 million people across more than 190 countries. TechSmith is ranked as a top 10 company in G2s Fall 2023 report and winner of a 2023 Training Magazine Network Choice Award . Connect with TechSmith on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook . For more information, visit www.techsmith.com .

Media Contact:

Ross Blume

Fusion Public Relations

[email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd2a7d9a-28cb-46d2-882f-5437e3d32b21 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e541a4db-6eb0-47b4-95aa-77437e311c21



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[October 17, 2023] DriveNets Network Cloud-AI - the Highest-Performance AI Ethernet Solution - is available for order with Broadcom Jericho 3-AI Based White Boxes Tweet

Independent Testing of AI Infrastructures Confirms DriveNets Network Cloud-AI Supports 10% Faster JCT of Large-Scale AI Workloads

DriveNets Contribution to OCP DDC Standard Accepted RA'ANANA, Israel, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DriveNets, a leader in innovative networking solutions, today announced its Network Cloud-AI software, supporting Broadcom's Jericho 3-AI based white boxes and Ramon 3 chipset, is available for order. This second AI networking solution from DriveNets is based on Network Cloud-AI which was introduced in May supporting white boxes based on Broadcom's Jericho 2C+. Built on DriveNets' Network Cloud  which is deployed in the world's largest networks, DriveNets Network Cloud-AI supports the highest-performance, fully scheduled networking system based on open standard Ethernet. It therefore maximizes the utilization of AI infrastructures and improves the performance of large-scale AI workloads regardless of GPU or AI accelerator used, enabling hyperscalers and other AI infrastructure builders to build an open, multi-vendor AI infrastructure. DriveNets Network Cloud-AI was validated by leading hyperscalers in early trials as the top performing Ethernet solution for AI networking. Early availability of Jericho 3-AI based high-scale AI networking DriveNets Network Cloud-AI is based on OCP's Distributed Disaggregated Chassis (DDC) architecture, providing a predictable lossless Ethernet connectivity that minimizes GPU idle cycles and maximizes the utilization of the AI infrastructure. The availability of Network Cloud-AI software and Jericho 3-AI based white boxes allows builders of AI infrastructures to have a highest-performance, fully scheduled networking system available in the market today, based on open standard Ethernet. "We are thrilled to see DriveNets maximizing the value of the DDC architecture in AI networking," said Ram Velaga, senior vice president and general manager, Core Switching Group, Broadcom. "We designed J3AI to perform as the best networking ASIC for AI, in the market. DriveNets Network Cloud allows it to scale out to its maximum cluster capacity of 32K 800G ports, delivering ultimate AI performance at scale." As a premier network leader in design of open hardware platforms for data centers, enterprise and carrier networks, Accton is very excited by the introduction of DDC into AI-networking," said Michael K T Lee, Sr. Vice President of Research and Development Center, Accton. "Teaming up with innovaive companies such as DriveNets and Broadcom accelerates the growth of the AI ecosystem and enables the best-performing, open standard AI infrastructure."



Highest performance AI networking validated by an independent lab Independent testing by the leading scalable data center simulation lab Scala Computing validates the early hyperscaler trial findings that DriveNets Network Cloud-AI delivers the highest-performance Ethernet fabric for large-scale AI compute clusters.

Scala's test results proved that Network Cloud-AI improves Job Completion Time (JCT) performance by more than 10% for workloads running on a large-scale AI training cluster with 2000 GPUs, optimizing GPU resource utilization and reducing idle time. In addition, test results proved that Network Cloud-AI is optimized for GPU noisy neighbor scenarios, ensuring no performance impact on other AI jobs running in parallel. This is not the case with Ethernet Clos solutions where all AI jobs running on the same node are impacted. A GPU noisy neighbor scenario occurs when the performance of one or more GPUs is negatively affected by the activity of other GPUs on the same node. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as resource contention on the network or performance degradation on the NIC. The Network Cloud AI solution introduced today supports the highest JCT performance of 800G GPU/AI accelerators for Ethernet, enabling faster training and deployment of large-scale AI models. It was designed to support greater scale than tested to date of 32,000 GPUs/AI accelerators with 800G ports. "Scala Computing's test results demonstrate that DriveNets Network Cloud-AI is the highest-performance Ethernet alternative for AI networking for hyperscalers and large organizations that are building large-scale AI clusters," said Ido Susan, DriveNets co-founder and CEO. "DriveNets' AI solution unlocks AI vendor dependency, enabling organizations building AI infrastructures to select any mix of AI chipset, network interface cards (NICs) or server OEM to meet their specific needs." "The pace and magnitude of AI infrastructure buildouts continues to grow while standard Ethernet solutions struggle to deliver the performance and reliability that will maximize the utilization of the AI resources." said Rob Zecha, Scala Computing COO. "Plans for AI cluster sizes expand faster than the ability of the AI infrastructure eco-system to support them. AI networking is a critical element that has a huge impact on the size of the AI cluster and the quality of its performance. The AI networking performance at scale demonstrated by DriveNets is exactly what our industry needs." DriveNets Contribution to OCP DDC Standard Accepted As part of the effort to maintain DDC's position as the most innovative, proven networking technology, the contribution to OCP DDC specification version 3 made by DriveNets alongside AT&T, HPE, Intel and UfiSpace  the newest version of the standard  has been accepted. The contribution is based on DriveNets Network Cloud architecture and addresses Ethernet Networking for high-performance AI workloads in huge-scale clusters. The Open Compute Project's DDC specification continues to evolve and address new market needs with new solutions developed by DriveNets, other software and hardware vendors, and operators. It provides network operators and AI infrastructure builders with tools to make their networking operations more flexible and cost effective. Version 1 of the DDC spec was contributed by AT&T and focused on the distributed disaggregated model. Version focused on software and hardware interoperability. This latest addition  Version 3, adds support for new devices based on Broadcom's Jericho 3-AI and Ramon 3 ASICs as well as advances the OCP DDC into Mobile networks. It also simplifies network management and addresses higher scale suited for AI networking. "The DDC architecture enables service providers and hyperscalers to maximize the scale and performance of their networks using standard networking white boxes," said Vincent Ho, UfiSpace CEO. "Without the interdependencies of a complicated chassis-based architecture, we can accelerate our development cycles and introduce new hardware in record time, allowing our customers to accelerate the deployment of their infrastructures while optimizing their operations and cost." Learn more about DriveNets here. About DriveNets DriveNets is a leader in cloud-native networking software and network disaggregation solutions. Founded in 2015 and based in Israel, DriveNets offers communications service providers (CSPs) and cloud providers a radical new way to build networks, substantially growing their profitability by changing their technological and economic models. DriveNets' solution  Network Cloud  adapts the architectural model of cloud to telco-grade networking. Network Cloud is a cloud-native software that runs over a shared physical infrastructure of standard white-boxes, radically simplifying the network's operations, offering telco-scale performance and elasticity at a much lower cost. Learn more at www.drivenets.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1657406/4342893/DriveNets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/drivenets-network-cloud-ai--the-highest-performance-ai-ethernet-solution--is-available-for-order-with-broadcom-jericho-3-ai-based-white-boxes-301958017.html

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[October 17, 2023] Money20/20: Former President and CEO of PayPal, Dan Schulman is Returning to Money20/20 USA Tweet

Money20/20, the world's leading fintech show, and the place where money does business, will feature payments legend Dan Schulman, former President and CEO of PayPal. Coming off a nine-year tenure leading PayPal, Dan will take the stage in Las Vegas on Monday October 23rd at 2pm PT, addressing everything from how he grew the company into a payments giant, introduced a groundbreaking employee financial wellness program, and championed purpose-driven leadership. The session will be moderated by Jennifer Tescher, President and CEO at Financial Health Network. "We are honored to welcome back Dan Schulman to the Money20/20 lineup this year, in large part to help companies navigate the challenges that exist in the industry today and explore the opportunities of what comes next during this exciting time of true innovation for the industry," said Zach Anderson Pettet, US Content Director at Money20/20. "We are committed to keeping trust and creative disruption at the core of this year's show, and Dan is a longtime champion of financial wellness and a Money20/20 Speaker Hall of Fame member."



Other confirmed keynote speakers include Silicon Valley legend, Ben Horowitz, Co-Founder & General Partner of Andreessen Horowitz, who will be speaking about the intricate interplay between AI, fintech, and the broader landscape of technology. Stephanie Ferris, CEO and President of FIS, who will be talking about leadership in a constantly shifting financial world. And Zach Perret, CEO of Plaid, will be joining forces to show how different companies can work together to accelerate growth innovation in digital finance. The 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. It 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/20231017568096/en/

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[October 17, 2023]

RED BEAR Negotiation Celebrates 10 Years of Excellence in Negotiation Training

Leading Negotiation Training Provider Marks Decade of Transforming Individuals into World-

Class Negotiators with Limited-Time Retro Pricing Offer

CROWN POINT, Ind., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RED BEAR Negotiation , the global leader in sales and procurement negotiation training, today announced the company will celebrate 10 years of excellence. The leader in negotiation training is marking this milestone with gratitude for its clients by launching 10-Year Anniversary Pricing Promotion on all negotiation training workshops.

RED BEAR's former, existing, and new clients can take advantage of its 10-year-old pricing until Dec. 15, 2023. Learn more about this limited time opportunity here: www.redbearnegotiation.com/anniversary

A Decade of Growth and Leadership

For the last decade, RED BEAR has been transforming individuals into world-class negotiators, with organizations seeing $54 in ROI for every dollar spent on RED BEAR training. Demand for RED BEAR's tested methodology and expert insights continues to rise as clients across the globe navigate a challenging economic environment. Over the last year, RED BEAR has seen a 60% increase in revenue, with 82% growth in new client logos.

To meet growing demand, RED BEAR recently expanded its Instructor Training team with the addition of Eric Imrie, a procurement veteran with over 20 years experience in consulting and executive leadership roles in sourcing and supply chain management across multiple industries. The Sales and Marketing teams also expanded with the addition of Vince Shuessler, who leads the sales team as a senior client advisor, Rob Cox, Chief Marketing Officer, who leads the organization's marketing efforts that have driven remarkable growth in the prospect pipeline, and Peri Pompisello who leads business development efforts as the organization sees explosive demand for its customized learning workshops.

"We're grateful every single day for the clients that are responsible for our 10 years of success, said Chad Mulligan, Founder & CEO of RED BEAR Negotiation Company. "As our team approached this milestone, we asked ourselves how we wanted to celebrate. We ultimately turned our focus to our core values, one of which is gratitude. We're pleased to show this gratitude for our clients with this 10-Year Anniversary Pricing Promotion."

"I'm so proud to celebrate 10 years of excellence from the RED BEAR Negotiation team and look forward to our ontinued leadership in the next decade," said Mulligan.







RED BEAR's 40-Year Legacy of Negotiation Training

RED BEAR Negotiation's legacy spans over 40 years going back to BayGroup International, where Mulligan founded the company's procurement training practice. After BayGroup was sold in 2013, Mulligan became the exclusive distributor of the organization's procurement training and soon after, he acquired full ownership of the content that now forms the core of RED BEAR's negotiation and collaboration training offerings.

RED BEAR's negotiation workshops are hands-on, customized learning experiences built on models, principles, and high-performer behaviors. These tailored learning workshops equip participants with standard negotiation processes, terminology, planners, and other tools. 85% of the workshop is spent either preparing for, engaging in, or debriefing a negotiation case, exercise, or simulation.

RED BEAR's innovative programs include:

Sales Negotiation Training

Negotiate effectively and with conviction throughout the entire sales process. Situational Negotiation Skills (SNS) equips sales professionals with powerful concepts, skills, and tools for negotiating more profitable client relationships, selling value rather than price, and improving teamwork within the sales organization.

Procurement Negotiation Training

Purchasing is more than just cost savings. Negotiating With Suppliers (NWS) is the new playbook for how procurement gets done: providing the skills, tools, and behaviors buyers need to craft profitable, value-based agreements with suppliers that guarantee the reliability of supply.

Cross-Cultural Negotiation

Cross-Cultural Negotiation (CCN) addresses that the basis of successful international negotiations begins with an understanding that negotiations are a conversation aimed at reaching an agreement and different cultures reach agreements in different ways. CCN provides procurement teams with practical insights and equips them with skills, tools, and behaviors to have those conversations.

100 Minutes to Improved Negotiation Results

100 Minutes to Improved Negotiation Results is a continuous learning program that reinforces skills learned during RED BEAR's negotiation training workshops. The program is based on RED BEAR's proprietary training courses and delivers short learning activities to learners each week.

Industry Recognition and Thought Leadership

RED BEAR Negotiation was recently recognized by Supply & Demand Chain Executive's 2023 Top Supply Chain Projects Award for its proprietary procurement negotiation training, Negotiating With Suppliers (NWS). Selling Power also recognized RED BEAR as a 2023 Top Sales Training Company due to the strength and depth of its sales training offerings, demonstrable ROI, and robust client testimonials. Industry analysts and experts continue to agree on the strength of RED BEAR's offering with more industry recognition expected as the year continues.

Industry-leading publications like Supply & Demand Chain Executive , Supply Chain Management Review , Global Trade Magazine , and Sales & Marketing Management have also recognized the organization's timely and compelling thought leadership.

About RED BEAR Negotiation

RED BEAR transforms people, teams, and organizations into world-class negotiators. Trusted, forward-thinking companies around the world, across every industry, from the Fortune 500 to high-growth start-ups rely on RED BEAR's proprietary negotiation training to accelerate revenue/margin growth, reduce costs, drive greater internal alignment, improve cross-cultural expertise, and support achievement of other critical corporate goals. RED BEAR's training courses and expertise lie in sales negotiation, procurement negotiation, and cross-cultural negotiation. For more information, visit www.redbearnegotiation.com .

Media Contact

Rob Cox

RED BEAR Negotiation

469-855-4079

[email protected]

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[October 17, 2023] Bulbs.com, the business lighting experts announces another Utility Rebate Partnership Tweet

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bulbs.com, the online authority in LED Lighting continues to expand its rebate distribution partnerships with utility companies across the United States. Consumers Energy commercial customers can now receive instant rebates on LED lamps and fixtures from Bulbs.com. Bulbs.com announces its newly approved distributor partnership with Consumers Energy in Michigan. Eligible Consumers Energy commercial customers can now receive instant rebates on a large assortment of LED lamps and fixtures when purchasing from Bulbs.com. A couple of items to note: Bulbs.com is the first e-commerce distributor approved for this program, helping to make LED purchases easier for Consumers Energy commercial customers.

Bulbs.com is currently an approved distributor in 20 states across the United States .

. Instant rebates are available on an assortment of LED lamps and fixtures.

Consumers Energy customers could spend as little as $0 per LED lamp and take advantage of significant discounts on LED fixtures with instant rebates.

per LED lamp and take advantage of significant discounts on LED fixtures with instant rebates. Rebates include Energy Star and DLC approved linears (T8), ceiling panels, outdoor wall packs, exit signs and many popular LED bulb styles. Bulbs.com has been an approved distributor with DTE Energy in Michigan since 2021, and has assisted many commercial locations in updating their buildings to energy efficient lighting while taking advantage of the incentives available to DTE custmers. The new partnership with Consumers Energy will allow Bulbs.com to expand its reach to rebate-eligible businesses across the state of Michigan.



Utility rebates can be a big boost for helping businesses reduce the cost of lighting projects. Customers can save up to 85% on the initial cost of the bulbs and fixtures and then continue saving up to 75% on their lighting energy costs during the lifetime of the bulbs or fixtures. Other benefits from LEDs include: HVAC cost savings due to lower heat emissions from LED lighting

Lower maintenance and replacement costs from the longer life of LEDs

Higher worker productivity from improved quality of lighting

Safety and security benefits from improved quality of lighting Bulbs.com works closely with many utility companies including Duke Energy, MassSave, conEdison and CPS Energy, throughout the United States everyday as an approved distribution partner. In fact no other e-commerce lighting distributor works with as many utility companies across as many states as Bulbs.com. Eligible commercial and industrial customers can now receive instant rebates on their LED lighting purchases from 30+ utility companies across the following states:

Arkansas

Colorado

Connecticut

Hawaii

Indiana

Illinois

Kentucky

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Texas

Washington Commercial and Industrial customers can also benefit from Bulbs.com's exclusive "Buy n Try" program. Customers can try out a few LED lamps risk free before committing to a larger purchase, insuring they make the right selection every time. Bulbs.com is committed to deliver the highest level of service to its customers, helping it earn the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry. Learn more:

To learn more about utility rebate incentives visit bulbs.com/rebates or call a Certified Lighting Specialist at 888.455.2800 . Certified Lighting Specialists and utility rebate professionals can provide more information about the best way to transition to energy efficient LED lighting. About Bulbs.com:

Bulbs.com is headquartered in Worcester, MA and is a leading online supplier of LED lighting products. Established in August 1999, Bulbs.com provides lighting products to over 200,000 commercial customers operating across 300,000 global locations in the hospitality, retail, property management, healthcare, manufacturing, government, education, industrial and municipal sectors. For more information visit bulbs.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bulbscom-the-business-lighting-experts-announces-another-utility-rebate-partnership-301959124.html SOURCE Bulbs.com

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[October 17, 2023] Dropbox Co-Founder Leads Clockwork's Community Investment Round with Over $5,600,000 Raised, Inviting the Public to Invest Alongside Renowned Investors Tweet

Clockwork, a pioneering self-care robotics company, has announced the launch of its investment round on Wefunder, inviting the general public to join the venture transforming the $1.5T self-care industry. With $5.6 million raised from prominent investors, Clockwork is now opening a community investment round to the public, led by Arash Ferdowski, Dropbox Co-Founder and former CTO. This presents a unique opportunity for retail investors to invest alongside prominent venture capitalists and institutional investors. Top VCs Garry Tan's Initialized Capital and Pipeline Capital have already invested, and other notable angels such as A16z's Balaji Srinivasan (ex-CTO of Coinbase), Max Mullen (Co-founder of Instacart via Product Co-op), Julie Bornstein (ex-COO Stitch Fix, ex-CMO Sephora), and Dawn Dobras (former CEO Crdo Beauty).



Clockwork's flagship product is an AI-powered robot that offers automated manicures with speed and precision, all while being cost-efficient for customers. With a world-class team from distinguished companies like Dropbox, Nvidia, e.l.f. Beauty, Clorox, Uber, and Toyota, Clockwork's robots are entirely reimaging the beauty experience. Kathy Brown, Director of Campus Stores and Licensing at San Diego State University, said, "Clockwork offers a one-of-a-kind product that not only serves but surprises and delights members of our campus community. If the early usage and feedback are any indication, this partnership will provide rewarding returns for all involved in the months and years ahead."

Clockwork's traction includes impressive $1.5M annual recurring revenue (ARR) in signed contracts, with 35% month-over-month ARR growth since Q1 2023. Clockwork's AI-powered robots have already been deployed at iconic US locations, including major airports in NY, DC and Miami, Rockefeller Center in NY, downtown SF and Beverly Hills. To date, Clockwork has helped over 17,000 people seamlessly incorporate self-care into their daily routines. To invest in their AI-powered beauty robots and stay updated on Clockwork's journey, visit https://wefunder.com/clockwork. Investments start from $100 and up to $500,000 or more. The investment opportunity is available for a limited time only. About Clockwork Clockwork's AI-powered robots aim to transform the $1.5T self-care industry, making beauty services accessible and affordable for all. To date, Clockwork has helped 17,000+ people seamlessly incorporate self-care into their daily routines. www.likeclockwork.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017709699/en/

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[October 17, 2023] Analytical Standards Market Worth $2.1 Billion | MarketsandMarkets Tweet

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The analytical standards industry is poised for significant growth in the near future, driven by advancements in technology and increasing demands for precision and reliability in various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, and food safety. With the rise of complex analytical techniques, there will be an escalating need for certified reference materials and calibration standards to ensure the accuracy and consistency of analytical results. Additionally, the globalization of supply chains and stringent regulatory requirements will foster greater standardization and quality assurance, positioning the industry to play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of scientific measurements and the safety of products worldwide. This sector's evolution promises to be integral in facilitating innovation and ensuring the highest standards of quality in a rapidly evolving, data-driven world. Analytical Standards Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $1.5 Billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $2.1 Billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Factors such as growth in the applications of analytical techniques in proteomics & metabolomics and the rising public concerns related to optimal food safety & quality are high growth prospects for the analytical standards market during the forecast period. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=8484789 Browse in-depth TOC on "Analytical Standards Market"

255 - Tables

30 - Figures

252 - Pages Analytical Standards Market Scope:







Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $1.5 Billion Estimated Value by 2028 $2.1 Billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% Market Size Available for 20212028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Technique, Application, Methodology, Category and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Improving healthcare infrastructure across emerging countries Key Market Drivers Rising public concerns related to optimal food safety & quality

The spectroscopy segment is to register a significant growth rate over the forecast period of 2023-2028. Based on the technique, over the forecast period of 2023-2028, the spectroscopy segment is to register a significant growth rate. The key factor encouraging the growth of this segment during the forecast period is the presence of a widespread use of spectroscopic techniques across a broad range of application areas along with increasing drug development R&D. The spectroscopy segment is further divided into atomic absorption spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence/diffraction spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy. The pharmaceutical & life sciences standards segment accounted for the largest share of analytical standards in 2023-2028. Based on application, the pharmaceutical & life sciences standards segment is estimated to hold the largest market share of the analytical standards market during the forecast period. The rising popularity of traditional medicines, the increasing drug development in developed countries and the increasing use of certified reference materials (CRMs) to ensure the quality of pharmaceuticals, increasing awareness, regulations on cosmetic products lead to a large share of this segment. Asia Pacific registered the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. In 2023, Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR in the market for analytical standards during the forecast period. Asia Pacific comprises China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, and the rest of Asia Pacific. Factors such as the increasing focus on soil testing, food security concerns in India, high use of analytical technologies in Japan, an increasing number of clusters, high-growth opportunities for market players and the growing biotechnology, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries in China are driving the growth of the APAC analytical standards market during the forecast period. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=8484789 Analytical Standards Market Dynamics: Drivers: 1. Rising public concerns related to optimal food safety & quality Restraints: 1. Limited public awareness related to effective pollution monitoring strategies Opportunities: 1. Improving healthcare infrastructure across emerging countries Challenge: 1. Patent expiry of major drugs and biomolecules Key Market Players of Analytical Standards Industry: As of 2022, prominent players in analytical standards are Merck KGaA (Germany), Agilent Technologies (US), Waters Corporation (US), LGC Standards (UK), PerkinElmer, Inc. (US), Restek Corporation (US), SPEX CertiPrep (US), AccuStandard, Inc. (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US), and Mallinckrodt (UK) among others. Recent Developments: In June 2023 , Merck KGaA ( Germany ) invested 74 million USD ( 70 million Euro ) for expanding production capacity for highly purified reagents at its site in Nantong, China .

, Merck KGaA ( ) invested ( ) for expanding production capacity for highly purified reagents at its site in Nantong, . In August 2022 , Agilent Technologies, Inc. (US) acquired Polymer Standards Service, broadening offerings for gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) polymer analysis.

, Agilent Technologies, Inc. (US) acquired Polymer Standards Service, broadening offerings for gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) polymer analysis. In June 2022 , LGC Limited (UK) to act as global distributor of InBio's (US) purified food allergen reference materials expanding LGC's offering to more than 180 allergen reference materials for a range of applications including method development and method verification. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=8484789 Analytical Standards Market Advantages: Accuracy and Precision: Analytical standards provide a benchmark for accurate and precise measurements, enabling scientists and analysts to validate their instruments and methods, ensuring the reliability of data.

Quality Control: They are crucial for quality control and assurance in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and environmental monitoring, helping maintain product consistency and safety.

Regulatory Compliance: They assist organizations in meeting regulatory requirements by providing certified reference materials, which are often mandated for compliance with industry and government standards.

Method Development: Analytical standards aid in method development and optimization, saving time and resources by providing a known reference point for calibration and validation.

Interlaboratory Comparisons: They facilitate interlaboratory comparisons, making it possible to assess and improve the performance of different laboratories, ensuring harmonized results and enhancing trust in data.

Research and Development: Analytical standards are vital in research and development, as they enable scientists to create and test new methodologies and technologies, fostering innovation in various fields.

Globalization: With an increasingly interconnected world, analytical standards support global trade by offering common reference points for measurements, promoting consistency in international markets.

Safety and Consumer Confidence: In sectors like food safety and pharmaceuticals, analytical standards play a crucial role in assuring product safety and maintaining consumer confidence in the quality of goods.

Environmental Protection: They are indispensable in environmental monitoring and sustainability efforts, helping to assess pollution levels, detect contaminants, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Data Integrity: Analytical standards contribute to maintaining the integrity of scientific data, which is fundamental in decision-making processes, research, and policy development. Related Reports: Mass Spectrometry Market - Global Forecasts To 2028 Gas Chromatography Market - Global Forecasts to 2025 High-performance Liquid Chromatography Market - Global Forecasts to 2025 UV/Visible Spectroscopy Market - Global Forecasts to 2025 Chromatography Instruments Market - Global Forecasts to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact:

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Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) said it has awarded a set of contracts to build an advanced new-generation district cooling plant as well as expand the district cooling pipeline network in Jumeirah.

The Jumeirah area is known as one of the most prestigious global residential and tourist destinations in the emirate, with iconic projects such as Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Marsa Al Arab which represents a new and prominent architectural landmark in Dubai, Madinat Jumeirah Living, Madinat Jumeirah, Al Naseem and Jumeirah Hotel.

According to Empower, the work on the Jumeirah Beach Hills district cooling plant began recently, in accordance with the highest international standards. The plant, it stated, will align with the standards of sustainable green buildings and modern urban developments in Dubai.

The architectural design of the plant will match the general appearance of the area and the architectural identity of its buildings, said the company.

The new plant is expected to be in operation by the third quarter of 2024, with a total cooling capacity of 48,000 refrigeration tons (RT), it added.

"The expansion of the distribution pipeline networks will be carried out in parallel with the construction of the new plant, as part of the companys plan to develop infrastructure using the latest smart technologies," noted its CEO Ahmad bin Shafar.

This is to meet the increasing demand for the companys services from the growing commercial and residential sector in Dubai and in order to provide high-quality services to the customers, he stated.

Bin Shafar said Empower was committed to providing world-class cooling services to Jumeirah, one of the most luxurious residential and tourist areas in the emirate and the world.

"To keep pace with the growth of the area that hosts Burj Al Arab, an iconic landmark of Dubai, Empower is expanding its distribution network and building a new district cooling plant . This will provide the luxurious hotels, resorts, and residential buildings in the area with reliable and efficient cooling services," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
ANKARA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye has put forward a guarantor formula to end the new round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is seeking to turn the crisis into an opportunity for peace, the state-run TRT broadcaster quoted Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as saying on Tuesday.

The parties in the conflict should have guarantors for permanent peace, Fidan told reporters, adding that the idea had been conveyed to the interlocutors.

Fidan said the international community should take an attitude that forces Israel to accept a two-state solution, and Turkiye shared its views on this issue with relevant parties.

The Turkish side has presented the main idea about guarantors and said that its mechanism should be discussed separately, he stated.

Multiple countries including Turkiye should act as guarantors once both parties reach an agreement, with the responsibility to ensure its implementation, he explained.

Fidan on Monday discussed the possibility of the release of hostages during a phone call with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas.

On Oct. 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack by firing thousands of rockets at Israeli targets, prompting offensive airstrikes from the Israeli side. Hamas militants also infiltrated Israeli territory and took a significant number of hostages during the attack.

The ongoing conflict has claimed over 4,000 lives in Palestine and Israel , according to latest official figures from both sides. 
[October 17, 2023] EduTutorVA Partners with Littera Education to Support High-Impact Tutoring in ALL IN VA Program Tweet

EduTutorVA has chosen the Littera Tutoring Management System (TMS) from Littera Education to support its work delivering high-impact tutoring to Virginia students through the ALL IN VA program. The Virginia-based nonprofit will utilize the Littera TMS to manage and monitor its research-based, high-dosage tutoring programs in math and reading in grades 3-8. ALL IN VA is allocating a minimum of 150,000 to each school division to help students recover from learning loss. The program includes a statewide tutoring initiative that will provide high-dosage tutoring to students who received a score of low proficient or not proficient on their 2023 Standards of Learning (SOL) tests.



"We're expanding rapidly in our mission to nurture the teacher pipeline while supporting students across Virginia with quality, high-dosage tutoring," said Meredith Fortner, Executive Director of EduTutorVA. "The TMS aligns with best practices in high-dosage tutoring, so it's a great fit for us. It also makes it easy to monitor program implementation and progress to meet district accountability requirements." The Littera TMS connects students, tutors, data, and curriculum into one centralized system. It dramatically reduces time spent on administrative tasks associated with tutoring by automating scheduling, tutor-student matching, program management, and reporting. It includes a secure, engaging Littera Virtual Classroom with live audio/video and an interactive whiteboard. The Littera TMS also provides real-time data and reporting to monitor feedback, skills progression, and attendance at the session, program, district, and state levels.

"We're excited to partner with EduTutorVA as they scale their targeted support to students," said Justin Serrano, CEO of Littera. "The TMS will help them more easily design and deliver high-dosage tutoring support for school divisions so they can get their programs up and running quickly." About EduTutorVA EduTutorVA pairs college education majors from 14 colleges and universities across Virginia with students in grades 3-8 for virtual high-impact tutoring. Students receive consistent support from a college tutor for a school year and tutors receive a positive introduction to the teaching profession. www.edututorva.org About Littera Littera customizes high-impact tutoring for K-12 divisions by supporting any student, subject, schedule, or staffing model. With our virtual tutors, curriculum partners, and the Littera Tutoring Management System, we're able to meet all program requirements for ALL IN VA. For information, visit market.litteraeducation.com/allinva. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017984575/en/

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[October 17, 2023] First Results of Median Technologies' iBiopsy HCC Detection AI Model Developed on the PHELICAR Clinical Data Registry, to Be Presented at the ESMO Congress (Oct 20-24, 2023, Madrid, Spain) Tweet

Regulatory News: Median Technologies (ALMDT:PA) (Paris:ALMDT) announces today that the first results of its iBiopsy HCC detection AI model developed on the PHELICAR clinical data registry will be presented during the annual congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), taking place from Oct 20 to 24, in Madrid, Spain. The study, conducted using data from the PHELICAR clinical data registry (CDR), was led by Pr. Olivier Ludicarme, Head of Specialty, and Emergency Imaging Department at the Pitie-Salpetriere AP-HP Hospital, Paris, France, and his team as well as teams from the Beaujon and Paul-Brousse AP-HP Hospitals. The primary focus of this study was on the evaluation of Median's iBiopsy AI model for the detection of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ultimately targeting the early diagnosis of HCC. HCC constitutes more than 90% of primary liver cancers, ranking as the third leading cause of death by cancer worldwide1. Notably, the 5-year survival rate of liver cancer patients is only between 3% to 13% if the cancer is diagnosed at advanced stage (C) yet rises significantly to 36% when diagnosed at early stage (A) and even higher when diagnosed at very early stage (0)2. Results presented at the ESMO 2023 Congress under the abstract Computer-Aided HCC Lesion Detection Based on Deep Learning and CT Images (abstract 1209MO) describe the first development step of a model slated for integration into Median's AI/ML tech-based end-to-end CADe/CADx3 Software as Medical Device (SaMD) for HCC early diagnosis, on multiphase CT images (Arterial and Portal phase). This initial work is centered on the detection features of Median's future iBiopsy HCC CADe/CADx SaMD and is based on a cohort of 753 patients from AP-HP, suffering from chronic liver disease and HCC. For the study, data from 561 patients were used for the algorithm's training & tuning, whereas data from 192 patients were used for its testing. Median's iBiopsy AI model, designed to detect HCC lesions as small as 10 mm in diameter, showcased promising results, achieving an impressive sensitivity rate of 92% on the test set. This notable achievement significantly surpasses the average sensitivity of 69%4 observed among radilogists without AI/ML tech-based computer aided detection. The next phase of research will focus on the small-size lesions to improve the diagnosis of very early stage (0) and early-stage (A) HCC.



Study results will be presented during the session Basic Science & Translational Research (ID 81), to be held on Sunday 22 October, session time: 8:30 - 10:05 am CEST, oral presentation time: 9:10 am CEST, Santander Auditorium - Hall 9. As a reminder, PHELICAR is part of a large research collaboration agreement signed in March 2020 between AP-HP and Median Technologies, aiming at carrying out studies to be used for the development and validation of Median's iBiopsy AI/ML tech-based algorithms. More specifically, PHELICAR is a large-scale clinical data registry (CDR) to accurately identify the specific tumor phenotypes to better diagnose and predict patient outcome in HCC and supports the ongoing rise of predictive and personalized medicine.

The Median iBiopsy team will attend the ESMO 2023 Congress and be at booth #522, Hall 5, from October 20 to 23 (exhibition dates) to discuss the study results as well as iBiopsy advancements. About iBiopsy: iBiopsy is based on the most advanced technologies in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science (DS), benefiting from Median's expertise in medical image processing. iBiopsy targets the development of AI/ML tech-based Software as Medical Devices (SaMD), to be used in several indications for which there are unmet needs regarding early diagnosis, prognosis and treatment selection in the context of precision medicine. iBiopsy currently focuses on Lung Cancer, Liver Cancer (HCC) and Liver Disease (NAFLD/NASH). About Median Technologies: Median Technologies provides innovative imaging solutions and services to advance healthcare for everyone. We harness the power of medical images by using the most advanced Artificial Intelligence technologies, to increase the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment of many cancers and other metabolic diseases at their earliest stages and provide insights into novel therapies for patients. Our iCRO solutions for medical image analysis and management in oncology trials and iBiopsy, our AI/ML tech-based suite of software as medical devices (SaMD) help biopharmaceutical companies and clinicians to bring new treatments and diagnose patients earlier and more accurately. This is how we are helping to create a healthier world. Founded in 2002, based in Sophia-Antipolis, France, with a subsidiary in the US and another one in Shanghai, Median has received the label "Innovative company" by the BPI and is listed on Euronext Growth market (Paris). FR0011049824- ticker: ALMDT. Median is eligible for the French SME equity savings plan scheme (PEA-PME). For more information: www.mediantechnologies.com ------------------- 1 Global Cancer Observatory: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/cancers/11-Liver-fact-sheet.pdf

2 ASCO Cancer.net: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/liver-cancer/statistics

3 A radiological CADe device is "intended to identify, mark, highlight or otherwise direct attention to portions of an image that may reveal abnormalities during interpretation of images by the clinician." A CADx device is "intended to provide information beyond identifying abnormalities, such as an assessment of disease." Source: FDA

4 Roberts, Lewis R. et al. Roberts, Lewis R. et al. Imaging for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hepatology 67(1):p 401-421, January 2018 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017841752/en/

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[October 17, 2023] Andes Technology Unveils Andes D23 and N225 Cores Pioneering the Next Generation of Compact, Performant, and Secure RISC-V Processor Technology Tweet

Hsinchu, Taiwan, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Andes Technology, the renowned supplier of high-efficiency, low-power 32/64-bit RISC-V processor cores and a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, proudly announces the release of its latest innovation  the AndesCore D23 and N225 RISC-V processors. Specifically designed to cater to the dynamic needs of the Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems, these cores epitomize Andes unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology for the interconnected world. The D23 and N225 cores have been meticulously engineered with compactness, performance-efficiency, low-power consumption, flexibility, and security as top priorities. These cores empower IoT and embedded chip and device manufacturers to meet the burgeoning demands of a rapidly evolving market while minimizing power usage and ensuring robust security. Andes announced the popular N22, a 2-stage pipeline AndesCore implementing RV32I/EMAC ISA back in February 2019, targeting deeply embedded processing and having a performance of 3.95 Coremark/MHz and 1.8 DMIPS/MHz. The D23 and N225 are revamped designs with a new microarchitecture and the latest RISC-V extensions (details below) to offer better performance, smaller code size, and more security support. They provide a good migration path for customers looking to upgrade their N22 designs or kick-off a new design today. Common Key Features of AndesCore D23 and N225:

Latest RISC-V Extensions Support: The N225 implements the RV32 IMACBZce non-privileged extensions as well as Machine/User modes and Enhanced Physical Memory Protection (ePMP). The D23 additionally supports the FDKP extensions (Single/Double-Precision Floating-Point, Scalar Crypto and Packed SIMD/DSP draft), and CMO (Cache Management Operations) extension. The D23 is also incorporated with Supervisor mode and its associated PMP (sPMP) for higher security. Compact Size: Both cores feature a highly compact design with a 3-stage pipeline, primarily supporting single instruction issue with some dual-issue capability. This makes them exceptionally well-suited for space- and memory-constrained IoT and embedded applications, including wearables, sensors, and smart home devices. High Performance: Both cores achieve industry-leading performance in their class, boasting outstanding benchmark scores such as 4.55 (D23) and 4.4 (N225) Coremark/MHz, and 2.08 (D23) and 1.92 (N225) DMIPS/MHz, respectively. They are capable of operating at high frequencies across various technology nodes such as near 800 MHz at 28nm, providing the necessary computing power for edge IoT devices with ever-increasing performance and feature demands. Power Management: Both cores support advanced power management technologies such as PowerBrake and Wait-For-Interrupt (WFI) and Wait-For-Event (WFE), ensuring prolonged battery life for many types of untethered IoT devices. Small Code Size: The N22 already offers industry-leading code size with Andes CoDense technology. With the additionof the new RISC-V Zce code size reduction extension, the D23 and N225 further reduce 4.4% code size for the Embench-IoT benchmark, compared to the N22. This provides additional memory cost-saving for Andes customers.



Flexibility: Both cores offer extensive configurability, including optimized multipliers for performance or area, optional static or dynamic branch prediction, various combinations of privilege modes, instruction and data Local Memories with sizes from 1 KB to 512 MB, and 2-wire or 4-wire JTAG debug interface. Designers can tailor these features to address their specific application requirements. Ease of SoC Integration: To simplify integration into System-on-Chip (SoC) designs, both cores support either Core-Local Interrupt Controller (CLIC) for the single-CPU SoC or Platform-level Interrupt Controller (PLIC) for multiple-CPU SoC, rich options for AMBA interfaces, private machine timers or platform machine timers, and instruction trace interfaces.

In addition to the above-mentioned shared features and latest RISC-V extensions, the D23 core boasts additional capabilities, including built-in instruction and data caches, and ECC soft error protection for all cache and local memories. It can also seamlessly integrate with the powerful ACE (Andes Custom Extension) to support custom instructions for Domain-Specific Acceleration (DSA) and has a roadmap to include a functional safety derivative. These expanded capabilities open up opportunities for the D23 to serve a wider range of segments in automotive and industrial control applications. Dr. Charlie Su, President and CTO of Andes Technology, expressed his enthusiasm for the release of these cores, stating, The D23 and N225 mark a significant milestone in our commitment to providing innovative solutions for the IoT and embedded segments. With their compact design, power efficiency, and robust security features, these cores are poised to set new industry standards. We believe they will empower designers and developers to create cutting-edge products that can thrive in the fast-paced world of IoT. The D23/N225 have been licensed out and several companies are actively evaluating them. Their overall features will be developed and delivered in two phases. For more information about these cores, please visit the Andes Technology website. About Andes Technology

Eighteen years in business and a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, Andes is a publicly-listed company (TWSE: 6533; SIN: US03420C2089; ISIN: US03420C1099) and a leading supplier of high-performance/low-power 32/64-bit embedded processor IP solutions, and the driving force in taking RISC-V mainstream. Its V5 RISC-V CPU families range from tiny 32-bit cores to advanced 64-bit Out-of-Order processors with DSP, FPU, Vector, Linux, superscalar, and/or multi/many-core capabilities. By the end of 2022, the cumulative volume of Andes-Embedded SoCs has surpassed 12 billion. For more information, please visit https://www.andestech.com. Follow Andes on LinkedIn, Twitter, Bilibili and YouTube!



Hsiao-Ling Lin Marcom Manager, Andes Technology Corp. [email protected]

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[October 17, 2023] Versapay Named First NetSuite Partner to Support NetSuite Pay Tweet

Versapay, a leader in payments and collaborative Accounts Receivable, today announced it is the first NetSuite partner to support NetSuite Pay, an embedded finance service which enables businesses to accept card payments and reduce manual receivable processes. Offered within NetSuite, NetSuite Pay powered by Versapay extends NetSuite's enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and SuiteCommerce solutions to help businesses further simplify payment processing. "As many businesses know, cash flow can sometimes mean the difference between a business in distress and one that is thriving," said Carey O'Connor Kolaja, CEO, Versapay. "That's one of the many reasons we're proud to announce we are partnering with NetSuite to support NetSuite Pay and help businesses get paid faster and accelerate cash flow. This latest solution is one of the many innovations we've partnered with NetSuite on to improve ERP payments and accounts receivable automation." NetSuite Pay powered b Versapay offers pre-negotiated rates and fees for NetSuite customers and helps customers accelerate and simplify the application and onboarding process for new merchant accounts. With a self-guided process directly within NetSuite, customers can automate what was once a multi-step process and take advantage of support, enhanced reconciliation and guidance provided by NetSuite Pay.



"Selecting a payment processor is complicated, costly and time consuming for our customers," said Guido Haarmans, group vice president, SuiteCloud Developer Network and Partner Programs. "NetSuite Pay powered by Versapay provides turnkey, simple activation so that customers can easily take advantage of our click to pay invoice functionality and commerce functions and helps NetSuite customers optimize the order-to-cash cycle, improve cash flow, reduce risk, and increase overall efficiency." For more information about NetSuite Pay visit here.

About Versapay

Versapay is a collaborative accounts receivable (AR) company. The Versapay Collaborative AR Network empowers the genius of teams by bridging the gap between suppliers and buyers through a shared, digital experience. Owned by Great Hill Partners, Versapay's employee base spans U.S. and Canada with offices in Toronto, Atlanta and Miami. With 9,000+ clients and 1 million+ buyers engaged, Versapay handles 40+ million new invoices and drives $60+ billion in global payment volume annually. Join the conversation at twitter.com/Versapay and linkedin.com/company/versapay. To learn more about Versapay and its collaborative AR solutions please visit: versapay.com. Trademarks

Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company-ushering in the new era of cloud computing. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017142436/en/

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[October 17, 2023] Citizens Against Government Waste Names FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel October 2023 Porker of the Month Tweet

Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel its October 2023 Porker of the Month for trying to resurrect terrifying net neutrality rules. The FCC's attempt to reimpose government control over the internet is unnecessary and wasteful. Since the 2015 Open Internet Order, also known as net neutrality, was buried by the Restoring Internet Freedom Order in December 2017, dramatic improvements and significant innovation, driven by private sector investment, have increased the number of Americans who have access to broadband. This time it could be scarier than the first time net netrality was imposed, with the specter of rate regulation and other frightening rules. The zombie apocalypse of net neutrality will eat into future innovation and hurt Americans seeking to get connected online. It will also provide a horrifying opportunity for other countries to take over America's position as the global leader in telecommunications.



CAGW President Tom Schatz said, "The net neutrality debate is pointless and should be done and buried. Chairwoman Rosenworcel should not be hell bent on reconstituting failed heavy-handed government control on an industry that is working well and constantly evolving. Americans should be terrified that she wants to snare their internet access in her web of complex regulations. For trying to resurrect the FCC's harmful net neutrality rules, Chairwoman Rosenworcel was a hair-raising choice for this month's Porker." Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government. For more than two decades, Porker of the Month is a dubious honor given to lawmakers and government officials who have shown a blatant disregard for the taxpayers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017134662/en/

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[October 17, 2023] Wisconsin's Carroll University Selects YuJa Enterprise Video Platform and Hardware Devices to Provide Media Creation and Distribution Campuswide Tweet

Carroll University, a private institution in Waukesha, Wisconsin, has selected the YuJa Enterprise Video Platform as an all-in-one video content management system campuswide. In addition to the Video Platform, the institution will use YuJa Hardware Hubs, hardware appliances that enable simultaneous lecture capture and live streaming of multi-source content. The institution was seeking a replacement video solution that could be used to record, upload, share, store, manage, and organize video content to meet the university's needs. In addition, administrators wanted a platform that offered live streaming, video editing capabilities, and the ability to switch between sources while recording lectures in classrooms. In addition to these features, the institution will benefit from comprehensive analytics, gradebook integration, adaptive bitrate streaming, device compatibility, and seamless Canvas Learning Management System integration, which will help enable success for instructors and students. "With YuJa, Carroll University can consoliate ed-tech tools, streamlining processes to support instructors and students alike," said Nathan Arora, Chief Business Officer at YuJa, Inc. "We're committed to providing robust tools and support to institutions of all sizes, and we're excited for Carroll University to get started using the Video Platform and Hardware Hubs."



ABOUT CARROLL UNIVERSITY Carroll University is Wisconsin's first, four-year institution of higher learning. Centrally located near Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago, the private university is grounded in the liberal arts tradition and is a leader in the health sciences. Carroll University offers more than 95 areas of study including a variety of graduate programs and a clinical doctorate in physical therapy. From 1846 forward, the institution has prepared its students to live a life of purpose and meaning through learning opportunities and experiences in a diverse and global society.

ABOUT YUJA, INC. YuJa is a leader in ed-tech solutions. Our platforms provide organizations of all sizes with the tools to educate, engage, inspire and collaborate. We serve learning enterprises within all sectors, including higher-ed, K-12, government, healthcare, non-profit and corporate. We have legal headquarters in Delaware with primary U.S. offices in Silicon Valley, California, and Canadian offices in Toronto. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017280434/en/

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[October 17, 2023] Majesco Gears Up for an Action-Packed Week at InsureTech Connect Tweet

Majesco, a global leader of cloud insurance solutions for insurance business transformation, today announced it is gearing up for the much-anticipated 2023 InsureTech Connect event with an exciting panel session and booth exhibit. This annual event is set to take place at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, running from October 31st through November 2nd. It stands as the foremost InsurTech gathering, offering unparalleled access to a global array of insurers, MGAs, reinsurers, tech entrepreneurs, investors, and established players within the insurance industry. "We're excited to be part of InsureTech Connect once again this year and proud to support an event that empowers digital transformation, growth and innovation for the industry," says Adam Elster, CEO of Majesco. "Over the last year, we've invested in game-changing, innovative product capabilities that are poised to drive the insurance industry forward. We look forward to strengthening our relationships with customers and partners and establish new relationships with fellow insurance innovators across all segments of the industry." As a silver level sponsor, visitors can look for Majesco at Booth #2431 where they can meet with Majesco's team of leaders and experts to explore the new and innovative solutions the Majesco team has been working on. Majesco will also be hosting a key panel session on November 2nd, at 10:30 a.m., Hyper-Personalization Revolution: Reimagining Insurance Around the Customer, with industry leaders to discuss the new and growing demands of cstomers, need for new products, speed to market expectations and how a different operating model and technology foundation is required to keep pace and compete. Moderated by Denise Garth, Chief Strategy Officer at Majesco, she is joined by industry leaders and innovators, Jennifer King, VP of Customer Experience, Service & Quality and EPMO at Boston Mutual Life and Brian Seanor, Vice President of Digital Product Management at Munich Re. Participants will get first hand insight into how leaders can create a new path forward for transformation and innovation to meet the ever-evolving market, risk and customer demands and stay ahead of the pack.



"Next-gen intelligent core, digital and analytics is the foundation of building a hyper-personalized revolution that will transform the industry," says Denise Garth, Chief Strategy Officer at Majesco. "I'm thrilled to be joined by two respected and well-known industry leaders and customers who will share their story on how they approached transformation and greenfield initiatives to reimagine insurance from the customer perspective." If you're looking to build your next now with industry-leading solutions that leverages the latest technology and digital mindset, stop by the Majesco booth, and join the panel session at the world's largest InsurTech event.

About Majesco Majesco is the partner P&C and L&AH insurers choose to create and deliver outstanding experiences for customers. We combine our technology and insurance experience to anticipate what's next, without losing sight of what's important now. Over 350 insurers, from greenfields, and startups to some of the world's largest insurers, rely on Majesco's SaaS platforms solutions of core, data, analytics, digital, and rich ecosystem of partners to create their next now. As an industry leader, we don't believe in managing risk by avoiding change. We embrace change, even cause it, to get and stay ahead of risk. With 825+ successful implementations we are uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between a traditional insurance industry approach and a pure digital mindset. We give customers the confidence to decide, the products to perform, and the follow-through to execute. For more information, please visit www.majesco.com and follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017350371/en/

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[October 17, 2023] BBTV HOLDINGS ANNOUNCES GOING PRIVATE TRANSACTION Tweet

/THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES./ VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - BBTV Holdings Inc. (TSX: BBTV) (OTCQX: BBTVF) ("BBTV" or the "Company"), announced today that, based on a recommendation of an independent committee of the Company's board of directors (the "Special Committee"), it has entered into an arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") with 15384150 Canada Inc. (the "Purchaser"), whereby the Company will effect a going private transaction (the "Transaction") by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "CBCA"). Pursuant to the Arrangement, the Purchaser, which is a corporation owned by Shahrzad Rafati ("SR"), the founder, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, and Hamed Shahbazi ("HS"), a director of the Company (together, the "SPV Participants"), will acquire all of the issued and outstanding subordinate voting shares of the Company (the "Subordinate Voting Shares") at a price of $0.375 per Subordinate Voting Share (the "SVS Consideration"), with the exception of Subordinate Voting Shares held by the SPV Participants and certain long-term shareholders who have or will agree with the Purchaser to retain their Subordinate Voting Shares in the Company (the "Rolling Shareholders"). In addition, and pursuant to the Arrangement, all stock options, restricted share units and performance share units of the Company outstanding (collectively, the "Incentive Securities"), will be cancelled and the holders of in-the-money Incentive Securities will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the SVS Consideration for each Incentive Security held, less an amount equal to any exercise price of the Incentive Security. All unvested or out-of-the-money Incentive Securities will be cancelled for no consideration. Pursuant to the Arrangement, the Purchaser will also acquire all of the issued and outstanding publicly traded unsecured convertible debentures of the Company due June 15, 2026 (the "Debentures") that are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") at a price of $100 per $1,000 principal amount of debentures. Following the acquisitions, the Company and the Purchaser will amalgamate to form an amalgamated company with the same name as BBTV. Debt Facilities Commitment Letter and MEP Loan Amendment In connection with the Transaction, one of Canada's leading alternative capital providers (the "Lender") provided a commitment letter to the Purchaser (the "Commitment Letter") for certain debt facilities to be made available to the Purchaser through one or more investment funds or accounts managed or advised by the Lender, in the aggregate principal amount of $40 million, including a term loan (the "New Loan"). The SPV Participants will be providing a $5,000,000 personal guarantee of the debt facilities. Pursuant to the Commitment Letter, a portion of the proceeds of the New Loan will be used by the Purchaser, together with existing funds of the Purchaser, to: (i) purchase all of the Subordinate Voting Shares (other than held by SPV Participants, Rolling Shareholders and, if applicable, Shareholders who validly exercise their dissent rights (the "Dissenting Shareholders"); (ii) purchase all issued and outstanding Debentures; (iii) repay a discounted amount owed by the Company to UFA Film und Fernseh GmbH ("UFA") under a promissory note dated October 28, 2020 in full satisfaction and discharge of the note; and (iv) repay US $6,000,000 (of which U.S. $600,000 has already been paid) due and payable by the Company to MEP Capital Holdings III, LP ("MEP") under the Company's US $16.1 million senior secured term loan dated February 14, 2023 (the "MEP Loan"). MEP The Company has entered into an agreement with MEP amending the MEP Loan. Pursuant to the amendment, the Company will pay MEP US $6,000,000 on closing of the New Loan, of which US $600,000 has already been paid. From and after such closing, the principal amount remaining under the MEP Loan will continue to accrue at 16.8% per annum. The MEP Loan will mature on July 1, 2024 and may be pre-paid at any time. A payment of U.S. $500,000 will be due on April 1, 2024. A 4% exit fee shall be applied on the remaining principal balance of the MEP Loan outstanding on payout of such loan. MEP's warrants will be amended to allow MEP to purchase up to 3%, instead of the 2% currently in place, of the amalgamated company's fully diluted Subordinate Voting Shares as of a certain specified date. The SPV Participants will be providing partial personal guarantees for the MEP Loan as well as for the debt facilities under the Commitment Letter. Recommendation from the Special Committee and the Board of Directors John Kim, Chair of the Special Committee, stated, "After a comprehensive process and careful deliberation supported by external professional advisors to the Special Committee, the Special Committee considers that the Transaction represents the best available path forward for the Company, its shareholders, debentureholders, employees, creators and other stakeholders. The benefits to BBTV of being a public company have diminished substantially and are currently unavailable, as both the Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures listed on the TSX are very thinly traded with low volume. Therefore, this Transaction will provide immediate liquidity to holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures. Furthermore, the Transaction will eliminate the financial and administrative burden to the Company of continuing as a reporting issuer, providing the Company with flexibility to operate as a private business." The Special Committee is led by John Kim and composed of two other independent directors of the Company, excluding the SPV Participants. After receiving the fairness opinion from its independent valuator, Evans & Evans, Inc. ("Evans & Evans"), with respect to the Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures and a formal valuation of the Subordinate Voting Shares from Evans & Evans and after receiving independent legal and financial advice, the Special Committee has unanimously recommended that the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") approve the Arrangement Agreement and unanimously recommended that holders of Shares (the "Shareholders"), holders of Debentures ("Debentureholders") and holders of Incentive Securities ("Incentive Securityholders", and collectively with Shareholders and Debentureholders, the "Securityholders") entitled to vote at the special meeting of Securityholders called to approve the Arrangement (the "Arrangement Meeting") vote in favour of the special resolution to approve the Arrangement (the "Arrangement Resolution"). After receiving the fairness opinion and formal valuation from Evans & Evans, legal and financial advice, and the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board unanimously (with the SPV Participants having recused themselves) determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company and is fair to the Company's Shareholders and Debentureholders and recommended that Securityholders vote in favour of the Arrangement Resolution. In connection with the Arrangement, the directors and senior officers, who hold a total of 8,580,906 Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares, representing a combined total of 39.6% of all Multiple Voting Shares and Subordinate Voting Shares outstanding and 83.5% of the total shareholder votes, have entered into voting agreements pursuant to which they have agreed, subject to the terms thereof, to vote in favour of the Arrangement Resolution and the Continuance Resolution (as definedbelow).



Continuance As an initial step in the Transaction, and as a condition to completing the Arrangement, the Company is seeking Shareholder approval to continue out of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "BCBCA") and into the CBCA. In connection with the foregoing, the Company will hold a special meeting of Shareholders (the "Continuance Meeting") to approve a special resolution to continue from the BCBCA to the CBCA (the "Continuance Resolution").

Fairness Opinion and Formal Valuation The Special Committee retained Evans & Evans as independent valuator of the Subordinate Voting Shares and to provide a fairness opinion with respect to the Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures in connection with the Arrangement. Evans & Evans provided an opinion that, based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications contained in Evans & Evans' written fairness opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures, other than the SPV Participants and the Rolling Shareholders, in connection with the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures. Evans & Evans also provided the Special Committee with a formal valuation of the Subordinate Voting Shares that was completed under the supervision of the Special Committee. The formal valuation determined that, based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications contained in Evans & Evans' written valuation report, the fair market value of the Subordinate Voting Shares ranged from $0.179 to $0.258 or a midpoint of $0.219 per Subordinate Voting Share. The fairness opinion and formal valuation will be included in the management information circular to be filed and mailed to Securityholders in connection with the Continuance Meeting and the Arrangement Meeting (the "Circular"). Transaction Details Holders of Subordinate Voting Shares (other than Subordinate Voting Shares held by Rolling Shareholders and SPV Participants and, if applicable, Dissenting Shareholders) will receive $0.375 per Subordinate Voting Share in cash, representing a 71% premium to the midpoint of Evans & Evans' written valuation report, a 60% premium to the closing price per Subordinate Voting Share on the TSX on October 17, 2023 , and a 36% premium to the 20-day volume-weighted average trading price for the Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX for the period ended October 17, 2023 , the last trading day prior to the date of this announcement.





Debentureholders will receive cash consideration of $100 for each $1,000 principal amount of Debentures held, representing a 67% premium to the closing price of the Debentures on the TSX on October 12, 2023 , the last day the Debentures were traded prior to the date of this announcement, and a 110% premium to the 20-day volume-weighted average closing price for the Debentures on the TSX for the period ended October 17, 2023 , the last trading day prior to the date of this announcement. Accrued and unpaid interest owing on the Debentures will be forgiven, settled and extinguished for no consideration.





The Board, with the SPV Participants having recused themselves, acting on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, unanimously approved the Arrangement and unanimously recommended that Securityholders entitled to vote at the Arrangement Meeting vote in favour of the Arrangement Resolution. SR controls, directly or indirectly, 602,570 Subordinate Voting Shares and 6,408,505 multiple voting shares of the Company (the "Multiple Voting Shares"), representing 3.95% of the issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares, 100% of the issued and outstanding Multiple Voting Shares, 32.4% of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company (the Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares, together, the "Shares") and over 80% of the voting rights attached to all the issued and outstanding Shares. HS controls, directly or indirectly, 1,287,053 of the issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares, representing 8.45% of the issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares and 1.62% of the voting rights attached to all of the issued and outstanding Shares. The Rolling Shareholders are expected to own 2,414,395 Subordinate Voting Shares representing 15.8% of the total issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares. Each Multiple Voting Share entitles the holder to ten votes per share and each Subordinate Voting Share entitles the holder to one vote per share. Prior to the Securityholders voting on the Arrangement Resolution at the Arrangement Meeting, shareholders will vote on the Continuance Resolution at the Continuance Meeting. The subsequent Arrangement Meeting and the Arrangement Resolution will be conditional on the Shareholders approving the Continuance Resolution at the Continuance Meeting, which is expected to take place on or about November 27, 2023. The Continuance Resolution must be approved by at least two thirds of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Continuance Meeting. The Transaction will be implemented by way of the Arrangement and is subject to Court approval. The Arrangement Resolution must be approved by: (i) at least two-thirds (66?%) of the votes cast by Shareholders and Incentive Securityholders voting together as a class present in person or represented by proxy at the Arrangement Meeting and entitled to vote, and (ii) a majority (50% + 1) of the votes cast by the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Arrangement Meeting and entitled to vote, other than the Subordinate Voting Shares held by SPV Participants and the Rolling Shareholders in accordance with Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions. The Arrangement Resolution must also be approved by Debentureholders holding: (i) at least two-thirds (66?%) of the total value or principal amount of the Debentures present in person or represented by proxy at the Arrangement Meeting; and (ii) a majority (50% +1) of the total value or principal amount of the Debentures cast by Debentureholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Arrangement Meeting, other than the value or principal amount of Debentures held by SR, in accordance with section 3.12 of the Policy on arrangements - CBCA, section 192. Further details regarding the applicable voting requirements will be contained in the Circular to be filed and mailed to Shareholders and debentureholders in connection with the Transaction. The Arrangement Agreement provides for customary non-solicitation covenants on the part of the Company and it provides the Purchaser with a right to match any superior proposal. In addition, pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, a termination fee equal to $350,000 is payable by the Company to the Purchaser in certain circumstances and a reverse termination fee of $500,000 is payable by the Purchaser to the Company in certain circumstances. The Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, and is cross-conditional with the advance of the New Loan and the refinancing of the MEP Loan and is expected to close on or about November 30, 2023. The Company intends to mail the Circular to its Securityholders in the coming weeks and to hold the Continuance Meeting and Arrangement Meeting on or about November 27, 2023. Additional details regarding the terms and conditions of the Transaction as well as the rationale for the recommendations made by the Special Committee and the Board will be set out in the Circular which, together with the Arrangement Agreement, will be available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Advisors Clark Wilson LLP is acting as counsel to the Company. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is acting as Canadian independent legal counsel to the Special Committee. PI Financial Corp. has been retained as financial advisor to the Special Committee. Evans & Evans has been retained to provide a fairness opinion of the Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures and retained as an independent valuator by the Special Committee to prepare a formal valuation of the Subordinate Voting Shares, in accordance with applicable securities laws. Owens Wright LLP is acting as counsel to the Purchaser. Further to the requirements of National Instrument 62-103  Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issuers, SR and an entity controlled by HS intend to file an early warning report with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities disclosing they intend to acquire, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares (other than those owned by the SPV Participants and Rolling Shareholders) pursuant to the Arrangement. To obtain copies of the early warning report, please contact James Szumski at Owens Wright LLP at [email protected]. Upon closing of the Arrangement, the Purchaser and the Company intend to cause the Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures to cease to be listed on the TSX, and intend to apply to the securities regulatory authorities to approve a request that the Company cease being a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws and to otherwise terminate the Company's public reporting requirements. Currency All currency in this news release is in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, regarding the Company's business and operations. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, information regarding: (a) the terms and conditions of the Arrangement; (b) the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Arrangement, including obtaining the requisite Securityholder, Court and other regulatory approvals for the Continuance and the Arrangement; (c) the timing and completion of the Continuance and the Arrangement; (d) expectations regarding the consideration to be paid to holders of Subordinate Voting Shares, Incentive Securities and Debentures; (e) the Company's intention to cease to be listed on the TSX and to cease to be a reporting issuer; (f) the terms and conditions of the New Loan, including the anticipated use of proceeds of the New Loan; and (g) the terms and conditions of an amendment to the MEP Loan. Such forward-looking statements include particulars regarding the amendments to the MEP Loan some of which are conditions to the closing of the New Loan; that SPV Participants will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares at a price of $0.375 per Subordinate Voting Share, with the exception of Subordinate Voting Shares held by the SPV Participants and the Rolling Shareholders; all stock options, restricted share units and performance share units of the Company outstanding, will be cancelled and the holders of in-the-money Incentive Securities will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the SVS Consideration for each Incentive Security held, less an amount equal to any exercise price of the Incentive Security; all unvested or out-of-the-money Incentive Securities will be cancelled for no consideration; pursuant to the Arrangement, the Purchaser will also acquire all of the issued and outstanding Debentures at a price of $100 per $1,000 principal amount of debentures; the Rolling Shareholders are expected to own 2,414,395 Subordinate Voting Shares representing 15.8% of the total issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares; following the acquisitions, the Company and the Purchaser will amalgamate to form an amalgamated company with the same name as BBTV; the SPV Participants will be providing a $5,000,000 personal guarantee of the Purchaser's debt facilities; the SPV Participants will also be providing partial personal guarantees for the MEP Loan; the Company will hold a special meeting of Shareholders to approve a special resolution to continue from the BCBCA to the CBCA; the subsequent Arrangement Meeting and the Arrangement Resolution will be conditional on the Shareholders approving the Continuance Resolution; the Transaction will be implemented by way of the Arrangement and is subject to Court approval; the Company intends to mail the Circular to its Securityholders and to file it on SEDAR+ in the coming weeks and to hold the Continuance Meeting and Arrangement Meeting on or about November 27, 2023; the SPV Participants intend to file an early warning report with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities disclosing they intend to acquire, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares (other than those owned by the SPV Participants and Rolling Shareholders) pursuant to the Arrangement; and upon closing of the Arrangement, the Purchaser and the Company intend to cause the Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures to cease to be listed on the TSX, and intend to apply to the securities regulatory authorities to approve a request that the Company cease being a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws and to otherwise terminate the Company's public reporting requirements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that the Company considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such information is given, including but not limited to the assumptions that the transactions will proceed according to the Company's anticipated timelines; all conditions to the closing of the transactions will be met; the transactions will be completed on the terms currently contemplated; definitive documentation for the New Loan will be entered into immediately prior to closing of the Arrangement; the Arrangement Agreement will not be terminated prior to closing; anticipated trading prices and volumes of the Subordinate Voting Shares and Debentures until closing; and that required votes for Securityholder approval of the Continuance and the Arrangement will be obtained. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risk that the Company's assumptions on which its forward-looking statements are based may not be accurate; the inability to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary Securityholder, Court and other regulatory approvals for the Continuance and the Arrangement; the inability to satisfy, in a timely manner, all other conditions to the completion of the transactions; the ability of the Board to consider and approve, subject to compliance by the Company of its obligations in this respect under the Arrangement Agreement, a superior proposal for the Company; the failure to realize the expected benefits of the Transaction; and the risk factors disclosed in the Company's periodic reports publicly filed and available on its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The anticipated dates indicated above may change for a number of reasons, including delays in preparing materials in connection with the Transaction, the inability to receive the necessary Securityholder, Court and other regulatory approvals for the Continuance and the Arrangement in a timely manner, or the need for additional time to satisfy the conditions to the completion of the Transaction. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this announcement and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. For further information: Media Relations

[email protected] Investor Relations

[email protected] Ron Shuttleworth, Partner

Oak Hill Financial Inc

[email protected]

(647)-500-7371 BBTV-F SOURCE BBTV Holdings Inc.

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[October 17, 2023] The governments of Canada and British Columbia invest in the Penticton Community Recreation Centre upgrades Tweet

PENTICTON, BC, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and His Worship Julius Bloomfield, Mayor of the City of Penticton, announced a joint investment of more than $1.9 million to support upgrades to the local recreation centre. The funding announced for the existing Penticton Community Recreation Centre will upgrade HVAC equipment and heat recovery, and will improve the swimming pool's heat retention. The project will reduce natural gas and water use, lower the facility's greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60%, and improve occupant comfort. Project upgrades will also improve heat pumps, install low-flow water fixtures, replace water heaters with high-efficiency condensing units, repurpose recovered heat, and other related works to create healthy, green and self-sustaining communities. By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians. Quotes "Recreation centres are at the heart of inclusive, sustainable and welcoming communities where people want to live, work and raise a family. Upgrades to the Penticton Community Recreation Centre will offer a safe gathering space for local residents, reduce green house gas emissions and contribute to a more energy efficient and sustainable community for decades to come." The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities "Through cost-shared infrastructure programs like the Green Infrastructure Stream we can help local governments transition away from aging, energy intensive infrastructure and move toward cleaner, healthier buildings that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower costs for municipalities. We all want to cooperate and live healthy lives in a healthy environment. Together we can put climate resilience at the heart of community well-being." Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy "This is an example of how all levels of government can work together to ensure we're all doing our part to create a greener and brighter future. Under our Climate Action Plan, the City of Penticton's is committed to reducing our emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 and this is an important step forward to achieving that goal."



His Worship Mayor of the City of Penticton Julius Bloomfield Quick facts

The Government of Canada is investing $383,558 in this project, and the Government of British Columbia is investing $1,022,756 . The City of Penticton is contributing $511,474 .

is investing in this project, and the Government of is investing . The is contributing . The Government of Canada's funding comes from the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

funding comes from the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Infrastructure Program. This stream helps build greener communities by contributing to climate change preparedness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting renewable technologies.

Including today's announcement, 127 infrastructure projects or project bundles under the Green Infrastructure Stream have been funded in British Columbia , with a total federal contribution of more than $649 million and a total provincial contribution of nearly $339 million .

, with a total federal contribution of more than and a total provincial contribution of nearly . Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Plan, the federal government is investing more than over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. Infrastructure Canada helps address complex challenges that Canadians face every dayranging from the rapid growth of our cities, to climate change, and environmental threats to our water and land Associated Links Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html Green Infrastructure Stream

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gi-iv-eng.html Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-bc-eng.html Strengthened Climate Plan

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

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[October 17, 2023] POSCO Holdings Takes First Step in Developing 40,000 Tons of Green Hydrogen Production in Western Australia Tweet

On October 12 , POSCO Holdings signed a joint study agreement with Engie in Perth, Australia , launching a pre-feasibility study for the second stage of green hydrogen production in Western Australia .

This agreement follows the first stage , which involves an annual production of 2,000 tons of green hydrogen.

With the goal of commencing commercial production in 2028, POSCO Holdings will supply green hydrogen as the necessary reducing agent for HBI production. POHANG, South Korea, Oct. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- POSCO Holdings has taken its initial stride towards developing green hydrogen* production for eco-friendly steel raw material, Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI)**, in Western Australia. * Green hydrogen refers to clean hydrogen produced by splitting water using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energies, with zero carbon emissions. ** Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) is a product that resembles coal nuggets and is produced by removing oxygen from iron ore. It seres as a vital steel raw material for high-quality steel production when electrically melted.



POSCO Holdings, in partnership with Engie, a French multinational utility company specializing in renewable energy, signed a joint study agreement in Perth, Australia, on October 12. The signing ceremony was attended by Rik De Buyserie, the Australian representative of Engie, Bill Johnston, Western Australia's Minister for Mines, and Ju-ik Cho, the head of POSCO Holdings' Hydrogen Business Team. The agreement entails the initiation of a pre-feasibility study for the development of the second stage of green hydrogen production in Western Australia. During the signing ceremony, Minister Bill Johnston expressed his optimism, stating, "Western Australia is continuously committed to the utilization of renewable energy and green steel production. We believe this pre-feasibility study is a significant step towards the future of clean energy."

POSCO Holdings and Engie are working together to secure a site for renewable energy development for the second phase of green hydrogen production, including the establishment of a concept for electrolysis*** facilities. They are also working together to seek financial support from the Australian government. *** Electrolysis of water is using electricity to split water into oxygen and hydrogen gas by electrolysis. The second-stage green hydrogen production project aims to produce and supply between 20,000 and 40,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, covering 10 percent of the reducing agent required for POSCO's HBI production. POSCO Holdings plans to conclude the pre-feasibility study by the end of this year and proceed with preliminary FEED (front end engineering and design) work, with the goal of commencing commercial production in 2028. POSCO Group's strategy involves producing green hydrogen and HBI in Australia, primarily based on large-scale renewable energy sources like solar and wind energies. The group secured a project site within the Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area from the Western Australian government at the end of last year. They are presently conducting the FEED for the first stage of green hydrogen production, which aims to produce approximately 2,000 tons annually, with the objective of realizing commercial production in 2027. Mr. Cho from POSCO Holdings affirmed, "Australia holds a pivotal role in POSCO Group's ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and advance in the areas of green hydrogen and green steel." He further explained, "By developing the green hydrogen business in conjunction with green steel, we are committed to fostering synergy across the entire group and establishing a solid business structure, creating a successful model for green hydrogen production." POSCO Group intends to incrementally enhance the hydrogen reduction rate required for HBI production in Australia, commencing green hydrogen production in 2027, and building a system for hydrogen production amounting to 2 million tons in Australia by 2050. The majority of the green hydrogen produced in Australia is expected to be employed locally as a reducing agent for HBI, with a portion transported to Korea to supply steel mills as a hydrogen reduction agent. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/posco-holdings-takes-first-step-in-developing-40-000-tons-of-green-hydrogen-production-in-western-australia-301959009.html SOURCE POSCO Holdings

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WELLINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Fathers and mothers who believe men should hold the power and authority in society and the family were less responsive to their children during family interactions, according to University of Auckland research.

"For decades, sexism has been known to predict negative behaviors toward women, from discrimination to violence," said the research's lead author Nickola Overall from the University of Auckland.

The study, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science on Tuesday, was the first of its type, suggesting that the effects flow through to poorer parenting.

Video-recording family groups in the laboratory, researchers assessed parents' responsiveness, including warmth, involvement, engagement and sensitivity toward their children.

The less responsive parents, both mothers and fathers, had disclosed higher levels of "hostile sexism," an academic term for attitudes favoring male authority and antagonism toward women who challenge men's social power, according to the study.

The results for fathers were expected and highlight that the harmful effects of men's sexist attitudes may also involve poorer parenting, it said, while the discovery that mothers who agree with hostile sexism were likely to be less responsive parents was unexpected.

"It could be that these mothers follow the father's lead in family interactions, which leads to less engaged parenting," Overall said, adding that another possibility is that mothers guard their traditional role as caregiver by restricting the father's parental involvement, which detracts from being responsive to the children.

Responsive parenting is pivotal to healthy child development, and its absence can lead to behavioral issues, emotional difficulties and lower academic achievement, she said.

"The novel results offer new directions in understanding the broader impact of sexist attitudes on children across generations," said Overall and her co-authors from the Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Essex.

There is also more to understand about why women continue to agree with sexist attitudes despite the harm they have for women and children, they wrote. 
The outcome of an appeals ruling for a former detective is today's top story. . .

Meanwhile, the prospect of a pardon by Guv Parson SEEMS unlikely but pro-police advocates will now have to go that route if they want to get the former lawman out of lockup.



Here are the basics and then links to more info . . .



"The appeals court ruling that came out Tuesday states there's sufficient evidence that Devalkenaere killed Lamb and acted with criminal negligence.



"DeValkenaere, the ex-KCPD detective, now has a warrant out for his arrest. According to court documents, DeValkenaere is to be taken into custody and taken to a correctional facility to serve any portion of the unserved sentence."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Appeals court upholds ex-KCPD detective DeValkenaere's manslaughter conviction Eric DeValkenaere, a former KCPD detective, was convicted of second-degree involuntary manslaughter in 2019 shooting death of Cameron Lamb

Former KCPD detective's conviction upheld in deadly shooting, warrant issued for his arrest Former detective Eric DeValkenaere was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison for the 2019 deadly shooting in Cameron Lamb

Missouri appeals court upholds ruling for only Kansas City officer convicted of killing a Black man A Missouri appellate court's three-judge panel affirmed Eric DeValkanaere's 2021 second-degree manslaughter conviction for the killing of Cameron Lamb.

Developing . . .
This story isn't really serious so we didn't rush to share it . . .

The real news is that this offer is A LONG WAY FROM ONE BILLION BUCKS THE ROYALS WANT and it's kind of a slap in the face.

As we noted previously . . . Exec Frank seems like the biggest impediment to this deal and that's not completely a bad thing.

More about the offer . . .



Under the proposal, the county would pay $15 million a year for 20 years, which would add up to $300 million.



"Well, I don't want to get into the real specifics of the negotiations. That what we gave to the legislature was for confidentiality reasons, and so I don't want to get in and try to break it down at this point," Democratic Jackson County Executive Frank White said.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Jackson County issues counteroffer in Royals stadium negotiations Jackson County has offered another way the Kansas City Royals could help fund their new stadium, to the tune of $15 million a year for 20 years.
The basics of this story . . .

TEAM FRANK & THE LEGISLATURE ARE DEADLOCKED AND AT EACH OTHER'S THROAT!!!

Sadly, this has been the situation at the Courthouse for nearly a decade as complaints about the Exec have remained consistent regarding his inability to compromise.

Here are the basics on this round as property tax bills threaten to ruin Christmas for most local plebs . . .



"The County Executive's Office blamed legislators for failing to act on $110,000 in funding to finish the job. The office said it had to lay off BOE hearing officers as a result.



"On Monday, County Administrator Troy Schulte presented an updated plan of hiring 10 seasonal workers in the Assessment Office.



"We're going to try to replace what the workload of the Board of Equalization hearing officers was with more of an informal review, trying to get back to where we are touching 300 cases a day," Schulte said.



"The funding was tabled as legislators pressed county leaders for more information."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

20,000 Jackson County assessment appeals unresolved as workers laid off The Jackson County Executive's Office blamed legislators for failing to act on $110,000 in funding. The county said it had to lay off workers.

Jackson County taxing jurisdictions set tax rates for 2023 All the taxing jurisdictions in Jackson County, Missouri, lowered their tax rates compared to 2022 except for Kansas City Public Schools, Raytown C-2 Schools, and the city of Oak Grove.

Developing . . .
Don't get too excited . . .

It's common practice for media companies to throw FAKE WANT ADS out there just to see who is unhappy at local media outlets and clamp down on salaries within their own ranks.

Still . . .

Here's a peek what this plush job might entail . . .



"This service journalist will report and write to answer reader-submitted questions, dig into local curiosities and issues, use engagement tools like Google Trends to identify local or state topics with high interest, and contribute to projects and breaking news coverage.



"This reporter must be ready to move with agility when the news demands. The successful candidate for this position will be able to take assignments and pitch ideas. As such, this reporter must have good time management skills and be organized.



"Experience with audience growth and engagement tactics such as digital headline writing and SEO is a must. Expertise in a particular subject area is not required, but the successful candidate will bring a deep understanding of whats important to local readers and be curious and motivated to write about new topics every day."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

McClatchy is seeking a collaborative, reader-focused reporter to join our award-winning newsroom of The Kansas City Star.

GOOD LUCK!!!


Actually, we wouldn't have blamed her if not for this prog blog passage that paints a happy picture on yet another crisis for local taxpayers . . .



"The Kansas Supreme Court issued an updated administrative order indicating clerks in 104 counties were unable to receive online filings. The cause, which hasnt been precisely explained, hasnt forbidden clerk offices from operating. However, all filings must be executed with paper, delivered by hand or through the mail, or with a fax machine."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Computer network woes force Kansas courts to rely on old-school methods of operation - Kansas Reflector Kansas Supreme Court extends indefinitely administrative order covering shutdown of IT networks in district and appellate courts except in Johnson County.

A better report . . .
Q When I was 20 years old, I got a tattoo on my butt cheek. The only time it was visible to the public was when I was in a skimpy-bottomed bikini. It was a donkey with my ex-boyfriends initials. I thought I was giving him the middle finger by calling him an ass. Stupid, I know.

So stupid that I lost two good guys once they realized what the tattoo symbolized. No one wants to date someone whos vindictive. Im ready to get rid of the tat but not sure I want to suffer the pain or have a scar.

I know what youre going to say . The jokes on me. Ive got this guy in my life, still, and will forever.

How do I move forward?

Tattooed and scarred

A I know you wont be offended when I say your revenge tactic was immature and not well thought out. You said it yourself  the jokes on you. But there are people who can remove tattoos (I dont know how, or how well it works), you just have to research in your city.

I would get right on that, and eradicate this guy from your life and all the negativity surrounding your long-ago relationship. Youve grown and matured. I would also suggest talking to a therapist who can help you see that all of our life experiences make us who we are today, but they dont have to define us.

Get the ass off your ass and look ahead to a positive future.

Q My best friend and her husband are constantly purchasing big-ticket items, bragging about them, but then complaining they have no money. She wasnt like this before she met him, and its just gotten worse since they got married.

We grew up together, in decent-sized semi-detached homes. All four of our parents worked, though my mom was only part-time. Our families each had one car, and we went on vacation once a year, almost every year. Her family was the same. We werent rich, but we werent poor. And none of us were materialistic or showy.

Our friendship spanned from toddlers (our moms met at a baby group), through childhood, high school and the teenage years and we remained close through university. We both left home but kept in touch and now were back in our home city. She returned with her now-husband in tow.

I work six days a week in my career of choice; shes a stay-at-home wife. They dont have kids or pets, so I have no idea what she does all day, other than post on her Stories and, I guess, shop. Shes turned into a Look at me! person with nothing else to talk about.

I have no idea what her husband does but he insists they go out for dinner at least four times a week; he drinks expensive cocktails and wine; hes always gifting her and as I mentioned, theres often something big-ticket just around the corner.

Theyve been married 18 months and have just bought their second house after moving from a condo.

Whats happened to my level-headed normal friend?

Fancy pants

A Her husband is what happened. I dont know what he does for a living any more than you, but he seems to make a lot of money doing it. Why he feels the need to spend it all as soon as it comes into his hands I also dont know.

I bet if you learn more about his background, youll be able to understand his motives better. Talk to your friend; find out if shes happy. Help her figure out how to have a sustainable marriage and find some balance. Shell appreciate your support.

FEEDBACK: Regarding the woman wishing to marry her girlfriend but not yet divorced from her husband (Sept. 21):

Reader: To advise someone that its OK to lie to gain immigration to Canada is illegal and immoral. This particular person who wrote to you did not deserve to have her story published in a daily newspaper.

Lisi: Clearly something in this letter triggered you. I am a relationship advice columnist and this letter writer asked me for advice on her relationship. I specifically added in my response to her that I reserve judgment on marrying for visa purposes. I did not advise anyone to lie for any reason. That part of her story is not my business, nor am I going to get involved.

In my opinion, everyone has a right to be heard and deserves the help they request. Im sorry if you dont feel the same way.

Ellie Tesher and Lisi Tesher are advice columnists for the Star and based in Toronto. Send your relationship questions via email: ellie@thestar.ca or lisi@thestar.ca.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) says it's "excited" to host the 2023 TDSB Employment Opportunity Fair.

The school board will be hosting the event virtually on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more about the hiring process and meet with recruitment staff to discuss opportunities to work at Canada's largest school board.

"We are seeking candidates who thrive in a collaborative environment and are committed to both student success and their own career growth," said the TDSB in a posting on its website. "If this sounds like you, join our dynamic team of educators!"

To register for the fair, complete this Google form.

The TDSB said they're looking for recruits in the following areas:

 French

 Special education (blind and low vision; deaf and hard of hearing)

 Native languages and studies

 Business

 Computer studies

 Early childhood educators (both English and French)

For more available opportunities with the TDSB, visit tdsb.on.ca/employment.
A man has been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds after a shooting near Finch Avenue and Kendleton Drive on Monday night.

Toronto police responded to concerns about gunshots heard in the area at 10:19 p.m. on Oct. 16 and officers located a male victim with a gunshot wound, say police.

He was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, add police.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-2222.
Toronto police believe that a projectile from a firearm that went through an apartment window may be related to a shooting late Monday evening.

Officers were dispatched to the area of Driftwood Avenue and Jane Street around 11:42 p.m. on Oct. 16 after receiving multiple calls for gunshots heard in the area, say Toronto police. Once on scene, they located evidence of gunfire but no injuries were reported, say police.

Just over 10 minutes later, police received reports from the Jane Street and Milo Park Gate area alleging that a projectile from a firearm went through an apartment window, say police.

There were no reports of injuries and police say that call could possibly (be) related to the earlier call at 11:42 p.m.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-2222.
A search is underway for Mariana, a 56-year-old woman last spotted in the Warden Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East area, say Toronto police.

She was last seen on Oct. 16 at 8 a.m., add police.

Mariana is described as having a slim build with burgundy hair and grey roots. She was last seen wearing a dark blue jacket and was carrying a suitcase and a brown laptop, police say.

Police are concerned for their safety, said the Toronto force.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4100.
MEXICO CITY, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday his country will continue its support to Cuba, including oil, amid the "inhumane" U.S. blockade against the island nation.

Mexico is an independent and sovereign country that does not require permission from any foreign government to offer its support to other countries, said Lopez Obrador in his daily press conference.

"It is the people of Cuba that are suffering from the inhumane and unjust blockade, and we cannot turn our backs on them," he said, adding that Mexico will help them in any way it can.

Lopez Obrador emphasized that his administration favors "universal fraternity," justice and humanism.

The president has repeatedly rejected the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba for decades. 
Toronto police found no evidence of gunfire after receiving reports that the occupants of two vehicles were shooting at each other in the area of Lawrence Heights on Monday night.

Police received reports that motorists in two vehicles, believed to be a white or silver SUV and a black sedan, discharged firearms around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 in the area of Flemington Road and Varna Drive, said Toronto police.

No evidence of gunfire was located and no injuries were reported, say police.

There are also no suspect descriptions, add police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Toronto police at 416-808-2222.
This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2023 shows Israeli soldiers and military vehicles at a camp near the Israeli-Lebanese border in northern Israel. The Israeli-Lebanese border has seen an escalation of tensions since last week as Hezbollah fired tens of rockets at Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of an onslaught by the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

JERUSALEM/GAZA/BEIRUT, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel began evacuating residents in the north on Monday amid escalating conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah military group in the border area.

The Israeli-Lebanese border has seen an escalation of tensions since last week as Hezbollah fired tens of rockets at Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of an onslaught by the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on Oct. 7.

Hezbollah on Monday announced that it targeted five Israeli sites with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns and inflicted Israeli injuries, to which Israel responded by firing seven missiles toward Hezbollah positions in the border town of Rmeish and shelling several Lebanese areas.

In a statement, the Israeli Defense Ministry told residents of 28 towns living within 2 kilometers of the Israeli-Lebanese border to evacuate, adding that the residents would stay in guesthouses subsidized by the state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and its backed Hezbollah not to launch a war against Israel. "We have a message for Iran and Hezbollah: Do not test us in the north. Do not repeat your previous mistake because the price you need to pay will be much higher," Netanyahu said at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday warned that opening a war front in southern Lebanon is "of no one's interest."

On the same day, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called on Arab and Islamic countries to cancel or freeze their normalization agreements with Israel in response to its continuous bombing in Gaza.

He made the remarks at an online emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to discuss the repercussions of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Berri also warned against the plan to "move Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip to the Sinai Peninsula," saying that "if this plan is implemented, it will not only eliminate the Palestinians but also cause the fall of Arab."

With no sign of abating in sight in the conflict with Israel, militants in Gaza continued to fire rockets at southern Israel throughout the day. In the afternoon, sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The rocket attack disrupted the opening of the winter session of the Knesset. Broadcast video showed lawmakers and other attendees rushing to shelters.

In Holon, south of Tel Aviv, a 56-year-old woman was moderately injured by shrapnel from the rockets, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said in a statement that it fired "a barrage of rockets" on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in response to Israel's "targeting of civilians."

In heavy Israeli attacks on Gaza, at least 2,808 individuals have been killed and more than 10,850 injured, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

The slain Palestinians include at least 11 journalists, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said on Monday, adding that more than 20 others were injured as 50 media organizations in Gaza were targeted by Israeli attacks.

Among the dead in Gaza were also several senior Hamas members, including the regional head of Hamas' intelligence in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, the Israeli military said in a statement.

Also on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed back to Israel after a regional tour, reaffirming in remarks to the media that Israel will "always have the support of the United States."

In joint statements alongside Blinken, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that "a long war" between Israel and Hamas lies ahead.

So far, some 1,300 have been killed in Israel by the Hamas-led attacks. The Israeli police said about 615 of the fatalities have been identified.

In addition, the Israeli military on Monday updated in a statement that at least 199 hostages were held in Gaza, while Hamas claimed that there are 200 to 250 captives in Gaza. 

This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2023 shows Israeli soldiers and military vehicles at a camp near the Israeli-Lebanese border in northern Israel. The Israeli-Lebanese border has seen an escalation of tensions since last week as Hezbollah fired tens of rockets at Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of an onslaught by the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on Oct. 7.(Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2023 shows Israeli soldiers on a military vehicle at a camp near the Israeli-Lebanese border in northern Israel. The Israeli-Lebanese border has seen an escalation of tensions since last week as Hezbollah fired tens of rockets at Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of an onslaught by the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on Oct. 7.(Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2023 shows an Israeli soldier on a military vehicle running on a road near the Israeli-Lebanese border in northern Israel. The Israeli-Lebanese border has seen an escalation of tensions since last week as Hezbollah fired tens of rockets at Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of an onslaught by the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2023 shows Israeli soldiers and military vehicles at a camp near the Israeli-Lebanese border in northern Israel. The Israeli-Lebanese border has seen an escalation of tensions since last week as Hezbollah fired tens of rockets at Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of an onslaught by the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2023 shows an Israeli soldier on a military vehicle at a camp near the Israeli-Lebanese border in northern Israel. The Israeli-Lebanese border has seen an escalation of tensions since last week as Hezbollah fired tens of rockets at Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of an onslaught by the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2023 shows a blocked road leading to a village near the Israeli-Lebanese border in northern Israel. The Israeli-Lebanese border has seen an escalation of tensions since last week as Hezbollah fired tens of rockets at Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of an onslaught by the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2023 shows Israeli soldiers and military vehicles at a camp near the Israeli-Lebanese border in northern Israel. The Israeli-Lebanese border has seen an escalation of tensions since last week as Hezbollah fired tens of rockets at Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of an onslaught by the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on Oct. 7. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
The Prime Minister is due to travel to London later this month to sign on the dotted line for the restructuring of the Atlantic LNG facility in Point Fortin.
A total of 508 children have been killed and over 1,136 injured in Ukraine since the Russian invasion started.

The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Prosecutor Generals Office on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As of October 17, 2023, according to the data from juvenile prosecutors, a total of 508 children were killed and over 1,136 received injuries of various severity levels, the report states.

These data are not final, as they are being investigated within the areas of hostilities, temporarily occupied and liberated areas.

Currently, most casualties were recorded in the Donetsk region (492), Kharkiv region (303), Kyiv region (129), Kherson region (128), Zaporizhzhia region (99), Mykolaiv region (97), Dnipropetrovsk region (96), Chernihiv region (72), and Luhansk region (67).

On October 16, 2023, a 10-year-old boy was injured in Russias shelling of the Poltava regions Myrhorod.
The European Commission has earmarked over EUR 50 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and called on the Member States to continue to help Ukraine successfully get through another difficult winter as Russia continues to destroy its critical infrastructure.

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said this at the press conference following the meeting of EU Energy Ministers in Luxembourg, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

We also had the opportunity to have Ukraine's Energy Minister German Galushchenko with us, and I expressed once again the Commission unwavering support for Ukraine, ahead of another very difficult winter for Ukrainians. The Commission has already earmarked over 50 million euros to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and I encouraged the Member States to continue their donations, too. We will do our utmost to ensure that also this winter the effects of any Russian attacks targeting Ukraine's energy and civilian infrastructure will be minimized, said the European Commissioner.

She also commented on the readiness of the EU energy industry for the winter, noting that the energy security situation has significantly improved compared to last year.

We have diversified our energy sources, filled our gas storage at 97% and reduced energy demand. And we keep increasing the share of renewable energy sources in our energy mix, Simson said.

The EU Commissioner noted that the EU has been faced with an increasingly uncertain global environment: Global gas markets remain tight and we must remain vigilant for further cuts of Russian pipeline gas, a very cold winter or further disruptions of our critical energy infrastructure.

According to her, the Commission is closely monitoring oil markets, although the situation is better as regards oil supplies in the Union than last year. This is mainly because the Member States have refilled their emergency oil stocks in line with the last year's Recommendation of the Commission.

Simon also said that Finland and Estonia have informed the ministers about the impact of the recent incident at the Baltic Interconnector and the EU COUncil discussed how best to ensure protection of the critical energy infrastructure.

We will wait until the ongoing investigation is closed to draw conclusions. But I did stress the following to the ministers today: If gas security of supply of the region is not affected, it is because we have done our homework since Russia's attempt to weaponise energy, she said.

As reported, last winter, the EU and Member States provided emergency energy assistance to Ukraine, including the supply of generators, transformers and other vital items to restore the energy infrastructure, up to 50% of which was destroyed or damaged by targeted Russian attacks.
Head of the Presidents Office Andriy Yermak discussed the need to create an effective platform for deepening Ukraine's dialogue with the Global South countries with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta Ian Borg.

Yermak briefed the Minister on the current security situation and Ukraine's preparations for the winter period, in particular, the need to strengthen the protection of energy infrastructure facilities from Russian terrorist attacks, the Presidents Office informs.

The Head of the President's Office also touched upon the preparations to hold the third meeting at the level of national security advisors and diplomatic advisors in the nearest future, which will focus on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the organization of the Global Peace Summit.

He commended the participation of the Ambassador of Malta in regular thematic meetings at the ambassadorial level dedicated to specific points of the Peace Formula.

The parties also discussed the importance of cooperation in the context of expanding the circle of countries that support the Peace Formula by including the states of the Global South.

"Malta, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, focuses on the issues that are part of the Peace Formula: security, resilience and solidarity. We also need to develop an effective platform for deepening the dialogue with the countries of the Global South, and Malta's role is very important for us," Yermak emphasized.

Read also: Delegation of Global South countries inspects Russian war crimes sites in Irpin

The parties agreed to continue the dialogue and enhance coordination on the issues raised during the conversation.

As reported, despite its constitutional neutrality, Malta called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
| By Emily Bleiweis

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, has announced the appointment of Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, as dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP).

Sarah Michel, PhD

Since June, Michel has served as interim dean and was previously chair of UMSOPs Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC) and associate dean for graduate programs.

After an extensive national search, I am thrilled to name Dr. Sarah Michel to lead the School of Pharmacy into its next phase, Jarrell said. Dr. Michel brings an immense wealth of experience and knowledge to the role as dean. In her long tenure on campus, she has not only supported the school in an academic manner but has been fully committed to involvement in campus life. We are incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Michel into this role.

As a pharmaceutical researcher, Michel is an internationally recognized leader in the field of metals in medicine. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and U.S. Army Research Labs for investigating the roles that metals play in the regulation of chronic inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

She also has been active in clinical research through U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants and has been closely involved with the Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation. Notably, a recent FDA clinical trial headed by Michel led the FDA to issue new guidance on how generic nanomedicines should be evaluated for approval. In addition, she is part of an FDA-funded PSC and University of Maryland School of Dentistry team of researchers investigating the safety of electronic cigarettes.

I am thrilled to take on the role of dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, where I have spent my entire professional career, Michel said. I look forward to working closely with our remarkable faculty, staff, and students and leading the school in excellence as we train the pharmacists, pharmapreneurs, and health scientists of the future and engage in cutting-edge, innovative research, practice, and community outreach to improve the human condition.

In her nearly 19 years at UMSOP, Michel has been intricately involved in all of the schools educational aspects, including PhD and MS programs and the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, where she redesigned the core biochemistry course to emphasize clinical applications to pharmacy and led the development of the PharmD research pathway.

She has mentored dozens of PhD and PharmD students and has a keen understanding of the pharmacy profession, as well as the many roles and career opportunities for todays UMSOP students.

It was an honor to co-lead the search committee for the next dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, said James Polli, PhD, the Shangraw/Noxell Chair in Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics. The national search yielded a strong candidate pool, and I offer my congratulations to Dr. Michel on her appointment.

As dean of the School of Social Work, I am thrilled to welcome Dean Michel onto our leadership team, said University of Maryland School of Social Work Dean Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW, who co-led the search committee with Polli. Her energy and enthusiasm, along with her knowledge about the School of Pharmacy and UMB, will strengthen the schools research, teaching, and community engagement. I look forward to ways for us to collaborate across our schools and with other schools on campus.

Educator and UMB Leader



As an assistant professor, Michel developed Spring into Maryland Science with funding from NSF to provide research experiences to students from groups underrepresented in science.

As director of the schools PhD in PSC Program, she was instrumental in partnering with the University of Maryland, Baltimore Countys Meyerhoff Scholars program, which led to the successful application in 2022 of an NIH Initiative for Maximizing Student Development T32 grant to train students from groups underrepresented in health-related sciences.

As a faculty member, Michel has been active at the UMB level. She served as president of the Faculty Senate from 2015 to 2017, where she worked with colleagues in the Staff Senate and Graduate Student Association, as well as UMB leadership, on the UMB Statement of Shared Governance. She also testified in the Maryland General Assembly on behalf of the UMB faculty on legislation that led to the formation of the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State collaboration with the University of Maryland, College Park.

Michel received a bachelors degree in chemistry from Cornell University and a PhD in chemistry from Northwestern University. She completed an NIH National Research Service Award postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Michel succeeds Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP, who stepped down in May after a 15-year tenure as dean.
YANGON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A significant move was underway to release 1,000 captive-bred endangered Myanmar star tortoises into their natural habitat, an official from the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary said on Tuesday.

Given the endangered status of the star tortoises in Myanmar, concerted efforts are being made to breed and protect them in the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary, and Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary, the official said.

The forthcoming release, scheduled for this year, will involve 1,000 star tortoises aged three to five years old, all of which have been raised in the Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary, U Aung San, head of the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, told Xinhua on Tuesday.

"We already prepared to reintroduce them into their natural habitat," he said. While they currently roam within the wild, they are protected by fencing. The final release will take place following consultation with the authorities, he said.

Illegal hunting, poaching and illicit wildlife trade have been the principal factors contributing to the critical endangerment of the star tortoises, he said.

The Myanmar star tortoise, distinguished by shell patterns that resemble stars, is indigenous to the dry and deciduous forests of Myanmar.

As of now, more than 2,000 star tortoises have been successfully bred in captivity at the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Magway Region of west-central Myanmar, he said. 
Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Cai Qi met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Beijing on Tuesday.

Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, said this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia as well as the China-Cambodia Friendship Year.

Cai said it is believed that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future will continue to make new positive progress.

China firmly supports Cambodia in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, Cai said, adding China stands ready to work with Cambodia to promote the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia's Pentagon Strategy and enrich the China-Cambodia "Diamond Hexagon" cooperation to help the two countries achieve high-quality and sustainable development and move hand in hand toward modernization, Cai noted.

Hun Manet said Cambodia will continue to firmly pursue a friendly policy toward China and firmly support China's three global initiatives as well as the Belt and Road Initiative.

Hun Manet reiterated Cambodia's firm adherence to the one-China policy, adding that Cambodia is ready to work with China on better building a Cambodia-China community with a shared future. 

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
SHENYANG, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Song Xibin, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial People's Congress, was Tuesday sentenced to 13 years in prison for accepting bribes.

The verdict was issued by the Intermediate People's Court of Shenyang City in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

From 2005 to 2021, Song took advantage of his various positions in Heilongjiang to seek profits for others in business operations, project contracting, and job promotions, accepting over 35.3 million yuan (about 4.92 million U.S. dollars) worth of money and valuables in return, according to the verdict.

He was also found guilty of misappropriating 50 million yuan in the city's special funds for profit-making activities of other units in 2014 when he worked in Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang.

Per the verdict, the defendant was also fined 3 million yuan, and his illicit gains have been confiscated and will be turned over to the national treasury.

Considering that Song confessed his crimes truthfully, showed remorse, and cooperated in returning his illegal gains, he was granted a lenient sentence, according to the court. 
(@FahadShabbir)

The Provincial Irrigation Minister Eshwar Lal has directed the concerned irrigation officials to retrieve the vehicles which are still under use of the former Irrigation Minister and ex irrigation officials so that the issue of shortage of vehicles can be resolved

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2023) The Provincial Irrigation Minister Eshwar Lal has directed the concerned irrigation officials to retrieve the vehicles which are still under use of the former Irrigation Minister and ex irrigation officials so that the issue of shortage of vehicles can be resolved.

Chairing a meeting here on Tuesday at the office of Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA), the minister also directed the officials to end the illegal occupation of the irrigation rest houses and to rehabilitate the same to put the building to official use.

He advised the officials to prepare a strategy to remove encroachment from the banks of the canals and to overcome the obstacles and delays impeding completion of the development projects.

Lal said the authorities should register FIRs against the people involved in theft of irrigation water.

The minister acknowledged that the complaints regarding shortage of irrigation water in the tail end areas of the irrigation network still existed and underlined the need to address those complaints on priority.

He said the ongoing projects should be completed on time.

Lal suggested the chief engineers of the department to prepare a comprehensive plan to address the irritants which hampered performance of the department's staff.

Earlier, the Managing Director SIDA Preetam Das, Chief Engineers Zareef Khehro and Haji Khan Jamali briefed the minister about the schemes being executed under the Annual Development Plan (ADP).

According to them, the schemes were facing delays in completion because of the shortage of engineers and staff.

They said a shortfall of vehicles also existed in the authority and admitted that encroachment still existed along the canals' banks.

They informed the minister that the 6-kilometer-long stretch of Wadhu Wah canal, which passes through Qasimabad town of Hyderabad, had been turned into a drain filled with municipal and commercial sewage.
BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2023) Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, one of the signature projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, is a practical manifestation of win-win cooperation and shared prosperity and a commendable endeavor in building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

"All these elements also form the bedrock of President Xi Jinping's visionary Belt and Road Initiative," he said in an exclusive interview with China Daily published here on Tuesday.

The prime minister lauded the Belt and Road Initiative for having "advanced inclusive development to reduce poverty and inequality, improved people's ability to pay taxes and enhanced governments' ability to retire their debts".

The Pakistani leader, who took office in August as the eighth caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, is visiting China for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Kakar dismissed theories that the BRI has led participating countries into "debt traps", saying that China is offering "a unique mechanism of development financing to developing countries  which is without conditions and different from the traditional development financing models".

"It is wrong to describe BRI financing as a 'debt trap'; it is rather an essential tool for helping countries in achieving comprehensive and inclusive development of their peoples," he added.

He explained that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which has brought about a direct investment of $25.4 billion to Pakistan and created a total of 236,000 jobs, is key to the nation's socioeconomic progress.

"The project underlines an excellent example of an open, coordinated and inclusive development paradigm that benefits all parts of the country and all segments of society," he said, adding that the development of Gwadar Port has already opened new economic opportunities.

"Strategically located, the port is now functional and regularly handling cargo ships including transshipment trade for Afghanistan.

A free economic zone is in place offering lucrative incentives for local, Chinese and other international investors," Kakar said, adding that a new international airport will also be inaugurated, bringing the port closer to its vision of serving as the hub of regional trade and connectivity.

Meanwhile, the prime minister emphasized that the "foolproof safety and security of Chinese personnel and institutions is our topmost priority", adding that the Pakistani government has put in place stringent security protocols to safeguard Chinese workers and entrepreneurs.

He cited examples including regular security briefings, risk assessment and information exchanges between the two nations, in order to identify potential threats and come up with solutions accordingly.

"These concerted efforts underline Pakistan's solid commitment to provide a secure environment for our Chinese brothers and sisters, who are contributing to Pakistan's socioeconomic development and progress," he added.

Kakar said he has high expectations for the forum, during which he will meet with Chinese leaders.

"It has provided both our countries with a stage to reaffirm our commitment to international cooperation and development, while highlighting the successes, reviewing the lessons learned and charting the future trajectory of the CPEC," he said.

"Our relations with China form the cornerstone of our foreign policy. I am here to reaffirm our commitment to this all-weather strategic cooperative partnership," Kakar said, describing China as a strategic and trustworthy development partner."

He also spoke highly of China's remarkable achievement in having lifted more than 800 million people from abject poverty, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

"Like China, Pakistan too is a developing country, with a population of 240 million. There is so much that we can learn from China to put our nation on a path of sustainable development."

APP/asg
The postponement of a Palestinian author's award ceremony at the Frankfurt Book Fair due to the Israel-Hamas war triggered condemnation Monday from high-profile authors, while several Arab publishing groups withdrew

Frankfurt, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2023) The postponement of a Palestinian author's award ceremony at the Frankfurt Book Fair due to the Israel-Hamas war triggered condemnation Monday from high-profile authors, while several Arab publishing groups withdrew.

The annual fair is the world's biggest publishing trade event, bringing together thousands of book industry players and authors.

After the Palestinian militant group launched the deadliest assault in Israel's history on October 7, organisers condemned the "barbaric" attack and said Israeli voices would be given prominence at the book fair.

But it was also announced that Palestinian author Adania Shibli would not be honoured with the LiBeraturpreis, a German award, at the fair, as had been originally planned.

She was due to receive the honour for her book "A Minor Detail," a work based on the real events of a 1949 rape and murder by Israeli soldiers.

It is organised by the group Litprom, which awards it each year at the book fair.

But the group said they had decided not to go ahead with the ceremony "due to the war started by Hamas".

It said in a statement that it was looking for a "suitable format and setting for the event at a later point," adding that: "Awarding the prize to Adania Shibli was never in question."

But the decision was condemned in an open letter with over 600 signatories, including Abdulrazak Gurnah and Olga Tokarczuk, both winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature, and other writers including Pankaj Mishra, William Dalrymple and Colm Toibin.

The organisers were "closing out the space for a Palestinian voice", said the letter, published on Monday.

"The Frankfurt Book Fair has a responsibility, as a major international book fair, to be creating spaces for Palestinian writers to share their thoughts, feelings, reflections on literature through these terrible, cruel times, not shutting them down," it added.

As well as authors, it was signed by publishers and literary agents.

Some Arab publishing industry groups announced at the weekend they were pulling out of the fair, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday.

Announcing their withdrawal, Sharjah Book Authority, in the United Arab Emirates, said in a statement that "we champion the role of culture and books to encourage dialogue and understanding between people.

"We believe that this role is more important than ever."

The Emirates Publishers Association released a similar statement, while the UAE-based National newspaper reported the Arab Publishers' Association in Egypt had also pulled out.

Book fair director Juergen Boos declined to comment on the decision of individual exhibitors, but stressed that "our platform is always open to authors, publishers, translators and literature fans from all over the world.

"Of course, the Frankfurt Book Fair is a platform for both Israeli and Palestinian voices," he said in a statement to AFP.

He also stressed the postponement of the LiBeraturpreis ceremony was made by Litprom, and not the book fair.

sr/mfp/rl
(@FahadShabbir)

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2023) Jailed Russian politician Alexei Navalny condemned the arrest of three of his lawyers as he stood trial in the prison where he is being held, Russian media at the hearing said on Tuesday.

Lawyers Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Lipster -- who have all defended Navalny -- were detained last week.

"Of course these are outrageous and illegal acts," Navalny said. He said the lawyers were "persecuted for their professional activity".

"Nobody is allowed to see me. I am completely isolated from information," he added.

He said it was part of an intensifying campaign to further isolate him and that he saw it as a sign that his team was acting "correctly" in the face of "these disgusting authorities."

Navalny said the lawyers were targeted for their "professional activity" and that it was part of a campaign to further isolate him since he had his sentence extended to 19 years this summer.

While cracking down on dissenters, Russia has still rarely targeted lawyers, a trend many worry will now change.

The three lawyers were remanded in pre-trial detention until at least December 13.

On Monday, Navalny's allies said they feared for another lawyer, Alexander Fedulov, saying they did not know where he was.

The next day they said he had fled Russia.

Navalny will soon be moved to a "special regime" colony -- the harshest type of prison reserved for Russia's worst criminals that will severely limit his contact with lawyers and family.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed his "dear friend" Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing on Tuesday, kicking off a multilateral summit overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war

Beijing, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2023) Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed his "dear friend" Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing on Tuesday, kicking off a multilateral summit overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war.

Beijing this week hosts representatives of 130 countries for a forum on Xi's vast trade and infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

At the top of the guest list is Putin, who is on his first trip to a major global power since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine threw his regime into international isolation.

The two leaders met Tuesday evening at an event kicking off the forum, video posted by Russia's foreign ministry showed, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.

They then took part in a group photo with other leaders attending the summit.

Putin is due to hold in-depth talks with Xi on the sidelines of the forum on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, with the war raging between Israel and Palestinian militant organisation Hamas looming large over the summit.

"During the talks, special attention will be paid to international and regional issues," the Kremlin said in a statement, without elaborating.

Western countries led by the United States have rallied to Israel's side since October 7, when Hamas launched the deadliest attack in Israel's history, shooting, stabbing and burning to death more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

The United States has asked China to use its influence to help de-escalate the war, which has seen more than a million people in the blockaded Gaza Strip flee the relentless bombardment that Israel launched in retaliation for the attack.

China brokered an entente between key Hamas backer Iran and its regional foe Saudi Arabia earlier this year, and will send its middle East envoy Zhai Jun to the volatile region this week.

No details have been given about where or when exactly Zhai would travel, though China's state broadcaster CCTV has said he will push for a ceasefire and peace talks.

Russia, which has traditionally maintained good relations with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, has called for an "immediate ceasefire" in the conflict.

In Beijing, Putin is on a mission to strengthen the already strong bond with his communist neighbour, though experts say Moscow is increasingly the junior partner in the relationship.

China is Russia's largest trading partner, with exchange between the nations reaching a record $190 billion last year, Beijing customs data shows.

Beijing has drawn criticism from Western countries for its stance on the Ukraine war, on which China insists it is neutral even as it refuses to criticise Moscow's invasion.

When Xi made a state visit to Moscow in March, Putin hailed the "truly unlimited possibilities" their countries' partnership offered.

But while the BRI forum provides a fresh opportunity for Putin and Xi to showcase their alliance, experts do not expect any new major agreements to be announced.
School of Media and Communication Hosting Strategic Communication Week

Tue, 10/17/2023 - 12:36pm

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Media and Communication is hosting its second Strategic Communication (Strat Comm Week Oct. 17-18, which features two guest alumna professionals and a range of events such as a video contest, alumni and professional panel sessions, and portfolio review sessions. A Student Media Center open house was also held Oct. 16 as part of the weeks schedule of events.

The culmination of Strategic Communication Week will be the PRSSA/PRAM Mixer Oct. 18 from 4-6 p.m. in College Hall, where students from all majors are welcome to participate, network, and gain insights from alumni and professionals while enjoying refreshments.

Alumna panelist profiles included the following:

Kate Yee, Executive Director of Womens Advancement and Equity Communications at the Estee Lauder Companies

Yee is a graduate from the public relations program of the USM School of Media and Communication. She is a social impact communications professional with more than a dozen years of experience in communications strategy, public relations, partnerships, and campaigns. As the Executive Director of Womens Advancement and Equity Communications at the Estee Lauder Companies, the global leader in prestige beauty, Yee leads the companys communications approach to gender and racial equity, working closely with the Inclusion, Equity and Diversity, and Global Equity and Engagement teams, the Gender and Equity Steering Committees, brands and regions to identify and highlight areas of opportunity and differentiation for ELC.

In the last year, Yee has led the development and deployment of ELCs global womens advancement and equity narratives, the launch of the ELCs global Advancing Possibilities for Women campaign, a brand refresh and awareness campaign for ELCs signature learning and development program for gender equity, Open Doors, and she led ELCs inaugural activation in partnership with the Marthas Vineyard African American Film Festival.

On any given day, Yee is bringing together teams to collaborate on equity storytelling, bringing to light the incredible work that ELCs brands, regions and functions are doing around the world to make the beauty industry more inclusive. She is regularly advising executive leaders on leading language, cultivating relationships with top-tier media, overseeing creative campaign development and planning events underpinned by substantive dialogues on equity in beauty.

Prior to joining The Estee Lauder Companies, Yee served as Vice President of Communications and Business Development at the UK-based agency,

Flag Communication, where she held roles of increasing responsibility since 2016. And prior to Flag, she served as an Account Supervisor in the CSR and Social Impact Practice at Finn Partners, where she provided strategic, 360 sustainability communications support to Avons breast cancer awareness campaigns, the Verizon Foundation, and NGOs committed to social justice for women and teens.

Recognized consistently for her talents and impact, Yee received the Silver Bulldog CSR Award (2015), PRSA Silver Anvil Awards of Excellence (2015 & 2016) and the PR News People to-Watch Rising Star Award (2013).

Jasmine Tate, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager at Tiger Woods Education Nonprofit, TGR Foundation

Tate is a Louisiana native with a passion for impacting lives and communities through faith, service, leadership, and education. She is no stranger to hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

As an undergraduate at Southeastern Louisiana University, she founded its chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, fulfilled several editorial positions in the office of student publications, and also earned consecutive Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities honors, the Vice President's Award for Student Excellence, and was the Dr. LaVanner S. Brown Role Model of the Year.

While pursuing her masters degree in public relations at Southern Miss, Tate continued her involvement in PRSSA and joined the student-run agency. She also led USM to its first PRSSA National Star Chapter Award and co-founded the National Millennial and Gen-Z Community.

At the end of her graduate career, PRSSA awarded Tate with the National President's Citation and National Gold Key Award, the highest honor bestowed upon members.

After earning her masters degree, she moved to Southern California to begin her professional career.

Learn more about USM School of Media and Communication and Strat Comm Week.
Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meets with Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha on Tuesday in Beijing.

Wang said China is willing to work with Nepal to actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and to share opportunities, pursue cooperation and promote development.

China is also willing to join hands with Nepal to enhance border management cooperation, crack down on cross-border crimes, improve law enforcement capacity, and comprehensively elevate their law enforcement and security cooperation to a higher level, Wang said.

Shrestha expressed the willingness to enhance law enforcement and security cooperation between Nepal and China, and advance the two countries' bilateral relations to new heights. 

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meets with Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
A TVC News Nigeria report says that about 14,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in the United States, and more would like to join them.

But they need information about schools and the proper processes to follow. (September 2023)
Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group said Monday it has started destroying surveillance cameras on several Israeli army posts along the border as tension rose following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

Hezbollah's military media arm released a video showing snipers shooting at and destroying surveillance cameras placed on five points along the Lebanon-Israel border including one outside the Israeli town of Metula.

The militant group appears to want to prevent the Israeli army from monitoring movements on the Lebanese side of the border after days of fire exchange that left at least seven people dead, including four Hezbollah fighters on the Lebanese side.

Since the October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant Hamas group on southern Israel that killed more than 1,400 Israeli civilians and troops, tension has been on the rise along the Lebanon-Israel border. Hezbollah fighters fired anti-tank missiles on Israeli army positions and Israeli troops shelled border areas on the Lebanese side of the border.

Israel and Hezbollah are bitter enemies that fought a monthlong war in the summer of 2006. Israel considers the Iran-backed Shiite militant group its most serious immediate threat, estimating that Hezbollah has around 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.

There are concerns that the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah could join the war against Israel. Earlier this month, U.S. President Joe Biden warned other players in the Middle East not to join the conflict and has sent American warships to the region and vowed full support for Israel.

Hezbollah legislator Hassan Fadlallah said Sunday that the group is ready for all possibilities adding, "we don't want to reveal what the next step is." He said Hezbollah's next step "is tied to what is going on in Gaza."

France's top diplomat Monday said the tense situation along the Lebanon-Israel border is "worrying and dangerous" and urged restraint, following meetings with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri, and army chief General Joseph Aoun.

"We are here to reaffirm our relationship and support to Lebanon and say it is unacceptable for any side or group to slide into war or what is happening in Gaza," French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said at a news conference at the French Embassy's Pine Residence in Beirut.

Mikati's office said in a statement following his meeting with Colonna that she endorsed an Egyptian proposal to hold a meeting of Arab leaders and permanent member states of the U.N. Security Council to find a solution to prevent an escalation in the war that has thus far killed thousands of Palestinians and Israelis.

"I am leaving the region, convinced that the vortex that threatens it can be avoided through cooperative and determined action," Colonna said on X, formerly Twitter.

Mikati said the country's politically paralyzed government has been scrambling to ease tensions along its southern border with Israel and avoid dragging the tiny country into a new war. His press office said in a statement Monday that he has been holding calls with top officials and leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Qatar and a handful of other regional and international governments.

Earlier Monday, the Israeli military ordered people living in 28 communities near the Lebanese border to evacuate. The military order affects communities that are within two kilometers (1.2 miles) of the border.

Hezbollah has said the increased strikes were a warning and don't mean the group has decided to go to war.

The World Health Organization said Monday it has sent two shipments of medical supplies to Beirut in preparation for potential escalation along the Lebanon-Israel border.
FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Police have destroyed 57 acres of hashish in north Afghanistan's Badakhshan province over the past four days, said a statement of provincial police office on Tuesday.

The counter-narcotics police launched operations against illegal crops in Baharak district over the weekend and have destroyed 57 acres of hashish farmland in several villages over the past four days, the statement asserted.

Similarly, police have arrested six alleged drug smugglers in Kapisa and another in Khost provinces in the past couple of days.

The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to fight against illicit crops, processing to drug and drug trafficking until the once-poppy growing country gets rid of drug menace. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to Beijing this week is giving him a rare chance to meet with other world leaders and deepen Moscow's "no limits" relationship with China.

In China, Putin will attend Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative forum, which began Tuesday and ends Wednesday. He will deliver a speech, meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and hold a press conference.

Putin's trip to Beijing is his second overseas since the International Criminal Court put out a warrant for his arrest in March. Earlier this month, he traveled to Kyrgyzstan.

The ICC has issued a warrant for Putin's arrest, obligating member countries to detain the Russian leader if he steps foot on their territory. Neither China nor Kyrgyzstan, the other nation Putin has visited since the warrant, are members.

On Tuesday in Beijing, Putin held his first meeting with a European leader since the launch of the war in Ukraine, Hungary's Viktor Orban. He also met with Thailand's newly elected Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Mongolia's president.

At an evening banquet hosted by Xi, the two men shook hands and posed for photos along with other global leaders, many of whom have taken contradictory approaches to the West's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Just weeks before Russian troops invaded Ukraine, Xi and Putin signed a pledge declaring their "no-limits" bilateral partnership. Beijing has since become Moscow's most reliable economic and diplomatic partner as Western nations have imposed strict economic sanctions in response to the invasion.

In addition to seeking support for the war in Ukraine, Putin is expected to continue to offer praise for China's Belt and Road Initiative as one of the forum's most prominent guests.

In an interview with China's state-run broadcaster CCTV on Monday, Putin praised the project.

"Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the People's Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise. We just see a desire for cooperation," he told state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin on Monday.

The Kremlin says Putin and Xi are set to meet on the sidelines of the forum Wednesday.

China and Russia have seen a growing number of diplomatic exchanges recently, and the two nations' ties as well as defense cooperation are growing, though they are both self-sufficient and it is unlikely a full-fledged military alliance will form, according to Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse.
All 31 U.S.-made M1A1 Abrams tanks promised to Kyiv by the Biden administration have arrived in Ukraine, according to the U.S. military.

Col. Martin ODonnell, a spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, told VOA that all of the Ukrainians who trained on the tanks with U.S. forces in Germany have also returned to Ukraine, along with ammunition and spare tank parts.

We have lived up to our end of the bargain. From this point forward, it is up to them [Ukraine] to determine when and where they will deliver this capability, ODonnell said.

Military officials say it could take time before the Abrams are sent to the battlefield, as Ukrainian troops make sure they have needed support elements in place and determine when and where to use the tanks for greatest effect against Russian forces.

I think Ukraine will be deliberate in when and where they use it, ODonnell said. The Abrams tank is one hell of an armored vehicle, but its not a silver bullet. Ultimately, it's Ukraine's determination to break through that matters most."

The first of the 31 American-made Abrams tanks were delivered to Ukraine late last month, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The delivery came faster than initial estimates and in time for potential use in the final weeks of Kyivs counteroffensive against Russian forces before winter sets in.

Abrams are already in Ukraine and are preparing to reinforce our brigades, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on September 25.

The Abrams will add to other Western tanks already in Ukraines arsenal as it fights to reclaim Russian-held territory in Ukraines eastern and southern regions.

The U.S. pledge to donate Abrams tanks earlier this year came alongside a pledge from European nations to deliver German-made Leopard 2 tanks, which Berlin had been unwilling to approve without a similar commitment from the United States.

The United Kingdom was the first country to agree to send Western tanks to Ukraine, pledging its Challenger 2 tanks in January of this year, which arrived in the spring.

British Major Nick Bridges told VOA shortly after the U.K announcement that Challenger 2 tanks can take multiple hits and stay in the fight, even as they are considered slower than the Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks.

The battles in the Ukraine will be slow, and what you need is a heavy tank like a Challenger [2 tank] that can take a hit, and more so than a T-72 [Russian-made tank], which will probably be destroyed after one round, he told VOA.

Russian forces hit a Challenger 2 tank in Ukraine for what appeared to be the first time last month. Video released at the time showed a badly-damaged tank ablaze, with a Western defense source confirming to news outlets that the tank was indeed a Challenger 2 tank and that all of the crew had survived the attack.

Ukraine has asked for hundreds of Western tanks for its offensive. They have received dozens to date.

Ukraine has intensified a campaign of missile and drone strikes to hit targets deep behind Russian lines, which has placed parts of the occupied Crimean Peninsula under repeated attack.

But with winter approaching, Ukrainian forces have yet to achieve a decisive breakthrough, a concern among Kyivs backers that has raised questions about the future of international support.

The Abrams tanks arrival in Ukraine comes as the United States provided up to $200 million in additional military aid for Ukraine in a package last week. The Pentagon said the package included weapons for air defense such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, artillery munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), TOW anti-tank missiles, and 155mm and 105mm rounds.

The package marked the 48th time that the U.S. has used the presidential drawdown authority to provide Ukraines miliary with equipment from U.S. stockpiles, and it was the first since Congress excluded new aid for Ukraine in a stopgap spending bill passed last month to prevent a government shutdown.

The U.S. has provided about $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russias unprovoked invasion in February 2022.

The Pentagon still has about $5 billion of congressionally approved funding for Ukrainian military aid.

Soon after the stopgap spending bill passed, the House ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position as speaker. The House has yet to vote for a new speaker, and new aid for Ukraine could hinge on who is selected.
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U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel Wednesday, as a humanitarian crisis grows in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground invasion by Israeli forces. VOAs Michael Brown reports.
Donald Trump returned Tuesday to the civil fraud trial that imperils his real estate empire, watching and deploring the case as an employee and an outside appraiser testified that his company essentially put a thumb on the scale when sizing up his properties' value.

Incensed by a case that disputes his net worth and could strip him of such signature holdings as Trump Tower, the former president is due to testify later in the trial. But he chose to attend the first three days and came back Tuesday to observe  and to protest his treatment to the news cameras waiting outside the Manhattan courtroom.

Star witness Michael Cohen, a onetime Trump fixer now turned foe, postponed his scheduled testimony because of a health problem.

Instead, Trump company accountant Donna Kidder testified that she was told to make some assumptions favorable to the firm on internal financial spreadsheets. Outside appraiser Doug Larson said he didn't suggest or condone a former Trump Organization comptroller's methods of valuing properties.

"It doesn't make sense," Larson said of the way the ex-controller reached a $287.6 million value for a prominent Trump-owned retail space in 2013.

Trump, outside court, reiterated his insistence that he's done nothing wrong and that New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit is a political vendetta designed to drag down his 2024 presidential campaign as he leads the Republican field.

"We built a great company  a lot of cash, it's got a lot of great assets, some of the greatest real estate assets anywhere in the world," Trump said outside the courtroom. He dismissed the case as "a disgrace," the legal system as "corrupt" and the Democratic attorney general as a "radical lunatic."

James' lawsuit alleges that Trump and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and inflating his net worth on his financial statements. She also attended Tuesday but didn't comment.

Trump says his assets were actually undervalued and maintains that disclaimers on his financial statements amounted to telling banks and other recipients not to accept his numbers but to check them out for themselves.

Larson, a real estate brokerage executive and professional appraiser, assessed Trump properties for lenders. He was taken aback when told on the stand that he was repeatedly cited as an outside expert in former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney 's valuation spreadsheets.

"It's inappropriate and inaccurate," Larson testified. "I should have been told, and an appraisal should have been ordered."

When it came to valuing a storefront formerly known as Niketown, McConney relied on rates of return for a different type of property, rather than for comparable retail space, Larson testified. He also said he appraised a Trump-owned Wall Street building at $540 million in 2015, while McConney valued it at $735.4 million on Trump's financial statement.

Outside court, Trump attorney Alina Habba suggested that appraisers' valuations routinely come in lower than what owners believe their properties are worth.

Kidder, the Trump company accountant, provided a window into Trump Organization accounting practices.

She testified that as she filled out internal spreadsheets documenting the value of a Trump-owned Wall Street office building, longtime former Trump Organization finance chief Allen Weisselberg told her to act as if the skyscraper would be completely leased by a certain date, even if some space was currently vacant.

For a Park Avenue residential tower, she was told to project that unsold units "would all sell out" in a certain timeframe.

Kidder said she wasn't aware that those assumptions would be used to improve Trump's bottom line on financial statements that helped his company make deals and get financing and insurance.

Trump lawyer Christopher Kise objected to what he deemed "very granular" testimony from Kidder, who also alluded to a prior Trump tangle with New York state's lawyers.

In explaining a spreadsheet, she noted an entry about a $12 million loan to pay a $25 million settlement of lawsuits from former state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and others over the now-defunct Trump University real estate seminar program.

Judge Arthur Engoron is hearing the current case without a jury. The suit was brought under a state law that doesn't allow for one.

Trump has repeatedly criticized both the statute and the judge, a Democrat. The ex-president said Tuesday that he had come to like and respect Engoron but believed that Democrats were "pushing him around like a pinball."

After Trump maligned a key court staffer on social media during the trial's first days, the judge ordered him to delete the post and issued a limited gag order, warning participants in the case not to smear members of his staff.

In a pretrial decision last month, Engoron resolved the case's top claim, ruling that Trump and his company committed years of fraud by exaggerating the value of his 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 question. An appeals court has since blocked enforcement of that aspect of the ruling for now.

The trial concerns six remaining claims in the lawsuit, including allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.
Amid the Hamas-Israel escalation, videos claiming to show Israels new Iron Beam directed-energy weapon air defense system in action have become viral across various social media platforms.

One such video posted to X, formerly Twitter, shows footage from a video game called Arma 3. Still, it had received some 30K likes and reposts and 5.7 million views at the time of this writing.

Another video circulating on X, TikTok, Telegram and YouTube appears to show Tel Aviv-bound rockets being intercepted.

Jenya zub LIVE NEWS, a Telegram channel with nearly 36,000 subscribers that posts in Russian and Ukrainian, wrote that the video showed Iron Beam in use.

Preliminarily, the video shows the work of the newest Israeli laser air defense system Iron Beam. The laser shoots down aerial targets. Air defense of the future, Jenya zub LIVE NEWS posted on October 15.

That is false.

Some social media users noted a diagonal beam of light that flashed across the screen at the time of interception. The beam appeared to cut through two points of light in the sky.

But the Iron Beam interceptions are silent and invisible.

Like Israels Iron Dome air defense system, Iron Beam was developed by Israels state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

Iron Beam employs a 100kW fiber laser on a swivel, which can hit targets as far as an estimated 7 kilometers away. By contrast, Iron Dome missiles can intercept objects up to 70km away. While a missile interceptor destroys the target on impact, a laser has to be held on the target for several seconds.

Iron Beam is expected to complement, not replace, Iron Dome and other elements of Israels air defenses. Iron Beam also has its advantages. It can be integrated with a variety of systems and platforms and is expected to limit collateral damage.

Also, Iron Beams laser is much cheaper to employ than Iron Domes missiles, which cost tens of thousands of dollars each.

The Iron Beams interceptions are silent, theyre invisible, and they only cost around $3.50 apiece, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in April 2022.

While science fiction films portray laser weapons with distinctive sound and visual effects, most laser beams used in defense applications are not visible to the naked eye.

Iron Beam, likewise, cannot be seen during the day or night.

While an Iron Beam promotional video released in October 2022 showed a briefly visible beam, it was a visual effect added after the fact.

"The beam was just shown as a visible aid, otherwise the clip would basically show nothing, but the beam itself  is not visible to the naked eye, Aurora Intel, an open-source intelligence account on X that focuses on the Israeli theater of conflict, told Polygraph.info in a written comment.

The same promotional video includes footage showing Iron Beam targeting a drone, a mortar and a rocket. Those objects are destroyed without the laser beam being visible.

Open source investigators say the footage in Jenya zub LIVE NEWS post is authentic and shows Tamir missiles fired from Israels Iron Dome air defense system intercepting Qassam rockets fired by Hamas military wing.

Aurora Intel attributed the flash of light visible at the time of interception to a lens flare. Lens flares occur when light from a bright source hits the camera lens, causing starbursts, or in this case, a very long diffraction spike (a line radiating from a bright source) to be visible in photos and videos.

Tyler Rogoway, Creator/Editor-In-Chief of The War Zone, described the light as "glare from the detonation of a Tamir."

In a video apparently showing the same interception from a different angle, a much smaller starburst effect is visible at the points of impact. A long beam of light is not visible in that video.

After the IsraelHamas war erupted on October 7, Israel announced it could deploy Iron Beam years ahead of schedule. However, there has been no evidence thus far that Israel has used Iron Beam in the conflict.
A former New York stockbroker who fled his job and family to fight alongside Islamic State militants in Syria, and then maintained his allegiance to the extremist group throughout his trial, was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday.

Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, who served as a sniper and instructor for the Islamic militant group at the height of its power, sat grinning in the Brooklyn courtroom, flashing a thumbs-up and stroking his bushy beard as a judge read out the sentencing.

His court-appointed attorney, Susan Kellman, declined to ask for a lighter sentence, noting her client was not interested in distancing himself from the Islamic State fighters in exchange for leniency.

"It's rare that I start my remarks at sentencing by saying I agree with the government," Kellman said. "This is who he is. This is what he believes, fervently."

Asainov, a 47-year-old U.S. citizen born in Kazakhstan, was living in Brooklyn in late 2013 when he abandoned his young daughter and wife to fight alongside the Islamic State group in Syria.

After receiving training as a sniper, he participated in pivotal battles that allowed the militant group to seize territory and establish its self-proclaimed caliphate based on a fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law. He rose to a rank of "emir," or chief, then taught more than 100 aspiring snipers, acting as a "force multiplier" for the Islamic State group's "bloody, brutal campaign," according to prosecutors.

Asainov told law enforcement officials that he did not recall how many people he had killed. But he spoke proudly of participating in the violent jihad, bragging that his students had taken enemy lives.

"He chose to embrace killing as both a means and an end," Matthew Haggans, an assistant United States attorney, said during the sentencing. "He holds on to that foul cause today."

Asainov did not participate in his own trial, refusing to stand for the judge or jury. Inside the Brooklyn jail cell, he hung a makeshift Islamic State flag above his desk and made calls to his mother on a recorded line describing his lack of repentance.

Asainov was convicted earlier this year of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and causing at least one death, among other charges. He is one of dozens of Americans  and thousands of foreign fighters worldwide  who have heeded the calls of the Islamic State militants to join the fighting in Iraq and Syria since 2011.

Mirsad Kandic, a Brooklyn resident who recruited Asainov and others to join the Islamic State group, was sentenced to life in prison this summer.

During Asainov's trial, his ex-wife testified that he had once doted on their young daughter. But around 2009, she said, he became consumed by extremist interpretations of Islamic Law, quitting his job as a stock trader, throwing out his daughter's toys and forbidding his wife from putting up a Christmas tree.

In late 2013, he boarded a one-way flight from New York to Istanbul, ultimately arriving in Syria with the help of Kandic. He maintained occasional contact with his wife, bragging about his connection to the "most atrocious terrorist organization in the world" and warning that he could have her executed.

He was captured in 2019 by Syrian Democratic Forces during the Islamic State group's last stand in a tiny Syrian village near the border with Iraq, then turned over to the United States.

In their sentencing memo, federal prosecutors said Asainov should face the maximum sentence of life imprisonment for both the nature of his crimes and the fact that he has not shown "an iota of remorse, doubt, or self-reflection on past mistakes."

On Tuesday, Judge Nicholas Garaufis said he agreed with prosecutors.

"Its hard for the court to have any understanding or sympathy for what we have seen in this trial," he said.
As the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip spirals, Israel is preparing a full-scale ground invasion of the enclave of 2.1 million Palestinians.

Analyzing the 2014 Gaza War, the last time Israel invaded the strip, could give a window into how the coming days and weeks will play out. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed this time to crush Hamas leadership in Gaza. But experts say winning this battle will be far more complex than in 2014.

What happened in the 2014 Gaza War?

Hamas abducted and murdered three Israeli teenagers in 2014. Two Israelis then kidnapped a Palestinian teenager and slaughtered him in retaliation. Mass demonstrations broke out on both sides.

In the upheaval, Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups began lobbing thousands of rockets into southern Israel. More than 730 were intercepted by the Iron Dome, Israel's state-of-the-art air defense system.

Israel bombarded Gaza with missiles in response. Entire city blocks were razed. More than 1,460 Palestinian civilians are believed to have died compared to a handful of Israelis, according to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees.

The Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, launched a ground invasion of the strip on Aug. 7, 2014, with the goal of destroying Hamas' widespread network of underground tunnels that were being used to stow rockets.

In the end, the IDF demolished nearly three dozen Hamas tunnels, hampering the group's ability to carry out large-scale terrorist attacks  at least until Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas unleashed the bloodiest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, killing upwards of 1,400 Israelis.

The violence of the 2014 war spanned 50 days, until Israel and Gaza agreed to a cease-fire on August 26 of that year. Today, in fewer than two weeks of battle, more Palestinian and Israeli civilians have perished than in all the fighting in 2014.

The IDF is now planning a ground invasion dwarfing that of 2014. Netanyahu and his unity government are looking to capture Gaza City and end Hamas' brutal reign of the strip. More than 300,000 Israeli reservists have been called up.

How the coming invasion compares to 2014

"This ground invasion is intended to be far larger in scale," said Tahani Mustafa, the Palestine analyst at the International Crisis Group. The 2014 Gaza War, she said, was largely confined to open areas, including farmland.

"Ultimately, 2014 didn't really see Israel going right into the heart of Gaza City," Mustafa said.

Mustafa also warned that Hamas should not be underestimated. The extremist group, she noted, is well-versed in Israeli military strategy and knows what to expect.

Experts agree that urban warfare will confront the IDF with a new set of challenges well beyond the violence of the 2014 war.

"The basic military fact is that invading urban areas is always enormously difficult," said David Silbey, a professor of military history at Cornell University. "Cities are perfect for defenders. There are lots of places for them to hide, not just the tunnels that Hamas has certainly been building, but buildings, houses, all sorts of other areas."

Streets and alleyways, Silbey said, will channel the IDF in predictable directions, so Hamas could set up minefields, ambush sites and anti-tank positions around corners, catching Israeli soldiers by surprise.

"Casualties are likely to be heavy particularly on Hamas' side," Silbey said, "because Hamas doesn't have the kind of armored protections that the Israelis have." Gazans left behind could also be caught in the crossfire, even with precautions in place to limit civilian casualties, he added.

Both Silbey and Mustafa told VOA that this war could last weeks  and the destruction could be vast.

Gaza is still rebuilding from the billions of dollars of damage inflicted on the strip from years of shelling. In 2014 alone, in the wake of the war in Gaza that year, Haaretz, an Israeli news site, reported that it would take 20 years of repair to restore the strip.

The last week has seen further setbacks, Mustafa said. "For many Gazans, they don't feel like life is really ever going to go back to normal."

Hundreds of residential buildings have already been destroyed by Israeli airstrikes and a reported 1 million Gazans have been displaced.

The main difference between 2023 and 2014, experts say, is that Israel is more uncompromising: Netanyahu wants a complete overthrow of Hamas.

"By [2014], there was a general recognition that Gaza under Hamas served Israel as a useful foil. It showed that Israel had no one that it could negotiate with," said Paul Scham, a scholar with the Middle East Institute.

Now, Scham said, "The calculus is very different because [Hamas'] horrendous attacks mean that the Israeli public is out for blood very literally."

Netanyahu is looking to win back his reputation, analysts say, and vanquishing Hamas would help him do that.

But what it means for Israel to succeed in ending Hamas' rule is still an open question, Scham said.

"I don't see how [Israel can destroy Hamas]," he said. "It seems to me the crushing of Hamas is a political slogan."

Scham pointed out that Hamas' reach extends far beyond Gaza, with its rank and file in the West Bank and some of its leaders residing in Qatar.

"I think [Israel] has set a very difficult goal for itself," Scham said. "Israel is promising to destroy Hamas, its commanders and its operatives. How it will judge that nobody knows  or at least nobody outside the [Israeli] military."

But one thing is likely to come of this invasion, Scham said.

"The fact is, Hamas will never be able  I assume  to do anything remotely like what it did [on October 7] again."
Indias Supreme Court rejected a plea to legalize same-sex marriage Tuesday, saying that it was up to parliament to legislate the issue. However, it said the community must be protected from discrimination.

The ruling by a five-judge bench sent a wave of disappointment through the LGBTQ community, which had hoped that the top court would grant the right to marry.

Two Asian countries currently allow same-sex marriage.

The livestreamed verdict was closely followed by tens of thousands of community members and broadcast by television channels. Many gathered outside the Supreme Court, listening to the judges on their mobile phones.

Hopes of a positive outcome fell when Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said there were degrees of agreement and disagreement among the justices on how far we have to go on same-sex marriages.

It lies within the domain of parliament and state legislatures to determine the law on marriage," he said. The court cannot make law.

For the LGBTQ community, that could mean a very long wait for legalization of same-sex marriage in a largely conservative country where few political parties or lawmakers have spoken in support of gay rights.

We are closer to the moon than to gay marriage in India, Manak Matyani, a gay rights campaigner in the Indian capital, told VOA.

The judgment was handed down six months after the court began hearing petitions by 20 gay couples who said that being denied the right to marry violated their right to equality. Their lawyers argued that marriage was a union of two people and important in India, which is a marriage-based culture.

The government and religious leaders strongly opposed the petitions during the hearings. Calling them "urban elitist views," the Hindu nationalist government said that such marriages are not "comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children."

However, there were some takeaways for the LGBTQ community. During the two-hour ruling, the judges said queer couples have a right to live together and called on the government to ensure that they are protected from discrimination and bias. One of the judges emphasized that queer relationships were neither urban nor elitist and said that LGBTQ couples could celebrate their commitment in whichever way they wish.

The court also accepted a proposal made by the government during the hearings to set up an expert committee headed by the countrys top bureaucrat to consider granting queer couples several rights and privileges that are available to heterosexual couples, such as the right to hold joint bank accounts and inheritance rights.

That proposal has not inspired much confidence among gay activists. The judgment has no teeth, said Matyani. Very often we see that committees are formed but nothing comes out of their recommendations. When governments decide to be lethargic on some things, they can just put such recommendations on the back burner.

Other gay rights campaigners agree that the road ahead for the community will not be easy.

The court has asked for a committee to be formed and for parliament to consider the issue of same-sex marriages, but when that happens there is a lot of pushback, said Anjali Gopalan, founder of the Naz Foundation, which campaigns for rights for the LGBTQ community.

All things considered, the judgment is extremely disappointing, she told VOA.

The Naz Foundation was at the forefront of a legal battle in 2018 leading the top court to scrap a British-era law that made homosexuality punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The landmark judgment helped Indias gay community be more open in public and started the slow process of societal acceptance. In recent years, some gay couples have even held ceremonies akin to weddings.

Among them was Abhay Dang, who said he was deeply disappointed by the verdict.

On a personal level we feel proud that we fought this battle, he said. Though we lost, lots of dinner table conversations were initiated because of this case. We remain hopeful that one day we will have full marriage equality.

Among those who welcomed the verdict was the Supreme Court Bar Association, which had earlier said the court does not have the power to legalize same-sex unions.

"That right only rests with the Indian parliament, and we are glad that the court agrees with us," its president, Adish Aggarwala, told reporters.

Several gay rights activists have vowed to continue their fight for equal rights.
The U.S. and Israel develop a plan for humanitarian aid for Palestinians as President Biden plans to travel to Israel on Wednesday. We visit Jerusalems Old City, and we revisit the Turkish border with Armenia. Plus, were in Poland to examine the election results.
The lawyer representing the family of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Iranian woman who died in police custody last year, has been sentenced to a year in prison after being convicted of conducting propaganda against the regime.

Saleh Nikbakht was charged after the Ministry of Intelligence filed a complaint against him when he discussed Aminis case in interviews with media outlets. He was sentenced Tuesday by the Islamic Revolutionary Court, according to reports sent to VOA.

Aminis death sparked months of anti-government protests. Iranian police said she suffered a heart attack while in custody, but her family disputes that claim. Iranian authorities have rejected the family's request for a committee of independent doctors to investigate her death.

Nikbakht had further urged a reevaluation of the cause of Aminis death by five out of 12 distinguished doctors in the country," as proposed by her family.

Ali Rezaei, a lawyer representing Nikbakht, insisted that his clients statements were rooted in his "legal obligations as an attorney" and that he had not committed any wrongdoing.
Video: The UN Security Council on Oct. 16, 2023 failed to adopt a Russian-drafted resolution that calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. (Xinhua)

Four countries joined Russia in voting for the resolution -- China, the United Arab Emirates, Mozambique and Gabon. Four countries voted against it -- the United States, Britain, France and Japan. The other six countries abstained.



UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday failed to adopt a Russian-drafted resolution that calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

The draft resolution obtained five votes in favor and four against, with six abstentions.

Four countries joined Russia in voting for the resolution -- China, the United Arab Emirates, Mozambique and Gabon. Four countries voted against it -- the United States, Britain, France and Japan. The other six countries abstained.

The UN Security Council holds a vote for a Russian-drafted resolution that calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, at the UN headquarters in New York on Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie E)

To be adopted, a Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no veto from any of the council's five permanent members.

Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said his delegation was deeply disappointed at the result of the vote.

"There is nothing in the (draft) resolution that can be contested because it is a purely humanitarian one. The only reason why the resolution didn't pass was because they do not want to support anything from Russia," he told reporters after the voting.

The Security Council has on its table another draft resolution on the same issue from Brazil. No date has been set for a vote. 
Israels ambassador to South Korea believes North Korean weapons are being used by Palestinian militant group Hamas to attack Israel, even as Pyongyang has denied the accusations that have surfaced online as groundless.

Akiva Tor, the Israeli ambassador serving in South Korea since 2020, told VOAs Korean Service on the phone from Seoul on Saturday that Hamas militants are using weapons manufactured by North Korea.

In Gaza, as it is the one which attacks us, they use North Korean weapons, said Tor. It could be that these North Korean weapons have been in Iran for quite a long time.

We will destroy these weapons in Gaza, he added.

Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, photos of F-7 rocket-propelled grenades with a claim they were made by North Korea have been surfacing on X, formerly known as Twitter.

A self-proclaimed weapons researcher, who uses the name War Noir, posted photos of rockets and machine guns with the caption that Israel Defense Forces allegedly captured the North Korean-made weapons belonging to the Al-Qassam Brigades near Gaza.

Bruce Bechtol, a former intelligence officer at the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency who is now a political science professor at Angelo University in Texas, told VOA Korean via email that the F-7s in the photos that are identified [as] looking like North Korean in origin, look that way to me as well.

It appears likely that considerable number of the weapons that Hamas has [been using came] from the North Koreans, said Bechtol.

Bechtol continued that more North Korean weapons are likely to be found in Gaza after the Israeli Defense Forces begin a ground offensive in the territory.

North Korea denied its weapons were used by Hamas to attack Israel through a statementissued on its state-run KCNA on Friday.

The U.S. is spreading groundless and false rumors that North Korean weapons were used in the attack on Israel as a way to shift the blame for the Middle East crisis caused by its wrong hegemonic policy onto a third country, said the KCNA.

Analysts said it is not surprising that Hamas appears to be using North Korean arms as Pyongyang has a long history of supplying arms to Hamas, the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah and Iran, which supports both groups.

James Jeffrey, who from 2018 until November 2020 served as U.S. special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, is currently chair of the Wilson Centers Middle East Program. He told VOA Korean during an Oct. 10 telephone interview, North Korea has long provided weapons and technical knowledge to radical forces in the Middle East.

He continued, I wouldnt be surprised because North Korea is engaged in illicit arms sales and deliveries, both to make money and to destabilize the international order in a big way. Therefore, every time we have a crisis or a new conflict, therere North Korean fingerprints.

Fred Fleitz, who spent 19 years with the CIA and served as acting national security advisor during the Trump administration, said, It certainly appears that either through a direct deal in which Hamas paid the North Koreans or through the IRGC, the Iranian Republic Guard Corps, they smuggled those weapons in or through Hezbollah.

Fleitz, who is now the vice chair of the Center for American Security, continued, But the latter seems more convincing. Iran is closer to both North Korea and Palestine and likely has many more routes.

Multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from exporting weapons.

Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, at a press briefing on October 10 said the U.S. will look to counter actions by any country that is providing either financial or military support to Hamas.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday that he could not confirm reports of North Korean weapons being used by Hamas.

The possibility of arms dealings between North Korea and Hamas first surfaced in 2009.

In December of that year, a North Korean plane carrying about 35 tons of weapons including rockets and rocket-propelled grenades were seized at a Bangkok airport while the aircraft landed there for a refueling stop. The next month, the Thai government submitted a report to the U.N. Security Council saying the weapons were headed to Iran.

White Houses Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes said in November 2012 that Thailands interdicted shipment from North Korea in 2009 were bound for Hamas.

In 2013, a UNSC report included photographs of North Korea weapons in the cargo plane.

At the time of the weapons shipments, Israel was fighting a proxy war with Iran for supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, according to then-Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon.

Tor told VOAs Korean Service that theres no question Iran is supporting Hamas politically, financially and strategically. But he said he is not able to say what exact role Iran has played in this conflict.

Tor also dismissed speculation that Tehran used $6 billion of its funds unfrozen from South Korean banks to support Hamas in this conflict.

We dont have any evidence that the release of the funds, which were held in [South] Korean banks, have reached Hamas in any way, he said.

Tor continued, Israels view, in general, is that sanctions against Iran should not be eased up, and that funds that go to Iran, even when theyre directed to humanitarian purposes, [could be used] for improper purposes.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that Iran has not been able to tap any of the funds that were released from South Korean banks and that those funds could only be used for humanitarian purposes.

The transfer of funds was arranged as part of a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Iran. Iran released five U.S. citizens held hostage in exchange for the release of the funds and transfer of five Iranians held in the U.S.

Jiha Ham and Sangjin Cho of the Korean Service contributed to this report.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is pressuring Hamas to give it access to at least 199 Israeli hostages that its militants kidnapped more than a week ago. From Tel Aviv, Israel, Linda Gradstein reports on how hundreds of Israeli civilians have set up a war room in a desperate effort to find the hostages. Videography by Ricki Rosen.
Tensions have been rising on the Lebanese-Israeli border since Israel began military action against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Lebanese militant political group Hezbollah has warned that an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza would bring them into the conflict, a promise that would inevitably drag Lebanon into a costly and especially complicated war. Jacob Russell has this report from Beirut.
In a municipal building in Ramallah, a city in the occupied West Bank, hundreds of men spend their days despairing, as the war between Israel and Hamas takes an increasing toll on civilians in Gaza.

The men are workers who are stuck outside of Gaza, as their parents, siblings, wives and children try to survive Israel's bombings on the inside.

Many say they would prefer to risk death and go home than stay in Ramallah and hear about their families' suffering through phone calls or text messages.

Before this renewed war began, Saleh Hassan, 45, was supporting his wife and three teenage daughters in Gaza as a construction worker in Israel. After Hamas launched a massive surprise attack that killed more than 1,400 people in Israel, his world came crashing down.

Israel has responded with near-constant strikes that have killed about 3,000 people and wounded more than 12,500, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

"We were simple people living our lives," says Hassan, turning his head from a camera because he doesn't want his face seen for security reasons. "We have nothing to do with what is happening."

Hassan's work permit, along with those of thousands of other workers from Gaza, was canceled by text message in the days following the initial invasion by Hamas.

"My daughter is in her second year of university and was learning English," he continues. "She wanted to graduate. But now our dreams are shattered. Everything is destroyed."

More than 2 million people live inside Gaza, an enclave that is roughly 40 kilometers by 10 kilometers in size. The only border crossing between Israel and Gaza was destroyed on the first day of the war. Families have been told to evacuate certain areas of Gaza, but they can only go to other, slightly less dangerous parts of the enclave.

Hassan says his family wouldn't leave, even if they could.

"They say, 'We want to stay in our house until they shell us,'" he tells VOA.

Other men echo his sentiment, saying Gaza families ought to stay put, lest Israel take the last bits of land still held by Palestinians after more than a century of conflict in one form or another.

But their resolve quickly dissolves into tears when they speak about their children.

"It took my wife and I five years to have children," says one man, another construction worker who said he preferred not to be named. "Now we have two children, but I cannot be with them. I want to die."

The men say Israeli bombing has been relentless on the families hiding inside, and everyone knows of someone who is missing or dead. Quietly, some also blame Hamas, saying they knew when the invasion began, it was primarily civilians who would suffer.

Aid workers are providing food and housing for the men and trying to offer psychological support, says volunteer Israa Ghannam, 28, from Ramallah. But the level of anguish here is beyond soothing, she says.

"Last night there were 800 here," she explains. "We are giving them food and trying to calm them because they are devastated by news from their families."

Resources are scarce and supplies are already running low, she adds, and limited support is coming in from donors and the local government in the West Bank. It's not clear how long the make-shift shelter can operate.

Israel has vowed to utterly defeat Hamas in this war, and Hamas has declared it has a plan to defend itself.

Many men here say they have given up hope for a happy outcome and believe that they may never see their families again.

"Our families are being killed and we are here," says Hassan. "If I could find a way to go to Gaza, I would go first thing in the morning."
Palestinian security forces in Ramallah fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters throwing rocks and chanting against President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, as popular anger boiled over after a deadly Gaza hospital attack that Palestinians blamed on Israel.

The strike on Gaza's Ahli Arab hospital, which officials said killed about 500 people, was the deadliest single incident in Gaza since Israel launched a campaign in retaliation for a deadly Hamas gun rampage through Israeli communities.

Israel's military denied responsibility for the strike, blaming it on a failed Islamic Jihad rocket launch.

The strike drew condemnation from the West and the Arab world, and protests were staged at Israel's embassies in Turkey and Jordan and near the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon.

This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal Bodies of Palestinians killed by an explosion at the Ahli Arab hospital are gathered in the front yard of the al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Oct. 17, 2023.

In the West Bank, where Abbas was returning on Tuesday after canceling a planned meeting in Jordan with U.S. President Joe Biden, hundreds of demonstrators marched in Ramallah's central Manara Square, with some chanting in support of Hamas militant leaders.

Clashes with Palestinian security forces also broke out in the West Bank cities of Nablus, Tubas and Jenin, a northern city that was the focus of major Israeli military operations earlier this year, according to witnesses.

The outbreak of West Bank protests highlights long-simmering Palestinian anger against Abbas, whose forces have long faced criticism for coordinating with Israel on security in the territory.
Polands ruling nationalist conservative party has lost its majority in parliament after eight years in power.

Official electoral results announced Tuesday show the Law and Justice party winning 35% of the vote. By contrast, the liberal Civic Coalition party won 30.7% of the vote, followed by the centrist Third Way party with 14.4% and the New Left 8.6%, giving the three parties a combined 53.7% of the vote and with it a majority of seats in the 460-seat lower house of parliament, the Sejm.

The three parties ran on separate tickets but with the same promises seeking to oust Law and Justice and restore good ties with the European Union. Leaders of the three parties have pledged to join forces and form a coalition government. Donald Tusk, the leader of Civic Coalition and a former prime minister, is likely to be chosen by the coalition to return to office.

Law and Justice had formed an ironclad grip on many Polish institutions during its time in office, including the judiciary and state-run public broadcasting, which the party allegedly used to demonize political opponents and burnish its image.

The party will still have a chance to remain in power. President Andrzej Duda, an ally of Law and Justice, will give the party a chance to form a government since it won the most votes. But the far-right Confederation party won only 7% of the vote, not enough to form a governing coalition with Law and Order.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters.
Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives meet to vote again Wednesday as Republican Rep. Jim Jordan seeks to secure enough support from his party to become the next House speaker.

Jordan, a hardline conservative and ally of former President Donald Trump, fell short of a majority in a vote Tuesday, as 20 Republicans cast their votes for other members.

His 200 votes also trailed House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who received 212 votes but does not have a path to the speakers chair given the Republican majority in the House.

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives meet to vote again Wednesday as Republican Rep. Jim Jordan seeks to secure enough support from his party to become the next House speaker.

Jordan, a hardline conservative and ally of former President Donald Trump, fell short of a majority in a vote Tuesday, as 20 Republicans cast their votes for other members.

His 200 votes also trailed House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who received 212 votes but does not have a path to the speakers chair given the Republican majority in the House.

Jordan, a divisive figure on Capitol Hill, could become the third candidate to fail to unite the Republican Party, which has left the chamber leaderless following the ousting of former speaker Kevin McCarthy two weeks ago. Congressman Steve Scalise withdrew his name from contention after failing to garner enough support among Republicans.

VOA congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.
Bangladesh rights activists Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan were released on bail Sunday evening after being in prison since Sept. 14 in a cybercrime case.

Khan is the founder and secretary of Odhikar, a human rights organization internationally known for documenting thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. Elan is the organizations director.

Khan told VOA on Monday that Odhikars work would continue as usual.

Since it was founded in 1994, Odhikar has worked exposing human rights violations in the country," Khan said. The prosecution failed to prove the charges against us for which we were convicted and jailed. We have become victims of judicial injustice. We never provided any false information in any of our reports.

Distorted report

On May 6, 2013, while trying to disperse an Islamic group protest in Dhaka, several protesters were killed by security forces.

According to an Odhikar fact-finding report, at least 61 people were killed that day.

Putting the death toll at 11, government prosecutors filed a criminal case against Khan and Elan, claiming the activists compiled a "distorted" fact-finding report.

Ten years later on Sept. 14, 2023, the court pronounced Khan and Elan guilty and sentenced them to two years each in prison. They were also fined $91 each.

Their imprisonment sparked outrage among human rights groups around the world.

In a joint statement, 39 international rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, and Amnesty International urged Bangladesh authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the activists, as they have been detained solely for their human rights work."

Days after their sentence, Khan and Elan appealed to the High Court, which granted them bail on Oct. 10. But it took five days for the court order to reach prison authorities. An appeal hearing of their sentence is pending. The court stayed the $91 fine until the appeal is resolved. In the meantime, the state has filed an appeal seeking enhancement of the activists punishment.

Defending rights

In addition to extrajudicial killings, Odhikar has reported on thousands of enforced disappearances, cases of torture in custody, and other human rights violations committed by security forces while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been in office.

In 2022, the government accused Odhikar of spreading "propaganda against the state by publishing misleading information" on its website and canceled the organizations operating license.

Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, a consultant at Australia-based Capital Punishment Justice Project, said Khan and Elans conviction and imprisonment were key examples of Bangladesh authorities using the judiciary to punish independent human rights defenders.

The Sheikh Hasina regime has long established a pattern of silencing dissidents and the opposition using the judiciary that has been massively infiltrated with her political loyalists, he told VOA.
Ukraine launched ATACMS at Russian forces on Tuesday, after the United States secretly provided a small number of the long-range ballistic missiles to Kyiv in recent days, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday, confirming earlier reporting from VOA.

"Our agreements with President [Joe] Biden are being implemented, and they are being implemented very accurately. ATACMS have proven themselves," Zelenskyy said Tuesday.

ATACMS which is short for the Army Tactical Missile System made by U.S. company Lockheed Martin, will allow Ukrainian forces to reach deeper into Russian-controlled territory. They also will allow Ukraine to fire at surface targets from a safer distance, rather than having to go to the front lines to hit targets farther back.

ATACMS can be used in High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems or HIMARS that are already in Ukraines arsenal. Until now, the U.S. had provided only GMLRS  short for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System  rockets for the system. GMLRS have a range of about 90 kilometers (60 miles).

A U.S. official who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity said the U.S. had secretly provided Ukraine with a small number of the older variant of ATACMS, which has a maximum range of about 170 kilometers. (106 miles).

Newer versions of ATACMS have a maximum range of more than 300 kilometers (186 miles).

After initial decline, weapons approved

ATACMS are the latest in a string of weapons the Biden administration initially declined to provide Ukraine but changed its mind down the road. Kyiv had asked for the weapons system for more than a year.

The White House initially withheld approval for requests for American-made Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and F-16 fighter jets, only to approve Ukraines ability to obtain those military assets later.

Last week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the U.S. would co-lead the coalition thats working to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, after greenlighting in May the training of Ukrainian pilots and the eventual transfer of the jets to Ukraine from Western allies. But Austin cautioned that it would take Ukraine "months" before they would be ready to use F-16s in battle.

"So earliest is next spring when we can begin to see an initial capability," Austin said.

Ukraine has intensified a campaign of missile and drone strikes to hit targets deep behind Russian lines, which has placed parts of the occupied Crimean Peninsula under repeated attack.

But with winter approaching, Ukrainian forces have yet to achieve a decisive breakthrough, a concern among Kyivs backers that has raised questions about the future of international support.

According to media reports, President Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month that the U.S. would send a small number of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

The United Kingdom had provided Ukraine with a similar type of missile earlier this year  the Storm Shadow missile, with a maximum range of about 250 kilometers  but the Storm Shadow is fired from a plane. With the skies over Ukraine highly contested, ATACMS can provide Ukraine with greater flexibility in its attacks.

The newest version of ATACMS also moves three to four times faster than other missiles seen on the battlefield, including the Storm Shadow and the Russian-made KH-101.

Additional military aid provided

News of the long-range missiles comes less than a week after the United States provided up to $200 million in additional military aid for Ukraine in a package the Pentagon said included weapons for air defense such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, artillery munitions for HIMARS, TOW anti-tank missiles, and 155mm and 105mm rounds.

The package marked the 48th time that the U.S. has used the presidential drawdown authority to provide Ukraines military with equipment from U.S. stockpiles, and it was the first since Congress excluded new aid for Ukraine in a stopgap spending bill passed last month to prevent a government shutdown.

The U.S. has provided about $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russias unprovoked invasion in February 2022.

The Pentagon still has about $5 billion of congressionally approved funding for Ukrainian military aid, after the Pentagon discovered in June that it had overestimated the value of weapons shipped to Ukraine by about $6 billion.

When calculating its aid package estimates, the Defense Department was counting the cost incurred to replace the weapons given to Ukraine, while it should have been totaling the cost of the systems actually sent, officials told VOA at the time the error was found.

Soon after the stopgap spending bill passed, the House ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position as speaker.

The House has yet to elect a new speaker, and new aid for Ukraine could hinge on who is selected.
Amid a growing health emergency and a staggering loss of life, U.N. humanitarian agencies warned Tuesday that thousands of Palestinians trapped in Gaza are likely to die in the coming days if they are denied access to urgently needed relief supplies.

The United Nations said around 4,200 people have been killed since Hamas invaded Israel October 7. More than 2,800 of those deaths and nearly 11,000 injuries reportedly occurred in Gaza with another 1,400 deaths and more than 4,100 injuries in Israel.

The biggest challenge for us is, of course, access  with access to fuel, water, food and medical supplies running out. And this is exacerbating this catastrophe by the minute, said Richard Peeperkorn, the World Health Organizations representative in occupied Palestinian territory.

Speaking in Cairo, Egypt, Peeperkorn said health care workers in Gaza are overwhelmed by the number of casualties and fatalities arriving at hospitals that are running out of essential supplies, including trauma and surgical supplies and essential medicine for treatment.

He said, We are not only talking about trauma and trauma care. We are also talking about essential medication needed for primary health care, noncommunicable diseases, emergency obstetric care, etc.

Peeperkorn said that the WHO was particularly concerned by Israels demand that more than 1.1 million people leave northern Gaza for southern Gaza.

The evacuation orders remain applicable to 23 hospitals in northern Gaza and would affect more than 2,000 patients, staff and many, many people who are sheltering in those places.

The forced evacuation of hospitals puts the lives filled with patients at immediate risk and amounts to a death sentence of those needing intensive care and lifesaving surgeries, he said, noting that could amount to a violation of international humanitarian law.

Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the WHOs regional director for the eastern Mediterranean, said the emergency facing the occupied Palestinian territory has reached catastrophic proportions and risked the spilling over of the conflict into other parts of the region.

He said the escalation of the conflict on the border between Israel and Lebanon could potentially destabilize neighboring countries and threaten the safety, health and well-being of people in the region as a whole.

Since Hamas militants invaded Israel October 7, he said the United Nations and the WHO have made repeated calls for an end to hostilities to protect civilians, health workers and health facilities and have called for the safe release of all hostages.

We have repeatedly called for humanitarian access into Gaza through the Rafah border from Egypt, where our supplies have been ready and waiting for more than 72 hours, he said.

Meanwhile, the World Food Program said that current stocks of essential food commodities in Gaza are sufficient for only two weeks.

Abeer Etefa, the WFPs senior communications officer for the Middle East and North Africa, said in Cairo that only one mill out of five in the Gaza Strip was operating because of security concerns and unavailability of fuel and electricity.

So, the bread supply is running low, and people are lining up for hours to get bread. Currently, only five bakeries out of 23 in Gaza are still operating, she said. There are so many convoys and trucks with humanitarian supplies that are stockpiled now in the Egyptian city of Al Arish, which are just a few kilometers away from the Rafah border crossing with Gaza.

She said food, water, medical and other supplies are on stand-by, awaiting the possibility to get into Gaza.

There is no shortage of supplies, she said. What is missing is the opportunity to get these supplies to the people who are just a few kilometers away. They desperately need these supplies but are unable to benefit from their proximity.

Etafa said she did not know what the holdup was but indicated that the Egyptian side cited safety and security concerns at the border for delaying humanitarian trucks from crossing into Gaza.

We have not heard that the negotiations are off the table, she said. So, we are still hopeful that the supplies will go through in the next few days.
UAE-based Al Ghurair Properties has announced that it has inked a transformative 21-year partnership with SirajPower, a leading regional solar energy provider, in a move that will see the company fund, design, build, operate and maintain the project at Al Ghurair Properties' Display Centre in Al Quoz.

This long-term strategic alliance will help deliver both substantial reductions in carbon emissions and energy expenditures, said the real estate development arm of leading UAE family business Al Ghurair Investment.

The announcement harmonises with the UAE's commitment to sustainability, underscored by the ongoing Year of Sustainability and the forthcoming COP28, reaffirming the pivotal role of the business sector in supporting the nation's ambitious energy transition objectives, it stated.

This solar initiative makes a substantial contribution to the UAE's energy diversification strategy, aligning with the nation's net-zero vision to achieve 50% clean energy by 2050, comprising 44% from renewable sources and 6% from nuclear energy.

"The 21-year partnership deal with SirajPower highlights our ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship," remarked Al Ghurair Properties CEO Anwar Atari after signing the deal with SirajPower CEO Laurent Longuet.

"At Al Ghurair, we are aligned with the UAEs sustainability goals, as we understand that building a prosperous future is intricately linked with protecting the environment that sustains it. This collaboration serves as a pivotal step in our ongoing journey toward carbon neutrality and energy efficiency," he noted.

Over the first five years, the solar project is expected to generate 4,160MWh of clean energy, with 840MWh generated in the inaugural year alone.

Across its 21-year lifespan, the project aims to produce a significant 17GWh of energy, equivalent to planting over 193 thousand tree seedlings for a decade and offsetting approximately 11,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Longuet said: "For SirajPower, excellence in the renewable energy sector is not merely about technological innovation, but also about the sustainable impact we imprint on communities."

"This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment toward creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape in the UAE..umbrella both Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC), O&M, and financing solutions," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
WARSAW, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Opposition parties together won over 54 percent of the votes in Poland's parliamentary election on Sunday, according to the ballot count released Tuesday.

After the completion of vote counting in all electoral districts, the National Electoral Commission announced on Tuesday that the winner, the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), won 35.38 percent of the votes, short of a majority in Sejm, the lower house of the parliament.

Civic Coalition, led by former Prime Minister and former European Council President Donald Tusk, garnered 30.70 percent of the votes, while the Third Way got 14.40 percent, and the New Left 8.61 percent.

The collective votes of the three are enough for a comfortable majority. The far-right Confederation Freedom and Independence, a possible partner with PiS according to local media reports, picked up 7.16 percent of the votes. The Non-Partisan Local Government Activists gained 1.86 percent.

Pursuant to the Polish constitution, the first sessions of the Sejm and Senate are convened by the president on a day falling within 30 days of the election day. The current government shall resign then at the first session of the new Sejm, which is to be held on or before Nov. 14. 
The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in southeastern Ukraine in June caused $14 billion worth of damage and losses, a Tuesday report by the Ukrainian government and the United Nations said.

Ukraine accused Russia of blowing up the dam, which crosses the Dnipro River, flooding the surrounding area with landmine-contaminated water and leaving areas upstream without water.

Moscow has denied responsibility.

"The stark figures speak for themselves. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam has resulted in a staggering loss and damage," said Christophoros Politis, the United Nations Development Program's deputy resident representative in Ukraine, at a presentation in Kyiv.

The preliminary figures put the damage and losses at $13.79 billion, taking into account the environmental toll, the loss of power generation, irrigation for farming, lost housing and other factors.

The destruction of the dam "is foreseen to have severe, enduring consequences on Ukraine's environment, economy and society," a post-disaster needs assessment report said.

The report identified the lasting environmental impact as its biggest concern.

"The figures are massive ... and add to the economic burden on Ukraine," Politis said.

A joint report by the World Bank, United Nations, European Commission and Ukrainian government previously estimated the cost of reconstruction and recovery at $411 billion from damage caused during the first year of the war.

"All sectors have been heavily impacted, from health care, water supply facilities to energy and community infrastructure to housing and livelihoods," Politis said.

The U.N. added that it does not know the extent of damage to Russian-occupied areas of the Kherson region, where the dam was located.

Ukraine's state-owned hydroelectric company Ukrhydroenergo said that it is also not possible to examine the damage to the dam itself.

"No access is available because it is very close to the hostilities," said a company representative, Oleg Ososkov.

Despite the ongoing war, officials said that recovery efforts continue.

"You need to provide water right now for people and there is support going on for that, there is infrastructure building for that," said Ukrainian Deputy Economy Minister Oleksiy Sobolev.

"It is important to highlight and to stress that recovery will take years, but it has started today," Politis said.

The U.N. says it supports rebuilding the dam or installing other renewable energy systems as part of medium-term plans for a green recovery in Ukraine.



"The opportunity is unique ... for Ukraine to rethink the future of all that area in a greener, modern, sustainable and climate-friendly way," Politis said.
The United States has engaged in high-level diplomatic discussions in Pakistan to address concerns related to Afghan refugees on the brink of mass deportation.

The Pakistani government has pledged to deport hundreds of thousands of Afghan nationals who do not possess recognized refugee status. This includes Afghans who collaborated with the United States and its allies prior to 2021.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State said that Washington is urging Pakistan to adhere to the principle of nonrefoulement, grant entry and extend humanitarian aid to Afghan refugees.

We consistently raise these issues with Pakistan at the highest levels and will continue to do so, the spokesperson told VOA on background.

Echoing similar sentiments, the United Nations, along with various human rights organizations, have cautioned Pakistan against a mass deportation, saying such a move could further destabilize Afghanistan's already dire humanitarian situation and leave some Afghans vulnerable to persecution by the Taliban.

UNHCR is appealing to Pakistan to continue its protection of all vulnerable Afghans who have sought safety in Pakistan, the U.N. Refugee Agency said in a statement last week.

The U.N. has offered to help register Afghans who need international protection in Pakistan.

Last week, media advocacy groups also implored Pakistani officials to refrain from deporting scores of Afghan journalists who sought asylum in Pakistan after the Taliban's return to power.

At least 200 Afghan journalists are currently refugees in Pakistan, forced to flee the Talibans crackdown on press freedom, including draconian restrictions on women journalists, shuttering of media houses, and rampant censorship, the International Federation of Journalists and its Afghan and Pakistani affiliates said in a joint statement.

Some 1.3 million Afghans are already registered refugees in Pakistan.

Pakistani officials cite security issues as their justification for the potential mass deportation of Afghan refugees, alleging Afghan nationals had roles in multiple terror incidents within Pakistan this year, but offering no evidence.

Independent experts say Islamabad's intent might be to pressure the nascent Taliban administration in Kabul, given the latter's perceived inaction against Pakistani Taliban hideouts on Afghan soil.

SIV applicants

Amid concerns that the Taliban continue targeting former Afghan security personnel and human rights activists  charges Taliban officials deny  the U.S. has amplified its efforts to relocate qualifying Afghans under its Special Immigration Visa program, or SIV.

In the past nine months, more than 20,900 Afghans received SIVs  significantly more than the total 11,252 SIVs awarded in 2022.

At the presidents direction, we have undertaken substantial efforts to improve the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program to streamline the application and adjudication processes, while safeguarding our national security, the State Department spokesperson told VOA on Friday.

Because the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan remains closed and also because of security threats, many Afghans are opting to journey to Pakistan and other nations to apply for SIVs and other types of visas.

The Biden administration should speed up SIV and USRAP [U.S. Refugee Admissions Program] processing and work with the Pakistani government to protect Afghan refugees, not send them back to danger," said Adam Bates, a policy counsel at the International Refugee Assistance Project.

Over 150,000 Afghans have applied for SIVs.

UK visa

About 3,000 Afghans currently in Pakistan are registered as eligible for resettlement to the United Kingdom under the British governments two-tiered scheme for relocating at-risk Afghans.

They are waiting in U.K.-funded hotels in Islamabad for their transfer to the U.K., said Sara de Jong, co-founder of Sulha Alliance, a nongovernmental organization advocating for former British military interpreters abroad.

Nearly 7,000 Afghans who worked as interpreters for British forces in Afghanistan have been relocated to the U.K. over the past two years, and some 4,000 applicants are awaiting their turn, according to Britains Defense Ministry.

Unlike the U.S., the U.K. has slowed its Afghan resettlement program this year.

While the Pakistan hotels were initially just used as short-term transits for biometric tests and visa issuance, in December 2022, the U.K. government halted the regular flights because they claimed that there was no longer U.K. accommodation available into which these Afghans could be moved, de Jong told VOA.

The Taliban maintain that Afghans who worked for the former government and for the U.S. and its allies are covered under their general amnesty and will not face persecution.

Their claim is repudiated in reports from the U.N. and human rights groups documenting extrajudicial detention, torture and assassination of their former enemies by members of the Taliban regime.

The Taliban have a track record of broken promises, including their promise to respect girls' right to education, which they are violating every day, de Jong said, adding that former Afghan interpreters face grave risks to their lives in Afghanistan.
The Biden administration tells VOA that in recent months it has increased the amount of U.S. public and private funds for a multilateral program to build infrastructure in developing nations, surpassing the $30 billion figure that it announced in May.

But some observers say it will be tough for the U.S. to meet its pledge to raise $200 billion in the next five years for the program launched by the Group of Seven advanced economies. The program called Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment  also known as PGI  is a competitor to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, which marks its 10th anniversary this year. Other G7 members have pledged to raise $400 billion by 2027.

In a September 29 email to VOA, the White House's National Security Council said that new U.S. financial pledges announced on September 9 push up the total U.S. commitment to the PGI program. The new U.S. pledges add between $1.1 and $1.6 billion to the $30 billion total commitment announced in May.

The Sept. 9 commitments were announced in a White House fact sheet on the progress of PGI, which the U.S. and its G7 partners originally launched in 2021 as Build Back Better World before rebranding it as PGII and then PGI.

PGIs primary objective, as stated in the fact sheet, has been narrowing the infrastructure gap in low- and middle-income countries to enable inclusive and sustainable growth and promote economic activity and prosperity.

Observers have said its unspoken second objective is to offer higher-quality infrastructure projects to developing nations than those offered by Chinas BRI.

The White Houses September fact sheet summarized what it described as a range of new PGI projects discussed by President Joe Biden when he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) intergovernmental forum at a summit in Delhi.

The international infrastructure projects cited in that fact sheet involve commitments of $1.1 billion in U.S. government funds, $60 million jointly pledged by the U.S. government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and $10 million pledged by Microsoft.

One project also involves a $515 million joint commitment by the U.S. government and seven partner nations, with no indication in the fact sheet of the U.S. share of that commitment.

The White House also highlighted PGIs goal of developing two international economic corridors, including a newly announced India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Lobito Corridor in sub-Saharan Africa, previously announced as a PGI project in May.

IMECs founding partners include the U.S., India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union. They are seeking cooperation with other governments and the private sector to build new connections between India and Europe via railway lines and ports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, and via undersea cables.

The Lobito Corridor is intended to link the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to the Lobito port in Angola via new transport infrastructure. A September joint statement announced that the U.S. and the European Union are teaming up to support the development of the Corridor, including by launching feasibility studies for a new greenfield rail line expansion between Zambia and Angola.

In one of several VOA interviews in late September with U.S. researchers who have monitored PGIs progress, Erin Murphy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the Lobito Corridor has the greatest potential.

Its something the African nations need, the map makes sense, and the feasibility studies make sense, Murphy said. But otherwise, Im not too impressed so far with PGI and I truly want to be.

Murphy said IMEC faces major hurdles, such as getting the involved governments to reconcile differences in their standards on the rights of workers building new infrastructure, standards for new equipment like gauges and switches, and standards for border controls. It's going to require a lot of cooperation and it will be a real test, she said.

IMECs founding nations said in their September 9 memorandum of understanding that they intend to meet again by November 9 to develop and commit to an action plan with relevant timetables.

As for other PGI projects announced by the U.S. in June and November 2022 and in May and September this year, the U.S. researchers interviewed by VOA identified several shortcomings in the U.S. strategy for implementation.

Oyintarelado Moses of Boston Universitys Global China Initiative said many of those announcements either involve infrastructure projects that already had been underway for some time and were rebranded as part of PGI, or involve newer projects designed to align with PGI principles.

In practice, PGI seems a little disaggregated on the U.S. side, whereas the European Commission (the EUs executive branch) seems to have a more coordinated effort with its Global Gateway program, Moses said.

The Commission launched Global Gateway in December 2021 to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport and strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. It declared the program to be part of PGI in June 2022.

Murphy said U.S. PGI efforts also have been hampered by the lack of a team of senior officials dedicated to coordinating the efforts of multiple federal development and lending agencies.

In May, the White House said the then-incoming Senior Adviser to the President for Energy and Investment Amos Hochstein would join the newly designated group of G7 senior government officials who will provide strategic direction to drive PGI investments with partners, including the private sector. Hochstein assumed the senior adviser role in June.

It would be fine if PGI was his only job, Murphy said, noting his additional focus on energy. PGI needs a dedicated team that can work with different U.S. agencies, other countries and the private sector. And that requires perhaps three or four people who work really well together, she said.

In an October 12 email to VOA, the U.S. State Departments Acting Special Coordinator for PGI Helaina Matza said PGI events hosted by President Joe Biden at this years G7 and G20 summits and by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in New York last month show the program is an administration priority and is being treated as such.

Hochstens move to the White House has further strengthened our progress, with him working directly with the president and White House leadership on elevating PGI, and my team at the State Department expanding and implementing PGI economic corridors around the world, Matza said.

Moses said raising the U.S. PGI contribution to $200 billion by 2027 from the current level of just over $30 billion will require the Biden administration to make greater efforts to recruit private funds.

The target is just not doable without the private sector, which makes its own decisions about the risks of investing in developing countries, Moses said. So the U.S. government should think more about ways to support private sector involvement in PGI by providing them with insurance policies and guarantees.

Elizabeth Losos, executive in residence at Duke Universitys Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, said the U.S. government also should consider investing more federal funds into the early stages of infrastructure projects in developing nations.

Private companies are not going to invest in helping those nations to develop anti-corruption and procurement programs that are needed to build infrastructure more efficiently, Losos said. So investing more public funds in early-stage development activities can really pay off in making private companies feel more comfortable about getting involved.

Matza said the Biden administration has been gaining momentum in attracting private sector investment to PGI.

Just a few weeks ago, Secretary Blinken and Secretary Yellen co-hosted the inaugural U.S. PGI Investor Forum with leaders from the top U.S. financial institutions that collectively represent trillions of dollars of assets under management, Matza said. Utilizing this forum, PGI has, and will continue to, identify ways to further mobilize infrastructure investment in quality, sustainable infrastructure in emerging economies around the world.

Losos said one U.S.-led program that could help PGI to attract more private capital is the Blue Dot Network (BDN), which certifies infrastructure projects as high quality with sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits and climate resilience.

The mostly U.S.-funded program, which also involves Japan, Australia, Britain and Spain, was launched in 2019 and incorporated into PGIs first iteration in 2021.

Development of BDNs certification process has been thorough and consequently slow. I hope that once certification standards are publicly released and broadly adopted, we will see a real uptick in private investors showing an interest in PGI projects, Losos said.

At the request of BDN member nations, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a proposal for a BDN certification system in March 2022. OECD is an intergovernmental forum of 38 member countries seeking to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Since 2022, OECD has been working with technical experts from the private sector, civil society and academia to apply the certification framework to several active infrastructure projects, from a wind farm in Brazil to a tunnel project in Turkey and refine the framework in preparation for adoption by BDN members.

VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara and State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching contributed to this report.
The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday tightened its export controls to keep China from acquiring advanced computer chips that it could use to help develop hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the new controls are "intended to protect technologies that have clear national security or human rights implications."

The new controls could increase tensions between the United States, the worlds biggest economy, and No. 2 China. In recent talks over several months with high-ranking U.S. officials, Beijing had appealed for concrete actions from Washington to improve relations between the two countries, although U.S. officials warned that the new export rules were in the offing.

Raimondo told reporters, "The vast majority of [the sale of] semiconductors [to China] will remain unrestricted. But when we identify national security or human rights threats, we will act decisively and in concert with our allies."

The Commerce Department said the new restrictions came after consultations with U.S. chip manufacturers and conducting technological analyses.

The new controls allow the monitoring of the sale of chips that could still be used for military aims, even if they might not specifically meet the thresholds for trade limitations. The U.S. said chip exports can also be restricted to companies headquartered in Macao, a Chinese territory, or other countries under a U.S. arms embargo, to prevent them from circumventing the controls and providing chips to China.

The updated restrictions, an expansion of export controls announced last year, also make it more difficult for China to manufacture advanced chips abroad. The list of manufacturing equipment that falls under the export controls has also been expanded, among other changes to the policy.

China protested last years export controls, viewing the design and manufacture of high-level semiconductors as essential for its economic growth. Raimondo has said the limits on these chips are not designed to impair China's economy.

Chinese government officials are scheduled to go to San Francisco in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

U.S. President Joe Biden has suggested he could meet on the sidelines of the summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though a meeting has yet to be confirmed. The two leaders met last year following the Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, shortly after the export controls were announced.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the U.S. signed agreements Monday evening that will give Washington a stronger presence in the Western Pacific and the right to deny China and other nations access to the islands territorial waters.

The agreements put in place Washingtons offer to provide $2.3 billion in economic assistance to the Marshall Islands over 20 years. In exchange, Washington will be able to deny access to the 2.1 million square kilometers surrounding the Marshall Islands.

When that is combined with the waters and airspace of the U.S. Pacific territories of Guam and the Northern Marianas, the U.S. military will gain control over a vast sector of the Western Pacific at a time when China is attempting to expand its influence over the region.

This is an important investment in our shared Pacific future, said Carmen Cantor, assistant secretary for insular and international affairs at the Department of the Interior, in remarks prepared before the signing at the East-West Center in Honolulu, an event that was closed to the press.

Enhancing our special relationship with the Marshall Islands is a critical part of our efforts, and we look forward to taking many more steps together in the future, Cantor said in the prepared statement.

This agreement will strengthen the relationship and address outstanding issues as well as continuing mutual obligations, said Jack Ading, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Republic of the Marshall Islands according to a statement.

The Marshall Islands are the last of the three so-called Freely Associated States to reach final implementing agreements with Washington. The Republic of Palau and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) signed their parallel agreements with Washington in May.

But the Marshall Islands wanted specific funds to address the environmental and health impacts of 67 U.S. atmospheric nuclear weapons tests between 1946 and 1958. Island residents face elevated cancer rates, among other health issues.

Environmental concerns include radioactive soil, dying coral reefs and a loss of biodiversity, according to a 2012 United Nations report.

The agreements signed Monday between the Marshall Islands and the United States do not contain any reference to additional funds to address the impacts of U.S. nuclear testing on the Marshallese people.

However, Ading said in his statement, that the Marshalls would repurpose $700 million under the agreement to address the extraordinary needs of those who have suffered hardships and challenges from the nuclear testing program.

Obviously, there's no secret that lawyers [in the U.S. government] are concerned about issues of liability. And that's understandable, said John Hennessey-Niland, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Palau between 2020 and 2022.

In an interview with VOA, Hennessey-Niland said the nuclear details are important to the Marshallese, and Washington needs to demonstrate its commitment to the region by finalizing these agreements.

[This] signals not just to the people of Marshall Islands, but to the people of the Pacific, that we should be their partner of choice, he said.

Since President Xi Jinping took office in 2013, Beijing has significantly bolstered its involvement in the Pacific Islands region, which comprises three U.S. territories and three countries freely associated with the United States that are important for U.S. defense interests in the Indo-Pacific, according to a 2018 report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

Much of Chinas engagement in the region has focused on expanding economic ties with the Pacific Islands, but it has also increased its footprint in the diplomatic and security realms.

For the past 10 years, Beijing has exerted economic and political pressure on the governments of the Marshalls and Palau because both Pacific Island nations recognize Taiwan diplomatically. Beijing considers the self-governing island as its own territory.

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. told VOA that hes under constant pressure from Beijing.

We'll give you a million tourists [and] we can [fill] all the hotel rooms you want. All you have to do is denounce Taiwan and join us, he said, paraphrasing the messages he receives.

With the agreement signed with the Marshall Islands, the U.S. Congress must begin the process of approving the funds for all three Pacific Island nations. The Biden administration is seeking $7.1 billion to fund the package for all three nations  known as the Compacts of Free Association  over the next 20 years.

The House Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a subcommittee hearing on the agreements with the nations on Thursday to consider draft legislation. Ambassador Joseph Yun, U.S. special presidential envoy for compact negotiations, and Cantor are expected to testify.

Unlike the underlying agreements signed Monday, the draft legislation being considered by the committee includes compensation for nuclear testing for the Marshall Islands.

According to the documents, the draft limits compensation for American nuclear testing to the people of four of the 29 atolls within the Marshall Islands where a majority of the nuclear testing took place and their descendants.
U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He made the early Tuesday announcement after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for more than seven hours. Meanwhile, China sends a special envoy to the Middle East to facilitate a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching has more.
A man calling himself the interim secretary general of the ruling Zanu PF party has recalled 70 Members of Parliament, including the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and some who are cabinet and deputy ministers.

Tafadzwa Manyika has written a letter to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda informing him that Tongai Mnangagwa, Minister Sithembiso Nyoni, Minister Barbara Rwodzi, Minister Juy Moyo and others have ceased to be Zanu PF members and therefore they have been recalled in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe.

Manyikas letter sent to the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda has a House of Assembly date stamp. Mudenda was unreachable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone.

Zanu PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi said Manyika is an imposter.

Zanu PF Central Committee member Joseph Tshuma also dismissed the letter saying the ruling party has specific structures for all purposes and therefore Manyika is day dreaming.

But Manyika insists that he is a Zanu PF activist and has recalled the 70 legislators.

Promise Mkhwananzi, spokesperson of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, said they are waiting to see what Mudenda will do as he recalled their MPs recalled by Sengezo Tshabangu without taking into account the wishes of the party.

Responding to inquiries recently about the recalls, Mudenda said his duty is to formalize the recalling of legislators as he has no power to stop such moves by political parties.
At the United Nations Security Council, the United States, France and the United Kingdom opposed a Russian draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Japan also voted against.

The Russian text called for an immediate, lasting and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.

U.S. Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the Russian draft resolution was presented without any consultation and did not mention Hamas. She accused Russia of giving cover to a terrorist group.
BEIRUT, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib on Tuesday called on the international community to pressure Israel to stop the attacks on Gaza and return to negotiation.

The foreign minister made the remarks during his meeting with Turkish top diplomat Hakan Fidan in Beirut, during which he also urged the Israeli side to stop attacks in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

The Lebanese minister also called for lifting the siege on Gaza and immediately delivering food, water, medicine, and electricity to people there.

For his part, Fidan said Turkiye is making efforts to prevent the spread of the war to other countries, especially to Lebanon.

He added that while this round of fighting may lead to significant and destructive wars, it may also lead to a historic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On Oct. 7, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) launched a surprise attack by firing thousands of rockets on Israeli military targets and towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, prompting extensive Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Hamas militants also infiltrated Israeli territory and took hostages during the attack.

Some 1,300 people in Israel were killed in the attacks launched by Hamas, while Israeli attacks have killed 3,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to official figures from both sides.

The conflict also led to increased Lebanese-Israeli tensions in the border area after Lebanon's Hezbollah military group fired on Oct. 8 tens of rockets toward Israeli military sites in support of Hamas, causing the Israeli forces to respond by firing heavy artillery upon several areas in southeast Lebanon. 
Photo-Illustration: Vulture

At Vulture, we do three things extremely well: sit, write, and put on a festival once a year. But this time around, as Hollywood presses forward through an era of great change, we decided to get a little weird with it! Specifically, were welcoming Weird Al Yankovic himself to our pop-culture extravaganza for the very first time. Well also be celebrating the song of the summer: Sitting (which is the opposite of standing) with Brian Jordan Alvarez for a live chat with TJ Mack and his wife. You can also join us for an intimate evening with Adam Pally. Amber Tamblyn is bringing us a lineup of feminist authors to feed our brains, Matt Rogers is returning to once again make sure weve heard of Christmas, and Henry Winkler is going to share some lessons on the craft of acting. Finally, director and writer Cord Jefferson will join us for a big long talk about his film American Fiction, but wait! There will be more! The schedules are still being ironed out and the details finalized, but soon we will be announcing even more opportunities to hobnob with your cultural faves live and in person.

Get tickets here!

Music Weird Al Superlatives Live! Whats your favorite Weird Al song? Everyone has one, even the man himself. This in-depth conversation with Grammy-winning musical artist Weird Al Yankovic will explore the stories behind tracks that Yankovic himself considers his most formative, most important, most challenging, most loved, and most-whatever-else of his decades-long career. So join us, little hungry ones, as we eat it  it being everything this comedy legend has to say. Get tickets here!

Comedy TJ Mack Live in Concert and Conversation Feat. His Wife and Brian Jordan Alvarez Sitting is the opposite of standing, but youre invited to do both at this concert and conversation with pop sensation TJ Mack. Joined by his wife  and a man named Brian Jordan Alvarez  Mack will perform a few of his original works while also exploring what makes him such a compelling cultural icon. Get tickets here!

Books Feminist as F*ck Amber Tamblyn hosts Vulture Festivals celebration of Feminist as F*ck, an exciting and beloved literary series co-created and co-curated by Roxane Gay, showcasing some of the most daring feminist writers across genres today. Join Amber and fellow writers for a riveting and powerful afternoon of performances aimed at filling you up with creative and political inspiration. Get tickets here!

Acting The Winkler Method: A Henry Winkler Acting Class Fresh off the publication of his memoir Being Henry, Emmy Award winner Henry Winkler will join us for his fourth annual acting class. Already a prolific author of childrens literature, Mr. Winklers newest work explores his own history of overcoming challenges like severe dyslexia and the pressures of a career in the spotlight on his path to creative fulfillment. Mr. Winkler will offer what hes learned in his 50 years of practicing the craft of acting, with the added insight of a seasoned producer, director, and proud SAG-AFTRA member. Come to learn, but stay to feel. Get tickets here!

Comedy Matt Rogers Holiday Spectacular Sing-a-Long Extravaganza (Album Version) Making his triumphant return to Vulture Festival for the second year in a row, Matt Rogers once again dares to ask the question: Have You Heard of Christmas? As an early holiday-season treat, the Prince of Christmas himself will be comin to town to give you a small taste of whats in store on his debut yuletide dance-pop album. Hell be joined by some of his besties for an evening of caroling while sitting down, our very favorite kind. Get tickets here!

Film A Big Long Talk With Cord Jefferson Emmy-winning writer of television masterpieces like The Good Place, Watchmen, and Succession Cord Jefferson will join us for a long talk about his life and his new film, American Fiction. An adaptation of Percival Everetts novel Erasure, the film satirizes the commodification of Black artists  in a directorial debut for Jefferson that was highly lauded following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. This will be a rare opportunity to hear from one of Hollywoods most forward-thinking and prolific creative minds before youre watching his Oscar acceptance speech on TV. Get tickets here!
Ben Whishaw and Franz Rogowski in Ira Sachss Passages. Photo: SBS Productions

This article was featured in One Great Story, New Yorks reading recommendation newsletter. Sign up here to get it nightly.

Passages is a movie that unfurls with each scene like a petal peeling back to reveal little despairs and grand desires  the brilliant hues of an adulthood well lived. It isnt glossy or hermetically sealed. It is open. It is wanting. It is alive. This is evident from the jump.

Second scene. Its an after-party at a thumping Parisian nightclub, celebrating the end of a film shoot for the German director Tomas (Franz Rogowski). Bodies slink in and out of the shadows. Electronic grooves pop across the soundscape. The air seems thick with conflict and hunger, encompassing Martin (a delicate, dynamic Ben Whishaw) and Agathe (Adele Exarchopoulos, enrapturing as ever), who is cool until Martins husband, Tomas, appears. Its my party and my husband doesnt want to dance with me, Tomas says. Agathe offers to dance in Martins stead. So they dance. Tomas in his tight midnight-black sweater, skin peeking through the knitting. Agathe in a textured top of ripe magenta. Around and toward each other, they saunter, smile, flirt, groove. Its in wordless gestures that the arrival of a torrid affair makes itself known.

In this scene, the cameras rapturous gaze is fixed on Tomass back, as if its obsessed with the stories the body can uniquely tell. As he rolls his shoulders, a downright lycanthropic grin cuts across his face. With every flick of movement, the skin peeking out from underneath the black of his sweater glimmers in the dusky light of the dance floor. When Martin leaves abruptly, the warm machinations that play across Tomass face seem to sharpen Rogowskis features. But it is on his back that desire is written, and for a moment the emotion that gives the film its pulse is housed in a singular space.

Its the same back we see returning to the home he shares in Paris with his husband the next morning. He hesitates before unlocking the door, still in that black sweater, skin still rippling underneath, practically buzzing with illicit energy. He makes it to their bedroom, his back again to the camera, only a sliver of his face exposed. In his back, there is tension and trepidation. Such hesitancy is unlike Tomas, a man so primed on having his exigencies fulfilled that he believes the only cost will be his time and effort. Im sorry. I should have called, he shouts to Martin in the kitchen. As he joins his husband, the camera finds Martins face over Tomass shoulder, his muscles softening. I had sex with a woman, Tomas confesses, his cautiousness giving way to relish. Can I tell you about it, please? In the brevity of this scene, the entirety of their dynamic is sketched out: Tomass refusal to deny pleasure or apologize to whom such a pursuit hurts. His selfishness. His incandescent quality that complicates the cruelty. Martins kindness that doubles as a longing for respect that is never met. The harshness of Tomas, the tenderness of Martin.

In scene after scene, the back (Tomass, most acutely) is the architecture for Passages psychological interests  its deliberations on connectivity, rejection, and lust. When Tomas fucks Agathe again near his editing room, his back is the focal point. This is a fuck about pleasure, but its also an escape from something and into something else entirely. Theyre sloppy, loud. The muscles in Rogowskis back flex with force. Every thrust is a physical representation of his hungry desperation. Theyre clumsy, too, as he stumble-carries Agathe from one part of the room to another, ramping up and then slowing down until theyre at a simmer. Rogowski wears desire like a fine leather trench coat. No, thats not quite right. It isnt something he puts on, then casts off. Its a part of him, an extension of his being. A second skin so tight it doesnt feel second to anything at all. There is no such thing as sated for a man like this.

Bette Davis in The Letter. Photo: Warner Bros.

The face of an actor is usually the greatest visual terrain in film. But in modern cinematic parlance, close-ups are overrelied upon, leading directors to lose out on the full portrait of a character that can be revealed when a body speaks as much as our mouths. Director and co-writer Ira Sachss camera masterfully maps the entire physical space of Rogowski, though the real power of back-acting onscreen  in Passages and elsewhere  comes from the choices an actor makes, not the cinematographic decisions guiding the film. When Alfred Hitchcock introduces the audience to Cary Grant as the slippery Devlin in 1946s Notorious, we witness the very upper back of his body, an eerie cool to his presence and his shellacked tar-black hair. The power in this moment is in Hitchcocks and cinematographer Ted Tetzlaffs decisions more so than Grants. Back-acting happens when an actor makes subtle choices of posture, gait, and bearing to communicate the most firmly held truths of a story and character. Back-acting is Robert Forster at the end of Jackie Brown, the loneliness and regret etched in the way he holds his head high while his body slumps, walking down that hall alone. Back-acting is Kim Min-hee in Park Chan-wooks The Handmaiden, her back elegant yet withholding as her servant turned lover, played by Kim Tae-ri, undoes the rigid clothing encasing her flesh.

Cinemas greatest back actor is Golden Age Hollywoods Medusa, Bette Davis. Her place in the firmament of great actors is indisputable, yet critics tend to focus on her broad qualities. Daviss ability to communicate fire and fury often gets her misidentified as an actor defined by histrionics. But Davis is a performer who could bring remarkable subtlety to bold, larger-than-life moments. What, in part, makes her an auteur is that she doesnt need a single line of dialogue to communicate the wealth of a characters complex interiority. As Sheila OMalley argues in Film Comment, You want to know how a character has transformed? Watch Davis walk across a room. You want to understand a characters objective? Look at Davis posture, or how she lights a cigarette, or where she places her hands.

OMalley goes on to extol the glory of Daviss wordless acting moments in the 1940 William Wylerdirected noir The Letter. The first performance of hers that comes to mind when I think of how she excelled at back-acting is the 1941 southern gothic The Little Foxes. Its the scene in which her character watches her husband, played marvelously by Herbert Marshall, die thanks to her withholding his medication during a heart attack. Theyre discussing the contempt that has curdled their marriage. Her back is tight, her steps forceful. But there is a wistfulness to her movements as she walks to the corner of the frame, body turned away from the camera, as if she is considering the girl she once was. The girl that loved this man. Its easy to focus on her searchlight eyes at this moment, but the ramrod-straight intensity of her posture is crucial. Dance was foundational for Davis. In her first memoir, the former Martha Graham student writes, I had already learned that the body via dance could send a message. Now I was taught a syntax with which to articulate the subtleties fully. [Graham] would with a single thrust of her weight convey anguish. Then in an anchored lift that made her ten feet tall, she became all joy. One after the other. Hatred, ecstasy, rage, compassion! There was no end once the body was disciplined. Davis continues, Every time I climbed a flight of stairs in films  and I spent half my life on them  it was Graham step by step.

Rogowski was himself a dancer. In discussing this aspect of his life with Mubis Notebook, including studying contemporary dance in Berlin and Austria, the actor noted, I would not really consider myself a dancer in the classical sense, rather a performer that was used to physical theater. I think theater is quite challenging for me. Its such a huge space, and you have to shout and scream and everything is so intense. I kind of prefer the very intimate space, the fact that the camera can capture very, very tiny spaces and micro-mimics, and you can find a dance in just a way of looking at someone. When you create silence in between your lines, its something that in cinema works very differently. Maybe Im just too shy for theater. This approach to the body is evident in Rogowskis work in Passages even when he seems to barely move. Tomas is the kind of man who wants it all, no matter the consequences that follow, so he perpetually carries ravenous energy even in stillness. In his tension-ridden back, we can see the hunger for release and pleasure that sometimes contradicts the sweet, tempestuous mask he wears upon his face.

Adele Exarchopoulos and Franz Rogowski in Passages. Photo: MUBI Adele Exarchopoulos and Franz Rogowski in Passages. Photo: MUBI

Whereas Rogowskis back is endlessly taut, Whishaws has a sorrowful elegance crucial to understanding Martin. As his and Tomass marriage fractures at breakneck speed, they retreat to their quaint countryside home. Their bedroom is aglow in amber-hued light from the lamps on each side of the low-level bed with Tomas reading How to Write an Autobiographical Novel, by Alexander Chee, under the covers. Martin, in a wisp of a sheer red robe, sits on the bed. His back, his whole being, is still. If Rogowskis back-acting becomes a vehicle for the films consideration of the obliterating, obsessive nature of gratification, Whishaws is a study of isolation in a relationship where your basic needs are not only never met but outright ignored. Martin takes off his robe, his boxers, positions himself just so, and hesitates for a long moment, his eyes on his husband, still reading. The suggestion, the hope of sexual connection, dims as the seconds tick by. Martins face is clipped by disappointment as he turns off his lamp: Night night.

Harsh cut to the slate-blue light of the day beginning to dawn. Can you really say youre in love with me? Tomas asks Martin, the formers clothed back at the center of the frame now, slumped and unmoving. We cant see Rogowskis face or even Whishaws through most of this scene  save for a lock of hair, an eye held in intense concentration  so the emotional subtext of their words is gleaned from the actors voices and gestures. Maybe we have to take more risks, not always be so careful, Tomas suggests, a storm forming faintly somewhere on the horizon. So now youre falling in love with someone else, youre taking that risk? Martin counters. What adds delectable friction to this scene is not just Tomass savagery (he describes Martin as a brother at one point) wrapped up in an egalitarian gloss or Martins refusal to quiet his own hurts. Its in Sachss and cinematographer Josee Deshaiess refusal to hew toward a close-up in a moment when filmmakers and audiences have otherwise been trained to regard an actors face as the font of truth.

As Tomas commits deeper to a relationship with Agathe, Martin makes room for a relationship with a fresh Parisian writer, Amad (Erwan Kepoa Fale). Of course, Tomas feels the urge to reassert his primacy in Martins life as a result. Under the pretense of wanting to be involved in the potential sale of their countryside home, Tomas shows up to his former abode unannounced in a slutty mesh crop top and cheetah-print jeans. His presence is a dare to Martin. That evening, scantily clothed, Tomas appears at Martins cracked bedroom door, a blushing expression on his face. Martin stares at him, taking in the decision that is now a foregone conclusion. Within the span of a breath and an editorial cut, Martin and Tomas are having sex. Theres something ravenous, needy in this fuck. Here is Martins long, lonely back as he thrusts into Tomas, the latters mouth not full of words like Im sorry but the moans of undiluted pleasure. Their faces are a footnote in a scene primed to explore the ravel of limbs, the sensuous indentations of spine, shoulder blades, and muscle.

The next morning, Tomas is tangled in the sheets of their bed. He sits upright on the edge of the mattress, one side curled with white sheets, the other with marigold, giving the frame a sense of romanticism. His bare back is the cameras focal point with only a portion of his profile seen in medium shot. Agathe is pregnant, he says unceremoniously to an offscreen Martin. His back rises and falls with each breath, the tension of what could flourish in the light of day giving a small flicker of hope. Can Tomas have it all  Martin, Agathe, and their child? For a moment, it seems he may. They all convene at the countryside home, where Tomas demonstrates utter disregard for Agathes emotional life. Alone in bed, she overhears Tomas and Martin in the throes of playful passion. Much later, Agathe reveals to Martin the abortion Tomas has been hiding from him. Between the two of you, I would disappear, she says. The final ruptures in these relationships are now unavoidable for Tomas.

I am miserable in this relationship, Martin finally proclaims, his back turned to Tomas and the camera as he cooks. And I dont want to be in it anymore. When the camera finally gets to his face, Martin is as unvarnished as ever. Red teary eyes. Pain. Anger. Its all there. But in his body  the rigidity in his jaw and neck, the nervous patter of his fidgeting hands  is anxiety. An anxiety that speaks to how consuming Tomas can be: I dont want to see you again. Im not interested in you anymore  I want my life back, and I dont want you in it. So Tomas rushes to interrupt Agathes class in hopes of not being left all alone. But she rejects him: Look at you. Its like youre not even the same person. Loneliness is now written upon Tomass body as he curls on the floor of the schools hallway, heaving for reprieve. He reveals himself in the curves of his back to be a black hole of need, where neither light nor care can hope to shine through. In the sculpture of his back, one can find truth.

PASSAGES is now streaming.
The founder of Ms. magazine. Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for UNICEF

Psychics can do a lot of things  talk to your dead grandfather, read the stars, tell you when a strong, handsome man is coming into your life, etc. But one thing we didnt realize is that they can also turn you into a full-fledged, Woman of the Yearwinning feminist. At least thats what happened with Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things star and future wife of the heir apparent to the New Jersey throne. The actress celebrated being one of the Glamour Women of the Year by recalling the moment she became a feminist. That is, the moment a psychic told her she already was one. After meeting with the psychic, Brown went home and googled, How do I know if Im a feminist? Upon doing research ( reading articles and books), the actress says she really grasped the idea of feminism and what it means to me. Ultimately its about opportunity, she added. And look at her creating just that with her production company, PCMA, behind her upcoming movie Damsel, in which she will star with Angela Bassett and Robin Wright. The theme? Feminism. Well, of course. More psychics need to be setting up the dominoes for Angela Bassett movies.
Anatomy of a Fall. Photo: Neon

What do you want to know? These are the first words we hear, over a black screen, in Justine Triets Anatomy of a Fall. They are nominally part of an interview between author Sandra Voyter (Sandra Huller) and a doting graduate student (Camille Rutherford), a conversation that goes immediately off the rails because Sandras unseen husband, Samuel (Samuel Theis), is upstairs repeatedly blasting the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Bands steel-drum cover of 50 Cents P.I.M.P., thereby making it impossible for anyone to hear themselves think, let alone talk. Its a dryly funny scene, and one might be tempted to see some additional dark humor in the fact that Samuel is soon discovered dead, lying bleeding in the snow after apparently falling from the attic where he was working. The blood-splatter evidence suggests that he was hit with a heavy object before falling, and Sandra becomes the primary suspect.

Anatomy of a Fall is roughly structured like a courtroom thriller, with evidence collecting and interrogation that eventually lead to a lengthy trial; the title and some of the advertising even hark back to Otto Premingers 1959 classic, Anatomy of a Murder. But Triet lets us know early on that this wont be an ordinary procedural. She stretches unlikely moments while brushing over the kinds of turns that in more conventional hands would become key passages, thus weaving the idea of uncertainty into the very fabric of her film. The nominal question hovering over the story is whether Sandra actually killed Samuel or whether a depressed Samuel threw himself out of the window. The underlying (and more important) question, however, is whether we can ever know or fully understand the truth.

There are many reasons for Samuel to have felt great guilt and shame. Some time ago, the couples 11-year-old son, Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner), was blinded while Samuel was supposed to be watching him. Samuels dreams of becoming a writer fell by the wayside, even as Sandras career took off thanks to a series of semi-autobiographical works. (One of her books, we learn, is an expansion of an idea he once flirted with.) At the same time, Sandra admits to hiding certain facts from the prosecution, though her explanations are perfectly understandable and quite human: She worried that they would bias the court against her. Would a guilty person say such a thing? Well, would an innocent person?

Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme dOr at this years Cannes Film Festival, and its already proven to be a huge hit in France. It will likely be a decent hit in the U.S. too. (It will probably help that much of the movie, including most of its key scenes, are in English.) Its not hard to see why Triets picture resonates. It has both suspense and intellectual ambition; plot revelations dont just send the story in new directions, they expand the films cultural scope.

The films central set piece involves a flashback to a fight Samuel and Sandra had the day before his death, in which they flung charges at one another  about their marriage, their child, their careers, their home. On one level, its the kind of blowup many couples sometimes have. In the light of Samuels death, of course, it could easily be interpreted as a prelude to something worse. Hullers performance walks a very fine line throughout the film. Her Sandra is both open and unreadable. She seems perfectly sensible and matter-of-fact, and yet theres the gnawing sense that shes keeping something from us.

More important, however, Samuel and Sandras accusations feel like facts colored by their respective resentments. Triet wrote the film with her own partner, the French filmmaker Arthur Harari; much as Sandra has done, they seem to have borrowed emotional elements from their own lives and placed them in a fictional context. Each individual presents a starkly different vision of their shared existence  yet its hard to say that either of them is wrong. Does the truth lie somewhere in between or does it encompass both of their realities? Or does it (gasp) simply not exist? Triet subtly taps into a particularly contemporary feeling that our perceptions of reality now take precedence over reality itself, an idea that has wormed its way not just into our politics (where the truth is always malleable) and interpersonal relations (where things are often fraught) but also the basic facts of human existence. If Wes Andersons Asteroid City explored the notion of humanity facing the unknowable, Anatomy of a Fall reveals our ability to turn the knowable into an ever-expanding, unanswerable question.

It would be unwise to get into the final scenes of Anatomy of a Fall  as noted, the film is admirably suspenseful  but Triet saves much of her rhetorical firepower until the end, when we get one final revelation that may or may not unlock the case. And yet, here again, even as the narrative is resolved, the director lets us bask in our doubt through an impressive use of emphasis and silence, with one last extended pause that prompts us to question the truth. Its a lovely, terrifying grace note, giving us the satisfaction of a legal drama while sending us out into the night unsure of what exactly weve seen. The curse of wanting to know everything, it turns out, is the eventual realization that we know nothing.
The City of Ladies, Judy Chicagos exhibition-within-an-exhibition at the New Museum. Photo: Dario Lasagni/B)dariolasagni.com

She was a leader in feminist art circles, but shed never mounted anything quite like this before. The installation was the size of a room, comprising three tables arranged in a triangle and elaborately staged for a meal with 39 places; each was set for a historic woman, such as Hypatia and Emily Dickinson, and included an embroidered banner with their name on it as well as a handpainted ceramic plate. On nearly every plate was an abstracted, aestheticized vulva. On white tiles under the tables were the names of 999 more women, written in gold script.

It took Judy Chicago and about 400 helpers five years to create The Dinner Party. It was momentous, an attempt to remake both history and contemporary art in a feminist image, and in the three months after it debuted at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 1979, around 100,000 people came to see it. Many women were deeply moved, leaving appreciative comments in the guest book and sending Chicago fan mail. But not all women: Some noticed that just two of the places were set for people who werent white  Sacagawea and Sojourner Truth, whos the only figure depicted by a set of faces rather than a vulva. Writing in Ms. in 1979, Alice Walker said that although she loved Chicagos art and audacity, she suspected that perhaps white women feminists, no less than white women generally, cannot imagine black women have vaginas. Or if they can, where imagination leads them is too far to go.

Many critics called it kitsch. Men were especially vicious. Robert Hughes of Time wrote that it was simple, didactic, portentous, gaudily evangelical and wholly free of wit or irony; to Hilton Kramer of the New York Times, it was failed art. Most other U.S. museums that had been scheduled to show the work after SFMOMA canceled their plans. Although Chicago and her friends and supporters managed to find alternate venues, including abroad, the work would end up in storage for decades  until 2007, when it went on permanent view at the Brooklyn Museum.

The Dinner Party has cast a long shadow over Chicagos life and career. Although the initial backlash caused her to fall into a deep depression, the artist, now 84, never stopped working, and museums are finally looking at the full arc of her career. Herstory, at the New Museum, is the first exhibition to do so in New York. Its a big show, full of big art and big gestures: early, hefty experiments in minimalist painting and sculpture; canvases filled with floral, vulvar imagery; trippy tapestries; and more. Chicago has worked mostly in series and projects, and even those comprising smaller pieces  like The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction (201218), which features glowing images of endangered animals and the artists musings on death, painted on black glass  are displayed in groupings. In a way, Chicagos whole oeuvre feels like a riposte to a society that encourages men to think and work on an epic scale but tells women they must make themselves small. The show affirms how groundbreaking she has been  and illuminates how stale ideas from second-wave feminism have lingered, both in her work and in the mainstream.

Born Judith Cohen in 1939, Chicago came up in 1960s Los Angeles, studying art at UCLA. The scene was dominated by men, both in terms of who got to show their work and the kind of work that got shown: polished, sometimes ethereal abstraction that privileged form over content. Its mostly white-male makers, like Larry Bell and Robert Irwin, believed, wrongly, that the art they created was above the fray of subjectivity. In an effort to fit in, Chicago adopted more masculine attire and habits, including smoking cigars and attending motorcycle races; she went out drinking with the guys, but, according to the Herstory catalogue, more often than not, she went home and cried afterward because of how misogynistic they were. In the studio, she attempted to merge the biomorphic forms and soft colors that grew out of her lived experiences with the glossy, implacable surfaces and nonrepresentational forms of minimalism. These experiments were largely rejected by her professors and by dealers from the famous Ferus Gallery as too feminine. At the New Museum, where they form the entry point of the show, theyre some of the most exhilarating work.

Trinity (1965/2019), Hoods (196465/2011), and Rainbow Pickett, (1965/2021). Photo: Dario Lasagni/B)dariolasagni.com

In the first gallery, two installations line up painted beams of stainless steel in chromatic and physical ascension  geometric rainbows that seem to poke fun at the self-seriousness and machismo of her peers. They frame a set of three wall-mounted Hoods (196465/2011), eye-popping compositions of vulvar, phallic, and geometric shapes spray-painted on car hoods. (After finishing her masters at UCLA, Chicago enrolled in auto-body school to learn spray-painting; she was the only woman among 250 men.) I found myself laughing appreciatively at the double entendre  the automotive hood and the clitoral one  and delighting in their symmetrical, Surreal imagery and clashing palettes, with strong doses of pink and red. The paintings, psychedelic Rorschach tests, seem to foreshadow the brashness of The Dinner Party.

As the 60s gave way to the 70s, Chicago began to embrace her feminist consciousness and adopted her new moniker  a way of divest[ing] herself of all names imposed upon her through male social dominance, as she announced in an ad in Artforum. She founded the first college-level feminist art program in the country and began making her Atmospheres works by releasing colored flares and smoke into natural landscapes, liberating color along with herself. She started to home in on abstracted representations of female genitalia as a symbol of empowerment. Chicago and her colleague Miriam Schapiro, who made feminist collages that she dubbed femmages, called this central core imagery.

Ive long been hesitant about that imagery, wondering about the exclusions suggested by its literalness. It seems, like a pussy hat, to premise womanhood on organs alone. But the central core work in Herstory is more free-floating than that, and terrific: Paintings like Through the Flower and Heaven Is for White Men Only (both 1973) are luminous, transcendent, spiritual. The Rejection Drawings (1974) contain vulnerable, handwritten confessions. In these images, I discarded my formalized structure for the first time and in so doing, broke through into a new form language, Chicago writes in Rejection Fantasy Drawing, her text interspersed with renderings of layered vulvas that transform into caves and then butterflies. But, in breaking through, I became frightened by the prospect of my new loneliness and the difficulty of going on from here.

Things would not get easier as Chicago undertook The Dinner Party  which is represented only minimally at the New Museum, in the form of line drawings for the place settings and test plates; it did not leave the Brooklyn Museum. The installation deserves recognition for the scale of what it achieved: all the women it highlights, its huge network of collaboration, its formal invention. Chicago and her volunteers reclaimed, within the realm of art, crafts that had been denigrated as womens work, such as porcelain painting, ceramics, and needlework. She pulled off a similar feat with the Birth Project (198085), a similarly collaborative, research-heavy effort to represent the experiences of birth and motherhood in needlework. The five stunning, monumental tapestries from the project that are included at the New Museum mark a turning point in Chicagos career: Amid their swirling, cosmic landscapes, bodies reach out and writhe  a signal of her imminent shift from abstraction to figuration.

The projects that followed are not as successful. Chicagos embrace of a more figurative, populist style also made her work more literal, weighing it down. Huge paintings from the PowerPlay series (198287) feature a white man peeing on the Earth and spraying blood from his hand pointed like a gun, a blunt caricature of toxic masculinity. In the Holocaust Project (198593), Chicago and her husband, Donald Woodman, present painted, pained figures alongside screenprinted reproductions of photographs from the Holocaust, but its not clear what deeper purpose all the anguished imagery is meant to serve. I found myself missing the playfulness of the earlier work. Although Chicago is a master at creating fascinating visual effects in whatever medium she adopts, a kind of simplistic thinking creeps up, one that reduces complex subjects to overdetermined morals and dichotomies. It bogs down the culmination of Herstory: a magenta-carpeted mini-exhibition on the museums fourth floor titled The City of Ladies.

Inspired by and named after a book by the French medieval writer Christine de Pizan, The City of Ladies is described as Chicagos personal museum, with art and artifacts by almost 90 women, including a 12th-century manuscript by the visionary theologist Hildegard von Bingen and the bronze maquette for Augusta Savages 16-foot-tall harp sculpture Lift Every Voice and Sing, which was destroyed after being displayed at the 1939 Worlds Fair. Hanging above is a series of banners that Chicago created at the behest of the fashion brand Christian Dior, as part of the set for a haute couture show in 2020. Titled The Female Divine, they pose a series of questions, starting with What If Women Ruled the World? and follow-ups like, Would There Be Violence? The banners are elegant. The queries border on inane. Representing a way of thinking that imagines women to be inherently, magically good, the project feels painfully outdated.

The City of Ladies recalls The Dinner Party, both in its acknowledgment that no artist works in a vacuum and in its reductiveness. The earlier work falls into the trap of the second wave in its emphasis on gender as the source of oppression for all women, with an unwitting focus on whiteness and middle-class experience. The people in The City of Ladies are more racially diverse  this time, Sojourner Truth is represented by one of her famous calling cards  and brief biographies are provided for each. Wrapped in the banners of The Female Divine, with Chicagos goddess figures standing sentinel, they feel flattened nonetheless. These portraits and self-portraits, abstract paintings and craftwork, are slotted into a heavy-handed narrative in service of a feminism that still cant seem to see past itself. Not all of womens work is about womanhood. Chicago  who spent so much of her career pigeonholed  should know.
BEIRUT, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Several rockets were fired on Tuesday afternoon from Lebanon toward the Israeli site of Kibbutz Yiftah, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

The sources said armed elements targeted the Israeli army's spy devices and surveillance cameras around the Jal Al-Deir area with light machine guns.

Also on Tuesday, Hezbollah issued a series of statements, claiming that its fighters had targeted an Israeli army vehicle at the Al-Motella settlement, an Israeli tank at the Ramim barracks, and Israeli soldiers stationed at the Bayad Blida site, inflicting several casualties.

The Lebanon-based armed group also noted that two of its fighters were killed in Israeli attacks.

The sources told Xinhua that "the Israeli army expanded its attacks by bombing several Lebanese areas, including the outskirts of Hula, Hunin, Maroun Al-Ras, Al-Dhahira, and Al-Bustan, while also targeting the Internal Security Forces police station in the village of Ramya, leading to a number of casualties and damage to more than 22 houses."

Sources from the Lebanese Red Cross confirmed that their staff transported four bodies and three wounded people from the village of Alma Al-Shaab, while the Islamic Health Authority said it transported two bodies from Maroun al-Ras village.

The situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated after Hezbollah fired on Oct. 8 tens of rockets toward Israeli military sites in support of the military operation launched by Hamas on Oct. 7, prompting the Israeli forces to respond by firing heavy artillery, targeting several areas in southeast Lebanon. 
Strike to affect Italy's public transport, schools and flights.

A national general strike scheduled in Italy on Friday 20 October is set to disrupt the country's education, health and transport sectors, including rail and air travel.

The 24-hour strike has been called by numerous trade unions and will affect services provided by both the public and private sector.

Unions say the reasons for the nationwide strike include calls for renewal of contracts, reduction of working hours and a freeze on the government's military spending, among other demands.

The industrial action is set to disrupt local public transport networks in Rome, Milan and other Italian cities on Friday, as well as some high-speed and regional train services.

Rail travel

The strike will affect rail services provided by Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord, with disruption expected between 21.00 on Thursday 19 October and 21.00 on Friday 20 October.

Most rail services on Friday are guaranteed from 06.00-09.00 and 18.00-21.00, with full information available on the companies' websites.

Air travel

The national strike also involves air travel, with some flights at risk of delays and cancellations due to a 24-hour protest scheduled from 00.01 to 00.59 on Friday.

The Italian civil aviation authority ENAC reminds air travellers that during strikes in Italy flights are guaranteed from 07.00-10.00 and 18.00-21.00.

A seguito di uno sciopero nazionale del trasporto aereo di 24 ore indetto per il 20 ottobre 2023, alcuni voli potrebbero subire ritardi o cancellazioni.

si invitano pertanto i passeggeri a verificare lo stato del proprio volo con la compagnia aerea di riferimento. pic.twitter.com/nAIRkloeBN  Aeroporti di Roma (@AeroportidiRoma) October 19, 2023

The ENAC website also contains a list of international and domestic flights that are guaranteed to take off on Friday.

ITA Airways says it has been forced to cancelled 20 domestic flights on Friday as a result of the strike.

A causa dello Sciopero Generale dei settori Pubblici e Privati di 24 ore proclamato per la giornata di venerdi 20 ottobre 2023 siamo costretti a cancellare 20 voli nazionali. Qui la lista dei voli coinvolti https://t.co/WeOzOJ6A2l pic.twitter.com/DL2fW7w1MY  ITA Airways Risponde (@ITAAirways) October 16, 2023

Local public transport

In Rome the strike will affect ATAC bus, metro, tram and light-rail services, as well as Roma TPL bus lines, with services guaranteed up until 08.30 and from 17.00-20.00.

Night bus services in Rome on the night between Thursday and Friday are also at risk, according to the capital's mobility website.

Domani, venerdi 20 ottobre, #sciopero dei trasporti. Possibili stop sulle linee di Atac e Roma Tpl dalle 8.30 alle 17 e dalle 20 a fine servizio diurno.



Tutte le info https://t.co/FszW6MTLxG pic.twitter.com/GI5VTzgJ1n  Roma (@Roma) October 19, 2023

In Milan the subway will run as normal on Wednesday until 18.00, after which services are not guaranteed, and there will be disruption to ATM buses and trams from 08.45 to 15.00 and again after 18.00.

The strike could also affect kindergartens, schools, hospitals and health facilities, putting the opening of some schools at risk.

For official information about upcoming strikes in Italy see the transport ministry website.

Photo credit: Sara Sette / Shutterstock.com.
MACAO, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) has brought about unprecedented opportunities to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and promoted joint development over the past two decades.

CEPA, a free-trade-agreement-like arrangement established between two separate customs territories of a single sovereign state, was officially signed on Oct. 17, 2003, and implemented in January 2004, to further enhance the level of economic and trade cooperation between the two places.

Between 2004 and 2013, the two sides signed 10 supplements to CEPA, as well as the CEPA Agreement between the Mainland and Macao on Achieving Basic Liberalization of Trade in Services in Guangdong, CEPA Agreement on Trade in Services, CEPA Investment Agreement, and so on.

Lao Keng Chong, director-general of the Macao Innovation Development Research Association, said the implementation of CEPA has further deepened and materialized cooperation mechanism between the mainland and Macao, which serves as a specific example of the advantages of "one country, two systems" in the economic sector.

"The central government's integrated institutional arrangement has provided a fundamental guarantee for Macao's long-term prosperity and stability," Lao said.

Over the years, CEPA has continuously expanded and deepened opening-up in trade in goods, trade in services, investment, and economic and technological cooperation, increasing the flow of goods, personnel, capital and technology between the mainland and Macao.

Chan Tze Wai, acting director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) of the Macao SAR government, said the arrangement has created unprecedented opportunities for various sectors in Macao.

In terms of trade in goods, all Macao-made products that comply with CEPA's specific rules of origin can enjoy zero-tariff policies when being exported to the mainland. Statistics from the DSEDT showed that as of September this year, Macao enterprises had exported zero-tariff goods to the mainland worth up to 1.4 billion patacas (174 million U.S. dollars), saving tariffs of over 90 million patacas.

As of date, the bureau has issued 876 certificates of service providers to help Macao companies expand business in the mainland.

Thanks to CEPA's opening-up policy, enterprises and professionals from Macao in the areas of finance, medical, legal, tourism and social services were able to operate in the mainland.

Ip Kuai Peng, vice rector of the City University of Macao, said that Macao had enjoyed conveniences in the opening up of goods and service trade as well as investment, deepened cooperation with the mainland in economic and technological areas, facilitated two-way trade and investment, and forcefully promoted social integration between the mainland and Macao and their quality economic development.

"This also fully demonstrates the central authorities' strong support for Macao's appropriate economic diversification and its integration into overall national development," Ip added.

Under the CEPA framework, Macao was able to further open up its market, attracting many mainland and foreign enterprises to set up their branches in the city.

Yu Wai Hang, secretary-general of the Macao Innovation Development Research Association, said these enterprises not only enriched Macao's industrial structure and brought a large amount of job opportunities, but also helped with the development of Macao's service and tourism industries and hence its appropriate economic diversification.

Vong Kok Seng, vice president of the board of directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, said CEPA not only generated economic benefits for the mainland and Macao, but also provided a broader platform for people-to-people exchanges and social cooperation between the two sides.

Chan said the Macao SAR government will join the mainland to actively seek methods to enrich the contents of CEPA, to help Macao better integrate into overall national development and promote long-term economic cooperation between the two sides.

Ip said that Macao should continue making good use of preferential policies from the central authorities, speed up building Macao into a world tourism and leisure center, a service platform for business and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and a base for exchanges and cooperation with Chinese culture as the mainstream where multiple cultures co-exist.

"Macao should continue deepening opening-up and cooperation, attracting foreign enterprises to set up their Asia-Pacific headquarters here, serving as a window for China's development pattern of dual circulation of domestic and international markets, and making greater contributions to national development," Yu added. (1 pataca equals 0.12 U.S. dollars) 
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A series of public desecrations of Islams holy book, the Koran, in Sweden and Denmark have made the Nordic countries the target of anger among many Muslims, straining diplomatic ties and  according to security services  increasing the risk of terrorism. (Two Swedes were shot dead in Brussels on Oct. 16 in a possibly terrorist-related case.) Disinformation campaigns in the Muslim world have further fanned the flames against Sweden, with its accession into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at stake. The governments in Stockholm and Copenhagen are looking into legal options to block public displays that threaten national security, but their scope for action is limited by constitutional protections for freedom of expression and right of assembly. Still, a Swedish man was convicted of hate speech in October for the first time for a Koran-burning offense.

1. How did the Koran burnings start?

The debate over Islams role in Scandinavia has been building for decades as consecutive waves of immigration have brought increasing numbers of Muslims. In parallel, nationalist movements have gained political influence in both Denmark and Sweden, with their more radical exponents turning to confrontation and provocation as means to raise their profiles. A Danish-Swedish far-right agitator, Rasmus Paludan, had earlier staged a number of Koran burnings but it was a January 2023 event that thrust him  and Sweden  onto the global stage. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cited the public desecration as a reason to block Sweden from joining NATO. Several others in Sweden then jumped on the bandwagon, filing applications to burn the Koran, the Bible and the Torah under police protection. In June and July, public burnings of the Koran staged by an Iraqi man who came to Sweden in 2018 set off a new wave of protests.

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2. Why cant police just ban Koran burnings?

Swedens law enforcement agencies have sought to block such actions on the grounds that they could increase the risk of terrorism, but those arguments have been struck down by courts. Judges have ruled that regardless of the political message being conveyed, protests must be allowed and protected unless they constitute a direct and immediate threat to public safety. Danish police, too, are similarly stymied by legislation and able to block protests only in extreme circumstances when theres an immediate threat of violence. Underlying the developments is the abolition of centuries-old blasphemy laws  Swedens ultimately in 1970 and Denmarks in 2017. Both nations now rely on laws banning hate speech to set the boundaries for freedom of expression. A Swedish court on Oct. 12 ruled that while Koran burning in itself isnt illegal, the defendant intended to threaten Muslims by his act. He was convicted of agitation against an ethnic or national group and put on probation for two years.

3. What have been the consequences?

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The Swedish embassy in Iraq was stormed in July, and the incidents have led to diplomatic tensions with several other Muslim countries. The Koran burnings have also contributed to holding up Swedens coveted accession to NATO, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticizing Stockholm for not preventing them. Sweden has warned that the threat of terrorist attacks has increased, as outrage across the Muslim world is amplified by what the countrys Security Service called disinformation campaigns. (In Brussels, police were investigating a video circulated on social media in which a man declared in Arabic that he shot several Swedes out of revenge.) Swedish officials say that foreign actors, including some with links to Russia, are seeking to amplify the false assertion that Sweden as a state supports desecration of the Koran. In Denmark, the development has raised the specter of a repeat of the diplomatic crisis and widespread boycott of Danish goods that was sparked by a Danish newspaper publishing 12 drawings of the Prophet Muhammad in 2005.

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4. What are the options for the Nordic governments?

Stockholm as well as Copenhagen have sought to distance themselves as much as possible from the acts of desecration, denouncing the actions. Both governments have also indicated that they are willing to look at legal measures. Swedens Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has said that his government  which has strengthened border controls  is also considering changing laws on public order to allow police to block provocations that may threaten national security. Denmarks grand coalition government in late August presented a draft law that would prohibit the inappropriate treatment of objects of significant religious meaning including books like the Koran, the Bible and the Torah. Violators would be subject to a fine and jail sentence of up to two years. The draft bill has sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers and opinion leaders, who argue Denmark risks compromising freedom of speech.

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5. Does this happen elsewhere?

Not a lot, though there have been individual examples of public desecration of Islams holy book in countries such as Norway, the Netherlands and the US. While many European countries have abolished blasphemy laws, some of them have used laws on security and public order to stop Koran burnings. In Norway, police this year blocked a Koran burning protest citing security reasons and in France, where the blasphemy law was repealed in 2016, Paludan was detained and sent packing in 2020, reportedly because his plans to burn the Koran would constitute a disturbance of public order. In England and Wales, blasphemy laws were abolished in 2008 but desecration of the Koran and other holy scriptures can be punishable under laws targeting incitement of religious hatred. In other countries, such as Germany, Italy, Poland and Finland, defamation of religion remains a criminal offense.

--With assistance from Ott Ummelas.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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A melting Mr Whippy truck, which became an iconic installation of Australias largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture walk, is making a comeback to Sculpture by the Sea for the events 25th birthday.

The installation, Hot with a Chance of a Late Storm, complete with distorted Greensleeves refrain, is returning to the Tamarama beachfront where his commentary on hot Australian summers first became a pre-Instagram sensation.

Its back: Sculpture by the Seas iconic melting ice cream van. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

Last seen on the two-kilometre coastal walk 17 years ago, the oozing beach sculpture is lone among this years installation of 105 artworks to be back by popular demand.

Its been restored, repainted, and recast in more durable fibreglass after James Dives original artwork, which he completed as part of the Glue Society creative collective, had become somewhat loved to death on its first public outing.
Palo Alto, California: Intelligence chiefs from Australia and around the world have lashed out at China for what they say is the most sophisticated program of intellectual property theft in history, warning that Beijings espionage is so widespread it requires an unprecedented global response.

Appearing publicly for the first time with other nations from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation director-general Mike Burgess also took the rare step of rebuking China even as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to visit Beijing later this year in a bid to ease friction with the nations biggest trading partner.

ASIO Director-General of Security Mike Burgess says Beijing is engaged in the most sustained, sophisticated and scaled theft of intellectual property and expertise in human history. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Citing Albaneses own remarks when it comes to Beijing  that Australia would cooperate where we can; disagree where we must  Burgess said Chinas economic espionage went far beyond traditional spying because it had been sanctioned by the state over many years to the detriment of other democratic countries.

The Chinese government are engaged in the most sustained, sophisticated and scaled theft of intellectual property and expertise in human history, Burgess said.
GENEVA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- With thousands of people killed and over one million displaced in just ten days, and large areas in the Gaza Strip reduced to rubble, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office said on Tuesday that it had "grave fears about the toll on civilians in the coming days."

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), told a news briefing here that the death toll included at least 11 Palestinian journalists, 28 medical workers and 14 UN staff.

She said that the latest reports indicate that around 199 Israelis were held hostages by Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. The OHCHR once again urged the Palestinian armed groups to immediately and unconditionally release all civilian hostages, and to halt the use of inherently indiscriminate projectiles against Israel.

Shamdasani told reporters that the OHCHR urged the Israeli forces to avoid targeting civilians and civilian objects or conducting area bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, and to take precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimize, loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects.

The OHCHR also echoed the UN call for a humanitarian pause to enable aid delivery and prevent further suffering and deaths of the already much beleaguered civilian population of Gaza, she said.

Abeer Etefa, World Food Programme (WFP) regional communications lead for the Middle East and North Africa, told the briefing from Cairo that the current stocks of food commodities in Gaza were sufficient for only two weeks, food shops had reserves for approximately five days, and there were difficulties with replenishing those shops from warehouses.

Only one mill was currently working in the Gaza Strip, and people were lining up for hours to get bread, with only five bakeries currently operational, she said, adding that some 25 percent of the stocks in the shops or warehouses were believed to be lost, left behind or spoiled because of the lack of electricity.

According to Etefa, the WFP was hoping to provide lifesaving food supplies to 800,000 people both in Gaza and the West Bank, and 74 million U.S. dollars were urgently needed to continue the operation for the next three months. 
BEIRUT, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Five Hezbollah fighters were killed in confrontations at the Lebanese-Israeli border on Tuesday, said the Shiite military group, adding 22 houses were destroyed in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah said in a statement that it mourned five of its members who were killed "while carrying out their jihadist duty," without providing further details.

Lebanese military sources told Xinhua that the Israeli army expanded its bombardment to several Lebanese areas, with the shells hitting the outskirts of the towns of Hula, Markaba, Hunin, Al-Abad, Maroun Al-Ras, Al-Dhahira, Al-Bustan, Ramya, and Alma Al-Shaab.

The sources added that Israeli aircraft fired two missiles this afternoon toward an empty Hezbollah location near the Tal Nahas area, in the south of the town of Marjayoun.

Also on Tuesday, Hezbollah said it launched strikes at an Israeli army vehicle in the Motella settlement, causing several casualties, and a tank in the Ramim barracks, resulting in deaths.

The Lebanese armed group added it also targeted Israeli soldiers stationed at the Bayad Blida site with guided missiles, resulting in casualties.

The situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated after Hezbollah fired on Oct. 8 tens of rockets toward military sites in Shebaa Farms in support of the al-Aqsa flood operation launched by Hamas on Oct. 7, prompting the Israeli forces to respond the same day by firing heavy artillery, targeting several areas in southeast Lebanon. 
TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber on Tuesday urged Belarus to de-dollarize bilateral trade during a meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko in Minsk, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Mokhber pointed to the "declining clout of the global hegemonic system, especially the United States," and the "fundamental changes occurring in the international equations," emphasizing the need for Iran and Belarus to strengthen their solidarity.

He said the bilateral trade exchanges should be conducted in their national currencies, the Iranian rial and Belarusian ruble.

The Belarusian prime minister, for his part, expressed his country's interest in expanding relations with Iran in all areas, including the transportation, oil, petrochemical, industrial and investment sectors. 
Weber State surpasses 30,000 students, sets record for Hispanic and Latino enrollment

October 17, 2023

OGDEN, Utah  Defying the national trend that has seen a decline in college enrollment, Weber State University boasts its largest-ever student body and welcomes a record number of Hispanic and Latino students.

Enrollment numbers were released today in an annual report from the Utah System of Higher Education, which tracks student headcounts for fall semester.

Im always eager to see these numbers each year because it gives us a picture of the students were serving  and this year its a big picture, said WSU President Brad Mortensen. Were excited to exceed 30,000 students, but its also a reminder of our responsibility to them, and it motivates us to explore ways we can better meet their needs moving forward.

Webers largest student body

The USHE report shows Weber State is now home to 30,536 students, which includes matriculated degree-seeking students and a steady increase of concurrent enrollment and early college students.

Mortensen said WSU achieved a record 10,494 admits in the past year thanks to a commitment to waive application fees during the month of October, which the university is doing again this year. That contributed to an 8.4% growth in first-time students, he said.

Were bucking the national trend, and I think that has a lot to do with our return on investment, said WSU Provost Ravi Krovi, pointing to recent studies that highlight Weber States affordability and ability to place students in market-relevant careers.

A 2022 study by Georgetown Universitys Center on Education and the Workforce revealed how Weber State ranks in the top 10% among 4,500 colleges nationally for the return on investment, from 10 to 40 years after graduation. Another study from Utah Foundation this year found that Weber State University tops the list in Utah for students 10-year net present value of their education.

Were a destination school because we offer high-quality education thats focused on outcomes, both in and outside of the classroom, Krovi said. Were invested in student success and pushing for a better life after graduation.

Growing Hispanic and Latino populations

Students who identify as Hispanic or Latino now make up 13% of the full-time equivalent undergraduate student body  an all-time high for that demographic at WSU. The increase moves the university closer to its goal to become an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, a designation given when 15% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino.

Yudi Lewis, executive director of HSI Initiatives, said shes encouraged by the numbers.

Were intentionally streamlining services and resources to provide access to the Hispanic and Latino population in our region, and thats going to benefit every student and will have positive impacts on Utahs economic development, Lewis said. Reaching that 15% will better reflect Utahs Hispanic and Latino population, which is also 15%.

Boost in first-time nontraditional students

Among new students 25 or older, Weber State saw a 20% jump, which Krovi sees as a testament to the universitys ability to accommodate adult learners who are looking to upskill while balancing the needs of their careers and families.

Its that idea of lifelong learning, Krovi said. We have students coming back to get their education in smaller chunks, through stackable pathways that work on their timeline.

According to WSUs Office of Institutional Research, more students are choosing a mix of in-person and online classes, especially post-pandemic. Weber offers a growing number of certificates and degrees that can be completed online.

Record degrees awarded

Weber State awarded a record-high 6,775 degrees and certificates during the 202223 academic year. Most of those graduates come from the Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions, which help to make Weber State the foremost provider of health professionals to the state of Utah.

WSU is also a strong academic partner for Utahs aerospace and defense industries thanks in part to the College of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, which produces the second-highest number of graduates at WSU and provides an increasing number of employees to Hill Air Force Base.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends the Belt and Road CEO Conference and delivers a speech in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng attended the Belt and Road CEO Conference and delivered a speech on Tuesday.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China is willing to improve the level of infrastructure connectivity, push forward the expansion and upgrading of trade cooperation, and actively explore new cooperation fields with all parties.

He called on entrepreneurs to carry forward the entrepreneurial spirit and play a bigger role in promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

More than 1,000 people including government officials, representatives of international organizations and renowned entrepreneurs attended the conference. 

John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), delivers a speech at the Belt and Road CEO Conference in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. More than 1,000 people including government officials, representatives of international organizations and renowned entrepreneurs attended the conference. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Jose Vinals, chairman of Standard Chartered Group, delivers a speech at the Belt and Road CEO Conference in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. More than 1,000 people including government officials, representatives of international organizations and renowned entrepreneurs attended the conference. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Representatives attend the Belt and Road CEO Conference in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. More than 1,000 people including government officials, representatives of international organizations and renowned entrepreneurs attended the conference. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Representatives attend the signing ceremony at the Belt and Road CEO Conference in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. More than 1,000 people including government officials, representatives of international organizations and renowned entrepreneurs attended the conference. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Mohammad Abunayyan, chairman of ACWA Power, delivers a speech at the Belt and Road CEO Conference in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. More than 1,000 people including government officials, representatives of international organizations and renowned entrepreneurs attended the conference. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian highlighted the necessity to lift the siege of Gaza, expressing his country's determination to send humanitarian aid to the city.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks during phone calls with his counterparts from Ireland and Tunisia on Monday, according to statements posted on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website Tuesday.

During his call with Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin, Amir-Abdollahian condemned Israel's airstrikes on Gaza, warned that the war could spread to other fronts, and stressed the need for opening humanitarian corridors to supply Gaza with water, food, and medicine.

Martin voiced concern about the escalation of tensions in Gaza and expressed hope that Iran would propose a useful initiative to ease the crisis, according to the statement.

Speaking to Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran would continue its efforts to lift the siege of Gaza and send humanitarian aid to the coastal enclave through Egypt.

The Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting, which is scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on Wednesday, would issue a statement in support of the Palestinians and help stop the Israeli attacks.

Ammar, for his part, called for an immediate end to the attacks on Gaza. 
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Mostly sunny skies; a cold start, but a little milder in the afternoon compared to the last few days. .

Tonight

Partly cloudy and not as cold.
BEIRUT (AP)  Clashes erupted Tuesday along the Lebanon-Israel border that left five Hezbollah fighters dead, marking the largest number of casualties for the militant group in a single day as tensions with Israel escalate.

Israeli forces and armed groups in Lebanon have engaged in a series of low-level skirmishes since the outbreak of the latest war in Gaza between the Israeli military and the Hamas militant group. Hezbollah has announced the death of 10 militants since skirmishes began.

Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi threatened that Israel would retaliate aggressively should Hezbollah escalate.

This is a war on the home, Halevi said after meeting with Israeli troops near the northern border with Lebanon. If Hezbollah makes a mistake, it will be annihilated.

The escalation comes amid fears that the war could spread into Lebanon, where Hezbollah has expressed strong support to the militant Palestinian group Hamas. Israel considers the heavily-armed group in Lebanon an even bigger threat than Hamas. So far, artillery exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel have been limited to several towns along the border.

Israel has threatened that if Hezbollah opens a new front, all of Lebanon will suffer the consequences.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a monthlong war in 2006 that ended in a draw. Since then, apart from limited clashes and escalated rhetoric, Hezbollah's military caliber has significantly increased, and became a key military actor in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere in the region.

The international community has scrambled to keep the war from extending into Lebanon, and possibly the rest of the region.

An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon landed in the town of Metula in northern Israel on Tuesday, wounding three people, according to the Ziv Medical Center in Safed.

Hours later, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. It wasn't clear if the injured were civilians or soldiers, but Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate the area near the border with Lebanon.

Israel responded by striking several areas along the border in southern Lebanon with artillery fire and white phosphorus, the state-run National News Agency in Lebanon reported. The Israeli military said its tanks fired back into Lebanon after an anti-tank missile was launched across the border.

Two more anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon at the Yiftah kibbutz in northern Israel without any casualties, the Israeli army said, adding that it had shelled Hezbollah positions in response.

Hezbollah identified the five killed fighters as Mahmoud Baez, Hussien Fasai, Hussein al-Tawil, Mahdi Atwi and Ibrahim al-Dubuq, but didn't provide further details about their deaths. Hamas said that the bodies of three of their militants in Lebanon had been captured by the Israeli military following a cross-border operation on Oct. 14.

An Israeli army spokesperson said that air defenses intercepted a drone approaching the border from Lebanon.

In separate violence earlier Tuesday, the Israeli military said it killed four militants who had attempted to plant explosive devices on a border wall between Israel and Lebanon. A video from an Israeli army reconnaissance drone showed the militants near the separation wall as they were targeted, causing an explosion.

Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for the attempted cross border attack, nor did any other armed group. However, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants based in Lebanon had done so on previous occasions over the past week.

The Lebanese Red Cross said in a statement that it was en route to collect four bodies killed in Israeli strikes over the southern border town of Alma al-Shaab. A spokesperson declined to provide more details.

Last week, militants from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in southern Lebanon crossed the border and clashed with Israeli troops, killing three and wounding several others. The militants were killed, and the Palestinian group held funerals for two of them.

Turkeys foreign minister, Hakkan Fidan, who arrived in Beirut on Tuesday, told reporters after meeting with his Lebanese counterpart that the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas might lead to greater wars.

We are doing all we can so that the war does not spread to other countries," he said.

Associated Press reporters Amy Teibel and Jon Gambrell in Jerusalem and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.
BEIJING (AP)  Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban held talks on Tuesday with Vladimir Putin in a rare in-person meeting for the Russian president with a leader of a European Union country.

Orban and Putin met in Beijing before an international forum on one of Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature policies, the Belt and Road Initiative. Their meeting focused on Hungarys access to Russian energy.

EU and other Western leaders have largely eschewed contact with Putin over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer met with Putin in person in April 2022.

Hungary never wanted to confront Russia. Hungary always has been eager to expand contacts, Orban told Putin, according to a Russian translation of his remarks broadcast on Russian state television.

Bilateral ties between the two countries have suffered because of EU sanctions against Moscow, he said.

Hungarys stance on the war has confounded its European partners and led to deadlocks in providing financial and military assistance to Kyiv. Orban has refused to supply Ukraine with weapons and not allowed their transfer across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. He has also threatened to veto EU sanctions against Moscow, though has always ultimately voted in favor of them.

Orbans meeting with Putin appeared to be a boon for the Russian president, who could point to it as a sign that unity within the EU on its support for Ukraine  and its condemnation of Russia for starting the war  was faltering.

Putin said that while opportunities for maintaining ties with some countries are limited in the current geopolitical situation, it causes satisfaction that we have managed to preserve and develop relations with many European countries, including Hungary.

Budapest has blocked an EU military aid package to Kyiv worth 500 million euros ($526 million) since May, and said it would continue doing so until it receives concessions from Kyiv concerning its listing of a Hungarian bank as an international sponsor of the war.

Orban, a conservative populist leader who has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions against Russia, said that his country has remained eager to maintain ties with Moscow, on which Hungary is highly dependent for natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel.

While most of Hungarys neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe have taken great strides to wean themselves off of Russian energy, Orban has worked to maintain and even increase supplies of Russian gas and oil, arguing that they are essential for the functioning of Hungarys economy.

We are doing what we can and trying to save what we can in our bilateral contacts, he said, noting the planned expansion of Hungarys only nuclear power plant by Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom. The project will be financed with a 10-billion euro ($10.5 billion) loan from a Russian state bank.

In a post on his Facebook page, Orban reiterated his longstanding call for a cease-fire and immediate peace talks in Ukraine, though he has not indicated what such an arrangement would mean for Ukraines future security or territorial integrity.

In Europe today, one question is on everyones mind: will there be a cease-fire in Ukraine, Orban wrote. For us Hungarians, too, the most important thing is that the flood of refugees, the sanctions and the fighting in our neighboring country should end.

Putin, making a rare trip out of Russia, is holding a series of meetings with other leaders who have come to Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum, and will also hold talks with Xi.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday that he had had a short meeting with Putin, one that is also likely to raise concerns in Europe. Under Vucic, Serbia has been increasingly drifting away from its proclaimed goal of joining the EU and is moving closer to Russia and China economically and politically.

Serbia has refused to join EU sanctions against Moscow, although Vucic says Serbia respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Both China and Russia are the main suppliers of weapons for the Serbian army at a time when growing tensions over its former province of Kosovo is one of the main Western security concerns for regional stability.

China has provided Serbia with billions of dollars in loans for factories and highways that Chinese companies are building. A free trade agreement signed with China on Tuesday goes directly against EU economic policies and would have to be scrapped if Serbia were to join the EU.

Justin Spike reported from Budapest, Hungary. Dusan Stojanovic contributed to this report from Belgrade, Serbia.

This story has been corrected to delete references to Putins meeting with Orban as being the first in-person talks for Putin with an EU leader since the start of the war. Putin met face-to-face with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in April 2022, around two months after the start of the war.
HAMBURG, Pa. - More memories than the field house itself could hold.

"Sad. It's a little sad. It's a part of this borough's history and a lot of peoples' memories are linked to that, said Michelle Marie Spanier of Muhlenberg Township.

"The wrestling that used to go on and is still going on to this day, said Hamburg Mayor George Holmes.

Even some that might have gotten you in a little trouble.

"We went to the Sunday night dances there when I was a kid, whether we were supposed to or not, Linda Rowland of Hamburg recalled.

"What I remember it as just a big empty field house, no chairs. We just all went in there stood and danced and jumped and yelled, Spanier said. It was a great meeting place for friends."

According to the mayor, events at the Hamburg Field House, owned by the borough fire company, look to be coming to a close.

I think the officers of the fire department have made a tough decision to enter into an agreement with the local auto dealer to provide space for them, Holmes said. "I believe the money that they will receive from the dealership will help fund the fire company and emergency services in general.

Some we spoke to see the Hamburg Field House as a push and pull between the past and the future. Ultimately, a sign of the changing times.

"It's just the nature of the beast how things are happening these days, said Rowland.

According to borough leadership, it's a tough but necessary decision.

I know the officers of the fire department have taken some heat for their decisions but ultimately it has to be a business decision, said Holmes. "These are volunteers who do it for nothing and so if they're not able to do it, the municipality then has to provide a professional service, and we would not have the money to provide that."

The last event on the Hamburg Field House schedule is a wrestling event on December 23rd.
READING, Pa. - Families, friends and loved ones of the victims gathered outside of SAFE Berks on a blustery October morning to remember those killed by domestic violence.

"SAFE Berks began keeping count of those lives in 1999 and our records indicate 86 lives that have been lost in our own community to domestic violence," said SAFE Berks CEO, Beth Garrigan.

According to SAFE Berks, there were five additional domestic violence related homicides in Berks County this year.

"That's high, but one is high," says Garrigan. "There should be no homicides based on domestic violence. That's our goal."

Many who attended the Silent Witness March and dedication were there for those killed in 2023.

Those who care for Tomas Medina, Sr. carried memorabilia and wore t-shirts representing their loved one. His aunt spoke for the group after taking a moment to say silent prayers.

"We're here to commemorate the memory of Tomas Medina, Sr. who was fatally shot by his son, but we are also here for mercy for his son," said Yvette Cajigas, the victim's aunt.

Medina was killed on August 14 near Greenwich and Locust streets in Reading.

Authorities say his 14-year-old son told police he took his father's gun and shot him with it. Now the son is behind bars and the family is mourning both losses.

"He was full of love, laughter, he was a wonderful person and a joy to be around," said Cajigas. "But so was his son."

SAFE Berks says it's important to continue to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence to try and save lives.

"It's happening everywhere," said Garrigan. "Everyone knows someone impacted by it. Speak out and help us prevent this."
Rite Aid Corp., operator of more than 2,000 pharmacies in the U.S., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reduce its debt.



The voluntary move to Chapter 11 was foreshadowed by store closings, including in the Lehigh Valley. Two Easton-area stores closed in September, as did an Allentown store. A Bethlehem store in the Lehigh Shopping Center will close Tuesday.



The bankruptcy announcement was made late Sunday night but came as no surprise. The Wall Street Journal reported Sept. 22 that Rite Aid was negotiating a bankruptcy plan with creditors that would include closing 400 to 500 stores, citing people familiar with the talks.



Philadelphia-based Rite Aid said in the statement Sunday that it has $3.45 billion in new financing to help it continue as a smaller chain and settle litigation, among other goals.



Chapter 11 bankruptcy is a court-supervised process that allows a business to reorganize and survive, while determining how much creditors will receive.



Shares in Rite Aid were trading early Monday at 61 cents each on the New York Stock Exchange. The company is traded under the ticker symbol RAD. The highest price in the last 52 weeks was $7.37, and the lowest was 38 cents.



Rite Aid was the seventh-biggest U.S. pharmacy operator in 2022 based on prescription revenue, according to drugchannels.net.



The largest in 2022 was CVS, followed by Walgreens and Cigna. United Heath was fourth, with Walmart at No. 5. Kroger was sixth.



Also Sunday, Rite Aid named Jeffrey S. Stein as chief executive officer and head of the restructuring. Stein will be in charge of what Rite Aid calls its "footprint optimization plan," in other words, the closing of some stores.



The chain remains open for business during the process.



"We remain focused on serving our customers and communities," Stein said in a statement.



Customers whose stores are closed will be able to use another Rite Aid or nearby pharmacy. Prescriptions will be transferred, and workers at stores that are closed will be moved to other Rite Aid locations when possible.



Rite Aid filed its Chapter 11 petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.



"The company intends to pay vendors and suppliers in full for goods and services provided on or after the filing date," the company said. Employees will also be paid.
Rite Aid Corp., the pharmacy chain that sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday, plans to sell 78 store leases, including 12 in Pennsylvania.



The Philadelphia-based chain has been weighed down by debt and by litigation related to the sale of opioids. Competition from CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and grocery-store pharmacies has also cut into sales.



A&G Real Estate Partners, Rite Aid's adviser, said any sales are subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.



The bankruptcy filing was no surprise. The Wall Street Journal reported in September that the company was negotiating with creditors.



Rite Aid plans to use the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process to cut its debt and continue operating. In advance of the filing, it announced the closing of four Lehigh Valley stores.



Two Easton-area stores closed in September, as did an Allentown store. The Rite Aid at the Lehigh Shopping Center in Bethlehem is closing today.



The properties becoming available suit various businesses, according to A&G.



"The size ranges of these properties are in high demand among potential replacement users -- a list that includes dollar stores, gyms, grocers, specialty discount store" and restaurants, A&G Senior Managing Director Mike Matlat said in a statement, adding, "We expect robust interest from a wide array of retail operators, as well as non-retail medical, health, wellness and service-related businesses."



Information about the available sites is available through A&G's website. Rite Aid may close more stores as it moves through the bankruptcy process, making more properties available.



Rite Aid as of now operates more than 2,100 retail pharmacies in 17 states. Rite Aid says it is the third-largest drugstore chain in the U.S., but it has been squeezed by competitors Walgreens, the world's largest chain, CVS and Walmart. Based on sales of prescription drugs, Rite Aid ranked No. 7 in 2022, according to drugchannels.net. CVS and Walgreens ranked first and second.



Rite Aid is also selling five locations that it owns in Pennsylvania, according to the A&G statement.
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Marking six months since fighting began in Sudan on April 15, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday almost 4,000 people were killed and thousands of others injured.

UN humanitarians said the fighting also sent hundreds of thousands of people into neighboring South Sudan and Chad.

Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that the majority of the casualties between April 15 and August are believed to have been targeted mainly due to their ethnicity, particularly in West Darfur.

Dujarric said at least 29 cities, towns and villages were looted and razed across Darfur.

"UNHCR and partners provided displaced families in North and West Darfur with core relief items," he said. "And of course, the agency, and all of us at the UN, continue to call on the parties to the conflict to guarantee the protection of civilians, including refugees and internally displaced human beings, and to ensure safe passage of humanitarian assistance wherever it's needed."

The fighting erupted first in the capital, Khartoum, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the previously allied Rapid Support Forces and spread throughout the country.

The violence sent thousands fleeing to safer locations within Sudan and neighboring nations.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported thousands of people continue to arrive daily in South Sudan. As of Friday, 310,000 people crossed the border into South Sudan, most of them returning South Sudanese refugees. The number also included Sudanese refugees and third-country nationals.

The humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan, Marie-Helene Verney, warns that as the weeks go by, people are arriving with fewer and fewer resources and in an increasingly poor state of health. Malnutrition is also rising among new arrivals as conditions in Sudan deteriorate further.

The International Organization for Migration and its partners helped 150,000 people reach their final destinations. South Sudan also transported thousands of people while many others found their own way.

The humanitarians said additional funding is needed to provide life-saving nutrition services to thousands of children arriving from Sudan. There is also an urgent need to provide adequate space in overcrowded transit centers to reduce the risks of disease outbreaks and gender-based violence.

"South Sudan continues to face overlapping crises, including floods, conflict and food insecurity," OCHA said. "Some 9.4 million people - 76 percent of the population - need humanitarian assistance. The 1.7 billion U.S. dollar Humanitarian Response Plan for South Sudan is just more than half funded."

The spokesman said on Monday that Violette Kakyomya, the humanitarian coordinator in Sudan's neighbor to the west, Chad, reported the conflict triggered a refugee rush, initiating multiple humanitarian crises.

Speaking in Geneva, she said most of the nearly 490,000 refugees crossing the border into eastern Chad to seek safety and protection are mostly women and children.

The influx brought the total number of refugees living in Chad to one million, Dujarric said, meaning that one in 17 people who live in Chad is a refugee.

He said the conflict in Sudan also affects Chad's supply chain, with the region's prices of basic food commodities more than doubled. Food insecurity and malnutrition affect 5.7 million people.

"Mrs. Kakyomya underlined the extreme generosity of the people in Chad who continue to welcome refugees and call for support to ensure a sustained humanitarian support as 7 million Chadians - out of 18 million - need humanitarian assistance this year," Dujarric said. The 921 million U.S. dollar Humanitarian Response Plan for Chad is a little more than 25 percent funded. 
BETHLEHEM, Pa.  If you're a parent and you've had to take your kid to an emergency room, you know how scary it can be.

"This is families that are now coming to the hospital on one of the worst days of their lives."

St. Luke's has been working on making that overall experience as comfortable as possible for parents and kids. The health network on Monday unveiled its new emergency room that's just for kids.

"Children are not just small adults," Dr. Alana Arnold, St. Luke's Network Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency Services, said. "The types of illnesses and the way they handle illnesses are quite different."

The new children's ER has been already up and running since June. But more is on its way.

"It's a beautiful under-the-water theme, six private rooms, great bright lighting and things like to make it comfortable for the children," Arnold said.

The new ER means staff and specialists specifically trained in pediatrics, and the ability to triage and admit children faster.

"A pediatric ER doctor has gone through three years of further training after they completed residency," Arnold said.

It's inside the existing ER on the Bethlehem Campus in Fountain Hill. The hospital named it The Isaacman Family Children's ER, thanks, the hospital says, to the generous donation from Lehigh Valley businessman Jared Isaacman and his family.

Isaacman is the founder and CEO of the Allentown-based company, Shift4.

"My daughter, Liv, was born here," Isaacman said. "And I do believe that this is a vital resource for the community."

Right now, only Phase 1 of the five phases total is complete, meaning there's much more to come.

All said and done, the children's ER will be 10,000 square feet, according to staff.

The hospital expressed gratitude to Isaacman, who's also a trained pilot and astronaut.

"I don't know whether he's ever been to the moon, and he said he hadn't," Rick Anderson, President and CEO of St. Lukes University Health Network, said. "But as far as St. Luke's is concerned, and our family, you've taken us to the moon and back and we want to thank you again."

A representative for St. Luke's tells 69 News once all phases are complete the children's ER will have 10 beds total. Staff say they hope all the work will be done within the next one to two years.
POTTSTOWN, Pa. - Pottstown Police and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced their joint investigation of an apparent murder-suicide in Pottstown.

Investigators say 33-year-old Randy Hill died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Highland Memorial Cemetery on Farmington Avenue.

30-year-old Symphony Blue was found dead in the bedroom of their residence on the 500 block of North Franklin Street in Pottstown Monday morning.

Pottstown Police responded to a 911 call at Highland Memorial Cemetery at 8:37 a.m., where they found Hill deceased.

When they went to his residence, they found Blues body at 10:29 a.m.

Investigators say evidence indicates Blue was killed sometime Sunday night.

A joint investigation by the Pottstown Police and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau was launched into the apparent homicide-suicide, which found that Blue and Hill were former romantic partners who shared the same residence.

Autopsies on the bodies will be conducted by the Montgomery County Coroners Office.

The investigation is ongoing.
WARRINGTON TWP., Pa.  A Philadelphia man was sentenced Monday to 11 to 30 years in state prison for his involvement in a Warrington Township carjacking, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said.

According to the DA's office, 22-year-old Zahir Johnson and two juveniles were arrested for the June 13 carjacking at Lukoil on Easton Road. The three suspects placed the victim in a chokehold and Johnson punched him several times before stealing his car around 8 p.m. that night, the DA's office said.

The three suspects had attempted a separate carjacking at the Shell in Doylestown Township around 6:50 p.m. before they walked south to Lukoil, the DA's office said. In that attempted carjacking, police said the victim was able escape and run into the gas station's convenience store for help.

According to the DA's office, police spotted the stolen vehicle near the intersection of Route 202 and Route 152 and initiated a traffic stop.

The suspects then fled and ultimately crashed the stolen car into a building at the intersection of Route 152 and East Butler Avenue in Chalfont. They were apprehended a short time later, the DA's office said.

President Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. sentenced Johnson to 7 to 20 years in state prison for the carjacking and an additional 4 to 10 years for the attempted carjacking  making his total sentence 11 to 30 years in state prison. Johnson was also ordered to pay $97,000 in restitution, the DA's office said.

Deputy District Attorney Alan J. Garabedian and Assistant District Attorney Alexandria Baland had pushed for a lengthy sentence for Johnson, citing his history of robbery and motor vehicle thefts in Philadelphia.

The two juveniles were adjudicated in juvenile court, the DA's office said.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP)  A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants.

At least 500 people were killed, the ministry said.

As rage spread through the region because of the hospital carnage, and with President Joe Biden heading to the Mideast in hopes of stopping the war from spreading, Jordan's foreign minister said his country canceled a regional summit scheduled for Wednesday in Amman, where Biden was to meet with Jordans King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

The war between Israel and Hamas was pushing the region to the brink, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told state-run television. He said Jordan would host the summit only when everyone had agreed its purpose would be to stop the war, respect the humanity of the Palestinians and deliver the aid they deserve.

Biden will now visit only Israel, a White House official said.

The explosion at the al-Ahli Hospital left gruesome scenes. Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. The grass around them was strewn with blankets, school backpacks and other belongings.

The bloodshed unfolded as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas' deadly rampage in southern Israel last week. Hundreds of thousands of increasingly desperate people were searching for bread and water.

Hamas called Tuesdays hospital blast a horrific massacre, saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

The Israeli military blamed Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often works with Hamas. The military said Islamic Jihad militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital and that intelligence from multiple sources" indicated the group was responsible.

In a briefing with reporters, the chief army spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the army determined there were no air force, ground or naval attacks in the area at the time of the blast. He said radar detected outgoing rocket fire at the same moment, and intercepted communications between militant groups indicated that Islamic Jihad fired the rockets.

Hagari also shared aerial footage collected by a military drone that showed a blast that he said was inconsistent with Israeli weaponry. He said the explosion occurred in the building's parking lot, and he noted that the death toll could not be confirmed.

Since the war began, the military said in a statement that roughly 450 rockets fired at Israel by militant groups had landed in Gaza, endangering and harming the lives of Gazan residents.

Islamic Jihad dismissed those claims, accusing Israel of trying hard to evade responsibility for the brutal massacre it committed.

The group pointed to Israels order that Al-Ahli be evacuated and its previous bombing of the hospital complex as proof that the hospital was an Israeli target. It also said the scale of the explosion, the angle of the bomb's fall and the extent of the destruction all pointed to Israel.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza Citys main hospital, al-Shifa, which was already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia. The wounded were laid onto bloody floors, screaming in pain.

We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anesthesia, we need everything, Abu Selmia said. He warned that fuel for the hospitals generators would run out within hours.

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and nearly two-thirds of those killed were children. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians who were slain in Hamas Oct. 7 attack. The assault also resulted in some 200 being taken captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades. Others threw stones at Israeli checkpoints, where soldiers killed one Palestinian, West Bank authorities said.

Elsewhere, hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut, Iraq and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli Embassy.

In Amman, a palace statement said Jordans king condemned the ugly massacre perpetrated by Israel against innocent civilians.

The king warned that this war, which has entered a dangerous phase, will plunge the region into an unspeakable disaster, the statement said.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza, but its plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military told fleeing Palestinians to go. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency said. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 members of the agencys staff.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said. He is the highest-profile militant to have been killed in the war.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

With Israel barring entry of most water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gaza's population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid have been waiting to enter for more than a day. The World Food Program said it had more than 300 tons of food ready to cross into Gaza.

Kullab reported from Baghdad. Nessman reported from Jerusalem. Lee reported from Amman. Associated Press journalists Amy Teibel in Jerusalem; Abby Sewell in Beirut; Samy Magdy and Jack Jeffrey in Cairo; and Ashraf Sweilam in el-Arish, Egypt contributed to this report.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Glenn Youngkin was waving off talk about running for the White House back in 2021, before hed even made it to the Virginia governors mansion.

Brad Hobbs, a childhood friend, told The Associated Press at the time that his ultimate goal was to see the Harvard-educated Republican businessman run for president. Hobbs said he brought it up nonstop, even in front of others, which irked Youngkin.

He doesnt commit to that. He looks at me like, Stop saying it; I dont want to hear that, Hobbs said.

Conjecture that Youngkin, who is set to host a major donor retreat Tuesday and Wednesday, might make a late entry into the 2024 presidential race has only grown since his victory nearly two years ago. It could further escalate after next months high-stakes legislative elections, where hes aiming for a GOP sweep.

At least some of the recent talk is coming from Republican donors still casting about for yet another alternative to former President Donald Trump.

But the 56-year-old Youngkin, who in public remarks has demurred but not totally shut the door to a bid, would face logistical campaign difficulties, ballot access hurdles and  according to interviews around the country over the past week  skepticism from some Republican voters, who either dont know him well or are locked in on Trump.

I think its ill-conceived and a really horrible idea, Eric Levine, a New York-based attorney and Republican donor who has urged his party to back someone other than Trump, said of a potential Youngkin candidacy. It is doomed to failure and will only damage his brand.

Youngkin, who answers questions about his presidential prospects by saying hes flattered to be in the conversation but focused on Virginia, is currently in the midst of the hectic final push to the states Nov. 7 election, with early voting already underway.

Every seat in the General Assembly is on the ballot, and both parties see a possible path to a legislative majority in a state that once seemed destined to move from red to blue but now hangs in the balance. If Republicans manage to hold the House of Delegates and flip the Senate, that would give Youngkin broad leeway to enact more of what he calls his common sense conservative priorities  including additional tax cuts, new limits on abortion and a rollback of clean energy mandates  over the final two years of his time in the governors mansion. Virginia uniquely prohibits its chief executives from serving consecutive terms.

Youngkin, known for his folksy, high-energy style, launched a major early voting push this cycle, shattered previous governors' fundraising records, campaigned with candidates and is in the weeds on the specifics of battleground races, according to his advisers.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Youngkin and his wife, Suzanne Youngkin, will host a second annual Red Vest Retreat, a nod to the governor's signature campaign attire, at an elegant hotel in Virginia Beach, according to an invitation obtained by the AP. Details of the retreat were first reported in The Washington Post.

Obviously there are a lot of folks that are encouraging him ... who like what he has done in Virginia, what hes been able to accomplish, and would love to have him do that on the national level. But again, his focus is going to continue to be on Virginia and these elections, said Dave Rexrode, a senior adviser to Youngkin, in an interview.

The retreat is for individuals who are financial supporters of the governor's Spirit of Virginia PAC, said Rexrode, who is chairman of the organization. No presidential candidates were invited, and Rexrode declined to share details of the agenda ahead of the event.

The speculation around a Youngkin run has been driven not only by his upstart win but also his travel around the country, frequent conservative media appearances, highly-produced public events, record-breaking fundraising and his refusal to shut down the prospect.

Should he decide to make the leap after next month's elections, a potential campaign would face significant logistical hurdles.

With less than 100 days until voting starts with Iowas leadoff caucuses, Youngkin does not have the kind of campaign organization that a presidential hopeful needs to recruit supporters for caucuses or get voters to turn out in January. Most of the presidential campaigns have been organizing since early 2023. Trump also has enormous name recognition, years of organizing experience and established supporters nationwide.

Before Youngkin could even worry about turning out supporters, hed be up against crucial deadlines.

While theres no deadline to become a candidate for Iowas caucuses, competing there takes months of securing supporters who will agree to show up at a certain time and place. The deadline to file for the second contest, New Hampshires primary, is Oct. 27. Other states' deadlines start rolling in soon after, with Alabama and Arkansas requiring candidates to collect signatures from voters and file their candidacy days after this Novembers election.

His former top campaign strategists are also currently working on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign, though Rexrode and others working for Youngkin's PAC have years of national political experience.

People in Trump's orbit have been publicly dismissive of a potential Youngkin candidacy and are quick to lump his potential late entry in with some of the supposed Trump alternatives already in the race, including other prominent officeholders such as DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Asked for comment, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung responded: That must really suck for Ron DeSantis.

Republican and independent voters around the country who spoke with the AP also voiced skepticism about Youngkin's potential impact on the race.

Renate Plitzko, an independent voter from Dover, New Hampshire, said shes looking for a candidate who can boost the economy. She said Youngkin should get in if he wants to.

But is she familiar with him?

No, not at all, she said Friday at a New Hampshire Republican Party summit.

Several other voters there said they were familiar with Youngkin and praised the job hes done but said he shouldnt run.

In Virginia, Republican voters and legislators praised his performance as governor so far, but many said they want Youngkin to finish the job he signed up for.

It's too soon for him, said Margaret Garland, a 77-year-old Trump supporter, in an interview at an early voting site in Stafford County. "Let him get some more experience as governor.

But Hobbs, the childhood friend and a self-described moderate, said he's more convinced than ever that a divided country needs the unity and fresh leadership he thinks Youngkin could offer. Hobbs, who planned to attend the retreat, said he's overextended himself trying to push Youngkin in, but thinks the governor has given it real thought.

Ultimately, though, he isn't sure what Youngkin will do.

Will he announce?" Hobbs said. I have no idea.

Price reported from New York. AP writers Matthew Barakat in Stafford County and Holly Ramer in Nashua, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.
BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa.  Three big Bethlehem Township developments are on the planning commission's agenda for Monday, Oct. 23.

The plans for a convenience store, apartments, houses and a huge warehouse cover about 100 acres total.

Agendas are subject to change, but as of Monday, the apartments and Wawa proposed for 4457 Easton Ave., along with the Fields at Farmersville housing development and the warehouse planned for 1600 Freemansburg Ave. are on the list.

The Easton Avenue plan is listed as the Paxos Wawa; George Paxos owns the adjacent Blue Grillhouse. The convenience store would go between the Blue and Farmersville Road, on land near Notre Dame High School and across the street from Bethlehem Skateaway.

Plans presented in May include a 60-unit four-story building with 60 apartments, characterized as "boutique living," at the rear of the property. The plan is still in discussion phase.

To the south on Farmersville Road, Kay Builders is seeking a waiver from street-width requirements at "The Fields at Farmersville." The most recent plan includes 108 homes, down from the 166 originally pitched.

Kay's plan to develop the Miller farm at 3107 Farmersville Road set off protests among neighbors when it became public, but the land is zoned for residential use. Across the street is a township park and the Bethlehem Township Community Center, but nearby homes cover land that was once farmland.

Residents attended meetings to object, citing concerns about traffic, flooding, wildlife and a change in the character of their neighborhood. While nobody in authority said they wanted to see cows evicted from the 52 acres, Planning Commission Chairman Les Walker noted to residents, "When you bought the home, you didn't buy the view."

Kay is also developing the nearby Fields at Riverhill, priced from $407,400 to $681,400.

While the first two sites are probably only up for discussion, there is the potential for a vote on the plan for an 866,350-square foot  20-acre  warehouse at 1600 Freemansburg Ave. That project straddles the border of Bethlehem Township and Freemansburg.

The development, presented by Trammell Crow Co., drew fire from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Much of the truck traffic would head east on Freemansburg Avenue, which is already crowded, to Route 33.

The 45-acre tract is privately owned and warehouses are a permitted use there. The site has been used a dump for trees, stumps and other materials.

Trammell Crow is also developing two warehouses at the site of the former Dutch Springs aqua park. The company is part of CBRE Group Inc., the world's biggest commercial real estate company. CBRE's 2022 revenue was $30.8 billion.

If the planning commission votes on the warehouse plan, the next step would be a vote by the Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners. The Borough of Freemansburg is also reviewing the proposal.

The Bethlehem Township Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 23 at the municipal building, 4225 Easton Ave. The meeting will also be available via Zoom. Anyone planning to attend should check the agenda the day of the meeting for changes.
MOSCOW (AP)  The lower house of the Russian parliament on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a bill revoking the ratification of a global nuclear test ban in what Moscow has described as a move to put itself on par with the United States.

The State Duma voted unanimously to rescind the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty known as the CTBT, in the first of three required readings. The final vote is scheduled for later this week.

The vote follows a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned earlier this month that Moscow could revoke its 2000 decision to ratify the bill to mirror" the stand taken by the United States, which has signed but not ratified the nuclear test ban.

Speaking during Tuesday's session, Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the Russian move was a response to what he described as the U.S. boorish attitude to performing its obligations to ensure global security."

They thought about themselves as hegemons, proponents of a unilateral world, Volodin said. Today's decision will ring the bell for them.

The CTBT, adopted in 1996, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, although it has never fully entered into force. In addition to the U.S., it is yet to be ratified by China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran and Egypt.

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 favor of resumption.

Putin has noted that while some experts have talked about the need to conduct nuclear tests, he hasnt yet formed an opinion on the issue.

Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said last week that Moscow will continue to respect the ban and will only resume nuclear tests if Washington does it first.
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)  one of the world's first graduate-level research institution dedicated to the study of artificial intelligence (AI)  has launched the Institute of Foundation Models aimed at building, understanding, using, and managing risk related to advanced base models.

Established to respond to the burgeoning demand for the development of transformative AI, the institute will further cement the UAE's position of leadership in generative AI (GenAI) through academic research that can be used for multiple applications.

Its mandate is to advance research, nurture the next generation of AI builders, and drive a transformative contribution to the local knowledge-driven economy.

The institute will attract top AI scientists, innovators, and experts to develop large-scale, reusable, accessible, and affordable AI models. Foundational models are a culmination of many years work, complexities and expertise, and will have the capacity to be adapted to a wide range of specialised downstream applications that are sustainable for an increasing number of sectors and industries.

MBZUAI President and University Professor, Eric Xing, said: Our mission is to bring academic research to the forefront of AI development. This institute will be the hub of activity for fundamental research  in areas we have pioneered  with the ability to focus those energies now into powerful models that can be used in industries dedicated to healthcare, climate change, and sustainability. The options are endless, and we look forward to partnering with others in this area.

The institute will focus on the development of multi-modal foundation models offering multiple capabilities such as language, audio, and vision capable of social media content analysis, content moderation, optical character recognition (OCR), and product analysis.

Further investigation into foundation models such as the large language model (LLM) behind the ChatGPTs, and transformers pre-trained on biological data for tools like AlphaFold2 will be a research focus.

As a university dedicated to AI with five departments specialising in computer science (CS), computer vision (CV), machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and robotics; MBZUAI possesses a unique, cross-disciplinary research environment that makes it ideally placed to lead foundation model research, and its Masdar City campus be the home of the new institute.

MBZUAI has already received global attention for its research in LLMs including Jais, the worlds most advanced, open-source Arabic LLM model, which was launched in August with G42s Core42, and Cerebras Systems, for its involvement with Metas Llama 2, and for the open-source chatbot Vicuna. Delivering exceptional output with a sustainable footprint, Vicuna has been downloaded more than three million times to date.

In the four years since its establishment, MBZUAIs prodigious research output has elevated the university into the top 20 institutions globally according to the latest CSRankings (computer science rankings), in AI, CV, ML, NLP, and robotics, alongside institutions such as MIT, the University of California, Berkeley, ETH Zurich, Nanjing University, and the University of Washington.

Further cementing its position at the forefront of international AI research, MBZUAI faculty and students have presented more than 1,100 conference papers since 2020 and published more than 1,500 articles.

The university also recently welcomed its fourth cohort of students, drawn from more than 34 nationalities, and earlier this year, its fourth cohort of MBZUAI Executive Program (MEP) as it continues to develop a pipeline of skilled and knowledgeable AI talent and leaders to enrich the UAEs burgeoning tech ecosystem.  TradeArabia News Service
JERUSALEM, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said that the killing of hundreds of people at a hospital in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday was caused by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a militant group in Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement posted on social media X that from the analysis of IDF operational systems, an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, "which passed through the vicinity of the hospital when it (the hospital) was hit" by a rocket.

"Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza," the military added.

Palestinian media reported that at least 500 people were killed in the "Israeli airstrikes," while the Palestinian Authority announced three days of mourning.

Earlier, local eyewitnesses told Xinhua that a rocket hit the hospital, sending a huge explosion through its premises.

They rushed to the place a few minutes later and saw hundreds of killed people on the ground, said the sources.

According to the Gaza-based Health Ministry, the hospital was housing hundreds of sick and wounded and sheltering thousands of displaced civilians who were forced to flee their homes due to constant Israeli attacks. 
WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States has quietly delivered a small number of long-range ballistic missiles that Ukraine said it urgently needed and that President Joe Biden promised last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Tuesday, saying they were used on the battlefield against Russia and executed very accurately.

Today I express special gratitude to the United States," Zelenskyy said in his evening address, adding that the missiles have proven themselves.

The U.S. has refused to discuss the delivery publicly, but officials familiar with the move also confirmed it earlier in the day. Fewer than a dozen of the missiles got into Ukraine within the last few days, said officials. Their arrival at the warfront gives Ukraine a critical ability to strike Russian targets that are farther away, allowing Ukrainian forces to stay safely out of range. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter before an official announcement and spoke Tuesday on the condition of anonymity.

The delivery of the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, was shrouded in secrecy, with the expectation that the first public acknowledgment would come when the missiles were used on the battlefield. That intense secrecy is a marked change from previous U.S. weapons sent by the Biden administration. In nearly all other cases, the U.S. has publicly announced its decision prior to the weapons and equipment being shipped overseas.

Because of lingering U.S. concerns about escalating tensions with Russia, the ATACMS version that went to Ukraine will have a shorter range than the maximum distance the missiles can have. While some versions of the missiles can go as far as about 180 miles (about 300 kilometers), the ones sent to Ukraine have a shorter range and carry cluster munitions, which, when fired, open in the air, releasing hundreds of bomblets rather than a single warhead. According to a U.S. official, the ones delivered to Ukraine have a maximum range of a bit more than 100 miles (roughly 160 kilometers).

Ukraines Special Operations Forces claimed that a nighttime attack on targets in eastern and southern Ukraine destroyed nine Russian helicopters and other military equipment and personnel at two airfields in Russia-occupied regions.

The ATACMS would be key in Ukraines ability to hit the airfield in Berdyansk since it is just within striking distance of the shorter-range version of the missile, and the cluster munitions would be effective in hitting multiple targets. The closest Ukrainian troop positions on the western bank of the Dnieper River are just about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Berdyansk.

Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders had been pressing the U.S. to provide the missiles, which have a longer range than any others provided by the U.S. But the Biden administration balked for months, worried that Kyiv could use the weapons to hit deep into Russian territory, enraging Moscow and escalating the conflict.

Biden finally greenlighted the delivery last month and told Zelenskyy during a meeting at the White House that the U.S. would finally give Ukraine the ATACMS, according to officials at the time. The U.S., however, for weeks refused to provide any details on timing or how many missiles would be delivered, although officials suggested that the plan was to send a small number.

Ukrainian forces want to use the missiles to help fuel their counteroffensive as it heads into the muddy and colder winter months, enabling troops to strike behind Russian lines while staying out of firing range.

The small number of missiles underscores the U.S. reluctance to send the powerful weapons. Sending the cluster munition version will mark the second time the Democratic administration has moved to send that type of weapon.

In July, the U.S. agreed to send thousands of cluster bombs to Ukraine. When used, the bomblets are dispersed over a large area and are intended to wreak destruction on multiple targets at once. The weapons are banned by many NATO allies because they have a track record for causing many civilian casualties. Unexploded rounds, which often litter battlefields and populated civilian areas, can cause unintended deaths.

Associated Press writers Hanna Arhirova and Illia Novikov in Kyiv contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP)  Venezuela's government and opposition have reached an agreement on new electoral conditions that once signed Tuesday will trigger relief from U.S. energy sanctions on President Nicolas Maduro's administration, according to a person familiar with the outline of deal.

Venezuelas government agreed to open up the electoral process, including allowing European Union observers and creating a process for lifting bans that have blocked his top opponents from running for president, to level what is widely seen as an unfair playing field, the person said Monday.

If Maduro doesnt live up to his end of the bargain, the sanctions will be imposed again, according to the person, who insisted on not being quoted by name as a condition to discuss the agreement before it was signed.

Venezuela's government and opposition were scheduled to resume their Norway-mediated dialogue in Barbados on Tuesday, the Norwegian Embassy in Mexico said. But it appeared an agreement was already within reach because a signing ceremony was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Mexico hosted multiple rounds of talks in 2021 and 2022. When the sides last met, in November 2022, they agreed to create a U.N.-managed fund to finance health, food and education programs for the poor while the U.S. government agreed to allow oil giant Chevron to pump Venezuelan oil.

Colombia and other countries have tried in recent months to restart negotiations between the sides, but Maduro has demanded that the U.S. drop economic sanctions and unfreeze Venezuelan funds held overseas as a condition of resuming talks.

Norways statement Monday said the two sides had decided to resume the dialogue with the objective of reaching a political agreement.

On Monday evening, Maduro said on Venezuela's national television that we are going to move ahead with sanctions or without sanctions. If we manage to get them lifted, great, if they're kept in place, we move foward and we will overcome.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller welcomed the announcement of negotiations in Barbados and said in a statement that the U.S. government would continue its efforts to unite the international community in support of the Venezuelan-led negotiation process.

Earlier Monday, a U.S. official who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations said there was no deal between the U.S. government and Venezuela.

The official said the Biden administration supported Venezuelan-led negotiations and was prepared to provide relief from sanctions in response to concrete actions toward holding competitive elections.

The dialogue formally began in September 2021, but President Maduros delegates walked away from negotiations in October 2021 after Colombia-born businessman Alex Saab was extradited on money laundering charges from Cape Verde to the U.S. Maduro conditioned a resumption on the release of Saab.

The political, social and economic crisis that has come to define Venezuela has evolved since it began a decade ago as a result of a global drop in the price of oil, Venezuelas most valuable resource, mismanagement by the self-proclaimed socialist administration and government repression of its opponents.

A brief period of relative economic stability has again been shaken by jumping food prices, business closures and another wave of emigration.

Some members of the Venezuelan opposition celebrated Norways announcement.

Luis Florido, a former exiled opposition lawmaker, said on X that only through negotiations would Venezuelans be able to restore democracy through the ballot box.

You wont get everything you want, but you will make progress, he said of the negotiations.

The presence of election observers, however, has not seraved as discouragement for the government to carry out old tactics. The EU deployed dozens of observers to Venezuela for the 2021 regional elections, which many remember for the governments move to disqualify an opposition gubernatorial candidate when results showed he was ahead of one of Chavezs siblings.

The talks were scheduled to take place in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Garcia Cano reported from Caracas. Associated Press writers Fatima Hussein and Josh Boak in Washington and Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed to this report.
Means Investment CO. Inc. raised its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,612 shares of the credit services providers stock after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. Means Investment CO. Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $634,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. ERTS Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. ERTS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,376 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $541,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management increased its stake in Mastercard by 3.0% during the second quarter. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management now owns 869 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $342,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the period. Acropolis Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Mastercard by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Acropolis Investment Management LLC now owns 1,677 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $660,000 after acquiring an additional 26 shares in the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 0.8% in 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 grew 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 purchasing an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.94% of the companys stock.

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Mastercard Stock Up 1.1 %

NYSE:MA traded up $4.22 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $402.25. 662,423 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,631,371. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $402.98 and a 200 day moving average of $388.47. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $291.34 and a twelve month high of $418.60. The stock has a market cap of $379.00 billion, a PE ratio of 37.30, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.09.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.84 by $0.05. Mastercard had a net margin of 43.37% and a return on equity of 178.10%. The company had revenue of $6.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.18 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.56 EPS. Mastercards revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.14 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 5th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.57%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is currently 21.37%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. 888 reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, June 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Mastercard from $510.00 to $496.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 9th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $425.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 28th. Bank of America upped their price objective on Mastercard from $438.00 to $442.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Mastercard from $463.00 to $488.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $449.52.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Mastercard

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Mastercard news, insider Hai Ling sold 3,324 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $415.00, for a total transaction of $1,379,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 17,577 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,294,455. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $391.39, for a total value of $49,243,124.24. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 99,430,749 shares of the companys stock, valued at $38,916,200,851.11. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Hai Ling sold 3,324 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $415.00, for a total transaction of $1,379,460.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 17,577 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,294,455. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 418,446 shares of company stock valued at $166,076,098. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.

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Asset Management One Co. Ltd. boosted its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 1.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,750 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd.s holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $25,133,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of CMG. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.5% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,042,969 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,781,678,000 after buying an additional 5,358 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 565,479 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $963,779,000 after purchasing an additional 9,520 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 8.3% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 402,002 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $557,774,000 after purchasing an additional 30,788 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 65.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 375,736 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $521,332,000 after purchasing an additional 149,115 shares during the period. Finally, Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 150,224.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 339,734 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $726,690,000 after acquiring an additional 339,508 shares during the last quarter. 91.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently issued reports on CMG. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,300.00 to $2,200.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,300.00 to $2,250.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 27th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Raymond James upped their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,100.00 to $2,300.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. Finally, Stephens dropped their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,400.00 to $2,330.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $2,141.22.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

CMG opened at $1,810.45 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $1,878.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1,951.69. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a one year low of $1,344.05 and a one year high of $2,175.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.30.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The restaurant operator reported $12.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $12.25 by $0.40. The firm had revenue of $2.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.53 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 45.85% and a net margin of 12.00%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $9.30 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 43.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,044 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,830.95, for a total value of $1,911,511.80. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,747,189.65. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,058 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill 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 value of $2,039,993.28. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $45,016,751.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,044 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,830.95, for a total value of $1,911,511.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,747,189.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 3,165 shares of company stock valued at $6,024,185. 0.96% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

(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.

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CAIRO, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tens of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, medical supplies, food and blankets are lining up on Tuesday at the Rafah crossing, waiting for access to the coastal enclave of Palestine from the Egyptian side.

"Trucks moved from Arish city in north Sinai in the early hours of Tuesday to the Rafah crossing," Shihata Saber, a truck driver told Xinhua.

"I'm proud to be part of the covey. We are ready to enter aid to our brothers in Palestine," said Saber, who had waited for nearly four days after loading the aid in Arish.

After crossing Rafah, the trucks will head to the Kerem Shalom border crossing to be inspected by the Israeli side before moving to Gaza, an Egyptian security official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Shipments of aid from Jordan, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates had arrived at the Arish airport, 50 km west of Rafah, together with medical supplies provided by the World Health Organization.

"Since the beginning of the conflict, Egypt attempted to keep the Rafah crossing bordering with Gaza open to deliver aid in coordination with the United Nations," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in a joint press conference with his French counterpart on Monday.

"(However) The Israeli government has not taken any measure from the side of Gaza to allow access," he said.

Hundreds of foreigners flocked on Saturday to the Rafah crossing, the only crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to flee the Palestinian enclave.

There have been massive Israeli airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza, in retaliation for Hamas-led attacks on Israel since Oct. 7. 
Asset Management One Co. Ltd. decreased its position in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Free Report) by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 7,918 shares of the companys stock after selling 226 shares during the quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd.s holdings in AutoZone were worth $19,742,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Townsend & Associates Inc grew its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 50.3% during the second quarter. Townsend & Associates Inc now owns 1,736 shares of the companys stock worth $4,342,000 after purchasing an additional 581 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV boosted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 11.0% during the second quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 9,584 shares of the companys stock worth $23,896,000 after buying an additional 950 shares during the period. Crewe Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 21.8% during the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 106 shares of the companys stock worth $264,000 after buying an additional 19 shares during the period. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 2.0% during the second quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 362 shares of the companys stock worth $903,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the period. Finally, Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 7.3% during the second quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 718 shares of the companys stock worth $1,790,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.34% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at AutoZone

In other AutoZone news, VP Domingo Hurtado sold 120 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,548.03, for a total value of $305,763.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 156 shares in the company, valued at approximately $397,492.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.59% of the companys stock.

AutoZone Stock Up 2.0 %

Shares of NYSE:AZO opened at $2,602.75 on Tuesday. AutoZone, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $2,249.36 and a fifty-two week high of $2,750.00. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $2,525.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2,529.73. The company has a market cap of $47.26 billion, a PE ratio of 19.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.66.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 19th. The company reported $46.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $44.51 by $1.95. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.48% and a negative return on equity of 60.66%. The business had revenue of $5.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.62 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $40.51 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 147.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AZO has been the subject of several recent research reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of AutoZone from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,006.00 to $2,863.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Oppenheimer downgraded shares of AutoZone from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their price target for the company from $2,850.00 to $2,600.00 in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Northcoast Research started coverage on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. They set a neutral rating for the company. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of AutoZone from $2,721.00 to $2,742.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 20th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoZone currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2,793.95.

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AutoZone Profile

(Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories. The company offers various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Its products include A/C compressors, batteries and accessories, bearings, belts and hoses, calipers, chassis, clutches, CV axles, engines, fuel pumps, fuses, ignition and lighting products, mufflers, radiators, starters and alternators, thermostats, and water pumps, as well as tire repairs.

Further Reading

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Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE:DEI  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Reduce from the twelve ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have assigned a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $14.09.

A number of research analysts have commented on DEI shares. Piper Sandler cut shares of Douglas Emmett from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $15.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. KeyCorp began coverage on shares of Douglas Emmett in a research note on Monday, September 11th. They set a sector weight rating for the company. Raymond James cut their target price on shares of Douglas Emmett from $17.00 to $16.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 4th. Bank of America cut shares of Douglas Emmett from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and cut their target price for the company from $12.00 to $10.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 8th. Finally, Wedbush began coverage on shares of Douglas Emmett in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $13.00 target price for the company.

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Douglas Emmett Stock Up 4.0 %

Douglas Emmett Announces Dividend

DEI stock opened at $12.34 on Tuesday. Douglas Emmett has a twelve month low of $10.09 and a twelve month high of $18.24. The company has a market cap of $2.06 billion, a PE ratio of 37.39 and a beta of 0.99. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $13.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.75. The company has a quick ratio of 2.67, a current ratio of 2.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 17th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th will be given a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.16%. Douglas Emmetts dividend payout ratio is currently 230.30%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Douglas Emmett

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Douglas Emmett by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 25,142,146 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $450,799,000 after acquiring an additional 135,881 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Douglas Emmett by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 21,032,102 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $259,326,000 after buying an additional 772,207 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in Douglas Emmett by 15.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,186,067 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $142,686,000 after buying an additional 1,537,089 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its position in Douglas Emmett by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 8,863,855 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $109,291,000 after buying an additional 115,471 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in Douglas Emmett during the 4th quarter worth about $114,497,000. 97.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Douglas Emmett Company Profile

(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.

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Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from $203.00 to $201.00 in a report issued on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an equal weight rating on the oil and gas companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price objective would suggest a potential upside of 20.29% from the companys current price.

CVX has been the subject of a number of other research reports. UBS Group raised their price target on Chevron from $209.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Chevron from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $166.00 to $187.00 in a report on Monday, July 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on Chevron in a research note on Tuesday. They issued a market perform rating and a $184.00 price target on the stock. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Chevron from $163.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 31st. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on Chevron from $185.00 to $190.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Chevron presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $189.89.

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Chevron Price Performance

CVX traded up $1.70 on Tuesday, reaching $167.10. The company had a trading volume of 1,821,669 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,915,680. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.43. Chevron has a 52-week low of $149.74 and a 52-week high of $189.68. The company has a market cap of $312.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.60, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.14. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $163.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $161.18.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.95 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $48.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $48 billion. Chevron had a net margin of 13.54% and a return on equity of 19.48%. The firms revenue was down 28.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.82 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Chevron will post 13.77 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Chevron

In related news, CFO Pierre R. Breber sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.00, for a total transaction of $4,100,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,021 shares in the company, valued at $987,444. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, VP Jeff B. Gustavson sold 3,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 1,718 shares in the company, valued at approximately $276,391.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Pierre R. Breber sold 25,000 shares of the firms 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 sale, the chief financial officer now owns 6,021 shares in the company, valued at approximately $987,444. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Chevron

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC raised its holdings in Chevron by 247.8% during the second quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 3,400 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 5,700 shares during the period. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Chevron by 52.3% during the first quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 195 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Artemis Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Chevron during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new position in Chevron in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Chevron in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. 68.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Chevron

(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.

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Cooke & Bieler LP lowered its stake in ESAB Co. (NYSE:ESAB  Free Report) by 22.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,015,299 shares of the companys stock after selling 856,954 shares during the quarter. ESAB makes up approximately 1.9% of Cooke & Bieler LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position. Cooke & Bieler LP owned approximately 5.01% of ESAB worth $200,638,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of ESAB by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 46,437 shares of the companys stock worth $2,179,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Xponance Inc. raised its stake in ESAB by 2.8% in the first quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 6,939 shares of the companys stock valued at $410,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its position in shares of ESAB by 1.1% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 27,131 shares of the companys stock valued at $905,000 after buying an additional 286 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its stake in shares of ESAB by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 13,926 shares of the companys stock worth $823,000 after acquiring an additional 372 shares during the period. Finally, Ensign Peak Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of ESAB by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 16,406 shares of the companys stock worth $969,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. 91.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Olivier Biebuyck sold 535 shares of ESAB stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.09, for a total value of $38,568.15. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 6,441 shares of the companys stock, valued at $464,331.69. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Kevin J. Johnson sold 636 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.74, for a total transaction of $45,626.64. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 8,015 shares in the company, valued at approximately $574,996.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Olivier Biebuyck sold 535 shares of ESAB stock in a transaction on Monday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.09, for a total transaction of $38,568.15. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 6,441 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $464,331.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 1,631 shares of company stock valued at $115,926 in the last ninety days. 7.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ESAB has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of ESAB from $75.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Bank of America raised ESAB from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $61.00 to $89.00 in a report on Monday, September 18th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on ESAB from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Loop Capital raised their price target on shares of ESAB from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on shares of ESAB in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a neutral rating and a $78.00 price objective for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $79.88.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ESAB

ESAB Price Performance

Shares of ESAB stock traded up $1.95 on Tuesday, hitting $71.91. 25,850 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 241,291. The company has a 50 day moving average of $70.08 and a 200 day moving average of $65.39. The stock has a market cap of $4.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.01. ESAB Co. has a 12 month low of $34.56 and a 12 month high of $74.15.

ESAB (NYSE:ESAB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $720.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $665.13 million. ESAB had a return on equity of 18.25% and a net margin of 7.83%. ESABs revenue was up 9.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.08 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that ESAB Co. will post 4.21 EPS for the current year.

ESAB Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 13th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th were given a dividend of $0.06 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 28th. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.33%. ESABs dividend payout ratio is presently 6.96%.

ESAB Company Profile

(Free Report)

ESAB Corporation engages in the formulation, development, manufacture, and supply of consumable products and equipment for use in cutting, joining, and automated welding; and control equipment. Its comprehensive range of welding consumables includes electrodes, cored and solid wires, and fluxes using a range of specialty and other materials; and cutting consumables comprising electrodes, nozzles, shields, and tips.

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Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the nineteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and fifteen have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $70.35.

Several research analysts recently commented on CTVA shares. Credit Suisse Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $74.00 price target on shares of Corteva in a report on Friday, August 4th. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on shares of Corteva from $68.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Redburn Partners lowered shares of Corteva from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 25th. Canaccord Genuity Group assumed coverage on shares of Corteva in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. They set a buy rating and a $75.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Corteva from $70.00 to $67.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 14th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Corteva

Corteva Price Performance

CTVA opened at $49.82 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $50.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $55.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.66. Corteva has a 1 year low of $48.59 and a 1 year high of $68.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.36 billion, a PE ratio of 38.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.79.

Corteva (NYSE:CTVA  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.02. Corteva had a net margin of 5.26% and a return on equity of 7.78%. The business had revenue of $6.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.44 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.64 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Corteva will post 2.83 EPS for the current year.

Corteva Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st were given a dividend of $0.16 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.28%. This is a positive change from Cortevas previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. Cortevas dividend payout ratio is currently 49.61%.

Insider Transactions at Corteva

In other news, CFO David J. Anderson purchased 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 15th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $52.97 per share, for a total transaction of $105,940.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 65,308 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,459,364.76. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Corteva

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC purchased a new stake in Corteva during the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Barrett & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Corteva in the first quarter worth approximately $29,000. Blume Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Corteva by 103.8% in the second quarter. Blume Capital Management Inc. now owns 542 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 276 shares in the last quarter. Perkins Coie Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of Corteva in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Corteva in the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. 80.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Corteva Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Corteva, Inc operates in the agriculture business. It operates through two segments, Seed and Crop Protection. The Seed segment develops and supplies advanced germplasm and traits that produce optimum yield for farms. It offers trait technologies that enhance resistance to weather, disease, insects, and herbicides used to control weeds, as well as food and nutritional characteristics.

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Shares of Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Hold from the thirteen analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $14.50.

F has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Ford Motor from $10.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Ford Motor from $16.00 to $17.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 12th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $12.00 target price on shares of Ford Motor in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Daiwa Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Ford Motor from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 1st. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Ford Motor from $13.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on F

Ford Motor Stock Performance

Ford Motor stock opened at $11.93 on Tuesday. Ford Motor has a 12-month low of $10.90 and a 12-month high of $15.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The company has a market capitalization of $47.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.58. The firms fifty day moving average price is $12.19 and its 200 day moving average price is $12.77.

Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The auto manufacturer reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.21. Ford Motor had a net margin of 2.44% and a return on equity of 20.48%. The firm had revenue of $44.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $43.17 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.68 EPS. The firms revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Ford Motor will post 2.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Ford Motor

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in F. Snider Financial Group lifted its stake in Ford Motor by 100,345.2% during the first quarter. Snider Financial Group now owns 219,805,167 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $3,717,000 after purchasing an additional 219,586,336 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ford Motor by 243.2% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 81,406,673 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $1,025,724,000 after acquiring an additional 57,689,209 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Ford Motor in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $419,237,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Ford Motor by 81,406.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 30,201,290 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $351,241,000 after acquiring an additional 30,164,236 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP purchased a new stake in shares of Ford Motor in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $341,804,000. 52.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ford Motor Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Ford Motor Company develops, delivers, and services a range of Ford trucks, commercial cars and vans, sport utility vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles worldwide. It operates through Ford Blue, Ford Model e, and Ford Pro; Ford Next; and Ford Credit segments. The company sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories through distributors and dealers, as well as through dealerships to commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments.

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Inspire Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX  Free Report) by 15.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,961 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,314 shares during the period. Inspire Advisors LLCs holdings in CEMEX were worth $120,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its holdings in CEMEX by 8.2% during the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 20,433 shares of the construction companys stock worth $145,000 after purchasing an additional 1,547 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in CEMEX by 24.6% during the second quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 17,934 shares of the construction companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 3,545 shares in the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in CEMEX by 66.2% during the first quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 12,349 shares of the construction companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 4,920 shares in the last quarter. Meridian Investment Counsel Inc. raised its holdings in CEMEX by 11.5% during the first quarter. Meridian Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 52,350 shares of the construction companys stock worth $289,000 after purchasing an additional 5,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in CEMEX by 58.4% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 15,387 shares of the construction companys stock worth $80,000 after purchasing an additional 5,676 shares in the last quarter. 31.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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CEMEX Stock Up 4.5 %

CX stock opened at $6.44 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.33 billion, a PE ratio of 10.73, a P/E/G ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.48. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $7.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $6.82. CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. has a 12 month low of $3.27 and a 12 month high of $8.46.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CEMEX ( NYSE:CX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The construction company reported $0.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $4.57 billion for the quarter. CEMEX had a net margin of 5.40% and a return on equity of 5.01%. Equities analysts expect that CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. will post 0.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several brokerages have weighed in on CX. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of CEMEX from $9.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of CEMEX in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on shares of CEMEX from $8.00 to $9.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of CEMEX from $8.00 to $9.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $8.52.

Read Our Latest Analysis on CX

About CEMEX

(Free Report)

CEMEX, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, distributes, and sells cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, urbanization solutions, and other construction materials worldwide. The company also offers asphalt, concrete blocks, concrete block paving, rail sleepers, and flooring systems; architectural concrete products; and box culverts, bridges, drainage basins, barriers, and parking curbs.

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Inspire Advisors LLC increased its position in Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD  Free Report) by 28.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 34,447 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 7,666 shares during the quarter. Inspire Advisors LLCs holdings in Banco Bradesco were worth $119,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Natixis bought a new stake in Banco Bradesco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Dubuque Bank & Trust Co. purchased a new position in Banco Bradesco in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Ieq Capital LLC purchased a new position in Banco Bradesco in the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in Banco Bradesco by 51.0% in the 1st quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 10,984 shares of the banks stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 3,712 shares during the period. Finally, CI Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Banco Bradesco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Institutional investors own 1.84% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Banco Bradesco in a research note on Monday. They issued a buy rating and a $3.50 price target on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.24.

Banco Bradesco Price Performance

BBD opened at $2.94 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.19, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.70. Banco Bradesco S.A. has a 52-week low of $2.34 and a 52-week high of $4.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.28 billion, a PE ratio of 11.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.77. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $2.96 and its 200-day moving average price is $3.10.

Banco Bradesco (NYSE:BBD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The bank reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.08 by ($0.01). Banco Bradesco had a net margin of 7.80% and a return on equity of 9.53%. The firm had revenue of $9.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.49 billion. On average, equities research analysts predict that Banco Bradesco S.A. will post 0.36 EPS for the current year.

Banco Bradesco Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 11th. Investors of record on Friday, November 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.0038 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 2nd. This represents a $0.05 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.54%. Banco Bradescos dividend payout ratio is presently 12.00%.

Banco Bradesco Company Profile

(Free Report)

Banco Bradesco SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, corporates, and businesses in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Banking and Insurance. It provides current, savings, click, and salary accounts; real estate credit, vehicle financing, payroll loans, mortgage loans, microcredit, leasing, and personal and installment credit; debit and business cards; financial and security services; consortium products; auto, personal accident, dental, travel, and life insurance; investment products; pension products; real estate and vehicle auctions; cash management, and foreign trade and exchange services; capitalization bonds; and internet banking services.

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Inspire Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Azul S.A. (NYSE:AZUL  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 12,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $176,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Azul in the second quarter valued at approximately $231,000. Raymond James & Associates purchased a new stake in shares of Azul in the second quarter valued at approximately $424,000. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. purchased a new stake in Azul during the second quarter worth $39,000. Perpetual Ltd lifted its holdings in Azul by 19.3% during the second quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 2,901,385 shares of the companys stock worth $39,720,000 after buying an additional 469,511 shares during the period. Finally, American Trust lifted its holdings in Azul by 83.1% during the first quarter. American Trust now owns 35,335 shares of the companys stock worth $253,000 after buying an additional 16,034 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 1.56% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

AZUL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. HSBC initiated coverage on Azul in a report on Friday, September 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $12.30 target price for the company. Raymond James upped their target price on Azul from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 14th. Barclays upgraded Azul from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $8.00 to $14.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Azul from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday, September 18th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Azul from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $14.90 to $18.30 in a report on Tuesday, September 19th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Azul has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $13.20.

Azul Price Performance

NYSE AZUL opened at $8.06 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $8.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.38. Azul S.A. has a 1 year low of $3.82 and a 1 year high of $13.86. The company has a market cap of $3.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.72 and a beta of 1.46.

Azul (NYSE:AZUL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 10th. The company reported ($0.81) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.70) by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $862.66 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $908.32 million. Research analysts expect that Azul S.A. will post -1.91 earnings per share for the current year.

About Azul

(Free Report)

Azul SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides scheduled air transportation services in Brazil. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated approximately 1,000 daily departures to 158 destinations through a network of 300 non-stop routes with an operating fleet of 177 aircraft and a passenger contractual fleet of 194 aircraft.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Kingsway Financial Services (NYSE:KFS  Free Report) (TSE:KFS) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Friday.

Separately, TheStreet cut Kingsway Financial Services from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Friday, August 18th.

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Kingsway Financial Services Stock Performance

Kingsway Financial Services stock opened at $6.95 on Friday. Kingsway Financial Services has a 12 month low of $6.00 and a 12 month high of $10.60. The company has a market cap of $187.64 million, a PE ratio of 16.61 and a beta of -0.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $8.18 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $8.35.

Kingsway Financial Services (NYSE:KFS  Get Free Report) (TSE:KFS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The insurance provider reported ($0.11) EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $26.20 million during the quarter. Kingsway Financial Services had a negative return on equity of 24.94% and a net margin of 56.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Kingsway Financial Services

In other news, Director Charles L. Frischer purchased 3,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 12th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $8.50 per share, for a total transaction of $33,150.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 234,900 shares in the company, valued at $1,996,650. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders have purchased 6,441 shares of company stock worth $53,465 over the last three months. Company insiders own 56.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kingsway Financial Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. California State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new position in shares of Kingsway Financial Services in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in Kingsway Financial Services by 4,215.4% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 4,488 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 4,384 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in Kingsway Financial Services by 555.3% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 13,120 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $106,000 after acquiring an additional 11,118 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new position in shares of Kingsway Financial Services during the 2nd quarter valued at $144,000. Finally, State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Kingsway Financial Services by 167.6% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 118,534 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $966,000 after purchasing an additional 74,232 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.65% of the companys stock.

About Kingsway Financial Services

(Get Free Report)

Kingsway Financial Services Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the extended warranty and business services in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator. The Extended Warranty segment markets, sells, and administers vehicle service agreements and related products for new and used automobiles, motorcycles, and ATVs.

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JUBA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes that erupted six months ago between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan have forced more than 310,000 individuals into South Sudan, the UN humanitarian agency has said.

Marie-Helene Verney, the UN's acting humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan, said the arrivals included South Sudanese returnees (more than 90 percent), refugees, and third-country nationals.

"Nobody had imagined that six months on, we would still be witnessing such large daily inflows," Verney said in a statement issued in the South Sudanese capital of Juba on Monday evening.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), South Sudan continues to face overlapping crises, including flooding, conflict, and food insecurity -- all of which adversely affect the resilience and vulnerability of people across the country.

It said the ongoing Sudan crisis has had a dramatic negative impact on the already fragile humanitarian situation. "Disruptions in cross-border trade and humanitarian corridors have led to increased prices of food and commodities, particularly in the northern half of the country where most of the new arrivals are settling."

This, the UN agency said, has worsened food insecurity and compounded acute humanitarian needs for the existing population and the new arrivals.

Verney said this crisis has stretched the humanitarian response in South Sudan close to the breaking point. "With no end in sight, a global decrease in humanitarian funding, and more new conflicts breaking out around the world, humanitarian partners are increasingly forced to deprioritize even life-saving activities."

Verney called on South Sudan to step up the delivery of basic services in vulnerable communities with the support of development actors.

According to the UN agency, poor infrastructure and, in particular, lack of roads, flooding, and funding constraints are severely testing the capacity of humanitarian actors to respond both at the border and in receiving communities, as well as putting pressure on onward transportation, which remains the most critical need in this response.

The OCHA said additional funding is needed to provide adequate space in overcrowded transit centers to reduce the risks of disease outbreaks and gender-based violence. "Additional funding will also support children fleeing the war in Sudan to resume learning and help reduce protection risks, such as child marriage, child labor, and recruitment of child soldiers." 
StockNews.com cut shares of Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday.

Separately, Northcoast Research downgraded shares of Mueller Water Products from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 4th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $14.20.

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Mueller Water Products Stock Performance

NYSE:MWA opened at $12.98 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 3.46 and a quick ratio of 1.89. The firm has a market cap of $2.03 billion, a PE ratio of 26.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.35. Mueller Water Products has a 1-year low of $10.48 and a 1-year high of $16.62.

Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The industrial products company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $326.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $351.74 million. Mueller Water Products had a return on equity of 12.22% and a net margin of 5.77%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.19 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Mueller Water Products will post 0.55 EPS for the current year.

Mueller Water Products Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, August 10th were issued a dividend of $0.061 per share. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 9th. Mueller Water Productss dividend payout ratio is currently 48.98%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mueller Water Products

In other Mueller Water Products news, Director Michael T. Tokarz sold 13,269 shares of Mueller Water Products stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.08, for a total value of $173,558.52. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 392,502 shares in the company, valued at $5,133,926.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Kenji Takeuchi sold 1,855 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.16, for a total transaction of $26,266.80. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 28,209 shares of the companys stock, valued at $399,439.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Michael T. Tokarz sold 13,269 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.08, for a total transaction of $173,558.52. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 392,502 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,133,926.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.70% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mueller Water Products

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in Mueller Water Products by 181.3% during the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 164,311 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,290,000 after purchasing an additional 105,899 shares during the period. Register Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Mueller Water Products during the 1st quarter worth approximately $70,000. Triodos Investment Management BV grew its stake in shares of Mueller Water Products by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Triodos Investment Management BV now owns 1,476,000 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $20,575,000 after acquiring an additional 6,000 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. grew its stake in shares of Mueller Water Products by 148.0% during the 1st quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 6,320,677 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $88,110,000 after acquiring an additional 3,772,093 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nia Impact Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mueller Water Products in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,811,000.

Mueller Water Products Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mueller Water Products, Inc manufactures and markets products and services for the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water used by municipalities, and the residential and non-residential construction industries in the United States, Israel, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Water Flow Solutions and Water Management Solutions.

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Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 28.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 129,717 shares of the companys stock after selling 51,594 shares during the quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $12,663,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Herold Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Herold Advisors Inc. now owns 5,050 shares of the companys stock worth $491,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. LCM Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. LCM Capital Management Inc now owns 2,428 shares of the companys stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 33.8% in the 4th quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 428 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Horan Securities Inc. grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 960 shares of the companys stock worth $93,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TimeScale Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. TimeScale Financial Inc. now owns 4,153 shares of the companys stock worth $404,000 after buying an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of PM stock opened at $92.48 on Tuesday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $84.44 and a 1-year high of $105.62. The company has a market capitalization of $143.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.71. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $94.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $95.62.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.48 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.04 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 27th were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 26th. This is a boost from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 100.58%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on PM. StockNews.com began coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Bank of America cut their price objective on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $111.00 in a research report on Friday, September 29th. Barclays cut their target price on Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Finally, Citigroup raised Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $109.00 to $117.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Philip Morris International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $109.42.

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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.

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Southwestern Energy (NYSE:SWN  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the sixteen ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $7.89.

SWN has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Southwestern Energy in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Southwestern Energy from $14.00 to $15.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Southwestern Energy from $5.00 to $5.50 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 23rd. UBS Group increased their price target on Southwestern Energy from $6.00 to $7.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Southwestern Energy from $8.00 to $9.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 11th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Southwestern Energy

Southwestern Energy Price Performance

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SWN. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its stake in Southwestern Energy by 34.0% in the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 54,040 shares of the energy companys stock worth $349,000 after acquiring an additional 13,712 shares during the last quarter. Reliant Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Southwestern Energy in the third quarter worth $88,000. One Plus One Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Southwestern Energy by 31.1% in the third quarter. One Plus One Wealth Management LLC now owns 31,436 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $203,000 after acquiring an additional 7,459 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its position in Southwestern Energy by 42.5% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 13,238 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 3,950 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mirador Capital Partners LP bought a new stake in Southwestern Energy during the third quarter worth about $132,000. 88.00% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

SWN stock opened at $6.77 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.59. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $6.49 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.80. The company has a market capitalization of $7.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.36. Southwestern Energy has a 52-week low of $4.57 and a 52-week high of $7.48.

Southwestern Energy (NYSE:SWN  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The energy company reported $0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.50 billion. Southwestern Energy had a return on equity of 23.55% and a net margin of 48.82%. Southwestern Energys quarterly revenue was down 69.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.33 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Southwestern Energy will post 0.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Southwestern Energy

(Get Free Report

Southwestern Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) in the United States. It operates through two segments, Exploration and Production, and Marketing. The company focuses on the development of unconventional natural gas and oil reservoirs located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Louisiana.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Transcontinental Realty Investors (NYSE:TCI  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Transcontinental Realty Investors Price Performance

Shares of TCI opened at $27.99 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $241.83 million, a PE ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.63. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $31.99 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $35.07. Transcontinental Realty Investors has a 1 year low of $27.23 and a 1 year high of $47.35.

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Transcontinental Realty Investors (NYSE:TCI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 10th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $12.24 million during the quarter. Transcontinental Realty Investors had a return on equity of 53.31% and a net margin of 980.11%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Transcontinental Realty Investors

About Transcontinental Realty Investors

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. American International Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Transcontinental Realty Investors by 50.0% in the second quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 909 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its position in shares of Transcontinental Realty Investors by 96.8% in the first quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 667 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in Transcontinental Realty Investors by 104.3% during the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 756 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 386 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC grew its position in Transcontinental Realty Investors by 16.8% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 2,862 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $121,000 after buying an additional 412 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its stake in Transcontinental Realty Investors by 160.7% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 717 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 442 shares during the last quarter.

(Get Free Report)

Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc, a Dallas-based real estate investment company, holds a diverse portfolio of equity real estate located across the U.S., including office buildings, apartments, shopping centers, and developed and undeveloped land. The Company invests in real estate through direct ownership, leases and partnerships and invests in mortgage loans on real estate.

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Cambiar Investors LLC lowered its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 6.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 279,164 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 17,870 shares during the period. Cambiar Investors LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $28,173,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 287.3% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 15,150 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,409,000 after buying an additional 11,238 shares during the period. Kovack Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 6.3% in the second quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 3,287 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $332,000 after buying an additional 195 shares during the period. Hall Laurie J Trustee acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the first quarter worth about $36,000. First National Bank of Hutchinson acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the first quarter worth about $306,000. Finally, Daymark Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the second quarter worth about $453,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance

NYSE:TSM traded down $0.53 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $90.69. 3,626,887 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,019,605. The stock has a market capitalization of $470.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.85, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 1.07. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a twelve month low of $59.43 and a twelve month high of $110.69. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $90.56 and a 200 day moving average of $93.64. The company has a current ratio of 2.42, a quick ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cuts Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The semiconductor company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.07 by $0.07. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.31% and a return on equity of 32.08%. The firm had revenue of $15.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.52 billion. On average, analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 4.8 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a $0.4724 dividend. This represents a $1.89 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.08%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is 24.59%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

TSM has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Susquehanna decreased their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $135.00 to $130.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $118.00 to $115.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $106.67.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides complementary metal oxide silicon wafer fabrication processes to manufacture logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, and embedded memory semiconductors.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Telefonica Brasil (NYSE:VIV  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Friday morning.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Telefonica Brasil from $10.00 to $11.40 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Citigroup upgraded shares of Telefonica Brasil from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 8th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a report on Tuesday, September 19th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Itau BBA Securities restated an outperform rating and set a $11.00 price target on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a report on Friday, September 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $11.13.

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Telefonica Brasil Stock Performance

Shares of VIV opened at $9.22 on Friday. Telefonica Brasil has a one year low of $6.49 and a one year high of $9.31. The company has a 50-day moving average of $8.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $8.55. The stock has a market cap of $15.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.40, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

Telefonica Brasil (NYSE:VIV  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter. Telefonica Brasil had a net margin of 8.98% and a return on equity of 6.54%. The company had revenue of $2.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.53 billion. On average, equities research analysts expect that Telefonica Brasil will post 0.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Telefonica Brasil Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a  dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 1st were given a dividend of $0.0273 per share. This represents a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 1st. Telefonica Brasils payout ratio is presently 69.81%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Telefonica Brasil

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 3.9% in the first quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 32,592 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $367,000 after purchasing an additional 1,214 shares during the period. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 0.7% in the first quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 230,768 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $1,747,000 after purchasing an additional 1,645 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 17.9% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 12,097 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $136,000 after purchasing an additional 1,839 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its position in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 5.2% in the second quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 38,350 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $350,000 after purchasing an additional 1,900 shares during the period. Finally, Profund Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 14.4% in the second quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 15,094 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $138,000 after purchasing an additional 1,901 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 5.40% of the companys stock.

About Telefonica Brasil

(Get Free Report)

Telefonica Brasil SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mobile telecommunications company in Brazil. Its fixed line services portfolio includes local, domestic long-distance, and international long-distance calls; and mobile portfolio comprises voice and broadband internet access through 3G, 4G, 4.5G, and 5G, as well as mobile value-added and wireless roaming services.

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Shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the ten brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $52.40.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on BK shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Bank of New York Mellon in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. Bank of America cut their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Citigroup cut their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $58.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $47.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th.

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Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BK opened at $41.84 on Tuesday. Bank of New York Mellon has a twelve month low of $38.11 and a twelve month high of $52.26. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $43.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $43.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The company has a market cap of $32.58 billion, a PE ratio of 12.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.09.

Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The bank reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.16. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 11.88% and a net margin of 10.95%. The company had revenue of $4.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.37 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.15 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Bank of New York Mellon will post 4.8 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Bank of New York Mellon

In other Bank of New York Mellon news, EVP J Kevin Mccarthy sold 35,000 shares of Bank of New York Mellon stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.33, for a total transaction of $1,621,550.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 98,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,545,065.66. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Bank of New York Mellon news, insider Kurtis R. Kurimsky sold 14,045 shares of Bank of New York Mellon stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.64, for a total transaction of $641,013.80. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 23,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,086,962.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP J Kevin Mccarthy sold 35,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.33, for a total transaction of $1,621,550.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 98,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,545,065.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bank of New York Mellon

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 32.7% during the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 13,698 shares of the banks stock worth $622,000 after purchasing an additional 3,374 shares during the last quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC grew its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 77.6% in the 1st quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 9,761 shares of the banks stock valued at $444,000 after buying an additional 4,266 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Bank of New York Mellon in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $235,000. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC grew its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 18.6% in the 2nd quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 8,225 shares of the banks stock valued at $366,000 after buying an additional 1,291 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank grew its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 24.8% during the 1st quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 521,792 shares of the banks stock valued at $23,697,000 after purchasing an additional 103,846 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.29% of the companys stock.

About Bank of New York Mellon

(Get Free Report

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics.

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Shares of WPP plc (NYSE:WPP  Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Hold from the five research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $46.00.

WPP has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com began coverage on WPP in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of WPP from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of WPP from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, September 28th. BNP Paribas downgraded shares of WPP from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 20th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of WPP to $46.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 20th.

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WPP Stock Performance

WPP Cuts Dividend

NYSE WPP opened at $44.42 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $46.68 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $51.56. WPP has a twelve month low of $41.06 and a twelve month high of $64.07. The stock has a market cap of $9.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.12, a PEG ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 1.36.

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 13th will be given a dividend of $0.9536 per share. This represents a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 12th. WPPs payout ratio is 30.45%.

Institutional Trading of WPP

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WPP. Brandes Investment Partners LP boosted its position in WPP by 2,330.9% during the first quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 349,753 shares of the business services providers stock worth $20,817,000 after purchasing an additional 335,365 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new stake in shares of WPP during the 2nd quarter worth $5,455,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD bought a new stake in shares of WPP during the 3rd quarter worth $2,866,000. Leuthold Group LLC acquired a new position in WPP in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,459,000. Finally, Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC bought a new position in WPP in the 2nd quarter worth $3,000,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.34% of the companys stock.

About WPP

(Get Free Report

WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies.

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WINDHOEK, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Namibia and the European Union (EU) will engage in the first-ever EU-Namibia Business Forum set to take place from Oct. 24-25, in Brussels, Belgium, according to Gosia Lachut, charge d'affaires of the EU Delegation to Namibia.

The forum is jointly organized by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the EU.

Lachut said at the press conference held Tuesday in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, that the key objective of the forum is to support Namibia's investment promotion efforts to attract European direct investment as well as foster close cooperation between the two parties.

"The forum is timely, as it builds upon the agreement signed between President Hage Geingob and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in 2022, establishing a strategic partnership between the EU and Namibia to create and strengthen Green Hydrogen and Sustainable Critical Raw Materials Value Chains in Namibia," she said.

The forum will be hosted under the theme: "Mobilizing quality investment and value addition for green growth in the EU-Namibia partnership," with a focus on green hydrogen and sustainable critical raw materials value chains.

The EU-Namibia Business Forum is set to begin with an opening ceremony featuring Namibia's President Hage Geingob, and other prominent figures from the public and private sectors.

Nangula Uaandja, the chief executive officer of the NIPDB, said Namibia continues to deepen collaboration with the EU to enable and catalyze sustainable investments and growth in the area of green hydrogen and critical raw materials, placing Namibia at the forefront of the green transition. "This forum is primarily anchored in the shared vision of creating linkages and partnerships that will enable Namibia to effectively leverage her resources not only to contribute towards decarbonization but to do so as an equal participant," she said.

Namibia has consistently maintained a positive trade balance with the EU, which is an important trading partner accounting for 21.6 percent of Namibia's exports and 13.6 percent of its imports. 
Aerial photo taken on Aug. 16, 2021 shows the HBIS Serbia in Smederevo, Serbia. [HBIS Serbia/Handout via Xinhua]

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua)  In the collection of gifts that Chinese President Xi Jinping has received from foreign friends over the years, a commemorative plaque made of steel witnessed the firm commitment of China to an iron-clad friend.

The rounded plaque, inscribed with the silhouette of a steel mill and depicting the outlines of the blast furnaces, exhaust chimneys, and workshops, was tailor-made by workers of the Smederevo Steel Mill using its own steel. The plaque was presented to Xi as an expression of their heartfelt gratitude and welcome during his visit in 2016.

Situated in the city of Smederevo located by the Danube, the Smederevo Steel Mill, Serbia's largest steel factory, boasts a history dating back to 1913.

Local workers remember its glory days, when it was "a pride of Serbia"  a pillar state-owned enterprise, supplying around 40 percent of the city's fiscal revenue and sustaining nearly one-third of the city residents.

However, during the late 1990s, declining competitiveness and poor management pushed the plant to the verge of closure. In the following two decades, it went through bankruptcy, privatization, a government buyback for 1 U.S. dollar, and foreign management.

But nothing seemed to work. The wheel only started to turn in 2016. At a point when the plant had been running at a loss for seven consecutive years, China's HBIS Group purchased Smederevo Steel Mill for 46 million euros (about 48.64 million U.S. dollars) under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It was later renamed Hesteel Serbia.

Aside from investment in advanced technology and management systems, the HBIS Group also found ways to help the plant significantly cut the cost of raw material procurement and open up the European market.

In a couple of months, the steel mill began to make profit. It had transported quality products to over 30 countries and regions by 2018, and became Serbia's leading exporter for three consecutive years in 2020.

Two months after the Chinese acquisition, Xi visited the plant. He went to the workshop and the staff canteen to talk with the workers.

Reminiscing about Xi's visit, Vladan Mihailovic, chief operating officer of the steelworks, said "I assured President Xi that everyone here would work hard and make every effort to make this project a success by using the experience accumulated in the over 100-year history of this factory."

The local people's livelihood was on top of Xi's mind. "With the close cooperation of the two sides, the Smederevo Steel Mill will surely be revitalized and play a positive role in creating jobs, improving people's lives and helping Serbian economic development," Xi said during the visit.

After the acquisition, the HBIS Group drew up a development plan with the interests of the workers and local people as a priority. It also focused on developing supporting industries such as the cement and glass sectors and built a new industrial park.

In addition to making a profit, Hesteel Serbia is also focused on being socially responsible, committing over a million dollars to the welfare of local people in recent years, and helping to build roads, support education and supply drinking water to villages.

"The revival of the Smederevo steel plant served as strong evidence that the BRI contributed to an increase of jobs and economic growth in Serbia," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said during a meeting with Xi in 2018.

"China and Serbia are iron-clad friends," Xi said in another meeting between them in 2022, adding that the two sides should continue advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and bringing into play the economic and social benefits of projects such as Hesteel Serbia, thus translating the traditional friendship between the two countries into more pragmatic cooperation results.

On Monday, Vucic arrived in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday. It is widely believed that the iron-clad friendship will be further strengthened during his visit, so will the two countries' cooperation under the BRI framework.

(Source: Xinhua)






Hou Hongqin, a Qinqiang Opera (a traditional Chinese opera popular in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province) performer, has been involved in Qinqiang-related work for nearly four decades. She is head of Xi'an Sanyishe, a prestigious Qinqiang troupe. "I have devoted myself to Qinqiang, and I have achieved the most valuable thing in my life by engaging in the ancient art form," Hou says. In September, Hou was elected a delegate, from Shaanxi Province, to the 13th National Women's Congress of China. The Congress will be held later this year.

Hou plays dan (female characters) in Qinqiang performances. Given her excellent performing skills, she has received the Plum Performance Award, the highest accolade for traditional Chinese theatrical art, and the Shanghai Magnolia Stage Performance Award. She has also been named a National March 8th Red-Banner Holder. Hou has distinguished herself with her sweet voice and unique singing style. In addition to performing classical pieces, she has created several Qinqiang shows that have become popular with young viewers. The shows included The Past of Northern Shaanxi, Gu Yu and Yang Guifei.



In the Blood

Hou was born in Zhouzhi, a county in Shaanxi Province known for maintaining its tradition of performing Qinqiang Opera.

With her father's support, Hou began learning to sing traditional folk operas when she was a child. She enrolled in Zhouzhi Opera School in 1984. One year later, she was admitted to Xi'an Art School. Given her deep love for Qinqiang Opera, she enjoyed studying and practicing the basic skills, even though it was challenging.

Singing is the most important skill used during an opera performance. Hou has inherited the traditional skill of singing Qinqiang Opera. Her singing is smooth and natural. In 1987, Hou, then a student, made her debut, during the Spring Festival xiqu (traditional Chinese operas) gala, in Shaanxi. Her eye-catching performance wowed the audience.

Hou often feels she is lucky in her art-related career. She is especially grateful that she was able to learn from Xiao Yuling, the late, renowned Qinqiang Opera performer. "Xiao taught me how to perform, and, more importantly, she taught me how to conduct myself well," Hou recalls.

In 1991, Hou was recruited by performance troupe Xi'an Sanyishe. While performing in several shows, including Famen Temple and Yu Tang Chun (The Story of Su San), with the troupe, Hou displayed good command of the basic skills, and she made some improvements in her acting skills during the performances.

In 1997, Hou performed the role of Huang Guiying, the leading role in a reproduced version of Huoyanju, a classical Qinqiang show. She followed the traditions of Qinqiang Opera performance, and her performance was so vivid the audience felt Huang was a real-life person.

Since then, that version of Huoyanju has been performed in many venues in northwestern China, and it has been broadcast on the xiqu channel of China Central Television. In 2000, Hou, then-29, won the xiqu performers award during the 17th Plum Performance Award.

Some young Qinqiang Opera fans have produced and presented video clips of Hou's performances and special calendars (printed with her photos) to Hou. Hou says the audiences' passion for Qinqiang Opera inspires her to continue performing on stage.

"We have toured the country with our shows, and we have been invited to perform Qinqiang Opera abroad. When we display our costumes and musical instruments to overseas audiences, they show great interest. Sometimes, they even ask us to teach them to sing Qinqiang Opera, or to play the instruments," Hou says.

Only Hou knows how much effort she has expended to shine on the stage. One thing is certain, Qinqiang Opera is in her blood.

Innovation

Xi'an Sanyishe was established in 1895. Hou was appointed its head in 2005. "I was concentrating on performing Qinqiang Opera, and I paid little attention to what happened around me," Hou recalls. Thinking all of her achievements were connected with Qinqiang Opera, she decided to accept the challenge. "I will use all of my experiences to promote and develop Qinqiang Opera. Being a performer is not enough. Shaanxi is rich in cultural resources. Due to the diverse development of society, local operas in Shaanxi have suffered from the lack of inheritors. I will do my best to promote Qinqiang Opera, a national intangible cultural heritage, and to pass it down to next generations," Hou says.

Hou has a bed and a suitcase, in which she keeps clothing for different seasons, in her office. "If I am required to give an unscheduled performance, I can take the suitcase and leave right away. I want to perform as much as possible, so more people can watch Qinqiang Opera. On the other hand, I hope there will be more talented young performers on the stage," Hou says.



"Traditional culture and art are the roots and soul of our country. We should work hard to produce more high-quality Qinqiang operas. We should keep close ties with and serve the people," says Hou. Serving the people with good works is the principle she has adhered to throughout her decades-long artistic career.

In 2019, the reform of the cultural administrative system across the country brought new opportunities for Sanyishe's development. The troupe merged into Xi'an Performing Arts Group. Supported by the group, the troupe has produced several high-quality Qinqiang operas, based on both modern and traditional stories, including The Guardians, Shan Hua, and Sima Qian. The performances have earned the troupe more than 150 awards at the national (ministry) and provincial levels.

Shan Hua, a modern Qinqiang opera, was created by young scriptwriters, directors and composers of Sanyishe. The opera has been performed by the troupe's young actors. It tells the story about how Shan Hua, a village Party (Communist Party of China) secretary, led villagers in developing a fruit business, and in protecting the natural environment. It reflects the people's affection for land, and their pursuit of a better life during rural revitalization. The young actors' performance is refreshing, and allows viewers to feel the characters are close to them.

On May 19, 2023, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, invited the first ladies of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to visit the historic Yisushe Theater, in Xi'an. The guests were Aigul Japarova, wife of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, wife of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Japarov and Mirziyoyev were in Xi'an for the China-Central Asia Summit. At the Yisushe Theater, Peng and her guests watched a classical Qinqiang performance. Hou performed a role, and the performance was applauded by Peng and her guests.



In recent years, Sanyishe has staged performances in many venues in Shaanxi, Gansu and Qinghai provinces, and in the Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions. Some 10 million viewers, combined, have watched the performances, either online or offline.

"Qinqiang is an ancient art form, and it is like a pearl formed by fine traditional Chinese culture. As a Qinqiang performer, I feel proud that I can be involved in the art that I love deeply. Preserving, inheriting and developing Qinqiang is the responsibility of each worker engaged in this art form.

"As our culture is rich in variety, and as the paces of people's lives have become faster, the influence of xiqu in the culture market has been challenged. To promote Qinqiang's development, I think the number of professional talents and the quality of works are the foundation. The coverage of performances is also important. Our troupe will adhere to the peoplecentered orientation, and we will strengthen cultivation of young talents. We will also keep exploring the market. We hope we will make our contributions to inheriting and developing traditional culture," Hou says.



Cultivating Talents

Hou believes cultivation of talents is vital for a century-old troupe. She has spared no effort in creating opportunities for young actors. Among them, Zhang Tao and Yang Shengjuan, both actors of Sanyishe, have received the 27th and the 30th Plum Performance Award, respectively.

Several renowned artists of Sanyishe have passed down their skills to the younger generation of Qinqiang performers. They have taught young actors to sing, sentence by sentence, to make sure their singing is accurate. The young actors are encouraged to pursue their dreams, and to make outstanding achievements with a sense of self-esteem, self-reliance, self-confidence and self-improvement.

"The times have changed. Those who remain on traditional opera stages must have a deep affection for xiqu. Most xiqu actors begin learning at 11 or 12, and they have to endure many hardships to become professionals. It's hard for them to switch to other professions," says Hou.

"It is necessary to give young actors more care and opportunities, and to increase their incomes. In recent years, the leading roles of many of our troupe's major productions have been played by young actors."

During the second session of the 15th Xi'an municipal committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, held in February this year, Hou, as a member of the committee, submitted a proposal aimed at strengthening the cultivation of traditional opera talents. The proposal indicated Sanyishe will cooperate with Shaanxi Normal University to establish an opera workshop this year. Hou hopes the workshop will help train more young artists who will have both moral integrity and professional competence.

Photos Supplied by Xi'an Sanyishe

(Women of China)
A 6-year-old Palestinian-American was stabbed 26 times for being Muslim, police say. His mom couldnt go to his funeral because she was stabbed, too
Workers talk at Karuma Hydropower Plant in Kiryandongo, Uganda, on Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

KAMPALA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- From the remote hydropower plant in its mid-northern district of Kiryandongo to the hub airport in Entebbe, 36 km southwest of the Ugandan capital of Kampala, the East African country has witnessed the positive changes brought by China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which marks the 10th anniversary this year since its inception.

Uganda is one of the many African countries that are seeking to fast-track development and reap benefits from the BRI, especially in sectors of energy and infrastructure, complemented by other programs like the South-South Cooperation framework and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

At the Entebbe International Airport, the landlocked country's major gateway to the world, Chinese engineers and their Ugandan colleagues are working to upgrade and expand the 70-year-old air harbor, which had its last major refurbishment only in the early 1970s.

The upgrade and expansion of the airport facility is part of a 200-million-U.S.-dollar project financed by the Import-Export Bank of China.

"We are in the final stages of the first phase of the upgrade and expansion. A number of subcomponents of the project have been accomplished; for instance, a new state-of-the-art cargo center was completed in 2021, and it was operationalized. It has (the) capacity to handle 100,000 metric tons of cargo," Vianney Luggya, public affairs manager of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, told Xinhua in a recent interview. "Now that we have a facility with bigger capacity, it is helping us. We are having more exports than imports of late, and the bulk of Ugandan exports comprise fresh produce."

China Communications Construction Company Ltd., the construction contractor, has also strengthened two runaways and some aircraft aprons, according to Luggya.

A new passenger terminal of 20,000 square meters is being constructed and will be completed in the middle of next year. This, according to Luggya, is anticipated to address the increasing passenger traffic pressure. When the terminal is complete, the airport will be able to serve 3.5 million passengers per year, compared to the current 1.8 million passengers.

"The new terminal building is coming in timely because the passenger traffic is growing, and the projections show it is going to grow more," said Luggya.

The airport expansion project is directly linked to the Kampala Entebbe Expressway, financed and constructed by China. The four-lane dual carriageway, with a length of 49.56 km, is already in operation linking the airport to Kampala.

The expressway was constructed to ease traffic congestion between the city and the airport. It reduced the travel time for motorists driving from Kampala to Entebbe to 30 minutes as compared to 120 minutes using the existing narrow and congested Kampala-Entebbe road, according to government data.

Further in mid-northern Uganda, along the River Nile, Chinese engineers and their Ugandan counterparts are in the final stages of testing and commissioning the 600-megawatt (MW) Karuma Hydropower Plant. The 1.7-billion-dollar power plant, partly financed by the Export and Import Bank of China, has been considered a flagship project in the bilateral relations between China and Uganda.

"It is going to add 600 MW to the Ugandan grid in terms of electricity supply. You remember some years back, about 10 or so, we were suffering from a lot of load shedding and persistent power cuts. And that is more or less a thing of the past," Albert Byaruhanga, project manager of the plant on behalf of the owner, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd., told Xinhua.

The plant, according to experts, is critical in addressing the country's increasing electricity demand and promoting its industrialization.

Karuma is the second power plant financed by China after the 183-MW Isimba Hydropower Plant. Upon commissioning the 566-million-dollar Isimba plant in March 2019, the plant generated about one-fifth of the country's total power generated at the time. 

A Chinese engineer interacts with local workers at Karuma Hydropower Plant in Kiryandongo, Uganda, on Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Aug. 21, 2023 shows the Karuma dam at Karuma Hydropower Plant in Kiryandongo, Uganda. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Aug. 17, 2023 shows a cargo center at the Entebbe International Airport, Central Region, Uganda. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and senior government officials, alongside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry and Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, have been notified they will be prosecuted as accomplices to war crimes if they continue to support the Israeli governments military assault on Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) served legal notice on Labours leadership this morning, following a similar letter to Sunak, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Attorney General Victoria Prentis on Friday. The ICJP warned they were about to become complicit in the imminent commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity by Israel in Gaza.

The ICJP's notice of intention to prosecute senior members of the Labour Party for complicity in war crimes [Photo: ICJP]

The ICJP, an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics advocating for the rights of Palestinians, wrote to Sunak on Friday: We put the Government on notice that we intend to bring legal proceedings against politicians in the UK and elsewhere where there is evidence that they have aided, abetted or in any other way supported, encouraged or provided material assistance in the commission of a war crime. The letter was signed by ICJP Director Tayab Ali, a partner at law firm Bindmans, and Crispin Blunt, Tory MP and former head of parliaments Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

On Monday, the ICJP formally notified Labours leadership that they may be individually criminally liable for their role in aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity.

A statement issued by the ICJP explained, Last week, both Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition, and Emily Thornberry, Shadow Attorney General, spoke out in defence of Israels withholding of food, water and electricity to Gaza. They justified this collective punishment based on Israels right to defend itself.

Both politicians are human rights lawyers and should be well aware that this argument does not justify collective punishment, which is illegal under international law. ICJP sent a private letter to the Shadow Attorney General last week, urging Labour Party politicians to comply with international law or action would be taken, and now a notice to prosecute has been issued.

The ICJPs letter to Starmer, Thornberry and Lammy stated, It is unacceptable that since the start of the current hostilities, the Labour Party leadership has publicly and repeatedly expressed its complete and unequivocal support for Israel, not least by stating that Israel has an unconditional right to defend itself.

They added, While statements made over the past three days by members of the Labour leadership have referred to international law, these statements have been equivocal. They have nominally called for compliance with international law yet failed to call for obvious and concrete actions which would ensure such compliance.

The ICJP has submitted evidence of the governments and Labours support for Israeli violations of humanitarian law to the War Crimes Unit at Scotland Yard, headquarters of Londons Metropolitan Police.

Evidence of war crimes

The ICJP cited clear evidence of war crimes and knowledge by government and opposition leaders of crimes committed under international law:

For example, attacks on Gaza not complying with the requirement under international law for proportionality and distinction have indiscriminately killed and injured civilians; including women, children, and the elderly. Entire residential housing blocks have been levelled to the ground, killing all inside. Reports document entire families being killed; with all members of the familyfrom every generation, young to old, being killed. And over 500 children have already been killed since 7 Octoberin the span of only 6 days. It also includes credible reports on Israels use of white phosphorus munitions against the civilian population in Gaza  a substance which known to cause burns and risk fire to those who are impacted by it, here the Palestinian civilians.

It is also inescapable that these most recent crimes must be understood within the context of the decades of documented abuses and international crimes committed under Israels military occupation with impunity and suffered by Palestinian civilians.

Citing the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) evacuation order against Palestinians, the ICJP said British political leaders had evidence that further serious breaches of international criminal and humanitarian law are imminent, If carried out, this order may well amount to both a war crime and a crime against humanity, particularly the crime of forcible transfer and displacement.

Israels blockade and total siege of Gaza since October 8 was also a crime, The withholding of food, water and other basic necessities from civilian populations during international armed conflicts is expressly forbidden under IHL [International Humanitarian Law], and amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity under the ICC [International Criminal Court] Rome Statute. Moreover, such action constitutes collective punishment which is prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever, whether committed by civilian or by military agents under the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It must be remembered that the prohibition against collective punishment is absolute.

Israels disproportionate actions had already caused immeasurable harm and suffering to the people of Gaza, including, massive and indiscriminate airstrikes, destroying thousands of civilian homes, and killing over 1,799 people, including 583 children.

Recalling that the existing framework of international law was established in response to the appalling actions of the belligerent powers during World War IIabove all the genocidal policies of the Nazis that produced the Holocaustthe ICJP called on the UK government to support the UN Secretary Generals call for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life on both sides and for an immediate end to the siege. We also ask you to urgently work with international partners to secure the access of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

It called on Labour to call for an end to Israels illegal siege and evacuation order for North Gaza, condemn Israels war crimes and crimes against humanity. They should then press the government into immediate action to do the same. It cautioned Labours leaders: We are placing you on notice that ICJP is now gathering evidence of the complicity of UK politicians in Israels ongoing and potential future crimes in Gaza, and any public statements that you or your shadow cabinet members make will be interpreted in this context.

No retreat

There will be no retreat by the government or Labour from total commitment to Israels genocidal war. Todays address by Sunak in the House of Commons and Starmers reply saw both restate their unqualified support for Israels right to defend itself, coupled to lying declarations that Israel would abide by international law. Any loss of Palestinian lives was the sole responsibility of Hamas.

Starmer and his shadow cabinet of war mongers have backed the governments deployment of a Royal Navy task group to the eastern Mediterranean, including RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus. Royal Air Force patrols have already commenced over Israel, with additional P8 aircraft, surveillance assets, three merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines on standby to deliver practical support to Israel and partners in the region, and offer deterrence and assurance'. Sunak today confirmed that British military assets will be involved in targeting Iran.

The case made by the ICJP is a devastating exposure of the criminal depths to which the British ruling class has descended in its embrace of crimes against humanity. The call by the ICJP and other Palestinian rights groups for war crimes charges against the political and military leaders of Israel, the United States and Britain is fully justified. But 20 years after their illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq that killed more than one million people, former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair and his US counterpart George W. Bush, have evaded any prosecution.

New and worse crimes are now being unleashed in virtually every corner of the planet, from the Middle East to NATOs proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, to the preparation of war against China. Meanwhile, Britains judiciary continues its decade-long conspiracy with the US Department of Justice, Pentagon and CIA to imprison and silence WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange who courageously exposed British and US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan before the eyes of millions.

The only social force that can stop Israels genocidal assault in Gaza and halt World War III is the international working class. The past weeks global mass demonstrations must be expanded and joined by industrial action on the docks, transport and telecommunications to paralyse the Israeli war machine and defeat its backers in Washington, London and Europe. The working class must unite throughout the Middle East and worldwide in the struggle for socialism.
Britains parliament reopened on Monday to declare support for Israels genocidal assault on Gaza.

Conservative government Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer delivered near identical opening statements, laying down the trio of lying assertions that became the template for speakers from all parties during the debate:

 Israel is exercising its right to defend itself.

 It will of course observe international humanitarian law in doing so under terrible difficulties.

 Responsibility for any deaths of Palestinian civilians lies with Hamas and Hamas alone who are using them as human shields.

Rishi Sunak outside 10 Downing Street [Photo: Open Government Licence v3.0]

Hamas had carried out an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland for Jewish people, intoned Sunak. Adherence to international law must be balanced against the understanding that Israel faces a vicious enemy that embeds itself behind civilians.

As in any time of great crisis, Starmer proclaimed. It is crucial that this House speaks with one voice in condemnation of terror, in support of Israel in its time of agony and for the dignity of all human life.

Amid his professions of support for Israel, Sunak, like Starmer, did not shy away from speaking of his governments recognition of the concerns and trauma suffered by Britains Muslim community regarding the plight of the Palestinians.

In a transparent attempt to shield themselves from the legal implications of their support for war crimes, Sunak made repeated reference to Israels taking every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians and to their encouragement of operations in line with international humanitarian law. Starmer added, Israels defence must be conducted within international law. Civilians must not be targeted. Innocent lives must be protected. As if any of this is on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus agenda.

They cited in turn the equally hypocritical statements of US President Joe Biden, that democracies we are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law, and his Secretary of State Anthony of Blinken, that We democracies distinguish ourselves from terrorists by striving for a different standard.

In this way Israel was provided with a license to commit mass murder.

Sunak and Starmer know what they are endorsing with their lies. Israeli bombing raids have already killed more than 2,800 people in Gaza, at least 720 of them children, wounded 10,800, including well over 2,400 children, and displaced close to a million people. Thousands are trapped under rubble. Cut-off electricity, water and food supplies threaten millions with a humanitarian catastrophe.

A day earlier, armed forces minister James Heappey told Sky News of the planned ground invasion of Gaza, Nobody should pretend that this is going to be anything other than horrific, Im afraid were going to see some awful things over the next few days.

Former British Army Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon wrote in the Daily Telegraph, There is no way to describe the potential carnage that will likely unfold. Street by street fighting in Gaza is the very worst form of warfare  just look at Stalingrad, and more recently in Bakhmut in Ukraine.

British imperialism is sending military support, not only to facilitate Israels operations against Gaza but as part of a US-led plan to prepare conflict with Iran, either directly or by engineering a military engagement with its allies Syria or Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Sunaks statement referred to announced plans to deploy Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft, two Royal Navy ships, three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines to the region to deliver practical support to Israel and partners in the region, and offer deterrence and assurance. They join the United Statess enormous deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups involving over 15,000 personnel.

Sunak and Starmers more carefully calibrated statements were a launching pad for a bloodthirsty, dictatorial deluge from the Tory benches, as MPs reinforced demands for aggressive action against Hamas, more aggression towards Iran and the suppression of popular protest at home.

Former senior cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi declared, Israel has to take the necessary steps to root out this evil virus  and of course destroy it.

Bob Blackman claimed, There can be no greater contrast than between the actions of the IDF [Israel Defense Force], who attempt to prevent the loss of civilian life, compared to the sheer brutality of the terrorists.

He urged an expansion of the conflict across the region, noting that Hamass attack had been well planned, well resourced, and stating, It is beyond belief that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, who fund and support Hamas, were not beyond this whole operation.

This was a common refrain, with Stephen Hammond also requesting, Hamas, Hezbollah and a multitude of terrorist organisations get their logistic, financial and military support from Iran. Can [Sunak] assure the House that he will work with our international partners to do everything possible to isolate Iran and increase economic sanctions.

Sir Julian Lewis made clear the broader predatory aims of British and American imperialism in pursuing war in the region: Hamas is a creature of a client state of Russia, and we must remember that Russia is still at war with Ukraine. Sunak responded, We remain committed to our support for Ukraine he can be reassured that we are able to do both.

Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith followed Home Secretary Suella Braverman in declaring the chant From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free antisemiticall about getting rid of Jewsand tarring every one of the more than 150,000 people who demonstrated in solidarity with Gaza in London just two days prior. Sunak replied that police were still reviewing footage to pursue arrests.

On the opposite benches, the few Labour MPs, largely of Muslim and Asian backgrounds, who made criticisms of the Israeli government were sure to preface them with a ritual denunciation of Hamas and invocation of Israels right to defend itself. The rest of their contributions consisted of requests for Sunak to urge caution in his conversations with the Israelis and statements of support for a peaceful two-state solution.

Each such contribution gave Sunak an opportunity to ram home the same message, to cheers from the Tory benches: We should support absolutely Israels right to defend itself and to go after Hamas a vicious enemy that embeds itself behind civilians We must acknowledge, always, that responsibility for what is happening here is with Hamas and Hamas alone.

Not one member of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs denounced either the governments or Starmer and his shadow cabinets open endorsement of war crimes or acts to suppress popular protest.

Richard Burgon was the groups lead speaker, with John McDonnell making only half-hearted attempts at getting called to speak and Jeremy Corbyn apparently absent from the chamber. Burgon remarked that Palestinians were being made to suffer collective punishment, a war crime under the Geneva Conventions, but concluded in the same desultory style as his colleagues, Will the prime minister take this opportunity to make clear to the Israeli government that this collective punishment of Palestinian civilians must end immediately?

The debate finished after just two hours, hurried off the agenda for a discussion on overcrowding in British prisons. Its significance was in revealing the chasm between Parliament and the overwhelming opposition to Israels bloody war in the populationon show in the mass demonstrations held across the UK on Saturday and scheduled to repeat this weekend.

The last three days have cast shadows of a looming political conflict between the parties of big business which occupy the House of Commons and the working classyoung workers and students above all.
Following the unanimous agreement by all members of the German parliament (Bundestag) to back the German government's war policy in the Middle East and its support for Netanyahu's genocidal policies, state authorities are now suppressing all critical opinions using vicious police state measures. Across Germany, the police are brutally cracking down on peace activists and migrant workers.

Demonstrators in Frankfurt after their demonstration against the massacre in Gaza was banned, 15.10.2023 [AP Photo/Michael Probst ]

Sonnenallee in the Berlin district of Neukolln is under siege. Anyone who leaves their house wearing the wrong clothes is immediately taken away by the omnipresent police and placed in custody. All it takes is for someone to wear a Palestinian scarf or display the Palestinian flag. The social media is full of videos showing the brutality of the German police.

Demonstrations in solidarity with civilians in Gaza are banned in the capital city, as are all gatherings criticizing the massacre in Gaza. The reason given by the police and government is that antisemitic statements could be made at the proteststhis, although the fascist members of the German National Party (NPD) and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) regularly carry out their own racist parades.

The hypocrisy of such reasoning was revealed by the ban on a demonstration with the title Jewish Berliners Against Violence in the Middle EastAgainst the Murder of Our Fellow Human Beings in Gaza, Jewish and Palestinian People Have the Same Right to Live. In seeking to justify the ban, police declared there was the danger of popular incitement.

Following the ban, Iris Hefets from the board of the Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East walked alone with a sign across Hermannplatz in Neukolln, insisting that as a single person, she did not meet the criteria of a gathering. Nevertheless, the police forbade her to carry the sign with the inscription As a Jew & Israeli Stop the Genocide in Gaza and took her into custody.

This means that Jews in Germany are not permitted to criticize the genocidal policies of the far-right government in Israel, and this policy is then justified with the mendacious claim that it is about opposing antisemitism.

The actions of the state go far beyond the banning of meetings. In a letter to the citys schools, the Berlin Department for Education, Youth and Family declared that wearing Palestinian scarves or displaying flags, as well as shouting Free Palestine can from now on be banned in schools, even if such activities did not overstep the boundaries of criminal liability.

In the event of a violation, schools could react with educational and disciplinary measures, the letter continues. In addition, schools are urged to report suspected offenses directly to the police.

In numerous other German cities such as Munich, Cologne, and Dusseldorf, bans on assemblies and bans on already authorized rallies were also issued, most of which were upheld by the courts. In each case, the police used great brutality against anyone who opposed the bans.

In Frankfurt, the administrative court first lifted a previous ban on a demonstration. When hundreds then poured onto Opernplatz early Saturday afternoon, the police declared, only twelve minutes before the official start of the protest, that the Hessian administrative court in Kassel had upheld the original ban and demanded demonstrators vacate the square immediately. Dozens of squad cars and heavily armed police with two water cannons lined the square while police helicopters flew noisily over the city.

Members of the Socialist Equality Party (SGP), who left the site of the rally and distributed passers-by leaflets reading Down with the Netanyahu Government! Stop the Imperialist-Backed Zionist Offensive Against Gaza! were stopped by the police. All of the leaflets were confiscated on the grounds that they needed to be checked firsta clear form of censorship of a political party.

The extent of the suppression of the most basic democratic rights is unprecedented in the history of post-war Germany and is openly assuming dictatorial forms. The government is responding to the enormous opposition that is building up against its relentless militarism.

In Frankfurt, 6,000 people defied the ban on demonstrations and spontaneously gathered at Rathenauplatz and Hauptwache, where they were attacked by the police. In Stuttgart, around 2,000 opponents of the massacre in Gaza gathered, with 600 in Braunschweig, 700 in Dusseldorf, and over 200 in Cologne. In Berlin, a pro-Palestine rally planned for Saturday was banned by the authorities. Nevertheless, a gathering of around 150 protesters increased to 1,000 participants in the evening. On Sunday, according to official estimates, more than 1,000 participants gathered on Potsdamer Platz in Berlin to protest against the ban on assembly, the restrictions on freedom of expression as well as the war against the Palestinians. Police forces only managed to break up the rally using arrests and the use of pepper grips and so-called pain grips.

The SGP used a European election rally at Hermannplatz in Berlin-Neukolln on Saturday to protest against the massacre in Gaza and explain the party's socialist perspective to liberate the Palestinian people and unite Arab and Israeli workers. Police officers present were visibly nervous, but did not dare to stop the rally.

The editor of the German edition of the World Socialist Web Site, Johannes Stern, strongly condemned the war of the Netanyahu government against the Palestinians and the complicity of the German government and other imperialist powers.

Johannes Stern speaking at the SGP's anti-war rally in Berlin (the video includes English subtitles).

Regarding the accusation of antisemitism, Stern said: It is not the oppressed Palestinians and the hundreds of millions of people worldwide, who express solidarity with them, who promote antisemitism but the imperialist powers. In Germany, he said, antisemitism and the trivialization of Nazi crimes were being advanced by the same parties that now support the massacre of Palestinians.

Many passers-by who heard the speech stopped to talk with SGP members. Workers, students, pupils, and pensioners welcomed the SGP's internationalist and socialist perspective and signed to permit the party to participate in the European elections, while demanding an end to the massacre.

To take up the struggle against war and oppression both in Gaza and worldwide, Stern concluded his speech by stressing, The urgent need of the hour is the development of a united mass movement of the international working class against the capitalist warmongers and for socialism. This is what the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei and its sister parties of the Fourth International are fighting for, and this is the significance of our participation in the European elections.
UN officials warned yesterday that Gaza will run out of water and electricity today, due to the blockade the Israeli state imposed amid the uprising against its 16-year illegal blockade of Gaza. The unprecedented humanitarian crisis unleashed in the densely populated area of 2.3 million people, half of whom are under 18, exposes the genocidal character of the Israeli war on Gaza supported by the NATO imperialist powers.

There is an electricity crisis, water crisis, a crisis of everything, Eyad Abu Mutlaq told Reuters in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip. He said he had not found any bread in four bakeries in the city, towards which thousands of Palestinians are fleeing after Israel issued an order demanding that over 1.1 million Gazans abandon their homes around Gaza City and flee into the south of the Gaza Strip.

I was looking for basic food, eggs, rice, canned food, even milk for the children and I could not find them, said Um Salem, a resident of Khan Younis. This is how Israel is fighting us, through starvation of our children. They either kill our children by bombs or soon by starvation.

Mass protests are building in the working class internationally against the genocidal policies of the Israeli state, which has the full backing of Washington and its European allies. Israels blockade of water, food and fuel on Gaza is leading to mass starvation and a collapse of health care and amounts to collective punishment of Gazas civilian populationa crime under international law.

Over 1 million Gazans, nearly half Gazas population, have already fled their homes under relentless Israeli bombing that has claimed over 2,800 lives and left over 10,000 wounded. Some 600,000 Gazan refugees have arrived in the more sparsely populated middle and south of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli evacuation order would also compel Gazans to abandon 23 hospitals in northern Gaza with a capacity of 2,000 hospital bedsover half of the areas 3,500 total hospital beds.

Map of Israel with Gaza expanded. [Photo: www.openstreetmap.org/WSWS]

UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) official Philippe Lazzarini gave a press conference in the occupied West Bank, warning of the imminence of mass deaths due to lack of drinking water and the cut-off of electricity to hospitals in Gaza and appealing for a cease-fire.

Before the war, Gaza was under a blockade for 16 years, and basically, more than 60 percent of the population was already relying on international food assistance, he said. Now, however, he said: There is not one drop of water, not one grain of wheat, not a liter of fuel that has been allowed into the Gaza Strip for the last eight days. He added that UNRWA operations in Gaza are on the verge of collapse, with UNRWA staff issued one liter of water per day for drinking, washing, and all other purposes.

Lazzarini called for an end to the Israeli siege and for fuel to be sent to operate fuel desalination plants, food refrigeration facilities, and hospital incubators and generators. He said, We need to truck fuel into Gaza now. Fuel is the only way for people to have safe drinking water. If not, people will start dying of severe dehydration, among them young children, the elderly, and womenI appeal for the siege on humanitarian assistance to be lifted now.

UNRWA spokeswoman Juliette Touma said the agency is concerned about the spread of water-borne diseases in Gaza, as Gazans in desperation drink fouled water. She said, We are very concerned about the spread of waterborne diseases if water continues not to be available in Gaza because we do know that people are resorting to dirty water sources, including wells.

World Health Organization director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed al-Mandhari warned that Gaza has 24 hours of water, electricity, and fuel left. He added that if the Israeli blockade were not lifted immediately, doctors would have to prepare death certificates for their patients. He added that overcrowding and energy shutoffs have placed intensive care units, operating rooms, emergency services, and other wings on the brink of collapse.

In violation of international law, however, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are relentlessly bombing Gaza hospitals and murdering Gazan health personnel. Al-Mandhari said 111 health facilities have been attacked, 12 health care workers killed, and 60 ambulances bombed so far. The result is a collapse of medical care in Gaza, he noted: Doctors have to triage the patients who are coming in. They have no other choice. There are too many people, so some are left to die slow deaths.

In Egypt, across the border from Gaza, convoys of international aid are waiting to travel to the devastated enclave. However, the Egyptian military junta of General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi refuses to open the Rafah border crossing, which the IDF have bombed together with roads leading to it. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry blamed Israel, noting: Until now the Israeli government has not taken a position on opening the Rafah crossing from the Gaza side to allow the entrance of assistance and exit of citizens of third countries.

However, the Sisi regime itself is working with the Israeli regime, for its own reasons, to keep the border crossing closed. The Sisi junta fears that, if Palestinians fled en masse into Egypts Sinai Peninsula, Islamist fighters from Gazas ruling Hamas party could join the ongoing Islamist insurgency in the Sinai.

US and European officials, facing mounting mass protests at home against the Israeli war on Gaza, are making insincere statements calling for humanitarian aid to Gaza. As the European Union pledged it would try to launch a humanitarian airlift to Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met the Israeli war cabinet yesterday in Tel Aviv. Blinken reportedly told Israeli officials that some statement on humanitarian aid to Gaza was necessary to try to prevent an eruption of mass anger against the NATO powers complicity in the war on Gaza.

In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken called allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza critical for keeping up global support for IDF operations, the Times of Israel reported, citing a senior Israeli military source as saying: The Biden administration understands the need to dismantle Hamas and stresses that one of the ways to make sure there is enough time to do it is by avoiding a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

This is a pack of lies, first of all because the crimes of the Netanyahu regime have already launched a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Moreover, Blinken, while proposing to help limit the political fallout of the war on Gaza, made no criticisms of Israeli government statements making clear that Netanyahu does not intend to allow any relief to Gaza. That is, Blinkens statements were empty, insincere political cover for the continued policy of Washington and the European powers to back Netanyahus genocidal war on Gaza.

Indeed, earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office had issued a brief statement denying that any truce was in place allowing for humanitarian aid to Gaza. It said, There is currently no truce and humanitarian aid in Gaza in exchange for getting foreigners out.

The IDF also explicitly denied that any talks were underway for a truce that could allow relief supplies into Gaza. There are no such efforts under way at this time. If anything changes, we will inform the public. We are continuing our fight against Hamas, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

These statements expose the far-right Netanyahu regime, and US and European officials who pose as concerned friends of the Gazans while backing Netanyahu and repressing or banning solidarity protests for Gaza at home. The major NATO powers are fully complicit in the genocidal policies of the Netanyahu regime. The only way forward to stop the slaughter is through the mobilization and unification of the working class internationally in opposition to imperialist war, Zionism, and capitalism.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Electricity supplies were cut in most parts of Brunei on Tuesday starting from around 12:30 p.m. local time, residents and the government hotline told Xinhua.

An operator of the 123 government hotline said that they received many calls complaining of power outage at home or work premises.

The cause of the widespread power outage is not yet known.

A short statement from the 123 hotline reminded the callers that the government is working to resolve the matter. 
Tens of thousands of people joined protests around Australia last weekend to oppose the Israeli onslaught on the people of Gaza. Rallies or marches were held in the main cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, defying threats by Labor state governments and police commanders to ban or shut down demonstrations.

In addition to our initial coverage yesterday, WSWS correspondents interviewed further participants.

Moe

At the 10,000-strong Melbourne rally, Moe, who works in the construction industry, said: I came today to support the good cause of freeing the people of Palestine from being locked away in their own homes and treated like prisoners, and to march to give my support to those who are falling victim to Israeli forces.

Moe condemned the Australian Labor governments expenditure of $368 billion on nuclear submarines, as part of the militarist AUKUS alliance. The government is spending unnecessary funds, rather than spending it here in Australia and educating the Australian people from all different backgrounds to know how to move forward, rather than causing conflicts in other backyards But the people here at this demonstration have brains and they know the difference between right and wrong.

Abdul

Abdul, a civil engineering student, explained: The reason Im here is that we know the situation in Palestine is getting harder and harder every day. So were here to support them. We are against what is happening there. Were against young children and women being killed.

The Israelis cut the water to Gaza, the electricity. Even before that, there were a lot of restrictions on the Palestinians. They were not allowed to bring in anything from other countries Among the people, as we know, most of them are young kids and women. I am from Afghanistan. I know about war. My family moved from Afghanistan to Pakistan and I know how war is, how difficult it is, especially for young children.

Abdul spoke in support of an international anti-war movement. When in one place war finishes, then in another place war starts, and I do not think that this is just a coincidence, he said. There are some people behind that, planning thatfinishing the Afghan war and theyre now starting the Palestine war. And before there was the Iraq war, there is always war.

But the people dont want war, we want peace. You ask any civilian, any normal person of any countrynobody wants war, everyone wants peace. In Australia, you stop any normal person, they will say I dont want war. The powerful people are the ones who dont want peace.

Mahdi commented: The mainstream media like to portray Israel as the actual victim of Palestine, but I would like to ask the questionwhere else have you seen a victim having control over their oppressors border, food, electricity and actually being able to control that and turn it off?

So we have seen for more than 70 years of oppression against the Palestinian people and the whole world is actually supporting their oppressors, not the people being oppressed, which is very sad to see. It is unprecedented that we have the whole world media, and the whole world superpowers going for their own agenda, and not supporting the oppressed ones.

Mahdi denounced suggestions that pro-Palestine statements and actions were anti-Semitic. I think that is disgusting, he said. We have a lot of orthodox Jewish rabbis who are against the state of Israel. Are you going to say they are anti-Semitic or supporters of Hamas? Supporting Palestine means that you are just a supporter of human rights, you want to be the voice of people who have no voice to speak out. That doesnt mean were anti-Semitic.

Suzie

Suzie, originally from Lebanon, said: Im here because I am against the war, innocent children are dying, women are dying, and theyre targeting civilians. So the Israeli military are not really targeting Hamas as they say, or military groups. The comments from government ministers about Palestinians being animals are disgusting. You cant look down on people like that and call them animals. For us, were not against actual Jews but rather against the Zionists. We were living together at one stage. But now the aim of the Zionists is to take all of Palestine.

Jaydon explained that his girlfriend has a Palestinian family background. Her connecting to her roots, having conversations like that has really helped me understand the severity of the issue with the Palestine conflict, the Israeli occupation, and the colonialist expansion of Israel, he said.

Essentially there was a break-out of Gaza, the open-air prison that essentially Gazans have been stuck in for almost 75-100 years. A place where they just get randomly bombed and they have very poor water quality. A lot of people have been focused on Hamas and their violent actions and everything, but the real conversation needs to be around Israel and its occupation and how it has created this environment.

Jaydon spoke of the Albanese Labor governments complicity: There is obviously a massive propaganda campaign out there, and its really disappointing to see that from our prime minister. I have come a long way from trying to separate myself from that propaganda and its really hard. You are brought up in an environment where people are just telling you false things, and that make it seem like its normal, thats the most dangerous thing. The last three-four years of my life, I have been trying to find credible sources and doing credible research.

On police suppression of protest actions in Australia and internationally, he replied: Its getting ridiculous, and another excuse for them to ramp up their police powers against protestors. And this is to quell any resistance, whether for the Palestinian struggle or the indigenous struggles, climate change They are increasing their police presence and powers.

Julian

At a previous demonstration in Melbourne last week, Julian, a 19-year-old preparing to begin university next year, explained: Well Im Jewish, living here in Melbourne, and all the mainstream media sites have put out articles saying, Jewish leaders support Israel against Palestine. Its very misleading, I think. A lot of people arent very informed about whats actually happening. They see the headlines about 300 killed or whatever, but they dont know that in retaliation to this, and for the last 20 years, Gazas been a sort of open-air concentration camp.

Israel controls the flow of supplies in and out. So in retaliation to this attack by a fringe group, theyve cut off water, food supply, power supply to over two million people, 44 percent of whom are under the age of 15. This is directly in violation of basically every tenet of international law. Its a war crime. The United Nations General Assembly resolution 37/43 legalises violent reaction to an occupying force. So collective punishment, retaliation to civilians in response to this, is just unacceptable.

Asked about support for Israel within Jewish communities in Australia, Julian said: A lot of people grew up in the Zionist organisations and with that sort of mentality. So theres this sort of cognitive dissonance between what they think of the situation, which is a group of terrorists harassing Israel and being anti-Semitic, versus the reality, which is an occupying force systematically ethnically cleansing a minority. The reality that many people dont know, is that the Israeli government wiped out any secular liberation groups in favour of Hamas, so theyd have more of an excuse in the global sphere, to continue their campaign of ethnic cleansing.

No atrocities that Israel commits on a daily basisthe pogroms in the West Bank, the continued settler colonialism, the shrinking of Palestinian living areas, the lack of freedom of movementnone of that is actually spoken about in the media. You only hear, Hamas this, Hamas that, and its just an extreme misrepresentation by the mainstream media.

Asked about a socialist and internationalist perspective, uniting Jewish and Palestinian workers and working class people globally, he replied: Yes. I agree with thatno war but class war.

At Saturdays 8,000-strong Sydney rally, Lilly, a young woman, said: I have Palestinian heritage but even without that its about having empathy for the people who are being oppressed, who have had their land stolen. Im here to show support for the people who need it and that goes for both the Palestinians who are being slaughtered and for the Israelis who are also going to be killed in the midst of everything. I am here to make sure I am on the right side of history.

Asked what she thought of the attitude of the Albanese government, she replied: I have never actually thought that governments actually care about the people anyway. Its all about greed and land. Zionism and Judaism are not the same thing. They are using religion to try to have some reason to claim land.

Lilly thought what Hamas had done was atrocious, but the source of the situation lay with Israel. Israel has been doing this, with or without Hamas. Since 1948 they were doing the atrocities that they are still committing today. For a lot of people history started a week ago, they dont have the knowledge and context needed to understand that Israel is the root cause of everything.

At the 5,000-strong march in Brisbane, Mark, a social sciences student, said: Israel should know better not to persecute people, especially considering their own history. We have to oppose the apartheid in Israel, where they are making ghettos for Palestinians, which is really ironic given what was happening to Jewish people not too long ago.

It is really repulsive I am not saying that all Jewish people are responsible, but the Netanyahu regime. A lot of the Jewish workers are not standing for Netanyahu or his actions against Palestine. A Jewish ethno-state is particularly repugnant to any democratic conception.

After some discussion about the Fourth Internationals opposition to the creation of the Israeli state in 1948 and its perspective of fighting for a unified socialist state of Arab and Jewish workers, Mark commented:

Its going to be sad how many Jewish people are going to die too as a result of Netanyahus policies. Military service there is compulsory so all those Israelis who were fighting against apartheid will now be forcibly made to fight for apartheid.

Asked about the connection between the Albanese governments backing for Israels violence and its Voice referendum proposal, Mark said: They are fine with the persecution of Palestinians, but they are very silent on what is happening with Aboriginal deaths in custody and high incarceration rates.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka is holding a public meeting on Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Colombo Public Library Auditorium entitled Ukraine war and how to stop it.

The meeting has assumed an added urgency amid the Israeli Zionist regimes mounting genocidal war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

IYSSE member speaking with University of Kelaniya students.

We urge workers, youth and students to attend this event to oppose the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and the imperialist-backed onslaught against the Palestinians. The meeting will discuss the necessity of building an international anti-war movement of the working class and youth to prevent the eruption of a catastrophic world war.

The IYSSE condemns the brutal war on Gaza after the mass Palestinian uprising against the decades-long Israeli occupation. We solidarise ourselves with the millions of people throughout the world who have joined protests to oppose the Israeli war and defend the Palestinians.

After continuous bombardment of Gaza over the past 10 days, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered 1.1 million Palestinians to leave northern Gaza as the Israeli army prepares to invade the small strip of land and commit savagery not heard of since the Nazis in the 1930s and 1940s.

So far, at least 3,000 people, including children, elders and women, have been slaughtered by relentless Israeli bombardment. Thousands have been injured. More than two million people have been deprived of the essentials of life including water, food electricity and medicine as a result of the Israeli siege.

The main prop of the reactionary Zionist state, US imperialism, has fully backed the war, with Biden unequivocally declaring: We stand with Israel. The Pentagon has sent two massive aircraft carriers and their strike groups to the region. The European imperialist powers have joined Washington in denouncing the terrorism of Hamas and is fully backing the murderous Israeli assault on Gaza.

An SEP member campaigning among students

The imperialist powers have carried out numerous war crimes and atrocities in this and previous centuries. The US and European powers backed the formation of the Zionist state 75 years ago through the occupation of Palestine and the violent expulsion of Palestinians from their homeland. Past decades saw innumerable bombardments on these people killing and injuring thousands.

For the imperialist powers, terrorism means the resistance of Palestinian people to bloody oppression by Israels Zionist regime.

Imperialist lackeys, such as the Indian government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Sri Lanka, have lined up behind the Israeli onslaught.

We oppose the reactionary two state solutionthat is, a Palestinian statelet alongside and dominated by Israeland advance a unified socialist state of Jewish and Arab workers, as part of the broader struggle for socialism throughout the Middle East and internationally.

The WSWS International Editorial Board explained in its statement of October 12: The Israeli onslaught on Gaza must be seen in the context of the escalating US-NATO war against Russia, the initial stage of world war. The imperialist redivision of the world will assume the form not just of conflicts between countries, but an ever more direct and violent war against masses of people. The ruling elites in all the capitalist countries, moreover, face an intersecting series of economic, social and political crises which they are seeking to divert through an explosion of military violence.

Once again, facing an ever deepening world capitalist crisis, the imperialist powers have turned to plundering the planet, redividing it among themselves and threatening a catastrophic Third World War between nuclear-armed nations. At the center of this global capitalist crisis is US imperialism, which, in its historic decline, is resorting to military means to reassert its global dominance.

Washington along with its European allies deliberately provoked the war in Ukraine. The US aims to subjugate Russia and plunder its enormous natural resources. The Ukraine war has cost the lives of more than 200,000 soldiers and many more civilians, and devastated cities and villages. However, the US is relentlessly escalating the war regardless of how many more lives will be lost.

At the same time, the US is intensifying its preparations for war against China, strengthening its military alliances throughout the region and provocatively goading Beijing into a war over Taiwan.

The working class internationally is being forced to bear the burdens of war and the worsening global crisis of capitalism. In response, the class struggle is on the rise around the world and opposition among workers and youth is growing to the danger of world war. Millions of people have joined protests against Israels genocidal war in Gaza, defying government threats and ferocious denunciations by the ruling classes.

This growing opposition to war must be developed into a conscious global movement of workers and youth based on socialist internationalism. The only social force that can end the Ukraine and Gaza wars and halt the plunge towards a global nuclear catastrophe is the international working class. The IYSSE, alongside the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) and its sectionsthe Socialist Equality Partiesis fighting to build such an anti-war movement.

The IYSSE calls workers and youth, particularly in Sri Lanka and South Asia, to organise mass protests and strikes against the Israeli war in Gaza and US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine based on the following demands:

Stop Israels imperialist-backed military onslaught on Gaza!

For the unity of Jewish, Palestinian and Arab workers!

Stop the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine!

End all US and European support for the genocidal war in Gaza!

We urge workers and youth to attend our anti-war public meeting at Colombo Public Library Auditorium at 3 p.m. on October 19 to discuss how to take forward this political fight.
In a display of bloodthirsty militarism, the Australian Labor government and the Liberal-National Coalition opposition came together yesterday to pass a parliamentary motion giving full support to Israels genocidal bombardment of defenceless Palestinians in Gaza.

The motion, introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, proclaimed that the parliament stands with Israel and recognises its inherent right to defend itself.

In their statements backing the resolution, government and opposition leaders repeated that phrase like a mantra. At the same time, they hysterically denounced the Hamas operation that began on October 6 and had concluded within a couple of days. It was a heinous act of terror, the motion insisted.

From the motion and the comments, one would have no idea of the events of the past week. The leaders of Labor and the Coalition largely pretended that the massive Israeli bombing campaign against Gaza was not taking place, though they were clearly referring to it with their declarations of Israels right to defend itself.

Both sides cited the official Israeli death toll of roughly 1,300. But neither made mention of the Palestinian death toll, already estimated at more than 2,800.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles speaks in parliament [Photo: Richard Marles]

The entire history of the 75-year Israeli occupation and oppression of the Palestinians was whitewashed. Speaking of the Hamas attack, Defence Minister Richard Marles proclaimed: Against the backdrop of the anticipated normal, the reality was so shocking that it robbed everyone, no matter what they are doing, of the ability to feel safe.

The anticipated normal is the continuous and routine murder of Palestinians by the Israeli state. A United Nations report released at the beginning of June warned that 2023 was shaping up to be the deadliest year for Palestinians in recent times, with at least 112 murdered by Israel in the first months of the year.

Needless to say, that report went unmentioned in the Australian parliament, and there were no motions condemning Israel. More broadly, the Palestinian civilian death toll has consistently been at least 24 times higher than Israels over recent years.

The complete cover-up of the context of recent events was aimed at presenting Hamas attack as a random act of barbarism that had seemingly come out of the clear blue sky. The fact that peaceful protests of Palestinians in 2018 and 2019, marching to the barbed wire fence which encloses Gaza, had been met with hails of Israeli bullets was not raised, of course.

As the WSWS has explained, the civilian casualties in Israel were tragic. But the responsibility lies with the Israeli regime, its brutal oppression and the foreclosing of any peaceful means of resistance. Historically, uprisings against violent and sustained state oppression have invariably assumed an explosive character.

In a parliamentary sitting dominated by hypocrisy and lies, among the worst obscenities were the attempts to associate the resistance of the Palestinians with the Nazis. Labor MPs and their Coalition counterparts repeatedly described the Israeli death toll from the Hamas attack as the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, and declared that the Palestinian operation had been motivated exclusively by anti-Semitism.

This is a slander on the Palestinians and a gross historical distortion. The conditions in Gaza, described by international rights organisations as an open-air prison, resemble nothing so much as those inflicted by the Nazis on the Warsaw Ghetto. The defenders of the Third Reich similarly branded the courageous Ghetto uprising as an illegitimate act of terror.

The false and politically-motivated assertion that any resistance to Israel is anti-Semitic itself promotes anti-Semitism. It trivialises the crimes of the Holocaust, and conflates the Jewish people with an oppressive state that is committing war crimes.

To the extent that the catastrophe underway in Gaza was referenced, it was in the most veiled terms. Hamas was denounced as being responsible for the rising death toll, essentially a form of victim-blaming. The politicians warned that the fallout from Israels rampage could negatively impact upon Israel.

In a revealing statement, Marles noted that Labor had supported Israel not only from its formation in 1948, but from when the United States and the other imperialist powers began preparations to create a Zionist beachhead in the Middle East. Labors backing of Israel has always been a signal of its unconditional support for American imperialist operations, not only in the Middle East but globally.

The current Labor governments stance is, if anything, more bellicose and aggressive in its support of Israeli war crimes than any previous administration. That is bound up with the scale of the current onslaught against Gaza, as well as Australias ever-more central role as an attack dog for American imperialism, especially in its preparations for a catastrophic war against China.

The only peep of opposition to the bipartisan line came from the Greens and a handful of independents. The Greens moved an amendment, which identified the Israeli bombing campaign as a war crime and demanded that it end. It was voted down by 107 MPs, against just 7.

While the Greens have made statements opposing the Israeli attacks, they will continue to collaborate with the Labor administration. Their generally token condemnations do not commit the Greens to anything.

In parliament, the Labor and Coalition MPs who spoke after the Greens motion was defeated, simply ignored it. But today Marles branded the motion, i.e., any opposition to the bombardment of Gaza, as despicable. The major newspapers featured statements of Zionist leaders, branding the Greens as little better than Nazis.

That is a continuation of the attempts in Australia and internationally to suppress all opposition to the Israeli war. This campaign included state Labor government threats to ban a Sydney protest last Sunday through a massive police mobilisation and the deployment of extraordinary powers to stop and search any prospective participants.

The official campaign is coming up against the reality that masses of people are hostile to the Israeli onslaught. Tens of thousands demonstrated over the weekend in Australia, defying intimidation from the government, media and police. The Australian rallies were part of a developing global mobilisation involving millions all over the world.

The coming together of Labor and the Coalition underscores the bipartisan unity behind militarism and war. It also demonstrates the fraud of the Labor governments referendum on establishing an indigenous Voice to parliament.

The referendum suffered a massive defeat on Saturday, with more than 60 percent of the population voting against the initiative. That did not express mass hostility to indigenous people but widespread and deepening opposition to the political establishment, above all from the working class.

Many were sceptical that a right-wing, pro-business and pro-war government intended to do anything to address the plight of oppressed indigenous people. Labors complete embrace of Israels war of extermination against the oppressed Palestinians shows the correctness of that sentiment.
Protesters chant slogans while holding Palestinian flags during a protest to show their solidarity with the Palestinians, outside the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

As workers and youth around the world protested against the genocidal war of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Israeli regime against the Palestinians of Gaza, tens of thousands of people in Turkey have joined demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people.

After the Friday prayers, marches and press statements were organised in different provinces. A march from Beyazt Square in Istanbul to Hagia Sophia was organised by pro-government Islamist associations of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. On Sunday, the Islamist Saadet Party, Gelecek Party and Huda Par organised a protest in Maltepe, Istanbul. Huda Par also organised a demonstration in Diyarbakr.

Saturday saw a protest in front of the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, while last night, several independent trade unions held a press conference in the same location.

However, as Israels war against the Palestinian people in Gaza takes on the dimensions of genocide, the US use of the crisis to prepare for war against Iran and the possibility of a region-wide war are making the Turkish ruling elites nervous.

Washington is evidently preparing for a much wider conflict in the Middle East, including a war with Iran. After the Palestinian uprising, Washington has declared its unlimited support for Israels war in Gaza, sending two aircraft carriers and their associated battle groups to the region.

The Anadolu Agency reported that the US military delivered a new Sentinel radar system to the oil field in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria, which is controlled by the US and its Kurdish proxy forces. Anadolu reported: On 17 July, the US military transferred 4 HIMARS air defence systems, approximately 15 artillery batteries, 5 armoured vehicles, 5 tanks and 45 ammunition vehicles from the Shaddadi base and deployed them to their bases in Deir ez-Zor.

This has led the Erdogan government to call for de-escalation and restraint in Gaza and the region. At home, the government faces growing working class anger and support for the Palestinian people.

Erdogan said on Thursday, Where is the West? Is there any measure they have taken against this issue? No. The second aircraft carrier will be brought as well. I am calling on the US: Where on earth is the US? Where is the Mediterranean? Where is Israel? Where is Palestine? What on earth are you doing there? Now, is it establishment of peace or adding of fuel to the fire that befits such a country as the US?

On Friday, he criticized the United States and its European allies, saying: The provocative behavior of some actors, which instead of restoring calm is adding fuel to the fire and deepening the crisis, is both hampering our efforts and deepening the crisis.

After the US sent warships to the region, the Turkish Navy announced a military exercise in the eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Cyprus on October 1620, including fire training.

Turkey hosts many US and NATO bases and is complicit in the aggression of Israel against the Palestinian people. But Ankara also sees the US buildup in the region as a threat to itself, notably due to the growing number of US bases in neighboring Greece.

The dispute between Ankara and Washington follows an escalation of tensions between the two NATO allies in Syria. On October 5, the US responded to Turkeys air strikes against Kurdish nationalist militias in Syria by shooting down a Turkish UCAV. Erdogan has not ruled out a ground operation against US-backed Kurdish forces.

However, on October 14, US President Joe Biden extended the State of National Emergency on Syria for another year, declaring: the actions by the Government of Turkey to conduct a military offensive into northeast Syria threaten to undermine the peace, security, and stability in the region, and continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.

Meanwhile, Turkeys main bourgeois parties have echoed Erdogans line of restraint in the face of Israels genocidal aggression against the Palestinians. The six political parties with groups in the Turkish Grand National Assembly issued a joint statement on this issue on Thursday.

The signatories were the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), its fascist ally the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the main opposition Kemalist Republican Peoples Party (CHP), the far-right IYI Party, the Islamist Felicity Party and the Kurdish nationalist Green Left Party, which is backed by the pseudo-left.

While ostensibly criticising Israel, the statement did not explicitly condemn its brutal attacks on the Palestinians. It cynically advanced a reactionary, ethnic-based two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to which Israel has never adhered.

The declaration was dominated by the concerns of the Turkish ruling class about the risks of a widening conflict in the face of a deep economic, social and political crisis and the growing strike movement of the working class.

The declarations first paragraph warns: The potential for the crisis to spread to other regions seriously threatens regional security and stability. In the next paragraph, it invites all parties to exercise moderation and common sense within the framework of our vision of peace-security-stability.

Turkey has recently taken steps to normalise relations with Israel, which Erdogan has repeatedly described as a terrorist state, and with Egypt, with which it broke off diplomatic relations after the bloody coup led by General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in 2013. The aim of improving relations with Washington and advancing the interests of the Turkish bourgeoisie in the oil and gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean was an important factor in this process.

Moreover, the approval of Finlands membership in NATO and the green light for Swedens membership were steps to calm Turkeys tensions with its imperialist allies led by the USA.

Within the Erdogan government and the pro-NATO bourgeois opposition parties, there is concern that the Palestinian uprising, Israels genocidal war and the US preparations for war against Iran will undo all these efforts.

The final paragraph of the declaration, after a perfunctory criticism of Israels decades of occupation and violence, condemns all attacks that directly target civilians through methods of collective punishment.

Using language all but equates the defenceless Palestinian people with the state of Israel, which is supported by world imperialism, the declaration concludes by inviting Palestine and Israel to begin negotiations for a permanent peace without further delay in order to reach a just and lasting solution on the basis of two states.

In recent statements, Erdogan has been forced to step up his criticism somewhat in the face of Israels increasingly brutal assault on Gaza. However, he has continued to refrain from explicitly condemning Israel, saying that he would play the role of mediator and fair arbiter.

Both Erdogans words and the similar call in the declaration are no different from the call for negotiations between the German state and the Jews who were confined by the Nazis to a ghetto in Warsaw during the Second World War.

The Turkish ruling class, which has close military-strategic ties with US-NATO imperialism and Zionist Israel, is structurally incapable of solving its own Kurdish problem, let alone offering a way forward for the Palestinian people. The only way forward against Israels war against the Palestinian people and the US preparations for war against Iran is to mobilise the mass movement that is developing worldwide against the war on the basis of a socialist programme to overthrow the imperialist system.
In Poland, a change of government is imminent following parliamentary elections on Sunday. According to the Polish Electoral Commission, the right-wing nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has been in power for eight years, remains the strongest force with 36 percent of the vote, despite losing ground. However, it lacks a coalition partner needed for a majority. Even together with the fascist Konfederacja (7.1 percent), it would only control a projected 211 out of 460 seats in the Sejm, the first chamber of the Polish parliament.

On the other hand, the Citizens Platform (PO) led by former European Union (EU) Council President Donald Tusk, together with the social democratic Lewica (Left) and the conservative party alliance Trzecia Droga (Third Way), would have a majority with 249 seats. The opposition therefore spoke of a victory of democracy and Tusk of the end of PiS rule. We removed them from power, he cheered.

The official final result is only expected to be announced Tuesday.

The election victory of the opposition is the result of high voter turnout, which at 74 percent was higher than ever before in the Third Republic. Long lines formed in front of polling stations late into the night, and the number of Poles living abroad who registered to vote in embassies or consulates also reached a new record of 600,000.

Although PiS lost about 8 percent of the vote, it gained voters in absolute numbers. It was not defeated, but only overruled, as one comment put it. Above all, the opposition was able to mobilise voters who protested en masse in recent months against the attacks on democratic rights and the ongoing social crisis.

In the eight years of its rule, PiS has brought large parts of the media and the judiciary under its control, filled key positions with hand-picked people in state-owned companies such as the oil company Orlen and in the army leadership, eliminated the right to abortion, forced education and culture to take an ultranationalist course and strengthened anti-Semitic and fascist forces.

Against this background, the election result is an expression of the widespread rejection of the reactionary policies of the PiS. However, the election winners can in no way live up to the expectations associated with the rejection of the PiS.

Tusk himself was Polish Prime Minister from 2007 to 2014 and President of the European Council from 2014 to 2019. He was therefore described by the PiS, which campaigned against Germany and the EU, as a stooge of Brussels and Berlin. His PO is a member of the conservative European Peoples Party (EPP), which Tusk chaired from 2019 to 2022. The Citizens Platform, which had Tusk as its lead candidate in the election, includes three other right-wing parties: among them the peasant party Agrounia and the Green Party.

On social issues, the liberal Tusk is clearly to the right of the PiS, which gained support among poorer sections of the rural population mainly by increasing child benefit and pensions. In the Ukraine war, Tusks policy is no different from that of the PiS. Both fully support NATOs proxy war against Russia.

However, PiS clashed with the Ukrainian government during the election campaign for nationalist reasons. Large areas of todays western Ukraine used to belong to Poland, and the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists of Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera, who is revered as a hero in Ukraine, was responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Poles. At the same time, German imperialism is using the Ukraine war to become the leading military power on the continent, which has met with opposition from the PiS. For his part, Tusk speaks for the wing of the Polish bourgeoisie that prefers a closer alliance with Berlin and Brussels.

Tusk even sought to outdo the PiS from the right with agitation against refugees from Africa and the Middle East, which was a core issue in the PISs election campaign.

The Trzecia Droga alliance, which Tusk needs for a government majority, consists mainly of the conservative green party Polska 2050 and the right-wing conservative Peasant Party PSL. Many of its leaders were formerly coalition partners of PiS. The Third Way is currently on 14 percent of the vote.

Lewica (8.5 percent) was cobbled together from the shards of various post-Stalinist and social-democratic parties that dominated Polish politics around the turn of the millennium under President Aleksander Kwasniewski and have completely discredited themselves in the interest of capital due to their right-wing policies. At this election, they suffered the second-largest losses after the PiS.

Despite the clear electoral success of the opposition parties, it is by no means certain that there will actually be a change of government. On election night, commentators speculated about how closed the three opposition electoral lists were in their desire to replace the PiS.

PiS will do everything it can to divide and lure the opposition. PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski threatened on election night: We have days of struggle ahead of us, tensions of various kinds, but the final will be our victory and above all Polands victory. He added: Whatever the distribution of votes, we will win!

PiS has considerable power to sabotage the formation of a new government. President Andrzej Duda, who belongs to the PiS camp and whose term of office runs until 2025, has a free hand in whom he entrusts with the formation of a government. If he exhausts all the possibilities of the constitution, the opposition can form a new government in mid-December at the earliestif it still holds together.

Even non-constitutional means (the Supreme Court is firmly in the hands of the PiS) and a possible coup, as Donald Trump attempted in the US, should not be ruled out. The nationalist WOT militia created by the PiS in 2016 could serve as a base of support for this.

Earlier this year, Jaroslav Kurski, deputy editor-in-chief of Gazetta Wyborcza, warned, There is a war going on beyond our border, and PiS will not hesitate to take extraordinary measures to maintain its power. What was Kurski thinking at the time? An authoritarian presidential dictatorship? The intervention of the Polish army in Ukraine, which has already been threatened several times, and the imposition of martial law at home?

Law professor Wojciech Sadurski also warned shortly before the election in the Wyborzcza that Kaczynski, like Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, would refuse to recognize the validity of the elections. He had his doubts that the Polish institutions would thwart such a coup.

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the mouthpiece of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, celebrated Tusks election success as good news for the European Union but is also concerned about whether the change of direction can really be implemented quickly.

In the EU, one should not expect, warns the F.A.Z., that Poland will very quickly become a reliable partner again. On the contrary, there is a great danger that the opposite will be the case: The largest EU member in East Central Europe, whose importance for supporting Ukraine can hardly be overestimated, could initially enter a dangerous phase of political instability.

All those in Poland who elected Tusk and his allies to get rid of the reactionary PiS should be warned. Tusk, the man of European and Polish capital, will do everything to prevent such a phase of political instability and will come to terms with the PiS.

The struggle for democratic rights, against social cuts and against the devastating war in Ukraine requires the building of an independent movement of the international working class fighting for a socialist program.
These remarks were delivered by David North, chairman of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party (US), to a meeting honoring the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Left Opposition that was held by the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists (YGBL) on October 15, 2023. The YGBL is a Trotskyist youth organization in Russia, Ukraine and several other former Soviet republics that has declared its political solidarity with the International Committee of the Fourth International.

A graphic designed by the YGBL for their meeting dedicated to the centenary of the Left Opposition, October 15, 2023

On behalf of the International Committee of the Fourth International and the Socialist Equality Party in the United States, permit me to bring revolutionary greetings to the comrades of the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists.

The significance of this meeting arises from the fact that it establishes, exactly 100 years after the founding of the Left Opposition, that Trotskyism lives in the former Soviet Union. The principles and traditions underlying the struggle initiated by Trotsky and his co-thinkersthe most advanced and politically conscious sections of the Bolshevik Partyare being revived and fought for by a new generation of revolutionary youth in Russia and Ukraine and all the different components of the former Soviet Union.

Trotsky was once described as a man of history. The Fourth International, which emerged out of the Left Opposition, is a party of history. Our movement contains within it and is a concentrated expression of the great and often tragic revolutionary experiences of the working class over an entire historical epoch. We cannot avoid being mindful of this great legacy as we meet today.

One hundred years ago on this date, co-thinkers of Leon Trotsky in the leadership of the Bolshevik Party, within the Russian Communist Party, addressed a letter to the Politburo of the Central Committeethe Declaration of the 46 which criticized the growth of bureaucratism and the incorrect policies that were placing in danger the survival of the newly established workers state.

Members of the Left Opposition in 1927. Sitting (left to right): Serebryakov, Radek, Trotsky, Boguslavsky and Preobrazhensky. Standing (left to right): Rakovsky, Drobnis, Beloborodov and Sosnovsky

It is important to recognize that they were criticizing not only a given set of policies but an abandonment of a method, the Marxist method, upon which, and only upon which, correct policies for the working class can be formulated. They criticized bureaucratism as a method representing alien class forces, which strangled inner-party democracy and cut off the possibility of genuine theoretical work and political analysis. They recognized that this false method, rooted in hostile class forces and the pressures of imperialism on the workers state, confronted the working class with great dangers.

No one could have foreseen in 1923 that this document marked the beginning of a political struggle that would prove to be the most consequential in modern history. And yet, in historical retrospect, we now understand very well that the outcome of the struggle within the Bolshevik Party, which developed on an international scale, was to have vast consequences for the international working class and humanity as a whole.

The defeat of the Left Opposition by the Stalinist bureaucracy is the principal reason for the terrible defeats suffered by the working class in the 20th century. If the Left Opposition had prevailed in its struggle against the Stalinist factionagainst the growth of bureaucratism, against the resurgence of nationalismthe world socialist revolution would have been successfully completed in the last century. But that, of course, did not take place.

Why did it not succeed? Trotsky and his supporters initiated the struggle against Stalinism under unfavorable conditions. The month that the founders of the Left Opposition first raised the banner of political opposition to the growing apparatus was the same month in which the German Revolution suffered a massive political defeat. The defeat of the most powerful working class in Europe, which was to be followed just 10 years later by the catastrophic victory of fascism in Germany, had profound consequences for the struggle for Marxism within the Soviet Union itself. It must never be forgotten that Stalinism was ultimately the product of the defeats of the working class, both within Russia and internationally.

Trotsky never succumbed to political pessimism. All the events of that period were subjected to Marxist analysis, and from these experiences Trotsky drew the most far-reaching political lessons. Trotsky declared that the great problem of this historical epoch, the epoch of the death agony of capitalism, was the crisis of working class leadership.

Leon Trotsky, founder of the Fourth International

Marxism was not disproven by the events of the 1920s and 1930s. Rather, though in a tragic form, its essential role in the liberation of the working class was confirmed. As capitalism staggered from crisis to crisis in that period, it fully deserved the description given to it by Trotsky. It was in its death agony. Nevertheless, the great problem remained that of proletarian leadership. That was the problem that had to be solved. But he was convinced that it could be.

The centrist opponents of Trotskyism said that it was premature to found the Fourth International. One could not found an International apart from great events, by which they meant that an International could only be founded on the basis of a successful socialist revolution. That conception was entirely incorrect, because it implied that a successful socialist revolution preceded the building of a Marxist a leadership. If that were the case, it would not be necessary to have a revolutionary party at all. Its only purpose would be to gather people to celebrate victories already achieved.

Trotsky replied by first of all reminding his critics that the Third International itself, though it held its first Congress in 1919, had actually been founded in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak of the First World War, in August 1914, when Lenin demanded a break from the discredited and politically bankrupt Second International.

V. I. Lenin

Trotsky said that the Fourth International was being founded on great events, the greatest defeats in the history of the working class. But those defeats, to the extent that the lessons were learned, would lay the basis for a new international revolutionary regroupment of the working class. He acted with complete confidence in the power of Marxist thought, the Marxist program and the revolutionary capacities of the working class. And he understood, notwithstanding the ruthlessness and power of the Soviet bureaucracy, that it was politically doomed. Stalinism was a reactionary excrescence of the revolution, and its victory would be short-lived. Its national program, rooted in the false concept of socialism in one country, contradicted the basic tendencies of world historical development and could not resolve the problem of socialism in the Soviet Union, let alone on a world scale.

Trotskys call for the political revolution was to be vindicated. He said many times that without the overthrow of the Stalinist bureaucracy, the bureaucracy would destroy the USSR. That is what happened. But the dissolution of the Soviet Union was not the end of Marxism. In fact, political developments today demonstrate the enormous perspicacity of Trotskys thought and the program of the Fourth International.

The question arises: Why should such emphasis be placed on this 100th anniversary? Is this only a matter of historical study? What is the relevance of this history to the present day?

I think this question can be answered on both theoretical and political grounds.

First, the struggle of the Left Opposition demonstrates, and this has been extensively documented in particular in the books of Comrade Vadim Rogovin, that there was an alternative to Stalinism, that the fate of the Soviet Union was not predetermined, that Stalinism was not the natural and necessary outgrowth of the October Revolution and of Bolshevism, but rather its negation; and that there was a powerful opposition with an extensively developed program, which correctly analyzed and provided an entirely different orientation for the development of the Soviet Union. That program, had it prevailed, would have led to very different outcome. That is the first point which we make and insist upon.

Vadim Rogovin and David North on March 6, 1995.

Second, within the context of the present world situation, it can be demonstrated that all the issues raised by the Left Opposition contained in embryonic form the issues that confront the working class within the former USSR and on a world scale today.

For example, the issue that played a central role in the emergence of the Left Opposition, and which preoccupied Lenin in the final months of his active political life, was the question of the nationalities. Lenin came to realize that Stalin more and more openly represented a dangerous and reactionary nationalist tendency within the Bolshevik Party, a tendency upon which he was determined to declare war, and would have declared war openly at the scheduled Twelfth Party Congress of April 1923, had he not succumbed to a stroke.

The documents of that period are essential to understanding the roots of the tragic, fratricidal struggle that has erupted between Russia and Ukraine. The war has been instigated by American and European imperialism. But this war is the historical outcome of the Stalinist regimes repudiation of socialist internationalism.

The policies of Putin in Moscow and Zelensky in Kievregimes arising out of the dissolution of the USSR and the restoration of capitalismare rooted in the the chauvinism of the Stalinist bureaucracy, which inflamed national divisions.

Or let us take the present tragic events which are unfolding in Israel and in Gaza. One cannot help but be struck by the degree to which these events fully vindicate the warnings made by Trotsky in 1938 and 1939, that an attempt to solve what was called the Jewish question, apart from the socialist revolution, was impossible. Well, Palestinian and Jewish workers are now paying the price of the tragic betrayal of Stalinism, and they are experiencing the hopelessness of attempts to solve such a historical question apart from the struggle for socialism, and socialist internationalism, in the working class.

Our party builds its program, conducts its work within the working class on a world scale, on the basis of the strategic experiences of the working class during the past century. No other party has anything to offer the working class. One hundred years after the Left Opposition was founded, what alternative has emerged to the program of Trotskyism? Where are other and better answers to be found to the great political questions of our time? In the writings of Gramsci? Mao Zedong? Fidel Castro? The Frankfurt School? All of these variations of bourgeois ideology, petty bourgeois politics, and nationalist perspectives are frauds. None of these individuals and tendencies have left behind a program and a legacy which answers the problems of our time. Only the work of Trotsky, as it has been developed by the Fourth International, has proved itself equal to the historical period.

I want to conclude by stressing that we are observing two anniversaries this year. The first is the anniversary which we are celebrating today, the centenary of the founding of the Trotskyist movement. Next month, on the 16th of November, we will also be taking note of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the International Committee. These anniversaries are profoundly interconnected. They answer the two great questions of our time.

James P. Cannon

The first question is: Was there an alternative to Stalinism? And that is answered by the review of the history of the Left Opposition.

But once that question is answered in the affirmative, once one has established that Trotskyism was the alternative to Stalinism, a second question arises: Who are the Trotskyists? Does there exist a movement today which can legitimately claim to be based on the legacy of Trotskyism? That question is answered no less decisively in the founding of the International Committee of the Fourth International.

Of the 100 years of Trotskyism, 70 of those years have developed under the banner of the International Committee. In the Open Letter written by James P. Cannon and issued in November 1953, breaking with Pabloism, Cannon reasserted the basic principles upon which the Trotskyist movement had been founded. All of them have been vindicated. Several months later, in March of 1954, Cannon reiterated that the International Committee alone upholds the Leninist-Trotskyist theory of the revolutionary party.

The past 70 years have been years of relentless struggle against those who would revise and abandon the principles upon which the Left Opposition and the Fourth International were founded. These dual anniversariesthe 100th anniversary of the Left Opposition and the 70th anniversary of the issuing of the Open Letteracquire therefore immense historical and political significance in the present situation.

We all realize that we are passing through a global economic, social, political and intellectual crisis. Nevertheless, this situation, characteristic of a revolutionary epoch, creates the possibility for the transformation of society on the basis of socialism. The old order is breaking down, and a new and higher form of civilization is emerging.

We see throughout the world the resurgence of revolutionary opposition. It is not yet conscious of its tasks. But our movement will bring into that growing process of struggle an awareness and understanding of the political tasks which it confronts. This is an epoch where it is possible to achieve that unity of the international working class which has always been the principal objective of our movement. This is the epoch of Trotskyism. No other movement, no other party, no other tendency has prepared for the situation which we face today.

I must finally say, comrades, as one who has been active in the Trotskyist movement for more than a half century, the very fact that we are celebrating 100 years of Trotskyism with our comrades in Russia, Ukraine and other components of the Soviet Union, is not only a vindication of the struggle of Trotskyism, but a source of enormous optimism. Trotskyism lives. Its influence is expanding throughout the world. The Fourth International will prove itself in practice to be the World Party of Socialist Revolution.

Long live the Fourth International!

Long live the International Committee!

Long live the struggle for world socialist revolution!
Daniel Noboa, the 35-year-old son of Ecuadors richest man and five-time presidential candidate Alvaro Noboa, has been elected president of the country with 51.95 percent of the votes in a second round against Luisa Gonzalez, the candidate hand-picked by former President Rafael Correa.

Nearly 100,000 heavily armed troops and police were deployed to oversee the voting in Ecuador's first elections held under a state of exception. [Photo: Ecuadorian Ministry of Defense]

The election was held after millions had taken to the streets repeatedly to protest social inequality over the past four years, amid rising poverty. Six million out of 17 million Ecuadorians live on less than $3 per day, and about 90 percent of workers make less than $780 per month, the official cost of a familys basic needs.

Impermeable to the mass sentiments for radical change among workers and peasants, however, Ecuadorian capitalist politics vomited up the election of a man who personifies privilege and plutocracy.

Incumbent President Guillermo Lasso, himself a multimillionaire banker, is due to leave office in December as a result of a historic political crisis. In mid-May, Lasso preempted an impeachment vote over corruption charges by invoking for the first time a mutual death clause that dissolved Congress and triggered snap elections.

The Lasso administration, whose approval hovers near 10 percent, has implemented draconian austerity measures to fulfill the diktats of the International Monetary Fund of paying back debtors and cutting the fiscal deficit. This included massive cuts and layoffs in healthcare despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

With Lassos failure to implement his broader plan for privatizations and other regressive measures, and fearing a revolutionary upheaval after a series of strikes led by teachers culminated in nationwide protests in June 2022, leading sectors of the ruling class pushed Lasso out.

Since the end in 2014 of the oil boomthe countrys main exportthe last three administrations, beginning with Rafael Correa (2007-2017) launched an onslaught of social cuts that greatly discredited the entire political establishment. In response, the Ecuadorian oligarchy has been lurching toward authoritarian forms of rule.

Using a significant increase in gang violence as a pretext, Lasso has adopted increasingly dictatorial forms of rule, including 10 states of exception that involved suspending democratic rights and deploying the military regionally or nationally. This was followed by the autocratic decision to dissolve Congress and rule by decree since, implementing regressive taxes and pro-investor policies.

Several politicians have been killed this year, most infamously the presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, whose candidacy won third place after his death and whose seven murder suspects were all killed in jail. Citing these killings, Lasso ordered nearly 100,000 heavily armed troops and police to effectively oversee the voting in the countrys first elections under a state of exception.

Most significantly, the elections took place under the shadow of a new agreement of military cooperation between Lasso and the Biden administration earlier this month. For the first time since 2009, US troops will be allowed to carry out full-fledged operations on Ecuadorian soil.

The agreement with Lasso, whose regime has acquired a semi-dictatorial character and whose security forces massacred at least seven peaceful demonstrators during the 2022 protests, further unmasks the Biden administrations claim to defend democracy internationally. The deal follows repeated deployments of US troops to assist the murderous repression by the Dina Boluarte regime in Peru against demonstrations opposing the coup that brought it to power.

Rather than being aimed at transnational drug cartels, this alliance fully integrates Ecuador into the criminal onslaught led by US imperialism against workers and toilers globally resisting oppression, inequality and dictatorship.

This closer alignment with US imperialism began under the Lenin Moreno administration (2017-2021), which ended the asylum of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. It handed him over to British authorities, who plan to extradite him to face life imprisonment or worse in the United States for exposing imperialisms war crimes and anti-democratic conspiracies worldwide.

Daniel Noboa [Photo by Christian Medina, Asamblea Nacional / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Noboa, who is slated to rule for 15 months until the end of Lassos original term, will continue his agenda of austerity, a turn to dictatorship and alignment with US imperialism.

Lasso signed a trade deal with China, and Noboa led a congressional delegation to Russia, reflecting the efforts of the ruling class to leverage these ties to get a better deal with US and European imperialism. However, these maneuvers are carried out within a framework of dependence and subservience to imperialism. Noboa and Lasso have both parroted the official US line of unconditional support for Israel as the supposed victim of terrorism.

Noboas National Democratic Alliance (ADN) party, moreover, is a new facade for the clique around the Lenin Moreno administration and other right-wing forces. It includes Mover, the new name of the former ruling party Alianza Pais, which brought both Correa and Moreno to power. As a legislator, Noboa backed Lassos pro-business tax and regulatory bills and the mutual death decree.

It is worth adding that, while centering his campaign on anti-corruption slogans, Noboa, like Lasso, appears in the Pandora Papers as an owner of offshore entities in Panama, where the rich illegally hide their fortunes to evade taxes. Ecuador forbids presidential candidates from holding assets in tax havens.

To the extent that Noboa was able to absurdly pose as center-left and an outsider, it was only possible due to the political bankruptcy of the nominal left opposition.

His opponent, Luisa Gonzalez, is a career politician who rose through the ranks of the state bureaucracy under Rafael Correa and Lenin Moreno. Her Citizens Revolution Movement party was formed by Correa after breaking politically with Moreno, even though Correa had handpicked him as his successor. Correa currently lives in Belgium after being sentenced to prison in absentia for corruption.

Gonzalez was presented in the corporate media as a socialist, even though her campaign sought primarily to outdo Noboa from the right. She vowed a war, a state of emergency and an iron fist against gangs, and repeatedly highlighted her meetings with US and EU ambassadors and officials to discuss cooperation on security. These meetings were a transparent commitment to the geopolitical agenda of US and European imperialism.

The electoral losses to the likes of Lasso and Noboa show that Correismo and the other pink tide bourgeois nationalist movements in Latin America have reached a political dead-end.

More broadly, the Stalinist Communist Parties, the union bureaucracies they lead, and the indigenous nationalist leaderships have maintained a policy for decades of backing one faction or another of the capitalist political establishmentincluding sections that have backed Correa, Moreno, Lasso and now Noboa. These forces and their pseudo-left apologists are primarily responsible for the lack of a genuine left-wing alternative to the reactionary politics of the entire Ecuadorian ruling class.

Now, the scion of the Bonita bananas will oversee a corrupt regime subordinated to its bosses on Wall Street and dependent on exporting oil, fish and bananas like the proverbial banana republic. But Ecuador today is also a very different country. Since the 1960s, the urban population has grown from a third to over two thirds of the population, adding millions of workers closely integrated into the globalized economy.

In the context of a global resurgence of the class struggle, Ecuadorian workers must urgently draw the necessary conclusions from history. They can only unleash their massive objective power by mobilizing on the basis of an internationalist and socialist program, independent of all pro-capitalist and nationalist politicians. This requires the establishment of sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International all across Latin America.
On October 14, a referendum was held in Australia to enshrine an indigenous Voice to Parliament, which was resoundingly defeated. Socialist Equality Party (SEP) members and supporters campaigned at polling booths in Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle and Brisbane calling for an active boycott of the Voice.

In advancing an active boycott the SEP warned that the promotion of the Voice by the Labor Party was to cloak its support for US-led wars and its continued assault on the living conditions of workers behind a progressive facade.

The proposed Voice would, if implemented, have primarily benefited the affluent Aboriginal elite. The already dire conditions confronting indigenous communities would only worsen, as part of a broader offensive against the working class.

Both the official Yes and No factions were steeped in divisive racial politics and staunchly defended the anti-democratic 1901 constitution. The reactionary No camp led by the Liberal/National Coalition, feared the Voice would weaken, rather than strengthen the state apparatus. The SEP's call for an active boycott aimed to unite workers against the escalating assault on their social conditions and the looming spectre of war.

The World Socialist Web Site is featuring further comments from workers and young people from the working-class suburb of Mt Druitt in Sydney, the Melbourne working-class suburb of Meadow Heights, Mayfield East in Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney and Richlands East in Brisbane.

Various prominent Yes supporters are claiming the referendums defeat was due to racism. What the SEP campaign revealed, however, was that workers and youth are deeply concerned about the plight of Aboriginal people. They rejected the Voice proposal because they are deeply distrustful of, or openly hostile to the Labor government, and the political establishment more broadly.

In these interviews, workers outlined their own experiences of the horrendous living conditions forced upon the Aboriginal population. They draw a link between this and the broader assault on workers social conditions.

****

At the Mt Druitt polling booth in Sydney the SEP spoke to Adnan, 26, who has a small construction company. He was born in Pakistan, immigrated to New Zealand where he lived as child, and then moved to Australia.

Adnan

Adnan said he decided to vote informal after taking the SEPs leaflet call for an active boycott. Im glad I met you guys because I didnt know how I was going to vote. Im suspicious of the government. I dont think it ever represents us. This is something that I found out as soon as I turned 18, he said.

The referendum seems like a fraud. The government is not doing anything for Aboriginal people or the average citizens. We have the vote, but nothing changes for ordinary people. You see that as soon as you drive into western Sydney. Look at the situation in this areatheres no proper infrastructure or social facilitiestake a look at the health system.

The conditions facing Aboriginal people are horrendous. Ive travelled a lot through Australia and once you get outside of Sydneyto places like Dubbo or Alice Springs and Darwinyou start seeing whats going on with Aboriginal people and other people. They have [Native] title and things like that but the government gives them nothing. Theres no proper water, electricity, medicine or health care, he said.

Referring to the billions of dollars for the military and weaponry, Adnan said, Why isnt the government talking about addressing the health and education problems facing workers all over. Why arent they lifting people out of poverty instead theyre funding wars. The amount of money theyre spending [on war] is disgusting.

Samantha, a young admin worker in Brisbane said she intended to vote no. I strongly believe that voting yes on the Voice is not something that we should be doing. We should be voting for no. There are other things going on in the world that need urgent attention, and this is simply not good enough. I distrust the government on everything. We are not racist.

Samantha explained that she and her partner both worked full-time and had a four-year-old son. We are feeling the cost-of-living crisis. Back in the day, you used to be able to live on one income. Now it comes to the decision that both partners have to go to work full-time just to make a living.

And you have small children who arent even in school yet that have special needs, like my child. How are we going to fit in time for appointments and things like that?

This living crisis has ruined so many Australians. Its mentally draining on a lot of families. We should all stand together and put a change to this The rich control every aspect in this society, and they are making working-class people suffer.

Even the rent increases. Its just ridiculous. How can people who are working live when they are paying $560 plus a week? And thats just a standard rental these days. And the cost of food on top of that. We dont get a vote on that! she said.

Hunter

Hunter, an 18-year-old student in Newcastle is completing the HSC. He said he wasnt sure what he would do following the HSC, but knows he is, already a socialist. I'm still new to politics, but it seems to me that any official political body never makes much difference.

In discussing what needs to happen to address the social crisis in society, he said, we need to take more money from the people who dont need it, and then send it down the slope. Giving an example, he stated, Sydney property developers build 30-storey buildings and make banks, but the houses are empty and theres people on the streets.

Asked what he thought about the war preparations against China, he said, They are demonising China, poking the bear. Australia is the USs new base of operations, and I dont want to be a part of that. I just want to live in peace. It is like how they provoked Russia into a war against Ukraine; NATO pledged decades ago that they would not move an inch closer to Russia and they kept moving year after year after year. America has carried out this kind of invasion so many times, but the second the other side wants to resist, they are the hideous evil enemies, he stated.

Chris

Chris, a retiree who used to live in Coonabarabran, was met in Newcastle. She voted no. I have many Aboriginal friends from where I come from who are all voting no. They say this will all end up like their local land council, which is all corrupted. There is no racial prejudice there.

The plight of Aboriginal people is not due to colour, she said. History holds them back and we put chains on them. But land councils only self-perpetuate the upper echelons. They talk it up, get all the money and the ones at the bottom get nothing, absolutely nothing.

Chris continued, The Labor government is not working class. It is an elite group of people, setting up a puppet called the Voice. A movement against capitalism would be good, I am just so opposed to the Voice becoming entrenched that I voted no. I just hope we can come up with better methods. I am definitely against capitalism, it is such a wasteful system.

Libnur

Libnur, a factory worker we met at the Meadow Heights polling booth, told the WSWS, Ive been living in Australia for five years, and Ive never experienced racism. There is not a lot of racism here. Why is it that if I say yes on the Voice, Im not racist, but when I exercise my voice and vote no, I am racist? This whole thing was meant to be about having a voice, but you only seem to have a voice if you vote yes. You cant put a stamp on someone and say they voted no so they are racist.

Libnur spoke of his support for properly resourced programs for indigenous people. Why doesnt the government just give the money spent on promoting the Voice to the poor Aboriginal people? he asked. People are homeless, no one can afford anything. If you want to change something it must be resourced. Albanese should do something that is real. I think he is doing all this for fame, to get re-elected. Indigenous people wont get anything out of this.
The outpouring of protests in defense of the Palestinian people over the past days have dealt a major blow to the massive propaganda campaign surrounding the Israeli governments genocidal retaliation against 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza. In cities across the world, hundreds of thousands have turned out to protest the genocidal onslaught by the Netanyahu administration, which enjoys the full backing of US imperialism. These mass demonstrations have come in spite of the fact that the actions by the Netanyahu administration have been accompanied by an assault on democratic rights internationally.

In the United States, opposition is mounting among students as universities like Harvard University and, in New York, New York University (NYU), Columbia University and the City University of New York (CUNY) have emerged as a major battle ground in the fight to defend basic democratic rights and oppose the propaganda that is used to legitimize the genocidal policies of the Israeli state against the Palestinian people.

NYU law student Ryna Workman came under vicious attack after releasing a principled statement last Tuesday, October 10, in defense of Palestinians against Israeli oppression.

NYU Law Dean Troy McKenzie and University Spokesman John Beckman immediately issued denunciations of Workman for the statement, invoking victim blaming and indirectly endorsing the slanderous accusations of antisemitism made by the right-wing media. Within hours, a prospective employer of Workmans, corporate law firm Winston & Strawn, announced the rescinding of a job offer previously made to Workman in retaliation for their pro-Palestinian statement.

The board of the Student Bar Association (SBA) responded to Workmans letter by issuing a statement announcing the bodys decision to initiate hearings to remove Workman as president of the organization, as well as to circulate a No Confidence survey among the members. Workmans weeklong removal hearings will begin on Tuesday, October 17.

The role of the NYU administration in this crackdown on democratic rights and the furthering of the crimes of US imperialism and its allies is not a coincidence. The NYU administration has close ties to big business, the Democratic Party, as well as the American military and intelligence apparatus. For years, it has played an important role in the state-backed campaign to falsely equate opposition to Zionism and the crimes of the Israeli state against the Palestinians with antisemitism.

Significantly, however, this campaign has failed to intimidate opposition and even its main target, Ryna Workman. On Monday, October 16, Workman released a powerful statement, calling for an end to the Israeli genocide of the Palestinians and a stop to all US military aid to the far-right Israeli government. The statement read:

Across the campus, opposition to the victimization of Workman and the attack on the freedom of expression of support for the Palestinians has also been mounting. On Thursday, members of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) wrote a letter, condemning Workmans victimization. Directly addressing NYU President Linda G. Mills and NYU Law School Dean Troy McKenzie, the letter wrote:

We are alarmed and dismayed at the news that Ryna Workman, an NYU Law student and the Student Bar Association President, may be strongly disciplined as a result of their social media posts in regards to the unfolding tragedy in Israel-Palestine. Punishment on the basis of speech of any kind represents a grave and precedent-setting attack on academic freedom in our university community. As educators we have a particular responsibility to protect the academic freedom of students.

An NYU Law School group called NYU Law Jews for a Free Palestine also wrote to the Dean of the Law School and the University Administration to express support for Workman:

Dear Dean McKenzie and NYU Law Administration, As Jewish students at NYU Law, we write to express our strong, unequivocal support for Ryna Workman in light of the horrific response to their statement. We are deeply troubled that JLSA [Jewish Law Students Association], the administration, and others have condoned the targeting of anti-Zionist students and the calls for academic and other sanctions against them. We do not feel that our safety was put at risk by Rynas statement. Rather, we feel unsafe when a classmate is harassed, doxxed, and faces death threats, while the NYU Law administration stands by. Nor do we feel that their statement was antisemitic. We reject the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism, and we condemn the weaponization of antisemitism to silence criticism of Israel. Antisemitism is a dangerous and pervasive social force, and should be taken seriously. However, support for the Palestinian people in their struggle for agency, political autonomy, and human dignity is not evidence of discrimination against Jewish people.

Ryna Workmans statement and the growing support for the student among faculty and students is testimony to the immense popular opposition to the unfolding genocide and its backing by the imperialist powers at universities in New York, the US and beyond.

At Harvard University, despite the public doxxing and attacks on pro-Palestinian students by state figures such as Larry Summers, the former US Secretary of the Treasury, and billionaire CEO Bill Ackmann, hundreds of students protested in defense of the Palestinian people on Sunday.

At the City University of New York, an organization of Jewish law students (CUNY-JSLA) circulated a statement last Tuesday, expressing its uncompromising solidarity with the Palestinian people, documenting the decades-long disenfranchisement of Palestinians at the hands of Zionism with the backing of its imperialist allies. It denounced CUNY Chancellor Felix V. Mateos Rodriguezs October 10 statement which furtively vilified the Palestinian resistance. The statement denounced the administration for having made common cause with the U.S. far-right, as the administration capitulates to city councilmembers demands to repress pro-Palestine speech and echo their characterization of Palestine solidarity as inherently violent.

At Columbia University, also in New York, hundreds of students and faculty signed a letter to express solidarity with Columbia University Professor Joseph Massad, who had authored an op-ed supporting Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation. The letter stated:

We condemn the incendiary and defamatory petition circulated on October 13, 2023 by a Columbia student and former affiliate of the Israeli Defense Forces calling for Professor Massads removal from the faculty of Columbia University for exercising his right to academic freedom. This petition has been circulated in a context in which mainstream media outlets such as Fox News and the Jerusalem Post have published articles misrepresenting Professor Massads views as condoning and supporting terrorism, further fueling attacks against his academic freedom and personal safety. We are further profoundly disturbed by the many threats issued against Professor Massads life and his freedom of academic expression.

The letter condemned the university administrations response to the conflict and its failure to protect the academic freedom of Massad. It called upon the administration of Columbia University, to

issue a university-wide statement unequivocally supporting Professor Massads right to academic freedom as outlined in the Universitys mission statement; guaranteeing untenured Columbia facultys protection from retaliation for expressing their support for Palestinian liberation and/or their condemnation of Israels genocidal attacks on Gaza; acknowledging and unequivocally condemning anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic violence and rhetoric on campus; and affirming the universitys commitment to its Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students and faculty.

The growing opposition among students to the genocide unfolding in Gaza must be oriented toward the burgeoning international movement of the working class against war and austerity. The struggle for democratic rights, as well as the fight to stop the genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza, is inseparable from the fight against US imperialism and social inequality. The demand for a united struggle between the working class of Israel and Palestine, with the working class in the US and Europe, must be advanced. The IYSSE urges all students, workers and youth who wish to take up this fight to distribute World Socialist Web Site material as widely as possible and to contact the IYSSE to get involved.
On October 15, 2023, the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists, a Trotskyist youth organization in the former Soviet Union, celebrated the centenary of the emergence of the Left Opposition with a meeting that was attended by David North, the chairperson of the Socialist Equality Party (US) and the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site. The meeting took place exactly 100 years after 46 Old Bolsheviks declared their political support for Leon Trotsky in the inner-party struggle, thus initiating the struggle of the Left Opposition against Stalinism.

A graphic designed by the YGBL for their meeting dedicated to the centenary of the Left Opposition, October 15, 2023

The meeting was a powerful demonstration of the emergence of Trotskyism as a major political and intellectual force among youth and workers internationally. After a protracted historical period, in which the crimes of Stalinismincluding the political genocide of generations of socialists and the assassination of Leon Trotskyand the betrayals of Pabloism cut off large sections of the working class from the revolutionary program, the principles of Trotskyism animate the political struggle of a new generation of revolutionaries in the former Soviet Union, long the center of the Stalinist reaction against Marxist internationalism.

David North opened the meeting with remarks that stressed the historic significance of the anniversary and the decades-long struggle of the International Committee of the Fourth International for the principles of Trotskyism. Bringing greetings on behalf of the ICFI and its American section, the Socialist Equality Party, North said:

The significance of this meeting arises from the fact that it establishes, exactly 100 years after the founding of the Left Opposition, that Trotskyism lives in the former Soviet Union. The principles and traditions underlying the struggle initiated by Trotsky and his co-thinkersthe most advanced and politically conscious sections of the Bolshevik Partyare being revived and fought for by a new generation of revolutionary youth in Russia and Ukraine and all the different components of the former Soviet Union. Trotsky was once described as a man of history. The Fourth International, which emerged out of the Left Opposition, is a party of history. Our movement contains within it and is a concentrated expression of the great and often tragic revolutionary experiences of the working class over an entire historical epoch. We cannot avoid being mindful of this great legacy as we meet today... I must finally say, comrades, as one who has been active in the Trotskyist movement for more than a half century, the very fact that we are celebrating 100 years of Trotskyism with our comrades in Russia, Ukraine and other components of the Soviet Union, is not only a vindication of the struggle of Trotskyism, but a source of enormous optimism. Trotskyism lives. Its influence is expanding throughout the world. The Fourth International will prove itself in practice to be the World Party of Socialist Revolution.

North stressed that there was a close relationship between the two major anniversaries of the revolutionary movement this fall: The centenary of the founding of the Left Opposition and the 70-year anniversary of the issuing of the Open Letter by James P. Cannon, which led to the founding of the International Committee of the Fourth International.

These anniversaries are profoundly interconnected. They answer the two great questions of our time. The first question is: Was there an alternative to Stalinism? And that is answered by the review of the history of the Left Opposition. But once that question is answered in the affirmative, once one has established that Trotskyism was the alternative to Stalinism, a second question arises: Who are the Trotskyists? Does there exist a movement today which can legitimately claim to be based on the legacy of Trotskyism? That question is answered no less decisively in the founding of the International Committee of the Fourth International.

North added,

One hundred years after the Left Opposition was founded, what alternative has emerged to the program of Trotskyism? Where are other and better answers to be found to the great political questions of our time? In the writings of Gramsci? Mao Zedong? Fidel Castro? The Frankfurt School? All of these variations of bourgeois ideology, petty bourgeois politics and nationalist perspectives are frauds. None of these individuals and tendencies have left behind a program and a legacy which answers the problems of our time. Only the work of Trotsky, as it has been developed by the Fourth International, has proved itself equal to the historical period.

Lenin and Trotsky at a celebration of the second anniversary of the October Revolution

After the speech by David North, Clara Weiss spoke on behalf of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), the youth and student movement of the ICFI. Since last fall, the YGBL has worked with the IYSSE to build a global movement by youth and workers against war. Relating the significance of the century-long struggle for Trotskyism to the genocide unfolding in Gaza, she said,

We are celebrating the centenary of Trotskyism under conditions where one of the most monumental crimes in history is being committed against the Palestinian people before the eyes of the world. No less than the war in Ukraine, the horror unfolding in Gaza is a product of the unfinished 20th century. The Marxist movement always opposed Zionism from the socialist left. The fate of the Jewish peopleas of all the oppressed nationalitiesin the Russian Empire, Lenin and Trotsky insisted, was bound up with the development of the socialist revolution. The early Bolshevik government proved in practice the viability of a socialist solution, by putting an end to the most horrific anti-Jewish pogroms in history before the Holocaust in the civil war. In the 1920s, the early Soviet state was the only country in the world that provided equal rights and state funding to Yiddish-languageas to Ukrainianpublications and schools. The establishment of the state of Israel and dominance of Zionism are a product, not least of all, of the Stalinist betrayal of the program of the October revolution. It was Stalinism that strangled the European revolution in the 1930s and made possible the coming to power of Hitler in Germany, paving the way for the genocide of European Jewry in the Holocaust. And it was Stalinism that discredited socialism in the eyes of the masses all over the world with the Great Terror and also with the revival of antisemitism, one of the most perverse outcomes of the revival of the Great Russian chauvinism and the nationalist program of socialism in one country. The International Committee of the Fourth International, in a 33-year-long bitter struggle against the neo-Stalinist tendency of Pabloism, defended the perspective of permanent revolution, especially for the oppressed masses, just as it defended the Trotskyist assessment of Stalinism as a counterrevolutionary agency of imperialism. In the struggle against the Workers Revolutionary Party in 1982-1986, both questions were of central significance to the defense of the program of Trotskyism. Today, in the war in Ukraine and the genocidal onslaught on Gaza, we see this struggle assume a life-and-death significance for millions of workers.  A movement of the international working class against the crimes against the Palestinian people has already begun to emerge. The most advanced elements will take up the program of Trotskyism, for it is the only political and historical program that corresponds to the objective strivings and needs of the international working class.

The meeting was then addressed by four members of the YGBL. The groups co-founder and chair, Ostap Rerikh, first reviewed the development of the Left Opposition in the 1920s and its struggle against Stalinism. Despite the bloody suppression of the Marxist opposition to the Soviet bureaucracy, he stressed:

 the expulsion of Trotsky and the Bolshevik-Leninists from the Party, the further exile, imprisonment and even political genocide did not put an end to the Left Opposition. Because the Left Opposition was not a national phenomenon, it was not nationally restricted, its supporters were all over the world, and it was they who, in September 1938, founded the Fourth International. It was they who continued the work of Trotsky and the Left Opposition when the political genocide reached its climax. And after the split in 1953 and its founding by the orthodox Trotskyist James P. Cannon, the International Committee of the Fourth International, continuedand continues to this daythe cause for which the Left Opposition fought against Stalinism in a struggle against its Pabloist collaborators and in defense of Trotskys program. Only the International Committee of the Fourth International, continuing the work of Trotsky and the Left Opposition, declared that the Stalinist bureaucracy was leading the USSR toward capitalist restoration, not toward its own self-reformation, as Pablo and Mandel claimed. The ICFI warned of the restoration of capitalism in the USSR and stated this when Ted Grant demanded a workers democracy from the Stalinist bureaucracy and called Yeltsins Russia a workers state. It was the International Committee of the Fourth International that led the relentless struggle for historical truth, and constantly warned the proletariat of the Soviet Union of the consequences that awaited it with the restoration of capitalism. We celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Left Opposition amidst the growing global crisis of the capitalist system, amidst the mass strikes and the uprising of the Palestinian people against the Netanyahu regime, amidst the provoked proxy war [in Ukraine], the ongoing coronavirus epidemic and the threat of a third imperialist war, all of which are generated by the contradictions of capitalism. .the Young Guard of the Bolshevik-Leninists knows that it has chosen the right path, and that the course it keeps on, building the section of the ICFI and in the entire former Soviet Union, can lead the world proletariat to the victory of communism. Long live the centenary of our movement! Long live the International Committee of the Fourth International!

Lev Novitsky then reviewed the objective context within which the struggle of the Left Opposition unfolded. He stressed that the Left Opposition and the Stalin faction represented different social forces in Soviet society, on one side stood the proletarian and semi-proletarian classes, and on the other the petty-bourgeois and bureaucratic strata. He concluded,

.we must, despite all the failures and defeats, continue, carry the torch of the struggle, which we inherited from the previous generations of Trotskyists, to the victorious end. Ultimately, the fate of the world and of humanity depends on this. We have already entered the decade of socialist revolutions more than three years ago; the decade is already approaching its midpoint, and it depends primarily on us whether there will be a socialist perspective or not, whether the international working class will stop a world and nuclear war or not. All these tasks now confront us and we must meet them. Ultimately, it is the proletarian vanguard that will decide the outcome of the proletarian revolution, and thus the entire subsequent course of human development as a whole.

In his contribution to the meeting, Andrei Ritsky stressed that his turn to Trotskyism and the International Committee was motivated by a study of the works of Vadim Rogovin to understand that there was an alternative to Stalinism within the Bolshevik Party. Here we can see how a great historical work could influence the political orientation of an organization like ours.

Ritsky also stressed that the exposure of the pseudo-left can only be done based on the lessons of the Trotskyist movement and the International Committee and the contemporary struggle of the working class internationally. The fact that we are celebrating the centenary of the beginning of this struggle shows that our movement has deep historical roots and we must assimilate all lessons of this struggle.

The final speaker of the meeting was Carla, a Trotskyist youth in Kazakhstan. She said,

Dear comrades and friends, I am addressing you from the city of Alma-Ata, which is located in Kazakhstan. Exactly 95 years ago, one of the key figures of the October Revolution, the creator of the Red Army and one of the organizers of its victories in the Civil WarLev Davidovich Trotskywas exiled to this city by Stalins regime. Stalin and his propaganda apparatus, falsifying history, portrayed Trotsky as an enemy of the revolution, although in fact the enemy and gravedigger of October was Stalin himself.  I believe it is necessary to build a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International in this city so that at last the truth will prevail. After all, in the end, the revenge of history is stronger than the revenge of the most powerful general secretary.
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to dispatch humanitarian relief to the Gaza Strip to help the besieged Palestinians.

In the wake of Israeli military operation and siege of the Gaza Strip, the people of densely-populated Gaza are "in urgent need of humanitarian assistance," the ministry said in a statement on Monday night.

The Pakistani government is coordinating with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, relevant United Nations agencies, the government of Egypt and Pakistani missions abroad to finalize modalities of delivery, according to the ministry. 
by Jamil Bhatti, Jiang Chao

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has been highly appreciating and supporting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and is willing to learn from China's development experience, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Pakistan's caretaker prime minister, said in a recent interview with Chinese media here.

Kakar, who was invited to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, said that the Pakistanis value the great vision embodied in the BRI, which advocates bringing peace and prosperity through economic development.

The Pakistani delegation, comprising top-level officials from the economic, industrial, security and other departments, is eagerly anticipating bilateral discussions with Chinese officials during the visit, engaging in dialogue and interaction with Chinese think tanks and media as well, he said.

Emphasizing the significant accomplishments of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an exemplary project of the BRI, Kakar said the CPEC has brought great development and bright prospects to his hometown of southwest Balochistan province.

Launched in 2013, the CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation.

Noting that Pakistan would further strengthen policy communication and coordination with China in the new phase of high-quality development of the CPEC, Kakar said his country would introduce new technologies in fields such as food security and agriculture from China, encourage enterprises to expand trade and further tap bilateral cooperation potential with China.

Pakistan will further improve the Special Investment Facilitation Council in a bid to encourage and facilitate Chinese enterprises to invest in sectors such as mining, agriculture and information technology, and create favorable conditions for Chinese businesses operating in Pakistan, he said.

Kakar also emphasized that Pakistan places high importance on the safety of Chinese citizens in Pakistan and is willing to further improve security mechanisms for Chinese citizens, making every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan.

Expressing his hope for the two peoples to increase their understanding of each other's language and culture and further strengthen the friendly relations, he said that Pakistan cherishes the ironclad friendship with China and believes that cooperation with China is full of opportunities.

Pakistan would learn from China's achievements in reform and opening up as well as experience in poverty alleviation, research and development, information technology, agriculture and other areas, Kakar said, vowing to deepen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China.

When speaking of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Xi, Kakar commended them as a driving force and mechanism for addressing the complex global challenges and underlying issues that the world faces today. 
HANOI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- By producing 43 million tons of unhusked rice, Vietnam is likely to supply 7.5 million tons of rice to the world this year, contributing to ensuring global food security, Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday, citing Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien.

Once a food importer, Vietnam can now ensure food security in any circumstances, he said.

Given the context that many countries in the world are facing food shortages and rising rice prices, Vietnam's agricultural sector had directed localities in the Mekong Delta region to expand their rice farms in the autumn-winter crop, and start the 2023-2024 winter-spring crop early to avoid salinity season in the region, he said.

Vietnam exported 6.6 million tons of rice with value of 3.66 billion U.S. dollars in the first nine months of 2023, according to the ministry. That was the highest revenue in 34 years.

The country has set a target of exporting 7.5-7.8 million tons of rice worth about 4.3 billion dollars this year. 
MANILA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tonga's Minister of Health Saia Piukala Tuesday was nominated as the next World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific.

The nomination took place during the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manila.

In a statement, the WHO said Piukala, a surgeon with nearly 30 years of experience as a public health leader, "is a champion of multisectoral collaboration to address health challenges, such as climate change, noncommunicable diseases, and tobacco control, among others."

Since becoming Tonga's minister of health, Piukala has been very involved in the work of WHO, advocating and championing initiatives on noncommunicable diseases, safe surgery, climate change and health, and disaster preparedness and response, the statement said.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who attended the regional committee meeting in Manila this week, expressed his support for Piukala, saying that "I assure you of my support and that of my colleagues in Geneva. You have my full support, my full confidence and my best wishes."

Piukala's name will be submitted for appointment to the 154th session of the WHO Executive Board, scheduled for Jan. 22-27, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. He will take office as the regional director on Feb. 1, 2024, for an initial term of five years. 
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT has announced that it is partnering with University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) to form the UM6P-J-PAL Agricultural Lab for Africa.

Hosted at UM6P in Morocco, the lab will work to design and implement rigorous impact evaluations of policies and programmes that improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa. The partnership was announced on the sidelines of the recent World Bank Group annual meetings in Marrakech.

With an initial grant from the OCP Foundation, the UM6P-J-PAL Agricultural Lab for Africa (UJALA) will fund research that rigorously evaluates agricultural technologies and practices that are designed to increase small-scale farmers food security, productivity, and profitability. Randomised evaluations will be conducted across sub-Saharan Africa with a clear goal to scale up effective programs. UJALA will be chaired by MIT Sloan School of Business Professor and J-PAL Agriculture Sector Co-Chair Tavneet Suri.

Specifically, UJALA aims to fund innovative research, in collaboration with J-PALs network of economists, that answers critical questions related to five key policy areas:

1. Designing and delivering effective food and agricultural subsidies.

2. Assessing the value of fertilizer customization to crop needs and soil nutrients.

3. Reducing low-income households reliance on imported food.

4. Alleviating farmers constraints to adopting and maintaining new agricultural technologies and practices.

5. Connecting farmers to markets that sell at competitive prices.

In addition to funding and conducting research, UJALA will share the results from evaluations widely and highlight relevant policy lessons to be leveraged among the public and private sectors for decision-making.

UJALA will further J-PALs agenda in agriculture by working with key private sector partners on the African continent to conduct rigorous research aimed at improving food security for small-scale farmers, scale successful programs, and broadly use evidence in decision-making," said Suri.

"Through this collaboration, we will address gaps in the policy and research landscapes on topics critical to food security for low-income individuals across sub-Saharan Africa."

Iqbal Dhaliwal, Global Executive Director of J-PAL, noted: J-PAL is committed to finding solutions to the most pressing issues facing our world and society; food security, agriculture, and climate are chief among these, making this partnership important and timely. With the launch of UJALA, we look forward to extending our partnership with UM6P to build new research for African agriculture.

University Mohammed VI Polytechnic is thrilled to be partnering with J-PAL in the launch of the UM6P-J-PAL Agricultural Lab for Africa," said Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P. "Within the University, agriculture is one of our key focuses, with the aim of developing research to meet the continent's challenges, notably food security. The UM6P-J-PAL Agricultural Lab represents an opportunity for us to work jointly, through the various UM6P entities, to reinforce the agricultural sector and improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

To date, J-PALs work has enabled more than 1,640 randomised control trials carried out across 95 countries in 11 areas aiming to alleviate poverty, which have benefited more than 600 million people. J-PAL is named in honour of the late Abdul Latif Jameel, the father of Community Jameel Founder and Chairman, Mohammed Jameel, KBE.  TradeArabia News Service
SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. move to allow the export of equipment to South Korean semiconductor factories in China is out of consideration for its own and South Korean companies, local media have said.

The U.S. government has designated Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's chip factories in China as "verified end-users (VEU)," which allows the two chipmakers to acquire American chip-making equipment for their existing China-based facilities without having to seek separate U.S. approval.

"The purpose of restricting the entry of semiconductor equipment into China is to sanction China," Kim Yang-paeng, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, was quoted by South Korean online newspaper Voice of the People as saying. The recent U.S. decision is also intended to prevent damage to South Korean companies, said Kim.

"If Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix fail to produce their products, the memory semiconductor market will be disrupted, which will affect U.S. semiconductor manufacturers," Kim said.

U.S. chip equipment suppliers are also under negative impacts of the sanctions against China, said the report.

As Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are the main customers of Applied Materials, Lam Research and KLA, if chip-making equipment cannot be shipped to China, such U.S. chip equipment manufacturers will also suffer, it said, adding that after the U.S. restrictions on the entry of semiconductor devices into China last year, the companies said sales could fall by billions of U.S. dollars this year.

Kim was quoted by South Korean media Biz Watch as saying that if Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix shut down their plants in China, it could cause a major disruption in the global market.

As early as June, the Wall Street Journal reported that "efforts to isolate China from high-tech goods are more difficult than anticipated in a highly integrated global industry." 
Darius Matylewich, 27, has been charged with kidnapping

Passaic County Prosecutor's Office Darius Matylewich

A 27-year-old man has been charged with kidnapping and child endangerment for allegedly luring an 11-year-old girl across state lines after communicating with her through online video games, according to authorities.

Darius Matylewich of Bear, Del., was arrested on Sept. 10, after the child was reported missing in Wayne, N.J. early that morning, the Passaic County Prosecutors Office said in a statement released last Thursday.

He was playing an online video game with her prior to the alleged kidnapping, according to the statement.

The prosecutor's office told NBC New York that there were multiple platforms through which the two communicated. One platform where he allegedly communicated with her was the popular gaming platform Roblox, NBC New York and USA Today report.

Police located the girl soon afterward in Bear and determined that she was allegedly in contact with Matylewich through an online video game, the statement said. He allegedly transported her across state lines to Delaware without the knowledge or consent of her parents," according to the statement from prosecutors.

Delaware Police Department authorities arrested Matylewich in Bear before he was extradited to New Jersey, according to the statement.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Roblox said they concluded through an internal investigation that the two did not meet on their platform.



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"We have not been contacted by law enforcement but we take the safety of our users, particularly our youngest users, incredibly seriously," the statement said. "We have reached out to law enforcement and are offering our help."

The statement added that the gaming platform works tirelessly to prevent grooming on our platform," and there are thousands of moderators" enforcing community standard rules, "including zero tolerance for sexual content of any kind."

Matylewich has not entered a plea but has retained an attorney, but PEOPLE was unable to immediately reach the lawyer.

A pretrial detention scheduled for Monday was adjourned following a request from the defense, the prosecutors office told PEOPLE.



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Principal photography has begun on the thriller 40 Acres starring Danielle Deadwyler in one of her first feature roles following 2022s Till.

The pic is currently shooting on location in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The independent pic also stars Kataem OConnor (The Way Home), Michael Greyeyes (1923), Milcania Diaz-Rojas (The Bold Type) and Leenah Robinson (1923).

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Billed as a post-apocalyptic thriller, synopsis reads: Hailey Freeman and her family are the last descendants of African American farmers who settled in 1875 in rural Canada after the first Civil War. Two hundred years later, they struggle to survive in a famine-decimated future and make their last stand against a band of cannibals intent on taking their home.

The film is directed by R.T. Thorne (The Porter). Joining Thorne are director of photography Jeremy Benning (Accused), production designer Peter Cosco (Women Talking), costume designer Charlene Akuamoah (Robyn Hood), and editors Sandy Pereira (Young Werther) and Dev Singh (The Porter). Mongrel Media will distribute inside Canada.

The film is produced under the SAG-AFTRA interim independent film agreement, with the participation of Telefilm, CMF  PPRC, NOHFC, Crave, Ontario Creates, and CBC. The film is produced by Jennifer Holness (Home Again) of Hungry Eyes Media.

Beneath the surface of a suspenseful thriller, 40 Acres is a story about Hailey (Deadwyler), an ex-military matriarch trying to prepare her children for an unforgiving world and how her philosophy clashes with views of her eldest son Emmanuel (OConnor), said Thorne.

Producer Holness added: Over the past four years of developing, financing, and now producing 40 ACRES, I have never lost sight of what an incredible story and script it is. Steeped in Black cultural mythology exploring a near future reality we can all imagine, and with Danielle Deadwyler as our badass matriarch, leading this great cast, including Michael Greyeyes, is everything I hoped for. Im pulling out all the stops to help R.T. deliver a film that will blow all of your minds.

Danielle Deadwyler is represented by Play Management, Paradigm, Ziffren Brittenham, and Shelter PR.

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Troopers found the deer in Southeast Alaska's Clarence Strait, four miles from land

Alaska State Troopers/ YouTube One of the deer Alaska state troopers rescued from the waters of the Clarence Strait

Two stranded deer found tired and swimming in Southeast Alaska's Clarence Strait were rescued by state troopers who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

According to a YouTube video and Instagram clip posted on Oct 14 by Alaska State Troopers, the animals were discovered four miles from shore.

"Alaska Wildlife Troopers encountered two deer swimming between islands in Southeast Alaska, but these deers were about 4 miles offshore," a caption reads over the social media video of the deer swimming towards the boat.

Related: Sighting of Deer in Collar with 'Pet' Painted on Its Body Prompts Warning from Mo. Officials

The rescuing troopers were returning to the Alaskan city of Ketchikan from the Ernest Sound when they spotted the needy animals.

Justin Freeman, a spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers, told the Anchorage Daily News that the deer started paddling towards the boat as soon as the troopers slowed down.

"Both deer ran into the side of the boat with their heads, indicating they wanted on board," Freeman told the outlet. "The deer quickly swam over to the troopers on the swim step and let the troopers remove them from the water and place them on the back deck."

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In the video of the incident, the deer sit in the boat after swimming toward the watercraft.

"This guy at the back is doing pretty rough," a person says over the clip as a deer shivers after getting into the troopers' boat. "He didn't fight us too hard, but we got him on."

The camera then switches to the other deer sitting in the boat by a container. "This guy here is in a little bit better shape," someone on the boat says. "Hopefully, they live, and we'll go put them on the shore somewhere."

Related: Pennsylvania Community Shuts Off Power to Save Cat Stuck on Telephone Pole

The person adds that the deer were "out in the middle of Clarence," naming the strait where the wild animals were found.

"They're in rough shape, like on their last leg," the voice says as the boat speeds towards land.

The video ends with the deer walking on land and moving towards a woodland area.

"After a little while, the two deer trotted off into the trees," reads text over the video as one deer turns to look back at the boat.



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New Mexico prosecutors announced Tuesday that they will present a case against Alec Baldwin to a grand jury, saying that additional facts have come to light in the shooting death on the set of Rust two years ago.

In a statement, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said they will bring the case to a grand jury within the next two months for consideration of criminal charges.

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After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza, they said in the statement. We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial.

Baldwins attorney, Luke Nikas, called the decision unfortunate and said he would fight the case in court.

It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution, he said. We will answer any charges in court.

Hutchins, the cinematographer on Rust, was killed when Baldwins Colt .45 revolver fired during preparation for a scene at a Western ranch set near Santa Fe, N.M. Souza, the director, was also injured. Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger.

After more than a year of investigation, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter in January. But the charges were dropped in April on the eve of a preliminary hearing, after Baldwins defense lawyers raised doubts about whether the gun was functioning properly.

The special prosecutors have since sent the gun for further forensic testing. At one point, they stated in a filing that Baldwin would be charged again if it was determined that the gun was functional.

A report, made public in August, concluded the trigger must have been pulled in order for the weapon to be fired.

The films armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, also faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the case. She is set to go on trial in February in Santa Fe, and faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

The case suffered through a series of missteps. The initial charges included a five-year sentence enhancement for use of a firearm. That enhancement was dropped when it emerged that the law was not on the books at the time of the shooting.

Andrea Reeb, the initial special prosecutor, resigned from the case after Baldwins lawyers argued that she could not serve as both a prosecutor and a state lawmaker. Mary Carmack-Altwies, the elected Santa Fe district attorney, then withdrew when a judge ruled she could not team with a special prosecutor to handle the case.

Carmack-Altwies had said that her office was too understaffed to handle the case without outside help. The D.A.s investigator, Robert Shilling, also wrote an email blasting the Santa Fe Sheriffs Office for mishandling the investigation. That email was inadvertently sent to the defense.

The Colt .45 was also broken during FBI testing in 2022, prompting the defense to argue that the evidence had been spoiled.

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Amanda Knox has been granted a retrial by Italy's top court after the American appealed her slander conviction in connection to her wrongful accusations that a bar owner murdered her roommate Meredith Kercher.

Knox shared on social media Friday that she will soon return to Italy for the proceedings. In her statements, she described the legal development as a "good thing."

What is the slander conviction that Amanda Knox is appealing?

The slander conviction stems from Knox's wrongful allegation that bar owner Patrick Lumumba had been responsible for murdering Kercher, resulting in Lumumba being held in prison for two weeks. He was released after an individual confirmed his alibi. In the ensuing fallout, Lumumba lost his bar and moved his family out of Italy, according to The Guardian.

RELATED: Amanda Knox Offers Hilarious Response To College Student Who Wrote Essay About Her Awful Study Abroad Experience

Knox explained that when she and her Italian ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were exonerated for Kercher's November 2007 murder, the Italian appeals court upheld Knox's conviction of slander. She was sentenced to three years in jail  given credit for time already served  and ordered to pay compensation to Lumumba, though his attorney Carlo Pacelli told The Guardian "he never received a cent."

Amanda Knox

Amanda Knox is escorted to her appeal hearing at Perugia's Court of Appeal on September 29, 2011 in Perugia, Italy. Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty

However, Knox noted that the European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2019 that her rights to a translator and interpreter were violated. Her defense attorneys are now arguing that Knox made the allegations under duress, having been denied her rights.

"Now, sixteen years later, the Court of Cassation through a new judicial instrument provided by a recent reform, has acknowledged what has been ruled by the European Court of Human Rights. It has given me the opportunity to seek my full acquittal from this wrongful accusation of slander," Knox wrote.

RELATED: Killer Of Amanda Knox Roommate Meredith Kercher Given Early Release From Sentence For Good Behavior

Knox described Lumumba as being "friend" at the time of Kercher's death, and said that they were both victims of human rights violations. "Patrick Lumumba suffered 10 days of wrongful imprisonment, and Raffaele and I nearly four years. One day in prison as an innocent person is one too many, Knox continued.

Rudy Guede was Eventually Convicted in Kercher's Murder

Rudy Guede was ultimately found guilty of murdering Kercher, a British student who was sexually assaulted and stabbed multiple times in the Perugia apartment she shared with Knox. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison, though his sentence was reduced to 16 years on appeal. In 2021, he was released from prison after 13 years and allowed to complete his sentence through community service, Oxygen.com previously reported.

In the years since Knox was definitively acquitted of murder, she has become an advocate for criminal justice reform. She appeared in a Netflix documentary about her experience, outlining the flawed investigation into Kercher's murder and the impact the media had on the case.

Knox also wed partner Christopher Robinson, with whom she shares daughter Eureka Muse Knox-Robinson. Becoming a mother has made Knox reevaluate her views on Kercher's murder, sharing with the Call Her Daddy podcast in 2021 that she has even more sympathy for the Kercher family these days.

This year, I couldnt help but put myself in her moms shoes and thinking, Oh my God, if that happened to my baby, what do you do? Knox said. You totally understand how her mom would have willingly taken her daughters place if she could. And she couldnt.
Democratic congressman Jim Himes of Connecticut spoke out Tuesday against his progressive colleagues recent call for a cease-fire in Israels war with Hamas, telling CNN This Morning that I understand the instinct but its not realistic and its not right.

Its an ugly world out there, and you cant have been brutalized the way the Israelis have been brutalized and say, Guys, take a deep breath and dont do anything about this,' he said.

Speaking with CNNs morning coanchors Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly, Himes explained why he disagrees with the members of the Democratic caucus in calling a cease-fire in Israel following the Hamas attacks, additionally comparing the move to asking Americans to cease-fire on Sept. 12, 2001, after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

I understand the instinct, particularly when youre talking about as densely populated an area as Gaza, theres just no way to conduct war in a place like Gaza, we learned this in Iraq in places like Fallujah, in a sanitary way. It just cant be done, Himes said. So I understand the instinct, but calling for a cease-fire is like calling for the United States to stand down and do a cease-fire on September 12, 2001.

"Calling for a ceasefire is like calling for the United States to stand down and do a ceasefire on September 12th, 2001."



Rep. @jahimes joins to discuss Biden 's Israel trip, humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the unfolding Israeli offensive: pic.twitter.com/EG5IsqCwou  CNN This Morning (@CNNThisMorning) October 17, 2023

Harlow asked Himes to clarify what was not right, asking if he meant it was not right to call for a cease-fire.

To say you should not respond militarily to a terrorist attack that killed well in excess of 1,000 of your people, Himes answered. I understand the instinct. Look, people who take  who remind us how horrible war is, I will never say that those people are absolutely wrong. We always need that voice. But when you have been brutalized the way we were on 9/11 or the way the Israelis were, you go to war.

On Monday, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among 13 progressive representatives to sign a resolution urging President Joe Biden to call for an immediate deescalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine and to send humanitarian aid to Gaza. The resolution was led by Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Andre Carson of Indiana, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania and Delia Ramirez of Illinois and came in response to the nearly 3,000 Palestinian deaths seen since Israel counterattacked Gaza in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.

President Biden also announced he would travel to Israel Monday night. This is the second time Biden will visit an active war zone after traveling to Ukraine in February 2022.

What President Biden is doing is the same thing that two aircraft carrier strike groups, a couple of air wings, a couple of very clear statements by the Secretary of State is doing, which is telling Iran and Irans client Hezbollah to stay out, Himes said of the announcement. Nothing says stay out quite as much as the Presidents presence on the ground. Along with supporting the Israelis, and trying to identify the location of the hostages. Thats probably their top priority right now. This is a bad situation to begin with. Were Hezbollah to come across the border and start launching missiles, that would be a massive escalation.

Watch Himes full CNN This Morning interview in the video above.

The post AOC Calling for Israel-Gaza Cease-fire Is Wrong, Democratic Congressman Tells CNN: Its an Ugly World Out There (Video) appeared first on TheWrap.
Pop star Britney Spears is sharing new details about her mother, Lynne Spears, in her upcoming memoir, "The Woman In Me."

In an excerpt from her tell-all memoir, the "Toxic" singer revealed that she often sipped cocktails, which they called 'toddies,' while she was only in the eighth grade.

Britney Spears Recalls Drinking Daiquiris With Her Mother As A Child In 'The Woman In Me'

Instagram | Lynne Spears

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On Tuesday, People magazine published several excerpts of Britneys life prior to the release of her memoir, The Woman In Me, next Tuesday. In one excerpt, Britney revealed that she would drink daiquiris with her mother when she was only in the eighth grade.

For fun, starting when I was in eighth grade, my mom and I would make the two-hour drive from Kentwood to Biloxi, Mississippi, and while we were there, we would drink daiquiris. We called our cocktails toddies,' Britney wrote in her memoir.

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I loved that I was able to drink with my mom every now and then, she said, noting that her mothers drinking habits were not as terrible as her fathers alleged drinking habits.

The way we drank was nothing like how my father did it, Britney wrote. When he drank, he grew more depressed and shut down. We became happier, more alive, and adventurous.

Britney Opens Up On The Relationship With Her Father During Her Conservatorship

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Britney also has a complicated relationship with her father, Jamie Spears. In another excerpt from The Woman In Me published by People magazine, Britney also opens up about her relationship with her father. If I thought getting criticized about my body in the press was bad, it hurt even more from my own father, she wrote. He repeatedly told me I looked fat and that I was going to have to do something about it.

In another excerpt, she explained why she shaved her head in 2007. Id been eyeballed so much growing up, Id been looked up and down, had people telling me what they thought of my body since I was a teenager. Shaving my head and acting out were my ways of pushing back, she wrote.

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However, she lost all control over her appearance after the conservatorship started in February 2008. But under the conservatorship, I was made to understand that those days were now over. I had to grow my hair out and get back into shape. I had to go to bed early and take whatever medication they told me to take.

Britneys conservatorship gave her father control of her financial and personal affairs. A judge did not strike down Britneys 13-year conservatorship until November 12, 2021. I think back now on my father and his associates having control over my body and my money for that long, and it makes me feel sick, Britney wrote, saying that she now feels like a shadow of herself given all that she has been through.

Jamie Spears Has No Plans To Read 'The Woman In Me'

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Last week, sources told TMZ that Jamie Spears has no plans to read what Britney has to say about him in The Woman In Me since he has already read what she had to say about him on social media. In September 2022, she wrote on Instagram that she prays that both of her parents burn in h.

Earlier this month, People magazine reported that the 71-year-old entrepreneur is now in an infectious disease outpatient facility to treat a bacterial infection and is on the mend following yet another health scare that left him spending several weeks in the hospital.

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In November 2018, the Spears patriarch suffered another health scare that left him seriously ill after his colon spontaneously ruptured. He was rushed to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas and spent 28 days recovering in the hospital.

"After a long, complicated post-operative period, he is recuperating at home and gaining strength and is expected to make a full recovery, read a statement from the family at the time.

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I am dedicating my focus and energy to care for my family, Britney added in her own statement. We have a very special relationship and I want to be with my family at this time just like they have always been there for me. She later delayed her Las Vegas residency, Domination, to put [her] family first.

It remains to be seen if Britney will discuss her father's 2018 health scare in "The Woman In Me," which is scheduled for release on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
The post BTS Bringing Concert Film Yet to Come to Prime Video appeared first on Consequence.

As chapter two continues for BTS, ARMY will soon be able to revisit the septets most recent group performance whenever they want once their concert film, BTS: Yet to Come, arrives on Prime Video beginning November 9th in most territories. The event, which originally took place in Busan, South Korea in October of 2022, acted as a bright sendoff ahead of the members beginning their mandatory enlistment periods, which are now underway.

The initial concert, titled BTS: Yet to Come in Busan, saw RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook run through some of their favorite tracks for a crowd of over 60,000 people gathered throughout Busan, with an additional 49 million people tuning in via livestream through Weverse. The entirely free event was designed as part of a bid for Busan in the 2030 World Expo. The concert film then debuted in theaters as BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas for a brief, but highly successful theatrical run in January of 2023.

While some of the groups other concert films found a home on Disney+, including BTS: Permission to Dance on Stage  LA, this will be the first time a BTS show has landed on Prime Video. Disney+ is still the anticipated home for the forthcoming docuseries about the groups historic rise, titled BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star.

In the meantime, the members are continuing to explore individual endeavors through solo albums, like Jung Kooks forthcoming project, titled Golden. His bandmate Jimin will also be releasing a look into the creative process behind his chart-topping album, FACE, through a behind-the-scenes series of logs collectively titled Jimins Production Diary. Off the heels of his solo album, Layover, V recently completed a fan meet hosted at South Koreas Kyung Hee University Global Campus.

BTS: Yet to Come will be available on Prime Video in 240 countries on November 9th, while fans in Japan will wait for a release date of December 1st.

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Paddy Cosgrave, CEO & Founder, Web Summit, on Centre stage during day three of Web Summit 2022 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal. Piaras O Midheach/Getty

The founder of tech conference Web Summit apologized for "profound hurt" over his Israel remarks.

Paddy Cosgrave accused Israel of war crimes in an X post on October 13.

Some founders who withdrew from the event told Insider they won't be back.

The founder of European tech conference Web Summit has apologized for the "profound hurt" caused by his comments criticizing the West's support for Israel, which triggered several high-profile withdrawals from the event.

"I'm shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders & governments, with the exception in particular of Ireland's government, who for once are doing the right thing," Paddy Cosgrave originally wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday in response to Israel's attacks in Gaza following Hamas' terrorist attacks on October 7 .

"War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are."

His remarks provoked public backlash, with tech figures such as Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan and Sequoia Capital investor Ravi Gupta pulling out of scheduled appearances at the conference, due to take place in Lisbon, Portugal in November.

Cosgrave initially doubled down on his comments Tuesday morning but made a u-turn hours later, issuing a nearly 600-word apology where he described as "Hamas' evil, disgusting and monstrous" attack.

"I understand that what I said, the timing of what I said, and the way it has been presented has caused profound hurt to many. To anyone who was hurt by my words, I apologize deeply," he wrote in a post published on Web Summit's website , four days after his original tweet.

Cosgrave added that he had tried to echo the sentiments of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken by urging Israel "not to cross the boundaries of international law" in response to the Hamas atrocities.

The fallout from Cosgrave's remarks shows the speed with which organizations, particularly a mass international gathering like Web Summit, can unravel when caught up in highly sensitive geopolitical debates.

For some founders, Cosgrave's apology isn't enough to bring them back to Lisbon next month.

Moshiel Biton, CEO and cofounder of rechargeable battery firm Addionics, was due to speak at Web Summit but told Insider that he was "in shock" when he saw the tweet from Cosgrave last Saturday because "he hadn't condemned the terror activity from Hamas."

"Paddy's 'apology' is barely one, and we stand by the decision to withdraw from Web Summit," he said.

Biton added that accusations of war crimes against Israel "before even offering compassion to the victims demonstrated much more clearly than an apology issued only after public backlash and mounting pressure."

Gil Dibner, general partner at Angular Ventures, said it was "a time that calls for moral clarity" after canceling his speaking engagement at Web Summit.

"I am glad to see so many industry leaders taking a firm stand against terrorism and against public figures who act as apologists for these despicable acts," he said, speaking before Cosgrave apologized.

After Cosgrave's original remarks, some Israeli tech figures contacted Web Summit's management to cancel their participation in the conference and did not hear back. But their names were quietly removed from the lineup on the website, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Dropouts increased, and within 24 hours the number of Israel-based speakers at Web Summit dropped from at least five to zero, according to Insider analysis. The website showed two speakers from Israel listed on Tuesday morning, but both confirmed with Insider they are no longer participating and that section of the website is no longer live as of Tuesday afternoon.

Asked about the quiet removals of Israel-based speakers from the site, a Web Summit spokesperson said: "Paddy's apology speaks for itself and he understands the impact of his words. We have a team of over 300 staff members who are working hard to deliver a world-class event for all of our attendees in Lisbon this year."

Other speakers lined up for Web Summit include Meta's Nick Clegg, as well as comedian Amy Poehler and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The conference is expected to host around 70,000 attendees.

Since the October 7 attack, Israel has declared war on Hamas and launched an aggressive counter-attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to "demolish Hamas." The attacks by Hamas left more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, dead in Israel, per Israeli officials. Strikes have led to more civilian deaths along the Gaza Strip and by the end of last week, the death toll in Gaza and the West Bank soared past 2,300, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

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"Its a fairytale," Raine's long time love tells PEOPLE. "Ive pretty much been waiting for this moment since high school!"

Tiffini Helg with SM Photography The Challenge Star Tony Raines Marries High School Love Alyssa Giacone

Tony Raines said 'I do' to his high school sweetheart!

On Oct. 14, The Challenge Star, 35, tied the knot with his fiance Alyssa Giacone in a small, intimate ceremony at Strawberry Manor in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. The couple wanted their venue to be close to home to ensure that all their friends and family would be able to attend their special day.

"There is so much I love about her," Raines told PEOPLE ahead of their wedding day. "From her looks to how great a mother she is to the way she cares for me, but what means the most is the feeling that I get knowing that she supports me through everything, and truly having a partner that has my back and best interest at heart."

Tiffini Helg with SM Photography The Challenge Star Tony Raines Marries High School Love Alyssa Giacone

The reality star and Giacone are parents to daughter Isla Rose, who they welcomed in November 2016. Raines is also dad to daughter Harper London from a previous relationship.

"For me, its a fairytale! Ive pretty much been waiting for this moment since high school!" Giacone says. "Its been a super chill planning experience which has made it even better and Im just ready for the big day to get here."

Related: 'The Challenge' Star Tony Raines Is Engaged to Longtime Girlfriend Alyssa Giacone

Decor for the couple's ceremony, which was officiated by their close friend Nick Mayeur, incorporated their favorite fall colors including sienna, navy and cream.

Giacone walked down the aisle to "Never Enough" by Lauren Allred, before the pair exchanged rings by OHallorans Jeweler. "We both wanted to write and read our own vows to each other, and our two daughters are walking down the aisle as well," says Raines, who first met Giacone back in middle school.

Tiffini Helg with SM Photography The Challenge Star Tony Raines Marries High School Love Alyssa Giacone

"I love the fact that one our best friends is our officiant, and our little girls and nephew are included in the ceremony," he adds.

The bride wore a simple, elegant dress from Allure Bridals, while her hair and makeup was by Bobbi at Verde Beauty. "I thought it was so pretty," she says of her gown. "It was the first dress I put on and I was absolutely in love, I tried on about 20 more gowns and nothing made me feel like that dress, so I knew it was the one."

She continues: "I'm looking forward to seeing Tony's reaction when he finally sees me! Ive managed to keep my wedding dress a secret for almost a year, and Im so excited. I'm also having Tony do a first look with our daughters and I cant wait to see how the pictures turn out."

Tiffini Helg with SM Photography The Challenge Star Tony Raines Marries High School Love Alyssa Giacone

Following their 'I do's', the newlyweds joined guests at their reception where they dined tuna tataki, bbq shrimp and filet mignon tips from Catering-Buddies Bar & Grill. For dessert, the pair cut into their 3-tier traditional wedding cake with raspberry filling.

Later in the evening, Raines and Giacone shared a first dance to "Lover" by Taylor Swift. Throughout the night also had a DJ from Rock-It productions encouraging guests to get on the dance floor.

"He is one of the hardest workers I know and would do literally anything for me and the kids," says Giacone of her husband. "I love his sense of humor and how he can make me laugh and his dedication and drive to become the best version of himself."

Tiffini Helg with SM Photography The Challenge Star Tony Raines Marries High School Love Alyssa Giacone

She continues: "He has taught me patience and how to not take life so seriously all the time and honestly, hes just a really amazing partner and I couldnt imagine being with anyone else."

Related: 'The Challenge' 's Tony Raines Recalls 'Traumatic' Moment Home Collapsed During Hurricane Ida

The pair originally planned to tie the knot in 2020, but postponed their ceremony due to the pandemic.

"Then in 2021 we were impacted by Hurricane Ida which again set us back," he continues. "After settling in our new home (the pair lost their previous home in the hurricane), we finally picked Oct. 14, which is 2 days shy of exactly 5 years since the engagement on Oct. 12, 2018."

Now that the day has finally arrived they couldn't be happier.

Tiffini Helg with SM Photography The Challenge Star Tony Raines Marries High School Love Alyssa Giacone

"It means making official what has been 18 years in the making," Raines days. "Im just excited to finally call her my wife and not girlfriend/fiance/baby momma!"

After the wedding they plan to take a honeymoon in Italy or Hawaii.

"The next chapter looks like another baby and just living in the moment and enjoying this family that weve built!" says Giacone.





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Read the original article on People.
ROME, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Two people were arrested on terrorism charges in the northern Italian city of Milan on Tuesday. One of them is an Egyptian national and the other an Italian citizen of Egyptian origin, the Italian authorities said.

The two are charged with participating in a conspiracy to promote terrorism and with incitement to commit terrorism. Both were spotted for their activities on social media chat groups related to Islamic terrorism, the Interior Ministry said.

The suspects were allegedly very active in online propaganda in favor of the Islamic State (IS). They are accused of trying to recruit new affiliates and contributing financially to initiatives in favor of the IS, according to the Milan prosecutor's office that launched the operation.

There were no signs that the suspects were preparing for a terrorist act, but they had been on the police radar since August 2021, the Milan prosecutor told journalists.

Interviewed by state-run RAI radio, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that the government had raised the security alert level across the country.

Tajani said there were currently no specific terrorism threats against Italy. 
The chairman of Ford is urging the United Auto Workers to end its strike against the company his great grandfather Henry Ford started in 1903, arguing that America's future is tied to the success of the iconic car brand.

In his first public statement since the union strike began last month, Bill Ford on Monday said some UAW members are his long-time friends. But he also criticized the union, saying its leaders have tried to paint the Michigan automaker as the enemy.

"This should not be Ford versus the UAW," the chair said during a press conference in Dearborn, Michigan. "It should be Ford and the UAW versus Toyota, Honda and Tesla  and all the Chinese companies that want to enter our home market."

Ford's comments land as his company is engaged in protracted negotiations with the UAW over a new labor contract. The union is asking Detroit's Big Three automakers for wage increases, annual cost-of-living adjustments, pension benefits for all employees, greater job security, a faster path to full-time status for temporary workers and a four-day work week.

UAW President Shawn Fain has said talks are headed in the right direction but a full agreement has yet to be reached.

The strike entered its fifth week on Monday, as both sides remain at odds over key concessions. UAW leaders tapped more Ford employees to strike last Thursday with 8,700 walking out of a truck factory in Kentucky.

Four weeks of a UAW strike have already created $7.7 billion in industry losses, according to Michigan consulting firm Anderson Economic Group. That includes $3.45 billion in losses for the Big Three, the firm estimates.

Responding to Ford's comments, Fain on Monday said the chairman should "Call up Jim Farley, tell him to stop playing games and get a deal done." Farly is CEO of Ford Motors.

The union leader went on to say that employees at Honda, Tesla, Toyota, and others are not the enemy, they're future UAW members.

"It's not the UAW and Ford against foreign automakers. It's autoworkers everywhere against corporate greed," Fain said. "If Ford wants to be the all-American auto company, they can pay all-American wages and benefits.

Hackles raised over Kentucky strike

In line with past statements by top executives at all Big Three automakers, who have argued since before the strikes began that they have been engaged in "good faith" negotiations with the UAW, Ford blasted union leaders for targeting the automaker's Kentucky plant, despite record offers having been made.

"We've offered a record contract which would have made our UAW employees among the best paid manufacturing workers in the world," said Ford. "Despite this, the UAW leaders decided to escalate and strike our Kentucky truck plant last week."

Ford Motors, in response to the Kentucky strike, laid off an additional 550 employees across plants in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. To date, about 2,480 Ford workers have been laid off as a result of the strike.

General Motors and Stellantis (the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram) have also laid off workers across the U.S. due to the strike.

The strike at the truck plant that builds the Super Duty pickup, Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition large SUVs took the automaker by surprise, a particularly tough blow as the lineup represents the company's most lucrative products, generating $25 billion a year in revenue.

The UAW is no longer notifying the Big Three automakers before calling additional walkouts amid the labor group's ongoing strike, Fain said in a live webcast on Friday.

"We are prepared at any time to call on more locals to stand up and walk out," Fain said. "Going forward, we will be calling out plants when we need to, with little notice."

Call for restraint and unity

Ford Motor and the UAW must resolve contract negotiations because that's what's best for workers, the auto sector and the nation, the Ford's chairman also said.

"I call on my great UAW colleagues  some of whom I've known for decades," Ford said, advising company negotiators to ignore the name-calling and accusatory rhetoric that often comes with hammering out a new labor agreement. "We need to come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks." Ford said he has been involved in negotiating every UAW contract since 1982 and the key is to not take the heated discussions personally.

"When this ends, we have to all work together again and, not just work together, but become a family and continue on and we will," he said. "So that's why I think it's really important I keep urging restraint in terms of any kind of rhetoric, because it's not helpful."
Democrats unanimously voted for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries , while 20 Republicans voted against Jordan

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Jim Jordan

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan lost his first round of voting for speaker of the House after Republicans could not unify behind their new conference leader.

Democrats unanimously voted for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, while 20 Republicans voted against Jordan. The holdouts include Reps. Mario Diaz Balart (who voted for former nominee Steve Scalise ) and Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, who voted for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Of the holdouts, Politico reports that seven Republicans voted for Scalise, six voted for McCarthy and three voted for New York Rep. Lee Zeldin. California Rep. Mike Garcia, Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer, Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole and Kentucky Rep. Tom Massie each earned one vote.

House Republicans chose Jordan as the party's nominee to replace ousted Speaker McCarthy last week, amid considerable turmoil in the party and ahead of a looming government shutdown.

Despite the failure of the first round of voting, at least some Republicans  including  are confident Jordan's support will grow. Jim Jordan will be a great speaker, Trump told reporters outside a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday, per the Associated Press. I think hes going to have the votes soon, if not today, over the next day or two.

Related: Steve Scalise Nominated by House Republicans to Replace Kevin McCarthy as Speaker

Historically, the speaker election is a formality in which the party that controls the House easily elects its candidate to the position. But since Republicans retook the House in January, that precedent has changed.

The contentious first round of voting was a repeat of sorts of former House Speaker McCarthy's own battle for the role in January when he battled Republican rebels who worked to sabotage his bid for the speakership, preventing him from earning a majority vote until he gave in to their demands. That speaker election ultimately took four days and 15 rounds of voting.

Ultimately, McCarthy's time as speaker was cut short in September when, in an unprecedented motion, he was ousted from the nation's third-highest post followed a recall vote in which the House voted 216-210 to strip the lawmaker of his leadership role.



After the recall vote, the House clerk announced Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina as speaker pro tempore until a permanent speaker is elected. McCarthy, 58, picked McHenry, 47, as his successor in January, Politico reported.

Jordan was nominated by House Republicans after the previous nominee, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, withdrew from the speaker race just one day prior due to a lack of widespread support within the Republican Party.

Jordan was first elected to Congress in 2006 and represents Ohios fourth district. He also is one of the founding chairmen of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. He also once challenged McCarthy for the speakership.



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The star died at her Los Angeles home on Thursday

Bobby Bank/WireImage Lara Parker attends the "Dark Shadows" Festival on August 16, 2009 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Lara Parker, best known for her role as the Witch Angelique Bouchard on Dark Shadows, has died.

Parker died in her sleep on Thursday morning in her Los Angeles home, her Dark Shadows costar Kathryn L. Scott confirmed on Facebook Monday. She would have been 85 years old next week.

For more than 50 years, our lives were intertwined through our mutual love of literature, writing, and acting, wrote Scott. We could not have been more unalike, and therein lay the magic of our enduring friendship. My thoughts are with her family in this sad time of grief and remembrance."

Parker's daughter, Caitlin Hawkins, confirmed her mother's passing in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Born Mary Lamar Rickey on Oct. 27, 1938, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the actress got her start after heading to New York where she auditioned in her second-ever, professional audition, which landed her the role of Angelique in the ABC soap series.

Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Actress Lara Parker in a scene from the movie ' Night of Dark Shadows

Ahead of beginning her professional career, Parker attended Vassar College in New York, where she roomed with Jane Fonda. Then, she completed her undergraduate degree at Southwestern at Memphis, which is now Rhodes College. The native Tennessean then earned her master's degree in drama from the University of Iowa.

After she completed her education, she married her first husband, Tom Parker, with whom she shared two sons, Rick and Andy Parker. But after residing in Wisconsin with her children, she traveled to N.Y.C. to join Dan Curtis series, Dark Shadows.



Related: Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023

The series aired from 1966 to 1971 and followed the founding family of the fictional Maine town, Collinsport. At the start of the series, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) rejects the advances of Parkers Angelique and the witch curses Barnabas, turning him into a vampire. After she strikes her revenge, the two engage in a centuries-long tumultuous love-hate relationship.

We realized [the show] was popular, the actress said of the show in 2022. Everywhere we went [the cast was] recognized. There was a huge crowd outside the [Manhattan] studio when we finished in the afternoon of autograph seekers. People would show up, the same people every single day, day after day. They worshipped some of us and would walk us to the subway."

[Angelique] was coming in at the beginning of the womens movement and she was very independent, added Parker.

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Lara Parker in Dark Shadows' episode April 7, 1969.

During her Dark Shadows tenure, the actress later starred in a film based on the series, Night of Dark Shadows, in 1971, and the year prior starred in Hi, Mom!, a Brian De Palma film alongside Robert De Niro.

Soon after the series wrapped, she relocated to Los Angeles and continued her career on the West Coast. By 1975, she divorced her first husband and then met her second husband, Jim Hawkins, whom she married in 1980. The couple later welcomed their daughter, Caitlin, in 1985.

The actress also starred in the 1973 Oscar-winning feature, Save the Tiger, as well as Race with the Devil, alongside her old roommate's brother, Peter Fonda in 1975.

Parker also starred in several TV series, including Jessica Novak, Medical Center, Kojak, The Rockford Files, Police Woman, Kolchak: The Night Stalker and The Incredible Hulk.

CBS via Getty Lara Parker in Stranded pilot from 1976

More recently in 2013 and 2014, the actress joined two Doctor Mabuse films. Prior to Doctor Mabuse, she made a cameo in Tim Burtons 2012 remake, Dark Shadows, which starred Johnny Depp as Barnabas and Eva Green as Angelique.

As she continued her acting career, the performer also turned to writing and expanded the Dark Shadows universe, more than 25 years after the series wrapped. Parker first wrote Dark Shadows: Angeliques Descent in 1998, and then in 2006, 2013, and 2016, she wrote Dark Shadows: The Salem Branch, Dark Shadows: Wolf Moon Rising, and Dark Shadows: Heiress of Collinwood, respectively.

American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Lara Parker appearing in the ABC tv movie 'My Darling Daughter's Anniversary'

Parker is survived by her second husband, Jim Hawkins, her children Caitlin, Rick and Andy; her daughters-in-law Miranda and Celia, and her grandson, Wesley.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted hand-in-hand while enjoying a romantic island getaway together.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry walked along the beautiful cobblestone sidewalks, while holding hands, completely in love with one another. The two took a jet to the tiny island of Canouan in St Vincent and the Grenadines after the couple spent a week in New York promoting mental health projects.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Stroll Hand-In-Hand During Romantic Getaway

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A bystander captured photos of the couple on Friday, which showed The Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they left a gourmet food store inside the Sandy Lane Yacht Club and Marina in Glossy Bay.

Meghan Markle, 42, was seen strolling down the street wearing an ivory maxi dress and a white Panama hat with a black ribbon, and a pair of sandals. Prince Harry, 39, dressed in casual navy shorts and a white t-shirt, complete with a simple pair of flip-flops.

The dress that Markle is wearing looks to be the Chloe Patchwork Hand-Crocheted Maxi Dress, however, it is sold out online. It was listed at $1,660.00.

Click here to see the romantic photos.

Meghan and Harry are clearly enjoying their time together as they were seen without children Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2. According to the eye-witness, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were "affectionate" with each other and "looked very happy to be having a holiday together."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Go On Romantic Island Getaway

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Right before the picture was snapped, Meghan and Harry went into Faye  a gourmet grocery store that offers an "exclusive selection of fresh seasonal organic products, from vegetables to cheeses, sweets, seafood and exclusive meat cuts"imported from France.

The couple then went on a romantic stroll together, hand-in-hand, along the bougainvillea-festooned promenade.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have since returned to the United States following their romantic island getaway.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'Stand Against All Acts Of Brutality'

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Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle broke their silence, joining other members of the British royal family speaking out on the terrorism and unfolding crisis in Israel.

"At The Archewell Foundation, with Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, we stand against all acts of terrorism and brutality," the statement, which was posted to their foundation page, read. "We are supporting our partners and organizations on the frontlines in Israel to provide the urgent aid needed, and to help all innocent victims of this unconscionable level of human suffering."

Meghan and Harry's statement came just hours after King Charles released a statement of his own. "This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about, and he has asked to be kept actively updated," a Buckingham Palace 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."

The spokesperson added, "His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel."
The individual allegedly told attendees, "You are all going to die"

KSDK News Shots fired Sunday at Kirkwood trunk-or-treat event

As students, their parents, and faculty gathered for what was meant to be a fun event over the weekend, things quickly took a turn for the worse.

On Sunday, locals arrived at Tillman Elementary School just before 5 p.m. for a trunk-or-treat pre-Halloween celebration in the parking lot of North Kirkwood Middle School in the 11200 block of Manchester Road in Missouri.

While speaking to Fox 2, Kirkwood School District spokeswoman Steph Deidrick said, An individual came on the scene and there was a shots fired incident.

She added that the shooter was restrained after individuals at the event subdued the individual. Deidrick also specified that no students suffered any physical injuries.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Matthew McCulloch was identified as the individual who was arrested for "causing a disturbance" at the childrens event.

Related: 14 Shot, Including 3-Year-Old Boy, in Mass Halloween Shooting on Chicago Street

Multiple local outlets said other adults at the trunk-or-treat event intervened by tackling the armed person until law enforcement officials were able to eliminate the threat.

As of Monday afternoon, McCulloch, a St. Louis County police officer and the son of a long-time St. Louis County prosecutor, was still in police custody on a $500,000 cash-only bond.

He has been charged with four counts of child endangerment, five counts of armed criminal action, one count of making a terrorist threat and one count of unlawful use of a weapon, all of which are felonies.

Getty Images Police Cordon tape line do not cross

In a statement obtained by Fox 2, former St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch discussed the incident involving his son.

While we do not yet know all of the details, it is our understanding that our son was involved in an incident at North Kirkwood Middle School in which several shots were fired into the air. Please know that we will be eternally grateful that no one was physically injured. However, we are also painfully aware that an incident such as this can and does cause significant emotional trauma to those, especially children and their parents, who witness such an event. Our thoughts and prayers are with those victims, Robert said.

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This incident has had an incredibly emotional impact on so many people, including our family. We are confident that the Kirkwood Police Department will conduct a complete and thorough investigation and we ask that the public and the media be patient while the investigation continues. We will have no further statement, he continued.

On Monday, St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory said Matthew was not on duty at the time of the trunk-or-treat event and is on unpaid administrative leave as an internal investigation is conducted, per NBC 5.

Charging documents state that Matthew "aggressively approached" people who were at the childrens event and made statements such as "You are all going to die.

Related: 1 Dead, 3 Injured in Halloween Shooting at California City Councilperson's Property, Teen Arrested

"The defendant fell to the pavement in the center of the parking lot while surrounded by hundreds of children, stood up, pulled up his shirt to display a handgun and badge, then began firing his weapon in an upward direction approximately a dozen times while shouting that the attendees would die," a probable cause statement said.

Getty/Image Source Trick or Treating

Matthews attorney, Brian P. Millikan, put his trust in the Kirkwood polices investigation while also expressing gratitude that no one was physically injured.

"We are also painfully aware that an incident such as this can and does cause significant emotional trauma to those, especially children and their parents, who witness such an event. Our thoughts and prayers are with those victims, he shared.

Classes were canceled on Monday, the Tillman Elementary School-Kirkwood School District said in a Facebook post.

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Nate Bargatze is going from Old Hickory to "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night !"

The standup comedian is hosting NBC's long-running sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live" on Oct. 28, with Foo Fighters as the evening's musical guest, according to a post on the show's Instagram page.

The show will be the third in SNL's 49th season, which started Oct. 14 after the end of a writers strike and amid an ongoing Hollywood actors' strike.

"Beyond a dream come true. Thank you!!!" Bargatze wrote in his Instagram account alongside the SNL announcement.

The Old Hickory native has had a banner year in 2023, releasing his latest special, "Nate Bargatze: Hello World," and setting an attendance record at Bridgestone Arena in April.

After growing up in the Nashville suburbs, Bargatze spent time in Chicago before moving to New York in 2004, where he worked his way up through the standup scene for 10 years, leading to TV commercial work and a spot on Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show."

In the past five years, his career skyrocketed thanks to a string of comedy specials for Netflix and Amazon.

I remember I did some jokes, and then they didn't hit as much as they usually do, Bargatze recalled in a Tennessean interview. That was because his audience had already heard them.

I was like, Wait, are you all here, like, because of me? They're like, Yeah. lt was the first sign of panic, where you're like, 'Oh, I gotta write new material. People are coming.'

Bargatze started with sketch comedy when he moved to Chicago in 2002 and enrolled in classes with The Second City improv comedy troupe, from which SNL has often drawn cast members.

He will host what will likely be the show's Halloween episode, featuring holiday-specific sketches and performances.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee native Nate Bargatze to host 'Saturday Night Live'
Oprah Winfrey is pushing back on a claim made by Sen. Mitt Romney in a new biography.

A spokesperson for Winfrey tells The Hollywood Reporter that, despite a claim in a new book, Winfrey was never considering a run for president in 2020 and did not ask Romney to join her on a ticket.

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In November 2019, Ms. Winfrey called Senator Romney to encourage him to run on an Independent ticket, the spokesperson says. She was not calling to be part of the ticket and was never considering running herself.

In the upcoming book Romney: A Reckoning, by veteran political journalist McKay Coppins, Utah Republican Romney recalls receiving a call from the media mogul, who is a Democrat, claiming that they should form a unity ticket to save the country.

Axios first reported on the excerpt from the book Monday.

Winfrey is no stranger to politics, of course. She is a close friend of Barack and Michelle Obama, and not only endorsed the former president but has interviewed each of them a number of times, including in a special for Netflix earlier this year.

Winfrey also weighed in on the Pennsylvania Senate race in 2020, endorsing John Fetterman over his opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, a man whom Winfrey helped make a household name thanks to frequent appearances on her daytime talk show and the subsequent launch of his own eponymous program. (Fetterman went on to win the Senate seat.)

And while Winfrey has been rumored to have considered a run for office in the past, Romneys claim made news because it suggested that her desire was more serious than previously thought.

The new statement seems to pour cold water on that idea.

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Fawzia Mirza s charming debut The Queen of My Dreams begins with a familiar and heartbreaking revelation. I used to worship my mother, our protagonist Azra (Amrit Kaur, The Sex Lives of College Girls) says through voiceover. I thought she was perfect. I tried to be like my mother, but I wasnt.

As with most daughters navigating fractious relationships with their mothers, Azras entry into adulthood coincided with the shattering realization that her mother is only human. The woman who guided her since infancy and counseled her through challenging moments carries her own traumas. She doesnt always understand Azra and, perhaps most upsettingly, she might not want to.

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The Queen of My Dreams is Mirzas take on a recognizable theme. It joins a formidable batch of films exploring mother-daughter relationships this festival season, a group that includes Raven Jacksons gorgeous and poetic film All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt and Annie Bakers quietly illuminating debut Janet Planet. But Mirza, who also wrote the screenplay for The Queen of My Dreams, distinguishes her coming-of-age dramedy by anchoring its story in Bollywood conventions, giving the film a fanciful and stylized edge.

Azra loves Bollywood movies, especially the 1969 romance Aradhana, which she repeatedly watched as a kid with her mother. In the opening scenes of The Queen of My Dreams, a now adult Azra excitedly prepares to rewatch the film. Its 1999 in Toronto and the young woman is studying for an MFA in acting and lives with her girlfriend (Kya Mosey). Shes estranged from her mother Mariam (Ninra Bucha), a religiously conservative woman who refuses to accept that her daughter is queer. And although Azra shares a special bond with her father Hassan (Hamza Haq), its clear their relationship suffers because of the tension between the two women in his life.

With an efficient and expert opening, Mirza establishes the dynamics between Azra and her parents. Their phone calls are perfunctory reminders of their emotional distance. When Azras father dies of a heart attack during a trip to Pakistan, the stress of that distance becomes clearer.

His death forces Azra and her brother (Ali A. Kazmi) to meet their mother in Pakistan, where the extended family has begun the funeral rituals. Now in her familys home country, Azra must reckon with her mothers humanity.

Mirza organizes The Queen of My Dreams as two coming-of-age stories set across three timelines. Theres the immediate present, where we watch Azra and Mariam struggle to find common ground in the wake of Hassans death. There are flashes to Azras childhood years in Nova Scotia, beginning with her familys arrival in 1989. And finally, theres a timeline with 22-year-old Mariam living in Karachi in 1969 with her overbearing mother Amira (Gul-e-Rana). Taking cues from Aradhana, a film that casts a single actor to play the same role, Kaur plays present-day Azra and younger Mariam. (The younger Azra is played by Ayana Manji.)

The casting threads Azra and her mothers fates in fairly obvious ways, but Kaurs strong performance saves the choice from feeling too much like a gimmick. The actress knows when to play up Azra and young Mariams similarities and when to zero in on their differences. Young Mariam grew up in Pakistans Golden Age, a period defined by more liberal values. Its during this era that she meets Hassan (still played by Haq) and the two begin a heady romance that defies the tradition of arranged engagements of that period. (Mirza flaunts her sense of humor throughout the film, but its especially apparent during the courtship meetings between families.)

Mariam yearns for freedom and Kaur plays the character as an aspiring actor at once seduced by and afraid of the strength of her desires. Her story unfolds like a Bollywood film, and Mirza imbues that timeline with a sugary visual language. The blues are bright, the yellows sweet. Simone Smiths editing deepens this pop sensibility, which includes bold transitions between the timelines.

Azra and her mother share dreams (both want to be actors) and a rebellious streak. Perhaps this is why their bond is, initially, so strong. During the years in Nova Scotia, we witness the layers of their intimacy. Young Azra looks at her mother with equal parts awe and tenderness. When Mariam starts a tupperware sales business, hosting her white Canadian neighbors for tea and curry, she enlists Azras help to sell the plastic containers. What young Azra doesnt see, though, is that Mariam is still recovering from disappointing her own mother, who feels betrayed that her only daughter moved away.

The Queen of My Dreams adroitly moves between these three stories, but, with a lot of ground to cover, some of the timelines feel stronger than others. The 1999 thread can feel especially aimless and weak compared to the forthrightness of the other sections. More conversations between Azra and Mariam would have helped here; there are hints as to why Mariam struggles to accept her daughter, but it might have been worth exploring her turn to religious conservatism.

Still, Mirza has created a film bursting with creative energy and distinctive aesthetic sensibilities. Even when the narrative slackens, youll want to keep watching.

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Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, 19, was found dead on July 2 in New York City following an accidental drug overdose

Drena De Niro / Instagram Drena De Niro visits son Leandro's grave

Robert De Niro's daughter Drena is grieving her son, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez.

The 52-year-old actress  who is the adopted daughter of the movie legend  penned an emotional Instagram tribute to her son Monday alongside photos taken at his graveside.

Leandro tragically died from an accidental drug overdose on July 2.

If everyone valued the depth of love & sadness, a person can feel I dont believe wed have wars, we wouldnt hurt children or animals, our planet and oceans the way we do," her tribute read.

Drena De Niro/ Instagram The emotional actress visited her son's grave

Related: Drena De Niro Says Her Heart Is Broken Forever in Emotional Post About Son Leandros Death

Im grieving both for myself, my loved ones and everyone who has ever lost a child or one whom theyve loved so deeply, she continued. Ill never get used to this, no one should  Praying for the whole world to heal and for this heart that beats inside me to find peace.



Drena also posted a snapshot of a rock with a winged heart drawn onto it which she placed at her son's graveside.

The actress captioned the Instagram story in Italian, Mi manchi motto molto, il mio amore, mio cuore, Leo, which translates to, I miss you very much, my love, my heart, Leo.

Drena De Niro/ Instagram Drena De Niro vists son Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez's grave.

On the other side of the rock she wrote: To Leo, we love you. The world misses you.

Love you sweet boy, she also captioned a photo of flowers laid at his grave. Rest easy and may you always stay full of love and light.



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Drena De Niro/ Instagram Drena De Niro pens a heartfelt tribute to her son on a rock

Leandro was found dead at age 19 on July 2 in New York City. The chief medical examiner ruled his death an accidental drug overdose. Drena previously claimed on Instagram that her son had been sold "fentanyl-laced pills."

20-year-old Sophia H. Marks was later arrested in connection to the teen's passing.

In a statement to PEOPLE at the time, the 80-year-old Hollywood actor said: "I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo."

Related: Robert De Niro's Daughter Drena Says Her Son Leandro Was 'Killed' After 'Addiction Took Over'

"We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."

Drena meanwhile shared "It is with immeasurable shock and sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved son Leo. We thank you for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we are given privacy at this time to process this inconsolable grief."

On Aug. 11, Drena remembered what would have been her sons 20th birthday with a touching social media tribute.



"You would have been 20 yrs old today  Thank you for the happiest and most profound 2 decades of my life, little angel," she wrote. "I hope you are at peace and your spirit is filled with joy today and always."



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The United States government is backing Israel's account of the Gaza hospital blast, saying that intelligence suggests a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket caused the destruction

A mysterious blast at a Gaza hospital on Tuesday quickly escalated tensions in the Near East as Palestinian militants and the Israeli government accused one another of civilian casualties. On Wednesday, United States government officials weighed in to say that Israel's involvement in the deadly incident appears unlikely.

While we continue to collect information, our current assessment, based on analysis of overhead imagery, intercepts and open-source information, is that Israel is not responsible for the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement on Wednesday.

President Joe Biden commented on the blast during his visit to Israel on Wednesday. I was deeply sad and outraged by the explosion in Gaza yesterday and based on what Ive seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not [Israel]," he said, citing intel shared by the U.S. Department of Defense. "But theres a lot of people out there not sure, so weve got a lot  weve got to overcome a lot of things."

Related: Joe Biden Meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel: 'Americans Are Grieving with You'

The Palestinian Health Authority reported that about 500 people were killed in a strike at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, though the death toll has not been independently verified. The source of the explosion was not immediately clear, with the Israeli government claiming it was caused by a rocket belonging to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a militant group that sympathizes with Hamas.

In a statement to the Times of Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces said: an analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit.



Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza, the statement added.

Hamas, meanwhile, quickly called the strike "genocide," according to Fox News reporter Trey Yingst.

Related: Gaza Hospitals in 'Complete Chaos' Treating Civilians amid 'Crisis' Situation: Reports

Abed Rahim Khatib/picture alliance via Getty Palestinians inspect a destroyed building after Israeli airstrikes on Oct. 14

The explosion came amid Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which began in the wake of terrorist group Hamas' deadly surprise attack on Israeli civilians on Oct. 7. Israel vowed to defend itself following the attacks, calling for the immediate evacuation of 1.1 million civilians in Gaza City ahead of planned strikes.

The evacuation orders followed Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's own announcement that Israel was putting a complete siege on Gaza," which would mean no electricity, no food, no water, no gas" for the area, according to a statement posted on X last week.

Many have evacuated to area hospitals, including the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital  the facility that was damaged on Tuesday, The New York Times reports.



Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency via Getty

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) quickly pushed back on reports that they were behind an intentional strike on the hospital, telling Fox News reporter Trey Yingst in a statement: A hospital is a highly sensitive building and is not an IDF target. The IDF is investigating the source of the explosion and, like always, is prioritizing accuracy and reliability.

Related: Israeli Father-to-Be Died Preventing Massacre Days After Celebrating First Wedding Anniversary (Exclusive)

Amid airstrikes, hospitals in Gaza are struggling to keep up with an excess of patients and running low on supplies as they try to treat civilians, according to reports. One doctor treating patients at Nasser Hospital  the second-largest in Gaza City  told NBC News that the location has opened "tents" outside of the hospital to treat more patients and that the hospital ultimately had to decide "if these tents will have to be for the critical patients, patient post-op, or the patient who will go after finishing their management."



This is like a humanity crisis, Dr. Mohammed Qandil told the outlet, adding: "We are treating civilians  most of the ICU beds are now occupied by kids less than 10 years."

Doctors and hospital staffers have also told reporters that fuel is running low and internet access is at risk, potentially putting the hospitals in Gaza in further jeopardy.

Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Palestinians evacuate northern Gaza on Oct. 13, 2023, after a warning by Israeli Defense Forces to travel south for safety

The World Health Organization said last week that local hospitals in Gaza were at their "breaking point," with fuel "due to run out," shortages of medical supplies, and a focus on "lifesaving emergency care," impacting those who require other "essential health services."

WHO also said they have documented 34 "attacks on health care in Gaza since last Saturday," which killed 11 health workers, injured 16 and damaged 19 health facilities and 20 ambulances.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that one hospital's morgue, which typically holds 30 bodies at a time, had overflown on Thursday, with bodies being stacked on top of each other, some in the parking lot, as a nurse called the site a "graveyard."

Related: 'I Wish I Didn't See What Happened': The Children Killed in the Israel-Hamas Conflict

Adding to the chaos is that, while Israel has called on Palestinians to leave Gaza, Hamas has called for people to stay in Gaza. The group said, according to The Washington Post: Our Palestinian people reject the threat made by the leaders of the occupation and its call for Gazans to leave their houses and leave to the south or to Egypt.

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KIEV, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday approved a law on tightening the financial monitoring of politically exposed persons (PEPs), which was required by the European Union (EU) for launching accession talks, lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said.

"This is the last step for the start of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU," Zheleznyak wrote on Telegram.

The legislation was supported by 276 votes in favor in the 450-seat parliament, Zheleznyak said.

The new law, aimed at fighting corruption, stipulates that a person once deemed to be a PEP will retain the status for a lifetime instead of three years as it was previously.

In June 2022, EU leaders accepted Ukraine as a candidate for membership in the bloc.

The Ukrainian government set a target to launch accession talks by the end of this year. 
WATCH: Plane Appears to Pause in the Air in Viral Video  Heres What Causes the Strange Phenomenon

"There's a glitch in the matrix," one commenter wrote on X (formerly Twitter) of the unusual video

Can a plane freeze in mid-air? A video that appears to show just that is going viral.

On Friday, Will Manidis shared a video to X (formerly Twitter) showing what seems to be a still plane floating in the air above the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge and San Francisco Bay.



On a flight home from New York City to the Bay Area, Manidis tells PEOPLE he was looking out of the window and noticed the optical illusion right as [the plane was] landing.

William Manidis via Storyful

Related: Mosquitoes Swarm Airplane in Mexico Causing Flight Delay as Crew Sprays Cabin

He adds that he was recording videos of the beautiful views before noticing the weird illusion.

Manidis, who is the C.E.O of a healthcare natural language processing company (a branch of A.I.), shared the video on X, captioning it in jest, Watched a plane pause in the air today and yall still think physics is real.

In a follow up post, Manidis writes, Lots of physics understanders in the qts pretending that theyve never dropped a pound of bricks and a pound of feathers at the same time and disproved Newtonian physics at home, before joking, didnt realize big physics had this many shills.

lots of physics understanders in the qts pretending that theyve never dropped a pound of bricks and a pound of feathers at the same time and disproved Newtonian physics at home. didnt realize big physics had this many shills  Will Manidis (@WillManidis) October 13, 2023

Related: One Airline Has a Solution for the Viral Debate on Whether Solo Flyers Should Give Up Their Seat for Families

One user responded to the post writing, "Theyre just buffering." Another posted, Theres a glitch in the matrix.

In an email to PEOPLE, Manidis noted that the planes seeming lack of motion was obviously an illusion, the cause of which can be explained by a little science.

Throughout a journey, planes may encounter headwinds and tailwinds. While the tailwinds come from behind the plane, allowing travelers to get to their destination quicker, headwinds can slow a plane down.

Some headwinds can be so strong that the plane will appear to be frozen in the sky, when in reality the aircraft is moving very slowly through the air.

William Manidis via Storyful

Related: Near Collisions Between Planes Are on the Rise in the U.S. with 46 in July Alone: Report

Additionally, in some instances, a persons literal point of view may be whats tricking the eye. A person moving in the opposite direction of a plane that is slowing down, not necessarily due to headwinds, could also perceive that the aircraft is stuck motionless in the sky.

One X user responded to Manidiss video posting, Bc of the bridge: best video for this illusion so far  in reference to the way the plane does not appear to move over the highway due to the way Manidiss camera view curves around the massive bridge.

Others have captured this phenomenon in the past. Another clip went viral on social media in 2022 that appeared to show a plane stuck in mid-air. A third, captured near Dallas Fort Worth's airport, was posted to YouTube and gained attention in 2018.

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Restore Oregon has awarded Woodburn the DeMuro Award for its restoration of The Bungalow Theatre. The downtown theater dates back to 1911.

Over its 110-year history, the Bungalow Theatre has been remodeled repeatedly.

After damage due to structure fires and being converted for a while into a call center and then a jewelry store, it's remarkable some remembered it had been a theater in downtown Woodburn.

Several years ago, the Bungalow Theatre was restored to its original use, but it was rarely used. Its interior still included antique wood seats, an antique projector and many original pieces like the lighting.

Though the city owned the theater and the adjoining Woodburn Museum, it hadnt put much money into the building in its three decades of ownership.

But in the past seven years, the city has spent more than $1 million in grants and urban renewal funds to seismically retrofit the building to bring it up to modern standards. The theater has been modernized and it and the museum have become places people want to visit.

Oregon Main Street recently awarded the restoration of the Woodburn Museum and Bungalow Theatre the Bricks and Mortar Award for preserving and benefiting Woodburns Main Street district, and Restore Oregon awarded the city the DeMuro Award for saving a location it deemed endangered.

Its one of those spaces that we thought if we could kind of bring it back to a similar glory, it could be a very utilized space, a community space, and it actually has been, even more than it was initially, Woodburn Community Services Director Jesse Cuomo said.

There are few event spaces in Woodburn, and although the Bungalow Theatre is small with 35 seats, its been getting lots of use since it officially reopened in January.

I thought it would be a little slow rolling," Cuomo said. "But the library kind of manages the day-to-day of the space now, and they kind of program the heck out of it.

The early years of the Bungalow Theatre

Some sources such as cinematreasures.com say the Bungalow Theatre was the first movie theater in Oregon, but its difficult to track its early years.

The building was constructed in 1894.

Most sources say it opened as a theater in 1911, but the first documented use of the name Bungalow Theatre came in 1914.

There were theaters in Woodburn starting in 1908 called the Star Theater, the Nickelodion and the Cozy Theater, according to newspapers from the time. But it is unclear whether they were just different names used for the Bungalow Theatre.

The restored Bungalow Theatre in downtown Woodburn has 35 seats and is available to rent for performances and community events.

The Bungalow Theatre went through a series of owners, including William Gatchell, the Hanuska family, F.D. Sharp, Tracy Poorman, W.H. Dussler, Peter Koppinger and Irvin Westenkow.

The building was damaged in fires, remodeled several times and at one point showed movies for free to farmers on Saturdays.

Later, operators of the theater were limited in how much money they could make showing movies there because there were about 75 seats.

In 1949, Westenkow opened the Pix Theatre a few blocks away in downtown Woodburn with a capacity of 500 people. Westenkow had initially stated that he wanted to have both theaters in operation, but he closed the much smaller Bungalow shortly after opening the Pix.

The Bungalow became the hub for Pacific Telephone and Telegraphs dial telephone system in 1952. It became Carters Jewelry in the 1960s and Pickerings Dry Goods after a fire in 1972.

Over the years theres been a lot of remodelings in that space, said Charlie Piper, whose family owned Pipers Jewelry in downtown Woodburn.

And then someplace along the line, I think when they were going through one of the remodels of the clothing store, when they were tearing up the floor for whatever reason, they noticed a slope in the floor from the front to the back (of the old theater floor).

That slope was in people's minds when they decided to turn it back into a theater.

Becoming a theater again

A group of civic leaders from Woodburn, including then-Mayor Nancy Kirksey, formed a group that in 1986 started the Woodburn Museum next to the theater.

That group took over the Bungalow Theatre in 1991 and set about restoring it back to a theater.

Then-building owner Bob Sawtelle agreed to sell both the museum and theater to the city for $40,000.

It became the only movie theater left in the city after the Pix closed in the 1990s (the city purchased it in 2018 and demolished it in 2021). The Woodburn Drive-In closed in 1999.

Woodburn Mayor Frank Lonergan said developers looked at adding a multi-plex in Woodburn, but a dispute about parking with the City Council caused that company to instead build in Wilsonville.

For a few years, plays and old movies were shown at the Bungalow Theatre, but that was sporadic.

The building needed a lot of work.

The volunteer group running it, the Friends of Bungalow Theatre, did what they could, but the buildings needed seismic work and some people said it would have been easier to tear it down.

Our little group, we had an auction and we showed a movie, 'Singin in the Rain,' we probably raised a few thousand dollars, said Cindy Thomas, a volunteer with the Friends of Bungalow Theatre. This was probably a drop in the bucket.

The restored Bungalow Theatre in downtown Woodburn has maintained some of its historic charm. Opened in 1911, some have said it was the first theater to open in Oregon.

In 2017, the city decided it needed to save the museum and movie theater.

It raised $1.05 million from a variety of sources, including $600,000 in urban renewal funds and grants from Oregon Cultural Trust, Energy Trust of Oregon, Oregon Heritage Museum and Oregon Main Street.

The city added accessible restrooms in the theater to serve both spaces. It installed modern movie theater seats in the theater but retained some of the older seats and other artifacts like signs and posters for decorations in the lobby.

And it preserved the art deco feel.

In the 1980s and 90s, businesses left downtown for spaces near Interstate 5 and Highway 99E or closed. The whole area was depressed.

There was a lot of prostitution, Lonergan said.

He points to the states Main Street program for helping many downtown businesses afford to make facade improvements and other streetfront improvements to draw visitors back downtown.

People have to feel comfortable to come down there, Lonergan said.

What the future holds for the Bungalow

The Bungalow Theatre wont be showing first-run movies anytime soon. But it has been showing movies and having stage productions come into the space as much as possible.

My job is when someone in the community says, 'Were interested in doing something,' going, Yes, how can we make that work? library manager Mike Jansen said.

The theater has hosted an accordion concert, a nonprofit symposium, poetry readings, a high school play and, of course, movies.

We dont have a ton of event space in town at this time, Cuomo said. Having just another option to hold some kind of gathering outside of your home is a nice thing to have at a cost that isnt extreme.

Its difficult to hold first-run movies because there arent enough seats to make showing most movies profitable  but it did host a couple nights of the Michael Pena film "A Million Miles Away," as Amazon allowed it to be shown at no cost.

The Woodburn Museum is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, while the theater is open only for special events.

Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Woodburn's historic Bungalow Theatre gets a new chance at life
Palestinian-American business owners face death threats, negative reviews

Since war broke out between Israel and Hamas last week, a Palestinian-American apparel store owner in San Diego, California, has received a spate of death threats online, she said.

The founder of a chain of Palestinian restaurants in the Northeast U.S., meanwhile, said a person last week screamed expletives at him and his employees at a location in Manhattan, accusing them of being terrorists.

The co-director of an Ontario, California-based clothing company -- which sells traditional garments to Palestinians for special occasions -- said business has ground to halt because customers are postponing celebrations.

Palestinian business owners in the U.S. and Canada who spoke to ABC News described a swirl of emotions in recent days: Grief for thousands in the region who have died and dread as the death toll continues to grow, fear for themselves or their peers amid an outpouring of hate and the challenge of weathering all of it as they oversee their companies.

However, the conflict has also elicited support from customers or members of local communities, nearly all of the five business owners said, describing notes scribbled on receipts or appended to delivery orders.

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Dozens killed as Israel strikes Gaza overnight

"Its been very heart wrenching and difficult," Aminah Mufa, the co-founder of the San Diego-based apparel store PaliRoots, who has faced death threats, told ABC News. "I think every Palestinian is unable to sleep right now -- were sick to our stomachs."

At the same time, Mufa said, she has drawn encouragement from a simultaneous upswell of compassion for Palestinians. "It has honestly been so hopeful for us," she said.

The militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack last Saturday that has left at least 1,400 people dead and 3,400 people injured in Israel.

In Gaza, 3,000 people have been killed and another 12,500 were injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The U.N. Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) said that Gaza is running out of body bags, as well as clean water. The Palestinian territory also has no electricity, UNRWA officials said.

Sara Jayyusi, a Palestinian-Candian who runs an online clothing store based in Ontario, Canada, said she mourns the lives lost and worries about the bloodshed likely to come.

A business partner is among those in Gaza, Jayyusi said. "Every day I don't know if she's alive," Jayyusi added.

Jayyusi and her husband run Deerah, a clothing company that specializes in traditional garments worn at Palestinian celebrations. She has received a barrage of threatening messages online, Jayyusi said. "Instagram is a cruel place," she added.

MORE: Gaza conditions worsen following Israeli onslaught after Hamas attack

Meanwhile, sales have plummeted because customers are delaying special occasions amid the war, Jayyusi said. "Theyre not in a mental state to really be celebrating," she said, noting that her husband has begun to look for another job to make up for lost income.

Still, she added, the hardship falls well short of the danger faced by Palestinians in Gaza. "As we all sleep in our homes, Palestinian people are being bombed and starved," she said.

PHOTO: Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes, Oct. 12, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)

Israeli officials have said the military is targeting Hamas and attempting to limit civilian casualties. "We are currently striking Hamas in its entirety," Israel Defense Forces Lt. Col. Peter Lerner told ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz on Sunday.

Abdul Eleanani, the co-owner of Ayat NYC, a chain of five Palestinian restaurants in New York and Pennsylvania, said the company has faced hateful remarks made to company staff face-to-face and over the phone, as well as an onslaught of negative Google reviews.

Last week, someone walked into the companys lower Manhattan location at around 10:30 p.m. and yelled, "You guys are terrorists," while adding an expletive.

The sense of fear has grown after the fatal stabbing on Saturday of a 6-year-old Palestinian boy in Illinois, Eleanani said. "Why did it have to lead to that?" he added.

Alongside the hateful messages, however, the restaurant chain has received far more gestures of solidarity, Eleanani said.

On Instagram, the company posted a photo of a delivery order on which a customer had included a note of support. "My heart is with you all," the note said. "All solidarity and care to the people of Palestine." Others have put in orders but asked the restaurant to donate the food to Palestinians instead of delivering it, Eleanani said.

Eleanani said he expects the hateful comments to continue but he remains hopeful.

"The good will overpower the small part of negativity," he said.

"The purpose of this restaurant and what Im building around it is just to build awareness of whats going on back home," he added. "Palestinians want to live in peace and coexist together."

ABC News' Kiara Alfonseca contributed to this report.

Palestinian-American business owners face death threats, negative reviews originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Pa. jail staffer warned that Danelo Cavalcante was planning an escape a month before busting out

Weeks before Danelo Cavalcante broke out of the Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania, a correctional officer warned that the convicted murderer was planning an escape, according to internal documents obtained by ABC News.

"I am just sending this cause I don't want this to come back on us or [Officer] Hernandez in anyway," Chester County Prison Sgt. Jerry Beavers wrote to Cpt. Harry Griswold several hours after the escape on Aug. 31. "He noted back in July that this inmate was planning an escape."

The email, obtained under Pennsylvanias right-to-know law, was forwarded by Griswold to Howard Holland, then the newly appointed acting warden, a few hours after he received it.

PHOTO: Danelo Cavalcante was taken into custody on Sept. 13, 2023, after escaping from a prison in Chester County, Pa., two weeks prior. (Provided)

MORE: Dozens arrested at White House as protesters call for end to Israel's response to Hamas attack

"This was sent to me this afternoon and I have not forwarded it to anyone else," Griswold wrote to Holland. "I am not sure how you want to move forward with this information internally."

Cavalcante escaped from the prison not long after being given a life sentence for the brutal 2021 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, who was stabbed 38 times, by climbing out of the facility using a similar technique as another detainee who escaped months earlier.

He put his hands on one wall and feet on the other and then shimmied his body up to the top before moving across roofs in order to get to freedom. He was on the run for nearly two weeks until he was captured on the other side of the county. The episode led to a massive public safety crisis in the Philadelphia suburbs and a series of embarrassments for local law enforcement.

The escape warning in July was not the first time that prison officials were cautioned about Cavalcante, also accused of murder in his native Brazil.

PHOTO: Danelo Cavalcante is seen apprehended in this photo by the Pennsylvania State Police, Sept. 13, 2023. (Pennsylvania State Police)

MORE: 4 inmates escape from a Georgia detention center, including murder suspect

"Cavalcante was initially identified as an escape risk when captured in Virginia and committed to Chester County Prison in 2021, Chester County spokesperson Becky Brain said in response to questions from ABC News. During the time surrounding his trial, unsubstantiated information from an unknown source was received reinforcing Cavalcantes status as an escape risk.

Despite that status, Cavalcante was allowed to be in the prison yard with other detainees during a recreation period and was not directly supervised by a correctional officer on the ground since the facilitys escape risk protocols only applied when detainees were not on prison grounds.

Griswold, Beavers and Hernandez "wanted to ensure acting Warden Holland knew that information about an escape was previously noted," Brain said.

Cavalcante is now being held in a state prison in nearby Montgomery County and is due in court on an escape charge next month.

The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape. A spokesman Friday said he could not comment on how much longer the probe would take. On Monday, he did not respond to questions about the earlier escape warning.

Brain said that since Cavalcantes escape, changes have been made inside the prison for detainees considered potential escape risks, including different color clothing and increased monitoring by correctional officers.

Pa. jail staffer warned that Danelo Cavalcante was planning an escape a month before busting out originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
ABC Restaurant in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, seems an unlikely place. Here, diners move around themed buffet tables picking foods that have international inspiration, but with a heavy lean toward American cuisine. Burgers and diner fare sit alongside steaks, spaghetti in meat sauce, Turkish kofta, and more. Ephemera evocative of the American West decorates the place and a stylized Uncle Sam character works the crowds and poses with children.

The restaurant draws crowds of mixed locals with its eclectic range of foods spread across 11 buffet stations. But the concept's roots run deep and spread across oceans, both culinarily and conceptually. ABC Restaurant is part of the larger ABC Restaurants group, which was founded in the Netherlands and inspired by founder Eric Meurs' visit to a location of the iconic American buffet chain, Golden Corral, in Florida. The first ABC was opened in Velp in the Netherlands and immediately caught on with locals.

It was this popularity that attracted the attention of Northern Iraqi businessman, Nawzad Martani, looking to open a franchise in multiethnic, financially flourishing, relatively pro-West Kurdistan. The venture was seen as a bit of a gamble for all parties involved, not least with the inclusion of the Uncle Sam character, but it has proved a hit. In addition to the 1,800 seats in the Erbil restaurant, a second outpost was added in the city of Sulaimani boasting room for 800 diners.

Read more: 19 Popular Pizza Chains, Ranked From Worst To Best

What To Expect At ABC

Inside ABC restaurant Erbil - ABC Restaurant/Instagram

So, what do the Kurds and others who have made ABC such a rousing success enjoy? The answer is a bit of everything, which the restaurant provides in spades. Buffet tables are manned by chefs and carvers who help diners learn more about the food and fill their plates.

A popular draw -- and possibly the most American of the buffet stations -- is the steak house, exuding what ABC calls, "Route 66 atmosphere." Chefs grill cuts of beef over a fire and serve them alongside baked potatoes and corn on the cob. A diner has a casual all-American Sixties atmosphere, slinging hot dogs and quick snacks. There's also a fresh salad bar and a soup and bread station with six daily rotating selections and fresh-baked bread.

International fare ranges, but is reflective of flavors that most Americans are familiar with. That includes sushi rolls and nigiri billed as "continuously fresh" and "very healthy." There is also a wok station that serves "classic Asian specialties" made from a mix-and-match selection of sauces, vegetables, and meats. Pasta, lasagna, and pizza top the bill at the Italian section, and of course there is a Middle Eastern food stop with a specialty bread oven. Rounding out the savory selections is a "Maritime-style fish restaurant" with 10 varieties of fish as well as grilled king prawns. ABC sweetens things up, too, offering pancakes, waffles, soft-serve and scoop ice creams, donuts, brownies, cheesecake, fruit, cheeses, and more.

American Flavors Abroad

kentucky house restaurant iran - John Moore/Getty Images

Of course, ABC isn't the only American-themed restaurant in the world -- even if we're not counting official U.S. fast-food chains in the mix. The trend of co-opting elements of American cuisine and culture to create interesting eateries abroad has long captured attention, if occasionally in a kitsch way.

Take, for instance, the multi-storey American Dream restaurant in Paris. Although sadly closed, until 2021, it jammed into one space as much disparate neon-lit American culture as possible, and served burgers, chili, sushi, onion rings, Kentucky Barbecue, and Missouri Soup. Perhaps it was too much for residents of Paris, who prefer the authentic Fifties-style American diner, Breakfast in America, offering blueberry pancakes, burgers, and bagels to happy Parisians daily. A bit more targeted in their American theme is Betty's Midwest Kitchen, in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. The restaurant owner fell hard for the hearty food of the Midwest during a visit, and today serves hungry hordes brisket, ribs, chicken-fried steak, and other comforting fare, all cured, smoked, and prepared in-house.

And, while we did just note that we're not counting fast food, we'd be remiss to leave out the loving, if illegal, homage to fast food that persists in Iran. American chains are verboten there, as is much of Western culture, but that doesn't mean there is no demand. In the vacuum, chains like Pizza Hat, Kentucky House, and Sheak Shack have been ascendant, offering their takes on the menus not available in the Islamic Republic.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
The new Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) is located 25 miles east of Angkor Wat and is now the biggest in Cambodia.

Malcolm P Chapman/Getty Images

Cambodia has a brand-new airport for travelers flying directly to its popular attraction of Angkor Wat, offering an upgraded experience to get to the famous site in an effort to boost tourism.

The new Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), located 25 miles east of Angkor Wat and now the biggest in Cambodia, welcomed its first flights on Monday, The Associated Press reported. The first flight to land at the new airport was a Bangkok Airways flight from Thailand.

The new airport sits further away from the ancient site than the old one, which was just over 3 miles away from the temples. Officials worried the vibrations from frequent flights were damaging the temples foundations.

The launching and commissioning of the first commercial flights to SAI is a turning point for Cambodia in promoting tourism development in its historic territory, with the largest international airport within the Siem Reap Angkor region, said Vongsey Vissoth, the deputy prime minister and minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, according to The Phnom Penh Post.

The new airport, which was constructed under an agreement between Cambodia and China, can accommodate 7 million passengers per year, the AP noted. Currently, there are plans to update it to handle 12 million passengers per year from 2040.

The completion of the new airport, which began construction in 2020, comes as Cambodia aims to recapture the tourism numbers it saw pre-pandemic. In the first eight months of this year, the country has received about 3.5 million international tourists, according to the wire service. Thats significantly lower than 2019 when it saw about 6.6 million international visitors.

Flights to the new airport arrive from several regional destinations, including Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Singapore, according to flight tracker FlightAware.

While Angkor Wat is one of the most popular tourist sites in Cambodia, the country is teeming with other lesser-visited temples, like the city of Mahendraparvata. And for travelers who do want to visit Angkor Wat, it is possible to do it without the crowds with properties like the Amansara, which brings guests at dawn through a clandestine back entrance.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
One amazing thrift find, shared on the Reddit r/ThriftStoreHauls forum, is making a shopper want to sing and dance.

The poster shared a photo of the vintage record player they picked up at their local store, sharing that when they took it to the register, the employee priced it at $19.99.

In this condition its worth around $750-$1,000. (But I didnt tell him that), the treasure hunter said.

Photo Credit: u/BloodyRightNostril / Reddit

This eagle-eyed shopper almost missed out on the deal. I had to convince myself to pull it out and inspect it, they said in the comments. At first glance I just assumed it was some s***** in-house Sears model or something. Imagine my surprise.

Besides getting killer deals on high-quality vintage goods, shopping at a thrift store also has numerous environmental benefits. Buying thrifted, consigned, and resale goods diminishes the need to produce new products and keeps the old ones out of landfills.

When it comes to record players, buying thrifted is one of the best ways to diminish the environmental risks associated with the machines and vinyl. Most vinyl records are made with plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a petrochemical derivative that releases planet-warming gases in its production. On average, vinyl records produce more than 12 times the air-polluting gas of CDs, according to The Hustle.

In addition, lead has often been used in manufacturing vinyl records to increase their durability, according to the Environmental Working Group. Scientists have reached a consensus that lead has potential dangers to human health, particularly the neurological system, and there is no safe level. The European Union has ceased using lead in record production, but the United States has not.

Buying used records and record players can decrease the PVC used in the production of novel records and reduce the potential occupational harm of working and adding lead to vinyl records. Plus, vintage tunes are just that much better.

Other users were shocked at the find.

Thats actually a really nice turntable and I hope you use it well. Awesome find, OP! one user commented.

Man I wish I had thrift stores where I live that had good stuff, another user said.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
Food Network star Bobby Flay has a diverse professional portfolio. Hes hosted 17 different television shows, opened restaurants all over the country, and authored over a dozen cookbooks. His most recent venture, Made by Nacho, is the one closest to his heart. The chef founded his premium cat food brand in 2021 and named it after his beloved Maine Coon. Flay, a self-proclaimed cat person, would personally cook homemade meals for his cats Nacho and Stella.

He soon started offering his high quality recipes to pet owners around the world, tapping Nacho to be his unofficial business partner. Flay hasnt been shy in showing his love for his pets, even bringing Nacho along to press appearances.

Astrid Stawiarz - Getty Images

Nacho is understandably loved by fanshis own personal Instagram account has over 273,000 followers. The cat just celebrated his ninth birthday earlier this month and received well wishes from thousands of people. So its safe to say the public was devastated when Flay took to Instagram to share the tragic news of Nachos passing.

The chef, who largely shies away from sharing personal news with his fans, revealed that his heart is broken following the loss of his beloved pet. I truly believe he was everyones cat in some way, Flay wrote. Nacho had a magic about him that was truly special.

The loss of a family pet is never easy, but Flay says hes soothed by knowing his likeness and legacy will live on forever through Made by Nacho. He ends the post by telling his fans to give his pets an extra long hug today and to send prayers to Nacho.

Flays post was quickly flooded with comments of support. Ina Garten wrote, Oh Bobby Im so sorry!! What a good life you gave him!!! 

Fellow Food Network personalities Sunny Anderson and Aarti Sequeira also sent their love. Love you, Bobby. Sending you all the love for sweet Nacho, Anderson said. Sequeira said, Im so sorry Bobby. Nacho brought out a different side of you that I love. Praying for comfort as you grieve.

Fans who grew to love Nacho took to the comments section too, with one writing, I am so sorry for your entire family. No matter how long our pets live, its never long enough.

We're sending lots of love Bobby's way!

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Sharon, 57, is business executive who went to her dermatologist for her annual skin cancer evaluation.

During the screening, her health care provider noticed an unusual pattern of bruises on her.

When asked what were the causes of the unexplained bruising, her explanation was inconsistent with how she got the injuries and she did not make eye contact.

Her health care provider immediately suspected something was wrong.

October is National Domestic Violence Month. It is the time to recognize victims of domestic violence as well as raise awareness of the impact that domestic violence has on our society.

Susan's previous columns:

Always listen: Don't dismiss your child if they don't feel right. It could be leukemia

Leprosy? Brevard County, Florida, is the hot spot of U.S. cases of leprosy

Know the signs: Hemochromatosis can damage organs and shorten life span.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, unexplained injuries such as bruises, cuts and scrapes are blamed on being clumsy in victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence affects everyone without prejudice. In order to help prevent domestic violence, it is important to recognize the warning signs.

Fortunately, there are many partners in the community that work together with victims and their families.

The State Attorney's Office works with victims after they have met with law enforcement and have been evaluated and treated by a health care provider.

Rooted in power and control, the abuser will isolate, abuse mentally and physically and establish control over every aspect of the victims life," said William Scheiner, the Chief Trial Attorney for Brevard County. "Once established, the abuser will take advantage of victims' low self-esteem, locking the victim in and creating a cycle that is difficult to break. That cycle consists of a tension-building phase, explosive or abuse phase, followed by the honeymoon/calm phase.

"The honeymoon phase often consists of apologies, gifts and promises to 'never do this again.'

"The low self-esteem and isolation creates hope for a better tomorrow with the abuser and so the cycle continues as tension builds again. Know the cycle and subtle signs.

"Is your friend or loved one isolated, do they need permission for everything or excuses why they can never see you? Do they have unexplained injuries, low self-esteem, new anxiety or depression? Ask questions.

Domestic violence doesnt only involve adults. It includes children, too.

Unfortunately, many children are affected directly or indirectly by domestic violence here in Brevard County.

Jeanie Raciti is Executive Director of the Childrens Advocacy Center of Brevard (CACB), an agency that partners with law enforcement, the Department of Children and Families and the State Attorneys Office for investigative purposes of child maltreatment.

The CACB is a child friendly environment where children come and tell their story of abuse," Raciti said. "Housed at the CACB is the Child Protection Team, which works to assess the maltreatment of children through forensic interviewing, forensic medical examination and interview of non-offending caregivers.

"Young children are products of their environment. They are sponges absorbing everything they are exposed to. We see this too often in our assessment of the children who come through the CACB.

"Imagine the emotional impact it has on a young child, seeing violence enacted against one of his or her parents. This can cause psychological harm that is dramatic, including behavioral and emotional problems, social dysfunction, and cognitive delays. We also know that this has long term effects on children including stress, depression, aggression and substance abuse.

In conclusion, if you suspect a friend, family member, neighbor or co-worker of being a victim of domestic violence then try to make an open line of communication and ask questions. They may be crying out for help and you may be their only friend they have or someone that can help them in a difficult situation.

Domestic Violence exists in our society and unfortunately it is on the rise. Please be aware of changes in someone you know and make them aware of the resources available in Florida to help those in need," said Florida State Senator Tom Wright. "Not only can the victim find shelter, but the children and most pets can be cared for as well, while the victim can take a breath and regroup.

"This allows the victim the chance to learn life can and will be better. The State of Florida funds many shelters throughout the state, and local law enforcement know how to reach these resources 24/7. Be strong and know that Floridians care, and together we will make life better for the unfortunate that live in a violent relationship.

Susan Hammerling-Hodgers, a Member of the National Psoriasis Foundation, is a PA-C (Certified Physician Assistant) and MPAS (Master of Physician Assistant Studies) and works at Brevard Skin and Cancer at the Merritt Island, Titusville and Rockledge offices.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Here are signs that someone you know may be in an abusive relationship
Ice Spice is fully embracing a controversial Y2K nail trend. The rap girlie recently showcased the revived "Duck Nails," which have gained popularity among Gen-Z, during her hyped performance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live.

Stepping out after her appearance on "SNL," the artist certainly hit the after party scene with an all-denim ensemble that paid homage to the iconic style of "around the way" girls from the early 2000s in poppin' cities like New York. This grungy sartorial nod to a bygone era showcased her ability to blend nostalgia with a modern twist effortlessly. But it wasn't just the denim that caught everyone's attention  the starlet took her lewk to the next level by flaunting a set of XL duck nails, a departure from her usual preference for coffin nails.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ice Spice (@icespice)

Spice's manicure was designed to complement her overall aesthetic and featured a sheer pink base that fed into French tips that were delicately painted in a delightful shade of light brown milk chocolate. And to further accentuate the elegance, the nails were adorned with silver gems, serving that Bronx-approved razzle-dazzle.

From Lizzo to Saweetie, duck nails have been on the horizon and the Rap Princess of The Bronx, Ice Spice shows that there are no signs of the trend slowing down.
ATHENS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Greek and Turkish officials have agreed to further promote bilateral cooperation in many fields after their two-day series of talks concluded here on Tuesday, the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

A Turkish delegation held meetings with Greek officials, as part of preparations for the 5th High-Level Cooperation Council between the two countries, which is scheduled to take place in northern Greece's Thessaloniki on Dec. 7, according to an e-mailed statement from the Greek side.

In a joint statement issued via email, the two sides said they "agreed to build on the existing positive atmosphere in order to identify areas of agreement and cooperation, both at the bilateral and the international level."

Following a period of tensions in the past three years, Athens and Ankara have lately expressed their commitment to continue dialogue and reach a common understanding, analysts noted. 
As a celebrated author of over 80 cookbooks, food journalist, former judge on "The Great British Bake Off", and Cordon Bleu graduate, it's fair to say that Dame Mary Berry knows her way around a kitchen. But there's one dish that even Berry struggles with from time to time: turkey.

"So many times, even I have overcooked it," she explained in a 2022 Dish podcast interview, hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett. Despite past mistakes, Berry told listeners that her daughter, Annabel, had delegated her to Christmas turkey duty  and revealed a few tricks she's picked up over time to keep the meat from drying out.

"This time I'm cooking it without foil, I shall cover it with foil once it's done, then I shall put some tea towels over the top," she said, reiterating standard advice. Berry's next tip was unexpected, though, and sent the podcast hosts into hysterics: "I've got an old sleeping bag that's got no zip and I put that over the top in the corner of the kitchen and then I shall take that in the back of the car to Annabel's." While sleeping bags aren't exactly a standard tool in most kitchens, Berry's advice seems solid. Many recipes stress the importance of resting your roast turkey in a warm place before carving it.

Read more: 14 Popular Chain Grocery Stores For Meat, Ranked Worst To Best

Why Is Important To Rest Turkey?

whole roast turkey on board - Lauripatterson/Getty Images

"Once you take it out of the oven, it goes on cooking, and so ... you want to insulate that," Berry explained in the interview. Other celebrated chefs, including Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver , agree that resting turkey in a warm place is key to juicy, flavorful meat. "As the meat relaxes, it reabsorbs its juices, making it succulent and tender," Ramsay explained to viewers in a video posted on his YouTube channel. Oliver agrees -- in his own video on YouTube explaining his roast turkey technique, he stressed the importance of resting: "It's not optional, it's not a luxury, it's essential."

Exactly how long the meat needs to rest will depend on its size. At an absolute minimum, a turkey should rest for 20 minutes; a larger bird will need to rest for up to 40. While both Ramsay and Oliver recommend letting the meat rest for two hours or more, the United States Department of Agriculture disagrees. According to the USDA, you should never leave turkey out for more than two hours. So, whether you break out the camping gear or not, remember to tuck the bird in for a bit of rest next time you roast a turkey  but, as always, keep food safety in mind.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
An airlines decision to enforce child-free zones during flights has prompted an internet frenzy, with upset passengers questioning the division.

In August, Corendon Dutch Airlines  the sister company to Turkey-based Corendon Airlines  announced it would be trialing an Only Adult zone beginning 3 November. All flights from Amsterdam to the Carribean Island of Curacao will have 102 seats at the front of Airbus A350-900 and nine with extra legroom, designated as an adult-only area.

Instead of sitting next to a crying baby or whiny child for a long flight, passengers will have the opportunity to be placed in a quiet section separated by walls and curtains. If a traveller wants to ensure theyre not seated next to a teenager 16 years old or younger, theyll have the option to pick a seat far away for an additional cost. Securing a spot in the child-free area will cost 45 ($47.67) for one flight and 100 ($105.94) for the seats with extra leg room.

On board our flights, we always strive to respond to the different needs of our customers. We are also the first Dutch airline to introduce the Only Adult zone, because we are trying to appeal to travellers looking for some extra peace of mind during their flight, proclaimed Atilay Uslu, chairman and founder of Corendon.

We also believe this can have a positive effect on parents travelling with small children. They can enjoy the flight without worrying if their children make more noise.

Following the new movement, which sees airlines prioritising placing children away from adults who arent their guardian, people have been debating whether the policy is necessary or upsetting.

So apparently airlines are considering making child-free zones on planes, and I cant decide if this is a dystopian shift or not, but generally its really sad how little tolerance people have for children and babies - even acting like they shouldnt be in public, @LizardKangz_95 wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The original poster, whose tweet now has over 17,400 views, started the online discussion of whether this policy was beneficial.

One X user commented: Ive noticed people seem more annoyed with kids in public than Ive ever seen before. Usually people see little kids and babies and smile or whatever but thats seeming to slowly change. Its weird and sad.

I have personally seen a lot of this in California. Normally when people see my son they are very happy to see a smiling sweet little boy, but recently I feel like no one smiles at him anymore, and people generally avoid people with children and children, @LizardKangz_95 replied.

So apparently airlines are considering making child free zones on planes, & I cant decide if this is a dystopian shift or not, but generally its really sad how little tolerance people have for children & babieseven acting like they shouldnt be in public  El Lagarto (@LizardKangz_95) September 5, 2023

Having kids is already an isolating experience, before I had kids I never cared about other kids in resturants or on airplanes, one woman added, while another said: Ive literally seen apartments flat out say they dont accept tenants with kids. Its disgusting.

While many people were bothered by the news, a few travellers expressed relief that the airline was willing to prioritise their well-being as solo passengers without children.

I will not tolerate a screaming baby next to me on a four hour flight, one individual noted.

Another pointed out: I think some of it is driven by changes in parenting. Like when I was a teen, a lot of kids seemed pretty well-behaved. But I see more and more young kids that are incredibly rambunctious and loud and the parents just sit their scrolling on their phones.

Last time I was on a plane, I thought: I would pay more money to be on a plane without children. Almost every time I fly, which isnt much at all, theres a child crying the whole time, another person added.

Having kids is already an isolating experience, before I had kids I never cared about other kids in resturants or on airplanes.



But if they want people to reproduce isolation for moms is not a good look  Gwen (@gremlinscottges) September 5, 2023

Another airline has enacted a policy, different from the Dutch airlines, that settles the debate of whether a solo traveller should have to give up their seat to allow a family to sit together.

Per a JetBlue press release, the airline announced they would start guaranteeing that any child 13 and under would be automatically seated next to at least one adult on their flight for no extra cost. Whether passengers are booking their flights through JetBlues Blue Basic fare, their basic economy option, or booking their travel less than 24 hours before departure, children who fall in that age group will still be sat next to their adult.

Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer of JetBlue, said: We know travelling with young children can add challenges, and we want to do everything we can to put parents and families at ease by providing a smooth trip each time they choose JetBlue.

This enhanced family seating policy reflects our commitment to continue to meet the needs of our customers and provide exceptional service, she continued.

The Independent has reached out to JetBlue for a comment.
Scarlett Johansson dressed up last night for a cause very close to her heart.

The actor made an entrance at the 2023 Gods Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards, held at the Glasshouse in New York City, in an elegant black cocktail dress by Michael Kors. She paired it with transparent black polka-dot tights and matching Mary Jane heels. The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star accessorized with gold and diamond jewelry, and for glam, she wore a sophisticated wavy 'do, a black smoky eye, a glossy pink lip, and a red manicure.

At the event, the actor discussed her passion for philanthropy and recalled her own difficult childhood as she was honored for her work with the New York-based nonprofit. Gods Love We Deliver provides nutritious meals to those suffering from HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses.

Gotham - Getty Images

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to witness firsthand the power of philanthropy and activism, and the work of God's Love We deliver is no exception, Johansson said. Their mission to alleviate hunger and provide nourishment encompasses so much more than just physical sustenance. It's about offering support, love, and a sense of dignity during life's most challenging moments.

Johansson revealed that growing up in New York, her family was dependent on food stamps, hot lunch programs, and government aid to support our household of four children," Johansson continued. And as someone who's experienced food insecurity firsthand, I understand the devastating impact it has.

Arturo Holmes - Getty Images

She praised the nonprofit, as well as volunteers involved with the work, for all their do.

The struggle to put food on the table can lead to immense hardship and despair and a loss of hope. But organizations like God's Love We Deliver, offer a lifeline to those in need, Johansson said. They go beyond providing meals by connecting individuals with resources, creating community support networks, and advocating for long-term solutions to address systemic issues of poverty.

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On Friday, a notice of settlement was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, Central Division between Utah-based cookie companies Crumbl Cookies and Dirty Dough.

Crumbl Cookies filed a suit in May 2022 against Dirty Dough. The suit alleged that Dirty Dough infringed on Crumbl Cookies, producing products similar to Crumbls in both expression and look and feel. The suit also called out Dirty Doughs packaging as confusingly similar to Crumbls packaging.

On the same day in May, Crumbl Cookies filed a suit against Crave Cookies alleging trademark and trade dress infringement. Later, in July 2023, Crumbl Cookies and Crave Cookies filed a joint motion to dismiss the suit.

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The notice of settlement means the two companies have agreed to terms of settlement and are finalizing a written agreement to memorialize the settlement, the filing stated.

Over the course of the next 30 days, Crumbl Cookies and Dirty Dough will work together to finalize a written agreement to the settlement. Both companies anticipate that they will file a request for dismissal of claims against Dirty Dough within the thirty-day stay period, the filing obtained by the Deseret News said.

If the two companies end up settling the suit, that means the so-called Utah Cookie War will have officially come to an end.

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Both dessert companies issued a statement to the Deseret News following the filing of the notice of settlement.

This journey has been a wild and interesting ride, but now, with the situation coming to a close, were eager to shift our full attention to vital business initiatives  particularly raising capital and energizing our new mobile franchise offerings, CEO of Dirty Dough Bennett Maxwell said in a statement emailed to the Deseret News. We are glad to be coming to a successful resolution that allows us to close this chapter and move forward with our vision.

A spokesperson for Crumbl Cookies said in an email sent to the Deseret News, Crumbl and Dirty Dough are pleased that they have been able to work together to resolve this dispute and each remains dedicated to serving its customers with excellence. Crumbl and Dirty Dough wish each other success in their future endeavors.
Delayed ejaculation has several possible causes, including certain prescription drugs and medical issues, like low testosterone. (Photo illustration: Mark Harris for Yahoo News; photo: Shutterstock) (Photo illustration: Mark Harris for Yahoo News; photo: Shutterstock)

While guys who climax too quickly, like the high school teen who cant even get his pants off before its all over, is a well-known issue, theres a flip side to that problem: being able to go and go and go without reaching orgasm, a condition known as delayed ejaculation.

There isnt a lot of research on it, but a 2016 study estimated that between 1% and 4% of men experience delayed ejaculation all the time or when with a partner. The researchers also noted that its the least studied and least understood of male sexual dysfunctions.

Delayed ejaculation is the inability to climax within a reasonable amount of time. Whats reasonable varies for each person, but some experts cite needing more than 30 minutes of sexual stimulation to reach orgasm as a sign of a problem. Theres no need to get out a stopwatch; the real test of whether this is an issue is how often its happening and how you and your partner feel about it.

We rarely talk about mens sexual health, and the feelings of failure that can come with not being able to climax mean we talk about this issue even less than others like premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction. Ignoring it, however, may trap couples in a cycle of anxiety that ends with one or both partners deciding its better to avoid sex altogether than have this happen again. Spoiler alert: Its not.

Here are some ways to break that cycle.

Talk to your partner

Dont let this become the elephant in the room  or in your bed. Without talking about the issue, our minds are left to speculate and ruminate, Ian Kerner, a sex therapist and author of She Comes First, tells Yahoo Life. A partner may start to worry that maybe the person with DE is no longer attracted to them or is bored by the sex.

Communication is crucial, and Kerner notes that how we address these subjects matters. When having these sorts of conversations, always begin with how youre feeling and your own vulnerability, he says. Start with Hey, Ive been feeling anxious. Generally talking about the elephant in the room is a relief and gets you on the same team.

Rule out medical issues

Medical issues known to cause delayed ejaculation include low testosterone, spinal cord injuries and certain infections. DE can also be a side effect of common prescription drugs, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications. A new study found that DE is associated with more underlying health issues  both physical, such as testicular dysfunction, and emotional, such as anxiety  than premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction.

Dr. Michael Eisenberg, a urologist at Stanford University, says that a health care provider can assess whether a medical problem is causing delayed ejaculation. We will evaluate the timing of the condition, determine if its situational, assess hormones and determine underlying health conditions, he tells Yahoo Life.

Change your routine

Delayed ejaculation can also be caused by desensitization of the penis. Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the UCLA Mens Health Clinic, tells Yahoo Life that, like all other parts of our bodies, penises can lose sensitivity as we age. They can also get used to certain triggers: The key to orgasm is friction, Mills explains. Theres no orifice as tight as a mans own hand. If thats what hes used to, he may have sensitivity issues he has to overcome.

Masturbation is good for you, but if you suspect desensitization, consider cutting back, especially when youre expecting to have partnered sex soon.

Resetting your expectations can also help. Remember that penetrative sex isnt everything. Just as many women need clitoral stimulation to orgasm, you may need something more intense as well. Consider adding some sex toys, such as a prostate massager or a vibrating sleeve, which can amp up your orgasm. Theres also nothing wrong with finishing using your own hands while your partner curls up next to you.

Find an expert

If you are still having trouble finishing, it may be time to see an expert, whether thats a sexual medicine doctor or a sex therapist.

Mills is a member of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, a group that includes urologists, gynecologists, neurologists and sex therapists. He says this is a great place to start, since the website can help you find providers in your area. The American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists can also help you find a certified sex therapist near you. Anybody that has specialized training and interest in sex can get the workup rolling, he says.

A sexual medicine expert can also help couples who are dealing with DE while they are trying to get pregnant. Eisenberg says there are medical ways to assist with ejaculation or sperm extraction, which can help couples separate fertility issues and sexual concerns.

Sex is supposed to be pleasurable and relieve our stress, not cause it. If youre having trouble reaching orgasm, talk to your partner and reach out to medical and mental health experts for help.

Martha Kempner is a writer and sexual health expert. She is the author of the weekly newsletter Sex on Wednesday.


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Though it's something we reach for on a daily basis, most people don't spend a lot of time considering the overall makeup of their hair brush. There's more to it than shaperound, oval, or rectangular, for example. When it comes to hair brushes and how well they detangle and style, the type of bristlea synthetic material like nylon or a natural material like boarmatters, too.

Meet the experts: Ghanima Abdullah is a hairstylist in Chicago. Ebony Gordon is a hairstylists and owner of Hairista Studio in Hampton, Virginia. Emilio Uribe is a celebrity hair and makeup designer. Kenna Ehman is the co-founder and master stylist at Kenna Kunijo in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"Boar bristle hair brushes are made from natural bristles from boars, as opposed to the plastic variety of bristle brushes," says Chicago-based hairstylist, Ghanima Abdullah. "They are made for smoothing the hair into sleek styles and for blow-drying curly, thick hair."

These brushes have been a staple in healthy haircare regimens for hundreds of years because boar hair is strong, extremely dense, and holds its shape over time, explains Ebony Gordon, hairstylists and owner of Hairista Studio. Boar bristle hairbrushes offer an array of benefits for hair care, too, says celebrity hair and makeup designer Emilio Uribe. "Their natural bristles effectively distribute the scalp's oils, providing a natural conditioning that moisturizes dry hair, reduces frizz, and adds shine," he explains. "Boar bristles are also known for their frizz-eliminating properties, leading to smoother, more manageable hair."

Sound like something worth exploring? Below, stylists recommend the best boar-bristle brushes of all shapes and sizes to suit your styling needs.

Handy Bristle and Nylon Brush

Offering the best of both worlds (natural boar and nylon bristles), you really can't go wrong with the Cadillac of all hair brushes. It's a luxury pick for sure, but one that hairstylists like Uribe say is worth the expense. It not only looks chic, but it's well-constructed and holds up to the rigors of daily brushing.

Rave review: "I bought this in 2015 and it's still going strong. I have very fine hair and all other brushes pretty much torture it. This is a great purchase. Heaven forbid I lose it, I'll for sure order another!"

Shop Now Handy Bristle and Nylon Brush amazon.com $175.00 Amazon

Semi Oval Boar Wood Brush

A flat, oval-shaped 100 percent boar bristle brush, like this one, is ideal for smoothing both men and women's hair, says Abdullah. "On men, these are used to create waves on afro hair," she explains. "On women, they help create sleek looks and puffs."

Rave review: "I use this brush daily along my nape and hairline to distribute sebum and smooth flyaways. Feels lovely on the scalp, and sheds very, very minimally."

Shop Now Semi Oval Boar Wood Brush amazon.com $15.49 Amazon

Turbo Vent Oval Twin & 100 Percent Boar Hair Brush

Though sleek and modern-looking, this round brush is made of 100 percent real boar bristles by a brand that Kenna Ehman, co-founder and master stylist at Kenna Kunijo in Charlotte, North Carolina, says manufactures high-quality, durable brushes. The bristles aren't too tight, eithera must, she says. "If they are too tight, you won't be able to get the hair in it, and only part of your section will get smooth."

Rave review: "I love this brush! Have used the same brand/type for years. It is excellent for my styling needsblowouts and just brushing."

Shop Now Turbo Vent Oval Twin & 100 Percent Boar Hair Brush amazon.com $30.95 Amazon

Full Keg Boar Bristle Round Brush

Because the boar bristles are so close together, this brush does "an excellent job" straightening thick, curly hair with a blow dryer, says Abdullah. It grabs strands gently, but with enough tension to nail the look.

Rave review: "This bristle brush is amazing! It's great for quick styling. Every strand of hair is carefully trapped by the boar bristles. This is ideal for people with thin or thick hair and is fantastic for setting angles and adding volume to hair."

Shop Now Full Keg Boar Bristle Round Brush amazon.com $85.00 Amazon

Flat Brush

Though pricey, Ehman says this brush is among her top choices for those who want a marriage of quality and aesthetic. Sure, it has a steep price tag, but that's because the brush is made out of a special Italian resin that not only offers a sleek look, but also makes the handle more ergonomic and lends a more balanced weight overall.

Rave review: "Best brush for hair extensions! No static or frizz and detangles your hair nicelyworth the splurge."

Shop Now Flat Brush amazon.com $100.00 Amazon

Double-Sided Bristle Brush

Stylists love this brush for its two-sided design. "Its an ideal tool that cuts down the chance of transferring unwanted build up, because of the double-sided feature gives stylists more bristles to work with," says Gordon. One side offers soft nylon bristles to smooth flyaways, the other has stiff boar bristles for slick, tight styles.

Rave review: "I like this brush. It is a bit heavy but I got used to the weight. I like that it's two brushes in one because of the different texture bristles. Not too rough, not too soft. It works fine for my 3b/3c hair."

Shop Now Double-Sided Bristle Brush ulta.com $20.00 Ulta

Boar Bristle Round Hair Brush

No matter your preferenceround or paddlecelebrity hairstylist Cody Renegar says Ibiza brushes are a solid choice. "They are of such quality and last forever," he says. "I have a few Ive had for over 20 years, and they still look brand new." They're gentle on hair, too. The bristles have plenty of flexibility, so they don't break hair. And, because they're made of cork, they don't overheat the same way a metal brush might, he says.

Rave review: "Normally have difficulty finding a brush that doesn't pull my hair out or get tangled around the bristles. This one doesn't do that. Effortless blowout. No product needed to hold the lift."

Shop Now Boar Bristle Round Hair Brush walmart.com $19.99 Amazon

D81M Black Style & Shine Medium Hairbrush

For smoother, shinier strands, reach for this combo brush from Denman. The synthetic and boar bristles work together to glide through tangles without the excess tension that can lead to breakage.

Rave review: "I've been using the brush for a few days now and I absolutely love it. It defines my curls so well and I can't imagine styling my hair without it."

Shop Now D81M Black Style & Shine Medium Hairbrush ulta.com $38.95 Ulta

Styling Essentials Boar Hair Brush

It doesn't get more affordable than this, especially considering the brush is made with 100 percent boar bristles. It's a nice, portable size, too, so you can stash it in your gym bag, purse, or carry-on for styling on the go.

Rave review: "This is now my favorite brush! Its a little smaller, lightweight and easy to hold. I like the consistency and density of the bristles, not too many and not too few! A nice little brush!"

Shop Now Styling Essentials Boar Hair Brush amazon.com $5.82 Amazon

Finish & Shine Brush

The Hair Edit's Gold Finish & Shine Boar Bristle Brush is a high-quality brush at a moderate price point that'll do the trick for both detangling and styling. It boasts a combination of boar and nylon bristlesthe nylon ones are ball-tipped to gently detangle hair and massage the scalpplus has a lightweight, comfortable handle that's easy to use.

Rave review: "This brush is great at untangling my hair but it also gives it incredible shine. Plus it's so pretty and such a great price for a quality boar bristle brush."

Shop Now Finish & Shine Brush ulta.com $20.99 Ulta

XL Mixed Bristle

Generally, experts don't recommend using boar brushes on wet hair, since it can lead to damage, but this brush is an exception. It's specifically designed to be ultra-flexible, so it moves with hair as you detangle, preventing breakage and minimizing discomfort.

Shop Now XL Mixed Bristle theflexbrush.com $25.95 theflexbrush.com

Polish & Shine Oval Brush

For salon-quality shine, turn to the aptly-named Polish & Shine brush from T3. The bristles are made of a blend of nylon and boar hair, which helps to tackle tangles without pulling or damaging the hair.

Shop Now Polish & Shine Oval Brush revolve.com $40.00 Revolve

The Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush

Made with 100 percent boar bristles, this brush is extra gentle on both your hair and scalp. The brush uses a combination of longer and shorter bristles to get the job donethe longer pins massage the scalp, while shorter ones add the tension you need to detangle and style. It also features and ergonomic handle to help you get a better grip.

Rave review: "I have long really thick hair and decided to spend a little extra for a better brush. Glad I did. I have been using for about a month now. No more pulling on my hair. It is shinier and is looking healthier since I am not tugging on it all the time to get tangles out."

Shop Now The Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush ulta.com $22.99 Ulta

Mini OG Dream Combo Bristle Brush

This pint-sized brush is perfect for on-the-go use, whether a gym bag staple or one you toss in your carry-on for a weekend away. It works just as hard as its larger counterparts, using a combination of natural boar and nylon bristles to massage the scalp, detangle, and style.

Shop Now Mini OG Dream Combo Bristle Brush ulta.com $10.95 Ulta

How we chose the best boar bristle brushes

For months, Womens Health editors, including writer Brigitt Earley, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated boar bristle brushes. Our team consulted multiple hairstylists for opinions, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best boar bristle brushes for a wide range of needs and preferences.

Women's Health

What is a boar bristle brush?

Boar bristle brushes have bristles made out of 100 percent boar (a tusked Eurasian wild pig) hair rather than synthetics like nylon. They're suitable for all hair types, but Uribe says they're especially great for naturally textured hair, curly hair, and/or coarse hair, because regular use can enhance natural shine and volume by evenly distributing oils and gently lifting hair at the roots, resulting in a fuller and healthier-looking mane.

Women's Health

What are the benefits of boar bristle brushes?

These brushes are great for adding shine to dry hair, says Ehman."I love them for updos and smoothing back your hair." This is because boar bristle brushes work to evenly distribute the natural oils found on the scalp, she explains. "Boar bristle brushes also stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which can help with hair growth."

Women's Health

How to choose a boar bristle brush

When shopping for a boar bristle brush, consider the following:

Materials: Not all brushes marketed as boar bristle brushes are made of 100 percent real boar hair. Though some may prefer the combination of synthetic and boar bristles, you'll reap more true benefits from a brush that's constructed entirely of boar hair.

Density of bristles: You'll notice that boar bristle brushes have more bristles then plastic ones. This makes them gentler on hair, plus lends the smoothing properties you're looking for.

Firmness of bristles: For proper scalp stimulation, look for a brush with firm, stiff bristles.

Handle: The best boar bristle brushes come with wooden handles, says Abdullah. It also helps to look for one that's made ergonomically to help you get a better grip.

Women's Health

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Hawai'i DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife via the Center for Biological Diversity

Hawai'i DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife via the Center for Biological Diversity

Twenty-one species found across 16 states and in the U.S. territory of Guam are officially extinct, federal wildlife officials declared on Oct. 16.

The species  several birds, mussels, two species of fish and the Little Mariana fruit bat last seen in Guam in 1968  have been listed as endangered for decades, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Now, because of extinction, they are being removed from their Endangered Species Act listings after rigorous reviews, the agency said in a news release.

Federal protection came too late to reverse these species decline, and its a wake-up call on the importance of conserving imperiled species before its too late, FWS Director Martha Williams said in a statement.

The agency proposed delisting the 21 species from the ESA in September 2021 because of their likely extinction, according to the release, which says the ESA has been in effect for the past 50 years.

The majority of the species were considered endangered in the 1970s and 1980s when they were in very low numbers or likely already extinct at the time of listing, the release said.

A total of 650 species in the U.S. have already been deemed extinct, according to the Center for Biological Diversity, a national U.S. nonprofit wildlife conservation organization.

My heart breaks over the loss of these 21 species, Noah Greenwald, the centers endangered species director, said in an Oct. 16 statement.

Species that are now extinct

Ten birds are officially considered extinct, including the Bachmans warbler, which was known to inhabit Florida and South Carolina and was last seen in the 1980s, according to FWS.

Eight of the extinct bird species were found in Hawaii, including the Po`ouli, which was last seen in 2004. The Po`ouli is the most recently seen species of all 21 animals on the list.

Another bird on the list, the Bridled white-eye found in Guam, became extinct from being hunted by brown tree snakes on the island, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

Two species of fish  the San Marcos gambusia from Texas and the Scioto madtom found in Ohio  were also declared extinct, FWS said.

Eight species of mussels are now extinct, according to FWS:

Flat pigtoe found in Alabama and Mississippi

Southern acornshell found in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee

Stirrupshell found in Alabama and Mississippi

Upland combshell found in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee

Green-blossom pearly mussel found in Tennessee and Virginia

Tubercled-blossom pearly mussel found in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia

Turgid-blossom pearly mussel found in Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee

Yellow-blossom pearly mussel found in Alabama and Tennessee

In September 2021, the FWS also proposed delisting two other species from the ESA because of likely extinction, including the ivory-billed woodpecker, according to the release.

However, FWS will continue to analyze and review the information before deciding whether to delist this bird, the agency said.

The proposal to delist the other species  a Hawaiian perennial herb formally named Phyllostegia glabra var. Lanaiensis  has been withdrawn because there may be potentially suitable habitats for the herb to grow, according to the release.

The rule that delists the 21 species from the ESA will be published in the Federal Register on Oct. 17, according to FWS.

As we commemorate 50 years of the Endangered Species Act this year, we are reminded of the Acts purpose to be a safety net that stops the journey toward extinction, Williams said. The ultimate goal is to recover these species, so they no longer need the Acts protection.

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China is throwing a huge party to celebrate one of its biggest experiments in engaging with the world: its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Officials and leaders from all over the globe are in Beijing attending a high-level summit marking the BRI's 10th anniversary. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have arrived, and the Taliban government will also attend. Chinese media is awash with coverage of the BRI's achievements, including a six-part documentary on state TV.

A signature policy of President Xi Jinping, the BRI is aimed at stitching China closer to the world through investments and infrastructure projects. With an unprecedented glut of cash pumped into nearly 150 countries, China boasts it has transformed the world - and it is not wrong.

But Beijing's massive gamble hasn't entirely gone the way it had hoped. Was it worth it?

A 'win-win' economic success?

From the moment the BRI was unveiled in 2013 with comparisons to the ancient Silk Road, it was clear China had sprawling ambitions.

"Belt" refers to overland routes connecting China to Europe through Central Asia, as well as to South Asia and South East Asia; while "Road" denotes a maritime network linking China to major ports through Asia to Africa and Europe.

It started off with heavy state-driven investment into hard infrastructure abroad. Most of the estimated $1tn (820bn) has been poured into energy and transport projects, such as power plants and railways.

Beijing touted this as an economic win-win - it told other countries these investments would stimulate development, while at home it sold the BRI as a way to help Chinese companies, boost the economy and burnish the country's reputation.

It had limited success in meeting some goals, such as internationalising the yuan and solving Chinese companies' overcapacity.

But China reaped a huge economic benefit in trade. A slew of agreements brought access to more resources such as oil, gas and minerals, especially as the BRI's focus widened to include Africa, South America and the Middle East. About $19.1tn of goods were traded between China and BRI countries in the past decade.

"It's about Chinese state-owned enterprises going abroad... to help facilitate the flow of resources that China needs," said Jacob Gunter, a senior analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies. "It's also about expanding and developing export markets as alternatives to the liberal developed world."

This diversification has become crucial at a time when China faces greater tensions with the West and their allies.

Take soybeans for example. China, the world's biggest importer, used to rely heavily on the US for supplies. But a tariff war with Washington forced Beijing to turn to South American sources, especially Brazil, estimated to be the region's largest recipient of BRI funding.

Gas pipelines from Central Asia and Russia - and oil imports from Russia, Iraq, Brazil and Oman - have reduced Chinese dependence on Japan, South Korea and the US, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

Belt and Road map

'Debt trap' diplomacy

Having become the lender of first resort for many low or middle income countries through the BRI, China is now the world's biggest international creditor.

The true scale of the debt - thought to be at least hundreds of billions of dollars - is unknown. Many of the loans, given out by both public and private lenders, are shrouded in secrecy.

Now, from Sri Lanka and the Maldives to Laos and Kenya, countries are struggling with BRI debt. This puts the Chinese government in a tight spot.

A real estate crisis and liberal borrowing by local governments has already created a "debt bomb" domestically - it's estimated to run into trillions of dollars. A sluggish post-Covid economy and record youth unemployment have not helped.

China has restructured BRI loans, extended deadlines and forked out an estimated $240bn to help borrowers make payments on time. But it has refused to cancel the debt.

"For China to simultaneously engage in debt write-downs overseas while domestic economic issues are not fully resolved - it will be politically challenging internally to promote that," said Christoph Nedopil, founding director of the Green Finance and Development Center (GFDC), which tracks BRI spending.

This has marred Beijing's reputation. Some critics accuse China of engaging in "debt trap diplomacy" by luring poorer countries to sign up for expensive projects so that Beijing could eventually seize control of assets put up as collateral. This was the US' accusation over the controversial Hambantota port project in Sri Lanka.

Many analysts argue there is little evidence of this, but it has heightened fears that Beijing is using the BRI to undermine others' sovereignty.

China has also been criticised over its so-called "hidden debts" - governments don't know how exposed their borrowing institutions are, which makes it difficult for countries to weigh up the BRI's costs and benefits.

Over the years BRI projects have also been accused of creating wasteful "white elephants", fuelling local corruption, exacerbating environmental problems, exploiting workers, and failing to live up to promises of bringing jobs and prosperity to local communities.

One recent study by research lab Aid Data found more than a third of the projects face such problems. A growing backlash has prompted some countries like Malaysia and Tanzania to cancel BRI deals.

Read other articles in our series marking 10 years of the BRI:

"Poor risk management and a lack of attention to detail and cohesion" from Chinese lenders and companies are partly to blame, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

But the think tank and other observers have pointed out the borrowing countries are also to blame, either for rushing into deals without proper planning or mismanaging finances like in the Hambantota case.

Observers also say China gives resources with fewer strings attached, which is less onerous than offers from global lenders or the West.

"China shows up with a 'one-stop shop' approach: 'Here are our banks and companies and we do everything from start to finish, and if you sign today we will finish that railway, and it will be done in time just as you campaign for your next election'," pointed out Mr Gunter.

"It's a huge selling point to say that you can do it in one to three years with very little paperwork. Maybe it'll be a bit dirty and there may be labour rights violations, but your railway will be done."

A diplomatic victory

Yet China has met one of its biggest goals - extending its influence.

It is not just through railways and highways that China has created connections. Beijing projects soft power and positions itself as a leader in the Global South, paying for thousands of Chinese university scholarships, cultural exchange programmes and Confucius Institutes. The expansion of the Brics trading bloc too has been credited to China.

Pew Research found that in the past decade many middle-income countries have increasingly favourable attitudes towards China, including Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.

Mr Gunter noted that increasingly, countries in the Global South do not wish to choose sides in the US-China rivalry. "China hasn't flipped many countries from a Western orientation, but the fact it has moved the needle to a middle ground - that is already a huge diplomatic victory for Beijing," he said.

But observers have also raised concerns of possible economic coercion, where foreign governments feel pressured to follow Beijing's agenda or risk China pulling out investment.

One Aid Data study of Chinese state-owned entities' loans to foreign governments found contract clauses that "potentially allow the lenders to influence debtors' domestic and foreign policies".

In the UN, China has "corralled other states into temporary coalitions" to oppose measures critical of Beijing, while participation in the BRI has led several EU members to block or water down policies critical of China, pointed out the IISS.

The think tank also said the BRI has become one of China's "main instruments" in its diplomatic isolation of Taiwan. Many nations that have shifted recognition from Taiwan to China in the past decade are BRI funding recipients, it noted.

In South East Asia, Cambodia has consistently resisted condemnation of China's actions in the South China Sea, while Laos and Thailand have been criticised for arresting or allowing the abduction of Chinese activists wanted by Beijing.

The port at Gwadar in Pakistan allows China to bypass the Malacca straits to reach Africa and the Middle East

'Small and beautiful'

China now recognises some things need to change.

Beijing preaches the mantra of "small and beautiful" where, through low-investment, high-yield projects, the BRI can have more relevance.

Examples given by state media include bamboo and rattan-weaving programmes in Liberia, biogas technology projects in Tonga and Samoa, and promoting mushroom-growing technology in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda.

China has also announced a new "digital silk road" focused on telecommunication and digital infrastructure. Analysts say this would be a more sustainable stream of profits for Chinese companies, while lessening the impact of Western bans on Chinese 5G equipment.

With this new strategy, China has cut down financing. It has imposed limits on external lending by Chinese banks, and investment deals are now nearly 50% smaller than they were five years ago, according to a GFDC analysis. It has also moved away from being the only creditor in the BRI, and started a platform where other countries and international banks can lend money.

But Beijing has even grander plans for the BRI, which it now touts as the foundation of "the global community of shared future".

In two white papers released this month, Beijing said its form of globalisation would be fairer, more inclusive and less judgmental than the one led by "hegemonic" Western powers which seek a "zero-sum game".

"The BRI is a public road open to all, not a private path owned by any single party," it said. Far from seeking domination as critics say, China claimed it is "helping others to succeed while seeking our own success".

The view from China is that "now globalisation is in danger. The West, in the name of 'de-risking', is actually 'de-China-risking'," said Wang Yiwei, a professor who studies the BRI at Renmin University of China. The main challenge "is how can the BRI build mutual connectivity and avoid a new Cold War".

Beijing's trillion-dollar experiment has created a powerful tool to wield influence. But the question is whether the world wants a Chinese-led world order.

Additional reporting by BBC Monitoring.

Infographic showing Chinese BRI investment and construction in different sectors
An early-season cold front freed South Florida from oppressive heat and molten air early this week with promises of even cooler temperatures through Tuesday.

The first significant sweep of northern chill dropped morning lows into the mid-60s Monday with the high temperature in West Palm Beach reaching just 79 degrees  six degrees below normal.

On Tuesday morning, lows could dip to the upper 50s at Palm Beach International Airport. If that forecast holds true, it would be the first time since March 21 that the temperature fell below 60 degrees.

Low temperatures across South Florida are forecast to range from the low 50s to around 60 degrees.

Its actually comfortable out, said Jon Rizzo, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Key West where the coolest air is expected to drift in early Wednesday. The biggest thing is the drop in humidity.

The cold front, which carried a blast of Canadian air through the Peninsula and into northern Cuba, is being reinforced by an area of high pressure that is keeping winds coming out of the north and northwest into Wednesday.

Normal temperatures in West Palm Beach for this time of year are daytime highs of 85 degrees with overnight lows of 71.

Tuesdays forecast high at the airport is just 75 degrees.

Fall is here: Bird migration has started with some unruly starlings crashing the sojourn south

For those who enjoy cooler temperatures and crisp mornings, this will be the perfect setup, said NWS meteorologist Brendan Schaper in Melbourne.

The break of drier, cooler air comes after a 93-degree day on Thursday in West Palm Beach, which tied the record high for that day set in 1946.

Miami International Airport reached 95 degrees on Friday, breaking the previous 93-degree record set in 1990. Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport measured 93 degrees Friday, breaking its record of 91 degrees set in 2006.

Cold fronts can be fickle in South Florida in the fall, but by late October and early November, more reliable forays of Canadian chill begin to venture down with the plunging jet stream. The average normal overnight low temperature in West Palm Beach doesn't hit 60 degrees until Dec. 14. The average normal high temperature dips to 75 degrees about a week later.

While some of South Florida's most pernicious invasive species, such as cold-blooded green iguanas and Burmese pythons, dislike cooler temperatures, it takes more than a few nights in the 50s and 60s to cull their numbers. Green iguanas, which, like pythons, warm themselves by basking in the sun, can become immobilized when temperatures hit between 40 and 50 degrees. If there are many consecutive days of cloudy skies, the paralyzed iguanas become easy prey to vultures, bobcats and coyotes.

Also, when the lizards are immobilized by the cold, the lizards' digestive systems sour and they die from bacterial infections. Iguanas that fall from trees onto streets are also in danger of becoming road kill.

Pythons have an advantage that iguanas don't  they can generate heat by shivering.

The last significant die-off of iguanas and pythons caused by cold weather occurred during the winter of 2010 when between Jan. 2 and Jan. 13, West Palm Beach's overnight lows dipped into the 30s nine times.

For Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, it was the coldest 12-day period since at least 1940, according to the National Weather Service. By the end of February, the NWS declared 2010 the coldest winter for South Florida in three decades.

A study published later that year by University of Florida wildlife ecology professor Frank Mazzotti and colleagues found that some pythons who died during the cold spell didn't seek shelter from the cold. Others, however, did find burrows to hide in during the cold and survived. It was unclear whether the survival behavior was learned, genetic, or happenstance.

"While it is indisputable that large numbers of pythons died, attempts to interpret these deaths with respect to python ecology are complicated by a number of factors, including behavior, availability of refuges, and unknown variation in detection probabilities," the study said.

By Wednesday, temperatures will begin to creep back to normal with highs near 80 degrees and overnight lows in the mid-70s.

This period of cooler conditions wont last very long, said Ana Torres-Vazquez, a meteorologist with the NWS office in Miami. But, its very quiet weather for the rest of the week with low rain chances.

The rainy season officially ended Oct. 15 for the seven counties overseen by the Miami office of the NWS  Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, Collier, Palm Beach, Glades and Hendry. Still, a coastal flood statement is in effect through at least Tuesday afternoon with Saturday's new moon still tugging at the high tides.

The clear skies this week could offer a better glimpse of the Orionids meteor shower. Although the shower is active from late September to Nov. 22, it peaks this year late Friday through early Sunday. Halley's comet is the source of the Orionids, although it is named for the celestial hunter Orion.

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: South Florida cold front drops temperatures into 60s but will not last
SINGAPORE - Last Saturday (14 October) saw many Singaporeans scramble with challenges as online banking and payment services from DBS, Citibank, and selected ATMs, were down for hours. In a highly cashless society like Singapore, this meant unforeseen frustration for many.

From paying for food to tapping on public transport, contactless payment are regularly used by many, especially in the younger generation. How did the outage impact local Gen Zs, how did they cope with the ordeal, and what did they do to get through it?

Yahoo Southeast Asia reached out to some Gen Zs who underwent personal obstacles over the disruptions.

Couldn't pay for Grab ride or buy sanitary pads while on period

The outage of DBS and Citi's banking services "kind of ruined" 17-year-old Amelia's Saturday.

She had booked a Grab ride from at around 3 to 4pm, only to realise later that she was unable to pay for the ride.

As the QR code had failed to scan, the Grab driver was "quite angry", but later understood after Amelia explained the situation. She managed to transfer her Grab fare to the driver the next day.

After arriving at her boyfriend's home, her period unexpectedly came later at around 7pm. However, she was unable to purchase any sanitary pads as neither she, her boyfriend, nor his mother had any physical cash on hand.

Purchasing the pads through online platforms was not an option either, given that all three parties only had DBS or POSB bank accounts. "I was having a very sudden flow (of blood). I actually broke down because I was so stressed."

Mad about the situation, Amelia sent a complaint message to DBS, and considered closing her bank account to switch to another bank. Her reason stemmed from the fact that DBS and POSB had experienced at least three banking service disruptions in the past two years.

She also tried contacting her sister, who was unable to help, as she was stranded in Bukit Batok.

"I didn't want to leave the house, as I was wearing an off-white shirt at the point of time, and was scared the blood would be everywhere. I chose to be safe and stayed at my boyfriend's place."

For dinner, Amelia and her boyfriend ended up sharing two packets of instant noodles. She eventually got home between 10 to 11pm, after seeking help from her aunt, who booked Amelia a Grab ride home using an OCBC card.

"I'm not going to leave the house cashless anymore," she said. As of Monday (16 October) afternoon, Amelia said she had yet to receive a response from DBS.

Left with only $1, hair cut deferred, and settled for home cooked pasta dinner

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Thorsten Ng had his plans for a haircut thwarted, at around 5pm on Saturday.

He only discovered digital and banking payment services were down when he attempted to make payment via an app, before realising the transaction was unable to go through.

The full-time national serviceman (NSF) assumed it was an issue with the internet or his phone, and restarted his phone. It was only after he did a Google search, did he read about the news.

As the nearest ATM was also out of service, he was unable to get his hair cut.

Checking his wallet, he realised he only had $1 in physical cash. He had also used up his Grab credits for a lunch order earlier that afternoon, and was unable to get dinner for himself.

"At that point, I was a bit worried. I live with my mom, and she was away in Malaysia. We largely eat healthy, so we don't have instant food at home."

Fortunately, upon arriving home, he managed to find some pasta and a can of pasta sauce, which he cooked for dinner.

"It was scary at first because I didn't know how long I was going to be out of money. I was also a bit concerned about whether the outage will be fixed by Sunday morning as I usually attend church. I have to eat breakfast, and take public transport to church."

Ng stayed home for the rest of Saturday night, filming TikTok videos to distract himself. One video has since gone viral, accumulating over 177,000 views.

"I always say that TikTok is my coping mechanisms, so I guess it worked."

Ng managed to get his hair cut on Sunday.

Break time panic, gracious strangers

Hannah Haziqah, 19, was visiting the nearby 7-11 at around 4pm to get food when her Apple Pay transaction did not go through.

The ITE College East student was working as a one-day promoter for a local beverage brand at a warehouse in Giant Hypermarket Tampines.

Assuming it was an issue with Apple Pay, she went back to grab her wallet, only to realise she had no cash on hand, and NETS was not working as well. She spent half of her hour-long break trying to figure out what to do.

"I was confused and irritated. I did not understand what was going on. It was just very sudden," she said.

Thankfully, she recalled she had another bank account fifteen minutes later, and was able to pay for a sandwich and drink, after calling her mother to transfer some money into that account.

Nureesha Zainal Abidin was also out on a break to buy cup noodles at a convenient store in Marina Square, at around 3 to 4pm on Saturday, when she realised her Visa payWave was not working.

The 19-year-old also had no physical cash, and was informed that the nearby ATM was defective.

"I was panicking, and was quite hungry as I did not bring food along for my shift."

Luckily, a lady standing behind her in line graciously offered to pay for Nureesha's cup noodles.

"I am very grateful. She was just a stranger," she said.

Reliance on digital banking and payment services

Following the latest incident, the Gen-Zs Yahoo Southeast Asia spoke to agreed they would take a minimum of $5 to a maximum of $100 in physical cash when they leave the house.

However, they would still rely largely on online banking and digital payment services for purchases.

"The thought is that I don't need cash anywhere I go these days because of how prevalent the online banking system and payments are in Singapore," said Sandra, 23.

During weekday lunches with her colleagues, she typically only carries her phone. Sandra also pointed out that some hawker centres are "completely cashless" these days.

Reflecting on last Saturday's outage, she suggests carrying different cards when going out.

"I think it makes you question the reliability of things. We always think banks are extremely reliable, but you need to also have second options or alternatives in mind if situations like these happen."

*Some names have been changed upon request.

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.

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Visitors walk into the exhibition hall of the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 18, 2023. The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Wednesday. The book fair focuses on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

FRANKFURT, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair will open its doors to visitors on Wednesday, with an opening ceremony held on Tuesday. The Fair will focus on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said.

More than 4,200 exhibitors from around the world will be present at the Fair. It is the largest number of exhibitors since 2020.

As the world's largest book fair in terms of the number of publishing companies represented, the five-day event running through Oct. 22 will provide diverse programs catering to both trade professionals and the public.

Industry insiders can look forward to a range of B2B opportunities, networking occasions, and presentations with eminent speakers, while private visitors can take in readings and live events with renowned authors and TV stars from around the world.

Representing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the opening, Minister of State for Culture and the Media Claudia Roth emphasized literature as a source of empathy across cultural borders.

Slovenia, this year's guest of honor, will present its literary and cultural landscape at the Fair. 

People visit the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 18, 2023. The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Wednesday. The book fair focuses on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

People visit the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 18, 2023. The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Wednesday. The book fair focuses on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

People visit the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 18, 2023. The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Wednesday. The book fair focuses on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

People visit the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 18, 2023. The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Wednesday. The book fair focuses on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

People visit the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 18, 2023. The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Wednesday. The book fair focuses on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

An exhibitor introduces Chinese books at the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 18, 2023. The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Wednesday. The book fair focuses on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

Visitors walk into the exhibition hall of the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 18, 2023. The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Wednesday. The book fair focuses on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

People visit the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 18, 2023. The 75th Frankfurt Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Wednesday. The book fair focuses on the most pressing issues related to literature and society, its organizers said. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
We know we will have some challenges ahead but are ecstatic for our new life with the girls," the proud parents tell PEOPLE of daughters Claire, Ella and Lily

Courtesy Haley and Matthew Cordaro Claire, Ella and Lily Codaro

A Louisiana couple recently welcomed rare "spontaneous triplets"  and they couldn't be happier.

Matthew Cordaro and wife Haley welcomed triplets  daughters Claire Elizabeth, Ella Katherine and Lily Caroline  on Aug. 28 at Willis-Knighton South & the Center for Womens Health, according to a press release by the hospital.

Their daughters were born prematurely after Haley went into labor at 31 weeks. At the time of their birth, the triplets all weighed 3 lbs. or less, their mom said in a Facebook post at the time.



We were so fortunate and blessed to have made it 32 weeks and to have delivered three healthy babies considering all the potential risks when pregnant with multiples, the couple tells PEOPLE. We know we will have some challenges ahead but are ecstatic for our new life with the girls."

Related: Miss. Couple Celebrates as First Quintuplet Comes Home: 'Even Better Than We Could Have Imagined'

Matthew and Haley, who are also parents to a 3-year-old daughter, were surprised" when they first learned they were expecting triplets during an ultrasound visit, hospital officials said, noting that there's no family history of multiples on either side.

The hospital shared that the odds of having "spontaneous triplets," which they described as "the term used for naturally conceived identical triplets" is one in 1 million to 1 in 200 million."



Courtesy Haley and Matthew Cordaro Haley and Matthew Cordaro with daughters

Matthew tells PEOPLE that when they first learned the news, they "were in absolute disbelief."

"Our feelings then shifted towards worry due to the pregnancy being very high risk in nature," he says. "Once we got to the second trimester and on, our doctor visits continually brought great news.



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

Since their births, the girls have been in the NICU at Willis-Knighton South, where Dr. Gerald Brent Whitton and the entire NICU team have been caring for them, per the hospital.

The family hopes to go home next week, but first the triplets have to pass three tests: they need to resolve any breathing issues, keep their temperature stable in their crib, and eat consistently.

They have done very well. It has been a straightforward and uncomplicated stay, Dr. Whitton said, in a statement. As we get closer to the babies release, we will get the parents up here and get them used to taking care of all three at the same time.

Courtesy Haley and Matthew Cordaro Claire, Ella and Lily Codaro

Related: Couple Welcomes Quadruplets 4 Years After the Birth of Their Twins: Its Been a Joy (Exclusive)

While they've been in the hospital, the family has made sure to celebrate some happy milestones.

Happy one month to these little angel babies! Haley wrote on Facebook in September. They have been working on bottle feeds & gaining weight and should be able to come home in a few short weeks!

In a follow-up post, the proud mom wrote that their 3-year-old daughter Kennedy is just smitten with her little baby sisters!"



Related: Twins Born at 22 Weeks  Who Both Weighed Less Than 1 Lb.  Don Cap and Gown at NICU 'Graduation'

As for having a house full of girls, the couple tells PEOPLE they can't wait to see what life has in store.

"We already have a 3-year-old girl so adding three more will make for a blast as they all grow up together as best friends," Matthew says.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
A former Kansas City police detective convicted in the shooting death of a Black man was booked into the Platte County jail Tuesday afternoon after losing his appeal.

Eric DeValkenaere had been ordered into custody immediately after a three-judge panel at the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, upheld his conviction in the 2019 shooting death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb.

DeValkenaere, who is white, had been found guilty at trial in Jackson County in 2021 on charges of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action.

Sentenced to six years in prison, he remained free on bond while he appealed his conviction.

On Tuesday, an arrest warrant issued after the court released its ruling was sent to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, the Jackson County Marshal of Missouri Court of Appeals Western District and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Maj. Erik Holland of the Platte County Sheriffs Office said DeValkenaere walked into the county jail in Platte City and surrendered to authorities. DeValkenaere was booked, his mugshot was taken and he was being held in custody there until he is transferred to a Missouri prison.

We are holding him in our facility and holding him under the warrant that was issued by the (Court of Appeals) Western District, Holland told The Star.

DeValkenaere was booked into the county jail just before noon and placed into protective custody, according to county jail records.

The arrest warrant required authorities to take DeValkenaere into custody and deliver him to a Missouri prison where he will begin serving his sentence, according to an order signed by Chief Appeals Judge Gary D. Witt.

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Dale Youngs sentenced DeValkenaere March 7, 2022. DeValkenaere will not appear again in court before being transported a Missouri prison.

It did not appear Tuesday that DeValkenaere had been assigned to a specific prison, according to Karen Pojmann, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Once in the custody of the department of corrections, DeValkenaerre would be assigned to one of the systems three reception and diagnostic centers for men in St. Jospeh, Bonne Terre or Fulton, Pojmann said.
Theres a frightening reason for the wild and fearmongering rhetoric that Donald Trump s 2024 campaign frequently uses in its fundraising emails, according to historians.

With his rants about the United States under President Joe Biden and his violent language about perceived enemies, Trump offers his supporters salvation via donation with the missives, said Federico Finchelstein, a professor of history at the New School for Social Research and Eugene Lang College in New York City in an article for Salon published on Monday.

(Read the full Salon article here).

If fascism was a totalitarian ideology, movement and regime, Trumpism is that plus a personal business, explained Finchelstein, the author of A Brief History of Fascist Lies. The fascist identification between people, nation and leader mutates in Trumpism. It becomes not only a wannabe fascist project but also a business.

Donald Trump has resorted to fundraising off pretty much anything and everything that makes the news.

Donald Trump has resorted to fundraising off pretty much anything and everything that makes the news.

Jennifer Mercieca, a historian of political rhetoric at Texas A&M University, told Salon that fascisms goal is to turn politics into warfare by narrating a world of chaos, corruption and hypocrisy, which Trump does via his emails.

Trump suffers for his followers, so his followers owe him. They owe him their loyalty, votes and money, added Mercieca, who authored Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump. Trump vows to continue to fight on, because his fight is really their fight. His followers should stand with him and give him power so he can keep fighting for them.

Trumps very first fundraising email was sent in June 2016, just five months before his shock election victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Titled The First One, it struck a much more measured tone than the unhinged communications that now target Trump supporters in 2023.

Back then, the then-presidential candidate asked for between $1 and $2,700 donations  and promised to match up to $2 million in contributions.

Trump has since resorted to fundraising off pretty much anything and everything that makes the news. In August, he even raised cash via his own snarling mug shot that was taken following his arrest for allegedly trying to subvert the 2020 election result in Georgia.

On Sunday, the Trump campaign reported third-quarter receipts of $24.5 million to the Federal Election Commission. The Biden campaign, meanwhile, raised $71 million in the same time frame.

Despite his four indictments and multiple looming trials, Trump remains the GOPs clear front-runner with around 58% support, according to a recent poll, meaning a replay of the Biden-Trump 2020 election remains on the cards.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is polling second in the Republican race at 12% and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is third at 7%.

Related...
An Idaho judge has signed an order releasing the body of JJ Vallow to his next of kin more than three years after the 7-year-old was smothered and found buried in a shallow grave still wearing his red pyjamas, according to court documents.

The bodies of JJ and his 16-year-old sister Tylee Ryan have been in the custody of the State of Idaho since June 2020 when they were found buried in the backyard of Chad Daybells Fremont County property.

JJs grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock, have been waiting for years to be able to lay him to rest and give him a proper burial.

Finally, Ms Woodcock tweeted in response to the news on Monday. Praise Jesus. Finally.

Earlier this year, following a gruelling six-week trial, the Woodcocks celebrated the guilty verdict handed down to JJs mother Lori Vallow. Ms Woodcock beamed through her tears and her husband Larry sang JJs favourite song, Queens We Will Rock You at the top of his lungs as they left the Idaho courthouse.

Vallow was found guilty and later sentenced to life in prison for the murders of her children and conspiracy to commit the murder of her husbands former wife, Tammy Daybell.

On Monday, Judge Steven Boyce, who presided over Vallows trial, issued an order for the release of JJs body.

JJ Vallow on the day he was last seen alive (Ada County Court)

Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake and Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood in Mr Daybells case filed a stipulation authorizing JJs body to be released to his next of kin. It was also signed by Mr Daybells attorney, John Prior.

Mr Daybell appeared via video from the Fremont County Jail for a status hearing last week where Judge Boyce set a date to determine whether to amend his previous camera ban that was put in place last year.

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.

The case drew nationwide attention when Vallows children went missing in September 2019.

Lori Vallow during her sentencing hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in July 2023

While they were still unaccounted for, Vallow was on a beach in Hawaii marrying Mr Daybell, a self-proclaimed religious leader.

Nine months later, in June 2020, the childrens bodies were found buried in Mr Daybells backyard.

JJ, who had autism, had been smothered with a plastic bag taped over his face.

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.

Chad Daybell appeared via video from the Fremont County Jail for a status hearing last week (Judge Steven W. Boyce livestream)

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.

Vallow was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.


Fears of a broader regional conflict in the Middle East intensified on Sunday as Israel's border with Lebanon saw its worst violence since 2006.

Hezbollah militants fired rockets and an anti-tank missile into the north of Israel, which responded with air strikes and shelling.

As Israel prepares for an expected ground invasion of Gaza, its national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi warned Hezbollah not to start a war on a second front, threatening the "destruction of Lebanon" if it did.

What did the papers say?

Some Israeli "hardliners" may feel the time is right to deliver a "decisive blow" against Hezbollah while the West is "fully behind them" in the wake of the Hamas attacks, said Politico.

But going to war with Hezbollah is a "very different prospect than going to war with Hamas", it added, because Hezbollah is a "far larger and more capable military force". The Hamas rocket attacks would be a "light summer shower compared to the deluge Hezbollah could bring down on towns and cities", forcing the country into "lockdown".

Hezbollah has its own reasons to avoid full conflict, said Politico, because the end result would be a "grave weakening" of its forces, which would "erode its deterrence value to Iran".

But Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said last week that there was "every possibility" of a second front if Israel's blockade of Gaza continued. He spoke of "game-changing" plans to capture the Galilee and northern Israel.



He also warned that the group could destroy Tel Aviv "tower for tower" and that Israel's nuclear reactor is an easier target than Iran's nuclear installations are for the West.

"Hyperbole perhaps", said The Economist, but "by allowing Hezbollah to open a second front with Israel", Iran would hope to "kill off the Abraham accords between Israel and some Arab countries" and spark an "anti-Western surge across the Middle East".

On the other hand, said the magazine, "many believe that Iran wants to preserve Hezbollah's rocket arsenal in order to deter an attack on Iran's nuclear programme". China and the US also remain a "source of restraint on Iran".

A "conflagration" on the Lebanese-Israeli border is "unlikely", agreed Imad K. Harb in an article for Arab Center Washington DC, because "an Israel that is busy in Gaza" is unlikely to want to be "distracted" by a war with Hezbollah that "may not be a swift campaign and may not reap the desired results".

There is only a "remote" chance that Hezbollah would want a war with Israel, he argued, because it would "most assuredly end with the destruction of whatever still works of Lebanon's infrastructure". Also, Hezbollah can "no longer count on" the endorsement of "large and important political factions in Lebanon" and the country "cannot practically expect" to receive financial support from Arab countries for rebuilding.

But there remains a risk of escalation due to simple "misunderstanding" at the northern border, Tamir Hayman, a former head of Israeli intelligence, told Foreign Policy. Hezbollah has a "false sense of self-confidence" that can "lead them into a miscalculation" by "assuming that action by them will be interpreted by us as minor, while we will interpret it as major".

What next?

The Israeli defence ministry has announced that it will evacuate residents who live within two kilometres of the Lebanese border amid growing concerns that Hezbollah will "enter the fray", said The Telegraph.

All eyes are on Gaza because, "as the ground offensive looms", analysts fear the move could be the "red line" that prompts Hezbollah to "fully enter the conflict" and open the war on another front.

The ramifications of this could be profound. "Will there be world war three?" asked Niall Ferguson in The Sunday Times. If Israel "finds it cannot contend with a three-front war", with the West Bank joining Gaza and Lebanon, and then turns to the US for military help against Iran, we will have "reached one of history's hinges", he said, and "the future of the world will turn on it."
Kat Von D posted a 12-minute-long video about being baptized on Instagram on Sunday.

She said she expected to get hate from her fans but was actually criticized the most by Christians.

Critics accused her of faking the ceremony and shamed her husband, she said.

Two weeks after sharing the news of her baptism online, Kat Von D is reflecting on the public reactions to her religious journey.

The tattoo artist and musician shared a 12-minute-long video to Instagram on Sunday in which she discussed her current stance on faith and her thoughts on the ways people responded to her baptism.

Von D was baptized at the Switzerland Baptist Church in Vevay, Indiana, more than a year after renouncing witchcraft and the macabre.

For the most part, according to Von D, she and her family experienced an "overwhelmingly beautiful amount" of positivity from fans and Indiana locals.

"I'm actually shocked because I was expecting to get so much hate for it," she said. "I know that a majority of my fans and my followers are not Christian, and I know that it's a turnoff to a lot of people and everybody's had their own experiences in their life that might trigger certain things."

But she said there's also been an "awful" response from some Christians who accused her of faking her baptism for publicity and shamed her husband, though it's unclear over what.

"You would think that all the hate would be coming from people who are against religion or against Christianity and stuff  and we got the typical dumb, mean emoji comments," Von D said. "But it was really the Christians who were the worst, and it was just really sad to see this critical display of judgment from Christians."

Von D said she doesn't understand what inspired any hate, and that judgment "isn't Christ-like."

"You would think that most Christians would be happy for you when you come to this point in your life, especially when you get baptized," she said. "Baptism is so beautiful and it's such a big landmark in time. For me at least, it was one of the most important days of my life."

She also rejected claims of her baptism being a stunt for social-media views, saying that her Instagram is not monetized, so she's not getting paid for the number of times people watch her videos.

Others, she said, took issue with the way she and her friends dressed in black gowns and suits with sparkling accessories.

"I think it's really insane that we live in a time where people still judge a book by its cover," she said. "I feel like I wasn't aware that there's a uniform that you're supposed to wear once you give your hearts to Jesus."

While she noted that there's a "stereotypical aesthetic" among the Christian community that she doesn't fit into, she said she doesn't understand why those who do would judge her style.

"What part of this is considered demonic? Or is it just because you have a perceived notion of if people wear black clothes or if they style their hair a certain way or if they have tattoos?" she said in her video. "That, to me, is the silliest thing you could say. So for all of you out there who are telling me that I'm not a real Christian unless I delete everything I've ever posted or that I've got to stop listening to The Cure or whatever, I think that you may have gotten it a little wrong."

Kat Von D in Los Angeles, California, on November 11, 2022. Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

Finally, Von D said some critics shamed her musician husband Rafael Reyes, though she didn't explain what they criticized him for.

"I feel like that one is quite annoying because you don't know the dynamics of our marriage, and you don't know what somebody's going through," she said. "My husband has his own journey, and I am here to support him and be there for him as much as I can and be the best wife that I can be for him."

"But until he makes his own decisions, should I just abandon ship?" she continued. "Should I just divorce my husband and uproot the beautiful nuclear family that we have because he doesn't sing lyrics the way that you think he should sing lyrics?"

Kat Von D and her husband Rafael Reyes in Los Angeles, California, on April 6, 2023. zerojack/Star Max/Getty Images

At the end of her video, Von D called out people who nitpicked various aspects of her baptism, including those who criticized her pastor for not fully dunking Von D into the water so that her hands were submerged.

"I didn't get baptized to be saved. I was already saved, and I didn't get baptized to make it about me. It was never about me," she said. "And these people who come at me with these negative, critical comments, I just hope that you're able to maybe take some time and reflect on how you're viewing the world and how you're possibly pushing people away."

Read the original article on Insider
Voters in Kansas and Missouri will head to the polls to weigh in on local candidates and ballot initiatives in the Nov. 7 election.

To do so, theyll need identification  and the laws for acceptable voter ID vary between the two states.

Heres a quick and simple guide to the voter IDs accepted at polling sites on either side of the state line.

What type of ID do I need to vote in Missouri?

Under voter ID laws that went into effect in Missouri last year, the ID you use to vote must meet three criteria:

It must be issued by either the state of Missouri or the federal government.

It must bear your name and a photo of you.

It must not be expired.

Eligible IDs include a Missouri drivers license, a Missouri non-driving photo ID card, a military ID, a veterans card with a photo on it or a non-expired U.S. passport. Consult the Missouri secretary of states website for the full list.

Ineligible IDs include an out-of-state drivers license, any photo ID issued by another state, an expired U.S. passport, a utility bill, a bank statement, a school ID or a workplace ID.

What type of ID do I need to vote in Kansas?

Kansas requires a photo ID in order to vote, but doesnt require that it be issued by the federal government or the state of Kansas. Many forms of ID are acceptable as long as they bear your name and photo. If the ID has an expiration date, it must be unexpired unless you are 65 or older.

Eligible IDs include a drivers license or other photo ID from any state, a U.S. passport, a student ID from a Kansas university, an employee ID from a government office, a public assistance ID card and more. Consult the Kansas secretary of states website for the full list.

Ineligible IDs include an expired ID, a school ID from outside of Kansas, an employee ID not issued by a government office, a utility bill, a bank statement or an ID without your photo on it.

Can I still vote without an eligible ID?

Yes  as long as you are registered, you can still vote in Missouri or Kansas. However, without the eligible IDs listed above, you will be given a provisional ballot, which are reviewed and, if approved, are counted later.

In Missouri, that means your vote will only be counted if you show an eligible ID later that day or if the signature on your ballot matches the one on your registration application. Your local election authority will decide whether the signatures match.

In Kansas, that means your vote will be sealed and may be counted during the week after the election. The staff of your local election office ultimately decides whether to recommend that county officials count provisional ballots based on their reason for being issued.

Do you have more questions about voting in Missouri or Kansas? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas doctor lost her $750,000 retirement fund after being misled to invest the money in her investment advisers personal business venture, according to court documents.

Anthony Depasquale III, 44, of Southlake Texas, was recently indicted on charges of security fraud, investment adviser fraud, theft, and forgery for a case that started in 2017.

Despasquale, who has entered a not-guilty plea, is accused of getting the doctor to invest her money into Big Whiskeys, a franchised restaurant that would be located in Town Square shopping center. The indictment says Depasquale told her, he already had five other investors who each invested $750,000, which was not true. The indictment adds that Depasquale falsely represented that the investment had little to no risks and failed to reveal he had been denied a small business loan to open the restaurant.

This individual was a licensed investment adviser who allegedly defrauded a Nevada physician out of her life savings. The victim worked nonstop helping sick patients and will now have to work much longer to recoup the stolen funds, said Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar.

Depasquale has since lost his license. He is scheduled to go to trial on March 24, 2024.

Aguilar advises Nevadans to be on the lookout for any red flags related to potential investment opportunities.

Check if your investment advisers license is current online at this link.

Ask yourself: Who benefits here, me or my adviser? An adviser is not supposed to profit off of their client by asking for loans or asking for funds for personal business projects.

Conduct research before investing in any private placement investment, which can be riskier than other more traditional investments.

Be wary if an adviser is pressuring you, calling you repeatedly and giving you quick deadlines to invest. Advisers should not make you feel pressured to make quick decisions.

Do your due diligence. Even if an adviser is licensed and was referred to you by someone you trust, make sure to research them and pay attention to their actions.

Check your bank account for unauthorized transactions. Bad actors may take advantage of your personal information and/or forge documents allowing them access to your accounts.

Learn more with the Nevada Investor Guide: Strategies for Investing Wisely and Avoiding Financial Fraud.

If you discover you are being scammed or think you are being scammed, report it to the Securities Division immediately.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The University of Southern California and University of Arizona led studies investigating the correlation between sitting for 10 hours a day and an increased risk of dementia in adults age 60 and older, per the Deseret News.

Even people who exercise daily are at higher risk of dementia if they sit for the larger part of the day, according to The Washington Post.

Related

How do I break the habit of sitting too much?

The studies found that any amount of physical activity and muscle engagement decreases the risk of dementia. Here are five simple ways to increase exercise during a 9 to 5 workday at a desk job.

1. Walk or bike to work

Walking at a brisk pace and biking can increase heart rate to similar levels as running, and gives similar rewards, according to Benenden Health. Not only are walking and biking great for your heart, but theyre fantastic for mental health as well. Both release endorphins which can boost self-esteem and increase positivity and motivation.

Another benefit of walking or biking to work is saving money on gas or public transportation. Even if the commute to work is too long to walk or bike the whole way, parking a little further away than usual will still help increase physical activity and decrease risk of dementia.

2. Use a standing desk

Healthline reported on a study that showed using standing desks burns significantly more calories than sitting at a desk.

The Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin similarly found that standing desks helped workers stay more active during the day. They wrote, Small movements and active moments throughout the day help you stay awake and alert. You feel more engaged when you literally think on your feet. If youre feeling sluggish throughout your workday, adding a few periods of standing can help you get back some of that energy and enthusiasm.

3. Sit on an exercise ball

Sitting on an exercise ball is harder than sitting in a normal office chair, and consequently forces you to move more. The goal is increasing physical activity, and exercise balls will force you to change positions more often.

Another benefit of sitting on an exercise ball at work is an improvement in posture, per Workspace. They said, Its a lot easier to slouch and forget about your posture while sitting in a regular office chair. An exercise ball will make you pay more attention to your posture, which can strengthen your core and other key muscles like your spinal erectors.

4. Talk to your colleagues in person

Instead of sending a message on Slack to your co-worker, or sending an email to a specific team, going to tell them the announcement in person provides another opportunity to get on your feet for a little bit.

Not only does talking to your colleagues in person provide more excuses for physical activity, it will likely help you foster better relationships at work. Face-to-face communication is by far the best kind of communication. Founder and president of Lunar Graphic Jon Robinson said, Every other method of communicating is just simulating person-to-person communicating, per Fast Company.

5. Go on a walk during lunch

Many companies offer 15 minute breaks every couple of hours and at least a half-hour long lunch. The Daily MBA reported on a study that found that those who take walking lunches showed higher levels of concentration and less strain in the afternoon. Another study showed that walking outdoors helps spark creative thinking and new ideas.
To be Taylor Swifts friend certainly seems to have its perks Marie Claire reported recently that, amidst Sophie Turners custody battle with Joe Jonas, Swift loaned her an apartment in New York City so Turner would have one less item on her to do list to figure out. Now, Page Six reports, Swift is loaning another friend another property: she is reportedly letting friend Gigi Hadid use her Rhode Island home as a getaway where Hadid can bond with Bradley Cooper, who the supermodel is newly dating.

Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid together

Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid together

The outlet reports that Swifts home has become a secret love nest for Hadid and Cooper, used by the burgeoning couple as a place to escape the glaring eyes of onlookers in New York City, Page Six writes.

Taylor is a total romantic and loves playing Cupid for her friends, a source told The Mirror over the weekend. Even though Gigi and Bradley have their own properties in New York, they wanted somewhere more private to spend time getting to know each other, and Taylor was only too happy to help. She said the door to her home is always open for them to use.

Hey, whats a real estate portfolio if not to be shared with friends, right?

Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid together

Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid together

Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid together

Swifts eight-bedroom property was featured prominently in her song The Last Great American Dynasty and has been the site of several Fourth of July parties attended by Hadid over the years.

Hadid and Cooper sparked romance rumors earlier this month when they were spotted leaving New York City Italian hotspot Via Carota together, departing in the same car. Since then, the two have been seen together more and more, and were apparentlyand very interestinglyintroduced by Coopers ex, Irina Shayk, who is also a model.

Irina Shayk

Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the premiere of Twentieth Century Fox's 'All About Steve' held at Mann's Chinese Theater on August 26, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

Gigi and Irina have been close over the years while working together, and Gigi and Bradley have hung out before, but it has always been friendly in social settings, a source told The Messenger . The two were bonding over their daughters when Bradley asked her out. (Hadid is mom to three-year-old Khai with ex Zayn Malik; Cooper is dad to six-year-old Lea, who he shares with Shayk.) Cooper and Shayk broke up in June 2019, and, after splitting from Malik in October 2021, Hadid dated Coopers friend Leonardo DiCaprio, albeit casually, from September 2022 to earlier this past summer.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in the United States on Sunday hosted a "Discover Beijing Opera" cultural event at its Public Diplomacy Center in Washington D.C., bringing the charm of the traditional Chinese stage art to nearly 100 people from all walks of life.

The event was co-organized by DC's Beauty of Beijing Opera Ltd (DCBBO) and a local organization "Things to Do DC." Minister Jing Quan of the embassy attended the event.

At the event, the guests were shown the make-up process of a "guifei" (noble consort) as well as props and costumes used in the Beijing Opera. The history, performance features, and aesthetic values of the traditional art were also presented.

Through such performances as "Battle at the Hu Village," "Empty City Strategy," "Monkey King" and "Drunken Beauty," the audience had a glimpse of the major types of roles of the Beijing Opera and the basic skills including singing, reciting, acting, and martial arts.

The audience went on stage to experience horse riding, male role walking, combating, playing small gong -- a musical instrument in Beijing Opera -- and acting with water sleeves.

"This is unique. This is fantastic," Gregory Bland, CEO of Things to Do DC, told Xinhua. "I'm looking around: everyone's smiling; everyone's happy. They're running up to take pictures; they're running up to get involved; they're all asking questions."

Cultural events like this would help promote people-to-people exchanges, he said. 
Former President Donald Trump on Monday lashed out at U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan after she imposed a partial gag order in his election interference case.

Trump, who has repeatedly and baselessly accused Chutkan and special counsel Jack Smith of acting at the behest of President Joe Biden, claimed that the gag order was only imposed because theyre getting beaten very badly by me in the polls. (Most polls show a tight race between Trump and Biden).

They think the only way they can catch me is to stop me from speaking. They want to take away my voice and a judge gave a gag order today, Trump said during a rally in Clive, Iowa. Did you hear that? On speech, which I believe is totally unconstitutional what she did. A judge gave a gag order, a judge doesnt like me too much.

The former president went on to claim that Chutkans whole life is not liking me.

You know what a gag order is? You cant speak badly about your opponent. But this is weaponry all being done because Joe Biden is losing the election and losing very, very badly to all of us in the polls. Hes losing badly, Trump falsely claimed. Chutkan during the hearing explicitly said that criticizing Biden and his political opponents does not fall under the scope of the gag order.

Trump attacks Chutkan: Her whole life is not liking me pic.twitter.com/7pNGboiRtS  Acyn (@Acyn) October 16, 2023

But what they dont understand is that I am willing to go to jail if thats what it takes for our country to win and become a democracy again, Trump continued.

Trump: Im willing to go to jail pic.twitter.com/iNPutJe08V  Acyn (@Acyn) October 16, 2023

Him going to jail if convicted of the crimes alleged would, in fact, be healthy for our democracy, quipped national security attorney Bradley Moss.

Chutkan earlier in the day imposed a gag order barring Trump from publicly targeting special counsel Jack Smith, Smiths staff, potential witnesses and court personnel. Chutkan did not include herself in the order.

Mr. Trump is facing criminal charges, the judge said Monday. He does not get to respond to every criticism of him if his response would affect potential witnesses. Thats the bottom line here.

Trump campaign spokesperson Jason Miller called the decision an absolute abomination and claimed that Biden was granted the right to muzzle his political opponent.

Trump on Truth Social cried witch hunt and vowed to appeal the gag order ruling.

Of course in Trumps delusional world, the gag order imposed on him is a witch hunt. He never takes responsibility, or considers he might have done something wrong. Always whining, always the victim. Its pathetic. pic.twitter.com/DTClXigYXz  Mike Sington (@MikeSington) October 16, 2023

Former acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal predicted that Trumps appeal is going nowhere.

No criminal defendant in their right mind would act the way Donald Trump did, he told MSNBC. I mean, the crazy part of this situation is not that a judge issued a gag order against the leading presidential candidate. The crazy part is that a leading presidential candidate has made a habit of threatening and attacking witnesses and prosecutors and court officials. That's the story. And Donald Trump is incapable of doing anything else. That's why I think it's like a coin flip, whether Trump is gonna violate this gag order first, or whether the House is going to elect a new Speaker first."

Katyal added that no other criminal defendant can even get away with his repeated attacks.

She's allowing him to get away with that here, he said. And the gag order  it simply tells Trump to behave like he has a modicum of decency, which is probably why it will be so hard to follow that."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance called Trumps effort to conflate the court order with an action by the Biden administration is a deliberate move on his part to misinform the public.

Trump proves every day, that he's unfit for public office, she tweeted. But he continues to get away with it. The question is, when does it end? Not just an indictment here or a gag order there, although those are important milestoneswhen will Trump finally be held accountable?

Vance noted that Trump could potentially face fines or even arrest if he violates the gag order and added that Chutkan previously mentioned potentially moving up the trial date as a sanction.

She has a lot of options & an appeals court might back her on an out of the box sanction if she imposes one because of the need to consider 1st Amendment rights in this unique situation, Vance wrote.
Martti Ahtisaari , the former president of Finland, diplomat, teacher and global peace broker awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008 for his work to resolve international conflicts, has died at the age of 86.

The current Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said that Ahtisaari was "a Finn with a big heart."

"He believed in people, education and goodness. He worked tirelessly to secure peace and life. Even for those who lived far away and under very different circumstances. For him, human dignity was inviolable," Niinisto said in a television speech Monday, which replaced regular programming on Yle, Finland's public broadcaster.

Ahtisaari was Finland's president for one term from 1994 to 2000, and the foundation he created after leaving office for preventing and resolving violent conflicts said it was deeply saddened by the loss of its founder and chair of board.

In 2021, it was announced that Ahtisaari had advanced Alzheimers disease. His death was announced on Monday morning.

International career

Among his most notable achievements, Ahtisaari helped strike peace accords related to Serbia's withdrawal from Kosovo in the late 1990s, Namibias bid for independence in the 1980s, and autonomy for Aceh province in Indonesia in 2005.

He was also involved with the Northern Ireland peace process in the late 1990s, tasked with monitoring the disarmament process of the IRA terrorist group.

When the Norwegian Nobel Peace Committee awarded its esteemed prize to Ahtisaari in October 2008, it cited him "for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts."

FILE - Former Finish President and Nobel Price winner for Peace Martti Ahtisaari, left, meets with Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu in Pristina, Kosovo, on Monday, June 15, 2009 - VISAR KRYEZIU/AP

Born June 23rd 1937 in the eastern town of Viipuri  which is now in Russia  Ahtisaari worked as a primary school teacher before joining Finlands Foreign Ministry in 1965. He spent some 20 years abroad, first as Finland's ambassador to Tanzania, Zambia and Somalia and then its top diplomat at the United Nations in New York.

After that he joined the UN itself, first working at its New York headquarters before heading the UN operation that brought independence to Namibia in 1990.

Ahtisaari had become deeply involved in activities aimed at preparing Namibians for independence during his diplomatic tenure in Africa in the 1970s. He was appointed as the special representative to Namibia by UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim in 1978, and is widely credited for helping support the African nation on its path to independence under his mandate as the head of UN peacekeeping forces there in the late 1980s.

The Namibian government was grateful for Ahtisaaris work and later made him an honorary citizen of the country.

Ahtisaari's return to Finland

After returning to Finland in 1991, Ahtisaari worked as a foreign ministry secretary of state before being elected president in 1994 for a six-year term. He was the first Finnish head of state to be elected directly instead of through an electoral college.

Having lived abroad for so long, he came into the race as a political outsider and was seen to bring a breath of fresh air to Finnish politics. Ahtisaari was a keen supporter of the European Union and NATO, which Finland joined in 1995 and 2023 respectively.

His international highlight came in 1999 when he negotiated  alongside Russias Balkans envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin  an end to fighting in the former Yugoslavian province of Kosovo.

Ahtisaari also hosted Russian President Boris Yeltsin and U.S. President Bill Clinton at a US-Russia summit in Finnish capital, Helsinki, in March 1997.

FILE: US President Bill Clinton, Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, Russian President Boris Yeltsin Mantyniemi presidential residence March 21, 1997 - ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AP1997

As president, Ahtisaari traveled abroad more widely than any of his predecessors. At home, he often appeared impatient and vexed by media criticism, and was clearly much more comfortable in international circles.

He declined to run for a second term in the January 2000 presidential election, saying he wanted to devote the time he would otherwise have used for campaigning to run the rotating EU presidency, which Finland assumed for the first time in 1999.

After the Finnish presidency, he was offered several international positions, including in the UN refugee agency, but decided instead to open his own office in Helsinki which has focused on mediation in international crises.

In May 2017, Ahtisaari stepped down as chairman of the Crisis Management Initiative he founded in 2000 to help resolve global conflicts, but said he would continue working with the organisation as an adviser.

Ahtisaari is survived by his wife Eeva and their adult son. He will be llaid to rest in a state funeral. The date will be announced later.
As Israel prepared to intensify its assault on the Gaza Strip with a potential ground invasion, dozens of southeast Michigan Jewish people gathered Monday outside a downtown Detroit federal building with a message for their elected leaders: Not in my name.

The group of about 100 called on Democratic U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow to help stop the genocide of Palestinians as Israel wages a retaliatory war against Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza and earlier this month killed about 1,300 Israelis.

They chanted, sang and spoke after a week of Israeli airstrikes killed more than 2,750 Palestinians  many of them civilians and children  and injured more than 9,700, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

I came out to tell our elected leaders who support this genocidal war with words, weapons, and our tax dollars, that it is an affront to our Jewish tradition, which teaches that every death is the loss of an entire world, said protester Jake Ehrlich.

Speakers, some in Jewish prayer shawls and kippahs, drew parallels between Israels response and the Holocaust.

More: War in Gaza touches off week of rallies across metro Detroit

Lior, 25, who declined to provide a last name for fear of estranging family, shared how a grandfather survived the genocide that wiped out nearly four generations of relatives. Some went on to settle in Israel  whose founding 75 years ago displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians  including, eventually, on a kibbutz near one massacred by Hamas earlier this month.

Today in Gaza family lines are ending  this is the definition of genocide, Lior said. My family survived it. I cannot live with myself or my people if another people experience genocide in my name.

Jake Ehrlrich, who works at a synagogue, said the moment calls for "humanization" and an end to the "deadly cycle of violence."

I came out to tell our elected leaders who support this genocidal war with words, weapons, and our tax dollars, that it is an affront to our Jewish tradition, which teaches that every death is the loss of an entire world, he said.

Mainstream Jewish groups have defended Israels fight as necessary for rooting out Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group they say intentionally burrows itself among Palestinian civilians, using them as human shields. Israel has shown restraint, they argue, attempting to limit civilian casualties with evacuation orders.

More: Thousands pack Michigan synagogue to support Israel as Whitmer rallies crowd

Those gathered Monday, however, painted a much different picture  one of a country committing war crimes under the false pretense of safety for its citizens.

Since Hamas attack a little more than a week ago, Israel has cut off food, water, electricity and fuel supplies to Gaza's 2.3 million residents. It dropped 6,000 bombs in the first six days of retaliatory air strikes  almost as many as were dropped by the U.S. in Afghanistan in one year. On Friday, it issued what the United Nations called an impossible evacuation order to more than 1 million Gazans, telling them to go south, then reportedly bombed a designated safe route. NGOs have meanwhile accused it of using white phosphorus on civilians, a claim Israel denies.

Metro Detroit Jewish people protest Israel's bombardment of Gaza outside Sen. Gary Peters' offices in downtown Detroit.

Dana Kornberg, 41, of Dearborn, lamented that some Jews see such atrocities as necessary for their survival.

But that, she and other protesters argued, is a false choice. To them, it's not Hamas that endangers Jews, but the state of Israel itself, whose origins and policies  including the blockade that has turned Gaza into what human rights groups call the worlds largest open-air prison  have fomented decades of conflict and resentment.

Last week triggered memories of the Holocaust for many Jewish people, but this does not mean that we are still there, said Kornberg. Israel has long been the recipient of billions of unconditional U.S. dollars, it was created by the British empire, and  unlike Palestinians  Israelis live in a world full of options.

More: Dearborn couple trapped in Gaza pleads for help: 'We are scared'

The clearest options, however, do not appear particularly viable. Kornberg and others at the demonstration said they support a one-state solution, with reparations for Palestinians, that would merge Israel, the Palestinian West Bank, and the Gaza Strip into one nation.

A two-state solution  the goal of past negotiations to end the decades-long conflict  meanwhile, may not be totally dead but is so close to death that efforts to revive it are likely to be little more than acts of zombie diplomacy, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a bipartisan think tank, wrote last week.

In the near term, the demonstrators goal was more modest and urgent. Gathered outside the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building where Peters has offices, they demanded he and Stabenow call for an immediate cease-fire. They echoed Jewish-led demonstrators who urged the same of President Joe Biden at a rally outside the White House Monday, where more than 30 were arrested.

Peters staff said he was traveling, but permitted 10 demonstrators to meet with representatives from his office, organizers said. They recited the mourners kaddish  a bereavement prayer  and left.

More: Illinois man fatally stabbed 6-year-old in hate crime motivated by Israeli-Hamas war, authorities say

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Not in my name: Jewish group denounces Israel siege on Gaza
Crime scene tape outlines the scene of a crime in Tallahassee.

A shooting Monday afternoon near Savannah High School left one man dead and two other men seriously injured.

Savannah Police officers responded to the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Harrison Street following a ShotSpotter report around 2 p.m. One man died at the scene and the other two gunshot victims were transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center, according to a departmental press release.

More Gun Violence: Savannah High student shot in drive-by while walking to school on Wednesday

Gun Violence: One woman killed, man injured in double shooting on Savannah's south side

SPD Communications Manager Neil Penttila said that no Savannah High School students were injured. Other media outlets have reported that Savannah High went on a soft lockdown per Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools' protocol, although the lockdown has not been confirmed by Savannah Morning News.

The shooting comes less than two weeks after a Savannah High student was shot while walking to school.

No arrests have been made and SPD continues to investigate the shooting. Anyone with info should call CrimeStoppers, 912-234-2020.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: One man dead, two men injured in shooting near Savannah High
More than a dozen U.S. lawmakers introduced a House resolution Monday that calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as the death toll in the region continues to climb and human rights groups warn of ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

In the resolution submitted by Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), the 13 members of Congress urged the White House to immediately call for and help facilitate deescalation and a ceasefire. The bill is the first congressional resolution that recognizes the loss of all civilian lives since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing hundreds of people, and Israel retaliated with a massive bombardment of Gaza.

The United States bears a unique responsibility to exhaust every diplomatic tool at our disposal to prevent mass atrocities and save lives, Bush said. We cant bomb our way to peace, equality and freedom. With thousands of lives lost and millions more at stake, we need a ceasefire now.

In addition to a ceasefire, the resolution calls for immediate humanitarian assistance to Gaza, a blockaded territory that Israel has cut off from food, water, medicine and electricity. On Monday, the commissioner of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency said that more than a dozen relief workers have been killed in Gaza, and the remaining workers could no longer operate due to a lack of basic necessities.

In addition to Bush, the resolution was introduced by Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Andre Carson (Ind.), Delia Ramirez (Ill.) and Summer Lee (Pa.). Democrats who are also original co-sponsors include Reps. Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Jonathan Jackson (Ill.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.), Nydia Velazquez (N.Y.) and Chuy Garcia (Ill.).

We must do everything we can to save lives.@RepRashida, @RepAndreCarson, @RepSummerLee, @RepDeliaramirez, and I are introducing the #CeasefireNOW Resolution to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.



I urge my colleagues to join us. pic.twitter.com/DlZ2k365zL  Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) October 16, 2023

After Hamas attack, which resulted in 1,400 people dead and more than 100 held captive, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. would give its unwavering support to Israel, including military assistance and potentially billions of dollars in additional aid. The president is set to travel to Israel this week as the violence threatens to expand into a larger regional conflict, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday.

But despite Bidens assurance that Israel will follow the laws of war, the U.S. ally has been continuously attacking civilians, homes and sanctuary buildings in Gaza  leaving more than 3,000 Palestinians dead, about a third of them children. The Israeli military is preparing for a ground invasion of the enclave, and has targeted civilians who are fleeing under Israels own evacuation orders.

Before the ceasefire bill, internal emails obtained by HuffPost revealed that the State Department had been discouraging diplomats working on Middle East issues from publicly saying anything that suggests the U.S. wants to reduce the violence in the region. High-level officials reportedly did not want press materials to include any of the following three phrases: de-escalation/ceasefire, end to violence/bloodshed and restoring calm.

Congress is currently preparing to vote on a separate resolution sponsored by House foreign affairs committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and ranking member Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.). That bill calls on Hamas militants to cease fire, but it pledges continued support for Israels military response that human rights groups say amounts to war crimes, ethnic cleansing and genocide. The resolution makes no mention of Palestinian civilian casualties or the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The answer to violence is not more violence. The answer is not military response and more killing of innocent children and women, Carson said in a statement. Palestinians are already surrounded by long-term military blockades  they have literally nowhere to go.

On Monday, Blinken said he secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creating a pathway to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. But as of Tuesday, there was not yet a deal in place.

Netanyahu has meanwhile escalated the dehumanizing language that Israeli officials have used to describe Palestinians. On Monday, he said in a now-deleted post on X, the former Twitter, that the violence is a struggle between the children of light and the children of darkness, between humanity and the law of the jungle.

The next day, a hospital in Gaza City was bombed. Hamas said Israel was responsible, while Israeli officials said the explosion was due to an errant rocket fired by Palestinian militants.

President Biden must also share in the accountability for this crime after giving Israel the green light to attack civilians in Gaza, CAIR national executive director Nihad Awad said in reference to the hospital bombing. This slaughter is taking place with American weapons and U.S. taxpayer dollars.

Related...
Week Without Violence

The YWCA Northwestern Illinois will host its annual Week Without Violence awareness event at 3 p.m. Tuesday outside the Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center, 650 W. State St.

Community leaders with join YWCA staff and volunteers in raising awareness and advocating for domestic and sexual violence survivors by writing messages in chalk on the sidewalks outside the justice center.

Week Without Violence is part of a global movement with YWCAs across the country and around the world to end violence against women and girls.

Mobile Museum of Tolerance

Mobile Museum of Tolerance, an arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, will be in the Rockford area from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Byron High School, 696 N. Colfax St., Byron.

The mobile museum is the first traveling education center of its kind in the United States. It visits school districts and public places across Illinois to offer free education and awareness about the threat of hate and intolerance in our communities.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford Daybook: Week without violence, Mobile museum visit
Police have charged a trio of men accused of terrorizing an annual homecoming parade for Hillside High School with their vehicles.

The parade, held on the campus of North Carolina Central University on Saturday, was attended by Durham city officials and the Hillside High School National Alumni Association.

Two separate incidents disrupted the parade, the first being the driver of a car.

North Carolina Central University Police charged 23-year-old Jerrie Brooks with driving the wrong way toward parade-goers and going 15 miles over the speed limit, according to ABC11, The News & Observers newsgathering partner.

He was charged with reckless driving, fleeing/eluding arrest, carrying a concealed weapon and assault with a deadly weapon.

I heard a lady screaming, move, move, move! Durham city councilmember Leonidas Williams told ABC11. I turned around and there was a black car coming toward Rep. Zach Hawkins and I, and we jumped out of the way. There was a deputy that tried to stop them and the car didnt slow down.

Two young men on dirt bikes were charged by the Durham Police Department for riding through the parade route.

The Durham Police Department charged Marcus Devon Wilder Jr. and Curtis Eugene Calloway Jr., both 19.

There were no injuries reported.
A shellfish vendor waits for customers at their stall in a popular food market, used by top international hotels and restaurants, in Beijing on July 16, 2020. Russia joined China on Monday in banning Japanese seafood imports. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Russia on Monday joined China in restricting Japanese seafood imports in connection with Japan's decision to release treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, or Rosselkhoznadzor, called the decision a "precautionary measure" over concerns raised by China and about possible contamination of the seafood because of the water release.

Rosselkhoznadzor said the restrictions would stay in place until Tokyo provides Moscow with "comprehensive information" confirming the safety of Japanese fish and seafood products.

The Japanese government held a video conference with Rosselkhoznadzor earlier in October to detail its methods for safety inspection and testing for radioactive substances including tritium, but it was not enough for agency to issue its order on Monday.

Japan's Foreign Ministry said it "strongly demands" Russia remove the restriction, which it described as "extremely regretful" and lacking scientific basis.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was damaged by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Japan started discharging treated water from the plant in August following the International Atomic Energy Agency's determination a month earlier that its treatment plans followed global safety standards.

China almost immediately imposed a blanket ban on Japanese seafood with the first round is discharged. A second round of water discharge started in early October.

Japan had exported some 118 tons of seafood to Russia this year as of Sept. 22, according to Russian officials.
A new illustration of Strigilodus tollesonae created specially by artist Benji Paysnoe. The new species is more closely related to modern ratfish than to other modern sharks and rays.

A new shark species has been discovered within a rock layer at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, according to the National Park Service.

The new species of petalodont, or "petal-toothed" shark, was discovered within the Ste. Genevieve Formation at Mammoth Cave after several small spoon-like teeth were discovered in the cave wall and ceiling.

The findings were announced Wednesday during National Fossil Day, a day to celebrate and promote the scientific and educational values of fossils.

We are excited to finally announce the discovery of our first new shark species at Mammoth Cave on NFD, Mammoth Cave National Park Superintendent Barclay Trimble said. Teams of geologists, paleontologist, park staff, and volunteers have been hard at work deep inside the cave identifying and collecting fossils since the paleontological resources inventory began in 2019.

"Their important research allows us to better understand the scope, significance, distribution, and management issues associated with the fossil record found within Mammoth Cave," he said.

The name Strigilodus tollesonae, or "Tolleson's Scraper Tooth," was bestowed on the discovery in honor of Mammoth Cave National Park guide Kelli Tolleson, who provided outstanding field support for the paleontological resource inventory, officials said.

Tolleson discovered many important fossil localities through her work and led expeditions to the fossil sites  which were located in several remote locations within the park.

Mammoth Cave National Park will celebrate the Strigilodus tollesonae discovery and other types of fossils found within the cave system on Monday.

During their celebration, paleontologists, educators and park guides will present fossil-related activities to highlight the scientific and educational value of paleontology and the importance of preserving fossils for future generations.

More information about the Mammoth Cave event will be released closer to the event date.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: New ancient shark species discovered in KY's Mammoth Cave
Germany's new immigration law is making it easier for foreign workers to move there

The first stages of a new law that will make it easier for skilled workers from outside the EU to move to Germany are expected to come in November.

The German government gave its final approval for the law in July this year. It is expected to come into force in three steps in November 2023, March 2024 and June 2024.

The new law aims to attract skilled foreign workers and combat labour shortages in the country.

The plans to modernise the country's immigration legislation are expected to make it easier for third-country nationals to work in Germany. It could increase the number of non-EU workers in Germany by 60,000 per year.

The reforms to the Skilled Immigration Act particularly focus on workers with vocational, non-academic training. Existing rules for qualified professionals with university degrees will also be relaxed.

Why is Germany changing its immigration policies?

Like many countries in Europe, Germany is facing a shortage of skilled workers.

In 2022, the country's labour shortage rose to an all-time high: the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) found 1.74 million vacant positions throughout Germany.

In July last year, staff shortages affected almost half of all companies surveyed by Munich-based research institute IFO, forcing them to slow down their operations.

It hopes to fill this gap with qualified professionals from outside the EU. But currently, red tape is slowing down the country's immigration process.

During a press conference held at the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs (BfAA) on 17 January 2023, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said modernising the visa process would mean turning it upside down.

Together with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, she emphasised removing bureaucracy and improving the digitisation and efficiency of the system.

We know that we can only guarantee our future, the efficiency of our economy and the efficiency of our social security systems if we have enough skilled workers at our disposal, said Scholz.

From within the European Union, that's not so difficult, because there is freedom of movement. With regard to the rest of the world, it is a greater challenge, he added.

How does Germany plan to attract skilled foreign workers?

Germany is hoping to combat its shortage of skilled workers with a new opportunity card.

The chancenkarte will use a points-based system to enable workers with the required skills to come to Germany more easily.

It is part of a strategy proposed by Labour Minister Hubertus Heil to address the countrys labour shortages and is aimed at people who do not yet have a work contract in Germany.

The points-based system will take into account qualifications, professional experience, age, German language skills and ties to Germany such as family members in the country.

Every year, quotas will be set depending on which industries need workers. Three out of four of the following criteria must also be met to apply for the scheme:

A degree or vocational training

Three years of professional experience

Language skills or a previous stay in Germany

35 years old or younger

Currently, most non-EU citizens need to have a job offer before they can relocate to Germany. A visa for job seekers already exists, but the 'chancenkarte' is expected to make it easier and faster for people looking to find work in Germany.

Citizens of certain countries with visa agreements can already enter Germany for 90 days visa-free but are only permitted to take up short-term employment.

The opportunity card will allow people to come and look for a job or apprenticeship while in the country rather than applying from abroad. Applicants must be able to prove they can afford to pay their living expenses in the meantime.

The exact details of the scheme are yet to be formalised. The chancenkarte is not expected to be available until at least the end of 2023.

What are the main changes to Germany's immigration policies?

Firstly, the new system will make it easier for people with professional experience - rather than a university degree - to come and work in Germany.

Secondly, Germany will become more open to job experience and professional qualifications that are recognised in workers' native countries. Currently, the country is strict about which qualifications it recognises.

Thirdly, it will be easier for those without a job offer to seek work in Germany via the opportunity card.

Qualified job seekers with degrees or vocational certificates will be allowed to stay in the country for one year as they search for employment. While looking for full-time employment, they will be permitted to work up to 20 hours per week.

Rules will also be eased for those with a job offer and a recognised diploma. Salary thresholds will be lowered, it will be easier for workers to bring their families to Germany, and it will be easier to gain permanent residency.

Which industries are worst hit by staff shortages in Germany?

Germany is specifically seeking skilled craftspeople, electrical engineers, IT specialists, carers, nurses, catering and hospitality professionals.

An IFO survey shows the service sector is the worst hit - especially the accommodation and event industries.

This is followed by warehousing and storage, service providers, and manufacturing - particularly in the food, data processing equipment, machinery and metal manufacturing sectors. Many retail businesses, construction companies and wholesalers have also reported staff shortages.

IT specialists with relevant job experience will receive EU Blue Cards even if they do not possess a university degree, according to German news channel DW.

Other in-demand occupations listed on the government website include physicians and scientists. A shortage of metallurgy workers and builders has previously been reported.

The pharmaceutical and chemical industries report the lowest shortage of skilled workers. The automotive and mechanical engineering industries are also suffering less than other sectors.
Total solar eclipse with a burst of sunlight emerging from behind the moon in the lower left corner. .

It's high time you got organized for the rare total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024 .

A much bigger, grander affair than the annular solar eclipse just gone, this event will include totality  darkness in the day and a chance to see the sun's corona with your naked eyes  but only if you're in exactly the right place at the right time.

For much of the Americas, the event won't be hugely different from what was experienced on Oct. 14. Although the northeast U.S. will this time see a huge partial solar eclipse , it won't be a grand spectacle unless you get to the path of totality.

Related: NASA will study the Great North American Solar Eclipse of 2024 with these 5 experiments

The 115-mile-wide (185 kilometers) path of totality will cross three states in Mexico, 15 U.S. states and four states in southeast Canada, according to NASA , but such is the rarity and popularity of this event that it will hugely pay to get informed and organized as soon as possible. Here are eight top tips for planning your total solar eclipse experience.

1. Understand the map

Map of the U.S. showing the path of the solar eclipse.

The path of totality on April 8, 2024, by state. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com)

The path of totality is where the inner umbral shadow of the moon will move across North America. It's only 115 miles (185 km) wide, though about 8,000 miles (13,000 km) long. Outside of it, you will see a partial solar eclipse where the moon appears to take a "bite" out of the sun .

Excellent interactive eclipse maps can be had from Eclipse2024.org and French eclipse calculator Xavier Jubier's website while printed maps, books and guides are available from Great American Eclipse .

The path of totality will cross parts of the states of Sinaloa, Durango and Coahuila in Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. in the US, and Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland in Canada.

Related: How to read and understand a solar eclipse map

2. Don't obsess about the centerline

map showing the path of totality for the April 8 total solar eclipse across southcentral U.S.

Get to the path, but don't obsess about the centerline. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com)

You only need to be within the path to experience totality, but how long you experience it for depends on two things  where you are on the continent and where you are with respect to the edges of the path.

Wherever you are, the centerline of the path is where the moon's round shadow is widest and takes longer to move over you, so totality lasts longest. Lodgings close to the centerline are likely long sold out by now. However, your general geography also matters. Stand on the centerline in Texas and it's possible to experience a totality lasting 4 minutes 27 seconds while as the path leaves Canada it's just 2 minutes 52 seconds. It's a sliding scale across North America, with the maximum duration tailing off as the moon's shadow moves more quickly as it moves northeast.

It's useful to know all this, but this is the longest total solar eclipse inland for over a decade. So anywhere within the path of totality with three-or-so minutes duration is a massive achievement.

3. Find a special place

people gather to watch a solar eclipse.

Choose between a "me" eclipse and a "we" eclipse. (Image credit: San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The best scenic locations for this eclipse include everything from Niagara Falls and Lake Erie to Texas Hill Country and Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas but think beyond honeypot destinations, where crowds and traffic are bound to be bad.

The changing light, the twilight, the roosting birds and the look of astonishment and delight on the faces of loved ones are all highlights of experiencing totality. If the eclipse closes your house, why would you not stay at home? It's a once in 375 years opportunity, after all. Scour the eclipse maps for places special to you if you want a "me" eclipse or, if you'd rather have a "we" eclipse then find your ideal festival, observing event or rooftop party  and make a reservation as soon as you can.

4. Think about clouds and clear skies

partial eclipse behind clouds

All you really need to see the solar corona is a cloudless sky. (Image credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images)

Obsessing about the centerline and choosing a scenic location is par for the course for people preparing for total solar eclipses, but if you're going to get organized, do it twice.

What if it's going to be cloudy where you plan to be? You'll know this about three days before when the short-term weather forecasts come out (the Windy app is handy for that and so is Eclipsophile ). It's probably not an enticing prospect, but are you prepared to drive 1,000 miles in a couple of days before the eclipse and sleep in your car? If you are in a position to do that, stay mobile and look at a road atlas for the eclipse ( Road Atlas for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024 by Fred Espenak is excellent). Interstates that link potential locations are your best friend in the days before the eclipse. Prepare a Plan B like it's inevitable because the chance of cloud is at least 50% across the U.S. and Canada.

5. Plan a road-trip

Motorhome at free camp site with milky way sky in New Zealand.

A road trip keeps you mobile and laser-focused on getting to the path. (Image credit: Suriyapong Thongsawang via Getty Images)

A good way to stay mobile and guarantee a great vacation is to go on a road trip. It may depend on whether you can rent a campervan or an RV to cover the dates  something that will be easier the farther you live from the path of totality  but a road trip that intersects the path of totality has other advantages.

Maybe you want to tour the Johnson Space Center in Houston before seeing the eclipse in Texas. Or perhaps a stargazing trip to that state's remote Big Bend National Park cold work (though there are any number of International Dark Sky Places to choose from). Since solar eclipses happen at new moon the week before is particularly good for stargazing.

Related: The ultimate guide to planning epic stargazing road trips in the US southwest

6. Consider a 'city eclipse'

Waterfalls of Rochester, NY, USA. The waterfalls are in the foreground and buildings in the background.

Rochester, New York is just one of the big cities getting organized well ahead of the total solar eclipse. (Image credit: Roland Shainidze Photogaphy via Getty Images)

About 32 million people live inside the path of totality, almost three times more than in 2017  and many of them in cities. While hotels and lodging already sell for extortionate prices in the Texas Hill Country and Arkansas  which have the biggest chance of clear skies  cities have way more capacity.

It's not often that any large cities experience totality, but this time they include Mazatlan, Torreon, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester and Montreal. There are dozens of other cities right on the edge of the path, too.

7. Forget cameras, embrace binoculars

People watch with their mobile phones as clouds part to reveal the sun obscured by the moon during a partial solar eclipse at Skegness seafront in Lincolnshire, north England on March 20, 2015.

The view of totality through binoculars is something few eclipse photographers have ever seen. (Image credit: LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)

Fancy shooting a sequence, a panorama or close-ups of the solar corona during totality? Settings, filters, when to remove filters, when to put them on again, then fiddling with exposure settings during *the most incredible few minutes of your entire life*.

Why would anyone bother to photograph a total solar eclipse? It's a bit like filming your own wedding. Smartphones are way easier  you just use your wide-angle lens, focus on something in the middle distance just before it starts to get really dark, lock that focus (using a long press) and hit the shutter when it gets dark. Now  during totality  put your phone away and reach for any pair of binoculars for the *sight of your life*! You won't regret it.

Remember to NEVER look at the sun without appropriate safety equipment, only during "totality" when the sun is completely eclipsed by the sun can you look at the sun with the naked eye. At all other times observers will need to wear solar eclipse glasses, and cameras, telescopes and binoculars must have solar filters placed in front of their lenses at all times.

Our how to observe the sun safely guide tells you everything you need to know about safe solar observations.

8. Stay after totality

Solar eclipse composite with observers, Mulligan Highway, Queensland, Australia

Stay after totality to watch the partial eclipse close out the event. (Image credit: Philip Hart/Stocktrek Images via Getty Images)

Everyone knows the traffic was awful after the "Great American Eclipse" on August 21, 2017. Vehicles queued for many hours to get home. That will happen again and there's nothing you can do to prevent it. So stay in your location for a while.

After all, how often do you get to see a huge partial solar eclipse, which is what unfolds after totality just as it did beforehand? Besides, you'll want to pay homage to the moon. Thanks, moon.
Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drone has been praised for its performance against Russia in Ukraine.

But Turkey has also deployed or sold the drone in a way that runs counter to US interests.

That reflects how US and Turkish foreign policies have diverged in several areas in recent years.

Turkey's battle-tested Bayraktar TB2 combat drone has solidified its reputation since spring 2022, when Ukrainian troops began using it to devastating effect against Russian forces advancing on Kyiv.

In recent days, however, Turkey has again shown how its TB2s can threaten the interests of the US and its partners, especially in the Middle East, where Ankara and Washington have divergent perspectives on and objectives for some of the region's conflicts.

Turkey has supplied at least 50 TB2s to Ukraine since 2019, though many of them have been delivered since Russia launched its ill-fated invasion last year. Its effectiveness against Russian forces has made it a symbol of resistance celebrated widely by Ukrainians.

A Bayraktar TB2 drone, purchased in a crowdfunding campaign, displayed at a Lithuanian air base in July 2022. Petras Malukas/Getty Images

The TB2's performance in Ukraine has inspired merchandise and even songs and generated international crowdfunding campaigns to buy more of them to Kyiv. The manufacturer, Baykar, even agreed to gift Ukraine one TB2 free of charge after Lithuanians raised $6.3 million to pay for it.

The drone's designer said the TB2's success early in the Ukraine war meant "the whole world" had become a customer for the TB2, and its export success is undeniable. The company has a growing waitlist and at least 30 countries had ordered the drone as of 2023.

Russia's military has been able to counter the TB2. Adjustments in its use of air defense and electronic warfare helped it destroy at least one-third of Ukraine's TB2 fleet, but recent footage showing a TB2 targeting Russian ground and naval forces underscores the drone's continued utility for Ukraine.

TB2 shoot-down

US and Turkish troops near a Turkish border town after a joint patrol in northern Syria in September 2019. Reuters

The US no doubt supports Turkish drone sales to Ukraine and welcomes the TB2's success against Russian forces.

On the other hand, Washington has had concerns over other countries to which Turkey has sold TB2s. For example, Ankara supplied TB2s to Azerbaijan, which used them against Armenian forces in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020. In 2021, the US took issue with Turkey's sale of TB2 armed drones to Ethiopia during the Tigray War.

Turkey and the US have also consistently butted heads in northeastern Syria, where Turkish drones have repeatedly targeted the US's leading local partner against ISIS  the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which Turkey views as an extension of its arch-foe, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK  and have killed innocent civilians, including children.

While Ankara's drone campaign in Syria is nothing new, it has intensified in recent weeks. Following a suicide bombing in Ankara on October 1 that was claimed by the PKK, Turkey ratcheted up its strikes across northeastern Syria, damaging an estimated half of the oil and electricity facilities in the region and cutting off electricity for its beleaguered residents.

US and Syrian Democratic Forces troops on a patrol in northeast Syria in January 2020. US Army/Staff Sgt. Jodi Eastham

On October 5, a Turkish drone bombing Kurdish targets came within about 500 yards of US troops in a "declared US restricted operating zone" near Hasakah, chief Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, said that day. The drone, reportedly a TB2, was deemed a threat and shot down by a US F-16, though Ryder said the US had "no indication" it was targeting US troops.

Turkey initially denied the drone belonged to its military but later backtracked. In statement on October 6, the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed the loss of a drone "due to different technical assessments in the deconfliction mechanism with third parties."

The statement was undoubtedly a reference to the US, as Turkey's military has separate de-escalation mechanisms with Russia and the US and requires a green light from at least one before launching major operations in Syria, which are invariably against the SDF.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to his Turkish counterpart after the shoot-down and "reaffirmed that the United States remains in Syria exclusively in support of the campaign to defeat ISIS," Ryder said in a statement, adding that Austin "underscored the importance of close coordination between the United States and Turkey to prevent any risk to US forces or the global coalition's defeat-ISIS mission."

'An unusual and extraordinary threat'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Joe Biden at the NATO summit in Madrid in June 2022. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images

Despite such conciliatory statements, the US has said that Turkey's attacks on the SDF, including its current campaign, directly affect anti-ISIS operations.

On October 12, President Joe Biden extended a national emergency order on Syria declared by his predecessor, Donald Trump, following Turkey's October 2019 cross-border offensive against the SDF, authorizing sanctions against Turkish officials involved in that operation.

In a statement announcing the extension, Biden cited "actions by the Government of Turkey to conduct a military offensive into northeast Syria," which "undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, endangers civilians, and further threatens to undermine the peace, security, and stability in the region."

Those actions, Biden said, "pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."

The US government frequently touts its efforts to rally international support for Ukraine, and it undoubtedly welcomes the addition of Turkish TB2s Kyiv's arsenal. Conversely, in today's Middle East  where the divides between Turkey and its NATO allies are often on display  that very same drone is a hindrance or even a menace to the US's continued efforts to combat ISIS.

Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist and columnist who writes about Middle East developments, military affairs, politics, and history. His articles have appeared in a variety of publications focused on the region.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Its now been 600 days since Moscow launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine and one of Kyivs top commanders has declared that one of Russias biggest offensives in months is failing. With claims that the Russian offensive aimed at the town of Avdiivka, north of the city of Donetsk, is stalling, the fact remains that Ukraines own counteroffensive is also in difficulty , a reality that the same commander accepted.

Speaking to the U.K.s Guardian newspaper , Col. Dmytro Lysyuk, who heads up the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said he was convinced that the Russian Army would not now achieve the breakthrough it was looking for in Avdiivka.

A Ukrainian soldier with an SPG grenade launcher in the direction of Avdiivka as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues at the frontline Donbas in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Four days ago, we reported that, while heavy fighting continues there, there were indications that Russia had already sustained significant losses while, at the same time, making only limited progress. The Russian offensive at Avdiivka has involved thousands of soldiers supported by heavy armor, artillery, and attack helicopters. The aim of the operation appeared to be the encirclement of a pocket of Ukrainian troops.

https://www.twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1713947915436150959?s=20

Were Russia to take the territory in and around Avdiivka, they would be able to link up with Russian-held territory surrounding the city, on the eastern Donbas front.

Reports suggest that Russia committed at least three Russian battalions, each with around 2,000-3,000 troops when they launched an assault on Avdiivka early last week. Accounts from there, supported by videos, apparently indicate that Russia has lost large numbers of tanks, artillery, and personnel in the assault, although these claims cannot be confirmed.

According to the Guardian article, at least 36 Russian tanks and other armored vehicles were destroyed in the first 24 hours. The Kyiv Post now reports that Russia has lost 102 tanks and 183 armored vehicles, with 2,840 troops killed.

https://www.twitter.com/Tendar/status/1713957896822698057?s=20

Col. Lysyuk noted that Russia had sent a long column of fighting vehicles into battle, ending in failure. Some of the videos that have emerged from Avdiivka also appear to show tactics of this kind, including one in which the lead tank falls off a pontoon bridge and ends up in a river .

The Russians should have realized this a long time ago, said Lysyuk, in reference to those tactics. They have not managed to achieve even tactical success.

https://www.twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1712830457383956989?s=20

Today, the Ukrainian General Staff said that its forces had repelled 15 Russian attacks against Avdiivka from four directions, over the previous 24 hours, although this cannot be independently verified.

Col. Lysyuk also provided some interesting details of the ways that Ukraine has changed its own tactics.

He described using teams of eight soldiers, backed up by a 12-person evacuation team, supported by accurate firepower. In this way, the units have been able to advance 100-500 meters a day  equivalent to 109-547 yards. These small group formations have been used instead of heavy armor, which has proven vulnerable.

https://www.twitter.com/Tatarigami_UA/status/1713921466910081372?s=20 https://www.twitter.com/GloOouD/status/1713989461556576573?s=20

In particular, the 128th Brigade has struggled with Russian minefields, extensive defensive trench networks, and first-person view (FPV) drones carrying explosive payloads.

Col. Lysyuk said that the enemy still had an advantage in terms of its numbers of troops, as well as its electronic warfare and reconnaissance equipment.

While the 128th Brigade still uses Soviet-era T-72 tanks and 2S1 self-propelled artillery , Lysyuks men have received Western anti-tank weapons, mortars, and night-vision equipment.

https://www.twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1713573684625932429?s=20 https://www.twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1714026565602877948?s=20

Col. Lysyuks account provides some valuable insight into one units travails in the ongoing counteroffensive, launched back in June. While there has been no shortage of criticism from some quarters about the pace and effectiveness of the counteroffensive, its clear that there is still optimism among Kyivs fighters and that tactics have been adjusted to better deal with Russias deep defenses and its own war plans.

Before getting into the rest of the latest news from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can get caught up with our previous rolling coverage here .

The Latest

Outside of Avdiivka, fierce fighting continues in the adjacent Zaporizhzhia region, in southeast Ukraine. Apparently taken on October 14, the video below shows all that was left of a Russian T-80 main battle tank, purportedly the victim of a Ukrainian drone strike. What little is left of the tank suggests that the drone triggered a catastrophic detonation of the ammunition that is stored directly underneath the turret . This has become an all-too-common feature of Soviet-era tank designs in the conflict.

https://www.twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1713472825795719665?s=20

Meanwhile, in northeast Ukraine, the commander of Ukraines Ground Forces, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, has said that Russia hopes to break through Ukrainian defenses in the Kupiansk-Lyman sector of the front line, according to a Reuters report .

In footage posted on Telegram, Syrskyi said that fighting in the Kupiansk-Lyman sector had significantly escalated.

The enemy is preparing, seriously preparing for offensive actions, bringing in staff, Syrskyi added. The main goal is to break through our troops defenses and recapture our territory.

Ukrainian forces recaptured the city of Kupiansk and nearby areas almost a year ago, but Russian forces have since gone on the attack in the region again.

https://www.twitter.com/UN_Agency/status/1713993259779846588?s=20

The Kremlin has confirmed that China will be the Russian President Vladimir Putin s destination for his first trip outside the former Soviet Union since a warrant for his arrest was issued by an international criminal court. Back in March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued a warrant for Putin, over Russias deportation of children from Ukraine.

https://www.twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1713767289596637391?s=20

President Putin will meet his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Beijing for talks on Wednesday. Ahead of that, Sergei Lavrov, Russias Minister of Foreign Affairs arrived in the Chinese capital today.

Putin sought to strengthen relations with China immediately ahead of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 although Beijings position since then has been more ambivalent. While blaming NATO enlargement as the reason for Russia starting the war, China has also stressed respect for Ukraines territorial integrity.

https://www.twitter.com/mfa_russia/status/1713914521528500722?s=20

In related news, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has claimed that most of Russias drones are currently being sourced from China. Likely referring to the kinds of commercial and hobbyist-type drones that can be bought off the shelf, Siluanov said that, in response, Russia will invest more than $618 million on a new project to kickstart the development of domestic drone manufacturing.

We are spending additional money on drones  and more than 60 billion roubles on a new national project to develop our own drone base, said Siluanov. The task is that 41 percent of all drones by 2025 should have the label Made in Russia. Today, drones are mainly from the Peoples Republic of China. Drones have played a major part in the war in Ukraine, being used for attacks and reconnaissance.

https://www.twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1713920354953900479?s=20

It seems the countrys own industry is already being forced to adapt to the reality of the conflict, and its demand for drones, at least according to Russian media accounts  although it may well not be exactly what Siluanov had in mind.

The following video, broadcast on Russian state TV, shows a bakery in Tambov that has apparently switched from fresh bread to drones. At one stage, the TV presenter observes a conveyor belt, on which a line of baked goods gives way to quadcopter-type drones, although exactly how this transformation has taken place remains generally unclear if not outright suspicious.

https://www.twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1713900521055043705?s=20

Multiple reports from news organizations and think tanks alike, as well as statements from the White House, say that North Korea is now shipping large quantities of ammunition to Russia. This comes after Kim's visit to Russia where he met with Putin and a widely expected arms deal between the two.

https://twitter.com/RUSI_org/status/1713861846002721236?s=20 https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1713927355780014295?s=20 https://twitter.com/lrozen/status/1712870315619967304?s=20

Russia getting supplied by North Korea is highly troubling in multiple ways. North Korea can mass produce artillery shells as their defensive strategy relies very heavily on artillery and they had to become self sufficient at producing ammo for their Soviet calibers. The artillery tide was just starting to turn where Ukraine out-fired Russia on a daily basis, too. Now that North Korea is in play, it's unlikely that will remain the case.

It also points to the larger issue of North Korea getting very close to Russia and raises the question of what they will get in return for the ammo? Fighter aircraft seems to be that the top of Pyongyang's list. You can read all about this situation in this recent piece of ours .

According to Ukrainian accounts, reported by Reuters, Russia launched five missiles and 12 suicide drones into Ukraine overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force said that it shot down two of the missiles, which were launched against the northern and eastern regions of the country. The missiles included both Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles and air-launched Kh-59 series standoff missiles.

The air force also said that it shot down 11 of the drones, which were Iranian-designed Shaheds. Most of them were reportedly sent toward objectives in western Ukraine.

https://www.twitter.com/Euan_MacDonald/status/1713803302771532204?s=20

In the eastern region of Poltava, the local governor, Filip Pronin, said the region had been attacked by drones and missiles, leaving three civilians hospitalized. Fortunately, no civilian or critical infrastructure was hit, Pronin wrote on Telegram. However, missile fragments damaged several private homes, he added.

https://www.twitter.com/Flash_news_ua/status/1713794739797946557?s=20

In its latest intelligence update on the conflict, the U.K. Ministry of Defense says that Redut, a purported private military company, is now recruiting mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, including former personnel from the notorious Wagner Group . The mercenaries are being recruited under the guise of volunteers, the U.K. Ministry of Defense claims.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, the U.K. Ministry of Defense wrote: The Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate likely supervises and finances the groups activities, including its recruitment. Since the start of the invasion, Redut has been involved in combat operations in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Luhansk oblasts. The group highly likely has over 7,000 personnel It is a realistic possibility that the Russian Ministry of Defences practice of recruiting through volunteer units has contributed to Russia avoiding further unpopular mobilizations.

https://www.twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1713850808431775939?s=20

To finish todays coverage, some high-quality video showing one of the many types of Western-supplied armored vehicles now being used in Ukraine, namely a Canadian-donated Roshel Senator. This 4x4 armored car is based on a Ford F-550 chassis and is designed to offer protection against small arms fire. While originally developed for peacekeeping and law enforcement activities, the Senator can also be used as an armored personnel carrier. Reportedly, 330 examples of the Senator were supplied to Ukraine starting in May 2022.

https://www.twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1713989464509260163?s=20

That is all for now. This story will be updated when theres more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
The Ukrainian military on Tuesday used U.S.-supplied longer-range missiles to strike nine Russian helicopters in eastern Ukraine, after Washington secretly shipped the weapons in recent weeks.

The delivery and use on the battlefield, confirmed by two people familiar with the move, marks a major ramp up of the administrations defense of Ukraine, for the first time providing Kyivs forces with the ability to strike Russian targets far behind the front lines.

President Joe Biden had been hesitant to deliver the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, for fear of escalating the conflict. The transfer indicates the administrations calculus has changed after a slow-moving Ukrainian counteroffensive. The two people who confirmed the transfer and usage in Ukraine were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news that the missile had been transferred and used.

The acknowledgment that the ATACMS are in Ukrainian hands and already in use comes after months of secrecy around Bidens decision to send the longer-range weapons. Ukraine announced Tuesday that its forces had destroyed nine Russian helicopters, as well as other military equipment, in an attack on the cities of Berdyansk and Luhansk in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian special forces early on Tuesday struck two Russian military airfields, saying they successfully destroyed nine Russian military helicopters, an anti-aircraft missile system, and an ammunition warehouse.

The attacks took place in occupied Berdyansk, a southern city in the Zaporizhzhia region; and at an airfield in Luhansk, an occupied city in eastern Ukraine.

The special forces also managed to successfully damage airfield runways, Ukraine said, in what it called Operation Dragonfly.

The ammunition depot in Berdyansk detonated until 4 a.m. The detonation in Luhansk continued until 11 a.m. Losses in the enemys manpower amount to dozens of dead and wounded. Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said in a statement.

Biden relayed his decision to send the missiles during a Sept. 21 White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Biden said Ukraine would get a version of ATACMS, if not the long-range variant Kyiv had sought for so long, but it was unclear when, exactly, the weapons would be in Ukrainian hands.

The decision also comes as the administration has grown concerned about a Russian buildup of troops and equipment for a fall offensive, in what could be the largest Russian movement in months.

Russian forces have launched a series of mostly unsuccessful attacks against Ukrainian positions in Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region over the past week, but have been repelled with large losses. The Russians have resorted to the relatively crude tactics of its earliest assaults in February 2022, one of the people acknowledged, throwing lightly equipped forces against Ukrainian lines in attacks that have been repulsed by the Ukrainian defenders.

More attacks along the hundreds of miles of Ukrainian front lines are expected in the coming weeks, making it critical that Ukraine has the longer-range ATACMS to hit airfields and ammunition depots to blunt any Russian logistical advantages.

The news could end more than a year of criticism from pro-Ukraine advocates who argued the U.S. should have delivered ATACMS to Ukraine much earlier. Kyiv wanted the missiles to more efficiently attack Russian targets inside Ukraine and launched an influence campaign to pressure the administration to hand them over.

Lara Seligman, Paul McLeary and Alexander Ward reported from Washington. Veronika Melkozerova reported from Kyiv.
According to a 2022 Center for American Progress study, 15% of LGBTQ Americans report postponing or avoiding medical treatment due to discrimination, including nearly 30% of transgender individuals.

Sam Castro hopes that this year's Let's Get Better Together conference helps address gaps, including hesitancy, between the LGBTQ community and health care

For 12 years, the first statewide conference, that focuses on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning and Queer (2SLGBTQIA+) health and human services, has held annual conventions addressing the unique challenges that the community faces when it comes to basic health care access and health education. Castro sits on the organization's committee and works as a mental health professional.

This year's theme, "Achieving Health Equity and Health Justice," will have attendees engage in workshops that discuss and promote best health care practices for various identities within the LGBTQ population.

She said workshops aim to advocate for health equity and eliminate disparity amongst disadvantaged groups. She hoped the conference would provide a platform for health care professionals and social service agencies to share tools, resources, and networking opportunities for the community. Awards and recognition for outstanding leadership within the LGBTQ community and the Let's Get Better Together organization are also distributed during the conference.

Castro, who was the recipient of an award the previous year, discussed the importance of LGBTQ health equity.

"Health equity and health justice simply means making sure that each individual  regardless of past experience, walks of life, identity, or challenges  is still entitled to the same rights and same accessibility as everybody else," Castro said.

Castro cited issues with confidentiality, visitation and making medical decisions on behalf of a partner as hindrances to healthcare equity.

"In some cases, if you are not a legal or biological relative to a partner, you can't visit them in the hospital, or you don't have access to health records or certain decision making." said Castro. "If heterosexual couples are together or married or they share a child, oftentimes there is no question about who's allowed in the hospital room."

Let's Get Better Together partners with a variety of different healthcare organizations that primarily work with or service the LGBTQ community in order to provide resources for attendees, like education on gender identity and sexual orientation.

LGBTQ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, according to the Trevor Projects 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. The study found that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth.

"LGBTQ- and gender-affirming health care is suicide prevention," Castro said. "(It) can make all the difference in showing that somebody deserves and is worthy to live the normal life that everybody wants."

How to attend the event

Featuring the Champions of Change Advocacy Institute, among other organizations, the conference will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 18-19. It will be held at Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino in Maricopa.

Tickets for the event are available now on the website, Let's Get Better Together (letsgetbettertogetheraz.org)

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona health conference aims to bring equity for LGBTQ community
The new Ross Dress for Less store at 128 B St. in Yakima has opened in the Gateway Shopping area just off Interstate 82.
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and a fourth person wounded in a car-to-car shooting Monday night in Los Angeles, the largest city in the western United States, local media reported Tuesday, citing police.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department was quoted as saying by KABC-TV, the West Coast flagship station of the ABC television network, that the shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. Monday local time in the North Hollywood neighborhood.

Police said the gunfire erupted from a silver sedan with three or four men inside, said the report, adding that the suspects fired at a black sedan and then quickly fled.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Two of the shooting victims drove themselves in the black Mercedes-Benz sedan to a local hospital, where they died a short time later, according to the report.

No suspects were in custody and the motive for the shooting also remained under investigation, the report stated. 
Biden will head to Israel and Jordan as concerns mount that Israel-Hamas conflict will spread

President Joe Biden will travel to Israel and Jordan Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict
Francis Wilkinson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering U.S. politics and policy. Previously, he was an editor for the Week and a writer for Rolling Stone.
Victor Macedo, his wife Ana Merino and their daughter Sonia, sit in their son's bedroom, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Davie, Fla. The family left everything they had and fled Venezuela and then Spain, after receiving death threats for openly opposing the socialist government of the South American country. They arrived in the U.S., almost two years ago, looking for peace and a better quality of life for their two children.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Two weeks after the historical ouster of Kevin McCarthy, the U.S. House of Representatives failed to elect a new speaker on Tuesday in the first round of voting, as Right-wing Republican Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, didn't garner enough support from his own party. 
Light is always magical, illuminating, giving life, and embodying faith and hope. It's not an exaggeration to say that "moving towards the light" is instinctual, something humans always strive for.

Light doesn't just come from the sun or stars; it radiates from the hidden hearts of characters of Act of Kindness. It represents the belief of those in need who realize they are not alone in the dark of life.

"Moving towards the light" is also the theme of the October episode of the Act of Kindness program.

Fas Angel - The Angels of the Night

Individuals from different professions gather when the city lights up, roaming the streets to assist those who have encountered accidents or difficulties in Hanoi.

The leader of this special rescue team is Mr. Pham Quoc Viet (born in 1987). Viet reveals that he was once "abandoned" in a traffic accident many years ago in Tuyen Quang province. Numerous people passed by without offering help. Finally, someone decided to stop, provided assistance, and took him to receive medical care, leaving a lasting impact on Viet's memory.

That fateful accident led him to give up his career in media and, along with a group of like-minded individuals, establish the First Aid Support Angel (FAS Angel) rescue team. During the day, Viet works as a technology motorbike taxi driver, and in the evening, he and his team wander the streets to help those who have encountered traffic accidents or problems in Hanoi.

Established in 2019, the team now consists of about 90 members. On average, they can support from 3 to 9 traffic accident cases per day.

In particular, during a fire at an apartment building in Khuong Dinh ward, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, in September 2023, FAS Angel quickly arrived to rescue the victims in cooperation with the firefighting police.

Hair salon offering hair donations in Ho Chi Minh City

Seven years ago, a female customer entered the salon of Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City), requesting her hair cut very short as she prepared for her battle against cancer. "When the first clipper went through her hair, she burst into tears," Tuan recalls.

Little did he know that four years later, the woman sitting on the chair with an identical request would be his mother. This time, Tuan broke down in tears.

As a result of his mother's incident, Tuan opened the first hair salon in Vietnam specializing in hair donation, preservation, and transportation to create wigs for cancer patients. After donating their hair, clients receive a 50% discount on styling services. Tuan uses the 50% proceeds from the service to support the processing and creating the hairpieces.

Over the past three years, Tuan has received hundreds of hair donations. Each strand of hair is cleaned, dried, sorted by length, and stored. At the end of the month, the hair is transported to the Breast Cancer Network Vietnam (BCNV).

On this recent trip to Hanoi, Tuan received an unexpected invitation from the program. For the first time on the Act of Kindness stage, five young women from different provinces were present to have their hair cut directly by Tuan and donate it to cancer patients.

Home for 500 Boys with special circumstances

Until this day, approximately 30 years, Mai am Anh Sang (Shelter of Light) (located at 80/76 Tran Quang Dieu Street, Ward 14, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) has been nurturing hundreds of homeless, disadvantaged, impoverished, and orphaned boys to become valuable members of society.

Perhaps few people know that the one who preserved and developed this shelter was Mr. Nguyen Thien Hai (born in 1974), originally from Ha Tinh province. In 1995, when he moved from his hometown to Ho Chi Minh City, Hai volunteered for military service. Three years later, he finished his military service and returned to Ho Chi Minh City, still unsure about continuing his education or seeking a suitable job. By chance, he followed an acquaintance to repair houses, which happened to be Mai am Anh Sang. At that time, the shelter had only been established for a short time, with just over ten boys living there and no educators. Hai quickly accepted the job, not knowing that this small house would become an enduring part of his life.

Through different ways, the characters of Act of Kindness have created a source of light and illuminated those darkened lives. Tune in to their stories in the Viec tu te thang 10 (Octobers Act of Kindness): Buoc ve phia anh sang (Moving Towards the Light), airing at 8:10 PM and the VTVGo app.
Bulgaria va fi desemnata destinatie preferata de turim in 2024

Bulgaria va fi desemnata destinatie preferata de turim in 2024Bulgaria va fi desemnata destinatie preferata in 2024 de catre Asociatiile Europene ale Agentilor de Turism si ale Operatorilor de Turism (ECTAA). Acest lucru s-a aflat la intalnirea anuala a ECTAA de la Lamego, [citeste mai departe]
Marion Merricks books are the only first-hand account written by a westerner of what it was like to live and work in communist Hungary, and then in the aftermath of the 1989 change of regime.

Now You See It, Now You Dont and House of Cards have been included as part of the Open Society Archive dedicated to this period in the CEU. You can read a serialisation of them here on Xpatloop. You can also buy the dual-volume book on Kindle as well as in Stanfords London.



Book Two, Chapter two: First Cracks

Part 3  More new neighbours; Ceausescus arrest



In the days that followed, Evas prediction was fulfilled. A family from Libya moved in next door to us. A large number of people were involved in the process, and it was thus difficult to determine exactly which of them would be living there.



At around the same time, a sofa we had ordered from a shop in town was delivered. It had a wooden frame and was rather heavy, but we had happily told them we had a lift. The two men carried it from the van up the three steps into the building, after the caretaker had unbolted an adjoining glass door so they could get through. He was covered in an ashen powder - he had been wheeling the bins out of the area at the lower end of the rubbish chute when the men had arrived. He scratched his dusty head.



Dont think youll get that in the lift, he said. This eventuality had not occurred to us. Try turning it on its end, he suggested as we approached the lift doors. He went ahead and held the lift door open. The men heaved it onto one end and inched it forwards. One or two people, seemingly in no hurry either to leave or get home, stood around watching, urging and encouraging.



Try it round the other way, said one.



Yes, thats it! said another.



No way, commented a third. It soon became obvious to all there assembled that indeed, there was no possibility that this sofa could be squeezed into the lift.



What floor you on? asked one of the movers.



Ninth, Paul grimaced, fearing the worst. Silence. What are you going to do? he asked finally. The first man put a cigarette to his lips and looking Paul straight in the eye replied, That all depends on what you recommend.



His meaning was not lost on us. Five hundred forints? The men exchanged glances, then nodded.



An old 500-forint note

As I opened the door to our corridor, intending to make ready the customary bottles of beer, I was met by our new Libyan neighbours making for the lift. The man, seemingly aware of which flat I lived in and of my nationality, greeted me in English. Hallo, Im Suli. This is my family, he said, indicating his beaming wife and five children. Do you know where we can buy lamb meat? he continued.



I smiled to myself, thinking back to the only time in seven years I had eaten lamb in Budapest, and how I had procured it. I had had a friendly dispute with a student who worked for the Hungarian Meat Trust. He insisted that lamb could be bought all over the city, though I had never seen it for sale anywhere. A few evenings later he knocked on the door of my classroom and presented me with a bag containing half a lamb  seven kilos of meat.



No, Im sorry, I told Suli. Seemingly unperturbed he said, These are my children, nodding towards them. You have children?



Yes, two, I replied.



You come see us, he said, leading his family to the lift. Bye bye! The children looked shyly as they walked past me. I went on to our front door wondering how seven people could possibly squeeze themselves into fifty-something square metres.

*

My evenings of teaching at Lingua were now regular and usually followed by a meeting with Miklos, a meal and more talks about America. My days were spent with the children, the mornings on the Margaret Island, the afternoons at home. The weather was becoming noticeably colder and the wind howled around the top of our building: there was a veritable wind tunnel between ours and the next block of flats. The ill-fitting windows were draughty, though much more so on Evas side which faced the hills and the Danube.



Some days before Christmas, taking the children with us, we went to get our Christmas tree. The first snow had already fallen, dry and powdery, the wind whipping it up in clouds. A Christmas market had opened in a large deserted area in front of Arpad hid, at the intersection of Vaci ut and Robert Karoly korut, where coloured light bulbs strung to a long cable danced in the gusts of wind and cast strange shadows on the snow.



There was an abundance of trees and it was not difficult to find one we liked. It was trussed up with string, and with John ceremoniously clinging to one of its branches, and Hannah in the backpack, we trudged the well-trodden snow path towards home.



Suddenly someone called out from behind us. Paul! Marion! We turned to see our old neighbour Laci from the Dozsa Gyorgy ut flat with a small tree under his arm.



What are you doing here? he asked. It seemed a strange question as he and Cili had already visited us in our new home, and since both he and Paul had a Christmas tree in their hands.



Weve just bought our tree, Paul began.



But dont you know whats happening? Havent you heard? Laci interrupted. Theyve got Ceausescu! Its live on TV! You can see it as its happening - go home and put the TV on!

Nicolae Ceaucescu and his wife, Elena

Wishing him a hurried happy Christmas, we headed for our flat. We left the tree out in the corridor and pulled off our snowy boots, but with coats still on walked into the room and put on the television.



A faltering Hungarian commentary accompanied jerky pictures of some people crouching in the corridor of what we were told was the Romanian TV building. They were making their way to a studio further along the corridor where their colleagues were updating their Romanian compatriots on the current state of affairs in the country.



The Hungarian commentary was a rapid translation of the Romanian dialogue. Suddenly, there came the sound of shots being fired. Theyre shooting! Theyre shooting! A black screen. Then, in the dark, We dont know how long we can keep broadcasting. There followed a quick summary from Hungarian television of the main happenings of the day, the beginnings of what seemed to be a revolution in Timisoara (Temesvar), which was then interrupted by more live pictures. .....and Ceausescu and his wife are being held following their arrest earlier today, continued the broadcast.



The Trianon Treaty of 1920, which reduced Hungarys territory to a mere third of its original size, had resulted in two million Hungarians finding themselves inhabitants of Romania. It was a situation neither they nor the citizens of Hungary could easily accept, and these Transylvanians continued to use the Hungarian language in those areas where they lived. This explained the particular interest that events in Romania held for Hungarians, many of whom had relatives or other contacts there.



We ought to go and congratulate our neighbours! I said to Paul. He was doubtful. No, come on, I said, quite infected with the excitement and the drama of what we had just witnessed. Lets take that bottle of cognac we bought for Christmas and go and celebrate with them!



Hesitatingly, Paul went for the bottle while I found a tray and four glasses. Come on! I said, picking Hannah up off the floor and beckoning to John. Though there had been no such violence or drama in Hungarys end to Communism just some months previously, the feeling of deja-vu was inescapable, as was the exhilaration of witnessing an historical event on our doorstep.



I knocked timidly - maybe they would find our desire to share this moment intrusive. The door opened. I stood, tray in hand, John clutching my leg and Paul to one side holding Hannah.



We came to congratulate you - you know, dont you, theyve got Ceausescu?



Come in, come in, they said eagerly, leading us into their sitting room, where inevitably the television was also tuned in to the live broadcast.





Grainy TV pictures of the arrested couple

The following hours passed in mutual questioning and abridged autobiographies. We learnt that Feri made and flew model aeroplanes. He had been given a passport some years previously to come to Budapest for a flying competition late in August. Although as Eva had rightly said, the authorities never granted passports simultaneously to all the members of one family, Feris wife Evi, a seamstress, decided to try her luck and apply for a visa to visit an uncle in Budapest.



One advantage of a cumbersome bureaucracy was the virtual inevitability of important oversights not occurring. She was lucky. Evi and their then six-year-old son Robi were granted exit visas coinciding with Feris competition dates. Preparations were made in total secrecy; even best friends could not be trusted when it came to a planned defection.



But then disaster struck: the authorities informed Evi that although she was free to travel, Robi must remain at home as he would be obliged to start school at the end of August.



They had wrestled with the problem for days, knowing that such an opportunity was unlikely to repeat itself, and they resigned themselves to leaving Robi with Feris parents in the hope they could later persuade the Romanian authorities to allow him to follow them. With tears in her eyes Evi described her departure, the six months of battling to be reunited with Robi, and their emotional meeting on the border after permission had finally been granted.



Click here for earlier extracts



Main photo: Lifts in an old panel block of flats
Hungary continues to be a good friend of China in central Europe with Budapest pinning high hopes on cooperation, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said after his talks with Li Qiang, his Chinese counterpart, in Beijing.

Orban cited a deeper, cultural root of the political friendship between the two countries, noting that Hungary had been the first country in the former Soviet bloc to recognise China and the only country in central Europe that had consistently supported the One China principle.



Orban said that he, as the leader of the Hungarian opposition at the time, had held his first meeting with Xi Jinping in 2009 when Xi was Chinas vice president.



Talks with Xi, now Chinas president, will be held on Tuesday, said Orban, adding that it is going to be their seventh meeting, which illustrates well the friendship between the two peoples. I will do my outmost to pursue a foreign policy towards China that follows duly in the footsteps of our predecessors.



After the talks, intergovernmental agreements were signed on bilateral projects implemented in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, on cooperation in the areas of education, industry and investment, and on technological development, digital economy and climate protection. Orban will participate in the third Belt and Road Forum on Tuesday and Wednesday.



Orban Holds Talks With China Construction Bank Chairman



Prime Minister Viktor Orban held talks with China Construction Bank (CCB) chairman Tian Guoli in Beijing on Monday, the PMs press chief said.



Citing a press release from the parties, Bertalan Havasi said Tian received Orbans delegation and accompanied the Hungarian officials to inspect the Dao Xiang Hu technological innovation retreat centre.



Tian welcomed the prime minister and his delegation, and they reviewed the friendly talks and cooperation between China and Hungary in recent years. The CCB chairman also spoke highly of Hungarys Eastern Opening policy and the chievements of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.



Tian thanked the Hungarian government for its guidance for the CCB branch opened in Hungary earlier this year. He said the bank would consider the opening of its Hungarian branch a new starting point for providing better financial services to both countries clients and giving new momentum to their bilateral partnership.



He said the two new Hungarian Nobel laureate scientists demonstrated Hungarians talent for science and innovation to the world. CCB has made significant progress in the area of fintech solutions in recent years, and has set up a fintech laboratory in Hungary with a view to exploring future directions in the field together with Hungary, using Chinese market capacity and funds as well as the technological know-how of the two countries, Tian added.



He expressed hope that this cooperation would yield further success stories for the partnership between China and Hungary.



Orban said Hungary in the current geopolitical situation remained committed to its Eastern Opening policy as well as to strengthening its dialogue and cooperation with China. He thanked CCB for the support it has provided to Hungary in recent years.



Orban congratulated the bank on its opening of a branch in Hungary, calling it a wise decision.



By bolstering their ties, Hungary and China have taken their economic and trade cooperation to the next level in recent years, he said, adding that Hungary welcomed CCBs local branch as a partner in electric vehicle production, new energy projects and numerous other areas.



Szijjarto: Hungary, Europe Have Vested Interest in Cooperation with China



High-level cooperation with China is key to the competitiveness of Europe and Hungary, and severing those ties would have tragic consequences, Peter Szijjarto, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on Monday, after talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing.



The main topic of the talks with Wang Yi was the war in Ukraine, and ways to end it, Szijjarto said. He thanked China for its extremely active role in the peace effort.



Chinas peace plan is the closest to Hungarys concept on the matter, as it admits that the conflict cannot be solved on the battlefield, he said. Like Hungary, the Chinese peace plan posits that the longer the war rages, the worse the chances for peace, he said.



While Europe is gripped by a war psychosis, the majority of the world wants peace in Ukraine, he said. Szijjarto also touched on the extremely worrisome situation in Israel, and warned that unless an escalation can be avoided, the conflict could lead to one of the worst humanitarian disasters in human history.



Szijjarto and Wang also discussed the two countries economic ties. Hungarys economy would struggle to remain on a growth path without Chinese investments, Szijjarto said. Hungary is expected to double last years investment record of 6.5 billion euros, with much of those investments coming from Chinese companies, he said.



Hungary, a meeting point of western and eastern investments, has manufacturing sites of the three largest German carmakers, and soon five of the 10 largest battery makers in the world, he said. Those investments ensure economic growth and prevent mass job losses, he added.



The revamping of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line is the flagship of Hungarian-Chinese cooperation, and will put Hungary in a leading position in moving goods from Greek ports to Europe, he said. The upgrade will be ready by 2025, he added.

Szijjarto also warned against severing the economic ties between Europe and China.



Those with Russia were severed one by one in the past 18 months, despite the fact that they were the foundation of economic growth, he said. The European economy would not be competitive without cooperation with China, and severing those ties would be tragic and contrary to Hungarian interests, he said.



Hungary will reject and obstruct all unreasonable proposals that would limit or sever Chinese-European cooperation; we will not support tariffs or other obstructions on the Chinese electric car industry, and we will resist the pressure from western Europe to cut back economic cooperation with China. Any other approach would mean that we could create fewer jobs and couldnt guarantee this degree of economic growth, he said.



Econ Development Minister Signs Cooperation Pacts in China



Economic Development Minister Marton Nagy signed four cooperation agreements in China on Monday, after Prime Minister Viktor Orbans talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, his ministry said in a statement.



Nagy signed agreements on strengthening cooperation in the areas of the digital economy, cooperation and exchanges in economic development policy, cooperation on technological development and cooperation on strengthening digital economic development, the ministry said.



It noted that China is Hungarys ninth biggest trading partner and the worlds second biggest economy. Chinas economy has undergone extraordinary development over the past decades, turning the country into a global technological superpower, he said.



Hungary aims to be a part of the global economys technological advancement, which requires deepening economic ties between the two countries, with a special focus on digitalisation and the development of the Digital Silk Road, Nagy said.



The agreements signed on Monday are aimed at bolstering cooperation in the areas of the digital economy, new energy carriers and CO2 reduction, 5G and 6G networks, the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, SMEs, the green economy and artificial intelligence, among others, he added.



The Hungarian economy now rests on more and more pillars, as since 2010 it has been transformed from a periphery region into a significant meeting point for Western and Eastern capital in high-tech sectors like electric vehicle manufacturing, Nagy said.



This boosts investment and the export-based economy, contributing to growth and the protection of jobs and families, the ministry cited Nagy as saying.
Hamass attack on Israel was a watershed moment for the Middle Eastern country, Israeli Ambassador to Hungary Yakov Hadas-Handelsman told parliaments foreign affairs committee.

Hadas-Handelsman thanked Hungarys parliament for its support, and asked for international support for Israels self-defence. What happened on October 7 was not a terrorist attack but a pogrom, and even Holocaust survivors say they had not experienced such actions during the Holocaust, the ambassador said, adding that Hamass terrorists had tortured people and murdered children.



The attack was total destruction and a barbaric act, he said, adding that Hamas was as big a threat as the Islamic State terrorist group, with neither distinguishing between nationalities.



Hadas-Handelsman said Israel had been caught in a surprise attack. He said putting an end to this barbarism was not just in the interest of Israel, but also that of the international community, arguing that Hamass actions were being celebrated in multiple parts of the world.



Israel wants to end Hamass political and military rule in the Gaza Strip in a way that this has minimal effect on those it does not concern, he said, adding that this was why Israel had called on civilians to leave northern Gaza. He said Israel aimed to rescue all of the hostages held by Hamas.



Meanwhile, the country is prepared to have to defend itself on two fronts in the event that a second on opens up from Lebanon, he said.



The ambassador also said that while the reasons behind Hamass attack were unknown, it was possible Hamas had thought that Israel had been weakened and was divided by the ongoing internal social dispute, giving them a good opportunity to strike.



One other possibility, he said, was that Iran was the one behind the attack because of its concerns over the United States taking a leadership role in the process to normalise the situation in the Middle East, and the significant changes this could bring to the region.



Some also interpret the attack as Iran and Russia working together to create a more difficult situation in the Middle East with the aim to divert attention from Ukraine, he said.



Ruling Fideszs Zsolt Nemeth, the head of the committee, said there was broad consensus on the condemnation of Hamass actions and the recognition of Israels right to defend itself. Hamass attack had been aimed at the destruction of Israel, so the world cannot be indifferent in this situation, he said, stressing the importance of supporting the existence of the state of Israel.



Nemeth also said there were no pro-Hamas demonstrations in Hungary, and that the Jewish community could count on the Hungarian states protection.



Agnes Vadai of the leftist opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) said her party had submitted a draft resolution aimed at parliament designating Hamas a terrorist organisation in line with a resolution adopted by the Council of the European Union.



Lorinc Nacsa of the co-ruling Christian Democrats said the events had shocked everyone. Hadas-Handelsman said in response to Nacsa that the pro-Hamas rallies held across several cities was the exact reason why they did not think that the attack was solely Israels problem.



Opposition Jobbiks Koloman Brenner said the reason why Hamass actions could be considered barbaric was because it demonstrated the groups brutality and had been part of a pre-planned strategy.



Zita Gurmai of the Socialist Party said they condemned Hamass attack, but stressed the need to take civilians into consideration.



MTI Photo: Noemi Bruzak
Italian banking group Intesa Sanpaolo will make available 8 billion euros ($8.44 billion) to support UAE companies over the next three years.

Intesa Sanpaolo will support the structuring and financing of local circular economy projects by leveraging the amount allocated to circular model financing as outlined in the Action Plan 2022-2025.

In addition, the Intesa San Paolo Innovation Centre will provide guidance through its Circular Economy Laboratory, acceleration programmes for startups, and support from venture capital funds provided by its subsidiary Neva SGR.

Adoption of circular economy

This is as per the agreement signed by the UAE Ministry of Economy signed with Intesa Sanpaolo and its innovation centre to promote the adoption of circular economy principles and design a system for it in the UAE.

The MoU was signed by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, Mauro Michelo, Head of the Corporate Banking and Investment Sector at IMI, Intesa San Paolo Group, and Paolo Maria Vittorio Grande, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Intesa San Paolo Innovation Centre.

Al Marri said: The circular economy transition is of great importance to the UAE government to promote sustainable economic development, in line with our wise leaderships vision. We seek to move forward in this direction by strengthening our strategic partnership with the private sector, various stakeholders and leading global companies to achieve our goals in this regard.

The signing of the strategic agreement with the Intesa San Paolo group marks a key turning point in enhancing the UAE economys competitiveness and consolidating its position as a leading circular economy at regional and global levels.

Proven capabilities

The UAE chose Intesa San Paolo as a partner in its circular economy transition thanks to the Group's proven capabilities in supporting startups and existing companies in the field in the Middle East region.

Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, through its branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Centre, will cooperate with the Ministry in designing and launching relevant policies to encourage the adoption of circular economy practices, promote innovative business models, and develop an ecosystem comprising institutions, universities, research centres, companies and startups.

The first phase of the project, which includes environmental mapping and identifying the opportunities in the UAE and stakeholders, will benefit from the participation of the Cariplo Factory Innovation Centre, which was established in partnership with the Intesa San Paolo Innovation Centre of the Milan-based Circular Economy Laboratory.

Future measures include strengthening the partnership between Intesa San Paolo and the UAE Circular Economy Council, which was established by the UAE government to develop and implement policies for the transition towards a circular economy.

Circular Economy Laboratory

The Council seeks to explore the possibility of establishing a Circular Economy Laboratory in the UAE for promoting circular economy models within the local economy.

Michelo said: We are proud to partner with the UAE and put our unique expertise at its disposal to enhance its journey towards a circular economy. Our branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are cooperating with the Intesa San Paolo Innovation Centre to support companies and startups in this field. These companies in the UAE have access to capital, as well as the appropriate conditions for growth, especially within the framework of the circular economy."

Grande said: Our circular economy team has been working with the UAE government since 2018, capitalising on our experience in implementing several initiatives that support the circular economy model in the Middle East and North Africa. We are honoured to be chosen by the UAE Ministry of Economy to provide assistance in the field of circular economy. It encourages us to continue our mission of enabling institutions and companies of all sizes, in addition to startups, with the best tools to understand and deal with the radical transformation that the circular economy creates.--TradeArabia News Service
Charles Leclerc believes that Fred Vasseurs impassive management style at the Scuderia provides the right countermeasure to the often-stirring emotions that reside at Ferrari.

At the start of the year, Vasseur replaced former team boss Mattia Binotto at the helm of the Italian outfit, with the Frenchman entrusted with the task of returning Ferrari to the front of the grid.

Known for his no-nonsense approach and as a well-respected operator with an attention to detail, Vasseur brought a wealth of experience to Maranello but also high expectations.

However, Ferrari has been no match for Red Bull Racing this season, although the team has been gaining momentum lately as Carlos Sainzs win in Singapore last month demonstrated.

Leclerc reckons that Vasseurs unwavering pragmatism is working well for the Scuderia, as it has helped establish a productive balance at Ferrari which in turn has bolstered its performance.

"Fred is super flat emotionally, which I think is really good in the position he is in because it gives us that a little bit," Leclerc explained in Qatar last time out.

"I think as an Italian team, and as Ferrari, this is what I love most about Ferrari is the emotions that we feel. Whenever we are at highs and how passionate the people are, but to have this balance with Fred I think is also really good.

"To have the clear vision when things are going wrong, and also, when things are going very strong [and say] 'But that's not it, we still need to work very hard', I think we kind of already had that philosophy.

But I think Fred has strengthened it and that's really good."

Last summer, amid Ferraris struggles, it was suggested that the Maranello outfit required an iron fist approach to the teams management, a la Jean Todt.

But Vasseur, who likes to give team members a fair amont of autonomy, dismissed the idea.

Iron fist is not my way, and times have changed, he said. Peoples psychological approach is different. We need a more inclusive approach that makes everyone participate in a winning project.

"This is true in all contexts, not just in Formula 1.

Vasseurs style eventually gained traction, with the team finding its footing over the summer after a change of concept implemented in June in Barcelona.

Gradually, the Scuderias engineers gained a better understanding of their machine, which allowed the team to extract more performance from its car as Leclerc explained.

Definitely the understanding that we had in Zandvoort, especially to have that confirmed in Monza with very different characteristics at a very different track," said Leclerc.

"That helped us to basically extract the maximum out of the car more consistently, whereas at the beginning of the year, the car was very different from one weekend to the other - so on that we improved a lot."

With five race to go in 2023 and ahead of this weeks US Grand Prix, Ferrari currently sits third in F1s Constructors standings, 28 points behind Mercedes but 68 points ahead of Aston Martin.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
WASHINGTON  Republicans rejected Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker on Tuesday on the first ballot, as holdouts denied the hard-charging ally of Donald Trump the majority needed to seize the gavel.

More voting is expected as Jordan works to shore up support to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy for the job and the leader of the GOP's hard-right flank moves to take a central seat of U.S. power.

But after two weeks of angry Republican infighting since McCarthy was removed by hard-liners, the House vote quickly has become a showdown for the gavel. Some 20 reluctant Republicans are refusing to give Jordan their votes, viewing the Ohio congressman as too extreme for the powerful position of House speaker, second in line to the presidency.

The holdouts are a mix of pragmatists, ranging from seasoned legislators and committee chairs worried about governing to newer lawmakers from districts where their voters back home prefer President Joe Biden to Trump.

Photos: Rep. Jim Jordan through the years
Terror attacks by Hamas against Israel, massacring civilians, have shocked the world. As Israel conducts rescue efforts and takes action to defend itself, an immediate concern is for the Americans who have died and those still missing who were potentially taken hostage. As the world watches, we must demonstrate decisive leadership in this moment on behalf of victimized and endangered Americans.

At this time, 27 Americans are known to have been killed, and many others remain missing. The murder of Americans by these terrorists is not accidental or incidental. They hate America and their stated goals leave no doubt they are glad to kill Americans as part of these actions.

The total casualty numbers from the attacks exceed 1,200 people killed and more than 2,700 wounded. To put that in perspective, for a nation of just over 9 million, this casualty count is proportionally equivalent to the number of Americans killed by the September 11th attacks multiple times over. Unfortunately, these numbers are sure to rise as authorities continue to locate civilian victims of the surprise attacks.

It is important to be clear, these horrific attacks by Hamas cannot rightfully be called acts of war; they are truly acts of terror. The rules of war prohibit killing of civilians, kidnapping civilians, and indiscriminately bombing civilian targets. Hamas has gone far beyond these conventions to shamelessly brutalize infants and celebrate the gruesome slaughter and humiliation of innocents on the world stage.

I stand with Israel and condemn Hamas horrific attacks. America has no greater ally in the Middle East, and we must unite in strong support in this critical moment. Having taken an untold number of hostages, Hamas has threatened to begin executing them one-by-one, and Israel has every right to use all its means to defend itself, attempt to rescue those held captive, and put an end to terrorism by Hamas and affiliated groups.

I urge President Biden to prioritize locating and identifying missing Americans and ensuring the safety of every one of our citizens currently in Israel. As air travel in and out of Israel has been severely restricted, earlier this week, I joined many of my colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging immediate action to bring Americans home.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently supported legislation to support Israels right to self-defense and prevent their enemies ability to fund terror activity, including legislation to stop the Palestinian Authority from making payments to terrorists and their families. This week, I also joined with more than 400 of my colleagues to sponsor a resolution condemning the attacks.

Considering the scale and expense of these attacks, Hamas could not have organized, equipped, orchestrated, and kept them secret, without the aid of longstanding supporter, Iran. Because of this, I am a cosponsor of legislation to block international financial transactions by Iran including any accessing of the $6 billion the Biden administration unfroze for Iran in August in exchange for American prisoners.

The risk for further escalation of this conflict is high. Without a doubt, in the face of this senseless violence, it is in the best interest of our national security to stand with Israel and let our adversaries know, it will not be tolerated.

Negotiating with terrorists and their enablers is a dead end. In a case like this, peace can only be achieved through strength. Israel is one of our closest allies and the only democracy in the Middle East. The U.S. should stand ready to provide military assistance such as missiles and artillery. If we have the capacity to help our allies defend themselves, and they are asking, we must help.
Businesswoman and entrepreneur Sudha Reddy is not just a giant in the corporate world but also an avid fashion connoisseur. The woman has an eclectic and impressive taste in fashion and sees the industry for more than just clothes. Such has been her impression globally that she represented India at The Met Gala 2021.

Sudha Reddy's journey into the world of fashion began with a deep fascination towards the art of self-expression through clothing. Her love story with fashion started during her early years, as she observed the way clothing choices could convey personality, culture, and emotions. As she grew older, this fascination evolved into a genuine passion for the world of style and design. Attending prestigious international showcases like the Met Gala, Haute Couture Week, and the Cannes Film Festival have been transformative experiences for her. These events provided her with a platform to witness the convergence of creativity, innovation, and culture within the fashion industry.

The experience of representing India at MET was an inspiring feat for Sudha. She informs, "Representing India at the MET was a surreal experience, an absolute dream come true. It was a unique privilege to be the sole Indian presence on the MET's prestigious red carpet that year. All my global pursuits in fashion, art, and philanthropy have consistently aimed at showcasing India on the international stage, and achieving that goal at the MET was immensely fulfilling."

For Sudha Reddy, fashion is more than just clothing; it's a powerful form of storytelling. She views each outfit as a canvas on which she can paint different narratives and evoke diverse emotions. This approach not only allows her to express herself authentically but also connects her with others who resonate with her style choices. She won the Fashion 4 Development Philanthropy Award 2022, becoming the first Hyderabadi recipient of this prestigious recognition at the 2nd Annual Sustainable Goals Banquet held during the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Sudha has been a globe-trotter through her illustrious career, venturing across continents for professional pursuits. Her travels have taken her to diverse destinations, including the United Kingdom, numerous European countries, Australia, Africa, the United States, various Arab nations, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and vibrant Hong Kong, among many others. All these places have influenced her fashion knowledge and preferences as well. Taking all that knowledge that she has garnered from her travels and experiences; Sudha has ambitious plans for expanding as an entrepreneur and create an internationally renowned fashion brand. She is truly an unstoppable force.
New Delhi: In more trouble for Trinamool Congress' Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla referred the 'cash for query' complaint against her, lodged by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, to the Ethics Committee on Tuesday.

This development follows BJP MP Dubey's correspondence to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister of State (MoS) IT Rajeev Chandrashekhar, accusing Mahua Moitra of accepting bribes from a prominent businessman in exchange for parliamentary questions. Dubey, in his letter, called for an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations against the TMC MP.

In his letter, Dubey also referred to allegations made by a Supreme Court lawyer regarding monetary transactions between the TMC MP and businessman Darshan Hiranandani. The accusations encompass criminal breach of trust, breach of parliamentary ethics, and actions potentially harmful to India's national security.

Dubey further urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to establish an inquiry against Moitra and advocated for her suspension from the House pending the investigation.

Moitra Responds, Seeks Impartial Probe

Responding to Dubey's letter to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Moitra welcomed the investigation. She emphasized the need for impartiality, urging that similar privilege notices against BJP MPs also be thoroughly examined.

Moitra stated, "All parliamentary work of MPs is done by PAs, assistants, interns, and large teams. Respected Ashwini Vaishnaw, please release details of the location and login information of ALL MPs with CDRs. Also, provide information on training given to staff to log in."

This development intensifies the political scrutiny of Mahua Moitra and raises questions about the ethical conduct of MPs within the parliamentary system. The Ethics Committee will play a crucial role in assessing the allegations and providing a fair and thorough investigation into this matter.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to give marriage equality rights to the LGBTQIA+ community in India. The SC said it is upto parliament to make laws for it. It recorded the statement of the Union that it will constitute a Committee to examine the rights and benefits which can be given to queer couples. The court ruled on a series of petitions that sought legal validation for same-sex marriage under the Constitution. The Centre, states and UTs were instructed by the CJI, who leads the constitution bench, to ensure that the queer community is not subjected to discrimination. He said that queerness is a natural phenomenon that has existed for a long time and is not confined to urban or elite spaces.

Justice Kaul deferred with the CJI on granting certain rights to queer couples. He said that "non-heterosexual and heterosexual unions should be viewed as two sides of the same coin" and that legal recognition of non-heterosexual unions is a step towards marriage equality. Justice Bhat, who announced the main part of his verdict, said that he agreed and disagreed with some of the CJI's views.

The CJI said that it was up to Parliament to decide whether there was a need for a change in the Special Marriage Act's regime. He said that "this court cannot make law. It can only interpret and apply it." Justice Chandrachud said that the court had noted Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's statement that the Centre would form a committee to determine the rights and entitlements of people in queer unions.

He directed the Centre, states and UTs to take measures to raise awareness about queer rights and ensure that inter-sex children are not subjected to sex-change operations at an age when they cannot fully understand the consequences. The CJI ordered the police to conduct a preliminary investigation before filing an FIR against a queer couple over their relationship.

He said that homosexuality or queerness is not an urban or upper-class concept. Justice Chandrachud said that imagining queer as existing only in urban areas would be like erasing them and that queerness can transcend one's caste or class. He said that it would be wrong to say that marriage is a "static and immutable institution".

Justice Chandrachud said that the right to choose a life partner is at the core of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The CJI said that the right to enter into a union includes the right to choose a partner and its recognition, and that failing to recognise such a relationship would be discriminatory. He said that "all people, including those who are queer, have the right to judge the moral quality of their lives." The CJI said that this court has acknowledged that equality requires that queer people are not discriminated against.

He said that the law cannot presume that only heterosexual couples can be good parents as it would amount to discrimination against queer couples. The bench reserved its verdict on the petitions after a 10-day long hearing on May 11.

During the arguments, the Centre had told the top court that any constitutional declaration by it on the petitions seeking legal validation for same-sex marriage may not be a "correct course of action" as the court would not be able to foresee, envisage, comprehend and deal with its implications. The top court had started hearing arguments in the matter on April 18.

The bench had clarified during the arguments that it would not delve into personal laws governing marriages while deciding the petitions seeking judicial validation for same-sex marriages and said that the very notion of a man and a woman, as referred to in the Special Marriage Act, is not "an absolute based on genitals".

Some of the petitioners had urged the top court to use its plenary power, "prestige and moral authority" to persuade society to accept such a union which would ensure LGBTQIA++ lead a "dignified" life like heterosexuals.

LGBTQIA++ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual and ally persons.

On May 3, the Centre had told the court that it would set up a committee headed by the cabinet secretary to examine the administrative steps that could be taken to address "genuine humane concerns" of same-sex couples without going into the issue of legalising their marriage.
Elegant Muslim wedding invitations can be used to preserve time-honored customs. A Muslim wedding's significance and splendor are unparalleled. A Muslim wedding, which is steeped in rich customs and cultural history, is a stunning fusion of love, religion, and celebration. The wedding invitation occupies a distinct position among the many other elements that distinguish a Muslim wedding from others.

The wedding invitation has a vital and prestigious place in the elaborate tapestry of a Muslim wedding. More than just a piece of paper, it serves as a sign, a message, and an ambassador for the next happy event.

But where can you get the greatest invitations for Muslim weddings? For all of your invitation requirements, there is a one-stop solution in place. The place to go for all kinds of Indian Wedding Cards is Parekh Cards.

Understanding the Art of Muslim Wedding Invitations by Parekh Cards

Perfect Combination of Aesthetics and Tradition

The importance of a wedding invitation at a Muslim wedding is something Parekh Cards has been mindful of. It represents the couple's journey and displays their culture, customs, and beliefs. The Muslim wedding invitations from Parekh Cards expertly combine these components, showcasing the ideal harmony of historical tradition and contemporary beauty.

Complex Patterns Showing Islamic Artistry

The beautiful patterns on the Muslim wedding invitations provided by Parekh Cards showcase magnificent Islamic art. Each component is meticulously constructed to guarantee a stunning aesthetic appeal, from classic themes like the Bismillah and floral patterns to exquisite calligraphy and geometric shapes.

Variation in Designs

Parekh Cards understands that every couple is different, and their wedding invitation should represent their individual tastes and preferences. Thus, there are many different styles available for Muslim wedding invites. This includes everything from traditional and classic to modern and contemporary all in one place. They offer a variety of solutions to suit every taste, whether you want intricate gold foil patterns or simple designs finning your wedding theme.

Personalization via Customization options

When it comes to wedding invites, personalization is crucial. Here you have the option to add your own touch to the invites by using Parekh Cards' personalization features. Gives you the opportunity to design an invitation that speaks to your own love story by picking the color scheme, the font style, and adding inspirational quotations or verses from holy texts.

Bulk ordering is the greatest method to save money.

For those looking for a complete and practical solution for their invitation needs, purchasing cards in bulk from Parekh Cards is a wise decision. With the option of bulk buying, Parekh Cards, known for its elegant and broad assortment, enables consumers to effectively purchase a significant number of wedding or event invites. Bulk orders from Parekh Cards guarantee cost-effectiveness with enticing savings on each card, whether they are for a lavish wedding, business event, or any other big occasion. Customers who pick this option can select from a large selection of designs, styles, and themes that are specifically suited to their occasion and tastes.

Additionally, it streamlines the procedure, making it simple to handle and personalize invites while assuring a uniform and stunning representation of the event. You may enjoy the seamless combination of quality, variety, and affordability that Parekh Cards is known for by purchasing in bulk.

The Muslim wedding invitations from Parekh Cards capture the authentic essence of a Muslim wedding. These invites capture the spirit of a lovely union and set the tone for the lavish party that follows owing to their artistic designs, cultural relevance, and personalization choices.

You can rely on Parekh Cards to provide invites that not only ask your loved ones to be a part of your big day but also offer a look into the customs and affection that bond your hearts together. For your Muslim wedding invites, consider Parekh Cards if you want style, tradition, and affordability.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict today on a batch of petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriage in India. The petitions were heard by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud for 10 days and the judgement was reserved on May 11. The other judges on the bench are Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha. During the hearing, the Centre had opposed the petitions and said that the court should not make any constitutional declaration on the issue as it may have unforeseen consequences. The Centre had also said that it had received responses from seven states on the issue and three of them - Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Assam - had rejected the plea for legalising same-sex marriage.

Petitioners Seek Dignity And Rights

The petitioners had argued that same-sex couples deserve equal dignity and rights as heterosexual couples and that the court should use its plenary power and moral authority to push the society to accept them. They had also urged the court to extend social welfare benefits like opening joint bank accounts, nominating life partner in provident funds, gratuity and pension schemes to same-sex couples without going into the issue of legal sanction to their marriage.

Court Clarifies Scope Of Hearing

The court had clarified that it will not go into personal laws governing marriages while deciding the petitions and that it will only examine whether same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry under the Constitution. The court had also said that the notion of a man and a woman, as referred to in the Special Marriage Act, is not an absolute based on genitals but rather a social construct that can evolve over time.

Background Of The Case

The petitions were filed after the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality in 2018 by striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which made consensual sex between same-sex adults a criminal offence. The petitions challenged various provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, the Special Marriage Act, the Foreign Marriage Act and the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, which do not recognise same-sex marriage.
New Delhi: In India, the festive season kicked off on October 15 with the commencement of Shardiya Navratri, a 10-day celebration. Following this, the country enthusiastically observes Durga Puja, along with the festivities of its seventh, eighth, and ninth days.

During these celebrations, banks remain closed in various cities, although the bank holidays can differ between states. (Also Read: From Humble Beginnings To Billion-Rupee Empire: Read The Inspirational Journey Of A Self-Made Business Tycoon)

Durga Puja: Bank Holidays

Different cities may also have their own specific holidays. On October 24, the nation will come together to commemorate Dussehra. Dussehra will be celebrated only on October 23 in some cities. (Also Read: Samsung Galaxy A04s To Launch On October 18 In India: Check Price, Specifications, And More)

Before this, there will be Durga Puja holidays in various places on October 21, October 23, October 24, October 25, October 26, and October 27.

Bank Holidays On Lakshmi Puja

In addition, there will be holidays on October 28 for Lakshmi Puja.

Bank Holidays In October 2023

As per the RBI's bank holidays calendar, the bank will be closed for 16 days in October 2023. The weekend offs are also included in the same.

2 October 2023 - Gandhi Jayanti - India

14 October 2023 - First Day of Bathukamma - Telangana

21 October 2023 - Maha Saptami - India

22 October 2023 - Maha Ashtami - India

23 October 2023 - Maha Navami - India

24 October 2023 - Dussehra/Vijaya Dashami - India

28 October 2023 - Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti - India

31 October 2023 - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti - Gujarat

Bank Holidays On Weekends

October 1, 2023 - 1st Sunday

October 8, 2023 - 2nd Sunday

October 14, 2023 - 2nd Saturday

October 15, 2023 - 3rd Sunday

October 22, 2023 - 4th Sunday

October 28, 2023 - 4th Saturday

October 29, 2023 - Sunday
New Delhi: Public Sector Lender Bank of India has an important message for the customers using its debit card. The bank has said that from 31st October, customers' debit card will be discontinued if they fail to link their mobile number.

Bank of India has tweeted, "As per regulatory guidelines valid mobile number is mandatory for availing Debit Card Services. you are requested to kindly update/register your mobile number before 31.10.2023 by visiting your branch for discontinuation of Debit Card Services".

IMPORTANT NOTICE pic.twitter.com/wW7sPQgdE1  Bank of India (@BankofIndia_IN) October 13, 2023

Last week, Bank Of India announced the launch of Upgraded Savings Accounts for all segments which covers salaried employees, households, individuals, youth etc.

"The upgraded Savings Accounts now comes with Group Personal Accident Death Insurance Cover which goes as high as up to Rs 1.50 crore, air accidental insurance of up to Rs 1 crore, concessional locker facility for Gold & Diamond SB A/C holder and free for Platinum SB A/C holder, International Debit Cum ATM card with global access/ acceptance, concessional rate of interest on Retail Loan, waiver of processing charges on Retail Loans, free issuance of Credit Cards, higher usage limit up to Rs 5 lakh on POS & free issuance of Credit Cards with varied AQB," the company said in a release.

BOI said that these features are offered to our existing as well as new customers which are on-boarded to the Bank from any platforms.
TEHRAN: Amid the looming threat of Israel's ground invasion of Gaza in response to last week's brutal attack by Hamas in the Israeli border areas, killing hundreds of civilians, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a big warning saying ''no one will be able to stop Muslims around the world and resistance forces if Israel's crimes in Gaza continue.'' "No one can confront Muslims and the resistance forces if the Zionist regime's crimes against Palestinians continue ... the bombardment of Gaza must stop immediately," Khamenei was quoted as saying by Iranian state TV. "The Zionist regime's officials should be tried for their crimes against Palestinians in Gaza," Khamenei said.

Iran has already warned of a possible preemptive action against Israel in the coming hours, as Israel prepares for a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip. The Iran-backed, Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli frontier for days, further raising tensions as Israel bombards the Gaza Strip to the south following an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian armed group Hamas inside Israel last week.

All possible options and scenarios are there for Hezbollah  Naturally, resistance leaders will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza, and when it feels reassured about Gaza, move on to other resistance areas in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said in a live broadcast to state TV late on Monday, as he referred to his meeting with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah the previous day.

Therefore, any preemptive measure is imaginable in the coming hours, Amirabdollahian said adding, the resistance leaders will not allow Israel to do whatever it wants in Gaza.

If we dont defend Gaza today, tomorrow we have to defend against these [phosphorus] bombs in the childrens hospital of our own country, he added, referring to allegations by human rights groups that Israel has been using phosphorus bombs in its aerial bombardment of Gaza. Israel has denied the allegation.

Joe Biden To Visit Israel

The warning from Iran comes amid US President Joe Biden's scheduled visit to Israel on Wednesday. US President Joe Biden will make a high-stakes visit to Israel on Wednesday as it prepares to escalate an offensive against Hamas fighters that has set off a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and raised fears of a broader conflict with Iran. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Tuesday morning, saying Biden would visit Israel.

Bidens visit will mark a significant show of US support for its top Middle East ally after Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel on October 7. Death toll on the Israeli side has reached 1,400 people on Tuesday.

Israeli Bombarding On Gaza Continues

Israel declared war on Hamas, the group running the Gaza Strip, after waves of its fighters broke through Gazas heavily militarised border with Israel on October 7 and killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel has responded by pummelling the Gaza Strip with non-stop air and artillery attacks that have flattened neighbourhoods and killed more than 2,800 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, and driven around half of the 2.3 million Gazans from their homes. It has imposed a total blockade on the enclave, blocking food, fuel and medical supplies, which are rapidly running out.
UCHealth in Northern Colorado plans to open a new primary care clinic in the former CollegeAmerica building at 4601 S. Mason St., which is near the intersection of Harmony Road and Mason Street in Fort Collins.

The site, which will be undergoing about $3.5 million in renovations, is expected to house the 13,445-square-foot clinic, including space for specialty care services, UCHealth spokesperson Kelly Tracer said.

UCHealth applied for a building permit Oct. 6 to demolish the existing interior walls and create new offices and exam rooms. The site is expected to be ready next summer, Tracer said.

The site is within Arbor Plaza owned by Stan Kroenke  owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth and Los Angeles Rams  under the name GKT Arbor Plaza LLC of Columbia, Missouri.

In 2016, UCHealth became the official health care partner of the Nuggets, Mammoth and Avalanche.

Kroenke bought the 69,680-square-foot shopping center in 2018 for $15.5 million. The site is anchored by Walmart, but the retail store is not part of Kroenke's holdings. Arbor Plaza also includes Panda Express, the former Fazoli's that Krispy Kreme announced plans to open a Fort Collins location in, Firestone and other services and eateries. GKT also owns University Plaza on South College Avenue anchored by Whole Foods and Wilbur's Total Beverage.

CollegeAmerica was a private for-profit college with six campuses in Arizona, Idaho and Colorado and was affiliated with Center for Excellence in Higher Education in Salt Lake City. After losing accreditation at one of its campuses in 2021, it closed all of its campus.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: UCHealth plans new clinic at old CollegeAmerica site in Fort Collins
Tel Aviv: The deployment of two carrier strike groups by the United States, each comprising an aircraft carrier, planes, and escort warships, has reportedly dissuaded Hezbollah from launching a large-scale war against Israel, as per The New York Times on Tuesday. Quoting American officials, the report highlighted that US and Israeli intelligence agencies are actively assessing whether Israel's planned ground offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip might provoke Hezbollah to initiate a significant military campaign from Lebanon against Israel.

The assessment currently suggests that Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, is hesitant to engage in an all-out war with Israel due to the potential harm it could inflict on his group and Lebanon, according to American officials. However, this assessment is subject to change as more intelligence is gathered and events unfold. Additionally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has vetoed proposals for a pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah, according to sources briefed on the discussions with American officials.

US Assurance Full Support To Israel

The US Defence Department has reiterated its unwavering support to Israel during these tense times, emphasizing that the US Secretary of Defence is maintaining continuous communication with Israeli authorities and leaders.

A statement by the US Department of Defence (DOD) highlighted, "Since the meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Austin has remained fully engaged with the country's leaders, ensuring Israel has the necessary resources to defend itself from further attacks."

US Increases Military Presence In Middle-East

In addition to swiftly providing aid to Israel, the US has strengthened its military presence in the region to deter further aggression. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group joined the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean, demonstrating the US commitment to Israel's security.

The Air Force has also deployed F-15 and F-16 fighter squadrons and A-10 attack squadrons to the region, according to a US Department of Defence press release, further bolstering US force posture and underscoring its commitment to deter escalation.

Biden's Visit To Israel

Amidst escalating tensions, US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel to emphasize the United States' commitment to Israel's security and coordinate efforts to address the crisis. During the visit, Biden will meet with critical Middle East leaders and discuss strategies to minimize civilian casualties and ensure humanitarian aid flows to Gaza.

Biden's visit also includes a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, highlighting the broader diplomatic efforts to address the crisis.

We Will Neutralize Hamas: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel's determination to neutralize Hamas' military and governmental capabilities during discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. The Prime Minister emphasized Israel's commitment to defend its people and vowed to destroy Hamas' military and governmental capabilities.

Assessing Situation Before Ground Invasion: IDF

In an interview with ABC News, IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus emphasized a strategic approach, stating that the IDF will carefully choose the opportune time for a potential Gaza ground invasion. The decision will be influenced by various factors, including weather, troop conditions, enemy situation, diplomatic and political concerns, and humanitarian considerations.

Conricus highlighted that the IDF is assessing multiple variables to achieve its military goals and respond effectively to the situation, considering Hamas' claims of having Israeli hostages.

Russia Offers Mediation

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed Russia's readiness to help end the conflict peacefully through diplomatic means during conversations with leaders from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Iran, and Egypt. Putin assured Israel of Russia's willingness to contribute to a peaceful resolution of the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict.

Escalating Humanitarian Crisis In Gaza

The situation in Gaza continues to worsen, with the Gaza-based Health Ministry reporting a rising number of Palestinians killed and wounded in Israeli airstrikes. The death toll among Palestinians has reached 2,750, with over 9,700 wounded, including more than 750 children, as a result of the Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, Israel reports a death toll of over 1,400 due to the surprise Hamas attack, according to the Israel Defence Force (IDF).
New Delhi: Israel said it has bombed terror targets and military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon on Monday, in retaliation for gunfire aimed at Israel. The Israeli Air Force posted on X that it had hit the targets of the Shiite militant group, which is backed by Iran, after shots were fired at Israeli soldiers and a tank near the Lebanese border. The Israeli Defence Force said that no one was injured in the attack, which also triggered sirens in the areas surrounding Gaza and in Tel Aviv. The IDF responded with artillery fire and said it holds Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza, responsible for the terrorism.

The Israeli Air Force also announced on X that it had killed Osama Mazini, the head of the Hamas Shura Council in Gaza, who was in charge of Hamas prisoners and directed terrorist activities against Israel. On Monday, Israel also evacuated residents living in the north of the country within two kilometres of the border with Lebanon and moved them to state-funded guest houses. The plan, approved by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, involved 28 communities.

The evacuation came after Israel attacked Hezbollahs military infrastructure in Lebanon on Sunday, following a rocket attack on an Israeli town and military outposts near the border that killed one civilian. Nine more rockets were fired at Nahariya, a northern city, but no casualties were reported.
With Israel's mounting attack against Hamas, the fear of war is spreading to neighbouring countries as well. While Iran and Lebanon have already expressed their intentions of waging a war against Israel if air strikes on Gaza are not stopped, the heat of the war is being felt 3,000 km away in Pakistan as well. While it's a known fact that the Pakistani army trained Hamas militants, now the voices are growing louder in the Islamic nation to send its army to help Hamas.

A senior Pakistan cleric said that the attack on Israel by Palestinian Mujahideen is a historic success and if the Muslim nations allow it, the youth of Pakistan is ready to go to Gaza to fight against Israel. Another news anchor said that Pakistan has nuclear bombs for Islamic nations. Even Pakistani political parties have voiced their support for Hamas. Watch This Report:

Pakistan is going through an economic crisis with food prices skyrocketing. Had it not been for the IMF bailout, Pakistan's economy would have collapsed just like Sri Lanka. A nation that is struggling to meet its citizens' needs is ready to wage war against Israel and India just for the sake of Jihad. This shows the true face of Pakistan and reaffirms India's stand that Islamabad is a terrorist nation.

Meanwhile, Israel has achieved key success against Hamas after it killed seven top leaders of the terrorist group. Today, an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza killed Hamas' top militant commander Najib Jobain, Samya Kullab and Ravi Nessman Khan Younis. Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades, confirmed that an Israeli airstrike in Gaza has killed one of its top militant commanders Ayman Nofal. Nofal, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed, was killed on Tuesday.
London: In a show of solidarity with Israel, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the global shock and condemnation of the recent attacks in Israel during a parliamentary update. The attacks over the weekend left a harrowing toll, with over 1,400 people killed and thousands injured, including British citizens. Sunak assured unwavering support for Israel and conveyed heartfelt condolences for the victims from multiple nations, including the UK.

Stand With Israel, Condemn Hamas Attacks: Sunak

Sunak firmly expressed the UK's support for Israel, condemning the recent attacks as he addressed the House of Commons. He highlighted the brutality of the attacks that claimed innocent lives and spoke against the heinous act, labelling it a pogrom. The Prime Minister underscored the UK's solidarity with Israel, reiterating their commitment to establishing the facts of the incident and assisting British citizens affected.

"The attacks in Israel last weekend shocked the world. Over 1,400 people were murdered, over 3,500 wounded, almost 200 taken hostage. The elderly, men, women, children, and babies in arms were murdered, mutilated and burned alive. It was a pogrom...We stand with Israel. The murdered and the missing come from over 30 countries, including the United Kingdom. At least six British citizens were killed and ten are missing...We are working with Israel to establish the effects as quickly as possible...we are also helping British citizens who want to leave Israel. We've organized eight flights so far, bringing out over 500 people...I want to address the British Jewish community directly...we stand with you now and always. This atrocity was an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland for the Jewish people. We are doing everything that we can to protect you...," UK PM told the House of Commons.

#WATCH | London: On the Israel-Hamas conflict, UK Prime Minister in the Parliament says "The attacks in Israel last weekend shocked the world. Over 1,400 people were murdered, over 3,500 wounded, almost 200 taken hostage. The elderly, men, women, children, and babies in arms were pic.twitter.com/WJogxaLCAB  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2023

UP PM Assures British Jewish Community

In a direct message to the British Jewish community, Sunak affirmed unwavering support and emphasized the UK's dedication to ensuring the safety and security of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. He denounced the recent atrocity as a direct assault on the very concept of Israel as a safe haven.

Hamas Using Civilians As Human Shield

Sunak criticized Hamas for using innocent Palestinians as human shields and mourned the loss of innocent lives, including Palestinian civilians. He stressed the importance of supporting humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, acknowledging the Palestinian people as victims of Hamas' actions.

Diplomatic Efforts, Regional Engagement

The Prime Minister outlined diplomatic efforts, including engagements with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighting the UK's commitment to regional stability and peace. Sunak iterated the need for a two-state solution and increased regional engagement to sustain peace prospects.

UK's Military Deployment

Reiterating the UK's commitment to combating terrorism, Sunak emphasized deploying a world-class military to bolster regional stability and aid humanitarian efforts. He confirmed the UK's dedication to standing with its allies against terror, particularly in the wake of Hamas' attacks.

In the ongoing conflict, the Israeli military contemplates a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip, with the objective of removing Hamas from both military and political control over the region, as confirmed by Israel's National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi.
TEL AVIV: Amid a barrage of rockets being fired by Hamas terrorists from across the Gaza border, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the members of the Israeli war cabinet were forced to take shelter in a bunker for five minutes when air raid sirens went off in Tel Aviv during their meeting on Monday. This was later confirmed by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. While Secretary Blinken was meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the war cabinet in Tel Aviv, air raid sirens went off. They took shelter in a bunker for approximately 5 minutes, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The incident came as Blinken made his second stop in Israel in recent days, meeting with government officials after visiting other foreign leaders in the region. Blinkens trip has focused on reaffirming the United Statess support for Israel, facilitating humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and working on the speedy release of the nearly 200 estimated hostages in Hamass custody.

During his latest meeting with Netanyahu, Blinken discussed his engagements with partners in the region and received an update on the situation on the ground, Miller said. The Secretary underlined his firm support for Israels right to defend itself from Hamas terrorism and reaffirmed U.S. determination to provide the Israeli government with what it needs to protect its citizens.

The trip also comes as Israel prepares for a possible ground offensive in Gaza, just over one week after Hamas launched a surprise attack killing an estimated 1,400 Israelis.

Amid all this, President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Israel amid the Israeli bombardment of Gaza after Hamas' deadly attack on Israel 10 days ago.

Elaborating on Biden's visit, Blinken said his visit would emphasize the United States' commitment to Israel's security and coordinate efforts to address the crisis in the region. Blinken underscored the importance of minimizing civilian casualties and ensuring humanitarian aid flow to Gaza. President Biden will again make clear, as he's done unequivocally since the Hamas slaughter of more than 1,400 people, including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks, Blinken said. Biden will hear what Israel needs to defend his people as "we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs, he said.

The President will continue to coordinate closely with our Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including men, women, small children, Holocaust survivors, and American citizens, Blinken added.

In addition to visiting Israel on Wednesday, the president will also visit Jordan  a nearby crucial ally to the US. There he'll meet with a critical group of Middle East leaders including King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, according to the White House.

Will Crush Hamas, Says Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel's resolve to neutralize Hamas' military and governmental capabilities during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. The Prime Minister made it clear that Israel was attacked by vile and cruel murderers, went to war determined and united, and will not stop until it destroys the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas, a statement from his office read.

Ready For Mediation, Says Russia

Earlier Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with leaders from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Iran and Egypt where he addressed the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict. The Russian President told Netanyahu that Russia is ready to help end the conflict peacefully, by diplomatic means, according to a Kremlin readout of the call.

Rising Casualties

The ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant toll, with more than 1,400 casualties in Israel and over 2,750 in Gaza since October 7, underscoring the critical and perilous situation in the region. International involvement remains a possibility as tensions persist.
Tel Aviv: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified their operations against Hamas-controlled territories in Gaza, announcing the destruction of a significant Hamas military headquarters and the neutralization of a high-ranking military operative during overnight raids. The IDF released a video showcasing the bombing of Hamas' military headquarters and a bank used to finance terrorist activities in Gaza, underlining their commitment to dismantling Hamas' infrastructure.

Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck:

A Hamas military headquarters and neutralized a Hamas military operative.



A bank utilized to fund Hamas terrorist activity in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/fBC76MZa4P  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 17, 2023

Hamas Misusing Humanitarian Aid

RAdm. Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesperson, revealed that Hamas had pilfered fuel and medical supplies intended for UN operations in Gaza. The stolen resources could have sustained Gaza's water desalination for six days, shedding light on Hamas' abuse of aid meant for civilians.

IDF Spokesperson, RAdm. Daniel Hagari speaks about how Hamas stole 6 days worth of fuel from the @UnitedNations and from Gazan civilians.



Hamas' crimes continue to pile up. pic.twitter.com/nwD6VzzKpg  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 16, 2023

'Civilians Being Used As Human Shields'

The IDF accused Hamas of employing civilians as human shields during the ongoing conflict, asserting that the group's actions were an affront to humanity, affecting both Israelis and Palestinians. They affirmed their dedication to eradicating Hamas for the well-being of the region and beyond.

Hamas Holding Hostages

Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida admitted to holding between 200 to 250 hostages in Gaza, acquired from the November 7 terror attacks. Obeida justified the act, referring to the hostages as "guests" and pledged their protection and eventual release as circumstances allowed.

Hezbollah Targeted In Lebanon

In response to an attack on Israel, the Israel Air Force conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, raising concerns about potential escalation involving Hezbollah and Israel.

Biden To Visit Israel

US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday, as announced by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During his visit, Biden will emphasize the United States' commitment to Israel's security and coordinate efforts to address the crisis in the region. Blinken underscored the importance of minimizing civilian casualties and ensuring humanitarian aid flow to Gaza. President Biden will again make clear, as he's done unequivocally since the Hamas slaughter of more than 1,400 people, including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks, Blinken said. Biden will hear what Israel needs to defend his people as "we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs, he said.

The President will continue to coordinate closely with our Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including men, women, small children, Holocaust survivors, and American citizens, Blinken added.

In addition to visiting Israel on Wednesday, the president will also visit Jordan  a nearby crucial ally to the US. There he'll meet with a critical group of Middle East leaders including King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, according to the White House.

Will Crush Hamas, Says Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel's resolve to neutralize Hamas' military and governmental capabilities during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. The Prime Minister made it clear that Israel was attacked by vile and cruel murderers, went to war determined and united, and will not stop until it destroys the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas, a statement from his office read.

Ready For Mediation, Says Russia

Earlier Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with leaders from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Iran and Egypt where he addressed the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict. The Russian President told Netanyahu that Russia is ready to help end the conflict peacefully, by diplomatic means, according to a Kremlin readout of the call.

Rising Casualties

The ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant toll, with more than 1,400 casualties in Israel and over 2,750 in Gaza since October 7, underscoring the critical and perilous situation in the region. International involvement remains a possibility as tensions persist.
Gaza City: Abu Obeideh, the spokesman of Hamas's military wing, Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, has issued a big warning in response to the looming threat of an Israeli ground invasion of the blockaded Gaza Strip. In a televised address, Abu Obeideh conveyed that the threat of an Israeli ground offensive did not deter them, stating, "It doesn't scare us, and we are ready for it." This comes as Israel prepares for a potential ground invasion more than a week into the ongoing conflict.

Abu Obeideh highlighted that the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades were currently holding 200 people captive since the massive onslaught on Israel's south on October 7. Additionally, about 50 individuals were being held by other "resistance factions and in other places."

Hostages & Israeli Strikes In Gaza

Israeli Army spokesman Daniel Hagari has disclosed that Israel had been able to confirm and notify the relatives of 199 people held captive in Gaza. Abu Obeideh emphasized that they would release the foreign prisoners when conditions were suitable. He also condemned Israeli air strikes, revealing that at least 22 hostages taken from Israel had been killed in these attacks on Gaza.

Escalation Beyond Borders

Amid these tensions, Israel initiated airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed these actions, targeting Hezbollah "terror" facilities on Lebanese territory. This raises concerns of a potential escalation involving the pro-Iran Lebanese group Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, and Israel.

President Biden To Visit Israel

US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday, as announced by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During his visit, Biden will emphasize the United States' commitment to Israel's security and coordinate efforts to address the crisis in the region. Blinken underscored the importance of minimizing civilian casualties and ensuring humanitarian aid flow to Gaza. President Biden will again make clear, as he's done unequivocally since the Hamas slaughter of more than 1,400 people, including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks, Blinken said. Biden will hear what Israel needs to defend his people as "we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs, he said.

The President will continue to coordinate closely with our Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including men, women, small children, Holocaust survivors, and American citizens, Blinken added.

Israel Determined To Break Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated Israel's determination to neutralize Hamas's military and governmental capabilities. He affirmed this stance in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking to put an end to the conflict through diplomatic means.

The Prime Minister made it clear that Israel was attacked by vile and cruel murderers, went to war determined and united, and will not stop until it destroys the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas, the statement read. Earlier Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with leaders from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Iran and Egypt where he addressed the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Russian President told Netanyahu that Russia is ready to help end the conflict peacefully, by diplomatic means, according to a Kremlin readout of the call.

The escalating conflict has claimed a significant toll, with more than 1,400 people killed in Israel and over 2,750 casualties in Gaza since October 7, according to respective officials. The situation remains critical as the region teeters on the brink of further escalation and increased international involvement.
UPSSSC PET 2023: The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) is expected to release the UPSSSC PET Admit Card 2023 soon on its official website- upsssc.gov.in. According to reports the UPSSSC hall ticket will be released today, however officials are yet to confirm the same. All those candidates who will appear for the written exam can download the admit card by following the steps given below.

UPSSSC PET Admit Card 2023: Steps To Download Hall Ticket

Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSSSC at upsssc.gov.in.

Step 2: Once on the homepage, locate and click on the UPSSSC PET Admit Card 2023' link.

Step 3: Fill in the necessary details as required in the provided fields.

Step 4: After entering the details, click on the 'Submit' button.

Step 5: Your admit card will then appear on the screen.

Step 6: Review all the details on the admit card carefully.

Step 7: Proceed to download the page by clicking on the download icon or using the download option provided.

Step 8: Make sure to keep a printed hard copy of the admit card for any future requirements or reference.

UPSSSC PET 2023: Exam Date

The written examination will be conducted on October 28 and October 29, 2023 at various exam centres across the state. According to a press release on the official website, the controller of examinations had mentioned, "All the candidates related to Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) - 2023 are hereby informed that the written examination of the relevant advertisement will be organized on October 28, 2023 (Saturday) and October 29, 2023".

UPSSSC PET 2023: Exam Pattern

During the UPSSSC PET exam, candidates will have 2 hours to complete it. The exam will contain 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) carrying a total of 100 marks. Importantly, there will be no negative marking for incorrect answers. Candidates who will be appearing for the exam will have to carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof to the examination centre. They also have to reach the exam centres 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the examination.
For those living without the precious gift of eye-sight, a revolutionary gadget aiding such people to virtually see and discover the world is in the offing. This groundbreaking gadget powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the lives of visually impaired people by describing the visual world through spoken words.

Powered by cutting-edge AI technology, this exceptional gadget -- HearSight --boasts several unique features. Among the most important element regarding the usage of this gadget is non-requirement of internet connection. HearSight can be operated without an internet connection which means that it can be accessed anytime and anywhere.

1. Navigation: It serves as a trusty guide, aiding users in safely crossing roads and navigating unfamiliar terrains.

2. Face Recognition: With the capacity to register up to 100 faces in its database, this device can help users identify people by name when they encounter them.

3. Currency Identification: It can discern and relay information about currency notes, enhancing financial independence.

This versatile device can proficiently converse in seven different languages. The result of five years of dedicated research, it can also seamlessly connect to a mobile app for extended functionality, said Timothy Vedanayagam, CEO, Hear sight.

Proudly designed and manufactured in India, HearSight is set to launch at an affordable price point, ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000.

This multi-functional marvel for visually impaired person is set to be launched next month. HearSight can unlock a world of possibilities for these people by Navigating busy streets, identifying currency notes, or recognizing familiar faces.
New Delhi: In tonights episode, COLORS BIGG BOSS decides to rattle the cage with favouritism, compelling contestants to be on their toes. He announced that the residents of each makaan must nominate one occupant, who doesnt deserve to be in their chosen space for eviction.

Most of the inhabitants of the Dil makaan nominated contestant Mannara Chopra and this didnt go down well with the nominee, who alleges that she has been betrayed. Later, Dimaag contestants nominated Navid and Dum contestants nominated Abhishek.

Amidst the first nomination drill, a massive fight broke out between contestants Arun Srikanth and Abhishek Pandey. It all started with Abhishek blabbering the details of a private conversation between Arun and Sunny Arya, who are now pally with each other.

An embarrassed Arun affirms that Abhishek should not have divulged the details of his guy talk with Sunny, leading to a verbal spat. It will be interesting to see if this fight makes it to megastar Salman Khans Weekend Ka Vaar.

Abhishek's over-aggressive nature upsets many housemates and Bigg Boss. The actor gets his last warning from Bigg Boss for his nature.

After the nomination task, Navid bursts into tears, on the other hand, Mannara feels betrayed by Vicky Jain. Ankita tries to patch things up between Vicky and Mannara. Navid discusses with Munawar that earlier too, the international contestants have done well and he should at least be given a chance.

Later, in the confession room, Mannara calls Vicky 'clever,' Munawar comforts her. The actress requests Bigg Boss to shift Vicky i another room for one night as a punishment, but BB politely refuses. BB also questions Munawar's 'gyaani' part, stops him from doing so. A fun banter bursts between Mannara and Munawar after their meet in the confession room. The comedian calls the actress 'most real' in Dil room.

Jigna rudely tells Ankita to go out of the room, actress gets very hurt. Sonia takes a stand for Ankita, Jigna bursts on her as well. Later, the journalist apologises to Ankita, and clarifies that this is her tone!

Sonia flirts with Munawar, says she goes 'flat on his smile.' Isha, Abhishek tease Vicky on his flirting skills! Abhishek compliments Vicky-Ankita's couple, calls them 'better' than Aishwarya and Neil. Vicky feels that Neil is claustrophobic in his relationship with Aishwarya as she always keeps a hold on him.

Late at night, Isha and Mannara get into a disagreement over a very small issue. Isha even calls Mannara 'weird, awkward, attention seeker.'

Watch 'BIGG BOSS 17' every Monday to Friday at 10.00 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 9.00 pm only on COLORS, with a 24-hour LIVE channel on JioCinema.
In this article, we list down 12 of the best health insurance stocks to buy. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the healthcare industry and its developments, go ahead and click on the 5 Best Health Insurance Stocks to Buy.

Amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty worldwide, the healthcare industry has shown impressive resilience. Over time, the demand for healthcare goods and services has proven to be relatively stable. This resilience of the healthcare sector was particularly evident during the equity downturn of 2022, where, for example, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund greatly outperformed the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow Jones. BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK)'s data indicates that healthcare stocks exhibited 23% less volatility compared to the overall market in the past year. Additionally, throughout the last seven recessions, the healthcare sector consistently outperformed the broader market by an average margin of 10%. Moreover, during the past six recessions, the industry experienced an average earnings growth of 21%.

The healthcare sector stands as a robust sanctuary during economic downturns, given that personal well-being is a non-negotiable priority for most individuals, irrespective of financial constraints. The demand for healthcare remains steadfast, evidenced by the fact that as of 2023, one in three adults globally grapple with chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Concurrently, approximately one in four individuals is projected to encounter a form of mental health disorder during their lifetime. Deloitte, in this regard, estimates an economic loss of $16.3 trillion over a 20-year period due to mental health issues, underscoring the significant impact on the global economy.

Rising healthcare expenses in the nation have rendered it nearly impossible to bear the costs independently, highlighting the vital role of health insurance. In 2021, private health insurance accounted for a substantial portion of the $4.26 trillion spent on healthcare, surpassing Medicare and Medicaid, with a coverage worth $1.21 trillion. Out-of-pocket payments for healthcare amounted to just $433 billion. Across the board, over 300 million Americans had some degree of health insurance coverage in 2022, marking a 40% rise since 1990. As of 2023, the US health insurance exchanges, established under the Affordable Care Act in 2014, are celebrating their tenth year of operation. Over this decade, the individual market has remained dynamic, witnessing shifts in insurer involvement, pricing, and plan offerings on an annual basis. Global research and consultancy firm McKinsey states that consumer engagement notably surged by 25% between 2020 and 2022, reaching around 16 million participants. This increase aligned with the elongated enrollment periods and improved subsidies introduced by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, later prolonged through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

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The global health insurance industry stands to experience substantial growth in the future. Projections indicate that the global health insurance market is anticipated to achieve a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.9% from 2022 to 2030, as outlined by Straits Research. By 2030, this growth is expected to propel the market to a value of $5.28 trillion. In that same vein, some of the best health insurance stocks in the industry include UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS), and Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV), among others listed below.

Best Health Insurance Stocks to Buy

Photo by martha-dominguez-de-gouveia on Unsplash

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the best health insurance stocks to buy, we scoured through Insider Monkey's Q2 2023 database to identify the leaders in the health insurance industry based on hedge fund sentiment. The following companies, ranked according to the number of hedge funds that hold their shares, all offer health insurance services within the United States, and/or internationally.

12. Globe Life Inc. (NYSE:GL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29

Globe Life Inc. (NYSE:GL) is a financial services company headquartered in Texas, offering a range of insurance coverage options. The company specializes in supplemental health insurance products, including cancer insurance, ICU insurance, critical illness coverage, and hospital insurance. Notably, Globe Life Inc. (NYSE:GL) provides Medicare supplemental insurance plans that assist in covering expenses like deductibles, co-insurance, co-payments, and cost-sharing for outpatient hospital services.

In a bid to expand its healthcare business, Globe Life Inc. (NYSE:GL) completed its acquisition of Evry Health, a business-to-business health insurance company based in Dallas, Texas, on October 16.

Cumulatively, 29 of the 910 hedge funds part of Insider Monkeys Q2 2023 database had invested in Globe Life Inc. (NYSE:GL), up from 24 in the previous quarter.

Much like UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS), and Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV), Globe Life Inc. (NYSE:GL) ranks as one of the best health insurance stocks to invest in.

11. Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38

Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH) is a managed care company based in Long Beach, California, United States. The company offers health insurance to individuals through government programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH) announced its GAAP earnings per diluted share of $5.35 and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $5.65 for the second quarter of 2023. As of June 30, 2023, and factoring in the early effects of Medicaid redeterminations, the company catered to about 5.2 million members.

In Q2 2023, Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH)'s shares were held by 38 hedge funds in Q1, compared to 41 funds in the previous quarter. These were valued at $711.9 million. With a stake valued at $427.7 million, Henry Ellenbogen's Durable Capital Partners was the company's largest shareholder for the quarter.

Scout Investments mentioned Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH) in its third-quarter 2022 investor letter. Here is what it said:

Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH) also performed well as sentiment toward health maintenance organizations improved, both as a relatively defensive investment during uncertain times, and as the bear case on the stock was partially debunked with an extension of expanded enrollment for government health insurance programs.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40

The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, better known as MetLife Inc. (NYSE:MET), is among the largest global providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, with more than 90 million customers in over 60 countries.

On October 10, MetLife Inc. (NYSE:MET) declared a $0.52 per share quarterly dividend, the same as the previous dividend amount, which will be distributed to shareholders on December 14, of record on November 9. The companys dividend yield on October 16 stood at 3.28%.

As of Q2 2023, 40 hedge funds were long MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) with collective stakes of $1.17 billion in the insurance giant. Richard S. Pzenas Pzena Investment Management is MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET)s largest investor, owning a $261.9 million stake through 4.63 million shares.

9. Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 50

Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) is a multinational insurance corporation providing a diverse array of insurance and reinsurance offerings to individuals, businesses, and various entities worldwide. On August 10, the company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.86 per share, maintaining its consistent dividend track record. The company has steadily increased its dividends for the past three decades. As of October 16, the stock boasts a dividend yield of 1.61%.

Insider Monkeys database of Q2 2023 indicated that 50 funds owned stakes in Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) in Q2 2023, growing from 45 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is over $1.73 billion. With over 1.5 million shares, Millennium Management was the companys leading stakeholder in Q2.

8. Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57

Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a publicly traded managed care firm serving as an intermediary for both government-sponsored and privately insured healthcare programs. The company primarily focuses on the Medicaid market, with a significant proportion of its membership consisting of traditional participants, including those in programs like Childrens Health Insurance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, who require regular monitoring. Medicaid plans account for nearly two-thirds of Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC)s total revenue, making it a vital revenue stream. However, the company is experiencing even faster revenue growth in its Medicare segment.

On July 28, Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) revealed its Q2 non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.10 and reported a revenue of $37.61 billion. The revenue surpassed market estimates by $1.07 billion, demonstrating robust performance, and the earnings outperformed Street expectations by $0.05.

According to Insider Monkeys second quarter database, 57 hedge funds were bullish on Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC). This number was 61 in the previous quarter. Quentin Koffeys Politan Capital had the largest position in the stock, with 12.13 million shares worth $818.65 million.

Oakmark Funds made the following comment about Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:

Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) is one of the largest health insurers in the U.S. The company specializes in three major government-sponsored programs: Medicaid, Marketplace and Medicare Advantage. Each of these benefits from long-term secular tailwinds. In Medicaid, states are steadily outsourcing their programs to managed care companies, like Centene, as it helps states reduce costs and improve care quality. Indeed, Managed Medicaid penetration has increased from 25% of total Medicaid spend in 2010 to 60% today, and we expect further gains over time. In Marketplace, growth is driven by the trend toward more individuals buying health insurance. Centene holds the #1 market share in both of these programs and is well positioned to capitalize on their continued growth. The stock trades for 10x consensus 2024 EPS, but this doesnt tell the whole story. Past missteps in Centenes Medicare business will result in that segment losing $0.80 per share next year. We believe Centene can turn Medicare around and generate positive earnings in the next few years. This could increase EPS by more than $1 per share and reduce the P/E ratio to just 8.5x. We think thats good value for a business that generates healthy returns on capital and is capable of growing EPS at a low double-digit rate.

7. The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69

The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is a prominent American insurance company that offers automobile and health insurance solutions. By the latter part of 2022, Progressive had achieved the status of being the largest motor insurance carrier in the United States. The company's origins trace back to 1937 when it was co-founded by Jack Green and Joseph M. Lewis. Its headquarters are located in Mayfield Village, Ohio.

During July of 2023, The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) experienced a stock price surge after J.P. Morgan analyst Jimmy Bhullar upgraded the rating from Neutral to Overweight. This upgrade happened despite The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) reporting recent disappointing financial results. Bhullar emphasized that despite subpar margins over the past two years, he holds an optimistic long-term outlook for the personal auto market, considering it a structurally superior business compared to commercial lines or reinsurance.

As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, 64 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey were long The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR).

The London Company Large Cap Strategy made the following comment about The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) in its second quarter 2023 investor letter:

The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR)  PGR underperformed during Q2 due to concerns about additional price hikes needed to maintain its targeted profitability ratio. PGR continues to increase auto policies in force, but recent costs were higher than expected. To combat weaker than expected margins, PGR is reducing advertising spending and increasing prices on insurance. Looking ahead, we believe PGR remains well positioned reflecting its more flexible pricing platform and tech solutions that monitor and price for distracted driving. While near-term costs were higher than expected, PGR has a great track record of profitability and conservative underwriting philosophy.

6. Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 70

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) is a company focused on health and well-being, providing healthcare benefits to medical and specialty members. The range of services includes fully-insured medical and specialty health insurance benefits such as vision, dental, supplemental health benefits, and administrative services only (ASO products) for individuals and employer groups. The company also offers healthcare services catering to retired and active duty military personnel and their dependents. These services encompass pharmacy solutions, clinical care services, provider services, as well as predictive modeling and informatics services.

On August 8, after an as-expected quarter and an upward revision in guidance, Bernstein chose to increase its price target for Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) from $568 per share to $599 per share. This adjustment highlights Bernstein's optimistic reevaluation of Humana Inc.'s potential stock value, indicating a more positive outlook for the company's market performance. While raising the price target, Bernstein retains its Market Perform rating.

By the end of this years second quarter, 70 among the 910 hedge funds part of Insider Monkeys research had bought Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM)s shares. Rajiv Jains GQG Partners is its biggest stakeholder since it owns $1.3 billion worth of shares.

Vltava Fund made the following comment about Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:

A new position in the portfolio is the US health insurer Elevance Health. This sector is quite familiar to us. In fact, we also have shares of another health insurer, Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM), in our portfolio, which we first bought in 2009. The sector has been very attractive over the long term and its structure favours big players, which both Humana and Elevance Health are. Because each of these two companies also has some specific risk, we decided to increase our investment in the sector by acquiring this second position. Both companies are high-growth in terms of profitability and we expect their above-average growth to continue for quite some time."

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) joins the ranks of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS), and Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) as one of the best health insurance stocks investors should keep on their radars.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Health Insurance Stocks to Buy.

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Disclosure: None. 12 Best Health Insurance Stocks to Buy is originally published on Insider Monkey.
New Delhi: Fans are ecstatic to see journalist Jigna Vora, whose true story served as the inspiration for the much-discussed Netflix series 'Scoop', emerging as one of the strong contestants of Bigg Boss 17. Vora's case created a sensation in 2011 when she was arrested for allegedly conspiring with gangster Chhota Rajan in the killing of veteran crime reporter Jyotirmoy Dey.

On June 11, 2011, J Dey was murdered by unidentified assailants in Hiranandani, Powai, while onlookers witnessed the incident. The murderers were eventually identified as being part of a seven-person group connected to the underworld gangster Chhota Rajan. After conducting an initial investigation, the Mumbai police charged Rajan and Vora. The case was handed off to the CBI in 2016.

Jigna Vora Controversy

Jigna's name quickly circulated among the list of suspects, and her life took an unexpected turn. She was charged with arranging the journalist's murder alongside gangster Chhota Rajan. Vora received a seven-year sentence after the murder, whereas gangster Chota Rajan received a life sentence. Jigna went from being a crime journalist to being accused of conspiring with Chhota Rajan in the 2011 murder of senior investigative crime reporter Jyotirmoy Dey.

Jigna Vora was arrested, and she spent nine months in prison. She was released on bail in 2012 from Byculla Jail in Mumbai. But she was only cleared of all the accusations after seven years in the 2018 special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court due to lack of evidence.

Later, she wrote a memoir titled 'Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison', in which she described her experiences there. The movie 'Scoop', which is based on her book, was directed by Hansal Mehta. The Netflix series' lead actor was Karishma Tanna, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, while Harman Baweja and Prosenjit Chatterjee played supporting roles.



Currently seen in Bigg Boss 17, Jigna as emerged as one of the strongest contestants of the seasons. She has also been tagged as the 'favourite' by Bigg Boss several times in the last two weeks.
New Delhi: After the recent successful premiere of the new season of Bigg Boss and the conclusion of Khatron Ke Khiladi 13, the channel is now gearing up for the launch of an exciting new show. Continuing its tradition of presenting compelling love stories and kindling romance, COLORS is thrilled to introduce the fairytale romance drama, 'Chand Jalne Laga'. With the newest television pair, Vishal Aditya Singh and Kanika Mann as Dev and Tara respectively, whose story outlines the extraordinary journey of two childhood sweethearts, who once were each others sanctuary, but the cruel hand of fate pulls them apart. As the age-old wisdom goes, 'Love is the fire that kindles the heart,' 'Chand Jalne Laga' is that blazing fire, promising to be the most passionate love story of the year. Produced by Siddharth Kumar Tewarys Swastik Productions, Chand Jalne Laga premieres on the 23rd of October and airs every Monday to Friday at 9:30 pm only on COLORS.

In the backdrop of a scenic vineyard, the love story begins with Dev and Tara, who are inseparable as kids. Dev has the unique gift of understanding horses and works as a stable boy for a wealthy zamindar family, and Tara is its caged princess, who fears nearly everything. Both find solace in each others presence. As grown-ups, their paths cross after being separated by a huge misunderstanding, both having undergone a massive transformation. Dev, who was once optimistic and sensitive, makes a fortune and turns into a man with angst and a steely resolve. On the other hand, the fearful and dependent Tara becomes a confident and fearless lady after her family loses its riches. With the passage of time, a lot has changed in their lives except for a few things. Will those be enough to rekindle the passionate love they once shared?

Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary says, Swastik Productions takes pride in crafting impactful and heartfelt stories that have reigned over television. We are excited to present Chand Jalne Laga, the most passionate love story of the year. It traces the fairytale romance of Dev and Tara, who were once in love but came to be torn apart by unforeseeable circumstances. Shedding light on what it means to be in love, this show explores the inner world of two individuals, who levelled up against the challenges of life but lost the solace they sought in each other. It is incredible to be collaborating with COLORS, and we aspire to offer the audience a show canvassed with stunning visuals, soulful music, and elegant storytelling.

Sharing her thoughts on essaying the role of Tara, Kanika Mann says, "In a world where love often takes a backseat to chaos and ambition, 'Chand Jalne Laga' is a beautiful reminder that true love can weather any storm. Its a story that has an old-world charm, and the potential to rekindle our faith in love. I'm thrilled join hands with COLORS and Swastik Productions, the creative forces who have entertained viewers with diverse shows. Portraying Tara in this romantic tale has been an amazing experience because I strongly feel that she has a striking resemblance to my real personality. All I can say is, gear up for a love story that is as unpredictable as life itself, and get ready to rediscover the magic of pure, unbridled passion!"

Set to be seen embodying the role of Dev, Vishal Aditya Singh said, I've had the privilege of working with COLORS and Swastik Productions earlier, and I'm excited to be working with them once again for Chand Jalne Laga. After Bigg Boss 13, I was waiting to spearhead a love story. I think the patience paid off and Im grateful for it. The viewers have showered an immense amount of love on all the characters Ive essayed so far. Im sure that they will appreciate Dev and relate to the kind of love, pain and separation captured in this show.

Sparking excitement among viewers, COLORS recently launched the romantic music video of 'Chand Jalne Laga,' which garnered a thunderous response across social media platforms. It amassed 31.3 million in reach and 4 million views within the first four days. The show wrote itself into the history of television as the first one to have the digital-first release of a love anthem.

The show is all set to premiere on the 23rd of October, airing every Monday to Friday at 9:30 p.m. only on COLORS.
The Gaza Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008. Photos from al-Ahli Hospital showed fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass and body parts scattered across the area. The ministry said at least 500 people had been killed.

Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: We will get the details and update the public. I dont know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike.

#BREAKING: Reports suggest that the mass casualty event at the Baptist Hospital in Gaza City was the result of a misfired rocket launch by Hamas.



No IDF air activity was reported at the time and the timing coincided with a salvo of rockets launched at Israel.



Reminder: 30-40%  Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) October 17, 2023

In the south, continued strikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure Tuesday in attacks it says are targeted at militants. U.S. officials worked to convince Israel to allow delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals after days of failed hopes for an opening in the siege.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas brutal attack last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territorys 2.3 million people. U.S. officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place. A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israels National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts, he told reporters, without elaborating whether Israel was demanding the release of all of the roughly 200 people Hamas abducted before allowing supplies in.

U.S. President Joe Biden prepared to head to the region as he and other world leaders tried to prevent the war from sparking a broader regional conflict. Violence flared Tuesday along Israels border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza  but plans remained uncertain.

We are preparing for the next stages of war, military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. We havent said what they will be. Everybodys talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.

In Gaza, dozens of injured were rushed to hospitals after heavy attacks outside the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, residents reported. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official and former health minister, reported 27 people were killed in Rafah and 30 in Khan Younis.

An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Family members came to claim the bodies, wrapped in white bedsheets, some soaked in blood.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighboring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agencysaid. At least 24 U.N. installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agencys staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centers.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing dozens of casualties among families inside, residents said. Among those killed was one of Hamas top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the groups military wing said  the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israels retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, its hiding behind civilians, he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

Israel sealed off Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 200 taken captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly two-thirds of those killed were children, a ministry official said.

Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes  roughly half of Gazas population  and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the U.N. said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The U.N. agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south. The agency said it has only 1 liter of water a day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gazas population, the U.N. said.

At the Rafah crossing, Gazas only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to enter. The World Food Program said that it had more than 300 tons of food waiting to cross into Gaza.

Civilians with foreign citizenship  many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities  also waited in Rafah, desperate to get out.

We come to the border crossing hoping that it will open, but so far there is no information, said Jameel Abdullah, a Swedish citizen.

Repeated reports that an opening was imminent have proven false as negotiations continued to grind on, including the U.S., Israel and Egypt.

A senior Egyptian official called it a very tough, complicated back-and-forth process and said talks were over deliveries through Rafah and Israels Karam Shalom crossing to Gaza. He said Israel was insisting to search all aid, and wants to ensure that such aid wont benefit Hamas. He said Egypt proposed that the U.N. oversee the whole process, including inside Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the press on the talks.

Officials for Hamas and Israel cast doubt on an immediate opening, saying they were unaware of an agreement.

Blinken arrived in Israel last Thursday with a full-throated message of unequivocal U.S. support for Israel in its campaign to destroy Hamas. But in meetings with seven Arab leaders over the next three days, Blinkens tone shifted subtly, talking more prominently about the need for humanitarian aid.

U.S. officials said it had become clear by then that already limited Arab tolerance of Israels military operations would evaporate entirely if conditions in Gaza worsened. They said that outright condemnation of Israel by Arab leaders would be a boon to Hamas and could encourage Iran, according to four officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration thinking. That prompted Blinken to press Netanyahu on an aid deal.

Bidens visit to Israel Wednesday will signal the White Houses support for a key ally. He will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears the fighting could spread in the region.

Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon, where the military has exchanged fire repeatedly with Hezbollah militants.

Israel said it killed four militants wearing explosive vests who were attempting to cross into the country from Lebanon on Tuesday morning. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israels continuing offensive in Gaza could cause a violent reaction across the region.

Bombardments should be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry, Khamenei said, according to state media.
New Delhi: A gunman, who shot dead two Swedish nationals and wounded another person in Brussels on Monday night, said he was a member of the ISIS terrorist group and posted a video online claiming responsibility for the attack, Qatari news channel Al Jazeera reported. The shooter, who identified himself as Abdesalem Al Guilani, said he was a fighter for [God] and a member of ISIL (ISIS) and that he targeted the Swedes because of their nationality.

The suspect escaped after the attack and was being hunted by the Belgian police, who said they were investigating the shooting as a possible act of terrorism. Eric Van Duyse, a spokesman for the federal prosecutors office, said they were verifying the authenticity of the video, which was posted on social media.

This person claims to be inspired by Islamic State, Van Duyse said, adding The Swedish nationality of the victims was put forward as the probable motive. The shooting took place in central Brussels on Monday evening, killing two people and injuring one, CNN reported citing Belgian public broadcaster VRT.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims and asked the people of Brussels to be vigilant. My deepest condolences to the relatives of this cowardly attack in Brussels. I am closely following the situation, together with the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from @CrisiscenterBE. We are monitoring the situation and ask the people of Brussels to be vigilant, De Croo wrote on X.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also offered her sympathy to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the Swedish people. I want to express my deepest condolences to @SwedishPM Kristersson and the Swedish people who have lost two of their compatriots tonight, von der Leyen tweeted. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time, she added.
TEL AVIV: US President Joe Biden is scheduled for a brief visit to Israel, lasting approximately five hours, before heading to Jordan, where he will hold talks with King Abdullah II, reported The Times of Israel citing Channel 12. Following this meeting, President Biden will join a summit hosted by King Abdullah, featuring the participation of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, as reported by The Times of Israel.

The primary focus of this summit, as per reports, is to address the ongoing humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. During his stay in Israel, President Biden is expected to hold discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and engage with the families of hostages and missing persons, The Times of Israel reported.

US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday at a time when the country is facing its toughest battle with the terrorist group Hamas. Tal Heinrich, Spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday said that more than 1,500 Israelis have been killed and 3,900 injured in the war against Hamas.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said that President Biden is coming to Israel at a "critical moment" and will reaffirm the US' solidarity with Israel. He further added by saying that President Biden will continue to coordinate closely with the Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

Hamas' spokesman, Abu Obeida, has claimed that they were holding between 200 and 250 hostages in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported, adding that while there was no definitive count, due to "security and practical difficulties", it is understood that he captives from the November 7 terror attacks totaling nearly 200.

Meanwhile, the White House also issued a statement on President Biden's visit to Israel. "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Israel on Wednesday, October 18, to demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamas's brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps," the White House said.

"President Biden will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with his Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza," the White House added in its statement.

Earlier on Monday, Spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Tal Heinrich announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden to visit Israel and hopes to host the president soon. A Biden visit would also amount to a message to other players in the region, including the Iran-backed Hezbollah, that they should not escalate the conflict further, according to CNN.
New Delhi U.S. President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday (October 18) to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and express his support for Israels security, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday (October 17). Blinken, who spoke to the media in Tel Aviv after meeting with Netanyahu, said Biden will restate his firm commitment to Israels right and obligation to protect its people from Hamas and other terrorists. He said Biden will also discuss with Netanyahu what Israel needs to defend itself and how the U.S. can help.

Blinken said Biden will send a clear message to any actor, state or non-state, that tries to exploit the crisis to attack Israel: Dont. He said Biden has deployed two aircraft carrier groups and other military assets to the region to deter any aggression.

Blinken said Biden will also work closely with Israel to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, including Americans and Holocaust survivors. He said this is a vital humanitarian effort.

Blinken said Biden will get a detailed briefing on Israels war goals and strategy. He said Biden will also hear from Israel how it plans to minimize civilian casualties and allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza without benefiting Hamas.

Blinken said the U.S. and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will ensure that humanitarian aid from donors and organizations reaches only civilians in Gaza, and possibly create safe zones for them. He said it is crucial that aid starts flowing into Gaza as soon as possible.

Blinken said the U.S. shares Israels concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or prevent it from reaching those who need it. He said the U.S. will condemn and prevent any such actions by Hamas.

Blinken said the U.S. welcomes Israels commitment to work on this plan. He said Biden looks forward to discussing it further when he arrives on Wednesday.

He thanked Netanyahu for his hospitality and ended his remarks.
wundervisuals / Getty Images

If you have $1 million saved up for retirement, you will want to find a state where you can get the most out of your money. After all, the average life expectancy in the United States is 76.4 years, so you will want to make sure you have enough money to last you well into your 70s and then some.

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At GOBankingRates, we looked at the national average annual expenditures for people 65 and older to determine which cities would be best to retire if you have saved $1 million for retirement. On average, in the US, $1million will fund a little over 17 years of retirement. In each of the top 17 places, however, your $1 million in retirement savings will last you 20 years or more, ensuring you can live comfortably throughout your golden years.

Here are the 17 best cities to retire with $1 million in retirement savings.

TrentGarverick / Getty Images/iStockphoto

17. Columbus, Ohio

# of years $1M will last: 20.02 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 85 years old

Annual expenditure: $49,954.75

With $1 million in retirement savings, you will be able to retire comfortably in Columbus, Ohio. The money will last you approximately 20 years and 6 days, thanks to low annual healthcare and housing expenditures. Overall annual expenditures for people 65 years and older in Columbus are nearly $8,000 less than the national average.

Also: Heres What the Average Social Security Payment Will Be in Fall 2023

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Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images

16. Indianapolis, Indiana

# of years $1M will last: 20.37 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 85 years old

Annual expenditure: $49,087.48

If you have always dreamed of retiring in Indianapolis, you will be able to get over 20 years out of your $1 million in savings. Annual expenditures are substantially less than the national average, including annual grocery expenditures of $4,489.99, compared to the U.S. average of $4,797, and annual housing expenditures of $7,330.88, compared to the national average of $11,692.

Story continues

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15. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

# of years $1M will last: 20.42 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 85 years old

Annual expenditure: $48,971.85

Set along the banks of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a beautiful, vibrant town. Retirees flock to the area to take advantage of the low cost of living, including annual housing expenditures that are over $5,000 less than the average in the U.S.

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

14. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

# of years $1M will last: 20.49 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 85 years old

Annual expenditure: $48,798.39

The picturesque plains of Oklahoma City are not only beautiful, but they are affordable. If you retire with $1 million, it will last you approximately 20 years, 5 months, and 27 days. Several factors contribute to the citys affordability for retirees, including annual transportation expenditures of $4,720.57, over $200 less than the national average.

RoschetzkyProductions / Shutterstock.com

13. Corpus Christi, Texas

# of years $1M will last: 20.66 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $48,393.67

The coastal community of Corpus Christi is perfect for retirees looking to stretch their budgets. With $1 million in savings, you can expect it to last 20 years, 7 months, and 29 days. If you retire at the age of 65, this means that you will be 86 years old before your money runs out.

Related: 5 Places To Retire That Are Just Like Florida but Way Cheaper

Davel5957 / iStock.com

12. Greensboro, North Carolina

# of years $1M will last: 20.91 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $47,815.49

A little Southern charm goes a long way. Greensboro, North Carolina, offers retirees that and more. With $1 million in savings, you will be around 86 years old before your money runs out if you retire at 65. The citys affordability is due in part to its low housing and transportation costs. Both are significantly under the national average.

Art Wager / iStock.com

11. St. Louis, Missouri

# of years $1M will last: 20.91 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $47,815.49

You will get well over 20 years and 10 months before your $1 million in retirement savings will run out if you decide to spend your golden years in St. Louis, Missouri. The city is ideal for retirees with an annual expenditure of over $10,000 less than the national average.

Davel5957 / Getty Images

10. Tulsa, Oklahoma

# of years $1M will last: 20.99 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $47,642.03

If you want to make your money last longer or you hope to retire a little earlier, you will want to consider Tulsa, Oklahoma. $1 million in retirement savings will last just under 21 years due to annual housing costs over $5,600 below the average in the U.S.

Watch Out: 14 Key Signs You May Run Out of Money in Retirement

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

9. Laredo, Texas

# of years $1M will last: 21.09 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $47,410.76

Perhaps the Lone Star State is where you see yourself retiring. You are in luck since cities like Laredo are extremely affordable. $1 million in retirement savings will last you for over 21 years. Annual grocery expenditures of $4,422.83 add to the low cost of living in the area.

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

8. El Paso, Texas

# of years $1M will last: 21.09 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $47,410.76

Another Texas town you may want to consider is El Paso, Texas. The border city is inexpensive and offers a blend of multiple cultures. From rodeos to hundred-year-old Spanish missions, the city is unique and friendly, with a rich, diverse history. Your $1 million in retirement should last you for over 21 years, meaning you will be 86 before it runs out if you retire when you are 65.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

7. Wichita, Kansas

# of years $1M will last: 21.20 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $47,179.49

With an annual expenditure of $47,179.49 for people 65 and older, Wichita should be near the top of your list for ideal locations to retire. $1 million in retirement savings will last you around 21 years, 2 months, and 11 days thanks to lower-than-average transportation and housing costs.

Check Out: 10 Best Canadian Cities To Retire on a Budget of $2,500 a Month

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

6. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

# of years $1M will last: 21.27 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $47,006.03

Winston-Salem not only has an interesting past playing a key role in the tobacco industry, but it also is highly affordable for retirees. $1 million will last you over 21 years due to a low cost of living. Annual housing expenditures are $7,307.50, over $4,000 less than the national average.

Christopher Boswell / Shutterstock.com

5. Lubbock, Texas

# of years $1M will last: 21.43 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $46,659.13

The college town of Lubbock, Texas, isnt just for coeds. Retirees flock to the West Texas town, knowing that their money can stretch a little further. People over the age of 65 enjoy annual grocery expenditures of $4,408.44, over $300 below the average in the United States.

Davel5957 / iStock.com

4. Fort Wayne, Indiana

# of years $1M will last: 21.46 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 86 years old

Annual expenditure: $46,601.31

Retiring in Fort Wayne, Indiana, can help ensure your $1 million in retirement savings lasts you well over 21 years. This means that you may be able to retire earlier than you anticipated because of low annual expenditures.

2024 COLA Forecast: New Info About How Much Social Security Benefits Could Increase Next Year

Kruck20 / Getty Images

3. Memphis, Tennessee

# of years $1M will last: 22.32 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 87 years old

Annual expenditure: $44,808.95

If retirement sounds like the Blues, you may want to think about Memphis, Tennessee. Not only will you get your fill of great music, but you will also be able to make your $1 million in retirement savings last 22 years, 3 months, and 25 days. This means that you will not run out of money until you are 87 years old if you stop working at 65.

Vernon Stockton / Getty Images/iStockphoto

2. Cleveland, Ohio

# of years $1M will last: 23.92 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 89 years old

Annual expenditure: $41,802.41

Whether you want to retire a little earlier than your peers or are hoping to live a little longer, you will want to consider retiring in Cleveland, Ohio. The citys annual housing expenditures are $2,759.31, almost $9,000 less than the national average. Your money will last you for 23 years, 11 months, and 2 days, meaning you will not have to worry until you are 89 years old if you retire at 65.

Ron_Thomas / iStock.com

1. Toledo, Ohio

# of years $1M will last: 23.96 years

Age you would run out of money if you retired at 65: 89 years old

Annual expenditure: $41,744.60

And finally, the number one most affordable city to retire if you have $1 million in savings is Toledo, Ohio. Your savings will last for 23 years, 11 months, and 14 days due to lower-than-normal healthcare and housing expenditures. You will save big on just about everything in Toledo, meaning you can quit your morning commute a few years earlier than you thought.

Methodology: In order to find the best cities to retire with $1,000,000 across the country, GOBankingRates first found (1) the national average annual expenditures for people 65 and older, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey data. Then, GOBankingRates created (2) city-level annual expenditure estimates by multiplying the national figure by each citys overall cost of living index score from Sperlings Best Places. Finally, GOBankingRates found (3) how many years $1,000,000 will last in each city by dividing $1,000,000 by each citys average annual expenditures estimate. All cities were then ranked, with No. 1 being the city where $1,000,000 will last the longest and No. 100 being the city where it will run out most quickly. GOBankingRates provided supplemental information on the average annual cost of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare for people 65 and older in each city by again using Sperlings Best Places cost of living indices for each category to factor out national estimates from the 2022 CES. Only the 100 most populous cities, according to the 2022 American Community Survey, were considered. All data was collected on and up to date as of October 5, 2023.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 17 Best Cities To Retire With $1 Million in Savings
CIREBON, Indonesia, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 15, 2023, the "Floral Whisper along the Silk Road - Cultural Journey of Maritime Silk Road" promotion event was grandly held in Indonesia's Cirebon, strengthening cultural exchange and cooperation among Maritime Silk Road cities with the maritime silk as the link.

From October 12 to 20, the Maritime Silk Road Heritage Conservation and World Heritage Nomination City Alliance, led by Guangzhou, is paying a visit to three countries along the Maritime Silk Road including Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, for a nine-day cultural journey. Cirebon, Indonesia, was the first stop of this meaningful journey.

The event commenced with an enchanting promotional video that showcased the beauty of the Maritime Silk Road. The Sanggar Seni Kencana Ungu dance troupe presented the Cirebon mask dance (Tari Topeng Cirebon), a local Javanese traditional art form, while a lively lion dance performance by Vihara Dewi Welas Asih, one of Cirebon's 73 cultural heritage sites, authentically displayed the charm of Guangdong lion dance.

A delegation consisting of representatives from the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau, the Nanyue King's Mausoleum Museum, and the Guangzhou Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology attended the promotional event. They were joined by the Regent of Cirebon, local government officials, representatives from the Indonesian National Academy of Sciences, scholars from local universities, and media reporters.

Notably, the event was hosted at the Patra Cirebon Hotel & Convention, which named its conference hall after Cirebon's renowned Mega Mendung Batik pattern. Batik is Indonesia's intangible cultural heritage, and Cirebon is one of the country's four famous Batik-producing regions. Its cloud-like patterns bear resemblance to traditional Chinese auspicious cloud motifs, symbolizing a blend of Sino-Indonesian cultural exchange.

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The event primarily featured an exhibition, a memorandum, and performances to promote external culture. It also included discussions on cultural heritage preservation and the promotion of the Maritime Silk Road. Chinese and Indonesian government representatives, experts, and scholars engaged in in-depth exchanges during salon discussions. The two sides also signed a 'Memorandum of Cooperation for the Protection and Tourism Development of Maritime Silk Road Cultural Heritage,' and exchanged friendly gifts showcasing their intangible cultural heritage. This cooperation will further deepen collaboration in cultural tourism, fostering convergence between the tourism and cultural industries, and comprehensive cooperation in terms of source markets and resource sharing.

The event also featured a Maritime Silk Road photo exhibition and a "Mobile Museum," showcasing the achievements of Maritime Silk Road culture and international cooperation. Unique exhibits from the Maritime Silk Road culture attracted numerous visitors.

As the first stop of this year's series of events, Cirebon, Indonesia, holds special significance. Located in the eastern port of West Java Province, it is known as the "Central Pearl of Indonesia" with its beautiful natural scenery and rich history. The historical architecture, traditional customs, and handicrafts here are unique. Cirebon has also witnessed the glorious history of the Maritime Silk Road.

On October 17, 2023, the "Floral Whisper along the Silk Road - Cultural Journey of Maritime Silk Road" promotion event will move to Singapore, further promoting cultural and tourism exchanges along the Maritime Silk Road.

Cision

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SOURCE Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau
Tatiana Buzmakova / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Gig work has become increasingly common, with a 230% increase in gig workers over the past two years, according to Agents Only. The progression from 9-to-5 office jobs to freelance, do-anywhere jobs was spurred by the pandemic, and with technology advancements and increased availability of freelance apps, the trend seems here to stay.

Side Gig: Earn Up To $200/Hour With This Easy-To-Start Job, No College Degree Required

Find Out: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS

While many gig workers use these jobs to get additional side income, some are looking to be full-time gig workers. No matter how you plan to use this income, its important to note that gig workers in some states make more than others. These are the five states where gig workers earn the most, according to Agents Only.

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1. Florida

Average annual earnings for gig workers: $13,764

How To Get Free Money: 13 Proven Ways

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2. South Dakota

Average annual earnings for gig workers: $13,747

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3. Connecticut

Average annual earnings for gig workers: $12,972

gorodenkoff / Getty Images/iStockphoto

4. New Jersey

Average annual earnings for gig workers: $12,686

adamkaz / Getty Images

5. New York

Average annual earnings for gig workers: $12,670

Data is sourced from Agents Only and is accurate as of Sept. 20, 2023.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 States Where Gig Workers Earn the Most Money
SINGAPORE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore, celebrates an exceptional year with a series of international and local sustainability awards in the first three quarters of 2023.

Heads of Department at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore

These prestigious awards acknowledge PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore's unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable practices within the hospitality industry.

The year began on a high note with PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore being honoured with the "Sustainable Hotel (Asia Pacific) 2022-2023 Award" at the International Hotel Awards 2022. This accolade is a testament to the hotel's dedication to implementing sustainable practices across its operations. Additionally, the hotel clinched the "International Sustainable Awards 2023" at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2023.

Continuing its sustainability journey, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore was listed among the "Top Six Green MICE Venues" by Visit Singapore 2023. This recognition highlights the hotel's commitment to providing eco-friendly event spaces, emphasising the hotel's dedication to sustainable practices within the meetings and events industry. The hotel was also a finalist in the "Outstanding Achievement" in Sustainability 2023 category at the Singapore Tourism Award 2023, organised by the Singapore Tourism Board.

Further solidifying its position as a sustainability champion, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore was welcomed into the esteemed Green Collection 2023 by GHA DISCOVERY. This recognition underscores PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore's efforts to promote best green practices within the hospitality sector, setting an example for the industry.

Taking centre stage at the World Travel Awards 2023, the hotel was honoured with the prestigious title of "Asia's Leading Green Hotel 2023". The hotel also received the esteemed "2023 GOGREEN Sustainable Development Pioneer Award" at the GOGREEN Awards 2023 by Bang Media, the hotel's first award win in China.

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The year's achievements continued with the hotel securing Gold Medal in the "Best Sustainability Initiative 2023" Category at the Global NorthStar Stella Awards 2023. Organised by United States-based Northstar Meetings Group, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore is proud to be the sole recipient of this esteemed award in Southeast Asia. 'PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore leads the way in sustainability, and its recognition as a Gold Medal Stella Award winner in the important Best Sustainability Initiative category worldwide is well-deserved,' said David Blansfield, Executive Vice President, Northstar Meetings Group. 'The hotel's measurable achievements speak for themselves, for example, over 51,000 tonnes of carbon emission prevented, and more than 360,000 plastic bottles no longer used, to name a few. Through innovative measures, such as rooftop solar panels, an Urban Farm, and other eco-friendly initiatives, they're setting an inspiring example of what green hospitality can achieve.'

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore concluded the first three quarters of the year by defending its position as the "Best Sustainable Hotel - Asia Pacific" at the Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards 2023 for the second year running, as well as winning the 'Singapore Hotel Sustainability Award 2023-2024' by the Singapore Hotel Association, an award which is supported by the Building and Construction Authority, National Environment Agency, PUB (Singapore's National Water Agency), and the Singapore Tourism Board. The award's comprehensive evaluation assessed the hotel's performance in energy, water, plastic and waste management, community engagement, and guest and employee education. The submission included proof of the hotel's green efforts, as well as proof of data and metrics recording and tracking.

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore initially achieved recognition in sustainability in 2021 when it was first awarded silver in the "Reducing Plastic Waste in the Environment" Category at the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2021. The hotel went on to win the "Sustainable Hotel of the Year 2022" by The ULTRAs and the "Global Green Model Building 2022 Award" by Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards, an annual worldwide prize awarded by Global Forum on Human Settlements and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme.

These prestigious awards and accolades received throughout the year reflect PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore's unyielding dedication to sustainable practices, innovation, and guest satisfaction. As the hotel looks ahead, it remains committed to setting new standards in the hospitality industry and creating memorable experiences for guests, while preserving the planet.

At PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore, eco-friendly practices are central to the hotel's core functions, including its food supply resilience, energy and water consumption, plastic waste, food waste and general waste management.

The hotel also works to share many of its best practices and green innovations to help others become better environmental citizens. The hotel offers sustainable hotel building tours to members of the public, to showcase its green features, and to demonstrate how sustainability is practiced across the hotel's operations. Tours are also offered to students with the goal to heighten awareness of the urgent need for climate action, and to "plant" sustainable seeds in young minds. Rather than simply explaining sustainability, the hotel provides a living example of how sustainability may be integrated seamlessly into a hotel's operations.

While the management and Associates of PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore take time to enjoy the hotel's green achievements, the work is only the beginning. One of the driving principles of the hotel is to constantly find innovative ways to become greener and more sustainable, such as the upcoming launch of the hotel's rainwater harvesting initiative in late 2023, all while providing a distinct and inspiring world-class guest experience.

In addition to its sustainability awards, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore has garnered various prestigious accolades that highlight its commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. Notably, the hotel was honoured the "Best City Hotel - Singapore 2023" at the TTG Asia Travel Awards 2023. This recognition underscores the hotel's exceptional service and dedication to providing an unforgettable experience for guests. Furthermore, the hotel was recognised among the Top 100 Hotels & Resorts of the World 2022 by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2022. This esteemed distinction showcases the hotel's status as a premier destination, offering world-class amenities and unparalleled luxury to its discerning guests.

Click here to view PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore's digital brochure.

Click here to view PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore's sustainability deck.

Please click here to retrieve more press materials.

(PRNewsfoto/PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore)

Cision

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SOURCE PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore
An Adidas logo is seen at the new Futurecraft shoe unveiling event in New York City

(Reuters) -Sportswear giant Adidas lifted its revenue forecast and cut its expected loss for 2023 on Tuesday, citing Yeezy shoe sales and a stronger core business.

The German company said it now expects an operating loss for 2023 of around 100 million euros ($106 million), from a previously expected 450 million euros.

"While the company's performance in the quarter was again positively impacted by the sale of parts of its remaining Yeezy inventory, the underlying Adidas business also developed better than expected," the company said.

Shares in Adidas have gained 34% since the start of the year as investors gain confidence in CEO Bjorn Gulden's ability to turn the company around after a break-up with rapper Ye triggered by antisemitic comments he made in interviews.

Excluding the cost of ending the lucrative Yeezy shoe range produced in partnership with Ye, Adidas said it now sees an underlying operating profit of 100 million euros, up from break-even previously.

Adidas has been selling its remaining stock of Yeezy shoes since the end of May, helping narrow an expected loss, which was initially forecast as 700 million euros in March.

The most recent Yeezy drops generated a profit of 150 million euros, a spokesperson said. Adidas will be making further donations to charity from the proceeds, he said, without giving a specific amount.

Adidas said third-quarter revenues grew by 1% in currency-neutral terms compared to the same period a year ago, while gross margin improved by 0.2 percentage points to 49.3%.

In a sign of the impact of a stronger euro compared to a year ago, third-quarter revenues in euro terms declined by 6%.

Adidas will report its full third-quarter results on Nov. 8.

($1 = 0.9445 euros)

(Reporting by Tristan Veyet and Ozan Ergenay in Gdansk and Helen Reid in London; Additional reporting by Alexander Huebner; Editing by Susan Fenton, David Gregorio and Mark Potter)
(Bloomberg) -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. have joined a $300 million financing for Baichuan, one of scores of Chinese AI startups hoping to capitalize on a surge of interest in developing ChatGPT-like services.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp. also participated in the early funding round for Baichuan, started in April by the founder of search engine Sogou and already a unicorn valued at more than $1 billion. Xiaomi co-founder Lei Juns Shunwei Capital also took part, according to a person familiar with the deal. The company now employs more than 170 people including engineers drawn from the ranks of Google, Huawei Technologies Co. and Tencent, the company said in a statement.

Baichuan is one of the more prominent startups developing generative AI in China, hoping to compete with the likes of Microsoft Corp. and OpenAI. The countrys tech firms are pouring billions into training and developing AI services, mirroring a wave of activity now convulsing Silicon Valley. On Tuesday, Baidu Inc.s billionaire founder Robin Li declared his companys large language model has caught up with OpenAIs GPT-4, claiming the lead in the nationwide race.

Read more: Baidu Says Its AI as Good as ChatGPT in Big Claim for China

Baichuan was among the first batch of Chinese firms to win Beijings approval for public rollout. It has since released four open-source large language models and is working on two proprietary platforms, it said in the statement. Two of its open-source models have been downloaded 6 million times, the startup added.

Wang Xiaochuan, who named his startup after the Chinese phrase for a hundred rivers, told Bloomberg News this year that China may need years to catch up with the US.

Story continues

The US-Chinese competition in AI has broader implications beyond dominance of technology. Its expected to transform a plethora of industries from transport to media and finance, potentially powering a phase of economic growth. The technology also has government and military applications that could affect an already tense Washington-Beijing relationship.

That competition is clouded by US sanctions on Chinese access to the most advanced chips used to train and run AI models. Washington is tightening curbs on shipments of AI chips to the country, stoking that uncertainty.

Read more: Billionaires and Bureaucrats Mobilize China for AI Race With US

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
A career con man is wanted by police after allegedly scamming a Lake County councilman and U.S. Congressional candidate out of $48,000 while posing as a fake buyer for a commercial milk tanker truck, records show.

Steven Wayne Eckel, 57, of Little Rock, Arkansas, was charged Monday in Lake Superior Court with corrupt business influence, a Level 5 felony; fraud, a Level 6 felony; and theft, a Level 6 felony.

A Google account linked to his burner cell phone number showed he had texted 120 other people across the U.S. pulling the same scheme, records show. The probable cause affidavit alleges Eckel has a revolving door of felony convictions for forgery, check fraud and theft in Missouri, Oklahoma and mainly Arkansas dating back to the early 1990s.

Eckel is not currently in custody, according to online court records. His bail has been set at $40,000, or $4,000 cash surety.

Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, told Lake County Sheriffs Office Det. Commander Michael Stewart that he got a text from an interested buyer Aug. 1 after he put a commercial milk truck from his familys business up for sale on Truckpaper.com.

Niemeyer responded with some screenshots of the truck and they settled on a $43,000 sale price. The next day, he got a call from a man on a different number saying he was the buyer.

The man said he was sending a check for $48,000  addressed to Niemeyer Milk Transfer, Inc.  and gave a tracking number. He asked Niemeyer to wire the extra $5,000 to another person for transportation costs, who is not currently charged.

Niemeyer wired the money. Two days later, he reported the same man texted him, saying his buyer backed out. Niemeyer agreed to refund the money, sent to an Arkansas Federal Credit Union account under registered to Steven Eckel.

He said he thought the check had already cleared, because the money appeared to be available in his account.

He wired the $43,000 to Eckel.

Niemeyers bank returned Eckels check on Aug. 8, calling it a fraudulent item.

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Investigators learned through subpoenas that Eckel only opened the Arkansas credit union bank account on July 31. He used a drivers license he only got a month before.

Eckel immediately transferred $3,500 to his other account at the same credit union. He then transferred $25,000 first to Community First Savings Bank, then to a crypto.com account.

Investigators werent able to freeze the $25,000. They identified Eckel via security videos at the Arkansas BMV and a bank.

Both numbers he used to contact Niemeyer were burner phones, court records show.

He used the same scheme  sending a check, then asking for the money back before the money had been verified and cleared  across the country. Eckel also has active arrest warrants for larceny, a parole violation and for an extradition request, the affidavit shows.

Niemeyer said he fell victim to what is called an overpayment scam, and it can happen to anyone. The request to transfer the tow funds was not unusual for the type of purchase, and the check from the buyer came from a credit union known to make heavy equipment loans, he said.

You feel violated, vulnerable. I went through the same process anybody else would. What did I do wrong?, he said, adding the scam is common with people who sell online. The perpetrator agrees to the purchase, and for some reason has a need to overpay.

So far Niemeyer has been able to recover about $15,000 and is unsure if the remaining funds will be restored. The alleged conman moved the funds to a crypto currency account which is more difficult for law enforcement to track.

I am hopeful we will be made whole in this thing. The sheriffs detectives were absolutely outstanding in their work. I have to take my hat off to their skill. There were absolute bulldogs at this thing, Niemeyer said, adding it helped that he kept good records and had an email and text paper trail of his interactions with the alleged conman that helped police track him down.

He encouraged anyone selling online to use the same precautions. Without the records, Niemeyer said, police likely would not have had the success they had in tracking him down.

Small businesses are targeted for these types of scams more than people realize, he said.

I am hopeful that people who might read about this say you know what, we all need to be diligent, Niemeyer said.

cnapoleon@chicagotribune.com
The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef has honoured Almarai Company for its platinum sponsorship of the Made in Saudi exhibition being held in Riyadh from October 16 to 19.

Almarais CEO, Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Bader, received the shield during an honouring ceremony held on this occasion.

During their visit to Almarais pavilion, Al Kharif and the Iraqi Minister of Commerce, Atheer Al Ghurairi, were briefed on the companys efforts to enhance food security in the kingdom and the region.-- TradeArabia News Service
Outfront Media Inc (NYSE:OUT), a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the ownership of advertising space, has recently seen intriguing fluctuations in its ownership and performance. With a total of 165.04 million shares outstanding, institutional ownership currently stands at 67.92%, while insider ownership accounts for 1.41%.

Assessing the Ownership Landscape of Outfront Media Inc(OUT)

Outfront Media Inc's Recent Performance

Over the past week, Outfront Media Inc (NYSE:OUT) has experienced a 7.32% decline in its stock value. However, as of October 17, 2023, the stock has risen by 3.58%, contrasting with a three-month return of -38.9%. This volatility, coupled with a drop in its market cap from $2.68 billion to $2.59 billion over the most recent quarter, has sparked keen interest in the company's ownership trends.

Assessing the Ownership Landscape of Outfront Media Inc(OUT)

Institutional Ownership and Key Players

The company's institutional ownership history reveals significant trust and confidence from major players. As of September 30, 2023, institutional ownership stands at 67.92%, down from 68.44% in June 2023 and 96.76% a year ago. Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio), Keeley-Teton Advisors, LLC (Trades, Portfolio), and Jefferies Group (Trades, Portfolio) are among the top fund managers owning Outfront Media Inc's stock, holding 0.31%, 0.18%, and 0.02% of shares outstanding respectively.

Assessing the Ownership Landscape of Outfront Media Inc(OUT)

Delving into Earnings: Past and Future

Over the past three years, Outfront Media Inc's Ebitda growth averaged -3.2% per year, underperforming 63.04% of 533 companies in the REITs industry. Looking forward, the estimated earnings growth is 10% per year, significantly higher than the -4.7% growth seen over the past three years.

Insider Ownership and Activities

Outfront Media Inc's insider ownership, which can offer insights into the convictions of the company's board directors and C-level employees, stands at 1.41% as of August 31, 2023, up from 1.17% a year ago. This rise reflects the increased faith of those intimately familiar with the company's operations.

Story continues

Assessing the Ownership Landscape of Outfront Media Inc(OUT)

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving realm of stocks, understanding the nuances of ownership and earnings is critical. Outfront Media Inc's recent dip is a case study in how major players react to market shifts, and their movements offer crucial insights for potential investors. As always, a holistic view, combining both past performance and future projections, remains key to sound investment decisions.

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.


BERLIN TOWNSHIP  A beautiful new structure stands on the space once occupied by a beautiful old structure, and it bears the name of its predecessor.

The Atlee Building, 4786 E. Main St., on the southwest side of the Ohio 39/ U.S. Route 62 intersection, houses four new businesses in the space that once occupied the Pomerene House.

The Atlee Building is home to Blue Sky Cafe, S. Flynn Home, Atlee Suites and Remedy Salon and Spa.

Janet Flickinger, director of operations for Berlin Main Street Merchants welcomed the Atlee to Berlin and to the Main Street Merchants organization.

A monument that used to be in the former Pomerene House commemorating Atlee Pomerene is now displayed in front of the new Atlee Building, built on the same ground where the Pomerene House once stood.

"We are so excited to have these four new businesses in Berlin," Flickinger said. "And we wish you all the success.

"Everyone was really sad for the demolition of the Atlee Pomerene House," she continued. "The memories and the history disappeared before our eyes. But, today, when we look at this building, Zach and Tom (Lee), and Sadie and Kyle (Beachy), you have honored the history of the Atlee Pomerene House and created this stunning new building that will create its own legacy in Berlin through the years."

Grateful to be a part of the project

Sadie Beachy, who along with her husband Kyle own S. Flynn Home, welcomed all the guests and thanked them for coming to celebrate the opening of the new building. Their sister company, S. Flynn Design & Build, helped design the building.

"On behalf of S. Flynn Design & Build, I want to thank the Atlee Leadership Team. You guys trusted us with your vision, and that's not an opportunity we take for granted," she said. "You poured your hearts and souls into making this vision a reality.

Sadie and Jordan Beachy, left, owners of S. Flynn Home Store greet visitors Friday afternoon at the grand opening celebration of the Atlee Building, which houses S. Flynn, along with Blue Sky Cafe, the Atlee Suites and the Remedy Spa.

"The Atlee Building is not just a location, it is a symbol of unity and collaboration," Beachy continued. "We're grateful to be part of this vibrant community of businesses, and the camaraderie we share as entrepreneurs is really special. We look forward to growing and thriving together."

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S. Flynn Home began as a store offering carefully curated home goods and furniture to the design firm's clients.

"Our transition from an online platform to a brick and mortar has been made possible by incredible support from clients, family, friends and this community," she said. "Your continued support drives us to be better every day, and your belief in our vision has given us the confidence that we needed to take this step and create a more personalized shopping experience."

She added that as they prepared to cut the ribbon and welcome everyone into the beautiful new space, their hearts were overflowing with gratitude.

An example of service to residents and visitors

Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tiffany Gerber said the Atlee Building is a perfect example of Holmes County can serve its visitors as well as residents.

"To combine businesses that serve both the visiting public and folks that live here is part of the vitality of Berlin," Gerber said. "Kudos on that combination. Great job there."

Kyle and Sadie Beachy, from left, owners of S. Flynn Home, who helped design the Atlee House, joined Zach and Sarah Lee and their children Adrienne, Adelynn, Austin and Amelia, proprietors of the Blue Sky Cafe, and Judge Tom Lee and his wife Dawn at the ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the Atlee House Friday in Berlin.

Holmes County Probate Judge Tom Lee, his wife Dawn, their son Zach and his wife Sarah, along with Kyle and Sadie Beachy are the Atlee Leadership Team.

Berlin Construction was the general contractor, and numerous subcontractors and local tradesmen were part of the project, along with S. Flynn Design & Build designed the building.

"This is a special day for all of us. We've had so many folks from the community stop in and say how much they love the building," Lee said. "I can't tell you how much that meant, because we really wanted to do something that the community would appreciate."

Lee noted it was important to honor the legacy of Atlee Pomerene and his family, a huge part of the Berlin community and history.

Lee cited a monument that was part of the original Pomerene House that was incorporated into the Atlee Building, along with using some of the original doors, restored. Historical pictures and articles were also displayed throughout the businesses.

Judge Lee shares history of Atlee Pomerene

Lee shared some history about Atlee Pomerene, who was born in Berlin in 1863. He died in 1937. He was a lawyer and a statesman, serving as U.S. Senator for 12 years.

Pomerene attended Princeton and law school at the University of Cincinnati, where he befriended Gen. Charles G. Dawes, who served as the 30th Vice President under Calvin Coolidge (1925-29). Gen. Dawes offered a dedicatory address about Pomerene at a ceremony at the Pomerene House in 1939.

Atlee Pomerene played a huge role in the development of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission, which are still active today.

Pomerene's father was a respected surgeon and four of his siblings were doctors, two were lawyers, and his uncle was Joel Pomerene, after whom the local hospital in Millersburg was originally named.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Atlee Building grand opening celebration honors Atlee Pomerene
(Bloomberg) -- Investors offered to buy more than three times the amount of Australias new 31-year bonds that were sold, underscoring how the nations debt remained attractive during a period of elevated volatility in global debt markets.

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The 4.75% June 2054 bond priced with a yield of 4.93%, according to the Australian Office for Financial Management. Investors offered a total of A$28.6 billion of bids in the bank-arranged sale, the AOFM said.

Australia, whose government budget returned to surplus recently for the first time in 15 years, has seen its sovereign debt outperform many peers this year. Globally investors have been wary of longer-dated bond sales due to concerns that central banks will keep policy rates higher for longer. The poor reception of a 30-year US bond auction on Oct. 12 also highlighted skittishness about an increasing supply of Treasuries.

Australia does not have the same deficit issues as the US and now that this well-telegraphed supply is out of the way, we expect Aussie bonds to outperform the US, said James Wilson, a senior portfolio manager at Jamieson Coote Bonds Pty in Melbourne. The firm bought some of the securities, he said.

Elsewhere, Japanese bond futures fell Tuesday after a sale of 20-year notes in Tokyo saw a cut-off price lower than expected.

The yield on Australias new security came in at 37 basis points above the bid yield on 10-year government bond futures around the time of the sale. The AOFM had set a range of 37 to 43 basis points for the issue.

While demand was smaller than at the April 2023 offering of a new 11-year note  when investors bid for 4.4 times the A$14 billion issued  it was the strongest interest seen for a bank-arranged sale of notes maturing in 20 years or more. The most recent such offering was in July 2020, when bids for the June 2051 security came in at 2.5 times the A$15 billion sold.

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Australian government bonds are up 0.6% through Monday for 2023, compared with a 2.1% loss for US Treasuries.

We would expect the bond to continue to see demand with the entry in bond indices at the end of the month as well as when it becomes the on-the-run 30-year, which will bring central bank demand, Wilson said of Tuesdays sale.

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(Bloomberg) -- Baidu Inc.s founder Robin Li declared his companys large language model has finally caught up with OpenAIs advanced GPT-4, claiming the lead in his countrys race to develop AI that can rival the US.

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The billionaire took the stage in Beijing Tuesday to run Ernie 4.0 through a Q&A designed to showcase its ability to provide answers and solve complicated puzzles on the fly. Ernie has matched OpenAIs seminal product in terms of sophistication and general capabilities, Li told a packed house at a converted steel mill that now serves as an auditorium.

The marquee Ernie chatbot now surpassed 45 million users  a milestone that still lags ChatGPTs estimated 180 million, though the US bot launched months earlier. Chinas search leader, often referred to as a homegrown equivalent to Google, is pinning its hopes on AI to help it surpass rivals from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to Tencent Holdings Ltd. that control the rest of the internet. Baidus shares were down about 1.5% on Tuesday.

Baidu is leading a wave of aggressive investment across China after ChatGPT demonstrated the disruptive potential of generative AI  which can craft video and content from simple commands. Its regarded as a leader in a race with local big tech firms and scores of startups to create a next-generation platform for the worlds biggest internet market.

Theyre trying to compete with American names from Microsoft Corp. to Google to create services like ChatGPT and Dall-E, but US sanctions on Chinese access to the most advanced chips to train and run AI models, coupled with Beijings stringent censorship, could cloud their prospects. Washington is tightening curbs on shipments of AI chips to the country, stoking that uncertainty.

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Ernie is not inferior in any respect to GPT-4, Li told the audience.

Its challenging to grade AI models because of their sheer complexity. Li put the latest version of Ernie Bot through its paces in real time. He voiced queries on topics like buying property, posed math problems and asked it to write a novel set in the world of ancient martial arts. Its a marked contrast from March, when the tech mogul unveiled Chinas first answer to OpenAIs red-hot bot via a scripted video.

Back in June, Baidu said an earlier version of Ernie surpassed OpenAIs chatbot built on GPT-3.5 in general abilities. It also said it outperformed GPT-4 on several Chinese-language capabilities, citing a test by a local state newspaper. Baidu now hopes Ernie Bot will become a core business alongside online marketing, helping regain users lost to all-purpose apps run by TikTok-owner ByteDance Ltd. and Tencent.

Baidu has infused Ernie into flagship products like search, maps, file-sharing, work collaboration and data analytics.

Like its domestic rivals, Baidu benefits from clear government endorsement of a technology that has the potential to enhance not just entire industries, but also a struggling economy.

In August, China approved the first batch of generative AI services for domestic release, which included products from fledgling players and major technology names like Baidu and ByteDance. Ernie Bot at one point topped the download chart on Chinas iPhone app store, surpassing one million users on launch day, though it was soon overtaken by mainstay services like Tencents WeChat.

--With assistance from Saritha Rai and Mayumi Negishi.

(Updates with user numbers since launch in the third paragraph.)

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Both Bank of America and Wells Fargo are shrinking the size of their branch networks, though they are opening some new branches at the same time that they close others. Credit: Bloomberg

Bank of America plans to close 20 more retail branches, and Wells Fargo has recently shuttered an additional 15, as the two megabanks continue to reduce the size of their branch networks .

Charlotte, North Carolina-based BofA is seeking permission from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to close the branches, which stretch from coast to coast, according to the OCC's most recent weekly bulletin. The applications were filed with the regulator on Oct. 5.

Seven of the anticipated closures will affect branches in California, including three in the San Francisco Bay area. Three closures are scheduled for both New York and Connecticut. Offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, Oregon, Wisconsin and Florida are also scheduled to be shuttered.

BofA, the second-largest U.S. bank by assets, is in the midst of expanding its retail banking operations into nine new U.S. markets over the next four years, including places like New Orleans, Milwaukee and Birmingham, Alabama , even as it continues to shrink its overall branch count. The expansion will result in branches in more than 200 markets across 39 states, according to a press release the bank issued in June.

Bank of America has said it plans to lower its total branch count with the help of digital banking services. As of Oct. 13, Bank of America had 3,798 U.S. branches, according to data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

At an industry conference earlier this year, Aron Levine, the company's president of preferred banking, said there will be a net reduction in branches, but at a "more gradual" speed.

"We have a strategy of identifying areas where we can close two, open one," Levine said.

On Tuesday, during Bank of America's quarterly earnings call, CEO Brian Moynihan told analysts that the headcount in the company's consumer business went from about 100,000 to about 60,000 and "continues to drift down" as digital banking adoption increases.

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Wells Fargo, meanwhile, closed one branch in 11 different states and two branches apiece in New Mexico and California, according to the OCC bulletin. Those closures were effective on Oct. 4.

The San Francisco-based bank has cut the number of branches it operates by 6% from a year ago, Chief Financial Officer Michael Santomassimo said last week during the company's third-quarter earnings call.

Still, "branches continue to play an important role" in the way the company serves its customers, Santamassimo said. Wells is both refurbishing some branches and looking at "targeted expansions" in markets such as Chicago, where it currently operates just seven branches, he said.

The $1.9 trillion-asset bank has said that it plans to open at least 23 more branches in the greater Chicago area. Wells had 4,471 branches as of Oct. 13, according to FDIC data.

"As customer preferences and transaction patterns change, so will our branches," a Wells Fargo spokesperson said Tuesday in response to an inquiry about the latest round of branch closures.

Large and regional banks evaluate the size of their branch networks frequently and make adjustments as needed. Last month, JPMorgan Chase closed 14 former First Republic Bank branches in California as part of its plan to shrink First Republic's branch network after acquiring the failed bank in May. At the same time, JPMorgan continues to open new branches.

Bank of America and Wells do as well.

According to recent OCC bulletins, Bank of America plans to open new branches in locations such as Pittsburgh, Ohio and Utah, while Wells will open offices in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.
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Making the decision to retire is a big one  and youre just about there. You know you want to settle down in the South, so now you just need to find a new hometown that fits your budget.

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Learn: The Simple, Effective Way To Fortify Your Retirement Mix

To help you figure out where you can live comfortably on a fixed income, GOBankingRates conducted a study to find the best Southern cities to retire on a budget of $3,000 per month. The study encompassed Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

While were only going to highlight our top 10 finishers, 35 total cities made the cut for a couple to live on $3,000 a month, when the costs of rent, groceries, healthcare, utilities and transportation, combined with the areas livability score, are calculated. Ready to find out which cities ranked highest? Here are the 10 best Southern cities to retire on $3,000 per month.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Charleston, West Virginia

Livability Score: 84

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $1,045

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $397

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $855

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $305

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $358

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,961

Theres a lot to like about living in Charleston, starting with the livability score of 84  which puts the city at No. 2 among the 10 Southern cities in the study. It also has the lowest utility prices, and youll pay just 86% of the national average price of $353.

However, if you move to Charleston, prepare for sticker shock over healthcare costs. At $855 per month  thats more than $10,200 on an annual basis  its 36% above the national average of about $628 per month.

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See: 14 Key Signs You May Run Out of Money in Retirement

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Johnson City, Tennessee

Livability Score: 76

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $1,193

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $385

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $603

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $329

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $303

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,812

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The average rent of $1,193 per month in Johnson City, about 100 miles northeast of Knoxville, is second highest of the cities in the study, but still more than $800 less than the national average of $2,019. Groceries, healthcare, utilities and transportation all cost below the national average.

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Harlingen, Texas

Livability Score: 71

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $1,100

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $360

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $628

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $315

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $297

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,699

If pleasant weather year-round is a priority for you in retirement, check out Harlingen. Located in the Rio Grande Valley in the southern part of Texas, it is known as a magnificent site for birding. Youll pay the least for groceries there at about $360 a month  10% less than the national average of $400.

Darren Welch / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hagerstown, Maryland

Livability Score: 77

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $1,179

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $419

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $525

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $317

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $365

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,804

When it comes to groceries, Hagerstown is the opposite of Harlingen with the highest prices in the study. However, youll more than make up the difference with the price of healthcare, which is the smallest among all the cities and a whopping 14% below the national average  or $103 per month less.

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Florence, Alabama

Livability Score: 83

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $1,121

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $371

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $740

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $343

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $319

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,895

Florence sits in northern Alabama, south of the Tennessee border, and part of the popular area known as The Shoals. Theres plenty to do there and the livability score is envious, but the amount youll pay for necessities each month makes Florence the third-most expensive place to live in this study. Thats driven by the high cost of healthcare, which is nearly 18% more than the national average.

Discover: 10 Best Canadian Cities To Retire on a Budget of $2,500 a Month

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Texarkana, Texas

Livability Score: 74

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $1,023

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $365

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $711

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $347

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $281

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,726

As its name implies, Texarkana is in eastern Texas, just across the border from Arkansas. Transportation expenses are less than $300 a month, and the price of groceries is second lowest on the list. However, Texarkana is another place with high healthcare costs  13% above the national average.

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Lufkin, Texas

Livability Score: 70

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $898

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $366

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $727

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $351

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $290

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,632

Youll find Lufkin in east Texas, located in Texas Forest Country between the Davy Crockett National Forest and the Angelina National Forest. The city of about 40,000 people is the regional center for shopping, industry and medical facilities.

But just as with Texarkana, the price of healthcare is way above the national average. However, Lufkin maintains its affordability on a budget because of low rent, one of just two cities in the study with housing costs below $900 a month.

halbergman / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Lynchburg, Virginia

Livability Score: 90

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $1,267

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $386

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $655

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $348

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $299

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,956

Lynchburg has the highest livability score and also the highest rent, and its total monthly necessities cost is No. 2 on the list, just a few dollars less than Charlestons. However, transportation costs are among the lowest, helping Lynchburg to come in at less than $3,000 a month.

Read More: Dont Claim Social Security Benefits Until You Reach This Milestone

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North Little Rock, Arkansas

Livability Score: 74

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $998

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $374

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $578

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $335

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $342

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,627

North Little Rock is one of just three cities in the study with an average rent under $1,000 a month, which is less than half the national average. Healthcare costs that fall 8% below the national average helped North Little Rock to become the city among the 10 on the list with the lowest monthly price for necessities.

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Huntington, West Virginia

Livability Score: 81

2023 Average Monthly Rent: $856

Monthly Grocery Cost per Couple: $387

Monthly Healthcare Cost per Couple: $836

Monthly Utilities Cost per Couple: $312

Monthly Transportation Cost per Couple: $334

Monthly Necessities Cost per Couple: $2,725

The lowest monthly rent of the cities on the list helped Huntington to capture the top spot in the study. Just as in the other West Virginia city, Charleston, Huntington has annual healthcare costs that average about $10,000 a year for a couple 65 and older. Utilities, as in Charleston, are on the inexpensive side of the list at more than 11% below the national average.

Jennifer Taylor contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the best cities in the South (TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, VA, MD, DE, WV, KY and TN) to retire on $3,000 or less a month. GOBankingRates first isolated all cities in the South with a 2023 average monthly rent under $1,900 and a size rank below 1,000. GOBankingRates then used Sperlings Best to find the cost-of-living index for each listed city, looking at grocery, healthcare, utilities and transportation index scores. Next, GOBankingRates used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey to find the annual expenditure amount for groceries (food at home), utilities, healthcare and transportation costs for people aged 65 and older in order to find how much a couple 65 and over would spend on necessities in each city on a monthly basis. GOBankingRates then added monthly housing, grocery, utilities, transportation and healthcare costs together to find where a couple 65 and older could survive on $3,000 or less. For a city to be qualified for the study, the city had to have a livability score above 70 as sourced from AreaVibes. GOBankingRates scored and combined both livability and monthly necessities expenditure, with the lowest score being best, to determine final rankings. All data was collected and is up to date as of Sept. 13, 2023.

Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only. As a result, some of the photos might not reflect the locations listed in this article.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Southern Cities To Retire on $3,000 a Month
Binance.US has halted direct dollar withdrawals for customers in the U.S., a Monday update to its terms of use revealed.

See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin falls below US$27,000 following CPI and Israeli conflict

Fast Fact

The U.S. affiliate of the worlds largest exchange Binance said users must convert U.S. dollar funds to other cryptocurrencies to withdraw their assets.

The updated terms of use added that U.S. dollar deposits in Binance.US wallets are no longer protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Binance.US suspended dollar deposits on June 9, citing customer protection amid intensifying regulatory pressures, four days after it was sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission for charges related to securities violations.

Binance.US was also sued by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission in March for allegedly offering unregistered derivatives products.

Binance has been facing regulatory challenges worldwide. The exchange halted new user registration in the U.K. on Monday to comply with new regulations restricting foreign firms from promoting digital assets in the country.

See related article: Ferrari starts accepting crypto payments in the US
Bitcoin jumped to nearly $30,000 on Monday, its peak since late August, after a false report circulated on Twitter/X that BlackRock Inc.s spot bitcoin ETF was approved by the SEC.

The price shot up to $29,900 after cryptocurrency news site Cointelegraph tweeted at 9:24 a.m. New York time Monday morning BREAKING: SEC APPROVES ISHARES BITCOIN SPOT ETF, falsely reporting that the Securities and Exchange Commission had approved the first spot bitcoin ETF. The post was first edited, and then deleted after BlackRock clarified to Bloomberg that their application was still under review. Bitcoin fell to about $28,000 by the end of Monday.

Bitcoins price has doubled over the past year in part on expectations the SEC will approve a spot bitcoin ETF, giving investors options beyond the futures crypto funds currently available. The SEC in fact did open the door wider to a spot bitcoin ETF on Friday, Oct. 13 when it declined to appeal a court ruling that found the agency was unfairly blocking Grayscale Bitcoin Trusts effort to convert the trust into the first spot bitcoin ETF.

[Its possible] that somebody simply jumped the gun, making a statement that was more hopeful than factual, but others would argue that this was a malicious act, said Ric Edelman, founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals. He said that Cointelegraph may have mistakenly reported what turned out to be a pump and dump scheme, in which someone knowingly circulated the rumors to manipulate the price.

Crypto investors have been eagerly awaiting a spot bitcoin ETF for years, yet the SEC has so far denied or delayed applications from a slew of firms on concerns about market manipulation, security and fraud. Recently the agency approved creation of ETFs that trade ether futures.

iShares Spot Bitcoin ETF Rumors

Cointelegraph issued an apology for the false report later Monday and said that an internal investigation was underway. The media company said that the rumor originated from a fake screenshot on Twitter/X that looked like it was from the Bloomberg terminal and that the social media team posted the report without prior editorial approval.

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The news website published internal Telegram messages in which employees were discussing the news in its review of the incident. Where did you get this pls? We cant confirm it? one Cointelegraph employee wrote. Unfortunately our colleague jumped too fast, another messaged.

Contact Lucy Brewster at lucy.brewster@etf.com.





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It seems employees have won the battle for hybrid work as some combination of in-office and at-home work becomes the new normal.

Even under pressure from bosses to return to the office, employees have steadfastly held the line against any reversion to pre-pandemic work models that saw them meandering through congested highways or trudging through subway systems five days a week. Bosses want employees back in the office? Fine, how do three days a week sound?

Top managers, however, are plotting a new offensive.

Roughly 64% of CEOs believe there will be a full return to office by 2026, according to a survey of more than 1,300 CEOs from the accounting and consulting firm KPMG. And just 7% of CEOs believe fully remote work will be the norm in the long term.

This sentiment underscores the persistence of traditional office-centric thinking among CEOs, the KPMG report reads. It comes against a backdrop of the debate surrounding hybrid working, which has had a largely positive impact on productivity over the past three years and has strong employee support, particularly among the younger generation of workers.

Hybrid work is indeed as beloved as any work can be and is more widely accepted than ever. The number of people working from home tripled from 2019 (9 million) to 2021 (27.6 million), according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Nearly 60% of employed respondents to a McKinsey survey, equivalent to 92 million people from a cross-section of jobs and industries, reported having the option to work from home for all or part of the week.

The benefits of a more flexible working model have long been widely touted. A 2013 study coauthored by Stanford University professor Nick Bloom, the go-to expert on remote work, found that working from home led to a 13% performance increase. That number has likely increased over the last 10 years thanks to technological advancements. Separately, in a 2022 pulse survey from Slacks think tank, Future Forum, remote and hybrid workers reported 4% higher productivity than their fully in-office counterparts.

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Admittedly, data to support or oppose remote work isnt so cut and dry. You can find research that points to a 10% decrease in productivity or a 20% increase depending on workers roles.

But many individual contributors, managers, and senior leaders agree that some combination of in-office and remote work has improved their work-life balance, made them more efficient, and lessened burnout, according to findings from a Gallup survey.

Still, not all CEOs are on board, with several prominent chief executives making their advocacy of a full office return well known. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, and Pershing Squares Bill Ackman are a few voices in a cacophony of leaders whove expressed frustration at employees' unwillingness to be in the office more frequently.

Even companies that were once bullish on remote work are pulling employees back into the workplaceZoom now requires employees to return to the office two days a week.

Its still unclear if CEOs will win the RTO war. But even if workers manage to carve out remote work exceptions for themselves, there are ominous signs they will pay in other ways. Nearly 90% of CEOs surveyed by KPMG say they are likely to reward employees who return to the office with better assignments, raises, and promotions.

Perhaps the CEOs are on to something. Perhaps they know something the rest of us dont. Weve seen how much can change in three years; only time will tell what the 2026 workplace will look like. As it stands, workers dont seem willing to give up their newfound flexibility just yeteven amid layoffs and economic pressuresand its unlikely that will change in the near future.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
BEIJING, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Serbia is one of the countries benefiting from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the century-old steel mill in the northeastern city of Smederevo serving as a prime example. Founded in 1913, the Smederevo Steel Mill once contributed 40 percent of the city's revenue at its peak and was known as the "pride of Serbia."

Later, due to intensified market competition and poor operation, the steel mill began to lose money year after year and was on the verge of bankruptcy. The Government of Serbia initiated several rounds of international tenders, all of which failed. In 2016, over 5,000 employees faced uncertainty. But then China's Hebei Iron and Steel Group stepped in to establish HBIS Serbia Steel and introduced advanced management and technology, turning the steel mill into a global enterprise with a focus on clients and supply chain. The company was actively integrated into the "Belt and Road" and the process of economic globalization, rapidly establishing itself as a highly competitive steel enterprise in Europe and a prime example of international industrial collaboration.

BRI cooperation between China and Europe

The revival of the century-old steel plant is an epitome of the benefits brought about by the BRI to Europe. Twenty-six European countries have signed BRI documents with China. Under their BRI cooperation, China's imports from the EU increased by 63.7 percent between 2016 and 2021. Its imports from Central and Eastern European countries jumped 127.3 percent during the same period. The China Railway Express, which links a number of Eurasian cities located near China's east coast to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, is increasingly busy. In the past year, 16,000 trains traversed the route between China and Europe, a stark contrast to the mere 80 at the inauguration of the CR Express over a decade ago.

New challenges

Compared with the first few years of the initiative, the situation between China and Europe is significantly different. Their bilateral relationship needs fine tuning to tackle uncertainties and challenges, as well as an upgrade of the mindset to replace the out-of-time zero-sum one. Chinese senior diplomat Wang Yi, when addressing the 12th China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing last week, said China and the EU are partners, not rivals, and they have more common understandings than differences. Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell said that, despite their different political and economic systems, the EU and China share a common interest in pursuing constructive, stable relations.

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Meanwhile, the BRI is also entering a new stage. In the beginning phase, both private and state-owned contractors took the lead in building basic infrastructure. Those projects helped to nurture political goodwill and energize local business partners. Thanks to them, private Chinese companies now feel more comfortable doing business in BRI partner countries. China is encouraging private enterprises to take a more active role and participate in projects labeled as "small and beautiful," which refers to the smaller projects directly connected with improving local livelihoods. New investment favorites include businesses in sectors such as new energy, healthcare, mobile communication, and e-commerce.

Need for more dialogue

Since the launch of the BRI, its global partners have been trying to find more theoretical frameworks and institutional arrangements to make the global cooperation program sustainable. Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. These global initiatives have been widely recognized by the international community and have made historic contributions to global human rights governance on specific issues related to security, development and cultural diversity.

Against all these backdrops, it is high time for China and Europe to carry out more dialogue on key strategic issues and CGTN is hosting a TV forum on the sidelines of this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, themed China's Global Initiatives and the BRI: Opportunities or Risks?

Panel guests include Danilo Turk, former President of Slovenia; Michael Schumann, chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade; Rudolf Scharping, former German Defense Minister; Susanne Baumann, former director of the Confucius Institute at Dusseldorf; and Zhong Hong, former senior vice president of Evonik Industries. The panelists will have an in-depth discussion about China-EU ties under the discourse of the Belt and Road Initiative, which are related not only to the wellbeing of the two sides, but also to global stability and prosperity.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-10-17/As-the-Belt-and-Road-turns-10-high-time-for-China-and-Europe-to-talk-amid-uncertainties-1nXkFjKKduU/index.html

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-as-the-belt-and-road-turns-10-high-time-for-china-and-europe-to-talk-amid-uncertainties-301958293.html

SOURCE CGTN
du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), will provide Emirates NBD with a secure and robust hosting environment with a state-of-the- art Tier III data centre to enable the bank streamline its IT operations.

The agreement, entered into by the two entities, aims to enable Emirates NBDs IT teams to direct their focus on delivering market-leading financial products and services to their customers. The new data centre will further elevate the robustness of Emirates NBD's IT infrastructure, offering greater scalability and ensuring business continuity.

Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO at du, said: Emirates NBD has demonstrated their confidence in du's Tier III data centres, our technical capability and commitment to providing a secure and reliable hosting environment. With this strengthened partnership, we are proud to further enable Emirates NBD in running their solutions seamlessly, while ensuring high efficiency and security."

Third party data centre

Building on the successful long-term collaboration for Emirates NBDs first third party data centre, this expansion will see the bank continue to benefit from dus expertise in providing resilient and secure Tier III data centre services.

Abdulla Qassem, Group Chief Operating Officer at Emirates NBD commented on the new partnership: Over the years, du has consistently proven to be a trusted partner in our digital journey. This additional Tier III data centre is a testament to our collective vision for future-ready banking solutions. By entrusting our infrastructure to du, we can focus on providing best-in-class financial services and products to our customers. We are enthusiastic about this collaboration further enhancing our operational efficiency and strengthening our ongoing relationship."

He added: Emirates NBD has always been at the forefront of technology innovation. Having successfully completed our IT transformation, we remain committed to enhancing our strong track record by continuously embracing innovation and integrating new technologies into our operations.

Reliability

du's Tier III certified data centre facilities offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and industry-leading reliability. With a dedicated data hall in Dubai, du has the capacity to meet the needs of leading institutions like Emirates NBD while providing superior service and support.

This milestone partnership not only highlights the trust placed in du within the BFSI sector, but it also paves the way for further collaborations between du and Emirates NBD.--TradeArabia News Service
By Xie Yu and Li Gu

HONG KONG/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Stocks and bonds of Chinese property developer Gemdale plunged on Tuesday after the resignation of its chairman, as investors took no chances amid the deepening debt crisis in the country's real estate sector.

Ling Ke, 64, had resigned due to health reasons, Shanghai-listed Gemdale said on Monday evening, adding that he would be replaced by President Huang Juncan.

After the sell-off on Tuesday, the company said in a filing that Ling's resignation was a normal transfer of management responsibilities and would not have a big impact on the firm's operations.

It did not elaborate on the health reasons.

Investors concerned that the sector's broader debt problems were engulfing the firm dumped the stock, which dropped by the daily 10% limit in afternoon trading in Shanghai.

Gemdale's onshore bonds maturing in 2024, 2025 and 2026 also tumbled 25%, 21% and 20%, respectively, before they were suspended from trade.

"Investors are worried about Gemdale's financial condition as the resignation of its chairman was a surprise," said Ting Meng, a credit analyst at ANZ Bank China.

Moody's downgraded Gemdale on Tuesday to 'B3' from 'Ba3' and its unit Famous Commercial Ltd to 'Caa1' from 'B1', and changed their outlook to negative, citing a materially weakened credit profile and high refinancing risks due to declining home sales, deteriorating liquidity and a large amount of debt maturing over the next 12 to 18 months.

Gemdale has a total debt of 21.1 billion yuan ($2.88 billion) in the form of bonds due by the end of 2024, according to LSEG data.

The developer's $480 million dollar bonds, to mature next August, were being bid around 20 cents against the dollar, almost half the levels earlier this month, traders said.

Gemdale did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. It ranked as China's 8th largest developer last year, according to private research firm China Real Estate Information Corp.

Story continues

It had sales of 221.8 billion yuan ($30.3 billion) last year and its financial fundamentals were stable, the company said in its annual report published in April.

($1 = 7.3149 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by Xie Yu in Hong Kong and Li Gu in Shanghai; Additional reporting by Clare Jim in Hong Kong; Editing by Edwina Gibbs, Miral Fahmy and Kim Coghill)
A trader works in the Citadel Securities booth on the floor of the NYSE in New York

(Reuters) -Citadel Securities and the American Securities Association, a trade group, announced on Tuesday that they are suing Wall Street's top regulator over new rules on the funding of a comprehensive market data surveillance system.

The litigation, brought before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta, escalates the investment industry's battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over the so-called Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT).

"The SEC has overstepped its statutory authority and failed to address investor and industry concerns, leaving us no choice but to litigate," the ASA said in a statement.

The SEC last month adopted new rules aimed at splitting the cost for operating the new system among sellers, buyers and stock exchanges where they trade.

This drew objections from the investment industry, which complained its members could be left to pay an unfairly large share of the resulting cost.

An SEC spokesperson said the agency acted within the law.

"The Commission undertakes its regulatory responsibilities consistent with its authorities," the spokesperson said.

The CAT is a repository of investor and transaction data meant to give regulators all-encompassing insight into U.S. market transactions.

The SEC mandated the CAT's creation in 2012 as a response to the "flash crash" two years earlier, when a sudden plunge on major Wall Street indices temporarily erased nearly $1 trillion in market value.

Republican officials and industry representatives have said the system presents cybersecurity and privacy risks and is likely to pass undue costs on to investors.

(Reporting by Douglas Gillison; Editing by Leslie Adler, Stephen Coates and Christian Schmollinger)
The Bank of England has apologised for its involvement in the slave trade and is currently running an exhibition on the subject

Three years after the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis kicked off a wave of protests about racial inequality, financial institutions are still reckoning with their past.

Lloyds of London, the worlds largest insurance market, is preparing to reject the case to pay direct reparations to the descendants of slaves whose transport it insured, it emerged last week.

After conducting research to better understand its role in the slave trade with Johns Hopkins University in the US, Lloyds is instead preparing to fund diversity initiatives aimed at tackling racial inequality.

It is understood that Lloyds has struggled to identify who would directly receive reparations. An update is expected soon.

However, such a move could set the insurer up for a clash with Caribbean nations and interest groups who are calling for direct transfers to the descendants of slaves, rather than investment in broader support schemes.

It is understood that formal letters are being prepared by national reparations commissions in the Caribbean to put the case to institutions including Lloyds of London by the end of the year.

Is the City doing enough to confront its slave-sponsoring past?

Despite happening more than 4,000 miles away, George Floyds death had significant reverberations across the Square Mile. A conversation about racial justice ignited debate over the Citys role in financing, facilitating and benefitting from the international slave trade. The long history of the areas most storied institutions meant several had direct links.

George Floyds murder in 2020 had significant reverberations around the world - Victoria Jones/PA

Insurance marketplace Lloyds of London, which grew out of the coffee houses of 17th-century London, and the Bank of England, founded in 1694, subsequently apologised for their shameful and inexcusable roles in the Atlantic slave trade.

At the time, Hilary Beckles, chairman of the Caricom (Caribbean Community) Reparations Commission, which was set up by Caribbean nations to seek reparations from former colonial powers such as the UK, said: It is not enough to say sorry.

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Reparations commissions are pushing for direct financial transfers, rather than words, exhibitions and investment in broader schemes aimed at improving opportunities for those affected by the legacy of colonialism.

Lloyds ties to the slave trade date back to 17th century. It is estimated that between 1640 and the early 19th century, more than three million enslaved African people were transported by Britains shipping industry. Lloyds was the global centre for insuring that industry and underwrote enslaved people as part of a ships cargo.

It took until Floyds death in 2020 to prompt a journey of reflection at the insurance market. At the time, Lloyds said it wanted to acknowledge this appalling and shameful period of English history, as well as our own.

It added: Lloyds is on a journey of research and reflection as we acknowledge our historical connections to slavery, as well as the lack of ethnic representation  particularly at senior levels  that still exists within the Lloyds market.

While slaverys connections to Lloyds history have been tacitly acknowledged before, they have never been fully interrogated or accounted for, until now.

Statements such as these hold little truck with many Caribbean countries, who argue their inhabitants are still feeling the economic legacy of slavery.

Lloyds of London insured many of the ships that transported enslaved African people between 1640 and the early 1800s

Lloyds is not the only City institution that could come under pressure to hand out direct compensation. Others with historical links to the slave trade include the Bank of England, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group and NatWest, formerly known as Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

All have issued apologies in the past regarding links to the slave trade, whether through financing or the slave ownership of their directors.

In RBS case, a 2009 report funded by the bank found evidence that individuals who were partners or directors of RBSG predecessors may have owned slaves themselves or been otherwise directly connected to slave enterprises in the British West Indies.

The Bank of England, which is currently running a Slavery & the Bank exhibition in its museum, has apologised for the involvement of some of its past governors and directors in the slave trade.

In 2021, it also removed 10 oil paintings and busts of seven governors and directors who had known connections to the slave trade.

Yet few institutions have addressed the issue of reparations directly.

Earlier this year, a Barbados ambassador said that the central bank was among British institutions that needed to finance a concrete programme of reparations.

David Comissiong, Barbados ambassador to Caricom, said: The eyes of all right-thinking people, all over the world, will now be on the British government, the British royal family, the Bank of England and other institutions of the British establishment, and the governments of Spain and other relevant European countries.

How will each of them respond to the moral imperative that now confronts them? The world will be watching.

A spokesman for the Bank of England said the payment of reparations was a subject for the Government rather than Threadneedle Street.

Former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan gave 100,000 to Grenada as compensation for her familys ancestral slave holdings - David Levenson/Getty Images Europe

However, there has been a recent shift in focus from Caribbean nations to seek institutional reparations rather than pursue government agreements.

This has, in part, been influenced by Laura Trevelyan, a former BBC journalist who has given 100,000 to Grenada as compensation for her familys ancestral slave holdings.

More than 100 wealthy British families who are descendants of plantation owners have now signed up to Trevelyans Heirs of Slavery initiative to pay reparations to help Caribbean countries.

Arley Gill, the chairman of Grenadas reparations commission, previously told The Telegraph that the duty to offer reparations lay at the door of institutions that benefited from the slave trade such as banks and Lloyds.

So far, institutions appear reluctant. In part, this is likely to reflect the difficulty of identifying who exactly would qualify and the somewhat gruesome accounting involved in deciding how much reparations to pay.

Lloyds of London is set to provide further details next month about its role in the slave trade and what initiatives it will fund to atone for its past.

Whatever the details, it is unlikely to put the conversation about reparations and the Citys links to slavery to rest.

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 Columbia County personal care home wants to expand and a care-home placement agency wants to locate nearby.

Each proposal involves a property on Hereford Farm Road. The parcels are less than 2 miles from each other.

Lily of the Valley Adult Care Solutions is at 4933 Hereford Farm Rd., near the entrance to the Allen Farms subdivision. The care facility offers room and board, nursing, housekeeping and daily living assistance, according to owner and applicant Dr. Levi H. Makala.

He asked the county on Oct. 6 to consider rezoning the property from residential to a special designation that would permit more residents. Lily currently has capacity for six clients.

Sold: Health care company expands Augusta-area presence by purchasing two care homes

At 4528 Hereford Farm Rd., a house with a white picket fence has been home to Nancy Halls Personal Care Home. Hall still owns the property, and its zoned as a personal care home. But applicant William Grice asked the county on Oct. 6 to amend the propertys special zoning to allow approved residential uses, including single-family residential living and operating a business out of the home.

"The property will be our family home and our home-based business will be operated from the home, said Andrea Grier, president of Haven of Hope Services, which subcontracts with the state of Georgia as a placement agency for adults in need of supervisory care in an affordable alternative to a nursing home or large assisted living facility.

Both proposals are scheduled to be considered next month at a meeting of the Columbia County Planning Commission.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Personal care home, health placement agency each seek zoning change
Construction is to begin in early 2024 on the Flats at Bishops Woods, a Brookfield affordable apartment development.

A planned Brookfield affordable apartment community's developer has purchased the project site and will begin construction in early 2024  after a failed attempt to censure a Common Council member who opposed the development.

An affiliate of Santa Monica, California-based Lincoln Avenue Capital bought the 3.7-acre parcel, at 250 and 350 Bishops Way, from Wisconsin Robinson Family LP for $3 million, according to a new deed.

The Common Council in January granted a final review of Lincoln Avenue's plans for the development, known as Flats at Bishops Woods. It's to be completed by mid-2025.

The four-story, 203-unit building, funded in part with a state grant, will offer apartments with monthly rents priced at $400 less than the average Brookfield apartment.

Those units would be affordable to renters with annual incomes as low as $42,952. The development is designed to make Brookfield more accessible and diverse.

Ald. Kris Seals, at a Jan. 17 council meeting, reiterated his opposition. He said other apartment developments, such as the upscale The Ruby at Brookfield Square, should already be considered an affordable housing option.

"If you can't afford those units, then you live in Wauwatosa or West Allis until you can afford to move into Brookfield," Seals added.

That prompted a reminder from City Attorney Jenna Merten that such comments are illegal.

"The Fair Housing Act prohibits you from making any discriminatory statements regarding particular individuals or particular financial capabilities, or anything about certain particular or protected classes," Merten said.

Ald. Mike Hallquist submitted a resolution for the council to formally reprimand Seals.

The council, at its Feb. 7 meeting, defeated the censure resolution  leading to a standing ovation from dozens of Brookfield residents who came to support Seals.

Hallquist called it a squandered opportunity to welcome all residents, regardless of income, to Brookfield.

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"I look forward to building a future where the financial barriers are lowered so more people can live and enjoy our community," he said. "If you can work here, you should be able to live here.

Seals' supporters took a different view.

"I lived in West Allis," said Steven Bowman, a new Brookfield resident. "I paid my dues. I saw the negative influence that was coming into our neighborhoods that was affecting my children. Because of that, we made a conscious effort to move to Brookfield to get away from that."

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brookfield affordable apartments set for early 2024 construction start
(Reuters) - The U.S. unit of cryptocurrency exchange Binance has halted withdrawal of dollars by its clients from the platform, its updated terms showed on Monday.

In early June, Binance.US had halted dollar deposits, after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asked a court to freeze its assets.

"In the event that customers wish to withdraw U.S. dollar funds from their account, they may do so by converting U.S. dollar funds to stablecoin or other digital assets, which can subsequently be withdrawn," the terms page said.

Binance.US did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.

The news was first reported by Coindesk.

The SEC had sued Binance, its CEO and founder Changpeng Zhao, and Binance.US's operation in June, alleging in 13 charges that Binance had engaged in a "web of deception," artificially inflated trading volumes and diverted customer funds.

(Reporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Shweta Agarwal)
Editors Note: This story was updated to clarify real estate broker Juan Uribes role in the Downtown properties transaction; add comments about the sale price reported by Uribe; and correct the address in a caption for a photo taken outside of 307 S. Stanton St.

A company tied to Dallas-based Parking Systems of America has bought nine buildings in a struggling retail district in Downtown El Paso, but they were not purchased to become parking lots, the company's owner said.

The retail properties, in an area filled with empty retail spaces, were owned by River Oaks Properties, a large El Paso shopping center developer exiting the Downtown market after years of owning properties there.

Fred Baker, owner and president of Parking Systems of America and its sister company, Belclaire Realty, which buys and manages real estate, said the El Paso properties weren't purchased with the thought of turning them into parking lots.

"Our forte is Downtown USA. We're interested in real estate in the inner city," Baker said. "The beginnings of that was with parking lots and extended out over the years into different assets."

The building with the Golden Town store, which sells clothes and other items, at 809 S. Stanton St., in Downtown El Paso, as seen Oct. 16, is part of a nine-building purchase by a company tied to Dallas' Parking Systems of America. An Ueta Duty Free store is next door.

Parking Systems operates dozens of Downtown El Paso parking lots and parking garages, some owned by Belclaire. The real estate investment company has other previously purchased Downtown El Paso properties in its portfolio.

"Even though we're in the parking business, we don't necessarily want to tear everything down. But there might be an application" where a building may need parking spaces, he said.

Sale price reportedly over $3 million

River Oaks and Belclaire officials did not divulge the deals sale price.

However, Juan Uribe, owner-broker of the Team Juan Uribe real estate firm and listing broker for the sale, said the nine properties sold for just over $3 million.

Jerry Rubin, River Oaks owner and chief executive officer, said the price was higher than what Uribe reported, but he declined to divulge the number.

Story continues

Rick Amstater, a partner in El Paso commercial real estate firm RJL Real Estate Consultants and the buyers representative, said he could not comment on the sale price.

Eight buildings, several with multiple storefronts, are on the 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 blocks of South Stanton Street, part of Downtown's struggling retail shopping district. One with a boot store is at 201 E. Overland Ave., across the street from a Starr Western Western Wear store, and several blocks from South Stanton Street.

More: 'A gut-wrenching decision:' 105-year-old Downtown El Paso store's owner calling it quits

The building at 407 S. Stanton St., at Paisano Drive, in Downtown El Paso, as seen Oct. 16, housing stores selling sunglasses, toys, and other items, is part of a nine-building purchase by a company tied to Dallas' Parking Systems of America.

Stanton Street is filled with vacant spaces as Downtown's retail sector has been hit hard in recent years by the substantial decline in shoppers from Mexico  the traditional lifeblood for Downtown merchants.

Part of that decline is tied to Mexican shoppers being barred from crossing into El Paso for almost two years because of health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The international ports of entry reopened to Mexican shoppers in November 2021, but the retail traffic, already hurt by other economic events, has never been the same in Downtown.

River Oaks gives up on Downtown

The Downtown retail business has disappeared, River Oaks' Rubin said.

"We used to have 30 properties in Downtown," he said. The nine properties sold to Belclaire were the last of River Oaks' Downtown portfolio.

"There's no growth Downtown. The growth is in far East El Paso," Rubin said.

River Oaks owns many shopping centers in both West and East El Paso, and continues to develop multiple centers on the far East Side.

A small parking lot operated by Parking Systems of America next to a long-empty furniture store at 304 S. Stanton St., in Downtown El Paso, as seen Oct. 16. A firm tied to the Dallas-based parking spaces operator recently bought eight buildings on South Stanton Street.

More: Downtown El Paso's vacant buildings await next wave of redevelopment

Parking Systems' Baker said, "Hopefully (Downtown) El Paso will come back where it was 10 years ago," about when Baker's company entered this market. "We'll see what happens. "

Even with much of Stanton Street in dire straits, a few longtime retailers continue to operate there. For example, Mata's Fruit Store, part of a small, three-store El Paso grocery chain, continues operating a store at 826 S. Stanton St., which is often full of shoppers.

Some Downtown redevelopment also has occurred in recent years, mainly around San Jacinto Plaza, in the heart of Downtown. That's where El Paso billionaire Paul Foster has renovated several buildings, including one underway at the former Kress department store, which is being transformed into a food hall.

Parking Systems scouts for new tenants

Baker's company is analyzing what to do with the newly acquired El Paso properties. Some of the buildings have tenants, who "we want to keep," he said.

A clothing store at 307 S. Stanton St., as seen Oct. 16 in Downtown El Paso, is in a building with several empty retail spaces. The building is part of a nine-building purchase made by a company tied to Dallas' Parking Systems of America.

The company plans to recruit new tenants, including trying to bring in national retailers, Baker said. One of the buildings at 711 S. Stanton St. has an O'Reilly Auto Parts chain store.

More: Work starts on $30M entertainment complex with amphitheater for concerts in Sunland Park

Another purchased building at 821 S. Stanton St. has an HKG Duty Free store, part of a small Texas chain. Two other duty free stores operated by other companies also are on the 800 block of Stanton Street, connected to the Stanton Street Bridge, a port of entry to Juarez, Mexico.

Buildings can be renovated for new tenants, Baker said.

"We want to make them produce better than what they are now," he said.

Vic Kolenc may be reached at 546-6421; vkolenc@elpasotimes.com; @vickolenc on Twitter, now known as X.

A building housing an HKG Duty Free Store at 821 S. Stanton St., in Downtown El Paso, as seen Oct. 16, is part of a nine-building portfolio bought by a company tied to Dallas' Parking Systems of America.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Dallas' Parking Systems-tied firm buys Downtown El Paso buildings
Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

Australia's macadamia nut industry boasts 6 million trees across 16,000 hectares, nurtured by 850 devoted growers.

NEWARK, Del, Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- By the end of 2022, the worldwide demand for macadamia was estimated to be around US$ 2.2 billion. Further, the net revenue from total macadamia nuts sales globally in 2023 is anticipated to be about US$ 2.37 billion. The entire market value is predicted to rise at an 11.2% annual growth rate between 2023 and 2033. Finally, the global macadamia market value is expected to reach US$ 5.08 billion by the end of 2033.



An evolving trend for healthy snack alternatives among consumers worldwide has significantly increased demand for macadamia nuts. Also, its nutritional properties due to, due to itsevels of monounsaturated fats and other vital components, have increased its popularity in non-native locations. Macadamia powder can be added to several culinary dishes, ranging from baked foods to confectionery, which has generated a diversified and vast customer base.

Currently, investments in precision agricultural techniques and cutting-edge processing technology have increased macadamia production efficiency and assured a consistent supply of high-quality macadamia nuts. Notably, more production of premium macadamia nuts has enabled advantageous pricing, which has contributed to strong revenue growth in the present market.

Request Sample Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1304

Key Takeaways from the Macadamia Market Report

The total consumption of macadamia in the United States is higher in comparison to other countries. The country is estimated to account for almost 24.4% of the global revenue share.

In Europe, Germany is the leading regional market for the processing and consumption of macadamia products. In the current year 2023, this regional market is estimated to contribute to almost 7.4% of the global revenue share.

Though Australia is known to be the native place for macadamia nuts, it has only a 3.2% market share in processed macadamia business worldwide.

In Asia, China is known as the hub for macadamia processing and export. As of 2023, it holds around 13.2% of the global demand for macadamia.

Japan is also a significantly growing market for sales of macadamia in Asia these years. It is expected to hold a global market share of 5.4% in the current year 2023.



Story continues

After the emergence of new participants, the global market is seeing an increase in product variety, such as flavored macadamias and value-added goods. So, marketing of novel products with attractive packaging has surged the consumption of macadamia in recent years.  Says Nandini Roy Choudhury, Client Partner at Future Market Insights.

Competitive Landscape for the Macadamia Market

Industries and participants in the global macadamia business are positioning themselves strategically to benefit from the growing popularity of macadamia outside Australia's mainland. Additionally, a greater emphasis on marketing and distribution through online sales channels has allowed market participants to reach a broader audience.

Access the Complete Report Methodology Now! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-1304

Recent developments by the Macadamia Processing Industries

A South African cooperative firm named Golden Macadamias developed a TOMRA 5C sorting system with Biometric Signature Identification technology in April 2022. This high-end optical sorting system or machine for nuts and dried fruits to achieve the finest product quality with a huge macadamia production volume.

Milkadamia Inc. debuted a new macadamia nut oil milk product line at Natural Products Expo West in March 2022. Macadamia milk under this category comes in salted caramel and pumpkin pie flavors aimed at attracting more consumers in the younger age group.

The World Macadamia Organization, located in China, launched its first consumer marketing campaign in January 2022. It was initiated to promote the importance of macadamias by presenting the ritual of cracking nut-in-shell macadamias during specific Chinese Festivals.

Scope of Report

Attribute Details Macadamia Market Size Value in 2023 US$ 2.37 billion Macadamia Market Forecast Value in 2033 US$ 5.08 billion Global Growth Rate (2023 to 2033) 11.2 % Forecast Period 2023 to 2033 Historical Data Available for 2018 to 2022 Market Analysis US$ billion for Value Key regions covered North America, Latin America, Europe, South Asia, East Asia, Oceania and the Middle East & Africa Key Countries Covered Australia, United States, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom, BENELUX, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, GCC, Northern Africa & Southern Africa Key Segments Covered Product, Application. Key Companies Profiled Marquis Macadamias

Golden Macadamias

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp

Buderim Group

Ivory Macadamias

Eastern Produce

Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company

Purchase Now to Uncover Segment-Specific Information, Identify Key Trends, Drivers, and Challenges! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/1304

The Market has been Segmented as

By Nature:

Organic

Conventional

By Form:

Raw

Processed

Oil



By End Use:

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Food Industry Confectionery Bakery Dairy Snacks Others

Cosmetic and Personal Care

By Distribution Channel:

Direct

Indirect

Old Source: Macadamia Market Expected To Expand at a CAGR Of 11.2% from 2022 to 2032 | Future Market Insights

Author:

Nandini Roy Choudhury (Client Partner for Food & Beverages at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has 7+ years of management consulting experience. She advises industry leaders and explores off-the-eye opportunities and challenges. She puts processes and operating models in place to support their business objectives. She has exceptional analytical skills and often brings thought leadership to the table.

Nandini has vast functional expertise in key niches, including but not limited to food ingredients, nutrition & health solutions, animal nutrition, and marine nutrients. She is also well-versed in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, retail, and chemical sectors, where she advises market participants to develop methodologies and strategies that deliver results.

Her core expertise lies in corporate growth strategy, sales and marketing effectiveness, acquisitions and post-merger integration and cost reduction. Nandini has an MBA in Finance from MIT School of Business. She also holds a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from Nagpur University, India. Nandini has authored several publications, and quoted in journals including Beverage Industry, Bloomberg, and Wine Industry Advisor.

Explore FMIs Extensive Coverage in the Food & Beverage Domain:

The global edible nuts market is expected to reach a market valuation of US$ 87.9 billion in 2023. It is likely to accelerate at a robust CAGR of 7.9% from 2023 to 2033. In 2033, the market is slated to reach a US$ 191.3 billion.

The hazelnut market, which is estimated to reach a valuation of US$ 17.69 billion in 2023, is projected to record a CAGR of 8.8% to US$ 41.12 billion by 2033.

The Hickory Nuts Market is estimated value will increase from US$ 928.3 Million in 2023 to US$ 1,414.2 Million in 2033. The Hickory Nuts Market was worth US$ 878.2 Million at the end of 2022.

The global areca nut market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 867.4 million in 2023, forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.9%. The market is to be valued at US$ 1851.6 million from 2023 to 2033.

According to a study by Future Market Insights, the market for Soy Nuts is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecasted period.



About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 5000 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries.

Contact Us:

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Future Market Insights Inc.

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Designer Brands Inc. executive Jim Weinberg has exited the company, DBI confirmed to FN on Tuesday.

We recently announced internally that Jim Weinberg will be stepping down as chief merchandising officer of DBI, a company spokesperson told FN in a statement. Our organization is grateful for Jims contributions to our retail and brands businesses.

More from Footwear News

Weinberg was named chief merchandising officer of the DBI-owned DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse chain in 2019. He had previously served as general merchandising manager for the companys womens footwear and exclusive brands business since 2015. Before joining DBI, Weinberg served in several leadership roles at companies such as Macys, The May Department Stores Co., Kellwood Apparel and Burlington Stores, according to the DBI website.

Weinberg declined to comment on his departure.

The news marks the latest executive shift at DBI as it works toward its goal to double sales from owned brands and Camuto Group owned and licensed brands to almost one-third of total sales by 2026, a goal Weinberg was strongly involved in pursuing in his role heading up merchandising.

In August, DBI announced that Bill Jordan, the president of Designer Brands Inc. and Camuto LLC, would step down from both positions in December. And in July, Designer Brands tapped Laura Denk as president of DSW and EVP of Designer Brands. In her new role at DBI, Denk is tasked with overseeing DSWs nearly 500 store locations across the U.S., as well as its e-commerce channel. She will also be charged with helping DSW bolster its portfolio of owned and national brands and will report to DBI CEO Doug Howe, who previously served as DSW president until being promoted to CEO in April.

Last month, DBI reaffirmed its outlook for the year after posting better-than-expected sales and earnings in the second quarter. Howe said in a statement at the time that he anticipates that near-term headwinds will persist for the company moving forward, though he maintained confidence in DBIs growth trajectory, particularly in its owned-brand business and partnerships.

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DBI is beefing up its portfolio of national brands as well. In June, the retailer said it would reenter into a partnership with Nike to sell footwear at DSW stores, following a halt to the partnership in 2022, when Nike accelerated its shift toward direct channels.

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Stock pickers are generally looking for stocks that will outperform the broader market. And in our experience, buying the right stocks can give your wealth a significant boost. To wit, the Anglo American share price has climbed 37% in five years, easily topping the market decline of 0.3% (ignoring dividends).

Since the stock has added UK1.6b to its market cap in the past week alone, let's see if underlying performance has been driving long-term returns.

See our latest analysis for Anglo American

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. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

Anglo American's earnings per share are down 6.4% per year, despite strong share price performance over five years.

Essentially, it doesn't seem likely that investors are focused on EPS. Because earnings per share don't seem to match up with the share price, we'll take a look at other metrics instead.

We note that the dividend is higher than it was previously - always nice to see. Maybe dividend investors have helped support the share price. The revenue growth of about 7.2% per year might also encourage buyers.

The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

Anglo American is a well known stock, with plenty of analyst coverage, suggesting some visibility into future growth. Given we have quite a good number of analyst forecasts, it might be well worth checking out this free chart depicting consensus estimates.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of Anglo American, it has a TSR of 82% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

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A Different Perspective

Investors in Anglo American had a tough year, with a total loss of 11% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 9.5%. 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 13% per year over half a decade. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. 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. For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Anglo American that you should be aware of before investing here.

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 British 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 need to regulate the rapidly evolving AI industry was highlighted on Day 3 of Expand North Star, hosted by Dubai Chambers of Digital Commerce and organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre.

At the session titled 'Leaders of Change Through the AI Lens', panellists stressed the need for AI regulation. However, The speakers also acknowledged technology's vast potential to change and uplift the world, highlighting how various AI use cases can elevate small businesses and developing countries.

Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, revealed that the UAE Government has launched a programme in partnership with Oxford University to educate public officials on how to govern artificial intelligence, how to audit AI systems, and help explore use cases.

Regulations country-specific

Al Olama said regulations must be adapted to specific countries, noting that the challenges facing the US vary from those in the UAE, Japan, China or England. To prevent technology from harming the public, the world must agree on a regulatory baseline, where legislation is possible, and how it can be implemented.

Other panellists included Mohamed Gouled, Vice President of Industries, International Finance Corporation, US and Emad Mostaque, Co-Founder and CEO, Stability AI, UK.

Exploring the entrepreneurial journey

Expand North Star hosted an unfiltered panel discussion to challenge the conventional narratives surrounding unicorn companies. The panel featured prominent speakers from across the globe, including Rohit Chennamaneni, Founder at Darwinbox, Ramakant Sharma, Founder of LivSpace, Sebastien Borget, Co-founder & COO of The Sandbox, Dr Milkayel Vardanyan, Co-Founder & CPO Picsart Dan Westgarth, Co-founder & COO, Deel and Melvyn Lubega, Founder & Director, Go1 and was moderated by Nic Watson, CEO, Udrive.

During the discussion, the panellists shed light on the triumphs and challenges of building and scaling a business. They highlighted the importance of properly valuing startups, influenced by customer activities and external market factors.

Various obstacles were addressed, including long hours and constant toil that negatively affect the founders' and employees' well-being. The speakers told of corporate and personal upheaval as their businesses scaled, requiring continuous reinvention to maintain growth.

Asian startup scene, a success story

With its large population, history of entrepreneurship and public and private sector support for entrepreneurs, the Asian tech scene has never been this vibrant. Expand North Star had a Spotlight Asia focus on Day 3, hosting an engaging panel discussion titled "Exploring Ecosystems in Emerging Markets".

The panellists discussed the measures needed to propel future growth in the region's startup landscape and an analysis of how increasing public-private partnerships are driving growth for next-generation startups.

Among the panellists were Ashok Kurian, Business Development & Startup Lifecycle Programmes, Kerala Startup Mission, Ehantha Sirisena, CEO of KBSL, Sri Lanka, Naeem Zamindar, Founder, Neem, Pakistan, Rezwanul Haque Jami, Head of Commercial Strategy Ministry of ICT Bangladesh.

Tremendous opportunities

The speakers noted that the challenges facing Asian countries present tremendous opportunities. Education, infrastructure, healthcare and more are all rich targets for transformation. Government bodies in the continent are adopting new disruptive technologies, including from startups. The speakers commended organisers for putting together prominent events such as Expand North Star, essential to exploring international markets.

Expand North Star marks its largest-ever edition this year, from October 15 to 18, 2023, at its new Dubai Harbour venue. Gitex Global 2023 and Expand North Star bring together 1,800 startups from 100-plus countries at the Middle East's biggest iconic superyacht hub.

More than 1,000 investors with a combined total of over $1 trillion under management are in Dubai, rapidly emerging as the heart of the world's digital economy. This mega gathering of next-gen companies also features three themed sub-events targeting specific sectors: Fintech Surge, the Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.--TradeArabia News Service
Hispanolistic / Getty Images

Most taxpayers love deductions because they reduce your taxable income and, therefore, also reduce your tax liability. But not everyone loves going through the painstaking process of itemizing your returns.

Compare: Pros and Cons of Living in a State With No Income Tax

Know: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS

If you fall into the latter category, there are numerous deductions you can claim without having to itemize, As the AARP reported, these are known as above-the-line deductions because they refer to Line 11 on IRS Form 1040, which is where you put your adjusted gross income (AGI). The first line below that, Line 12, is where you would put your itemized deductions from Schedule A.

If you want to boost your tax return in 2024 without having to go through a lot of pain, here are six effortless tax deductions you dont have to itemize.

1. Traditional IRA Contributions

You can deduct contributions to traditional IRAs up to an annual limit set by the IRS. As MoneyTalksNews reported, for the 2023 tax year  the one due in spring 2024  workers younger than age 50 can contribute up to $6,500 to an IRA, while those age 50 and older can contribute up to $7,500. Keep in mind that Roth IRAs arent eligible for a deduction.

2. Half of Self-Employment Taxes

If youre self-employed, you can deduct 50% of the 12.4% Social Security tax on net self-employment income up to an annual ceiling, according to the NOLO legal website. You can also deduct 2.9% Medicare tax on all net self-employment income.

3. Health Savings Accounts Contributions

Americans with qualifying high-deductible health insurance plans can open an HSA and deduct the contributions to the plan. For the 2023 tax year, those with self-only coverage can contribute up to $3,850 to an HSA, according to MoneyTalksNews, while those with family coverage have a contribution limit of $7,300. If you are 55 and older, you are eligible to make an additional $1,000 in contributions.

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4. Alimony Payments

If you are making alimony payments to a former spouse, you might be able to deduct those payments from your income. This deduction doesnt apply to everyone, however. According to the IRS, you cant deduct alimony or separate maintenance payments made under a divorce or separation agreement under these circumstances:

It was executed after 2018

It was executed before 2019 but later modified if the modification expressly states the repeal of the deduction for alimony payments applies to the modification. Alimony and separate maintenance payments you receive under such an agreement are not included in your gross income.

5. Military Moving Expenses

If you have a permanent change of station, you can deduct reasonable moving expenses that might include the cost of moving household goods, personal effects, storage and traveling expenses (including lodging) to your new home.

6. College Tuition and Fees

Depending on your income, you might be able to deduct up to $4,000 in higher education tuition and fees you pay for yourself, your spouse or a dependent, according to NOLO. However, this deduction isnt allowed if you claim the American Opportunity tax credit or Lifetime Learning Credit.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Effortless Tax Deductions: 6 Write-Offs You Dont Have To Itemize
Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson. Seth Wenig/AP Photo

John Paulson is suing his former Puerto Rico business partner.

Fahad Ghaffar fraudulently billed the elite investor for $3.4 million, per a lawsuit filed Monday.

Ghaffar used the scheme to fund his shopping at Chanel and partying in Las Vegas, Paulson alleges.

John Paulson is suing his former business partner in Puerto Rico, alleging that he and several family members duped the investor out of millions of dollars to fund luxury shopping sprees, Las Vegas parties, and other expenditures.

The hedge fund manager, with an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion, said in a lawsuit filed in San Juan on Monday that Fahad Ghaffar had siphoned $3.4 million out of Paulson's operations and used the money to finance his lavish lifestyle.

"Though Fahad touted himself a loyal member of the Paulson team and a philanthropist, nothing could be further from the truth," Paulson's lawyers wrote.

"For years he and his co-conspirators siphoned off value from the Paulson Entities at every turn, betraying Paulson's trust and biting the hand that had fed them," they added. "Fahad's greed corrupted the business decisions he was supposed to make for Paulson's benefit, betraying the confidence Paulson had placed in him with shocking ease."

Paulson claims that Ghaffar conspired with his wife, father-in-law, brother, two sisters, and a personal assistant to commit racketeering and fraud, and is seeking just under $190 million in damages.

The lawsuit claims that in 2021, Ghaffar spent $102,000 in Louis Vuitton stores on the luxury island of Saint Barthelemy, which he charged to Paulson as a business expense.

He allegedly splurged $45,000 at a Chanel boutique in New York City, and splashed another $20,000 in a single night of partying at the Omnia nightclub in Las Vegas, per Monday's filing.

The two men are currently locked in a bitter legal feud. Ghaffar sued Paulson earlier this month, claiming he'd been cheated out of a 50% stake in a luxury car dealership.

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Paulson's wife and Ghaffar have both also accused Paulson of using his Puerto Rico businesses to hide billions of dollars' worth of assets from her during their divorce.

Ghaffar was an "unemployed small-time commercial real estate investor" who "begged for the opportunity to work for" Paulson & Co in 2013, the lawsuit alleges. Ghaffar joined the firm as a junior analyst and eventually rose to become a senior manager in Puerto Rico.

Ghaffar could not be reached for comment. His attorney didn't immediately reply to an Insider request for comment, sent outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- A major oil-industry conference in London saw a day of disruption as hundreds of climate protesters blocked entrances, before police eventually reopened access to the event.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Greta Thunberg was among at least 20 demonstrators to be arrested outside the annual Energy Intelligence Forum. Executives from companies including Gunvor Group, Trafigura Group and Shell Plc had been unable to enter to give speeches.

The energy transition has been a topic of discussion at the conference, which takes place through Thursday. Its a subject that carries extra urgency after several months that shattered temperature records and just a few weeks before crucial climate talks in Dubai.

The conference also comes at a turbulent time for global energy markets, with the conflict between Israel and Hamas renewing fears about Europes winter gas supply, while also boosting prices and raising oil majors share prices.

All times London:

TotalEnergies Sees No Impact to Projects From IsraelHamas War  for Now (5:33 p.m.)

While the unfolding conflict between Israel and Hamas is dramatic, the situation isnt having an impact on TotalEnergies SEs projects in the region, according to Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne. There will be consequences that well have to monitor, he said during a panel discussion. But Im confident that we can find a way.

Japan Still Assessing US Sanctions on Russian LNG Hubs (5:08 p.m.)

The Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security is still assessing the impact of US sanctions imposed in September on Russian LNG transshipment terminals, according to JOGMEC Chief Executive Office Ichiro Takahara.

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Russia plans to use the new terminals in Kamchatka and Murmansk to reduce costs of shipping LNG from its Arctic projects, including the Arctic LNG-2 facility. But Japan is concerned this could create difficulties for its own deliveries

Modular Units Cut LNG Project Construction Time (4:30 p.m.)

LNG projects are moving toward smaller modular units that can be built in different locations  decreasing the amount of manpower needed on sites  and which can be scaled up, said Baker Hughes Co. Chief Executive Officer Lorenzo Simonelli. Some of the projects that previously took 48 months now take 28 months, he said.

Supply Chain Gridlock Could Take Years to Clear: JGC (4:20 p.m.)

Expect significant lead times for delivering energy-related materials for at least a few more years. The supply chain is really stretched, and shows no sign of easing, said Farhan Mujib, president of engineering contractor JGC Corp., during a panel discussion.

Capacity is a problem as everything has to happen at the same moment, between now and 2030, including new oil and gas resources to be developed and new renewable capacity to be built, said Alessandro Puliti, chief executive of drilling company Saipem SpA.

In the UK, more stability around subsidies is needed for the energy transition to move ahead, he added, noting that otherwise theres no possibility for investment.

Shell Has Changed Its Pathway to Net Zero, CEO Says (2:45 p.m.)

Shell hasnt changed its target of net zero emissions by 2050, but has altered its pathway there, said Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan. Investors have responded positively to the companys new strategy, which involves putting a greater proportion of its investment into oil and gas, he said via video link. Some employees have questioned Sawans approach and asked if the company should be moving faster in the transition to clean energy, he said.

Hotel Entrance Reopened (1:30 p.m.)

The police have been able to clear a safe pathway for delegates to enter the conference venue via the main entrance, forum organizers said.

Thunberg Is Arrested (1:20 p.m.)

Greta Thunberg was arrested along with at least 10 others.

Vitol CEO Sees Oil Around $85 Next Year (12:53 p.m.)

Oil demand is showing robust growth, but there has also been extra supply despite the cuts from some members of OPEC+, said Vitol Chief Executive Officer Russell Hardy. There is supply around. The US is doing well, Guyana is doing well. and generally the OPEC grouping is doing well when you consider Libya, Venezuela and Iran, he said. Hardy sees oil trading around $85 a barrel next year, not far off current levels.

Protests to Continue All Week (12:38 p.m.)

Further protests are planned throughout the three day conference, Greenpeace said by email.

Oil bosses are toasting each other in a luxury hotel and plotting how to make even larger profits, while millions struggle to rebuild after a summer of extreme weather, Maja Darlington, campaigner at Greenpeace UK said in a statement.

Shell CEO to Deliver Speech Remotely (12:36 p.m.)

Shell CEO Wael Sawan will deliver his speech to the conference remotely because he cant access the hotel.

Vitol Expects Some Gas Demand to Be Lost Forever (12:30 p.m.)

European industrial demand has not recovered from last years energy crisis, according to Vitol CEO Russell Hardy. We can expect some of that lost demand to stay lost forever, he said.

Further cuts to gas production in Israel could lead to lower LNG exports to Europe from Egypt. The European market will get nervous on the back of that, he said.

CEOs Stuck Outside as Police Await Reinforcements (12:17 p.m.)

The CEOs of trading houses Gunvor and Trafigura missed their appearances at the conference because they were stuck outside the venue. The organizers told anyone attempting to enter the Intercontinental Hotel to wait until more police officers arrived to disperse the protesters. Inside the building, Russell Hardy, the CEO of Vitol, the largest independent oil trader, told attendees that about half his companys annual capital expenditure of $1 billion is going into renewables and power.

Disruption Worsens as Protests Continue (10:36 a.m)

The conference continues, but some scheduled speakers have been unable to make it inside. Police on the scene estimate that 200 to 250 protesters are blocking access to the venue.

Aramco is Looking at Further LNG Investments (10:14 a.m.)

As protests continued outside, the worlds largest company was inside the venue talking about its plans for natural gas. Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said his company is looking at making more investments in liquefied natural gas as it seeks to diversify its energy mix. The company last month entered the LNG market by purchasing a stake in MidOcean Energy for $500 million. LNG is important, Nasser said. We want to be a player in LNG so were looking at investment.

Entrances to the Conference Blocked by Protests (9:50 a.m.)

Hundreds of delegates are waiting outside to be let in to the Intercontinental hotel in London as protesters block the entrances. The head of the hotels security said there are about a thousand guests staying at the hotel. Its not clear when people will be let in but the program has started inside with Saudi Aramco speaking.

--With assistance from Priscila Azevedo Rocha and Elena Mazneva.

(A previous version of this story corrected the host city for the UAE climate talks.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- Environmentalist Bill McKibben, who galvanized public efforts to block the Keystone XL oil pipeline, is now pushing to do the same thing to stop construction of huge liquefied natural gas export terminals along the US Gulf Coast.

Most Read from Bloomberg

McKibben is calling for a ban on approving any new LNG export projects and pressing energy regulators to reject any LNG permitting currently under consideration.

The climate activist spoke out against Venture Global Inc.s proposed CP2 project in Louisiana in a virtual press conference on Tuesday. McKibben compared the estimated greenhouse gas emissions from CP2 as 20 times that of the recently canceled Willow oil project in Alaska but could not provide details during the press briefing on how that impact was calculated. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the US agency that oversees permitting for LNG projects, is considering another Venture Global project in Louisiana, Plaquemines LNG, on its agenda Thursday.

Theres no possible way that the public interest is best served by sucking Permian dry and shipping it overseas, he also said about the oil-and-gas-rich basin in an interview with Bloomberg.

The battle over gas export terminals along the Gulf Coast has sweeping implications for the worlds energy landscape and the fight against climate change. Advocates of the projects, which take years to build and can cost upward of $20 billion, say theyre crucial to helping Europe and Asia with energy transition. Yet McKibben and other environmentalists argue that if approved, the terminals will guarantee that gas remains part of the energy mix for decades to come, paving the way for nations to keep burning until its too late to stave off the worst of global warming.

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A spokeswoman for Venture Global said projects like CP2 are critical for regions such as Europe, which is looking to replace gas from Russian pipelines in the wake of the war with Ukraine, and that US LNG exports would reduce coal use in Asia and globally.

The US is on track to be the top LNG exporter in the world this year, ahead of Qatar and Australia, and has five new or expansion projects under construction in Texas and Louisiana, while other projects vie for investment and global buyers.

(Updates details in third and fifth paragraphs)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2023) - Europacific Metals Inc. (TSXV: EUP) ("the Company" or "Europacific") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Karim Rayani as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director to the Company and Mr. Mark Luchinski as Independent Director effective immediately.

Mr. Rayani has been focused for the past 20 years on financing both domestic and international mineral exploration and development. Mr. Rayani is currently Chair and Founder of R7 Capital Ventures Ltd., an investment family office firm with a diverse portfolio covering Natural Resources, Energy, Cleantech, Renewables and Health related ventures all with a focus on Public Venture Capital. Prior to these postings, he worked independently as a management consultant and financier. Presently he also serves as Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Marvel Discovery, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Falcon Gold Corp., Chair, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of District 1 Exploration Corp., Chair, Chief Executive and Director of Power One Resources Corp. Mr. Rayani brings an extensive network of contacts throughout North America and Europe, with a focus on Institutional and High-Net worth accounts.

Mr. Mark Luchinski has extensive capital market experience, having worked in both public and private sectors as an Officer and Director for several companies. Mr. Luchinski is a graduate from the University of Victoria. He is well versed in corporate governance, finance, compliance, and the administration of publicly traded companies.

The Company further announces that the Company's board acknowledged and accepted the resignations of Lisa Stewart and John Paul (JP) Dau from their roles as Company directors, as well as the departure of Mr. Chris Osterman from his position as Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors extends its gratitude to Mr. Osterman, Miss Stewart, and Mr. Dau for their dedicated service to the Company throughout their tenure and wishes them all the best in their future endeavors. The appointments of Mr. Rayani and Mr. Luchinski as directors fill the board vacancies created.

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Catalin Kilofliski, Founder and Executive Chair of the Board, stated, "It brings me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to Karim, our newly appointed President & CEO. I have full confidence that with this fresh leadership, Europacific is poised to chart a course towards significant accomplishments in Portugal and throughout Europe. His extensive experience and wide-ranging connections will steer the Company into an exciting new chapter marked by growth, innovation, and enduring success. I would also like to personally thank Mr. Osterman, Ms. Stewart, and Mr. Dau for their contributions to the Company."

Financing

Europacific is also pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 13 million units of securities at a price of 2.5 cents per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $325,000.

Each unit will comprise one common share and one transferable common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of 5 cents for a period of two years from the closing of the offering.

The proceeds from this placement will be used for initial project reconnaissance by the new CEO and general working capital purposes. Finders' fees may be payable on a portion of the offering. Insiders will participate in the private placement.

The offering is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The common shares issued pursuant to this private placement will be subject to a four-month hold period in Canada and will be subject to United States resale restrictions under U.S. securities laws.

About Europacific Metals Inc.

Europacific Metals Inc. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in Europe.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Karim Rayani"

President, CEO & Director

For further information please contact:

Europacific Metals Inc.

Mr. Karim Rayani, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

www.europacificmetals.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of the Company's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/184259
(Bloomberg) -- A hearing for China Evergrande Group in a Hong Kong insolvency court later this month will lay bare the once-unthinkable possibility of liquidating the property developers assets.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A wind-up order from Judge Linda Chan after the Oct. 30 hearing would wreak havoc on the struggling company thats trying to finalize a restructuring plan to pay back creditors. Any efforts to wind up the worlds most indebted developer  even if difficult to enforce in mainland China  would provide a roadmap for other developers and creditors on how a liquidation of such magnitude may play out.

Evergrande, the poster child of Chinas real estate debt crisis with about $327 billion of liabilities, comes to the hearing when more liquidations have been ordered.

The Hong Kong court has issued at least three wind-up orders for Chinese property developers since the debt crisis began in 2021, despite thorny jurisdictional issues and Chinas interest in keeping developers afloat to ensure home-buyers are made whole.

A liquidation order would have wide repercussions, said Daniel Margulies, a partner at Dechert LLP who specializes in restructuring matters in Asia. The developers collapse would show that problems of this size and complexity in China seemingly cannot be restructured and will likely end up in some form of liquidation, whether onshore or offshore.

The hearing originates from a wind-up lawsuit filed by a creditor, Top Shine Global Limited of Intershore Consult (Samoa) Ltd., who was a strategic investor in Evergrandes online sales platform.

Top Shines case was the first wind-up lawsuit against Evergrande and became the consolidated class action for other frustrated creditors.

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What happens if a liquidation order is issued?

If Chans court decides to issue a wind-up, Evergrande could still appeal the decision. But that wouldnt stop the liquidation process from moving forward.

However, a liquidation order may not necessarily lead to an immediate suspension of Evergrandes construction work, housing delivery and other activities.

After the order, the court could appoint a liquidator, who would seize control from directors and management to make major business decisions and seek gains for creditors from existing assets.

Thats not an easy process in dealing with Chinese developers. Most Evergrande projects are operated by local units, which could be hard for the offshore liquidator to seize.

Its impossible to expect liquidators to take control over every subsidiary of Evergrande. There could be a thousand of them, said Nigel Trayers, managing director of restructuring at Grant Thornton LLP. But the size alone is not the only thing that will prevent the liquidators from taking control onshore. Chinas system is more focused on protecting the onshore stakeholders.

The process of taking over companies could last for years for even routine cases. And none of the three wind-up orders involving the developers  including the first one in a case involving a Yango Group unit last year  comes close to Evergrande in complexity, asset size, and the number of stakeholders.

The property market hasnt been good and it made liquidation works more difficult, according to Derek Lai, the global insolvency leader at Deloitte, whose team was appointed as the liquidator of Yangos unit.

What are some Evergrande assets in focus?

Evergrande has more than 1,200 projects for sale, along with tourist resorts and land, according to its 2022 annual report. Chinese developers use a maze of subsidiaries to locally hold real estate projects, and Evergrande has over 100 major units onshore.

The company also has a new energy vehicle unit, property service arm, and online housing sales platform.

Fewer offshore real estate assets are up for grab. Evergrandes prized tower in Hong Kong has been taken over by a lender. A land plot in the citys Yuen Long area was sold for $637 million after it was seized by a receiver, an annual report shows.

Another factor that would complicate a possible liquidation is Evergrandes Chapter 15 bankruptcy filing in the US earlier this year. The filing enables the company to tap the US legal process designed to administer cross-border insolvencies and protect the debtors assets to a certain extent.

How would China react to a Hong Kong court order?

The Chinese government also would play an outsize role in any liquidation of onshore developers, and it may choose to shrug off the Hong Kong court order. And the vast majority of Evergrande assets  and other Chinese developers  are located onshore.

There is a layer of complexity as to whether China would actually recognize or assist foreign liquidators, said Alan Tsui, a partner at JunHe Law Offices. The recognition of Hong Kong wind-up order in mainland has been very limited.

In 2021, the courts of China and Hong Kong agreed to an arrangement to recognize the appointment of liquidators. So far, the Hong Kong court allowed five cases to seek mainlands recognition, and two of them were successfully recognized by Chinese courts, according to Deloittes data.

But it could be a challenge to both jurisdictions to handle what would be the largest insolvency case in recent years.

Mainland courts could also appoint administrators to local jurisdictions where a distressed developers main properties are located, Tsui said. Hong Kong-appointed liquidators will have to see if they could gain control, he said.

The China government also has other priorities, such as appeasing a mass of home-buyers by helping to deliver what they bought from developers.

Delivering houses is one of our jobs, Deloittes Lai said. Social welfare is what the government cares about the most.

How likely is Evergrandes liquidation?

Evergrandes recent fumbles have contributed to speculation that Chan has ample reasons to lean toward a wind-up.

The company had planned to get court approval for its debt restructuring plan in mid-October, and hoped to usher in a camp of supportive creditors who would outnumber wind-up proponents. But a surprising delay in creditor voting left the plan in limbo.

Its restructuring plan proposes to swap defaulted debt to new notes maturing in 10 to 12 years or a combination of new debt and equity-liked instruments. But as of April, a key class had still fallen short of gathering enough support within its own members to back the plan. Another group complained recently that they had been left in the dark, but didnt say if they would pursue a wind-up.

The face of the company, billionaire chairman Hui Ka Yan, also has been subject to mandatory measures related to suspicion of illegal crimes, according to a company statement.

There is a high risk that the company will face an unfavorable outcome at the next hearing. Margulies said. The companys proposal seems far less viable given the recent postponements and announcements, he added.

Chan could turn skeptical without workable, realistic proposals from the debtor.

In a wind-up order she issued earlier this year for Jiayuan International Group, she noted that the Chinese developers so-called restructuring is really not a concrete proposal but just an idea put forward by the company.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Mitsubishi Corp is considering bidding for Fujitsu's chip packaging unit Shinko Electric Industries, two sources said, as Japan's top trading house weighs an entry into semiconductor manufacturing.

Mitsubishi, owned 8.3% by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, has set up a team to explore the possibility of entering the so-called back-end manufacturing process, which involves mounting chips on frames, connecting wires and packaging, the sources, who are familiar with the matter, said.

Fujitsu has put its 50% stake in Shinko Electric, worth around $2.6 billion at current market prices, on sale, drawing interest from global buyout firms Bain Capital, KKR, Apollo Global Management, as well as government-backed Japan Investment Corp (JIC), two other sources said.

KKR, Bain and JIC declined to comment while Apollo did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Mitsubishi is planning to make a joint bid with one of the potential buyers, one of the two sources said. Those talks are at an early stage and Mitsubishi has not decided on a partner, the source added.

A Mitsubishi spokesperson said the trading house had set up a division in June dealing with chips and materials that was looking into various opportunities. However, the spokesperson said the company could not comment on individual deals.

A Fujitsu spokesperson said: "It is true we are considering various options to maximise the value of the independent business, but nothing has been decided at this time."

A Shinko spokesperson declined to comment. The sources did not wish to be identified as the information is private.

There is no guarantee a deal would go through, the sources said. It was also not clear if Mitsubishi had hired banks to advise on the deal.

The sale of Shinko, a major supplier to chip companies such as Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, could also face national economic security issues, sources said.

For Mitsubishi, a sprawling conglomerate whose businesses range from natural gas to convenience stores and clothing, a foray into chips would come as recent volatility in energy prices takes some shine off a record annual performance.

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It would also bring one of corporate Japan's most powerful companies into chips at a time when Japan is looking to revitalise an ageing semiconductor industry that dominated the world in the late 1980s before losing ground.

Still, semiconductor packaging remains an area of strength for Japan with Shinko, Ibiden and Toppan Holdings all major players in the global chip supply chain.

Japan has designated chips as "specified critical materials", spending billions of dollars as subsidies to boost its ability to produce advanced chips and to maintain its edge as a maker of materials and manufacturing tools.

A deal would also come amid a number of new investments in chips announced recently in Japan.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) is building a $7 billion chip plant on Kyushu island, while Japan's state-backed Rapidus is building a chip plant in Chitose.

Japan is also arranging subsidies that could be worth around 15 billion yen for Samsung Electronics for the chip facilities it is considering setting up, Reuters has reported.

($1 = 149.4700 yen)

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Maki Shiraki; Additional reporting by Miho Uranaka; Editing by David Dolan, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
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 Hilton Food Group plc (LON:HFG), it sends a favourable message to the company's shareholders.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

See our latest analysis for Hilton Food Group

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Hilton Food Group

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Non-Executive Chairman Robert Watson for UK203k worth of shares, at about UK6.78 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of UK6.62. It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels.

While Hilton Food Group insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Hilton Food Group is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Insider Ownership

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Hilton Food Group insiders own 14% of the company, currently worth about UK85m 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.

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What Might The Insider Transactions At Hilton Food Group Tell Us?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Hilton Food Group shares in the last quarter. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Hilton Food Group 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. For example, Hilton Food Group has 4 warning signs (and 1 which is significant) we think you should know about.

But note: Hilton Food Group may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

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



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
ORLANDO, Fla.  A therapy session with Patricia Brown starts like any other. She leads her clients into a peaceful, quiet room, draped in beige and generic, calming artwork.

Then her clients lie down, close their eyes, put on a blindfold and headphones, and trip for six hours on psilocybin, the psychoactive chemical found in magic mushrooms.

Brown is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and head of clinical operations at CNS Healthcare. CNS in Thornton Park and APG Research near the Central Business District are two global clinical trial sites testing whether microdoses of psychedelics  typically about one-tenth of a recreational dose  can help people with depression and anxiety.

A growing number of clinical trials suggest single doses of psychedelics can have long-lasting impacts on the brain, leading the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue breakthrough therapy designations to these drugs beginning in 2017.

These treatments could have untapped potential for helping the estimated one in three people with treatment-resistant depression, meaning they have tried at least two different antidepressants that havent worked, said Brown. The clinical trial shes working on right now targets this group.

This is the opportunity for us to take treatment for depression and anxiety to the next level, Brown said.

The rebound in psychedelics popularity isnt without controversy, however. A potentially troubling trend is emerging. From 2018 to 2021, a survey published in the scientific journal Addiction indicates a doubling of recreational psychedelic use in the U.S., with 8% of young adults having tried hallucinogens as of 2021. This is the highest number seen since the 1980s.

Recreational use sparks concern

This isnt the first time these drugs have been studied for therapeutic benefits. These investigations have taken place since the 1940s, though research halted in the 1970s when the federal government classified these drugs as Schedule 1 due to their potential for abuse.

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Over the last few decades, theres been a resurgence in promising scientific research, continuing the work of 50 years ago. But its dangerous to use these drugs outside a medical setting, especially without a guide, said Dr. Robert Molpus, a psychiatrist and addiction researcher.

Molpus leads the CNS Healthcare location of a clinical trial of small doses of LSD on people with anxiety. The study is run by Mind Medicine, a biotech pharmaceutical company seeking approval for its proprietary form of LSD.

What we have here is pharmaceutical-grade medication produced under very strict tolerances and standards, said Molpus. Whatever you buy on the street, its not pharmaceutical grade and you actually have no idea whats in it or what the dose is.

Psychedelics theoretically alleviate mental illnesses by creating new connections in the brain, according to the National Institutes of Health. Negative connections can be created just as easily as positive ones, Molpus warned.

The idea is that things are connected wrong because of experience or trauma. And so, what you want to do, is get them reconnected; you want to break this bad connection, Molpus said. You dont want a different set of bad connections. Thats where the therapy piece comes in.

Licensed mental health counselor Elizabeth Lindell Mendez says recreational psychedelics worsened pre-existing mental illnesses and addiction issues in some of her clients. She worked for six years in community mental health residential and day treatment programs before moving to Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry in Maitland a few months ago.

When you actively hallucinate, the more you do it, the less likely you might be to come back, especially if you have a hereditary predisposition that youre unaware of, she said. It can actually increase and exacerbate symptoms.

She emphasized that she hasnt seen any clients who took these drugs within a controlled medical setting.

The American Psychological Association released a statement in 2022 calling preliminary research into psychedelics promising but cautioned about a lack of evidence.

There is currently inadequate scientific evidence for endorsing the use of psychedelics to treat any psychiatric disorder except within the context of approved investigational studies, the statement read.

Studies combat stigma

Brown is confident that current clinical trials are not dangerous.

I think there really is a stigma that we have to overcome, she said.

The ongoing trials at CNS are regulated by the FDA and dont allow people with psychotic and personality disorders to participate. People with other mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder and people who would take other psychiatric medications during the study cant participate either.

Brown is working on a randomized clinical trial testing the impact of a single dose of psilocybin. The study, conducted by biotech company COMPASS Pathways, will include therapy before the psilocybin dose, a therapist present for the eight-hour period a patient is high, and additional therapy afterward to process what the participant has experienced and help them integrate what theyve learned.

Another point to keep in mind is that psychedelics do not typically lead to addiction, said Molpus.

Can you overuse it? Absolutely, you can. But its actually not all that common, Molpus said. It can happen, and it does happen, but its not like meth or heroin that can really capture and trap people in addiction.

Decades of research back up that assertion, according to the National Institutes of Health.

A push to roll back restrictions

The FDA labels psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, peyote and MDMA (ecstasy) as having high abuse potential and no recognized medical use, hence their Schedule 1 classification.

This designation is theoretically reserved for the most dangerous and addictive drugs in the U.S. In recent years, advocates have questioned it. Molpus labeled psychedelics classification more political than medical.

Marijuana, too, is Schedule 1, despite decades of evidence of its potential therapeutic benefits. The majority of states, including Florida, have legalized it for medical use.

Amid mounting arguments that these drugs should be more accessible, a handful of countries and U.S. locations like Oregon have decriminalized or legalized MDMA and mushrooms.

In 2021 and 2022, Florida lawmakers introduced legislation that would have ordered state-funded research into the therapeutic applications of psilocybin, ketamine and MDMA for treating conditions including depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and migraines. The bills failed to achieve widespread support.

Nationally, more than 60% of U.S. voters support legalizing psychedelic therapy, a 2023 poll done by the University of California, Berkeley, found.

The future of psychedelics

A potential roadmap for magic mushrooms and LSD can be seen with ketamine, another drug with hallucinogenic or psychoactive properties.

The FDA approved a derivative of ketamine called esketamine  manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and sold as a patented nasal spray called Spravato  in 2018.

Its only available for people with treatment-resistant depression through a restricted distribution system with strict guidelines.

Ketamine differs from traditional psychedelics, however, because it has been used in medical settings for decades and is not as tightly regulated. Physicians who dont want to jump through federal government hurdles or work with insurance companies are allowed to prescribe traditional ketamine off-label as a treatment for mental health conditions.

Meanwhile, the only foray into selling mushrooms commercially in Florida so far was unsuccessful.

In 2022, Ybor Citys Chillum Mushroom Hemp Dispensary briefly bypassed Floridas restrictions by selling psychedelic mushrooms that didnt contain the banned ingredient of psilocybin. It advertised itself as the first magic mushroom dispensary in the U.S., and was so successful it opened a second St. Petersburg location.

Even though the mushrooms technically didnt include any banned ingredients, they were not approved to be sold as food. The store tried out a loophole, labeling them as intended only for education or spiritual purposes, not for consumption.

This wasnt enough to stop the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services from shutting down Chillum Mushroom Hemp Dispensarys sales.

The dispensary reluctantly stopped offering the mushroom in August, according to a statement on its website.
Ford Motor Co. asked 106 more employees at Sterling Axle Plant not to report to work Monday, the automaker announced.

This brings the layoff total to 268 at the Michigan facility, Ford said.

The latest layoffs are a consequence of the strike, because Sterling Axle Plant must reduce its production of parts that would normally be shipped to Chicago Assembly Plant and Kentucky Truck Plant, both of which have workers on strike, Ford said.

"Our production system is highly interconnected, which means the UAWs targeted strike strategy has knock-on effects for facilities that are not directly targeted for a work stoppage," Ford spokesman Dan Barbossa said in a release.

By close of business Monday, Ford had about 16,600 workers striking at three factories in Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky plus 2,580 layoffs at 10 strike-related sites in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. The targeted strikes against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which owns Jeep, Ram Trucks, Chrysler and Dodge, began Sept. 15.

Earlier Monday, Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford urged the UAW leadership to bring an end to the strike with what he and other Ford executives have called a record UAW contract offer.

More: UAW strike hits 1 month mark as some workers grow impatient: Where things stand

More: UAW strike at key milestone: What union's history says about strategy

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on the site formerly known as Twitter @phoebesaid.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ford Sterling Axle lays off 106 more workers because of UAW strike
The UAE will host the first ever Ministerial Dialogue on building water-resilient food systems in cooperation with Brazil during COP28.

This was announced by the UAE Minister for Climate Change and Environment, COP28 Food Systems Lead, Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri.

This ground-breaking session will bring together ministers, the private sector, international organisations and civil society to assess water and food resilience within National Determined Contributions and National Action Plans.

Adaptation solutions

COP28 represents the opportunity to move the world away from relief to climate-resilient development. We must invest in adaptation solutions with a focus on food and water, to advance resilient and sustainable development, she said in a speech delivered at the UN-organised World Food Day Conference in Rome.

Almheiri made a call for action  that climate change cannot be solved independently, and global collaboration is imperative in designing and implementing climate action mechanisms because environmental issues know no borders. She also called for greater international collaboration to address the global challenge of food insecurity and underlined the focus of COP28 to be hosted in the UAE to usher in a new era of inclusive food finance.

Almheiri presented the UAEs focus on delivering an inclusive climate crisis solution to an audience and speaker panel comprising global luminaries, including President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella; President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins; Alvaro Lario, Dr Qu Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations; President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Cindy H. McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).

Agriculture and water

The theme of the 2023 World Food Day is water, so Almheiri noted that worldwide, agriculture is the single largest consumer of freshwater  and the way we currently produce food is responsible for up to 33% of total global emissions, according to FAO data.

The Minister said: Our vision for our Presidency of COP28 is that we must work together, share knowledge and ideas to find a united solution to ensure no one is left behind. We need to be reminded of the harsh realities of what happens when the balance of water in our food systems fails us.

Thanking the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations for its World Food Day focus on the vital issue of water, she added: From devastating famines to severe droughts and life-threatening floods, we are seeing their frequency spike as the globe is impacted by climate change. Feeding the worlds growing population equitably and sustainably cannot be achieved without water.

Biggest challenge

She added: How we manage the rapid rise in demand, production, distribution and consumption of food will be one of the single biggest challenges we face in the fight against climate change -- and is something the UAE will put front and centre at COP28.

The Minister urged nations to sign the Emirates Declaration on Resilient Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Action and, in doing so, commit to aligning national food systems and agricultural strategies with Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans and National Biodiversity Strategies.

The challenge facing us in securing our food systems for the future and tackling climate change are significant. But the spirit of inclusivity and collective responsibility must inspire us all to act. Our future and the future of our children depends on it, concluded the Minister.

The annual World Food Day event included special messages from Pope Francis, and from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, underlining the crucial global importance of mitigating the effects of climate change.--TradeArabia News Service
(Bloomberg) -- Nishad Singh, the former director of engineering at FTX, faces cross-examination at the Sam Bankman-Fried trial Tuesday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Under questioning by prosecutors on Monday, Singh, 28, said he was intimidated by Bankman-Fried, and at times humiliated by him. He also detailed the FTX co-founders spending on a Bahamian penthouse and political donations.

Like previous witnesses, Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang, Singh has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy counts and has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Here are a few stories to catch up on Singhs testimony and the trial:

FTX Insider Says Work With SBF Left Him in Severe Distress

SBFs Friends Force Him Into Hail Mary Choice on Testimony

Group Chats, Tweets and Audio Tape: The Evidence Against SBF

The Key Players at Sam Bankman-Frieds Historic Fraud Trial

Heres the latest from court (all times are NY):

SBF Calendar Showed Meetings With Clinton, Hochul (4:30 p.m.)

Bankman-Fried had scheduled meetings in Manhattan with several influential people  from former President Bill Clinton to New York Governor Kathy Hochul  in the months prior to FTXs collapse, according to evidence presented by the government Tuesday.

According to a calendar invite, he had a meeting scheduled with Clinton at the New York Hilton Midtown in September 2022. A meeting with Hochul was scheduled to take place a month earlier. Emails and calendar invites also showed the former crypto billionaire had dinner scheduled in September 2022 with Yasir Al Rumayyan, the head of Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, at The Pierre hotel in New York. Another pointed to a March 2022 dinner with New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

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The meetings were revealed while the government was questioning FBI agent Richard Busick about an analysis he did on an AT&T phone allegedly used by Bankman-Fried. He testified that the various dinners and meetings from emails and calendar entries corresponded with the phones location at those times.

During cross-examination, Bankman-Frieds lawyers cast doubt on the accuracy of the location data.

Singh Forfeited House He Bought One Month Before FTX Collapse (3:15 p.m.)

Singh said he forfeited the Orcas Island property that he bought in October 2022 using money borrowed from FTX even after learning the company was misusing customer funds.

My spending on it was egregious, unnecessary and selfish, Singh said. I was embarrassed and ashamed, and forfeiting seems to be one of the ways to right the wrong, at least a little.

Singh finished his testimony and left the courtroom.

Singh Said He Thought FTX Would Last for Years (2:30 p.m.)

Singh said under questioning by Bankman-Frieds lawyer that he took a loan from the company to purchase a vacation home on Orcas Island for the use of himself and his friends even after he learned about the financial issues.

He said the funds were wired to purchase the apartment in mid- to late October of 2022. He has testified that he pushed Bankman-Fried to cut expenses.

Read more: FTXs Singh Bought Dream House in October. Its Uncle Sams Now.

Mark Cohen asked if Singh remembered telling prosecutors that he thought FTX would last for years even after learning about Alamedas growing deficit in September 2022.

I did tell prosecutors that I thought FTX would last for years, Singh said.

Singh Wasnt Required to Be Face of FTX Political Donations (1:15 p.m.)

Singh acknowledged that he wasnt required to be the face of FTXs political donations and performed the role despite personal reservations.

In a Signal chat group, Singh told Michael Sadowsky, a political consultant, that he was averse to supporting explicitly woke stuff.

Still, Singh said that he became really excited in 2018 about California Proposition 12, a ballot proposition titled the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, which imposed minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens, pigs and veal calves.

Singh said he had money deducted from his floating balance at Alameda to fund political donations on the proposition.

Later, he worked with people including his dear friend, Sam Bankman-Frieds brother Gabe, to make political donations.

Singh has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate campaign finance laws by acting as an illegal straw donor to funnel donations to political campaigns - mostly to Democrats.

The court is on lunch break until 2:00 p.m.

Singh Says Alameda Special Privilege Initially Intended to Help Customers (12:20 p.m.)

Singh said under questioning that one of Alameda Researchs special privileges  which eventually resulted in a nearly unlimited line of credit  was initially designed to help customers.

Singh recalled an instance in mid-2020 in which an auto-deleveraging event happened on the FTX exchange because no backstop liquidity providers were eligible to step in, resulting in random FTX customers being forced to take on risky positions.

It was undesirable for customers to take on these positions without opting in, Singh said.

After the event, Gary Wang concluded that Alameda failed to step in and absorb the trades because the trading firm didnt have enough free collaterals, due to them being tied up by a large amount of pending trades.

Ultimately Sam asked me why should it depend at all on free collaterals, since the pending positions exhausted collaterals, not actual trades, Singh recalls.

Singh testified he later wrote in a code proposal to make auto-deleveraging events less likely, including being careful not to liquidate Alameda.

Singh Describes Sense of Relief About Alameda Balance Size (11:30 a.m.)

Cohen cross-examined Singh closely on the discovery of a software bug that, by mid-June 2022, had introduced an error in Alamedas balance in its main account on the FTX exchange totaling about $8 billion.

Singh told jurors that Caroline Ellison produced data showing that the bug explained many discrepancies between the balance of the account and Alameda transactions records.

He testified about a long discussion over Google Meet, lasting possibly an hour, involving Bankman-Fried, Ellison, Wang and himself. Adam Yedidia, who testified against Bankman-Fried earlier in the trial, had inadvertently introduced the bug in 2021.

The next thing I do recall was sensing from others a palpable sense of relief, even elation, at discovering the balance was negative $11 billion and not negative 19 billion, Singh testified.

Defense Lawyers Questioning Meets Difficulties (10:45 a.m.)

Bankman-Frieds defense lawyer, Mark Cohen, ran into some early difficulties in his questioning of Singh.

Singh said Cohen misunderstood his comments to prosecutors in January about whether it felt wrong to borrow from anywhere as long as you have the assets.

Singh explained that his language was specific to the discussion of bank accounts, not borrowing in general.

At one point, Judge Lewis Kaplan intervened Cohens requests for Singh to read out multiple items on a spreadsheet. We are not performing eye examinations here.

The spreadsheet says what it says, Kaplan said to Cohen.

After that, Cohen changed his approach and read out excerpts of Singhs testimony directly before asking questions.

Singh Lived in the Nicest Room in the Penthouse (10:15 a.m.)

Despite complaining about the cost of the penthouse, Singh volunteered Tuesday that he and his girlfriend, Claire Watanabe, moved into the nicest room in the house.

Asked by Cohen if it was excessive for billionaires to live in a $30 million home, Singh replied that the cost is the same no matter the wealth of the people living in it.

I really dont know whats reasonable for billionaires to do, Singh said. I dont know other billionaires.

Watanabe, another former FTX executive, was in court Monday to watch his testimony.

Singh Said There Could Be Benefits to Celebrity Deals (10:00 a.m.)

After testifying Monday about what he believed was FTXs lavish spending on celebrity endorsements, Singh said under cross Tuesday that it was Bankman-Frieds job to make those determinations.

I believe it could be valuable to the business...depending on the circumstances, Singh said under questioning by Bankman-Fried lawyer Mark Cohen. I understood it had business benefits and costs.

After questions about the sponsorship of a Miami arena and other deals, Cohen said that on Monday the court was told that many of these things were reckless spending and that his job today is to show there was way more to it than we were told.

Singh still pointed to an investment in a tequila brand run by a celebrity as an example of excessive spending.

A previous version of the story was corrected to reflect the location of the property on Orcas Island.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Tomas Guillen, a 25-year-old employee at Patti Engineering, joined the latest episode of the Gen Z in Manufacturing podcast to discuss his journey to becoming a controls engineer.

"Gen Z in Manufacturing" explores the perspectives of young professionals in the manufacturing industry and delves into their experiences, career growth and what attracts them to their respective companies.

Guillen admitted he was not aware of the controls engineering field. He discovered the industry at a college career fair, where he met a controls engineer from Georgia-Pacific. An internship with the manufacturer sparked Guillen's interest in the field, and he later interned twice with Patti Engineering, a company that integrates automation, robotic and digitalization technologies in industrial facilities.

Most Read on IEN:

Guillen's internships with Patti convinced him to join as a full-time employee.

"I was very interested in Patti Engineering because it's a unique controls engineering opportunity," Guillen said. "You are constantly being presented with new learning opportunities. The rate that I have been learning with this type of job has been just tenfold compared to even if I was just a controls engineer at one factory."

After more than three years with Patti, Guillen's duties have grown to handling his own project, where he is choosing the hardware, drafting the electrical design and making necessary PLC changes for an electrical panel that will be interacting with new equipment on a factory floor.

Guillen, a Texas A&M University graduate, is among a new generation of Aggie alums in their mid to upper 20s recently hired by Patti. Guillen explained how he thought he needed extensive expertise for his first job. However, Patti emphasized adaptability and problem-solving, which is the mentality Guillen advises manufacturing employers to adopt.

"I guess just put an emphasis on, 'We will train you,'" Guillen said. "Because that is the scariest thing. There's some type of pressure that when you approach a controls engineering job that you must have an extensive knowledge on all of this various hardware and everything  how it works together. So if these manufacturers put more effort into saying, 'Hey, of course, knowledge is preferred, but we want to see what you're capable of once we put you to the test.'"

If you are a member of Gen Z and would like to discuss your experience in the manufacturing industry, please contact Nolan Beilstein at nolan@ien.com.
PETERSBURG  We now know details about the mobile supermarket that Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced at last months Partnership for Petersburg anniversary event.

Goodr Mobile Grocery Store is a 26-foot tractor-trailer that will provide free groceries, including produce and dairy products. Its the result of a partnership between Amazon and the Atlanta-based pop-up market chain to help so-called food deserts like Petersburg that do not have access to many large-chain supermarkets.

The truck will be set up much like a bricks-and-mortar grocery store. Items will be stocked on shelves and in controlled-environment storage.

The truck will be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, including a wheelchair ramp. There also will be resource-room space for private health screenings and social-services consultations.

This photo shows what a typical Goodr Mobile Grocery Store truck looks like. Youngkin administration officials announced Tuesday that a ruck like this will soon be coming to Petersburg to address the city's 'food-desert' issues.

Amazon, Anthem, Bon Secours and Comcast provided generous donations for the mobile market, the governors office said Monday in a statement. In that same statement, Youngkin praised the project as a transformative and cutting-edge solution to tackling food insecurity in not only Petersburg but the entire commonwealth.

No starting date for the Goodr store was immediately announced.

Goodr first launched its mobile markets in Georgia. Petersburg will be its first Virginia venture as well as its first project with Amazons backing.

This new partnership with the Amazon team enables Goodr to offer those same relief services to the many food insecure areas across Virginia, Goodr founder and chief executive officer Jasmine Crowe-Houston said in the statement. We are both excited for this new expansion and grateful to Amazon for continuing to share our vision of ending our nations hunger crisis. Goodr opened its first market in 2017.

When Youngkin announced the mobile market last month, many thought it would be taking the place of a long-speculated grocery store in downtown Petersburg. An administration official told The Progress-Index later that would not be the case, as a grocery store still is planned to anchor the mixed-use development Sycamore Grove on the old Southside Regional Medical Center off South Sycamore Street.

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Food Lion in Walnut Hill and Walmart on South Crater Road are the only major grocery chains within the Petersburg city limits. Speculation about the new grocery store has focused on several without any presence in the immediate Tri-City area such as Kroger or Lidl.

Asked when the announcement of who will occupy that grocery store, the official replied, Soon.

More: Just in time for Halloween: McDonald's Boo Buckets through October, while supplies last

More: 'We're here to celebrate you': NFL Hall of Famers talk with Petersburg students

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Georgia grocery chain brings mobile market to Petersburg
By buying an index fund, investors can approximate the average market return. But if you pick the right individual stocks, you could make more than that. For example, the Gildan Activewear Inc. (TSE:GIL) share price is up 38% in the last three years, clearly besting the market return of around 24% (not including dividends).

Let's take a look at the underlying fundamentals over the longer term, and see if they've been consistent with shareholders returns.

Check out our latest analysis for Gildan Activewear

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 three years of share price growth, Gildan Activewear moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we'd expect the share price to be up.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

It is of course excellent to see how Gildan Activewear has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. This free interactive report on Gildan Activewear's balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

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. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Gildan Activewear, it has a TSR of 46% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

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A Different Perspective

Gildan Activewear shareholders are down 5.3% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 6.9%. 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 2% 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. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Gildan Activewear you should know about.

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 Canadian 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.
With supporters clutching small Palestinian flags behind him and a traditional Palestinian scarf draped over his shoulders, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared at a public rally in Boksburg on Saturday, voicing deep concern about "the atrocities that are unfolding in the Middle East".

Ramaphosa, a former anti-apartheid activist, pledged South Africa would back Palestinians and described them as having withstood Israeli "occupation for almost 75 years".

His remarks sharply contrasted with Washington's unwavering support for Israel in defending its cities and citizens after a surprise assault by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7 led to the deaths of more than 1,300 Israelis - mostly civilians. An unknown number of people, including Americans, were taken hostage.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Since the attack and abductions, Israeli air strikes have killed nearly 2,400 people in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Israel has cut off the flow of food, medicine, water and electricity and asked more than 1 million residents in the north of Gaza to flee south "within 24 hours" as it prepares for a ground offensive.

As the war unfolds, deep divisions have resurfaced between the Washington-led West and the Global South, a newly ascendant geopolitical entity comprising postcolonial and developing countries.

Ramaphosa's South Africa is a key member of this grouping, and has gained influence since joining Brics, an association of leading emerging markets that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Despite the Biden administration calling on the world to stand by its ally Israel, many in the Global South have criticised the Jewish state for occupying Palestinian territory and subjecting Palestinians to apartheid-like discrimination and oppression.

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The defiance comes after the grouping rejected Western pressure to follow its anti-Moscow stance on Russia's invasion last year of Ukraine.

And when Washington rushed air defences and munitions to Israel, Beijing - which presents itself as an alternative to "Western hegemony" - found fault with Israel and called on "all parties to return to the negotiating table".

At the same time, Moscow, Beijing's "no-limits" partner, has squarely targeted the US for failing to deliver on the Palestinians' right to sovereignty.

Experts say the divergent positions will further isolate the West on the global stage and could prove "self-defeating" for its detractors.

Speaking to Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday portrayed China as a potential peace broker.

Wang told his Arab counterpart that Beijing remained engaged in intensive communication with all parties to push for a ceasefire.

China stood ready to work with regional players to bring the Palestinian question back to the right track of the two-state solution so that it can be resolved comprehensively, justly and permanently, Xinhua reported Wang as saying.

He added that Israel's actions have gone beyond self-defence and that its collective punishment for the people in Gaza must stop.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called the crisis a "glaring failure" in Washington's peacemaking efforts, which have paid "little attention to their fundamental issues related to statehood".

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi expressed similar sentiments during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday.

"I'm quite concerned about the reaction," said Sisi of Israel. "They just overextend the right of self-defence, and it turns into a collective punishment of 2.3 million Palestinians."

Indonesia, the most populous country in Southeast Asia, described the occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel as the "root of the conflict" that must be resolved according to United Nations "parameters".

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday said Western officials had been pressuring him to condemn Hamas. "I said that we, as a policy, have a relationship with Hamas from before, and this will continue," he told his country's parliament.

Protesters attend a rally supporting the Palestinian people in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE alt=Protesters attend a rally supporting the Palestinian people in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE>

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who last month pitched himself as a leader of the Global South at the UN General Assembly in New York, last week called for a cessation of "the insanity of war".

His foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, on Friday said Brazil had "received with dismay the news that Israeli forces called for all civilians - more than one million - living in northern Gaza to leave within 24 hours".

India, no stranger to terrorist attacks and recently forging closer ties with Washington as Beijing's stature grows, was quick to convey its solidarity with Israel. However, New Delhi reiterated its support for a two-state solution.

Elizabeth Wishnick of the Virginia-based Centre for Naval Analyses, a federally funded research group, said the latest round of Israel-Palestine conflict would "contribute to the fracturing of the international community".

Observing that China and Russia had teamed up on various issues in opposition to the West to create their "own kind of standards", Wishnick believed the two were drawing "another line" that was "a little bit self-defeating for them".

"It isolates China further from Western countries that they want to engage, especially in Europe", she explained at an Asia Society event on China-Russia relations last week, saying that China and Russia had good ties with Israel "that will be harmed by this".

"Israel was seen as a potential mediator in the Ukraine conflict, for example, and that will be difficult now."

Not calling out Hamas by name is a problem and exposes Beijing's limits on the diplomatic stage, according to Lyle Morris of the Asia Society Policy Institute's Centre for China Analysis.

Demonstrators take part in a pro-Palestinian rally in Cotabato City, in the Philippines, on Monday. Photo: AFP alt=Demonstrators take part in a pro-Palestinian rally in Cotabato City, in the Philippines, on Monday. Photo: AFP>

"It makes China look not very powerful on the world stage as far as bringing some kind of solution to the conflict," said Morris as part of the Asia Society panel.

"It's fine to say both parties need to de-escalate. But it's also important to call out aggression, which is what they were unable to do with Ukraine and Russia" as well as in the current Middle East conflict, he added.

Still others have warned it will be difficult for a politically dysfunctional and divided Washington to counter Moscow and Beijing's rising clout.

"Dysfunction has made American power erratic and unreliable, practically inviting risk-prone autocrats to place dangerous bets - with potentially catastrophic consequences," wrote Robert Gates, a former US defence secretary, in Foreign Policy, a global affairs publication, days before Hamas attacked Israel.

With further military and economic aid to Ukraine on hold amid a looming US government shutdown, along with increasing concerns over Beijing's possible invasion of Taiwan and Israel seeking American help against Hamas, the US Congress will need to dole out more money despite sharp partisan divisions over federal spending.

A stopgap budget to keep the US government open expires on November 15, and it is far from certain when a new speaker of the House will be elected.

Wishnick of CNA said Biden was "working on creative solutions".

"We keep finding errors in Pentagon accounting. And maybe there'll be an error in the State Department accounting, we'll find some money for Ukraine", she added, noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected to visit Israel.

"I don't think that that these are two zero-sum conflicts ... so that's misplaced hope in Beijing and Moscow".

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Bandcamp. (Guillaume Payen / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images)

Indie music hub Bandcamp has laid off half of its employees, less than a month after the announcement that music licensing company Songtradr had purchased the platform from video game publisher Epic Games.

Founded in 2008, Bandcamp is beloved by musicians for its artist-friendly revenue sharing and active fan community. In March 2020, the company launched Bandcamp Friday, which gives artists 100% of profits for sales occurring on the first Friday of every month. Bandcamp Daily, the company's music blog, spotlighted curated new releases and offered features on emerging, independent artists. A number of the site's writers and editors shared news of their dismissal on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"I had 3 years of having my dream job helping artists make records and making vinyl more accessible," said Ava Mirzadegan, a former Bandcamp vinyl representative, in a post. "Im proud of myself for getting here even if all ended like this."

"Unsurprisingly there has been no humanity extended in this process. Our union will prosper though," wrote Atoosa Moinzadeh.

Read more: The anti-Spotify: How online music company Bandcamp became the toast of the COVID age

Bandcamp had operated as an independent company until Epic Games acquired it in 2022. On Sept. 28, Epic Games laid off about 830 employees, or 16% of its staff, and announced it had sold Bandcamp to Songtradr. In an internal email announcing the sale, Epic Games said Songtradr would offer positions to some, but not all, Bandcamp employees.

Jordan Opre, 27, a Bandcamp support specialist based in Seal Beach, said when he and other workers received the internal announcement of the sale, they were caught off guard.

I think overall the collective reaction has been surprised, Opre said in an interview a few days after the sale was announced. Theres just a lot of uncertainty. There hasnt been clear or definite communication in terms of whos getting laid off.

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Bandcamp: extremely profitable company, uniquely beloved of musicians and music fans alike, riding a wave of public goodwill, decides to sell themselves to a billionaire who then dumps them off to another billionaire who now fires half the company https://t.co/YZK3dlTkt7   (@deerhoof) October 16, 2023

The Bandcamp staff reductions were part of the September layoffs initiated by Epic Games. A representative for Songtradr told The Times that 60 of Bandcamp's 118 employees were offered the opportunity to retain their position, and that 58 workers had accepted.

Additionally, the representative told The Times 50% of the core editorial staff would remain on board.

"Over the past few years the operating costs of Bandcamp have significantly increased," said the Songtradr representative. "It required some adjustments to ensure a sustainable and healthy company that can serve its community of artists and fans."

Bandcamp United, a union represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union, formed soon after the sale to Epic Games, as the acquisition sparked internal worries around Bandcamp's future.

The union was recognized in May 2023 and had begun negotiating its first collective bargaining agreement with Epic in August.

"[Bargaining with Epic Games] was actually going all right, compared to some other places we've been bargaining with," said Sandy Pope, OPEIU bargaining director. "It makes you wonder if they knew something was coming and decided it wasn't worth putting up a big fight. You can't sell a company overnight."

Read more: Exhilarating, intimate, fun (and long): Our critics weigh in on 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour'

Songtradr has not officially recognized the Bandcamp United union, which had been demanding Songtradr extend an offer to all employees and provide severance packages to those who declined to stay on board. Because the transaction was an asset sale, Songtradr had no legal requirement to retain employees or recognize the union.

After initial messaging from Songtradr stressed that it would remain "business as usual" in the wake of the sale, however, Pope expressed a feeling of betrayal.

"We got the email from [Songtradr CEO] Paul Wiltshire, saying they intended to keep everything the same, but then you get rid of the people who do the creative and who started it?" she said. "People loved working for Bandcamp. They were gutted by the news today."





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hingham Institution for Savings (NASDAQ:HIFS) Third Quarter 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$11.5m (down 48% from 3Q 2022).

Net income: US$3.30m (down 69% from 3Q 2022).

Profit margin: 28% (down from 47% in 3Q 2022). The decrease in margin was driven by lower revenue.

EPS: US$1.53 (down from US$4.90 in 3Q 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Hingham Institution for Savings shares are down 14% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Before we wrap up, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Hingham Institution for Savings that you should be aware of.

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



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

The projected fair value for IJM Corporation Berhad is RM3.65 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of RM1.90 suggests IJM Corporation Berhad is potentially 48% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 86% higher than IJM Corporation Berhad's analyst price target of RM1.96

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of IJM Corporation Berhad (KLSE:IJM) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. 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 IJM Corporation Berhad

The Method

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.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM503.5m RM749.1m RM989.3m RM1.18b RM1.34b RM1.49b RM1.62b RM1.74b RM1.85b RM1.95b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ 18.88% Est @ 14.28% Est @ 11.06% Est @ 8.81% Est @ 7.23% Est @ 6.13% Est @ 5.35% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 13% RM446 RM587 RM687 RM723 RM731 RM719 RM693 RM658 RM618 RM577

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM6.4b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 13%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM1.9b (1 + 3.6%)  (13% 3.6%) = RM21b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM21b ( 1 + 13%)10= RM6.4b

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 RM13b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM1.9, the company appears quite undervalued at a 48% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at IJM Corporation Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 13%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.377. 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 IJM Corporation Berhad

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Construction market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. 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 higher than the current share price? For IJM Corporation Berhad, there are three further items you should further research:

Risks: For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for IJM Corporation Berhad that you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does IJM's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

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



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
papa1266/Getty Images

Sources told Reuters that India was getting less comfortable using China's yuan to buy Russian oil.

Reuters reported at least seven oil shipments from Russia had not been paid by India.

Settling trade in yuan is more costly  India must convert rupees into Hong Kong dollars and then yuan.

India's government signaled more unease about using the Chinese yuan for Russian oil imports, causing payments to be postponed on a number of crude deliveries, sources told Reuters.

Although Russian firms were continuing to deliver crude supply, the report said, seven cargoes had yet to be paid for, and India's state-owned refiners were seeking yuan alternatives.

Part of the reason stems from the increased costs that come with using the yuan, as Indian refiners must first convert their rupees into Hong Kong dollars and then yuan. The mechanism is 2% to 3% costlier than using the UAE's dirham, a currency India has shown a preference for.

Added to that, some in India see the yuan's use as a boost for China, which is at geopolitical odds with New Delhi. The two countries continue to dispute over their border, with troops clashing last year.

While India is this year's leading importer of Russia's seaborne oil exports, trade between the two countries has been plagued by currency dilemmas for a while.

Using the rupee in Indian-Russian trade is unlikely to generate any support in Moscow, as the country has already amassed billions of dollars worth of rupees it has been unable to repatriate. The currency stockpile is so large one former Kremlin official blamed it for the Russian ruble's crash this year.

Though India had previously traded with Russia in US dollars, the fear of Western sanctions helped push its turn to the yuan earlier this year. That's as Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year has put its exports under international scrutiny.

India has also used the dirham to avoid Western restrictions and trading price caps, but Russian traders have shown a strong preference for the Chinese currency.

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It has yet to be determined whether India's government is actively withholding the cargo payments  some have been pending since late September. But New Delhi is skittish about the yuan's use.

"It is not banned, and if a private firm has yuan to settle its trade, the government will not stop it, but it will neither encourage nor facilitate such trade," a finance ministry official told Reuters.

India continues to be a key buyer of Russian crude, importing 1.78 million barrels a day last month, Bloomberg reported. Shipments of oil to India surged 15% in September, having momentarily dipped in August.

Read the original article on Business Insider
On October 13, 2023, Chief Information Officer Thomas Frank sold 26,376 shares of Interactive Brokers Group Inc (NASDAQ:IBKR). This transaction is part of a series of insider sells by Frank over the past year, totaling 704,068 shares sold and no shares purchased.



Thomas Frank is a key figure at Interactive Brokers Group Inc, serving as the Chief Information Officer. His role involves overseeing the company's information technology strategy, ensuring the company's technology resources are aligned with its business needs.



Interactive Brokers Group Inc is a leading automated global electronic broker that specializes in executing and clearing trades in securities, futures, and foreign exchange instruments. The company serves individual investors, hedge funds, proprietary trading groups, financial advisors, and introducing brokers. Its four principal lines of business are Market Making, Electronic Brokerage, eBrokerage, and Clearing.



The insider's recent sell has raised some eyebrows, especially considering the lack of insider buys over the past year. The insider transaction history for Interactive Brokers Group Inc shows zero insider buys and 64 insider sells over the past year.



Insider Sell: Thomas Frank Sells 26,376 Shares of Interactive Brokers Group Inc

The trend of insider selling could be a cause for concern for potential investors. However, it's important to note that insider selling does not necessarily indicate a lack of confidence in the company. Insiders may sell shares for personal reasons or to diversify their investment portfolio.



On the day of the insider's recent sell, shares of Interactive Brokers Group Inc were trading for $85.71 apiece, giving the stock a market cap of $9.19 billion. The price-earnings ratio is 17.54, which is lower than the industry median of 18.32 and lower than the companys historical median price-earnings ratio.



Insider Sell: Thomas Frank Sells 26,376 Shares of Interactive Brokers Group Inc

According to the GuruFocus Value, which is an intrinsic value estimate based on historical multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future estimates of business performance, Interactive Brokers Group Inc is modestly undervalued. With a price of $85.71 and a GuruFocus Value of $101.73, the stock has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.84.



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In conclusion, while the insider's recent sell and the trend of insider selling at Interactive Brokers Group Inc may raise some concerns, the company's valuation suggests that the stock is modestly undervalued. Investors should consider these factors along with the company's financial performance and market conditions when making investment decisions.



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.


Global guest amenity leader Groupe GM has unveiled a partnership with Trussardi, a leading Italian lifestyle brand, to introduce an amenity collection that is a harmonious blend of luxury, sustainability, and Italian flair.

Trussardi's journey from a leather glove manufacturer in 1911 to a symbol of elegant yet contemporary Milanese lifestyle is a story of innovation and reverence. Under Nicola Trussardi's visionary leadership in the 1970s, the brand expanded into leather goods, accessories, and ready-to-wear clothing, making luxury and elegance accessible to all.

The house chose the Italian greyhound to symbolise its unique blend of heritage and modernity, and expanded its presence across lifestyle territories through collaborations, inclusive public fashion shows in iconic locations, and immersive experiences.

With the recent reopening of Palazzo Trussardi alla Scala in Milan, a pioneering concept store first opened in 1996, Trussardis legacy of iconoclasm and innovation continues until today.

Sophistication Meets Sustainability

The new Trussardi hotel line is a testament to elegance, environmental consciousness, and contemporary design.

Inspired by the brands universe, the line design is a set of neutral tones with minimalist graphics that makes it exclusive and timeless. A signature fragrance infuses the range with an alluring woody floral musk scent profile. With bright citrus top notes, iris and jasmine heart notes, and base notes of cedarwood and musk, the line encapsulates the essence of sophisticated elegance.

The line features 30ml tubes from sugar cane and 100% recycled plastic bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion, affirming the attention to detail and environmental consciousness. A 20g engraved white soap completes the line.

In a creative embrace of sustainable design, the line includes the 400ml Ghost dispenser of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, hair and body gel, and liquid soap. Aligned with Groupe GM's Care about Earth programme, this large format dispenser is made of recycled plastic and is mounted on a hidden rail, creating an illusion of levitation.

To complete the line, the Trussardi shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, hair & body gel, and liquid soap also come in 400ml Ecofill pouches. Ecofill is a long lasting tinted transparent dispenser that can be safely refilled with sealed pouches, made with only 8gm of plastic, which guarantees minimum packaging and cosmetic traceability, being a clean, secure, and easy solution with minimal environmental impact.

A wall bracket is available in stainless steel or ABS recyclable plastic that can be fastened to the wall using two screws or double-sided adhesive tape, or even an aluminium base in black or silver.

With this collaboration, Groupe GM and Trussardi reaffirm a shared commitment to social responsibility and sustainability without compromising luxury and style. This collection is more than a product line, it is a declaration of progressive values and an invitation to indulge in Italian elegance with a conscience.

Care About Earth Programme

The new Trussardi line is fully compliant with Groupe GMs Care About Earth programme, which aims to reduce the impact of its products on the environment and contribute to sustainability to protect the planet for many generations to come.

As an eco-responsible amenities supplier, Groupe GM consistently prioritizes using plastics made from sugar cane, recycled plastics and sourcing responsible raw materials. By choosing the eco-design way, Groupe GM offers hoteliers sustainable solutions and helps to guide them in their eco-friendly transition.

President of Groupe GM, Laurent Marchand, said: We are delighted to work with an iconic lifestyle and fashion brand like Trussardi to introduce more eco-friendly amenities to our clients, all while meeting the level of luxury and quality that they expect from Groupe GM. Like the Trussardi vision, we at Groupe GM, are constantly striving for creativity, quality and innovation. This line deeply reflects our core values and will enable hotels worldwide to pamper their guests with expertly fragranced amenities. - TradeArabia News Service
On October 13, 2023, Van Beckwith, the Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of Halliburton Co (NYSE:HAL), sold 5,000 shares of the company. This move is part of a trend for the insider, who over the past year has sold a total of 40,020 shares and purchased none.



Insider Sell: Van Beckwith Sells 5,000 Shares of Halliburton Co





Halliburton Co is one of the world's largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. The company serves the upstream oil and gas industry throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir - from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production through the life of the field.



The insider's recent sell comes at a time when the stock is trading at $42.84 per share, giving the company a market cap of $38.062 billion. The price-earnings ratio stands at 15.57, higher than the industry median of 9.12 but lower than the companys historical median price-earnings ratio.



Insider Sell: Van Beckwith Sells 5,000 Shares of Halliburton Co





According to the GuruFocus Value, which is an intrinsic value estimate based on historical multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future estimates of business performance, Halliburton Co is modestly overvalued. The stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio is 1.12, with a GF Value of $38.22.



The insider transaction history for Halliburton Co shows no insider buys over the past year, but there have been 24 insider sells. This could indicate that insiders believe the stock is overvalued at its current price. However, investors should also consider other factors such as the company's financial health, future growth prospects, and overall market conditions before making investment decisions.



In conclusion, the recent sell by the insider, Van Beckwith, could be a signal to investors to reevaluate the stock's current valuation. However, as always, a single insider transaction should not be used as a sole indicator for investment decisions, and a comprehensive analysis of the company and the market is recommended.



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.


(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden travels to Israel with tensions high after an explosion at a Gaza hospital killed hundreds of people. Oil rallied following the blast and Arab leaders canceled a planned summit with Biden on Wednesday, complicating his push to contain a conflict that threatens to engulf the region.

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Biden said he was outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion and added that he had asked my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened. Hamas and Israels army traded accusations over who was to blame.

Hamas  designated a terrorist group by the US and Europe  called it the result of an Israeli airstrike, while Israels army said the hospital was struck in a failed missile attack by Palestinian militants. Anti-Israel protests broke out in several major cities around the region.

For more on the Israel-Hamas war, click here.

Oil Rallies as Hospital Blast Ratchets Up Tensions (4:29 a.m.)

West Texas Intermediate rose above $88 a barrel after a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital boosted tensions in the Middle East before President Joe Bidens arrival in the region. Oil swung by more than $2 on Tuesday.

The global oil market has been rocked by the crisis. Traders are on alert in case the fighting spreads beyond Gaza, potentially embroiling Iran, which supports Hamas. A wider conflict could endanger crude flows, further tightening what was an already-stretched oil market following months of OPEC+ supply cuts.

Iran has already warned of the scope for escalation of the conflict, saying earlier this week that such an outcome was becoming inevitable.

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Biden Scraps Trip to Jordan (1:25 a.m.)

The decision to scrap Bidens trip to Jordan was made after consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced following an explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed hundreds of people, according to a White House official.

Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi announced earlier Tuesday said the proposed summit between Biden, Abdullah, Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had been canceled, saying the decision was taken by mutual consent after reports that more than 500 people were killed in the blast at a hospital in Gaza.

Hundreds Killed in Gaza Hospital Strike (11:30 p.m.)

The Gaza Health Ministry said that at least 200 people had died in the hospital bombing. Officials from the ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory told Al Jazeera television that the toll is 500, which would make it the deadliest attack since the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel.

The Israeli military said the hospital was hit in an attempted missile strike by a Gaza-based militant group. The Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed launch that hit the hospital, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, citing intelligence from several sources. Turkey and Egypt were among countries to condemn the attack and blame Israel for it. The Pentagon said it didnt immediately have information about who was responsible.

US Says It Doesnt Have All the Facts on Gaza Hospital (10:15 p.m.)

The US doesnt have all the facts about what happened at the Gaza hospital where officials in the Hamas-controlled territory say hundreds were killed by an Israeli airstrike, said Pentagon Deputy Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh.

I dont know who was responsible, Singh told reporters. As we learn more, that will inform conversations. She said that the US expects Israel, like other allies or partners, to uphold the law of war.

Egypt, Turkey Condemn Hospital Strike in Gaza (9:45 p.m.)

Egypts Foreign Ministry condemned what it said was an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza hospital as a violation of international law, and called on Israel to halt strikes near the border between Gaza and Egypt.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the strike and called for action to stop Israels unprecedented brutality in Gaza.

Gaza Officials Say Hundreds Killed in Airstrike on Hospital (8:15 p.m.)

Hundreds of Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike that hit a Gaza City hospital, according to officials in the Hamas-controlled territory, in what would make it the deadliest bombing since Oct. 7. Israeli officials said they could not immediately confirm that the hospital was hit by an air strike.

Officials at the Gaza Health Ministry said at least 200 people were killed, and a spokesman for the ministry told Al Jazeera the casualty toll may be 500.

The Anglican-run Al-Ahli Arab Hospital was housing thousands of displaced Palestinians who fled the Israeli bombing in east Gaza City. Hamas said it fired a long-range rocket toward Israels north in response to the bombing at Al-Ahli hospital.

UN Chief Guterres Heads to Egypt for Aid Talks (7:30 p.m.)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will travel to Egypt to meet senior leaders as the world body looks to get vital supplies into the Gaza Strip. In order to move humanitarian aid through Gaza, we need safe passage, his spokesman said. That will be part of the secretary-generals discussions.

The UN Security Council late Monday rejected a draft resolution led by Russia, which would have called for a cease-fire and the release of hostages, but was criticized for failing to clearly condemn Hamas. Five of 15 council members voted for the proposal.

Israel May Get Debt Rating Cut By Fitch on Conflict (7:15 p.m.)

Israels issuer rating for long-term debt was placed on Rating Watch Negative by Fitch, signaling a possible cut in the nations A+ credit grade.

Fitch said its unlikely that a relatively short conflict largely confined to Gaza will affect Israels rating, but it cited heightened risks of a wider or more prolonged war that could result in significant additional military spending as well as damage to infrastructure, putting pressure on credit metrics.

US Puts 2,000 Troops on Alert, Extends Carrier Deployment (6:50 p.m.)

The US put 2,000 troops on heightened alert and extended the deployment of an aircraft carrier in the Middle East, the Pentagon said, as it builds forces in the region in what officials say is a bid to deter other countries from widening the war.

The US also is sending an amphibious task force of more than 4,000 sailors and Marines toward Israel, where theyll be positioned aboard warships in case the conflict with Hamas expands, the Washington Post reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The growing US presence in the eastern Mediterranean will include two aircraft carriers and their escort ships.

Scholz Pledges Unwavering Support During Tel Aviv Visit (6:30 p.m.)

Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated Germanys unwavering support for Israel at a joint news conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following talks in Tel Aviv.

Scholz said the two leaders had discussed improved humanitarian access to Gaza and pledged that his government would work to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. The German leader will travel on to Egypt for a meeting with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Wednesday.

Israel in Talks With Musks Starlink (4:37 p.m.)

Israel said on Tuesday its in talks with Elon Musks SpaceX to set up a Starlink satellite network to bolster wartime communications ahead of an expected ground incursion into the Gaza Strip.

The Communications Ministry said the network would allow Israeli towns near the frontlines to have continuous internet service. Israel is also weighing a possible cut-off of all internet and phone services in Gaza, the spokesman said.

Israel Says Working to Allow Civilian Exit Through Rafah (11:28 a.m.)

Mark Regev, an adviser to Netanyahu, said Israel is working with international stakeholders to allow civilians to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing that connects the territory with Egypt. He didnt elaborate on whether all civilians would be allows out or only foreign nationals.

The opening of Rafah was supposed to happen yesterday. We worked with relevant parties to make that happen yesterday. But unfortunately, Hamas prevented that from happening and they closed their side of the closing, Regev told Bloomberg Radio.

Aid Trucks Held Up Near Egypt-Gaza Crossing (10:19 a.m.)

A convoy of humanitarian aid is still unable to enter Gaza, Khaled Zayed, chairman of the Red Crescent in Egypts North Sinai, told Al-Arabiya. The TV channel aired footage of dozens of trucks backed up near the Rafah border.

Mark Regev earlier told Times Radio in the UK that the crossing will open to allow foreign nationals to leave, with Israel seeking guarantees incoming aid wont be commandeered to support Hamas.

Israel Strikes in South Gaza, AP Says (8:50 a.m.)

Palestinians said thered been heavy Israeli bombing in southern Gaza, the part of the besieged territory where Israel had told civilians to seek refuge, the Associated Press reported.

Israeli bombs struck sites west and southeast of Khan Younis and west of Rafah, the crossing to Egypt where thousands of people have massed to try and get out of Gaza, the agency said, citing local reports.

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Top U.S. law firm Davis Polk announced in an internal email that it had rescinded letters of employment for three law students at Harvard and Columbia universities who it believed were tied to organizational statements about Israel, one of the latest responses to open letters from university groups about the Israel-Hamas conflict that have roiled university donors, employers, alumni and students.

These statements are simply contrary to our firms values and we thus concluded that rescinding these offers was appropriate in upholding our responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive work environment for all Davis Polk employees, said the email, signed by Neil Barr.

Small-business lawyer Joseph Gerstel posted a screenshot of the email Tuesday on LinkedIn. A Davis Polk representative confirmed it as authentic.

Barr went on to write, At this time, we remain in dialogue with two of these students to ensure that any further color being offered to us by these students is considered.

A representative of Davis Polk pointed to a statement that was included in the email: The views expressed in certain of the statements signed by law school student organizations in recent days are in direct contravention of our firms value system. For this reason and to ensure we continue to maintain a supportive and inclusive work environment, the student leaders responsible for signing on to these statements are no longer welcome in our firm; and their offers of employment have thus been rescinded.

The representative did not immediately respond to a question about how the firm identified the students as having signed the statements.

The identities of the students were not revealed in the email, which did not specify which statements the students allegedly signed. A series of public statements supporting Palestinians and blaming Israel for the recent Israel-Hamas conflict has created a firestorm on college campuses and in corporate America since last week.

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On Oct. 10, The Harvard Crimson, one of the universitys student-run news publications, reported that more than 30 Harvard student groups signed on to a letter that said they held Israel entirely responsible for all unfolding violence in the conflict, which came after a surprise Hamas attack on Israel killed over 1,300 people. Since the letter was published, numerous CEOs, business leaders and a federal judge have responded by cutting ties with the university, calling for the identifications of students involved with the letter or saying they would not hire the students involved.

Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman posted on X that he would like to know which students signed the Harvard statement so I know never to hire these people.

Same, EasyHealth CEO David Duel wrote on X, replying to Neman.

FabFitFun CEO Michael Broukhim echoed them, and in a post on X he wrote, Discriminating against terrorist supporters is the most comically easy decision Ill ever have to make as a CEO.

Judge Matthew Solomson of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims also reportedly made a statement on LinkedIn that he would not let any of the students who signed on to the statements clerk for him.

Prominent donors have also cut ties with Harvard over the statement, including the Wexner Foundation  co-founded by Leslie Wexner, the former CEO of Victorias Secret.

The Harvard Crimson reported last week that at least four online websites have revealed the identities and personal information of students in groups that signed the statement. The Harvard student group that issued the statement has removed the list of organizations that signed on to it.

Harvard President Claudine Gay pushed back against the students statement, writing in her own statement to the Crimson on Oct. 10 that no student group  not even 30 student groups  speaks for Harvard University or its leadership.

Student groups at other Ivy League universities, including Columbia University, issued similar joint statements in support of Palestinians.

A week previously, another prominent New York City law firm, Winston & Strawn, announced it had rescinded a former summer associates letter of employment over inflammatory comments that were distributed to the NYU Student Bar Association.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Key Insights

PostNL's estimated fair value is 1.93 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With 1.90 share price, PostNL appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

The 1.93 analyst price target for PNLis comparable to our estimate of fair value.

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of PostNL N.V. (AMS:PNL) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's 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 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 want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for PostNL

Is PostNL Fairly Valued?

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 41.9m 62.9m 66.9m 69.7m 71.8m 73.5m 74.8m 75.9m 76.7m 77.5m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ 4.18% Est @ 3.09% Est @ 2.32% Est @ 1.78% Est @ 1.41% Est @ 1.14% Est @ 0.96% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 7.9% 38.8 54.0 53.3 51.5 49.2 46.7 44.1 41.4 38.9 36.4

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 454m

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 0.5%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 77m (1 + 0.5%)  (7.9% 0.5%) = 1.1b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 1.1b ( 1 + 7.9%)10= 499m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 953m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 1.9, the company appears about fair value at a 1.7% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at PostNL as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.465. 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 PostNL

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Logistics market.

Opportunity

Expected to breakeven next year.

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For PostNL, we've put together three essential factors you should consider:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 2 warning signs for PostNL (1 is a bit concerning!) we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does PNL'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.
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council

DR. ALI (CEO MHTC) - Tight Shot

Dr Mohamed Ali Abu Bakar, joins Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council as Chief Executive Officer on 16 October 2023.

DR. ALI (CEO MHTC) - Full Shot

Dr Mohamed Ali Abu Bakar, joins Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council as Chief Executive Officer on 16 October 2023.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mohamed Ali Abu Bakar, effective 16th October 2023.



Dr. Ali will be spearheading all aspects of MHTCs operations, ensuring its commitment to facilitating and promoting the nations healthcare travel industry. With his vast experience and leadership, he brings a fresh take to Malaysia Healthcares growth, furthering Malaysias vision to be the trusted and leading global healthcare destination.

In his position as the new CEO, Dr. Ali will continue to build strategic and valuable partnerships with stakeholders in both private and public sectors at home and abroad. Under his leadership, Malaysia Healthcare will remain committed to building the Malaysia Healthcare brand and simultaneously raising Malaysias profile as a safe and trusted provider of quality healthcare for across the globe.

Dr. Ali has 28 years experience in C suite positions, specialising in Strategic, Financial, Digital, and operational turnaround of companies. The businesses that he had managed range from high tech equipment including medical, Hospital Management, Merger and Acquisition, Start-ups, Rapid turnaround of distressed assets, Clinical Research, Software development management, Digital Transformation, and nurturing Cross Border partnership into successful local operations. He has extensive experience in Health tourism from the early days of working with Malaysia Tourism Board, subsequently during his tenure in Pantai Holdings and more recently whilst he was the Group COO in Vinmec, Vietnam. He is trained in medicine, has an active practicing license, and furthered his studies in management and Islamic Finance.

To learn more about Malaysia Healthcare and its services, please visit https://malaysiahealthcare.org or visit our social feeds at: www.facebook.com/MHTCMalaysia or at LinkedIn (Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council).

Story continues

For media enquiries:

Tutie Ismail

Vice President

Communications

Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council

tutie@mhtc.org.my Chandrika Bhaskaran

Senior Manager

Public Relations & Content Communications

Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council

chandrika.b@mhtc.org.my

ABOUT THE MALAYSIA HEALTHCARE TRAVEL COUNCIL

The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) is a government agency under the Ministry of Health Malaysia that has been entrusted with the responsibility of curating the countrys healthcare travel scene, making it a key export service industry. Founded in 2009, MHTC works to streamline industry players and service providers in facilitating and growing Malaysias healthcare travel industry under the brand Malaysia Healthcare with the intended goal of making Malaysia the leading global healthcare destination. MHTC works closely with over 90 private healthcare facilities in Malaysia, who are registered members of MHTC.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fc2a99a8-d29c-4bd7-9316-24781e865115

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/565da5a5-dada-476c-93ea-794a53ef2b98




The venture capitalist Marc Andreessen Stuart Isett/Fortune Global Forum

VC Marc Andreessen wrote a lengthy missive this week, titled "The Techno-Optimist Manifesto."

The billionaire investor denounced efforts to regulate technology and AI.

The tech industry was quick to react to Andreessen's comments on social media.

It wouldn't be a Marc Andreessen essay if the internet didn't lose its mind over it.

That's what happened Monday when the billionaire venture capitalist dropped a lengthy manifesto that decries efforts to regulate technology and the full-blown moral panic around artificial intelligence. Rather, technology, he wrote, can solve for "any material problem" under the sun and herald a new era of "abundance for everyone."

"Typical boneheaded straw man setup that EVERYONE but the fine minds of tech elite hate the future. Most of us are both excited and wary  given the cost so far  about tech and that is how adults behave," tech journalist Kara Swisher said on X, speaking for the everyman.

Andreessen's screed clocks in at 5,200 words, but it's one section in particular that has other investors, artificial-intelligence alarmists, and journalists up in arms.

In a section titled "enemies," Andreessen warned of "zombie ideas" stemming from the past that have turned humanity against the very technologies he invests in.

These ideas go by pseudonyms, he wrote, such as "sustainability," "ESG," "social responsibility," "trust and safety," "tech ethics," and "risk management," touching on one of the most contentious debates in tech over the industry's obligations to society.

The bit went viral after investigative journalist Ben Collins tweeted a quote from the essay, which published on Substack and A16z's website. Andreessen's missive went out the same day that the Securities and Exchange Commission released an annual report on its priorities when inspecting firms for compliance with agency rules. It noticeably removed ESG, which stands for environmental, social, and governance matters, as a focus for examinations in 2024, three years after the standards first appeared.

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The backlash to Andreessen's essay was swift. German tech ethicist Dorothea Baur said on X she couldn't decide whether she should "laugh or cry." Cameron Moll, a former head of design at Facebook, tweeted as a father he's concerned that technology without regulation "is a recipe for regret, remorse, and ruin." Gary Marcus, one of the leading voices of AI skeptics, chastised the investor for dismissing anyone who disagrees with him as the enemy.

"The very idea that the world might focus on sustainable development goals for the sake of the less fortunate puts him in absolute agony," Marcus wrote of Andreessen.

Others still praised the investor for saying aloud what's discussed behind closed doors.

"Marc Andreessen is brave enough to say what most of us can't," Aravind Srinivas, the cofounder and chief executive of Perplexity AI, a search engine startup backed by A16z, tweeted. "He is pushing for a technocratic world. And raising and allocating capital to make it happen."

A spokesperson for A16z declined to comment on the criticism swirling around Andreessen's post.

'I present to you, moral hazard'

Andreessen's mug is etched on the Mount Rushmore of Silicon Valley. He runs one of the biggest venture capital firms by assets and perceived importance. Its successful early bets on crypto inspired a generation of venture investors to pump money into the industry, that is, before the bursting of the crypto bubble sent them packing.

In his tweet, the journalist Collins noted that the firm Andreessen Horowitz has dialed back the hoopla around crypto investing and taken a stronger interest in American military and defense contractor technology this year.

The essay laid bare an awkward truth: The venture capital ecosystem seeds companies using technology to build a better world, but its primary goal is to create profits for the public pensions, university endowments, hospitals, and wealthy families that invest in its funds.

Perhaps the most scathing rebuke came from Del Johnson, a former principal at Backstage Capital and now angel investor and limited partner in venture funds. In a tweet, he pointed to the March bank run at Silicon Valley Bank, which Johnson has previously blamed on the VCs who urged founders to withdraw their deposits, as evidence of the need for regulators to wrest control from investors.

"Venture capitalists are calling risk management 'the enemy' just over half a year after the industry was screaming for the government to rescue their failing bank," Johnson wrote. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, moral hazard."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Mexico has been conducting its annual oil-export hedging program, one of the crude markets largest such undertakings, according to people with knowledge of the transactions.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The hedging process  in which Mexico buys put options that allow it to sell crude at a pre-determined price  is likely close to completion or already over, according to the people, including those involved in the deals in the past. The Latin American country has been targeting price levels of about $80 a barrel, two of the people said.

The program has become increasingly guarded in recent years as the country tries to block the market from front-running the trades, and the nation has even branded the hedge a state secret. The players involved in the deal have also changed, with banks seeing a smaller slice of the business compared to oil majors, traders said.

The finance ministry didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

The so-called Hacienda hedge has historically been among the largest in the oil market, valued at about $1 billion. However, Mexico has sought to cut down its exports as part of a strategy by the nationalist government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to reach self-sufficiency in the domestic fuels market.

Signs of the hedging process first appeared in August, when a monthslong decline in volatility suddenly stopped, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Volatility has since steadily ticked higher, though that move has also been fueled by a period of oil-market turbulence that has seen prices quickly bounce between roughly $85 and $100 a barrel.

Last year, Mexico locked in an oil-hedge program for 2023 that protected the countrys revenue if prices for its crude decline below $68.70 per barrel, Deputy Finance Minister Gabriel Yorio said at the time.

Story continues

--With assistance from Max de Haldevang.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Microsoft and Mercy collaborate to empower clinicians to transform patient care with generative AI.

Dr. AI will see you now.

Microsoft Corp. and Mercy, its hospitals, urgent care centers and clinics, are collaborating on the use of artificial intelligence and other digital technology to give doctors, nurses and other health care providers more time with patients.

Immediate uses include AI-assisted communication of lab results and other patient information, appointment scheduling and recommendations for patients to pursue, and, for Mercy employees, AI-assisted HR and information on Mercy poliicies and procedures.

What's next in health care is now, said Peter Lee, corporate vice president of research and incubations at Microsoft.

With the latest advances in generative AI, this moment marks a true phase change where emerging capabilities can help healthcare organizations address some of their most pressing challenges, create needed efficiency and transform care, Lee said in a news release.

Generative AI is a form of artificial intelligence that can generate text, graphics, images and videos in seconds.

"Generative AI starts with a prompt that could be in the form of a text, an image, a video, a design, musical notes, or any input that the AI system can process," according to TechTarget, an online technology news and information site. "Various AI algorithms then return new content in response to the prompt. Content can include essays, solutions to problems, or realistic fakes created from pictures or audio of a person."

St. Louis-based Mercy "has a reputation for ongoing innovation and  through our years working together  has been a leader in the industry in creating an intelligent data platform on which to launch this kind of transformation," he said.

AI: Call it 'artificial intelligence' or 'augmented intelligence,' Mercy says it's 'just the beginning'

Microsoft and Mercy collaborate to empower clinicians to transform patient care with generative AI.

In addition to acute care hospitals in Oklahoma City, at 4300 W Memorial Road and 5200 E Interstate 240 Service Road, Mercy has two rehabilitation hospitals, 10 Mercy GoHealth Urgent Care Centers, and 60 clinics in the OKC metro area from Edmond to Norman and from Yukon to Midwest City.

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"This is just the beginning, and its inspiring to see Mercys leadership adopting these tools to empower physicians, providers, nurses and all clinicians to improve patient care, Lee said.

If you are fearful of AI, don't be, although skepticism about any new technology is healthy, said Joe Kelly, executive vice president and chief transformation officer for Mercy in Oklahoma City. He said that in the Mercy organization AI is called "augmented intelligence" rather than "artificial intelligence" because it's more accurate.

"We're pursuing this very carefully. We've done a lot of tests on this," Kelly told The Oklahoman. He said Microsoft approached Mercy because of its experience and reputation for patient data security. Data stays in a "private cloud," he said. "Our data does not leave Mercy."

Mercy says using artificial intelligence is an answer to the healthcare labor shortage

Microsoft and Mercy collaborate to empower clinicians to transform patient care with generative

Giving health care practitioners a way to pass off administrative tasks will not only free up time for spending with patients, but will help medicine deal with the health care labor shortage, which with boomers aging has been a long time coming but was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The country faces a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, including 48,000 primary care physicians," according to Healthcaredive.com, citing statistics from according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. "Hospitals are currently facing shortages of registered nurses as burnout and other factors drive them to other roles."

Mercy says it will use artificial intelligence immediately to improve care

Microsoft and Mercy collaborate to empower clinicians to transform patient care with generative AI.

Mercy said it plans to use Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to improve care in several immediate new ways:

"Patients will have the information to better understand their lab results and engage in more informed discussions about their health with their provider through the help of generative AI-assisted communication. Patients will be empowered to get answers in simple, conversational language."

"Mercy will apply generative AI when taking patient calls for actions like scheduling appointments. Beyond the initial call, the AI solution will provide recommendations for additional follow-up actions to make sure all the patients needs are met during a single interaction, limiting the need for follow-up calls."

"A chatbot for Mercy coworkers will help quickly find important information about Mercy policies and procedures, and locate HR-related answers such as information on benefits or leave requirements. By helping nurses and co-workers find the information they need more quickly, they can spend more time on patient care."

Mercy says it is exploring dozens of uses for AI

Microsoft and Mercy collaborate to empower clinicians to transform patient care with generative AI. PROVIDED by MERCY

Kelly said numerous uses for AI will be launched in 2024.

Because of all the investments we have made together with Microsoft in the past few years, including the use of Microsofts secure cloud, we are better positioned to perform real-time clinical decision-making that ultimately improves patient care, Kelly said. With Microsoft, we are exploring more than four dozen uses of AI and will launch multiple new AI use cases by the middle of next year to transform care and experiences for patients and co-workers. This is predictive, proactive and personalized care at its best.

Steve Mackin, Mercys president and CEO, said, Mercy and Microsoft are creating a new path for health systems in which we are working shoulder to shoulder to combine our 200-year heritage in health care and Microsofts extensive expertise in cloud and AI to enhance care for the patients we serve and improve the working experience for our physicians, advanced providers, nurses and all co-workers.

"By using technology in new and secure ways, we innovate better health care for all.

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Microsoft and Mercy collaborate to empower clinicians to transform patient care with generative AI.

Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Real Estate with Richard Mize. You can support Richard's work, and that of his colleagues, by purchasing a digital subscription to The Oklahoman. Right now, you can get 6 months of subscriber-only access for $1.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Microsoft, Mercy hospitals using AI to improve patient care
Partnerships with Device Technologies and TRM Korea will strengthen Symani Surgical Systems entrance into the worlds fastest-growing surgical robotics market

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., October 17, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MMI, (Medical Microinstruments, Inc.), a robotics company dedicated to increasing treatment options and improving clinical outcomes for patients with complex conditions, today announced that it will continue its global momentum with two distribution agreements covering nearly a dozen countries in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The first partnership, with Device Technologies, will help to introduce the Symani Surgical System to Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Macau, and New Zealand, upon applicable regulatory approvals, as well as Australia, where it recently received approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The other partnership, with TRM Korea, will facilitate the systems entry into South Korea upon regulatory approval and will introduce microsurgical robotic technology to interested surgeons and hospitals.

The Symani Surgical System is a first-of-its-kind robotic technology that uniquely addresses the scale and complexities of microsurgery and supermicrosurgery. By allowing surgeons to replicate the natural movements of the human hand at the micro scale, it can expand treatment options for patients in need of soft tissue open surgical procedures, such as free flap reconstructions, lymphatic surgery, and trauma reconstructions. It is designed to help restore quality of life for more patients, accelerate the number of surgeons able to push the boundaries of complex procedures for delicate anatomy, and enable hospitals to expand their open surgical programs.

"Through our new partnerships in Asia Pacific, we have established roots that will ultimately help us expand patient access to robotic microsurgical and supermicrosurgical capability in a region of the world with clear demand for the technology," said Matt Lemay, VP of Asia Pacific of MMI. "Surgeons from the APAC region have long been at the forefront of innovation in microsurgery, and we look forward to helping further those capabilities with the Symani Surgical System. As we advance our mission of increasing treatment options for patients with complex conditions, we are enthusiastic about our global progress and look forward to continuing our momentum in APAC and beyond."

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Device Technologies has provided healthcare professionals access to innovative, high quality medical devices, including leading robotics solutions, for over 30 years. They will open a new research and education center for robotic microsurgery with a premier medical institution as part of their partnership with MMI. The center will represent the first site in Central Asia where interested surgeons can learn more about the system.

"MMI and the Symani Surgical System are well aligned with our core mission to provide physicians and healthcare facilities with solutions that can drive improved patient outcomes," said Heath Priestly, Managing Director at Device Technologies. "Originating in Australia, we have broadened our presence throughout the Asia Pacific region, establishing expertise and strong connections. We are eager to use our footprint to support MMIs health system partnerships across the region and further increase patient access to sophisticated surgical techniques for complex conditions."

TRM is the largest microsurgery company in South Korea and a pioneer in the medical technology and innovation space. They are collaborating with a world-renowned medical institution to open their own education center where surgeons will have the opportunity for informational sessions and hands-on learning about the Symani Surgical System.

To learn more about MMI, visit https://mmimicro.com.

About MMI

MMI (Medical Microinstruments, Inc.) is on a mission to advance robotic technology that pushes the limits of soft tissue open surgery and opens new opportunities for surgeons to restore quality of life for more patients with complex conditions. The company was founded in 2015 near Pisa, Italy, and its proprietary Symani Surgical System combines the worlds smallest wristed microinstruments with tremor-reducing and motion-scaling technologies to address significant unmet patient needs across the globe. This first-of-its-kind surgical robotic platform for open, soft tissue micro-level surgery can help address microvascular repair, lymphatic repair, and peripheral nerve repair. The Symani System is CE Marked for commercial use in Europe. In the United States, the system is not approved or cleared for commercial use. MMI is backed by international medtech investors including Andera Partners, BioStar, Deerfield Management, Fountain Healthcare Partners, Panakes Partners, RA Capital, Sambatech, and Wellington Partners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231013499914/en/

Contacts

Media:

Dan Ventresca

Matter Health for MMI

mmi@matternow.com
(Bloomberg) -- Oil industry leaders contributed top dollar to President Donald Trump in 2020. But now oil and gas titans are underwriting his GOP rivals instead.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley were the biggest beneficiaries of donations from oil and gas representatives in the third quarter, according to a Bloomberg review of new campaign finance disclosures filed with the Federal Election Commission. Both Republicans have done fundraising tours through the oil patch, with DeSantis even going so far as to unveil his energy policy platform in front of a drilling rig in Midland last month.

And while some notable leaders have cut checks to Trumps main presidential campaign committee  including Continental Resources Corp. founder Harold Hamm and offshore supply veteran Larry Rigdon  others are steering clear.

Read More: Hamm Donates to Trump, Soros Backs Biden in New Campaign Reports

Take, for instance, Jeff Hildebrand, chief executive officer of Hilcorp Energy Co., and his wife Melinda Hildebrand, who have showered much of the Republican field with cash this year. Together, they sent $3,300 to North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, $3,300 to Haley, $3,300 to DeSantis, and, in late July, $6,600 to former Vice President Mike Pence and $3,300 to South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, disclosures show.

In the White House, Trump was an enthusiastic supporter of the oil and gas industry, who championed domestic production and stripped away federal regulations he said were standing in the way. But Trumps unpredictability  for instance issuing surprise decrees blocking offshore oil leasing near the southeastern US in the weeks before the 2020 election  poses a hefty challenge to energy companies making investment decisions that can take decades to pay off. Candidates vying for the Republican presidential nomination endorse broadly similar energy and environmental policies.

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While contributions are lopsided now, donors generally coalesce behind nominees once they are chosen or appear to be a lock. In the third quarter, DeSantis and Haley outraised other GOP presidential candidates, based on a sampling of oil industry and Permian-focused donors.

Donations to presidential campaign committees are capped at $3,300 per candidate per election  or $6,600 for both the primary and the general contest.

Heres a breakdown of some notable industry donations this year.

Nikki Haley

Haley has picked up financial support from a swath of oil executives with ties to the prolific Permian Basin that stretches across the Texas-New Mexico border. That includes $6,600 from Syed Javaid Anwar, the founder and chief executive officer of Midland Energy Inc., and $3,300 from Ben Bud Brigham, who founded a string of exploration companies and oilfield logistics provider Atlas Energy Solutions.

Executives of Pioneer Natural Resources Co.  the Permian powerhouse Exxon Mobil Corp. is buying for $60 billion  also have sent money to Haley, with $3,300 each from president Rich Dealy and executive vice president Mark Berg, as well as $6,600 from CEO Scott Sheffield in the second quarter. Sheffields son, Bryan Sheffield, the founder of Parsley Energy Inc., and his wife, Sharoll Sheffield, together donated $13,200.

Enterprise Products Partners leaders also threw their support behind Haley, with co-CEO Jim Teague giving $6,600 in March and co-CEO Randy Fowler contributing $3,300 in September.

Other notable Haley donors:

Tucker Bridwell, an oil industry veteran and former board member for Concho Resources Inc., Ram Energy Resources Inc., Petrohawk Energy Corp., and other firms, $6,600

Richard Kinder, chairman of Kinder Morgan Inc., and his wife Nancy Kinder, $6,600

Trevor Rees-Jones, president of Chief Oil & Gas LLC and founder of Rees-Jones Oil & Minerals, $6,600

Ray Hunt with Hunt Oil Co., $6,600

Hunter Hunt with Hunt Consolidated Inc., $6,600

Ron DeSantis

DeSantis wooed prominent Texans in September and has lured oil patch donations, including $3,300 each from Allan Bloxsom, president of Fort Apache Energy Inc.; Jonathan Barrett, chairman of the board of Battalion Oil Corp.; and Ken Waits, CEO of Mewbourne Oil Co.

Kelcy Warren, the chairman of pipeline operator Energy Transfer LP, and his wife Amy Warren, together contributed $13,200. By contrast, in 2020, Kelcy Warren backed Trump by giving $10 million to America First Action, a super political action committee, and $1 million to Trump Victory, which divided money between the former presidents campaign, the Republican National Committee and state parties. At the time, Amy Warren sent $1.1 million to Trump Victory. Super PACs, which work independently of campaigns, can accept unlimited donations.

Other notable DeSantis donors:

Canary LLC CEO Dan Eberhart gave $6,600, while his brother Jacob Eberhart and sister-in-law Kelli Eberhart each contributed $3,300 during the third quarter.

Alan Smith, CEO, Rockcliff Energy, $1,000

John Garrett with Fair Oil Co., $3,300

Donald Trump

One of Trumps biggest oil industry supporters historically has been Hamm, the billionaire and Continental Resources founder whos donated $769,400 to Trump Victory since 2016. Hamm also played an unofficial role as an energy adviser to Trump on the campaign trail in 2016 and spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

But earlier this year, Hamm was instead contributing to other Republican contenders  with DeSantis and Haley each receiving $6,600. Hamm said he didnt believe Trump could win the White House in 2024.

Hamm pivoted on Aug. 22, when he sent $3,300 to Trumps campaign. Asked about the contribution, spokeswoman Kristin Thomas said only that Mr. Hamm has consistently said that he will support anyone he believes will make a good president.

--With assistance from Bill Allison and David Wethe.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The Gitex Global and Expand North Star exhibitions began this week with the participation of more than 32 micro, small, and medium-sized Bahraini technology companies, in addition to the participation of strategic partners, including the Economic Development Board, Export Bahrain, and ila Bank.

The Kingdom of Bahrains pavilion, supported for the ninth consecutive time by Tamkeen, a semi-autonomous government agency in the country, includes 12 SMEs displaying their work at Gitex Global (October 16-20)  considered the largest technology exhibition in the world.

In addition, 20 emerging Bahraini startups participated at the Expand North Star exhibition (October 15-18), one of the largest global startup events hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy as part of Gitex Technology Week events, which is being held at a separate venue from Gitex Global for the first time, in order to welcome more global tech entrepreneurs.

The years edition offers tech entrepreneurs a well-established platform to showcase their products and services to over 100,000 expected attendees and visitors from across the globe.

Attendees include a diverse mix of high-level executives, government officials, industry experts, entrepreneurs, academics, and tech enthusiasts, fostering opportunities for regional and international partnerships, market expansion, and interactions with leading experts and global tech company representatives.

In this year's edition, the exhibition places particular emphasis on cutting-edge technological innovations focusing on artificial intelligence. It also explores contemporary areas such as the impact of sixth-generation (6G) networks, expansive virtual business systems within metaverse technology, and more.  TradeArabia News Service
(Bloomberg) -- Oil settled near $86 after a choppy session as traders assessed the intensified diplomatic efforts by the US to contain the crisis in Gaza.

Most Read from Bloomberg

West Texas Intermediate futures were unchanged after swinging in an almost $2 range on Tuesday. Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show his support after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas that sparked the conflict. At the same time, markets remain on edge as Israel is still making plans for a ground offensive into Gaza.

Earlier, prices dropped more than 1% before paring its losses after Russias Central Bank reiterated expectations that OPEC+ may consider an increase in output at the beginning of 2024. Shortly afterward, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that its still too early to talk about what market decisions OPEC+ may take at its meeting in November.

Traders remain on high alert while oil remains in a holding pattern, said Rebecca Babin, a senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth. Many investors are not willing to make outright bets on crude in the current environment but are actively buying upside call options in the event crude supply is impacted. It is a low conviction, highly volatile trading environment.

Crude traders are also tracking events in Barbados, where Venezuelas government is expected to sign a deal with the US-backed opposition later on Tuesday. In exchange for a freer presidential election next year, the agreement could pave the way for the US to ease sanctions against the country, potentially boosting oil exports.

The crude market has been left on edge by the crisis in the Middle East and the risk that it spreads beyond Israel and Gaza, potentially endangering crude flows from key producers. Iran, which supports Hamas, has warned that an expansion of the war was approaching the inevitable stage. In addition to roiling futures markets in recent days, the conflict has also upended options pricing and sent freight costs soaring.

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Looking ahead, the path of least resistance seems to be to the upside, Fawad Razaqzada, a market analyst at StoneX, said in a note. WTIs technical support levels are between $84.10 to $85.45, with crude futures likely to find resistance from $87.15 to $87.95, he said.

Terminal users can click here for more on the Israel-Hamas War.

--With assistance from Francine Lacqua.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg)  A joint venture tied to a Pacific Investment Management Co. fund surrendered a portfolio of 20 hotels with a $240 million mortgage.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The properties, located in cities including San Antonio and Carmel, Indiana, were forfeited in a deal that closed in September, according to commentary filed this week by the loans servicer. The Pimco portfolio, valued at $326 million when the debt was originated in 2017, was cut 16% to $272.8 million in a December appraisal.

Pimco declined to comment.

Commercial property owners are confronting much higher borrowing costs that are weighing on valuations. Wall Street investors including Blackstone Inc. and Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. have defaulted on money-losing properties rather than continue to pay the debt on them.

The hotels were owned by a 10-year-old Pimco real estate fund that had a 99% stake in a joint venture with a limited liability company linked to hotel operator Steven Angel, according to loan documents. Angels Fulcrum Hospitality manages more than $6 billion in assets, according to the companys website. Angel didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

For hotels, rising operating and capital improvement costs have cut into income. Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc. said in July that it would likely return 19 hotels to lenders, while Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. stopped making payments on two San Francisco properties.

Pimco defaulted on a portfolio of office buildings with $1.7 billion of debt earlier this year but continues to negotiate with lenders as to the best path forward to maximize recovery, according to a commentary on the commercial mortgage-backed security.

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Pimco has also been raising money for a new commercial real estate debt fund that seeks to take advantage of market distress as $2 trillion of existing commercial real estate loans are set to mature within five years, according to a presentation to the Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System.

The Pimco Commercial Real Estate Debt Fund II closed to new investors in August after raising $3 billion in commitments, according to a person with knowledge of the funds closing, who asked not to be identified citing private information.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
1812 Brewing Company now to grow sales with five products in the marketplace.

WATERTOWN, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2023 / 1812 BREWING COMPANY, INC. (OTC PINK:KEGS) (the "Company" or "KEGS") is pleased to announce that two of Company's new products - Helles Bells Lager and Route 11 Lager - have been approved for sale at Price Chopper Markets (https://www.pricechopper.com/). Price Chopper is owned by The Golub Corporation, which operates supermarkets under the Price Chopper, Market 32 and Market Bistro banners in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.

Both of the Company's new beers are crisp, light lager beers designed to be easy-drinking and affordable craft beers. Route 11 Lager (5.3% ABV) is a German style pilsner with barley and touch of wheat and finishes dry and crisp with a lemon note. It will retail at Price Chopper for $6.99 per six pack of 12-ounce cans.

Helles Bells (5.5% ABV) is also a German style lager but not quite as dry as a pilsner and has more prominent body. Helles Bells Lager will retail at $7.99 per four pack of 16-ounce cans.

Helles Bells and Route 11 Lager have been approved for sale in select stores in Jefferson and St. Lawrence County to start things off. Chairman and CEO Tom Scozzafava stated, "Both of these products have sold very well in tests. And now that Price Chopper carries War of 1812 Amber Ale in cans and bottles and enjoys strong sales in both, it makes sense to start expanding its selection of 1812 Brewing Company products to market along-side 1812 Amber. Once the new products have some sales history, we intend to take our entire portfolio of products into more and more markets."

About Price Chopper Markets ("Price Chopper") :

Price Chopper Supermarkets is a supermarket chain owned by the Golub Corporation and headquartered in Schenectady, New York. The chain opened its first supermarkets in New York's Capital District in 1932 and now operates 131 stores under the Price Chopper, Market Bistro, and Market 32 banners in six states: Upstate New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.

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About 1812 Brewing Company ("KEGS or the "Company") :

KEGS is an operator of and investor in companies in the craft beer industry. The Company seeks to build a nation-wide network of craft breweries to develop and foster respective brand growth at the local, regional, and national level. KEGS looks to build a network wherein certain economies of scale can be shared across it such as production, distribution footprint expansion, inter-member contract brewing, new product development, sharing of best brewery practices and scale logistics and transportation. The network is to be built through investment by 1812 Brewing Company while maintaining the members' respective local and regional uniqueness, brand autonomy and direct involvement with its consumers. The Company seeks to be an "incubator" of growth for its holdings in the industry.

The Company's current holding, 1812 Brewing Co., produces award-winning beers such as War of 1812 Amber Ale ("1812 Amber Ale"), Helles Bells Lager, Route 11 Lager, 1812 Light, Hazy Oasis Pale Ale, Thousand Islands IPA, Malicious Intent XX IPA, Railroad Red Ale, St. Stephens Stout, Third Rail Porter, Featherhammer Maibock.

For more updates follow us on our Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin.

https://www.1812ale.com/

https://www.facebook.com/1812brewingcompany/

https://www.instagram.com/1812brewingcompany/

https://twitter.com/1812Brewing

https://www.linkedin.com/company/1812brewingcompany/

Contact Name: Tom Scozzafava

Contact Phone Number: 315-788-1812

Contact Email Address: contact@1812ale.com

Safe Harbor: This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approval for anticipated actions.

SOURCE: 1812 Brewing Company Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/793663/price-chopper-supermarkets-to-carry-1812-brewing-companys-new-helles-bells-lager-as-well-as-route-11-lager




Court sketch of Sam Bankman-Fried on the first day of his trial JANE ROSENBERG/Reuters

Sam Bankman-Fried's defense attorneys say he doesn't have enough Adderall.

Before the trial began, they had written to the judge asking for "uninterrupted access" to the drug.

They argued Monday that SBF still isn't getting enough medicine, asking the court to take a half day.

Prosecutors in Sam Bankman-Fried's trial raise concerns about the former cryptocurrency mogul's repeated requests for more Adderall during his criminal trial, claiming in court Monday that his doctor "has engaged in some suspect practices."

"Witnesses have informed the government that he was liberally prescribing Adderall to people who told us that they did not need Adderall at all or at that level," Danielle Sassoon, a prosecutor in the trial, told US District Judge Lewis Kaplan on Monday.

The accusation comes as Bankman-Fried's lawyers have, for weeks, filed letters with the court expressing that their client has been unable to concentrate in his ongoing criminal trial and struggling to meaningfully participate in his defense.

Bankman-Fried, his lawyers say, has been prescribed Adderall to treat his ADHD but has had his access to the medication limited by the Bureau of Prisons. The pills he receives every morning in the Metropolitan Detention Center, in Brooklyn, wear off in the morning, and neither the US Marshalls nor his attorneys are permitted to bring the pills to court so that he could use them during the day, his attorneys say.

But, as Bankman-Fried's attorneys revisited their medicinal complaint in court on Monday, the prosecution accused them of using a sham doctor who overprescribes to patients.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has "conducted their own evaluation and determined that a lower dose was medically appropriate" for Bankman-Fried, Sassoon said in court Monday.

The exchange comes after defense attorney Mark Cohen wrote in a letter to the court on Sunday explaining that Bankman-Fried has not had "his prescribed dose of Adderall during trial hours." On Monday morning, Cohen privately told the judge that Bankman-Fried wasn't given the necessary dosage by the Bureau of Prisons that morning.

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Cohen went as far as to ask the court to consider a half day on Tuesday so that the afternoon could be dedicated to resolving the defense's concerns about Bankman-Fried's access to Adderall, a prescription drug that improves the user's focus and attention.

Cohen argued that it has been difficult for Bankman-Fried to remain attentive during the trial without taking a dose of Adderall during the day.

Kaplan said that, while he isn't a doctor, he hasn't noticed any issues with Bankman-Fried's focus.

"With all due respect to everybody's good faith, I have not observed a problem with the defendant in this period of time," Kaplan said. "Not that I'm medically competent, but I just make that note."

Kaplan noted that "extended-release" pills of Adderall  which would allow the dosage to be released from the capsule throughout the day  would be made available starting on Thursday. When Bankman-Fried's lawyers suggested stopping the trial until then, Kaplan refused.

"I'm inclined to push ahead," Kaplan responded. "I can't have lawyers coming in and giving drugs to people on trial because somebody says they need it. I just can't do it."

Read the original article on Business Insider
BEIJING (AP)  Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban held talks on Tuesday with Vladimir Putin in a rare in-person meeting for the Russian president with a leader of a European Union country.

Orban and Putin met in Beijing before an international forum on one of Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature policies, the Belt and Road Initiative. Their meeting focused on Hungarys access to Russian energy.

EU and other Western leaders have largely eschewed contact with Putin over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer met with Putin in person in April 2022.

Hungary never wanted to confront Russia. Hungary always has been eager to expand contacts, Orban told Putin, according to a Russian translation of his remarks broadcast on Russian state television.

Bilateral ties between the two countries have suffered because of EU sanctions against Moscow, he said.

Hungarys stance on the war has confounded its European partners and led to deadlocks in providing financial and military assistance to Kyiv. Orban has refused to supply Ukraine with weapons and not allowed their transfer across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. He has also threatened to veto EU sanctions against Moscow, though has always ultimately voted in favor of them.

Orbans meeting with Putin appeared to be a boon for the Russian president, who could point to it as a sign that unity within the EU on its support for Ukraine  and its condemnation of Russia for starting the war  was faltering.

Putin said that while opportunities for maintaining ties with some countries are limited in the current geopolitical situation, it causes satisfaction that we have managed to preserve and develop relations with many European countries, including Hungary.

Budapest has blocked an EU military aid package to Kyiv worth 500 million euros ($526 million) since May, and said it would continue doing so until it receives concessions from Kyiv concerning its listing of a Hungarian bank as an international sponsor of the war.

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Orban, a conservative populist leader who has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions against Russia, said that his country has remained eager to maintain ties with Moscow, on which Hungary is highly dependent for natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel.

While most of Hungarys neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe have taken great strides to wean themselves off of Russian energy, Orban has worked to maintain and even increase supplies of Russian gas and oil, arguing that they are essential for the functioning of Hungarys economy.

We are doing what we can and trying to save what we can in our bilateral contacts, he said, noting the planned expansion of Hungarys only nuclear power plant by Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom. The project will be financed with a 10-billion euro ($10.5 billion) loan from a Russian state bank.

In a post on his Facebook page, Orban reiterated his longstanding call for a cease-fire and immediate peace talks in Ukraine, though he has not indicated what such an arrangement would mean for Ukraines future security or territorial integrity.

In Europe today, one question is on everyones mind: will there be a cease-fire in Ukraine, Orban wrote. For us Hungarians, too, the most important thing is that the flood of refugees, the sanctions and the fighting in our neighboring country should end.

Putin, making a rare trip out of Russia, is holding a series of meetings with other leaders who have come to Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum, and will also hold talks with Xi.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday that he had had a short meeting with Putin, one that is also likely to raise concerns in Europe. Under Vucic, Serbia has been increasingly drifting away from its proclaimed goal of joining the EU and is moving closer to Russia and China economically and politically.

Serbia has refused to join EU sanctions against Moscow, although Vucic says Serbia respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Both China and Russia are the main suppliers of weapons for the Serbian army at a time when growing tensions over its former province of Kosovo is one of the main Western security concerns for regional stability.

China has provided Serbia with billions of dollars in loans for factories and highways that Chinese companies are building. A free trade agreement signed with China on Tuesday goes directly against EU economic policies and would have to be scrapped if Serbia were to join the EU.

___

Justin Spike reported from Budapest, Hungary. Dusan Stojanovic contributed to this report from Belgrade, Serbia.

___

This story has been corrected to delete references to Putins meeting with Orban as being the first in-person talks for Putin with an EU leader since the start of the war. Putin met face-to-face with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in April 2022, around two months after the start of the war.
Assessing Dividend Performance, Sustainability, and Growth Prospects

Richelieu Hardware Ltd (RHUHF) recently announced a dividend of $0.15 per share, payable on 2023-11-02, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-18. 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 Richelieu Hardware Ltd's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Richelieu Hardware Ltd Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with RHUHF.

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?

Richelieu Hardware Ltd is a Canada-based company that imports, manufactures, and distributes specialty hardware and complementary products. Headquartered in Montreal, the company operates across Canada and the eastern and midwestern regions of the United States. The majority of the company's sales are derived from its operations in Canada. Richelieu's products include furniture, glass, decorative, window, and door hardware, lighting systems, and kitchen and closet storage. The firm primarily serves home furnishing manufacturers, residential and commercial woodworkers, hardware retailers, and renovation superstores.

Richelieu Hardware Ltd's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Richelieu Hardware Ltd's Dividend History

Richelieu Hardware Ltd has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2004. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Richelieu Hardware Ltd's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down Richelieu Hardware Ltd's Dividend Yield and Growth

Richelieu Hardware Ltd currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.47% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 1.50%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Richelieu Hardware Ltd's dividend yield of 1.47% is near a 10-year high and outperforms than 24.9 of global competitors in the Furnishings, Fixtures & Appliances industry, suggesting that the company's dividend yield stands out as an attractive proposition for income investors.

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Over the past three years, Richelieu Hardware Ltd's annual dividend growth rate was 27.10%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 10.50% per year. Over the past decade, Richelieu Hardware Ltd's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 7.00%.

Based on Richelieu Hardware Ltd's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Richelieu Hardware Ltd stock as of today is approximately 2.42%.

Richelieu Hardware 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 2023-08-31, Richelieu Hardware Ltd's dividend payout ratio is 0.26.

Richelieu Hardware Ltd's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Richelieu Hardware Ltd'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. Richelieu Hardware Ltd's growth rank of 9 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Richelieu Hardware Ltd's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Richelieu Hardware Ltd's revenue has increased by approximately 20.70% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 87.72% 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, Richelieu Hardware Ltd's earnings increased by approximately 37.10% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 81.19% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 23.30% outperforms than approximately 79.25% of global competitors.

Next Steps

Based on the analysis of Richelieu Hardware Ltd's dividend payments, dividend growth rate, payout ratio, profitability, and growth metrics, it's evident that the company has a strong track record and future prospects for dividend sustainability and growth. This makes it a compelling choice for income investors seeking reliable dividend returns. As always, investors are encouraged to conduct their own comprehensive analysis 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.


Rite Aids plan to close more stores as part of its bankruptcy process could hurt access to medicine and care, particularly in some majority Black and Hispanic neighborhoods and in rural areas, experts say.

The drugstore chain said late Sunday that its voluntary Chapter 11 process will allow it to speed up its plan to close underperforming stores. The company runs more than 2,000 stores, mostly on the East and West coasts.

It said it doesnt know yet which ones will close, but The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the company has proposed closing 400 to 500 of them.

When drugstore chains shutter stores, they often target locations in lower-income, Black and Latino neighborhoods with people covered through government-funded insurance programs like Medicaid, said Dima Qato, a University of Southern California associate professor who studies pharmacy access.

They tend to close in these neighborhoods regardless of whether or not there is another pharmacy nearby, Qato said.

Rite Aid also has a lot of stores in smaller, rural markets that dont get as much business as locations in big cities, noted Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager for Gabelli Funds who follows drugstores. He expects the company to close several hundred stores over the next couple years.

Closings can create so-called pharmacy deserts, or neighborhoods without easy access to a drugstore. That can be poor neighborhoods where residents are less likely to own cars and a drugstore is more than half a mile away. It also refers to rural areas where drugstores may be miles away.

Itll kind of worsen the problem of pharmacy deserts and disparities in pharmacy access, Qato said.

She noted that patients who lose drugstore access are less likely to stay on their regular prescriptions, and that can affect their health.

Aside from filling prescriptions, many of these stores also have become growing sources for annual vaccines and health care in recent years.

The Philadelphia-based company said in a fact sheet laying out its plan that it will make every effort to ensure our customers have access to health services, whether at another Rite Aid or another nearby pharmacy.

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The company had started a pilot program that aimed to address rural pharmacy deserts by opening a couple smaller stores in rural Virginia. A Rite Aid representative declined to comment on whether that program will continue.

Jonas said drugstores do want to help with pharmacy access, but the economics still need to work for these companies.

Medicaid definitely pays the least and isnt terribly attractive for them, he said.

___

Associated Press video journalist Ted Shaffrey contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
(Bloomberg) -- The Scottish government will raise funds on capital markets for the first time by 2026, First Minister Humza Yousaf said, in an effort to establish its financial independence from the UK.

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Scotland will issue its first bond to fund infrastructure projects like affordable housing, Yousaf, the leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party announced in his keynote speech at its annual conference. The debt sale will take place by the end of the devolved administrations parliament, with elections in Scotland due in 2026.

This will bring Scotland to the attention of investors across the world, Yousaf said. And it will raise our profile as a place where investment returns can be made. In doing so, we will show the world not only that we are a country to invest in today.

Scotlands administration in Edinburgh has had the ability to issue debt since 2015 under British rules to spread power. The SNP sees this as a key step toward financial sovereignty in its quest for independence from the UK. Yousaf said the bond sale would require due diligence and market testing before it could go ahead.

Brick by brick  institution by institution  we are laying the foundations for what will be our newly independent state, Yousaf told party members in Aberdeen.

The 38-year-old Scottish leader is under pressure to lay out viable plans to secure independence, almost 10 years after a referendum on the issue saw voters reject leaving the UK. Still, it led to then premier David Cameron to promise to hand more finance and borrowing power to the Scottish government.

Opinion polls suggest the SNP is at its most vulnerable since it took power in Scotlands devolved parliament 16 years ago. Yousaf has had to manage internal party divisions since he replaced Nicola Sturgeon as leader in March.

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Hanging over the party is a police investigation into the SNPs finances with Sturgeon and her husband both arrested and released without charge in an ongoing probe. They deny wrongdoing.

Earlier this month, Keir Starmers Labour Party proved they were regaining popularity in its former Scottish heartland by winning a seat from the SNP in a special election in the Glasgow suburbs. Last week, SNP MP Lisa Cameron defected to the Conservative Party over an internal party row.

Yousaf sought to counter Labours resurgence and promise to headquarter Starmers promise of a new public energy company in Scotland, with the SNPs own pledge on clean power. He announced the Scottish government will invest up to 500 million over five years to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain.

A catalyst for additional private investment in our ports and harbors, supporting inward investment and encouraging domestic companies to seek new opportunities, Yousaf said.

(Updates with Yousaf comments from fifth paragraph.)

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Allkem Limited

BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allkem Limited (ASX|TSX: AKE) (Allkem or the Company) will release its September Quarter Activities Report on Thursday, 26 October 2023.



Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Martin Perez de Solay and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Christian Barbier will conduct a live webcast briefing at 10:00 am AEDT (Sydney, Melbourne) on the same day.

To pre-register your details and join the webcast briefing, please follow the link here. Written questions may be submitted via the webcast and playback of the briefing and Q&A session will also be available on the companys website.

This release was authorised by Mr Martin Perez de Solay, CEO and Managing Director of Allkem Limited.

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Level 35, 71 Eagle St

Brisbane, QLD 4000 Investor Relations & Media Enquiries



Andrew Barber

M: +61 418 783 701 E: Andrew.Barber@allkem.co



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FILE - A Stellantis logo is shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Sept. 13, 2023. Stellantis, the multinational maker of Jeep and Ram, announced on Tuesday Oct. 17, 2023, that it is canceling its participating in next years CES technology show in Las Vegas due to mounting costs of the ongoing autoworkers strikes in North America. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

MILAN (AP)  Stellantis, the multinational maker of Jeep and Ram, said Tuesday that it is canceling its participation in next years CES technology show in Las Vegas citing the mounting costs of the ongoing auto workers strike in North America.

The Europe-based company said its focus is on measures to mitigate financial impacts and preserve capital, during the ongoing negotiations with the United Auto Workers union. It said it would demonstrate its transformation into a mobility tech company through other means than participation in CES 2024.

CES has increasingly become a forum for car news, as automotive and tech companies increase their cooperation. The next edition will be held Jan. 9-12.

The strike by the United Auto Workers union has entered its fifth week with no end in sight. The union has targeted specific plants from each U.S. automaker, including Stellantis, General Motors and Ford. About 34,000 autoworkers are on strike against the three companies, and the union has threatened to expand to add more factories.
Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, COP28 Director-General and Special Representative, attended the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Marrakesh, where he reiterated the importance of climate finance reform to support developing nations.

The COP28 Presidency has repeatedly called for climate finance to be mobilised at speed and scale from all sources to reach the most vulnerable. This was reiterated during the meetings through continued calls for international financial institutions (IFIs) to scale up concessional finance for developing countries and for multilateral development banks (MDBs) to work better together to establish a fit-for-purpose system to help build the financial architecture of the future.

We are pleased to see greater momentum made on MDB reforms this year and continue to call on MDBs to come together and deliver ambitious outcomes at COP28, said Ambassador Al Suwaidi. If we are to achieve our key goal of keeping 1.5C within reach, we will need more extensive reform of the international financial infrastructure. We need IFIs and MDBs to incentivise private capital with adequate concessional funds to unlock the trillions of dollars we will need for effective climate action.

The COP28 Presidency also welcomed the joint report released by MDBs showing nearly $100 billion was delivered for adaptation and mitigation climate finance in 2022, with half of this going to low-income and middle-income economies.

In addition to this, the COP28 Presidency also appreciated the joint statement by MDB Presidents committing to work together for greater action in the future.

To mobilise funds for better mitigation and adaptation efforts, the COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber will convene a meeting with MDB presidents in a few weeks.

The COP28 Presidency welcome the WBGs inclusion of climate change into their vision and mission to create a world free of extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a liveable planet.

This years Annual Meetings, held from October 9-15, were the first to be held in Africa since 1973.

I would like to thank Morrocco for hosting such a well-organised event. Bringing these meetings to Africa for the first time in half a century represents a significant moment for the international finance community which has all too often been slow to recognise the continents financial needs and to support nations here with the needed levels of capital, Al Suwaidi said. While global clean-tech investment will reach a record US$1.7 trillion this year, only 2 percent will reach Africa, with the continent facing an annual infrastructure investment gap of US$100 billion.

The COP28 Presidency supported the achievement of fundraising targets for the IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT), which provides highly concessional financing to low-income countries. In Marrakech, the UAE made a contribution of US$200 million to the IMF PRGT to support the development needs of low-income countries.

During the Annual Meetings, Al Suwaidi met with the heads of the WBG, the IMF, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the African Development Bank (ADB), representatives from the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance (IHLEG), and the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) to discuss cooperation for MDB reform ahead of COP28.

The Director-General also spoke at the Government of Morocco-hosted A Resilient Future for Africa: Sustainable Finance in Service of Climate Initiatives. The high-level event, held on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings, where he again emphasised the importance of finance to support climate initiatives, particularly in Africa, where over 600 million people still have no access to electricity.

Fast-tracking funding for renewable energy is key to unlocking the continents growth potential, Al Suwaidi said. To do this we need financing. And we need this financing to be affordable, accessible and available. At the moment, it is none of these.

The UAE launched a US$4.5 billion clean energy initiative at the Africa Climate Summit in September to finance the development of 15 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030  but still we need more, Al Suwaidi said.

We are also calling for bigger and better multilateral development banks. We need MDBs to come together at COP28 to jointly launch ambitious country platforms, he said. These platforms will enable a shift from the current project-by-project approach to a programmatic approach, which can produce a transformational global change.

The COP28 Presidency is supporting calls from the Nairobi Declaration from the Africa Climate Summit for a Global Charter on Climate Finance and has commissioned a high-level group to lay the foundation of this new vision  a new global framework on climate finance, Al Suwaidi told attendees.

The Director-General also spoke at the 11th Ministerial Dialogue of the Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Group of Ministers of Finance of the Climate Vulnerable Forum  a dedicated cooperation initiative of economies systemically vulnerable to climate change  to reiterate the COP28 Presidencys support for increased climate funding, especially for climate-vulnerable nations.

The issues of climate change are compounded and complicated by conflict, fragility, and a lack of financing, he said at the event. Our Presidency understands that addressing the needs of the V20 requires a holistic, multi-faceted approach. We need to pull together governments, NGOs, the private sector, the public sector, international organisations and multilateral development banks.

Throughout the Annual Meetings, Al Suwaidi also met with ministers from a range of countries, including the US, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, and the UK.

The COP28 Presidency also welcomed the report of the G20 MDB Expert group commissioned by the Indian Presidency, which was released in Marrakech.

The report lays out a set of important recommendations and establishes the right level of ambition for climate and development, which shareholders and MDBs must now work together to implement.--OGN/ TradeArabia Service News
Marwan Naamani/AFP via Getty Images

The SPR "would be harder to use" to balance a spike in oil prices, energy expert Dan Yergin said.

The S&P Global vice chairman said that oil prices can spike if the Israel-Hamas war escalates.

The only spare capacity right now is in the Middle East, in countries like Saudi Arabia.

The biggest tool the US uses to fight wild swings in oil prices may not be in play again as crude markets face the prospect of more geopolitical instability.

S&P Global Vice Chairman Dan Yergin, an energy expert and historian, told CNBC on Monday that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is almost at the point where it's past the comfort level.

"We've used about half of it, so it would be harder to use it," he said. "And we're kind of getting to a level where you don't want to use it."

The SPR, the world's largest reserve of emergency crude oil, is usually used to stabilize disruptions in oil supply. Last year, the US government siphoned 180 million barrels from the SPR in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The reserve currently sits at 40-year lows at 351 million barrels, according to the Energy Department. That's less than half of the all-time highs from 2010 and about 40% below where it was when the withdrawals began.

Despite the big drawdown last year, a spokesperson for the Energy Department told Insider last month that the SPR "stands ready to deliver on its mission to respond to future supply disruptions, providing relief when needed most."

Weekly US stock of crude oil in SPR US Energy Information Administration

Yergin estimated that under the best case scenario next year, oil prices might trade in the mid-$80-per-barrel range. But an expanded conflict would produce spikes, he warned.

Western Texas Intermediate crude oil is trading at $87 a barrel, up from $82 right before the conflict began.

"The only buffer is really in the Middle East right now," Yergin added, referring to the region where there is spare production capacity.

Saudi Arabia, along with Russia, has been cutting crude oil production in an effort to eliminate price "distortions" in the market. The countries are said to have made close to $3 billion the past quarter from slashing production.

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Still, Yergin noted that production growth outside the OPEC+ alliance has pressured oil prices lower, more so than prospects for lower demand in China.

In fact, US oil production surged to a record high of 13.2 million barrels a day earlier this month. The prior record was 13.1 million barrels a day hit in February 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the economy.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan officials are expected to announce a preliminary agreement Tuesday that could open the door for sanctions relief in exchange for basic electoral guarantees.

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After months of roadblocks, representatives for President Nicolas Maduros government and the US-backed opposition will sign a deal in Barbados later today, according to officials from Norway, which are facilitating the talks. Any significant concessions from Maduro, such as allowing banned opposition candidates to run in the 2024 presidential vote, could lead the US to ease crippling restrictions on Venezuelas oil industry.

1. What should we expect today?

Probably a broad agreement without concrete details between top Maduro officials and opposition members belonging to the Unitary Platform. The terms will likely lead to more specific agreements once negotiations advance, and any move on the US-side will depend on concrete moves from the Maduro government.

On Monday evening, Maduro said his government was on the verge of signing a deal containing electoral guarantees and said hed already signed a wider deal with US, without adding any details.

2. Whats the opposition asking for?

The opposition has been asking for fairer electoral conditions, which other than allowing all willing candidates to participate, also include concessions such as setting a definitive date for the vote.

Equal coverage in Venezuelas highly censored media landscape is also among their requests, as well as inviting observers from at least five international organizations, especially the European Union, Carter Center and United Nations.

3. What could Maduro obtain in return?

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The US could offer Maduro much needed relief on oil sanctions, which have prevented oil exports to the US  formerly its biggest buyer  since 2019. The limits have also prevented European and Asian oil majors from engaging with Venezuela so as not breach sanctions and thus be subject to significant penalties.

An expanded license could allow U.S. oil giant Chevron Corp. to boost oil production and other major foreign firms, such as Italys Eni Spa, Spains Repsol SA, Frances Maurel & Prom SA and Chinas China National Petroleum Corp., to jump-start production.

Lifting sanctions against Venezuelas state banks, such as Bandes and Venezuelas central bank, could allow Maduro to retrieve at least $3 billion from overseas accounts.

4. Why now?

Venezuela is expected to hold primary elections on Sunday, where conservative candidate Maria Corina Machado is widely expected to win with about 86% of support from those highly likely to cast their ballots. Machado is banned from holding public office alongside several other opposition leaders  and her potential victory would add significant pressure to Maduro to allow for her to participate.

On that note, Maduro is likely run for a third presidential term next year, and the easing of sanctions would allow him and his administration access to much-needed funds to rally support ahead of the vote.

Venezuela also stands to lose its most important foreign asset as the sale of state-owned Citgo Petroleums parent company is scheduled to start next week, with more than 20 creditors seeking to satisfy around $23 billion of claims against the country.

Oil edged lower on Monday following a rally last week on reports that the Biden administration is agreeing to ease Venezuela sanctions and with the US ramping up diplomatic efforts to contain the Israel-Hamas war from widening into a regional crisis

The oppositions leading candidate, Maria Corina Machado, negotiated an obstacle course set up for her by the government earlier this month

After a lengthy legal battle, Citgo finally seems within Venezuelas foreign creditors grasp with a court-ordered auction process set to begin this month

--With assistance from Fabiola Zerpa.

(Updates with comments from Maduro starting in the fourth paragraph)

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If you buy and hold a stock for many years, you'd hope to be making a profit. Furthermore, you'd generally like to see the share price rise faster than the market. But ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM) has fallen short of that second goal, with a share price rise of 42% over five years, which is below the market return. The last year hasn't been great either, with the stock up just 4.9%.

So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

View our latest analysis for ABM Industries

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

During the five years of share price growth, ABM Industries moved from a loss to profitability. That's generally thought to be a genuine positive, so we would expect to see an increasing share price.

You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

We know that ABM Industries has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? This free interactive report on ABM Industries' balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of ABM Industries, it has a TSR of 57% 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.

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A Different Perspective

ABM Industries shareholders gained a total return of 7.1% during the year. But that was short of the market average. If we look back over five years, the returns are even better, coming in at 9% per year for 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. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with ABM Industries (including 2 which are significant) .

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.
By Daniel Leussink

TOKYO (Reuters) -Toyota Motor, the world's biggest automaker by sales, will extend until Wednesday a partial production halt at two domestic assembly plants due to an accident at a supplier's facility, a company spokesperson said.

The incident at supplier Chuo Spring, which makes engine and valve springs used in vehicles, also halted some production at group companies Toyota Auto Body and Toyota Industries.

The impacted lines would remain halted due to the incident, while a line at a plant of another group company, Gifu Auto Body, used for manufacturing of the Toyota Coaster minibus would also be stopped, the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Chuo Spring said an accident involving an explosion in a building at its Fujioka plant around 12:15 p.m. (0315 GMT) on Monday resulted in damage to the facility, adding that the police and the fire department were investigating.

Production in five lines at three Toyota Auto Body plants - all of the unit's lines - was stopped due to the accident, affecting production of minivans such as the Alphard as well as some Land Cruiser models, including for overseas markets.

The halted Toyota lines are at the automaker's Takaoka and Tsutsumi plants, both in Toyota City in central Japan which is also home to its headquarters.

Operations at all 14 of Toyota's domestic assembly plants ground to a halt in August due to a system malfunction.

Shares of Toyota on Tuesday closed up 0.8% at 2,681 yen, in line with broader market gains.

(Reporting by Daniel Leussink and Rocky Swift; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
(Bloomberg) -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has dropped plans to build an advanced chip plant in the islands north, a pullback that comes after reports of growing local opposition to the move.

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TSMC had explored the Longtan Science Park in Taoyuan as a potential site. But the factory would have been built on land that the government is acquiring to expand the park, which the local community voiced strong opposition to, media including the Central News Agency reported this week. TSMC wont proceed with the fab after evaluating current conditions, the company said, without giving a reason.

The protests are aimed at a third-phase expansion of Longtan, one of the islands premier industrial parks and home for years to TSMC and other major tech names. Residents complain that the government is acquiring land in the vicinity below market price, and are trying to stall the process, CNA and other outlets cited officials and people in the area as saying.

Taiwans largest company invests heavily to secure its lead in chipmaking capacity and technology, spending upwards of $30 billion each year on new equipment and facilities. Local media reported the plan was to build a next-generation 2-nanometer plant at the site. The company has two fabs in Taiwan for 2nm process technology under construction, one of them in Hsinchu where it already operates a major production facility.

Shares in TSMC, which will outline its longer-term spending plans when it unveils earnings Thursday, ended Tuesday 1.1% higher.

Beside expanding domestically, the worlds leading chipmaker is building two chip fabs in Arizona at a cost of roughly $40 billion, with help from US subsidies. Its also setting up a campus in Japans Kumamoto in partnership with Sony Group Corp.

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(Updates with details of the complaints from the third paragraph)

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Many Americans are anxious about their ability to save enough to fund their retirement, yet the problem may not only be with their own ability to sock away money, but the way the U.S. system is designed. That's according to a new report which give the nation's retirement approach a C+.

The not-so-great rating places the U.S. retirement system on par with nations such as Kazakhstan, Colombia, Croatia, France and Spain, according to the new Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index, which was released Tuesday. Meanwhile, the strength of retirement systems in many other wealthy, developed nations, such as the Netherlands, Iceland, Denmark and Israel, far surpassed the U.S., with all four receiving A ratings.

The U.S. system is based on a two-pronged approach: Social Security and private pension plans such as 401(k)s. But many Americans fall through the cracks, such as the roughly one-half of workers who lack access to a retirement plan through their workplace. Social Security, meanwhile, only replaces about 40% of income for the typical worker when they retire, which means many older Americans struggle financially.

Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment set at 3.2%Inflation is ruining Americans' efforts to save for retirementHow your ex could boost your Social Security benefits

"Retirement savings coverage and institutional quality retirement vehicles remain out of reach for many Americans, creating a significant adequacy gap that needs to be addressed," said Katie Hockenmaier, partner and U.S. defined contribution research director at Mercer, said in a statement.

The new study ranks the U.S. 24 in adequacy among the 47 countries that are included in the ranking, which Hockenmaier said highlights "the urgent need for action."

How could the U.S. strengthen its retirement system?

The U.S. could bolster its system by raising the minimum Social Security payment for low-income retirees, with the full minimum payment currently about $1,000 a month, Mercer noted. The nation could also make it tougher to withdraw income from retirement accounts before retirement  something that Americans can do if they encounter hardship, for example.

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Mercer also recommends that the U.S. create a requirement that part of a worker's retirement benefit be taken as an income stream, such as through annuities.

The top-ranked nations for retirement provide good benefits for retirees within systems that are well regulated and secure, according to the study. The Netherlands, for instance, is currently reforming its retirement program, but Mercer said its system "will continue to provide very good benefits, supported by a strong asset base and very sound regulation."

About 90% of employees in the Netherlands are covered by company-sponsored pension plans, according to the OECD.

Meanwhile, the Social Security system is hurtling toward a crisis in 2033, when its trust fund is slated to be depleted. If that's not fixed, benefits for all retirees will decline by more than 20%.

Here is the complete lit of retirement system ratings for the nations in the Mercer study. No nations received an "F" rating.

A-rated nationsNetherlandsIceland Denmark IsraelB+Australia Finland SingaporeBNorway Sweden UK Switzerland Canada Ireland Chile Uruguay Belgium New Zealand Portugal GermanyC+Kazakhstan Hong Kong SAR U.S.UAE Colombia France Spain CroatiaCSaudi Arabia Poland Japan Italy Malaysia Brazil Peru China Mexico Botswana South Africa Taiwan Austria Indonesia South Korea DThailand Turkey India Philippines Argentina
(Bloomberg) -- Ukraines military said missile strikes on Russian airfields in the occupied Luhansk in the east and Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov destroyed nine Russian helicopters, an air-defense missile unit and an ammunition depot as well as damaging the runways of both airfields. Russias military hasnt commented.

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Ukraine used ATACMS missiles provided by the US in the attack for the first time, CNN reported. The US has not officially confirmed it had approved a transfer. President Joe Biden told Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskiy in September that he was willing to provide Ukraine with the long-awaited missiles, Bloomberg reported last month.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban became the first European Union premier to meet with President Vladimir Putin since an international warrant was issued against the Russian leader over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

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Ukraine Expects Almost $700m Aid From US for Export Logistics

Markets

Corn futures dipped for a third session as harvests progress in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing an influx of fresh supply. American farmers have collected 45% of this years crop, holding above the five-year average.

France has harvested half its corn, and Ukraines harvest is running ahead of last season.

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Putin visits China, attends President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative Forum

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Last year was supposed to mark a changing-of-the-guard from growth to value. After years of underperformance, value stocks strongly outperformed their growth counterparts in 2022, and many investors had expected that superior performance to continue this year.

Not so fast.

Growth stocks are once against outperforming value stocks, causing ETF investors to abandon the value ship.

Investors have pulled $6.1 billion out of the $48 billion iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD), the second-largest outflows of any ETF this year. On a year-to-date basis through Oct. 16, IWD is up 1.8%, a return that sharply lags the 15% gain for the iShares Russell 1000 ETF (IWB) and the 29% gain for the iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF).

Those returns are a mirror image of last year, when IWD only fell 7.7%, while IWF tumbled 29%.

IWDs underperformance in 2023 has investors rethinking whether last years strong returns were meaningful, or whether they were just a blip in the broader decade-plus trend of value stocks underperforming growth stocks.

Value ETF Winners COWZ, CALF

To be sure, not everyone is abandoning value stock ETFs. Net inflows for the group in 2023 total $145 million. Thats pretty tepid considering that investors have put $350 billion into U.S.-listed as a whole, but its still a positive number.

While value funds like IWD, the iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (IVE) and the Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF (RPV) have shed assets, others like the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF) have picked up assets. COWZ and CALF have year-to-date net inflows of $4.4 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.

A focus on free cash flow yields as opposed to more traditional value metrics like price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios have served COWZ and CALF well.

COWZ is up more than 9% year-to-date through Oct. 16, well ahead of the 1.8% return for IWD and the 0.8% return for the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV), the largest U.S.-listed value ETF.

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COWZ outperformed both competing ETFs last year as well, when it rose by 3.8%, compared to a 0.8% gain for VTV and a 5.1% loss for IWD.





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FILE PHOTO: Aircraft from Australia's second largest airline, Virgin Australia, sit on the tarmac at the domestic terminal of Sydney Airport

By Poonam Behura

(Reuters) - Bain Capital-owned Virgin Australia's Chief Development Officer David Marr, who was assigned to lead the airline's plans for an eventual initial public offering (IPO), has stepped down from his role, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The company's Chief Financial Officer Race Strauss will now assume management of the IPO, the spokesperson said in an emailed response to Reuters.

"A significant amount of this work is now complete and while we are committed to an IPO as soon as practicable, the timing of an actual listing is dependent on capital markets conditions."

U.S. private equity firm Bain did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment on the announcement.

Marr, who is also a former CFO of the airline, had moved into the newly-created role of chief development officer in March. He will remain available to Virgin in an advisory capacity through the IPO process.

Last week, Reuters reported citing sources that Bain Capital had postponed IPO plans for the airline to next year.

Bain was targeting an A$1 billion ($635.70 million) listing of Virgin on the Australian Securities Exchange in November, Reuters reported in May, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Virgin Australia recorded a profit for the first time in 11 years for fiscal 2023, buoyed by a strong recovery in travel demand following the COVID-19 pandemic.

($1 = 1.5731 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Poonam Behura in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Rashmi Aich)
Automating the complicated payment billing and acceptance operations by linkage to PPCBank accounts in Cambodia

Supporting real-time computer and mobile device-based operations including bill issuance, deposit status identification, and business report check

WeBill365 will be launched in Vietnam within the year following Cambodia, aiming to enter Thai and Indonesian markets in 2024

SEOUL, South Korea, October 17, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Webcash Global (CEO Lee Sil-kwon) announced the launch of WeBill365, a payment billing and acceptance service, in Cambodia.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016328342/en/

WeBill365 launched by Webcash Global in Cambodia will automate the complicated payment billing and acceptance operation for businesses in Cambodia (Graphic: Webcash Global)

WeBill365 is a solution to automate complicated payment billing and acceptance operations for Cambodian businesses. It was launched for large-scale B2C businesses handling operations to bill and receive tuitions, building rentals and communication service fees, etc. Businesses can create virtual accounts and send bills to a large number of customers with a single click, and customers can conveniently make payments using their mobile devices by scanning the KHQR (universal QR platform for Cambodia) issued through text messages, emails, and Telegram.

WeBill365, which is available on desktop and mobile apps, enables real-time operation processing. The complicated operations ranging from bill preparation and issuance to deposit status identification and business report check can be handled conveniently anytime, anywhere.

It is also linked freely with the ERP system. Offering an open API to update the payment receipt details in the ERP system, shortens operators working hours and reduces errors.

Webcash Global CEO Lee Sil-kwon said, "WeBill365, a service for response to the B2C needs of educational, communication, rental, and various other businesses, maximizes convenience and efficiency of both businesses and consumers in Cambodia. Moving forward, we will dedicate our utmost effort to more efficiently connecting Cambodian businesses, consumers, financial institutes, etc., and contributing to the fintech industry development in Cambodia."

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Following Cambodia, Webcash Global plans to launch WeBill365 in Vietnam within the year and enter Thailand and Indonesia in 2024.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231016328342/en/

Contacts

Webcash Group

Ms. Oanh Manager

+84-028-7300-1660

oanh.le@webcashgenuwin.com

Eunji Kim Manager

+84-028-7300-1661

ej.kim@webcashgenuwin.com
This year's Russian Energy Week (REW) International Forum in Moscow brought government officials from various countries, heads of major energy companies and organisations, scientists, and experts under its central theme of "The New Reality of Global Energy: Building the Future."

The forum took place for the sixth time from 1113 October at the Manege Central Exhibition Hall in Moscow.

Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, noted three essential objectives for Russias energy development strategy: Firstly, we must ensure our traditional energy sector of oil and gas, electricity, and coal is sustainable. Secondly, we must continue to diversify our fuel and energy sector by developing new areas and products in petrochemicals and liquefied natural gas production. And the third thing we need to do is make our energy mix cleaner, by increasing the share of nuclear and renewable energy in Russia while maintaining the right balance between oil, gas and coal, and other sources. The government has developed a strategy for improving the energy balance as part of the Energy Strategy of Russia for the Period until 2035, though we are already thinking of extending that to 2050.

AGREEMENTS

Some of the agreements signed during REW included:

Russian and foreign companies and government organisations concluded a total of 28 agreements and memorandums of cooperation during REW 2023.

The Final Protocol of the 8th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Russian-Saudi Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation was signed during the Forum.

The Russian government and SIBUR Holding signed an agreement of intent to develop equipment for the petroleum and gas chemical industry.

Rosatom State Corporation and the Myanmar Ministry of Science and Technology signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate and develop nuclear infrastructure in Myanmar. In addition, Rosenergoatom Concern (the Electric Energy Division of the Rosatom State Corporation) and the St. Petersburg International Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange signed a cooperation agreement on the trading of certificates of origin for electricity generated using low-carbon and renewable sources.

Rosseti signed 10 agreements that aim to develop and strengthen cooperation in the strategic and innovative development of the Russian power grid sector, raise awareness among citizens and legal entities, implement educational programmes and events for children and young people, and work on other areas that require scientific research.

Gazprom Neft, the Russian Ministry of Energy, and the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade signed a roadmap on the development of domestic equipment for drilling and onshore hydrocarbon production.

The Russian Energy Agency of the Russian Ministry of Energy signed a number of important documents, including an agreement with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives on cooperation on the climate agenda, including on such issues as energy efficiency, energy management, and low-carbon development, as well as a cooperation agreement with Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University).

The Roscongress Foundation signed three strategic documents: cooperation agreements with Irans Institute for International Energy Studies, the African Energy Chamber, and Venezuelas International Centre for Industrial Investment.

BUSINESS PROGRAMME

The Forum programme was built on four pillars: The International Agenda, The Development of the Fuel and Energy Sector, Scientific and Technological Development, and the Digital Transformation, and Sustainable Development and the Climate. The Forum also included bilateral meetings, negotiations, and business breakfasts.

The key event in the Forums business programme was the plenary session, which was attended by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia Al Sudani. The discussion was moderated by Al Ghad TV journalist Amr Abdelhamid.

The session The Global Oil and Gas Market: Navigating a Period of Turbulence, with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak, generated significant attention among REW 2023 participants. The session was also attended by Caretaker Federal Minister of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Ali, Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska Radovan Viskovic, Minister of Petroleum of the Islamic Republic of Iran Javad Owji, Executive Vice President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, and Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov.

Another key event was the Global Energy Associations session Building the City of the Future, which was attended by Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, Sberbank CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board Herman Gref, as well as foreign guests: Deputy Director for Information Technology of Chinas State Grid Corporation Jiye Wang and Point Systems Zrt Founder and CEO Laszlo Kovacs.

The Joint Intergovernmental Russian-Saudi Commission held a meeting during Russian Energy Week.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak held a meeting of the Coordinating Council under the Government Commission on Import Substitution on ways to substitute imports of oil and gas equipment.

PARTICIPANTS

Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, China, Vietnam, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq were the countries with the largest delegations at Russian Energy Week this year.

Senior officials who attended REW 2023 included Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia Al Sudani; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil of Iraq Hayyan Abdul Ghani; and Executive Vice President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez.

REW 2023 was also attended by Prime Minister of Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Radovan Viskovic and 21 foreign ministers.

Among the heads of international organisations and associations, REW 2023 was attended by Executive Secretary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation Sergey Pospelov and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the CIS Electric Power Council Taras Kupchikov.

The Forum was also attended by 36 heads of diplomatic corps.

Over 1,200 representatives of foreign and Russian businesses from more than 250 companies attended the Forum. Prominent representatives of Russian business included: Gazprom Chairman of the Management Board Alexey Miller; Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation Director General Alexey Likhachev; Rosseti Federal Grid Company General Director Andrey Ryumin; Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev; Zarubezhneft General Director Sergey Kudryashov; and Surgutneftegas General Director Vladimir Bogdanov.

Representatives of foreign businesses who attended REW 2023 included: Vietnam Oil and Gas Group Member of the Board of Directors Tran Binh Minh; Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske General Manager Luka Petrovic; Syrian Petroleum Corporation CEO Nabih Khrestin; Director of Chinas State Grid Corporations Representative Office in Moscow Xiaoming Ou; Basra Oil Company Director General Bassem Abdul Karim; UzGasTrade Chairman of the Board Alisher Agzamov; and Acting Uztransgaz Chairman of the Board Askar Isakov.

GLOBAL ENERGY AND ENERGY OF THE PEN PRIZES

An official ceremony was held during REW 2023 to present the Global Energy Prize for outstanding scientific research and scientific-technical developments in the field of energy which promote greater efficiency and environmental security for energy sources on Earth in the interests of all mankind.

This year, the prize was won by scientists from China.

Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Founding Director Zhong Lin Wang was awarded in the Non-Conventional Energy category for the invention of triboelectric nanogenerators as a new energy technology for autonomous systems, the Internet of Things, robotics, artificial intelligence, and large-scale blue energy harvesting.

Ruzhu Wang emerged as the laureate in the New Ways of Energy Application category for his research in sorption cooling, which has significantly improved the technology of using low-grade thermal energy to create high-efficiency cooling, as well as for a significant contribution to the development of a dehumidifier-based heat pump, which doubled the energy efficiency of cooling and heating.

During the ceremony, an Honorary Diploma was presented to a foreign scientist on behalf of the Global Energy Association.

Ljubivoje Popovic, who dedicated his entire life to working at the Electric Power Distribution Company of Belgrade, was awarded for developing a methodology that makes it possible to determine the relevant characteristics of high-voltage and ultra-high-voltage cable lines.

In addition, REW 2023 hosted an award ceremony for the winners of the Energy of the Pen international media competition, which aims to encourage journalists, observers, and experts to cover the most pressing issues facing the modern energy industry, including the transformation of the global energy balance, the development of new technologies, and climate change.

The awards were presented to the winners by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office and Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.

The Energy of the Pen competition received a total of 262 applications from Russia and 23 other countries.

The winners were selected by a panel of judges comprised of the directors of major television channels, business publications, and news agencies.

YOUTH DAY

On 13 October, REW concluded with Youth Day, which was attended by more than 2,000 young people, who presented dozens of projects and industry initiatives, shared their experience, and received advice from experts.

The central event of Youth Day was the plenary session Energy 2035: The Future of the Sector, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak.

The event was held in the format of a generational battle.

The REW Youth Day programme included a total of 30 events that aimed to promote the fuel and energy industry as well as engineering and technical professions.

The Forum is organised by the Roscongress Foundation and the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, with the support of the Moscow City Government.--OGN/ TradeArabia News Service
With no public notice, the United States has provided Ukraine an advanced missile system it withheld for the first 20 months of Ukraines war with Russia. Count that as the latest escalatory move in a world that suddenly seems filled with intensifying conflict.

Russia will threaten mayhem in response. Yet President Biden may finally have decided that the best way forward in Ukraine is to go all-in and help the besieged nation win on the battlefield instead of merely preventing it from losing. If so, its an overdue assertion of American power that could mark a defining moment of Bidens presidency and perhaps help his 2024 reelection effort.

On Oct. 17, Ukraine struck a Russian airfield about 80 miles behind the front lines, destroying several helicopters and a bunch of other Russian equipment. Most missiles in Ukraines arsenal cant travel that far with the kind of explosives that can destroy a fleet of aircraft arrayed on a tarmac. Russian images of the debris showed components of the US Army tactical missile system, known as ATACMS, and US officials told several news organizations the United States has finally given Ukraine the long-range missiles theyve been pleading for. The fact that Russia left helicopters vulnerable to such a strike suggests they didnt think Ukraine would get the missiles.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Bidens support has been instrumental, with the United States donating far more military equipment than any other nation. But Biden has also taken an incremental approach meant to avoid sharp provocations that could somehow trigger a wider American war with Russia. Since there has been no wider war, Biden can claim his approach has worked. But he has also taken considerable flak for holding back capabilities Ukraine needs to make decisive battlefield breakthroughs.

One after another, US weapons systems first deemed too risky to put in Ukraines hands have ended up there anyway, including armored personnel carriers, tanks, missile defense systems and medium-range missiles known as HIMARS. European nations and other Ukraine allies often follow Americas lead and send their own advanced weapons once the United States opens the door. Russian threats of nuclear retaliation or other dire consequences have never materialized. Biden critics contend that providing Western weapons sooner would have saved Ukrainian lives and hastened Russia's defeat, with no downside.

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A handful of ATACMS hitting a couple of Russian targets doesnt mean a new wonder weapon will promptly flip the direction of the war in Ukraines favor. The United States may not provide very many, and Ukraine might not get versions with the types of warheads that can hurt Russia the most by destroying bridges, ships, or other large targets up to 100 miles away.

Live fire testing of early versions of the Army Tactical Missile System at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., on Dec. 14, 2021. (John Hamilton/US Army via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Yet Bidens crossing of his own boundary in greenlighting the ATACMS delivery may reveal a new boldness at the White House, following the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel and the immediate reshuffling of American and Western priorities around the world. When Ukraine was the only major war America needed to support, a measured pace of progress might have seemed okay. But America must now support two wars, and that brings new urgency to pick up the pace in Ukraine and press for breakthroughs.

Three developments have changed the US calculus on Ukraine. First, continued funding is now at risk. When Congress passed temporary spending bills at the end of September, it left out further aid for Ukraine, even though Biden is asking for $24 billion for the next 12 months. That could have come in follow-up legislation, except Republicans fired their own House speaker on Oct. 3 and basically shut down the House, scrambling the outlook for all future legislation. Theres majority support for more Ukraine aid in Congress, but a conservative minority opposes it, and theyre now exercising a kind of microminority veto power in the House. Theres a pathway to getting billions more for Ukraine, but that could be the last big package for a while, or maybe ever. Its time to convert US aid into a knockout blow against Russian forces.

The mushrooming Israel-Hamas war is another threat to Ukraine. US support for Israel seems ironclad, and Ukraine may now have to compete with Israel for key armaments in short supply. The more Israel needs, the less will be available for Ukraine. If its remotely possible to end the Ukraine war and focus more on the Middle East, the United States has to try.

The third factor is time, which Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks is on his side. Putin is banking on war fatigue building among Ukraines allies and political setbacks for Biden and other Western leaders who stand with Ukraine. Putin clearly hopes Donald Trump or another isolationist Republican will beat Biden in the 2024 presidential election and cut off Ukraine aid. Conflict in the Middle East will add to Western war fatigue, which is one more reason to intensify efforts to help Ukraine win, the sooner the better.

If Biden is truly ready to push Ukraine to victory, an important move would be a national address explaining to American voters why its worth spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money on Ukraine. After the Hamas attacks, Biden delivered a short but impassioned speech on why the United States will stand with Israel, which even critics praised as a galvanizing moment. Hes never made the case for Ukraine in the same way, which is puzzling, because its a solid argument: A small fraction of the US defense budget is helping Ukraine hack away at Russian military and political power, with no Americans in the line of fire. You almost cant ask for a better deal.

Biden also needs to sketch what victory in Ukraine would look like. If Ukraine gets enough ATACMS, they could wreak havoc on Russian supply lines, harass Russias forces in occupied Crimea, and maybe even drive Russias Black Sea fleet out of the region. Ukraines other big ask is Western fighter jets, to help cover Ukrainian ground forces and launch other long-range missiles. Those may arrive in 2024, but Washington could certainly help speed up delivery, including the long logistical trains aircraft require. Without overpromising, Biden could tell Americans his administration is redoubling its effort to aid Ukraine because an increasingly dangerous world requires more American policing.

The best outcome for Biden would obviously be tangible results in Ukraine and a stabilizing Middle East by the middle of 2024, when voters are deciding whether he deserves another term. Biden may have more power to influence events in Ukraine than in the Middle East, where Iran and a hornets nest of fanatical militias routinely upend business as usual. Biden didnt start either war, but American voters will judge him on the turns they take.

Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman.

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(Bloomberg) -- The last time Vladimir Putin set foot on Chinese soil he went home with the promise of a no limits partnership from President Xi Jinping. Less than a month later he launched the invasion of Ukraine. He returned to Beijing on Tuesday in a diminished state, needing the economic support of China and a route out of his self-inflicted political isolation.

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The meeting between the two presidents will inevitably be overshadowed by Israel's conflict with the Gaza-based militant group Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged China at the weekend to use its friendly ties with Iran  which supports Hamas  and broader influence in the Middle East to prevent the conflict from escalating. The pressure on Xi, and indirectly Putin, who is also close to Tehran, to act over the crisis is likely to intensify.

For now, the two leaders are expected to focus on their growing relationship. Russias reliance on China has reached into every facet of its economy in the 20 months since the invasion of Ukraine. With the West severing trade ties, Chinas exports to Russia have jumped 57% so far this year. The yuan accounted for almost half of the value of all foreign exchange trading in Moscow in September  up from just 0.4% in January 2022, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Economics. China is now the largest importer of fossil fuels from Russia, with coal shipments more than doubling since 2020.

The Russian leaders attendance at Xis Belt and Road Initiative Forum, which opened on Tuesday, comes on his first trip abroad  aside from visiting former Soviet states  since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him in March for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. The visit will allow Russia to cement this critical economic support and apply pressure on Beijing to sign agreements on a new gas pipeline.

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For his part, Xi is seeking a reliable Russia to be a powerful partner in building his vision of an alternative world order. One based on an age-old mutual distrust of the West  especially the US and its military allies  and a desire to reinforce its own position on the island of Taiwan, which it views as a breakaway province, but which Washington has committed to support.

Putin is a key part of that. Indeed, if China were to invade Taiwan  a prospect that is unlikely anytime soon  Russia could prove crucial in ensuring supplies of food and fuel and potentially providing political cover at the United Nations Security Council.

But there is disquiet among some experts and academics in Beijing who think China is getting little from the relationship beyond a new market for some of its cars, televisions and smartphones and knock-down prices for Russian oil and gas. This has led to questions over whether Beijing has gambled too much on the Russian leader.

I think Putin is not an ideal partner for Xi Jinping  he hoped for much more, said Jakub Jakobowski, deputy director at the Centre for Eastern Studies in Warsaw. Hes increasingly a burden for Xi internally for those parts of the Chinese elite that dont want to subscribe to this big affair that Russia has started.

Read More: Why Deepening China-Russia Ties Worry Democracies: QuickTake

Xi is looking to strike a balance, which has become more difficult the longer the conflict has dragged on. He hasnt provided any major military aid to Russia that would provoke US sanctions against China, and hes warned against both the use of nuclear weapons and attacks on civilians. Unlike Putin, who is treated as a pariah by the West, Xi wants a stable relationship with the US and appears likely to meet President Joe Biden in November. But his refusal to explicitly condemn the invasion has undermined Beijings claim to neutrality and reinforced skepticism among some Group of Seven countries of its 12-point peace proposal to resolve the Ukraine crisis.

The Chinese leaders peace push did win him some credibility among emerging economies like Brazil. Indeed, he spent the early part of the year trying to act as a global peacemaker helping long-time rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran reach a diplomatic truce. He later proposed an Israel-Palestine peace conference, which is why he is now being urged to take a role in calming the conflict with Hamas. Beijing has called for a cease-fire, but beyond that its influence is unclear. For Putin, the conflict could be useful if it means Western powers and public attention are distracted away from the fighting in Ukraine.

Xi has more immediate worries at home. An economic slowdown raises the potential for more social unrest. Both the foreign and defense ministers appear to have been ousted in recent months, and there has been an overhaul of the generals responsible for Chinas Rocket Force, which manages the nations nuclear arsenal.

The US is tightening export curbs on advanced technology, the EU is probing Chinas electric vehicle subsidies and some Asian neighbors have ramped up military spending amid a rise in tensions over Taiwan. The EUs chief trade negotiator, Valdis Dombrovskis, has warned that Chinas stance on Ukraine is hurting the appetite of businesses to invest in the worlds second-biggest economy.

Beijing is wary that as long as people continue to put China and Russia in the same category, they will actually burn the bridge to Europe, the US and others, said Ngeow Chow Bing, director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, who has written extensively on Chinese politics. China wants to present itself as someone that both sides can rely on.

Putin was the first foreign leader that Xi visited after he became Chinas president in 2013. And over the past decade the two have often been described as having a close relationship, despite not sharing a common language. In 2019 they celebrated Xis birthday together in Tajikistan: Putin gave the Chinese leader a gift of a box of ice cream popsicles. The two presidents  who have both changed their countrys rules to allow them the opportunity to extend their time in power  last met in Moscow in March, just days after the ICC issued its arrest warrant against Putin. In an interview broadcast on Russian TV on Monday, Putin said of his relationship with Xi: "If we agree on something, we can be sure that both sides will keep their end of the bargain."

Yet, there also exists, said a Europe-based diplomat, an element of sibling rivalry in the dynamic between the two leaders, a nod to a time when the Soviet Union was regarded as the big brother in the relationship. That is no longer the case.

Relations between the countries have often been strained  sometimes openly hostile. In 1969 border clashes prompted the Soviet Union to threaten the use of atomic weapons against China. That nuclear blackmail is one reason Beijing will oppose any similar Russian threats in Ukraine, according to Wang Yiwei, a former Chinese diplomat to the EU.

Another red line for Beijing, he added, is the principle of territorial sovereignty enshrined in the UN charter. Thats something China regularly uses to bolster its claim to Taiwan. And although Xi appears to share Putins concerns about the expansion of NATO, that doesnt signal all-out support for Russia.

Those backing Moscow, said Wang, are not supporting Russias territorial seizure but rather celebrating Russians with their behavior against Western hegemony. Wang, now an influential academic and director of Renmin University's Institute of International Affairs added: Many people hate Russia and criticize Russia.

One area of tension has been Chinas Belt and Road initiative  Xis landmark foreign policy program to expand Beijings influence through projects now valued at $1 trillion  which has made inroads into Central Asia, Russias backyard.

Read More: Xis $1 Trillion Project of the Century Gets a Reality Check

For now, Russia can do little about the imbalance in relations. Moscow badly needs Beijings co-operation to keep its economy afloat, said Alexander Isakov, an economist who covers Russia at Bloomberg Economics. Moscow will have to shoulder most of the costs.

The growth in bilateral trade with Russia is a rare bright spot for China, as policymakers try to kickstart growth in the sluggish economy. Increased exports to Russia are partly attributable to Chinese consumer goods companies filling the gap vacated by western brands who fled the country after sanctions were imposed. Shipments of made-in-China vehicles, parts and accessories jumped to about $14 billion in the first eight months of this year, a more than five-fold increase from the same period in 2021, according to data from China's General Administration of Customs.

Longer-term, Moscow needs Beijing to invest in domestic manufacturing. Sectors like the automobile industry need help to fill the gap left by Western companies. Just eight out of Russias 14 passenger-car plants are operational. Smaller Chinese car manufacturers already produce in Russia, but to return output to pre-invasion levels of about 1.4 million cars, from 451,000 in 2022, another two or three major companies would need to set up assembly lines in Russia, according to Bloomberg Economics analysis.

For Russia, closer integration with China is a necessity  it needs to find a replacement for technology, capital that has previously been provided from the EU and other G-7 countries, said Isakov. For China, the risk is that capital invested in Russia may lose value when and if sanctions on Moscow are relaxed or lifted and its producers will have to compete for the market share with G-7 car manufacturers again.

Beijing is providing respite for Moscows most pressing financial worries. It has become the main buyer of cheap Russian oil and gas in the absence of European customers. China bought about $37.5 billion of crude oil from Russia in the first eight months of 2023 according to Chinese trade data. At the end of 2022, coal shipments had risen to over 64 million tons, an annual record that's set to be shattered this year after imports topped 70 million tons between January and August.

At the same time as providing this financial lifeline, Beijing is holding out for a more favorable deal from Moscow over the proposed natural gas pipeline, Power of Siberia 2. Moscow frequently talks up the prospects of an imminent agreement, but Beijing has been far more reticent and no contracts have been signed. Analysts expect Russia to push for more deals and cooperation agreements this week.

The internationalization of the yuan, which makes up just 3% of the worlds foreign exchange reserves, is viewed by Beijing as another front in its efforts to challenge US dominance of the global financial system. Russia's use of the yuan in export payments surged to 29% in August from zero prior to the invasion, while it made up 38% of imports versus 4% over the same period, the data show.

But Beijing cant press its advantage too hard, according to Yun Sun, senior fellow and co-director of the East Asia program at the Stimson Center think-tank. Russias current strategic quagmire will not last forever, she said. For Beijing, the focus is not necessarily how much Russia is ready to give, but what costs China has to carry.

--With assistance from Clara Ferreira Marques, Sarah Chen, Jason Rogers, James Mayger, Linda Lew, Lucille Liu, Jill Elaine Disis, Tom Orlik, Chang Shu, Jennifer Welch, Fran Wang, Xiao Zibang and Alex Isakov.

(Updates with fresh detail on Putins arrival in Beijing.)

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Virginias basic goal of helping families receiving welfare to become self-sufficient isnt working, according to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.

The General Assembly watchdog groups study of self-sufficiency programs found:

The local departments of social services that are responsible for a quarter of people in the states main welfare-to-work program spend less than half the funds theyve been allocated for employment supports, such as training, background checks, child care, safety equipment and bus tickets so people without cars can get to work.

Only 47 of 120 local departments have any formal agreement with workforce development regions, the prime coordinator for job training and job finding services.

The state does not have a plan, required by law, for social services Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) program to collaborate with workforce development agencies.

Only 0.5% of VIEW participants enroll in the state's workforce development system.

What local departments say they commonly do to sanction recipients who dont comply with work requirements doesnt match what state data show are actual sanctions or payment suspensions issued.

Its a system thats not designed to get people to self-sufficiency, said state Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, a JLARC member.

Thats borne out by how people in Virginia's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program and the main food stamps program fare.

Few Virginians who qualify for the states self-sufficiency programs exit poverty or achieve self-sufficiency, JLARC analyst Stefanie Papps said, as she introduced the study findings to the commissions General Assembly members.

State policies, low participation in the workforce development system and the multitude of barriers are all factors contributing to disappointing results, she said.

While local departments are allowed to use support payments to tackle one of the biggest barriers to employment  child care  many do not, JLARC said.

At the same time, Virginia would need to find $319 million to maintain the 40,000 subsidized child care slots federal COVID-19 funds currently help fund when those funds disappear this fiscal year.

Without that additional money, only 11,600 to 16,000 children would have the subsidized slots for which parents now pay $72 a month, JLARC said.

Of some 328,000 Virginia households with incomes below the federal poverty line, 16,000 are enrolled in TANF. Of those families, 9,900 are enrolled in TANFs Virginia Initiative for Education and Work. TANF payments are fairly low: a Richmond family of four, for instance, gets a monthly check for $301.

From 2018 to 2022, the percentage of those families reaching or exceeding the income needed to be self-sufficient, so that they can pay for food, shelter and other basic necessities  in metro Richmond, a figure roughly twice as high as the poverty line  rose from zero to 2%, the JLARC study found.

The percentage with no income at all rose from 14% to 38%.

Median wage income rose from $13,200 a year to $16,300.

Most current clients are not meeting the 30 to 35 hour a week work requirement. That percentage rose from 55% in 2016 to 77% as of June.

For those who had been enrolled in the program and who are now working, more than two-thirds work in low-wage, limited-hours businesses, such as temporary employment agencies, call centers, home health and restaurants.

Locke said thats a sign that Virginia needs to think harder about helping participants in self-sufficiency programs move up to better-paying, steadier work.

JLARC said the General Assembly might want to consider moving TANF's VIEW program and food stamp Education and Trading program to the state's new Workforce Development Department.

The legislature might also consider using federal workforce development funds to move workforce agency staff into social services offices, so officials could collaborate more effectively.

"What we need is better coordination," Locke said.
Officials from the Three Rivers Public Health Department are urging residents of the three counties the department serves to be vigilant this fall for COVID-19, influenza and RSV and also to get vaccinated.

In a press release, department officials also unveiled the schedule for 3RPHD vaccination clinics through the next several weeks. The vaccination clinics will be open Monday through Friday as well as on three different Saturdays in October.

The Three Rivers Public Health Department services residents in Dodge, Saunders and Washington counties.

The updated COVID-19 vaccine has received federal regulatory approval, and a new annual flu vaccine is available. With cooler temperatures, the risk of respiratory illnesses rises, but there are now more tools available to keep people healthy, department officials stated in the press release. The triple threat of respiratory viruses that includes flu, RSV and COVID-19 has the potential to spread quickly in crowded classrooms, across workplaces, indoor gatherings and later in the winter during the holidays.

Terra Uhing, executive director of Three Rivers Public Health Department, stated in the press release that, The time is now to plan and prepare for a healthier fall and winter because it takes approximately two weeks to take effect.

We know that the COVID-19 vaccines that are available are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, Uhing said in the press release.

Public health experts from the 3RPHD recommended the following:

Influenza (Flu): Everyone 6 months and older is eligible and recommended to receive a flu vaccine. This is especially important for those at highest risk of experiencing severe symptoms, including older people, people with chronic health conditions, people who are pregnant and young children. Doses are available now.

COVID-19: Everyone 6 months and older is now eligible and recommended to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Doses of the updated vaccine, manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer, have been approved, authorized and recommended by national health experts for the following groups.

Everyone 5 years of age and older regardless of previous vaccination: get a single dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine at least two months after your last COVID-19 vaccine dose. If you recently had COVID, you may consider delaying your vaccine by three months.

Children 6 months through 4 years: complete a multi-dose initial series with at least one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Immunocompromised individuals complete a 3-dose initial series with at least one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Residents who want to get vaccinated can attend any walk-in vaccination clinics on the following days and times on Monday through Saturday through the end of October at the 3RPHD clinic at 2400 N. Lincoln Ave.

From Monday through Friday, clinic hours are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The clinic will be open on both Saturday Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Officials noted that patients should bring a valid health insurance card if they have coverage and that vaccinations are covered by most health insurances.

Free flu and COVID-19 vaccines are being offered to people at 3RPHD who do not have insurance, while supplies last, and 3RPHD will bill insurance for those that have insurance, officials explained in the press release. You can get both the flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

Patients who are unable to transport themselves to the clinic can contact 3RPHD officials via telephone at 402-704-2646 to inquire about special accommodations. For more information, check online at threeriverspublichealth.org under the calendar of events tab or call on the telephone at 402-727-5396.
The latest addition of many tributes to the brave men and women military veterans in Fremont is close to completion.

The new Freedom Rock at Veterans Park on Military Avenue has been completely painted with locally-focused scenes and imagery and is now having several layers of Klear Kote added to protect the artwork on the boulder.

Chris Madsen, chairman of the Fremont Veterans Park, said the rock will be available for viewing by the public on Friday, Oct. 20, and that an official unveiling and dedication ceremony is slated for 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 11.

Slated to speak at the official dedication are Madsen, Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg, local U.S. Army and Iraq combat veteran Travis Von Seggern and other veterans from Dodge County.

The rock was painted by renowned Freedom Rock artist Ray Bubba Sorensen, who is responsible for painting Freedom Rocks across the United States. Sorensen was the painter for the 99 different Freedom Rocks located in every county Iowa, and the Fremont Freedom Rock is the third to be done in Nebraska.

We still are needing to put Klear Kote on it and other protectants. It will remain under the tent until Friday, Madsen said of the progress of the rock.

One important aspect of the rock, Madsen noted, is that it can never be touched by visitors to the memorial. The paint and Klear Kote used on the boulder can be degraded from the oils emitted by skin, and Madsen urged those who visit the monument when open to never touch it in any manner.

Respectfully observe the rock. We strongly urge people to not touch the rock, Madsen asked of those paying tribute to veterans by visiting the memorial.

Von Seggern was at the Freedom Rock on Monday, Oct. 16, with several other veterans who were helping apply the Klear Kote protective sheen with air-spray paint guns.

A four-year U.S. Army veteran who served as a heavy equipment operator in Iraq, Von Seggern said the painted boulder monument is a testament to the military veterans and iconic heroes from Dodge County.

Von Seggern  who was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded in Iraq  is the commanding officer of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 16-3 out of Hooper. The club is comprised of combat veterans from assorted conflicts and wars, and they raised 100% of the funds in 18 months to buy the boulder and have it painted.

The images painted on the rock by Sorensen include city-namesake John C. Fremont; imagery of a deceased veterans casket being carried by an honor guard and a tribute to Hooper native U.S. Army 1st Lt. Donald K. Schwab, who was awarded the U.S. Army Medal of Honor posthumously by President Barack Obama in a March 18, 2014, ceremony in the White House.

For his bravery, courage and selfless actions during intense combat in World War II, Schwab also was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross; the Bronze Star Medal; the Purple Heart with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Silver Service Star; two Bronze Service Stars and Bronze Arrowhead Device; the World War II Victory Medal; a Combat Infantryman Badge; and the French Fourragere, Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II.

Von Seggern said having Sorensen paint the rock was special, noting that it was only his third Freedom Rock project in the Cornhusker state.

(Sorensen) has done one in every county in Iowa. It is a big thing for veterans to get together and ride (motorcycles) to the rocks and honor other veterans, Von Seggern explained. This is the third rock in Nebraska, and is solely focused on Dodge County veterans and achievements.

As Madsen stressed, Von Seggern said it is critically important that the public, never touch, the Freedom Rock as skin oils will cause damage to the painting.

Dale Finney, commander of the Fremont chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, said he was elated that Von Seggern, Madsen and others in the Dodge County military veterans community had collaborated together to bring a Freedom Rock to the city.

It is really looking good. It is fantastic, Finney said in a telephone interview. It is really neat. The ability (Sorensen) has in painting those rocks is great. Ive been to several hes painted in Iowa. It is a great addition to the Veterans Park.
An 18-year-old Fremont man who allegedly fled from the scene of a fatal crash will stand trial for motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Doltyn Garule is free after posting 10% of $100,000 bail and awaiting trial in Dodge County District Court. He is accused of crashing a 2004 Hyundai Sana Fe into a wooden fence about 5 a.m. on Sept. 9 in the area of 400 South Ridge Road just south of Fremont.

Ryan Littrell, 18, of Fremont, was located at the crash site and taken to a Fremont hospital, where he died, according to the Dodge County Sheriffs Office. According to an arrest affidavit, Garule fled from the scene of the crash and was located later at a nearby lake home.

The affidavit said Garule had a blood-alcohol level of 0.101. The blood alcohol limit for drivers in Nebraska is 0.08 percent.

Garule also faces charges of failure to stop and render aid, tampering with evidence, willful reckless driving, obstruction of an officer and first-offense DUI. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing and will make his first appearance in district court later this month.

According to the arrest affidavit, a witness following Garules vehicle reported it was traveling at a high speed on a gravel road when the crash occurred. The witness told deputies that Garule removed the license plates from his vehicle before fleeing on foot.

A deputy reported arriving at the lake home and identified Garule among multiple parties outside. Garule admitted to being drunk and driving the SUV when it crashed. He also told deputies where the license plates from the vehicle could be found.
Shipley Do-Nuts, a nearly 90-year-old, Texas-based chain, opened its first Colorado Springs location Monday at 11010 Cross Peak View, northeast of InterQuest and Voyager parkways on the citys far north side. Shipleys hours are from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The 1,900-square-foot store, which includes a drive-thru, will offer more than 60 varieties of doughnuts, including Shipleys signature plain glazed doughnut, whose hexagon shape creates a lighter, fluffier texture, the chain said in a news release. Other menu items include kolaches, cinnamon rolls, bear claws and coffee.

The Springs location, which will have a celebratory grand opening Nov. 6, is the third in Colorado for Shipley, which also operates in Fountain and Aurora.

Shipley was founded in 1936 in Houston; it franchises more than 330 restaurants to operators in 10 states, the release said.

The Colorado locations are operated by Utah-based franchisee Meisternuts, which operates burger and chicken restaurants and said this year it plans to add 16 Shipley locations in the Colorado Springs and Denver areas over the next several years.

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By Rich Laden rich.laden@gazette.com
A preliminary investigation shows that a broken train track rail was the cause of the fatal derailment and bridge collapse over Interstate 25, according to a Tuesday announcement from the National Transportation Safety Board.

NTSB spokesperson Sarah Sulick said investigators believe the broken rail preceded Sunday's derailment.

"Investigators will continue to determine the cause of the broken rail and why warnings systems did not alert the crews to the condition of the track as part of the ongoing investigation," Sulick said.

Numerous traffic detours remain in place as crews continue to work the scene of the train derailment.

According to reports from Gazette news partner, KKTV, several trucks arrived on the scene Tuesday just before 8 a.m., awaiting mangled train tracks and coal to be picked up and cleared from the scene, with additional crews on standby. Local and state law enforcement officials remained, patrolling the area.

Gov. Jared Polis is scheduled to visit the site of the derailment around 11 a.m. Wednesday, his office announced in an email.

Local and federal officials said cleanup from the incident is anticipated to take at least two days, once the process begins.

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway continues to function as the primary entity dealing with the cleanup, response and reconstruction, officials said in a news release Monday.

BNSF estimates that clearing activities will take approximately two days, once the cleanup begins. As all of the entities involved determine other timeline elements, additional details and updates will be shared with the public.

Semi-truck driver Lafollette Henderson, 60, was trapped under the bridge and debris and died on scene, the Pueblo County Coroners Office said.

According to Pueblo County spokesperson Gayle Perez, Lafollettes truck was the only vehicle involved in the crash.

The derailed train consisted of five locomotives and 124 cars carrying coal, according to an email from the NTSB. Officials said a total of 30 cars derailed.

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According to an announcement from the NTSB, a team of track discipline, mechanical discipline and railroad operations specialist arrived on the scene Monday to assist in the investigation.

Described by officials with the Colorado Department of Transportation as an extended closure, I-25 at mile marker 107, north of Pueblo, remained closed in both directions Tuesday. Numerous detours remain in place as crews work to clear the scene of the incident.

CDOT officials have suggested the following detours for motorists traveling along I-25 between Colorado Springs and Pueblo:

Southbound: Motorists from Colorado Springs area traveling southbound are advised to take Colorado 115 toward Penrose and then proceed east on U.S. 50 toward Pueblo

Northbound: Motorists traveling northbound are advised to exit I-25 at U.S. 50/Colorado 47 and travel west toward Colorado 115. Motorists will then head north toward Colorado Springs.

Local traffic detour: Motorists south of Fountain and traveling southbound on I-25 towards Pueblo will be detoured to exit 110 toward Overton Road then toward Jerry Murphy Road. Motorists will then head towards I-25 via westbound Colorado 47. This access route is recommended for local traffic only.

Wide-load/trucker detour routes: Vehicles over 11-feet wide should seek alternate highway routes as CO 115 has current width restrictions in place.

Eastbound: Drive east via U.S. 50 or Colorado 96 to Colorado 71

Westbound: Drive west on U.S. 50 and then use U.S. 285

According to Trooper Gabriel Moltrer with the Colorado Department of Public Safety, officials are asking drivers to utilize detours as they are in place and avoid roadways within the boundaries of private property lines.

"Going through private property without that consent can have legal ramifications if the landowner wishes to pursue any legal action towards the driver," Moltrer said.

Click or tap here for live traffic updates.
Bahrain International Airport will officially host the 29th edition of Routes World in Bahrain from October 6 to 8, 2024, with more than 2,500 aviation professionals from around the world taking part.

The conference baton was passed on to Zayed R Alzayani, Chairman of Gulf Air Group Holding (GFG), by Selahattin Bilgen, the CEO of Istanbul Airport, during a handover ceremony held at the 28th conference in Istanbul, Turkey.

The announcement comes as part of Gulf Air Group Holdings participation in the 28th edition of Routes World that took place in Istanbul from October 15 to 17. GFG was in attendance alongside a special Bahrain delegation including Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), Bahrain Airport Services (BAS), Bahrain Economic Development Board, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Exhibition World Bahrain.

Alzayani said: We are honoured that the Kingdom of Bahrain will be hosting this prominent global event, and wed like to congratulate Team Bahrain for their efforts in contributing to hosting the 29th edition of the conference that will bring together global leaders from the aviation sector under one roof. The conference will support the objectives of the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, with an aim to position the Kingdom as a global, competitive and sustainable economic hub.

The conference will provide a platform to discuss important development plans that support the growth of the aviation sector and will showcase Bahrains resilient infrastructure, contributing to the highest standards and efficiency in aviation services. The conference also offers a unique opportunity to collaborate closely with global airline companies, as the aviation sector is one of the key fields shaping Bahrains vision towards economic, social and cultural diversification. The importance of connecting the Kingdom of Bahrain to the world has been evident in the air transport sector, as it is one of the most developed and growing sectors globally, he said.

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah said: We want to express our joy and gratitude in hosting this pioneering global event that will provide a platform for thousands of experts in the aviation sector to discuss the most important topics related to air transport, share experiences, and exchange opinions. It is also an opportunity to highlight the new passenger terminal, supporting BACs strategic goal of attracting more than 14 million visitors annually by adding new air routes and services. We are confident that hosting this global event will give attendees a closer look at the Kingdom of Bahrains thriving and growing market.

As the most significant global event for the aviation sector, Routes World is expected to facilitate discussions on strategies that will shape the future of aviation services worldwide. The conference has consistently resulted in positive outcomes, enhancing global connectivity networks, and strengthening connections between more than half of new aviation companies through networking and meetings. TradeArabia News Service
The Colorado Supreme Court has upheld the fruits of a Denver Police Department search warrant that detectives used three years ago to identify the teenagers accused of killing five members of a family with an intentionally set house fire.

Attorneys for 19-year-old Gavin Seymour, one of the teenagers charged with first-degree murder, sought to have the evidence from a warrant for Google searches of the destroyed homes address, on North Truckee Street in Green Valley Ranch, excluded from his case. They argued the warrant violated his protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The justices found in a split decision released Monday the evidence uncovered will be admissible in court because police acted on a good-faith belief the warrant was constitutional.

But in an area the court acknowledges there is no well-established law anywhere to address, the court declined to make a broad rule about the constitutionality of reverse-keyword search warrants. The type of warrant uses the term reverse because they use potentially incriminating evidence to identify possible suspects, rather than the other way around, as in traditional warrants.

If dystopian problems emerge, as some fear, the courts stand ready to hear argument regarding how we should rein in law enforcements use of rapidly advancing technology. Today, we proceed incrementally based on the facts before us, wrote Justice William Hood in the majority opinion, joined by three other of the courts seven justices.

But the decision prompted concerns from two justices, who argued in a dissenting opinion reverse keyword searches fly in the face of the Fourth Amendments protections against unreasonable searches.

I think it's very hard to be the first court to issue a decision, and then try to make it a broad pronouncement about This is just the way things work now, said Christopher Jackson, an appellate attorney and partner at Holland & Hart.

And so I think it's always a judgment call about whether you want to find the narrowest way to dispose of the case, or whether you think it's important to give a somewhat broader ruling or to consider more issues to get to the same place.

It took the Denver Police Department writing three warrants for Google searches of the homes address before Google agreed to cooperate because of the companys privacy policies, according to the opinion. The department eventually wrote a warrant for anonymized IP addresses associated with searches for the address in the fifteen days before the fire. The results turned up eight separate accounts, five of which appeared to be based in Colorado.

Google then cooperated with an additional warrant for the names and other identifying information associated with the Colorado-based accounts. Police eventually eliminated two of those people as possible suspects, and their investigation led them to the three teenagers ultimately charged for the fire.

The break came after months of police following other leads and coming up empty handed.

Seymour and Kevin Bui, now also 19, face several first-degree murder charges each for the fire set in the early-morning hours of Aug. 5, 2020. The blaze killed five members of a Senegalese immigrant family, sparking fear in Denvers West African community about whether the attack was a targeted hate crime. The teenagers, 16 at the time but charged as adults, intended the attack as revenge for a robbery in which Buis phone was stolen.

However, the teens targeted the wrong house.

The Supreme Court appeal in Seymours case also put Buis case on hold.

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Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said in a statement Monday shes pleased her office can move forward with prosecuting the cases.

The Court recognized that police officers exercised good faith in obtaining the warrant that led to the identification of the suspects. We agree with that part of the court's opinion and will now move forward with our cases," McCann said.

A third boy involved, who was 14 at the time of the fire, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and has received a 10-year detention sentence: Three years in the states Division of Youth Services, which handles juvenile detention, and seven years in the Department of Corrections Youthful Offender System.

Justices Monica Marquez and Carlos Samour dissented from the majoritys decision. In their separate opinion, they worry about the implications of potential broad use of keyword search warrants.

Justice Maria Berkenkotter agreed with upholding the evidence found from the search warrant because of the polices reliance on it in good faith, but she wrote that she believes the search was unconstitutional and no probable cause existed for the search of Seymours records.

"By authorizing law enforcement to rummage through the private search histories of a billion individuals for potential evidence of criminal activity, reverse-keyword warrants permit exactly what the Fourth Amendment forbids, Marquez wrote, also adding, At the risk of sounding alarmist, I fear that by upholding this practice, the majoritys ruling today gives constitutional cover to law enforcement seeking unprecedented access to the private lives of individuals not just in Colorado, but across the globe.

The Supreme Court actually assumed without deciding there was no legal basis for the warrant specific to Seymour. But the justices chose to jump over resolving whether a search of data, such as Google use history, requires probable cause for a specified user, finding that because the police relied on the warrant in good faith, the evidence turned up is admissible.

Jennifer Lynch, general counsel for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, compared the concept of reverse keyword searches to an Illinois case that went up to the U.S. Supreme Court, in which police searched every patron of a bar while executing a search warrant based on a tip that a bartender would be selling heroin. They found bar patron Ventura Ybarra possessed heroin, who was later indicted on drug possession charges.

But the Supreme Court found the officers had no probable cause to suspect patrons of committing a crime just because they were at the bar during the search.

That's essentially what's happening with keyword search warrants, Lynch said. The police don't have probable cause to search any individual person, and so they don't have probable cause to search every person who's conducting a search on Google.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation submitted a friend of the court brief in Seymours case and took the position that reverse keyword searches are inherently unconstitutional. Lynch said the use of reverse keyword search warrants by governments could be used to target people making sensitive search queries.

Jackson, the attorney from Holland & Hart, said the increasing ubiquity of digital technology and the internet in peoples lives has called into question long-standing case law about privacy expectations in protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. As one example, the U.S. Supreme Court has long held that voluntarily giving information to a third party, such as to a bank, forfeits a persons expectation of privacy for that information. But Jackson said the increasing reality that lot of third parties have access to peoples information in the digital age has drawn criticism to that principle.

That is what makes Fourth Amendment jurisprudence so difficult. It's trying to map on the constitutional text and a lot of long-standing case law onto very new technologies, where the analogies often don't line up very well or break down in some sense, Jackson said.
The man seen on video hitting and killing a Pueblo parole officer with his vehicle in late September carries a significant criminal past  a fact that could significantly impact future sentencing.

The court filed formal charges against 41-year-old Justin Kula on Friday after he allegedly struck Christine Guerin Sandoval with his car on Sept. 28 and drove off when Guerin Sandoval and other officers attempted to contact him at West Bijou and North Spruce streets.

Guerin Sandoval, 50, was taken to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Another officer who was hurt in the crash was treated and released from the hospital.

Kula is facing multiple felony charges including manslaughter, vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident, third-degree assault, and three sentence enhancers of being a habitual criminal, prosecutors said.

Previous court records indicate this incident follows a lengthy criminal history including more than a dozen felony convictions spanning across two decades in Colorado and Texas. In 2020, Kula was convicted of disorderly conduct, and assaulting a peace officer, among other crimes, according to previous reporting by the Gazette.

Additionally, Kula faced 13 felony charges in Texas between 2000 and 2018 including six possession of drugs charges, two theft charges, three assault charges, a harassment charge, and a misdemeanor charge in 2007 for making terroristic threats.

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Among Kula's most recently acquired charges, the three counts of being a habitual offender in Colorado are noteworthy in that they could lead to him being sentenced to three times the usual maximum sentence for his other charges, said Colorado Springs defense attorney Beau Worthington.

"So the way habitual sentencing works  it's based on a criminal defendant's conviction history," Worthington said.

"What this does is two things  it opens up the maximums and minimums and removes a lot of discretion a sentencing judge would usually have," Worthington said. "It exponentially increases clients' potential exposure to sentenced prison time."

Kula's next appearance in court is scheduled to be a preliminary hearing on Jan. 8. He is being held at the El Paso County jail on a $250,000 bond.
A teenage boy's alleged joyride in a stolen vehicle ended after he crashed into a Colorado Springs mobile home, according to Gazette news partner KKTV.

Early Sunday morning, around 3 a.m., police received reports of a reckless driver in the area of Chelton Road and Astrozon Boulevard, in southeast Colorado Springs, KKTV said. The crash at the Meadows Mobile Home park nearby was reported shortly thereafter.

Police told the news station that the boy remained on scene with "pretty serious" lacerations from the crash and was taken to the hospital.

Residents of the impacted home said they had been sleeping when the vehicle hit one of them ;it's the second time a car has hit their home, KKTV reported.

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A passenger believed to be a female under 18 years old fled the scene, KKTV reported.

Police told the station that the car was stolen, but did not provide further details.
Police have charged the driver in an August crash that killed a pedestrian near a supermarket on the north end of the city.

Emergency dispatchers received a call just before 8 a.m. Aug. 31 about a crash just outside the King Soopers supermarket in the 6900 block of North Academy Boulevard. When officers arrived at the Woodman Valley Shopping Center parking lot, they found a white sedan with a person pinned beneath it, police said.

Medical personnel declared 51-year-old Marcus Bogart, of Colorado Springs, dead at the scene.

The driver, identified as 76-year-old Richard Goodwin, was charged with careless driving resulting in death, police announced Monday.

Officials said speed and alcohol impairment were not factors in the crash.

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Bogart's death was the 30th traffic fatality of 2023 in Colorado Springs, police said. There were 36 traffic fatalities investigated in the city by the same time last year.
A semi-trailer truck driver was killed when a train derailed and a railroad bridge collapsed onto Interstate 25 near Pueblo, spilling coal and mangled rail cars onto the roadway and shutting it down indefinitely, authorities said Monday.

The truck driver was initially said to be trapped in the Sunday afternoon crash on I-25, but on Monday the Pueblo County Coroner's Office said Lafollette Henderson, 60, of Compton, Calif., died on scene.

No other vehicles were involved, Pueblo County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Gayle Perez said.

Photos and videos posted by authorities showed a partially collapsed bridge over the interstate with the semi-truck caught beneath in the right lane. The images also showed a pileup of train cars, train wheels scattered across the scene and loads of coal covering a portion of the highway near mile marker 107.

The highway remained closed Monday. The Colorado Department of Transportation said it would be an extended closure.

The train consisted of five locomotives and 124 cars carrying coal, according to an email from the National Transportation Safety Board. A total of 30 cars derailed.

"A team of four NTSB investigators arrived on the scene (Monday)," an NTSB spokesperson said by email. "The team comprises specialists in track discipline, mechanical discipline, and railroad operations. The team will also be in communication with NTSB highway safety experts at its headquarters in Washington, D.C."

As part of this investigation, NTSB investigators will determine the probable cause of the derailment and examine the adequacy of track inspections, oversight of track maintenance, the bridge's structure and maintenance, and any issues with rail equipment.

A preliminary report will be available within 30 days, containing information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation, according to the NTSB email. A final report is expected in 12-24 months.

The recommended detour between Colorado Springs and Pueblo is Colorado 115 and U.S. 50. Northbound traffic will have to divert off at exit 101 (U.S. 50 westbound). Southbound traffic is being diverted onto Overton Road via exit 110, according to State Patrol, which said to expect long delays.

The bridge was built in 1958 according to CDOT records, department spokesperson Bob Wilson said. BNSF owns the bridge and is responsible for inspecting it, he said.

It was not immediately known whether the truck was caught beneath the collapsing bridge or if it somehow caused the collapse, Perez said.

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Officials didnt provide details about the truck drivers death, citing an ongoing investigation. Until investigators are able to assess the scene, its unknown what the timeline for the highways reopening will be, said Perez.

Between 39,000 and 44,000 vehicles daily use I-25, according to Shipley.

The BNSF train carrying coal derailed on a bridge over Interstate 25 just north of Pueblo around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Kendall Kirkham Sloan, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth, Texas-based freight railroad. There were no reported injuries to BNSF crew. The cause of the derailment was under investigation and BNSF personnel were working with responding agencies to clear the incident as safely as possible, Kirkham Sloan said.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on social media that he had been in touch with Gov. Jared Polis and had been briefed by the Federal Railroad and Federal Highway administrations on the derailment and collapse. He said officials would be ready to help support a swift return to normal use for the highway and rail routes.

Unlike highway bridges, government agencies don't catalog rail bridges and its largely up to the railroads to inspect and maintain them. Federal officials monitor the inspection programs through audits but there is no inventory on the condition of the bridges.

There are somewhere between 61,000 and more than 100,000 railroad bridges across the U.S., according to figures provided by the Federal Railway Administration. The agency defines bridges as having a span of 20 feet or more, whereas some railroads count even short crossings over culverts as bridges.

Congress established the parameters of the government's oversight of bridges and railway administration officials have previously said they were not able to alter that approach unilaterally.

A railroad bridge collapse along a Montana Rail Link route in southern Montana in June sent railcars with oil products plunging into the Yellowstone River, spilling molten sulfur and up to 250 tons (226.7 metric tons) of hot asphalt. That collapse remains under investigation and involved a steel truss bridge

That's different than the type of bridge that Colorado officials said collapsed on Sunday. The bridge near Pueblo was a 188-feet long steel girder bridge, said Wilson. It was 14 feet wide with a clearance of 16.3 feet, he said.

President Joe Biden had been scheduled to visit CS Wind, the worlds largest facility for wind tower manufacturing, in Pueblo on Monday, but postponed the trip to stay in Washington and focus on the growing conflict in the Middle East.

The White House said just a few hours before Biden was set to take off for the trip that it would be rescheduled.

The derailment near Pueblo comes less than a week after a train derailed Oct. 9 in Colorado Springs. A Union Pacific Railroad train that was carrying Fort Carson equipment home from California went off the tracks on the south side of Colorado Springs.

4th Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Joseph Payton said 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.

___

Jesse Bedayn, Colleen Slevin, Sarah Brumfield, Josh Funk and Matthew Brown of the Associated Press reported on the story.
Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on News/Talk 710 KNUS. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on Twitter (X) @SengCenter.
Throw a dart at Mueller State Parks trail map, and youre likely to be satisfied by the hike. At last visit, we did not go with much of a plan.
Seven slow and solemn bell tolls rang in tribute during a memorial dedication ceremony Monday on Fort Carson for the latest group of veterans to be honored in permanence at the post.

Just west of the post's visitor center and 4th Infantry Division Museum, near the sidewalk leading to the Kit Carson statue, members of the local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1075, active-duty service members and their families gathered to unveil and dedicate an engraved stone slab honoring the Vietnam War's "heroes who didn't come home" and the veterans who did.

The memorial is the first at Fort Carson dedicated to Vietnam veterans, organizers said.

"We dedicate this site as a sacred place at Fort Carson where people can gather to take pictures, where veterans can gather and share experiences with each other or just stand or sit alone and ponder thoughts that they can never share with anyone," VVA Chapter 1075 chaplain LeRoy Trusty said.

Sixty-one units were activated at Fort Carson between 1965 and 1967, and, after six years of fighting in Vietnam, the 4th Infantry Division returned to Fort Carson and made the post its headquarters in 1970.

The memorial stone rests on a bed of 58 red-stained bricks, symbolizing the 58,220 service members who died in the conflict.

When Colorado Springs' VVA chapter raised the idea of a permanent memorial in January, organizers also brought forth a request to bury a capsule - set to be reopened in 2043 - directly behind the stone, Chapter 1075 president Thomas Dowell, USAF (Ret.), said.

The Army approved the request in July.

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"There's 30 letters (inside)," Dowell said of the time capsule. "In mine, I have my retirement orders, promotion orders, dog tags. I have 12 things in there that, hopefully, my grandkids  or great grandkids, which I don't have yet  in 20 years will open and have."

The Honor Bell Foundation, whose primary focus is rendering respectful, final honors for U.S. veterans and service members killed in action, traveled from Denver to Colorado Springs for the ceremony with its 1,000-pound bronze tolling bell in tow.

Cast in 2016, the Honor Bell contains donated artifacts from 12 deceased Colorado veterans, including a Purple Heart, service medals from various wars and other uniform insignia and accessories.

The seven tolls  representing the choice to serve, camaraderie, patriotism, respect, dignity, honor and the value of human life  offered a symbolic final salute to fallen Vietnam veterans.

Dowell said the VVA hopes the memorial, simple and designed to blend with the quiet nature of the memorial park, can serve as the warm welcome many Vietnam veterans never received upon their return home decades ago.

"Vietnam Veterans of America's founding principle promises that never again will one generation of veterans abandon another," Dowell said.
The Colorado Springs man charged with negligence after his negligence allegedly caused a child to drown is now out on bond.

Joseph Camacho, 53, was arrested earlier this month after a six-year-old child drowned at a pond in Memorial Park. Following his arrest Camacho was charged with child abuse resulting in death and negligence in causing the death of an at-risk person, both felony charges.

According to previous reporting from The Gazette, police were called in the afternoon of Sept. 30 when a woman who had been windsurfing at the park noticed a young boy who was "floating face down," in the pond.

Camacho told the investigator that he had taken the child to McDonald's for lunch and stopped by a liquor store before going to the park. He told the investigator the two had eaten lunch inside the truck together. But he had lost track of the child when he was using a portable toilet for 20-25 minutes. He said he was searching for the boy when he saw the ambulance.

The investigating officer noted in the affidavit that Camacho appeared to have extremely bloodshot eyes during the interview and said that he had drunk "one beer" in the hospital parking lot.

Police note within the affidavit that the six-year-old boy was related to Camacho, but the affidavit does not specify their relationship.

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Camacho appeared to Colorado's 4th Judicial District Court for his first appearance Monday afternoon out of custody. Court records show that Camacho posted a $25,000 bond through a bail bondsman to be released from custody on Oct. 2, only one day after he was arrested.

An attorney representing Camacho requested to set for a review hearing to take place on Nov. 21, waiving his client's right to a preliminary hearing within 35 days of his arrest.
After more than three years, the father of the 11-year-old boy who died from forced water intoxication is set to face trial starting next week.

Ryan Sabin, 43, faces seven charges, including first-degree murder, for allegedly causing the death of his Zachary in March 2020.

Both the prosecution and defense announced they were ready for trial on Tuesday morning at Sabin's pretrial readiness conference, with jury selection slated to begin on Monday, Oct. 23.

Sabin was arrested after Zachary dead in a urine-soaked diaper, at their Black Forest home.

Zachary, a fifth-grader at Explorer Elementary School in Colorado Springs, according to his obituary, died after he was forced to drink four 24-ounce bottles of water over a four-hour time period without eating, the El Paso County Coroners Office said. During the investigation, authorities learned that Zachary suffered from a genetic urological issue and needed to stay hydrated.

The night before his death, Zachary began vomiting and developed pain in his legs, an arrest affidavit said. When Zachary complained about the pain to his father and threw a tantrum on the floor, Ryan Sabin allegedly kicked his son, ordering him to get up.

According to the affidavit, Sabin picked up his son and when he let him go, the boy dropped to the ground and hit his head on the floor. Zachary became nonverbal and drowsy before he was put to bed, an autopsy stated.

Sabin called 911 about 6:15 a.m. on March 11 after he found Zachary in his bed with foam coming from his mouth and blood on his bed.

The coroner found blood on the boy's left eyebrow and forehead, according to the report. The boy also had bruises on his head, arms, shin and buttocks.

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Five other Sabin children also were found to be victims of abuse, the affidavit said.

Ryan Sabin's ex-wife, Tara Sabin, was originally charged with numerous counts of child abuse stemming from Zachary's death, but previous reporting from The Gazette details that she pleaded guilty to one count of criminally negligent homicide as part of a plea deal and received four years' probation.

Prosecutor Jennifer Viehman stated at Ryan Sabin's pretrial readiness conference Tuesday morning that Tara Sabin is expected to testify at trial.

Ryan Sabin's trial expected will last around two weeks.

Delays in Ryan Sabin's trial have come about for several reasons over the past three years, including delays to determine if Ryan and Tara Sabin would face trial together  before Tara Sabin's plea deal being accepted  and later hearings to determine which pieces of testimony could be introduced at trial.

Ryan Sabin's defense attorney, Josh Tolini, stated to the court on Tuesday that he expects the trial will be "expert- extensive" and that the majority of the facts of the case won't be in dispute.

Ryan Sabin has been out of custody since 2020 after posting a $50,000 bond to be released from the El Paso County jail. If Sabin is found guilty of the first-degree murder charge, he will be sentenced to life in prison, per Colorado law.
Governor of Sao Paulo hopes that there will be a peaceful solution between the Israelis and the Palestinian terrorist group

Isadora de Leao Moreira/ Government of the State of Sao Paulo Tarcisio de Freitas is the current governor of Sao Paulo



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The governor of Sao Paulo, Tarcisio de Freitas (Republicans), hopes that a peaceful solution will be reached between Israel and the terrorist group Hamaswhich have been in conflict since the 7th. In an interview with Jovem Pan News, Tarcisio also revealed that he monitors possible impacts on the macroeconomic scenario. Every war generates macroeconomic issues. We will be attentive to all movements. This really interferes with the market. We are focused on building a path of peace and I hope it is possible and as quickly as possible. The whole world awaits a peaceful solution to this conflict, commented the governor. The head of the Sao Paulo Executive also praised the commitment of the armed forces in repatriating Brazilians and expressed concern about those who try to leave the country. Gaza Strip. They [forcas armadas] are always ready to help. We are happy to see Brazilians being rescued. We hope that the rest, especially on the border with Egypt, can leave and return to Brazil as soon as possible, she added. The governor hopes that there will not only be boosts in the states economy due to tension in middle east war.

*With information from the reporter Daniel Lian.
An Alabama man has been given a deferred judgment after pleading guilty to felony assault in Floyd County last month.

According to court records, 34-year-old Laron Robert Martin pleaded guilty to assault causing serious injury, a class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison, in district court Sept. 1. The deferred judgment was handed out Monday.

Martin was originally charged with a class C felony assault charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The prosecution is recommending a suspended sentence and the payment of a fine and restitution.

The affidavit states Martin had a verbal altercation with the alleged victim at the Best Budget Inn in Charles City on May 6. The argument escalated and the injured party was attempting to walk away when Martin "punched him in the side of the head and then picked him up and slammed him face-first into the ground causing the male to be unconscious."

Martin then allegedly struck the victim several times after he was unconscious. Injuries included a displaced and fractured zygomatic arch, a periorbital soft tissue contusion and a concussion. He was transported to the hospital for treatment.
Having lost the first vote to become House speaker, Rep. Jim Jordan will try again on a decisive second ballot that will test whether the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump can win over the holdouts or if his bid for the gavel is collapsing, denied by detractors.
The state Department of Natural Resources recently fined a north-central Iowa man $7,000 for a fire that burned more than 1,000 tires and a building.

Brian Young, of rural Dumont, reported the fire to local emergency responders on Feb. 4, 2023, when he lost control of it, according to DNR records.

Young had burned a pile of tree debris that was close to a very large pile of tires, the base of which measured about 50 feet by 50 feet. Some of that debris had been placed on top of the tire pile, DNR reported.

The tires were located next to a shed that also caught fire. The acreage is about two miles north of Dumont.

The DNR investigated the situation several days later, and Young indicated he had just had an area of trees cleared by someone and did not realize the person piled the brush on top of a pile of tires, a recent DNR administrative order said. He also stated that he did know the brush pile was within five feet of the large pile of tires. He did not give a name of who cleared the brush on the property.

Burning tires is prohibited by state law because it releases toxins that can pollute the air and groundwater. Tire fires can be difficult to extinguish.

Also, accumulating more than 500 tires without a state permit is illegal.

Young does not own the property but has lived there for about two years, DNR records show. He said he did not know where the tires came from. Kongkham Chanthavisouk, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, owns the property, and Young is his friend.

Ultimately, there was not enough evidence to cite anyone for tire-hauling violations, said Madelynn Austin, a DNR environmental specialist who investigated the incident.

It was kind of a big thing, Austin said of the fire. And I dont know why he was burning brush in February. Kind of suspicious.

Frigid winter temperatures can make it more difficult to burn tree debris.

Austin said Young was not forthcoming about the situation and did not agree with a proposed settlement offered by the DNR, so the department fined him $7,000 and ordered him to provide disposal receipts to show he had removed the remaining debris from the property.

Young can appeal the decision.

Trespasser also fined for tire burning

The DNR also recently fined a Mason City man $3,100 for admittedly burning about 25 tires.

In April, Dennis Leo Reich was among five people who were accused of trespassing on an acreage about 13 miles north of Mason City. Someone reported multiple fires on the property, and when law-enforcement officers arrived, Reich admitted to setting fire to the tires, DNR records show.

Reich was charged with trespassing and criminal mischief for transporting tires to the property and burning them, according to court records. He pleaded guilty to the trespassing charge and was fined $260. The criminal mischief charge was dismissed.

A DNR investigation revealed that more than 100 tires might have been burned.
Rosa Hamilton was 25 years old when she came out as a transgender woman.

At first, she didnt tell her father. She knew how the single dad and Army guy would react.

When it came time for the talk, she wore a dress.

His reaction? The specific words arent suitable for publication. Essentially she was disowned.

Now at 29, shes part of Richmond-based He, She, Ze and We, a nonprofit organization supporting transgender youth, adults and families.

She was the keynote speaker for Saturdays We Stand Together event in Danville, a summit for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. The first-of-its kind gathering marked a historic moment for Southside Virginia.

Its small, but its going to grow, Ruth Ann Ott, of Southside Behavioral Health, said. We arent going to stop.

About 90 people signed up for the daylong free event, Liam Hudson, co-founder of Lean In Project, told the Register & Bee. A few dozen participants  many wearing rainbow-colored attire  were around for the morning sessions occurring on a dreary and rainy Saturday.

Southside Behavioral Health, the Lean In Project and Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services joined forces for the event.

The evolving acronym  LGBTQIA+  stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual. Saturdays summit focused on the impact of living in a rural landscape and how positive changes  even small ones  can make a difference.

Sessions acknowledged that while stigma still certainly exists, the LGB  lesbian, gay and bisexual  aspect has become more accepted in Southern Virginia. Its the transgender  broadly meaning the gender someone associates with doesnt match the sex they were assigned at birth  part that often comes under intense attack.

There are a lot of things that seem kind of scary, Hamilton said. I think a lot of trans people are worried about whats going to happen in the future.

The solutions are pretty simple in Hamiltons mind.

We are happy the way we are, she said. We just want folks to get out of our way.

That means transgender individuals simply want equal access to the health care  both mental and physical  available to everyone else.

Her presentation cited statistics. About 75% of trans and nonbinary  meaning someone doesnt identify with a specific gender  people have anxiety. Two-thirds experience depression.

About 6 in 10 who wanted mental health care in the past year couldnt get it.

Then the figures took an even more solemn turn: About half of trans and nonbinary individuals have seriously considered suicide. Of those, 1 in 5 have attempted it.

Fewer than 1 in 3 transgender people have support at home.

That was the case for Hamilton.

Being raised by a single father in the South, she was surrounded by a very religious community.

Growing up, it was clear that LGBTQIA+ represented a sinful lifestyle.

At about 13 or 14 years old, she started to realize she wasnt straight and didnt feel at home in the male body.

I didnt know what a trans person was until I was 18 years old, she said, explaining the moment she found out.

It was in school. A teacher corrected a student who had said something about a trans individual.

The instructor explained trans meant a gender that feels more in line with who they are.

Thats when Hamilton started to realize her identity.

I had really struggled for years with anxiety and depression, she said.

That made things worse. In fact, she had the most absences out anyone else in her graduating class in high school. Thats common for students who feel like theres no one at school wholl support them.

By 25, she went to a therapist. In a few sessions, the root of the depression became clear. She was denying herself her true identity.

So, she started doing research. Then she got on hormone therapy. Finally, she made the legal transition.

After the episode with her father when she came out, she felt wounded, yet motivated.

Since coming out, I have thrived in every way, she said.

She got a masters degree and is now a teacher.

She plays in a band.

And with He, She, Ze and We, she now works with trans youth.

I found my people, she said. I feel happy for the first time in my life since coming out.

But she still carries around the memories  and heartbreak  of not being accepted, which motivates her all the more.

The acceptance

Hudson  a trans man  said that 3.8 million in the LGBTQIA+ community live in rural areas.

Most of us here were born and raised in areas like this, the Halifax County native told a crowd in a presentation on growing up in Southside.

Many people moved away because they didnt feel safe.

When some came out, they lost their home and community.

M.J. Smith, a co-presenter in the same session, grew up in Baptist family in Southside.

It was a struggle when he was coming to terms with his sexuality.

After coming out as a homosexual, his Nana asked him to go church with her.

He did.

And the pastor was at the front of the church, he explained Saturday morning. We have some very concerning statistics.

The preacher said that more than 80% of people think its OK to be LGBTQIA+.

Gasps filled the pews.

His reaction was just the opposite of the other worshippers.

And you heard me go oh my God, he said as his grandmother nudged him to be quiet.

He didnt care who heard him. This was who he was.

Castiel King, who goes to school in Mecklenburg County, said she experiences bullying and not being accepted.

There is a lot of non-educated people, King explained in a question-and-answer session.

King said one solution is to call out bad behavior.

King had people rip pronoun pins from a book bag and also stick gum to the book bag.

People trip King in the hallways.

People do terrible things, King said. When you see an injustice in something like that, you can always call it out.

The support

The biggest part of this is just showing up, Smith, who grew up as a little gay boy thinking he didnt have anyone else, said of Saturdays summit.

A support system is vital. And it all starts with what he called a spark.

That means to break down the biases with family members and colleagues.

Having those simple connections, can make all the difference, he said.

Other ways to get involved include connecting with groups and businesses, writing lawmakers and attending government meetings.

Weve got to really address where we can improve, he said.

Going to a school board meeting in particular is one of the best ways to get involved in the community, Hudson said.

In Virginia, there were bills in the General Assembly last session that specifically targeted education.

There are a lot of kids going to school and not being able to be affirmed, he explained.

As an advocate of the community, Hamilton attends many school board meetings in the state.

I have been to so many school board meetings, just talking and connecting with so many folks, she said. A big part of what we are doing is we are going to show up and fighting the good fight.

A recent one was in Hanover.

They passed a whole new wrath of books being ban, she said. Many featured LGBTQIA+ themes.

The ban censored anything that has a more inclusive or expansive message. That presents a harmful move for students looking to learn more about who they are.

Across the South, we are actually seeing where care has been banned, she said.

On the first day with the nonprofit, she talked to a mother in tears. That woman had to flee from Tennessee to Virginia because she had a child whos on puberty blockers.

They had to move to Virginia to get that medicine.

A lot of families are doing that, Hamilton explained.

Data shows that a support system  family, home, school and work  can be the biggest protective factors in reducing depression.

But when families arent supportive, it can become one of the biggest risk factors.

We try to work with families, Hamilton explained of the group. We try to work to improve home and school and work environments.

The uneasy feelings

There is an onslaught of legislation, Hamilton said, noting the American Civil Liberties Union is tracking more than 500 anti-LGBTQIA+ measures.

Its been a tough couple of years for our community, Hudson also noted of the legislative battles.

Many  including all in Virginia  have been defeated.

However, when he wakes up in the morning and sees another article about efforts to target the community, its tough.

Its harmful, he said. Its the first time in the United States that weve had this many bills targeting one community.

He feels the LGBTQIA+ community is being systematically singled out. It creates barriers for people reaching out for services when for the most part, we are just trying to exist.

With the law-theme, voting was often bounced about as a way to make a stand, noting all members of Virginia legislature are on the ballot.

The solution

As a bridge to a more accepting society, small steps are often the ones that can make the most impact.

Trans people have become a culture war wedge, Hamilton explained. I question that of the 1% of trans people in America, if thats the one thing we should focus on right now.

One solution would be to normalize introductions with pronouns. That way trans individuals dont feel singled out when they have to correct their gender to someone.

Hudson said another way would be to just alter a word in a story to make children feel more represented.

For example, saying Mary and her moms went to the store is a simple way to change.

And it makes kids feel seen, he said of adding an s to the word mom or swapping it out for parents.

The fact is, people are interacting with trans people in the community each day, but many dont realize it.

The reality is that you are very likely coming into contact with many, many people in this community, who dont feel safe to tell you they are trans, Hudson said.

Or they arent ready.

About 1 in 3 LGBTQIA+ people experience violence or threats of violence.

Thats why Saturdays event is so important, he said. With fewer supportive resources like doctors and employers, many feel unaccepted.

In making his transition, Hudson experienced lots of hurdles he used as a reference to how things can change for the better.

You are the first trans person Ive seen, a doctor told him. That didnt exactly instill confidence. He realized this would be new territory for the physician.

When health care providers arent educated, it can perpetuate the harm and make people feel unloved.

He also was getting treated during a time when being transgender was considered mental disorder, adding another wrinkle to the process.

The allies

Han Schweitzers presentation focused on active allyship, detailing different ways to make change in communities.

I dont think theres one way to show up, she said. I think you can find where you fit and feel where you can be an ally.

It can come down to being as simple as educating peers or listening and learning.

Support comes in forms like taking part of marches and protests and meetings.

One powerful weapon is to interrupt bias and discrimination.

Its better to try to say something when you see something than to be passive about it, she said, specifically intervening in social and work places.

As an exercise, she posed a situation to the audience. A heterosexual man, Alex, has a transgender friend, Taylor, who is facing discrimination at the workplace because of gender identity.

Taylor is hesitant to speak up because they feel there will be repercussions from their employer.

The question: How can Alex be an active ally to Taylor?

Members of the audience provided a wide array of solutions. It first discussed that although discrimination in the workplace is illegal in Virginia, laws are only effective when they are implemented.

A mother from the audience responded with a similar situation for her 17-year-old trans person. He had two jobs where he suffered ridicule.

Policies were in place that prohibited such behavior, but management didnt follow through.

The third job was different. The teen, again facing uneasy questions from co-workers, went to the boss. Within five minutes, workers received a text and email explaining the companys strict position on discrimination.

Another form of allyship comes with policy and institutional change, such as someone at a school starting a gay-straight alliance, Schweitzer said.

Allies count and allies are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, she said.
UPDATE: Police announced this morning that Judea Tyrus McNeill, 20, has died from his injuries. The other person injured in the shooting is a 20-year-old man and he remains hospitalized in stable condition, according to a news release from the Greensboro Police Department.

McNeill's death marks the 60th homicide in the city in 2023.

------------------------------------------------------------------

GREENSBORO  Two people were seriously injured in a shooting that happened just before 8 p.m. Monday, Greensboro police said in a news release.

Officers responded to the 2300 block of Golden Gate Drive and found one person in serious condition and another with a life-threatening injury, police said. Both were taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

Police have not released any other details about the people who were injured or about what may have led to the shooting.

Authorities ask anyone with information about to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. Residents can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.com to submit a web tip. All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.
Greensboro: We would just like to share with you that the Jewish community is not OK. The past week has been a tremendously difficult one for us. As the details of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack become clearer we stand in shock from its sheer brutality and depravity. Each day brings fresh news of atrocities, and emotions are raw.

For years we in the Jewish community have been told, Never Again  that the slaughter of innocent Jews that took place during the Holocaust was an aberration. That humanity in general does not condone the systematic murder of a people. That society is more civilized today. That communication has improved. We were taught that the Holocaust would never happen again.

Although news reports had documented an increase in antisemitic incidents this year, these incidents, for the most part, were words, online posts and flyers in driveways. Irritating and unfortunate but not a real cause for concern.

Then this past week we were buffeted with images of sadistic horror that mirror the worst of the Shoah: babies shot and burned; female concertgoers abused and murdered, their bodies piled hundreds on top of each other; parents shot in front of their children; children shot in front of parents; and entire families burned alive. These are not photos from 1942 but from today. The recent atrocities of Hamas are even worse than the Holocaust. The Nazis at least had a modicum of shame. They tried to hide their death camps from the world. Hamas posted its inhumanity online. Proud of its sadism, Hamas wanted to document its evil for others to see.

So, Greensboro, the Jewish community is tired. Tired of having to explain issues of moral clarity and human decency while at the same time burying our dead. It is tiring having to explain to people who should know better that the rape, murder, torture and kidnapping of civilians is not acceptable  because, as these images flooded the internet, condemnation was not universal.

Astonishingly, some saw these videos and decided to organize rallies in support of Hamas. Rather than being shocked by the violence captured on film, they reveled in it. In New York, the crowd laughed as a speaker joked about hipsters being gunned down by freedom fighters. Even in Greensboro, a rally was scheduled to coincide with Hamas global Day of Rage. These actvities cause the Jewish community to question our safety and rethink whether life can continue as normal. That is unacceptable.

There are others who, while criticizing violence, immediately hit back with What about the Palestinians? As if somehow political injustice excused the torture and murder of children.

Even clergy, who under different circumstances would amplify their belief in nonviolence and the dignity of life, write letters on these very pages saying that Israel had it coming. These individuals have joined, perhaps unwittingly, with Hamas in a message that dehumanizes an entire people. To imply that all people are created equal and entitled to dignity, except for Jews, is an abhorrent antisemitic message.

So, Greensboro, the Jewish community can use your support. Jews are not a monolith. We reside all over the political spectrum. However, regardless of our politics and how we view the conflict, right now we are in pain. While Israel can seem so far away, the Jewish communities are connected in a way that makes us seem very close. The concertgoers and Kibbutz families werent murdered because they were Israeli. According to the Hamas bylaws, they were murdered because they were Jews. This hits home for us.

Please reach out to your Jewish friends and neighbors and see how we are doing. Because we are not OK. For those who have done so, thank you. For those worried about politics, we request that you wait at least till the end of the mourning period. Because treating violence against Jews as political  and violence against others as evil  is wrong.

Eighty years ago, the world stood by in silence as Jews were systematically slaughtered by the Nazis. Today, Hamas has picked up that mantel of hatred and slaughtered and tortured more than 1,300 men, women and children for being Jews. It is now in your hands as to whether there will be another Holocaust. Will there be voices to rise up against these horrors? Or will silence once again be the order of the day?

Go to www.Shalomgreensboro.org for information, and to provide support and donations.
A development group plans to build a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Helena.

The group, made up of Hillside Architecture, JSA Civil and Barclay Group, presented plans to build the fast-food restaurant to a group of city of Helena staff Oct. 10 during a pre-application meeting.

The group said it intends to submit its application by year's end. The proposed site of the restaurant is on Sanders Street, just south of Custer Avenue, between the U.S. Foods Chef Store and Planet Fitness.

According to representatives of the development group, the same responsible for the U.S. Foods Chef Store next door, the Chipotle will be about 2,325 square feet on a nearly 1-acre lot.

The restaurant is also expected to feature a pylon sign in addition to building signage. The city's zoning ordinances cap the allowable height of pylon signs at a maximum of 34 feet.

Representatives also stated the restaurant will have a drive-thru lane that is run solely through the company's mobile APP with no order-taking in line.

When asked about city staff's expected turnaround time, Helena Chief Building Official Kimberly Mack said the city is currently in a "fall crunch."

"We're easily looking at 25 days out for that initial review," Mack said. "We've got lots and lots of projects right now."

The immediate area will see a boom in development over the next few years.

In January, the Helena City Commission approved re-zoning the area to a Business 2 zone to allow for a four-story apartment complex to be built to the south of the WinCo shopping center.

The lot just south of that was re-zoned in 2022 to a Residential 4 zone, allowing for higher density development and paving the way for a different apartment complex.

In total, the block will see about 420 new residential units spring up in the next couple of years.

Helena Community Development Director Chris Brink thanked the developers at the conclusion of the pre-application meeting.

"We're excited too," Brink said. "We love new restaurants coming to town. Thanks for building in the city."

Chipotle has over 3,250 restaurants and 110,000 employees as of June 30, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. It is ranked on the Fortune 500 and is recognized on the 2023 list for Fortune's Most Admired Companies and Time Magazine's Most Influential Companies.
A 33-year-old East Helena man has been arrested following an armed robbery early Monday in which shots were fired into the ceiling of a Townsend gas station, the Broadwater County Sheriffs Office said.

Broadwater County dispatch received a call at 2:56 a.m. about an incident at Town Pump, Sheriff Nick Rauser said on Facebook.

Deputies notified other law enforcement officers they were trying to locate the suspects vehicle, which appeared on video surveillance going east on Highway 12, officials said. The Meagher County Sheriffs Office was able to stop the vehicle.

The suspect, identified as Samuel Collins of East Helena, was arrested without further incident, Rauser said.

Collins discharged a firearm into the celling of the building, and no one was injured, Rauser said, adding the vehicle was stolen out of Helena and the firearm was stolen as well.

This incident remains under investigation by the Broadwater County Sheriffs Office.

The Broadwater County inmate roster states Collins has been charged with suspended or deferred sentence, criminal endangerment, assault with a weapon, robbery, aggravated burglary and theft. Bond was set at $120,000.

Rauser thanked the Meagher County Sheriff's Office for its assistance.

According to the Facebook page for Suay-Thai Catering of Helena, which Collins owns, he is the former owner of the shuttered Toi's Thai restaurant in downtown Helena.
A Utah man accused of embezzling more than $700,000 from a Helena company admitted to charges Monday, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said Monday.

Thomas Lynn Syddall, 50, of American Fork, Utah, worked for a company owned by Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to money laundering-concealment as charged in an indictment.

Syddall faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris set sentencing for March 20. Syddall was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that Syddall worked as a salesman for Information Technology Corp., which was owned by Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co.

From about March 2020 to about August 2021 in Helena, Syddall embezzled money through multiple means, including creating bogus purchase orders and invoices, stealing inventory and directing payments to fictitious companies and unauthorized vendors, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Syddall then sold the inventory, none of which was authorized, on eBay and KSL Classifieds.

"When questioned by other employees about the discrepancies in orders and payments, Syddall sent lulling emails attempting to cover up and prolong the fraud," the news release states. "In addition, Syddall concealed financial transactions by laundering proceeds from the wire fraud into third-party accounts. Syddall then directed the transfer of the money into accounts over which he had control."

The government alleged the investigation has identified about $759,100 in restitution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.
DECATUR  Decatur resident Shirley Paceley has a favorite quote.

"Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something," she said. I don't know who said it.

Paceley, 72, has been doing something special most of her career. I want to make sure that I am doing the 'something' that I can do and want to encourage others to do the same, she said. Each of us has a role to play in our communities. Find the something you can do and be of service to someone. It is the service that makes this stage of my life more meaningful.

Paceley was recently inducted into the 2023 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame through the Illinois Department on Aging. She was one of three seniors who were honored for their work representing a positive image of aging. I never knew there was such an award, she said.

According to Iris Schweier, public information officer for the Illinois Department on Aging, the local inductee was nominated for her work in education.

Nominees to the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame are scored by a small panel of judges who are members of the Illinois Council on Aging, she said.

Scoring includes a contribution to the country, state, community and family, voluntary contributions to society, programs implemented to improve quality of life and other categories.

Some of Paceleys work involved communication with the Illinois Department of Aging. Although she was unaware of the Hall of Fame recognition, she said she was honored. But I liked the idea that they are honoring people that are older adults and continue to be of service, she said. You can live full lives and have purpose.

Paceley worked for Macon Resources Inc. for nearly 30 years before she retired in 2016. During her career, she worked with people with disabilities, some of whom were abused and neglected. People really didnt have any idea about sexual violence of people with disabilities experience, Paceley said about the beginning of her career.

Blue Tower Solutions, a curriculum for people with developmental disabilities, was created by Paceley and her colleagues after she retired. They are the group that nominated me, she said.

Paceley is also a founding member of the National Coalition to End Violence Against People with Disabilities and served on the board of directors for End Violence Against Women International.

Retirement has been a difficult thing for me to wrap my head around, she said.

The experiences working with others in the community, including those in criminal justice, American Disabilities Agencies, and crisis agencies, were compiled into a 2022 book titled Shining a Light: Creating Pathways to Equity, Safety, Healing, and Justice With People with Disabilities.

Writing will outlast anything you can do one-on-one or with small groups, she said.

The latest recognition as a Senior Illinoisans Hall of Famer was special to Paceley, she said. Its telling younger people and older people that you can continue to live your purpose, she said. It doesnt have to be full-time and it doesnt have to be what you did before.

Other inductees for this years Hall of Fame include Hilda E. Frontany, 80, and Dr. Peter Orris, 78, both of Chicago. The three seniors bring the total membership of Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame to 137.

Frontany is chair emeritus of Rincon Family Services, originally one of the first Latino-focused substance use treatment centers.

#TogetherDecatur Do you know a person or of a story that exemplifies the best of Decatur? Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983 or dbeckett@herald-review.com.

Orris has served as adviser to the World Health Organization as well as local, state, and federal governments, environmental organizations, labor unions, and corporations.

Each inductee will have their own ceremony honoring their awards. Paceley said she has not yet been informed of her ceremony date.

The local senior is hoping she and the other inductees will be able to encourage others to find ways to impact the world, yet find their peace.

Look to your heart and say what makes my heart smile, she said.

Exploring racial and ethnic disparities in learning disability diagnosis among students Exploring racial and ethnic disparities in learning disability diagnosis among students Learning disabilities are most often diagnosed during adolescence Black students are most likely to be diagnosed with a learning disability Family income and life experiences can significantly impact learning disability diagnoses White children with learning disabilities are more likely to have parents who didn't go to college
A search for a Michigan woman has been called off in Stokes County after authorities allege she stole a van there and was seen Sunday in Hickory.

Emergency personnel and investigators were searching a second day on Monday for Jessica Lee Straub, a 29-year-old woman from metropolitan Detroit who was believed to have stopped over the weekend at or near Jomeokee Campground near the Stokes County town of Pinnacle.

The Stokes County Sheriff's Office reported Monday afternoon that investigators received information Monday that a van had been stolen from a home near Jomeokee Campground. Authorities believe Straub stole the van.

Investigators also found camera footage of Straub at a store in Hickory. That video was taken on Sunday afternoon. The sheriff's office said it will be pressing charges against Straub for stealing the van.

Straub, who lives in a suburb of Detroit called Mount Clemens, left her home on Friday, and was believed to be traveling alone, authorities said in their initial reports. The Pinnacle Fire Department said her car was found at 5 a.m. on Saturday at Jomeokee.

Authorities conducted a search on Sunday and found some of Straub's possessions but no sign of Straub. Authorities found her keys, cash and a vape in the woods about a mile away from her vehicle.

A large group was searching the area in the woods on Monday.

Family members told WGHP/Fox 8 News, the newsgathering partner of the Journal, that Straub's phone appears to have been turned off, and that it was not like her to make no contact with her family.

The campground is located off Perch Road near Exit 129 on U.S. 52 at Pinnacle.

Sheriff Joey Lemons thanked fire and emergency services workers, volunteers and others for conducting the search.

"Everyone did an amazing job," Lemons said. "Thats what it takes, everyone working together, and Stokes County is blessed."
BETHLEHEM  The most recent meeting of the Bethlehem Lions was called to order by President Lion Donald York who tabled routine administrative topics and welcomed District 31-I Gov. Lion Kathy Poirier.

Poirier was there to induct three new Lions. She was accompanied by her driver and husband, past Lions International Council Chair Lion Joe Poirier. Kathy Poirier spoke of district goals and recent conventions and commended the Lions of Bethlehem on its growth, service, and contributions to Brighter Visions and other activities in the mission of Lionism.

After her opening message, District Gov. Poirier called out the new members  Lion Larry Garrison, Lion TJ Garrison, and Lion Mary Peoples  to come up along with their sponsor, Lion Greg Conrad, Bethlehem Lions membership chairman. She then explained their duties as a member of Lions and how the pride works together to accomplish more in the community.

Poirier presented each new member with a Lions International Pin, her official district governor pin, and a certificate of membership. Poirier also presented Lion Greg Conrad with a special Lions International Presidents Pin for his membership recruiting success for many years.

The Lions of Bethlehem will celebrate 50 years of service next year. Big plans for that celebration will begin early next year.

Poirier asked to get a group picture of the entire club for her records after the picture of the new members with the club leadership.

For information about the Lions of Bethlehem and the mission of Lionism, call Lion Danny Seaver at 828-322-5155 or email him at dwseaver@aol.com.

The group meets at 6:30 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday at the Bethlehem Ruritan Clubhouse. Visitors are invited and should arrive a bit early for networking before the meeting.
On Jan. 8, 2011, I was in Maine on a writing residency and had made plans to have dinner with three other writers. It so happened that my roommate and the others  all Jewish  were reeling over breaking news that Rep. Gabby Giffords had been shot during a rally in an Arizona parking lot. A gunman killed six and injured 19 that day, including Giffords.

While I considered the shooting to be the work of a deranged man, my friends insisted that Giffords had been targeted because she was a Jew. Antisemitism simmers just below the surface, they insisted.

At the time, I didnt fully appreciate what they were saying. Later I saw Facebook posts and reports of anti-Jewish incidents with increased frequency including one of the most heinous: the murder of 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018.

Last year, antisemitic episodes in the United States increased by more than 35%, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The instances include physical violence, verbal threats, swastika graffiti and more.

And then on Oct. 7, as we all know, Hamas terrorists killed some 1,300 Israelis in the name of a free Palestine. Another 3,400 were injured.

The savagery was nauseating. Children were slashed, women raped, and grandparents were butchered. One soldier reported seeing a child beheaded by a shovel.

Statistics we havent heard much about: more than 2,215 Palestinians killed and 8,700 wounded. Clearly, there are no true winners here.

I posted a photo taken seven years ago on a trip to Israel  an Israeli flag and a statement that I was praying for all affected by the violence.

One friend tried to educate me. The Zionists, he said, have been killing and stealing homes since 1947. The Palestinian Jews, Christians, Muslims and agnostics have had enough.

I understand that the conflict is as old as the creation of Israel but exactly how does slaughtering infants even the score? How will butchering Holocaust survivors bring about a free Palestine?

U.S. college campuses, including UNC-Chapel Hill, have seen protests effectively condoning the killing and hostage-taking in Israel. A professor at the University of Virginia offered extra credit to students who attended events to stand in solidarity with Palestinians resisting occupation.

Given those parameters, I can assume that protests such as those in Australia would be worthy. There, demonstrators chanted, Gas the Jews.

When I saw that news report, I couldnt believe my ears. When did it become acceptable to cheer mass murder? When did it become OK to use hate speech with impunity?

As Americans weve seen mass killings for years  from Columbine to Sandy Hook and beyond  but the killing spree in Israel felt different. Maybe its because the terrorists exploited social media to document their atrocities. Maybe its because the army of murderers wasnt acting randomly. No, their sole purpose was to hunt down Jews and exterminate them.

In 2016 I had the privilege of visiting Israel. The people were friendly and welcoming, the landscape an amazing mix of remains of civilizations that extend back millennia. Whether Christian or Jew, Muslim or agnostic, Israel is our spiritual homeland, birthed in the wake of the Holocaust. On the itinerary was Bethlehem, now a Palestinian town on the West Bank. Things were more tense there because thats how it is.

In 1938, when the Nazis were bullying Germany with yellow stars, broken glass and sledgehammers, few stood up. Too few spoke out.

One takeaway from last week is realizing that my friends back in Maine were correct, except for one thing: antisemitism is no longer steaming beneath the surface. The pot has boiled over.
As the fall season settles in, Rowan County Public Health Department is urging residents to remain vigilant about their health by recognizing the similarities between fall allergy symptoms and those of COVID-19. With the ongoing pandemic, it is crucial for everyone to stay informed and take the necessary precautions, including testing, to prevent the spread of the virus.

Fall allergies, often triggered by pollen and mold spores, can manifest in symptoms that resemble those of COVID-19. These shared symptoms include sneezing, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue and trouble sleeping. This overlap in symptoms can be confusing, but it is important to remember that both allergies and COVID-19 can have serious health implications, making it essential to differentiate between the two. Individuals with COVID-19 may experience some key symptoms that are uncommon with seasonal allergies like fevers, body aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea.

The Rowan County Public Health Department is encouraging residents to:

Be aware: Recognize that fall allergies can cause symptoms similar to COVID-19, especially when seasonal allergens are prevalent.

Get tested: If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to get tested for COVID-19. Free at home COVID-19 tests are readily available at the Rowan County Public Health Department. Testing is the best way to confirm whether your symptoms are due to allergies or a COVID-19 infection.

Follow safety measures: Continue to adhere to safety guidelines and take preventive measures, such as wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, maintaining physical distancing and getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the virus.

Vaccination: Keeping up to date with your vaccinations is the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces the chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration. If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 2 months, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself this fall and winter.

In the face of the ongoing pandemic, Rowan County Public Health Department underscores the importance of early detection and testing as essential tools in the fight against COVID-19. By staying informed, getting tested, and following recommended safety measures, we can collectively protect our community and continue to mitigate the impact of this virus.

For more information or free at-home COVID-19 tests, call 980-432-1800.
Finnish telco equipment vendor Nokia unveiled its 25G PON technology on the Lightspan SF-8M sealed fibre access node, which cable operators may deploy to respond to increased bandwidth demand by activating 10G or 25G on their existing PON network.

The Lightspan SF-8M can be installed anywhere. It supports various power options, including power-over-coax.

Small, remote optical line terminals (OLT) can be targeted more to fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) upgrades than large centralised OLTs, which can save costs for FTTP upgrades.

Nokia North America business centre head for fixed networks Mark Klimek stated that by deploying remote FTTH node and delivering GPON, 10G PON, and 2G PON based services over the same networks will allow operators to go after new opportunities and beat competition.

Nokia will be providing a live demonstration of the 25G PON Lightspan SF-8M sealed fibre access node at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo located in Denver, CO, on 16 to 19 October in Booth 1215.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 16 October 2023.
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 Walt Disney reported that Disneyland and six Disney World amusement parks worldwide enjoyed a record number of visitors last summer. The parks are adept at changing with the times. Just this week, Disney is demolishing the City of Tomorrow at Epcot and repackaging it as the Gaza Experience.

 President Biden gave a good speech Friday expressing U.S. support for Israel while also calling for safe treatment of innocent Palestinians. I'm just relieved he stayed focused. At any moment, Joe could wander off the teleprompter and demand that Hummus be eliminated and replaced by Guacamole.

 The Jerusalem Post reported Gaza will be hit with service cutbacks as Israeli forces begin the manhunt for Hamas terrorists. Over the weekend, Israel announced it would cut off all Internet service in Gaza. That can only mean they've awarded AT&T the contract for all Internet service in Gaza.

 New York City was a battleground of protests and counter-protests Friday after Hamas called for a Worldwide Day of Rage. Some support defied self-preservation. Protest signs in New York that read Queers for Palestine make as much sense as picket signs in Hollywood that read Actresses for Weinstein.

 Starbucks criticized a message by its employees union Friday that read Solidarity with Palestine that prompted boycotts. Their coffee shops are insufferably woke. Last month I went to Starbucks and I accidentally said Big instead of Grande, and they took me behind the store and shot me in the leg.

 The Chicago Tribune reported local walkouts by pharmacists at various Walgreen pharmacies may very quickly spread to a nationwide walkout by their pharmacists this week. This could leave millions of Americans without their prescription pain-killers. Just think, Budweiser stock could recover.

 Britain's Royal Mint just issued a fifty-pence Rainbow Coin to celebrate fifty years of the Pride Movement in London. Joke set-ups like this used to get me sent to the principal's office. If you use this coin for a vending machine does it go in the same slot, or is there a separate one around the back?

 House Republicans entered the week without being able to elect a Speaker for the tenth consecutive day. It completely hamstrings the government. If the Republicans cannot settle on Kevin McCarthy or Steve Scalise or Jim Jordan to pull the Republicans together, I know Lauren Boebert can come in handy.

 Senator Bob Menendez was indicted for foreign bribery Thursday over the three gold bars and cash the feds found in his closet. It's alarming. If we're going to go after everyone who accepts gold bars in exchange for political favors how are we ever going to attract our best people to government?

 Donald Trump found himself virtually tied with Joe Biden in the Fox News presidential poll last Monday. The media takes great pains to be even-handed and bi-partisan. If Trump makes a mistake the media holds Trump accountable, and if Biden makes a mistake, the media holds Trump accountable.

 Russia threatened a nuclear war with Britain Friday while China made overtures to Iran which is getting weapons from North Korea to funnel to Hamas. That's it. I just gave the Earth a one-star rating and a bad review on Trip Advisor to dissuade any space aliens that may be planning an invasion.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
ROBINSON  An Oblong woman is set to be tried in Crawford County on a charge of concealing the murder of Ryan Waggoner of rural Lerna, whose remains authorities say were disposed of on her property.

During a preliminary hearing Monday, Circuit Judge Chris Weber found probable cause to have Hiley Schulte, 52, stand trial on the concealment charge. He then scheduled Schultes arraignment for 9 a.m. Nov. 22. She has not entered a plea yet in this case.

Schulte sat next to her attorney, Lou Viverito, as Illinois State Police Special Agent Rex Roberts took the stand at the hearing. While being questioned by States Attorney Cole Shaner, Roberts laid out the timeline of events and how authorities claim Schulte played a part in the concealment.

Roberts said a report was made to the Mattoon Police Department on June 3 that a friend of co-defendant Lance Newcombs girlfriends told officers that Newcomb, of Robinson, had admitted to shooting and killing his father. Waggoner, 55, was a father figure to Newcomb, not biologically related to him.

Footage provided by a neighbor of Waggoner shows Newcomb, Schulte and Newcombs mother, Angela Newcomb, at the neighbors home. In the footage, Schulte was at the neighbors with Waggoners dog a few days after June 2. On June 8, Newcomb called Mattoon police and said he found a suicide note from Waggoner and stated he hadnt seen him.

Roberts first made contact with Schulte at her residence south of Oblong on June 27, adding that Schulte was already a person of interest at that point. Agents searched the residence and discovered methamphetamine in Schultes bedroom. The white powder was sent for testing and returned positive for the drug. Schulte was then also charged with unlawful possession of meth.

The interview with Schulte reportedly revealed that Newcomb had been at her residence on June 4 and brought Waggoners body with him. Newcomb told Schulte that Waggoners neighbor had threatened Newcomb by telling him to shoot Waggoner or the neighbor would torture him. Evidence found at Waggoners property included a skull fragment and two .22 caliber casings.

Newcomb, 25, of Robinson has been charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicide in Cumberland County, where he is being held at the local jail. Angela Newcomb 58, of Robinson has been charged with concealment of a homicide and obstructing justice. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

In addition, Schulte reportedly said Newcomb asked her to buy fuel for his truck because had run out of fuel. The two of them then went into town and bought fuel. When asked for a shovel and a rake, Schulte reportedly showed Newcomb where they were located.

Schulte also reportedly told agents she saw Newcomb burning Waggoners body and other materials in two different locations on her property. During the interview, Schulte escorted agents to two burn sites on her land. One is near a cemetery that contains her father and her fiances ashes and a fire pit near the home.

The remains found on the property included parts of a skull, an arm, a hand, teeth and part of a jaw. The fire pit and a small pond on the property, contained some of the remains.

Agents sent off those remains, and they were able to get fingerprints from the hand. The department then sent the remains to an outside anthropologist to determine any information about them that they could. They could not determine much from the remains besides to whom they belonged. Agents were able to estimate the day of death to be June 2.

Schulte reportedly admitted to agents that Newcomb had a blue tarp on her property, and she could see a hand sticking out from under it. The tarp location moved a couple of times while on her property.

When State's Attorney Shaner asked Special Agent Roberts if Schulte knew Waggoners body was under the tarp, Roberts responded, yes. Shaner and defense attorney Viverito went back and forth about whether Schulte knowing and believing are the same as her charge of concealing a homicidal death.

Roberts said that in the interview, Schulte said Lance Newcomb told her he killed Waggoner and knew the body was moved multiple times from Waggoners residence to Schultes residence and knew that Newcomb was burning something on her property. Schulte reportedly told agents that once she saw Newcomb burning Waggoners body, she told him to get rid of it from her property.

Who are they? IL children reported missing as of October 7 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).
Utility customers throughout Illinois will likely see higher natural gas bills beginning in January after staff at the states utility regulatory agency recommended rate increases for four gas companies.

Those recommendations  made by administrative judges at the Illinois Commerce Commission  next go to the appointed five-member commission itself. Over the next two months, the ICC will weigh whether to approve rate hikes for the 4.1 million customers of Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas.

Estimates on the consumer cost of the rate increases, which go into effect in January, vary.

Nicor, which serves 2.2 million Illinoisans, estimates that their original request would increase customer bills by about $9.28 per month. Ameren customers bills are expected to increase by several dollars per month as well. Peoples Gas claims that, due to the falling price of natural gas, customer bills will remain at similar levels to last winter.

The proposed rate increases have drawn criticism from consumer and environmental advocates. Consumer advocacy groups, like Illinois PIRG, oppose the increases and have argued the utilities are spending money irresponsibly.

PIRGs director, Abe Scarr, said that he expects the commission to modify the recommendations to be more consumer conscious, more climate conscious.

The big question is what changes will the commissioners actually make, Scarr said.

Scarr and other advocates have been watching the commissioners closely throughout the rate case process for hints as to how they might rule. The commissioners are all relatively recent appointees of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, with three having joined the board in the spring.

One of the major concerns in the gas cases  and the infrastructure spending driving the rate increases  is the electrification of residential heating and cooking across the U.S. Advocates say this could lead to a future where companies create stranded assets, meaning infrastructure that is no longer used.

But the gas companies have defended their requested increases by pointing to the fact that much of the infrastructure spending is required for safety reasons and by federal law.

The companys cost of service is now increasing due to continued investments in our system infrastructure to meet new federal compliance-related regulations and industry best practices that help ensure system-wide reliability, Allison Gregoire, a Nicor Gas spokesperson, said in an email to Capitol News Illinois.

Higher prices, higher profits

The ICC has several levels to control the price of gas utility bills, with one of the most significant being setting utilities return on equity  in other words, the profit thats returned to shareholders.

This has been a major point of contention throughout the 11-month rate case process, with advocates, companies, the states attorney general, and the staff of the ICC all proposing different potential rates.

Ultimately, the administrative judges overseeing the cases sided with ICC staff on their recommended profit rates. For Nicor and Ameren, they recommended a 9.89% return to shareholders. For Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas  which are owned by the same parent company, the administrative law judge recommended a 9.83% return.

While lower than the companies requested profit rates  all of which were above 10%  the recommended rates were higher than any proposed by consumer advocates.

The Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit created by the General Assembly in the 1980s to advocate for consumers before the ICC, was part of a coalition of organizations that argued for a 9.5% profit rate for Peoples Gas and Ameren and 9.4% for Nicor.

Too often, they (the ICC) side with utilities, especially when it comes to the profit rates for shareholders, CUB director Sarah Moskowitz said in an interview.

Utilities also say a wider profit margin allows them to more easily attract investments and conduct business transactions.

The requested rate of return will give us access to affordable project financing with lower debt costs, and those savings will be passed on to our customers, Tucker Kennedy, Amerens director of communications, said in a statement.

ICCs busy year

Beyond the gas rate cases, the ICC is also considering two complex cases that will determine the price of electricity for Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison, the two largest electric utilities in the state.

These cases involve multi-year rate plans as well as a grid planning process, both of which were outlined in the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.

These multi-year plans are expected to increase electricity rates for most Illinois utility customers over the next four years, with ComEds plan increasing rates by $200 per year by 2027 and Amerens increasing rates by $300 per year over that span. The ICC commissioners will likely lower these increases somewhat by the time they vote on a final order in these cases later this year.

The commission is also considering permitting two controversial pipelines that are designed to transport carbon dioxide for eventual sequestration in underground geologic structures in central Illinois.

In addition to ideological and political fights surrounding the pipelines, there is also an ongoing legal question of what role states should play in regulating CO2 transport. While the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Material Administration has the authority to determine safety, some states factor that into their regulatory structures.

This was one of the main concerns cited by South Dakota regulators when they quashed a permit application from Navigator CO2 for a pipeline that would have terminated in Illinois. Last week, Navigator withdrew its Illinois application from ICC consideration but noted it may reapply.

Do electric cars have the edge over gas-powered cars when it comes to saving you money? Do electric cars have the edge over gas-powered cars when it comes to saving you money? Other benefits of plugging in at home Improved efficiency and performance
Q: I live outside Clemmons on Dock Davis Road and have noticed acres of timber having been cleared around and adjacent to the power substation near the intersection of Idols Road and Dock Davis Road. Can you find out who was responsible for clearing all of those acres and why? Also, you could you also find out if they plan to clean up the site.  G.G.

Answer: Duke Energy owns the property and is currently clearing it, but will replant it later this year.

Jimmy Flythe, the west region director for government and community relations for Duke Energy Carolinas, explained the plan for that property.

Duke Energy sold the mature timber at this location as part of its timber management program, which the company does on various large tracts it owns. The proceeds help offset the cost of energy to customers.

The site is being managed and will be replanted with pine trees in late winter or early spring. Over time hardwood trees will come up and the property will be managed with a mix of pines and hardwoods until such time that the property is needed for electrical infrastructure or timbered again.

Q: A friend recently went to get her REAL ID, because she thought she missed the deadline. She was told that the deadline is now 2025. What happened?  G.W.

Answer: In short, a pandemic. Earlier this year the deadline moved from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that in the aftermath of the pandemic there are still delays at driver license bureaus and people have not been able to get a REAL ID.

A REAL ID will be required after May 7, 2025, to get into U.S. government buildings or military installations and to board an airplane.

Having a REAL ID is voluntary. However, you will have to have additional documentation, other than your state-issued drivers license or ID card to enter those places.

To get a REAL ID, you will need to go to an N.C. DMV office in person with a number of documents, including:

One document to prove your age and identity. That can include a certified birth certificate issued by a government agency, a valid U.S. passport or a valid drivers license from a state that complies with REAL ID requirements.

One document with your current legal name and Social Security number. That can include a Social Security card, 1099 or W-2 tax forms, a pay stub with your SSN on it, or proof that you are ineligible for a Social Security number.

Two documents that prove North Carolina residency. Those can include any document issued by the state of North Carolina, a county, city, or the federal government; a preprinted bank statement or financial statement; a pay stub; or a receipt for personal or real estate property taxes paid to a North Carolina county, city or town.

Steering wheel lock giveaway

Hyundai and Kia owners will be able to get a free steering wheel lock from the Winston-Salem Police Department during a drive-thru giveaway. The giveaway will begin at 7 a.m. Wednesday at the Winston Mutual Building, 1225 E. Fifth St., Winston-Salem. This is the departments second giveaway of the steering wheel locks.

There will be about 240 of the steering wheel locks available and the giveaway will continue until the lock supply runs out.

You must be the owner of a Hyundai or Kia to receive a lock. Current registration or the vehicle must be presented to receive a steering wheel lock.
Atrium Health says it has ended its practice of filing liens against patients who have overdue bills.

However, the not-for-profit system continues to reserve the right to take legal actions compliant with state and federal regulations to recover payments from patients or their guarantor.

Its unclear whether the policy shift affects Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist hospitals in the Triad and Northwest North Carolina.

Atrium Healths billing and collections policy was updated Oct. 1. The system said in a statement Friday that it ended the lawsuit practice in November 2022.

N.C. Health News, the first to report on the Atrium Health policy change, said the previous version listed that accounts with balances of $300 to $5,000 may be referred to the local county small claims court, and balances above $5,000 may be subject to a lawsuit.

None of the Baptist-affiliated hospitals  Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and those in Bermuda Run, High Point, Lexington and North Wilkesboro  are listed among the Atrium Health hospitals covered by the change.

The confirmation comes after the August release of a Duke University study that looked at how many lawsuits hospital systems in the state had filed against patients. The study found that 5,922 medical-debt lawsuits were filed between January 2017 and June 2022 involving N.C. hospitals.

Nonprofit hospitals were responsible for 90.6% of those lawsuits. Atrium was determined to have filed 2,487 of those lawsuits, or 42%.

Atrium could not be reached immediately Monday or comment on whether it plans to end existing lawsuits seeking overdue payments from patients. State Treasurer Dale Folwell, who commissioned the Duke study, called on Atrium to forgive all previous liens.

Baptist lists on page 7 of that 12-page report that WFBMC may refer accounts to an outside legal firm for appropriate legal action, including civil actions and obtaining liens on relevant properties. WFBMCs corporate revenue cycle leadership team will approve all such referrals.

On the Baptist billing and collections webpage, the system says it will attempt to contact patients or responsible financial parties at least four times via billing statements, phone calls and e-mails)during a 120-day period.

During this period, you will be expected to pay your balance in full, set up a payment plan or apply for financial assistance, Baptist said.

If the balance is unpaid after the 120-day billing period, your account will be sent to a collection agency. If the balance is not paid or set up on a payment plan within 60 days of collection agency placement, your credit score may be impacted, and future appointments or non-emergency services may be delayed or canceled.

If a balance is not eligible for any form of assistance, and there are not available assets to satisfy the balance owed, Wake Forest Baptist may obtain an attorney to assist with collection efforts.

Atrium Health said in its statement that it is continuously evaluating how we can best serve our patients and ensure equity in access to high quality care for all members of our communities.

As part of our journey in making health care more affordable, and in advance of our combination (with Advocate Aurora), we stopped filing liens in November 2022 as a means of collecting unpaid debts owed by patients.

In terms of reserving the right to pursue legal action against patients or guarantors, Atrium Healths updated policy said that will not begin until 240 days from the first post-discharge bill date. Patients will be given 30 days notice before a legal action occurs.

Atrium said that all legal action is compliant with applicable state and federal legislation.

Unfortunately, legal action is required to encourage a very small minority of patients to respond and cooperate with the coverage assistance and financial assistance process.

Hospital lawsuits study

Patient lawsuits gained statewide recognition in August with the Duke study determining that more than 7,500 North Carolina patients and family members were sued over medical debt over the past five years.

According to the study, 5,922 medical-debt lawsuits were filed between January 2017 and June 2022 involving N.C. hospitals. Nonprofit hospitals were responsible for 90.6% of those lawsuits.

Atrium was determined to have filed 2,487 of those lawsuits, or 42%.

In response to the Duke study, Atrium said that as a current practice, (it) does not file any lawsuits against patients, nor do we execute on any liens or foreclose on property that were filed previously.

However, Atrium declined to say in August when it ended the practice.

As part of the third-largest nonprofit health system in the country, we are working to align and unify our policies throughout our enterprise to offer best-in-class financial assistance programs for those most at risk the communities we serve, Atrium said Friday. We expect to have more specific details in the months ahead.

Atrium stressed that we have a generous financial assistance policy, with free and reduced-price care available for those who qualify.

An average of 400 patients each day are prequalified for financial assistance and never receive a bill for the care we provide, totaling over $484 million each year.

When patients accumulate bills, when provided with the proper information, we can help them identify resources to help them resolve  or even eliminate their debt.

Folwells role

The authors of the Duke study are Barak Richman and Sara Sternberg Greene, professors at Dukes School of Law, along with Folwells staff.

Folwell, a two-term state treasurer, is running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2024.

Folwell said his primary interest in not-for-profit hospitals is because of his oversight authority of the State Health Plan.

The plan covers more than 727,000 participants that include current and retired state employees, teachers and legislators. It is North Carolinas largest purchaser of medical and pharmaceutical services.

Several of the lawsuits cited in an accompanying report involved hospitals suing elderly patients and family members.

This is tantamount to elder abuse, Folwell said.

Atriums near year-long delay to even post the policy on their website is a little too little, a little too late for the thousands of people who have already had their lives and livelihoods ruined because they got sick.

Patients are still under siege as too many hospitals are hiding their prices, overcharging patients and then kneecapping them with lawsuits that inflict generational damage on a familys finances.

Its time that the (Atrium Health) board take responsibility for the systems actions and appoint members who represent the average citizen.

Other hospitals

The vast majority of the lawsuits  96.5%  were filed by five systems, Atrium, Caromont Health, Community Health Systems, Mission Health and Sampson Regional Medical Center.

The lawsuits typically were brought in small claims court and state District and Superior courts. The report found 3,449 judgments for hospitals totaling $57.3 million, or an average of $16,623 per judgment.

Hospitals took advantage of North Carolinas allowance of 8% annual interest on judgments, including by refiling actions to sustain judgments issued 10 years earlier, according to the report.

These interest charges and other additional fees totaled an estimated $20.3 million, or 35.4% of the judgments awarded.

There is also evidence that patients had little say in these judicial proceedings, as 59.8% of all judgments in state district courts were default judgments ... which disproportionately impacted black defendants.

Novant Health Inc., which was not mentioned in the report, said in a statement that like most hospitals in North Carolina, Novant Health does not take legal or judicial action against a patient for non-payment.

Cone Health, also not mentioned in the report, said in a statement that unlike the small number of hospitals named in the report, Cone Health ended a decade ago the practice of suing patients or their families to collect past-due medical bills.

We offer numerous payment plans and a generous charity care policy for those who need it while working fairly with patients and their insurers to get paid for our services.
British American Tobacco Plc is among several global tobacco manufacturers who are turning to herbal nicotine options in response to a European Union ban on flavored heated tobacco cigarette products.

According to Reuters, BAT began selling in September its herbal rooibos tea version of glo (not available in the U.S.) in nine European markets  Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania  as part of a planned global push.

Heated cigarettes are marketed as potential reduced-risk alternative for nicotine to traditional cigarettes.

The rooibos tea version is being marketed as a zero-tobacco heated cigarette option with flavors such as peppermint and tropical fruit.

According to BAT, rooibos is sourced from South Africa and is used widely in everyday consumer goods.

It has a subtle earthy flavor when heated, which makes it an effective base for a tobacco-free nicotine delivery system, BAT said.

Since 2019, BAT has been promoting a purposeful and profitable pathway for its A Better Tomorrow new-category initiative thats also built around top-selling U.S. electronic cigarette Vuse and modern oral products Camel Snus and Velo.

What makes the rooibos tea style viable for BAT is that tobacco-free herbal heated sticks are not covered by the current European Tobacco Excise Directive or the Tobacco Products Directive.

The Tobacco Products Directive only regulates tobacco products, herbal products for smoking and electronic cigarettes.

The move provides adult nicotine users and smokers with the widest possible range of reduced-risk products, BAT said in a statement.

The full public-health ramifications of rooibos tea-flavored heated cigarettes is not known, Reuters reported.

Tobacco companies have yet to publish any research showing the health implications of rooibos or other zero-tobacco sticks, Reuters quoted Erikas Simonavicius, a research associate at Kings College London.

Philip Morris International also has plans to introduce a similarly nicotine-infused, zero-tobacco heated cigarettes by the end of 2023.
The proposed prohibition of menthol-favored traditional cigarettes and flavored cigars has been sent by the Food and Drug Administration to the Biden administration for final review.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids provided the update Monday, which comes about 2 months after the FDA was expected to unveil its final regulatory rules on the two products.

The FDA first disclosed its regulatory plans in June 2022 with the goal at that time of having the menthol prohibition in place by May 2023.

Because of the profound, lifesaving benefit to our nations health, the White House and OMB should expedite their review and issue final regulations by the end of the year, said Yolonda Richardson, the campaigns president and chief executive.

These rules represent truly historic action to drive down tobacco use  the number one cause of preventable death in the United States. Once implemented, they will protect kids from tobacco addiction, advance health equity and save hundreds of thousands of lives, especially Black lives.

Industry analysts have said that whatever regulatory standards are approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget will be speedily challenged in federal court by tobacco manufacturers and other parties.

We expect a two- to three-year cycle from the day the FDA passes any rule to the time such rule is finalized after the likely court challenges, said Jain Gaurav, an analyst for Barclays. We dont expect a menthol cigarette ban from the FDA implemented (if it were to pass) at least until 2026.

Meanwhile, the agency faces challenges from Republican-sponsored legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would derail both initiatives.

The campaign has raised concerns about the increasing usage of flavored cigars by those under age 21.

These flavored products have flooded the market in recent years and fueled the popularity of cigars with kids, Richardson said.

The 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that cigars are the second most popular tobacco product (after electronic cigarettes) among all high school students, and are especially popular among Black high school students.

The FDA also has disclosed its intentions for setting a maximum nicotine level for tobacco products, moving the timeframe from October to December.

The Republican-sponsored U.S. House legislation would prevent the U.S. health secretary from finalizing, issuing or implementing any rule, regulation, notice of proposed rule making or order setting any standard that would prohibit menthol as a flavor in traditional cigarettes and cigars.

Another section applies similar language prohibiting setting a standard that mandates a maximum nicotine level for cigarettes.

As it relates to lower permissible nicotine levels in tobacco products, Gaurav said we think it will take a decade or longer for the FDA to introduce nicotine caps due to the long nine-step process at the FDA, the inevitable litigation, and then the one-year time period given to retailers to sell down excess inventory.

Menthol ban impact

California has emerged as a key litmus test for measuring the potential impact of a national ban of menthol traditional cigarettes.

A voter-approved statewide ban of most menthol and other flavored tobacco products went into effect Dec. 21.

Reynolds already sells a non-menthol version of No. 2 traditional cigarette Newport that has miniscule sales compared with the menthol version.

Gaurav, as well as other tobacco industry analysts, have said a menthol ban on cigarettes could have negative implications for tobacco stocks with a significant U.S. presence.

Gaurav has reported that menthol cigarettes account for 35% of cigarettes sold in the United States.

That includes more than 50% of cigarette volumes for both Reynolds American Inc., which makes No. 2-overall traditional menthol cigarette Newport and Camel menthol brands, and for ITG Brands Inc., which makes Kool and Salem menthol brands.

The volume is about 20% for Philip Morris USA, which has top-selling Marlboro.

Gaurav said U.S. menthol cigarette sales account for 25% of overall profits for Reynolds parent company, British American Tobacco Plc., as well as 15% of ITGs parent company Imperial Brands Plc, and 20% for Philip Morris USAs parent company Altria Group Inc.

Altria said in its first-quarter report that its California traditional cigarette volume declines have worsened to down 19%, compared with down 9% for the overall U.S. market.
Honda Aircraft Co. said Monday that Echelon will be the brand name for its new light jet that will be manufactured at its Piedmont Triad International Airport campus in Greensboro.

The brand name of the HondaJet 2600 11-seat corporate model was disclosed at the annual National Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition.

Honda Aircraft said the name "signifies the company's visionary path for the next-generation business jet, elevating efficiency to new heights while also delivering premium comfort and convenience."

The manufacturers July 11 commitment to a $55.7 million capital investment and up to 280 new jobs represents the conclusion of an economic-development recruitment project that just surfaced publicly on June 13.

Honda Aircraft said it will utilize existing footprint and facilities at PTI to manufacture the 11-seat aircraft.

It is designed to be the worlds first single-pilot light jet capable of nonstop transcontinental flight across the United States.
Jessica Lee Straub, a missing woman wanted in Stokes County for stealing a van, was arrested after a high-speed chase in the small town of Marietta, Okla., a town police officer said.

She said that she was just traveling around and wanted to see the states, said Officer Lance Glaze of the Marietta Police Department. The clothes she had on were the only clothes she had in the van.

Straub, who is 29 years old, reportedly left her home in suburban Detroit last Friday and drove south, ending up in Stokes County where she stopped at Jomeokee Campground near Pinnacle.

Straubs car was found at the campground Saturday morning, Stokes officials said. A search began that included the Stokes County Sheriffs Office and members of the Pinnacle Fire Department. Searchers found personal belongings  cash, Straubs keys and a vape  in the woods about a mile away from her car.

Family members traveled south to aid in the search. Local searchers were asking hunters to check their cameras and telling the merely curious to stay away so searchers could do their jobs.

As the search continued into Monday, Stokes County authorities said they determined that Straub had stolen a van from a home near the campground. Authorities also obtained video footage, taken Sunday, that showed Straub at a store in Hickory, about an hour west of Winston-Salem on Interstate 40.

The local search was called off, but Stokes County put the word out for law enforcement officers to watch out for Straub and the stolen van.

Glaze said the van Straub was driving, a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Mark III, was northbound on Interstate 35, which runs between Dallas and Oklahoma City, when another Marietta police officer spotted the van speeding and turned on his lights and siren. The officer chased the van at 95 miles per hour for about six miles, when the van finally pulled over near an exit. The stop was made in Love County, which sits on the Texas border in southern Oklahoma.

At that point, the suspect was removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest, Glaze said, adding that the arrest came without incident. Her information was gained, and we were informed that she was a missing person from North Carolina.

If the van hadnt been speeding, Glaze said, it probably would not have been stopped. Nothing out of the ordinary was found in the van, he said.

She said she started in North Carolina and was coming from Texas, Glaze said. She left North Carolina with no money and still has no money.

Eric Cone, chief deputy for the sheriffs office in Stokes, said Straubs family members were contacted after she was picked up in Oklahoma and told that the woman is OK. Authorities here will start extradition proceedings to bring her back to Stokes County on charges of felony breaking and entering and larceny of a motor vehicle.
The former Pope Cos. industrial real-estate portfolio in Kernersville has been sold for the second time in nearly five years, this time for $105 million to an affiliate of a Dallas real estate private-equity firm.

BRI TIP LLC, listed in Beaverton, Ore., purchased 28 buildings situated on 23 parcels in the portfolio, according to a Forsyth County Register of Deeds filing Monday.

The combined purchase represents 1.43 million square feet of space on 125.88 acres, primarily properties in the South Park Business Center, which is on N.C. 66 South between Interstate 40 and Salem Parkway.

BRI TIP is an affiliate of Blue Ridge Industrial, which already owned 25 industrial properties in the Triad, all acquired since December 2021 for a combined $164.44 million.

In addition to the Kernersville buildings, the purchase includes the Hills Pet Nutrition campus at 4300 Old Greensboro Road in Winston-Salem.

The seller was Dogwood Propco I LLC, an affiliate of Dogwood Industrial Properties of San Francisco.

Dogwood said Tuesday that after the sale, it still has properties in the Triad acquired through other transactions.

The largest parcel that Blue Ridge Industrial acquired is the 30.15-acre tract at 1203 South Park Drive that contains 277,250 square feet of building space.

Other major buildings purchased were 216,910 square feet on 8.49 acres at 1350 Bridgeport Drive, and 112,500 square feet on 9.51 acres at 1140 Distribution Court.

South Park Business Center represents 26 of the 37 industrial buildings that Pope had built between 1975 and 2017. Dogwood listed all 37 buildings, plus the Hills Pet Nutrition campus, as the Pope Portfolio on its website.

Dogwood also owns three industrial properties in Charlotte and one in Raleigh.

Dogwood, an affiliate of TRG Real Estate of San Francisco, appears to have gained a 57% profit from buying the former Pope portfolio.

In January 2019, Dogwood paid $52.34 million for most of the portfolio.

In October 2019, L.E. Pope Building Co. Inc. sold to Dogwood for $14.65 million an 11.99-acre site at 1210 South Park Drive containing two parcels and a combined 197,805 square feet.

Blue Ridge Industrial expansion

Blue Ridge Industrial has concentrated its Triad industrial purchases on properties along the I-40/I-85 corridor.

In June 2022, a Blue Ridge Industrial affiliate paid a combined $18.5 million to acquire a five-building portfolio acquisition: three buildings located at 4301, 4310 and 4320 Waterleaf Court and two buildings located at 7900 and 7918 Industrial Village Road.

In December 2021, Blue Ridge Industrial entered the Triad through paying a combined $40.94 million for three Greensboro industrial properties involving a combined 20 buildings.

The properties are: 13 buildings in South Elm Industrial Park at 101-111 Creek Ridge Road, 201-211 Creek Ridge Road, and 3012 S Elm Eugene St. ; three buildings in Industrial Village Logistics Park at 7906, 7908 and 7910 Industrial Village Road; and four buildings in Radar Road Industrial Park at 500, 502, 504, and 506 Radar Road.

Blue Ridge Industrial is focused on growing our portfolio in the Sunbelt region," said Nate Leifeld, managing partner at BRI., said in a June 2022 statement.

"The Carolinas are a primary focus, and this portfolio is a great example of what we are going to continue acquiring."

In the previous two portfolio purchases, Blue Ridge launched a capital investment program focused on addressing deferred maintenance, increasing curb appeal, and converting the portfolios vacancies into move-in-ready condition.

"That is a lot of spending on industrial properties," said Zagros Madjd-Sadjadi, an economics professor at Winston-Salem State University.

"I would imagine that they must have some serious development plans, or they know of some that are in the works, because this does not sound like a pure speculative play."
Greetings on a regular fall Tuesday.

MORGANTON  The Rev. Adam Vines, obviously, is a man of the cloth and not a physician.

But you have to hope the information he shared following the shooting of his 2-year-old son after a Sunday evening service is accurate.

It (the bullet) did go in behind his ear, but it went across the corner of the lower side instead of going through the brain, Vines told Charlotte CBS affiliate WBTV. His talking, communications, his moving ability, all of that part is still intact.

Thank God for miracles small and large.

But the circumstances surrounding that shooting  and what may come yet  have been rendered unto the Burke County sheriffs office and District Attorney Scott Reilly.

Authorities were summoned to the River Valley Baptist Church west of Morganton about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

There, deputies learned that the 2-year-old had indeed been shot in the head. The little boy was airlifted to a Charlotte hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot fired inside a car in the parking lot. The sheriffs office, acting out of an abundance of caution, said that detectives were trying to determine whether the toddler had shot himself.

Pastor Vines provided additional details himself in interviews with reporters. He told WBTV that the gun was his, that it was in the back of his van and that another of his sons accidentally shot his brother.

God almighty.

Naturally, neighbors and church members did the only thing in their power  familiar after gun-related tragedies. They prayed. Hard.

They prayed for the little boy fighting for his life. They surely prayed for his family, too. The father who owned the gun and, if the pastor was right, the brother who pulled the trigger.

That memory, even for someone so young, could take years to process and recover from.

So yeah, prayers are appropriate. Necessary even.

But heres the thing, heart-breaking and perhaps harsh, but true nonetheless.

The shooting was preventable.

Details about where the gun was located in the vehicle, how the child got to it, what type of weapon it was  revolver or semi-automatic etc. will be sorted out by investigators who were quick to say that it was an accident.

Still, using trigger locks or storing guns unloaded can save a lifetimes worth of pain and regret.

Research published this summer in the scientific journal Injury Epidemiology suggests that more than 90 percent of guns used in accidental shooting deaths of children under 15 were left unlocked and loaded.

Most of those deaths occurred at the victims home, and in 8 out of 10 cases, the gun belonged to an adult in the victim's family. And 40 percent of the time, those unintentional deaths involved kids between 2 and 4.

Scientists used a database called the National Violent Death Reporting System, which is maintained by the Centers for Disease Control. Researchers track information from medical examiners reports, hospital records and death certificates to study the circumstances surrounding violent deaths.

The database turned up 279 cases of accidental death by firearm involving children under 15 between 2009 and 2018.

Considering the fact that Americans own millions of firearms of all sizes, calibers and capabilities, thats not a lot.

Thank God.

But one is too many.

In the coming days, District Attorney Reilly has a difficult decision to make. Often, filing a criminal charge feels like piling on. The victims family is already suffering and, in all likelihood, second guessing everything.

Trusting in the Lord. God has him in his hand, Vines told WSOC-TV. God has a perfect plan. It was an accident.

A man of the cloth, the pastor no doubt finds solace in his faith. And the guess here is that hed do anything in his power to prevent others from feeling the same pain.

Trusting and finding comfort in God soothes souls. Thoughts and prayers can help.

But so do trigger locks.

Open seat nomination goes smoothly

GREENSBORO  As is its right, the executive committee of the Guilford County Democratic Party selected Brandon Gray Monday to fill an unexpired term on the board of commissioners.

Democrat James Upchurch resigned Oct. 2 because he was moving from the area.

Democrats met via Zoom to support Gray, 28. He unsuccessfully challenged state Rep. John Faircloth, R-62nd, for a seat in the N.C. House of Representatives in 2022.

When you get that close to political office in your first time running, it shows that you have a lot of followers, said Skip Alston, the chairman of the board of commissioners earlier this month in endorsing Gray. He has been very active in the Democratic Party and knows the players.

Its nice to see a vacancy on a local board filled without rancor or acrimony.

Anti-theft device replay

WINSTON-SALEM  If it worked once, why not try it again?

Following a wildly successful giveaway last month of anti-theft steering wheel bars, the Winston-Salem Police Department is scheduled to double down Wednesday morning.

Officers will distribute for free the anti-theft devices to owners of KIAs and Hyundais.

Strange as it sounds, those vehicles are especially susceptible to being stolen thanks to popular how-to videos making the rounds on Tik Tok which walk thieves through an ill-advised tutorial.

(Neer do wells and bored teens in all likelihood target those vehicles due to the lack of engine immobilizers. Whatever those are. Engine immobilization sounds like a $1,000 trip to the mechanic to me.)

The device giveaway is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. at the Winston-Salem Mutual Building at 1225 E. Fifth St. KIA and Hyundai owners will need to bring a copy of their registration to quality for one of the 240 locking wheel bars.
A Lincoln police officer shot a man early Tuesday morning after the man stabbed another officer, police officials said during a news conference.

Acting Police Chief Michon Morrow said officers were called to the Lincoln Bus Depot at 5250 Superior St. just before 12:15 a.m. on a report of a man on the bus who didn't have a ticket or money for the fare to Iowa and who wouldn't leave.

Morrow said when officers confronted the man on the bus, he pulled a knife and lunged at one of them, cutting the officer on the neck.

The man ignored commands to drop the knife, and the other officer shot him one time, Morrow said.

She said there were approximately 20 other people on the bus, none of whom were injured.

She said the 27-year-old man who was shot had been reported missing from the Chicago area on Monday night and is suspected in the theft of a recreational vehicle there Sunday.

Morrow said the Nebraska State Patrol found the stolen RV about 30 miles west of Lincoln near Goehner in Seward County. It's not clear how the man got to Lincoln.

On Tuesday, Morrow declined to provide the names of the suspect, the injured officer or the officer who shot the man but pledged to release the names of all involved parties, although she didn't offer a timeline for when their identities would be made public.

While police released several still photos from the officers' body-worn camera footage, Morrow declined to release the video.

"Releasing the full video, we believe, would be detrimental to the continuing investigation," she said.

Both the man who was shot and the injured officer were taken to a Lincoln hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and remained there Tuesday.

Morrow said she visited the injured officer, who was in "good spirits."

The wounded man is in police custody and will be booked into the Lancaster County jail when he is released from the hospital. Morrow said he is facing charges of first-degree assault of an officer and using a weapon to commit a felony.

The officer who shot him has been placed on paid administrative leave, as is protocol in any police shooting.

Morrow praised the officers, saying they showed "incredible restraint" considering the circumstances.

"It certainly could have been much worse for our officers and the other passengers on the bus," she said.

This is the second officer-involved shooting in Lincoln this year. On May 1, Chace Abney, 35, of Nevada, allegedly shot at police following a confrontation in a parking lot near Northwest 27th and West O streets. Officers from the Lincoln Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol returned fire. No officers were injured; Abney died five days later.

Since 2013, LPD has been involved in six shootings. In all six shootings, the grand jury  which is convened for every police-involved shooting in the state  cleared all officers of any wrongdoing.

Review of police shootings in Lincoln since 2013 1. Douglas DaMoude, May 30, 2014 2. Tyson Hubbard, March 5, 2015 3. Tareik Artis, Sept. 22, 2015 4. Zachary Grigsby, Nov. 29, 2015 5. Germichael Kennedy, June 26, 2016 6. Thomas Sailors, Jan. 5, 2018 7. Christopher Brennauer, Dec. 29, 2018 8. Joseph Francis Cimino, Oct. 8, 2019 9. Hailey Stainbrook and Christian Alexander, Feb. 20, 2021 10. German Pedraza, Nov. 24, 2021 11. Chace Abney, May 1, 2023 12. Stephen Kafka, Oct. 17,2023
An 18-year-old Fremont man who allegedly fled from the scene of a fatal crash will stand trial for motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Doltyn Garule is free after posting 10% of $100,000 bail and awaiting trial in Dodge County District Court. He is accused of crashing a 2004 Hyundai Sana Fe into a wooden fence about 5 a.m. on Sept. 9 in the area of 400 South Ridge Road just south of Fremont.

Ryan Littrell, 18, of Fremont, was located at the crash site and taken to a Fremont hospital, where he died, according to the Dodge County Sheriffs Office. According to an arrest affidavit, Garule fled from the scene of the crash and was located later at a nearby lake home.

The affidavit said Garule had a blood-alcohol level of 0.101. The blood alcohol limit for drivers in Nebraska is 0.08 percent.

Garule also faces charges of failure to stop and render aid, tampering with evidence, willful reckless driving, obstruction of an officer and first-offense DUI. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing and will make his first appearance in district court later this month.

According to the arrest affidavit, a witness following Garules vehicle reported it was traveling at a high speed on a gravel road when the crash occurred. The witness told deputies that Garule removed the license plates from his vehicle before fleeing on foot.

A deputy reported arriving at the lake home and identified Garule among multiple parties outside. Garule admitted to being drunk and driving the SUV when it crashed. He also told deputies where the license plates from the vehicle could be found.

The Dodge County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Fremont Fire Department, Fremont Rural Fire and Saunders County Sheriffs Office.

Top Journal Star photos for October 2023
RACINE The Racine Unified School District Board has hired a firm to help with its search for a permanent superintendent.

During its regular business meeting Monday night, the board approved a contract worth $34,729 with Hazard, Young, Attea Associates to provide consulting services.

The total is an estimated cost.

I think theres going to be variables thatll happen throughout the search process that might change that amount, RUSD Board President Jane Barbian said.

During its September business meeting, the RUSD Board had the same superintendent search firm item on its agenda but voted 4-2 to remove it.

Soren Gajewski has served as RUSD interim superintendent since July 1. He also was acting superintendent from May 1 to June 30.

The interim superintendent contract does not have an end date, but Gajewski anticipates holding the position through the end of the 2023-24 school year.

NCEE contract

The board also approved a contract with the National Center on Education and the Economy.

The contract is worth $305,000 and ends June 30, 2024.

The NCEE, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., will help RUSD with its early literacy initiative and high school readiness.

NCEE will support the districts plan to improve reading comprehension among young students. RUSDs initiative expanded this school year to 4K through third grade, according to a board fact sheet.

For high school readiness, NCEE will collaborate with RUSD and provide expertise to support the establishment of systems, processes and supports to yield demonstrable improvements in students readiness for success in high school, according to a board fact sheet. This will center on the development of students writing, both writing to learn and writing to demonstrate learning, across the curriculum.

Close Second grader Nakarii Williams smiles with the school mascot Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kim Krause, physical education teacher, hugs two students Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Breonna Paton, from left, second grader Delantiy Campbell and Emily Etchison get ready Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kim Krause, physical education teacher, welcomes a student Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Aleisha Baugh takes a photo of kindergartener Kelex Jackson on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. A student high-fives the school bear Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kindergartener Ky-ree Jones gets ready to walk into school Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Students line up Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Eight photos of Racine Unified's first day of school at Wadewitz Elementary Tuesday was the first day of the Racine Unified 2023-24 school year. Second grader Nakarii Williams smiles with the school mascot Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kim Krause, physical education teacher, hugs two students Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Breonna Paton, from left, second grader Delantiy Campbell and Emily Etchison get ready Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kim Krause, physical education teacher, welcomes a student Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Aleisha Baugh takes a photo of kindergartener Kelex Jackson on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. A student high-fives the school bear Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kindergartener Ky-ree Jones gets ready to walk into school Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Students line up Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St.
1. Yes. If KHA cant continue to run it, the city should step in. Its a necessary asset to the area.

2. Yes. The city already uses it as a warming and cooling center. It would be a smart move.

3. No. It may be in the citys interest to help subsidize insurance for the center, but nothing more.

4. No. The city doesnt need the added burden of staffing and insuring the center. Its a bad idea.

5. Unsure. It may be seem like a good idea, but other options should be explored as well.

Vote

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KEARNEY  The University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Education honored two individuals Friday for their impact on early childhood education.

Carol Renner, a former Kearney Public Schools administrator, received the Dr. LaVonne Plambeck Early Childhood Pioneer Award.

Donna Martin, a Montessori teacher from Omaha, was recognized with the Early Childhood Practitioner Award.

Both awards were presented during the seventh annual UNK-Community Early Childhood Conference hosted at UNKs Nebraskan Student Union.

Carol RennerRenner is renowned for her dedication to KPS as the associate superintendent. She has been a classroom teacher, resource teacher, director of special education and director of curriculum/staff development in California, Missouri, Hawaii and Nebraska.

Renner holds a doctorate in curriculum, administration and instruction, and a specialist of education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She also earned a Master of Education specializing in learning disabilities from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Bachelor of Education from Fontbonne University in St. Louis.

She has actively contributed to numerous local and state educational boards and earned a position on the International Committee for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Renner has also been recognized through her distinction as Business Woman of the Year in two Nebraska communities.

She has also been involved with the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and played an instrumental role in securing a Sixpence grant for early childhood education in Kearney.

She also played a pivotal role in the establishment of Bright Futures Preschool, which serves disadvantaged individuals, non-English speakers and young mothers.

Donna MartinMartin was at the foundation of LaVonne Plambecks Montessori schools. She remains a full-time, lead Montessori primary teacher and school director at Montessori Educational Center, which includes one of Omahas first Nature Explore classrooms. Martin and her fellow teachers helped raise money to create that center.

In 1969, Plambeck selected Martin to manage the business operations at one of her schools and trained her to guide childrens learning in all areas of the Montessori primary classroom.

Martin worked alongside Plambeck during the 1970s and helped launch a pilot toddler class that quickly expanded into a full-time program.

In addition to educating more than 1,600 children during her 54-year teaching career in Nebraska, Martin helped establish Montessori classrooms for Plambeck during the schools expansion into Colorado in the 1980s. She has also served as a co-Montessori teacher trainer in one of her favorite areas: science.

Over the years, many teachers have completed their Montessori teaching internships under Martins guidance, including her sister and two daughters. Her daughter and classroom assistant Meghan says Martin is giving, has a heart for helping and is a strong advocate for doing whats best for children.

The Early Childhood Practitioner Award was presented by Pam Plambeck, daughter of the late LaVonne Plambeck.
WASHINGTON D.C.  U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska has highlighted the following resources from the U.S. Department of State to assist Nebraskans affected by the crisis in Israel.

Beginning Friday, the U.S. government began facilitating departure assistance for U.S. citizens and their immediate family members seeking a safe means of departing Israel who have been unable to book commercial transit. Chartered transportation will be by air or sea to nearby safe locations. From these locations, individuals will be able to make their own onward travel arrangements to the destination of their choice.

The State Department has a team communicating around the clock with U.S. citizens impacted by the situation in Israel. U.S. citizens in need of assistance should complete the crisis intake form or call 1-833-890-9595 (toll-free), 1-606-641-0131 (U.S. local), or 03-519-7426 (Israel local).

U.S. citizens in Gaza who need assistance should complete the crisis intake form or call 1-833-890-9595 (toll-free), 1-606-641-0131 (U.S. local), or 03-519-7426 (local).

For the most up-to-date information, visit the State Departments webpage on Israel, West Bank, and Gaza.
Pumpkin-spiced everything has hit retail; pumpkin patches are vibrantly orange and full of bustling pumpkin pickers; and candy corn has found a home on my coffee table, indicating it has circled back around to spooky season  meaning it is time, yet again, to check in on the will power of those choosing to abstain from alcohol for what we now colloquially refer to as Sober October.

Sober October, along with the practices of Dry January for a mindful reset after a traditionally gluttonous holiday season, has become a commonplace  and well-respected  phenomenon in adult beverage culture due to the more accessible, and delicious nature of, nonalcoholic options now available.

This column is no stranger to highlighting the upper echelon of this NA category and the space that has been carved out to accommodate a sensible balance for imbibing and the social construct that exists around alcohol consumption.

While I generally equate the term sober to be defined as the total omission of all mind-altering intoxicants, I think the general understanding of the term  and what is generally practiced for these couple months  is the withholding of alcohol.

As of late, I have made reference to January and October as dry-ish and sober-ish. That said, it doesnt take a rocket scientist to understand why the ish has evolved in my vocabulary regarding this tradition of moderation.

Alongside the legalization of cannabis casually ensuing across the States and as of late, across the Midwest, doused waters featuring hemp-derived CBD and THC have brought the ish to January and October when it comes to the adult drinking and socializing world, adding another thoughtful layer to the growing alcohol-free movement.

Bar programs and bottle shops continue to embrace the demand for cannabis-infused products alongside the plethora of spiritless tinctures, doctored-up sparkling waters and NA beer, wine and spirits. Cocktail programs are taking a deep dive with the newly available ingredients and creating boozeless works of art to accompany a fun night out or a casual daytime excursion  a phenom no longer just simply coinciding with periods of abstinence, but rather, purely existing.

Blind Shot Social Club (177 S. Fair Oaks Ave.) in Madisons Atwood neighborhood has one of the largest, most detailed and consciously curated NA beverage lists I have seen to date, including a bakers dozen worth of cocktails, NA beer and seltzers. I would encourage anyone even remotely curious about spirit-free cocktails to rendezvous over to this trendy hot spot.

Other local Madison watering holes for some primo Sober October adventuring include Sconnie Bar (1421 Regent St.) and Wandos (602 University Ave.) for those of you who find yourself on the UW campus; Athens Grill (5430 Willow Road) in Waunakee; and Forward Craft and Coffee (2166 Atwood Ave.), Caribou Tavern (703 E. Johnson St.), Dive Inn (521 Cottage Grove Road), The Boneyard (1018 Walsh Road) and Up North Bar (150 S. Blair St.).

It is becoming easier and easier to be out and about while simultaneously limiting your alcohol intake. What once was a detrimental time for the neighborhood bar scene has become especially rewarding for those businesses who choose to provide their customer base with an elevated beverage experience that doesnt just boil down to mixing a few fruit juices in a cocktail glass and toping it with a lime wedge and maraschino cherry.

However you chose to do your October  sober, sober-ish or alcohol-infused  take care in knowing your options are virtually endless with little signs of creativity, complexity and intrigue slowing down anytime soon.

Here are some fun Draft Queen-approved options to rev up your October:

Honey Bee Cannabis Ginger Lime THC Infused Sparkling Water

Madisons very own, newly launched on draft at a handful of select area bars and soon to hit statewide distribution at Woodmans, this 4.20mg hemp-derived THC product is organic and showcases a mellow dankness that underlies a sharp ginger zing and zesty lime quality. The general consensus is that this beauty offers a consistent state of chill. Strawberry Lemon flavor to come in the upcoming weeks. Arent feeling the THC just yet? Try out the CBD sparkling water line.

Looner Lite Sweet Orange Soda

A delicious option from Minneapolis-based Looner Sodas, this little citrus bomb boasts 5mg of hemp-derived THC  indicated by the lite designation. It drinks like Orange Crush but the vibrant orange sweetness is balanced by an herbal pepper note and a mild grassy component. If you are looking for a bigger punch, Looner makes 10mg and 20mg variants in all their flavors.

Lekkers Pink Lemonade

Low calorie and organic, this little juice bomb of a beverage is one of several from Lekkers Cool Delicious Sweet Drinks, another cannabis beverage company based out of the Twin Cities since July of 2022. They champion the phrase feel the vibes, and thats all anyone can do after drinking one of these. Available in 5mg, 10mg and 50mg Delta-9 THC varieties, the tart lemon is balanced by sweet berry and a dankness that only amplifies the higher you go. Pun intended.

Marz Community Brewing Juniper Fizz Botanical Seltzer

Hailing from Chicago, Marz is no stranger to creating unique adult beverages and this 30mg hemp, zero-sugar and zero-calorie seltzer is nothing short of the typical coming out of their brewhouse. Flavored with juniper berries, spruce tips, fresh key lime juice and sea salt, the first swallow is quite herbal and very London Dry gin-forward. The botanical nature is complex and pleasant, atop a spritzy personality that finishes full on the back end thanks to the salt addition.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a 42-year-old Minneapolis man accused of breaking into a La Crosse business and stealing equipment during the overnight hours of Aug. 22.

Benjamin J. Mitton was charged in La Crosse County Circuit with felony counts of burglary, theft of movable property and possession of burglary tools and misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property and obstructing an officer.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to Interstate Roofing, where the owner said a man was caught on surveillance video prying open two trailer locks and loading a Varimat-V2 Leister heat welder valued at $10,000 into a white van before driving away. The owner identified the suspect as Mitton, a former employee of the business.

Police contacted Mitton by phone. He told police he knew nothing about the burglary and was sleeping in Rochester, Minnesota, at the time.

The complaint says police used the video to trace the white van to Solar Midwest in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. The owner of the business confirmed that Mitton was a Solar Midwest employee who had access to the van. The owner said he wasnt aware the van had been driven to La Crosse on Aug. 22. The owner later informed police that the van was totaled in a Sept. 1 traffic crash.

The owner assisted police in arranging an interview with Mitton, which was conducted in Brooklyn Center on Sept. 18. Mitton again denied being present or having any role in the burglary.

The complaint says Mitton provided a false address to police. Judge Ramona Gonzalez issued the arrest warrant Oct. 11 and ordered a $2,500 cash bond.
UW-Oshkosh is eliminating about a sixth of its overall workforce, as 140 people received layoff notices Monday, another 110 positions will disappear due to retirements or vacancies and a still-unknown number of contract-based adjunct professors and lecturers will not be renewed for this spring.

The layoffs, announced to employees initially through email, and other cost-cutting measures come as UW-Oshkosh grapples with a projected budgetary shortfall of $18 million by 2024, the largest across the Universities of Wisconsin system. To cut spending, UW administration said it also would be implementing furloughs for most employees, encouraging early retirements and cutting nonacademic programming deemed to be a drain on university finances.

The known number of layoffs and retirements means UW-Oshkosh will see a 17.5% workforce reduction. But David Siemers, a political science professor and president of United Faculty and Staff Oshkosh, said itll be closer to 300, if not higher, as contracted instructional academic staff arent included in the final number.

They dont have to count the (instructional academic staff) just because, well, theyre not being laid off, theyre simply not being rehired, said Karl Boehler, chair of the Senate of Academic Staff and an English lecturer. I know that thats technically right. But it also has just a damning effect on you, realizing that youre not even worth counting in the big picture of whos going away or not.

Twelve administrators were either laid off, retired or reassigned, including a vice chancellor, four associate and assistant chancellors and seven administrative-level positions. It accounts for 22% of the positions within administration, the release said.

We announced in August layoffs would be a part of our plan to address an $18 million deficit. That early notice in no way lessens the difficulty of this day, UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt said in the statement. The actions we are taking are structured with stewardship: to support UWOs core academic mission, to have minimal impact on students and student success and to sustain an institution in this region, the state and its people to rely on for decades to come.

Some departments were hit hard: Siemers said the general education department is down to one person as three others were let go, and the Office of International Education lost all of its staff. Some are left with no assistants.

Its just a sad day for UW-Oshkosh, Siemers said. We hope that we can right the ship and do all the things that our students need to have a world-class education. It just seems that its going to be hard to have the same level of quality.

Budget reduced

The cuts are expected to reduce UW-Oshkoshs budget by $14.7 million, with layoffs contributing more than half at $8 million, retirements saving another $4.8 million and closed vacant positions $1.9 million compared to if theyd been filled. Its unclear how much money UW-Oshkosh will be able to trim with fewer instructional academic staff.

As part of a separate restructuring process, UW-Oshkosh Provost Ed Martini will lead a group of college deans and faculty to examine the current academic structure and programs, the release said.

UW-Oshkosh has been in financial trouble for years. In 2022, it ended its fiscal year $5.3 million in the red; in 2018, a projected $9.5 million gap prompted a cost-cutting plan that increased faculty workloads.

UW-Oshkosh is not alone in its budget woes: Eleven of Wisconsins 13 public universities are projected to have cost overruns of about $58.5 million in the 2024 fiscal year. Universities of Wisconsin officials cite declining enrollment, the states aging population and decisions by state legislators over the past decade to freeze tuition and reduce state support for straining the university systems finances.

Each university is taking its own approach. Of the others that have considered payroll reductions, UW-Parkside is furloughing employees and requiring all departments to trim budgets; at UW-Platteville, layoff announcements are expected the week of Oct. 23.

Foolish to stay

Cindy Schultz, an administrative assistant with the journalism department, wont make it to her 40th anniversary at UW-Oshkosh. Instead, Schultz is opting for an early retirement, but staying as long as she possibly can into January.

Schultz has felt the gamut of emotions as she debated whether early retirement was the right decision. If she stayed, she knew the job would drastically change or shed risk getting laid off; with her decision to retire, shes battled the guilt of knowing no one will be hired in her place.

Finally, Schultz decided it would be foolish to stay. The payout to retire is 75% of Schultzs annual salary.

I will retire one month before my 40-year anniversary, which kind of makes me sad, she said. I wasnt at the point where I was ready yet  I had hoped to work another two years, but I just could not stay in this environment with the way things have been managed as of late.

My last day on campus is Jan. 9  its the very last day I could be here. You can tell, even just by that, I care about this place.

It hasnt necessarily sunk in to others that Schultz, and at least nine others in the College of Letters and Sciences, will be leaving. In recent weeks, Schultz has nudged leaders in her department to learn certain tasks that will need to be done whether or not shes there.

Whats going to happen come spring semester, when Ive not had a chance to show you because you choose to put your head in the sand and ignore that this is going to happen? she said. So, somebodys going to learn how to do it, but thats not whats been happening, and that scares me as well.

Impact on students

Anthropology adjunct professor Brett Hoffman knew hed be out of a job even before UW-Oshkosh announced layoffs. Rumors swirled thered be few credits available for instructional academic staff starting in the spring; it was later confirmed when curriculum planning forms started to circulate in Hoffmans department and his name wasnt on them.

Hoffman has taught at UW-Oshkoshs main campus or its branch campuses, Fox Cities and Fond du Lac, for more than six years. He works more than 40 hours a week by supporting first- and second-year students at the branch campuses who often have little other support in navigating college.

A lot of my job is navigating things with them ... students increasingly do not just go to college and do nothing else, that classic model, he said. They are facing innumerable financial, logistical and other challenges outside of the classroom. So sometimes the first roadblock, the first hurdle they have to clear is in the classroom, if that hurdle is too difficult, and they cant find assistance for it, thats how we lose students and dont retain students.

When UW-Oshkosh announced its layoff plans, Leavitt said faculty were not going to be eliminated because staffing levels were in line with anticipated student enrollment. Leavitt said in August that reorganization should prioritize shielding the student experience from cuts to the fullest extent possible.

But the faculty distinction only applies to those employees who are either tenured or are on a tenure track, not the dozens of adjunct professors or lecturers UW-Oshkosh employs. Each department oversees how many contracted instructional staff it hires each semester.

As much as UW-Oshkosh wanted to prevent students from feeling the effects, some students are already dealing with faculty furloughs and expect itll get worse with layoffs.

Sarah Kleinschmidt, a senior majoring in environmental studies and geology, said she struggled this fall to find a professor who had the time to oversee her independent study, the last class she needed for her geographical information systems (GIS) certification.

Kleinschmidt was able to convince the initial professor shed reached out to for help, but only after losing six weeks of the 14-week semester; Kleinschmidt will navigate much of it on her own as her professor juggles biweekly furlough days and a larger workload.

Its not going to be the full educational experience that I deserved and paid for, and thats entirely due to this overworking and forced furlough days that are already implemented, she said. So, I can just imagine what thats going to mean once we remove over 200 academic support staff and faculty members, and further increase their workload. Thats going to be really detrimental for future students.
A lawsuit filed by Wisconsin criminal justice advocacy groups arguing that Republican-sponsored proposals  which received considerable support among voters in the April 4 election  were improperly placed on the spring ballot will proceed, a Dane County judge ruled Monday.

Dane County Circuit Judge Rhonda Lanfords decision comes more than six months after the measures, an advisory referendum asking voters about work-search requirements for some unemployed individuals and a constitutional amendment to allow judges to consider additional factors when setting bail for violent offenders, were passed by more than two-thirds of Wisconsin voters.

While Lanford earlier this year rejected a motion to keep the measures off the April 4 ballot, the case has proceeded. On Monday, Lanford denied a motion from the state Legislature and Wisconsin Elections Commission seeking to dismiss the case. A hearing has been scheduled for March 19 on the matter.

I dont think that the fact that the election has occurred has ruled out remedies for the plaintiff, Lanford said in a motion hearing.

EXPO Wisconsin, which stands for Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing, and WISDOM, a statewide faith-based organization, filed the lawsuit on Jan. 31 asserting the Legislature submitted the measures two days after the deadline to be included on the ballot. EXPO Wisconsin is an affiliate of WISDOM. Both groups, which work with people who have been incarcerated, opposed the measures.

The groups argue the ballot measures were not timely filed and therefore  do not qualify for inclusion on the ballot for the April 4, 2023 Spring Election, because they were not delivered to county clerks and the Milwaukee County Election Commission by Jan. 24.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission said the 70-day filing deadline was met once the Legislature submitted the questions to the agency on Jan. 19. The commission also contended that it is the proper entity for the submission of ballot measures. The plaintiffs argued it is the local election officials, not the elections commission, that prepare actual ballots.

Lanford in February rejected a motion for a temporary injunction on the matter, finding instead that the 70-day provision in the statute is directory, or instructive, rather than mandatory, and said the Legislature properly complied with the law.

April vote

Two-thirds of Wisconsin voters in the April 4 election approved a pair of constitutional amendments giving judges more options for keeping people arrested for violent crimes in custody pending trial.

Here, you can discern the will of the voters because overwhelming majorities voted in favor of the resolutions, said Kevin LeRoy, an attorney representing the Legislature in the case.

I would respectfully suggest that if something shouldnt have been on the ballot to start with, if it didnt qualify and it wasnt eligible, then the fact that many people voted for it is indeed riddled heavily with errors because it wasnt supposed to be there, said Jeff Mandell, an attorney representing EXPO.

Also in April, more than 78% of Wisconsin voters approved the nonbinding referendum asking: Shall able-bodied childless adults be required to look for work in order to receive taxpayer-funded welfare benefits?

In the months that followed, legislative Republicans passed a package of bills that would have expanded definitions of on-the-job misconduct, potentially making more people ineligible for benefits; required the state Department of Workforce Development, when determining eligibility for benefits, to consider a workers decision to decline a job offer or miss a scheduled job interview; and required DWD to enforce federal drug-testing requirements for beneficiaries in certain occupations.

Evers ultimately vetoed the proposals, noting in a veto message he continues to be perplexed by the Legislatures misplaced emphasis on changing and restricting economic assistance programs while offering no other comprehensive solutions or plans to meaningfully address our states workforce challenges.
Republican legislative leaders, who last month voted to oust Wisconsins top election official, conceded in recent court filings that the Senates vote to fire Meagan Wolfe was symbolic and she is lawfully holding over as the Wisconsin Elections Commissions nonpartisan administrator.

The lawsuit stems from Senate Republicans Sept. 14 vote to remove Wolfe from office despite widespread disagreement over whether Wolfes appointment was legally before the Legislature.

Despite taking up and voting on the measure, attorneys representing Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, and Senate President Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, state in court filings that the vote to oust Wolfe was symbolic and meant to signal disapproval of Administrator Wolfes performance. Attorneys go on to state that the vote thus had no legal effect on Administrator Wolfes status as a lawful holdover.

Im glad they have finally acknowledged these realities, though its a shame it took the filing of litigation to get to this point, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, who sued the GOP leaders arguing Wolfes appointment was not legally before the Legislature, said in a statement Monday.

Wisconsin (Department of Justice) will continue to pursue this matter in court to prevent any further unnecessary confusion about the WEC administrator and to protect the fair administration of elections in Wisconsin, Kaul continued.

A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for Oct. 30.

The Republican leaders have asked the court to require the six-member bipartisan elections commission to promptly appoint an administrator for the four-year term beginning on July 1, 2023, the date Wolfes appointment expired irrespective of whether a vacancy exists.

By refusing to appoint an administrator, WEC is casting a cloud of uncertainty over the integrity and reliability of our elections, in direct contravention of its mission to ensure election integrity, attorneys write in the court filing.

Wolfe has been the subject of scrutiny from legislative Republicans since the commission made changes to certain procedures in the 2020 general election in response to the COVID-19 pandemic  changes that have spurred some conservatives to falsely accuse her of malfeasance.

Much of the GOPs criticism over the states 2020 election has been fueled by former President Donald Trump, who continues to make baseless claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 vote. A recount, court decisions and multiple reviews have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated Trump in Wisconsin by almost 21,000 votes.

WEC vote

The Wisconsin Elections Commission in June split on a vote to reappoint Wolfe in a bid by Democratic commissioners to block her nomination from reaching the Senate. The three Republican members of the bipartisan commission voted to nominate her, and the three Democratic members abstained.

Senate Republicans said the deadlocked vote actually constituted a majority since the three commissioners who cast votes voted in favor of appointing her.

However, in an email sent to a group of local Republican leaders and posted on the messaging app Telegram, LeMahieu said if WEC doesnt reappoint Wolfe or a replacement, the senate would have no power to get rid of her through the normal confirmation process.

LeMahieus email referenced the 2022 Supreme Court decision that allowed an appointee of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker to serve on the state Department of Natural Resources board long after his term had expired until the Senate confirmed his Democratic successor.

Hours after the Senate voted to oust Wolfe, Kaul asked a judge to declare that Wolfe remains the commissions administrator. Kaul said he expects the matter to be concluded well before the 2024 presidential election. The lawsuit could make its way to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which earlier this year shifted to a liberal majority for the first time in more than a decade.

Wolfe has pledged to continue in her role pending a court decision.

The Senates elections committee voted earlier this month against confirming Democratic Gov. Tony Evers appointment of Joseph Czarnezki to the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission  sending the matter to the GOP-controlled Senate, where Republicans could vote to fire him.

Czarnezki was one of the elections commissions three Democratic members to abstain from voting on Wolfes appointment, something committee chair Sen. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown, called a clear dereliction of duty.

The Senate will vote Tuesday on Czarnezkis appointment. If he is rejected, Evers has pledged to quickly name a new Democratic member to the agency to bring it back to its standard 3-3 partisan split.

Elections 101: Video series explains how elections are carried out in Wisconsin The Wisconsin Elections Commission put together the following series of instructional videos and accompanying lesson plans for use in high school civics classes and the general public. Elections overview An overview of elections administration in Wisconsin. Voting Security Let's take a look at how we maintain security and integrity with all of our elections. Nuts and bolts The ins-and-outs of voter processes like registering to vote and requesting a ballot to vote absentee. A Day at the Polls See what it is like to go to the polls and vote.
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will meet in-person for the October board meeting to consider several proposed rulemaking documents, a proposed land sale and donations.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, originating from public meeting room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF2), 101 S. Webster Street, Madison. The board will act on items 1-3 and 5 as listed on the agenda, available online at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/About/NRB/2023/October.

The public is encouraged to watch the October board meeting on the DNRs YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJEep-SK3q0.

The deadline to register for public appearance requests and to submit written comments is 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted. In-person public appearances are also welcome.

During the October meeting, several items the board will be considering include:

Request that the board adopt Board Order WM-09-21, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 8, 10, 11, 12,17, 18, 19 and 27, to the 2021 wildlife management housekeeping rule.

Request adoption of Board Order WM-16-22, proposed rules affecting chapter NR 10 related to establishing the 2023-2024 migratory bird season framework and regulations.

Request that the board approve the statement of scope for Board Order WM-09-23, and conditionally approve the public hearing notice for Board Order number WM-09-23 and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 12, related to wildlife damage and abatement

Request that the board approve the statement of scope for Board Order FH-12-23 and Emergency Board Order FH-11-23(E), and conditionally approve the public hearing notice for Board Order number FH-12-23 and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 20 and 25 related to Lake Superior cisco and lake trout regulations.

Requesting board approval to acquire approximately 30.1 acres from Lisa Leonard Heck for Big Muskego Wildlife Area  East Lake Segment (BML) for $525,000 under the authority of s. 23.09(2)(d)15., Wis. Stats., and ss. NR 1.40(1) and (2)(a) and NR 1.41(1)(a), Wis. Admin. Code, and to accept monetary donations totaling $276,000 from the City of Muskego and the Big Muskego Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District towards the purchase price under s. 23.09(2)(o), Wis. Stats. and MC 1403.1.

Request approval of the Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan 2023.

Request that the board adopt Board Order WM-03-21, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 10 and 12 related to gray wolf harvest regulations.

The complete October NRB meeting agenda is available on the DNR website athttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/About/NRB/2023/October.

In addition to being encouraged to watch the upcoming meeting, there are opportunities for the public to testify and to submit written comments about issues that come before the NRB.

More information regarding public participation at board meetings is available at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/NRB/public.html.

In 76 Photos: Whitewater Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Walworth County IAT American Pokeweed.jpg Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Boardwalk in Whitewater Lake Segment IAT Bridge and Boardwalk.jpg IAT Common Selfheal.jpg IAT Creeping Bellflower 2.jpg IAT Delicate Fern Moss.jpg IAT Erect Hedgeparsley 2.jpg IAT Giant Chickweed.jpg IAT Motherwort.jpg IAT Pine Cones.jpg IAT Sign.jpg IAT Tall Hairy Agrimony.jpg Ice Age Trail yellow blaze marker IAT Trail View 2.jpg IAT Trail View.jpg IAT Whitewater Creek 2.jpg Ice Age Trail Ascent.jpg Ice Age Trail Bird's Foot Trefoil.jpg Ice Age Trail Black Raspberry.jpg Ice Age Trail Black-Eyed Susan.jpg Ice Age Trail Boletes fungi (mushroom) on forest floor.jpg Ice Age Trail Wild Parsnip.jpg Ice Age Trail Yellow Blaze with Trail View in Pine Plantation.jpg Ice Age Trail Yellow Blaze with Trail View.jpg Ice Age Trail Common Chicory (Blue Dandelion).jpg Ice Age Trail Common Crownvetch.jpg Ice Age Trail Common Mullein (Aaron's Rod).jpg Ice Age Trail Common Yarrow.jpg Ice Age Trail Creeping Thistle.jpg Ice Age Trail Deptford Pink.jpg Ice Age Trail Emerald Ash Borer .jpg Ice Age Trail Emerald Ash Borer 2.jpg Ice Age Trail Evening Primrose.jpg Ice Age Trail Fallen Tree .jpg Ice Age Trail False Solomon's Seal.jpg Ice Age Trail False Sunflower.jpg Ice Age Trail Flowering Spurge.jpg Ice Age Trail "Flowing Well" in Town of Whitewater.jpg Glacial deposits on Ice Age National Scenic Trail Ice Age Trail Gray Dogwood.jpg Ice Age Trail Hoary Verbena.jpg Ice Age Trail Illinois Tick Trefoil 2.jpg Ice Age Trail Panicledleaf Tick Trefoil.jpg Ice Age Trail Marker Post.jpg Ice Age Trail Mile Marker Post.jpg Ice Age Trail Morrow's Honeysuckle.jpg Ice Age Trail Nodding Thistle.jpg Ice Age Trail Northern Catalpa.jpg Ice Age Trail Oriental Ladies Thumb.jpg Ice Age National Scenic Trail overlook view Ice Age Trail Oxeye Dairy.jpg Ice Age Trail Perennial Sowthistle.jpg Ice Age Trail Pine Forest.jpg Ice Age Trail Pine Plantation.jpg Ice Age Trail Pinnate Prairie Coneflower.jpg Ice Age Trail Prairie Fleabane.jpg Ice Age Trail Prarie Clearning Under Power Lines.jpg Ice Age Trail Queen Anne's Lace (Wild Carrot).jpg Ice Age Trail Rock covered with Schreber's Big Red Stem Moss.jpg Ice Age Trail Rock Deposits.jpg Russulaceae fungi on the forest floor along the Ice Age Scenic National Trail Ice Age Trail Scenic Lake Overlook 1.jpg Ice Age National Scenic Trail overlook Ice Age Trail Shrub Lespedeza.jpg Ice Age Trail Smooth Sumac.jpg Ice Age Trail Soapwort.jpg St. John's Wort blooming along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail Ice Age Trail Steep Climb.jpg Ice Age Trail Thistle Field with feeding Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly.jpg Ice Age Trail Trichaptum fungi on tree.jpg Ice Age Trail View from Bench.jpg Ice Age Trail Walking Path in Forest.jpg Ice Age Trail Whitewater Lake.jpg Ice Age Trail Wild Bergamot.jpg Ice Age Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly.jpg
SOMERS  The 2023 Kenosha NAACP Freedom Fund dinner will honor the founder of a successful college tour program, a pastoral care minister, and welcome Wisconsins first Black female sheriff, who will deliver the keynote address.

The dinner and awards ceremony will start at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Student Ballroom, 900 Wood Road.

The theme of this years fundraiser is Thriving Together.

The event will honor Alvin Owens, founder of Kenosha-based Education Youth Development Outreach, with the Rev. Olen Arrington, Jr. Excellence Award. The Rev. Monica L. Cummings, assistant minister of pastoral care at Bradford Community Church, will receive the Brother John Wright Justice Award.

Denita Ball, who is Milwaukee Countys first female sheriff, will also speak, recognizing Kenosha community leaders in civil rights and racial equity.

NAACP PRESIDENTS Incoming and outgoing NAACP presidents Anthony Davis, left, and Veronica King.

The Freedom Fund celebration comes at a very critical time in our community when civil liberties, voter engagement and other civil rights matters continue to be at risk., Kenosha NAACP President Anthony Davis said in a statement. Our theme, Thriving Together, aligns our collective power and challenges community and business leaders to navigate the fight for equality and justice for everyone.

Owens, Cummings

The NAACP is honoring Owens with the Excellence Award for exemplary stewardship in advancing higher education for students of color. Owens, owner of the Regimen Barber Collective, 1345 52nd St., is also the founder of the popular Spring Break College Tour that has open the doors to higher education and sustainable careers for hundreds of Kenosha- and Racine-area students.

The college tour celebrated its 25th year earlier this spring.

What I do behind the chair is a reflection of what I do beyond the chair, Owens said.

Cummings, is receiving the Justice Award for her dedication to improve the quality of life by advocating for social justice issues for everyone, according to local NAACP officials.

I am honored to be recognized by the NAACP Kenosha Branch for the justice work I do outside my church walls in our community, Cummings said. My justice work is rooted in my living prayer that Kenosha is welcoming and affirming for all regardless of a persons age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or background, and/or socioeconomic status.

The late Rev. Olen Arrington Jr. was an educator, long-time pastor of Kenoshas Second Baptist Church on Washington Road and local civil rights leader.

He made history in 2000 when he became Kenosha Unifieds first African American member on the School Board.

The late Brother John Wright was NAACP president (1987-2000), a local civil rights leader and the lead evangelist of the 23rd Avenue Church of Christ in the citys Columbus Park neighborhood. The two men were contemporaries who both died in 2010.

History-making sheriff

Ball was elected the 66th sheriff of Milwaukee County on Nov. 8, 2022, the first female sheriff in Milwaukee County, and the first African American female sheriff in Wisconsin.

I am very humbled and truly honored that the NAACP Kenosha Branch invited me to be this years Freedom Fund Banquet speaker. For over 60 years and in one form or another, this event has embodied the strength, resolve, and resilience through which this organization has led the pursuit for racial equity and civil rights, she said.

As a daughter of this history and a present day example of it  being Milwaukee Countys first female (sheriff) and Wisconsins first female African American sheriff  I look forward to recognizing those leading this important work in Kenosha County and commemorating this great event, this great organization, and those great leaders who were an example for us for so many years, Ball said.

If you go...

What: Freedom Fund dinner and awards ceremony, a fundraiser of the Kenosha Branch NAACP

Where: University of Wisconsin  Parkside Student Ballroom, 900 Wood Road, Somers

When: Reception at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. program to follow

Cost: Individual adult tickets are $75 (NAACP membership included); senior Citizens and youth (under 18 years of age) pay $30 (NAACP membership not included).

Ticket information: Tickets can be purchased at 2023KenoshaFreedomfund.eventbrite.com. For sponsorship and ad information, contact Davis at kenoshanaacp@gmail.com or by calling (262) 358-7783.

IN PHOTOS: Scenes from Jesse Jackson news conference JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS IN KENOSHA JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS IN KENOSHA Mayor John Antaramian JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS IN KENOSHA JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS IN KENOSHA JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS IN KENOSHA JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS IN KENOSHA JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS IN KENOSHA JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS IN KENOSHA Rev. Jesse Jackson expected in Kenosha today JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS IN KENOSHA
Demonstrations Growing Worldwide for Mideast Ceasefire, End to Genocide, Freedom for Palestine

Oct. 16, 2023, (EIRNS)From Morocco to Turkiye, Australia to Italy, Norway to Scotland, Ireland to London to multiple U.S. cities and beyond, millions all around the world are marching in solidarity with Gaza. Israeli propaganda has failed, Sarah @sahouraxo, self-described as an independent Lebanese geopolitical commentator wrote on X on Sunday night, Oct. 15. She posted photos showing clearly large crowds in Amsterdam, Brussels, Madrid and Pakistan.

The scale and scope of the rallies broke the news of their existence into even some Establishment media. Spains Publico reported that 30,000 rallied in Madrid. Tens of thousands had marched in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, Londons The Guardian admitted Oct. 14.

Jeremy Corbyn, former head of Britains Labour Party, addressed the London rally:

It is a day of solidarity and it is a day of hope. There are many who say that nobody should be here today because theyll be condoning terrible things. None of us are here to condone killing. None of us are here to condone occupation. If you believe in international law, if you believe in human rights, then you must condemn what is happening now in Gaza by the Israeli army.

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East followed with a statement on Oct. 15 calling Israels air strikes, siege and forcible ejection of people in north Gaza collective punishment of the Palestinian people. (British Broadcasting Corp., which over the weekend smeared the demonstrators as supporting Hamas, on Oct. 16 felt it advisable to cover their arse by broadcasting a 20-second apology for that reportage as poorly phrased and a misleading description.)

Demonstrations were held in cities across the U.S. over the weekend, ranging from hundreds to thousands of people calling for an end to the siege of Gaza and freeing Palestine. ABC News, for example, reported that a sea of people came out in Chicago on Sunday (the police estimate of 2,000 seeming low to the reporter) to protest Gaza being turned from an open air prison into an open air morgue, and the Los Angeles Times gave a figure of several thousand protesters marching in that city, so that at one point the southbound lanes of the nearby 405 Freeway were briefly shut down.

Today, new demonstrations were reported in Texas (Dallas, Houston and San Antonio), and for the second day in a row in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. Todays demonstration was organized by the Jewish organization, If Not Now, whose stated aim is organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israels apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all. Some 1,500 to 2,000 Jewish non-violent activists from the group blocked the entrances to the White House for hours, with chants, singing, and signs of No to War, No to apartheid, Stop Genocide in Gaza, Two wrongs do not make a right. Over 50 were arrested today, they report, but added: We need you with us tomorrow and all the days after.
Putin Underlines Importance of BRI and Role of Xi in China Interview

Oct. 16, 2023, (EIRNS)Prior to his trip to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview to Wang Guan of China Media Group. In todays interview, President Putin praised the Belt and Road Initiative and President Xi Jinpings call for a community of shared interest.

I think it was very timely and is developing well, because the focal point of this idea is an attempt to unite the capabilities of many countries to achieve common development goals. Today, in one way or another, President Xi Jinpings ideas have involved you know, how many? Some 147 countries, two-thirds of the worlds population. So I think this is already a success, this is a good, correct and technologically organized initiative that is developing.

Putin observed that Xis concept of a community of shared interests first appeared during an event that Xi was attending in Moscow:

Thank you for bringing this up. As far as I understand, these ideas were first formulated in general terms in about 2013 during President Xi Jinpings visit to Moscow, where he spoke at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations [MGIMO] and brought this up for the first time. Of course, this is a global approach to human history. For sure, everything is interconnected. And today, with the formation of a multipolar world, these ideas have become even more relevant. He spoke about it in 2013, and today these ideas are actually being realized. This is extremely important.

Putin also remarked that Russia-China relations have been developing quite rapidly over the last 20 years:

Relations between Russia and Chinayou know, I am telling you what immediately comes to my mind after you asked your questionhave not been shaped to suit the current global environment; nor are they the result of short-term political opportunism. Russian-Chinese relations have been shaped for 20 years in a careful, phased-out manner. At each step, the Russian and Chinese sides have both guided themselves by their own national interests as they understood them. While encouraging the other side to take the next step, both have always taken into account each others opinions and interests. We have always tried to reach a compromise, even on complicated issues inherited from the old days.

Putin said that the trade relations would reach the level of $200 billion that the two countries had agreed upon. This would include the usual energy supplies provided by Russia and agricultural products, as well as agricultural equipment, which is exported to help China in its own farm production. Putin indicated that Russia was also assisting China in its nuclear power development, particularly with the development of fast breeder reactors:

The amount of coal and electricity supplied is increasing and we continue to build nuclear units. And not only to build units at two plants, but we are working on a fast neutron reactor, which will provide us with an entirely new way of building relations in this high-tech energy sector as it creates conditions for a closed cycle and, in fact, there will be virtually no waste.

The Russian President responded to a question about the role of the BRICS and its expansion at the South Africa summit in August:

First of all, I want to say that the expansion itself was quite uneasy. It was a challenging, I would even say difficult dialogue. But largely due to the efforts of our chairperson, the President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa (I want to emphasize his role once again), we managed to come to this consensus and to reach an agreement. What is at the core of the expansion process? This process is based on objective reality. The multipolar world is creating itself, as a matter of fact. We can speed up this process or someone can try to slow it down and maybe even achieve some kind of reduction in the pace of building a multipolar world. Anyway, its creation is inevitable. It is happening on its own because of the growing potential of many countries, including, not least, the growing potential of the Peoples Republic of China.

Putin shared the following thoughts with respect to Chinas President Xi Jinping:
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR TUESDAY OCTOBER 17, 2023

China to the United States: Time To Hold an International Peace Conference

Oct. 16, 2023, (EIRNS)Without intervention, the Palestinian-Israeli situation is a cockpit for World War III. The strategic situation of Southwest Asia is one of incredible danger, now escalating in a way that the spillover can ignite a global conflagration.

Over the weekend, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on a call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stressed that the major nations must now support an international conference on the crisis situation. The United States has been informed.

This peace conference proposal goes back to last June when Chinese President Xi Jinping presented the need for an international peace conference to be held on the Israel-Palestine conflict. That proposal is now back on the agenda, with life-and-death urgency.

The proposal was raised by China with Brazil last week. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Oct. 13, that Wang Yi is coordinating on the peace conference proposal with officials from Brazil. Note that Brazil is the rotating chair of the UN Security Council this month. Wang conferred Oct. 12 with Brazilian President Lula da Silvas Chief Foreign Policy Advisor Celso Amorim, about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Wang told Amorim, China calls for an international peace conference with greater authority and impact as soon as possible to galvanize a more broad-based international consensus with the two-state solution serving as its basis, and to formulate a timetable and roadmap to that end. Wang Yi added that the UN has both the responsibility and an obligation to pay its due role on the Palestinian question.

The on-the-ground situation for the 2.3 million people of the Gaza Strip amounts to conditions knowably leading to mass death. An estimated 1 million people are displaced within Gaza; among those are more than 500,000 who tried to leave the north for the south. The World Health Organization has issued a statement calling Israels order for people to evacuate from the north to the south, a death sentence. This affected 22 hospitals, many of whose 2,000 patients were too ill to be moved. There is no water nor sanitation for hundreds of thousands of people. Electricity is mostly down. Food scarcity is acute.

On the military side, the IDF hit Gaza at 250 sites on Sunday, Oct. 15, and continued strikes today, including in southern Gaza, where northern Gaza residents were told by Israel to move. Hamas rockets continue into Israel intermittently. Israel has massed forces on two frontsthe Gaza border and the border with Lebanon, facing Hezbollah. Israel has evacuated 28 villages along its northern border.

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier battle group remains in the Eastern Mediterranean. On Oct. 13, the USS Dwight Eisenhower departed from Port of Norfolk, Virginia, to go to the Mediterranean, to bring additional forces to what U.S. military declare as deterrence. Frigates from Italy and Britain have been ordered to join the American forces. The dramatic aspect of this massed force, as noted by many military experts, is that just a wing of drones could cause major damage to the fleet, before the planes could even take off.

Veteran U.S. intelligence analyst Ray McGovern sent out a stinging X message Sunday on the maritime madness: Into the valley of death sailed the 10,000 aboard aircraft carriers Ford and Eisenhowersitting ducks for swarming drones and other weaponry not dreamed of by those who made short work of the Charge of the Light Brigade. Perhaps Blinken/Nuland/Austin want that? Or are they just dumb?

Secretary Blinken was back in Israel today, after a swing around six Arab nations since his first emergency visit to Israel last week. But with not only no solution, but furtherance of the crisis. Likewise EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a visit. Pres. Biden will go to Israel Wednesday, according to a breaking report tonight. German President Olaf Scholz said today he may visit soon. Their litany: Israel has the responsibility and obligation to do whatever it wants to protect itself.

In contrast, the role of the International Peace Coalition (IPC), only five months in operation, is critical to galvanize decisive action internationally to intervene for security in all respects, for all nations. On Friday, Oct. 20, will be the second open (online) IPC meeting of world figures and network leaders for peace, after the first such dialogue last Friday.

There will be a world-important platform for thinking, proposals and collaboration on the emergency in Southwest Asia at the Belt and Road Initiative 10th anniversary forum in China Oct. 17-18. Already today, many heads of state arrived and important bilateral meetings took place, including that of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Among the thousands of people attending, delegations will represent 140 countries, and 200 of the participants will be ministerial level or higher. President Xi Jinping is expected to welcome the attendees at the beginning of the sessions, and also give a major address Wednesday at the plenary.

There have been mass protests around the world this past weekend, calling for humanitarian emergency measures in Palestine, and talks towards peace in Southwest Asia. Thousands were out in cities around the world, from Los Angeles to Copenhagen. Today in Washington, D.C., people turned out at the gates of the White House to demand a stop to the obliteration of Gaza, and measures for justice and peace.

Schiller Institute founder, and co-initiator of the IPC, Helga Zepp-LaRouche conferred today with collaborators, on the focus of immediate demands. There must be an immediate end to the violence. There must be the process of a negotiated solution, which needs to take place in the context of a peace conference. To succeed, the Global Majority must play a leading role in this process. All of this is urgent, and can be understood as the first step towards a world-scale security and development architecture.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced last week that it will invest $40 million in African drug makers. The money will help produce new messenger RNA vaccines in Africa. The continents people were the last to receive vaccinations against COVID-19 during the pandemic.

The foundation said that its investment marks an important step forward in improving vaccine equity. It said making vaccines and getting them approved for use could take at least three more years.

Whether its for local diseases in Africa like Rift Valley (fever) or for global diseases like TB (tuberculosis), mRNA looks like a very promising approach, Bill Gates told the Associated Press.

The Microsoft founder added, during a visit to the Institut Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, And so it allows us to bring in lots of African capabilities to work on these vaccines, and then this can be scaled up.

The announcement came as the foundation opened its yearly three-day Grand Challenges event. The gathering brought together scientists and public health researchers from around the world.

Institut Pasteur, along with South Africa-based company Biovac, will be using an mRNA research and manufacturing process developed by Quantoom Biosciences in Belgium.

The foundation is giving five million dollars to each vaccine manufacturer. It will award another $10 million to other companies not yet identified. The remaining $20 million is going to Quantoom to further advance the technology and lower costs.

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech along with Moderna used the mRNA technology to develop COVID-19 vaccines in record time. The medicine supplies genetic direction to human cells leading to antibody production to fight COVID-19.

Those COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were quickly pushed through approval processes and received emergency use permission during the pandemic. The new vaccines under development in Africa will take longer anywhere from three to seven years.

Dr. Amadou Sall is chief executive officer at Institut Pasteur. He said the deal will help build vaccine self-reliance in Africa. The organization has been producing yellow fever shots since the 1930s. It now hopes mRNA technology can be used to produce vaccines for other diseases in Africa including Lassa fever, Rift Valley fever, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

What we want is next time there is a pandemic  we hope it wont happen soon  Africa would be able to make its own vaccine, to contribute to the development, and make sure that we protect the population, Sall said. What happened with COVID should never happen again in the sense that Africans should get vaccinated as a matter of equity.

Jose Castillo is the leader of Quantoom Biosciences. He said the mRNA technologies permit low- and middle-income countries to become autonomous in terms of research and development.

With $8.3 billion to give away in 2023, the Gates Foundation is the worlds largest private philanthropic donor. The organization has spent billions of dollars to vaccinate against polio, treat and prevent malaria and HIV and, more recently, to develop vaccines for diseases like cholera.

I'm Caty Weaver.

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

Quiz - Gates Foundation Helps mRNA Vaccine Development in Africa Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

global - adj. involving the entire world

allow - v. to permit, let

scale up - phrasal verb. to increase the size of something

advance - v. to move forward

contribute - v. to help to cause something to happen

autonomous - adj. existing or acting separately from others

philanthropic - adj. relating to the practice of giving money or time to help make life better for others
Emergency aid for Gaza was being held up at a border crossing in Egypt Monday as Israel continued to launch air strikes into the Palestinian-ruled territory.

Egyptian officials said Israel has not cooperated in recent days with efforts to get large aid shipments into Gaza from a crossing in Rafah, Egypt.

On Friday, Israel began ordering Palestinians to leave Gaza City and surrounding areas in the north, telling them to head to the south. Israeli officials say the order was issued ahead of a planned military ground campaign against forces of Palestinian ruler Hamas.

Hamas militants have built major military bases in the north. Israels expected ground offensive there is expected to center on killing Hamas leaders, recovering captives, and destroying the group's military equipment, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

More than a million people had already fled their homes in northern Gaza in preparation for a ground invasion.

Israel has continued to attack positions in Gaza after Hamas launched a major military operation into southern Israel on October 7. Israeli airstrikes have destroyed whole neighborhoods as Palestinian militants continued firing rockets into Israel.

Israeli officials say more than 1,400 Israelis  including many civilians  have died in the conflict. Health ministry officials in Gaza say at least 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 injured since the Hamas attacks began.

Israel controls the other two crossing points into Gaza. But it has declared a "complete siege" of the coastal Palestinian territory. This means Israel has cut off food, water, fuel and electricity supplies to the area.

Gaza has been under a joint Israeli-Egyptian blockade ever since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007. The blockade closely controls movements of goods and people into Gaza.

Mediators have pressed in recent days for a cease-fire that would permit the waiting aid to enter, as well as give foreigners a chance to leave Gaza.

The AP reported Egypt's foreign minister as saying Israel has not taken a position to open the crossing from the Gaza side. The Israeli government did not immediately answer a request from AP for comment.

In Gaza, Palestinians crowded hospitals and schools Monday seeking shelter as food, water and medicine remained in short supply.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians sheltering in U.N. centers are getting less than 1 liter of water per day, the AP reported. Hospitals warned of operations nearing collapse because of power and fuel shortages.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it was concerned about disease spread linked to mass displacements and poor water quality. Four hospitals in northern Gaza are no longer operating and 21 had received Israeli orders to close. Many doctors have so far refused, saying it would mean death for critically ill patients and people receiving breathing assistance.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

____________________________________________

Words in This Story

siege  n. a military operation in which enemy forces surround an area and cut off necessary supplies

mediator n. a person who works with opposing sides to reach an agreement or ease a dispute
An alliance of environmental groups is calling for new federal rules to protect an endangered whale from crashes with ships.

The groups presented their demands in a document, called a petition, provided to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on September 28.

The action aims to protect the North Atlantic right whale, which has long been considered endangered. The population of these extremely large sea animals has decreased sharply in recent years. Just 340 are believed to be alive today.

Officials at NOAA have said ship collisions are among the most serious threats to the survival of the whale. One rule the environmental groups are calling for would seek to prevent ship strikes by making more ships slow down for whales. NOAA has yet to release a final updated speed rule although it proposed new rules more than a year ago, the groups said.

Environmentalists have appealed for urgency in enacting the measure. They say it is important to approve new rules before the upcoming birthing season. At that time of year, the whales migrate hundreds of miles from waters off New England and Canada to areas off the coasts of Florida and Georgia.

Even one ship strike would bring these whales closer to extinction, but speed limits can help prevent that, said Kristen Monsell. She is a legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups that prepared the petition to NOAA. Federal officials cant sit back and do nothing while right whales are in danger," Monsell told The Associated Press.

Katie Wagner is a spokesperson for NOAA. She said she expects the agency to announce its final action on the proposed rule sometime this year. That means the rule could be publicized during the middle of calving season and may not be put into effect until even later.

Wagner said NOAA knows about the petition but has a policy not to comment on legal matters. The agency is considering expanding slow zones off the U.S. East Coast, and also requiring more ships to obey those rules.

NOAA denied a request from environmentalists last year to immediately put new rules in place. At the time, the agency said in public documents that it was considering long-term, substantive" measures to reduce whale strikes by ships. Wagner said NOAA received more than 90,000 comments on the proposed rule and would use those to decide on its final action.

Right whales were once common off the U.S. East Coast. But the animals fell in numbers after years of heavy hunting activities. The whales have long been protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Right whales are also at risk of becoming accidentally entangled in fishing equipment. Proposed restrictions to prevent such entanglements have been the subject of a legal case between the federal government and fishermen.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

extinct  adj. no longer existing; when a living thing disappears from the Earth forever

calving n. a word for when certain animals give birth

substantive  adj. important or serious

entangle  v. to cause something to become caught in something such as a net or ropes
GOTHENBURG  On Wednesday, Oct. 11, The Remedy Clinic hosted a fiesta-themed event, marking five years of providing cutting-edge wellness and health care services to the Gothenburg community.

The event featured a range of activities, including information on new wellness technologies at the clinic, prize drawings, a nacho bar and refreshing drinks. Attendees had the opportunity to experience the future of wellness with BTL Industries EMSculpt Neo and EMSella Chair, while also exploring the clinics aesthetics services, which feature the Alma Opus, Alma TED and Alma Soprano devices designed to rejuvenate skin and boost confidence.

Several employees shared some insights on what the business has in store for the future:

Dr. Austin Fletcher is a chiropractor and part-owner at the Remedy Clinic. Fletcher specializes in quantum neurology, offering neuralgic rehabilitation services to patients. Fletcher, who grew up in Maxwell, is an integral part of the clinics success.

Kristen Rickertsen is a family nurse practitioner with expertise in holistic family medicine. She grew up in Gothenburg, and her vision for The Remedy Clinic has been to provide affordable health care services, emphasizing a cash clinic approach, free from the hassles of insurance policies.

Colin Ford is the area sales manager at BTL Industries, a global innovator of medical and aesthetic solutions. Covering Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska, Colins role involves supporting The Remedy Clinic in offering innovative treatments like the EMSculpt Neo and EMSella Chair.

We wanted to celebrate five years of being open, Fletcher said of the motivation for the public celebration. Originally planned for April, the celebration was delayed to include Ford and introduce the new machines.

Ford said, The machines use proprietary technology called high-intensity focused electromagnetism to induce muscle stimulation. The treatment can increase muscle mass by about 25%, reduce subcutaneous fat and aid in the reduction of visceral fat by about 18%. He said celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox and Jennifer Lopez have praised these machines for their incredible results.

The path to this celebration was not without its challenges. Rickertsen said, Sporting activities are always something to watch out for, referring to the rescheduling of state softball and a cross country meet on the same day. Weather uncertainties also posed potential issues for the outdoor event, prompting the team to have a Plan B to move the event indoors if necessary.

Fortunately, there wasnt a cloud in the sky during the three-hour celebration.

When asked about the clinics plans, Rickertsen said, We hope to keep growing by including more staff members and acquiring a larger facility. Our goal is to continue informing people that they can come here for affordable and well-rounded wellness and health care.
Two Nebraska state senators have been concerned in recent years about challenges regarding citizens access to public records, and now they are fighting for change.

Sen. Danielle Conrad, a member of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, has worked on open government issues for most of her career. For the vast majority of that time, Conrad has found a cherished commitment to transparency and facilitating citizen engagement.

But in recent years, Conrad has seen major shifts in local school boards, city and state agencies, law enforcement and the governors office.

I have become increasingly concerned in recent years at increasing levels of hostility from all branches of government in Nebraska, Conrad said. Ive really seen a move away from transparency and open government and the trend toward obfuscation and really kind of playing fast and loose with open meetings laws and public records laws.

She said she's noticed a trend with government agencies and entities moving toward strategies and mechanisms to hide what the government is doing rather than staying transparent and open.

The way you see government really skirt these tools of transparency is by either refusing to comply with open records, public records requests, or replying and putting forward ridiculous price tags or responding to open record requests with ridiculous deadlines or timeframes for responding, Conrad said.

In January, Conrad introduced LB366 to help increase transparency and access to public records. The bill is currently pending in the Nebraska Legislature and will carry over to the 2024 session.

It kind of updates and strengthens our public records laws in a host of different ways regarding timeframes and fees and exemptions, Conrad said.

Conrads proposed changes would prohibit entities from charging Nebraska residents for the first eight hours of searching, identifying, physically redacting or copying public records, so long as that work is being completed by existing staff members. Currently government agencies can charge an hourly fee after the first four hours of preparing those records.

Furthermore, requestees will not be charged for copies of blank forms or pages with all meaningful information redacted. In addition, the proposal requires police body-camera videos that involve police custody deaths to be considered public records after the statutory-required grand jury concludes.

Conrad also plans to introduce additional legislation on public records issues this coming session.

Im going to work as hard as I can to update and strengthen our open meetings laws and our open records laws because citizens have a right to know, Conrad said. Those that stand in the way of transparency are going to have a fight on their hands when Im in the Legislature.

She said she wants every citizen to know what the government is doing with their money.

This shouldnt be a political issue, Conrad said. This should be an issue that cuts across the political spectrum, because citizens have a right to know and right now thats being thwarted by government lawyers and government lobbyists and thats wrong.

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, a member of the Health and Human Services Committee, began the year with a bill for more than $64,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services for a public records request.

Weve been going back and forth ever since on it," she said. "I still havent really received what I was looking for. They have become increasingly finding ways to reject my requests and make me go back through the process. Ive had to request things several different ways in order to get what Im trying to figure out.

Cavanaugh submitted her request for more information regarding a managed care contract renewal. After a previous company was not renewed and a new company was brought in as a replacement, Cavanaugh wanted more information about the process, scoring documentation and internal conversations regarding scoring. The request for public records in January proved to Cavanaugh that the system was problematic for a multitude of reasons.

It assumes that they would have to hire people to fulfill my request, which they did not have to do, Cavanaugh said. Charging me for staff time when youre paying that staff regardless of my request is not appropriate."

Throughout her career, Cavanaugh has submitted many requests to several state agencies and said each one is consistently inconsistent.

I have yet to have a public records request fulfilled without obstacles being placed in front of me beforehand.

In addition to extreme fees, Cavanaugh has had to reframe her requests several times and will often be met with broad responses. Cavanaugh said its common for the agencies to bury the one page of documentation she needs within thousands of other pages.

While Cavanaugh has submitted requests in her role as a senator, she said the issue extends beyond members of the Legislature or media to everyday citizens.

If the executive branch is seeking to create significant barriers to making information publicly available to both legislators and to the media, then we are going to see a reduction in government oversight, which can lead to an increase in wasteful spending of taxpayers dollars and inappropriate spending of taxpayers dollars, Cavanaugh said. Having government transparency and having it be accessible to those that are in a position to shine lights on potential malfeasance is really essential.

Cavanaugh said she would like to see the fees for public record requests eliminated.

I understand the idea that there can be numerous frivolous requests, but the reality is that unless they are having to actually hire an additional person to fulfill requests, that this should be part of the budget for public entities, Cavanaugh said.

She, like Conrad, said she wants to help make public records accessible and break barriers down between the government and its citizens.

It all comes down to government oversight and transparency and government that is operating behind closed doors and in the shadows, is definitely not serving the best interests of the people, Cavanaugh said.

Top Journal Star photos for October 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet this week with Chinese leaders in Beijing on a visit that underscores Chinas support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine.

The two countries have forged an informal alliance against the United States and other democratic nations that is now complicated by the Israel-Hamas war. China has sought to balance its ties with Israel with its economic relations with Iran and Syria, which are strongly backed by Russia.

Putins visit is also a show of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinpings signature Belt and Road initiative to build infrastructure and expand Chinas overseas influence.

Putin gave an interview to Chinese state media praising the massive but loosely linked BRI projects.

Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the Peoples Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise, we just see desire for cooperation, he said in the interview with state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin yesterday.

The Russian leader will be among the highest profile guests at a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Xis announcement of the BRI policy, which has laden countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debt after they signed contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports and other public works they could not otherwise afford.

Putins visit has not been officially confirmed, but Chinese officials yesterday have suggested he will arrive late Monday.

Asked by reporters Friday about a visit to China, Putin said it would encompass talks on Belt and Road-related projects, which he said Moscow wants to link with efforts by an economic alliance of ex-Soviet Union nations mostly located in Central Asia to achieve common development goals. He also downplayed the impact of Chinas economic influence in a region that Russia has long considered its backyard and where it has worked to maintain political and military clout.

We dont have any contradictions here, on the contrary, there is a certain synergy, Putin said.

Putin said he and Xi will also discuss growing economic and financial ties between Moscow and Beijing.

Beijing and Moscow have financial ties in energy, high-tech and financial industries. China has also grown in importance as an export destination for Moscow.

Alexander Gabuev, director of Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said that from Chinas view, Russia is a safe neighbor that is friendly, that is a source of cheap raw materials, thats a support for Chinese initiatives on the global stage and thats also a source of military technologies, some of those that China doesnt have.

For Russia, China is its lifeline, economic lifeline in its brutal repression against Ukraine, Gabuev told The Associated Press.

Its the major market for Russian commodities, its a country that provides its currency and payment system to settle Russias trade with the outside world  with China itself, but also with many other countries, and is also the major source of sophisticated technological imports, including dual-use goods that go into the Russian military machine.

Gabuev said that while Moscow and Beijing will be unlikely to forge a full-fledged military alliance, their defense cooperation will grow.

I dont expect that Russia and China will create a military alliance, Gabuev said.

Both countries are self-sufficient in terms of security and they benefit from partnering, but neither really requires a security guarantee from the other. And they preach strategic autonomy.

There will be no military alliance, but there will be closer military cooperation, more interoperability, more cooperation on projecting force together, including in places like the Arctic and more joint effort to develop a missile defense that makes the U.S. nuclear planning and planning of the U.S. and its allies in Asia and in Europe more complicated, he added.

China and the former Soviet Union were Cold War rivals for influence among left-leaning states, but have since partnered in the economic, military and diplomatic spheres. Just weeks before Russias invasion of Ukraine last February, Putin met with Xi in Beijing and the sides signed an agreement pledging a no-limits relationship. Beijings attempts to present itself as a neutral peace broker in Russias war on Ukraine have been widely dismissed by the international community.

Xi visited Moscow in March as part of a flurry of exchanges between the countries.

China has condemned international sanctions imposed on Russia, but hasnt directly addressed an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court on charges of alleged involvement in the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, MDT/AP
In June, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the Palestinian president in Beijing and invited the Israeli prime minister for an official state visit. Benjamin Netanyahu accepted, and China was on track for a bigger role in the region.

Then came the Hamas attack against Israel, which has made Netanyahus late October trip uncertain and put Beijings Middle East approach to the test. Chinas stated neutrality on the war has upset Israel, but Beijing may gain in the long run by forging closer ties with Arab countries, experts said.

For a while at least, Beijings Middle East policy is paralyzed by the war, said Shi Yinhong, professor of international relations at Beijing-based Renmin University of China. The U.S., which strongly supports Israel, is directly or indirectly involved. Who is there to listen to China?

That hasnt stopped China from trying to be heard.

Its Middle East envoy, Zhai Jun, talked to Palestinian and Egyptian officials by phone this past week, calling for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian support for the Palestinian people.

Zhai also called Israeli officials to say China has no selfish interests on the Palestinian issue but has always stood on the side of peace, on the side of fairness and justice. He said that China is willing to work with the international community to promote peace and encourage talks.

Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, came out more strongly for the Palestinians, saying the crux of the matter is that justice has not been done to the Palestinian people.

This conflict once again proved in an extremely tragic manner that the way to solve the Palestinian issue lies in resuming genuine peace talks as soon as possible and realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian nation, Wang said during a call with an adviser to the Brazilian president.

China has long advocated for a two-state solution that allows for an independent Palestinian state.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while traveling in the Mideast over the weekend, called Wang to ask China to use whatever influence it has in the region to keep other countries and groups from entering the conflict and broadening it, according to the State Department, which declined to characterize Wangs response. China is known to have close trade and political ties with Iran, which in turn supports Hamas and Lebanons Hezbollah.

The conversation was the first high-level U.S. contact with China over the Mideast situation since the Hamas attack.

Beijing, by trying to maintain a delicate balance, wants to position itself as a mediator and exert its influence in the region, said Maria Papageorgiou, a lecturer in politics and international relations at University of Exeter, and Mohammad Eslami, a researcher at University Minho, in joint email.

The U.S. support for Israel will give China an opportunity to expand its arms sales to dissatisfied Arab countries, but China also wants to resolve the crisis to protect its economic interests in the region, they said.

Chinas engagement in the Middle East is set to increase during this conflict. Beijing will play an enhanced role in efforts to end the war and secure its economic interests and wants to capitalize on the Arab states frustration with U.S. to establish itself as a great power in the region, the researchers wrote.

Beijings approach, though, risks alienating Israel.

Tuvia Gering, a researcher at the Israel-China Policy Center at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, described Beijings position as pro-Palestine neutrality, much like its position on Russias invasion of Ukraine has signaled support for the Kremlin.

You cannot be neutral in something like this. Silence is acquiescence, Gering said. The problem, I think, the biggest one we have, is that China, instead of being the responsible major power that it claims to be, it is exploiting this conflict for geopolitical benefits.

He said China was looking to win the support of Arab countries on contentious issues such as Beijings treatment of the Muslim ethnic Uyghurs in the northwestern region of Xinjiang.

Under Xi, Beijing has pursued a proactive, sometimes assertive, foreign policy.

It has sought closer ties in the Middle East, the source of much of the oil China needs and a nexus in the Belt and Road network, Xis massive infrastructure-building project to connect markets around the world through railways, roads, seaports and airports and to extend Beijings influence.

This year, Beijing helped restore diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, building its credentials as an alternative to the United States in brokering peace deals.

Wang Yiwei, another international relations professor at Renmin University, said China is better positioned than the U.S. to help resolve conflicts, whether between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Russia and Ukraine or Israel and the Palestinians.

If youre just on one side, and make another side hate you, you cannot be a broker, he said. So thats the reason China did not join the West to sanction or contain Russia in the Ukraine war. Because we need to be the bridge.

But Chinas proposals to end the war have been seen as benefiting Russia.

In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Chinas stance might be more about projecting an image of a neutral and responsible global player rather than acting like one, said Dale Aluf, research director at Sino-Israel Global Network and Academic Leadership, an Israel-based think tank.

Chinas continued insistence on a two-state solution is disconnected from reality, Aluf said. China also has displeased Israel by refusing to join the U.S. and other countries in designating Hamas a terrorist organization, seeing it instead as a Palestinian resistance movement. DIDI TANG, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP
Kenyas President William Ruto sought $1 billion more in loans from China yesterday, despite rising public debt that has now reached $70 billion in the Eastern African country, according to National Treasury figures for 2022/2023.

President Ruto was was one of a number of global leaders in Beijing to attend the tenth anniversary meeting of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, the ambitious plan that aims to connect Africa, Asia and Europe through massive infrastructure and energy projects.

A statement from Kenyas State House Spokesman Hussein Mohammed said the president will deliver a keynote address headlined Digital Economy as a New Source of Growth at the High-Level Forum.

Additionally, the president will participate in a Kenya-China investors roundtable to emphasize Kenyas standing as an investment hub for Chinese companies, said the statement.

One of the signature BRI projects in Kenya is the Standard Gauge Railway line, which runs from the port city of Mombasa to the Rift Valley via the capital, Nairobi. It cost $4.7 billion dollars to build but has faced numerous challenges, including delays and a low uptake of its freight service.

The SGR which started operations in 2017, was initially intended to go all the way to neighboring Uganda to the west, as well as serving other landlocked countries in eastern and Central Africa. However, those plans were cancelled after Kampala pulled out and opted instead for partnership with a Turkish firm for the construction of its main line.

Kenyas SGR was mainly constructed using Chinese banks loans and last week, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua told a local radio station that the president will be asking Chinese officials to repay the loans slowly, while also borrowing a little money to finish stalled road projects.

The Kenya SGR desperately needs cross-border expansion to make it a financially sustainable project. This is another key element in Kenyas negotiation, said economist Aly Khan Satchu.

The SGR as is a dud. To make it sustainable it needs to connect Ugandas oil to the sea and (Congo) minerals. Therefore, to take the SGR from a negative return on investment into a positive ROI, he needs to increase leverage, added Satchu.

Kenya has been struggling with ballooning public debt, with $6 billion owed to Chinese creditors, according to national data. Some of the loans will mature in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, putting further pressure on the government. However, its not clear if President Ruto and his delegation will be granted a restructuring or extension of the interest payments.

The Ruto administration pivoted quite violently away from China and back towards the West but has been so far been diligent in paying its Chinese loans and therefore will be leveraging its track record as it seeks concessions, Satchu said.

Meanwhile, a weakening of the Kenyan shilling, high global fuel prices and the repayment of foreign debt have continued to dominate politics.

Domestically, Ruto has announced restrictions on foreign trips and asked all ministries to cut their budgets by more than 10% as he aims to reduce government spending. But his critics, mainly in the opposition, say the president himself has reneged on his promise by continuing to borrow heavily despite the economy struggling. EMMANUEL IGUNZA, NAIROBI, MDT/AP
Leaders of emerging market countries are arriving in Beijing for a meeting organized by the Chinese government that will mark the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative.

More than a dozen leaders from Africa, Asia and the Mideast were flying into Beijing on yesterday, following the arrivals of Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Sunday. Others are coming today.

Under the Belt and Road initiative, a signature policy of Xi, Chinese companies have built ports, roads, railways, power plants and other infrastructure around the world in a bid to boost trade and economic growth.

But the massive Chinese development loans that funded the projects have also burdened some poorer countries with heavy debts.

A flurry of diplomacy is expected on the sidelines of the third Belt and Road Forum, whose main events are tomorrow. Orban met Sunday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Hungarys state news agency MTI said. The forums also were held in 2017 and 2019.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the forum, as are representatives of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

The leaders who arrived yesterday included Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The monthly rental for the first batch of apartments for seniors offered will range between MOP5,410 and MOP6,680, the government announced in a dispatch yesterday.

The official term for the rental charge is usage fee.

Rental price is determined not only by the size and aspect of an apartment, but also the floor level on which it is located. Apartments located between the fourth and 21st floors will see monthly rentals between MOP5,410 and MOP6,370. Those located from 22nd to 37th floor will be between MOP5,670 and MOP6,680.

Users of the first batch of 759 apartments will enjoy 20% discount on rental during the validity of the first contract. The deposit is set to equate to two months rental.

Based upon a points system, anybody meeting the critical criteria for application will be given 50 points. Additional points can be scored for a variety of criteria.

Applicants who have lived in apartments in a building without elevators for less than seven years and over seven years will earn 50 and 100 additional points respectively. Should this be the only real estate held by the applicants, they will be given 100 additional points. Those living on their own will earn 100 additional points.

Counting from the first issuance date stated on the applicants Macau ID, those holding Macau IDs for over 30 years will earn 50 additional points. Those between 20 and 30 years and those between 11 and 20 years will get 25 and 10 points respectively.

Those having lived in Macau for the past 12 months and those applying to live with another applicant will get 25 and 100 additional points respectively. Applicants having left Macau for not more than 45 days  continuously or intermittently  in the past 12 months will be considered.

The government also explained that the applicant with the higher number of points shall be prioritized should two applicants apply for the same apartment. No restriction on the gender of co-habiting applicants was mentioned.
Sands China Ltd. presented MOP1.08 million in ceremonial checks to representatives of seven higher education institutions at a ceremony at The Venetian, as part of the companys ongoing support of higher education in Macau.

Sands China is very pleased to support higher education in Macau, as it is essential for nurturing the thriving of local youth, said Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd.

Including this years donation, Sands China has donated MOP14.6 million for tertiary scholarships and fellowships in Macau since 2006, benefitting more than 1,700 students.

The educational institutions select beneficiary students based on their academic performance and financial status during the previous academic year. This years MOP1.08 million donation will be distributed among 108 students to support their studies for the current academic year.
A former California food truck operator is planning to open a vegan restaurant in what was La Kitchenette at 805 Williamson St.

Nate Anger, 37, who sold his vegan food truck and catering company, Rabbit Food Revolution, before moving to Madison from Sacramento, is planning to open Mad Rabbit Cafe by December.

It will be a fast-casual spot with vegan burgers, vegan flatbreads, vegan chicken sandwiches and vegan arancini, or deep-fried risotto balls.

We are taking a lot of the things that we know worked back in California from that business and bringing it here, Anger said. Its got a lot of California, Southwest leanings in terms of flavor profiles.

Hell use Beyond burgers, which he said sold well from the food truck and have the best flavor. He said he doesnt care for black bean burgers.

And as a vegan restaurant, you have to understand that youre mostly selling to non-vegans, Anger said. The majority of people that are coming are not necessarily vegans. So, you need something thats going to bridge those gaps and that product seems to work the best.

He said running a food truck constricted what he was able to offer and hes excited to expand his flatbread styles and burger options.

Anger said he, his wife and two sons were vegan for about 10 years, until about a year ago. He said they still eat about 95% vegan, but occasionally eat eggs with their children, who are 13 and 11.

On the move

He said they had a long list of reasons to leave California, including wildfire smoke. They didnt want to live anywhere west of the Rockies and had a short list of cities that met their criteria for housing and education for their children.

They spent about six months doing weekend trips to cities like Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Raleigh, North Carolina.

His wife, Sunshine Moore, works in the health care lobbying field and had a colleague in the Madison area who said they should put Madison on their list. And we came out and we just totally fell in love with it, Anger said.

He said once they discovered Madison was a food town, it made the decision easier. The restaurants are great here. They really are.

Anger said he was happy to find the Williamson Street space after also looking in the Regent Street area. The popular French cafe La Kitchenette closed in June after 6 years.

There just werent a whole lot of buildings that fit our needs, he said. And this one came up and its the exact right size. It works out really well.

Hes not expecting the hiring process to go as well. Thats just par for the course for every food business.

Creative time

Anger started his Sacramento food truck in March of 2020, the week before COVID lockdowns.

We had to get really creative really quickly, he said, adding that because the business was so new, he got no Paycheck Protection Program loans or Small Business Administration grants.

We just had to kind of grind it out until things cleared up and got a little better. California was pretty strict in terms of lockdown protocols.

Anger said he was lucky to make it through 2020 profitably.

Hes been in the food business for a long time, starting with jobs waiting tables while in college. He ran the catering operation at a high-end boutique hotel in Sacramento and then in a fine-dining restaurant there for about 10 years.

My wife and I had always talked about owning a business, and her career got us to a point where we thought I could stop doing what I was doing and take the plunge and start my own thing, Anger said.

Im still on the hunt for a right-hand man in the kitchen to kind of bounce ideas off of and just kind of expand from there, Anger said. We will start off fairly small, but expand once we think things are working well.

Anger said hes a front-of-the-house person and general manager, not a chef, but he expects to work in the kitchen a lot. For his food truck, he said he wrote all the recipes and helped make the food. But the idea here is to be less involved. Itll be a pretty strict separation of duties for whomever Im able to find.

He said his sons have been vegan since they were babies, but when they got older, he and his wife introduced eggs to give them more protein. Because growing boys, they need to get a little more calories in them. But in terms of eating vegan, to them its kind of second nature. They dont even really notice.

Honing skills

Anger said being vegan made him more confident in his cooking skills. You cant get by on throwing a baked chicken in the oven and then just serving it up.

He said once he quit his hotel job, he cooked about three hours a day for almost two years, honing his skills in the kitchen and doing R&D for the food truck. He said he needed to cook well to make healthy, savory foods that his children would want to eat.

If I was going to be cooking dinner anyway, I would go the extra mile and make something a little elaborate so that I could teach myself how to cook at a higher level, he said.

Anger said his sons are his biggest critics. I had to make food that they were willing to eat.
PORTLAND, Maine  Whales, dolphins and seals living in U.S. waters face major threats from warming ocean temperatures, rising sea levels and decreasing sea ice volumes associated with climate change, according to a first-of-its-kind assessment.

Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration examined more than 100 stocks of American marine mammal species and found more than 70% of those stocks are vulnerable to threats, such as loss of habitat and food, due to the consequences of warming waters. The impacts also include loss of dissolved oxygen and changes to ocean chemistry.

The scientists found large whales such as humpbacks and North Atlantic right whales were among the most vulnerable to climate change, and that other toothed whales and dolphins were also at high risk.

The study, published last month in the journal PLOS ONE, is evidence that the way the U.S. manages whales and dolphins needs to adapt in the era of climate change, advocates for marine mammals said.

The news is bleak, but the assessment also is the first to look solely at marine mammal stocks managed by the U.S. and the results can help inform federal ocean managers about how to safeguard the vulnerable animals, said Matthew Lettrich, a biologist and lead author of the study.

"As the climate's changing, we're seeing some of the effects already, and some of our marine mammal populations are more vulnerable to those changes than others," Lettrich said. "Based on this study, we see a good proportion are highly and very highly vulnerable."

The researchers studied marine mammals living in the western North Atlantic ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The animals are managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service, the arm of the federal government responsible for stewardship and protection of marine resources.

The scientists looked at the animals' degree of exposure to climate change and sensitivity and capacity to adapt to it. They found 72% of the stocks were highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change, with a little less than half falling in the "very high" category.

The warming ocean primarily harms marine mammals by altering their ability to find food and reduces their amount of suitable habitat, the study said.

However, the scientists said changes to ocean temperature and chemistry also can change sound transmission. That can affect the sonarlike echolocation marine mammals such as dolphins use to communicate and hunt. Climate change "must be considered to adequately manage species," the study states.

The NOAA study is significant because it's the first to look broadly at U.S. marine mammals and attempt to predict their resiliency to climate change, said Regina Asmutis-Silvia, a biologist with Massachusetts-based Whale and Dolphin Conservation who was not involved in the study.

The whales will benefit from the study if the information is used to implement laws protecting them, Asmutis-Silvia said.

"The U.S. is one of the most data-rich countries when it comes to marine mammals, and those data should be driving what are arguably some of the world's strongest laws to protect marine mammals," she said. "However, data are meaningless without the political will to implement management measures."

Climate impacts

The impact of climate change on whales around the world has grown as a subject of scientific inquiry in recent years. Many studies about whales and climate change look only at a single species or a narrower geographic area, said Laura Ganley, a research scientist with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium in Boston.

But the way climate change affects the giant animals is global in nature, so the broader approach is helpful, she said.

Many scientists have said the vanishing right whale that lives off New England in the summer is made more vulnerable by changes to its food availability caused by warming waters. But climate change also clearly affects less-studied species, Ganley said.

"This isn't just impacting North Atlantic right whales or bottlenose dolphins. This is impacting most stocks in the United States, and not just the ones in the Caribbean Sea or the Gulf of Maine," said Ganley, who was not involved in the study.

Climate change also could affect the distribution and behavior of marine mammals, the study states.

Whales such as the right whale, which travels north every year from the waters off Georgia and Florida, migrate hundreds of miles annually to breed and feed. Many also migrate across international boundaries, which could require new kinds of cooperation between countries. That is true of seals with large populations in the U.S. and Canada, such as the gray seal, the study says.

Protection efforts

The federal government has tried numerous methods in recent years to try to protect declining whale species, including implementing new restrictions on commercial fishing and new vessel speed restrictions.

Whales are vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with large ships, and scientists have said both threats are made more severe by warming waters because ocean changes cause whales to move outside of protected zones.
Authorities say a 20-year-old man admitted to being bored and high when he vandalized more than two dozen vehicles and other property  including with racist and misogynist slurs  during a weekend crime spree in his affluent Fitchburg neighborhood last month.

Alexander B. Munson was charged Monday with 35 counts of criminal damage to property, including five as felonies, for scratching images and words into vehicles, slicing up hoses and pool covers, slashing tires, damaging exterior lights and causing other destruction in the Seminole Hills and Seminole Forest neighborhoods over the Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-4  most likely in the early morning hours of Sept. 4, police say. He also faces three counts of misdemeanor mail theft for allegedly taking mail or packages from some of the homes.

Munson, who is described in a criminal complaint as living in Seminole Hills, was released on a signature bond and with GPS monitoring Monday and ordered to stay out of the neighborhoods where the damage occurred.

According to the criminal complaint:

Residents started reporting the damage on the afternoon of Sept. 3, when a man called police to tell them one of his tires had been slashed the night before in the 2900 block of Richardson Street.

The next day, while investigating reports of damage in the 5800 block of Tree Line Drive, police found a blue Kia Forte with a punctured tire and scratches on the trunk and the words Trump 2024 and Hail Satan carved into the left drivers-side door and front left fender. Satan was also carved into a homes front door and three other vehicles, one of which also included the words I will kill you.

Police found what appeared to be swastikas or crosses carved into another car, and slurs usually used to target women were carved into at least three other cars, as well as the door to the mens room at the splash pad at McKee Farms Park.

Police also found a 2009 Honda Accord with a derogatory slang word for a Black person carved into the trunk of the vehicle.

Other damaged items residents and police found include a childrens rope swing, lawn chair cushions, a trampoline and a vehicle that appeared to have been shot with a BB gun.

Police used surveillance footage from the neighborhood to identify Munson, and when they interviewed him at his home, he admitted to walking around the neighborhood at night and wearing the same clothing as the suspect in the surveillance images.

He had been just bored, I guess, he told police, and thought he remembered damaging a vehicle with a BB gun. Some of the crimes he remembered, he said, but others he didnt because he had been smoking marijuana. He denied vandalizing anything with a racial slur.

Police said they found a BB gun in Munsons backpack, as well as a multipurpose tool allegedly used to slash tires and scratch vehicles. They also found a check that had gone missing from a victims mailbox.

Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said Munson was not charged with a hate-crime enhancer for the racist slur or images because there wasnt any evidence to suggest a victims protected status was a factor in whom Munson allegedly targeted.

An attorney listed for Munson in court records did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday afternoon.

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).
Senate Republicans on Tuesday rejected Gov. Tony Evers' proposal for more than $1 billion in child care and workforce spending and instead passed a $2 billion income tax cut similar to one the Democratic governor rejected earlier this year.

The Senate also approved a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for any Wisconsinite under 18 and another that would expand the number of medical procedures that could lead to the death of a fetus that would not be considered an abortion.

Evers has already pledged to reject the GOP-authored proposal to ban gender-affirming care for minors, a bill he's called "downright dangerous." Other measures, including the tax cut and abortion-related bills, are also likely headed to a veto.

Rather than passing policies that are overwhelmingly supported by folks across Wisconsin in order to make our state a place where people want to live, work and play, Republicans are engaging in culture wars to appease their extreme base," Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard, D-Madison, said before Tuesday's session.

Tax cut

After Republicans stripped Evers $340 million proposal for child care funding from the budget this summer, the governor called on the GOP-controlled Legislature to spend more than $1 billion funding the program and other workforce initiatives.

Evers' proposal comes as Wisconsin faces a child care staffing shortage at the same time that families deal with a growing inability to pay for the service.

In response, Republicans announced plans to overhaul Evers' special session bill to include increased child care tax credits and a state income tax cut that Evers has already vetoed once.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, has said the amended bill would allow a family of four with two children in child care to earn a tax credit of up to $5,200, offsetting nearly a quarter of their total average child care costs.

"Instead of holding onto our state surplus, let's give it back to our taxpayers," LeMahieu said. "This proposal will get Wisconsin moving in the right direction."

The Republican proposal would also reduce the income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.4% for people in the states third tax bracket, a broad category covering individuals earning between $27,630 and $304,000 and married filers earning between $36,840 and $405,000. Evers vetoed the same proposed tax cut in July.

The GOP amendment includes several other measures, including a new process for individuals in other states to receive reciprocal licenses, certificates, registrations or permits to work in Wisconsin. It would also reduce the examinations that substance abuse counselors, pharmacists, counselors and other medical professionals would have to complete to receive a license in Wisconsin.

With Republicans advancing their own proposal that does away with direct child care funding, Evers on Monday authorized spending $170 million in federal funds to continue providing subsidies for child care providers in Wisconsin at current levels until 2025.

The move has drawn criticism from Republicans who question why the governor didn't direct those federal funds before asking for state spending.

Gender-affirming care

Assembly Bill 465 would ban medical procedures for youth younger than 18 "if done for the purpose of changing the minor's body to correspond to a sex that is discordant with the minor's biological sex," according to a Legislative Reference Bureau analysis.

Court challenges have been launched against similar legislation in several states, with opponents alleging bans on gender-affirming care violate doctors' First Amendment rights and patients' rights to equal protection under the law.

The bill passed the Assembly last week along party-line votes, with Democratic lawmakers opposed. With a similar party-line vote in the Senate, the measure now heads to Evers, who has vowed to veto the bill

Despite the veto threat, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, told reporters before Thursday's session that the legislation is "the right thing to do for Wisconsin families."

Those opposed to the measures, including members of the Wisconsin Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, have said merely introducing and discussing such proposals is harmful to transgender Wisconsinites.

The Human Rights Campaign states gender-affirming care is "medically necessary for the wellbeing of many transgender and non-binary people who experience symptoms of gender dysphoria, or distress that results from having one's gender identity not match their sex assigned at birth."

Child care proposal

In response to Evers' call for the Legislature to convene in special session to consider over $1 billion on child care and workforce programs, Republicans have instead overhauled the governor's proposal to increase child care tax credits and advance state income tax cuts that Evers rejected earlier this year. The Senate will take up the measure following Tuesday's session.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, has said the GOP amendment to Evers' special session bill would allow a family of four with two children in child care to earn a tax credit of up to $5,200, offsetting nearly a quarter of their total average child care costs.

The Republican proposal would also reduce the income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.4% for people in the state's third tax bracket, a broad category covering individuals earning between $27,630 and $304,000 and married filers earning between $36,840 and $405,000. Evers vetoed the same proposed tax cut in July.

The GOP amendment includes several other measures, including a new process for individuals in other states to receive reciprocal licenses, certificates, registrations or permits to work in Wisconsin. It would also reduce the examinations that substance abuse counselors, pharmacists, counselors and other medical professionals would have to complete to receive a license in Wisconsin.

The proposal comes as Wisconsin faces a child care staffing shortage at the same time that families face a growing inability to pay for the service.

Evers on Monday authorized spending $170 million in federal funds to continue the pandemic-era Child Care Counts, which provides subsidies for child care providers, through 2025.

Republicans quickly criticized the Evers' announcement, asking why he hadn't allocated the federal funds sooner.

Abortion bills

Senate Bill 343 would update the 1849 law to clarify that any prohibition on abortion doesn't apply to procedures intended to prevent a pregnant woman's death as long as the doctor tries to save the lives of both the mother and the fetus.

Medical procedures that would be permitted under the measure include a cesarean section performed because of a medical emergency. The bill would clarify that removing a miscarriage or an ectopic, anembryonic or molar pregnancy is not an abortion, according to a Legislative Reference Bureau analysis of the measure.

The law is the subject of ongoing litigation aimed at clarifying whether it remains in effect in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Doctors who joined the lawsuit argue the exception in the law for saving a mother's life is unconstitutionally vague. A proposal seeking to clarify that exception could nullify that argument as well.

Also before the chamber Tuesday is Senate Bill 345, which would require the state Department of Health Services to provide up to $1 million annually to anti-abortion group Choose Life Wisconsin for funding pregnancy resource centers.

Under the bill, anti-abortion group Choose Life Wisconsin would then provide grants of up to $50,000 to each center.

Another proposal, Senate Bill 346, would dedicate $5 million in state funds to organizations that help people with adoptions. Under the proposal, the organizations would be required to provide up to $10,000 per family. Grants would only be provided to families adopting children in Wisconsin.

Unlike the other proposals in the package, which passed out of committee along party lines with Democratic lawmakers opposed, the adoption grant proposal has received bipartisan support.

Senate Bills 343 and 345 passed along party lines, while Senate bill 346 passed on a 24-8 vote, with Sens. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, and Robert Wirch, D-Somers, joining Republicans in supporting the bill.

The three bills now head to the Assembly.

Pelvic exams

The Senate also passed on a voice vote Senate Bill 127, a bipartisan measure that would require explicit informed consent before medical students practice pelvic exams on patients under anesthesia.

Similar bills in the past two legislative sessions haven't passed, but a recent amendment to the new bill removes a clause requiring hospitals to discipline those who violate the proposed law.

Medical students sometimes do pelvic exams as part of their training, under supervision of doctors, on patients who are unconscious, when it can be easiest to learn about anatomy. Some hospitals have relied on general consent forms that don't specify which procedures are done for training.

Spurred by the #MeToo movement bringing more attention to the practice, 20 states have adopted pelvic exam laws as of November, including Illinois and Iowa, researchers said in April. The laws in 15 states apply only to pelvic exams, while five states also include breast or rectal exams.

Work permits

Senate Bill 436 would eliminate the state's requirement that children ages 14 and 15 need a work permit or parental permission to get a job as part of a push by state lawmakers to roll back child labor laws and despite the efforts of federal investigators to crack down on a surge in child labor violations nationally.

Under current law, 14- and 15-year-olds in Wisconsin are prohibited from working most jobs unless they have permission from a parent or guardian and have verified their age with the state Department of Workforce Development. The department can revoke youth work permits at any time if it believes a child's safety is being threatened.

Under the bill, employers would still be required to keep their own records of employees' ages and hours worked, but without work permits verified by a state agency, companies caught violating child labor laws can more easily claim ignorance.

The measure passed 21-11, with Sen. Andre Jacque, R-DePere, joining Democratic lawmakers in opposing the bill. It now heads to the Assembly.
Former President Donald Trump has returned to the New York civil fraud trial that imperils his real estate empire. He watched and deplored the case Tuesday as an employee and an outside appraiser testified that his company essentially put a thumb on the scale when sizing up his properties value. New York Attorney General Letitia James lawsuit alleges that Trump and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets in financial statements used to make deals and get financing. Trump denies any wrongdoing. He says his assets were actually undervalued. He also says banks and other recipients were told to check out the numbers themselves.
TOWN OF GRANT  Dick and Lucia Wolfs home in Monroe County was all about family.

Dicks father bought the land in the town of Grant, and Dick built the home with his two brothers. Dick and Lucia bought the brothers share of the property and made it their permanent home after moving from Janesville in 1992.

The couple took pride in the house and its 11 acres.

A lot of it is because we built it ourselves, Dick said.

On April 12, three decades of memories burned to the ground. The home was destroyed by a fire that started a day earlier at Fort McCoy and damaged 3,000 acres of mostly woodland in the 60,000-acre installation.

The fire jumped from the installation and damaged at least three properties east of the fort. The Wolfs sustained the worst damage. Their house was a total loss, and their property sustained significant tree damage.

Lucia said there wasnt much time to evacuate.

A sheriffs car flew into the driveway and he said, You have 10 minutes to get out of here, Lucia said. We packed up our dogs, papers and firearms and left.

Disputed cause

The fires are a source of contention. They occurred while Fort McCoy was conducting prescribed burns on the installation. Last month, Fort McCoy released the results of an investigation that concluded the installation wasnt responsible for a fire that broke out April 12 and couldnt ascertain responsibility for a fire that broke out April 11.

The investigators found the Fort McCoy prescribed burns conducted during the time in question complied with all applicable standards required to be conducted by a federal military installation, a Sept. 26 Fort McCoy statement said. The investigation found that prudent measures were taken to mitigate the inherent risks associated with prescribed burns.

The report ruled out lightning, troop training and fort operations as causes.

A local fire chief cast doubt on the conclusions. Town of Lincoln Fire Chief Mike Morphey, whose department serves the town of Grant, said last month that it was irresponsible for Fort McCoy to conduct controlled burns during that period.

According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, a high temperature of 90 degrees was recorded April 12, with a maximum wind speed of 23 mph. No measurable precipitation had fallen since March 31.

The report doesnt satisfy the Wolfs, who are rebuilding on the site. The couple believes Fort McCoy has an obligation to make them whole.

It just irritated me that they denied responsibility again, Lucia said.

Since the fire, Dick and Lucia and their dogs have stayed at the residence of Sandy Wood, whose home is 3 miles from the Wolfs property.

More space

The Wolfs have already settled with their insurance company and are putting a trailer on the site.

Their new home will have more living space, which the couple believes will be a big improvement. However, the couple worries whether insurance will cover all their expenses.

By the time the house is paid for and ServPro is paid off, well be lucky to be able to buy a recliner, Lucia said.

We dont know how were going to come out, Dick said. We may have to go back to the bank.

Fort McCoy officials, including garrison commander Col. Stephen Messenger, met with homeowners Oct. 10 to discuss the claims process.

The lawyer for Fort McCoy gave me his card and said he was sorry, Lucia said.

Forts stance

Fort McCoy public affairs officer Tonya Townsell said that anyone who believes he or she suffered a loss connected with the fire is encouraged to file a claim with the Army Claims Service. She said claims can be filed within two years of the incident date.

Townsell said Fort McCoy wont be involved in the claims process.

Fort McCoy is not adjudicating the claim, she said. The Army Claims Service is adjudicating the claim.

Dick and Lucia cant imagine rebuilding anywhere else. Their land is an amphitheater for wildlife, including deer, birds, bobcats, foxes, coyotes and porcupines. One year, Dick said seven different bears paid a visit, including one that discovered it enjoyed playing on a swing.

They hope the trailer is ready to occupy sometime next month.

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Hamas fighters launched a vicious sneak attack that left well over 1,000 Israeli civilians dead. The terrorist organization also took dozens of hostages into hiding places within the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military is striking back with massive airstrikes and an impending ground invasion. Palestinian civilians will suffer. That's likely the goal of Hamas, whose fighters hide amongst the civilian population. Their legitimacy is based on making the Israeli government look as brutal as possible.
The Twin Falls Fire Department has a new fire station and invites the public to join the celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at 214 Cheney Drive W. in Twin Falls.

The grand opening will kick off with a hose uncoupling ceremony  thats how firefighters do ribbon cuttings. Residents can tour the new station and meet firefighters during the open house.

'An exciting day for the citizens of Twin Falls': Breaking ground for new fire station TWIN FALLS  City council and fire department officials met Monday for a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new fire station.

The station is the first one built in the city since the 1970s, and replaces the No. 2 fire station on Falls Avenue. It has modern features including drive-thru bays for fire apparatus, along with space for decontamination separated from living quarters in order to keep office space and living areas sanitized.

In addition, the station is expected to give firefighters a faster response time when emergencies occur.

Construction on the station got underway in spring 2022.

Another fire station is being constructed near Washington Street South and Orchard Drive.

The city is funding the stations with impact fees and anticipation notes from the general and enterprise funds.
Tonik, a digital bank in the Philippines, announced its strategic partnership with life insurance company Sun Life Grepa Financial Inc. to enhance the financial well-being of the companies valued customers.

The partnership introduces Payhinga, an inclusive bundle service designed to offer customers financial security in the face of lifes uncertainties.

Payhinga, a credit life and disability insurance product, will complement Toniks loan offerings and will be readily available to customers applying for loans.

The partnership with SunLife Grepa will significantly expand our suite of products, and insurance is a highly sought-after addition our customers have been requesting.

Tonik country president Long Pineda said the partnership with Sun Life Grepa will significantly expand our suite of products, and insurance is a highly sought-after addition our customers have been requesting.

Payhinga will give customers access to life and disability insurance with coverage up to 120 percent of their loan amount, along with a two-month payment holiday where customers can push back their upcoming loan installments in case of financial strain.

Sun Life Grepa president Richard Lim said the partnership with Tonik will enable us to reach a broader client base and fulfill our mission of delivering insurance protection to the underserved.

The introduction of products like Payhinga represents a significant step forward, offering customers a two-in-one solution that combines loan access with comprehensive coverage in a convenient and cost-effective package.

Tonik is the first digital-only neobank in the Philippines, providing loan, deposit and payment products to consumers on a highly secure digital banking platform. The neobank operates based on the first digital bank license issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

It is led by a team of retail finance veterans who have previously built and scaled multiple retail banks and fintechs across global emerging markets. It is backed by top international investors, including Sequoia India, Point72 Ventures, and Mizuho Bank. Toniks tech stack is integrated in partnership with world-class banktech vendors including Mastercard, Finastra, Amazon Web Services, Google, Genesys, and Daon. Tonik operates out of hubs in Singapore (HQ), Manila and Chennai.
Beijing  China condemned on Tuesday Canadas illegal intrusion into its airspace after Ottawa accused Beijings fighter jets of a reckless intercept of a Canadian maritime patrol aircraft.

Chinese planes shadowed Ottawas Aurora aircraft  on a mission to enforce United Nations sanctions against North Korea  over several hours in international waters, according to a Canadian television crew on the flight.

One came within five metres (15 feet) of the Canadian plane, in a move Ottawas Defense Minister Bill Blair Monday called unprofessional.

But Beijing hit back on Tuesday, accusing the plane of having illegally intruded into the airspace of Chiwei island, which lies in the Japan-administered Senkakus claimed by China.

The Canadian military aircraft travelled thousands of miles to make trouble and provocation at Chinas doorstep, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

The Chinese side dealt with it according to law and regulations, she said.

The Canadian side should respect objective facts and stop spreading false information.

The Aurora aircraft and its 13-member crew have been tasked with supporting a multinational effort to implement UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea in response to its nuclear weapons tests and ballistic missile launches.

UN Security Council resolutions have never authorised any country to deploy military forces and conduct spy and reconnaissance activities in the sea and airspace under the jurisdiction of other countries on the pretext of implementing the resolutions, Mao insisted.

China urges Canada to face up to the seriousness of the situation and immediately stop its risky and provocative actions, she said.

Relations between Ottawa and Beijing hit new lows this year following accusations of Chinese meddling in Canadian elections and the attempted intimidation of MPs that led to the expulsion of a Chinese diplomat in May. AFP
Tehran  Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday no one can stop resistance forces if Israel keeps up its bombardment of Gaza in response to the shock October 7 attack by Hamas.

If the crimes of the Zionist (Israeli) regime continue, Muslims and resistance forces will become impatient, and no one can stop them, Khamenei said.

Iran has been in close contact with its regional allies, including Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and pro-Tehran Iraqi militias, since Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, breaking through the heavily fortified border from Gaza and killing more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

Israel has responded with a devastating air and artillery bombardment of Hamas-controled Gaza that has killed at least 2,750 Palestinians, most of them civilians.

No matter what the Zionist regime does, it cannot make up for the scandalous failure it suffered, Khamenei said.

Israel has deployed tens of thousands of troops to its border with Gaza in preparation for a full-scale ground offensive.

Israel has told some 1.1 million Gazans  nearly half the territorys population of 2.4 million  to leave the north of the densely populated enclave, in anticipation of the operation.

Tehran has repeatedly warned that a ground invasion of Gaza will be met with a response on other fronts  prompting fears of a wider conflict that could draw in other countries.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke of possible pre-emptive action against Israel by the resistance front while President Ebrahim Raisi said time was running out to reach a political solution.

Tehran, which financially and militarily backs Hamas militants, celebrated the Hamas assault but insisted it was not involved.

Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, Iran has made support for the Palestinian cause one of the pillars of its foreign policy. AFP
The Filipino film Amon Banwa sa Lawod (Our Island of the Mangrove Moons) bagged the Best International Feature Film award at the Louth International Film Festival in Ireland.

Directed by film and stage director Anton Juan, Amon Banwa focuses on the fishing community of Suyac, an island in Sagay City, at the northern end of Negros. The movie delves into the efforts of the locals to resist foreign threats to their livelihood and their way of life.

In his acceptance speech, Juan expressed how important it was for him to receive the prestigious award.

It is very moving for me [to receive this award] because the island [in central Philippines] where I shot this film is endangered [and faces] annihilation. So many other islands that face the West Philippine Sea (are endangered], said Juan.

He said he shared his victory with the people of Sagay who helped make the film possible.

Im thanking those who have helped create this. These are the island people, themselves, who acted in the film and who helped create the film that no island or no people should ever be forgotten, Juan said.

The film was shot in 10 days between April and May last year and the cast was from Sagay and Bacolod.

The full-length film also showcases the four-hectare mangrove forest of Sagay, one of the 10 eco-park destinations in the city.

In his directors statement, Juan said the film articulates the mangrove community, resurrects the lives of the people living and dead, their struggles and simple joys, their resilience, and connection with the environment, and their relationship with the sea and their protection of their mangrove island.

He also added that the central dramatic line grows from the everyday resilience of fisherfolk, living by hope, work, and faith, confronting a global problem: the erasure of a peoples historical existence by power structures and neo-colonial moves on the high seas.

Amon Banwa sa Lawod was produced by the US-based Kellogg Institute for International Studies, Erehwon Center for the Arts, the Performance Laboratory, Negros Cultural Foundation, The Negros Museum and the City Government of Sagay.

Before its international premiere, Amon Banwa sa Lawod had local screenings in Suyac Island, Sagay City proper, and Cinematheque Center Negros at The Negros Museum in Bacolod.

The Louth International Film Festival, established in 2019, is presented by the Louth Filmmakers Society in association with the Dundalk Institute of Technology.

With patrons including Hollywood director John Moore and acclaimed cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (ASC, BSC), it was founded to support emerging filmmakers and celebrate creative, challenging, and evocative cinema from around the globe.
By Sam Reeves

Frankfurt, Germany  The Israel-Hamas war is set to overshadow the Frankfurt Book Fair this week after the postponement of a Palestinian authors award ceremony sparked condemnation from top writers and the withdrawal of several Arab groups.

The worlds biggest publishing trade event begins Wednesday just over a week since Hamas launched the deadliest attack in Israels history, prompting Israel to respond with a relentless bombing campaign of the Gaza Strip.

Organisers swiftly denounced the Palestinian militants barbaric assault and rushed to reorganise the schedule, pledging Israeli voices would feature prominently.

The fair stands with complete solidarity on the side of Israel, director Juergen Boos said in a statement.

But the run-up to the five-day event has been overshadowed by a furious backlash after an award ceremony for Palestinian author Adania Shibli was postponed.

She was due to receive the LiBeraturpreis, a German award, for her book A Minor Detail, based on the real events of a 1949 rape and murder by Israeli soldiers.

It is organised by Litprom, which gives out the honour each year at the fair, but the group said they had decided not to go ahead with the ceremony due to the war started by Hamas.

It said in a statement that it was looking for a suitable format and setting for the event at a later point, while insisting that: Awarding the prize to Adania Shibli was never in question.

However in an open letter released Monday, over 600 signatories including high-profile authors, publishers and literary agents, condemned the move.

Postponing the award amounted to closing out the space for a Palestinian voice, said the letter, whose signatories included Abdulrazak Gurnah and Olga Tokarczuk, both winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

The Frankfurt Book Fair has a responsibility, as a major international book fair, to be creating spaces for Palestinian writers to share their thoughts, feelings, reflections on literature through these terrible, cruel times, not shutting them down, it added.

Other writers who signed included Pankaj Mishra, William Dalrymple, Colm Toibin and Naomi Klein.

Artificial intelligence threat

Some Arab publishing industry groups announced at the weekend they were pulling out of the fair.

These included the Sharjah Book Authority, in the United Arab Emirates, which said in a statement that we champion the role of culture and books to encourage dialogue and understanding between people.

We believe that this role is more important than ever.

The Emirates Publishers Association released a similar statement, while the UAE-based National newspaper reported the Arab Publishers Association in Egypt had also pulled out.

While declining to comment on the decisions of individual exhibitors, Boos insisted the fair was open to authors, publishers, translators and literature fans from all over the world.

It is a platform for both Israeli and Palestinian voices, he said.

Elsewhere at the fair, one of the most anticipated authors featuring this year will be Salman Rushdie, who has appeared only rarely in public since a stabbing attack last year that nearly killed him.

Rushdie, who has faced death threats since his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses was declared blasphemous by Irans supreme leader, lost sight in one eye in the attack in the small American town of Chautauqua.

The author is due to speak at a press conference on Friday and will be awarded the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Trade on Sunday.

Also in focus this year is artificial intelligence and its potential impact on the publishing industry.

There is a deep sense of insecurity among book industry players worldwide about AI, said Boos.

Concerns range from potential copyright violations to low-quality, computer-written books flooding the market, he said.

The Frankfurt Book Fair, in its 75th edition this year, runs from Wednesday to Sunday.
Instead of putting the peoples money in the confidential funds of government officials, put more money into cancer prevention and treatment programs

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when individuals, communities, and organizations unite to raise awareness about breast cancer and work towards a future where this devastating disease no longer threatens lives.

In the Philippines, breast cancer remains a significant public health concern, and addressing it effectively requires both increased awareness and government support.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide.

Philippine Cancer Society president Dr. Corazon Ngelangel reports that breast cancer is also the predominant cancer type in the Philippines, with 27,163 new cases and 9,926 deaths yearly.

The survival rate among Filipinos is 44.4 percent over five years, which Ngelangel said is not a good picture.

Survival rates for breast cancer depend on various factors, including the stage at which the cancer is detected. In the Philippines, early detection rates are lower compared to more developed countries. Ngelangel said more than half  65 percent  of breast cancer cases in the Philippines are diagnosed in the late or advanced stages.

Late-stage diagnosis, combined with limited access to healthcare services, contributes to the overall lower survival rates. However, when breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the survival rate is higher.

So, what can be done to improve ones chances of surviving breast cancer in the Philippines? Education and awareness are key.

Many Filipinos lack sufficient knowledge about breast cancer, including risk factors, early warning signs, and the importance of regular screening.

Public campaigns and educational programs are essential to inform and empower individuals.

Self-breast examinations should be promoted to encourage early detection, as this simple practice can significantly improve outcomes.

I found out I had breast cancer after doing a self-examination.

It was in 2020, during the pandemic, and just two years after my treatment for stage 3 colon cancer. Stuck at home,

I became more aware of my body and my health.

Running my fingers under my right armpit, I felt a hard knot stuck to the flesh under the skin. My blood ran cold, and time seemed to stop. That lump hadnt been there the month before.

I immediately contacted my oncologist. Many tests later (including COVID tests, because during that time one could not enter a hospital for procedures without a negative test), I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer.

I asked my doctor to schedule surgery right away. I opted for the radical treatment  a double mastectomy.

Because I had done the self-examination, and because I had immediately gone for tests, the cancer was detected early, with no lymph nodes found affected.

It was deemed that there was no need for me to undergo radiation treatment.

Healthcare access is another crucial factor in increasing survival rates.

The government must invest in improving healthcare infrastructure and services, particularly in rural areas, to ensure that women across the country have access to early diagnosis and treatment.

Reducing the financial burden on patients through subsidies and insurance programs can make treatment more accessible and affordable.

Though I did not have to undergo radiation, I did need four rounds of chemotherapy and one year of trastuzumab treatment.

These were very expensive, and I was only able to afford them because of the generosity of donors. What about those patients who dont have such options?

The government must prioritize the health of its citizens and one way to deliver true universal health care, like the previous administration was touting, is to spend national funds prudently and wisely.

Put taxpayer money toward health services, rather than the confidential funds of government officials.

The government can also play a pivotal role in enhancing support for Filipinos facing breast cancer through fully implementing the National Integrated Cancer Control Act.

This is a crucial piece of legislation aimed at improving cancer prevention, treatment, and support services. It provides a framework for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to cancer control in the Philippines.

Under the NICCA, cancer warriors are recognized as persons with disabilities, thus entitling them to receive PWD benefits such as a 20 percent discount on medicines.

Through an assistance fund, cancer patients may avail of financial help for screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care, support care, and medicines.

There are at least 31 hospitals that have been allotted funds for cancer control, among them the Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, and East Avenue Medical Center (one of those considered an advanced comprehensive cancer center).

Instead of putting the peoples money in the confidential funds of government officials, put more money into cancer prevention and treatment programs.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection, access to quality healthcare, and government support.

Its a month to celebrate the survivors, remember those who have lost the battle, and work collectively to reduce the incidence and improve the survival rate of breast cancer in the Philippines.

This month lets remember that we can make a difference, both individually and collectively, in the fight against breast cancer in the Philippines.

* * * FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com
From 9,025 kilometers away to the Gaza Strip, where 131 Filipinos have been accounted for by the Philippine government, we watch developments with bated breath, hoping our countrymen would be able to cross soon enough the Rafah crossing.

The crossing was a vital artery before the fighting and now a key route for desperately needed supplies into the Israeli-besieged Palestinian enclave.

While it had not been officially closed it was made inoperable due to Israeli air strikes on the Gaza side.

The crossing is the only border Gaza has which is not directly administered by Israel and is vital to the survival of Gazans. Since 2007, Israel has imposed a blockade  over land, sea and air  and an embargo on the Gaza Strip.

Last week, the Israeli military ordered a blockade of Gaza and cut off the supply of water, food and fuel before launching a wave of air strikes in retaliation to Hamas deadly attack on Israel during which militants raided communities, kidnapped civilians and soldiers and killed more than 1,400 people.

The ragged border crossing, which could become Gazas lifeline, is a modest, isolated outpost at the southern end of the Gaza Strip.

Yet it could be a critical lifeline as Gazans face a growing humanitarian crisis.

Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said not all Filipinos who fled Gaza City want to come home to the Philippines, with some saying they will look for somewhere else to stay in Gaza.

De Vega added of the 131 Filipinos in Gaza, only around half are from the Philippines. The rest are their children with their Palestinian spouses.

There are 78 at the border with Egypt, another 30 in another part of southern Gaza, the 12 more also in Gaza.

We understand from Philippine officials there is not much danger in south Gaza as compared to the situation in the north.

But the Filipinos at the border are waiting for the international go-ahead to cross into Egypt where they will be met by Philippine government officials who will process their repatriation papers.

One snag is some Filipinos are hesitant to leave because there is no guarantee Israel or Egypt will allow their Palestinian spouses to cross the security border.

Figures at this point suggest some 388 of more than 30,000 Filipinos in Israel are seeking assistance from the government, Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said Monday.

We share the hope of officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs for a diplomatic solution to be reached soonest for the Rafah Crossing to start receiving foreign nationals.
The year 2023 will soon be over and everyones already looking forward to the holidays. Many have been raring to fly off somewhere to celebrate the end of the year, but there may be some who still need a little help planning and choosing where to go.

What better way to figure out your year-end vacation destination than with the help of Google Flights? Whether you want to go where the people are or you want to know which spots to steer clear of in favor of the less-beaten path, Google Flights has the important data you neednamely, the top 10 places Filipinos have been searching for and booking trips to.

Heres the list:

Top 10 year-end destinations on Google Flights Tokyo, Japan Singapore Hong Kong Caticlan Osaka, Japan Bangkok, Thailand Seoul, South Korea Kalibo Taipei, Taiwan Cebu

Once again, Japan tops the list of most-searched destinations, with travelers from the Philippines looking at choosing the country as their top choice. Within Japan, Tokyo leads the way, while Osaka takes the 5th spot. Looking at the list, it would suggest that on top of trips within the Philippines, most are thinking of traveling within Asian countries.

Better, savvier traveling with Google

Flights dont come cheap, but if you want to save money this year-end season, or any time of the year, a little bit of planning can go a long way. Most of the time, its better to book early but flight prices can fluctuate, and often there are bargains to be found.

On Google Flights, you can already see whether current prices for your destination are low, typical, or high compared to past averages for the same routes. It also takes it to the next level, having added a feature where it lets you know when its the cheapest time to book based on your chosen dates and destination.

Aside from Google Flights, there are other ways to get help with your travel planning. Here are a few more features you can use:

 Bard: Googles Bard AI is like talking to a virtual travel agent thats personally helping you. You can ask it to help create an itinerary thats uniquely yours, pulling data and info from all over the web. Just dont forget to double-check things personally before you start booking.

 Immersive Landmarks in Maps: If youre going somewhere like Japan, you can learn more about the spots youll be visiting before you go. Search for a landmark like Tokyo Tower in Google Maps, tap immersive view then get a sense of the surroundings, and use the handy slider to see when it will be raining or how crowded it is at different times of the day.

 Google Lens: See something the locals are eating and want to find out more? You can snap a photo and use Lens in the Google app to search for it. Want to have a try? Multisearch can help  add near me to your search and find nearby restaurants serving that dish.

 My Ad Center: Heres one you might not think of but buyers remorse is real. With airlines, hotels and credit card companies running promotions, avoid missing a deal by tuning your ad preferences. Choose to see more or fewer trending ad topics to surface relevant ads or for something specific, you can adjust your brand preferences.

Now that youve got some inspiration, its not too late to make your travel plans. From Bard, to Flights and Maps, Google tools can help you on every step of the trip.
BOSTON  Boston firefighter Daniel Ranahan had heard about colleagues getting cancer but he was stunned when doctors discovered a large tumor in his chest.

He was only 30 and had been in the Boston Fire Department less than a decade. But as he investigated his diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma in October 2020 and sought successful treatment, he learned he and others wore gear that contained the toxic industrial compound PFAS.

"You always hear about the dangers. You just never think it's going be you," said Ranahan, who stopped working due to the cancer and is among thousands of firefighters nationwide who sued PFAS manufacturers and companies that make firefighting gear and foam, seeking damages for their exposure.

"These guys put this on day in and day out to protect neighborhoods and wherever they are working," he said.

The multi-layered coats and pants worn by firefighters have become the latest battleground over PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated substances. It's found in everything from food packaging to clothing and is associated with health problems including several types of cancer. In March, the Environmental Protection Agency for the first time proposed limits on the chemicals in drinking water.

The news that PFAS compounds are in their gear  primarily meant to repel water and contaminants like oil and prevent moisture-related burns  is worrisome to firefighters.

Cancer has replaced heart disease as the biggest killer of firefighters, and the International Association of Fire Fighters or IAFF attributes 66% of firefighter deaths between 2002 and 2019 to cancer. Firefighters are at higher risk of getting several types of cancer, according to IAFF, including twice as likely to get testicular cancer and mesothelioma than the general population.

Firefighters are exposed to a laundry list of carcinogens coming from fires burning hotter and faster than ever before  often due to increased petroleum products in homes. But as they learn more about PFAS, a growing number are convinced their personal protective equipment or PPE is sickening them.

"We had no idea that the gear that we were putting on every day was essentially loaded with PFAS," said IAFF General President Edward Kelly, who was elected in 2021 on a campaign in part to address dangers of PFAS in gear.

"As more scientific data availed itself, it became obvious that our greatest exposure to carcinogens is our a daily donning and doffing of PPE bunker gear," he continued.

One defendant in the lawsuits, 3M Co., said in a statement that it "manufactures a variety of personal protective equipment products that meet nationally recognized standards to help protect first responders facing high-hazard environments." Last year, the company announced it would stop manufacturing PFAS by the end of 2025 and would work to discontinue using the chemicals in its products.

Another defendant, W. L. Gore & Associates, says the PFAS compound PTFE used in its clothing is nontoxic and safe.

"Based on the body of available and reliable science, Gore concludes its firefighting products are not the cause of cancers impacting firefighters, who by the nature of their important work are sometimes exposed to cancer-causing chemicals from fires," said company spokesperson Amy Calhoun.

The American Chemistry Council said in a statement that "PFAS-based materials are the only viable options for some key equipment that meet the vital performance properties required for firefighting gear."

***

Heightened concerns about firefighter gear

The PFAS has been in the gear for decades. But the wife of retired Worcester, Massachusetts fire lieutenant Paul Cotter, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2014, raised concerns about it in 2016. Until then, many firefighters had not heard of PFAS or did not know it was in their gear.

Gear makers told Diane Cotter there were only trace amounts of PFAS and it was safe. "I was attacked by firefighters when discussing the idea that chemicals in the gear could be causing cancer," she said.

Cotter sent patches of gear to Graham Peaslee, a University of Notre Dame professor who studies PFAS, for testing.

"It was loaded with PFAS. That was the first eye opening moment that there may be more than just trace amounts," said Peaslee, who also found the chemicals on gloves and in firehouse dust.

"They come off and they pose risks," he said.

Courtney Carignan, an exposure scientist and epidemiologist at Michigan State University, said she found PFAS at twice the levels of the general population in the blood of more than half of the 18 firefighters she tested in Nantucket and Fall River, Massachusetts. She also found PFAS in gear was transferred to the skin of firefighters.

But Carignan is still investigating how much the gear contributed to increased levels of PFAS in the blood and whether PFAS exposure may be causing or contributing to cancer.

"Even though we know PFAS is in the gear, we still don't know how much exposure that is," she said.

***

Firefighters file lawsuits over PFAS

The revelation of PFAS in the gear sparked a campaign by firefighters to find safer alternatives and to hold companies responsible.

Lawsuits on behalf of firefighters argue they were exposed to significant PFAS levels and companies knew the gear contained PFAS and that it can cause serious health problems. The suits also allege companies misrepresented their products as safe.

The IAFF, which represents more than 340,000 U.S. and Canadian firefighters, decided in 2021 to no longer accept sponsorships or advertising from the chemical industry and to oppose PFAS in turnout gear. A Congressional bill introduced in July would accelerate the search for safer alternatives and support firefighter training to reduce exposure from existing gear.

Seven states including Washington, New Hampshire and New York passed bills requiring companies to disclose PFAS in their gear, according to Safer States, a coalition of environmental health groups. Several more states introduced or enacted bills this year that provide funds to purchase PFAS-free gear or prohibit manufacture or sale of gear containing the chemicals, according to Emily Sampson, an environment policy analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

***

There's no easy fix

For most fire departments, there is no easy fix. Replacing gear is expensive  one set can cost upwards of $4,000  and finding alternatives has proven challenging. Some companies are promoting a PFAS-free outer layer but that doesn't solve the problem because the other two layers still contain PFAS, the IAFF said.

Among the hurdles, according to a IAFF lawsuit filed in March, is that the National Fire Protection Association or NFPA standard for gear can only be met with PFAS-infused material. The suit accuses the NFPA of working with several gear makers to maintain that requirement. It seeks damages and an end to the standard.

Chris Dubay, NFPA vice president and chief engineer, said in a statement that the standard "does not specify or require the use of any particular materials, chemicals or treatments for that gear." He said the group has no "special agreements or relationships with any company or organization" in development of standards.

"The manufacturers who are producing this gear owe it to the fire service to come up with an alternative," Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli, who has heard of companies promoting gear with less PFAS but is reluctant to buy it for his 231-member department without more proof.

Instead, his department tries to limit firefighter exposure to gear that's been integral to firefighter identity. They would take it everywhere, including charity events. Now, Brockton discourages firefighters from wearing turnout gear in living quarters and encourages them to wash it after fires. It's stored on trucks and is only to be worn for serious calls like fires and car accidents.

"Guys have seen everyone who has gotten cancer, guys dying from cancer," said William Hill, the president of the Brockton Fire Fighters Local 144 who was successfully treated for testicular cancer. "Being told that PFAS is in the gear, guys don't want to take the chance of being overexposed."
Neanderthals live on within us.

These ancient human cousins, and others called Denisovans, once lived alongside our early Homo sapiens ancestors. They mingled and had children. So some of who they were never went away  it's in our genes. And science is starting to reveal just how much that shapes us.

Using the new and rapidly improving ability to piece together fragments of ancient DNA, scientists are finding that traits inherited from our ancient cousins are still with us now, affecting our fertility, our immune systems, even how our bodies handled the COVID-19 virus.

"We're now carrying the genetic legacies and learning about what that means for our bodies and our health," said Mary Prendergast, a Rice University archeologist.

In the past few months alone, researchers have linked Neanderthal DNA to a serious hand disease, the shape of people's noses and various other human traits. They even inserted a gene carried by Neanderthals and Denisovans into mice to investigate its effects on biology, and found it gave them larger heads and an extra rib.

Much of the human journey remains a mystery. But Dr. Hugo Zeberg of the Karolinska Insitute in Sweden said new technologies, research and collaborations are helping scientists begin to answer the basic but cosmic questions: "Who are we? Where did we come from?"

And the answers point to a profound reality: We have far more in common with our extinct cousins than we ever thought.

***

NEANDERTHALS WITHIN US

Until recently, the genetic legacy from ancient humans was invisible because scientists were limited to what they could glean from the shape and size of bones. But there has been a steady stream of discoveries from ancient DNA, an area of study pioneered by Nobel Prize winner Svante Paabo who first pieced together a Neanderthal genome.

Advances in finding and interpreting ancient DNA have allowed them to see things like genetic changes over time to better adapt to environments or through random chance.

It's even possible to figure out how much genetic material people from different regions carry from the ancient relatives our predecessors encountered.

Research shows some African populations have almost no Neanderthal DNA, while those from European or Asian backgrounds have 1% to 2%. Denisovan DNA is barely detectable in most parts of the world but makes up 4% to 6% of the DNA of people in Melanesia, which extends from New Guinea to the Fiji Islands.

That may not sound like much, but it adds up: Even though only 100,000 Neanderthals ever lived, "half of the Neanderthal genome is still around, in small pieces scattered around modern humans," said Zeberg, who collaborates closely with Paabo.

It's also enough to affect us in very real ways. Scientists don't yet know the full extent, but they're learning it can be both helpful and harmful.

For example, Neanderthal DNA has been linked to auto-immune diseases like Graves' disease and rheumatoid arthritis. When Homo sapiens came out of Africa, they had no immunity to diseases in Europe and Asia, but Neanderthals and Denisovans already living there did.

"By interbreeding with them, we got a quick fix to our immune systems, which was good news 50,000 years ago," said Chris Stringer, a human evolution researcher at the Natural History Museum in London. "The result today is, for some people, that our immune systems are oversensitive, and sometimes they turn on themselves."

Similarly, a gene associated with blood clotting believed to be passed down from Neanderthals in Eurasia may have been helpful in the "rough and tumble world of the Pleistocene," said Rick Potts, director of the human origins program at the Smithsonian Institution. But today it can raise the risk of stroke for older adults. "For every benefit," he said, "there are costs in evolution."

In 2020, research by Zeberg and Paabo found that a major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neanderthals. "We compared it to the Neanderthal genome and it was a perfect match," Zeberg said. "I kind of fell off my chair."

The next year, they found a set of DNA variants along a single chromosome inherited from Neanderthals had the opposite effect: protecting people from severe COVID.

The list goes on: Research has linked Neanderthal genetic variants to skin and hair color, behavioral traits, skull shape and Type 2 diabetes. One study found that people who report feeling more pain than others are likely to carry a Neanderthal pain receptor. Another found that a third of women in Europe inherited a Neanderthal receptor for the hormone progesterone, which is associated with increased fertility and fewer miscarriages.

Much less is known about our genetic legacy from Denisovans  although some research has linked genes from them to fat metabolism and better adaptation to high altitudes. Maanasa Raghavan, a human genetics expert at the University of Chicago, said a stretch of Denisovan DNA has been found in Tibetans, who continue to live and thrive in low-oxygen environments today.

Scientists have even found evidence of "ghost populations"  groups whose fossils have yet to be discovered  within modern humans' genetic code.

***

SO WHY DID WE SURVIVE?

In the past, the tale of modern humans' survival "was always told as some success story, almost like a hero's story," in which Homo sapiens rose above the rest of the natural world and overcame the "insufficiencies" of their cousins, Potts said.

"Well, that simply is just not the correct story."

Neanderthals and Denisovans had already existed for thousands of years by the time Homo sapiens left Africa. Scientists used to think we won out because we had more complex behavior and superior technology. But recent research shows that Neanderthals talked, cooked with fire, made art objects, had sophisticated tools and hunting behavior, and even wore makeup and jewelry.

Several theories now tie our survival to our ability to travel far and wide.

"We spread all over the world, much more than these other forms did," Zeberg said.

While Neanderthals were specially adapted to cold climates, Potts said, Homo sapiens were able to disperse to all different kinds of climates after emerging in tropical Africa. "We are so adaptable, culturally adaptable, to so many places in the world," he said.

Meanwhile, Neanderthals and Denisovans faced harsh conditions in the north, like repeated ice ages and ice sheets that likely trapped them in small areas, said Eleanor Scerri, an archeologist at Germany's Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology. They lived in smaller populations with a greater risk of genetic collapse.

Plus, we had nimble, efficient bodies, Prendergast said. It takes a lot more calories to feed stocky Neanderthals than comparatively skinny Homo sapiens, so Neanderthals had more trouble getting by, and moving around, especially when food got scarce.

Janet Young, curator of physical anthropology at the Canadian Museum of History, pointed to another intriguing hypothesis  which anthropologist Pat Shipman shared in one of her books - that dogs played a big part in our survival. Researchers found the skulls of domesticated dogs in Homo sapiens sites much further back in time than anyone had found before. Scientists believe dogs made hunting easier.

By around 30,000 years ago, all the other kinds of hominins on Earth had died off, leaving Homo sapiens as the last humans standing.

***

'INTERACTION AND MIXTURE'

Still, every new scientific revelation points to how much we owe our ancient cousins.

Human evolution was not about "survival of the fittest and extinction," said John Hawks, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It's about "interaction and mixture."

Researchers expect to learn more as science continues to advance, allowing them to extract information from ever-tinier traces of ancient lives. Even when fossils aren't available, scientists today can capture DNA from soil and sediment where archaic humans once lived.

And there are less-explored places in the world where they hope to learn more. Zeberg said "biobanks" that collect biological samples will likely be established in more countries.

As they delve deeper into humanity's genetic legacy, scientists expect to find even more evidence of how much we mixed with our ancient cousins and all they left us.

"Perhaps," Zeberg said, "we should not see them as so different."

***

How weather has shaped human history How weather has shaped human history Climate change drives people out of Africa 541: Drought leads to first recorded bubonic plague 900: Drought spells the end for Mayan civilization 1274: Kublai Khan and the Kamikaze 1315: Extreme weather spawns the Great Famine of 1315-1317 1588: The wind flubs the Spanish Armada's attack on England 1601: Volcanic eruption in Peru causes famine during Russia's Time of Troubles 1692: Mini ice age instigates the Salem Witch Trials 1776: Fog saves the American Revolution 1789: The witch trials' 'little ice age' also spurs the French Revolution 1800: Slave revolt is squashed by storms 1812: Russian winter bests Napoleon 1813: Tecumseh killed in the fog in the Battle of the Thames 1816: 'The Year Without a Summer' creates America's Heartland 1876: Famines form the 'Third World' 1893: Weather inspires painting of 'The Scream' 1903: Wind leads to an undocumented first flight 1912: The Titanic sinks 1930s: The Dust Bowl 1937: The Hindenburg explosion changes air travel 1940: A storm cloud saves Allied soldiers trapped near Dunkirk 1941: Winter breaks apart Hitler's two-front war 1944: D-Day 1945: Kokura gets sparedtwice 1948: Air inversion in Donora, Pennsylvania 1963: Sunny skies clear the way for JFK's assassination 1977: Tenerife Air Disaster 1980: Iranian 'haboob' thwarts hostage rescue, secures Reagan election 1986: The Challenger disaster
This year, voters in Marion and Old Fort will be asked to select their leaders in the municipal elections.

The early voting for the Marion and Old Fort races starts Thursday and will last through Saturday, Nov. 4.

Voters from both the town of Old Fort and the city of Marion may cast their ballots early at the Board of Elections office at 2458 N.C. 226 South, Marion, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. each weekday and one Saturday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., according to Deputy Director Janwe Dale Propst.

Election Day for the 2023 municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

On that day, the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Old Fort voters will vote at the Old Fort Depot on Election Day. Marion voters will vote at the Marion Community Building on Election Day. But voters who reside in the city limits of the West Marion Precinct will vote at the McDowell Senior Center due to new rules implemented by the N.C. State Board of Elections, according to local officials.

This year, voters in North Carolina will need to present some kind of photo identification for both early voting and Election Day.

Most voters have a North Carolina drivers license, which is an acceptable form of photo ID for voting. Those voters do not need to obtain a separate ID from their county board. Other common forms of acceptable identification include military or veterans ID cards issued by the federal government, and college student and public employer ID cards that the state board approved for use in voting, according to a previous story.

For a full list of acceptable forms of photo ID for voting, you can visit the state boards website at www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id.

Registered voters who do not have an acceptable form of identification for voting purposes can now get a free photo ID from their county board of elections office. No special documents are needed. Voters will simply provide their name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number and have their photo taken.

This option is now available at the McDowell County Board of Elections in Marion. The local office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In most counties, voters will be able to get an ID printed and given to them on the spot. A few counties may need to get the required information from the voter, take their photo, then mail the ID card to the voter or inform the voter that the ID card is ready to be picked up, whichever the voter prefers. Voters with questions about the ID process should contact their county board of elections.

A free voter photo ID will include the voters photo, name, and registration number. They will expire 10 years from the date of issuance. The county boards of elections can issue cards at any time during regular business hours, except for the period following the last day of early voting through Election Day, according to the previous story.

There are a total of eight candidates running in both Marion and Old Fort:

Incumbent Erin Marie Adams, 41, of 409 Orchard St., Old Fort, filed to run for another term on the Old Fort Board of Aldermen. She works as an office professional at Jim Cook Chevrolet in Marion.

Challenger Marina Burgin Gallion, 29, of 42 E. Tate St., Marion filed as a candidate for the Marion City Council. She is a certified nursing assistant (CNA).

Incumbent Jamie Grindstaff, 55, of 543 E. Main St., Old Fort, will seek another term on the Old Fort Board of Aldermen. He works as a correctional officer.

Incumbent Iretha Brooks Hancock, 62, of 261 Reservoir Drive, will run for another term on the Old Fort Board of Aldermen. She is retired.

Incumbent Billy S. Martin, 74, of 350 Holly Hill Drive, Marion, filed to run again for the Marion City Council. He was first elected in 1995 and has served on the council since. He is retired after a career in education.

Challenger Ocie Tyrone Mayfield, 58, of 209 Spring St., Apartment No. 2 in Marion, will seek one of the available seats on the Marion City Council. He is retired.

Challenger Jeremy Michael Poore, 47, of 46 N. Thomason St., Old Fort, is seeking election to the Old Fort Board of Aldermen. He is the McDowell Technical Community College Trail School coordinator.

Incumbent Don Ramsey, 72, of 188 Hillcrest Drive, Marion, filed to run for another term on the Marion City Council. He is retired after a career in law enforcement and formerly serving as the clerk of Superior Court.
The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) has elected Seychelles to take up the presidency of the first customs Committee, Seychelles Nation reports.

The elections took place late last week during the Committees first meeting held at the Savoy Seychelles Resort and SPA, Beau Vallon.

Heads of customs and other representatives across the Indian Ocean namely from Reunion, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles attended the meeting.

The idea of the Committee came following discussions held in November 2022 in Reunion, between heads of the customs Administration of the five IOC member States.

The Committee aims at providing a platform for the member States customs Administrations to engage in discussion on customs related issues, facilitate the implementation of projects of common interest, and encourage the coordination of customs good practices to ensure security and to facilitate trade.

It also seeks to intensify technical cooperation and capacity building, as well as increase cooperation in the gathering and sharing of intelligence to facilitate the prevention, investigation and punishment for breach of customs offences.

Madagascar holds the post of vice-chair, while Comoros will be the rapporteur, the media notes. Mauritius in collaboration with Reunion, are responsible for the Secretariat.
The National Elections Commission has released up to 92.98% of the total votes for the presidential elections, making it certain that Liberia will go for a runoff election in November 2023 as required by the Constitution unless there is litigation against the process.

As of Monday October 16, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansannah, announced tally results from 5,467 of 5,890 polling places across the country, constituting 92.98% of the total polling places.

She also announced 100% results from three counties, including River Cess, Lofa, and Gbarpolu Counties.

Former Vice President Joseph Boakai is in a very slim lead with 43.70% of the total valid votes, while incumbent President George Weah has 43.65%.

With only 7.02% of polling places left to be counted, it is evident that neither candidate will obtain the constitutional requirement of 50% + 1 vote to be declared the winner of the election.

Liberia is recovering from the brutal civil wars that ended two decades ago, after killing an estimated 250,000 people.
Bomb attacks on churches by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) jihadists were foiled on Sunday October 15 in Uganda, some 50 km west of the capital Kampala, President Yoweri Museveni announced.

Two explosive devices that the ADF, rebels who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, were planning to plant in the churches of Kibibi () were reported to the police and defused, wrote the Ugandan Head of state on X (formerly Twitter) this October 16.

Earlier on Sunday, 79-year-old Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country with an iron fist since 1986, said that Ugandan forces had carried out air strikes against ADF positions in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo the previous day. It seems that many terrorists have been killed, he wrote on X, without giving further details.

The President warned that the ADF could attempt to commit random acts of terrorism in Uganda following these air strikes.

In September 2023, Ugandan police claimed to have foiled a bomb attack on a cathedral in Kampala and arrested the man suspected of trying to activate the explosive device among worshippers.

In June, members of the ADF killed 42 people, including 37 pupils, at a secondary school in western Uganda close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It was the deadliest attack in Uganda since the double bombing in Kampala in 2010, which killed 76 people in a raid claimed by the Somali-based Islamist group Shebab.

In its latest report published in June, the UN Group of Experts on the DRC stated that the EI had provided financial support to the ADF since at least 2019, through a complex financial system involving individuals in several countries on the continent, emanating from Somalia and passing through South Africa, Kenya and Uganda.

Originally Ugandan rebels with a majority of Muslims, established in the DRC since the 1990s, the ADF pledged allegiance in 2019 to the EI, which claims responsibility for some of their actions and presents them as its central African province (Iscap in English).
Winshear Gold Corp reports that it has successfully concluded the settlement agreement with the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania) (collectively the Parties) in relation to its dispute regarding the Companys SMP Gold Project.

The Parties agreed on an amount of US$30,000,000 on October 16th, 2023. After payment of funding and legal costs, the net amount to Winshear is approximately C$25,275,000 (US$18,500,000).

Richard Williams, CEO of Winshear Gold, commented, This settlement is good for both Tanzania and Winshear and we are pleased to reach a mutually acceptable conclusion to this matter. It is time for both Parties to move on and we wish Tanzania success in attracting new investment. The Company sincerely thanks our legal team, Lalive, for their work in preparing and presenting our case.

The Company will look at various options available to it before deciding on what to do with the funds and will announce a decision in due course.
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Women living and working in places with higher levels of fine particle air pollution are more likely to get breast cancer than those living and working in less polluted areas. Results of the first study to take account of the effects of both residential and workplace exposure to air pollution on breast cancer risk are presented at the ESMO Congress 2023 in Madrid, Spain.

"Our data showed a statistically significant association between long term exposure to fine particle air pollution, at home and at work, and risk of breast cancer. This contrasts with previous research which looked only at fine particle exposure where women were living, and showed small or no effects on breast cancer risk," said Professor Beatrice Fervers, Head of Prevention Cancer Environment Department, Leon Berard Comprehensive Cancer Centre, France.

In the study, home and workplace exposure to pollution in 2,419 women with breast cancer was compared to that in 2,984 women without breast cancer over the period 1990-2011. The results showed that breast cancer risk increased by 28% when exposure to fine particle (PM 2.5 ) air pollution increased by 10 g/m3approximately equivalent to the difference in PM 2.5 particle concentration typically seen in rural versus urban areas of Europe. Smaller increases in breast cancer risk were also recorded in women exposed to high levels of larger particle air pollution (PM 10 and nitrogen dioxide). Fervers and colleagues now plan to investigate the effects of pollution exposure during commuting to get a complete picture of effects on breast cancer risk.

Professor Charles Swanton, the Francis Crick Institute, London, UK, whose research suggesting how PM 2.5 particles may trigger lung cancer in non-smokers was presented at ESMO Congress 2022, stressed the importance of the new findings with breast cancer.

"These very small particles can penetrate deep into the lung and get into the bloodstream from where they are absorbed into breast and other tissues. There is already evidence that air pollutants can change the architecture of the breast. It will be important to test if pollutants allow cells in breast tissue with pre-existing mutations to expand and drive tumor promotion possibly through inflammatory processes, similar to our observations in non-smokers with lung cancer," he said.

"It is very concerning that small pollutant particles in the air and indeed microplastic particles of similar size are getting into the environment when we don't yet understand their potential to promote cancer. There is an urgent need to set up laboratory studies to investigate the effects of these small air pollutant particles on the latency, grade, aggression and progression of breast tumors," he added.

"There is now strong epidemiological and biological evidence for the link between PM 2.5 particle exposure and cancer, and there are good clinical and economic reasons for reducing pollution in order to prevent cancers," said Professor Jean-Yves Blay, ESMO Director of Public Policy.

Following on a proposal from the European Commission in October 2022 to reduce the limit for PM 2.5 particles in the air from the current 25 g/m3 to 10 g/m3 by 2030, ESMO urged a reduction in the PM 2.5 limit still further to 5 g/m3, in line with the World Health Organization's air quality guidance.

"Reducing PM 2.5 particles in the air to the WHO recommended level is critical because of their association with a variety of tumor types, including breast cancer," Blay added. "We have a responsibility to push for this change, not only for people in Europe but worldwide where there are big variations in the pollution landscape." The lower limit was indeed adopted by the European Parliament's Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee in June 2023.

More recently, in September 2023, the European Parliament adopted in plenary session its report on the ongoing revision of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives, which reflects ESMO's recommendations to set the annual limit value for Fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) at 5 g/m. This adoption opens interinstitutional negotiations between the co-legislatorsEuropean Parliament, European Commission and EU Councilto agree on the final text of the directive.

"By supporting our requests with solid scientific evidence, we are offering a new dimension to health public policy. The work is not over, and change will not happen overnight, but we are moving in the right direction," the ESMO Public Policy Director concluded.
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Most folks know that certain antidepressants have to be taken for a few weeks before people start seeing improvement, and now a new study sheds light on that delay.

Scientists have discovered this is because of physical changes in the brain that unfold over those first few weeks of using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and lead to greater brain plasticity.

SSRIs include a range of common antidepressants such as Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro and Zoloft.

"The delay in therapeutic action of antidepressants has been a puzzle to psychiatrists ever since they were first discerned over 50 years ago. So, these new data in humans that use cutting-edge brain imaging to demonstrate an increase in brain connections developing over the period that the depression lifts are very exciting," said David Nutt from Imperial College London, who was not involved in the research. "Also, they provide more evidence [that] enhancing serotonin function in the brain can have enduring health benefits."

The researchers studied this in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in a group of healthy volunteers.

The researchers gave 17 volunteers a 20-milligram (mg) daily dose of the SSRI escitalopram (Lexapro). Another 15 volunteers received a placebo.

About three to five weeks in, the volunteers' brains were scanned using a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner.

The scans made it possible to see the amount of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A in the brain. The more of that protein found in an area, the more nerve cell connections are present.

The investigators saw significant differences in how synapse density evolved over time in the two groups.

"We found that with those taking the SSRI, over time there was a gradual increase in synapses in the neocortex and the hippocampus of the brain, compared to those taking placebo. We did not see any effect in those taking placebo," said researcher Gitte Knudsen of Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark.

The neocortex is a complex brain structure that handles higher functions like sensory perception, emotion and cognition. The hippocampus is involved with memory and learning.

The study findings were presented Monday at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference, in Barcelona, and simultaneously published online in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

"This points towards two main conclusions," Knudsen said in a meeting news release. "Firstly, it indicates that SSRIs increase synaptic density in the brain areas critically involved in depression. This would go some way to indicating that the synaptic density in the brain may be involved in how these antidepressants function, which would give us a target for developing novel drugs against depression," she said.

"The second point is that our data suggest that synapses build up over a period of weeks, which would explain why the effects of these drugs take time to kick-in," she added.

More information: Annette Johansen et al, Effects of escitalopram on synaptic density in the healthy human brain: a randomized controlled trial, Molecular Psychiatry (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02285-8 Journal information: Molecular Psychiatry

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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One in three Australian children have tooth decay by the time they start school. This rises to more than 40% by the time they're 8 or 9.

Teeth decay occurs when frequent and excessive amounts of sugar disturb bacteria in the mouth. This can lead to holes or "cavities," which may need fillings.

If untreated, the holes can get bigger, causing pain and infection. Tooth decay is the most common cause of toothache among children and tooth decay is a leading cause of preventable hospital admission.

Parents and caregivers sometimes think baby teeth are less important than adult teeth. But tooth decay can impair a child's ability to eat, sleep, learn and socialize. It can affect the quality of life of children, and their parents and caregivers.

The good news is tooth decay is preventable with three good dental habits: early dental check-ups, twice daily brushing and limiting sugar.

1. Early dental check-ups

Australian and international guidelines recommend children have their first dental check-up when the first tooth emerges from the gums (usually at age 6 months), or by at least 12 months of age.

Yet few families follow this advice, presuming their child is too young, or that they have healthy teeth.

Early dental check-ups can pick up early signs of tooth decay. This allows simple treatments, such as topical fluoride varnish, which stop tooth decay getting worse.

Australian children from families experiencing the greatest adversity are the least likely to access dental services. However, all preschool-aged children are eligible for free dental check-ups through public dental services.

Medicare's Child Dental Benefits Scheme also provides a capped benefit for eligible children to use at their local dentist. Around 95% of dentists bulk bill services under the Medicare scheme.

However, with uptake below 40%, most eligible families are not using the scheme, indicating cost is only one barrier. Families living in rural and remote areas, for instance, may find it difficult accessing dental services.

2. Brush their teeth

Twice daily brushing using age-appropriate fluoridated toothpaste is recommended. The Australian fluoride guidelines recommend a low-strength fluoridated toothpaste is used from 18 months of age.

Many young children have teeth spaced apart, so flossing between teeth may not be necessary. However, your dentist may recommend flossing if teeth are in tight contact.

While most Australian adults brush their teeth twice daily, tooth brushing is less consistent in the early years.

For some parents and caregivers, tooth brushing can be a low priority, as it becomes difficult when young children are uncooperative. Dental check-ups can help parents and caregivers get individualized support with these important dental habits.

Manual dexterity varies between children, so it's important to assist children with tooth brushing well into primary school. Some children may need help for longer than others. Ask at your next dental check-up whether your child is brushing well.

3. Limit sugar

Consuming sugar early in life can increase the preference for sugar as children get older.

Parents and caregivers should avoid giving free sugars to children. Free sugars are those added to food and drinks (such as confectionery and soft drinks) and those naturally present in honey and fruit juices.

The World Health Organization recommends limiting free sugars to less than 5% of total energy intake. However, many Australian children consume well above this amount.

Parents and caregivers should be wary of aggressive marketing and deceptive labeling of sweet drinks and snacks as healthy alternatives.

Children should also avoid eating and drinking around bedtime to reduce the risk of tooth decay. This includes consumption of milk and other sugar-sweetened drinks from bottles to sleep.

The best alternative to sugar-sweetened drinks is water. Drinking water from a fluoridated water supply will help protect your child's teeth from decay.

Community water fluoridation was one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. But some Australians, particularly in rural and remote areas, miss out. People living in these areas might benefit from other fluoride therapies (such as fluoride mouth rinses) but should discuss this with their dentist.

Families have an important role to play in children's dental health. Early dental check-ups, brushing teeth twice a day with age-appropriate fluoridated toothpaste, and limiting sugar will allow children to reach adulthood with healthy mouths.

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Fire and rescue service staff could help health care providers reach more patients in need by including early detection of mental ill health in older adults as part of their routine Home Fire Safety Visits, researchers have said.

Fire services up and down the country include routine Home Fire Safety Visits to potentially vulnerable people in their area, including older adults, to ensure their properties are as safe as possible and to provide fire prevention advice.

And now a team of researchers, led by Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham OBE and Dr. Tom Kingstone (Keele University) in collaboration with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, and colleagues at other academic institutes, have completed research to examine the potential use of Home Fire Safety Visits to include detection and sign-posting for anxiety and depression in older adults.

Under-diagnosed and under-treated

Mental ill-health, such as anxiety and depression, in older adults (aged 60 years and over) is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, and they are less likely to access mental health services due to perceived stigma and fear of being a burden.

Pressure on health care systems, particularly mental health services, make it difficult for health care professionals to identify conditions like anxiety and depression early, but visits like these provide a unique opportunity for fire and rescue service staff to support this early detection.

To investigate this proposal the research team conducted interviews with fire and rescue service staff, to understand more about their attitudes to incorporating mental health checks in their routine visits.

They found that staff were open to expanding these visits to include a focus on mental health, provided they had sufficient training and support from partner agencies in primary and social care settings to accept referrals for service users presenting with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Their findings have been published in the British Journal of General Practice.

Improving well-being of communities

Lead author Dr. Tamsin Fisher said, "We are very grateful to have worked so closely with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service throughout the course of this research. We have spoken with a variety of personnel at the service who have been very honest and open about the research and potential to expand the services that they are providing.

"Other stakeholders, including older adults across Staffordshire, have been interviewed and a second paper is in progress to report these findings. By publishing this research, we are hoping to demonstrate that non-traditional providers of care, such as the Fire and Rescue Service could support the detection of anxiety and depression in older adults and help guide and encourage them to receive the care and/or support that they might need."

Ian Read, head of Prevent, Protect and Partnerships at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, added, "Working with the research team at Keele University and partner organizations has been a positive experience. Through engagement with this research, we have built new relationships with our collaborators and used our involvement in research as a means to engage with other outside organizations.

"This research gives good evidence that interaction between the Fire and Rescue Service and the public during Home First Safety Visits can be used to further the objectives and priorities of the NHS, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for the individuals involved. At a time of diminishing resources for Fire and Rescue Services, a more collective approach to the health agenda can only be beneficial to the well-being of communities and utilization of public funding.

"This research will also inform our approach to staff well-being going forward. We look forward to working with the team in the future to develop new ways to support members of the wider community."

More information: Tamsin Fisher et al, Can the fire and rescue service work with primary care to improve identification of mental health problems in older adults?, BJGP Open (2023). DOI: 10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0059 Journal information: British Journal of General Practice
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A therapy session with Patricia Brown starts like any other. She leads her clients into a peaceful, quiet room, draped in beige and generic, calming artwork.

Then her clients lie down, close their eyes, put on a blindfold and headphones, and trip for six hours on psilocybin, the psychoactive chemical found in magic mushrooms.

Brown is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and head of clinical operations at CNS Health care. CNS in Thornton Park and APG Research near the Central Business District are two global clinical trial sites testing whether microdoses of psychedelicstypically about one-tenth of a recreational dosecan help people with depression and anxiety.

A growing number of clinical trials suggest single doses of psychedelics can have long-lasting impacts on the brain, leading the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue "breakthrough therapy" designations to these drugs beginning in 2017.

These treatments could have untapped potential for helping the estimated one in three people with treatment-resistant depression, meaning they have tried at least two different antidepressants that haven't worked, said Brown. The clinical trial she's working on right now targets this group.

"This is the opportunity for us to take treatment for depression and anxiety to the next level," Brown said.

The rebound in psychedelics' popularity isn't without controversy, however. A potentially troubling trend is emerging. From 2018 to 2021, a survey published in the scientific journal Addiction indicates a doubling of recreational psychedelic use in the U.S., with 8% of young adults having tried hallucinogens as of 2021. This is the highest number seen since the 1980s.

Recreational use sparks concern

This isn't the first time these drugs have been studied for therapeutic benefits. These investigations have taken place since the 1940s, though research halted in the 1970s when the federal government classified these drugs as Schedule 1 due to their potential for abuse.

Over the last few decades, there's been a resurgence in promising scientific research, continuing the work of 50 years ago. But it's dangerous to use these drugs outside a medical setting, especially without a guide, said Dr. Robert Molpus, a psychiatrist and addiction researcher.

Molpus leads the CNS Health care location of a clinical trial of small doses of LSD on people with anxiety. The study is run by Mind Medicine, a biotech pharmaceutical company seeking approval for its proprietary form of LSD.

"What we have here is pharmaceutical-grade medication produced under very strict tolerances and standards," said Molpus. "Whatever you buy on the street, it's not pharmaceutical grade and you actually have no idea what's in it or what the dose is."

Psychedelics theoretically alleviate mental illnesses by creating new connections in the brain, according to the National Institutes of Health. Negative connections can be created just as easily as positive ones, Molpus warned.

"The idea is that things are connected wrong because of experience or trauma. And so, what you want to do, is get them reconnected; you want to break this bad connection," Molpus said. "You don't want a different set of bad connections. That's where the therapy piece comes in."

Licensed mental health counselor Elizabeth Lindell Mendez says recreational psychedelics worsened pre-existing mental illnesses and addiction issues in some of her clients. She worked for six years in community mental health residential and day treatment programs before moving to Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry in Maitland a few months ago.

"When you actively hallucinate, the more you do it, the less likely you might be to come back, especially if you have a hereditary predisposition that you're unaware of," she said. "It can actually increase and exacerbate symptoms."

She emphasized that she hasn't seen any clients who took these drugs within a controlled medical setting.

The American Psychological Association released a statement in 2022 calling preliminary research into psychedelics "promising" but cautioned about a lack of evidence.

"There is currently inadequate scientific evidence for endorsing the use of psychedelics to treat any psychiatric disorder except within the context of approved investigational studies," the statement read.

Studies combat stigma

Brown is confident that current clinical trials are not dangerous.

"I think there really is a stigma that we have to overcome," she said.

The ongoing trials at CNS are regulated by the FDA and don't allow people with psychotic and personality disorders to participate. People with other mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder and people who would take other psychiatric medications during the study can't participate either.

Brown is working on a randomized clinical trial testing the impact of a single dose of psilocybin. The study, conducted by biotech company COMPASS Pathways, will include therapy before the psilocybin dose, a therapist present for the eight-hour period a patient is high, and additional therapy afterward to process what the participant has experienced and help them integrate what they've learned.

Another point to keep in mind is that psychedelics do not typically lead to addiction, said Molpus.

"Can you overuse it? Absolutely, you can. But it's actually not all that common," Molpus said. "It can happen, and it does happen, but it's not like meth or heroin that can really capture and trap people in addiction."

Decades of research back up that assertion, according to the National Institutes of Health.

A push to roll back restrictions

The FDA labels psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, peyote and MDMA (ecstasy) as having "high abuse potential" and no recognized medical use, hence their Schedule 1 classification.

This designation is theoretically reserved for the most dangerous and addictive drugs in the U.S. In recent years, advocates have questioned it. Molpus labeled psychedelics' classification "more political than medical."

Marijuana, too, is Schedule 1, despite decades of evidence of its potential therapeutic benefits. The majority of states, including Florida, have legalized it for medical use.

Amid mounting arguments that these drugs should be more accessible, a handful of countries and U.S. locations like Oregon have decriminalized or legalized MDMA and mushrooms.

In 2021 and 2022, Florida lawmakers introduced legislation that would have ordered state-funded research into the therapeutic applications of psilocybin, ketamine and MDMA for treating conditions including depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and migraines. The bills failed to achieve widespread support.

Nationally, more than 60% of U.S. voters support legalizing psychedelic therapy, a 2023 poll done by the University of California, Berkeley, found.

The future of psychedelics

A potential roadmap for magic mushrooms and LSD can be seen with ketamine, another drug with hallucinogenic or psychoactive properties.

The FDA approved a derivative of ketamine called esketaminemanufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and sold as a patented nasal spray called Spravatoin 2018.

It's only available for people with treatment-resistant depression through a restricted distribution system with strict guidelines.

Ketamine differs from traditional psychedelics, however, because it has been used in medical settings for decades and is not as tightly regulated. Physicians who don't want to jump through federal government hurdles or work with insurance companies are allowed to prescribe traditional ketamine off-label as a treatment for mental health conditions.

Meanwhile, the only foray into selling mushrooms commercially in Florida so far was unsuccessful.

In 2022, Ybor City's Chillum Mushroom Hemp Dispensary briefly bypassed Florida's restrictions by selling psychedelic mushrooms that didn't contain the banned ingredient of psilocybin. It advertised itself as the first magic mushroom dispensary in the U.S., and was so successful it opened a second St. Petersburg location.

Even though the mushrooms technically didn't include any banned ingredients, they were not approved to be sold as food. The store tried out a loophole, labeling them as intended "only for education or spiritual purposes," not for consumption.

This wasn't enough to stop the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services from shutting down Chillum Mushroom Hemp Dispensary's sales.

The dispensary reluctantly stopped offering the mushroom in August, according to a statement on its website.

2023 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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"They don't treat you like a person. They treat you like an 'it.'"

This was how Richard, who has an intellectual disability, described his general experiences with medical professionals.

He was among 18 adults with intellectual disability and eight support people we spoke to for a study published in the European Journal of Human Genetics on how people with intellectual disability have experienced medical care. We were especially interested in experiences with genetic health care (where, for example, a person may get genetic testing to learn more about their disability).

This work, part of a broader body of research on intellectual disability and medical care, has revealed an urgent need to shift the deeply entrenched assumptions many health-care workers often hold about patients with intellectual disability.

Our research suggests health professionals need training to deliver more inclusive, person-centered and respectful health care.

Centering lived experience from the outset

This work demanded a different type of research.

Our team included not just genetics researchers, bioethicists and disability education researchers but also adjunct lecturer Julie Loblinzk OAM, a mother and self-advocate leader with intellectual disability (who is also a co-author on this article).

Together, we formed the inclusive research group GeneEQUAL.

We set out to involve people with lived experience of intellectual disability in the project design, implementation and interpretation.

We've now produced a number of studies revealing the startling extent to which people with intellectual disability are often excluded from discussions about their own health.

People with intellectual disability told us how they generally felt cut out of their own health-care appointments, as health-care practitioners often spoke to their support person or family member instead of to them.

Many spoke of how little effort health-care professionals often put in to use accessible language or offer easy-to-read materials. As Lillian told us:

"It's very hard to read the form? Even my mum found it hard to read."

This meant people with intellectual disability were often unsure why they were having a genetic test at all.

Many felt excluded from decisions about consent for genetic tests, or even what was talked about in the appointment.

The video below shows an all-too-common experience for people with intellectual disability seeing a doctor for genetic testing.

The next video, by contrast, shows what accessible, inclusive and respectful practice would look like.

Post-diagnosis support is often lacking

Genetic counseling is often emotionally triggering. It touches on deeply personal issues of identity, health implications for children and extended family, and future health. For example, after a genetic diagnosis Katrina said, "I feel like I'm not normal now. And I've told people about it, and they're my friends and family and they don't mean to pick on me about it, but they look like, 'You're just a retard. You're not all there now.'"

Three participants said they'd considered suicide after their diagnosis.

However, people with intellectual disability told us they were rarely connected with appropriate psychological supports after their diagnosis. There is also a shortage of these kinds of supports. One interviewee, Katarina, told us, "You've got to watch the way you present things to us, because we will just break down and cry and think it's other things [] we get very, like, broken-hearted about things. We dwell on it, we stew on it."

The deficit-based language of genetics is peppered with words such as mutation, risk, impairment and abnormality. This can reinforce people's lifelong experiences of bullying and stigma. As Aaron told us, "In my mind, Mum has said to me, 'You're missing a bad chromosome.' [] I knew I wasn't normal to othersI knew I was missing, some part of my brain has gone missing."

All of this means the potential benefits of a genetic diagnosis were often wasted.

Virtually none of the participants in our research knew the name or nature of their genetic condition, let alone what health checks or therapies were recommended.

Worse, their ongoing health-care teams (including their GPs) were often equally in the dark.

Change is underway

Both the federal government's National Roadmap to Improving the Healthcare of People with Intellectual Disability and the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability have highlighted how widespread exclusionary practices are in Australian health care.

Failing to address this means fewer people with intellectual disability getting health checks and screenings, leading to poorer long-term health. The average life expectancy of Australians with intellectual disability is already shockingly low compared to the general population.

But slowly, change is underway.

Based on our research, NSW Health funded our team to work with self-advocacy groups and health-care professionals to co-produce the GeneEQUAL Educational Toolkit. This resource empowers medical professionals to deliver better, more equitable genetic health care and features Easy Read booklets about genetic conditions and clinics.

People with intellectual disability identified three key guiding principles. Health-care professionals need to:

make reasonable adjustments, such as allowing long enough appointments to explain options in an understandable way

practice person-centered care, such as making genetic reports and letters available in Easy Read (a style of presenting information simple and easy-to-understand ways) and ensuring the genetic diagnosis and management plan is shared with the patient themselves, their support person and their clinical team

offer choices and deliver trauma-informed care, given the high rate of abuse and stigma experienced by people with intellectual disability; language should be strengths-based and environments welcoming.

This toolkit has been widely used in Australia and internationally since its launch, with many showing interest not just in the content but also in the collaborative way it was produced.

(Note: Names changed to protect identities.)

More information: Iva Strnadova et al, "I am not a number!" Opinions and preferences of people with intellectual disability about genetic healthcare, European Journal of Human Genetics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01282-3 Journal information: European Journal of Human Genetics

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Mosquito-transmitted virus infections are on the rise and their spread is accelerating in Texas, Florida and elsewhere in the American South. With the rise of mosquito-borne illnesses, infectious disease experts at Baylor College of Medicine and Stanford School of Medicine are warning of the possible re-emergence of yellow fever in the southern portion of the U.S.

Their perspective piece on the virus' potential return was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It calls for yellow fever to be prioritized in national pandemic preparedness planning.

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that decimated southern U.S. cities in regular epidemics in New Orleans, Galveston, Memphis and Charleston from 1820 to 1905, according to Dr. Peter Hotez, professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor and co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and co-author of the paper.

The virus is a flavivirus and arbovirus infection like dengue or Zika virus, but with much higher mortality. Yellow fever is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which are common in the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as southern urban areas like those in Texas and Florida.

"We've seen a rise in mosquito-transmitted illnesses in Texas and Florida, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus, but now we're also worried about yellow fever since it seems to be accelerating in tropical regions of Latin America such as Brazil and Venezuela," Hotez said. "The consequences of a high mortality infection like yellow fever re-emerging in the southern U.S. would be profoundly destabilizing."

Experts propose expanding surveillance activities by enhancing local health departments to combat mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses as well as developing antiviral drugs, vaccines and new genedrive technology (permanently altering insect genes through genetic engineering) for mosquito control efforts.

"The mosquitoes that spread yellow fever are here in the U.S. and conditions are increasingly favorable for them as our world warms," said Dr. Desiree LaBeaud, professor of pediatrics-infectious disease at Stanford Medicine and co-author of the publication. "We need a comprehensive plan to better protect at-risk communities in the southern U.S. from mosquito-borne diseases."

"One of the reasons we established National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor was in recognition that tropical infections have become a new normal due to a confluence of climate change, urbanization and poverty on the U.S. Gulf Coast and Texas," Hotez said.

More information: Peter J. Hotez et al, Yellow Jack's Potential Return to the American South, New England Journal of Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp2308420 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine
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Three decades ago, Professor Martine Vrijheid was investigating the prevalence of birth defects near hazardous waste sites across Europe as part of her Ph.D. work. She found that there was indeed an increased risk close to dumps.

Her study, conducted at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK, raised more questions.

Child focus

"One of the big questions I was asked when we published these results was: 'What would you do if you were pregnant?'" said Vrijheid, a Dutch native who is now a professor of environmental and child health at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain. "I couldn't really answer that question and so I thought we really need much better data to give better recommendations to women during their pregnancy."

Ever since then, Vrijheid has focused on how the environment in which children grow up can damage their health.

The combination of environmental influences and how the body reacts to them is called the exposome. It factors in what people eat and do, where they live and work and how they interact with their physical surroundings.

Everything from exposure to toxic chemicals to weather changes is included. The environment accounts for an estimated 70% of the chronic disease burden on people, with air pollution from fossil fuels burned by factories, power plants, cars and buildings being a leading cause.

For example, a third of childhood asthma cases in Europe can be attributed to polluted air, according to the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, also known as ISGlobal.

"We know that, for a large proportion of our non-communicable or chronic diseases, there are preventable causes in the environment," Vrijheid said.

She coordinates a research project to quantify how the exposome affects the health of people in Europe during their first 20 years of life. Called ATHLETE, the five-year project runs until the end of 2024.

Early signals

ATHLETE focuses on young people in order to reduce their overall chances of getting sick.

"It's much more efficient to start prevention in children or pregnancy than to address risk factors when people are older and already on the way to becoming ill," said Vrijheid. "Anything that happens in those very early years can have consequences later in life."

Take the organ growth of a fetus. Exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy can impede organ development.

Researchers use blood, urine and stool samples to detect biological markers such as metabolites, which are molecules required for the normal functioning of cells. The goal is to join the dots between environmental influences and child health.

The project has already found that exposure to pollutants early in life can create changes in the biological markers of children who are otherwise healthy, according to Vrijheid.

For example, child exposure to copper was associated with an inflammation marker. Plausible mechanisms of disease were also found for other pollutants including tobacco smoke and parabens, which are chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics.

"Even if children don't show any symptoms yet, if you can see that there are changes in their everyday geneticsor in their protein profilesthat may tell us something about their future risk of disease," Vrijheid said.

The overall aim of ATHLETE is to build up data and make the information available to researchers.

Through various studies, the project will lead to guidance on priority actions to monitor and limit exposure to pollutants. Part of this work includes developing a guidance ''toolkit'' for decision-makers and communities.

Depending on the study results, Vrijheid said recommendations for future policies could also emerge.

Sets of risks

ATHLETE is among nine research projects seeking advances in the field as part of the European Human Exposome Network, or EHEN, the world's largest such undertaking with 24 countries.

The exposome approach goes beyond tackling environmental pollutants one by one and instead seeks to address them as a whole based on a clearer picture of the interconnections.

In the framework of ATHLETE, a study in France is assessing whether changes in women's personal care products could affect exposure to chemicals such as phthalates that interfere with the hormonal systemso-called endocrine disruptors.

In total, 90 female volunteers aged 18 to 30 years are replacing commonly used cosmetics with alternatives for five days. With the help of urine samples taken before and after the trial, the study aims to show that reducing or changing the use of personal care items can reduce the presence of chemicals in the body.

In a further example, ATHLETE is examining the number of chemicals in pesticides, food packaging and other products that are features of everyday life in Europe.

"We hope that the exposome framework will help to provide evidence on sets of risk factors that can be tackled at the same timefor example by tackling mixtures of chemicals rather than one-by-one regulation," said Vrijheid.

Urban clues

Another of the EHEN projects is EXPANSE, which focuses on urban environments. By the end of the decade, more than 80% of Europe's population will live in and interact with an urban environment, according to the project.

"Cities or urban environments are hugely important for human health," said Roel Vermeulen, who leads EXPANSE and is a professor of environmental epidemiology at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Like ATHLETE, Vermeulen's project began in January 2020 and is scheduled to run until the end of 2024.

His team has been mapping the entire urban environment in Europe to get a better picture of the wide array of factorsfrom air pollution to foodsto which people are exposed.

The researchers use health data from across the EU, census information covering around 55 million people and specific groups of adults and children numbering around 2 million.

On top of that, the team is giving people sensors to measure exposure to environmental pollutants and track physical activity.

In total, 4,000 people have been selected for this "urban labs" exercise in Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland.

"EXPANSE will be able to advise on how neighborhoods can be made healthier," said Vermeulen.

Body barometers

The project's focus extends to the internal exposome: measuring levels of chemicals including flame retardants, pesticides and persistent pollutants in the body.

This allows the team to examine people who have developed an illness like diabetes later in life and to look out for chemical differences with healthy people.

"We have their blood samples 10 years before they developed the disease and we look at what was different in the blood between these two populations," said Vermeulen.

Part of what motivates him is his life among the cobbled streets and canals of Utrecht, particularly differences in the health of people depending on their specific neighborhood. Vermeulen said that people in the healthiest district enjoy as many as 12 years more good health than residents elsewhere in the city do.

Understanding the exposome will make it easier to eliminate these sorts of discrepancies.

"The postcode is more important than the genetic code," said Vermeulen. "We really need to have a global effort to understand environmental exposures and to actually come up with meaningful interventions to stop non-communicable diseases."

More information: ATHLETE

EXPANSE
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The Netflix series "Painkiller" recently depicted how the over-prescribing of the medicine OxyContin wreaked havoc on American society.

Today the grim reality is that opioid-related deaths in North America reached a record level in 2022, with more than 109,000 fatalities in the United States. The same year in Canada, deaths exceeded 7,400, a number equivalent to 20 opioid-related deaths every day, and this is likely to continue to increase over the coming years.

The opioid overdose crisis has been ongoing for over two decades in Canada and the U.S. The current mortality rate is greater than the worst years of the HIV/AIDs epidemic in these countries.

Opioids are drugs primarily used to treat severe pain, such as after surgery. When prescribed responsibly they are an effective medication, but if over-prescribed or used recreationally they can lead to an addiction (known as opioid use disorder) that can result in overdose death and wider community problems.

The roots of the crisis

After introduction of the opioid painkiller OxyContin in 1996, Purdue Pharma marketed the drug aggressively, underplaying its potential for addiction. Prescriptions increased and many patients became addicted. Purdue Pharma eventually pleaded guilty to criminal charges in 2020.

To address addiction, prescription monitoring programs aimed to limit supply but many patients then sought illicit opioids, leading to large heroin markets in the 2010s.

From 2015 onwards, illegally made fentanyla very strong opioid that is easy to manufacturebecame widely available, and rapidly replaced the heroin market. Fentanyl is extremely toxicup to 100 times stronger than heroinand is largely responsible for the increase in overdose deaths.

Now North Americans face an urgency on how to end the suffering. There is no single solution given the complexity of the problem, but we explain three potential strategies for treating patients and managing this epidemic.

1. Treat substance use disorders as a public health problem

The traditional "war on drugs" approach that focuses only on criminalization has been unsuccessful. In reality the data shows that illegal drug prices have fallen while purity and deaths have increased. Overdose deaths have also increased in prisons showing that places with even the highest level of security are vulnerable to drug smuggling.

Focusing on the opioid crisis through a public-health approach includes massively increasing access to care and treatment for patients experiencing substance use disorder. It requires more evidence-based services such as addiction clinics, psychotherapy harm reduction strategies and education for both patients and families about treatments that are available to them.

Beyond initial treatment there should be continued professional social support and a wider national effort to address the socioeconomic causes in disadvantaged communities.

Just as there is stigma associated with addiction that stops people from seeking help, there also appears to be stigma at the political and community level, as there is reluctance to fully acknowledge community drug problems. This stigma needs to be reduced so patients can get help.

2. Find better treatments through research

There are currently three main medicines approved for treating patients with opioid use disorder in Canada and the U.S.: methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone and extended-release naltrexone.

Although these are effective when used, there are barriers to access and long-term engagement with these treatments. Less than 10 percent of overdose survivors have access to meaningful care. The limited number of medications available does not work for everyone. We need more innovation to rapidly increase access to care and to find better therapies that suit the needs of different patients.

For example, our research center in Vancouver, is evaluating a slow-release formulation of morphine compared to methadone, which has been the dominant treatment for the past 40 years. This study will generate real-world evidence on the effectiveness of novel treatments in contexts of increasing fentanyl use.

Other research is exploring cannabis-based therapy and the best pathways patients can access for recovery. These research initiatives aim to increase the number of evidence-based treatments that can be used to enhance patient recovery and quality of life.

3. Stop the international spread of the epidemic

Currently the epidemic is contained within North America but there is the real concern of the crisis spreading to other countries. There is a steady increase in prescription and illicit opioid use in the United Kingdom and other European countries, which should be an early warning sign that they do not follow the same trajectory. Clinicians must remain actively vigilant on how they prescribe these drugs.

There should be greater international regulation in the marketing and operational strategies of pharmaceuticals, and oversight of the "revolving door" between industry and regulator employment. There is a potential conflict of interest when pharma companies hire the government employees who oversee their applications. As shown in "Painkiller," the FDA regulator who initially had issues with the drug's approval, and then later approved it, subsequently went on to work for Purdue.

Another concern is that the current increase in overdose deaths is coinciding with increased deaths where other illicit recreational drugs, such as cocaine and benzodiazepines, are contaminated with fentanyl unknown to the users. More effort should be made towards the public awareness of the dangers of an increasingly toxic drug market.

Speaking at a health-care summit in June, Rahul Gupta, the director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, said, "There is almost no other area today (that) affects our public health, national security and economic prosperity."

Valuable knowledge has been gained in confronting this crisis. Governments and communities should support evidence-based recommendations to help patients. There are still many challenges, but they are not beyond solving.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Scanning electron micrograph of a single prostate cancer cell. Credit: Anne Weston, Francis Crick Institute

Prostate cancer's resistance to treatment can be reversed in some patients by stopping hijacked white blood cells from being 'pulled into' tumors, according to new research published in Nature.

In an early clinical trial, researchers showed that blocking the messages cancer uses to hijack white blood cells can resensitize a subset of advanced prostate cancers to treatmentshrinking tumors or halting their growth.

Reverse drug resistance

The research provides the first proof in a human trial that targeting 'feeder' myeloid white blood cellswhich are co-opted by tumors to help fuel cancer growth, progression, and resistance to treatmentcan reverse drug resistance and slow tumor progression.

The research, led by The Institute of Cancer Research, London, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and The Institute of Oncology Research (IOR) in Switzerland, represents a major scientific advance following a decade of work into understanding how myeloid cells fuel treatment resistance.

Researchers tested a combination of AZD5069, an experimental drug which prevents myeloid cell recruitment to tumors, and enzalutamide, a hormone therapy commonly used to treat prostate cancer, in patients with advanced disease.

Five of 21 (24%) evaluable patients responded to the treatment, meaning their tumors shrunk by over 30%, they saw dramatic decreases in circulating levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), a marker secreted by the prostate which is often elevated by cancer, or their blood levels of circulating tumor cells dropped, in response to the combination.

Blood levels of myeloid cells also dropped in patients who received treatment, and biopsies following treatment also revealed fewer myeloid cells within their tumors.

Building on a decade of research

The research builds on over a decade of work by teams at the ICR, The Royal Marsden and IOR working to understand how myeloid cells fuel prostate cancers.

This began with a surprising observation that patients with aggressive and resistant prostate cancer had much higher levels of myeloid RNA in their blood.

Research by this international team has since shown that myeloid cells within tumors enter a sleep state called "senescence," and become "hormone factories," manufacturing signals which support tumor growth, division and survival. They then send further signals to the bone marrow to recruit more "conspirator" myeloid cells to enter the tumor and the cycle continues.

The new study is the first to prove that blocking this pathway has anti-tumor activity in humans with prostate cancer. It is an example of a treatment that works by disrupting the cancer ecosystema pioneering approach to cancer treatment which is a key focus of the ICR's latest strategy, Defeating Cancer.

The treatment AZD5069 prevents myeloid cells being recruited to tumors by blocking a receptor on myeloid cells called CXCR2, which acts as a mailbox for recruitment messages sent by myeloid cells already residing in tumors.

These messages encourage myeloid cells to travel towards places of inflammation, such as tumors, and infiltrate them.

Study leader Professor Johann De Bono, professor in experimental cancer medicine at the Institute of Cancer Research, London, and consultant medical oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said, "This research proves for the first time that targeting myeloid cells rather than the cancer cells themselves can shrink tumors and benefit patients. This is tremendously exciting, and it suggests we have an entirely new way to treat prostate cancer on the horizon.

"We've been studying these myeloid cells at the ICR for many years. More than a decade ago we first noticed that they were elevated in patients with much more aggressive tumors, and showed these tumors were more treatment resistant. Professor Andrea Alimonti at the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR) then demonstrated in laboratory studies that these cells could promote prostate cancer growth, with their inhibition blocking tumor progression.

"It's hugely rewarding to see our theory proven in a trial of patients with this disease. Myeloid cells may be implicated in treatment resistance in a range of cancers, so the impact of this research could be very broad, across multiple cancer types."

"It's a major achievement to plan and run a clinical trial on predominantly charity funding. We're incredibly grateful to the charities like Prostate Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Swiss Card Onco grant organization, who made this research possible."

Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of the Institute of Cancer Research, London said, "It's fantastic to see such an innovative approach to treatment showing benefits in a clinical trial. It helps to act as a proof of principle for disrupting cancer's supportive ecosystem, as a smart new way of targeting tumors.

"I look forward to seeing how this work progresses and hope it will pave the way to a new treatment that is beneficial to people with prostate cancer, and potentially also many other cancer types."

Dr. Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, said, "A man living with advanced prostate cancer needs treatments that will control his disease to give him years more life, feeling as well as possible. Sadly, for many men, their cancer resists treatments, ending too many lives far too soon."

"Six years ago, Prostate Cancer UK brought together some of the world's top experts in the field to work out how prostate cancer is using the immune system to evade treatments, and how we can disrupt this. Since then, we've moved from initial ideas to laboratory research, and now to a clinical trial that shows us a completely new, safe, effective way treat advanced prostate cancer without resistance."

More information: Christina Guo et al, Targeting myeloid chemotaxis to reverse prostate cancer therapy resistance, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06696-z Journal information: Nature
In 1953, a colossal musical instrument called a carillon  made up of 47 bells and collectively weighing 12 tons  made a journey via ship from Holland, through the Panama Canal to Seattle and eventually to Missoula.

On Tuesday at noon, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the carillon's installation in the clocktower of Main Hall on the University of Montana campus, musician Barbara Ballas played three songs and let the bells ring out over the stunning autumn colors.

The instrument is played a little like a piano, except Ballas is hitting large wooden sticks that are attached to cables that ring the giant bells in the room over her head. There's a row she hits with her fists and a row she hits with her feet as she reads music.

"The biggest bell weighs over 1,200 pounds," Ballas explained. "That's the one that strikes the hour, right? A familiar sound. And then the littlest bell up here is 20 pounds. So you know they can't compete with those big, big babies down at the bottom. So you have to learn to play (the larger bells) quieter, bring out the upper ones."

Each bell is valued at over $100,000, and the instrument is the only one of its kind in Montana.

"They've been around for 500 years, and the mechanism for playing has never really changed, basically," Ballas explained. "It's become more refined so you have more control. And I've learned, every once in a while I play some old, old music that would be from the 1500s or 1600s, and the people that heard that back in Europe couldn't even imagine our students walking around here and what they're hearing. So it's just a nice human artistic connection."

The instrument was installed 70 years ago as part of UM's Homecoming festivities. Every weekday at noon since, Ballas or other musicians have played the carillon for UM students and employees.

Dave Kuntz, UM's director of strategic communications, said a lot of people have the misconception that the bells are played by someone actually physically pulling rope or strings.

"That's part of what we're doing this week is celebrating the history and Barb's talents," he said. "She's worked with students before on bringing them up to speed on the carillon's history and how it's played."

Each bell is dedicated to UM alumni. Bells also are dedicated to the casualties of the Mann Gulch fire, Butte alumni, UM students who were killed in action in World War II, the Korean War and other conflicts.

Ballas likes to surprise the thousands of people that can hear the bells on campus every day. She sometimes plays UM's fight song, "Up With Montana," or the Star Wars theme.

"Sometimes I'll do casual Friday and so I'm planning on playing 'Autumn Leaves' this Friday," she explained. "But there's some things that don't do well on it, like rock n' roll."

She gets a lot of joy out of planning what song is appropriate for each day or each season.

"So yeah, it's fun," she said. "That's part of my enjoyment is planning each little set every day."
Missoulas Texas Roadhouse is a full-service, casual dining concept known for its hand-cut steaks and comfortable, down-home atmosphere, Livingston said. The menu also features an assortment of chicken, salads, hamburgers and vegetables. Most selections include two made-from-scratch side items and unlimited fresh-baked bread and peanuts.

Thoseinterested in employment can apply directly to Missoula opportunities at apply.texasroadhouse.com . Walk-ins can apply Monday through Friday 9 a.m.5 p.m. at the restaurant.

Once open, the restaurant will serve dinner-only Monday through Thursday from 4-10 p.m., Friday from 3-11 p.m., be open for lunch and dinner Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale still insists hes the best Republican to defeat Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, despite an anemic third quarter in fundraising.

Finance reports show Rosendale, still unannounced for U.S. Senate, raising $334,724 from July through September, while declared candidate Tim Sheehy raised $2.8 million and incumbent Tester reported $5 million for the same period.

The two-term representative does lead in name recognition and is racking up endorsements from Republican state legislators as he casts political newcomer Sheehy as the pick of Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and the DC Cartel.

Once again, Rep. Rosendale shows that he is the strongest candidate to beat Jon Tester, said Aaska Varma, spokeswoman for Rosendales campaign and congressional office. Despite Mitch McConnell and the D.C. Cartel going out of their way to raise money for Mr. Sheehy, he was still forced to loan his campaign $600k so he could have a little over a million dollars on hand. Meanwhile, Rep. Rosendale has over $1.7 million on hand and leads the primary and general fields without even being an announced candidate.

There is a $500,000 self-loan on Sheehys books, but the aviation business executive also raised more money in three months than Rosendale has in the last nine. Sheehy reported $1.1 million cash on hand after his first quarter as a candidate.

The Montana U.S. Senate race will be one of the most watched in the country as Republicans attempt to regain the Senate majority. Tester is the last statewide-elected Democrat in Montana, a state that hasnt elected more than one Democrat to statewide office per cycle since 2012. Republicans swept the state in 2020.

The race will also be one of the most expensive in state history, if Testers past three elections are any indication. The incumbent has won more than 50% of the vote just once, with third-party candidates making up the difference. Final spending reports for the 2018 Senate race showed $70 million spent by outside groups and the candidates, Rosendale being the Republican challenger.

Rosendale is very recognizable among voters. Hes been a candidate for U.S. House three previous times. Hes been a U.S. Senate candidate, won the state auditors race, and been on the ballot in some capacity every election since 2010. Because recognition matters, its Sheehy who is playing catchup, not Rosendale, said Jeremy Johnson, professor of political science at Carroll College.

He has a history of being well financed, Rosendale does. I suspect he can tap into substantial donations even at a later time, Johnson said. He was able to outspend other Republicans in previous primaries. He sat on the money from his last House race, probably for the Senate race, and hes well known.

So really, its Sheehy who has to raise money early and spend it to get name recognition. Objectively, I think Rosendale has more luxury to wait longer to raise big money than say, Sheehy.

Rosendale is, so far, missing two big pieces of his 2018 Senate campaign. President Donald Trump, who staged four Montana rallies for Rosendale five years ago, hasn't made a Montana endorsement this time around. The other piece is Club for Growth, a major financier of Rosendale's 2018 challenge to Tester. "The Club," as the organization is known, told The Hill in July that it was reconsidering an earlier commitment to Rosendale and was curious about Sheehy.

A major influencer in Senate races nationally, Montana's Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, is not only giving his support to Sheehy, but also the resources of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which he chairs.

Media mentions

Media appearances for Rosendale are also easier. For an incumbent, the appearances come with the job. For example, in September, Sheehy got eight mentions on FOX, or Fox Business Channel. Most are appearances or repeats of appearances. Most of his time on Montana screens is in campaign ads. The data comes from the non-profit Internet Archive, a media aggregator.

With a government shutdown brewing as Congress ends the federal fiscal year without creating a budget, Rosendales appearances, or mentions, on cable news number more than 30 in 19 days. The news isnt all positive for Rosendale as hes discussed on more than five networks. He gets to explain his position on not supporting stopgap bills to keep the government open, as well his calls for budgeting only through the 12 budget bills to come out of the Appropriations Committee. He appeared for interviews on Fox, C-Span and Newsmax.

But as the shutdown approaches, the Rosendale mentions turn negative. Pundits question the logic of shutting down the government. Word gets out that Rosendale prayed against Republicans winning a big House majority in the 2022 election, which would make it more difficult for him and a core group of hardliners to effect change.

The weeks that the potential shutdown occupied the House and cable news also happen to be Rosendales best fundraising days of the quarter. He raises 62% of his $185,782 in total contributions from individuals for the quarter in those 19 days.

On radio during those September weeks, Rosendale gets 48 mentions in program transcripts for stations across the country. Theyre not all positive, Republicans are critical of Rosendale for not agreeing with House Republican plans to keep the government open after Sept. 30. His prayers against big Republican wins in 2022, something he said during a fundraising interview with former Donald Trump advisor Steve Bannon, isnt well received.

But Rosendale isnt paying for any of this attention, not the more than 30 mentions on cable or the 48 on radio, as tallied by Internet Archive.

Endorsement yes, money no

The Rosendale endorsements from Montana Republican legislators and other lower tier elected officials keep appearing on editorial pages, even getting headlines occasionally. However, Rosendales finance records also show that hardly any of the politicians endorsing him are backing their words with actual donations.

Of the 37 state legislators to endorse Rosendale in August, only three have donated to his campaign since the beginning of the year. The news of the endorsements, reported from the lawmakers strongly worded letter, doesnt disclose the absence of actual campaign donations.